Apparatus for filling and closing containers and corresponding method

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for filling and closing flexible containers (11) comprises a station (S1) for feeding containers (11), a station (S2) for filling the containers (11) with at least one product (P), a station (S3) for closing the containers (11) and a discharge station (S4); these stations (S1, S2, S3, S4) being located in succession along an advancing path (F). The apparatus (10) comprises a handling unit (20) of the containers (11) which comprises at least one handling device (23) configured to handle the containers (11) in order to carry them at the stations (S1, S2, S3, S4), selectively opening and closing an aperture (14) of the containers (11).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention concerns an apparatus for filling and closing containers and a corresponding method. In particular, the invention concerns an apparatus and method for filling and closing flexible containers, of the bag or sachet type, or suchlike.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Apparatuses for filling and closing flexible containers, in which predefined products are inserted, which may be individual articles or groups of articles, or even liquid or powder products, are known.

[0003] When the containers reach the filling stations, they are opened at an aperture thereof, through which the products are inserted, and closed along the other three edges.

[0004] When the products are inserted into each container, the latter is usually in an upright position with the insertion aperture oriented upward, so that the products can be fed falling. The filled containers are then conveyed toward a closing station, in which closing members close the insertion aperture, generally by welding. Obviously the containers have to remain oriented with the insertion aperture arranged upward to prevent the products just inserted from falling, at least until the closure of the insertion aperture carried out in the closing station is completed.

[0005] This requirement leads to the disadvantage of having apparatuses for filling and closing containers, in particular flexible containers such as bags, sachets, small bags or suchlike, which are bulky, because the operating stations have to be positioned along a path that allows the containers to be kept in the same orientation.

[0006] Some known apparatuses have smaller sizes than others, but their overall dimensions can still be improved, and this reduction in size also implies complications in design and operation. Furthermore, the fact that the containers are flexible implies further complications in reducing the sizes of the apparatus.

[0007] There is therefore the need to perfect an apparatus for filling and closing containers, and a corresponding method for filling and closing containers, that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0008] To do this it is necessary to solve the technical problem of providing an apparatus for filling and closing containers with smaller overall dimensions than known apparatuses, and which has a productivity that is not negatively affected by this reduction in the overall dimensions.

[0009] In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for filling and closing containers which is small in size and has a simple structure.

[0010] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for filling and closing containers which allows to rotate a container during the filling and closing method, without causing the products inserted therein to fall out.

[0011] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0013] In accordance with the above purposes and to resolve the technical problem disclosed above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, an apparatus for filling and closing flexible containers which have two opposite walls and are provided with an aperture comprises a feeding station configured to feed containers, a filling station configured to fill the containers with a respective product, a closing station configured to close the containers filled with the respective product, a discharge station, and an handling unit configured to carry at least one of the containers along a closed advancing path passing in succession through the feeding, filling, closing, and discharge stations. The handling unit is rotatable mounted about a rotation axis, which is preferably horizontally lying, and the advancing path is circular and centered on the rotation axis.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, the handling unit comprises at least one handling device having two handling arms provided with respective grasping elements configured to grasp the at least one container on the opposite walls of the container, in order to open and close the aperture, respectively.

[0015] Doing so achieves at least the advantage of having an apparatus for filling and closing flexible containers that is more compact than known apparatuses, thanks to the rotatable handling member and to the position of the operating stations around the rotation axis of the handling member. This also allows to keep the structure of the apparatus relatively simple, as well as being able to design a packaging machine with greater flexibility, allowing the other parts of the machine to be arranged around the filling and closing apparatus in a versatile manner, depending on circumstances.

[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for filling and closing flexible containers having two opposite walls and provided with an aperture comprises the following steps:

[0017] feeding a plurality of flexible containers to a feeding station;

[0018] filling each container of the plurality of containers with a product at a filling station;

[0019] closing the containers filled with the respective product at a closing station;

[0020] discharging the closed containers at a discharge station;

[0021] carrying, by means of a handling unit, at least one container of the plurality of containers along a closed advancing path passing in succession through the feeding, filling, closing, and discharge stations, wherein the handling unit is rotatable mounted about a rotation axis, which is preferably horizontally lying, and the advancing path is circular and centered on the rotation axis.

