US3411767A

US3411767A - Apparatus for positioning a web

Info

Publication number: US3411767A
Application number: US564286A
Authority: US
Inventors: Moser Theo; Epple Helmut
Original assignee: Hoffiger & Karg
Current assignee: Hoffiger & Karg
Priority date: 1965-07-09
Filing date: 1966-07-11
Publication date: 1968-11-19
Anticipated expiration: 1985-11-19
Also published as: DE1461923A1; DE1461923B2; DE1461923C3; GB1101558A

Abstract

1,101,558. Packaging machines. HÍFLIGER and KARG O.H.G. 1 July, 1966 [9 July, 1965], No. 29706/66. Heading B8C. [Also in Division B6] Non-registration of a web having been detected by a photo-electric checking and control device 22, longitudinal register is achieved by a pair of rollers 8, 16, one of which has in its peripheral surface a plurality of equidistant groove-like recesses extending parallel to the roller axis, while the other has ribshaped projections spaced at the same distance as the grooves and is adjustable so as to permit the depth of entry of the projections into the recesses to be varied. The above registering mechanism is applied to the pre-marked or preprinted cover web 14 of a packaging process wherein a plastics web 12 from a supply-roll 10 is first embossed with a series of cup-shaped recesses 5 which are filled with tablets (4, Fig. 1) at a filling station 13. The cover web 14 is applied to the filled strip 12 passing over a longitudinal grooved roller 24, by the roller 16 which is heated and provided with a plurality of suction channels (7, Fig. 2). Longitudinal register is checked by photo-electric device 22, and connection made, if required, by adjustment of the roller 8 relative to the roller 16. The composite strip then passes over a compensating roller 25 and guide roller 26 to a cutting station 27 where individual sections 19 are punched out. The remainder of the composite strip is cut into sections by cutters 30.

Description

Nov. 19,1968 T. MOSER ET AL.

APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A WEB 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 11, 1966 MM 1% O' MM! 1 14% Nov. 19, 1968 MOSER ET AL APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A WEB Filed July 11, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheei 2 NOV. 19, 1968 os ET AL APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A WEB 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 11. 1966 Nov. 19, 1968 os ET AL 3,411,767

APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A WEB Filed July 11. 1966 4 Sheets-Shem 4 Motor 710 V 60CY United States Patent ,539 15 Claims. (Cl. 270-53 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Marks on a transported web are sensed, and signals produced controlling the forming of larger or smaller folds in the web so that web sections can be accurately placed on another transported web.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for positioning a web having uniformly spaced marked sections, and more particularly to a packing apparatus for applying picture carrying sections of a continuous web in a correct position to packages formed in another web.

Apparatus is known in which a web having depressed portions filled with merchandise, such as candies, has to be provided with a closing cover, whereupon the web is cut into packages. The covers are part of a continuous web, and if each of the covers is to carry a picture, it is necessary to position the cover web in a very precise position to avoid a displacement of the picture on the finished package, or the cutting of pictures. A relative displacement between the web having the pictures, and the web forming the packages, takes place due to irregularities in the web materials which, particularly if thermoplastic sheets are used, are differently stretched. Furthermore, slipping of the web takes place on the transporting rollers.

In order to avoid a displacement of the cover pictures, it has been proposed to provide the webs with marks which are uniformly spaced from each other distances corresponding to the size of the finished package. A photoelectric sensing device senses the marks, and in the event that the advance of the web is insufficient, additional mechanism is'started which causes a feeding of the web to the desired extent.

In one construction according to the prior art, the web is guided over a roller which is located between and below two guide rollers and mounted on a lever. The web forms a U-shaped loop, and the lever is controlled in such a manner that the same moves the control roller upwards toward the guide rollers to reduce the size of the loop if the advance movement of the web is insufficient. Since the lower portion of the web loop is thus released, the transporting means of the web can transport an additional web portion so that the difference is compensated and a sufficient length of. web is supplied. Such a device is only capable of supplying an additional or greater length of the web, if the length of the supplied web section is insufficient, but it is not adapted to reduce the length of the supplied web if a greater length of web is supplied than is required by the packages. Furthermore, the web supply cannot be accurately controlled due to a freely suspended web loop.

