EP1029791B1 - Method and device for packaging small articles in a stacked arrangement - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for packing small pieces of goods in stacked Arrangement in which the goods are conveyed individually successively. Farther The invention relates to a device for packaging small-sized goods in stacked arrangement with conveyors for successive transport the individual goods to a final packaging device for wrapping of several Goods in a stacked arrangement in a stack packaging.

Small-sized goods are spatially compact bodies, such as Sweets, caramel or confectionery or similar products of Confectionery industry. These are sometimes the end user in a stacked arrangement offered in so-called stack or bar packs, with several individual goods packed together tightly behind each other and are wrapped with a packaging. The individual goods can turn themselves individually wrapped in a package. Alternatively, the Goods are packed together without individual packaging. Such stack or Bar packages are generally known in the art.

The packing together of several individual goods in a stacked arrangement in a common Packaging is relatively prone to error, as in conventional stack or Bar packaging is a mistake in a single good or an error during the Stuffing or wrapping in the joint final package to a scrap not only of the good in question, but of the whole bar packaging and, consequently, all the goods jointly packed with the goods in question. Small errors thus quickly lead to relatively large efficiency losses.

In current packaging technology, there is a strong desire that Packing speed, i. the throughput of goods to be packaged per machine and increase time unit. With the increase in packaging speed The error rate also tends to grow, for example due to increasing damage of individual goods due to the increased speed as well as resulting therefrom Disruptions that lead to errors in the promotion of individual goods can, so that, for example, at a designated location within the bar package no good available or the packaging condition of the individual packaging a good is imperfect.

Are no measures against the occurrence of faulty goods or occurrence seizing voids in a bar package will result in a faulty one Final packaging (bar packaging), which must then be discarded.

Conventionally occurring vacancies with the help of so-called goods-laying facilities eliminated where a blank by an out of turn external supplied good is filled. In this solution is disadvantageous that, especially in direct successive blanks the Nachlegeeinrichtung the same speed must reach like the packaging device. The power limit of such Retrieval facilities is at a working speed of about 1,000 goods per Minute. This is a clear performance limit for methods or devices for packing small-sized goods in a stacked arrangement with regard to possibilities of increase the throughput of goods. In addition, the infiltration of Missing Gutstücken due to the disturbance of the main process prone to failure.

The invention is therefore based on the object, a method and an apparatus to specify for packing small pieces of goods in a stacked arrangement, the at low error rate allows a high packaging speed.

This object is procedurally in a method of the type mentioned According solved according to the invention that the conveyed goods detected and errors and / or to complete absence, i. the presence of a defect in relation on the later bar packing, are examined, several, grasped goods one be assigned to specific stack packaging, and upon detection of an erroneous or completely missing good (defect) all of a given one Stacked goods prior to a final packaging operation (Stacking), which is also the faulty or missing Good, i. the defect, is assigned.

The above object is the device side in a device of the above mentioned type according to the invention achieved in that the conveying devices a Good control device for inspecting the conveyed goods for faults and / or Missing is assigned to generate a corresponding error information is formed, a control device for assigning a received error information is intended for a particular stack packaging, and a screening device upstream of the final packaging device connected to the control device cooperates, for - in the presence of an error information - targeted Separation of all those goods from the conveyors, the same associated with certain rod packaging.

On the one hand, this ensures that only fault-free goods are always delivered in full Endverpackungsanzahl get into a final packaging, on the other hand, the previously existing performance limits have been overcome with regard to an increase in throughput be so that the inventive solution especially for use in the high performance range. In particular, with the solution according to the invention excluded that in a final packaging, for example, a good is missing.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the discarding of the Goods by blowing out of the series of successively conveyed goods, preferably by these are removed individually, resulting in a technically special simple and effective solution results.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, a separation of the separated out Goods in defective and reusable goods, the reusable Goods are returned to the packaging process on the input side. hereby arises over procedures where the segregation only after completion the final packaging takes place, a better utilization of the promoted Goods, so that overall a high throughput efficiency with the least possible committee can be realized by per se usable goods.

Preferably, a stacking and subsequent packaging of goods takes place below Grouping in a servo-driven grouping oscillating oscillating.

