WO2007039755A2 - Ameliorations apportees a des procedes et des appareils de fixation d'un dispositif d'adaptation - Google Patents

Ameliorations apportees a des procedes et des appareils de fixation d'un dispositif d'adaptation Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007039755A2
WO2007039755A2 PCT/GB2006/003722 GB2006003722W WO2007039755A2 WO 2007039755 A2 WO2007039755 A2 WO 2007039755A2 GB 2006003722 W GB2006003722 W GB 2006003722W WO 2007039755 A2 WO2007039755 A2 WO 2007039755A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fitment
anvil
container
carrier
reciprocation
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2006/003722
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2007039755A3 (fr
Inventor
Kenneth Archie Poublon
Wolfgang Kieser
Chadwick A. Wierenga
Thomas Michael HÄBEL
Original Assignee
Elopak Systems Ag
Burrows, Anthony, Gregory
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 Elopak Systems Ag, Burrows, Anthony, Gregory filed Critical Elopak Systems Ag
Publication of WO2007039755A2 publication Critical patent/WO2007039755A2/fr
Publication of WO2007039755A3 publication Critical patent/WO2007039755A3/fr

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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
    • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
    • B65B51/10—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof
    • B65B51/22—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof by friction or ultrasonic or high-frequency electrical means, i.e. by friction or ultrasonic or induction welding
    • B65B51/225—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof by friction or ultrasonic or high-frequency electrical means, i.e. by friction or ultrasonic or induction welding by ultrasonic welding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B50/00—Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B31B50/74—Auxiliary operations
    • B31B50/81—Forming or attaching accessories, e.g. opening devices, closures or tear strings
    • B31B50/84—Forming or attaching means for filling or dispensing contents, e.g. valves or spouts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/08—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using ultrasonic vibrations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/08—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using ultrasonic vibrations
    • B29C65/083—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using ultrasonic vibrations using a rotary sonotrode or a rotary anvil
    • B29C65/086—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using ultrasonic vibrations using a rotary sonotrode or a rotary anvil using a rotary anvil
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/78—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus
    • B29C65/7802—Positioning the parts to be joined, e.g. aligning, indexing or centring
    • B29C65/7838—Positioning the parts to be joined, e.g. aligning, indexing or centring from the inside, e.g. of tubular or hollow articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/78—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus
    • B29C65/7841—Holding or clamping means for handling purposes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/13—Single flanged joints; Fin-type joints; Single hem joints; Edge joints; Interpenetrating fingered joints; Other specific particular designs of joint cross-sections not provided for in groups B29C66/11 - B29C66/12
    • B29C66/131—Single flanged joints, i.e. one of the parts to be joined being rigid and flanged in the joint area
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/53—Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars
    • B29C66/532—Joining single elements to the wall of tubular articles, hollow articles or bars
    • B29C66/5324—Joining single elements to the wall of tubular articles, hollow articles or bars said single elements being substantially annular, i.e. of finite length
    • B29C66/53245—Joining single elements to the wall of tubular articles, hollow articles or bars said single elements being substantially annular, i.e. of finite length said articles being hollow
    • B29C66/53246—Joining single elements to the wall of tubular articles, hollow articles or bars said single elements being substantially annular, i.e. of finite length said articles being hollow said single elements being spouts, e.g. joining spouts to containers
    • B29C66/53247—Joining single elements to the wall of tubular articles, hollow articles or bars said single elements being substantially annular, i.e. of finite length said articles being hollow said single elements being spouts, e.g. joining spouts to containers said spouts comprising flanges
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/61—Joining from or joining on the inside
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/63—Internally supporting the article during joining
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/72—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/723—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered
    • B29C66/7232—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer
    • B29C66/72327—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer consisting of natural products or their composites, not provided for in B29C66/72321 - B29C66/72324
    • B29C66/72328—Paper
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/739—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/7392—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic
    • B29C66/73921—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic characterised by the materials of both parts being thermoplastics
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8141—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/81431—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined comprising a single cavity, e.g. a groove
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8145—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the constructional aspects of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/81463—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the constructional aspects of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps comprising a plurality of single pressing elements, e.g. a plurality of sonotrodes, or comprising a plurality of single counter-pressing elements, e.g. a plurality of anvils, said plurality of said single elements being suitable for making a single joint
    • B29C66/81465—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the constructional aspects of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps comprising a plurality of single pressing elements, e.g. a plurality of sonotrodes, or comprising a plurality of single counter-pressing elements, e.g. a plurality of anvils, said plurality of said single elements being suitable for making a single joint one placed behind the other in a single row in the feed direction
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/816—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the mounting of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/82—Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps
    • B29C66/822—Transmission mechanisms
    • B29C66/8222—Pinion or rack mechanisms
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/82—Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps
    • B29C66/824—Actuating mechanisms
