WO1999058402A1 - Procede et appareil d'emballage automatise de fromage dans des sacs a goussets - Google Patents

Procede et appareil d'emballage automatise de fromage dans des sacs a goussets Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1999058402A1
WO1999058402A1 PCT/NZ1999/000059 NZ9900059W WO9958402A1 WO 1999058402 A1 WO1999058402 A1 WO 1999058402A1 NZ 9900059 W NZ9900059 W NZ 9900059W WO 9958402 A1 WO9958402 A1 WO 9958402A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bag
web
opening
gusseted
edges
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NZ1999/000059
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Brent Richard Marshall
Scott Edward Leaning
Original Assignee
Colby Systems Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Colby Systems Limited filed Critical Colby Systems Limited
Priority to AU39622/99A priority Critical patent/AU3962299A/en
Publication of WO1999058402A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999058402A1/fr

Links

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
    • B65B43/30—Opening or distending bags; Opening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks by grippers engaging opposed walls, e.g. suction-operated
    • 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
    • B65B43/12—Feeding flexible bags or carton blanks in flat or collapsed state; Feeding flat bags connected to form a series or chain
    • B65B43/123—Feeding flat bags connected to form a series or chain
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
    • B65B5/04—Packaging single articles
    • B65B5/045—Packaging single articles in bags

