A packaging system

Abstract

 A packaging system for collecting bags in a collection unit such as a box or a container. The packaging system comprises at least two tilting plates for transferring the bags to the collection unit, said tilting plates being pivotally connected to hinge joints. Further, the first tilting plates are connected to a displacement means being adapted to displace the tilting plates in vertical direction. Further, the packaging system comprises a pushing means adapted to be moved in horizontal direction and thereby push the bags onto the tilting plates.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a packaging system for collecting bags in a collection unit such as a box or a container, said packaging system comprising at least two tilting plates for transferring the bags to the collection unit - a first tilting plate and a second tilting plate - said first tilting plate being pivotally connected to a first hinge joint, said second tilting plate being pivotally connected to a second hinge joint.

[0002] Further, the invention relates to a method of packing a number of bags into a collection unit, such as a box or a container, by means of a packaging system according to any of the preceding claims, said packaging system comprising at least a first and a second tilting plate for transferring the bags the collection unit, said first tilting plate being hinged to a first hinge joint and said second tilting plate being hinged to a second hinge joint.

[0003] WO 2012/028865 discloses a packing system for packing bags e.g. containing vegetables, fruit and the like which should not be bruised and which are to be packed in a box. The system comprises a lowering plate, said plate allowing the horizontal plate to be lowered into a sloping angle by means of a hinge connection when the plate is sufficiently filled with bags, whereby the bags slide off the lowering plate thus functioning as a ramp. By means of a guide plate opposite the lowering plate, the bags are guided down into the underlying box. Subsequently, the lowering plate slides up to horizontal position in order to receive bags again which can thus be placed in the boxes. The filling system provides dis-continuous filling of the boxes as filling does not take place until the empty plate resumes its initial position and can then be filled with bags again. Further, the system requires a separate guide plate to ensure that the bags are placed correctly in the boxes. Finally, there is a risk that the contents of the bags are bruised when they are released from the lowering plates as stated.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a system operating continuously and efficiently without any risk of the contents of the bags being bruised. Thus, the system is especially suitable for packing bags with vegetables and fruit into boxes and containers. The system renders it possible to obtain a very high filling speed of the boxes as it is capable of managing up to 40 bags per minute being packed in corresponding boxes.

[0005] This object is achieved by way of a packaging system as described in the above first paragraph, where the first tilting plate is connected to a first displacement means being adapted to displace the first tilting plate in vertical direction and in that the second tilting plate is connected to a second displacement means independent from the first displacement means, said second displacement means being adapted to displace the second tilting plate in vertical direction, and in that the packaging system comprises a first pushing means and a second pushing means being independent from the first pushing means, said pushing means being adapted to be moved in horizontal direction by way of means and to push the bags onto the tilting plates.

[0006] By this set-up, it is achieved that the bags may be supplied to the packing boxes continuously without having to introduce stops in the forward movement of the bags. As soon as an adequate number of bags have been supplied to the first tilting plate by means of the first and the second pushing means, the tilting plate is moved in vertical direction to an end position while continuously taking its first position. In said end position, the tilting plate is displaced to the maximum in vertical direction towards the box. Here, the bags placed on the tilting plate are delivered in that first plate pivots about its hinge joint, and the bags slide down into the box, against which the first plate rests. Subsequently, the tilting plate is moved upwards in the opposite direction of the position of the box, where the tilting plate is still suspended in completely vertical position (second position). Simultaneously with this, bags have continuously been supplied to the second tilting plate which is being loaded with bags by the pushing means, said tilting plate being moved downwards towards the box according to the same principle as described in relation to the first tilting plate. If necessary, the pushing means may be moved vertically and independently from each other.

[0007] An advantageous embodiment of the packaging system comprises that the tilting plates are adapted to pivot about their respective hinge joint in order to take up two outer positions, viz. a first position in which the upper surface of the tilting plate is substantially horizontally oriented and a second position in which the upper surface of the tilting plate is vertically oriented.

[0008] Thereby, it is achieved that the movement of the tilting plate takes place in a controlled manner.

[0009] An advantageous embodiment of the packaging system comprises that the system comprises two tilting plate units, a first tilting plate unit and a second tilting plate unit, said units each comprising a tilting plate being connected to each their hinge joint as well as a vertical slide shaft whereto each hinge/tilting plate is connected in a manner so as to be vertically displaceable.

[0010] Thereby, the most advantageous amplitude of movement of the tilting plates is achieved.

