WO2010149970A2 - Improvements in or relating to packaging - Google Patents

Improvements in or relating to packaging Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2010149970A2
WO2010149970A2 PCT/GB2010/001238 GB2010001238W WO2010149970A2 WO 2010149970 A2 WO2010149970 A2 WO 2010149970A2 GB 2010001238 W GB2010001238 W GB 2010001238W WO 2010149970 A2 WO2010149970 A2 WO 2010149970A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
horn
machine according
ultrasonic
wedge
support
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2010/001238
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2010149970A3 (en
Inventor
Glenn Rumery
Kenneth Archie Poublon
Original Assignee
Elopak Systems Ag
Burrows, Anthony, Gregory
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 Elopak Systems Ag, Burrows, Anthony, Gregory filed Critical Elopak Systems Ag
Priority to EP10734520A priority Critical patent/EP2445795A2/en
Publication of WO2010149970A2 publication Critical patent/WO2010149970A2/en
Publication of WO2010149970A3 publication Critical patent/WO2010149970A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B50/00—Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B31B50/74—Auxiliary operations
    • B31B50/81—Forming or attaching accessories, e.g. opening devices, closures or tear strings
    • B31B50/84—Forming or attaching means for filling or dispensing contents, e.g. valves or spouts
    • 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
    • B65B61/18—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements
    • B65B61/186—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements by applying or incorporating rigid fittings, e.g. discharge spouts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/08—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using ultrasonic vibrations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/13—Single flanged joints; Fin-type joints; Single hem joints; Edge joints; Interpenetrating fingered joints; Other specific particular designs of joint cross-sections not provided for in groups B29C66/11 - B29C66/12
    • B29C66/131—Single flanged joints, i.e. one of the parts to be joined being rigid and flanged in the joint area
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/53—Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars
    • B29C66/532—Joining single elements to the wall of tubular articles, hollow articles or bars
    • B29C66/5324—Joining single elements to the wall of tubular articles, hollow articles or bars said single elements being substantially annular, i.e. of finite length
    • B29C66/53245—Joining single elements to the wall of tubular articles, hollow articles or bars said single elements being substantially annular, i.e. of finite length said articles being hollow
    • B29C66/53246—Joining single elements to the wall of tubular articles, hollow articles or bars said single elements being substantially annular, i.e. of finite length said articles being hollow said single elements being spouts, e.g. joining spouts to containers
    • B29C66/53247—Joining single elements to the wall of tubular articles, hollow articles or bars said single elements being substantially annular, i.e. of finite length said articles being hollow said single elements being spouts, e.g. joining spouts to containers said spouts comprising flanges
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/61—Joining from or joining on the inside
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/72—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/723—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered
    • B29C66/7232—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer
    • B29C66/72327—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer consisting of natural products or their composites, not provided for in B29C66/72321 - B29C66/72324
    • B29C66/72328—Paper
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/739—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/7392—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8145—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the constructional aspects of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/81463—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the constructional aspects of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps comprising a plurality of single pressing elements, e.g. a plurality of sonotrodes, or comprising a plurality of single counter-pressing elements, e.g. a plurality of anvils, said plurality of said single elements being suitable for making a single joint
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/818—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the cooling constructional aspects, or by the thermal or electrical insulating or conducting constructional aspects of the welding jaws or of the clamps ; comprising means for compensating for the thermal expansion of the welding jaws or of the clamps
    • B29C66/8181—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the cooling constructional aspects, or by the thermal or electrical insulating or conducting constructional aspects of the welding jaws or of the clamps ; comprising means for compensating for the thermal expansion of the welding jaws or of the clamps characterised by the cooling constructional aspects
    • B29C66/81811—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the cooling constructional aspects, or by the thermal or electrical insulating or conducting constructional aspects of the welding jaws or of the clamps ; comprising means for compensating for the thermal expansion of the welding jaws or of the clamps characterised by the cooling constructional aspects of the welding jaws
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/82—Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps
    • B29C66/822—Transmission mechanisms
    • B29C66/8226—Cam mechanisms; Wedges; Eccentric mechanisms
    • B29C66/82261—Wedges
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/832—Reciprocating joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/8322—Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/84—Specific machine types or machines suitable for specific applications
    • B29C66/843—Machines for making separate joints at the same time in different planes; Machines for making separate joints at the same time mounted in parallel or in series
    • B29C66/8432—Machines for making separate joints at the same time mounted in parallel or in series
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/912—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/9121—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature
    • B29C66/91231—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature of the joining tool
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/914—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/9141—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature
    • B29C66/91421—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature of the joining tools
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/914—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/9141—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature
    • B29C66/91431—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature the temperature being kept constant over time
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/96—Measuring or controlling the joining process characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process
    • B29C66/961—Measuring or controlling the joining process characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process involving a feedback loop mechanism, e.g. comparison with a desired value
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/712—Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages
    • B29L2031/7162—Boxes, cartons, cases
    • B29L2031/7166—Cartons of the fruit juice or milk type, i.e. containers of polygonal cross sections formed by folding blanks into a tubular body with end-closing or contents-supporting elements, e.g. gable type containers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a packing machine and a method of cooling.
  • capping apparatus apply pour spout fitments to containers at high speed.
  • capping apparatus are used to help affix pour spout fitments to inner wall surfaces of cartons, e.g., to an upper wall of a gable-top carton.
  • erected or formed containers with an open top are indexed, e.g., by an endless chain conveyor, to a capping station, where fitments are applied prior to indexing of the open-topped cartons to a filling station where the containers are filled with predetermined amounts of product and sealed.
  • Circumferential flanges of the fitments provide peripheral surfaces for affixing the fitments to the interior surfaces of the carton walls relative to product dispensing holes preformed in the walls.
  • the fitment is urged against the inside surface of the carton wall by a fitment applicator so that a cylindrical portion of the spout of the fitment extends through the hole and the flange is pressed against the inside surface around the hole.
  • fitments are pre-arranged in single column in a loading chute or track and various devices are employed also to arrange the fitments such that top surfaces of the successive fitments face in the same direction. These pre-arranged fitments are sequentially dispensed to an anvil from the chute or track at a fitment escapement end.
  • a reciprocating and rotatable fitment applicator in conventional capping apparatus, includes a spigot for receiving each fitment for inserting the cylindrical portion of the fitment into the hole through the carton wall.
  • the applicator includes a splined shaft carrying the anvil and a bush encircling the shaft and formed internally to co-operate with the splining of the shaft, so that turning of the bush turns the shaft but the shaft is reciprocable axially relative to the bush.
  • an ultrasonic stack including a converter or transducer, a booster, and a horn.
  • At least the horn of the ultrasonic stack is reciprocable to bring the horn into contact with an outer surface area of the carton wall that surrounds the hole, to apply pressure and transmit ultrasonic energy selectively to the carton wall and the fitment flange to heat the materials and create a weld between the inside surface of the carton wall and the fitment flange. It is known to mount the ultrasonic stack upon a single rail for reciprocatory movement. It is also known to cool the ultrasonic horn by conducting cooling water through ducting in walls of horn clamping devices.
  • the fitment applicator and the ultrasonic stack are oppositely disposed and used contemporaneously to produce axial pressure between the inside surface of the carton wall and the flange, such that the ultrasonic energy melts the contact points between the inside surface and the flange.
  • the fitment flange and the inside surface of the wall become welded together.
  • the cartons with open tops are indexed to a fitment applicator and subsequently to a top sealing station where top panels of the cartons are folded inward to form gable-shaped tops and are sealed to each other with heat and/or adhesive.
