EP2522528B1 - Processing device and method for embossing container blanks - Google Patents

Abstract

The processing device has an embossing device (1) provided with multiple work stations. The work stations have multiple embossing stations (24a,24b,24c). The embossing stations are provided for emboss processing of a partial surface of a side wall (6) of a container blank (4). The partial surface is restricted in axial direction and in peripheral direction. An output device is assigned to the last embossing station or an immediately subsequent work station is assigned. An independent claim is included for a method for emboss processing of a partial surface of a side wall of a container blank, particularly by a processing device.

Description

The invention relates to a processing device for container blanks with an embossing device comprising a base body, a receiving device, in particular a clamping device, for temporarily fixing the container blanks, a scanning device for determining a rotational orientation of the container blanks, an embossing device for introducing local deformations in side walls of the container blanks and an output device for removing the container blanks are assigned from the receiving device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for embossing.

From the generic WO 01/58618 A1 are known an apparatus and a method for processing container blanks, which are provided on an outer surface with a decorative printing and on a peripheral portion of the outer surface with a circumferential coding. The object of the device and the method is to deform the container blanks in a number of steps, wherein the deformation is to be made in predeterminable accordance with the decorative printing of the outer surface. In order to achieve this, it is provided to equip a multi-station drawing-in machine in such a way that a rotary orientation of the container blanks is first determined with the aid of a scanning device on the basis of a circumferential coding applied to the container blank. In a subsequent step, by means of an alignment device Setting the rotational orientation made between the container blanks and an embossing device. Subsequently, after determining the container blanks in the receiving device by means of the embossing device, an introduction of a local deformation in a side wall of the container blanks. After carrying out further work steps on the multi-station drawing-in machine, for example one or more drawing steps for narrowing an open end region of the respective container blank, the container blanks are removed by means of an output device from the receiving device and transported away by means of transport.

The object of the invention is to enable a more precise and flexible embossing processing of container blanks.

This object is achieved according to a first aspect of the invention for a processing device of the type mentioned above with the features of claim 1.

Here, it is provided that the embossing device has a number of x (where x ≥ 1) workstations comprising a number of n (where n ≥ 1) embossing stations, wherein the embossing stations each for embossing processing both in an axial direction and in a Circumferentially limited partial surface of the side wall of the container blank are formed and wherein the output device of the last (n-th) embossing station or an immediately following (n + 1-th, in particular x-th) workstation is assigned. An embossing operation can take place as a local plastic deformation of the container blank by machining forces acting on one side outwards or inwards on the side wall of the container blank or by mutually oppositely acting machining forces. The number x of workstations In practice, it will be between 1 and about 10, preferably the number x of workstations is less than 6, but there is no restriction for a larger number of workstations. The number n of embossing stations can correspond to the number of workstations, for example 1. In this case, all steps are carried out for embossing the container blank at the same workstation, there is no relative movement between container blanks and workstations instead. Alternatively it can be provided that the number of embossing stations is smaller than the number of workstations.

By way of example, it may be provided that at a first work station, which may also be formed as an embossing station, feeding the container blank from a conveyor to the clamping device. At this or a downstream work or embossing station, the sampling of the container blank takes place to determine its rotational orientation, preferably with respect to a longitudinal axis of the container blank, in particular based on a rotational symmetry axis of the unilaterally closed, cylindrical sleeve-shaped container blank. At the same or a downstream work or embossing station, the rotational orientation of the container blank is then set with respect to the or the embossing tools. This can be done by a rotation of the container blank, in particular by a rotation of the receiving device, in particular the clamping device, on or in which the container blank is received, and / or by a rotation of the or the embossing tools. Subsequently, the desired embossing processing of the container blanks can be carried out at this workstation or at the one or more optional work stations designed exclusively as embossing stations. It can be provided that in each of the work or embossing stations exactly one both in an axial direction and in a peripheral direction limited partial surface of the side wall of the container blank is processed. Alternatively, at least one working or embossing station can be designed for embossing machining of second, spaced-apart partial surfaces, in particular comprising a plurality of embossing tools.

