EP0806346B1 - Packaging machine equipped with a system to form a tube - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging machine for packaging objects in a film, with a Hose forming device for forming a hose a substantially flat film before tube formation and a transport device for transporting the objects into the tube, the tube forming device several Has pairs of shaped edges for deflecting the film.

A packaging machine of the type mentioned is from DE 40 21 934 A1 known. With this conventional packaging machine the tube forming device has several baffles, which essentially have three pairs of shaped edges, around which the film is guided one after the other. A The first foil-like baffle guides the packaging film diagonally downwards against the transport direction of the packing objects to, the film by means of first baffle and two further scissors-shaped Deflectors are deflected and formed into a tube, of the objects to be packed in the direction of transport expires. The individual shaped edges of the baffles are included arranged in relation to each other in such a way that the film over which form edge or over which area of the guide plates it runs, is evenly tensioned and even, i.e. runs over the edges without distortion. From the film one after the other overflowed form edges lie in pairs on a common level.

Such packaging machines are, however, in terms of Film guidance through the blade forming device unsatisfactory.

The present invention is therefore based on the object a packaging machine with an improved tube forming device of the type mentioned at the beginning. Especially should avoid excessive strain on the film and a Overstretching of the film can be prevented.

This task is the beginning of a packaging machine mentioned type according to the invention solved in that the shaped edges are arranged relative to each other in such a way that the path over the form edges along to the edges of the film more parallel Lines from entry of the film into the tube forming device until they exit the tube forming device in the area of the edges of the film is shorter than in a central area of the film.

The film is guided over the edges of the mold so that the The edges of the film are free of tension or loosely over the edges to run. This has the advantage that the film on the Protect edges from excessive tension and stretching is.

Surprisingly, the film runs despite the not constant Stress distribution without wrinkles via the tube forming device. So far it has always been assumed that the way over the shape edges parallel to the edges of the film for everyone Areas of the film must be the same length to prevent that the film converges towards its central area and accordingly wrinkles. However, the opposite is the case Case. The film that is drawn or drawn over the edges of the mold tries to run over the form edges in the shortest possible way and becomes very easily transverse to the film longitudinal direction The edges are tightened so that there are no folds.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Foil or parts thereof one after the other over first shaped edges a first shape shoulder and second and third shape edges a second shape shoulder. Preferably each one of the first mold edges and an associated, i.e. of the same Foil piece overflowed second mold edge not in one Level. The shape edges of the same pair of shape edges can be in lie on a common level.

So there are edges overlapped by the film aligned skew to each other. So far it has been assumed that the film overflowed one after the other Molded edges must lie in one plane to make the film wrinkle-free and evenly stretched over the edges of the mold To guide hose shaping device. In contrast to that according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention in particular one of the first mold edges and an associated second one Form edge arranged relative to each other such that the film between the respectively belonging first and second Is edged. This has the advantage that the Film is gently and loosely passed over the edges

The first shape shoulder can be from the second shape shoulder separated, i.e. not be connected to it and is expediently arranged above the second shape shoulder. The first shape shoulder is preferably in the form of a trapezoidal in particular formed multi-piece sheet metal part and the second form shoulder, essentially in the transport plane the transport device lies, has two essentially triangular pieces of sheet metal that scissors each other overlap such that the third form edges in the hose exit direction converge and overlap, and that the second mold edges in the hose exit direction diverge. The shape shoulders can be of different Be made of materials, but have the form shoulders in sheet metal construction advantages in terms of a simple and stable design. Instead of the flat, plate-shaped design of the shaped shoulders can also be rack-like in such a way that skeleton-like only the shape edges are provided, but has the plate-shaped sheet metal construction advantages in terms of even and smoothly sliding film guidance.

In a further development of the invention is the angular alignment at least one of the pairs of mold edges, in particular the first Molded edges, adjustable. The degree of entanglement of the over the shape edges of the running foil and the amount of the distance difference between the areas where the Edge of the slide runs and the area where a midsection the film runs over the edges of the mold is adjustable. This allows the stress distribution in the film and the Belly the film on the film edges between one after the other has the following shape edges.

So far it has been assumed that an arrangement of the Form edges, which are a predetermined condition for the distances different parallel to the edges of the film Lines across the form edges correspond for different Foils work equally. However, this is not the case to. The adjustability of the angular orientation at least individual shape edges has the advantage that the geometry the tube forming device to different foils different Strengths and made of different materials can be adjusted. The angular orientation is also in Depends on the size of the items to be packed adjustable to different objects, the one different hose geometry and different Overlap widths require that the film optimally over the To pull the hose forming device. In particular, this can to what extent the edge of the film is loose runs over the form edges and the tension in the film distributed differently. The corresponding have adjustable mold edges an adjustment range that this Shape edges with the corresponding shape edges of the next one Form edge pair do not lie in one plane and themselves always an entanglement of the led over the form edges Film results and the edge areas of the film free of tension and are relaxed.

