Apparatus and method for a structurally resilient package.
Abstract
Se describe un método y aparato para hacer un empaque estructuralmente elástico que tiene una configuración substancialmente en forma de caja. Un empaque de bolsa de almohada es recibido sobre un e transportador de tablillas. El paquete de bolsa de almohada tiene un primer extremo cuadrado y un extremo angular colocado opuesto al primer extremo cuadrado. El paquete de bolsa de almohada es recibido de manera que el primer extremo cuadrado reposa en el transportador de tablillas. Después de que el paquete de bolsa de almohada se acondiciona, por lo menos en parte por apisonamiento, el extremo angular con una placa de apisonamiento. El extremo angular del paquete se trata con calor subsecuente para formar un segundo extremo cuadrado. Un conjunto de placas de enfriamiento es aplicado entonces al segundo extremo cuadrado para fijar la forma final y formar el empaque estructuralmente elástico que tiene a configuración sustancialmente en forma de caja.

Term
8.1 yearsleft in the term
Expires 31 October 2034.
- Priority
- Filed
- Granted
- Today
- Expires
20 claims: 2 independent, 18 dependent
- 1REIVINDICACIONES 1. Un método para hacer un empaque estructuralmente elástico, el método que comprende:recibir un paquete de bolsa de almohada sobre un transportador de tablillas, en donde el paquete de bolsa de almohada tiene un primer extremo cuadrado y un extremo angular colocado opuesto al primer extremo cuadrado y en donde el paquete de bolsa de almohada es recibido de manera que el primer extremo cuadrado reposa en el transportador de tablillas;acondicionar el paquete de bolsa de almohada, en donde el acondicionamiento comprende además apisonar el extremo angular con una placa de apisonamiento;tratar con calor el extremo angular para transformar el extremo angular en un segundo extremo cuadrado;y enfriar el segundo extremo cuadrado.
- 2El método de la reivindicación 1, en donde el paso de recepción comprende además:recibir el paquete de bolsa de almohada desde una máquina de llenado y sellado de forma vertical, en donde el paquete de bolsa de almohada es recibido en uno de una pluralidad de compartimientos receptores formados, por lo menos parcialmente, a partir de un par de aletas orientadas perpendicularmente a una superficie del transportador de tablillas.
- 3El método de la reivindicación 1, en donde el paso de acondicionamiento comprende además:balancear el paquete de bolsa de almohada en un movimiento adelante y atrás con relación a la dirección de viaje en el transportador de tablillas.
- 4El método de la reivindicación 1, en donde el paso de tratamiento con calor comprende además:aplicar un conjunto de placas de calentamiento al extremo angular del paquete de bolsa de almohada para formar el segundo extremo cuadrado.
- 5El método de la reivindicación 4, en donde el conjunto de placas de calentamiento se aplica continuamente al extremo angular del paquete de bolsa de almohada.
- 6El método de la reivindicación 4, en donde el conjunto de placas de calentamiento se aplica mediante acoplar y desacoplar repetidamente el extremo angular del paquete de bolsa de almohada.
- 7El método de la reivindicación 1, en donde el paso de enfriamiento comprende además:aplicar un conjunto de placas de enfriamiento al segundo extremo cuadrado.
- 8El método de la reivindicación 7, que comprende además:soplar aire al conjunto de placas de enfriamiento.
- 9El método de la reivindicación 1, en donde cada paso del método se realiza en una etapa discreta de procesamiento y en donde el método comprende además:hacer avanzar el paquete de bolsa de almohada a una etapa inicial de procesamiento;balancear la bolsa de almohada en un movimiento adelante y atrás con relación a la dirección de viaje en el transportador de tablillas;y hacer avanzar el paquete de bolsa de almohada a una etapa subsecuente de procesamiento.
- 10El método de la reivindicación 1, en donde apisonar el extremo angular del paquete de bolsa de almohada comprende además:acoplar y desacoplar repetidamente el extremo angular del paquete de bolsa de almohada con la placa de apisonamiento.
- 11Un aparato para formar un empaque estructuralmente elástico, el sistema que comprende:un transportador de tablillas, en donde el transportador de tablillas está configurado par recibir un paquete de bolsa de almohada que tiene un primer extremo cuadrado y un extremo angular colocado opuesto al extremo cuadrado y en donde el paquete de bolsa de almohada es recibido de manera que el primer extremo cuadrado reposa en el transportador de tablillas;una placa de apisonamiento suspendida arriba del transportador de tablillas, en donde la placa de apisonamiento está configurada para acondicionar el paquete de bolsa de almohada;un conjunto de placas de calentamiento suspendido arriba del transportador de tablillas y corriente abajo de la placa de apisonamiento, en donde el conjunto de placas de calentamiento está configurado para acoplar con el extremo angular para transformar el extremo angular en un segundo extremo cuadrado;y un conjunto de placas de enfriamiento suspendidas arriba del transportador de tablillas y colocadas corriente abajo del conjunto de placas de calentamiento, en donde el conjunto de placas de enfriamiento están configuradas para acoplar con el segundo extremo cuadrado del paquete de bolsa de almohada.
- 12El aparato de la reivindicación 11, que comprende además:un aparato de llenado y sellado de forma vertical en comunicación con el aparato de formación.
- 13El aparato de la reivindicación 11, que comprende además:un cubo de recepción, en donde el cubo de recepción recibe el paquete de bolsa de almohada desde una máquina de llenado y sellado de forma vertical y deposita el paquete de bolsa de almohada sobre el transportador de tablillas.
- 14El aparato de la reivindicación 11, que comprende además:una pluralidad de aletas que se proyectan perpendicularmente desde una superficie del transportador de tablillas.
