WO2003045786A1 - Apparatus and method for handling a tobacco pouch-like packaging - Google Patents

Abstract

There is disclosed a method and an apparatus for handling a packing (1) by filling, folding and winding of the packing. The apparatus (12) is structured modularly with a number of juxtaposed stations (13) in which there are provided modular operation units for filing, folding, application of glue, welding, embossing, winding and laying off of the packing. This occurs in a process where the packing (1) is fixed and secured to a conveyor belt (17) through and between handling process steps and the work stations (13) of the apparatus, as securing of the packing to the conveyor belt is provided. The securing may possibly occur by using vacuum acting through apertures (21) in the conveyor belt (17) covering vacuum chambers which via valve arrangement may be subjected to vacuum individually. The packing (1) is preferably a tobacco-pouch-like packing (1), where a flap (2) at a side edge (11) is provided with an adhesive strip (10) which can be used for a reopenable closing of the packing, as the flap is folded about folding lines (8, 9), whereby the adhesive strip is brought into abutment against a rear wall on the packing.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HANDLING A TOBACCO POUCH-LIKE PACKAGING

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an apparatus for handling a tobacco pouch-like pack- aging that is handled in a number of operation units, for example an insertion unit for advancing packings one by one into the apparatus, an opening unit, a filling unit, a welding unit, a folding unit and a laying unit, and a method for handling a tobacco- pouch-like packing that is handled in a number of operations, for example inserting packings one by one into an apparatus, opening the storage compartment of the pack- ing, filling the packing with desired content, welding for closing the storage compartment of the packing, folding for winding the flap of the packing around the storage compartment, and laying off the filled and closed packing from an apparatus.

Prior art tobacco-pouch-like packings can be made as so-called flat pouches or so- called side-folded pouches. The present invention concerns both types of packing.

A tobacco-pouch-like packing is usually made of plastic. There may be provided a print directly on the plastic, or there may be provided a paper provided with print with information about the product in the packing, where the paper is disposed between two plastic layer that are welded together. The packing has a storage compartment formed between two overlaid surfaces that are mutually connected along side edges. The bottom of the storage pouch will normally be formed by folding along a long sheet of packing for bringing this to overlie itself over a part of the length. At the non-overlaid part of the packing sheet, a flap is formed that may be used for folding down around the storage compartment. At the closing of the storage compartment there will usually occur simultaneous folding of an uppermost edge area on the two overlaid sheets. The flap may extend over a greater or lesser length of the storage compartment. The folded flap may thus only extend down along a front side of the storage compartment. Alternatively, the flap may extend down along the front side, under the bottom and up along the back side of the storage compartment and become attached at the back side of the storage compartment of the packing. It is to be noted that by front side, back side and bottom in relation to the packing, reference is made to a normal situation of use where the front side is the side disposed opposite to the flap, and the back side is the side of the packing where the flap is extending in continuation of the wall of the storage compartment.

Such packings are normally closed with a strip of adhesive tape provided at the extreme end edge of the flap. The tape strip is brought into engagement and is released from engagement with the side wall on the storage compartment, but will be fastened with greater adhesive ability to the edge area on the flap. Such tape strips have ten- dency to be twisted and distorted or to be damaged by a product adhering to the tape strip, possibly implying insufficient reclosing. Furthermore, there is risk of the tape strip being released from its engagement with the edge area of the flap instead of its engagement with the sidewall of the storage compartment.

The method and apparatuses that have been used by handling such pouch-like packings in order to fill these, are traditionally provided by a series of successive operations that are performed in separate operation units.

Thus there may be provided an operation unit including a magazine from which the pouches are advanced one by one to a subsequent apparatus. The pouch is transferred to grippers in one unit to grippers in the succeeding unit. The succeeding unit will traditionally be intended for performing opening the pouch so that this can be filled in an additional succeeding unit.

Usually, such pouches are filled by disposing at a horizontal or vertical position, as a previously packed amount, e.g. of tobacco, is introduced into the storage compartment, simultaneously with a continued movement is releasing the pouch from the grippers in the filler unit. After that, the pouch is transferred to and is gripped by a winding unit which provides for winding or folding the flap around the storage com- partment.

Subsequently, the pouch now wound is provided with a tape strip for securing the flap. Then the presently filled and closed pouch is passed through a laying unit for transfer to further units for handling in connection with packing, pricing etc.

The prior art apparatuses are very expensive and technically complicated as well as difficult to change if pouches with different sizes are to be filled. Furthermore, there is a risk of misplacing pouches when these are transferred from one operation unit to another operation unit in which the different process steps in the filling operation are performed.

Hitherto known operation units for applying labels are typically very complicated if a very secure handling is to be achieved for avoiding that more than one label is transferred at a time. This is particularly the case with very small labels.

