The present invention is directed to a carton transfer unit. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a carton or package transfer unit for use with a form, fill and seal packaging machine that receives partially erected cartons at one pitch, orientation and spacing, moves the cartons through a reorientation and respacing step for application of a process on the cartons and orients and spaces the cartons for further processing.
Consumers-have come to recognize and appreciate resealable closures for containers to store, for example, liquid foodproducts and the like. These resealable closures permit ready access to the product while providing the ability to reseal the container to prolong the life and freshness of the product and to prevent spills after initial opening of the container. Typically, the containers or cartons are formed from a composite of paperboard material having one or more polymer coatings or layers to establish a liquid impervious structure.
In known containers having such closures, the closures, which are formed in a separate process and transported to the packaging process, are conventionally affixed to the containers as part of the overall form, fill and seal operation. Typically, the closures are affixed to the partially erected carton prior to filling the carton with product. One known method for affixing the closure to the carton uses an ultrasonic welding process. In this process, the carton is partially erected and the closure is brought into contact with the carton, overlying an opening in the carton. Subsequently, an anvil is placed against the carton material and an ultrasonic horn is brought into contact with a flange of the closure. The ultrasonic horn is actuated which ultrasonically welds the flange to the carton material.
Another method for affixing closures to cartons uses an induction heating process. In this process, again, an anvil is placed on the carton material and an induction sealing head is brought into contact with the flange. A current is induced in the induction sealing head which, again, results in welding the flange to the carton.
Still another method applying closures to cartons is to directly mold the closure on the carton. Such a method is, for example, disclosed in Lees, et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,467,238 and 6,536,187, which patents are commonly assigned with the present application and are incorporated herein by reference. The apparatus and method in the patents to Lees et al., include inserting a carton into a mold station, closing the mold tools on the carton, injecting a polymer into the mold cavity to form the closure, opening the mold tool and removing the carton (with the closure molded thereon) from the mold apparatus.
It has been found that direct molding the closures onto the cartons (as compared to applying/affixing the closures to the cartons) has a number of advantages. First, there is no longer a need for the equipment to store, transport and apply the closures to the cartons. Although the direct molding methods require equipment for carrying out the molding, there is less equipment needed for direct closure molding application. Moreover, and quite importantly, there is no longer a need for closure supply. Eliminating the reliance on the supply of closures is important for a number of reasons. First, there is always the possibility that the supply of closures is interrupted. This, of course, impacts the entire form, fill and seal operation in that operations must cease until closures are available for the cartons.
In addition, in that machine operations may vary based upon product demand, it is desirable to not have to maintain a large quantity of closures on hand (to, for example, satisfy high demand). Moreover, it is easier to maintain a quantity of “raw” polymer or plastic on hand to meet demand. In that the polymer is typically supplied and stored in pellet form, it requires less space and is more readily commercially available than preformed closures.
Nevertheless, there are many form, fill and seal machines presently in use that continue to use conventional closures. Moreover, many parts of these machine use a number of known, “standard” carton pitches and orientations. For example, machines are manufactured for filling cartons having standard 70 mm by 70 mm and 95 mm by 95 mm cross-sections. The cartons, however, are fed onto mandrels in the form, fill and seal machine in different pitches and orientations. Regardless, in order to reduce the costs for providing such direct molded closures, it is desirable to maintain one standardized orientation and format for such a molding apparatus.
Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus that permits use of a standardized molding apparatus with various different form, fill and seal packaging machines. The resulting “common” parts provides considerable economic advantage. Desirably, such an apparatus can be “inserted” into any of a number of standard form, fill and seal machines with minimal changes required to the machine. Most desirably, such an apparatus is used without adversely impacting the overall form, fill and seal machine operation
A transfer unit is for use with a form, fill and seal packaging machine. The transfer unit is configured for receiving a partially erected carton from a carton magazine/erector in a tubular form and for conveying the carton in the tubular form to a molding station. A closure is molded onto the carton at the molding station. The transfer unit then receives the carton from the molding station and conveys the carton to an unload station to move the carton onto the packaging machine mandrels.
The transfer unit includes a hub that defines a longitudinal hub axis about which the hub rotates. A drive rotates the hub.
A plurality of rail-mounted car pairs are mounted to the hub for longitudinal movement along the hub generally parallel to and spaced from the hub axis. Each of the car pairs includes first and second cars. Each of the cars has first and second mandrels mounted thereto. The mandrels are configured to receive the partially erected carton. A present transfer unit includes four pairs of cars.
