Article transfer device and packaging system provided with same

Abstract

An article transfer device includes a funnel-shaped structure and a high pressure air supply pipe. The funnel-shaped structure has an upper end opening adapted to receive articles dropped from above and a lower end opening adapted direct the articles to a form-fill-seal machine. An inner space is defined within the funnel-shaped structure between the openings. The upper part of the inner space has a greater cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the lower part of the inner space. A plurality of air ejection holes are formed in an inner peripheral surface of the funnel-shaped structure surrounding the inner space. The air ejection holes are arranged with respect to one another defining a helical shape pattern about the funnel-shaped structure. Gaseous material is spouted out from the high pressure air supply pipe and into the inner space through the plurality of air ejection holes.

1 . An article transfer device for dropping articles into a form-fill-seal machine that seals laterally extending portions of a tubular packaging material so as to produce a bag filled with the dropped articles, the article transfer device comprising:
 a tubular part having an upper end opening adapted to receive the dropped articles and a lower end opening adapted to direct the dropped articles into the form-fill-seal machine, the tubular part defining an inner space between the upper end opening and the lower end opening; an upper part of the inner space having a greater cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of a lower part of the inner space, the tubular member including a plurality of holes open to the inner space, the plurality of holes arranged with respect to one another defining a helical shape pattern; and   a gaseous material outlet part providing pressurized gaseous material to the plurality of holes of the tubular part and into the inner space within the tubular part.   
     
     
         2 . The article transfer device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 a cross-sectional area of the inner space of the tubular part gradually increases from the lower end opening toward the upper end opening.   
     
     
         3 . The article transfer device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 an inner peripheral surface of the tubular part is inclined with respect to vertical defining an angle of inclination of between 3° and 25° relative to vertical.   
     
     
         4 . A bag-making system, comprising:
 a form-fill-seal machine for producing a bag filled with articles, the form-fill-seal machine having a former part that forms a sheet of a packaging material into a tube, and a lateral sealing part that seals laterally extending portions of the tubular packaging material with the articles being located within the packaging material; and   the article transfer device according to  claim 1 , positioned above the former part and adapted to drop the articles toward an interior space of the tubular packaging material.   
     
     
         5 . A bag-making system, comprising:
 a form-fill-seal machine for producing a bag filled with articles, the form-fill-seal machine having a former part that forms a sheet of a packaging material into a tube, and a lateral sealing part that seals laterally extending portions of the tubular packaging material with the articles being located within the packaging material; and   the article transfer device according to  claim 2 , positioned above the former part and adapted to drop the articles toward an interior space of the tubular packaging material.   
     
     
         6 . A bag-making system, comprising:
 a form-fill-seal machine for producing a bag filled with articles, the form-fill-seal machine having a former part that forms a sheet of a packaging material into a tube, and a lateral sealing part that seals laterally extending portions of the tubular packaging material with the articles being located within the packaging material; and   the article transfer device according to  claim 3 , positioned above the former part and adapted to drop the articles toward an interior space of the tubular packaging material.