Classifications

• • 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
  • B65B43/262—Opening or distending bags; Opening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks opening of valve bags

Definitions

• This present invention concerns a procedure and en apparatus designed for the positioning of valve bags onto a filler machine spout.
• the procedure is of the kind where the individual bags are grasped and taken through a process in order to open the valve of the bag, whereafter the valve opening is fitted onto the filling spout, and held in readiness to fill the bag.
• valve bags There are several ways to position valve bags onto a filling machine spout according to prevalent technology.
• Automatic positioning apparatus used so fer first positively open the valve portion of the bag, and then place the valve opening over the spout, the letter taking place by either positioning the valve portion of the bag over the spout, or, alternatively, by bringing the filling spout into the valve opening.
• One known metnod of positioning bags involves the opening of the valve by means of suction cups, contacting and grasping the beg along two lines parallel to the edges of the valve.
• valve By tilting the positions of the two lines of suction cups in such a manner that the midole part of the top portion forms an upward facing back, the valve is forced to open, and in the resulting position the bag can be brought into contact with the filling spout.
• Another method to open the valve is one where the suction cups are merely used to keep the upper layer of the top portion tight in a certain position, whereupon an insertion member is brought to press against the underlying layer near the valve mouth and thereby tearing the valve open.
• suction cups have been used in a known apparatus where the bags, in a flat and stretched position, are grasped and kept stationary by suc tion cups at the side of the bags.
• Other, moving suction cups, placed on the valve itself, can then rip open the parts of the valve, giving room for the insertion of the filling spout.
• valve The sub sequent gripping by a gripping member round the valve will keep the bag valve at maximum opening and diameter, as the parts of the valve are forced to follow the movements of the gripping member surfaces facing the valve. Having withdrawn the insertion member from the valve, the valve can be brought into contact with the filling spout, either by letting the gripping member take the bag to a stationary filling spout, or by inserting a filling spout into the valve opening while the valve is kept stationary.
• the apparatus designed to perform the method in accordance with claim 1 end of the. kind where there is a retaining member to retain the top valve portion of the bags at least, and a distention member to stretch the velve opening, is unique in that it comprises a mobile insertion mernDer with at least one forward wedge-shaped part designed to enter, through a progressive movement of the insertion member flush with the retained portion of the bag, into the mouth of the valve, and also in that said insertion member is designed in such a way that, when fully inserted, it has a cross-section, at least near the edges of the valve, which essentially distends the valve opening, end also a gripping member provided with mobile claws designed to grip or clasp the distended valve near the edges of ⁇ f the valve mouth, which claws when gripping are provided with surfaces of a form which, by and large, is similar to the cross-section of the insertion member at the point in question.
• this apparatus ensure a complete opening of the valves of the bags.
• the description shows that the valve opening is forced open through insertion of the insertion member, and even if some residual glue should cause the valve to stick together full distention of the opening will be achieved as a result of the fact that, when fully inserted, the insertion member has a cross-section equal to the size of the mouth of a valve when fully open.
• An improved version of the insertion member is achieved if designed, as in claim 3, in the fashion where the insertion member is composed of a number of movable parts which, in one position, together form the progressive wedge-shaped portion, and which, in a different position, form a cross-section constant throughout its length essentially and preferably circular and of a size equal to the exact size ⁇ f the fully distende valve opening.
• the distention of the valve mouth is effected by first letting the forward wedge-shaped portion of the insertion member progress in through the mouth of the valve. This causes the mouth to stretch and further makes possible the second position of the insertion member where the individual parts of the insertion member change their mutual position in such a way that an overall, extended shape ⁇ f the insertion member is achieved., i.e. the cross-section of the insertion m ⁇ moer is increased, the causing the valve opening to positively stretch.
• the insertion member is descriced in claim 4, where the insertion mem ber consists of two elonga tecpsrts, both provided with a forwerdly pointec portion and a r e a r portion provided with, at least one part, a hinged connection so that it may be positioned in such a way that the two forward portions form together the progressing portions, or alternatively be positioned in a way where the two insertion parts are essentially parallel, in which second position they form a shape in a size similar to that of a fully distended valve bag opening, and furthermore that the insertion embers are mobile length wise, or at least one insertion part.
• a simple and effective insertion member is achieved which, when in one position, is able to penetrate the mouth of the v ⁇ lve, and, when in the second position, is able to increase its shape so as to cause the full and complete opening.
• the insertion parts are designed, as described in claim 5, in such fashion that the insertion parts take the shape of halved cylindrical shells, pointed forward, and positioned with interfacing concave surfaces, the distention of the valve opening will reach the maximum.
• the gripping claws and the insertion member are designed in such a man ⁇ ner that the cross-sections of the insertion member when distended, and the gripping claw surfaces against the valve when in the gripping position, are identical to the cross-section of the filling spout. This will ensure the shaping of the the valve opening corresponding to tr a shape of the filling spout, end further ensure a correct feeding of bags onto the spout.
• the circular cross-section is especially preferable because it results in maximum opening as well as the optimum stability of the distended valve.
• the insertion member when bags ere stacked it mav be difficult for the insertion member to penetrate properly the valve opening, as the bags are not stretched flat, but arch near the middle.
• the insertion member By making the insertion member as e whole pivotable at the rear end round a hori zontal shaft lying across the direction of the progression, the insertion member will be able to follow the shape of the bag and thereby positively ensure penetration into the bag valve.
