US3668815A - Vibrating clamp product settler - Google Patents
Vibrating clamp product settler Download PDFInfo
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- US3668815A US3668815A US18934A US3668815DA US3668815A US 3668815 A US3668815 A US 3668815A US 18934 A US18934 A US 18934A US 3668815D A US3668815D A US 3668815DA US 3668815 A US3668815 A US 3668815A
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- tube
- product
- package
- frame
- seal
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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
- B65B1/00—Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
- B65B1/20—Reducing volume of filled material
- B65B1/22—Reducing volume of filled material by vibration
Definitions
- ABSTRACT Rented Us Appucflhn A product settling arrangement for packages of flexible sheet material wherein the package is vigorously agitated by [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 714,862, March 21, gripping of the package at the bottom for a presettling operal968. tion and at the top for a final settling operation. The movement of the package is in the up and down direction with the 52 us. Cl ..s3/24, 53/126, 53/180 preferred action being along an oscillatory p whereby [51] Int. Cl .365! 1/22 tipl3 component force is applied to the Product for more 58 Field of Search ..s3/24, I26, 180 mm A circui is Provided insuring PmPe' L i g in, "h"
- the present invention relates to packaging methods and apparatus and, more particularly, to an improved arrangement for packaging wherein the product is more efficiently settled in the package being formed.
- a continuous web of sheet material is transformed into a tube by passage over a former.
- the product being packaged is introduced into the open end of the tube in weighed charges or batches with transverse seals being formed below and above said charge to complete the package which is then severed from the continuous tube.
- relatively light and irregularly shaped products, such as potato chips there is presented a problem of getting the product compactly settled into the package so that it will not interfere with the forming of the top heat seal and so that the package will have a uniform and more pleasing shape.
- One device previously used for performing this function included a pair of opposed stripper plates which are brought together against the tube to flatten the same whereupon relative movement between the tube and the plates along the longitudinal axis of the tube is performed so that the product is forced down into the package.
- This arrangement while having been proven to be acceptable to successfully remove the product from the seal area and to shape the package, is subject to certain shortcomings.
- Need for improvement has been pinpointed in such areas as shortening of the cycle time by successfully eliminating the need for relative movement between the tube and sealing jaws of more than one package length, correction of the problem of bursting of packages along the bottom seal during the stripping operation by reducing the severity of the action, and reducing the breakage of the product that occurs with frangible products, such as potato chips, by eliminating forcible movement of rigid members against the product in the package.
- lt is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved form and till packaging arrangement wherein the settling operation is performed solely by positively induced vibratory movement of the package and thus of the product within the package.
- Still another object of the present invention is to provide a particularly advantageous settling motion wherein irregular product, such as potato chips, is urged to find a nested position and thereby form a compact charge.
- a continuous tube of sheet material is held in a generally upright position and is positioned to pass through a continuously vibrating clamp comprising a pair of gripper members or plates positioned on opposite sides of the tube and adapted for movement toward and away from the same.
- a continuously vibrating clamp comprising a pair of gripper members or plates positioned on opposite sides of the tube and adapted for movement toward and away from the same.
- the tube is actually flattened and positively gripped by the clamp so that said tube is temporarily sealed whereby the feed of the predetermined charge of material into the tube may be initiated immediately.
- As product comes to rest just above the temporarily sealed portion of the tube it will be vigorously vibrated as the tube moves with the clamp so as to cause the product, especially in what will eventually be the bottom of this package, to be presettled in the desired manner.
- the sealing jaws are brought together just below the clamp to form the transverse bottom seal of the package; the presettling operation being discontinued by release of the tube by said clamp in timed relationship with and just prior to the formation of the seal.
- the presettled charge is permitted to drop to the bottom of the package at the transverse seal, and the sealing jaws proceed to draw an additional package length of tube for the next packaging cycle.
- the sealing jaws are withdrawn for return to the sealing station and simultaneously the clamp, which has remained in place with respect to the tube, is again applied to the tube but this time at a position spaced one package length above the previous position so that now the product, especially in the upper portion of the package being fonned, is acted upon by the vibration for a final settling operation. Simultaneously with this final settling operation on this package, it will be clear that product for the next successive package can be introduced into the tube and presettled above the temporary seal formed by the clamp, thus initiating the next cycle of operation.
- the clamp is moved along an arc having a center axis extending transversely to but spaced from the longitudinal axis of the tube and opposite the gripper members, so that the tube is given a positive movement along an oscillatory path in an up and down direction.
- This is of importance since it provides a multiple component force to encourage settling of the product, i.e., the product within the tube is not only moved up and down but also from the rear of the package to the front by centrifugal force.
- Particularly advantageous settling action occurs as a result of the repetitive loosening and compressing forces resulting mainly from the rapid downward movement of the package, followed by the positive and somewhat abrupt stop at the bottom and the following upward return stroke.
- chips having been loosened by their tendency to remain at rest as the package moves downwardly, are free to shift position into the desired nested mode as they are compressed by the multiple G force that is applied at the bottom and on the return stroke.
- the vibrating step is performed during only a portion of the time that the tube is gripped. Furthermore, it has been found that with certain products, excellent settling action can be gained by employing only a single cycle vibration at a moderate speed during each packaging cycle of the machine.
