(19) |
 |
|
(11) |
EP 0 162 968 B1 |
(12) |
EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
(45) |
Mention of the grant of the patent: |
|
02.12.1987 Bulletin 1987/49 |
(22) |
Date of filing: 26.05.1984 |
|
|
(54) |
Packaging machine
Verpackungsmaschine
Machine d'emballage
|
(84) |
Designated Contracting States: |
|
DE FR GB NL SE |
(43) |
Date of publication of application: |
|
04.12.1985 Bulletin 1985/49 |
(71) |
Applicant: Shikoku Kakooki Co., Ltd. |
|
Itano-gun
Tokushima (JP) |
|
(72) |
Inventor: |
|
- Ueda, Kazuo
Suginami-ku
Tokyo (JP)
|
(74) |
Representative: Noz, Franciscus Xaverius, Ir. et al |
|
P. Petersstraat 160,
P.O. Box 645 5600 AP Eindhoven 5600 AP Eindhoven (NL) |
|
|
|
Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
|
[0001] The invention rotates to a packaging machine according the precharacterizing part
of claim 1.
[0002] Such a packaging machine has been disclosed in FR-A-2.120.765. In said known machine
preformed containers, which are closed at their bottom ends, are supplied to the subchamber
via a chute. In the subchamber a rotatable wheel is arranged with support means for
supporting the containers and for displacing said containers along nozzle means toward
a discharge opening. By said nozzle means are supplied sterilizing fluid and hot air
for drying the sterilized containers.
[0003] Contrary thereto the packaging machine according to the invention is characterized
as mentioned in the characterizing part of claim 1.
[0004] In using the structure according to the invention tubular blanks, before being supplied
to the main chamber for a series of packaging operations, are fed to the subchamber,
which is separate from the main chamber, are then sterilized in the subchamber and
are thereafter fed to the main chamber. The blank existing in the subchamber, while
being sterilized, is in the form of a tube with its both ends not yet closed, so that
the blank is more evenly sterilized in its entirety than, for example, the blank that
is closed at its one end. Further, the portions to be closed at the after-treatment
can also be sterilized. This assures complete sterilization of the blanks.
[0005] Further, the blank is supplied to the conveyor disposed in the sterilizing compartment
in order to sterilize the blank, sprayed with sterilizing solution while being transported
on the conveyor, and then fed to another conveyor arranged in the drying compartment
separate from the sterilizing compartment. Thereafter, hot air is blown to the blank
while the latter is being transported by the conveyor. This ensures thorough working
of sterilizing solution and hot air on the blanks.
[0006] By using the measures as mentioned in claim 3 it is further obtained that the packaging
machine is closed when stopping its operation, so that both chambers are kept at the
specified positive pressure, even if the air generation apparatus stops working, since
the air supply pipe is automatically closed by the check valve. Further, should the
pressures within both chambers lower for some reasons, the detector detects this pressure
drop to operate the apparatus for producing clean air, whereby both chambers are kept
at a predetermined positive pressure. Thus both chambers can be prevented from being
polluted due to inflow of air.
[0007] With reference to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of the invention will
be described below merely for illustrative purposes.
Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are a side elevation and a front view, respectively, of a packaging
machine;
Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are side elevations showing the arrangement of a chamber cleaning-sterilizing
system;
Fig. 5 is a side elevation showing the arrangement of a clean air supply supplying
system;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the interior of a sub-chamber to show a blank sterilizer
and a blank transfer assembly;
Fig. 7 is an enlarged view in vertical section of the subchamber to show the blank
sterilizer;
Fig. 8 is a view in section taken along the line VII-VII in Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is an enlarged view in vertical section of the subchamber to show the blank
transfer assembly;
Fig. 10 is a view in section taken along the line IX-IX in Fig. 9;
Fig. 11 is an enlarged view in vertical cross section of the main chamber showing
a filling device;
Fig. 12 is a view in section taken along the line XII-XII in Fig. 11;
Fig. 13 is a view in section taken along the line XIII-XIII in Fig. 12; and
Fig. 14 is a view showing part of the device as it is seen along the arrows XIV-XIV
in Fig. 13.
[0008] The packaging machine to be described below comprises two rows of components, and
the components of one row are identical with those of the other row. Throughout the
drawings, like parts are referred to by like reference numerals.
[0009] The packaging machine is adapted for use with tubular paper blanks for packaging.
A thermoplastic synthetic resin layer is formed on the inner and outer sides of each
blank.
[0010] With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the packaging machine comprises an endless conveyor
1 and a mandrel wheel 4 disposed above the starting end of the path of transport of
the conveyor 1 and having a horizontal rotary shaft 2 and eight mandrels 3 extending
radially from the shaft 2. The conveyor 1 and the mandrel wheel 4 are intermittently
driven in synchronism. Although not shown in detail, the conveyor 1 comprises a pair
of chains 5 movable in circulation in a horizontal plane, a multiplicity of holders
6 attached to the chains 5 at a predetermined spacing and a rail 7 for supporting
the bottoms of bottomed tubular blanks C. The blanks C are transported by the conveyor
1 from the rear forward as indicated by an arrow A. The mandrel wheel 4 is driven
counterclockwise in Fig. 1. The conveyor 1 and the mandrel wheel 4 are entirely enclosed
in a closed main chamber 8. The main chamber 8 is filled with clean air which has
been sterilized. A series of devices 9 are arranged on the top wall of the main chamber
8 from the rear forward in succession. These devices include primary and secondary
bottom heaters 10, 11 for heating the end of the tubular blank C to be made into the
bottom of a container, a bottom breaker 12 for folding the end to a flat form, a bottom
sealer 13 for pressing the flatly folded end, a primary top breaker 14 for forming
folds in the other end of the tubular blank C so as to render the end easily foldable
into a roof form to provide the top of the container, a filling device 15 for filling
a predetermined amount of contents into the bottomed tubular blank C, a secondary
top breaker 16 for eventually folding the end in the form of a roof along the folds
formed by the primary top breaker 14, a top heater 17 for heating the end thus folded
and a top sealer 18 for pressing the end. Of these devices, the primary and secondary
bottom heaters 10, 11, the bottom breaker 12 and the bottom sealer 13 are arranged
at the positions where the mandrels stop. The portions of the group of devices 9 which
operate on the blank C extend into the main chamber 8. The wall portions of the main
chamber 8 through which these operating portions of the devices extend into the main
chamber are completely prevented from passing air therethrough with use of bellows
for the operating portion which performs a reciprocating rectilinear motion or with
use of an oil seal or mechanical seal for the operating portion which performs a rotary
motion. The series of devices 9 are all those already known. The main chamber 8 is
internally provided with a cleaning-sterilizing system 19 and a clean air supply system
20.
[0011] A closed subchamber 22 is disposed to the rear of the main chamber 8 and made to
communicate therewith by a booth 21. A blank sterilizer 23 and a blank transfer assembly
24 are arranged within the subchamber 22. A blank shaping-feeding unit 25 is provided
outside the subchamber 22. The blank shaping-feeding unit 25 is enclosed in its entirety
in a rear chamber 26 which, however, is not of closed construction unlike the chambers
8 and 22. The unit 25, which is of the known type, is adapted to shape folded flat
blanks C into a tubular form. The unit 25 includes a magazine 27 having stacked therein
a multiplicity of folded flat blanks C although now shown. As will be described later
in detail, the blank transfer assembly 24 is adapted to transfer blanks C shaped to
a tubular form from the blank shaping-feeding unit 25 to the blank sterilizer 23 and
to transfer sterilized tubular blanks C from the sterilizer 23 to the mandrel wheel
4.
