Abstract:
An applicator is used for applying an associated closure to an interior surface of an associated carton in a form, fill and seal packaging machine. The associated closure has a flange that is sealed to the interior surface of the carton. The applicator includes a frame, a carriage mounted to the frame for longitudinal movement, a closure supply and an anvil mounted to the carriage for longitudinal movement with the carriage. The anvil is configured for securing the closure thereto for movement of the closure from the closure supply to the carton. The applicator further includes a longitudinal drive for longitudinally moving the anvil, a transverse drive for transversely moving the anvil and a sealing member. The closure is secured by the anvil and is transported on the anvil from the closure supply in a plane transcribed by the longitudinal and transverse drives into an interior portion of the carton. The closure is moved into contact with the interior surface, and the sealing member contacts an exterior surface of the carton corresponding to an area of contact of the closure at the interior surface to seas the closure to the carton.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to a closure applicator for applying closures to cartons in a form, fill and seal and packaging machine. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a closure applicator for use in a form, fill and seal packaging machine that utilizes a swinging arm and linkage for moving closures into position for applying to the carton. 
     Cartons are used in a wide variety of packaging applications. In the food packaging industry, form, fill and seal packaging machines have been used for decades to package food items such as milk, juice and soups for distribution to retail outlets such as grocery stores and the like. 
     One type of container for food packaging is the well-recognized gable top container. Such a container includes slanted gable panels that are sealed to one another at an upstanding top fin. Early containers required that the fin panels be separated from one another and the gable opened in order to access the product in the container. 
     Advances have been made in configurations for providing access to product in the containers. One such advancement has been in the use of plastic spouts attached to the container. Typically, such a spout has a flange that is integral with the upstanding spout and is referred to as a closure or fitment. The flange is welded or sealed to the container on an interior surface of the container at the gable panel. Typically, the flange is sealed at a periphery of an opening formed in the container. The spout extends from the flange, through the container material. A cap, such as a threaded closure can then be applied to the spout to provide resealable access to the container product. 
     In an effort to maintain high packaging line process speeds, closure applicators have been developed for picking a closure from a bulk supply of closures, transporting the closure into the interior of a (partially constructed, e.g., open-top) carton and moving the closure such that the spout extends though the opening in the carton and the flange is in contact with the interior portion of the carton immediately adjacent the opening. The closure (at the flange) is welded or sealed to the carton. Subsequent to application and sealing of the closure to the carton, the carton can be sterilized, filled and the top panels can be prefolded and folded and the fin seal established. 
     Many closure applicators include a series of complex movements, typically, arcuate or curved movements to take the closure from the bulk source of closures (or a transport or a dispensing arrangement from the bulk source) and moving the closure into the carton for subsequent sealing. An exemplary apparatus for applying fitments to a carton is disclosed in Giacomelli et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,504, which patent is commonly assigned herewith and is incorporated herein by reference. Other applicators are also known. There are various drawbacks to these applicators, many of which required a nonlinear or arcuate movement of the closure into the carton. Such movement typically requires relatively complex assemblies and increases the amount of energy required for movement of the closures. Other applicators include star-wheels or other configurations that likewise require a combination of complex linear and rotational movements (and thus drives) to position the closures in the cartons for subsequent sealing. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a linear motion applicator for use in applying or moving closures into an interior portion of the carton for sealing thereto. Preferably, such a linear motion applicator is relatively simple in design. More desirably, such an applicator further uses a readily actuated linkage system for movement of the applicator for subsequent sealing to the carton. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An applicator is used for applying an associated closure to an interior surface of an associated carton in a form, fill and seal packaging machine. An associated closure has a flange that is sealed to the interior surface of the carton. 
     The applicator includes a frame, a carriage mounted to the frame for longitudinal movement, a closure supply and an anvil mounted to the carriage for longitudinal movement with the carriage. The carriage moves between an inserted position (moving the anvil and closure into the container) and a withdrawn position (moving the anvil out of the container). The anvil is configured for securing the closure thereto as it moves the closure from the closure supply to the carton. The anvil can be mounted to an anvil arm. 
