EP1809537B1 - Device for covering packaging groups - Google Patents

Abstract

For the purpose of wrapping articles, in particular groups (19) of packs, in a blank (10), use is made of a folding turret (21) having a single pocket (23) passing through its diameter. Lateral boundaries of the pocket (23) comprise belts (30, 31) which, upon introduction of a group (19) of packs with blank (10), can be moved in the pushing-in direction and which butt in a friction-free manner against legs (27, 28) of the blank (10), which is folded in a U-shaped manner. A block-form stop component (37) can be moved within the pocket (23) from one end position to the other.

Description

The invention relates to a device for wrapping objects, in particular packs or groups of packs, with at least one blank of an outer wrapper, wherein the article with taking the blank into a receptacle of a folding device, in particular in a pocket of a rotating folding turret inserted and the blank in the insertion movement U -foldable around the object is foldable.

The wrapping of packs or pack groups with a blank is one of the standard tasks of packaging technology. It is customary to keep the blank separated from a material web at the entry side of the receptacle or pocket and to form a U-shaped partial envelope to the package. For large-area items or larger pack groups or packs with less dimensional stability, z. As tobacco pouches, can be adjusted in the slot misalignment, faults, etc. in the area of the blank, which lead to a bad package.

EP0 860,358 discloses a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to improve the attachment of a blank for an (outer) wrapping of packages or groups of packages to the effect that even with high performance of the packaging device a precise position of the blank is ensured after the first folding step.

To solve this problem, the device according to the invention is characterized in that the receptacle or pocket in the range of parallel to the insertion direction pocket walls, preferably according to the top and bottom of the bag in insertion position, conveying means, during the insertion movement of the article and the blank with a about the insertion speed corresponding speed in the direction of insertion are movable.

The invention is based on the finding that a precise folding of the blank can be effected if the limits of the receptacle or pocket resting against the blank are correspondingly moved during the (insertion) movement.

Another special feature is the arrangement of a movable within the receptacle or pocket stop for a front insertion in the insertion direction of the article with adjacent blank. This stop or a stop piece causes a further securing of the blank with regard to a correct contact with the object.

In a special way, the folding turret is formed, which has a diametrically extending through the folding turret recording or pocket, which is limited by the movable stop piece with respect to the depth of individual and variable. The folding turret itself is designed as a replaceable unit, so that can be used to adapt to the format of the complete folding turret in a simple manner and can be used while maintaining drive and support units folding turrets of different dimensions for objects of different sizes.

Fig. 1

eine (Gebinde-)Packung nach Fertigstellung in perspektivischer (Unter-)Ansicht,

Fig. 2

eine Vorrichtung zum Herstellen von Packungen in schematischer Seitenansicht, mit einem Detail im Vertikalschnitt,

Fig. 3

eine Einzelheit der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2, nämlich einen Faltrevolver, in veränderter Stellung,

Fig. 4

die Einzelheit gemäß Fig. 3 in nochmals veränderter Stellung,

Fig. 5

den Faltrevolver gemäß Fig. 4 in Draufsicht bzw. in horizontaler Schnittebene V-V der Fig. 4,

Fig. 6

eine Darstellung entsprechend Fig. 5 für ein anderes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Faltvorrichtung,

Fig. 7

die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 6 im Vertikalschnitt in der Schnittebene VII-VII der Fig. 6,

Fig. 8

einen Ausschnitt der Faltvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 5 im axialen Vertikalschnitt VIII-VIII der Fig. 5,

Fig. 9

eine Darstellung analog Fig. 8 zu dem Ausführungsbeispiel der Fig. 6 in einer Schnittebene IX-IX,

Fig. 10

eine Detaildarstellung zu dem Ausführungsbeispiel gemäß Fig. 9 in einer vertikalen Schnittebene X-X,

Fig. 11

eine Einzelheit der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 4 im Bereich der Übergabe von Packungen an einen Abförderer, in Seitenansicht,

Fig. 12 und Fig. 13

Darstellungen entsprechend Fig. 11 bei veränderter Stellung der Packung,

Fig. 14

die Einzelheit gemäß Fig. 13 im Querschnitt, nämlich in der Schnittebene XIVXIV der Fig. 13.