By labels having a large value, it is very essential that correct affixing is performed. This is e.g. the case with revenue labels for goods subjected to duty, as e.g. revenue labels for tobacco packings, or similar. Such revenue labels are often very small labels, and equipment for handling such has previously been very complicated.

With such revenue labels it is customary to pay the duty on the revenue labels when receiving them. Thus there is no duty per label for the packings leaving the firm that are subjected to duty.

By these, the duty per revenue label can be considerable, and by such revenue labels it is therefore particularly important that only one revenue label is used per packing, and that at the same time it is ensured that each packing has been labelled with regard to duty calculation for the goods provided in the packing.

Furthermore, the known operation units for applying labels on packing have been based on vertically oriented label stacks, where the label to be transferred from maga- zine to the packing is taken out from the bottom of the stack. This has resulted in a problem since there is varying pressure depending on the amount of labels in the stack. Too large amount of labels may thus cause that carrier means in the transfer means cannot take out the lowermost label in the stack since this it is pressed too hard against retainers, and that the transfer means have insufficient strength for releasing the label from the stack.

By too little pressure there is risk that the transfer means are carrying a plurality of labels. Thereby may be the risk that labels are lost in the machine, or that several labels are affixed to the packing.

Besides problems with correct affixing of labels on goods subjected to duty, there will also be a problem with correct labelling of goods where the label contains price information. This may be price information in the shape of bar codes. If the label is not affixed correctly, it will cause problems when the article is to be passed through the cash register or other registration to and from a store or retail shop. A missing bar code may thereby have significant consequences for correct registration of stock or may give undue work with ascertaining correct price for the article.

Therefore, in apparatuses of the prior art kind there is need for a secure and simple operation unit for use in correct affixing of labels.

Furthermore, an operator will have difficulty with performing inspection and correction in the prior art apparatuses. This is due to the packings, at least during a part of their handling, are disposed horizontally or vertically, i.e. at the upper side of a support surface and with operation units in the form of filling funnels, opening mechanisms, filling pistons etc. disposed at the side of the packing. Therefore, it is difficult for an operator to reach in over the operation units of an apparatus for taking out a misplaced or incorrectly filled pouch. Thus there is risk that a single pouch can be incorrectly placed, which may give rise to substantial disadvantages with subsequent incorrect filling, or with the risk of the pouch being lost and hampering safe operation of the filling apparatus.

It is the purpose of the present invention to indicate an apparatus and a method for handling by filling, folding and winding a tobacco-pouch-like packing and for secure labelling, as the packing in an efficient, however technically simple way is secured through the entire apparatus with different operation units for use in performing the process steps.

According to the present invention, this is achieved with an apparatus of the kind mentioned in the introduction being peculiar in that it is made with the operating units as modules which are mounted at juxtaposed stations on a common frame that includes a support for an endless belt, that the frame is supporting an endless conveyor belt provided with packing attachment means that are disposed with mutual spacing corre- sponding to centre distance between two succeeding stations so that each packing may be secured on the conveyor belt as they are in contact with an outwards facing surface.

According to a special embodiment of the invention, the apparatus is peculiar in that the frame includes a number of juxtaposed vacuum chambers in a number correspond- ing to the stations, and that the endless conveyor belt covers the vacuum chambers and is provided with attachment means in the form of a repeated pattern of apertures so that packings are sucked into abutment against an outwards facing surface on the conveyor belt.

According to a further embodiment, the apparatus is designed with an operation unit for attaching labels to a packing and including a magazine for the labels and means for advancing and transferring labels from the magazine to the packing, and is peculiar in that the labels are provided in a largely horizontal stack in the magazine and are resting with their lateral edge on a bottom surface in the magazine, that a block is placed on the bottom surface in abutment with the rearmost label in the stack and is pressing the stack forwards against the transfer means, preferably due to its frictional engagement with the bottom surface as this bottom surface is adapted for advancing the block and thereby the labels towards the transfer means, that the transfer means include a suction cup which is mounted in a bracket being displaceable in direction against and away from the packing and which is rotatable about an axis that is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the magazine. As the labels are disposed at a largely horizontal bottom surface in a magazine, the amount of labels in the magazine will not influence the force with which they are to be removed. The label stack is thus placed with its side edge in contact with the bottom surface. A block having appreciable weight compared with the label is disposed on the same bottom surface and will thus exert a constant pressure against the label stack, depending on the advancing of the bottom surface. The block will thus press the label stack against retainers that are placed in immediate vicinity of the transfer means.

In order to achieve secure guiding of the labels in the magazine, according to a par- ticular aspect there is provided an operation unit being peculiar in that the magazine includes guide rods capable of being positioned for abutment against the lateral edges of the labels, and that at a front end of these guide rods there are retainer surfaces on projections directed towards the stack for retaining the stack but allowing the foremost label in the stack to be taken out by the suction cup.