- 15El aparato de la reivindicación 14, en donde la pluralidad de aletas está dispuesta en pares.
- 16El aparato de la reivindicación 15, en donde cada par de aletas forma paredes opuestas de un compartimiento receptor.
- 17El aparato de la reivindicación 11, que comprende además:una primera pared lateral colocada adyacente a un primer lado del transportador de tablillas;una segunda pared lateral colocada adyacente a un segundo lado del transportador de tablillas;y en donde la primera pared lateral y la segunda pared lateral son paralelas una con otra y en donde la primera pared lateral y la segunda pared lateral abarcan la longitud del transportador de tablillas.
- 18El aparato de la reivindicación 11, en donde el transportador de tablillas está inclinado con relación a una superficie de soporte del 5 aparato.
- 19El aparato de la reivindicación 11, en donde la placa de apisonamiento comprende además una primera superficie adaptada para acoplar con el extremo angular del paquete de bolsa de almohada y en donde la primera superficie comprende un canal adaptado para 10 recibir un sello de extremo colocado en el extremo angular.
- 20El aparato de la reivindicación 19, en donde el canal está configurado con una sección transversal que es substancialmente semicircular.
Independent claims20
104 paragraphs in 1 section, as filed
(54) Title: APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAKING A STRUCTURALLY ELASTIC PACKAGING.
(54) Title: APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR A STRUCTURALLY RESILIENT PACKAGE.
(57) Summary
A method and apparatus for making a structurally elastic package having a substantially box-shaped configuration is described. A pillow bag package is received on a slat conveyor. The pillow bag package has a first square end and an angle end positioned opposite the first square end. The pillow bag package is received so that the first square end rests on the slat conveyor. After the pillow bag package is conditioned, at least in part by tamping, the angled end with a tamping plate. The angular end of the package is treated with subsequent heat to form a second square end. A set of cooling plates is then applied to the second square end to fix the final shape and form the structurally elastic packing that has a substantially box-shaped configuration.
(57) Abstract
A method and apparatus for making a structurally reslllent package havlng a substantlally box-shaped conflguratlon's disclosed. A pillow pouch package is received onto a flighted conveyor. The pillow pouch package has a first squared end and an angular end located opposlte to the first squared end. The pillow pouch package ¡s received so that the first squared end rests on the flighted conveyor. Thereafter the pillow pouch package ¡s condltloned at least In part by tamplng the angular end with a tamping píate. The angular end of the package is subsequently heat treated to form a second squared end. A set of coollng plates Is then applied to the second squared end to set the final shape and form the structurally reslllent package havlng a substantlally box-shaped conflguratlon.
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAKING A STRUCTURALLY ELASTIC PACKAGING
Background of the invention Cross reference with related applications
This PCT application claims priority of, is based on, and has been filed within twelve months from the filing date of US Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 528,726 filed on October 30, 2014, titled APPARATUS. AND METHOD FOR STRUCTURALLY ELASTIC PACKAGING, which is a non-provisional claim priority for US Provisional Patent Application No. Series 62 / 072,106, filed on October 29, 2014, titled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STRUCTURALLY ELASTIC PACKAGING US provisional patent application Serial No. 61/898593, filed on November 1, 2013, titled STRUCTURALLY ELASTIC PACKAGING and US Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/898626, filed on November 1, 2013, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAKING A STRUCTURALLY ELASTIC PACKAGING. In addition, this PCT application claims priority of, is based on, and has been filed within twelve months from the filing date of the following US provisional patent applications: US provisional patent application No. of Series 62 / 072,106, filed on October 29, 2014, entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STRUCTURALLY ELASTIC PACKAGING, the technical description of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety; US Provisional Patent Application No. of Series 61/898593, filed on November 1, 2013, entitled STRUCTURALLY ELASTIC PACKAGING, ”the technical description of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and co-pending provisional patent application of US Serial No. 61 / 898626, filed on November 1, 2013, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAKING A STRUCTURALLY ELASTIC PACKAGING, the technical description of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Technical field of the invention
The present invention generally relates to packaging and more specifically to improved packaging for food items formed from a plurality of individual pieces.
Description of the related art
A popular package for storing potato chips and other snack foods is the pillow bag package. The name of the package is derived from the fact that the shape of the package resembles a pillow. The pillow bag packages that exist today offer affordable protection for delicate food items; however, these packages often have obvious disadvantages. For example, certain types of pillow bag packages are unable to stand without additional support. Thus, consumers attempting to take food items from inside the package may have to tilt the package against a support that may be in an inconvenient location.
Alternatively, the package can be left in a convenient location, but leaves the consumer without easy access to the package opening.
Figure 1a represents a perspective view of a pillow bag package according to the prior art. Pillow bag package 100 is configured with a substantially square first end 102. Opposite end 102 substantially square is end 104 substantially angular. Although the first substantially square end 102 is not perfectly square and the substantially angular end 104 is not perfectly angular, these ends will be referred to herein as first square end 102 and angular end 104, respectively, for ease of reference.
FIG. 1b depicts a side view of the pillow bag package 100 according to the prior art. Importantly, the pillow bag package 100 represents square end 102 and angular end 104 positioned opposite square end 102. The configuration of pillow bag package 100 allows it to be balanced on square end 102 and allows access to content stored inside via Angular End 104. However, this particular configuration may be prone to tipping over and as its contents are consumed, the food pieces become more difficult to reach.
Brief description of the invention
In a first aspect of the invention, a method of making a structurally elastic package having a substantially box-shaped configuration is described. A pillow bag package is received on a slat conveyor. The pillow bag package has a first square end and an angle end positioned opposite the first square end. The pillow bag package is received so that the first square end rests on the slat conveyor. The pillow bag package is then conditioned at least in part by tamping the angle end with a tamping plate. The angular end of the package is subsequently heat treated to form a second square end. A set of cooling plates is then applied to the second square end to fix the final shape and form the structurally elastic gasket having a substantially box-shaped configuration.
