Patent Description:
Most pouching machines employ pairs of track-mounted clamps which successively receive pouches and carry them to various stations where different operations are performed on the pouches, typically including filling and sealing and, depending on the type of pouching machine, initial forming operations. The clamps then release the filled and sealed pouches, which may be grouped and loaded in cartons or subject to further processing.

Most commonly, each clamp is held closed by spring pressure and, when receiving or releasing pouches, the clamp is urged open by application of an external mechanical force. While such clamps have been effectively used for many years, further improvements are possible. <CIT> discloses a gripper for holding an item formed from a pliable sheet material.

Claim <NUM> defines a pouch clamp assembly for which protection is sought. The dependent claims concern particular embodiments of the invention as claimed in claim <NUM>.

These and other objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better appreciated in view of the drawings and following detailed description of preferred embodiments.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, referring to <FIG>, a magnetic pouch clamp assembly <NUM> includes slidably connected clamping arms <NUM>, <NUM> carrying a magnet assembly <NUM>. The magnet assembly <NUM> is operable to engage opposed clamping surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the clamping arms <NUM>, <NUM> in the open (<FIG>) and closed positions (<FIG>).

The clamping arm <NUM> includes a magnet housing <NUM> extending laterally therefrom through the clamping arm <NUM>. Magnet housing retention lugs <NUM> extend upwardly and downwardly from a distal end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. Guide slots <NUM>, <NUM> are defined in the clamping arm <NUM> extending across a width thereof.

Guide slot retention lug passages <NUM> are defined extending upwardly and downwardly from the guide slots <NUM>, <NUM>. A guide slot cover <NUM> is attached to the clamping arm <NUM> over outer ends of the guide slots <NUM>, <NUM>. Magnet housing blocking protrusions <NUM> extend into the guide slot retention lug passages <NUM> from an inner surface of the cover <NUM>.

The clamping arm <NUM> includes magnet housings <NUM>, <NUM> extending laterally therefrom and slidably accommodated, respectively, in the guide slots <NUM>, <NUM> of the first clamping arm <NUM>. The clamping arm <NUM> defines a guide slot <NUM> extending across a width thereof, which slidably receives the magnet housing <NUM> of the first clamping arm <NUM>.

Magnet housing retention lugs <NUM> extend upwardly and downwardly from the distal ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the magnet housings <NUM>, <NUM>. The guide slot <NUM> defines guide slot retention lug passages <NUM> extending downwardly and upwardly therefrom. A guide slot cover <NUM> is attached to the clamping arm <NUM> over outer ends of the guide slot <NUM> and includes a magnet housing blocking protrusion <NUM> extending inwardly therefrom into the passages <NUM>.

Each of the lugs <NUM> extend upwards or downwards beyond the height of respective guide slot <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, which prevents lateral separation of the clamping arms <NUM>, <NUM> by retaining each magnet housing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> within its respective guide slot <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The clamping arms <NUM>, <NUM> are only separable by sliding them to align each lug <NUM> with a respective one of the passages <NUM>. Because the blocking protrusions <NUM> extend into the passages <NUM> with the guide slot covers <NUM>, <NUM> in place, the covers <NUM>, <NUM> must be removed prior to separating the arms <NUM>, <NUM> - preventing inadvertent separation during normal opening and closing operations of the clamp assembly <NUM>.

The magnet assembly <NUM> includes magnets <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, each located in a respective one of the magnet housings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The magnets <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are preferably rare earth magnets, such as neodymium or samarium-cobalt magnets, although electromagnets could be used within the scope of the present invention.

The polarities +/- (see <FIG>) of the magnets <NUM>, <NUM> are oriented such that an attractive force therebetween holds the clamping surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> in the closed position. The polarity +/- of the magnet <NUM> is preferably oriented relative to that of the magnet <NUM> such that an attractive force therebetween holds the clamping surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> in the open position, and more particularly, a fully open position.

This is advantageous in that application of force is required only to transition the clamping surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> between the open and closed position, and not to maintain the surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> in either position. Alternately, the polarity (+)/(-) of the magnet <NUM> is oriented relative to that of the magnet <NUM> such that a repulsive force therebetween urges the clamping surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> toward the closed position, reducing the energy required for this transition.

Advantageously, each magnet <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is situated in its respective magnet housing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> with a plurality of shims <NUM>. The spacing between the magnets <NUM>, <NUM> and between the magnets <NUM>, <NUM> can be adjusted by moving some or all of the shims <NUM> in a magnet housing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to the other side of the magnet <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The guide slot covers <NUM>, <NUM> help ensure that the magnets <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and shims <NUM> remain in their respective housings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

The use of three magnets in each magnet assembly is preferred because it minimizes the number of magnets while still allowing the clamp assembly to be held by magnetic attraction in both the closed and open positions. It will be appreciated that two or more pairs of magnets could be used to the same effect simply by modifying the clamping arms to include a corresponding number of additional magnet housings and guide slots. Likewise, the present invention could be used with only a single pair of magnets, such that magnet attraction only holds the clamp assembly to be held closed.

