Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02680150 2009-09-01
WO 2008/114113 PCT/1B2008/000612
1
Machine for filling envelopes or bags also in controlled atmosphere
Field of the art
The present invention refers to the technological field of machines for the
automatic filling of envelope or bags containers. In particular, the present
invention
concerns a filling machines of envelopes or bags also under controlled
atmosphere, having
a vertical axis wheel structure.
State of the art
Several types of envelopes or bags filling machines, with horizontal
conveyers, are
known.
Such filling machines are usually cumbersome and demand complex interventions
for the
change of the envelopes' or bags' dimensions. Furthermore, the known filling
machines
present problems for adjusting them to the filling of envelopes or bags under
controlled
atmosphere.
The problem to be solved is to realize a universal filling machines that could
fill,
with simple adjustments, envelopes or bags of different dimensions, also under
controlled
atmosphere.
The solution proposed is a based on a structure having polygonal wheel
protected
in the upper zone with a bell, kept under controlled atmosphere, inside which
the
envelopes or bags are inserted from the bottom up with their upper edge still
closed, to be
then opened, filled, re-closed and sealed.
Each side of the polygonal wheel is set up with at least a couple of opposite
prehensile equipments having the following features:
- they are simultaneously closed by springs that keep the bags in a steady
catching
position;
CONFIRMATION COPY
CA 02680150 2012-11-05
2
=
- they can be simultaneously opened, in proximity of the feeding station,
to allow the
initial insertion of the empty bags or envelopes;
- they can be simultaneously opened, in proximity of the loading station,
for the final
removal of the envelopes or bags filled and sealed;
- they are symmetrically opposite with respect to the middle point of their
mutual
horizontal distance;
- such mutual horizontal distance is initially adjustable to handle envelopes
or bags
of different dimensions;
- they can be simultaneously inclined to improve the opening of the mouth
of the
envelope or bag being caught;
- they are simultaneously brought back to the initial position removing such
inclination to optimize the closing of the mouth of the envelope or of the
filled bag;
- each prehensile equipment needs to be opened upon command, and then to be
closed by the spring and to remain steadily closed under the action the said
spring;
- it needs to translate tangentially and parallel to the sides of the
polygon;
- it needs to be inclined and remain steadily inclined while converging
towards the
mid point of the mutual horizontal distance with respect to the opposite
matching
prehensile equipment;
- it needs to steadily eliminate such inclination and regain the initial
position,
reciprocally parallel to the opposite matching equipment.
The operational combination of the all the features described above is
realized, in
the finding object of the present industrial invention, with bars having such
a length to
allow the simultaneity of intervention on the couple of opposite prehensile
equipment.
Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention resides in a machine for
filling
bags or envelopes, also under controlled atmosphere, characterized by the fact
that it
consists of a prismatic wheel, having a polygonal shape, and a movable bar
parallel to a
respective side of the polygonal shape, each movable bar having a selective
radial
excursion, and equipped on each side of the polygonal shape with at least a
couple of
opposite prehensile equipments, wherein the selective radial excursion of the
movable bars
determine the opening of a respective one of the at least a couple of opposite
prehensile
equipments and wherein the mutual horizontal distance between the at least a
couple of
opposite prehensile equipments can be adjusted by moving the couple of
opposite
prehensile equipments parallel to each other and perpendicularly along the
CA 02680150 2012-11-05
2a
=
movable bar independently of the opening of a respective one of the at least a
couple of
opposite prehensile equipments to handle bags or envelopes having different
dimensions.
