EP1818263A1 - Method for packaging of goods and its use in a corresponding machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves closing a tube on one side, where the tube is provided for a formation of a bag (2). A pre-determined portion of a bulk material is filled in the bag. A longitudinal section (18) that forms the bag is separated from the filled packing material. The filled bag is transferred in an uprightly standing manner to a working section (8), where the longitudinal section of the packing material is attached on the working region against the filled bag. The longitudinal section is attached in a working station (20) against the filled bag. An independent claim is also included for a device for attaching and fixing a filled bag that is formed from a packaging material.

Description

The following invention relates to a method for packaging bulk material and a device used for this purpose.

Bulk goods, especially pourable foods such as rice, pasta, cereals and the like are usually packaged today in the so-called form-fill-seal method, which, for example, in the DE 103 44 116 A1 is described. Here, a supplied from a supply packaging material, which is usually supplied in the form of a film web, provided to form a tube with a longitudinal weld. The tube is closed transversely on one side, creating a bag. In this bag, a predetermined amount of bulk material is filled. Thereafter, the bag can be closed on the upper side, preferably with the same device with which the supplied tube is closed on one side to form a further subsequent bag. The filled bag is hereby regularly separated from the endlessly supplied tubing. According to the afore-mentioned prior art, a cutting edge is provided between a transverse welding device for closing the other end of the bag and a transverse welding device for forming the next following bag.

It is sometimes desirable to be able to reseal the bag sealed on both sides by a weld after the partial removal of bulk material from the bag. For this purpose, it is for example from the prior art according to DE 101 21 525 known to provide a sealing strip in the region of the removal opening on the opposite inner sides of the packaging material. The opposite sealing strips can be engaged to re-close the bag. From the aforementioned prior art, it is known to attach these sealing strips to the web-fed packaging material prior to forming the bag.

It is also known in the art to adhere to a side surface of the bag an adhesive film which, after opening the bag, is partially withdrawn by the user from the outside of the bag and after striking the removal opening surrounding the bag Walls of the packaging material can be adhered to the opposite side of the bag. As a result, the initially opened bag is closed again. Such an adhesive strip is for example in the DE-U-87 06 671 known.

The aforementioned prior art to the form-fill-seal method according to DE 103 44 116 allows the packing of bulk material with minimal air entrapment. Accordingly, the outer contour of the bag between the end transverse welds can be predetermined accurately by the shape of the bulk material in the bag. This also offers the possibility of this method produced and filled bags to save space z. B. in outer packaging or stacked for the purpose of merchandise presentation on top of each other. The problem here is at most the protruding from the bag length of the tubing. Although this can be minimized by appropriate cutting of the supplied packaging material in the region of the transverse weld. Often, however, a relatively long protruding from the bag length section is desired, for example, if the other end of the bag should be additionally secured by breaking the protruding length section against unwanted opening and mechanical stress. It is also conceivable to dispense with a seam closing the top of the bag and otherwise to realize the closure when using a relatively long projecting length of the flag.

The present invention is intended to specify a method for packaging bulk material, which makes easier removal, in particular partial removal, of bulk material received in the bag possible. According to a further aspect of the present invention, the method is intended to enable the production of a bag for bulk material, in which the bulk material is securely and reliably enveloped by the packaging material. The present invention also seeks to specify a device that can be used in carrying out the method.

With the present invention, the generic method is further developed in that the filled bag is transferred standing upright on a processing line. The aforementioned shape-fill-seal method can be performed with the direction of movement of the supplied packaging material in the vertical or in the horizontal and any other direction of movement. At the end of the form-fill-seal process is the bag is placed in an upright position in which the one, at least in the form-fill-seal process closed side, which regularly forms the bottom of the bag is preferably deposited on the processing line. The bag can already be closed on the other side when transferring to the processing line. However, this is not required for the present invention. Because according to the further features of the invention protruding from the bag length portion of the packaging material is struck against the filled bag and secured there. When striking the protruding length section this is applied against the contour of the filled bag. The striking is preferably done by the free end of the protruding length is turned inwards and covered by a residual length of the protruding length portion to beat the free end of the protruding end portion inward. The so folded projecting length portion is then secured against the filled bag. This can be done, for example, by selective welding of the section with the bag or different layers of the length section with each other. Preferably, the length portion is secured by an adhesive strip, which engages on the one hand on the length portion and on the other hand on the filled bag and preferably applies the length portion under tension to the contour of the filled bag. In this way, a packaging unit is created whose contour is essentially predetermined by the shape of the bulk material received in the bag. The process control therefore offers, in particular in combination with air-tight sealed bags, for example according to DE 103 44 116 , the ability to produce easily stackable bag filled with bulk material.

Moreover, it is possible to close by striking the length section of the filled bag and the other side of the bag when it is to be dispensed with on this other side of a weld or the like, in particular to make the contents of the bag more easily accessible to the user. Although welding methods are usually applied to plastic packaging material with good success in order to close the bags on both sides. However, it is also conceivable case designs in which the bulk material filled through the tube formed prevents effective formation of a weld seam by ultrasonic welding and other welding methods are out of the question due to the associated heating of the packaging material and / or the bulk material.

It has proven to be advantageous to continuously move the upright bag on the processing line. The individual processing steps are preferably carried out here at cyclically reciprocating processing stations. These move during processing, d. H. upon striking the protruding length and securing it to the filled bag at the same speed as the continuously moving bag, and after this processing are brought in the opposite direction to a starting position at which the processing of the next filled bag begins. Practical experiments have shown that in view of relatively low acceleration values and accordingly to avoid high mechanical stresses, the cycle in which the processing station is moved with the bag, can be about as large as the cycle in which the processing station in the opposite direction in the starting position is reduced. This preferred process allows the implementation of the method in a relatively narrow space. It has been found that with appropriate design of the device, the cyclically reciprocating masses can be kept low. Thus, high acceleration values are possible, which allow economic processing of bags. In addition, the preferred method allows easier synchronization of the continuously reciprocating processing stations with the continuously moving bags, so that the processing of the bags can be performed in the respective processing stations with great precision.

