U.S. patent number 3,910,005 [Application Number 05/418,974] was granted by the patent office on 1975-10-07 for process and machine for packing.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Societe d'Applications Thermiques. Invention is credited to Gregoire Levante, Hubert A. Thimon.
United States Patent |
3,910,005 |
Thimon , et al. |
October 7, 1975 |
Process and machine for packing
Abstract
A load is wrapped in a length of film approximately
corresponding to a periphery of the load. The film emanates from a
stack reel, and is wound onto a transfer magazine. This magazine is
then moved relative to the load, around the same, to form a loop of
film around the load. The film is unwound from the magazine in this
process. Finally the ends of the loop are joined, edge to edge.
Inventors: |
Thimon; Hubert A. (Aix les
Bains, FR), Levante; Gregoire (Aix les Bains,
FR) |
Assignee: |
Societe d'Applications
Thermiques (FR)
|
Family
ID: |
26217427 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/418,974 |
Filed: |
November 26, 1973 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Nov 24, 1972 [FR] |
|
|
72.42505 |
Jul 26, 1973 [FR] |
|
|
73.27489 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/397; 53/210;
53/441; 53/556; 53/580; 53/586; 53/588 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B
11/30 (20130101); B65B 11/10 (20130101); B65B
9/026 (20130101); B65B 11/025 (20130101); B65B
2210/02 (20130101); B65B 2210/18 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65B
11/10 (20060101); B65B 11/30 (20060101); B65B
11/02 (20060101); B65B 11/06 (20060101); B65b
013/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;53/3,196,198R,210,218 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: McGehee; Travis S.
Assistant Examiner: Sipos; John
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Burns; Robert E. Lobato; Emmanuel
J. Adams; Bruce L.
Claims
We claim:
1. A method of packing a load in a film of material,
comprising;
moving a length of film approximately corresponding to a periphery
of the load to be packed from a supply area, and around an axis
thereof into a cylindrical transfer magazine with a shaft, parallel
to said axis; thereafter
moving said magazine relative to the load and around the load
starting form a point in the vicinity of the supply area to form a
loop of film around the load, the film moved onto the cylindrical
magazine being progressively unwound therefrom in the course of
such moving of the magazine to apply the film of the load; and
then joining ends of the film edge to edge.
2. A method in accordance with claim 1, including, securing the
supply area against moving of additional film material therefrom
during the moving of the cylindrical magazine around the load.
3. A method in accordance with claim 1, including braking the
cylindrical magazine against rotation thereof during said moving
thereof about the load, to stretch the film unwound therefrom.
4. A method in accordance with claim 1, including stretching the
film during the moving thereof onto the cylindrical magazine.
5. Machine for packing a load in one single film emanating from a
stock reel, comprising;
one single cylinder of which the axis is parallel to that of a
stock reel;
means for winding film emanating from the stock reel on said
cylinder to make it a cylindrical magazine; and
means for moving the cylinder along a given kinetic circuit, so
that the axis of the cylinder will be kept constantly parallel to
the stock reel and that the film will progressively form a loop
completely surrounding the load.
6. Packing machine in accordance with claim 5, including a vertical
shaft for the single cylinder; first driving means for moving the
shaft of the cylindrical magazine along said circuit; and second
driving means for causing the cylindrical magazine to pivot about
its shaft independently of the position of this latter on the
circuit.
7. Packing machine in accordance with claim 6, in which said
circuit comprises a guide track which consists of a slide bar
forming a loop having an internal opening larger than the load to
be packed, in a horizontal plane.
8. Packing machine in accordance with claim 6 in which the first
and second driving means comprise two horizontal and concentric
circular rims, including an internal rim and an external rim,
having teeth facing towards the external rim and teeth facing
towards the internal rim, respectively; a pinion borne by the shaft
of the cylindrical magazine and drivable by the internal circular
rim and the external circular rim for enabling either of the two
circular toothed rims to pivot, independently of the other, so as
to enable moving the shaft of the cylindrical magazine along the
guide track and turning said cylindrical magazine about the pivot
shaft.
