U.S. patent number 3,808,772 [Application Number 05/192,216] was granted by the patent office on 1974-05-07 for apparatus for forming and filling containers.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Ganzhorn U. Stirn Kommanditgesellschaft. Invention is credited to Alfons Turtschan.
United States Patent |
3,808,772 |
Turtschan |
May 7, 1974 |
APPARATUS FOR FORMING AND FILLING CONTAINERS
Abstract
A combined container making and filling machine, and associated
process. Operating on a continuously moving web of thermoplastic
material, the machine includes stations which heat the web, mold
the web into connected containers, fill the connected containers,
cover and seal the filled containers, and separate the containers,
successively. The web is grasped at its edges and conveyed from a
roll. Synchronizing drive means cyclically move the heating,
container molding, and severing apparatus in the direction of web
conveyance, and into engagement with the web. The filling nozzles
move with the newly formed containers while filling.
Inventors: |
Turtschan; Alfons (Schwalbisch
Hall, DT) |
Assignee: |
Ganzhorn U. Stirn
Kommanditgesellschaft (Schwabisch Hall, DT)
|
Family
ID: |
5786210 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/192,216 |
Filed: |
October 26, 1971 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Oct 27, 1970 [DT] |
|
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2052551 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/141; 53/559;
425/387.1; 53/578 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B
9/042 (20130101); B29C 51/20 (20130101); B29C
51/425 (20130101); B29C 2791/007 (20130101); B29C
51/04 (20130101); B29K 2105/256 (20130101); B29C
2791/006 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B29C
51/20 (20060101); B29C 51/18 (20060101); B65B
9/04 (20060101); B65B 9/00 (20060101); B65b
047/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;53/184,30,141,112A,329
;425/345,347,348,353,358,384,387,388,398,423,451,453,454 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Spruill; Robert L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Brumbaugh, Graves, Donohue &
Raymond
Claims
I claim:
1. Combined container forming and filling apparatus comprising:
means for continuously conveying a web of thermoplastic material
along a path at a selected and substantially constant speed;
heating means for heating the web;
heater driving means for driving the heating means along said path
parallel to and at equal speed with the web for a distance
sufficient to afford adequate time for softening of the
thermoplastic material as the web moves and then returning the
heating means in the direction opposite the direction of web
movement;
molding means located along said path downstream from said heating
means for molding containers in the web;
mold driving means for driving the molding means along said path
parallel to and at equal speed with the web for a distance
sufficient to afford adequate time for molding the web as the web
moves and then returning the molding means in the direction
opposite the direction of web movement after containers have been
molded in the web, said mold driving means and said heater driving
means being adapted to operate in push-pull out of phase
relationship so as to reduce acceleration forces in the apparatus;
and
filling means located along said path downstream from said molding
means for filling the containers formed in the web.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for conveying
comprises means for moving the molded containers past the filling
means continuously and without interruption as the containers are
formed, the filling means comprising at least one fill dispensing
outlet adapted to dispense fill into containers, and means for
moving the outlet with the moving container during dispensing and
for returning the outlet thereafter.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the molding means
comprises a plurality of mold units, each for molding a separate
container, arranged longitudinally in the conveying direction along
the web, the number of molding units arranged in the conveying
direction differing from the number of filling outlets in the
conveying direction, and the length of distance travelled by the
mold units and outlets during operation being a function of the
number of mold units and outlets, respectively.