In another aspect, the present invention resides in a machine for filling bags
or
envelopes comprising: a wheel; a polygonal form having a plurality of sides
mounted on
said wheel; a plurality of moving bars, each of said plurality of moving bars
having a
radial excursion and mounted parallel to each of the plurality of sides of
said polygonal
form; a traction spring adjacent each one of said plurality of bars, said
traction spring
selectively permitting the radial excursion of one said plurality of moving
bars; opposing
prehensile equipment mounted on each of the plurality of sides of said
polygonal form,
said opposing prehensile equipment having an adjustable horizontal distance
therebetween, whereby a predetermined size bag may be held between said
opposing
prehensile equipment; rolls to incline said opposing prehensile equipment; a
compression
spring formed on each one of the opposing prehensile equipment and one pair of
said
compression springs positioned adjacent each one of said plurality of moving
bars,
whereby the radial excursion of one of said plurality of moving bars contacts
the one pair
of said compression springs causing said opposing prehensile equipment to
selectively
open or close; and means for adjusting the adjustable horizontal distance
separating said
opposing prehensile equipment independently of said rolls to incline said
opposing
prehensile equipment, whereby the adjustable horizontal distance can be
regulated to
handle bags or envelopes having different dimensions independently of said
rolls to incline
said opposing prehensile equipment.
In yet a further aspect, the present invention resides in a machine for
filling bags or
envelopes in a controlled atmosphere comprising: a wheel having a radius; a
polygonal
form having a plurality of sides mounted on said wheel; a plurality of moving
bars, each of
said plurality of moving bars having a horizontal length and a radial
excursion in a
direction of the radius and mounted parallel to each of the plurality of sides
of said
polygonal form; a traction spring adjacent each one of said plurality of bars,
said traction
spring selectively permitting the radial excursion of one said plurality of
moving bars;
opposing prehensile equipment mounted on each of said plurality of sides of
said
polygonal form, said opposing prehensile equipment having an adjustable
horizontal
distance therebetween corresponding to the horizontal length, the adjustable
horizontal
distance being adjustable by moving said opposing prehensile equipment
parallel to each
other and perpendicularly along each respective one of said plurality of
moving bars along
CA 02680150 2012-11-05
2b
=
the horizontal length, whereby a predetermined size bag may be held between
said
opposing prehensile equipment; a compression spring formed on each one of the
opposing
prehensile equipment and one pair of said compression springs positioned
adjacent each
one of said plurality of moving bars, whereby the radial excursion of one of
said plurality
of moving bars contacts the one pair of said compression springs causing said
opposing
prehensile equipment to selectively open or close; a bell capable of holding
an inert gas
and open on a bottom side placed over said polygonal form and said opposing
prehensile
equipment; an oscillating arm provided with suction cups, said oscillating arm
positioned
to pivot upward towards the bottom side of said bell and place the
predetermined size bag
between said opposing prehensile equipment, wherein said oscillating arm picks
up a
predetermined size bag and orients a mouth of the predetermined size bag past
the bottom
side of said bell, whereby the mouth of the predetermined size bag may be held
within the
inert gas; means for inclining a stance of said opposing prehensile equipment
independently of the adjustable horizontal distance, whereby a mouth of the
predetermined
size bag is held open; means for filing the predetermined size bag; and means
for sealing
the predetermined size bag, whereby the predetermined size bag is held open,
filed, and
sealed in the inert gas or controlled atmosphere.
The solution proposed solves entirely all the technological issues outlined
above,
offering a very compact universal industrial realization, with the lowest
dimensions and the
CA 02680150 2009-09-01
WO 2008/114113 PCT/1B2008/000612
3
highest operational versatility, in the various phases of the different
technological
processes of filling and conditioning, also under controlled atmosphere.
Description
The present invention is now disclosed with reference to the schematic figures
of
the drawings attached, as a unrestricting example.
Figure 1 shows an initial perspective view of the filling machine of envelopes
and
bags. It can be noticed the structure of the prismatic wheel has a polygonal
form set up on
each side with the operational equipment of the filling process. It should be
noticed the
entry of the empty bag S inside the start station for the feeding, and the
removal of the
filled and sealed bag S" in the final exit station.
The figure ibis indicates the filling machine protected by a bell (C)
especially
shaped and maintained saturated by a neutral fluid (N).
