US20060059868A1 - Loader and packaging apparatus - Google Patents

Loader and packaging apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
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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United States
Prior art keywords
product
packaging apparatus
bag
receiving means
conveyor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
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US10/532,477
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English (en)
Inventor
Richard Melville
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Machinery Developments Ltd
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Machinery Developments Ltd
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Filing date
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Assigned to MACHINERY DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED reassignment MACHINERY DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MELVILLE, RICHARD A.
Publication of US20060059868A1 publication Critical patent/US20060059868A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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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US10/532,477 2002-10-24 2003-10-24 Loader and packaging apparatus Abandoned US20060059868A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NZ522229A NZ522229A (en) 2002-10-24 2002-10-24 Loader and packaging apparatus
NZ522229 2002-10-24
PCT/NZ2003/000240 WO2004037652A1 (fr) 2002-10-24 2003-10-24 Chargeur et dispositif d'emballage

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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 (fr)
EP (1) EP1578670A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2003278643A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2502913A1 (fr)
NZ (1) NZ522229A (fr)
WO (1) WO2004037652A1 (fr)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
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US20110318460A1 (en) * 2010-06-29 2011-12-29 Paper-Pak Industries Method for reducing headspace and modifying atmosphere in a food package
WO2012078704A1 (fr) 2010-12-08 2012-06-14 Sealed Air (New Zealand) Appareil et procédé permettant de donner une forme à un sac et de le maintenir dans un état ouvert
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 (fr) * 2015-08-06 2017-02-09 Pulsar S.R.L. Appareil permettant d'emballer un produit dans un emballage préformé respectif
JP2020186050A (ja) * 2019-05-17 2020-11-19 佐藤　一雄 物品受容装置
CN113060358A (zh) * 2021-04-28 2021-07-02 红塔烟草(集团)有限责任公司 一种便于包装袋气体置换和封口的撑袋装置
CN113184308A (zh) * 2021-05-18 2021-07-30 陈希 一种风电叶片支架螺栓包装生产线

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Cited By (21)

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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 (fr) 2010-12-08 2012-06-14 Sealed Air (New Zealand) Appareil et procédé permettant de donner une forme à un sac et de le maintenir dans un état ouvert
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 (fr) * 2015-08-06 2017-08-03 Pulsar S.R.L. Appareil permettant d'emballer un produit dans un emballage préformé respectif
WO2017021928A2 (fr) * 2015-08-06 2017-02-09 Pulsar S.R.L. Appareil permettant d'emballer un produit dans un emballage préformé respectif
JP2020186050A (ja) * 2019-05-17 2020-11-19 佐藤　一雄 物品受容装置
JP7317351B2 (ja) 2019-05-17 2023-07-31 一雄 佐藤 物品受容装置
CN113060358A (zh) * 2021-04-28 2021-07-02 红塔烟草(集团)有限责任公司 一种便于包装袋气体置换和封口的撑袋装置
CN113184308A (zh) * 2021-05-18 2021-07-30 陈希 一种风电叶片支架螺栓包装生产线

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CA2502913A1 (fr) 2004-05-06
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AU2003278643A1 (en) 2004-05-13
WO2004037652A1 (fr) 2004-05-06

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