9. Packing machine in accordance with claim 7, including jack means
acting on the shaft of the cylindrical magazine to move it along at
least one portion of the track, said cylinder being mounted, with
moderate friction, about its shaft so that movement of said shaft
automatically causes the cylindrical magazine to pivot about its
shaft, owing to tension of the film held on the stock reel.
10. Packing machine in accordance with claim 7 wherein the guide
track consists of at least one fixed horizontal slide bar and a
perpendicular horizontal traverse, supporting the cylindrical
magazine.
11. Packing machine in accordance with claim 5, comprising a number
of stock reels for films of different characteristics; an upper
magazine for said reels, having a lower part with a system for
selection of delivery and cutting of a film; means for winding a
length of the selected film onto the cylindrical magazine; means
for imparting to said cylinder a rotatory movement and a vertical
traversing movement between the upper magazine and one of the stock
reels for film, whereby moving the cylindrical magazine along said
circuit enables said magazine to extract a selected film and to
store a known length thereof on a stock reel and also enables the
loop to be formed as a result of horizontal movement of the
load.
12. Packing machine in accordance with claim 11, in which the means
for imparting movement to the cylindrical magazine comprise a guide
track for the shaft of the cylindrical magazine, two belts
lognitudinally movable along the guide track, two pinions on the
respective two sides of the latter, and two motor units driving the
belts independently of each other, in such a manner as to transmit
the movements to the cylindrical magazine, of which the axis
remains constantly horizontal.
13. Packing machine in accordance with claim 11, including a film
selection system and an automatic device for reading the dimensions
of the load to be packed to control the film selection system.
14. Packing machine in accordance with claim 5, including means for
pivoting the cylindrical magazine and the stock reel, in such
manner that their peripheral speeds differ.
15. Packing machine in accordance with claim 5, including means for
braking movement of the cylindrical magazine about its axis.
Description
The invention relates to a process and a machine for packing, by
the aid of one single intermediate transfer support of elongated
shape, such as a cylinder or a prism.
A packing process and machine are known in which a curtain of
packing film is first of all produced between two horizontal or
vertical stock reels. The load to be packed is then moved in the
direction of the curtain, which undergoes deformation due to the
load and comes to rest against this latter. The two parts of the
film are then combined together along two horizontal or vertical
lines, both sides of the load.
Another known type of packing machine comprises a table which is
mounted pivotably about a vertical axis and on which is placed the
load to be packed, on the one hand, and a vertical stock reel of
film, on the other. During the pivoting movement of the table, the
film, of which the initial end is taken up by the load, comes to
rest little by little against the latter, in order to cover it.
Finally, a packing machine is known which comprises one single
stock and transfer reel of which the shaft can be adjusted in its
position around the load to be packed. The initial end of the film
is hooked into the load, and this film gradually covers the load as
and when the shaft of the reel continues in its movement around the
latter.
These various types of machine all suffer from the dual drawback
that the load actively participates in the packing process, which
may prove inconvenient, particularly in the case of fragile loads,
and that is is difficult to use them with types of film capable of
stretching.
Finally, in the particular case of a machine of the "curtain" type,
the packing process involves two lines along which the film is to
be joined, these being in the front and at the rear of the load
respectively and constituting extra-fragile zones in which the
packing is more than usually liable to deteriorate.
The purpose of the packing process and machine to which the
invention relates is to remedy these various drawbacks by the use
of one single horizontal or vertical stock reel for film, its
dimension (width, thickness, etc.) and nature being easily and
automatically adaptable to the load to be packed. The process and
the machine can be employed with films capable of stretching.
A process enabling a load held in a fixed position to be packed in
a film of material emanating from one single stock reel with a
vertical shaft is preferably characterized by the fact that a
length of film approximately corresponding to the periphery of the
load to be packed is wound onto a cylindrical transfer magazine
with a vertical shaft, after which the said cylindrical magazine is
moved around the load and starting from a point in the vicinity of
the stock reel in order to cause it to form a loop around the load,
the length of film stored in advance on the cylindrical magazine
being progressively unwound in the course of the said movement in
order to apply the film to the load, the two ends of the film then
being joined edge to edge.
