Former assembly

Abstract

To provide a former assembly for a packaging machine.SOLUTION: A former assembly 10 includes a frame 11 that supports a former shoulder 17. The former shoulder 17 has a former opening 20 aligned with a cylindrical delivery chute 21. A product is delivered to the chute 21 which delivers the product to the former opening 20 and thence to the former shoulder 17. The delivery chute 21 has an interior 22 with a plurality of ridges 44 in the form of a protruding part 45. The ridges are generally disposed at a spaced angular position about a central axis 19 and have the longitudinal extension directed downwardly.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a former for a packaging machine.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 filed on March 15, 2012 discloses a former for a packaging machine. It is disclosed.

[0003] The former receives a bag material in a strip shape and is used to reform this strip into a tubular bag material for delivery to a packaging machine. The product is delivered inside the tube, and then the packaging machine forms a horizontal seal, cuts the bag material horizontally to form a bag for the product. As a specific example, the product can be a snack food such as potato chips. to reform it into a tubular shape. The product is delivered inside the tube, and then the packaging machine forms a horizontal seal and cuts the bag material horizontally to form a bag for the product. As a specific example, the product can be a snack food such as potato chips. chips.

[0004] The former assembly includes a mounting plate to which a thin metal plate providing a former surface through which the strip-shaped bag material passes to be reformed into a tubular shape is attached. The former surface converges upward to an upper opening part, through which the product tube protrudes, and the product is delivered inside the bag material through the product tube. There is a former chute (cylinder) on the former. The former surface converges upward to an upper opening part, through which the product tube protrudes, and the product is delivered inside the bag material through the product tube. There is a former chute (cylinder) on the former. The former surface converges upward to an upper opening part, through which the product tube protrudes, and the product is delivered inside the bag material through the product tube. There is a former chute (cylinder) on the former. The former surface converges upward to an upper opening part, through which the product tube protrudes, and the product is delivered inside the bag material through the product tube. There is a former chute (cylinder) on the former.

[0005] On the former chute, a metering machine for delivering a batch of products to the cylinder for delivery inside the tubular bag material is arranged. The metering machine includes a plurality of buckets angularly spaced around a generally upright axis. The buckets are open to deliver a desired amount of product to form a batch to be placed in the bag to be formed. As the batch moves downward, the batch elongates. As a result of this elongation of the batch, the lower packaging machine operates at a limited speed. On the former chute, a metering machine for delivering a batch of products to the cylinder for delivery inside the tubular bag material is arranged. The metering machine includes a plurality of buckets angularly spaced around a generally upright axis. The buckets are open to deliver a desired amount of product to form a batch to be placed in the bag to be formed. As the batch moves downward, the batch elongates. As a result of this elongation of the batch, the lower packaging machine operates at a limited speed. On the former chute, a metering machine for delivering a batch of products to the cylinder for delivery inside the tubular bag material is arranged. The metering machine includes a plurality of buckets angularly spaced around a generally upright axis. The buckets are open to deliver a desired amount of product to form a batch to be placed in the bag to be formed. As the batch moves downward, the batch elongates. As a result of this elongation of the batch, the lower packaging machine operates at a limited speed. On the former chute, a metering machine for delivering a batch of products to the cylinder for delivery inside the tubular bag material is arranged. The metering machine includes a plurality of buckets angularly spaced around a generally upright axis. The buckets are open to deliver a desired amount of product to form a batch to be placed in the bag to be formed. As the batch moves downward, the batch elongates. As a result of this elongation of the batch, the lower packaging machine operates at a limited speed. On the former chute, a metering machine for delivering a batch of products to the cylinder for delivery inside the tubular bag material is arranged. The metering machine includes a plurality of buckets angularly spaced around a generally upright axis. The buckets are open to deliver a desired amount of product to form a batch to be placed in the bag to be formed. As the batch moves downward, the batch elongates. As a result of this elongation of the batch, the lower packaging machine operates at a limited speed. It occurs. A further drawback is that as the batch moves downward, the batch is decelerated, and the drawback of the elongation of the batch is further aggravated. The drawback of the above assembly is that the assembly causes elongation of the batch and reduces the speed of the batch.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to overcome or substantially improve the above drawbacks.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] This specification discloses a former assembly for a packaging machine, a frame fixed to the packaging machine such that the former assembly can deliver a tubular bag material to the packaging machine, a former shoulder attached to the frame, the former shoulder being provided to receive a strip-shaped bag material and reform the strip-shaped bag material into a tubular bag material, the former shoulder including a former surface through which the strip-shaped bag material passes to be reformed, the former surface converging upwardly toward a former opening through which the tubular bag material passes, a product delivery chute extending downwardly to an adjacent former opening, the product delivery chute being through which a product is delivered into the interior of the tubular bag material, and a former shoulder that converges upwardly toward a former opening through which the tubular bag material passes, a product delivery chute extending downwardly to an adjacent former opening, the product delivery chute being through which a product is delivered into the interior of the tubular bag material, and a product delivery chute extending downwardly to an adjacent former opening, the product delivery chute being through which a product is delivered into the interior of the tubular bag material, including a product delivery chute through which a product is delivered into the interior of the tubular bag material, and The product delivery chute and the former shoulder have a generally upright central longitudinal axis, and the product flows downward through the product delivery chute to the former shoulder. The product delivery chute has an inner chute surface surrounding the central longitudinal axis, and the inner chute surface has a plurality of protrusions having an extending direction generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis. The plurality of protrusions prevent the angular movement of the product around the central longitudinal axis when the product falls through the product delivery chute. A former assembly is disclosed. The product flows downward through the product delivery chute to the former shoulder. The product delivery chute has an inner chute surface surrounding the central longitudinal axis. The inner chute surface has a plurality of protrusions having an extending direction generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis. The plurality of protrusions prevent the angular movement of the product around the central longitudinal axis when the product falls through the product delivery chute. A former assembly is disclosed.