  • the consumer can dispense product from the carton by pouring product through the spout of the fitment once a screw cap thereof has been removed.
  • a common problem with known capping apparatus is that they do not provide substantially precise adjustability of the fitment applicator and the ultrasonic stack to accommodate varying tolerances, capping operation parameters, and carton dimensions and contours. In addition, any adjustments are time-consuming, laborious, and reduce productivity.
  • removable shims are typically used to adjust the location of the horn vertically with respect to a ground surface, to accommodate the carton, resulting in imprecise and time-consuming adjustments of the horn location.
  • Another common problem with conventional capping apparatus is reduced adjustability of the fitment applicator owing to complexity and inaccessibility of the various components.
  • the reciprocating drive mechanism that causes reciprocating movement of the ultrasonic stack to bring the horn into contact with the outside of the carton can be unstable, inefficient, require increased maintenance and repair, and cause wear owing to friction.
  • Another known problem common with conventional capping apparatus is that the ultrasonic stack, in particular the horn region, is not selectively cooled effectively, thereby preventing the ability efficiently to maintain a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time. This can result in overheating of the materials of the cartons and can cause poor welds to form, as well as undesirable deformation of the cartons and/or fitments. This can also result in increased cooling time and reduced productivity.
  • a packaging machine including a support, an operational device, and an adjusting device effective between said support and said operational device to adjust the position of said operational device relative to said support, said adjusting device including a wedge arrangement comprised of first and second wedges connected respectively to the operational device and the support and each having first and second surfaces which diverge away from one another, the first surfaces of the wedges being in slidable contact with each other, and the first wedge diverging in a direction substantially opposite to that in which the second wedge diverges, said adjusting device also including a guiding arrangement effective between the wedges to cause relative sliding motion between the wedges to be rectilinear and to result in change in the overall thickness of said wedge arrangement.
  • a packaging machine including an ultrasonic welding device comprising an ultrasonic horn, a support, a receiving device receiving said horn, a chamber between said horn and said receiving device, and an inlet and an outlet for coolant and communicating with said chamber.
  • a method of cooling an ultrasonic horn of a packaging machine comprising supplying a coolant to a chamber between said horn and a receiving device receiving said horn.
  • the cooling of the horn is more direct and thus more effective. If the coolant is gaseous, particularly air, leakage of coolant is less consequential; especially, there is no risk of dripping of liquid coolant into packaging containers.
  • a packaging machine including a support, an operational device above said support, and a linear bearing arrangement between said support and said operational device and carrying weight of said operational device, said linear bearing arrangement comprising first and second parallel rails and first and second bearing shoes embracing the respective rails.
  • the operational device is more stably supported against transverse rolling motion than if it were to be carried by only a single rail.
  • a packaging machine including a rotary ball spline having a shaft arranged for turning about its own axis and reciprocatory motion along its own axis.
  • Owing to that aspect of the invention it is possible to reduce wear compared with the use of a bush and thus reduce downtime and cost.
  • Owing to the first to fifth aspects of the invention generally, it is possible to provide an improved capping apparatus for a carton filling system, with improved selective adjustability and movement of the capping apparatus and improved maintenance of a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time for affixing a fitment to a carton.
  • the capping apparatus has an ultrasonic stack assembly and a fitment applicator assembly for applying fitments to a series of cartons indexing in a packaging machine.
  • the fitment applicator assembly has an anvil, a rotary ball spline having a spline shaft and bearing nut, and a linkage assembly for enabling application of a predetermined sealing force and having a connectible thrust bearing.
  • the bearing nut is connectible to and circumscribes the spline shaft to provide rotation and allow linear longitudinal reciprocation of the spline shaft.
  • the anvil has at least two spigots formed to receive and hold successively delivered fitments from fitment escapements of gravity loading chutes or tracks.
  • the anvil is supported by the spline shaft to turn the anvil and thus to turn the spigots between a fitment pre-retrieval position and a pre-application position and also to reciprocate the anvil and thus to reciprocate the spigots between a retracted position and a mounting position to insert a spout of the or each fitment into the hole in the carton wall until a circumferential flange of the fitment contacts the inside surface of the wall surrounding the hole.
  • the bearing nut is connectible to and circumscribes the spline shaft to help guide the spline shaft during reciprocation and the thrust bearing allows adjusting of the spline shaft and the anvil, particularly adjusting of the course or location of the spline shaft in accordance with carton dimensions and contours.
  • the ultrasonic stack assembly has an ultrasonic stack, a wedge arrangement, a table, a base, and a dual rail arrangement that are reciprocable substantially horizontally towards and away from the fitment applicator assembly.
  • the ultrasonic stack is coupled to a top of the wedge arrangement.
  • the table is coupled to a bottom of the wedge arrangement and to a top of the dual rail arrangement such that the table, wedge arrangement, and ultrasonic stack reciprocate axially as a unit with the dual rail arrangement.
  • the dual rail arrangement has two rails located parallelly side-by-side and two blocks slidably coupled to each rail to stabilize the load carried by the blocks and allow substantially precise, smooth sliding of the blocks along the rails.
  • the ultrasonic stack includes a horn and the reciprocation axially brings the horn into contact with an outer surface area of the carton wall that surrounds the hole.
  • the horn and the spigot of the fitment applicator assembly apply opposing pressures and the horn transmits ultrasonic energy to the carton wall and the fitment flange to heat the materials and create a weld between the inside surface of the carton wall and the flange.
  • Air cooling ports are associated with the horn and help to maintain the horn at a predetermined temperature to help improve precision heating.
  • the wedge arrangement is formed of a pair of wedges each having a sloped surface and a central channel for fixedly receiving a respective block member.
  • the two wedges are adjacent to and disposed 180° with respect to one another such that the sloped surfaces are slidably opposed to one another.
  • a force is selectively applied to at least one of the block members to cause the attached wedge to slide with respect to the other wedge, e.g., slide up the sloped surface of the opposing wedge.
  • Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a fitment applicator assembly of a capping apparatus for a carton filling system
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view from above of an ultrasonic stack assembly of the capping apparatus
  • Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of the capping apparatus
  • Figure 4 is a fragmentary, exploded, side elevation of a wedge arrangement of the ultrasonic stack assembly;
  • Figure 5 is an exploded, perspective view from above of the wedge arrangement;
  • Figure 6 is a perspective view of ultrasonic stacks from the rear of the ultrasonic stack assembly
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of a pour spout fitment
  • Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a gable- top carton incorporating the fitment
  • Figure 9 is a perspective view of the ultrasonic stack assembly, but depicting an upper wedge moved with respect to a lower wedge of the wedge arrangement.
  • a fitment 2 has a flange 4, as well as a cylindrical pour spout 6, shown in Figures 1 and 3, that is externally threaded and is for dispensing product once a screw cap 8 has been removed.
  • Figure 8 illustrates the fitment 2 affixed to the carton 10, with their being ultrasonically welded to each other.
  • the screw caps 8 have been omitted from Figures 1 and 3 to enable illustration of the spouts 6.
  • the carton 10 is a gable-top carton having a hole 12 that was preformed in a wall 14, e.g., a top closure panel, when the carton blank is cut out from a web consisting of a laminate with a paperboard layer and innermost and outermost layers of moisture barrier thermoplastics, possibly with the interposition of an oxygen barrier layer.
  • the fitment 2 has been inserted partially through the hole 12 until the flange 4 contacted the inside surface of the wall 14 surrounding the hole 12, and the flange 4 has been ultrasonically sealed to the innermost thermoplastics layer at that inside surface of the wall 14.