Each mandrel has a mandrel axis and is rotational about its respective axis. The mandrel axes are perpendicular and tangential to the hub axis. The transfer unit includes means for longitudinally moving the car pairs along the hub. In a present embodiment, each of the car pairs includes a car drive having a belt disposed about a pair of shafts. One of the cars is mounted to one side of the belt and the other car is mounted to the opposing side of the belt such that rotation of the belt effects movement of the cars toward one another or away from one another.
A present car drive includes one driven shaft and one idler shaft. The driven shaft is operably connectable to a drive receiver for rotating the shaft. A T-drive is mounted to the driven shaft and is received in the drive receiver for rotating the shaft. The drive receiver is operably connected to a motor.
Guide rings are disposed at a longitudinal end of the hub in which the T-drive traverses as the hub rotates. The rings have a fixed portion and a rotating portion (the rotating portion also being the drive receiver).
Each car includes a toggle for operably connecting the mandrels of each car with one another and to simultaneously rotate the operably connected mandrels about their respective axes. Stops are operably connected to the toggles to position the mandrels at the twisted and untwisted positions.
Interlock rods are operably connected to each car pair and cooperate with the guide rings. The rod and rings include notches and slots that align with one another to permit rotation of the hub when the cars are properly positioned and to misalign with one another to interfere with rotation of the hub when the cars are not properly positioned.
The hub rotates through four discrete stations or quadrants. At a first quadrant, the cars are at a first longitudinal position and cartons are loaded on to the first mandrels of the first and second cars. The first and second cars then move longitudinally and cartons are loaded on to the second mandrels of the first and second cars. The first and second cars move further longitudinally and the first and second mandrels of the first and second cars rotate about their respective axes.
At the second quadrant, the cartons are transferred into the molding station and subsequently transferred back to the transfer unit.
At the third quadrant, the cars essentially reverse for transferring the cartons from the transfer unit to the turret mandrels of the form, fill and seal machine. The cartons move longitudinally outwardly and the cartons are removed from the second mandrels of the first and second cars. The cars then move further longitudinally outwardly and the cartons are removed from the first mandrels of the first and second cars.
The fourth quadrant is a “dead” quadrant in that no operation on the cartons or on the hub is carried out. During rotation of the hub from the fourth quadrant to the first quadrant, the mandrels undergo an untwist to reposition the mandrels for receipt of the next set of cartons.
A transfer drive is also disclosed, as is an unloader. The unloader unloads the cartons from the transfer unit and loads the cartons onto the machine turret. The unloader includes a frame, a pair of rotating elements mounted to the frame and a drive operably connected to one of the pair of rotating elements. A belt is positioned around the rotating elements for rotation with the elements and a finger is operably connected to the belt for engaging the carton at the unload station and for moving the carton from the transfer unit to the turret mandrel.
In a present unloader, the finger reciprocates and the rotating elements are wheels. One of the wheels has different diameter than the other wheel.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, in conjunction with the appended claims.
The benefits and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein:
While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.
It should be further understood that the title of this section of this specification, namely, “Detailed Description Of The Invention”, relates to a requirement of the United States Patent Office, and does not imply, nor should be inferred to limit the subject matter disclosed herein.
Referring now to the figures in particular to
Following the second lateral movement and twisting, the transfer unit rotates the cartons into position for transfer into the molding unit, and following molding of the closure, receives the cartons back from the molding unit. The transfer unit then rotates and laterally moves the cartons. Two of the cartons are then unloaded from the transfer unit and are conveyed to the carton mandrels 22 on the machine turret 18, after which the remaining cartons are laterally moved and subsequently unloaded from the transfer unit 20 (and conveyed to the carton mandrels 22 on the machine turret 18). For purposes of the present disclosure (to prevent confusion) the mandrels 22 on the form, fill and seal machine turret 18 are referred to herein as turret mandrels 22).
The direct molding of a closure onto a carton is more fully described in Lees, et al. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,536,187 and 6,467,238, which patents are commonly assigned with the present application and are incorporated herein by reference. An exemplary form, fill and seal machine can be such as that disclosed in Katsumata, U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,267, which patent is commonly assigned with the present application and is incorporated herein by reference.
As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, cartons are stored in a flat, folded form, with the side seal formed, in the magazine 14. In a conventional form, fill and seal packaging machine, the carton is picked from the magazine and erected or opened into a tubular carton form in the carton erector. The tubular form carton is then inserted onto a turret mandrel on the machine turret. As the turret rotates, the carton is moved through a series of stations at which the bottom flaps are heated, folded and sealed to form the sealed carton bottom wall. The carton is then “pulled” from the turret mandrel and positioned on a chain conveyor for movement through the machine to, for example, apply a closure, sterilize the carton, fill the carton with product and top seal the carton.