The shape edges are expediently in one common level swiveling. The angle of the shape edges one another is adjustable in this plane. Preferably the first shape shoulder has two sheets, which are in one common plane and each have a first shape edge have, the sheets perpendicular to each axis are pivotable to the common plane. The sheets can that is, pivoted in the plane that you define yourself become. The first shape shoulder can also be a whole be pivotable substantially horizontal axis, whereby the effective angle of the first shape edges relative to the second mold edge is adjustable, but has the previous described execution advantages in terms of a simple Swivel bearing of the shaped shoulder plates.

Cut according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention the first and second form edges in their Extension each at one point, with the first shape edges are more spread than the second form edges.

The orientation of the mold edges is preferably such that also the projection of the between the first shape edges included angle in the plane of the second mold edges is greater than the angle between the second mold edges is limited.

The shape edges can be translationally displaceable, preferably the shape edges in pairs in each opposite direction displaceable and at least one Pair of mold edges relative to the other mold edges is movable, in particular such that a height and a width of the tube formed from the film is adjustable is.

In a packaging machine of the type mentioned the items to be packaged become conventional on the side of the tube forming device that the Side on which the film formed into a tube from the Hose forming device expires, lies opposite, delivered and through the tube forming device between the forming shoulders transported through the drain hose. It is known that the transport device or at Multi-piece design of the transport device a section to insert the same into the tube forming device, around the corresponding object via the shaped sheets transport away into the draining hose can. However, this known design is structural relatively complicated and economically unsatisfactory.

According to a further feature of the invention, a packaging machine with an improved transport facility created, in particular the transport device reliable transport even of different sizes Objects with different settings of the hose shaping device into the tube formed from the film cause. This is the position of a downstream end the transport device adjustable.

There is none in the area of the tube forming device itself Transport device is provided and the items are in the area of the tube forming device indirectly through the Foil transported itself.

The downstream end of the transport device is such adjustable that the objects to be transported too with different settings of the hose shaping device always directly to the hose forming device introduced and to those in the tube forming device running film can be pushed. Between the end of the Transport device and the tube forming device is not or only a minimal gap that prevents the forward movement of the could hinder transporting object.

The downstream end of the transport device is preferably synchronized with the moveable shape shoulder of the Hose shaping device adjustable. The adjustable end the transport device is thus of the movable type Form shoulder coupled that when adjusting the form shoulder for example for different geometries of the items to be packed simultaneously and automatically the transport device is adjusted accordingly such that the end of the transport means immediately the shape shoulder ends and no larger gap between the Transport device and the shape shoulder is created.

In an improvement of the invention is an effective transport route the transport device is adjustable in length. This owns the Advantage that the upstream end of the transport device stationary, especially following a feeder can be arranged for the objects and at the same time the Position of the downstream end of the transport device is adjustable.

The downstream end of the transport device is preferably to an opposite contour of the tube forming device adapted, preferably a leading edge of the Hose forming device over which the objects in the tube forming device are pushed, is V-shaped and the downstream end of the transport device tongue-shaped in the V-shaped recess of the hose shaping device extends. To adjust the tube forming device to allow without using the transport device collide is the downstream end of the transport device so forward and backward in the direction of transport, that the complementary V-shaped end of the transport device moved back when the V-shaped opening of the Hose forming device is narrowed to a scissors order a smaller width of the tube emerging from the film adjust.

The transport device advantageously has at least an endless conveying means rotating around deflecting means, whereby the funding at the downstream end of the Transport device around a movable deflection unit is led. In particular, the displaceable deflection unit, over which the funding is S-shaped, between two fixed deflection means arranged and parallel to the straight sections of the conveyor between the Deflection unit and the two fixed deflection means back and forth movable. The funding is without a special Tensioning device such as tensioning rollers, can be pre-tensioned. A length adjustment of the conveyor path, i.e. a The deflection unit can be moved without changing the length of the Path that the funding travels. As a result, the funding advantageously has one uniform tension, not like inertia effects for example with a dancer roller, which is usually used for Tension of endless belts is used is impaired.

