EP0680439A1 - Process and device for filling and closing packages. - Google Patents

Process and device for filling and closing packages.

Info

Publication number
EP0680439A1
EP0680439A1 EP94905065A EP94905065A EP0680439A1 EP 0680439 A1 EP0680439 A1 EP 0680439A1 EP 94905065 A EP94905065 A EP 94905065A EP 94905065 A EP94905065 A EP 94905065A EP 0680439 A1 EP0680439 A1 EP 0680439A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
package
filling
edge
sealed
cover film
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP94905065A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0680439B1 (en
Inventor
Leif Tilly Joensson
Ake Rosen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Original Assignee
Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA filed Critical Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Publication of EP0680439A1 publication Critical patent/EP0680439A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0680439B1 publication Critical patent/EP0680439B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B65B7/162—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by feeding web material to securing means
    • B65B7/164—Securing by heat-sealing

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for filling and closing a package that is open on one side and has sealable plastic at least on its edge to be sealed, in which the package is conveyed intermittently in a first conveying direction, is filled in a filling station and then a cover film is placed on the edge and is sealed with this.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a method of the type mentioned above and to improve it in such a way that the risk of splashing of the filling material is considerably reduced and preferably even avoided, despite a high level of work during filling and closing the packs.
  • REPLACEMENT LEAF Hole of a cover sheet has been arranged so that during this main standstill of the package and cover sheet the package is filled through this hole, the cover sheet is advanced in a second direction of movement at an angle to the first conveying direction over the conveyor belt so that the entire opening, including the edge of the Pack is covered by the cover sheet material, and after punching out a cover sheet, this is sealed onto the edge of the pack during the main stylistic stage, after which the pack is moved on the conveyor belt while the cover sheet web remains stationary.
  • the essential measure of the invention is the main stoppage of the package, during which the package is first filled and then closed. Only after the package has been closed is it accelerated and moved on in the first conveying direction mentioned. Accelerating the not yet sealed but already filled package is advantageously excluded according to the invention. However, this surprisingly eliminates the risk of splashing.
  • a device operating according to such a method can therefore be designed for a correspondingly high output.
  • the further essential solution concept of the invention lies in the cover sheet web which is moved at an angle to the first conveying direction and which is moved independently of the pack and relative to it.
  • a hole is arranged in the cover sheet and this hole is brought over the open side of the package to be filled, after which the stated main downtime begins.
  • the pack can and will be filled from above through the hole in the deck membrane.
  • the cover film web is moved on until there is no hole or recess above the opening of the pack to be closed, rather cover film material covers the entire pack, including the edge of the pack.
  • a punching tool is set in motion, which punches out the cover film, which is then briefly sealed to the edge of the pack in the course of the same movement. Only now is the main downtime over, and after the initial acceleration, the pack can be moved further in the mentioned first conveying direction with the aid of the conveyor belt. The contents can no longer spill over the edge of the package.
  • the hole in the cover sheet is formed by punching out a cover sheet. It has been said above of the advance movement of the cover film web after the pack has been filled to such an extent that no opening is located above the open pack, rather cover film material covers the entire upper side of the pack. Then the cover film is punched out. Through this punching process, a hole is made in the cover film sheet, the outer dimensions of which correspond to those of the cover film.
  • the punching out of the cover film can also be taken as the formation of the hole. Then, advantageously, the cover film does not need to be moved further after the cover film has been punched out and sealed, until the filling process of the next pack is completed. This not only saves time, but also material for the deck membrane.
  • a lid is additionally placed on the filled and already sealed with the cover film, by means of which the edge of the pack is stiffened considerably and inexpensively.
  • the cycle time has so far been greatly reduced due to the risk of splashing after filling.
  • the material thickness of the cover sheet is so small, e.g. the thickness lies in a range between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm, so that it is practically impossible to speak of any material consumption worth mentioning.
  • the time required for the application of this cover film is likewise so small that it can be practically neglected in the course of the entire process steps.
  • the invention also relates to a device for filling and closing a package of the type described by placing a cover film to be sealed with the edge and sealable with it, and this device has a conveyor belt with holders for receiving and conveying the package in a first Direction of conveyance under a filling station with filling tube movable in a third, vertical direction.
  • the invention provides that a cover film web in the area of the filling station from a first roll to a second roll in a second direction of movement at an angle to the first conveying direction above the conveyor belt, approximately at the level of the upper edge of the holder, is provided intermittently and that a punching and sealing tool is arranged in the area of the filling station.
  • the essential effect of the device provided with these features according to the invention is primarily directed at the area of the filling station in which the conveyor belt is crossed by the cover film web such that the cover film web runs at a height above the conveyor belt, approximately in the Height of the upper edge of the holder, because in the latter there are the packs open on one side, which stand on the conveyor belt and are to be closed at the top by the cover film.
  • the movement of the deck sheet is provided intermittently as is that of the conveyor belt. Preferably both stop at the same time in the area of the filling station, so that the essential processing operations can take place there.
  • the main part of the operation is the filling of the package via a vertically movable filling tube, which before filling is lowered down into the open package and pulled up in the course of filling until the filling process has ended, which Pack is filled to the required level, and then the filling tube is pulled up further in the third vertical direction.
  • the further activity and effect of the device in the area of the filling station is the cutting out or punching out of the cover film from the web, a process which is carried out by the punching and sealing tool, which is also expediently arranged in the area of the filling station in order to achieve longer conveying paths avoid.
  • the filling tube is arranged to be movable within the effective area of the punching and sealing tool and relative to it, and that the drives for the moving parts are synchronized with one another.
  • the punching and sealing mainly takes place in the edge area of the product, i.e. the pack to be filled.
  • the opening inside the edge of the package is the effective area of the tools, and this is large enough to also accommodate a filling tube therein, which can thus move up and down in the third vertical direction within a frame-shaped punching and sealing tool. For punching out, the tool only needs to move downwards in this third vertical direction and then up again; and the same applies to the sealing process.