  • the carton 10 has then been indexed to a top sealing station where the top panels were folded inwards to form a gable- shaped top and sealed together.
  • the capping apparatus 16 is shown having the fitment applicator assembly 18 and the ultrasonic stack assembly 20, for attaching fitments to a series of cartons indexing in a packaging machine.
  • the assemblies 18 and 20 are located opposite to one another and the cartons 10 having open tops and preformed holes 12 are indexed therebetween, in fact indexed on a double-indexing endless chain conveyor such that two cartons 10 are indexed simultaneously.
  • the capping apparatus could be such that the cartons can be indexed on a single-indexing endless conveyor such that one carton 10 is engaged by the capping apparatus at a time.
  • the assembly 18 has an anvil 22 having at least two spigots 24 for holding respective fitments 2 and inserting fitments 2 into the holes 12.
  • the ultrasonic stack assembly 20 is shown having two side-by ⁇ side ultrasonic stacks 26 in Figures 2, 3 and 6, each having a horn 28 for applying localized pressure and ultrasonic energy.
  • Parts of the assembly 18 and the assembly 20 are operably configured to reciprocate to cause the respective spigot 24 and horn 28 to be moved toward and away from each other and to apply opposing pressure to the carton 10 and the fitment 2 while the horn 28 transmits ultrasonic energy to the carton wall 14 and the flange 4 to heat the materials and create a weld between the inside surface of the wall 14 and the flange 4.
  • the side-by-side orientation allows two cartons 10 to be engaged by the horns
  • the ultrasonic stack assembly 20 would have a single ultrasonic stack 26 and horn 28 to affix a single fitment 2 to a single carton at a time.
  • the ultrasonic stack assembly 20 can alternatively have more than two .
  • the fitment applicator assembly 18 also has a rotary ball spline 30 having a bearing nut 32 which is fixed to a frame of the packaging machine and contains bearing balls circumscribing a spline shaft 34 to allow turning and reciprocation of the spline shaft 34 resulting in turning and reciprocation of the anvil 22.
  • a rotary drive device 36 coupled to the rotary ball spline 30 provides rotational force to the rotary ball spline 30 to cause turning of the spline shaft 34 about its longitudinal axis and thus cause the anvil 22 to turn between a pre-retrieval position aligned with fitment escapement ends of at least two tracks and a pre-application position prior to inserting fitments 2 into the holes 12.
  • the drive device 36 can comprise at least one servo motor and can drive a first gear 38 intermeshed with a second gear 40.
  • the gear 40 circumscribes the spline shaft 34 and can be coupled to the balls in the bearing nut 32.
  • the intermeshed gears 38 and 40 rotate about substantially perpendicular axes with respect to 5 one another.
  • a linear longitudinal reciprocation device e.g., a linkage assembly, air cylinders, servo motor, and the like, provides substantially horizontal motion of the spline shaft 34, to reciprocate the anvil 22 between a retracted position 10 projecting into the cartons 10 adjacent the holes 12 and a mounting position where the spouts 6 are inserted into the holes 12 in the carton walls 14 until the circumferential flanges 4 contact the inside surfaces of the walls 14 surrounding the holes 12.
  • the linkage assembly 42 having a
  • thrust bearing 44 can be used to provide a predetermined amount of sealing force to the anvil 22.
  • the thrust bearing 44 is coupled to and circumscribes the spline shaft 34 to help transmit reciprocating movement when the linkage assembly 42 is actuated and is adjustable to allow selective
  • the linkage assembly 42 includes a link 42A
  • the rod 42G is pivotally connected by a pin 42G to an arm 42H fixed to one end of a horizontal rod 421 to the other end of which is fixed an arm 42J which receives the thrust bearing 44.
  • the rod 42F is connected by a double-ended screw adjuster 48 to a piston rod 43 of an air cylinder 45. Turning of the adjuster
  • 35 48 adjusts the overall length of the rods 42F and 43 and thus the stroke of the shaft 34, which is reciprocated by the cylinder 45. That overall length is fixable by means of at least two lock nuts 46.
  • the adjuster 48 is used for adjusting the position of the thrust bearing 44, thereby to allow operable positioning of the spline shaft 34 and the anvil 22, e.g., to align the spigots 24 of the anvil 22 with the holes 12.
  • the anvil 22 generally has at least one arm 50 having a spigot 24 disposed toward the end of the arm 50 operable to receive and retain a fitment 2 on the spigot 24 prior to being turned into the open top of the carton 10 and reciprocated for attaching the fitment 2 to the carton wall 14.
  • the present anvil 22 has four spigots 24 which are located at the ends of four peripherally spaced, radial arms 44 respectively.
  • two spigots 24 can be positioned relative to side-by-side fitment escapements of the gravity feed tracks for receiving fitments 2 while the two other spigots 24 are located within respective side-by-side cartons 10 for inserting other fitments 2 into the holes 12.
  • the ultrasonic stacks 26 are coupled to respective wedge arrangements 52 located side-by-side, which are coupled respectively to two horizontal tables 54 that are substantially planar and located side-by-side.
  • Each table 54 is coupled to each of two dual rail arrangements 56 that are located side-by-side.
  • the dual rail arrangements are coupled to at least one base 58.
  • Each dual rail arrangement 56 has two shoes in the form of blocks 60 slidably connected to each of the two rails 62, such that four blocks 60 are in contact with and coupled to the bottom of each table 54.
  • Each rail 62 has grooves 64 on opposing sides of the rail 62 extending substantially the length of the rail 62.
  • the grooves 64 are operably sized to receive slidably bearings connected to the blocks 60 to allow smooth, low-friction sliding of the blocks 60 along the rails 62.
  • the four blocks 60 of each dual rail arrangement 56 help to stabilize the tables 54 and allow precise, smooth, low-friction sliding of the blocks 60 along the rails 62.
  • the dual rail arrangements 60 are reciprocable substantially horizontally toward and away from the fitment applicator assembly 18 such that the operably coupled tables 54, wedge arrangements 52, and ultrasonic stacks 26 reciprocate together as a unit with the arrangements 60. This reciprocation selectively brings the horn 28 of each ultrasonic stack 26 from a retracted position away from the carton 10 to an engaging position where the horn 28 contacts the outer surface of the carton wall 14 round the hole 12.
  • each ultrasonic stack 26 has at least two inlet and outlet ports 66 for coolant for maintaining its horn 28 at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time period to help improve precision heating. Cooling air can be applied, from the atmosphere or an alternative air supply, to the horn 28 to cool the horn 28 and help prevent the temperature of the horn 28 from exceeding the predetermined temperature.
  • the air is fed to a chamber (diagrammatically indicated at 65) between the horn 28 and the interior wall of a horn clamp 67.
  • a programmable controller can determine the temperature associated with the horn 28 and can selectively control and maintain the flow of air through the ports 66.
  • a thermocouple can be employed to measure the temperature of the horn 28.
  • the programmable controller can also determine the amount of pressure exerted by the horns 28 and spigots 24 and can maintain the welding positions of the horns 28 and spigots 24 for a predetermined period of time desirable to form the ultrasonic welds.
  • each wedge arrangement 52 has an upper wedge 68 with a downwardly facing sloped surface 70 slidably engaged with a sloped surface 72 of a lower wedge 74, such that the wedges 68 and 74 are disposed 180° with respect to one another.
  • outer surfaces 71 and 73 respectively that are substantially planar, parallel and horizontal such that the outer surface 71 of the upper wedge 68 contacts a housing 100 of the ultrasonic stack 26 and the outer surface 73 of the lower wedge 74 contacts the top of the table 54.
