EP1712471A1 - Device and method for packaging articles - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (100) has a mechanism (3, 4), with a folding mechanism (5) and with a packaging supply mechanism (9). An article (1) in a packaging supply direction is positioned about a centrically packaging unit (2). The retaining mechanism and the article and the folding mechanism are arranged relative to each other. The retaining mechanism moves through with the article and packaging unit by the folding mechanism. The retaining mechanism and or the folding mechanism are moved out in order to evade following packaging units. An independent claim is included for a method.

Description

The invention relates to a device and a method for packaging articles, in particular small-sized, preferably chocolate articles.

Machines which operate on the two-stamp principle convey the article to be packaged with the packaging material through a folding device (eg folding shaft), wherein the first folds of the packaging material take place around the article.

Here, the packaging or the respective packaging section is intermittently fed, d. H. only temporarily promoted and stopped intermittently, the individual section is separated from a web or the like of the packaging.

This is necessary since the packaging means section is approximately centered on the article, e.g. On the upper side thereof, before the article is gripped together with the packaging material section by a receiving unit (eg the punches) and moved through the folding device.

As a result of the subsequent transport movement of the article and the packaging material section through the folding device, the area for the supply of the subsequent packaging material section is blocked by the part of the receiving unit moved by the folding device. Only when this part has been moved back to its initial position, the subsequent packaging section can cross its path of movement, d. H. be positioned approximately centrally to the article.

Thus, the subsequent package portion for the next article package may be conveyed less than 50%, otherwise it collides with the receiving unit.

There is a desire to increase the processing or packaging speed of such machines.

To increase the speed of such a machine could be an increase the movement speed of the receiving unit, for. B. the stamp to be made. However, such an increase in speed is limited due to the occurring accelerations and material loads in the machine and the article reasonable loads.

Also, a faster supply of packaging or packaging section is not readily possible because a variety of the materials used is sensitive to varying speed variables and associated loads.

Alternatively, it could be considered to dispense with the approximately central orientation of the packaging material section to the article. However, this limits the variety of folding modes that can be performed with such a machine. So z. B. usually an approximately central positioning of the packaging section in the packaging supply direction for making a bunch, letter, page, bottom, bag and Spitz folding and a double twist envelope folding, etc. necessary if no additional folding in the folding unit should. Thus, if the packaging device is to provide a wide variety of folding types, the approximately central orientation of packaging material in the direction of delivery of the package and the article is necessary.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a device for packaging articles, which has an increased processing speed while providing a variety of folding types.

This object is achieved by the device specified in claim 1.

Characterized in that the device for packaging articles is provided with a receiving device, with a folding device and with a packaging supply means, wherein the receiving device with the article and a to the article in the packaging supply direction approximately centrally positioned packaging means and the folding means are configured so relative to each other movable in that the receiving device moves through the folding device with the article and the packaging material, wherein the receiving device and / or the folding device are designed to avoid the subsequent packaging means, in particular during the return movement into the starting position, it is possible to remove the packaging material or to continuously supply the packaging sections as it does not match the Receiving device or folding device can / can collide, so that no power limitation of the machine is present by the packaging means supply. Thus, the processing speed can be increased without the need for further or more receiving and folding devices must be provided. This would make the design and construction of the device considerably more expensive and therefore increase the cost.

In addition, there are a number of other advantages. So can be achieved by the continuous supply of packaging a quiet packaging agent run, so that the respective packaging means section can be optimally positioned. In addition, a constant packaging voltage can be adjusted, whereby a packaging crack, etc. can be avoided. This allows processing of extremely sensitive and otherwise difficult to process packaging such. B. sensitive, very thin packaging, such as aluminum foil or polypropylene.

According to a preferred embodiment, at least a part of the receiving device describes on its return movement an evasive to the subsequent packaging return path, which differs from the Hinbewegungspfad.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the evasive return movement takes place in the packaging supply direction. Under Packmittelzufuhrrichtung the direction is understood in which the packaging is supplied.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the receiving device on two oppositely arranged holding units, which receive the article and the packaging (or packaging section) between them in order to pass them through the folding device.

According to a further preferred embodiment, at least one holding unit is designed to avoid the subsequent packaging in the return movement of the receiving unit.

In this case, the at least one holding unit can be designed to follow an approximately transversely aligned evasive movement direction in addition to the direction of movement through the folding device.

For this purpose, according to a further preferred embodiment, the at least one holding unit can be rotatably mounted on a shaft which can be displaced in the direction of return movement. The rotation of the holding unit can be effected in particular via a lever. Alternatively, the at least one holding unit can be displaceably mounted in the packaging-material feed direction.