- the gripper members are carried on pivotal arms for movement toward and away from the tube with the pivot axes of the arms being carried for bodily vibrating movement by an integral supporting frame.
- at least one of the gripper members is fabricated from resilient material to give a uniform clamping pressure across the tube.
- the actuator cylinder for moving the gripper plates toward and away from the tube is mounted on the stationary frame of the machine and not on the oscillating frame so as to maintain the mass of said oscillating frame at a minimum.
- the rigid construction of the frame which preferably comprises a pair of spaced supports with an interconnecting columnar member that serves to pivotally mount the assembly on an elongated pivot shaft extending across the full width of said frame for maximum stability.
- the gripper plate supporting arms are U-shaped for two point connection to the spaced supports whereby uniform gripping pressure across the tube is assured.
- the drive for the gripper members is imparted directly from the main drive shaft of the packaging machine thus eliminating the need for. an additional drive motor.
- the vibrating motion is generated by a simple cam with a spring being connected to the support plates for the gripper members to keep the follower urged against the cam and to give a positive return motion.
- a pneumatic cylinder is utilized to move the gripper members toward and away from the tube to flatten the same. This cylinder is fixedly mounted on the rear wall of the machine; the vibratory motion being accomodated through a pivotal link.
- HG. 1 is a diagrammatic showing of a form and fill arrangement capable of utilizing the principles of the present invention
- FIGS. 2-5 are diagrammatic showings of the sequence of operation following the showing of FIG. 1, which operation is in accordance with the principles of the present invention
- FIG. 6 is a front view of the apparatus of the present invention positioned within a form and fill packaging machine for carrying out the principles of the present invention
- FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6 showing the clamp actuating and vibrating mechanism
- FIG. 8 is a fluid circuit diagram showing the manner in which the apparatus of FIGS. 6 and 7 is controlled in accordance with the invention.
- FIGS. 9 and 9a are enlarged views of the vibrating clamp and tube showing the forces acting on the product during the positive upward and downward movement of said tube, respectively;
- FIG. 10 is a perspective front view of the main operating components of a form and fill packaging machine illustrating another embodiment of the clamp actuating and vibrating mechanism of the present invention
- FIG. ll is a rear view of the form and fill packaging machine of FIG. 10 showing the drive apparatus
- FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line l2l2 of FIG. 11 showing a side view of the operating components.
- FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-43 disclosing the adjustable drive linkage for the sealing carriage of the packaging machine.
- FIG. I The form and fill arrangement of FIG. I is an environment in which the method and apparatus of the present invention can be applied to advantage.
- a form and fill apparatus I0 which comprises a web W of sheet material, such as glassine, cellophane or polyethylene film, from which a continuous tube T is formed by passing said web W through a plurality of guide rollers R and then up and over a conventional winged former 11.
- a die 12 As the tube T is completed, the opposite side edges are heat sealed by a die 12 to form the longitudinal scam in a conventional manner.
- the open end of the tube T is provided with a conventional filling tube 13 through which the product being packaged is transferred from a conventional weighing hopper 14.
- the product being packaged in this particular instance has been represented by potato chips, as indicated by the reference numeral 15, and although it should be understood that the settling method and apparatus of the present invention is particularly adapted for use with this product, other similar products could be packaged as well.
- the step of the packaging method or operation of FIG. 1 insofar as the present invention is concerned is where the product 15 has been previously presettled within a lower package P, and said package P is being completed by a final settling operation.
- the settling action is of a vibratory nature, as noted by the arrows in this figure, which action is positively induced in the tube T by a clamp C that includes a pair of gripper members l6, l7 positioned on opposite sides of said tube T so as to flatten and grip the same.
- a transverse bottom seal has just been formed by a pair of sealing jaws l8, 19, with a new length D of tube T for the next successive package P, having been drawn by downward movement of said jaws l8, 19 while engaged with the tube T.
- the next charge of product 15 is just being introduced into the package P above the clamp C, which forms a temporary seal in the tube T to keep the successive charges separated.
- the product 15 upon first entering the tube T, the product 15 is loosely spaced so that it extends along the tube for more than the one package length D, which, as will be recognized, would interfere with the operation of the sealing jaws I8, 19 when the upper transverse seal is to be made.
- the product is being continuously shifted within the package P, by a vigorous, positive movement of the clamp C.
- the movement of the gripper members 16, 17 of said clamp is preferably in the up and down direction whereby maximum settling action is obtained due to a rapid repetitive loosening and compressing action of said product 15 within the tube T. Since the members 16, I7 are adjacent the bottom of the package P,, a maximum flexing action of the sides of the tube T is obtained to further encourage shifting of the product in this area so that the chips adjacent the bottom of package P are being efficiently presettled. It will be remembered that this is of primary importance, especially when small bags are being formed, due to the greater tendency of the bottom chips to remain unsettled under this condition.
- the gripper member I6 of the clamp C is in practice made of a rigid material so as to generally resist flexure at the limits of the vibratory motion. This rigidity in turn induces vigorous jerking of the walls of the tube T at the limits of the vibratory motion for maximum flexure or outward bulging of the tube T adjacent said clamp C, as will be explained more fully in the discussion of FIGS. 9 and 9a.
- the gripper member 17 on the other hand is fabricated of resilient material so as to conform to the face of the member 16 and give a uniform gripping pressure across the width of the tube T, thereby insuring a firm grip on the tube T and preventing slipping under the jerking action.