Further details of the invention are explained below with reference to the drawings. It shows:

Fig. 1

a (package) package after completion in perspective (bottom) view,

Fig. 2

a device for producing packages in a schematic side view, with a detail in vertical section,

Fig. 3

a detail of the device according to Fig. 2 , namely a folding turret, in a changed position,

Fig. 4

the detail according to Fig. 3 in a different position,

Fig. 5

according to the folding turret Fig. 4 in plan view or in horizontal sectional plane VV of the Fig. 4 .

Fig. 6

a representation accordingly Fig. 5 for another embodiment of a folding device,

Fig. 7

the device according to Fig. 6 in vertical section in the sectional plane VII-VII of Fig. 6 .

Fig. 8

a section of the folding device according to Fig. 5 in axial vertical section VIII-VIII of Fig. 5 .

Fig. 9

a representation analog Fig. 8 to the embodiment of the Fig. 6 in a sectional plane IX-IX,

Fig. 10

a detailed representation of the embodiment according to Fig. 9 in a vertical sectional plane XX,

Fig. 11

a detail of the device according to Fig. 4 in the area of the transfer of packages to a discharge conveyor, in side view,

FIGS. 12 and 13

Representations accordingly Fig. 11 with changed position of the pack,

Fig. 14

the detail according to Fig. 13 in cross section, namely in the sectional plane XIVXIV of Fig. 13 ,

It is about the (all around) wrapping of objects with a blank 10 to form an (outer) enclosure. In the illustrated embodiments, packages 11 are produced, namely bundle packs whose contents are a plurality of individual packs. These are bag packs 12 for cut tobacco, ie single packs with low dimensional stability. The bag packs 12 are arranged side by side in an upright position, with a longitudinal extent pointing in the conveying direction. The outer covering or the blank 10 is attached in such a way that a longitudinal covering 13 or a "tube cover" is created on a (lower) side. Opposite end faces 14 have an "envelope fold" with inner side tabs 15, 16 and outer, trapezoidal longitudinal tabs 17, 18th

For producing such a (package) pack 11, an otherwise manufactured and formed pack group 19 in the region of a plug-in station 20 for insertion into a folding device, namely in a folding turret 21, held ready. The pack group 19 is introduced by a slider 22 in a receptacle of the folding turret 21, namely in a pocket 23. At the periphery of the folding turret 21, the blank 10 is held ready for driving through the pack group 19 when inserted into the pocket 23.

The blank 10 is separated from a continuous material web 24, in particular film web. This is supplied in an upper region of the folding about a horizontal axis folding turret 24 of the peripheral surface thereof. In a known manner arranged and acting suction holes fix the web 24 and the severed blank on the peripheral surface of the folding turret 21. The via a guide roller to the Scope of the folding turret 21 guided material web 24 is taken by the folding turret 21. If a length 10 of the material web 24 corresponding to a blank 10 rests on the circumference of the folding turret 21, the blank 10 is separated from the material web 24 by a separating device. The separating device consists of a fixed separating knife 25 arranged above the folding turret and of a plurality of diametrically opposite counter knives 26 on the circumference of the folding turret 21. A separating cut is made when one of the rotating counter-blades 26 is in the region of the separating knife 25. The counter knives 26 are arranged so that the severed blank is in a desired relative position to an inlet opening or mouth of the pocket 23. In the present case, the blank 10 is positioned offset to the entry side of the pocket 23, namely to form a longer, lower leg 27 and a shorter leg 28 above the pocket 23rd

When inserted into the pocket 23, the blank 10 is applied in a U-shaped manner to the pack group 19. The (longer) leg 27 is located at the bottom, the leg 28 at the top of the pack group 19. A transverse leg 29 forms the front of the inserted into the pocket 23 unit. During the insertion movement, the blank 10 loosens slipping from the peripheral surface of the folding turret 21st

A special feature is that boundaries of the pocket 23, namely pocket walls in the region of the legs 27, 28, are designed to be movable and are moved according to the insertion movement of the pack group 19 and blank 10 in the insertion direction, so that no relative movement is given. The relevant pocket walls consist of endless conveyors, namely straps 30, 31. These can be moved during insertion by the pack group 19 and the blank 10 due to entrainment. Advantageously, an independent drive of the straps 30, 31. Each one of the pocket 23 facing conveyor strand 32, 33 forms a boundary of the pocket 23 and a pocket wall. The straps 30, 31 extend integrally over at least the full width of the pocket 23. Adjacent and opposite transverse guide rollers 34, 35 of the straps 30, 31 are arranged.