- It is one object of the invention to overcome the disadvantages of known apparatus for transporting and positioning a web, and to provide an apparatus which permits an adjustment of the supplied length of web to provide a greater length of the web, or a shorter length of the web, as required.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for transporting and positioning a web having marked sections, for example sections provided with pictures, to an- 3,411,767 Patented Nov. 19, 1968 other web forming exactly spaced packages, in such a manner that each package is closed by the web section carrying a picture without relative displacement between the pictures and the packages. 1

With these objects in view, an apparatus according to the present invention comprises a first roller having circumferentially spaced peripheral recesses; a second roller having circumferentially spaced projections disposed to cooperate with the recesses, respectively, during rotation of the first and second rollers so that each projection enters the corresponding recess in the region of the bight of the rollers; supply means, for example a let-off reel, for supplying a web having uniformly spaced marked sections, for example printed pictures or a printed text, to the bight between the first and second rollers so that a web portion is located between one projection and the respective recess in the region of the bight whereby a fold is formed of the web portion in the respective recess; supporting means, such as a shaft and a guide means for the shaft, supporting the second roller for movement toward and away from the first roller; sensing means, preferably including a photoelectric cell, for sensing the marked sections, which may have additional sensing marks; and adjusting means, preferably including a reversible electric motor and transmission means connected with the shaft, and being controlled by the sensing means for moving the second rollers toward and away from the first roller so that one projection enters more or less deeply into the respective recess in the region of the bight of the rollers, whereby the size of the fold is varied for adjusting the position of the marked sections which are delivered by the first roller to a third roller and a web having package sections transported by the first and third rollers. Since the marked or picture sections of the web are accurately spaced, each marked section is applied to a package section of the other web, and preferably sealed to the same by heating means in the first roller which are capable of sealing the thermoplastic material of the web.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and-its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompa'nying drawings, in which: I

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary schematic side view illustrating an apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary schematic side view illustrating a portion of FIG. 1 on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevation illustrating a section of the web; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary schematic side view illustrating a machine incorporating the apparatus of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 3, a transporting roller 16 has four peripheral circumferentially uniformly spaced recesses having a triangular or trapezoid uniform cross section and extending along the axial length of roller 16.

A supply reel 15 supplies a web 14 to roller 16 which is driven to transport the web to the bight between roller 16 and another roller 24.

Rollers

16 and 24 not only transport web 14, but also a web 12 which has depressions or pockets 5 filled with merchandise, for example candies 4. In the bight between

rollers

16 and 24, the packages 19 formed by the pocket 5 enter recesses 23 in the peripheral surface of roller 24 and are transported by the same. Roller 1 6 is provided with electric heating means which receive current through slide rings, not shown, and the marked the electric circuit of 3 heating means act on the thermoplastic material of

webs

14 and 12 to seal web 14 to web 12 whereby the pockets 5 are closed and form packages 19 which are separated from each other by cutting of the attached

webs

14 and 12 between the packages.

The depressed pockets 5 are provided on web 12 in series of five, and each series is separated from the other by a Web portion which is longer than the connecting web portions of web 12 between adjacent depressed pockets 5 of the same series. The length of a section of web 12 corresponding to a series of depressed pockets 5, corresponds to the length of web 14 between two adjacent recesses 17 on roller 16. Therefore, a portion of web 14 located in a recess will be located opposite a connecting portion of web 12 between two series of depressed pockets 5.

Roller 16 cooperates with a second roller 8 provided with peripheral axially extending 'circumferentially spaced projections or ribs 9 which respectively cooperate with recesses 17. During the synchronous rotation of

rollers

8 and 16, which is obtained by meshing gears, not shown, the projection 9 passing through the bight between

rollers

8 and 16 enters into a corresponding recess 17, and then moves out of the same again.

As best seen in FIG. 2,

rollers

8 and 16 have a normal operating position shown in FIG. 2 in which the axes of

rollers

8 and 16 are spaced such a distance that the projections 9 in the bight of the rollers enters into the corresponding recess about halfway between the bottom of the recess and the peripheral opening of the recess 17, the total radial depth of the recess being s.

Web 14 has successive pictures which are to form covers of the packages 19, and also marks 20 spaced from each other distances corresponding to a series of pictures, the number of the series of pictures corresponding to the number of pockets 5 in the series of pockets of web 12.

In the normal position of

rollers

8 and 16, a fold 29 of average size will be formed by the projection 9 entering the recess 17, and such folds will be located opposite the connecting portions of web 12 after attachment of the cover web 14 of the package 12.

Roller 8 is mounted on a shaft which is supported in bearings having a threaded bore into which a threaded spindle projects. The threaded spindle is rotated by an electric motor 21 which can be reversed so that roller 8 with its shaft is moved by motor 21 either toward roller 16, or away from the same, according to the control of the motor circuit.