In a second aspect of the invention, an apparatus for making a structurally elastic packaging is described having a substantially box-shaped configuration. The apparatus comprises a slat conveyor that is configured to receive a pillow bag package having a first square end and an angular end positioned opposite the square end. The pillow bag package is received so that the first square end rests on the slat conveyor. Furthermore, the apparatus further comprises a tamping plate suspended above the slat conveyor and configured to condition the pillow bag package. Also suspended above the slat conveyor and downstream of the ramming plate is a set of heating plates configured to heat treat the angle end of the pillow bag package to transform the angle end into a second square end. The apparatus also includes a set of cooling plates suspended above the slat conveyor and positioned downstream of the heating plate set, which is configured to cool the second square end to fix its shape.
Brief description of the drawings
The novel aspects believed to be characteristic of the invention are set out in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1a is a perspective view of a pillow bag package according to the prior art;
Fig. 1b is a side view of the pillow bag package according to the prior art;
Figure 2a is a perspective view of a structurally elastic packing according to an illustrative embodiment;
Figure 2b is an alternate perspective view of a structurally elastic packing in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;
Figure 3 is a top view of a structurally elastic packing according to an illustrative embodiment;
Figure 4 is a system for forming a structurally elastic packing according to an illustrative embodiment;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of an apparatus for forming a structurally elastic package in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; and
Figure 6 is a flow chart of a process for creating a structurally elastic package according to an illustrative embodiment.
Detailed description of the invention
Various embodiments of the Applicant's invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Unless otherwise indicated, similar items will be identified by identical numbers in all figures. The invention illustratively described herein can be suitably practiced in the absence of any element not specifically described herein.
The embodiments of the present invention recognize that the prior art pillow bag packages may be subject to certain defects, as already discussed above. Accordingly, the applicant has devised an improved pillow bag package that can be described as a structurally elastic package capable of retaining its box-shaped configuration. Consequently, improved food experience is provided to consumers. For example, the structurally elastic packing has a relatively wide base compared to its height, which gives it increased stability. Additionally, an optimally placed opening allows consumers to easily access food items without having to dig deep into a package, which also obviates the need to empty the contents into a bowl.
In an illustrative embodiment, the structurally elastic packaging described herein is an improved package that is formed from the pillow bag package shown in Figures 1a and 1b. The prior art packages can be made according to any methods currently existing or later developed. In a non-limiting embodiment, the method may include one or more steps described in making bags standing vertically in a vertically filling and sealing machine (VFFS), as described in US Patent Nos. 7,500,340, 7,197,859 , 7,299,608, 7,032,362, 6,860,084, 6,679,034 and 6,722,106, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Fig. 2a is a perspective view of a pillow bag package according to an illustrative embodiment. The pillow bag package 200, which may also be referred to herein as a structurally elastic package, has a configuration that can generally be described as being box-shaped. More specifically, the box shape of the pillow bag package 200 can be described as rectangular; however, in other embodiments, the box shape of the pillow bag package 200 may be in the shape of a cube. In either case, the front face, rear face, and side walls of the package may be singly or collectively referred to as one or more panels, or individually identified by reference number. Thus, the pillow bag package 200 can be described as formed from six panels that are attached at angles of approximately 90 degrees to each other.
The pillow bag package 200 of FIG. 2a includes two parallel faces, the front face 202 and the rear face 204. Additionally, the front face 202 is connected to the rear face 204 by four side walls 206, 208, 210 and 212. In this illustrative embodiment, the front face 202 and the rear face 204 are substantially rectangular, however in alternate embodiments, they can generally be in the shape of a square.
The pillow bag package 200 also includes a set of hem seals 214a-d, which is a feature that provides increased structural rigidity. A hem seal is a seal placed on one edge of one or more panels of the pillow bag package 200. In this illustrative example in Figure 2a, hem seals 214a and 214b are positioned approximately around the perimeter of side wall 206. Opposite and parallel to the side wall 206 is the side wall 210, which is surrounded by a set of hem seals 214c and 214d (shown in Figure 2b). Furthermore, as used herein, the term joint means one or more. Thus, a set of hem seals is one or more hem seals.
The hem seal assembly shown in the pillow bag package 200 can comprise virtually any shape or thickness. For example, hem seals 214a-d are represented as substantially straight lines; however, in alternate modalities other forms and / or patterns can be implemented. Then a repeating sine or gallon (V-shape) waveform can be used instead.
Additionally, the width of the hem seal assembly can be adjusted to control the stiffness of the pillow bag package 200. In a non-limiting embodiment, hem seal 106 comprises a width of between about 1mm and about 5mm.
Side wall 208 comprises an end seal 216a extending down a length of side wall 208, perpendicular to side wall 206 and parallel to front face 202. Similarly, side wall 212, positioned opposite the side wall 208, also includes an end seal. Specifically, side wall 212 includes an end seal 216b, which is perpendicular to side wall 206 and parallel to front face 202. End seals 216a / b can comprise any end seal known in the art and can be created with any device currently existing or later developed, including sealing jaws.
Although the width of the end seals 216a / b may vary, one illustrative embodiment includes end seals that fluctuate in thickness between approximately 0.635 cm (0.25 of an inch) and approximately 2.54 cm (1 inch).
The pillow bag package 200 depicted in Figure 2a also includes reinforcing brackets 218a and 218b. Reinforcement brackets are structural portions of a package incorporated in or around a joint to provide expansion or reinforcement. Reinforcement brackets 218a / b are configured with a minimal profile to produce a package that has characteristically square panels commonly found in more traditional box packages or containers.
