Patent Application
20060094577
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
The present invention relates generally to a bottom sealing assembly for a cup forming machine, and more specifically to a computer controlled bottom sealing assembly that is quantitatively controllable.
Cup forming machines and bottom sealing assemblies therefor are well known in the art. Such bottom sealing assemblies are generally used seal a folded portion of a sidewall to a bottom wall to form the bottom portion of a cup during the cup forming process. While such bottom sealing assemblies according to the prior art provide a number of advantageous features, they nevertheless have certain limitations. The present invention seeks to overcome certain of these limitations and other drawbacks of the prior art, and to provide new features not heretofore available. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The present invention generally provides a bottom seal assembly used seal a folded portion of a sidewall to a bottom wall to form the bottom portion of a cup during the cup forming process.
According to one embodiment, the bottom sealing assembly comprises a mounting assembly, a linear motion assembly, a rotation assembly, and a phase change assembly. The mounting assembly is secured to the cup forming machine, the linear motion assembly is at least partially moveably connected to the mounting assembly, and the rotation assembly has at least a portion thereof mounted to the linear motion assembly such that the at least a portion of the rotation assembly moves with the linear motion assembly. The rotation assembly has a shaft and a finishing tool connected to the shaft, and the finishing tool is rotated in a circle having a first radius. The phase change assembly is operably connected to the shaft to manipulate the shaft to have the finishing tool rotate in a circle having a second radius that is larger than the first radius.
According to another embodiment, the bottom sealing assembly further has a tracking assembly connected to the rotation assembly. The tracking assembly develops a signal of the position of the rotation assembly and transmits the signal to the phase change assembly to control the operation thereof.
According to another embodiment, a first motor is provided in association with the linear motion assembly to linearly move the linear motion assembly, a second motor is provided in association with the rotation assembly to rotate a supporting component for the shaft, and a third motor is provided in association with the phase change assembly to selectively spin the shaft.
According to another embodiment, a bottom sealing assembly is provided that comprises a rotatable barrel, a shaft, a finishing tool connected to the shaft, and a separate phase change motor mechanically connected to the shaft. The barrel has an axial centerline about which the barrel rotates, and a bore extending from a first end of the barrel to a second end of the barrel. The bore is radially offset from the axial centerline of the barrel. The shaft has a first end, a second end and a central longitudinal axis. The shaft also has an offset stub at the second end of the shaft. The offset stub has a longitudinal axis that is radially offset from the central longitudinal axis of the shaft and from the axial centerline of the barrel. The finishing tool is connected to the offset stub of the shaft. The phase change motor is mechanically connected to the shaft to spin the shaft to adjust the radial offset between the longitudinal axis of the offset stub and axial centerline of the barrel.
According to another embodiment, a bottom sealing assembly is provided and has a forming tool that rotates in a circle having a first radius. The forming tool is adapted to be moved to rotate in a circle having a second radius that is larger than the first radius. An electronic controller is operably connected to the forming tool to electronically adjust the second radius of the forming tool.
According to another embodiment, a bottom sealing station is provided and comprises a linear motion assembly, a forming tool adapted to be rotated in a circle, and a controller electrically connected to the linear motion assembly. The linear motion assembly moves the forming tool between an extended position and a retracted position, and the controller electronically adjusts the extended and retracted positions of the forming tool.
According to another embodiment, a bottom sealing workstation is provided for a cup forming machine. The bottom sealing workstation comprises a first motor mechanically connected to a linear motion assembly of the bottom sealing workstation to linearly move the linear motion assembly toward a mandrel, a second motor mechanically connected to a rotation assembly of the bottom sealing workstation to rotate a forming tool in a circle having a radius, and a third motor mechanically connected to the forming tool to adjust the radius of the circle in which the forming tool rotates. Additionally, a controller may be electrically connected to the first and third motors. The controller is adapted to send electronic signals to the first and third motors to adjust a motion profile of the first and third motors.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.
To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
Referring now to the Figures, and specifically to
Turning again to
In a conventional cup forming machine, a single main drive motor connected to a single main drive shaft rotating at a constant angular velocity is utilized to provide the drive for each of the turrets and workstations. Typically, one drive shaft revolution constitutes one machine cycle, during which each workstation performs a particular task on the cup or component thereof associated with a particular mandrel. To ensure that each workstation engages and performs its task on each cup at the appropriate time, the myriad of mechanical apparatuses and the turrets with which they cooperate are driven by the single main drive shaft. Having a single main drive shaft, however, detrimentally affects the machine performance and capabilities. For example, horsepower is transmitted from the drive shaft at various points along its length by belts, pulleys, chains, gears, cams, etc. which in turn supply power to each of the turrets and workstations. As many of the mechanisms of the turrets and workstations move, they extract horsepower from the main drive shaft during some portion of each machine cycle. Further, in order to modify the drive characteristics of each turret and workstation, various components must be changed and/or re-machined. Additionally, accelerations of mechanisms on the conventional cup forming machine are slower, thereby allowing a lesser amount of dwell time for each mechanism to perform its function.
Conversely, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of drive motors are utilized to drive the different turrets and workstations. The drive motors receive signals from various controllers and are controlled thereby. Further, the drive parameters and profiles may be independently modified electronically and substantially in real time, and the profiles may be created to allow for increased dwell time of each workstation. In one example of the paper cup forming machine 10, approximately 18 different servo axes (17 axes with servo motors, ½ axis for the encoder for the virtual motor 52, and ½ axis for the digital encoder 296 for the second bottom forming workstation 34) and 22 different motors (21 physical motors and 1 virtual electronic motor) are provided and controlled by the main controller 49. As explained in detail herein, the main controller 49 has a memory that stores a plurality of drive or motion profiles, and the main controller 49 is electrically connected to a plurality of drives of various motors and sends signals of the drive profiles to those motors via their respective drives. Referring to
The controls and drive arrangements for each of the motors and workstations are described herein.
