ES2938010B2 - PRODUCT PACKAGING EQUIPMENT - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

PRODUCT PACKAGING EQUIPMENT

field of invention

The present invention is in the packaging sector, specifically in equipment for packaging products.

State of the art

From the manufacturing of the products until they reach the consumer centers there can be a long process. This is why, depending on the characteristics and requirements of said products, it is necessary to use one or another type of packaging that allows them to be handled without altering their state of conservation.

Therefore, the packaging of a product must meet a series of requirements, among which we can highlight:

- present greater resistance to protect the contents during transport or stacking,

- adapt to customer requirements in terms of shape, size and weight, - must prevent loss or damage,

- resist the thermal conditions to which the merchandise may be subjected until it reaches sale.

There are numerous types of packaging used in the market that facilitate the transportation and protection of products as a whole. Currently, packaging alternatives stand out with horizontal, vertical, transversal machine configuration, with fixed bag positioning and stapling head movement, etc.

In this sense, one of the simplest and most used means for transporting products is mesh packaging. For this type of packaging, fibers are used in the form of bags or sacks. This medium is widely used for automatic and manual packaging and is especially suitable for delicate items or for the distribution of items in loose pieces. One of the sectors that most demands this packaging is food, where foods such as oranges, potatoes, onions or mussels can usually be found in supermarkets with this type of packaging.

Alternatively, other systems can be used, such as laminated containers.

In the packaging process, different stages can be distinguished:

1. Product coating stage: in this stage the product is introduced inside the container used

2. Sealing process: through this stage, the products introduced into the container are kept inside continuously, allowing the transportation of the formed set.

3. Product labeling: optionally and prior to transportation, the product is usually labeled, leaving it ready for marketing.

Currently there are two large families of equipment on the market to carry out the product packaging process:

- the vertical configuration: gravity helps the transfer of product to the different coating and sealing phases and

- the horizontal configuration: with different working angles with respect to the horizontal plane of the machine.

In general, this equipment has a frame on which the different systems used during the packaging process are arranged, including in the same equipment the stages of coating, sealing and labeling the product.

Thus, the packaging equipment presents a first stage of loading or feeding the material, where the product is wrapped by the container. At this stage, horizontal loading can benefit from the presence of a conveyor medium, such as a belt, that moves the product along the equipment. For its part, in vertical means, the transportation of the product is benefited by the effect of gravity, reducing energy expenditure in transportation.

In the specific case of meshing processes, the product is introduced into a tube-shaped duct, called meshing duct, and passes through it. When passing through said meshing conduit, the product comes into contact with the mesh, which can be arranged on the outside of the conduit for better support, obtaining divisions of the original product wrapped by a common wrapping, the mesh. To facilitate the movement of the mesh, the meshing duct may have an automatic means for moving the mesh around the duct comprising, for example, friction rollers or brushes.

In this way, the product is wrapped by the mesh and ready for sealing, the next stage of the packaging process.

Therefore, after coating the products, there is a step of sealing them in individual containers.

To do this, these equipment have a means of closure, which prevents the separation of the divisions of the original product during transport. Depending on the type of packaging carried out, the equipment can have different sealing systems.

In general, the closure means has, on the one hand, a sealing system. This sealing system allows the closure of the product wrapped in the previous stage. The closing of the containers can be carried out by inserting physical elements at the ends of the container, such as staples or tapes that reduce the exit space of the packaged products and prevent the opening of the bag, although, alternatively, others Sealing processes may comprise heat sealing, mechanical sewing by means of thread or the use of adhesives.

Specifically, in a meshing process, the equipment may comprise a stapler, which closes the mesh in the form of a bag for transporting the product. Current staplers can consist of a double stapling system, which allows both ends of the mesh to be closed simultaneously.

On the other hand, the closing means comprises a double guillotine acting as the cutting system. This guillotine is configured to cut the mesh both at the beginning as at the end of each division of the packaged product, leaving the container ready for transport, having divided the stapled products into multiple individual containers.

Additionally, this equipment may include other complementary systems. Among them, the existence of a labeling mechanism for the final packaged product can be highlighted. These types of mechanisms are located integrally with the frame of the equipment used in the packaging process.

Finally, these devices present a protective cover for users of this type of equipment. The cover may comprise movable screens, whether swing or sliding, that allow access to a user, allowing control and maintenance of the equipment.

Therefore, the main difference between the current configurations is the orientation of the loading and processing of the material. In this way, we can differentiate:

• vertical packaging equipment: these are equipment where the entire process is carried out in a vertical orientation. In this way, the material is loaded from the top and dropped by gravity.