Referring to Figure 2b, an alternate perspective view of the pillow bag package 200 is provided depicting the rear face 204. The rear face 204 is a surface of the pillow bag package 200 that would be placed in contact with a surface. resting, such as a consumer's table, sofa, or lap. Across a length of rear face 204 and oriented parallel to side walls 206 and 210 is rear seal 220. The rear seal 220 can be any seal known in the art, created using any currently existing or later developed apparatus, including sealing jaws. In this illustrative embodiment in Figure 2b, rear seal 220 also continues from rear face 204 a distance to side walls 208 and 212 and terminates at end seals 216a / b.
Although the illustrative embodiments of Figures 2a and 2b depict only four hem stamps, the alternate embodiments may include any number of hem stamps that may be placed at other locations in the pillow bag package 200. For example, additional hem seals can be incorporated at the approximate intersection of front face 202 and side walls 208 and 212. Likewise, hem seals can also be incorporated at the approximate intersection of rear face 206 and side walls 208 and 212. The present location of the hem seal assembly shown in pillow bag package 200 helps define boundaries. between the various panels of the package. Although the illustrative embodiments described herein include hem seals, in alternate embodiments the pillow bag package 200 may omit any or all of the hem seals.
The seals and reinforcing brackets of the pillow bag package 200 can be formed by an existing vertical filling and sealing apparatus. For example, packaging film is unwound from reels of rolled film and fed into a vertical filling and sealing apparatus. In a non-limiting embodiment, the hem seals 214a-d are integrated into the film prior to their introduction into the vertical filling and sealing machine. Hem seals are created by collecting the film in a desired placement and heat sealing. Once the hem seals are created, the film is wound around a vertically filling and sealing apparatus former. The former is a component of the vertically filling and sealing apparatus that allows the film to be handled in a vertical tube of film wound around a product delivery cylinder. The film riser achieves the tubular configuration once the edges are vertically sealed along its length, which forms a rear seal, such as the rear seal 220.
The vertical film tube is then advanced in a downstream direction and a transverse bottom seal is formed. Thereafter, a food product is deposited in the partially sealed package and the film tube is again advanced downstream. A transverse top seal is then formed in the package, which creates a sealed package. In at least one embodiment, the transverse top seal of the downstream package is formed concurrently with the transverse bottom seal of an upstream package.
Simultaneously with the formation of an upper and lower transverse seal, a reinforcing bracket is created adjacent to the upper and lower transverse seals. The reinforcing bracket may comprise any reinforcing bracket forming mechanisms known in the art, including reinforcing bracket forming mechanisms described in US Patents 7,500,340, 7,885,574, 8,132,395 and EP Patents, EP 23328418 and EP 22186478, the entirety of which are incorporated herein by reference. In one embodiment, a continuously moving rotary reinforcing bracket and sealing jaws are used to create the end seals and reinforcing brackets, such as end seals 216a / b and reinforcing brackets 218a / b. The continuously moving rotary reinforcing bracket mechanism and sealing jaws move at a vertical speed slower than the speed at which the film is advanced, causing the film to collect at the location of the mounting bracket mechanism. reinforcement. Substantially concurrently with the formation of the reinforcing brackets at a location of the upper and lower transverse seals, the package is cut from the upstream package, thereby forming a prior art pillow bag package.
The pillow bag package 200 can be formed from any currently existing or later developed material. In a non-limiting example, the packaging film can be formed from a multi-layer polymer composite film produced by a film converter. The polymer composite film can include a metallized film, such as metallized oriented polypropylene (OPP) or metallized polyethylene terephthalate (PET). A sealant layer may be provided on the inside, product side of the metallized film, and may comprise an ethylene-propylene copolymer and an ethylene-propylene-butene-1 terpolymer. The sealing layer allows the formation of a hermetic seal by means of the sealing jaws because the melting temperature of the sealing layer is lower than the melting temperature of the metallized film. Consequently, a watertight seal can be formed by melting the senator layer without compromising the integrity of the metallized film.
Adjacent to the metallized film is a laminated layer, such as a polyethylene extrusion and an outer layer for ink or graphics. The ink layer is used for presentation of graphics that can be seen through a transparent outer layer, which can comprise OPP or PET. For the sake of simplicity and clarity, the charts are not represented in any of the depicted examples; however, one or more panels of the pillow bag package 200 may comprise graphics.
The various layers introduce barrier properties that protect the contents of the pillow bag package 200 from light, oxygen and / or moisture. Exposure to these types of elements may result in suboptimal preservation of the content, which may cause the product to spoil or deteriorate or lose flavor.
The film thickness of the pillow bag package 200 can be adjusted based on a variety of factors, such as cost and stiffness of the package. The prior art pillow packs, such as the pillow bag pack 100 in Figures 1a and 1b, usually employ thinner films to decrease material costs. However, thinner films provide less stiffness. In contrast, thicker films can be used to form packages that have higher stiffness, allowing the packages to maintain a desired shape. Therefore, in a non-limiting embodiment of Figure 2a, the pillow bag package 200 is formed from a film with a thickness between 0.00508 and 0.01016 cm (2-4 mils), which is a thicker film than that typically used in prior art pillow bag packages.
FIG. 3 depicts the front face 202 of the pillow bag package 200 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Front face 202 includes cover 222 that provides access to the content stored in the pillow bag package 200. Cover 222 can be configured to be resealable with the use of any number of methods and technologies currently existing or later developed. In some non-limiting embodiments, cover 222 can be resealed with adhesives or zippers. As shown, cover 222 comprises a marking line on the outer film layer and adhesive can be placed between the outer film layer of cover 222 and an inner film layer such that a consumer pulling the tab 224 will expose an opening that provides access to the contents of the package. Additionally, when cover 222 is replaced over the opening, the adhesive reattaches cover 222 to reseal the pillow bag package 200. The adhesive can be placed on the underside of cover 222 or alternatively the adhesive can be placed on the inner film layer to contact a back of cover 222.
