Description:The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The current invention relates to horizontal form fill seal machines. The present invention more particularly relates to horizontal form fill seal machines wherein the pouch forming section and the pouch filling section, both operate either in simplex mode or in duplex mode.

PRIOR ART AND THE PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED

Horizontal form fill seal machines to manufacture filled pouches have a pouch forming section and a pouch filling section. Pouches formed by the pouch forming section need to be transferred to the pouch filling section. Transfer of pouches is done by a pouch transfer mechanism. The pouch filling section and the pouch forming section, both are conventionally operated either in simplex mode or in duplex mode, whereby, one pouch is formed every cycle when both, the pouch forming section and the pouch filling section operate in simplex mode, and two pouches are formed every cycle when, both the pouch forming section and the pouch filling section operate in duplex mode. The time taken for producing filled pouches in the pouch filling section is more than the time taken for forming pouches in the pouch forming section. Therefore, the pouch forming section is underutilized and not operated at its full capacity. Conventionally, the production rate is made higher by making both the pouch filling section and the pouch forming section operate in duplex mode.

The pouch shuttle device in accordance with the present invention is cost effective, saves space, and provides for higher production rate with the pouch filling section operating in duplex mode and the pouch forming section operating in simplex mode.

US2010266372 (A1) discloses a modular pouch transfer system, in which a gripper means moves along a continued rotational cycle in one direction without reversal of direction, reducing stress on the drive components and gears, and providing smooth and reliable operation. The transfer gripper means opening and closing occurs during the rotational cycle. There is no stopping of the assembly during the clamping cycle to pick up the pouch as it occurs on the fly. The invention relates to pouch transfer mechanism for transferring pouches from bagging to filling section in cross direction and not in an inline movement. .

US2021316947 (A1) discloses a pouch feeding assembly with a conveyor lane which includes a conveyor operable to move pouches in a conveyance direction from the load end to the transfer end. A transfer subassembly includes a first transfer mechanism and a second transfer mechanism. The first transfer mechanism is configured to engage a lower face of a pouch, pull at least part of the pouch down through the pouch transfer window and transfer the pouch to an in-feed point of the second transfer mechanism. The disclosed invention relates to pouch feeding mechanism for transferring readymade pouches to filling section in cross direction and not in an inline movement.

WO2010002334A1 discloses an apparatus for filling packages of the collapsible type, comprising a first station and a second station, a transport unit for intermittent transport of said packages from the first station to the second station along a transport direction which extends between the first station and the second station, the transport unit being designed to transport the packages in a hanging position, and a swing-inhibiting unit which is designed to engage with said packages in order to counteract a swinging movement of the hanging packages during said transport, said swing-inhibiting unit being movable along said transport direction while the transport unit transports the packages. The swing-inhibiting unit is arranged separately from the transport unit. The disclosed invention is designed for collecting packages that have been brought to a collecting position for intermittent transport of the packages to respective stations from the first station to the second station and from the second station to the third station. The disclosed invention relates to handling of filled containers while indexing by providing bottom support and thereby avoiding swinging of container while moving.

There is a need for a horizontal form fill seal machine to be able to transfer for every cycle, two pouches from the pouch forming section to the pouch filling section.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to produce a significantly higher number of pouches produced by conventional horizontal form fill seal machines.
Another object of the present invention is to operate the pouch forming section of conventional horizontal form fill seal machines in simplex mode.
Further object of the present invention is to reduce the cost of production of pouches by significantly increasing the efficiency of horizontal form fill seal machines.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cost effective solution to the problem of operating both, the pouch forming section and the pouch filling section in duplex mode.
Additional advantage of the present invention is to provide space saving.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention discloses a pouch shuttle mechanism for a horizontal form fill seal machine. Typically, a horizontal form fill seal machine will have a pouch forming section and a pouch filling section. The pouch shuttle mechanism in accordance with the present invention is positioned between the pouch forming section and the pouch filling section of the horizontal form fill seal machine. The pouch forming section includes a knife and the pouch filling section includes a plurality of pouch transport units that are one-pitch apart from each other. The horizontal form fill seal machine includes a pouch transfer device that includes a rear pneumatically actuated gripper and a front pneumatically actuated gripper.

The pouch shuttle mechanism in accordance with the present invention has an upper shuttle that is driven by a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes either a servo motor or a servo linear motor. The upper shuttle is driven linearly by the drive mechanism on a linear guide rail between positions U1 and U2. The distance between positions U1 and U2 matches the one-pitch that the pouch transport units are apart by. The upper shuttle includes a pneumatically actuated gripper.