[0022] According to one aspect of the present invention, the handling unit comprises at least one handling device having two handling arms provided with respective grasping elements configured to grasp the at least one container on the opposite walls, and move away and near to each other the opposite walls of the container in order to open and close the aperture, respectively, wherein the aperture of the container is kept open by the grasping elements at the filling station, and is closed after the at least one container has been filled with the product.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, the filling step comprises inserting the product into the container by pushing the product along a horizontal plane inside the at least one container through the aperture which is kept open by the grasping elements.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, the filling step is carried out by a pushing member which pushes the at least one product from an advancing carrier provided with a channel travelled through by the pushing member.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a lateral view of a part of a packaging machine which comprises the apparatus for filling and closing containers, according to the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 2 is a lateral view of the filling and closing apparatus, according to the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a front schematic view of the filling and closing apparatus of FIG. 1; and

[0029] FIG. 4 is a partial and schematic three-dimensional view of a handling unit of the filling and closing apparatus, according to the present invention.

[0030] We must clarify that the phraseology and terminology used in the present description, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also in relation as to how described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their purpose being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0031] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0032] With reference to FIG. 1, a packaging machine M comprises an apparatus 10 for filling and closing flexible containers 11.

[0033] In the embodiment shown by way of example in the attached drawings, the products P are tubular products, and it is provided that up to five of them are inserted into each flexible container 11. Of course, the present invention can be suitable to also package other types of products, not only in solid but also in powder or liquid form, as will be explained below.

[0034] The flexible containers 11 are of the bag or sachet type, or suchlike, more generally of the type made with two sheets reciprocally joined, for example by heat sealing, so as to form two opposite walls 12. In the example shown, in which the containers 11 have a rectangular shape, the walls 12 comprise three closed edges 13 and an aperture 14 to allow the insertion of the products P.

[0035] The filling and closing apparatus 10, shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, comprises a handling unit 20 configured to carry the containers 11 along a closed advancing path F passing in succession through a feeding station S1 configured to feed the containers 11 (FIGS. 1 and 2), a filling station S2 configured to fill the containers 11 (FIG. 1), a closing station S3 configured to close the containers 11 (FIG. 2) after they have been filled with the product P, and a discharge station S4 for discharging the containers 11 (FIG. 3). These feeding S1, filling S2, closing S3 and discharge S4 stations are comprised in the filling and closing apparatus 10 according to the present invention.

[0036] The handling unit 20 comprises at least one handling device 23 configured to handle the containers 11 and move them from one operating station to another.

[0037] In the example given here, the handling unit 20 comprises four handling devices 23.

[0038] The handling unit 20 comprises a substantially cylindrical support shaft 21, horizontally oriented, to which the handling devices 23 are connected.

[0039] Each handling device 23 comprises two handling arms 24, pivoted by means of respective fulcrums 22 to the support shaft 21.

[0040] Each handling arm 24 comprises grasping elements 27 configured to grasp the containers 11 on the opposite walls 12.

[0041] In the embodiment described here with reference to the attached drawings, the grasping elements 27 are sucker means configured to adhere to the external surfaces of the opposite walls 12 and connected to an air suction unit 29 (FIG. 4).

[0042] Each handling arm 24 comprises a transverse portion 25 from which a plurality of teeth 26, six in the example shown here, extend longitudinally with respect to the arm 24, each of the teeth 26 being provided with a respective grasping element 27.

[0043] Preferably, the conformation of the two handling arms 24 is identical, so that the teeth 26, and therefore the grasping elements 27 supported thereby, face each other two by two.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the size of the grasping elements 27, which for example have a circular shape, is such as to obstruct the aperture 14, keeping the opposite walls 12 in contact to prevent the escape of the products P inserted into each container 11. In the event that the products to be inserted into the containers are in the form of a powder or liquid, cream or suchlike, it is advisable to provide that the size of the grasping elements 27 is such as to completely close the aperture 14, so as to temporarily close the containers 11 in order to prevent the escape of the product P.

[0045] Each handling arm 24 comprises a respective gripping element 28, distanced from the grasping elements 27, configured to grip the container 11 in a different position, in particular more internal, than that in which the container 11 is grasped by the grasping elements 27. Preferably, the gripping elements 28 extend on the internal side of each transverse portion 25 for the entire width of the transverse portion 25.

