U.S. patent application number 16/262501 was filed with the patent office on 2020-07-02 for automatic packaging machine including circulation system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Byung Sun JEON JEON. Invention is credited to Byung Jin JEON, Byung Sun JEON.
Application Number | 20200207492 16/262501 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 66678351 |
Filed Date | 2020-07-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200207492 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
JEON; Byung Sun ; et
al. |
July 2, 2020 |
AUTOMATIC PACKAGING MACHINE INCLUDING CIRCULATION SYSTEM
Abstract
An automatic packaging system for continuously and automatically
packaging products without interruption using triple circulation
systems. The triple circulation systems include an unpackaged
product feeding circulation system continuously feeding unpackaged
products via circulation, a package feeding circulation system
continuously feeding packages via circulation, and a packaged
product circulation conveying system continuously transporting
packaged products wrapped in the packages via circulation. The
automatic packaging system continuously and automatically packages
products without interruption, thereby efficiently improving
productivity.
Inventors: |
JEON; Byung Sun; (Gimpo-si,
KR) ; JEON; Byung Jin; (Uijeongbu-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
JEON; Byung Sun
JEON; Byung Jin |
Gimpo-si
Uijeongbu-si |
|
KR
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
66678351 |
Appl. No.: |
16/262501 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 35/24 20130101;
B65B 57/00 20130101; B65B 25/064 20130101; B65B 43/30 20130101;
B65B 5/045 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65B 5/04 20060101
B65B005/04; B65B 25/06 20060101 B65B025/06; B65B 35/24 20060101
B65B035/24; B65B 43/30 20060101 B65B043/30; B65B 57/00 20060101
B65B057/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 2, 2019 |
KR |
10-2019-0000338 |
Claims
1. An automatic packaging machine comprising: an unpackaged product
feeding circulation system comprising an unpackaged product
transport conveyor disposed in a space defined by a base frame and
unpackaged product transport containers disposed on the unpackaged
product transport conveyor at equal distances from each other so as
to circulate on the unpackaged product transport conveyor; a
package feeding circulation system comprising a package feeding
conveyor disposed on one side of the unpackaged product feeding
circulation system and package loading plates disposed on the
package feeding conveyor at equal distances from each other so as
to circulate on the package feeding conveyor, such that packages
are loaded on the package loading plates; a cylinder-type
unpackaged product inserting unit disposed above the unpackaged
product feeding circulation system to insert unpackaged products
transported by the unpackaged product transport conveyor into the
packages; a package opening unit disposed above the package feeding
circulation system to be movable back and forth, and comprising an
upper guide and a side guide, with a pair of blades being provided
on the upper guide to open a mouth of each of the packages by a
grippers-like opening action, thereby allowing the unpackaged
product inserting unit to insert an unpackaged product into each of
the packages; and a packaged product circulation conveying system
comprising a packaged product transport conveyor disposed on one
side of the package feeding circulation system, a packaged product
support plate disposed on the packaged product transport conveyor
at equal distances from each other as to circulate on the packaged
product transport conveyor, an upper holder pivotably provided
above the packaged product support plate to hold each of the
packages in which the product is inserted, a coil spring downwardly
pivoting the upper holder by elastic force, and an upper holder
controller disposed on a product transfer line, in a position above
the upper holder, to be movable up and down, thereby upwardly
pivoting the upper holder.
2. The automatic packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein
each of the unpackaged product transport containers has a V-shaped,
rounded, or polygonal side-view geometry, with an upper portion
being open.
3. The automatic packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein
the unpackaged product inserting unit comprises a pair of servo
cylinders, a pair of pneumatic cylinders, or a combination of a
servo cylinder and a pneumatic cylinder.
4. The automatic packaging machine according to claim 1, further
comprising a lift disposed on the side guide, such that an upper
portion thereof is pivotable, to raise a lower portion of each of
the packages.
5. The automatic packaging machine according to claim 1, further
comprising a pneumatic unit configured to widen the mouth of each
of the packages by blowing air toward the mouth using a valve
connected to an air intake unit disposed in a lower space defined
by the base frame and an air discharging unit connected to the
valve.