• horizontal packaging equipment: alternatively to the previous equipment, the process is carried out in horizontal orientation.

That is, currently, it is necessary to have two separate pieces of equipment for horizontal packaging and vertical packaging.

As an example, among the packaging processes, the process of meshing a product can be highlighted. The entrance to a meshing equipment is carried out through product divisions, which are introduced into a meshing duct, where the mesh is placed vertically on the outside. As each division passes through the interior of the duct, they fall due to the effect of gravity, collecting at the end wrapped in the mesh.

In the horizontal configuration, product divisions are loaded into one end of the chute and advanced by some type of conveyor, such as a conveyor belt. Again, the mesh is at the end of the duct ready to wrap around each division of the original product.

When choosing between one configuration and another, it depends on the product to be packaged.

The vertical configuration allows gravity to be used as a force to move the products, however, for other products that are not suitable for vertical fall, such as: trays containing by-products inside, packaging in a horizontal configuration is recommended.

In the same way, vertical packaging is not suitable for fragile products, where the impacts produced during the vertical packaging process can damage the product. Examples of this type of products are tomatoes, zucchini, cherries, etc.

Therefore, current solutions have multiple drawbacks, among which we can highlight:

- The vertical configuration of a piece of equipment does not allow packaging any product on the market.

- The horizontal configuration is not benefited by the effect of gravity on its transport.

- Packaging companies require two separate teams to manage meshed products using both configurations.

There is, therefore, a need for a solution that allows improvement in product packaging treatment equipment and processes.

Description of the invention

For this reason, new product packaging equipment is introduced. Through this packaging equipment, it is possible to improve current equipment since, unlike the state of the art, where the equipment has an alternative horizontal or vertical configuration, in the present invention it is possible to package products in both horizontal configuration. as vertical.

For this, the packaging equipment includes:

- A horizontal product entry

- A vertical product entry

- A means of closing the container around the product common to both entrances - An exit of the sealed container

The entry, both horizontal and vertical, comprises a means configured for the coating of the product. In this part of the equipment, the coating stage of the product to be packaged is carried out.

In this way, the separable product is introduced into the equipment in multiple divisions, passing through the coating medium, resulting in a product with an open wrapper, ready for sealing at a later stage.

The coating medium used depends on the type of wrapper chosen for the packaging process. As these are two independent entrances, the same covering means can be installed in both entrances, or opt for a mixed version, where the horizontal covering means is different from the vertical one. In this sense, there are numerous alternatives in the packaging process, although, as an example, the use of meshes can be highlighted.

In a preferred embodiment of the system, the packaging equipment is configured for mesh packaging. Among the mesh models, you can find: extruded plastic mesh, plastic woven mesh, natural fiber woven mesh, etc.

In this configuration, the entry of the product, both horizontal and vertical, includes a conduit, called a mesh conduit, through which the divisions of the product to be packaged are introduced.

The mesh can advance synchronously with the advancement of the multiple product divisions. The mesh is preferably located on the outside of this duct; facilitating the entry of the product inside. Being on the outside, the opening of the mesh is greater than the division of the product, and its advance will place it around the packaged product, forming a kind of bag, which will later, in the sealing stage, be closed.

Sealing, the second stage of the packaging process, is located downstream of the product inlet. Said sealing is carried out by means of a closure means that comprises a sealing area to where the products wrapped in the previous stage advance. Said sealing area is the space of the packaging equipment where the sealing system operates, configured to seal the open wrapper.

In a preferred embodiment, the closing means also comprises a cutting system that allows the separation of each of the divisions formed, giving rise to individual containers, which facilitates the handling of said containers.

This cutting system can be configured in multiple ways, depending on the process used, operating, like the sealing system, in the sealing area delimited in the closing means.

In a preferred embodiment, where the wrapper used is a mesh, the sealing means may comprise a stapler, configured to close the mesh in the form of a bag and preventing the exit of the mesh product through a staple. Alternatively, other sealing systems, such as heat sealing or adhesives, can be used to seal the ends of the wrapper.

Now, unlike the state of the art, the present solution comprises a closing means configured in such a way that it can be used alternatively for a horizontal and vertical entry, present in the same equipment.

In this way, both configurations are present in the same piece of equipment, improving the configurations present in the state of the art where each configuration requires a specific closing means, configured for each orientation, resulting in the need for two pieces of equipment. Additionally, each entry may or may not present a different coating medium, which provides greater flexibility to the process in a single packaging equipment.

To this end, the closure means of the present invention comprises a dynamic support. Unlike the static supports of the solutions of the state of the art, the present dynamic support allows the position of the closing means to be modified by moving the sealing system and, in a preferred embodiment, the cutting system; from a horizontal position to a vertical position, training the team of packaging of the present solution operate with both horizontal entry and vertical entry of the products.