[0011] An advantageous embodiment of the packaging system comprises that the tilting plates each pivots about their respective hinge joint by means of an actuating means, such as an air cylinder, said air cylinder controlling the hinge movement of the tilting plate.

[0012] Thereby, a simple construction of the mounting of the tilting plate is achieved.

[0013] A further advantageous embodiment of the packaging system comprises that the displacement means comprises a machine unit for providing a force, such as a first gear motor for vertical displacement of the first tilting plate and a second gear motor for vertical displacement of the second tilting plate as well as a connection element between the machine unit and the tilting plate.

[0014] Thereby, an even and steady guiding of the tilting plates is achieved.

[0015] The connecting unit includes a toothed belt connected to a slide bearing arranged around the vertical slide shafts. By activation of the toothed belt, the slide bearing is displaced in vertical direction. A tilting plate is connected to the slide bearing so that the tilting plate is movable in vertical direction. The connecting unit may also be a spindle.

[0016] An advantageous embodiment of the packaging system comprises that the packaging system comprises a conveyor belt for conveying the bags to an area at the pushing means and that the system also comprises a frame, said frame being a displaceable in relation to the conveyor belt substantially parallel with the conveying direction of the conveyor belt, the tilting plates and the pushing means being connected to said frame so that the frame displaces the tilting plates and the pushing means.

[0017] Thereby, it is achieved that the bags can be placed in the boxes and fill them completely as the bags are placed by means of the position of the frame in relation to the underlying boxes and thus the box sizes and design.

[0018] An advantageous embodiment of the packaging system comprises that the system comprises an intermediate plate being stationary in relation to the tilting plates and being positioned end to end/in line with the tilting plates and in the area between the tilting plates and the pushing means.

[0019] Thereby, a storage area is achieved for the bags before they are pushed over onto the tilting plate. This construction detail contributes to the continuous filling of the container with the bags.

[0020] An advantageous embodiment of the packaging system comprises a control system, said control system comprising information about box type and bag size and being adapted to control the movement of the tilting plates in vertical direction and the movement of a frame in horizontal direction.

[0021] Thereby, it is possible to use the packaging system for many various tasks where bags of various sizes are to be packed in various containers. Thus, it is possible to use the system, not only for fruit and vegetables in the typical sizes from 1 kg to 4-5 kg, but also to use large bags as well as to place bags in boxes with dimensions differing from the dimensions known from eg the green grocers.

[0022] In addition to using the system for packing fruit and vegetables, the packaging system may also be used for other materials, such as bags with cements, gravel etc. which are to be placed in large containers.

[0023] An advantageous embodiment of the packaging system comprises that the first pushing means is adapted to push the bags onto the intermediate plate and that the second pushing means is adapted to push the bags onto the tilting plates.

[0024] The pushing means are shaped as a vertical plate being moved in horizontal direction and almost functioning as a piston pushing the bags into the desired position. The two pushing means are positioned so that the first pushing means sits behind the second pushing means and so that their horizontal movement is in the same direction. Furthermore, slats may be placed on the actual intermediate pate, said slats guiding the bags into the right position.

[0025] Further, the invention also relates to a method of packing a number of bags into a collection unit, such as a box or a container, by means of a packaging system according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least a first and a second tilting plate for transferring the bags to the collection unit, said first tilting plate being hinged to a first hinge joint and said second tilting plate being hinged to a second hinge joint, and that a pushing means pushes a number of bags onto the first tilting plate being in a first position in which the tilting plate is substantially vertically oriented, said first tilting plate moving vertically while maintaining its first position against a collection unit being placed under said tilting plate, and that the tilting plate pivots about its hinge joint for taking a second position in which the supporting surface of the first tilting plate is vertically oriented, whereby the bag slides off the tilting plate down into the collection unit, said tilting plate moving vertically upwards in the counter-direction of the position of the collection unit, and said tilting plate turning to an substantially horizontal position for taking its first position.

[0026] A further advantageous method comprises that the second tilting plate is moved in the same manner as the first tilting plate but not simultaneously with said first tilting plate so that when the first tilting plate is in its first position and positioned in vertical direction in relation to the pushing means in a position for reception of a bag, the second tilting plate is vertically displaced in relation to the first tilting plate, and when the first tilting plate is in its second position, the second tilting plate is in its first position and positioned in vertical direction in relation to the pushing means in a first position for reception of a bag.

[0027] The invention is explained in detail below with reference to the drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is a basic drawing of a packaging system/packaging machine according to the invention and placed in interaction with a conveyor belt.

Fig. 2 is a basic drawing of the first and the second tilting plate units, where both tilting plates are in an initial position.