6. The automatic packaging machine according to claim 5, further
comprising a product tight fitting unit disposed on a package
transfer line to tightly fit the packages to packaged products,
wherein the product tight fitting unit comprises: a package
entrance guide configured to guide entrance of the packages in
which the packaged products are inserted; grippers pivoting to grip
the mouth of each of the packages; and a reciprocation unit moving
the grippers back and forth.
7. The automatic packaging machine according to claim 6, further
comprising a loading unit comprising a loading chamber defined by
the base frame, wherein, in a position in which the package is
fitted to the packaged product by the product tight fitting unit,
when the mouth of each of the packages is bound and then remainders
are cut from the mouth of each of the packages, the loading unit
accommodates the remainders via vacuum suction.
8. The automatic packaging machine according to claim 7, wherein
the loading chamber comprises two or more loading chambers, such
that, when the remainders are accumulated in one of the loading
chambers to be detected by a sensor, a three-way valve connected to
the loading chambers is controlled to automatically replace the one
loading chamber with the other loading chamber.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to Korean Patent
Application Number 10-2019-0000338 filed on Jan. 2, 2019, the
entire contents of which are incorporated herein for all purposes
by this reference.
BACKGROUND
Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to an automatic packaging
system and, more particularly, to an automatic packaging system for
continuously packaging products, such as poultry, individually or
in blocks.
Description
[0003] For example, types of poultry commonly used for foods
include chicken, duck, quail, and the like. Such edible poultry may
have a variety of shapes depending on the packaging method
thereof.
[0004] In general, large amounts of workers, space, and time are
consumed in packaging such poultry, since individual poultry is
manually packaged.
[0005] That is, in the related art, when individual poultry is
packaged, a large amount of workers are used to manually package
individual poultry, due to absence of an automatic packaging
machine. For the packaging operation, not only workers, but also a
working space and a large amount of packaging time, are
required.
[0006] In addition, the related-art method of manually packaging
individual poultry is exposed to a high risk of
cross-contamination.
[0007] Accordingly, efforts have been undertaken intensively in a
variety of aspects in fields to solve problems caused by such a
labor-intensive structure. However, no clear solutions have been
proposed to date.
[0008] The information disclosed in the Background section is only
provided for a better understanding of the background and should
not be taken as an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that
this information forms prior art that would already be known to a
person skilled in the art.
RELATED ART DOCUMENT
[0009] Patent Document 1: Korean Patent Application Publication No.
10-2016-0006734
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0010] Various aspects of the present disclosure provide an
automatic packaging system including triple circulation systems,
the automatic packaging system being able to facilitate a
continuous automatic packaging process using the circulation
systems, so that products, such as individual poultry, can be
continuously and automatically packaged without interruption.
[0011] According to an aspect, an automatic packaging machine may
include: an unpackaged product feeding circulation system including
an unpackaged product transport conveyor disposed in a space
defined by a base frame and unpackaged product transport containers
disposed on the unpackaged product transport conveyor at equal
distances from each other so as to circulate on the unpackaged
product transport conveyor; a package feeding circulation system
including a package feeding conveyor disposed on one side of the
unpackaged product feeding circulation system and package loading
plates disposed on the package feeding conveyor at equal distances
from each other so as to circulate on the package feeding conveyor,
such that packages are loaded on the package loading plates; a
cylinder-type unpackaged product inserting unit disposed above the
unpackaged product feeding circulation system to insert unpackaged
products transported by the unpackaged product transport conveyor
into the packages; a package opening unit disposed above the
package feeding circulation system to be movable back and forth,
and including an upper guide and a side guide, with a pair of
blades being provided on the upper guide to open a mouth of each of
the packages by a grippers-like opening action, thereby allowing
the unpackaged product inserting unit to insert an unpackaged
product into each of the packages; and a packaged product
circulation conveying system including a packaged product transport
conveyor disposed on one side of the package feeding circulation
system, a packaged product support plate disposed on the packaged
product transport conveyor at equal distances from each other as to
circulate on the packaged product transport conveyor, an upper
holder pivotably provided above the packaged product support plate
to hold each of the packages in which the product is inserted, a
coil spring downwardly pivoting the upper holder by elastic force,
and an upper holder controller disposed on a product transfer line,
in a position above the upper holder, to be movable up and down,
thereby upwardly pivoting the upper holder.
