BAGGING MACHINE COMPRISING TWO FILLING STATIONS SUPPLIED ALTERNATELY BY THE SAME EMPTY BAG SUPPLY STATION

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of French Patent Application Number FR2414540 filed on Dec. 18, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by way of reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to a bagging machine comprising two filling stations supplied alternately by the same empty bag supply station.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment, which can be seen in FIG. 1, a bag 10 comprises mutually parallel first and second walls 10.1, 10.2 which are connected by a bottom 10.3 in the lower part and by gussets 10.4 on their sides. As a variant, the first and second walls may be connected directly to one another over a part or all of the height on their lateral sides. When the bag is empty, it has a relatively large opening 10.5 in the upper part. After it has been filled, the opening 10.5 of the bag is closed. The bag 10 may comprise a zip closure system on its opening so as to allow it to be re-closed after it has been opened. This type of zip closure system tends to reduce the cross section of the opening 10.5. However, the filling time is commensurately longer when the cross section of the opening 10.5 is smaller.

According to various embodiments, which can be seen in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3 and 4, a bagging machine used to fill the bags 10 in succession comprises an empty bag supply station 12, a station 14 for opening a bag 10, a station 16 for filling a bag 10′ with product, a station 18 for closing a bag 10″ and a system 20 for removing full bags. The bags 10, 10′, 10″ are transported in succession from one station to another along a transport direction DD.

The opening station 14, which is positioned upstream of the filling station 16, makes it possible to position a bag in a suitable position before it is introduced into the filling station 16 and to open the bag.

According to a first embodiment, which can be seen in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3, the bags 10, 10′, 10″ are oriented in such a way that their first and second walls 10.1, 10.2 are substantially parallel to the transport direction DD in the opening, filling and closing stations 14, 16 and 18.

According to one configuration, which can be seen in FIG. 3, the supply station 12 and the opening station 14 are aligned along a direction perpendicular to the transport direction DD. In the supply station 12, the empty bags 10 are positioned flat, the first and second walls 10.1, 10.2 of the bags being substantially horizontal. In the opening, filling and closing stations 14, 16, 18, the bags 10, 10′, 10″ are positioned vertically along the transport direction DD, the first and second walls 10.1, 10.2 of the bags 10, 10′, 10″ being substantially vertical and parallel to the transport direction DD.

The opening station 14 comprises a static separating system, which includes first and second parts 14.1, 14.2 that are positioned on either side of the bag immobilized in the opening station 14 and are configured to occupy a retracted state, in which the bag is closed, and a separated state in which the bag is open.

According to the first embodiment, which can be seen in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3, the bagging machine comprises a first transfer system 22 configured to take a horizontal empty bag 10 from the supply station 12, pivot it and position it vertically in the opening station 14. Furthermore, the bagging machine comprises a conveying system 24 configured to take three bags 10, 10′, 10″ positioned respectively in the opening, filling and closing stations 14, 16, 18, transfer them along the transport direction DD and then position them respectively in the filling and closing stations 16, 18 and the removal system 20.

According to a second embodiment, which can be seen in FIG. 4, the bags 10, 10′, 10″ are oriented in such a way that their first and second walls 10.1, 10.2 are substantially perpendicular to the transport direction DD in the opening, filling and closing stations 14, 16, 18; the supply station 12, the removal station 20 as well as the opening, filling and closing stations 14, 16, 18 are aligned along the transport direction DD.

In the supply station 12, the empty bags 10 are positioned flat, the first and second walls 10.1, 10.2 being substantially horizontal. In the opening, filling and closing stations 14, 16, 18, the bags 10, 10′, 10″ are positioned vertically and perpendicularly to the transport direction DD, the first and second walls 10.1, 10.2 of the bags 10, 10′, 10″ being substantially vertical and perpendicular to the transport direction DD.

Regardless of embodiment, all the bags are transported stepwise successively from one station to another.

The filling and closing stations 16, 18 are the two stations in which the bags need to remain static for as long as possible. This time is commensurately longer when the bags have a small opening cross section.

Consequently, the speed of the bagging machine depends essentially on the filling and/or closing time of the bags in the filling and closing stations 16, 18 and on the opening cross section of the bags.

In order to increase the packaging speed of the bags, a first solution consists in providing two bagging machines. This solution is not satisfactory because it is relatively expensive and increases the footprint.