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a method and apparatus for automated packaging, and in particular automated pre-gusseted bag roll feeding, opening, presenting and gusseting apparatus.
  • cheese curd is vacuum transferred into cheese towers from their cheese making machine.
  • the vacuum applied pulls the curds and whey down the tower compressing the curd into a firm block.
  • the whey is removed and the curd is formed into a block.
  • a ram operated knife plate cuts the block to a predetermined height (generally equating to approximately 20 kg) and then a second ram pushes the cheese block out of the tower through a bag holding clamp into a bag.
  • the bagged cheese block then travels down a conveyor, is check weighed, gusseted by hand and manually placed into a sealing machine to be vacuum sealed.
  • a single cheese tower has a throughput of approximately 1 000 kg per hour.
  • most cheddarcheese factories have at least 10 cheese towers and process about 10 tonnes of cheese per hour.
  • bag opening apparatus adapted to feed and open a gusseted bag, the apparatus including:
  • - two pairs of gripping means adapted, in use, to grip an edge of each gusset of a gusseted bag
  • drive means adapted to feed gripped edges from a first position to a second position
  • opening means adapted to adjust the gripped edges associated with each pair of gripping means from an adjacent configuration in which the edges are substantially parallel to one another, in the first position, to a separated configuration in which the edges are spaced- apart, in the second position
  • the drive means and opening means adapted to operate simultaneously to feed and open a gusseted bag.
  • a method of automated feeding and opening of a gusseted bag including the steps of:
  • a packaging method adapted to enable automated feeding and opening of a gusseted bag from a web or bag reel, said method including the steps of:
  • the method may further include the steps of:
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention in one embodiment
  • Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the feeding means of the apparatus of Figure 1 with the jaws in an open configuration
  • Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the feeding means of the apparatus of Figure 1 with the jaws in a closed configuration
  • Figure 4 shows a side view of the feeding means in the configuration of
  • Figure 5 shows a front view of the feeding apparatus with the jaws in an open configuration
  • Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the holding means of the apparatus of the present invention in one preferred form, with jaws in an open configuration
  • Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the holding means of Figure 6 with the jaws in a closed configuration
  • Figure 8 shows a side view of the holding means in the configuration of Figure 6;
  • Figure 9 shows a front view of the holding means in the configuration of
  • Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of the invention in an alternative, preferred form
  • Figure 1 1 shows a perspective view of the holding means of the invention, in an alternative, preferred form, and as included in the embodiment of Figure 10;
  • Figure 1 2 shows a side view of the holding means of Figure 1 1 ;
  • Figure 1 3 shows a front view of the folding means of Figure 1 1 .
  • apparatus at the present invention in one preferred form includes feeding means 1 from which a bag can be automatically fed and opened, holding means 2 adapted to hold an open end of a bag and means for enabling separation of a held bag from a continuous web of bags. Details of the feeding means and separation means may be seen in Figures 2 to 5, whilst details of the holding means are shown in Figures 6 to 9.
  • a bag reel 3 of pre-gusseted film rests in a travelling support frame 4.
  • Rollers 5 are provided to direct the web 6 to web feeding jaws 7.
  • Each jaw 7 is substantially the width of the web 6 and includes, on each side, a lip 8 (or gusset edge support) having a surface of ultra high molecular weight polyethelene, and a timing belt 9.
  • These belts 9 on each side are driven by timing pulleys 10 on shafts 1 1 attached to a motor 1 2 driving cogged gears 1 9 on the pulley shafts.
  • the belts 9 are tensioned so as to trap an edge of a gusset of the web between the belt 9 and the lip 8 to drive the web along a jaw. They may also have a soft rubber coating.
  • Pneumatically operated cylinders 1 3 are provided on each side of the jaws 7 to open and close the jaws.
  • the clamping means comprises transverse members 1 6 at the front end 14 of each jaw preferably each member 16 having a rubber-type compound on the inner surface to facilitate a gripping clamp, and small pneumatic cylinders 1 7 associated with at least one of the jaws (in the example shown, the upper jaw) .
  • the cylinders 1 7 are adapted to force one transverse member onto the other to form a secure clamp on a web held between the closed jaws, in use.
  • the whole of the feeding means 1 is adjustably mounted on a frame 20 with drive means (not shown) to enable vertical movement of the feeding means 1 on sub-frame 21 through linear bearings 22 or other alternative guidance system, as will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art.
  • This enables the feeding means to be moved between a lower operating position (as in Figure 1 ) and an upper retracted position. It is movement between the lower operating position and the upper resting position that provides a separation force for separating a bag, along a perforation line, from the web 3, as described below.
  • separation may be achieved by a cutting operation or by the application of a separation force generated other than by movement of the feeding means between an operating and a retracted position, for example by a separate breaker bar.
