Bagging machine comprising a filling station integrating a vertically movable main holding system

Abstract

Bagging machine comprising a filling station incorporating a vertically movable main holding system The subject of the invention is a bagging machine comprising filling (34), compacting (36) and closing (38) stations aligned in a direction of movement (DD) and configured to immobilize bags to be filled vertically, a bag supply station (32) offset transversely relative to the filling station (36) and configured to immobilize the bags (30) horizontally, a first transfer system configured to transfer each bag (30) from the bag supply station (32) to the filling station (34) and occupy a lowered position in which it grips a bag (30) positioned at the bag supply station (32) and a raised position in which it positions the bag (30) gripped at the filling station (34).The latter comprises a main holding system (56), configured to hold each bag (30) during its filling, vertically movable so as not to interfere with the first transfer system. Figure 4.

Description

Title of the invention: Bagging machine comprising a filling station integrating a vertically movable main holding system

[0001] The present application relates to a bagging machine comprising a filling station integrating a vertically movable main holding system.

[0002] A bagging machine is used in the field of packaging to fill bags with product, in particular powder, grain, lump or pulverulent. According to one configuration, a bag comprises two lateral faces having lower sides connected together so as to form the bottom of the bag, lateral sides connected together directly or by means of gussets so as to form the lateral edges of the bag as well as upper sides not connected, before filling, forming the opening of the bag.

[0003] According to an embodiment visible in Figures 1 and 2, a bagging machine 10 comprises a bag feeding station 12, a filling station 14, a compacting station 16 and a closing station 18, these different stations 12, 14, 16, 18 being aligned in a direction of movement DD. Each station 12, 14, 16, 18 is configured to immobilize a bag 20 vertically, its side walls 20.1, 20.2 being positioned approximately parallel to a vertical longitudinal plane PLV containing the direction of movement DD.

[0004] The bag feeding station 12 comprises a system 12.1 for opening each bag 20. The filling station 14 comprises a system 14.1 for holding the bag and a filling system 14.2 which has a vertically movable feeding mouth so as to penetrate the bag 20. The compacting station 16 comprises a compacting plate 16.1 which has a slot at which the upper parts of the side walls 20.1, 20.2 are positioned pressed against each other and a gripper 16.2 configured to lift each bag 20 and press its filled lower part against the compacting plate 16.1.

[0005] The bagging machine 10 comprises a transfer system configured to move the bags 20 from one station to another in the direction of movement DD, the bags 20 being immobilized, at each of the stations, for a determined duration. This transfer system comprises one or more kinematically linked carriages, in particular a first carriage 22.1 which ensures the transfer of a first bag 20 from the bag supply station 12 to the filling station 14, a second carriage 22.2 which ensures the transfer of a second bag 20' from the filling station 14 to the compacting station 16 as well as a third carriage 22.3 which ensures the transfer of a third 20” bag from compacting station 16 to closing station 18.

[0006] Each carriage 22.1, 22.2, 22.3 comprises gripping means for gripping and releasing a bag 20. All these carriages are guided in translation parallel to the running direction DD and synchronized. The first and second carriages 22.1, 22.2 are used to transfer the bags 20 from the bag supply station 12 to the compacting station 16 and keep the bags at a first substantially constant height. The third carriage 22.3 is used to transfer the bags 20 from the filling station 16 to the closing station 18 and keep the bags 20 at a second substantially constant height, offset upwards relative to the first height.

[0007] Such a bagging machine is fully functional. However, it is relatively bulky in the direction of movement DD.

[0008] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a bagging machine characterized in that the bag supply station is offset transversely relative to the filling station and configured to immobilize the bags in turn in a horizontal position, in that the first transfer system ensuring the transfer of each bag between the bag supply station and the filling station is configured to occupy a lowered position in which it grips a bag positioned horizontally at the bag supply station and a raised position in which it positions the gripped bag vertically at the filling station and in that the main holding system, provided to hold each bag at the filling station during its filling, is movable vertically between a high position, corresponding to the position of the bag during its filling,and a low position corresponding to the position of the bag when it is evacuated from the filling station, the main holding system positioned in the low position not interfering with the first transfer system when the latter changes position.

