DEVICE FOR DISCHARGING BAGS FROM A BAGGING MACHINE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for discharging (removing) bags from a rotary bagging machine, and to a bagging machine comprising said device.

[0002] A rotary bagging machine comprises a series of feed pipes which fill the bags hanging from them. In particular, these are valve-type bags such as those for cement.

[0003] Normally, the bags are also supported by a support structure rigid with the machine, and when they reach the expulsion point the structure, following a command, inclines to discharge the bag onto a conveyor belt.

[0004] This bag expulsion system has various drawbacks. It is complex and heavy, and a structure is required for each feed pipe.

[0005] Documents DE 295 15 852 U1 and GB 1 201 681 disclose non rotary filing machines.

[0006] Document DE 103 46 88 discloses a rotary filing machines wherein pivotably mounted bag support units are allocated to the individual welding devices and accept the plastic bags taken from the filling units after the forming of the welded seam, and transfer them to a delivery belt driven at the rotational speed of the rotor and installed tangentially to it.

[0007] Document DE 10 2005 030 693 discloses a rotary filing machines wherein the filler pipes, with the full sacks attached, are rotated until they are over the ejector, when the sacks are released on to it.

[0008] The preamble of claim 1 is based on the prior art according to DE 295 15 852 U1.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide an efficient device for discharging bags from a bagging machine which is of simple construction.

[0010] This and further objects are attained by the device according to claim 1.

[0011] These objects are also attained by a bagging machine comprising a device in accordance with claim 1.

[0012] Further characteristics of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0013] The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the ensuing detailed description of one embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows schematically a rotary bagging machine including the bag expulsion device according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bag expulsion device according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a side view of the bag expulsion device according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a rear view of the bag expulsion device according to the present invention.

[0014] With reference to the accompanying figures, a rotary bagging machine 10 for bags 11 comprises a plurality of feed ports 12. It comprises, for discharging the bags 11, a single device 13, stationary relative to the rotation of the bagging machine, and pivoted about a pin 14 disposed in proximity to a conveyor belt 15.

[0015] The bag 11, with its valve mounted on the feed port 12, hangs from the bagging machine 10 during the entire filling cycle.

[0016] The full bags 11 have to be extracted from the machine, i.e. withdrawn from the port 12, in a well defined angular position, which is generally in proximity to the region in which the machine 10 is fed with empty bags 11. The bag 11 hence travels on the bagging machine for nearly one complete revolution from when it is mounted empty to when it is removed full.

[0017] As in the case of all rotary bagging machines, at the region in which the bags 11 are extracted, there is positioned a conveyor belt 15 to receive the extracted bags 11 and convey them towards the despatch store.

[0018] To achieve a repetitive and sufficiently precise extraction process, the function of the device 13 is to withdraw the bag 11 from the port 12 and to impress on it a controlled trajectory for its deposition onto the conveyor belt 15.

[0019] The device 13 is external to the bagging machine 10 and is positioned (fixed to the floor) at a precise point external to the bagging machine, which defines the discharge point for the bags 11. The device 13 for discharging the bags 11 comprises an L-shaped base 20. A multiple-belt conveyor is disposed on the base 20.

[0020] The multiple-belt conveyor 21 has a distance between axes which is less than the distance (chord) between two feed ports 12 for the bagging machine 10.

[0021] At one end, the conveyor 21 is hinged on the pin 14 positioned at the upper end of the base 20. The pin 14 has its axis of rotation parallel to the direction of movement of the belts. The axis of the pin 14 lies outside the belts relative to the bagging machine 10, and below the plane in which the belts lie.

[0022] The conveyor 21 is positioned such that the plane of the belts lies, when at rest, inclined by about 10° to a horizontal plane, and a few centimetres below the bottom of the bag 11 which is in rotation, suspended from the port 12. The direction of movement of the belt is approximately tangential to the movement of the bag.