  • the feeding means 1 of the present invention is positioned in front of a cheese tower 23 and above a conveyor 24 which conveys bagged cheese blocks to sealing apparatus.
  • a pair of clamp jaws 30 are movable by pneumatic cylinders 31 between an open position (as seen in Figures 6, 8 and 9) and a closed position (as seen in Figure 7).
  • Each jaw 30 may comprise a stainless steel plate.
  • Inner horizontal surfaces of the frame 38 of the holding means 2 has a rubber-type compound surface 39 attached.
  • the outer surface 37 of the jaws 30 clamp the edges of an open bag against the rubber surfaces 39 of the frame 38, providing a secure grip.
  • the holding means 2 may also include means for forming and holding the gusset in a bag after the bag has been filled and prior to sealing.
  • a filleted gusset arm 32 positioned substantially centrally between the clamp jaws 30 in their open position, so that the gusset arms 32 are extendable between the jaws 30 in their closed position (see Figure 7).
  • Drive mean 33 are provided to move the filleted gusset arms 32 from a retracted position, as in Figure 6, to a gusseting (extended) position, as in Figure 7.
  • Means may be provided for spot welding a closed bag end to hold the gusseted formation.
  • spot weld cylinders 34 may be provided above and beneath the holding means.
  • the cylinders 34 drive spot weld elements 35, which are positioned so as to provide spot welding of the gusset on each side of a closed bag.
  • the clamp jaws 30 may include cut away portions 36 to accommodate the spot weld elements 35.
  • the sealing means may provide more extensive or complete sealing of a closed bag, to obviate the need for sealing at a separate site.
  • the apparatus has been described with particular reference to the use of a gusseted plastics film web, and in relation to the packaging of cheese, it should be appreciated that the apparatus may be adapted for use with pre- gusseted webs of other material. Moreover, the invention is not limited to the packaging of cheese, but may be equally applicable to the packaging of any product in a gusseted bag.
  • the web 6 With the feeding means 1 in its lower operating position the web 6 is fed about rollers 5 to engage in the rear end 1 8 of the web feeding jaws 7.
  • Each of the four edges of the gusseted film engages between the lip 8 and timing belt 9 of one of the four jaws 7.
  • Operation of the motor 1 2 drives the web forward along the jaws.
  • cylinders 1 3 open the web feeding jaws 7 so that the web 6 is simultaneously fed and opened.
  • the web could first be fed along the jaws and then the jaws opened.
  • the open ends of the feeding jaws 7 are aligned with the holding means 2 and an opened bag end is continuously fed into the holding means 2 so that the clamp jaws 30 can securely trap the edges of the open web against the rubber surfaces 39 of the holding means frame 38.
  • the web feeding jaws 7 are then closed and the entire feeding means 1 is raised, drawing out the web 6 from the reel 3 until a perforation in the web is located just in front of the transverse members 1 6 of the clamping means.
  • the pneumatic cylinders 1 7 then close the clamping means to securely engage the web 6 behind the perforation.
  • Continuing movement of the feeding means to its upper retracted position provides the retraction force necessary to separate the web along the perforation, leaving the bag engaged by the holding means 2, and the feeding means 1 clear of further operations in bag filling.
  • any known system may be employed to correlate the positioning of the clamping means with the location of perforations in the web, for example the use of sensing means and identification features applied to the web in manufacture (e.g. the use of photo eye sensors and eye marks on the web).
  • a cheese block is then ejected from the cheese tower into the bag through the open end held by the clamp jaws 30.
  • the filleted gusset arms 32 then engage with the gusseted sides of the bag whilst the clamp jaws 30 are closed, so that the gussets are properly formed in closing the end of the bag.
  • the simultaneous action of the clamp jaws 30 closing and the filleted gusset arms 32 engaging reforms the gussets.
  • the spot weld elements 35 are then engaged to provide welds between the two gusset layers on the outside edges of the folded gussets.
  • a bagged cheese block can then be conveyed away along the conveyor 24 for subsequent sealing.
  • FIG. 10 to 1 3 An alternative and preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention is shown in Figures 10 to 1 3.
  • the holding means 41 is movable up and down. Otherwise the components of the apparatus are essentially unchanged from those described above.
  • a bag opened by the feeding means 42 is fed continuously onto the clamp jaws 30 of the holding means 41 from the first operation of the motor which drives the bag along the feeding means 42.
  • the whole of the holding means 41 is lowered until it is (as previously described) aligned with the outlet.
  • the feeding means 42 is raised. These movements, then provide the separation force to separate the bag from the web.
  • the apparatus of the present invention thus automatically dispenses, opens and holds open bags for filling with block product.
  • separated and filled bags are automatically gusseted and spot welded ready for subsequent processing. There is thus no need for manual positioning, gusseting and transfer of bags.
  • the ability of the apparatus to use reel-fed gusseted bags reduces manufacturing costs associated with supplying pre-cut and boxed bags.
  • each bag on a web of pre-gusseted bags may have been automatically barcoded, avoiding the need for separate barcoding or identification of individual bags during the packaging process.
  • apparatus of the present invention may be retrofitted to existing cheese factory cheese towers (or other packaging equipment) as well as becoming integral features of new equipment.

