ES2927730T3 - Food bagging machine - Google Patents

Abstract

This bagging machine (1) for food products being adapted to receive at least one rotating reel (5) comprising a rolled tubular sheath, a mechanism (8, 9) for removing the sheath from the reel (5), means (13) for cut, fold and weld configured to form bags from the casing, a plate (10) on which the unrolled casing is placed, a blowing system (17) to shape the casing, a table (15) for the manual introduction of food products into a bag formed in the tray (10) in a bagging direction (X), a locking element (19) adapted to lock in position an edge of one end of the sleeve, open on the side of the table (15), against the plate (10) before the formation of the bag, and a discharge system for the bagged food products. The evacuation system comprises a conveyor (21) oriented in a direction (Y) transverse to the bagging direction (X), this conveyor (21) forming the plate (10). A useful length (L) of the plate (10), defined along the bagging direction (X) between the cutting, folding and welding means (13) and the table (15), is variable by superimposing a part of the conveyor (21).) by the table (15), which is movable in translation with respect to the plate (10) in the bagging direction (X). (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Food bagging machine

[0001] The present invention refers to a bagging machine for food products, in particular bread.

[0002] For the bagging of breads in bakeries or shopping centers it is known, in particular from the document EP-A-2860117, to use a bagging machine that makes it possible to pack breads in bags formed from a sleeve rolled on a coil. During the bagging of the bread, the cover is unrolled on a horizontal tray, shaped with the help of a blowing system so that the end of the bread can be inserted into the cover, and then the cover is locked in position and then it is cut, folded and sealed to form a bag into which the bread can then be inserted by an operator or a conveyor belt.

[0003] In detail, document EP-A-2 860 117 describes a bagging machine for food products, particularly bread, this machine being adapted to receive at least one rotating reel comprising a rolled tubular sleeve, a mechanism for pulling the casing from the reel, cutting, folding and welding means configured to form bags from the casing, a tray in which the unrolled casing is placed, a blow system for forming the casing, a belt conveyor for introducing food products into a bag formed on the tray in a bagging direction, a locking member adapted to lock in position an edge of one end of the sheath, open on the conveyor belt side, against the tray prior to the formation of the bag and an evacuation system for the bagged food products, the evacuation system comprising a conveyor belt oriented in one direction transverse to the bagging direction, so that this conveyor belt forms the tray, and because a useful length of the tray, defined according to the bagging direction between the cutting, folding and welding means and the conveyor belt, is variable.

[0004] Said machine can be improved. In the case in which the loaves are introduced using a conveyor belt, this must be long in order to work correctly, and this machine is therefore adapted to long products, such as baguettes, whose guidance is easier. On the other hand, products that are not calibrated, such as round loaves or other food products that are not elongated, have a less simple guide that makes it difficult to introduce them on a conveyor belt. Non-graded products are more easily introduced by hand by an operator.

[0005] Other bagging machines feature stacks of preformed bags in which the loaves are inserted by hand on a horizontal plane, and then each bag is separated and poured onto an inclined plane where it is held in place to close the bag. bag. Such machines require significant arm movements to sink the loaves into the preformed bags and to separate the bags from the stacks, causing injuries.

[0006] These are the drawbacks that the invention aims to remedy by proposing a new bagging machine in which the number and amplitude of the movements necessary for the operators to carry out the bagging of the loaves is reduced with respect to known machines, and allows the bagging of uncalibrated products at a high rate.

[0007] To this end, the invention refers to a bagging machine for food products, particularly bread, this machine being adapted to receive at least one rotating reel comprising a rolled tubular sleeve, a sleeve drive mechanism from the reel, cutting, folding and welding means configured to form bags from the casing, a tray in which the unrolled casing is placed, a blow-forming system for the casing, a table for manual introduction of food products in a bag formed on the tray in a bagging direction, a locking member adapted to lock in position an edge of one end of the sleeve, open at the table side, against the tray prior to formation of the bag and an evacuation system for the bagged food products. This machine is characterized in that the evacuation system comprises a conveyor belt oriented in a direction transverse to the bagging direction, so that this conveyor belt forms the tray, and in that a useful length of the tray, defined according to the bagging direction between the cutting, folding and welding means and the table, is variable due to the covering of a part of the conveyor belt by the table, which can move in translation with respect to the tray according to the bagging direction.