Hereby may be achieved guiding of the labels laterally as well as at the bottom. The guide rods can be adjusted for adapting the apparatus to different label sizes. Possibly, there may also be provided guide plates at the top of the labels. By providing a retainer in the shape of retainer surfaces, which only cover a small part of the edge area, the outermost label in the stack can easily be pulled out, as the side edges will bend and pass by the retainer surfaces. These need only to be pointed, for example at two points at two opposite side edges.

The method according to the invention is peculiar in that the packing is fixed and at- tached to a conveyor belt through and between the process steps of the handling, as there is established an attachment to the conveyor belt so that each packing is secured to a side of the conveyor belt and is advanced through a number of stations where the process steps can be performed.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the method is peculiar in that the securing is established by forming vacuum behind the conveyor belt so that the securing of the packing is effected by suction to an outwards facing surface of the conveyor belt, as the conveyor belt is provided with a pattern of apertures.

With a modular structure of the apparatus, it is easy to perform change to packings with different size or material, as one may only exchange the necessary operation units in the different stations of the apparatus.

As the apparatus is made with attachment mans having well-defined spacing, it is possible to hold the packings supported on the conveyor belt in correct position for the handling that is occurring in each individual operation unit.

As the apparatus is made with a central vacuum chamber divided into vacuum chambers corresponding to the number of stations and with an encircling conveyor belt passing all the stations, supporting the packing by it being sucked fast by the vacuum, there is ensured a simple construction enabling securing the packing throughout all the operation units. It is possible to dispose the packing opposite to each pattern of apertures. As these are disposed with mutual spacing corresponding to the centre distance between the stations and thereby the vacuum chambers, each packing may be indexed correctly in each operation unit for the individual steps of the method may be performed in a safe way with the packing correctly positioned.

As an alternative to vacuum chambers and pattern of apertures for a securing the packings, it will be possible to provide the conveyor belt with mechanical grippers. Such mechanical grippers may e.g. be spring-loaded jaws that are gripping the flap around the top thereof and possibly also at the side of the flap. The grippers can be arranged for activation and deactivation of the central control unit, either by application of actuator acting directly on the jaws of the grippers, or by moving the grippers through cam guides that serve to open the jaws and hold these closed during the passage of the packing through different handling steps.

When the conveyor belt is running about vertically oriented reversing rollers with its lateral surfaces oriented vertically, an operator will have easy and uncomplicated access to inspect the correct function of the apparatus and may easily remove possibly misplaced or deficient packings.

The apparatus will preferably be controlled by a central control unit which is connected with a number of sensors, e.g. for registering the presence of a packing in an operation unit. If it is registered that a packing is present in the operation unit, this may be deactivated in the process step concerned. Hereby is e.g. avoided that material is delivered by the filling unit and produces contamination if no packing is present in the unit. Also, it is important that the unit applied adhesive for use in reclosing the packing is only activated if a packing is registered in the station concerned in order to avoid adhesive being deposited on the conveyor belt, thereby disturbing or hindering continued operation of the apparatus.

The operation unit for labelling may, according to an aspect of the invention, be peculiar in that the magazine is adapted to perform reduction in the pressure in the label stack at the time of taking out the foremost label in the stack. In a flexible way, there is possibility of regulating the pressure existing in the stack. Hereby is avoided the risk of tearing apart labels when taking out from the stack, irrespectively of the size of the labels. The operation unit may therefore operate independently of the weight of the labels and hence of the friction with the bottom surface.

The use of a suction cup provides a particular high degree of safety for only taking one label, as the suction cup may only engage the outermost label in the stack. This is substantially different from mechanical conveying means that displace the labels laterally in relation to the longitudinal direction of the stack.

When the suction cup is activated in abutment with the outermost label, mutual displacement between suction cup and stack is performed. This may occur by the stack being displaced, or by a bracket on which the suction cup is mounted is displaced away from the stack. Thus, pull is exerted on the label in longitudinal direction of the stack, and therefore only an outermost label can be taken with. Subsequently, the suction cup is rotated for an orientation opposite the packing upon which the label is to be placed, and then is performed a mutual displacement between the packing and the sue- tion cup. This is preferably occurring by the suction cup being displaced for abutment on the packing.

During its rotation from the stack to its position opposite the packing, the label may possibly be brought in contact with means for activating adhesive on the labels or means for applying adhesive to the labels.

After the suction cup having been aligned with the packing, the label is applied in a secure way with the mutual displacement of the suction cup and the label. Then the suction cup is deactivated, and this may be passed back to its initial position for receiving a new label from the stack.

When the suction cup is brought in engagement with the foremost label and is pulling it out, these marginal edge areas may be drawn free of the retainer surfaces without any risk of gripping the succeeding label in the stack.