It has proven to be advantageous, on the one hand, to carry out the abutment of the projecting length section on the filled bag and, on the other hand, to secure this longitudinal section on the bag at various processing stations. This procedure reduces in particular the apparatus design and thus the cost of producing a device suitable for carrying out the method.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the plant produced in the first processing station of the protruding length section between the first and second processing station is fixed by a cyclically moving guide which rests against the upper side and thus against the top of the upright bag. This guide can rest under spring preload. Preferably However, the level and thus the filling level of the filled bag is determined and adjusted the height distance between a transporting the bag transport device and the guide so that it presses the chosen length section with sufficient contact force against the filled bag.

In order to secure the length section attached to the bag, according to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, an adhesive strip is used which is applied to the filled bag through a window, which is opened on the guide. The opening of the window and the application of the adhesive strip preferably takes place approximately in the middle of the longitudinal section, so that a single adhesive strip is sufficient to secure the damaged longitudinal section.

According to a preferred development of the present invention, the cyclical movement of the processing stations is used to remove the adhesive strip from an adhesive tape feed and transfer it to the bag. This concept is preferably further developed according to the invention in that the adhesive strip is transferred in an end position of the cyclical movement of the adhesive tape feed to the second processing station. With regard to the simplest possible structural design, in which no relative movement of the adhesive strip after transferring the same to the second processing station is necessary, the transfer of the adhesive strip preferably takes place at a position above the window. Thereafter, the adhesive strip is brought by the second processing station in the context of the cyclical movement thereof in its starting position. Here, the movement of the second processing station from the starting position to the end position is synchronized with the bag to be processed. After the bag to be processed has been received in the second processing station, the window is opened and the adhesive strip is transferred from the initial position to the end position on the bag during the movement of the second processing station.

As already mentioned above, in order to avoid a seam on the other side of the bag, it may be sufficient to arrange the free end of the projecting longitudinal section below a partial length of this longitudinal section and thus to hit it. Practical experiments have shown that a sufficient sealing and securing can be achieved already in that a head portion of the length, the free end of the protruding Has length portion, taken under a bag-side foot portion of the length section and between the foot portion and the filled bag is arranged. Accordingly, between the foot portion and the head portion is preferably a sharp kink, which prevents unintentional removal of bulk material contained in the bag.

In the generic form-fill-seal method, pre-printed packaging materials are frequently used, in particular for packaging food. The repeat of this printing forms an inevitable requirement for the separation of constant length sections. Although substantially identical product weights are filled into the respective bags. However, the density of the bulk goods to be packaged may vary due to various influencing factors, and thus results in a different level despite identical filling weights in the filled bag. Now, if the aforementioned form-fill-seal method is used, in which the bulk material is substantially air-free packaged in the bag, so arise different lengths protruding lengths of the packaging material. According to a variant of the low-air sealing of bulk material in a bag, which is described in the aforementioned prior art, the bag to be closed at its other end is first moved, for example raised, against the feeding direction of the packaging material, preferably until the filled bag is on the upper side is pressed against a transverse welding device closing the bag at the other end. By measuring distance, the actual filling level of the bag can be detected. This measured value is included in the height adjustment of at least the first processing station relative to the processing line or the transport device for moving the upright bag. Thereafter, the determination of the filling level during filling of the bag and closing of the bag allows an immediate influence on the processing parameters in the subsequent striking of the protruding from the bag length section. This ensures that even with variable length of the projecting length section of this is struck with the necessary quality to the filled bag.

According to a preferred development of this method, the pressure force with which the filled bag is pressed against the transverse welding device is used to determine the filling level. For example, a filled bag lifting from below Support plate to be assigned to a load cell whose signal signals the striking of the filled bag against the transverse welding device.

The method according to the invention preferably has a processing step upstream of the above-mentioned processing of the bag, which serves to shape the filled bag. Occasionally, this bag due to settling movements, for example, when settling the bag on the processing line not one of the desired, preferably with flat side surfaces corresponding shape. Any deviations from the desired shape can be corrected on the processing line by shaping processing. In this case, in particular, the protruding longitudinal section is preferably machined to ensure that it is threaded in the desired alignment into the subsequent processing stations. The shaping processing of the bag is carried out in particular by a shaping punch that strikes against the top of the bag. The upper side is the region of the bag which lies at the top when the bag is upright. From this top is regularly centered from the length section.

The present invention further provides a device with which a protruding from a filled bag length portion of the packaging material can be posted to the bag and secured there. For this purpose, the device has a transport device, which comprises means for moving and guiding the bag in an upright orientation. Furthermore, the device has a folding station, in which the protruding longitudinal portion is folded in the direction of the filled bag. This subordinate, a fastening station is provided, in which the folded length portion is secured to the bag. The aforementioned device is particularly suitable for the further processing of bags filled on both sides in a device according to DE 199 18 252 . DE 195 47 860 . DE 199 18 253 or DE 103 44 116 , However, the device according to the invention is not limited to a combination with these prior art devices for low-air filling of bulk materials. Thus, for example, a bag which is still open on the other side can be processed in the device according to the invention and closed at this other end by folding over the projecting length section and securing it against the bag.

According to a preferred embodiment, the folding station has folding members acting on the protruding longitudinal section and the fastening station hold down holding members which hold the folded-over longitudinal section in the fold set in the folding station. In addition, the attachment station has fixation members with which the folded-over length portion is secured to the pouch. Such a fixing member is, for example, a welding device, with which the folded-over length section is welded to the bag. As will be explained in more detail below, the fixation members preferably include a pickup which grips an adhesive tape held at a predetermined location and transports in the direction of the filled bag to finally attach the tape to this bag.

