EP3303143A2 - Food packaging closing system and method therefor - Google Patents
Food packaging closing system and method thereforInfo
- Publication number
- EP3303143A2 EP3303143A2 EP16740910.1A EP16740910A EP3303143A2 EP 3303143 A2 EP3303143 A2 EP 3303143A2 EP 16740910 A EP16740910 A EP 16740910A EP 3303143 A2 EP3303143 A2 EP 3303143A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- carton
- lid
- flap
- hold
- flap bending
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
- B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
- B65B7/20—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by folding-down preformed flaps
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B23/00—Packaging fragile or shock-sensitive articles other than bottles; Unpacking eggs
- B65B23/02—Packaging or unpacking eggs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
- B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
- B65B7/26—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by closing hinged lids
Definitions
- the present disclosure includes a carton lid closing system which employs progressive closing action. After a flap bending system has bent the flap of an egg carton, the egg carton remains on the conveyor chain and is pushed towards the carton lid closing system.
- a pair of carton lid flippers is positioned along the path of the conveyor chain and therefore in the path of any egg cartons moving along the conveyor chain. These carton lid flippers have two configured positions - the "open” position and the "flipping" position - and may alternate between these two positions via use of any type of actuating mechanism.
- the carton lid flipper is attached at one end to a solenoid and a spring. When inactivated, the spring returns the carton
- FIG. 7 shows another example of an embodiment of the carton lid closing system which employs this progressive closing action in accordance with the present disclosure.
- FIG. 8 shows another example of an embodiment of the carton lid closing system which employs this progressive closing action in accordance with the present disclosure.
- FIG. 9 shows another example of an embodiment of the carton lid closing system which employs this progressive closing action in accordance with the present disclosure.
- FIGs. 10A through 10D show different views of the active cleats in operation along a packer in accordance with the present disclosure.
- FIGs. 16A through 16D show additional aspects of the carton lid closing system in accordance with the present disclosure.
- Guide shaft tracks 310 are used to control the movement and timing of the hold-back pin 322 and flap bending arm 326 (i.e., an active cleat).
- the guide shaft tracks 310 appear on both sides of the conveyor chain 306 and are carved into panels along the side of the carton closer system. It should be appreciated that the guide shaft tracks 310 can be separated from the panels. shaft track 310 resulting in rotation of the flap bending arm 326 around the flap bending arm connection shaft 327. This rotation allows the flap bending arm 326 to activate and bend the flap of the egg carton.
- Pusher paddle 320 pushes the egg carton from the right side to the left side of the carton closing system as viewed in FIG. 3.
- the hold-back pin 322 begins to activate as a result of a change in the guide shaft track 310 and the hold-back pin 322 is positioned underneath the bottom of the egg carton.
- the flap bending arm 326 begins to activate as a result of the same change in the guide shaft track 310.
- the rotation of the flap bending arm 326 folds the tucker flap from a horizontal position to beyond vertical (greater than 90 degrees).
- This embodiment also allows for the bending of tucker flaps even when the tucker flaps are in disadvantageous positions (i.e., below horizontal).
- the use of a tapered design on one end of the flap bending arm 326 prevents damage from occurring to the eggs, the carton lid, or the tucker flap.
- the activation of the flap bending arm 326 and the rigidity of egg carton may cause the egg carton to be pushed off the pusher paddles 320 and therefore inhibit the flap bending arm 326 from bending the tucker flap.
- the hold-back pin 322 the egg carton is restrained from being pushed forward and off the pusher paddle 320. As a result, all of the force applied by the flap bending arms 326 is used to fold the tucker flap.
- the hold- back pin 322 is deactivated as a result of a change in the guide shaft track 310.
- the flap bending arm 326 is deactivated as a result of the same change in the guide shaft track 310 and is allowed to "float" in the egg carton.
- the spring allows them to ride over the arms and press them down with the flats' weight without needing to activate the solenoid, thereby improving its life. Additionally the use of the spring-return as implemented, allows cartons that are already closed (in a laser marking system this includes cartons which do not require marking) to flow over the arms without tipping or otherwise impeding the smooth flow of cartons.
- the carton lid flipper 350 While in the "open” position, the carton lid flipper 350 is rotated so that no part of the carton lid flipper 350 protrudes beyond the plane formed by the conveyor chain 306. As a result, egg cartons are allowed to continue along the path of the conveyor chain 306.
- This position may be employed in multiple circumstances. For example, this position may be employed after the lid of the egg carton has been partially closed and the lid has made contact with the carton lid closing heel 352 to allow the carton lid closing heel 352 and carton lid hold-down bars 360 to complete the process of closing of the egg carton. This position may also be employed to allow an egg carton to bypass the closing process such as when there are eggs missing from a closable carton, or when there is no lid to close on the egg carton (e.g., egg flats).
- one segment of the carton lid flipper 350 While in the "flipping" position as shown in FIG. 7, one segment of the carton lid flipper 350 forms an angle with the conveyor chain 306. In this particular embodiment, this segment spans from the conveyer chain 306
- the flap bending arm 326 Upon lid closure, the flap bending arm 326 remains "floating" in the egg carton. Failure to raise the carton prior to ejecting the egg carton from the carton closer system may result in either damage to the carton, to the eggs within the carton, or both. As such, a carton disengagement system has been created to assist in disengaging the flap bending arm 326 from the egg carton prior to ejection from the system.