In a simple embodiment of the operation unit for labelling, the bottom surface of the magazine is formed by the upper course of an endless belt. This may be advanced continuously or intermittently. It is preferred to provide an intermittent movement which preferably will be synchronised with the label transfer. Hereby is established a largely constant compression force against the label stack so that this is retained by the retainer surfaces and the block with a uniform force, independently of the amount of labels present in the stack.

As alternative to an endless belt, the bottom surface may possibly be formed by other bottom surfaces, e.g. a slotted surface, where carrier rods or points are moved up through the slots and displace the stacks forwards along the upper side of the slots.

Other bottom surfaces that may advance the block and the labels are possible. It will thus be possible to provide a piston device which will act directly on the block so that it is sliding against the bottom surface. According to a further aspect, the magazine is arranged displacing in direction against and away from the bracket for the advancing means in order to bring the foremost label in abutment against the suction cup when this is directed against the stack.

By displacing the magazine instead of displacing the bracket of the advancing means, it is possible to bring the foremost label in the stack in abutment against a secured suction cup. Hereby is achieved simple displacement of the magazine, which e.g. may occur by using a double-acting cylinder which can move the magazine back and forth in relation to the bracket. For operating the parts of the operation unit, servomotors can also be used, with the control advantages provided thereby.

It is preferred that the bracket supporting the suction cup is rotatable about a mainly vertically oriented axis. Hereby, the label is pivoted during the transfer from the stack to the packing in a horizontal plane, which simplifies the design of the machine, as the stack can be disposed in alignment with the support means intended for securing the packing in a simple way. Thus, the packing with the surface intended for receiving the label will be disposed in direct continuation of the longitudinal direction of the magazine so that the suction cup is only to be rotated through about 180° for aligning the label with the packing. Then the bracket is displaced against the packing. This also occurs with a displacing movement which is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the magazine.

With such an embodiment it is possible to make the operation unit with a narrow dimension, making it suitable for placing in the apparatus according to the invention, where this operation unit is forming an integrated part.

The operation unit will particularly suited for use in applying labels in the form of revenue labels on tobacco packings in the shape of tobacco pouches which are handled in the apparatus and the method according to the invention.

The bracket of the operation unit may alternatively be rotated through another arbitrary angle that aligns the label with the packing. By using e.g. a servomotor for rotat- ing the bracket, it is possible to adapt the angle to different packings in a simple way.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention will now be described further with reference to the accompanying draw- ing, where:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a packing that is filled by using an apparatus according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows a schematic partial view of an apparatus according to the invention, Fig. 3 shows a partial view of the apparatus without conveyor belt and without operation units placed in the stations of the apparatus, Fig. 4 shows a detail of the apparatus in the form of an insertion unit for packings, Fig. 5 shows a further detail in the shape of the operation units for inserting the packing, the opening unit and the filling unit, Fig. 6 shows the filling unit shown in Fig. 5 as seen from the front,

Fig. 7 shows a view from above of an operation unit for welding the packing,

Fig. 8 shows a partial view for illustrating an operation unit for embossing folding lines in the packing, Fig. 9 shows a partial view for illustrating an operation unit for applying an adhe- sive strip on the packing,

Fig. 10 shows a partial view for illustrating an operation unit for folding the packing as seen in a first position, Fig. 11 shows a view of the operation unit shown in Fig. 10 disposed in another position, where the packing folding has been finished, Fig. 12 illustrates a partial view of a laying unit,

Fig. 13 shows a side view of an operation unit in the shape of an apparatus for applying labels, and Fig. 14 shows a perspective view of a part of the operation unit shown in Fig. 13.

In the Figures of the drawing, identical or corresponding elements are denoted with the same reference number, and no explanation will therefore be given in connection with each Figure. Fig. 1 illustrates a tobacco-pouch-like packing 1. The packing 1 is provided with a flap 2 intended for folding over an opening 3 for a storage compartment 4 in the packing. The storage compartment 4 is formed by a part of an elongated packing item 5 having been folded around a bottom 6 for covering a rear wall 7 in the storage compartment. The rear wall 7 is extending further up in the flap 2.

The packing is provided with folding lines 8 which are disposed at a small distance under the opening 3 so that by folding a closing over both overlaid sidewalls 5, 7 in the pouch is effected. There is provided a further folding line 9, as the flap 2 is of such length that it is intended to be folded about the front side 5 of the storage compartment under the bottom 6 around the rear wall 7 in order to be fastened thereto.

The fastening occurs by means of a releasable closing means in the shape of an adhesive strip 10. The adhesive strip 10 is placed on the side edge 11 of the flap 2 at the end facing away from the opening 3. The adhesive strip 10 is placed on the inwards facing surface which by folding of the flap will cause the adhesive to adhere releas- ably on the corresponding closing means in the shape of the external plastic surface of the rearmost sidewall 7 of the storage compartment.

It is to be noted that the flap 2 may be shorter so that the folding line 9 is omitted, and so that the flap 2 only extends down to a point at the front wall 5 of the storage compartment.