  • the pack to be filled is in the main downtime and already in the right place within the filling station, then only the individual tool parts in the third vertical direction need to be moved down and then up again by short distances to carry out all the work and the to fully develop the desired effect.
  • the coordination of the drives for the moving parts is provided in such a way that the method steps explained at the outset run in the correct time sequence: first arranging the cover film web with the hole formed therein in the area of the filling station; Filling the pack; Advance the cover sheet until the package opening is covered; Punching out the sufficiently large cover film; Sealing them to the top of the pack; Moving back all the tools and thereby opening the sealing tools; and moving the filled and sealed package to
  • the holder and the conveyor belt are made of steel and the first conveying direction is preferably perpendicular to the second direction of movement of the cover sheet. It is favorable to keep the packs to be filled and open on one side, which are, for example, cup-shaped and made entirely of plastic, in a magazine. Bit by bit, these packs are placed in steel holders and are therefore kept stable and defined. If the conveyor belt is also made of steel, the precise arrangement of the packs or their edges under the processing tools (filling, punching out, sealing) can be maintained. Any elongation tolerances caused by tensile forces within the conveyor belt between the individual holders are thereby largely eliminated. Short and precise movements can also be adjusted particularly well if the first direction of conveyance of the conveyor belt with the steel holders is perpendicular to the second direction of movement of the cover sheet web.
  • a cover placement station is arranged at a distance behind the filling station.
  • the cover film is sealed in the filling station and thus the package is secured against the risk of splashing, and the arrangement of a cover placement station next to the filling station means that practically no additional space is required compared to conventional devices, and nevertheless pre-fabricated covers, which may also be present in a magazine, can be pressed on and are held with a clamping or snap action on the upper edge of the filled package, with the result that the package treated according to the invention is given a very rigid edge on the outside.
  • FIG. 1 schematically and broken a cross-sectional view through the filling station, if one looks against the first conveying direction of the conveyor belt, in a first operating stage before filling,
  • FIG. 2 shows a similar view to FIG. 1, but in a second operating stage, after the filling is almost complete
  • Figure 3 is a similar representation, but in a third stage after the
  • FIG. 4 shows a representation similar to FIGS. 1 to 3 in a fourth operating stage after the cover film has been filled, punched out and sealed, before the tools have been completely moved apart, and
  • Figure 5 is a plan view of the filling station and the conveyor belt running from top to bottom on the one hand and the cover film web movable from left to right on the other.
  • the design of the pack to be filled is also not critical.
  • the pack can be trough-shaped, cup-shaped or the like and is shown here as rectangular in cross-section in FIGS. 1 to 4 and oval in plan view in FIG. 5.
  • the package which is open on one side is designated by 1 and has an upper edge 2 to be closed, which can be seen in FIG.
  • Such packs can, for example, be thermoformed from plastic and lie in a magazine (not shown) from which they are removed and inserted into the holder 3.
  • a steel conveyor belt 4 which, in the illustration in FIG. 5, moves from top to bottom in a first conveying direction 5 (see arrows 5).
  • the steel conveyor belt 4 runs against the viewing direction of the viewer.
  • Figures 1 and 4 which essentially represent a cross-sectional view along the line IV-IV of Figure 5
  • the steel conveyor belt 4 is shown schematically.
  • the filling station 6 is located where the steel conveyor belt 4 intersects with the cover film 7.
  • the cover film web 7 is guided from a first roller 8 to a second roller 9 and can be moved intermittently in a second direction of movement 10 at an angle of 90 ° to the first direction of conveyance 5 of the steel conveyor belt 4.
  • REPLACEMENT LEAF 11 the size of the cover film 12, the processed cover film web 7 is rolled onto the second roll 9 by rotating it in the direction of the curved arrow 13 (FIG. 3).
  • FIG. 5 shows the top view of the device and in particular of the cover sheet 7 crossing the conveyor belt 4 at the filling station 6, the stamping and sealing tool from FIGS. 1 to 4, generally designated by 14, can be seen in the different positions. It is essentially an upper position according to FIGS. 1 to 3 and a lower position according to FIG. 4, the movement of the punching and sealing tool 14 being provided vertically from top to bottom and from bottom to top.
  • the external dimensions of the punching and sealing tool 14 match the steel holder 3, because the cover film 12 must be punched out of the cover sheet 7, depending on the size of the package 1 to be covered, including its edge 2, and then sealed over the sealing tool.
  • a filling tube 15 which can be moved up and down relative to the latter and which can also be moved up and down in the vertical direction, but is independent of the movement of the punching and locking tool 14, that is to say movable relative to the latter .
  • the filling and closing device of the embodiment shown in the drawings and described above operates as follows.
  • packages 1 which are open on one side are removed with an edge 2 which extends outward in the manner of a flange and completely surrounds the upper opening of package 1 and are inserted into holders 3 made of steel, which are mounted on a conveyor belt 4 at a fixed distance from one another and are placed intermittently in the first conveying direction 5 (FIG. 5) such that they are advanced from one position shown in FIG. 5 to the next and stopped there.
  • FIG. 5 where the deck film 7 crosses the conveyor belt 4
  • two of these stations can be seen, and one looks from above into the empty, oval cross-section of the package 1 with the peripheral edge 2, the circumferential profile of the Holder 3 can be seen.
  • cover film web 7 is punched out at the intersection in the area of the filling station 6 in the size of a cover film 12 and this cover film 12 is sealed onto the edge 2 of the package 1.
  • the cover film web 7 thus has a hole which is designated 11 in the position shown horizontally to the right of the intersection and through which one can see the cover film 12 at the intersection.
  • This representation corresponds to the position of FIG. 4.
  • the cover film 12 is sealed onto the edge, and then the conveyor belt 4 switches one position further in the first conveying direction 5, so that the closed package standing under the cross point can be seen in FIG the cover sheet 12 sees.
  • the direction of movement of the filling tube 15 is switched over, as can be seen in FIG. 2, and is pulled back upwards in the direction of the arrow 18 pointing upward through the punching and sealing tool 14.
  • the cover sheet 7 is pushed one position to the right in the second direction of movement 10, so that the state of FIG. 3 is reached.
  • the punching and sealing tool 14 is now moved downward in the third vertical direction, so that the cover film 12 is punched out of the cover film web 7, as shown in the result in FIG. In this case or immediately thereafter, this cover sheet 12 is sealed onto the edge 2 of the pack 1.
  • the cover sheet 7 has automatically received the hole 11 through which the filling can be carried out in the next step.
  • the punching and sealing tool 14 is then pulled up again in the direction of the arrow 20.
  • the conveyor belt 4 with the holder 3 with inserted, filled and sealed package 1 can then be switched one position further down from the cross point in the first conveying direction 5 (FIG. 5), as described at the beginning, so that the process is now in position wisely repeated.

