Packaging machine and associated film gripper
A packaging machine for use in packaging a product using rolled wrap film includes a packaging station where film is to be manipulated during a packaging operation, a support for holding rolled film and located to permit film to be drawn into the packaging station and a film grip assembly for gripping at least one edge of film during at least part of a packaging operation. The film grip assembly includes a first jaw element, a second jaw element mounted for movement between a gripping position and a non-gripping position relative to the first jaw element and at least one pneumatic actuator positioned at least partially between the first jaw element and the second jaw element for selectively moving the second jaw element.
The present application relates to machines that can be used for positioning film about a product, and more particularly to a machine employing a gripper assembly including a movable jaw element.
BACKGROUNDProducts such as, for example, perishable food products are frequently transported and/or stored with wrap film disposed about a periphery of the product to provide a degree of isolation of the wrapped product from the surroundings. Frequently, an apparatus is employed for automating the film wrapping process. As an example, an apparatus has been proposed having a gripper for gripping and locating a sheet of film. The gripper includes a solenoid that controls opening and closing of the gripper.
SUMMARYIn an aspect, a packaging machine for use in packaging a product using rolled film includes a packaging station where film is to be manipulated during a packaging operation, a support for holding rolled film and located to permit film to be drawn into the packaging station and a film grip assembly for gripping at least one edge of film during at least part of a packaging operation. The film grip assembly includes a first jaw element, a second jaw element mounted for movement between a gripping position and a non-gripping position relative to the first jaw element and at least one pneumatic actuator positioned at least partially between the first jaw element and the second jaw element for selectively moving the second jaw element.
In another aspect, a package wrapping machine for wrapping packages using rolled wrap film includes a wrap station where wrap film is to be wrapped around a product, a support for holding rolled wrap film and located to permit wrap film to be drawn into the wrap station and a film grip assembly for gripping at least one edge of wrap film as it is drawn into the wrap station. The film grip assembly is movable in a film draw direction and includes a first jaw element, a second jaw element mounted for pivotal movement between a gripping position and a non-gripping position relative to the first jaw element, the second jaw element biased into the non-gripping position and at least one pneumatic actuator positioned between the first jaw element and the second jaw element for selectively causing the second jaw element to pivot into the gripping position.
In another aspect, in a package wrapping machine for wrapping packages using rolled wrap film, a method is provided for selectively gripping rolled wrap film using a film gripper that includes a first jaw element and a second jaw element, the second jaw element movable between a gripping position and a non-gripping position relative to the first jaw element. The method includes utilizing a pneumatic actuator positioned between the first jaw element and the second jaw element to selectively control whether the second jaw element is in the gripping position, including controlling delivery of pressurized fluid to the pneumatic actuator.
The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 9 is a perspective views of a subassembly embodiment of a wrapping machine including the film gripper.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to
Referring to
Referring now to
Referring still to
The lower jaw elements 112, 114 and 116 are pivotally mounted to the upper jaw element 124 at a respective pivot axis A, B and C. Axes A, B and C are substantially parallel to a lower surface 152 of the upper jaw member 124 and each axis A, B and C also extends along a common line D (
Referring back to
As noted above, actuators 162 (e.g., a pneumatic actuator or a hydraulic actuator) drive the lower jaw elements 112, 114 and 116 about their respective pivot axis. Other devices are also contemplated, such as an electric solenoid (e.g., an electric solenoid having horizontal travel and motion translation to vertical motion), for driving the lower jaw elements 112, 114 and 116. Referring particularly to
Referring again to
As assembled, the primary bore 168 and secondary bore 172 of the cylinder 164 each have a central axis that extends along a line substantially perpendicular to surface 152 forming an imaginary vertical actuation axis E (see also
In some embodiments, nose portion 176 of the shaft 174 may be attached (e.g., by welding, adhesives, etc.) to the associated lower jaw element at the receiving portion 148 providing a push-pull arrangement where the shaft 174 can apply both a grasping force and a releasing force to the lower jaw member. In other embodiments, nose portion 176 of the shaft 174 merely contacts, but is not attached to the lower jaw element at the receiving portion 148 providing a push arrangement where the shaft 174 can apply a grasping force to the lower jaw member. In either case, it may be desirable to apply a biasing force at the gripping portion 146, spaced from the associated pivot axis to bias the lower jaw element toward its non-gripping position. This can be accomplished by a spring 196 (shown by dotted lines) and/or counterweight, as examples. In cases where a biasing force is applied, the actuator 162 can apply a grasping force sufficient to overcome the biasing force and also sufficient to allow the associated jaw elements to sufficiently grip the sheet film when the jaw elements are in the gripping position.
Each actuator 162 can be actuated independently of the other actuators 162 to move the associated lower jaw element independently of the other lower jaw elements. Also, all of the actuators 162 or any combination of actuators 162 can be actuated simultaneously to move associated lower jaw members in unison. To exemplify lower jaw element movement, referring to
Referring now to
A number of detailed embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. For example, it is recognized that described film support systems would also have use in lidding-type packaging machines where the film is drawn out over a container and then sealed to the top of the container at a lidding station. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A packaging machine for use in packaging a product using rolled wrap film, the machine comprising:
- a packaging station where film is to be manipulated during a packaging operation;
- a support for holding rolled film, the support located to permit film to be drawn into the packaging station;
- a film grip assembly for gripping at least one edge of film during at least part of a packaging operation, the film grip assembly including: a first jaw element; a second jaw element mounted for movement between a gripping position and a non-gripping position relative to the first jaw element; and at least one pneumatic actuator positioned at least partially between the first jaw element and the second jaw element for selectively moving the second jaw element.