It is also to be noted that the front wall 5 and the rear wall 7, respectively, may be pro- vided with separate areas provided with adhesive which are particularly adapted to interact releasably with the adhesive 10 on the flap 2.

For the adhesive strip 10 there is used a hotmelt adhesive. Alternatively, it is also possible to use other closing means which can interact in a releasable way. This can e.g. be the case with Nelcro®-like fasteners, snap fasteners, or the like.

The apparatus according to the invention is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, where it is shown without operation units for the sake of clarity.

In Fig. 2 is seen that the apparatus 12 is modular with a number of juxtaposed stations 13 that each are intended for receiving an operation unit. Opposite to each station 13 there is provided a vacuum chamber 14 shown with broken line in Fig. 2. The vacuum chambers 14 are seen more clearly in Fig. 3. It is seen that the vacuum chambers are connected with pipes 15 that are connected with a side duct blower (not shown) via a valve arrangement enabling individual vacuum formation or interruption of vacuum.

In Fig. 2 is schematically illustrated a number of fastening means 16 intended for fastening the operation units. The operation units will thus be fastened at a laterally oriented section of the apparatus and face an operator. A conveyor belt 17 is running about a reversing roller 18 oriented about vertical rotational axes 19. The conveyor belt 17 is provided with the repeting pattern of apertures 20. The distance between centre points in the aperture patterns 20 corresponds to the centre distance between to succeeding vacuum chambers 14. Hereby, an aperture pattern will be placed over a vacuum chamber when the conveyor belt is with a packing item (not shown) that is sucked on by the vacuum in the vacuum chamber acting through the apertures 21 of the aperture pattern at a position opposite to an operation unit.

As it particularly appears from Fig. 3, juxtaposed vacuum chambers 14 are only separated by a rather thin partitioning wall 22. Hereby is ensured that packings sucked on via their flap 2 on the conveyor belt 17 will be positioned and indexed correctly throughout subsequent work stations 13, as they are secured onto the conveyor belt throughout the entire conveying through the apparatus 12. Alternatively, it is possible to) attain this securing by means of mechanical grippers, e.g. with a gripping chain having a row of jaws for gripping the flap. In this way there will be a conveyor belt without need for vacuum chambers lying behind.

For illustrative reasons, there is illustrated in Fig. 2 a single packing 1 in a position which it is usually having when it is on the conveyor belt 14. It is seen that the storage compartment 4 will be placed under the conveyor belt 14, whereas the flap 2 will be disposed opposite to the conveyor belt. Thus it is possible to have a plane contact surface which in a secure way is in contact with conveyor belt, thereby being secured by the subpressure produced through the apertures 21.

The conveyor belt 17 will slide in a recess 33 in the frame of the apparatus and thereby close the vacuum chambers 14. At the underside of the recess there is a guide rail 24 supporting the back side of the flap 2 of the packing through the course.

It is possible to supplement the guiding provided through the rail 24 with a further guide rail (not shown) which is placed with vertical orientation under the frame 25 of the apparatus containing the vacuum chambers and which is supporting the conveyor belt 17.

Fig. 4 shows a partial view of an insertion unit 26. The insertion unit includes a con- veying channel 27 with a conveyor 28 advancing the packings. A roller 27 advances the packing items so that they are placed stacked in a magazine 30. An indexing arrangement 31 ensures that packings are advanced individually to a roller wheel 32 that faces orientation of the individual packings and are placing these with a vertical orientation in contact with the conveyor belt 17 at a position opposite to a first vacuum chamber 14 so that the packings are individually sucked onto the conveyor belt.

On Fig. 5, the insertion unit 26 is seen to the extreme left. This is followed by an opening unit 33 and a filling unit 34. The opening unit 33 includes a displaceable plate 35 which can be displaced back and forth via a piston 36. The plate 35 is connected to a vacuum source via tubes 37. Thus it is possible to suck onto the front wall 5 of the storage compartment simultaneously with the rear wall being sucked on to the conveyor belt. By retracting the flat plate 35 by actuating the piston 36, there is thus achieved secure opening of the packing. Hereby is avoided the risk that static electricity in bags, which are provided with plastic surfaces, prevents secure opening in the filling unit 34.

An opening unit 33 is provided with a piston 38 at its upper side, and which at its lower end includes a mandrel that is inserted in the packing opened after actuation of the piston 36. The width and stroke of the piston thus ensures complete opening of the storage compartment. In order to maintain the positioning, holders, of which one is seen schematically at 39 and a support at the bottom (not shown), ensure that the bot- torn is supported when the piston 38 is activated.