[0012] In the automatic packaging machine, the unpackaged products
may be individual products poultry, including chicken, duck, and
quail, and the like, or may be other individual products that are
packaged and sold individually or in blocks.
[0013] In the automatic packaging machine, each of the unpackaged
product transport containers may have a V-shaped, rounded, or
polygonal side-view geometry, with an upper portion being open.
[0014] In the automatic packaging machine, the unpackaged product
inserting unit may be a pair of servo cylinders, a pair of
pneumatic cylinders, or a combination of a servo cylinder and a
pneumatic cylinder.
[0015] The automatic packaging machine may further include a lift
disposed on the side guide, such that an upper portion thereof is
pivotable, to raise a lower portion of each of the packages.
[0016] The automatic packaging machine may further include a
pneumatic unit configured to widen the mouth of each of the
packages by blowing air toward the mouth using a valve connected to
an air intake unit disposed in a lower space defined by the base
frame and an air discharging unit connected to the valve.
[0017] The automatic packaging machine may further include a
product tight fitting unit disposed on a package transfer line to
tightly fit the packages to packaged products, wherein the product
tight fitting unit includes: a package entrance guide configured to
guide entrance of the packages in which the packaged products are
inserted; grippers pivoting to grip the mouth of each of the
packages; and a reciprocation unit moving the grippers back and
forth.
[0018] The automatic packaging machine may further include a
loading unit including a loading chamber defined by the base frame,
wherein, in a position in which the package is fitted to the
packaged product by the product tight fitting unit, when the mouth
of each of the packages is bound and then remainders are cut from
the mouth of each of the packages, the loading unit accommodates
the remainders via vacuum suction.
[0019] In addition, in the automatic packaging machine, the loading
chamber may be two or more loading chambers, such that, when the
remainders are accumulated in one of the loading chambers to be
detected by a sensor, a three-way valve connected to the loading
chambers is controlled to automatically replace the one loading
chamber with the other loading chamber.
[0020] The above-described features of the present disclosure will
be more clearly understood from the following detailed description
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0021] In the meantime, terms and words used in the specification
and the appended claims should not be interpreted as having
ordinary or dictionary meanings, but as meanings and concepts
conforming to the technical spirit of the present disclosure, based
on the principle that an inventor may properly define the concept
of the terms at his/her own discretion in order to describe the
invention in the best manner possible.
[0022] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the
use the triple circulation systems can provide automatic continuous
production by continuously and automatically feeding unpackaged
products (or raw materials), continuously and automatically feeding
packages, and continuously and automatically conveying packaged
products, thereby effectively improving productivity.
[0023] Accordingly, it is possible to not only easily reduce
workers necessary for the packaging process but also improve
productivity compared to the manual packaging process in which
packaging operations are manually undertaken. Since
cross-contamination involving workers can be fundamentally
prevented, there is a hygienic safety improvement effect. In
addition, it is possible to improve business competitiveness due to
high productivity and improved hygienic safety.
[0024] The methods and apparatuses of the present disclosure have
other features and advantages that will be apparent from, or which
are set forth in greater detail in the accompanying drawings, which
are incorporated herein, and in the following Detailed Description
of the Invention, which together serve to explain certain
principles of the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views illustrating an
automatic packaging machine including circulation systems according
to an exemplary embodiment;
[0026] FIGS. 3 and 4 are side views illustrating the automatic
packaging machine including circulation systems according to an
exemplary embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a bottom view illustrating the automatic packaging
machine including circulation systems according to an exemplary
embodiment; and
[0028] FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating the automatic packaging
machine including circulation systems according to an exemplary
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present will be more clearly understood from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
[0030] Reference should be made to the drawings, in which the same
reference numerals and symbols may be used to designate the same or
like components. In the following description of the present
disclosure, detailed descriptions of known functions and components
incorporated herein will be omitted in the case that the subject
matter of the present disclosure may be rendered unclear
thereby.
