US20060059868A1 - Loader and packaging apparatus - Google Patents
Loader and packaging apparatus Download PDFInfo
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- US20060059868A1 US20060059868A1 US10/532,477 US53247705A US2006059868A1 US 20060059868 A1 US20060059868 A1 US 20060059868A1 US 53247705 A US53247705 A US 53247705A US 2006059868 A1 US2006059868 A1 US 2006059868A1
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- Prior art keywords
- product
- packaging apparatus
- bag
- receiving means
- conveyor
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
- B65B5/04—Packaging single articles
- B65B5/045—Packaging single articles in bags
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
- B65B25/06—Packaging slices or specially-shaped pieces of meat, cheese, or other plastic or tacky products
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B39/00—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers
- B65B39/02—Expansible or contractible nozzles, funnels, or guides
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
- B65B43/26—Opening or distending bags; Opening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B59/00—Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce packages of different sizes, to vary the contents of packages, to handle different types of packaging material, or to give access for cleaning or maintenance purposes
- B65B59/001—Arrangements to enable adjustments related to the product to be packaged
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B63/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on articles or materials to be packaged
- B65B63/02—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on articles or materials to be packaged for compressing or compacting articles or materials prior to wrapping or insertion in containers or receptacles
Definitions
- This invention relates to apparatus for loading product into packages.
- the present invention relates to a packaging apparatus for packaging product inside bags.
- packaging apparatus particularly packaging apparatus in a processing line such as a meat processing line
- a processing line such as a meat processing line
- manual handling of product is traditional but expensive.
- Repetitive strain injury is common.
- There is a strong demand for automation but because of the variety of shape and sizes of meat cuts it is very difficult for machinery to adapt to the variety of meat cuts to be packed. Machines work best with consistent product.
- the apparatus includes a movable loading fork and a loading horn.
- the loading horn holds bags in the open position and the loading fork travels through the loading horn, thereby locating articles on the loading fork within the bag.
- the loading fork is inverted after receipt of a bag, to allow the bagged article to be conveyed away off the loading fork.
- the loading horn is required to fit the bag over the fork and the cut and often between the fingers of the fork where the bag is smaller than the width of the fingers.
- some cuts are sticky and others of irregular shape. It is difficult for the loading horn to hold the bag in place while the cut enters the bag. Often it is easier for the operator to pull the bag over the fork rather than use the loading horn. This restricts the speed.
- This apparatus may pack, in a meat packaging plant, possibly 12 meat cuts per minute.
- packaging apparatus including a product receiving means which is adjustable so that at least opposite sides thereof can in use be spaced apart appropriate for the width of a product received therein, said product receiving means being movable relative to a bag holding means, said bag holding means having a plurality of adjustable bag holding members so that in use a bag positioned about said bag holding members can be opened sufficiently to allow the passage therein of said product receiving means with said product positioned thereon.
- the product means is the form of a platen having a base portion and wherein control means are adapted to control the movement of said opposite sides to provide a required amount of compression of the sides of the product.
- control means are operatively connected with said bag holding means so that the movement of said sides of said platen is commensurate with an appropriate opening of said bag holding members.
- control means includes biasing or pressure means acting to bias or pressure said opposite sides together until a required pressure on the sides of the product is detected.
- said bag holding members include a plurality of finger-like members adapted to receive thereover a said bag and to be adjustably movable apart so as to engage with an interior of said bag in opening it to receive a said product.
- said packaging apparatus includes an elongate support means on which said bag holding means is positioned, said product receiving means being adapted to travel longitudinally along said support means from one of its ends with a said product so that said product receiving means with said product enters into a said bag opened out on said bag holding means whereby the product receiving means and a bagged product is then able to move to an opposite end of said support means distal from said one end.
- a product feed means is adapted to position a said product on said product receiving means and more preferably said product feed means includes a conveyor which is adapted to be spaced apart above a said product receiving means as said product receiving means moves therebeneath, a product detecting means provided for said conveyor to control movement of the product receiving means relative to said conveyor and the movement of the product from the conveyor onto the product receiving means.
- the product feed means is adapted to pivot from a substantially horizontal position in which it receives a said product to an inclined position extending towards said product receiving means for discharging said product thereon.
- said product feed means is a conveyor and detection of a product on the conveyor enables the movement of said product receiving means to travel beneath said conveyor and for the tipping of said conveyor into said inclined position to discharge said product onto said product receiving means.
- the apparatus has a product unloading means including a projection means adapted to engage with a bagged product being carried by a product receiving means to remove the bagged product from the product receiving means and for the bagged product to be positioned on a product exit means.
- a product unloading means including a projection means adapted to engage with a bagged product being carried by a product receiving means to remove the bagged product from the product receiving means and for the bagged product to be positioned on a product exit means.
- the apparatus includes a product scanning means which measures at least the size of the product and is operatively connected at least with the bag holding means so that a size of bag commensurate with the product is provided.
- the apparatus includes at least one bag making apparatus operatively connected with said scanning means so that a said bag is made of a size commensurate with the scanned product for this to be available on the bag holding means prior to the arrival of the product at the bag holding means.
- a loader for use in the packaging apparatus defined in any one of the twelve immediately preceding paragraphs includes a product receiving means which is adjustable so that at least opposite sides thereof can in use be spaced apart so as to be appropriate for the width of a product received therein, said product receiving means being in the form of a platen.
- FIG. 1 Shows a perspective view of a packaging apparatus in accordance with one possible embodiment of the present invention but excluding any associated product feed-in or feed-out apparatus.
- FIG. 2 Shows a plan view of the packaging apparatus shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 Shows a side view of the packaging apparatus of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 4 Shows a perspective front view of the loader of the packaging apparatus of FIG. 1 in the open position.
- FIG. 5 Shows a plan view of the loader of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 6 Shows a front view of the loader of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 7 Shows a perspective front view of the loader of the packaging apparatus of FIG. 1 in the closed position.
- FIG. 8 Shows a plan view of the loader of FIG. 7 .
- FIG. 9 Shows a front view of the loader of FIG. 7 .
- FIG. 10 Shows a side elevational view of a packaging apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention and including its associated product feed-in and feed-out apparatus.
- FIG. 11 Shows the tipping conveyor of FIG. 10 in its horizontal position.
- FIG. 12 Shows the tipping conveyor of FIG. 11 in its pivoted position.
- FIG. 13 Shows very diagrammatically a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 10 (including associated bag making and product-sizing apparatus) and with product shown diagrammatically in various stages as it passes through the packaging apparatus.
- FIG. 14 Shows the apparatus of FIG. 13 but in a second operational position (and with the bag making apparatus omitted).
- FIG. 15 Shows the apparatus of FIG. 14 in a third operational position.
- FIG. 16 Shows the apparatus of FIGS. 13 to 15 in a further position with the feed-out conveyor in its lowered position and about to convey the bag product onto the exit conveyor.
- FIG. 17 Shows the bagged product being conveyed from the feed-out conveyor onto the exit conveyor.
- FIG. 18 Shows the apparatus of FIG. 17 but with the product on the loader having now been positioned within the bag
- FIG. 19 Shows the apparatus of FIGS. 13 to 18 with a feed-out conveyor in its raised position.
- FIG. 20 Shows the apparatus of FIG. 19 with the bagged product moved along the feed-out conveyor.
- FIGS. 21 to 26 diagrammatically illustrate in plan views the operation of the loader of FIGS. 13 to 20 as the product is inserted into a bag.
- FIG. 27 Shows diagrammatically the apparatus of FIGS. 10 to 26 but with an alternative product feed-out apparatus;
- FIG. 28 Shows the apparatus of FIG. 27 but with part of the feed-out apparatus in its elevated position.