  • Central channels 76 and 78 are formed within the wedges
  • Each of the channels 76 and 78 extends from the associated sloped surface
  • the wedges 68 and 74 are stacked such that the sloped surfaces 70 and 72 are generally slidably opposed to one another and the block members 80 and 82 can each extend at least partly into the opposing central channel of the other wedge. This allows selective, controlled, rectilinear sliding of one of the wedges with respect to the other and helps to disperse the weight applied by the ultrasonic stack 26.
  • the upper wedge 68 has at least two larger apertures 90 extending from the outer surface 71 to the sloped surface 70 and each operably sized to receive an elongate connector therein, e.g., a bolt 92 or the like fastener, that is at least partly threaded.
  • the bolts 92 are used to maintain selectively the relative position of the wedges 68 and 74.
  • the larger apertures 90 are used and are located near the four corners of the upper wedge 68 for receiving the bolts 92.
  • the larger apertures 90 can be generally oblong-shaped and have a length extending generally in the same direction as that of relative sliding of the wedges to allow space for the bolts 92 to be passed through the apertures 90 after the wedge 68 has been selectively slid a desired amount.
  • the lower wedge 74 has at least two smaller apertures 94 extending from the outer surface 73 to the sloped surface 72 and operably sized to receive the bolts 92 extending through the larger apertures 90 above. As illustrated, four smaller apertures 94 are used and are located near the four corners of the second wedge 74.
  • the smaller apertures 94 can be at least partly threaded to receive threaded portions of the bolts 92 that terminate in the smaller apertures 94 or can be non-threaded and the bolts 92 extend through the apertures 94 to the table 54.
  • the upper wedge 68 can have the smaller apertures 94 while the lower wedge 74 has the larger apertures 90.
  • the wedge 74 (or alternatively the wedge 68) can additionally have at least one fastener 96 to fix the wedge 74 (or the wedge 68) to an adjacent structure, e.g., to the table 54 if selective sliding of only the wedge 68 is desired.
  • the channels 76 and 78 extend substantially parallelly to the sense of horizontal reciprocation of the ultrasonic stack assembly 20, e.g., generally toward the fitment applicator assembly 18, and are also open at both ends. The open ends allow access to the ends 79 for applying a force to the fixedly attached first or second block member 80 or 82 when increasing or decreasing the overall height of the wedge arrangement 52.
  • the block members 80 and 82 can be substantially rectangular in cross-section and can be fixed to the base surfaces 84 of the respective central recesses 76 and 78 by any conventional means, such as bolts 86, lock nuts, screws, rivets, or other fasteners.
  • a rod 88 extends through and is coupled to at least one end of the block member 82 to contact the block member 80 to act as a stopper to prevent relative sliding of said pair of wedges past a predetermined position.
  • the rod 88 is at least partly threaded and is selectively movable through a threaded bore through the block member 82.
  • the rod 88 can be manually or mechanically operated to rotate the rod 88 selectively in a direction to translate the rod 88 an amount through the block member 82 until the rod 88 contacts the block member 80 on the end 79 facing the block member 82. Then, to maintain its position, the rod 88 is locked in place by a nut 98 or the like that is adjacent to the outward end 79 of the block member 82.
  • the rod 88 can also be used selectively to apply a force to the block member 80 to push the block member 80 away from the block member 82, thereby causing the wedge 68 to slide with respect to the wedge 74 and increasing the overall height of the wedge arrangement 52.
  • Figure 9 depicts an example of the wedge 68 moved upwards with respect to the wedge 74.
  • the rod 88 is translated a selected amount through the block member 82 away from the block member 80 and can be locked into place by the nut 98.
  • a force can be selectively applied to the outward end 79 of the block member 80 to push the block member 80 toward the block member 82, thereby causing the wedge 68 to slide with respect to the wedge 74 and decreasing the overall height of the wedge arrangement 52.
  • the wedges 68 and 74 can be selectively connected together, once the wedge arrangement 52 has been manipulated to a desired overall height, to help keep the wedges 68 and 74 from shifting out of position, by turning the rod 88 until it engages the inwards end 79 of the block member 80, locking the rod 88 in place with the nut 98, and extending at least two bolts 92 through apertures in the housing 100 of the ultrasonic stack 26, through the larger apertures 90, through the smaller apertures 94, and terminating in at least two threaded bores located within the table 54 adjacent to the smaller apertures 94.
  • the bolts 92 can additionally extend through apertures through the table 54 and terminate in at least two threaded bores located within the blocks 60 of the dual rail arrangement 56 adjacent to the apertures through the table 54.
  • the bolts 92 are used, and these terminate in four threaded bores within the table 54, or extend through the table 54 and terminate in four threaded bores in the blocks 60.
  • the anvil 22 is turned by the drive device 36 and advanced by the air cylinder 45 to reach a fitment-retrieval position at fitment escapement ends of adjacent tracks and two fitments 2 are received on and held by two spigots 24 of the anvil 22, e.g., pushed onto the spigots 24 by one or more air cylinders associated with those fitment escapement ends.
  • the other two spigots 24 carrying two previously received fitments 2 are turned downward into open tops of two cartons 10, to a pre-application position inside two cartons 10 such that the spigots 24 holding the latter fitments 2 are aligned with the holes 12, and then advanced to mount the latter two fitments in those holes.
  • the side-by-side dual rail arrangements 56 are actuated to move the ultrasonic stacks 26 toward the fitment applicator assembly 18 to an engaging position where the two horns 28 contact the outer surfaces of the carton walls 14 round the holes 12.
  • the horns 28 and the spigots 24 apply opposing pressures and the horns 28 transmit ultrasonic energy to the carton walls 14 and the fitment flanges 4 to heat the materials and create welds between the inside surfaces of the carton walls 14 and the flanges 4.
  • the cooling via the ports 66 helps to maintain the horns 28 at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time to help improve precision heating.
  • the overall height of the wedge arrangements 52 and the adjustment of the anvil 22 via the thrust bearing 44 can be done prior to actuation of the drive device 36, the air cylinder 45, and the dual rail arrangements 56.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
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  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Closing Of Containers (AREA)

Abstract

A capping apparatus (16) for a carton filling system has an ultrasonic stack assembly (20) and a fitment applicator assembly (18) for applying fitments to cartons in a packaging machine. The fitment applicator assembly (18) has an anvil (22) having at least two spigots and is turnable and reciprocable to receive fitments and to mount them in carton walls. The anvil location can be adjusted by a thrust bearing (44) connectible to a spline shaft (34) of a rotary ball spline (32), (34). The ultrasonic stack assembly (20) has ultrasonic stacks (26) that are reciprocated between a retracted position and an engaging position by dual rail arrangements (56) to bring horns (28) into contact with outer surfaces of the cartons. The overall height of a wedge arrangement (52) for each ultrasonic stack (26) is adjustable to increase and decrease selectively the distance between the horns (28) and a ground surface.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO PACKAGING
The present invention relates to a packing machine and a method of cooling. In a known type of packaging machine for fluid consumer product packaging, capping apparatus apply pour spout fitments to containers at high speed. Typically, such capping apparatus are used to help affix pour spout fitments to inner wall surfaces of cartons, e.g., to an upper wall of a gable-top carton. In typical packaging machines, erected or formed containers with an open top are indexed, e.g., by an endless chain conveyor, to a capping station, where fitments are applied prior to indexing of the open-topped cartons to a filling station where the containers are filled with predetermined amounts of product and sealed. Circumferential flanges of the fitments provide peripheral surfaces for affixing the fitments to the interior surfaces of the carton walls relative to product dispensing holes preformed in the walls. The fitment is urged against the inside surface of the carton wall by a fitment applicator so that a cylindrical portion of the spout of the fitment extends through the hole and the flange is pressed against the inside surface around the hole.
