JP5583286B2 - Lifting device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a lifting device, and more particularly to a tray sealing machine. Here, the term “tray” means any container that faces upward and has an opening through which the film is heat sealed.

  In the food industry, it is common to package food in heat-sealed trays. Conventionally, trays are transported along a conveyor and filled with the desired food. Thereafter, the tray is usually supplied to a tray sealing machine along with a plurality of other trays.

  A tray sealer typically consists of a lower tool half where the tray is placed and an upper tool half. The lower tool half is lifted toward the upper tool half by a lifting mechanism, and the upper and lower tool halves are clamped together to create an airtight seal. The lower tool half has a discharge plate that lowers the tray into the recess as the lower tool half is lifted toward the upper tool half. A sealing process can then be performed.

  In the art, lifting mechanisms are known that use a motor driven spindle to lift the lower tool half. However, when the sealing process takes place, a large force is applied to the lifting spindle, which is much greater than the load on the spindle when lifting the lower tool half. This large force on the lifting spindle can cause the lifting spindle to bend and, as a result, have a serious impact not only on the production of the tray sealing machine but also on safety.

  In order to eliminate this problem, such spindles are generally manufactured with a relatively large diameter to improve their strength in order to prevent distortion. Larger spindles require more material and require a more powerful motor to drive it, increasing costs.

  Alternatively, or in addition, a large, high power electromechanical brake may be used to reduce the force experienced by the spindle. However, this also increases costs due to increased complexity and power consumption.

  What is needed in the art is to prevent the problem of distorting or damaging the lifting mechanism under the high loads created by the sealing process without compromising the efficiency, speed, and cost of the tray sealing machine. It is a lifting mechanism for a tray sealing machine.

  US 2009/0288365 discloses a packaging machine having a lifting unit. The lifting unit preferably has two spindles, each attached to the lifting plate by a spindle bearing. Two guiding rods are also attached to each lifting plate and connected to the lower tool half at their upper ends. When the lower tool half is pulled up to the desired position by the spindle, the brakes attached independently to each guiding rod are activated. In that way, unnecessary lifting of the lifting unit in operation is avoided. Since the lifting plate is mounted via a spindle bearing, the spindle is kept stationary so that it is exclusively subjected to tensile stress and eliminates the risk of buckling.

  However, in the disclosure of US2009 / 0288365, the spindle still receives a large force, even under tension. The spindle must be designed with these forces in mind. Spindle bearings can also be damaged by exposure to the forces described above.

  According to the present invention, the lifting device includes a first member, a second member, and a lifting mechanism attached to the first member so as to move the first member toward the second member. A third member coupled to the first member and slidably movable through the second member when the first member moves toward the second member; and a latch And when a predetermined compressive force is applied to the third member, the latch mechanism reacts by locking the second member to the third member, thereby further compressing force. Is applied to the third member, the first member and the lifting mechanism are isolated from the further compressive force.

  An important advantage of the present invention is that when an additional compressive force is applied to the third member, this force is transmitted to the second member via a latch mechanism. This separates the first member and, importantly, the lifting mechanism from the further compressive force. This means that the lifting mechanism does not need to be specifically designed with additional forces in mind, simplifying manufacturing and reducing the amount of material required.

  Further, the latch mechanism advantageously automatically locks the second member to the third member when a predetermined compression force is applied. Other automatic latch mechanisms are envisioned. For example, a pressure sensor can be used to detect the contact of the upper and lower tool halves, and an electronic system can be used to activate the latch. Due to the automatic nature of the latch mechanism, the lifting mechanism of the present invention can be used without monitoring.

  Preferably, the latch mechanism includes a spring attached between the third member and the first member, and when the compression force is applied to the third member during use, The spring is compressed. The predetermined compression force corresponds to a predetermined point (predetermined point) in the compressed state of the spring. Alternatively, a compressible fluid can be used instead of a spring.

  In a preferred embodiment, the latch mechanism comprises a latch cam plate having a shaped portion, wherein the latch cam plate is fixedly coupled to the first member and the second member toward the second member. The movement of the first member causes the molded part to guide the latch so that the latch is engaged with the protrusion of the third member. Other latch mechanisms are envisioned, for example, an electromagnetically actuated latch.