- the sealing jaws 18, I9 may now be brought together in FIG. 3 at sealing station S to form the top seal of the package P and the bottom seal of package P without fear of any chips in the package P interfering with the formation of the seal since the product 15 of the package P has now been finally settled through the action taking place in FIGS. l3.
- a substantial amount of the product in package P has also been settled and is advantageously retained above the sealing station 5 by the temporary seal formed by the clamp C gripping the tube T so that the chips in the package P also do not interfere. That is, the sealing jaws 18, 19 are brought together and allowed to form the permanent heat seal while the product 15 for the package P is safely isolated in spaced relationship above said sealing station S.
- the transverse bottom seal has been completed by the final closing of the sealing jaws l8, l9, and said jaws I8, 19 are ready to begin their downward drawing stroke to present the new length D.
- the members l6, 17 remain in the same position with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube T during this operation so that the top of the package P is positioned at the sealing station 8 and the members l6, 17 are ready to grip just above this position, as shown in FIG. 5. It is evident that the vibrating action on the tube T ceases during the drawing stroke so that the drawing of the new length D is smooth and without hindrance. With the sealing jaws 18, 19 at the bottom of their stroke, the package P is severed from the remainder of the tube T as is conventional.
- the clamp C is illustrated mounted for operation on the tube T positioned in a pack aging machine of the form and fill type.
- the frame of the packaging machine comprises a horizontal member 21 from which spaced mounts 22, 23 depend downwardly towards a conventional reciprocating sealing jaw carriage 24.
- this positioning of the mounts 22, 23 places the clamp C between the side guideways 25, 26 which carry the slides 27, 28 of the carriage 24.
- the slides 27, 28 may be interconnected by transverse member 29 and a pivotal operating yoke 30 through which the carriage 24 is reciprocated by chain drive 31.
- the sealing jaws 18, 19 are carried by the interconnecting transverse member 29 for movement toward and away from the tube T.
- a pivot shaft 35 is secured to and spans the distance between the depending mounts 22, 23 for supporting a U- shaped frame of the clamp C; said frame including a columnar or sleeve member 36 rotatabl supported by said pivot shaft 35 and spaced support plates 37, 38 (see FIG. 6).
- the frame With the plates 37, 38 rigidly connected to said columnar member 36 by suitable welds around the apertured interface and the shaft 36 serving as a support across the full width, the frame is highly stable so that constant and vigorous vibrating action with short, precise strokes can be applied to the clamp C for maximum settling action. Improved service life is also gained from this stabilized construction due to the absence of parts that could become loose under the influence of this action.
- the support plates or brackets 37, 38 extend forwardly and upwardly from the pivot shaft 35 (see FIG. 7) and are widened at the upper end to form spaced supports for each of a pair of U-shaped arms 40, 41 that form the clamp C; this dual point support on plates 37, 38 insures maintenance of equal pressure and movement across the width of the clamp C to thereby prevent slippage and possible skewing during the vibration.
- the rear U-shaped arm 40 has an integrally formed lever arm 44 formed on one leg thereof to which is connected an actuating cylinder 45 to effect movement of said arm 40 toward and away from the tube T; the same movement being translated to the front arm 41 by mating gears 46, 47 fixed for movement with the respective arms 40, 41.
- the actuator cylinder 45 is carried by the frame member 21 of the machine.
- the vibrating motion of the clamp C is accommodated by mounting said cylinder 45 for complementary motion by means of a collar 48 pivotally supported on support ears 49, 50 attached to the horizontal member 21.
- the power for vibrating the clamp C is gained through a rearwardly extending drive arm 65 provided on the support plate 38.
- the lower end of a reciprocating drive rod 66 is attached to the free end of the drive arm 65 and is reciprocally driven by an eccentric 67 mounted on a horizontal drive shaft 68.
- Driving the drive shaft 68 is a pulley 71 which is driven in a conventional manner by a suitable belt 72 and driving motor M.
- the complete driving mechanism just described is advantageously positioned completely within the confines of the machine on rearwardly extending bearing and support assemblies, generally designated by the reference numerals 75, 76, which are attached to the rear of the horizontal frame member 21 (note FIGS. 6 and 7).
- the gripper members 16, 17 are carried by the horizontal part of said arms 40, 41 and serve to flatten the tube T and grip the same when brought together, as was discussed in describing the method steps of FIGS. l-5.
- the gripper member 17 is fabricated of rubber or other flexible, resilient material so as to be capable of positively gripping the bag and im arting the vigorous agitating movement thereto without slippage, as mentioned above. of importance to this feature is the fact that said gripper member 17 is mounted only at the edge opposite to the gripping edge in a cantilevered fashion whereby said member 17 is capable of substantial inward compressive movement against the member 16.
- the leaving of the gripping edge of the member unsupported in this manner is of importance to allow unrestricted compression over this length and thus give maximum and uniform gripping force regardless of any irregularities in or adjustment of the gripping edge of the member 16, which is substantially rigid.
- the bodily movement of the entire clamp C for the vibratory action insures that the gripper members 16, 17 remain firmly secured to the tube T so as to further reduce the chance of slippage.