The movement is carried out thanks to a turning system located on the dynamic support. This rotation system allows for a rotation, preferably from 0° to 90°, allowing a sealing angle suitable for both a horizontal and vertical configuration.

In this way, the sealing system and, preferably, the cutting system, integrated in the rotating system, move together from a horizontal configuration to a vertical configuration in an alternative manner. Therefore, a single sealing system is required for both the horizontal and vertical packaging process.

In a preferred embodiment, the dynamic support also comprises a frame that positions the rotation system in height.

In an even more preferred embodiment, the rotation system of the dynamic support comprises a gear motor to drive the system and two bearings embedded in a mechanized support that guide the movement of the assembly formed by the stapling and cutting means. The locking of the final positions of the means can be fixed by means of a pneumatic cylinder.

Although this movement can be carried out by different means, the present embodiment manages to obtain a turning system such that the turning system is lighter and can be incorporated into the available space of the packaging equipment without interfering with other elements.

Alternatively, the turning system can also be configured using other solutions such as a pneumatically actuated lever arm with cylinders.

Comparatively, the closing means currently used have an electric motor, using a cam system for synchronization. For its part, in the present invention, the replacement of said electric motor with pneumatic cylinders, together with the use of lighter materials, manages to lighten the assembly, in a way that makes it possible to mount the elements of the closing means on the dynamic support. .

It is therefore clear that thanks to this solution, a significant improvement is achieved compared to the equipment currently used, since a single piece of equipment can package all the desired products, allowing both horizontal and vertical entry.

Additionally, in a preferred embodiment the packaging equipment may further comprise a labeling system. In an even more preferred embodiment, the labeling system is also associated with the closure means and can move together with it.

The figures show the following elements:

1. Packaging equipment

2. Horizontal entry to the equipment

3. Vertical entry to the equipment

4. Coating medium

5. Closing medium

6. Sealing area

7. Sealing system

8. Dynamic support

9. Spin system

10. Team departure

11. Cutting system

12. Labeling system

13. Dynamic support frame

Throughout the description and claims the word "comprises" and its variants are not intended to exclude other technical characteristics, components or steps. Furthermore, the word "comprises" includes the case "consists of." For those skilled in the art, other objects, advantages and features of the invention will emerge partly from the description and partly from the practice of the invention. The following examples and drawings are provided by way of illustration, and are not intended to be limiting of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention covers all possible combinations of particular and preferred embodiments indicated herein.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a perspective of a preferred embodiment of the packaging equipment working in a horizontal configuration.

Figure 2 shows a perspective of a preferred embodiment of the packaging equipment working in a vertical configuration.

Figure 3 shows a detail of one embodiment of the closure means.

Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 shows a perspective of a preferred embodiment of the packaging equipment (1) working in a horizontal configuration. Specifically, it is a mesh packaging process.

In this figure, a packaging equipment (1) is presented as a whole, where you can see the arrangement of the different elements of the packaging equipment (1), which includes the feeding and wrapping elements of the product, and subsequently the sealing elements. These elements are located inside a protective cover for the users of the equipment that includes three movable screens, either tilt-and-turn or sliding, which allows a user access to the packaging equipment (1).

In this specific embodiment of the solution, it is observed how the feeding or loading of the packaging equipment (1) can be carried out both through a horizontal entrance to the equipment (2) and through a vertical entrance (3). In this way, packaging equipment (1) capable of wrapping and sealing any product is achieved.

To do this, at both entrances, the packaging equipment (1) has a coating means (4a, 4b), corresponding to the horizontal entrance (2) and the vertical entrance (3), respectively. By presenting a double entrance, the packaging equipment (1) can be configured with the same coating means (4) in both entrances, although, In another preferred embodiment of the equipment, the coating means (4a) used in the horizontal configuration is different from the coating means (4b) used in the vertical configuration of the equipment. In this way, greater variability of use is achieved in a single device.

This coating means (4a, 4b) is configured to be crossed by the product to be packaged. During this initial displacement, the coating medium (4) surrounds the introduced product, preparing the product for the next sealing step.

In a preferred embodiment, where the packaging equipment (1) is equipment for meshing the products, the coating means (4) is meshing means comprising a product meshing conduit.

In a similar manner to what is established in the state of the art, the duct has a mesh, preferably located on the outside of the duct, which moves along with the advancement of the products. This advance can be automated to advance together with the product to be wrapped. In this way, a product wrapped in a mesh, tubular in shape, with empty space between the multiple divisions made of the product is obtained.

