EP0856467A2 - Method and device for joining and assembling container blanks and block-shaped article groups - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to the production of hinged lid packs for cigarettes, the box blanks of which are combined with block-shaped, foil-wrapped cigarette groups and are closed by successive folding processes. The goal is to make production more rational and effective. This is achieved by using a folding plate (22) which rotates intermittently around a vertical axis (23) and which has receiving platforms (29) and receiving pockets (24) on the top, with box blanks (1) fitted at a support station with head sections oriented towards the axis of rotation (23). is provided, which interact at a first union and folding station (S2) in the vertical direction with receiving pockets (27) of an overlapping turntable (26) while performing folding operations, in which further folding operations are carried out at a second folding station (S3) and from which cigarette groups provided with box blanks are radially ejected at a delivery station (S4) for the purpose of gluing. In this way, a relatively small packaging device is obtained. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a method for merging and merging of box blanks and block-shaped wrapped with an inner wrap Item groups, especially cigarette groups, which are intermittently relative are brought into a union position with each other.

The invention also relates to a device for merging and Joining box blanks and with an inside wrap encased block-shaped article groups, in particular cigarette groups, with the mentioned components separately and step by step to a common union station transferring funding.

Box blanks of the type mentioned at the beginning are used for the production of Cardboard hard packs in the form of hinged boxes, so-called hinged lid packs, for cigarettes. You will see the contents of the pack in the form of a an inner blank made of tinfoil or another foil wrapped cigarette block to a box part and one in the area of a rear wall of the Part of the hinged lid folded around.

The invention has for its object the effectiveness of such methods and devices, in particular in connection with a multi-lane or to increase double-lane packaging line.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the box blanks of the components to be connected, which are conveyed together in cycles along a uniform conveying path, are folded around the article groups in a maximum of three standstill positions linked by conveying steps apart from outer glued side tabs of the box blank forming a package closure.
According to a preferred procedure, all the cut parts apart from the outer side tabs are folded around the article group in two standstill positions linked to one another by a conveying step.
According to a further proposal, particularly short and thus also time-saving transport and transfer routes result from the fact that the box blanks and article groups to be connected to one another are positioned one above the other on two partially overlapping horizontal rotation levels, brought together by means of a vertical transfer stroke on the lower rotation level and together radially from this be removed.
An optimized procedure, which is particularly predestined for two-lane processing, is that the box blanks provided with a folded-over inner lid flap are positioned with their head end aligned with the center of rotation of the lower plane of rotation.
According to a further proposal, a measure that prepares and facilitates the actual folding operations is that when the box blanks are positioned on the lower plane of rotation, inner top wall tabs of the box blanks are bent upward or broken open.
According to the proposal, further measures which prepare and facilitate the folding operations consist in that in a first common folding position of the components, the box blank is raised to the plane of rotation of the article group and its inner side tabs are pre-folded with inner bottom wall tabs and top lid wall with inner top lid tabs, and that the box blank and the item group are together transferred to the lower rotation level and the top cover wall, inner side tabs and inner bottom wall tabs are applied to the article group.

To complete the majority of the folding operations, it is further proposed that in a second common folding position of the components, the bottom wall, front wall and front lid wall of the box blank are placed against the article groups.
In order to facilitate the manufacture of the box bottom, it is also provided that the inner bottom wall tabs are fixed to the article group and then released again when the bottom and front walls are folded up.
To complete the outer wrapping of the article groups, it is also expedient if the assembled components are transferred in a transfer position in the radial direction from the plane of rotation into a gluing section for the protruding side tabs of the box blank.

The device for carrying out the method described at the outset exists in that the components feeding the box blanks or the combined components funding a maximum of three through conveyor sections with each other connected as well as the folding of external glued, one Side flaps forming the package seal all folds of the box blank have executing folding stations.

A preferred and optimized embodiment consists in the fact that the conveying means has two folding stations, which - in relation to its conveying direction - are assigned a cutting support station upstream and a delivery station downstream for the assembled components.
According to a further proposal, a particularly compact design with short conveying paths or transfer strokes consists in the fact that the conveying means are designed as rotating plates, which are provided with receiving pockets and which overlap in the area of the union station designed as the first folding station, the receiving pockets of the Fold the lower turntable having folding stations in the area of the union station on the upper side with the receiving pockets of the upper turntable and have radial discharge openings on the outside in the area of the delivery station.

