EP1676780B1 - Method of packing and unpacking containers and apparatus for carrying out the method - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for unpacking and re-packing packing drums with containers received in a re-packing unit comprises lifting packing units using ejectors passing through the openings in the base of the re-packing units during the removal of re-packing units of the packing drums. An independent claim is also included for an arrangement for unpacking and re-packing packing drums with containers received in a re-packing unit. Preferred Features: The packing units of a mixed group are inserted against the ejectors lying in the re-packing unit by lowering. The packing units are removed from the re-packing unit of the packing drums as the same group.

Description

The invention relates to methods according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a system according to the preamble of claim 5.

It is known, with a product (filling) filled containers or packaging units, such as bottles, cardboard-like containers or packaging, etc. in outer packaging, for example, in boxes, trays, crates, etc. pack as packages and bring in this form on the market. The containers of such a container then typically contain only one and the same product, i. e.g. a drink of a particular kind or variety (for example, only juice or soft drink or beer, etc.) and / or one and the same flavor. Containers that contain containers or other packaging units with one and the same product are hereinafter referred to as "single-grade containers".

In many cases, the trade or the end user does not demand unmixed and subsequently referred to as "mixed container" containers that then contain packaging units or containers with different products in their outer packaging, for example containers with drinks (eg soft drinks) of different types and / or different tastes ( eg coke drinks and fruit sodas, etc.).

The packing or unpacking of packages in or out of outer packaging has already been recognized by the experts as very time and cost intensive, so that in this regard devices have already been proposed to accelerate these workflows.

For example, by the US 2,825,193 a device vorgesellt in which the packing of containers in an outer packaging is mechanically supported. In such a device, the packages waiting for packaging are initially provided in the correct quantity and in the correct position. Subsequently, these containers are pushed onto a lowerable floor, said lowerable floor is formed of a plurality of rod-shaped elements, which protrude through the waiting outer packaging.
Subsequently, a box-shaped element is lowered onto the container, whereby falling over or dislocation of the container during the subsequent lowering of the container is securely prevented in the outer packaging.

Another device was through the JP 59 152113 A presented. In a comparable manner, this device is used to unpack containers from an outer packaging, and to park on a conveyor belt. For this, the outer packaging is positioned below guide elements for the containers, whereupon rod-shaped elements push or push the containers vertically upwards out of the outer packaging. Have the containers reached the target height, they are placed on a suitable transport device.

About a support of pure packaging or unpacking go the previously known devices not out. A device for forming mixed containers has not been disclosed.

The object of the invention is to provide a method or a plant, with or in a rational manner, the formation of mixed containers from unmixed containers is possible. To solve this problem, a method according to claim 1 is formed. A system for carrying out the method is the subject of claim 5. Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer packaging of the unmixed containers are reused for the mixed containers, so that no new outer packaging is needed for the formation of the mixed container, which represents a significant saving in particular also in terms of material costs and disposal costs.

Fig. 1

in schematischer Funktionsdarstellung eine Anlage zum Umpacken von Gebinden gemäß der Erfindung;

Fig. 2

in schematischer perspektivischer Darstellung eine Gebindeauspack- oder Einpackstation der Anlage der Figur 1, zusammen mit einem auf einem Transporteur angeordneten Gebinde, den Greiferelementen und den Ausstoßern der Aus- oder Einpackstation;

Fig. 3

die Auspack- oder Einpackstation der Figur 2, zusammen mit einer auf einem Transporteur der Anlage angeordneten Umverpackung in Form eines Kartons oder Trays, sowie mit den auf einer Aufnahme angeordneten Behältern nach dem Auspacken oder vor dem Einpacken.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of an embodiment. Show it:

Fig. 1

in a schematic functional representation of a plant for repackaging of containers according to the invention;

Fig. 2

in a schematic perspective view of a container unpacking or packing station of the system FIG. 1 , together with a container arranged on a conveyor, the gripper elements and the ejectors of the unpacking or packing station;

Fig. 3

the unpacking or packing station of FIG. 2 , together with an outer packaging arranged in the form of a box or tray on a conveyor of the installation, and with the containers placed on a receptacle after unpacking or before packing.