Another solution consists in providing a carousel, particularly in the filling station 16, so as to increase the speed of the filling station. This solution is not satisfactory because it makes the filling station more complicated. Moreover, it is not suited to all bag formats.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to overcome all or some of the drawbacks of the prior art.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a bagging machine configured for filling bags and comprising at least one empty bag supply station located on a transport line, at least one opening station, at least one filling station, at least one closing station and at least one removal station.

According to the invention, the bagging machine comprises first and second filling stations positioned respectively at first and second lines parallel to the transport direction, the latter being positioned equidistantly from the first and second lines. Furthermore, the opening station has a first zone positioned at the first line, a second zone positioned at the second line, and a central zone positioned between the first and second zones and in extension of the supply station. The opening station also comprises first and second separating systems configured to open the bags in succession, as well as a first transverse conveying system, to which the first and second separating systems are connected and which is configured to move alternately between a first position, in which the first and second separating systems are respectively positioned in the central zone and the second zone, and a second position in which the first and second separating systems are respectively positioned in the first zone and the central zone.

This solution makes it possible to increase the speed without however increasing the number of stations as in the case of two bagging machines, with the empty bag supply station supplying two filling stations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of the invention, the description being given only by way of example and with reference to the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bag;

FIG. 2A is a schematic side representation of a part of a bagging machine illustrating a first embodiment of the prior art, at a first instant;

FIG. 2B is a schematic side representation of a part of a bagging machine of FIG. 2A, at a second instant after the first instant;

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan representation of a bagging machine illustrating a first embodiment of the prior art;

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan representation of a bagging machine illustrating a second embodiment of the prior art;

FIG. 5A is a schematic plan representation of a bagging machine illustrating a first embodiment of the invention, at a first instant;

FIG. 5B is a schematic plan representation of the bagging machine shown in FIG. 5A, at a second instant after the first instant;

FIG. 5C is a schematic plan representation of the bagging machine shown in FIG. 5A, at a third instant after the second instant;

FIG. 5D is a schematic plan representation of the bagging machine shown in FIG. 5A, at a fourth instant after the third instant;

FIG. 6A is a schematic plan representation of a bagging machine illustrating a second embodiment of the invention, at a first instant;

FIG. 6B is a schematic plan representation of the bagging machine shown in FIG. 6A, at a second instant after the first instant;

FIG. 6C is a schematic plan representation of the bagging machine shown in FIG. 6A, at a third instant after the second instant;

FIG. 6D is a schematic plan representation of the bagging machine shown in FIG. 6A, at a fourth instant after the third instant;

FIG. 7A is a schematic plan representation of a bagging machine illustrating a third embodiment of the invention, at a first instant;

FIG. 7B is a schematic plan representation of the bagging machine of FIG. 7A, at second instant after the first instant;

FIG. 8A is a schematic representation of a separating system illustrating an embodiment in a retracted state;

FIG. 8B is a schematic representation of the separating system of FIG. 8A in a separated state; and,

FIG. 9 is a schematic lateral representation of the bagging machine which can be seen in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to one embodiment, a bagging machine 30 is configured to fill bags 32 (as can be seen particularly FIGS. 8A and 8B) each having first and second walls 32.1, 32.2, a bottom 32.3 connecting the first and second walls 32.1, 32.2 at a first end, and an opening 32.4 at a second end. Between the first and second ends, the first and second walls 32.1, 32.2 are connected directly to one another or are connected by means of a gusset. The first and second walls 32.1, 32.2 respectively comprise first and second upper portions which are adjacent to the opening of the bag 32. The bags 32 are not described in further detail because they may be identical to those of the prior art.

The bagging machine 30 comprises at least one empty bag supply station 34 in which the bags 32 are empty, at least one removal station 36, 36′ in which the bags 32 are filled and closed, at least first and second filling stations 38, 40 in each of which a bag 32 is temporarily immobilized and each of which is configured to fill it, and at least first and second closing stations 42, 44 in each of which a bag 32 is temporarily immobilized and each of which is configured to close it; the filling and closing stations 38, 40, 42, 44 are positioned between the supply station 34 and the removal station 36, the supply station 34, the first filling and closing stations 38, 42 and the removal station 36 form a first transport path 46, and the supply station 34, the second filling and closing stations 40, 44 and the removal station 36′ form a second transport path 48.

