WO2013153104A1 - Device and process for sealing a film material to the edges of a tray made of a polymeric film - Google Patents
Device and process for sealing a film material to the edges of a tray made of a polymeric film Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2013153104A1 WO2013153104A1 PCT/EP2013/057471 EP2013057471W WO2013153104A1 WO 2013153104 A1 WO2013153104 A1 WO 2013153104A1 EP 2013057471 W EP2013057471 W EP 2013057471W WO 2013153104 A1 WO2013153104 A1 WO 2013153104A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- heating
- mold
- film
- tray
- film material
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- 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
- B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
- B29C65/1429—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation characterised by the way of heating the interface
- B29C65/1464—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation characterised by the way of heating the interface making use of several radiators
- B29C65/1467—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation characterised by the way of heating the interface making use of several radiators at the same time, i.e. simultaneous welding
-
- 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
- B29C65/74—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area
- B29C65/747—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area using other than mechanical means
- B29C65/7473—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area using other than mechanical means using radiation, e.g. laser, for simultaneously welding and severing
-
- 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
- B29C65/78—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus
- B29C65/7858—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus characterised by the feeding movement of the parts to be joined
- B29C65/7861—In-line machines, i.e. feeding, joining and discharging are in one production line
-
- 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
- B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
- B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
- B29C66/20—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines
- B29C66/24—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being closed or non-straight
- B29C66/242—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being closed or non-straight said joint lines being closed, i.e. forming closed contours
- B29C66/2424—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being closed or non-straight said joint lines being closed, i.e. forming closed contours being a closed polygonal chain
- B29C66/24243—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being closed or non-straight said joint lines being closed, i.e. forming closed contours being a closed polygonal chain forming a quadrilateral
- B29C66/24244—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being closed or non-straight said joint lines being closed, i.e. forming closed contours being a closed polygonal chain forming a quadrilateral forming a rectangle
-
- 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
- B29C66/347—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined using particular temperature distributions or gradients; using particular heat distributions or gradients
- B29C66/3472—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined using particular temperature distributions or gradients; using particular heat distributions or gradients in the plane of the joint, e.g. along the joint line in the plane of the joint or perpendicular to the joint line in the plane of the 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
- B29C66/50—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
- B29C66/534—Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars
- B29C66/5346—Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars said single elements being substantially flat
- B29C66/53461—Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars said single elements being substantially flat joining substantially flat covers and/or substantially flat bottoms to open ends of container bodies
-
- 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
- B29C66/841—Machines or tools adaptable for making articles of different dimensions or shapes or for making joints of different dimensions
-
- 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
- B29C66/841—Machines or tools adaptable for making articles of different dimensions or shapes or for making joints of different dimensions
- B29C66/8412—Machines or tools adaptable for making articles of different dimensions or shapes or for making joints of different dimensions of different length, width or height
- B29C66/84123—Machines or tools adaptable for making articles of different dimensions or shapes or for making joints of different dimensions of different length, width or height of different height
-
- 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
- B29C66/91421—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
- B29C66/91423—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 using joining tools having different temperature zones or using several joining tools with different temperatures
-
- 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
- B29C66/9161—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 heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux
-
- 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
- B65B7/162—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by feeding web material to securing means
- B65B7/164—Securing by heat-sealing
-
- 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
- B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
- B29C65/1403—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation characterised by the type of electromagnetic or particle radiation
- B29C65/1412—Infrared [IR] radiation
-
- 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
- B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
- B29C65/16—Laser beams
- B29C65/1629—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface
- B29C65/1664—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface making use of several radiators
- B29C65/1667—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface making use of several radiators at the same time, i.e. simultaneous laser welding