If roller 8 is moved toward roller 16, projection 9 between the two rollers Will enter more deeply into the corresponding recess, and will form a greater fold drawing a piece of the web 14 from the web portion between supply reel 15 and roller 16. If roller 8 is moved away from roller 16 by the reversed motor 21, projection 9 will move outward in recess 17, and will form a smaller fold thus taking up a lesser length of the web 14. In this manner, an extension as well as a shortening of sections of web 14 and adjustment of the position of the pictures and marks 20 can be obtained. In order to prevent that the formed fold is pulled straight as soon as projection 9 moves out of recess 17, roller 16 has radial suction channels 7 opening on the peripheral surface of roller 16 on opposite sides of recess 17, and suction channels 7 are connected with conduits 6 and stationary conduit 30 by which suction is applied to suction channels 7 which are covered by web 14. The portions on opposite sides of the fold of the web are sucked onto the peripheral surface of roller 14 so that substantial friction develops between the web and the peripheral surface of roller 16 to hold the web on roller 16 in the adjusted position. A stationary venting conduit 31 communicates with channels 6, 7 to relieve the suction when the

webs

12 and 14 are bounded.

A photoelectric sensing means 22 is provided for sensing marks 20 on web 14 in the region between the supply reel 15 and transporting roller 16, as also shown in FIG. 4. Mark 20 is illuminated by a sou ce of igh nd in this manner, an impulse is created in a photocell which cooperates with a mechanical contact device 32-35 in such a manner that if a contact is established at the same time as a sensing impulse is produced by the photocell, the motor 21 of the adjusting means of roller 8 is not energized. The reversal or nonreversal of motor 21 depends on whether first the sensing signal was given, or the contact made by the contact device. The contact device has a conductive cylinder 33 with an insert 32 of an insulating material and

slide contacts

34, 35. When both contacts engage the grounded cylinder 33 the system is grounded and motor 21 is not energized when a signal is supplied by sensing means 22 to amplifier and control device 36. If a contact, for example 34, is grounded and the other contact located on the insulating insert 32 when the sensing signal arrives at the control device 36, switch 36 is closed and motor 21 rotates in forward direction. If contact 34 is located on insert 32 and contact 35 grounded, switch 37 is closed, and motor 21 is reversed and rotates in the opposite direction. If the portion of web 14 between supply reel 15 and projection 9 is incorrectly placed, a mark 20 will be sensed too early or too late so that only one

contact

34 or 35 will be grounded, and motor 21 started to move projection 9 into or out of a groove 17.

Referring now mainly to FIG. 4, the web 12 is supplied from a supply reel 10 and guided over a molding roller 11 in which the pockets 5 are formed in groups of five separated by a somewhat longer web portion. Web 12 is moved to a filling station at which candies 4 are filled into pockets 5 whereupon Web 12 travels along a supporting table to the bight between roller 16 and roller 24.

As explained above, the cover web 14 which has marked sections with pictures or text which fit onto the pockets 5, is supplied from a supply reel 15 and guided over rollers 16 through the bight between

rollers

8 and 16 and then to the bight between

rollers

16 and 24. Heating means in roller 16 are energized in the region of roller 24 so that the thermoplastic foils of

webs

14 and 12 are sealed and attached to each other.

The attached webs are transported by transporting rollers 27, and are held in a tensioned position by a suspended roller 25 and a guide roller 25a. A series of packages 19 is cut out by dies 26, and the remainder of the webs is cut to pieces by cutting means 28.

. Assuming that the length of the marked sections on web 14 correspond exactly to the length of the sections of web 12 to be covered, no adjustment is necessary. However, if a marked section of web 14 is displaced relative to the pockets 5 of web 14, the printed picture will not appear completely on each package, but the webs may be attached in a position in which parts of the pictures on web 14 are located on two pockets 5 so that no package will receive a complete picture.

If web 14 is displaced in this manner, its marks 20 are also displaced, and the impulses produced by marks 20 in the sensing means 22 will no longer coincide with the uniformly spaced signals produced by the mechanical contact device 32-34, and adjusting motor 21 will be actuated to move roller 8 toward roller 16, or away from the same, depending on the direction of the displacement of the cover web 14. The adjustment of roller 8 causes the respective projection 9 to enter more deeply into the corresponding recess 17, or move outward in the same so that a web portion is pressed more deeply into recess 17, or less deeply than in the normal position of the projection. Larger or smaller folds, respectively, are formed in this manner.

The adjustment of roller 9 is carried out depending on the position of the marks 20 on Web 14 by means of the photoelectric sensing device 22. If coincidence between the signals produced by the mechanical contact device 32-34 with the sensing signals exists no adjustment is necessary. However, if contact closure of the mechanical contact device and the sensing signal do not coincide, motor 21 is energized and adjusts the position of roller 9. Depending on whether the time displacement is trailing or leading, roller 8 is moved away from, or toward roller 16 to reduce or increase the size of the fold 29 in recess 17 resulting in a lengthening or shortening of the respective web section of web 14.