[0008] Thanks to the invention, ungraded food products are bagged by hand and automatically evacuated. An operator does not have to make extensive movements, apart from manual input. As a consequence, a high cadence and a great comfort of use for the operators are achieved. For products of variable lengths, the length of the tray is variable, and the covering of the conveyor belt by the table makes it possible to reduce the space occupied by the machine.

[0009] According to advantageous but not mandatory aspects of the invention, said bagging machine can incorporate one or more of the following characteristics:

- The blocking member, the blowing system and the table are provided on a carriage that can move in translation with respect to the conveyor belt according to the bagging direction.

- The cart includes a cavity for receiving the conveyor belt.

- The carriage can move between a first position, in which the table does not cover the conveyor belt, and in which the useful length of the tray is maximum, and a second position, in which the table partly covers the conveyor belt , and the conveyor belt is partly received in the cavity of the carriage, and in which the useful length of the tray is minimal.

- The cart includes a handle that can be moved according to the bagging direction and a device for blocking its position with respect to the conveyor belt.

- The machine includes lateral guides for introducing the food products into the bags, pivotally mounted on the carriage.

- The guides are mounted on a support that can be moved in translation according to the bagging direction with respect to the carriage, in such a way that the guides can be advanced towards a position in which their free end is inserted into the bags before introduction of a food product.

- The blocking member can move in translation according to the bagging direction with respect to the tray, between a withdrawn position, in which the blocking member does not obstruct a flow of air blown by the blowing system, and an advanced position, wherein the blocking member is vertically movable with respect to the tray between a raised position, in which it does not block the bag, and a position pressed against the tray in which the bag is held.

- The machine comprises a device for activation by an operator of the evacuation of a full bag, formed by a movement detection cell configured to detect a movement of the operator after the introduction of one or several products in a bag.

- The machine includes a labeling system configured to deposit labels in the sleeve before unrolling it on the tray.

[0010] The invention will be better understood and other advantages will appear more clearly from the description offered below of a bagging machine according to its principle, offered by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[fig. 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bagging machine according to the invention, in a configuration for bagging long products;

[fig. 2] Figure 2 is a view analogous to Figure 1, in a configuration for bagging products of reduced length;

[fig. 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a part of the bagging machine in the configuration of Figure 1, showing a partially detached movable introduction assembly;

[fig. 4] Figure 4 is a view analogous to Figure 3, in the bagging configuration for short-length products;

[fig. 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a part of the machine showing an introduction table, showing an initial bagging phase;

[fig. 6] Figure 6 is a view analogous to Figure 5, showing a second bagging phase in which a locking member is advanced;

[fig. 7] Figure 7 is a view analogous to Figure 5, showing a third bagging stage in which the locking member is pressed against a bag;

[fig. 8] Figure 8 is a view analogous to Figure 5, showing a fourth bagging phase in which the introduction guides are advanced;

[fig. 9] Figure 9 is a view analogous to Figure 5, showing a fifth bagging phase in which the introduction guides are pushed back;

[fig. 10] Figure 10 is a view analogous to Figure 5, showing a sixth bagging phase in which the locking member is removed.

[0011] The bagging machine 1 shown in figures 1 to 10 is intended to be installed, for example, in a bakery or a bakery section of a supermarket. Machine 1 is intended for bagging food products, particularly P breads.

[0012] The bagging machine 1 comprises a frame 3. The machine 1 is adapted to receive one or more reels 5 mounted rotatably with respect to the frame 3 and supporting a rolled tubular sleeve 7. The machine 1 comprises a mechanism for dragging the sleeve 7 from any of the reels 5, which includes several holding rollers 4 intended to unroll and guide the sleeve 7, drive rollers 8 and 9, towards a tray 10 on the that the cover 7 is placed with a view to the bagging of breads P.

[0013] Between the tray 10 and the rollers 8 and 9, the machine 1 includes a device not shown for opening the cover 7 and means 13 for cutting, folding and welding the cover 7 suitable for forming bags 11 from of the sheath 7. The means 13 for cutting, folding and welding comprise jaws capable of cutting the sheath 7, members for folding the part cut at its end and heating means capable of welding the folded part to the non-folded part of the sheath. cover 7, according to a technique known from the document EP-A-2511 188.

[0014] The bagging machine 1 includes a manual introduction table 15 parallel to the tray 10. When the cover 7 is placed on the tray 10, it is in front of the introduction table 15, which allows directing the loaves P towards tray 10 and put them in bag 11.

