EP2064138A1

EP2064138A1 - Method and apparatus for lining up packaging troughs

Info

Publication number: EP2064138A1
Application number: EP07801717A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Josef Mayer
Original assignee: CFS Buehl GmbH
Current assignee: GEA CFS Buehl GmbH
Priority date: 2006-09-07
Filing date: 2007-08-17
Publication date: 2009-06-03
Also published as: DE102006042504A1; WO2008028558A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus (7) for lining up packaging troughs (1) which are transported in one line on two transport belts (5', 5''). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for lining up packaging troughs (1), which are transported in one line on a first transport belt (3), on a second transport belt (5') and a third transport belt (5''), wherein the lining up on the second transport belt and the third transport belt is alternated.

Description

Method and device for stringing packaging trays

The present invention relates to an apparatus for dividing one-way transported packaging troughs on two conveyor belts. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for dividing single-lane transported on a first conveyor belt packaging troughs on a second conveyor belt and a third conveyor belt, wherein the alignment is changed to the second conveyor belt and the third conveyor belt.

Packaged goods, especially food, are nowadays often packed in containers, which are sealed with a lidding foil after being filled with the packaged goods. Such packagings can be carried out, for example, on a so-called tray sealer, as is known, for example, from EP 1 680 880. In order to increase the throughput of these machines, in particular in the sealing of the lid film to the packaging tray, it is advantageous if several packages so-called formats are sealed multiple lanes simultaneously. Therefore, it is necessary that one-way transported transport packaging troughs are divided into several tracks.

It was therefore the object to provide such a device and such a method.

The problem is solved with a device according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 10.

It was extremely surprising for the person skilled in the art and not to be expected that it would be possible with the apparatus according to the invention or the method according to the invention to divide one-way incoming packaging troughs very quickly and without large impulses into two or more lanes. This also makes it possible to easily divide packaging trays filled with low-viscosity substances into several webs. The device according to the invention or the method according to the invention can be operated simply and inexpensively.

The invention relates to a device for dividing one-way transported packaging troughs on two conveyor belts. This is done by two pre-distributors and a main distributor, wherein the pre-distributor, with respect to the transport direction of the packaging troughs, is arranged in front of the main distributor.

As a conveyor belt every familiar to the expert means of transport in question. In particular, however, these are endless plastic belts with a low coefficient of friction.

Preferably, the pre-distributor and the main distributor are rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the transport plane. The distributors can thereby be rotated from a distribution position to a neutral position and vice versa.

Preferably, the two pre-distributors are each individually or jointly rotatable. In any case, the pre-distributors are independent of the main distributor, but preferably in coordination with this, adjustable.

Furthermore, the distributors preferably have a drive, for example a motor or a linear drive, for example a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder. Particularly preferably, the drive rotates the distributor between two end positions, the respective distribution position or neutral position, back and forth. A motor with a transmitter can be provided, but is not necessary for the device according to the invention.

Furthermore, the device according to the invention preferably has two sensors, one sensor being arranged upstream of the predistributors, and the second sensor being arranged downstream of the predistributors and upstream of the main distributor. The signal from the sensors is used to control the distributor, in particular for determining the time when the respective distributor, in particular the main distributor, is moved. This time is dependent, for example, on the number of packaging troughs which have been assigned to the respective conveyor belt and on the position of the packaging trough relative to the respective distributor. In particular, it is used to adjust the respective distributor as possible if no packaging tray is in the pivoting range of the respective distributor or if the package is as close as possible to the axis of rotation of the respective distributor. Further preferred is the sensor that precedes the Pre-distributor is arranged, the packaging trays. The signal of the sensor, which is arranged in front of the predistributors, is preferably used to control the speed of the conveyor belt in the region of the distributor.

In a further preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention has downstream two transport belts arranged parallel to one another. However, these two conveyor belts can already be part of a downstream downstream machine, such as a Traysealers. On each conveyor belt, the packaging trays, after they have been divided by the pre-distributors and the main distributor on the respective conveyor belt, each to partial formats, d. H. a certain number of packages, arranged. Two conveyor belts result in two partial formats, which are then transferred downstream as a complete format to the following machine, for example to a tray sealer. Particularly preferably, the transport speed of these conveyor belts is variable at least between two different speeds. Most preferably, the conveyor belts are at least temporarily operable at different speeds.

Preferably, the first conveyor belt is operable with particularly preferred two different speeds. Preferably, the speed is always briefly raised when a sensor, which is preferably arranged in the inlet region of the first conveyor belt, has detected (counted) the complete number of packaging troughs of a partial format. This preferred embodiment of the present invention has the advantage that a larger distance between the partial formats is generated by the short-term speed increase.

A further subject of the present invention is a method for dividing packaging trays transported in one lane on a first conveyor belt onto a second conveyor belt and a third conveyor belt, which are arranged downstream of the first conveyor belt, wherein the arrangement is changed to the second conveyor belt and the third conveyor belt and being at one Changing a pre-distributor from a neutral to a distribution position and the main distributor is moved from a first distribution to a neutral position.

