EP0371892B1 - Means for bagging folded compresses - Google Patents

Abstract

This method is notable in that a paper presented as a reel (B) of a width double that of the bag (S) to be obtained is used, the unwound web is separated into two equal widths (B1) (B2), the two half-widths are conveyed independently to the level where the folded compresses are supplied, the stacked compresses are advanced between the two half-widths of paper superposed one on the other, and then the cold sealing of the two superposed half-widths and the cross-cutting of the bags obtained are carried out, all this taking place continuously and automatically. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to bagging means for several compresses, folded as well as the sachet obtained.

The object of the invention relates to the technical sectors of the handling of materials in strips as well as their packaging.

There are known machines which continuously and automatically fold compresses from coils. This is particularly the case for the machine which has been the subject of French patent n ° 81.00687, the applicant of which is also the Holder.

These folded compresses must then be packaged either in boxes or in sachets. bagging is generally carried out by heat sealing using appropriate tools (knobs, rollers, etc.), which implies a certain slowness (pressure, temperature, etc.). On the other hand, the compresses brought from the folding station are stacked on top of each other, for bagging, with a relatively large thickness which can hinder the closing of the bag obtained by bringing together and welding two sheets of paper between which the compresses are stacked.

It is to avoid these drawbacks and to ensure rapid and leaktight packaging of the folded compresses, with a minimum bulk, that it is proposed according to the invention to make a stack, in "tile" of the compresses and a cold sealing of the sheets. bagging paper.

We know from US Pat. No. 4,085,560 a process for bagging compresses in which a paper presented in a reel of double width of the sachet to be obtained is used, the unwound strip is separated into two equal widths, the two lengths are made to run independently up to at the level where the folded compresses are brought, the compresses stacked between the two widths of paper are advanced, then the cold sealing of the two overlapping widths is carried out and the cross-section of the sachets obtained, all of this continuously and automatically.

According to the invention, the implementation of the bagging process for folded compresses is carried out by positioning in longitudinal offset to make a stack of compresses in tiles, the bagging means being such as the introduction in longitudinal offset of the folded compresses. between the half-width pairs of paper is obtained by the pressing and driving cylinders of the half-width pairs of paper, which are mounted to oscillate so that by bringing the upper drive cylinder half-width apart paper against the lower cylinder, the end of a compress is pinched and engaged between the two superimposed half-widths, then by pressing the compress on the lower cylinder, lowering the compress on the lower cylinder, and spacing the upper cylinder , so that the next pad can be presented in turn to be pinched by bringing the upper cylinder together with an offset age compared to the previous one in a tiled presentation due to the continuous advance of the cylinders driving the two half-widths of paper and the compress engaged.

These characteristics and others will emerge from the following description.

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective à caractère très schématique illustrant le procédé d'ensachage.
• La figure 2 est une vue de face à caractère shématique illustrant l'introduction des compresses entre les bandes de papier.
• Les figures 3 à 6 montrent par des vues partielles et très schématiques les phases principales de l'ensachage en "tuile" des compresses.
• La figure 7 est une vue en plan montrant les compresses ensachées.

To fix the subject of the invention without however the limit, in the attached drawings:

• Figure 1 is a very schematic perspective view illustrating the bagging process.
• Figure 2 is a front view of a thematic character illustrating the introduction of compresses between the paper strips.
• Figures 3 to 6 show by partial and very schematic views the main phases of bagging in "tile" compresses.
• Figure 7 is a plan view showing the bagged compresses.

In order to make the object of the invention more concrete, it is now described in a nonlimiting embodiment illustrated in the figures of the drawings.

The bagging installation according to the invention is adapted following a machine for distributing rolled up strips cut to length then folded to form compresses which are then guided between two grids on a conveyor belt with multiple belts ( T). This is where the bagging system comes in.

For this, an appropriate frame (not shown) carries the various organs necessary for this operation. First, there is an axis (1) fixed transversely to the outside of the frame. On this axis is mounted a reel (B) of paper comprising for example a half-width (B1) blank and a half-width (B2) printed on the visible face.

The strip of paper unrolled with its completely blank visible face passes through groups of deflection and tension rollers (2), (3), (4), and (5), (6), (7) associated with the frame. Between these two groups of rollers, the strip is cut longitudinally into two equal half-widths corresponding to the blank part and the printed part, by a pressure cutting device (L) for example using a disc with cutting edge on a hardened cylinder. At the same time, a cutout (B3) is started to facilitate the subsequent opening of the sachet; this cutting being completed during the transverse cutting of the sachets.

At the exit of the roller (7), the virgin half-width (B1) is directed in the lower part directly towards a bar (8) mounted at articulation on the frame and extending at an angle of 45 ° relative to the direction d arrival of said half-width, in order to allow it to travel in a longitudinal direction to the frame. After passing over another group of deflection rollers (9), (10), (11), the half-width (B1) is wound on a lower cylinder (12) arranged transversely at the end of the conveyor belt (T) and departs horizontally in the opposite direction towards the free end of the frame.

The other half-width (B2) printed, at the outlet of the roller (7) is directed vertically to the upper part of the frame, is wound on a deflection roller (13) to join horizontally a second bar (14) of change of direction identical to the bar (8) but inclined at 45 ° in reverse, in order to direct the half-width (B2) towards the free end of the frame where it is wound on a deflection roller (15) to return towards the rear of the frame by passing through return and orientation change rollers (16), (17) bringing the half-width towards an upper cylinder (18) disposed at the end of the conveyor belt (T) and front of the lower cylinder (12).

