Patent Application
20090056287
The invention relates to a packaging machine for lollipops.
It is known to package lollipops with a so-called bunch-wrapper approach, wherein the lollipops in singled condition, are supplied in series to a drum having a fixed drum part and a drum part rotating about a horizontal axis, on which a series of assemblies that circulate along are arranged, the assemblies each having a lollipop stick holder, a lollipop head support and two diaphragm arms provided with heating elements. At the location of a reception station the lollipop is engaged on the drum by the stick holder, wherein the lollipop head is situated at a short distance in front of the open diaphragm. In between an end portion of a foil web is fed and cut from the web as a foil sheet, after the lollipop head support extending through the diaphragm has pressed the foil sheet against the head. Subsequently, at onward rotation of the rotatable drum part, the stick holder and the lollipop head support are moved towards the diaphragm, wherein the lollipop head is moved through the diaphragm to the other side thereof. The foil sheet is then folded by the diaphragm arms against and around the lollipop head. As soon as the lollipop head has passed through the diaphragm the diaphragm arms are moved towards each other in order to fold the foil sheet behind the lollipop head. Subsequently the stick holder and the lollipop head support are rotated about their centre lines in order to twist the part of foil sheet that is situated behind the lollipop head around the stick. Subsequently the heating elements are activated for sealing said foil part. Then the diaphragm arms are moved apart again and the lollipop is moved back by the stick holder, after which the lollipop is taken over by a remover and the assembly in question is able to go through a next cycle.
For the movement of the stick holder and the lollipop head support, they are provided with operation parts, that circulate in stationary curve tracks that are channel-shaped, formed in a curve plate, and confine the operation part, usually a roller, in radial inward and radial outward direction. The diaphragm arms are each rotatably arranged on a rotatable drum part, about rotation centre lines that are parallel to the centre line of rotation of the drum, and are biassed towards each other by means of a spring. One of the arms is extended to beyond its point of rotation and at the end is provided with an operation part that is in engagement with stationary curve tracks. Radial movement of the operation part through the curve tracks results in rotation of the arm, and due to intercoupling of the arms in a simultaneous counter rotation of the other arm. In the seal trajectory the operation part of the diaphragm arm is radially confined in a channel formed in the curve plate in question.
For singling, such packaging machines usually comprise a so-called sorting/distribution disk, which at its circumference is provided with a series of accommodation spaces for the lollipop heads, wherein the sticks are able to extend radially outwards in order for them to be easily picked up by stick holders of a transit conveyor. When there is a change in the diameter of the lollipops to be packaged, the sorting disk can simply be replaced by a sorting disk having accommodation spaces of another diameter. In the drum use can be made of the stick holder and the lollipop head supports that are already present. Folding the foil sheet about the lollipop head, however, may in case of a larger difference between the opening determined by the diaphragm arms and the diameter of the lollipop head lead to creases and undesirable folds in the foil sheet folded around the lollipop head. In order to prevent this the drum has to be adapted, by replacing its unit on which the diaphragm arms and the related operation parts for said arms and the heating elements are arranged. This is a time-consuming operation. Furthermore several units adapted to the various lollipop head diameters have to be purchased and kept at the ready. The effort to be made in replacing the unit may result in opting for not carrying out a change that is actually necessary, which results in badly and ill-packaged lollipops.
It is an object of the invention to improve on this.
From one aspect the invention provides a packaging machine for lollipops, comprising a drum having a fixed drum part and having a rotatable drum part including a series of stick holders, a supply for the lollipops towards the stick holders and a supply for packaging material for the lollipops, such as a foil, towards the drum, a discharge for discharge of packaged lollipops away from the drum, wherein the packaging material supply is adapted for consecutively bringing a sheet of packaging material in front of the lollipop heads, wherein the drum is furthermore provided with means for relatively moving the stick holder and the sheet of packaging material in a first trajectory on the drum in order to let said sheet envelop or surround the lollipop head, wherein the rotatable drum part is furthermore provided with a diaphragm at every stick holder, said diaphragm being positioned at the side of the sheet of packaging material facing away from the lollipop head in order to dispose said sheet around the head in said relative movement of the stick holder and said sheet of packaging material, in which the head moves through the opening defined by the diaphragm, wherein the diaphragm is furthermore provided with means for in a next, second trajectory on the drum sealing the packaging material at or near the location of the transition of the head to the stick, wherein the drum is furthermore provided with first adjustment means for pre-adjusting the size of the opening of the diaphragm at the location of the first trajectory.
