Title of Invention

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING POUCHES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE SPOUTS TO A ROTARY MACHINE FOR THE PROCESSING OF THE SAME AND RELATIVE METHOD

Abstract

Apparatus (1) for feeding pouches (102) and their respective spouts (103) to a rotary machine (R) for the processing of the same, comprising at least one magazine (2) for the pouches (102) and at least one magazine (3) for the spouts (103). The apparatus (1) originally comprises a handling unit (4) designed to pick up a pouch (102) and a spout (103) from their respective magazines (2, 3) and feed them simultaneously, and in continuous mode, to the rotary machine (R) that processes them. Said handling unit (4) comprises the means for picking up a pouch (102) and the means for picking up a spout (103). Method for feeding pouches (102) and spouts (103) to a rotary machine (R) for the processing of the same.

Full Text

WO 2006.0 30464 PCT/IT2004/000506 APPARATUS FOR FEEDING POUCHES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE SPOUTS TO A ROTARY MACHINE FOR THE PROCESSING OF THE SAME AND RELATIVE METHOD. TFCHN1CAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND ART The present invcntior. relates to an apparatus for feeding pouches and their rcspcctivc spouts to a rotary machine for the processing of :he same and relative feeding method. As is well known, drinks, and in particular fruit juices and sports drinks, arc increasingly more frequently sold and preserved in flexible containers commonly known as "pouches". Generally, these flexible containers comprise a pouch, normally made of polyethylene (PE) and have a spout, to cnabic the product contained inside the container to be poured out Pouring of the product is particularly fecthtated by the possibility to exert pressure on the beverage by squeezing the pouch. The flexible containers, or pouches, arc made from. a pair of polycthylcuc sheets the edges of which are welded together leaving an opening. Into this opening a portion of the spout is inserted and secured by means of welding In particular, this welding concerns the edges of the opening and is performed by applying heat to partially melt said edges to that they adhere to the portion of the spout inserted in the pouch. Generally, the spout is inserted inside the opening before the container is filled. It is well known that systems already exist for the processing of pouches comprising rotary machines with starwheels for picking up and transferring the 1 wo 2006/030464 PCT/IT2004/000506 pouches, That work together with one or more starwhecls for filling and scaling the pouches. An important feature of systems with rotary machines is that they can operate in continuous mode and thus guarantee high productivity. To tike full advantage of thiS feature, it is essential that a continuous flow of pouches be fed to the processing starwheel. In particular, since the pouches arc assembled directly on the welding starwheels by opening the said pouches, inserting the spout inside the opening and then welding :he edges of the pouch, both the pouches and the spouts must be fed to the processing starwheel. The problem of ensuring continuous feed of both pouches and spouts to the rotary machine has yet to be resolved DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION. It is an object of the present invention 10 resolve the above-mentioned problem by providing an apparatus that can feed the pouches and their respective spouts to a rotary machine for the processing of the same, having the capacity to ensure continuous feeding of both spouts and pouches. Further, it is an object of the present invention to create an apparatus to simultaneously feed both pouches and spouts to a rotary machine for the processing of the same. Further still, it is an object of the present invention to present an apparatus for feeding pcuches and their respective spouts which is able to guarantee high productivity. Further still, it is an object of the present invention to present an apparatus for feeding pouches and their respective spouts which is easy to construct and WO 2006/030464 PCT/1T20O4/00506 reliable. Further still, it is an object of the present invention to present a method for feeding pouches and spouts to a rotary machine for the processing of the same that is easy to implement. The above objects are fully attained through the apparatus for feeding pouches and their respective spouts to a rotary machine for the processing of the same and by the relative method, object of the present invention, characterized by the contents of the chirrs reported below. BUST MODF. FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION. This and other objects shall become more readily apparent in the following description of a preferred embodiment illustrated, purely by way of non Limiting example, in the sccotnpanying drawing tables In which- - figure 1 is a partially sectioned front view of an appararus for feeding pouches and their respective spouts to a rotary machine for the processing of the same; - figure 2 is a diagram, viewed from above, showing the principle of operation of the apparatus shown, in figure : With reference to the figures, an apparatus for feeding pouches and their respective spouts to a rotary machine for the processing of the same is globally indicated by the number 1. In particular, the rotary machine can be, for example. a pouch-forming starwheel equipped with welding grippers to weld the spouts to [he pouches. The Apparatus '. comprises a first magazine 2 designed to contair. a stock of pouches 102 and a second magazine 3 designed to hold a set number of spouts 103. In a totally new and original manner, the apparatus I composes a handling unit 3 UO2006/030464 PCT/2004/OOO5O6 4 designed so as to be able to pick up a pouch 102 and a spout 103 from their respective magazines and feed then simultaneously, and in continuous mode, to a rotary machine. In the example illustrated, the handling unit 4 is secured to a routing platform 6 keyed to a first support shaft 5. In particular, the handling unit 4 also comprises a second support shaft 7 which is mobile so as to be able to rotate around the first vertical axis A, between an operating position of picking up of a pouch 102 and of a spout 133 and an operating position for transferring the same to the rowxy machine. The means for picking up a pouch and the means for picking up a spout arc installed on the said second support shaft 7. In the example illustrated, said means for picking up a pouch consist of a pair cf suction cups 8, 9 vertically aligned and arranged on the same vertical paire P (tn figure 1, said vertical plane P is viewed from the side). In the embodiment illustrated, the means for picking up a spout is preferably a ^ripper 10. With particular reference to figure 1, the second support shaft 7 is secured pcrimetrically to the routing platform 6, which rotates around a second axis B which is substantially vertical and which passes through the said first support shaft 3. More precisely, the second support shaft 7 revolves around the first vertical axis A at the same tune as the rotating platform 6 routes around OK second vertical axis B, so thai the suction cups 8, 9 and the grippcr 10 are activated by hypocycloid movement as they travel from magazines 2 and 3 to the rotary machine for the processing of pouches and spouts. With particular reference to the embodiment shown in figure I, the rotating WO 2006/030464 PCT/lT20O4/00O506 plalfonn 6 is moved directly by ihc rotary machine for the processing, of pouches and spouts, for example through & mechanics! coupling of toothed gears 30 integral 10 the rotary machine and corresponding toothed gears 31, integral to the relating platform 6. ln. the example illustraicd. the second rotating shaft 7 is preferably moved by an electric motor 11 secured to the rotating platform 6 and therefore integral to said platform In the embodiment shown, the apparatus '. for feeding