But it is also possible, the group formation of individually conveyed Gutstücke intermittently intermittently.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention is a segregation of a such group of goods, which are assigned to a specific stack packaging are, the stacking process and subsequent packaging process executed as a no-load, however, the supply of packaging is stopped, which is preferable is done using a central control that also eliminates the Causes goods.

Alternatively, instead of a Leerhubes the stacking and subsequent Packaging can also be exposed for a corresponding power stroke, taking then a separate control of the packaging supply is not required, but rather a corresponding signal causes the control to suspend the power stroke.

According to a development of the invention, a sorting out of the goods after a Anstapelvorgang and before a packaging process for wrapping the goods in stacked Arrangement done. In this case, the erroneous or incomplete Stack removed altogether, again, as already described above, not defective goods can be recycled.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the goods are in Single packs are wrapped before they are stacked. Preferably then a single packaging of the respective goods for their presence and / or on Failure of individual packages, e.g. through a color sensor, examined, and at Detecting a faulty or completely missing individual packaging all items associated with an associated stack package are discarded. It is possible in principle, this simultaneously with a check for the presence To couple a good in itself, so with a single device all for the outside Appearance of a stack packaging relevant parameters to capture. Preferably, however, when using individual packaging, the goods also checked in their unpacked state for a possible defectiveness.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention is the Good control device with respect to the transport points of the conveyors at least x places in front of the screening device, where x is the number representing of goods in a stack packaging. This ensures that After detecting a faulty goods always all those goods reliably from the Conveyors can be removed for the same stack packaging are determined.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the removal of the Goods with a blower that serves as a nozzle for the separation of individual goods is formed, so that an operation of the conveyor in time with the individual goods can be done. Moreover, such an arrangement is not dependent on the number of goods in a stack packaging so that when a change in the number of goods a stack of packaging on the blower made no changes Need to become. Of course, however, the control device in terms to program accordingly to the number of goods contained in a stacked package.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

Figur 1

zeigt ein bevorzugtes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Verpackungsvorrichtung zum Verpacken kleinstückiger Güter in gestapelter Anordnung,

Figur 2

zeigt die Struktur der Zustandspeicher eines Bildverarbeitungssystems der Verpackungsvorrichtung.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings and associated drawings.

FIG. 1

shows a preferred embodiment of a packaging device for packing small-sized goods in a stacked arrangement,

FIG. 2

shows the structure of the state memory of an image processing system of the packaging device.

The packaging device shown in Figure 1 has a feeding and sorting device 1, over which the goods to be stacked and packaged G conveyors for the occasional successive promotion of goods are supplied. The conveying devices comprise a rotating separating plate 2 which is followed by a circulating chain or belt conveyor 4. The individual goods G are in immediate succession on these conveyors in the direction a final packaging 9 transported in the a predetermined number wrapped in a common package by x goods in a stacked arrangement, so as to form a bar or stack packaging. The final packaging device 9 can be formed in a conventional manner, so that here on a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition to the wrapping in the common package may also, in deviation from that shown in the figure Embodiment, the stacking operation of the individual goods G directly in the final packaging device respectively.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 is for stacking the final packaging device 9 as Anstapelvorrichtung a so-called stacking belt conveyor 8 upstream as a continuous grouping device, which in principle consists of a revolving chain conveyor with individual compartments and recording of individual goods in the immediate facility against each other allows, where the capacity of the individual compartments of the number x of goods in one Stack packaging corresponds.

Instead of the illustrated stacking belt conveyor 8 may also be a discontinuous Intermittent stacking device (grouping device) with a stacking wheel can be used, as described in the German patent application P 198 60 863.2 of Applicant, filed on 31.12.1998, is shown.

Also in the present embodiment, the individual goods G are also individual to be provided with a single package, so that between the conveyors 2, 4 and the stacking belt conveyor 8 and the final packaging device 9 a Single packaging device 10 arranged in the conventional manner, e.g. with several folding wheels (packing heads) and a packaging material feeder is trained.

For the investigation of the conveyed goods is in the field of conveying devices 2, 4, in particular in the transfer area between the separating plate 2 and the Chain or belt conveyor 4 arranged as a good control device 3, the investigation of the goods to be delivered for errors or even a complete absence thereof serves at a transport place. The good control device 3 can for examination each of a single good but also for the investigation of several goods be trained together. Particularly suitable for this purpose are and processing systems with line scan cameras.

