Patent GB-1454464-A (GB)
Title: Manufacture of packaging containers
IPC: B29C65/08
Filed: 1974-01-11
Abstract: 1454464 Apparatus for producing parallelepiped packages TETRA PAK DEVELOPPEMENTSA 11 Jan 1974 [18 Jan 1973] 01323/74 Heading B8C A machine for forming filled containers from two webs 5 and 6 of foldable material which may be plastics coated paper, metal foil coated with plastics and paper, plastics film or foam plastics, comprises a series of moulds 4 which are movable past a rotatable forming tool 3 for pressing the web 5 into the moulds 4, a driver feed drum 23 which feeds the web 6 over the formed web 5 synchronously with the movement of the moulds, an arrangement 15, 16 for folding down and securing the edge zones of the web 6 to the edges of the formed web 5, a filling tube 19 and a cutter 18 for separating individual or groups of containers for the series. The moulds 4 comprise L-shaped or T-shaped links and they may also have a rounded U-shape. The forming tool 3 which is fixed on a rotatable axle 104, comprises two vanes 68 having rounded folding surfaces 124, 125. The forming tool axle 104 is supported in a reciprocable swivel arm (102), Fig. 3b (not shown), which is controlled by a cam (108) to move the forming tool 3 firstly in the same direction as the moulds 4 and in synchronism therewith and then in the opposite direction, Fig. 4a, and Figs. 46-4f (not shown). Cam blades (115), Fig. 3b (not shown), which are pivoted to the swivel arm control cam (108) can be projected beyond the periphery of this cam (108) to alter the effective camming surface for adjustment of the feed of the web 5 to the moulds. The driven feed drum 23 has its surface divided into twelve segments 202. At stations located adjacent the drum 23 a pouring hole is punched in the web 6, a cover strip is applied over the hole, the web 6 is heated to its forming temperature, stamped, vacuum or pressure formed and provided with transverse slits in its edge zones. The punching tool 212, 213, the cover strip sealing tool 224, the heater 203 and the stamping and cutting device 208 operate simultaneously and are mounted on an oscillator plate 59 which rotates in synchronism with and in the direction of rotation of the feed drum while the tools are working and when the punching, &c. operations have been completed, the oscillator plate quickly rotates back to its starting position. The movements of the oscillator plate 59 and the tools mounted thereon are controlled by cams. The rate of web feed by the drum 23 can be adjusted by means of a conical element (256), Fig. 6 (not shown) which is located within the drum and can be moved axially of the drum to adjust the position of radially projectable parts (258) arranged between the segments 202 and spring urged against the conical element. The devices for folding down and securing the web 6 to the web 5 and for sealing and separating the filled containers are controlled by cams and are mounted on a reciprocable column 13 for movement therewith in synchronism with the movement of the moulds 4. Prior to the edge zones of the web 6 being folded down by folding and pressure flaps 333, the edges of the web 5 and the portions of the web 6 intended to be secured to these edges are heated to their softening temperature by hot air issuing from an array of holes (336) Fig. 8 (not shown), or in slots in a heating device 15. The filled containers are sealed, for example, by ultrasonic welding heads 317. The package separating device 18 comprises a pivoted plate 312 which has two spaced, parallel transversely extending cutting edges on its underside. A pressure roller 309 rolls over the upper surface of the plate 312 for the cutting operations to firstly pivot the plate one way, causing one of the cutting edges to separate the leading package, and then to pivot the plate in the opposite direction, causing the other cutting edge to separate the following package. The reciprocation of the columns in bearings 14, the operation of the folding blades 333 and the movement of the welding heads 317 into contact with the containers are effected by cams. The filled packages are transferred from the moulds 4 to a finishing device 33 for the removal of projecting sealing pins, and finally a device 35 places the packages in transport cartons or baskets.