Procedure and device for the accelerated filling of sacks

Abstract

Device for filling sacks (1), comprising at least one filler material metering device (2), a feeding hopper (3) and a sealing tab folder (5), wherein

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a procedure and device for the accelerated filling of sacks, wherein the sack to be filled is situated on a moveable feeding hopper, which moves the sack in the conveying direction during the filling process, wherein a device for folding the sealing tabs of the sack, provided with holders for the open sack, is simultaneously moved in the transport direction of the sack, and takes the sack together with a sack holder at the meeting point. The feeding hopper and sealing tab folder along with the sack holder are then moved apart in the respectively opposite direction, the sealing tabs of the sack are folded and the sack is sealed.

[0002] Sack filling devices according to prior art usually encompass a metering device with stationary feeding hopper. Carousels with rotating feeding hoppers are also known. The filling devices according to prior art share in common that the sack sealing tab folders are each arranged on the filler neck of the feeding hopper. As a result of this design, the sack remains under the feeding hopper after filled until the sealing tabs of the sack have been folded and the sack with folded sealing tabs is transferred to a device for sealing, bonding or the like. If necessary, the time for which the sack is kept under the feeding hopper is decreased if the sack is already sealed at that location.

[0003] The filling devices according to prior art share in common that the sack capacity rate per hour is limited by the fact that the sealing tabs cannot be folded under the filler neck of the feeding hopper for the next filling cycle. Another limitation of filling capacity stems from the fact that the sack to be filled remains stationary during the filling process, and only moves after the filling process is completed. In particular in high-performance filling machines, this results in considerable losses of time owing to the time it takes to transport the sack out of the area of the filler neck and release the filler neck for the next sack to be filled.

[0004] The output of high-performance filling machines is currently limited to about 1,300 sacks per hour by the aforementioned disadvantages in prior art.

[0005] The object of this invention is to provide a high-performance filling machine for sacks and a procedure for the accelerated filling of sacks in which the sacks can be filled at a higher filling capacity per hour. Another object is to provide a procedure and device that ensure filling reliability with respect to the respective quantity to be filled and filling operation without malfunctions.

[0006] The objects are achieved according to the technical features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are described in the subclaims. Additional advantages to the present invention will be illustrated in the description below.

[0007] The present invention proceeds from a known sack-filling device comprising a filler material-metering device, a feeding hopper with filler neck and devices for folding and sealing the sealing tab of the sack to be filled.

[0008] All known and conventional metering devices for filler materials can be used as the filler material-metering device within the scope of the present invention. Metering can be volumetric or gravimetric, depending on the required application and the filler material. However, the invention is not limited to this.

[0009] Sealing sack within the scope of the present invention refers to any form of tightly sealing the sack, e.g., bonding, welding, sewing, etc.

[0010] This invention is based on the trick of decoupling the devices for folding the sealing tabs from the filler necks of the feeding hopper, and also making the feeding hopper and separate sealing tab folder moveable in the transport direction of the sack. This trick distinctly increases the sack filling capacity in comparison to prior art, since the time for which the sack stays under the feeding hopper is reduced. In addition, the time necessary for moving the sack outside the area under the filler neck is decreased. Filling capacities of 1,500 sacks per hours can be easily realized with the device according to the invention.

[0011] In its most general embodiment, the device has a feeding hopper arranged under the metering device, wherein the feeding hopper can be moved in the direction of the transport path of the fillable or filled sack. The feeding hopper is designed in such a way that it can be loaded by the metering device over the entire range of its motion. The sealing tab folding device is independent of the feeding hopper, and also movable in the transport direction of the fillable or filled sack, wherein the sealing tab folder and feeding hopper are moved synchronously.

[0012] In its initial setting, the feeding hopper is provided with the sack to be filled, and held by clamps arranged at the lower end of the filler neck of the feeding hopper. After the empty sack has been locked in place, filling begins via the metered dispensing of filler material from the metering device, which releases the filler material in the feeding hopper. The feeding hopper with the sack on it is moved in the transport direction of the sack during the filling process already. At the same time, a separate sack holder moves toward the feeding hopper in the transport axis of the sack. If the positions of the separate sack holder and feeder hopper provided with the now-filled sack are in a location that enables the transfer of the sack from the feeding hopper to the sack holder, the movements are stopped, and the filled sack is transferred. The filler necks and separate sack holder then change their direction of movement, moving away from each other. Therefore, the feeding hopper and separate sack holder execute an oscillating or reciprocating motion over time.