The pouch shuttle mechanism also has a lower shuttle that is driven by a drive mechanism which also includes either a servo motor or a servo linear motor. The lower shuttle is driven linearly on a linear guide rail between positions L1 and L2. The distance between positions L1 and L2 is twice the one-pitch that the pouch transport units are apart by. The lower shuttle includes a rear pneumatically actuated gripper and a front pneumatically actuated gripper.

When the upper shuttle begins movement from position U2 to U1, a first pouch formed by the pouch forming section is indexed such that when the upper shuttle reaches position U1, the first pouch is gripped by the pneumatically actuated gripper of the upper shuttle and then it is cut by the knife. At this time, the lower shuttle is at position L2.

When the upper shuttle begins movement from position U1 to U2 with the first pouch gripped by the pneumatically actuated gripper, the lower shuttle begins movement from position L2 to L1 with the rear pneumatically gripper and the front pneumatically actuated gripper open, and a second pouch formed by the pouch forming section is indexed such that when the lower shuttle reaches position L1, the second pouch is gripped by the rear pneumatically actuated gripper of the lower shuttle before it is cut by the knife. At this time, the upper shuttle reaches position U2 and its pneumatically actuated gripper releases the first pouch after the front pneumatically actuated gripper of the lower shuttle grips it.

When the lower shuttle reaches position L2 with the second pouch and the first pouch gripped by the rear pneumatically actuated gripper and the front pneumatically actuated gripper respectively, the upper shuttle reaches position U1 with its pneumatically actuated gripper open and a third pouch formed by the pouch forming section is indexed such that when the upper shuttle reaches position U1, the third pouch is gripped by its pneumatically actuated gripper before it is cut by the knife. At this time, the second pouch is released by the rear pneumatically actuated gripper of the lower shuttle after it is gripped by the rear pneumatically actuated gripper of the pouch transfer device and the first pouch is released by the front pneumatically actuated gripper of the lower shuttle after it is gripped by the front pneumatically actuated gripper of the pouch transfer device.

When the pouch transfer device takes away the second pouch and the first pouch towards the pouch filling section, the upper shuttle begins movement from position U1 to U2 with the third pouch gripped by the pneumatically actuated gripper and the lower shuttle begins movement from position L2 to L1 with the rear pneumatically actuated gripper and the front pneumatically actuated gripper open. At this time, the fourth pouch formed by the pouch forming section is indexed such that when the lower shuttle reaches position L1, the fourth pouch is gripped by the rear pneumatically actuated gripper of the lower shuttle before it is cut by the knife. At this time, the upper shuttle reaches position U2 and releases the third pouch after the front pneumatically actuated gripper of the lower shuttle grips it.

The cyclical movement of the upper shuttle between positions U1 and U2 gripping the next pouch from the pouch forming section and releasing it to be gripped by the front pneumatically actuated gripper of the lower shuttle which cyclically moves between positions L1 and L2 and gripping by the rear pneumatically actuated gripper the pouch after the said next pouch from the pouch forming section and releasing the pouch gripped by the rear pneumatically actuated gripper and the pouch gripped by the front pneumatically actuated gripper to the rear pneumatically actuated gripper and front pneumatically actuated gripper respectively, continues.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the pouch shuttle mechanism can transfer two pouches in two cycles from the pouch forming section in one cycle of pouch filling section in a way that the pouch forming section is operated in simplex mode and the pouch filling section is operated in duplex mode. This increases the production rate cost effectively for a horizontal form fill seal machine equipped with the pouch shuttle mechanism in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 shows side view of a horizontal form fill seal machine identifying the pouch forming section and the pouch filling section.

Fig. 2 shows the pouch shuttle mechanism in accordance with the present invention with the upper shuttle at position U2 and the lower shuttle at position L2.

Fig. 3 shows the pouch shuttle mechanism in accordance with the present invention with the upper shuttle at position U1 and its pneumatically actuated gripper gripping the third pouch; the lower shuttle at position L2 with the first pouch gripped by its front pneumatically actuated gripper and the second pouch gripped by its rear pneumatically actuated gripper; and the pouch transfer device in position to take away the first pouch and the second pouch towards the pouch filling section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention discloses a pouch shuttle mechanism (40) for a horizontal form fill seal machine (10). Fig. 1 shows side view of the horizontal form fill seal machine (10) identifying the pouch forming section (20) and the pouch filling section (30).

The pouch shuttle mechanism (40) in accordance with the present invention permits transfer of two pouches per cycle from the pouch forming section (20) to the pouch filling section (30).