    • B29C66/8246—Servomechanisms, e.g. servomotors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/832—Reciprocating joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/8322—Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/84—Specific machine types or machines suitable for specific applications
    • B29C66/843—Machines for making separate joints at the same time in different planes; Machines for making separate joints at the same time mounted in parallel or in series
    • B29C66/8432—Machines for making separate joints at the same time mounted in parallel or in series
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/92—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools
    • B29C66/924—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools
    • B29C66/9241—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the pressure, the force or the mechanical power
    • 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
    • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/18—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements
    • B65B61/186—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements by applying or incorporating rigid fittings, e.g. discharge spouts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/72—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/723—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered
    • B29C66/7232—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer
    • B29C66/72321—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer consisting of metals or their alloys
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/72—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/723—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered
    • B29C66/7234—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a barrier layer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/82—Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps
    • B29C66/822—Transmission mechanisms
    • B29C66/8221—Scissor or lever mechanisms, i.e. involving a pivot point
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/82—Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps
    • B29C66/824—Actuating mechanisms
    • B29C66/8244—Actuating mechanisms magnetically driven
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/92—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools
    • B29C66/924—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools
    • B29C66/9241—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the pressure, the force or the mechanical power
    • B29C66/92431—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the pressure, the force or the mechanical power the pressure, the force or the mechanical power being kept constant over time
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/96—Measuring or controlling the joining process characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2705/00—Use of metals, their alloys or their compounds, for preformed parts, e.g. for inserts
    • B29K2705/02—Aluminium
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/712—Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages
    • B29L2031/7162—Boxes, cartons, cases
    • B29L2031/7166—Cartons of the fruit juice or milk type, i.e. containers of polygonal cross sections formed by folding blanks into a tubular body with end-closing or contents-supporting elements, e.g. gable type containers

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for affixing fitments to containers. It is known for carton forming, filling, and sealing machines to have fitment applicators to affix pour spout fitments to inner wall surfaces of respective paperboard cartons where each fitment includes a cap screwed onto a circumferentially-flanged cylindrical pour spout. For brevity, this document uses the word "fitments" to refer to such capped pour-spout assemblies.
  • the flanges of the fitments provide surfaces for affixing the fitments to interior surfaces of the walls of paperboard cartons via ultrasonic welding.
  • each fitment is positioned against a carton wall so that the cylindrical portion of the spout extends through a through-hole preformed in the carton wall. This allows product to be poured from the carton through the cylindrical portion of the spout once the screw cap has been removed.
  • the Elopak® P-Sl 20UC carton forming, filling, and sealing machine is a double-line, double-indexing machine which, for each line, has a fitment applicator that includes a four-armed anvil supported for reciprocal axial motion between advanced and retracted positions and for rotational motion to transport fitments into the open tops of pairs of adjacent cartons presented by a conveyor.
  • That Elopak® machine includes a linear anvil drive comprising a pneumatic piston-and-cylinder device drivingly connected to the applicator anvil through a linkage.
  • the linear anvil drive moves the anvil axially between its retracted and advanced positions.
  • the Elopak® P-S 120UC machine also includes an anvil rotator that is drivingly connected to the anvil and drives the anvil through its rotational motion.
  • Each applicator also includes two ultrasonic stacks (each consisting of a converter, a booster and a horn) supported for axial motion between respective retracted positions displaced from the cartons and advanced positions contacting respective outer surface portions of the carton walls that surround the through-holes.
  • the ultrasonic horns are actuable to transmit ultrasonic energy into the carton walls and fitment flanges when the horns are contacting respective outer surfaces of the carton walls and the anvils are backing-up the horns by pressing the fitments in axial opposition against respective inner surfaces of the carton walls. So applied, the ultrasonic energy welds the fitment flanges to the carton walls.
  • a linear horn drive comprises a pneumatic piston-and- cylinder device drivingly connected to the horns through a linkage, and drives the horns axially between their respective retracted and advanced positions.
  • a disadvantage of pneumatic driving of the anvil and the horns is that the air pressures in the cylinders vary during the welding process, for example when other pneumatically driven parts of the machine start and stop or have varying loads applied with the consequence that the fitment may be underwelded to the carton, or that the carton wall and/or the fitment may be damaged.
  • the maximum pneumatic driving forces and/or the ultrasonic energy supplied to the horn may be arranged to be higher than the optimum levels required for an ideal situation in which the air pressure does not vary, but then not only is energy wasted, but damage to the carton wall and/or the fitment is more likely.
  • a fitment applicator for applying fitments to a series of containers advancing on a packaging machine, comprising a member used in attaching the fitments to the containers, a bearing arrangement mounting said member for reciprocation towards and away from said series, and a drive device arranged to reciprocate said member along an axis and, at a forward end of the reciprocatory stroke of said member, to cause said member to participate in producing a force employed in attaching a fitment to a container, and a control arrangement communicable with said drive device for controlling said drive device, said control arrangement serving to determine the power output of said drive device and to limit said power output to a desired value, thereby to limit the value of said force.
