FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the general field of tooling, used in automated, horizontal, packaging machines.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a direct attempt to improve the operational functionality of previously designed horizontal, form, fill and seal packaging machines. More specifically, to improve the design, and functionality of a cross-cut station used on the packaging machines.
The cross-cut station is typically one of the last operational stations on a packaging machine. It is frequently preceded by various other functional stations, including but not limited to packaging film feeding station, package forming station, product fill station, and package perforating station.
The primary purpose of the cross-cut station is to generate long cross-cuts, designed to separate a long strip of the pre-packaged film (film containing several packages of product separated by perforations) away from the rest of the packaging film, being fed by the conveying chain.
These cross-cuts must be performed in predetermined locations, and they require a relatively high level of precision and redundancy. However, due to the vibrations generated by machine's operations, the blades responsible for making the cuts in the packaging film, are progressively moved away from the desired locations of the cross-cuts.
This progressive movement of the cross-cut station can be, at least in part, attributed to the rack and pinion system incorporated in the design of the existing cross-cut station. The rack and pinion is embedded inside the cutting blocks, designed to prevent the movement of the film being cut by the blades extending from below.
The other reason for the movement of the cross-cut station can be attributed to an unreliable locking nut, also incorporated into the cross-cut design. As the name implies, the locking nut has been designed to lock the cross-cut station in place, and by doing so prevent its movement. However, after a prolonged exposure to the vibrating frame of the machine, the lock nut frequently loses its grip, allowing the cross-cut station to move in an unpredicted direction.
The present invention eliminates this problem by incorporating a retrofittable device, called the cross-cut stabilizer. The cross-cut stabilizer incorporates a mounting base, which holds pushing combs and manual clamps. The clamps, having manually-adjustable knobs, clamp onto the mounting block and the machine's rack and pinion system, or any other immovable component of the machine. This clamping action acts as a break. The stabilizer is mounted in-between the cross-cut station's cutting blocks, allowing the pushing combs to straddle these cutting blocks.
Once installed, the pushing combs enable simultaneous, manual adjustment of both the cross-cut station (holding the blades) with the cross-cut stabilizer. By manually adjusting the clamps, the pushing combs urge down on the cutting blocks of the cross-cut station, thereby eliminating any movement of the cross-cut station and the attached thereto blades.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The following information is intended to be a brief summary of the invention, and as such, said information shall not be used as the means of limiting the scope of the invention:
Disclosed is a cross-cut stabilizer, used in horizontal, form, fill and seal packaging machines. Specifically, the cross-cut stabilizer is configured to prevent any uncontrollable movement of the existing cross-cut station, which is used in packaging machines to make long cuts designed to separate a strip of multiple, pre-packaged products, from the rest of the packaging film. This separation of the prepackages takes place at end of the machine's operation. The movement of the existing cross-cut station is created by the machine's vibration, which causes the cutting blocks, along with the blades making the cross-cuts, to move in unpredictable directions. This movement is compounded by the unreliable rack and pinion system which supports the cutting blocks of the cross-cut station. The cross-cut stabilizer, incorporates a mounting base, which holds pushing combs and manual clamps. The clamps, having manually-adjustable knobs, clamp onto the mounting block and the machine's rack and pinion system, or any other immovable component of the machine. This clamping action acts as a break. The stabilizer is mounted in-between the cross-cut station's cutting blocks, allowing the pushing combs to straddle these cutting blocks. Once installed, the pushing combs enable simultaneous, manual adjustment of both the cross-cut station (holding the blades) with the cross-cut stabilizer. By manually adjusting the clamps, the pushing combs are lowered and eventually urge down on the cutting blocks of the cross-cut station, thereby eliminating any movement of the cross-cut station and the attached thereto blades.