Pouch handling machine with reciprocating beams conveyor

Abstract

A pouch handling machine comprises and a series of pouch related process stations. A reciprocating beams conveyor advances pouches intermittently along the stations. The conveyor comprises a left-hand side and a right-hand side elongated reciprocating beams, each provided along the length thereof with pouch retention members. A left-hand side and a right-hand side support member, each support reciprocating beams and form a linear guide of the reciprocating beams. A left-hand side and a right-hand side electromagnetic linear actuator are provided, each being mounted between the respective reciprocating beams and the respective support member to cause an intermittent reciprocating motion of the reciprocating beams in the longitudinal direction thereof. These actuators are linked to an electronic controller that is adapted to synchronize the motions of the actuators. A transverse motion mechanism causes a periodic transverse motion of the left-hand side and a right-hand side support members away from and towards one another.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pouch handling machine ( 1 ) comprising a frame ( 2 ), multiple pouch related process stations ( 10 - 18 ) arranged on the frame in series, and a reciprocating beams conveyor ( 20 ) that is adapted to advance pouches ( 5 ) intermittently in a horizontal path along said series of multiple stations, wherein the reciprocating beams conveyor comprises:
 a left-hand side and a right-hand side elongated reciprocating beam ( 21 , 22 ), each of said reciprocating beams being provided at intervals along the length thereof with pouch retention members ( 23 , 24 ),   a left-hand side and a right-hand side support member ( 27 , 28 ), each of said support members supporting and forming a linear guide for said left-hand side and right-hand side reciprocating beam ( 21 , 22 ) respectively,   a longitudinal reciprocating motion drive mechanism adapted to cause an intermittent reciprocating motion of the reciprocating beams in the longitudinal direction thereof,   a transverse motion mechanism ( 40 - 45 ,  47 ,  48 ) adapted to cause a periodic transverse motion of the left-hand side and a right-hand side support members ( 23 , 24 ) towards and away from one another in order to clamp a pouch between opposed pouch retention members of the left-hand and right-hand reciprocating beams and to release a pouch, characterized in that:
 the longitudinal reciprocating motion drive mechanism comprises a left-hand side and a right-hand side electromagnetic linear actuator ( 50 , 51 ), each of said electromagnetic linear actuators being mounted between the respective reciprocating beams ( 21 , 22 ) and the respective support member ( 27 , 28 ), 
 and in that said electromagnetic linear actuators ( 50 , 51 ) are linked to an electronic controller ( 60 ) that is adapted to synchronize the motions of the electromagnetic linear actuators. 
   
     
     
         2 . The pouch handling machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic linear actuators ( 50 , 51 ) are of the tubular linear motor type with a rod ( 52 ) wherein an array of magnets is housed and with a block ( 53 ) through which said rod is longitudinally mobile and with one or more electrical coils in said block adapted to create a magnetic propulsion force in combination with said rod when the one or more coils are energized. 
     
     
         3 . The pouch handling machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the block ( 53 ) is mounted to the respective support member ( 27 , 28 ) and wherein the rod ( 52 ) is secured, e.g. at both ends thereof, to the respective reciprocating beam ( 21 , 22 ). 
     
     
         4 . The pouch handling machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the rod ( 52 ) is arranged parallel to the respective reciprocating beam ( 21 , 22 ). 
     
     
         5 . The pouch handling machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame of the machine is provided with rectilinear transverse guide members ( 40 , 41 ), and wherein the support members ( 27 , 28 ) are mounted ( 42 - 45 ) on said transverse guide members such that the transverse motion mechanism ( 47 , 48 ) causes a periodic rectilinear transverse motion of the left-hand side and a right-hand side support members away from and towards one another. 
     
     
         6 . The pouch handling machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the frame of the machine is provided with rectilinear transverse guide members ( 40 , 41 ), and wherein the support members ( 27 , 28 ) are mounted ( 42 - 45 ) on said transverse guide members such that the transverse motion mechanism ( 47 , 48 ) causes a periodic rectilinear transverse motion of the left-hand side and a right-hand side support members away from and towards one another. 
     
     
         7 . The pouch handling machine according to  claim 4 , wherein the frame of the machine is provided with rectilinear transverse guide members ( 40 , 41 ), and wherein the support members ( 27 , 28 ) are mounted ( 42 - 45 ) on said transverse guide members such that the transverse motion mechanism ( 47 , 48 ) causes a periodic rectilinear transverse motion of the left-hand side and a right-hand side support members away from and towards one another. 
     