Preferably, in a next step, the main distributor is moved from the neutral to the second distribution position and the predistributor from the distribution to the neutral position.

Furthermore, the position changes of the pre-distributor and / or the main distributor are preferably carried out in such a way that any packaging troughs located in the region of the distributor are accelerated as slightly as possible. This is achieved in particular by the fact that the rotation takes place when the packaging recess is as close as possible to the axis of rotation of the respective distributor. Furthermore, this is achieved in that the main distributor of the one distribution position is not immediately spent in the other distribution position, but initially oscillates in a neutral position.

Preferably, the packaging troughs are detected by at least one sensor, with a sensor preferably being arranged upstream of the pre-distributors and a further sensor between the pre-distributors and the main distributor. The signal of the sensors is preferably used to control the distributor, in particular for determining the time when the respective distributor is moved. This point in time depends on the number of packaging troughs which have been assigned to the respective conveyor belt and on the position of the packaging trough relative to the respective distributor. In particular, it is used to adjust the respective distributor as possible if no packaging tray is in the pivoting range of the respective distributor or if the package is as close as possible to the axis of rotation of the respective distributor. Further preferably, the sensor, which is arranged in front of the pre-distributor counts the packaging trays. The signal of the sensor, which is arranged in front of the predistributors, is preferably used to control the speed of the conveyor belt in the region of the distributor.

Further preferably, the packaging troughs are divided into two parts in the form of conveyor belts. Partial in the sense of the invention means that a Partial format consisting of one or more packages are arranged in a train behind the other on the second or third conveyor belt, before the distributor pivot in the other distribution position and then arranges in this train a corresponding part format of packaging on the respective other conveyor belt. These two partial formats are then transferred as a complete format to a sequential machine, for example, to the seal of a tray sealer and there each provided with a sealing foil, usually before their distance from each other is changed so that it coincides with the predetermined distances of the sealing tool.

Further preferably, the packaging trays are transported by a second and a third conveyor belt. Preferably, these conveyor belts can be operated, at least temporarily, in each case with different transport speeds.

Further preferably, the conveyor belt, on which there is already a completed part format, operated at a lower speed than the conveyor belt, on which just a partial format is completed.

The invention will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 1-4. These explanations are merely exemplary and do not limit the general inventive concept. The explanations apply equally to the device according to the invention and to the method according to the invention. Figure 1 shows the device according to the invention when stringing

Packaging troughs on the left conveyor belt, as seen in the direction of flow.

Figures 2 and 3 show the change of the arrangement from the left to the right conveyor belt.

Figure 4 shows a particular embodiment of the device according to

FIG. 1

In Figure 1, the device 7 according to the invention is shown, which consists of a conveyor belt, in the present case, an endless belt 3, are transported on the one-piece packaging trays 1. Furthermore, the device according to the invention has two predistributors 2 ', 2 "and a main distributor 4. All distributors are rotatable about an axis of rotation which is shown as a black circle and extend perpendicularly to the transport plane The predistributors 2', 2" are in the so-called neutral position ; ie, substantially parallel to the transport direction of the packaging troughs, while the main distributor 4 is in a first distribution position, in which it passes the packaging troughs on the left with respect to the flow direction conveyor belt 5 '. Two conveyor belts 5 ¹ and 5 ", which can be operated at different speeds and independently of one another, are arranged downstream of the conveyor belt 3. The conveyor belts 5 ^' , 5 ^" can be part of the device according to the invention or part of a following machine, for example a traysealer. With the distributors 2 ^' , 2 ^" , 4, the packaging trays transported in one lane are divided into a first path 6' and a second path 6". The web 6 "has in the present case two packaging troughs, which are arranged on the conveyor belt 5". These two packaging troughs represent a partial format in the present example. The packaging troughs are guided by the main distributor 4 onto the conveyor belt 5 'until the partial format consisting of two packaging troughs is also completed there. Furthermore, the device according to the invention has two sensors 8, 9, wherein a sensor 8 is arranged in front of the two pre-distributors 2 ', 2 "and a sensor 9 between the pre-distributors and the main distributor with respect to the transport direction of the packaging troughs The sensor 8 is ideally located in the inlet region of the first conveyor belt 3. The signal from the sensor 9 is used to control the distributor 2 ^' , 2 ^" , 4, in particular for determining when the respective distributor is being moved Number of packaging troughs that have been assigned to the respective conveyor belt 5 ^' , 5 ^" and the position of the packaging trough relative to the respective distributor 2 ^' , 2 ^" , 4. In particular, it is used to separate the respective distributor 2 ^' , 2 ^" , 4 as possible to adjust if no packaging tray in the pivoting range of the respective distributor or if the packaging is as close as possible to the axis of rotation of the respective distributor. The sensor 8 counts the previously transported packaging trays. The signal of the sensor 8 is used for the speed control of the first conveyor belt 3, which is operable at two different speeds. As soon as the sensor 8 has recognized the number of packaging troughs of a partial format, the speed of the first conveyor belt 3 is increased for a short time in order to produce a larger distance between in each case two partial formats. The two conveyor belts 5 ^' , 5 ^" are operated at different transport speeds, wherein the conveyor belt, on which the respective partial format is already completed, is operated at a lower speed than the conveyor belt, on which the packaging trays are just lined up, so that the partial formats two bands as possible at the same time to another downstream arranged conveyor belt (not shown) to be passed.