The supply and removal stations 34, 36 are aligned along a transport direction DD or the removal stations 36 are positioned symmetrically with respect to a transport direction DD passing through the supply station 34, the first and second filling stations 38, 40 being positioned symmetrically with respect to the transport direction DD, and the first and second closing stations 42, 44 being positioned symmetrically with respect to the transport direction DD. According to one arrangement, the first filling and closing stations 38, 42 are aligned along a first line D1 parallel to the transport direction DD. The second filling and closing stations 40, 44 are aligned along a second line D2 parallel to the transport direction DD. The transport direction DD is positioned equidistantly from the first and second lines D1, D2 and between the first and second lines D1, D2.

In each of the first and second filling and closing stations 38, 40, 42, 44, each of the bags 32 is positioned vertically and perpendicularly to the transport direction DD, for each of them the first and second walls 32.1, 32.2 being substantially vertical and perpendicular to the transport direction DD.

According to one configuration, each of the first and second filling and closing stations 38, 40, 42, 44 is configured to keep a bag static, vertical and perpendicular to the transport direction DD, for each of them the first and second walls 32.1, 32.2 being substantially vertical and perpendicular to the transport direction DD.

The first and second filling and closing stations 38, 40, 42, 44 are not described in further detail because they may be identical to those of the second embodiment of the prior art.

According to one configuration, the supply station 34 is configured to convey the empty bags 32 in succession while they are flat (their first and second walls being substantially horizontal). The supply station 34 is not described in further detail because it may be identical to that of the second embodiment of the prior art.

According to one embodiment, the bagging machine 30 comprises first and second removal stations 36, 36′, the first removal station 36 being aligned with the first filling and closing stations 38, 42 along the first line D1, and the second removal station 36′ being aligned with the second filling and closing stations 40, 44 along the second line D2. By way of example, the first and second removal stations 36, 36′ are conveyors which converge to form an exit conveyor 36″. The invention is of course not limited to this embodiment of the first and second removal stations 36, 36′.

The bagging machine 30 comprises an opening station 50 which has a first zone 50.1 positioned at the first line D1 and aligned with the first filling and closing stations 38, 42, a second zone 50.2 positioned at the second line D2 and aligned with the second filling and closing stations 40, 44, and a central zone 50.3 positioned between the first and second zones 50.1, 50.2 and in extension of the supply station 34, the first and second zones 50.1, 50.2 as well as the central zone 50.3 being aligned along a transverse direction DT substantially perpendicular to the transport direction DD. The opening station 50 also comprises a first separating system 52 configured to open the bags 32 in succession along the first transport path 46, a second separating system 54 configured to open the bags in succession along the second transport path 48, as well as a first transverse conveying system 56, to which the first and second separating systems 52, 54 are connected and which is configured to move alternately along the transverse direction DT.

According to a first embodiment, which can be seen in FIGS. 5A to 5D, the first and second zones 50.1, 50.2 are respectively positioned in the first and second filling stations 38, 40. The central zone 50.3 is positioned between the first and second filling stations 38, 40. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the first and second filling stations 38, 40 and the various zones 50.1, 50.2, 50.3 of the opening station 50 are positioned in the same transverse plane (which is perpendicular to the transport direction DD). According to this first embodiment, the opening station 50 is partially integrated with the first and second filling stations 38, 40, which contributes to obtaining a more compact assembly.

According to a second embodiment, the first and second zones 50.1, 50.2 are offset with respect to the first and second filling stations 38, 40 and are positioned upstream (along the direction in which the bags are transported) of the first and second filling stations 38, 40. Thus, the opening station 50 and its various zones 50.1, 50.2, 50.3 are offset along the longitudinal direction with respect to the first and second filling stations 38, 40. According to this second embodiment, the opening station 50 is dissociated from the first and second filling stations 38, 40.

In a first position, which can be seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B and in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the first separating system 52 is positioned in the first zone 50.1, at or in the first filling station 38, and the second separating system 54 is positioned in the central zone 50.3, in extension of the supply station 34. In a second position, which can be seen in FIGS. 5C and 5D and in FIGS. 6C and 6D, the first separating system 52 is positioned in the central zone 50.3, in extension of the supply station 34, and the second separating system 54 is positioned in the second zone 50.2, at or in the second filling station 40.