  • a method of attaching a fitment to a container in a series of containers advancing on a packaging machine comprising employing a reciprocatory drive device to bring a member to an advanced condition of reciprocation at said container and thereby causing said member to participate in producing a force which is utilised in attaching said fitment to said container, determining the power output of the drive device during said attaching, and limiting said power output to a desired value, thereby limiting the value of said force during said attaching.
  • a fitment applicator for applying fitments to a series of containers advancing on a packaging machine, comprising a fitment carrier used in attaching the fitments to the containers, a bearing arrangement mounting said carrier for reciprocation towards and away from said series and for oscillatory movement about an axis of turning, the axis of turning and the axis of reciprocation of the carrier being substantially perpendicular to each other, a drive arrangement serving to reciprocate and oscillate said carrier, a delivery device arranged to deliver a fitment to said carrier when said carrier is in an advanced condition of reciprocation, and a control arrangement arranged to control said driving arrangement to produce a motion cycle in which said driving arrangement brings said carrier and said fitment together from said advanced condition to a retracted condition of reciprocation, turns said carrier and said fitment together
  • a method of attaching a fitment to a container in a series of containers advancing on a packaging machine comprising mounting a fitment on a carrier, bringing said carrier and said fitment together to a retracted condition of reciprocation, turning said carrier and said fitment together about an axis of turning towards a container in said series, the axis of reciprocation being substantially perpendicular to the axis of turning, bringing said carrier and said member together to an advanced condition of reciprocation at said container and thereby causing said carrier to participate in producing a force which is utilised in attaching said fitment to said container, bringing said carrier, without said fitment, to said retracted condition of reciprocation, turning said carrier about said axis of turning towards a fitment- delivery device, and mounting another fitment on said carrier.
  • a packaging machine including a top closure pre-breaking station for pre-breaking inwards top closure panels of a container, and a second station which is downstream of said pre-breaking station and including a wedge-shaped element for insertion into the top of said container in order to spread open the broken-in top closure panels of said container. Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to perform an operation at the interior of the container requiring insertion of a member dimensioned widthwise to an extent that the broken-in top closure panels would otherwise prevent or possibly interfere with its insertion.
  • An embodiment of the applicator of the invention is for affixing pour spout fitments to inner wall surfaces of successive paperboard cartons, where each such fitment includes a cap screwed onto a circumferentially-flanged cylindrical pour spout.
  • the applicator includes an anvil supported for reciprocal motion between a retracted condition and an advanced condition. The anvil is arranged to insert the cylindrical portion of the pour spout into a through-hole in a carton wall until, when the anvil is in its advanced position, the circumferential flange of the fitment contacts an inner surface of a portion of the carton wall that surrounds the through-hole.
  • a linear anvil drive is connected to the anvil and is arranged to drive the anvil longitudinally between its retracted condition and its advanced condition.
  • An ultrasonic stack is supported for linear longitudinal motion generally axially aligned with and opposite that of the anvil. The stack moves between a retracted position and an advanced, i.e. weld, position. In the weld position, the horn of the stack contacts an outer surface of the portion of the carton wall that surrounds the through-hole.
  • the ultrasonic horn is actuable to transmit ultrasonic energy into the carton wall and fitment flange to weld the fitment flange ultrasonically to the carton wall when the ultrasonic horn is in its weld position and the anvil is in its advanced position.
  • a linear horn drive is connected to the ultrasonic stack and is arranged to drive the ultrasonic stack longitudinally between its retracted position and its weld position.
  • at least one of the linear anvil drive and the linear horn drive comprises a servo controlled to apply a consistent amount of pressure to the fitment flange and/or the contacting portion of the carton wall during an ultrasonic sealing operation, so that an ultrasonic seal is reliably and properly formed.
  • the linear horn drive comprises at least one linear servo arranged to move and hold the ultrasonic horn against the contacting portion of a carton wall and to maintain a consistent amount of pressure around the contacting portion during the ultrasonic sealing operation to improve seal quality and uniformity.
  • the linear horn drive comprises at least one linear servo arranged to move and hold the ultrasonic horn against the contacting portions of carton walls with a consistent amount of pressure during successive ultrasonic sealing operations to provide consistent seals between cartons and fitments; in other words, to ensure consistent seal quality between cartons and fitments throughout a plurality of successive weld operations.
  • the anvil is supported for reciprocal motion between its retracted condition and an advanced, i.e. retrieval, position adjacent the fitment supply track for receiving a fitment from the supply track.
  • the anvil is supported for oscillatory pivotal motion, while in the retracted condition, into an inserted position in the open top of a carton, thereby to transport a fitment into the open top of the carton as the anvil moves to the inserted position.
  • This arrangement allows for more nearly vertical fitment insertions into cartons than would be possible with a rotary anvil. More nearly vertical fitment insertions allow for pre-breaking of carton tops.
