EP2181841B1 - Machine for opening/closing paths with foldable side walls - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine has one or multiple expanding or collapsing stations (B,B1) provided for certain crate models. The defects and damages are detected at the crates in each of the stations, and a free space is provided at each station below the area of the passage (1v) of the crates.

Description

The present invention relates to a machine for unfolding / folding sleige hinged side walls according to the preamble of claim 1.
There are known machines for folding / folding of crates with hinged side walls, such crates are used primarily for the transport of fruit and vegetables and transported in the empty state with folded side walls to take a reduced volume during transport and, due to manual or mechanical unfolding of the side walls lately to be usable as a container.

From the US 2008/0127613 is a machine for unfolding of different heights and wide crates known, but that a detection and a quick trouble-free ejection of crates with damage, for example, at the hinges between the riser and riser walls, missing, it comes again to functional interruptions which a low power brings. From the EP 1 052 087 a device and a method for erecting and / or folding the side walls of a folding box is known, this device uses for the erection of the side walls of the box, angled pivot arms which perform a pivoting movement of about 90 °. These swing arms have a relatively high weight because of their larger dimensions and can not perform high duty cycles due to the corresponding inertia. This device does not provide for detecting and ejecting defective crates.

From the EP1637455A There is a machine known for popping up, wherein a station for ejecting defective ones is intended to rise.

Due to the extraordinary success of the transport of fruit and vegetables by means of climbing with hinged side walls, however, the number of climbing models from different manufacturers has risen too. These climbing models differ, within certain limits, by the external dimensions, the position and the type of hinges between Ascend and side walls, by the structural structure and the strength of the individual parts, by the latching mechanism between the side walls, by the mechanical strength of the side walls, by the position which the collapsed side walls to each other, etc .. This had the consequence that the known machines For mechanized unfolding for certain climbing models of experienced personnel had to be specially converted and adjusted, which brings a lot of work and downtime with it.

The invention has as its object to provide a machine for unfolding, or folding, the side walls of the aforementioned crates of different production and with different characteristics, the crates of the machine, without prior sorting, are supplied and any defective crates are recognized and discarded , where a high work rhythm is achievable and, as a result of possibly minor conversion, also the processing of failed riser models, eg with specific unlocking elements for the Einrestmechanismen on the side walls, with the same machine is made possible.

This object is achieved erfindungsgemäβ by the features contained in the characterizing part of claim 1.

• aus einer Erhebungsstation in welcher das Steigenmodell und/oder die maßlichen und/oder strukturellen Merkmale jeder einzeln zugeführten Steige erhoben werden, wobei eventuelle nicht bearbeitbare Modelle oder Steigen mit Defekten betreffend die Form oder die Struktur, ausgesondert werden;
• aus mindestens einer Station zum Aufklappen / Zuklappen der Steigen, wobei Steigen mit Mängeln an den Scharnieren oder an den Einschnappmechanismen der Seitenwände ausgesondert werden;
• aus einer Überprüfungsstation in welcher das effiziente gegenseitige Einschnappen der Einrastmechanismen an den Seitenwänden überprüft wird und eine Belastungsprobe der Einrastmechanismen durchgeführt wird, wobei Steigen mit defektem oder mangelhaft belastbarem Einrastmechanismus ausgesondert werden.

To solve this problem, the invention proposes a machine which consists essentially of three workstations:

• from a survey station in which the ascending model and / or the dimensional and / or structural features of each individually supplied crate are collected, discarding any non-editable models or crates with defects in shape or structure;
• at least one station for folding up / down the crates, wherein crates with defects on the hinges or on the snap mechanisms of the sidewalls are discarded;
• from a verification station in which the efficient mutual snapping of the latching mechanisms on the side walls is checked and a load test of the latching mechanisms is performed, where ascents are discarded with defective or insufficiently resilient latching mechanism.

This last station offers itself to provide a suction device which sucks any existing inside the crate foreign matter such as leaves, paper scraps, etc., this station can, in the case that the machine is used exclusively for folding the side walls, missing, bridged or simply drive through without having to work on the crate.

