EP2038177B1 - Device for handling flexible, hose-like objects, in particular bags - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject matter of the present invention is a device for handling flexible, hose-like objects, in particular, bags (1). The device consists of a framework (5) and at least one object on the stage (3) of a track (4) impinging the handling device (2). According to the invention, a free space (11) is created under the track (4) of the object, at least in the area of the stage (3).

Description

The invention relates to a device for the treatment of flexible, tube-like structures, in particular of bags, with a frame, and with at least one processing the structure on a portion of a movement path acting processing device, wherein below the trajectory of the structure at least in the region of the subspace a space is realized ,

The tubular structures are usually those which have at least one opening. Through this opening grippers may enter into the tubular structure and provide in abutment with, for example, vertical edges of the structure for its fixation and transport along the path of movement. Of course, other possibilities of transport are conceivable and are encompassed by the invention. Likewise, the invention is of course not limited to the treatment of bags.

If bags are processed, these usually come from a flat Hüllstoffbahn, which is equipped by thermal sealing, ultrasound, gluing or similar operations with the respective bag bottoms. These wrapping material webs can, for example, come from a roll, be separated with the help of a respective separating cut and transferred for further processing individually or in groups to the processing device. Moreover, it is self-evident within the scope of the invention to process pre-made bags.

Machining means all processes that change the bag or the structure and / or the product filled therein. This includes not only the simple filling of the bag in question, but also the application of spouts, adapters and valves, as well as the further shaping and contouring of the bag. In addition, editing refers to the attachment of labels, hangers, tabs. Finally, this includes process operations, such as the gassing of the bag from the outside or inside with inert gas, its sterilization and optionally a dust extraction.

In the prior art, as in the U.S. Patent 5,862,653 as well as the EP 0 765 807 described, is usually proceeded in such a way that the bag is acted upon in the example, at least on a section of the processing device so that the necessary for processing aggregates coming from below apply the bag. In other systems, the processing units are above the bag. In contrast, their drive is below. In any case, the known machines and devices characterized in that below the bag units, drives, housing parts, stems, levers or arms and optionally frame parts are placed.

In the operation of the device, it may happen despite the utmost care that the filled product is injected, dusted or simply dosed next to the bag. This is particularly unpleasant when it comes to liquid products that may also be sticky. As a result, intensive cleaning work has been required to date. In addition, this may interfere with the operation of the devices, if necessary. This, together, drives up the costs.

To solve this problem, some suggestions have already been made in the art. For example, the GB-A-1 253 311 a designed as a rotary generic device for filling flexible, hose-like structures in which all components necessary for handling, filling and closing were arranged above the trajectory of the structure, whereby the effects of contamination could already be reduced. A disadvantage of a device according to this document, however, is that their training as a round walker makes a correspondingly large foot required, which in turn must be easily contaminated and then laboriously cleaned.

At this point, the present invention seeks to remedy this situation.

The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a device for the treatment of flexible, hose-like structures, in particular of bags, so that soiling is reduced to a minimum and the functionality is improved overall.

To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes in a generic device, that the frame is designed as at least the sub-span spanning bridge and both the Beartieitungsvorrichtung and a guide strand for transporting the structure receives and both positioned all above the underlying trajectory of the structure.

In free space, there are no parts underneath the movement path in question that can become dirty for example due to incorrect metering of the processing device. These parts may be components of a mechanism, pneumatics or other table or balcony-like stems.

The free space must be realized within the scope of the invention, at least in the area of the section in which the processing and / or metering devices are located, can of course also be reflected over the entire length of the trajectory. Moreover, the free space in question does not shoot out, that a collecting device is placed on the bottom side or below the free space.

Also, it is not excluded by the free space that at least one side next to the movement path, a bulkhead or a splashboard is formed, in comparison to the prior art, a closed surface is formed, which has no protective corners or even so-called dirt corners, creating a simple and fast cleaning is possible.

According to the invention, the frame carrying the at least one processing device on the partial section is designed as a bridge spanning at least the said partial section. The bridge receives both the relevant processing device and a guide strand for transporting the structures and positions these all parts above the underlying trajectory of the structures.