According to the invention, the last embossing station of the embossing device is also designed as the last working station of the embossing device, so that removal of the container blank from the receiving device or from the clamping device by means of the dispensing device takes place at this embossing station. Alternatively, it can be provided according to the invention that the last embossing station is followed by another, in particular single, further workstation, at which the container blank is then removed from the receiving device or from the tensioning device by means of the dispensing device and thus serves as an unloading station. By this construction of the processing device, a decoupling between the embossing process and a possibly provided upstream or downstream Einziehvorgang for the container is achieved. This is advantageous because the embossing process often requires a particularly precise alignment of container blank and embossing tool to each other to achieve an exact embossing predetermined portions of the outer surface, these areas with a decorative printing and / or decorative labeling, for example in the form of a glued or welded plastic, can be provided and this precision can be ensured in an advantageous manner with the embossing device according to the invention.

In addition, the number of workstations on a drawing machine is limited and with increasing complexity of the outer geometry of the finished container a plurality of Einziehschritten is required, so that the implementation of the embossing processing on the Einziehmaschine would limit the freedom of design for the container geometry. In addition is In order to reduce the consumption of resources, there is a tendency for the container blanks to be designed with thinner wall thicknesses, which increases the number of deformation steps required for achieving a given container geometry. Thus, a separate embossing device is also advantageous for this purpose, since the work stations of the drawing-in machine for the necessary variety of Einziehschritten can be fully utilized.

As a container blank is in particular a cylindrical sleeve-shaped, one-sided provided with a bottom body, preferably a, in particular made of aluminum or steel, metal body, understood. Also already from the cylindrical sleeve-shaped body by plastic deformation, in particular by drawing, emerged body are understood as container blanks. Such container blanks can be provided in downstream operations, for example with a valve cover and filled with a liquid and a propellant gas to be used in particular as an aerosol can.

Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that the embossing device is associated with an alignment device, which is designed for setting the rotational orientation between the container blanks and the embossing device. In this way it can be ensured that the plastic deformation to be performed by the embossing device on the sleeve-shaped body can be brought into conformity with a printed or otherwise applied decoration on the outer surface of the container blank.

It is expedient if the embossing device is associated with a conveying device designed in particular as a conveyor belt, which is designed for feeding and / or removing the container blanks. With the aid of the conveyor, a continuous provision of container blanks to the embossing device and / or a continuous removal of the container blanks are ensured by the embossing device.

It is advantageous if the receiving device is arranged linearly movable and / or rotationally movable on the base body and / or on the embossing device. In this way, a relative movement of the receiving device relative to the conveyor and / or a change in orientation of the recorded in the receiving device container blanks against the or the embossing tools allows.

In a development of the invention it is provided that the embossing device is arranged linearly movable and / or rotatably movable on the base body. In this way, the embossing device can be aligned in a suitable manner with respect to the container blanks to be embossed.

Preferably, each stamping station is associated with an alignment device and an output device or an alignment device and an output device and a scanning device. Such a construction of the embossing device is advantageous if an at least almost complete embossing of the container blank is to be provided at a workstation. A change of the workstation between the individual processing operations, in particular between the alignment and the embossing process, this is not necessary. As a result, a high accuracy for the stamping process can be ensured. The advantageous accuracy is due to the fact that the receiving device and the embossing device in this embodiment, apart from the relative movement the embossing tool against container blank during the embossing process, which takes place in particular along a longitudinal axis of the container blanks, no relative movement must perform to each other, so that no undesirable positioning tolerances occur. Preferably, the embossing device is designed such that it has a plurality of at least substantially similar embossing stations, so that an at least substantially synchronous processing of a plurality of container blanks can be made. The scanning device can be designed for scanning one or more container blanks, accordingly, each of the embossing stations is assigned a scanning device or several embossing stations share a scanning device.

