CAROUSEL MACHINE FOR PACKAGING

Abstract

A carousel-type packaging machine comprising a plurality of workstations adapted to carry out a sequence of packaging operations and a rotating carousel arranged to move the containers through said workstations, wherein the carousel is arranged with a horizontal rotation axis and includes counter-rotating gripping members adapted to maintain containers in a constant trim during the rotation of the carousel through the various steps of the packaging process; the gripping members are further equipped with movable grippers controlled by motors associated with the workstations.

Claims

1) A machine for packaging one or more products into containers, said machine comprising: a plurality of workstations adapted to carry out a sequence of packaging steps and an intermittent-rotation carousel which includes a plurality of gripping members for said containers and is arranged to position the containers in sequence through said workstations, wherein said carousel is arranged with a horizontal axis of rotation and the gripping members counter-rotating in a synchronous manner relative to the carousel for maintaining a constant orientation of the containers in a vertical position, and wherein the carousel includes a plurality of radially arranged arms, each of said arms bearing one of said gripping members, and wherein each of the gripping members has a body which is hinged to a respective arm of the carousel and is connected to a transmission, wherein said transmission is configured to rotate the body relative to the arm, said rotation of the carousel about an axis of the carousel.

2) (canceled)

3) The machine according to claim 1, wherein each of the gripping members includes at least two gripper devices; each of said devices is adapted to grab a portion or a side of one of the containers; at least one of said two gripper devices is slidable along the body of the gripping member thus varying the distance between said sliding gripper device and at least another gripper device of the gripping member; each gripping member includes a transmission system operable from outside the gripping member and adapted to move said at least one sliding gripper device.

4) The machine according to claim 3, wherein each gripping member includes two gripper devices arranged to slide with respect to the body of the gripping member and the transmission system mounted on each gripping member is configured to simultaneously move the two gripper devices with a mutually approaching or distancing movement.

5) The machine according to claim 4, wherein: each gripping member includes two gripper devices sliding and arranged to grab a container along opposite sides thereof, or each gripping member comprises three gripper devices, including two lateral sliding devices and a central device in a fixed position, said devices being arranged to carry two containers, so that each of the containers has a side or a sidewall grabbed by the central gripper device, and an opposite side grabbed by one of the lateral devices.

6) The machine according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the workstations includes a motor which can be temporarily coupled to the transmission system of each gripping member when the gripping member is in the workstation equipped with said motor, allowing the motor to control the sliding device or devices.

7) The machine according to claim 6, wherein the temporary coupling between the motor of the workstation and the transmission system of the gripping member is a contactless coupling.

8) The machine according to claim 7, wherein said machine is configured to operate with flexible containers such as plastic bags or pouches and wherein the workstations comprise at least one station for opening the containers and one station for introducing a product and closing the containers, and said two workstations each comprise a respective motor for actuating the transmission system of the gripping member.

9) The machine according to claim 8, said machine further comprising: a station for expanding containers which is configured to introduce a gas into the containers, preferably air, nitrogen or carbon dioxide, before introducing the product; a sealing station which is configured to weld the containers with supply of heat, along a predetermined welding line; a station configured to cool the weld before ejecting the containers.

10) The machine according to claim 9, wherein all workstations are facing a same front side of the machine.

11) A process for packaging a product into containers, carried out in a machine according to claim 10, said process comprising the transport of the containers through the workstations along a circular trajectory contained in a vertical plane, due to the intermittent rotation of the carousel, wherein the containers loaded on the carousel keep a constant trim, preferably vertical, during the process.

12) The process according to claim 11 wherein the containers are flexible, such as bags or pouches, and the process comprises the operations of opening containers, expanding the containers, introducing a product, closing and sealing, and wherein: each of the flexible containers, in a vertical position, is grabbed by one of the gripping members of the carousel along the right and left sides, by two respective gripper devices, the process comprises steps of moving the movable gripper devices mounted on the gripping members, to respectively approach the edges and open the container to facilitate the introduction of the product, and to stretch the container and allow closure thereof; the movement of said gripper devices being actuated, in the respective workstations, by a motor mounted outside the rotating carousel and by a temporarily coupling of said motor with a transmission system mounted on board of the gripping member.

13) The machine according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the workstations includes a motor which can be temporarily coupled to the transmission system of each gripping member when the gripping member is in the workstation equipped with said motor, allowing the motor to control the sliding device or devices.

14) The machine according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the workstations includes a motor which can be temporarily coupled to the transmission system of each gripping member when the gripping member is in the workstation equipped with said motor, allowing the motor to control the sliding device or devices.

15) The machine according to claim 7, wherein said contactless coupling is of the magnetic type.

16) The machine according to claim 7, said machine further comprising: a station for expanding containers which is configured to introduce a gas into the containers, preferably air, nitrogen or carbon dioxide, before introducing the product; a sealing station which is configured to weld the containers with supply of heat, along a predetermined welding line; a station configured to cool the weld before ejecting the containers.