  • the apparatus also includes an anvil pivot drive connected to the anvil and arranged to oscillate the anvil.
  • the anvil pivot drive preferably comprises at least one linear servo arranged to oscillate the anvil.
  • the anvil may include a wedge shape configured to spread open the broken-in tops of cartons as the anvil is turned to its inserted position to allow carton tops to be broken-in before fitments are mounted.
  • the anvil is supported for reciprocal axial, longitudinal motion between the inserted position and an advanced, i.e. mount, position to allow the anvil to move fitments into pre-formed holes in carton walls following insertions.
  • the anvil is supported on the machine frame for reciprocal motion between the inserted position and the mount position and the linear anvil drive is connected between the machine frame and the anvil.
  • the ultrasonic stack is supported on the machine frame for its linear longitudinal motion between the retracted position and the weld position and its linear drive is connected between the machine frame and the ultrasonic stack.
  • the anvil and anvil drive are arranged to insert cylindrical portions of successive pour spout fitments into respective through-holes in carton walls of a series of cartons supported on and serially presented by a carton conveyor.
  • the ultrasonic horn is arranged to engage and transmit ultrasonic energy into the respective carton walls of the cartons that the conveyor serially presents and into fitment flanges of fitments that the anvil mounts in those cartons.
  • the machine may be a double-indexing machine and include two fitment applicator anvils supported for reciprocal motion between their respective inserted positions and respective mount positions.
  • the anvils are arranged to insert respective cylindrical portions of pour spout fitments into through-holes in carton walls until, with the anvils in their respective mount positions, circumferential flange portions of the fitments contact respective inner surfaces of portions of the carton walls that surround the through-holes.
  • Linear anvil drives are connected to the anvils and are arranged to drive the anvils longitudinally between their respective inserted positions and mount positions.
  • Two ultrasonic stacks are supported for linear longitudinal motion generally axially aligned with and opposite that of the applicator anvils and between respective retracted positions displaced from the cartons and weld positions contacting respective outer surfaces of the portions of the carton walls that surround the through-holes.
  • the ultrasonic horns are actuable to transmit ultrasonic energy into the carton walls and fitment flanges to weld the fitment flanges ultrasonically to the carton walls when the ultrasonic horns are in their respective weld positions and the anvils are in their respective mount positions.
  • the linear stack drive is connected to the ultrasonic stacks and is arranged to drive the ultrasonic horns longitudinally between their respective retracted and weld positions.
  • the two anvils are supported for reciprocal motion between their respective retracted conditions and respective retrieval positions adjacent two fitment supply tracks for receiving fitments from the supply tracks.
  • the two anvils are supported for oscillatory pivotal motion about a generally horizontal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal reciprocal motion while in their respective retracted conditions into their respective inserted positions within the open tops of pairs of cartons, thereby to transport fitments into the open tops of the cartons.
  • the anvil pivot drive is connected to the anvils and is arranged to pivot the anvils oscillatorily.
  • At least three linear servos may be included, with two of the linear servos being included in the linear anvil drive, each being actuable to translate and control the lateral position of one of the two anvils, and the remaining linear servo being included in the anvil pivot drive and actuable to pivot the anvils.
  • At least two linear servos may be included in the linear horn drive, each being actuable to translate one of the ultrasonic stacks and to control the pressure applied by that one of the two ultrasonic horns.
  • the linear servos of the anvil drive are set to move their respective anvils to respective predetermined positions for each welding operation and to maintain their respective anvils in those positions until welding is complete.
  • the linear servos of the horn drive are set to extend and move their respective horns until a control of the linear servos determines that they have each reached a predetermined power output, in other words are each exerting a predetermined amount of pressure.
  • the linear servos of the horn drive then maintain that power output and thus the predetermined amount of pressure until welding is complete.
  • only one linear servo may be included in the linear anvil drive and be actuable to translate both of the anvils and to control the pressure applied by the two anvils.
  • the horn drive is arranged to move the ultrasonic horns into respective predetermined fixed weld positions
  • the linear servo of the linear anvil drive is arranged to move the anvils until they have inserted their respective fitments into preformed holes in respective cartons, and until a control of the linear servo determines that the linear servo has reached a predetermined power output, i.e. is exerting a predetermined amount of pressure.
  • An embodiment of the method of the invention is for affixing fitments to inner wall surfaces of respective paperboard cartons where each fitment includes a cap screwed onto a circurnferentially-flanged cylindrical pour spout.
  • each fitment includes a cap screwed onto a circurnferentially-flanged cylindrical pour spout.
  • a pour spout fitment is received on the anvil after moving the anvil from a retracted position to a retrieval position.
  • the anvil is then caused to insert a cylindrical portion of the fitment into the through-hole in a carton wall until a circumferential flange portion of the fitment contacts an inner surface of a portion of the carton wall that surrounds the through-hole.
