DE102010000192A1 - shrink tunnel - Google Patents

Abstract

The tunnel (10) has a transportation path (8) for an article (22), where the article is supplied with shrinking medium i.e. warm air (30), via a folding-shaft wall (12). Outer shafts (40) and a shaft are arranged parallel to each other. The shaft is arranged at inner side (11) of the tunnel and swiveled out at an axis on the transport path. The shaft includes lower and upper portions, which are movable against each other such that height of the shaft is reduced. A folding mechanism is arranged between the portions of the shaft, where the lower portion is folded in an upward direction. An independent claim is also included for a method for converting a shrink tunnel.

Description

The present invention relates to a shrink tunnel. The shrink tunnel has formed at least one transport route for articles. Two outer shafts and at least one shaft inside the shrink tunnel form the different transport routes. The articles can be acted upon by a shrinkage medium, wherein the at least three shafts are arranged parallel to each other.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for converting a shrink tunnel.

State of the art

The prior art discloses methods and devices for packaging articles (packaged goods) which use a shrink film as the packaging wrapper for the articles. This shrink film is usually provided as a continuous material on rolls.

The shrink film is separated within the packaging device according to the container dimensions. The foil blanks are then wrapped around the articles by means of a wrapping system within the device. The containers are then transported through a shrink tunnel. In the shrink tunnel, the wrapped articles with hot gas z. B. hot or hot air acted as shrinking medium, causing the shrink film contracts so that it conforms to the article and the finished shrinkage package arise.

Often, the packages, depending on their size, fed to the shrink tunnel in several parallel paths and processed in this. In order to be able to apply warm air to all packages from all sides, means must also be provided for introducing the warm air, which demisters the shrinkage medium between the articles guided in parallel. For example, shrink tunnels with movable shaft walls are used for the multi-lane processing. In this case, the shaft walls are driven as required by costly spindle adjustments to the side tunnel wall, if they are not needed. Such an arrangement is in 1 shown. In particular, a shrink tunnel 100 shown in the interior 102 movable shaft walls 110 are arranged. The example shows a double-row processing of containers 20 in such a shrink tunnel 100 , The containers 20 consist of articles 22 that of a shrink wrap 24 are enveloped. In the illustrated shrink tunnel 100 will the containers 20 by means of three movable shaft walls 110 over nozzles in the shaft walls 110 the warm air 30 supplied ( 1A ). Shall be in the shrink tunnel 100 only in a row arriving containers 20 are processed ( 1C ), then the shaft walls can 110 , as in 1B shown to be moved in a horizontal direction of movement BR.

US 3,711,957 shows a shrink tunnel with a single-lane processing, wherein on the opposite sides of the tunnel in the transport direction in each case a hot air blower is arranged.

US 5,339,605 describes a shrink tunnel with a product press in which first the side-mounted shrink film is subjected to the shrinking process and only then the shrink wrap on the top and bottom of the heat is exposed and shrunk. The use of a second, above the first arranged conveyor as a product press in conjunction with a two-stage shrinkage process, an expansion of the product to be packaged is prevented.

WO 2002/036436 describes the multi-lane processing of containers in a shrink tunnel. In this case, movable shaft walls are used whose position is adjusted depending on the containers to be processed by lateral displacement in the horizontal direction.

The object of the invention is to provide a shrink tunnel in which a single or multi-lane processing can be carried out, wherein the switching between single or multi-lane processing is fast, easy and tool-free.

The above object is achieved by a device comprising the features of claim 1.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method for retooling a shrink tunnel, in which a single or multi-lane processing can take place.

The above object is achieved by a method comprising the features of claim 7.

description

The present invention relates to a shrink tunnel, in particular a shrink tunnel for heat shrinking of film by article, for example, to create containers from several containers, which are covered with a shrink film. Furthermore, the shrink tunnel can also serve to apply shrink labels or the like to the articles by shrinking.

The shrink tunnel comprises at least one transport route for the articles. The shrink tunnel has two shafts bounding the tunnel outwards and at least one shaft arranged in the interior of the shrink tunnel. The shafts can be acted upon by a shrinking medium and lead this through nozzles in their shaft walls in the interior of the shrink tunnel. Preferably, the shrinkage medium is a warm or hot air stream.

The at least three shafts, d. H. the two outer shafts and the at least one arranged inside the shrink tunnel shaft can be arranged parallel to each other.

According to the invention, the at least one shaft arranged in the interior of the shrinking tunnel can be swiveled out of the transport path by at least one axis. Preferably, the shaft is pivoted substantially 90 ° upwards.