Preferably, the good control device is at such a location of the conveyors arranged that these already stored on the chain or belt conveyor 4 Goods are examined, so that also damages or errors, which result from the transfer from the separating plate 2 to the chain or belt conveyor 4 result, taken into account become.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the line scan camera 3 is a good control device arranged at the separating plate 2 for Gutabtastung.

When a deviation from a desired state, for example, shape, color, Reflectance, etc., the Gutkontrollvorrichtung 3 generates a corresponding Error information provided by a control device, not shown in the figure Will be received. The control device is designed such that it contains the error information assigns to a particular stack packaging into which the missing or incorrect good would be introduced in the further course of the packaging process. In addition, the control device has means for determining all those other goods on, which would be packed in the same rod packaging. Allen in such a way Identified goods are assigned a disposal order, which is issued by the Control device to a screening device 5, 6 is passed.

In the embodiment shown are in the range of the chain or belt conveyor 4 shows two separate disposal devices 5 and 6, that of the single packaging device 10, the stacking device 8 and the final packaging device 9 are connected upstream. In principle, it is also possible to have further screening devices immediately before the final packaging device 9, i.e. in the embodiment, between the stacker 8 and the final packaging device 9th

With the first screening device 5, defective goods can be removed. With the second screening device 6 those goods are removed, the one incomplete bar or stack packaging are assigned.

As Aussondervorrichtungen here blowout devices are used as Nozzles are designed for the separation of individual goods. For the second screening device 6 can also be used with a screening device, with at the same time several goods, preferably according to the number of goods in a stack packaging to be removed from the conveyor 4. For this purpose can likewise a blow-out device, but preferably with a plurality of nozzles, be used. An immediately before the final packaging 9 to be arranged Disposal device can in the same way as those described above Disposal devices 5 and 6 are formed.

To ensure that when an error or a failure is detected, all Goods associated with a common stack or bar packaging are, can be removed, the Gutkontrolleinrichtung 3 with respect to the Transport places the conveyors 2, 4 at least x places in front of the screening device 5, 6, where x is the number of goods in a Stapelverpakkung represents.

By the screening devices is also ensured that in the Process sequence behind the screening device only recognized as error-free Goods are on the way. These are in the illustrated embodiment transferred to a single packaging device 10 with multiple folding wheels, the goods individually wrapped in a single packaging become.

The single-packaging device 10 is a detection device 7 for checking the presence of a single package and / or errors of the individual packaging assigned. This detection device 7 generates in an analogous manner to the goods control device 3 an error information that is not shown Control device is transmitted. To check the individual packaging is in the embodiment uses a color sensor. In principle, however, here as well as for the good control device 3 image acquisition systems are used.

In the case of a review of individual packaging is the single packaging device 10 in turn followed by a screening device, the detection an error information about the control device is actuated. In principle, can here the separation both before a downstream Anstapelvorrichtung 8 than also behind this, whereby in the latter case the goods are already stacked Arrangement to be singled out.

The stacking device 8 and the final packaging device 9 for packaging of goods in a stacked arrangement are driven oscillating oscillating, for example, via a servo device, because due to the separation of groups of goods a compensation or adaptation to the throughput speed of goods identified as faultless should be made. This can be done by that at a Separation of a group of goods caused by the control device the unstacking operation and subsequent packaging operation is carried out as idle stroke is, i. continuing the work cycles of these devices, however, caused by the control device, the supply of packaging stopped becomes.

Alternatively, the signal generated by the control device may also be used in the case of segregation of goods, the stacking and subsequent To suspend packaging for a corresponding power stroke, i. these devices to stop.

A slotted disc 13 with a signal generator detects the rod beginning and rotates synchronous to the speed of the grouping device 8, so that at each revolution a signal is provided.

In the following will now briefly the passage of a good G to the packaging in one finished stack or rod packaging described. Such a single good passes via the feeding and sorting device 1 to the separating plate 2, wherein a successive alignment of the goods takes place. From the separator plate 2, the good is transferred individually to the chain or belt conveyor 4, the purpose has suitable transport places. During transport on these conveyors 2, 4, the individual good is detected by a good control device 3 and on investigated the presence of errors. Likewise, with the Gutkontrollvorrichtung 3 spaces detected.