- the gripper members I6, 17 impart a vibratory motion (FIGS. 9 and 9a) that flexes the side walls of the package so that the product l adjacent the area gripped can spread the tube (note bulges 80 in dotted line outline of FIG. 9) and thus assist the chips in finding the desired nested position.
- FIG. 8 wherein is depicted longitudinal axis L of the tube T which is substantially vertical and is intersected at 90 by a plane 85 passing through the pivot shaft 35 and the gripper members 16, 17.
- This means that the movement translated to the tube T is along a substantially vertical and oscillatory path, as indicated by the curved arrows in this figure, which gives the tube T and the chips within the same a multiple component force for increased settling action, as will presently be described in the further discussion of FIGS. 9 and 9a.
- the actuator cylinder 45 is positioned directly above the pivot shaft 35 so that longitudinal axis 86 of the cylinder 45 intersects said pivot shaft 35.
- a small but nonetheless significant force also acts on the chips due to the centrifugal force as a result of the tube T moving in an are about the pivot shaft 35.
- the force 94 thus causes the chips to shift from the rear of the package P, (right-hand side of FIG. 9) to the front so that a limited circulatory motion is set up. Under these conditions, the chips are more likely to be able to shift with respect to each other under the influence of the axially oriented primary force 93 since any blocking chips change position laterally during each vibratory cycle.
- control circuit I00 which is used with particular advantage to carry out the method of the invention with the described apparatus.
- the system includes a master control circuit 101 which through electrical leads 101a, l0lb operates a pneumatic control valve 102 in timed relationship with solenoid 103 connected through leads 103a, 1031:.
- the solenoid 103 serves to open gate 104 of the weighing hopper 14 through a conventional lever arrangement 105 when the clamp C is actuated, as shown.
- the control valve 102 is supplied with pressurized air from air source 106 and includes an exhaust orifice 107; said control valve 102 being of the double-acting type in that it alternately connects terminals 108, 109 to pressurized air from the source 106 and to the atmosphere through orifice 107.
- the terminal 108 is connected to the return side of cylinders 110, 111 by passages 112, 113, respectively, for retracting respective sealing jaws 18, 19; whereas, the respective work sides of the cylinders 110, 111 are connected to the opposite terminal 109 through passages 1 14, 1 15.
- the actuator cylinder 45 for the arms 40, 41 of the clamp C has its primary side connected to the return side of the control valve 102 at the terminal 108 through a tube 120.
- a one-way delay valve 121 is provided to allow instantaneous flow of pressurized air toward the cylinder 45 (note solid arrow) but delayed flow from the cylinder 45 (note dashed line arrow); the latter being in response to a return spring 125 upon exhausting of the primary side through the valve 102 and the exhaust orifice 107.
- the time interval for delay may be regulated by handle 121a on the valve 121.
- the step of FIG. 1 and as held in FIG. 2 is accomplished in response to the master control circuit 101 actuating the control valve 102 to apply pressure to the return side of the cylinders 110, 111 through the passages 112, 113, respectively; and simultaneously, the passages 114, 115 are exhausted through orifice 107.
- the cylinder 45 is actuated without delay through the tube 120 and the valve 121 to bring the gripper members 16, 17 into operative relationship with the tube T as shown.
- the master control circuit 101 is designed to actuate the gate solenoid 103 to open the gate 104 and allow the product 15 to enter the package I at a selected time interval after the latter action has occurred.
- the product 15 does not enter until the gripper members 16, 17 have formed the temporary seal and no product can enter the seal area from above at the sealing station Si
- the work side of the cylinders 110, 111 is pressurized through the terminal 109 and the passages 114, 115, respectively, to move the jaws 18, 19 toward the tube T to form the transverse seal.
- the actuating cylinder 45 although interconnected with the opposite terminal 108, which is now connected to the orifice 107 for exhausting the return side of the cylinders 110, 111, is not exhausted through the tubing 120 due to the pressure release delay feature of the valve 121.
- the primary side of the cylinder 45 is not exhausted so that the spring 125 opens the clamp C until the expiration of a selected time delay previously set by adjustment of the handle 121a.
- the delay should be selected so that the clamp C opens just prior to final closing of the jaws 18, 19. In this manner it is insured that the sealing jaws 18, 19 have not firmly gripped and sealed the tube T until the vibratory movement has stopped while at the same time insuring that the presettled product 15 has not had time to traverse the distance between the temporary seal formed by the clamp C and the sealing station S to thereby eliminate the possibility of getting product within the seal to destroy the effectiveness of the same.
- FIGS. -13 a second disclosed embodiment of the form and fill packaging machine utilizing the principles of the present invention will be described.
- the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1-9a have been used to denote corresponding components of the machine with the addition of a sufiix a for further identification. Additional reference numerals are added as required to denote new elements of interest in this second embodiment.
- the method practiced by the apparatus of the second embodiment is identical to that described above, and, accordingly, only the apparatus details need be described.
- FIG. 10 there is shown a pair of sealing jaws 18a, 19a, mounted in a sealing carriage, generally designated by reference numeral 24a.
- the side guideways 25a, 260 support the slides 27a, 28a for up and down reciprocal movement which allows the drawing out and return stroke of the carriage 24a.
- the slides 27a, 28a are attached to the carriage 240 by a pair of pivotal mounting yokes 150, 151, which are in turn supported by pairs of links 152, 153.
