EP1614646B1 - Method for performing a roll change in a feeding station for feeding a weblike material to a packaging machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a combination of a supply unit and a holding and positioning element according to the preamble of claim 13.

In packaging machines, the packaging or flat material used (eg packaging film) is removed from rolls and fed to the process flow. In order to enable the fastest possible further processing of the packaging machine when consuming a currently in use role, it is customary in the supply unit to keep at least one exchange or connection role ready, the flat material then at a short machine stop with a start or connection area to the Flat material is connected to the roll in use before the roll change, by connecting this connection area with the flat material of the previously used role and then cutting the sheet to this role. Thereafter, the packaging machine can be restarted, wherein the sheet is then removed from the connection roller.

In order to achieve a transition-correct connection in a printed packaging or flat material when reel change in such a way that, inter alia, at the connection area z. B. the repeat, the distances of the printed image, etc. are respected on the packaging material, it is in addition to a precise and positionally accurate stop the movement of the packaging material in use roll in particular also required that the connection region of the packaging material of the connection roller in the Connection station, where the connection is made, is also exactly positioned. This means so far that after the introduction of a connection roller in the supply unit this must be aligned exactly with its connected connection area in the connection station in a complicated way, which consuming and time consuming in running packaging machine and especially in the usual, limited accessibility of the respective connection station is.

The closest prior art is a device or a method according to EP 0 780 331 (A2 ).

The object of the invention is to provide a method with which the roll change can be carried out conveniently and also quickly, in particular also with regard to the precise positioning of the connection region of the connection roll. To solve this problem, a method according to claim 1 is formed. A supply unit for carrying out this method is the subject of claim 13.

In the invention, the exact positioning of the connection region of the connection roller takes place in that at this connection region on a Workplace outside the supply area a holding and positioning element for the transition-correct connection is aligned exactly aligned. When inserting the connection roller in the supply unit of this holding and positioning element is inserted into a receptacle of the connection station, so that then for the transition correct connection exact positioning of the connection area of the connection roller is reached automatically. All measures necessary for this are made at the workstation which enables free accessibility outside the supply unit.

In this case, it is also possible in particular to prepare the connection roll to be introduced into the supply unit after the respective roll change and after removal of the used-up roll, while the machine is still running and before the roll change with the holding and positioning element, so that the roll change is carried out extremely quickly can.

The inventive method further allows a computer-controlled role change.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connection necessary for the connection takes place by welding and in this case preferably by separating welding.

Fig. 1

in vereinfachter Darstellung und in Seitenansicht eine Folienzuführstation bzw. Versorgungseinheit zum Zuführen einer Verpackungsfolie an eine Verpackungsmaschine;

Fig. 2

in vereinfachter perspektivischer Darstellung eine Folienrolle zusammen mit einem als Klemmschiene ausgebildeten Halte- und Positionierelement und einer von einem Lineal gebildeten Lehre zum lagegenauen Befestigen der Klemmschiene an dem Folienanfang der Folienrolle;

Fig. 3 und 4

in schematischer Darstellung die wesentlichen Elemente einer Folienschweißstation der Versorgungseinheit der Figur 1, und zwar jeweils beim Wechseln bzw. beim Anschließen der Folie einer neuen Folienrolle an die Folie einer aufgebrauchten Folienrolle;

Fig. 5

in perspektivischer Einzeldarstellung die Anschluss- oder Schweißstation der Versorgungseinheit der Figur 1.

Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of an embodiment. It shows:

Fig. 1

in a simplified representation and in side view of a Folienzuführstation or supply unit for feeding a packaging film to a packaging machine;

Fig. 2

in a simplified perspective view of a film roll together with a clamping rail formed as holding and positioning element and a gauge formed by a ruler for positionally accurate fastening of the clamping rail at the film beginning of the film roll;

3 and 4

in a schematic representation of the essential elements of a film welding station of the supply unit of FIG. 1 , in each case when changing or when connecting the film of a new film roll to the film of a used-up film roll;

Fig. 5

in perspective detail representation of the connection or welding station of the supply unit of FIG. 1 ,

The supply unit generally designated 1 in the figures serves for supplying a weldable plastic or packaging film 2 to a packaging machine, not shown. For this purpose, the supply unit 1 has in a machine frame 3 two parallel mandrels 4 and 5 oriented with its axis in the horizontal direction, each of which serves to receive a film roll 6 or 7, one roll of which is the roll in use during the running packaging machine, from which the sheet-like film 2 is withdrawn in the direction of the arrow A and the packaging machine is supplied, while the other exchange or connection roller is available for a roll change. The Figures 3 and 4 show - one state of the supply unit 1 immediately before a roll change - again the two with their axes parallel to each other and perpendicular to the plane of the Figures 3 and 4 arranged mandrels 4 and 5, which provided on these thorns film rolls 6 and 7 and further with their axes parallel to each other and parallel to the mandrels 4 and 5 arranged deflection and guide rollers 8 - 10 for the film 2. These deflection and guide rollers 8- 10 are each mounted at both ends rotatably in a frame 11 of a likewise mounted in the machine frame 3 Folienanschluss- or welding station 12.

The guide roller 8 is assigned to the mandrel 4 and the guide roller 9 the mandrel 5. The two, in the Figures 3 and 4 lower guide rollers 10, together with a further roller 13, which is movable radially to its axis in the gap between the axes 10, a device 14 for achieving a constant mechanical film tension, in particular to avoid abrupt changes in the film tension and a Film impact during a roll change.

Another part of the welding station 12 is a rotatably mounted in the frame 11 receptacle 15 for the holding and positioning element, hereinafter referred to as clamping rail 16, which can be fixed in a holder of the receptacle 15 in registration and with its longitudinal extent parallel to the axis of rotation of the receptacle 15 , In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle 15 is a shaft or roller on which the clamping rail 16 can be secured by insertion in a suitable manner, for example by insertion into a groove forming the holder. For manually rotating the receptacle 15 about its axis is freely accessible a locking lever 15.1 is provided, with which the receptacle 15 is also blocked in each case after a rotational movement of 360 ° by locking. In the latched position of the receptacle 15 are provided on this receptacle holder for the clamping rail 16 respectively at the upper peripheral portion of the receptacle 15th

Component of the welding station 12 are further two heatable welding rails 17 and 18, which lie with their longitudinal extent parallel to the axis of rotation of the receptacle 15 and offset by an angle of slightly smaller than 180 ° about this axis of rotation. With the clamping rail 16, which is uniquely and precisely positioned on the receptacle 15, for example, by index pins engaging in positioning apertures of the receptacle 15, in each case the connection region of the film of the connection roll standing ready for the roll change is connected in an exactly aligned manner, in such a way that when the roll is changed the film of the new film roll, among others also with respect to a present on the film rapport, printed image, etc. transitionally correct to the film of the used film roll.

The FIG. 3 shows the state of the supply unit 1 shortly before the final consumption of the film roll 6 in use, the film 2 is fed via the guide roller 8 and the device 14 formed by the rollers 10 and 13 for keeping constant the film tension of the packaging machine according to the arrow A. The beginning of the guided over the guide roller 9 slide 2 of the roll change ready for the film roll 7 is connected to the attached to the receptacle 15 clamping rail 16 and wrapped around the circumference of the receptacle 15 that this beginning in the region of the welding rail 17 of the Film roll 6 peeled film 2 is adjacent and the film 2 there wegerstreckt of the clamping rail 16 in the direction of movement A.

