WO2013067161A1 - Apparatus and method for packaging loose product - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for packaging loose product Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2013067161A1 WO2013067161A1 PCT/US2012/063032 US2012063032W WO2013067161A1 WO 2013067161 A1 WO2013067161 A1 WO 2013067161A1 US 2012063032 W US2012063032 W US 2012063032W WO 2013067161 A1 WO2013067161 A1 WO 2013067161A1
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- box
- chute
- open
- feed path
- loose product
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
- B65B5/06—Packaging groups of articles, the groups being treated as single articles
- B65B5/061—Filled bags
-
- 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
- B65B1/00—Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
-
- 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
- B65B1/00—Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
- B65B1/02—Machines characterised by the incorporation of means for making the containers or receptacles
-
- 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
- B65B1/00—Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
- B65B1/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
- B65B1/16—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles by pneumatic means, e.g. by suction
-
- 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
- B65B1/00—Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
- B65B1/30—Devices or methods for controlling or determining the quantity or quality or the material fed or filled
- B65B1/36—Devices or methods for controlling or determining the quantity or quality or the material fed or filled by volumetric devices or methods
- B65B1/363—Devices or methods for controlling or determining the quantity or quality or the material fed or filled by volumetric devices or methods with measuring pockets moving in an endless path
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- 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
- B65B29/00—Packaging of materials presenting special problems
-
- 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
- B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
- B65B35/10—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles
- B65B35/20—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by reciprocating or oscillatory pushers
- B65B35/205—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by reciprocating or oscillatory pushers linked to endless conveyors
-
- 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
- B65B39/00—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers
- B65B39/14—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers movable with a moving container or wrapper during filling or depositing
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
- B65B43/26—Opening or distending bags; Opening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks
- B65B43/265—Opening, erecting or setting-up boxes, cartons or carton blanks
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
- B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
- B65B7/20—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by folding-down preformed flaps
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G51/00—Conveying articles through pipes or tubes by fluid flow or pressure; Conveying articles over a flat surface, e.g. the base of a trough, by jets located in the surface
- B65G51/02—Directly conveying the articles, e.g. slips, sheets, stockings, containers or workpieces, by flowing gases
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G53/00—Conveying materials in bulk through troughs, pipes or tubes by floating the materials or by flow of gas, liquid or foam
- B65G53/04—Conveying materials in bulk pneumatically through pipes or tubes; Air slides
-
- 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
- B65B2210/00—Specific aspects of the packaging machine
- B65B2210/10—Means for removing bridges formed by the material or article, e.g. anti-clogging devices
-
- 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
- B65B2220/00—Specific aspects of the packaging operation
- B65B2220/16—Packaging contents into primary and secondary packaging
- B65B2220/18—Packaging contents into primary and secondary packaging the primary packaging being bags the subsequent secondary packaging being rigid containers, e.g. cardboard box
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- 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
- B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
- B65B35/10—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles
- B65B35/20—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by reciprocating or oscillatory pushers
-
- 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
- B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
- B65B35/30—Arranging and feeding articles in groups
- B65B35/40—Arranging and feeding articles in groups by reciprocating or oscillatory pushers
- B65B35/405—Arranging and feeding articles in groups by reciprocating or oscillatory pushers linked to endless conveyors
-
- 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
- B65B39/00—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers
- B65B39/04—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers having air-escape, or air-withdrawal, passages
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
- B65B5/04—Packaging single articles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G51/00—Conveying articles through pipes or tubes by fluid flow or pressure; Conveying articles over a flat surface, e.g. the base of a trough, by jets located in the surface
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G53/00—Conveying materials in bulk through troughs, pipes or tubes by floating the materials or by flow of gas, liquid or foam
- B65G53/04—Conveying materials in bulk pneumatically through pipes or tubes; Air slides
- B65G53/06—Gas pressure systems operating without fluidisation of the materials
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G53/00—Conveying materials in bulk through troughs, pipes or tubes by floating the materials or by flow of gas, liquid or foam
- B65G53/04—Conveying materials in bulk pneumatically through pipes or tubes; Air slides
- B65G53/16—Gas pressure systems operating with fluidisation of the materials
Definitions
- Smokeless tobacco products can be packaged and sold in round metal, plastic or paperboard cans which have removable metal or plastic lids.
