Machine and methods for forming, erecting, and loading a pouch with a product

Abstract

A transport mechanism for engaging a pouch in an erect configuration at a first station of a packaging machine and transferring the pouch to a second station of the packaging machine includes a carriage and a grip assembly. The carriage is moveable between the first station and the second station. The grip assembly is coupled to the carriage and is at least partially moveable relative to the carriage between an engaged position for clamping the pouch in the erect configuration within the grip assembly, and a released position.

1 . A transport mechanism for engaging a pouch in an erect configuration at a first station of a packaging machine and transferring the pouch to a second station of the packaging machine, the transport mechanism comprising:
 a carriage that is moveable between the first station and the second station; and   a grip assembly coupled to the carriage, the grip assembly being at least partially moveable relative to the carriage between an engaged position for clamping the pouch in the erect configuration within the grip assembly, and a released position.   
     
     
         2 . The transport mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the grip assembly comprises a first grip for engaging a first side of the pouch and a second grip for engaging a second, opposed side of the pouch, and wherein the first and second grip are each configured to clamp the pouch in the erected configuration at the first station to allow for loading of a product into the pouch through an open end of the pouch. 
     
     
         3 . The transport mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the carriage is moveable along a machine transfer direction between the first station and the second station, and wherein the grip assembly is rotatable about a rotational axis that is perpendicular to the machine transfer direction. 
     
     
         4 . The transport mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the grip assembly comprises an inner clip for engaging an inner surface of the pouch and an outer clip for engaging an outer surface of the pouch, the outer clip being positioned below the inner clip. 
     
     
         5 . The transport mechanism of  claim 4 , wherein the grip assembly further comprises a first rod rotatably coupled to the carriage and rotatable about a first rotational axis and a second rod rotatably coupled to the carriage and rotatable about a second rotational axis, the inner clip being coupled to the first rod and the outer clip being coupled to the second rod. 
     
     
         6 . The transport mechanism of  claim 5 , wherein, when the grip assembly transitions from the released position to the engaged position, the first rod rotates in a first rotational direction and the second rod rotates in a second, opposite, rotational direction. 
     
     
         7 . The transport mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller in communication with the transport mechanism and operable to automatically control operation of at least one of the grip assembly and the carriage. 
     
     
         8 . The transport mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the first station is an erecting station that includes a landing for receiving the pouch and a pulling assembly configured to engage the pouch, the pulling assembly being moveable relative to the landing for erecting the pouch on the landing, and wherein the second station is a sealing station that is configured to close the pouch. 
     
     
         9 . The transport mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein the carriage is moveable along a machine transfer direction between the first station and the second station, and wherein the pulling assembly comprises at least one vacuum suction cup operable to selectively engage and erect the pouch, the at least one vacuum suction cup being moveable in a direction perpendicular to the machine transfer direction. 
     
     
         10 . The transport mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the packaging machine includes a frame at least partially defining the first station and the second station, and wherein the transport mechanism further comprises a track extending along the frame from the first station to the second station, the carriage being moveable along the track. 
     
     
         11 . The transport mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the carriage is moveable along a machine transfer direction between the first station and the second station, and wherein the grip assembly comprises a first grip and second grip each rotatably coupled to the carriage, the first grip being offset from the second grip in a closing direction that is perpendicular to the machine transfer direction, the first and second grip being moveable relative to the carriage in the closing direction between a first configuration in which the first grip is spaced from the second grip and a second configuration in which the first grip contacts the second grip. 
     
     
         12 . The transport mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the second station comprises an adhesive applicator configured to dispense an adhesive onto an inner surface of the pouch while the grip assembly holds the pouch in the erected configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The transport mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the carriage is moveable along a machine transfer direction between the first station and the second station, and wherein the second station comprises a pair of pressure bars offset from one another in a closing direction that is perpendicular to the machine transfer direction, the pressure bars each being moveable in the closing direction for sealing the pouch. 
     
     
         14 . A packaging machine comprising:
 a first station for receiving a container in an erect configuration;   a second station spaced from the first station; and   a transport mechanism for engaging the container in the erect configuration at the first station and carrying the container to the second station, the transport mechanism comprising:
 a carriage that is moveable between the first station and the second station; and 
 a grip assembly coupled to the carriage, the grip assembly being at least partially moveable relative to the carriage between an engaged position for clamping the container in the erect configuration within the grip assembly, and a released position. 
   
     
     
         15 . The packaging machine of  claim 14 , wherein the grip assembly comprises a first grip for engaging a first side of the container and a second grip for engaging a second, opposed side of the container, wherein, when the first and second grip are each configured to hold the container in the erected configuration at the first station to allow for loading of a product therein through an open end of the container. 
     
     
         16 . The packaging machine of  claim 14 , wherein the carriage is moveable along a machine transfer direction between the first station and the second station, and wherein the grip assembly is rotatable about a rotational axis that is perpendicular to the machine transfer direction. 
     
     
         17 . The packaging machine of  claim 14 , wherein the grip assembly comprises an inner clip for engaging an inner surface of the container and an outer clip for engaging an outer surface of the container, the outer clip being positioned below the inner clip. 
     
     
         18 . The packaging machine of  claim 17 , wherein the grip assembly further comprises a first rod rotatably coupled to the carriage and rotatable about a first rotational axis and a second rod rotatably coupled to the carriage and rotatable about a second rotational axis, the inner clip being coupled to the first rod and the outer clip being coupled to the second rod. 
     
     
         19 . The packaging machine of  claim 18 , wherein, when the grip assembly transitions from the released position to the engaged position, the first rod rotates in a first rotational direction and the second rod rotates in a second, opposite, rotational direction. 
     
     
         20 . A method of assembling a pouch comprising:
 receiving a pouch in an erected configuration at a first station of a packaging machine;   moving a transport mechanism to the first station, the transport mechanism including a carriage and a grip assembly couped to the carriage;   clamping the pouch within the grip assembly by moving at least a portion of a grip assembly relative to the carriage; and   carrying, by the transport mechanism, the pouch from the first station to a second station of the packaging machine.