According to the invention, according to the above-mentioned fold-open / fold-down station, one or more further fold-up / unfolding stations can be used for climbing models, e.g. Of course, in this case, the workstation or workstations which are not suitable for unfolding / collapsing the sidewalls of the crates will pass through the crate without any operations being performed on it. This is especially true when on the same machine, in addition to the "usual" climbing models with ground size about 600 X 400mm, also climbing models with ground size about 400mm x about 300mm (hereinafter referred to as "small" crates) , to be edited.

The invention proposes that by each of the above-mentioned workstations, the crate is conveyed by an autonomous conveying mechanism that functions independently of the individual workstations. This consists of paired conveyor belts, chains or roller bars which act laterally on the, parallel to the direction of conveyance, vertical surfaces of the tray bottoms, thereby gliding the tray bottoms, arranged below the conveyor belts guide profiles. The structural unit: guide profile, conveyor belt including drive, is mounted on the frame structure of the machine, according to a horizontal axis and transversely to the conveying direction, pivotally mounted or horizontally, transversely to the conveying direction, slidably mounted around due to a defect in the processed or processed crate, by swinging back, or retracting the Conveyor mechanism, away from the central axis of the conveyor track, falling through the crate down to reach where it, possibly by a conveyor belt, is removed.

The adaptation of the distance between the pairs of guide profiles together with the corresponding funding to the slightly different width dimensions, or length dimensions in the "small" crates, transverse to the conveying direction, according to the invention due to elastic adjustment of the conveyor units or by means of horizontal adjustment transversely to the conveying direction. This individual elastic or mechanical adjustment of the conveyor units in each work station is important to ensure efficient further promotion, especially in the case that follows a crate with smaller width dimensions, a crate with slightly larger ground measurements, or vice versa. The invention does not exclude that the promotion is carried out by known slides or drivers, in this case, the guide profiles for the support of the risers carry out the above-described movements, or be folded down, in addition, the crate in this case, during the Work phases in the respective workstations, by horizontal pressing of the guide profiles, eg by pneumatic cylinder, on the side of the tray bottom, are held.

The invention proposes that the unfolding / closing operation is carried out by a corresponding sequence of working cycles and by correspondingly executed working parts which, according to the individual climbing models, can be controlled and adapted by means of a computer program.

The opening process according to the invention provides that, as in the known devices, first those side walls are parallel to the conveying direction of the crate, in a following moment lying transverse to the conveying direction side walls are opened and in a third moment, the snap of the latching mechanism to the causes upper corner portions of the unfolded side walls. The sequence of the working phases according to the invention provides that the movement of the mechanical or pneumatic drive elements, as well as the sequence of movements and the Intervals are determined by a computer program so that the width of the movements, the positioning and the sequence of movements, or the pauses between the movements, are adapted according to the dimensional, structural and functional characteristics of the respective tray and / or the riser parts. To make this possible, the mechanism for the unfolding / collapsing of the two, parallel to the conveying direction, side walls of the crate according to the invention consists of two pairs of articulated pivot arms which are driven in pairs by a single shaft, lying parallel to the conveying direction sidewall, wherein the axis of rotation this drive shaft offset from the axis of the hinge connection between the riser bottom and side wall is arranged. At the free ends of this Schwenkarmpaare ever a pivotally mounted element is provided, these two pivot elements are connected parallel to the pivot axis by a profile and each carry a pneumatic cylinder with pistons and Anpressplättchen whose axis is parallel to the pivot axis. These pistons with Anpressplättchen be moved in opposite directions so that they rest on the short sides of the hinged side walls and hold them as in a clamp. Subsequently, both Schwenkarmpaare perform a pivoting movement to unfold the, held between the Anpressplättchen, side wall until it occupies an angle of about 90 ° to the platform floor. After the pivot arms are provided with pivotal elements mounted thereon which are equipped with pneumatic cylinders whose axis is parallel to the axis of the pivot arms and after the bearing of the pivot elements is provided with a spring which tends to form the angle formed between the respective pivot arm and the pivot member mounted thereon To reduce, it is achieved that although the pivot axis of the arms is probably parallel but always offset from the hinge axis of the side walls, they are unfolded without the hinges are exposed to harmful loads because the difference between the trajectory of the riser wall to that of the pivot arms through the the pivot arms mounted pivoting elements is compensated under spring load. This ensures that the distance between the hinge axis on the tray and The axis of the articulated swivel arms, depending on the climbing model can vary and is always balanced. The profile which connects the two equipped with pneumatic cylinder pivot elements used in the, by about 90 ° relative to the tray bottom, unfolded side wall as a support around, especially in certain climbing models, the snap of the latching device at the upper corner regions of the riser walls, the subsequent unfolding of the transverse walls to favor. In contrast, in certain climbing models, it is provided that before, or during, the unfolding of the transverse side walls, the longitudinal side walls are retained in a position over 90 ° to the riser wall to prevent rubbing or scraping of the lateral surfaces of the transverse walls, or protruding parts of these the inner surfaces of the unfolded longitudinal walls takes place.