- a new development is to package smokeless tobacco products, including pouched MST (snus) in hinge-lid boxes.
- Boxing operations may include placement of a desired portion (or lot or quantity) into a bag and then placing the bag into a box or other container.
- an apparatus for high speed packaging of loose product comprises a loading station, a box forming station, and an unloading station.
- the loading station includes chutes in spaced apart relation. Each chute has an open top, an open upstream end, and an open downstream end. The open top is configured to receive loose product while moving along a first feed path.
- the box erecting apparatus is operable to erect boxes in spaced apart relation with first and second open sides and align the first open side of each box with the open downstream end of a corresponding chute while traveling along a second feed path, which is parallel to the first feed path.
- the unloading station includes a stationary vacuum head in communication with the second open side of each box.
- the vacuum head provides a continuous vacuum source along the second feed path.
- the unloading station also includes a plunger in communication with the open upstream end of the chute. Loose product is transferred from the chute through the open downstream end and to the box at the unloading station.
- the apparatus can also include a lid operable to cover the open top of each chute when positioned at the box erecting apparatus.
- the lid includes at least one air inlet operable to deliver air from a pressurized air source to each chute so as to agitate any remaining loose product contained in the chute and urge the loose product from the chute.
- an inner surface of the chute includes a non-stick coating.
- the vacuum head includes a screen having openings sized to substantially prevent suction of loose products into the vacuum head.
- the plunger moves reciprocally from a first upstream position to a second downstream position when aligned with the open upstream end or the chute.
- the loading station includes cups operable to dump loose product into the open top of the chute.
- the box erecting apparatus further includes a conveyor for moving boxes along the second feed path.
- the box erecting apparatus also includes a support bar operable to hold erected boxes open while traveling along the second feed path.
- a method of loading boxes with loose products includes loading loose products into chutes in spaced apart relation.
- Each chute has an open top, an open upstream end, and an open downstream end.
- the open top is operable to receive loose product while moving along a first feed path.
- the method also includes aligning boxes in spaced apart relation, each box having a first and second open side, and aligning the first open side of each box with the open downstream end of a corresponding chute while moving the boxes along a second feed path.
- the second feed path is parallel to the first feed path.
- the method can also include unloading loose product from each chute into a corresponding box by communicating vacuum through the second open side of each box so as to pull loose product from the chute and into the box.
- the method can also include advancing a plunger through the upstream end of the chute, through the downstream end of the chute, and into the corresponding box thereby assuring a complete transfer of loose product to the box.
- the method can include covering the open top of each chute with a lid prior to applying suction and providing at least one air inlet in the lid operable to deliver air from a pressurized air source to each chute.
- the plunger is plunged about 2 mm to about 4 mm into the erected box.
- Figure 1 is a flow diagram of an apparatus and method for loading pouch products in boxes.
- FIG. 1 is a top view of an apparatus for loading pouch products in boxes.
- Figure 3 is perspective view of a chute for use with the apparatus of Figure 2.
- Figure 4 is a top view illustrating the path of the plungers shown in Figure 2.
- Figure 5 is a front view of the vacuum head for use in the apparatus of Figure 2.
- Figure 6 is an illustration showing a box blank being partially erected at a box erecting station as described herein.
- FIGS 7 A and 7B are illustrations of the chute loading station utilizing a cup transport system as described herein.
- Figure 8 is an illustration of further packaging steps that can be performed at the further packaging station of Figure 1.
- Figure 9 is an illustration of the unloading station of Figure 1.
- Figure 10 is a perspective view of an individual cup of the preferred embodiment.
- a snus forming and packaging system 101 which preferably comprises a chute (or bucket) loading station 30, a box erecting station 40 and a chute unloading station
- loose product 122 (shown in Figure 2) is loaded into chutes at the chute loading station 30, boxes are at least partially erected at the box erecting station 40, and the loose product 122 is transferred from each chute into a corresponding box at the chute unloading station 50.