According to a preferred embodiment, the two outer shafts each have a shaft wall with a plurality of directed into the interior of the shrink tunnel on the articles nozzles. By contrast, the at least one shaft arranged in the interior of the shrinking tunnel has two shaft walls arranged in parallel, each with a plurality of nozzles.

If the at least one inner shaft is in the folded-down state so that it divides the transport path into at least two transport paths, shrinkage medium is conducted from this shaft into two opposite directions into the two inner sections of the shrink tunnel.

According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one shaft arranged in the interior of the shrink tunnel is not constantly subjected to shrinkage medium. Instead, the supply of shrinkage medium is switched on and off and preferably depends on the position of the shaft. If the inner shaft is arranged parallel to the outer shafts, so that a subdivision of the transport path into at least two transport paths and at least two inner portions of the shrink tunnel, then the supply of shrinking medium is preferably switched on, so that through the nozzles of the shaft walls of the inner shaft Shrinking medium is passed into the two inner portions of the shrink tunnel. If, on the other hand, the inner shaft has been swung out of the transport path, the feed can be switched off by the shrinking medium.

According to an alternative embodiment, the switching on and off of the shrinking medium to the at least one inner shaft is automated depending on its position. The advantage, if the inner shaft is not constantly acted upon by shrinking medium, in the case of the use of hot or hot air, in particular in the saving of energy, since not unnecessarily air must be heated. In the case of using another shrinking medium, the advantage in particular in the adapted, reduced consumption of the corresponding medium.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the inner shaft consists of a first and a second section which are movable relative to each other such that the height of the shaft can be reduced. Preferably, the height of the shaft can be reduced to about 50%. For example, a folding mechanism can be arranged between the first and the second section, which extends over the entire width of the central shaft and is arranged substantially centrally with respect to the height of the shaft. Preferably, the lower portion is hinged upwardly about this folding mechanism, so that the lower and the upper portion can be arranged in parallel side by side. Furthermore, fastening elements can be provided which releasably fix the upwardly folded lower portion in this position. For example, latching elements could be provided which engage in corresponding receptacles of the respective other section.

According to an alternative embodiment, the lower portion and the upper portion are mutually displaceable, so that the lower portion can be moved upwards and thus the overall height of the shaft can be reduced again.

Again, corresponding fixing elements may be provided.

In a further embodiment, a linkage with two pivot joints may be provided above the shaft wall, wherein the linkage is rotatably connected to the shaft wall at one of the pivot joints. To swing out the shaft wall from the transport section, two pivoting movements are performed. On the one hand, the linkage pivots about a first axis out of the transport path. Furthermore, the shaft wall pivots about a second axis. Preferably, the pivotal movement about the first pivot opposite to the pivotal movement about the second pivot. The axis of rotation can be arranged centrally or eccentrically to the symmetry line of the shaft wall.

In still another embodiment, the shaft wall is first pushed up along a linkage and then pivoted upwardly about an axis D. The space required for pivoting inside the shrink tunnel is thus lower. However, the height of the containers to be processed is limited upwards by the offset axis D.

The invention further relates to a method of retrofitting a shrink tunnel from a first number of webs to process articles to a second number of webs. First, the desired second number of tracks to be processed is input to a control unit. The control unit determines by comparing the known first number of tracks with the desired second number of tracks whether a division by more or fewer slots is needed. On the basis of the determined information, the at least one shaft arranged inside the shrinking tunnel is folded up when the second number of transport tracks is smaller than the first number.

However, if the second number of transport paths is greater than the first number, then the at least one arranged in the interior of the shrink tunnel shaft is folded down.

This process can take place automatically, or else be performed manually by an operator.

According to a preferred embodiment, the supply from the shrinkage medium to the inner shrinkage medium is controlled in dependence on the position of the shaft. In particular, the supply is activated when the inner shaft is arranged parallel to the two outer shafts and deactivated when it is pivoted out of the transport path.

In summary, the invention relates to the use of at least one, by substantially 90 ° upwardly pivotable "folding chess twand". As a result, a shrink tunnel can be offered at relatively low cost, which can be easily converted when using an inner shaft between a single-lane and a two-lane processing.

The pivotable shaft wall is mechanically simple to implement and much less expensive than the known from the prior art movable shafts.

figure description

In the following, embodiments of the invention and their advantages with reference to the accompanying figures will be explained in more detail. The proportions of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the actual size ratios, since some shapes are simplified and other shapes are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

1 shows a shrink tunnel with movable shaft walls (prior art).

2 shows a first embodiment of an adjustment of shaft walls according to the invention.

3 shows a second embodiment of an inventive adjustment of shaft walls.

4 shows a third embodiment of an inventive adjustment of shaft walls.