The paper cup forming machine 10 creates a finished paper cup 90 such as shown in
When formed, the paper cup 90 has a overlapping longitudinal sidewall seam or seal 96 at the joint between the first and second opposing longitudinal edges 95, 97, a bottom seal 98 at the joint between the skirt 100 of the bottom blank 94 and the bent lip 102 at the lower region 104 of the sidewall blank 94, and a curled overturned rim 106 at the upper region 108 of the sidewall 92 leading into the cavity 110 of the cup 90. The longitudinal sidewall seam 96 is formed by overlapping one of the first or second longitudinal edges 95, 97 over the other edge 95, 97. The bottom seal 98 is formed by bending the distal most portion 112 of the sidewall 92 to form the bent lip 102. The bent lip 102 is folded over the skirt 100 portion of the bottom blank 94 such that the skirt 100 is squeezed between the distal portion 112 of the sidewall 92 and the bent lip 102 of the sidewall 92. As such, the bottom seal 98 is formed of three plies of paper. A recessed area 116 is created adjacent the side of the bottom blank 94 opposing the cavity 110 of the cup 90.
The typical cup 90 is made from paperboard blanks having a thermoplastic coating, such as a polyethylene, on at least one side of the blank. The thermoplastic material permits heating and sealing of adjacent components. It is understood that alternative types of coatings, including environmental friendly coatings, may be utilized with the present invention. In one embodiment of the cup 90, the sidewall blank 92 is a 185 lb. board and has a 0.75 mil. thermoplastic coating on one surface of the blank 92 (i.e., the surface which becomes the inside surface 118 of the formed cup 90). A thermoplastic coating may also be applied to the other surface of the blank 92 in different embodiments. The bottom blank 94, however, is made of a 126 lb. board and has a thermoplastic coating on both of it surfaces. One surface of the bottom blank 94 has a 0.75 mil. thermoplastic coating and the other surface of the bottom blank 94 has a 0.75 mil. thermoplastic coating. Accordingly, in the example of the bottom seal 98 described above, when the sidewall blank 92 is wrapped around the bottom blank 94, the adjacent heated thermoplastic coated surfaces of the distal portion 112 of the sidewall 92, the skirt 100 of the bottom blank 94, and the bent lip 102 of the sidewall blank 92 are pressed together at the second bottom forming workstation 34 to form a strong, leak-proof bottom seal 98. While this disclosure provides an example of a paper cup formed with paper having a thermoplastic coating, it is readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the cup forming machine of the present invention can manufacture different types of cups as well, including plain paper, waxed paper, etc., and those cups utilizing adhesive seals instead of poly seals. Further, if a thermoplastic coating is utilized, it may be applied to one or both surfaces, and it may be applied in differing thicknesses. The paper types and thicknesses may vary also. Additionally, it is readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited to cup forming machines having the identified workstations, and instead the broad aspect of the present invention is applicable to a variety of cup forming machines and configurations thereof.
The mandrel turret 12 is positioned about a vertical axis, and is driven by the main turret drive motor 50 as explained above. The mandrel turret 12 has a plurality of mandrels 48 extending radially outward from the mandrel turret 12. The mandrels 48 are typically frusto-conically shaped, like the cup 90, and provide a surface on which the cups 90 are formed. If the cup or container 90 that is being formed has a straight wall, however, the mandrel 48 will also have a straight wall. In a preferred embodiment, the mandrel turret 12 has eight equally spaced mandrels 48, i.e., spaced approximately every 45° about the mandrel turret 12. Further, in a preferred embodiment the main turret motor 50 is a servo motor that has a servo drive component to receive command signals from the main controller 49, and send signals back to the controller 49 and to various drives for other workstations.
In a preferred embodiment, as explained above, the main turret motor 50 is a servo motor. In general, servo motors are electric motors that are designed for high dynamics. The servo motor operates with a servo drive (or amplifier) to control the motor current. The servo drive controls the current of the motor phases in order to supply the servo motor with exactly the current required for the desired torque and the desired speed. Further, the servo motor is equipped with a position sensor, such as an encoder, which provides the servo drive with position and speed feedback. As opposed to conventional AC motors which are generally operated at a constant speed (open loop control), a servo drive often operates at highly variable speeds, and often has to accelerate to the rated speed within milliseconds only to decelerate a short time later just as quickly. With servo motors the target position often must be reached exactly with an error of a few millimeters depending on the rating of the motor and drive. To accomplish this function, the servo controller typically has three control loops (torque, velocity, position) that drive the power circuit of the motor by constantly comparing a desired position with actual values to ensure that the motor keeps exactly to the desired motions even under varying load and rapid accelerations and decelerations. Generally, feedback information for the motor is derived from an encoder attached to the motor shaft of the servo motor. The encoder generates a pulse stream from which the processor can determine the distance traveled, and by calculating the pulse frequency it is possible to measure velocity. The drives firmware is programmed with a mathematical model (also referred to as an algorithm or profile). The algorithm or profile predicts the behavior of the motor in response to a given input command and output position. The drive profile also takes into account additional information like the output velocity, the rate of change of the input and the various tuning settings.
The main turret motor 50 is electrically connected to a plurality of workstations spaced about the periphery of the main turret assembly. Such electrical connection may be direct or indirect. In a preferred embodiment, the servo drive of the main turret motor 50 has three programmable limit switch outputs. These outputs allow the drive of the main turret motor 50 to send out electronic signals when pre-programmed positions are reached by the main turret motor 50. Accordingly, the main turret motor 50 develops electrical signals of the position of the main motor 50 and sends the electrical signals to the workstations electronically connected thereto to initiate action of the workstations. In a preferred embodiment as shown in
Because additional motors require signals of the main turret motor 50 for initiating their programmed drive profiles, the preferred embodiment of the cup forming machine 10 utilizes an electronic virtual motor 52 to mirror the position of the main turret motor 50 in order to provide output signals. The electronic virtual motor 52 is not a mechanical drive motor, but rather is an electronic computerized motor which operates on an electronic one to one ratio with the main turret drive motor 50 to provide additional programmable limit switch output signals. In a preferred embodiment the three programmable limit switch output signals of the virtual motor 52 are provided to: (1) the second bottom forming linear motor 78; (2) the horizontal rimming turret motor 56; and, (3) a gate programmable limit switch 87. In turn the gate programmable limit switch 87 provides electronic signals for the controller 49 to create electronic windows to determine when sensor inputs should be evaluated. For example, the gate programmable limit switch 87 provides electronic windows for receiving signals the bottom paper detect sensor 126, etc.