  • the ultrasonic horn is then caused to contact an outer surface of the portion of the carton wall surrounding the through-hole by moving the ultrasonic horn from a retracted position to a weld position.
  • the fitment flange is then ultrasonically welded to the carton wall by actuating the ultrasonic horn to transmit ultrasonic energy into the carton wall and fitment flange when the ultrasonic horn is in its weld position and the anvil is in its mount position.
  • the step of moving the ultrasonic stack or the anvil includes actuating at least one linear servo drivingly connected to one of the ultrasonic horn and the anvil, the actuating of that at least one linear servo being such as to apply constant pressure through either the horn or the anvil in the weld position. If desired, the same amount of pressure can be applied to the fitment flanges, or contacting portions of carton walls, of successive cartons by actuating the linear servo to apply the same amount of pressure through either the horn or the anvil in the weld position.
  • the linear servo of the horn drive moves the ultrasonic stack until the movement of the horn is arrested in its weld position by contact with a carton wall backed- up by the anvil in its mount position.
  • the linear servo of the horn drive then applies a constant pressure through the horn to the contacting portion of the carton wall during the ultrasonic sealing operation.
  • the linear servo of the horn drive may be actuated to apply the same amount of pressure through the horn to the contacting portions of carton walls of successive cartons during successive ultrasonic sealing operations.
  • the horn drive moves the ultrasonic horn to its weld position in contact with a carton wall and a linear servo of the linear anvil drive moves the anvil until the movement of the anvil is arrested in its mount position by contact of the fitment flange with the carton wall backed-up by the horn in its weld position.
  • the linear servo of the linear anvil drive then increases the amount of force it is applying against the fitment flange until a control of the linear servo determines that it is applying a predetermined amount of pressure.
  • the linear servo maintains this pressure until the weld is complete.
  • the linear servo of the linear anvil drive may be actuated to apply this same amount of pressure through the anvil to the fitment flanges of successive cartons during successive ultrasonic sealing operations.
  • Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a thermoplastics pour spout fitment
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of a formed, filled and sealed, gable-topped carton incorporating the fitment
  • Figure 3 is a partly diagrammatic, fragmentary, side elevation of a double-line, double-indexing, form-fill-seal packaging machine for producing cartons according to Figure 2;
  • Figure 4 is a partly diagrammatic, fragmentary, sectional, end elevation of a fitment- applying station of one line of the machine;
  • Figure 5 is a front elevation of one of two identical fitment-carrying, anvil plates of that station;
  • Figure 6 is a fragmentary, top perspective view of the machine, but incorporating a modified version of the fitment-applying station;
  • Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 4, but illustrating the modified version
  • Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 3, but again illustrating the modified version
  • Figure 9 is a partly diagrammatic, fragmentary, sectional, end elevation of another modified version of the fitment-applying station.
  • the pour spout fitment comprises a cylindrically bodied, flanged, pour spout 4 of which only the flange is seen and a screw cap 6 on the externally threaded pour spout body.
  • the carton 8 shown in Figure 2 has been made by firstly cutting out a blank from a web comprised of paperboard and innermost and outermost coatings of a moisture barrier thermoplastics, possibly with the interposition, at the inner side of the paperboard layer, of an oxygen barrier layer, such as aluminium foil or an oxygen barrier thermoplastics.
  • a hole (12) is formed through an intended roof panel of the carton.
  • the blank has been formed into a sleeve open at both ends and has then been bottom-sealed on a rotary spider of the machine.
  • top closure panels 10 of the bottom-closed sleeve have then been pre-broken, then the fitment 2 has been inserted partially through the hole 12, and then the flange 4 has been ultrasonically sealed to the innermost thermoplastics layer of that panel. Then the bottom-closed, top pre-broken, fitment-incorporating sleeve has been filled and top-sealed.
  • FIGS 3 and 4 illustrate a top pre-breaking station 14, a fitment- applying station 16 and a filling station 18 through which extend endless chain conveyors 20 which index the open-topped carton sleeves 8 through various stations including the stations 14, 16 and 18.
  • the station 16 comprises a fitment applicator 22 itself comprised of a pair of anvils 24 reciprocated by linear, electric servomotors 26 and oscillated about a horizontal axis 28 by a motor diagrammatically illustrated at 30; a pair of fitment-delivering, gravity tracks 32 with respective escapements 34 having respective, pneumatic piston-and-cylinder ejectors 36; two ultrasonic stacks 38 and linear, electric servomotors 40 serving to reciprocate the stacks 38 ; and a programmable logic controller (PLC) 42 for controlling various items, such as the motors 26, 30 and 40.
  • PLC programmable logic controller
  • Each anvil 24 is supported, by a linear anvil drive comprised of a pair of the linear servomotors 26, for reciprocal motion between a retracted condition and an advanced condition.
  • the anvil inserts the cylindrical portion of the fitment 2 (cap 6 leading) into the through-hole 12 in the carton wall until, when the anvil is in a mount position, the circumferential flange of the spout 4 contacts the inner surface of that portion of the carton wall that surrounds the through-hole 12.