Then the mandrel is retracted and the holders 39 are removed. The opened packing is then moved to the filling station 34. Here, filling is effected via a filling duct 40 opening into the storage compartment 4 of the open packing. Before the packing item is filled, it is secured with a vacuum suction cup 41 at the front wall 5. A further vacuum suction cup 42 is shown at the rear wall 7 for further stabilising the storage compartment. The vacuum suction cup 42 may, however, be omitted. The flap 2 is stabilised in that a holder 43 by activation of a cylinder 44 is pressed into abutment against the conveyor belt at each side of the filling duct 40.

The packing 1 is thus completely fixed when the content is inserted into the storage compartment. Hereby is avoided risk of faulty indexing of the packing under the physical actions that appear at the filling of content itself. This content can be of different character. It may be packed items like tobacco or the like. Also it may be granu- lar material in the shape of tablets, pastilles, or similar.

After filling has been performed, vacuum and the holder are released. Then the filled packing can freely be moved further on to the next operation unit.

Fig. 6 illustrates the filling unit 34. It is further seen that a piston 45 is connected with the suction cup 41 enabling its insertion into and retraction from the packing.

In Fig. 7 is seen an operation unit 46 that follows the filling unit. The operation unit

46 constitutes a welder enabling welding of the opemng 3 of the packing by welding the edge area adjoining the opening 3. The operation unit thus includes a welding jaw

47 which is suspended in pistons 48 so that it may be displaced back and forth for engagement with the bag, as this is pressed into abutment against a retainer plate 49 which is placed in position at the side of the conveyor belt.

It is possible to omit the welding unit 46 if one is only trusting closing of the bag and securing the content therein by folding about the folding line 8 which is illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 shows the subsequent operation unit 50 which is an embossing unit making indication for folding lines 8 and 9.

Fig. 8 shows more clearly the embossing unit 50 with an upper die 51 intended for embossing the folding line 9 by pressing against the conveyor belt itself or a dolly plate (not shown) disposed at the side of the conveyor belt. The apparatus further includes a lower die 52 intended for indicating the lower folding line 8 as die 52 interacts with a dolly plate 53 disposed under the conveyor belt. The dies 51 and 52 are suspended on a common plate 54 which is actuated by an actuator 55.

Fig. 9 shows a glue application unit 70. The unit 70 includes a frame 71 which is suspended pivotably about a journal 72. The frame 71 includes a translational displace- able gluing unit 73 having a slotted glue nozzle 74 for hotmelt adhesive. The unit 70 is provided with sensors so that it only can give off adhesive if a packing is present in the work station concerned. When a packing is placed in the work station, the frame 71 is swung in against the packing item. When the nozzle is in contact with the item, the glue application is activated, and simultaneously there is performed a translational displacement of the unit 73 in relation to the frame 71 until desired width of the adhe- sive strip 10 is established. Then, conducting of adhesive is stopped, and at the same time the frame 72 is pivoted about the journal 72 away from the packing. Then the unit 73 is displaced translationally again in order to assume starting position where it is ready for applying a new adhesive strip when a new packing is indexed in the work station.

Fig. 10 shows the subsequent operation unit 56 which is a folding or winding unit. This unit includes a cam guide 57 having a largely circular guide track 58 that inter- acts with a roller 59. A track 58 and a roller 59 are provided at each side of the packing as seen more clearly in Fig. 11. The rollers are activated by a piston 60 when a packing is situated in the operation unit. Together with each of the rollers there is a check plate 61 engaging the storage compartment 4 of the filled packing. The storage compartment is pivoted through an angle when the roller 59 is displaced up along the track 58 to the position shown in Fig. 11. In this position, the packing will be folded up to contact against the flap 2 which will be supported on the conveyor belt via a centre section 66 (see Fig. 1). Subsequently, a piston will press the upper flap area 67 from above (see Fig. 1) down over the rear wall 7.

Hereby, the packing is closed as the adhesive strip 10 is applied to the flap 2 in the operation unit 70 between the embossing unit 50 and the winding unit 56.

After the packing has been wound, folded and bonded, the rollers 59 are returned by actuating the piston 60 in the opposite direction. It is to be noted that the plates 61 are disposed with a certain pivoting ability in relation to support brackets 62. At the beginning retraction, the plates 61 will therefore pivot outwards, away from the packing, due to the support brackets 62 and the curvature on the track 58. Thus there is no risk that the plates 61 will displace the packing when moving back.

Fig. 12 illustrates a laying unit 63 that includes a conveyor 64 on which packings are falling down when they are in the last station shown by 65, and when the vacuum from this vacuum chamber 14 is released. Thus it is possible to let the packing fall down on the conveyor belt 64 for subsequent handling, packing, etc.

Fig. 12 clearly illustrates one of the reversing rollers 18 for the conveyor belt. It is seen that it is a toothed reversing roller that interacts with tooth gearing on the conveyor belt, thereby ensuring that the conveyor belt is always correctly indexed.