Additionally, the servo drive of the horizontal turret motor 56, which receives its motion trigger signal from the virtual motor 52 that operates on an electronic one to one ration with the main turret drive motor 50, provides three programmable limit switch output signals to: (1) the tamper lube motor 82; (2) the pre-curl motor 84; and, (3) the finish curl motor 86. More specifically, however, the output signals from the programmable limit switch of the drive of the horizontal turret motor 56 are provided to the respective drives of the tamper lube motor, pre-curl motor and finish curl motor. Because a variety of axes and servo motors are utilized to independently control the various workstations, the individual workstations and the motors thereof may be substantially independently operated.
In a preferred embodiment, the main turret motor 50 has no specific drive profile. Instead, the main turret motor 50 is commanded by the main controller 49 to rotate at a constant velocity. A cam box between the main turret motor 50 and the mandrel turret 12 converts the constant rotational velocity of the main turret motor 50 into intermittent motion for the mandrel turret 12. With the use of the cam box the resultant motion of the mandrel turret 12 is 50% motion index and 50% dwell.
When the main turret drive motor 50 rotates one of the mandrels 48 into position with the bottom punch workstation 24, a bottom blank 94 is positioned on the end of the mandrel 48. In operation, the bottom punch workstation 24 and the sidewall die cutter workstation 22 operate to form the bottom blanks 94 and sidewall blanks 92, respectively. Specifically, in one embodiment the bottom punch workstation 24 has a bottom paper feed motor 66 and a bottom paper punch motor 68. In a preferred embodiment the bottom paper feed motor 66 and the bottom paper punch motor 68 are servo motors. As explained above and shown in
In a preferred embodiment, to create the bottom blank 94 the bottom punch motor 68 is commanded to drive a dual-stage bottom paper punch at a one to one ratio to the main turret 12. Therefore, like the mandrel turret motor 50, the bottom punch motor 68 rotates at a constant velocity. The dual-stage bottom paper punch operates to both shear the bottom blank from the roll of paper, and then to form the skirt of the bottom blank. First, one component of the bottom punch workstation 24 punches the paper to shear the bottom blank 94 from the continuous roll of bottom wall paper. For one size cup, at this stage the bottom blank 94 is shaped as a disc having approximately a 3″ diameter. A second stage of the bottom punch workstation 24 operates to push the disc-shaped bottom blank 94 through the forming ring. The forming ring has approximately a 2.25″ diameter opening. Thus, by pushing the 3″ diameter disc-shaped bottom blank through the forming ring having approximately 2.25″ diameter opening, the bottom blank 94 is reformed to have a substantially even 0.375″ skirt portion 100 around the circumference of the bottom blank 94. Finally, an air cylinder pushes the formed bottom blank 94 into the opening 120 at the radial end 122 of the adjacent mandrel 48, and against an outward end wall 124 of the mandrel 48. Because the outward end wall 124 of the mandrel 48 in this position is located approximately 0.375″ inside the radial end 122 of the mandrel 48, the edge of the skirt 100, which is approximately 0.375″ long, is adjacent the radial end 122 of the mandrel 48. It is understood that the specific dimensions for the bottom blank 94 are provided for one exemplar cup shape, and a variety of different shapes, configurations and mechanisms to create the bottom blank 94 are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Because the bottom punch workstation 24 has its own paper feed motor 66 and bottom paper punch motor 68, and because the drive profile and parameters for the bottom paper feed motor 66 can be independently modified, the operation and efficiency of this workstation is greatly enhanced. For example, as shown in the bottom punch/feed setup screen 67 in
The end wall 124 of the mandrel 48 has a vacuum which operates to retain the formed bottom blank 94 secure in position. After the bottom blank 94 is inserted onto the outward end of the mandrel 48, the mandrel turret 12 is rotated two indexes such that the mandrel 48 with the bottom blank 94 is provided at the folding wing workstation 26. As the mandrel turret 12 is indexed to the folding wing workstation 26 a photo eye 126 operates to verify that a bottom blank 94 is provided in the mandrel 48.
At generally the same time that the bottom punch workstation 24 is creating and inserting the bottom blank 94 onto the mandrel 48, the sidewall feeder workstation 20 and sidewall die cutter workstation 22 are operating to create a sidewall blank 92 for the cup 46. In a preferred embodiment the sidewall feeder motor 58 and sidewall paper die motor 60 are servo motors.
In a preferred embodiment, the sidewall paper die motor 60 is commanded to drive the sidewall paper die at a one to one ratio to the main turret 12. Therefore, like the mandrel turret 12 and the bottom punch motor 68, the sidewall paper die motor 60 generally runs at a constant velocity. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, the drive of the sidewall paper die motor 60 is hard wired to the drive of the main turret motor 50. Additionally, like the bottom paper feed motor 66 that receives a signal from the drive of the main turret drive motor 50, the drive for the sidewall feeder motor 58 receives signals from the main controller 49 and the drive of the main turret drive motor 50 (through the drive of the sidewall paper die motor 60) such that the feeder motor 58 operates to feed the sidewall blank 94, and then the sidewall die motor 60 drives the die to cut the sidewall blank 94. More specifically, in a preferred embodiment, a drive or motion profile for the sidewall feeder motor 58 resides in the main controller 49 and this drive profile is transmitted to the drive for the sidewall feeder motor 58 from the main controller 49. The drive or motion profile sent to the drive of the sidewall feeder motor 58 is initiated based on an initiation signal received from the programmable limit switch of the drive of sidewall paper die motor 60.
