GRIP PADS FOR PACKAGING SYSTEMS AND RELATED METHODS

Abstract

Packaging systems can include grip pads having large surface areas to assist in handling and holding of bags. In some instances, the grip pads can be retrofitted to existing packaging systems.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to packaging systems, and more particularly to grip pads for use in packaging systems and related methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The written disclosure herein describes illustrative embodiments that are non-limiting and non-exhaustive. Reference is made to certain of such illustrative embodiments that are depicted in the figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a grip pad;

FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view thereof, wherein a top plan view and a bottom plan view thereof are identical to the right side elevation view, and wherein a left side elevation view thereof is a mirror-image of the right side elevation view;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a portion of an embodiment of a packaging system in which a plurality of grip pads such as those of FIG. 1 are employed; and

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a portion of another embodiment of a packaging system in which a plurality of grip pads such as those of FIG. 1 and a plurality of additional grip pads are employed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments disclosed herein can be used in retrofitting a packaging system so as to improve the efficiency and/or overall performance of the system. For example, certain embodiments can be used with form-fill-seal (FFS) line systems (e.g., horizontal FFS line systems), such as systems that are used in preparing individual packages of food items.

Certain known FFS line systems have preinstalled grippers at various positions in the line. The grippers are used to temporarily secure bags in place as one or more processes are performed relative to the bags. For example, at one stage, a first set of grippers may be used to hold outer edges of a bag while vacuum is applied at outer walls of the bag so as to open the bag. The bag can be moved to a subsequent stage in which the first set of grippers have released the bag and a second set of grippers hold the edges of the bag as a gas is injected into the bag so as to purge air from the bag. At a later stage, another set of grippers can be used to hold the bag while a food item is introduced into the bag. At a later stage, yet another set of grippers can be used to hold the bag while the bag is sealed.

In certain systems, the preinstalled grippers can suffer from various drawbacks. For example, in some instances, the preinstalled grippers can fail to adequately grip the bag, or may entirely miss the bag, when the bag curls. Such bag curl may be particularly common for some bag materials or films. Bag curl can be exhibited in a variety of directions, such as, for example, toward the machine drive side of a horizontal FFS line. Failure of the grippers to properly secure the bags can result in dropped bags, jams and/or other bag conveyance complications, and/or filling faults. In some instances, the preinstalled grippers are also problematic when they become worn. For example, the grippers can become hard over time and can perforate the bag material.

Certain embodiments described herein can reduce or eliminate one or more of the shortcomings of factory installed grippers, such as those just discussed. For example, in some embodiments, grip pads can be used to replace and/or cover the factory installed grippers. The grip pads can readily flatten portions of bags that have curled. In other or further instances, the grip pads can securely hold the bags in place. In other or further instances, the grip pads can be much less prone to puncturing bag material when they wear over time. One or more of the foregoing advantages and/or other or further advantages will be apparent from the present disclosure.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an embodiment of a grip pad 100 that is configured for use with an FFS line. The grip pad 100 includes a connection interface 110 and a gripping interface 120 connected thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection interface 110 and the gripping interface 120 are integrally formed form a single piece of material. In other embodiments, the connection interface 110 and the gripping interface 120 can each include different materials and/or may be formed of different pieces that are joined to each other in any suitable manner. At least a portion of the grip pad 100 can be formed of a plastic and/or an elastomeric material (e.g., rubber or silicone). The grip pad 100 can be formed in any suitable manner, such as by machining and/or molding processes.

In the illustrated embodiment, the connection interface 110 includes a stem 112 that is configured to interface with a portion of the FFS line so as to connect the grip pad 110 thereto. The illustrated stem 112 is substantially cylindrical. Other arrangements for the connection interface 110 are possible, depending on the configuration of the factory installed components of the FFS line.

