WO2018142373A1

WO2018142373A1 - System for closing containers by means of closing elements obtained from a continuous sheet of material for a double pitch packaging machine

Info

Publication number: WO2018142373A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/050733
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonio Gigante; Luca Cavazza; Andrea Biondi
Original assignee: G.D Società per Azioni
Priority date: 2017-02-06
Filing date: 2018-02-06
Publication date: 2018-08-09
Also published as: IT201700012521A1

Abstract

System (1) for closing containers (C) by means of closing elements obtained from a continuous sheet (S) of material, comprising: first conveying means (2), for conveying rows (R1, R2) of containers (C) along a double pitch path (P1) for feeding containers, in a first direction (D1); and second conveying means (3), for conveying the continuous sheet along a path (P2); and a first closing device (41) and a second closing device (42), for removing closing elements (E) from the sheet (S) and applying the same to the rows (R1, R2) of containers (C). In particular, the second conveying means (3) comprise a first conveying assembly (32, 33) arranged so that the continuous sheet is conveyed along a first portion (P21) and along a second portion (P22) of the path (P2), parallel to the first direction (D1); and a second conveying assembly (31, 34, 35, 36) arranged so that the continuous sheet is conveyed along a third portion (P23) of the path (P2), interposed between the first portion (P21) and the second portion (P22), which develops in a second direction (D2), inclined with respect to the first direction (D1). The first conveying assembly (32, 33) and the second conveying assembly (31, 34, 35, 36) develop on different lying planes; and the first closing device (41) and the second closing device (42) are arranged at the first portion (P21) and at the second portion (P22) of the path (P2).

Description

SYSTEM FOR CLOSING CONTAINERS BY MEANS OF CLOSING ELEMENTS OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS SHEET OF MATERIAL FOR A DOUBLE

PITCH PACKAGING MACHINE" PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No. 102017000012521 filed on 06/02/2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention falls within the technical field of automatic machines for filling and closing containers. In particular, the invention relates to a system for closing containers by means of closing elements obtained from a continuous sheet of material for a double pitch packaging machine .

PRIOR ART

Automatic machines for packaging (filling and closing containers are known, used for example in the foodstuff field.

The containers to be filled and closed (for example yoghurt jars or capsules for infusion or soluble products) are usually arranged inside rectangular trays which comprise a plurality of seats arranged in a row, each seat is shaped to receive a container .

The trays are fed by a pitch movement along a feeding path, where the containers are filled and then closed.

In detail, for closing the containers, a continuous sheet of material is fed above the trays, which is then cut by punching and sealing means which move from top to bottom for forming the sheet closing elements (for example having a circular shape) , which are fixed to the edges of the containers (generally heat-sealed) . For example, patent application US3509682A describes a packaging machine in which two closing elements at a time are obtained from a continuous sheet which are subsequently heat- sealed to the upper edges of respective containers.

A significant problem in this type of machine is represented by the vast amount of sheet material scraps deriving from the cutting operations described above for forming the closing elements .

In known art, the problem has been faced with regard to packaging machines which provide the feeding, by a single pitch movement, of the rows of containers along the respective conveying path, i.e. the feeding of a single row of containers at a time, on which the operation is performed.

In particular, some known solutions provide for the feeding of the continuous sheet of material along a direction inclined with respect to the advancement of the trays. In this way, by appropriately feeding the trays and the continuous sheet, it is possible to make the most of the available material for closing the containers.

However, the aforementioned problem has not yet been solved for those types of double pitch packaging machines, namely those packaging machines in which two rows of containers are fed at a time.

Moreover, the above-mentioned solutions, known for single pitch packaging machines, are not applicable to continuous machines, but only to alternating machines.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned drawback. The aforesaid object is solved by proposing a system for closing containers by means of closing elements obtained from a continuous sheet of material for a double pitch packaging machine according to the present invention.