In sum, based on the signals received, the sidewall feeder motor 58 operates to advance the sidewall paper roll at the appropriate time, position and velocity to the sidewall die cutter workstation 22. Similarly, the sidewall paper die motor 60 operates to reciprocate the sidewall die 130 at the appropriate time, position and velocity (based on its one to one gearing ratio with the main turret) to create the sidewall blanks 92 as described below. For example, as the die 130 gets into the proper position (i.e., as soon as it shears the paper and begins to raise up from the paper) an electronic signal is sent from the drive of the sidewall paper die motor 60 directly to the drive of the sidewall feeder motor 58 to have the sidewall feeder motor 58 begin to feed additional paper to the die 130.
In the preferred embodiment, the sidewall die cutter workstation 22 employs a progressive reciprocating die 130 that is driven by the sidewall paper die motor 60. The term progressive in reference to the sidewall die means that the trailing edge of one sidewall blank 92 and the leading edge of the following sidewall blank 92 are die cut at the same time. Additionally, the die 130 is reciprocating in that the die moves in an alternating up and down motion to cut the paper that becomes the sidewall blank 92. In a preferred embodiment, the rotary motion of the sidewall paper die motor 60 is converted into reciprocating motion for the die cutter 22. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment the shape of the die 130 for the sidewall die cutter workstation 22 is substantially U-shaped to conform with the shape of the sidewall blank 92 (see
As with the other workstations and drives on the cup forming machine 10, the sidewall feeder workstation 20 and sidewall die cutter workstation each have their own motors identified above, and the drive profile and operating parameters for the sidewall feeder motor 58 can be independently modified. In general the operating parameters may be quantitatively modified at an input station electrically connected to the main controller 49. For example, as shown in the sidewall die/feed setup screen 81 shown in
Referring to
In a preferred embodiment, the transfer turret motor 54 is a servo motor. As explained above and shown in
After the sidewall blank 92 is cut, the transfer turret 14 is rotationally advanced by the transfer turret motor 54 to subsequent radial locations to heat the polyethylene coating on the sidewall blank 92 for forming the longitudinal sidewall seam 96 at the folding wing workstation 26, and to pre-heat the lower region 104 of the sidewall blank 92 for forming the bottom seal 98 at the second bottom forming workstation 34. At the first heating location 132, heat in the form of hot air is blown on the lower region 104 of the inner surface 118 of the sidewall blank 92 adjacent the leading edge 91 thereof. In one example, the first heating location 132 has one heater 134. The transfer turret 14 is then rotationally advanced to move the sidewall blank 92 to the second heating location 136. The second heating location 136 has 3 heaters. The first heater 138 at the second heating location 136 is utilized to provide heat, in the form of hot air, to the longitudinal edges 95, 97 of the inner surface 118 of the sidewall blank 92; the second heater 140 at the second heating location 136 is utilized to provide heat, in the form of hot air, to the lower region 104 of the inner surface 118 of the sidewall blank 92 adjacent the leading edge 91 thereof; and, the third heater 142 is utilized to provide heat, in the form of hot air, to the longitudinal edges 95, 97, but at the outer surface of the sidewall blank 92. Thus, the heater 134 at the first heating location 132, and the first and second heaters 138, 140 at the second heating location 136 are provided on the top or upper side of the transfer turret 14, while the third heater 142 at the second heating location 136 is provided on the under side of the transfer turret 14. In a preferred embodiment, each of the heaters 134, 138, 140, 142 comprise a stainless steel cylinder housing an electric cartridge heater. The heater is energized and air is blown past the heater to heat the air. The heated air is then expelled from the heater at a manifold to diffuse the heated air on the appropriate locations on the sidewall blank 92. It is understood that additional means for heating the polyethylene coating are possible, such as electric or gas radiant heat.
Finally, the transfer turret 14 is rotationally advanced to move the sidewall blank 92 to the folding wing workstation 26. At the folding wing workstation 26 the sidewall blank 92 is transferred from the transfer turret 14 to the main or mandrel turret 12. For each advance or index rotation of the main turret 12 another mandrel 48 with a bottom blank 94 is provided at the folding wing workstation 26 and adapted to receive a sidewall blank 92.
Referring to
In a preferred embodiment, the left and right folding wing motors 62, 64 are servo motors. Each of the respective drives of the folding wing motors 62, 64 receive a drive profile signal, which as with all the drive profile signals contains the appropriate drive profile for the drive of the servo motor, from the main controller 49. Additionally, as explained above and shown in
In operation, after the transfer turret 14 having a sidewall blank 92 and the main turret 12 having a mandrel 48 with a bottom blank 94 are advanced into an aligned position, the sidewall blank 92 is located directly under the mandrel 48. In the disengaged position (
As explained above, the longitudinal sidewall seam 96 is created by an overlapping joint between the first and second opposing longitudinal edges 95, 97 of the sidewall blank 92. To create this overlapping joint 96, one of the folding wings must complete its folding of the sidewall blank 92 around the mandrel 48 prior to the opposing side of the sidewall blank 92. In a preferred embodiment both folding wings 148, 154 start their movement at the same time, however, one of the folding wings (typically the left folding wing 148) is commanded to complete its motion in slightly less time than the right folding wing 154. By having one folding wing complete its motion before the other folding wing an overlap is created at the side seam joint 96. After both of the folding wings 148, 154 are wrapped around the mandrel 48, thereby forming the frustoconical sidewall blank 92 of the cup 90 with an overlapping longitudinal side seam 96, a seal clamp 158 from the mandrel turret 12 clamps down on the seam 96 to sealingly join the opposing longitudinal edges 95, 97 of the sidewall blank 92. The seal clamp 158 is a component of the mandrel turret 12 and rotates with the mandrel turret 12. The seal clamp 158 maintains a clamping pressure on the sidewall 92 of the cup until the seal clamp 158 is released, explained later herein, when the mandrel 48 of the main turret 12 is associated with a mating cup receiver 300 of the horizontal pocket or rimming turret 16. The longitudinal seal 96 is created by the adherence of the heated polyethylene on the interior surface 118 of the outer overlapping edge 95 or 97 of the sidewall blank 92 against the outer surface of the opposing inner overlapping edge 95 or 97 of the sidewall blank 92. After the seal clamp 158 clamps the formed sidewall blank 92 to the mandrel 48, the foot clamp 156 releases the bottom of the sidewall blank 92 and the folding wings 148, 154 are rotated away from the mandrel 48 and back to the lowered or disengaged position as shown in