     The applicator further includes a longitudinal drive for longitudinally moving the anvil and a transverse drive for transversely moving the anvil. In a current embodiment, the drives are cylinders, such as pneumatic cylinders. 
     The applicator further includes a sealing member. In a current embodiment, the sealing member is an ultrasonic sealer. 
     The closure is secured by the anvil and transported on the anvil from the closure supply in a plane transcribed by the longitudinal and transverse drives. The closure (on the anvil) is moved into an interior portion of the carton and into contact with the interior surface of the carton. The sealing member contacts an exterior surface of the carton corresponding to an area of contact of the closure at the interior surface and seals the closure to the carton. 
     In a present embodiment, the anvil arm is pivotally mounted to a carriage and a linkage operably connects the transverse drive and the anvil. In this arrangement, the transverse drive is mounted to the carriage for longitudinal movement therewith. 
     The linkage can be configured having includes a duplex hinge, a first link operably connecting the carriage and the duplex hinge, and a second link operably connecting the duplex hinge and the anvil. In this arrangement, the transverse drive is operably connected to the duplex hinge to effect movement of the anvil between an extended position and a retracted position. 
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, in conjunction with the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The benefits and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary form, fill and seal packaging machine having an applicator with a swinging arm anvil embodying the principles of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 2-5 illustrate the swinging arm anvil in a series of four positions through one cycle of the applicator in which FIG. 2 shows the anvil arm in a withdrawn-retracted position; 
     FIG. 3 shows the anvil arm in a withdrawn-extended position; 
     FIG. 4 shows the anvil arm in an inserted-retracted position; and 
     FIG. 5 shows the anvil arm in an inserted-extended position; 
     FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary carton, partially constructed shown with upstanding top or gable panels and an open top; and 
     FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary closure for use with the swinging arm anvil applicator. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated. 
     It should be further understood that the title of this section of this specification, namely, “Detailed Description Of The Invention”, relates to a requirement of the United States Patent Office, and does not imply, nor should be inferred to limit the subject matter disclosed herein. 
     All patents referred to herein, are hereby incorporated herein by reference, whether or not specifically do so within the text of this disclosure. 
     In the present disclosure, the words “a” or “an” are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular. 
     Referring now to the figures and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown generally a form, fill and seal packaging machine  10 . The machine  10  includes a plurality of stations for storing and supplying carton blanks, erecting a carton, sealing the bottom panels of the carton and applying a closure to an interior portion of the carton, adjacent one of the gable panels. These stations are commonly referred to as a carton magazine  12 , a carton erection station  14 , a bottom sealing station  16 , and a closure application station  18 . 
     Further, the machine can include one or more sterilization stations  20 , a filling station  22  and a top sealing station  24 . An exemplary form, fill and seal packaging machine is illustrated and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,267 to Katsumata, which patent is commonly assigned herewith and is incorporated herein by reference. The closure applicator  26  is typically positioned in the packaging machine  10  downstream of or after the carton erection and the bottom sealing stations  14 ,  16 , and upstream of or prior to the filling station  22 . Sterilization of the carton C which takes place at the sterilizations station(s)  20  can take place before or after application of the closure F, if desired. 
     The closure applicator  26  is configured to receive a closure or fitment F from a transport assembly  28 , take the closure F from the transport assembly  28 , and move the closure F into an interior portion of the carton C. The applicator  26  further moves the closure F into abutment with an interior surface I of the carton C, at which time a sealing member, such as the exemplary ultrasonic horn  30  moves into engagement with an outer surface O of the carton C at an area corresponding to that area of the carton C against which the closure flange L rests. The ultrasonic sealing member  30  is then actuated, the closure F is sealed to the carton C at the flange L and the ultrasonic sealing member  30 , as well as an applicator anvil  32  are then moved out of engagement with the carton C and closure F, respectively. An exemplary open-top carton C, partially constructed, is illustrated in FIG. 6, while an exemplary closure F for use with the present applicator  26  is shown in FIG.  7 . 
