U.S. patent application number 15/324217 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-08 for method and device for transporting packaging bags for liquid or pasty products having a weld-in closure.
The applicant listed for this patent is CELLPACK AG. Invention is credited to Martin KROPF.
Application Number | 20170158363 15/324217 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51176177 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170158363 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KROPF; Martin |
June 8, 2017 |
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING PACKAGING BAGS FOR LIQUID OR
PASTY PRODUCTS HAVING A WELD-IN CLOSURE
Abstract
For transporting packaging bags (1), e.g. from a production
facility to further processing, e.g. for being filled, the
packaging bags (1) are connected to at least one flexible strip
(13, 14). To this end, the packaging bags (1) are delivered one
after another to a loading device where they are supported by their
weld-in closures (4) on supporting and guiding means (9) and moved
along these supporting and guiding means (9; 10). On the latter,
the weld-in closures are connected to the strip (13, 14), e.g. by
welding.
Inventors: |
KROPF; Martin;
(Munchenbuchsee, CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CELLPACK AG |
Villmergen |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
51176177 |
Appl. No.: |
15/324217 |
Filed: |
July 7, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
July 7, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2015/065450 |
371 Date: |
January 5, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 71/50 20130101;
B65B 5/10 20130101; B65B 17/025 20130101; B65B 43/123 20130101;
B65B 35/30 20130101; B65B 61/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65B 17/02 20060101
B65B017/02; B65B 35/30 20060101 B65B035/30; B65B 61/04 20060101
B65B061/04; B65B 5/10 20060101 B65B005/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 9, 2014 |
EP |
14176378.9 |
Claims
1. Method for transporting packaging bags for liquid or pasty
products having a weld-in closure with a pouring opening where a
number of packaging bags are connected by their weld-in closures to
at least one flexible strip to form a transport unit, wherein the
packaging bags are delivered to a loading device where they are
supported by their weld-in closures on supporting and guiding means
and moved along these supporting and guiding means, and in that at
least one strip is guided along these supporting and guiding means
and connected there to the weld-in closures.
2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the weld-in closures are
connected to the at least one strip in such a manner that the
pouring opening is freely accessible, and the pouring opening and
the portions of the packaging bag opposite the latter are located
on opposite sides relative to the plane of the at least one
strip.
3. Method according to claim 1, wherein the weld-in closures are
connected to the at least one strip; in a frictional or positive
manner in that a portion of the weld-in closure adjacent to its
pouring opening is pushed through the at least one strip.
4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the weld-in closures are
materially connected to the at least one strip in that a portion of
the weld-in closure adjacent to its pouring opening is welded or
bonded to the at least one strip.
5. Method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one strip
comprises at least one layer of a plastic film, preferably of
polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, or
polyamide.
6. Method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one strip has
reinforcing means arranged therein, preferably in the form of
longitudinal ridges, edge reinforcements, or chambers capable of
being pressurized by a fluid.
7. Method according to claim 1, wherein the weld-in closures are
connected to two parallelly guided strips.
8. Method according to claim 7, wherein weld-in closures are
supported on the supporting and guiding means by guiding flanges or
guiding grooves arranged on the former.
9. Method according to claim 1, wherein transport units each
comprising at least a hundred packaging bags are laid down in
logistics containers in layers, for which purpose guiding means of
the placement device and of the logistics containers are preferably
moved relative to each other.
10. Device for transporting packaging bags for liquid or pasty
products having a weld-in closure with a pouring opening,
comprising a loading device for connecting at least one flexible
strip to the weld-in closures of a number of packaging bags to form
a transport unit, wherein the loading device comprises supporting
and guiding means for the weld-in closures.
11. Device according to claim 10, wherein the supporting and
guiding means consist of two parallel rails between which a gap for
the passage of a portion of the weld-in closures is provided.
12. Device according to claim 10, wherein the loading device
includes welding means for welding the at least one flexible strip
to the weld-in closures.
13. Device according to claim 10, further comprising a placement
device for placing transport units in logistics containers, which
is preferably provided with guiding means for the transport units
and with means for moving the guiding means and the logistics
containers relative to each other.