The figure 1 ter shows a tunnel shaped bell (C).
Figure 2 schematizes the set-up of each side of the prismatic wheel (G) with
couples of opposite and closed prehensile equipments (M), whose horizontal
mutual
distance is regulated to handle bags or envelopes (S) having very large
dimensions.
Figure 3 schematizes the regulation of the reciprocal horizontal distance of
the
prehensile closed opposite equipments (M) to handle bags or envelopes (S)
having small
dimensions.
Figure 4 shows the upper basis of the prismatic wheel (G) set up with moving
bars
(P), parallel to each side of the polygon, whose synchronized radial
excursions cause, with
their action, the simultaneous opening of the couple of opposite prehensile
equipments (M)
contrasting the relative compression return springs (H).
CA 02680150 2009-09-01
WO 2008/114113 PCT/1B2008/000612
4
Figure 5 shows the case in which the same set-up of the figure 4 remains
unchanged even when the reciprocal horizontal distance of the opposite
prehensile
equipments M is regulated to handle bags or envelopes (S) having reduced
dimension.
Figure 6 shows the loading of the bag or envelope (S) in the first station. It
can be
noticed the intervention of the arm (B) oscillating around the pivot (F). It
can be also
noticed that the prehensile equipments (M') are simultaneously opened by the
bar kept in
position (P') by the pushing device indicated by the radial arrow (E), placed
in the middle
point of said bar.
Figure 7 shows the bag or the envelope S already placed between the two
opposite
prehensile equipments M' kept simultaneously open by the bar in position P'.
Figure 8 shows the bag or the envelope (S) already caught simultaneously by
both
the opposite prehensile equipments (M), kept closed by the relative
compression return
springs (H).
Figure 9 shows the following operational phase in the second station. In this
station
it can be noticed that the suction cups (V) are approaching the bag or
envelope to be
opened (S), while in the previous station the oscillating arm (B) is loading a
new bag.
Figure 10 shows in the second station the opening of the mouth of the envelope
or
bag (S'). It can be noticed that during the intervention of the suction cups
(V) from the
outside the prehensile equipments (M") are steadily inclined simultaneously
through the
intervention schematized by the arrows (We), which indicate a push exerted on
the pivoted
rolls (R). Still in figure 10 one can notice that the oscillating arm (B) is
again proceeding
downwards.
Figure 11 shows the position of the machine in the next station. It can be
noticed
that the bag or envelope S', with the mouth already open but without the
suction cups, is in
rest position awaiting to be filled.
CA 02680150 2009-09-01
WO 2008/114113 PCT/1B2008/000612
Figure 12 shows the bag or envelope S' already filled. It can be noticed that
during
the unfolding of the production process, the operations described above are
repeated.
Figure 13 shows the next phase and illustrates the bag S" with the mouth re-
closed
for the elimination of the inclination of the prehensile equipments (M) by
means of the
pushing action schematized by the arrows (Wi) upon the rolls (R).
Figure 14 shows the next station, in which the bag or envelope is sealed by
the
thermo-sealing pincers T.
Figure 15 shows the final station and highlights the envelope or the bag (S'")
already fully filled, closed and sealed, ready to be discharged.
Figure 16 shows the final station and represents the already discharged bag or
envelope (S"). One can notice, also in this figure 16, that the oscillating
arm (B) is
illustrated in a slightly lower position.
Figure 17 shows a variation for the handling of bag or envelopes in a double
row.
Figure 18 shows a further variation for the handling of bag or envelopes in a
triple
TOW.
Figure 19 a, b, c, d, e, f show polygonal wheels with a different number of
sides.
Figure 20 shows in a schematic diametric section the wheel (G) covered with a
bell
C kept saturated with inert gas (N), which is lighter than the air. It should
be highlighted
the fact the flow of inert gas is fed continuously and especially controlled
by the device
(A).
