GROUP FOR PACKING PRODUCTS INTO TUBULAR PACKAGING
A group for packing products in tubular packaging, comprises a vertical tube for supporting a packaging material supplied around the tube and from which single tubular packaging can be obtained, the tube includes an upper end defining an opening for loading the products to be packed, a lower end defining an opening for unloading the products inside the single wrappings obtained from the packaging material, the tube includes internally a falling channel for the products that can be selectively closed.
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This application claims the benefit of priority from Italian Patent Application No. BO 2013 A 000015 filed on Jan. 16, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention concerns a group for packing products into tubular packaging.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ARTIn the field of packing products, for example fruit and vegetable products and the like, single packets are widely used consisting of packets or bags in the form of nets, for example in natural or synthetic material, in which a certain number of products are contained, for example fruit, vegetables, but also others, to be put on sale.
As known, the use of packages in the form of nets promotes a better preservation of the products of this kind, since optimal ventilation and natural perspiration is obtained.
The aforementioned packets of products are made on packing machines comprising means for blocking one or more supports for supplying the tubular net with which the wrappings of the products are to be made.
More in detail, such supports are substantially made up of tubes, or other similar elements, arranged vertically or with a slight inclination, along which a section with set length of the net is inserted.
Once it has been inserted along the tube, for every filling cycle the tubular net is closed at the lower end, and is filled with products that fall freely through the cavity of the tube itself; after every filling step, the tubular net is closed at the upper end, for example through sealing, and is cut.
Otherwise, the net can be closed with other means such as clips made from metal, plastic, or the like.
The packets thus obtained are then deposited on transportation means, for example a belt.
Of course, in order to obtain the greatest possible number of filling cycles without stopping the machine, a section of tubular net that is sufficiently long so as to ensure a certain autonomy is usually compacted on a single support tube.
For example, on a tube having a length in the order of a metre, some hundreds of metres of tubular nets can be compacted, so that a single tube can allow the continuous operation of the machine for a certain period of time.
The packing can also be carried out in so called vertical forming machines, in which the net, or in any case the packaging material, is in the flat form, and is wound around the tube through a forming collar.
The two ends are vertically sealed along the packaging material so as to obtain a cylindrical shape wrapped around the tube itself.
It is also foreseen for there to be means, in general belts, which pull the packaging material thus made along the tube.
These machines are characterised by a considerable autonomy, due to the fact that the packaging material is initially wound into reels that are sufficiently large; however, the length of the tube onto which the packaging material is wound is remarkable, since along its lateral surface both vertical sealing means and means for pulling the net must be foreseen having suitable sizes.
As mentioned, the products to be inserted in the packaging wrappings fall freely through the tube for a section that can also be more than a metre long, before reaching the bottom of the wrapping: for certain types of products—for example fruit and vegetable products having a soft consistency—this can cause serious damage due to the impact from the fall.
Such damage can jeopardise the integrity of the product, and can therefore prevent the product from being able to be sold.
On the other hand, it is not advantageous to reduce the length of the tube through which the products fall, since this would make it necessary to replace it frequently due to the limited autonomy in terms of the packaging material, with obvious drawbacks as far as productivity is concerned.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe technical task of the present invention is therefore that of improving the state of the art.
In such a technical task, one purpose of the present invention is to devise a group for packing products into tubular packaging that makes it possible to considerably reduce the risks of the products being damaged in their path falling through the tube supporting the packaging material.
Another purpose of the present invention is that of making a group for packing products in tubular packaging that is simple to operate and cost-effective to make.
A further purpose of the present invention is that of providing a group for packing products into tubular packaging that is suitable for being installed into packing machines of the known type.
This task and these purposes are achieved with a group for packing products into tubular packaging according to the present principles.
According to one aspect, the packaging group comprises a tube for supporting a packaging material supplied around the tube and from which single tubular packaging can be obtained; the tube comprises one upper end defining an opening for loading the products to be packed, a lower end defining an opening for unloading the products inside the single wrappings obtained made from the packaging material, and a falling channel for the products delimited by the loading and unloading opening.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the packaging group comprises means for selectively closing the falling channel for the products.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, the means for selectively closing the falling channel for the products comprise a deformable element that is inserted inside the tube and is selectively mobile from an open configuration, in which it allows the free fall of the products along the falling channel of the tube, to a closed configuration in which it forms, inside the falling channel of the tube, an intermediate stopping area that defines a first and a second consecutive section of the falling channel.