Figs. 2A-C show the first tilting plate unit shown in Fig. 2, said first tilting plate unit being seen from the side and in three different positions.

Fig. 3 is a basic drawing of the first and the second tilting plate units, where the first tilting plate is in a filling position - a first position - and the second tilting plate is in an initial position.

Fig. 4 is a basic drawing of the first and the second tilting plate units, where the first tilting plate is in dispose position/end position/second position, and the second tilting plate is in filling position/first position.

Fig. 5 is a basic drawing of the first and the second tilting plate units, where the first tilting plate is in the second position, and the second tilting plate is in filling position/first position.

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a packaging system 1 interacting with a conveyor belt 17. The conveyor belt conveys bags 2, such as bags filled with potatoes, apples and similar, towards a packaging system 1, where the bags are gently pushed onto tilting plates 6, 7 and from here down into a collection unit 3 such as boxes or containers. The collection units 3 are conveyed on a chain conveyor 21 according to know principles. The conveying direction of the chain conveyor 21 is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the bags 2 onto the tilting plates 6, 7. The boxes 3 are conveyed to the area beneath the tilting plates 6, 7, where they are filled and subsequently conveyed further.

[0029] The packaging system 1 comprises said tilting plates - a first tilting plate 6 and a second tilting plate 7 - which are pivotally connected to hinge joints which will be explained below with reference to Fig. 2. The tilting plates 6, 7 are made in a plate material of suitable dimensions and comprise an upper plane supporting surface. Further, the packaging system 1 comprises a first pushing means 12 and a second pushing means 13 which are placed at the end of the conveyor belt 17 at the tilting plates 6, 7. Said pushing means push the bags 2 from the conveyor belt via a stationary intermediate plate 19 onto the tilting plates 6, 7 and in a conveying direction being angled in relation to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt 17 at the tilting plates 6, 7. Both the first pushing means 12 and the second pushing means 13 are shaped as vertically oriented plates which are pushed forwards and backwards in a linear movement by way of means such as hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders or a stepper motor. To the extent necessary, the pushing means also perform a vertical movement.

[0030] The bags 2 are pushed onto the intermediate plate 19 by means of the first pushing means 12 which sits behind the second pushing means. When a bag 2 has been conveyed to the end station via the conveyor belt 17, ie at the first pushing means 2, said pushing means 2 is activated and pushes the bag 2 onto the intermediate plate 19. The second pushing means 13 is activated when being lowered down behind the bag but in front of the first pushing means 12. Now, the second pushing means pushes the bag 2 onto the first tilting plate 6 simultaneously with the first pushing means 12 pushing a new bag onto the intermediate plate 19. Subsequently, this bag 2 is pushed onto the first tilting plate 6 by means of the second pushing means 12.

[0031] When the tilting plate 6, which is in its first position, i.e. the supporting surface of the plate being perpendicularly positioned in relation to vertical, is filled with bags, the entire tilting plate is lowered vertically towards the collection unit 3 placed under the tilting plate. When the tilting plate reaches a position above the box 3, the plate pivots about its hinge joint so that the tilting plate is moved downwards and the bags can slide of the plate and down into the box 3. The tilting plate will pivot so much that its supporting surface is vertically positioned (second position) simultaneously with the plate moving upwards. The vertical position enables the plate to move freely upwards without any collisions with the second tilting plate 7 which - during the above activity of the tilting plate 6 - has pivoted from a vertical position to a horizontal position (first position) for reception of bags according to the same principles as described in relation to the first tilting plate 6. The second tilting plate is moved downwards towards the underlying box 3, while the first tilting plate is brought into position of reception of a new batch of bags 2 for delivery in the box 3.

[0032] The conveying of the boxes, the conveying of the bags as well as the pattern of movement of the tilting plates are controlled by a control system 20 which is programmable to different process parameters as function of the bag sizes and box sizes.

[0033] The tilting plates are mounted in each their tilting plate unit as described below. By way of a frame 18 made in suitable metal profiles, the tilting plate unit is displaceably connected to two parallel slide shafts 22 which are placed parallel to the conveying direction of the collection units 3. The frame 18 is connected to the slide shafts 22 by way of slide bearings 23 and with the longitudinal axis of the profiles being perpendicular to the slide shafts 22. Thereby, the units and thus the tilting plates can be displaced from side to side. The displacement direction is parallel to the conveying direction of the boxes 3.