14. Device according to claim 13, further comprising a pickup
device for picking up transport units laid down in logistics
containers, which is preferably provided with guiding means for the
transport units and with means for moving the guiding means and the
logistics containers relative to each other.
15. Device according to claim 10, further comprising a separating
device for separating the weld-in closures from the at least one
flexible strip.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a device
according to the preambles of independent claims 1 and 10.
[0002] Transport units for packaging bags are known in the art,
e.g. from WO2012/028980, where a track with flat bags lined up
thereon is provided for the transport from the production site of
the bags to the filling site of the bags. Such bags are suitable
particularly for liquids and among these particularly for highly
viscous liquids such as creams, yogurts, honey, fruit juices, etc.
According to this publication, today's packaging technology is
based on the assumption that the relevant bags are manufactured at
a production site and are then transported to a filling site. It is
therefore essential with regard to this technology that the
logistics costs incurred may be kept as low as possible. By
providing tracks, the bags can be delivered to the filling station
in such an order and orientation as to be directly utilizable, and
in a separated state.
[0003] In WO2012/028980 it has been recognized that such a
logistics container filled with transport units entails a
considerable space consumption. The space required on the tracks is
not primarily determined by the bag material but by the weld-in
closures. Therefore it is suggested in this reference to place
tracks opposite each other in a logistics container so that the
bags of one track and those of the opposite track alternately
interlock. In this manner, almost twice the number of tracks and
bags can be transported in a given logistics container.
[0004] Using tracks is associated with considerable complexity, and
their operation can only partly be automated. Thus, after having
been loaded onto the tracks, the bags have to be secured by means
of clips or the like so that they will not fall out while the
tracks are being manipulated. The logistics containers are loaded
manually, especially in the case of the aforementioned interlocked
placement. Likewise, removing the tracks from the logistics
containers at the filling site and loading the tracks into the
filling installation is largely achieved manually. Afterwards, the
empty tracks have to be returned to the production site, which is
not only associated to considerable logistical requirements but
also to hygienic problems.
[0005] In order to increase the automation level when tracks are
being used, cages that are loaded and unloaded by robots have
recently been introduced as logistics containers.
[0006] This method is not only complicated and expensive but also
involves the problem that not only the tracks but also the empty
cages have to be returned to the production site.
[0007] The reference EP 0 171 550 A1 discloses a system for
handling pharmaceutical containers where groups of containers are
retained by a flexible strip engaging the container closures by
means of corresponding depressions.
[0008] On the background of this prior art, it is the object of the
invention to suggest a method for transporting packaging bags for
liquid or pasty products having weld-in closures with pouring
openings where both the logistical efforts for the transport
between the production site and the filling site and the space
requirements are significantly reduced.
[0009] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the
features defined in the characterizing parts of the independent
claims.
[0010] This inventive solution offers the advantage that the
connection to the strip can be automated thanks to the supporting
and guiding means. The application of a strip allows joining a very
large number of packaging bags to form one transport unit.
[0011] Particular embodiments are indicated in the dependent
claims.
