EP1851113A1

EP1851113A1 - Method and plant for packaging of flexible bags

Info

Publication number: EP1851113A1
Application number: EP06709497A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thierry Minaud; Franck Trotignon; Michel Capelle; Didier Pontcharraud; Cendrine Lallement
Original assignee: Smurfit Kappa Bag in Box SA
Current assignee: Smurfit Kappa Bag in Box SA
Priority date: 2005-02-11
Filing date: 2006-02-10
Publication date: 2007-11-07
Anticipated expiration: 2026-02-10
Also published as: EP1851118A1; EP1851113B1; WO2006085034A1; WO2006085031A1; WO2006085031A8

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for packaging of flexible bags (1), filled with a liquid or non-liquid, foodstuff or non-foodstuff, sterile or non-sterile product, characterised in that a packaging box (7) is fitted on an introduction tube (12), essentially extending the whole height of said box (7), a flexible bag (1) is dispensed from a supply point for flexible bags (1) into said packaging box (7) through a funnel (10) and the introduction tube (12) which forms an extension and removing the packaging box (7), containing the flexible bag (1) for said introduction tube (12). The invention further relates to a plant for the packaging of flexible bags (1) filled with a liquid or non-liquid, foodstuff or non-foodstuff, sterile or non-sterile product, carrying out said method.

Description

PROCESS AND INSTALLATION FOR PACKAGING SOFT POCKETS

The invention relates to a method and an installation for the packaging of flexible bags filled with a liquid product or not, food or otherwise, aseptic or not.

The present invention relates to the field of processes and installations for the packaging of flexible bags, liquid product, or semi-liquid, or other food or other.

Already known multiple products packaged in flexible pockets of variable capacity. They are provided with a bung designed to receive a shutter, usually in the form of a dispensing tap, intended to facilitate the discharge of said product.

These flexible bags are designed by superposition of at least two films of synthetic material, mono or multilayer depending on the product contained. After filling, they are packaged in containers, usually in the form of cardboard boxes, or even synthetic material. Precisely, the packaging technique usually adopted consists of preforming packaging cartons suitable for the capacity of the flexible bags, then to route them to the filling unit of said pockets.

Especially, once these are filled and closed by a shutter, they are successively brought to a cartoning station or, by means of a conveyor, they are poured into a funnel under which has been arranged, previously, a preformed cardboard with appropriate dimensions.

In this regard, this carton while being closed at its lower part, has, in its upper part, flaps of closure kept as far as possible open and away from the trajectory of the further, through the funnel itself.

It is understandable that at its mouth communicating with a cardboard, the funnel must be defined of small section, to be certain of the insertion of a flexible pocket without addicted in this cardboard, while passing through the preserved opening at the level of the latter.

However, in the case of flexible bags of small volume, it increases the risk of their blocking in the funnel, the weight is not sufficient to force their passage through the latter, whose section is reduced.

Whatever the case may be, under the effect of its fall and in contact with the cardboard, the flexible bag undergoes considerable friction which can lead to local deterioration and therefore a risk of leakage.

Moreover, this risk is all the more important that to guarantee the introduction, in a certain way, of the flexible pouch in the carton, it is poured vertically into the latter. Therefore, it can be considered that said flexible bag is handled with brutality, resulting in a significant number of defective packages. To this is added the problem related to the risk of clinging to one of the walls of the carton of the closure, in this case the valve equipping, generally, the bung of the flexible bag, during this fall in position vertical. Depending on the case, this not only impedes the progression of the flexible bag and increases the risk of blockage, creates a risk of leakage, but, in addition, may have the effect of changing its positioning in the package.

The present invention aims to remedy all of the aforementioned drawbacks through a method of packaging of flexible bags and an installation for its implementation whose particularity lies in the fact that a flexible bag is introduced into a carton using not only a funnel, but also through a tube introduction extending the latter so as to extend substantially over the entire height of the carton. Thus, on almost all of the fall of the flexible bag, it does not come into contact with the walls of the carton and is not likely to be injured.

Moreover this flexible pouch evolves along the walls of one funnel and the introduction tube whose surface can be treated so as to avoid any attachment or injury of this flexible pouch.

In addition, to be sure that at the time of engagement in the carton, the introduction tube easily penetrates into the latter, through the part ajar left by the closure flaps in the upper part of the carton, said tube In its opposite end to the funnel, the introducer can have a section that is substantially smaller than the internal section of the carton, while maintaining, over a large part of its height and, in particular, at the junction with the funnel, a section adjusted to this section inside the carton, so as to offer the flexible bag a free passage as important as possible.