Each of the first and second separating systems 52, 54 is configured to occupy a retracted state (which can be seen in FIG. 5A in the case of the second separating system 54) corresponding to the closed state of the bag and a separated state (which can be seen in FIG. 5A in the case of the first separating system 52) corresponding to the open state of the bag, each of the first and second separating systems 52, 54 passing from the retracted state to the separated state when the first or second separating system 52, 54 passes from the central part 50.3 to the first or second zone 50.1, 50.2, and each of the first and second separating systems 52, 54 passing from the separated state to the retracted state when the first or second separating system 52, 54 passes from the first or second zone 50.1, 50.2 to the central part 50.3.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, each of the first and second separating systems 52, 54 comprises first and second elements 52.1, 52.2, 54.1, 54.2 configured to be positioned on either side of a bag 32, at least one of the first and second elements 52.1, 52.2, 54.1, 54.2 being mobile along a direction parallel to the transport direction DD. For this purpose, each of the first and second separating systems 52, 54 comprises an actuator 58 for moving at least one of the first and second elements 52.1, 52.2, 54.1, 54.2 from the retracted state to the separated state and vice versa. By way of example, each of the first and second elements 52.1, 52.2, 54.1, 54.2 comprises at least one suction cup which cooperates with the upper portion of the first or second wall 32.1, 32.2 and is configured to occupy an activated state, in which the first or second wall 32.1, 32.2 is secured to the suction cup and follows the movement of the first or second element 52.1, 52.2, 54.1, 54.2 so as to pass from the closed state to the open state, and a deactivated state in which the suction cup is detached from the first or second wall 32.1, 32.2.

The first and second separating systems 52, 54 are not described in further detail because they may be identical to that of the second embodiment of the prior art.

According to the first embodiment, which can be seen in FIG. 5, the bagging machine 30 comprises:

• • a transfer system configured to take hold of a bag 32 located in the supply station 34 and transfer it in the central zone 50.3 of the opening station 50 into the first or second separating system 52, 54, the first and second walls 32.1, 32.2 being retracted and perpendicular to the transport direction DD,
  • a first conveying system configured to simultaneously take two bags positioned respectively in the first filling station 38 and the first closing station 42 and transfer them respectively to the first closing station 42 and the first removal station 36,
  • a second conveying system configured to simultaneously take two bags positioned respectively in the second filling station 40 and the second closing station 44 and transfer them respectively to the second closing station 44 and the second removal station 36′.

According to this first embodiment, the first transverse conveying system 56 alternately transfers the bags from the central zone 50.3 of the opening station 50 to the first filling station 38 or from the central zone 50.3 of the opening station 50 to the second filling station 40.

According to the second embodiment, which can be seen in FIGS. 6A to 6D, the first conveying system is configured to simultaneously take three bags positioned respectively in the first zone 50.1 of the opening station 50, the first filling station 38 and the first closing station 42 and then transfer them respectively to the first filling station 38, the first closing station 42 and the first removal station 36. In the same way, the second conveying system is configured to simultaneously take three bags positioned respectively in the second zone 50.2 of the opening station 50, the second filling station 40 and the second closing station 44 and then transfer them respectively to the second filling station 40, the second closing station 44 and the second removal station 36′.

The transfer system as well as the first and second conveying systems are not described in further detail because they may be identical to those of the second embodiment of the prior art.

The operating principle of the bagging machine 30 according to the first embodiment is described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5D.

At a first instant, which can be seen in FIG. 5A, an empty bag S1 in the closed state is positioned in the supply station 34.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, the empty bag S1 in the closed state is introduced into the second separating system 54 of the opening station 50 located in the central zone 50.3. In parallel, the bags S2, S3 present in the second filling station 40 and the second closing station 44 are respectively transferred to the second closing station 44 and the second removal station 36′. The bags S4, S5 present in the first filling station 38 and the first closing station 42 remain static.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 5C, the empty bag S1 positioned in the second separating system 54 is transferred to the second filling station 40. During this transfer, the second separating system 54 passes from the retracted state to the separated state, which causes the bag S1 to open. It is therefore ready to be filled. In parallel, the first separating system 52 returns into the central zone 50.3 of the opening station 50 and passes from the separated state to the retracted state so as to be ready to receive a new bag S6 positioned in the supply station 34.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 5D, the empty bag S6 in the closed state is introduced into the first separating system 52 of the opening station 50 located in the central zone 50.3. In parallel, the bags S4, S5 present respectively in the first filling station 38 and the first closing station 42 are respectively transferred to the first closing station 42 and the first removal station 36. The bags S1, S2 present in the second filling station 40 and the second closing station 44 remain static.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, the empty bag S6 positioned in the first separating system 52 is transferred to the first filling station 38. During this transfer, the first separating system 52 passes from the retracted state to the separated state, which causes the bag S6 to open. It is therefore ready to be filled. In parallel, the second separating system 54 returns into the central zone 50.3 of the opening station 50 and passes from the separated state to the retracted state so as to be ready to receive a new bag.