- FIGS. 29 to 31 Show diagrammatically various options for the operation of part of the feed-out apparatus.
- the present invention relates to packaging apparatus.
- the present invention may have application to the provision of an automated packaging apparatus for locating product inside bags.
- the following description is given with reference to a particular implementation of the present invention in relation to the bagging of meat cuts.
- the present invention may also be applied to the packaging of other products.
- FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings a perspective view of a packaging apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.
- the packaging apparatus 1 includes two loaders 1 A, 1 B for receiving articles to be packaged and a bag receiver 2 for receiving and holding bags.
- the loaders 1 A, 1 B and bag receiver 2 are movable relative to each other and are supported on a frame 3 .
- the frame 3 includes feet 4 . From the feet 4 extend legs 5 and the legs 5 at each end of the packaging apparatus 1 terminate at a cross member 6 . Extending between the cross members 6 are rails 7 , along which the loaders 1 A, 1 B may travel. A belt, chain, pulley system or other drive means (not shown) may be used to move the loaders 1 A, 1 B along the top of the rails 7 in direction A and along the bottom of the rails 7 in direction B.
- the frame 3 includes a spacer 8 to separate the ends of the packaging apparatus 1 and a brace 9 may be provided between the legs 5 if required.
- the rails 7 are mounted on the cross members 6 through plates 10 , axles 11 and blocks 12 . The rails 7 may be rotated about their longitudinal axis A. A motor belt, chain, pulley system or other drive means may drive a drive wheel 13 in order to effect this rotation. Thus, the loaders 1 A and 1 B may move in a reciprocating action along the packaging apparatus 1 above and below the rail 7
- the loader clamp 14 includes clamps 15 supported by arms 16 .
- the separation of the clamps 15 is controlled by a ram 17 .
- the loader clamp 14 controls the width of the loaders 1 A and 1 B as they travel through the bag receiver 2 .
- loader clamp 14 may be removed from the packaging apparatus 1 and an optical scanning or other sizing device may provide sizing information to robotic bag receiver 2 .
- the bag receiver 2 is located on support members 18 A and 18 B.
- Support member 18 B is movable vertically upwards relative to support member 18 A by pneumatic rams 19 .
- the bag receiver 2 includes two lower arms 20 attached to support member 18 A and two upper arms 21 attached to support member 18 B.
- FIGS. 2 and 3 show a top view and a side view respectively of the packaging apparatus 1 .
- the loader 1 A includes a central support or base 22 and two arms 23 A and 23 B, which terminate in side flanges 24 A and 24 B respectively. As can be best seen in FIGS. 4 and 6 , the arms 23 A and 23 B can slide into slots 25 and 26 respectively in order to allow the side flanges 24 A and 24 B to move inwards and outwards relative to the support or base 22 .
- the loader 1 A includes a support assembly 27 that locates the loader 1 A on the rail 7 . Referring particularly to FIG.
- the side flanges 24 A and 24 B may be connected to guide members 28 A and 28 B respectively, which are biased outwardly by springs 29 A and 29 B.
- a ratchet (not shown) engages with teeth 30 A and 30 B to retain the arms 23 A and 23 B and flanges 24 A and 24 B in their position against the bias of springs 29 A and 29 B.
- Forms of catch other than a ratchet may be used, including frictional engagement or pneumatic rams provided on each loader 1 A, 1 B to hold the arms 23 A and 23 B in position. If pneumatic rams are provided on each loader, then the loader clamp 14 may be omitted, with the functions of the loader clamp 14 replaced by the pneumatic rams.
- loaders 1 A, 1 B are shown having a generally flat base and vertically extending side flanges 24 A, 24 B, those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that various other profiles may be provided.
- the loaders may have a concave base.
- the way that the arms 23 A and 23 B move together may be varied, with the use of slots 25 , 26 not being essential.
- FIGS. 7 to 9 show the loader 1 A in a fully closed position, with the separation of the side flanges 24 A, 24 B at a minimum.
- loaders may be made that allow increased range of separation of the side flanges 24 A, 24 B.
- the structure described herein is anticipated to be suitable for at least the purpose of loading meat cuts into bags.
- the loader 1 A which is seen to be of a platen-type design, receives product from a conveyor (refer FIG. 10 for example) such as, but not limited to, a tipping conveyor, a robotic tipping load conveyor, a flat conveyor, a conveyor with a photo eye to measure product length, or other product transport means (not shown) such as, but not limited to, a mechanical sweeping apparatus or a hopper situated above loader 1 A.
- the loader may also be loaded manually.
- the loader 1 A may commence movement along rails 7 in direction A (see FIG. 1 ) in synchronism with the travel of the conveyor.
- an automated and/or robotic soaker pad placing apparatus may place a soaker pad onto the loader 1 A in the case of a meat cut.
- the loader 1 A Once the product has been received by the loader 1 A, it moves along rails 7 until it is adjacent to the loader clamp 14 .
- the clamps 15 then move inwards, abutting either the side flanges 24 A or 24 B or stops 31 A or 31 B (either option can be used depending on the product width) to move the arms 23 A and 23 B inwards.
- the loader clamp 14 applies a preset pressure to the loader 1 A so that the side flanges 24 A and 24 B apply the same pressure to the product.
- the ratchet system engages teeth 30 A and 30 B to retain the arms 23 A and 23 B in position after the clamps 15 have disengaged from the loader 1 A.
- a benefit of a platen-type loader 1 A is that the meat cut is only exposed across its top surface, as will become apparent below.
- a bag is loaded onto a bag receiver 2 .
- This may be achieved by an operator retrieving a bag from a bag making apparatus and manually placing the bag onto bag receiver 2 or a bag may be robotically retrieved from a bag making apparatus and robotically placed onto bag receiver 2 .
- the lower arms 20 move outwards as indicated by arrows C and D to approximately the same width as the separation of the flanges 24 A and 24 B after they have been moved together by the loader clamp 14 . Some clearance may be provided if required.
- the upper arms 21 then move upwards, thereby opening the bag ready for receipt of the loader 1 A.
- the loader 1 A then moves further along rails 7 through the bag receiver 2 , in which case the base support 22 and arms 23 A and 23 B move into the bag.
- the loader 1 A continues moving along rails 7 , taking the bag off the bag receiver 2 so that the bag encapsulates the upper portion of the loader 1 A and the product located thereon.
- a smaller bag may be used. Also as only the top of the product is exposed in the loader 1 A it is much faster to place the bag over the loader 1 A and product than if loading forks were used. Also contact between the product and the bag can be avoided or at least minimised.
- the bag receiver 2 may be omitted from packaging apparatus 1 and a bag retrieved robotically from the bag making apparatus and placed directly onto loader 1 A.
- the rails 7 are inverted so that loader 1 A is in the position that loader 1 B occupies in FIG. 1 .
- the bag is held suspended from the loader 1 A, at which time it may be removed from the loader 1 A by way of a conveyor, including but not limited to a rise and fall conveyor, with or without exit rollers, with or without an elevation option, and possibly a rotation option or by a robotic gripper or by a fixed plate (not shown), and away from the packaging apparatus 1 .
- the loader 1 A then travels back along rails 7 and is then inverted to return to its original position for receiving further product.
- Loader guides 32 may be provided to move the arms 23 A, 23 B of the loader 1 A inwards as it travels back along rails in order to ensure that the loader 1 A can fit through the loader clamp 14 . If pneumatic rams or other drive means for are provided on each loader, then these could replace the operation of the loader guides 32 .