By one in the FIG. 3 schematically designated 19 sensor which is in use film roll 6 is constantly monitored. If the sensor 19 cooperating with a control computer 20 of the packaging machine detects the imminent consumption of the film roll 6, the control computer 20 initiates the roll change. For this purpose, the packaging machine is first stopped and the removal of the film 2 is slowed down by the film roll 6. By a further, the film 2 or there existing markers or print marks 2.1 scanning sensor 21, the slower removal of the film 2 is stopped when the film 2 is positioned at the welding position formed by the welding rail 17 such that a transition or printing image correct connection of the ready film roll 7 (connection roller) is guaranteed. Subsequently, controlled by the control computer 20, the moving of the welding rail 17 from the starting position to the welding position, wherein by a Trennschweißvorgang joining the film 2 of the film roll 7 with the foil leading to the packaging machine and at the same time also a separation of the connection produced by the welding process from the film residue of the film roll 6 and from the remaining on the clamping rail 16 film remainder.

In order to obtain a defect-free and particularly load-bearing film weld, a braking device, for example a hose brake, is activated for the welding process by which the permanent bias of the film is reduced or even eliminated, at least in the region of the film weld to be created.

After completion of the Trennschweißens the packaging machine runs controlled by the control computer 20 again, in which case the film 2 is withdrawn from the film roll 7. The film roll 6 is manually removed from the supply unit, as well as the clamping rail 6. To prepare a new roll change in a consumption of the film roll 7, a new, already provided with the clamping rail 16 film roll 6 is placed on the mandrel 6, the clamping rail 16 in the Recording 15 used and this manually rotated about its axis by 360 °, so that the receptacle 15 in turn is looped around by the beginning of the film connected to the clamping rail 16. The FIG. 4 shows this state immediately before consuming the film roll. 7

The exact positioning of the clamping rail 16 is outside the packaging machine and the supply unit 1 at a comfortable and ergonomic workplace, which allows full and unrestricted accessibility in particular to the respective roller 6 and 7 respectively. This workplace includes u. a. a gauge in the form of a ruler 22, on which the respective clamping rail 16 can be accurately positioned, for example, again using engaging in positioning holes index pins. By provided on the ruler 22 markings 23 and 24 and by markings, such as printing marks 2.1 on the film 2 then the exact printing image correct connection or welding ensuring positioning of the clamping rail 16 on the film 2 is possible.

The insertion of the clamping rail 16 in the receptacle 15 takes place, as already mentioned, in each case in the locked position of the receptacle 15, in the (position) the Clamping rail holder of the receptacle 15 is located at the top of this recording. After attaching the clamping rail 15, the recording at the for FIG. 3 selected representation for the preparation of the film roll 7 as a connecting roller by means of the locking lever 15.1 rotated clockwise, so that in this case the receptacle 15 moves with its adjacent in use film 2 circumferential region against the conveying or stripping B of the film. The rotation of the receptacle 15 is terminated after 360 ° by engagement of the locking lever 15.1, so that the clamping rail 16 is again at the top, ie in the position in which this rail was inserted into the receptacle 15 and the looped around the receptacle 15, adjoining the clamping rail 16 partial length overlapping with the film is arranged in conjunction. For the preparation of the film roll 6 as a connecting roller, the receptacle 15 is rotated with the terminal block 16 in the counterclockwise direction. By this design, it is possible to make the overlapping connection of the films 2 and the separation of the hitherto in use film 2 of the roller 6 and 7 and the separation of the wound film 2 of the terminal block 16 in one operation by means of separating welding.

The FIG. 5 shows again in detail the individual, above-described elements of the welding or connecting station 12. Also shown in this figure, the actuating elements 25 for the welding rails 17 and 18. These actuators are in the illustrated embodiment pneumatic cylinder, not shown control valves of the control computer 20 are controlled.

Shown in the FIG. 5 also an actuating element 26, which, for example, also a pneumatic actuator and with which within the balancing station 14, the radial delivery of the roller 13 to achieve the most constant movement of the film web is controlled.

This is especially necessary to avoid a film beating when the welding process is finished and the machine should start again.