A process for packing a load from one single film wound onto a
stock reel with a horizontal shaft and situated above the load is
characterized by the fact that a length of film sufficient to cover
the load, i.e. a length at least equal to the perimeter of the load
to be covered, is unwound from the stock reel, a vertical curtain
kept stretched in front of the load being formed with the film
which has been unwound, the load being moved horizontally in the
direction of the curtain, thus deforming the latter, in such a way
as to apply the film first to its vertical front surface and then
to its upper and lower horizontal surfaces, using the unwound film,
the film being applied to the rear vertical surface of the load in
order to form a loop of film completely surrounding the said load,
after which the two ends of the said loop are joined together.
A machine for packing a load in one single film emanating from a
stock reel with a horizontal or vertical shaft situated in the
upper part of the machine, the machine being intended in particular
for a goods handling line, is characterized by the fact that it
comprises one single cylinder of which the axis is parallel to that
of the stock reel and which is fitted with means for winding onto
it the film emanating from this latter, the said cylinder being
movable in accordance with a given kinetic circuit, which is
adapted in such a way as to ensure that the axis of the cylinder is
kept parallel to the reel at all times and that the film attached
by one of its ends to the cylinder will progressively form a loop
completely surrounding the load.
The invention will be understood more clearly from the description
given of a number of embodiments thereof, by reference to the
drawings, in which:
FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are three schematic views from above, illustrating
respectively an initial stage, an intermediate stage and the final
stage of the process to which the invention relates, in the case of
a vertical stock reel.
FIG. 4 is a view, from above, of a first embodiment of the packing
machine, with a vertical stock reel.
FIG. 5 is a half-section, through a vertical axial plane, of
another embodiment of a machine with a vertical stock reel.
FIG. 6 is a view, in elevation, of a control board for the
movements of a cylindrical transfer magazine for the machine shown
in FIGS. 4 and 5.
FIG. 7 is a view, from above, of a second possible alternative
version of the packing machine with a vertical stock reel.
FIG. 8 is a view, from above, of a third possible version of the
packing machine with a vertical stock reel.
FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view through a vertical central
plane, illustrating a packing machine with horizontal reels.
FIGS. 10-16 are partial sectional schematic diagrams, through a
vertical central plane, illustrating the successive operating
phases of the machine shown in FIG. 9.
FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram, in perspective, illustrating the
means for driving a transfer cylinder for the machine shown in FIG.
9.
FIGS. 18-23 are schematic sectional diagrams through a vertical
central plane, illustrating a first alternative version of a
machine with a horizontal stock reel, at six different stages of
its operation.
FIGS. 24 and 25 are schematic section diagrams, through a vertical
central plane, illustrating a second alternative version of a
machine with a horizontal stock reel, at two stages of its
operation.
FIGS. 26 and 27 are schematic sectional diagrams, through a
vertical central plane, illustrating a third alternative version of
a machine with a horizontal stock reel, at two different stages of
its operation.
FIGS. 28-30 are schematic sectional diagrams, through a vertical
central plane, illustrating a fourth possible alternative version
of a machine with a horizontal stock reel, at three different
stages of its operation.
FIGS. 31-33 are schematic sectional views, through a vertical
central plane, illustrating a fifth possible alternative version of
a machine with horizontal stock reel, at three different stages of
its operation.
FIGS. 1 - 3 show a load 1 which is held in a fixed position and of
which the vertical lateral faces are to be covered with a film of
material emanating from a stock reel 2 with a fixed vertical shaft.
The packing is carried out by the combined movements of an
intermediate transfer support consisting, in this particular case,
of a cylindrical magazine 3 movable abouts its vertical pivot 4,
capable of moving along a circuit 5, forming a loop surrounding the
load 1.
In the first stage of the process the pivot 4 is kept in a fixed
position and the cylindrical magazine 3 caused to rotate about its
pivot 4 in the direction shown by the arrow 6, as a result of which
a length of film, approximately corresponding to the peripheral
length of the load 1 to be packed, accumulates on the said
magazine. The stock reel 2 can pivot about its vertical pivot,
preferably with moderate friction, in order to prevent the film
from unwinding too suddenly (FIG. 1).