[0012] As seen in Figs. 3 and 4, the cleaning-sterilizing system 19 comprises spray nozzles
28, spray balls 29 and sterilizing solution spray nozzles 30 which are arranged within
the main chamber 8 as required. The conveyor 1 is operated with a cleaning solution
forced out from the spray nozzles 28 and balls 29, whereby the conveyor 1 and the
interior of the main chamber 8 can be cleaned automatically. A sterilizing solution,
when applied by the spray nozzles 30, sterilizes the conveyor 1 and the interior of
the main chamber 8. An aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide with a concentration
of 35% is used as the sterilizing solution.
[0013] Fig. 5 shows the clean air supplying system 20. The main chamber 8 has a completed
container discharge opening 31 at the front end thereof. The subchamber 22 has a blank
supply opening 32 at a rear portion thereof. These openings 31 and 32 are provided
with openable closures 33 and 34 respectively. Branched air supply ducts 36 extending
from an air supply unit 35 are connected to. the main chamber 8 and the sub- chamber
22 and are each provided with a check valve 37. The air supply unit 35 comprises an
air intake filter 38, an electric blower 39, a sterilizing filter 40 and a heater
41. An air discharge duct 42 is connected to suitable portions of the main chamber
8 and the subchamber 22 and is open to the atmosphere through a shutoff valve 43.
The system 20 is further provided with a pressure sensor 44 for detecting the internal
pressure of the main chamber 8, such that when the pressure detected drops below a
set level, the air supply unit 35 operates in response to an output signal from the
sensor 44. Although not shown in Fig. 5, the air supply duct 36 is also connected
to the blank sterilizer 23 (see Figs. 6 to 8).
[0014] During steady-state operation, clean air is fed to the chambers 8 and 22 at all times
from the air supply unit 35 to maintain the interior of the chambers at a positive
pressure, whereby outside air is prevented from flowing into the chambers 8 and 22
to avoid contamination that would otherwise occur. While the machine is out of operation,
for example, during nighttime, the closures 33, 34 and the shutoff valve 43 on the
discharge duct 42 are closed, whereby the interior of the chambers 8, 22 can be maintained
at a positive pressure even if the air supply unit 35 is held out of operation, since
the supply ducts 36 are automatically closed by the check valves 37. The supply ducts
36 are shut off from the chambers 8, 22 by the check valves 37 and separated from
the atmosphere by the sterilizing filter 40, so that the ducts 36 are made free from
contaminants. This eliminates the need for routine sterilization of the supply ducts
36. If the internal pressure of the chambers 8, 22 decreases for one cause or another,
the sensor 44 detects the pressure drop to operate the electric blower 39 and to thereby
maintain the interior of the chambers 8, 22 at the specified positive pressure level
at all times.
[0015] Figs. 6 to 8 show the subchamber 22 and the blank sterilizer 23 in detail.
[0016] The subchamber 22 comprises a drying compartment 46 having at its front portion a
blank outlet 45 communicating with the main chamber 8, a sterilizing compartment 49
communicating at its front portion with the drying compartment 46 through an opening
47 and having a blank inlet 48 at its rear portion, and a pressurized compartment
50 enclosing an opening, including the blank inlet 48, of the sterilizing compartment
49. The drying compartment 46 is in the form of a flat case having a thickness in
the front-to-rear direction and is formed with the blank outlet 45 in its front wall.
The air supply duct 36 and the air discharge duct 42 are connected to the top wall
of the drying compartment 46. The sterilizing compartment 49 is in the form of a bottomed
horizontal hollow cylinder having an open front end which is attached to the rear
wall of the drying compartment and thereby closed. The blank inlet 48 is positioned
to the rear of the communication opening 47 in alignment therewith. The pressurized
compartment 50 is in the form of a case open at its front end and having such a size
as to cover the sterilizing compartment 49 with a required space formed therein around
the compartment 49. Like the sterilizing compartment 49, the open end of the pressurized
compartment 50 is intimately attached to and closed by the rear wall of the drying
compartment 46. The aforementioned blank supply opening 32 is formed in the rear wall
of the compartment 50. The air supply duct 36 is also connected to the top wall of
the pressurized compartment 50.
[0017] The blank sterilizer 23 comprises a drying conveyor 51 disposed within the drying
compartment 46, a sterilizing conveyor 52 disposed within the sterilizing compartment
49, hot air blowing nozzles 53 arranged along the path of transport of the drying
conveyor 51, and a blank sterilizing spray nozzle 54 directed toward the path of transport
of the sterilizing conveyor 52.
[0018] The drying conveyor 51 comprises drive and driven sprockets 55, 56 having axes of
rotation spaced apart by a predetermined distance one above the other and extending
in the front-to-rear direction, endless chains 57 reeved around the spockets 55
r 56 and a multiplicity of drying blank holders 58 attached to the endless chains 57
at a predetermined spacing. The drying conveyor 51 is so disposed within the drying
compartment 46 that each of the holders 58 travels passing positions opposed to the
blank outlet 45 and the communication opening 47. The sterilizing conveyor 52 comprises
a horizontal rotary shaft 59 extending in the front-to-rear direction and four sterilizing
blank holders 60 attached to the rotary shaft 59 and arranged around the rotary shaft
at a predetermined spacing. The sterilizing conveyor 52 is so disposed within the
sterilizing compartment 49 that each of the holders 60 travels passing a position
opposed to the communication opening 47 and the blank inlet 48. Both the drying and
sterilizing blank holders 58 and 60 are of the same shape and comprise a plurality
of horizontal pieces to be positioned around the tubular blank C to retain the blank
C in a horizontal position, restraining the blank from upward or downward movement
but allowing the blank to move forward or rearward.
[0019] The hot air blowing nozzles 53 are attached to a hot air supply duct 61 extending
vertically within the drying compartment 46 and are arranged at the same spacing as
the drying blank holders 58. The orifices of the nozzles 53 are directed in the axial
direction of the holders 58. The upper end of the duct 61 extends through the top
wall of the drying chamber 46 upward, with a heat insulating tube 62 provided around
the duct 61. The top end of the duct 61 has the air supply duct 36 connected thereto
and a burner 63 attached thereto.
[0020] The nozzle 54 for spraying a solution for sterilizing the blank is mounted on the
bottom of a bottomed tube 64. The tube 64 extends in the front-to-rear direction across
the drying compartment 46 so as to be positioned in front of and in alignment with
each of the sterilizing blank holders 60 when the holder 60 depends from the rotary
shaft 59. The tube 64 is provided in the drying compartment 46 with its open end communicating
with the sterilizing compartment 49. Thus the orifice of the spray nozzle 54 is oriented
in the axial direction of the blank holder 60.
[0021] The drive sprockets 55 of the drying conveyor 51 are fixed to a rotary shaft 65 extending
from the rear wall of the drying compartment 46 forward through the front wall thereof.