- B29C65/167—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface making use of several radiators at the same time, i.e. simultaneous laser welding using laser diodes
-
- 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
- B29C65/18—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated 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
- 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
- B29C65/18—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools
- B29C65/24—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools characterised by the means for heating the tool
- B29C65/245—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools characterised by the means for heating the tool the heat transfer being achieved contactless, e.g. by radiation
-
- 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
- B29C66/004—Preventing sticking together, e.g. of some areas of the parts to be joined
- B29C66/0042—Preventing sticking together, e.g. of some areas of the parts to be joined of the joining tool and the parts to be joined
-
- 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
- B29C66/71—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 composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
-
- 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
-
- 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
- B29C66/737—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 state of the material of the parts to be joined
- B29C66/7371—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 state of the material of the parts to be joined oriented or heat-shrinkable
- B29C66/73715—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 state of the material of the parts to be joined oriented or heat-shrinkable heat-shrinkable
-
- 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
- B29C66/73921—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 characterised by the materials of both parts being thermoplastics
-
- 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
- B29C66/812—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 composition, by the structure, by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps
- B29C66/8126—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 composition, by the structure, by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps
- B29C66/81266—Optical properties, e.g. transparency, reflectivity
-
- 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
- B29C66/812—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 composition, by the structure, by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps
- B29C66/8126—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 composition, by the structure, by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps
- B29C66/81266—Optical properties, e.g. transparency, reflectivity
- B29C66/81267—Transparent to electromagnetic radiation, e.g. to visible light
-
- 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
- B29C66/919—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux characterised by specific temperature, heat or thermal flux values or ranges
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29K2995/00—Properties of moulding materials, reinforcements, fillers, preformed parts or moulds
- B29K2995/0018—Properties of moulding materials, reinforcements, fillers, preformed parts or moulds having particular optical properties, e.g. fluorescent or phosphorescent
- B29K2995/0025—Opaque
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29K2995/00—Properties of moulding materials, reinforcements, fillers, preformed parts or moulds
- B29K2995/0018—Properties of moulding materials, reinforcements, fillers, preformed parts or moulds having particular optical properties, e.g. fluorescent or phosphorescent
- B29K2995/0026—Transparent
- B29K2995/0027—Transparent for light outside the visible spectrum
-
- 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
-
- 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
- B65B59/00—Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce packages of different sizes, to vary the contents of packages, to handle different types of packaging material, or to give access for cleaning or maintenance purposes
- B65B59/003—Arrangements to enable adjustments related to the packaging material
-
- 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
- B65B59/00—Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce packages of different sizes, to vary the contents of packages, to handle different types of packaging material, or to give access for cleaning or maintenance purposes
- B65B59/02—Arrangements to enable adjustments to be made while the machine is running
Definitions
- a device and a process for sealing a film material, particularly a heat-shrink film, to the raised peripheral frame of a tray made of a polymeric material are disclosed herein.
- polymeric trays e.g. made of PE, PP, PET, PS materials or combinations thereof, are known to be used.
- Such trays are usually manufactured by injection molding, although other technologies may be used, such as thermoforming.
- the latter is closed by heat-sealing a covering film to the peripheral frame of the tray.
- the tray covering film usually a clear film, may be a monolayer or multilayer film (e.g. a film made from a linear polyolefin material such as LDPE, LLDPE with appropriate butene, hexene, octane, etc. additives for providing the stretching effect) or a laminated film; various additives may be added to the film material, to change some of the physico chemical properties of the material.
- a monolayer or multilayer film e.g. a film made from a linear polyolefin material such as LDPE, LLDPE with appropriate butene, hexene, octane, etc. additives for providing the stretching effect
- a laminated film e.g. a film made from a linear polyolefin material such as LDPE, LLDPE with appropriate butene, hexene, octane, etc. additives for providing the stretching effect
- various additives may be added to the film material, to change
- the covering film material shall be compatible with the tray material.
- the tray is carried below the covering film, then a vertically movable heated mold is lowered to cause an annular portion of the film to contact the mold frame and perform sealing.
- the shape and size of the heated mold depend on the shape and size of the tray (and possibly on the number of trays if the machine is designed to carry out simultaneous sealing of multiple trays).
