AU2008229684A1 - Device and method for packaging flat articles conveyed in a conveying stream - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a conveying device (24) for conveying the flat articles (10) in a conveying direction (F). A processing section (16) produces partially closed envelope (20) out of packaging material. An onward conveying device (26) conveys enveloped products in a continuous conveying stream. A transfer device (28) located downstream of the processing section removes empty envelopes (22) produced without the inclusion of an article from the conveying stream. An independent claim is included for method for packaging flat articles conveyed in a conveying stream.

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant (s): FERAG AG Invention Title: Device and method for packaging flat articles conveyed in a conveying stream The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: P78998AU PatSetFitng Appicaton 2008.9.28.doc (M) - 2 DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PACKAGING FLAT ARTICLES CONVEYED IN A CONVEYING STREAM The invention is related to the field of materials 5 handling and packaging technology and concerns a device and a method for packaging flat articles conveyed in a conveying stream. The device according to embodiments of the invention serves for the packaging of flat articles, for example, of individual printed products, of stack 10 shaped groups of printed products or of stack-shaped groups of printed products and other flat articles, such as, for example, CDs, flat sample articles or flat sample bags. From EP-A 0 712 782 or WO 2005/118402, for example, 15 it is known how to pack flat articles of the type mentioned above with the help of a so-to-say endless packaging material web , e.g., a plastic foil or paper web fed-in from a roll. In doing so, at least one packing material web is placed around articles being conveyed in a 20 row one after the other and at a distance from one another, or at least one packaging material web is fed-in on both sides to a row of this kind. Thereupon the packaging material web is closed transverse to the longitudinal direction with transverse seams between two 25 successive articles respectively. Possibly in longitudinal direction on the top of the row or at its side longitudinal seams are also produced. In this manner the articles are enclosed by a closed - or only open in longitudinal direction envelope of packaging material. The 30 enveloped articles, resp., the envelopes are normally separated immediately after the establishment of the transverse seams or simultaneously with it. In case of the utilisation of plastic foil as packaging material, the longitudinal, resp., transverse 35 seams are normally produced by welding, wherein it is possible, that the separation of the packaged articles is N:\Melbourne\Case\Patent\78000-78999\P78998.AU\Speco\P78998.AU GH .peci.doc 29/09/08 - 3 carried out simultaneously to the establishment of the transverse seams. In case of the utilisation of paper as packaging material, for example, immediately before the feeding-in of the packaging material web to the row of the 5 articles to be packed at the points of the longitudinal -, resp., transverse seams an adhesive activatable by heat is able to be applied to the packaging material, so that the seams then are capable by being established with similar means to the welded seams on plastic material packagings. 10 It is also possible to close the seams by means of embossing or by other known methods known and adapted to the packaging material. For such processing operations like welding, gluing, etc., printed articles are conveyed in conveying streams 15 to a processing station and conveyed onwards from it again. The processing station advantageously is equipped in such a manner, that the conveying of the packaged articles does not have to be interrupted for the processing, but rather is able to be operated 20 continuously. A problem in case of such devices with articles continuously conveyed in a conveying stream without any intermediate storage are the envelopes of packaging material, which because of a deficient supply remain 25 empty, for example, when in a regular row of continuously supplied products one or several products are missing (gap). In this case, it is possible, that by transverse connections in the material web or in another manner envelopes are produced, which do not contain a product 30 (empty envelope). The empty envelope is capable of disrupting the onward conveyance and the further processing of the enveloped articles, for example, if it because of the size - and weight differences is not gripped by the onward conveyor. This is particularly 35 applicable in case of high processing - and conveying speeds of several thousand copies per hour, such as occur N:\Melbourne\Caea\Patent\78000-78999\P78998.AU\Specio\P78998.AU GH speci.doc 29/09/08 -4 in the processing of printed products. Here there is the increasing tendency to also protect printed products such as newspapers and magazines with a foil envelope. The invention is based on the objective of making 5 available a device and a method for the packaging of articles with a web of material, wherein empty envelopes are not capable of disrupting the further processing of the articles. The invention provides a device for packaging flat 10 articles conveyed in a conveying stream, in particular printed products, with a packaging material, comprising: a conveying device for conveying the flat articles in a conveying direction; a processing means for producing at least partially 15 closed envelopes out of packaging material; an onward conveying device for conveying onward articles enveloped by envelopes out of packaging