A pulley 66 is fixedly mounted on the end of the shaft 65 projecting outward from
the compartment 46. A belt 67 is reeved around the pulley 66 and another pulley fixed
to the output shaft of an unillustrated prime mover. The drying conveyor 51 is intermittently
driven by the belt 67 so that the holders 58 thereon can be stopped at the positions
opposed to the blank outlet 45 and the communication opening 47. On the other hand,
the horizontal rotary shaft 59 of the sterilizing conveyor 52 is supported by a tube
68 attached to the rear end of the drying compartment 46. The front end of the rotary
shaft 59 extends into the drying compartment 46, and drive sprockets 69 are fixed
to the front end. The sprockets 69 are in mesh with the endless chains 57 so that
the holders 60 of the sterilizing conveyor 52 can be stopped at the position opposed
to the communication opening 47 and the blank outlet 48. Thus the sterilizing conveyor
52 is intermittently driven in synchronism with the drying conveyor 51. The drive
interval is 90 degrees in terms of the revolution of the holders 60, i.e. one pitch
of the holders 60. A blank guide 70 provided within the booth 21 in front of the drying
compartment 46 is opposed to the blank outlet 45 of the compartment 46, while a blank
guide 71 is provided within the pressurized compartment 50 and positioned in the rear
of and opposed to the blank inlet 48 of the sterilizing chamber 49. The blank guides
70, 71 are generally identical with the blank holders 58, 60 in shape.
[0022] The air discharge duct 42 extending through the drying compartment 46 and the pressurized
compartment 50 is connected to a lower portion of the sterilizing compartment 49.
The interior of the pressurized compartment 50 is maintained at a higher pressure
than the interior of the sterilizing compartment 49 because clean air is rapidly fed
to the pressurized compartment 50 through the air supply duct 36 and further because
air is rapidly discharged from the sterilizing compartment 49 via the air discharge
duct 42. Accordingly the air within the sterilizing compartment 49 will not flow out
into the pressurized compartment 50, and the sterilizing solution sprayed into the
compartment 49 is discharged with the air discharged via the duct 46. This prevents
air pollution with the sterilizing solution.
[0023] Figs. 6, 9 and 10 show the blank transfer assembly 24 in detail.
[0024] The blank transfer assembly 24 comprises a pair of upper and lower horizontal guide
rods 72 extending in the front-to-rear direction at one side of the sterilizing compartment
49 within the pressurized compartment 50, a carriage 74 movably supported by rollers
73 on the guide rods 72, a pair of upper and lower pawl rods 77, 78 extending in the
front-to-rear direction, rotatably supported by brackets 75, 76 on the carriage 74
and spaced apart by a predetermined distance from each other in parallel, an upper
pawl 79 fixed to the upper pawl rod 77, and first and second lower pawls 80, 81 fixed
to the lower pawl rod 78 and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance
in the front-to-rear direction.
[0025] The horizontal guide rods 72 are supported, in the vicinity of their front ends,
by the rear wall of the drying compartment 46 in a cantilever fashion. The forward
end of a drive arm 83 is connected to the carriage 74 by a link 82. The drive arm
83 is supported by a transverse horizontal shaft 84. The drive arm 83, when pivotally
moved by unillustrated means, moves the carriage 74 forward and rearward in reciprocation
along the guide rods 72. A major portion of the upper pawl rod 77 extends into the
drying compartment 46 through a hole 85 formed in the rear wall of the compartment
46. The upper and lower pawl rods 77, 78 are interconnected by a pair of arms 86,
87 and a link 88 so as to transmit rotation to each other. An operating arm 89 extending
obliquely upward is secured to the front end of the arm 86 attached to the upper pawl
rod 77. Lift means 91 is connected to the arm 89 by a connecting member 90. The lift
means 91 comprises a lift rod 92, a pair of opposed horizontal guide rails 93 fixed
to the lower end of the lift rod 92 and extending in the front-to-rear direction,
and a trolley 94 supported by the rails 93. The lift rod 92 is movable upward and
downward by an unillustrated cyli-nder. When the lift rod 92 is moved upward or downward
along with the rails 93 and the trolley 94, the operating arm 89 is pivotally moved
through the connecting member 90, whereby the upper pawl rod 77 is rotated. The rotation
of the upper pawl rod 77 is transmitted to the lower pawl rod 78 via the pair of arms
86, 87 and the link 88. When the upper and lower pawl rods 77, 78 are both rotated,
the upper pawl 79, the first lower pawl 80 and the second lower pawl 81 secured to
these rods pivotally move between the horizontal position and the downward position
indicated in solid lines or broken lines in Fig. 10. The peripheral wall of the sterilizing
compartment 49 is formed with an aperture 95, through which the first and second lower
pawls 80 and 81 are movable into the sterilizing compartment 49. When the pawls 79,80
and 81 are pivotally moved, these pawls are engageable with blanks C. Stated more
specifically, the upper pawl 79 is engageable with or disengageable from the blank
C held by the drying blank holder 58 which is at rest in the position opposed to the
blank outlet 45 of the drying compartment 46. The first lower pawl 80 is engageable
with or disengageable from the blank C held by the sterilizing blank holder 60 which
is at rest as opposed to the communication opening 47 and to the blank inlet 48. The
second lower pawl 81 is engageable with or disengageable from the blank C which is
to be held by the sterilizing blank holder 60. The last-mentioned blank C is retained
by the blank guide 71 within the pressurized compartment 50. Although not shown, another
pawl is secured to the upper pawl rod 77 to the front of the upper pawl 79. This pawl
serves to forward the blank C which has been removed from the drying blank holder
58 by the upper pawl 79. This blank C is sent forward by being guided by the blank
holder 70 within the booth 21. The carriage 74 further has a horizontal rod 96 extending
rearward therefrom under the lower pawl rod 78 and fixedly provided with an engaging
piece 97 at its rear end. The blank C which had been forwarded from the blank shaping-feeding
unit 25 is brought by the engaging piece 97 into the range of stroke of the second
lower pawl 81, i.e. to the position where it is to be held by the blank guide 71.
The blank C shaped into a tubular form by the unit 25 is sent forward by the engaging
piece 97 and the second lower pawl 81 and held by one of the sterilizing blank holders
60. At this time, the holder 60 is at rest on a horizontal line through the horizontal
rotary shaft 59. When the sterilizing conveyor 52 is driven by one pitch, the same
blank C is brought to a position opposed to the spray nozzle 54 in alignment therewith
and is exposed to a spray of sterilizing agent from the nozzle 54, whereby the blank
is uniformly sterilized over the inner and outer surfaces thereof. Subsequently the
conveyor 52 is driven by three pitches, whereby the sterilized blank C is moved round
the shaft 59 and returned to the original position within the compartment 49. When
at rest in this position, the blank is forwarded by the first lower pawl 80 and is
thereby removed from the holder 60 and held by one of the drying blank holders 58.
Another blank C is placed by the second lower pawl 81 onto the sterilizing blank holder
60 from which the above blank C has been withdrawn. The blank C held by the drying
blank holder 58 is sterilized and dried by the hot air blowing nozzles 53 during travel
through the drying compartment 46. When the same blank C is brought to a halt at a
position two pitches preceding the initial position after travelling through the drying
compartment 46 the blank is removed from the sterilizing blank holder 58 and sent
forward by the upper pawl 79. The blank C thus withdrawn from the holder 58 is further
forwarded as retained on the blank guide 70 and fed to the main chamber 8.
[0026] Figs. 11 to 14 show the filling device 15.