Advantageously, the proposed system allows the optimization of the material for closing containers in double pitch packaging machines . Furthermore, the system is applicable to both continuous and alternating machines, in contrast to the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantages will be better highlighted in the following discussion, with the aid of the attached drawings, wherein:

- Figure 1 is a side view of a system for closing containers according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 is a perspective and enlarged view of the system of Figure 1, in which some parts have been removed to better highlight others;

- Figure 2A is a perspective and partial view of a system according to the invention, to highlight a part different from that of Figure 2;

- Figure 3 is a top view of the system of Figure 2;

- Figure 4 is a perspective, partial and schematic view of a system for closing containers in a second embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 5 is a top view of the system of Figure 4, in which some portions have been removed to better highlight others; - Figures 6, 7 and 8 schematically illustrate a perspective view, a side view and a plan view, respectively, of a system for closing containers in a further embodiment of the invention, in which some parts have been removed to better highlight others .

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION With reference to the attached figures, number 1 denotes a system for closing containers C by means of closing elements E obtained from a continuous sheet S of material. The system 1 is applicable to an automatic double pitch packaging machine. The continuous sheet S of material is, for example, a sheet of heat-sealable material.

For example, the containers C are jars of plastic material, trays, capsules or the like, having an opening suitable for being closed by the closing elements E (e.g. of circular or rectangular shape) obtained from the continuous sheet S of material. The containers C are shown by way of example in Figures 1 and 2A. The containers C are arranged along rows Rl, R2 parallel to one another and perpendicular to a path PI for feeding containers C, which develops along a first direction Dl . With reference to the illustrated case, the path PI for feeding containers C is straight.

For example, the containers C can be arranged, during the handling thereof, inside trays provided with seats so as to define the aforementioned rows Rl, R2 of containers. The system 1 comprises: first conveying means 2, for conveying the rows Rl, R2 of containers C along the double pitch path PI for feeding the containers in the first direction Dl. Clearly, with double pitch, in this case, it is meant that two rows Rl, R2 are fed at a time along the path PI.

The first conveying means 2 have been illustrated, for clarity, in Figure 2A, whereas in the other figures they are only partially visible or have not been shown to better highlight other parts of the system 1. The system 1 comprises, furthermore, second conveying means 3 for conveying the continuous sheet S of material above the containers C along a sheet feeding path P2.

Moreover, the system 1 comprises at least a first closing device 41 and a second closing device 42, to remove closing elements E from the sheet S and apply the same to the rows Rl, R2 of containers C, to close the latter. The first closing device 41 and a second device 42 are illustrated in Figure 1 and schematically shown in Figure 4. In other figures, instead, they are not shown to better highlight different parts of the system 1.

In particular, the second conveying means 3 comprise a first conveying assembly 32, 33 arranged so that the continuous sheet S of material is conveyed along a first portion P21 and along a second portion P22 of the sheet feeding path P2, both parallel to the first direction Dl; and a second conveying assembly 31, 34, 35, 36 arranged so that the continuous sheet S of material is conveyed along at least a third portion P23 of the sheet feeding path P2, interposed between the first portion P21 and the second portion P22, which develops in a second direction D2, inclined with respect to the first direction Dl (i.e. a direction neither parallel nor perpendicular to the first direction Dl) .

Moreover, the first conveying assembly 32, 33 and the second conveying assembly 31, 34, 35, 36 are developed on different lying planes. With reference to the attached figures, the first conveying assembly 32, 33 and the second conveying assembly 31, 34, 35, 36 are developed on planes parallel to one another and arranged at a given mutual distance. Considering the system 1 with respect to the ground, therefore, the first conveying assembly 32, 33 and the second conveying assembly 31, 34, 35, 36 are arranged at different heights from the ground. Furthermore, the first closing device 41 and the second closing device 42 are arranged at the first portion P21 and at the second portion P22 of the sheet feeding path P2, respectively.