The half-width (B2) wound on said cylinder (18) then departs horizontally towards the free end of the frame by being superimposed on the half-width (B1) and leaving between them a space (e) allowing the introduction of compresses.

Note that the printed side of the half-width (B2) is then located on the top taking into account the different orientations.

The continuous driving of the half-widths (B1), (B2) is ensured by the cylinders (12) (18) which are connected in known manner to the drive members with speed variation, differential clutch and other devices necessary in the bagging process. Similarly, the half-widths (B1) (B2) after their winding on the cylinders (12), (18) are driven in continuous by the cold sealing tools of the two half-widths which are rotatably mounted on the frame, namely: a knurled cylinder (19) for the transverse sealing between the packs of compresses and lateral knurls (20) (21) for longitudinal sealing of edges. The bags (S) thus formed are conventionally separated by a transverse cutting tool (22) terminating the cutting (B3) and conveyed to any packaging means.

Note that the paper used is of the pre-glued type and according to which when the bag is opened, the glue is found on one side only to avoid re-use of the bag. This type of sachet is commonly called "peelable sachet".

The training of the half-widths (B1), (B2) must be carried out at constant voltage. For this, the inclined bars (8), (14) are mounted in a particular way.

The upper cylinder (18) is mounted on lateral arms (23) articulated on an axis (24) which itself carries by bars (25) the tension roller (17) applied over the half-width (B2).

The lower cylinder (12) is also carried by lateral arms (26) articulated on the roller (11) and the other end of which carries the roller (10).

When the compresses (C) folded and guided on the conveyor belt (T) abut against the lower cylinder (12) in the high position, the upper cylinder (18) which was previously discarded, is then brought together (arrow F1, Figure 3) the lower cylinder to pinch the front end of the compress; the half-widths continuing to advance, the compress is engaged between the two cylinders. At this time, a movable flap (27) located above the upper cylinder (18) is tilted down (Arrow F2, Figure 4) to apply the compress to the lower cylinder (12) and thus clear the passage for the next compress by raising the flap.

The lower cylinder (12) is then lowered by the thickness of the compress, while the cylinder upper (18) is returned to the spacing position (arrow F3, Figure 5) allowing the abutment of another pad. Given the continuous advancement of the half-widths (B1), (B2) the following pads will be introduced between said half-widths with an offset (d). This so-called "tiled" arrangement of the superimposed pads makes it possible to produce a stacking of small thickness, aided by the crushing of the folded pad made by the upstream folding station. As a result, cold sealing is facilitated and the risks of unsealed spots or areas are avoided, as is the case with the device according to the prior art.

Note that the number of bagged compresses is freely determined and controlled by a preset counter.

Between each pack of compresses stacked, the half-widths of paper are advanced more quickly (by the differential and the clutch).

On the other hand, the framing of the print and of the glued areas, as well as the exact superimposition of the half-widths are ensured by detector means (symbolized by the mark (D), arranged laterally at the outlet of the cylinders (12) , (18) and acting according to marks on the paper.
the advantages clearly emerge from the description, the speed of bagging, the reduced thickness of the sachets and the possibility of using printed papers are also emphasized.

Claims (5)

1. Means for bagging folded compresses in a process comprising the use of a paper presented in a roll (B) of twice the width of the bag (S) to be obtained, the separation into two equal widths (B1-B2) of the unrolled web, the independent routing of the two half-widths as far as the level to which the folded compresses are brought, the feeding of the compresses between the two half-widths of paper brought into superimposition and then in the execution of a cold sealing of the two superimposed half-widths and the transverse cutting of the bags obtained, all this continuously and in automatic manner, the said means being characterised in that in the implementation of the process with introduction of the folded compresses (C) between the two half-widths (B1-B2) of paper, superimposed in longitudinal offset so as to produce a stack of the compresses in tile configuration, this introduction between the paper half-width pairs (B1-B2) is obtained by cylinders (12-18) for pressing and for driving the said pairs, which are mounted oscillating so that by bringing the upper cylinder (18) for driving one half-width (B2) of paper closer against the lower cylinder (12), the end of a compress is gripped and engaged between the two superimposed half-widths, and then so that, by flattening the compress on the lower cylinder, lowering the lower cylinder (12) and moving the upper cylinder (18) away, the next compress can be presented in turn in order to be gripped by bringing the upper cylinder closer with an offset with respect to the preceding compress, according to a presentation in tile configuration, owing to the continuous feed of the cylinders driving the half-widths of paper and the engaged compress.
2. The bagging means according to Claim 1, characterised in that the half-widths (B1-B2) of paper are driven in constant tension by self-orientating mounting of the direction changing bars (8 and 14) of each half-width of web.
3. The bagging means according to Claim 2, characterised in that the cylinders (12 and 18) are mounted on an oscillating device which is characterised in that it is constituted for the lover cylinder (12) by lateral arms (26) articulated at (11) on the frame and the other end of which bears a redirecting roller (10) and for the upper cylinder (18) by small bars (23) articulated at (24) on the frame; the shaft (24) also bearing by bars (25) a roller (17) for bearing in tension on the half-width (B2) of paper.
4. The bagging means according to Claim 1, characterised in that half-widths (B1-B2) of paper are driven at higher speed between each stack of bagged compresses by a differential and clutch device associated with the motive drive.
5. The bagging means according to Claim 1, characterised in that the compresses engaged between the cylinders (12 and 18) are flattened on the lower cylinder (12) after each gripping by a retractable movable shutter.

Images