- the heated mold simultaneously provides:
- heating of the film material to a medium temperature (depending on the physical properties of the packaging film, e.g. about 70°C) over a ring that substantially and/or generally corresponds to the film portion designed for bonding with the tray frame; heating to a low temperature (also depending on the physical properties of the packaging film, e.g. about 40°C) over the area of the film material that is inscribed in the medium temperature-heated ring.
- a medium temperature depending on the physical properties of the packaging film, e.g. about 70°C
- a low temperature also depending on the physical properties of the packaging film, e.g. about 40°C
- Low-temperature heating is not necessary for sealing, but is required to cause shrinkage of the film, thereby removing bulges and flattening it; this improves the exterior appearance and facilitates later application of product marking labels.
- Excess film is generally removed by a mechanical punching process, with a punch having a shape mating the shape of the tray frame.
- the production line must be stopped to change the sealing molds, which involves production and delivery delays.
- the trays to be sealed are required to be in line with the mold, such that sealing occurs exactly at the peripheral frame of the trays.
- the means for aligning the trays with the mold e.g. conveyor means formed with tray seats
- the object of this invention is to provide a solution to prior art problems and particularly to the above mentioned problem.
- Figure 1 is a general schematic view of a tray sealing device
- Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a detail of the device of Figure 1 (LED matrix);
- Figure 3 shows the temperature distribution on the LED matrix of Figure 2.
- numeral 1 schematically designates a device 1 for sealing a plastic film material 2 to the raised frame 3 of a food-grade tray 4.
- the device 1 comprises means 5 for feeding a film material 2.
- the means 5 for feeding a film material comprise a powered unwinding roller and a synchronized winding roller, which move the film 2 through a working area 20.
- a sealing mold 6 is provided, which operates in the working area 20.
- the mold 6 is vertically movable and can heat-seal a film material 2 to the frame 3 of at least one tray 4 which is oriented with the concave portion downwards.
- the mold 6 is designed to create a first heating area 61, at an average temperature Tl , which extends over a first ring, substantially and/or generally conforming with the shape of the frame 3 of the tray 4.
- the mold 6 is also designed to create a second heating area 62, at an average temperature T2 ⁇ Tl, which extends in the area inscribed in the first ring 61.
- the temperatures of the first heating area 61 and the second heating area 62 depend on the physical properties of the film material 2.
- the temperature Tl may be of the order of about 70°C, whereas the temperature T2 may be of the order of about 40-50°C.
- a feature of the mold of the device is that it includes a matrix of heating elements which cover the pressing surface of the mold 6 in a grid pattern.
- the mold 6 comprises a plurality n of LEDs, e.g. infrared LEDs 7, 7, ... 7, in such an arrangement as to cover in substantially and/or generally uniform fashion a surface A defined by a perimeter P.
- LEDs e.g. infrared LEDs 7, 7, ... 7, in such an arrangement as to cover in substantially and/or generally uniform fashion a surface A defined by a perimeter P.
- the plurality of infrared LEDs 7, 7, ... 7 cover a square or rectangular surface A.
- Means 8 are also provided for selectively controlling the power of each LED 7.
- the power regulating means 8 are actuated as a processor 14 processes the image of the edge 3 of the tray 4 as taken by a camera system 11, and by a laser barrier 12 or camera 13 device for measuring the tray height.
- the LEDs have a cross section of less than 2,0 mm 2 , thereby allowing sufficiently accurate definition of the edges of the first and second heating areas 61, 62.
- the LEDs have an electric power of at least 10 mW such that, with the LEDs in side-by-side arrangement, a power of at least 0.25 watt/cm 2 is emitted.
- trays of different shapes and sizes may be sealed without replacing the sealing mold, by simply selecting the LEDs to be actuated to heat the first and second areas 61, 62 of the film 2.
- the LEDs 7, 7,... 7 define a generally flat working surface, which is adapted to be pressed against the film 2.