4. Combined container forming and filling apparatus including means
for filling containers formed by the apparatus, means for
continuously conveying a web of material along a path at a selected
speed, molding means located along said path for molding containers
in the web, and means for first driving the molding means along
said path parallel to and at equal speed with the web for a
distance sufficient to afford adequate time for molding the web as
the web moves and then returning the molding means in the direction
opposite the direction of web movement after containers have been
molded in the web, said molding means comprising:
a carriage driven by said driving means;
slide rails attached to said apparatus for guiding the carriage for
linear movement;
upper and lower mold parts carried by said carriage movable toward
and away from each other and disposed above and below the path of
web travel, respectively;
a shaft carried by the carriage and adapted for partial
rotation;
means coupling the shaft to the upper and lower mold parts to move
the upper and lower mold parts upon partial rotation of the
shaft;
a drive lever affixed to the shaft;
a slotted plate extending in the conveying direction and receiving
an end of the drive lever in a slot therein, the drive lever end
received in the slot being freely movable along the slot in the
conveying direction without pivoting; and
means for cyclically moving the slotted plate to pivot the lever
and the shaft, and control the movement of the mold parts.
5. Combined container forming and filling apparatus including means
for filling containers formed by the apparatus, means for
continuously conveying a web of thermoplastic material along a path
at a selected speed, molding means located along said path for
molding containers in the web, means for first driving the molding
means along said path parallel to and at equal speed with the web
for a distance sufficient to afford adequate time for molding the
web as the web moves and then returning the molding means in the
direction opposite the direction of web movement after containers
have been molded in the web, means for heating the web upstream of
the molding means to cause softening of the thermoplastic material,
and means for driving the heating means along said path parallel to
and at equal speed with the web for a distance sufficient to afford
adequate time for softening of the thermoplastic material as the
web moves and then returning the heating means in the direction
opposite the direction of web movement, said heating means
comprising:
a heating means carriage;
means for guiding the heating means carriage for linear movement by
said heating means driving means;
at least one heating plate carried by said carriage and movable
into and out of engagement with the web, and
plate motive means for first moving the plate toward the web as the
carriage begins movement in the direction of conveying and for then
moving the plate away from the web as the carriage approaches the
limit of travel downstream, whereby the retracted plate is then
returned upstream by the carriage.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said molding means
includes means movable linearly with and opposite movement of the
web to carry the molding means, said mold driving means being
coupled in driving relation to said linearly movable means.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said linearly movable
means comprises a carriage, the apparatus further including slide
rails guiding the carriage for linear movement by said driving
means, upper and lower mold parts carried by said carriage movable
toward and away from each other and disposed above and below the
path of web travel, respectively, the apparatus further including
motive means for first moving the mold parts toward each other and
into engagement with the web as the carriage begins movement in the
direction of conveyance and for then moving the mold parts away
from each other as the carriage approaches the limit of travel
downstream, whereby the separated mold parts are then returned
upstream by the carriage.
8. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the means for filling is
adapted to fill the moving containers molded in the web, the means
for continuously conveying comprising means for moving the molded
containers past the filling means continuously and without
interruption as the containers are formed.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8 including means for closing and
sealing the containers immediately after filling thereof by said
filling means and as the containers move.
10. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said molding means
comprises a plurality of mold units, each for molding a separate
container, arranged transversely of the conveying direction and
across the web, whereby rows of containers are formed across the
moving web.
11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said molding means
further including a plurality of mold units, each for molding a
separate container, arranged longitudinally in the conveying
direction along the web, whereby a plurality of rows of containers
are formed along the web simultaneously and affording additional
time for the molding of each container as the web travels a
predetermined distance.
12. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said molding means
comprises a plurality of mold units, each for molding a separate
container, arranged longitudinally in the conveying direction along
the web, whereby a plurality of containers are formed along the web
simultaneously to afford additional time for the molding of each
container as the web travels a predetermined distance.
13. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the molding means
comprises means for applying an air pressure differential across
the web to cause the web to be shaped by the molding means.
14. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the mold driving
means and the heater driving means are adapted to operate in
push-pull relationship to cause out of phase movement thereof
reducing the forces in the apparatus resulting from
acceleration.
15. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the means for
continuously conveying includes means for cooperating with the web
throughout the combined forming and filling apparatus to impart
substantially constant spaced speed movement to the web and formed
containers throughout the apparatus.
16. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the means for
cooperating and moving includes an endless conveyer member having
means for engaging the web at least at one longitudinal web edge to
draw the web through the combined apparatus.
17. The apparatus according to claim 5 further including means for
separating the containers from the web downstream of the filling
means.
18. The apparatus according to claim 17 further including means for
covering the newly filled container immediately downstream of the
filling means and means for sealing the covered containers before
they are severed from the web.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a filling machine, and more particularly
to a filling machine of the kind in which the containers to be
filled are delivered to continuously associated filling apparatus
and sealing apparatus.
A filling machine has been known in which the filling outlets or
nozzles move, during the filling process in the same direction as
the containers to be filled. The containers are placed on a
continuously moving conveyer. The containers are delivered to the
conveyer by means of a feeder device, and when filled, and possibly
sealed, are again removed at the outlet from the machine.
In such known techniques, containers are produced separate from the
filling machine. They must be conveyed from the place of
production, possibly after intermediate storage, to the filling
machine and must be loaded into the magazine of the machine
subsequently to be placed on the conveyor for filling. The
transporting of the containers which are very light and sensitive
is quite expensive, particularly if the containers require
inordinate amounts of space. The filling of the magazines must be
supervised and it is not infrequent that stoppages at the magazine
result in disturbances in the operation of the entire filling
machine. From the point of view of hygiene, it would likewise be
desirable if transportation between the container making apparatus,
which may be located in a completely different plant, and the
filling machine could be eliminated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefor an important object of this invention to create a
filling machine and method of the type referred to above in which
the disadvantages mentioned do not occur. Specifically, this
invention has an object to facilitate production of containers
directly on the filling machine, without any intermediate storage
or conveying, without thereby adversely affecting the continuous
passage of the containers in the area of filling.
In accordance with the invention, the objects of the invention are
attained by the association of the filling machine with container
molding apparatus shaping containers from a web of material. The
web of material moves continuously in the zone of the molding
machine and the molding apparatus is provided with a drive which
moves the mold parts parallel to and at equal speed with the web,
over at least an associated distance corresponding to the molding
time. The drive returns the mold parts, following the molding
operation to begin a further cycle.
Accordingly, the molding apparatus for producing the containers can
be directly integrated with the filling machine. The containers are
produced only shortly prior to filling so that contamination need
not be feared. Most important, in spite of immediate incorporation
of the forming device, continuous travel of the containers through
the entire filling machine, including the molding apparatus, can be
maintained so that no adverse effects are created by otherwise
necessary speed-ups or delays whereby the output of a machine can
be considerably reduced. The latter applies especially to the
filling of thin liquids (fruit juices, etc.) particularly
susceptible to being splashed out by accelerations and
decelerations.
The movement to and fro of the molding apparatus is preferably
effected in a straight line. In accordance with a further preferred
characteristic of the invention, the containers formed from the web
of material travel continuously and remain joined together by the
web of material through the filling, and possibly sealing,
operations. Thus, the containers are simply formed out of the
material web but are not initially separated from it. This
considerably simplifies the conveying mechanism which, in effect,
includes the very web of material and the containers
themselves.
Several molding parts (male or female molds) can be disposed in the
molding apparatus transverse to the direction of moving of the
material web to form several containers across the web. Similarly,
several molding units may be arranged successively in the direction
of travel. It may be of special advantage if the number of molding
units arranged in succession in the direction of the web of
material does not equal the number of the filling nozzles, and if
applicable, sealing arrangements. This permits the length of the
distance to be travelled through by the molding units and by the
filling, and sealing, units to differ according to the number of
units employed, Hence, the cadences of the individual processes
(molding, filling, sealing, etc.) may differ, and it is not
necessary that the slowest station determine the number of cycles
of all other stations. Increased numbers of slower units permits
efficient use of faster units. For example, if the filling of a
container requires only half of the molding time, the number of
molding units in line may be doubled, the filling units may be run
at optimum speed, increasing the output. On the other hand, only
half as many filling units as molding units can be provided with
resulting economic machine construction.