The good control device 3 with line device operates with two shown in Fig.2 State memories. The line scan camera captures the projected footprint of each Good or article. By means of an image processing system, the thus obtained Information evaluated. For each article is a corresponding signal Generated: OK for quality articles, NG (not good) for bad articles. These signals are entered in cycles in the first state memory 11, wherein the information contained there will be pushed forward one measure. Out the memory cell n + y of the state memory 11 becomes the signal for the purging nozzle taken. Upon detection of signal NG, a pulse is sent to the exhaust nozzle and the article blown out. If OK, no reaction is triggered. A Slit disk 13 in Figure 1 is moved at the speed of the Anstapelvorrichtung 8. she sends a signal per revolution. This signal is sent whenever in the memory cells n to n + x the information for a complete stack or a complete rod are included (x is the number of goods or items per rod). In this case, the signals n to n + x are copied to the state memory 12, wherein all x Signals are set to NG if there is at least one signal NG in that bar is available. In the state memory 12, these signals are then shifted clockwise. In the memory cell m, the signal for the tuyere is removed. All Article with the signal NG (OK article of an incompletely filled rod) blown out and fed to the packaging process again.

In its further transport to the chain or belt conveyor 4 reaches the estate a first rejecting device 5 for defective products over. Was that Good concerned by the good control device 3 detected as faulty, it is at this Place removed from the conveyor 4 without replacement, for example, by this blown out of the conveyor by an air flow out of an exhaust nozzle becomes. If the goods were recognized as faultless, its onward transport takes place with the chain or belt conveyor 4 past a second screening device 6, which serves to remove such goods from the control device of a incomplete packaging have been assigned. This includes all those Goods which, in the event of unimpeded onward transport, are transferred to a common good with a defective good Stack or rod packaging would arrive or as missing " Good, i. would appear as a defect in the finished rod packaging. These Goods are detected in the control device and in the presence of error information with regard to the relevant stack or bar packaging on the second screening device 6 away from the conveyor 4.

Otherwise, a further transport to the individual packaging device 10, in which the goods G are individually wrapped in individual packaging. It arrives the now packaged item past a detection device 7 (color sensor), at which the individual packaging of the goods checked and the individual packaging state each piece of goods is detected. At the same time, once again, one can Check for the presence of a good done at this point. Upon occurrence an error or a defect in the material flow is again a generation of a corresponding error information, which is transmitted to the control device.

From the single packaging device 10, the goods are individually to a stacking device 8 and in subjects of the same to groups in sizes of the final packaging summarized and stacked in direct succession.

From there, a further transport takes place, i.a. with the help of the stacking device 8 itself, too the final packaging device 9. Between the stacking device 8 and the final packaging device 9, another disposal device is provided which not shown in the figure. This screening device is dependent the error information of the detection device 7 is actuated via the control device, at this point stacks containing defective goods or individual packaging excrete. Error-free stacks are transferred to the final packaging device 9, where these are then put into a common packing center piece to complete the stacking or rod packaging are wrapped.

By the invention is preferably a continuous and not in discrete steps to prepare a complete bar packaging packaging device created according to the 'fail-safe' principle, the highest performance requirements modern packaging machines, e.g. in the high performance area of Packaging of up to 1600 individual pieces / minute is sufficient.

Claims (25)