This cycle, which comprises the various stages described above and which can be seen in FIGS. 5A to 5D is subsequently repeated.

The operating principle of the bagging machine 30 according to the second embodiment is described with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6D.

At a first instant, which can be seen in FIG. 6A, an empty bag S1 in the closed state is positioned in the supply station 34.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the empty bag S1 in the closed state is introduced into the second separating system 54 of the opening station 50. In parallel, the bags S2, S3, S4 present in the second zone 50.2 of the opening station 50, the second filling station 40 and the second closing station 44 are respectively transferred to the second filling station 40, the second closing station 44 and the second removal station 36′. The bags S5, S6, S7 present in the first zone 50.1 of the opening station 50, the first filling station 38 and the first closing station 42 remain static.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 6C, the empty bag S1 positioned in the second separating system 54 is transferred to the second zone 50.2 of the opening station 50. During this transfer, the second separating system 54 passes from the retracted state to the separated state, which causes the bag S1 to open. It is therefore ready to be filled. In parallel, the first separating system 52 returns into the central zone 50.3 of the opening station 50 and passes from the separated state to the retracted state so as to be ready to receive a new bag S8 positioned in the supply station 34.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 6D, the empty bag S8 in the closed state is introduced into the first separating system 52 of the opening station 50. In parallel, the bags S5, S6, S7 present in the first zone 50.1 of the opening station 50, the first filling station 38 and the first closing station 42 are respectively transferred to the first filling station 38, the first closing station 42 and the first removal station 36. The bags S1, S2, S3 present in the second zone 50.2 of the opening station 50, the second filling station 40 and the second closing station 44 remain static.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, the empty bag S8 positioned in the first separating system 52 is transferred to the first zone 50.1 of the opening station 50. During this transfer, the first separating system 52 passes from the retracted state to the separated state, which causes the bag S8 to open. It is therefore ready to be filled. In parallel, the second separating system 54 returns into the central zone 50.3 of the opening station 50 and passes from the separated state to the retracted state so as to be ready to receive a new bag.

This cycle, which comprises the various stages described above and which can be seen in FIGS. 6A to 6D is subsequently repeated.

According to the invention, each bag remains immobile during the time of two steps in the first and second filling and closing stations 38, 40, 42, 44. This solution makes it possible to increase the speed, or increase the filling factor while maintaining the speed, in comparison to existing equipment, which corresponds to a packaging economy while limiting the number of stations in comparison to the number of stations of two bagging machines.

According to a third embodiment, which can be seen in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the bagging machine 30 comprises first and second filling stations 38, 40, a single closing station 42, and a second transverse conveying system 60 interposed between the first and second filling stations 38, 40 and the closing station 42.

According to one configuration, the second transverse conveying system 60 has a first zone 60.1 positioned at the first line D1 and aligned with the first filling station 38, a second zone 60.2 positioned at the second line D2 and aligned with the second filling station 40, and a central zone 60.3 positioned between the first and second zones 60.1, 60.2 and positioned in extension of the closing station 42, the first and second zones 60.1, 60.2 as well as the central zone 60.3 being aligned along a transverse direction DT substantially perpendicular to the transport direction DD.

The second transverse conveying system 60 also comprises a first support 62 configured to support a bag leaving the first filling station 38, a second support 64 configured to support a bag leaving the second filling station 40 and a transverse conveying mechanism 66, to which the first and second supports 62, 64 are connected and which is configured to move alternately along the transverse direction DT.

In a first position, which can be seen in FIG. 7A, the first support 62 is positioned in the central zone 60.3 at the closing station 42 and the second support 64 is positioned in the second zone 60.2 at the second filling station 40. In a second position, which can be seen in FIG. 7B, the first support 62 is positioned in the first zone 60.1 at the first filling station 38 and the second support 64 is positioned in the central zone 60.3, in extension of the closing station 42.

The bags positioned on the first and second supports 62, 64 are in the open or closed state.

As a variant, the bagging machine 30 comprises first and second filling and closing stations 38, 40, 42, 44, a single removal station 36, and a second transverse conveying system 60 interposed between the first and second closing stations 42, 44 and the removal station 36. According to this variant, the first and second supports 62, 64 are each configured to support a closed bag, the first support 62 being configured to support a bag leaving the first closing station 42 and the second support 64 being configured to support a bag leaving the second closing station 44.

While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms “comprise” or “comprising” do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms “a” or “one” do not exclude a plural number, and the term “or” means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.