The molding apparatus preferably employs blow molding or vacuum
molding arrangements whereby an air pressure differential across
the web forces the web into conformity with a mold. A carriage
displaced on straight guide rails may carry the molding apparatus.
The carriage supports an upper mold part and lower mold part which
move with the carriage and are moved toward and away from one
another and across the path of travel of the web. The upper and
lower mold parts carry the molding units. The upper part and the
lower part move towards each other and into cooperation at the
start of the associated running distance of the molding apparatus
and move apart to a retracted position away from the web at the end
of the associated running distance in order to release the molded
containers. In this retracted position the carriage executes its
return.
If a hot molding material web is used, the molding station will be
preceded by a heating device which, preferably, comprises at least
two plates to be heated and pressed against the web on opposite
sides. The heating device is carried along at the speed of the web
during the time in which the plates are pressed against the web.
Even though different manners of heating of the material web might
be contemplated, for example radiation, this heating method was
found to be especially suitable. A further advantage results from
push-pull operation of the molding and heating devices whereby
inertia forces generated can be compensated.
To convey the web, the filling machine may be provided with an
endless, moving conveyer seizing the web at its edges in the
filling zone. By this means, and a common drive, absolute
synchronism of the web and the individual moving units is ensured
by a simple means. Similarly, the several movable units may be
driven from a single synchronizing drive shaft or the like, via
appropriate individual drive means including arms and levers.
Smooth, synchronous operation is assured by simple economical
construction.
Further advantages and characteristics of the invention will become
apparent from the claims and the description together with the
drawings. The drawings represent an example of an embodiment of the
invention which is explained in detail below.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical side view of a filling machine according
to the invention.
FIG. 2 is the diagrammatic plane view of the machine in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of a part of the machine in FIG.
1.
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic cross section through the line IV--IV in
FIG. 3; and
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of the drive for the molding
and heating arrangements in which the parts shown above the line y
have been displaced for clarity.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The filling machine shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 has a frame 11 on which
are arranged successively in the conveying direction shown by arrow
12 the following sections: a delivery or stock roll 13 for a
material web 14, a heating station 15, a molding station 16, a
filling station 17, a sealing station 18, a separating station 19,
and a conveyer 20 for removal of containers 21, which are formed
and filled by the FIG. 1 apparatus.
Coming from the feed roll 13, the material web 14 runs continuously
through the entire filling machine as far as the separating station
19. The heating and molding stations 15 and 16 will later be
described in detail. The filling station 17 is provided with
measuring or dosing pumps 23 arranged on a carriage 22. The pumps
23 are supplied from a stationary supply container 24 and mete out
measured quantities of flowable fill to the newly formed containers
21, via the filling outlets or nozzles 25. "Flowable fill" is meant
to include any medium that can be dispensed in doses or measured
quantities. The preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 is especially
suitable for the filling or decanting of either a thin liquid such
as fruit juice or a pasty substance with a consistency like that of
cream or yoghurt.
The carriage 22 is movable parallel to the web of material 14. The
actual filling of a container by the releasing of the fill is
accomplished while the carriage moves in the conveying direction
shown by arrow 12 at the same speed as the material web 14 and
while the nozzles 25 are situated above the containers 21 formed in
the web material. After filling has been completed, the carriage
22, pumps 23, and nozzles 25 return, opposite the conveying
direction to begin a new cycle.
In the example shown, four rows of containers 21 are formed along
the web 14. Two rows of filling nozzles 25 extend across the web
14. As will be explained further, the number of filling nozzles in
line can be selected in accordance with both the filling speed and
the velocity of the material web.