The transport device preferably has a plurality narrow, parallel conveyor belts, preferably the conveyor belts at the downstream end of the transport device around rollers offset in steps are guided, such that the downstream end step adapted the V-shaped front of the tube forming device is. The roles can be on a common, movable Sled mounted and synchronized with each other in parallel be displaceable to the conveying direction.

A removal device preferably closes for removal the objects wrapped in the hose to a Exit side of the tube forming device essentially flush with this. This has the advantage that the Objects directly at the outlet from the tube forming device be taken over by the removal device. The discharge device preferably has a suction belt conveyor, where the objects wrapped in the tube be sucked into a conveyor belt. The suction causes also the transport of the from the tube molding device leaking hose if there are no objects in it are included. The suction does the necessary Adhesion of the hose to the conveyor belt. The discharge device could also be an electrostatic attraction Provide film on the conveyor belt, but has the suction of the draining hose advantages in terms of stable static friction between film and conveyor belt, in particular even with different foils.

In a packaging machine of the type mentioned with adjustable Shaped shoulders can be different objects be packed in the setting of the tube forming device is changed. Especially with small lot sizes, i.e. if only a small number of identical items too is pack and the tube forming device relatively often must be adjusted is an easy and quick adjustment important.

According to another feature of the present invention created an automatically adjustable packaging machine, in particular an adjustment device for adjustment the tube forming device for different ones to be packaged Objects and a control device for control the adjusting device depending on object parameters such as. Length, width and height etc. of the item are provided.

So it is not a manual adjustment of the tube forming device necessary, but this is from the adjusting device automatically depending on the item parameters suitable for the item to be packed. This can take the time necessary for the changeover shortens the productivity of the packaging machine increase.

The object parameters can, for example, by hand a corresponding input unit can be entered. Preferably however, the packaging machine has a storage device for storing one item at a time assigned object parameters, the control device the corresponding object parameters by means of a reading unit reads from the storage device and in Depending on these stored parameters, the setting device controls.

According to an embodiment of the invention is an input unit provided with which the item to be packaged entered can be. According to the selection of the packaged The control device then reads the object Object parameters associated with the object from the storage device, around the adjusting device accordingly head for.

To pack the tube forming device for a new one To set an object, it is only necessary enter or select the appropriate item. The tube forming device is then completely automatic brought into the necessary setting for this.

Instead of the input unit, a detection device could also be used be provided, with the help of which each packaging object is automatically detected. Corresponding the result of the automatic detection will then be the respective item parameters read from memory in order to to control the setting device. The detection device can be connected to an evaluation unit evaluate which stored object the captured Item corresponds or comes closest.

The previously described version with manual input however, the item to be packaged has advantages in terms of simple structure and reliability the input.

The adjusting device can have several servomotors, the respective different axes of movement of the tube forming device are assigned and by the control device are controlled. Both translational are preferred Sliding axes as well as the angle adjustment axes the hose shaping device each assigned actuators.

Stepper motors can be used as servomotors be an indirect distance measurement by counting the Step pulses are provided. Servomotors can also be used be provided, with a direct path measurement by pulse generator and an evaluation in a suitable controller can be provided.

The adjusting device with the transport device is preferably coupled. The transport device is therefore also automatically to the item to be packed and the corresponding setting of the tube forming device customized. Furthermore, by the control device also downstream units such as one Foil sealing device can be controlled. By input or detection of the item to be packaged a fully automatic adjustment of the packaging machine causes.

The control device described can be particularly advantageous also set up the tube forming device completely new items to be packaged are simplified, by first of all coming closest to the new object known item is selected. The control device then causes a presetting according to the for known subject stored parameters. A fine adjustment can then, for example, after a test run respectively. There is preferably a parameter input unit for this intended.

These and other features go beyond the claims also from the description and the drawings, wherein the individual features individually or separately several advantageous in the form of sub-combinations as well can represent protectable versions for which protection is claimed here.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht, die schematisch einen Ausschnitt einer Verpackungsmaschine mit einer Transporteinrichtung, auf der ein Gegenstand transportiert wird, eine Schlauchformeinrichtung mit Formschultern, über die eine Folie läuft, und eine Abfördereinrichtung auf dem stromabseitigen Ende der Schlauchformeinrichtung zeigt,

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf ein stromabseitiges Ende der Transporteinrichtung mit mehreren schmalen, parallel laufenden Förderbändern und einer V-förmigen Vorderseite der Schlauchformeinrichtung, die durch zwei scherenartig angeordnete Formbleche gebildet wird,

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung der Förderbandführung und der Anordnung der Umlenkrollen der Transporteinrichtung gemäß den vorhergehenden Figuren,

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Formschultern der Schlauchformeinrichtung, die schematisch die Anordnung einzelner Formkanten zueinander und deren Beweglichkeit sowie die Führung der über die einzelnen Formkanten gezogenen Folie zeigt,

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht auf die Schlauchformeinrichtung gemäß der Ausführung der vorhergehenden Figuren, die ähnlich Fig. 4 schematisch die Anordnung der Formschultern zueinander zeigt, und

Fig. 6

eine Seitenansicht, die die Verstellbarkeit einer oberen Formschulter der Schlauchformeinrichtung und die Anordnung der Transporteinrichtung, einer unteren Formschulter und eines Abförderers in einer Ebene zeigt.