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The components shown in the drawings are not to scale. In the interest of clarity, some of the components might be shown in a generalized form and could be identified utilizing commercial designations. All components, including its essential features, have been assigned reference numbers that are utilized consistently throughout the descriptive process outlined herein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cross-cut stabilizer assembly; the view shows the fully-assembled cross-cut stabilizer and component numbers with leaders pointing to the four primary components of the assembly, including (1) mounting base, (2) pushing comb, (3) jaw guide, and (4) clamp; in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cross-cut stabilizer assembly; the view shows the fully-assembled cross-cut stabilizer with leaders pointing to all components of the assembly; in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the cross-cut stabilizer assembly; the view shows a perspective view of each individual component incorporated into the assembly, along with component numbers and the leaders pointing to the four primary components of the assembly: (1) mounting base; (2) pushing comb; (3) jaw guide; (4) clamp; in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the cross-cut stabilizer assembly; the view shows a perspective view of each individual component incorporated into the assembly, along with component numbers and leaders pointing to each of said components; in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cross-cut system (prior art) positioned on the horizontal, form, fill and seal packaging machine (prior art); specifically, the figure shows the packaged product, the packaging film, and the direction of the machine's index; shown are also locations of the sliding rail, convening chain, and the rack (part of the rack and pinion system), along with the first and the second cutting blocks, adjustment knobs, locking nuts, made to create the first and the second cross-cuts in the packaging film (also shown in this view); in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a simplified, perspective view of a horizontal, form, fill, and seal packaging machine (prior art); the view shows the location on the packaging machine of the cross-cut station (prior art), and the locations of other related stations/components, including the locations of the power/control station, packaging film, bottom packaging film feeding roll, conveying chain, bottom package forming station, product fill station, top packaging film feeding roll, and the top package sealing station; in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 shows how the first and the second cross-cuts, generated by the cross-cut system (prior art), is applied to the packaging film; specifically, the figure shows a person holding a strip of pre-packaged product (sausages), joined together by the packaging film, sub-divided into individual packages by a multitude of perforation lines, and separated from the rest of the packaging film fed by the convening chain, using the first and the second cross-cuts; in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cross-cut system (prior art) positioned on the horizontal, form, fill and seal packaging machine (prior art); specifically, the figure shows two cutting blocks of the cross-cut system, with one of the blocks exposing its internal structure using the rack and pinion system; the figure shows (1) the blade (used for making the cross-cuts in the packaging film); (2) the blade holders; (3) the pneumatic cylinder (used for lifting and lowering the blade); shown is also the location of the sectional view A-A, designed to highlight the shortcomings of the current, cross-cut system; in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view A-A, showing the cutting block, the packaging film, and the blade being held by the blade holders; the figure shows that due to the unstable rack and pinion system (supporting the cutting blocks) and the unreliable locking nuts (failing to hold said cutting blocks in place) the vibration of the packaging machine is able to move the blade, resulting in creation of the cross-cuts in unpredictable locations; in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cross-cut system (prior art) attached to the packaging machine (prior art), and a perspective view of the fully assembled cross-cut stabilizer assembly (present invention); the cross-cut stabilizer assembly is positioned directly above the packaging machine, and uses phantom lines to show the positioning of said assembly in relation to both the cross-cut system and the packaging machine; in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the fully assembled cross-cut stabilizer assembly (present invention) nestled within the cross-cut system (prior art) attached to the packaging machine (prior art); the figure shows the location of the sectional view B-B, and provides an annotation which states that tightening of the clamps of the cross-cut stabilizer, causes the combs of the stabilizer to push down on the cutting blocks of the cross-cut station, firmly holding them in place (thereby stabilizing the entire cross-cut station); in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a sectional view B-B, showing the means of utilizing the clamp; specifically, the figure shows how the clamp (placed inside the mounting base) and its jaw block (aligned by the jaw guide) is pushing up against the sliding rail of the packaging machine; the figure also shows two annotations: (1) tightening of the clamps 130-133 causes the pushing combs 110-114 to push down on the cutting blocks 200-201 holding them in place thereby preventing any movement of the cross-cut station 200-208; (2) The clamp's jaw block 132 may clamp up against the sliding rail 207 (shown here), or any other non-movable part of the packaging machine 200-222; in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the fully assembled cross-cut stabilizer assembly (present invention) nestled within the cross-cut system (prior art) attached to the packaging machine (prior art) with three pushing combs, each showing progressively larger index size; the figure also includes an annotation, stating that the size of the pushing comb 110-114 changes to accommodate the changes in the machine's index; in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the fully assembled cross-cut stabilizer assembly (present invention) nestled within the cross-cut system (prior art) attached to the packaging machine (prior art) with three pushing combs, each showing progressively greater number of mounting chambers (for housing cutting blocks); the figure also includes an annotation, stating that additional chambers may be added to the pushing comb to accommodate cross-cut systems with additional cross-cut clocks/blades; in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTIVE KEY
