EP1571088A1 - Filling method and gripping device for a filling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The method for filling sacks (18) with bulk goods comprises fitting the mouth of the sack over the outlet (12) of a filling machine so that a section (52) overlaps it. This is then clamped and the sack filled. A gripper (24) is then used to partially remove the neck of the sack from the inlet and the sack is sealed. Independent claims are included for: (A) the gripper system;and (B) a machine for carrying out the method.

Description

The invention relates to a filling method for filling a filling bag and a gripping device for a filling device, in particular for Carrying out the filling process.

In particular, industrial production produces intermediate or end products which are present as bulk goods and are packed in filling bags in order to facilitate transport or sale. The products to be packaged, which are filled into the filling bag, are, for example, plastics, for example PU granules, PVC powder, etc., and chemical products, such as titanium dioxide, Texapone, etc. Also, building materials such as lime, rough plaster, etc. are usually bottled , Animal feed or food, such as milk powder, starch, etc. are also transported or sold in sacks. In particular, when said bottoms are to be transported as an intermediate to a further processing operation, they are filled in so-called big bags with a filling volume of about 0.9 - 2 m ³ .

For filling a filling bag is from US 6,134,864 a filling device known. The filling device has a spreading device with two flaps on which the opening of a filling bag is attached by hand. Subsequently, the filling bag with the help of a clamping device between a flap of the spreading device and a clamping surface of the Clamping device attached so that the filling bag is not from the Spreading device slips down. Then the flaps move the spreader away from each other so that the between the Spreader and the clamping device attached filling bag open becomes. The bottling is then on funnel-shaped baffles to the Led inside the spreader, so that the bottled in the Filling bag is filled. After filling the filling bag is the Spreader closed by the flaps of the spreader in their initial state are moved towards each other. During the Bottling bag from the clamping device to the closed spreading device is pressed, the filling bag below the spreading device with a Welding device welded to close the filling bag. The Clamping device then lets go of the filling bag, so that he from the Spreizvorrichtung can be pulled down by hand.

A disadvantage of the above-mentioned method is especially when filling dusty products the risk that after closing the Filling bags from the area above the weld dust escapes, which is the Environment dirty. This may require it when closing the filling bag a dust mask, or in particular at harmful filling goods, protective clothing such as a To wear gas mask. As a result, the filling process is difficult and slowed down.

The invention is based on the object, a method and a To provide gripping device, in which or by the filling process accelerated and simplified.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a filling method the features of claim 1 or a gripping device with the Features of claim 6.

In the filling method according to the invention for filling a filling bag is First, the filling bag at least on a part of an output of a Filling device attached. The filling bag is especially a big bag, z. A FIBC container. The starting piece is for example to a particular funnel-shaped filler neck, for example opposite sheets and / or a spreading device with expansion flaps having. The output piece has a Aufsteckbereich, the Bottling bag covered with a covering area, wherein the Cover area preferably rests on the attachment area. Then we add the filling bag between the output piece and clamped at least one clamping element. Then the filling bag with a bottling, such as a dusty bulk material, filled. To the filling of the filling bag, the clamping device is released, so that in particular the filling bag loose and movable on the output piece is applied. According to the invention before closing the filling bag of At least partially filling bag from the output piece with the help of a Removed gripping device. By removing the filling bag with the aid of Gripping device is at least a part of the coverage area of the Filling bag removed from the starting piece. This is followed by the Closing the filling bag in a closing area, which is part of the is the covering area removed from the starting piece. Thus, this is done Closing the filling bag in an area of the filling bag during of the filling at the output piece has.

By filling process according to the invention thus the tightness of the Bottling bag closure improves because of the closing area of the filling bag lies in an area previously defined by the output of the Filling device was protected from contamination. Through the output piece So it is avoided that in the covering area of the filling bag individual Particles of Abfüllguts, such. As dust grains or granules, at the Inside the overlap area hang and closing the Make filling bags difficult or possibly impossible. By the increased Tightness of the sealed filling bag is the inventive Filling process especially for filling food or other Substances to which high demands are placed on purity and hygiene. In particular, when the upper edge of the filling bag when closing the Filling bag is still on the output piece, the risk is reduced, that contaminants from the environment inadvertently when filling with be mixed with the filling. In particular, by the Filling method according to the invention, the method steps subtracting the Automated filling bags and closing the filling bag, so that due to the increased level of automation processing and Handling measures to be avoided by operating personnel.