In the illustrated embodiment, the gripping interface 120 includes a substantially disk-shaped pad 122 that defines a gripping surface 124. In the illustrated embodiment, the gripping surface 124 is substantially planar. Such an arrangement may inhibit formation of indentations or other markings on bags with which the gripping surface 124 comes into contact. In other embodiments, the gripping surface 124 may include gripping features, such as protrusions (e.g., ribs) or recesses (e.g., valleys), which may cooperate with a complementary gripping features at an opposing side of the bag.

The hardness of the pad 122 can be selected to provide desired performance characteristics. For example, in some embodiments, the gripping abilities of the pad 122 can vary with the hardness of the pad 122. In some embodiments, the hardness of the pad 122 can be within a range of from about 60 to about 80 durometer (Shore A), can be no less than about 60, 70, or 80 durometer (Shore A), or can be no greater than about 60, 70, or 80 durometer (Shore A).

As shown in FIG. 3, the pad 122 can define a diameter D2 that is substantially greater than a diameter D1 defined by the stem 112. In various embodiments, the diameter D2 can be no less than about 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 times greater than the diameter D1. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the diameter D1 is about 10 millimeters and the diameter D2 is about 30 millimeters. In the illustrated embodiment, a thickness of the pad 122 is about 2 millimeters. Other arrangements are also possible.

FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of a filling machine or packaging system 200 in which multiple grip pads 100 have been installed. In the illustrated embodiment, the packaging system 200 is an FFS line of any suitable variety. For example, in some embodiments, the packaging system 200 can be a model 3700 horizontal FFS line available from Bossar Packaging of Sarasota, Fla., which may be used, for example, to package individual pouches of shredded cheese. A single bag or pouch 250 is shown. Two sidewalls 252 of the pouch 250 are separated, and the pouch has just been filled with a quantity of shredded cheese. The pouch 250 is gripped at a front end (right side of FIG. 5) and a rearward end (left side of FIG. 5) thereof by separate grip pads 100.

The system 200 can include stationary housings 220 with which the grip pads 100 can be coupled. The stationary housings 220 may, in fact, be movable in a direction of travel of the pouch 250, and in the direction opposite thereto (e.g., toward the right and toward the left, respectively, in FIG. 5). However, the stationary housings 220 may be stationary or immovable in a transverse direction (e.g., up or down in FIG. 5). The system 200 can further include pistons 210 that may be movable in the direction of travel (and in the direction opposite thereto), as well as in the transverse direction as indicated by the double-headed arrows.

The stationary housings 220 can define posts 222 that include factory-installed grippers (not shown). The grippers can resemble the grippers 214, which are attached to shaft portions 212 of the pistons. The grippers 214 can define relatively small diameters, as shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the factory-installed grippers have been removed and have been replaced with the grip pads 100. In particular, the stems 112 of the grip pads 100 have been inserted into the posts 222, which normally house the factory installed grippers. The stems 112 are retained within the posts 222 by a tight friction fit.

When the system 200 is operating, the pouch 250 may pass through a series of stages (e.g., pouch wall separation and gas purging) prior to arriving at the stage shown in FIG. 5, in which food contents have been introduced into the pouch 250. The pistons 210 can be in a retracted position (e.g., spaced away from the grip pads 100), and the pouch 250 can be inserted between the two sets of stationary housings 220 and pistons 210. The pistons 210 can then be moved to the gripping position shown in FIG. 5 so as to clamp the pouch 250 between the grippers 214 and the pads 122 of the grip pads 100.