- the loose product 122 comprises oral tobacco or non-tobacco pouch products such as those described in commonly-owned
- the pouch products are formed at a pouch forming apparatus 10, which can be a high speed vertical form, fill and seal apparatus or other suitable pouch forming apparatus.
- the pouch forming apparatus such as a vertical filling machine obtainable from Merz
- the pouch products are moved to a pouch dispenser
- the pouch dispenser 20 which dispenses a predetermined quantity of pouch products into individual cups 225 (shown in Figures 7A, 7B and 10).
- the predetermined quantity is chosen to coincide with the number of pouch products to be placed in an individual consumer package.
- the pouch dispenser 20 comprises the dispenser provided on the Merz machine.
- the cup 225 preferably comprises a cupped body constructed of a hard plastic of proportions akin to those of a bottom portion of a commercially available snus can (such as in the packaging of loose moist snus tobacco). Such configuration of the cup 225 promotes compatibility of the cup 225 with snus loading and canning machines and associated conveyors.
- each cup 225 is provided with an annular recess 297, preferably adjacent its base, although other locations might be practiced.
- Each cup is opened at its top 299 and provides sufficient volume to receive a predetermined, desired count (or lot) of snus product.
- the cups 225 move to the chute loading station 30 via a cup transport system.
- a suitable cup transport system is a hook type system shown in Figures 7A and 7B.
- cups 225 loaded with loose product are transported to the cup transport system where a star wheel 500 pushes each cup 225 into position for pickup by a hook 227.
- Each cup 225 can be picked up around a periphery 226 thereof by the hook 227 and carried along a third feed path 502 which is parallel to and directly above a first feed path 4 on which the chutes 120 travel as shown in Figure 7B.
- the hooks 227 are sized to releasably engage each cup 225 at its recess 297.
- multiple hooks 227 are attached to a conveyor 504 that travels horizontally in a continuous loop in a path resembling a racetrack.
- other suitable arrangements are possible.
- the star wheel 500 preferably moves continuously and includes a plurality of claws 501 , each of which engages a trailing side of a cup 225 as the latter is released from the inclined chute 505 by retraction of a pin 506, whose retraction is synchronized with the rotation of the wheel 500.
- a rail (guide) 508 guides each cup into an intersecting relation with an arriving hook 227.
- the end portion 510 of the rail 508 is spaced from working surfaces of the wheel 500 such that the respective cup 225 is momentarily held in slight compression so that the arriving hook 227 engages and clasps the cup 225 about its recess 297 ( Figure 10).
- a biased detent 510 at the base of the hook 227 assures a releasable retention of the cup 225 on the hook 227.
- the hooks 227 flip the cups 225 sequentially, one at a time, as each cup 225 is positioned above a chute 120 to dump loose product 122 into an open top 124 of the chute 120 positioned beneath and continuously moving with the cup 225.
- the empty cups are returned to the pouch dispenser 20 and filled again.
- the pouch products can be moved to the chute loading station 30 by other methods and arrangements.
- a predetermined quantity of pouch products can be placed directly from the pouch forming apparatus 10 directly into the chute 120 at the chute loading station 30. AiTangements with trap doors and other expedients are also envisioned.
- a plurality of a chutes 120 move horizontally along a continuous loop such that each chute 120 is repeatedly loaded with loose product at the chute loading station 30 and unloaded at the unloading station 50.
- the chutes 120 travel in spaced apart relation along the first feed path 4 and are releasably attached to a conveyor that travels horizontally along a rectilinear path at the chute loading station 30 and the chute unloading station 50. Once the chutes 120 are unloaded at the unloading station 50, the conveyor turns downwardly so as to return the chutes 120 to the upstream end portion 514 of the chute loading station 30.
- each chute 120 (shown in Figures 2 and 3) is loaded with the loose product from a single cup 225 (shown in Figure 7).
- the chute 120 then moves along the first feed path 4 to the chute unloading station 50 where the loose product is transferred from the chute 120 into a corresponding box 44.
- each chute 120 has an open top 124, an open upstream end 126, and an open downstream end 128.