Another special feature is that the (single) pocket 23 of the folding turret 21 extends diametrically through the folding turret 21, so that an exit station 36 of the same pocket 23 opposite the insertion station 20 is formed. The folding turret 21 is clockwise rotatable by 180 °, so that after the insertion of a pack group 19 with blank 10 in the pocket 23 and after rotation of the folding turret 21, the unit in question 10, 19 is in the region of the exit station 36. The conveying members, namely straps 30, 31 extend over the full length of the pockets 23, that is, transversely or diametrically through the cylindrical folding turret 21.

In the pocket 23, a stop piece 37 is arranged and movable within the pocket 23, namely from the side of the insertion station 22 to the opposite exit station 36. In the end positions of the stop piece 37 are transverse abutment surfaces 38, 39 with the circumference of the folding turret 21 (approximately) flush ,

When inserting a pack group 19 with blank 10 forms the stop piece 37 and its contact surface 38 has a support surface for the blank 10, for the transverse leg 29. This is with a certain pressure on the contact surface 38. With the insertion movement, the stopper piece 37 in the radial direction within the pocket 23, and preferably according to the movement of the straps 30, 31. The blank 10 is fixed so frictionless on three sides of the pack group 19.

When the pack group 19 is fully inserted into the pocket 23 ( Fig. 4 . Fig. 7 ) is the appropriately sized stop piece 37 flush with the folding turret 21 in the region of the exit station 35. The folding turret 21 can now perform the rotational movement, in the counterclockwise direction. The end position shows Fig. 2 , The object to be enveloped, namely the pack group 19 with blank 10 is in the position for the ejection from the folding turret 21.

The extension piece 37 performs a dual function, namely causes the ejection of the partially finished package 11 from the folding turret 21. This extension is accompanied by the insertion of the next pack group 19 under radially directed displacement of the stop piece 37. The contact surface 39 causes the extension of the preceding Unit 19, 10. For this purpose, the stopper piece 37 is block-shaped, namely cuboid, with dimensions corresponding to the width and height of the interior of the pocket 23. In the longitudinal direction thereof, the stopper piece 37 is sized so that that in the respective end positions a free space in the pocket 23 is formed, which corresponds to the dimensions of an object to be enveloped.

The stop piece 37 is connected according to a first embodiment with the straps 30, 31, so it is driven with these. Due to the rotational movement of the folding turret 21, the movement of the straps or the conveying run 32, 33 and the stop piece 37 always takes place in the same direction, namely from left to right, based on Fig. 2 ,

In the embodiment according to Fig. 2 to Fig. 5 a simple thrust mechanism is provided for generating the movement. The stop piece 37 is fastened by means of transversal cross-members 40, 41 to preferably two straps 30, 31 or conveyor runs 32, 33. The traverses 40, 41 have on the conveying strand 32, 33 facing side on a (trapezoidal) depression. In this form-fitting enters a clamping piece 40, 41, which is connected to the stop piece 34 on the one hand and on the underside on the other hand. The belt 30, 31 or its conveying run 32, 33 is deflected in the region of the traverse 40, 41 and held by the clamping piece in the recess or recess of the crossbar 40, 41 permanently.

The drive for moving the stop piece 37 with the straps 30, 31 is transmitted (indirectly) via the traverses 40, 41. These are connected at their ends with guides or a common carriage 43. The upper cross member 40 and the lower cross member 41 are each secured with an angled end leg at the top and bottom of the carriage 43.

The arranged on both sides carriage 43 are reciprocated in the longitudinal direction of the pocket 23 and forth. The carriage 43 are slidably guided on support rods 44, 45. Two support rods 44, 45 extend one above the other and at a distance in the longitudinal direction of the pocket 23rd

