Cut and seal unit for sheet material

Abstract: A cut and seal unit (1) for sheet material (4), wherein an actuating unit (8) has a single powered input (9), and two identical output transmissions (10, 11) linked to each other and to the input (9); the two output transmissions (10, 11) are connected to respective cut and seal tools (7', 7), which are moved by the actuating unit (8) along respective substantially ellipsoidal trajectories (T', T) on either side of a path (P) of the sheet material (4) extending through the two trajectories (T', T), and cooperate cyclically with each other at a cut and seal station (5) along the path (P) to transversely cut and seal the sheet material (4).

Description: The present invention relates to a cut and seal unit for sheet material. More specifically, the present invention may be used to advantage in the food packing industry, to which the following description refers purely by way of example. In the food packing industry, so-called "form, fill and seal" packaging machines are used wherein an orderly succession of products, equally spaced inside a tubular package, is fed continuously along a path extending through a cut and seal station equipped with a cut and seal unit for transversely cutting and sealing the tubular package to form a succession of airtight pillow packs, each containing a respective product. The cut and seal unit normally comprises at least two cut and seal tools movable along respective annular trajectories on either side of the path of the tubular package, and which cooperate cyclically with each other to cut and seal the tubular package; and, for each tool, a respective actuating device for moving the respective tool along the respective annular trajectory independently from the other actuating device. More specifically, each actuating device is normally defined by a cam-tappet device comprising an annular cam, and a tappet roller positively engaging the cam and connected to the respective tool to move the tool along the respective trajectory and through the cut and seal station in time with the other tool. Though fairly effective, the above known cut and seal unit involves several drawbacks impairing both reliability and performance of the unit. That is, friction between the tappet rollers and respective cams prevents the attainment of high steady-state operating speeds; friction-induced wear of the mechanical components and the different response to such wear by the two cam-tappet devices eventually result in differing operation of the tools and a gradual reduction in cut and seal precision and quality; and, finally, high operating speeds are also prevented by the high degree of acceleration and inertia of the unit itself. FR2446172, on which the preamble of claim 1 is based, discloses a machine for producing sealed packages and having two separate sets of tools working "hand-over-hand" which act upon a tube formed beneath a tube-forming device so as to provide the tube with pairs of transverse closure seams at predetermined intervals and divided between the transverse closure seams into individual packages; in order to move the tools in oval orbits with a common rectilinear work path aligned parallel to the tube axis, connecting-rod transmissions are provided, the cranks of which are driven through asymmetrical gears so that the two sets of tools alternately engage the tube at half-cycle intervals. There is provided an actuating device having a single powered input, and two identical output transmissions, which are linked to each other, are linked to the input (9), and are connected to respective cut and seal tools. US3438173 discloses a method and apparatus for sealing continuous cylindrical film between articles which are spaced at intervals along the film; heat sealing members are moved against the portions of the film between the spaced articles and are moved along the path of the film at the speed of the film until the completion of the heat sealing operation; they are then moved in opposite directions away from the film and along semi-circular paths back to the point from which they stared. There is provided an actuating device having a single powered input, and two identical output transmissions, which are linked to each other, are linked to the input (9), and are connected to respective cut and seal tools. It is an object of the present invention to provide a straightforward, low-cost cut and seal unit for sheet material, designed to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks. According to the present invention, there is provided a cut and seal unit for sheet material as recited by claim 1. A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a front view, with