  • a rod 44 of each linear servomotor 26 is fixed relative to the anvil 24 and drives the anvil longitudinally between its retracted condition and its advanced condition.
  • Each ultrasonic stack 38 consisting of a converter 46, a booster 48 and a horn 50, is supported for linear longitudinal motion generally axially aligned with and opposite that of its co-operating anvil 24 and between a retracted position and an advanced, i.e. weld, position.
  • the ultrasonic horn 50 contacts the outer surface of the portion of the carton wall that surrounds the through-hole.
  • the ultrasonic horn is actuable to transmit ultrasonic energy into the carton wall and fitment flange in such a way as to weld the fitment flange ultrasonically to the carton wall when the ultrasonic horn is in its weld position and the anvil is in its mount position.
  • the rods 52 of a pair of the linear servomotors 40 are fixed relative to each ultrasonic horn 50 and drive the ultrasonic horn longitudinally between its retracted position and its weld position.
  • Each linear horn drive (which may comprise only one linear servo), under the control of the PLC42, moves and holds the ultrasonic horn against the contacting portions of carton walls with a consistent amount of pressure during an ultrasonic sealing operation and during successive sealing operations.
  • the linear servos provide an amount of pressure and a pressure distribution sufficiently consistent to ensure consistent seal quality between cartons and fitments throughout a plurality of successive weld operations.
  • the linear servos may be, for example, Linmot electromagnetic servos.
  • the PLC42 may control the linear servos of each linear anvil drive 26 in such a way that a consistent amount of pressure is applied to and around the contacting portions of carton walls during successive ultra-sonic sealing operations.
  • Each anvil 24 is supported for reciprocal motion between its retracted condition and a retrieval position adjacent its fitment supply track escapement 34. This allows the anvil to receive (and engage on a spigot which is not shown) a fitment from the escapement.
  • Each anvil 24 is supported for oscillatory pivotal motion about the generally horizontal axis 28 perpendicular to the longitudinal reciprocal motion of the anvil 24 while the anvil is in the retracted condition. This pivotal motion moves the anvil between the retracted condition and an inserted position within the open top of a carton 8 presented by the carton conveyor 20 to transport fitments downward into the open tops of successive cartons.
  • the applicator also includes the anvil pivot drive connected between the machine frame and the anvil and including the motor 30. The anvil pivot drive oscillatorily pivots the anvil 24 between retracted and inserted positions. As can be seen in Figure 5, each anvil 24 has a wedge shape that allows it to spread open the broken-in tops of cartons 8 as the anvil is turned to its inserted position.
  • the anvil includes a flat metal plate 52, the major portion 54 of which has the general shape of a rectangular prism, with a generally triangular prism-shaped nose 56 integrally extending from a lower end of the rectangular prism portion 54.
  • the triangular prism-shaped nose 56 is rounded at a lower apex 58 of the triangular prism and is chamfered at 60 in a lower edge zone of the rear surface of the rounded lower apex.
  • the angled surfaces of the triangular prism 54 and the chamfer 60 allow the anvil to be inserted into the open top of apaperboard carton 8, spreading open any carton wall portions that may have been broken-in along fold lines in preparation for top closing and sealing. This allows carton tops to be broken-in before fitments are mounted.
  • the rectangular prism 54 of the anvil is sized to locate each carton positively for fitment application.
  • Each anvil 24 is supported on the machine frame for reciprocal axial, longitudinal motion between the inserted position and the mount position and, to drive this motion, the linear anvil drive is connected between the machine frame and the anvil.
  • the axial, longitudinal motion from the inserted position to the mount position carries a fitment 2 into the pre-formed hole 12 in the carton wall.
  • the axial, longitudinal motion of the anvil 24 from the mount position back to the inserted position locates the anvil in a position to be turned upward out of the open top of the container 8 in which the anvil has just mounted the fitment.
  • Each ultrasonic stack 38 is supported on the machine frame for its linear longitudinal motion between the retracted position and the weld position, and, to drive this motion, the linear horn drive is connected between the machine frame and the ultrasonic stack.
  • five linear servos are included on the anvil side of each line of the double-indexing carton forming, filling, and sealing machine.
  • Four are used by the linear anvil drives for anvil translation (two for each anvil 24) and one linear servo 30 is used by the anvil pivot drive to pivot the anvils.
  • Linmot linear servos are employed, hi other embodiments where less force may be required, only three linear servos may be used on the anvil side of each line of a double-indexing machine, with two of the linear servos being included in the linear anvil drives, each being actuable to translate and control the lateral position of one of the two anvils and the remaining one of the linear servos being included in the anvil pivot drive and actuable to pivot the anvils between their respective retracted and inserted positions.
  • linear servos 40 are used by the linear horn drive for stack translation (two for each stack 38). Again, Linmot linear servos are employed. In embodiments requiring less force, only two linear servos may be used on each line of a double-indexing machine, with only one linear servo being used to translate each stack.