[0015] The tray 10 defines a bagging direction X parallel to the tray 10 and to the table 15, and which designates the direction in which the loaves P are introduced into the bags 11.

[0016] The bagging machine 1 also comprises an evacuation system for the bagged food products, formed by a conveyor belt 21 that can move according to a Y direction transversal to the bagging direction X. By "that it can move according to a Y direction » it is understood that the conveyor belt 21 is oriented according to the Y direction, which is therefore a conveying direction of the conveyor belt 21. In other words, the conveyor belt 21 is a conveyor belt that moves along the axis Y, and which has a rotational movement around axes parallel to the bagging direction X. The direction of evacuation of the bagged products is, therefore, transversal, according to arrow F1.

[0017] The tray 10 is formed by an upper surface of the conveyor belt 21. The conveyor belt 21 remains stationary and forms the tray 10 while the sleeve 7 is unrolled, the bag is formed and a loaf is inserted, and then only action for evacuation.

[0018] Designated by Z is a vertical direction of the bagging machine 1, perpendicular to the X and Y directions.

[0019] The machine 1 includes a blowing system 17 that allows the cover 7 to be shaped when it is placed on the tray 10 and the bags 11 when the loaves P are inserted. The blowing system 17 includes a fan that generates a flow of air according to an oblique direction with respect to the bagging direction X, which makes it possible to keep the bag 11 in its shape by inflating it with air, so that it has a substantially cylindrical shape with a circular section that facilitates the introduction of a loaf P.

[0020] The bagging machine 1 comprises a locking member 19 adapted to lock the sleeve 7 in position against the tray 10 prior to the cutting, folding and welding of the sleeve 7 by the means 13, to form the bag 11 In this example, the blocking member 19 is a flat valve apt to be inserted into the sleeve 7 when it is shaped by the blowing system 17.

[0021] The blocking member 19 can move in translation according to the bagging direction X with respect to the tray 10, between a withdrawn position, visible in figure 5, in which the blocking member 19 is separated from the tray 10 and does not obstruct the flow of air blown by the blowing system 17, and an advanced position, visible in figure 6. In its advanced position, the blocking member approaches the tray 10, and can move between a withdrawn position, visible in Figure 6, and a depressed position, visible in Figure 7, in which the locking member 19 folds parallel to the tray 10. In its depressed position, the locking member 19 exerts a force perpendicular to the tray 10 pressing a lower edge 70a of one end 70 of the cover 7, open on the side of the table 15, against the tray 10, to keep it in position. The movement kinematics of the blocking member 19 will be detailed later in the context of the operation of the bagging machine 2.

[0022] The displacements of the blocking member 19 between its withdrawn position and its advanced position, and between its raised position and its depressed position, can be obtained, for example, by means of a hydraulic lift or any other mechanical, electrical or pneumatic actuator.

[0023] To adapt the bagging machine 1 to the different lengths of loaves or products to be bagged, a useful length L of the tray 10, defined according to the bagging direction X between the cutting, folding and welding means 13, and the table 15 is variable by covering a part of the conveyor belt 21 by the table 15, which can move in translation according to the bagging direction X with respect to the conveyor belt 21. As can be seen in figures 1 and 2, the table 15 can partly cover the conveyor belt 21 and thus reduce the useful length L of the tray 10.

[0024] By varying the useful length L, the length of the sleeve 7 that is unrolled on the tray 10 is chosen, and therefore the length of the bags 11 that will be formed is adapted according to the length of the products to be bagged.

[0025] The blocking member 19, the blowing system 17 and the table 15 are provided on a mobile carriage 27. This carriage 27 can move in translation according to the bagging direction X as represented by the double arrow F2 and allows making vary the useful length L of tray 10.

[0026] For a long bread or product (for example, a baguette), the carriage 27 is placed to the right (figure 1). The table 15 does not cover the conveyor belt 21, and the useful length L of the tray 10.

[0027] For a bread or short product (for example, square or round), the carriage 27 moves towards the left, closer to the means 13 (figure 2). The table 15 partly covers the conveyor belt 21, and the useful length L of the tray 10 is minimal.

[0028] The carriage 27 can also be placed in intermediate positions between the positions of figures 1 and 2.