• the insertion member In case the bag valve is completely glued, or if for some other reason penetration of the insertion member is not possible, it would be expeoient to have the bag removed before the apparatus carries out an entire operation. This is done by providing the insertion member with a sensor to indicate whether the member has penetrated the valve, cr has slipped past.
• the sensor can be a switch, photoelectric cell, or other known sensor, connected to a device designed to remove the bag. The latter could be an arm provided with suction cups or similar means.
• the sensor is connected to the plant as a whole, and if there is no pulse from the sensor operations will not continue, but the insertion member will go in position to take another beg.
• the sensor can be a toggle switch built into the upward-facing surface of the insertion member, and in case the insertion member penetrates the valve opening, the switch is activated, or vice—versa.
• a finger which finger exerts pressure onto the portion of the bag in front ⁇ f the valve, which will cause the valve to open slightly, and at the seme time keep the bag sta- tionary.
• the underlying bags will supply the flexibility necessary to open the valve, but the last bags of the stack will need more flexibility than the hard table that form the basis.
• Fig. 1 is a side view showing part of a beg fitting apparatus carrying out the method according to the inv ⁇ ntion, the part including the actual insertion member;
• Fig. 2 is an enlarged projection of the individual parts of the insertion member;
• Fig. 3 shows the gripping member in the process of gripping an already distende bag valve;
• Fig. 4 shows the bag fitting machine seen from the front, and
• Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of the transporter/ table immediately below the insertion member.
• a bag fitting apparatus designed for fitting segs onto the spouts 4 of a filling plant 1 comprising, mountec on a coassis not shown an insertion member 2 (figs . 1 and 2) end a gripping member 3 (fig. 4).
• Th e insertion member 2 a s d e mo ns tra t e d in f i g s . 1 a n d 2, consisting of two parts 5,6, pointed at the forwardly progressing end, and where one part 5 pivotably connects to a bearing 7 at the rear end.
• the two parts, ⁇ ch taking the shape ⁇ f halved cylindrical shells with a pointed end and the two concave insides feeing each other, are shown in the initial position (full lines), where the pointed, forward ends of the two parts 5,6 meet to form an aggregate wedge-shaped insertion portion 2.
• the mobile insertion portion can be moved by means of a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 8, mount ⁇ d between the two insertion parts 5,6 into the second position, shown in dot-and-dash lines in fig. 1, where the ins ⁇ rtion portion are essentially parallel.
• the insertion portion 2 connects to the piston rod of a horizontally mounted hydraulic ⁇ r pneumatic cylinder 9, by means ⁇ f which the insertion portion 2 can be made to move horizontally.
• the insertion portion 2 is mobile both vertically and horizontally and can be made to take the positions indicated on th ⁇ drawing, where, likewise, the mutual positions of th ⁇ two insertion parts 5,6 are delineated.
• the penetration and distention of a bag is effected in the following manner: Bundles of bags 11 are fed to the b a g f it tin g mac hine b y a trans por ter 12 . Th e b a gs are guided, inter alia by means of a fence 13 (fig. 4) in order that the longitudinal direction of the valve corresponds to th ⁇ longitudinal direction of the insertion portion, and that the mouth of the valve complies with the position of the insertion portion.
• a retaining member not shown next grasps the edge of th ⁇ valve facing the apparatus, and the wedge-shaped insertion member 2 is progressing forward end into the mouth of the valve, forcing it open in the process. Thereafter the hydreulic or pneumatic cylinder 8 is activated, so that the movable insertion part 6 moves out horizontally, thereby distending the valve.
• the gripping member (of figs. 3 and 4) consists of an arm 14, connected to a carriage 15.
• rollers 16 end a tensile force not shewn, the carriage can be made to move horizontally along a girder 17, the. ends of which are mounted in bearings not shown.
• the girder can be turned round its longitudinal axis through a hydreulic or pneumatic cylinder 18, whose one end connects to the chassis D, and whose other end, via an arm, is connected to the girder 17.
• a pair of gripping claws 19, 2o are piv ⁇ tably mounted, having inside surfaces which, in the gripping position, are of the same shape as the filling spout 4 and as the cross-sectional shape ⁇ f the insertion member when extended, which latter shape is approximately circular.
• the gripping claws are made in a material such as sheet or plate, and ⁇ ach claw comprises, as shown in fig. 3, two identical parts, kept together by means of a cross- piece 21 and a connecting shaft 23.
• the connecting shaft is pivotebly mounted in the arm 14, so that the claw can rotate.
• a traction bar 24,25 is fitted, the free ends of which hinge together to the piston rod of a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 26.
• the cylinder 26 is mounted inside the arm 14 of the gripping member 3 in its longitudinal direction and will, when activated, move the traction bars 24,25 so as to turn the claws 19, 20 in order that the claws may take a closed, gripping, or open position.
• the gripping member is able to make a tilting move ment when activated by the hydraulical or pneumatic cylinder I8, a transverse movem ⁇ nt along th ⁇ girder 17 by means of a tension device not shown, and a gripping movement with its claws 19, 20 by means of the cylinder 26.
• the distended valve of the bag 27 is clasped by th ⁇ two claws 19, 2o ⁇ f the gripping member, whereafter the insertion member withdraws to return to its initial position as shown in fig. 1.
• the gripping member is turned by means of the cylinder 18, rotating the girder 17 to a tilted position, as indicated with dot-and-dash lines in fig. 3.
• the carriage 15 of th ⁇ gripping member is made to move along the girder oy the xension force not shown, until the gripping member is in position with th ⁇ filling spouts 4.
• the filling spouts are placed under the girder 17 in such a distance that, when the gripping member now rotates back, the gripping member fits exactly over the filling spout, fitting onto the spout the distended valve of the bao 27.
• a retaining device consisting of cylinder 28 with a rubber stopper mount ⁇ d to th ⁇ piston rod, is now activat ⁇ d so as to keep tight the bag 27 against the spout 4.
• the gripping memb ⁇ r next returns to its original position in ord ⁇ r to grip a new bag and take it to a new filling spout.
• the retaining device 28,29 lets go, and, caused by the position of the supporting roll 3o, th ⁇ bag will drop outward and cnto a conveyor b ⁇ lt below (not shown).
• Th ⁇ above description is concerned with a preferred embodiment of an apparatus desig ⁇ d to carry out the method according to this present invention.
• the girder is mounted in a fixed position, and that, in return, the arm of the gripping d ⁇ vic ⁇ is pivotably mounted on a carriage or in similar fashion.
• Other designs and shapes of th ⁇ claws and their operating and moving parts are possible, and, still within the scope of the invention, an insertion member with several moving parts is conceivable.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
• Basic Packing Technique (AREA)