- the open top 124 is sized and configured to allow for placement of loose product 122 into the chute 120 at high speed as the chute moves along the first feed path 4 and the cup 225 moves along the third feed path 502.
- the open top 124 can include substantially vertical sidewalls 164 extending around the periphery of the open top 124 and inclined end walls 125, 127.
- the sidewalls 164 can be formed at an angle so as to form a funnel through which the loose product 122 travels as it enters the chute 120.
- the sidewalls 164 can be preferably about 0.5 inch to about 3.0 inches in height.
- each chute 120 includes a nonstick coating so as to substantially prevent loose product from sticking to the inner surface 220 of the chute 120.
- each chute 120 is releaseably attached to its conveyor to facilitate removal for cleaning.
- loose product 122 is released into the open top 124 from a corresponding cup 225 as the cup 225 travels in a superposed relation to a respective chute 120.
- each cup 225 and a respective chute 120 are superposed and travel at the same speed.
- the cups 225 travel along a linear path (the third feed path 502), which is parallel to the first feed path 4 along which the chutes 120 travel.
- the apparatus is arranged such that each cup 225 is flipped over to release product while a chute 120 is aligned beneath the cup.
- each hook 227 preferably is subject to the action of a cam follower 851; which when progressed into a recess 853 of the guide 855, causes the hook 225 to flip.
- the cup 225 then continues along in an upside down relation with the hook 227 now leading the cup 225. This relationship is maintained until the cup 227 is plowed off the hook by a rail or other suitable contrivance onto a conveyor, which returns the cups 225 to the pouch dispenser 20 in an upside down condition. Return conveyance in an upside-down condition avoids collection of dust or dirt and assures emptiness for the next loading cycle.
- the pouch dispenser 20 includes a rail to flip each cup 225 into right-side up orientation prior to reloading of the cup 225.
- a box 44 (shown in Figure 2) is at least partially erected at a box erecting station 40.
- each box 44 is a side-loading, inner box such as that described in commonly-owned Non-Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 13/325,803 filed December 14, 2011, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto.
- the box 44 can be loaded via a top or bottom openings or the box 44 can be an outer box.
- the box blank is in a flattened condition, with top and front panels superimposed over and connected with bottom and back panels, and with dust flaps 159 and side flaps 160 disposed within the general plane of the flattened blank.
- a rotary blanlc feed 42 feeds box blanks from a hopper 43.
- Each blanlc 162, as shown in Figures 2 and 6, is erected to form a box 44 along a second feed path 8, which is substantially parallel to the first feed path 4.
- plows and tuckers open the dust flaps 159 and the side flaps 160 outwardly to expose a first open side 150 and a second open side 152.
- the erected box 44 then moves along the second feed path 8 to the chute unloading station 50.
- the box erecting station 40 further includes a conveyor 400 (shown in Figure 2) for moving boxes 44 along the second feed path 8.
- the box erecting apparatus also includes a support bar 506 (shown in Figure 9) which is operable to hold erected boxes 44 open while traveling along the second feed path 8.
- the second feed path 8 travels substantially parallel to and at the same speed as the first feed path 4 so that each box 44 has a
- the second open side 152 of the box 44 is aligned with a downstream end 128 of the chute 120 and the first open side 150 of the box is in contact or proximate with a face 200 of a vacuum head 200.
- the chutes 120 travel under a stationary lid 105, which may contact upper edges 95 of the open top 124 and/or sidewalls 164 of the chute 120.
- the lid 105 does not form a seal, but does substantially close off the open top 124 of the chute 120.
- the lid 105 includes multiple spaced apart air inlets 110, each of which lines up with the open top 124 of a chute 120 as it passes underneath the lid 105.
- the air inlets 1 10 are connected to a pressurized air source 1 12, which provides a pulse of air to the chute 120.
- the pulse of air is timed with alignment of the chute 120 underneath the air inlet 1 10.
- the pulse of air agitates the loose product 122 disposed within the chute 120 as vacuum is applied so as to ensure that the entire predetermined quantity of loose product 122 is transferred from the chute 120 into the confines of the opened box 44.
- the agitation also assures that product does not form a blocking mass of product or "bridges" the chute 120.