Advantageously, the above described system 1 allows the optimization of the use of the continuous sheet S of material (i.e. a reduction of the scraps with respect to the prior art) in a double pitch packaging machine. This advantage is made possible first of all by the inclination given to the continuous sheet S of material in the third portion P23, in which it develops along the direction D2, as well as by the different planes on which the first conveying assembly 32, 33 and the second assembly of conveying 31, 34, 35, 36 lie. In use, the fact that the third portion P23 of the sheet feeding path P2 develops in a second direction D2, inclined with respect to the first direction Dl, ensures optimal longitudinal displacement of the sheet S of material, i.e. the offset position between two rows of closing elements E adjacent to one another to be applied on two rows Rl, R2 of adjacent containers C (see, for example, Figures 2 and 3) . Furthermore, the arrangement on different lying planes of the first conveying assembly 32, 33 and of the second conveying assembly 31, 34, 35, 36 as described above, allows the optimization of the distance between two rows of closing elements E adjacent to one another to be applied on two rows Rl, R2 of adjacent containers C (reference should always be made, for example, to Figures 2 and 3) .

Moreover, the optimization of the sheet S of material during the closure of the containers C is made possible, in combination with the aforesaid features, by the positioning of the first closing device 41 and of the second closing device 42 upstream and downstream of the third portion P23, respectively, as will be better detailed in the following. For the sake of clarity, the advancement of the continuous sheet S of material in the system 1 will now be described. For convenience, a row of first closing devices 41 and a row of second closing devices 42 will be considered. In the figures, in fact, a plurality of first closing devices 41 arranged in a row and a plurality of second closing devices 42 arranged in rows are provided (with each row comprising a number of devices 41, 42 equal to the number of containers C in a row Rl, R2 to be closed) .

The sheet S of material travels the first portion P21 of the respective feeding path P2, where it is parallel to the direction Dl, i.e. parallel and above the containers C to be closed, which advance in rows Rl, R2 with a double pitch movement. Here the first closing devices 41 act, which remove a first row of closing elements E from the sheet S and apply the same to a first row Rl of containers C, thus closing the latter. From the removal of the closing elements E, a first row Fl of holes is formed on the sheet S (indicated for example in Figures 1 and 2) .

Then, the sheet S of material reaches the third portion P23 of the respective feeding path, where it is brought on a lying plane different from that in which it was lying in the first portion P21 and inclined in the direction D2.

Finally, the sheet S of material is conveyed at the second portion P22 of the respective feeding path P2, where it is brought back along the direction Dl . Here the second closing devices 42 are provided, which perform the closure of a second row R2 of containers C, adjacent to the first row Rl of containers, thus removing from the sheet S a second row of closing elements E and forming a second row F2 of holes (see, for example, Figure 2) on the sheet S. Following the deviations in the longitudinal and transverse directions given by the inclination of the sheet S of material in the direction D2 and by the respective transit on different planes, respectively, the second closing devices 42 can act optimally on the sheet S. In other words, the second closing devices 42 form a second row F2 of holes on the sheet S which is displaced and at the minimum useful distance with respect to the previously formed first row Fl of holes, upstream of the third portion P23. In other words, the scrap material of the sheet S between the first row Fl of holes and the second row F2 of holes is the minimum useful for forming the two rows Fl, F2.

According to the preferred embodiment, the distance between the lying plane of the second conveying assembly 31, 34, 35, 36 and the lying plane of the first conveying assembly 32, 33 is adjustable (by way of means not illustrated) . With reference to the above, this possibility makes the system adaptable to different needs, thus making it particularly flexible. In particular, the adjustment between the lying plane of the second conveying assembly 31, 34, 35, 36 and the one of the first conveying assembly 32, 33 can be performed independently from the inclination of the second direction D2 with respect to the first direction Dl . Therefore, in other words, the distance between two rows of closing elements E adjacent to one another to be applied on two rows of containers Rl, R2 can be adjusted independently of the displacement of the same two rows of closing elements E adjacent one to the other.

With reference to the attached figures, the second conveying assembly 31, 34, 35, 36 comprises at least a first idle roller 31, having a development axis that is inclined with respect to the first direction Dl . The inclination of the first roller 31 determines the inclination of the second direction D2. Again, with reference to the figures, the first conveying assembly 32, 33 comprises at least a second idle roller 32 and a third idle roller 33, between which the first idle roller 31 of the second conveying assembly is interposed. With reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, the second 32 and the third 33 idle roller have a development axis that is perpendicular with respect to the first direction Dl, and are arranged upstream and downstream along the sheet feeding path P2, respectively. Again, with reference to the aforementioned figures, the development axis of the first idle roller 31 is inclined with respect to the development axis of the second 32 and of the third 33 idle roller by an angle ranging between 5° and 15°. Clearly, the indicated range is not limitative, but has been included by way of example.