parts removed for clarity, of a preferred embodiment of the cut and seal unit according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic view in perspective, with parts removed for clarity, of the Figure 1 unit; Figure 3 shows, schematically, a succession of operating stages performed by the Figure 1 unit. Number 1 in the accompanying drawings indicates a cut and seal unit for packing products 2 inside respective airtight so-called "pillow" packs 3 formed by transversely cutting into segments a sheet material 4 defining a tubular package 4 fed axially at a given continuous speed V and in a given direction D along a path P extending through unit 1 at a cut and seal station 5. Unit 1 comprises a frame 6 to the side of path P at station 5; two cut and seal tools 7 movable along respective annular work trajectories T on either side of path P, and cooperating cyclically with each other to form packs 3; and an actuating unit 8, which is fitted to frame 6, provides for moving tools 7 in time with each other along respective trajectories T, and shapes trajectories T substantially in the form of an ellipsoid about respective fixed axes A crosswise to direction D. More specifically, in actual use, unit 8 moves tools 7' and 7 along respective trajectories T' and T in such a manner that, along respective mutually facing work portions T1' and T1 of trajectories T' and T, tools 7 contact package 4 at respective speeds V1 parallel to direction D and equal to speed V, and at respective speeds V2 crosswise to direction D, directed towards each other, and gradually decreasing to zero by the time tools 7 contact each other to cut and seal package 4; and in such a manner that, following mutual contact, tools 7 are withdrawn from each other, and from package 4 approaching station 5, at respective speeds V1 still equal to speed V, and at gradually increasing respective speeds V2 to gradually detach tools 7 from each other and, above all, from package 4. Along portions T1, tools 7 therefore travel along a substantially straight portion of path P, and mate so as to cooperate mutually along portions T1 in known manner not shown. As shown in Figure 2, unit 8 comprises an actuating device 9 defining a powered input of unit 8; and two structurally identical transmission devices 10 and 11 defining respective output means of unit 8 and linked to each other and to device 9 to move respective cut and seal tools 7 about respective axes A. More specifically, device 10 is located substantially above path P to rotate respective tool 7 (indicated 7') in a given direction about respective axis A (indicated A') and along respective trajectory T (indicated T'), and is powered directly by actuating device 9; whereas device 11 is located substantially below path P to rotate respective tool 7 about respective axis A in the opposite direction to tool 7', and is powered by device 10. Device 9 comprises a powered shaft 12 rotated continuously about a respective axis parallel to axes A', A; a first gear 13 fitted to the end opposite the driven end of shaft 12; and a second gear 14 fitted to an intermediate portion of shaft 12, and having a given pitch diameter F1 equal to roughly three times the pitch diameter F2 of gear 13. Devices 10 and 11 comprise respective drums 15' and 15 fitted to frame 6 so as to rotate about respective axes A' and A; and respective shafts 16' and 16 fitted through respective drums 15' and 15, coaxially with respective axes B' and B parallel to axes A' and A, and defining trajectories T' and T. Drums 15' and 15 each comprise a fourth gear defined by respective gears 17' and 17 connected angularly to each other; gear 17' is connected to gear 13 via the interposition of an idle third gear 18 forming part of device 9; and shafts 16' and 16 support respective tools 7 at respective ends projecting axially outwards of respective drums 15' and 15, and are connected, at the opposite ends to those supporting tools 7, to a common articulated supporting joint 19 forming part of unit 8. More specifically, joint 19 is connected to frame 6 so as to oscillate parallel to direction D, permits any movement of shafts 16' and 16 crosswise to respective axes B' and B, while maintaining shafts 16' and 16 parallel to themselves at all times, and comprises a central pin 20 having an axis 20a parallel to direction D, and two joints 21' and 21 connected in angularly and axially fixed manner to shafts 16' and 16 on one side, and connected in rotary manner to pin 20 on the opposite side by means of respective pairs of brackets 22' and 22, so as to oscillate about axis 20a and permit shafts 16' and 16 to move to and from each other. Devices 10 and 11 also comprise respective tubular