Preferably, the receiving device and the embossing device are coupled to a drive device which is designed for initiating a movement, in particular a reversing curve movement, on the receiving device, wherein the movement is preferably designed as a circular movement or as a superposition of a circular motion with a linear movement. By the movement of the receiving device and the embossing device, a synchronization of the recorded in the receiving device container blanks with conveying movements of one or more conveyors can be achieved. For example, the container blanks from a suitable feeding device, in particular a linearly movably mounted slide, which is designed for insertion of the container blanks in the clamping means, are removed from the conveyor and received in the receiving device, to then edit them with the aid of the embossing device. Subsequently, the container blanks are set down again by the dispensing device to the same or to another conveyor. By way of example, the embossing device has several, in particular three, identical trained embossing stations, so that several, especially three, container blanks can be shaped synchronously. The container blanks are thereby removed from juxtaposed depressions of a continuously moving conveyor belt and, after carrying out the embossing processing, for example, travel back to exactly the same depressions. The conveying movement of the conveyor belt during embossing processing is thus followed by an at least substantially similar movement of the receiving device and the embossing device, which is provided by the drive device. By way of example, the drive device can be a rotary or linear, electrically or fluidically operated drive motor or a combination of such drive motors with a possibly downstream transmission, which are controlled by an electrical and / or fluidic control device.

In a development of the invention, it is provided that a plurality of embossing stations are arranged along a common axis, in particular aligned parallel to a conveying direction of the conveying device. By way of example, a reversing movement of the embossing stations takes place on a circular path section between a receiving position of the container blanks from the conveying device to a depositing position of the container blanks onto the conveying device. Preferably, this reversing movement of the embossing stations is synchronized with the conveying movement of the conveying device such that a conveying speed for the container blanks temporarily accommodated in the embossing device coincides with a conveying speed of the conveying device.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the embossing means comprises a rotatable mounted on the base body workpiece rotary table on which a plurality of receiving devices are mounted. Especially with a rotatable Workpiece rotary table, a particularly compact design of the embossing device can be achieved, since the movement of the container blanks in the embossing means can be carried out in a simple manner along a circular arc portion, which preferably spans an angle of more than 180 degrees.

In a further development of the invention, the scanning device and / or the alignment device and / or the embossing device and / or the output device are designed as discrete workstations. In this embodiment, the workpiece rotary table is movable relative to the embossing tools in an intermittent circular movement; for this purpose, a corresponding drive device is associated with the workpiece rotary table. At the workpiece rotary table a plurality of clamping means, in particular collets, mounted, which are each designed for receiving and fixing a container blank. Preferably, the clamping means are arranged on the workpiece rotary table with respect to a rotation axis of the workpiece rotary table in the same angular pitch. The embossing tools are aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the workpiece rotary table and by means of the tool carrier reversible linearly movable relative to the clamping means movable and can be brought into engagement with the side walls of the container blanks and then removed again from the container blanks. By the relative movements between the clamping means on the workpiece rotary table and the embossing stations and other workstations can be provided, for example, to provide the embossing device with exactly one scanning device and / or exactly one alignment device and / or exactly one embossing station and / or exactly one output device. If, for example, each of the workstations fulfills a precisely assigned task, in particular scanning, alignment, embossing and dispensing, an advantageous and cost-effective design for the embossing device can be achieved.

It is expedient if the workpiece rotary table is assigned a feeding device which is designed as a loading star rotatably mounted on the base body to transport the container blanks from the conveyor into the receiving device and / or deliver it from the receiving device to the conveyor. The loading star bridges the necessary distance between these components for trouble-free operation of the conveyor and the workpiece turntable and provides container blanks conveyed by the conveyor to the workpiece turntable and / or sets the embossed container blanks back on the conveyor. Preferably, the loading star has at least one recess which is adapted to the outer geometry of the container blank to be processed. Particularly preferably, a plurality of transverse bores are provided in the region of the depression, which can be acted upon by negative pressure to allow suction of the container blank in the respective recess of the charging star and thus to ensure a lifting of the conveyor.