material; further comprising a transfer device located downstream of the processing means, which is capable of removing from 20 the conveying stream empty envelopes produced without the inclusion of an article. Thus in accordance with embodiments of the invention, downstream of the processing means an outward transfer (removal) device is located. This is capable of 25 removing empty envelopes not containing a product from the conveying stream. The empty envelopes are then able to be collected outside the conveying stream and disposed of. While the conveying stream after the removal of the empty envelope has a gap, in contrast to an empty envelope, 30 however, this gap does not represent a danger of disruption of the further processing and conveying. The gap in the conveying stream is able to be closed again by evening out. Designated as conveying stream is the totality of 35 all articles, which are transported by the conveying N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\7000-78999\P78998.AU\Specis\P78998.AU GH speci.do 29/09/06 - 5 device, resp., the onward conveying device, resp., the spatial zone covered by them during the transportation. It is limited in downwards direction by the conveying support, e.g., the conveyor belt of the feeding device, 5 resp., the conveying plane defined by it. By deflecting from the conveying stream it is understood, that the empty envelopes are moved in such a manner, that their bottom side at least partially is not anymore in the conveying plane. Preferably, but not limited to, the envelopes are 10 pushed upwards. The conveying device in preference also transports a quasi endless packaging material web . In preference it is a belt conveyor. The articles preferably are arranged in the packaging material web or between two packaging 15 material webs in such a manner, that they are covered by packaging material on both sides. The packaging material web, resp., a part of it, for this purpose is lying on the belt of the conveyor belt. On it there are the products, which in turn are covered with the packaging material from 20 above. With a processing means, e.g., a welding element, transverse connections between an upper zone and a lower zone of the packaging material web are established, in order to produce a closed envelope of packaging material at least at a leading edge as well as at a trailing edge 25 and to enclose and protect the product in this manner. The onward conveying device serves to convey onwards articles enclosed by such envelopes of packaging material; it is also possible that it is a component part of the above mentioned conveying device. 30 The conveying device may also be capable of serving as counter tool for the processing means, or else it is also possible, that there are counter tools moved synchronous with the processing means. The processing means is moved up and down or also along a bent closed 35 circulating track, for example, by being fixed to a rigid body or moved along rails. For producing transverse N:\Melboure\Caoeo\Patent\78000-78999\P899.AU\Specis\P78990.AU GH speci.doc 29/09/09 - 6 connections in a plastic foil, in preference a welding element, such as described, e.g., in WO 2005/118402 is utilised. The transfer device may be able to grip and to 5 remove the empty envelopes from the conveying stream, for example, by means of a movable mechanical element, which is controlled in a suitable manner. In a preferred further development of the invention, the outward transfer device, however, only comprises 10 construction elements arranged in a stationary way and does without movable parts. In preference these construction elements comprise suction and/or blowing devices, which operate continuously and/or in a controlled manner. With this, it is possible to realise shorter 15 reaction times. As a result, a complicated mechanism and the driving of moving parts become unnecessary, which otherwise would be necessary for implementing the required as short as possible reaction time (immersion into the conveying stream, gripping the empty envelope, removal of 20 the envelope from the conveying stream, return to the starting position) of a moving mechanical element. In preference the transfer device comprises a suction device, with which the empty envelopes are sucked from the conveying stream, e.g. in the manner of a vacuum 25 cleaner. The suction device preferably is operated continuously, wherein its suction power is such, that only empty envelopes are sucked up and transported away, not, however, those containing an article. The sucked up empty envelopes are in preference collected in a collecting 30 basket in such a manner, that the suction power of the suction device is not impaired. As an alternative, the sucking up may only take place when an empty envelope is present. Alternative to or in addition to the sucking up, 35 empty envelopes in preference are deflected from the conveying stream with compressed air. By using compressed N:\Melboure\Ce\Patent\29000-78999\P78998.AU\Spci\P78998.AU GH apeci.doc 29/09/08 -7 air, individual envelopes are able to be specifically influenced, wherein nonetheless one is able to do without movable mechanical components, which have to be accelerated. The removed envelopes thereupon in 5 preference, but not imperatively, are able to be sucked up by a suction device as already described. In this, by the deflection it is achieved, that the suction device with the same suction power is able to be located at a greater distance from the conveying plane. As a result, the 10 susceptibility for errors and the passage height of the device (distance from conveying plane to suction element) and with this its flexibility for packaging articles of different thickness is increased. It is possible that the compressed air is continuous 15 and calculated in such a way, that only empty envelopes are removed, but on the basis of their greater weight no enveloped articles. In a preferred variant, the compressed air is supplied under control, when an empty envelope comes into the zone of influence of the outward transfer 20 device, wherein the supply otherwise is interrupted. Herein it is possible that higher pressures, resp., outflow speeds are used and the empty envelope therefore is very easily deflected, resp., even blown away from the conveying stream. 