Now, referring to Fig. 2, the upper shuttle (45) is shown at position U2. It can be driven between positions U1 and U2 linearly on linear guide (60). Positions U1 and U2 are one-pitch apart. Pouch transport units (not shown) of the pouch filling section are also one-pitch apart. The upper shuttle (45) has a pneumatically actuated gripper (50). Thus, when the upper shuttle (45) linearly moves along the linear guide (60), the pneumatically actuated gripper (50) also moves along with it, being part thereof.

Fig. 2 also shows the lower shuttle (65). It is shown at position L2. It can be driven between positions L1 and L2 linearly on linear guide (90). Positions L1 and L2 are two-pitch apart. Pouch transport units (not shown) of the pouch filling section (30) are one-pitch apart. The lower shuttle (65) has a rear pneumatically actuated gripper (70) and a front pneumatically actuated gripper (80). Thus, when the lower shuttle (65) linearly moves along the linear guide (90), the rear pneumatically actuated gripper (70) and the front pneumatically actuated gripper (80) also move along with it, being part thereof.

First pouch (100) formed by the pouch forming section (20) is shown in Fig. 2. When the upper shuttle (45) begins movement from position U2 to U1, the first pouch (100) formed by the pouch forming section (20) is indexed such that when the upper shuttle (45) reaches position U1, the first pouch (100) is gripped by the pneumatically actuated gripper (50) of the upper shuttle (45) and then it is cut by the knife (110). At this time, the lower shuttle (65) is at position L2.

When the upper shuttle (45) begins movement from position U1 to U2 with the first pouch (100) gripped by its pneumatically actuated gripper (50), the lower shuttle (65) begins movement from position L2 to L1 with the rear pneumatically gripper (70) and the front pneumatically actuated gripper (80) open. At this time, a second pouch (120) formed by the pouch forming section (20) is indexed such that when the lower shuttle (65) reaches position L1, the second pouch (120) is gripped by the rear pneumatically actuated gripper (70) of the lower shuttle (65) before it is cut by the knife (110). Simultaneously, the upper shuttle (45) reaches position U2 and its pneumatically actuated gripper (50) releases the first pouch (100) after the front pneumatically actuated gripper (70) of the lower shuttle (65) grips it.

As shown in Fig. 3, when the lower shuttle (65) reaches position L2 with the second pouch (120) and the first pouch (100) gripped by the rear pneumatically actuated gripper (70) and the front pneumatically actuated gripper (80) respectively, the upper shuttle (45) reaches position U1 with its pneumatically actuated gripper (50) open. A third pouch (130) formed by the pouch forming section (20) is indexed such that when the upper shuttle (45) reaches position U1 and the third pouch (130) is gripped by the pneumatically actuated gripper (50) before it is cut by the knife (110). At this time, the second pouch (120) is released by the rear pneumatically actuated gripper (70) of the lower shuttle (65) after it is gripped by the rear pneumatically actuated gripper (160) of the pouch transfer device (150) and the first pouch (100) is released by the front pneumatically actuated gripper (80) of the lower shuttle (65) after it is gripped by the front pneumatically actuated gripper (170) of the pouch transfer device (150).

When the pouch transfer device (150) takes away the second pouch (120) and the first pouch (100) towards the pouch filling section (30), the upper shuttle (45) begins movement from position U1 to U2 with the third pouch (130) gripped by its pneumatically actuated gripper (50). At this time, the lower shuttle (65) begins movement from position L2 to L1 with the rear pneumatically actuated gripper (70) and the front pneumatically actuated gripper (80) open. At this time, the fourth pouch (140) formed by the pouch forming section is indexed such that when the lower shuttle (65) reaches position L1, the fourth pouch (140) is gripped by the rear pneumatically actuated gripper (70) of the lower shuttle (65) before it is cut by the knife (110) and the upper shuttle (45) reaches position U2 and releases the third pouch (130) after the front pneumatically actuated gripper (80) of the lower shuttle (65) grips it.

The cycle is repeated as described hereinabove. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the pouch shuttle mechanism (40) can transfer two pouches per cycle instead of one and that allows the pouch forming section (20) to be operated at duplex mode instead of simplex mode. This significantly increases the output per cycle of a horizontal form fill seal machine equipped with the pouch shuttle mechanism (40) in accordance with the present invention.

BEST METHOD OF PERFORMING THE INVENTION

The method of performing the present invention is described in detail hereinabove and that is the best method of performing the present invention.