With reference to Figures 4 and 5, the first idle roller 31 has a section with a diameter greater than the diameter of the section of the second 32 and of the third 33 idle roller. Clearly, the ratio between the dimensions of the diameters of the sections can be adjusted as needed.

In the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5, three idle rollers are therefore provided, first 31, second 32 and third 33, with the first having a development axis inclined with respect to the axis of the other two.

According to another embodiment, illustrated in Figures 6 to 8, three rollers (first 31, second 32 and third 33) are again provided, but, in this case, the development axes of the three rollers are parallel to one another and inclined with respect to the first direction Dl (not perpendicular) ; see in detail Figure 8. In this case, in the figures, the diameter of the section of the first roller 31 is equal to the diameter of the section of the second 32 and of the third roller 33. Advantageously, as clearly shown in Figure 6, the sheet S of material remains lying down during the respective passage from the first portion P21 to the third portion P23, and from the third portion P23 to the second portion P22. In this way, thanks to the mutual parallelism of the rollers 31, 32, 33 undesirable ripples on the sheet S are avoided.

Again, with reference to the figures, the development axes of the second idle roller 32 and of the third idle roller 33 lie on a first lying plane, and the development axis of the first idle roller 31 lies on a second lying plane. In other words, considering the system 1 with respect to the ground, the first roller 31 is at a distance from the ground different than the distance from the ground of the second roller 32 and of the third roller 33, to be then conveyed again along the direction D l .

With reference to the figures, the first roller 31 is arranged at a greater distance (height) from the ground with respect to the second roller 32 and to the third roller 33. In other words, again with reference to the examples of the figures, the sheet S of material, once arriving in correspondence to the second roller 32, it travels along an upwards vertical portion, for example perpendicular to the first portion P21, and then is inclined in the second direction D2. Therefore, the sheet S of material travels a vertical portion downwards, for example perpendicular to the second portion P22 and arrives at the third roller 33.

According to an embodiment, the second conveying assembly 31, 34, 35, 36 further comprises a fourth idle roller 34, with a development axis parallel to the development axis of the first idle roller 31. In detail, the fourth idle roller 34 is interposed between the second 32 and the first 31 idle roller (see, for example, Figure 2) . Preferably, the distance between the first roller 31 and the fourth roller 34 is adjustable. This embodiment makes it easier to adjust the distance between the rollers .

According to the embodiment of Figures 1, 2 and 3, the second idle assembly 31, 34, 35, 36 further comprises a fifth 35 and a sixth 36 idle roller (of which the corresponding numerical references are indicated for clarity only in Figure 2), both with a development axis which is parallel to the development axis of the second 32 and the of third 33 idle roller and which lies on a third lying plane, different from the first lying plane and from the second lying plane. In other words, considering the system 1 with respect to the ground, the fifth 35 and the sixth 36 idle roller are arranged at a different height from the first idle roller and from the second idle roller.

In particular, in the attached Figures 1, 2 and 3, the fifth 35 and the sixth 36 idle roller are interposed between the fourth 34 and the second 32 idle roller and between the first 31 and the third 33 idle roller along the sheet feeding path P2, respectively.

Therefore, in the embodiment of Figures 1, 2 and 3 at least six idle rollers 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 are provided.

With reference to the attached figures, the system 1 comprises, upstream of the first portion P21 of the sheet feeding path P2, a pre-cutting station 5, for performing the pre-cutting (pre-fracture) of the closing elements E on the continuous sheet S of material.

In this case, the first closing device 41 and the second closing device 42, which move from top to bottom to perform the closure of the containers C, and comprise sealing means for sealing the closing elements E to the edge of the containers C. According to an alternative not illustrated, the aforementioned pre-cutting station may not be provided and the first closing device 41 and the second closing device 42 each comprise, in addition to the sealing means, cutting means, for cutting closing elements E away from the sheet S and applying the same to the rows Rl, R2 of containers C.

