US20240317527A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20240317527A1
Application number: US18/578,201
Authority: US
Inventors: Alberto BONFINI; Claudio MAZZOTTI; Fabio PASINI; Sauro Rivola
Original assignee: IMA Industria Macchine Automatiche SpA
Current assignee: IMA Industria Macchine Automatiche SpA
Priority date: 2021-07-26
Filing date: 2022-07-11
Publication date: 2024-09-26
Also published as: ES3036171T3; IT202100019877A1; WO2023007288A1; EP4377246B1; EP4377246A1

Abstract

An automatic machine includes a load-bearing frame having a base, a vertical side wall, a horizontal wall facing the base, a vertical front wall, defining a machine front with a protruding motor-driven shaft supporting a respective reel of wound material. A plurality of operating stations positioned on the front wall through which a processing path extends along which said material proceeds whilst it is unwound from the reel. A storage unit houses replacement reels is positioned directly associated with the frame close to the shaft. A device picks up reels and positions them on the shaft. The device is positioned directly associated with the frame close to the storage unit. A control unit activates the device in response to a run out signal of the reel present on the shaft.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an automatic machine for making filter bags containing infusion products (such as tea, coffee, camomile and the like).

BACKGROUND ART

It is known that the automatic machines for forming filter bags are provided with a plurality of reels for feeding various types of material necessary for forming filter bags. Each reel is supported by a corresponding motor-driven shaft protruding from a wall of the machine frame.

In particular, each automatic machine is basically provided with at least one reel of filter paper (in some cases also two reels, of which one is for direct feeding and the other as reserve in the case of emptying the first reel) and a reel with strips of labels on which is added, in the case of packages with this option, also a reel of strips of material for wrapping the filter bags formed.

It should be considered that:

- each automatic machine uses a large number of reels;
- each reel has, individually, a considerable weight;
- each automatic machine has a high production speed and it is therefore necessary to constantly change empty reels with new reels with a very high frequency.

Currently, the changing of reels can be performed manually or automatically.

In the first case, an operator operating the machine proceeds as follows:

- the operator is alerted that the reel of the automatic machine is empty;
- the core of the empty reel is removed from the shaft of the automatic machine;
- a corresponding type of new reel to be replaced is picked up from a general storage unit or from an auxiliary storage unit;
- the new reel is coupled on the shaft of the automatic machine.

However, this replacement process has several drawbacks:

- high costs, since an operator must be present at each automatic machine for constant monitoring of the machine in view of the large number of types of reels to be replaced together with the high operating speed of the machine;
- large physical effort by the operator for carrying reels from the storage unit to the automatic machine at each replacing request;
- possible risk of a machine stoppage if an operator is responsible for several machines (which are also not close to each other) and the two machines have a simultaneously request for changing the reel;
- risk of error in the loading of the type of material in the reel.

In the second reel changing system, a central unit connected to the automatic machines is used and with units movable along fixed rails or with wheels provided with an arm for picking up and releasing the reels.

In this case, the movable unit is programmed to pick up the replacement reels from a series of storage units positioned around the packaging machines and bring them to the packaging machines where the unit, using the pick-up and release arm (usually robotic), replaces the empty reel under the control of the central unit.

This second solution makes it possible to reduce the presence of personnel but forces the manufacturer to increase the volume occupied around the production lines (machines) so as to be able to locate the reel storage units necessary for the replacements in the machine as well as the spaces and structures necessary for moving the movable reel replacement units.

These factors lead to increases in the overall costs of the lines without, however, justified increases in the productivity of the production lines.

Aim of the Invention

The aim of the invention is to provide an automatic machine for forming filter bags containing infusion products which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks.

In particular, the aim of this invention is to provide an automatic machine for forming filter bags containing infusion products which is able to automate and speed up the reel changing process.

A further aim of the invention is to provide an automatic machine for forming filter bags containing infusion products which is able to always guarantee the correct reel changing as a function of the needs of the machine with limited reaction times and with reduced overall dimensions.

