Title of Invention

"AN IMPROVED GUSSETING DEVICE FOR HORIZONTAL FORM-FILL AND SEAL MACHINE"

Abstract

This invention relates to an improved gusseting device for horizontal form-fill and seal machine comprising two cams-operated linkage mechanism by means of two cams (12,13) both mounted as shaft (9), with cam (12) providing oscillating movement to lever (3) and cam (13) providing oscillating movement to cam lever (5), characterized in that; three levers (3,6,8) wherein the lever (3) oscillates around pivot (4) in a horizontal plane thereby generating forward and backward movement in lever (3), the oscillation movement in lever (3) being given by cylindrical cam (12) rotating on machine cycle speed, the lever (6) being connected by its connecting rod end (7) to a cam lever (5) and lever (8) being connected to lever (6) and (3) by two turning pairs and the arrangement imparting 'D' type motion to the tip of lever (8) functioning as gusseting finger.

Full Text

FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to an improved gusseting device for a horizontal form fill and seal machine. PIROR ART In a horizontal form fill and seal machine, product is inserted into a tube formed by the wrapper when pulled over a forming block. The tube is pulled forward by means of pairs of pull-rollers with al least one pair heated to form the seal. Cross sealers with cutting knife, form the seal in the space between the products, simultaneously cutting the sealed portion in the middle to form discrete packs. If the seal is made without gusseting, ends flare out, making packet look unaesthetic [fig. 1(a)]. However, when gusseting is done prior to sealing, packet gets a smarter look [fig. 1(b)]. In the known art gusseting is done by means of gusseting fingers (1) (fig.2) that have simple oscillatory movement to keep the wrapper moving between the two products, from side to form gussets, just before sealing and cutting takes place at center line (2). A disadvantage with the above arrangement is that the motion of the gusseting fingers is at right angle to the movement of the product and wrapper tube. It has to execute its stroke rapidly so that the succeeding product does not hit these fingers. At the same time, these have to remain in the forward position till the completion of sealing action of the cross sealers as shown in the figure (3). This makes timing of gusseting as very critical as any timing mismatch between positioning of gusseting finger and the placing of succeeding product can result in hitting of gusseting finger against the packaged product. OBJECTS OF PRESENT INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an improved gusseting device for horizontal form-fill and seal machine. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved gusseting device which eliminates chances of gusseting finger hitting and damaging the packaged product. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved gusseting device wherein the gusseting finger is the tip of a lever which is imparted 'D' type movement enabling forward movement of the wrapper and product alongwith gusseting finger and providing synchronized extra time for the succeeding product to move. STATEMENT OF INVENTION According to this invention there is provided an improved gusseting device for horizontal form-fill and seal machine comprising:- a) two cams-operated linkage mechanism by means of two cams (12,13) both mounted as shaft (9), with cam (12) providing oscillating movement to lever (3) and cam (13) providing oscillating movement to cam lever (5), characterized in that; b) three levers (3,6,8) wherein the lever (3) oscillates around pivot (4) in a horizontal plane thereby generating forward and backward movement in lever (3), the oscillation movement in lever (3) being given by cylindrical cam (12) rotating on machine cycle speed, the lever (6) being connected by its connecting rod end (7) to a cam lever (5) and lever (8) being connected to lever (6) and (3) by two turning pairs and the arrangement imparting 'D' type motion to the tip of lever (8) functioning as gusseting finger. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES The present invention will now be illustrated with accompanying drawings which are illustrative of an embodiment of the present invention and are not intended to be taken restrictively to imply any limitation on the scope of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:- Fig. 1: shows the package formed with non-gussetted seal and gusseted seal; Fig.2: shows the construction of gusseting mechanism known in the art; Fig.3: shows the cross-sealing of a package; Fig.4 (a) & 4(b): shows the top-view and front view of the gusseting mechanism of present invention; Fig.4(c): shows the path of gusseting finger with the mechanism of the present invention; DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION w.r.t. DRAWINGS Referring to fig.4, the present invention overcomes the problem of the presently known gusseting devices by providing a mechanism which imparts D-type motion by means of two cam-operated linkage mechanism. Gusseting is provided by the finger forming the tip of lever (8) which is connected by means of two turning pairs to lever (6) and lever (3). Lever (3) provides forward and backward movement when it oscillates on its pivot (4), in a horizontal plane. This oscillating movement to lever (3) is provided by a cylindrical cam (12) mounted on shaft (9) which is rotating at machine cycle speed. The lever (8) is provided longitudinal movement that is parallel to the flow of wrapper and product by the connecting rod of lever (6), which is connected to the cam lever (5) by the connecting rod end (7). The said cam lever (5) is given oscillating movement by a plate cam (13) through is follower (11). The combination of the cams provide the desired path to the tip of gusseting finger. The part (a) & (c) of the path of gusseting finger [shown in Fig.4(c)] are provided by cam (12), part (b) and (d) of the path of gusseting finger [shown in fig. 4(c)] are provided by cam (13). The longitudinal movement i.e. part (b) and (d) of the path of gusseting finger, move the gusseting finger alongwith the wrapper and the product and then give extra time for gusseting without interfering with the product. It is to be noted that the device of the present invention is susceptible to modifications changes and adaptations by those skilled in the art. Such, variant embodiments incorporating the concepts and features of the present invention, are intended to be within the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the following claims: I CLAIM: 1. An improved gusseting device for horizontal form-fill and seal machine comprising: - a) two cams-operated linkage mechanism by means of two cams (12,13) both mounted as shaft (9), with cam (12) providing oscillating movement to lever (3) and cam (13) providing oscillating movement to cam lever (5), characterized in that; b) three levers (3,6,8) wherein the lever (3) oscillates around pivot (4) in a horizontal plane thereby generating forward and backward movement in lever (3), the oscillation movement in lever (3) being given by cylindrical cam (12) rotating on machine cycle speed, the lever (6) being connected by its connecting rod end (7) to a cam lever (5) and lever (8) being connected to lever (6) and (3) by two turning pairs and the arrangement imparting 'D' type motion to the tip of lever (8) functioning as gusseting finger.

Documents:

1553-DEL-2003-Abstract-(18-06-2010).pdf

1553-del-2003-abstract.pdf

1553-DEL-2003-Claims-(18-06-2010).pdf

1553-del-2003-Claims-(21-03-2014).pdf

1553-del-2003-claims.pdf

1553-del-2003-Correspondence-Others-(06-04-2011).pdf

1553-DEL-2003-Correspondence-Others-(18-06-2010).pdf

1553-del-2003-Correspondence-others-(21-03-2014).pdf

1553-del-2003-correspondence-others.pdf

1553-del-2003-correspondence-po.pdf

1553-DEL-2003-Description (Complete)-(18-06-2010).pdf

1553-del-2003-description (complete).pdf

1553-del-2003-drawings.pdf

1553-del-2003-form-1.pdf

1553-del-2003-form-18.pdf

1553-del-2003-form-2.pdf

1553-DEL-2003-GPA-(18-06-2010).pdf

1553-del-2003-gpa.pdf