[0013] The respective traversed path preferably measures about half the width of a sack, which combines to an entire width of a sack based on the additional traversed paths of the feeding hopper and separate sack holder. If necessary, the traversed path can be lengthened by the percentage necessary to make room for the respective holders and folders to engage.

[0014] After running through one cycle, i.e., after reaching the initial position of the feeding hopper, sufficient space is created below the filler neck to attach the next sack.

[0015] Provided the sack holder and feeding hopper have reached the respective initial position, the filler neck of the feeding hopper is provided with a new sack to be filled. At the same time, a sealing tab folder engages, taking over the filled, open sack from the separate sack holder, and folding the open sealing tabs of the sack. The sealing tab folder can be designed as a knife folder.

[0016] The sealing tab folder moves coordinated with and at a constant distance from the feeding hopper. The sealing tab folder can be arranged on the conveyor, e.g., a drivable sled that carries the feeding hopper. The distance between the sealing tab folder and feeding hopper neck can measure roughly one sack width, if necessary expanded by the space required for the clamps of the filler neck and sealing tab folder to engage.

[0017] The sealing tab folder can also be provided with a sealing device to seal the filled sack after its sealing tabs have been folded. The sealing device can be designed as a welding device, for example.

[0018] In the next basic cycle, i.e., with the next reciprocating motion of the feeding hopper, the sealing tab folder is also moved in the transport direction of the sack, and hence the filled and sealed sack located therein. In another embodiment, the sealing tabs can already be folded during the forward motion in the transport direction. Likewise, the folded flap can be sealed in a separate sealing device.

[0019] After the oscillating motion has reached the final position, i.e., relative to the initial position, the sack holder relays the filled sack to another transporting device, e.g., a conveying belt.

[0020] Other advantages to this invention shall be described below based on the figures.

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of this invention in which the feeding hopper and sealing tab folder are arranged on a traversing device, and both the traversing device and separate sack holder are located in the initial position of the first filling cycle.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows the same embodiment in which the sack is conveyed from the feeding hopper neck to the separate sack holder, i.e., in the second final position of the reciprocating motion.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment according to FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a truncated view according to FIG. 1 and a diagrammatic view of the respective engaging points of the devices involved.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a filler 1 according to the invention, comprising the metering device 2 and the feeding hopper 3 located underneath. The feeding hopper 3 is secured to the traversing device 6, which is powered by the motor drive 7 and controlled by the control module 12. In the embodiment shown, the sealing tab folder 5 is also secured to the traversing device 6. The filler neck 9 of the feeding hopper 3 therefore exhibits a constant distance to the sealing tab folder 5. The distance preferably measures about one width of a sack to be filled.

[0026] The inlet side of the feeding hopper 3 is designed in such a way as to enable loading of the feeding hopper at any point during the procedure. Knife folders 11 are allocated to the sealing tab folder 5, shown in truncated fashion for reasons of clarity.

[0027] The figure also shows the separate sack holder 4 with the allocated gripping devices 4a. For reasons of clarity, the connecting braces to the gripping devices 4a are also not shown.

[0028] Sacks 8 are situated on the filler neck 9, the sealing tab folder 5 and the conveying belt 10. Arrow A denotes the transport direction of the sacks that are to be filled or have already been filled.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows the embodiment according to the invention shown on FIG. 1, wherein the feeding hopper 3 and separate sack holder 4 are in their second final position. The same reference numbers denote the same technical features. In the second final position, the grippers 4a of the sack holder 4 grip the sack 8, which is located on the filler neck 9, and held there with separate clamps. The clamps of the filler neck 9 are released to transfer the filed sack, the sack holder 4 is lowered to open the traversing path for the filler neck 9, and simultaneously move it into the initial position shown on FIG. 1.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment according to the invention shown on FIG. 1 and 2. The left side of the figure shows the sack 8 located on the filler neck 9 of the feeding hopper 3, held by the clamps 13 situated on the feeding hopper. The right side of the figure shows the device in the final position, wherein the grippers 4a of the sack holder 4 grip and take the sack, only to subsequently lower it and feed it to the sealing tab folder.

[0031] The upper section of FIG. 4 shows a truncated view according to FIG. 1. This is followed below by views of the individual steps or operations of the device according to this invention.