Because this embodiment of the folding wing workstation 26 for the cup forming machine 10 has separate motors 62, 64 for each of the left and right folding wings 148, 154, both of which are separately controllable, the cup machine 10 can control which folding wing 148, 154 finishes the folding of the sidewall blank 92 prior to the other folding wing 148, 154. The ability to control this feature electronically allows the cup forming machine 10 to create cups 90 with either a left-over-right longitudinal seal 96 or a right-over-left longitudinal seal 96. Additionally, the motion profile (i.e., the timing, distance, velocity) of each of the folding wings 148, 154 can be independently controlled and manipulated merely by adjusting the drive parameters and/or drive profile. For instance, different paperboard may require the folding arms to fold the paper at a lower acceleration than other paperboard to avoid disturbing the paperboard. An example of one motion profile for the folding wing workstation 26 is shown in
Further, because the folding wing workstation 14 has its own motors 62, 64, and because the drive profile and parameters for these motors 62, 64 can be independently modified, the operation and efficiency of this workstation is greatly enhanced. For example, as shown in the folding wing setup screen 145 in
After the sidewall blank 92 is wrapped around the mandrel 48 and the folding wing assembly 26 has returned to the disengaged position (i.e.,
As shown in
In general a drive of the first heater motor 70 receives a signal from at least one of the main controller 49 and a controller for the main turret motor 50, and in response to that signal the first heater motor 70 moves the heater tool 166 into and out of the recessed area 116 of the bottom of the cup 90 according to a specific drive profile. In a preferred embodiment the drive profile for the first heater motor 70 resides in the main controller 49. The drive profile is transmitted to the drive of the first heater motor 70 from the main controller 49. Further, in a preferred embodiment the drive of the first heater motor 70 receives an electronic command signal to begin its motions. As explained above, when the main motor 50 cycles its drive sends out signals to the various components at different positions of its cycle. At a specific instance in its cycle the drive of the main turret motor 50 sends out a signal to the drive of the first heater motor 70 to have that motor initiate its programmed drive profile.
The end of the heater tool 166 is cylindrically shaped and has a plurality of apertures 168 about its circumference. Heated air is forced into a central cavity of the heater tool 166 and is then forced out of the apertures 168 to heat the polyethylene on the inside surface 118 of the sidewall blank 92. More specifically, in a preferred embodiment for one size cup 90, when the sidewall blank 92 is wrapped around the mandrel 48 the distal end portion 112 of the sidewall blank 92 extends approximately 0.750″ past the end 122 of the mandrel 48 and this portion of the sidewall blank 92 is heated. The profile for the first heater motor 70 is designed such that heater tool/diffuser 166 is inserted into the recessed area 116 immediately as the mandrel 48 is properly positioned. Further, because the first bottom heater workstation 28 has its own drive motor 70, and because the drive profile for the first heater motor 70 can be independently modified, the heater tool 166 can be inserted and removed from the recessed area 116 at a faster rate, thereby allowing more dwell time for the heater tool 166 to provide increased heat to the sidewall blank 92 for an excellent bottom seal. Providing increased dwell time for each workstation of the cup forming machine 10 is one feature of the present invention. It is understood that the dwell for substantially each of the workstations of the cup forming machine 10 may be adjusted at the input station 51 and set independent of the machine speed of the cup forming machine 10. Additionally, it is understood that the input station 51 is electrically connected to the main controller 49, and, various parameters for the motors can be quantitatively controlled and adjusted at the input station 51 of the main controller 49.
An example of a bottom heater setup screen 161 is shown in
Next, the main turret 12 advances the mandrel 48 and partially formed cup 46 to the second bottom heater workstation 30. As the main turret 12 is advanced to the second bottom heater workstation 30, the end wall 124 of the mandrel 48 is advanced radially outward 0.375″. Thus, the edge of the skirt portion 100 of the bottom blank 94 is positioned 0.375″ outside the mandrel 48 opening, and is adjacent the inside surface 118 of the distal end portion 112 of the sidewall blank 92. At the second bottom heater workstation 30 the polyethylene of the surface of the skirt 100 facing the recessed area 116 is heated. The second bottom heater workstation 30 has a similar components and operation to the first bottom heater workstation 28, and as such reference to
After the inner surface 118 of the sidewall blank 92 and the inner surface of the skirt 100 have been heated at the first and second heater workstations 28, 30, respectively, the main or mandrel turret 12 is advanced to the first bottom forming workstation 32 (See
Referring to
In a preferred embodiment the first bottom forming motor 74 is a servo motor. In general, the drive of the first bottom forming motor 74 receives a drive or motion profile in the form of a drive profile signal from the main controller 49, and an electronic signal to trigger the motion from the main turret motor 50. In response to the signal from the main turret motor 50 the first bottom forming motor 74 initiates its drive profile and moves the slide mechanism 178 having the reforming tool 172 inward to engage the sidewall 92 of the partially formed cup 46. In a preferred embodiment the drive or motion profile for the first bottom forming motor 74 resides in the main controller 49. The drive profile is transmitted to the drive of the first bottom forming motor 74 from the main controller 49. Further, in a preferred embodiment the drive of the first bottom forming motor 74 receives a hard-wired signal from the drive of the main turret motor 50, and more specifically from the programmable limit switch of the drive of the main turret motor 50. As the main motor 50 cycles its drive sends out signals to the various components at different positions of its cycle. At a specific position in its cycle the drive of the main motor 50 sends out a signal to the drive of the first bottom forming motor 74 to have that motor initiate its programmed drive or motion profile, which generally moves the reforming tool 172 inward toward the mandrel 48 at a rapid velocity and for a specific distance to engage the sidewall 92, then it slows to a lower speed as it completes approximately the last 0.375″ of movement (which provides to curl or bend the paper), and then dwells for a period of time to eliminate the jerk effect of reversing motions. Finally, the first bottom forming motor 74 reverses backward at a rapid velocity to disengage the sidewall 92. In general, the function of the first bottom forming workstation 32 is to bend the distal end portion 112 of the sidewall blank 92 radially inwardly to create the bent lip 102 of the sidewall blank 92. The bent lip 102 of the sidewall blank 92 is positioned over the skirt 100 of the bottom blank 94, as shown in
An example of a first bottom forming setup screen 175 is shown in
After the distal end portion 112 of the sidewall blank 92 has been bent over the skirt 100 at the first bottom forming workstation 32, the mandrel turret 12 is advanced to the second bottom forming workstation 34 (See
Referring to
One example of the mounting assembly 208 of the second bottom forming workstation 34 is shown in
The linear motion assembly 200 of one embodiment of the second bottom forming workstation 34 is shown in
In general the slide assembly 230 slides back and forth (i.e., toward and away from the mandrel 48 on the main turret 12) on a pair of slide rails 236 that are mounted to the main plate 216 in response to the rotation of the second bottom forming linear motor 78. Thus, as the second bottom forming linear motor 78 and drive fork 228 rotate, the cam follower 234, which is connected to one of the side plates 238 of the slide assembly 230, is manipulated by the drive fork 228 and moves the slide assembly 230 back and forth on the slide rails 236.
