EP2452883A1 - Packaging module for container or groups of items to be packed in film - Google Patents

Abstract

The goods packaging module has a packaging film (6) for packing a container or groups of goods (5) that are conveyed on the horizontal conveyors (10,11) standing in the direction of a packaging station (2). A film wrapping apparatus (20) has a foil section of defined length. The longitudinal sides of the conveyor are guided by an endless traction belt (12). The endless traction belt has guide portions (24) which are adjustable in the same direction in the vertical and/or horizontal position and/or near a pivot point (D) in their angular position. An independent claim is included for method for wrapping packages or groups of goods with packaging film.

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging module for containers or groups of articles to be wrapped with packaging film. It also relates to a corresponding method for wrapping containers or groups of products with foil.

When packaging articles or groups of articles, in particular containers, packaging machines are frequently used in which the packaging materials are wrapped around the article groups by means of wrapping modules. These packaging machines have chains or cantilevers with impact bars or drivers, which transport the precut packaging materials and apply to the goods to be packaged. For example, tailored to the packaged goods and processing services rigid curve profiles are used in which so-called driving chains are performed. Depending on the product and performance, different contours are used, which must be replaced or changed accordingly. Furthermore, height-adjustable contours or the possibility of freely adjustable chain support points to produce an optimal processing curve are known.

DE 296 08 434 U1 discloses a device for wrapping a film around a group of articles in which a driver bar is moved along a guide that is adjustable in height.

EP 93 830 324 describes a film wrapping module that can take various positions by means of a number of gears and a number of transversely arranged to the direction of movement rails, thus allowing an adaptation to the articles to be wrapped.

DE 100 37 714 C1 describes a film wrapping module with at least one circulating on a closed path foil Mitnehmerstab, it being provided that the web shape that describes the film Mitnehmerstab, freely programmable and thus is easily adjustable to the objects to be packaged.

A film wrapping apparatus 1 known from the prior art is known in FIG. 1 shown. The article group 5 to be packaged is fed to the film wrapping device 1 via a conveyor 10, for example an endless conveyor 11. The impaction chain 12 is guided over chain deflections 14, 14 * in a link 15 via chain support points 16.

The packaging material, in particular the film 6 is guided over a driver 18 and wound around the article group 5 around. The wrapped article group 7 is then fed to further processing devices, for example a shrink tunnel 2.

The object of the invention is to develop a device for packaging of packages or groups of items with packaging film, which is easily, quickly and inexpensively adaptable or adjustable to different packaged goods dimensions and processing services.

The object of the invention is achieved by an apparatus and a method comprising the features in claims 1 and 12. Further advantageous embodiments are described by the subclaims.

The object of the invention is achieved with a packaging module having the features defined below. The packaging module is used for wrapping containers or groups of items with packaging film, for example with heat shrinkable shrink film. The packaging materials are conveyed in a film wrapping device with impact bars or drivers and beaten around the articles to be packaged.

The article groups or containers to be wrapped or packaged are transported on a horizontal conveyor in the direction of a packaging station, for example a shrinking station, and wrapped and / or wrapped in the transport direction by means of a film wrapping device with a film section of defined length. The film wrapping device comprises at least one on both longitudinal sides of the horizontal conveyor by means of endless traction guided, extending transversely to the transport direction impact rod to which the film portion is clamped and / or guided during the wrapping and wrapping process. The endless traction means form the guide slot for the impact bar. The endless traction means each have guide portions which define the position and deflection of the endless traction means. The guide sections can, for example, a defined Have length. According to an alternative embodiment, however, the guide sections are adjustable in length.

According to the invention, the corresponding guide portions of the two mutually parallel endless traction means are pairwise in the same direction in its vertical and / or horizontal position and / or adjustable about a pivot point in its angular position.

By variable adjustment of the guide sections, the height and / or the length of the above the transport plane Einschlagkettenlänge and thus the guide slot for the impact bar can be flexibly adjusted and adapted to the packaged article group and / or processing power. The guide slot represents in particular the path to be traveled of the drive chain both horizontally and vertically. It is thus possible by simple adjustment of the guide sections, which can also be controlled electronically, for example, to adapt the film wrapping device to different article sizes and / or processing capacities.

The guide sections can be arranged in the transport direction both in the same direction as in the opposite direction. Furthermore, the guide sections can be adjustable in the transport direction both in the same direction as in the opposite direction.

According to a preferred embodiment, the endless draw means are roller or link chains or the like.