     A present applicator  26  is illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 5. Referring to FIG. 2, the applicator  26  includes generally a frame  34 , the sealer  30  such as the exemplary ultrasonic sealer (also referred to as an ultrasonic horn), an anvil arm  36  on which the anvil  32  is mounted, and a drive assembly  38 . The applicator  26  cooperates with a closure supply  40  that supplies closures F to the applicator  26  via the transport assembly  28 . The transport assembly  28  can be configured as a chute or like transport path through which the closures F move from the supply  40  to the applicator  26 . An exemplary chute arrangement is disclosed in the aforementioned patent to Giacomelli et al. 
     The frame  34  is a stationary member affixed to a portion of the form, fill and seal packaging machine  10 . The applicator  26  components are affixed to the frame  34  and are either stationary or configured for movement as will be discussed herein. 
     The sealer  30  typically includes a horn or other actuating member. The horn  31  is configured to move toward and away from a carton positioned in the applicator  26  as indicated by the double-headed arrow at  42 . Typically, the horn  31  is driven by a cylinder  44  or like device. The exemplary sealer  30  also includes a converter that is used to impart ultrasonic vibrational movement to the horn  31  to effect sealing the closure F to the carton C. 
     The anvil arm  36  is configured for longitudinal movement or movement into and out of the open top of the carton C, as indicated by the double-headed arrow at  48 , as well as transverse movement toward and away from the carton wall W, as indicated by the double-headed arrow at  50 . In a present form, fill and seal packaging machine  10 , longitudinal movement  48  is a vertical up and down movement, whereas transverse movement  50  is a generally horizontal movement. In the illustrated embodiment, the horn  31  moves in a direction  42  generally parallel to the transverse movement  50 . Those skilled in the art will, however, recognize that the longitudinal movement  48  of the arm  36  may be in a horizontal plane (or at angles therebetween) and the transverse movement  50  in a vertical plane (or at angles therebetween), depending upon the approach and position of the carton C in the applicator  26 , and that the direction of movement  42  of the horn  31  will likewise follow the transverse movement  50 . 
     The anvil arm  36  includes the anvil or head portion  32  (also referred to as a spud) that is configured to engage and carry the closures F. That is, the anvil  32  is configured to engage or pick the closures F from the supply (or chute)  28  and secure the closures F thereto until the closure F is affixed or sealed to the carton C. The anvil arm  36  includes a shoulder portion  52  on an end opposite that of the anvil  32 . The shoulder  52  is configured for pivotal movement to facilitate the transverse movement  48  of the anvil  32 . 
     The drive assembly  38  is configured for providing longitudinal and transverse movement  48 ,  50  of the anvil arm  36 . In a present embodiment, the drive assembly  38  includes a longitudinal cylinder  54  and a transverse cylinder  56 . In the present embodiment, the longitudinal cylinder  54  provides longitudinal (or vertical) movement  48  to the anvil  32 , whereas the transverse cylinder  56  provides transverse (or essentially horizontal) movement  50  to the anvil  32 . 
     The longitudinal cylinder  54  is fixed relative to the frame  34  and includes a reciprocating rod  58 . The rod  58  is connected to a carriage  60  that is movable on the frame  34 . The carriage  60  carries the transverse cylinder  56 , a linkage assembly  62  and a pivot  64  for the anvil arm  36 . The pivot  64  is connected to the anvil arm  36  at about the shoulder  52 . The carriage  60  reciprocates by extension and retraction of the longitudinal cylinder rod  58 . 
     The transverse cylinder  56  is fixed relative to (e.g., mounted on) the carriage  60 . The transverse cylinder  56  includes a reciprocating rod  66  that is connected to the linkage assembly  62  at a duplex hinge  68 , and provides the drive or motive force for the hinge  68 . 