It is within the framework of a second inventive step, that it has been imagined to take advantage of this facility of insertion of a flexible pouch in its packaging, thanks to the funnel and its introduction tube, to ensure the packaging in a form for less stress said flexible pouch.

In particular, it has been thought to incline the cardboard so that the flexible bag is not simply dumped in free fall in the latter, but comes naturally inserted therein by sliding. This way of doing things apart from the fact that it avoids damaging a flexible pouch, considerably reduces the risk of the bung and its shutter getting clogged when it enters the carton.

As for the installation allowing the implementation it can be designed in a linear way or in the form of a rotary station whose means which compose it, in particular, the means of taking care of a preformed cardboard, its commitment on the tube for introducing a funnel, its tilt in inclined position, its straightening and its evacuation, are controlled by cams, more particularly fixed or moving cams, concentric with the axis of rotation of the rotary station.

The invention provides a significant productivity gain, in the preferred embodiment in the form of a continuous rotary packing line, in comparison with traditional linear lines, or with respect to packing lines. sequential rotating.

The advantages which flow from the present invention essentially consist in that, not only is the packaging of the flexible paperboard bags easier, but, in addition, the risks of deterioration are lower, despite production rates that may be higher than in the past.

To this end, the invention relates to a method for the packaging of flexible bags filled with a liquid or non - liquid product, food or other, aseptic or not, characterized in that:

a packaging carton is engaged on an introduction tube extending substantially the full height in this packaging carton; - From a flexible pouches supplying station, is poured such a flexible pouch in said carton through a funnel and the introduction tube which is the extension; the packaging carton containing the flexible pouch of said introduction tube is removed.

The invention also relates to an installation for the packaging of flexible bags filled with a liquid or non - liquid product, food or other, aseptic or not, for the implementation of the method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a unit wrapping machine comprising a flexible pouch supply station, a preformed carton or carton blank supply station, a loading station and a finishing and / or evacuation station, characterized by the fact that at least at the loading station, it comprises an introduction tube designed capable of being engaged substantially all the way up in a carton of packaging and forming an extension of a funnel through which is designed suitable for being discharged a flexible pouch in said carton.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description relating to exemplary embodiments given by way of indication and not limitation.

The understanding of this description will be facilitated by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows, schematically, the packaging of a flexible pouch, starting from a folded cardboard cut to form a carton in which is poured a flexible pouch through a extended funnel of an introducer tube, and around which tube the carton can be formed - Figure 2 shows, schematically and in side view, a carton loading station for receiving filled flexible bags in a first lower cardboard arrival position; - Figure 3 shows, similarly to Figure 2, the same set in an upper position of the carton;

- Figure 4 shows, similarly to Figures 2 and 3, the same position in the tilted position of collection of a filled flexible bag, and partially, the supply station of the latter;

- Figure 5 shows, in partial schematically, in elevation and in vertical section, an installation with a rotary table according to the invention, shown in the axis A-A of the filled flexible bag feed station; FIG. 6 is a partial schematic representation of the installation shown in FIG. 5 in top view.

The present invention relates to a method and an installation for the packaging of flexible bags filled with liquid or non-liquid product, food or otherwise, aseptic or not.

In a preferred embodiment, such an installation is continuously rotatable, with cam control means of the various operating devices. In another embodiment, the installation can be performed in linear form continuously.

In the usual manner, the flexible bags 1 intended to contain liquid or non-liquid products, especially of the food or other type, consist of at least two films made of synthetic material or the like, of the mono or multilayer type, superimposed and welded at the periphery of the to define a container. At least one of the ropes is further pierced with an opening for receiving a bung 2, receiving a shutter type distribution valve or other.

A filling unit 3 is specially designed to fill the pockets 1, also called outres, this, as appropriate, either through the plug 2 or an opening that is then closed by welding when this filling operation is complete.

In any case, at the outlet of the filling unit 3, these flexible bags 1 are evacuated towards a packaging station 4. In this respect, if this packing station 4 can be of linear type according to a particular design of the invention, it is in the form of a rotary table 5 with multiple positions 6 for the removal of the flexible bags 1 in cardboard packs 7 or the like.

According to a first embodiment, at this packaging unit 4, the packaging boxes 7 arrive preformed at a cardboard supply station 8 to be then brought to a loading station 9 under a funnel 10 for introducing a flexible bag 1.