The guide portions are formed as a guide slots for the endless traction means, which in turn form the guide slot for the felling rod. According to a further embodiment, the guide sections are designed in particular as elongated supports for the traction means. The shape of the guide sections can be designed differently depending on the application. The guide sections are made of suitable materials, which allow a trouble-free movement of the endless traction means, and can, for example, as plastic sliding elements or the like. be educated.

The above the transport plane arranged guide portions are preferably pivotable and can be adjusted about a pivot point in its angular position. The pivoting of the arranged on one side guide portions can in particular in the same direction, in opposite directions, etc. take place. This can change the chain length Above the transport plane and the relative position of the article group at the time of the emergence and submergence of the carriers are influenced above and below the transport plane.

Furthermore, at least one chain tensioner for regulating the tension of the impaction chain can be provided below the transport plane. That a first function of the chain tensioner is to generate the necessary tension of the endless draw means. Furthermore, the chain tensioner is used to compensate for the excess chain caused by the change of the Einschlagverfahrkurve above the transport plane.

This is particularly important in order to prevent the impact chains sag, because then no correct guidance of Mitnehmerstabes is possible.

According to a preferred embodiment, the guide sections can be cyclically adjusted during operation of the film wrapping module. That Depending on the incoming article group a corresponding adjustment of the guide sections to avoid a collision between the articles and the Mitnehmerstab.

In this case, it can be provided that the articles approaching on the horizontal conveying device are sensed. By way of example, the sensor can be a picture-identifying system which forwards the ascertained data, in particular the number, height and width of the incoming article group, to a computing unit. On the basis of the transmitted data, the optimum guidance setting for the impact bar is calculated. The arithmetic unit then controls the appropriate setting of the guide sections and optionally the chain tensioner, so that the optimal guide slot for the impact or driving rod is preferably set automatically and in particular a collision of the impact bar is avoided with the articles.

The sensorically determined data can also be used to calculate the required length of shrink film and to supply a correspondingly matched in length film section. In particular, the arithmetic unit can additionally control a film cutting device and cut to length the required film sections of appropriate size.

The invention further relates to a method for wrapping containers or groups of items with packaging film, in particular with heat shrinkable shrink film. Here, the containers or groups of articles to be wrapped are transported on a horizontal conveyor in the direction of a packaging station, for example a shrinking station, and wrapped and / or wrapped in the direction of transport by means of a film wrapping device with a film section of defined length. The film wrapping device comprises endless drawing means for a folding bar, the endless drawing means each having guiding sections which define the position and deflection of the endless drawing means. According to the invention, the guide contour formed by the endless traction means is adapted to the article groups to be packaged by corresponding guide portions of the two mutually parallel endless traction means are adjusted in pairs in the same direction in its vertical and / or horizontal position and / or about a pivot point in its angular position. In particular, the portion of the endless draw means located above the transport plane can be adjusted in its length and in its guide contour in accordance with the article groups to be packaged.

According to a preferred embodiment, the article groups transported on the horizontal conveyor device are detected by sensors. The data is transmitted to a computing unit, which calculates the required guide slot for the impact bar of the film wrapping module. Based on these data, the corresponding guide sections of the two mutually parallel endless traction means are controlled and adjusted accordingly. In particular, the corresponding guide sections are matched in pairs in the same direction in their vertical and / or horizontal position and / or about a pivot point in their angular position. Furthermore, the tension of the endless traction means can be adjusted for example by a chain tensioner.

Decisive for the processing of the packaging film in the film wrapping so are generally the chain lengths of the impact chains in which the impact bar is guided. By the described specific adjustment, in particular also due to the variable length adjustment of the impact chains relative to the transport plane, a variety of packaged goods dimensions and processing performance can be realized.

According to a preferred embodiment, at least one chain guide is provided in a support structure, which is adjustable about a pivot point at an angle and can additionally be adjusted in the guide length.

The position of the chain guide pivot points can be made freely adjustable or fixed within the carrier, also at least two guide systems can be connected to each other. Alternatively, individual angular and length adjustable points may be omitted, as long as the product to be processed requires it in combination with the required processing power.

At the impact chains at least one driver is attached, which conveys the packaging material and applied to the packaged goods. The possibility of adjusting the guide sections at an angle changes the length of the impact chain above the transport plane and the course of the impact chain itself.

The curves influence the possible product range to be processed and the processing reliability of the wrapping process with a packaging material. By a higher inlet side deflection point of the chain path over the transport plane longer and thus the film removal by means of impact bar is changed relative to the container position.

For smaller containers with shorter required foil blanks can be shortened by targeted angle adjustment of the chain path over the transport plane and a loss of the film due to a too short film residue behind the Mitnehmerumlenkung be avoided.