Additionally, the horizontal entrance to the equipment (2) can benefit from a means of transport that allows the advancement of the products. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the horizontal entrance to the equipment (2) comprises a conveyor belt that is responsible for the advancement of the products in an automated manner.

Next, the packaging equipment (1) comprises a means of closing (5) for the product wrapped in the previous stage. This closing means (5) is configured to seal the ends of the previous wrapper, preventing the product from leaving the container formed once the ends are sealed.

To do this, the closing means (5) comprises a sealing area (6), where the product is passed once the wrapping stage is completed. The sealing area (6) is the space where the sealing system (7) operates. In a preferred embodiment, the closing means (5) also comprises a cutting system (11), configured for dividing the sealed products.

As can be seen in the figure, the closing means (5) is oriented perpendicular to the horizontal entry (2), that is, the movement of the sealing system (7) and, preferably, the cutting system ( 11) is vertical.

This sealing system (7) is responsible for closing the ends of the wrapper, giving rise to a container that does not allow the separation of the products inside. In the present invention, the sealing system (7) is placed on a dynamic support (8). This dynamic support (8) has a rotation system (9) configured to move the closing means (5).

Thanks to the displacement of the closing means (5), the packaging equipment (1) is capable of operating with the same sealing system (7), both in a horizontal configuration, through the horizontal entry (2), and in the vertical configuration, using the vertical entry (3).

Now, depending on the closure process used, the closure means (5) may comprise different sealing systems (7). Among these systems, we can highlight sealing systems (7) using physical elements, such as staples, clips or tapes, or other seals, such as heat sealing or the use of adhesives.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sealing system (7) is preferably a stapler. In the case of using a mesh to wrap the product, a string of containers is achieved, in the form of a multiple bag, where both ends of each division of the product are sealed, and the products in each of these individual containers cannot be mixed. among them.

Finally, once the set of containers is obtained, where both ends are sealed, said set can leave the packaging equipment (1) through the equipment outlet (10).

Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, the closing means (5) may comprise a cutting system (11) configured for separating the string of containers obtained. after sealing the ends. In this way, it is possible to obtain individual containers that can be transported separately from the rest of the containers.

On this occasion, the present embodiment includes a cutting system (11) based on guillotines. Specifically, it is an embodiment with a double guillotine that cuts each of the ends of the set of containers obtained, giving rise to multiple containers that contain the established division of the initial product.

Alternatively, in another preferred embodiment, the cutting system (11) comprises at least one shear. The shear comprises at least one blade or related element configured depending on the material to be used in packaging, so that the sealed products can be divided in a similar way.

Figure 2 shows a perspective of a preferred embodiment of the packaging equipment (1) working in a vertical configuration.

In this configuration, where the product packaging process is carried out through the vertical entrance to the equipment (3), the loading of the product to the packaging equipment (1) is carried out from the top. Next, the introduced product passes through the coating means (4b), included in the vertical entrance to the equipment (3).

Thus, in a meshing process as shown in the present figure, the coating means (4b) is a meshing conduit. This meshing chute can have an inclination, causing the products to be packaged to slide through it, instead of falling directly. For greater clarity, in this Figure 2, the meshing conduit is shown in an extended position, ready for use, connecting the vertical entrance of the equipment (3) with the rear sealing area (6), corresponding to the closure means (5) of the packaging equipment (1).

Therefore, in use, this meshing conduit is traversed by the product to be wrapped. The mesh advances according to the progress of the product divisions that cross the duct. Again, at this stage of the process a wrapped multiple product is obtained with open ends and space between the different divisions of the product. This space is used for sealing the envelope in the subsequent stage.

In this way, the product thus wrapped accesses the sealing area (6) where the wrapping sealing stage is carried out.

Unlike the previous embodiment, in the vertical configuration of the packaging equipment (1), the closing means (5) is in a horizontal position. That is, the closing means (5) has been displaced with respect to the arrangement presented in the horizontal configuration of the packaging equipment (1), thanks to the rotation system (9) included in the dynamic support (8) on which it is They locate the different closing means systems (5).

Finally, similarly to the previous configuration, the sealed and, preferably, cut product can leave the packaging equipment (1) through the equipment outlet (10).

To clarify the system used to rotate the components of the packaging equipment (1), Figure 3 shows a detail of one embodiment of the closing means (5).

As seen previously, the closing means (5) is the means by which the solution manages to seal the ends of each of the divisions of the original product to be packaged.

To do this, the closing means (5) can be subdivided into several components:

First is the sealing area (6). This area is the space where the wrapped products arrive in the first stage of packaging. These products are wrapped, for example: a mesh, but they are not yet ready for transport since they have openings at the ends of their wrappers.