It was found that, using conventional form, fill and seal packaging machines, it was desirable to form the closure on the carton prior to forming the sealed bottom wall. As such, the closure molding station or unit 12 was best positioned between the carton magazine/erector station 14 and the carton bottom sealer 16. It was also found that it was desirable to be able to use a single molding unit 12 design (with accommodations for molding a plurality of closures at one time) regardless of the size of the cartons and the pitch/spacing/orientation of the cartons. The pitch or spacing of the cartons is determined by the spacing between the magazine 14 outlet chutes and the spacing between the turrets 18. The orientation is important in that a preformed opening in the carton C must be positioned such that that opening is properly positioned for molding the closure to the standard carton.
In addition, the form, fill and seal packaging machine 10 must receive the carton C in its normal orientation to preclude machine redesign and to achieve the overall objective of integration into existing machine 10 designs. However, in that the transfer unit 20 flips the cartons end-for-end, the one compensating factor is that the cartons C must be loaded upside down into the carton magazine 14. Loading the flat carton blanks upside down into the magazine 14 results in a 90 degree longitudinal twist upon erecting the cartons when compared to cartons loaded right side up. The transfer unit 20 compensates for this by its twist function as will be described below.
In order to accommodate a single molding unit 12 for use with a variety of form, fill and seal packaging machines, as set forth above, the transfer unit 20 is configured to receive two cartons (or a first pair of cartons) from the magazine/erector 14 at a first location and laterally shift the cartons to a second location so that a second pair of cartons can then be received on the unit. The four cartons are then laterally shifted and twisted to properly space and orient the cartons on their respective longitudinal axes. This set of cartons is then rotated (on the hub 24) about axis A24 to position the cartons for receipt in the molding unit 12 (to position the opening in the carton for molding the closure). Following molding of the closures, the cartons are rotated (on the hub 24) about axis A24 and shifted for unloading the first pair of cartons, then shifted again for unloading the second pair of cartons. The empty mandrels are then rotated about axis A24 to an unused or dead position (the fourth quadrant Q4, see
The overall process includes loading two cartons at a time on an approximate one second cycle and molding four cartons at a time on an approximate two second cycle. This timing scheme provides the needed molding and cooling times while maintaining the overall form, fill and seal packaging machine throughput objectives.
Referring to
The hub 24 is divided into four identical sections, each including a pair of cars 28, each of which cars 28 includes a pair of mandrels 30 mounted thereto, for a total of four mandrels 30 per each of the four hub 24 sections. The cars 28 are mounted to the hub 24 along a rail 32 for lateral movement (i.e., movement parallel to the longitudinal axis A24) along the hub 24. In a current embodiment, the cars 28 in each hub 24 section are mounted in a mirror image, symmetrical manner such that they travel toward the lateral center (indicated at 34) of the hub 24 (at which point they are next to one another) and away from the lateral center 34 of the hub 24 (i.e., toward the ends of the hub 24).
The mandrels 30 are supports for the cartons, and as such are configured for receiving and carrying the cartons from the magazine 14, through the molding unit 12 and to the carton bottom forming station 16. Each mandrel 30 is configured having a cruciform cross-sectional shape. Each pair of mandrels, e.g., 30a and 30b is mounted to its respective car 28 in fixed relation to one another, but so as to permit the mandrel 30 to rotate about an axis A30 that is transverse to the car 28 and the movement of the car 28 along the hub 24. The cars 28 are mounted to the hub on the rail 32, which provides a track for movement of the cars 28 along the hub 24. For purposes of the present disclosure, rotation of the hub 24 about its axis A24 is referred to as rotation and rotation of the mandrels 30 about their respective axes A30 is referred to as twisting or untwisting.
Referring to
The rings 52, 54 serve two functions. First, they provide a circular track in which the rollers 48 traverse as the hub 24 rotates. This track function is continuous throughout hub 24 rotation, including as the rollers 48 traverse into a car drive 36 (discussed in detail below). The second function of the guide rings 52, 54 is to provide a “crash protection” function. This function (also discussed in detail below) is provided by grooves or slots 92, formed in a portion of the rings (between the load and unload positions in quadrants Q1 and Q3) that are different from grooves or slots (not shown) formed in another portion of the rings (between the unload and load positions in quadrants Q3 and Q1). The grooves 92 cooperate with the interlock rod 68, as described below, to provide physical interference with rotation of the hub 24 in the event that the cars 28 are not in proper position for hub 24 rotation.