To simplify the construction and to avoid collisions of the various processing stations due to lack of synchronization is proposed according to a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention to store the folding organs, the hold-down organs and the fixing organs on a common cyclically reciprocating carriage. It has proven to be useful to drive the carriage cyclically via an eccentric drive. The sinusoidal course of movement of the carriage which inevitably occurs in the case of a uniform rotational movement of the eccentric disk in this drive is preferably compensated electronically by corresponding pulse input to a stepping motor, so that the carriage is in any case uniformly driven with the continuously moving bag in synchronous movement of the processing stations.

To adapt to different bag formats, it has proved to be useful to provide the carriage height adjustable to the transport device respectively height adjustable to the upright bag carrying conveyor belt. For this purpose, a block guiding the carriage in the longitudinal direction is preferably height-displaceable by means of a punch and penetrated by a threaded spindle, which is driven, for example, by means of a stepper motor. In view of the necessary weight compensation for the compensation of the dead weight of the carriage and the block, for example, gas springs or balancing weights are provided.

A guide for height-guided guidance of the carriage, for example in the form of hardened round rods, which are guided via ball bushings and by a height-movable block, are preferably located on only one longitudinal side of the transport path. On this side, any compensation means and / or drive means for height adjustment of the block or the carriage can be provided, so that the transport path on the other longitudinal side below the folding, hold-down and fixing organs is freely accessible. In this preferred embodiment, in the event of a fault, the user can freely access the transport path from the other longitudinal side in order, for example, to remove inadequately processed bags from the transport route. A frame holding the device, a transport path provided thereon on the one hand, the longitudinal guides and a lifting device for the carriage on the other hand and finally the carriage with the leading block form each of the legs of a C-shaped cross-sectional shape open to the other longitudinal side.

For folding the projecting length section, the following folding members are provided at the folding station: At the folding station is a rotationally driven folding wheel, on the circumferential surface of which several folding rails are arranged distributed. Further, in the transport direction to the rear open Umlegefinger is provided, which cooperates with the respective active Umlegeschiene the folding bike. Finally, a wrapping rail is provided. The rotationally driven folding wheel initially deflects the longitudinal section projecting substantially upwards from the filled bag laterally, ie transversely to the direction of movement of the bag. The Umlegefinger is then at least radially delivered with respect to the folding bike and clamps the length section against the active Umlegeschiene. According to the design of the contour of Umlegeschiene and Umlegefinger this way the projecting length portion at a predetermined point downwards, ie folded over in the direction of the bag. Then, the Einschlagschiene moves in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the folding pivoting movement between the kink and the bag and urges the protruding from the kink, the free end of the longitudinal section having head portion under the extending between the bag and the kink foot portion of the length section. By this sequence and arrangement and design of the individual folding organs, it is then possible to strike the free end of the protruding length section. After the hammering of the head portion, the clamping of the packaging material between the Umlegeschiene and lifted the Umlegefinger so that the bag can be moved relative to the Faltorganen in the direction of movement. The Umlegefinger remains hereby enveloped by the inside taken longitudinal section substantially. The engagement of the Umlegefingers is canceled by the fact that the embarked area is withdrawn in the direction of movement of the bag from the Umlegefinger when removing the bag from the station. For easier removal of the bag from the Faltorganen the Umlegefinger can be moved away from the folding wheel in the radial direction and the buckling of the protruding length section can be canceled a little before.

For clamping the packaging material between the folding members and in particular for setting a predetermined kink, it is proposed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention to form the deflection bar with a clamping edge, in which the Umlegefinger can be introduced with the interposition of the packaging material. In this case, the folding station and the folding finger preferably have corresponding contours in the area of the clamping edge, so that the packaging material is folded in a sharp-edged manner exactly in a predetermined manner. The positioning of the packaging material between the Umlegefinger and the Umlegeschiene in the region of the clamping edge can be improved by a Umlegampe, which is provided at the leading end of Umlegeschiene and over which the initially projecting upward length portion is deflected laterally.

In order to adapt to level fluctuations, the folding wheel and the Umlegefinger are arranged together according to a preferred development of a clamping member holder, which is vertically movable relative to the Einschlagschiene. Because changes in the length of the protruding length section result due to level fluctuations, that point is changed at which the length portion is bent, d. H. where the length portion between the head portion and the foot portion is divided. The impact bar remains unchanged with regard to its position.

For exact control of the movement of the Umlegefingers relative to the Umlegeschiene it has proved to be useful to arrange the Umlegefinger displaceable on the Klemmorganhalterung.

Due to the high speed with which the clamping members are operated in an economical operation of the device according to the invention, it has proved to be advantageous to provide the Einschlagschiene at the end of a sheet member which is pivotally mounted on the carriage. Also mounted pivotably on the carriage is the clamping device holder. Their bearing axis is, however, with regard to the adaptation to different levels eccentric to the bearing point of the arch element. The eccentricity is in this case selected so that the sheet element moves in any conceivable setting of the clamping member holder between the deflection formed between Umlegefinger and the Umlegeschiene break point for the packaging material and the top of the filled bag in the direction of the bag center.

For transferring the folded-over length section to the fastening station, the device preferably has a guide adjoining the folding finger approximately in the same height, which is formed as part of the hold-down members and presses the upper side against the bag with the folded-over length section being interposed. This guide ensures until the final setting of the length section on the filled bag that this length section remains in a folding effected in the folding station. To improve this effect, the guide may include a ramp which presses against the length section and urges it against the bag.

In particular, in the aforementioned preferred embodiment, in which the folded-over length section is pressed under the filled bag, a window recessed on the guide is expediently closed, at least temporarily, by a hold-down element to ensure that the folded-over longitudinal section can be brought centrally underneath the fastening station without being threaded , The hold-down element according to this preferred embodiment is transversely movable transversely to the direction of movement of the bag in said window of the guide. To secure the adhesive strip, this window is preferably opened positively controlled upon actuation of the hold-down element. This means that a mechanical coupling between the operation of the hold-down element and the operation of the window is provided. The window is preferably located approximately centrally above the closed bag. Through the open window of the adhesive strip can be applied to the bag. The customer can first grasp an adhesive strip held ready at the attachment station and over a longer transport distance spend to the bag. Likewise, the customer may be provided on the side facing away from the bag guide and press in the manner of a plunger in translational actuation with the window open the adhesive strip with the interposition of the folded length section of the bag.