For this reason, the closing means (5) comprises a sealing system (7), which operates in the sealing area (6). The sealing system (7) is configured to reduce the space in the openings at the ends of the wrapped product. In this way, the movement of the product from the packaging is limited and prevents its exit. Depending on the sealing used, the sealing system (7) will be configured with different components.

In a preferred embodiment, the sealing system (7) comprises a stapler. This sealing system (7) is configured to secure at least one staple to the open ends of the product packaging, limiting the movement of the inner products.

In other alternatives used, the sealing system (7) comprises equipment other than the stapler. Among these equipment, there can be a heat sealer, a gluing system, also known as an adhesive sealant, or a mechanical clipping system, which can use a metal or plastic clip.

Unlike the state of the art, the sealing system (7) is located on a dynamic support (8). This dynamic support (8) is responsible for the movement of the sealing system (7) for its adaptation from a horizontal to a vertical working configuration of the packaging equipment (1) and vice versa.

This movement is carried out by means of a rotation system (9) present in the dynamic support (8) that supports the sealing system (7). In a preferred embodiment, the rotation system (9) covers a displacement of 90°.

In a preferred embodiment, the dynamic support (8) comprises a frame (13), responsible for elevating the components of the rotation system (9). Additionally, the rotation system (9) comprises a gear motor, a set of embedded bearings to guide the movement and a pneumatic cylinder, configured to lock the final positions. These components form a lighter assembly than the assembly currently used, consisting of an electric motor and cams, for the synchronization of the sealing system (7).

Additionally, the closing means (5) comprises a cutting system (11). Preferably, the cutting system (11) used is a system that comprises at least one guillotine. In an even more preferred embodiment, the guillotine is a double guillotine, configured in such a way that in a single downward movement it cuts the ends sealed by the sealing system (7).

In a preferred embodiment, the cutting system (11) is integrated with the sealing system (7). In this embodiment, the rotation system (9) is capable of moving the assembly formed by the sealing system (7) and the cutting system (11).

Finally, in this preferred embodiment, the closing means (5) may also comprise a labeling system (12) of the formed container. In an even more preferred embodiment, this labeling system (12) is integrated together with the sealing system (7) on the turning system (9). In this embodiment, the labeling system (12) moves together with the rest of the elements of the closure means (5).

Therefore, the present invention allows the use of a single packaging equipment (1) with a closing means (5), capable of moving, adapting its arrangement from a horizontal configuration to a vertical configuration.

Claims (11)

1. A packaging equipment (1) for a product characterized in that it comprises - a horizontal entrance to the product equipment (2) comprising a covering means (4a) configured to be crossed by the product and wrap said product; - a vertical entrance to the product equipment (3) comprising a covering means (4b) configured to be crossed by the product and wrap said product; - a closing means (5) located downstream of the horizontal and vertical product inlet (2, 3), which comprises: ^or a sealing area (6), ^or a sealing system (7) which, in use, is configured to operate in the sealing area (6) and seal the ends of the wrapped products at the horizontal entry (2) or the vertical entry (3) and ^or a dynamic support (8) comprising a rotation system (9) on which the sealing system (7) is integrated and which, in use, is configured to move the sealing system (7) from a horizontal position to an upright position; and - an equipment outlet (10) located after sealing the wrapped product. 2. The packaging equipment (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sealing system (7) comprises a stapler, a heat sealer, a tape sealer, an adhesive sealer or mechanical clipping system. 3. The packaging equipment (1) according to claim 2, wherein the sealing system (7) comprises a stapler. 4. The packaging equipment (1) according to claims 1 to 3, wherein the closing means (5) further comprises a cutting system (11) configured to separate the products sealed by the sealing system (7). 5. The packaging equipment (1) according to claim 4, where the cutting system (11) is integrated with the sealing system (7). 6. The packaging equipment (1) according to claims 4 to 5, wherein the cutting system (11) comprises at least one guillotine. 7. The packaging equipment (1) according to claims 4 to 5, wherein the cutting system (11) comprises at least one shear. 8. The packaging equipment (1) according to claims 1 to 7, wherein the closing means (5) further comprises a labeling system (12) 9. The packaging equipment (1) according to claims 8, wherein the labeling system (12) is integrated into the dynamic support (8). 10. The packaging equipment (1), according to claims 1 to 9, where the rotation system (9) rotates from 0° to 90°. 11. The packaging equipment (1) according to claims 1 to 10, wherein at least one of the coating means (4a, 4b) is a meshing means comprising a product meshing conduit.