[0012] Examples of preferred embodiments of the invention will be
described hereinafter with reference to the drawings which merely
serve for illustrative purposes and shall not be construed as
limiting. The figures in the drawings show:
[0013] FIG. 1 a view sectioned along line I-I in FIG. 2 of a first
exemplary embodiment of a loading device;
[0014] FIG. 2 a top view of the device of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 a view sectioned along line III-III in FIG. 4 of a
second exemplary embodiment of a loading device;
[0016] FIG. 4 a top view of the arrangement of FIG. 3;
[0017] FIG. 5 a top view of a strip with perforations for transport
in a defined position;
[0018] FIG. 6 a cross-sectional view of the strip sectioned along
line VI-VI in FIG. 5 where embossings for stiffening the strip are
visible;
[0019] FIG. 7 a top view of a strip with cavities for a
fluid-supported stiffening of the strip;
[0020] FIG. 8 a cross-sectional view of the strip sectioned along
line VII-VII in FIG. 7;
[0021] FIG. 9 a view sectioned along line IX-IX in FIG. 10 of a
third exemplary embodiment of a loading device;
[0022] FIG. 10 a top view of the arrangement of FIG. 9;
[0023] FIG. 11 a view sectioned along line XI-XI in FIG. 12 of a
first exemplary embodiment of a separating device for separating
the strips from the flanges by tearing;
[0024] FIG. 12 a top view of the arrangement of FIG. 11;
[0025] FIG. 13 a view sectioned along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 14 of
a second exemplary embodiment of a separating device;
[0026] FIG. 14 a top view of the arrangement of FIG. 13;
[0027] FIG. 15 a top view of a transport aid gripping a weld-in
closure;
[0028] FIG. 16 a view in the direction of arrow XVI in FIG. 15;
[0029] FIG. 17 a schematic perspective drawing of an installation
for filling packaging bags and of a third exemplary embodiment of a
separating device.
[0030] FIG. 1 shows a view sectioned along line I-I in FIG. 2 of a
first embodiment of a loading device for connecting flexible
packaging bags 1 to two parallel strips 13, 14. FIG. 2 shows a top
view of this loading device. Packaging bags 1 are e.g. directly
supplied from a production facility and can therefore be
automatically transferred to the loading device in the depicted
defined orientation. The illustrated packaging bag 1 is formed of
two film layers 2 that are joined by weld seams 3, a weld-in
closure part 4 being arranged between the film layers in an upper
area of FIG. 1. In this exemplary embodiment, weld-in closure 4 has
two guiding flanges 7 extending to the left and to the right in
FIGS. 1 and 2 in parallel to film layers 2. At the top of weld-in
closure 4, a pouring spout 5 with a pouring opening 6 is integrally
formed. The latter may also be used for filling packaging bag 1 and
may subsequently be closed by means of a non-represented cap after
packaging bag 1 has been filled. Guiding flanges 7 are supported on
two parallelly arranged guiding rails 9 which leave a gap 11 for
the passage of weld-in closures 4 between them. Guiding rails 9 are
provided with longitudinal grooves in which guiding flanges 7
engage, thereby preventing an involuntary lifting off of weld-in
closures 4. Two flexible strips 13, 14 are connected to guiding
flanges 7.
[0031] The flexible strips may consist of usual synthetic foils as
they are used in the field of flexible packages, but other
materials such as textiles, metals, paper and so on may be
contemplated as well. As synthetic materials, particularly those
from the polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PETP),
polypropylene (PP), and polyamide (PA) groups may be used. If
strips 13, 14 are connected to guiding flanges 7 by welding, they
preferably consist of two layers so that one layer can be welded to
guiding flange 7 and the second, heat-resistant layer will
withstand the separating operation described below without being
damaged and thus prevents that the strip is torn while being
detached. In the example according to FIGS. 1 and 2, two different
fastening modes of guiding flanges 7 to strips 13, 14 are
illustrated, which would probably not be implemented in this
manner, of course. In practice, both strips 13, 14 would rather be
connected to guiding flanges 7 in the same manner. On the left in
FIG. 1, as an example of a material connection, strip 13 is
connected to the associated guiding flange 7 by welding or bonding,
whereas on the right in the figure, a positive connection is
illustrated where the guiding flange has a downwardly extending
knob 15 passing through strip 14. To achieve a positive connection,
knob 15 has e.g. a mushroom shape with an enlarged head, and strip
14 has holes for receiving knobs 15 whose diameter is smaller than
the diameter of the heads of knobs 15. Since strip 14 is a strip of
a synthetic material, as mentioned, it has a sufficient elasticity
to ensure that the heads of knobs 15 enlarge the aforementioned
holes while passing therethrough and that the latter subsequently
contract again.