Thus, during the next step, such a flexible bag 1 is discharged by gravity, and on the fly, passing through the funnel 10, in said carton 7, kept ajar in its upper part 11.

This carton 7 is then conveyed to the next evacuation and / or finishing station, where it can be, as the case may be, directly evacuated, or undergo one or more finishing operations, for example pressing of the cheese in the carton 7, closure of its upper part 11, equipment of a gripping handle, marking, etc. Advantageously, the flexible bag 1 is introduced into this packaging carton 7 via the funnel 10, but also an introduction tube 12 which extends in its lower part. This introduction tube 12 is designed capable of diving into this packaging carton 7, substantially over the entire height of the latter. This introduction tube 12 prevents the friction of the bag against the cardboard 7, and in particular against a connecting tab on which is generally closed such a cardboard 7 during its shaping.

Thus, by passing from the cardboard supply station 8 to the loading station 9, it is subjected to an upward movement to be engaged on this introduction tube 12, knowing, of course, that it is still possible to move more early the latter and the funnel 10 associated with it to obtain the desired result.

The advantage of extending the funnel 10 by an introduction tube 12 is that during the fall of the flexible bag 1, it does not rub along the inner walls of the packaging carton 7 and does not There is no risk of being injured by the latter, particularly at the junction with the flaps which surmount it and which contribute to its closure in the upper part 11.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, at this packaging unit 4, such a packaging carton 7 can be preformed around said insertion tube 12 constituting, substantially, a forming mandrel. Thus, as schematically shown in FIG. 1, at this packaging unit 4 are conveyed flexible bags 1 coming from the filling unit 3, knowing that it is still fed with cardboard blanks 13.

As shown schematically in this Figure 1, one of these cuts 13 is, first, folded around the forming mandrel defined by the insertion tube 12 so as to preform the packaging carton 7 which, moreover, ensures the closure at its lower part.

Thus, the installation for carrying out the method according to this embodiment comprises, in this case, a feed station in cardboard blanks 13 and a preforming station 14 at the output of which the packing box 7 accesses at the loading station 9 where, already being engaged on this introduction tube 12, it is presented under the supply station 8 in filled flexible bags 1.

It is understood that, without changing the spirit of the invention, it is possible both to engage the packaging carton 7 on the introduction tube 12, that to proceed to the reciprocal maneuver, that is to say say a commitment of the introduction tube 12 under the carton 7.

Such a flexible pouch 2 falls again, by gravity, into this packaging carton 7, guided by the introduction funnel 10 and said introduction tube 12.

At the level of a finishing station and / or evacuation 15, the packaging carton 7, by a descent movement relative to the funnel 10 is cleared from the introduction tube 12 allowing its closure in the lower part.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention, at the loading station 9, the carton 7 is presented in an inclined position to ensure the introduction of a filled flexible bag 1.

These flexible bags 1 are discharged from the filling unit 3 by a conveyor 16 which ensures their routing in the direction a flexible bag feeding station 17 at the packing unit 4.

In a preferred embodiment such as can be seen in FIG. 5, this flexible bag feeding station 17 consists of at least one conveyor belt that can be defined by the conveyor 16 which ensures the evacuation of these flexible bags. Filling unit outlet 3.

The speed of this conveyor 16 can be modulated and / or programmed. In this regard, the drive of this conveyor can be provided by means of a brushless type motor with electronic commutation.

According to another particularity of the invention, the flexible bags 1 are communicated through said conveyor 16 with a substantially parabolic trajectory which substantially constitutes the extension of the funnel 10 when a carton 7, engaged on the introduction tube 12 , is presented in tilted position.

As has already been explained above, this feature can be associated with a rotary machine as shown in the figures of the accompanying drawings as well as a linear machine.

Thus, at the flexible pocket feeding station 17, each filled flexible pouch 1 is conveyed and released, through the conveyor 16, in an initial direction tangent to the profile of the latter in its downstream portion.

This pocket falls, under the effect of gravity, following a substantially parabolic trajectory into the entrance of the funnel 10.

In order to obtain an easy introduction of a filled flexible pouch, minimizing its deformation, the packaging unit according to the invention is designed to present the funnel 10 in a direction inclined close to the tangent to the trajectory of the flexible bag 1 at the time of its release at the output of the conveyor 16.

This arrangement makes it possible to avoid the pivoting of the flexible pouch 1 when it is introduced into the carton 7. Moreover, its fall is smooth and of limited height, while avoiding any shock of the plug and its shutter, in this case the distribution valve, against the wall of the funnel 10.