In known capping apparatus, fitments are pre-arranged in single column in a loading chute or track and various devices are employed also to arrange the fitments such that top surfaces of the successive fitments face in the same direction. These pre-arranged fitments are sequentially dispensed to an anvil from the chute or track at a fitment escapement end.
In conventional capping apparatus, a reciprocating and rotatable fitment applicator is employed and includes a spigot for receiving each fitment for inserting the cylindrical portion of the fitment into the hole through the carton wall. The applicator includes a splined shaft carrying the anvil and a bush encircling the shaft and formed internally to co-operate with the splining of the shaft, so that turning of the bush turns the shaft but the shaft is reciprocable axially relative to the bush. It is also known for the capping apparatus to employ an ultrasonic stack including a converter or transducer, a booster, and a horn. At least the horn of the ultrasonic stack is reciprocable to bring the horn into contact with an outer surface area of the carton wall that surrounds the hole, to apply pressure and transmit ultrasonic energy selectively to the carton wall and the fitment flange to heat the materials and create a weld between the inside surface of the carton wall and the fitment flange. It is known to mount the ultrasonic stack upon a single rail for reciprocatory movement. It is also known to cool the ultrasonic horn by conducting cooling water through ducting in walls of horn clamping devices. The fitment applicator and the ultrasonic stack are oppositely disposed and used contemporaneously to produce axial pressure between the inside surface of the carton wall and the flange, such that the ultrasonic energy melts the contact points between the inside surface and the flange. Upon cooling, the fitment flange and the inside surface of the wall become welded together. Typically, with gable top cartons the cartons with open tops are indexed to a fitment applicator and subsequently to a top sealing station where top panels of the cartons are folded inward to form gable-shaped tops and are sealed to each other with heat and/or adhesive. The consumer can dispense product from the carton by pouring product through the spout of the fitment once a screw cap thereof has been removed.
A common problem with known capping apparatus is that they do not provide substantially precise adjustability of the fitment applicator and the ultrasonic stack to accommodate varying tolerances, capping operation parameters, and carton dimensions and contours. In addition, any adjustments are time-consuming, laborious, and reduce productivity. By way of non-limiting example of problems common with conventional capping apparatus, removable shims are typically used to adjust the location of the horn vertically with respect to a ground surface, to accommodate the carton, resulting in imprecise and time-consuming adjustments of the horn location. Another common problem with conventional capping apparatus is reduced adjustability of the fitment applicator owing to complexity and inaccessibility of the various components. In addition, the reciprocating drive mechanism that causes reciprocating movement of the ultrasonic stack to bring the horn into contact with the outside of the carton can be unstable, inefficient, require increased maintenance and repair, and cause wear owing to friction.
Another known problem common with conventional capping apparatus is that the ultrasonic stack, in particular the horn region, is not selectively cooled effectively, thereby preventing the ability efficiently to maintain a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time. This can result in overheating of the materials of the cartons and can cause poor welds to form, as well as undesirable deformation of the cartons and/or fitments. This can also result in increased cooling time and reduced productivity.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a packaging machine including a support, an operational device, and an adjusting device effective between said support and said operational device to adjust the position of said operational device relative to said support, said adjusting device including a wedge arrangement comprised of first and second wedges connected respectively to the operational device and the support and each having first and second surfaces which diverge away from one another, the first surfaces of the wedges being in slidable contact with each other, and the first wedge diverging in a direction substantially opposite to that in which the second wedge diverges, said adjusting device also including a guiding arrangement effective between the wedges to cause relative sliding motion between the wedges to be rectilinear and to result in change in the overall thickness of said wedge arrangement.
Owing to that aspect of the invention, adjustment of the position of the operational device relative to the support is relatively easy and reliable and thus time-saving.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a packaging machine including an ultrasonic welding device comprising an ultrasonic horn, a support, a receiving device receiving said horn, a chamber between said horn and said receiving device, and an inlet and an outlet for coolant and communicating with said chamber.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of cooling an ultrasonic horn of a packaging machine comprising supplying a coolant to a chamber between said horn and a receiving device receiving said horn.
Owing to those aspects of the invention, the cooling of the horn is more direct and thus more effective. If the coolant is gaseous, particularly air, leakage of coolant is less consequential; especially, there is no risk of dripping of liquid coolant into packaging containers.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a packaging machine including a support, an operational device above said support, and a linear bearing arrangement between said support and said operational device and carrying weight of said operational device, said linear bearing arrangement comprising first and second parallel rails and first and second bearing shoes embracing the respective rails.
Owing to that aspect of the invention the operational device is more stably supported against transverse rolling motion than if it were to be carried by only a single rail.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a packaging machine including a rotary ball spline having a shaft arranged for turning about its own axis and reciprocatory motion along its own axis.
Owing to that aspect of the invention, it is possible to reduce wear compared with the use of a bush and thus reduce downtime and cost. Owing to the first to fifth aspects of the invention generally, it is possible to provide an improved capping apparatus for a carton filling system, with improved selective adjustability and movement of the capping apparatus and improved maintenance of a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time for affixing a fitment to a carton.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the capping apparatus has an ultrasonic stack assembly and a fitment applicator assembly for applying fitments to a series of cartons indexing in a packaging machine. The fitment applicator assembly has an anvil, a rotary ball spline having a spline shaft and bearing nut, and a linkage assembly for enabling application of a predetermined sealing force and having a connectible thrust bearing. The bearing nut is connectible to and circumscribes the spline shaft to provide rotation and allow linear longitudinal reciprocation of the spline shaft. The anvil has at least two spigots formed to receive and hold successively delivered fitments from fitment escapements of gravity loading chutes or tracks. The anvil is supported by the spline shaft to turn the anvil and thus to turn the spigots between a fitment pre-retrieval position and a pre-application position and also to reciprocate the anvil and thus to reciprocate the spigots between a retracted position and a mounting position to insert a spout of the or each fitment into the hole in the carton wall until a circumferential flange of the fitment contacts the inside surface of the wall surrounding the hole. The bearing nut is connectible to and circumscribes the spline shaft to help guide the spline shaft during reciprocation and the thrust bearing allows adjusting of the spline shaft and the anvil, particularly adjusting of the course or location of the spline shaft in accordance with carton dimensions and contours. The ultrasonic stack assembly has an ultrasonic stack, a wedge arrangement, a table, a base, and a dual rail arrangement that are reciprocable substantially horizontally towards and away from the fitment applicator assembly. The ultrasonic stack is coupled to a top of the wedge arrangement. The table is coupled to a bottom of the wedge arrangement and to a top of the dual rail arrangement such that the table, wedge arrangement, and ultrasonic stack reciprocate axially as a unit with the dual rail arrangement.
The dual rail arrangement has two rails located parallelly side-by-side and two blocks slidably coupled to each rail to stabilize the load carried by the blocks and allow substantially precise, smooth sliding of the blocks along the rails.