[0032] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of a loading device
by which a frictional connection of the weld-in closures 4, in this
case to a single strip 12, is achieved. More specifically, FIG. 3
shows a view sectioned along line III-III in FIG. 4 whereas FIG. 4
shows a top view. Here, corresponding openings of strip 12 are
pushed over pouring spouts 5. The diameter of these openings is
preferably smaller than the outer diameter of weld-in closure 4 in
the corresponding area, so that a press fit between strip 12 and
weld-in closure 4 results, and more particularly a collar 17 of
strip material connects parts 12 and 4, The openings may already be
present in strip 12 or may be created in the loading device. In
principle, if they have a suitable shape, pouring spouts 5 might be
pushed through strip 12 by themselves on application of a
pressure.
[0033] In this example, guiding rails 10 are designed as relatively
thin rails which engage in guiding grooves 8 formed in weld-in
closures 4. Instead of two opposite guiding grooves 8, a
circumferential guiding groove may be provided, which offers the
advantage that packaging bag 1 can be rotated while being retained
between guiding rails 10. In the top view according to FIG. 4 it is
also seen that strip 12 may be provided with holes 16 arranged at
regular intervals in order to be able to feed the strip forward
positively and in defined steps, e.g. by means of some kind of
gearwheels.
[0034] FIG. 5 shows a somewhat different embodiment of the strip
according to FIGS. 3 and 4. In this case, holes 16 described with
reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 have an oval shape. They may serve as
transport aids, as mentioned, but also as orientation aids, e.g.
for the control of a device for connecting weld-in closures 4 to
strip 12. Alternatively or in addition to holes 16, strip 12 may be
provided with embossings, knobs, ribs or applied structures which
support the transport, the positioning, the stiffness or the
storing of the strip during its entire useful life. As an example
of embossings, reinforcing ribs 18 extending in the longitudinal
direction of strip 12 are depicted in FIG. 6. Furthermore, strip 12
may have reinforced longitudinal edges 20 on both sides. Also, an
opening 19 for receiving weld-in closure 4 is shown in FIG. 5, e.g.
in the form of a cruciform incision.
[0035] FIG. 7 shows a top view of strip 12 according to a further
exemplary embodiment. The latter is also shown in FIG. 8, which
shows a schematic cross-sectional view along line VIII-VIII in FIG.
7. Here, in order to receive weld-in closure 4, a round opening 21
is punched out. Strip 12 may be two-layered or tube-shaped, and
comprises two lateral chambers 22 that may be pressurized at least
on a portion of their length with a fluid, e.g. air, in order to
stiffen strip 12. For the same purpose, reinforcing strips 23 may
additionally be bonded or welded thereto. Here also, as in the
strip according to FIGS. 5 and 6, laterally reinforced edges 20 may
be provided.
[0036] The measures described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8 may
also be applied in cases where two parallel strips 13, 14 are to be
used.
[0037] FIG. 9 shows a view sectioned along line IX-IX in FIG. 10 of
a third exemplary embodiment of a loading device designed as a
welding station in which a weld-in closure 4 of a packaging bag 1
is being connected to two strips 13, 14. FIG. 10 shows a top view
of this arrangement. Similarly as in the illustration of FIGS. 1
and 2, weld-in closure 4 is again retained here by its guiding
flanges 7 in guiding rails 9 while strips 13 and 14 are resting on
guiding rails 9 below guiding flanges 7. Two welding devices 24 are
arranged underneath guiding rails 9 and movable in the direction of
double arrows 26. Each welding device 24 has a heat transfer
element 25 that can be moved through a corresponding opening in
guide rail 9 to the respective strip 13, 14 to punctually weld the
latter to guiding flange 7. For the protection of packaging bag 1,
respective heat protection skirts 27 are arranged between the
latter and welding devices 24. At the same time, the skirts may
serve to deflect the film layers of packaging bag 1 to a position
as indicated by reference numeral 1 in FIG. 10 and thus make room
for the welding operation underneath guiding flanges 7.