In operation, the clamping arm <NUM> is mounted to a carriage via the mounting holes <NUM>, with the clamping arm <NUM> slidably mounted thereto. An engagement roller <NUM> extending from the clamping arm <NUM> is engaged by an external mechanism to transition the magnetic clamp assembly <NUM> between open and closed positions.

Pouch retention when closed is enhanced by knurled or otherwise textured finishes on opposing faces of the clamping surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>. Since the clamping arms <NUM>, <NUM> are laterally adjacent, a lateral extension <NUM> at the distal end <NUM> of the clamping arm <NUM> to allow the clamping surface <NUM> to be located coaxially along a clamping axis opposed to the clamping surface <NUM>. A lateral extension <NUM> at the distal end <NUM> of the clamping arm <NUM> is angled away from the clamping surface <NUM> and facilitates pouch loading.

The abutting inner sides of the clamping arms <NUM>, <NUM> preferably completely cover the inner openings of the guide slots <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> while the outer openings of the guide slots <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are completely covered by the covers <NUM>, <NUM>. This arrangement advantageously inhibits fine particulates commonly encountered during pouching operations from entering the guide slots <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and interfering with the opening and closing of the clamp assembly <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a pair of magnetic pouch clamp assemblies 10A, 10B are each mounted on adjacent carriages 90A, 90B. The clamp assemblies 10A, 10B are mirror-images of one another, such that lateral extensions 74A/B, 82A/B on the distal ends 76A/B, 84A/B of the clamping arms 12A/B, 14A/B extend toward one another, allowing both side of a pouch to accommodated therebetween.

It will be noted that, in the clamp assemblies 10A, 10B, the outboard clamping arms 14A, 14B carry the engagement rollers 72A, 72B while the inboard clamping arms 12A, 12B are mounted to the carriages 90A, 90B. A roller engagement mechanism <NUM> is positioned to engage the rollers 72A, 72B to simultaneously urge both the clamp assemblies 10A, 10B into the open position.

To help counteract the force exerted on the clamp assemblies 10A, 10B and carriages 90A, 90B, retentions mechanisms 94A, 94B (such as the depicted hooks) are located on proximal ends 96A, 96B of the mounted clamping arms 12A, 12B. These mechanisms 94A, 94B are able to engage a rail or other fixed structure at opening positions for the assemblies 10A, 10B, thereby preventing unwanted movement thereof.

According to another embodiment, referring to <FIG>, a magnetic pouch clamp assembly <NUM> includes slidably connected clamping arms <NUM>, <NUM> carrying a magnet assembly <NUM>. The magnet assembly <NUM> is operable to engage opposed clamping surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the clamping arms <NUM>, <NUM> in open and closed positions.

The magnet assembly <NUM> includes magnets <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, each located in a respective one of the magnet housings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The magnets <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are preferably rare earth magnets, such as neodymium or samarium-cobalt magnets, although electromagnets could be used within the scope of the present invention. In this embodiment, shims are not used, and therefore the magnet housings are sized to closely match the magnet dimensions.

The polarities +/- of the magnets <NUM>, <NUM> are oriented such that an attractive force therebetween holds the clamping surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> in the closed position. The polarity +/of the magnet <NUM> is preferably oriented relative to that of the magnet <NUM> such that an attractive force therebetween holds the clamping surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> in the open position, and more particularly, a fully open position.

In operation, the clamping arm <NUM> is mounted to a carriage via the mounting holes <NUM> and fasteners <NUM>, with the clamping arm <NUM> slidably mounted thereto. An engagement post <NUM> extending from the clamping arm <NUM> is engaged by an external mechanism to transition the magnetic clamp assembly <NUM> between open and closed positions.

The abutting inner sides of the clamping arms <NUM>, <NUM> preferably completely cover the inner openings of the guide slots <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> while the outer openings of the guide slots <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are completely covered by the covers <NUM>, <NUM>. This arrangement advantageously inhibits fine particulates commonly encountered during pouching operations from entering the guide slots <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and interfering with the opening and closing of the clamp assembly <NUM>. Here, a top cover <NUM> is also provided over the adjacent clamping arms for reducing ingress of dust or particles into the sliding joint between the two clamping arms.