- Agitation can be achieved instead by or supplemented with mechanical arrangements (e.g., vibratory plates or pins) or electro-mechanical arrangements such as with ultrasonic devices.
- the pulses of air of the preferred embodiment are preferably at or about approximately 2 or 3 psi, when packaging snus.
- the unloading station 50 includes a stationary vacuum head 200 in communication with the second open side 150 of each box 44.
- the vacuum head 200 in the preferred embodiment is about 1 foot to about 4 feet in length when packaging pouched snus and each box 44 travels along the length of the vacuum head 200 while suction is applied.
- a source of vacuum 102 comprises a vacuum pump connected to the vacuum head (plenum) 200 to provide a continuous vacuum source along the second feed path 8.
- the vacuum pump preferably is capable of drawing air at a rate in the range of approximately 300 to 500 cubic feet per minute.
- a vacuum pump of 10 horsepower with a rating of 420 cfm and capability to draw vacuum of 100 inches of water should suffice for snus product.
- Such arrangement provides sufficient vacuum to the product through the vacuum head 200 at the second open side 150 of each box 44 so as to pull loose product 122 from the chute 120 into the interior of each box 44, essentially without compressing the product.
- the vacuum head (plenum) 200 has a face 100 which includes a screen 101 having openings sized to substantially prevent suction of loose product 122 into the vacuum head 200 as vacuum is applied.
- the vacuum plenum 200 is located downstream of where loose product 122 is released from a cup 225 into a chute 120.
- agitation of product occurs as vacuum begins to be communicated through the chute 120 to the product 122.
- the open upstream end 126 of the chute 120 is sized to accept a plunger 114 therethrough.
- the apparatus includes a plurality of plungers 114, which travel along a fourth feed path 505.
- Each plunger 114 moves forward and through each corresponding chute 120 such that the plunger 114 enters the corresponding box 44 only slightly, preferably only about 2 mm to about 4 mm. The plungers do not travel further into the box 44 to avoid compression of the loose product 122.
- the plunger 1 14 then moves with the chute 120 to position B" before moving out of the chute 120 to position B'" and finally back to initial position B"" where the plunger 114 waits for the next corresponding chute 120.
- the three plungers of the preferred embodiment move with the chutes to which they correspond and move together to return to position B". Action of the plungers assures clearance of product from the chutes 120 and complete delivery into the interior spaces of the opened boxes.
- the box dust and side and flaps 159, 160 are optionally glued and folded at the box folding station 60 to close and optionally seal the box 44.
- the box 44 is then inspected at the box inspection station 70 to check for holes, improper seals, and the like.
- the box 44 can then travel to the further packaging station 80, where the box 44, can be placed in an outer box 82.
- overwrap can be applied to the outer box 82 to maintain freshness of the loose product 122.
- the overwrap can be formed of any suitable plastic or foil material. Meanwhile, the cups used to deliver product to the chutes are returned 90 to the pouch dispenser 20.
- snus and other loose product may be loaded into a box or other container with a more complete, uniform, homogeneous and efficient disposition of the loose product within the container. Undesirable and troublesome headspace is avoided. Smaller containers can be used for the same amount of product, which may lead to significant savings in packaging materials and space requirements in displaying product at retail.
- the arrangement provides high speed production capability, particularly with boxing of pouched snus product.
- a method of filling or loading boxes with loose product(s) includes establishing a procession of package structures, each of which has first and second openings and an interior space or volume. Establishing the procession of package structures may also include folding open flaps of a package.
- the method includes repetitively establishing predetermined quantities of loose product and repetitively disposing said quantities at locations adjacent said first openings. That repetitive disposition of quantities may include loading loose products into chutes in spaced apart relation. Each chute has an open top, an open upstream end, and an open downstream end. The open top is operable to receive loose product while moving along a first feed path.
- the method also includes aligning boxes in spaced apart relation, each box having a first and second open side, and aligning the first open side of each box with the open downstream end of a corresponding chute while moving the boxes along a second feed path.
- the second feed path is parallel to the first feed path.