[0046] In one embodiment, the distance between the gripping elements 28 and the grasping elements 27 is adjustable depending on the length of the containers 11 and / or the product P to be inserted therein.

[0047] The handling unit 20 is rotatable about a rotation axis A oriented horizontally. Each handling device 23 is oriented radially with respect to the rotation axis A.

[0048] The advancing path F of the containers 11 is a circular path centered on the rotation axis A (FIG. 3).

[0049] The above-mentioned stations S1, S2, S3, S4 are also angularly distributed along the advancing path F and are angularly distanced from each other by an angle of about 90°. In the event the apparatus comprises a different number of operating stations, this angle can vary as a function of the number of operating stations, for example to ensure that the stations are equally distanced angularly from each other by a same angle.

[0050] The filling station S2 and the discharge station S4 are arranged along a common horizontal plane P1.

[0051] The closing station S3 and the feeding station S1 are arranged along a common vertical plane P2, substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane P1, with the closing station S3 arranged below.

[0052] The rotation axis A lies on the horizontal plane P1. More precisely, the rotation axis A lies at the intersection between the horizontal plane P1 and the vertical plane P2 In the embodiment described, the station S1 for feeding the containers 11 is placed on an uppermost zone of the advancing path F, above the rotation axis A. The feeding station S1 comprises a first conveyor 40 placed above the handling unit 20 and provided with hanging members 41, which are configured to grip the containers 11 and carry them toward the handling device (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3).

[0053] At this station S1, the flexible containers 11 are fed oriented vertically, with the aperture 14 facing upward, by the first conveyor 40.

[0054] The containers 11 leaving the feeding station S1 reach the filling station S2, after a 90° rotation of the handling unit 20.

[0055] The filling station S2 comprises at least one pushing member 105 configured to insert the product P into the container 11 by pushing it along a horizontal plane P1. The product P enters the container 11 through the aperture 14, which is kept open by the grasping elements 27.

[0056] The filling station S2 further comprises a second conveyor 100 having a plurality of advancing carriers 101 carrying the products P.

[0057] Each carrier 101 is provided with a channel 102 configured and shaped to accommodate one or more products P, in particular four products P in the example shown here.

[0058] The channel 102 is also configured to be travelled through by the pushing member 105 so that the latter can push the products P out of the channel 102, toward the container 11 to be filled.

[0059] The next closing station S3 is located below the handling unit 20, again in the vertical plane P2, and comprises a welding device 30 configured and positioned to seal the at least one container 11 in an upside-down orientation, with the aperture 14 facing downward.

[0060] Finally, the discharge station S4 comprises a pick-and-place device 50 configured to remove the container 11 from the handling device 23 that has arrived at the discharge station S4 and place it on a third conveyor 60.

[0061] The apparatus 10 comprises a control unit 35 (FIG. 3) connected to the handling unit 20 and programmed to control the movement of the two handling arms 24, suitably commanding their opening and closing as a function of the operating station in which the handling device 23 is located.

[0062] The operation of the filling and closing apparatus 10 described heretofore, which corresponds to the method according to the present invention, comprises the following steps.

[0063] A plurality of containers 11 in orderly succession is fed into the feeding station S1, by means of the first conveyor 40. The containers 11 are oriented vertically, with the aperture 14 facing upward, and lie on the vertical plane P2 (FIG. 3). This aperture 14 will always remain oriented radially and toward the outside with respect to the rotation axis A.

[0064] When there are six containers 11 at the feeding station S1, the handling device 23 located at the feeding station S1 is actuated, so that the grasping elements 27 grasp the six containers 11 at both their opposite walls 12 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Preferably, the grasping elements 27 grasp the containers 11 in a slightly more internal position with respect to the external edge to be sealed by the welding device 30, to prevent any interference between the grasping elements and the welding device 30 in the closing station S3. The containers 11 are thus detached from the hanging members 41.

[0065] Subsequently, the handling unit 20 is rotated by an angle equal to 90°, to bring the handling device 23 carrying the six containers 11 from the feeding station S1 to the filling station S2.

[0066] During this rotation, or as soon as it arrives at the filling station S2, the handling device 23 is actuated by the control unit 35 to move the grasping elements 27, arranged on the two different handling arms 24, away from each other. This results in a widening of the aperture 14 of each of the containers 11.

