Supporting structure of a bag packaging machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a supporting structure of a bag packaging machine for the vertical forming, filling, and sealing of tubular bags. Conventional structures of this type of machine comprise a housing or a three-dimensional framework in which the various assemblies of the machine are arranged in accordance with fixed coordinates. The object of the present invention is to propose a supporting structure that permits the free assignment of the assemblies and thus ensures a design simplification of both the manufacture and the fitting. This object is achieved in that the supporting structure comprises a horizontal floor framework ( 1 ), two supporting pillars ( 5 ) and a crossbar ( 7 ), wit the individual assemblies being fixed to the supporting pillars ( 5 ) such that their height can be adjusted. Thus, the coordinates of the assemblies can be adapted optimally to the intended use of the machine, in particular to the bag size.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . Supporting structure of a bag packaging machine for the vertical forming, filling, and sealing of tubular bags to which individual assemblies of the machine are attached, characterized in that the supporting structure includes the following basic elements: 
 a horizontal floor framework ( 1 )    two vertical supporting pillars ( 5 ) fixed on the floor framework, with a vertical guide ( 6 ) being provided on each supporting pillar ( 5 ),    a horizontal crossbar ( 7 ) rigidly connecting the upper ends of the supporting pillar ( 5 )    and in that at least a part of the individual assemblies is/are fixed to the vertical guides ( 6 ) of the supporting pillars ( 5 ) so that its/their height can be adjusted, such that the coordinates of the assemblies can be adapted to the intended use, in particular the bag length, without changes to the supporting structure.    
     
     
         2 . Supporting structure of a bag packaging machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the following assemblies are fixed on the vertical guides ( 6 ) of the supporting pillars ( 5 ) such that their height can be adjusted: 
 the longitudinal sealing device ( 9 ) for forming the vertical longitudinal seam of the bag and/or    the transverse sealing device ( 20 ) for forming the horizontal transverse seam of the bag.    
     
     
         3 . Supporting structure of a bag packaging machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that at least one of the height-adjustable assemblies is equipped with its own drive device for its mechanical movement along the vertical guides ( 6 ).  
     
     
         4 . Supporting structure of a bag packaging machine according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the drive device is pneumatic or hydraulic and contains at least one cylinder/piston unit.  
     
     
         5 . Supporting structure of a bag packaging machine according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the drive device contains at least one electric motor ( 17 ;  23 ).  
     
     
         6 . Supporting structure of a bag packaging machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the vertical guides ( 6 ) of the supporting pillars ( 5 ) are designed as gear racks and that the height-adjustable assemblies can be moved upward and downward by means of a motorized pinion ( 18 ) on each guide ( 6 ).  
     
     
         7 . Supporting structure of a bag packaging machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that two horizontal arms ( 8 ) are fixed on the horizontal crossbar ( 7 ) at a mutual distance and in that the size unit ( 26 ) with the filling tube ( 15 ) is mounted on these supporting arms ( 8 ).  
     
     
         8 . Supporting structure of a bag packaging machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the two supporting pillars ( 5 ) define a vertical plane (E-E) that intersects the floor framework ( 1 ) along a central axis and that the bag-forming, filling, and sealing component parts ( 26 ;  15 ;  9 ;  20 ) of the machine lie in front of this plane (E-E), while the film-feeding component parts ( 32 ;  33 ;  34 ;  35 ) with the film roll ( 31 ) lie behind this plane (E-E).  
     
     
         9 . Supporting structure of a bag packaging machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the supporting pillars ( 5 ) and/or the horizontal crossbar ( 7 ) and/or the connecting bar ( 3 ) can also be used as a channel for the electric cables, motor cables, control elements, pneumatic or hydraulic elements.