- the bagged product may be removed manually from loader 1 A, by an off loader or conveyor, or a combination of both, or by a robotic gripper (not shown), when loader 1 A reaches the end of the rails 7 before inversion.
- the dimensions of the product are measured prior to the product being received by the packaging apparatus 1 .
- This allows a bag of appropriate dimensions to be produced in advance. Measurement of the dimensions of the product may be achieved by an optical scanning device, located upstream of the apparatus 1 in the processing line.
- the bag receiver 2 may optionally also receive the product dimensions, in particular the width of the product, so that the lower arms 20 can be moved to a separation equivalent to the product width, plus some amount of clearance.
- the bag making apparatus 1 may use the position of the arms 23 A and 23 B after they have been moved together to determine the appropriate sized bag and the bag receiver 2 may use also use that position to set the position of lower arms 20 , which may be achieved through direct mechanical engagement, by pneumatic or electronic control or otherwise.
- This embodiment may result in the bag making apparatus becoming the slowest operation in the processing line.
- some reduced capital costs may result by measuring the width of cuts in this way, and any delay may be reduced by increasing the length of rails 7 and increasing the separation between the loader clamp 14 (or position where the arms 23 A, 23 B are moved together) and the bag receiver 2 .
- More than two loaders 1 A and 1 B may be provided with appropriate modification of the rail system on which the loaders travel to enable only the loaders at the ends of the rails to be inverted, leaving any that are part way along the rails in the same orientation. This may also assist to increase the throughput of the apparatus 1 .
- FIGS. 10 to 26 a packaging apparatus according to a further embodiment of the present invention is shown diagrammatically and referenced generally by arrow 100 .
- This is shown with a main frame 101 having adjustable feet 121 and supporting a main beam 107 which supports a pair of loaders 103 A and 103 B, a product sizer assembly 108 and bag receiving means 109 .
- the loaders 103 A and 103 B are inter-connected by a chain or belt travelling within a frame 110 so that movement of the loaders 103 A and 103 B in opposite directions along the beam 107 can be achieved.
- the beam 107 has an end plate 117 at its drive end.
- the drive includes a rotational drive motor gear box 113 , a linear drive motor gearbox 114 , a linear drive shaft 115 , and a rotational drive shaft 116 , provided within a motor housing 118 .
- a linear drive 90° gearbox 111 is shown provided on an opposite side of the end plate 117 .
- a rotary air valve 102 external of a main beam bearing 104 and a main beam end plate 105 .
- a linear drive belt adjuster 106 may suitably be provided at this end of the beam 107 .
- a tipping load conveyor 122 is shown in FIG. 10 in its raised position, its position being controlled by a control linkage 217 , suitably a pneumatic or hydraulic ram connected with valve 102 . It is seen in FIG. 10 that there is a clear separation between the horizontal positions of the load conveyor 122 and the loader such as 103 A when it is positioned beneath the load conveyor 122 .
- the rotational control of the beam 110 is such that when a loader 103 reaches the end of the beam 110 (right hand end in FIG. 10 ) carrying a bagged product, the beam 110 will rotate through 180° so that the loader 103 will then be in the position shown for loader 103 B in FIG. 10 . Following this the bagged product can be unloaded and discharged onto a suitable exit conveyor 123 . To achieve this unloading a bag unload plate 119 is shown projecting upwardly relative to the inverted loader 103 B and controllable by a suitable control linkage 218 , such as an hydraulic or pneumatic ram.
- a suitable control linkage 218 such as an hydraulic or pneumatic ram.
- FIGS. 11 and 12 a suitable mounting and control assembly for the tipping load conveyor 122 is shown.
- the conveyor 122 has a frame 210 extending outwardly towards a conveyor return roller 211 and an idler roller 212 .
- a conveyor belt tensioning guide 216 may suitably be provided.
- the control linkage 217 may in this embodiment be controlled by an air cylinder 214 and with top and bottom end mounts 213 and 215 respectively.
- operation of the linkage 217 provides for the pivoting downwardly of the conveyor 122 which, as shown for example in FIG. 14 , is able to facilitate the loading of the product, such as a meat cut, onto the loader 103 which, at this time, will be positioned underneath the front end of the conveyor 122 to receive the product (see FIG. 15 for example).
- a product such as a meat cut 300 is shown in various stages of its passage through the apparatus 100 until it exits as a bagged product 301 on the exit conveyor such as 123 .
- the apparatus 100 is shown including a product identification means 302 , such as an optical scanning device, which can measure the size of the product 300 and pass this information to a bag making apparatus 303 , so that a bag 304 can be pre-made ready for the arrival of that particular product 300 on the sizer frame 108 .
- the identification means 302 may for example be the CUT-SIZER(TM) apparatus such as described in our international specification WO 01/89930 and the bag making apparatus 303 could include a plurality of machines of the applicant such as described in our international specification WO 94/22723.
- the information provided to the bag making machines 303 may suitably be such that a specific bag making machine from a gang of machines is selected, depending on the size of the product 300 which is detected, and for this purpose the bag making machines 303 may have supplies of plastic film of different widths. Additionally the information from the apparatus 302 may suitably be such that on the resulting bag 304 will be printed at its time of production, or subsequently, all required information relating to the product 300 including weight, type of cut, grade, identification of the particular carcass or animal, and/or source of supply, by way of example only.
- the product 300 After travelling through the product identification means 302 the product 300 is shown positioned on the tipping conveyor 122 where its presence is detected by a suitable detection means 305 such as a photo electric eye, although other means could be provided, such as a weight sensing means or the like.
- a suitable detection means 305 such as a photo electric eye, although other means could be provided, such as a weight sensing means or the like.
- the detection of the product 300 on the conveyor 122 provides a signal for the tipping of the conveyor 122 (see FIG. 14 ) at which time an operator manually, or an automated system robotically, will have positioned the required bag 304 over the bag holding means 109 .
- FIG. 15 the product 300 is shown being tipped off the conveyor 122 onto the loader 103 A which has by now been caused to travel, by a signal confirming the existence of product on the conveyor 122 , to its position beneath the end of the conveyor 122 .
- the inverted loader 103 B will have travelled towards the left hand side of the FIG. 15 , engaging the unloading plate 119 , which will hold the bagged product 301 as the loader 103 B continues its travel towards the left hand side of FIG. 15 .
- the bagged product 301 will travel along the rise and fall conveyor 306 with that conveyor in its lowered position, ready for the bagged product 301 to be conveyed onto the exit conveyor 123 , again as shown particularly in FIGS. 19 and 20 .
- FIGS. 17 to 20 and 21 to 26 In transferring the product 300 into the bag 304 by means of the sizer frame 108 and the bag receiver 109 , reference may be made to FIGS. 17 to 20 and 21 to 26 particularly.
- the loader 103 A in FIG. 21 is shown with the product 300 positioned on it.
- the loader 103 A has spaced apart upstanding side flanges 124 A, 124 B, able to move inwardly in a direction indicated by the arrows C, D, in order to clamp onto the sides of the product 300 .
- the base portion 125 of the loader 103 A, together with the side flanges or arms 124 A, 124 B, essentially form a platen which, as it closes, encloses the product 300 so that only the top of the product 300 will be exposed.
- the extent to which the side flanges 124 A, 124 B come together can be controlled by controlling the pressure exerted on the product 300 , which pressure may be preset, but may also be controlled or influenced by the information from the identification means 302 which by sensing the original size and weight of the product 300 could determine the extent to which the product 300 could/should be compressed.
- the product 300 on the loader 103 A is shown outside the sizer frame 108 and at this time a bag 304 is shown positioned on the bag receiver 109 .
- the side flanges 124 A, 124 B have clamped onto the sides of the product 300 .