Said aims are fully achieved by the automatic machine for forming filter bags containing infusion products according to the invention, as characterised in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of it, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG.1 is a front schematic view of an automatic machine, in particular for forming filter bags for infusion products according to the invention;

FIGS.2 to5 are partial schematic perspective views of a series of steps of a reel change from a first storage unit present on the automatic machine ofFIG.1;

FIG.6 is a partial schematic perspective view of the machine of the previous drawings with a robotic arm in a step of picking up a replacement reel from a second storage unit;

FIGS.7 and8 are side views partly in cross section of two steps of changing the replacement reel on a supporting shaft referred toFIGS.3 and5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the accompanying drawings and with particular reference toFIG.1, the automatic machine according to the invention, denoted in its entirety by thenumeral100, is used, in particular, for forming filter bags containing infusion products (such as tea, coffee, camomile and the like).

Theautomatic machine100 comprises a load-bearingframe1 having abase2, avertical wall3, ahorizontal wall4 facing thebase2 and avertical front wall5, defining a machine front, from which protrudes at least one motor-driven supportingshaft6 which supports arespective reel7 of wound material (in this case filter paper).

As illustrated, theautomatic machine100 comprises a plurality ofoperating stations8 positioned along thefront wall5 through which a processing path extends along which the material present on thereel7 is unwound from thereel7.

Theoperating stations8 are schematically illustrated by way of example only and represent all devices which are able to form, along an operating path, the filter bags containing infusion products.

It should be noted that theautomatic machine100 preferably comprises asecond shaft22 supporting afurther reel23 with wound material defining, for example, pickup tags to be applied to the filter bags to be formed.

Thissecond shaft22 protrudes from thefront wall5 and parallel to the first supportingshaft6.

As illustrated, (see alsoFIGS.2 to6) theautomatic machine100 comprises afirst storage unit9 configured tohouse replacement reels7aand positioned directly associated with the load-bearingframe1 of themachine100 and located close to theshaft6 supporting the reel7 (nearly empty and to be replaced).

In the drawings, by way of example, thefirst storage unit9 may be associated with one of the vertical3 or horizontal4 walls of the load-bearingframe1 of the machine again close to theshaft6 supporting thereel7.

Theautomatic machine100 also comprises adevice10 for picking and releasingreplacement reels7a(having, preferably, a motor-driven axis X10) configured for picking up areplacement reel7afrom thefirst storage unit9 and positioning it on the supportingshaft6.

The pick-up andrelease device10 is positioned directly associated with the load-bearingframe1 close to thefirst storage unit9.

By way of a construction example, the picking up device may be associated with one of the vertical3 or horizontal4 walls of the load-bearingframe1 of theautomatic machine100.

Moreover, theautomatic machine100 comprises acontrol unit11 positioned on theautomatic machine100 and configured to activate thedevice10 for picking up and releasingreplacement reels7ain the presence of a run out signal of thereel7 present on the supportingshaft6.

In other words, theautomatic machine100 has a storage unit integrated for replacement reels and a device which is able to replace the reels which are gradually used up without the need for external intervention.

Thefirst storage unit9 may be filled at the start of the operating activity of the automatic machine in such a way as to make the machine independent for a long operating period without the need for checks at predetermined times.

The machine in its entirety does not have a considerable increase in the overall size compared with prior art solutions and allows lines to be created alongside each other in automatic machines in reduced spaces.

As illustrated, thefirst storage unit9 is associated with the at least onevertical side wall3 of themachine100 positioned close to thereel supporting shaft6.

It should be noted that thefirst storage unit9 projects outwards from theframe1 of themachine100.

Again as illustrated, thedevice10 for picking up and releasing thereplacement reels7ais associated with thevertical front wall5 of the machine and positioned close to thereel supporting shaft6 and thefirst storage unit9.

In light of this, the pick-up andrelease device10 projects outwards from theframe1 of themachine100.

The unit comprising thefirst storage unit9 and the pick-up andrelease device10 are close together in a compact structure projecting laterally and frontally from the machine frame.

It should be noted that the pick-up andrelease device10 comprises a robotic arm12 (with two or more axes of movement) having, at a relative free end, agripper13 for picking up and releasing thereplacement reel7aconfigured to engage/disengage in/from acentral hole14 or core of thereplacement reel7a.

Therobotic arm12 comprises the first motor-driven axis X10 protruding relative to the machine front and parallel to the axis of extension of thefirst shaft6 supporting the reel and can therefore, with the remaining axes, have a 360° operation in such a way as to easily reach thefirst storage unit9 and theshaft6 in a fast and precise fashion.

Thearm12 has, for example, agripper13 with three claws configured to enter into the core of the reel, for a certain depth (see alsoFIG.7) and, by means of a movement of the claws radially away from each other, locking the reel for its handling and movement from the storage unit to the supporting shaft.