The slide assembly 230 generally comprises a drive plate 240 at the bottom of the slide assembly 230, two opposing side plates 238 extending upward from the drive plate 240, a front plate 242 onto which the forming collar 244 is connected, a front bearing plate 246 connected between the side plates 238, and a rear bearing plate 248 connected between the side plates 238. The front plate 242 has an aperture therein concentric with the opening 243 of the forming collar 244 to allow the forming tool 210 to reside and move within the opening 243 of the forming collar 244. Bearings 250 extend from the side plates 238 to engage the slide rails 236 and to positively secure the slide assembly 230 in sliding engagement with the slide rails 236. Further, the front and rear bearing plates 246, 248 house bearings to support a portion of the rotating barrel 254 between the front and rear bearing plates 246, 248. As explained in detail below, a rotatable tool shaft 256 is rotatably contained within an offset bore 258 in the barrel 254. The tool shaft 256 and barrel 254 move inward and outward with the slide assembly 230.
The rotatable tool shaft 256 is also a component of the phase change assembly 204. As shown in
As shown in
The constant rotation assembly 202 of the second bottom forming workstation 34 is best shown in
As explained above, in one embodiment the barrel 254 is associated with each of the linear motion assembly 200, the constant rotation assembly 202 and the phase change assembly 204 (as well as the tracking assembly 206 as described below), however one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that a single component, such as the barrel 254, need not be associated with each of these assemblies, and instead multiple components may be utilized to perform the same functions as the barrel 254. Notwithstanding, in a preferred embodiment, as shown in
Referring to
As explained above, the shaft 256 has a central portion 266 that is housed within the bearings 268 in the offset bore 258 of the barrel 254, and an eccentric stub shaft portion 270 that extends outside the first end 286 of the barrel 254. Further, in one embodiment the central longitudinal axis 271 of the eccentric stub shaft 270 (on which the bottom seal finishing tool 210 is connected) is offset 0.125″ from the central longitudinal axis 257 of the shaft 256. Accordingly, the offset relationship between the central axis 255 of the barrel 254 (i.e., the center of rotation of the barrel 254) and the central axis 271 of the bottom seal finishing tool 210 can be modified between 0.125″ and 0.375″. Thus, by changing the phase relationship between the barrel 254 and the tool shaft 256, the finishing tool 210 can revolve about the center of the barrel 254 on a radius that can be modified between 0.125″ and 0.375″ in addition to the radius of the offset bore to the center of the barrel. Put another way, by changing the phase relationship between the barrel 254 and the tool shaft 256 (or more importantly the eccentric stub shaft 270 portion of the tool shaft 256), the finishing tool 210 can be made to apply pressure to iron the skirt 100 to the distal end portion 112 and bent lip portion 102 of the sidewall blank 92 to create the bottom seal 98 for the cup. Further, by varying the phase relationship between the barrel 254 and the tool shaft 256, the amount of pressure applied by the finishing tool 210 on the cup 90 can be made to change or be varied. Accordingly, different types of seals and different pressures can be applied by merely modifying the phase relationship to increase or decrease the amount of offset through the rotation of the tool shaft 256. Further, tool wear can accommodated for electronically instead of having to re-machine or replace various components.
The phase relationship between the barrel 254 and the tool shaft 256, or more pertinently the phase relationship between the barrel 254 and the finishing tool 210 is controlled by the relationship of the velocity of the constant rotation motor 80 that rotates the barrel 254, and the velocity of the second bottom forming phase adjustment motor 76 that rotates the external ring gear 260. If the velocities match the phase remains the same and the relative position of the two remains the same. If the velocities do not match, the phase will continue to change at a rate equal to the difference in velocity. As the constant rotation motor 80 rotates the barrel 254, the shaft 256 moves in a circle due to the shaft 256 being seated in the offset bore 258 of the barrel 254. Further, as the shaft 256 moves in the circle the internal planetary gear 262 at the first end 264 of the shaft 256 engages the external ring gear 260 driven by the second bottom forming phase adjustment motor 76. Referring to
When the forming tool 210 needs to move out to engage the cup for ironing of the bottom seal 98, the second bottom forming phase adjustment motor 76 advances the phase relationship between the tool shaft 256 and the barrel 254 by increasing the velocity of the external ring gear 260 which spins the internal planetary gear 262 to spin the shaft 256. By spinning the shaft 256, the eccentric stub shaft 270 portion of the tool shaft 256 is rotated. Thus, the tool 210 is rotated outward by adjusting the relationship of the radius of rotation of the tool 210 to the barrel 254 through spinning the tool shaft 256 having the eccentric stub shaft 270 portion.