25 As a variant to the pure compressed air supply, for the ejecting, for example, a pneumatically driven pusher is conceivable, which also makes a short reaction time possible. For controlling the compressed and/or suction air 30 supply, in preference a control system is present, which acts in conjunction with a detection device, in particular with an optical sensor. The detection device detects the presence of an empty envelope in the conveying stream, e.g., by measuring the optical transparency or by edge 35 detection, and transmits a corresponding signal to the control system. N: \Melboure\Caee\Patent\78000 -p78999\P7B998. AU\Speci\P78998.AU GH spec doc 29/09/08 - 8 The invention also provides a method for the packaging of flat articles conveyed in a conveying stream, comprising the following steps: conveying the flat articles in a conveying 5 direction, arranging the flat articles in a packaging material web in such a manner, that they are covered by the packaging material on both sides; producing at least partially closed envelopes out of 10 packaging material; conveying onward of articles enveloped by envelopes of packaging material; further comprising removing empty envelopes produced without the inclusion of an article from the conveying 15 stream. Overall a system for the outward transfer of empty envelopes is proposed, which is mechanically simple, is capable of operating with little control technology effort and which comprises a low susceptibility for errors as 20 well as a high flexibility with respect to the articles to be packaged. Examples of the invention are depicted in the drawings and described in the following. These purely schematically illustrate: 25 Fig. 1 An overall view of a device in accordance with the invention, which comprises a controlled compressed air nozzle as well as a suction device; Fig. 2+3 a suction device utilisable in the device from Fig. 1 in two different views; 30 Fig. 4 a detailed view of a catching basket. Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an overall view of a device in accordance with the invention with a conveying device 24, a processing means 16, an onward conveying device 26 and a transfer/removal device 28. N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\78000-78999\P78998.AU\Specie\P78990.AU GH epeci.doc 29/09/08 -9 With the conveying device 24, here a belt conveyor, articles 10 are transported in the conveying direction F lying on a lower material web 12 and covered with an upper material web 14. Upper and lower material webs 12, 14 5 normally are connected with one another. The articles 10 in the conveying direction F are at a distance from one another, wherein the distance of the leading edges of two successive articles 10 is normally constant. On the basis of errors in the feeding-in, it is, however, also 10 possible, that there are gaps in the conveying stream; the mentioned distance then amounts to, for example, double the normal distance. The processing means 16 serves to produce transverse connections 18 between the upper and the lower material 15 webs 12, 14 and therefore to split-up the packaging material tube into individual envelopes (packages) 20 transverse to the conveying direction F, which here each respectively contain one article 10. The individual packages 20 are separated by lateral material displacement 20 during or shortly after the production of the transverse connections, e.g., during the welding of a foil seam. In case of a gap in the fed-in conveying stream, an empty envelope 22 of packaging material is produced, because the processing means 16 also processes the material webs 12, 25 14 at a gap. It is possible that envelopes are produced, the length of which is greater than a typical product length, e.g., when several articles are missing behind one another and the transverse welding is interrupted. The onward conveying device 26, which in preference 30 conveys at a higher speed than the conveying device 24, serves to convey the enveloped products 10, resp., envelopes 20 in a continuous conveying stream. The filled envelopes 20 (resp., their bottom sides) are moved in a conveying plane E, which here, for example, is defined by 35 the conveying support 26' (conveyor belt, conveyor strap) of the onward conveying device 26. N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\78000-78999\P78998.AU\Spects\P78996.AU CH .peci.doc 29/09/00 - 10 The transfer device 28 serves to remove the empty envelopes from the conveying stream. It is arranged downstream of the processing means 16 and here is located in the zone of the onward conveying device 26; it is also 5 possible, however, that it is arranged between the conveying device 24 and the onward conveying device 26 or in the zone of the conveying device 24. The outward transfer device 28 comprises a controlled compressed air supply 30 as well as a suction device 40. 