- the hold-down bars above the ramp provide gentle, consistent pressure, avoiding damage to the carton or eggs inside. The rotating pivots of the closer bars provide consistent force even as the carton climbs the ramp.
- the wide hold-down bars provide consistent gentle pressure spread across the lid, to reduce potential for local damage to carton or eggs, and accommodate all known lid, latch, and minor flap types and associated positions for each of them.
- the ramp in the bed allows smooth carton discharge with reduced acceleration or pinch-points.
- the described system and method also allows withdrawal of the cleat without placing a shearing force or twisting force on the carton, which might damage the carton.
- An alternate embodiment may use a flat bed with a cleat conveyor running at a slight angle to the plane of carton movement, thereby gradually withdrawing the cleats from between the closed lid and the folded minor flap.
- the design may have a flat surface without ramp 370 and may also include a downward motion of the flap bending arm 326.
- the flap bending arms may constitute a more complex mechanism in which hinge 327 can be lowered to achieve substantially the same disengagement as described above once the lid is closed over the top of the minor flap.
- the carton disengagement process occurs at the same time that the carton transitions onto a second conveyor mechanism. This second conveyor mechanism may either be self-powered or powered directly by the first conveyor mechanism. In other embodiments, the carton disengagement process occurs at the same time the egg carton is directed to the outfeed of the system.
- FIGs. 19A and 19D show the heel and hold-down bars in the "active positions while FIGs. 19B and 19C show the held and hold-down bard in the retracted position allowing eggs and cartons to pass through untouched.
- FIGs. 20 through 25 show the progressive action of the heel and disengagement ramp on successive cartons.
- the cartons are advanced row by row and when a carton has an embedded lid the carton is also closed in process, using a mechanism.
- the carton In existing mechanisms the carton is closed when stationary.
- the closing action In order to maintain processing speed of the egg packing equipment, the closing action is normally completed in a short time, which can cause damage to the eggs or carton. Damage to any one of the eggs in the carton results in loss of the complete carton.
- the cleats on the closer conveyor are designed to function successfully with all carton types.
- the hold-down bars apply gentle friction resistance to forwards motion to hold the cartons back against the cleats and generate tightly controlled motion of the carton.
- the transition to the second conveyor (or direct to the outfeed in some embodiments) may be timed to coincide with the withdrawal of the cleats from the tucker flap, with the hold-down bars keeping the lid closed and the cleats engaged during the transition.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)
- Closing Of Containers (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201562107405P | 2015-01-24 | 2015-01-24 | |
US201562107403P | 2015-01-24 | 2015-01-24 | |
US201562107402P | 2015-01-24 | 2015-01-24 | |
PCT/US2016/014780 WO2016118966A2 (en) | 2015-01-24 | 2016-01-25 | Food packaging closing system and method therefor |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3303143A2 true EP3303143A2 (en) | 2018-04-11 |
EP3303143A4 EP3303143A4 (en) | 2019-10-16 |
Family
ID=56417931
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP16740910.1A Withdrawn EP3303143A4 (en) | 2015-01-24 | 2016-01-25 | Food packaging closing system and method therefor |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20160214743A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3303143A4 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2016118966A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
NL2017524B1 (en) * | 2016-09-23 | 2018-04-04 | Van De Ven Beheer B V | Packaging device for filling a package with eggs |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2649676A (en) * | 1946-07-08 | 1953-08-25 | Fmc Corp | Apparatus for handling cartons |
US3873394A (en) * | 1968-06-17 | 1975-03-25 | David L Pearl | Carton closing and labeling method and apparatus |
US3518811A (en) * | 1968-08-20 | 1970-07-07 | Mobil Oil Corp | Egg carton closing apparatus |
NL7004968A (en) * | 1970-04-07 | 1971-10-11 | ||
US3699744A (en) * | 1971-04-26 | 1972-10-24 | Seymour Foods Inc | Carton closing apparatus |
DE2260823A1 (en) * | 1972-12-13 | 1974-06-20 | Big Dutchman Int Ag | DEVICE FOR SEALING SMALL EGGS |
US3884015A (en) * | 1973-12-28 | 1975-05-20 | Seymour Foods Inc | Carton cover closing machine |
JPS62122908A (en) * | 1985-11-11 | 1987-06-04 | 株式会社 フジパツクシステム | Method and device for guiding cover before closing cover fortray |
-
2016
- 2016-01-25 EP EP16740910.1A patent/EP3303143A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2016-01-25 US US15/006,083 patent/US20160214743A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2016-01-25 WO PCT/US2016/014780 patent/WO2016118966A2/en active Application Filing
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20160214743A1 (en) | 2016-07-28 |
EP3303143A4 (en) | 2019-10-16 |
WO2016118966A3 (en) | 2016-11-03 |
WO2016118966A2 (en) | 2016-07-28 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
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17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20170824 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
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AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
DAV | Request for validation of the european patent (deleted) | ||
DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: B65B 23/02 20060101ALI20190115BHEP Ipc: B65B 7/26 20060101AFI20190115BHEP |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: B65B 7/26 20060101AFI20190418BHEP Ipc: B65B 23/02 20060101ALI20190418BHEP |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: B65B 23/02 20060101ALI20190905BHEP Ipc: B65B 7/26 20060101AFI20190905BHEP |
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A4 | Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched |
Effective date: 20190913 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20200801 |