In a preferred embodiment the second bottom forming phase adjustment motor 76 is a servo motor. Further, in a most preferred embodiment the servo motor of the second bottom forming phase adjustment motor 76 has a drive that is electrically connected to the drive (i.e., a programmable limit switch output) of the virtual motor 52.
Once the forming tool 210 engages the cup 90 with an appropriate pressure the second bottom forming phase adjustment motor 76 ramps back down to a one to one velocity ratio with the barrel to maintain the same phase relationship between the forming tool 210 and the barrel 254. At this time the tool 210 rotates in a radius such that the tool 210, which has been moved radially outward to engage the cup 90, rotates around the entire inner circumference of the cup to rotatedly iron the skirt 100 to the distal end portion 112 and bent lip portion 102 of the sidewall blank 92 to create the bottom seal 98 for the cup.
After the tool 210 has moved at least 360° around the inner circumference of the cup and the bottom seal 98 is completely ironed, the second bottom forming phase adjustment motor 76 retards the phase relationship between the tool shaft 256 and the barrel 254 (i.e., it decreases the velocity of the external ring gear for a period of time and then returns to the same velocity to spin the tool shaft 256 to move its eccentric stub portion 270 back to its original radial position), thereby returning the forming tool 210 back to its original smaller-radius circle of rotation which is disengaged from the cup 90 so that the forming tool 210 can be removed from the recessed area 116 of the cup 90 (see
As explained above, the tracking assembly 206, which is best shown in
In summary, the second bottom forming workstation 34 operates through a series of interconnected assemblies. At some point immediately prior to or during the advancement of a mandrel 48 by the main turret 12 from the first bottom forming workstation 30 to the second bottom forming workstation 34, a signal is sent from the drive of the main turret motor 50 (via the virtual motor drive 52) to the second bottom forming workstation 34 to initiate linear movement. The actions that the motors of the second bottom forming workstation 34 are to initiate are based on drive or motion profiles stored in the main controller 49 and transferred to the respective drives of the second bottom forming linear motor 78 and second bottom forming phase adjustment motor 76. Additionally, it is understood that the main controller 49 controls power to the second bottom forming rotary motor 80 (the constant rotation motor for the second bottom forming workstation 34) to maintain that motor rotating the barrel 254 at a constant rate of revolution.
Typically, in one embodiment the first action by the second bottom forming workstation 34 is to have the drive profile for the second bottom forming linear motor 78 initiated. As such, the second bottom forming linear motor 78 is energized and rotates the drive fork 228, which in turn engages the cam follower 234 to slide the slide assembly 230 toward the mandrel 48 having the partially formed cup thereon. As the slide assembly 230 moves toward the mandrel 48, a portion of the slide assembly 230 is positioned around the distal portion of the sidewall 112, the skirt 100 and the bent lip portion of the sidewall 102 of the partially formed cup. More specifically, the forming collar 244 is positioned about the periphery of the identified lower portion of the partially formed cup 46 such that the cup is positioned within the opening 243 in the forming collar 244. Further, as the slide assembly 230 is moved into its appropriate position the forming tool 210, which is rotating in a circle in a portion of the opening 243 in the forming collar 244 based on the rotation of the barrel 254 from the constant rotation assembly 202, will be located within the recessed area 116 of the cup 90 and still rotating in the same circle. Thus, the distal end portion 112 of the sidewall blank 92 and the skirt 100 of the cup will be located between the inner circumference of the forming collar 244 and the forming tool 210.
As soon as the second bottom forming linear motor 78 positions the forming collar 244 and forming tool 210 in the appropriate position through its movement of the slide assembly 230, or immediately prior thereto based on flag settings, a command signal is sent from the programmable limit switch of the drive of the second bottom forming linear motor 78 to the second bottom forming phase adjustment motor 76 to initiate its drive profile to change the phase relationship between the shaft 156 and the forming tool 210 connected thereto and the barrel 254. It is understood that the second bottom forming phase adjustment motor 76 is generally constantly running to rotate the ring gear 260 to match the velocity of the barrel 254 and to keep the phase relationship between the shaft 256 and the barrel 254 substantially identical. When the phase relationship between the shaft 256 and the barrel 254 are substantially identical the tool 210 will generally rotate in a constant radius circle, such radius being determined by the offset of the offset bore 258 of the barrel 254 and the location of the offset stub shaft portion 270 of the shaft 256 relative to the offset bore 258. As soon as the second bottom forming linear motor 78 positions the forming collar 244 around the cup 90 and forming tool 210 within the recessed area 116 of the cup 90, the second bottom forming phase adjustment motor 76 will change the phase relationship between the barrel 254 and the tool shaft 256 to spin the offset stub shaft 270 and connected forming tool 210 outward toward the cup. After the forming tool 210 engages the cup with the appropriate pressure against the forming collar 244, the bottom forming phase adjustment motor 76 will again match the phase relationship between the barrel 254 and the tool shaft 256 to allow the tool shaft 256 to tractor-wheel or spin around the entire inner circumference against the bent lip portion 102 of the cup to form the three-layered bottom seal 98. Additionally, after the bottom seal 98 is formed the second bottom forming phase adjustment motor 76 retards the phase relationship between the tool shaft 256 and the barrel 254 to return the forming tool 210 back to its original smaller-radius circle of rotation, and then returns back to a one to one velocity ratio with the barrel 254 to maintain the tool 210 in that circle. Finally, the second bottom forming linear motor 78 retracts the slide assembly 230 to remove the tool 210 and forming collar 244 from the cup 90 and to allow the main turret 12 to advance the mandrel 48 to the next workstation.
As explained above with respect to one embodiment of the bottom forming station 34, as the slide assembly 230 moves inward and outward the barrel 254 moves with the slide assembly 230. The constant rotation motor 80 that drives the barrel 254, however, remains constant. Thus, it is understood that in this embodiment the drive belt 278 for the barrel 254 pivots at a slight angle with the barrel 254 to allow for the linear or lateral movement of the barrel 254.