- the transverse extensions or stops 126 of the loader 103 A are shown engaging with the converging tapered walls 127 of the sizer frame 108 causing the sizer frame 108 to expand as indicated by the arrows S.
- the sizer frame 108 is linked through linkages 128 with the fingers 129 of bag receiver 109 causing the transverse divergence of the fingers 129 and either directly, or independently, also the vertical separation of the fingers 129 , acting therefore to expand and open out the bag 304 to a size commensurate with the product 300 about to be inserted.
- FIG. 24 the loader 103 A is shown with its extensions 126 now engaged with respective side parallel walls 130 of the sizer 108 causing the full expansion of the bag 304 by means of the fingers 129 of the bag receiver 109 .
- FIG. 25 the loader 103 A has travelled with the product 300 so as to partially enter the bag 304 , the bag 304 being held open by the bag receiver 109 and the walls 130 of the sizer frame 108 preferably being locked in the open position as the loader 103 A travels between them.
- the loader 103 A is shown having travelled into the end of the bag 304 resulting in a bagged product 301 .
- the loader 103 A has finished its linear travel towards the right hand side of FIG. 26 and at which time the loader 103 A with the bagged product 301 will be inverted into position shown in FIG. 19 .
- the walls 130 of the sizer 108 will commence travelling towards each other in closing up the sizer 108 and also closing up the bag receiver 109 ready for the receipt of the next bag 304 and loader 103 and its product 300 .
- the rise and fall conveyor 306 which may also be referred to as a short exit conveyor, is shown associated with a roller assembly 307 .
- This may be mounted on a controllable telescopic ram or the like 308 in order to receive a bagged product 301 and raise it vertically and transfer it laterally as shown in FIG. 28 onto a short transfer conveyor 309 .
- the elevating exit roller assembly 307 may also be capable of rotation so as to provide a direct lateral transfer (see FIG. 29 ), a transfer at 270°, see FIG. 30 , or for example a transfer at 90°, see FIG. 31 .
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Abstract
A packaging apparatus enables a product (300) to be scanned by scanning apparatus (302) and moved by a pivotal conveyor (122) onto a platen (103A), adjustable in size by a sizing apparatus (108), before the platen (103A) with the product (300) is moved into a bag (304) which has been opened out to a required extent by a bag holding means (109). The platen (103A) can then be inverted for the discharge of the bagged product (301) onto an exit conveyor (123).
Description
- This invention relates to apparatus for loading product into packages. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a packaging apparatus for packaging product inside bags.
- In packaging apparatus, particularly packaging apparatus in a processing line such as a meat processing line, there is a need to minimise the manual handling of product to be packaged. In a meat processing line, for example, manual handling of product is traditional but expensive. Repetitive strain injury is common. There is a strong demand for automation but because of the variety of shape and sizes of meat cuts it is very difficult for machinery to adapt to the variety of meat cuts to be packed. Machines work best with consistent product.
- In our International Publication No. WO 94/22723 an example of our packaging apparatus is described which includes a bag forming mechanism that forms bags from plastics tubing. The bags are held on a conveyor by suction and blown open by compressed air to facilitate loading of articles such as cuts of meat into the bag. A loading fork may also be provided that carries the articles and moves at least partially into the blown open bag. However, this apparatus still requires an operator to manually lift the cut and place it in the bag or onto the fork to complete the bagging process by pulling the bag over the loading fork.
- In our International Publication Number WO 02/076832, an apparatus and method for loading objects into packages is described. The apparatus includes a movable loading fork and a loading horn. The loading horn holds bags in the open position and the loading fork travels through the loading horn, thereby locating articles on the loading fork within the bag. The loading fork is inverted after receipt of a bag, to allow the bagged article to be conveyed away off the loading fork. Again, the loading horn is required to fit the bag over the fork and the cut and often between the fingers of the fork where the bag is smaller than the width of the fingers. Experience has shown that some cuts are sticky and others of irregular shape. It is difficult for the loading horn to hold the bag in place while the cut enters the bag. Often it is easier for the operator to pull the bag over the fork rather than use the loading horn. This restricts the speed. This apparatus may pack, in a meat packaging plant, possibly 12 meat cuts per minute.
- In many meat packaging plants a much higher speed bagging operation may be required, for example 20 cuts per minute or above.
- Other options available to the meat industry are, for example, belt loaders where a number of small conveyor belts, say three at 25 mm width each, are used to drive cuts into a bag although as the conveyor takes up space in the bag, large bag sizes are needed, thereby increasing cost.
- Another option common in the United States of America are “stuffers” where a pneumatic ram is used to force the cut into a bag. This works very well on some cuts although not on others where the cut will fold up if pushed.
- In our International Publication No. WO 02/1053479, a loading fork and a system for transferring objects such as meat cuts off the loading fork onto a conveyor is described. This system goes some way to avoiding handling of articles after bagging, but it does not provide assistance for the actual bagging operation.
- In referring to the above apparatus this does not suggest that any are part of common general knowledge in any country or region.
- It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a packaging apparatus and/or loader that overcomes or alleviates problems in packaging apparatus and/or loaders at present or at least provides the public with a useful alternative.
- According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided packaging apparatus including a product receiving means which is adjustable so that at least opposite sides thereof can in use be spaced apart appropriate for the width of a product received therein, said product receiving means being movable relative to a bag holding means, said bag holding means having a plurality of adjustable bag holding members so that in use a bag positioned about said bag holding members can be opened sufficiently to allow the passage therein of said product receiving means with said product positioned thereon.
- Preferably, the product means is the form of a platen having a base portion and wherein control means are adapted to control the movement of said opposite sides to provide a required amount of compression of the sides of the product.
- Preferably, the control means are operatively connected with said bag holding means so that the movement of said sides of said platen is commensurate with an appropriate opening of said bag holding members.
- Preferably, the control means includes biasing or pressure means acting to bias or pressure said opposite sides together until a required pressure on the sides of the product is detected.
- Preferably, said bag holding members include a plurality of finger-like members adapted to receive thereover a said bag and to be adjustably movable apart so as to engage with an interior of said bag in opening it to receive a said product.
- Preferably, said packaging apparatus includes an elongate support means on which said bag holding means is positioned, said product receiving means being adapted to travel longitudinally along said support means from one of its ends with a said product so that said product receiving means with said product enters into a said bag opened out on said bag holding means whereby the product receiving means and a bagged product is then able to move to an opposite end of said support means distal from said one end.
- Preferably, a product feed means is adapted to position a said product on said product receiving means and more preferably said product feed means includes a conveyor which is adapted to be spaced apart above a said product receiving means as said product receiving means moves therebeneath, a product detecting means provided for said conveyor to control movement of the product receiving means relative to said conveyor and the movement of the product from the conveyor onto the product receiving means.
- Preferably, the product feed means is adapted to pivot from a substantially horizontal position in which it receives a said product to an inclined position extending towards said product receiving means for discharging said product thereon.
- Preferably, said product feed means is a conveyor and detection of a product on the conveyor enables the movement of said product receiving means to travel beneath said conveyor and for the tipping of said conveyor into said inclined position to discharge said product onto said product receiving means.
- Preferably the apparatus has a product unloading means including a projection means adapted to engage with a bagged product being carried by a product receiving means to remove the bagged product from the product receiving means and for the bagged product to be positioned on a product exit means.
- Preferably the apparatus includes a product scanning means which measures at least the size of the product and is operatively connected at least with the bag holding means so that a size of bag commensurate with the product is provided.
- Preferably, the apparatus includes at least one bag making apparatus operatively connected with said scanning means so that a said bag is made of a size commensurate with the scanned product for this to be available on the bag holding means prior to the arrival of the product at the bag holding means.