The system, generally designated 1 in the figures, initially serves to unpack containers 2, e.g. of beverage-filled containers in the form of bottles, cartons, etc., of outer packages 3, e.g. Cartons, trays or crates, as well as for repackaging the container 2 in a new compilation in the unpacked during unpacking and therefore reused for repackaging the outer packaging. 3

The unmixed 4 formed by the outer packaging 3 with the containers 2 are in the in the FIG. 1 illustrated embodiment via a feed dog 5 in the direction of arrow A (transport direction) supplied. Each container 4 contains eight containers 2, which are arranged as a container group in two rows of four containers and filled exclusively with one and the same product, but the products of container 4 to 4 or 4 but also group of containers to group of 4 containers are different. Thus, for example, a part of the container 4 contains eight containers 2 with a soft drink of a first kind (for example cola beverage), a part of the containers 4 eight containers 2 with a soft drink of a second kind (for example lemonade beverage of a first flavor) and a part of the container 4 eight Container 2 with a third kind of soft drink (for example, a second flavored soda beverage).

At an unpacking station 6, the containers 2 are removed as an entire group of containers from the containers 4, without destruction of the outer package 3, as will be described in more detail below. At one of the unpacking station 6 associated buffer station 7, the container 2 are then each sorted intermediately stored in receptacles 8, which each species advantageously separate are assigned, so that each receptacle 8 contains only container 2 with one and the same product.

In the illustrated embodiment, the plant 1 is designed so that the arrangement that have the container 2 in the respective container 4 is also retained in the respective receptacle 8, d. H. Each receptacle 8 has four sections, so that there the container 4 removed from the container 2 each form four rows of containers. If the system 1 is used only for unpacking the containers 4, the containers 2 are removed from the buffer station 7 or from the receptacles 8 there.

However, the plant 1 is preferably used to re-pack the containers 2 in the after unpacking and reusable outer packaging 3 in a new compilation, in such a way that then in each outer package 3 or in the corresponding mixing container 4a container 2 with different products are included. In this case, it is possible to control the installation 1 in such a way that this assembly is identical to all the units 4 leaving the installation 1 on the conveyor belt 5 in the transport direction A, ie each container, for example three containers 2 of the product of the first type, three containers 2 of the container Contains second-grade product as well as two third-grade product container 2. However, the system 1 can also be controlled so that the individual mixing containers 4a have a different composition, for example containers 4a are formed according to the following table. mixed containers Number of containers 2 with first grade Number of containers 2 with second grade Number of containers 2 with third grade first container 3 3 2 second container 1 1 6 third container 5 2 1

It is understood that other combinations of mixed packages or mixed containers 4a are possible.

For the repackaging or for the production of the mixed container 4a, the system 1 further comprises a picking or picking station 9, which has a plurality of receptacles 10 in the illustrated embodiment, in which the mixed container groups 11 are assembled for the mixing container 4a, for example in that each a corresponding number of Containers 2 the different receptacles 8 of the buffer station 7, for example, with a controlled by a process control device 12 pick / place arrangement or gripper assembly is removed. The mixed container groups 11, which are assembled according to the customer's wishes, are then inserted at a packing station 13 from the receptacles 10 into a respective outer package 3 which is ready for use.

In order to allow the unpacking of the container groups formed by the containers 2 at the unpacking station 6 without damaging the outer packaging 3, both the outer packaging 3, as well as the Auspackstation 6 in a particular, from the Figures 2 and 3 educated manner.

The outer packaging 3 have at their bottom 3.1 each openings 14, the number of which is equal to or greater than the number of containers 2 of a container 4 and 4a and which are distributed so distributed on the bottom 3.1, that in each case at least one opening 14 below each in the outer packaging 3 used container 2 is located. The cross-section of each opening 14 is smaller than the area of the bottom of the container 2, so that the latter are reliably held in the respective outer packaging 3 despite the openings 14.

According to the arrangement of the container 2 in the outer package 3 in two rows of four containers 2, for example, the opening 14 in the bottom 3.1 in two rows, each with four openings 14 are provided.

The Unpacking 6 has below the transport plane of the carrier 5 and thus below the level of the bottom 3.1 of the respective arranged at the unpacking 6 Umverpackung 3 an ejector or punch assembly 15 with multiple ejectors or punches 16, the number and distribution equal to the number and distribution of Openings 14 in the bottom 3.1 of each outer packaging 3 is, ie In the illustrated embodiment, the punch assembly 15 has a total of eight punches, which are arranged in two rows of four punches.