In the second stage of the process, the stock reel 2 is secured in
position on its pivot while at the same the shaft 4 of the
cylindrical magazine is caused to move along the circuit 5 from its
initial position (FIG. 1) in the direction shown by the arrow 7 and
the said magazine 3 also turns about its pivot 4 in that shown by
the arrow 8 and opposite to that shown by the arrow 6. These two
combined movements, i.e. the rotation of the cylindrical magazine
about its axis and the displacement of the shaft of the cylinder,
result in the unwinding of the film which has accumulated in
advance on the cylindrical magazine and in the gradual covering of
the lateral faces of the load 1.
These combined movements are continued until the cylindrical
magazine 3 has largely returned to its initial position in the
vicinity of the stock reel 2 and the film 9 forms a closed loop
totally covering the vertical laterial faces of the load 1 (FIG.
3).
The next operations are the joining of the two ends and of the loop
of film 9 and the cutting of the said film, represented
schematically by the arrows 10a and 10b. The load 1 can then be
removed and a fresh packing cycle commenced. The operation of
joining together the two ends of the film is carried out by any
known process (welding, adhesive, hooks etc.).
In a possible alternative version of the process the film emerges
above the upper horizontal face of the load 1, and this emerging
part is folded over onto the load insuch a way as to cover it. A
sheet joined to the band previously produced can likewise be
pressed against the said upper horizontal face.
In another version of the invention use can be made of a film
capable of stretching.
The stretching can be effected by braking the rotation of the
cylindrical magazine 3 about its shaft 4 during its movement along
the circuit 5. The film stored on the cylindrical magazine not
being stretched, the stretching is applied to the corners of the
load.
The stretching can also be effected by creating a tension on the
film at the moment when it is stored on the cylindrical magazine.
This tension results either from the braking of the stock reel 2 in
rotation about its shaft or from the linear speed difference
between the stock reel 2 and the magazine 3. In both cases the
force applied to the load 1 is much smaller than in the first
version described above.
FIG. 4 shows a possible embodiment of the machine comprising a
central pallet 10 on which is placed the load to be covered, two
concentric toothed rims, i.e. an internal one 11 and an external
one 12, of which the teeth, facing toward the external one 12 and
towards the internal one, respectively, engage a pinion 13 integral
with the shaft 4 of the cylindrical magazine 3 and situated between
the two toothed rims.
Driving means 14 and 15 in the form of reduction motors, for
example, drive the internal toothed rim 11 and the external toothed
rim 12 respectively, causing them to rotate about their common
pivot 16.
The stopping or operation, in the direct or indirect sense, of each
of the reduction motors 14 and 15, and thus of the toothed rims 11
and 12 associated therewith, define the possibilities for the
movement of the cylindrical magazine 3. The nine combined
possibilities of movement for the shaft 4 of the cylindrical
magazine 3 on the one hand and the cylinder 3 turning about its
pivot 4 on the other are indicated in their turn in FIG. 6 as a
function of the direction of movement imparted to each of the
reduction motors 14, 15. Each of these latter is either at a
standstill, represented by 0, in direct rotation, shown by +, or in
indirect rotation, shown by -. The movement of the shaft 3, if any,
is shown either by the arrow V + or by the arrow V -, according to
whether it is direct or indirection. Similarly, the rotation of the
cylinder 3 about its pivot 4, if any, is shown either by the arrow
U+ or by the arrow U-, according to whether is it direct or
indirect.
The machine according to the invention may comprise a double input
control board, each input comprising three push buttons, i.e. for
stopping the reduction motor 14 and 15 and for operating them in
either of the two directions.
Finally, the machine incudes a stock reel 2 situated outside the
external toothed rim 12. This stock reel is preferably mounted with
moderate friction on its vertical shaft in such a way as to obviate
any over-sudden unwinding of the film.