[0038] After connecting packaging bags 1 to strip 12 or to strips
13, 14, respectively, the thus formed transport unit is further
transported out of the loading device and either laid down in a
logistics container for storage and further transport or directly
transferred to a filling installation. The placement in a logistics
container is preferably carried out automatically by a
corresponding placement device, more particularly such that
packaging bags 1 are laid down in a scale-like manner and thus take
up a minimum volume inside the logistics container. To this end,
the placement device may be provided with conveyor and/or guiding
means for strip 12 or strips 13, 14, respectively, these means and
the logistics container being movable relative to each other. Tests
have shown that in this manner about twice as many packaging bags 1
fit into a logistics container as in the method mentioned in the
introduction where the packaging bags are received in tracks. In
tests conducted by the applicant, transport units of up to several
tens of thousands of packaging bags were formed. Due to the
placement in layers, the end of strip 12 or of strips 13, 14 will
ultimately be located at the top of the full logistics container.
When the described placement method is used, the logistics
container can have nearly any desired shape. Thus, not only cubic
containers can be used as until now, but also e.g. round containers
or even bags.
[0039] To unload the transport unit at the destination, all that is
required is to seize the end of strip 12 or of strips 13, 14,
respectively, that was laid down last, and to feed it e.g. to an
unloading device from where it will be further transported, e.g. to
a filling installation. The unloading device may also be equipped
with conveyor and/or guiding means, these means and the logistics
container possibly being movable relative to each other here
also.
[0040] If the packaging bags 1 connected to strip 12 or to strips
13, 14, respectively, are directly forwarded to further processing
steps, e.g. in a filling installation, it is an advantage that
packaging bags 1 will arrive there in a defined orientation and at
constant intervals so that no intervention by personnel is
required. The mentioned further processing steps may be carried out
in a different room while the transport may e.g. take place in a
tube or tunnel in order to meet the hygienic requirements.
[0041] FIGS. 11 and 12 show a first exemplary embodiment of a
separating device for separating strips 13, 14 from guiding flanges
7, FIG. 12 showing a top view and FIG. 11 a view sectioned along
line XI-XI in FIG. 12. Here also, as in the loading station
described above, two parallel guiding rails 9 are provided on which
guiding flanges of weld-in closures 4 are slidably guided and
supported. Strips 13, 14, of which only strip 14 is visible in FIG.
11, are led through a slot 30 in guiding rails 9 and guided away in
the direction of arrow 32. The weld-in closure on the left in the
Figure is thus entrained in the direction of arrow 29, and strips
13, 14 are deflected around a relatively sharp edge 31 whereby the
punctual welded connections between guiding flanges 7 and strips
13, 14 are torn apart.
[0042] FIGS. 13 and 14 show a second exemplary embodiment of a
separating device for separating strips 13, 14 from guiding flanges
7, FIG. 14 showing a top view and FIG. 13 a view sectioned along
line XIII-XIII in FIG. 14. The design according to this embodiment
is very similar to the embodiment previously described with
reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. Therefore, identical parts denoted by
identical reference numerals will not be described again. In this
embodiment also, each guide rail 9 has a respective slot 36 through
which strip 13, 14 is guided in the direction of arrow 37 but not
deflected as sharply as shown in FIG. 11. A punching tool 33 is
arranged in a guide bush 35 and movable up and down in the
direction of double arrow 34. The punctual weld joints on guiding
flanges 7 are thereby punched out in such a manner that a remainder
38 of strip 13, 14 remains on guiding flange 7, as seen in FIG. 13
on the right.
[0043] FIGS. 15 and 16 show an exemplary embodiment of a transport
aid, FIG. 15 showing a top view and FIG. 16 a view in the direction
of arrow XVI in FIG. 15. In particular, such a transport aid serves
for relieving strips 12, 13, 14 when packaging bags 1 are fed
forward by these strips. However, it may also be used in a loading
station to feed packaging bags 1 forward at defined intervals and
in a defined orientation prior to being connected to strip 12 or to
strips 13, 14, respectively. Pouring spouts 5 of packaging bags 1
are seized by a gripper 39 that is in turn arranged on a transport
element 40 and connected thereto. The transport element may be a
flexible band conveyor or a plate-shaped body that is connected to
further similar transport elements in the manner of a chain. A
recess 41 is provided for the partial passage of weld-in closure
4.