- Each LED of the mold 6 may be protected by a layer of a material that is transparent to the radiation emitted by the LED (such as alumina oxides, crystalline AI 2 O 3 , CaF 2 , etc.), preventing the softening polymeric material from sticking to the surface of the mold 6.
- a material that is transparent to the radiation emitted by the LED such as alumina oxides, crystalline AI 2 O 3 , CaF 2 , etc.
- the entire LED matrix may be covered by a single plate of a material transparent to the radiation emitted by the LEDs.
- the use of a covering material that is transparent to the LED-emitted radiation is preferable when the LED emission spectrum substantially corresponds the absorption spectrum of the material that forms the covering film 2.
- each LED of the mold 6 may be protected by a layer of a material that is opaque to the radiation emitted by the LED (such as silicon oxides, rare earths, or an aluminum sheet as thick as a few tens of microns, etc.), also preventing the softening polymeric material from sticking to the working surface of the mold 6.
- a material that is opaque to the radiation emitted by the LED such as silicon oxides, rare earths, or an aluminum sheet as thick as a few tens of microns, etc.
- the infrared LEDs 7, 7, ... 7 have an emission peak for a length in a range of about 900 nm ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 1000 nm.
- the punch 6 is designed to create a third heating area 63, at an average temperature T3 > Tl, which extends over a second ring, external to the first heating ring.
- the temperature T3 is 90 °C or more.
- the film 2 is cut and excess film is removed by melting.
- the operator may manually select (from a set of default values), the shape and size of the trays 3 which reach the working area 20 of the mold 6, whereby the power of each LED 7 is controlled according to preset rules.
- the device 1 may have means 10 for successively moving a plurality of trays 2 into the working area 20 of the movable mold 6.
- the device 1 comprises an imaging system 11 , which is located above a conveyor belt 10, to detect the shape, size and orientation of the frame 3 of each tray 4 to be sealed.
- the possible embodiment as described above comprises a laser barrier 12 or camera 13 measuring system, for measuring the height of the trays that come into the packaging line.
- the provision of the imaging system allows the use of simple conveyor belts to move the trays.
- the imaging system may include a line-scan or an area-scan camera.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Toxicology (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Closing Of Containers (AREA)
Abstract
There is disclosed a device (1) for sealing a film material (2) to the frame (3) of a tray (4), which comprises: - means (5) for feeding a film material (2); - a vertically movable mold (6) for heat-sealing said film material (2) to the frame (3) of at least one tray (4), said mold (6) being adapted to create - a first heating area (61), for heating said film material (2) to an average temperature Tl, said first heating area extending over a first ring; - a second heating area (62), for heating said film material (2) to an average temperature T2 < Tl, said second heating area extending over the area inscribed in said first ring (61) at the temperature Tl; characterized in that said mold (6) comprises - a matrix n of heating elements (7, 7,...7) and in that - means (8) are provided for selectively controlling the power of each of said heating elements (7, 7,...7).
Description
DEVICE AND PROCESS FOR SEALING A FILM MATERIAL TO THE EDGES OF A TRAY MADE OF A POLYMERIC MATERIAL
Description
There are disclosed herein a device and a process for sealing a film material, particularly a heat-shrink film, to the raised peripheral frame of a tray made of a polymeric material.
In the field of food packaging, polymeric trays, e.g. made of PE, PP, PET, PS materials or combinations thereof, are known to be used.
Such trays are usually manufactured by injection molding, although other technologies may be used, such as thermoforming.
Once the food product has been introduced into the tray, the latter is closed by heat-sealing a covering film to the peripheral frame of the tray.
The tray covering film, usually a clear film, may be a monolayer or multilayer film (e.g. a film made from a linear polyolefin material such as LDPE, LLDPE with appropriate butene, hexene, octane, etc. additives for providing the stretching effect) or a laminated film; various additives may be added to the film material, to change some of the physico chemical properties of the material.
For reliable sealing, the covering film material shall be compatible with the tray material.
According to a prior art technique, the tray is carried below the covering film, then a vertically movable heated mold is lowered to cause an annular portion of the film to contact the mold frame and perform sealing.