Fig. 4 is a system for creating a pillow bag package according to an illustrative embodiment. System 400 includes a vertically filling and sealing machine 402, which is a known and used apparatus in the art for creating pillow bag packages, such as pillow bag package 100. In this example of FIG. 4, the vertically filling and sealing machine 402 is in communication with the forming apparatus 404, which is a component of the system adapted to transform pillow bag packages received from the filling and sealing machine vertically 402 in structurally elastic gaskets having a box-shaped configuration.
In a non-limiting embodiment, the pillow bag packages are transferred from the vertical filling and sealing machine 402 to a slat conveyor of the forming apparatus 404 via the receiving bucket or bucket 406. In a start position, the receiving hub 406 is located below or inside the vertically filling and sealing machine 402. In an extended position, the receiving hub 406 is located above or within the forming apparatus 404 and, more particularly, above a slat conveyor of the forming apparatus 404. Then, once the receiving bucket 406 is provided with a pillow bag package from the vertical filling and sealing machine 402, the receiving bucket 406 can be transported to an extended position to deposit the bag package. pillow on a slat conveyor of the forming apparatus 404. In the illustrative example of FIG. 4, the receiving bucket 406 is in the extended position, but will return to a home position underneath the vertical filling and sealing machine 402 by delivering a pillow bag package to the apparatus 404. deformation.
The pillow bag package delivered to the forming apparatus 404 has a shape that is substantially similar to the pillow bag package 100 of Figures 1a and 1b. Specifically, the pillow bag package has a square end 102 and an angular end 104. When the pillow bag package is deposited on the slat conveyor by the receiving hub 406, the square end is deposited on a conveyor surface of the slat conveyor. As a result, the angular end of the package projects upward relative to the surface of the slat conveyor. At an elevated level, the forming apparatus 404 receives a prior art pillow bag package at a first receiving end and transports the pillow bag package through a series of processing steps to form a structurally elastic package. , such as structurally elastic packing 200. The structurally elastic packing, which has a substantially box-shaped configuration, is ejected from a second end of the forming apparatus 404.
Figure 5 is an alternate perspective view of the forming apparatus according to an illustrative embodiment. The forming apparatus 404 includes a slat conveyor 408. The slat conveyor 408 is a transport apparatus for transporting a package from a first end of the forming apparatus 404 to a second end. The first end of the slat conveyor 408 is positioned below the receiving hub 406 and the second end of the slat conveyor is positioned downstream. As used herein, the first end may alternatively be referred to as the receiving end and the second end may be referred to as the ejector end. Between the first and second ends of the slat conveyor 408 is a series of processing plates suspended above the slat conveyor 408. In the illustrative example of Figure 5, the series of processing plates includes the tamping plate 410, the set of heating plates 412 and set of cooling plates 414.
The tamping plate 410 is placed upstream of the heating plate set 412, which in turn is placed upstream of the cooling plate set 414. Generally, the tamping plate 410 conditions a package such that treatment with Heat from the 412 heating plate assembly will cause the package to deform in a predictable manner. Cooling by the cooling plate assembly 414 after heat treatment fixes the shape of the pillow bag package so that the substantially box-shaped configuration is maintained.
Each of the suspended processing plates has a start position and an extended position. In the initial position, the processing plates are separated from the pillow bag packages carried on the slat conveyor 408. In the extended position, each of the suspended processing boards is extended in a direction toward the packages and adapted to engage either an angular end of the package or a second square end of the package, which is formed from the angular end . In an illustrative embodiment, each of the suspended processing plates is configured to engage one end of the pillow bag package during a processing step ranging from about 1 second to about 4 seconds. In accordance with this embodiment, a first processing step may comprise conditioning, a second processing step may comprise heat treatment, and a third processing step may include cooling.
The tamping plate 410 is adapted to engage and disengage the angle end of a pillow bag package during the conditioning stage, which applies and removes pressure at the angle end. In a non-limiting embodiment, the conditioning process also includes balancing the package back and forth while the ramming plate 410 engages and disengages the angular end of the package. By applying and removing pressure multiple times while rocking back and forth, the pressure and weight of the package, along with the shaking motion, causes the contents to settle and allows the first square end of the package to reach a square shape more characteristically. In addition, the conditioning process also prepares the angle end of the pillow bag package for heat treatment.
In an illustrative embodiment of Figure 5, the ramming plate 410 is configured with a recessed channel that extends a length of its face and is capable of receiving an entire end seal and at least a portion of the angular end of a pillow bag package. Although a cross section of the channel is depicted as substantially semicircular, other geometric shapes can be implemented in alternate embodiments. For example, the channel cross section can be substantially triangular.
The heating plate set 412 is one or more plates that apply heat treatment to a pillow bag package. In the illustrative embodiment of Figure 5, the heating plate assembly 412 is a single plate that is extendable toward the angular end of the pillow bag package. During the heat treatment step, the heating plate assembly 412 extends so that the hot surface is in contact with the angular end of the pillow bag package for the duration of the heat treatment step. Applying the heating plate set 412 to one angle end of the pillow bag package transforms the angle end into a second square end.