[0029] As can be seen in figures 3 and 4, the carriage 27 includes a cavity 270 for receiving the conveyor belt 21. The carriage 27 is, in fact, hollow and the cavity 270 is open on the side of the conveyor belt 21. Thus, in the position of figure 4 that corresponds to the minimum useful length L, the conveyor belt 21 is partly received in the cavity 270 of the carriage 27.

[0030] According to an optional aspect, the carriage 27 includes a displacement handle 272 according to the bagging direction X. This handle 272 allows an operator to manually move the carriage 27 and easily adjust the useful length L according to the products that he wants pocket.

[0031] The carriage 27 also includes a device 274 for blocking its position according to the bagging direction X with respect to the conveyor belt 21. This device can be, for example, a handle or a blocking lever. Thus the operator can lock the useful length L once set.

[0032] To separate the edges of the bag 11 and guide the products towards it, the bagging machine 1 includes two side guides 23 pivotally mounted with respect to the table 15, which can rotate around axes parallel to the vertical direction Z. The free ends 231 of the lateral guides 23 penetrate the cover 7 when it is placed on the tray 10 and is shaped by the blowing system 17. The lateral guides 23 recover their position, by means of elastic elements such as springs 233, in a swooping position towards each other in the middle of table 15.

[0033] The guides 23 are mounted on a support 230 that can move with respect to the carriage 27 in translation according to the bagging direction X. Before the introduction of a loaf 3 on the introduction conveyor belt 15, the guides 23 are made advance towards a position close to the tray 10 (FIG. 8), in which its free end 231 is introduced into the bags 11 before the introduction of a food product. The movement of the support 230 can be effected, for example, by hydraulic lifters, not shown.

[0034] When a loaf introduced according to the bagging direction X by an operator passes between the lateral guides 23, these are pushed by the loaf and against the effort of the springs 233, according to the arrows F3 in figure 8, so that the lateral edges 70b of the end 70 of the bag 11 are widened by the ends 231 of the guides 23, which engage in the bag 11, to facilitate the introduction of the bread.

[0035] Once the bread has been inserted into the bag 11, the lateral guides 23 are pushed back towards the center of the table 15 under the action of the springs 233. The support 230 then moves towards its initial withdrawn position.

[0036] The bagging procedure proceeds as follows: the sleeve 7 is unwound from the reel 5 on the tray 10. The unwound sleeve 7 is then shaped with the help of the blowing system 17 (figure 5).

[0037] The edge 70a of the sheath 7 is locked against the tray 10 with the help of the locking member 19. In the initial state of figure 5, the locking member 19 is in the withdrawn and raised position with respect to the tray 10 .

[0038] In figure 6, the locking member 19 moves towards its advanced position in the sheath 7 according to the arrow F4, and is always raised with respect to the tray 10.

[0039] In figure 7 the blocking member 19 is pressed against the tray 10 by a downward displacement according to the arrow F5. Once locked in position, the sheath 7 is cut, folded and welded with the aid of cutting, folding and welding means 13. Thus a bag 11 is obtained: from figure 8, the reference 11 is used.

[0040] Next, in figure 8, the guides 23, which were up to now in the withdrawn position, move towards their advanced position according to arrow F6, integrally with their support 230, so that the free ends 231 are introduced currently in bag 11. At this time, a loaf P can thus be placed by an operator, for example with the help of the right hand, on the table 15 so that one end of the loaf P is aligned with the end 70 forming the open side of the bag 11. The operator then inserts the bread P, according to the bagging direction X (arrow F7) to the bottom of the bag 11, thanks to the fact that the bag 11 is held in place on the tray 10 by the locking member 19 which clamps against this tray 10.

[0041] Once the bread P is in place in the bag 11, the guides 23 are moved back by moving the support 230 away from the tray 10 (Figure 9), and then the locking member 19 is released. moves towards its raised position (figure 10) to release the bag 11 and the bread P it contains before its lateral evacuation by the conveyor belt 21. The blocking member 19 is then moved back to its raised and withdrawn position of Figure 5.

[0042] According to an optional aspect, the bagging machine 2 comprises a device for activation by an operator of the evacuation of a full bag 11. This device is made up of a movement detection cell 30, provided with a control unit 32, configured to detect movement by the operator after introducing one or more products into a bag. For example, the operator may wish to insert several products into a bag 11, and then close it with a clip. Once these operations are finished, the operator passes his hand in front of the cell 30, which activates the release of the bag 11 by the blocking member 19 and the evacuation by the conveyor belt 21.

