EP0307125A2 - Vorrichtung zum seitlichen Spurenthalten von Bahnen - Google Patents

Vorrichtung zum seitlichen Spurenthalten von Bahnen Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0307125A2
EP0307125A2 EP88307991A EP88307991A EP0307125A2 EP 0307125 A2 EP0307125 A2 EP 0307125A2 EP 88307991 A EP88307991 A EP 88307991A EP 88307991 A EP88307991 A EP 88307991A EP 0307125 A2 EP0307125 A2 EP 0307125A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
film
web
photoelectric sensors
abutment
moving
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP88307991A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0307125B1 (de
EP0307125A3 (en
Inventor
John L. Posey
Frederic L. Grude
Dallas L. Woods
Robert T. Hughes
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Baxter International Inc
Original Assignee
Baxter International Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Baxter International Inc filed Critical Baxter International Inc
Publication of EP0307125A2 publication Critical patent/EP0307125A2/de
Publication of EP0307125A3 publication Critical patent/EP0307125A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0307125B1 publication Critical patent/EP0307125B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H23/00—Registering, tensioning, smoothing or guiding webs
    • B65H23/02—Registering, tensioning, smoothing or guiding webs transversely
    • B65H23/032—Controlling transverse register of web

Definitions

  • the present invention relates in general to tracking apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for automatically tracking a web of film in a packaging machine.
  • An example of a packaging machine is a form, fill, seal packaging machine.
  • form, fill, seal packaging machines are utilized to package a product in a flexible container.
  • form, fill, seal packaging machines are used to seal pharmaceuticals, dairy products, wine, food stuffs, cosmetics, and other products in flexible containers.
  • the form, fill, seal packaging machine provides an apparatus for packaging these products in an expedient manner.
  • a web of heat sealable film is passed over a former or mandrel that forms the film into a tubular shape.
  • the film is folded longitudinally and heat sealed along abutting longitudinal edges (to create the fin seal).
  • the tubular-shaped film is then passed around a tubular fill system that deposits the product to be packaged into the tubular-shaped film.
  • bags the web of film must be sealed along its width by side seals.
  • the side seals are typically created by a sealer that creates the second side seal of one bag while making the first side seal for the next bag. After the side seals are created, the web of film can then be severed between the side seals to create individual bags.
  • fitments may also be desirable, in some arts, to attach fitments to the web of film during the form, fill, seal process to create bags having fitments thereon.
  • the fitments provide a means for accessing the contents of the container.
  • An example of such a flexible bag is the VIAFLEX® container produced by Travenol Laboratories of Deerfield, Illinois.
  • Orientation of the film in the form, fill, seal packaging machine includes ensuring that the film is properly registered, i.e., is properly positioned lengthwise with respect to the form, fill, seal packaging machine and is properly tracked, i.e., is properly positioned along its width with respect to the form, fill, seal packaging machine. If the tracking of the web of film is not proper, the fitment position, side seals, and fin seal, of the resultant bag may not be proper.
  • the present invention provides an apparatus for automatically tracking a web of film fed through a packaging machine.
  • the apparatus includes a pair of photoelectric sensors, the photoelectric sensors are located on a lateral side of the apparatus in juxtaposition to an edge of a first side of the web of film that is being fed through the packaging machine.
  • the photoelectric sensors are staggered laterally with respect to each other.
  • the apparatus also includes a pair of abutment means located on opposing sides of the web of film for abutting the sides of the web of film.
  • the apparatus further includes means for moving the abutment means in a first lateral direction or a second lateral direction to cause one of the abutment means to contact a side of the web of film.
  • a control means for actuating the means for moving the abutment means is also provided.
  • the photoelectric sensors are coupled to the control means and cause the control means to actuate the means for moving the abutment means if an edge of the first side of the web of film does not pass between the pair of photoelectric sensors covering only one of the photoelectric sensors.
  • control means is a control circuit.
  • the photoelectric sensors are secured to an eye bracket.
  • the eye bracket is secured to means for moving the eye bracket laterally.
  • the means for moving the eye bracket laterally includes a rotatable handle having a threaded rod.
  • each of the abutment means includes an abutment plate, and the abutment plates are secured together by a cross bar.
  • the means for moving the abutment means includes a piston that is actuated by a hydraulic-air system actuated by the control means.
  • a method for automatically tracking a web of film through a packaging machine comprises the steps of: passing a first side of the web of film past a pair of photoelectric sensors that are staggered laterally; passing the web of film, after it has passed the photelectric sensors, between a pair of abutment plates that are located on opposite sides of the web of film; and causing one of the abutment plates to contact a side of the web of film if an edge of the first side of the web of film does not pass between the photoelectric sensors covering only one of the sensors.