The device according to the invention is therefore characterized, at least on the partial section with the processing device, by a special bridge construction. In fact, at this point, the frame is formed as a bridge or has such a bridge, which in turn defines both the processing device and the guide strand for transporting the structures, all above the underlying trajectory of the structures. In this way, the processing device and the guide strand are positioned above the path of movement and consequently also above the formations, which in turn are generally suspended below the guide strand. For this purpose, the guide strand has at least one gripper per structure. In general, a structure holding gripper pairs are realized on the guide track in each case.

The gripper or gripper pairs for holding the structures are connected in a suspended manner to the guide strand, so that the bags automatically undergo their arrangement below the guide strand and thus in the path of movement and define it. For the gripper or gripper pairs usually engage from above into the opening or filling opening of the respective bag and hold it by conditioning at the respective vertical ends under tension to make the processing using the processing device can. Of course, here are also other ways of attaching the bag using the gripper conceivable, for example by means of brackets, by suction, etc.

It has proven useful if the bridge or bridge construction rests on columns or bases positioned outside the section. In general, the bridge or bridge construction is arranged substantially horizontally, whereas the bases extend predominantly vertically. As a result, the bridge, in conjunction with the bases, forms an overall open-ended framework.

As a rule, the bridge and the guide strand run parallel to one another in a superimposed position. The abovementioned bases are each arranged at a distance from the bridge and the guide strand and are usually opposite in pairs in relation to the guide strand or the path of movement of the structures. In fact, most often the bridge and with it the guide strand is placed on a mirror plane with respect to the respective pairs of bases arranged on both sides.

The bases are therefore part of the subsection with the processing device or the framework that is overhanging with the several processing devices and is open at the bottom. In this case, the bridge and the bases as well as the guideway and consequently the movement path are in each case rectilinear, in a longitudinal direction defined by the movement path. The symmetrical arrangement of the bases with respect to the trajectory, the bridge and the guide strand ensures that the bases are placed on both sides of the trajectory at a predetermined transverse distance from each other. In most cases, one also works with a given longitudinal spacing of the respective bases relative to one another, with the respective longitudinal distances and transverse distances preferably being identical in each case in order to simplify the production of the framework.

To increase the stability of the scaffold also has horizontal struts, which connect the substantially vertically arranged base pairs each with each other. At this horizontal struts, the bridge is suspended and thus provides for the connection of each of the base pairs and connecting them horizontal struts formed among themselves.

Since the structures or bags, at least in the region of the subsection, are usually transported suspended from the gripper pairs along the movement path and insofar the guide track, the processing device and the bridge carrying the two above-mentioned elements are arranged above the bags, the structure can be automatically moved below the movement path of the structures define the desired clearance at least in the area of the leg.

On the bottom side or below the free space, the already mentioned collecting device can be placed. With the help of this collection device, for example, too much dosed products, dusts, spraying liquid, etc. can be absorbed. As a result, the existing space below the catcher remains virtually completely free of contamination and the catcher can also be easily cleaned by being folded down.

Incidentally, the attachment of drainage and / or drainage channels on or in the collecting device, so that the cleaning effect is increased again recommended.

As a result, a device for the treatment of flexible, tube-like structures, in particular of bags, is presented, which has at least in the region of a part of its path of movement over a free space extending below the movement path. For this purpose, at least in the region of the partial path of the movement path, a bridge spanning the partial section in question is provided as part of a downwardly open framework. In this way, the free space is created automatically below the structure or bag respectively below the trajectory, which is followed below and advantageous the catcher. As a result, the cleaning time is significantly reduced and the life of the device increased, thus a significant cost advantage over previous embodiments is achieved.

Fig. 1

die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung in schematischer Seitenansicht und

Fig. 2

eine Frontansicht des Gegenstandes nach Fig. 1 aus Richtung X.

In the following the invention will be explained with reference to a drawing showing only one embodiment; show it:

Fig. 1

the device according to the invention in a schematic side view and

Fig. 2

a front view of the object after Fig. 1 from direction X.

In the figures, an apparatus for the treatment of flexible, hose-like structures is shown with at least one opening. These packs are not limited to pouch 1. The pouches 1 are passed through said device along the path indicated in FIG Fig. 1 shown transport arrows or in the longitudinal direction L and applied in this process by a plurality of processing devices 2. In fact, these processing devices 2 are in each case dosing devices or dosing devices which, in the example, meter different components of a ready-made soup into the bag 1 or its filling opening made thereunder. Of course, quite different edits could be made, as they have been explained in the introduction. The processing devices 2 are arranged on a partial section 3, for example, a largely circular circumferential path of movement 4. Only on this section 3, the structures or bags 1 are acted upon by the processing devices 2. The bags 1 define the path of movement 4 during their transport.