The ultrasonic stack includes a horn and the reciprocation axially brings the horn into contact with an outer surface area of the carton wall that surrounds the hole. The horn and the spigot of the fitment applicator assembly apply opposing pressures and the horn transmits ultrasonic energy to the carton wall and the fitment flange to heat the materials and create a weld between the inside surface of the carton wall and the flange. Air cooling ports are associated with the horn and help to maintain the horn at a predetermined temperature to help improve precision heating. The wedge arrangement is formed of a pair of wedges each having a sloped surface and a central channel for fixedly receiving a respective block member. The two wedges are adjacent to and disposed 180° with respect to one another such that the sloped surfaces are slidably opposed to one another. To increase and decrease selectively the overall height of the wedge arrangement without the use of shims, and thereby vertically adjust the location of the horn with respect to a ground surface, a force is selectively applied to at least one of the block members to cause the attached wedge to slide with respect to the other wedge, e.g., slide up the sloped surface of the opposing wedge.
In order that the invention may be clearly and completely disclosed, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a fitment applicator assembly of a capping apparatus for a carton filling system;
Figure 2 is a perspective view from above of an ultrasonic stack assembly of the capping apparatus;
Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of the capping apparatus;
Figure 4 is a fragmentary, exploded, side elevation of a wedge arrangement of the ultrasonic stack assembly; Figure 5 is an exploded, perspective view from above of the wedge arrangement;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of ultrasonic stacks from the rear of the ultrasonic stack assembly;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a pour spout fitment; Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a gable- top carton incorporating the fitment; and
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the ultrasonic stack assembly, but depicting an upper wedge moved with respect to a lower wedge of the wedge arrangement. Referring generally to Figures 7 and 8, a fitment 2 has a flange 4, as well as a cylindrical pour spout 6, shown in Figures 1 and 3, that is externally threaded and is for dispensing product once a screw cap 8 has been removed. Figure 8 illustrates the fitment 2 affixed to the carton 10, with their being ultrasonically welded to each other. The screw caps 8 have been omitted from Figures 1 and 3 to enable illustration of the spouts 6. The carton 10 is a gable-top carton having a hole 12 that was preformed in a wall 14, e.g., a top closure panel, when the carton blank is cut out from a web consisting of a laminate with a paperboard layer and innermost and outermost layers of moisture barrier thermoplastics, possibly with the interposition of an oxygen barrier layer. The fitment 2 has been inserted partially through the hole 12 until the flange 4 contacted the inside surface of the wall 14 surrounding the hole 12, and the flange 4 has been ultrasonically sealed to the innermost thermoplastics layer at that inside surface of the wall 14. The carton 10 has then been indexed to a top sealing station where the top panels were folded inwards to form a gable- shaped top and sealed together.
Referring generally to Figures 1 to 3 and 6, the capping apparatus 16 is shown having the fitment applicator assembly 18 and the ultrasonic stack assembly 20, for attaching fitments to a series of cartons indexing in a packaging machine. The assemblies 18 and 20 are located opposite to one another and the cartons 10 having open tops and preformed holes 12 are indexed therebetween, in fact indexed on a double-indexing endless chain conveyor such that two cartons 10 are indexed simultaneously. Alternatively, the capping apparatus could be such that the cartons can be indexed on a single-indexing endless conveyor such that one carton 10 is engaged by the capping apparatus at a time. The assembly 18 has an anvil 22 having at least two spigots 24 for holding respective fitments 2 and inserting fitments 2 into the holes 12. The ultrasonic stack assembly 20 is shown having two side-by~side ultrasonic stacks 26 in Figures 2, 3 and 6, each having a horn 28 for applying localized pressure and ultrasonic energy. Parts of the assembly 18 and the assembly 20 are operably configured to reciprocate to cause the respective spigot 24 and horn 28 to be moved toward and away from each other and to apply opposing pressure to the carton 10 and the fitment 2 while the horn 28 transmits ultrasonic energy to the carton wall 14 and the flange 4 to heat the materials and create a weld between the inside surface of the wall 14 and the flange 4. The side-by-side orientation allows two cartons 10 to be engaged by the horns
28 simultaneously. While two side-by-side ultrasonic stacks
26 are depicted, with a single-indexing conveyor system the ultrasonic stack assembly 20 would have a single ultrasonic stack 26 and horn 28 to affix a single fitment 2 to a single carton at a time. The ultrasonic stack assembly 20 can alternatively have more than two . ultrasonic stacks 26 with respective horns 28 to affix a fitment 2 to each of greater than two cartons 10 substantially simultaneously, i.e., can be used with an at least triple-indexing conveyor system.
Referring to Figures 1 and 3 in general, the fitment applicator assembly 18 also has a rotary ball spline 30 having a bearing nut 32 which is fixed to a frame of the packaging machine and contains bearing balls circumscribing a spline shaft 34 to allow turning and reciprocation of the spline shaft 34 resulting in turning and reciprocation of the anvil 22. A rotary drive device 36 coupled to the rotary ball spline 30 provides rotational force to the rotary ball spline 30 to cause turning of the spline shaft 34 about its longitudinal axis and thus cause the anvil 22 to turn between a pre-retrieval position aligned with fitment escapement ends of at least two tracks and a pre-application position prior to inserting fitments 2 into the holes 12. The drive device 36 can comprise at least one servo motor and can drive a first gear 38 intermeshed with a second gear 40. The gear 40 circumscribes the spline shaft 34 and can be coupled to the balls in the bearing nut 32. The intermeshed gears 38 and 40 rotate about substantially perpendicular axes with respect to 5 one another.
A linear longitudinal reciprocation device, e.g., a linkage assembly, air cylinders, servo motor, and the like, provides substantially horizontal motion of the spline shaft 34, to reciprocate the anvil 22 between a retracted position 10 projecting into the cartons 10 adjacent the holes 12 and a mounting position where the spouts 6 are inserted into the holes 12 in the carton walls 14 until the circumferential flanges 4 contact the inside surfaces of the walls 14 surrounding the holes 12. The linkage assembly 42 having a
15 thrust bearing 44 can be used to provide a predetermined amount of sealing force to the anvil 22. The thrust bearing 44 is coupled to and circumscribes the spline shaft 34 to help transmit reciprocating movement when the linkage assembly 42 is actuated and is adjustable to allow selective
20 positioning of the spline shaft 34 and to thereby position the anvil 22 with respect to the ground surface, shown generally at 1, particularly to accommodate various dimensions and contours of different carton sizes and designs. The linkage assembly 42 includes a link 42A
25. pivotally mounted on a pin 42B fixed relative to the machine frame and forked so as to embrace one end of a link 42C pivotally connected by a pin 42D to the link 42A. The outer end of the link 42A is pivotally connected by a bearing 42E to a connecting rod 42F, whilst the other end of the link 42C
30 is pivotally connected by a pin 42G to an arm 42H fixed to one end of a horizontal rod 421 to the other end of which is fixed an arm 42J which receives the thrust bearing 44. The rod 42F is connected by a double-ended screw adjuster 48 to a piston rod 43 of an air cylinder 45. Turning of the adjuster
35 48 adjusts the overall length of the rods 42F and 43 and thus the stroke of the shaft 34, which is reciprocated by the cylinder 45. That overall length is fixable by means of at least two lock nuts 46. The adjuster 48 is used for adjusting the position of the thrust bearing 44, thereby to allow operable positioning of the spline shaft 34 and the anvil 22, e.g., to align the spigots 24 of the anvil 22 with the holes 12.
