| 11/145115 We claim: 1. A gusset tube feeding mechanism for an apparatus to make a package having front and back sides, and first and second side gussets and a bottom gusset configured with the front and back sides, the gusset tube feeding mechanism comprising: a pair of counter rollers configured at a gusset forming unit of the apparatus to pull a tube therefrom, wherein the tube is formed by folding a film or laminate web fed to the gusset forming unit to form the first and second side gussets of the package; a conveyer assembly adjacent to the pair of counter rollers to grip the tube pulled by the pair of counter rollers to feed thereto over a bottom web, which forms the back side of the package; a cutting member disposed between the pair of counter rollers and the conveyer assembly for cutting the tube of desired length. 2. The gusset tube feeding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conveyer assembly comprises: a pair of pulley belt assemblies, each of the pair of pulley belt assembly having two rollers spaced apart from each other, and a belt disposed over the rollers to rotate around the rollers; and at least one servo motor adapted to drive the pair of pulley belt assemblies for feeding the tube of desired length over the bottom web, 3. The gusset tube feeding mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein the rollers and the belt disposed over the rollers are toothed. 4. The gusset tube feeding mechanism as claimed in claim l^ wherein the pair of counter rollers and the conveyer assembly are synchronized to feed the tube of desired length over the bottom web in at least two phases, wherein in a first phase, speed of the pair of counter rollers and the conveyer assembly are substantially same, and wherein in a second phase, speed of the pair of counter rollers is minimized and speed of the conveyer assembly is maximized. 5. The gusset tube feeding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of counter rollers and the conveyer assembly are synchronized to feed the tube of desired length over the bottom web in a single phase. 6. The gusset tube feeding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conveyer assembly grips the cut tube until it is sealed on the bottom web by a sealing arrangement in the apparatus. 7. The gusset tube feeding mechanism as claimed in preceding claims, wherein at least one pulley belt assembly of the conveyer assembly is moved upwardly from its axis of rotation to release the griped cut tube upon sealing thereof over the bottom jveb. 8. The gusset tube feeding mechanism as claimed in preceding claims, wherein the conveyer assembly grips the cut tube in such a manner that upon sealing thereof over the bottom web, the cut tube may be released without upwardly moving of at least one pulley belt assembly from its axis of rotation. 9. An apparatus for making a package having front and back sides, first and second side gussets and' a bottom gusset, the apparatus comprising: a reel loader for loading a film or laminate roll on an unwind; a slitting unit for slitting the film or laminate of the loaded roll into top and bottom film or laminate webs for forming the respective front and back sides of the package; a gusset tube forming unit for forming a tube to obtain the first and second side gussets of the package, the tube formed by folding a film or laminate web loaded on the gusset tube forming unit; a gusset tube feeding mechanism for feeding the tube, the gusset feeding mechanism comprising, a pair of counter rollers configured at the gusset forming unit, coordinated to pull the tube from the gusset forming unit, a conveyer assembly adjacent to the pair of counter rollers, coordinated to grip the tube pulled from the pair of counter rollers to feed thereto over a bottom web, which forms the back side of the package, and a cutting member disposed between the pair of counter rollers and the conveyer assembly for cutting the tube of desired length; first and second sealing units for sealing the tube with the top and bottom film or laminate webs; a bottom gusset feeding unit for feeding a laminate or film web loaded thereon from a side across the top and bottom webs direction such that the top and bottom webs, the first and second side gussets configure together; at least one bottom gusset sealing arrangement for sealing the bottom gusset with the top and bottom webs and with the first and second side gussets and forming interconnected packages; and .:· a cutting unit for cutting the interconnected packages across the tube to obtain multiple individual packages. 10.- The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the conveyer assembly comprises: a pair of pulley belt assemblies, each of the pair of pulley belt assembly having two rollers spaced apart from each other, and a belt disposed on the rollers to rotate around the rollers; and at least one servo motor adapted to drive the pair of pulley belt assemblies for feeding the tube of desired length over the bottom web. 11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pair of counter rollers and the conveyer assembly are synchronized to feed the tube of desired length on the bottom web in at least two phases, wherein in a first phase, speed of the pair of counter rollers and the conveyer assembly are substantially same, and wherein in a second phase, speed of the pair of counter rollers is minimized and speed of the conveyer assembly is maximized. 12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pair of counter rollers and the conveyer assembly are synchronized to feed the tube of desired length on the bottom web in a single phase. 13. The apparatus substantially as here described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 14. The gusset tube feeding mechanism substantially as here described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. |
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure generally relates to a gusseted package forming apparatus and more particularly, to a feeding mechanism in the gusseted package forming apparatus for precisely and efficiently feeding wed to form side gussets of a three side gusseted flexible package.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
It is well-known to use three side gusseted packages in order to create a free-standing package with increased volumetric capacity. These types of packages have been satisfactory for their intended purposes in many respects, but apparatuses utilized to make such packages incorporate major short coming of precisely feeding side gussets during the manufacturing of such packages besides limitation with the feeding speed. Specifically, such packages are made from various film or laminate webs that are fed from various locations on the layout of the apparatus. All such film or laminates webs undergo various processes, such as slitting, folding, feeding, sealing etc, on the apparatus to make such packages. One of the basic problem in such apparatus is of improper or misaligned feeding of the film or laminate web in the form of tube which later forms side gussets of the packages on the apparatus. Improper or misaligned feeding of such tube on the apparatus leads to the formation of inappropriate packages, thereby incf easing the rate of rejection in manufactured package from such apparatus in turn adding unnecessary cost and waste material.