[0009] Preferably, the plurality of protrusions are disposed at angularly spaced positions around the central longitudinal axis.

[0010] Preferably, each protrusion has a longitudinal extending direction generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis and a short transverse direction radial to the central longitudinal axis.

[0011] Preferably, the inner chute surface converges downwardly towards the central longitudinal axis.

[0012] Preferably, the inner chute surface has a generally circular cross-section.

[0013] Preferably, each protrusion is a raised portion extending inwardly towards the central longitudinal axis.

[0014] Preferably, each raised portion does not extend angularly around the central longitudinal axis.

[0015] Preferably, the product delivery chute includes a cylindrical body providing the inner chute surface, and each protrusion is attached to the cylindrical body.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] Here, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described.

[0017]

Figure 1

[0018]

Figure 2

[0019]

Figure 3

[0020]

Figure 4

[0021]

Figure 5

[0022]

Figure 6

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] In the accompanying drawings, a former assembly 10 for a packaging machine is schematically shown as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,622,032, U.S. Patent No. 7,159,376 and U.S. Patent No. 4,753,336. In particular, the former assembly is described in U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 421,59 6, and the preferred embodiment described below is an improved one. The former assembly 10 has a base 13 from which a branch arm 14 extends.

[0024] The former assembly 10 has a base 13 from which a branch arm 14 extends. It includes a frame 11 including a first frame member 12 having a "U-shaped" configuration as shown. The frame member 12 has a structure such that it has a longitudinally extending passage through which gas can be supplied, and is tubular in shape.

[0025] The frame 11 further includes a lateral support member 16 fixed to an end 15 of an arm 14, and the member 16 extends inwardly with respect to an upright central axis 19.