The entire relative displacement between the webs can be corrected in this manner by a movement of roller 8 toward or away from roller 16. If great forces are involved and the inertia of the adjusted elements has to be considered, the adjustment may be carried out stepwise, and the size of the fold gradually increased or reduced.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of apparatus for transporting webs differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an apparatus for adjusting the position of a web having marked sections before the web is attached to packages, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for positioning a web, comprising, in combination, a first roller having circumferentially spaced peripheral recesses; a second roller having circumferentially spaced projections disposed to cooperate with said recesses, respectively, during rotation of said first and second rollers so that each projection enters the c0rrespending recess in the region of the bight of said rollers; supply means for supplying a web having uniformly spaced marked sections to the bight between said first and second rollers so that a web portion is located between one projection and the respective recess whereby a fold is formed of said web portion in the respective recess; supporting means rotatably supporting said second roller for movement toward and away from said first roller; sensing means for sensing said marked sections; and adjusting means controlled by said sensing means for moving said supporting means with said second roller toward and away from said first roller so that said one projection enters more or less deeply into the respective recess and the size of the formed fold is varied for adjusting the position of said marked sections.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sensing means includes a photo cell producing an impulse when sensing a marked section; and wherein said adjusting means includes a reversible motor, transmission means connecting said motor with said supporting means, and means controlled by said impulses to start, stop, and reverse said motor.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first roller has suction channels opening on the periphery thereof adjacent each recess; and including means for applying suction to said suction channels at least in the region of the periphery of said first roller where said web is located so that said web is sucked onto the periphery of said first roller.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, and including a third roller cooperating with said first roller and adapted to transport a second web so that said first web is applied to said second web with said marked sections in a predetermined position in relation to said second web.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said first roller includes heating means for sealing said webs to each other.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second rollers and said projections and recesses are disposed in such a manner that said one projection enters the respective recess and forms a fold when said sensing means senses marked sections in the correct position, and wherein said adjusting means move said second roller awayfrom said first roller so that said one projection forms a smaller fold in the respective recess if said marked sections deviate from the correct position in one direction, and wherein said adjusting means move said second roller toward said first roller so that said one projection forms a larger fold in the respective section if said marked sections deviate from the correct position in the opposite direction.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recesses have a substantially greater peripheral width than said projections.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sensing means are located between said supply means and said rollers.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sensing means includes photo electric means producing a signal for each sensed marked section of said web, a mechanical contact device having contacts closing at uniformly timed intervals, and means receiving said signal and being responsive to non-coincidence of the same with closure of said contacts to actuate said adjusting means.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said supporting means include a shaft, and bearings for said shaft; and wherein said adjusting means include threaded means connected with said bearings, and a reversible motor for operating said threaded means.

11. An apparatus for positioning a web, comprising, in combination, a first roller having peripheral recesses spaced in circumferential direction; a second roller having peripheral fixed projections spaced in a circumferential direction and disposed to cooperate, respectively, with said recesses during rotation of said first and second roller so that each projection enters a corresponding recess in the region of the bight of said first and second rollers; supply means for supplying a web having spaced marked sections to the bight between said first and second rollers so that a web portion is located between one projection and the respective recess whereby a fold of said web is formed of said web portion in the respective recess; first supporting means for rotatably supporting said first roller; second supporting means for rotatably supporting said second roller, one of said first and second supporting means being stationary and the other supporting means being movable for moving the respective roller toward and away from the respective other roller for varying the depth at which said one projection is located in said recess, and adjusting means for moving said other supporting means with the respective roller toward and away from the roller on said one supporting means so that said one projection projects more or less deeply into the respective recess and the size of the fold formed in said recess is varied for adjusting the position of said marked sections.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said first roller has suction channels opening on the periphery thereof adjacent each recess; and comprising means for applying suction to said suction channels at least in the region of said bight of said first and second rollers so that said web is held on the periphery of said first roller adjacent said recess so as to maintain the size and position of the newly formed fold.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said first supporting means is stationary and said second supporting means is movable toward and away from said first supporting means so that said second roller is movable toward and away from said first roller whereby the position of said projection in said recess is varied.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said first roller has pairs of suction channels opening on the periphery thereof on opposite sides of and adjacent each recess; and comprising means for applying suction to said pairs of said suction channels at least in the region of said bight of said first and second rollers so that said web is held on the periphery of said first roller adjacent said recess so as to maintain the size and position of the newly formed fold.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 and comprising a third roller cooperating with said first roller and adapted to support a second web so that said first web is applied to said second web with said marked sections in a predetermined position in relation to said second web.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,186,018 6/1916 Meisel 27069 2,483,155 9/1949 Salfisberg 53-51 3,140,573 7/1964 Buttolph 5351 3,163,110 12/1964 Thompson l0l247 3,238,691 3/1966 Miller et al 53-51 X EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner. PAUL V. WILLIAMS, Assistant Examiner.