The invention further relates to a double pitch machine for packaging containers C, comprising: at least a station for feeding containers C (not illustrated) ; and at least a station for filling containers C, arranged downstream of the feeding station; and at least a station for closing containers, arranged downstream of the filling station. The closing station comprising a system 1 for closing containers C as described above.

The above machine therefore has all the advantages of the system 1 described above.

Claims

1) A system (1) for closing containers (C) by means of closing elements (E) obtained from a continuous sheet (S) of material; the containers (C) being arranged along rows (Rl, R2) parallel to one another; the system (1) comprises:

first conveying means (2), for conveying the rows (Rl, R2) of containers (C) by a double pitch movement along a path (PI) for feeding containers, that is perpendicular to the rows (Rl, R2 ) , in a first direction (Dl);

second conveying means (3), for conveying the continuous sheet (S) of material above the containers (C) , along the sheet (S) feeding path (P2); and

a first closing device (41) and a second closing device (42), for removing the closing elements (E) from the sheet (S) and for applying the same to the rows (Rl, R2) of containers (C) ; characterized in that :

the second conveying means (3) comprise a first conveying assembly (32, 33) arranged for conveying the continuous sheet (S) of material along a first portion (P21) and along a second portion (P22) of the sheet feeding path (P2), that are both parallel to the first direction (Dl); and a second conveying assembly (31, 34, 35, 36) arranged for conveying the continuous sheet (S) of material along at least a third portion (P23) of the sheet feeding path (P2), interposed between the first portion (P21) and the second portion (P22), which develops in a second direction (D2), inclined with respect to the first direction (Dl);

the first conveying assembly (32, 33) and the second conveying assembly (31, 34, 35, 36) developing on different lying planes; and

the first closing device (41) and the second closing device (42) being arranged at the first portion (P21) and at the second portion (P22) of the sheet feeding path (P2), respectively . 2) The system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the distance between the lying plane of the second conveying assembly (31, 34, 35, 36) and the lying plane of the first conveying assembly (32, 33) is adjustable.

3) The system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second conveying assembly (31, 34, 35, 36) comprises at least a first idle roller (31), having a development axis that is inclined with respect to the first direction (Dl) .

4) The system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first conveying assembly (32, 33) comprises at least a second idle roller (32) and a third idle roller (33), the first idle roller (31) of the second conveying assembly being interposed between the latter; the second (32) and the third (33) idle roller having a development axis that is perpendicular with respect to the first direction (Dl), and being arranged upstream and downstream along the sheet feeding path (P2), respectively.

5) The system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the development axis of the first idle roller (31) is inclined with respect to the development axis of the second (32) and of the third (33) idle roller by an angle ranging between 5° and 15° .

6) The system (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the development axes of the second (32) and of the third (33) idle roller lie on a first lying plane, and the development axis of the first idle roller (31) lies on a second lying plane.

7) The system (1) according to any one of the claims from 4 to 6, wherein the second conveying assembly (31, 34, 35, 36) further comprises a fourth idle roller (34), having a development axis parallel to the development axis of the first idle roller (31); the fourth idle roller (34) being interposed between the second (32) and the first (31) idle roller.

8) The system (1) according to claim 3, wherein the first idle roller (31) has a section with a diameter greater than the diameter of the section of the second (32) and of the third (33) idle roller.

9) The system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising, a pre-cutting station (5), to perform the pre-cutting of the closing elements (E) on the continuous sheet (S) of material, arranged upstream of the first portion (P21) of the sheet feeding path (P2) . 10) The system (1) according to any one of the claims from 1 to 8, wherein the first closing device (41) and the second closing device (42) each comprise cutting means, for cutting the closing elements (E) away from the continuous sheet (S) of material and for applying the same to the rows (Rl, R2) of containers (C) .

11) A double pitch machine for packaging containers (C) , comprising :

at least a station for feeding containers (C) ;

at least a station for filling container (C) , arranged downstream of the feeding station; and

at least a station for closing containers, arranged downstream of the filling station and comprising a system (1) for closing containers (C) according to any one of the preceding claims.