The unfolding of the, transverse to the conveying direction of the crate, sidewalls by means of two gripping arms which are provided on a vertically movable support rail horizontally against each other movable. The motor which drives the carrier rail on vertical guide rails and which horizontally moves the gripper arms on the support rail are controlled by a computer program so that the free end of the gripper arms executes a circular arc which exactly, or with appropriate adjustment, the unfolding movement of the transverse side wall with hinge axis on the riser, corresponds. In this way, it is possible the arcuate Aufklapp-, or Zuklappbewegung, be it concerning the width (radius) as well as concerning the position of the axis of the unfolding movement, the real requirements of each riser model, primarily with respect to the height of the side wall and the position its hinge axis. Both gripper arms of the mechanism act within a single vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis of the conveyor track of the crate.

Concerning snapping the latching provided on the riser walls, the invention provides that this is supported by pressure, or impact, provided by the gripping arm lugs from the inside of the crate to the outside, at the upper corner regions of the transverse side walls. During this process, the longitudinal walls are held in a position of 90 ° to the platform floor and lie on the profile which connects the two pivot elements on the pivot arms, while the pivot elements take a position during which they with a lug on a laterally projecting from the pivot arm pin abut so that the profile during the support function, with any load on the longitudinal side wall, not changed its support position.

The crates with unfolded side walls which are secured in their unfolded position by the mutual snapping of, provided on the side walls, latching mechanisms, is then carried on in the direction of the following workstation, where the subsequent further promotion, or the holding of the crate of the specific conveyor group of Station is taken over.

If a second opening / closing station is provided on the same machine, eg for "small" trays, then this is subsequently arranged on the first one; In this case, "small" ascents are not rejected at the recognition station, but rather through the first unfolding / folding station, without processing. This second station has identical structural and functional characteristics, for the processing of "small" crates, these are, after the length of these crates is equal to the width of the usual crates, transported across the machine. At the "small" crates lends itself to unfold the shorter side walls by sliding cheeks which attack on the slightly protruding lateral edges of the side walls from below, making a pivoting movement. This is possible by pivot lever pairs as has been described for the first folding / Zuklappstation, in this case, not necessary to provide the pivot lever ends hinge elements. The Schwenkarmenden can be firmly connected by a profile on which two, parallel to the conveying direction of the crate, counteracting pneumatic cylinder are provided whose pistons at the ends carry the above-mentioned sliding cheeks. The adaptation between the Trajectory of the sliding cheeks and the unfolding movement of the side wall done by free sliding of the sliding cheeks on the shorter edge of the side wall. For climbing models whose latching mechanisms on the riser walls by hand, provided close to the handle opening of the crate transverse walls, actuators can be unlocked, the invention provides that, for the purpose of collapsing the side walls, instead of the gripping hooks on the vertically movable support rail two zueinender horizontally movable Entrigelungköpfe are provided engage by means of gripping pins in the grip rings of the actuators and contract them to unlock the latching mechanisms and then to close the side walls can. Practice has shown that the majority of latching mechanisms can be unlocked by the pressure exerted on the corresponding area from the outside of the sidewall to the inside of the riser so that there are no excessive strains and no damage. According to the invention, this pressure is transferred to the horizontal and vertically movable gripping hook provided in the upper area, protruding projections exerted. For opening certain, provided with handle openings, side walls, it may be advantageous that they are detected by the handle hole, by a correspondingly shaped gripping hook and folded up.