Although the walking plate assembly 412 is shown in FIG. 5 as a single hot plate applying to the angular end of the pillow bag package, in another embodiment the hot plate assembly 412 may comprise two or more hot plates. For example, the tamping plate 410 can also be heated so that the tamping action is performed with a hot plate that facilitates the conditioning process. In another embodiment, two or more panels of the pillow bag package may be exposed to heat treatment. For example, in addition to subjecting the angled end to heat treatment, the first square end resting on a conveyor surface of slat conveyor 408 can also be exposed to heat treatment by a heating plate positioned next to the first square end, integrated on or below the conveyor surface of slat conveyor 408.
The temperature of the hot plate set can vary from about 65.5 ° C (150 ° F) to about 121 ° C (250 ° F); however, in a more preferred embodiment, the temperature of the hot plate assembly ranges from 82.2 ° C (180 ° F) to approximately 104.4 ° C (220 ° F).
Although the face of the heating plate shown in Figure 5 is shown with a slightly convex shape, in other embodiments, other shapes can be used. For example, the set of heating plates 412 may be flat or, alternatively, may have a shape that is generally concave.
The cooling plate set 414 is one or more plates for reducing a film temperature of a pillow bag package traveling on the slat conveyor 408. In the illustrative example in Figure 5, the cooling plate set 414 is represented as a single cooling plate positioned downstream of the heating plate assembly 412. During the cooling step, the cooling plate set 414 extends from its initial position to an extended position such that its cooling surface contacts the second square end formed by the heating plate set 412. The temperature of the cooling plate assembly 414 is maintained at about room temperature, which lowers the temperature of the packaging film sufficiently in this processing step to fix the shape of the structurally elastic package.
In a non-limiting embodiment, the cooling plate assembly 414 is maintained at around room temperature by convection. In particular, the cooling plate assembly 414 is exposed to blown air by means of an air compressor (not shown) or similar apparatus to facilitate the removal of any excess heat that may accumulate as a result of contact with, and transfer of heat from, the second end of the pillow bag package. The residual heat removed from the second end of the pillow bag package by the cooling plate assembly 414 was imparted to the package during the pre-heat treatment step.
In some embodiments, the blown air is also held at or around room temperature; however, in alternate modes the air can be actively cooled before being blown onto the cooling plate assembly 414. For example, a heat transfer apparatus can reduce the temperature of the blown air prior to application to the cooling plate assembly 414. Alternatively, the selection of a properly sized nozzle with a sufficiently high flow rate could reduce the temperature of the blown air in contact with the cooling plate assembly 414 to facilitate heat transfer.
The cooling plate assembly 414 can be continuously or intermittently exposed to blown air. Furthermore, the blown air may be directed to any one or more different portions of the cooling plate assembly 414. For example, an air nozzle may be positioned above the cooling plate assembly 414 and directed downward. Alternatively or additionally, an air nozzle may be positioned adjacent the cooling plate assembly 414 and for blowing air horizontally against one side of the cooling plate assembly 414.
Although the cooling plate assembly 414 is depicted in FIG. 5 as a single plate, in other embodiments, the cooling plate assembly 414 may comprise two or more cooling plates positioned anywhere throughout the forming apparatus 404; however, in a preferred embodiment, other cooling plates could be placed in locations that correspond to the placement of the heating plate assembly 412. For example, in the embodiment where the heating plate set 412 includes another hot plate placed close to the first square end of the pillow bag package, then the cooling plate set 414 would also have a corresponding cooling plate placed close to the first square end of the pillow bag package, but confined to the location of the cooling stage along the 10-slat conveyor 408.
In a non-limiting embodiment, each of the three processing steps occurs substantially simultaneously, albeit in different pillow bag packages. Thus, although the ramming plate 410 is applied to a first pillow bag package of 15, the heating plate assembly 412 is applied to a second pillow bag package downstream of the first pillow bag package. Similarly, the cooling plate assembly 414 is simultaneously applied to a third pillow bag package downstream of the first and second pillow bag packages. In this embodiment, the simultaneous processing of the pillow bag packages at different processing stages also means that the duration of each processing stage is substantially similar.
In another embodiment, the board conveyor 408 may be configured to advance each package a predetermined distance approximately corresponding to the distance between the various processing steps within the forming apparatus 404. Furthermore, after advancing each package the predetermined distance, the slat conveyor 408 is adapted to balance each pillow bag package back and forth so that at least this conditioning step is applied at each processing step.
As is evident from Figure 5, slat conveyor 408 includes a plurality of fins 416a-n. The plurality of fins is uniformly spaced across an entire length of the conveyor surface of the slat conveyor 408 and is normally oriented to a conveyor surface of the slat conveyor 408. Additionally, the plurality of fins is arranged in pairs that form two side walls of a plurality of receiving compartments for receiving pillow bag packages from the receiving hub 406.
The illustrative example in Figure 5 depicts six receiver compartments, which correspond to fin pair 416a / b, fin pair 416c / d, fin pair 416e / f, fin pair 416g / h, pair of fins 416¡ / j and the pair of fins 416k / l. Other receiving compartments are contemplated in this example and would be located on the underside of slat conveyor 408, but are obscured. The conveyor surface of the slat conveyor 408 forms a third side wall of each of the plurality of receiving compartments. The fourth and fifth side walls of each of the plurality of receiving compartments are formed from a pair of extended side walls parallel to each other, both of which extend a length of slat conveyor 408 and are oriented perpendicular to each one of the plurality of fins. For example, the extended side wall 418 forms the fourth side wall of each of the plurality of receiving compartments. The second extended side wall has been removed for the sake of clarity so that the internal working components of the slat conveyor 408 could be shown.
Accordingly, a receiving compartment encloses a pillow bag package deposited therein on five sides, leaving a panel exposed in the package. In one embodiment, the dimensions of each receiving compartment correspond to the desired shape of the structurally elastic packing of the present invention.