[0031] It will be understood that, while terms, such as "first,"
"second," "A," "B," "(a)," and "(b)," may be used herein to
describe various elements, such terms are merely used to
distinguish one element from another element. The substance,
sequence, or order of such elements are not limited by these terms.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being
"connected to," "coupled to," or "joined to" another element, not
only can it be "directly connected or coupled to" the other
element, but it also can be "indirectly connected, coupled, or
joined to" the other element via an "intervening" element.
[0032] First, an automatic packaging machine including circulation
systems (hereinafter, referred to as an "automatic packaging
machine") according to exemplary embodiments is an apparatus for
automatically packaging individual products using triple
circulation systems. The term "individual products" used herein may
indicate poultry, such as chicken, duck, and quail, and may be
other individual products that are packaged and sold individually
or in blocks.
[0033] It is disclosed at the beginning that the following detailed
description will be given with respect to poultry, the term
"unpackaged products" used herein will mean poultry, and the term
"packaged products" used herein will mean products finally packaged
with packages.
[0034] A That is, the automatic packaging machine realizes
continuous and automatic packaging using triple circulation systems
comprised of an unpackaged product feeding circulation system, a
package (or bag) feeding circulation system, and a packaged product
circulation conveying system. In particular, the automatic
packaging machine realizes continuous feeding of unpackaged
products using the unpackaged product feeding circulation system,
continuous feeding of packages using the package feeding
circulation system, and conveyance of packaged products using the
packaged product circulation conveying system.
[0035] In addition, two or more spaces for loading residuals when
processing the scrap of unpackaged products are provided, so that
continuous processing is possible without interruption.
Furthermore, it is possible to increase the performance and speed
of packaging by the development of a servo system, thereby
significantly improving productivity.
[0036] In addition, it is possible to monitor situations of
packaging in any places, such as a production site or an office,
due to the development of Internet access and wired/wireless
communications functions for a programmable logic controller (PLC).
It is possible to update and repair PLC programs from any place in
the world as long as the PLC is connected to the Internet.
Furthermore, it is possible to easily perform after service (AS),
field management, or the like, due to cameras disposed on the
ceiling of the packaging machine or on the ceiling of the space in
which the packaging machine is disposed.
[0037] Therefore, according to exemplary embodiments, it is
possible to improve company competitiveness due to reliable
manufacturing of products and improve target achievement rates due
to reliable manufacturing efficiency.
[0038] Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0039] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, the automatic packaging
machine according to an exemplary embodiment includes: an
unpackaged product feeding circulation system 10 for conveying
unpackaged products; a package (or bag) feeding circulation system
for conveying packages 3 with which unpackaged products are
packaged; a cylinder-shaped unpackaged product inserting unit 30
for inserting unpackaged products into the packages 3; a package
opening unit 50 for opening a mouth 3a of each of the packages 3;
and a packaged product circulation conveying system 40 for
conveying packaged products. In addition, the automatic packaging
machine may further include: a pneumatic unit 60 blowing air into
each of the packages 3 to expand the mouth 3a of the package 3; and
a product tight fitting unit 70 for causing the packages 3 to be
tightly fitted to packaged products.
[0040] Each of the components of the automatic packaging machine
may be provided and operated as a single unit or assembly in a
space defined by a base frame 1 forming a basic framework, and such
components are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In
addition, a power supply 2 may be disposed in the lower portion of
the base frame 1 as an electric control panel to supply power to
the components, and an operation unit may be disposed in the upper
portion as a touch screen to control the components.
[0041] In addition, the automatic packaging machine includes a
drive unit and a power transmission unit as a power source to move
the triple circulation systems. The drive unit may be provided as a
servomotor electrically connected to the power supply 2, while the
power transmission unit may be provided as a chain, a gear module,
and the like. Accordingly, in the automatic packaging machine, it
is possible to control an intended speed and a moving distance,
realize double or multiple actions, and adjust a start sped, an
operating speed, and a stopping speed as intended. Various types of
performance can be realized depending on the characteristics of
products.