  In a preferred embodiment, the first member is a flat plate, and the third member is elongated and attached to the first member so as to protrude along the moving direction of the first member.

  Preferably, the lifting mechanism is a pivotable lifting screw, and the rotation of the lifting screw moves the first member that is in a plane substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the lifting screw. In this manner, the first member is connected to the first member.

  This advantageously means that when the lifting plate is lifted, the lifting screw is stationary, so that it is not necessary to consider the movement of the lifting screw, thus increasing the ease of installation.

  However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other lifting mechanisms may be used. For example, the first member may be moved toward the third member by a piston or pulley system.

  In a preferred embodiment, the lifting device further comprises one or more third members. For example, in one embodiment, the second third member is also attached to the first member via a spring and is slidably movable through the second second member. In this embodiment, the second third member further supports the item lifted by the lifting device, where the item is supported by a plurality of third members.

  In one embodiment, the lifting screw and one third member or each third member are substantially parallel.

  The lifting device may be included in a tool lift apparatus, and the tool lift device may further comprise a lower tool half. The lower tool half, in use, moves one third member or the distance of each third member so that movement of the first member causes the lower tool half to move toward the upper tool half. Attached to the distal end. Here, the predetermined compressive force is caused by contact between the lower tool half and the upper tool half.

  In one embodiment, the tool lift device is employed in a tray sealing machine. Thus, further compressive forces are due to the sealing process performed when the upper and lower tool halves come into contact to form an airtight seal. However, the lifting device may be employed in other cases such as a thermoforming machine or a press mold away from the tray sealing machine.

  In one embodiment, such a tool lift device further comprises a second lifting device, wherein the lower tool half is one third member or each of the first and second lifting devices. Attached to the distal end of the third member, the first and second lifting devices operate simultaneously.

  The lower tool half of such an embodiment is thus advantageously supported firmly because it is supported by two lifting devices. Such a tool lift device may be utilized in a single lane tray sealing machine.

  In an alternative embodiment, the tool lift device further comprises a second lifting device and one third member of the second lifting device or a second lower tool half attached to each third member. Wherein the first and second lifting devices operate independently. There may also be an independent upper tool half corresponding to the second lower tool half.

  This embodiment provides additional flexibility when using a tool lift device, particularly when used in a dual lane tray seal machine. For example, the first lane may be used to seal three large trays at a time and the second lane will seal four small trays at a time and at a faster speed. May be used to Independent lifting devices and tool halves allow maximum flexibility in such situations and increase the throughput and efficiency of the tray sealer.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in comparison with the prior art.
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a partial cross section of a lifting device according to an embodiment of the present invention having a lifting plate at a lower position. FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the lifting plate in an upper position. FIG. 3 is a diagram of the lifting device of the present invention used in a single lane tray seal machine. FIG. 4 is a diagram of the lifting device of the present invention used in a dual lane tray sealing machine. FIG. 5a is a staggered cross section of the lifting device of FIGS. 1 and 2, showing the latch mechanism in more detail. FIG. 5b is another alternate cross-sectional view of the lifting device of FIGS. 1 and 2, showing the latch mechanism in more detail. FIG. 6a is another alternate cross-section of the lifting device of FIGS. 1 and 2, showing the latch mechanism in more detail. FIG. 6b is a further alternating cross-sectional view of the lifting device according to FIGS. 1 and 2, showing the latch mechanism in more detail.

    In the following description, terms indicating directions such as “raised”, “lowered”, “upper”, “lower”, etc. describe the drawings. It is used for clarity at times and is not intended to be limiting.

  First, considering FIG. 1, a lifting device including two support columns 1a and 1b attached to a lifting plate 7 is shown. In this embodiment, each strut 1 can be slidably moved through a housing structure 9 surrounding the strut, and each housing structure 9 is attached to a fixed upper plate 11. Other means of mounting the housing structure are anticipated.

  The strut may be circular or square in cross section. Other cross-sectional shapes may be used.