The opening at one end of each receiving compartment allows the pillow bag package to be deposited onto the slat conveyor 408, ejected from the slat conveyor 408 after processing, and also allows the pillow bag package to be coupled by the series of suspended processing plates placed above. For example, a pillow bag package placed between the pair of fins 416g / h is enclosed on five sides by the side walls of a receiver compartment and the exposed panel of the package can be coupled by the set of heating plates 412. In another embodiment, various other panels of the pillow bag package may also be heat treated by one or more other heating plates even though these panels are still in contact with a side wall of a receiving compartment.
When a pair of fins reaches one end of slat conveyor 408 opposite receiving hub 406, the pair of fins separates, expands the corresponding receiving compartment, and ejects a structurally elastic packing from forming apparatus 404. For example, the pair of fins 416m / n has reached one end of the slat conveyor 408 and as the pair of fins passes from the top side of the conveyor to the underside of the conveyor, the package contained within the receiving compartment is ejected as the compartment receiver expands. A similar phenomenon occurs with pairs of fins at the receiving end of slat conveyor 408. For example, as one pair of flaps passes from the underside of slat conveyor 408 to the top side, the pair of flaps separates, making it easier to deposit a pillow bag package in the receiving compartment. As the fins move away from the receiving end of the slat conveyor 408, the pair of fins come together to reshape a receiving compartment that securely encompasses the pillow bag package.
Figure 6 is a flow chart of a process for creating a structurally elastic package according to an illustrative embodiment. The steps in flow chart 600 can be implemented by a forming apparatus, such as a forming apparatus 404 of Figures 4 and 5.
The process begins by receiving a pillow bag package (step 602). The pillow bag package can be received from a vertical filling and sealing apparatus that is known and used in the art. The pillow bag package received in step 602 generally has the shape and configuration of the prior art pillow bag package 100 with a first square end and an angular end positioned opposite the square end. The pillow bag package is received in a receiving compartment of a slat conveyor, such as the slat conveyor 408 depicted in Figure 5. More specifically, the pillow bag package is received such that the first square end is resting on the conveyor surface of the slat conveyor and the angled end is exposed at the top of the receiving compartment.
After the pillow bag package has been received, it is conditioned (step 604). In a first embodiment, packaging the package comprises balancing the pillow bag package back and forth. The pillow bag package can be continuously balanced as it is transported along a length of the slat conveyor or, alternatively, the package can be balanced at periodic intervals on the slat conveyor corresponding to the various processing steps of the training apparatus. In another illustrative embodiment, conditioning the package comprises applying a tamping force to an angular end of the pillow bag package by means of a tamping plate, such as tamping plate 410. In yet another embodiment, conditioning the pillow bag package it may comprise balancing the package and also applying a tamping force to the angular end of the pillow bag package. The tamping force is applied by a tamping plate that repeatedly engages and disengages the package. The conditioning step prepares the pillow bag package for subsequent transformation by settling the product and preforming the film so that the addition of heat causes the film to deform in an expected manner.
The pillow bag package is then heat treated to transform the angular end of the pillow bag package into a second square end (step 606). Heat treatment can be performed by applying a set of hot plates to the angular end of the package. The hot plate assembly may include a single hot plate or two or more hot plates. For example, the hot plate assembly may be a hot plate, such as a heating plate assembly 412 in FIG. 5 or in another exemplary embodiment the tamping plate may also be adapted to include a heating element such that the tamping The pillow bag package also serves to heat treat the film initially. Additional hot plates can be placed at various locations on the forming apparatus. For example, the heating elements can be incorporated under the slat conveyor or in the plurality of fins on the slat conveyor.
After heat treatment, the pillow bag package is cooled (step 608). Cooling the pillow bag package causes the film to attach in the way it was created in previous step 606. The pillow bag package can be cooled by applying a set of cooling plates to one or more panels of the package . In an illustrative embodiment, the cooling plate assembly is a single cooling plate, such as the cooling plate assembly 414 in Figure 5, which is positioned above the slat conveyor and configured to couple the second square end of the pillow bag package. In alternate embodiments, additional cooling plates can be placed at various other locations on the slat conveyor which cools portions of the pillow bag package that was previously exposed to heat treatment in step 606.
The flowchart in the figure provided above illustrates a method of creating a pillow bag package that is substantially box-shaped. Each block in the flowchart can represent one step in an overall process. In some alternative implementations, the steps in the various blocks may occur out of the order provided in the figures. For example, two blocks in the flowchart shown in succession can actually be implemented concurrently substantially. Alternatively, the steps represented in two successive blocks can actually be performed in reverse order, depending on the particular implementation.
In accordance with the apparatus and method described herein, a structurally elastic package has been described which has certain beneficial characteristics over prior art pillow bag packages. The beneficial features can be attributed to the box-shaped configuration that uses increased package thickness and structural components, such as hem seals. These structurally elastic gaskets have a wider base that provides greater stability and an optimally placed opening for easy access to the content stored in it.
Furthermore, the apparatus designed by the applicant to create the structurally elastic packaging is adapted to receive and handle packages formed by currently existing equipment, such as a vertically filled and sealed apparatus known and used in the art. As a result, applicant packages can be made with minimal modification to existing equipment and a lower initial investment.
Although the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Additional description
In a first aspect, one embodiment of the invention is a method of creating a structurally elastic package having a substantially box-shaped configuration. A pillow bag package is received on a slat conveyor. The pillow bag package has a first square end and an angle end positioned opposite the first square end. The pillow bag package is received so that the first square end rests on the slat conveyor. The pillow bag package is conditioned, at least in part, by tamping the angle end with a tamping plate. The angular end of the package is then heat treated to form a second square end. The second square end is cooled to fix the final shape and forms the structurally elastic gasket having a substantially box-shaped configuration.