Of course, it is also possible to design the folding device such that the entire folding device alone or together with the receiving device can avoid the subsequent packaging.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the folding device is a folding shaft. This is preferably modular, d. H. its walls can be adapted to different types of folding and articles by exchanging individual areas without much effort. It is understood that the folding shaft can also have brushed walls, depending on the type of folding.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the folding shaft is designed split and may further comprise at least one pivotally mounted folding shaft wall. Alternatively, the folding shaft has at least one folding shaft wall displaceably mounted in the packaging material feeding direction.

Thus, according to a preferred embodiment in which the movable, z. B. pivotable or displaceable, stored folding shaft wall is designed to dodge the receiving unit in the package feeding direction, the folding tray, the receiving unit not at or on the evasive movement and it can be a compact structure with good accessibility can be achieved.

For this purpose, the folding shaft wall can be moved via a lever whose movement can optionally be coupled with the movement of the receiving unit.

In order to allow easy maintenance and repair of the folding unit, this is carried out from the working position in a maintenance position swiveling, including in particular a ball joint connection of the lever is provided. Thus, the adjustment of the lever can be maintained despite the Aufschwenkbarkeit and these are coupled in a simple manner with its drive.

• Aufnehmen des Artikels zusammen mit einem an dem Artikel in Packmittelzufuhrrichtung etwa mittig positionierten Packmittel mittels einer Aufnahmeeinrichtung,
• Falten des Packmittels um den Artikel durch eine relative Bewegung zwischen einer Falteinrichtung und der Aufnahmeeinheit zueinander, wobei die Aufnahmeeinrichtung sich mit dem Artikel und dem Packmittel durch die Falteinrichtung hindurchbewegt,
• Abgabe des zumindest teilweise mit dem Packmittel verpackten Artikels und
• Ausführen einer dem nachfolgenden Packmittel ausweichenden Bewegung durch die Aufnahmeeinrichtung und/oder Falteinrichtung.

The above object is also achieved by the method for packaging articles specified in claim 18, which is carried out in particular using the device specified above and comprises the following steps:

• Picking up the article together with a packaging means positioned approximately centrally on the article in the packaging feed direction by means of a receiving device,
• Folding the packaging material about the article by a relative movement between a folding device and the receiving unit to each other, wherein the receiving device with the article and the packaging material moves through the folding device,
• Delivery of at least partially packed with the packaging article and article
• Execution of the subsequent packaging evasive movement by the receiving device and / or folding device.

In a preferred variant of the method, the evasive movement of the receiving device takes place on a return path deviating from the following packaging means, which differs from the forward movement path.

In a further preferred variant of the method, the evasive return movement takes place in the package feed direction.

In a further preferred variant of the method, the folding device is a folding shaft with at least one movably mounted folding shaft wall, which performs an evasive movement.

Fig. 1

einen Ausschnitt eines Schnitts in vertikaler Richtung durch eine Vorrichtung zur Verpackung von Artikeln im Bereich der Falteinrichtung mit einem Artikel und Packmittelabschnitt in der Ausgangsstellung;

Fig. 2

den Ausschnitt aus Fig. 1 nach dem Hindurchführen des Artikels durch die Falteinrichtung, wobei sich die Aufnahme- und Falteinrichtung in der Ausweichbewegung befinden, und

Fig. 3

den Ausschnitt aus Fig. 1 bei der Bewegungsabfolge beim Hindurchführen des Artikels durch die Falteinrichtung und Wiedereinnahme der Ausgangsstellung.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawing.
Show it:

Fig. 1

a section of a section in the vertical direction by a device for packaging articles in the region of the folding device with an article and packaging means section in the starting position;

Fig. 2

the section of Figure 1 after passing the article through the folding device, wherein the receiving and folding means are in the evasive movement, and

Fig. 3

the detail of Fig. 1 in the sequence of movements in passing the article through the folding device and return to the starting position.

FIG. 1 shows a section of a section in the vertical direction through a device designated as a whole as 100 for packaging article 1 with a packaging means section 2. In the drawings, the device 100 is oriented approximately vertically. However, it is understood that a horizontal alignment is possible or the orientation for the invention does not matter.

The device 100 comprises a receiving unit which has two mutually oppositely arranged holding units 3 and 4, which receive the article 1 and the packaging means section 2 between them, to pass through a folding device designed as a folding 5 to the first folds of the packaging material section 2 to the Article 1.

The holding units 3, 4 each have a punch 3A, 4A and an arm 3B, 4B. The arms 3B, 4B are connected on one side to the punch 3A, 4A and are movably supported on the other side, so that they can move toward one another in order to receive the article 1 and the packaging medium section 2 between them.

The arms 3B, 4B each have a curved shape, so that the punches 3A, 4A move through the folding shaft 5 in a common movement of the articulation points of the arms on a curved path of movement in the direction of the arrow H. Of course, a rectilinear movement path can also be provided.