FIG. 5 shows a first embodiment of the machine with vertical stock
reel, comprising a cylindrical drum 17 capable of turning about its
vertical pivot 16 and provided on its cylindrical surface with at
least one internal chain 18, and also a collar 19, of the same axis
as the drum 17, these two items being rotatable about the said
axis, enveloping the drum 17, the collar being provided on its
internal face with at least one external chain 20, the said chains,
i.e. the internal chain 18 and the external chain 20, engaging the
pinion 13 of the cylindrical magazine 3. The internal chain 18 and
the external chain 20 drive the shaft 4 of the cylindrical magazine
and/or the cylindrical magazine 3 itself, pivotable about its shaft
4. The collar 20 may comprise a bent part 21 forming a support for
the pinion 13 of the cylindrical magazine 3, which is thus
suspended and guided by the drum 17 and the collar 19.
In one possible alternative the two movements of the cylindrical
magazine 3 can be separate. In this case, the packing machine
comprises a supplementary reduction motor causing the cylindrical
magazine 3 to turn about its pivot 4 at the moment when the film
coming from the stock reel 2 accumulates. The said magazine is in
this case mounted with moderate friction on its shaft 4 in such a
way that during the movement of this shaft the film subjects the
cylinder to a certain tension causing it to perform a pivoting
movement.
FIG. 7 shows a second variant of the packing machine with vertical
stock reel. This version comprises two rectilinear gantries 22, 23,
which are parallel to each other and situated on the respective
sides of the load 1, forming horizontal slide bars between which a
traverse 24 extends and is able to slide.
One or more assemblies comprising a reduction motor 25, an endless
chain 26 and a toothed return wheel 27 enables the traverse 24 to
be moved along the gantries 22 and 23 forming slide bars.
The cylindrical magazine 3 is borne by a carriage 28 slidably
mounted on the traverse 24 and driven in a manner known per se by a
reduction motor 29, an endless chain 30 and a toothed return wheel
31. The stock reel 2 is preferably situated in the vicinity of an
edge of the gantry, such as that of the gantry 22.
The circuit 5 is of square or rectangular shape, defined by the
four apices a, b, c, d. During the movement of the pivot 4 of the
cylinder 3 over the sections ab and cd, the carriage 28 moves in
one direction or in the other along the traverse 24, which remains
at rest. On the other hand, during the movement along the sections
bc and da, the carriage 28 remains in a fixed position on the
traverse 24, which is moved in one direction or in the other along
the gantries 22 and 23 forming slide bars.
In this second variant, the cylindrical magazine 3 is preferably
mounted with moderate friction in such a way that the movement of
this carriage or that of the traverse 24 causes the cylinder to
turn about its pivot as a result of the tension exerted by the
film.
Needless to say, this variant comprises, as before, means for
cutting and combining the ends of the film. These means, known per
se, extend vertically in the vicinity of the stock reel. They
consist of welding jaws, gripping devices, adhesive devices or any
other suitable means.
FIG. 8 shows a third possible variant of the machine with vertical
stock reel, comprising a horizontal square or rectangular closed
ring defining the circuit 5, the cylinder 3 being suspended
thereon. Jacks 33a, 33b, 33c and 33d are situated at the respective
corners a, b, c and d of the slide bars 32, parallel to the sides
ab, bc, cd, da. The jack 33a, the jack 33b, the jack 33c and the
jack 33d are actuated respectively in succession when the
cylindrical magazine is situated at the corner a, at the corner b,
at the corner c, or at the corner d. The cylindrical magazine is
mounted with moderate friction about its shaft in such a way that
the movement the said shaft 4 causes the film to be unwound from
the cylinder.
If use is made of a film capable of stretching, the machine can
comprise, in a first possible version, a device for braking the
pivoting movement of the stock reel 2.
In a second possible version, the stock reel 2 and the cylindrical
magazine 3 both engage an intermediate pinion having a wide first
driving rim engaging the cylindrical magazine 3 and a second,
narrower driving rim, engaging the stock reel 2.
In a third possible version, the cylindridal magazine 3 and the
stock reel are set in rotation in such a way that their linear
pierpheral speeds differ.