     
         8 . The pouch handling machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said pouch process stations comprises one or more of:
 a sterilization station;   a filling station ( 12 , 13 );   a spout placement station ( 15 );   a spout sealing station ( 15 , 16 , 17 );   a pouch sealing station; and   a spout capping station.   
     
     
         9 . The pouch handling machine according to  claim 6 , wherein said pouch process stations comprises one or more of:
 a sterilization station;   a filling station ( 12 , 13 );   a spout placement station ( 15 );   a spout sealing station ( 15 , 16 , 17 );   a pouch sealing station; and   a spout capping station.   
     
     
         10 . The pouch handling machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said pouch process stations comprises a liquid filling station ( 12 , 13 ) adapted to fill the pouches ( 5 ) with a liquid. 
     
     
         11 . The pouch handling machine according to  claim 9 , wherein said pouch process stations comprises a liquid filling station ( 12 , 13 ) adapted to fill the pouches ( 5 ) with a liquid. 
     
     
         12 . The pouch handling machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the machine comprises upstream of the reciprocating beams conveyor a pouch making installation adapted to make individual pouches from heat-sealable film, said individual pouches being transferred at a transfer point to the reciprocating beams conveyor of the machine. 
     
     
         13 . The pouch handling machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the machine comprises upstream of the reciprocating beams conveyor a pouch making installation adapted to make individual pouches from heat-sealable film, said individual pouches being transferred at a transfer point to the reciprocating beams conveyor of the machine. 
     
     
         14 . The pouch handling machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller ( 60 ) of the electromagnetic linear actuators ( 50 , 51 ) is provided with a memory ( 70 ) wherein, for each of multiple pouch types a respective data set at least representing an actuator motion profile to be performed by each of the actuators ( 50 , 51 ) when handling the corresponding pouch type, e.g. wherein the data set comprises a profile of linear speed and/or acceleration of the electromagnetic linear actuator as well as stop positions of the electromagnetic linear actuator. 
     
     
         15 . Pouch handling machine according to  claim 12 , wherein the controller ( 60 ) of the electromagnetic linear actuators ( 50 , 51 ) is provided with a memory ( 70 ) wherein, for each of multiple pouch types a respective data set at least representing an actuator motion profile to be performed by each of the actuators ( 50 , 51 ) when handling the corresponding pouch type, e.g. wherein the data set comprises a profile of linear speed and/or acceleration of the electromagnetic linear actuator as well as stop positions of the electromagnetic linear actuator. 
     
     
         16 . A pouch handling machine according to  claim 14 , wherein the machine comprises an operator selector device, e.g. a touchscreen ( 80 ), configured to allow a machine operator to select a pouch type, and wherein the controller ( 60 ) is configured to select a data set in stored in said memory ( 70 ) on the basis of the pouch type selection and to control the reciprocating beams conveyor accordingly. 
     
     
         17 . A pouch handling machine according to  claim 14 , wherein the machine comprises a display, e.g. a touchscreen ( 80 ), and wherein the controller is configured to display thereon a selected actuator motion profile in graphical form, e.g. as a graph or graphs representing speed and/or acceleration/deceleration in relation to longitudinal position of the reciprocating beams. 
     
     
         18 . A pouch handling machine according to  claim 16 , wherein the machine comprises a display, e.g. a touchscreen ( 80 ), and wherein the controller is configured to display thereon a selected actuator motion profile in graphical form, e.g. as a graph or graphs representing speed and/or acceleration/deceleration in relation to longitudinal position of the reciprocating beams. 
     
     
         19 . A method for handling pouches ( 5 ), e.g. filling and sealing pouches, e.g. with a liquid, wherein use is made of a pouch handling machine according ( 1 ) to one or more of the preceding claims. 
     
     
         20 . Method according to  claim 19 , wherein the controller ( 60 ) of the electromagnetic linear actuators ( 50 , 51 ) is provided with a memory ( 70 ) wherein, for each of multiple pouch types a respective data set is stored at least representing an actuator motion profile to be performed by each of the actuators when handling the corresponding pouch type, e.g. wherein the data set comprises a profile of linear speed and/or acceleration of the electromagnetic linear actuator as well as stop positions of the electromagnetic linear actuator.