The dependent claims refer to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.
The characteristics of the invention shall become clearer to any man skilled in the art from the following description and the attached drawing tables, given as a non-limiting example, in which:
With reference to the attached
The group 1 according to the invention as described in the rest of the description can be applied in particular, but not exclusively, in the field of packaging fruit and vegetable products and the like in tubular packaging.
The packaging group 1 according to the present invention can be incorporated in machines that pack products in a tubular packaging that is closed at the ends, obtained from a continuous tube of flexible packaging material.
The packaging material can typically be made up of tubular net, for example natural or synthetic, both woven or extruded.
The packaging material however could also be of another kind, i.e. not of the net type, for example plastic, paper, or yet others.
Machines of this type usually comprise means for supplying products to be packed: in particular the products are supplied in set amounts, for example in terms of units or overall weight.
The packaging group 1 according to the present invention is foreseen downstream of the aforementioned supplying means.
Downstream of the packaging group 1 according to the present invention there is usually a station for closing the wrappings at the ends, for making the finished packages of products. Such a closing station is not part of the present invention, and shall not therefore be described in detail.
For example, in the case in which the packaging material is made up of a tubular synthetic net, the closing station can operate through heat-sealing of the ends of the wrapping filled with products.
In other embodiments, the closing station can obviously be of another type, without limiting the purposes of the present invention.
The packaging group 1 comprises a frame, wholly indicated with reference numeral 2.
The frame 2 of the group 1 is suitable for being fixed to the base of the packaging machine, not represented in the figures, according to modalities that are not the object of the present invention.
The packaging group 1 also comprises a tube 4 for supporting a packaging material, from which individual tubular packaging can be obtained to be closed at the ends once they are filled up.
The tube 4 is supported by the frame 2 as shall become clearer from the rest of the description.
The packaging material, i.e. the tubular net, is supplied around the tube 4, in particular along its outer surface.
Moreover, the shape and the dimensions of the tube 4 can be any, in relation to the specific application requirements.
The tube 4 is supported by the frame 2 with a vertical axis.
Alternatively, the tube 4 could be supported by the frame 2 with its axis inclined with respect to the vertical, with an angle of inclination in any case such as to ensure the correct fall of the products.
The tube 4 comprises an upper end 6.
The upper end 6 of the tube 4 defines an opening 8 for loading the products to be packed.
At the loading opening 8 a hopper 10 is mounted for supplying the products.
The hopper 10 can have any shape or dimensions, in relation for example to the type of products that are treated, or to the amount of products to be introduced in a same package, or in relation to yet other parameters.
The tube 4 also comprises a lower end 12.
The lower end 12 of the tube 4 defines an opening 14 for unloading the products through falling inside the single wrappings, not represented in the figures, obtained from the packaging material.
The tube 4 moreover comprises, inside it, a falling channel for the products 16, delimited by the loading opening 8 and by the unloading opening 14.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the packaging group 1 comprises means, wholly indicated with reference numeral 18, for selectively closing the falling channel 16 of the products.
As explained in greater detail in the rest of the description, the selective closure means 18 are actuated in relation to the different packing steps of the products.
More in particular, the selective closure means 18 are suitable for dividing the falling channel for the products 16 into at least two consecutive sections 20, 22 that are travelled along in sequence by the products to be packed.
This makes it possible to obtain two consecutive sections 20, 22 of path for the falling of products both having a length that is considerably shorter than the total length of the tube 4, with obvious advantages in terms of reduction of the risk of products becoming damaged due to the impact from falling on the bottom of the wrapping that receives them.
In other embodiments of the invention not represented in the figures, the selective closure means 18 can be suitable for dividing the falling channel 16 of the products possibly also into a greater number of consecutive sections, in relation to the specific application requirements.
The selective closure means 18 shall be described in detail in the rest of the description.
The frame 2 of the packaging group comprises, in particular, three plates 24, 26, 28 positioned over one another, and reciprocally connected through uprights 30, 32.
More in particular, the frame 2 comprises a lower plate 24, an intermediate plate 26 and an upper plate 28.
The intermediate plate 26 is fixed onto first uprights 30 that rest on the lower plate 24.
The upper plate 28 is on the other hand fixed onto second uprights 32 in turn resting on the intermediate plate 26.
The upper end 6 of the tube 4 is supported by the intermediate plate 26 of the frame 2.