For holding the processing device 2 and the movement path 4, a frame 5 is provided, which in the present case is designed as at least the subsection 3 spanning bridge or bridge structure 5. The frame or the bridge 5 accommodates both the processing devices 2 and a guide strand 6 for transporting the structures or bags. The guide strand 6 defines, in connection with the bags 1, the movement path 4 along which the bags 1 are guided through the device (in a circle).

With the help of the frame or the bridge 5, the processing devices 2 and the guide strand 6 are all positioned above the underlying movement path 4 of the structure or bag 1. In fact, in the exemplary embodiment and not restrictively, a bag 1 holding gripper pairs G are connected to the guide strand 6, and hanging. The grippers belonging to the gripper pair G dive, for example, into the opening or filling opening of the respective bags 1 and hold them. In this way, it is automatically achieved that the movement path 4 is arranged below the guide strand 6, which in turn is located below the bridge 5.

Both the bridge 5 and the bridge 5 bearing bases 7 run rectified, in the defined by the movement path 4 longitudinal direction L, which coincides with the transport direction of the bag 1 and consequently the trajectory 4. The bases in question 7 are positioned outside the section 3. In fact, on both sides of the trajectory 4 in the same transverse distance from each other placed base pairs 8 from two bases 7th

In addition, the bases 7 and the base pairs 8 are arranged in a predetermined longitudinal spacing and in the longitudinal direction L, respectively, in the same longitudinal distance from one another according to the exemplary embodiment. For connecting the bases 7 each horizontal struts 9 are provided. In each case a base pair 8 forms, together with the horizontal strut 9 connecting the bases 7, a roof-like ridge 8, 9. All ridges 8, 9 or base pairs 8 are connected to one another in the longitudinal direction L by the bridge 5. In this way, the bases 7 form as constituents a framework 5, 7, 8, 9 which overbuilt the subsection 3 in total and opened downwards.

Due to the fact that all relevant aggregates, that is to say the processing devices 2 and the guide strand 6, are arranged above the movement path 4 for the bags 1, whereby this also applies to any motors 10 for driving the guide track 4, the bag 1 becomes below the movement path 4 Free space 11 defined. Below this free space 11 and consequently also below the movement path 4, a collecting device 12 is placed. This collecting device 12 catches any dust, spattering products, etc. The collecting device 12 can be pivoted as needed and easy to clean and is connected for this purpose via a pivot bearing 13 to the frame 5, 7, 8, 9 and a base 7.

Claims (11)

1. Device for handling flexible, tubular objects, in particular bags (1), with a framework (5), and with at least one processing device (2) acting on the object on one leg (3) of a conveying path (4), wherein underneath the conveying path (4) of the objects, at least in the area of said leg (3), a free space (11) is realised, characterised in that the frame (5) is designed as a bridge (5) overspanning at least the leg (3) and accommodates both the processing device (2) and also a guide leg (6) for transporting the objects, and also positions both completely above the conveying path (4) of the objects, located thereunder.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the bridge (5) rests on bases (7) positioned outside the leg (3).
3. Device according to claim 2, characterised in that the bases (7) are components of a framework (5, 7, 8, 9) built over the leg (3).
4. Device according to one of claims 2 to 3, characterised in that the bridge (5) and the bases (7) run in the same direction in a longitudinal axis (L) defined by the conveying path (4).
5. Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the bases (7) are placed on both sides of the conveying path (4) at a predetermined longitudinal and/or lateral distance from each other.
6. Device according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the framework (5, 7, 8, 9) has base pairs (8) arranged essentially vertically from the bases (7) and horizontal struts (9) connecting the base pairs (8) to each other.
7. Device according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterised in that the bases (7) of the framework (5, 7, 8, 9) are coupled to each other by the bridge (5) running in the longitudinal axis (L).
8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the guide leg (6) has a gripper pair holding an object.
9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the objects, at least in the area of the leg (3), are transported along the conveying path (4) suspended on the gripper pairs.
10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that a catching device (13) is provided underneath the free space (11).
11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that at least on one side, at the side of the conveying path, a spray wall (14) forming a closed area is arranged.

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