- According to a further aspect of the invention a loader for use in the packaging apparatus defined in any one of the twelve immediately preceding paragraphs includes a product receiving means which is adjustable so that at least opposite sides thereof can in use be spaced apart so as to be appropriate for the width of a product received therein, said product receiving means being in the form of a platen.
- Further aspects of the present invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 : Shows a perspective view of a packaging apparatus in accordance with one possible embodiment of the present invention but excluding any associated product feed-in or feed-out apparatus. -
FIG. 2 : Shows a plan view of the packaging apparatus shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 : Shows a side view of the packaging apparatus ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4 : Shows a perspective front view of the loader of the packaging apparatus ofFIG. 1 in the open position. -
FIG. 5 : Shows a plan view of the loader ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 6 : Shows a front view of the loader ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 7 : Shows a perspective front view of the loader of the packaging apparatus ofFIG. 1 in the closed position. -
FIG. 8 : Shows a plan view of the loader ofFIG. 7 . -
FIG. 9 : Shows a front view of the loader ofFIG. 7 . -
FIG. 10 : Shows a side elevational view of a packaging apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention and including its associated product feed-in and feed-out apparatus. -
FIG. 11 : Shows the tipping conveyor ofFIG. 10 in its horizontal position. -
FIG. 12 : Shows the tipping conveyor ofFIG. 11 in its pivoted position. -
FIG. 13 : Shows very diagrammatically a side elevational view of the apparatus ofFIG. 10 (including associated bag making and product-sizing apparatus) and with product shown diagrammatically in various stages as it passes through the packaging apparatus. -
FIG. 14 : Shows the apparatus ofFIG. 13 but in a second operational position (and with the bag making apparatus omitted). -
FIG. 15 : Shows the apparatus ofFIG. 14 in a third operational position. -
FIG. 16 : Shows the apparatus of FIGS. 13 to 15 in a further position with the feed-out conveyor in its lowered position and about to convey the bag product onto the exit conveyor. -
FIG. 17 : Shows the bagged product being conveyed from the feed-out conveyor onto the exit conveyor. -
FIG. 18 : Shows the apparatus ofFIG. 17 but with the product on the loader having now been positioned within the bag -
FIG. 19 : Shows the apparatus of FIGS. 13 to 18 with a feed-out conveyor in its raised position. -
FIG. 20 : Shows the apparatus ofFIG. 19 with the bagged product moved along the feed-out conveyor. - FIGS. 21 to 26: diagrammatically illustrate in plan views the operation of the loader of FIGS. 13 to 20 as the product is inserted into a bag.
-
FIG. 27 : Shows diagrammatically the apparatus of FIGS. 10 to 26 but with an alternative product feed-out apparatus; -
FIG. 28 : Shows the apparatus ofFIG. 27 but with part of the feed-out apparatus in its elevated position. - FIGS. 29 to 31: Show diagrammatically various options for the operation of part of the feed-out apparatus.
- The present invention relates to packaging apparatus. In particular, the present invention may have application to the provision of an automated packaging apparatus for locating product inside bags. The following description is given with reference to a particular implementation of the present invention in relation to the bagging of meat cuts. However, the present invention may also be applied to the packaging of other products.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, a perspective view of a packaging apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The packaging apparatus 1 includes twoloaders bag receiver 2 for receiving and holding bags. Theloaders bag receiver 2 are movable relative to each other and are supported on a frame 3. - The frame 3 includes feet 4. From the feet 4 extend legs 5 and the legs 5 at each end of the packaging apparatus 1 terminate at a
cross member 6. Extending between thecross members 6 arerails 7, along which theloaders loaders rails 7 in direction A and along the bottom of therails 7 in direction B. The frame 3 includes a spacer 8 to separate the ends of the packaging apparatus 1 and a brace 9 may be provided between the legs 5 if required. Therails 7 are mounted on thecross members 6 throughplates 10,axles 11 and blocks 12. Therails 7 may be rotated about their longitudinal axis A. A motor belt, chain, pulley system or other drive means may drive adrive wheel 13 in order to effect this rotation. Thus, theloaders rail 7. - Further provided on the frame 3 is a
loader clamp 14. Theloader clamp 14 includesclamps 15 supported byarms 16. The separation of theclamps 15 is controlled by aram 17. As is described in more detail herein below, theloader clamp 14 controls the width of theloaders bag receiver 2. - Alternatively,
loader clamp 14 may be removed from the packaging apparatus 1 and an optical scanning or other sizing device may provide sizing information torobotic bag receiver 2. - The
bag receiver 2 is located onsupport members Support member 18B is movable vertically upwards relative to supportmember 18A bypneumatic rams 19. Thebag receiver 2 includes twolower arms 20 attached to supportmember 18A and twoupper arms 21 attached to supportmember 18B. -
FIGS. 2 and 3 show a top view and a side view respectively of the packaging apparatus 1. - Referring to
FIGS. 4-6 , an expanded view of theloader 1A in an open position is shown. Theloader 1A includes a central support orbase 22 and twoarms side flanges FIGS. 4 and 6 , thearms slots side flanges base 22. Theloader 1A includes asupport assembly 27 that locates theloader 1A on therail 7. Referring particularly toFIG. 6 , theside flanges members springs arms side flanges teeth arms flanges springs loader arms loader clamp 14 may be omitted, with the functions of theloader clamp 14 replaced by the pneumatic rams. - While the
loaders side flanges arms slots - FIGS. 7 to 9 show the
loader 1A in a fully closed position, with the separation of theside flanges side flanges - In operation, the
loader 1A, which is seen to be of a platen-type design, receives product from a conveyor (referFIG. 10 for example) such as, but not limited to, a tipping conveyor, a robotic tipping load conveyor, a flat conveyor, a conveyor with a photo eye to measure product length, or other product transport means (not shown) such as, but not limited to, a mechanical sweeping apparatus or a hopper situated aboveloader 1A. The loader may also be loaded manually. Theloader 1A may commence movement alongrails 7 in direction A (seeFIG. 1 ) in synchronism with the travel of the conveyor. At this stage, an automated and/or robotic soaker pad placing apparatus may place a soaker pad onto theloader 1A in the case of a meat cut. Once the product has been received by theloader 1A, it moves alongrails 7 until it is adjacent to theloader clamp 14. Theclamps 15 then move inwards, abutting either theside flanges arms loader clamp 14 applies a preset pressure to theloader 1A so that theside flanges teeth arms clamps 15 have disengaged from theloader 1A. A benefit of a platen-type loader 1A is that the meat cut is only exposed across its top surface, as will become apparent below. - During this time, a bag is loaded onto a
bag receiver 2. This may be achieved by an operator retrieving a bag from a bag making apparatus and manually placing the bag ontobag receiver 2 or a bag may be robotically retrieved from a bag making apparatus and robotically placed ontobag receiver 2. Once the bag has been placed over thelower arms 20 andupper arms 21, thelower arms 20 move outwards as indicated by arrows C and D to approximately the same width as the separation of theflanges loader clamp 14. Some clearance may be provided if required. Theupper arms 21 then move upwards, thereby opening the bag ready for receipt of theloader 1A. Theloader 1A then moves further alongrails 7 through thebag receiver 2, in which case thebase support 22 andarms loader 1A continues moving alongrails 7, taking the bag off thebag receiver 2 so that the bag encapsulates the upper portion of theloader 1A and the product located thereon. - When the product has been compressed a smaller bag may be used. Also as only the top of the product is exposed in the
loader 1A it is much faster to place the bag over theloader 1A and product than if loading forks were used. Also contact between the product and the bag can be avoided or at least minimised. - Alternatively, it is envisaged that in some circumstances the
bag receiver 2 may be omitted from packaging apparatus 1 and a bag retrieved robotically from the bag making apparatus and placed directly ontoloader 1A. - When the
loader 1A reaches the end of therails 7, therails 7 are inverted so thatloader 1A is in the position thatloader 1B occupies inFIG. 1 . In this position, the bag is held suspended from theloader 1A, at which time it may be removed from theloader 1A by way of a conveyor, including but not limited to a rise and fall conveyor, with or without exit rollers, with or without an elevation option, and possibly a rotation option or by a robotic gripper or by a fixed plate (not shown), and away from the packaging apparatus 1. Theloader 1A then travels back alongrails 7 and is then inverted to return to its original position for receiving further product. Loader guides 32 may be provided to move thearms loader 1A inwards as it travels back along rails in order to ensure that theloader 1A can fit through theloader clamp 14. If pneumatic rams or other drive means for are provided on each loader, then these could replace the operation of the loader guides 32. - Alternatively, the bagged product may be removed manually from