The unpacking station 6 further has on a gripper arm, not shown, a gripper assembly 17 which has a total of eight gripper elements 18 in the illustrated embodiment. These gripper elements 18 are arranged according to the arrangement of the container 2 in the outer packaging 3 in two rows extending in the transport direction A, in each case four gripper elements 18 in each row. The gripper elements 18, which are opposite one another perpendicular to the transport direction A, each form a gripper element pair or a gripper for gripping two containers 2 in each case.

To remove the container 2 from a container 4 at the unpacking station 6 are lowered at the container 4 gripper assembly 17, the stamp 16 from a starting position in which they are arranged with their upper, a container system forming stamp surface 16.1 below the transport plane of the carrier 5 , moved upward in the direction of its vertical axis, so that they finally pass through the openings 14 of the outer packaging 3 and with their stamp face 16.1 carry the container 2 located in the outer packaging 3 upwards and insert it into the gripper arrangement 17.

To make this possible, the feed dog 5 at the unpacking station 6 is designed to allow the punches 16 to move upwardly beyond the transport plane, i. the transporter 5 is formed for example by a ladder-like transport element with a plurality of transversely to the transport direction A arranged webs 19, or of a plurality of mutually parallel narrow conveyor belts or belts, which are oriented in the transport direction A and leave between them a space for the passage of the punch 16 ,

After insertion of the container 2 into the gripper assembly 17, these are deposited on a respective product or variety associated with the recording 8 of the buffer station 7, for example, such that the container although there maintain their basic arrangement to each other, but are further spaced apart, so that a simplified handling of the container 2 when assembling the mixed container groups 11 is possible. For this purpose, the grippers or gripper elements 18 are provided so as to be movable relative to one another on the gripper arrangement 17 or on a corresponding gripper head.

The wrapping station 13 is formed in the illustrated embodiment, identical to the unpacking station 6, ie at the packing station 13, a stamp assembly 15 is provided with the punches 16, the number and distribution in turn corresponds to the number and distribution of the openings 14 in the outer packaging 3. Furthermore, the packing station 13 also has the gripper arrangement 17. With this or with the gripper elements 18, each ready to be packaged on a receptacle 10 mixed container group 11 is taken as a whole, then moved to the waiting outer package 3 and inserted into this. For insertion of the punch 16 of the punch assembly 15 are moved to its raised position, so that this with their stamp faces 16.1 on the transport plane of the carrier 5 and through the openings 14 of the outer package 3 through to about the level of the upper, open edge of the respective peripheral packaging 3 range. With the gripper assembly 17, the container 2 are then placed with its bottom on the stamp surfaces 16.1, so that the container 2 then move after their release from the gripper assembly 17 on the sinking punches 16 rising by their own weight in the respective outer packaging 2.

The invention has been described above by means of an embodiment. It is understood that changes and modifications are possible without thereby departing from the idea underlying the invention. Thus, it is possible, for example, to carry out the unpacking and repacking at one and the same station, in such a way that in a full cycle of movement of the gripper assembly 17 and a gripper head first of a packaging 3 of a container 4 removed container 2 to the buffer station. 7 or moves the picking station 9 and transported in the subsequent return movement of the gripper assembly 17 and the gripper head with this a mixed container group 11 to the empty outer package 3 and inserted into this.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Device or plant for repackaging of containers

2

container

3

overpack

4, 4a

container

5

carrier

6

decrater

7

buffer station

8th

admission

9

picking

10

admission

11

container group

12

control

13

bagging

14

Opening in the bottom of the outer packaging

15

punch assembly

16

Ejector or stamp

16.1

stamp surface

17

hook assembly

18

gripper element

A

transport direction

Claims (16)