[0023] The belts of the conveyor 21 are driven by a motor 22, at a speed similar to that of the bag 11 on the bagging machine 10.

[0024] The motor 22 rotates two pulleys 24 driving the two most outer belts 25 of the conveyor 21. These belts rotate two sets of pulleys 26 connected together. The most inner belts of the conveyor 21 are driven by the two sets of pulleys 26.

[0025] The conveyor 21 is connected at its other end to a lifting system 23, which by acting on the belt conveyor at the opposite end to the pin 14 causes it to rotate about the pin 14.

[0026] The lifting system 23 comprises a pneumatic cylinder 23 connected at one end to the conveyor 21 and at its other end to the lower end of the base 20, distant from the pin 14.

[0027] Following a command, the cylinder 23 extends to raise the conveyor 21, or contracts to lower the conveyor 21 into its rest condition.

[0028] The lifting system 23 can also be formed for example from an electric motor or a pneumatic cylinder which operates a crank mechanism enabling the conveyor 21 to be raised and lowered.

[0029] When the conveyor 21 is in its rest state, the plane in which the belts lie is in its lowest position.

[0030] When in operation, following a command from an electronic control unit, not shown, the conveyor 21 inclines by rotating about the axis of the pin 14.

[0031] If the filled bags are not to be extracted from the bagging machine 10, the belts of the conveyor 21 continue in movement but the machine remains in its rest position, without coming into contact with the bag 11, hence it does not act thereon and the bag 11 can therefore remain on the port of the bagging machine.

[0032] If instead the filled bag 11 is to be extracted, the conveyor 21 rises such that during its upward movement it gradually lifts the bag and relieves the port 12 of its load, so that the combination of the belt plane inclination and gravity results in a force being applied to the bag in a direction away from the rotary bagging machine. The bag 11 inclines until it is deposited on the belt conveyor 15 positioned outside the device 13. This then returns to its rest position ready to discharge the subsequent bags.

[0033] The bag discharge process and hence its contact with the conveyor 21 lasts a certain time (some tenths of a second), it therefore being important that the belts remain in movement in order not to alter the vertical position of the bag during this stage.

[0034] The belt advancement speed is variable as it must be adapted to the peripheral speed of the bagging machine. In this respect, the rotational speed of the bagging machine is not fixed, as this defines its production capacity.

[0035] Having fixed a rotational speed for the bagging machine, the belt speed can be slightly lower or slightly higher than this. This variation causes the angle between the discharged bag resting on the conveyor and the belt axis to vary.

[0036] The lifting system can be either pneumatic or electromechanical. As an alternative to using belts, a single band can be used. Using belts prevents dust accumulation.

[0037] As the function of the device 13 is to accompany and raise the bag 11, other solutions can be used as an alternative, such as for example a plate which accompanies and raises the bag.

[0038] The system conceived in this manner is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A device for discharging bags (11) from a bagging machine (10) comprising conveyor means (21) for accompanying said bag (11), and lifting means (23) which move said conveyor means (21) for gradually raising said bag (11) in response to a discharge command, characterised in that the bagging machine is a rotary bagging machine said conveyor means (21) being movable in a direction substantially tangential to the movement of said bags (11) along the bagging machine and are inclined with respect to a horizontal plane; said lifting means (23) gradually lifting said bag (11) so that the combination of said inclined conveyor means (21) and gravity results in a force being applied to said bag (11) in a direction away from said rotary bagging machine (10).

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said conveyor means (21) are hinged (14) on an axis parallel to the direction of movement of said conveyor means (21).

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said bagging machine (10) comprises at least two feed ports (12), and said bags (11) are suspended on the ports (12).

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said lifting means (23) comprise a pneumatic cylinder connected between a base (20) and said conveyor means (21).

5. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said lifting means (23) comprise an electromechanical linkage system.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said conveyor means (21) comprise a multiple-belt conveyor.

