EP1868895B1 - Packaging machine for inserting an article to be packaged into a packaging - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging machine (1) for inserting an article (2) to be packaged into a packaging (3), particularly an article, which is prepackaged in bags, into, preferably, folding boxes, with an insertion area (4), in which the article (2) to be packaged is inserted into the packaging (3). The article (2) to be packaged can be inserted via an opening cross-section of the packaging (3) and into the packaging, said opening cross-section being able to be at least partially covered by an essentially flat top flap (10). A device (13) having a receiving area (14) for a top flap (10) of a packaging (3) is provided in the insertion area (4). The top flap (10) is, in the insertion area (4), positioned in the receiving area (14) and is kept in a convex shape so that, at least during the insertion of the article (2) to be packaged and of the packaging (3) when the top flap (10) is convexly shaped, the opening cross-section (11) of the packaging (3) is larger than when the top flap (10) is flat.

Description

State of the art

The invention relates to a packaging machine for inserting packaged goods in packaging, in particular packaged in bags Good in preferably cartons according to the closer defined in the preamble of claim 1. Art.

US 4,215,520 discloses a packaging machine according to the preamble of claim 1.

Basically, a packaging or a packaging means a detachable enclosure of a product or a packaged goods, which allows the packaging, sealing and shipping preparation of a packaged goods. In addition, packaging materials should simplify the manufacturing process in such a way that no further handling operations occur. In addition, packaging materials should also be usable as an advertising medium and secure the packaged goods against pressure, impact, moisture and temperature, facilitate storage, optimize transportability and space utilization, facilitate handling during delivery and ensure the labeling according to fragility, Perishability, danger or for the purpose of simpler or even automatable order processing.

For packaging of packaged goods, packaging machines or machines and systems are used for the semi-automatic or fully automatic production of packaging, for packaging or filling certain quantities of a product and for decorating and labeling the packaging. Packaging machines are available in numerous designs, with each machine type tailored to the processing of specific packaging materials and the application of special technologies. According to the goods to be packaged, a distinction is made between machines for liquids, pasty, doughy and viscous masses, for pourable goods, for individual parts, fixed parts, packages or the like. In the case of the sometimes extensive operations of the packaging plant, suitable machines are lined up in series for the individual work.

The first step involves the fabrication and preparation of the packaging for the good intake. From paper, metal or plastic film tapes are produced by gluing, welding and forming bags, cups, tubes or the like. Ampoules are sterilized, folding boxes are punched and prepared. Subsequently, the contents or the packaged goods are dosed and introduced into the intended packaging. The dosage is done by volume, mass or quantity by means of controlled valves, dosing screws, path devices and metering devices. Subsequently, the packaging is sealed according to their contents and packaging material, this being done by folding, gluing, welding, inserting or applying a closure in a natural atmosphere, in a vacuum or in a protective gas environment.

Often followed by a second packaging process, during which the packaged goods, for example, with user instructions and a carton is wrapped.

In particular, during the second packaging process, there is the possibility that the packaged product to be introduced into the packaging material has a larger cross section than the opening cross section of the packaging material. Particularly in the case of products such as bottles or tubes, as well as bags which have inhomogeneous surfaces, the height of the packaged goods is greater than that of the packaging material, as a result of which an undesired extent of packaging is impaired.

In order to reduce or eliminate the impairment of the packaging process, has been passed in practice to expand as folding carton running packaging on an upper side by means of one or more vacuum suction and thus to increase the opening cross-section of a carton in a packaging process improving manner.

The expansion of a folding box by means of vacuum cups is carried out in intermittently operating packaging machines during a standstill of a conveyor for providing packaging in the region of a push-in zone, in which the packaged goods are introduced into the packaging.

The disadvantage here, however, is that the expansion process of a carton before the actual insertion of the packaged goods takes place in the open carton and the vacuum suction or the vacuum cups must be solved after the insertion of the packaged goods from the carton before the filled carton can be transported in the packaging machine on. This leads to an undesirable extension of the residence time of the carton in the insertion zone of the packaging machine, whereby a throughput of the packaging machine is reduced.