2 shows the change in the arrangement of packaging troughs from the belt 5 'to the belt 5 ", on the conveyor belt 5' is already a packaging tray, so that only a further packaging trough is necessary to complete this partial format in this web 6 ' As soon as the sensor 9 has detected that there is another packaging depression in the region of the main distributor 4 or behind it, the latter is pivoted from its first distribution position into the neutral position, the packaging which is already in the vicinity of this distributor being moved in the direction of the At the same time or shortly thereafter, the left pre-distributor 2 'is pivoted from its neutral position to a distribution position, so that incoming packaging trays are now directed in the direction of the belt 5 ". In a further step then the main distributor 4 is moved to the left distribution position and the pre-distributor 2 'pivoted back into the neutral position. The packaging troughs are then directed onto the conveyor belt 5 "until the respective partial format has been completed on the conveyor belt 5. Then the main distributor is swung back again with corresponding actions of the pre-distributor into the other distribution position.

The sequence of the respective format on the conveyor belts 5 ^' , 5 ^" takes place alternately in the present case, the change always taking place after the completion of a partial format.

FIG. 4 once again shows the device according to FIG. 1, in which case the neutral position of the pre-distributor is not parallel to the transport direction of the packaging troughs, but slightly angled. This form of the present invention has the advantage that only one drive is required for the pre-distributor 2 ', 2 ".

All distributors are driven in all examples with linear drives, such as pneumatic cylinders. They are only moved back and forth between the respective end position (neutral or distribution position).

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 packaging troughs

2 ^' first pre-distributor

2 ^" second pre-distributor

3 first conveyor belt

4 main distributor

5 ^' second conveyor belt

5 ^" third conveyor belt

6 ^' first track

6 ^" second track

7 device

8 sensor

9 sensor

Claims

claims:

1. Device (7) for dividing one-way transported packaging trays on two conveyor belts (5 ^' , 5 ^" ), characterized in that it comprises two pre-distributor and based on the transport direction a main distributor.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the pre-distributor (2 ^' , 2 ^" ) and the main distributor (4) are rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the transport plane.

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pre-distributor (2 ^' , 2 ^" ) are individually or jointly rotatable.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distributor (2 ^' , 2 ^" , 4) have drives.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the drives reciprocate the manifold between endpoints.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two sensors (8, 9), wherein a sensor (8) upstream of the pre-manifolds (2 ^' , 2 ^" ) and the second sensor (9) after the pre-manifolds (2 ^' , 2 ^" ) and in front of the main distributor (4) is arranged.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it downstream two mutually parallel conveyor belts (5 ^' , 5 ^" ) and / or that the conveyor belts (5 ^' , 5 ^" ) are part of a sequential machine.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the transport speed of the conveyor belts (5 ^' , 5 ^" ) is variable.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a first conveyor belt (3) which is operable at two different speeds.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the conveyor belts (5 ^' , 5 ^" ) are at least temporarily operable at different speeds.

11. A method for dividing a single lane on a first conveyor belt conveyed packaging trays (1) on a second conveyor belt (5 ^') and a third conveyor belt (5 ^"), wherein the array on the second conveyor belt (5 ^#) and the third conveyor belt (5 ^" ) is changed, characterized in that at a change a pre-distributor (2 \ 2 ^" ) is moved from a neutral to a distribution position and the main distributor (4) from a first distribution in a neutral position.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that after each packaging tray and / or after the completion of a partial format on a conveyor belt (5 ^' , 5 ^" ) is changed.

13. The method of claim 11 or 12, characterized in that in a next step, the main distributor (4) from the neutral to the second distribution position and the pre-distributor (2 ^' , 2 ^" ) is moved from the distribution in the neutral position.

14. The method according to claim 11 - 13, characterized in that the position change of the pre-distributor (2 ^' , 2 ^" ) and / or the main distributor (4) takes place so that possibly in the region of the distributor (2 ^' , 2 ^" . 4) located packaging trays are minimized as possible.

15. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the packaging troughs (1) of at least one sensor (8, 9) are erfast.

16. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that with the signal of the sensor (9), the distributor (2 ^' , 2 ^" . 4) are controlled.

17. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveyor belt (3) is operated at two speeds and that the speed is preferably controlled by the signal of the sensor (8).

18. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the packaging troughs are divided into a format and that after completion of a partial format, the position of a pre-distributor (2 ^' , 2 ^" ) and the main distributor is changed.

19. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the packaging trays are further transported by a second conveyor belt (5 ^' ) and a third conveyor belt (5 ^" ).

20. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the two conveyor belts (5 ^' , 5 ^" ) are operated at least temporarily with different transport speeds.

21. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the conveyor belt, on which there is already a completed part format is operated at a lower speed than the conveyor belt on which is just completed a partial format.