The shape and size of the heated mold depend on the shape and size of the tray (and possibly on the number of trays if the machine is designed to carry out simultaneous sealing of multiple trays).
The heated mold simultaneously provides:
heating of the film material to a medium temperature (depending on the physical properties of the packaging film, e.g. about 70°C) over a ring that substantially and/or generally corresponds to the film portion designed for bonding with the tray frame;
heating to a low temperature (also depending on the physical properties of the packaging film, e.g. about 40°C) over the area of the film material that is inscribed in the medium temperature-heated ring.
Medium-temperature heating causes the film to be sealed to the tray frame.
Low-temperature heating is not necessary for sealing, but is required to cause shrinkage of the film, thereby removing bulges and flattening it; this improves the exterior appearance and facilitates later application of product marking labels.
Excess film is generally removed by a mechanical punching process, with a punch having a shape mating the shape of the tray frame.
This prior art technique has a few drawbacks.
For example, as the tray size is changed, the production line must be stopped to change the sealing molds, which involves production and delivery delays.
Furthermore, the trays to be sealed are required to be in line with the mold, such that sealing occurs exactly at the peripheral frame of the trays.
The means for aligning the trays with the mold (e.g. conveyor means formed with tray seats) have operational reliability problems.
The object of this invention is to provide a solution to prior art problems and particularly to the above mentioned problem.
This object may be fulfilled by a device as defined in claim 1 and a process as defined in claim 8.
Further advantages are achieved by the additional features of the dependent claims.
A possible embodiment of the device will be now described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a general schematic view of a tray sealing device;
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a detail of the device of Figure 1 (LED matrix);
Figure 3 shows the temperature distribution on the LED matrix of Figure 2.
In the drawings, numeral 1 schematically designates a device 1 for sealing a plastic film
material 2 to the raised frame 3 of a food-grade tray 4.
The device 1 comprises means 5 for feeding a film material 2.
In a possible embodiment, the means 5 for feeding a film material comprise a powered unwinding roller and a synchronized winding roller, which move the film 2 through a working area 20.
A sealing mold 6 is provided, which operates in the working area 20.
The mold 6 is vertically movable and can heat-seal a film material 2 to the frame 3 of at least one tray 4 which is oriented with the concave portion downwards.
The mold 6 is designed to create a first heating area 61, at an average temperature Tl , which extends over a first ring, substantially and/or generally conforming with the shape of the frame 3 of the tray 4.
The mold 6 is also designed to create a second heating area 62, at an average temperature T2 < Tl, which extends in the area inscribed in the first ring 61.
The temperatures of the first heating area 61 and the second heating area 62 depend on the physical properties of the film material 2.
By way of example, the temperature Tl may be of the order of about 70°C, whereas the temperature T2 may be of the order of about 40-50°C.
A feature of the mold of the device is that it includes a matrix of heating elements which cover the pressing surface of the mold 6 in a grid pattern.
In the preferred embodiment, the mold 6 comprises a plurality n of LEDs, e.g. infrared LEDs 7, 7, ... 7, in such an arrangement as to cover in substantially and/or generally uniform fashion a surface A defined by a perimeter P.
In a possible embodiment, the plurality of infrared LEDs 7, 7, ... 7 cover a square or rectangular surface A.
Means 8 (typically an electronic regulator) are also provided for selectively controlling the power of each LED 7.
The power regulating means 8 are actuated as a processor 14 processes the image of the edge
3 of the tray 4 as taken by a camera system 11, and by a laser barrier 12 or camera 13 device for measuring the tray height.
Preferably, the LEDs have a cross section of less than 2,0 mm2, thereby allowing sufficiently accurate definition of the edges of the first and second heating areas 61, 62.
Preferably, the LEDs have an electric power of at least 10 mW such that, with the LEDs in side-by-side arrangement, a power of at least 0.25 watt/cm2 is emitted.