[0027] The filling device 15 comprises a filling liquid tank 98, a filling cylinder 100
connected at its upper end to the bottom of the liquid tank 98 by a branch pipe 99
so as to communicate with the tank 98, a metering cylinder 102 connected to an intermediate
portion of the filling cylinder 100 between its upper and lower ends by a connecting
pipe 101, and a filling nozzle 103 connected to the lower end of the filling cylinder
100.
[0028] A liquid supply pipe 104 is connected to the liquid tank 98. A cleaning solution
supply pipe 105 extending from the cleaning-sterilizing system 19 is connected to
the liquid tank 98 and to the metering cylinder 102. The filling nozzle 103 extends
into the main chamber 8 through the top wall thereof and has an open lower end which
is positioned immediately above the path _of transport of blanks. Filling operation
is conducted twice for each bottomed tubular blank C, so that two adjacent, front
and rear filling nozzles 103 are arranged along the transport path.
[0029] A liquid conduit 106 is disposed under the filling nozzles 103 within the main chamber
8. The liquid conduit 106 comprises a vertical portion 107 rotatably and vertically
movably supported by the main chamber 8 at a location a predetermined distance sidewise
away from immediately below the filling nozzles 103, and a horizontal portion 108
integral with the vertical portion 107 and having a length corresponding to the above-
mentioned distance. The lower end of the vertical portion 107 extends outward from
the main chamber 8 through its bottom wall, with a tubular seal member 109 fitted
in the wall around the lower end. A liquid discharge pipe 110 is connected to the
seal member 109. A liquid receptacle 111 is attached to the forward end of the horizontal
portion 108. The liquid receptacle 111 is formed with two upwardly open nozzle sockets
112 corresponding to the two adjacent filling nozzles 103 and communicating with the
liquid conduit 106. An annular seal member 113 of elastic material is attached to
the inner periphery of each socket 112. A pair of opposed engaging pieces 114 projecting
upward are attached to opposite sides of the liquid receptacle 111. A laterally U-shaped
cutout 115 is formed in each engaging piece 114 as seen in Fig. 14. A rotating rod
116 is connected to the upper end of the vertical portion 107 of the conduit 106 in
alignment with the portion 107. The rotating rod 116 slidably extends through and
projects upward from a guide tube 117 attached to the top wall of the main chamber
8. A handle 118 is attached to the projecting end of the rod 116. The handle 118 is
supported by the top wall of the main chamber 118 by means of a vertical solid cylindrical
spacer 119 upstanding from the chamber 8 and a horizontal contact disk 120 fixed to
the upper end of the spacer. The handle 118, when rotated, causes the rotating rod
116 and the liquid conduit 106 to revolve the liquid receptacle 111 in a horizontal
plane.
[0030] The filling nozzles 103 are provided with a vertically movable rod 121 extending
upward from their lower ends. The lower end of the rod 121 is integral with an engaging
member 122 extending horizontally laterally. The vertically movable rod 121 is slidably
inserted through a guide tube 123 attached to the top wall of the main chamber 8,
further slidably extends through a slide guide plate 124 mounted on the upper side
of the top wall of the main chamber 8 immediately above the tube 123 and has its upper
end projected upward beyond the plate 124. A rectangular tube 125 is held to the projecting
end. The lateral opposite sides of the rectangular tube 125 are in bearing contact
with a pair of blocks 126 having the same front-to-rear thickness as the tube 125
and adapted for guiding vertical movement. A projection 127 is integral with each
of the front and rear sides of the rectangular tube 125. The tube 125 and the guide
blocks 126 on opposite sides thereof are held between a pair of front and rear movable
plates 128 which are rectangular and laterally elongated and which are laterally movably
placed on the slide guide plate 124, the movable plates 128 being slidable on the
front and rear surfaces of the tube 125 and the blocks 126. Each movable plate 128
is formed with a slot 129 having the projection 127 fitted therein. The slot 129 is
slanted upwardly rightward as seen in Fig. 13. A threaded member 130 is held between
the two movable plates 128 at one side of the chamber 8. A screw rod 132 supported
by a bearing 131 on the top wall of the main chamber 8 has its one end screwed in
the threaded member 130. A rotary handle 133 is attached to the other end of the screw
rod 132.
[0031] During the steady-state filling operation, the horizontal portion 108 of the liquid
conduit 106 is oriented in the front-to-rear direction so as not to interfere with
the blanks C transported on the endless conveyor 1.
[0032] When the filling liquid is to be replaced by a different liquid after completion
of the filling operation, the liquid receptacle 111 is revolved in the manner already
described and positioned immediately below the open lower ends of the filling nozzles
103, whereby the engaging pieces 114 are fitted at the cutouts 115 to the engaging
member 112 of the vertically movable rod 121. Thus, the liquid receptacle 111 is positioned
in place immediately below the filling nozzles 103 and engaged with the vertically
movable rod 121. When the rotary handle 133 is subsequently rotated, the screw rod
132 rotates, moving the movable plates 128 leftward in Fig. 13 along with the threaded
member 130 which is screwed on the rod 132. This movement causes the slot portions
129 of the movable plates 128 to push up the projections 127 to thereby lift the movable
rod 121 along with the liquid receptacle 111. Consequently
'the sockets 112 of the receptacle 111 are hermetically joined to the open lower ends
of the filling nozzle 103 with the seal members 113 interposed therebetween.The liquid
remaining in various portions of the filling device 15 is then discharged. Further
when required, the components of the filling device 15 can be cleaned and sterilized
by forcing out a cleaning solution or hot steam from the cleaning solution supply
pipe 105. The solution or steam used can be discharged in the same manner as the filling
liquid. Because the removal of the filling liquid and the cleaning-sterilizing operation
can be carried out by moving the handles 118 and 133 with the main chamber 8 sealed
off from the outside air, it is unlikely that the main chamber 8 will be contaminated
with the outside air by conducting such operation.
[0033] The figures used in the claims are only meant to explain more clearly the intention
of the invention and are not supposed to be any restriction concerning the interpretation
of the invention.