In particular, the upper end 6 of the tube 4 comprises a first flange 34 that is fixed to the intermediate plate 26, at a first circular opening 36 of the latter.
The lower end 12 of the tube 4 on the other hand, is free since, as mentioned, below it, packages of products are formed for filling the tubular packaging made from the packaging material accumulated along the tube 4 itself.
In detail, the selective closure means 18 of the falling channel 16 of the products along the tube 4 comprise a deformable element 38.
The deformable element 38 is inserted inside the tube 4.
The deformable element 38 is made from a yieldable material, for example rubber canvas, or from another material with equivalent and suitable characteristics.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the deformable element 38 is selectively mobile from an open configuration, in which it allows the products to fall free along the channel 16, to a closed configuration in which it forms, inside the falling channel 16, an intermediate stopping area 40 that defines consecutive first and second sections 20, 22 of the falling channel 16 for the products.
The deformable element 38 has a substantially tubular shape, and is mounted coaxially with respect to the tube 4.
The deformable element 38 thus constitutes a sort of internal lining of the tube 4.
The deformable element 38 comprises a first end 42.
Such a first end 42 is positioned at the lower end 12 of the tube 4.
The deformable element 38 also comprises a second end 44.
The second end 44 is positioned at the upper end 6 of the tube 4.
The deformable element 38 is supported by the intermediate plate 26 and by the upper plate 28 of the frame 2, as shall be made clearer in the rest of the description.
The selective closure means 18 also comprise means 46 for rotating the second end 44 with respect to the first end 42 of the deformable element 38.
In other embodiments, however, the selective closure means 18 could comprise, in an equivalent manner, means for rotating the first end 42 with respect to the second end 44 of the deformable element 38, in relation to the specific application requirements, through a simple kinematic inversion.
The rotation means 46 are operatively connected to a control unit of the operation of the packaging machine in which the packaging group according to the present invention is installed.
The rotation means 46 make it possible to selectively modify the configuration of the deformable element 38 in relation to the operative packaging steps.
More in detail, the aforementioned opening configuration of the deformable element 38—illustrated in FIG. 5—is substantially a stretched out tube.
In this open configuration, the products introduced through the loading opening 8 can freely fall along the falling channel 16, without obstacles.
The open configuration of the deformable element 38 corresponds to a situation in which no rotation is given to the second end 44 with respect to the first end 42 of the deformable element 38.
The aforementioned closed configuration of the deformable element 38 is on the other hand substantially tubular and twisted around itself, as illustrated in
This configuration corresponds to a situation in which the second end 44 is rotated by a certain angle with respect to the first end 42.
The angle of rotation of the second end 44 of the deformable element 38 with respect to the first end 42 can vary in relation to different parameters, for example the dimensions of the deformable element 38 itself and the material with which it is made, the type of products to be packed and their number, and others more.
In such a closed configuration of the deformable element 38, the intermediate stopping area 40 that is created consists of a constriction of the same deformable element 38 substantially at its centre line. In practice, a sort of funnel that completely brakes the fall of the products along the channel 16 is thus created, in the aforementioned stopping area 40.
The rotation means 46 comprise a first ring 48 that is fixedly attached to the first end 42 of the deformable element 38.
The first ring 48 is rigidly connected to the tube 4, in particular to its lower end 12, as shall be described in greater detail in the rest of the description.
The rotation means 46 moreover comprise a second ring 50 that is fixedly attached to the second end 44 of the deformable element 38, visible in particular in the detail of
The rotation means 46 comprise a motor 52 that is supported by the frame 2 and coupled with the second ring 50.
The motor 52 is fixed, more in detail, to the upper plate 28 of the frame 2.
The second ring 50 is rotatably supported by the frame 2; in particular it is rotatably supported by the intermediate plate 26 and by the upper plate 28 of the frame 2 itself.
As illustrated in the detail of
The lower collar 54 is supported by lower thrust roller bearings 58 that are fixed to the first flange 34 of the tube 4, which is fixed in turn to the intermediate plate 26.
For example, the lower roller bearings 58 can be in a number of three, positioned angularly equidistant with respect to one another.
The upper collar 56 is rotatably supported by upper roller bearings 60, which are fixed to the upper plate 28.
Also the upper roller bearings 60 can be for example in number of three, positioned angularly equidistant with respect to one another.
The rotation means 46 comprise means, wholly indicated with reference numeral 62, for transmitting the rotation movement from the motor 52 to the second ring 50.