The driving force is transmitted by push rods 46, which also extend in the longitudinal direction of the pocket 23, on both sides in each case in the region of the carriage 43. The push rods 46 are fixedly connected to the traverses 40, 41 and the carriage 43. In terms of length, the push rods 46 are sized so that they are in a starting position in each case protrude from the pocket 23 ( Fig. 5 ). For displacement of the movable members, so the stop piece 37 and the movement of the straps 30, 31, the two push rods 46 are pressurized at the free ends and moved in the longitudinal direction of the pocket 23 to the opposite end position. This movement is effected by outside of the pocket 23 and the folding turret 21 stationarily positioned thrust members, which are arranged in the region of the insertion station 20. These are rod-shaped plungers 47 which come to bear against the free ends of the push rods 46. The (two) plunger 47 are connected to a common cross member 48, so that the two push rods 46 are always applied together and simultaneously. On the cross member 48 and the slider 22 and a rod thereof is attached, so that insertion of the pack group 19 and the operation of the push rods 46 always run simultaneously. The push rods 46 occur in the pushing movement opposite from the bag 23. After rotation of the folding turret 21, the push rods 46 are again in the effective for the actuation starting position, after prior retraction of the unit of slide 22 and plunger 47th

The folding turret 21 is a total of rotatable and connected for this purpose with lateral, rotatable support pieces, namely support disks 49, 50. The folding turret 21 with organs to be described is arranged in total between these support disks 49, 50 ( Fig. 5 ). The rotary drive is transmitted to these support disks 49, 50, by an axle or shaft 51st

According to a in Fig. 6 . FIGS. 7 and 9 As shown alternative, the drive is transmitted directly to the stop piece 37 and from there to the straps 30, 31. A drive motor, namely a servo drive 52, is gearingly connected to the stopper 37 via a drive shaft 53. The rotational movements thereof are transmitted through a pinion to a gearing 55 connected to the stopper 37 to produce a reciprocating motion. Pinion 54 and (straight) teeth 55 are arranged within the stop member 37 formed as a hollow body. The pinion 54 is fixedly mounted centrally to the folding turret 21. By rotary movement of the pinion, the stopper piece 37 is displaced in the corresponding direction. The drive shaft 53 extends centrally within the formed as a hollow shaft shaft 51 for the rotational movement of the folding turret 21. The shaft 51 is also in this embodiment by servo drive 56 driven in rotation via a toothed belt 57. The pinion 54 is always driven due to the described movements in one direction for moving the stopper piece 37 from one end position to the other.

The drive shaft 53 extends centrally to the carriage 43. This is therefore in this embodiment divided into two sub-slides 79, 80, each on a support rod 44, 45 are displaceable. The drive shaft 53 extends between the partial carriages 79, 80 (FIG. Fig. 9 . Fig. 10 ) through.

When inserting the article or the pack group 19 into the pocket 23, the blank 10 is placed around the pack group 19 due to staggered relative position on the circumference of the folding turret 21 in such a way that the inner leg 28 of the blank 10 lies at the top of the pack group 19 ( Fig. 4 ). The rotational movement of the folding turret 21 begins, while the longer leg 27 still partially rests on the circumference of the folding turret 21. Only when the rotation is completed, the leg 27 is folded around a rear side at insertion of the pack group 19 until it rests against the leg 28. The longitudinal cover 13 or tube folding thus arises at the bottom of the pack group 19, during the extension of the unit from the Bag 23 in a subsequent to the folding turret 21 shaft-shaped mouthpiece 58 with top wall 59 and bottom wall 60 ( Fig. 2 . Fig. 4 . FIGS. 11-14 ).

During the diametrical movement of the packing group 19 with blank 10 through the folding turret 21, further folding tabs are formed. By stationary folding members, namely side pieces 61 for lateral delimitation of the pocket 23 and the interior thereof is when inserting the pack group 19 with blank 10 in the insertion direction forward, upright side lobes 15 by an obliquely directed folding surface 62 of the side piece 61 until it rests against a outer bag pack 10 folded. The opposite side tabs 16, which is at the front after rotation of the folding turret 21, is folded out of the pocket 23 by lateral folding members in the region of the mouthpiece 58 when the unit is ejected.

A special feature is an organ for tightening the blank 10 on the folding turret 21 or when inserted into the pocket 23. For this purpose, a tightening member is arranged on the underside or below the folding turret 21, namely a rotationally driven Suction roll 63. This detects an edge portion of the blank 10, namely the leg 27. The suction roll 63 is driven in opposite directions and winds a portion of the blank 10 on the circumference. When removing the blank 10 during the insertion movement, a smoothing tension is transmitted to the blank 10.