1. A packaging machine comprising an endless conveyor (1), a mandrel wheel (4) disposed
above the starting end of the path of transport of the conveyor and having a plurality
of mandrels (3), a closed main chamber (8) entirely enclosing the conveyor (1) and
the mandrel wheel (4), a series of devices (9) arranged on the top wall of the main
chamber (8) for filling contents into containers (C) and thereafter closing the containers,
the series of devices having portions operative on the containers and extending into
the main chamber (8), and a closed subchamber (22) disposed to the rear of the main
chamber (8) and communicating therewith, the subchamber (22) having therein a sterilizer
(23) and a transfer assembly (24) for transferring containers from a feeding unit
(25) to the sterilizer (23) and for transferring sterilized containers from the sterilizer
(23) to the mandrel wheel (4), characterized in, that the subchamber (22) comprises
at a rear portion thereof an inlet for feeding tubular container blank (C) into the
subchamber (22) from the blank-shaping feeding unit (25) by means of the blank transfer
assembly, the subchamber (22) further comprising a drying compartment (46) having
at a front portion thereof an outlet (45) communicating with the main chamber (8)
and a sterilizing compartment (49) communicating at a front portion thereof with the
drying compartment (46) through a communication opening (47), and the blank sterilizer
(23) comprises a drying conveyor (51) disposed within the drying compartment (46),
a sterilizing conveyor (52) disposed within the sterilizing compartment (49), hot
air blowing nozzles (53) arranged along the path of transport of the drying conveyor
(51) and a blank sterilizing nozzle (54) directed toward the path of transport of
the sterilizing conveyor (52), the drying conveyor (51) comprising drive and driven
sprockets (55, 56) having axes of rotation spaced apart by a predetermined distance
one above the other and extending in the front-to-rear direction, endless chains (57)
reeved around the sprockets (55, 56) and a multiplicity of drying blank holders (58)
attached to the endless chains (57) at a predetermined spacing, the drying blank holders
(58) being adapted to travel through and stop at positions opposed to the blank outlet
(45) and to the communication opening (47), the sterilizing conveyor (52) comprising
a horizontal rotary shaft (59) extending in the front-to-rear direction and sterilizing
blank holders (60) attached to the rotary shaft (59) and arranged around the rotary
shaft (59) at a predetermined spacing, the sterilizing blank holders (60) being adapted
to travel through and stop at a position opposed to the communication opening (47)
and to the blank inlet (48), the drying and sterilizing blank holders (58, 60) being
adapted to restrain the tubular blank (C) from upward or downward movement, but allow
the blank to move forward or rearward, the blank transfer assembly (24) comprising
a plurality of pawls (79, 80, 81) movable forward and rearward at a predetermined
stroke length and respectively engageable with and disengageable from blanks C held
by the drying and sterilizing blank holders (58, 60) stopped at the said positions
and means on the top wall of the main chamber for making the tubular blanks into containers
by closing one end of the blank to form the bottom of the container.
2. A packaging machine as defined in claim 1, wherein nozzles (30) for spraying and
sterilizing solution are provided in a required arrangement within the main chamber
(8).
3. A packaging machine as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein the main chamber (8) is
provided with a container discharge opening (31) at a front portion thereof, and the
subchamber (22) is provided with a blank supply opening (32) at a rear portion thereof,
the openings (33 and 34) being provided with openable closures (33 and 34), an air
supply duct (36) extending from a clean air supply unit (35) and being connected to
the main chamber (8), the air supply duct (36) being provided with a check valve (37)
and the main chamber (8) having a sensor (44) for detecting the internal pressure
thereof, whereby the clean air supply unit (35) operates in response to an output
signal from the sensor (44) when the detected pressure drops below a set level.
4. A packaging machine as defined in any preceding claim, wherein the subchamber (22)
further comprises a pressurized compartment (50) enclosing an opening of the sterilizing
compartment (49) including the blank inlet (48), an air supply duct (36) being connected
to the pressurized compartment (50), an air discharge duct (42) extending into the
pressurized compartment (50) and being connected to the sterilizing compartment (49),
whereby the pressurized compartment (50) is made to have a higher internal pressure
than the sterilizing compartment (49).
5. A packaging machine as defined in any preceding claim, wherein the series of devices
on the top wall of the main chamber (8) include a filling machine (15) comprising
a filling liquid tank (98) disposed above the main chamber (8), and a filling nozzle
(103) communicating with the filling liquid tank (98) at its upper end and extending
into the main chamber (8) at its lower end, the filling nozzle (103) being opened
at the position immediately above the container transport conveyor (1), a pipe (105)
for supplying sterilizing steam and cleaning solution is connected to the filling
liquid tank (98), a liquid conduit (106) is disposed below the filling nozzle (103),
the liquid conduit (106) comprising a vertical portion (107) rotatably and vertically
movably supported by the main chamber (8) at a location a predetermined distance horizontally
away from immediately below the filling nozzle (103) in the direction perpendicular
to the direction of the container transport conveyor (1) and a horizontal portion
(108) integral with the vertical portion (107) and having a length corresponding to
the predetermined distance, the vertical portion (107) having a lower end extending
through the bottom wall of the main chamber (8) outward, the horizontal portion (108)
being provided at its forward end with a liquid receptacle (111) having an upwardly
open nozzle socket (112).
6. A packaging machine as defined in claim 5, wherein the vertical portion (107) of
the liquid conduit (106) is provided at its upper end with a rotating rod (116) in
alignment with the vertical portion (107), the rotating rod (116) having an upper
end extending through and projecting upward beyond the top wall of the main chamber
(8), the filling nozzle (103) being provided with a vertically movable rod (121) extending
upward from its lower end and inserted through the top wall of the main chamber (8),
the vertically movable rod (121) having a horizontally projecting engaging member
(122) at its lower end, the liquid receptacle (111) having an U-shaped fitting portion
(115) engageable with the engaging member (122) when the liquid receptacle (111) is
brought to a position immediately below the filling nozzle (103).
7. A packaging machine as defined in any preceding claim, wherein the horizontal rotary
shaft (59) of the sterilizing conveyor (52) is rotatably supported on the partition
wall between the drying compartment (46) and the sterilizing compartment (49), the
rotary shaft (59) having its front end projecting into the drying compartment (46)
to which end drive sprockets are fixed, the drive sprockets (69) being in mesh with
the endless chains.
8. A packaging machine as defined in any preceding claim, wherein pawls (79, 80, 81)
are respectively fixed to at least two rods, each extending in the front-to-rear direction,
the rods (77, 78) being rotatably supported on the carriage (74) which is movable
forwardly and rearwardly, a means being provided for rotating the rods (77, 78) normally
or reversely, so that the pawls (79, 80, 81) engage with the rear ends of the blanks
(C) held by the drying blank holder (58) and the sterilizing blank holder (60) only
when the carriage (74) moves forward.
9. A packaging machine as defined in claim 5 or any of the claims 6-8 as far as depending
on claim 5, wherein an annular seal member (113) of elastic material is attached to
the inner periphery of each socket (112).
10. A packaging machine as defined in claim 6 or any of the claims 7-9 as far as depending
on claim 6, wherein an operation handle (118) is attached to the upper projecting
end of the rotary rod (116) and a means for lifting the rod (121) is provided, the
lifting means comprising a rectangular tube (125) fixedly fitted on the upper projecting
end of the rod (121) and provided with two projections (127) extending forwardly and
rearwardly, two movable plates (128) having a slanted slot (129) with the projection
(127) fitted therein and movably supported on the top wall of the main chamber (8)
in the right-to-left direction, a threaded member (130) being held at one end of the
movable plate (128), a screw rod (132) having its one end screwed in the threaded
member (130) and supported by a bearing (131) on the top wall of the main chamber
(8), and a rotary handle (133) attached to the other end of the screw rod (132).