Present Invention
100-144 Cross-Cut Stabilizer Assembly
- 100-107 Mounting Base
- 100—top surface, mounting base
- 101—bottom surface, mounting base
- 102—long sides, mounting base
- 103—short sides, mounting base
- 104—sliding steps, mounting base
- 105—threaded holes, mounting base
- 106—clearance holes, mounting base
- 107—knob hole, mounting base
- 110-114 Pushing Comb
- 110—top surface, pushing comb
- 111—mounting chamber, pushing comb
- 112—first chamber, pushing comb
- 113—second chamber, pushing comb
- 114—clearance holes, pushing comb
- 120—122 Jaw Guide
- 120—top surface, jaw guide
- 121—chamber, jaw guide
- 122—threaded holes, jaw guide
- 130—133 Clamp
- 130—knob, clamp
- 131—screw, clamp
- 132—jaw block, clamp
- 133—threaded hole, clamp
- 140-143 Fasteners
- 140—machine screws
- 141—washers
- 142—nuts
- 143—bolts
- 144—adhesive
Prior Art
200-222 Horizontal Form, Fill and Seal Packaging Machine
- 200-208 cross-cut station
- 200—first cutting block
- 201—second cutting block
- 202—adjustment knobs
- 203—locking nuts
- 204—blades
- 205—blade holders
- 206—pneumatic cylinders
- 207—sliding rail
- 208—rack and pinion
- 209—conveying chain
- 210—packaging film
- 211—power and control station
- 212—computer and operating software
- 213—air compressor
- 214—electric motors
- 215—vacuum pump
- 216—bottom packaging film feeding roll
- 217—bottom package forming station
- 218—product fill station
- 219—packaged product
- 220—top packaging film feeding roll
- 221—top package sealing station
- 222—package perforation station
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The following description references to the above-defined drawings and represents only an exemplary embodiment of the invention. It is foreseeable, and recognizable by those skilled in the art, that various modifications and/or substitutions to the invention could be implemented without departing from the scope and the character of the invention:
Disclosed is a cross-cut stabilizer assembly 100-144, shown in FIGS. 01-04. The assembly is retrofitted onto the existing cross-cut station 200-208, used in horizontal, form, fill and seal packaging machines 200-222 (both identified herein as Prior Art).
Specifically, the cross-cut stabilizer 100-144 is configured to prevent any uncontrollable movement of the existing cross-cut station 200-208, caused by the machine's 200-222 vibration occurring during its operation. The cross-cut station 200-208 is used in the packaging machines to make long cuts designed to separate strips of multiple, pre-packaged products 219, from the rest of the packaging film 210, progressing through the machine 200-222 via the conveying chain 209.
As shown in FIGS. 01 and 02, the cross-cut stabilizer assembly 100-144 comprises of four primary components/subassemblies: (1) mounting base 100-107; (2) pushing comb 110-114; (3) jaw guide 120-122; (4) clamp 130-133.
As shown in FIGS. 03-04, the mounting base is a rectangularly-shaped block, housing on its top surface four threaded holes 105, four clearance holes 106, and two knob holes 107 (both the clearance and the knob holes protrude through the top and bottom surfaces of the block).
The pushing comb 110-114, is a comb-shaped component having a top surface 110, a mounting chamber 111, two through clearance holes 114, each originating on the top surface 100, a first chamber 112, and a second 113 chamber. When attached to the mounting base 100-107, the mounting chamber 111 straddles the base, and is fastened to the top surface 100 of the mounting block 100-107, using machine screws (ref. FIG. 04). In alternative, this pushing comb 110-114 may also be fastened to the mounting base 100-107 using either bolts or adhesive 140-144. The presented herein cross-cut stabilizer assembly utilizes two pushing combs. However, it is conceivable that a single pushing comb may be utilized to accomplish the same functions, and in alternative, more than two pushing combs may be utilized if extreme vibration of the machine creates more difficult to control operational conditions.
The clamp 130-133, also shown in FIGS. 03 and 04, comprises of a knob 130, a screw 131 (fixedly attached to the knob), and a jaw block 132 with a through threaded hole 133 therein. The stabilizer assembly shown in FIGS. 01-14 utilizes two clamps 130-133, but fewer, or more than two, clamps may be utilized if necessary. When properly installed, the screw 131 is inserted through the knob hole 107 of the mounting base 100-107, allowing the screw to protrude from the bottom surface 101 of the mounting base and into the jaw block's 132 threaded hole 133.
The manual turning of the knob 130 adjusts the size of the clamp 130-133. However, this adjustment would not be possible without the jaw guide 120-122. The jaw guide 120-122 comprises of a top surface 120, two threaded holes 122 (located on the top surface 120) and a chamber 121. The jaw guide 120-122 is attached to the bottom surface 101 of the mounting base 100-107. The end user may fasten the jaw block 132 to the mounting base 100-107 by using machine screws 140 or adhesive 144. The main function of the jaw guide 120-122 is to prevent rotation of the jaw block 132, when the knob/screw is turned manually for adjustment purposes. This is done by straddling the jaw block 132 inside the chamber 121, preventing it from turning, but allowing it to travel up and down, to enable the adjustment of the clamp's size.