According to a further proposal, an optimal starting position for the box blanks, in particular with regard to a two-lane packaging line, is achieved in that the lower turntable is equipped with receiving platforms which extend above the receiving pockets and the box blanks with the head end aligned with the axis of rotation.
An exact position or a defined orientation of the box blanks relative to the article groups at the respective folding stations is possible according to a further development in that the receiving platforms are provided with suction openings fixing the box blanks and side holders.
To prepare and facilitate the folds in the head or lid area, a further development provides that the receiving platforms are provided with elevations extending parallel to the fold line of inner lid upper wall tabs of the box blanks, as a result of which the wall parts mentioned are broken.
An advantageous embodiment, which integrates or combines folding, transferring or merging operations, consists in the fact that the rotating plates in the area of the first folding station can be moved together and / or relative to one another through the plane of the receiving platform or the receiving pockets of the lower rotating plate Lower plungers are assigned, of which the inner plunger including the inner lower plunger aligned with the cut-out back wall interacts with the front and side edges of the receiving pockets of the upper rotary plate and is fitted with lugs that act on the upper lid flaps.
According to a further feature, the lower tappet is assigned an upper tappet which can be lowered in opposite or synchronous fashion. In this way, a secure transfer including exact foldings and at the same time the exact positioning of a so-called collar on the cigarette block is guaranteed.
In order to support the free end of the box blank when transferring and uniting the components, auxiliary guides synchronized with the lowering movement of the lower and upper rams are provided.
In order to be able to fold around the free end of the box blank unhindered, the lower turntable is provided on both sides of the receiving pockets with inner bottom wall tabs of the bottom of the box blank, which at the same time ensure the radial holding of the cigarette blocks during a conveying cycle of the turntable.
A simultaneous folding of the box bottom and box front wall with immediately following lid folding is possible according to one embodiment in that the bottom turntable in the area of the second folding station is assigned a bottom folder which can be pivoted along a coupling curve and a head folder which is rotatable about an axis and has two folding heads.
An interim secure fixation of the bottom and front wall can be achieved in that the bottom folder has an impact stamp acting on the front wall of the blank and a holding stamp acting on the bottom wall of the blank.

This facilitates the subsequent gluing of the protruding side tabs Characteristic is that the lower turntable in the area of the delivery station a longitudinal conveyor aligned radially to the axis of the turntable is.

The advantage achieved with the invention is the combination or simultaneous Execution of numerous folding operations and associated implementation a relatively small folding plate as well as a relatively short one vertical transfer strokes. This results in less effort Realization of a double lane packaging facility.

The invention is illustrated below with reference to the accompanying figures illustrated embodiment explained in more detail.

Figur 1

eine Draufsicht auf Förder- und Faltorgane einer doppelbahnig arbeitenden Verpackungseinrichtung für Zigaretten,

Figuren 2a bzw. 2b -2f bzw. 2g bzw. 2h, 2i bzw. 2j

unterschiedliche Arbeitsstellungen von Teilen der Förder- und Faltorgane entlang der Linien A-A bzw. B-B bzw. C-C bzw. D-D bzw. E-E gemäß Figur 1,

Figuren 3a - 3e

unterschiedliche Arbeitsstellungen von zwei die Boden- und Kopffaltungen ausführenden Faltorganen,

Figur 4

Führungs- und Antriebsorgane der Faltorgane gemäß Figur 3,

Figur 5a

eine Draufsicht auf einen ungefalteten Schachtelzuschnitt und

Figuren 5b - 5i

unterschiedliche in den Arbeitsstellungen der Faltorgane gemäß den Figuren 2a bis 2j erzeugte Faltzustände eines Schachtelzuschnitts.

Here show:

Figure 1

a plan view of conveyor and folding elements of a double-lane packaging device for cigarettes,

Figures 2a or 2b -2f or 2g or 2h, 2i or 2j

different working positions of parts of the conveying and folding elements along the lines AA or BB or CC or DD or EE according to FIG. 1,

Figures 3a - 3e

different working positions of two folding organs that make the bottom and top folds,

Figure 4

Guiding and driving elements of the folding elements according to FIG. 3,

Figure 5a

a plan view of an unfolded box blank and

Figures 5b - 5i

different folding states of a box blank produced in the working positions of the folding members according to FIGS. 2a to 2j.