5 shows a fourth embodiment of an inventive adjustment of shaft walls.

6 shows a fifth embodiment of an adjustment of shaft walls according to the invention.

7 shows a sixth embodiment of an inventive adjustment of shaft walls.

For identical or equivalent elements of the invention, identical reference numerals are used. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures, which are required for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments are only examples of how the device according to the invention can be designed and do not represent a final limitation.

1 has already been described in the prior art.

2 shows an embodiment of a shrink tunnel 10 with an inventive adjustment of a shaft wall 12 ,

Those with shrinking medium, especially with warm air 30 to be applied with shrink film 24 to containers 20 summarized article 22 be along a transport route 8th through the shrink tunnel 10 transported.

In the embodiment shown, there is a change from a two-lane to a one-lane processing of containers 20 , This is a folding shaft wall that can be swiveled up to a maximum of 90 ° 12 used.

The folding shaft wall 12 At least one hot air generator is assigned to the warm air 30 produced for the production of containers 20 through nozzles 44 in the interior 11 of the shrink tunnel 10 on those with shrink wrap 24 wrapped article 22 is directed.

The shaft wall 12 is formed pivotable about an axis D. The shaft wall 12 is arranged so that it can be folded up as needed, ie, if, for example, should be switched from a two-lane to a one-lane processing, and thus from the transport route 8th arrives.

By swinging down the shaft wall 12 about the axis D is a subdivision of the transport path 8th in two transport lanes ( 2A ), so that a two-lane processing is possible. Will the shaft wall 12 against it swung up ( 2 B . 2C ), then corresponds to the transport route 8th a transport path.

Is the shaft wall 12 in the folded state, then the supply of warm air is preferably switched off. For example, this is the shaft wall 12 assigned hot air generator (not shown) off or interrupted the hot air supply to the shaft wall.

Another embodiment is in 3 shown. In the shaft wall shown here 12 the axis D is not at the top of the shaft wall 12 but arranged slightly downwards. In this embodiment, the lateral space required for pivoting in the direction of movement BR is inside 11 of the shrink tunnel 10 thus lower. However, the offset axis D is the height of the container to be processed 20 limited to the top. It is thus possible to reduce the width of the shrinking tunnel, where appropriate, the above-mentioned disadvantage must be taken into account.

Another space saving embodiment is in 4 shown. The shaft wall 12 has, for example, a hinge 16 on top of that, the shaft wall 12 in an upper part 12a and a lower part 12b divided ( 4A ).

First, the shaft wall 12 collapsed by the lower part 12b around a hinge 16 is flipped up ( 4B . 4C ). In particular, at the upper part 12a Be provided devices in the corresponding, at the lower part 12b arranged devices engage and thus a detachable connection between the two parts 12a . 12b the shaft wall 12 produce. This will prevent the upwardly folded lower part 12b independently back down works.

According to another embodiment, not shown, the lower part 12b be folded up with another simple lever mechanism. This solution is used when the width of the shrink tunnel interior is not sufficient to stow the shaft wall by folding only one axis. In this case, it turns around, several axes.

Subsequently, the collapsed shaft wall 12 pivoted about the axis D upwards. It is also conceivable in a further embodiment that the two parts 12a and 12b the shaft wall 12 be pushed into each other to the height H of the shaft wall 12 to reduce.

A fourth and a fifth possible embodiment are in the 5 and 6 shown. Above the shaft wall shown here 12 is a linkage 18 with two swivel joints 19a . 19b arranged. The linkage 18 is at the bottom hinge 19b with the shaft wall 12 rotatably connected. Around the shaft wall 12 from the transport route 8th swing out two pivotal movements are performed ( 5B . 6B ). On the one hand, the linkage pivots 18 in the direction of movement (a) about the axis D1 of the upper pivot 19a from the transport route 8th out. Furthermore, the shaft wall pivots 12 about the axis D2 in the direction of movement (b) about the lower hinge 19b up. Preferably, the pivoting movement takes place about the upper hinge 19a opposite to the pivotal movement about the lower hinge 19b , The axis of rotation D2 can center ( 5A to 5C ) or eccentric to the symmetry line S of the shaft wall ( 6A to 6C ) can be arranged.

In these embodiments, the lateral space required for pivoting is inside 11 of the shrink tunnel 10 thus lower than the in 2 shown first embodiment.

Also 7 shows a space-saving possibility of clearing a shaft wall 12 , This is the shaft wall 12 first along a linkage 17 pushed upwards ( 7B ) and then pivoted upwards about an axis D ( 7C ). In this embodiment, the axis D is again arranged offset downwards (that is similar to that in FIG 3 shown second embodiment). The side space needed for pivoting inside 11 of the shrink tunnel 10 is thus lower. However, due to the displaced axis D the height of the containers to be processed 20 limited to the top.