  In the following description, a single support 1a is referred to for easy understanding.

  The lifting plate 7 is lifted toward the upper plate 11 by the lifting screw 2. The lifting screw 2 is rotatably mounted via a bearing 2 a in the upper plate 11 and is received by a bearing tube (bush) 2 b that is screwed into the lifting plate 7. The gear 3b is fixed to the upper end of the screw, and is connected to the motor 3 by a toothed belt (tooth belt) 3a. The lifting screw 2 is rotated by the motor 3. As a result, the lifting plate 7 moves upward toward the plate 11 in a plane substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis.

  1 and 2 show a lifting screw 2 located between two struts 1a, 1b, with the strut and the lifting screw 2 being substantially parallel, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, but not necessarily so. Not necessarily. The lifting device of the present invention may include any number of struts.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lifting plate 7 is moved relative to the lifting screw 2 when the lifting screw 2 rotates. Since the lifting screw 2 remains fixed with respect to the motor 3 and the upper plate 11, this advantageously simplifies the installation of the lifting mechanism. As a result, installation can be performed without considering the movement of the lifting screw. Other means for lifting the lifting plate 7 are envisaged, for example hydraulic struts attached below the plate to push the plate upwards towards the upper plate 11.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the lifting device shown in FIG. 1 is used in a tray sealing machine. In such an embodiment, the tray to be sealed rests on the lower tool half (20 in FIG. 3) attached to the upper end of each strut 1a, 1b. When the lifting plate 7 is lifted, the lower tool half is lifted towards the upper tool half (not shown). The lower tool half has a discharge plate that lowers the tray into a recess as the lower tool half is lifted toward the upper tool half. The lower and upper tool halves contact to form an airtight seal. The upper tool half is heated to seal the film to the tray.

  A lifting device having two columns as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is called a module. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a single lane tray sealer 100 comprises two modules 101, 102 that are laterally adjacent at a defined pitch between four struts. Both modules 101, 102 are connected to a common drive motor 3 via a toothed belt, and all four struts are driven together, with the lower tool half 20 of the tray sealer moving the upper tool half. Lift up (not shown).

  In another embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the two modules 101, 102 may be used in a dual lane tray seal machine 200. In this embodiment, each module has an independent drive motor 3 and an independent toothed belt. This allows each module to operate independently, so that the two separate lower tool halves 20a, 20b can operate independently. There may be an upper tool half (not shown) common to both lower tool halves 20a, 20b, or each lower tool half has a corresponding independent upper tool half. May be. Modules 101 and 102 are the same as those shown in FIG. 3, but reversed for single lane applications. The pitch between modules can be varied for individual dual lane applications due to the asymmetric design of the modules.

  The lifting device of the present invention comprises tool halves 20a, 20b below the independent tray sealing machine and can be used in a dual lane situation, so that advantageously different tray sizes can be packaged and sealed simultaneously. it can. As a result, the processing capacity increases. Enabling the use of the independently operable lower tool halves can also seal a different number of trays at a time in each lane. For example, one lane can seal two trays at a time, and the other lane can seal three trays at a time. In this way, the flexibility of the tray sealing is further increased.

  It is envisioned that the tool half below the tray sealer may be supported by any number of struts. For example, a single post may be used to support the lower tool half.

  For ease of understanding, the following description refers to a single module.

  When the sealing process separates the upper and lower tool halves, the sealing load on the lifting mechanism is much greater than the lifting load caused by lifting the lower tool halves. As will be described later, the lifting device of the present invention separates the lifting screw 2 and the motor 3 from the seal load. This means that the lifting screw 2 does not have to be as strong as in the prior art and can therefore have a relatively small diameter, advantageously minimizing manufacturing costs and equipment size. Can be suppressed. Similarly, the motor 3 and any electromechanical brake can be miniaturized because it is not necessary to drive a large lifting screw 2 or a lifting device designed to withstand the sealing load.