The gripping of the filling bag preferably takes place with the aid of the gripping device at the latest after filling the filling bag. After filling and grasping of the filling bag, the filling bag can thus essentially only from the Gripping device are held.

Preferably, the filling bag is after clamping outside the Outlet held with a holding device, wherein the holding of the Filling bags, in particular at two opposite Side areas of the filling bag takes place. It is also possible to use the filling bag first hold and then pinch.

Particularly preferably, the closing of the filling bag takes place below the Output piece, wherein the closing in particular automatically with the help a closing device takes place. As a result, the closing of the Bottling bags in the same place where the filling bag was filled, so that additional time-consuming steps in which the unlocked The filling bag is first moved to the side to move it to another location close, are not required. The locally closed filling bag can be made ready for transport without further logistical effort.

Because the bag is closed while still in contact with the starting piece, pollution of the environment is due dusty components of the bottoms avoided, so u. a. the use protective clothing for the operator becomes unnecessary. Furthermore, the Filling bag are closed while the upper edge of the filling bag, over which the filling material is introduced into the filling bag on which Outlet of the filling device is applied, so that not only the whirling up dust is avoided, but also pollution, d. H. Contamination of the filling material by components from the environment is avoided. Thus, by the filling method of the invention Filling process accelerated and simplified.

Preferably, the gripping device has two opposing one another Gripping devices, for example, bar or rod-shaped are formed. The elongated gripping devices can on abut a front or back of the filling bag, so that the filling bag by pressing the gripping means against each other between the Gripping devices attached and thus gripped.

Preferably, the closing of the filling bag takes place cohesively by in particular the filling bag with a welding device, for example by ultrasound, is welded. The closing device or the Welding device is for closing the filling bag in particular in the Near the gripping points of the gripping device above the gripping device arranged.

In a preferred embodiment, the holding device has two each other opposite holding devices, which in each case the filling bag Grab page area. The side areas of the filling bag are also each seconded opposite each other. With the help of such a advanced holding device, it is possible to the filling bag after the at least partially pulling apart from the starting piece pull, by the holding devices of the holding device from each other move away. The movement of the holding devices away from each other, takes place in particular, until a Forder- and a back of the filling bag in the Are arranged substantially parallel to each other. The filling bag will be on Height of the stops of the opposing gripping devices pulled tight. Thereby, that the front and the back of the filling bag lie essentially next to each other and in particular possibly in addition to Help the gripping device abut each other, is the welding of the Bottling bags particularly easy, as a correspondingly high heat exposure on the front and / or back of the filling bag is sufficient, the front with the back to connect materially. Connecting the front with the back is made in particular by the fact that two elongated For example, welding elements moved toward each other parallel to each other and respectively at the front and at the back of the filling bag lie down and squeeze the filling bag between them and weld.

Furthermore, preferably an additional terminals using the Holder. For this purpose, the holding device has at least one Clamping surface on which the filling bag to the output of the Filling device is pressed. In particular, it is the holding devices, have the opposing clamping surfaces, so that the For example, filling bag from four different sides against the Output piece can be pressed.

In particular, after attaching the filling bag, a spreading of the A filling bag with a spreading device which is part of the starting piece. This makes it possible that the output piece after attaching the Filling bag increases its circumference in the area of the outlet opening, so that on the one hand a simple plugging is possible and on the other hand a large cross-sectional area is provided for filling the Abfüllguts. The Output piece of the filling device preferably has a front and a Rear plate, which are each formed such that they are in the closed position abut the spreading on the inner sides of the expansion flaps. The Spreizklappen preferably have side plates, which in the Spreading movement of the spreading device with the front or rear plate in Standing in contact. The side plates have in particular on the front or Rear side facing sheet on a changeable material layer on how For example, sponge rubber in order to spread the spreader compensate for the thickness of the front or rear plate. This will achieved that both in shooting position of the spreader and in Spreizstellung the spreading a uniformly closed Peripheral region of the output is given. This makes it possible for that the outlet within the filling bag, d. H. especially within the Covering area of the filling bag, the substantially closed Circumference forms, so that extending around the entire circumference Aufsteckbereich is defined, the one around the entire circumference extending covering area protects against contamination.