Such a deposit on the fly makes it possible to obtain a high rate while preserving the filled flexible pouch 1 during its packaging.

Thus, if in general, a packaging unit 4, according to

The invention comprises:

"a supply station 8 made of cardboard 7 or cut out of cardboard

13; "possibly a preforming station 14;

"a loading station 9 for the support of the preformed carton 7 in view, on the one hand, of its engagement on the introduction tube 12 corresponding to the funnel 10 and, on the other hand, to bring it in a tilted position; a finishing and / or evacuation station 15, at which the packing boxes 7 are disengaged from the introduction tube 12 to be evacuated, as the case may be, before or after its partial closure superior; in the case of a design in rotary form, this packaging unit 4 comprises a rotary table 5 provided with several identical stations 18 distributed around the same axis of rotation 19 and likely to define, in turn, the post 8, the loading station 9, and the finishing and / or evacuation station 17. It should already be pointed out that this is an enumeration of the positions comprising the packaging unit 4 which is not limiting. In any case, each station 18 comprises, mounted on a support 20, mobile at least in inclination, or even vertically or in a vertical component movement, a funnel 10 that extends an introduction tube 12, as well as means 21 for handling, as the case may be, a preformed carton 7 or a cardboard blank 13. These means of taking care of 21 have the function of either simply taking a preformed carton to engage it on the introduction tube 12 and later release it, or to ensure the folding of said cardboard blank 13 on said introduction tube 12 defining, in this case, a forming mandrel.

Note that in the case of a simple handling of preformed cardboard 7, as shown in Figures 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings, the support means 21 may be pneumatic suction cup type for their to capture a cardboard, hold it and engage it on the introduction tube 12, then, later, to release and ensure its evacuation.

Such a station 18 may also receive additional means, pressing the filled flexible bag 1, closing the carton after filling, or even means for equipping it with a grip, at the time of closure.

The mobile support 20 furthermore includes tilting means 22 through which the cardboard 7, inserted on the insertion tube 12, can be presented in an inclined position, under the feed station 17 in a flexible bag 1.

Advantageously, the tilting means 22, as well as the support means 21, or the not shown means of finishing, are controlled by cams of the fixed and / or mobile cam type distributed concentrically around the axis 19. of the rotary table 5. Of course, other embodiments are of course conceivable.

In this regard, if the mobile support 20 is equipped with tilting means 22, it can still be provided with control means in axial displacement of the funnel 10 and its introduction tube 12, so as to give the latter vertical or vertical component displacement which may contribute, as the case may be, to presenting the packaging carton 7 in the path of the flexible bag 1 and / or to its engagement and disengagement from the insertion tube 12.

In order to reduce the risk of damage to the flexible bag 1 during its collection in the funnel 10, then in the carton 7, the inner surface of this funnel 10, like that of the introduction tube 12, is advantageously treated. so as to promote the sliding of the flexible bag 1 when falling.

It will be noted that if said insertion tube 12 can, in the case where it constitutes a forming mandrel of the carton 7, be strictly adapted to the internal section of the latter, when these cartons 7 arrive preformed at the level of the unit. 4, this insertion tube 12 may be provided with a frustoconical section 24 in its lower end portion 23, intended to promote its engagement between the flaps 25 at the time of its engagement in the carton 7.

In sum, except in this lower end portion 23, the introduction tube 12 may have a section strictly adapted to the inner section of the packaging carton 7 so as to preserve, at its junction with the funnel 10 , a maximum section opening opening for the flexible bag 1.

It should be further noted, as can be seen in FIGS. 2 to 5, that the frustoconical section at the lower end portion 23 of the introduction tube 12 can be defined, substantially, by means of parts of corners 26 intended, again, to promote engagement in the carton 7.

According to the invention, the operation of the packaging unit 4 is subjected to suitable management and control means allowing a perfect synchronism between the arrival of the flexible bags 1 through the feed station 17 and the arrangement stations 18 in front of each of the positions they have to define. Such management and control means also advantageously ensure the synchronization of the movements of the support means 21 of the preformed boxes 7 or of the cardboard blanks 13 with respect to the tilting means 22 and the different means of finishing represented.

In a preferred embodiment, the movement of the stations 18 relative to the feed station 17 is continuous.

The execution of a rotary table with continuous movement is a particularly economical solution, and provides a great speed of operation, at the same time as easy maintenance.

As can be seen from the foregoing description, the present invention advantageously satisfies the disadvantages of the state of the art in the field.