[0034] Fig. 2 is a basic drawing of the first tilting plate unit 4 and the second tilting plate unit 5, where both tilting plates 6, 7 are in an initial position and are suspended vertically. Each tilting plate unit comprises a tilting plate 6, 7 connected to each their hinge joint 8, 9 and a profiled guideway 26. The first tilting plate 6 is pivotally connected to a first hinge joint 8, and the second tilting plate 7 is pivotally connected to a second hinge joint 9. Each unit 4, 5 comprises a vertically placed slide shaft 24 being axis-parallel to the profiled guideway 26. A slide bearing 25 is displaced up and down the slide shaft 24, the hinge joint 7,8 and thus the tilting plate 6, 7 being connected to said slide bearing 25 by means of a profile 30, the longitudinal axis of said profile 30 extending parallel with the slide shafts 24. The pivoting movement of the tilting plates is activated by two air cylinders 15 connected to each their tilting plate 6, 7 so that the tilting plates can pivot about their hinge joint 8, 9.

[0035] The displacement of the slide bearings 25 and thus the tilting plates takes place by means of a gear motor 16 - a first gear motor 16' placed in relation to the first tilting plate unit and a second gear motor 16" placed in relation to the second tilting plate unit 5. Fig. 2A shows the toothed belt 28 which is moved by way of the gear motor 16 and is connected to the slide bearing 25 at the opposite end of its engagement with the gear motor. Further, a counter weight 27 is shown which is connected to the slide bearings 25 via a toothed belt 28, said toothed belt 28 sliding over a pulley 29 placed at the top of each unit. The counter weight 27 ensures a steady and regular movement of the tilting plates 6, 7 when they slide up and down.

[0036] Thus, the up and down movement of the tilting plates takes place by means of a displacement means - a first displacement means 10 for displacement of the first tilting plate 6 and a second displacement means 11 for displacement of the second tilting plate 7. In the shown case, the displacement means thus comprise a gear motor which transfers the vertical movement to the tilting plates via a connecting unit comprising slide bearings and slide shafts, said tilting plates being guided in vertical direction.

[0037] Figs. 2A-C show the first tilting plate unit 4 seen from the side and in three different positions. Fig. 2A shows the same position as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 2B shows the slide bearing 25 displaced vertically downwards by way of the toothed belt, and where the first tilting plate is still in a vertically downwards suspended position, whereas Fig. 2C shows the tilting plate in its first position, ie the tilting plate is pivoted to horizontal position and is displaced further downwards in vertical direction towards a box (not shown), and where it is ready to receive bags from the intermediate plate.

[0038] Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 show the same tilting plate set-up as shown in Fig. 2, but where the tilting plates take other positions. The reference numerals applicable to Fig. 2 are thus also applicable to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.

[0039] In Fig. 3, the first tilting plate 6 is placed in its filling position in that the slide bearing 25 is moved vertically downwards to the level of the intermediate plate 19, and where the tilting plate 6 takes it first position for reception of a bag when the air cylinder is activated and has pivoted the tilting plate 6 up to a substantially horizontal position. The second tilting plate 7 is still in its initial position, where the second tilting plate is suspended vertically and with the slide bearing 25 placed in top position.

[0040] In Fig. 4, the first tilting plate 6 is still in its first position, but is moved downwards in vertical direction to its lower position in that the slide bearing 25 has slid down to its lower end position. In this position, the tilting plate is in the right position in relation to the box, into which the bag (not shown on the drawing) is to be delivered.

[0041] The second tilting plate has slid down as the slide bearing 25 has moved downwards on the slide shafts, and the second tilting plate 7 takes its first position for reception of a bag 2 when the air cylinder 15 is activated and has pivoted the tilting plate 7 up into a substantially horizontal position.

[0042] In Fig. 5, the second tilting plate 7 is still in its first position and positioned in vertical direction as shown on Fig. 4. The first tilting plate takes its second position in which it is suspended vertically and is moved in vertical direction up towards a position for reception of a new batch of bags as the slide bearing is pushed upwards on the slide shafts.