In order subsequently to be able to check the functionality and load capacity of the latching mechanisms after the side panels have been unfolded, a separate checking station is provided according to the invention after the last folding / folding station. Once the crate has been brought into working position with the side panels unfolded by the specific conveyor groups of the station, a test frame is lowered from above into the interior of the crate at the level of the area of the latching mechanisms on the side walls. This test frame has slightly smaller outer dimensions than the inner dimensions of the smallest machinable riser model and is equipped according to the inner corner regions of the crate with pneumatic cylinders. By pressing these cylinders, their pistons produce different pressure from the inside to the vertical for each climbing model Sidewalls in the field of four latching mechanisms exercised to check their capacity. According to the invention, this load can be repeated at different elevations on the side walls and, using different pressures, to check the load capacity even in the case of any elastic deformation of the side walls. Climbing with latching mechanisms which do not withstand this review are separated by moving apart of the guide rails by falling through down.

According to the invention, it is advisable to combine this checking station with a suction device for sucking off foreign bodies lying inside the tray. For this purpose, above the frame with the printing cylinders, a second frame may be provided on the same frame holder which rests on the upper edge of the unfolded side walls of the tray and carries a suction bell which is flexibly connected to an exhaust system.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a, in the attached drawings schematically illustrated, preferable embodiment of a machine according to the invention for folding or folding the side walls of a tray; The drawings have a purely explanatory, non-limiting purpose.

The Fig. 1 Figure 3 is a perspective view of the machine of the present invention for automatically unfolding or folding the hinged sidewalls of a tray having a bump station, two folding stations and a station for checking the efficiency of the latching mechanisms between the unfolded side walls; the device for loading the machine with crates, for their removal at the outlet of the machine, as well as for the removal of the recessed boxes, is not shown.

The Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a conveyor group according to the invention, including conveyor belt and guide rail for the crates and including pivoting suspension on the machine frame.

The Fig. 3 shows a cross section through the in Fig. 2 shown conveying group according to a vertical sectional area which contains the axis of the motor for the conveyor belt.

The Fig. 4 shows the Aufklapp- / folding mechanism for the parallel to the conveying direction extending climbing walls together with the corresponding conveyor groups; Dashed lines show a crate with closed sidewalls in the machining position.

The Fig. 4a shows the Aufklapp- / Zuklappmechanismus for running parallel to the conveying direction side walls of a "small" crate.

The Fig. 5 shows the unfolding / folding mechanism according to Fig. 4 together with the opening / closing mechanism for the transverse to the conveying direction side walls, the longitudinal side walls of the processed crates are in the unfolded position while the transverse side walls are shown in a partially unfolded position.

The Fig. 5a shows the Aufkapp- / folding mechanism according to Fig. 4a together with the opening / closing mechanism for the transverse to the conveying direction side walls, which are arranged parallel to the conveying direction side walls of the processed crates are in the unfolded position while the transverse thereto side walls are shown in partially unfolded position.

The Fig. 6 shows, partially in section and on an enlarged scale, the two gripping arms according to Fig. 5 ,

The Fig. 6a shows, partially in section and on an enlarged scale, the two gripping arms according to Fig. 5a ,

The Fig. 7 the perspective view is an unlocking device for the latching mechanisms on the side walls of the crates, wherein the latching mechanisms can be unlocked via actuators with grommets which are provided in the vicinity of the handle openings on two opposite side walls; This unlocking device also takes over the folding of the side walls.

The machine frame 11, the mechanisms of four successive workstations A, B, B1, C are constructed in the conveying direction of the risers to be processed. By means of a known feeder, the trays 1, 100 are supplied with folded side walls, without prior sorting regarding model, dimensions, manufacturers, the conveyor groups 12 with guide rails 12e of the survey station A where known manner for each tray 1, 100 the special features, especially the model and the outside dimensions are raised.

600mm x 400mm are conveyed longitudinally through the machine 1v while the "small" trays 100 with ground dimensions approx. 400cm x approx. 300mm are conveyed through the machine in the transverse direction.