More in particular, the transmission means 62 comprise a crown gear 64 that is mounted on the second ring 50.
In particular, the crown gear 64 is interposed between the lower collar 54 and the upper collar 56.
The transmission means 62 moreover comprise a toothed pinion 66 that is coupled with the outlet shaft of the motor 52 and engaging with the crown gear 64, as illustrated also in
The gear ratio between the pinion 66 and the crown 64 is suitably sized in relation to the rotation angle that the second end 44 of the deformable element 38 must carry out with respect to the first end 42.
The transmission means 62 can also be of another type, in particular suitable for giving the second ring 50 an alternate rotation—i.e. first in one direction and then in the other direction—with the desired angle.
For example, they can be of the type using a linear actuator instead of a rotary one.
In this case, the transmission means can comprise for example a slider-crank mechanism, or a rack that is coupled with a crown gear, or other equivalent and suitable means.
The packaging group 1 according to the present invention also comprises a magnetic proximity sensor 68 that is coupled with the crown gear 64 of the transmission means 62.
The magnetic proximity sensor 68 is suitable for detecting the position and/or the rotation speed of the second ring 50 of the deformable element 38 with respect to the first ring 48, and thus makes it possible to precisely control the different steps of the operation of the packaging group 1.
In particular the magnetic proximity sensor 68 can be for example of the Hall effect type for detecting the alternation between teeth-spaces of the crown gear 64 during its rotation.
The hopper 10 is associated with the upper plate 28 at a second flange 70 that is fixed at a second circular opening 72 of the upper plate 28 itself.
The packaging group 1 can also comprise means for adjusting the mounting tension of the deformable element 38 inside the tube 4.
In practice, in a first operative step, the rotation means 46 are actuated so as to rotate the second end 44 of the deformable element 38 with respect to the first end 42.
The second end 44 is rotated by a certain set and variable angle in relation to specific characteristics of the deformable element 38, and/or of the treated products, and/or in relation to yet other characteristics, thus achieving a twisting of the deformable element 38 itself around its axis.
In such a way, the deformable element 38 is brought from the open configuration to the closed configuration already described: there is thus, at the centre line of the deformable element 38, the intermediate stopping area 40 for the products to be packed, with the characteristics previously described.
Once the closed configuration of the deformable element 38 has been obtained, the products to be packed are then introduced inside it through the hopper 10 and thus the loading opening 8.
The products then travel freely through the first section 20 of the falling channel 16, and are all collected at the intermediate stopping area 40.
As mentioned, the material with which the deformable element 38 is made is soft and yieldable, for example rubber canvas or the like.
Thanks to this characteristic, the deformable element 38 twisted around itself provides for stopping the fall of the products so as to completely dampen possible impacts.
Once all the products to be packed have completely stopped inside the deformable element 38, the rotation means 46 are actuated again, this time in the opposite direction.
In this way, the deformable element 38 is rapidly brought back to the open configuration, in which it is stretched out with a tubular shape.
The products to be packed are thus freed to travel along the second section 22 of the falling channel 16, and can be then collected on the bottom of the tubular packaging that will make up the final packaging.
The second falling section 22 is thus not more than half the length of the normal portion that the products would travel in a conventional tube without selective closure means.
The products thus reach a slower final fall speed, and their impact on the bottom of the wrapping, which is much lower, is such as to not cause damage, also in the cases of products having a particularly soft consistency.
It has thus been seen how the invention achieves the proposed purposes.
As clarified, the packaging group according to the invention makes it possible to eliminate—or in any case drastically reduce—the risks of damaging the products in their fall inside the tubular packaging that will constitute the pack in which they are sold. This result is obtained with a group that has a simple construction and is cost-effective to make, easy to control and easily maintained.
Moreover, the group according to the invention can simply be installed also on already existing packing machines, by simply replacing it to the conventional packaging group already present in them.
The present invention has been described according to preferred embodiments, but equivalent variants can be conceived without departing from the scope of protection offered by the following claims.
Claims
1. Group for packing goods in tubular packaging, comprising a tube supporting a packaging material fed around said tube and from which discrete tubular packaging can be formed, said tube including an upper end providing a load opening for the goods to be packaged, a lower end providing a discharge opening for the goods inside the discrete packaging obtained from said packaging material, and a goods falling channel bounded by said load opening and by said discharge opening and means for selective closing said goods falling channel.