Preferably, the filling bag has a filling area, for example tubular or funnel-shaped and a smaller one Cross-section than the rest of the filling bag. The filling area of the In particular, filling bags have protruding tabs that grip the To facilitate filling bags in the side areas of the filling area, so that the Grasping the filling bag especially in the side areas of the Filling area of the filling bag takes place. Because of the filling bag in the Side areas of the filling area is gripped, the removal of the Filling bag easier of the output, because not the entire Filling bag but only the filling area must be deducted.

The filling process according to the invention is particularly preferably carried out for filling a filling bag such that initially the filling bag by hand with his possibly existing four suspension loops, especially on one with a Waiting frame of the filling device connected hook is suspended. Then is the filling bag by hand on the spreading device of the output piece attached. After pressing in particular right and left of the Output piece arranged hand switches is causing the filling bag by clamping elements of the clamping device on the expansion of the Output piece pressed, d. H. is clamped. Then press the Operator preferably two in the outdoor area of the filling device arranged hand switch, which is caused by the particular particular right and left next to the output piece arranged holding devices Close and hold the bag in the side area and hold it. Thereafter, the Spreizklappen be opened and at the same time the outer Holding devices moved towards the output piece. There they press the Bottling bag against the particular wedge-shaped end plates of the expansion flaps and the wedge-shaped front and rear panels of the nozzle-shaped Starting piece. The filling bag is now firmly on all sides at the output of the Attached piece. The preferably elastic material having Clamping elements ensure a dust-tight connection of the filling bag to the Filling neck and also that the bag walls inside the clamping area remain dust-free. The dust-free interior of the filling bag is special suitable for the production of a tight weld closure guarantee.

After filling the filling bag, the expansion flaps are closed and moves the right and left arranged holding devices to the outside. The Sack opening is closed and stretched. Then summarizes the Gripping device the bag and the clamping device and the Holding devices are released. Then the filling bag with the help the gripping device moves so far down that its dust-free Area is located in the effective range of the welding device. The Welding device now closes the bag. After that give gripping and Welding device free the bag. Preferably then enters Lifting table with roller conveyor and attached pallet upwards and lifts if necessary Sack on to solve the hanging loops. Then the lift table moves with the filled and sealed filling bag down and passes him to a transport system that takes him to a destination.

The invention further relates to a gripping device for an output piece having filling device that can grip a filling bag and in particular for carrying out the method described above suitable is. The gripping device according to the invention has two each other oppositely arranged gripping devices, for gripping the Bottling bag, which is in a filling position. In the filling position of the Bottling bag is at least a part of the starting piece with a Covering area of the filling bag covered. The gripping device has Furthermore, a particular designed as a welding device Closing on, with which the filling bag in one Closing of the filling bag can be closed. According to the gripping devices together with the Cover area of the filling bag relative to the closing device movable. The relative movement takes place until the filling bag in a is such a closing position that the closing area is part of the Cover area is.

By the relative movement of the gripping device to the closing device is Thus, it is possible to close the filling bag in an area that was largely protected from contamination during the filling process, whereby with increased degree of automation and ease of use tight closure of the filling bag is achieved, which is also high Requirements for cleanliness and hygiene withstands.

The gripping device is in particular, as above on hand of the Filling method described, further developed.

The invention further relates to a filling device for filling a Filling bag, wherein the filling device is an output piece for introducing Has bottled in the filling bag. The filling device also has a like above-described gripping device. The possibly multi-piece Starting piece is substantially closed around the entire circumference and has a slip-on area that is separate from the coverage area of the Filling bag is covered.