With these characteristics, trays of different shapes and sizes may be sealed without replacing the sealing mold, by simply selecting the LEDs to be actuated to heat the first and second areas 61, 62 of the film 2.
The LEDs 7, 7,... 7 define a generally flat working surface, which is adapted to be pressed against the film 2.
Each LED of the mold 6 may be protected by a layer of a material that is transparent to the radiation emitted by the LED (such as alumina oxides, crystalline AI2O3, CaF2, etc.), preventing the softening polymeric material from sticking to the surface of the mold 6.
As an alternative to the above solution, in which each LED is covered, the entire LED matrix may be covered by a single plate of a material transparent to the radiation emitted by the LEDs.
The use of a covering material that is transparent to the LED-emitted radiation is preferable when the LED emission spectrum substantially corresponds the absorption spectrum of the material that forms the covering film 2.
As an alternative to the above solution, each LED of the mold 6 (the whole LED covered area) may be protected by a layer of a material that is opaque to the radiation emitted by the LED (such as silicon oxides, rare earths, or an aluminum sheet as thick as a few tens of microns, etc.), also preventing the softening polymeric material from sticking to the working surface of the mold 6.
This solution is preferable when the LED emission spectrum is far from the absorption bands of the material that forms the film, or when the device operates with covering films 2 having a variable chemical nature.
In one embodiment, the infrared LEDs 7, 7, ... 7 have an emission peak for a length in a
range of about 900 nm < λ < 1000 nm.
The use of a matrix of LEDs 7, 7, ... 7 provides instantaneous emission of light and/or heat radiation, which is not allowed with resistive or induction heaters, where thermal time constants are higher.
In the illustrated embodiment, the punch 6 is designed to create a third heating area 63, at an average temperature T3 > Tl, which extends over a second ring, external to the first heating ring.
Typically, the temperature T3 is 90 °C or more.
With this characteristic, the film 2 is cut and excess film is removed by melting.
In a first embodiment of the device 1 , the operator may manually select (from a set of default values), the shape and size of the trays 3 which reach the working area 20 of the mold 6, whereby the power of each LED 7 is controlled according to preset rules.
The device 1 may have means 10 for successively moving a plurality of trays 2 into the working area 20 of the movable mold 6.
In a possible embodiment, the device 1 comprises an imaging system 11 , which is located above a conveyor belt 10, to detect the shape, size and orientation of the frame 3 of each tray 4 to be sealed.
Additionally, the possible embodiment as described above comprises a laser barrier 12 or camera 13 measuring system, for measuring the height of the trays that come into the packaging line.
With this characteristic, no arrangement is required to impart a particular orientation to the trays, and the power of each LED 7 is controlled according to the shape, size and orientation of each tray.
It shall be particularly noted that the provision of the imaging system allows the use of simple conveyor belts to move the trays.
The imaging system may include a line-scan or an area-scan camera.
Claims
1. A device (1) for sealing a film material (2) to the frame (3) of a tray (4), comprising
a) means (5) for feeding a film material (2);
b) a movable mold (6) for heat-sealing said film material (2) to the frame (3) of at least one tray (4), said mold (6) being adapted to create
- a first heating area (61), at an average temperature Tl, said first heating area extending over a first ring;
- a second heating area (62), at an average temperature T2 < Tl, said second heating area extending over the area inscribed in said first ring (61) at the temperature Tl,
characterized in that said mold (6) comprises
c) a matrix n of heating elements (7, 7, ...7)
and in that
d) means (8) are provided for selectively controlling the power of each of said heating elements (7, 7, ...7).
2. A device as in claim 1, wherein said heating means (7, 7, ... 7) are LEDs.
3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the LEDs emit infrared radiation.
4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said mold (6) is designed to create a third heating area (63), at an average temperature T3 > Tl, which extends over a second ring, external to said first heating ring.
5. A device as claimed in claim 2 or 3 or 4, wherein the LEDs (7, 7, ... 7) of said mold (6) are covered by a layer of material that is transparent to the emitted radiation, said transparent material being designed to operate in contact with said film material (2).