Another special feature is that the suction roller 63 eliminates any faulty blanks or blanks 10 when no objects to be enveloped are available. In this case, the blank in question 10 is detected by the suction roller 63 ( Fig. 2 ) and completely conveyed away into a collecting container below the folding turret 21.

The folded out of the folding turret 21, partially folded packages 11 are processed in the mouthpiece 58 by sealing folding flaps. The downwardly directed longitudinal cover 13 is sealed by an upward movable sealing member or by a sealing jaw 64. This occurs through an opening 82 of the bottom wall 60 therethrough.

The transfer of the packs 11 to a discharge conveyor or packing conveyor 65 is achieved in a special way with the aid of the mouthpiece 58. This is displaceable in the conveying direction with the pack 11. In a recording position ( Fig. 2 . Fig. 11 ), the mouthpiece 58 is facing the folding turret 21 and the exit station 36. The package 11 is inserted directly from the bag 23 in the prepared mouthpiece 58. This process is secured by inlet bend 83 of top wall 59 and bottom wall 60. The sealing jaw 68 is located below the opening 82. After receiving the pack 11 in the mouthpiece 58 (FIG. Fig. 11, Fig. 12 ), the sealing jaw 68 is moved upwards. In the region of the opening 82 and thus in the region of the sealing jaw 64 is the longitudinal cover 13, which is now sealed. The sealing jaw 64 is moved synchronously with the mouthpiece 58 in the conveying direction.

Before reaching an end or transfer position of the mouthpiece 58 in the initial region of the package conveyor 65, the sealing jaw 68 is moved downward ( Fig. 12 ) and returns to the initial position in a lower position ( Fig. 13 ). The mouthpiece 58 enters for the exact transfer of the package 11 in the region of the package conveyor 65, such that the package 11 is precisely recording between two consecutive drivers 66 recording. The bottom wall 60 extends directly above an upper strand of the package conveyor 65 ( Fig. 13 ). The shape of the bottom wall 60 and the driver 66 is coordinated so that the organs can be moved past each other, so that in the pack 11 is pushed out of the mouthpiece 58 by the respective rear driver 66 and carried away. The bottom wall 60 is provided for this purpose with a central recess or a slot 84. In this occurs a connecting web 85 of the driver 66 during the ejection movement of the pack 11 (FIG. Fig. 14 ).

The mouthpiece 58 has for precise guidance of the package 11 lateral guide members, namely guide pieces 86 which abut the laterally directed end faces 14 and also at this time laterally directed upper and lower longitudinal tabs 17, 18 lead. Furthermore, folded by the guide pieces 86 of the front side lying in the direction of movement 16.

The package conveyor 65 is formed as an endless belt with drivers 66 which detect the packs 11 at the front and back.

During the transport of the packages 11 through the package conveyor 65, a folding station is passed through with so-called folding diverters 67. These fold in succession, the longitudinal tabs 17 and 18 against the side facing packing surfaces. Subsequent to the folding switch 67, the packs 11 reach the area of a further sealing station with lateral sealing jaws 68. These serve to seal the envelope fold 15, 16, 17, 18 on the laterally directed pack surfaces.

Another feature is the design of the folding device such that in a simple manner can be made to adapt to different formats. The folding turret 21 can be exchanged as a unit with respect to the organs to be adapted during a format change. For this purpose, brackets are arranged in the lateral support members, namely support disks 49, 50, to which the parts of the folding turret 21 to be replaced are attached. These are disk-shaped support pieces 69 which are detachably mounted on the inside of the support disks 49, 50, namely displaceable in the transverse-axial direction. The support pieces 69 sit (flush) in recesses 70 of the support disks 49, 50 and can be led out by displacement of these recesses 70.

On the support pieces 69, the straps 30, 31 are mounted, namely their guide rollers 34, 35. Furthermore, a support frame for other organs is connected to the support pieces 69, namely a U-shaped mounting bracket in plan view 71. At one in the longitudinal direction of the bag 23 extending web 72 of the support bracket 71 are the pocket 23 laterally limiting organs, namely side pieces 61 by means of support bolts 73 are attached. In transverse legs 74 of the support bracket 71 on the one hand, the support rods 44, 45 for the sliding mechanism of the trusses 40, 41 are mounted. On the other hand, in the execution according to Fig. 6 in each case the push rod 46 slidably mounted in the two webs 72. With the support pieces 69, the support bracket 71 and thus the entire pocket 23 of the folding turret 21 are removed as a coherent unit from the folding turret 21 in a necessary change and replaced by an identical or similar unit. The drive shaft 53 for the pinion 54 is provided for this replacement in the region of the support piece 69 with a coupling 75.

