EP1712471B1 - 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, an increase in the speed of movement 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.

From the EP 1 033 306 A1 If an apparatus for wrapping confectionery pieces is known, comprising means for feeding the products to be wrapped, an element at a transfer station, for withdrawing said products from said supplying means, including and being capable of pushing together with a dispenser Apparatus for dispensing a piece of sheet material, a winding head with pliers which rotates on a horizontal axis for carrying said products with a corresponding piece of sheet material at a series of processing stations, said feeding means including a circular disk , arranged horizontally and rotating about a vertical axis, which has and distributed continuously a series of recesses for receiving the respective products, which are open to the outside, and each of which on the lower surface of said disc and in the rear area with a corresponding slot is provided. In this case, the pushing means is designed such that it on his Return movement for removal of another product from the corresponding depression describes a downwards from the above supplied packaging deviating path.

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, the receiving device and the folding device being designed to avoid the subsequent packaging material, in particular during the return movement into the starting position, wherein the folding device is a folding shaft which is designed In order to avoid the evading receiving device, it is possible to continuously feed the packaging material or the packaging material sections, since it / they can not collide with the receiving device or folding device, so that no performance is required Limitation of the machine is present through the packaging supply means. 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 can escape together with the receiving device the subsequent packaging.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the folding device is a folding shaft, which is preferably modular, ie its walls can through Exchange of individual areas to the different folding types and articles can be adapted 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 shaft, 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 Falteinrichtung, wobei die Falteinrichtung ein Faltschacht (5) ist, der eine der ausweichenden Aufnahmeeinrichtung (3, 4) ausweichende Bewegung vollführt.

The above object is also achieved by the method for packaging articles specified in claim 17, 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 package 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
• Carrying out of the following packaging evasive movement by the receiving device and folding device, wherein the folding device is a folding shaft (5), which performs an evasive receiving device (3, 4) evasive movement.

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 the evading movement of the receiving device.

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 100, designated as a whole as 100, for packaging article 1 with a device Packing 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 material section 2 between them, to pass them through a folding shaft 5 executed folding device 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 supplied laterally via a packaging means feed device 9, wherein a single packaging material section 2 is separated from a corresponding continuously supplied packaging medium web by a rotating knife 10 and positioned on a packaging material section 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 section 2 is with respect to the article 1 in the package feed direction Z positioned approximately centered before being 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 (ie, in the direction of the figure) in the center or off-center (eg, sack fold).

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 gear and waves.

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. In this return movement of the receiving device, however, it does not follow the Hinbewegungspfad, but an evading the subsequent packaging means section 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 the space in the feed direction Z subsequent packaging section makes space. 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.

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 (20)

1. A device (100) for packaging articles (1)
   comprising a carrying device (3, 4),
   a folding device (5) and
   a packaging feed device (9),
   the carrying device (3, 4) with the article (1) and a packaging (2), positioned on the article (1) approximately centrally in the packaging feed direction, and the folding device (5) being designed so as to be movable relative to one another in such a way
   that the carrying device (3, 4) moves with the article (1) and the packaging (2) through the folding device (5),
   characterised in that the carrying device (3, 4) and the folding device (5) are designed to avoid the following packaging, the folding device being a folding duct (5) which is designed to avoid the deviating carrying device (3, 4).
2. A device for packaging according to Claim 1, characterised in that at least one part (3) of the carrying device (3, 4) on its return movement describes a return movement path avoiding the following packaging, which path differs from the forward movement path (H).
3. A device for packaging according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the avoiding return movement takes place in the packaging feed direction (Z).
4. A device for packaging according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the carrying device comprises two holding units (3, 4) disposed opposite one another, which carry the article (1) and the packaging (2) between them in order to guide them through the folding device (5).
5. A device for packaging according to Claim 4, characterised in that at least one holding unit (3) is designed to avoid the following packaging during the return movement of the carrying unit (3, 4).
6. A device for packaging according to Claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the at least one holding unit (3) is designed to follow in addition to the direction of movement (H) through the folding device (5) an avoiding direction of movement (R) oriented approximately transversely thereto.
7. A device for packaging according to Claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the at least one holding unit (3) is fixed rotatably on a shaft (16) which is movable in the forward and return direction of movement.
8. A device for packaging according to Claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the at least one holding unit (3) is mounted so as to be displaceable in the packaging feed direction (Z).
9. A device for packaging according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the folding duct (5) is constructed so as to be divided.
10. A device for packaging according to Claim 9, characterised in that the folding duct (5) comprises at least one pivotally mounted folding duct wall (6).
11. A device for packaging according to Claim 9, characterised in that the folding duct (5) comprises at least one folding duct wall (6) mounted so as to be displaceable in the packaging feed direction (Z).
12. A device for packaging according to Claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the folding duct wall (6) is designed to avoid the carrying unit (3, 4) in the packaging feed direction (Z).
13. A device for packaging according to one of Claims 10 to 12, characterised in that the folding duct wall (6) is movable via a lever (12), the movement of which is optionally coupled with the movement of the carrying unit (3, 4).
14. A device for packaging according to one of Claims 9 to 13, characterised in that the folding duct (5) is constructed in modular form.
15. A device for packaging according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the folding unit (5) is constructed so as to be pivotable out of the operating position into a maintenance position, for which purpose particularly a ball joint connection of the lever (12) is provided.
16. A device for packaging according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the packaging feed device (9) is designed so as to feed packaging continuously.
17. A method for packaging articles, particularly using a device according to one of the preceding Claims, comprising the steps:

    - carrying of the article (1) together with a packaging (2) positioned on the article approximately centrally in the packaging feed direction by means of a carrying device (3, 4),

    - folding of the packaging (2) around the article (1) by means of a relative movement with respect to one another between a folding device (5) and the carrying unit (3, 4), the carrying device (3, 4) moving with the article (1) and the packaging (2) through the folding device (5),

    - delivery of the article (1) packaged at least partially with the packaging (2) and

    - performing of a movement avoiding the following packaging by the carrying device (3, 4) and the folding device (5), the folding device being a folding duct (5) which performs a movement avoiding the deviating carrying device (3, 4).
18. A method according to Claim 17, characterised in that the avoiding movement of the carrying device (3, 4) takes place on a return movement path (R) avoiding the following packaging, which path differs from the forward movement path (H).
19. A method according to Claim 17 or 18, characterised in that the avoiding movement takes place in the packaging feed direction (Z).
20. A method according to one of Claims 17 to 19, characterised in that the folding device is a folding duct (5) with at least one movably mounted folding duct wall (6) which performs the movement avoiding the carrying device (3, 4).

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