- the method includes transferring or unloading disposed quantities of loose product from each chute into the interior space of a corresponding box by applying or communicating a vacuum through the second open side of each box so as to pull loose product from the chute and into the box.
- the transferring step may further include moving the open package along a vacuum plenum.
- communicating a vacuum includes agitating the loose product while applying vacuum.
- the method can include covering the open top of each chute with a lid as or prior to applying vacuum and providing at least one air inlet in the lid operable to deliver air from a pressurized air source to each chute to agitate product as vacuum is applied.
- the method can also include purging the chute or passage or errant product by advancing a plunger through the upstream end of the chute, through the downstream end of the chute, and into the corresponding box thereby assuring complete transfer of loose product to the box.
- the plunger is advanced into the interior of the box slightly, such that mechanical compression of product is avoided or minimized.
- the plunger is plunged only about 2 mm to about 4 mm into the erected box.
- the method also includes closing the first and second openings of the box.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (8)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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CA2853964A CA2853964A1 (en) | 2011-11-01 | 2012-11-01 | Apparatus and method for packaging loose product |
CN201280065645.2A CN104024109B (en) | 2011-11-01 | 2012-11-01 | device and method for packing bulk products |
EP20120844944 EP2773562A4 (en) | 2011-11-01 | 2012-11-01 | Apparatus and method for packaging loose product |
IN3941CHN2014 IN2014CN03941A (en) | 2011-11-01 | 2012-11-01 | |
JP2014540074A JP6293665B2 (en) | 2011-11-01 | 2012-11-01 | Apparatus and method for packaging loose products |
RU2014122169A RU2615473C2 (en) | 2011-11-01 | 2012-11-01 | Device and method of packing bulk goods |
BR112014010426A BR112014010426A2 (en) | 2011-11-01 | 2012-11-01 | apparatus and method for packing loose product |
MX2014005334A MX2014005334A (en) | 2011-11-01 | 2012-11-01 | Apparatus and method for packaging loose product. |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
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US201161554303P | 2011-11-01 | 2011-11-01 | |
US61/554,303 | 2011-11-01 |
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PCT/US2012/063032 WO2013067161A1 (en) | 2011-11-01 | 2012-11-01 | Apparatus and method for packaging loose product |
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EP (1) | EP2773562A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP6293665B2 (en) |
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BR (1) | BR112014010426A2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2853964A1 (en) |
IN (1) | IN2014CN03941A (en) |
MX (1) | MX2014005334A (en) |
RU (1) | RU2615473C2 (en) |
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- 2012-11-01 IN IN3941CHN2014 patent/IN2014CN03941A/en unknown
- 2012-11-01 CA CA2853964A patent/CA2853964A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2012-11-01 EP EP20120844944 patent/EP2773562A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2012-11-01 WO PCT/US2012/063032 patent/WO2013067161A1/en active Application Filing
- 2012-11-01 JP JP2014540074A patent/JP6293665B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2012-11-01 US US13/666,485 patent/US9845169B2/en active Active
- 2012-11-01 RU RU2014122169A patent/RU2615473C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2012-11-01 BR BR112014010426A patent/BR112014010426A2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
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2017
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2020
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2023
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20180105295A1 (en) | 2018-04-19 |
EP2773562A1 (en) | 2014-09-10 |
IN2014CN03941A (en) | 2015-07-03 |
JP6293665B2 (en) | 2018-03-14 |
US9845169B2 (en) | 2017-12-19 |
RU2014122169A (en) | 2015-12-10 |
US20230382573A1 (en) | 2023-11-30 |
US10683110B2 (en) | 2020-06-16 |
BR112014010426A2 (en) | 2017-04-18 |
MX2014005334A (en) | 2016-09-08 |
US20200290758A1 (en) | 2020-09-17 |
US20130105036A1 (en) | 2013-05-02 |
JP2014532598A (en) | 2014-12-08 |
US11724839B2 (en) | 2023-08-15 |
CN104024109A (en) | 2014-09-03 |
EP2773562A4 (en) | 2015-03-25 |
CN104024109B (en) | 2017-06-09 |
CA2853964A1 (en) | 2013-05-10 |
RU2615473C2 (en) | 2017-04-04 |
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