It should be noticed that the mouth (D) of the bag or envelope (S), sustained
by
suction cups (V') applied to the branch (Z) of the oscillating arm (B), lies
further ahead of
said suction cups.
Figure 21 shows the circumstance in which, while the oscillating arm B has
assumed the horizontal position, the branch (Z) has placed itself vertically
introducing
CA 02680150 2009-09-01
WO 2008/114113 PCT/1B2008/000612
6
from the bottom up the envelope or the bag (S) inside the open prehensile
equipment M',
with the upper edge (D) of the still closed bag or envelope (S) higher up into
the bell (C)
saturated with neutral gas (N).
Figure 22 highlights the circumstance that the bag or envelope (S') inside the
bell C
is inflated with a stream (Q) of the same inert gas N that maintains saturated
said bell (C).
Figure 23, 24 and 25 show in section the operational phases of the wheel (G)
protected by the tunnel-shaped bell (C').
In all figures each single detail is marked as follows:
A is a device that maintains inside the bell (C) an atmosphere of inert gas
lighter that air.
B indicates an oscillating arm provided with suction cups to introduce the
bags or
envelopes (S) inside the starting station.
C is a bell covering the wheel (G).
C' is a bell shaped as a toroidal tunnel.
D is the upper edge of the bag or envelope (S).
E indicates emblematically the radial excursion of the bar (P').
F is the pivot of the oscillating arm B.
G is the polygonal wheel.
H are compression springs that contrast the opening of the couples of opposite
prehensile
equipments (M).
K indicates traction springs that contrast the radial excursions (E) of the
bars (P).
L indicates a track on to the upper wall of the wheel G, which guides the
radial excursions
E of the bars P.
M indicates prehensile equipments in closed position.
M' indicates prehensile equipments in open position.
CA 02680150 2009-09-01
WO 2008/114113
PCT/1B2008/000612
7
M" indicates prehensile equipments in inclined stance to open the mouth of the
bag or
envelope (S').
N is the neutral gas saturating the bell (C).
0 indicates the orientation of the rotation of the wheel (G).
P indicates the moving bars in rest position placed parallel to the sides of
the polygonal
wheel (G).
P' indicate movable bars in operating position to open simultaneously the
couple of
opposite prehensile equipments (M').
Q indicates the conduit that introduces inert gas directly inside the bag or
the envelope.
R indicates rolls to incline and to eliminate the inclination of the
prehensile equipment.
S indicates a bag or envelope in closed starting position.
S' indicates a bag or envelope with the mouth in opening position.
S" indicates a bag or envelope with mouth re-closed preset for the thermo-
sealing.
S" indicates the finished bag or envelope.
T indicates a device for the thermo-sealing of the mouth of bag or envelope
S".
V indicates the suction cups that open the mouth (Z) of the bag or envelope.
V' indicates the suction cups on the oscillating arm B.
We represents emblematically the push that realizes the inclination of
opposite prehensile
equipments (M").
Wi represents emblematically the push that eliminates the inclination of the
opposite
prehensile equipments.
Z indicates .the folded branch of the oscillating arm (B).
The clearness of the figures and their descriptive synthesis highlights the
original
=
characteristics of the present finding. It needs to be highlighted the obvious
circumstance
CA 02680150 2009-09-01
WO 2008/114113 PCT/1B2008/000612
8
that the dimensioning and the structural proportioning of the various
operational
equipments could be adapted to the evolving market needs.
It is understood that the polygon could have a number of sides that is
different from
the illustrated and the packages could be envelopes, small or large bags with
gussets
having large dimensions and being fed by near or remote production plants.
Now that all the specific peculiarities have been disclosed in the figures and
the
description, any average technician expert in the field will be able to
realize, without any
inventive effort, but with simple logical deductions, filling machines for
envelopes or bags,
even under controlled atmosphere, with polygonal wheel structure, set up on
each side of
the polygon with equipments having the features can be deduced from those
basically
described, illustrated and hereinafter claimed.