17) The machine according to claim 1, wherein said machine is configured to operate with flexible containers such as plastic bags or pouches and wherein the workstations comprise at least one station for opening the containers and one station for introducing a product and closing the containers, and said two workstations each comprise a respective motor for actuating the transmission system of the gripping member.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0051] FIG. 1 schematically shows a packaging machine according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0052] FIG. 2 is a scheme of the carousel of the machine of FIG. 1.

[0053] FIG. 3 is a front view of the carousel of the machine of FIG. 1.

[0054] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the carousel.

[0055] FIG. 5 shows the detail of one of the gripping members of the carousel.

[0056] FIG. 6 illustrates the actuation of the movable devices of a gripping member by means of an external motor.

[0057] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates the opening of a pouch by means of the movable devices of one of the gripping members.

[0058] FIG. 8 illustrates a variant of a gripping member.

[0059] The figures essentially illustrate the following details: [0060] 1 packaging machine [0061] 2 rotating carousel [0062] 3 rotation fulcrum of the carousel 2 [0063] 4-9 workstations of the machine 1 [0064] 10 radial arms of the carousel 2 [0065] 11 grippers mounted on the carousel 2 [0066] 12, 13 motors for actuating the movable members of the grippers 11 [0067] 14 conveyor [0068] 15 member for picking up pouches from the conveyor 14 [0069] 16 gas insufflation device [0070] 17 product inserter [0071] 18 pouch welding and sealing device [0072] 19 weld cooling device and pouch ejection device [0073] 20 gripper body [0074] 20a, 20b gripper body ends [0075] 21 gripper bearing [0076] 22 belt transmission for opposite rotation of the gripper 11 [0077] 220 gear wheel of a transmission 22 [0078] 221 ring gear on which the wheels mesh 220 [0079] 23a, 23b sliding slides mounted on the gripper body 20 [0080] 24 slide guides 23a, 23b [0081] 25a, 25b pneumatic clamping grippers mounted on the slides 23a, 23b [0082] 26 transmission box for slide control 23a, 23b [0083] 27 motor flange for controlling sliding slides [0084] 29a, 29b shafts for controlling slides 23a, 23b [0085] 30 motor drive flange 12 or 13 adapted to engage the flange 27 [0086] 31 top opening of a pouch S [0087] 32 motor positioning system

[0088] The packaging machine 1 comprises a carousel 2 with a horizontal rotation axis determined by a fulcrum 3 and a number of workstations 4-9. In the example, the machine 1 is designed to package a loose product, for example in solid or granular form, inside flexible pouches S which can be made of plastic or paper material with a plastic sealing base. Each of the workstations 4-9 is configured to carry out a process step by suitable sub-systems.

[0089] The carousel 2 is essentially star-shaped and comprises radial arms 10 each bearing a gripping member represented by a gripper 11. The grippers 11 in the embodiment of FIG. 1 are each configured to grab a pouch S.

[0090] The carousel 2 is controlled to perform indexed rotations, for example of 60 degrees. As is apparent from the figure, the intermittent rotation of the carousel 2 progressively conveys each pouch (being grabbed in one of the grippers 11) through stations 4-9. Thus, each pouch S is sequentially subjected to the working steps provided by the packaging process.

[0091] The machine further comprises two motors 12 and 13 associated with stations 5 and 7 respectively. Said motors are capable of actuating suitable movable members of the grippers 11 as will be explained in more detail hereinafter.

[0092] More precisely the station 4 is adapted to pick up a pouch from a conveyor 14, by means of a suitable pick-up system 15 and deliver it to one of the grippers 11. For this purpose, the system 15 can be equipped with a suitable suction cup member capable of picking up the pouch and, still keeping it in a vertical position, delivering it to one of the grippers 11.

[0093] The station 5 is adapted to carry out an operation for opening the pouch with the aid of the motor 12 by acting on movable members of the gripper 11 (FIG. 7).

[0094] The station 6 is adapted to carry out an operation for expanding the pouch and introducing a gas such as air or an inert gas, by means of a gas insufflation device 16, in order to prepare the pouch for the product introduction step.

[0095] The station 7 introduces a desired amount of product into the pouch by means of a product inserter 17 for example configured as a hopper or funnel. In addition, the station 7 is equipped with the motor 13 to stretch the pouch, after introducing the product, preparing it for the following sealing step.

[0096] The station 8 in the illustrated embodiment seals the pouch by welding the plastic material or, in another embodiment, seals the container by applying a cap.

[0097] The station 9 cools the weld by means of the device 19 to ensure sealing and delivers the filled and closed pouch to an outlet conveyor.

[0098] The described stations and the respective components may be made with a technique known to an expert in the field and therefore do not require a more detailed description.

[0099] FIG. 1 is a side view that makes it possible to appreciate the vertical extension of the machine 1. The workstations 4-9 are all located in positions that are easily accessible from the front side of the machine.