In order to avoid collisions due to control errors, it is proposed according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention to forcibly drive the hold-down element and the pickup via cams which are provided on a common shaft and act on the lever supporting the hold-down element or the pick-up.

The adhesive strip applied through the window is preferably applied firmly against the bag when the bag is being removed from the attachment station. For this purpose, it is proposed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention to form a downstream of the window in the direction of movement of the bag part of the guide as an adhesive strip guide, which is pressed at a relative movement between the guide and the bag, the adhesive strip with the interposition of the folded length section of the bag. For this purpose, the adhesive strip guide can in particular have ramps adjacent to the window, which ensure that the bag is pulled in with the adhesive strip which initially adheres loosely to the bag, without the adhesive strip and / or the length section threading on the adhesive strip guide.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, opposite side panels are provided in the front region of the transport path. These side panels preferably carry the filled bag which has been placed on top of the transport path and, on the one hand, reduce its impact energy, but on the other hand give the bag the desired shape. In the further course of the transport path opposite side guides are provided, through which the bags are guided laterally on the transport path. In this preferred development, the lateral guides provided on one side and the side diaphragm provided on this side are coupled together and displaceable in the width direction by means of a width adjustment device. The side guides each with coupled side panel coupled on both sides can be moved due to the actuation of the adjustment device, to change their width distance. However, the change takes place here in the middle of the transport path, so that the upright bags are necessarily conveyed centrally in the processing stations.

Although the side guides can also extend in the upper region of the upright bag, it has proven to be advantageous to assign the side panels on the transport path and the side guides vertically movable to the carriage, so that they always act on the upper edge of the bag to be formed.

In front of the rerouting station, according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pouch forming station which acts on mold plates, in particular on opposite side surfaces of the upright bag in order to bring this in the desired shape and thereby erect the projecting length as vertically as possible above the bag. This bag-forming station has according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, a sensor with which the filling level of the bag is checked. The value thus obtained can be used directly for adjusting the height of system parts of the device. It is also possible to compare the value obtained after settling the filled bags on the transport path in the context of a plausibility check for the bag height with the value obtained in the form-fill-seal device and to assume a fault condition in the event of a discrepancy and to switch off the entire device ,

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Seitenansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Vorrichtung zum Bearbeiten eines aufrecht stehenden gefüllten Beutels;

Figur 2

eine perspektivische Seitenansicht einer Umlegestation, die in dem in Figur 1 gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel verwirklicht ist;

Figur 3

die in Figur 2 gezeigte Umlegestation in einer Seitenansicht;

Figuren 4a-4d

die in den Figuren 2 und 3 gezeigte Umlegestation in einer Querschnittsansicht in verschiedenen Arbeitsphasen;

Figur 5

eine Querschnittsansicht zur Verdeutlichung der Bearbeitungsschritte in der Umlegestation;

Figur 6

eine perspektivische Seitenansicht einer Befestigungsstation, die in dem in Figur 1 gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel verwirklicht ist;

Figur 7a, 7b

Seitenansichten der in Figur 6 gezeigten Ausführungsform in verschiedenen Bearbeitungsphasen und

Figur 8a, 8b

die in den Figuren 7a, 7b gezeigten Arbeitsphasen der Befestigungsstation in einer Querschnittsansicht.

Further details and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment in conjunction with the drawings. In this drawing show:

FIG. 1

a side perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus for processing an upright filled bag;

FIG. 2

a side perspective view of a folding station, which is realized in the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

FIG. 3

the rollover station shown in Figure 2 in a side view;

FIGS. 4a-4d

the folding station shown in Figures 2 and 3 in a cross-sectional view in different phases of work;

FIG. 5

a cross-sectional view illustrating the processing steps in the Umlegestation;

FIG. 6

a side perspective view of a fastening station, which is realized in the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 7a, 7b

Side views of the embodiment shown in Figure 6 in different stages of processing and

Figure 8a, 8b

the working phases of the fastening station shown in Figures 7a, 7b in a cross-sectional view.

1 shows a perspective side view of an embodiment of an apparatus for processing upright filled bags, which are identified by reference numeral 2 and shown in succession at different stations in the embodiment shown in FIG. The arrows recorded on the bags 2 in FIG. 1 indicate the direction of movement of the individual bags 2. The bags 2 are in a not shown in the drawing and for example from the DE 103 44 116 known apparatus for air-poor packaging of bulk material filled with the same and closed by a cross-weld seam produced by ultrasound top and bottom. From this prior art device, the bags 2 are then released above a feed station 4 of the prior art device. Side panels 6 provided at the insertion station 4 center the bags 2 so that they essentially fall centrally on a processing path 8, which comprises a circulating conveyor belt 10 as a transport device, on the surface of which carriers 12 are arranged at discrete intervals, which engage between the side panels 6 take a little clamped bag 2 inevitably. The introduction station 4 downstream in the transport direction of the conveyor belt 10 are provided above the processing section 8 side guides 14, which upright Position the standing bag in its upper area by resting on the side surfaces of the bags 2. Thereafter follows in the transport direction of the bag 2 a bag-forming station 16, on which a forming tool, not shown in detail strikes the top of the respective bag, whereby this aligned substantially perpendicular to the side walls of the bag 2 and protruding from the respective filled bag 2 length section 18th the packaging material is aligned upright.

This is followed by a transfer station 20, will be discussed in more detail below and in which the projecting length portion 20 is folded in the direction of the filled bag 2. Downstream of this transfer station 20 in the transport direction, a fastening station 22 is formed, on which the folded-over longitudinal section is secured to the bag 2. Following the attachment station 22, the bag 2 is pushed by a pusher 24 laterally from the processing station and discharged. The pusher 24 is for this purpose forcibly coupled to the conveyor belt 10 rotatably driven, thereby preventing the pusher 24 abuts with imprecise control against a driver 12, whereby the device would be damaged.