A box blank 1 shown in FIG. 5a, also referred to as a blank, serves in the form of a hinged lid pack for the outer wrapping of a block-shaped cigarette group 4 according to FIG. 2b provided with an inner wrapping film 2 and a collar 3.
In its central region, the box blank 1 is composed of an inner lid flap 6, a front lid wall 7, an upper lid wall 8, a rear lid wall 9, a rear wall 11, a bottom wall 12 and a front wall 13, and on both sides of the above-mentioned box parts made of outer lid side tabs 14, inner top lid flaps 16 , inner lid side tabs 17, inside side tabs 18, inner bottom wall tabs 19 and outside tabs 21 together.
The individual blank walls or blanking flaps are connected to one another by pre-embossed fold lines shown in broken lines and provided with punched-out dividing lines shown as solid lines.

According to FIG. 1, the device for packaging the cigarette groups 4 has a conveying means in the form of a lower turntable 22, which can be driven to rotate step-wise around a vertical axis 23 and is four-fold in each case equipped with receiving pockets 24 in a double arrangement. According to FIG. 2b, the turntable 22 interacts with a conveyor in the form of an upper turntable 26, which partially overlaps the lower turntable 22 and is also in a double arrangement with receiving pockets 27 that can be shut off by support slides 25 and can also be driven in a rotating manner about a vertical axis 28.
The respective standstill positions of the turntable 22 correspond to a first station in the form of a support station S1, a second station in the form of a merging and folding station S2, a third station in the form of a second folding station S3 and a fourth station in the form of a delivery station S4, each through Conveyor sections F1 to F3 are interconnected.
1 and 2a, the turntable 22 is also equipped in the area and above the receiving pockets 24 with a receiving platform 29 for the box blanks 1, into which suction openings 31 open to fix the box blanks 1 and which to secure the position of the box blanks 1 to one another during the rotation of the plate offset side holder 32, 33 are assigned. The receiving platform 29 is also provided with strip-shaped elevations 34. In addition, the turntable 22 is equipped with bottom holders 36 which are arranged on both sides of the receiving pockets 24 and are each fastened to a lever 38 which can be pivoted about an axis 37.

In addition, according to FIG. 2a, fixed inner and outer underpasses 39 and 41 extend in the area of the support station S1 of the turntable 22 in the plane of the receiving platform 29 to stabilize the blank 1 when pivoting.
A further stationary underpass 42 and stationary top guides 43, 44 and 46 extend according to FIG. 1 in the conveying section F1 between the support station S1 and the merging or first folding station S2.
In the area of the first folding station S2, the lower turntable 22 or the overlapping upper turntable 26 according to FIGS. 2b to 2f is assigned an outer folding tappet 47 and an inner lower tappet 48 on the underside, which together or relative to one another through the plane of the receiving platform 29 or the receiving pockets 24 of the lower turntable 22 can be moved through. The folding plunger 47 is provided with upper lugs 49.
The lower plunger 48 is assigned an upper plunger 51 which can be lowered in opposite or synchronous fashion.
In addition, auxiliary guides 52, 53, which are synchronized with the lowering movement of folding and lower plungers 47, 48 and are arranged one above the other with a small spacing, are provided for the blanks 1 at the folding station S2.

In the conveyor section F2 between the first folding station S2 and the second folding station S3, an upper guide 54 and an underpass 56 extend.

The turntable 22 according to FIGS. 3 is in the area of the second folding station S3 and FIG. 4 shows a floor folder 58 which can be pivoted along a coupling curve 57, and also a an axis 59 rotatable head folder 61 assigned. To generate the coupling curve 57 is the bottom folder 58 according to FIG. 4 with a stationary axis 62 to and fro pivoting steering lever 63 and articulated with a push rod 64, which in turn is articulated at the free end of a stationary axis 66 pivotable lever 67 is attached.

The bottom folder 58 has an impact stamp 68 and a holding stamp 69 and the top folder 61 has two folding heads 71 and 72. Cam discs, not shown, are provided as drive means for the bottom folder 58.
1, 73 and 74 denote under- and top guides and 76 and 77 top guides in the conveying section F3, which extend into the delivery station S4 according to FIG. 2j.
In the area of the delivery station S4, the rotary table 22 according to FIG. 2j is assigned a longitudinal conveyor 78 which is aligned radially to the axis 23 of the rotary table 22 in the form of a toothed belt 81 which is equipped with cams 79.