It is noted that the above illustrates the process with a flat pouch, as well as a flat pouch is also illustrated in Fig. 1. However, it will be possible to use the apparatus with a method where a side folded pouch is filled. If there is used a side folded pouch, the opening unit 33 will be modified in order to correspond to more edged storage compartments 4 in the side folded pouch.

Furthermore, it is noted that one or more of the shown stations above the conveyor belt may be provided with retainer plates that are connected with the vacuum source. Hereby, the upper area 63 on the flap may be sucked firmly into abutment against such a retainer plate for better fixation of the flap. This may particularly be advantageous in the operation unit 70 for applying the adhesive strip 10, which is effected at the outermost part of the flap 2.

The apparatus will be provided with sensors ensuring that the filling duct is not activated and not emitting a flow of material if a packing is not disposed correctly in the filling station. Similarly, the other operation units are safeguarded against malfunctioning. Thus it is also important that the operation unit for adhesive application is safeguarded by a sensor registering whether a packing is present and blocking the adhesive application if there is no packing in the operation unit. Application of adhesive on a dolly or retainer plate will result in subsequent functional failure as one is risking that subsequent packings are now adhering to the retainer plate in such an operation unit.

As a general comment to the operation units is seen that these are secured so that they face an operator situated at the side of the apparatus. The mounting is made to the frame 25 of the apparatus (see e.g. Fig. 5) by means of a fitting 68 which is screwed on to the apparatus frame 25 by means of a bolt 69. Several bolts may be used as well as the operation unit may also be fastened at the underside of the apparatus frame 25.

Thus it is seen that a operation unit can be removed in a simple manner and be substituted with another operation unit.

Furthermore is seen from Fig. 3 that an apparatus with 9 stations in all have been pro- vided and in which a operational unit is possible to be placed. In stations where operation units or so-called free operation units are not provided, it is preferred to have a spring steel pressing against the conveyor belt in order thereby to block the openings 21 in an aperture pattern 20 where the conveyor belt is in a free work station, and where simultaneously there may occur a situation without packing disposed opposite to such aperture pattern 20. When such a plate is used, one will avoid noise problems that may occur due to air flow through the openings 21 of the conveyor belt.

The operation unit 75 shown in Fig. 13 constitutes an apparatus intended for labelling and including a magazine 76 containing labels 77 and means 78 for transferring labels 77 by using a suction cup 79 for a packing 1 in the shape of a folded tobacco pouch which in vertical position is supported on the vacuum conveyor belt 17.

The operation unit 75 is shaped as a modular unit. The labels 77 are provided as a horizontal stack 80 with a longitudinal direction coincident with the longitudinal direction 81 of the magazine 76. At one end, the stack 80 is supported by a block 82 and at its other end held against retainer surfaces 83 which are more clearly illustrated in Fig. 14. The retainer surfaces 83 are formed by circular discs with a diameter being larger than the diameter of circular guide rods 84 which support side surfaces 85 on the labels. Only one of the side faces 85 is illustrated in Fig. 14, and corresponding guide rods 84 will be provided at the opposite side of the stack.

The block 82 is disposed at an upper course 86 of a conveyor belt 87 which is passed around reversing rollers 88. The upper course of the conveyor belt is conveyed in direction of arrow 89 whereby the block 82 presses against the rearmost label 77' in the stack 80. Hereby, the foremost label 77" (see Fig. 14) is pressed against the retainer surfaces 83. The endless belts 87 are conveyed intermittently by using a first piston device 90 which via an arm 91 is in contact with the left reversing roller 88 and is advancing this intermittently as a consequence of activation of the first piston device 90. Activation is occurring synchronously with giving off labels from the magazine 76 for holding the foremost label 77' in contact against the retainer surfaces 83 with largely constant pressure.

The block 82 is placed loosely on upper course 86 of the conveyor belt 87' and is conveyed only by the fiictional engagement between the block and the belt. The block will usually be made of metal and have a weight ensuring continuous contact against the stack 80.

The transfer means include, as previously mentioned, a suction cup 79. This is placed in a bracket 92 which is rotatable about a vertical axis 93. In Fig. 13, the bracket 92 is shown in two positions. These are of course not appearing at the same time and are only indicated in Fig. 13 for illustrative reasons.

In the position to the left is illustrated a sectional view for illustrating the suction cup 79. In the position illustrated to the right and which is marked 92', the bracket is rotated about 180°, and the rotation axis marked with 93' is now displaced to the right. This is occurring by activation by a second piston device 94 that is displacing the bracket 92 relative to its mounting fitting in direction of the arrow 95.

In the position where the bracket 92 is disposed to the right is a label shown in enlarged scale and in abutment on the packing 1.

The bracket 92 is thus, as indicated with arrow 96, rotatable about its vertical axis 93 for aligning the suction cup 79 with the label stack and with the packing 1, respec- tively.