The side guides 14 are displaceable together via a transverse adjustment device 26 and concentric with the central longitudinal axis of the conveyor belt 10. In this way, the space formed between the side guides 14 for receiving and shaping the upper portion of the bag 2 can be changed.

The transverse adjustment device 26 is mounted on a height-adjustable block 28. This block 28 is slidably guided over round rods 30 in the vertical and is driven by means of spindles 32 which penetrate the block 28 in threaded engagement, height-displaceable. The round rods 30 and the spindle 32 are held on the upper side in a frame plate 34, which are mounted on the round bars 30 fixed in height relative to a machine frame, which is designated by reference numeral 36. On the block 28, a guided carriage 38 is mounted longitudinally displaceable, which carries both the essential organs of the folding station 20 as well as the essential organs of the fastening station 22.

In the processing direction behind the attachment station 22 and about the revolving pusher 24 is a labeling unit 40 which has a rotatably mounted roller 42nd for a supply of labels 44 formed as adhesive strips and a holder 46 for holding a winding roll, not shown, on which an adhesive strip carrier 48 is wound up (compare in particular FIG. The labeling device 40 is fixedly connected to the block 28. The roller 42 and the holder 46 are located substantially above the frame plate 34th

The transfer station 20 and the attachment station 22 are coupled together by attachment to the carriage 38 and in the direction of the double arrow D shown in Figure 1 back and forth. The displacement movement is effected by a servo motor 50, as well as the rest of the other essential drives of the embodiment are realized by a servo motor.

Of the main processing stations, the transfer station 20 will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. For this purpose, Figure 2 shows a first view of the folding station 20 in a perspective plan view opposite to the transport direction of the device, wherein for reasons of better illustration, the attachment station 22 has been omitted. Accordingly, FIG. 2 essentially shows only the transfer station 20 and a rear end of the carriage 38, which is connected via an articulated arm 52 to a carriage drive pulley 54, which in turn is driven via the servomotor 50. This servo motor 50 is associated with a special control, so that the servo motor 50 is compensated for compensating a usually sinusoidal linear movement of the carriage 38 accordingly.

The folding station 20 comprises as essential components a folding wheel 56, which is rotatably mounted and driven by a folding wheel motor 58. This Faltradmotor 58 and Faltrad 56 are arranged in a Klemmorganhalterung 60 which rotatably mounted on the carriage 38 Klemmorganhaltearme, of which only the rear in the direction of transport arm 62 can be seen in Figure 2. On the opposite end face of the folding wheel 56, a further Klemmorganhaltearm is provided, on which an adjusting device 64 is mounted, which actuates a closer to be seen in Figures 4 and 5 Umlegefinger 66.

The transfer station 20 further has a drive-in rail 68 (cf., FIG. 3) which is mounted on the free end of a pivotably mounted arch element 70. The arch element 70 partly surrounds the folding wheel 56 and is dimensioned such that the wrapping rail 68 can be arranged between the folding wheel 56 and a bag 2 accommodated in the folding station 20 essentially below the axis of rotation of the folding wheel 56. For actuating the sheet member 70, a sheet member drive 71 is provided, which causes a pivoting movement of the sheet member 70 about its axis of rotation.

Distributed on the circumference of the folding wheel 56 are a plurality of deflection rails 72 whose interaction with the deflection finger 66 will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 4a to 4d.

The axis of rotation of the arch element 70, which is identified in Figure 2 by reference numeral 74, is arranged eccentrically to a rotation axis 76 about which the Klemmorganhaltearme are pivotally mounted.

A pivoting movement of the clamping member holder 60 about this pivot axis 76 leads to a change in the distance of the deflecting rails 72 to the conveyor belt 10. Here, not only the vertical distance between the said deflecting rail 72 and the conveyor belt 10 is changed, but also the lateral deflection of the deflecting rail 72 relative to The center axis of the conveyor belt 10. The pivot axis 74 of the sheet member 40 is fixed to the clamp member holder 60 and thus is given away relative to the carriage 38.

The organs shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 for deflecting and driving in the length section 18 projecting from the bag 2 are shown in detail in FIGS. 4a to 4d.

FIGS. 4a to 4d show schematic cross-sectional views of the device in the region of the deflection station 20. An upright standing bag 2 is conveyed to the folding station 20 with a longitudinal section 18 which is oriented upward by being processed in the bag molding station 16. There, first the folding wheel 56 rotates in a clockwise direction in a cross-sectional view counter to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt 10. For orientation It should be noted that the shaded rhombus surface shown in FIGS. 4a to 4d schematically reproduces a support 78, which supports the clamping organ retaining arms 72 in a pivotable manner and is mounted on the carriage 38.

During a rotation of the folding wheel, first the deflecting rail 72 deflects the protruding longitudinal section 18 laterally and away from the carriage 38 (compare FIGS. 4a, 4b). At the end of this deflection movement, the Umlegeschiene 72 is laterally adjacent to the longitudinal center axis of the upright bag 2. Thereafter, the deflection finger 66 is moved tangentially to the axis of rotation of the Faltrades 56 by operating the adjusting device 64, so that the radial distance of the Umlegefingers 66 with respect to this axis of rotation reduced. The longitudinal guide to the adjusting device 46 is aligned so that the Umlegefinger 66 is introduced into a clamping edge 80 which is provided on the deflection rail 72 (see, in particular Figure 5).