2. Group according to claim 1, wherein said selective closing means divide said goods falling channel into at least two consecutive portions.
3. Group according to claim 2, wherein said selective closing means comprise a deformable member inserted into said tube and selectively mobile from an opening arrangement, in which it allows the goods free drop along said tube, to a closing arrangement in which it defines inside said tube, an intermediate stop area defining a first portion and a second portion of said falling channel respectively.
4. Group according to claim 3, wherein said deformable member has a substantially tubular design, is coaxially installed inside said tube and comprises a first and a second juxtaposed end, respectively.
5. Group according to claim 4, wherein said selective closing means comprise rotation means of said second end with respect to said first end or vice versa.
6. Group according to claim 5, wherein said rotation means comprise a first ring integral with said first end of said deformable member and connected to said tube, a second ring integral with said second end of said deformable member and a motor coupled to said second ring.
7. Group according to claim 6, wherein said rotation means comprise motion transmission means from said motor to said second ring.
8. Group according to claim 7, wherein said transmission means comprise a crown wheel fitted to said second ring, and a toothed pinion coupled to the output shaft of said motor and meshing with said crown wheel.
9. Group according to claim 8, comprising a magnetic proximity sensor coupled to said crown wheel, for detecting the position and/or speed of said second ring with respect to said first ring of said deformable member.
10. Group according to claim 1, wherein said tube is arranged with a vertical axis or tilted with respect to the vertical.
11. Group according to claim 1, wherein said deformable member is made of yielding material of the rubberized fabric kind or alike.
12. Group for packing goods in tubular packaging, comprising a tube supporting a packaging material fed around said tube and from which discrete tubular packaging can be formed, said tube including an upper end providing a load opening for the goods to be packaged, a lower end providing a discharge opening for the goods inside the discrete packaging obtained from said packaging material, and a goods falling channel bounded by said load opening and by said discharge opening and means for selective closing said goods falling channel, said selective closing means including a deformable member inserted into said tube and selectively mobile from an opening arrangement, in which it allows the goods free drop along said tube, to a closing arrangement in which it defines inside said tube, an intermediate stop area defining a first portion and a second portion of said falling channel respectively.
13. Group according to claim 12, wherein said deformable member has a substantially tubular design, is coaxially installed inside said tube and comprises a first and a second juxtaposed end, respectively.
14. Group according to claim 12, wherein said selective closing means comprise rotation means of said second end with respect to said first end or vice versa.
15. Group according to claim 12, wherein said deformable member, when is in said opening arrangement, is substantially an unwrinkled or stretched out tube.
16. Group according to claim 12, wherein said deformable member, when is in said closing arrangement, is substantially a twisted tube by mutual rotation of said second end with respect to said first end or vice versa, said intermediate stop area being formed by a pinching of said deformable member substantially at its center line.
17. Group according to claim 12, wherein said deformable member has a substantially tubular design, is coaxially installed inside said tube and comprises a first and a second juxtaposed end, respectively.
18. Group according to claim 12, wherein said deformable member is made of yielding material of the rubberized fabric kind or alike.
19. Group according to claim 12, wherein said tube is arranged with a vertical axis or tilted with respect to the vertical.
20. Group for packing goods in tubular packaging, comprising a tube supporting a packaging material fed around said tube and from which discrete tubular packaging can be formed, said tube including an upper end providing a load opening for the goods to be packaged, a lower end providing a discharge opening for the goods inside the discrete packaging obtained from said packaging material, and a goods falling channel bounded by said load opening and by said discharge opening and a said deformable member for selective closing said goods falling channel, wherein said deformable member has a substantially tubular design, a first and a second juxtaposed end, respectively, is coaxially installed inside said tube, includes a first ring integral with said first end of said deformable member and connected to said tube, a second ring integral with said second end of said deformable member and a motor coupled to said second ring.
21. Group according to claim 20, comprising a crown wheel fitted to said second ring, and a toothed pinion coupled to the output shaft of said motor and meshing with said crown wheel.
22. Group according to claim 21, comprising a magnetic proximity sensor coupled to said crown wheel, for detecting the position and/or speed of said second ring with respect to said first ring of said deformable member.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 16, 2014
Publication Date: Jul 17, 2014
Applicant: Sorma S.p.A. (Cesena (FC))
Inventor: Alberto Ermanno Agostini (Cesena)
Application Number: 14/156,996
International Classification: B65B 5/06 (20060101);