Accordingly, there exists a need of an apparatus that reduces the rate of rejection in the manufacturing of such packages on such apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior-art, the general purpose of the present disclosure is to provide an improved gusset tube feeding mechanism for apparatus to make packages, that is configured to include all advantages of the prior art and to overcome the drawbacks inherent in the prior art offering some added advantages.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved apparatus that reduces the rate of rejection while manufacturing of packages thereon and avoid adding unnecessary cost and waste material. More specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that includes a feeding mechanism for precise feeding of formed tube from the web to make side gussets of the package at improved speed.
To achieve the above objectives, in an aspect of the present disclosure, an improved gusset tube feeding mechanism for an apparatus to make a package is provided. The package includes front and back sides, and first and second side gussets and a bottom gusset configured with the front and back sides. The gusset tube feeding mechanism includes a pair of counter rollers, a conveyer assembly and a cutting member. The pair of counter rollers configured at a tube forming unit of the apparatus that are coordinated to pull a tube from the tube forming unit. The tube is formed by folding a film or laminate web loaded on the tube forming unit to make the first and second side gussets of the package. Further, the conveyer assembly is configured next to the pair of counter rollers that coordinates to grip the tube pulled from the pair of counter rollers to feed thereto over a bottom web, which forms the back side of the package. Furthermore, the cutting member is disposed between the pair of counter rollers and the conveyer assembly to cut the tube of desired length depending upon the size of the product.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for making such packages is provided, wherein the gusset tube feeding mechanism is assembled therein.
The term "gusset tube feeding mechanism" mentioned herein throughout the disclosure is understood as mechanism for feeding of the tube that is formed by the film or laminate web to make the two opposite side gussets of the package.
These together with the other aspects of the present disclosure, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the description, along with the abovementioned summary, annexed hereto and form a part of the present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, it's operating advantages and the specified object attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The advantages and features of the present disclosure shall be better understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols and in which:
FIG. 1A illustrates a view of an apparatus for making packages, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. IB illustrates an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1A for showing a gusset tube feeding mechanism for making the side gussets on the package, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view Of a three side gusset packages, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of the gusset tube feeding mechanism of the apparatus of FIGS. 1A and IB, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of the gusset tube feeding mechanism of the apparatus of FIGS. 1A and IB, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
For a thorough understanding of the present disclosure, reference is to be made to the following detailed description in connection with the above-mentioned drawings. Although the present disclosure is described in connection with exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Further, it will nevertheless be understood that no limitation in the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the figures and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Further, reference herein to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Furthermore, the appearances of such phrase at various places herein are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. The terms "a" and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. Referring now to FIGS. 1A, IB and 2, an apparatus (10) for making a three side gussets package (hereinafter referred to as 'package (P)') are respectively shown. As shown in FIG. 2, the package (P) includes a front side (SI) a back sides (S2) opposite to front side (SI). Further, the package (P) includes a first side gusset (Gl) a second side gusset (G2) arid a bottom gusset (G3) configured with the front and back sides (S 1 ) and (S2). The package (P) is a free-standing package with increased volumetric capacity and manufactured by utilizing the apparatus (10) as shown in FIGS. 1A and IB.
The apparatus (10) includes a reel loader (100) for loading a film or laminate roll vertically on an unwind (102). The said film passes to a slitting unit (104) for slitting the film or laminate of the roll into top and bottom film or laminate webs (T) and (B) (as shown in FIG. 3B) for forming the respective front and back sides (SI) and (S2) of the package (P). The top and bottom film or laminate webs (T) and (B) are then pulled forward by an unwind pulling member (106) with the help of a horizontal dancer (108). The apparatus (10) further includes a gusset forming unit (200) configured transversally with the reel loader (100) and the slitting unit (104). The gusset forming unit (200) is adapted to form a tube (M) (as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3B) to obtain the first and second side gussets (Gl) and (G2) in the package (P). The tube (M) is formed by folding a film or laminate web loaded on the gusset tube forming unit (200). Further, a gusset tube feeding mechanism (300), herein after referred to as "feeding mechanism (300)" (see FIG. IB) configured with the gusset forming unit (200) is provided for feeding the tube (M) on the bottom web (B). The feeding mechanism (300) will be described later in conjunction with FIGS. 3A and 3B. For sealing the tube (M) with the bottom web (B) and the top web (T) respectively, bottom web and top web sealer arrangements (400) and (402) are configured on the apparatus (10). ϋροη sealing of the tube (M) with the top and bottom webs (400) and (402), the top and bottom webs with sealed tube (M) are made to pass through a station (500) for forming rhombus shape like structures at the end of the tube (M) sealed between the top arid bottom webs (400) and (402), and also folding the top and bottom webs (T) and (B).