The arm 3B of the one holding unit 3, which is arranged in the figures below, is also rotatably supported on a shaft 16 so that it can be pivoted in a direction along the arrow R.

The packaging material is fed laterally via a packaging means feed device 9, wherein a single package portion 2 is separated from a corresponding continuously fed package center web by a rotary knife 10 and positioned on a package center table 11.

The packaging material section table 11 has a suitable opening 8, through which the holding unit 3 can press the article 1 from below against the packaging medium section 2 or the holding unit 4 arranged opposite to it.

The packaging material section 2 is positioned approximately centrally with respect to the article 1 in the packaging-material feed direction Z, before it is gripped together with the article 1 by the holding units 3, 4. Depending on the desired type of folding, the packaging material section 2 can also be aligned with the article 1 in the direction transverse to the packaging-material feed direction Z (that is to say in the direction of the figure) in the center or off-center (eg, bag folding).

Trained as a folding shaft 5 folding device is modular, d. H. their walls 6, 7, where the first folds take place, with a few detachable parts disassembled and interchangeable to the folding shaft z. B. to adapt to the article size or shape. It is understood that also possibly provided other walls can also be disassembled and interchangeable.

The wall 7 is a common rigidly disposed wall that is adapted to the arcuate path of movement of the article.

In contrast, the wall 6 is designed to be pivotable. For this purpose, it is pivotable via a lever 12 in the direction of the arrow W (see Fig. 2). Thus, the wall 6 of the swiveled in the direction of the arrow R holding unit 3 dodge.

The movement of the lever 12 is coupled via a ball joint (not shown) via a corresponding gear with the movement of the holding units 3, 4, in particular of the arm 3 B of the holding unit 3. The ball joint makes it possible to move the folding shaft 5 from the operating position into a pivoted-up maintenance position, without the lever 12 having to be disconnected from the drive or readjusted after pivoting back into the operating position.

The drive of the receiving unit and the folding device via a common motor whose movement is translated via suitable gears and shafts.

In the figures, only the walls 6, 7 of the folding shaft are visible, it is understood, however, that depending on the type of folding and other walls, for. B. parallel to the paper plane, may be present. Accordingly, brush walls, etc. may be provided.

The apparatus 100 further comprises a discharge device 13 for transferring the article 1 after passing through the folding shaft 5 and for further processing (eg final folding) (see FIG. 2). The discharge device 13 has oppositely arranged grippers 14, 15 which grip the article 1 laterally such that they do not collide with the holding units 3, 4 of the receiving unit.

In the following, in particular with reference to FIG. 3, the sequence of the packaging of an article 1 with a packaging means section 2 will be described, wherein the packaging means section in FIG. 3 has been omitted for reasons of clarity. The resulting motion sequence is also shown in dashed lines.

The first step is based on the initial position shown in FIG. The article 1 is held on one side of the folding shaft 5 together with the packaging means section 2 positioned approximately centrally therebetween between the holding units 3, 4 of the receiving device.

These are then passed together through the folding shaft 5 to the other side, with the packaging material section 2 guided by the walls of the folding shaft around the article 1 by the relative movement applies. In this case, the holding units 3, 4 with the article 1 and the packaging material section 2 follow the arcuate forward movement path (direction of the arrow H) through the folding shaft 5.

Thereafter, the takeover or delivery of at least partially packed with the packaging article 1 takes place to the discharge device 13, to which the article 1 is laterally gripped by the grippers 14, 15.

Now first the holding unit 3 moves back to the starting position. at However, this return movement of the receiving device does not follow the Hinbewegungspfad, but a the subsequent packaging means evading return path, which differs from the Hinbewegungspfad.

For this purpose, the arm 3B of the holding unit 3 is not only moved back against the direction of the arrow H, but additionally pivoted in the direction of the arrow R, so that the holding unit 3 makes room for the subsequent in the feed Z packaging section. Thus, the packaging material or the subsequent packaging material section for the next article can be conveyed continuously during the entire procedure above. The pivoting in the direction R is done by rotating the arm 3 B around the shaft 16.

Since the holding unit 3 is located in the return movement within the folding shaft 5, this must dodge the holding unit 3 in order to prevent a collision. For this purpose, the wall 6 is pivotable via the lever 12 in the direction of the arrow W, wherein this movement is coupled in the present example with the movement of the holding unit 3. A movement independent of the holding unit is conceivable.

Once the holding unit 3 below the Packmittelabschnittzufuhrpfad, d. H. below the package center table 11, has arrived and no longer crosses the supply of the subsequent packaging section, it is pivoted back against the direction of the arrow R. Subsequently, the holding unit 3 can assume the starting position and is ready to receive a new article.