loader 1A, by an off loader or conveyor, or a combination of both, or by a robotic gripper (not shown), whenloader 1A reaches the end of therails 7 before inversion. - In one embodiment, the dimensions of the product are measured prior to the product being received by the packaging apparatus 1. This allows a bag of appropriate dimensions to be produced in advance. Measurement of the dimensions of the product may be achieved by an optical scanning device, located upstream of the apparatus 1 in the processing line. The
bag receiver 2 may optionally also receive the product dimensions, in particular the width of the product, so that thelower arms 20 can be moved to a separation equivalent to the product width, plus some amount of clearance. - Alternatively, the bag making apparatus 1 may use the position of the
arms bag receiver 2 may use also use that position to set the position oflower arms 20, which may be achieved through direct mechanical engagement, by pneumatic or electronic control or otherwise. This embodiment may result in the bag making apparatus becoming the slowest operation in the processing line. However, some reduced capital costs may result by measuring the width of cuts in this way, and any delay may be reduced by increasing the length ofrails 7 and increasing the separation between the loader clamp 14 (or position where thearms bag receiver 2. - More than two
loaders - Referring to FIGS. 10 to 26 a packaging apparatus according to a further embodiment of the present invention is shown diagrammatically and referenced generally by
arrow 100. This is shown with amain frame 101 having adjustable feet 121 and supporting amain beam 107 which supports a pair ofloaders product sizer assembly 108 and bag receiving means 109. Theloaders frame 110 so that movement of theloaders beam 107 can be achieved. Thebeam 107 has anend plate 117 at its drive end. The drive includes a rotational drivemotor gear box 113, a lineardrive motor gearbox 114, alinear drive shaft 115, and arotational drive shaft 116, provided within amotor housing 118. A linear drive 90°gearbox 111 is shown provided on an opposite side of theend plate 117. - At the opposite end of the
beam 110 is shown provided arotary air valve 102 external of a main beam bearing 104 and a mainbeam end plate 105. A lineardrive belt adjuster 106 may suitably be provided at this end of thebeam 107. Atipping load conveyor 122 is shown inFIG. 10 in its raised position, its position being controlled by acontrol linkage 217, suitably a pneumatic or hydraulic ram connected withvalve 102. It is seen inFIG. 10 that there is a clear separation between the horizontal positions of theload conveyor 122 and the loader such as 103A when it is positioned beneath theload conveyor 122. - The rotational control of the
beam 110 is such that when a loader 103 reaches the end of the beam 110 (right hand end inFIG. 10 ) carrying a bagged product, thebeam 110 will rotate through 180° so that the loader 103 will then be in the position shown forloader 103B inFIG. 10 . Following this the bagged product can be unloaded and discharged onto asuitable exit conveyor 123. To achieve this unloading a bag unloadplate 119 is shown projecting upwardly relative to theinverted loader 103B and controllable by asuitable control linkage 218, such as an hydraulic or pneumatic ram. - Referring now specifically to
FIGS. 11 and 12 a suitable mounting and control assembly for thetipping load conveyor 122 is shown. - This is shown including a mounting
post 201 providing a support for arobotic drive motor 202 provided with adrive pulley 203 and adrive belt 204. A drive shaft bearing 205 is shown provided within the driveend conveyor frame 206 including abelt support 207. A suitable support for theframe 206 will be provided such as abrace 208. Operation of thelinkage 217 will result in the pivoting of theconveyor 122 from its position shown inFIG. 11 to its position shown inFIG. 12 , this being about anaxis 209. Theconveyor 122 has aframe 210 extending outwardly towards aconveyor return roller 211 and anidler roller 212. A conveyorbelt tensioning guide 216 may suitably be provided. - The
control linkage 217 may in this embodiment be controlled by anair cylinder 214 and with top and bottom end mounts 213 and 215 respectively. - As shown in
FIG. 12 , operation of thelinkage 217 provides for the pivoting downwardly of theconveyor 122 which, as shown for example inFIG. 14 , is able to facilitate the loading of the product, such as a meat cut, onto the loader 103 which, at this time, will be positioned underneath the front end of theconveyor 122 to receive the product (seeFIG. 15 for example). - Referring particularly to FIGS. 13 to 26, a product such as a
meat cut 300 is shown in various stages of its passage through theapparatus 100 until it exits as a baggedproduct 301 on the exit conveyor such as 123. - Referring specifically to
FIG. 13 , by way of example only, theapparatus 100 is shown including a product identification means 302, such as an optical scanning device, which can measure the size of theproduct 300 and pass this information to abag making apparatus 303, so that abag 304 can be pre-made ready for the arrival of thatparticular product 300 on thesizer frame 108. The identification means 302 may for example be the CUT-SIZER(™) apparatus such as described in our international specification WO 01/89930 and thebag making apparatus 303 could include a plurality of machines of the applicant such as described in our international specification WO 94/22723. The information provided to thebag making machines 303 may suitably be such that a specific bag making machine from a gang of machines is selected, depending on the size of theproduct 300 which is detected, and for this purpose thebag making machines 303 may have supplies of plastic film of different widths. Additionally the information from theapparatus 302 may suitably be such that on the resultingbag 304 will be printed at its time of production, or subsequently, all required information relating to theproduct 300 including weight, type of cut, grade, identification of the particular carcass or animal, and/or source of supply, by way of example only. - After travelling through the product identification means 302 the
product 300 is shown positioned on the tippingconveyor 122 where its presence is detected by a suitable detection means 305 such as a photo electric eye, although other means could be provided, such as a weight sensing means or the like. The detection of theproduct 300 on theconveyor 122 provides a signal for the tipping of the conveyor 122 (seeFIG. 14 ) at which time an operator manually, or an automated system robotically, will have positioned the requiredbag 304 over the bag holding means 109. - Then in
FIG. 15 theproduct 300 is shown being tipped off theconveyor 122 onto theloader 103A which has by now been caused to travel, by a signal confirming the existence of product on theconveyor 122, to its position beneath the end of theconveyor 122. At this time also, as shown inFIG. 15 , theinverted loader 103B will have travelled towards the left hand side of theFIG. 15 , engaging theunloading plate 119, which will hold the baggedproduct 301 as theloader 103B continues its travel towards the left hand side ofFIG. 15 . This results in the depositing of the baggedproduct 301 on a rise andfall conveyor 306 forming the initial transfer portion of theexit conveyor 123, seeFIGS. 19 and 20 . Then as seen inFIG. 17 the baggedproduct 301 will travel along the rise andfall conveyor 306 with that conveyor in its lowered position, ready for the baggedproduct 301 to be conveyed onto theexit conveyor 123, again as shown particularly inFIGS. 19 and 20 . - In transferring the
product 300 into thebag 304 by means of thesizer frame 108 and thebag receiver 109, reference may be made to FIGS. 17 to 20 and 21 to 26 particularly. Theloader 103A inFIG. 21 is shown with theproduct 300 positioned on it. Theloader 103A has spaced apartupstanding side flanges product 300. Thebase portion 125 of theloader 103A, together with the side flanges orarms product 300 so that only the top of theproduct 300 will be exposed. This is important in the case of a product such as a meat cut in that this limits the contact of the meat with thebag 304 as it is inserted, thereby reducing contamination of the bag seal area which can cause seal failures. The extent to which theside flanges product 300, which pressure may be preset, but may also be controlled or influenced by the information from the identification means 302 which by sensing the original size and weight of theproduct 300 could determine the extent to which theproduct 300 could/should be compressed. InFIG. 21 theproduct 300 on theloader 103A is shown outside thesizer frame 108 and at this time abag 304 is shown positioned on thebag receiver 109. InFIG. 22 theside flanges product 300. - In