Abstract

A process is disclosed for filling and closing a package opened on one side provided at the edge (2) to be closed with a sealable plastic material. The package is intermittently conveyed in a first conveyor (5), is filled in a filling station (6), and a covering foil (12) is then laid and sealed on the edge (12). The package is brought to a main standstill in the filling station (6), in which a hole (11) in covering foil web (7) is arranged at a height above the package. During this main standstill of the package and covering foil web (7), the package is filled through said hole (11). The covering foil web (7) is advanced above the conveyor belt (4) in a second direction (10) at an angle with the first direction of transport (5) until the whole opening (10) including the edge (2) of the package, is covered by the covering foil material (7). After being cut out, the covering foil (12) is sealed on the edge (2) of the package still during the main standstill, and the package (1) is then further moved on the conveyor belt (4), whereas the covering foil web (7) remains stationary.

Description

Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Füllen und Verschließen einer Packung Method and device for filling and closing a package
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zum Füllen und Verschließen einer einseitig offenen Packung, die wenigstens an ihrem zu verschließenden Rand versiegelungsfähigen Kunststoff aufweist, bei dem die Packung in einer ersten Förderrichtung intermittierend gefördert, in einer Füllstation gefüllt wird und danach eine Deckfolie auf den Rand aufgelegt und mit diesem versiegelt wird.The invention relates to a method for filling and closing a package that is open on one side and has sealable plastic at least on its edge to be sealed, in which the package is conveyed intermittently in a first conveying direction, is filled in a filling station and then a cover film is placed on the edge and is sealed with this.
Zum Füllen und Verschließen von Margarine- oder Joghurtpackungen ist es bekannt, die einen Rand aus Kunststoff aufweisenden Packungen zu füllen und in eine Verschließstation zu fördern, wo eine Deckfolie aus Kunststoff oder Metall oder auch eine mehrlagige Deckfolie aufgesiegelt wird.For filling and closing margarine or yoghurt packs, it is known to fill the packs having an edge made of plastic and to convey them to a sealing station, where a cover sheet made of plastic or metal or also a multilayer cover sheet is sealed.
Es hat sich bei Hochleistungsmaschinen gezeigt, daß die soeben gefüllte und noch nicht ver¬ schlossene Packung zur Erzielung einer großen Stückzahl pro Zeiteinheit stark beschleunigt werden muß mit dem Nachteil, daß dabei Füllgut herausschwappt oder hβrausspritzt.It has been shown in high-performance machines that the package which has just been filled and has not yet been closed must be greatly accelerated in order to achieve a large number of pieces per unit of time, with the disadvantage that filling material spills out or splashes out.
Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es, ein Verfahren der vorstehend genannten Art zu schaffen und dahingehend zu verbessern, daß trotz einer hohen Arbeitsleistung beim Füllen und Verschließen der Packungen die Spritzgefahr des Füllgutes erheblich verringert und vorzugsweise sogar vermieden wird.The object of the invention is to provide a method of the type mentioned above and to improve it in such a way that the risk of splashing of the filling material is considerably reduced and preferably even avoided, despite a high level of work during filling and closing the packs.
Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß dadurch gelöst, daß die Packung in der Füllstation zu einem Hauptstillstand angehalten wird, wobei in der Füllstation auf einer Höhe über der Packung einThis object is achieved in that the pack is stopped in the filling station to a main standstill, in the filling station at a level above the pack
ERSATZBLATT Loch einer Deckfoiienbahn angeordnet wurde, daß während dieses Hauptstillstandes von Packung und Deckfoiienbahn die Packung durch dieses Loch hindurch gefüllt wird, die Deckfoiienbahn in einer zweiten Bewegungsrichtung unter einem Winkel zur ersten Förderrichtung über dem Förderband soweit vorbewegt wird, daß die gesamte Öffnung, einschließlich Rand der Packung von dem Deckfolienmaterial überdeckt ist, sowie nach Ausstanzung einer Deckfolie diese noch während des Hauptstilistandes auf den Rand der Packung aufgesiegelt wird, wonach die Packung auf dem Förderband weiterbewegt wird, während die Deckfoiienbahn stillstehend verbleibt. Die wesentliche Maßnahme der Erfindung ist der Hauptstillstand der Packung, während dessen zuerst die Packung gefüllt und danach verschlossen wird. Erst nach dem Verschließen der Packung wird sie in der genannten ersten Förderrichtung beschleunigt und weiterbewegt. Eine Beschleunigung der noch nicht verschlossenen aber schon gefüllten Packung ist erfindungsgemäß mit Vorteil ausgeschlossen. Damit aber ist die Spritzgefahr in überraschender Weise eliminiert Eine nach einem solchen Verfahren arbeitende Vorrichtung kann also auf eine entsprechend hohe Leistung ausgelegt werden.REPLACEMENT LEAF Hole of a cover sheet has been arranged so that during this main standstill of the package and cover sheet the package is filled through this hole, the cover sheet is advanced in a second direction of movement at an angle to the first conveying direction over the conveyor belt so that the entire opening, including the edge of the Pack is covered by the cover sheet material, and after punching out a cover sheet, this is sealed onto the edge of the pack during the main stylistic stage, after which the pack is moved on the conveyor belt while the cover sheet web remains stationary. The essential measure of the invention is the main stoppage of the package, during which the package is first filled and then closed. Only after the package has been closed is it accelerated and moved on in the first conveying direction mentioned. Accelerating the not yet sealed but already filled package is advantageously excluded according to the invention. However, this surprisingly eliminates the risk of splashing. A device operating according to such a method can therefore be designed for a correspondingly high output.
Der weitere wesentliche Lösungsgedanke der Erfindung liegt in der unter dem Winkel zur ersten Förderrichtung bewegten Deckfoiienbahn, die unabhängig von der Packung und relativ zu dieser bewegt wird. In der Deckfoiienbahn wird ein Loch angeordnet und dieses Loch über die offene Seite der zu füllenden Packung gebracht, wonach die genannte Hauptstillstandszeit beginnt. Bei deren Beginn kann und wird die Packung von oben durch das Loch der Deckfoiienbahn gefüllt. Während die Packung gefüllt noch stehenbleibt, wird die Deckfoiienbahn weiterbewegt, bis über der zu verschließenden Öffnung der Packung keinerlei Loch oder Ausnehmung mehr vorhanden ist, vielmehr Deckfolienmaterial die gesamte Packung, einschließlich Rand der Packung, über¬ deckt. Dann wird immer noch während der Hauptstillstandszeit der Packung ein Stanzwerkzeug in Bewegung gesetzt, welches die Deckfolie ausstanzt, die im Zuge derselben Bewegung kurzzei¬ tig danach mit dem Rand der Packung versiegelt wird. Jetzt erst ist die Hauptstillstandszeit zu Ende, und die Packung kann nach anfänglicher Beschleunigung mit Hilfe des Förderbandes in der genannten ersten Förderrichtung weiterbewegt werden. Das Füllgut kann nicht mehr über den Rand der Packung hinausschwappen.The further essential solution concept of the invention lies in the cover sheet web which is moved at an angle to the first conveying direction and which is moved independently of the pack and relative to it. A hole is arranged in the cover sheet and this hole is brought over the open side of the package to be filled, after which the stated main downtime begins. At the beginning, the pack can and will be filled from above through the hole in the deck membrane. While the pack is still standing filled, the cover film web is moved on until there is no hole or recess above the opening of the pack to be closed, rather cover film material covers the entire pack, including the edge of the pack. Then, during the main downtime of the pack, a punching tool is set in motion, which punches out the cover film, which is then briefly sealed to the edge of the pack in the course of the same movement. Only now is the main downtime over, and after the initial acceleration, the pack can be moved further in the mentioned first conveying direction with the aid of the conveyor belt. The contents can no longer spill over the edge of the package.