Needless to say, the machines described in the foregoing may be
improved of varied in numerous ways, within the scope of the
invention. In particular, the cylindrical magazine serving as a
transfer device can be replaced by a prism or any other elongated
device with a longitudinal axis of symmetry.
The packing process and machine can also be applied to horizontal
stock reels. A description will now be given of various versions of
the process and of the corresponding machines.
The process for the packing of a load, starting from one single
film of material, wound onto a stock reel with a horizontal shaft,
comprises the following successive stages: first of all a length of
film sufficient to cover the load is unwound from the stock reel,
i.e. a length at least equal to the perimeter of the load to be
covered. A vertical curtain is them formed with the unwound film
and kept stretched in front of the load. The load is then moved
horizontally in the direction of the curtain, thus subjecting the
latter to deformation and consequently causing the film to come to
rest against the front surface of the load and then its upper and
lower faces. The film is then applied to the rear vertical face of
the load in such a way as to form a closed loop completely
surrounding the load. The two ends of the loop are then combined in
the vicinity of the rear vertical face of the load.
The dimensions and the nature of the loop may be varied within a
considerable range, in accordance with the particular load to be
packed.
For the operations of unwinding the film from the stock reel and
forming the vertical curtain, use is made of a cylindrical transfer
magazine. A certain length of film, cut from the stock reel, is
wound into the said cylinder, situated in the vicinity of the said
stock reel. The cylindrical magazine is movable. The said magazine,
on which is wound the cut length of film, is then moved vertically
downwards, as far as a point in the vicinity of the means for the
storage of the film. The length of film wound onto the magazine is
unwound towards the said store, the end of the length of film being
kept attached to the cylinder. Finally, the cylindrical magazine is
moved vertically upwards, thus forming the vertical curtain, kept
stretched between the cylinder and the storage means.
FIG. 9 shows an upper magazine 100 containing a number of reels 102
of which the axes are horizontal. These reels are held and
controlled by a system 103. The packing film 104 stored on a reel
102 penetrates, via the lower wall of the magazine 100, an assembly
105 serving for the selection, delivery, cutting and withdrawal of
the films used. The assembly 105 is automated from a device which
is not shown and which analyses the dimensions and nature of the
load 106 to be packed. A small portion or leader 700 of the film
selected is drawn down below the assembly 105. A cylindrical
magazine 108 comprises a system 111 to enable the cylinder to grip
this leader 107. Furthermore, the device comprises a lower reserve
109 situated below the transport rollers 110 of the load 106 to be
packed.
FIG. 17 shows the equipment of the cylindrical magazine 108, which
comprises, at each of its ends, a pinion 112 and sliding jaws 113,
resting against guides, not shown in the drawing. This device is
kept horizontal by engagement on the group of chains 114-115 and
116-117. Each of the groups of chains is actuated by a motor 118 or
119, via return pinions. The said return pinions, i.e. the upper
ones 120 and the lower ones 121, are mechanically and kinetically
integral. It can thus be seen that during the rotation of these
pinions the cylinder 108 remains horizontal. The circuits of chains
114-115 on the one hand and 116-117 on the other are actuated
independently of one another. Consequently, the combination of the
movements of these two circuits suffices to impart to the cylinder
108 eight different movements or rotations, in addition to
stoppage: ascent or descent (with or without rotation), rotation
alone, the said rotation being possible either to the left or to
the right.
The method of operation is as follows:
The automated assembly 105 receives signals produced by the
analysis of the load 106 when the latter moves forward. In
accordance with these signals, the assembly 105 selects a real 102
on which is wound a film of the nature, width and thickness
suitable for the load 106. The selector 105 then extracts a leader
107, i.e. the end of the packing film 104 selected. At the same
time, the kinetic circuits of the cylindrical magazine 108 are
acruated to cause the said cylinder to ascend as far as a point
just underneath the selector 105. The fact is that the jaws 113
preserve the engagement between the chains such as 115 and the
pinions 112 of the ends of the cylinder 108. When the cylindrical
magazine occupies its upper position, the system 111 grips the
leader 107 of the film and closes (FIG. 10). By means of the
devices shown in FIG. 9 the cylinder is caused to rotate (as shown
by the arrow 123) and stores up an length of film 104, this length
being determined on the basis of the analysis of the load 106 to be
packed (FIG. 11). When the wound length is sufficient, the cilm is
cut at the level of the assembly 105, in such a way as to leave a
leader 107 for the following load. The movement of the chains is
reversed and the cylindrical magazine 108 returns to the low
position along the vertical axis 122 (FIG. 12).