FIG. 23 the transverse extensions or stops 126 of theloader 103A are shown engaging with the converging taperedwalls 127 of thesizer frame 108 causing thesizer frame 108 to expand as indicated by the arrows S. Thesizer frame 108 is linked throughlinkages 128 with thefingers 129 ofbag receiver 109 causing the transverse divergence of thefingers 129 and either directly, or independently, also the vertical separation of thefingers 129, acting therefore to expand and open out thebag 304 to a size commensurate with theproduct 300 about to be inserted. - In
FIG. 24 theloader 103A is shown with itsextensions 126 now engaged with respective sideparallel walls 130 of thesizer 108 causing the full expansion of thebag 304 by means of thefingers 129 of thebag receiver 109. InFIG. 25 theloader 103A has travelled with theproduct 300 so as to partially enter thebag 304, thebag 304 being held open by thebag receiver 109 and thewalls 130 of thesizer frame 108 preferably being locked in the open position as theloader 103A travels between them. By raising the upper part of thebag 304 with thefingers 129 contact of thebag 304 with the top of the meat cut 300 may be avoided or at least minimised. Then inFIG. 26 theloader 103A is shown having travelled into the end of thebag 304 resulting in a baggedproduct 301. At this stage theloader 103A has finished its linear travel towards the right hand side ofFIG. 26 and at which time theloader 103A with the baggedproduct 301 will be inverted into position shown inFIG. 19 . Also at this time thewalls 130 of thesizer 108 will commence travelling towards each other in closing up thesizer 108 and also closing up thebag receiver 109 ready for the receipt of thenext bag 304 and loader 103 and itsproduct 300. - As an alternative to linking the rise and
fall conveyor 306 directly with an exit conveyor as inFIG. 17 for example, as shown in FIGS. 27 to 31, the rise andfall conveyor 306, which may also be referred to as a short exit conveyor, is shown associated with aroller assembly 307. This may be mounted on a controllable telescopic ram or the like 308 in order to receive a baggedproduct 301 and raise it vertically and transfer it laterally as shown inFIG. 28 onto ashort transfer conveyor 309. As seen particularly in FIGS. 29 to 31 the elevatingexit roller assembly 307 may also be capable of rotation so as to provide a direct lateral transfer (seeFIG. 29 ), a transfer at 270°, seeFIG. 30 , or for example a transfer at 90°, seeFIG. 31 . - Where in the foregoing description, reference has been made to specific components or integers having known equivalents, then such equivalents are incorporated herein as if individually set forth.
- Although the above description has been given by way of example with reference to possible embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims (34)
1. A packaging apparatus including a product receiving means which is adjustable so that at least opposite sides thereof can in use be spaced apart appropriate for the width of a product received therein, said product receiving means movable relative to a bag holding means, said bag holding means having a plurality of adjustable bag holding members so that in use a bag positioned about said bag holding members can be opened sufficiently to allow the passage therein of said product receiving means with said product positioned thereon.
2. A packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said product receiving means is in the form of a platen having a base portion and wherein control means are adapted to control the movement of said opposite sides to provide a required amount of compression of the sides of the product.
3. A packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said control means are operatively connected with said bag holding means so that the movement of said sides of said platen is commensurate with an appropriate opening of said bag holding members.
4. A packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said control means includes biasing or pressure means acting to bias or pressure said opposite sides together until a required pressure on the sides of the product is detected.
5. A packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein said control means includes a product sizing means having an adjustable opening extending therethrough and through which opening said platen is adapted to pass in moving towards said bag holding means.
6. A packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which said opening of said product sizing means is adjustable in width dependent on information received relating to the product obtained from a product identification means.
7. A packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 in which the adjustable opening includes at least one inclined member adapted to engage with said platen as it enters said opening in controlling the spacing apart of said sides.
8. A packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 7 including a pair of said inclined members forming a convergent initial part of said opening through which said platen travels.
9. A packaging apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8 in which said product sizing means includes a pair of spaced apart substantially parallel members positioned adjacent said bag holding means, the spacing apart of the parallel members being commensurate with the spacing apart of said bag holding members for one of said products.
10. A packaging apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 9 in which said product sizing means is connected with said bag holding means so that adjustment of said opening of said product sizing means provides an adjustment of said bag holding members.
11. A packaging apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which said bag holding members include a plurality of finger-like members adapted to receive thereover a said bag and to be adjustably movable apart so as to engage with an interior of said bag in opening it to receive a said product.
12. A packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 11 in which at least a first pair of said finger-like members are provided which are adapted to move apart transversely so as to engage with respective sides of said bag in opening it out.
13. A packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 12 and including at least a further pair of finger-like members movable substantially vertically relatively to said first finger-like members so as to provide for an adjustable vertical opening of said bag.
14. A packaging apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including an elongate support means on which said bag holding means is positioned, said product receiving means being adapted to travel longitudinally along said support means from one of its ends with a said product so that said product receiving means with said product enters into a said bag opened out on said bag holding means whereby the product receiving means and a bagged product is then able to move to an opposite end of said support means distal from said one end.
15. A packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said elongate support means is adapted to enable said product receiving means at said distal end of said support means to invert before the product with the bagged product is removed from the product receiving means, which product receiving means is then able to return to the said one end of the elongate support means to receive a further said product.
16. A packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15 in which at least a pair of said product receiving means are adapted to travel along said elongate support means, one of said product receiving means being adapted to travel along an upper side of said support means after receiving a said product and the other of said product receiving means is adapted to travel along an underside of said elongate support means after it has discharged said bagged product.
17. A packaging apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16 in which said elongate support means includes an elongate beam provided with a transporting means to transport at least one of said product receiving means between said one and said distal ends of said beam.
18. A packaging apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and including a product feed means adapted to position a said product on said product receiving means.
19. A packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 18 in which said product feed means includes a conveyor which is adapted to be spaced apart above a said product receiving means as said product receiving means moves therebeneath, a product detecting means provided for said conveyor to control movement of the product receiving means relative to said conveyor and the movement of the product from the conveyor onto the product receiving means.
20. A packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 19 in which said product detecting means includes photo electric means provided at or adjacent a discharge end of said conveyor.
21. A packaging apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 20 in which said product feed means is adapted to pivot from a substantially horizontal position in which it receives a said product to an inclined position extending towards said product receiving means for discharging said product thereon.
22. A packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 21 when dependent on claim 19 or claim 20 wherein detection of a product on said conveyor enables the movement of said product receiving means to travel beneath said conveyor and for the pivoting of said conveyor into said inclined position to discharge said product onto said product receiving means.