[0044] FIG. 17 shows a schematic perspective drawing of an
installation for filling packaging bags 1 and at the same time a
further embodiment of a separating device for separating packaging
bags 1 from a strip 12. Strip 12 and the manner in which packaging
bags 1 are connected thereto have been described above with
reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The transport unit formed of strip 12
and packaging bags 1 connected thereto has been laid down in a
logistics container 42, and to unload the transport unit, its end
that was laid down last is unloaded first and guided to the
installation, which movement may be assisted by a pair of conveyor
rollers 43. By a filling device 44, symbolically indicated in the
Figure by a funnel, packaging bags 1 are filled with a liquid or
pasty content. Here another substantial advantage of the present
invention becomes apparent, namely that due to the connection of
weld-in closure 4 to strip 12 or to strips 13, 14, respectively,
the opening of weld-in closure 4 is freely accessible and thus
allows directly filling the packaging bag 1 therebelow in a
hygienic manner. Subsequently, the filled packaging bags 1 are
forwarded to supporting rails 28 on which they rest and slide with
their guiding flanges 7. Strip 12 is upwardly deflected by
deflecting rollers 46 and thereby separated from the weld-in
closures and wound up on a reel 45. Now the packaging bags 1 on
supporting rails 28 can be closed by means of non-represented caps,
e.g. in the form of screw caps or snap-on caps. This may be done
before or after separating the packaging bags 1 from the strip or
the strips, respectively. Also, safety tests, weight checks,
inspections of the optical appearance etc. of packaging bags 1 can
be carried out in this phase.
[0045] Furthermore, the connection of packaging bags 1 to strip 12
or to strips 13, 14, respectively, can be used for the logistics of
the filled packaging bags down to the end user. Thus, for example,
correspondingly equipped automatic units can separate a particular
packaging bag on demand. Furthermore, multipacks may e.g. be
prepared which comprise multiple packaging bags 1 having the same
or different contents. In this case, strip 12 or strips 13, 14,
respectively, may be used for marking the multipacks by a colored
design and/or printing.
[0046] The exemplary embodiments show possible realizations of the
invention, but it should be noted at this point that the invention
is not limited to the depicted particular embodiments thereof.
Instead, individual components described with reference to a
particular embodiment may e.g. be used in another embodiment and
may possibly replace a corresponding component described with
reference to that embodiment. Therefore, all conceivable embodiment
variants resulting from combinations of individual details of the
depicted and described embodiment variants are also encompassed in
the scope of protection.
[0047] Ultimately, as a matter of form, it should be pointed out
that for a better understanding of the construction of the
described components, the latter are illustrated schematically and
not true to scale.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERALS
[0048] 1 packaging bag
[0049] 2 film layers
[0050] 3 weld seam
[0051] 4 weld-in closure
[0052] 5 pouring spout
[0053] 6 pouring opening
[0054] 7 guiding flange
[0055] 8 guiding groove
[0056] 9 guiding rail
[0057] 10 guiding rail
[0058] 11 gap
[0059] 12 strip
[0060] 13 strip
[0061] 14 strip
[0062] 15 knob
[0063] 16 holes
[0064] 17 collar
[0065] 18 reinforcing rib
[0066] 19 opening
[0067] 20 edge
[0068] 21 opening
[0069] 22 chamber
[0070] 23 reinforcing strip
[0071] 24 welding device
[0072] 25 heat transfer element
[0073] 26 double arrow
[0074] 27 heat protection skirt
[0075] 28 supporting rails
[0076] 29 arrows
[0077] 30 slot
[0078] 31 edge
[0079] 32 arrow
[0080] 33 punching tool
[0081] 34 double arrow
[0082] 35 guide bush
[0083] 36 slot
[0084] 37 arrow
[0085] 38 remainder
[0086] 39 gripper
[0087] 40 transport element
[0088] 41 recess
[0089] 42 logistics container
[0090] 43 feed roller pair
[0091] 44 filling device
[0092] 45 reel
[0093] 46 deflection rollers
* * * * *