[0100] FIG. 2 schematically shows the carousel 2 and highlights how the grippers 11 keep the pouches S in a constant vertical trim as the carousel rotates. This facilitates interaction with the above-described workstation systems 4-9. FIG. 2 shows an example in which the carousel 2 includes a wheel or star 200 having a central body 201 that is attached to the rotation pin 3 and from which the described plurality of arms 10 branch off.

[0101] In order to maintain the constant orientation of the containers (vertical in the example of FIG. 2) each of the grippers 11 is rotatable relative to its own arm 10 and is connected to a transmission system that imparts a rotation of the gripper 11 relative to the arm 10 that is equal and opposite to the rotation of the carousel about the fulcrum 3. It derives that the rotation of the carousel 2 is compensated by the concurrent opposite rotation of the grippers 11 which substantially follow a circular trajectory while maintaining a constant orientation in space.

[0102] FIGS. 3-6 allow to appreciate further details of an exemplary embodiment.

[0103] Each of the grippers 11 substantially comprises a gripper body 20 hinged at the end of an arm 10 by means of at least one bearing 21. A belt transmission system 22 (FIG. 4) imparts to the gripper body 20 the compensation counter-rotation of the above-described trim.

[0104] The gripper body 20, in the illustrated embodiment, extends essentially cantilevered from the arm 10. In another embodiment (not shown), the gripper body can be hinged on both sides between two wheels placed side by side. More specifically, referring to FIG. 3, in the embodiment illustrated, the gripper body 20 has a proximal end 20a hinged to the wheel 200; in a dual-wheel variant, the opposite end 20b may also be hinged to another wheel (not shown).

[0105] The belt transmission 22, in other embodiments, can be replaced with a shaft and gear transmission or another equivalent one.

[0106] All the transmission systems 22 of the various grippers 11 are controlled simultaneously. For this purpose, each of the transmissions 22 is driven by a gear wheel 220, and all the gear wheels 220 mesh a ring gear 221.

[0107] The gripper body 20 bears two slides 23a, 23b sliding on guides 24. Each of the slides 23a, 23b in turn bears a gripper clamping member, such as mechanical or pneumatic 25a, 25b. Said pneumatic grippers 25a, 25b are arranged to press a container on both sides, for example to grab the sides of a bag or pouch. As it can be seen in the figure, the pneumatic grippers are advantageously mounted on a spacer plate.

[0108] The sliding of both slides 23a, 23b is controlled simultaneously by a transmission housed inside the box 26 and connected to a flange 27. Said flange 27 is preferably placed in a central and rear position of the gripper 11, i.e., opposite the front side of the gripper where the container is grabbed.

[0109] Said transmission actuates, for each slide, a shaft 29a, 29b; the latter by means of a ball bearing coupling (or equivalent capable of transforming a rotary motion into a translatory motion) imparts to the slide 23a or 23b the desired linear displacement.

[0110] Advantageously the transmission is configured so that the shafts 29a and 29b of the two slides have an opposite rotation direction, so that by imparting a rotation to the flange 27, the two slides 23a, 23b (and the gripper devices 25a, 25b) move in an opposite direction mutually approaching or distancing.

[0111] The flange 27 can be driven by the motor 12 or motor 13 when the gripper is in the corresponding workstation. For this purpose, the motor 12 (and similarly the motor 13) has a driving flange 30 capable of engaging the flange 27 without contact (for example magnetically). The motor can be mounted on a suitable carriage or movable support 32 to approach it to the gripper 11 so that the flange 30 is facing and is sufficiently close to the driven flange 27 (FIG. 6).

[0112] The motor-flange unit is movable in the direction of the double arrow of FIG. 6 approaching the drive flange 30 to a close distance to allow contactless actuation. In a variant, a mechanical engagement with contact between the flanges 30 and 27 can be provided. The machine comprises a control system overviewing all the various functions, in particular indexed rotation of the carousel, actuation of the various systems present in the workstations, control of the motors 12 and 13 for distancing or approaching the grippers 25a, 25b according to the packaging process step.

[0113] FIG. 7 exemplifies the principle based on which the movable members of the gripper 11 may open a pouch S or stretch it. The figure shows a bag or pouch S held on its sidewalls by the two pneumatic grippers 25a, 25b. An approach movement of the grippers, impressed by the motor 12 or 13 in engagement relation with the flange 27 of the gripper 11, allows the upper opening 31 of the pouch to be enlarged, facilitating the introduction of the product. Similarly, the distancing movement of the grippers stretches the pouch, preparing it for welding.

[0114] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment wherein the gripper 11 is equipped with a third pneumatic gripper 25c in a central position between the two grippers 25a and 25b. Advantageously, the central gripper 25c is fixed while the side grippers 25a and 25b are sliding as described above. Note that the central gripper 25c is a double gripper designed to be able to grab one side of a pouch at both sides.

[0115] Thus configured, the gripper 11 is capable of carrying two pouches S as shown in the figure, each of the two pouches being held on an inner sidewall by the central gripper 25c, and on an outer sidewall by the gripper 25a or 25b.