Besonders günstig ist es dabei, wenn erfindungsgemäß das Loch in der Deckfoiienbahn durch die Ausstanzung einer Deckfolie gebildet wird. Es wurde vorstehend von der Vorbewegung der Deckfoiienbahn nach dem Füllen der Packung soweit gesprochen, daß keinerlei Öffnung mehr über der oben offenen Packung liegt, vielmehr Deckfolienmaterial die gesamte obere Seite der Packung überdeckt. Danach erfolgt das Ausstanzen der Deckfolie. Durch diesen Ausstanzvorgang bringt man in der Deckfoiienbahn ein Loch an, dessen Außenmaße der der Deckfolie entsprechen.It is particularly advantageous if, according to the invention, the hole in the cover sheet is formed by punching out a cover sheet. It has been said above of the advance movement of the cover film web after the pack has been filled to such an extent that no opening is located above the open pack, rather cover film material covers the entire upper side of the pack. Then the cover film is punched out. Through this punching process, a hole is made in the cover film sheet, the outer dimensions of which correspond to those of the cover film.
ERSATZBLATT Folglich kann das Ausstanzen der Deckfolie zugleich als Ausbildung des Loches genommen werden. Dann braucht mit Vorteil die Deckfoiienbahn nach dem Ausstanzen und Aufsiegeln der Deckfolie nicht mehr weiterbewegt zu werden, bis der Füllvorgang der nächstfolgenden Packung abgeschlossen ist. Dadurch wird nicht nur Zeit sondern auch Material der Deckfoiienbahn gespart.REPLACEMENT LEAF Consequently, the punching out of the cover film can also be taken as the formation of the hole. Then, advantageously, the cover film does not need to be moved further after the cover film has been punched out and sealed, until the filling process of the next pack is completed. This not only saves time, but also material for the deck membrane.
Weiterhin ist es zweckmäßig, wenn erfindungsgemäß auf die gefüllte und mit der Deckfolie bereits verschlossene Packung zusätzlich ein Deckel aufgesetzt wird, durch den der Rand der Packung erheblich und günstig versteift wird. Zwar ist es an sich schon bekannt, Packungen ähnlicher Art mit einem Deckel zu verschließen, die Taktfoige wurde aber durch die Spritzgefahr nach dem Füllen bislang stark reduziert. Die Materialdicke der Deckfoiienbahn ist so gering, z.B. liegt die Dicke in einem Bereich zwischen 0,1 mm bis 0,5 mm, daß von einem nennenswerten Materialver¬ brauch praktisch nicht gesprochen werden kann. Der für das Aufbringen dieser Deckfolie erforder¬ liche Zeitaufwand ist ebenfalls derart gering, daß man ihn im Zuge der gesamten Verfahrens- schritte praktisch vernachlässigen kann. Infolgedessen verbleibt als Ergebnis ein Füllen einer Packung und Verschließen mit dem versteifenden Deckel wie bisher beim Stand der Technik, jedoch mit dem großen Unterschied, daß durch die beschriebenen und überraschenden Maßnah¬ men ohne Mehraufwand die Spritzgefahr erheblich verringert, wenn nicht sogar vermieden ist. Obwohl der versteifende Deckel nur mechanisch aufgesetzt wird, liegt eine Flüssigkeitsdichtigkeit der Packung vor, die man bei Verwendung einer entsprechenden Deckfolie sogar zur Gasdichtig- kelt abwandeln kann.Furthermore, it is expedient if, according to the invention, a lid is additionally placed on the filled and already sealed with the cover film, by means of which the edge of the pack is stiffened considerably and inexpensively. Although it is known per se to close packs of a similar type with a lid, the cycle time has so far been greatly reduced due to the risk of splashing after filling. The material thickness of the cover sheet is so small, e.g. the thickness lies in a range between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm, so that it is practically impossible to speak of any material consumption worth mentioning. The time required for the application of this cover film is likewise so small that it can be practically neglected in the course of the entire process steps. As a result, a package remains filled and sealed with the stiffening lid as previously in the prior art, but with the great difference that the risk of splashing is considerably reduced, if not avoided, by the described and surprising measures without additional effort. Although the stiffening lid is only attached mechanically, the pack is liquid-tight, which can even be modified to form a gas-tight seal if an appropriate cover film is used.
Die Erfindung betrifft auch eine Vorrichtung zum Füllen und Verschließen einer Packung der beschriebenen Art mittels Auflegen einer mit dem Rand zu versiegelnden und mit diesem ver¬ siegelungsfähigen Deckfolie, und diese Vorrichtung weist ein Förderband mit Haltern zur Auf¬ nahme und Förderung der Packung in einer ersten Förderrichtung unter einer Füllstation mit in einer dritten, vertikalen Richtung beweglichem Füllrohr auf. Um diese Vorrichtung mit den vor¬ teilhaften Eigenschaften einer hohen Leistung und möglichst sogar bei geringem Platzbedarf der Vorrichtung zu versehen und die Vorrichtung so zu verbessern, daß die Spritzgefahr fast oder möglichst ganz vermieden ist, wird erfindungsgemäß vorgesehen, daß eine Deckfoiienbahn im Bereich der Füllstation von einer ersten Rolle zu einer zweiten Rolle in einer zweiten Bewegungs- richtung unter einem Winkel zur ersten Förderrichtung über dem Förderband etwa in Höhe des Oberrandes der Halter intermittierend bewegbar vorgesehen ist und daß ein Stanz- und Ver¬ siegelungswerkzeug im Bereich der Füllstation angeordnet ist. Die wesentliche Wirkung der mit diesen erfindungsgemäßen Merkmalen versehenen Vorrichtung richtet sich vorwiegend auf den Bereich der Füllstation, in welchem das Förderband von der Deckfoiienbahn gekreuzt wird derart, daß die Deckfoiienbahn in der Höhe gesehen über dem Förderband verläuft, und zwar etwa in der Höhe des Oberrandes der Halter, denn in letzteren befinden sich die einseitig offenen Packungen, die auf dem Förderband stehen und oben von der Deckfolie verschlossen werden sollen. Die Bewegung der Deckfoiienbahn ist ebenso intermittierend vorgesehen wie die des Förderbandes. Vorzugsweise halten beide gleichzeitig im Bereich der Füllstation an, damit dort die wesentlichen Bearbeitungsvorgänge erfolgen können.The invention also relates to a device for filling and closing a package of the type described by placing a cover film to be sealed with the edge and sealable with it, and this device has a conveyor belt with holders for receiving and conveying the package in a first Direction of conveyance under a filling station with filling tube movable in a third, vertical direction. In order to provide this device with the advantageous properties of high performance and possibly even with a small footprint of the device and to improve the device in such a way that the risk of splashing is almost or completely avoided, the invention provides that a cover film web in the area of the filling station from a first roll to a second roll in a second direction of movement at an angle to the first conveying direction above the conveyor belt, approximately at the level of the upper edge of the holder, is provided intermittently and that a punching and sealing tool is arranged in the area of the filling station. The essential effect of the device provided with these features according to the invention is primarily directed at the area of the filling station in which the conveyor belt is crossed by the cover film web such that the cover film web runs at a height above the conveyor belt, approximately in the Height of the upper edge of the holder, because in the latter there are the packs open on one side, which stand on the conveyor belt and are to be closed at the top by the cover film. The movement of the deck sheet is provided intermittently as is that of the conveyor belt. Preferably both stop at the same time in the area of the filling station, so that the essential processing operations can take place there.