Machines or platforms which can not be processed by the machine and which are recognized as defective, for example by protruding, damaged parts, are separated by the two parallel conveyor groups 12, or guide rails 12e, of station A being moved away from the longitudinal axis of the conveyor line horizontally 12s the segregated crates 1, 100 can fall down 11a. All conveyor groups 12 of the four workstations A, B, B1, C have the same constructive and functional features, they consist of a support frame 12a which is fixedly connected to the machine frame 11 and on which a frame 12b is articulated and pivotable over cylinder 12d 12s , On the swing frame 12b, a motor 12h is constructed which by means of drive pulley 12m a conveyor belt 12g moves in the direction 12k which runs over deflecting disks 12n. Below the conveyor belt 12g, in the region of the passage 1v of the tray 1, 100, a guide rail 12e is provided in each case. The bottom of the trays 1, 100 rests with the outermost parallel edges on the parallel guide rails 12e. The conveying movement 1v is achieved by pressing the conveyor belts 12g on the cylinder 12d laterally to the edge of the resting on the guide rails 12e riser. According to the invention, the conveyor groups 12 are constructed so that they can be elastically adjusted to the riser bottom horizontally 12i or they are 12i stored under spring action in the direction of conveying axis so that the trouble-free transfer of a tray from a conveyor group 12 to the following, even with different dimensions of the riser , can be done. The invention does not exclude that the pivoting movement 12s is replaced by a corresponding rectilinear movement by the conveyor groups, for example, on horizontal guides transversely to the conveying direction 1v are adjustable.

In the Aufklapp- / Zuklappstation B unfolding the parallel to the conveying direction side walls 1 a of the crate 1 with "usual" floor size which is held between the conveyor belts 12g of the conveyor groups 12 ( Fig. 4 . Fig. 5, Fig. 6 ). The side walls 1 a are clamped laterally between two counteracting pneumatic cylinders 4 a with Anpressplättchen 4, these cylinders 4 a are attached to two elements 3 c which are mounted on the ends of the two pivot arms 3 a, 3 b are pivotally mounted and 3 b are permanently connected via a profile.

The two pivot arms 3a on each side of the conveying path are connected by a drive shaft 3 and driven by a motor 3m 3r. The rotational axis of the rotary motion 3r is offset with respect to the axis of the hinge connection between the side walls 1a and the tray bottom, thus the rotary motion 3r does not coincide with the pivotal movement 1x of the side wall 1a to be opened. To avoid harmful loads on the hinge connections between the riser and the To avoid side wall 1 a, it is provided that the aforementioned differences in the geometry of movement by the, in each case at the free ends of the pivot lever 3a by means of pivot pin 2b, pivotally mounted 3s elements 3c, are compensated, while a spring acts 3f so that the pivot member 3c with a protruding approach towards the stop 3 g is moved to the respective pivot arm 3 a. The two pivoting elements 3c are connected to each other by a rigid profile 3d which, when the side wall 1a is opened, approximately 90 ° to the tray bottom, acts as a support in the final phase of unfolding the transverse side walls 1b a secure snap-in of the latching devices between the tray walls 1a, 1b to reach. During the unfolding 1y of the lateral side walls 1b, the longitudinal side walls 1a are retained in a position of more than 90 ° to the tray bottom to avoid rubbing or scraping of the lateral edges of the transverse side walls 1b on the inner surfaces of the longitudinal side walls 1a.

The unfolding of the transverse side walls 1 b of the crates 1 via gripping arms 6 which in opposite directions, along the vertical guides 2a, 2z vertically movable 5v carrier rail 5, 6h are moved horizontally by the motor 6m. The horizontal movements 6h take place in relation to the vertical movement 5v according to a computer program which is based on the elevations in the station A, so that the gripping arms 6 perform circular arcuate movements which effectively correspond to the opening movement 1 y of the side walls 1 b. The gripping arms 6 are equipped with a gripping hook 6a which can be provided fixedly or under spring pressure vertically displaceable 6v on the gripping arm 6. With fixed attachment of the gripping hook 6a this is pushed under the upper edge region of the closed transverse side wall 1b by previously pressed from above on the crate floor to easily deflect the crate floor and so facilitate insertion under the edge of the transverse side wall 1b. It is more advantageous if the gripping hook 6a on the gripper arm vertically displaceable 6v is guided in a socket with vertical pin 16a and spring 16h, wherein the spring 16h presses on a projecting from the shank of the gripping hook 6a, within the guide bush 16c, 16b projection, so that the Spring 16h the Gripping hook 6a always presses in the maximum extended position. This suspension of the gripping hook allows trouble-free gripping of the transverse side walls 1 b even if one of the closed transverse side walls 1 b, for example due to a foreign body (paper, leaves), because of a slight deformation of the riser or non-flat support of the riser to the guide rails, not flat rests on the platform floor, or if the area where the gripping hooks are to grip the edge of the walls are located vertically in slightly different height position; due to the elastic vertical adjustment a trouble-free gripping is possible even in these cases. In order to achieve the secure snapping of the locking mechanisms provided on the side walls, the side walls are opened slightly more than 90 ° to the platform floor.