shafts 23' and 23 engaged in rotary manner by respective shafts 16' and 16, and which in turn are fitted inside respective drums 15' and 15 to rotate in the opposite direction to drums 15' and 15 about respective axes C' and C eccentric with respect to axes A', A and B', B, and are each connected angularly to a fifth gear defining respective gears 24' and 24 connected angularly to each other, and of which gear 24' is connected to gear 14. More specifically, gears 24' and 24 are supported for rotation by frame 6 coaxially with axes A' and A, rotate in the opposite direction to respective gears 17' and 17, and are defined by respective rings fitted through axially and in radially slack manner with shafts 16' and 16; and shafts 23' and 23 are connected angularly to gears 24' and 24 via the interposition of respective transverse joints 25' and 25 for rotating respective shafts 23' and 23 continuously about respective axes C' and C, and permitting transverse displacement of respective axes B' and B. Besides forming part of respective device 10, 11, each joint 25', 25 comprises a flat, substantially triangular plate 26', 26 crosswise to respective axis C', C and connected integrally to the end of respective shaft 23', 23 opposite the end facing tool 7', 7. Each joint 25', 25 also comprises at least three pins 27', 27 fitted to respective gear 24', 24, equally spaced about respective axis A', A, and extending, parallel to axis C', C, from gear 24', 24 to respective plate 26', 26; and, for each pin 27', 27, a respective connecting rod 28', 28, which is interposed between respective pin 27', 27 and a respective vertex of plate 26', 26, is connected in rotary manner to respective plate 26', 26 and respective pin 27', 27, and is of a length L smaller than the radius R of gear 24', 24. Operation of unit 1 will first be described with reference to Figure 3, which shows a series of operating positions, corresponding to respective operating stages, of cut and seal tools 7' and 7, and wherein tool 7' comprises a flat bottom heat-seal surface 29' from which extends a shaped longitudinal projection 30 parallel to axis A', and tool 7 comprises a flat top heat-seal surface 29 in which is formed a longitudinal groove 31 of the same shape as, and for receiving, projection 30 to transversely cut tubular package 4. Tools 7' and 7 are rotated by unit 8 in opposite directions about respective axes A' and A (Figure 3a) towards each other and towards tubular package 4 fed in known manner at speed V through station 5, and gradually contact package 4 (Figure 3b) before being brought finally into the mutually contacting position (Figure 3c). Upon tools 7' and 7 contacting package 4, this is heated until surfaces 29' and 29 are positioned directly facing each other to flatten and heat-seal the opposite surfaces of package 4, and until projection 30 engages groove 31 to detach from package 4 a pack 3 containing a respective product 2. Once pack 3 is formed and simultaneously removed by a known pickup device (not shown), tools 7' and 7 are moved away from each other and from path P, and maintain, at least almost to the end of portion T1, a speed V1 substantially equal to speed V to prevent the incoming package 4 from colliding with tools 7' and 7. Tools 7' and 7 are moved along respective trajectories T' and T by combining a first rotation of shafts 16' and 16 about respective axes A' and A, produced by rotating drums 15' and 15 in respective given opposite directions, and a second rotation of shafts 16' and 16 about respective axes C' and C, produced by rotating shafts 23' and 23 in opposite directions both to each other and to respective drums 15' and 15. More specifically, powered shaft 12 of actuating device 9 rotates drums 15' and 15 via gears 13, 18, 17' and 17, and at the same time rotates shafts 23' and 23 via gears 14, 24', 24 and transverse joints 25' and 25; idle gear 18 causes gears 17' and 24' and therefore gears 17 and 24 to rotate in opposite directions about axes A' and A; and joints 25' and 25 provide for imparting the second rotation to shafts 23' and 23, while at the same time moving shafts 16', 16 and hence respective tools 7', 7 parallel to themselves. That is, as shafts 23' and 23 rotate about respective axes C' and C, shafts 16' and 16 connected to frame 6 by joint 19 move in a direction crosswise to, as opposed to rotating about, respective axes B' and B, so as to move axes B' and B along trajectories T' and T; and connecting rods 28' and 28 connecting plates 26' and 26 to gears 24' and 24 rotate about respective pins 27' and 27 simultaneously with rotation of gears 24' and 24 about axes A' and A to permit transverse displacement of shafts 16' and 16.