Entsprechend der vorstehenden Beschreibung gehört zu dem Betrieb in der Hauptsache die Füllung der Packung über ein vertikal bewegliches Füllrohr, welches vor dem Füllen nach unten in die offene Packung abgesenkt und im Verlaufe des Füllens hochgezogen wird, bis der Füllvor¬ gang zu Ende ist, die Packung in der nötigen Füilhöhe gefüllt ist, und danach wird das Füllrohr noch weiter in die dritte vertikale Richtung hochgezogen. Die weitere Tätigkeit und Wirkung der Vorrichtung im Bereich der Füllstation ist das Ausschneiden bzw. Ausstanzen der Deckfolie aus der Bahn, ein Vorgang, welcher von dem Stanz- und Versiegelungswerkzeug durchgeführt wird, welches zweckmäßigerweise ebenfalls im Bereich der Füllstation angeordnet ist, um längere Förderwege zu vermeiden.According to the above description, the main part of the operation is the filling of the package via a vertically movable filling tube, which before filling is lowered down into the open package and pulled up in the course of filling until the filling process has ended, which Pack is filled to the required level, and then the filling tube is pulled up further in the third vertical direction. The further activity and effect of the device in the area of the filling station is the cutting out or punching out of the cover film from the web, a process which is carried out by the punching and sealing tool, which is also expediently arranged in the area of the filling station in order to achieve longer conveying paths avoid.
Bei weiterer Ausgestaltung der Erfindung ist vorgesehen, daß das Füllrohr innerhalb der Wirk¬ fläche des Stanz- und Versiegelungswerkzeuges und relativ zu diesem bewegbar angeordnet ist und daß die Antriebe für die beweglichen Teile synchron aufeinander abgestimmt sind. Das Stanzen und Versiegeln erfolgt vorwiegend im Randbβreich des Produktes, d.h. der zu füllenden Packung. Die innerhalb des Randes der Packung vorhandene Öffnung ist die Wirkfläche der Werkzeuge, und diese ist groß genug, um auch ein Füllrohr darin aufzunehmen, welches sich also innerhalb eines rahmenförmigen Stanz- und Versiegelungswerkzeuges in der genannten dritten vertikalen Richtung auf- und abbewegen kann. Auch zum Ausstanzen braucht sich das Werkzeug nur in dieser dritten vertikalen Richtung nach unten und danach wieder nach oben zu bewegen; und ebenso verhält es sich bei dem Versiegelungsvorgang. Befindet sich die zu füllende Packung also in der Hauptstillstandszeit und bereits am richtigen Ort innerhalb der Füllstation, dann brauchen nur die einzelnen Werkzeugteile in der dritten vertikalen Richtung nach unten und danach wieder nach oben um kurze Wege bewegt zu werden, um alle Arbeiten durchzuführen und die gewünschte Wirkung voll zu entfalten. Die Abstimmung der Antriebe für die beweglichen Teile ist derart vorgesehen, daß die eingangs erläuterten Verfahrensschritte in der richtigen Zeitfolge ablaufen: zuerst Anordnen der Deckfoiienbahn mit dem darin gebildeten Loch im Bereich der Füllstation; Füllen der Packung; Vorbewegen der Deckfoiienbahn bis zum Abdecken der Pak- kungsöffnung; Ausstanzen der ausreichend großen Deckfolie; Festsiegeln derselben auf dem oberen Rand der Packung; Zurückbewegen sämtlicher Werkzeuge und dabei Öffnen der Ver¬ siegelungswerkzeuge; und Weiterbewegen der gefüllten und verschlossenen Packung zurIn a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the filling tube is arranged to be movable within the effective area of the punching and sealing tool and relative to it, and that the drives for the moving parts are synchronized with one another. The punching and sealing mainly takes place in the edge area of the product, i.e. the pack to be filled. The opening inside the edge of the package is the effective area of the tools, and this is large enough to also accommodate a filling tube therein, which can thus move up and down in the third vertical direction within a frame-shaped punching and sealing tool. For punching out, the tool only needs to move downwards in this third vertical direction and then up again; and the same applies to the sealing process. If the pack to be filled is in the main downtime and already in the right place within the filling station, then only the individual tool parts in the third vertical direction need to be moved down and then up again by short distances to carry out all the work and the to fully develop the desired effect. The coordination of the drives for the moving parts is provided in such a way that the method steps explained at the outset run in the correct time sequence: first arranging the cover film web with the hole formed therein in the area of the filling station; Filling the pack; Advance the cover sheet until the package opening is covered; Punching out the sufficiently large cover film; Sealing them to the top of the pack; Moving back all the tools and thereby opening the sealing tools; and moving the filled and sealed package to
ERSATZB nächsten Bearbeitungsstation.REPLACEMENTB next processing station.
Zweckmäßig ist es erfindungsgemäß, wenn die Halter und das Förderband aus Stahl bestehen und vorzugsweise die erste Förderrichtung senkrecht zur zweiten Bewegungsrichtung der Deckfo¬ iienbahn liegt. Es ist günstig, die zu füllenden und einseitig offenen Packungen, die beispielsweise becherförmig ausgestaltet sind und ganz aus Kunststoff bestehen, in einem Magazin auf Lager zu halten. Stück für Stück werden diese Packungen in Stahlhalter gesetzt und sind dadurch stabil und definiert gehalten. Wenn auch das Förderband aus Stahl besteht, kann die präzise Anordnung der Packungen bzw. ihrer Ränder unter den Bearbeitungswerkzeugen (Füllen, Ausstanzen, Versiegeln) beibehalten werden. Etwaige Längungstoieranzen durch Zugkräfte innerhalb des Förderbandes zwischen den einzelnen Haltern sind dadurch weitgehend ausgeschaltet. Kurze und präzise Bewegungen lassen sich auch besonders dann gut einstellen, wenn die erste Förderrich¬ tung des Förderbandes mit den Stahlhaltern senkrecht zur zweiten Bewegungsrichtung der Deckfoiienbahn liegt.It is expedient according to the invention if the holder and the conveyor belt are made of steel and the first conveying direction is preferably perpendicular to the second direction of movement of the cover sheet. It is favorable to keep the packs to be filled and open on one side, which are, for example, cup-shaped and made entirely of plastic, in a magazine. Bit by bit, these packs are placed in steel holders and are therefore kept stable and defined. If the conveyor belt is also made of steel, the precise arrangement of the packs or their edges under the processing tools (filling, punching out, sealing) can be maintained. Any elongation tolerances caused by tensile forces within the conveyor belt between the individual holders are thereby largely eliminated. Short and precise movements can also be adjusted particularly well if the first direction of conveyance of the conveyor belt with the steel holders is perpendicular to the second direction of movement of the cover sheet web.
Vorteilhaft ist es erfindungsgemäß ferner, wenn - in der ersten Förderrichtung gesehen - im Abstand hinter der FUllstation eine Deckelaufsetzstation angeordnet ist. In der Füllstation wird erfindungsgemäß die Deckfolie aufgesiegelt und damit die Packung gegen Spritzgefahr gesichert, und durch die Anordnung einer Deckelaufsetzstation neben der Füllstation wird gegenüber herkömmlichen Vorrichtungen praktisch kein zusätzlicher Platz benötigt, und gleichwohl können - gegebenenfalls auch in einem Magazin vorhandene, vorgefertigte - Deckel aufgedrückt und mit Klemm- oder Schnappwirkung am oberen Rand der gefüllten Packung festgehalten werden mit der Folge, daß die erfindungsgemäß behandelte Packung außen einen sehr steifen Rand erhält.It is also advantageous according to the invention if, as seen in the first conveying direction, a cover placement station is arranged at a distance behind the filling station. According to the invention, the cover film is sealed in the filling station and thus the package is secured against the risk of splashing, and the arrangement of a cover placement station next to the filling station means that practically no additional space is required compared to conventional devices, and nevertheless pre-fabricated covers, which may also be present in a magazine, can be pressed on and are held with a clamping or snap action on the upper edge of the filled package, with the result that the package treated according to the invention is given a very rigid edge on the outside.