1. Method of unpacking and repacking single-variety groups (4), each having containers or similar packaging units (2) that are accommodated within an outer packaging (3) and containing in each group (4) exclusively one and the same product, which is variable from group (4) to group (4) or from one set of groups (4) to the next set of groups (4), in mixed groups (4a), which, within their outer packaging (3), contain packaging units (2) with different products, wherein the packaging units (2) are removed from the outer packaging (3) of the single-variety group (4), the removed packaging units (2) are combined to form respectively mixed sets (11) of packaging units (2) with different products and the mixed sets (11) are inserted respectively into an outer packaging (3) to form a mixed group (4a), characterised in that the packaging units (2) of the single-variety groups (4) are raised in an unpacking station by means of ejectors (16) that extend through openings (14) in the bottom (3.1) of the outer packaging (3) and are removed from the outer packaging (3), and are then supplied by means of a translating element (17) to an order picking station, where the mixed sets are combined, and then the mixed groups (4a) are supplied by a translating element (17) from the order picking station (9) to a packing station (13) and there are lowered within the outer packaging (3) by ejectors (16) that extend through openings (14) in the bottom (3.1) of the outer packaging (3).
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the outer packaging (3) of the single-variety group (4) is used for forming the mixed group (4a).
3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the packaging units (2) are removed from the outer packaging (3) of the single-variety group (4) in each case as a total group.
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the packaging units (2) of the combined mixed sets (11) are moved into an outer packaging (3) in each case as a collective set.
5. System for unpacking and repacking single-variety groups (4), each having containers or similar packaging units (2) accommodated within an outer packaging (3) and containing in each single-variety group (4) exclusively one product, which is variable from group (4) to group (4) or from one set of groups (4) to the next set of groups (4), in mixed groups (4a), which, within the outer packaging (3), contain packaging units (2) with different products and this by removing the packaging units (2) from the outer packaging (3) of the single-variety group (4), by combining mixed sets of packaging units of different products and by inserting the combined, mixed sets (11) of packaging units (2) into a respective outer packaging (3), characterised by at least one unpacking and packing station (6, 13) with at least one translating element (17) for removing the packaging units (2) out of the single-variety groups (4) and for inserting the mixed sets (11) of packaging units (2) into an outer packaging (3) to form the respective mixed group (4a), and by an order picking station (9), where the mixed sets are combined, as well as by a ejector arrangement (15) with a plurality of ejectors (16), which respectively form at least one contact face (16.1) for a packaging unit (2) and are moveable between a start position, in which the contact face (16.1) is situated below the level of the bottom (3.1) of the outer packaging (3) disposed at the at least one unpacking and/or packing station (6, 13), and a raised position, in which the ejectors (16) each extend through at least one opening (14) in the bottom (3.1) of the respective outer packaging (3) into the said outer packaging and the contact faces (16.1) are situated above the level of the bottom (3.1) of the outer packaging (3), in order, when unpacking the single-variety groups (4), to raise the packaging units (2) and to transfer them to the translating element (17) and, when packing the mixed sets (11) of packaging units (2), to move the packaging units (2) standing on the contact faces (16.1) into the waiting outer packaging (3) by means of lowering.
6. System according to claim 5, characterised in that the number of ejectors (16) is at least equal to the number of packaging units (2) contained in one single-variety group (4) or mixed group (4a).
7. System according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the number of openings (14) in the bottom (3.1) of each outer packaging (3) is at least equal to the number of packaging units (2) in one outer packaging (3) of one single-variety group or one mixed group (4a).
8. System according to one of the preceding claim 5 - 7, characterised in that the at least one translating element (17) is a gripper arrangement (17) with a plurality of gripper elements (18).
9. System according to one of the preceding claims 5 - 8, characterised in that the translating element (17) is configured in such a manner that in each case the packaging units are removed from the outer packaging (3) as a set.
10. System according to one of the preceding claims 5 - 9, characterised in that the at least one translating element (17) is configured in such a manner that each newly combined mixed set (11) of packaging units (2) is inserted into the outer packaging as a complete unit.
11. System according to one of the preceding claims 5 - 10, characterised in that the at least one unpacking station (6) and the at least one packing station (13) are separate stations.
12. System according to one of the preceding claims 5 - 11, characterised in that one common station forms both the unpacking station and the packing station.
13. System according to one of the preceding claims 5 -12, characterised in that the outer packaging (3) of the single-variety group (4) is used as outer packaging (3) for the mixed group (4a).
14. System according to one of the preceding claims 5 -13, characterised by a conveyor (5) for supplying the single-variety group (4) to the at least one unpacking station (6) and for taking the mixed group (4a) away from the at least one packing station (13).
15. System according to one of the preceding claims 5 - 14, characterised by an order picking station (9) for combining the mixed sets of packing units (2).
16. System according to claim 15, characterised by a buffer (7) that is connected upstream of the order picking station (9) and is for preparing the removed packaging units (2) for forming the newly combined mixed sets (11) of packaging units (2).

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