If a deterioration of the throughput of a packaging machine is to be avoided, a shorter packing time is available for the insertion process. Since the insertion process is a very time-dependent and sensitive process even during packaging, faults that are favored by accelerated processes easily occur during this phase, which is why a reduction in the cycle time of the insertion process leads to an increased susceptibility of a packaging machine to failure.

The expansion of a carton by means of a vacuum sucker requires a frictional connection between the vacuum element and the carton, wherein the adhesion is influenced by various factors, such as carton quality, pressure drop, sucker wear or dirt. These dependencies disadvantageously, however, mean that the expansion process of a folding box during a packaging process can not be carried out with consistent quality.

In addition, the position of a cover flap of a carton is indeterminate and may interfere with unfavorable positioning the insertion process of the packaged goods in the carton and the expansion process of the carton itself. To be able to perform a widening and enlargement of the cross section of a carton by means of vacuum cups, the cover flap must be in a position parallel to the top of the carton. This results from the fact that the cover flap in positions in which the cover flap in the region of a creasing edge is pivoted relative to the Faltschachteloberfläche that the cover flap with the Faltschachteloberfläche an angle smaller than 180 °, the creasing edge stabilized and the desired opening cross-sectional enlargement of the carton prevented by vacuum cups.

In order nevertheless to be able to carry out a widening of a folding box even with disadvantageous positions of the cover flap, the widening process is carried out during the insertion process of packaged goods into the folding box, wherein a slide-in element, which is arranged above the packaged goods, during the insertion process in front of the packaged goods in the folding box Expansion of the opening cross section of the carton is introduced.

However, it is disadvantageous that the insertion member leading the actual Packguteinschub and must be performed in time before the Packguteinschub from the carton, which is why this approach is characterized by high dynamics and is carried out with utmost precision to damage the packaging or the packaged goods avoid.

Both the vacuum-side widening and the widening of a folding box by lifting a folding box side at the bottom have the disadvantage that a cover flap during an insertion process is not necessarily in a verifiable position relative to the associated folding box surface, so that in case of unfavorable stabilization of the creasing edge during the expansion of the carton under certain circumstances unacceptably high deformation forces are applied, which can cause damage to the carton.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to provide a packaging machine, by means of which the aforementioned disadvantages are avoided in a simple and cost-effective manner.

This object is achieved with a packaging machine according to the features of claim 1.

Advantages of the invention

The packaging machine according to the invention for inserting packaged goods into packaging, in particular packaged in bags in good quality cartons, is designed with a plug-in zone in which the packaged goods are introduced into the packaging. The packaged goods can each be inserted into the packaging via an opening cross section of the packaging means which can be at least partially covered by a substantially flat cover flap.

In the insertion zone, a device is provided with a receiving region for a cover flap of a packaging material, wherein the cover flap is positioned in the insertion zone in the receiving region and is held in a convex shape that the opening cross-section of the packaging at least during the insertion of the packaged goods in the packaging with convex shaped cover flap is greater than in a flat state of the cover flap, whereby a simple and trouble-free introduction of packaged in packaging, such as cartons, is possible, the packaged in cross-section larger than the opening cross-section of the packaging can be.

A cover flap of a packaging material is preferably guided in the device at its top and bottom, whereby, for example, a secure positioning of a folding box designed as packaging material and the corresponding cover flap is given. This makes the insertion process of packaged goods in a packaging in a simple manner very safe.

The enlarged opening cross-section of the packaging or a carton is directly related to a convex shape of the upper creasing edge, which is adjusted by the convex shape of the cover flap, the cover flap over the device preferably in relation to the top of the packaging in one position durable in that the top of the packaging and the cover flap enclose an angle of 180 ° with each other, in which an adverse stabilization of the creasing edge is avoided. The convex curvature of the creasing edge between the cover flap and the top of the packaging material is individually adaptable in an advantageous development of the article according to the invention to any format and also to different filling levels of a packaging.