The cross-cut stabilizer 100-144 must be attached to the existing cross-cut station 200-208. The cross-cut station is typically one of the last operational stations on the packaging machine 200-222, as shown in FIG. 06. It is frequently preceded by various other functional stations, including but not limited to packaging film feeding station 216/220, package forming station 217, product fill station 218, top package sealing station 221, and package perforating station 222.
The machine 200-222 uses compressed air to form packages, heat staking to fuse and close the packages, and software to control both rotational and linear movement of components. The means for enabling usage on said packaging machine of compressed air to form packages, heat staking actions, linear motions, and rotational motions of mechanical components are selected from a group consisting of vacuum pumps, electric heaters, air compressors, linear slides, pneumatic cylinders, and electric motors.
As shown in FIG. 05, the cross-cut station 200-208 creates elongated cuts across in the packaging film 210, shown in this figure as the first and the second cross-cuts. The first cross-cut is created under the first cutting block 200, and the second cross-cut is created under the second cutting block 201.
Once the cross-cuts are completed, a strip of a pre-packaged products 219 (shown in FIG. 07), subdivided by perforated film, is separated from the rest of the packaging film 210 being fed by the conveying chain 209.
The distance between the cross-cuts are easily adjusted by usage of the adjustment knobs 202, shown in FIG. 05. Each cutting block 200-201 has one adjustment knob located on its short side. Each of the knobs 202 incorporates a single locking nut 203. The nut 203 is used to lock the cutting block 200-201 in place, in attempt to prevent the block's movement during the machine's operation.
As shown in FIG. 08, the cross-cuts are created by the blades 204 positioned directly below the cutting blocks 200-201. The blades, held by the blade holders 205, are extended upward, and retracted downward via pneumatic cylinders 206. The blades 204 are mechanically tied to the corresponding cutting blocks 200-201, therefore a manual movement (or adjustment) of the cutting block to the left, will generate a corresponding movement of the blades.
This movement is accomplished by usage of a rack and pinion system, incorporated inside each one of the cutting blocks, as shown in FIG. 08. When moved, the cutting blocks are sliding on two sliding rails. One of the sliding rails is positioned paralleled to the rack and pinion systems (and next to the conveying chain), and the second sliding rail is positioned on the opposite side of machine, near the second rack and pinion system.
As shown in FIG. 09, and specifically depicted by the sectional view A-A, the vibration created by the machine's operations, causes a progressive movement of the cutting blades 204. This progressive movement, at least in part, is attributed to the rack and pinion system 208 incorporated in the design of the existing cross-cut station 200-208. The other reason for the movement of the cross-cut station can be attributed to unreliable locking nuts 203. The locking nuts 203 have been designed to lock the cross-cut station 200-208 in place, and by doing so prevent its movement. However, after a prolonged exposure to the vibrating frame of the machine 200-222, the locking nuts 203 lose their grip, allowing the cross-cut station, along with the blades, to move in an unpredicted direction.
As shown in FIG. 10, the cross-cut stabilizer 100-144 is mounted inside the cross-cut station 200-208. More specifically, and as shown in FIG. 11, it is the mounting base 100-107 of the cross-cut stabilizer 100-144 that is placed in-between the cutting blocks 200-201 of the cross-cut station, and when properly mounted, the stabilizer rests on the sliding rail 207.
When in position, the pushing combs 110-114 straddle the cutting blocks 200-201, as shown in FIG. 11, urging upon the cutting blocks, and in doing so preventing their movement. The pushing combs 110-114 also enable simultaneous, manual adjustment of both the cross-cut station 200-208 with the cross-cut stabilizer 100-144.
The clamps 130-133, as shown in the sectional view B-B of FIG. 12, using the jaw block 132 clamp, is clamped between the mounting base 100-107 and the sliding rail 207 (or any other immovable component of the machines). The manual adjustment of the clamp 130-133 will either increase or decrease the force the pushing combs apply on the cutting blocks 200/201 of the cross-cut station, allowing the end-used to make the desired adjustments.
As shown in FIG. 13, the size of the pushing combs 110-114 may be changed to accommodate the changes in the machines 200-222 index size (distances between cuts corresponding to the distances between the operation stations). The pushing combs 110-114 may also incorporate one or a multitude of chambers 112/113 to accommodate the existing cross-cut systems with a large number of cutting blocks/blades, as shown in FIG. 14.
Patent Grant
10675774