6. A device as claimed in claim 2 or 3 or 4, wherein said LEDs (7, 7, ... 7) of said mold (6) are covered by a layer of material that is opaque to the emitted radiation, said opaque material being designed to operate in contact with said film material (2).
7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, having an imaging system (12, 13) for detecting the shape, size and orientation of the frame (3) of each tray (4) to be sealed.
8. A device as claimed in claim 7, having a flat conveyor belt (10) for successively moving said plurality of trays (3, 3, ... 3) into the working area of said mold (6).
9. A process for sealing a plastic film material (2) to the frame (3) of a tray (4), comprising the simultaneous steps of:
- exerting a pressure between said film (2) and the frame (3) of said tray (4);
- heating said film (2) to an average temperature Tl, over an area extending in a closed loop (61), substantially and/or generally overlying said frame (3);
- heating said film (2) to an average temperature T2 < Tl, over an area inscribed in said closed loop, characterized in that heating occurs by selective actuation of part of a plurality of heating pixels (7, 7, ...7).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ITMI2012A000607 | 2012-04-13 | ||
IT000607A ITMI20120607A1 (en) | 2012-04-13 | 2012-04-13 | DEVICE AND PROCEDURE TO WELD A MATERIAL IN A FILM ON THE EDGES OF A POLYMERIC MATERIAL TRAY |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2013153104A1 true WO2013153104A1 (en) | 2013-10-17 |
Family
ID=46028065
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2013/057471 WO2013153104A1 (en) | 2012-04-13 | 2013-04-10 | Device and process for sealing a film material to the edges of a tray made of a polymeric film |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
IT (1) | ITMI20120607A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2013153104A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2016055598A1 (en) * | 2014-10-10 | 2016-04-14 | Cryovac, Inc. | Apparatus and process for packaging a product |
US20170305586A1 (en) * | 2014-10-10 | 2017-10-26 | Cryovac, Inc. | Apparatus and process for packaging a product |
EP3783302A1 (en) * | 2019-08-20 | 2021-02-24 | Bizerba SE & Co. KG | Object measuring system for a packaging machine for determining the dimensions of a base surface and a height of a packaging tray to be wrapped |
WO2022245930A1 (en) * | 2021-05-20 | 2022-11-24 | Cargill, Incorporated | A method for manufacturing a pouch for holding therein a liquid and pouch for holding therein a liquid |
WO2023274675A1 (en) * | 2021-07-01 | 2023-01-05 | Rovema Gmbh | Method for operating a tubular-bag machine |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3767076A (en) * | 1971-08-12 | 1973-10-23 | Owens Illinois Inc | Plastic container |
US3823054A (en) * | 1972-02-09 | 1974-07-09 | K Knobel | Apparatus for heat-sealing packages |
FR2808502A1 (en) * | 2000-03-24 | 2001-11-09 | Enterline Co Ltd | Packaging unit for foodstuff containers comprises a bottom section with container holding elements and a packaging film roll, and a hinged lid with springs and heating elements |
EP2374730A1 (en) * | 2010-04-07 | 2011-10-12 | Ton Kamp | Method, device and stamp for producing a sealed container as well as a sealed container with a product to be preserved therein |
-
2012
- 2012-04-13 IT IT000607A patent/ITMI20120607A1/en unknown
-
2013
- 2013-04-10 WO PCT/EP2013/057471 patent/WO2013153104A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3767076A (en) * | 1971-08-12 | 1973-10-23 | Owens Illinois Inc | Plastic container |
US3823054A (en) * | 1972-02-09 | 1974-07-09 | K Knobel | Apparatus for heat-sealing packages |
FR2808502A1 (en) * | 2000-03-24 | 2001-11-09 | Enterline Co Ltd | Packaging unit for foodstuff containers comprises a bottom section with container holding elements and a packaging film roll, and a hinged lid with springs and heating elements |
EP2374730A1 (en) * | 2010-04-07 | 2011-10-12 | Ton Kamp | Method, device and stamp for producing a sealed container as well as a sealed container with a product to be preserved therein |
Cited By (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2016055598A1 (en) * | 2014-10-10 | 2016-04-14 | Cryovac, Inc. | Apparatus and process for packaging a product |
CN107108053A (en) * | 2014-10-10 | 2017-08-29 | 克里奥瓦克公司 | Apparatus and process for packaging products |
US20170305586A1 (en) * | 2014-10-10 | 2017-10-26 | Cryovac, Inc. | Apparatus and process for packaging a product |
US20170305585A1 (en) * | 2014-10-10 | 2017-10-26 | Cryovac, Inc. | Apparatus and process for packaging a product |
RU2680034C2 (en) * | 2014-10-10 | 2019-02-14 | Криовак, Инк. | Device and method for packaging product |
AU2015329971B2 (en) * | 2014-10-10 | 2020-04-30 | Cryovac, Llc | Apparatus and process for packaging a product |
EP3204211B1 (en) | 2014-10-10 | 2020-07-08 | Cryovac, LLC | Apparatus and process for packaging a product |
EP3736114A1 (en) * | 2014-10-10 | 2020-11-11 | Cryovac, LLC | Apparatus and process for packaging a product |
US10926904B2 (en) | 2014-10-10 | 2021-02-23 | Cryovac, Llc | Apparatus and process for packaging a product |
EP3783302A1 (en) * | 2019-08-20 | 2021-02-24 | Bizerba SE & Co. KG | Object measuring system for a packaging machine for determining the dimensions of a base surface and a height of a packaging tray to be wrapped |
WO2022245930A1 (en) * | 2021-05-20 | 2022-11-24 | Cargill, Incorporated | A method for manufacturing a pouch for holding therein a liquid and pouch for holding therein a liquid |
WO2023274675A1 (en) * | 2021-07-01 | 2023-01-05 | Rovema Gmbh | Method for operating a tubular-bag machine |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ITMI20120607A1 (en) | 2013-10-14 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
WO2013153104A1 (en) | Device and process for sealing a film material to the edges of a tray made of a polymeric film | |
US11273943B2 (en) | Blister packaging machine | |
US20180085998A1 (en) | Additive manufacturing device with a heating device | |
CN104441587B (en) | Hot forming machine of plastic cup cover | |
CN104254482B (en) | Packaging system and its manufacture method | |
US10368568B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for the manufacture of crab stick | |
US20140069921A1 (en) | Three dimensional, continuous and configuration heat soldering | |
CN104275782A (en) | Heating device | |
WO2022179892A1 (en) | Integrated thermoformer adhesive coating system | |
ES2788181T3 (en) | Devices for packaging trays | |
JP5338599B2 (en) | Variable heat seal device for bag making machine | |
FI83489C (en) | Method and apparatus for joining thermoplastic materials | |
TW201134635A (en) | Process for producing a thermoformed film component from a thermoplastic | |
CN211281722U (en) | Sealing device and packaging machine | |
CN203450458U (en) | Packaging and sealing equipment capable of rapidly cooling soft packaging bag | |
GB2606292A (en) | Integrated thermoformer adhesive coating system | |
CN203450454U (en) | Flexible package bag fixing sealing device | |
KR20020068805A (en) | A apparatus and method for laminating a film on a paper containor | |
EP3310556B1 (en) | Additive manufacturing device with a heating device and method for operating the additive manufacturing device | |
ES2943515T3 (en) | Thermoforming set to manufacture containers | |
JP3556596B2 (en) | Heating device for thermoforming machine | |
JP2003081206A (en) | Ptp packaging machine and method therefor | |
JP2004050343A (en) | Punching shift preventive apparatus | |
US11932440B2 (en) | Thermoforming packaging machine | |
JP2002172689A (en) | Shutter device for thermal molding machine |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application |
Ref document number: 13715968 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A1 |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: DE |
|
122 | Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase |
Ref document number: 13715968 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A1 |