     The linkage assembly  62  includes a first link member  70  that is pivotally mounted to the carriage  60  and to the duplex hinge  68 . A second link member  72  is pivotally connected to the duplex hinge  68  and to the anvil arm  36 . The transverse cylinder  56  (as effected by reciprocating movement of the rod  66 ) moves the hinge  68  between a retracted position and an extended position, independent of the movement or position of the longitudinal cylinder  54 . The retracted and extended positions of the hinge  68  correspond to transverse movement  50  of the anvil arm  36  and thus the anvil  32 . 
     Operation of the applicator  26  will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2-5 which illustrate four discrete positions of the anvil  32 , namely, a withdrawn-retracted position (FIG.  2 ), a withdrawn-extended position (FIG.  3 ), an inserted-retracted position (FIG.  4 ), and an inserted-extended position (FIG.  5 ). The applicator  26  moves or swings the anvil  32  and arm  36  (with the closure F secured on the anvil  32 ) though a plane transcribed by the movement ( 48 ,  50 ) of the longitudinal and transverse drives  54 ,  56 , from the chute  28  to the interior of the carton C for sealing to the carton C. The drives or cylinders  54 ,  56  then reverse to bring the anvil  32  back to the chute  28  to “pick” a next subsequent closure F. 
     As will be understood from a study of the figures in conjunction with the present disclosure, the terms withdrawn and inserted refer to the longitudinal position or movement of the anvil  32  or anvil arm  36 , and extended and retracted refer to the transverse movement of the anvil  32  or anvil arm  36 . 
     In the withdrawn-retracted position (FIG.  2 ), the anvil  32  is positioned ready to engage or pick a closure F from the chute  28 . At this point in time, a carton C can be removed from the applicator  26  and a subsequent or new carton can be positioned in the applicator  26 . In addition, the sealing horn  31  is in a retracted position so as to not interfere with movement of a carton C into and out of the application station  18 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, the transverse cylinder  56  actuates to extend the cylinder rod  66 . This moves the duplex hinge  68  (and thus the anvil arm  36 ) into the withdrawn-extended position. In this position, the anvil  32  picks or engages a closure F from the chute  28 . At this point in time, the sealing horn remains retracted to prevent interference with the carton C. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, both the longitudinal and transverse cylinders  54 ,  56  are actuated. This moves the anvil arm  36  from the withdrawn-extended position to the inserted-retracted position. The transverse cylinder  56  is actuated reversing or retracting the rod  66 , thus pulling the anvil  32  away from the transport or chute  28 . The retracting movement of the anvil arm  36  also moves the closure F away from a path of the edge of the carton (which is positioned below in the applicator  26 ). During this same period of the cycle, the longitudinal cylinder  54  is actuated (extending the cylinder rod  58 ), to move the carriage  60  downwardly. Actuation of the longitudinal cylinder  54  (or downward movement of the carriage  60 ) moves the carriage  60  so that the anvil  32  is inserted into a carton C positioned in the applicator  26 . During this period of the cycle the horn  31  remains retracted. 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, the transverse cylinder  56  is actuated to move the anvil arm  36  (and thus the anvil  32  with the closure F mounted thereto) into the inserted-extended position. This moves the closure F into position in the carton opening or hole N for sealing the closure F to the carton C. The sealing horn  31  moves into engagement with the carton C (exterior surface O) by means of actuation of the horn cylinder  44 , contacting the carton surface O opposite of the closure flange L. Actuation of the horn  31  provides the ultrasonic energy (or other type of sealing function) necessary to seal the carton C and flange L to one another. The ultrasonic horn  31  then retracts while the anvil  32  is moved back to the withdrawn-retracted position, as illustrated in FIG.  2 . This ends one cycle of the applicator  26 . 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that although the present applicator  26  is described having cylinders  54 ,  56  to effectuate longitudinal and transverse movement  48 ,  50  of the anvil  32 , other arrangements can be used to provide effective and efficient movement of the anvil  32 . For example, motors, such as servomotors or stepper motors can be used to provide this movement, as can other electro-mechanical arrangements, such as solenoids and the like, as well as indirect drives, such as belts, cams, gears and the like. All such drive arrangements are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.