[0042] The unpackaged product feeding circulation system 10 is a
mechanical apparatus to automatically transport individual
unpackaged products, i.e. individuals of chicken, duck, quail, or
the like. In the unpackaged product feeding circulation system 10,
unpackaged product transport containers 11 made of, for example,
stainless steel are attached to an unpackaged product transport
conveyor 12 so as to circulate on the unpackaged product transport
conveyor 12. Each of the unpackaged product transport containers 11
may have a V-shaped, rounded, or polygonal side-view geometry, with
the upper portion being open. The unpackaged product transport
conveyor 12 includes a chain, a gear module for driving the chain,
and the like.
[0043] The unpackaged product transport containers 11 have the
V-shaped, rounded, or polygonal side-view geometry, with the upper
portion being open, such that a geometry suitable to the shape
unpackaged products may be selected for use. The unpackaged product
transport containers 11 are attached to the unpackaged product
transport conveyor 12 at equal distances.
[0044] For example, unpackaged products may be fed by workers
manually placing unpackaged products onto the unpackaged product
transport containers 11 or using an automatic unpackaged product
feeding system associated with an automatic unpackaged product
feeding unit that may be implemented as a servo cylinder. In
addition, the automatic unpackaged product feeding system may work
in concert with the circulation system to facilitate continuous
manufacturing.
[0045] In addition, water-absorbing cloth may be fed together with
unpackaged products to be placed on top of the unpackaged product
transport containers 11. The water-absorbing cloth may absorb blood
plasma leaking from unpackaged products to improve sanitation in
the product packaging process.
[0046] The package feeding circulation system 20 is disposed on one
side of the unpackaged product feeding circulation system 10, and
includes package loading plates 21 disposed on a package feeding
conveyor 22 at equal distances from each other so as to circulate
on the package feeding conveyor 22. The package feeding conveyor 22
is comprised of double chains made of, for example, stainless steel
and a gear module or the like for driving the chains. Each of the
package loading plates 21 has a pair of hooks 21a protruding upward
to temporarily catch the mouth 3a of one package, of the packages
3, loaded thereon.
[0047] Each of the packages 3 is provided as a packaging plastic
bag with the mouth 3a formed in one longitudinal end such that an
unpackaged product is inserted thereinto in the longitudinal
direction. The mouth 3a has a pair of holes 3b, such that a single
package 3 or a bundle of about one-hundred packages 3 may be loaded
on each of the package loading plates 21, caught by the pair of
hooks 21a. The following description will be given with respect to
a bundle of packages loaded on each of the package loading
plates.
[0048] In the package feeding circulation system 20 transporting
such bundles of packages, when a bundle of packages 3 loaded on one
of the package loading plates 21 are exhausted, a photosensor or
the like detects the exhaustion using. Then, the package feeding
circulation system 20 automatically transports a next one of the
package loading plates 21, on which a next bundle of packages 3 are
loaded, to the designated position, so that the packaging operation
can be performed continuously. That is, a continuous manufacturing
process can be performed using the circulation system.
[0049] Here, each of the packages 3 must not be dislodged from the
corresponding package loading plate 21 when the package 3 is being
opened or when an unpackaged product is being inserted into the
package 3, and must be removed from the package loading plate 21
when the packaging operation is completed and the packaged product
is to be transported to a next section of the process. In this
regard, a package holder may be provided on a side portion of the
package feeding conveyor 22 to press and release a bundle of
packages.
[0050] The unpackaged product inserting unit 30 is disposed above
the unpackaged product feeding circulation system 10. The
unpackaged product inserting unit 30 may include a pair of
cylinders, which may be servo cylinders, pneumatic cylinders, or a
combination thereof. In addition, a servo motor is used to adjust
functions, such as a pushing distance, a pushing speed, and
strength, as required, depending on the shape and weight of
unpackaged products.