With the provision according to the invention the opening of the diaphragm can be adjusted to the diameter of the head of the lollipops to be packaged without having to replace said entire unit including diaphragm and related parts. In this way it is possible to obtain packaged lollipops of which the foil abuts the head nice and tight.
In a way known per se the diaphragm may comprise two diaphragm arms, which can be moved towards and away from each other and are provided with sealing elements. The two diaphragm arms may be coupled with each other for simultaneous, opposite rotation.
In a preferred embodiment the diaphragm is provided with an operation part for determining and altering the opening of the diaphragm during rotation of the rotatable drum part, wherein the fixed drum part at least in the first trajectory is provided with a first curve track for guiding and moving the operation part during rotation of the drum, wherein the first adjustment means comprise means for adjusting the mutual position of the operation part and the first curve track. Preferably the first adjustment means are adapted for adjusting the position of the first curve track on the fixed drum part, so that not all diaphragms need to be set themselves, in advance, using means mounted on each diaphragm itself.
In one embodiment the operation part is adapted for during radial outward movement reducing the opening, wherein the first curve track is situated at the radial outside of the operation part in order to form an adjustable limitation. Preferably the operation part at the radial inside is free from the first curve track.
Preferably the diaphragm is biassed towards a more closed or smaller position of the opening. The first curve track forms a radially outward limitation for the operation part and thus for the degree to which the diaphragm is closed, wherein the biassing force ensures a stable abutment of the operation part.
In a constructively simple embodiment the first curve track is formed on a bent strip-shaped plate extending in circumferential direction of the drum, which plate is provided with a first guide edge for the operation part, wherein the first adjustment means are adapted for adjusting the radial position of the first guide edge. By adjusting the radial position of the strip-shaped plate, which can for instance be done by unscrewing bolts with which the plate is attached on the fixed drum part and after adjustment tightening them again, the radial position of the guide edge for the operation part can at that location be adjusted.
In a further embodiment the first curve track in process direction, directly or at a distance, is succeeded by a second curve track for with a second guide edge engaging the operation part in order to keep the diaphragm in the sealing position in the second trajectory, after the foil has been folded behind the head by the closing diaphragm.
Preferably the second curve track is situated at the radial inside of the operation part.
In a simple embodiment the operation part at the radial outside is free from the second curve track. In the known drum use is made of a curve plate provided with a channel in which the operation part is guided at two sides. In that arrangement, the second curve plate is hinged to the fixed drum part, and radially inwardly movable counter the pressure of a cylinder. Thus, when the foil sheet behind the lollipop head is relatively thick, the track for the operation part can be shifted radially inwardly, as a result of which the diaphragm will open further for providing the necessary extra space to the thickening. A drawback is that this shifting is carried out for all operation parts that are then in the channel, as a result of which in case there is no such thickening the closure behind the head will not be sufficient. By according to the invention keeping the radial outside free, the diaphragm is free to open further in order to offer room to a thickening. The said pre-biassing of the diaphragm ensures a permanent, sufficient engagement of the sheet by the diaphragm.
The second curve track preferably is formed on a curve plate having a guide edge for the operation part which coincides with an arc of a circle that is concentric with the drum centre line.
Also the position of the second curve track preferably is adjustable in circumferential direction, in order to follow the adjustment of the first curve track and possibly therewith an intermediate trajectory, yet to be discussed, if present. The adjustability preferably is along said arc of a circle, as a result of which the adjustment can be carried out in an easy and controlled way, for instance by the unscrewing and tightening again of bolts on the fixed drum part.