  • the present invention provides a means for tracking a web of film through a form, fill, seal packaging machine.
  • a further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a method for automatically tracking a web of film in a form, fill, seal packaging machine.
  • Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides an automatic tracking apparatus for a form, fill, seal packaging machine.
  • a still further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a nonintrusive means for tracking film in a form, fill, seal packaging machine.
  • a still further advantage of the present invention is that it provides an accurate means for tracking film through a form, fill, seal packaging machine.
  • Still an advantage of the present invention is that it allows one to compensate for imperfections in the web of film in tracking the film through the form, fill, seal packaging machine.
  • the present invention provides a tracking system for automatically tracking a web of film through a form, fill, seal packaging machine.
  • ⁇ form, fill, seal packaging machine refers to a machine for creating from a flexible web of film, a bag for housing a product.
  • the tracking means of the present invention can be utilized in other packaging machines or in other apparatus where it is necessary to track a web of film as it is fed through an apparatus or system.
  • a web of heat sealable film is passed over a former that forms the film into a tubular shape.
  • the film is folded longitudinally by the former and heat sealed along abutting longitudinal edges at a fin seal station (to create the fin seal).
  • a fin seal station to create the fin seal.
  • a first side seal is created in the film
  • product is introduced into the tubular-shaped film, and a second side seal is then created; the film is then severed to create a flexible package.
  • FIG. 1 a form, fill, seal packaging machine 10 is illustrated.
  • the web of film 12 is fed into the packaging machine 10 through an opening 14.
  • the web of film 12 is fed around a plurality of rollers 15, 16, 17, 18, and 20.
  • the film 12 is then fed to the tracking device 22 of the present invention.
  • the film 12 is fed to a former 24 that folds the film longitudinally so that longitudinal abutting edges of the film can be sealed at the fin seal station 26.
  • the film 12 is passed around a fill tube 28 and side seals are created at the side seal station 30. If desired, fitments can be attached to the web of film 12 at a fitment attaching station.
  • the film tracking device 22 of the present invention ensures that the web of film 12 is properly oriented at the sealing stations, i.e., the fin seal station 26, the side seal station 30, and fitment attachment station. This helps to ensure that a flexible bag having parallel side seals perpendicular to the fin seal is created. Likewise, it helps to ensure that the web of film 12 is folded longitudinally so that at the fin seal, the edges of the film are aligned. Furthermore, if fitments are attached to the web of film, the film tracking device 22 helps to ensure that the fitments extend from the bottom center of the resultant flexible container.
  • the tracking device 22 is illustrated as being located in juxtaposition to the former 24, the tracking device 22 can be located at other positions before the former in the form, fill, seal packaging machine 10. In fact, if desired, the tracking device 22 can be located outside the form, fill, seal packaging machine 10 and can orient the web of film 12 before the film enters the opening 14 of the form, fill, seal packaging machine 10. It should be noted, however, that the further away from the fin and side sealing stations 26 and 30, respectively, the film tracking device 22 is located, the more difficult it will be to ensure that the film 12 is properly oriented at the sealing stations.
  • the film tracking device 22 of the present invention is illustrated.
  • the web of film 12 enters the film tracking apparatus 22 by being received by a film guide 31.
  • the film guide 31 comprises two plates 33 and 35 that define a channel 37 through which the web of film 12 is received in the film tracking device 22.
  • the film guide 31 functions to track the web of film 12 and keep it from fluttering so that the film can be tracked from left to right in the tracking device 22.
  • the sensing device 38 is a pair of photoelectric sensors 39 and 41.
  • the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 are located in juxtaposition to a first side 40 of the web of film 12.
  • the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 are fiber optic eyes.
  • any photoelectric sensing means known in the art can be utilized. As discussed below, the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 function to allow the film tracking apparatus 22 to automatically align the web of film 12.
  • abutment plates 43 and 45 As illustrated in Figures 2, 3, and 5, located on either side of the web of film 12, as it is fed through the tracking device 22, are abutment plates 43 and 45.
  • the abutment plates 43 and 45 function to track the web of film 12 through the form, fill, seal packaging machine 10. To this end, the abutment plates 43 and 45 function to trap the web of film 12 between the plates and urge the film either left or right. Accordingly, the abutment plates 43 and 45 are spaced apart from each other by a distance that is slightly greater than the width of the web of film 12.
  • the abutment plates 43 and 45 are spaced apart from each other at a width that is approximately 1/10,000 of an inch to 1/4 of an inch greater than the width of the web of film 12.
  • the abutment plates 43 and 45 are secured together by a cross bar 47.
  • the cross bar 47 causes the abutment plates 43 and 45 to move in unison ensuring that the web of film 12 is trapped therebetween.