The present invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment and associated drawings. In these show:

Fig. 1

1 shows a perspective view which schematically shows a section of a packaging machine with a transport device on which an object is transported, a tube forming device with shaped shoulders over which a film runs, and a discharge device on the downstream end of the tube forming device,

Fig. 2

2 shows a plan view of a downstream end of the transport device with a plurality of narrow, parallel conveyor belts and a V-shaped front side of the tube-forming device, which is formed by two shear-like shaped sheets,

Fig. 3

1 shows a schematic illustration of the conveyor belt guide and the arrangement of the deflection rollers of the transport device according to the previous figures,

Fig. 4

2 shows a perspective view of the shaped shoulders of the tube forming device, which schematically shows the arrangement of individual shaped edges with respect to one another and their mobility and the guidance of the film drawn over the individual shaped edges,

Fig. 5

a plan view of the tube forming device according to the embodiment of the preceding figures, which schematically shows the arrangement of the shaped shoulders to each other similar to FIG. 4, and

Fig. 6

a side view showing the adjustability of an upper shape shoulder of the tube forming device and the arrangement of the transport device, a lower shape shoulder and a conveyor in one plane.

The packaging machine has a tube forming device 1, a transport device 2, with which to be packed Objects 4 through the tube forming device 1 in a tube 6 formed from film 5 can be transported, and a discharge device 3, which from the tube forming device 1 emerging hose 6 and the arranged therein Objects 4 transported away from the tube forming device 1 (Fig. 1).

The tube molding device 1 has an upper, first shape shoulder 7 and a lower, second form shoulder 8 on (Fig. 4), over which the film 5, from a supply roll 9 over a compensating roller 10 is removed, performed in succession is used as the hose 6 from the hose shaping device 1 to resign. The hose 6 essentially has one rectangular cross-section, being at the bottom of the hose 6 overlap the edges 11 of the film 5.

The two form shoulders 7 and 8 essentially span two Levels that are inclined to each other and approximately in the transport level defined by the transport device 2 to cut. The lower, second shape shoulder 8 is essentially in the conveying plane of the transport device 2 while the upper, first shape shoulder 7 in the conveying direction 13 increasing so that the film 5, which over the upper form shoulder 7 is pulled, as shown in FIG. 4 from the right is fed up to the bottom left.

The shape shoulders 7 and 8 have several pairs of shape edges, over which the film 5 is guided and kinked to the tube 6 to be molded. The upper shape shoulder 7 has a first pair of molded edges 12 on its outer sides, over which the outer edge regions of the film 5 close to them Edges 11 is first performed before this the lower Reach shape shoulder 8. The first shape edges 12 are in a common level, namely the level of the form shoulder 7 and converge in the direction of the first shape shoulder 7 drawn film 5. The extensions of the mold edges 12 intersect at a convergence angle u (Fig. 5). As shown in Fig. 1, the first shape shoulder 7 two baffles 14, each one of the Have shaped edges 12 and are movable, as later will be described in more detail about leadership and tension the film 5 and the geometry of the exiting film tube 6 to be able to adjust. The baffles 14 are Metal sheets.

The lower, second shape shoulder 8 also has two Baffles 15 and 16, but not like the baffles 14 lie in one plane, but in two parallel planes are arranged and overlap each other, wherein between the two baffles 15 and 16 according to a narrower 1 is a horizontal gap, by which the film 5 can be guided, as below will be explained.

The two guide plates 15 and 16 are essentially triangular and together have a second pair of mold edges 17, which are arranged on the outer sides of the shaped shoulder 8, and a third pair of mold edges 18 that overlap each other and a V-shaped opening at the front of the shape shoulder 8 limit. As shown in Fig. 5, the diverge second mold edges 17 in the direction of from the tube molding device 1 emerging hose 6. Extensions of the second mold edges 17 intersect at a convergence angle v. The third shape edges 18 converge in the direction of the exiting hose 6 and limit in the projection an angle to the conveying plane of the transport device 2 w.