In one embodiment the drum comprises an axle, wherein the curve plate at one side of the axle is hinged to a coupling plate, wherein the coupling plate and the curve plate at another side of the axle are connected to each other by means of a bar, wherein the coupling plate is adjustably attached to the fixed drum part. Preferably a spring element is arranged on the bar for urging the curve plate radially to the outside, wherein the bar is provided with a stop for the radial outward movement of the curve plate.
In a further development the first curve track changes into a third curve track, provided with a third guide edge for the operation part in order to close the diaphragm, furthermore comprising second adjustment means for adjusting the position of the third guide edge in circumferential direction of the drum. It is thus ensured that the diaphragm folds the foil directly behind the head of the lollipop, so that the foil abuts tightly there. The adjustment takes place depending on the length of the head of the lollipop.
Preferably between the third and second curve track an overlapping intermediate trajectory is formed in which the diaphragm is closed and in which preferably a passage is formed having a width at least almost corresponding with the thickness of a stick.
For ensuring a two-sided and as a result reliable guiding of the operation part in the intermediate trajectory means are furthermore provided for resiliently biassing the second curve track radially towards the first curve track.
From a further aspect the invention provides a packaging machine for lollipops, comprising a drum having a fixed drum part and a rotatable drum part including a series of stick holders, a supply for the lollipops towards the stick holders and a supply for packaging material for the lollipops, such as a foil, towards the drum, a discharge for discharge of packaged lollipops away from the drum, wherein the packaging material supply is adapted for consecutively bringing a sheet of packaging material in front of the lollipop heads, wherein the drum is furthermore provided with means for relatively moving the stick holder and the sheet of packaging material in a first trajectory on the drum in order to let said sheet envelop or surround the lollipop head, wherein the rotatable drum part is furthermore provided with a diaphragm at every stick holder said diaphragm being positioned at the side of the sheet of material facing away from the lollipop head in order to dispose said sheet around the head in said relative movement of the stick holder and said sheet of packaging material, in which the head moves through the opening defined by the diaphragm, wherein the diaphragm is furthermore provided with means for in a next, second trajectory on the drum sealing the packaging material at or near the location of the transition of the head to the stick, wherein the diaphragm is provided with operation means for changing the size of the passage in the diaphragm during the circulation of the rotatable drum part, wherein the operation means comprise an operation part, wherein the fixed drum part is provided with a curve track for the operation part, wherein the drum is furthermore provided with first adjustment means for adjusting the radial position of the curve track for the operation part.
Preferably the adjustment means are operative on the curve track at the location of the first trajectory.
Preferably the packaging device is furthermore provided with second adjustment means for adjusting the circumferential position of the curve track, in particular in connection to the first trajectory for closing the diaphragm.
From a further aspect the invention provides a packaging machine for lollipops, comprising a drum having a stationary, fixed drum part and having a drum part that is rotatable with respect thereto and includes a series of stick holders, a supply for the lollipops towards the stick holders and a supply for packaging material for the lollipops, such as a foil, towards the drum, a discharge for discharge of packaged lollipops away from the drum, wherein the packaging material supply is adapted for consecutively bringing a sheet of packaging material in front of the lollipop heads, wherein the drum is furthermore provided with means for relatively moving the stick holder and the sheet of packaging material in a first trajectory on the drum in order to let said sheet envelop or surround the lollipop head, wherein the rotatable drum part is furthermore provided with a diaphragm at every stick holder, said diaphragm being positioned at the side of the sheet of packaging material facing away from the lollipop head in order to dispose said sheet around the head in said relative movement of the stick holder and said sheet of packaging material, in which the head moves through the opening defined by the diaphragm, wherein the diaphragm is furthermore provided with means for in a next, second trajectory on the drum sealing the packaging material at the location of the transition of the head to the stick, wherein the drum is furthermore provided with adjustment means for pre-adjusting the moment of closing the opening of the diaphragm consecutive to the first trajectory. It is thus ensured that the diaphragm folds the foil directly behind the lollipop head, so that the foil abuts tightly there. The adjustment takes place, depending on the length of the lollipop head.