  • the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 function to allow the tracking device 22 to automatically track the web of film 12.
  • the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 are located, as illustrated in Figure 5, in a laterally staggered stacked relationship.
  • the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 are located so that they are slightly off center with respect to each other.
  • the tracking device functions to center the first edge 48 of the web of film 12 between the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 so that one photoelectric sensor 39 is covered by the web of film while the other photoelectric sensor 41 is not. As discussed in more detail below, if both photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 are covered, or if neither photoelectric sensor 39 and 41 is covered, the web of film12 will be moved by the film tracking device 22, and specifically the abutment plates 43 and 45, to correct the situation so that the first edge 48 of the web of film 12 will be located between the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41.
  • the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 are secured to an eye bracket 51.
  • the eye bracket 51 is secured to a rotatable handle 53 that causes the eye bracket 51, and thereby the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41, to move laterally as the handle 53 is rotated.
  • the rotatable handle 53 includes a threaded rod 55 that is secured to the eye bracket 51 and is received within a threaded aperture in the first abutment plate 43. Accordingly, when the handle is rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise, the eye bracket 51, and thereby the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41, will move either left or right with respect to the first side of the web of film 12.
  • the rotatable handle 53 allows the operator to adjust the position of the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41. Accordingly, if one wants to move the web of film 12 to the left, the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 can be moved so that the position of the web of film 12 will be adjusted as discussed in more detail below.
  • the rotatable handle 53 therefore provides a means for physically positioning the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 in a desired position.
  • the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 are coupled to a control circuit that actuates a piston 59 that causes the abutment plates 43 and 45 to move.
  • a control circuit that actuates a piston 59 that causes the abutment plates 43 and 45 to move.
  • the photoelectric sensors will cause the control circuit to actuate the piston 59 causing the piston to move the abutment plates 43 and 45 to move the film to the left.
  • the abutment plates 43 and 45 move the web of film 12 as the first abutment plate 43 is urged against the right side of the web of film 12.
  • control circuit will cause the piston 59 to be moved the abutment plates 43 and 45 to the right causing the second abutment plate 45 to contact the left side 50 of the web of film 12 and thereby move the web of film 12 to the right. Accordingly, the control circuit and abutment plates 43 and 45 cooperate with the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 to center the web of film 12 between the photoelectric sensors.
  • the piston 50 can be an air cylinder.
  • the piston 59 is a hydraulic cylinder.
  • an air/hydraulic system is utilized to move the tracking device 22 and accordingly, the web of film 12.
  • air provides an economic means for actuating the abutment plates 43 and 45, to cause the web of film 12 to move, a simple air system would be too erratic.
  • a total hydraulic system is expensive. By using an air/hydraulic system, one is afforded the economics of air with the benefit of hydraulics.
  • the web of film 12, as it passes through the tracking device 22, is fed around a pair of rollers 61 and 63.
  • the shafts 65 and 67 of the rollers 61 and 63, respectively, are fixed and the rollers rotate there around.
  • the rollers 61 and 63 can be constructed of any material known in the art.
  • the rollers 61 and 63 are aluminum, stainless steel, or plastic. The construction of the rollers 61 and 63 will depend on particulate requirements and whether the tracking device 22 is being used in an aseptic or nonaseptic packaging machine.
  • the film tracking system 22 of the present invention provides a means for automatically tracking the web of film 12 through the form, fill, seal packaging machine 10 so that it is properly oriented.
  • the automatic tracking device 22 will ensure that the first edge 48 of the web of film 12 is oriented between the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 covering only one photoelectric sensor 39. Therefore, once the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 are properly oriented by the operator, the tracking of the web of film 12 through the packaging machine 10 will proceed automatically.
  • the present invention typically, it is necessary to constantly compensate for a web of film's construction because a web of film 12 does not have perfectly parallel sides.
  • the present invention provides an automatic means for so compensating.
  • the tracking device 22 of the present invention allows the operator to manually compensate for variations of the web of film 12. If the web of film 12 is skewed to the left or right, the tracking device 22 allows the operator to compensate therefor. To this end, the operator can cause the film 12 to move the opposite way by repositioning the photoelectric sensors 39 and 41 so that by the time the web of film 12 reaches the sealing stations, i.e., fin seal, side seal, and fitment stations, the web of film is perfectly oriented.
  • the sealing stations i.e., fin seal, side seal, and fitment stations