Auch wenn man die gefüllte und mit den Maßnahmen gemäß der Erfindung behandelte Packung mit einer sehr großen Beschleunigung anfährt und mit Förderbändern transportiert, ist durch die Deckfolie keine Spritzgefahr mehr zu befürchten. Die gesamte Maschine kann sehr kompakt aufgebaut und dennoch mit einer großen Leistung versehen werden. Dadurch ist es möglich, mehrere Produktionslinien nebeneinander anzuordnen, wodurch die Maschine sehr flexibel wird. Je nach Wunsch eines Kunden kann zur Auslegung auf die geforderte Leistung eine Maschine mit nur wenigen oder gegebenenfalls mit vielen Produktionslinien gebaut werden. Im praktischen Betrieb hat sich gezeigt, daß bei der Produktion mittels drei Linien 4500 Packungen pro Stunde in der beschriebenen Weise gefüllt und versiegelt werden können.Even if the pack filled and treated with the measures according to the invention is accelerated and transported with conveyor belts, there is no longer any risk of splashing through the cover film. The entire machine can be built very compactly and still be provided with a great performance. This makes it possible to arrange several production lines next to each other, which makes the machine very flexible. Depending on the customer's wishes, a machine can be built with only a few or, if necessary, with many production lines to design the required performance. Practical operation has shown that 4500 packs per hour can be filled and sealed in the manner described in the production using three lines.
Weitere Vorteile, Merkmale und Anwendungsmöglichkeiten der vorliegenden Erfindung ergeben sich aus der folgenden Beschreibung in Verbindung mit den anliegenden Zeichnungen. Es zeigen:Further advantages, features and possible uses of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Show it:
ERSATZBLATT Figur 1 schematisch und abgebrochen eine Querschnittsansicht durch die Füllstation, wenn man entgegen der ersten Förderrichtung des Förderbandes blickt, in einer ersten Betriebsstufe vor dem Füllen,REPLACEMENT LEAF FIG. 1 schematically and broken a cross-sectional view through the filling station, if one looks against the first conveying direction of the conveyor belt, in a first operating stage before filling,
Figur 2 eine ähnliche Ansicht der Figur 1 , jedoch in einer zweiten Betriebsstufe, nach dem fast abgeschlossenen Füllen,FIG. 2 shows a similar view to FIG. 1, but in a second operating stage, after the filling is almost complete,
Figur 3 eine wiederum ähnliche Darstellung, jedoch in einer dritten Betriebsstufe nach demFigure 3 is a similar representation, but in a third stage after the
Füllen und Vorbewegen der Deckfoiienbahn,Filling and advancing the deck sheet,
Figur 4 eine wiederum den Figuren 1 bis 3 ähnelnde Darstellung in einer vierten Betriebs¬ stufe nach dem Füllen, Ausstanzen der Deckfolie und Aufsiegeln derselben, vor dem vollständigen Auseinanderbewegen der Werkzeuge, undFIG. 4 shows a representation similar to FIGS. 1 to 3 in a fourth operating stage after the cover film has been filled, punched out and sealed, before the tools have been completely moved apart, and
Figur 5 eine Draufsicht auf die Füllstation und das von oben nach unten laufende Förder¬ band einerseits sowie die von links nach rechts bewegbare Deckfoiienbahn andererseits.Figure 5 is a plan view of the filling station and the conveyor belt running from top to bottom on the one hand and the cover film web movable from left to right on the other.
Wesentliche Teile der einzelnen Werkzeugeinheiten sind für sich bekannt und werden hier daher nur schematisch dargestellt. Auch die Ausgestaltung der zu füllenden Packung ist unkritisch. Die Packung kann wannenartig, becherförmig oder dergleichen ausgebildet sein und ist hier in den Figuren 1 bis 4 im Querschnitt rechteckig und in Figur 5 in der Draufsicht oval dargestellt.Essential parts of the individual tool units are known per se and are therefore only shown schematically here. The design of the pack to be filled is also not critical. The pack can be trough-shaped, cup-shaped or the like and is shown here as rectangular in cross-section in FIGS. 1 to 4 and oval in plan view in FIG. 5.
Die einseitig offene Packung ist mit 1 bezeichnet und hat eine oberen zu verschließenden Rand 2, den man in Figur 5 sieht. Solche Packungen können beispielsweise aus Kunststoff tiefgezogen sein und liegen in einem nicht dargestellten Magazin, von dem sie abgenommen und in Statthal¬ ter 3 eingelegt werden. Diese befinden sich in exakt definierten Abständen fest auf einem Stahlför¬ derband 4, das sich in der Darstellung der Figur 5 in einer ersten Förderrichtung 5 von oben nach unten bewegt (siehe Pfeile 5). Bei der Darstellung der Figuren 1 bis 4 läuft das Stahlförderband 4 entgegen der Blickrichtung des Betrachters. In den Figuren 1 und 4, die im wesentlichen eine Querschnittsansicht entlang der Linie IV-IV der Figur 5 darstellen, ist das Stahlförderband 4 schematisch dargestellt.The package which is open on one side is designated by 1 and has an upper edge 2 to be closed, which can be seen in FIG. Such packs can, for example, be thermoformed from plastic and lie in a magazine (not shown) from which they are removed and inserted into the holder 3. These are located at precisely defined intervals on a steel conveyor belt 4 which, in the illustration in FIG. 5, moves from top to bottom in a first conveying direction 5 (see arrows 5). In the representation of Figures 1 to 4, the steel conveyor belt 4 runs against the viewing direction of the viewer. In Figures 1 and 4, which essentially represent a cross-sectional view along the line IV-IV of Figure 5, the steel conveyor belt 4 is shown schematically.
In Figur 5 befindet sich die Füllstation 6 dort, wo sich das Stahlförderband 4 mit der Deckfoiien¬ bahn 7 kreuzt.In FIG. 5, the filling station 6 is located where the steel conveyor belt 4 intersects with the cover film 7.
Die Deckfoiienbahn 7 ist von einer ersten Rolle 8 zu einer zweiten Rolle 9 geführt und kann in einer zweiten Bewegungsrichtung 10 unter einem Winkel von 90° zur ersten Förderrichtung 5 des Stahlförderbandes 4 intermittierend bewegt werden. Auf der ersten Rolle 8 befindet sich die Deckfoiienbahn 7 ohne Löcher oder Ausstanzungen, während nach dem Ausstanzen des LochesThe cover film web 7 is guided from a first roller 8 to a second roller 9 and can be moved intermittently in a second direction of movement 10 at an angle of 90 ° to the first direction of conveyance 5 of the steel conveyor belt 4. On the first roll 8 there is the cover film web 7 without holes or punched-out holes, while after the hole has been punched out
ERSATZBLATT 11 in Größe der Deckfolie 12 die bearbeitete Deckfoiienbahn 7 auf die zweite Rolle 9 durch Drehung derselben in Richtung des gebogenen Pfeiles 13 (Figur 3) aufgerollt wird.REPLACEMENT LEAF 11 the size of the cover film 12, the processed cover film web 7 is rolled onto the second roll 9 by rotating it in the direction of the curved arrow 13 (FIG. 3).
Während Figur 5 die Draufsicht auf die Vorrichtung und insbesondere auf die das Förderband 4 kreuzende Deckfoiienbahn 7 an der Füllstation 6 zeigt, erkennt man das allgemein mit 14 bezeich¬ nete Stanz- und Versiegelungswerkzeug aus den Figuren 1 bis 4 in den unterschiedlichen Positionen. Es handelt sich im wesentlichen um eine obere Position gemäß den Figuren 1 bis 3 und eine untere Position gemäß Figur 4, wobei die Bewegung des Stanz- und Versiegeiungs- werkzeuges 14 vertikal von oben nach unten und von unten nach oben vorgesehen ist. Das Stanz- und Versiegelungswerkzeug 14 paßt in seinen Außenmaßen zum Stahlhalter 3, denn aus der Deckfoiienbahn 7 muß entsprechend der Größe der abzudeckenden Packung 1 , einschließlich ihres Randes 2, die Deckfolie 12 ausgestanzt und dann über das Versiegelungswerkzeug aufge¬ siegelt werden können.While FIG. 5 shows the top view of the device and in particular of the cover sheet 7 crossing the conveyor belt 4 at the filling station 6, the stamping and sealing tool from FIGS. 1 to 4, generally designated by 14, can be seen in the different positions. It is essentially an upper position according to FIGS. 1 to 3 and a lower position according to FIG. 4, the movement of the punching and sealing tool 14 being provided vertically from top to bottom and from bottom to top. The external dimensions of the punching and sealing tool 14 match the steel holder 3, because the cover film 12 must be punched out of the cover sheet 7, depending on the size of the package 1 to be covered, including its edge 2, and then sealed over the sealing tool.