The anvil 22 generally has at least one arm 50 having a spigot 24 disposed toward the end of the arm 50 operable to receive and retain a fitment 2 on the spigot 24 prior to being turned into the open top of the carton 10 and reciprocated for attaching the fitment 2 to the carton wall 14. The present anvil 22 has four spigots 24 which are located at the ends of four peripherally spaced, radial arms 44 respectively. Thus, two spigots 24 can be positioned relative to side-by-side fitment escapements of the gravity feed tracks for receiving fitments 2 while the two other spigots 24 are located within respective side-by-side cartons 10 for inserting other fitments 2 into the holes 12. Referring generally to Figures 2, 3 and 6, the ultrasonic stacks 26 are coupled to respective wedge arrangements 52 located side-by-side, which are coupled respectively to two horizontal tables 54 that are substantially planar and located side-by-side. Each table 54 is coupled to each of two dual rail arrangements 56 that are located side-by-side. The dual rail arrangements are coupled to at least one base 58. Each dual rail arrangement 56 has two shoes in the form of blocks 60 slidably connected to each of the two rails 62, such that four blocks 60 are in contact with and coupled to the bottom of each table 54. Each rail 62 has grooves 64 on opposing sides of the rail 62 extending substantially the length of the rail 62. The grooves 64 are operably sized to receive slidably bearings connected to the blocks 60 to allow smooth, low-friction sliding of the blocks 60 along the rails 62. The four blocks 60 of each dual rail arrangement 56 help to stabilize the tables 54 and allow precise, smooth, low-friction sliding of the blocks 60 along the rails 62. The dual rail arrangements 60 are reciprocable substantially horizontally toward and away from the fitment applicator assembly 18 such that the operably coupled tables 54, wedge arrangements 52, and ultrasonic stacks 26 reciprocate together as a unit with the arrangements 60. This reciprocation selectively brings the horn 28 of each ultrasonic stack 26 from a retracted position away from the carton 10 to an engaging position where the horn 28 contacts the outer surface of the carton wall 14 round the hole 12.
Thus, the relevant parts of the ultrasonic stack assembly 20 are reciprocated to and from the engaging position where the horns 28 contact the carton walls 14 and the relevant parts of the fitment applicator assembly 18 are reciprocated substantially simultaneously to and from the mounting position where the spouts 6 are inserted through the holes 12 until the flanges 4 contact the inside surfaces of the walls 14. Each ultrasonic stack 26 has at least two inlet and outlet ports 66 for coolant for maintaining its horn 28 at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time period to help improve precision heating. Cooling air can be applied, from the atmosphere or an alternative air supply, to the horn 28 to cool the horn 28 and help prevent the temperature of the horn 28 from exceeding the predetermined temperature. The air is fed to a chamber (diagrammatically indicated at 65) between the horn 28 and the interior wall of a horn clamp 67. A programmable controller can determine the temperature associated with the horn 28 and can selectively control and maintain the flow of air through the ports 66. A thermocouple can be employed to measure the temperature of the horn 28. The programmable controller can also determine the amount of pressure exerted by the horns 28 and spigots 24 and can maintain the welding positions of the horns 28 and spigots 24 for a predetermined period of time desirable to form the ultrasonic welds.
Referring generally to Figures 2 to 5 and 9, each wedge arrangement 52 has an upper wedge 68 with a downwardly facing sloped surface 70 slidably engaged with a sloped surface 72 of a lower wedge 74, such that the wedges 68 and 74 are disposed 180° with respect to one another. The wedges 68 and
74 have outer surfaces 71 and 73 respectively that are substantially planar, parallel and horizontal such that the outer surface 71 of the upper wedge 68 contacts a housing 100 of the ultrasonic stack 26 and the outer surface 73 of the lower wedge 74 contacts the top of the table 54.
Central channels 76 and 78 are formed within the wedges
68 and 74 respectively and are operably sized for fixedly receiving block members 80 and 82 respectively. Each of the channels 76 and 78 extends from the associated sloped surface
70 or 72 to a substantially horizontal base surface 84 and is adapted and configured to hold fixedly the associated block member 80 or 82. The wedges 68 and 74 are stacked such that the sloped surfaces 70 and 72 are generally slidably opposed to one another and the block members 80 and 82 can each extend at least partly into the opposing central channel of the other wedge. This allows selective, controlled, rectilinear sliding of one of the wedges with respect to the other and helps to disperse the weight applied by the ultrasonic stack 26.
The upper wedge 68 has at least two larger apertures 90 extending from the outer surface 71 to the sloped surface 70 and each operably sized to receive an elongate connector therein, e.g., a bolt 92 or the like fastener, that is at least partly threaded. The bolts 92 are used to maintain selectively the relative position of the wedges 68 and 74.
As illustrated, four larger apertures 90 are used and are located near the four corners of the upper wedge 68 for receiving the bolts 92. The larger apertures 90 can be generally oblong-shaped and have a length extending generally in the same direction as that of relative sliding of the wedges to allow space for the bolts 92 to be passed through the apertures 90 after the wedge 68 has been selectively slid a desired amount. The lower wedge 74 has at least two smaller apertures 94 extending from the outer surface 73 to the sloped surface 72 and operably sized to receive the bolts 92 extending through the larger apertures 90 above. As illustrated, four smaller apertures 94 are used and are located near the four corners of the second wedge 74. The smaller apertures 94 can be at least partly threaded to receive threaded portions of the bolts 92 that terminate in the smaller apertures 94 or can be non-threaded and the bolts 92 extend through the apertures 94 to the table 54. Alternatively, the upper wedge 68 can have the smaller apertures 94 while the lower wedge 74 has the larger apertures 90. As illustrated in Figure 4, the wedge 74 (or alternatively the wedge 68) can additionally have at least one fastener 96 to fix the wedge 74 (or the wedge 68) to an adjacent structure, e.g., to the table 54 if selective sliding of only the wedge 68 is desired.
To increase and decrease selectively the overall height of the wedge arrangement 52 and thereby vertically adjust the location of the horn 28 with respect to the ground surface 1, e.g., the floor surface upon which the ultrasonic stack assembly 20 rests, a force is selectively applied to an end
79 of at least one of the block members 80 and 82 to cause that wedge to slide with respect to the other wedge. The channels 76 and 78 extend substantially parallelly to the sense of horizontal reciprocation of the ultrasonic stack assembly 20, e.g., generally toward the fitment applicator assembly 18, and are also open at both ends. The open ends allow access to the ends 79 for applying a force to the fixedly attached first or second block member 80 or 82 when increasing or decreasing the overall height of the wedge arrangement 52. The block members 80 and 82 can be substantially rectangular in cross-section and can be fixed to the base surfaces 84 of the respective central recesses 76 and 78 by any conventional means, such as bolts 86, lock nuts, screws, rivets, or other fasteners. A rod 88 extends through and is coupled to at least one end of the block member 82 to contact the block member 80 to act as a stopper to prevent relative sliding of said pair of wedges past a predetermined position. The rod 88 is at least partly threaded and is selectively movable through a threaded bore through the block member 82. The rod 88 can be manually or mechanically operated to rotate the rod 88 selectively in a direction to translate the rod 88 an amount through the block member 82 until the rod 88 contacts the block member 80 on the end 79 facing the block member 82. Then, to maintain its position, the rod 88 is locked in place by a nut 98 or the like that is adjacent to the outward end 79 of the block member 82. The rod 88 can also be used selectively to apply a force to the block member 80 to push the block member 80 away from the block member 82, thereby causing the wedge 68 to slide with respect to the wedge 74 and increasing the overall height of the wedge arrangement 52. Compared with Figure 2, Figure 9 depicts an example of the wedge 68 moved upwards with respect to the wedge 74. When rotated in the opposite direction, the rod 88 is translated a selected amount through the block member 82 away from the block member 80 and can be locked into place by the nut 98. A force can be selectively applied to the outward end 79 of the block member 80 to push the block member 80 toward the block member 82, thereby causing the wedge 68 to slide with respect to the wedge 74 and decreasing the overall height of the wedge arrangement 52.