Landscapes

  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
  • Registering, Tensioning, Guiding Webs, And Rollers Therefor (AREA)
EP19880307991 1987-09-08 1988-08-30 Vorrichtung zum seitlichen Spurenthalten von Bahnen Expired - Lifetime EP0307125B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US9538887A 1987-09-08 1987-09-08
US95388 1987-09-08

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0307125A2 true EP0307125A2 (de) 1989-03-15
EP0307125A3 EP0307125A3 (en) 1990-05-02
EP0307125B1 EP0307125B1 (de) 1993-02-10

Family

ID=22251745

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19880307991 Expired - Lifetime EP0307125B1 (de) 1987-09-08 1988-08-30 Vorrichtung zum seitlichen Spurenthalten von Bahnen

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0307125B1 (de)
JP (1) JPH01261154A (de)
DE (1) DE3878358T2 (de)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1999014147A1 (de) * 1997-09-12 1999-03-25 Böwe Systec AG Vorrichtung zum führen einer endlospapierbahn
EP1122169A1 (de) * 2000-01-31 2001-08-08 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Vorrichtung zum Einstellen der transversalen Position einer Verpackungsmaterialbahn
EP1167206A2 (de) * 2000-06-30 2002-01-02 O-Mega Packaging AG Bahnkantensteuereinrichtung für folienbearbeitende Maschinen, insbesondere Verpackungsmaschinen
WO2002088011A2 (en) * 2001-04-27 2002-11-07 Baxter International Inc. Web centering system
NL1035429C2 (nl) * 2008-05-16 2009-11-17 Pmb Uva Internat B V Inrichting voor het verpakken van producten in een folieverpakking.
WO2011066131A1 (en) * 2009-11-30 2011-06-03 Eastman Kodak Company Edge guide having adjustable magnitude nesting force
EP2497716A1 (de) * 2011-03-11 2012-09-12 GEA CFS Weert B.V. Vertikale Flow-Wrap-Verpackungsmaschine mit Folienzuführungsmittel
US8662772B2 (en) 2009-11-30 2014-03-04 Eastman Kodak Company Edge guide for media transport system
EP4273054A1 (de) * 2022-05-02 2023-11-08 Ulma Packaging, S.Coop. Vertikale verpackungsmaschine und zugehöriges steuerungsverfahren

