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
  • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
  • B65B61/04—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for severing webs, or for separating joined packages
  • B65B61/06—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for severing webs, or for separating joined packages by cutting
  • B65B61/065—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for severing webs, or for separating joined packages by cutting by punching out
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
  • B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
  • B26D7/00—Details of apparatus for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
  • B26D7/26—Means for mounting or adjusting the cutting member; Means for adjusting the stroke of the cutting member
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
  • B26F—PERFORATING; PUNCHING; CUTTING-OUT; STAMPING-OUT; SEVERING BY MEANS OTHER THAN CUTTING
  • B26F1/00—Perforating; Punching; Cutting-out; Stamping-out; Apparatus therefor
  • B26F1/18—Perforating by slitting, i.e. forming cuts closed at their ends without removal of material

Definitions

• the invention relates a separating apparatus for separating containers fro a web, and more in particular for obtaining, from a web, single groups of containers, said groups comprising a plurality of packaging units mutually detachable along preferred fracture lines.
• Thermoforming machines are known in which, containers are obtained from one or more webs of sheet material, said containers being then filled with a preset substance and sealed.
• the containers so sealed, still so joined as to form a web pass through a separating apparatus consisting of two different shearing groups.
• the first shearing group enables to obtain, between a packaging unit and the adjacent one of the same group of containers, preferred fracture lines, by acting on which the user, at the moment of the usage, can separate a packaging unit from the adjacent ones so as to access the contents of a single packaging unit.
• the second shearing group provides for separating groups of containers from the web, each group consisting of a preset number of packaging units.
• thermoforming machines are required two different shearing groups, respectively for obtaining the preferred fracture lines between two adjacent packaging units of the same group of containers, and for obtaining the cuts separating two adjacent groups of containers. That remarkably complicates the structure and the construction of the machine, as it is necessary to provide a high number of parts, as well as independent supporting and independent actuating means for the two shearing groups .
• thermoforming machine Furthermore, an increasing of the dimensions required for the thermoforming machine is caused by the need to provide two shearing groups .
• An object of the invention is to improve the thermoforming machines of the prior art.
• a further object is to simplify the structure of known separating apparatuses, by reducing the number of mechanical parts necessary for their operation.
• a still further object is to reduce the dimensions of the separating apparatuses that can be mounted on the thermoforming machines.
• a separating apparatus suitable for separating container means from web means, said separating apparatus comprising scoring means arranged for cooperating with said web means, characterized in that, there is further provided controlling means for controlling the scoring depth that are suitable for modifying the interference degree between said scoring means and said web means, during the operation of said apparatus.
• the same scoring means can be used either for obtaining, on the web means, cut lines and preferred fracture lines.
• the interference degree between the scoring means and the web means is relatively high, the web means is clean sheared by the scoring means, whilst, by reducing the interference degree, the web means can be scored, in order to obtain the preferred fracture lines, without causing their breakage.
• Figure 1 is a partially sectioned front view of a separating apparatus according to the invention
• Figure 2 is a sectional view, partially taken along the plane II-II of Figure 1
• Figure 3 is a schematic front view of a group of containers that can be obtained by means of the apparatus of the Figures 1 and 2;
• Figure 4 is a front schematic view of a blade provided in the separating apparatus of the Figures 1 and 2;
• Figure 5 is a schematic, enlarged and partially sectioned bottom view, of a portion of the separating apparatus comprising the blade of Figure 4;
• Figure 6 is a front enlarged view of a shearing area of the apparatus of Figure 1;
• Figure 7 is a view in a reduced scale in the direction A-A of Figure 6;
• Figure 8 is a top view of a shearing matrix with which the apparatus according to the invention is provided;
• Figure 9 is a top view of a pressing element with which the apparatus according to the invention is provided.
• the Figures 1 and 2 show a separating apparatus 1 suitable for interacting with a plurality of containers so joined as to form a web 40, shown in the Figures 6 and 7, in order to separate from such web groups 2 of containers, of the type shown in Figure 3.
• the groups 2 of containers comprise two packaging units 3, containing a preset substance 4, for example a liquid, or a pasty or granular substance, or also a liquid substance which solidifies after having been cooled.
• a preset substance 4 for example a liquid, or a pasty or granular substance, or also a liquid substance which solidifies after having been cooled.
• Each group 2 of containers is separated from the adjacent groups by means of cutting lines 5, whereas between the single packaging units 3 of a same group 2 are provided preferred fracture lines 6 comprising cutting segments 7 alternated with joining sections 8, which maintain mutually joined the two packaging units 3.