  • the linear servos 26 of each anvil drive are set to move their respective anvils 24 to respective predetermined positions for each welding operation and to maintain their respective anvils in those positions until welding is complete.
  • the linear servos 40 of the horn drive are set to extend and move their respective stacks 38 until the PLC42 determines that they are each exerting a predetermined amount of pressure, determined from the power output of each. The linear servos of the horn drive are then caused by the PLC42 to maintain that predetermined amount of pressure until welding is complete.
  • linear servo or servos of the anvil drive that are arranged to extend to and maintain a predetermined pressure and the linear servos of the horn drive that are set to extend to predetermined positions.
  • linear servos may be used only in either the anvil drive or the horn drive rather than both, in which case the linear servos would be arranged to extend to and maintain a predetermined pressure value.
  • one rotary servomotor 62 of an Exlar I 2 -30-0601 device, is included in the linear anvil drive 64 and is actuable to translate a single anvil 66 with two spigots.
  • a PLC (not shown) controls the pressure applied by the anvil.
  • the drive 64 includes a transmission 68 and a screw device 70 driven thereby and whereby rotary motion is converted into linear motion of a rod 72 of the drive 64.
  • the rotary servomotor 62 is controlled so as to perform oscillatory rotation to produce the reciprocation of the anvil 66.
  • the rod 72 is fixed to the anvil 66.
  • a pair of guide rods 74 are also fixed to the anvil 66, but slide in a bracket 76 supporting the drive 64 upon a trunnion 78.
  • a linear drive 80 similar to the drive 64 and provided by an EXLAR I 2 -30-02 device has its output rod 82 connected by a linkage 84 to the bracket 76 for oscillating the bracket 76 and thus the anvil 66 about the horizontal axis 28.
  • a horn drive 86 in this embodiment moves the ultrasonic stacks 38 into respective predetermined fixed weld positions, and the rotary servo 62 of the linear anvil drive 64 moves the anvil 66 until its spigots have inserted their respective fitments into preformed holes in respective cartons, and until the PLC42 determines that the power output of the rotary servomotor 62 has reached a predetermined level, i.e. that the anvil 66 is exerting a predetermined amount of pressure.
  • the rotary servomotor 62 then maintains that predetermined pressure throughout the ultrasonic welding operation and throughout each succeeding welding operation as successive pairs of cartons are presented for fitment installation.
  • anvil 66 Incorporated in the anvil 66 are a pair of depending lugs 88 the shapes of which each correspond to that of the lower part of each anvil 24, so as not only to spread back the broken-in top panels of the cartons but also to locate the carton tops positively.
  • the anvil here referenced 90
  • the anvil is in the form of a plate formed with spigots and reciprocable longitudinally and oscillateable about a horizontal axis
  • it is in the form of a rotary, four-armed spider which is reciprocable horizontally and rotatable about its own axis.
  • This form of spider is per se known from, for example, the Elopak® P-S 120UC machine described hereinbefore.
  • the spider 90 is rotated by an electric, rotary servomotor 92 through a transmission 94 in the form of a belt-and-pulley transmission whereby a horizontal shaft 96 to which the spider 90 is fixed is steppingly rotated about its own axis.
  • An electric, rotary servomotor 98 controlled so as to rotate oscillatingly reciprocates the shaft 96 through a rack-and-pinion arrangement 100.
  • the shaft 96 is supported in bearings 102, 104 and 106 permitting both rotation and reciprocation of the shaft 96.
  • the two ultrasonic stacks 38 are mounted upon a horizontal slide 108 itself reciprocated axially by a drive 110 including an electric, rotary servomotor 112 similar to the drive 64 or 80 of the embodiment of Figures 6 to 8.
  • the PLC 42 controls various items of the applicator, such as the servomotors 92, 98 and 112. In this embodiment, it is the power output of the servomotor 112 which is controlled by the PLC 42 in such a manner as to ensure that the force applied by the horn 50 to the external surface of the carton 8, backed up by the anvil 90, does not exceed the predetermined, desired value stored in the programme in the PLC 42.
  • one or more pour spout fitments are received on the or each anvil by actuating its linear drive to move the anvil from its retracted position to its retrieval position, where the anvil receives a fitment from a supply track escapement.
  • the linear drive is then actuated to move the anvil from the retrieval position to the retracted position.
  • the anvil pivot drive is then actuated to pivot the anvil from the retracted position to the inserted position, transporting the fitment downward into the open top of a carton.
  • the linear anvil drive is then actuated to move the anvil from the retracted position to the mount position, causing the anvil to insert a cylindrical portion of the fitment into the through-hole in a carton wall until a circumferential flange of the fitment contacts an inner surface of a portion of the carton wall that surrounds the through-hole, arresting anvil movement.