The sealing station 18 and the separating station 19 can be
constructed conventionally. However, care must be taken that these
stations, too, move at equal speed and in the same direction as the
material web 14 by the use of appropriate carriages like the
carriage 30. The sealing station 18 includes a covering unit 27 and
sealing apparatus 28. The covering unit 27 supplies a cover onto
the now-filled containers. The cover may be an additional web of
thermoplastic material. The cover then is sealed to the containers
by the apparatus 28 which may be, for example, a heat sealing
arrangement. The filled and sealed containers 21 then are punched
out of the web 14 at the separating station 19.
FIGS. 3 and 4 show in detail the heating station and the molding
station. The molding station 16 is provided with a carriage 30
running on slide rails 31 and displaceable parallel to the material
web 14. In the example shown, the slide rails 31 consist of round
guide columns arranged in frame carriers 32. The carriage 30
supports an upper mold part 33 and a lower mold part 34 of the
molding station 16. The mold parts 33, 34 are movable toward and
away from each other. This movement is achieved by means of a crank
mechanism which is controlled by a shaft 35 and is provided with a
two armed lever 36 as well as the connecting levers 37, 38. The
connecting lever 37 causes the movement of the lower mold part 34
while the lever 38 acts on a yoke 39 which, via connecting rods 40,
is coupled with an upper yoke 41 carrying the upper mold part
33.
The design of the upper and lower mold parts depends upon the type
of molding procedure. In this exemplary preferred embodiment, the
material web 14 consists of a thermoplastic foil which is molded by
the apparatus of the molding station 16 in blow or vacuum molding
method. Moreover, the upper mold part 33 is provided with
pre-expansion dies 42. Movably supported from the upper yoke 41, a
frame 43 surrounds the dies 42. The frame 43 and the dies 42 are
relatively movable by means of a compressed air cylinder 46. The
lower part 34 of the mold 16 is provided with mold cavities 44
which are concave molds for the exact outer shape of the containers
to be molded.
In the example shown in the drawings, blow molding is used.
Therefore the frame 43 is sealed, in suitable fashion, with respect
to the guide rods 45 supporting the dies 42 and movably retaining
the frame 43. The pre-expansion dies have blow openings from which
emerges the air to finish forming the containers. The lower mold
cavities are ventilated by means of thin bores, not shown. In this
embodiment, the upper and lower mold parts define sixteen molding
units, four rows of four each. The units work simultaneously so
that during any given cycle of the molding station 16, a total of
16 containers is formed.
Preceding the molding station in the direction of advance is
arranged the heating station 15. It consists of two heated plates,
47 and 48, movable towards each other by means of a lever
arrangement which essentially corresponds to the lever arrangement
35, 36, 37, and 38 of the molding station 16. These plates touch
the material web 14 on either side as they are moved towards each
other by the rotation of shaft 35'. The plates 47, 48 are attached
by means of guides 49 to a carriage 50 running on the slide rails
31 and fastened to the frame supports 32. The slide rails,
carriage, and guides may correspond to those of the molding
station.
The feed roll 13 for the material web 14 is arranged on a bearing
support 51 in the frame 11 and is removable for changing when
exhausted. FIG. 3 shows, in broken lines, a circulating conveyer 52
which runs over the rollers 53 and seizes the edge of and guides
the material web 14, by means of its upper run. Cooperation of the
conveyer and web continues over almost the entire length of the
filling machine. The conveyer 52 may be a pair of belts with
protrusions perforating the material web 14 in the edge area to
grasp the web and thereby to take it along positively, or, for
example, the conveyer 52 may be a pair of known clip chain
arrangements in which the clips hold the material web 14 in the
edge areas. By either arrangement, one ensures that the web of
material, which is frequently quite likely to stretch, runs in
precise synchronization with the individual stations which act in
association. It is possible, and advantageous, to compensate
transverse expansion or shrinking of the material web by varying
the space between the two edge grasping belts of the conveyer 52.
For example, in the event of cross expansion due to the effect of
heat, sagging of the material web can be prevented by having the
belts run in slightly divergent directions.
FIG. 5 is a diagram of the drive for the carriage 30 of the molding
station 16. A like drive for the heating station 15 may be used.