  When the lower tool half first contacts the upper tool half, the motor 3 continues to rotate the lifting screw 2 and lifts the lifting plate 7 upward toward the upper plate 11. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the spring housing 13 is attached to the lower side of the lifting plate 7. Here, the spring housing 13 houses the two springs 6 connected to the spring housing 13 and the column 1a. Although the corresponding spring housing 13 provided with the two springs 6 is also provided for the support 1b, the lifting device will be described with reference to the support 1a in the following description for easy understanding.

  When the upper and lower tool halves come into contact, the motor 3 continues to drive the lifting screw 2 so that the strut 1a remains stationary, but the lifting plate 7 continues to move upward toward the plate 11. As a result, the spring 6 is compressed. In this embodiment, the two springs are the same, so they compress at the same rate, but different springs may be used. When the spring compression is at a predetermined point, the latch mechanism reacts by locking the housing structure 9 to the post 1a. The latch mechanism includes a latch 4. The latch 4 is disposed in the housing structure 9 and engages with each protrusion 12 of the column 1a. The motor 3 stops at a predetermined position set in a motor control unit (not shown), but can be controlled equally by sensors or switches attached to the mechanism.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each spring housing 13 houses two springs. However, this is not necessarily so and any number of springs may be used, for example a single spring. Alternatively, instead of using a spring, a hydraulic system using a compressible fluid may be implemented.

  The housing structure 9 and the spring 6 are not limited to the positions described. For example, the spring housing 13 can be attached to the top of the lifting plate 7, so that when the upper and lower tool halves first contact, the lifting plate 7 continues to rise so that the spring remains under tension. Put six.

  Since the column is connected to the housing structure 9 via the latch 4, the load applied to the column 1 due to the sealing process is transmitted to the housing structure 9 via the latch 4. Thus, this makes it advantageous to isolate the lifting screw 2 and the motor 3 from these high loads, since the column 1 is connected to the lifting plate 7 via the spring 6.

  The latch mechanism will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5a, 5b, 6a and 6b. The latch mechanism includes a latch cam plate 5 and a cam follower roller 10 in addition to the latch 4 and the spring 6 described above. The operation will be described below.

  Figures 5a, 5b, 6a and 6b are alternate cross-sectional views along axis X-X '. FIG. 5a shows a cross section through the strut 1a, FIG. 5b shows a cross section through the latch cam plate 5, and both figures show before the latch 4 is engaged. The two figures are for the same strut 1a and are shown side by side for ease of comparison and do not represent two independent struts. Figures 6a and 6b are corresponding views when the latch 4 is engaged.

  Considering initially FIGS. 5b and 6b, the latch cam plate 5 (hereinafter referred to as the latch plate) firmly connected to the lifting plate 7 is moved toward the latch 4 as the lifting plate 7 is raised. The The latch 4 includes two complementary structures 4a and 4b facing each other, as shown in FIGS. 5b and 6b. Each complementary structure 4a, 4b includes a cam follower roller 10 (hereinafter referred to as a roller).

  As explained above, when the lower tool half contacts the upper tool half, the lifting plate 7 continues to rise and compresses the spring 6. The latch plate 5 is connected to the lifting plate 7 and is in contact with the roller 10, particularly at the latch plate forming portion 14. The spring 6 continues to be compressed until, at a predetermined compression point, the spring is compressed enough to securely move the latch plate 5 further upwards, and the roller 10 is moved along the guide 14 to the latch plate. Move to 5 indentations 16.

  As a result, as shown in FIGS. 5 a and 6 a, the complementary structures 4 a and 4 b move inward from each other and engage with the protrusion 12 of the column 1. The motor 3 stops when the protrusion and the latch are engaged, and as a result, the lifting plate 7 does not move. The sealing process then takes place and the high load is transmitted via the latch 4 to the housing structure 9, thereby separating the lifting screw 2 and the motor 3 from the aforementioned load.

  At the completion of the sealing process, the motor 3 is driven in the reverse direction, thereby lowering the lifting plate 7 away from the upper plate 11. This places the spring 6 in tension and the roller 10 is released from the indentation 16 of the latch plate 5 when the spring extension is at a predetermined point. And the shaping | molding part 14 of a latch plate drives the complementary structures 4a and 4b reliably, and returns to the original position. The complementary structure is held in its original position in the vicinity of the post through the latch 4, as shown in FIG. 5a. Thereby, the protrusion 12 of the support column 1 is released.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, two protrusions 12 are shown on the opposite side of the column, but one or more protrusions and corresponding latches 4 can be used. Similarly, two latch plates 5 are shown on the lifting plate 7 on the opposite side of the pillar 1a, but one latch plate 5 may be used, or two or more latch plates may be used.