- Reciprocating drive arms 154, 155 effect the movement of the carriage 24a in its up and down movement and extend through rear wall W at corresponding slotted openings 156, 157.
- the arms 154, 155 are connected to an oscillating driveshaft 158, as shown in FIG. 11.
- the drive mechanism for the shaft 158 will be described below in con- 10 junction with FIG. 13 of the drawings.
- the clamp C comprises opposed gripper members 16a, 17a, which when moved together, serve to flatten the tube of packaging material extending therebetween and to thereby grip the same for imparting a vibrating movement.
- the upper ends of the gripper members 164 are attached by suitable pivots to cantilever operating or support arms or brackets 160, 161 that extend through the rear wall W at openings 162, 163.
- the support arms 160, 161 are pivoted on separate stub shafts 164, 165 supported by mounting ears 166, 167.
- a connecting channel member 168 is provided This interconnection is particularly suited where very high speeds of operation are to be attained. That is, the member 168 is of rigid construction and rigidly attached at both ends to prevent any misalignment between the operating arms 160, 161. This allows the operating assembly to oscillate rapidly without distortion under the high loads experienced during rapid acceleration and deceleration.
- a connecting link 173 transmits oscillatory motion from the crank 174 which is rotatably mounted on the transverse drive shaft 175 by journal or sleeve 176; said sleeve 176 being, in turn driven by a crank arm 177 having a follower roller 178 mounted on the free end thereof.
- the roller 178 cooperates with a multilobed cam 179 to impart the necessary rapid vibrating motion through the linkage just described to the clamp C
- the cam 179 is driven directly from the output shaft 180 of the main motor MM of the packaging machine.
- the cam 179 has six dips, each of which is operative to cause the follower roller 178 to move to the right, which through the recited linkage causes the arms 160, 161 to move in the upward direction.
- the lever 177 will be moved back to the left thereby allowing the arms 160, 161 to move downwardly thus completing a complete cycle of the vibratory motion.
- the amplitude of the vibratory motion can be conveniently adjusted by providing spaced apertures 181 along the crank 174; the apertures 181 being adapted to receive the pivot bolt 182 attached to the lower end of the link 173.
- a return spring 185 is provided on the rear wall W of the machine. Extending through said spring 185 is a connecting pin 186 which is pivotally attached to the interconnecting member 168 by a pin and mounting yoke assembly 187. A nut 188 is positioned on the end of the pin 186 affording adjustable compression to the spring 185.
- a pneumatic cylinder 195 is provided in a fixedly mounted position on the rear wall W (See FIG. 12).
- an actuating link pair 196 Attached to the piston rod of the cylinder 195 is an actuating link pair 196, in turn attached to the rear gripper member 16a by an upstanding ear 197.
- the pneumatic cylinder 195 is operative to extend the piston rod and move the gripper member 16a inwardly toward the packaging tube. This motion is translated to the opposite gripper member 17a through a connecting link 198, and crank arms 199, 200.
- the actuating link pair 196 follows through pivoting action so as not to interrupt the tight grip on the packaging tube.
- the mechanism for moving the sealing jaws 18a, 19a in the up and down direction is of interest particularly in that it provides for a simple, accurate adjustment.
- the oscillating drive arms 154, 155 are fixedly attached to the drive shaft 158.
- this shaft 158 is in turn operated by an oscillating drive lever 205 having a connecting pivot pin 206 attached to its free end.
- An adjustable pitman 207 is attached to the pin 206 and comprises two slidable links having mating slots 208 receiving adjusting bolts and nuts 209. Attached to the lower end of the pitman 207 by a pivot pin 210 is a reciprocating power lever 211 fixedly mounted on the shaft 175.
- An elongated and arcuate adjusting slot 212 is provided in the lever 21]. As best shown in FIG. 13, when the lever 211 is in its lower-most position, the slot 212 forms the arc of a circle having its center at the pin 206.
- the lever 211 is oscillated by a link 213 and crank 214, the latter of which is or may be driven by a variable speed reducer 215 from the output shaft 180 (see FIG. 11).
- the adjustable pitman 207 allows adjustment of both the upper and lower limits of the sealing jaws 18a, 194; whereas the adjustment of the pin 210 along the arcuate slot 212 affects only the lower end of the stroke.
- the pitman 207 is first adjusted to a rough estimation of the required stroke length, and also to give the proper distance between the gripper members 16a, 17a and the sealing jaws 18a, 19a when the latter are at the apex of their stroke (see FIG. 3).
- the final length of the bags is adjusted by moving the pin 210 in the required direction along the slot 212 thereby not affecting the upper position of the sealing jaws 18a, 19a and the previously set relationship with respect to the vibrating clamp C
- the sealing jaws 18a, 190 are set for a fast return stroke by the expedient of providing a differential angle 4: in the rotation of the crank 214 in favor of the draw stroke (See F1013).
- the oscillating shaft 175 also serves as a support for the operating mechanism of another component of the machine the product poker (not shown in the drawings).
- the product poker serves to periodically extend down into the mouth of the tube former 11 (FIG. 1) to break up any chips that might be bridging the mouth and thus cutting off the feed.
- a freely rotatable sleeve 220 is positioned on the shaft 175 and is oscillated by a lever 221 having a follower 222 engaged with a single lobe cam 223 (See FIGS. 11 and 12).
