WO2009064273A1 - Appareil et procédé pour emballer des articles dans des emballages en plastique transparent - Google Patents

Appareil et procédé pour emballer des articles dans des emballages en plastique transparent Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009064273A1
WO2009064273A1 PCT/US2007/024004 US2007024004W WO2009064273A1 WO 2009064273 A1 WO2009064273 A1 WO 2009064273A1 US 2007024004 W US2007024004 W US 2007024004W WO 2009064273 A1 WO2009064273 A1 WO 2009064273A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
package
packages
article
conveying means
lid
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2007/024004
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Paul Appelbaum
Original Assignee
Paul Appelbaum
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 Paul Appelbaum filed Critical Paul Appelbaum
Priority to PCT/US2007/024004 priority Critical patent/WO2009064273A1/fr
Publication of WO2009064273A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009064273A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D43/14—Non-removable lids or covers
    • 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
    • B65B43/38—Opening hinged lids
    • 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
    • B65B43/42—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
    • B65B43/44—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation from supply magazines
    • 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
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B65B7/26—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by closing hinged lids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00425—Lids or covers welded or adhered to the container

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for packaging clear plastic packages for small articles. More particularly it relates to UV packaging systems for clamshell type packages.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for packaging items in clam-shell packages. Another object is to provide a quicker, more effective as well as versatile way to package items.
  • a method for packaging articles in clear plastic clamshell packages of the type having a first portion with an article-receiving cavity, and a lid portion that is hinged to the article- receiving portion.
  • the lid has raised parts or "proud points” or raised male portions extending along its periphery and the other portion has complementary grooves for receiving the proud points.
  • the invention includes a conveyor assembly comprising a pair of relatively narrow conveyor belts that are laterally spaced apart so as to support a package by its opposing peripheries. Lateral spacing is adjustable for supporting packages of differing widths.
  • a pivotally mounted arm has releasable suction means on its free end and is adapted to rotate back and forth to grasp the lowermost supported package by releasable suction means and place it on the conveyor.
  • One preferred embodiment of the invention incorporates a robotic arm unit that senses speed and position of advancing packages on the conveyor, and will grasp pre- positioned articles of commerce and any associated product cards and place and release the same into the cavity of advancing packages.
  • a rotating UV adhesive- coated roller Spaced above and transverse of the conveyor surface is a rotating UV adhesive- coated roller that coats the proud points of advancing packages.
  • the package is further conveyed to the point where sensor means triggers an upward jet of air from an air knife for a predetermined duration, which jet impacts the package lid causing it to rotate to a closed position, the proud points making initial engagement with the grooves.
  • rotating roller means spaced above the conveyor assembly urges the lid into full closure, which fully engages the proud points and grooves, effectively spreading adhesive over the engaged surfaces.
  • the package is delivered to a UV illumination chamber where the adhesive is instantly cured to complete the package.
  • the conveyor assembly has three relatively narrow, parallel, spaced apart conveyor belt units, the middle of said belt units cooperating with the other belt units to provide two parallel means for advancing said packages.
  • the middle belt is adapted for being disassembled so that the other belt units combine to provide a single track for handling substantially wider packages.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical clamshell package of the type used in apparatus and method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the conveyor assembly used in the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a side elevational schematic view illustrating apparatus according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, partially sectional, and with parts broken away for the sake of clarity, of a module according to the invention
  • FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away for the sake of clarity, of a package de-nester employed in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention
  • FIG. 6 is a partial, perspective view of the package holder of the de-nester of FIG. 5;
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view with parts broken away, showing a UV LED powered illumination and roller arrangement according to a variant of the invention; and FIG. 8 is an enlarged, partial sectional view of the illumination and roller mechanism of FIG. 7.
  • FIG. 1 shows a clamshell package 13 which is typical of clear plastic packages produced using techniques known in the plastics molding industry and which can be advantageously handled according to the present invention. It includes a first portion 15 that has an article-receiving cavity 17, and a lid 19 attached by hinge 21 to the portion 15. Note that the periphery of lid 19 is characterized by a raised male portion or proud points 23, and the periphery of the article-receiving portion 15 is provided with complementary grooves 26.
  • FIG. 2 shows that a conveyor assembly according to the invention includes parallel motorized conveyor belt units 31 and 35 which are supported by conventional means (not shown) in a manner allowing adjustment of the lateral spacing between the units. Note that the conveyor unit 31 includes a conveyor belt 33 supported vertically by a flat underlying frame member 41. The other unit 35 has a belt 43 that is similarly supported.
  • the spacing between units 31 and 35 is adjusted to support package 13 in its open position shown, by the peripheries of its opposing sides. Adjustment between the units can be made as desired to accommodate packages of differing widths. Also, there is sufficient vertical clearance below the level of the belts to allow package conveyance to be unhindered by the downward projection of the cavity portion 17.
  • FIG. 3 schematically illustrates how a package 13 (a), placed on conveyor assembly 29 can be advanced towards a rotating adhesive-coated roller 41 which is aligned to engage and coat the proud points 23.