By closed around the entire circumference output results a Aufsteckbereich, which is also closed around the entire circumference. Thus, the coverage area of the filling bag in the entire circumference closed and protected from contamination by the starting piece. With Help the further trained as described above gripping device the filling bag is closed in the dust-free area of the filling bag.

The output piece of the filling device has in particular a variable outside diameter. Preferably, the changeable takes place Outside diameter, by a spreading with a front and a rear plate of the output piece cooperates, wherein by the Spreading the spreading device at substantially fixed front and rear plate the circumference of the output piece is increased.

Furthermore, the filling device can be a clamping device for clamping the Have filling bags. The clamping device has a clamping element, which presses the filling bag onto the starting piece and thereby the filling bag between the output piece and the clamping element holds or clamps.

Furthermore, the filling device can be a holding device with each other have opposite holding devices. The holding devices of Holding device preferably have two opposing one another Holding elements. Each opposite facing each other Holding elements can together grip a side region of the filling bag. The distance between the holding elements to each other and / or the holding device each other, in particular variably adjustable. This makes it possible the Holding elements and the holding elements having holding devices preferably to move independently, so that the Holding devices or the holding elements not only gripping, but also Can clamp.

Hereinafter, the invention with reference to a preferred embodiment explained in more detail.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Vorderansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Abfülleinrichtung

Fig. 2

eine schematische Seitenansicht der Abfülleinrichtung

Fig. 3

schematische Vorderansicht der Abfülleinrichtung zu einem ersten Zeitpunkt

Fig. 4

eine schematische Schnittansicht entlang der Linie IV - IV in Fig. 3

Fig. 5

eine schematische Vorderansicht der Abfülleinrichtung zu einem zweiten Zeitpunkt

Fig. 6

eine schematische Schnittansicht entlang der Linie VI -VI aus Fig. 5

Fig. 7

eine schematische Vorderansicht der Abfülleinrichtung zu einem dritten Zeitpunkt

Fig. 8

eine schematische Schnittansicht entlang der Linie VIII-VIII aus Fig. 7

Fig. 9

eine schematische Vorderansicht der Abfülleinrichtung zu einem vierten Zeitpunkt

Fig. 10

eine schematische Schnittansicht entlang der Linie X - X aus Fig. 9

Fig. 11

eine schematische Vorderansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Greifeinrichtung und

Fig. 12

eine schematische Seitenansicht der Greifvorrichtung

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic front view of a filling device according to the invention

Fig. 2

a schematic side view of the filling device

Fig. 3

schematic front view of the filling device at a first time

Fig. 4

a schematic sectional view taken along the line IV - IV in Fig. 3rd

Fig. 5

a schematic front view of the filling device at a second time

Fig. 6

a schematic sectional view taken along the line VI -VI of Fig. 5th

Fig. 7

a schematic front view of the filling device at a third time

Fig. 8

a schematic sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7

Fig. 9

a schematic front view of the filling device at a fourth time

Fig. 10

a schematic sectional view taken along the line X - X of FIG. 9th

Fig. 11

a schematic front view of a gripping device according to the invention and

Fig. 12

a schematic side view of the gripping device

The filling device 10 according to the invention has an outlet 12, which is designed as a funnel-shaped filler neck. The filling nozzle 12 has a Spreizklappen 14 having spreading device 16. To one Bottling bag 18, which is in particular a big bag, to the Expanding flaps 14 of the spreading device 16 to clamp, has the Filling device 10, a clamping elements 20 having clamping device 22 on. Further, a gripping device 24 is provided which a Gripping device 28 and a welder 26 has. To hold the Filling bag 18, the filling device 10 further comprises a holding means 30th having holding device 32.

The output piece 12 is connected to a weighing frame 34, with whose Help the filled amount of contents monitored and possibly regulated can. Further, a lifting table 36 is provided with a roller conveyor 38 on which a pallet 40 is arranged. With the help of the roller conveyor 38, the pallet 40 together with the filled filling bag 18 in the direction of arrow 42 to a Destination point to be transported.