[0010] This solution makes it possible to reduce the length of the bagger depending on the direction of movement.

[0011] Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description of the invention which follows, a description given by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings, among which:

[0012] [Fig. 1] is a side schematic representation of part of a bagging machine illustrating an embodiment of the prior art,

[0013] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation from above of the bagging machine part visible in [Fig.l], illustrating an embodiment of the prior art,

[0014] [Fig.3] is a side schematic representation of part of a bagging machine illustrating an embodiment of the invention,

[0015] [Fig.4] is a schematic representation from above of the bagging machine part visible in [Fig.3],

[0016] [Fig.5] is a top view of the bag feeding station and the filling station pleating of a bagging machine illustrating an embodiment of the invention,

[0017] [Fig.6] is a cross-section of the positions visible in [Fig.5] illustrating a transfer of an empty bag from the bag feeding station to the filling station,

[0018] [Fig.7] is a cross-section of the positions visible in [Fig.6] after the transfer from an empty bag,

[0019] [Fig.8] represents a front view of part (A) and a top view of part (B) of a filling station illustrating an embodiment of the invention, its bag holding system being in the low position,

[0020] [Fig.9] represents a front view of part (A) and a top view of part (B) of the filling station visible in [Fig.8], its bag holding system being in the high position,

[0021] [Fig. 10] represents front views of the filling station visible in [Fig.9] in end of filling, the filled bag being in the high position on part (A) and in the low position on part (B),

[0022] [Fig. 11] shows front views of the filling and compacting stations, a filled bag being located in the filling station on part (A), the same filled bag being located in the compacting station in the lower position on part (B) and in the upper position on part (C),

[0023] [Fig. 12] shows cross-sectional views of a bag in a compacting station, the bag being in the low position on part (A) and in the high position on part (B).

[0024] According to an embodiment visible in Figures 3 and 4, a bagging machine 28 is intended to fill bags 30 and comprises a bag supply station 32, a filling station 34, a compacting station 36 as well as a closing station 38. The bagging machine 30 may comprise other stations, in particular upstream of the bag supply station 32 and downstream of the filling station 38.

[0025] Each bag 30 comprises two lateral faces 30.1, 30.2 having lower sides connected together so as to form the bottom 30.3 of the bag, lateral sides connected together directly or by means of gussets so as to form the lateral edges 46.1, 46.2 of the bag 30 as well as upper sides not connected, before filling, forming an opening 40 of the bag. After filling, the bag 30 contains a product which has a filling level 42. The upper part of the bag 30 located above the filling level 42 forms a bag head 44.

[0026] The filling, compacting and closing stations 34, 36, 38 are aligned in a direction of movement DD. Each of these stations 34, 36, 38 is configured to immobilize each bag 30 vertically in turn, the side walls 30.1, 30.2 of the bags being positioned approximately parallel to a vertical longitudinal plane PLV containing the direction of movement DD.

[0027] For the present application, a transverse direction corresponds to a direction perpendicular to the vertical longitudinal plane PLV. A transverse plane is a plane perpendicular to the direction of movement DD.

[0028] According to a particular feature, the bag feed station 32 is offset transversely relative to the filling station 36 and configured to immobilize the bags 30, in turn, in a horizontal position, the first lateral edges 46.1 of the bags 30 immobilized at the bag feed and filling stations 32, 34 being positioned respectively in the same first transverse plane P1, the second lateral edges 46.2 of the bags 30 immobilized at the bag feed and filling stations 32, 34 being positioned respectively in the same second transverse plane P2. Thus, unlike the prior art, the bag feed and closing stations 32, 34 are not offset in the direction of movement DD but in the transverse direction, which makes it possible to reduce the length of the bagging machine 28 in the direction of movement DD.