[0067] A step of filling the containers 11 with the products P is then performed, by means of pushing members 105 arranged in the filling station S2 and mobile in two directions in the horizontal plane P1 (FIG. 3).

[0068] Once the products P have been inserted into the containers 11, a second actuation of the handling device 23 by means of the control unit 35 is provided to slightly press against the products P, so as to press the opposite walls 12 against them, preventing the products P from falling while the containers 11 continue their movement along the advancing path F. It is evident that the pressure exerted by the grasping elements 27 is suitably calibrated to avoid damaging the products P.

[0069] Subsequently, it is provided to once again rotate the handling unit 20, and therefore the handling device 23, to carry the containers 11 and the corresponding products P to the closing station S3, where the welding device 30 closes the aperture 14 by sealing the two opposite walls 12 at such aperture.

[0070] Subsequently, the handling unit 20, and therefore the handling device 23, are rotated by a further 90°, so as to carry the containers 11 just closed to the unloading station S4, where the pick-and-place device 50 picks them up and deposits them on the third conveyor 60.

[0071] Since the handling unit 20 comprises four handling devices 23 distanced angularly from each other by 90°, during the above-described path, with each 90° rotation of the handling unit 20, a handling device 23 arrives at each operating station.

[0072] It is then provided to repeat the steps described above cyclically from the feeding station S1 to the discharge station S4.

[0073] It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts or steps may be made to the filling and closing apparatus 10 and to the corresponding method as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

[0074] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art will be able to achieve other equivalent forms of apparatus for filling and closing containers and corresponding method, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

[0075] For example, the person of skill in the art will be able to modify the sizes of the handling arms 24 according to the number of containers 11 that have to be handled simultaneously. Based on this, it will be possible to change the number of teeth 26 and of grasping elements 27 provided on each handling arm, as well as the sizes of the gripping element 28 and of the welding device 30, which are configured respectively to simultaneously grip and weld all the containers 11 handled simultaneously by a same handling device.

[0076] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0032]With reference to FIG. 1, a packaging machine M comprises an apparatus 10 for filling and closing flexible containers 11.

[0033]In the embodiment shown by way of example in the attached drawings, the products P are tubular products, and it is provided that up to five of them are inserted into each flexible container 11. Of course, the present invention can be suitable to also package other types of products, not only in solid but also in powder or liquid form, as will be explained below.

[0034]The flexible containers 11 are of the bag or sachet type, or suchlike, more generally of the type made with two sheets reciprocally joined, for example by heat sealing, so as to form two opposite walls 12. In the example shown, in which the containers 11 have a rectangular shape, the walls 12 comprise three closed edges 13 and an aperture 14 to allow the insertion of the products P.

[0035]The filling and closing apparatus 10, shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, comprises a handling unit ...

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention concerns an apparatus for filling and closing containers and a corresponding method. In particular, the invention concerns an apparatus and method for filling and closing flexible containers, of the bag or sachet type, or suchlike.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Apparatuses for filling and closing flexible containers, in which predefined products are inserted, which may be individual articles or groups of articles, or even liquid or powder products, are known.

[0003] When the containers reach the filling stations, they are opened at an aperture thereof, through which the products are inserted, and closed along the other three edges.

[0004] When the products are inserted into each container, the latter is usually in an upright position with the insertion aperture oriented upward, so that the products can be fed falling. The filled containers are then conveyed toward a closing station, in which closing members close the insertion aperture, generally by welding. Obviously the containers have to remain oriented with the insertion aperture arranged upward to prevent the products just inserted from falling, at least until the closure of the insertion aperture carried out in the closing station is completed.

[0005] This requirement leads to the disadvantage of having apparatuses for filling and closing containers, in particular flexible containers such as bags, sachets, small bags or suchlike, which are bulky, because the operating stations have to be positioned along a path that allows the containers to be kept in the same orientation.

[0006] Some known apparatuses have smaller sizes than others, but their overall dimensions can still be improved, and this reduction in size also implies complications in design and operation. Furthermore, the fact that the containers are flexible implies further complications in reducing the sizes of the apparatus.

[0007] There is therefore the need to perfect an apparatus for filling and closing containers, and a corresponding method for filling and closing containers, that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0008] To do this it is necessary to solve the technical problem of providing an apparatus for filling and closing containers with smaller overall dimensions than known apparatuses, and which has a productivity that is not negatively affected by this reduction in the overall dimensions.