A fourth pair of mold edges 19 over which the film 5 is guided is located on a front side of the upper shape shoulder 7 and lies on a common straight line.

The arrangement of the mold edges to one another is such that the path over the different shape edges 12, 17, 18 and 19 along different lines leading to the edges 11 of the slide 5 are each parallel, measured from an entry of the Film 5 in the tube forming device 1 at an entry edge 20 until the exit of the film 5 on a vertical Cross section of the hose 6 at the rear edges 21 of the lower Form shoulder 8 is of different lengths. In particular, the prescribed path in areas near the edges 11 of the Slide 5 shorter than in areas to the longitudinal central axis of the Slide 5 down. This leads, as will be described in more detail later will, that the edges 11 loose and untensioned run over the form edges and especially in the area between the first mold edges 12 and the second mold edges 17 form a belly (Fig. 4).

As shown in FIG. 5, they are each of the film 5 successively overflowed first mold edge 12 and second Form edge 17, i.e. 5 a right one of the first and second mold edges and a left one of the first and second mold edges, not arranged in a common plane, but are skewed towards each other. The slide 5 is thereby in the area between the first mold edges 12 and the second mold edges 17 crossed. Depending on the The inclination angle z of the first shape shoulder 7 is a large number possible combinations of angles of angles u, v and w, to the one hand the absence of tension of the edges 11 and others the entanglement of the film 5 in the area between to achieve two associated shape edges 12 and 17. At an angle z of 45 ° can be the angles u, v and w, for example 70, 20 and 90 °. If you project that in the plane of the first shape shoulder 7 lying angle u in is the plane of the angle v in the conveying plane the projection of the angle u is always greater than the angle v.

To determine the geometry of the tube forming device 1 emerging hose 6 and the voltage distribution at the Adjust the guidance of the film 5 over the individual mold edges To be able to, the shape edges 12, 17 and 18 are around and along different axes movable. By a height of the hose 6 To be able to adjust, is along the first shape shoulder 7 an axis a parallel to a straight line connecting the Front edge 19 of the first shape shoulder 7 and a front edge 210 of the second shape shoulder 8 slidably (Fig. 6). A Carrier 22 with the two guide plates 14 of the first shape shoulder 7 is connected, is displaceable along the axis a mounted on a stand 23 and with an arm 24 with a spindle 25 for height adjustment of the first shape shoulder 7 engaged. A moving with the shape shoulder This eliminates the need for a handwheel. The spindle 25 can of Hand, preferably driven by means of an actuator 50 become.

The carrier 22 and the stand 23 are made in two parts and connected to each of the baffles 14 to the Baffles 14 along an axis b transverse to the conveying direction the transport device 2 and thereby a width of the running hose 6 to be able to adjust. The adjustment the guide plates 14 of the upper shape shoulder 7 takes place preferably in synchronization with a corresponding width setting the guide plates 15 and 16 of the lower form shoulder 8 also along a direction b. The two stands 23 can be fixed with one of the guide plates 15 or 16 be connected or they can with the two baffles 15th and 16 can be coupled to a common setting spindle 26. As shown in Fig. 2, the two baffles 15 and 16 each with a spindle nut 27 or 28 with different common sections of the adjusting spindle 26 in Engagement, so that with actuation of the spindle 26, the width of the V-shaped opening bounded by the third mold edges 18 the lower shape shoulder 8 is set. Instead of shown spindle drive are other drive or. Adjustment devices can be used, but the shown spindle drive with a simple design a high Precision. The spindle 26 can preferably by hand a suitable servomotor 51 are driven. By synchronous adjustment of the guide plates 14 of the upper shape shoulder 7 and the guide plates 15 and 16 of the lower mold shoulder 8 is the track width of the tube forming device 1 and thus the width of the running hose 6 simply with the same geometrical relationships of the shape edges to each other adjustable.

To adjust the tension of the film 5 at the edges 11 can, the baffles 14 of the upper shape shoulder 7 to each an axis c pivotable, which is perpendicular to that of the Baffles 14 is defined level. As in Figs. 4 and 6 is shown, the axes c are each at a lower outer end of the baffles 14. The location of the connection points the first mold edge 12 and the fourth mold edge 19 doing the same for different swivel positions Baffles 14, such that the imaginary connection between the fourth pair of mold edges 19 and the tips, i.e. the Connecting points of the second and third form edges, remains unchanged. By pivoting the baffles 14 the angle of convergence u changes. The adjustment range is thereby such that the convergence angle u or its projection in the plane of the angle v is always greater than that Angle v. This will entangle the film 5 in Area between the first mold edges 12 and the second Form edges 17 reached.