The invention will be elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments shown in the attached drawings, in which:
FIGS. 1A,C,E show schematic views of the process for arranging a foil sheet around the head of a lollipop, in consecutive steps;
FIGS. 1B,D,F show the position of the diaphragm arms in the stages shown in the FIGS. 1A,C,E;
The packaging machine 1 for lollipops shown in
From the removal roller 4 the lollipops are transferred to a first transfer disk 5 driven in direction C, subsequently to a second transfer disk 6 rotating in the direction D, and then to a third transfer disk 7 rotating in the direction E. From the transfer disk 7 the lollipops are transferred to a drum 8 of the wrapping station 100, which drum is rotated in the direction F and in which the lollipops are surrounded with foil material supplied to them for packaging. The packaged lollipops are discharged to a discharge disk 9 rotating in the direction G and discharging the packaged lollipops to for instance a discharge chute (not shown).
The drum 8 has an axle 11, with which the rotatable part 50 (also see
On the right-hand side of the lollipop head R there is a plug or cap 23 attached at the end of an axially reciprocally moving bar 22, of which the axial position is defined in a manner known per se by means of a curve that is not further shown and which is part of the fixed part of the drum 8.
The pin 22 extends through a sleeve 29, on which a pair 25 of wrapping arms 26a, 26b at the location of hinge points 27 are hingedly arranged, wherein the sleeve 29 is provided with teeth that are not further shown, which mesh with a rack that is not further shown and which belongs to the fixed part of the drum 8. The sleeve 29 is rotatably bearing mounted in bearing 28. At the side the pin 22 is provided with teeth 22a that mesh with teeth on the wrapping arms 26a, 26b in order to rotate them when the pin 22 moves.
On the left-hand side of the wrapping arms 25 an assembly 30 of diaphragm arms 31a, 31b is arranged, which are further shown in
By rotation of the part 35a, induced by movement of the roller 34, the arm 31a will rotate, wherein, due to the meshing of the teeth 37a, 37b, the arm 31b will to an equal extent rotate in the opposite direction.
In
In
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In this case the design is such that the cap 23 in the position shown in
Subsequently the sleeve 29 and thus the wrapping arms 26a, 26b are rotated about the lollipop head R, wherein the clamp 20 keeps holding the stick S and the foil sheet part F1. As a result the foil sheet F is twisted behind the head R. Said part F1 is then also sealed by activation of the heating elements 32a, 32b.
After the twisting and sealing has been completed the diaphragm arms 31a, 31b are opened again and the clamp 20 is moved back again, in order to be able to discharge the lollipop to the discharge station 9.
Then a new cycle can be started again.
The curve plate 64 is situated in the discharge station, at the end of M and N and is attached to the drum 60 by means of bolts 84a, b. With its radial inward component the guide edge 90 will guide the roller 34 to the inside, in order to move the diaphragm arms 31a, 31b apart, in order to make it possible for the lollipop head to be axially moved back.
At the location of bolts 83a and 83b, the curve plate 61 is attached to protrusions 60c and 60d that are fixed with the fixed edge 60a of fixed drum part 60. The bolt 83b extends through a radially oriented elongated hole in the plate 61. The guide edge 91 of curve plate 61 smoothly changes into the more radially outwardly situated edge section 92 via a slight bend. An adjustment bolt 111 is attached on the curve plate 61, the head 112 of which adjustment bolt is operable and of which the tip 113 abuts the fixed edge 60b. By rotating the bolt 111, after some unscrewing of the bolts 83a,b the plate 61 can be swung in direction W, about the point of rotation formed by bolt 83a. In this way the radial position of the edge 92 is set, and thus the radial track of the operation roller 34 in trajectory K.
The curve plate 65 is in the extension of plate 61, and is connected thereto by means of bolts 82a,b, that extend in elongated holes 81a, b extending in circumferential direction. Elongated hole 81a is wider than bolt 82a. The plate 65 abuts the edge 60b with tip 65a. By some unscrewing the bolts 82a,b the position of the plate 65 in circumferential direction can be set, and thus its guide edge 94, which has a convex and concave trajectory. In this way the moment of closing the diaphragm arms can be adjusted. The wider elongated hole 81a allows some rotation of plate 65 about bolt 82a, so that for securing it can be ensured that the tip 65a abuts the edge 60b, and the position of the roller 34 at that location can always be the same.