With the weighing frame 34 hooks 44 are connected in the loops 46 of Filling bags 18 can be hooked to the filling bag 18 in position hold. For simplified hooking the arranged in Fig. 1 right Hook 44 slidable in the direction of arrow 48. Through a movement of the Hubtisches 36 in the direction of arrows 45, the filling bag 18 after the Fill simply unhooked.

For accident-free operation of the gripping device 24 are in the outdoor area of Filling device 10 hand switch 48 is provided, which are arranged such that upon actuation of the hand switch by an operator a Injury in particular of the arms or hands of the operator is excluded.

The filling bag 18 may be in a filling region 49, which is a tapered part of the Filling bag 18 is by hand on the spreader plates 14 of the spreading device 22nd be attached, so that a Aufsteckbereich 50 of the output piece 12th is covered with a covering area 52 of the filling bag 18 (FIG. 2). In Aufsteckrichtung of the filling bag 18 are preferably further Hand switch 54 is provided, which upon insertion of the filling bag 18 on the Starting piece 12 as a stop for the hands of the operator serve. By the hand switch 54, the clamping device 22 is operated, so that the clamping elements 20 of the clamping device 22 the filling bag 18th press against the expansion flaps 14 of the spreading device 16. Through this Arrangement of the hand switch 54 is achieved that the filling bag 18 in a defined height is clamped to the output piece 12 so that it a defined coverage area 52 is achieved.

After pressing the manual switch 54 so the clamping elements 22 in Direction of the arrows 56 for clamping the filling bag 18 toward each other moves (Fig. 4). To achieve this movement actuating cylinder 58th operated (Fig. 3).

After clamping the filling bag 18 of the filling bag 18 in Side regions 60 of two oppositely arranged Holding means 30 held (Fig. 5), in each case by two holding elements 62nd in each case a holding device 30 of the holding device 32 in the direction of the arrows 64 are moved towards each other (Fig. 6). For this movement will be respectively a control cylinder 66 is actuated.

In a next step, by actuating adjusting cylinders 68 a Spreading the spreading device 16 is reached. Since the clamping device 22 connected to the spreading device 16, the filling bag 18 remains clamped to the expansion flaps 14 (Fig. 7). By spreading increases the circumference of the output piece 12 in the area of a Exit opening 70. Since the expansion flaps have 14 side plates 72, the in contact with a front panel 74 and a rear panel 76 in contact stand, remains a completely closed periphery of the output piece 12th receive.

Simultaneously with a movement of the expansion flaps 14 and the clamping elements 20 in the direction of the arrows 78, a movement of the holding elements 62 takes place each one holding device 30 in the direction of arrows 80 toward each other (Fig. 8th). The movement takes place in particular until the holding elements 62 press laterally on the clamping elements 20, so that in addition to a Holding action of the holding elements 62 via holding surfaces 82 a clamping action is achieved by clamping surfaces 84 (Fig. 10) of the support members 62 the Press the filling bag 18 against the front plate 74 or rear plate 76 (FIG. 8).

Then 86 can be filled in the direction of arrow 88 over the nozzle-shaped output piece 12 are filled in the filling bag 18 (Fig. 7). Inside the output piece 12, a baffle 90 is arranged, the having a funnel-shaped longitudinal section profile with one of the side walls 92. By the baffle 90 is for filling the Abfüllguts 86 only about 70% of Exit opening 70 used so that the remaining 30% of Exit opening 70 a safe removal of within the filling bag 18th existing medium, d. H. in particular air or inert gas, such as Example nitrogen, via a channel 94 in the direction of arrow 96 allows. Via the channel 94 can also be whirled up by applying a negative pressure Dust be sucked off. By applying an overpressure can before the Filling unfolding of the filling bag 18 and / or an injection of inert gas be achieved.

After filling the filling bag 18 of the filling bag 18 by pressing the actuating cylinder 68 closed again (Fig. 9). After or during the Closing movement in the direction of arrows 98, the holding elements 62nd each of a holding device 30 in the direction of arrows 100 from each other moved away, so that the filling bag 18 is stretched. For the movement of Holding elements 62 in the direction of the arrows 100 and in the direction of arrows 80th Actuator 102 are actuated (Fig. 9).