Another embodiment that includes any one or more elements of a previous embodiment described above wherein the pillow bag package is received from a vertical filling and sealing machine in one of a plurality of receiver compartments formed, at least partially , from pairs of fins oriented perpendicular to a surface of the slat conveyor.
Another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment described above wherein the conditioning step further includes balancing the pillow bag package in a front to back motion relative to the direction of travel on the slat conveyor. .
Another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment described above wherein the heat treatment step further comprises applying a set of heating plates to the angle end of the pillow bag package to form the second square end.
Another embodiment that includes any one or more elements of a previous embodiment described above wherein the set of heating plates is continuously applied to the angular end of the pillow bag package.
Another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment described above wherein the heating plate assembly is applied by repeatedly engaging and decoupling the angular end of the pillow bag package.
Another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment described above wherein the cooling step further comprises applying a set of cooling plates to the second square end.
Another embodiment that includes any one or more elements of a previously described embodiment that further includes the steps of advancing the pillow bag package to an initial stage of processing, balancing the pillow bag in a forward and reverse motion relative to the direction of travel on the slat conveyor and advance the pillow bag package to a subsequent stage of processing.
Another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment described above which further includes the step of tamping the angle end by repeatedly engaging and disengaging the angle end of the pillow bag package with the tamping plate.
Another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment described above which further includes the step of blowing air into the set of cooling plates.
In a second aspect, one embodiment of the invention is an apparatus for creating a structurally elastic package having a substantially box-shaped configuration. The apparatus includes a slat conveyor configured to receive a pillow bag package having a first square end and an angular end positioned opposite the square end and wherein the pillow bag package is received such that the first square end rests on the slat conveyor. In addition, the apparatus includes a tamping plate suspended above the slat conveyor, which is configured to condition the pillow bag package. The apparatus also includes a set of heating plates suspended above the slat conveyor and downstream of the ramming plate, where the set of heating plates is configured to heat treat the angular end to transform the angular end into a second. square end. Downstream of the heating plate set is a cooling plate set suspended above the slat conveyor, where the cooling plate set is configured to cool the second square end of the pillow bag package.
Another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment described above wherein the apparatus also includes a vertically filling and sealing apparatus in communication with the forming apparatus.
Another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment described above wherein the apparatus also includes a receiving hub that receives the pillow bag package from a vertically filling and sealing machine and deposits the bag package. pillow on the slat conveyor.
Another embodiment that includes any one or more elements of a previous embodiment described above wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of fins projecting perpendicularly from a surface of the slat conveyor.
Another embodiment that includes any one or more elements of a previous embodiment described above wherein the plurality of fins is arranged in pairs.
Another embodiment that includes any one or more elements of a previous embodiment described above wherein each pair of fins forms opposite walls of a receiving compartment.
Another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment described above which further comprises a first side wall positioned adjacent to a first side of the slat conveyor and a second side wall positioned adjacent to a second side of the slat conveyor. The first side wall and the second side wall are parallel to each other and span a length of the slat conveyor.
Another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment described above wherein the slat conveyor is tilted relative to a support surface of the apparatus.
Another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment described above wherein the ramming plate further comprises a first surface adapted to engage the angular end of the pillow bag package and wherein the first surface comprises a channel adapted for receive an end seal affixed to the angular end.
Another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment described above wherein the channel is configured with a cross section that is substantially semicircular.
6 sheets
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25 members in 6 offices
Priority claims19
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201361898593 | United States of America | P | |
| 201361898626 | United States of America | P | |
| 61898593 | United States of America | – | |
| 61898626 | United States of America | – | |
| 201462072106 | United States of America | P | |
| 62072106 | United States of America | – | |
| 14528726 | United States of America | – | |
| 201414528726 | United States of America | A | |
| 2014063415 | United States of America | W | |
| 14528726 | – | – | – |
| 61898593 | – | – | – |
| 61898626 | – | – | – |
| 62072106 | – | – | – |
| PCTUS2014063415 | – | – | – |
| US201361898593P | – | – | – |
| US201361898626P | – | – | – |
| US201414528726 | – | – | – |
| US201462072106P | – | – | – |
| WO2014US63415 | – | – | – |
Members25
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2929260A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| CA2929261A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| US2015121811A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| US2015121813A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| WO2015066466A2 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A2 | |
| WO2015066503A2 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A2 | |
| WO2015066503A3 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A3 | |
| WO2015066466A3 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A3 | |
| AU2014342063A1 | Australia | A1 | |
| AU2014342119A1 | Australia | A1 | |
| EP3063071A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| EP3063073A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| MX2016005690AThis record | Mexico | A | |
| MX2016005688A | Mexico | A | |
| EP3063073A4 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A4 | |
| EP3063071A4 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A4 | |
| US9840346B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| US9902517B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| AU2014342119B2 | Australia | B2 | |
| AU2014342063B2 | Australia | B2 | |
| MX355942B | Mexico | B | |
| MX359261B | Mexico | B | |
| CA2929260C | Canada | C | |
| CA2929261C | Canada | C | |
| EP3063071B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 |
1 legal event, as the office reported them to INPADOC
Events
| Event | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Grant or registrationFG | FG |
Numbers
- Publication
- 2016005690
- Publication, DOCDB
- 2016005690
- Publication, EPODOC
- MX2016005690
- Application
- 2016005690
- Application, DOCDB
- 2016005690
- Application, EPODOC
- MX20160005690
Titles
- Spanish
- APARATO Y MÉTODO PARA HACER UN EMPAQUE ESTRUCTURALMENTE ELÁSTICO.
Classification
- CPC, 5
- B65B61/24
- B65B51/32
- B65B61/28
- B65D75/008
- B65D75/5838
- IPC, 1
- B65B61 24