It is advantageous if a plurality of embossing tools are arranged on an embossing station and / or that the embossing tool comprises an inner tool and an outer tool, which are mounted relative to each other movable. By arranging a plurality of embossing tools on an embossing station, a plurality of embossing operations can be performed on a container blank during an embossing or embossing cycle. The embossing tools used for this purpose preferably comprise an inner tool and an outer tool, which are movable relative to the container blank in a radial direction relative to the container blank linear movement and / or in a pivoting movement with a pivot axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container blank to a temporary engagement in the side wall allow the container blank and thus to achieve the desired local deformation of the side wall. In a further embodiment of the invention, the embossing device is preceded or followed by a retraction device comprising a tool carrier for receiving drawing tools and a workpiece rotary table for receiving the container blanks and a drive device, wherein the drive means for providing a cyclically reversing linear motion and an intermittent rotary motion between the Workpiece rotary table and the tool carrier is formed and wherein between the embossing device and the Einzieheinrichtung a conveying means is arranged to convey the container blanks between the embossing device and the Einzieheinrichtung. With the help of the retraction device, in particular those deformation processes can be performed on the container blank, in which the rotational orientation of the container blank with respect to the respective processing tool is irrelevant. Thus, the container blank is provided on the retractor, for example, with rotationally symmetrical to the container blank longitudinal axis deformations formed.

According to a second aspect, the object of the invention is achieved with a method for embossing a limited in both an axial direction and in a circumferential direction of the partial surface of the side wall of the container blank, as set forth in claim 12. For this purpose, one of the processing devices described above can be used by way of example. According to the invention the following steps are provided: receiving the container blanks from a conveyor for fixing the container blanks in a receiving device, determining a rotational orientation of the container blanks by means of an identifiable on the container blank orientation information, if necessary aligning the container blanks by means of an alignment, which is suitable for a setting of rotational orientation between the container blanks and a Embossing device is formed performing an embossing operation on the can blanks with an embossing device adapted to introduce local deformations in side walls of the container blanks and removing the container blanks from the receiving device by means of an output device, the embossing device having a number of n (where n ≥ 1) embossing stations and the step of removing the container blanks from the receiving device follows as the next step on the embossing processing at the nth embossing station.

In an advantageous development of the method, it is provided that the steps of picking up the container blank into the receiving device, determining the orientation, aligning, embossing and removing the container blank from the receiving device are performed on a single workstation.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the steps of: receiving the container blank in the receiving device, determining the orientation, aligning, embossing and removing the container blank of the container blank from the receiving device at several, in a processing direction lined up workstations are made.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer ersten Ausführungsform einer Prägeeinrichtung für eine Bearbeitungseinrichtung,

Figur 2

eine Vorderansicht der Prägeeinrichtung gemäß Figur 1,

Figur 3

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer zweiten Ausführungsform einer Prägeeinrichtung für eine Bearbeitungseinrichtung,

Figur 4

eine Vorderansicht der Prägeeinrichtung gemäß Figur 3,

Figur 5

eine schematische Darstellung einer Bearbeitungseinrichtung, die eine Prägeeinrichtung, eine Fördereinrichtung und ein Einzieheinrichtung umfasst, und

Figur 6

eine schematische Darstellung einer dritten Ausführungsform einer Prägeeinrichtung für eine Bearbeitungseinrichtung.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawing. Hereby shows:

FIG. 1

a perspective view of a first embodiment of an embossing device for a processing device,

FIG. 2

a front view of the embossing device according to FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3

a perspective view of a second embodiment of an embossing device for a processing device,

FIG. 4

a front view of the embossing device according to FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5

a schematic representation of a processing device comprising an embossing device, a conveyor and a Einzieheinrichtung, and

FIG. 6

a schematic representation of a third embodiment of an embossing device for a processing device.

In the FIGS. 1 and 2 a first embodiment of a stamping device 1 is shown, which is designed as a processing device or for integration into a processing device. The embossing device 1 comprises a base body designed as a machine frame 2, wherein the machine frame 2 can be fixed by way of example to a bottom plate not shown in detail in a workshop. The machine frame 2 is associated with a receiving device 3 for the temporary fixing of container blanks 4 and an embossing device 5 for introducing local deformations in side walls 6 of the container blanks 4.