After filling, the gripping device 28 of the gripping device 24 in Direction of the arrows 104 on a front 106 and back 108 of the Filling bag 18 pressed toward each other, so that the filling bag 18 of the Gripping device 26 is held (Fig. 11). Subsequently, the Clamping device 22 and the holding device 16 is released, so that a part of the Covering region 52 of the filling bag 18 by means of the gripping device 28 partially deducted from the starting piece 12 in the direction of the arrow 110 can be. For the movement of the gripping device 28 in the direction of the arrows 110 is the gripping device 28 by means of adjusting cylinders 112 height adjustable (Fig. 12). By the movement of the gripping device 28 in Direction of the arrows 110, the filling bag 18 from a filling position (shown in dashed lines) in a closing position (shown in solid) be transferred. Anschießend is designed as a welder Closing device 26 in the direction of the arrows 104 on the front 106th or back 108 of the filling bag 18 pivoted toward each other, so that the filling bag 18 can be welded in a closing region 114 (Fig. 12). According to the removal of the filling bag 18 of the Starting piece 12 so far that the overlap region 52, which in the Filling position was protected by the output piece 12 from contamination, so far in the direction of arrows 110 has been moved that the closing area 114 is within the overlap region 52 of the filling bag 18, so that with little time a particularly tight closure of the filling bag 18th is reached.

Claims (10)

Filling method for filling a filling bag (18) with the steps: Attaching a filling bag (18) to at least part of an output piece (12) of a filling device (10), so that the filling bag (18) covers an attachment area (50) of the starting piece (12) with a covering area (52), Clamping the filling bag (18) between the starting piece (12) and at least one clamping element (20), Filling the filling bag (18) with a filling material (86) and Releasing the clamping device (22), characterized by the steps
Withdrawing the filling bag (18), at least partially, from the starting piece (12) by means of a gripping device (24) so that at least part of the covering area (52) is removed from the starting piece (12), and
Closing the filling bag (18) in a closing area (114) which is part of the covering area (52) removed from the starting piece (12). Filling method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a holding device (32) holding the filling bag (18) in two opposite side regions (60), each with a holding device (30) and in particular after the removal of the filling bag (18) of the Outlet (12), the holding means (30) of the holding device (32) move away from each other, in particular so far until a front (106) and a back (108) of the filling bag (18) are arranged substantially parallel to each other. Filling method according to claim 2, characterized in that the terminals additionally with clamping surfaces (84) of the holding device (32), wherein in particular the holding means (30) having opposite clamping surfaces (84). Filling method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the closing takes place by welding with a welding device (26). Filling method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that after attaching the filling bag (18) spreading of the filling bag (18) with a spreading device (16) of the output piece (12). Gripping device for an outlet piece (12) having filling device (10) for gripping a filling bag (18), with
two oppositely arranged gripping means (28) for gripping the filling bag (18) in a filling position in which a covering region (52) of the filling bag (18) covers at least a part of the starting piece (12), and
a closing device (26) for closing the filling bag (18) in a closing region (114) of the filling bag (18),
wherein the gripping means (28) together with the covering area (52) of the filling bag (18) is movable relative to the starting piece (12) such that movement of the filling bag (18) from the filling position to a closing position in which the closing area (114) is part of the overlap area (52). Filling device for filling a filling bag (18), with
an output piece (12) for introducing bottoms (86) into the filling bag (18) and
a gripping device (24) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the output piece (12) is closed substantially around the entire circumference and a Aufsteckbereich (50), which is covered by the covering region (52) of the filling bag (18). Filling device according to claim 7, characterized in that the output piece (12) has a variable circumference, in particular by means of a spreading device (16). Filling device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by a holding device (32) with opposite holding devices (30), each having a clamping surface (84) for clamping the filling bag (18) between an output piece (12) of the filling device (10) and the respective holding device (30). Filling device according to claim 9, characterized in that the holding means (30) have two opposing gripping elements (62) for gripping a respective side region (60) of the filling bag (18), wherein in particular the distance between the holding devices (30) and / or between the Holding elements (62) is variably adjustable.

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