[0051] That is, the unpackaged product inserting unit 30 may be
implemented as a double cylinder system to freely adjust the speed
at which unpackaged products are inserted. For example, the
unpackaged product inserting unit 30 may be implemented as a pair
of servo cylinders, a combination of a single servo cylinder and a
single pneumatic cylinder, or a pair of pneumatic cylinders.
Accordingly, it is possible to provide various types of
performance, such as adjustment of the speed at which unpackaged
products are inserted, adjustment of the distance at which
unpackaged products are pushed, and double or multiple actions.
[0052] The package opening unit 50 is disposed above the package
feeding circulation system 20. The package opening unit 50 provides
tunneling to an entrance to prevent a protrusion of an unpackaged
product from being sandwiched between a upper guide 50a and a side
guide 52. In addition, a pair of blades 51 are provided on the
upper guide 50a to open the mouth 3a of each of the packages 3 by a
grippers-like opening action.
[0053] The pair of blades 51 are driven in opposite directions by a
servo motor to open the mouth 3a of each of the packages 3 by the
grippers-like opening action. The blades 51 may be machined to have
a singular curve to facilitate discharge of compressed air from the
package 3.
[0054] In addition, the package opening unit 50 is configured to
allow the blades 51 to easily enter each of the packages 3 through
the mouth 3a while being movable back and forth to adjust the
length of the blades 51 depending on the specification of the
packages 3.
[0055] This is because the packages 3 cannot be prevented from
being torn or dislodged during insertion of unpackaged products
unless the blades 51 do not sufficiently enter the packages 3. In
addition, to prevent the packages 3 from being dislodged during
insertion of unpackaged products, a lift 53 for raising the lower
portion of each of the packages 3 may be disposed on the side guide
t2. The upper portion of the lift 53 may be disposed to be
pivotable.
[0056] The pneumatic unit 60 includes an air intake unit 61
disposed in a lower space 4 defined by the base frame 1. The air
intake unit 61 is implemented as a single blower, to which a valve
is connected. A hose and a nozzle, acting as an air discharging
unit, are connected to the valve. Air is blown toward the mouth 3a
of each of the packages 3, opened by the blades 51, through the air
discharging unit to widen the mouth 3a. In addition, air is
evacuated from the inside of the package to cause the packages 3 to
be tightly fitted to packaged products.
[0057] In addition, a three-way valve may be used to improve the
vacuuming performance, which may be degraded by a difference in the
diameter between an inlet and an outlet of the central portion of
the blower. In this configuration, the three-way valve disposed on
the outlet side of the blower allows air to be easily discharged at
a point in time at which high vacuum is required. At the same time,
suction force based on high vacuum necessary for vacuum suction in
the mouth 3a of each of the packages 3, can be obtained.
[0058] That is, a vent system implemented using a three-way valve
having the same size as a suction pipe is provided on a discharge
line of the blower. This configuration can easily discharge air,
thereby increasing vacuum-based suction force in the mouth 3a of
each of the packages 3. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the
amount of power used and maximize vacuum-based suction force, so
that air can be easily evacuated from the packages 3.
[0059] Here, it should be understood that an air compressor may be
used as the air intake unit 61 in place of the blower to blow air
to widen the mouth 3a of each of the packages 3.
[0060] The packaged product circulation conveying system 40 is
disposed on one side of the package feeding circulation system 20.
The packaged product circulation conveying system 40 includes a
packaged product transport conveyor 41, packaged product support
plates 42, and upper holders 43. The packaged product transport
conveyor 41 includes double chains to support the weight and size
of packaged products, a main gear driving the double chains, and
the like. The packaged product support plates 42 are disposed on
the packaged product transport conveyor 41 at equal distances from
each other so as to circulate on the packaged product transport
conveyor 41. The upper holders 43 are pivotably disposed above the
packaged product support plates 42 to hold packaged products.
[0061] In addition, the packaged product circulation conveying
system 40 further includes: coil springs 44 having elastic force to
downwardly pivot the upper holders 43; and upper holder controllers
disposed on a product transfer line, in positions above the upper
holders 43, to be movable up and down, thereby upwardly pivoting
the upper holders 43, respectively. Each of the upper holder
controllers 45 is implemented as a combination of a cylinder and a
linear cam.