In addition, by shortening the guide elements, the chain length above the transport plane can be additionally influenced and the chain progression can be adapted to different pack goods heights.

The invention makes it possible to safely handle a wide variety of packaging geometries. For example, combinations of large and small packaged goods can be processed with the same Einschlagkettenlängen or equal bar divisions of the chain.

Furthermore, by deliberately delaying the impaction chain in the transport direction, the position of the impact rod relative to the packaged goods could be influenced in order, for example, to optimize the wrapping of the container.

Due to the angle adjustability in combination with the length adjustability of the chain guide, the angle of the impaction chain to the transport plane can be varied. This makes it possible for critical impact operations to prevent the risk of collision of the container with the impact bar.

• Figur 1 stellt schematisch ein Folieneinschlagmodul gemäß dem bekannten Stand der Technik dar.
• Figur 2 bis Figur 6 stellen jeweils ein Folieneinschlagmodul in verschiedenen Konfigurationen gemäß vorliegender Erfindung dar.

In the following, embodiments of the invention and their advantages with reference to the accompanying figures will be explained in more detail. The proportions of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the actual size ratios, since some shapes are simplified and other shapes are enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

• FIG. 1 schematically represents a film wrapping module according to the known prior art.
• FIG. 2 to FIG. 6 each represent a film wrapping module in various configurations according to the present invention.

For identical or equivalent elements of the invention, identical reference numerals are used. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures, which are required for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of how the device or method of the invention may be configured and are not an exhaustive limitation.

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of a film wrapping device 20.

The articles 5 to be packaged are first assembled in a grouping station (not shown) in the desired number and / or combination. Subsequently, the formed article groups 5 are transported via a horizontal conveyor 10, for example an endless conveyor belt 11 in the transport direction TR to the film wrapping device 20 and wrapped there with shrink film 6 and then a further processing packaging device, in particular a shrink tunnel 2, fed.

The film wrapping device 20 comprises a carrier 22 on which at least one chain guide or a guide section 24 is provided. In particular, the film wrapping device 20 comprises at least one on both longitudinal sides of the horizontal conveyor 10, 11 guided by Einschlagketten 12, transversely to the transport direction TR extending driver 18, which also serves as a strike referred to as. The film 6 to be wrapped around the article group is guided or held by the striking bar 18 during the wrapping and wrapping operation and applied to the article group 5.

Furthermore, the film wrapping device 20 comprises at least one guide portion 24, which is adjustable about a pivot point D in the angle and can be additionally adjusted in the guide length.

In each of the examples shown here, two guide sections 24 are provided per impact chain 12, i. it is actually four guide sections 24, since two are arranged parallel to each other on both longitudinal sides of the horizontal conveyor and form the guide slot for the Folienmitnehmer 18 with the respective drive chain 12.

The ability to adjust the guide portions 24 at an angle, the length of the impaction chain 12 above the transport plane TE and the course of the chain 12 itself changes. The curves have an influence on the possible product range to be processed and the processing reliability of the wrapping process with a packaging material 6 a higher inlet side deflection point (see also Figure 3 ), the course of the impaction chain 12 over the transport plane TE longer and thus the film removal by means of driver or impact bar 18 is changed relative to the position of the article group 5.

FIGS. 3 to 5 show different ways of adjusting the guide portions 24. For smaller article groups 5 with shorter foil blanks 6 can be shortened by targeted angle adjustment of the course of the impaction chain 12 above the transport plane TE and a loss of the film 6 can be avoided due to too short a film residue behind the Mitnehmerumlenkung 18 ( Figure 4 ; Film residue not shown).

In addition, by shortening the guide elements, the chain length above the transport plane TE can be additionally influenced and the chain course can be adapted to different pack goods heights ( Figure 5 ).

The invention makes it possible to safely handle a wide variety of packaging geometries. For example, combinations of large and small article groups 5 with equal lengths of the impaction chain 12 and / or same entrainment sections of the impaction chain 12 can also be processed (see FIG Mitnehmerabteilungen is the division number of the impact chain by the driver).

For example, by deliberately delaying the distance covered by the drive chain 12 with drivers 18 in the transport direction TR (see the procedure for a deflection FIG. 3 ) influence the position of the striking bar 18 relative to the article group 5 to be packaged in order, for example, to optimize the wrapping of the article group 5.

FIG. 6a / b represents the possibility to adjust the guide portions 24 at an angle. In combination with the length adjustability of the chain guide, the angle of the chain 12 to the transport plane TE can be varied. This makes it possible for critical impact operations to prevent the risk of a collision of the article group 5 with the impact bar 18 (see. Fig. 6a with 6b especially with regard to the driver 18).