Once the article 1 has been conveyed out of the area of the second holding unit 4 by the discharge device 13, it can move to "pick up" a new article and a packaging material section in the direction of the first holding unit 3. The process can start again.

During the entire process, the packaging can be continuously further promoted because the separated by the knife 10 Packmittelabschnitt can not collide with the holding unit 3.

100

Vorrichtung

1

Artikel

2

Packmittelabschnitt

3

Halteeinheit

3A

Stempel

3B

Arm

4

Halteeinheit

4A

Stempel

4B

Arm

5

Faltschacht

6

Wand

7

Wand

8

Öffnung

9

Packmittelzufuhreinrichtung

10

Messer

11

Packmittelabschnittstisch

12

Hebel

13

Abfuhreinrichtung

14

Greifer

15

Greifer

16

Welle

H

Hinbewegungspfad

R

Schwenkrichtung der Halteeinheit 3

W

Schwenkrichtung der Wand 6

Z

Packmittelzufuhrrichtung

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

contraption

1

items

2

Packaging section

3

holding unit

3A

stamp

3B

poor

4

holding unit

4A

stamp

4B

poor

5

folding shaft

6

wall

7

wall

8th

opening

9

Packaging feed device

10

knife

11

Packaging section table

12

lever

13

discharge device

14

grab

15

grab

16

wave

H

Hinbewegungspfad

R

Pivoting direction of the holding unit 3

W

Pivoting direction of the wall 6

Z

Packaging feed direction

Claims (21)

Device (100) for packaging articles (1)
with a receiving device (3, 4),
with a folding device (5) and
with a packaging means (9),
wherein the receiving device (3, 4) with the article (1) and a packaging means (2) positioned approximately centrally on the article (1) in the packaging material feed direction and the folding device (5) are designed to be movable relative to one another in such a manner,
in that the receiving device (3, 4) moves through the folding device (5) with the article (1) and the packaging material (2),
wherein the receiving device (3, 4) and / or the folding device (5) are designed to avoid the subsequent packaging means. Device for packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a part (3) of the receiving device (3, 4) on its return movement describes a return path deviating from the subsequent packaging means, which differs from the forward movement path (H). Device for packaging according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the evasive return movement in the packaging material supply direction (Z) takes place. Device for packaging according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the receiving device comprises two mutually oppositely arranged holding units (3, 4) which receive the article (1) and the packaging means (2) between them, by the folding device (5) to pass. Device for packaging according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one holding unit (3) is designed to avoid the subsequent packaging means during the return movement of the receiving unit (3, 4). Device for packaging according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the at least one holding unit (3) is designed to follow next to the direction of movement (H) by the folding device (5) of an approximately transversely aligned Ausweichbewegungsrichtung (R). Device for packaging according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the at least one holding unit (3) is rotatably mounted on a displaceable in the direction of movement back and forth wave (16). Device for packaging according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the at least one holding unit (3) in the package feeding direction (Z) is displaceably mounted. Packaging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the folding device is a folding shaft (5). Device for packaging according to claim 9, characterized in that the folding shaft (5) is designed split. Device for packaging according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the folding shaft (5) has at least one pivotally mounted folding shaft wall (6). Device for packaging according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the folding shaft (5) has at least one folded-box wall (6) displaceably mounted in the package-feeding direction (Z). Device for packaging according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the folding shaft wall (6) is designed to avoid the receiving unit (3, 4) in the package feeding direction (Z). Device for packaging according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the folding shaft wall (6) via a lever (12) is movable, whose movement is optionally coupled to the movement of the receiving unit (3, 4). Packaging device according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the folding shaft (5) is modular. Device for packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the folding unit (5) from the working position in a maintenance position is designed aufschwenkbar, including in particular a ball joint connection of the lever (12) is provided. Device for packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the packaging means feed means (9) is designed to supply packaging means continuously. Method for packaging articles, in particular using a device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps: Receiving the article (1) together with a packaging means (2) positioned approximately centrally on the article in the packaging supply direction by means of a receiving device (3, 4), - folding the packaging means (2) around the article (1) by relative movement between a folding device (5) and the receiving unit (3, 4) to each other, wherein the receiving device (3, 4) with the article (1) and the Packing means (2) moved through the folding device (5), - Delivery of at least partially with the packaging (2) packaged article (1) and - Executing a subsequent packaging evasive movement by the receiving device (3, 4) and / or folding device (5). A method according to claim 18, characterized in that the evasive movement of the receiving device (3, 4) takes place on a subsequent packaging means evading return path (R), which differs from the Hinbewegungspfad (H). A method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the evasive movement in the packaging supply direction (Z) takes place. Method according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the folding device is a folding shaft (5) with at least one movably mounted folding shaft wall (6), which performs an evasive movement.

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