The packaging device works as follows:
According to FIGS. 1 and 2a, box blanks 1 are transferred in a standstill position of the turntable 22 on its receiving platform 29 in the support station S1 in such a way that they are aligned with their already flipped inner tabs 6 towards the axis of rotation 23 of the turntable 22, whereby they pass through the suction openings 31 suction air is fixed and kept tied between the adjacent side brackets 32 and 33. Through the elevations 34 of the receiving platform 29, the inner top wall tabs 16 are broken into the later interior of the box. This state of the box blank 1 is shown in Figure 5b.
Subsequently, the box blank 1 is conveyed on the conveying section S1 by a conveying cycle of the turntable 22 to the union or folding station S2, the upper turntable 26 simultaneously wrapping film 2 and provided with pre-positioned collar 3 cigarette groups 4 being transferred to the folding station S2. The receiving pockets 27 and the receiving pockets 24 of the two turntables 26 and 22 assume an aligned position according to FIG. 2b.
According to FIG. 2c, the folding plunger 47 and the lower plunger 48 travel upwards together, while the upper plunger 51 is placed on the cigarette group 4. On the one hand, the box blank 1 is pressed with its rear wall 11 from below onto the cigarette group 4 and, on the other hand, the collar 3 is pressed onto the cigarette group 4 from above. The lugs 49 of the folding plunger 47 further raise the inner top wall tabs 16 according to FIG. 5c.
The folding plunger 47, which according to FIG. 2d then moves further upward relative to the lower plunger 48, causes the front lid wall 7, the upper lid wall 8 and the inner lid side wall tabs 17 and the inner side tabs 18 with attached inner bottom wall tabs 19 at the edges of the receiving pockets, as shown in FIG 27 of the upper turntable 26 pre-folded. During these operations, the support slide 25 was moved back into the position according to FIG. 2d and the outlet opening on the underside of the receiving pocket 27 of the turntable 26 was thus released.
Subsequently, according to FIG. 2e, cigarette group 4 with collar 3 and box blank 1 are transferred into the receiving pocket 24 of the lower turntable 22 by a common downward stroke of the lower and upper tappets 48, 51, the aforementioned pre-folded blank parts being folded up to 90 ° according to FIG. 5e. The auxiliary guides 52, 53, which are simultaneously lowered, move the free cutting end synchronously downwards.

According to FIG. 2f, the floor holders 36 on both sides then close and fold the inner bottom wall flaps 19 inward according to FIG. 5f against the end face of the cigarette group 4. All the plungers 47, 48 and 51 are then withdrawn from the area of the turntables 22, 26, so that the turntable 22 can continue to rotate by one cycle on the conveyor section F2 according to FIG. 2g.
The cigarette groups 4 and the box blanks 1 guided with their free end between the upper and lower passages 54, 56 thus reach the folding station S3 according to FIG. 2h. Here the free end of the box blank 1 with the bottom wall 12 and the front wall 13 is first folded up by means of the bottom folder 58 according to FIGS. 3a, 3b, the bottom holders 36 serving as a folding edge according to FIG. 2h. This folded state is shown in Figure 5g.

Then the bottom holders 36 open and the fold is folded over by the impact stamp 68 of the bottom folder 58 pressing the front wall 13 and its holding stamp 69 pressing the bottom wall 12 against the cigarette group 4. This state is illustrated in Figures 2i, 3c and 5h.
The bottom holders 36 then return to their closed position according to FIG. 2i and the lid front wall 7 is folded over by the folding head 72 of the head folder 61 according to FIGS. 3d and 5i, both folds according to FIG. 3e are held closed by the head folder 61 and the bottom folder 58 is pivoted back into its starting position .
The next conveying cycle of the turntable 22 thus begins, the locking of the folds on the conveying section F3 up to the delivery station S4 being carried out by the upper guides 76, 77.
When the turntable 22 has completed its 90 ° rotation, the head folder 61 continues to rotate until the next folding by means of its folding head 71, ie it makes a rotation of 180 ° for each conveying cycle.
The cigarette group 4, with the side tabs 14 and 21 protruding according to FIG. 5i, arrives at the delivery station S4, at which a cam 79 of the toothed belt 81 according to FIG. 2j the radial longitudinal extension of the cigarette group 4 from the laterally open receiving pocket 24 of the turntable 22 or the transfer into a gluing line, not shown, takes over.