As shown in Fig. 6, the baffles 14 are each on a plate-shaped base support 29 pivotally mounted. Around to achieve a synchronous adjustment of the two guide plates 14, can, for example, with one another via a spindle be coupled, similar to the two guide plates 15 and 16. A servomotor, not shown, can also be provided for this be. However, it is also possible to use the two Baffles 14 individually pivotable to different To achieve settings on the two mold edges 12.

As shown in FIG. 6, the fourth mold edges 19 formed by cylindrical rollers 30 attached to the base support 29 are rotatably mounted. The rollers 30 reduce that Strain on the film 5 due to the relatively acute angle Deflection on the mold edge 4 and reduce the friction of the Slide 5 on this form edge.

By setting the convergence angle u, the Tension the film 15, as described in more detail later will be in the areas of the edges 11 and the bulky the film between the first mold edges 12 and set the second mold edges 17.

To the objects 4 in the of the two shoulders 7 and 8 stretched hose 6 has the Transport device 2, as shown in Fig. 1, a A plurality of narrow, parallel conveyor belts 31, the the objects 4 on the lower form shoulder 8 or over to slide the lower mold shoulder 8 drawn film 5. At the downstream end of the upper run of the transport device 2 the conveyor belts 31 are arranged offset by steps Rollers 32, 33, 34 and 35 guided such that the ends of the individual conveyor belts 31 are V-shaped and of the third mold edges 18 limited V-shaped opening of the lower shape shoulder 7 are adapted. This is enough Transport path of the transport device 2 directly to the lower shape shoulder 8, which corresponds to the conveying plane of the transport direction 2 lies on the same level. To set a width the baffles 15 and 16 transverse to the direction of transport with a constant small gap between the transport device 2 and the V-shaped front of the lower one Achieving shape shoulder 8 is the complementarily graded downstream end of the conveyor 2 forward and retractable in such a way that the conveying path of the transport device 2 is adjustable in length.

The rollers 32, 33, 34 and 35, which are the downstream end set, are mounted on a common carriage 36, the in the conveying direction by means of plain or roller bearings 37 moveable on a frame of the Packaging machine is stored. Will the width of the bottom Shape shoulder 8 reduced, i.e. the baffles 14 and 15 pushed together or pushed one over the other the carriage 36 against the conveying direction of the transport device 2 pushed back so that the downstream end the transport device not with the third mold edges 18 collided. When the lower form shoulder widens 8, i.e. when the two guide plates are pushed apart 15 and 16 transversely to the conveying direction, the downstream End pushed forward in the conveying direction, no gap between the transport device 2 and the lower form shoulder 8 to be created.

The carriage 36 is preferably in synchronism with the width adjustment the lower form shoulder 8 slidably. A Slide spindle 38 with which the slide over an arm 39 and a spindle nut 40 is engaged by means of a Bevel gear pair 41 to the adjusting spindle 26 with which the Position of the guide plates 14 and the guide plates 15 and 16 transversely is set to the direction of conveyance. The synchronous circuit of the slide 36 with the shaped plates 15 and 16 can also be done using appropriately controlled actuators done individually, but the coupling shown has two Spindle drives with a simple design a high precision. The adjustment spindle 26 and the slide spindle 38 can together by hand or with a suitable servomotor are driven.

As shown in Fig. 3, the individual conveyor belts 31 guided such that the endlessly rotating conveyor belts 31 covered distances for different Settings of the downstream end of the upper run the transport device 2 are the same. The individual conveyor belts 31 are first individually or in pairs around the slidably mounted pulleys 32, 33, 34 and 35 led and then together around a common pulley 41, which is also rotatable on the sliding carriage 36 is stored and together with the guide rollers 32, 33, 34 and 35 displaceable in a direction parallel to the conveying direction is. The conveyor belts 31 are each S-shaped one of the deflection rollers 32, 33, 34 and 35 and the deflection roller 41 out. The deflection rollers mounted on the slide 36 32 to 35 and 41 are rotatable between two fixed mounted deflection rollers 42 and 43 arranged around each the conveyor belts 31 is guided. The section of the conveyor belts 31 between the deflection roller 43 and the deflection rollers 32 to 35 and the section of the conveyor belts 31 between the Deflection roller 41 and the deflection roller 42 run in each other parallel planes. The movable deflection unit with the Deflection rollers 32 to 35 and 41 can be parallel to these planes be moved back and forth in the conveying direction to the Position of the downstream end of the conveyor 2 to be set, whereby the conveyor belts 31 distance traveled is constant. The conveyor belts 31 can therefore with a predetermined and constant Voltage are applied.