10 The compressed air supply 30 comprises a compressed air nozzle 31, a compressed air source 32, e.g., a compressor or a compressed air reservoir. The connection between the compressed air nozzle 31 and the compressed air source 32 is capable of being specifically opened, 15 resp., closed by means of a controllable valve 34. The opening 31' of the compressed air nozzle 31 is arranged in the vicinity of the conveying plane E, so that it is possible to specifically exert an influence on the conveying stream. Here the compressed air nozzle 31 is 20 arranged in the zone between two partial conveyors, out of which the onward conveying device 26 is constructed. The distance between the partial conveyors here is depicted exaggerated. Any element, which limits the air stream laterally, is capable of serving as compressed air nozzle 25 31, e.g., also a hole in a supporting substrate of the onward conveying device 26. It goes without saying, that instead of air it is also possible to utilise another gas. For controlling the compressed air supply, resp., the valve 34, there is a control device 36. This receives 30 a signal from a detection device 38, e.g., an optical sensor, which indicates the presence of a gap, resp., of an empty envelope 22 in the conveying stream. This signal makes the control system 38 enable the compressed air supply at the point in time, at which the empty envelope 35 is being conveyed in the zone of the compressed air nozzle 31. Thereupon the empty envelope 22 is deflected from the N:\Melboune\Case\Patent\78000-7B999\P78996.AU\Spec1i\P78998.AU GH peci.doc 29/09/08 - 11 conveying stream in upwards direction. The suction device 40 is located above the compressed air nozzle 31. It operates continuously. Its suction power and its distance from the conveying plane E 5 is selected in such a manner, that empty envelopes 22 deflected from the conveying plane are sucked off and removed, not, however, products in envelopes 20. By the compressed air pulse therefore, with the same suction power the distance of the suction tube opening from the 10 conveying plane E can be greater than without a compressed air pulse. The distance in preference is selected as so great, that a conveying through or away of products with a predefined maximum thickness is possible. The empty envelopes 22 are transported away through 15 the suction tube 42, collected and disposed of. The uninfluenced products 20 are conveyed on and if so required further processed. The device demonstrated and described above is mechanically and control-wise simple, is flexible with 20 respect to the product thickness and operates reliably. An example for a suction device 40 is illustrated in Fig. 2 in a longitudinal section (vertical to the conveying plane E) as well as in Fig. 3 in cross section (parallel to the conveying plane E). The suction tube 42 25 already depicted in Fig. 1 leads into a housing 44, which is capable of being closed air-tight, resp., into a catching basket 46 installed in it. The cross section of the suction tube 42 may be round, rectangular or shaped in any other manner; it is also possible, that its area is 30 smaller than that of typical empty envelopes 22, because these as a rule are capable of being deformed. The housing 44 in its bottom plane has a connection 54 for an under pressure - / suction air source 48, which in an as such known manner, for example, comprises a blower 50 and an 35 exhaust air outlet 52. N:\Melbourne\Case.\Patent\7B000-78999\P78998.AU\Spec \P78998.AU GH ope-.doc 29/09/0 - 12 The catching basket 46 is at least partially permeable to air and, for example, as a.whole or partially consists of a perforated plate. The catching basket 46 here is dimensionally stable, it is, however, also 5 possible that it is as a whole or partially flexible (net, bag). Because of the following construction of the catching basket and of the housing 44 explained in more detail with reference to Fig . 2 - 4 it is assured, that 10 the suction power is maintained even if there are already empty envelopes in the catching basket 46. The catching basket 46 consists of three sheet metal parts 60, 62, 64 arranged in a U-shape. The sheet metal parts 60, 64 form the side walls of the catching basket 46 15 and are located at a distance from the corresponding side walls of the housing 44. The floor surface 62 of the catching basket 46 is located at a distance from the floor of the housing 44 and therefore also at a distance from the connection 54 for the suction air source 48. In this 20 manner it is assured, that suction air is able to get to the suction tube 42 through the side walls 60, 64 of the catching basket 46, even when empty envelopes 22 cover the as such permeable to air floor surface 62 and thus make it impermeable to air. The lower zone 46a of the catching 25 basket 46 is permeable to air (e.g., consists of perforated plate), while the upper zone 46b, in particular the zone around the mouth 43 of the suction tube 42 into the catching basket 46, is impermeable to air. By this it is prevented, that empty envelopes 22 get deposited in the 30 zone around the mouth 43 and with this block the suction air supply through the suction tube 42. In the view of Fig. 4 rear and upper edges of the sheet metal parts 60, 64 adjoin the housing 44, so that the catching basket 46 does not require a ceiling - and 35 back surface of its own. The front of the catching basket 46 is open and here is located at a distance from the N:\Melboune\Case\Patent\78000-78999\P78998.AU\Specis\P78998.AU GH apeci.doc 29/09/0 - 13 front of the housing 44 (not imperative), so that the empty envelopes 22 are capable of being removed simply by opening the housing door 45. In the claims which follow and in the preceding 5 description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but 10 not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part 15 of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. N:\Melbourne\Case.\Patent\7B000-78999\P78998.AU\Spci8\P7998.AU GH specl.doc 29/09/06