Longitudinal movement of the carriage 30 on the slide rails 31 is
obtained by means of a drum cam, rotated, for example, by a motor
M. For clarity, in FIG. 5 the drum cam 54 is shown above the
carriage 30, whereas more practically, the cam is located behind
the carriage 30, as viewed in FIG. 5. That is to say all of
elements of FIG. 5 above the axis y would be swung 90.degree. about
the axis into the plane of the paper. The drum cam 54 has a guide
slot 55 which forms an endless curved guide groove for the roller
about the circumference of the drum. When the drum 54 rotates, the
carriage 30 moves to and fro in the direction of the double arrow
57 and parallel the conveying direction.
The vertical motions, which impart closing and opening movements to
the mold parts, are controlled by a revolving disc cam 58. In the
example shown, the cam 58 rotates with the same number of rotations
as the drum cam 54. The disc cam 58 drives a lever 59 which,
intermediate its ends, has a fulcrum on the frame 11 and a roller
at its cam follower end. The other lever end is attached to a guide
plate 60. A further support lever 61 attached to the guide plate,
maintains the guide plate parallel to the carriage during movement.
The guide plate has a slot 62 which receives a roller 63. By means
of a lever 64 the roller 63 is connected with the shaft 35 and
actuates the shaft. As mentioned above in relation to FIG. 3, the
shaft 35 controls the opening and closing of the mold parts.
When the disc cam 58 drives the lever 59, that lever pivots so that
the guide plate 60 is displaced upwards or downwards, remaining
parallel to the direction of movement of the carriage. The roller
moving in the slot 62 pivots the lever 64 and the shaft 35. Due to
the always parallel disposition of the guide plate 60 and of the
slot 62, the position of the carriage relative to the guide plate
has no effect on the arc through which the roller 63, lever 64, and
shaft 35 are driven.
For the sake of simplification, FIG. 5 shows the drive of the disc
cam 58 independent from the drive of the drum cam 54. However, for
synchronization, it is preferred that all movements be derived from
a common drive shaft 66 as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 4. The
motor M, which is part of the drive 68, may be coupled to the shaft
66 via a transmission 67 and a belt or chain. Or the shaft 66 may
be driven directly to control similar carriage drives 68 via the
belt and gearing 67. In FIG. 5, the driving device 68, of FIG. 4
appears only as a block.
OVERALL OPERATION
From the feed roller 13, the web 14 advances to between the plates
47, 48 of the heating station 15. At the entrance into the heating
station, the edges of the web 14 are seized by the conveyer belts
52 and are carried forward. In the extreme upstream position of the
carriage as in FIG. 3, the plates 47, 48 close as a result of the
swinging of the shaft 35' in clockwise direction. The plates come
to rest against and heat the web 14. Simultaneously, the carriage
50 moves downstream at precisely the same velocity as the material
web, the two being preferably commonly driven. Shortly before the
downstream limit of the carriage movement, the plates 47, 48
separate again. The material web 14, which is now heated, advances
into the molding station 16 with constant speed. The plates 47, 48
remain opened while the carriage 50 again runs back upstream.
In the extreme upstream position of the molding station's carriage
30, the upper and lower mold parts 33, 34 are separated. The
molding station is open. The drive of FIG. 5 moves the carriage 30
forward, accelerating at as constant a rate as possible, thereby
holding transient forces to a minimum throughout the system. The
carriage 30 is brought by the drum cam 54 to a constant speed which
is precisely the speed of the web 14. The upper and lower mold
parts, 33 and 34, are then moved towards each other by the pivoting
of the shaft 35 clockwise in the manner described above. Due to the
unequal arms of the lever 36, as shown in FIG. 3, the lower part 34
moves up faster than the upper part 33 moves down. The opposing
faces 69 and 70 of these two parts, respectively, come to rest
against the web 14.