  • a package 13 (a) placed on conveyor assembly 29 can be advanced towards a rotating adhesive-coated roller 41 which is aligned to engage and coat the proud points 23.
  • Such applicators are commercially available under the mark "Simpl-Coater”.
  • the relevant articles of commerce and associated product card are placed within the package cavity 17.
  • the invention lends itself to the use of robotics to perform the task of loading the package cavity.
  • a robotic arm with control means sensing conveyor speed and package position, can grasp product from a set position and place it in the cavities of advancing packages.
  • FIG. 3 further illustrates a conventional air knife 47, for producing an upward steam of air.
  • a conventional photo-sensor detects an advancing package 13(b) and triggers a jet of predetermined duration which causes the lid 19(b) to flip up, as illustrated, to a covering position.
  • the package hinge 21 is a so-called "living" hinge having flexibility such that the lid will not tend to spring back towards its open position once it is rotated beyond an upright position.
  • FIG 3 further shows how a closed package 13(c) is brought to a closing roller 49 that rotates in synchronization with the conveyor speed and which is set up to engage and urge the lid 19(c) downwardly causing the package proud points to make full engagement within the complementary grooves, which also ensures proper spreading of the liquid adhesive over the engaged surfaces.
  • FIG. 13(d) A preferred embodiment of apparatus according to the invention is shown in FIG.
  • Module 121 in the form of a module 121 that includes a support frame 125 that is maneuverable via wheel units 127.
  • Module 121 includes a pair of conveyor belt units, spaced laterally apart like the units 31 and 35 shown in FIG. 2. It suffices to show only one such conveyor unit in FIG. 4, namely unit 131, since its construction mirrors that of the other.
  • FIG. 4 shows that the conveyor belt unit 131 comprises belts 131(a) and 131(b) that are in tandem and connected to the support frame by bolts 135.
  • Note the variable- speed electric drive 159 that turns conveyor drive drums 161 and 163 so as to drive belts 131 (a) and 131 (b) respectively.
  • FIG. 4 also shows there is a motorized adhesive applicator 141 that has counter-rotating rollers 143 and 145 that have their outer surfaces closely aligned such that liquid UV adhesive fed in the trough 151 will coat roller 143 which is spaced a preset adjustable distance above the conveyor belt 131 (a).
  • a trap 163 is positioned to capture excess adhesive.
  • FIG. 4 also shows an air knife 171 with an upwardly directed elongated slit - equipped nozzle, and mounted between the parallel conveyor units and connected to a source of pressurized air via a solenoid- powered air valve for controlling the air knife.
  • Air knife 171 is controlled like the afore-described air knife 47.
  • module 121 Near the rear end of module 121 is a roller press unit 181 including motorized roller 183 that is vertically adjustable by virtue of a conventional knob-equipped screw mechanism 110. Its rotational speed is synchronized to the speed of the underlying conveyor belt. Module 121 can be maneuvered to bring the offend of conveyor 131 to the intake of a UV illumination device.
  • a preferred embodiment incorporates at the loading end of the module 121 a package de-nester apparatus 44, shown in FIG. 5.
  • This includes a holder 46 for a nested stack S of packages.
  • the holder 46 features a plate 47 that has an opening that is sized so that a package 13 is supported along its outer opposing peripheral portions which can flex resiliently.
  • Posts 48 support and align the stack S, and adjustable tabs 42 allow for fine adjustment of the lateral spacing of the opening.
  • the de-nester apparatus 44 has a grab-and place mechanism 54 for successively dispensing packages from the bottom of stack S and placing the same on conveyor belt unit 131, and it includes a working arm 56 with one end pivotally mounted at 58 and its distal portion mounting twin suction units 60(a) and 60(b).
  • a pneumatic actuator 63 has its first end pivotally anchored at 64 and its other end pivotally connected to the working arm 56 at 66.
  • Suction cup units 60(a) and 60(b) include venturi-type vacuum generators and are connected via coiled air lines and control valves (not shown) to a pressurized air source and are oriented so that when the arm 56 is rotated to the position shown in broken lines in FIG. 5, the cups 61 and 63 will releasably engage by vacuum force the flat undersurfaces of the lid and cavity-containing portions respectively.
  • the cup units can be connected to an electric vacuum generator.
  • the take-off end of module 121 is provided with innovative UV LED-powered illuminator and roller mechanism 221, illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates hinged hood 223 in open position, revealing linear LED arrays 225 and 226 that are arranged to span the belts 231 (a) and 231(b) when the hood is closed. Note the driven rollers 245 and 247. Also note in FIG. 8 that when the hood is closed, the LEDs are brought in close proximity to the surface of the conveyor belt 231 (a) to ensure optimal direct delivery of UV energy to the pertinent peripheral portions of a package.
  • the LED arrays include LED units tuned at different wavelengths to ensure effectiveness despite variations in properties of package material and adhesive.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
  • Closing Of Containers (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appareil destiné à emballer des articles dans des emballages transparents formant double coque, ledit appareil comprenant une paire de bandes transporteuses parallèles relativement étroites et espacées latéralement l'une par rapport à l'autre, qui supportent entre elles un emballage en position ouverte par ses périphéries latérales opposées. Une pile d'emballages est supportée en configuration emboîtée au voisinage de l'extrémité avant du convoyeur, et un mécanisme dépileur en retire des emballages et les place sur le convoyeur. Tandis que l'emballage est entraîné, un bras robotisé saisit et dépose des articles du commerce et une carte associée d'informations sur le produit dans la cavité de l'emballage. Un rouleau tournant enduit d'adhésif réagissant aux UV enduit des surfaces mâles surélevées de l'emballage avançant. Ensuite, une lame d'air envoie un jet d'air vers le haut pour faire pivoter le couvercle ouvert de l'emballage vers le haut afin de recouvrir la partie recevant les articles. Un rouleau entraîné presse le couvercle vers le bas afin de le fermer complètement et de faire interagir totalement les surfaces revêtues d'adhésif avec les évidements correspondants sur la partie recevant les articles.
PCT/US2007/024004 2007-11-16 2007-11-16 Appareil et procédé pour emballer des articles dans des emballages en plastique transparent WO2009064273A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2007/024004 WO2009064273A1 (fr) 2007-11-16 2007-11-16 Appareil et procédé pour emballer des articles dans des emballages en plastique transparent