[0062] That is, in order to transport packaged products through
process steps, the packaged product support plates 42 are provided
as bases designed to be suitable to packaged products, the springs
are disposed on convex columns provided above the packaged product
support plates 42, and the upper holders 43 are pivotably provided
above the packaged product support plates 42 to hold packaged
products. In addition, the operation of the upper holders 43 is
controlled using the coil springs 44 and the upper holder
controllers 45.
[0063] The packaged product circulation conveying system 40 presses
and upwardly pivots the upper holders 43 using the upper holder
controllers 45, for example, before entrance to a first section.
After completion of insertion of products into the packages 3, the
upper holder controllers 45 are moved upwardly by cylinders, so
that the upper holders 43 are caused to pivot downwardly by the
elastic force of the coil springs 44, thereby holding the packaged
products.
[0064] Afterwards, when the packaged products are moved to the next
section, i.e. the product tight fitting unit 70, the packages 3 are
automatically tightly fitted to the packaged products.
[0065] Subsequently, when the packaged products are moved to the
next section, i.e. a discharge operation, the upper holders 43 that
have been holding the packages 3 are caused to pivot upwardly by
the upper holder controllers 45, which are moved downwardly by the
cylinders, so that the packaged products are discharged.
[0066] According to an exemplary embodiment as set forth above, it
is possible to realize continuous and automatic manufacturing via
continuous and automatic feeding of unpackaged products, continuous
and automatic feeding of packages, and continuous and automatic
feeding of packaged products using the triple circulation systems,
thereby effectively improving productivity.
[0067] In addition, the product tight fitting unit 70 according to
an exemplary embodiment is disposed on the line of the package
feeding circulation system 20 to be operated in process steps
undertaken after unpackaged products are inserted into the packages
3. The product tight fitting unit 70 may include a package entrance
guide 70a, a vacuum suction unit 73, grippers 71, and a
reciprocation unit 72. In addition, a package pushing unit, a
binding unit, and a cutting unit may be added.
[0068] For example, packages 3 for wrapping in unpackaged products
may have various types of specifications. Unpackaged products must
be pushed into and tightly wrapped with the packages 3 to package
products in suitable specifications, and unnecessary leftovers of
the packages 3 must be cut off.
[0069] Accordingly, guides 70b may be disposed in upper and lower
portions in a predetermined section through the packages 3 enter in
order to prevent the mouth 3a of each of the packages 3 from being
scattered. After the predetermined section, an air injection unit
for injecting air supplied from, for example, the pneumatic unit 60
may be provided to facilitate the entrance of the mouth 3a of each
of the packages 3 into the vacuum suction unit 73.
[0070] In addition, to easily grip the mouth 3a of each of the
packages 3, the vacuum suction unit 73 may have the shape of an
ellipse, such that side portions are expanded. The mouth 3a may be
cut at an inclined angle, such that entering package 3 can be
easily drawn by suction.
[0071] Thus, the mouth 3a of the package 3 that has entered the
vacuum suction unit 73 is drawn into the vacuum suction unit 73.
Afterwards, the grippers 71 grip the mouth 3a by pivoting, and at
the same time, the reciprocation unit 72 backwardly draws the
package 3. Accordingly, the packaged product in the package 3 is
pushed inwardly while the package 3 is drawn.
[0072] In order to prevent portions of the package 3 from being
scattered, a pusher is operated to push the entrance of the binding
unit into the binding unit. When all of these operates are
finished, the mouth 3a of the package 3 is bound with a clip or the
like, and unnecessary leftovers of the package 3 are cut off.
[0073] Here, a function of cutting off the leftovers of the package
3 or a function of leaving the leftovers of the package 3 may be
selected using a touchscreen 5a, i.e. a control unit.