Furthermore, the apparatus (10) includes a bottom gusset feeding unit (600) for feeding a laminate or film web to form the bottom gusset (G3) from a side across the top and bottom webs direction such that it is positioned in front of the formed top and bottom webs (T) and (B), the tube (M) formed in rhombus shape and sealed at a bottom gusset sealing and cooling station (700). The apparatus (10) may additionally include a zipper-slider loading station (800) for configuring a zipper-slider assembly to the package (P). Further, the packages are spliced in the middle of the tube (M) at a cutting unit (900) of the apparatus (10). Moreover, a control panel (1000) is provided with the apparatus (10) for controlling and regulating all set of operations of the apparatus (10) as described.
Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the feeding mechanism (300) included in the apparatus (10) to make the package (P) is illustrated. Specifically, FIG. 3 A illustrates a side view, and FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of the feeding mechanism (300), in accordance with another exemplary,.' embodiment of the present disclosure. Herein reference of FIG. 1 will be taken to describe the feeding mechanism (300).
The feeding mechanism (300) includes a pair of counter rollers (302a and 302b) (collectively referred to as (302)) configured at the gusset tube forming unit (200) of the apparatus (10). The pair of counter rollers (302) is configured on a track (202) of the gusset forming unit (200), and is coordinated to pull the tube (M) from the gusset forming unit (200). The pair of counter rollers (302) moves in counter directions with respect to each other along their respective rotational axes for gripping and enabling the tube (M) to move forward from the gusset forming unit (200).
Further, the feeding mechanism (300) includes a conveyer assembly (304) configured next to the pair of counter rollers (302) on the track (202) of the gusset tube forming unit (200), and top of the machine line carrying the bottom web (B). The conveyer assembly (304) is coordinated to grip the tube (M) pulled from the pair of counter rollers (302) to feed thereto over a bottom web (B). Specifically, the conveyer assembly (304) includes a pair of pulley belt assemblies driven by one or two servo rnotor(S). For example: a pulley belt assembly (306) of the conveyer assembly (304) includes two rollers (308) and (310) spaced apart from each other, and a belt (312) disposed on the rollers (308) and (310) to rotate there around. Similarly, other pulley belt assembly (314) of the conveyer assembly (304) which is configured below the pulley belt assembly (306), includes two rollers (316) and (318) spaced apart from each other, and a belt (320) disposed on the rollers (316) and (318) to rotate there around. The rollers (308), (310), (316) and (318) and the respective belts (312) and (320) disposed thereon may be toothed. Further, the conveyer assembly (304) is adapted to be driven by one or two servo motors, such as motors (322) and (324), which is / are assembled therewith via gear and connector assembly (326).
The feeding mechanism (300) includes a cutting member (328) disposed between the pair of counter rollers (302) and the conveyer assembly (304) for cutting the tube (M) of desired length prior to feeding thereto over the bottom web (B). Feeding of the cut length of the tube (M) over the bottom web (B) may be done in two phases or in a single phase according to two different embodiments of the disclosure. In one embodiment of the disclosure, the pair of counter rollers (302) and the conveyer assembly (304) are synchronized to feed the cut tube (M) on the bottom web (B) in at least two phases, wherein in a first phase, speed of the pair of counter rollers (302) and the conveyer assembly (304) are ubstantially same. Further in a second phase, speed of the pair of counter rollers (304) is minimized to zero and speed of the conveyer assembly is maximized for feeding the cut tube (M). Alternatively, in another embodiment of the present disclosure, the pair of counter rollers (302) and the conveyer assembly (304) are synchronized to feed the cut tube (M) of on the bottom web (M) in a single phase.
In both of the disclosed embodiments, the conveyer assembly (304) grips a side edge portion (Ml) of the cut tube (M) until a center portion (M2) of the tube (M) is sealed on the bottom web (B) by the sealing arrangement 400 of the apparatus (10). Further, at least one pulley belt assembly (306) or (314) of the conveyer assembly (30,4) may be moved upwardly from its axis of rotation to release the griped cut tube (M) upon sealing thereof on the bottom web (B). As shown in FIG. 3B, the pulley belt assembly (306) may be adapted to move upwardly from its axis of rotation via a pressing plate engagement (330) to release the cut tube (M) on the bottom web (B). However, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the gripped tube (M) may be released without the pressing plate engagement (330).
The feeding mechanism (300) configured in the apparatus (10) of making the package (P), offers following advantages. The feeding mechanism (300) is capable of feeding precisely aligned side gussets for forming the package (P). Specifically, it feeds the tube (M) that forms the side gussets, straightly on the bottom web (B), which may get inclined previously in such package making apparatuses. Such precise feeding of the side gussets on the bottom web (B) reduces the rate of rejection of manufactured packages on the apparatus (10), and avoids adding unnecessary cost and waste material formation. Further, the feeding mechanism (300) is also advantageous in enabling fast feeding of the side gussets on the bottom web for making packages, thereby increasing the overall production of packages on such apparatus.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.
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