In the working position, the replaceable unit of the folding turret 21 (mechanical) is secured. As in Fig. 10 shown, a locking pin 76 enters a recess 77 of the support piece 69 a. The spring-loaded locking pin 76 is seated in a bore 78 of the support plate 50. To replace a folding turret 21 and the format-dependent parts of the locking pin 76 (manually) is pulled out of the detent position. Thereafter, the support pieces 69 can be moved out of the connection with the support disks 48, 49.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

cut

11

pack

12

bag package

13

Longitudinal overlap

14

front

15

side tabs

16

side tabs

17

longitudinal tabs

18

longitudinal tabs

19

pack group

20

insertion station

21

folding turret

22

pusher

23

bag

24

web

25

separating knife

26

against knife

27

leg

28

leg

29

transverse leg

30

belt

31

belt

32

conveying

33

conveying

34

deflecting

35

deflecting

36

exit station

37

stop piece

38

contact surface

39

contact surface

40

traverse

41

traverse

42

clamp

43

carriage

44

supporting rod

45

supporting rod

46

pushrod

47

tappet

48

crossbeam

49

carrying disc

50

carrying disc

51

wave

52

servo drive

53

drive shaft

54

pinion

55

gearing

56

servo drive

57

toothed belt

58

mouthpiece

59

upper wall

60

under wall

61

counterpart

62

folding surface

63

suction roll

64

sealing jaw

65

pack conveyor

66

takeaway

67

Faltweiche

68

sealing jaw

69

supporting piece

70

recess

71

support bracket

72

web

73

support bolts

74

leg

75

clutch

76

Indexing plungers

77

deepening

78

drilling

79

subslides

80

subslides

81

receptacle

82

opening

83

inlet bend

84

slot

85

connecting web

86

guide piece

Claims (21)