• preferred fracture lines 6 comprising cutting segments 7 alternated with joining sections 8, which maintain mutually joined the two packaging units 3.
• the apparatus 1 comprises scoring means provided with a first blade 9, which is connected with an upper cross beam 10 and cooperates with a second blade 11 firmly fixed to a lower cross beam 12.
• the upper cross beam 10 and the lower cross beam 12 are mutually movable in vertical direction, as shown by the arrow Fl, between a not interfering configuration, shown in the Figures 2 and 6, and an interfering configuration, not shown. In the interfering configuration, the upper cross beam 10 and the lower cross beam 12 mutually clamp on the plane identified by the web 40 from which the groups 2 of containers are separated.
• the upper cross beam 10 and the lower cross beam 12 are operated as hereinafter disclosed.
• a central disk crank 15 and two lateral cranks 17, also of disk type, are splined on a driving shaft 13, driven to rotate by means of a conical gear-wheel 14.
• the central crank 15 is rotatably inserted, with the interposition of a bearing 19, within a central connecting rod element 20, which is in turn firmly connected with a pin 21.
• the latest operates, by means of two connecting brackets 22, two pairs of stems 23, which are integral with the lower cross beam 12 and are slideable into guide bushings 24.
• the lateral cranks 17 are, instead, rotatably inserted, with the interposition of further bearings 25, into respective lateral connecting rod elements 26, which are both connected with an eccentric shaft 27.
• the latest is arranged in a position that is diametrically opposite to the pin 21 with reference to the drive shaft 13, and operates on two lateral arms 28 in order to drive columns 29, that are integral with the upper cross beam 10 and are slideable into respective bushings 30.
• the rotational movement of the drive shaft 13 is turned, by means of the central crank 15, of the lateral cranks 17, of the central connecting rod element 20 and of the lateral connecting rod elements 26, into a rectilinear alternate movement of the rods 23 and of the columns 29, as well as of the lower cross beam 12 and of the upper cross beam 10 which are driven by them.
• crank gear defined by the central crank 15 and by the central connecting rod element 20 moves in phase opposition with respect to the further crank gear defined by the lateral cranks 17 and by the lateral connecting rod elements 26, so the upper cross beam 10 and the lower cross beam 12 are mutually moved away during a 180° rotation of the drive shaft 13 and mutually moved nearer during the remaining 180° of rotation.
• the apparatus 1 is further provided with control means for controlling the scoring depth, comprising a rotating cylinder 16, for example of pneumatic type, to which is fixed one end of the eccentric shaft 27.
• control means for controlling the scoring depth comprising a rotating cylinder 16, for example of pneumatic type, to which is fixed one end of the eccentric shaft 27.
• the latest is provided with a central portion 31, to which the lateral cranks 17 are connected, and which is eccentric for an amount E with respect to the end portions 32 by means of which the eccentric shaft 27 is rotatably mounted on the lateral arms 28. Due to the eccentricity E, by varying, by means of the rotating cylinder 16, the angular position of the eccentric shaft 27 with respect to the lateral arms 28, the relative position between the lateral cranks 17 and the lateral arms 3 modified. This modifies the starting point of the auroke of the upper cross beam 10 and, therefore, of the first blade 9, even though the extent of such stroke remains unchanged.
• the first blade 9 is provided with a cutting edge 33, which is transversally arranged with respect to the advancing direction of the web, and is relieved at two notches 34, each one of which having a preset depth Zl.
• the second blade 11, cooperating with the first blade 9 according to the operating principle of the shears blades, is provided with a structure which is completely analogous with that one of the first blade 9, being also said second blade 11 provided with respective notches 34' shown in Figure 2.
• the eccentric shaft 27 When the eccentric shaft 27 is so positioned that the first blade 9 interacts with the web by a relatively small extent, for example by an extent smaller than the depth Zl of the notches 34, the latest create the union sections 8, that are alternated to the cut segments 7 formed by the rectilinear regions of the cutting edge 33.
• the position of the eccentric shaft 27 is such that the extent of the interference of the first blade 9 with the web is equal to a value Z2 greater than the depth Zl of the notches 34, the web is clean sheared so as to create the cut lines 5.
• the groups 2 of containers that in the example shown in Figure 6 consist of a single packaging unit 3, after having been separated from the web 40, lean on the lower cross beam 12, that provides to transport them downwards, during its own movement away from the upper cross beam 10 in the direction of the arrow FI .
• a whiff of pressurized air, blowing out from a duct 41 obtained in the second blade 11, provide to direct the group 2 of containers separated from the web 40 towards an inclined portion 42 of the lower cross beam 12, so as to move the groups 2 of containers already finished away from the apparatus 1.
• shearing means comprising, in the case shown in Figure 5, two shearing punches 36, arranged sideways with respect to the first blade 9 and provided with longitudinal cutting edges 37 suitable for trimming the longitudinal borders of a web having a width Wl greater than the distance between two mutually facing longitudinal cutting edges 37.