Claims

1) Process for packaging flexible bags (1) filled with a liquid or non-liquid product, food or other, aseptic or not, characterized in that:

- a packaging carton (7) is engaged on an introduction tube (12) extending substantially over the entire height in this packaging carton (7)

- from a flexible bag supply station (1), such a flexible bag (1) is poured into said packaging carton (7) through a funnel (10) and the introduction tube (12) which constitutes its extension; - the packaging box (7) is removed, containing the flexible bag (1) of said introduction tube (12).

2) Method according to claim 1, characterized in that during a first step and starting from a cardboard cutout (13) the packaging cardboard (7) is preformed around the introduction tube (12). ) constituting a forming mandrel.

3) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for the pouring of a flexible bag (1) into a packaging box (7), the latter is presented in an inclined position.

4) Method according to claim 3, characterized in that when it is poured, the flexible bag (1) is subjected to a substantially parabolic trajectory and the funnel (10) is presented by inclination of the packaging cardboard (7) , following an inclined direction close to the tangent of said trajectory of the flexible pocket (1).

5) Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the packaging cardboard (7) is brought into the path of the flexible bag (1) using movement control means axial of the funnel (10) and its introduction tube (12), according to a vertical movement

6) Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said movement control means are used to, as the case may be, engage or release the packaging cardboard (7) relative to the introduction tube (12) .

7) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pouring of the filled flexible bags (1) into the packaging boxes (7) is carried out on the fly.

8) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the packaging boxes

(7) are subjected to a continuous rotational movement.

9) Installation for packaging flexible bags (1) filled with a liquid or non-liquid product, food or other, aseptic or not, for the implementation of the process according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a unit packaging (4) comprising a supply station for flexible bags (17), a supply station (8) for preformed packaging cartons (7) or cardboard cutouts (13), a loading station (9) ) and a finishing and/or evacuation station (15), characterized in that at least at the level of the loading station (9) it comprises an introduction tube (12) designed capable of being engaged substantially on the entire height in a packaging carton (7) and forming the extension of a funnel (10) through which a flexible bag (1) is designed capable of being poured into said packaging carton (7).

10) Installation according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises means (21) for supporting a cardboard (7) to engage it on the introduction tube (12) and release it therefrom later. 11) Installation according to claim 10, characterized in that the handling means (21) are designed capable of ensuring the handling of a cardboard cutout (13) at a feeding station ( 8) and allow its folding on the introduction tube (12) constituting a forming mandrel.

12) Installation according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a support (20) movable at least in inclination thanks to tilting means (22) and on which the funnel ( 10) which extends an introduction tube (12) to present a packaging box

(7) in inclined position.

13) Installation according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that it comprises means for controlling the axial movement of the funnel (10) and the introduction tube (12)

14) Installation according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that it is constituted in the form of a rotary table (5) provided with several identical stations (18) distributed around the same axis of rotation (19) and capable of defining, in turn, the power station

(8), the loading station (9) and the finishing and/or evacuation station (15), each station (18) comprising, on the one hand, a support (20) equipped with tilting means (22). ) and on which is mounted a funnel (10) which is extended by an introduction tube (12) and, on the other hand, means (21) for handling, in one case, a preformed cardboard (7) or a cardboard cutout (13).

15) Installation according to claim 14, characterized in that said station (18) is designed capable of being equipped with means for controlling axial movement of the funnel (10) and the introduction tube (12) according to a movement vertical or with vertical component. 16) Installation according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that a station (18) further comprises additional means for closing the carton after filling and/or means for equipping said carton (7) with a gripping handle at the time of closing.

17) Installation according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that it is of the linear type.

18) Installation according to any one of claims 9 to 17, characterized in that the flexible bag supply station (1) is constituted by a conveyor (16), designed capable of ensuring the conveying and release of a flexible pocket (1) by giving it a trajectory to which the funnel (10) is substantially tangent, on the introduction tube (12) of which is engaged a packaging cardboard (7) presented in an inclined position.

19) Installation according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the tilting means (22), just like the support means (21), or even the finishing means, are controlled by cams, of fixed and/or mobile cam type, distributed concentrically around the axis (19) of the rotary table (5).

20) Installation according to one of claims 14, 15, 16, 18 or 19, characterized in that the rotation of said rotary table (5) is continuous.

21). Installation according to any one of claims 14 to 20, characterized in that the interior surface of the funnel (10) and/or the introduction tube (12) is treated so as to promote sliding of the flexible bag (1) during his fall.