By the interaction of Umlegefinger 66 and deflecting rail 72 of the projecting length portion 18 is divided into a bag-side foot portion 82 and provided at the free end head portion 84. Depending on the configuration of the clamping edge 80, the head portion 84 protrudes from the foot portion 82 at a predetermined angle. In the embodiment shown, this angle is chosen so that the head portion 84 extends below the upper edge of the bag 2 and abuts against a shoulder provided between the side wall and the top of the bag 2. When folding the length section 18 between the Umlegeschiene 72 and the Umlegefinger 66, the folding bike 56 remains stationary. After the length portion 18 has been divided into the foot portion 82 and the head portion 84, the Einschlagschiene 68 moves into the space between the top of the bag 2 and the clamping of the length portion 18 between the Umlegeschiene 72 and the Umschlagfinger 66. Here, the head portion 84 is taken and passed under the foot section 82. At the end of this pivotal movement of the Einschlagschiene 68, the head portion 84 is located between the foot portion 82 and the filled and top-closed bag 10 and is thus taken under the foot portion 82. After completion of this processing of the length section 18 of the Umlegefinger 66 is moved a little away from the Umlegeschiene 72, so that the folded length portion 18 between the Umlegefinger 66 and the Umlegeschiene 72 can slide out in the conveying direction. The Umlegefinger 66 is for this purpose only stored stationary at its front end in the conveying direction, while the other, trailing in the conveying direction end of the Umlegefingers 66 is free.

In Figure 5, the folding members are shown in a cross-sectional view in an enlarged view, this view is presented in the transport direction, d. H. the front longitudinal side in FIG. 1 is located on the right in FIG. 5, whereas on the left in FIGS. 4a to 4d. The different phases of the folding are marked with Roman numerals I to IV. Compared to FIGS. 4a to 4d, FIG. 5 shows the folding of a longitudinal section 18 which is slightly longer than the section folded in FIGS. 4a to 4d.

In the start position I, in which the upright bag 2 is introduced into the deflection station 20, the Umlegeschiene 72 is laterally adjacent to a central longitudinal axis L of the bag 2. By driving the Faltrades 56, the length portion 18 is first deflected to the position 18 II. In this case, a deflecting ramp 90 leading to the deflecting rail 72 abuts against the longitudinal section 18. At the end of this first phase, the longitudinal section 18 assumes the orientation indicated by 18 II. Thereafter, the actuator 64 is operated and the Umlegefinger of the designated as 66 I starting position in the direction of the deflection rail 72 to set (position 66 II). Here, the length portion 18 is bent in the clamping edge 80 and deflected downwards. The position reached afterwards is marked 18 II. Now, the length portion 18 is divided into the head portion 84 and the foot portion 82. Thereafter, the wrapping rail 68 is pivoted in the direction of the central longitudinal axis L. This movement is indicated by reference numeral 68 III. Here, the Einschlagschiene 68 abuts in its height distance between the top of the bag 2 and the Umlegefinger 66 against the head portion 84 inside. Propulsion of the impact bar 68 is stopped when its leading edge is provided approximately centrally above the bag 2. This position is marked 68 IV and shows in solid lines the wiper rail 68 after completion of this phase of movement. The folding of the length section 18 is indicated at the end of this phase by reference numeral 18 IV. Finally, the Umlegefinger 66 makes, ie it is moved out by pressing out of engagement with the Umlegeschiene 72. Meanwhile, the length portion 18 is slightly deflected (at 18 V), but without being significantly influenced in its course and in the position of the individual sections 82, 84. This is in particular given by the position of the Einschlagschiene 68, the one Remaining length of the head portion 84 and the bag 2 holds. Now, the bag 2 is transported out of the deflection station 20 by relative movement. During this conveying movement, the wrapping rail 68 protruding beyond the bag 2 in the transport direction acts as a top guide for the bag. With regard to this function, the entire deflection station is adjustable in height on the block 28. Hereby, different bag formats but also variations of identical formats in the filling level can be taken into account. A sensor device not shown in detail may be provided to determine the respective current height of the bag 2 applied to the path 8 and to adjust the height accordingly. This has a top side of the bag 2 adjacent guide 92, which connects directly in the transport direction to the rear end in the transport direction of the Umlegefingers 66 and the Einschlagschiene 68 in the transport direction. The Einschlagschiene 68 and the guide 62 are arranged approximately at the same height on the carriage 38, so that caused by the Einschlagschiene 68 in the Umlegestation 20 topside attachment to the bag substantially continuously through the guide 92 upon transfer of the bag from the Umlegestation 20 is continued on the fastening station 22.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective side view of the fastening station 22 in a manner similar to FIG. 2 for the folding station. However, in FIG. 6, the essential parts of the folding station 20 have been omitted for the sake of an improved illustration. However, FIG. 6 shows the common carriage 38, which carries these organs as well as the corresponding organs of the attachment station 22. The attachment station 22 includes hold-down members, which include the guide 92 counts. In this guide 92, a window 94 is recessed, which can be closed by a plate-shaped hold-down element 96. The hold-down element 96 forms in the closed position, together with the guide 92, a substantially continuous lower guide and contact surface for the bag. Above the window 94 is a pickup 98, which can be moved forcibly over a lever drive (compare FIGS. 8a, 8b) substantially upwards and downwards in the vertical direction. The operation is forced via a pickup cam 102 which is driven by a motor, not shown. Associated with the pickup 98 are pneumatic connections 104 which communicate with a suction plate 106 provided on the underside of the pickup 98. The hold-down element 96 is mechanically inevitable Coupled with the operation of the pickup 98, via a lever drive 108. Via a guide cam 110, the guide 92 can be transferred from a starting position into a pushing on the bag 2 position. The starting position is shown in Figures 7a, 8a, the other position in Figures 7b, 8b.

As already mentioned above, the labels 44 are kept at a predetermined location for acceptance by the taker 98. For this purpose, a fastening station-side end of an adhesive strip guide 112 is V-shaped and tapered in the direction of the fastening station 22 (compare FIGS. 7a, 7b). At this point, the adhesive strip carrier 48 is folded over in a sharp-edged manner, as a result of which the label affixed thereto is detached and conveyed essentially in the feed direction and in a linear continuation of the upper side of the adhesive strip guide 112.