[0029] The closing station 38 is not described further because it may be identical to that of a bagging machine of the prior art.

[0030] According to an embodiment visible in figures 3, 4, 11 and 12, the compacting station 36 comprises at least one compacting plate 36.1 which has a slot at the level of which is positioned the head 44 of each bag 30 positioned at the level of the compacting station 36, at least one gripper 36.2 configured to grip the head 44 of each bag 30 above the compacting plate 36.1 as well as an actuator 36.3 configured to move the gripper 36.2 vertically in order in particular to lift each bag 30 and press its filled lower part against the compacting plate 36.1.

[0031] According to this configuration, each bag 30 occupies a low position PB (visible in part (B) of [Fig. 1 1] or part (A) of [Fig. 12]) when it is introduced into the compacting station 36 from the filling station 34 and a high position PH (visible in part (C) of [Fig. 1 1] and part (B) of [Fig. 12]) when it is evacuated from the compacting station 36 towards the closing station 38. To give an order of magnitude, the first and second positions PB and PH are vertically offset by a distance of between 5 and 20 cm.

[0032] According to a configuration visible in [Fig. 11], the compacting station 36 comprises at least one support 48, configured to support the bag 30 positioned at the compacting station 36, on which the bottom 30.3 of the bag rests, this support 48 being movable vertically to follow the bag 30. This support 48 can be vibrating for promote the compaction of the product in the bag 30. Alternatively, the compaction station 36 may comprise two separate supports 48, offset in the direction of movement DD, movable vertically independently of each other.

[0033] The compacting station 36 is not described further because it may be identical to that described in document FR2934846.

[0034] The bagging machine 28 comprises a first transfer system 50 configured to transfer the bags 30 from the bag supply station 32 to the filling station 34, a second transfer system 52 configured to transfer the bags 30 from the filling station 34 to the compacting station 36 as well as a third transfer system 54 (visible in [Fig. 3]) configured to transfer the bags 30 from the compacting station 36 to the closing station 38.

[0035] The second and third transfer systems 52, 54 are configured to move the bags horizontally, the second transfer system 52 translating them to a first height corresponding to the low position PB of the compacting station 36, the third transfer system 54 translating them to a second height offset upwards relative to the first height and corresponding to the high position PH of the compacting station 36. These second and third transfer systems 52, 54 are not described further because they may be identical to those of the prior art.

[0036] The bag feed station 32 is configured to immobilize each bag 30 in turn and open it. According to one configuration, the bagging machine 28 comprises a horizontal belt conveyor oriented in the transverse direction to feed bags to the bag feed station 32.

[0037] According to one configuration, the bag supply station 32 comprises an opening system 32.1, such as suction cups, configured to hold the side faces 30.1, 30.2 close to the opening 40 of the bag and to move them apart. Of course, the invention is not limited to this configuration for opening each bag 30.

[0038] The filling station 34 comprises a main holding system 56 for each bag 30 positioned at the filling station 34 as well as a filling system 58 configured to pour a product to be packaged into the bag 30 between the two lateral faces 30.1, 30.2 via its open head 44.

[0039] According to a feature of the invention, the main holding system 56 is movable vertically between a high position PHI, corresponding to the position of the bag 30 during its filling, and a low position PH2 corresponding to the position of the bag 30 during its evacuation from the filling station 34 towards the compacting station 36.