pouches and their respective spouts ts preferably built of a single rotating platform and several second rotating shafts 7, each of which equipped with at least a pair of suction cups for picking up and holding a pouch and at least one grippcr fur picking up a spout The method for feeding the pouches and spouts to the rotary machine for the processing of the same comprises the following phases. arranging a magazine of pouches; arranging 3 magazine of spouts, picking up of a pouch (102) from the corresponding magazene (2) and picking up ofa spout (103) from :he corresponding magazine (3). Lit a new and original manner, the method of the present invention comprises a step of simultaneous, continuous feeding of the pouches and spouts to the rotary machine for the processing of the same. Preferably, the step of feeding poches and spouts to the rotary machine for the processing of the same takes place through hypocycloid movement of the pouches and spouts from the magazines to a discharge point on said rotary machine. i WO 20O6/013O464 PCT/IT2004/000506 The principle of operation of the invention is as follows. The rotating platform 6 is powered directly by the rotary machine for the processing of pouches and spoils through the coupling of toothed gears 30 integral to the rotary machine and toothed gears 11 integral to the rotating piaifcmi 6 At (he same time, the support shift 7 which is put of the handling unit 4 is m*dc to rotate around the first axis A by the cUctnc motor 11, integrally secured to rotating platform 6. In this way, the suction cups 8, 9 and the grippcr 10 are moved by hypocycloid movement, "travelling from the area where the pouches 102 and spouts 103 are picked up from their magazines 2, 3 to the area where the pouches and spouts are transferred to the rotary machine for the processing of the same (iadicatcd with the letter R in figure 2). In particular, as shown in figure 2. the trajectory- followed by the suction cups 8, 9 and the Rrippcr 10 is indicated by point Q. Specifically, this point describes a cusp at magazines 2, 3 containing the pouches and spouts (only the magazine containing the pouches 102 is shown in figure 2), so :hat the absolute speed of movement of the suction cups and of the gripper is cancelled out. In this way, the suction cups and the gripper can pick up the pouches 102 and the spouts 103 (which are not moving) without "wrenching" them from the:r respective magazine*. Subsequently, point Q shown in figure 2, follows a trajectory which substantially describes a circumferential arch so tha: the relative speed of the suction cups 8, 9 and of the grippcr 10 vs. the rotary machine R is cancelled out. In this way. the suction cups and the grippcr are able to transfer the pouches 102 « WO 20O6/030464 PCT/IT20O4/OOO506 and spouts 103 to the rotary machine R in a ptecise manner. The principle of operation described above refers to an apparatus equipped with a single handling unit 4, but it is identical for apparatuses equipped with several of these handling uniis. This invention offers some important advantages First of all. an apparatus in accordance with the present invention is able to feed both spouts and pouches in continuous mode, 'thus guaranteeing high productivity. Another important advantage of the present invention is that it can feed both spouts and pouches simultaneously. Advantageously, an apparatus in accordance with the present invention is compact and extremely reliable. A further advantage of the present invention is that it can handle pouches and spouts safely and without damaging them while till ensuring high productivity. 7 WO 2006/030464 PCT/IT20O4/000506 CLAIMS 1. Apparatus (I) for feeding pouches (102) and respective spouts (103) to a rotary machine (R) for the processing of the same, comprising: at least a magazine (2) for the pouches (102); at least a magazine (3) for the spouts (103), characterized in that it comprises atleast a handling unit (4) designed to be able to pick up a pouch (102) and a spout (103) from their respective magazines (2, 3) and feed them simultaneously, and in continuous manner, to a rotary machine (R) for their processing. 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handling unit (4) comprises: means for picking up a pouch (102); means for picking up a spout (103), said means for picking up a pouch (102) and said means for picking up a spout (103) being fixed to a mobile support structure (4, 7) between at least one operating position for the picking up of a pouch (102) and of a spout (103) and at least one operating position for the transfer of said pouch (102) and said spout (103) to the rotary machine (R). 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said means for picking up a pouch (102) comprises at least a suction cup, 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein said means for picking up a pouch (102) comprises at least one pair of suction cups (8, 9), said section cups (8, 9)being vertically aligned and arranged on the same vertical plane (P). 5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the above claims from 2 to 4, 8 WO 2006/030464 PCT/IT2004/000506 wherein said means for picking up a spout (103) comprises at least a gripper (10). 6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the above claims from 2 to 5, wherein said support structure (4, 7) rotates around a first substantially vertical axis (A). 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said support structure (4,7) is fixed to a perimetral zone of a rotating platform (6) that rotates around a second substantially vertical axis (B), said support structure (4, 7) rotating around said first vertical axis (A) simultaneously with the rotation of said rotating platform (6) around said second vertical axis (B), so that the means for picking up a pouch (102) and the means for picking up a spout (103) move in a hypocycloid manner as they travel from the magazines (2, 3) to the rotary machine (R). 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that it comprises: first means of movement integrally fixed to the rotating platform (6) and operatively active on said support structure (4,7); second means of movement operatively active on said rotating platform (6). 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first means of movement comprise at least an electric motor (11). 10. Method for feeding pouches (102) and spouts (103) to a rotary machine (R) for the processing of the same, comprising the following steps: arranging a magazine (2) of pouches (102); arranging of a magazine (3) of spouts (103); 9 WO 2006/030464 PCT/IT2004/000506 picking up of a pouch (102) from the corresponding magazine (2); and picking up of a spout (103) from the corresponding magazine (3), characterized in that it further comprises, the step of feeding said pouches (102) and said spouts (103) simultaneously and continuosly to the rotary machine (R) for the processing of the same. 11. Method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said step of feeding the pouches (102) and the spouts (103) to the rotary machine (R) for the processing of the same takes place through hypocycloid movement of the pouches (102) and spouts (103) themselves, from their respective magazines (2, 3) to a discharge zone on said rotary machine (R). 10 Apparatus (1) for feeding pouches (102) and their respecuve spouts (103) to a rotary machine (R) for the processing of the same, composing at least one magazine (2) for the pouches (102) and at least one magazine (3) for the spouts (103) The apparatus (1) originally comprises a handling unit (4) designed to pick up a pouch (102) and a spout (103) from their respective magazines (2,3) and feed them simultaneously, and in continuous mode, to the rotary machine (R) that processes them. Said handling unit (4) comprises the means for picking up a pouch (102) and the means for picking up a spout (103) Method for feeding pouches (102) and spouts (103) to a rotary machine (R) for the processing of the same.