[0032] FIG. 4 (1) shows the device according to the invention or procedure according to the invention in the initial position of the first filling cycle. The dashed lines X and XI here show the initial position of the feeding hopper 9 and the sealing tab folder 5. The dashed line Y shows the final position of the feeding hopper 9.

[0033] In view (1), the feeding hopper neck 9 is provided with the sack 8. The conveyance of empty sacks is not shown. The sealing tab folder 5 with accompanying knife folders 11 is also located in initial position X1.

[0034] Moving to FIG. 4 (2), the filler neck 9 is moved into its final position Y, which is simultaneously the transfer position, wherein the sack 8 is filled during the movement process. Once position Y has been reached, the grippers 4a of the sack holder 4 (not shown) grip the now filled sack 8.

[0035] Moving to FIG. 4 (3a), the filler neck 9 is moved to its first position X, wherein the sealing tab folder 5 with the accompanying knife folders 11 is moved into the first final position X1. The open and filled sack 8 is moved by the sack holder 4, held by grippers 4a, from the transfer position Y into the first position X1, as a result of which the sealing tab folder 5 can interact with the open sack end to be folded.

[0036] Moving to FIG. 4 (3b), the filler neck 9 and sealing tab folder 5 are located in the first end position X, or X1. The filler neck 9 is provided with a second sack 8 to be filled, while the sealing tab folder 5 simultaneously folds the sealing tabs of the open, filled sack 8. The sack here continues to be held by the holders 4a of the sack holder 4.

[0037] Moving to FIG. 4 (4), the filler neck 9 is provided with the sack 8 and moved into position Y while engaged with the grippers 4a as shown on FIG. 4 (2). The left part of the figure shows the first sack 8 of the first cycle, whose sealing tabs are folded under exposure to the knife folders 11 of the sealing tab folder 5. As an option, the sealing tabs can already be sealed during this step.

[0038] Moving to FIG. 4 (5), the next step is shown, corresponding to step (3a), wherein the sack 8 of the second cycle is located in the first final position X1, and the filled sack provided with folded sealing tabs or sealed exits the first cycle of the device.

Claims

1. A procedure for the accelerated filling of sacks, comprising the following steps:

Arranging the sack (8) to be filled on the filler necks (9) of a feeding hopper (3);

Metering the filler material into a filler material metering device (2) and filling the sack (8) with the filler material;

Folding in the sealing tabs of the sack (8) and sealing the sack;

characterized by the fact that

the filler neck (3) is moved with the attached sack (8) in the transport direction (A) during the filling process;

a sack holder (4) is simultaneously moved against the transport direction (A) toward the sack (8);

the sack is taken by the sack holder (4) where the oppositely moving sack holder (4) and feeding hopper (3) meet;

the sack holder (4) and feeding hopper (3) are moved to the initial position in the respectively opposite direction.

2. The procedure according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that, after the sack holder (4) and feeding hopper (3) have been moved away from each other, a sealing tab folder (5) folds the sealing tabs of the sack (8).

3. The procedure according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the sealing tab folder (5) moves synchronously with the feeding hopper (3).

4. The procedure according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the sealing tab folder (5) and filler neck (9) of the feeding hopper (3) are spaced apart by roughly the width of the sack to be filled.

5. The procedure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the sealing tab folder (5) further seals the folded sealing tabs.

6. The procedure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the sealing tab folder (5) transfers the sack (8) with folded sealing tabs to a sealing device.

7. The procedure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the path traversed by the sack holder (4) and feeding hopper (3) measures roughly half the width of the sack (5) to be filled.

8. A device for filling sacks (1), each comprising at least one filler material metering device (2), a feeding hopper (3) and a sealing tab folder (5), characterized by the fact that

The feeding hopper (3) and sealing tab folder are arranged on a traversing device (6) that can be moved in the axis of the transport path (A);

The feeding hopper (3) is designed in such a way that it can be loaded by the filler material metering device (2) at any location on the traversing path;

A sack holder (4) is provided that can be traversed within the axis of the transport path (A), wherein the sack holder (4) and the feeding hopper (3) each execute a coordinated movement toward or away from each other.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that the path traversed by the sack holder (4) and feeding hopper (3) measures roughly half the width of the sack (8) to be filled.

10. The device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by the fact that the sealing tab folder (5) is spaced roughly one width of the sack (8) to be filled away from the feeding hopper neck (9).

11. The device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized by the fact that the sealing tab folder (5) is also provided with a sealing device to seal the sack.