FIG. 7 shows the sensory detection of transported to be packaged article group 5 by means of a sensor 30. The sensor 30 may be, for example, a picture-identifying system that forwards the data, in particular the number, height and width of the incoming article group 5 to a computing unit 32 , On the basis of the transmitted data, the optimum guide slot for the impact or driving rod 18 is calculated. The arithmetic unit 32 then controls the corresponding setting of the guide sections 24 and possibly a chain tensioner (not shown) arranged below the transport plane TE, so that the optimum guide slot for the striking bar 18 is set and in particular a collision of the striking bar 18 with articles of the article group 5 is avoided ,

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications or changes may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Film wrapping device

2

shrink tunnel

5

Product group

6

foil

7

wrapped article group

10

funding

11

endless conveyor

12

weft chain

14, 14 *

chain Reverse

15

scenery

16

chain base

18

takeaway

20

Film wrapping module

22

carrier

24

guide section

30

sensor

32

computer unit

D

pivot point

TE

transport plane

TR

transport direction

Claims (14)

Packaging module for wrapping with packaging film (6) container or groups of articles (5) on a horizontal conveyor (10, 11) standing in the direction of a packaging station (2) transported in the transport direction (TR) by means of a film wrapping device (1, 20) with a Film section (6) of defined length are wrapped, wherein the film wrapping device (1, 20) at least one on both longitudinal sides of the horizontal conveyor (10, 11) by means of endless traction means (12) out, transversely to the transport direction (TR) extending striker rod (18), in which the film section (6) is clamped and / or guided during the wrapping and wrapping operation, and wherein the endless drawing means (12) each comprise guide sections (24) defining the position and deflection of the endless drawing means (12), characterized in that the corresponding guide portions (24) of the two mutually parallel Endlo szugmittel (12) in pairs in the same direction in their vertical and / or horizontal position and / or about a pivot point (D) in its angular position are adjustable. Packaging module according to claim 1, wherein the guide portions (24) in the transport direction (TR) both the same and in opposite directions are arranged to each other. Packaging module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guide portions (24) in the transport direction (TR) both the same and in opposite directions are adjustable. Packaging module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the packaging film (6) is heat shrinkable shrink film. Packaging module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the endless drawing means (12) are roller or link chains. Packaging module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide portions (24) are guide slots or elongated supports. Packaging module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide portions (24) are adjustable in length. Packaging module according to claim 7, wherein the adjustable guide portions (24) above the transport plane (TE) are arranged. Packaging module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein below the transport plane (TE) a chain tensioner is arranged. Packaging module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide portions (24) are cyclically adjustable during operation. Packaging module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide portions (24) are plastic sliding elements. Method for wrapping bundles or groups of articles (5) with packaging film (6), wherein the bundles or article groups (5) to be wrapped are transported on a horizontal conveyor (10, 11) in the direction of a packaging station (2) and in transport direction (TR) by means of a film wrapping device (1, 20) with a film section (6) defined length, wherein the film wrapping device (1, 20) Endloszugmittel (12) for a striking rod (18) and wherein the endless traction means (12) respectively guide portions (24) which define the position and deflection of the endless traction means (12), characterized in that the endless traction means (12) are adjusted in length and in their guide contour corresponding to the article groups (5) to be packaged by corresponding guide portions (24) of the two in parallel mutually arranged Endloszugmittel (12) in pairs in the same direction in their vertical and / or horizontal position and / or about a pivot point (D) are adjusted in their angular position. The method of claim 12, wherein the guide portions (24) are adjusted in the transport direction both the same and in opposite directions to each other. Method for wrapping bundles or groups of articles (5) with packaging film (6), wherein the bundles or article groups (5) to be wrapped are transported on a horizontal conveyor (10, 11) in the direction of a packaging station (2) and in transport direction (TR) by means of a film wrapping device (1, 20) with a film section (6) of defined length are wrapped, wherein the film wrapping device (1, 20) Endloszugmittel (12) for a striking rod (18) and wherein the endless traction means (12) each guide portions (24) defining the position and deflection of the endless traction means (12), characterized by the following steps: ● Sensory detection of the pack or group of items to be packaged (5); ● transmission of the acquired data to a computing unit (32); ● calculation of the required guide slot for the impact bar (18) of the film wrapping module; Adjusting the guide slot by adjusting the corresponding guide sections (24) of the two parallel endless means (12) in pairs in the same direction in their vertical and / or horizontal position and / or about a pivot point (D) in its angular position and / or adjustment of the length Guide sections (24).

Images