Referring briefly to
The mandrels 30 are mounted to their respective cars 28 by a spindle 56. The spindle 56 extends from a longitudinal end of the mandrel 30 into a sleeve 58 in the car 28. This arrangement permits rotation of the spindle 56 (and the mandrel 30) within the sleeve 58. An end 60 of the spindle 56 extends through and out of the end of the sleeve 58. A finger 62 is mounted to each spindle end 60 and a link element 64 extends between and is mounted to both fingers 62 to operably connect the mandrels 30. In this arrangement, rotational movement of one mandrel, e.g., 30a is imparted to the other mandrel 30b (as rotational movement) by the link 64 and fingers 62. Thus, the mandrels 30a,b rotate together and urging one mandrel 30a to rotate will result in the other mandrel 30b rotating as well. The fingers also include bumpers 96 (see
In addition, the toggle 65 relies on the stop 98 location (on the fingers 62) for precision, rather than relying on the actual toggle 65 movement. Once movement of the toggle 65 commences and the actuator has twisted the spindles 56 (mandrels 30) no more than about 60 degrees (or 90 degrees travel of the toggle 65), the biasing (spring 100) force pulls the link 64 in the proper direction and the stops 98 precisely position the link 64 (precisely finishing the 90 degree twist).
To facilitate rotation of the mandrels 30, turning vanes 66 are fixed to and extend from the hub 24. The turing vanes 66 are positioned along the line of movement of the cars 28 so that as the cars 28 pass the vanes, the respective fingers 62 contact the vanes 66 to rotate the mandrels 30. This occurs as the cars 28 move inward and the mandrels 30 are twisted (after carton loading). On the unload side, the cars 28 pull away from the vanes 66 as they move outward.
Referring to
The rods 68 cooperate with the guide rings 52, 54 to assure that the (rotational position of the) hub 24 and the lateral or translational position of the cars 28 are in the proper position for the next move or operational step of the transfer unit 20. In the event that, for example, the cars 28 are not properly positioned for the next “move”, the rods 68 and rings 52, 54 will contact each other, thus interfering with rotation of the hub 24 and an (drive 26) over-current signal will shut down the transfer unit 20 without damage to the unit. The rods 68 and rings 52, 54 also serve to assure that the hub axis A24 and car positions are in the proper orientation and position following maintenance or service.
In addition, the rods 68 cooperate with an unloader 124, as seen in
A retaining arm 72 is associated with each mandrel 30. The retaining arms 72 are mounted to the cars 28 by flexures 102, fingers 62 and spindles 56 and extend toward an intermediate location on the mandrel 30 (intermediate the base of the mandrel 30, i.e., the mandrel spindle 56, and the end of the mandrel 30). The retaining arms 72 are configured to permit inserting a carton onto the mandrel 30 and to “hold” the carton on the mandrel 30, by application of a light force, as the hub 24 rotates. The retaining arm 72 is also configured to release the carton (by relieving the force) when the carton is to be moved onto or removed from the mandrel 30. A shoe 74 is positioned at the end of each of the retaining arms 72 to facilitate inserting the carton onto the mandrel 30, holding the carton on the mandrel 30 and removing the carton from the mandrel 30 with no damage to the carton material.
Referring to
As set forth above, the cars 28 move laterally along the hub 24. To provide the driving force for moving the cars 28, the car drives 36 include motors 76 that are disposed at about the guide rings 52, 54, between circumferential gaps in the fixed ring potions 52a, 54a. The rings 52, 54 continue and the rotating portions 52b, 54b, form the drive receivers 78. The drive motors 76 and ring portions 52, 54 (including the rotating ring portions 52b, 54b) are fixed on the transfer unit 20 whereas the hub 24 (and its related cars 28, mandrels 30 and T-drives 46) rotate relative to the rings 52, 54 and drive motors 76.
The receivers 78 (two receivers 78 total as seen in
Referring now to
For purposes of operational description, the following is in reference to the operational map of
(
As discussed above, the “pitch” or distance between carton centers is the same for each of the carton sizes and for each of the form, fill and seal machine configurations. In this manner, a single molding unit 12 design can be used to accommodate a variety of filling machines. Twisting of the mandrels 30 and subsequent rotation of the hub 24 as indicated by the arrow at 88 in
As can be seen in
Before the cartons are rotated to the universal mold position (in quadrant Q2, see
Following completion of the molding step, the hub 24 rotates to the third position in which the cars 28 are in quadrant Q3. During the first (about) 5 degrees of hub 24 rotation, the retaining arms 72 are “relocked” by virtue of the continued rotation of the hub 24 (that is, after the closures have been molded on the cartons and the cartons reloaded onto the mandrels 30). The continued rotation of the hub 24 moves roller 109 off of the lobe 115 on cam plate 111. This relaxes arm 110, which (slightly) rotates shaft 115 to allow roller 108 to move back up ramp 106, thus relocking the arm 72 on the carton. The cam plates 111 have arcuate entrance and exit “ramps” 117 to ease the transition of the arm 72 from locked to unlocked.