Claims: A cut and seal unit (1) for sheet material (4), the unit (1) comprising two cut and seal tools (7', 7) cooperating cyclically with each other and movable along respective annular trajectories (T', T) on either side of a given path (P) of the sheet material (4), the path (P) extending in a given travelling direction (D) and through a cut and seal station (5) for cutting and sealing the material (4); and actuating means (8) for activating said two tools (7', 7), and in turn comprising powered input means (9), and output means (10, 11) each connected to a respective said tool (7', 7); said input means (9) being defined by a single powered element (12); and said output means (10, 11) being identical, and being linked mutually and to said powered element (12) to feed said two tools (7', 7) through said cut and seal station (5) cyclically and in time with each other; said output means (10, 11) being defined by respective output transmissions (10, 11), each of which comprises a supporting shaft (16', 16) supporting the respective tool (7', 7), and comprises first transport means (23', 25'; 23, 25) for transporting the respective supporting shaft (16', 16) in a first given rotation direction about a first axis of rotation (C', C); the unit (1) being characterized in that each of said output transmissions (10, 11) comprises second transport means (15', 15) for transporting the first transport means (23', 25'; 23, 25) in a second given rotation direction about a second axis of rotation (A', A); said trajectories (T', T) extending about said second axes of rotation (A', A). A unit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said first and second given rotation directions are opposite rotation directions. A unit as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein said trajectories (T', T) are substantially ellipsoidal. A unit as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said actuating means (8) comprise an articulated joint (19) connecting said supporting shafts (16', 16); said articulated joint (19) comprising connecting means (21', 21) connected to each supporting shaft (16', 16), and articulated means (20, 22', 22) connected to the connecting means (21', 21) to support the supporting shafts (16', 16) parallel to each other by cooperating with said first and second transport means (23', 25', 15'; 23, 25, 15). A unit as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said articulated means (20, 22', 22) comprise a pin (20) parallel to said direction (D) and movable parallel to said direction (D); and, for each said connecting means (21', 21), at least one respective bracket (22', 22) connected for rotation to said pin (20) and to the respective connecting means (21', 21). A unit as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims from 1 to 5, wherein said input means (9) comprise a first and a second gear (13, 14) angularly integral with said powered element (12), and a third gear (18) connected angularly to said first gear (13); each said second transport means (15', 15) comprising a respective drum (15', 15) rotating about the respective second axis of rotation (A', A), and a respective fourth gear (17', 17) angularly integral with said drum (15', 15); said fourth gears (17', 17) being connected angularly to each other; and one of the fourth gears (17', 17) being connected angularly to said third gear (18). A unit as claimed in Claim 6, wherein each of said first transport means (23', 25'; 23, 25) comprises a respective tubular shaft (23', 23) coaxial with a respective third axis of rotation (B', B) eccentric with respect to the respective said second axis of rotation (A', A), and engaged in rotary manner by the respective said supporting shaft (16', 16); a respective fifth gear (24', 24) rotating about the respective second axis of rotation (A', A); and a respective joint (25', 25) connecting the respective fifth gear (24', 24) and the respective tubular shaft (23', 23). A unit as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said fifth gears (24', 24) are connected angularly to each other, and rotate about the respective second axes of rotation (A', A) in the opposite direction to that of the respective fourth gears (17', 17); one of the fifth gears (24', 24) being connected angularly to said second gear (14). A unit as claimed in Claim 8, wherein each said joint (25', 25) comprises a plate (26', 26) angularly integral with the respective said tubular shaft (23', 23); and connecting rod means (28', 28) connecting the plate (26', 26) to the respective said fifth gear (24', 24); said supporting shaft (16', 16) being fitted for rotation through the respective tubular shaft (23', 23) and the respective plate (26', 26). A unit as claimed in Claim 9, wherein said connecting rod means (28', 28) comprise a given number of connecting rods (28', 28) equally spaced about the respective second axis of rotation (A', A) and of a length (L) substantially smaller than a radial dimension (R) of the respective fifth gear (24', 24). A unit as claimed in Claim 10, wherein said connecting rods (28', 28) are mounted for rotation with respect to both the respective plate (26', 26) and the respective fifth gear (24', 24).

Inventors: SPATAFORA MARIO, TALE FABRIZIO, SPATAFORA, MARIO, TALE, FABRIZIO
Applicants: AZIONARIA COSTRUZIONI ACMA SPA, AZIONARIA COSTRUZIONI MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE-A.C.M.A.-S.P.A.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B65B51
IPC codes: B65B51, B65B9