• the web 40 has been obtained by longitudinally folding a strip of thermoformable material having a width substantially double with respect to the size of the width W3 of the web 40.
• the web 40 must be trimmed only along the upper border near which have been arranged the openings of the packaging units 3, but not along the lower border along which longitudinal folding has been carried out. Is thus provided a single shearing punch
• the longitudinal cutting edges 37 of the shearing punches 36 are further provided, near a connection zone in correspondence of with they are connected with the first blade 9, with rounded portions 38, enabling to obtain on the packaging units 3 the rounded rims 35.
• Each shearing punch 36 cooperates with a respective shearing matrix 43, of the type shown in the Figures 7 and 8, provided with a central outlet pipe 51 having shape substantially equivalent to that of the shearing punch 36 and being arranged near the second blade 11.
• the chain lines indicated as L in Figure 5 show the center line of each packaging unit 3 with respect to the first blade 9. As it can be noted, the longitudinal cutting edges
• each packaging unit 3 is trimmed along the entire longitudinal extension of the same, since at any cycle, the longitudinal cutting edge 37 interacts with a portion of the longitudinal border with which it has already interacted during the previous cycle.
• a pressing device for pressing the web which comprises upper pressing means integral with the upper cross beam 10 and cooperating with lower pressing means integral with the lower cross beam 12.
• the upper pressing means comprises a longitudinal upper pressing means 44 and a transversal upper pressing means 46, arranged for respectively interacting with a longitudinal lower pressing means 45 and a transversal lower pressing means 47.
• the longitudinal upper punch 44 and the longitudinal lower punch 45 come mutually into contact on the plane of the web 40, thus the latest being clamped also at the longitudinal border or at the longitudinal borders to be trimmed.
• the first blade 9 and the second blade 11, as well as the shearing punch 36 and the shearing matrix 43 can interact with the web 40 in order to carry out on the latest the required cutting or shearing operations.
• the presence of the pressing device assures that the web 40 is kept hold during the cutting and shearing operations, that enables to obtain accurate and controlled cut lines 5, preferred fracture lines 6 and longitudinal trimming.
• the longitudinal upper pressing means 44 and the transversal upper pressing means 46 are fixed to the upper cross beam 10 by means of elastic elements comprising for example helical spring 48, exerting a cushioning function so as to prevent violent shocks between the upper pressing means and the lower pressing means, also in presence of slight manufacturing or mounting defects. It is noted that, as highlighted in Figure 9, the longitudinal lower pressing means 45 is properly relieved, so as to be able to clamp the web 40 without interfering with the blades 9 and 11, and with the shearing punch 36.
• the longitudinal lower pressing means 45 is provided with a central opening 49, having a shape substantially equivalent to that of the shearing punch 36, inside which said shearing punch 36 can slide, and with a peripheral notch 50, through which the blades 9 and 11 can move in order to obtain the preferred fracture lines 6 or the cut lines 5 on the web 40.
• the longitudinal upper pressing means 44 is provided with a structure similar to that of the longitudinal lower pressing means 45.
• the apparatus 1 enables, in the case in which the eccentric shaft 27 is held always in the position of maximal interference of the first blade 9 with the web, as well as to obtain groups 2 of containers, also to separate single containers from a web, .
• the first blade 9 can interact with the web 40 from which the groups 2 of containers have to be separated when said web 40 lies in a horizontal plane, as in the case of the Figures 1 and 2, but also when said web is arranged in a different plane, by simply modifying the arrangement of the components of the apparatus 1 and the direction of mutual approaching or moving away of the first blade 9 and the second blade 11.
• the containers to be separated can already have been filled with the preset substance 4, or in the case can be still empty and arranged to be filled after have been separated.
• the first blade 9 can have a cutting profile also different from that described with reference to the Figure 4; for example, said blade 9 can have a different number of notches 34 or can be provided with a profile that have no notches. In this last case, when the interference between the first blade 9 and the web is relatively high, is generated a clean sheared which separates two adjacent containers, whilst, when said interference is relatively low, the first blade 9 only weakens locally the material, without however cutting said material.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Forests & Forestry (AREA)
• Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
• Looms (AREA)

Priority Applications (2)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=32104791

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Citations (7)

• 2002
  • 2002-10-17 IT ITMO20020299 patent/ITMO20020299A1/it unknown
• 2003
  • 2003-10-16 WO PCT/EP2003/011459 patent/WO2004035272A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2003-10-16 AU AU2003274015A patent/AU2003274015A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-10-16 BR BR0306581-2A patent/BR0306581A/pt not_active Application Discontinuation

Patent Citations (7)

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