RAPPARINI, Gino (via Battirame 6, Bologna, 40138, IT)
| CLAIMS 1. Device for equispaced conveying of objects, irrespective of how they are fed, CHARACTERISED IN THAT it comprises one or two rotating feed screws (E) for conveying the objects in transit (C) so that they are spaced evenly apart. 2. Device according to claim 1 , CHARACTERISED IN THAT the objects to be packaged (C) are stacked vertically and driven by gravity against the feed screws (E), which convey them equispaced in a downward direction (figure 2). 3. Device according to claim 2, CHARACTERISED IN THAT the vertical feed screws are inserted inside the forming tube (F) of a vertical packaging machine and are endowed with an intermittent or continuous rotational movement so as to convey the objects (C) into said forming tube (F) in an equispaced manner and release them in proximity to the transverse grippers (T) of the resulting sealed pouches (B) (figure 7). 4. Device according to the preceding claims, CHARACTERISED IN THAT the feed screws have an axial hole (G) for delivering a flow of inert gas into the forming tube (F) of the vertical packaging machine during the packaging of the objects (C) in sealed pouches (B) (figures: 3 bis; 6). 5. Device for equispaced conveying of objects, irrespective of how they are fed, according to claim 1, CHARACTERISED IN THAT it comprises a single feed screw (E) (figures 8, 9; 11 ; 12) and the extension of a lateral guide (L') positioned opposite to said single feed screw. 6. Device for equispaced conveying of objects, irrespective of how they are fed, according to claim 5, CHARACTERISED IN THAT IT COMPRISES an additional vertical gripper (V") (figure 9) for obtaining pouches sealed on four sides (figure 14). 7. Device for equispaced conveying of objects, irrespective of how they are fed, according to claim 1 , CHARACTERISED IN THAT the feed screws (E), in cases where pouches of reduced dimensions are to be produced, terminate outside the forming tube (F) for reasons of size (figure 7 bis). 8. Device for equispaced conveying of objects, irrespective of how they are fed, according to the preceding claims, CHARACTERISED IN THAT it is installed in horizontal packaging machines (figure 15 and figure 16). |
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to the technological field of packaging machines and more specifically it concerns a device for equispaced conveying of objects, irrespective of how they are fed. International class B 65 d shall be indicated as reference classification.
PRIOR ART
There are known packaging machines, both vertical and horizontal, for packaging objects in sealed pouches.
Capsules containing products to be brewed, such as ground coffee in predetermined doses, presently find widespread application in the market. As said pre-packaged capsules are not hermetic, they must be introduced into a protective pouch and duly sealed, if necessary in an inert atmosphere. The problem to be solved, at the high production rates demanded by the market, is to evenly space the capsules that are fed contiguous with one another in a continuous horizontal or vertical queue.
The solution proposed by the present invention solves all of the existing problems by introducing a device for equispaced conveying of objects, irrespective of how they are fed, also at high production rates.
DESCRIPTION
The invention will now be described with reference to the schematic figures of the drawings appended hereto by way of non-restrictive example. Figure 1 schematically illustrates the gravity feeding of a queue of objects having a cylindrical configuration, such as brewing capsules, frontally disposed. It may be noted that the capsules, individually identified with the symbols (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7) are fed from above, propelled in contact with one another. Figure 2 shows the circumstance in which the first capsule (C 1) rests immobile against the first thread of the helical feed screws (E), stationary at the start of the production cycle. It may be noted that said feed screws (E) are completely inserted inside the forming tube (F) and have an axial hole (G) through which a flow of inert gas (G) is delivered into the forming tube (F) of the vertical packaging machine. Figure 3 illustrates the working arrangement of the rotating feed screws (E).
It may be noted that, as they rotate, the feed screws push the capsules (C) downward, spacing them apart by a distance equal to the geometric pitch (P) of the helical threads of the feed screws (E).
It should be highlighted, in particular, that the capsules are propelled downward in succession inside the forming tube of the vertical packaging machine.
Figure 3 bis illustrates sectional views of the feed screws (E) and the hole (G) inside the vertical forming tube (F).