To bias the game / the overhang of the film, the roller 13 pivots after the completion of the welding process in the film path, extends this so and thus also biases the film overhang. Subsequently, the release of the braking device used to reduce the bias of the film and the restart of the machine done. If the machine has reached the normal operating speed after some time, the balancing station 14 is again swiveled out of the film path.

The invention has been described above by means of an embodiment. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible without thereby departing from the inventive idea underlying the invention. For example, it is also possible to provide additional braking and clamping means at the welding station 12, which ensure that the films are not under tension during the welding process.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

supply unit

2

Flat material or foil

2.1

print mark

3

machine frame

4.5

mandrel

6, 7

film roll

8-10

deflecting

11

frame

12

Welding or connection station

13

roller

14

Correction station

15

rotatable recording

16

clamping rail

17, 18

sealing bar

19

sensor

20

tax calculator

21

sensor

22

ruler

23, 24

mark

25, 26

actuator

A

Direction of movement of the packaging machine supplied film. 2

B

Feed movement of the welding rails 17

Claims (28)

1. A method for performing a roll change in a supply unit (1) which is suitable for feeding a strip-format flat material (2) to a packaging machine or the like processing machine from rolls (6, 7) forming a flat material supply, wherein for the roll change in which the flat material (2) of the roll (6, 7) that is in use is connected to an initial or connecting area of a provided connecting roll (7, 6) in a connecting station (12), said connecting area is exactly positioned in the connecting station (12) for a correctly matched register connection, and after the connection has been made, the flat material (2) is separated from the roll (6, 7) used until the roll change, characterized in that

   - for the exact positioning of the connecting area of the flat material (2) at the connecting roll (7, 6) a holding and positioning element (16) is fixed in an aligned manner to this connecting area at a work station outside the supply unit (1) and that

   - the connecting area of the connecting roll (7, 6) is positioned with the holding and positioning element (16) in a receptacle (15) provided at the connecting station (12) before the roll change, wherein

   - the receptacle (15) at the connecting station (12), after the insertion of the holding and positioning element (16), is rotated about an axis parallel to the plane of the flat material (2) that is in use and moves past the receptacle (15) and perpendicular to the direction of movement (A) of said flat material (2), so that

   - the connecting area overlaps the flat material (2) that is in use before the roll change and, starting from this overlap, extends from the holding and positioning element (16) in the direction of movement (A) of the flat material that is in use.
2. The method of claim 1, characterized in that the holding and positioning element is a pinch rail (16).
3. The method of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the precisely positioned fixation of the holding and positioning element to the connecting area is performed by using a gauge (22) in or on which the holding and positioning element is disposed in a predetermined posture and orientation, and by using marks on said gauge (22) and/or on the flat material (2).
4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection of the flat material that is in use to the connecting area of the connecting roll (7, 6) is made in an overlapping manner, for example such that the overlapping connection forms a lapped section on one side of the strip of the flat material (2).
5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle (15) at the connecting station (12), after the insertion of the holding and positioning element (16), is rotated perpendicular to the direction of movement (A) of the flat material (2) through an angular range of 360°.
6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during the roll change and before the connection of the connecting area of the connecting roll (7, 6) the movement of the flat material that is in use is terminated in a controlled manner so that by taking into consideration the exact positioning of the holding and positioning element in the receptacle (15), the correctly matched register connection of the flat material (2) of the connecting roll (7, 6) to the flat material (2) that is in use follows.
7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the termination of the movement of the flat material (2) that is in use is performed in a controlled manner for the roll change by marks, for example printed marks (2.1) provided on the flat material.
8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the precisely positioned fixation of the holding and positioning element (16) to the separate work station is performed by taking into consideration marks on the flat material, for example, by taking into consideration printed marks (2.1).
9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat material is a weldable film (2) and that the connection during roll change is made by welding, preferably by cutting and welding.
10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after the connection or during the connection, the flat material (2) is separated from the holding and positioning element (16).
11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the roll change, i.e., the controlled stopping of the flat material that is in use before the roll change, the connecting and separating of the flat material from the roll (6, 7) used before the roll change and from the holding and positioning element (16), and the subsequent further pulling-off of the flat material from the connecting roll (7, 6) are performed by computer-control.
12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the introduction of the roll change is made by at least one sensor (19) monitoring the track of the flat material (2) that is in use or the roll (6, 7) that is in use.
13. A combination of a supply unit (1) for feeding a strip-format flat material (2) to a packaging machine or the like processing machine and a holding and positioning element (16), comprising at least two roll receptacles (4, 5) for receiving a respective flat material supply in the shape of a roll (6, 7) of which at least one roll (6, 7) forms the roll (6, 7) that is in use from which the flat material (2) is pulled off during the operation of the packaging machine or the like processing machine, and at least one other roll (7, 6) forms a connecting roll (7, 6) provided for the roll change, comprising a connecting station (12) through which the flat material (2) of the roll (6, 7) that is in use is transported through and on which a connecting area of the flat material (2) of the connecting roll (7, 6) is disposed in an exactly positioned manner for a correctly matched register connection at a connecting position (17, 18), characterized in that

