Clamping devices for clamping die members onto web packaging machines

Abstract

A web packaging machine for forming a food product package from a lower web of packaging material and an upper web of packaging material includes a frame, a die member supported by the frame and configured to form or close the food product package, and a clamping device comprising a first end that is pivotally coupled to the frame and an opposite, second end that is configured to secure the die member to the frame. The clamping device is pivotable into and between a locked position in which the clamping device clamps the die member to the frame and an unlocked position in which the clamping device is pivoted away from the die member such that the die member can be moved relative to the frame.

1 . A web packaging machine for forming a food product package from a lower web of packaging material and an upper web of packaging material that are transported by a web transport conveyor, the web packaging machine comprising:
 a frame;   a die member supported by the frame and configured to form or close the food product package; and   a clamping device comprising a first end that is pivotally coupled to the frame and an opposite, second end that is configured to secure the die member to the frame, wherein the clamping device is pivotable into and between a locked position in which the clamping device clamps the die member to the frame and an unlocked position in which the clamping device is pivoted away from the die member such that the die member can be moved relative to the frame.   
     
     
         2 . The web packaging machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the die member has a top surface and wherein the clamping device clamps onto the top surface in the locked position. 
     
     
         3 . The web packaging machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the second end of the clamping device has a tightening mechanism that tightens the die member onto the frame. 
     
     
         4 . The web packaging machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the second end comprises screw threads and wherein the tightening mechanism is a threaded handle that is configured to engage with the screw threads of the second end to thereby tighten the die member onto the frame. 
     
     
         5 . The web packaging machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the die member has a slot configured to receive the clamping device when the clamping device is moved into the locked position. 
     
     
         6 . The web packaging machine according to  claim 5 , wherein the die member has a flange in which the slot is defined. 
     
     
         7 . The web packaging machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the frame defines a cutout that is aligned with the slot, wherein the clamping device moves in the cutout and the slot as the clamping device is pivoted. 
     
     
         8 . The web packaging machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the clamping device is one of a plurality of clamping devices, and further comprising a pivot rod coupled to and extending between the plurality of clamping devices such that the plurality of clamping devices simultaneously pivot into and between the locked position and the unlocked position. 
     
     
         9 . The web packaging machine according to  claim 8 , wherein each clamping device of the plurality of clamping devices has a first end coupled to the pivot rod, and wherein the plurality of clamping devices pivot about the pivot rod. 
     
     
         10 . A web packaging machine for forming a food product package from a lower web of packaging material and an upper web of packaging material that are transported by a web transport conveyor, the web packaging machine comprising:
 a frame;   a die member supported by the frame and configured to form or close the food product package;   a first clamping device comprising a first end pivotally coupled to the frame and an opposite, second end configured to secure the die member to the frame, wherein the first clamping device is pivotable into and between a locked position in which the first clamping device clamps the die member to the frame and an unlocked position in which the first clamping device is pivoted away from the die member;   a second clamping device comprising a first end pivotally coupled to the frame and an opposite, second end configured to clamp the die member to the frame, wherein the second clamping device is pivotable into and between a locked position in which the second clamping device clamps the die member to the frame and an unlocked position in which the first clamping device is pivoted away from the die member; and   a pivot rod coupled to and extending between the first and second clamping devices such that the first and second clamping devices simultaneously pivot into and between the locked positions and the unlocked positions.   
     
     
         11 . The web packaging machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the die member has a top surface; and wherein the first clamping device and the second clamping device clamp onto the top surface when the first and second clamping devices are each in the locked position. 
     
     
         12 . The web packaging machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the second ends of the clamping devices each have a tightening mechanism configured to tighten the die member onto the frame. 
     
     
         13 . The web packaging machine according to  claim 12 , wherein the second ends comprise screw threads and wherein the tightening mechanisms are threaded handles each configured to engage with the screw threads of the second ends to thereby tighten the die member onto the frame. 
     
     
         14 . The web packaging machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the die member has a first slot configured to receive the first clamping device when the first clamping device is in the locked position and a second slot configured to receive the second clamping device when the second clamping device is in the locked position. 
     
     
         15 . The web packaging machine according to  claim 14 , wherein the die member has a flange in which the first slot and the second slot are defined. 
     
     
         16 . The web packaging machine according to  claim 15 , wherein the frame defines a first cutout that is aligned with the first slot and a second cutout that is aligned with the second slot, wherein the first clamping device moves into the first cutout and the first slot as the first clamping device pivots, and wherein the second clamping device moves in the second cutout and the second slot as the second clamping device pivots. 
     
     
         17 . A web packaging machine for forming a food product package from a lower web of packaging material and an upper web of packaging material that are transported by a web transport conveyor, the web packaging machine comprising:
 a frame that defines a cutout;   a die member supported by the frame and configured to form or close the food product package, the die member having a slot that is aligned with the cutout;   a clamping device comprising a first end that is pivotally coupled to the frame and an opposite, second end that is configured to secure the die member to the frame, wherein the clamping device is pivotable into and between a locked position in which the clamping device is received in the slot and clamps the die member to the frame and an unlocked position in which the clamping device is pivoted away from the die member such that the die member can be moved relative to the frame, and wherein the clamping device moves in the cutout as the clamping device is pivoted.   
     
     
         18 . The web packaging machine according to  claim 17 , wherein the die member has a flange in which the slot is defined. 
     
     
         19 . The web packaging machine according to  claim 18 , wherein the die member has a top surface and wherein the clamping device clamps onto the top surface in the locked position. 
     
     
         20 . The web packaging machine according to  claim 17 , wherein the clamping device is one of a plurality of clamping devices, and further comprising a pivot rod coupled to and extending between the plurality of clamping devices such that the plurality of clamping devices simultaneously pivot into and between the locked positions and the unlocked positions.