[0043] According to an optional aspect, the bagging machine 2 includes a labeling system 34 configured to deposit labels in the sleeve 7 before its unwinding in the tray 10. The labeling system 34 comprises a mobile piston that applies labels, which which constitutes a potential hazard for the hands of the operators. With respect to the unrolling direction of the sleeve 7, the labeling system 34 is thus located in front of the tray 10 and the means 13 for folding, cutting and welding. The labeling system 34 is located above the clamping rollers 4 and therefore on the opposite side of the tray 10 with respect to the folding, cutting and welding means 13. Thus, the labeling system 34 is not located above the tray 10, which improves the safety of the bagging machine 2, and provides additional space for the operator for his manipulations. The bagging machine 2 comprises a tablet 36 on which the sleeve 7 is unrolled in order to provide a support during the application of the labels.

[0044] As a variant not shown, the bagging machine 1 can include hydraulic lifters for moving the mobile carriage 27 according to the bagging direction X, which are not shown, in the bagging direction X. This or these hydraulic lifters can be controlled by the control unit 32 of the packing machine. bagging 1, after the operator has specified the length of the loaves to be bagged, for example by means of an interface 320. In this case, the mobility of the carriage 27 can be ensured by any other mechanical, electrical or pneumatic actuator.

[0045] The invention has been represented in the context of the use of a baguette-type bread. Actually, it can be applied to any type of bread and, in general, to any food product, such as sausage or a pastry item.

Claims (10)

1. Bagging machine (1) for food products (P), in particular bread, this machine being adapted to receive at least one revolving reel (5) comprising a rolled tubular sheath (7), a drive mechanism (8 , 9) of the cover (7) from the reel (5), cutting, folding and welding means (13) configured to form bags (11) from the cover (7), a tray (10) in which the unrolled cover (7) is placed, a blowing system (17) for shaping the cover (7), a table (15) for manual introduction of food products into a bag (11) formed on the tray (10 ) according to a bagging direction (X), a locking member (19) adapted to lock in position an edge (70a) of one end (70) of the sleeve (7), open on the table side (15 ), against the tray (10) before the formation of the bag (11), and an evacuation system for the bagged food products, such that the evacuation system comprises a belt conveyor (21) oriented according to a direction (Y) transversal to the bagging direction (X), this conveyor belt (21) forming the tray (10), and because a useful length (L) of the tray (10), defined depending on the bagging direction (X) between the cutting, folding and welding means (13) and the table (15), it is variable by covering a part of the conveyor belt (21) by the table (15), which can move in translation with respect to the tray (10) according to the bagging direction (X). Bagging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the blocking member (19), the blowing system (17) and the table (15) are provided on a carriage (27) that can move in translation with respect to the conveyor belt (21) according to the bagging direction (X). Bagging machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the carriage (27) includes a cavity (270) for receiving the conveyor belt (21). Bagging machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the carriage (27) is movable between a first position, in which the table (15) does not cover the conveyor belt (21), and in which the useful length (L ) of the tray (10) is maximum, and a second position, in which the table (15) partly covers the conveyor belt (21), and the conveyor belt (21) is partly received in the cavity (270). of the carriage (27), and in which the useful length (L) of the tray (10) is minimal. Bagging machine according to any of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the carriage (27) includes a handle (272) for movement in the bagging direction (X) and a device (274) for blocking its position with respect to to the conveyor belt (21). Bagging machine according to any of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that it includes lateral guides (23) for introducing the food products into the bags (11), pivotally mounted on the carriage (27). Bagging machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the guides (23) are mounted on a support (230) that can move in translation in the bagging direction (X) with respect to the carriage (27), in such a way that the guides (23) can be advanced towards a position in which their free end (231) is introduced into the bags (11) before the introduction of a food product. Bagging machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blocking member (19) can move in translation in the bagging direction (X) with respect to the tray (10), between a withdrawn position, in which the blocking member (19) does not obstruct a flow of air blown by the blowing system (17), and an advanced position, in which the blocking member (19) can move vertically with respect to the tray (10) between an elevated position, in which it does not block the bag (11), and a position pressed against the tray (10) in which the bag (11) is held. 9. Bagging machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a device for activation by an operator to evacuate a full bag (11), formed by a movement detection cell (30) configured to detect a movement of the operator after introducing one or more products into a bag (11). Bagging machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes a labeling system (34) configured to deposit labels in the sleeve (7) before unrolling them on the tray (10).