1. An apparatus for wrapping articles, in particular packs (12) or groups (19) of packs, having at least one (outer-)wrapper blank (10), it being possible for the article to be pushed into a receiving means of a folding apparatus, in particular into a pocket (23) of a rotatable folding turret (21), with the blank (10) being carried along in the process, and for the blank (10) to be folded around the article in a U-shaped manner during the pushing-in movement, characterized in that in the region of pocket boundaries or pocket walls running parallel to the pushing-in direction, preferably corresponding to a top side and underside of the pocket (23) in the pushing-in position, the pocket (23) has conveying means which, during the pushing-in movement of the article and/or the blank (10), can be moved in the pushing-in direction at a speed which corresponds approximately to the pushing-in speed.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that (endless) belts (30, 31) are arranged as conveying means in the pocket (23), of which the conveying strands (32, 33) are directed toward the article, namely the top side on the one hand and the underside on the other hand, such that the conveying strands (32, 33) can fix top and bottom regions of the blank, namely legs (27, 28), on the article during the pushing-in movement.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the conveying means, in particular belts (30, 31), are driven separately from, or independently of, the pushing-in movement of the article.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that a moveable stop component (37) for the front side or end side of the article - the front side as seen in the pushing-in direction - is arranged in the pocket (23), the stop component (37), in a starting position, being flush approximately with the entry side of the pocket (23).
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the stop component (37) is a block which fills a sub-region of the pocket (23), extends over the width and height of the latter and has transversely directed abutment surfaces (38, 39) for the article with blank (10), it being possible for the stop component (37) to be moved, within the pocket (23), between two end positions in which a respective abutment surface (38, 39) is flush with a mouth or entry opening of the pocket (23).
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the stop component (37) is connected to the belts (30, 31), in particular to the conveying strand (32, 33).
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the stop component (37) is connected to lateral guides, preferably to a carriage (43) running on carrying bars (44, 45), in which case a transversely directed crossmember (40, 41) is fitted in each case, in particular, on the top side and underside of the stop component (37), the crossmember, on the one hand, connecting the stop component (37) to the conveying strands (32, 33) and having each of its ends fastened on the carriage (43).
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the stop component (37) can be moved back and forth within the pocket (23), between the end positions, by a pushing gear mechanism, preferably each crossmember (40, 41) or each carriage (43) being assigned a connecting rod (46) which extends in the movement direction and can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the pocket (23) in each case, with the carriage (43) or the crossmembers (40, 41) being carried along in the process, by pushing means, namely push rods (47), arranged outside the pocket (23).
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or one of the further claims, characterized in that two laterally arranged push rods (47) with a pusher (22) for pushing the article or the group (19) of packs into the pocket (23) form a pushing unit, in particular by being fitted on a common transverse carrier (48).
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the stop component (37) can be driven directly from one end position into the other, preferably by a toothed gear mechanism with a pinion (54) and rack or toothing arrangement (55), the stop component (37) preferably being designed as a hollow body, and the pinion (54) and toothing arrangement (35) being arranged within the hollow stop component (37).
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the pinion (54), which is arranged along an axis of rotation of the folding turret (21), can be rotated by a drive shaft (53) which runs within a central drive shaft (51), designed as a hollow shaft, for the folding turret (21).
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the blank (10) can be severed from a material web (24), it being possible for the material web (24) to be fed to a circumferential surface of the folding turret (21) and to be severed from the material web (24) in an appropriate relative position in relation to an entry opening of the pocket (23), in which case a peripheral or end region of the blank (10) can be subjected to the action of a stationary tensioning means, in particular of a suction roller (63), which can be rotated in the opposite direction, adjacent to the circumference of the folding turret (21).
13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the suction roller (63) serves for discharging blanks (10), in particular defective blanks, into a collecting container.
14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the pocket (23) is bounded laterally by side components (61) which have a folding surface (62) which is respectively assigned to an entry side of the pocket (23) and, as an article with blank (10) is pushed into the pocket (23), can fold a front, upright side flap (15).
15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that a mouthpiece (58) which has a top wall (59) and bottom wall (60), and is aligned with the pocket (23), is arranged in the region of an exit station (36) for the purpose of receiving the pack (11) once it has been pushed out of the pocket (23), it being possible for folding flaps, namely a longitudinal overlap (13), of the folded blank (10) to be sealed by a sealing means (64) in the region of the mouthpiece (58).
16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the mouthpiece (58) can be moved back and forth in the conveying direction as an intermediate conveyor for transferring the packs (11) to a removal conveyor or pack conveyor (65), it being possible for the packs (11) to be introduced into the mouthpiece (58) in a receiving position, in which the mouthpiece is directed toward the folding turret (21) or the pocket (23), and for the mouthpiece to be transported in the conveying direction into the region of the pack conveyor (65) such that, in the position in which the mouthpiece is directed toward the pack conveyor (65), carry-along elements (66) of the pack conveyor can be introduced into the mouthpiece (58) in order to transport the pack (11) out of the mouthpiece (58).
17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16 or one of the further claims, characterized in that folding flaps of the pack (11) or the blank (10), in particular a preferably downwardly directed longitudinal overlap (13), can be sealed in the region of the mouthpiece (58), it being possible for a sealing means, in particular sealing jaw (64), arranged outside the mouthpiece (58) to be moved through an opening (82) in the mouthpiece (58), in particular in the bottom wall (60), until it butts against the pack (11).
18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the sealing jaw (64) can be moved in the conveying direction with the mouthpiece (58) at least in the sealing position, and can then be moved back into the starting position outside the mouthpiece (58).
19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the means which form the pocket (23), in particular the belts (30, 31) and/or the side components (61), are connected to a lateral, rotatable mount, preferably to rotatable carrying disks (49, 50), the means which form the pocket (23) being arranged in a removable manner on the carrying disks (49, 50).
20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19 or one of the further claims, characterized in that carrying components (69) are arranged in a removable manner on the carrying means or on the carrying disks (49, 50), the means which form the pocket (23) being arranged on the carrying components (69) on both sides, and it being possible for these carrying components to be displaced in an axis-perpendicular direction relative to the carrying disks (49, 50).
21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19 or one of the further claims, characterized in that a retaining means, in particular a carrying bracket (71), is fitted on the carrying disks (49, 50) or on the carrying components (69), the side components (61) being connected to a longitudinally running crosspiece (72), and the carrying bars (44, 45) for the carriage (43) being connected to transversely directed legs (74) of the carrying bracket (71).

Images