Patent Application
20130180082
The present disclosure relates generally to packaging systems, and more particularly to grip pads for use in packaging systems and related methods.
The written disclosure herein describes illustrative embodiments that are non-limiting and non-exhaustive. Reference is made to certain of such illustrative embodiments that are depicted in the figures, in which:
Embodiments disclosed herein can be used in retrofitting a packaging system so as to improve the efficiency and/or overall performance of the system. For example, certain embodiments can be used with form-fill-seal (FFS) line systems (e.g., horizontal FFS line systems), such as systems that are used in preparing individual packages of food items.
Certain known FFS line systems have preinstalled grippers at various positions in the line. The grippers are used to temporarily secure bags in place as one or more processes are performed relative to the bags. For example, at one stage, a first set of grippers may be used to hold outer edges of a bag while vacuum is applied at outer walls of the bag so as to open the bag. The bag can be moved to a subsequent stage in which the first set of grippers have released the bag and a second set of grippers hold the edges of the bag as a gas is injected into the bag so as to purge air from the bag. At a later stage, another set of grippers can be used to hold the bag while a food item is introduced into the bag. At a later stage, yet another set of grippers can be used to hold the bag while the bag is sealed.
In certain systems, the preinstalled grippers can suffer from various drawbacks. For example, in some instances, the preinstalled grippers can fail to adequately grip the bag, or may entirely miss the bag, when the bag curls. Such bag curl may be particularly common for some bag materials or films. Bag curl can be exhibited in a variety of directions, such as, for example, toward the machine drive side of a horizontal FFS line. Failure of the grippers to properly secure the bags can result in dropped bags, jams and/or other bag conveyance complications, and/or filling faults. In some instances, the preinstalled grippers are also problematic when they become worn. For example, the grippers can become hard over time and can perforate the bag material.
Certain embodiments described herein can reduce or eliminate one or more of the shortcomings of factory installed grippers, such as those just discussed. For example, in some embodiments, grip pads can be used to replace and/or cover the factory installed grippers. The grip pads can readily flatten portions of bags that have curled. In other or further instances, the grip pads can securely hold the bags in place. In other or further instances, the grip pads can be much less prone to puncturing bag material when they wear over time. One or more of the foregoing advantages and/or other or further advantages will be apparent from the present disclosure.
In the illustrated embodiment, the connection interface 110 includes a stem 112 that is configured to interface with a portion of the FFS line so as to connect the grip pad 110 thereto. The illustrated stem 112 is substantially cylindrical. Other arrangements for the connection interface 110 are possible, depending on the configuration of the factory installed components of the FFS line.
In the illustrated embodiment, the gripping interface 120 includes a substantially disk-shaped pad 122 that defines a gripping surface 124. In the illustrated embodiment, the gripping surface 124 is substantially planar. Such an arrangement may inhibit formation of indentations or other markings on bags with which the gripping surface 124 comes into contact. In other embodiments, the gripping surface 124 may include gripping features, such as protrusions (e.g., ribs) or recesses (e.g., valleys), which may cooperate with a complementary gripping features at an opposing side of the bag.
The hardness of the pad 122 can be selected to provide desired performance characteristics. For example, in some embodiments, the gripping abilities of the pad 122 can vary with the hardness of the pad 122. In some embodiments, the hardness of the pad 122 can be within a range of from about 60 to about 80 durometer (Shore A), can be no less than about 60, 70, or 80 durometer (Shore A), or can be no greater than about 60, 70, or 80 durometer (Shore A).
As shown in
The system 200 can include stationary housings 220 with which the grip pads 100 can be coupled. The stationary housings 220 may, in fact, be movable in a direction of travel of the pouch 250, and in the direction opposite thereto (e.g., toward the right and toward the left, respectively, in
The stationary housings 220 can define posts 222 that include factory-installed grippers (not shown). The grippers can resemble the grippers 214, which are attached to shaft portions 212 of the pistons. The grippers 214 can define relatively small diameters, as shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the factory-installed grippers have been removed and have been replaced with the grip pads 100. In particular, the stems 112 of the grip pads 100 have been inserted into the posts 222, which normally house the factory installed grippers. The stems 112 are retained within the posts 222 by a tight friction fit.
When the system 200 is operating, the pouch 250 may pass through a series of stages (e.g., pouch wall separation and gas purging) prior to arriving at the stage shown in
The grippers pads 122 have a substantially greater surface area, as compared with the grippers 214. Such an arrangement can facilitate gripping of the front and rearward ends of the pouch 250. For example, if the front end of the pouch (e.g., the right end in the orientation shown in
Additional grip pads 100 can be used at other stages of the system 200 in like manner. In some embodiments, many grip pads 100 are used along a full length of walking and stationary beams of a the system 200. In various embodiments, no fewer than about 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 grip pads 100 are used.
The system 300 can further include grip pads 100′ that resemble the grip pads 100. In particular, each grip pad 100′ can include a connection interface 110′ and a gripping interface 120′. The connection interface 110′ can include a sleeve 114 that can be positioned over one or more portions of the piston 210. In some embodiments, a collar 130 can be used to secure the sleeve 114 to the piston 210. The gripping interface 120′ can include a pad 122, which may be the same, substantially the same, or complementary to the pad 122 of a corresponding grip pad 100.
The system 300 and/or the grip pads 100, 100′ can be adjusted such that the grip pads 100, 100′ contact the desired areas of the pouches 250. In the illustrated embodiment, the pads 122 extend slightly beyond the front and rear edges of the pouch 250, although other gripping arrangements are contemplated. In
Although much of the foregoing disclosure is discussed in the context of retrofitting an FFS line with gripping pads, it should be appreciated that embodiments of gripping pads may be used as original features of a factory-produced FFS line. Any suitable use of the apparatus, assemblies, systems, and methods discussed herein is contemplated.
Any methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for performing the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified.
References to approximations are made throughout this specification, such as by use of one or more of the terms “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” and “generally.” For each such reference, it is to be understood that, in some embodiments, the value, feature, or characteristic may be specified without approximation. For example, where such a qualifier is used, the terms includes within its scope the qualified word in the absence of the qualifier.
Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “the embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the quoted phrases, or variations thereof, as recited throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description of embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any embodiment require every feature shown in a particular drawing.
Unless otherwise noted, the terms “a” or “an” are to be construed as meaning “at least one of.” In addition, for ease of use, the words “including” and “having” are interchangeable with and have the same meaning as the word “comprising.” Recitation of the term “first” with respect to a feature or element does not necessarily imply the existence of a second or additional such feature or element.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61508690 | Jul 2011 | US |