1. Verpackungsmaschine mit einem Endlosförderer (1), einem über dem Beginn der Transportstrecke
des Förderers angeordneten und mehrere Dorne (3) aufweisenden Dornrad (4), einer geschlossenen
Hauptkammer (8), die den Förderer (1) und das Dornrad (4) vollständig umschließt,
einer Reihe von auf der Decke der Hauptkammer (8) angeordneten Vorrichtungen (9) zum
Einfüllen von Inhalten in Behälter (C) und anschließenden Schließen der Behälter,
wobei die Reihe von Vorrichtungen Teile aufweist, die auf die Behälter einwirken und
sich in die Hauptkammer (8) erstrecken, und mit einer geschlossenen Unterkammer (22),
die an der Rückseite der Hauptkammer (8) angeordnet ist und mit dieser in Verbindung
steht, wobei in der Unterkammer (22) ein Sterilisator (23) und eine Transferanordnung
(24) zum Transportieren von Behältern von einer Zuführeinheit (25) zu dem Sterilisator
(23) und zum Transportieren von sterilisierten Behältern von dem Sterilisator (23)
zu dem Dornrad (4) vorgesehen sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Unterkammer (22)
an einem hinteren Abschnitt einen Einlaß zum Zuführen rohrförmiger Behälterrohlinge
(C) von der Rohlingsform-und -zuführeinheit mittels der Rohlingstransferanordnung
in die Unterkammer aufweist, wobei die Unterkammer (22) ferner ein Trockenabteil (46)
aufweist, das an einem vorderen Abschitt einen mit der Hauptkammer (8) in Verbindung
stehenden Auslaß aufweist, und ein Sterilisierabteil (49), das an einem vorderen Abschnitt
über eine Verbindungsöffnung (17) mit dem Trockenabteil (46) in Verbindung steht,
und daß der Rohlingssterilisator (23) einen innerhalb des Trokkenabteils (46) angeordneten
Trockenförderer (51), einen innerhlab des Steriliserabteils (49) angeordneten Sterilisierförderer
(52), entlang der Transportstrecke des Trockenförderers (51) angeordnete Heißluftblasdüsen
(53) und eine auf die Transportstrekke des Sterilisierförderers (52) gerichtete Rohlingssterilisierdüse
(54) aufweist, wobei der Trockenförderer (51) Antriebs- und angetriebene Zahntrommeln
(55, 56) aufweist, deren Rotationsachsen um einen bestimmten Abstand übereinander
voneinander beabstandet sind und sich von vorn nach hinten erstrecken, wobei Endlosketten
(57) über die Zahntrommeln (55, 56) geführt sind und mehrere Trockenrohlingshalter
(58) mit einem bestimmten Abstand an den Endlosketten (57) befestigt sind, wobei die
Trockenrohlingshalter (58) sich-fortbewegen und an dem Rohlingsauslaß (45) und der
Verbindungsöffnung (57) gegenüberliegenden Positionen anhalten, wobei der Sterilisierförderer
(52) eine sich von vorn nach hinten erstreckende horizontale Drehwelle und Sterilisier-Rohlingshalter
(60) aufweist, die an der Drehwelle (59) befestigt sind und in einem bestimmten Abstand
um die Drehwelle (59) angeordnet sind, wobei die Sterilisier-Rohlingshalter (60) sich
fortbewegen und an einer Verbindungsöffnung (47) und dem Rohlingseinlaß (48) gegenüberliegenden
Position anhalten, wobei die Trocken- und Sterilisier-Rohlingshalter (58, 60) die
Aufwärts- und Abwärtsbewegung des rohrförmigen Rohlings (C) beschränken, aber eine
Vorwärts-und Rückwärtsbewegung des Rohlings zulassen, wobei die Rohlingstransferanordnung
(24) mehrere Klinken (79, 80, 81) aufweist, die um eine bestimmte Hublänge nach vorwärts
und rückwärts beweglich sind und mit Rohlingen (C) in Eingriff bringbar bzw. außer
Eingriff bringbar sind, die von den an den genannten Positionen angehaltenen Trocken
und Sterilisier-Rohlingshaltern (58,60) gehalten werden, und Einrichtungen auf der
Decke der Hauptkammer, die aus den rohrförmigen Rohlingen durch Schließen eines Endes
des Rohlings zur Ausbildung des Behälterbodens Behälter herstellen.
2. Verpackungsmaschine nach Anspruch 1, wobei Düsen (30) für Sprüh- und Sterilisierlösung
in einer bestimmten Anordnung innerhalb der Hauptkammer (8) vorgesehen sind.
3. Verpackungsmaschine nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Hauptkammer (8) an einem
Vorderwandabschnitt einer Behälterabgabeöffnung (31) und die Unterkammer (22) an einem
hinteren Abschnitt eine Rohlingszuführöffnung (32) aufweisen, wobei die Öffnungen
(31 und 32) bewegliche Verschlüsse (33 und 34) aufweisen und wobei eine Luftzuführleitung
(36) sich von einer Reinluftzuführeinheit (35) erstreckt und mit der Hauptkammer (8)
verbunden ist, wobei die Luftzuführleitung (36) mit einem Absperrventil (37) versehen
ist und die Hauptkammer (8) einen Sensor (44) zum Ermitteln des Innendrucks aufweist,
wobei die Reinluftzuführeinheit (35) in Abhängigkeit von einem Ausgangssignal von
dem Sensor (44) betätigt wird, wenn der ermittelte Druck unter ein eingestelltes Niveau
abfällt.
4. Verpackungsmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei die Unterkammer (22)
ferner ein Druckabteil (50) aufweist, das eine Öffnung des Sterilisierabteils (49)
einschließlich des Rohlingseinlasses (48) umschließt, wobei eine Luftzuführleitung
(36) mit dem Druckabteil (50) verbunden ist und eine Luftablaßleitung (42) sich in
das Druckabteil (50) erstreckt und mit dem Sterilisierabteil (49) verbunden ist, wodurch
das Druckabteil (50) einen höheren Innendruck als das Sterilisierabteil (49) aufweist.
5. Verpackungsmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei die Reihe von Vorrichtungen
auf der Decke der Hauptkammer (8) eine Füllmaschine (15) mit einem oberhalb der Hauptkammer
(8) angeordneten Füllflüssigkeitstank (98) und mit einer an Ihrem oberen Ende mit
dem Füllflüssigkeitstank (98) in Verbindung stehenden und an ihrem unteren Ende sich
in die Hauptkammer (8) erstreckenden Fülldüse (103) .umfaßt, wobei die Fülldüse (103)
an der Position unmittelbar oberhalb des Behältertransportförderers (1) geöffnet ist,
wobei ein Rohr (105) zum Zuführen von Sterilisierdampf und Reinigungslösung mit dem
Füllflüssigkeitstank (98) verbunden ist, wobei eine Flüssigkeitsleitung (106) unterhalb
der Fülldüse (103) angeordnet ist, wobei die Flüssigkeitsleitung (106) einen vertikalen
Abschnitt (107) aufweist, der von der Hauptkammer (8) drehbar und vertikal beweglich
an einer Stelle gehalten wird, die um einen bestimmten Abstand horizontal von einer
Stelle unmittelbar unterhalb der Fülldüse (103) in der zur Richtung des Behältertransportförderers
(1) senkrechten Richtung entfernt ist, und einen horizontalen Abschnitt (108), der
mit dem vertikalen Abschnitt (107) einstückig ist und dessen Länge dem bestimmten
Abstand entspricht, wobei der vertikale Abschnitt -(107) ein unteres Ende aufweist,
das sich durch den Boden der Hauptkammer (8) nach außen erstreckt, und am vorderen
Ende des horizontalen Abschnitts (108) ein Flüssigkeitsgefäß (111) mit einer nach
oben offenen Düsenhülse (112) vorgesehen ist.