With the in the 2 to 7 described embodiments of a shrink tunnel 10 is a very space-saving "clearing" the shaft walls 12 and a switch from two- or multi-lane processing to single-lane processing in less lanes easy and inexpensive possible.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications or changes may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the following claims.

In particular, the invention may serve to create packages of shrink wrapped articles. Furthermore, the shrink tunnel according to the invention can also serve other applications, such as the application of shrink labels on items, such as bottles o. Ä.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

8th

transport distance

10

shrink tunnel

11

Heart of the shrink tunnel

12

Folding shaft wall

12a

upper part of the hinged shaft wall

12b

lower part of the hinged shaft wall

16

Joint / hinge

17

linkage

18

linkage

19a

Upper swivel joint

19b

lower hinge

20

container

22

items

24

shrink film

30

warm air

40

outer shafts

42

shaft wall

44

jet

100

shrink tunnel

102

Heart of the shrink tunnel

110

movable shaft wall

(A)

movement direction

(B)

movement direction

BR

movement direction

D

axis

H

Height of the shaft wall

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 3711957 [0006]
• US 5339605 [0007]
• WO 2002/036436 [0008]

Claims (8)

Shrink tunnel ( 10 ), whereby the shrink tunnel ( 10 ) at least one transport route ( 8th ) for articles ( 22 ), two outer shafts ( 40 ) and at least one inside ( 11 ) of the shrink tunnel ( 10 ) arranged shaft ( 12 ) on which the articles ( 22 ) with a shrinking medium ( 30 ), wherein the at least three shafts ( 40 . 12 ) are arranged parallel to each other, characterized in that the at least one in the interior ( 11 ) of the shrink tunnel ( 10 ) arranged shaft ( 12 ) about at least one axis (D) from the transport route ( 8th ) is pivotable out. Shrink tunnel ( 10 ) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one in the interior ( 11 ) of the shrink tunnel ( 10 ) arranged shaft ( 12 ) not with shrinkage medium ( 30 ) when it is removed from the transport route ( 8th ) is pivoted. Shrink tunnel ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one pivotable inner shaft ( 12 ) from a first and a second section ( 12a . 12b ), which are movable relative to each other such that the height (H) of the shaft ( 12 ) is reducible. Shrink tunnel ( 10 ) according to claim 3, wherein between the first and second sections ( 12a . 12b ) of the shaft a folding mechanism ( 16 ) is arranged around which the lower section ( 12b ) is hinged upwards, so that the lower and the upper section ( 12a . 12b ) are arranged in parallel next to each other bar. Shrink tunnel ( 10 ) according to claim 3, wherein the lower section ( 12b ) and the upper section ( 12a ) are mutually displaceable. Shrink tunnel ( 10 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shrink tunnel ( 10 ) at least one means for supplying a shrinking medium ( 30 ) into the shafts ( 40 . 12 ), whereby the shafts ( 40 . 12 ) at least one shaft wall ( 42 ) with a plurality of articles ( 22 ) directed nozzles ( 44 ) and wherein the shrinkage medium ( 30 ) through the nozzles ( 44 ) into the interior of the shrink tunnel ( 11 ) is conductive. Method for converting a shrink tunnel ( 10 ) where the shrink tunnel ( 10 ) at least one transport route ( 8th ) for the articles ( 22 ), two outer shafts ( 40 ) and at least one inside ( 11 ) of the shrink tunnel ( 10 ) arranged shaft ( 12 ) on which the articles ( 22 ) with a shrinking medium ( 30 ), wherein the at least three shafts ( 40 . 12 ) are arranged parallel to each other, characterized by the following steps: - input of the desired second number of tracks to be processed in a control unit; - folding up the at least one inside ( 11 ) of the shrink tunnel ( 10 ) arranged shaft ( 12 ) if the second number of paths is less than the first number OR - folding down the at least one inside ( 11 ) of the shrink tunnel ( 10 ) arranged shaft ( 12 ) when the second number of passes is greater than the first count. Process according to claim 7, wherein the supply of shrinkage medium ( 30 ) to one inside ( 11 ) of the shrink tunnel ( 10 ) arranged shaft ( 12 ) is activated when it is arranged parallel to the two outer shafts and wherein the supply of shrinkage medium ( 30 ) to one inside ( 11 ) of the shrink tunnel ( 10 ) arranged shaft ( 12 ) is deactivated when it is removed from the transport route ( 8th ) has swung out.

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