When it occupies this low position, i.e. just above the path along
which the load 106 moves, and ahead of this load, the cylindrical
magazine 108 is set in rotation in accordance with the arrow 124.
The end 125 of the film moves into position opposite an upper
aperture 126 provided in the lower store 109. A certain portion of
the transferred length 108 of the film 104 unwinds into this lower
store (FIG. 13). At the end of this operation the cylindrical
magazine re-ascends to its upper position, this return movement
being accompanied by a rotation of the cylinder about its axis, so
that a length of film re-winds about the cylinder 108. The various
movements effected by the cylinder 108 are independent. They are
combined in such a way as to form, ahead of the front face of the
load 106 to be packed, a stretched vertical curtain 127 consisting
of the film 104 (FIG. 14).
The operation of packing this load 106 is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.
The load 106 advances (as shown by the arrow 128) and takes with
it, while subjecting it to deformation, the stretched portion 127
of the film. During this movement the length 129 of film 104 in the
store 109 is extracted from this latter, the film interposing
itself between the track 110 and the load 106. At the same time the
upper part 130 of this film unwinds from the cylindrical magazine
108. As soon as the load has moved by a sufficient distance the
automatic system sets up the descent of the cylinder 108 (arrow
131, FIG. 16) to cause the packing film to come to rest first
against the upper face and then against the rear face of the load
106 when the cylindrical magazine 108 has reached its lower
position, and behind the load 106 the gripping system 111 opens and
frees the end of the film, of which the two edges are then opposite
each other. They can perhaps be interconnected by a known process
in such a way as to form a closed or hermetic packing.
A fresh load 106 then moves forward on the conveyor 110. The
packing cycle recommences, in accordance with the same operations,
as shown in FIG. 9.
In a first variant of the process using the horizontal stock reel,
the operations of unwinding the film from the stock reel and
forming the vertical curtain are performed in the following manner:
The desired length of film is wound, without cutting it, onto the
cylindrical magazine, which at this moment is situated in the
vicinity of the stock reel. The said stock reel is then secured in
position and the cylindrical magazine moved vertically downwards,
in such a way as to form, ahead of the load, the curtain of film,
which this time is kept stretched between the stock reel and the
cylindrical magazine.
FIGS. 18-23 show the device corresponding to this variant. The
cylindrical magazine 132 replaces the lower store 109. For this
purpose, the vertical travel of the cylindrical magazine 132
enables it to be moved into position below the track 110. The
cylinder 132 is caused to perform the same movements as those
described previously. The devide comprises an upper jaw 133 and a
lower jaw 134, consisting of horizontal bars and shafts parallel to
those of the stocks reels and of the cylindrical magazine (FIG.
18).
The operation of the system is based on the utilization of the
movements of the cylindrical magazine 132, effecting the transfer
of the film (rotation as indicated by the arrows 135a and 135b, and
vertical movement as indicated by the arrow 136 or 137). A
stretched curtain 127, stretched vertically in front of the load 6,
is thus formed. The advance of this load on the conveyor 110
results in the unwinding of the cylindrical magazine 132 containing
the reserve of film, into the lower position, and also the partial
unwinding of the stock reel 102, into the upper position (FIG. 22).
The jaw 133 is movable vertically (arrow 138). The jaws cause the
packing film to come to rest against the upper part and the rear
part of the load 106, while the gripping device 111 of the transfer
cylinder 132 frees the end of the film. At this moment the said
device 111 and the jaw 133 move into position opposite each other.
The jaw 133 in the lower position (FIG. 23) cuts the film and
introduces it into the gripping device 111 for the cylindrical
magazine 132.