The wedges 68 and 74 can be selectively connected together, once the wedge arrangement 52 has been manipulated to a desired overall height, to help keep the wedges 68 and 74 from shifting out of position, by turning the rod 88 until it engages the inwards end 79 of the block member 80, locking the rod 88 in place with the nut 98, and extending at least two bolts 92 through apertures in the housing 100 of the ultrasonic stack 26, through the larger apertures 90, through the smaller apertures 94, and terminating in at least two threaded bores located within the table 54 adjacent to the smaller apertures 94. Alternatively, the bolts 92 can additionally extend through apertures through the table 54 and terminate in at least two threaded bores located within the blocks 60 of the dual rail arrangement 56 adjacent to the apertures through the table 54. In the illustrated embodiment, four bolts 92 are used, and these terminate in four threaded bores within the table 54, or extend through the table 54 and terminate in four threaded bores in the blocks 60.
In operation using side-by-side ultrasonic stacks 26 as shown, the anvil 22 is turned by the drive device 36 and advanced by the air cylinder 45 to reach a fitment-retrieval position at fitment escapement ends of adjacent tracks and two fitments 2 are received on and held by two spigots 24 of the anvil 22, e.g., pushed onto the spigots 24 by one or more air cylinders associated with those fitment escapement ends.
At the same time, the other two spigots 24 carrying two previously received fitments 2 are turned downward into open tops of two cartons 10, to a pre-application position inside two cartons 10 such that the spigots 24 holding the latter fitments 2 are aligned with the holes 12, and then advanced to mount the latter two fitments in those holes. Substantially contemporaneously with the insertion of the fitments 2 into the holes 12, the side-by-side dual rail arrangements 56 are actuated to move the ultrasonic stacks 26 toward the fitment applicator assembly 18 to an engaging position where the two horns 28 contact the outer surfaces of the carton walls 14 round the holes 12. The horns 28 and the spigots 24 apply opposing pressures and the horns 28 transmit ultrasonic energy to the carton walls 14 and the fitment flanges 4 to heat the materials and create welds between the inside surfaces of the carton walls 14 and the flanges 4. The cooling via the ports 66 helps to maintain the horns 28 at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time to help improve precision heating. The overall height of the wedge arrangements 52 and the adjustment of the anvil 22 via the thrust bearing 44 can be done prior to actuation of the drive device 36, the air cylinder 45, and the dual rail arrangements 56.

Claims

1. A packaging machine including a support, an operational device, and an adjusting device effective between said support and said operational device to adjust the position of said operational device relative to said support, said adjusting device including a wedge arrangement comprised of first and second wedges connected respectively to the operational device and the support and each having first and second surfaces which diverge away from one another, the first surfaces of the wedges being in slidable contact with each other, and the first wedge diverging in a direction substantially opposite to that in which the second wedge diverges, said adjusting device also including a guiding arrangement effective between the wedges to cause relative sliding motion between the wedges to be rectilinear and result in change in the overall thickness of said wedge arrangement .
2. A machine according to claim 1, wherein said guiding arrangement comprises first and second channels formed in the respective first surfaces of the first and second wedges, and first and second guide members projecting from the first and second wedges into the respective second and first channels.
3. A machine according to claim 1 or 2, and further comprising a setter for settingly displacing said first wedge slidingly relative to said second wedge.
4. A machine according to claim 3 as appended to claim 2, wherein said setter comprises a setting member carried by one of said guide members and arranged to abut settingly against the other of said guide members.
5. A machine according to any preceding claim, wherein said operational device comprises an ultrasonic welding device.
6- A machine according to claim 5, wherein said ultrasonic welding device is an ultrasonic stack of a capping apparatus of said machine.
7. A machine according to claim 5, wherein said ultrasonic welding device comprises an ultrasonic horn, a clamping device whereby said horn is clamped to said support, a chamber between said horn and said device, and an inlet and an outlet for coolant and communicating with said chamber.
8. A machine according to claim 7, and further comprising a sensor arranged to sense the temperature in the region of said horn, and a programmable controller connected to said sensor for controlling said temperature through controlling one or more parameters of said coolant.
9. A machine according to claim 5, 7, or 8, wherein said ultrasonic welding device serves to weld a pour spout fitment to a carton.
10. A machine according to any preceding claim, and further comprising a linear bearing arrangement between said support and said operational device and carrying weight of said operational device, said linear bearing arrangement comprising first and second parallel rails and first and second bearing shoes embracing the respective rails.
11. A machine according to claim 10 and further comprising third and fourth bearing shoes embracing the first and second rails, respectively.
12. A machine according to any preceding claim and including a rotary ball spline having a splined shaft arranged for turning and reciprocatory motion.
13. A machine according to claim 12, and including a pour spout fitment applicator containing said rotary ball spline.
14. A packaging machine including an ultrasonic welding device comprising an ultrasonic horn, a support, a receiving device receiving said horn, a chamber between said horn and said receiving device, and an inlet and an outlet for coolant and communicating with said chamber.
15. A machine according to claim 14, wherein said receiving device is a clamping device whereby said horn is clamped to said support .
16. A machine according to claim 14 or 15, and further comprising a sensor arranged to sense the temperature in the region of said horn, and a programmable controller connected to said sensor for controlling said temperature through controlling one or more parameters of said coolant.
17. A machine according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein said ultrasonic welding device is an ultrasonic stack of a capping apparatus of said machine.
18. A packaging machine including a support, an operational device above said support, and a linear bearing arrangement between said support and said operational device and carrying weight of said operational device, said linear bearing arrangement comprising first and second parallel rails and first and second bearing shoes embracing the respective rails .
19. A machine according to claim 18, and further comprising third and fourth bearing shoes embracing the first and second rails, respectively.
20. A machine according to claim 18 or 19, wherein said operational device comprises an ultrasonic welding stack of a capping apparatus of said machine.
21. A packaging machine including a rotary ball spline having a shaft arranged for turning about its own axis and reciprocatory motion along its own axis.
22. A machine according to claim 21, and including a pour spout fitment applicator containing said rotary ball spline.
23. A machine according to claim 21 or 22, wherein said operational device comprises an ultrasonic welding stack of a capping apparatus of said machine.
24. A method of cooling an ultrasonic horn of a packaging machine comprising supplying a coolant to a chamber between said horn and a receiving device receiving said horn.
25. A method according to claim 24, wherein said coolant is gaseous .
26. A method according to claim 25, wherein said coolant is air.
27. A method according to any one of claims 24 to 26 and further comprising sensing temperature in the region of said horn and controlling said temperature through controlling one or more parameters of said coolant according to the sensed temperature.
PCT/GB2010/001238 2009-06-25 2010-06-25 Improvements in or relating to packaging WO2010149970A2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP10734520A EP2445795A2 (en) 2009-06-25 2010-06-25 Packaging machine with ultrasonic welding device

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US61/269,485 2009-06-25

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GB2570671A (en) * 2018-02-01 2019-08-07 Elopak Gmbh Improved anvil and spigot arrangement for cap applicator unit

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IT201700088955A1 (en) * 2017-08-02 2019-02-02 Faresin Building S P A ACCESSORY FOR CASSERATION STRUCTURES FOR INCLINED FLOORS
GB2570671A (en) * 2018-02-01 2019-08-07 Elopak Gmbh Improved anvil and spigot arrangement for cap applicator unit
GB2570671B (en) * 2018-02-01 2020-08-19 Elopak Gmbh Improved anvil and spigot arrangement for cap applicator unit

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WO2010149970A3 (en) 2011-07-21

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