7. A device as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said lifting means (23) are opposite said hinge (14).

8. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said conveyor means (21) are hinged (14) outwards thereof relative to said bagging machine (10), and below them.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said bagging machine (10) comprises at least two feed ports (12), said conveyor means (21) having a length less than the distance between said at least two feed ports (12).

10. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said lifting means (23) act on said conveyor means (21) such as to cause them to rotate about said hinge (14).

11. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said conveyor means (21), when at rest, lie a few centimetres below said bags (11).

12. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said conveyor means (21) are inclined by about 10° to a horizontal plane.

13. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said conveyor means (21) have a surface which when in movement has a speed substantially equal to the speed of the bag (11) on said bagging machine (10).

14. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said discharge device comprises a conveyor belt (15) on which said bags (11) are placed by said conveyor means (21) and by said lifting means (23).

15. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said conveyor means (21) are height-adjustable.

16. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said conveyor means (21) are fixedly positioned in proximity to a determined position of said bagging machine (10).

17. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said conveyor means (21) are external to said bagging machine (10).

18. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said bagging machine (10) comprises at least two feed ports (12), only one device being provided.

19. A bagging machine (10) comprising a device in accordance with claim 1.

Ansprüche

1. Vorrichtung zum Ausgeben von Beuteln (11) aus einer Beutelherstellungsmaschine (10), mit Fördermitteln (21) zum Mitnehmen des Beutels (11) und mit Hebemitteln (23), durch die die Fördermittel (21) bewegt werden, um den Beutel (11) in Reaktion auf einen Ausgabebefehl graduell anzuheben, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Beutelherstellungsmaschine eine Rotations-Beutelherstellungsmaschine ist, die Fördermittel (21) in einer Richtung im Wesentlichen tangential zur Bewegung der Beutel (11) entlang der Beutelherstellungsmaschine bewegbar sind und bezüglich einer horizontalen Ebene geneigt sind; die Hebemittel (23) den Beutel (11) graduell anheben, so dass die Kombination der geneigten Fördermittel (21) und der Schwerkraft zu einer Kraft führt, die auf dem Beutel (11) in einer Richtung weg von der Rotations-Beutelherstellungsmaschine (10) aufgebracht wird.

2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Fördermittel (21) an einer Achse parallel zur Richtung der Bewegung der Fördermittel (21) angelenkt (14) sind.

3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Beutelherstellungsmaschine (10) mindestens zwei Zufuhreinrichtungen (12) aufweist und die Beutel (11) an den Einrichtungen (12) hängen.

4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Hebemittel (23) einen pneumatischen Zylinder aufweisen, der zwischen einer Basis (20) und den Fördermitteln (21) vorgesehen ist.

5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Hebemittel (23) ein elektromechanisches Verbindungssystem aufweisen.

6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Fördermittel (21) einen Förderer mit mehreren Bändern umfassen.

7. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Hebemittel (23) gegenüber dem Gelenk (14) vorgesehen sind.

8. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Fördermittel (21) außerhalb davon relativ zur Beutelherstellungsmaschine (10) und darunter angelenkt sind (14).

9. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Beutelherstellungsmaschine (10) mindestens zwei Zuführeinrichtungen (12) aufweist, und die Fördermittel (21) eine Länge haben, die kleiner ist als die Distanz zwischen den mindestens zwei Zuführeinrichtungen (12).

10. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Hebemittel (23) auf die Fördermittel (21) wirken, um so zu bewirken, dass sie sich um das Gelenk (14) drehen.

11. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich die Fördermittel (21), wenn sie sich in der Ruhestellung befinden, wenige Zentimeter unterhalb der Beutel (11) befinden.

12. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Fördermittel (21) mit etwa 10° bezüglich einer horizontalen Ebene geneigt sind.

13. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Fördermittel (21) eine Oberfläche haben, die, wenn sie sich in Bewegung befindet, eine Geschwindigkeit hat, die im Wesentlichen gleich der Geschwindigkeit des Beutels (11) an der Beutelherstellungsmaschine (10) ist.

14. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Ausgabevorrichtung ein Förderband (15) aufweist, auf dem die Beutel (11) durch die Fördermittel (21) und durch die Hebemittel (23) platziert werden.

15. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Fördermittel (21) bezüglich der Höhe einstellbar sind.

16. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Fördermittel (21) in der Nähe einer vorbestimmten Position der Beutelherstellungsmaschine (10) fest positioniert sind.

17. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Fördermittel (21) außerhalb der Beutelherstellungsmaschine (10) vorgesehen sind.

18. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Beutelherstellungsmaschine (10) mindestens zwei Zuführeinrichtungen (12) aufweist, wobei lediglich eine Vorrichtung vorgesehen ist.

19. Beutelherstellungsmaschine (10) mit einer Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1.

Revendications

1. Dispositif pour décharger des sacs (11) à partir d'une ensacheuse (10), comprenant des moyens transporteurs (21) pour accompagner ledit sac (11), et des moyens de levage (23) qui déplacent lesdits moyens transporteurs (21) pour lever progressivement ledit sac (11) en réponse à une commande de décharge, caractérisé en ce que l'ensacheuse est une ensacheuse rotative, lesdits moyens transporteurs (21) étant mobiles dans une direction sensiblement tangentielle au mouvement desdits sacs (11) le long de l'ensacheuse et étant inclinés par rapport à un plan horizontal ; lesdits moyens de levage (23) levant progressivement ledit sac (11) de sorte que l'association desdits moyens transporteurs inclinés (21) et de la gravité entraîne une force appliquée sur ledit sac (11) dans une direction s'éloignant de ladite ensacheuse rotative (10).

2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens transporteurs (21) sont articulés (14) sur un axe parallèle à la direction de mouvement desdits moyens transporteurs (21).

3. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ladite ensacheuse (10) comprend au moins deux orifices d'alimentation (12), et en ce que lesdits sacs (11) sont suspendus sur les orifices (12).

4. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de levage (23) comprennent un vérin pneumatique raccordé entre une base (20) et lesdits moyens transporteurs (21).

5. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de levage (23) comprennent un système de tringlerie électromécanique.

6. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens transporteurs (21) comprennent un transporteur à multiples courroies.

7. Dispositif selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de levage (23) sont opposés à ladite articulation (14).

8. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens transporteurs (21) sont articulés (14) vers l'extérieur de ceux-ci par rapport à ladite ensacheuse (10), et en dessous de ceux-ci.

9. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ladite ensacheuse (10) comprend au moins deux orifices d'alimentation (12), lesdits moyens transporteurs (21) possédant une longueur inférieure à la distance entre lesdits au moins deux orifices d'alimentation (12).

10. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de levage (23) agissent sur lesdits moyens transporteurs (21) afin d'entraîner leur rotation autour de ladite articulation (14).

11. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens transporteurs (21), au repos, se trouvent quelques centimètres en dessous desdits sacs (11).

12. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens transporteurs (21) sont inclinés d'environ 10° par rapport à un plan horizontal.

13. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens transporteurs (21) comportent une surface qui, en mouvement, possède une vitesse sensiblement égale à la vitesse du sac (11) sur ladite ensacheuse (10).

14. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit dispositif de décharge comprend une courroie transporteuse (15) sur laquelle lesdits sacs (11) sont positionnés par lesdits moyens transporteurs (21) et par lesdits moyens de levage (23).

15. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens transporteurs (21) sont réglables en hauteur.

16. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens transporteurs (21) sont positionnés de façon fixe à proximité d'une position déterminée de ladite ensacheuse (10).

17. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens transporteurs (21) sont externes à ladite ensacheuse (10).

18. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ladite ensacheuse (10) comprend au moins deux orifices d'alimentation (12), seulement un seul dispositif étant prévu.

19. Ensacheuse (10) comprenant un dispositif selon la revendication 1.

Drawing