[0040] According to one configuration, the main holding system 56 comprises at least first and second main clamps 56.1, 56.2, the first main clamp 56.1 being configured to clamp the first lateral edge 46.1 of the bag 30, the second clamp main 56.2 being configured to pinch the second lateral edge 46.2 of the bag 30, the first and second main clamps 56.1, 56.2 being configured to simultaneously and alternately occupy an open position in which the first and second main clamps 56.1, 56.2 allow the bags 30 to be positioned or evacuated from the filling station 34 as well as a closed position in which the first and second main clamps 56.1, 56.2 keep the bag 30 positioned at the filling station 34.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the main holding system 56 comprises at least one structure supporting the first and second main clamps 56.1, 56.2, at least one vertical slide connection along which the structure can translate vertically as well as at least one actuator configured to control the movements of the structure along the vertical slide, in particular the amplitude of the movement, the direction of movement from top to bottom or from bottom to top. Other solutions are conceivable for moving the first and second main clamps 56.1, 56.2 vertically.

[0042] According to one configuration, the filling system 58 comprises a mouth through which the product to be packaged flows into the bag 30. According to one arrangement, the filling system 58 is vertically movable.

[0043] According to another characteristic, the filling station 34 comprises a secondary holding system 60 configured to temporarily hold the bag present at the filling station 34, just before its filling and possibly at the start of its filling, between a first instant when the first transfer system 50 no longer holds it and a second instant when the main holding system 56 grasps it. This secondary holding system 60 is configured to occupy an activated state in which the secondary holding system 60 holds the bag 30 and a deactivated state in which the secondary holding system 60 does not interfere with the bag and does not hold it.

[0044] According to an embodiment visible in Figures 6 to 8, the secondary holding system 60 is integral with the filling system 58 and more particularly with its mouth. According to this embodiment, the secondary holding system 60 comprises two pads 62.1, 62.2 positioned on either side of the filling system 58 in a transverse plane, a pivoting connection 64.1, 64.2, one for each pad 62.1, 62.2, comprising a pivot axis parallel to the direction of movement DD and connecting each pad 62.1, 62.2 and the filling system 58 as well as at least one actuator (not shown) configured to move the pads 62.1, 62.2 between a position spaced from the filling system 58 corresponding to the deactivated state of the secondary holding system 60 and a position pressed against the filling system 58, corresponding to the activated state of the secondary holding system 60, in which each skate 62.1, 62.2 presses a side face 30.1, 30.2 of the bag 30 against the filling system 58 and holds it.

[0045] Of course, the invention is not limited to this embodiment for the secondary holding system 60. Alternatively, the bagging machine 28 does not include any secondary holding system 60 for holding the bag temporarily between the first and second instants. In this case, at least one element among the filling system 58 and the head 44 of the bag is configured to hold the bag 30 stationary between the first and second instants.

[0046] According to another characteristic, the first transfer system 50 is configured to occupy a lowered position in which it grips a bag 30 positioned horizontally at the bag supply station 32 and a raised position in which it positions the bag 30 gripped vertically at the filling station 34. The first transfer system 50 comprises at least one arm 66 which has a first end 66.1 configured to pivot about a pivot axis A66 parallel to the direction of movement DD as well as a second end 66.2 configured to grip and hold each bag 30 open. The pivoting arm 66 is movable between the lowered position, visible in [Fig. 5], in which the second end 66.2 cooperates with a bag 30 positioned at the bag supply station 32 and the raised position, visible in dotted lines in [Fig. 6], in which the second end 66.2 cooperates with the bag 30 positioned at the filling station 34. .

[0047] According to one embodiment, the first transfer system 50 comprises a plate 68 (visible in FIGS. 5 and 7) secured to the second end 66.2 as well as first and second transfer clamps 68.1, 68.2 secured to the plate 68 and configured to respectively clamp the first and second lateral edges 46.1, 46.2 of the bag 30, the first and second transfer clamps 68.1, 68.2 being configured to simultaneously and alternately occupy an open position in which the first and second transfer clamps 68.1, 68.2 do not interfere with the bags and a closed position in which the first and second transfer clamps 68.1, 68.2 hold the bags 30 during their transfer between the bag supply station 32 and the filling station 34. The first and second transfer clamps 68.1, 68.2 are positioned so as not to interfere with the main holding system 56 in the lowered position when the pivot arm 66 pivots from the raised position to the lowered position.