  • the horn drive is actuated to move the ultrasonic horn from its retracted position to its weld position, with the horn contacting an outer surface of the portion of the carton wall surrounding the through-hole in the weld position.
  • the horn is then actuated to weld the fitment flange ultrasonically to the carton wall by transmitting ultrasonic energy into the carton wall and fitment flange when the ultrasonic horn is in its weld position and the anvil is in its mount position.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Composite Materials (AREA)
  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un applicateur (22) d'adaptation pour bec verseur, destiné à appliquer des dispositifs d'adaptation pour bec verseur à une série de cartons (8) avançant sur une machine d'emballage, comprenant au moins une enclume (24) utilisée pour fixer le dispositif d'adaptation aux cartons (8), un ensemble support (28) permettant des enclumes (24) en va et vient par rapport à la série de cartons (8), un dispositif à commande linéaire comprenant au moins une servocommande (26) linéaire et disposée de manière à entraîner le mouvement de va et vient des enclumes (24) le long d'un axe, sur une extrémité amont de la course de l'enclume (24), ce qui entraîne l'enclume (24) à participer à la production d'une force utilisée dans la fixation d'un dispositif d'adaptation sur un carton (8) et un PLC42 en communication avec les dispositifs de commande destiné à les commander, et servant à déterminer la sortie de puissance de chaque dispositif de commande et à limiter ladite sortie de puissance à une valeur souhaitée, tout en limitant la valeur de la force utilisée.
PCT/GB2006/003722 2005-10-05 2006-10-05 Ameliorations apportees a des procedes et des appareils de fixation d'un dispositif d'adaptation WO2007039755A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US72370305P 2005-10-05 2005-10-05
US60/723,703 2005-10-05

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WO2007039755A3 WO2007039755A3 (fr) 2007-07-12

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008125598A1 (fr) * 2007-04-12 2008-10-23 Elopak Systems Ag Dispositif et procédé
ITTV20100162A1 (it) * 2010-12-07 2012-06-08 Galdino Candiotto Sistema di applicazione di tappi su contenitori in cartone poliaccoppiato.
ITVI20130123A1 (it) * 2013-04-30 2014-10-31 Galdi S R L Apparato per accoppiare un beccuccio ad un contenitore
WO2020086103A1 (fr) 2018-10-26 2020-04-30 Curt G. Joa, Inc. Soudeuse double

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3812572A (en) * 1973-02-14 1974-05-28 Gen Films Inc Tube applicator
WO2000018649A1 (fr) * 1998-09-30 2000-04-06 Elopak Systems Ag Applicateur d'accessoires, notamment de becs verseurs
US6085489A (en) * 1998-06-22 2000-07-11 Nimco Corporation Spout mandrel with energy ring
JP2001002009A (ja) * 1999-06-18 2001-01-09 Ishida Co Ltd 包装装置
USRE37025E1 (en) * 1994-10-04 2001-01-23 Portola Packaging, Inc. Apparatus and method for attaching fitments to cartons
US6463715B1 (en) * 2001-10-12 2002-10-15 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, Sa Rotary closure applicator

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3812572A (en) * 1973-02-14 1974-05-28 Gen Films Inc Tube applicator
USRE37025E1 (en) * 1994-10-04 2001-01-23 Portola Packaging, Inc. Apparatus and method for attaching fitments to cartons
US6085489A (en) * 1998-06-22 2000-07-11 Nimco Corporation Spout mandrel with energy ring
WO2000018649A1 (fr) * 1998-09-30 2000-04-06 Elopak Systems Ag Applicateur d'accessoires, notamment de becs verseurs
JP2001002009A (ja) * 1999-06-18 2001-01-09 Ishida Co Ltd 包装装置
US6463715B1 (en) * 2001-10-12 2002-10-15 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, Sa Rotary closure applicator

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008125598A1 (fr) * 2007-04-12 2008-10-23 Elopak Systems Ag Dispositif et procédé
ITTV20100162A1 (it) * 2010-12-07 2012-06-08 Galdino Candiotto Sistema di applicazione di tappi su contenitori in cartone poliaccoppiato.
ITVI20130123A1 (it) * 2013-04-30 2014-10-31 Galdi S R L Apparato per accoppiare un beccuccio ad un contenitore
EP2799351A3 (fr) * 2013-04-30 2014-12-24 Galdi S.R.L. Appareil permettant d'appliquer un bec verseur sur un récipient
RU2610399C2 (ru) * 2013-04-30 2017-02-09 Гальди С.Р.Л. Аппарат для соединения слива с контейнером
RU2610399C9 (ru) * 2013-04-30 2017-03-27 Гальди С.Р.Л. Аппарат для соединения слива с контейнером
WO2020086103A1 (fr) 2018-10-26 2020-04-30 Curt G. Joa, Inc. Soudeuse double
EP3870426A4 (fr) * 2018-10-26 2022-08-17 Curt G. Joa, Inc. Soudeuse double

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