In the event of the absence of a side wall, failure of latching of the latching mechanisms to the side walls 1a, 1b, caused by damage to these mechanisms or hinges, or in the event of any irregularities during unfolding, e.g. due to deformation of pit parts, the cylinders 12d of the conveyor groups 12 are actuated so as to discard the tray so that the distance between the guide rails 12e increases and the tray 1 falls downwardly 11b.

The following work station B1 is provided for unfolding the "small" crates 100, these crates 100 (ground size approx. 400 mm x approx. 300 mm) pass 100v through the machine in transverse position so that the conveyor groups 12 act on the shorter sides of the crate floor ( Fig. 4a . 5a, 6a ).

The unfolding 100x of transverse to the conveying direction transverse sides 100a of the crate 100 which is held between the conveyor belts 12g of the two parallel conveyor groups 12, takes place in that, identical as described in station B, Schwenkarmpaare 103a 3r via a drive shaft 3 by the motor 3m are moved. The Schwenkarmenden are firmly connected by a profile 103x, in this profile are two mutually, acting parallel to the direction of the cylinder 103y attached whose piston ends each carry a sliding cheek 103z. These sliding cheeks are among the slightly protruding short edge of the side walls 100b pushed 100k to then, by pivoting 3r of the arms 103a, the side walls 100a unfold. Unlike in station B, it is not necessary here to use articulated pivot arms because the differences between the pivoting movement 3r and the opening 100x are compensated by the free sliding of the sliding cheeks 103z at the edges of the side walls so that the side walls, or their hinges are not loaded ,

During the subsequent unfolding 10y of the transverse to the conveying direction side walls 100b, the side walls 100a are retained in a position of more than 90 ° to the tray floor to prevent the short side edges of the hinged side walls 100b rubbing or scraping on the inner surfaces of the already unfolded side walls 100a.

The opening 100y of the side walls 100b of the crates 100 is carried out by means of gripping arms 106 which, on a motor 5m along vertical guides 2a, 2z vertically moved 105v horizontal support arm 105, by the motor 6m against each other horizontally 106 106h moves. The horizontal movements 106h occur in relation to the vertical movement 105v due to a computer program which relies on the data collected in the station A, so that a circular arc-shaped movement is performed which corresponds to the effective unfolding movement 100y of the side walls 100b. The gripping arms 106 are equipped with a specially shaped gripping hook 106a, and this gripping hook, like the gripping hook 6 described for the station B, can also be fastened fixed or vertically resiliently displaceable 106v on the gripping arm. In the in the Fig. 5a, 6a machined crates 100, the gripping hook 6 shown, through the handle opening on the side walls 100b through, takes the respective side wall. For the purpose of secure snap-locking of the latching mechanisms on the unfolded side walls, it is advantageous if the side walls 100b are opened slightly more than 90 ° to the platform floor.

The gripping arms 106 may be provided with projections 106x projecting in the opposite direction with respect to the gripping hook 106, by means of which, when the side walls 100b are folded in the region of the latching mechanisms, they engage from the outside pressure can be exerted internally to unlock the latching mechanisms and to collapse the side panels 100b 100y.

Also at this station, crates 100 are discarded with defects by falling down by moving the guide profiles 12f, 111b.

Of course, "standard" climbing models (600 x 400) are passed through the station B1, without processing.

According to the invention, the mechanical parts of the devices in the stations B, B1 are also suitable for closing the crates 1, 100, in some cases, only the gripping hooks 6a, 106a may be replaced by pressure lugs 106x or other devices for unlocking the latching mechanisms of the unfolded side walls. The inspection station C can be omitted when closing, or the crates with folded side walls can pass through this station without experiencing a processing.