In addition, the packaging machine according to the invention has the advantage that a packaging material during the insertion process of the packaged goods in the packaging already has the required for the insertion process cross-sectional enlargement and the insertion process without time delay, ie without shortening the cycle time is feasible.

In the case of the packaging machine according to the invention, the opening cross-section of a packaging material is increased in a form-fitting manner, with the procedure according to the invention being gentler on material compared to processes known from practice.

The enlargement of the opening cross-section of the packaging is forced and is clearly verifiable, whereby the expansion of a packaging material in the opening area is performed within predefined tolerances in the region of the insertion zone at each product pass.

Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the article according to the invention are the following description, the drawings and the claims removed.

drawing

In the drawing, an embodiment of the article according to the invention is shown, which will be explained in more detail in the following description.

• Figur 1 eine vereinfachte perspektivische Ansicht von Packmittel, von in die Packmittel einzuführendem Packgut und einer erfindungsgemäßen Einrichtung zum Aufweiten der Packmittel;
• Figur 2 eine dreidimensionale Einzeldarstellung eines Packmittels und der Einrichtung zum Aufweiten während einer Einführphase einer Decklasche in einen Aufnahmebereich der Einrichtung;
• Figur 3 eine Figur 2 entsprechende Darstellung des Packmittels und der Einrichtung zum Aufweiten, wobei die Decklasche zunehmend in dem Aufnahmebereich der Einrichtung angeordnet ist;
• Figur 4 eine Figur 2 und Figur 3 entsprechende Darstellung des Packmittels und der Einrichtung zum Aufweiten, wobei die Decklasche über die gesamte Breite in dem Aufnahmebereich angeordnet ist und in einer konvexen Form gehalten ist;
• Figur 5 eine schematisierte Seitenansicht der Einrichtung zum Aufweiten aus einer in Figur 4 näher gekennzeichneten Richtung V; und
• Figur 6 eine dreidimensionale Querschnittansicht der Einrichtung zum Aufweiten entlang der Linie VI-VI gemäß Figur 5.

Show it:

• FIG. 1 a simplified perspective view of packaging, of packaging material to be introduced into the packaging and a device according to the invention for expanding the packaging;
• FIG. 2 a three-dimensional detail of a packaging means and the means for expanding during an insertion phase of a cover flap in a receiving area of the device;
• FIG. 3 a FIG. 2 corresponding representation of the packaging means and the means for expansion, wherein the cover flap is increasingly arranged in the receiving region of the device;
• FIG. 4 a FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 corresponding representation of the packaging means and the means for expansion, wherein the cover flap is disposed over the entire width in the receiving area and is held in a convex shape;
• FIG. 5 a schematic side view of the device for expanding from a in FIG. 4 closer marked direction V; and
• FIG. 6 a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the means for expanding along the line VI-VI according to FIG. 5 ,

Description of the embodiment

In FIG. 1 is a part of a packaging machine designed as a cartoning machine 1 for insertion of packaged 2 in packaging 3 shown. In this case, the packaged product 2 represents presently packaged in bags Good, which are introduced in folding cartons designed as packaging 3 in a slot 4 of the packaging machine 1.

The packaging machine 1 comprises a first conveyor 5 for providing the bags 2 in the insertion zone 4 and a second conveyor 6 for providing the Folding boxes 3 in the insertion zone 4 and a not shown insertion device for moving the bag 2 in the cartons 3 in the insertion zone 4 substantially transverse to a direction of movement of the conveyors 5 and 6.

In this case, the insertion direction of the bag 2 in the cartons 3 and the directions of movement of the conveyors 5 and 6 by the under the reference numerals 7 and 8 and 9 in more detail marked arrows in FIG. 1 graphically rendered.

The packaged goods or the pouches 2 can each be inserted into the latter via a rectangular opening cross-section 11 of the folding boxes 3 which can be at least partially covered by a substantially flat cover flap 10, wherein the opening cross-section 11 is delimited by the four sides 3A to 3D of a folding box 3.