[0048] According to one configuration, the first transfer system 50 comprises at least one finger 70 configured to penetrate each bag and keep it open during its transfer from the bag supply station 32 to the filling station 34. According to one arrangement, the first transfer system 50 comprises two offset fingers 70, 70' according to the direction of movement DD secured to a finger support 72 movable between a deployed position, visible in [Fig.6], in which each finger 70 is spaced from the pivot axis A66 and a retracted position, visible in [Fig.7], in which each finger 70 is brought closer to the pivot axis A66 so as not to interfere with a bag 30 held at the filling station 34 when the pivoting arm 66 pivots from the raised position to the lowered position.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the filling station 34 comprises a support 74 which is vertically movable and configured to support each bag 30 during its filling and its transfer from the high position PHI to the low position PH2 when the bag 30 is full. This support 74 may be vibrating.

[0050] The operating principle of the bagging machine 28 is now described with reference to the various figures. Initially, a first bag 30 is immobilized at the bag feeding station 32, the arm 66 being moved away from the lowered position. The opening system 32.1 then moves the side faces 30.1, 30.2 of the first bag 30 apart at its head 44. With the finger support 72 in the deployed position and the first and second transfer clamps 68.1, 68.2 being in the open position, each finger 70, 70' penetrates between the side faces 30.1, 30.2 of the first bag 30 when the arm 66 returns to the lowered position, as illustrated in [Fig. 6]. The first and second transfer clamps 68.1, 68.2 are then closed. The arm 66 of the first transfer system 50 pivots to the raised position, the main holding system 56 being in the low position PH2.The first bag 30 is then immobilized at the filling station 34 by means of the secondary holding system 60, as illustrated in [Fig. 7]. The first and second transfer clamps 68.1, 68.2 are open and the finger support 72 is tilted into the retracted position. From then on, the arm 66 can pivot towards the lowered position, as illustrated in [Fig. 7], in order to take a second bag. As illustrated in [Fig. 8], the first bag 30 being immobilized at the filling station 34, its first and second main clamps 56.1, 56.2 being in the open position, the main holding system 56 translates towards the high position PHI. As soon as this position is reached, the first and second main clamps 56.1, 56.2 are closed so as to hold the first bag 30 during its filling, as illustrated in [Fig. 9]. When the first bag 30 is filled as shown in part (A) of [Fig.10], the main holding system 56 translates downwards so that a second bag can be introduced into the filling station 34. When the main holding system 56 is in the lower position PH2, the first bag 30 is gripped by the second transfer system 52 and the first and second main grippers 56.1, 56.2 are open, as illustrated in part (B) of [Fig. 10] and part (A) of [Fig. 11]. From then on, the first bag 30 is transferred to the compacting station 36 while the system . main holding system 56 translates to the high position PHI so as to hold the second bag during its filling. When positioned at the compacting station 36, the first bag 30 is gripped by the gripper 36.2, released by the second transfer system 52 and then lifted by the gripper 36.2 so as to compact the product contained in the first bag 30, as illustrated in part (C) of [Fig. 11] and part (B) of [Fig. 12], parts (B) and (C) of [Fig. 11] illustrating the compacting station 36 at different times. When the first bag 30 reaches the high position PH, it is transferred to the closing station 38 (visible only in Figures 3 and 4) by means of the third transfer system 54 (visible in [Fig. 3]).

[0051] According to the invention, each bag describes a U-shaped path at the filling and compacting stations 34, 36.

[0052] The offset between the high and low positions at the compacting station 36 is adjustable depending on the desired level of compaction.

[0053] The offset between the high and low positions of the main holding system 56 is fixed and determined according to the kinematics of the first transfer system 50 so that the main holding system 56 positioned in the low position does not interfere with the first transfer system 50 when the latter changes position and passes from the raised position to the lowered position.