Reference numerals

[0043] 

1

Packaging system

2

Bags

3

Collection unit

4

First tilting plate unit

5

Second tilting plate unit

6

First tilting plate

7

Second tilting plate

8

First hinge joint

9

Second hinge joint

10

First displacement means

11

Second displacement means

12

First pushing means

13

Second pushing means

15

Air cylinders

16

Gear motor: 16' first; 16" second

17

Conveyor belt

18

Frame

19

Intermediate plate

20

Control system

21

Chain conveyor for the collection units/the boxes

22

Slide shaft (frame)

23

Slide bearing (frame)

24

Slide shaft unit

25

Slide bearing unit

26

Profiled guideway

27

Counter weight

28

Toothed belt

29

Pulley

Claims

1. A packaging system (1) for collecting bags (2) in a collection unit (3) such as a box or a container, said packaging system (1) comprising at least two tilting plates (6, 7) for transferring the bags (2) to the collection unit (3) - a first tilting plate (6) and a second tilting plate (7) - said first tilting plate (6) being pivotally connected to a first hinge joint (8), said second tilting plate (7) being pivotally connected to a second hinge joint (9), characterised in that the first tilting plate (6) is connected to a first displacement means (10) being adapted to displace the first tilting plate (6) in vertical direction and in that the second tilting plate (7) is connected to a second displacement means (11) independent from the first displacement means (10), said second displacement means (11) being adapted to displace the second tilting plate (7) in vertical direction, and in that the packaging system (1) comprises a first pushing means (12) and a second pushing means (13) being independent from the first pushing means (12), said pushing means (12, 13) being adapted to be moved in horizontal direction by way of means and to push the bags (2) onto the tilting plates (6, 7).

2. A packaging system according to claim 1, characterised in that the tilting plates (6, 7) are adapted to pivot about their respective hinge joint (8, 9) in order to take up two outer positions, viz. a first position in which the upper surface of the tilting plate (6, 7) is substantially horizontally oriented and a second position in which the upper surface of the tilting plate (6, 7) is vertically oriented.

3. A packaging system according to claim 2, characterised in that the system (1) comprises two tilting plate units (4, 5), a first tilting plate unit (4) and a second tilting plate unit (5), said units (4, 5) each comprising a tilting plate (6, 7) being connected to each their hinge joint (8, 9) as well as a vertical slide shaft (24) whereto each hinge/tilting plate is connected in a manner so as to be vertically displaceable.

4. A packaging system according to claim 3, characterised in that the tilting plates (6, 7) each pivots about their respective hinge joint (8, 9) by means of an actuating means (15), such as an air cylinder, said air cylinder controlling the hinge movement of the tilting plate.

5. A packaging system according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the displacement means (10, 11) comprises a machine unit (16) for providing a force, such as a first gear motor (16') for vertical displacement of the first tilting plate (6) and a second gear motor (16") for vertical displacement of the second tilting plate (7) as well as a connection unit between the machine unit and the tilting plate.

6. A packaging system according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the system (1) comprises an intermediate plate (19) being stationary in relation to and following the tilting plates (6, 7) and being positioned in the area between the tilting plates (6, 7) and the pushing means (12,13).

7. A packaging system according any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the packaging system (1) comprises a control system (20), said control system (20) comprising information about box type and bag size and being adapted to control the movement of the tilting plates in vertical direction and the movement of a frame (18) in horizontal direction.

8. A packaging system according any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first pushing means (12) is adapted to push the bags (2) onto the intermediate plate (19) and in that the second pushing means (13) is adapted to push the bags onto the tilting plates (6, 7).

9. Method of packing a number of bags into a collection unit (3), such as a box or a container, by means of a packaging system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, said packaging system (1) comprising at least a first (6) and a second (7) tilting plate for transferring the bags (2) to the collection unit (3), said first tilting plate (6) being hinged to a first hinge joint (8) and said second tilting plate (7) being hinged to a second hinge joint (9), characterised in that a pushing means (12, 13) pushes a number of bags (2) onto the first tilting plate (6) being in a first position in which the tilting plate (6) is substantially vertically oriented, said first tilting plate (6) moving vertically while maintaining its first position against a collection unit (3) being placed under said tilting plate (6), and in that the tilting plate (6) pivots about its hinge joint (8) for taking a second position in which the supporting surface of the first tilting plate (6) is vertically oriented, whereby the bag (2) slides off the tilting plate (6) down into the collection unit (3), said tilting plate (6) moving vertically upwards in the counter-direction of the position of the collection unit (3), and said tilting plate (6) turning to an substantially horizontal position for taking its first position.

10. Method according to claim 9, characterised in that the second tilting plate (7) is moved in the same manner as the first tilting plate (6) but not simultaneously with said first tilting plate (6) so that when the first tilting plate (6) is in its first position and positioned in vertical direction in relation to the pushing means (12, 13) in a position for reception of a bag (2), the second tilting plate (7) is vertically displaced in relation to the first tilting plate (6), and when the first tilting plate (6) is in its second position, the second tilting plate (7) is in its first position and positioned in vertical direction in relation to the pushing means (12, 13) in a first position for reception of a bag (2).

Drawing