Each of the magnet housings <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> includes upper and lower sides that carry a plastic bearing <NUM> (e.g., here in plate form attachable via openings <NUM> in the magnet housings). The external surfaces of the plastic bearings <NUM> are in sliding contact with the guide slots and facilitate the relative sliding of the first and second clamping arms <NUM>, <NUM>. The plastic bearings <NUM> are particularly useful when the first and second clamping arms are formed of metal (e.g., aluminum or stainless steel).

The clamping arm <NUM> includes a magnet housing <NUM> extending downwardly therefrom into the clamping arm <NUM>. Upwardly extending guide slots <NUM>, <NUM> are defined in the clamping arm <NUM> extending across a width thereof. Here, the guide slots <NUM>, <NUM> are closed at the top by a wall portion 212a of the clamping arm <NUM>. The clamping arm <NUM> also includes fastener receiving openings <NUM>.

The clamping arm <NUM> includes magnet housings <NUM>, <NUM> extending upwardly therefrom and slidably accommodated, respectively, in the guide slots <NUM>, <NUM> of the first clamping arm <NUM>. The clamping arm <NUM> defines a guide slot <NUM> extending across a width thereof, which slidably receives the magnet housing <NUM> of the first clamping arm <NUM>. The guide slot <NUM> is closed at the bottom by wall portion 214a of the clamping arm <NUM>. The clamping arm <NUM> also includes slide slots <NUM> though which fasteners <NUM> extend (into the openings <NUM>) in order to hold the first and second clamping arms together. Shaft segments of the fasteners <NUM> move along the slide slots <NUM> during transition of the first and second clamping arms between the open and closed positions.

Pouch retention when closed is enhanced by knurled or otherwise textured finishes on opposing faces of the clamping surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>. Here, first clamping arm <NUM> overlies the second clamping arm <NUM>. The distal end <NUM> of clamping arm <NUM> includes an upward extension <NUM> with a lateral extension <NUM> to allow the clamping surface <NUM> to be located coaxially along a clamping axis opposed to the clamping surface <NUM>.

Each of the magnet housings <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> includes upper and lateral sides that carry a plastic bearing <NUM> (e.g., here in plate form attachable via openings <NUM>, represented in dashed line in <FIG>, in the magnet housings). The external surfaces of the plastic bearings <NUM> are in sliding contact with the guide slots and facilitate the relative sliding of the first and second clamping arms <NUM>, <NUM>. The plastic bearings <NUM> are particularly useful when the first and second clamping arms are formed of metal (e.g., aluminum or stainless steel).

Referring now to <FIG>, an exemplary pouch handling system <NUM> (e.g., a pouch filling system) is shown. The system includes carriages <NUM> mounted for independent movement along a continuous conveyor track <NUM>. Opposed pairs of magnetic pouch clamp assemblies <NUM> (e.g., any of the assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>) are mounted to each of the carriages <NUM> for movement therewith. An assembly actuator <NUM> is positioned at a pouch drop location or zone <NUM> along the continuous conveyor track <NUM>. The assembly actuator <NUM> is configured to interact with the magnetic pouch clamp assemblies to shift the first and second clamping arms to the open position for pouch dropping. An assembly actuator <NUM> is positioned at a pouch receive location or zone <NUM> along the continuous conveyor track <NUM>. The assembly actuator <NUM> is configured to interact with the magnetic pouch clamp assemblies to shift the first and second clamping arms to the closed position for pouch holding. The actuators <NUM> and <NUM> may, for example, be linear actuators (e.g., pneumatic motor driven) which move a paddle or plate that interacts with the clamp assemblies <NUM>. The system <NUM> is configured such that the magnetic pouch clamp assemblies (i) receive a pouch at the pouch receive location <NUM>, (ii) drops the pouch at the pouch drop location <NUM> and (iii) remains in the open position while traversing along the continuous conveyor track <NUM> (in the direction of the arrows) from the pouch drop location back to the pouch receive location to receive another pouch. The system may include various processes that act on or with respect to the pouches between locations <NUM> and <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A magnetic pouch clamp assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a first clamping arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) having a first clamping surface (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
a second clamping arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) having a second clamping surface (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) opposed to the first clamping surface, the second clamping arm being slidably connected to the first clamping arm such that the first and second clamping arms are movable between open and closed positions, the first and second clamping surfaces being engaged in the closed position;
a magnet assembly including a first magnet (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) having a first polarity carried by the first clamping arm and a second magnet (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) having a second polarity carried by the second clamping arm, the first and second polarities being oriented such that a closing attractive force therebetween holds the first and second clamping surfaces in the closed position;
characterized in that the first clamping arm defines a first guide slot (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the second clamping arm defines a second guide slot (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the first clamping arm includes a first magnet housing (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) slidably received in the second guide slot and carrying the first magnet, and the second clamping arm includes a second magnet housing (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) slidably received in the first guide slot and carrying the second magnet.