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB996626A (en) * 1961-08-14 1965-06-30 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Photoelectric control of travelling web
US3232547A (en) * 1962-08-03 1966-02-01 Hurletron Inc Edge monitor device
US3711001A (en) * 1971-11-08 1973-01-16 Rca Corp Web position detector using temperature sensing elements
US4090432A (en) * 1977-02-09 1978-05-23 Hobart Engineering Limited Guiding an elongate sheet of packaging material

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS6130313A (ja) * 1984-07-21 1986-02-12 Nisshin Steel Co Ltd サイドトリミングにおける鋼帯のセンタリング制御方法及び同装置

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB996626A (en) * 1961-08-14 1965-06-30 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Photoelectric control of travelling web
US3232547A (en) * 1962-08-03 1966-02-01 Hurletron Inc Edge monitor device
US3711001A (en) * 1971-11-08 1973-01-16 Rca Corp Web position detector using temperature sensing elements
US4090432A (en) * 1977-02-09 1978-05-23 Hobart Engineering Limited Guiding an elongate sheet of packaging material

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1999014147A1 (de) * 1997-09-12 1999-03-25 Böwe Systec AG Vorrichtung zum führen einer endlospapierbahn
US6354478B1 (en) 1997-09-12 2002-03-12 Bowe Systec Ag Apparatus for guilding an endless paper web
EP1122169A1 (de) * 2000-01-31 2001-08-08 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Vorrichtung zum Einstellen der transversalen Position einer Verpackungsmaterialbahn
US6460748B1 (en) 2000-01-31 2002-10-08 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A Device for adjusting the transverse position of a strip of packaging material
EP1167206A2 (de) * 2000-06-30 2002-01-02 O-Mega Packaging AG Bahnkantensteuereinrichtung für folienbearbeitende Maschinen, insbesondere Verpackungsmaschinen
EP1167206A3 (de) * 2000-06-30 2002-10-16 O-Mega Packaging AG Bahnkantensteuereinrichtung für folienbearbeitende Maschinen, insbesondere Verpackungsmaschinen
US6668526B2 (en) 2001-04-27 2003-12-30 Baxter International, Inc. Web centering system
WO2002088011A3 (en) * 2001-04-27 2003-05-15 Baxter Int Web centering system
WO2002088011A2 (en) * 2001-04-27 2002-11-07 Baxter International Inc. Web centering system
AU2002259046B2 (en) * 2001-04-27 2006-02-02 Baxter International Inc. Web centering system
EP1626021A2 (de) * 2001-04-27 2006-02-15 Baxter International Inc. Bahnzentriersystem
EP1626021A3 (de) * 2001-04-27 2006-03-01 Baxter International Inc. Bahnzentriersystem
NL1035429C2 (nl) * 2008-05-16 2009-11-17 Pmb Uva Internat B V Inrichting voor het verpakken van producten in een folieverpakking.
WO2009139618A1 (en) * 2008-05-16 2009-11-19 Pmb-Uva International B.V. Device for packaging products in a foil package
WO2011066131A1 (en) * 2009-11-30 2011-06-03 Eastman Kodak Company Edge guide having adjustable magnitude nesting force
US8662772B2 (en) 2009-11-30 2014-03-04 Eastman Kodak Company Edge guide for media transport system
EP2497716A1 (de) * 2011-03-11 2012-09-12 GEA CFS Weert B.V. Vertikale Flow-Wrap-Verpackungsmaschine mit Folienzuführungsmittel
EP4273054A1 (de) * 2022-05-02 2023-11-08 Ulma Packaging, S.Coop. Vertikale verpackungsmaschine und zugehöriges steuerungsverfahren
WO2023214103A1 (es) * 2022-05-02 2023-11-09 ULMA Packaging, S.Coop. Máquina de envasado vertical y método de control asociado

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3878358T2 (de) 1993-10-21
DE3878358D1 (de) 1993-03-25
EP0307125B1 (de) 1993-02-10
EP0307125A3 (en) 1990-05-02
JPH01261154A (ja) 1989-10-18

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