6. Verpackungsmaschine nach Anspruch 5, wobei der vertikale Abschnitt (107) der Flüssigkeitsleitung
(106) an seinem oberen Ende einem mit dem vertikalen Abschnitt (107) ausgerichteten
Drehstab (116) aufweist, wobei sich das obere Ende des Drehstabs (116) durch und nach
oben über die Decke der Hauptkammer hinaus erstreckt, wobei die Fülldüse (103) einen
vertikal beweglichen Stab (21) aufweist, der sich von seinem unteren Ende nach oben
erstreckt, und in die Decke der Hauptkammer (8) eingeführt ist, wobei der vertikal
bewegliche Stab (121) an seinem unteren Ende ein horizontal vorspringendes Eingriffsteil
(122) aufweist und wobei das Flüssigkeitsgefäß (111) ein U-förmiges Paßteil (115)
aufweist, das mit dem Eingriffsteil (122) in Eingriff bringbar ist, wenn das Flüssigkeitsgefäß
(111) in eine Position unmittelbar unterhalb der Fülldüse (103) gebracht wird.
7. Verpackungsmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, wobei die horizontale Drehwelle
(59) des Sterilisierförderers (52) drehbar auf der Trennwand zwischen dem Trokkenabteil
(46) und dem Sterilisierabteil (49) gelagert ist, wobei das vordere Ende der Drehwelle
in das Trockenab- - teil (46) hineinragt und an diesem Ende Antriebszähne befestigt
sind, wobei die Antriebszähne (69) und die Endloskettenineinandergreifen.
8. Verpackungsmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, wobei Klinken (79, 80, 81)
jeweils an mindestens zwei Stäben befestigt sind, die sich jeweils von vorn nach hinten
erstrecken, wobei die Stäbe (77,78) drehbar auf dem vorwärts und rückwärts beweglichen
Schlitten (74) gelagert sind und eine Einrichtung zum Drehen der Stäbe (77,78) in
Normal- oder Rückwärtsrichtung vorgegesehen ist, so daß die Klinken (79, 80, 81) nur
dann mit den hinteren Enden der von dem Trokkenrohlingshalter (58) und dem Sterilisier-Rohlingshalter
(60) gehaltenen Rohlinge (C) in Eingriff kommen, wenn sich der Schlitten nach vorn
bewegt.
9. Verpackungsmaschine nach Anspruch 5 oder nach einem der Ansprüche 6 bis 8, soweit
sie von Anspruch 5 abhängen, wobei eine ringförmige Dichtung (113) aus elastischem
Material am inneren Umfang jeder Hülse (112) befestigt ist.
10. Verpackungsmaschine nach Anspruch 6 oder nach einem der Ansprüche 7 bis 9, soweit
sie von Anspruch 6 abhängen, wobei ein Betätigungsgriff (118) am oberen vorspringenden
Ende des Drehstabs (116) befestigt ist und eine Einrichtung zum Anheben des Stabs
(121) vorgesehen ist, wobei die Hubeinrichtung ein rechteckiges Rohr (125) aufweist,
das fest auf das obere vorspringende Ende des Stabs (121) gepaßt ist und zwei sich
nach vorn und hinten erstreckende Vorsprünge (127) aufweist, wobei zwei bewegliche
Platten (128) mit einem schrägen Schlitz (129), in den der Vorsprung (127) eingepaßt
ist, in Rechts-Links-Richtung beweglich auf der Decke der Hauptkammer (8) gelagert
sind, wobei ein Gewindeteil (130) an einem Ende der beweglichen Platte (128) gehalten
wird, wobei eine Schraubenspindel (132) mit einem Ende in. das Gewindeteil (130) eingeschraubt
ist und von einem Lager (131) auf der Decke der Hauptkammer (8) gehalten wird, und
wobei ein Drehgriff (133) am anderen Ende der Schraubenspindel (132) befestigt ist.
1. Machine d'emballage comprenant un convoyeur sans fin (1); une roue (4) à mandrins,
disposée au-dessus de l'extrémité de départ du trajet de transport du convoyeur et
munie de multiples mandrins (3); un compartiment principal fermé (8), renfermant entièrement
le convoyeur (1) et la roue (4) à mandrins; une série de dispositifs (9) installés
sur la paroi supérieure du compartiment principal (8) pour déverser des contenus dans
des conteneurs (C), et pour fermer ensuite ces conteneurs, la série de dispositifs
présentant des parties agissant sur les conteneurs et s'engageant dans le compartiment
principal (8); et un compartiment secondaire fermé (22) situé à l'arrière du compartiment
principal (8) et communiquant avec ce dernier, le compartiment secondaire (22) renfermant
un stérilisateur (23) et un dispositif de transfert (24) pour transférer, au stérilisateur
(23), des conteneurs provenant d'un mécanisme de délivrance (25) et pour transférer,
à la roue (4) à mandrins, des conteneurs stérilisés provenant du stérilisateur (23),
caractérisée par le fait que le compartiment secondaire (22) comporte, dans une région
postérieure, une entrée pour introduire dans ce compartiment secondaire (22) des ébauches
-tubulaires de conteneurs (C) provenant du mécanisme (25) de mise en forme et de délivrance
d'ébauches, au moyen du dispositif de transfert des ébauches; le compartiment secondaire
(22) comprenant par ailleurs une chambre de séchage (46) qui présente, dans une région
frontale, une sortie (45) communiquant avec le compartiment principal (8), et une
chambre de stérilisation (49) communiquant par une région frontale avec la chambre
de séchage (46), par l'intermédiaire d'une ouverture de communication (47); et le
stérilisateur (23) d'ébauches comprend un convoyeur de séchage (51) logé à l'intérieur
de la chambre de séchage (46), un convoyeur de stérilisation (52) logé à l'intérieur
de la chambre de stérilisation (49), des buses (53) d'insufflation d'air chaud, agencées
le long du trajet de transport du convoyeur de séchage (51), et une buse (54) de stérilisation
des ébauches, dirigée vers le trajet de transport du convoyeur de stérilisation (52);
le convoyeur de séchage (51) comprenant des pignons menants et menés (55, 56) qui
présentent des axes de rotation espacés d'une distance prédéterminée les uns au-dessus
des autres, et qui s'étendent de l'avant vers l'arriére, des chaînes sans fin (57)
passant autour des pignons (55, 56), et de multiples supports (58) de séchage des
ébauches fixés aux chaînes sans - fin (57) avec un espacement prédéterminé, les supports
(58) de séchage des ébauches étant destinés à défiler et à s'immobiliser en des emplacements
opposés à la sortie (45) des ébauches et à l'ouverture de communication (47); le convoyeur
de stérilisation (52) comprenant un arbre horizontal rotatif (59) qui s'étend de l'avant
vers l'arrière, et des supports (60) de stérilisation d'ébauches fixés à l'arbre rotatif
(59) et agencés autour de cet arbre rotatif (59) avec un espacement prédéterminé,
les supports (60) de stérilisation des ébauches étant conçus pour défiler et s'immobiliser
en un emplacement opposé à l'ouverture de communication (47) et à l'entrée (48) des
ébauches, les supports (58, 60) de séchage et de stérilisation des ébauches étant
destinés à interdire un mouvement ascendant ou descendant de l'ébauche tubulaire (C),
mais à autoriser un mouvement de cette ébauche vers l'avant ou vers l'arrière; le
dispositif (24) de transfert des ébauches comprenant de multiples cliquets (79, 80,
81) qui sont mobiles vers l'avant et vers l'arrière d'une longueur de course prédéterminée
et qui peuvent être respectivement mis en prise et hors prise avec des ébauches C
retenues par les supports (58, 60) de séchage et de stérilisation d'ébauches immobilisés
aux emplacements précités, et des moyens installés sur ta paroi supérieure du compartiment
principal pour transformer les ébauches tubulaires en des conteneurs, en fermant l'une
des extrémités de l'ébauche pour former le fond du conteneur.