For the removal of objects 4 on the hose outlet side the tube forming device 1 is a discharge device 3 provided. The discharge device 3 has one Air suction holes 44 perforated suction conveyor 45, the endlessly revolves and its top in the plane of the second, lower shape shoulder 8. The upstream end of the conveyor of the conveyor 3 closes flush with a rear edge of the second, lower form shoulder 8 and takes over in the Tube pushed objects 4 and the film tube 6 even downstream of the hose forming device 1. In the area the tube forming device 1 itself, i.e. in the field of lower form shoulder 8, is therefore not a conveyor intended. The transport of the objects 4 in this area takes place indirectly through the film 5, which over the baffles 15 and 16 of the second, lower mold shoulder 8 is pulled. The suction conveyor 3 also acts as a puller for the film 5 and can also be packaged in the absence of Objects 4 the film 5 through the tube forming device 1 pull. In particular threading the film 5 in the tube forming device 1 is thereby facilitated.

For the automatic adjustment of the hose shaping device 1 the packaging machine shown also has a control device and a storage device shown in the figures are not shown. In the storage device are under corresponding names assigned to the objects Item parameters such as height, width, Length and other parameters that affect the setting of the tube forming device affect how color of the Object or type of film, necessary melting temperature etc. saved. The control device is in each case with the Actuators connected to this depending on the stored To control object parameters.

An input unit, also not shown, is used the item to be packaged is selected, after which the under the corresponding name saved parameters the control device can be read from the data memory. The control device uses this to calculate the target position for the actuators and controls them with appropriate Signals. The calculated values are over a Transfer the bus system to the engine control. The servomotors move to the desired position and report via the bus system reaching the position value to the control. Accordingly, the tube forming device becomes complete automatically only by entering the item to be packed set.

The following is the function and mode of operation of the packaging machine explained in more detail.

First, the film 5 is in the tube forming device 1 threaded. For this purpose, the film 5 from the supply roll of Hand removed and over the guide plates 14 of the upper form shoulder 7 led. The edge areas of the film 5 are over the first mold edges 12 of the first, upper mold shoulder 7 drawn and successively around the second and third mold edges one of the guide plates 15 and 16 guided. The one under the Guide plate 15 guided section of the film 5 and on the Top of the baffle 16 folded edge of the film 5th are through the gap between the two baffles 15 and 16 drawn. The film 5 is so far through the tube forming device 1 drawn that a sufficient section the conveyor 3 comes to rest.

The width and required for the respective objects 4 Height of the running hose 6 is by pressing the Adjustment spindle 26 and the height adjustment spindle 46 set. This can be done before or after threading the film 5 and is controlled by the control device and the servomotors, which form a motorized adjusting device, according to a corresponding entry of the object causes.

By actuating the conveyor 3, the film 5 through the Hose forming device 1 pulled. This can be done by swiveling the baffles 14 align the first Form edges 12 can be adjusted. By swiveling the guide plates 14 outwards in the direction of the arrows f is that of the film in the area of the edges 11 distance to be covered extended, the belly of the film 5 in the area between the first mold edges 12 and the second mold edges 17 reduced and possibly the tension of the film 5 in the edge areas elevated. A pushing the guide plates 14 against the Arrows f reduce the tension in the edge regions 11 and enlarges the belly, which the film 5 in the area between the first and second mold edges 12 and 17 throws. This angle setting can also by the control device are effected, readjustment if necessary by hand or by manually entering corrected setpoints can be.

The objects 4 are, according to FIG. 1, from left to right transported on the transport device 2 and in the the shoulders 7 and 8 stretched membrane tunnel. The objects are in the area of the lower shape shoulder 8 4 through the drawn over the lower shape shoulder 8 Slide 5 transported. Downstream of the hose shaping device 1 the objects are removed by the conveyor 3 and possibly fed to a welding device.