Außerdem befindet sich innerhalb des Stanz- und Versiegelungswerkzeuges 14 ein relativ zu diesem auf- und abbewegbares Füllrohr 15, welches ebenfalls in der vertikalen Richtung auf- und abbewegbar ist, jedoch unabhängig von der Bewegung des Stanz- und Verriegelungswerkzeuges 14, also relativ zu diesem bewegbar. Die Bewegungsmöglichkeit des Füllrohres 15, dessen darüber angeordnete Fülleinrichtungen bekannt und hier nicht dargestellt sind, reichen von einem Absenken des unteren Endes 16 des Füllrohres 15 bis in den unteren Bereich der zu füllenden Packung 1 (unten) bis in eine nach oben zurückgezogene Position in maximaler Entfernung von der Deckfolie 12, wie dies beispielsweise in Figur 4 gezeigt ist.In addition, within the punching and sealing tool 14 there is a filling tube 15 which can be moved up and down relative to the latter and which can also be moved up and down in the vertical direction, but is independent of the movement of the punching and locking tool 14, that is to say movable relative to the latter . The possibility of movement of the filling tube 15, the filling devices arranged above it, which are known and not shown here, range from lowering the lower end 16 of the filling tube 15 to the lower region of the pack 1 to be filled (below) to an upwardly retracted position in maximum Removal from the cover sheet 12, as shown for example in Figure 4.
im Betrieb arbeitet die Füll- und Verschließvorrichtung der in den Zeichnungen gezeigten und vorstehend beschriebenen Ausführungsform wie folgt.In operation, the filling and closing device of the embodiment shown in the drawings and described above operates as follows.
Von einem nicht dargestellten Magazin werden oben einseitig offene Packungen 1 mit einem flanschartig sich nach außen erstreckenden und die obere Öffnung der Packung 1 vollständig umschließenden Rand 2 abgenommen und in Halter 3 aus Stahl eingelegt, die auf einem Förder¬ band 4 in festem Abstand zueinander angebracht sind und intermittierend in der ersten Förderrich¬ tung 5 (Figur 5) derart gelegt werden, daß sie von einer in Figur 5 gezeigten Position zur nächsten vorgeschoben und dort angehalten werden. Über der Kreuzstelle der Figur 5, wo die Deckfoiien¬ bahn 7 das Förderband 4 kreuzt, sind zwei dieser Stationen zu erkennen, und man blickt von oben in die im Querschnitt ovalförmige, leere Packung 1 mit dem umlaufenden Rand 2, wobei auch das Umfangsprofil des Halters 3 zu erkennen ist. Es wird angenommen, daß die Deckfoiienbahn 7 an der Kreuzstelle im Bereich der Füllstation 6 in der Größe einer Deckfolie 12 ausgestanzt ist und diese Deckfolie 12 auf den Rand 2 der Packung 1 aufgesiegelt wird. Die Deckfoiienbahn 7 hat also ein Loch, welches in der horizontal rechts neben der Kreuzstelle gezeigten Position mit 11 bezeichnet ist und durch welches man an der Kreuzstelle auf die Deckfolie 12 hindurchblickt. Diese Darstellung entspricht der Position der Figur 4. Die Deckfolie 12 wird auf den Rand aufgesiegelt, und danach schaltet das Förderband 4 in der ersten Förderrichtung 5 um eine Position weiter, so daß man in Figur 5 die unter der Kreuzstelle stehende geschlossene Packung mit Blick auf die Deckfolie 12 sieht.From a magazine (not shown), packages 1 which are open on one side are removed with an edge 2 which extends outward in the manner of a flange and completely surrounds the upper opening of package 1 and are inserted into holders 3 made of steel, which are mounted on a conveyor belt 4 at a fixed distance from one another and are placed intermittently in the first conveying direction 5 (FIG. 5) such that they are advanced from one position shown in FIG. 5 to the next and stopped there. Above the intersection of FIG. 5, where the deck film 7 crosses the conveyor belt 4, two of these stations can be seen, and one looks from above into the empty, oval cross-section of the package 1 with the peripheral edge 2, the circumferential profile of the Holder 3 can be seen. It is assumed that the cover film web 7 is punched out at the intersection in the area of the filling station 6 in the size of a cover film 12 and this cover film 12 is sealed onto the edge 2 of the package 1. The cover film web 7 thus has a hole which is designated 11 in the position shown horizontally to the right of the intersection and through which one can see the cover film 12 at the intersection. This representation corresponds to the position of FIG. 4. The cover film 12 is sealed onto the edge, and then the conveyor belt 4 switches one position further in the first conveying direction 5, so that the closed package standing under the cross point can be seen in FIG the cover sheet 12 sees.
Während dieses Vorschubes der gefüllten und verschlossenen Packung wurde nun die nächste Packung 1 gerade unter die Kreuzstelle in den Bereich der Füllstation 6 vorgeschoben, wie in Figur 1 in Querschnittsansicht zu erkennen ist. Die Packung 1 ist noch leer. Nun wird das Füllrohr 15 soweit abgesenkt, daß sein unteres Ende 16 in die Nähe des Bodens der Packung 1 gelangt, eine Bewegung in vertikaler Richtung nach unten gemäß Pfeil 17. Das Füllgut wird in die Packung 1 eingefüllt, wie in Figur 2 gezeigt ist. Dieses Absenken des Füllrohres 1 gemäß Pfeil 17 und das Füllen gelingt durch das Loch 11 , das man in den Figuren 1 und 2 in der Deckfoiienbahn 7 deutlich sieht.During this advance of the filled and closed package, the next package 1 was now pushed just below the intersection into the area of the filling station 6, as can be seen in FIG. 1 in a cross-sectional view. Package 1 is still empty. Now the filling tube 15 is lowered so far that its lower end 16 comes close to the bottom of the package 1, a movement in the vertical direction downwards according to arrow 17. The filling material is filled into the package 1, as shown in FIG. This lowering of the filling pipe 1 according to arrow 17 and the filling is achieved through the hole 11, which can be clearly seen in the cover sheet 7 in FIGS. 1 and 2.
Nach dem Einfüllen der vorgegebenen Menge Füllgut in die Packung 1 wird die Bewegungs¬ richtung des Füllrohres 15 umgeschaltet, wie in Figur 2 zu sehen ist und in Richtung des nach oben zeigenden Pfeiles 18 durch das Stanz- und Versiegelungswerkzeug 14 hindurch nach oben zurückgezogen. Sobald das untere Ende 16 des Füllrohres 18 den Innenraum der Packung 1 und das Loch 11 der Deckfoiienbahn 7 verlassen hat, wird die Deckfoiienbahn 7 in der zweiten Bewegungsrichtung 10 um eine Position nach rechts geschoben, so daß der Zustand der Figur 3 erreicht ist. Entsprechend Pfeil 19 wird nun das Stanz- und Versiegelungswerkzeug 14 in der dritten vertikalen Richtung nach unten bewegt, so daß die Deckfolie 12 aus der Deckfoiienbahn 7 ausgestanzt wird, wie im Ergebnis Figur 4 darstellt. Dabei bzw. unmittelbar danach erfolgt die Aufsiegeiung dieser Deckfolie 12 auf den Rand 2 der Packung 1. Dadurch hat die Deckfoiienbahn 7 automatisch das Loch 11 erhalten, durch welches die Füllung in der nächstfolgenden Stufe durchgeführt werden kann. Nach dem Ausstanzen und Versiegeln der Deckfolie 12 wird nun das Stanz- und Versiegelungswerkzeug 14 in Richtung des Pfeiles 20 wieder nach oben gezogen. Das Förderband 4 mit dem Halter 3 mit eingesetzter, gefüllter und verschlossener Packung 1 kann dann aus der Kreuzstelle in der ersten Förderrichtung 5 um eine Position weiter nach unten geschaltet werden (Figur 5), wie eingangs beschrieben, so daß sich der Vorgang nun positions¬ weise wiederholt.After the predetermined quantity of filling material has been filled into the package 1, the direction of movement of the filling tube 15 is switched over, as can be seen in FIG. 2, and is pulled back upwards in the direction of the arrow 18 pointing upward through the punching and sealing tool 14. As soon as the lower end 16 of the filling tube 18 has left the interior of the pack 1 and the hole 11 of the cover sheet 7, the cover sheet 7 is pushed one position to the right in the second direction of movement 10, so that the state of FIG. 3 is reached. According to arrow 19, the punching and sealing tool 14 is now moved downward in the third vertical direction, so that the cover film 12 is punched out of the cover film web 7, as shown in the result in FIG. In this case or immediately thereafter, this cover sheet 12 is sealed onto the edge 2 of the pack 1. As a result, the cover sheet 7 has automatically received the hole 11 through which the filling can be carried out in the next step. After the cover film 12 has been punched out and sealed, the punching and sealing tool 14 is then pulled up again in the direction of the arrow 20. The conveyor belt 4 with the holder 3 with inserted, filled and sealed package 1 can then be switched one position further down from the cross point in the first conveying direction 5 (FIG. 5), as described at the beginning, so that the process is now in position wisely repeated.
ERSATZBLATT REPLACEMENT LEAF