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

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé et un appareil pour l'emballage automatisé, notamment le remplissage, l'ouverture, la présentation et éventuellement le re-goussetage automatisés d'un sac pré-gousseté provenant d'une bande de sacs. L'invention s'applique particulièrement à l'industrie de fabrication du fromage pour l'emballage de blocs de fromage. L'appareil de l'invention est conçu pour l'alimentation à l'aide d'un moyen d'alimentation (1) et l'ouverture d'un sac à goussets à l'aide d'un moyen d'ouverture (2), et possède deux paires de moyens de préhension (30) conçus pour saisir un bord de chaque gousset d'un sac à goussets, de moyens d'entraînement conçus pour faire passer les bords saisis d'une première position à une deuxième position, et des moyens d'ouvertures (2) conçus pour ajuster les bords saisis associés à chaque paire de préhension, de sorte qu'ils passent d'une configuration adjacente dans laquelle les bords sont sensiblement parallèles les uns aux autres, dans la première position, à une configuration séparée, dans laquelle les bords sont à une certaine distance les uns des autres, dans la deuxième position, le moyen d'entraînement et le moyen d'ouverture étant conçus pour fonctionner simultanément, de sorte que l'alimentation et l'ouverture simultanées du sac à goussets soient assurées. L'invention se rapporte aussi à un appareil conçu pour alimenter et ouvrir simultanément un sac à goussets provenant d'une bande ou d'un rouleau (3) de sacs, comprenant un moyen qui alimente et ouvre simultanément un sac à goussets provenant de la bande ou du rouleau, un moyen pour maintenir l'extrémité ouverte du sac et un moyen pour séparer le sac ainsi maintenu du reste de la bande. Dans une forme préférée de l'invention, un moyen (32) peut être prévu conjointement avec le moyen de maintien, pour le goussetage du sac.
PCT/NZ1999/000059 1998-05-14 1999-05-12 Procede et appareil d'emballage automatise de fromage dans des sacs a goussets WO1999058402A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU39622/99A AU3962299A (en) 1998-05-14 1999-05-12 Method and apparatus of automated packaging of cheese in gusseted bags

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NZ33043398A NZ330433A (en) 1998-05-14 1998-05-14 Bag opening and packaging apparatus with gripping and driving sides of gusseted bags and spacing apart and holding open, typically for packaging for cheese
NZ330433 1998-05-14

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999058402A1 true WO1999058402A1 (fr) 1999-11-18

Family

ID=19926713

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NZ1999/000059 WO1999058402A1 (fr) 1998-05-14 1999-05-12 Procede et appareil d'emballage automatise de fromage dans des sacs a goussets

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU3962299A (fr)
NZ (1) NZ330433A (fr)
WO (1) WO1999058402A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN114987849A (zh) * 2022-06-22 2022-09-02 中材锂膜有限公司 一种锂电池隔膜套袋用自动送袋机构及卧式无痕自动套袋窝口设备

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3942416A (en) * 1974-03-08 1976-03-09 Mobil Oil Corporation Square bottomed bag folding apparatus
US3952480A (en) * 1975-04-28 1976-04-27 Hayssen Manufacturing Co. Packaging apparatus
US4432186A (en) * 1980-05-05 1984-02-21 Mcgregor Harold R Automatic bag hanger
US4850178A (en) * 1988-07-01 1989-07-25 Minigrip, Inc. Device for opening a double link bag chain
US5115619A (en) * 1991-04-25 1992-05-26 Bemis Company, Inc. Bag packing
DE4439655A1 (de) * 1993-11-09 1995-05-11 Azionaria Costruzioni Acma Spa Verfahren zum Konditionieren von Packungen für das Befüllen mit Materialien, insbesondere Feststoffmaterialien

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3942416A (en) * 1974-03-08 1976-03-09 Mobil Oil Corporation Square bottomed bag folding apparatus
US3952480A (en) * 1975-04-28 1976-04-27 Hayssen Manufacturing Co. Packaging apparatus
US4432186A (en) * 1980-05-05 1984-02-21 Mcgregor Harold R Automatic bag hanger
US4850178A (en) * 1988-07-01 1989-07-25 Minigrip, Inc. Device for opening a double link bag chain
US5115619A (en) * 1991-04-25 1992-05-26 Bemis Company, Inc. Bag packing
DE4439655A1 (de) * 1993-11-09 1995-05-11 Azionaria Costruzioni Acma Spa Verfahren zum Konditionieren von Packungen für das Befüllen mit Materialien, insbesondere Feststoffmaterialien

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU3962299A (en) 1999-11-29
NZ330433A (en) 1999-08-30

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