For certain climbing models, in which the latching mechanisms via unlocking tongues with handle rings close to the handle openings on the opposite side walls, the invention proposes on the corresponding support arm 5, 105, the horizontally movable 6h, 106h gripping arms 6, 106 thereby replace that on its own support plates 55 the carrier name 5, 105, by means of corresponding counter-plates 55c, a specific unlocking device ( Fig. 7 ) is constructed. This consists of a rigid horizontal guide rail 55d on which, over chain or toothed belt, two Entriegelungsköpfe 66 against each other, are moved horizontally 66h by the motor 66m. The Entriegelungsköpfe 66 have, on the side walls 100b facing side, two horizontally projecting actuating pins 66a on which counter-66b can be changed in the distance, or pulled together like a pincer to, after engaging in the grip rings of the actuating tabs 100x, this against each other and thus unlock the latching mechanisms. The unlocked side walls 100b can then be closed 100y by the horizontal movement 66h of the unlocking heads 66, or by an arcuate movement.

The actuating pins 66a on the unlatching heads 66 may be operated electrically or pneumatically or as shown in FIG Fig. 7 shown mechanically actuated by a motor 55m driven by a pulley 55b running toothed belt 55a. The toothed belt 55a actuates 66r thereby, a meshing, gear 66d which via a vertical shaft 66c, the engagement pins 66a, in opposite directions moves 66b. Of course, in this case, during the horizontal displacement 66h, the unlocking heads 66 must be moved by the motor 66m, the timing belt 55 via the motor 55m, so that the gears 66d do not rotate 66r, and the engagement pins 66a are not moved 66b.

According to the invention it is possible, while maintaining the movement geometries and those mechanical parts which the folding movements 1x, 1y; 100x, 100y, use the same machine, controlled by a specific "Zuklappprogramm", for the machine collapse of different climbing models use.

Claims (10)