Figure 4 shows the capsule (C 1) when it has arrived at the end of the helical threads of the feed screws (E).
Figure 5 illustrates the circumstance wherein the capsule (C1), having exited from the final thread of the feed screws (E), falls downward at an increasing speed due to the effect of gravity, so that it is spaced further apart from the capsule (C2), and comes to a stop on the underlying transverse grippers (T), which are closed.
Figure 6 shows the capsule (C1) already introduced inside the pouch (B) resulting from the forward feeding of the film (F), schematically indicated by the arrow (A).
Figure 7 shows the phase wherein the sealed pouch (B) is cut and falls freely, in order to give rise to the subsequent operating cycle.
Figure 7 bis shows a possible variant embodiment that becomes necessary in cases where the pouches are of reduced dimensions. It may be noted that the helical feed screws (E) terminate outside the vertical forming tube (F) and the capsule (C3) falls freely inside the forming tube (F).
Figure 8 illustrates a variant embodiment with only one helical feed screw (E). It may be noted that the second feed screw is replaced by an extension of the lateral guide (L'). It is evident that the operating cycle is analogous to the one achieved by the two helical feed screws (E). Figure 9, which again refers to the case of a single helical feed screw (E), shows the possibility of applying another vertical gripper (V) to obtain pouches (B') heat sealed on four sides (T ,T' V, V).
Figure 10 is a cross-section view of the embodiment with two helical feed screws
(E.)
Figure 11 is a cross-section view with a single feed screw (E) and a lateral guide
(L 1 ).
Figure 12 is a cross-section view that illustrates the execution of the fourth vertical seal (V) on the resulting pouch.
Figure 13 shows a package with a pouch (B) with seals on three sides.
Figure 14 shows a package with a pouch (B) with seals on four sides.
Figure 15 shows an application of the present invention to a horizontal packaging machine where both of the feed screws (E) are inserted into the horizontally disposed forming tube. One may note the presence of a flow of gas inside the horizontal forming tube (F) 1 delivered through the holes (G).
Figure 16 shows the same application as in figure 15, but in this case the feed screws (E) are outside the forming tube (F) for reasons of size .
In figures 15 and 16 it may be noted that the forward feeding of the horizontal film is symbolically indicated by the horizontal arrow (A).
The figures bring to light every functional aspect of the operating cycle. In all of the figures each specific detail is identified as follows.
A is an arrow that indicates the forward feeding of the film (F) during the execution of the various operating phases.
B indicates a three-side-seal pouch into which the capsules are introduced and hermetically sealed.
B' indicates a four-side-seal pouch.
C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7 indicate a succession of capsules fed in any manner.
E indicates helical feed screws that space the capsules apart at a constant pitch
(P)- F indicates the film wrapped around the forming tube used to package the hermetically sealed capsules. It may be noted that in the figures the film is envisaged as transparent for the sake of illustrative convenience.
G indicates a flow of inert gas introduced into the forming tube.
L indicates lateral guides of the feed channel for the capsules to be packaged.
L' indicates the extension of one lateral guide in the embodiment with a single feed screw.
P indicates the geometric pitch of the helical feed screws (E).
R indicates sealing rollers in the embodiment with a horizontal arrangement.
R' indicates the longitudinal sealing zone in the horizontal embodiment.
S indicates the feed channel for the capsules to be packaged.
T indicates transverse sealing devices.
T' indicates the transverse sealing zones.
V indicates vertical sealing devices.
V indicates the vertical sealing zones.
It should be highlighted that the schematic figures of the appended drawings constitute non-restrictive examples of simple arrangements. In fact, the present invention lends itself to different embodiments as regards both the choice of the various technological components and the dimensions and structural proportions of the various functional and kinematic mechanisms. Being now acquainted with the inventive combinations disclosed herein, any technician with average skill in the various technological sectors will be able to construct conveying devices for equispaced conveying of objects, irrespective of how they are fed, and in particular brewing capsules, simply by reproducing the original characteristics of the present invention as substantially described, illustrated and specified in the following claims.