23. A packaging apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and having a product unloading means including a projection means adapted to engage with a bagged product being carried by a product receiving means to remove the bagged product from the product receiving means and for the bagged product to be positioned on a product exit means.
24. A packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 23 in which the product unloading means includes a pivotal plate, an upper portion of which is adapted to engage with said bagged product.
25. A packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 23 or claim 24 in which said product exit means is adapted to be elevated towards said product receiving means as said bagged product is removed therefrom.
26. A packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 25 in which said product exit means includes a first exit conveyor movable between said elevated position to receive said bagged product from said product receiving means and a lowered position in which said bagged product can be fed to a further product exit means.
27. A packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 26 in which the further product exit means includes exit roller means which can be raised from a bagged product receiving position to a raised bag product unloading position.
28. A packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 27 in which the roller means are rotatable about a vertical axis to enable the discharge of the bagged product at a required angle relative to a direction of travel of said product exit means.
29. A packaging apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and including a product scanning means which measures at least the size of the product and is operatively connected at least with the bag holding means so that a size of bag commensurate with the product is provided.
30. A packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 29 and further including at least one bag making apparatus operatively connected with said scanning means so that a said bag is made of a size commensurate with the scanned product which is available on the bag holding means prior to the arrival of the product at the bag holding means.
31. A packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 30 including a plurality of said bag making apparatus and wherein a respective said bag making apparatus is selected for the making of said bag depending on information received from the said scanning means.
32. A packaging apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention and as shown in any one or more of the accompanying drawings.
33. A loader for use in the packaging apparatus of any one of the preceding claims and including a product receiving means which is adjustable so that at least opposite sides thereof can in use be spaced apart so as to be appropriate for the width of a product received therein, said product receiving means being in the form of a platen.
34. A loader for use in a packaging apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention and as shown in any one or more of the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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NZ522229A NZ522229A (en) | 2002-10-24 | 2002-10-24 | Loader and packaging apparatus |
NZ522229 | 2002-10-24 | ||
PCT/NZ2003/000240 WO2004037652A1 (en) | 2002-10-24 | 2003-10-24 | Loader and packaging apparatus |
Publications (1)
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US20060059868A1 true US20060059868A1 (en) | 2006-03-23 |
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US10/532,477 Abandoned US20060059868A1 (en) | 2002-10-24 | 2003-10-24 | Loader and packaging apparatus |
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US (1) | US20060059868A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1578670A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2003278643A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2502913A1 (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ522229A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004037652A1 (en) |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20070193229A1 (en) * | 2006-02-21 | 2007-08-23 | Curwood, Inc. | Food article packaging apparatus and method |
US20110318460A1 (en) * | 2010-06-29 | 2011-12-29 | Paper-Pak Industries | Method for reducing headspace and modifying atmosphere in a food package |
WO2012078704A1 (en) | 2010-12-08 | 2012-06-14 | Sealed Air (New Zealand) | Apparatus and method for shaping and holding a bag in an open condition |
US20130283730A1 (en) * | 2008-03-03 | 2013-10-31 | H.W.J. Designs For Agribusiness, Inc. | Bagging assembly |
US20150183535A1 (en) * | 2013-06-06 | 2015-07-02 | Momentum Machines Company | Bagging system and method |
US20160059971A1 (en) * | 2014-08-28 | 2016-03-03 | Unicharm Corporation | Packaging apparatus and packaging method for absorbent article |
WO2017021928A2 (en) * | 2015-08-06 | 2017-02-09 | Pulsar S.R.L. | Apparatus for packaging of a product in a respective preformed wrapping |
JP2020186050A (en) * | 2019-05-17 | 2020-11-19 | 佐藤 一雄 | Article receiving device |
CN113060358A (en) * | 2021-04-28 | 2021-07-02 | 红塔烟草(集团)有限责任公司 | Bag opening device convenient for gas replacement and sealing of packaging bag |
CN113184308A (en) * | 2021-05-18 | 2021-07-30 | 陈希 | Wind-powered electricity generation blade support bolt packaging production line |
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US20070193229A1 (en) * | 2006-02-21 | 2007-08-23 | Curwood, Inc. | Food article packaging apparatus and method |
US7762047B2 (en) | 2006-02-21 | 2010-07-27 | Curwood, Inc. | Food article packaging apparatus and method |
US20100255164A1 (en) * | 2006-02-21 | 2010-10-07 | Curwood, Inc. | Food Article Packaging Apparatus and Method |
US10709068B2 (en) | 2008-03-03 | 2020-07-14 | H.W.J. Designs For Agribusiness, Inc. | Bagging assembly |
US10631465B2 (en) | 2008-03-03 | 2020-04-28 | H.W.J. Designs For Agribusiness, Inc. | Bagging assembly |
US20130283730A1 (en) * | 2008-03-03 | 2013-10-31 | H.W.J. Designs For Agribusiness, Inc. | Bagging assembly |
US11439071B2 (en) | 2008-03-03 | 2022-09-13 | H.W.J. Designs For Agribusiness, Inc. | Bagging assembly |
US9463885B2 (en) * | 2008-03-03 | 2016-10-11 | H.W.J. Designs For Agribusiness, Inc. | Bagging assembly |
US20110318460A1 (en) * | 2010-06-29 | 2011-12-29 | Paper-Pak Industries | Method for reducing headspace and modifying atmosphere in a food package |
WO2012078704A1 (en) | 2010-12-08 | 2012-06-14 | Sealed Air (New Zealand) | Apparatus and method for shaping and holding a bag in an open condition |
US20150183535A1 (en) * | 2013-06-06 | 2015-07-02 | Momentum Machines Company | Bagging system and method |
US9718568B2 (en) * | 2013-06-06 | 2017-08-01 | Momentum Machines Company | Bagging system for packaging a foodstuff |
US10676220B2 (en) | 2013-09-20 | 2020-06-09 | Creator, Inc. | Bagging system for packaging a foodstuff |
US10011377B2 (en) * | 2014-08-28 | 2018-07-03 | Unicharm Corporation | Packaging apparatus and packaging method for absorbent article |
US20160059971A1 (en) * | 2014-08-28 | 2016-03-03 | Unicharm Corporation | Packaging apparatus and packaging method for absorbent article |
WO2017021928A3 (en) * | 2015-08-06 | 2017-08-03 | Pulsar S.R.L. | Apparatus for packaging of a product in a respective preformed wrapping |
WO2017021928A2 (en) * | 2015-08-06 | 2017-02-09 | Pulsar S.R.L. | Apparatus for packaging of a product in a respective preformed wrapping |
JP2020186050A (en) * | 2019-05-17 | 2020-11-19 | 佐藤 一雄 | Article receiving device |
JP7317351B2 (en) | 2019-05-17 | 2023-07-31 | 一雄 佐藤 | article receiving device |
CN113060358A (en) * | 2021-04-28 | 2021-07-02 | 红塔烟草(集团)有限责任公司 | Bag opening device convenient for gas replacement and sealing of packaging bag |
CN113184308A (en) * | 2021-05-18 | 2021-07-30 | 陈希 | Wind-powered electricity generation blade support bolt packaging production line |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1578670A1 (en) | 2005-09-28 |
WO2004037652A1 (en) | 2004-05-06 |
CA2502913A1 (en) | 2004-05-06 |
NZ522229A (en) | 2005-03-24 |
AU2003278643A1 (en) | 2004-05-13 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MACHINERY DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED, NEW ZEALAND Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MELVILLE, RICHARD A.;REEL/FRAME:017064/0850 Effective date: 20050727 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |