WO2017162732A1

WO2017162732A1 - Apparatus for packaging food products

Info

Publication number: WO2017162732A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/056811
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ruggero Pietro MARCHIORETTO
Original assignee: Lafer Packaging S.R.L.
Priority date: 2016-03-22
Filing date: 2017-03-22
Publication date: 2017-09-28
Also published as: ITUA20161898A1

Abstract

An apparatus for packaging food products (12) comprises a packaging station (20) configured for the insertion of a food product (12) in a bag (16; 116) and a conveyor device (18), configured to feed the food products (12) toward said packaging station (20).

Description

"APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING FOOD PRODUCTS"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an apparatus for packaging food products, usable downstream of a production line for products to pack and package the products obtained in order to protect their organoleptic characteristics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In lines and plants for producing food products, it is known to use packaging apparatuses, in order to package and pack the products obtained in a bag of suitable material, so as to protect their organoleptic characteristics and to preserve the quality of the product throughout all the steps of distribution, as far as the end consumer.

Packaging apparatuses are also known which provide to use ready-made bags, that is, closed on three sides, and with one side open in correspondence with the direction of feed of the product to be packaged, generally stacked one on top of the other, known in the field as "wicket bag".

Packaging apparatuses that use ready-formed bags are useful if it is necessary to process small orders, so it is necessary to use different types of bags or package groups of products with dedicated bags, but at the same time the pile of bags has to be frequently restored.

By way of example, if we hypothesize that the piles of bags contain about 200- 250 bags each, and that the working speed is equal to about 70-80 packages a minute, the piles have to be restored every 2-3 minutes to guarantee continuous packaging.

These apparatuses are therefore not very efficient for large orders, where it is necessary to process a large quantity of products all having the same characteristics.

Packaging apparatuses are also known that produce the bags in line, starting from reels of film in an open or folded form.

Such packaging apparatuses that use bags produced from reels are particularly advantageous for large quantities of products to be packaged, since the reels can contain enough film to form up to 12,000 bags, but for the same reason they are not very efficient if different types of products are to be processed, which require different bag sizes or particular prints made on them.

In the case of small orders, in fact, these apparatuses need to use reels of film that, if not adequately sized, can entail great expense and wasted material that remains unused.

Furthermore, in the case of small orders, suitable reels of film have to be frequently removed and inserted, with a consequent loss of productivity of the apparatus.

One purpose of the present invention is to supply a packaging apparatus that is versatile and that allows to package products both with bags formed from a reel, and also with ready-made bags.

Another purpose is to supply a packaging apparatus that is efficient in all operating conditions and needs.

Another purpose is to supply a packaging apparatus that is usable both in production lines in which the product to be packaged is fed from the right, and also in production lines in which the product to be packaged is fed from the left, by making only minimum modifications.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, an apparatus for packaging food products comprises a conveyor device, configured to feed the food products toward a packaging station, in which there are containing and positioning means configured to receive a product and insert it in a bag.

The packaging apparatus according to the present invention also comprises a first bag feeding unit, configured to feed the bags produced in line starting from a film wound around a reel, and a second bag feeding unit, configured to feed already formed bags, generally stacked one on top of the other.

In particular, the packaging station is configured to be selectively fed with the bags produced in line, fed by the first bag feeding unit, or with already formed bags, fed by the second bag feeding unit.

According to some embodiments, downstream of the first bag feeding unit the packaging apparatus according to the present invention comprises a transport bench, configured to receive the bags made by the first bag feeding unit and transport them to the packaging station.

According to some embodiments, the transport bench is configured mobile between an active position, in which it is able to cooperate with the bag feeding unit to feed the bags produced in line, and an inactive position, in which, alternatively to the first bag feeding unit, the second bag feeding unit is made available to feed the already formed bags to the packaging station.

According to some embodiments, the transport bench is configured to be made inactive with respect to the production line of the bags.

According to possible solutions, the transport bench is provided with first actuation members configured to move it between the active position and the inactive position.

According to some embodiments, the second bag feeding unit is associated with second actuation members configured to move it between an inactive position and an active position.

In accordance with other embodiments, the first actuation members and the second actuation members are driven in coordinated and non-interfering mode. In this way, when the transport bench moves from the active position to the inactive position, the second bag feeding unit can move from its own inactive position to its own active position, and vice versa.

According to possible solutions, the transport bench is rotatably pivoted around a first axis of rotation and the second bag feeding unit is rotatably pivoted around a second axis of rotation.

In accordance with other embodiments, the first and the second axes of rotation are parallel to each other, so that in the respective movements the transport bench and the second feeding unit do not interfere with each other.

In this way, it is possible to pass easily and quickly from feeding bags produced in line to feeding already formed bags, and vice versa, simply by rotating the transport bench around the axis of rotation, enabling on each occasion and/or excluding the use of one or other of the feeding units. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a schematic view in perspective of a packaging apparatus according to embodiments described here;

- fig. 2 is a perspective view of part of the packaging apparatus in fig. 1 in one operating configuration;

- fig. 3 is a perspective view of part of the packaging apparatus in fig. 1 in another operating configuration;

- fig. 4 is a perspective view of the packaging apparatus in the operating configuration of fig. 3 during the packaging of a food product;

- fig. 5 is a perspective view of the packaging apparatus in the operating configuration of fig. 2 during the packaging of a food product.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

We shall now refer in detail to the various embodiments of the present invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawing. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof. For example, the characteristics shown or described insomuch as they are part of one embodiment can be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce another embodiment. It is understood that the present invention shall include all such modifications and variants.

Figs. 1-5 are used to describe embodiments of a packaging apparatus 10 for food products 12, for example usable downstream of a production line or plant for such products.

In accordance with preferred embodiments, the products 12 to be packaged can be products from the oven or suchlike, even if the use of the apparatus 10 to package any other type of food product is not excluded. The packaging apparatus 10 comprises a packaging station 20, in correspondence with which the food products 12 are each inserted into a bag 16, 1 16, and a conveyor device 18, configured to feed the food product 12 in a product feed direction D toward the packaging station 20.

The packaging apparatus 10 according to the present invention comprises a first bag feeding unit 14, configured to feed bags produced in line 16, and a second bag feeding unit 15, configured to feed bags already formed 1 16, stacked one on top of the other, also defined in this field as "wicket bags".

According to some embodiments, the first bag feeding unit 14 is also configured to produce a bag in line 16 starting from a film 22 wound on a reel 24.

According to some embodiments, the film 22 can be made by folding a sheet of flat material in a longitudinal direction.

According to some embodiments, the film 22 has a single asymmetrical fold, that is, on one side it is closed by the fold, while on the opposite side it has two open flaps 22a, 22b of different lengths, in which a first flap, or lower flap 22a, is longer than the second, or upper flap 22b.

According to some embodiments, the first bag feeding unit 14 comprises, disposed in a bag feed direction F, toward the packaging station 20, a reel loading station 26, and a cutting and heat-welding station 28, configured to cut and weld the film 22 in order to form the bags in line 16.

According to some embodiments, the reel loading station 26 comprises a plurality of return rolls on which the film 22 is wound in order to supply it to the cutting and heat-welding station 28 with the desired tension.

According to possible embodiments, the cutting and heat-welding station 28 comprises a cutting device and one or more welding devices. The film 22 is fed into the cutting and heat-welding station 28, in which it is cut in the direction transverse to the direction of feed, and the cut parts are welded to each other, so as to obtain a bag produced in line 16 with three closed sides and one open side, the side opposite the open side is closed by the fold and the lateral sides are closed by welding.

According to some embodiments, the cutting and heat-welding operations can be performed at the same time, or one after the other.

According to some embodiments, the cutting and heat-welding unit 28 comprises one or more actuation members configured to drive the cutting device and/or the welding devices. In accordance with possible solutions, the one or more actuation members can comprises a motor of the brushless type, which advantageously allows to regulate in a continuous and gradual manner the power and the temperature needed for the heat-welding, for example as a function of the type of material of which the film 22 is made.

According to possible solutions, the packaging apparatus 10 also comprises a transport bench 30, located downstream of the first bag feeding unit 14.

According to embodiments described using figs. 2-3, the transport bench 30 is mobile between an active position, in which it cooperates with the first bag feeding unit 14 to feed the bags produced in line 16 to the packaging station, and an inactive position, in which it excludes the first bag feeding unit 14 and renders the second bag feeding unit 15 available to feed the already formed bags 1 16.

According to some embodiments, the transport bench 30 can be inclined and horizontally pivoting with respect to a first axis of rotation X aligned with the side of the transport bench 30 facing toward the first bag feeding unit 14.

In particular, the transport bench 30 in the active position is aligned so as to form a support plane for the bags produced in line 16 between the first bag feeding unit 14 and the packaging station 20.

In the inactive position, the transport bench 30 can be rotated upward, in order to be disposed transversely to the bag production line, to exclude the first bag feeding unit 14, and render the second bag feeding unit 15 available.

According to embodiments described using figs. 2- 3, the transport bench 30 is installed in a horizontally pivoting manner around the axis of rotation X in correspondence with a first end 30a facing toward the bag feeding unit 14 that acts as a pin, leaving the opposite end 30b free to move.

According to some embodiments, the transport bench 30 in correspondence with the first end 30a comprises first pivoting members 52, configured to constrain the rotation of the transport bench 30 with respect to the axis of rotation X.

According to some embodiments, the pivoting members 52 cooperate with corresponding second pivoting members 54 present on a fixed part of the apparatus 10, for example in correspondence with the cutting and heat- welding station 28, in order to constrain the movement of the transport bench 30.

According to some embodiments, the transport bench 30 is provided with first actuation members 56, configured to move it between the active position and the inactive position and vice versa.

According to some embodiments, the first actuation members 56 can be chosen from a group comprising a linear actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, an electric actuator, a kinematism, an articulated mechanism, a thrust member or a possible combination thereof.

According to possible solutions, the first actuation members 56 are driven by drive members 58.

In accordance with possible solutions, the drive members 58 can be motors of the brushless type, that allow to regulate in a simple and precise manner the positioning of the transport bench 30.

According to some embodiments, on an upper side 60, substantially aligned with the first bag feeding unit 14 in the active position of the transport bench 30, the transport bench 30 comprises a mat or conveyor belt 31, configured to receive the bags produced in line 16 from the first bag feeding unit 14 and to take them in correspondence with the packaging station 20.

The conveyor belt 31 can be provided with holes 33 associated with a suction circuit, not shown in the drawings, by means of which a bag produced in line 16 can be held by suction, thus guaranteeing the correct positioning in correspondence with the packaging station 20.

According to some embodiments, the conveyor belt 31 can be moved by suitable movement members 36.

According to some embodiments, the packaging apparatus 10 comprises a first holding device 32 cooperating with the transport bench 30 and configured to prepare a bag produced in line 16 for the insertion of a food product 12.

In particular, the first holding device 32 can be configured to grip and inflate a bag produced in line 16, keeping it open and in the correct position for the packaging operation of the food product 12.

According to some embodiments, the first holding device 32 can comprise a gripping or vise element 34, configured to hold a bag produced in line 16, for example acting on the lower flap 22a in order to keep it pressed against the transport bench 30.

According to possible solutions, the first holding device 32 is also configured to operate on the non-welded part of the bag produced in line 16 by blowing in air.

According to some embodiments, the gripping element 34 can comprise one or more air delivery channels, directed to determine the opening of the bag produced in line 16 and/or keep it open.

According to some embodiments, the first holding device 32 is disposed in a fixed position in correspondence with the packaging station 20.

According to possible variant embodiments, the first holding device 32 is mobile between the cutting and heat-welding station 28 and the packaging station 20, and is configured to grip a bag produced in line 16 in correspondence with the cutting and heat- welding station 28 and translate it to the packaging station 20.

According to some embodiments, the first holding device 32 is associated with movement members configured to move it between the first bag feeding unit 14 and the packaging station 20, and/or in a vertical direction between a raised position with respect to the transport bench 30 and a position in contact with it. According to possible solutions, the second bag feeding unit 15 can be pivoted rotatably around a second axis of rotation X' between an inactive position and an active position.

According to some embodiments, the second bag feeding unit 15 is provided with second actuation members 67, configured to move it between the inactive position and the active position and vice versa.

According to some embodiments, the second actuation members 67 can be chosen from a group comprising a linear actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, an electric actuator, a kinematism, an articulated mechanism, a thrust member or a possible combination thereof.

According to possible solutions, the actuation members 67 are driven by drive members 69.

According to possible solutions, the drive members 69 can be brushless motors, which allow to regulate, simply and precisely, the position of the second bag feeding unit 15. According to some implementations, the actuation members 56, 67 of the transport bench 30 and the second bag feeding unit 15 are driven in a coordinated and non-interfering manner. In this way, when the transport bench 30 passes from the active position to the inactive position, the second bag feeding unit 1 passes from its own inactive position to its active position, and vice versa.

According to some embodiments, the second bag feeding unit 15 comprises a support plane 66, configured to support a pile of bags already formed 1 16.

According to some solutions, in the inactive position of the second bag feeding unit 15, the support plane 66 is disposed under the transport bench 30, while in the active position the support plane 66 is positioned in correspondence with the packaging station 20, aligned on a plane substantially parallel to the conveyor device 18.

According to some embodiments, the second bag feeding unit 15 can comprise a support bracket 64, configured to support the support plane 66.

According to some embodiments, the support bracket 64 is attached rotatably around the second axis of rotation X' by pivoting members 65.

According to possible solutions, the second axis of rotation X' is substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation X, so that the rotation movements of the transport bench 30 and the support plane 66 can be coordinated without interfering with each other.

According to possible solutions, the support bracket 64 can be pivoted to the first bag feeding unit. According to a possible variant, the support bracket 64 can be constrained to a lower side 62 of the transport bench 30, so as to rotate together with it.

According to some embodiments, the already formed bags 1 16 are closed on three sides and have an open side provided with a first flap, or lower flap 122a, longer than a second flap, or upper flap 122b.

According to some solutions, the lower flap 122a is provided with through holes configured to allow the correct positioning and alignment of the already formed bags 1 16 on the support plane 66.

According to some embodiments, the support plane 66 comprises a positioning element 68 configured to cooperate with the through holes of the bags 116 so as to constrain them and keep them in the desired position. According to some embodiments, the positioning element 68 can be provided with a hook element, not shown, configured to be inserted into the through holes of the already formed bags 1 16 and to constrain them in the desired position.

According to some embodiments, the lower flap 122a can comprise a facilitated separation line, disposed in correspondence with the through holes and configured to allow a facilitated separation of the already formed bag 116 from the positioning element 68.

According to some embodiments, the second bag feeding unit 15 comprises a second holding element 70, cooperating with the support plane 66 and configured to prepare an already formed bag 1 16 for the insertion of a food product 12.

According to some embodiments, the second holding element 70 can comprise a gripping element 72 to hold an already formed bag 116, in the same way as described for the first holding element 32.

According to some embodiments, the gripping element 72 can be provided with air delivery channels configured to operate on the open side of the already formed bag 1 16 held, so as to open it and keep it open.

The mobile transport bench 30 therefore allows to selectively use both bags produced in line 16 fed by the first bag feeding unit 14 and also already formed bags 1 16 fed by the second bag feeding unit 15. This makes the packaging apparatus 10 versatile and economic both for standard packaging, where reels 24 of film 22 can be used, thus entailing fewer maintenance operations during the working process, and also for particular types of packaging, for example which require bags with different printing from the standard ones.

The packaging operations performed in correspondence with the packaging station 20 are substantially the same for both configurations of the apparatus 10.

The food products 12 are transported by the conveyor device 18, while the bags 16, 116, depending on the required feed mode, are fed by the first bag feeding unit 14 or the second bag feeding unit 15.

In possible solutions, the conveyor device 18 comprises transport members 42 configured to move the food products 12 in the product feed direction D. In particular, the transport members 42 can be configured to move the food products 12 at least as far as the packaging station 20. Examples of transport members 42 can be a conveyor belt, a closed-ring conveyor belt, a closed-ring mat, etc. According to some embodiments, in correspondence with the packaging station 20, the packaging apparatus 10 comprises containing and positioning means 44 configured to accommodate a product 12 to be packaged and to insert it in a bag 16, 1 16.

According to some embodiments, the containing and positioning means 44 are configured mobile in a direction of translation G in order to actuate the insertion of a product 12 in a bag 16, 1 16.

According to some embodiments, the direction of translation G is perpendicular to the product feed direction D and to the open side of the bag 16, 1 16.

According to some embodiments, the containing and positioning means 44 comprise a containing cradle 46 disposed downstream of the conveyor device 18.

In possible solutions, the containing cradle 46 is positioned with its longitudinal development in the direction of translation G, and is configured to accommodate a food product 12 at the end of the conveyor belt 42.

According to some embodiments, the containing cradle 46 is equipped with insertion means 47a, 47b configured to cooperate with a bag 16 in order to insert a food product 12 therein.

According to some embodiments, the containing cradle 46 is mobile in the direction of translation G between an inactive position in which it is retracted with respect to the conveyor device 18 and a position of insertion in which it is positioned inside a bag 16, 1 16 held by the respective holding device 32, 72.

In particular, the containing cradle 46, on its travel back and forth in the direction of translation G, accommodates a food product 12 and is partly inserted into an open bag 16, 1 16; subsequently, by means of the insertion means 47a, 47b, it holds the bag 16, 116 and translates it backward around the food product 12, until it returns to the inactive position.

According to some embodiments, there can be a contrast element, not shown, configured to act as an abutment element for the food product 12 when the containing cradle 46 returns toward the inactive position, so as to ensure the position of the food product 12 inside the bag 16, 116.

According to some embodiments, the packaging station 20 comprises a transport device 51, for example a conveyor belt, disposed downstream of the conveyor device 18 and configured to receive the food products 12 packaged in bags 16, 1 16 and to transport them toward subsequent finishing, packing and/or storage stations.

According to possible solutions the insertion means comprise a lower arm 47a integrated with the containing cradle 46 and an upper arm 47b, pivoted in an inclinable manner with respect to the lower arm 47a. The upper arm 47b can assume at least a first insertion position in which it is inclined downward to facilitate the insertion of the containing cradle 46 in a bag 16, 116 and a second position of constraint in which it is substantially parallel to the lower arm 47a, in order to keep the bag 16, 1 16 open and hold it.

According to some embodiments, the containing and positioning means 44 comprise movement members 48 configured to move the containing cradle 46 forward and backward in the direction of translation G.

According to possible solutions, the movement members 48 can comprise guide elements 50, for example sliding guides or sliders, configured to determine the translation of the containing cradle 46 in the direction of translation G.

According to some embodiments, the containing cradle 46 can cooperate with the holding device 32, or with the gripping element 72, to release the bag 16, 1 16 being held thereby.

For example, if it is provided to feed bags produced in line 16, the containing cradle 46 can translate further in the direction of translation G to distance the lower flap 22a from the gripping element 34.

If it is provided to feed already formed bags 1 16, the containing cradle 46 can translate further in the direction of translation G to distance the lower flap 122a from the gripping element 72, for example causing the separation of the segment constrained to the positioning element 68 by breaking the lower flap 122a along the facilitated separation line.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the packaging apparatus as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of packaging apparatus, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

Claims

1. Apparatus for packaging food products (12) comprising a packaging station (20) configured for the insertion of a food product (12) in a bag (16; 1 16) and a conveyor device (18), configured to feed the food products (12) toward said packaging station (20), characterized in that it comprises a first bag feeding unit

(14) configured to feed bags produced in line (16), and a second bag feeding unit

(15) configured to feed already formed bags (116), ready and stacked one on top of the other, said packaging station (20) being configured to be selectively fed with said bags produced in line (16) fed from said first bag feeding unit (14), or with already formed bags (1 16) fed from said second bag feeding unit (15).

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a transport bench (30), disposed downstream of the first bag feeding unit (14), and configured to supply said bags produced in line (16) to said packaging station (20), said transport bench (30) being configured mobile between an active position, in which it is able to cooperate with said bag feeding unit (14) to feed said bags produced in line (16), and an inactive positon, in which, alternatively to said first bag feeding unit (14), said second bag feeding unit (15) is made available to feed said already formed bags (116) to said packaging station (20).

3. Apparatus as in claim 2, characterized in that said transport bench (30) is configured to be made inactive with respect to a production line of the bags produced in line (16).

4. Apparatus as in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said transport bench (30) is provided with first actuation members (56) configured to move it between the active position and the inactive position.

5. Apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said second bag feeding unit (15) is associated with second actuation members (67) configured to move it between an inactive position and an active position.

6. Apparatus as in claims 4 and 5, characterized in that said first actuation members (56) and said second actuation members (67) are driven in coordinated and non- interfering mode.

7. Apparatus as in any of the claims from 2 to 6, characterized in that said transport bench (30) is rotatably pivoted around a first axis of rotation (X) and said second bag feeding unit (15) is rotatably pivoted around a second axis of rotation (Χ').

8. Apparatus as in claim 7, characterized in that said axes of rotation (X, X') are parallel to each other.

9. Apparatus as in any of the claims from 5 to 8, characterized in that said second bag feeding unit (15) comprises a support plane (66) configured to support said already formed bags (1 16), said support plane (66) being disposed below said transport bench (30) in the inactive position of said second bag feeding unit (15) and being in line with said conveyor (18) in the active position of said second bag feeding unit (15).

10. Apparatus as in claims 2 and 9, characterized in that it comprises a first gripping device (32) able to cooperate with said transport bench (30) and configured to prepare a bag produced in line (16) for the insertion of a food product (12), and a second gripping element (70), able to cooperate with said support plane (66) and configured to prepare an already formed bag (1 16) for the insertion of a food product (12).