[0026] Supported by the frame 11 is a former shoulder 17 (shown by "hidden lines") having a former surface 18 through which a strip-like bag material 32 passes to be formed into a tubular shape 23. The former surface 18 faces outwardly away from the upright central axis 19, generally surrounds the upright central axis 19, converges upwardly toward the upright central axis 19, and forms a former opening 20 through which the upright central axis 19 passes. Extending toward the former opening 20 is a product delivery tubular chute 21 having an interior 22 into which a product is delivered for delivery inside the tubular bag material 23 in which a bag of the product is to be formed. shown The former surface 18 faces outwardly away from the upright central axis 19, generally surrounds the upright central axis 19, converges upwardly toward the upright central axis 19, and forms a former opening 20 through which the upright central axis 19 passes. Extending toward the former opening 20 is a product delivery tubular chute 21 having an interior 22 into which a product is delivered for delivery inside the tubular bag material 23 in which a bag of the product is to be formed. 9, converges upwardly toward the upright central axis 19, and forms a former opening 20 through which the upright central axis 19 passes. Extending toward the former opening 20 is a product delivery tubular chute 21 having an interior 22 into which a product is delivered for delivery inside the tubular bag material 23 in which a bag of the product is to be formed. The former opening 20 is adjacent to the lower end of the product delivery chute 21 such that a bag material engaging the former surface 18 and moving upwardly across the former surface 18 can be redirected downwardly through the former opening 20 and, as a result, extend in a direction 34 toward a lower packaging machine.

[0027] The former opening 20 is adjacent to the lower end of the product delivery chute 21 such that a bag material engaging the former surface 18 and moving upwardly across the former surface 18 can be redirected downwardly through the former opening 20 and, as a result, extend in a direction 34 toward a lower packaging machine. Extending toward the former opening 20 is a product delivery tubular chute 21 having an interior 22 into which a product is delivered for delivery inside the tubular bag material 23 in which a bag of the product is to be formed. The former opening 20 is adjacent to the lower end of the product delivery chute 21 such that a bag material engaging the former surface 18 and moving upwardly across the former surface 18 can be redirected downwardly through the former opening 20 and, as a result, extend in a direction 34 toward a lower packaging machine. adjacent thereto.

[0028] The former surface 18 extends upwardly and terminates at the former opening 20 by a raised portion 35 adjacent to the former opening 20. The raised portion 35 is in the form of an arcuate edge. A tubular portion 24 of the former 17 extends downwardly from the raised portion 35. The tubular bag material 23 extends toward a lower packaging machine. The former surface 18 extends upwardly and terminates at the former opening 20 by a raised portion 35 adjacent to the former opening 20. The raised portion 35 is in the form of an arcuate edge. A tubular portion 24 of the former 17 extends downwardly from the raised portion 35. The tubular bag material 23 extends toward a lower packaging machine. ​​ It slides downward inside the tubular portion 24 of the former shoulder 17 for the delivery of The portion 24 can be partially or wholly tubular in shape.

[0029] The former shoulder 17 is fixed to the tubular portion 24 of the former shoulder 17 and is supported by a member 16 that is present.

[0030] The frame 11 further includes a central attachment portion 25 that is fixed to the base 13 so as to extend upward from the base 13. Fixed to the attachment portion 25 is an upwardly extending support 26 whose upper end is fixed to the product delivery chute 21 for supporting the product delivery chute 21. The product delivery chute 21 can also be attached to the attachment portion 25 so as to be further supported by the attachment portion 25.

[0031] The former 17 has a laterally extending full - length portion 31 of the outer periphery that is bent to help increase the rigidity of the former shoulder 17. This laterally extending full - length portion 31 is fixed to a lateral member 27 fixed to the end 15. To assist in the delivery of the sheet - like bag material 32 to the former surface 18, a roller 28 is disposed adjacent to but spaced from the lateral portion 26. Thus, the former shoulder 17 is supported by the arm 14.

[0032] A connecting device 29 is provided on one or both of the arms 15, and gas can be supplied into the interior of the member 12 by the connecting device 29. Since the member 12 has a tubular structure, the gas can be supplied to the attachment portion 25, and for the supply of gas into the interior of the tubular bag material, the gas is taken It is supplied from the attachment portion 25 to the backing member 30 (extending from the tubular portion 24). If necessary the member 26 can also be tubular for the supply of gas into the product delivery chute 21 as well.