The grippers pads 122 have a substantially greater surface area, as compared with the grippers 214. Such an arrangement can facilitate gripping of the front and rearward ends of the pouch 250. For example, if the front end of the pouch (e.g., the right end in the orientation shown in FIG. 5) were to be curled rearwardly (e.g., curled up or down in the orientation shown in FIG. 5) and/or downwardly (e.g., curled in a direction into the page in FIG. 5), the large gripping surface of the front pad 122 can contact a large portion of the pouch 250 and flatten it as the piston 210 is advanced toward the stationary housing 220. Similarly, if the rearward end of the pouch (e.g., the left end in the orientation shown in FIG. 5) were to be curled forwardly (e.g., curled up or down in the orientation shown in FIG. 5) and/or downwardly (e.g., curled in a direction into the page in FIG. 5), the large gripping surface of the front pad 122 can contact a large portion of the pouch 250 and flatten it as the piston 210 is advanced toward the stationary housing 220. The large gripping surface can also provide enhanced traction on the pouch while the pistons 210 are in the gripping orientation, and likewise, enhanced support of the pouch. Such an arrangement can reduce or prevent jamming of the system 200, dropping of pouches, and/or puncturing or perforation of pouches.

Additional grip pads 100 can be used at other stages of the system 200 in like manner. In some embodiments, many grip pads 100 are used along a full length of walking and stationary beams of a the system 200. In various embodiments, no fewer than about 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 grip pads 100 are used.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a packaging system 300 that resembles the system 200 in many respects. In some embodiments, the system 300 can be an FFS line of any suitable variety. The system 300 can include pistons 210 and stationary housings 220, such as described above. The stationary housings 220 can be connected with grip pads 100, such as described above.

The system 300 can further include grip pads 100′ that resemble the grip pads 100. In particular, each grip pad 100′ can include a connection interface 110′ and a gripping interface 120′. The connection interface 110′ can include a sleeve 114 that can be positioned over one or more portions of the piston 210. In some embodiments, a collar 130 can be used to secure the sleeve 114 to the piston 210. The gripping interface 120′ can include a pad 122, which may be the same, substantially the same, or complementary to the pad 122 of a corresponding grip pad 100.

The system 300 and/or the grip pads 100, 100′ can be adjusted such that the grip pads 100, 100′ contact the desired areas of the pouches 250. In the illustrated embodiment, the pads 122 extend slightly beyond the front and rear edges of the pouch 250, although other gripping arrangements are contemplated. In FIGS. 5 and 6, two pinching sites are shown at which the grip pads 100 contact the pouches 250. In other embodiments and/or stages, additional pinching sites are possible. For example, two additional pinching sites may be used at positions along the sides of the pouches 250 and spaced from the opening of the pouches 250.

Although much of the foregoing disclosure is discussed in the context of retrofitting an FFS line with gripping pads, it should be appreciated that embodiments of gripping pads may be used as original features of a factory-produced FFS line. Any suitable use of the apparatus, assemblies, systems, and methods discussed herein is contemplated.

Any methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for performing the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified.

References to approximations are made throughout this specification, such as by use of one or more of the terms “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” and “generally.” For each such reference, it is to be understood that, in some embodiments, the value, feature, or characteristic may be specified without approximation. For example, where such a qualifier is used, the terms includes within its scope the qualified word in the absence of the qualifier.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “the embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the quoted phrases, or variations thereof, as recited throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description of embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any embodiment require every feature shown in a particular drawing.

Unless otherwise noted, the terms “a” or “an” are to be construed as meaning “at least one of.” In addition, for ease of use, the words “including” and “having” are interchangeable with and have the same meaning as the word “comprising.” Recitation of the term “first” with respect to a feature or element does not necessarily imply the existence of a second or additional such feature or element.

Claims

1. A grip pad for use in a packaging system, the grip pad comprising:

a connection interface configured to be coupled with the packaging device; and

a gripping interface configured to contact and grip a package as the package progresses through the packaging system.

2. The grip pad of claim 1, wherein the gripping interface defines a diameter that is no less than about 2 times greater than a diameter defined by the connection interface.

3. The grip pad of claim 1, wherein the connection interface is substantially cylindrical and the grip pad is substantially disk-shaped.

4. The grip pad of claim 1, wherein the packaging system comprises a form-fill-seal line system.

5. The grip pad of claim 1, wherein the gripping interface comprises a pad.

6. The grip pad of claim 5, wherein a hardness of the pad has a Shore A durometer of no greater than about 80.