Figures 7a to 8b illustrate the function of the individual members of the attachment station 22 for attaching the label 44 to a bag 2. Such is transferred to the attachment station 22 with the window 94 closed. This is located here in a starting position shown in Figures 7a, 8a. After the speed of the bag 2 has been synchronized with the speed of the carriage 38, the guide 92 is moved to the lowered position shown in Figs. 7b, 8b. The window 94 is necessarily opened by lowering the Abnehmers by retracting the hold-down element 96 in the direction of arrow R in Figure 8b from the window opening. At the same time, the pickup 98 is lowered. A label 44 initially held by the suction pressure on the pickup 98 is now inflated to the top of the bag 2, so that the label 44 at least partially bridges the folded length section 18. The suction plate 106 projects beyond the bag 2. The label 44 is also held laterally protruding on the suction plate 106 (see Figure 8b). By a Blasimpuls the label 44 is now transferred to the bag 2. The suction plate 106 and the corresponding air pressure pulse are matched to one another such that the part of the label 44 which projects beyond the bag 2 on two sides is applied to a side surface of the bag. The guide 92 depressing the bag 2 thereby enables the fixing of the folded length section 18 as well as a firm application of the upper side of the bag 2 and fixing on the side surfaces. Case configurations are conceivable in which the label 44 projects beyond the bag on both sides and is applied to the side surface of the bag 2 by means of air pressure. This allows the top of the bag 2 are placed close to the top of the bulk material contained in the bag 2. In the embodiment shown, the label 44 extends as an adhesive strip approximately from the center of the top of the bag 2 to the side surface thereof (see Figure 6).

At the end of the synchronized movement between the fastening station 22 and the bag 2, the guide 92 is brought into the raised position and lifted the topside attachment of the bag 2. At the end of the cyclical movement of the fastening station 22, the picker 98 is located immediately above the adhesive label 44 substantially detached from the adhesive tape carrier 48. This is transferred by suction to the suction plate 106. As the fastening station 22 moves in the course of the cyclic reciprocation of the carriage 38, this label 44, together with the picker 98, is moved away from the transfer position for the label 44 and into the home position where the next succeeding bag 2 moves with the carriage 38 is synchronized.

Since the carriage 38 via the block 28 is height adjustable relative to the machine frame and sensors are provided which determine the current height of the processed bag, the topside guide and conditioning of the bag 2 causing parts, namely the Einschlagschiene 68 and the guide 92 exactly and uniformly adjusted to the required height. This is done by operating the spindle 32. This setting also offers the possibility to adapt the device to different bag formats. In the width direction, different bag formats can be met by the adjusting device 26. The side panels 6 are displaceable in their distance relative to each other. If, due to changed filling conditions, for example due to quality fluctuations of the bulk material to be packaged, a change in the filling level results for the same bag format, this can be adapted in the process. The filling level of the bag can be determined, for example, as the starting size on the upstream form-fill-seal device. This measured value is passed on to the device shown in the figures. A control device sets the spindle 32 accordingly. Since individual bags are always cut off with the same length due to the printing, this results in a change in the length of protruding from the bag length portion 18. This change in length is by pivoting the clamping device holder compensated for the pivot axis 76, whereby the position of the clamping edge, in particular with respect to the central longitudinal axis L of the bag 2 can be changed. As the exemplary embodiment discussed above makes clear, the device according to the invention makes it possible to accurately and reliably apply a longitudinal section 18 initially projecting from the bag 2 to the top side of the bag. The forced coupling of mechanical components prevents a collision of the same even with inaccurate control. The cyclical movement of the carriage 38 together with the essential members of the folding station 20 and the fastening station 22 enables a compact construction device. In addition, this embodiment allows a simple transfer of the label 44 from the adhesive strip carrier 48 on buyer 98 and thus the bag. 2

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

bag

4

Einbringstation

6

side panel

8th

processing path

10

conveyor belt

12

takeaway

14

cornering

16

Bag forming station

18

longitudinal section

20

Umlegestation

22

fixing station

24

ejector

26

transverse displacement

28

block

30

round bar

32

spindle

34

frame plate

36

machine frame

38

carriage

40

labeling unit

42

role

44

label

46

holder

48

tape carrier

50

servomotor

52

articulated arm

54

Carriage drive wheel

56

Folding

58

engine

60

Clamping member holder

62

Clamping member holding arms

64

setting device

66

Umlegefinger

68

weft rail

70

arch element

71

Arc member drive

72

Umlegeschiene

74

Swivel axis of the bow element

76

Swivel axis of Klemmorganhaltearme

78

support

80

clamping edge

82

foot section

84

header

90

Umlegrampe

92

guide

94

window

96

Hold-down element

98

customer

100

lever drive

102

Customer cam

104

pneumatic connections

106

suction plate

108

lever drive

110

Guide cam

112

tape guide

Claims (32)