Even though the second piston device 94 can be used for displacing the suction cup 79 into engagement with the outermost label 77' in a secured stack, it is preferred that the stack is mounted on a support 97 which via a third piston device 98 is displaceable in direction of the arrow 99 for bringing the foremost label 77' into engagement with a secured suction cup 79.

Operation of the apparatus is effected according to the following method. Labels 77 are provided in the magazine 76, and the block 82 is placed in abutment against the rearmost label 77' in the stack.

Then the apparatus is activated, and when a first, outermost label 77" in the stack is to be taken out, the stack 80 will be displaced by activation of the third piston device 98.

When the foremost label 77' is brought into engagement with the suction cup 79, vacuum is applied so that the foremost label 77" is secured on the suction cup 79. Then the bracket 92 is displaced by activation of the second piston device 94 away from the stack 80. In this position, the bracket 92 is rotated in direction of the arrow 96 through about 180°. In this way, the suction cup 79 is aligned with the label 77 provided thereon with the packing 1.

During the rotational movement, the adhesive on the label may be activated or adhesive may be applied.

When a packing 1 is brought in position opposite to the label 77, the second piston device 94 is activated again so that the label 77 is pressed against the packing 1.

Then vacuum is deactivated, and the second piston device 94 is deactivated for retracting the bracket 92 and thereby the suction cup. Then the bracket 92 is rotated again about an axis 93 in direction of the arrow 96, whereby the suction cup is again placed opposite to the succeeding label in the stack 80, ready for subsequent repetition of the operation.

During the activation of the application device, the first piston device 90 is activated so that the label stack 80 is constantly held against the retainer surfaces 83 with a largely constant pressure. However, it is noted that preferably the pressure is slack- ened slightly at the time of taking out the foremost label from the stack for controlling the pressure existing at the taking out of the label, independently of the label size.

Claims

1. Apparatus for handling a tobacco pouch-like packaging that is handled in a number of operation units, for example an insertion unit for advancing packings one by one into the apparatus, an opening unit, a filling unit, a welding unit, a folding unit and a laying unit, characterised in that it is made with the operating units as modules which are mounted at juxtaposed stations on a common frame that includes a support for an endless belt, that the frame is supporting an endless conveyor belt provided with packing attachment means that are disposed with mutual spacing corresponding to centre distance between two succeeding stations so that each packing may be secured on the conveyor belt as they are in contact with an outwards facing surface.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the frame includes a number of juxtaposed vacuum chambers in a number corresponding to the stations, and that the endless conveyor belt covers the vacuum chambers and is provided with attachment means in the form of a repeated pattern of apertures so that packings are sucked into abutment against an outwards facing surface on the conveyor belt.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the conveyor belt is running about reversing rollers with largely vertically oriented axes, so that the conveyor belt is also disposed with largely vertical orientation of the contact surface so that each packing is suspended via a flap with its opening facing upwards and outwards in relation to the conveyor belt.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the vacuum chambers are connected with a side duct blower for establishing the required subpressure for securing a packing in a station.

5. Apparatus according to claims 2, 3 or 4, characterised in that for each vacuum chamber there is provided an individually operating valve.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim and with an operation unit for attaching labels to a packing and including a magazine for the labels and means for advancing and transferring labels from the magazine to the packing, characterised in that the labels are provided in a largely horizontal stack in the magazine and are resting with their lateral edge on a bottom surface in the magazine, that a block is placed on the bottom surface in abutment with the rearmost label in the stack and is pressing the stack forwards against the transfer means, preferably due to its fiictional engagement with the bottom surface as this bottom surface is adapted for advancing the block and thereby the labels towards the transfer means, that the transfer means include a suction cup which is mounted in a bracket being displaceable in direction against and away from the packing and which is rotatable about an axis that is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the magazine.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterised in that the magazine includes guide rods capable of being positioned for abutment against the lateral edges of the labels, and that at a front end of these guide rods there are retainer surfaces on projections directed towards the stack for retaining the stack but allowing the foremost label in the stack to be taken out by the suction cup.

8. Method for handling a tobacco-pouch-like packing that is handled in a number of operations, for example inserting packings one by one into an apparatus, opening the storage compartment of the packing, filling the packing with desired content, welding for closing the storage compartment of the packing, folding for winding the flap of the packing around the storage compartment, and laying off the filled and closed packing from an apparatus, characterised in that the packing is fixed and attached to a con- veyor belt through and between the process steps of the handling, as there is established an attachment to the conveyor belt so that each packing is secured to a side of the conveyor belt and is advanced through a number of stations where the process steps can be performed.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterised in that the securing is established by forming vacuum behind the conveyor belt so that the securing of the packing is effected by suction to an outwards facing surface of the conveyor belt, as the conveyor belt is provided with a pattern of apertures.

10. Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the packing is suspended via its flap with the opening of the storage compartment facing upwards and outwards in relation to the conveyor belt.