Dated this 10th day of September, 2025
, Claims:We Claim,

1. A pouch shuttle mechanism (40) for a horizontal form fill seal machine (10) positioned between a pouch forming section (20) and a pouch filling section (30) of the horizontal form fill seal machine (10); the pouch forming section (20) including a knife (110); the pouch filling section (30) including a plurality of pouch transport units that are one-pitch apart from each other; the horizontal form fill seal machine (10) including a pouch transfer device (150) that includes a rear pneumatically actuated gripper (160) and a front pneumatically actuated gripper (170);

the pouch shuttle mechanism (40) comprising

an upper shuttle (45) driven by a drive mechanism linearly on linear guide rail (60) between positions U1 and U2, the distance between which matches the one-pitch that the pouch transport units are apart by; the upper shuttle (45) includes a pneumatically actuated gripper (50); and

a lower shuttle (65) driven by a drive mechanism linearly on linear guide rail (90) between positions L1 and L2, the distance between which is twice the one-pitch that the pouch transport units are apart by; the lower shuttle (65) includes rear pneumatically actuated gripper (70) and a front pneumatically actuated gripper (80);

characterized in that

when the upper shuttle (45) begins movement from position U2 to U1, a first pouch (100) formed by the pouch forming section (20) is indexed such that when the upper shuttle (45) reaches position U1, the first pouch (100) is gripped by the pneumatically actuated gripper (50) before it is cut by the knife (110);

when the upper shuttle (45) begins movement from position U1 to U2 with the first pouch (100) gripped by the pneumatically actuated gripper (50), synchronously, the lower shuttle (65) begins movement from position L2 to L1 with the rear pneumatically actuated gripper (70) and a front pneumatically actuated gripper (80) open, and a second pouch (120) formed by the pouch forming section (20) is indexed such that when the lower shuttle (65) reaches position L1, the second pouch (120) is gripped by the rear pneumatically actuated gripper (70) before it is cut by the knife (110) and synchronously, the upper shuttle (45) reaches position U2 and the pneumatically actuated gripper (50) releases the pouch (100) after the front pneumatically actuated gripper (80) grips it;

when the lower shuttle (65) reaches position L2 with the second pouch (120) and the first pouch (100) gripped by the rear pneumatically actuated gripper (70) and the front pneumatically actuated gripper (80) respectively, synchronously, the upper shuttle (45) reaches position U1 with the pneumatically actuated gripper (50) open and a third pouch (130) formed by the pouch forming section (20) is indexed such that when the upper shuttle (45) reaches position U1, the third pouch (130) is gripped by the pneumatically actuated gripper (50) before it is cut by the knife (110) and synchronously, the second pouch (120) is released by the rear pneumatically actuated gripper (70) after it is gripped by the rear pneumatically actuated gripper (160) of the pouch transfer device (150) and synchronously, the first pouch (100) is released by the front pneumatically actuated gripper (80) after it is gripped by the front pneumatically actuated gripper (170) of the pouch transfer device (150);

when the pouch transfer device (150) takes away the second pouch (120) and the first pouch (100) towards the pouch filling section (30), synchronously, the upper shuttle (45) begins movement from position U1 to U2 with the pouch (130) gripped by the pneumatically actuated gripper (50), synchronously, the lower shuttle (65) begins movement from position L2 to L1 with the rear pneumatically actuated gripper (70) and the front pneumatically actuated gripper (80) open, and synchronously, the fourth pouch (140) formed by the pouch forming section (20) is indexed such that when the lower shuttle (65) reaches position L1, the fourth pouch (140) is gripped by the rear pneumatically actuated gripper (70) before it is cut by the knife (110) and synchronously, the upper shuttle (45) reaches position U2 and releases the third pouch (130) after the front pneumatically actuated gripper (80) grips it; and

the cyclical movement of the upper shuttle (45) between positions U1 and U2 gripping by the pneumatically actuated gripper (50) the next pouch from the pouch forming section (20) and releasing it to be gripped by the front pneumatically actuated gripper (80) of the lower shuttle (65) which cyclically moves between positions L1 and L2 and gripping by the rear pneumatically actuated gripper (70) the pouch after the said next pouch from the pouch forming section (20) and releasing the pouch gripped by the rear pneumatically actuated gripper (70) and the pouch gripped by the front pneumatically actuated gripper (80) to the rear pneumatically actuated gripper (160) and front pneumatically actuated gripper (170) respectively, continues.

2. The pouch shuttle mechanism (40) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper shuttle (45) is driven by a drive mechanism that includes a servo motor.

3. The pouch shuttle mechanism (40) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper shuttle (45) is driven by a drive mechanism that includes a servo linear motor.

4. The pouch shuttle mechanism (40) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lower shuttle (65) is driven by a drive mechanism that includes a servo motor.

5. The pouch shuttle mechanism (40) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lower shuttle (65) is driven by a drive mechanism that includes a servo linear motor.