1. A method of packaging small-sized articles in a stacked arrangement in the case of which the articles (G) are supplied individually one after the other,
   characterized in that the articles (G) supplied are detected and examined with regard to defects and/or that a complete absence of an article (G) in a succession of articles is detected as an empty location,
   that a plurality of detected articles (G) and/or empty locations are associated with a specific stack package,
   and
   that, if a faulty article or an empty location is detected, all the articles (G) associated with the specific stack package, which has also associated therewith the faulty article (G) or the empty location, are sorted out prior to a stack packaging process.
2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that sorting out of the articles is effected in the unpacked condition of said articles.
3. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that sorting out of the articles is effected after the individual articles have been wrapped with respective individual wrappings.
4. A method according to at least one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that sorting out of the articles is effected while these articles are transported individually.
5. A method according to at least one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, after having passed through a sort-out station, the articles which have not been sorted out are first packed individually, then stacked and then packed again in a stacked arrangement.
6. A method according to at least one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that sorting out of the articles is effected by removing the articles to be sorted out from the line of successively transported articles by blowing out.
7. A method according to at least one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the articles to be sorted out are removed individually.
8. A method according to at least one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the articles to be sorted out are removed en bloc as a group.
9. A method according to at least one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the articles sorted out are separated into defective and reusable articles, and that the reusable articles are resupplied to the packaging process on the input side.
10. A method according to at least one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the examination of the individually supplied articles takes place at least x articles prior to a sorting-out position, x being the number of articles in a stack package.
11. A method according to at least one of the claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the articles are stacked and subsequently packed in a stacked arrangement in intermitting cycles.
12. A method according to claim 11, characterized in that, if groups of articles associated with a specific stack package are sorted out, the stacking process and the subsequent packaging process are carried out as an idle stroke, the supply of wrapping means being then stopped.
13. A method according to claim 11, characterized in that, if articles associated with a specific stack package are sorted out, the stacking process and the subsequent packaging process are interrupted for a corresponding work cycle.
14. A method according to at least one of the claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the individual wrapping of the respective article is examined so as to detect its presence and/or defects of the individual wrapping and that, if a faulty individual wrapping or the complete absence of an individual wrapping is detected, all the articles associated with the stack package in question are sorted out.
15. A method according to at least one of the claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the sorting out is effected after a stacking process and before the packaging process for wrapping the articles in a stacked arrangement.
16. A method according to at least one of the claims 14 or 15, characterized in that a colour sensor is used for examining the individual wrappings.
17. An apparatus for packaging small-sized articles in a stacked arrangement, comprising conveying devices (2, 4) for successively transporting the individual articles (G) to a final packaging device (9) for wrapping a plurality of articles in a stacked arrangement in a stack package,
    characterized in that the conveying devices (2, 4) have associated therewith an article examination means (3) for examining the articles supplied with respect to defects and/or absence, said article examination means (3) being implemented for producing a corresponding error information,
    that control device is provided for associating a received error information with a specific stack package, and
    that the final packaging device (9) is preceded by a sort-out device (5, 6) which cooperates with the control device so that, in response to an error information, it will purposefully sort out from the conveying devices (2, 4) all the articles associated with said same specific stack package.
18. An apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the sort-out device (5, 6) comprises a blow-out device for removing individual articles from the conveying devices (4).
19. An apparatus according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the article examination means (3) is arranged at least x locations before the sort-out device (5, 6) with respect to the transport locations of the conveying devices, x representing the number of articles in a stacked package.
20. An apparatus according to at least one of the claims 18 or 19, characterized in that the blow-out device is implemented as a nozzle for sorting out individual articles.
21. An apparatus according to at least one of the claims 17 or 20, characterized in that a stacking device (8) for stacking a plurality of individual articles is arranged between the conveying devices (2, 4) and the final packaging device (9), the sort-out device (5, 6) being arranged before the stacking device (8).
22. An apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that an individual wrapping device for wrapping the individual articles is arranged between the conveying devices (2, 4) and the stacking device (8), the sort-out device (5, 6) being arranged before the individual wrapping device.
23. An apparatus according to at least one of the claims 17 to 22, characterized in that a sort-out device is arranged after the stacking device (8), said sort-out device cooperating with the control device so that, in response to an error information, it will purposefully sort out, in a stacked arrangement, the group of articles of the bar package having this error information associated therewith.
24. An apparatus according to at least one of the claims 17 to 23, characterized in that the individual wrapping device has associated therewith a detection device (7) for examining the presence of an individual wrapping and/or of defects of the respective individual wrapping so as to produce a corresponding error information which is transmitted to the control device, the sort-out device arranged after the individual wrapping device being actuated if an error information is detected.
25. An apparatus according to at least one of the claims 17 to 24, characterized by servo drives for a grouping means, in particular a stacking belt conveyor (8), between the individual wrapping machine (10) and the bar packaging machine (9) and/or for packing heads, transfer means and wrapping means supply devices.

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