Claims (18)

1. Device for packaging flat articles conveyed in a conveying stream, in particular printed products, with a 5 packaging material, comprising: a conveying device for conveying the flat articles in a conveying direction; a processing means for producing at least partially closed envelopes out of packaging material; 10 an onward conveying device for conveying onward articles enveloped by envelopes out of packaging material; further comprising a transfer device located downstream of the processing means, which is capable of removing from the conveying stream empty envelopes produced without the 15 inclusion of an article.

2. Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein an operating zone of the transfer device, that is capable of exerting an effect on the conveying stream, is arranged in 20 the zone of the onward conveying device or between processing means and the onward conveying device.

3. Device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the transfer device comprises at least one compressed air 25 supply and one suction device, wherein the compressed air supply is capable of deflecting an empty envelope from the conveying stream by blowing in compressed air in such a manner that the deflected envelope enters an area of influence of the suction device and is sucked-off by the 30 suction device.

4. Device in accordance with claim 3, further comprising a control device, with which the compressed air supply is capable of being controlled in such a manner, N:\Melbourn\Caeeo\Patent\7000-78999\P78998.AU\SpeCiS\P78998.AU GH speci.doc 29/09/00 - 15 that compressed air is blown into the operating zone of the transfer device, when an empty envelope arrives.

5. Device in accordance with claim 4, further 5 comprising a detection device, in particular an optical sensor, which is capable of detecting the presence of an empty envelope or of a gap in the conveying stream and of transmitting a corresponding signal to the control device. 10

6. Device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the suction device operates continuously.

7. Device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the suction device comprises a housing, which is essentially 15 capable of being closed air-tight, and at least partially permeable to air catching basket arranged in the housing, a source of under-pressure connected to the housing or located in the housing and a suction tube leading into the catching basket. 20

8. Device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the suction tube, source of under-pressure and the catching basket are arranged in such a manner relative to one another, that sucked-off empty envelopes are conducted 25 into the catching basket.

9. Device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the catching basket is impermeable to air in a first zone and is permeable to air in a second zone, wherein the suction 30 tube leads in at the first zone and a connection to the housing of the source of under-pressure is located in the vicinity of the second zone.

10. Device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the N:\Melboure\Case.\Patent\78000-78999\P78998.AU\Specis\P78998.AU GH speci doc 29/09/08 - 16 catching basket, at least in the zone of the connection of the source of under-pressure, is located at a distance from the housing. 5

11. Method for the packaging of flat articles conveyed in a conveying stream, comprising the following steps: conveying the flat articles in a conveying direction, 10 arranging the flat articles in a packaging material web in such a manner, that they are covered by the packaging material on both sides; producing at least partially closed envelopes out of packaging material; 15 conveying onward of articles enveloped by envelopes of packaging material; further comprising removing empty envelopes produced without the inclusion of an article from the conveying stream. 20

12. Method in accordance with claim 11, further comprising deflecting the empty envelopes from the conveying stream by means of compressed air and subsequently sucking-off the deflected empty envelopes. 25

13. Method in accordance with claim 12, further comprising controllably injecting compressed air, when an empty envelope arrives. 30

14. Method in accordance with claim 13, further comprising, by means of a detection device, detecting the presence of an empty envelope or of a gap in the conveying stream, generating a corresponding signal and transmitting N:\Meboune\Ca.e.\PatenL\78000-78999\P78998.AU\Speci\P78998.AU GM speci.doc 29/09/08 - 17 it to a control device for controlling the compressed air supply.

15. Method in accordance with claim 12 or claim 13, 5 further comprising sucking off the empty envelopes by means of a continuously operating suction device.

16. Method in accordance with claim 12, further comprising collecting the empty envelopes in a catching 10 basket.

17. A device for packaging flat articles substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. 15

18. A method for packaging flat articles substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. N:\Melbourne\Cae \Patent\28000-78999\P78998.AU\Specia\P78998.AU GH specl.doc 29/09/08