Claims (17)

1. Packing machine for packing articles (4) into a film (5), with a tube shaping device (1) for shaping a tube (6) from a film substantially flat prior to tube shaping, and a transporting device (2) for transporting the articles into the tube (6), the tube shaping device (1) having several pairs of shaping edges (12, 17, 18) for reversing or deflecting the film, characterized in that the shaping edges (12, 17, 18) are so positioned relative to one another that the path over the shaping edges along lines parallel to the borders (11) of the film (5) from an entrance of the film into the tube shaping device (1) up to the exit from said tube shaping device (1) is shorter in the vicinity of the film borders than in a central area of the film.
2. Packing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the tube shaping device (1) has a first shaping shoulder (7) with first shaping edges (12) and a second shaping shoulder (8) with second and third shaping edges (17, 18), the shaping edges (12, 17, 18) of in each case one shaping edge pair being preferably located in a common plane and in each case one of the first shaping edges (12) and an associated second shaping edge (17) are in two different planes.
3. Packing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the first shaping shoulder (7) is constructed as a trapezoidal, more particularly multipiece sheet metal part (14) and the second shaping shoulder has two substantially triangular sheet metal pieces (15, 16), which overlap one another in such a way that the third shaping edges (18) converge in the tube exit direction and overlap one another and the second shaping edges (17) move apart in the tube exit direction.
4. Packing machine according to at least one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the angular orientation (u) of at least one of the shaping edge pairs (12) is adjustable and preferably the shaping edges (12) are pivotable about in each case one axis (c) perpendicular to a common plane of the shaping edges (12).
5. Packing machine according to at least one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the shaping edges (12, 17, 18) of in each case one shaping edge pair moved together in their extension and define a convergence angle (u, v, w), the convergence angle (u) of the first shaping edges (12) being larger than the convergence angle (v) of the second shaping edges (17) and preferably a projection of the convergence angle (u) of the first shaping edges (12) in the plane of the second shaping edges (17) is larger than the convergence angle (v) of the second shaping edges.
6. Packing machine according to at least one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the shaping edges (12, 17, 18) are displaceable in translatory manner and preferably the shaping edges are pairwise displaceable in the in each case opposite direction (b) and at least one pair of the shaping edges (12) is displaceable relative to the further shaping edges (17, 18).
7. Packing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transporting device (2) terminates upstream of the tube shaping device (1), the latter being free from transporting devices and the position of a downstream end of the transporting device (2) is adjustable.
8. Packing machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the downstream end of the transporting device (2) is adjustable in accordance with the position of the movable shaping shoulder (8) of the tube shaping device (1) and in particular synchronously therewith.
9. Packing machine according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that an effective transporting path of the transporting device (2) is longitudinally adjustable.
10. Packing machine according to at least one of the claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the downstream end of the transporting device (2) terminates substantially flush with a front of the tube shaping device (1) and is displaceable in accordance with its position in the transporting direction of the articles (4) and preferably the downstream end of the transporting device extends into a substantially V-shaped opening of the tube shaping device (1) and is longitudinally adjustable in accordance with a width of the opening transversely to the transporting direction.
11. Packing machine according to at least one of the claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the transporting device (2) has at least one continuous conveying means (31) revolving about reversing means (32, 33, 34, 35, 41, 42, 43), the conveying means being guided about a displaceable reversing unit (32, 33, 34, 35, 41), which fixes the downstream end of the transporting device and there are preferably at least two fixed reversing means (42, 43), the displaceable reversing unit is positioned between the fixed reversing means, the conveying means is guided in substantially S-shaped manner about the displaceable reversing unit and portions of the conveying means extend between the reversing unit and the fixed reversing means in parallel directions, the reversing units being displaceable parallel to said portions of the conveying means.
12. Packing machine according to at least one of the claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the transporting device (2) has a plurality of narrow, parallel-running conveyor belts (31), which are guided at the downstream end of the transporting device about stepped displaced reversing pulleys (32, 33, 34, 35), so that the downstream end is adapted in stepped manner to a V-shaped opening of the tube shaping device (1) and the reversing pulleys (32, 33, 34, 35) are mounted on a common, displaceable slide (36) and are displaceable synchronously to one another parallel to the conveying direction.
13. Packing machine according to at least one of the claims 1 to 12, characterized in that there is a discharge device (3), particularly a suction belt conveyor, for conveying away the articles enveloped in the tube and preferably the discharge device is connected to the tube shaping device (1) substantially flush with an outlet side thereof.
14. Packing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there is an adjusting device (25, 50; 26, 51) for adjusting the tube shaping device (1) for different articles (4) to be packed and a control device for controlling the adjusting device as a function of article parameters.
15. Packing machine according to claim 14, characterized in that a storage means is provided for storing article parameters associated with a particular article (4) and the control device is constructed for controlling the adjusting device as a function of the stored article parameters and in particular there is an input unit for inputting the article to be packed and a reading unit for reading the corresponding article parameters from the storage device.
16. Packing machine according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the adjusting device in each case has servomotors (50, 51) associated with different movement axes of the tube shaping device (1) and which are controlled by the control device.
17. Packing machine according to at least one of the claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the adjusting device is provided for adjusting the transporting device (2).

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