Patent ID: 8033085
Filing Date: 2011-10-11
Classification: B29C,B29K,B29L,B65B

Abstract:
1. A machine for shaping, filling and closing containers formed from an expanded polymer web, comprising: a lower unwinder for an expanded polymer web reel, a preheating station for preheating the web, a container thermoforming station, an upper unwinder for a reel of a closing film for closing shaped containers, a container closing station, a cutting station, and a drag system for dragging the expanded polymer web along the different stations, from an outlet of the lower unwinder to the cutting station, wherein the preheating station comprises two vertically coinciding, horizontal drawers, one of the drawers is located above the drag system and the other under the drag system, both drawers being assembled on a structure with the ability of vertical movement thereon by respective actuation cylinders, for bringing the drawers closer together or separating the drawers, the drawers carry heating means on their opposite surfaces; and the thermoforming station is formed by a lower mold and upper countermold opposite to one another assembled on vertically movable platforms, the mold and countermold having through holes between an outer and an inner surface, through which holes the mold and the countermold are connected to a vacuum source causing vacuum between the inner and the outer surfaces and the sheet being shaped; and the container closing station comprises a lower mold coinciding with the shape of the shaped containers and an upper welding plate, both being vertically movable by actuation cylinders, between the mold and plate the web with the shaped containers filled with the product and the closing film pass superimposed, said closing station having means for carrying out the vacuum inside the containers and for filling said containers with a controlled inert gas; and the cutting station comprises a series of lower frames, the number and position of the lower frames coincide with the containers reaching the cutting station each time and with a contour that is the same as that of said containers, the frames are located immediately under the drag system; an upper blade with a contour coinciding with the final contour of each container, the blade is located above the drag system and vertically movable by an actuation cylinder; at least two suction pads located above the containers for holding the containers, said suction pads are suspended from stems vertically traversing the contour defined by each blade; and a conveyor belt located under the frames, the suction pads being vertically movable between an upper position, located above the containers, and a lower position in which the containers are held, vertically transported and deposited on the conveyor belt.