In quadrant Q3, the mandrels 30 (and cartons) go through an unload scenario beginning with an outward shift. This outward shift unlocks the carton retention (by movement of the roller 112 off of element 114). Following this shift, the outer cartons are removed from the mandrels 30, and the cars 28 shift again for removing the inner cartons from the mandrels 30. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, when the cartons are removed at the third position, this position is 180 degrees from the position that the cartons are placed on the transfer unit 20. Thus, the cartons are essentially in-line for removal and for positioning onto the carton turret mandrels 22 for further processing (e.g., carton bottom wall forming).
There is, however, an important dog-leg offset effect as can be seen in
As can be seen from
There is also an untwist that occurs between quadrant Q4, the “dead” quadrant and quadrant Q1, the loading quadrant, that untwists the mandrels 30 (to reset the twist in Q1 that occurs immediately following loading). The untwist is effected by untwist cams 116 mounted on the frame that engage the cam followers 118 on the end of the link 64 (see
As noted above and as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the transfer unit 20 is supported by the frame 150 over the molding unit 12 and between the magazine/erector 14 and the form, fill and seal machine 10. As will also be appreciated, it is imperative that the cartons be properly and precisely positioned in the molding unit 12 and properly and precisely positioned on the turret mandrels 22, otherwise damage to the cartons may occur. To this end, it is important that the “link” between the magazine/erector 14 and the turret mandrels 22, that is, the transfer unit 20, be properly and precisely positioned to effect the transfer. The importance of precision is magnified in that the rate of transfer of cartons through the transfer unit 20 is quite high.
To this end, the transfer unit 20 is mounted on the drive end to the frame 150 by a plurality of struts 152 having turnbuckles 154 that permit precise and fine adjustment of the position of the transfer unit 20 between the erector/magazine 14 and the form, fill and seal machine 10. The turnbuckle portions 154 include mounting eyes 156 by which the unit 20 is fastened to the struts 152. On the idle end, the hub is held by a spherical bearing. The bearing mount is adjusted up-and-down and side-to-side by jacking screws. An adjustable stop nut positions the hub against the bearing. A cap on the outside of the bearing is used to lock the bearing along the length of the hub as determined by the adjustable stop nut. Such an arrangement permits removing the transfer unit 20 to, for example, carry out maintenance and to reinstall the unit 20 in precisely the same place, without readjusting the unit 20. In addition, such an arrangement reduces the opportunity for binding and damage due to improper adjustment, that is, any of the adjustments can be made independently of the other adjustments without loosening the other adjustable elements.
One of the benefits of this type of supporting arrangement is that because the “precision” in positioning is provided by the adjustment of the turnbuckles, the frame itself requires a lower level of precision in assembly or construction. This results in lower flame fabrication costs (no post welding machining or the like), with no repeatability penalty at the adjusted assembly level.
As discussed above, the operational maps of
The hub then rotates to the second position for inserting the cartons into the mold, the closures are molded and the cartons are moved back onto the transfer unit. The hub then rotates to the third position at which car 1 is moved laterally and the cartons are removed from the right-hand mandrels. The cars then shift right and the cartons are removed from the left-hand mandrels. Following removal of the cartons, the hub is rotated to the fourth (dead) position, after which the mandrels undergo an untwist as they move toward their initial position.
The hub rotates to the second position for inserting the cartons into the mold, the closures are molded and the cartons moved back onto the transfer unit. The hub then rotates to third position X, and the cars are moved to the left to unload the right-hand mandrel of car 1 and the left-hand mandrel of car 2. The cars then move to the right to unload the left-hand mandrel of car 1 and the right-hand mandrel of car 2. Following unloading, the hub rotates to the fourth (dead) position. As with the other configurations, an untwist operation occurs between quadrants Q1 and Q4.
All patents referred to herein, are hereby incorporated herein by reference, whether or not specifically done so within the text of this disclosure.
In the present disclosure, the words “a” or “an” are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular.
From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10763893 | Jan 2004 | US |
Child | 11100122 | Apr 2005 | US |