  Other latching mechanisms are envisioned. For example, an electronically actuated latch can be engaged at a desired time using a control unit.

  When the lifting plate 7 is in its lower position, the sealed tray can be transported away from the lower tool half, for example by a gripper arm and conveyor, and the unsealed tray to be sealed. Can be transferred to the lower tool half to repeat the process.

  The lifting device is not limited to the described embodiment. For example, the upper tool half may be moved toward the fixed lower tool half. It is also envisioned that the lifting mechanism of the present invention can be utilized with twin lane devices such as QX-1100 manufactured by Ishida Europe Limited in Birmingham, UK.

  Although described in connection with a tray sealing machine, the lifting device of the present application can be used in other situations and devices.

US2009 / 0288365

Claims (16)

A lifting device connectable to a tray sealing tool,
A first member and a second member;
A lifting mechanism coupled to the first member and configured to move the first member toward the second member;
A third member coupled to the first member and slidably movable through the second member when the first member is moved toward the second member, When the first member is moved toward the second member, the lower member half of the tray sealing tool is moved toward the upper tool half of the sealing tool. The third member having a distal end connectable to the lower tool half with respect to the first member;
With
A latch mechanism,
When a predetermined compressive force is applied to the third member due to the lower tool half coming into contact with the upper tool half, the predetermined compressive force operates the latch mechanism to the second member is engaged with the third member, whereby, when the additional compressive force caused by the sealing force in said tray sealing tool has been applied to the third member, the first member and the lifting mechanism Separated from said further compressive force,
Lifting device. The latch mechanism includes a spring attached between the third member and the first member;
In use, the spring is compressed when the compressive force is applied to the third member, and the predetermined compressive force corresponds to a predetermined point in the compressed state of the spring.
The lifting device according to claim 1. The latch mechanism includes a latch cam plate having a molding portion, and the latch cam plate is fixedly coupled to the first member,
Move towards the second member of the first member, as the latch is engaged with the projection portion of the third member, thereby guiding the latch into the molding unit,
The lifting device according to claim 1 or 2. The first member is a flat plate,
The lifting device according to claim 1. The third member is elongated and connected to the first member so as to protrude along the traveling direction of the first member.
The lifting device according to claim 1. The lifting mechanism is a rotatable lifting screw,
The lifting screw is coupled to the first member such that rotation of the lifting screw moves the first member in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the lifting screw. ,
The lifting device according to claim 1. Further comprising one or more of the third member,
The lifting device according to claim 1. The lifting screw and the one or more third members are substantially parallel.
The lifting device according to claim 6 . A tool lift device comprising the lifting device according to claim 1,
Lower tool halves attached to the distal end of one or more third members such that, in use, movement of the first member moves the lower tool half toward the upper tool half Further comprising
The predetermined compressive force is due to contact of the lower tool half and the upper tool half,
Tool lift device. A second lifting device;
The lower tool half is attached to a distal end of one or more of the third members of the first and second lifting devices;
Further, the first and second lifting devices operate in synchronism.
The tool lift device according to claim 9. A second lifting device;
A second lower tool half attached to the distal end of one or more of the third members of the second lifting device;
The first and second lifting devices operate independently;
The tool lift device according to claim 9. A second upper tool half corresponding to the second lower tool half;
The tool lift device of claim 11. The further compressive force is generated by a process performed when the lower tool half and the upper tool half contact.
The tool lift device according to any one of claims 9 to 12. Comprising the tool lift device of any of claims 9 to 13.
Tray sealing device. The upper tool half comprises a heated flat plate,
The tray sealing apparatus according to claim 14. The lower tool half is configured to support one or more trays to be sealed;
The tray sealing device according to claim 14 or 15.

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