An example of a second bottom forming setup screen 201 is shown in
Next, as shown in
The horizontal turret motor 56 receives its drive signals from at least one of the main controller 49 and a drive or controller for the virtual motor 52 (operating on an electronic one to one ratio with the main turret drive motor 50). In response to the at least one signal the horizontal turret motor 56 rotates the rimming turret 16 about the variety of workstations positioned about the rimming turret 16. More specifically, in one embodiment a drive or motion profile for the horizontal turret motor 56 resides in the main controller 49. The drive profile is transmitted to the drive of the horizontal turret motor 56 from the main controller 49. Further, in a preferred embodiment the drive of the horizontal turret motor 56 is hard wired to the programmable limit switch output of the drive of the virtual motor 52. As the main motor 50 cycles its drive and the drive of the virtual motor 52 send out signals to the various components at different positions of the main motor's cycle. At a specific position in its cycle the drive of the virtual motor 52 sends out a command signal to the drive of the horizontal turret motor 56 to have the horizontal turret motor 56 initiate its programmed drive or motion profile (i.e., to index to the next workstation).
An example of a horizontal turret setup screen 211 is shown in
While the main turret 12 has eight equally spaced male mandrels 48, the rimming turret 16 has eight equally spaced female cup receivers 300 (i.e., spaced approximately every 45° about the rimming turret 16). Each of the female cup receivers 300 on the rimming turret 16 extend radially outward from the rimming turret 16. In general, the rimming turret 16 is rotated or advanced in unison with the main turret 12 so that during each dwell period (the time period when the main turret 12 is stopped and the various workstations are performing tasks on the cup) one male mandrel 48 is aligned with an associated cup receiver 300 as shown in
When a male mandrel 48 becomes aligned with an associated cup receiver of the rimming mandrel 16, the associated seal clamp 158 from the mandrel turret 12 is raised by a cam track and releases the partially formed cup on the mandrel 48. Thereafter, compressed air is introduced through the mandrel 48 to the inside of the cup so that the cup is blown in a generally straight line to the awaiting cup receiver 300. After receiving the partially completed cup a vacuum may be applied in the cup receiver 300 to retain the cup. Additionally, after the cup has been delivered from the main turret 12 to the rimming turret 16, the main turret 12 advances one index to the bottom punch workstation 24 wherein the process described above begins again.
Similarly, the rimming turret 16 then advances two indexes to the tamper and lube workstation 36. The tamper and lube workstation 36 is shown in
In operation, the drive of the tamper and lube motor 82 receives a drive profile signal from the main controller 49, and a command signal from the drive of the horizontal turret motor 56. In one embodiment, the drive of the tamper and lube motor 82 is wired directly to the programmable limit switch output of the drive of the horizontal turret motor 56 to receive a control/command signal therefrom. In response to the command signal the tamper and lube motor 82 moves the tamper and lube tool 304 forward toward the cup receiver 300 to engage the cup according to a specific drive profile sent to the drive of the tamper and lube motor 82 by the main controller 49. Because the tamper and lube workstation 36 has its own drive motor 82, and because the drive profile and parameters therefore can be independently modified, the operation and efficiency of this workstation is greatly enhanced. For example, as shown in the tamper and lube setup screen 309 in
Referring to
Next, the rimming turret 16 advances the cup receiver 300 to the finish curl workstation 40. The finish curl workstation 40 has similar components and operates similar to the pre-curl workstation 38, except that the extended position of the finish curl tool is further than the extended position of the pre-curl tool 322 to complete the rim rolling process and complete the manufacturing of the cup 90. Like the tool of the pre-curl workstation 38, the tool of the finish curl workstation 40 is heated to approximately 2000 to facilitate forming the rim on the cup.
In operation, the drives of both the pre-curl motor 84 and the finish curl motor 86 receive a drive profile signal from the main controller 49, and a command signal from the drive of the horizontal turret motor 56. In one embodiment, the drive of each of the pre-curl motor 84 and the finish curl motor 86 is hardwired directly to the drive of the horizontal turret motor 56. In response to the command signal sent from the drive of the horizontal turret motor 56, the pre-curl motor 84 and the finish curl motor 86, respectively, move their tools forward and engage the cup according to a specific drive or motion profile sent by the main controller 49. Because each of these workstations has their own drive motor, and because the drive profile and parameters therefore can be independently modified, the operation and efficiency of these workstations are greatly enhanced. Further, their usefulness with a variety of paper and cup types is greatly enhanced. For example, the amount of rolled rim 106 desired, which affects the individual cup 90 height, can be manipulated by these workstations. As shown in the respective setup screens, see
The finish curl operation is the last operation performed on the cup 90. After the cup 90 is completely formed, the rimming turret 16 again advances one workstation index and to a discharge workstation 42. At that workstation 42 the finished cup 90 is blown from the cup receiver 300 by a jet of compressed air into a discharge tube, see
While various drive and signal configurations for a preferred embodiment of the cup forming machine 10, and for preferred embodiments of various workstations, have been illustrated and described herein, one of ordinary skill in the art would readily understand that a multitude of drive and signal configurations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Additional features of the cup forming machine 10 are also present. For example, one embodiment of the cup forming machine 10 embodies a stop feature wherein when a stop is initiated by the operator, the machine 10 tracks the last cup 90 through the machine and then stops each of the turrets and workstations. Another feature of this machine 10 is that during an emergency stop all of the servo motors are disabled. Accordingly, all subassemblies can be manually manipulated so that maintenance of any servo motor can be completed on any motor. When an emergency stop is removed all of the servo motors open completely and then cycle to the start position.
The above-described cup forming machine 10 is one example of many that may, or may not, incorporate a variety of workstations and turrets as described. Different arrangements of workstations may be used on other cup forming machines. For example, some cup forming machines utilize a single turret with additional rimming stations disposed about the single turret. All are equally adaptable to incorporate any of the workstations, including the workstations to fold the sidewall and the workstation to perform the bottom finish technique of the present invention.
Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and illustrated herein. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinary skill in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodiments could be provided in any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein. Additionally, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and “fourth” as used herein are intended for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the embodiments in any way. Further, the term “plurality” as used herein indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number.
It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. Accordingly, while the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.