2. Machine d'emballage selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle des buses (30) pour
pulvériser et stériliser une solution sont prévues, en un agencement nécessaire, à
l'intérieur du compartiment principal (8).
3. Machine d'emballage selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle le compartiment
principal (8) est doté d'un orifice (31) d'évacuation des conteneurs dans une région
frontale et le compartiment secondaire (22) est pourvu d'un orifice (32) d'amenée
des ébauches dans une région postérieure, les orifices (33 et 34) étant munis d'obturations
(33 et 34) pouvant être ouvertes; un conduit (36) d'alimentation en air, s'étendant
à partir d'un groupe (35) d'alimentation en air épuré et raccordé au compartiment
principal (8), le conduit (36) d'alimentation en air étant muni d'un clapet antiretour
(37) et le compartiment principal (8) présentant un détecteur (44) pour détecter la
pression interne qui y règne, de sorte que le groupe (35) d'alimentation en air épuré
fonctionne en réaction à un signal de sortie provenant du détecteur (44), lorsque
la pression détectée chute en deçà d'un niveau de consigne.
4. Machine d'emballage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans
laquelle le compartiment secondaire (22) présente par ailleurs une chambre pressurisée
(50) qui entoure une ouverture de la chambre de stérilisation (49) matérialisée par
l'entrée (48) des ébauches, un conduit (36) d'alimentation en air étant raccordé à
la chambre pressurisée (50), un conduit (42) de sortie d'air pénétrant dans la chambre
pressurisée (50) et étant raccordé à la chambre de stérilisation (49), la chambre
pressurisée (50) étant conçue pour qu'il y règne une plus forte pression interne que
dans la chambre de stérilisation (49).
5. Machine d'emballage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans
laquelle la série de dispositifs installés sur la paroi supérieure du compartiment
principal (8) englobe une machine d'emplissage (15) comprenant un réservoir (98) à
liquide d'emplissage qui est disposé audessus du compartiment principal (8), et une
buse d'emplissage (103) qui communique par son extrémité supérieure avec le réservoir
(98) à liquide d'emplissage et qui pénètre par son extrémité inférieure dans le compartiment
principal (8), la buse d'emplissage (103) étant ouverte dans la zone directement sus-jacente
au convoyeur (1) de transport des conteneurs; un conduit (105) pour délivrer de la
vapeur stérilisante et une solution nettoyante est raccordé au réservoir (98) à liquide
d'emplissage; un conduit (106) à liquide se trouve au-dessous de la buse d'emplissage
(103), ce conduit (106) à liquide comprenant un tronçon vertical (107) qui est supporté
avec faculté de rotation et de mouvement vertical par le compartiment principal (8),
dans une zone située horizontalement à une distance prédéterminée à l'écart de la
zone immédiatement sous- jacente à la buse d'emplissage (103), dans la direction perpendiculaire
à la direction du convoyeur (1) de transport des conteneurs, ainsi qu'un tronçon horizontal
(108) qui fait corps avec le tronçon vertical (107) et possède une longueur correspondant
à la distance prédéterminée, une extrémité inférieure du tronçon vertical (107) s'étendant
vers l'exterieur, à travers la paroi de fond du compartiment principal (8), le tronçon
horizontal (1D8) étant muni, à son extrémité avant, d'un réceptacle (111) à liquide
équipé d'une douille (112) à buse ouverte vers le haut.
6. Machine d'emballage selon la revendication 5, dans laquelle le tronçon vertical
(107) du conduit (106) à liquide est doté, à son extrémité supérieure, d'unte tige
rotative (116) alignée avec le tronçon vertical (107), une extrémité supérieure de
cette tige rotative (116) traversant la paroi supérieure du compartiment principal
(8), au-delà de laquelle elle fait saillie vers le haut; la buse d'emplissage (103)
étant dotée d'une tige (121) mobile verticalement, qui s'étend vers le haut à partir
de son extrémité inférieure et est engagée à travers la paroi supérieure du compartiment
principal (8), la tige (121) mobile verticalement présentant, à son extrémité inférieure,
un organe (122) de venue en prise qui fait saillie horizontalement; le réceptacle
(111) à liquide présentant une zone d'ajustement (115) configurée en U, qui peut coopérer
avec l'organe (122) de venue en prise lorsque le réceptacle (111) à liquide est amené
à un emplacement directement sous-jacent à la buse d'emplissage (103).
7. Machine d'emballage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans
laquelle l'arbre horizontal rotatif (59) du convoyeur de stérilisation (52) est supporté
à rotation par la cloison séparant la chambre de séchage (46) et la chambre de stérilisation
(49), l'extrémité antérieure de l'arbre rotatif (59) s'engageant dans la chambre de
séchage (46), extrémité sur laquelle sont calés rigidement des pignons d'entraînement,
ces pignons d'entraînement (69) étant en prise avec les chaînes sans fin.
8. Machine d'emballage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans
laquelle des cliquets (79, 80, 81) sont respectivement fixés à au moins deux tiges
dont chacune s'étend de l'avant vers l'arrière, ces tiges (77, 78) étant supportées
à rotation sur le chariot (74) mobile vers l'avant et vers l'arrière; un moyen étant
prévu pour faire tourner les tiges (77, 78), normalement ou dans le sens inverse,
de telle sorte que les cliquets (79, 80, 81) viennent en prise, avec les extrémités
postérieures des ébauches (C) retenues par le support (58) de séchage des ébauches
et le support (60) de stérilisation des ébauches, seulement lorsque le chariot (74)
se déplace vers l'avant.
9. Machine d'emballage selon la revendication 5 ou l'une quelconque des revendications
6-8 dans la mesure où elles dépendent de la revendication 5, dans laquelle une garniture
annulaire d'étanchement (113) en un matériau élastique est fixée à la périphérie interne
de chaque douille (112).
10. Machine d'emballage selon la revendication 6 ou l'une quelconque des revendications
7-9 dans le mesure où elles dépendent de la revendication 6, dans laquelle une poignée
de manoeuvre (118) est fixée à l'extrémité supérieure saillante de la tige rotative
(116) et un moyen est prévu pour soulever la tige (121), ce moyen de levage comprenant
un tube rectangulaire (125) qui est calé rigidement sur l'extrémité supérieure saillante
de la tige (121) et est muni de deux protubérances (127) s'étendant vers l'avant et
vers l'arrière; deux flasques mobiles (128) qui présentent une boutonnière inclinée
(129) dans laquelle la protubérance (127) s'ajuste, et qui sont supportés, avec faculté
de mouvement de la droite vers la gauche, par la paroi supérieure du compartiment
principal (8); un élément taraudé (130), retenu à l'une des extrémités du flasque
mobile (128); une broche filetée (132); dont l'une des extrémités est vissée dans
l'élément taraudé (130) et qui est supportée par un palier (131) sur la paroi supérieure
du compartiment principal (8); et un volant (133), calé rigidement sur l'autre extrémité
de la broche filetée (132).