[0009] In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for filling and closing containers which is small in size and has a simple structure.

[0010] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for filling and closing containers which allows to rotate a container during the filling and closing method, without causing the products inserted therein to fall out.

[0011] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0013] In accordance with the above purposes and to resolve the technical problem disclosed above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, an apparatus for filling and closing flexible containers which have two opposite walls and are provided with an aperture comprises a feeding station configured to feed containers, a filling station configured to fill the containers with a respective product, a closing station configured to close the containers filled with the respective product, a discharge station, and an handling unit configured to carry at least one of the containers along a closed advancing path passing in succession through the feeding, filling, closing, and discharge stations. The handling unit is rotatable mounted about a rotation axis, which is preferably horizontally lying, and the advancing path is circular and centered on the rotation axis.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, the handling unit comprises at least one handling device having two handling arms provided with respective grasping elements configured to grasp the at least one container on the opposite walls of the container, in order to open and close the aperture, respectively.

[0015] Doing so achieves at least the advantage of having an apparatus for filling and closing flexible containers that is more compact than known apparatuses, thanks to the rotatable handling member and to the position of the operating stations around the rotation axis of the handling member. This also allows to keep the structure of the apparatus relatively simple, as well as being able to design a packaging machine with greater flexibility, allowing the other parts of the machine to be arranged around the filling and closing apparatus in a versatile manner, depending on circumstances.

[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for filling and closing flexible containers having two opposite walls and provided with an aperture comprises the following steps:

[0017] feeding a plurality of flexible containers to a feeding station;

[0018] filling each container of the plurality of containers with a product at a filling station;

[0019] closing the containers filled with the respective product at a closing station;

[0020] discharging the closed containers at a discharge station;

[0021] carrying, by means of a handling unit, at least one container of the plurality of containers along a closed advancing path passing in succession through the feeding, filling, closing, and discharge stations, wherein the handling unit is rotatable mounted about a rotation axis, which is preferably horizontally lying, and the advancing path is circular and centered on the rotation axis.

[0022] According to one aspect of the present invention, the handling unit comprises at least one handling device having two handling arms provided with respective grasping elements configured to grasp the at least one container on the opposite walls, and move away and near to each other the opposite walls of the container in order to open and close the aperture, respectively, wherein the aperture of the container is kept open by the grasping elements at the filling station, and is closed after the at least one container has been filled with the product.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, the filling step comprises inserting the product into the container by pushing the product along a horizontal plane inside the at least one container through the aperture which is kept open by the grasping elements.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, the filling step is carried out by a pushing member which pushes the at least one product from an advancing carrier provided with a channel travelled through by the pushing member.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a lateral view of a part of a packaging machine which comprises the apparatus for filling and closing containers, according to the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 2 is a lateral view of the filling and closing apparatus, according to the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a front schematic view of the filling and closing apparatus of FIG. 1; and

[0029] FIG. 4 is a partial and schematic three-dimensional view of a handling unit of the filling and closing apparatus, according to the present invention.

[0030] We must clarify that the phraseology and terminology used in the present description, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also in relation as to how described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their purpose being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0031] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0032] With reference to FIG. 1, a packaging machine M comprises an apparatus 10 for filling and closing flexible containers 11.

[0033] In the embodiment shown by way of example in the attached drawings, the products P are tubular products, and it is provided that up to five of them are inserted into each flexible container 11. Of course, the present invention can be suitable to also package other types of products, not only in solid but also in powder or liquid form, as will be explained below.

[0034] The flexible containers 11 are of the bag or sachet type, or suchlike, more generally of the type made with two sheets reciprocally joined, for example by heat sealing, so as to form two opposite walls 12. In the example shown, in which the containers 11 have a rectangular shape, the walls 12 comprise three closed edges 13 and an aperture 14 to allow the insertion of the products P.

[0035] The filling and closing apparatus 10, shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, comprises a handling unit 20 configured to carry the containers 11 along a closed advancing path F passing in succession through a feeding station S1 configured to feed the containers 11 (FIGS. 1 and 2), a filling station S2 configured to fill the containers 11 (FIG. 1), a closing station S3 configured to close the containers 11 (FIG. 2) after they have been filled with the product P, and a discharge station S4 for discharging the containers 11 (FIG. 3). These feeding S1, filling S2, closing S3 and discharge S4 stations are comprised in the filling and closing apparatus 10 according to the present invention.