Documents:

02692-kolnp-2006 abstract .pdf

02692-kolnp-2006 claims.pdf

02692-kolnp-2006 correspondence others.pdf

02692-kolnp-2006 description(complete).pdf

02692-kolnp-2006 drawings.pdf

02692-kolnp-2006 form-1.pdf

02692-kolnp-2006 form-3.pdf

02692-kolnp-2006 form-5.pdf

02692-kolnp-2006 international publication.pdf

02692-kolnp-2006 international search authority report.pdf

02692-kolnp-2006 pct form.pdf

02692-kolnp-2006-correspondence others-1.1.pdf

02692-kolnp-2006-gpa.pdf

2692-KOLNP-2006-(01-07-2014)-ABSTRACT.pdf

2692-KOLNP-2006-(01-07-2014)-CLAIMS.pdf

2692-KOLNP-2006-(01-07-2014)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

2692-KOLNP-2006-(01-07-2014)-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

2692-KOLNP-2006-(01-07-2014)-DRAWINGS.pdf

2692-KOLNP-2006-(01-07-2014)-FORM-1.pdf

2692-KOLNP-2006-(01-07-2014)-FORM-13-1.pdf

2692-KOLNP-2006-(01-07-2014)-FORM-13.pdf

2692-KOLNP-2006-(01-07-2014)-FORM-2.pdf

2692-KOLNP-2006-(01-07-2014)-FORM-3.pdf

2692-KOLNP-2006-(01-07-2014)-OTHERS.pdf

2692-KOLNP-2006-(01-07-2014)-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

2692-KOLNP-2006-(19-03-2014)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

2692-KOLNP-2006-(19-03-2014)-OTHERS-1.pdf

2692-KOLNP-2006-(19-03-2014)-OTHERS.pdf

2692-kolnp-2006-form 18.pdf

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