2. The machine of claim 1 wherein the pneumatic actuator comprises a cylinder with an axial length of less than about 1.5 inches.
3. The machine of claim 2 wherein the cylinder is rigidly connected to the first jaw element, and a piston is movably positioned within the cylinder.
4. The machine of claim 3 wherein the axial length of the cylinder is less than about 1.0 inch.
5. The machine of claim 3 wherein the first jaw element includes a recessed surface portion receiving an end of the cylinder.
6. The machine of claim 2 wherein an entirety of the cylinder is positioned between the first jaw element and the second jaw element.
7. The machine of claim 1 wherein the film grip assembly further includes:
- a third jaw element and a fourth jaw element positioned at respective sides of the second jaw element, both the third jaw element and the fourth jaw element mounted for movement between respective gripping and non-gripping positions relative to the first jaw element; and
- at least one pneumatic actuator positioned between the first jaw element and the third jaw element for selectively moving the third jaw element;
- at least one pneumatic actuator positioned between the first jaw element and the fourth jaw element for selectively moving the fourth jaw element; and
- the pneumatic actuator between the first jaw element and the second jaw element is controllable separately from both the pneumatic actuator between the first jaw element and the third jaw element and the pneumatic actuator between the first jaw element and the fourth jaw element.
8. The machine of claim 1 wherein the second jaw element is mounted for pivotal movement between the gripping and non-gripping position, the pneumatic actuator contacts the second jaw element to one side of its pivot axis.
9. The machine of claim 1 wherein the second jaw element is biased into the non-gripping position, and the pneumatic actuator is operable in a push arrangement with the second jaw element and works against the bias when actuated.
10. The machine of claim 1 wherein the pneumatic actuator is operable in a push-pull arrangement with the second jaw element.
11. A package wrapping machine for wrapping packages using rolled wrap film, the machine comprising:
- a wrap station where wrap film is to be wrapped around a product;
- a support for holding rolled wrap film, the support located to permit wrap film to be drawn into the wrap station;
- a film grip assembly for gripping at least one edge of wrap film as it is drawn into the wrap station, the film grip assembly movable in a film draw direction and including: a first jaw element; a second jaw element mounted for pivotal movement between a gripping position and a non-gripping position relative to the first jaw element, the second jaw element biased into the non-gripping position; and at least one pneumatic actuator positioned between the first jaw element and the second jaw element for selectively causing the second jaw element to pivot into the gripping position.
12. The machine of claim 11 wherein one of the first jaw element and the second jaw element is an upper jaw element, the other of the first jaw element and the second jaw element is a lower jaw element, and the pneumatic actuator has an actuation axis that is substantially vertical.
13. The machine of claim 11 wherein the pneumatic actuator comprises a cylinder arranged between the first jaw element and the second jaw element, a piston within the cylinder and movable along an actuation axis of the actuator, a sealing arrangement between the piston and the cylinder, wherein a high pressure side of the cylinder is positioned against a portion of the first jaw element.
14. The machine of claim 13 wherein the piston includes a nose portion that extends through an opening in an actuation side of the cylinder for contacting the second jaw element.
15. The machine of claim 13 wherein the portion of the first jaw element is a recessed portion that receives an end of the cylinder.
16. The machine of claim 13 wherein the sealing arrangement comprises at least one o-ring disposed between the piston and the cylinder.
17. The machine of claim 16 wherein the o-ring has a triangular cross-section, with one corner in contact with an inner surface of the cylinder.
18. The machine of claim 13 wherein the sealing arrangement comprises a flexible membrane.
19. The machine of claim 13 wherein the cylinder has a length of less than about 1.0 inch.
20. The machine of claim 13 wherein the portion of the first jaw element includes an opening therein for receiving pressurized air to cause the piston to move away from the first jaw element.
21. The machine of claim 11 wherein the pneumatic actuator comprises a cylinder with an axial length of less than about 1.5 inches.
22. The machine of claim 21 wherein an entirety of the cylinder is positioned between the first jaw element and the second jaw element and the cylinder is rigidly connected to the first jaw element, a piston is movably positioned within the cylinder.
23. The machine of claim 11 wherein a mount bracket is located between the first jaw element and the second jaw element, a pivot rod is supported by the mount bracket and defines a pivot axis of the second jaw element.
24. In a package wrapping machine for wrapping packages using rolled wrap film, a method for selectively gripping rolled wrap film using a film gripper including a first jaw element and a second jaw element, the second jaw element movable between a gripping position and a non-gripping position relative to the first jaw element, the method comprising:
- utilizing a pneumatic actuator positioned between the first jaw element and the second jaw element to selectively control whether the second jaw element is in the gripping position, including controlling delivery of pressurized fluid to the pneumatic actuator.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein the second jaw element is biased into the non-gripping position and the pneumatic actuator works against the bias.
26. The method of claim 24 wherein the second jaw element is mounted for a pivotal movement and the pneumatic actuator is positioned to one side of a pivot axis of the second jaw element to effect pivoting of the second jaw element.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 30, 2004
Publication Date: Feb 2, 2006
Inventor: Thomas Jones (Wilmington, OH)
Application Number: 10/903,227
International Classification: B65B 11/02 (20060101);