[0036] The handling unit 20 comprises at least one handling device 23 configured to handle the containers 11 and move them from one operating station to another.

[0037] In the example given here, the handling unit 20 comprises four handling devices 23.

[0038] The handling unit 20 comprises a substantially cylindrical support shaft 21, horizontally oriented, to which the handling devices 23 are connected.

[0039] Each handling device 23 comprises two handling arms 24, pivoted by means of respective fulcrums 22 to the support shaft 21.

[0040] Each handling arm 24 comprises grasping elements 27 configured to grasp the containers 11 on the opposite walls 12.

[0041] In the embodiment described here with reference to the attached drawings, the grasping elements 27 are sucker means configured to adhere to the external surfaces of the opposite walls 12 and connected to an air suction unit 29 (FIG. 4).

[0042] Each handling arm 24 comprises a transverse portion 25 from which a plurality of teeth 26, six in the example shown here, extend longitudinally with respect to the arm 24, each of the teeth 26 being provided with a respective grasping element 27.

[0043] Preferably, the conformation of the two handling arms 24 is identical, so that the teeth 26, and therefore the grasping elements 27 supported thereby, face each other two by two.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the size of the grasping elements 27, which for example have a circular shape, is such as to obstruct the aperture 14, keeping the opposite walls 12 in contact to prevent the escape of the products P inserted into each container 11. In the event that the products to be inserted into the containers are in the form of a powder or liquid, cream or suchlike, it is advisable to provide that the size of the grasping elements 27 is such as to completely close the aperture 14, so as to temporarily close the containers 11 in order to prevent the escape of the product P.

[0045] Each handling arm 24 comprises a respective gripping element 28, distanced from the grasping elements 27, configured to grip the container 11 in a different position, in particular more internal, than that in which the container 11 is grasped by the grasping elements 27. Preferably, the gripping elements 28 extend on the internal side of each transverse portion 25 for the entire width of the transverse portion 25.

[0046] In one embodiment, the distance between the gripping elements 28 and the grasping elements 27 is adjustable depending on the length of the containers 11 and / or the product P to be inserted therein.

[0047] The handling unit 20 is rotatable about a rotation axis A oriented horizontally. Each handling device 23 is oriented radially with respect to the rotation axis A.

[0048] The advancing path F of the containers 11 is a circular path centered on the rotation axis A (FIG. 3).

[0049] The above-mentioned stations S1, S2, S3, S4 are also angularly distributed along the advancing path F and are angularly distanced from each other by an angle of about 90°. In the event the apparatus comprises a different number of operating stations, this angle can vary as a function of the number of operating stations, for example to ensure that the stations are equally distanced angularly from each other by a same angle.

[0050] The filling station S2 and the discharge station S4 are arranged along a common horizontal plane P1.

[0051] The closing station S3 and the feeding station S1 are arranged along a common vertical plane P2, substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane P1, with the closing station S3 arranged below.

[0052] The rotation axis A lies on the horizontal plane P1. More precisely, the rotation axis A lies at the intersection between the horizontal plane P1 and the vertical plane P2 In the embodiment described, the station S1 for feeding the containers 11 is placed on an uppermost zone of the advancing path F, above the rotation axis A. The feeding station S1 comprises a first conveyor 40 placed above the handling unit 20 and provided with hanging members 41, which are configured to grip the containers 11 and carry them toward the handling device (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3).

[0053] At this station S1, the flexible containers 11 are fed oriented vertically, with the aperture 14 facing upward, by the first conveyor 40.

[0054] The containers 11 leaving the feeding station S1 reach the filling station S2, after a 90° rotation of the handling unit 20.

[0055] The filling station S2 comprises at least one pushing member 105 configured to insert the product P into the container 11 by pushing it along a horizontal plane P1. The product P enters the container 11 through the aperture 14, which is kept open by the grasping elements 27.

[0056] The filling station S2 further comprises a second conveyor 100 having a plurality of advancing carriers 101 carrying the products P.

[0057] Each carrier 101 is provided with a channel 102 configured and shaped to accommodate one or more products P, in particular four products P in the example shown here.