Claims

P a t e n t a n s p r ü c h e Patent claims
1. Verfahren zum Füllen und Verschließen einer einseitig offenen Packung (1), die wenig¬ stens an ihrem zu verschließenden Rand (2) versiegelungsfähigen Kunststoff aufweist, bei dem die Packung (1) in einer ersten Förderrichtung (5) intermittierend gefördert, in einer Füllstation (6) gefüllt wird und danach eine Deckfolie (12) auf den Rand (2) aufgelegt und mit diesem versregelt wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Packung (1) in der Füllstation (6) zu einem Hauptstillstand angehalten wird, wobei in der Füllstation (6) auf einer Höhe über der Packung (1) ein Loch (11) einer Deckfoiienbahn (7) angeordnet wurde, daß während dieses Hauptstilistandes von Packung (1) und Deckfoiienbahn (7) die Packung1. A method for filling and closing a package (1) which is open on one side and which has plastic which can be sealed at least at its edge (2) to be sealed, in which the package (1) is conveyed intermittently in a first conveying direction (5), in one Filling station (6) is filled and then a cover film (12) is placed on the edge (2) and sealed with it, characterized in that the packing (1) is stopped in the filling station (6) to a main standstill, in which Filling station (6) at a height above the package (1) a hole (11) of a cover sheet (7) was arranged that during this main styling of the package (1) and cover sheet (7) the package
(1) durch dieses Loch (11) hindurch gefüllt wird, die Deckfoiienbahn (7) in einer zweiten Bewegungsrichtung (10) unter einem Winkel zur ersten Förderrichtung (5) über dem Förderband (4) soweit vorbewegt wird, daß die gesamte Öffnung (11), einschließlich Rand(1) is filled through this hole (11), the cover film web (7) is advanced in a second direction of movement (10) at an angle to the first conveying direction (5) above the conveyor belt (4) until the entire opening (11 ), including margin
(2) der Packung (1) von dem Deckfolienmaterial (7) überdeckt wird, sowie nach Aus¬ stanzung einer Deckfolie (12) diese noch während des Hauptstilistandes auf den Rand (2) der Packung (1) aufgesiegelt wird, wonach die Packung (1) auf dem Förderband (4) weiterbewegt wird, während die Deckfoiienbahn (7) stillstehend verbleibt.(2) the pack (1) is covered by the cover film material (7), and after a cover film (12) has been punched out, this is sealed onto the edge (2) of the pack (1) during the main styling stage, after which the pack ( 1) is moved further on the conveyor belt (4) while the covering film web (7) remains stationary.
2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Loch (11) in der Deckfo¬ iienbahn (7) durch die Ausstanzung einer Deckfolie (12) gebildet wird.2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the hole (11) in the Deckfo¬ iienbahn (7) is formed by punching a cover sheet (12).
3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß auf die gefüllte und mit der Deckfolie (12) verschlossene Packung (1) zusätzlich ein den Rand (2) der Packung (1) versteifender Deckel aufgesetzt wird.3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that on the filled and with the cover film (12) closed package (1) additionally an edge (2) of the package (1) stiffening lid is placed.
4. Vorrichtung zum Füllen und Verschließen einer einseitig offenen Packung (1), die wenig¬ stens an ihrem zu verschließenden Rand (2) versiegelungsfähigen Kunststoff aufweist, durch Auflegen einer mit dem Rand (2) zu versiegelnden und mit diesem versiegelungs¬ fähigen Deckfolie (12), mit einem Förderband (4) mit Haltern (3) zur Aufnahme und Förderung der Packung (1) in einer ersten Förderrichtung (5) unter der Füllstation (6) mit in einer dritten vertikalen Richtung (17, 19) beweglichen Füllrohr (15). dadurch gekenn¬ zeichnet, daß eine Deckfoiienbahn (7) im Bereich der Füllstation (6) von einer ersten Rolle (8) zu einer zweiten Rolle (9) in einer zweiten Bewegungsrichtung (10) unter einem Winkel zur ersten Förderrichtung (5) über dem Förderband (4) etwa in Höhe des Oberrandes der Halter (3) intermittierend bewegbar vorgesehen ist und daß ein Stanz- und Versiegelungs-4. Device for filling and closing a package (1) which is open on one side and which has plastic which can be sealed at least on its edge (2) to be sealed, by placing a cover film which is to be sealed with the edge (2) and is capable of sealing with this ( 12), with a conveyor belt (4) with holders (3) for receiving and conveying the pack (1) in a first conveying direction (5) under the filling station (6) with a filling pipe (17, 19) movable in a third vertical direction (17, 19) 15). characterized in that a covering film web (7) in the area of the filling station (6) from a first roll (8) to a second roll (9) in a second direction of movement (10) at an angle to the first conveying direction (5) above the Conveyor belt (4) is provided such that it can be moved intermittently approximately at the level of the upper edge of the holder (3) and that a punching and sealing
ERSATZBLAT Werkzeug (14) im Bereich der Füllstation (6) angeordnet ist.REPLACEMENT BLADE Tool (14) is arranged in the area of the filling station (6).
5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Füllrohr (15) innerhalb der Wirkfläche des Stanz- und Versiegelungswerkzeuges (14) und relativ zu diesem bewegbar angeordnet ist und daß die Antriebe für die beweglichen Teile (3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 15) synchron aufeinander abgestimmt sind.5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the filling tube (15) within the active surface of the punching and sealing tool (14) and is arranged movable relative to this and that the drives for the movable parts (3, 4, 6, 7th , 9, 15) are synchronously coordinated.
6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Halter (3) und das Förderband (4) aus Stahl bestehen und vorzugsweise die erste Förderrichtung (5) senk¬ recht zur zweiten Bewegungsrichtung (10) liegt.6. The device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the holder (3) and the conveyor belt (4) consist of steel and preferably the first conveying direction (5) is perpendicular to the second direction of movement (10).
7. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß in der ersten Förderrichtung (5) gesehen im Abstand hinter der Füllstation (6) eine Deckelaufsetzstation angeordnet ist.7. Device according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that, seen in the first conveying direction (5) at a distance behind the filling station (6), a cover placement station is arranged.
ERSATZBLATT REPLACEMENT LEAF
EP94905065A 1993-01-20 1994-01-14 Process and device for filling and closing packages Expired - Lifetime EP0680439B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH166/93 1993-01-20
CH00166/93A CH687609A5 (en) 1993-01-20 1993-01-20 Method and apparatus for filling and sealing of a package.
PCT/EP1994/000100 WO1994016949A1 (en) 1993-01-20 1994-01-14 Process and device for filling and closing packages

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0680439A1 true EP0680439A1 (en) 1995-11-08
EP0680439B1 EP0680439B1 (en) 1997-03-12

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ID=4180763

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94905065A Expired - Lifetime EP0680439B1 (en) 1993-01-20 1994-01-14 Process and device for filling and closing packages

Country Status (7)

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US (1) US5606847A (en)
EP (1) EP0680439B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3375133B2 (en)
AT (1) ATE149934T1 (en)
CH (1) CH687609A5 (en)
DE (1) DE59402071D1 (en)
WO (1) WO1994016949A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US5606847A (en) 1997-03-04
WO1994016949A1 (en) 1994-08-04
DE59402071D1 (en) 1997-04-17
CH687609A5 (en) 1997-01-15
ATE149934T1 (en) 1997-03-15
JPH08505591A (en) 1996-06-18
EP0680439B1 (en) 1997-03-12
JP3375133B2 (en) 2003-02-10

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