    - at the connecting position (17, 18) a receptacle (15) is provided in which the holding and positioning element (16) fixed to the connecting area of the connecting roll (7, 6) at a work station outside the supply unit (1) can be precisely positioned for the correctly matched register connection, wherein

    - the receptacle (15) for the holding and positioning element (16) can be rotated about an axis that lies parallel to the plane of the flat material (2) of the roll (6, 7) that is in use and is perpendicular to the direction of movement (A) of the flat material (2) at the connecting position (17, 18).
14. The combination of claim 13, characterized by means (22, 23, 24) with which the holding and positioning element can be fixed in precise position to the connecting area of the connecting roll (7, 6) before the holding and positioning element is inserted into the receptacle (16).
15. The combination of claim 13 or 14, characterized by a fastening gauge (22) for a precisely positioned fixation of the holding and positioning element (16) to the connecting area of the connecting roll (7, 6).
16. The combination of claim 15, characterized in that the fastening gauge (22) is formed for the precisely positioned fixation of the holding and positioning element (16) to said gauge.
17. The combination of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding and positioning element is a pinch rail (16).
18. The combination of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the roll receptacles are mandrels (4, 5) on which the rolls (6, 7) can be disposed by a push-on action.
19. The combination of claim 18, characterized in that the receptacle (15) can be rotated about an axis that lies parallel to the mandrels (4, 5).
20. The combination of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting station (21) is disposed between the roll receptacles (4, 5).
21. The combination of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the flat material is formed as a material that can be welded under the influence of heat, for example, as a weldable film, at least one welding element, for example, in the shape of a heated welding rail, is provided at the at least one connecting position (17, 18), which welding element can be moved from a retracted starting position into a working and welding position by at least one actuator element (25).
22. The combination of claim 21, characterized in that the at least one welding element is formed for cutting and welding.
23. The combination of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one welding element (16, 18) is provided on both sides of the rotatable receptacle (15).
24. The combination of any one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one first sensor (19) for monitoring the consumption of the roll (6) that is in use and for automatically initiating the roll change via a control unit or a control computer (20).
25. The combination of claim 24, characterized in that the at least one sensor monitors the diameter of the roll that is in use.
26. The combination of any one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one second sensor (21) for monitoring the flat material (2) of the roll (6, 7) that is in use and for controlled stopping the movement of said flat material (2) after initiation of the roll change and before the connection of the connecting area of the connecting roll (7, 6).
27. The combination of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one first sensor (19) and/or the at least one second sensor (21) monitor marks (2.1) on the flat material (2).
28. The combination of any one of the preceding claims, characterized by means (14) for keeping constant the tension of the strip-format flat material (2) and/or for reducing the tension and/or for blocking the movement of the flat material (2) during the roll change.

Images