FIGS. 24 and 25 show a second variant of the packing device with
horizontal stock reel, in which variant the vertical movement of a
film transfer cylinder is eliminated. The operation of feeding the
film to this transfer cylinder 132a and gripping it by means of the
device 111 are ensured by the jaw 133, to which a vertical movement
is imparted. The transfer cylinder 132a, constantly situated below
the track 110, is simply caused to perform direct and indirect
rotations. The gripping device 111 makes it possible, after the
passage of each load 106, to form the curtain of film 127 stretched
vertically ahead of the subsequent load.
In another variant of the process to which the invention relates,
the film is constantly connected to the stock reel as in the
examples shown in FIGS. 18-23 and is hooked to an intermediate
cylinder which keeps the film stretched vertically. Subsequently,
the rotation of the intermediate cylinder about its axis is
practically zero when the load deforms the curtain, but on the
other hand the axis of this cylinder is caused to perform a
traversing movement in order to approach the stock reel.
As will be seen in due course, the traversing movement of the
intermediate cylinder is either vertical (FIGS. 26 and 27) or
horizontal (FIGS. 28-30).
The devices corresponding to these variants are shown in FIGS.
26-30. The intermediate cylinder is non-rotatable, It is fitted
with a gripping device 111 for the end of the film.
In the case of the third variant of the device, as shown in FIGS.
26 and 27, a vertically movable upper jaw 133 and a counter-jaw 135
are provided, the latter occupying a fixed position. The cylinder
140 is merely caused to perform a vertical traversing movement
along a track situated underneath the conveyor 110. The curtain 127
is produced by combining the ascent of the intermediate cylinder
140, the opening of its gripping device 111 and the descent of the
upper jaw 133, introducing the end of the film into the said
gripping device.
In the case of the fourth variant of the device, as shown in FIGS.
28-30, the intermediate cylinder 140 is moved not vertically but in
a horizontal plane underneath the conveyer 110.
The vertical movement (FIGS. 26 and 27) or horizontal movement
(FIGS. 28-30) of the intermediate cylinder 140 is necessary in both
cases in order to deliver the length of film to be employed. The
fact is that the cylinder 140 no longer functions as a magazine, as
in the preceding cases, but keeps the film stretched vertically,
ahead of the load.
In a fifth and last variant of the device, shown in FIGS. 31-33,
the transfer cylinder is replaced by the driving devices, e.g. two
presser rollers 141 and 142, with horizontal axes. The film 104
unwound from the stock reel 102 is introduced between the two
rollers 141 and 142.
Known mechanisms impart of each of the rollers a rotatory movement
(the two rollers differing in the direction of rotation) and a
traversing movement in a vertical plane. These movements are
independent.
Furthermore, the device is equipped with an upper jaw 143, movable
in a vertical plane, and a lower jaw 144. The device also comprises
a lower store underneath the conveyor 110. In the course of its
operation the successive phases are as follows:
The two rollers 141 and 142 ascend and grip the leader 107 of the
film 104 by rotation.
The rollers 141 and 142 re-descent without rotating, taking the
film with them.
The rollers 141 and 142, reaching the lower position, are caused to
perform a rotatory movement which enables the film to be delivered
into the lower store (FIG. 32), while the curtain 127 is formed
ahead of the load 106 to be packed.
The load 106 is caused to move forward towards the curtain 127 and
is packed as a result of the vertical movement of the upper jaw
133.
It will be noted that no description has been given of the known
devices used in this apparatus, particularly the automation and
data-storage systems.
A device according to the invention can be controlled either
automatically or manually. In all cases it offers the essential
advantage of increasing the packing output, eliminating falls and
rejects in the packing material and enabling loads of very
different nature and size to be packed on one and the same conveyor
and from one and the same device. Similarly, it enables films of
different kinds to be used (and rapidly replaced).
Needless to say, as in the first variant, with vertical reel, the
intermediate cylindrical magazine or transfer cylinder can be
replaced by any other equivalent device of prismatic or similar
shape, or even, if this cylinder is largely or completely immobile,
solely by the gripping device 111. This latter takes, for example,
the form of two longitudinal jaws borne by the transfer cylinder,
but any other gripping device can be considered.
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