- the end of the sleeve 220 is attached to a crank for operating pull bar 224 extending to the top of the machine and through suitable linkage serving to operate the poker.
- a return spring 225 is attached to the bar 224 to complete the operating mechanism of the poker.
- Collars 226, 227 serve to keep the sleeves 176 and 220 abutted together in proper position on the shaft 175.
- certain products may be efficiently settled with less than full time vibratory movement by the clamp C
- corn chips have greater density and unit weight than other snack foods so that less motion is required.
- the vibrating motion of the clamp C may be interrupted during a portion of the cycle of engagement with the tube (FIGS. 1-3) and thus be applied in one or more bursts of vibration.
- the method of packaging product in a package formed from a continuous tube of sheet material held in an upright position comprising the steps of applying a pair of gripper members on opposite sides of said tube to temporarily seal the same, rapidly moving said gripper members back and forth while gripping said tube to vibrate the same, feeding said product above said members to be presettled by the vibrating action, applying a pair of sealing jaws across said tube to form a first transverse sea] at a sealing station below said members, removing said members from engagement with said tube in timed relationship with and just prior to the formation of said first transverse seal to terminate the vibrating action on said tube and allow the presettled product to drop to the bottom of the package above said first transverse seal, relatively moving said tube with respect to said gripper members to provide a new length of tube above said transverse seal equal to the package being formed, reapplying said gripper members to the top of said new length of tube while rapidly moving the same back and forth for additional vibrating action and final settling of said product, and reapplying said sealing jaws across said tube
- An apparatus for settling product in a package formed from a tube of sheet material held in an upright position and having a transverse bottom seal comprising a frame mounted for oscillatory motion about an axis extending transversely to but spaced from the longitudinal axis of said tube, a pair of arms mounted on said frame for movement toward and away from said tube on opposite sides thereof,elongated gripper plates extending transverse to said tube carried by said arms for positively gripping and flattening said tube between the edges of the plates when said arms are moved toward said tube, means for moving said arms toward and away from said tube, and means for oscillating said frame to impart bodily movement of said tube along an arc to settle said product.
- said means for moving said arms toward and away from said tube include an actuator cylinder attached to said arms and mounted for pivotal movement about a fixed axis, said pivotal mounting of said cylinder serving to accommodate the vibrating action of said frame.
- said frame includes a pair of spaced support plates, a columnar member rigidly interconnecting said spaced plates, said columnar member being mounted on a pivot shaft for coordinated oscillatory motion of said frame, said pivot shaft extending the full width of said frame for stability.
- said means for vibrating said frame includes a motor, a drive shaft driven by said motor, eccentric means on said drive shaft, a reciprocating drive rod connected to said eccentric means, and a drive extension on one of said support plates of said frame connected to one end of said drive rod for imparting said oscillatory motion to said frame,
- said vibrating step includes only a single cycle vibration performed in the up and down direction whereby settling action is applied due to sequential bulging and collapsing of the side walls of said package to cause loosening and compressive actlon, respectively on said product.
- said frame includes a pair of spaced support brackets, pivot means for mounting said arms, and an interconnecting member extending between said arms to rigidly connect the same together for coordinated oscillatory motion of said frame.
- said means for oscillating includes cam means for moving said frame in one direction and spring means for moving said frame in the opposite direction.
- said spring means comprises a spring attached at one end to said interconnecting member and fixedly attached at the other end.
- said moving means comprises a stationary actuator cylinder and a pivotal link connecting said cylinder to at least one of said arms, said pivotal links serving to accommodate the oscillating action of said frame.
- An apparatus for settling product in a package formed from a tube of sheet material held in an upright position and having a transverse bottom seal comprising frame means mounted for vibratory motion, elongated gripper means mounted on said frame means for movement toward and away from said tube on opposite sides thereof, said gripper means extending transverse to said tube for positively gripping and flattening said tube along a relatively narrow face when moved toward said tube, means for moving said gripper means toward and away from said tube, and means for vibrating said frame means to impart bodily movement of said tube to settle said product.