Claims

Claims

1. Bagging machine configured to fill bags (30) comprising side faces (30.1, 30.2) and first and second side edges (46.1, 46.2), the bagging machine comprising bag feeding (32), filling (34), compacting (36) and closing (38) stations, a first transfer system (50) configured to transfer each bag (30) from the bag feeding station (32) to the filling station, the filling, compacting and closing stations (34, 36, 38) being aligned in a direction of movement (DD) and configured to immobilize the bags (30) vertically,the filling system (34) comprising a main holding system (56) for each bag 30 as well as a filling system (58) configured to pour a product to be packaged into the bag (30); characterized in that the bag supply station (32) is offset transversely relative to the filling station (36) and configured to immobilize the bags (30) in turn in a horizontal position,in that the first transfer system (50) is configured to occupy a lowered position in which it grips a bag (30) positioned horizontally at the bag supply station (32) and a raised position in which it positions the bag (30) gripped vertically at the filling station (34) and in that the main holding system (56) is movable vertically between a high position (PHI) corresponding to the position of the bag (30) during its filling and a low position (PH2) corresponding to the position of the bag (30) during its evacuation from the filling station (34), the main holding system (56) positioned in the low position not interfering with the first transfer system (50) when the latter changes position.,

2. Bagging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the main holding system (56) comprises at least first and second main clamps (56.1, 56.2) configured to respectively clamp the first and second lateral edges (46.1, 46.2) of each of the bag (30) and alternately occupy an open position and a closed position, at least one structure supporting the first and second main clamps (56.1, 56.2), at least one vertical slide connection, along which the structure can translate vertically, as well as at least one actuator configured to control the movements of the structure along the vertical slide.

3. Bagging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first transfer system (50) comprises at least one arm (66) which has a first end (66.1) configured to pivot about a pivot axis (A66) parallel to the direction of movement (DD) as well as a second end (66.2) configured to grip and hold each bag (30) open.

4. Bagging machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first transfer system (50) comprises at least one plate (68) secured to the second end (66.2) as well as first and second transfer clamps (68.1, 68.2) secured to the plate (68) and configured to respectively clamp the first and second lateral edges (46.1, 46.2) of each bag (30) and alternately occupy an open position and a closed position.

5. Bagging machine according to one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that the first transfer system (50) comprises at least one finger (70) configured to penetrate each bag (30) and keep it open during its transfer from the bag supply station (32) to the filling station (34).

6. Bagging machine according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the first transfer system (50) comprises two fingers (70, 70') offset in the direction of movement (DD) and secured to a finger support (72) movable between a deployed position in which each finger (70) is spaced from the pivot axis (A66) of the arm (66) and a retracted position in which each finger (70) is brought closer to the pivot axis (A66).

7. Bagging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling station (34) comprises a support (74) movable vertically and configured to support each bag (30) during its filling and its transfer from the high position (PHI) to the low position (PH2) when it is full.

8. Bagging machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the support (74) is vibrating.

9. Bagging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling station (34) comprises a secondary holding system (60) configured to temporarily hold the bag (30) present at the filling station (34) between a first instant when the first transfer system (50) no longer holds the bag (30) and a second instant when the main holding system (56) grips it.

10. Bagging machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the secondary holding system (60) comprises two pads (62.1, 62.2) positioned on either side of the filling system (58) in a transverse plane, a pivoting connection (64.1, 64.2), one for each pad (62.1, 62.2), comprising a pivot axis parallel to the direction of movement (DD) and connecting each pad (62.1, 62.2) and the filling system (58) as well as at least one actuator configured to move the pads (62.1, 62.2) between a position spaced from the filling system (58) and a position pressed against the filling system (58) in which each pad (62.1, 62.2) presses a lateral face (30.1, 30.2) of the bag (30) against the filling system (58) and maintains it.

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