1. Machine for folding open/folding closed trays having foldable side walls, wherein the trays are supplied with the tray bottom horizontal and with the foldable side walls above the bottom and during processing are secured laterally at the tray bottom by the conveying device and wherein the folding open/folding closed mechanisms and conveying mechanisms are operated by a computer-controlled program, characterized in that the trays are supplied to the machine without being sorted in advance on the basis of models or external dimensions, in that a detection station (A) for detecting the external dimensions and the tray model is provided at the machine inlet, in that subsequently a folding open/folding closed station (B) for particular tray models (1) that only differ from one another to a limited extent is provided, in that subsequently one or more additional folding open/folding closed stations (B1) for further tray models (100) that only differ from one another to a limited extent may be provided, in that subsequently a checking station (C) for carrying out loading tests on the side walls (1a, 1b; 100a, 100b) and on the latching mechanisms thereof is provided, in that in each of the stations (A, B, B1, C) any defects or damage to the trays are detected and in that at each station there is provided beneath the region of the flow path (1v, 100v) of the trays (1, 100) a respective free space which has somewhat larger dimensions than the largest processable tray model and into which drop (11a, 11b, 111b, 11c) the trays (1, 100) which have been detected in the individual stations (A, B, B1, C) as being defective or damaged.
2. Machine for folding open/folding closed trays having foldable side walls according to Claim 1, characterized in that the determination station (A) is missing and the machine is supplied with trays (1, 100) that have been sorted in advance on the basis of external dimensions or models, and in that the operating program of the machine, in accordance with the tray models to be processed in each case, can be selected from a plurality of operating programs for different tray models which can be processed by the machine.
3. Machine for folding open/folding closed trays having foldable side walls according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at the checking station (C) there is provided a movable vacuum extraction hood which moves vertically (13v) together with the frame (13) and the pneumatic cylinders constructed thereon and can be placed on the upper edge of the folded-open tray walls (1a, 1b; 100a, 100b).
4. Machine for folding open/folding closed trays having foldable side walls according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the checking station (C) is missing in machines which exclusively fold closed the side walls (1a, 1b; 100a, 100b).
5. Machine for folding open/folding closed trays having foldable side walls according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in each of the work stations (A, B, B1, C) are provided in each case two independent, individually controllable conveying groups (12) which are arranged parallel to the conveying direction (1v, 100v) of the trays (1, 100) and consist of in each case one guide rail (12e) on which the edge region of the lower tray bottom surface slides and of a roller-supported conveying belt (12g) which is pressed laterally against the tray bottom, in that each of these conveying groups (12) is displaceable or pivotable (12s) on the machine frame horizontally, perpendicularly to the conveying direction, specifically in order to exert the necessary pressure on the tray bottom edge or in order to move the guide rails (12f) so far from the longitudinal axis of the conveying path that trays (1, 100) to be separated out drop down (11a, 11b, 111b, 11c) and in that the mounting of the conveying groups under loading enables a pivoting movement (12i) in a horizontal plane about a substantially vertical axis.
6. Machine for folding open/folding closed trays having foldable side walls according to Claims 1, 2 and 5, characterized in that the guide rail (12e), independently of the conveying belt (12g), the drive thereof and the bearing rollers thereof, can be pivoted downwards about an axis parallel to the longitudinal extent of the rail and in the region of the lower edge of the conveying belt (12g) or can be pulled back horizontally so that, when the conveying belts (12g) are distanced slightly from the edge of the tray bottom, the tray drops down (11a, 11b, 111b, 11c).
7. Machine for folding open/folding closed trays having foldable side walls according to Claim 1, characterized in that the folding open/folding closed station (B) consists of two pivoting mechanisms (3a, 103a), which are arranged parallel to one another, for folding open and folding closed (1x, 100x) the side walls (1a, 100a) lying parallel to the conveying direction of the trays (1, 100), and of a mechanism for folding open and folding closed (1y, 100y) the side walls (1b, 100b) arranged transversely to the conveying direction, said mechanism being arranged above said pivoting mechanisms (3a, 103a) and acting within a single vertical plane that extends through the longitudinal axis of the conveying region of the tray, and in that the rotational axis (3) of the pivoting mechanisms (3a, 103a) for folding open and folding closed (1x, 100x) is arranged at a distance from and parallel to the axis of the hinges of the tray walls (1a, 100a).
8. Machine for folding open/folding closed trays having foldable side walls according to Claims 1, 2 and 7, characterized in that, in the case of pivoting mechanisms (3a) having gripping elements (4, 4a) which act in a stationary manner on foldable (1x) side walls (1a), the gripping elements (4, 4a) are constructed in a pivotable manner (3s) with respect to an axis (3b) parallel to the side walls (1a) and in that, in the case of gripping elements (103y, 103z) which slide freely on the side walls (100b), said gripping elements (103y, 103z) are constructed in a fixed manner on the pivoting mechanisms (103a).
9. Machine for folding open/folding closed trays having foldable side walls according to Claims 1, 2 and 7, characterized in that the mechanism for folding open/folding closed the side walls (1b, 100b) lying transversely to the conveying direction consists of a vertically displaceable (5v, 105v) carrying arm (5, 105), on the horizontal underside of which two gripping arms (6, 106) can be displaced (6h, 106h) horizontally in opposite directions, wherein the simultaneously executed horizontal and vertical movements of the gripping arms are executed by the operating program in a relationship such that the resulting movement of the gripping arms corresponds to the circularly arcuate folding movement (1y, 100y) and that the gripping hooks (6a, 106a) are attached to the gripping arms (6, 106) securely or in a vertically displaceable (6v) manner under spring action.
10. Machine for folding open/folding closed trays having foldable side walls according to Claims 1, 2, 7 and 9, characterized in that, in order to support the snapping-in of the latching mechanisms, stop extensions (6x, 106x) are provided on the gripping arms (6, 106) and in the region of the latching mechanisms can apply a pressure to or can strike the side walls, lying transversely to the conveying direction of the trays, from the inside of the trays towards the outside, or, in order to release the latching connection, from the outside to the inside, and in that, underneath the carrying arm (5, 105), the gripping arms (6, 106) can be replaced by identically movable, or drivable, unlocking heads (66) which unlock the latching mechanisms via pins (66a) that can be inserted into gripping rings, which can move (66b) with respect to one another, on the unlocking elements (100x) and then cause the side walls (100b) lying transversely to the conveying direction to fold closed (100y) by a horizontal movement (66h) or a circularly arcuate movement.

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