Between the cover flap 10 and the side 3A of the folding box 3, a so-called creasing edge 12 is provided, which constitutes a hinge region for the cover flap 10, around which the cover flap 10 is pivotable relative to the side or the top side 3A of the folding box 3.

In the insertion zone 4, a device 13 is provided, by means of which the cover flap 10, the creasing edge 11 and the top side 3A of the carton 3 at least partially in the insertion zone 4, starting from a planar shape into a convex shape can be transferred and preserved that the opening cross-section 11th of the packaging or a folding box 3 during the insertion of the packaged goods 2 in the Packing 3 is convex shaped cover flap 10 is greater than in the flat state of the cover flap 10th

For this purpose, the cover flap 10 in the in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 shown way in a FIG. 5 shown in the insertion zone 4 immobile running means 13 inserted, wherein the cover flap 10 is positioned in the region of the insertion zone 4 in the receiving area 14 of the device 13 that the opening cross section 11 of a carton in the for the insertion process of the packaged goods 2 in the carton 3 required extent is increased.

The receiving region 14 is designed with an insertion region 15 for the cover flap 10, which continuously tapers from an opening region 15A in the direction of a guide region 14A for the cover flap 10 of the receiving region 14, which essentially has a constant gap dimension.

Furthermore, the receiving region 14 is designed with a discharge region 16 for the cover flap 10, which increases steadily starting from the guide region 14A in the direction of a further opening region 16A of the receiving region 14.

Due to the configuration of the device 13 with the insertion region 15 and the outlet region 16, a particularly gentle material guidance of the cover flap 10 is ensured in the receiving area 14, as by the funnel-shaped configuration of the insertion region 15 and the outlet region 16 tilting between the cover flap 10 and the device 13th as well as damage causing deformations the cover flap 10 itself can be safely avoided in a simple manner.

In the present case, the guide region 14A of the receiving region 14 is designed as a groove running in the conveying direction 8 of the folding cartons 3 and facing the device 3A, with a convex curvature. Furthermore, the receiving area 14 is delimited by an upper part 13A and a lower part 13B fixedly connected thereto via a screw connection.

In addition, the upper part 13 A is designed with a fastening element 17, by means of which the position of the device 13 is formed changeable in the directions represented by the double arrow 18. Thus, the position of the device 13 can be adapted to a position of the cover flap 10 of the folding boxes 3 or to a height of the folding boxes 3.

In addition, the device 13 packgutseitig formed with a convex recess 19, so that the insertion area for the packaged product 2 in the insertion zone 4 is not hindered or limited by the device 13. In the present case, the convex recess 19 is adapted to the convex shape of the guide region 14A of the receiving region 14 and can of course deviate therefrom, the recess 19 being provided in such a way that the insertion of the bags 2 into the folding boxes 3 is not hindered by the device 13 ,

In FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the device 13 along the in FIG. 5 shown line VI-VI shown. From the illustration according to FIG. 6 is clear, the device 13 is formed in the region of the lower part 13B on a side facing the packagings or folding cartons 3 to be packed or bag 2 with an insertion bevel 20 which is arranged in the region of the convex recess 19 and rounded in cross section, so that a bag 2 inserted into a folding box 3 is inserted as harmoniously as possible past the device 13 into a folding box 3 and is not damaged in the region of the insertion bevel 20 by the contact with the device 13.

Hereinafter, the packaging operation as well as the widening of the cross-sectional opening 11 of a folding box 3 during the packaging process with reference to the illustration according to FIG. 1 described in more detail.

After the folding box 3 is inserted into the second conveyor 6, the cover flap 10 is in an approximately horizontal position with respect to the upper side 3A of the folding box 3 and substantially encloses an angle of 180 ° with the upper side 3A. The packaged product 2 arranged in the first conveyor 5 is conveyed synchronously to the folding box 3 and positioned exactly to the folding box 3.