[0033] The tubular portion 24 has a recess 33 for accessing the film when the film is first delivered to the tubular portion 24 .

[0034] The product delivery chute 21 includes a body 40 surrounding a generally upright central longitudinal axis 19. The body 40 is preferably formed from sheet metal and has an inner surface 41 surrounding the central longitudinal axis 19 . Preferably, the body 40 is frustoconical, converging downwardly from an upper edge 42 to a lower edge 43 . Thus, the body 40 has a circular cross-section. The lower edge 43 is adjacent to the former opening 20. However, of course, a gap is left so that the bag material 32 can pass through the gap and be disposed inside the tubular portion 24 after passing over the raised portion 35 , and the lower edge 43 terminates above the former opening 20.

[0035] As described above, preferably, the body 40 is frustoconical. Thus, preferably, the inner surface 41 converges downwardly to the lower edge 43 with respect to the central longitudinal axis 19.

[0036] Attached to or integrally formed with the body 41 are a plurality of protrusions 4 4. The protrusions 44 are most preferably raised portions 45.

[0037] The protrusions 44 are disposed at angularly spaced positions around the central longitudinal axis 19 and preferably have their longitudinal extension directions generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis 19.

[0038] ​Most preferably, the protrusion 44 is the raised portion 45 as described above. In this case, the raised portion 45 has a longitudinal extension direction generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis 19, but also extends radially inward with respect to the central longitudinal axis 19 so as to have a short transverse extension direction which is a radial direction with respect to the central longitudinal axis 19. Most preferably, the raised portion 45 does not have an extension direction in any angular direction around the central longitudinal axis 19. The above preferred embodiment has the advantage of reducing the angular movement of the product batch around the central longitudinal axis 19. This is achieved by the product batch engaging with the protrusion 45 which prevents the angular movement of the product batch around the central longitudinal axis 19. By preventing the movement of the batch around the central longitudinal axis 19, the elongation of the batch is reduced, while the speed of the batch is improved because less energy is lost as rotational energy.

[0039] ​

Claims

1. 1. A former assembly for a packaging machine, comprising: The former assembly is adapted to deliver tubular bag material to the packaging machine. a frame fixed to the packaging machine; a former shoulder attached to the frame, a sack roll is provided for receiving a strip of bag material and reforming the strip of bag material into the tubular bag material; The former shoulder is a former surface over which the strip of bag material passes to be reformed. the former surface faces upwardly toward a former opening through which the tubular bag material passes. The former shoulders converge, a product delivery chute extending downwardly into the adjacent former opening; a product delivery chute through which product is delivered to the interior of the tubular bag material; Including, said product delivery chute and said former shoulder have generally upright central longitudinal axes; The product flows downward through the product delivery chute onto the former shoulder. The product delivery chute has an inner chute surface circumscribing the central longitudinal axis, the inner chute surface comprising A plurality of protrusions having an extension direction generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis, The portion rotates about the central longitudinal axis as the product falls through the product delivery chute. A former assembly that prevents angular movement of the product.

2. the plurality of protrusions are disposed at angularly spaced positions about the central longitudinal axis, 2. The former assembly of claim 1.

3. Each protrusion has a longitudinal extension generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis and a longitudinal extension generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis.

3. The former assembly of claim 1 or 2, having a radial short dimension.

4. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the inner chute surface converges downwardly toward the central longitudinal axis.

4. The former assembly according to claim 3.

5. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the inner chute surface is generally circular in cross-section. Former assembly.

6. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein each projection is a ridge extending inwardly toward said central longitudinal axis. The former assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. 7. The foam of claim 6, wherein each ridge does not extend angularly about said central longitudinal axis. -Assembly.

8. The product delivery chute includes a cylindrical body providing the inner chute surface, and each protrusion The former according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which is attached to the cylindrical body. -Assembly.

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