- said second means comprises a pivotal lever, means for oscillating said lever, an arcuate slot formed in said lever, a pitman fixed for pivotal movement at a selected position along said slot, the opposite end of said pitman being pivotally connected to linkage attached to said sealing jaws, said arcuate slot having its center along a substantially constant radius when said lever is in the position corresponding to said top of stroke of said sealing jaws.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (26)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US1893470A | 1970-03-12 | 1970-03-12 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US3668815A true US3668815A (en) | 1972-06-13 |
Family
ID=21790496
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US18934A Expired - Lifetime US3668815A (en) | 1970-03-12 | 1970-03-12 | Vibrating clamp product settler |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US3668815A (en) |
Cited By (30)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2357424A1 (en) * | 1972-11-14 | 1974-05-16 | Jones & Co Inc R A | METHOD AND EQUIPMENT FOR MANUFACTURING AND FILLING PACKAGES |
US3849965A (en) * | 1972-04-24 | 1974-11-26 | Quepor Sa | Method and device for the protection of the transversal seals during the formation of packaging containers |
US4295922A (en) * | 1979-09-17 | 1981-10-20 | Developak Corporation | Tube side seam heat sealer |
US4483126A (en) * | 1982-02-17 | 1984-11-20 | The Woodman Company, Inc. | Adjustable drive mechanism |
US4532753A (en) * | 1983-02-18 | 1985-08-06 | Hayssen Manufacturing Company | Method of and apparatus for forming, filling and sealing packages |
US4709532A (en) * | 1986-12-03 | 1987-12-01 | W. R. Grace & Co., Cryovac Div. | Vertical form-fill seal process and machine with product catching device |
US4751808A (en) * | 1987-04-09 | 1988-06-21 | Kliklok Corporation | Combined stripper and sealing apparatus for bag forming and method |
US5235794A (en) * | 1992-07-01 | 1993-08-17 | Recot, Inc. | Bag making apparatus and method |
US5485712A (en) * | 1995-01-27 | 1996-01-23 | Hayssen Manufacturing Company | Method of handling film on a vertical form, fill and seal machine |
WO1996017773A1 (en) * | 1994-12-07 | 1996-06-13 | Kliklok Corporation | Continuous vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine |
WO1996029246A1 (en) * | 1995-03-23 | 1996-09-26 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Device for producing pouch-packs |
US5930983A (en) * | 1992-06-29 | 1999-08-03 | Pacmac, Inc. | Form, fill and seal packaging machine with bag squeezer and method |
DE19808775A1 (en) * | 1998-03-03 | 1999-09-09 | Rovema Gmbh | Unit for compacting fine-grained or powdery products |
US6006503A (en) * | 1995-04-01 | 1999-12-28 | Molins, Plc. | Packaging machine with a stripping device |
US6029428A (en) * | 1992-06-29 | 2000-02-29 | Pacmac, Inc. | Convertible form, fill and seal packaging machine |
US6047521A (en) * | 1992-06-29 | 2000-04-11 | Pacmac, Inc. | Vertical form, fill and seal machine for making reclosable bags |
EP1026078A3 (en) * | 1999-02-03 | 2001-07-25 | Ishida Co., Ltd. | Method of forming, filling, and sealing bags continuously and an apparatus for forming, filling and sealing bags |
US6324818B1 (en) * | 1999-02-17 | 2001-12-04 | Slidell, Inc. | Vacuum filling machine for bags |
US6553744B1 (en) | 1992-06-29 | 2003-04-29 | Pacmac, Inc. | Packaging machine |
US6581360B1 (en) | 1997-03-21 | 2003-06-24 | Molins Plc | Packaging machinery |
US20040206046A1 (en) * | 1999-04-07 | 2004-10-21 | Ishida Co., Ltd | Packaging system with improved flow of articles |
DE19630420B4 (en) * | 1996-07-27 | 2007-06-14 | Rovema - Verpackungsmaschinen Gmbh | Method for operating a tubular bag machine |
US20100101188A1 (en) * | 2006-10-31 | 2010-04-29 | Ishida Co., Ltd. | Bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus and bag manufacturing and packaging method |
US20100330237A1 (en) * | 2009-06-26 | 2010-12-30 | General Mills Ip Holdings Ii, Llc | Densified particulate packaged products |
US20120180428A1 (en) * | 2009-09-30 | 2012-07-19 | Gianluigi Rossi | Automatic Packaging Machine |
US20160176548A1 (en) * | 2014-12-23 | 2016-06-23 | Frito-Lay North America, Inc. | Method and apparatus for a product settler |
US20160176549A1 (en) * | 2014-12-23 | 2016-06-23 | Frito-Lay North America, Inc. | Method and apparatus for a product settler |
WO2018118648A1 (en) * | 2016-12-21 | 2018-06-28 | Frito-Lay North America, Inc. | Flexible jaws for vertical fill form and seal apparatus and methods of use |
US20180237173A1 (en) * | 2017-02-17 | 2018-08-23 | Frito-Lay North America, Inc. | Apparatus and Methods of Packaging Particulates for Settling |
US20230271735A1 (en) * | 2020-07-16 | 2023-08-31 | TriVision A/S | A system and a method for packaging product into separate bags |
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US2960808A (en) * | 1956-09-11 | 1960-11-22 | Gerald L Pike | Machine and method for packaging food products |
US2953882A (en) * | 1959-05-08 | 1960-09-27 | Sperry Rand Corp | Packaging machine |
US3488915A (en) * | 1966-09-15 | 1970-01-13 | Fmc Corp | Package filling and sealing systems |
Cited By (41)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3849965A (en) * | 1972-04-24 | 1974-11-26 | Quepor Sa | Method and device for the protection of the transversal seals during the formation of packaging containers |