Claims (22)

Method for merging and joining box blanks and block-shaped article groups encased with an inner wrap, especially cigarette groups, which intermittently relative to each other in one Union position are transferred, characterized in that the box blanks (1) the one to be joined together along a uniform Conveyor line components (1, 4) conveyed in cycles in a maximum of three Funding steps linked to each other standstill positions except for one Glued side tabs (14, 21) of the box blank forming a package seal to be folded around the article groups. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that except for the outer side tabs (14, 21) all cut parts in two by a conveying step linked standstill positions around the article group (4) be folded around. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the together box blanks (1) and article groups (4) to be joined on two overlapping horizontal overlap planes of rotation positioned by vertical transfer stroke on the lower rotation plane brought together and radially removed from this. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the with a folded inner flaps (6) provided box blanks (1) with their head end aligned with the center of rotation of the lower plane of rotation be positioned. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the Positioning of the box blanks (1) on the lower inner plane of rotation Top wall tabs (16) of the box blanks bent up or broken will. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that in a first common folding position of the components (1, 4) of the box blank (1) raised the plane of rotation of the article group (4) while lapping its inside lobes (18) with inner bottom wall tabs (19) and top wall (8) with inner lid top tabs (16) are pre-folded, and that the box blank and jointly transferred the article group to the lower rotation level and the top wall of the lid, the inside tabs and the inside bottom tabs be created to the article group. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that in a second common folding position of the components (1, 4) successively bottom wall (12), Front wall (13) and front lid wall (7) of the box blank (1) to the Article group (4) can be created. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that during the Folding up the bottom and front wall (12, 13) the inner bottom wall tabs (19) fixed to the article group (4) and then released again. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the joined Components (1, 4) in a transfer position in the radial direction from the plane of rotation into a gluing line for the protruding side tabs (14, 21) of the box blank (1) are transferred. Device for merging and assembling box blanks and block-shaped article groups encased with an inner wrap, especially cigarette groups, with the components mentioned separately and funding gradually transferring to a common union station, characterized in that the one feeding the box blanks (1) or the combined components (1, 4) transporting conveying means (22) maximum three connected by conveyor sections (F1 to F3) and up to the folding of outer glued side flaps forming a package seal (14, 21) all folding stations performing the folding of the box blank (S2 to S4). Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the funding (22) has two folding stations (S2, S3), which - based on its conveying direction - Upstream of a blanking support station (S1) and downstream of a delivery station (S4) for the assembled components (1, 4) are assigned. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the Funding means (22, 26) as rotating around vertical axes (23; 28) with receiving pockets (24; 27) provided turntables are formed, which in the area of the first folding station (S2) formed overlap, the receiving pockets (24) of the lower turntable having the folding stations (S2, S3) (22) in the area of the union station (S2) on the top with the receiving pockets (27) of the upper turntable (26) are aligned and in the area of the delivery station (S4) have radial discharge openings on the outside. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the lower Turntable (22) with the receiving pockets (24) extending Align the box blanks (1) with the head end to the axis of rotation (23) Recording platforms (29) is equipped. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the receiving platforms (29) with suction openings (31) fixing the box blanks (1) and side brackets (32, 33) are provided. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the receiving platforms (29) with themselves parallel to the fold line of inner lid top flaps (16) of the box blanks (1) extending elevations (34) are provided. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the turntables (22, 26) in the area of the first folding station (S2) together or relatively to each other through the plane of the receiving platform (29) or the receiving pockets (24) of the lower turntable (22) movable folding and lower plunger (47, 48) are assigned, of which the inner, with the blank rear wall (11) aligned lower plunger (48) including folding plunger (47) with front and Side edges of the receiving pockets (27) of the upper turntable (26) cooperate and with lugs acting on the inner top wall tabs (16) (49) is busy. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that the lower plunger (48) is assigned an upper plunger (51) which can be lowered in opposite or synchronous fashion is. Apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that with the lowering movement of the lower and upper tappets (48, 51) synchronized auxiliary guides (52, 53) are provided. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the lower one Turntable (22) on both sides of the receiving pockets (24) with inner bottom wall tabs (19) of the box blank (1) acting on the bottom holders (36). Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the lower Turntable (22) in the area of the second folding station (S3) along a coupling curve (57) pivotable floor folder (58) and a rotatable about an axis (59), with two folding heads (71, 72) occupied head folder (61). Device according to claim 20, characterized in that the floor moth (58) an impact stamp acting on the front wall of the blank (13) (68) and a holding stamp (69) acting on the blank bottom wall (12) having. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the lower Turntable (22) in the area of the delivery station (S4) radially to the axis (23) of the Rotary plate aligned longitudinal conveyor (78) is assigned.

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