Themachine100 also comprises areel pressing element15 configured to stabilise thereplacement reel7aon the supportingshaft6.

In light of this, the reelpressing element15 is carried by a tubular element16 (shaft) associated outside theframe1 of the machine and close to thefirst storage unit9 and thedevice10 for picking up and releasing thereplacement reel7a.

It should be noted that the tubular element orshaft16 is provided withmeans17 for quick coupling and detachment of thereel pressing element15 in such a way as to allow the picking up and repositioning by the pick-up andrelease device10.

According to an embodiment, the quick coupling and detachment means17 comprise an annular plate having magnetic properties for retaining, in suspension, thereel pressing element15.

It should be noted that the tubular supportingshaft16 is associated with thehorizontal wall4 of theframe1 of the machine, in such a way as to position thereel pressing element15 close to and above the pick-up andrelease device10.

As illustrated and in an example embodiment, thereel pressing element15 comprises atubular cylinder body15a(open at the two ends) with a diameter greater than a diameter of theshaft6 supporting the reel and configured, in use, for being coupled with (the gripper13) therobotic arm12 and carried to the supporting shaft6 (seeFIG.8).

The reel pressing element15 (at one end of thetubular cylinder15a) comprises arigid ring15bhaving a diameter greater than the diameter of thereel supporting shaft6 and configured, in use, to be placed in contact with aflat surface7aof the replacement reel in such a way as to allow, under the action of therobotic arm12 of the pick-up andrelease device10, a stable positioning, by axial sliding, of thereplacement reel7aon the supporting shaft6 (seeFIG.8).

In other words, thereplacement reel7ais picked up from thegripper13 in the first storage unit9 (seeFIG.2) and the robotic arm positions it at theshaft6 where it is partly inserted (FIGS.3 and7).

Subsequently, thegripper13 releases thereplacement reel7aand therobotic arm12 moves to thereel pressing element15, where thegripper13 couples with the centraltubular element15a(FIG.4).

At this point, therobotic arm12 detaches thereel pressing element15 and transports it to thereplacement reel7ajust inserted, partly, in the supporting shaft6 (seeFIG.5).

In this position, therobotic arm12 presses on thereel pressing element15 having therigid ring15bin contact with the flat outer surface of thereel7ain such a way as to make it slide axially along the supportingshaft6 until it is completely housed (FIG.8).

Theautomatic machine100 comprises asecond storage unit18 for housing replacement reels (in this case, for example,reels23 having strips of wound tags) associated with the at least onevertical side wall3 of theframe1 of the machine and positioned close to thefirst storage unit9.

In short, thesecond storage unit18 is located under thefirst storage unit9 using the vertical surface of thewall3.

In light of this, thedevice10 for picking up and releasing the replacement reel is associated with theframe1 at an intermediate position between thefirst storage unit9 and thesecond storage unit18.

In this way, therobotic arm12 can operate without distinction quickly and rapidly on both the storage units present on the automatic machine.

By way of a construction example, thefirst storage unit9 comprises a rigid structure having acradle portion19 for supporting a plurality ofreplacement reels7a, aside portion20 for associating with thevertical side wall3 of theframe1 of the machine and a rigid disc-shapedbase21, supported by thecradle portion19, for supporting thereplacement reels7a.

Thesecond storage unit18 also has a substantially similar structure.

Thedevice10 for picking up and releasing the replacement reel also comprises a box-shapedbody24 associated with thevertical side wall3 of theframe1 of themachine10 configured to support the robotic arm12 (which protrudes from one side or surface of the box-shapedbody24 coplanar with the vertical front wall5) and house the mechanical and electronic structures of the pick-up andrelease device10.

The preset aims are achieved with an automatic machine structured in this way thanks to the synergic combination between the traditional machine combined with a group of storage units with robotic arms integrated in the machine.

This architecture makes it possible to obtain a compact system wherein the machine is substantially “self-sufficient” for many operating hours without the intervention of external robotic systems for reel changing, keeping the complex machine compact.

This type of structure creates a compact machine which only needs a single loading of a plurality of reels at the start of operation in such a way as to allow a long operating duration without the need for further constant checks or supplies.

Moreover, thanks to this system a layout out of the machine(s) is created with reduced overall dimensions and without the need to provide operating spaces around the machines occupied by reel storage units or by a large number of transit zones for carriages for transporting the reels from the storage units to the machines.