[0058] The channel 102 is also configured to be travelled through by the pushing member 105 so that the latter can push the products P out of the channel 102, toward the container 11 to be filled.

[0059] The next closing station S3 is located below the handling unit 20, again in the vertical plane P2, and comprises a welding device 30 configured and positioned to seal the at least one container 11 in an upside-down orientation, with the aperture 14 facing downward.

[0060] Finally, the discharge station S4 comprises a pick-and-place device 50 configured to remove the container 11 from the handling device 23 that has arrived at the discharge station S4 and place it on a third conveyor 60.

[0061] The apparatus 10 comprises a control unit 35 (FIG. 3) connected to the handling unit 20 and programmed to control the movement of the two handling arms 24, suitably commanding their opening and closing as a function of the operating station in which the handling device 23 is located.

[0062] The operation of the filling and closing apparatus 10 described heretofore, which corresponds to the method according to the present invention, comprises the following steps.

[0063] A plurality of containers 11 in orderly succession is fed into the feeding station S1, by means of the first conveyor 40. The containers 11 are oriented vertically, with the aperture 14 facing upward, and lie on the vertical plane P2 (FIG. 3). This aperture 14 will always remain oriented radially and toward the outside with respect to the rotation axis A.

[0064] When there are six containers 11 at the feeding station S1, the handling device 23 located at the feeding station S1 is actuated, so that the grasping elements 27 grasp the six containers 11 at both their opposite walls 12 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Preferably, the grasping elements 27 grasp the containers 11 in a slightly more internal position with respect to the external edge to be sealed by the welding device 30, to prevent any interference between the grasping elements and the welding device 30 in the closing station S3. The containers 11 are thus detached from the hanging members 41.

[0065] Subsequently, the handling unit 20 is rotated by an angle equal to 90°, to bring the handling device 23 carrying the six containers 11 from the feeding station S1 to the filling station S2.

[0066] During this rotation, or as soon as it arrives at the filling station S2, the handling device 23 is actuated by the control unit 35 to move the grasping elements 27, arranged on the two different handling arms 24, away from each other. This results in a widening of the aperture 14 of each of the containers 11.

[0067] A step of filling the containers 11 with the products P is then performed, by means of pushing members 105 arranged in the filling station S2 and mobile in two directions in the horizontal plane P1 (FIG. 3).

[0068] Once the products P have been inserted into the containers 11, a second actuation of the handling device 23 by means of the control unit 35 is provided to slightly press against the products P, so as to press the opposite walls 12 against them, preventing the products P from falling while the containers 11 continue their movement along the advancing path F. It is evident that the pressure exerted by the grasping elements 27 is suitably calibrated to avoid damaging the products P.

[0069] Subsequently, it is provided to once again rotate the handling unit 20, and therefore the handling device 23, to carry the containers 11 and the corresponding products P to the closing station S3, where the welding device 30 closes the aperture 14 by sealing the two opposite walls 12 at such aperture.

[0070] Subsequently, the handling unit 20, and therefore the handling device 23, are rotated by a further 90°, so as to carry the containers 11 just closed to the unloading station S4, where the pick-and-place device 50 picks them up and deposits them on the third conveyor 60.

[0071] Since the handling unit 20 comprises four handling devices 23 distanced angularly from each other by 90°, during the above-described path, with each 90° rotation of the handling unit 20, a handling device 23 arrives at each operating station.

[0072] It is then provided to repeat the steps described above cyclically from the feeding station S1 to the discharge station S4.

[0073] It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts or steps may be made to the filling and closing apparatus 10 and to the corresponding method as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

[0074] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art will be able to achieve other equivalent forms of apparatus for filling and closing containers and corresponding method, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

[0075] For example, the person of skill in the art will be able to modify the sizes of the handling arms 24 according to the number of containers 11 that have to be handled simultaneously. Based on this, it will be possible to change the number of teeth 26 and of grasping elements 27 provided on each handling arm, as well as the sizes of the gripping element 28 and of the welding device 30, which are configured respectively to simultaneously grip and weld all the containers 11 handled simultaneously by a same handling device.

[0076] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0032]With reference to FIG. 1, a packaging machine M comprises an apparatus 10 for filling and closing flexible containers 11.

[0033]In the embodiment shown by way of example in the attached drawings, the products P are tubular products, and it is provided that up to five of them are inserted into each flexible container 11. Of course, the present invention can be suitable to also package other types of products, not only in solid but also in powder or liquid form, as will be explained below.