A method for packaging bulk material, in which supplied from a supply packaging material for forming a tube is provided with a longitudinal weld, the tube for forming a bag closed on one side and a predetermined amount of bulk material is poured into the bag, a bag forming the longitudinal section of the separated supplied packaging material and the bag is closed at the other end,
characterized,
in that the filled bag (2) is transferred upright to a processing section (8) on which a length section (18) of the packaging material projecting from the bag (2) is struck against the filled bag and secured there. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the upright bag (2) on the processing line (8) is moved continuously and that the projecting length portion (18) in a first cyclically relative to the processing line (8) moving processing station (20) folded and secured in a second cyclically relative to the processing line (8) moving processing station (22) on the filled bag. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the length section (18) in the first processing station (20) against the filled bag (2) is struck and between the first and the second processing station (22) the plant of the length section ( 18) on the bag (2) by a cyclically moving guide (68, 92, 112) is fixed, the upper side abuts against the longitudinal portion (18). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a window (94) provided on the guide (92) is opened at the second processing station (22) and a central part of the length section (18) is released and that through the opened window (94) an adhesive strip (44) is applied to the filled bag (2). A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the adhesive strip (44) in an end position of the cyclic movement above the window (94) of a frame-fixed adhesive tape feed (40) to the second processing station (22) is transferred and placed with this in its original position and in that after the opening of the window (94) in the movement of the second processing station (22) between an initial position and the end position of the adhesive strips (44) is transferred to the bag (2). A method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the adhesive strip (44) by suction from an adhesive strip carrier (48) decreasing customer (98) the adhesive strip (44) in any case on one side of the bag (2) transmits superior by a pressure surge and in this case also the part of the adhesive strip (44) projecting laterally beyond the bag (2) bears against a side wall of the bag (2). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a head section (84) of the length section (18) having the free end of the projecting length section (18) is taken under a bag-side foot section (82) of the longitudinal section (18) and interposed between the foot section (82 ) and the filled bag (2). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for the formation of individual bags (2) constant length sections (18) are separated, that the unilaterally sealed bag (2) against the feed direction of the packaging material for applying the packaging material to the bulk material to be closed the other end of the bag (2) is moved and that the determined level of the bag (2) for adjusting the height of at least the first processing station (20) relative to the processing line (8) is used. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the unilaterally closed bag (2) for applying the packaging material to the bulk material is pressed against the bag (2) closing at the other end transverse welding device and that for pressing the bag (2) used against the transverse welding device pressure force is used to determine the level. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bag (2) after processing on the processing line (8) is first processed shaping at least in the region of the protruding length section. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that a forming punch strikes against the top of the bag (2). Device for striking and fixing a length of the packaging material projecting from a filled bag (2) formed from a packaging material, comprising: a transport device (10, 14) comprising means for moving and guiding the bag in an upright orientation; a Umlegestation (20) in which the protruding length portion (18) is folded in the direction of the filled bag (2), and a downstream in the direction of movement attachment station (22) in which the folded-over length portion (18) is secured to the bag (2). Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the folding station (20) on the protruding length portion (18) acting folding members (66, 68, 72) and the fastening station (22) holding the folded length portion hold-down members (92, 96) and the folded length section on the bag (2) securing fixing organs (98, 106) and that the folding members (66, 68, 72), the hold-down members (92, 96) and the fixing members (98, 106) on a common cyclically movable carriage (38) are stored. Apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the carriage (38) is height-adjustable relative to the transport device (10). Device according to one of Claims 12 to 14, characterized in that a guide (30, 32) which guides the slide (38) in a height-adjustable manner only at one Longitudinal side of the transport path (10) is provided, so that the transport path (10) on the other longitudinal side below the folding, hold-down and fixing organs (66, 68, 72, 92, 96, 98, 106) is freely accessible. Device according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the folding members a rotationally driven folding wheel (56), are distributed on the circumference of several Umlegeschienen (72), one with the respective active Umlegeschiene (72) of the folding wheel (56) cooperating , in the transport direction at the rear open Umschlagfinger (66) and a Einschlagschiene (68), with a by clamping between the Umlegeschiene (72) and the Umschlagfinger (66) kinked free head portion (84) of the length section (18) between the bag-foot section ( 82) of the length section (18) and the bag (2) is pushed. Device according to one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that the Umlegefinger (66) in the radial direction relative to the folding wheel (56) cyclically driven back and forth. Device according to one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that the Umlegeschiene (72) comprises a leading Umlegampe (90) and one of these in the direction of rotation downstream clamping edge (80), in which the Umlegefinger (66) can be introduced with the interposition of the packaging material. Device according to one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that the Umlegefinger (66) is mounted displaceably relative to the axis of rotation of the folding wheel (56). Device according to one of claims 12 to 19, characterized in that the folding wheel (56) and the Umlegefinger (66) for adjusting level fluctuations together on a relative to the Einschlagschiene (68) vertically movable clamping member holder (60) are arranged. Apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that the Einschlagschiene (68) at the free end of a pivotally mounted on the carriage (38) Arch element (70) is arranged, whose pivot axis (76) is provided fixed in height to the carriage (38), and the clamping member holder (60) eccentrically to the pivot axis (76) of the sheet member (70) on the carriage (38) is pivotally mounted. Device according to one of claims 12 to 21, characterized in that the clamping member holder (60) and the sheet member (70) about a common axis of rotation (76) are pivotally mounted. Device according to one of claims 12 to 22, characterized in that the hold-down in the direction of movement of the bag (2) directly to the Einschlagschiene (68) connect approximately equal in height and a top side against the bag (29) with the folded length portion (18 ) comprise pressing guide (92). Apparatus according to claim 23, characterized in that the guide (92) driven against the top of the bag (2) can be applied. Device according to one of claims 12 to 24, characterized in that the hold-down members comprise a hold-down element (96) which is substantially transversely to the direction of movement of the bag (2) movable to the guide (92) in a window recessed on the guide (92) (94) can be introduced and the fixing members comprise a pick-up (98) with which an adhesive strip (44) held ready at the fastening station (22) can be tapped off and placed in the window (94) for engagement with the filled bag (2). Apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that the pickup (98) is slidably fixed to the carriage (38). Apparatus according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that the hold-down element (96), the pick-up (98) and the guide (92) via at least one seated on a shaft and with the hold-down element (96) or the pickup (98) or the guide (92) levers cooperating cam positively driven are driven. Device according to one of claims 12 to 27, characterized in that in the direction of movement of the bag (2) the window (94) downstream part of the guide (92) is formed as an adhesive strip guide (112) through which in a relative movement between the guide (92) and the bag (2) of the adhesive strip (44) with the interposition of the folded length portion (18) is pressed against the bag (2). Device according to one of claims 12 to 30, characterized in that in the direction of movement of the bag (2) on the transport path of the folding station (20) is preceded by a bag forming station (16). Apparatus according to claim 29, characterized in that the bag-forming station (16) has at least one sensor with which the filling level of the bag (2) is checked. Device according to one of claims 12 to 30, characterized by a frame-fixed adhesive tape feeder (40) with a holder for an adhesive strip roll (42) with adhesive strip carrier (48) and a holder (46) for winding the adhesive strip carrier (48), of which the adhesive strip (44 ) dispensing transfer position is located at the position at which a customer (98) of the fastening station (22) is in an end position thereof. Apparatus according to claim 31, characterized in that the adhesive tape feed (40) at the free end of the processing station vertically movable leading vertical guide (28) is mounted.

Images