Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.a.

Gunnar Drevfors

Olof Stark

Arde Kirka

Robert D Massey

Johan Hegardt

Anders Ek

Ashok Singh

Hisami Mitsuishi

Stefan Annehed

Erik Schott

Par J Svensson

Dean C Skonieczny

A method of handling, filling and sealing prefabricated packaging containers that are provided with a closure device is disclosed. The packaging containers are transported in the closed state to a processing plant in which the closure device is opened, the packaging container and closure device are sterilized, and thereafter the packaging container is filled with the desired liquid contents. The same closure device that was removed from the packaging container is then reapplied to seal the container.

Method of handling, filling and sealing packaging containers

A packaging machine under control of an electronic control system is set forth. The packaging machine includes a plurality of servo driven packaging stations that execute the processes required to fill and seal a carton. Each of the packaging stations is driven by one or more servomotors associated therewith. A plurality of servo amplifiers are connected to the servomotors to control the rotational movement of the servomotors thereby to effect control of the motion of the various components associated with each if the packaging stations. The packaging machine further includes at least two programmable devices connected for communication over a common bus. A programmable axis manager (PAM) is connected to control the plurality of servo amplifiers and, thus, the motion profiles of the servomotors and components of the respective processing station. A programmable logic controller (PLC) is connected to receive and transmit input/output signals associated with the plurality of packaging stations. The PAM and the PLC communicate data variable values over the common bus using predetermined fingerprints assigned to each variable value. Use of the fingerprint/variable value protocol allows high speed communication between the PLC and PAM thereby allowing the PLC and PAM to be viewed as a single control unit.

Control system for a packaging machine

Ultrasonic sealing apparatus, including at least one anvil and at least one transducer opposed to the anvil to transmit ultrasonic energy to a workpiece clamped between them, is disclosed. The anvil and sealing horn each are reciprocated between an open position allowing a carton to pass and a closed position for sealing a closure. A biasing element is connected between the anvil or the horn and its drive to define the sealing pressure developed between the anvil and the horn. The biasing force can be adjusted without stopping the machine, by using an externally applied pneumatic force. The anvil has a backing element, a facing member, a body, and a resilient pad separating the body from the facing member. The backing element has a curved front surface facing the transducer. The back surface of the anvil pad is curved similarly to and bears against the curved front surface of the backing element. A fastener is provided for selectively fixing the anvil pad and the backing element together or allowing the anvil pad to shift along the curved surface of the backing element for aligning the anvil with respect to the transducer. The apparatus may also include cooling fluid passages within the facing member and extending through the anvil body and the resilient pad for carrying fluid from the source of cooling fluid through the facing member of the anvil. A method for aligning the anvils and transducers of a ultrasonic sealing apparatus as described above is also disclosed.

Ultrasonic carton sealer

A packaging machine for manufacturing packaging containers for liquid contents, e.g., milk or juice, from tubular packaging container blanks of laminated paper and plastic material. The blanks are fed through the machine by means of a main conveyor along which is disposed various stations for performing operations such as sealing the bottom ends of the blanks to form bottom-sealed packaging containers, filling the bottom-sealed packaging containers, and top-sealing the filled containers. A station can also be provided to transfer blanks from an infeed conveyor located below the main convey to the main conveyor. The stations are jointly controlled but individually driven and replaceable, which makes for a flexible and compact machine.

Packaging machine

Growing community of inventors

Akarp, Sweden

Gunnar Drevfors