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2007/024004 WO2009064273A1 (fr) 2007-11-16 2007-11-16 Appareil et procédé pour emballer des articles dans des emballages en plastique transparent

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009064273A1 true WO2009064273A1 (fr) 2009-05-22

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2007/024004 WO2009064273A1 (fr) 2007-11-16 2007-11-16 Appareil et procédé pour emballer des articles dans des emballages en plastique transparent

Country Status (1)

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT201900000779A1 (it) * 2019-01-18 2020-07-18 Sirap Gema Spa Contenitore per il confezionamento di alimenti, confezione comprendente tale contenitore e un coperchio di chiusura e metodi per la loro produzione
US10905773B2 (en) 2012-10-11 2021-02-02 Uti Limited Partnership Methods and compositions for treating multiple sclerosis and related disorders
US10988516B2 (en) 2012-03-26 2021-04-27 Uti Limited Partnership Methods and compositions for treating inflammation
US11000596B2 (en) 2010-11-12 2021-05-11 UTI Limited Parttiership Compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of cancer
US11338024B2 (en) 2013-11-04 2022-05-24 Uti Limited Partnership Methods and compositions for sustained immunotherapy

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4915611A (en) * 1987-05-08 1990-04-10 Husky Injection Molding Systems, Ltd. Apparatus for automatically packaging articles in orderly fashion received from a multi-cavity high volume injection molding machine
US5483786A (en) * 1993-06-01 1996-01-16 Technopac, Inc. Apparatus for packaging articles
US5593036A (en) * 1995-11-02 1997-01-14 Panoramic, Inc. Locking package
US20070084744A1 (en) * 2005-10-17 2007-04-19 Paul Appelbaum Apparatus and method for packaging articles in clear plastic packages

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4915611A (en) * 1987-05-08 1990-04-10 Husky Injection Molding Systems, Ltd. Apparatus for automatically packaging articles in orderly fashion received from a multi-cavity high volume injection molding machine
US5483786A (en) * 1993-06-01 1996-01-16 Technopac, Inc. Apparatus for packaging articles
US5593036A (en) * 1995-11-02 1997-01-14 Panoramic, Inc. Locking package
US20070084744A1 (en) * 2005-10-17 2007-04-19 Paul Appelbaum Apparatus and method for packaging articles in clear plastic packages

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11000596B2 (en) 2010-11-12 2021-05-11 UTI Limited Parttiership Compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of cancer
US10988516B2 (en) 2012-03-26 2021-04-27 Uti Limited Partnership Methods and compositions for treating inflammation
US10905773B2 (en) 2012-10-11 2021-02-02 Uti Limited Partnership Methods and compositions for treating multiple sclerosis and related disorders
US11338024B2 (en) 2013-11-04 2022-05-24 Uti Limited Partnership Methods and compositions for sustained immunotherapy
IT201900000779A1 (it) * 2019-01-18 2020-07-18 Sirap Gema Spa Contenitore per il confezionamento di alimenti, confezione comprendente tale contenitore e un coperchio di chiusura e metodi per la loro produzione
EP3683168A1 (fr) * 2019-01-18 2020-07-22 SIRAP-GEMA S.p.A. Contenant alimentaire, emballage avec ce contenant, couvercle et procédé de fabrication

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