[0034]The flexible containers 11 are of the bag or sachet type, or suchlike, more generally of the type made with two sheets reciprocally joined, for example by heat sealing, so as to form two opposite walls 12. In the example shown, in which the containers 11 have a rectangular shape, the walls 12 comprise three closed edges 13 and an aperture 14 to allow the insertion of the products P.

[0035]The filling and closing apparatus 10, shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, comprises a handling unit ...

Claims

1. Apparatus for filling and closing flexible containers having two opposite walls and provided with an aperture, said apparatus comprising a feeding station configured to feed containers, a filling station configured to fill said containers with a respective product, a closing station configured to close said containers filled with the respective product, a discharge station, and an handling unit configured to carry at least one container of said containers along a closed advancing path passing in succession through said feeding, filling, closing, and discharge stations, wherein said handling unit is rotatable mounted about a rotation axis, which is preferably horizontally lying, and said advancing path is circular and centered on said rotation axis, wherein said handling unit comprises at least one handling device having two handling arms provided with respective grasping elements configured to grasp said at least one container on the opposite walls of the container, in order to open and close said aperture, respectively.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said at least one handling device is radially oriented with respect to said rotation axis.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said feeding station is placed on an uppermost zone of said advancing path with said filling station placed at 90° of rotation along said advancing path of said handling unit from said feeding station.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said filling station comprises at least one pushing member configured to insert said product into the container by pushing said product along a horizontal plane inside the at least one container through said aperture which is kept open by said grasping elements.

5. Apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said rotation axis lies on said horizontal plane.

6. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said filling station further comprises a second conveyor having a plurality of advancing carriers carrying said products.

7. Apparatus as in claim 5, wherein:said filling station comprises at least one pushing member configured to insert said product into the container by pushing said product along a horizontal plane inside the at least one container through said aperture which is kept open by said grasping elements;each carrier is provided with a channel configured and shaped to accommodate said product, and be travelled through by said pushing member, so that the product movable by the pushing member from the carrier into the at least one container.

8. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said closing station and said feeding station are arranged along a common vertical plane with the closing station underneath.

9. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said feeding station comprises a first conveyor placed above the handling unit and provided with hanging members, said hanging members being configured to grip the containers and bring them to the at least one handling device of the handling unit.

10. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said closing station comprises a welding device configured and positioned to weld the at least one container in an upside-down orientation with the aperture facing downward.

11. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said grasping elements are suction means connected to an air suction unit and configured to adhere on external surfaces of the opposite walls of said containers.

12. Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized wherein a control unit connected to said handling unit and programmed to control the movement of the two handling arms of said at least one handling device.

13. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said two handling arms comprises a respective gripping element distanced from said grasping elements and configured to grip said at least one container in a position different from where the grasping elements grip the container, wherein the distance between the gripping element and the grasping elements is adjustable.

14. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein a pick-an-place device configured to remove the at least one container from the handling device at the discharge station and place it on a third conveyor.

15. Method for filling and closing flexible containers having two opposite walls and provided with an aperture, said method comprising the following steps:feeding a plurality of flexible containers to a feeding station;filling each container of said plurality of containers with a product at a filling station;closing said containers filled with the respective product at a closing station;discharging the closed containers at a discharge station;carrying, by means of a handling unit, at least one container of said plurality of containers along a closed advancing path passing in succession through said feeding, filling, closing, and discharge stations, wherein said handling unit is rotatable mounted about a rotation axis, which is preferably horizontally lying, and said advancing path is circular and centered on said rotation axis, wherein said handling unit comprises at least one handling device having two handling arms provided with respective grasping elements which grasp said at least one container on the opposite walls, and move away and near to each other the opposite walls of the container, in order to open and close said aperture, respectively, wherein said aperture of the container is kept open by said grasping elements at said filling station, and is closed after the at least one container has been filled with the product.

16. Method as in claim 15, wherein said filling step comprises inserting said product into the container by pushing said product along a horizontal plane inside the at least one container through said aperture which is kept open by said grasping elements.

17. Method as in claim 15, wherein said filling step has been carried out by a pushing member which pushes said at least one product from an advancing carrier provided with a channel travelled through by said pushing member.

Images