Priority Applications (7)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=8139871

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (14)

Cited By (2)

Citations (4)

• 1979
  • 1979-12-04 DK DK514879A patent/DK147636C/da not_active IP Right Cessation
• 1980
  • 1980-12-04 NL NLAANVRAGE8020459,A patent/NL183930C/xx not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1980-12-04 DE DE19803050072 patent/DE3050072C2/de not_active Expired
  • 1980-12-04 CH CH5026/81A patent/CH660469A5/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1980-12-04 HU HU811252A patent/HU200301B/hu not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1980-12-04 AU AU66404/81A patent/AU540719B2/en not_active Expired
  • 1980-12-04 AT AT0911880A patent/AT385252B/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1980-12-04 BR BR8008877A patent/BR8008877A/pt unknown
  • 1980-12-04 WO PCT/DK1980/000077 patent/WO1981001543A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 1980-12-04 GB GB8112126A patent/GB2078189B/en not_active Expired
• 1981
  • 1981-06-01 NO NO81811832A patent/NO156197C/no not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1981-06-30 RO RO104735A patent/RO84548B/ro unknown
  • 1981-07-21 SE SE8104465A patent/SE448363B/sv not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1981-07-22 FI FI812299A patent/FI62264C/fi not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1981-12-04 HU HU811251A patent/HUT36748A/hu unknown

Patent Citations (4)

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