The guide edge 93 of the curve plate 62 is circular and has a run-in section 93a which with the guide edge 94 defines a passage 108 for the roller 34. The width of the passage 108 is slightly larger than the diameter of the roller 34. The curve plate 62 is hinged to fixed drum part 60 by means of a bolt 101. The bolt 101 extends through an elongated hole 66 in fixed drum part 60. The bolt 101 also extends through a suitable hole in a bent plate 63, which extends upwardly about the axle 11. The plate 63 is provided with elongated holes 67a, 67b through which detachable fastening threaded bolts 68a, 68b extend, in suitable screw holes in the fixed drum part 60.
At the upper end at the location of 69, the plate 63 is connected to a bar 70, which at the other end 74 is hinged to the upstream end of the plate 62. A stop 71 is provided on the bar 70, which stop forms a unity with the end of the bar, and serves as a stop for a compression spring 73, which is attached to a plate 72 at the location of the end near 69. As a result a radially outwardly oriented resilient compression force is exerted on the plate 62, about the hinge/bolt 101.
In
Due to the location, considered in radial direction of the drum, of the curve plate 61 and thus the guide edge 92, the position of the roller 34 in the trajectory K is also determined radial direction, and thus the mutual position of the diaphragm arms 31a, 31b and thus the size of the opening O, in this case adjusted to the lollipop head shown in
Due to the spring force exerted on the diaphragm arms 31a, 31b in a direction towards each other, the roller 34 keeps properly abutting the guide edge 91 and the guide edge 92.
In the intermediate section, where the guide edge 94 is situated, the roller 34 is confined between the guide edge 94 and the guide edge 93. The run-in section 93a of the guide edge 93 here ensures a smooth insertion of the roller 34 in the passage 108 formed there.
As soon as the largest diameter of the lollipop head has been passed through the opening O the diaphragm arms 31a, 31b can be closed, which—after setting with adjustment bolt 111—takes place in the intermediate trajectory at a location depending on the length of the lollipop head, guided by edge 94, inwardly limited by the guide edge 93a and a part of the edge 93.
When the roller 34 comes out of the passage 108, the roller 34 is only guided radially to the inside by the guide edge 93. The position of the guide edge 93 is selected such that the diaphragm arms are not fully closed, but offer room to the stick and to the wrapped foil sheet part F1. When a thick wad of foil part F1 is being formed, a radially inward force can be exerted by the related roller 34 on the guide edge 93 and thus the curve plate 62, which, by adjustment of the spring force of spring 73, is able to deflect slightly radially to the inside. The guide edge 93 is placed such that a suitable pressure force is indeed exerted on the roller 34 and thus sufficient force can be exerted by the diaphragm arms 31a, 31b on the wrapped foil part F1 during sealing and wrapping.
Once arrived at 66, the downstream end of the curve plate 62, said pressure force is not longer necessary, and a curve plate in the next trajectory can be dispensed with, in which trajectory sealing and wrapping, however, can still take place.
When lollipops of another lollipop head size are treated the operator may open the drum 8, in the manner known per se, and gain access to the aforementioned bolts in order to slightly unscrew them and subsequently sliding the curve plate 61 in circumferential direction (direction V) and then tightening the bolts again in the desired position. By unscrewing the bolts 68a, 68b and bolt 101 he will also be able to rotate the assembly of curve plate 62, plate 63, and bar 70 (directions Q and T), so that the relative position of the guide edge 92 and the guide edge 93a, are taken over in the new situation. The passage 108 has to suit the diameters of the roller 34, which in this adjustment is not replaced.
In
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1026777 | Aug 2004 | NL | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/NL2005/000571 | 8/3/2005 | WO | 00 | 10/20/2008 |