[0074] According to exemplary embodiments, it is possible to
automate the process of inserting a product into the package 3
using the product tight fitting unit 70 and tightly fitting the
package 3 to the packaged product. Furthermore, after the mouth 3a
is bound with a clip or the like, the process of cutting the
leftovers can be automated. Accordingly, automated continuous
manufacturing is possible, thereby significantly improving
productivity.
[0075] In addition, the automatic packaging machine according to an
exemplary embodiment may further include a product insertion guide
unit, a loading unit 6, and a controller 5.
[0076] The product insertion guide unit includes a guide unit base,
a package top end guide, and a package side guide. The height of
the top end guide, as well as the lateral width of the side guide,
is adjustable depending on the size of unpackaged products.
[0077] The loading unit 6 may include two or more loading chambers
6a each provided as a vacuum chamber by the base frame 1. The
loading chambers 6a of the loading unit 6 can accommodate
remainders, including leftovers of the packages 3, therein via
vacuum suction. Accordingly, continuous manufacturing is
possible.
[0078] For example, when a predetermined amount of remainders are
accumulated in one of the loading chambers 6a, a sensor 6a, such as
a photosensor, detects the accumulation of remainders. Then, the
controller 5 automatically replaces the loading chamber filled with
the remainders with the empty loading chamber by controlling
three-way valves (not shown) connected to the loading chambers
6a.
[0079] As the loading chambers 6a are used alternately, the
continuous process of treating remainders including leftovers can
be undertaken without interruption.
[0080] Here, the loading unit 6 may be disposed, for example,
within the automatic packaging machine, or may be disposed outside
of the automatic packaging machine as required.
[0081] In addition, perforated boxes made of stainless steel may be
provided within the loading chambers 6a, respectively, and
specially-fabricated nets for treating remainders may be disposed
within the perforated boxes to reduce times for treating
remainders.
[0082] When a large amount of remainders including the leftovers of
the packages 3, occurring during the packaging process of products,
are accumulated in the perforated box, a large amount of time is
necessary for the operation of removing the remainders from the
perforated box.
[0083] Accordingly, when the nets for treating remainders are
disposed within the perforated boxes, it is possible to easily
detach the nets from the perforated boxes by raising the nets using
fixing hooks provided on the corners of the nets. When a binding
string provided on an inlet of the net for treating remainders is
drawn, the net is quickly transformed into a sack of remainders.
When the sack is removed from the perforated box, the treatment
operation can be completely finished in a simple manner.
[0084] The controller 5 may include, for example, the touchscreen
5a, a programmable logic controller (PLC), four servo systems, the
sensor 5b, and the like. The PLC may be provided with an Internet
access function and a wireless communications function, in addition
to a basic program control function, to be connected to an office
and other intended places, as well as mobile devices, via a
wired/wireless medium, so that an operator can check situations in
real time.
[0085] As set forth above, the automatic packaging system according
to exemplary embodiments can not only improve company
competitiveness due to reliable manufacturing of products and
improved productivity and improve target achievement rates due to
reliable manufacturing efficiency, but also can be useful in terms
of industrial safety and economic considerations.
[0086] Although the foregoing descriptions and the accompanying
drawings have been presented in order to explain certain principles
of the present disclosure in detail, the automatic packaging
machine including circulation systems according to the present
disclosure is not limited thereto. It will be understood that the
terms "comprise", "include", and "have", used herein specify the
presence of stated elements but do not preclude the presence or
addition of any other elements unless explicitly noted. Unless
otherwise defined, all terms including technical and scientific
terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by a
person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains.
It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in
commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a
meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the
relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly
formal sense, unless defined expressly so herein.
[0087] The foregoing descriptions and the accompanying drawings
have been presented in order to explain certain principles of the
present disclosure. A person skilled in the art to which the
present disclosure pertains could make many modifications and
variations by combining, dividing, substituting for or changing
elements without departing from the principle of the present
disclosure. The foregoing embodiments disclosed herein shall be
interpreted as being illustrative only, while not being limitative,
of the principle and scope of the present disclosure. It should be
understood that the scope of the present disclosure shall be
defined by the appended claims and all of their equivalents fall
within the scope of the present disclosure.
* * * * *