In the embodiment represented here, care should be taken to assure
that the face 69 of the frame 43 comes tightly to bear against the
material web. Thereafter occurs the molding operation. The
pre-expansion dies 42 are lowered by means of the compressed air
cylinder 46. The material is pressed into the molding cavities 44
corresponding to their outside shape. The dies 42 do not yet cause
the displaced web portions to correspond to the final shape
determined by the mold cavities, since the dies are smaller than
the subsequent interior shape of the containers. These dies merely
effect the initial mechanical shaping of the containers.
Thereafter, compressed air is forced into the container interior
via the blow nozzles 71 in the pre-expansion dies. As a result, the
heated material is forced to the walls of the mold cavities 44,
thereby acquiring its final shape. The air present in the mold
cavities may escape through the bores mentioned above. The lower
mold part 34 may be cooled in order to achieve fast hardening or
stabilization of the soft synthetic material.
It should be mentioned here that it may be of advantage frequently
to employ a vacuum molding method instead of the blow molding
method described. Only a few modifications of the process described
have to be applied in such a case. The blow openings 71 in the
pre-expansion dies 42 may then be dispensed with, and the frame 43
need not be sealed tight with respect to the dies 42 and guide rods
45. On the other hand, a vacuum source is connected to the molding
cavities 44 which, for the purpose of final molding of the
material, sucks the material against the inside walls of the
molding cavities.
During the molding process described, the carriage 30 has, of
course, been moving to the right at the same speed as the material
web 14. Shortly before arrival at the downstream reversing point,
the mold parts open due to the swing of the shaft 35
counterclockwise. The containers are thus freed from the mold
cavities 44 and continue advancing as the carriage stops and
returns upstream to mold further containers from the web. The
return of the carriage 30 in the direction counter to the direction
of conveying need not be effected with constant speed but can be
executed, for example, with constant acceleration over half of the
return path and then with constant deceleration so that, as a
whole, the return is effected faster than downstream travel.
The containers 21, which have now been fully molded, but which are
still connected at their upper edges, continue their travel towards
the filling station. Filling takes place as previously described.
The now-filled containers are closed by the placement of a cover
foil conventionally over all. This foil then is sealed on. Only
afterwards the containers are punched out by the punching station
which also travels with the containers. The punching apparatus
which separates the containers from the web may be like web cutting
or punching apparatus well known in the art, but is preferably
driven by a drive like that discussed above in relation to FIG.
5.
It is evident that the machine can be adopted easily to meet
varying requirements. For example, if molding requires double as
much time as filling, one provides, for example, for double the
number of molding units arranged in series. The slowest station,
i.e., the station which takes the longest time to act on the web or
containers, thus does not determine the cycle speed of the entire
machine. The through put speed of the entire operation can
therefore be multiplied, without any branching, by simple
increasing of the units or assemblies at each station which act on
the web or containers.
Many variants of the preferred embodiment can be achieved within
the scope of the invention. The type of machine described can be
employed for many kinds of containers and materials.
The molding station, on the other hand, can be easily adjusted to
the molding methods required in each case. As already mentioned,
the contact heating method described may be replaced by radiation
heating. In the event that the cycle of operation times are chosen
to be equal for the heating operation and for the molding operation
and mass compensation by contrary motion is of no concern, the
carriages 30 and 50 may be moved by means of an entirely common
drive moving both carriages at the same time and in the same
direction, or even by carrying the heating plates and the mold
parts on one carriage. To offset forces in the apparatus resulting
from acceleration of the two carriages, and the members supported
thereby, the driving provisions which move the carriages linearly
should be adjusted to operate in a push-pull or out of phase
relationship in which the acceleration of one carriage in one
direction substantially offsets the acceleration of the other
carriage in the other direction. If two drum cams are employed,
adjustment of the relative rotary positions thereof, one to the
other, may lend the desired result.
The preferred embodiment illustrates and describes only one
exemplary method and machine and should not be understood to limit
the scope of protection, which scope is defined solely by the
claims appended hereto.
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