DE2357424A1 (en) * | 1972-11-14 | 1974-05-16 | Jones & Co Inc R A | METHOD AND EQUIPMENT FOR MANUFACTURING AND FILLING PACKAGES |
US3821873A (en) * | 1972-11-14 | 1974-07-02 | Jones & Co Inc R A | Method and apparatus for forming and filling pouches |
US4295922A (en) * | 1979-09-17 | 1981-10-20 | Developak Corporation | Tube side seam heat sealer |
US4483126A (en) * | 1982-02-17 | 1984-11-20 | The Woodman Company, Inc. | Adjustable drive mechanism |
US4532753A (en) * | 1983-02-18 | 1985-08-06 | Hayssen Manufacturing Company | Method of and apparatus for forming, filling and sealing packages |
US4709532A (en) * | 1986-12-03 | 1987-12-01 | W. R. Grace & Co., Cryovac Div. | Vertical form-fill seal process and machine with product catching device |
AU611109B2 (en) * | 1986-12-03 | 1991-06-06 | W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn. | Vertical form-fill-seal process and machine with product catching device |
US4751808A (en) * | 1987-04-09 | 1988-06-21 | Kliklok Corporation | Combined stripper and sealing apparatus for bag forming and method |
US5930983A (en) * | 1992-06-29 | 1999-08-03 | Pacmac, Inc. | Form, fill and seal packaging machine with bag squeezer and method |
US6029428A (en) * | 1992-06-29 | 2000-02-29 | Pacmac, Inc. | Convertible form, fill and seal packaging machine |
US6553744B1 (en) | 1992-06-29 | 2003-04-29 | Pacmac, Inc. | Packaging machine |
US6047521A (en) * | 1992-06-29 | 2000-04-11 | Pacmac, Inc. | Vertical form, fill and seal machine for making reclosable bags |
US5235794A (en) * | 1992-07-01 | 1993-08-17 | Recot, Inc. | Bag making apparatus and method |
WO1996017773A1 (en) * | 1994-12-07 | 1996-06-13 | Kliklok Corporation | Continuous vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine |
US5540035A (en) * | 1994-12-07 | 1996-07-30 | Kliklok Corporation | Continuous vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine with synchronized product clamp |
AU693623B2 (en) * | 1994-12-07 | 1998-07-02 | Kliklok Corporation | Continuous vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine |
US5485712A (en) * | 1995-01-27 | 1996-01-23 | Hayssen Manufacturing Company | Method of handling film on a vertical form, fill and seal machine |
WO1996029246A1 (en) * | 1995-03-23 | 1996-09-26 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Device for producing pouch-packs |
US6006503A (en) * | 1995-04-01 | 1999-12-28 | Molins, Plc. | Packaging machine with a stripping device |
DE19630420B4 (en) * | 1996-07-27 | 2007-06-14 | Rovema - Verpackungsmaschinen Gmbh | Method for operating a tubular bag machine |
US6581360B1 (en) | 1997-03-21 | 2003-06-24 | Molins Plc | Packaging machinery |
DE19808775A1 (en) * | 1998-03-03 | 1999-09-09 | Rovema Gmbh | Unit for compacting fine-grained or powdery products |
EP1026078A3 (en) * | 1999-02-03 | 2001-07-25 | Ishida Co., Ltd. | Method of forming, filling, and sealing bags continuously and an apparatus for forming, filling and sealing bags |
US6367230B1 (en) | 1999-02-03 | 2002-04-09 | Ishida Co., Ltd. | Method of forming, filling, and sealing bags continuously and an apparatus for forming, filling and sealing bags |
US6324818B1 (en) * | 1999-02-17 | 2001-12-04 | Slidell, Inc. | Vacuum filling machine for bags |
US20040206046A1 (en) * | 1999-04-07 | 2004-10-21 | Ishida Co., Ltd | Packaging system with improved flow of articles |
US6945008B2 (en) * | 1999-04-07 | 2005-09-20 | Ishida Co., Ltd. | Packaging system with improved flow of articles |
WO2001094204A1 (en) * | 2000-06-03 | 2001-12-13 | Mcgregor, James | Vacuum filling machine for bags |
US20100101188A1 (en) * | 2006-10-31 | 2010-04-29 | Ishida Co., Ltd. | Bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus and bag manufacturing and packaging method |
US8132394B2 (en) * | 2006-10-31 | 2012-03-13 | Ishida Co., Ltd. | Bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus and bag manufacturing and packaging method |
US20100330237A1 (en) * | 2009-06-26 | 2010-12-30 | General Mills Ip Holdings Ii, Llc | Densified particulate packaged products |
US20120180428A1 (en) * | 2009-09-30 | 2012-07-19 | Gianluigi Rossi | Automatic Packaging Machine |
US20160176548A1 (en) * | 2014-12-23 | 2016-06-23 | Frito-Lay North America, Inc. | Method and apparatus for a product settler |
US20160176549A1 (en) * | 2014-12-23 | 2016-06-23 | Frito-Lay North America, Inc. | Method and apparatus for a product settler |
US10766641B2 (en) * | 2014-12-23 | 2020-09-08 | Frito-Lay North America, Inc. | Method and apparatus for a product settler |
WO2018118648A1 (en) * | 2016-12-21 | 2018-06-28 | Frito-Lay North America, Inc. | Flexible jaws for vertical fill form and seal apparatus and methods of use |
US10759556B2 (en) | 2016-12-21 | 2020-09-01 | Frito-Lay North America, Inc. | Flexible jaws for vertical fill form and seal apparatus and methods of use |
US20180237173A1 (en) * | 2017-02-17 | 2018-08-23 | Frito-Lay North America, Inc. | Apparatus and Methods of Packaging Particulates for Settling |
US10960994B2 (en) * | 2017-02-17 | 2021-03-30 | Frito-Lay North America, Inc. | Apparatus and methods of packaging particulates for settling |
US20230271735A1 (en) * | 2020-07-16 | 2023-08-31 | TriVision A/S | A system and a method for packaging product into separate bags |
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