Subsequently, the packaged product 2 in the insertion zone 4 in the carton 3, which is enlarged in cross-sectional opening 11 by the device 13 in the manner described above, inserted, wherein the cover flap 10 during the promotion of a carton 3 in the insertion zone 4 in the in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 shown manner increasingly introduced into the receiving area 14 of the device 13 and held in a convex shape until a bag 2 is spent in the interior of a carton 3. Subsequently, the filled carton 3 is moved from the insertion zone 4, wherein the cover flap 10 is again brought out of the receiving area 14 of the device 13 and the carton 3 can optionally be closed in a further packaging section in a conventional manner.

Of course, it is at the discretion of the skilled person the insertion 15 and the Ausführbereich 16 alternatively to the solution shown in the drawing as a separate turnouts to harmoniously introduce a cover tab of a package or a folding box in the guide portion 14A of the device 13 and run out of this can.

In addition, it can be provided in a further embodiment of the article not shown in detail according to the invention that the means for expanding an opening cross-section of a packaging in the guide area is made such changeable or deformable that a degree of curvature of the guide area variable depending on the particular application is to adapt the device to different packaging, without having to replace the device itself.

Deviating from this, however, it is also possible to implement the device as a so-called format part, which corresponds only to a specific packaging material format. In the case of changing packaging formats, a different device is to be mounted in each case in the region of the insertion zone of a packaging machine.

The device described above for widening an opening cross-section of a packaging material is suitable both for continuous and for clocked operated packaging machines and allows the most trouble-free insertion of packaged, especially of inhomogeneous packaged goods, without changing a cycle time of the insertion process. In order for a throughput of a packaging machine according to the invention compared to conventionally designed packaging machines is not affected at the same time reduced susceptibility to failure.

Claims (10)

1. Packaging machine (1) for pushing articles (2) into packaging means (3), in particular bag-packed articles into preferably folding boxes, having a pushing-in zone (4) in which the articles (2) are introduced into the packaging means (3), it being the case that the articles (2) can be introduced into the packaging means (3) in each case via an opening cross section (11) of the latter which can be covered over, at least in part, by an essentially planar covering flap (10), characterized in that the pushing-in zone (4) contains a device (13) with an accommodating region (14) for a covering flap (10) of a packaging means (3), it being the case that, in the pushing-in zone (4), the covering flap (10) is positioned in the accommodating region (14), and is held in convex form, such that, at least as the articles (2) are being pushed into the packaging means (3), the opening cross section (11) of the packaging means (3) is larger when the covering flap (10) is in convex form than when it is in a planar state.
2. Packaging machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that the accommodating region (14) is configured with an introduction region (15) for the covering flap (10) and, starting from an opening region (15A), this introduction region tapers continuously in the direction of a guide region (14A) for the covering flap (10) of the accommodating region (14).
3. Packaging machine according to Claim 2, characterized in that the accommodating region (14) is configured with a runout region (16) for the covering flap (10) and, starting from the guide region (14A), this runout region increases continuously in the direction of a further opening region (16A) of the accommodating region (14).
4. Packaging machine according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the guide region (14A) of the accommodating region (14) is configured as a groove which runs in the conveying direction of the packaging means (3) and is formed convexly in respect of a top side (3A) of the packaging means (3), this top side being directed towards the device (14).
5. Packaging machine according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the accommodating region (14) is bounded by a top part (13A) and a bottom part (13B) connected thereto.
6. Packaging machine according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized by the provision of a fastening element (17) by means of which the position of the device (13) can be adapted to a position of the covering flap (10) of the packaging means (3).
7. Packaging machine according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the device (13) has an introduction slope (20) formed on a side which is directed towards the articles (2) which are to be introduced into the packaging means (3).
8. Packaging machine according to Claim 7, characterized in that the device (13), on the article side, has a convex recess (19), the introduction slope (20) being arranged in the region of the recess (19) and being rounded in cross section.
9. Packaging machine according to one of Claims 5 to 8, characterized in that at least the bottom part is configured to be deformable, at least in certain regions, such that it is possible to vary the curvature of the guide region of the accommodating region of the device.
10. Packaging machine according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the packaging machine (1) is operated continuously or discontinuously.

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