By way of example, the receiving device 3 and the embossing device 5 are mounted together on an adjustment table 7, which is arranged so that it can move relative to the machine frame 2. The adjustment table 7, which is designed as an XY cross table by way of example, is assigned a drive device (not shown in greater detail), which is designed, for example, to provide linear translational movements of the adjustment table 7 in a vertical direction 8 and in a horizontal direction 9 is. The drive device thus enables a, preferably decoupled, movement of the adjustment table 7 in an in FIG. 2 illustrated, the vertical direction 8 and the horizontal direction 9 comprehensive movement plane 10. In this case, the translational movements of the Verstellischs 7 in the vertical direction 8 and in the horizontal direction 9 are superimposed. Thus, the adjustment table 7 can perform a reversing movement between a receiving position 12 and a depositing position 15, the movement comprising by way of example two circular path sections 11.

In the receiving position 12, by way of example, three container blanks 4 resting side by side on a conveying device designed as a conveyor belt 16 are inserted into the receiving device 3 by an insertion device (not shown). The receiving device 3 also includes by way of example three chucks 17, which are mounted rotatably on the adjusting table 7. In this case, each of the chuck 17 in each case by a rotary drive not shown about an example transverse to a surface 18 of the adjusting table 7 aligned axis of rotation rotatable. In this case, the rotary drive forms an alignment device together with a control device, not shown. In the illustrated embodiment of the embossing device 1, the container blanks 4 are designed as cylindrical sleeves by way of example. Accordingly, the chucks 17 each have, for example, a corresponding cylindrical receiving recess for the container blanks 4, wherein the axes of rotation of the chuck 17 are aligned concentrically with cylinder axes of the receiving recesses.

Parallel to the axes of rotation of the chuck 17 7 parallel to each other aligned support rods 19 are arranged on the adjustment table. In each case on the adjusting table 7 facing away from end portions of the support rods 19 embossing tools 20 are mounted, each having an inner tool 21 and a Outside tool 22 have. The embossing tools 20 each comprise a linear drive unit, not shown in detail, in particular a fluidic drive cylinder, which is in each case configured to initiate a translatory linear movement on the inner and outer tools 21, 22 parallel to the axis of rotation of the chuck 17.

Further, the embossing tools 20 include, by way of example, a gate guide, also not shown, for the inner and outer tools 21, 22. This slide guide causes in the translational movement of the inner and outer tools 21, 22, starting from the rest position shown in a side wall 6 of the respective container blank encompassing functional position an approach movement of inner and outer tool 21, 22. Thus, inner and outer tool 21, 22 move on reaching the functional position translationally towards each other and thus perform the embossing process on the localized partial surface of the side wall 6. Upon initiation of a withdrawal movement to the inner and outer tools 21, 22 is ensured by the slide guide that initially the engagement of the inner and outer tools 21, 22 is terminated in the side wall 6, before the inner and outer tools 21, 22 along the axis of rotation back in the FIG. 1 shown rest position to be moved.

For a correct rotational orientation of the container blanks, by way of example each of the support rods 19 is associated with a scanning device 23 which is designed to determine the spatial position of a marking applied to the side wall 6. For the sake of clarity is in the FIG. 1 However, only one of the support rods 19 a scanning device 23 shown in the FIG. 2 All support rods 19 are provided with a scanning device 23. By way of example, the scanning device 23 is a camera system which, for example, can detect a printed mark on the container blank 4, thereby setting allow the correct rotational orientation of the respective container blank 4 to the oppositely arranged embossing dies 20. For the scanning, it is advantageous if the container blanks 4 are rotated about the axis of rotation immediately after insertion and fixing in the respective chuck 17 until the scanning device 23 has detected the mark and then can give a corresponding signal to the control unit of the alignment to the Rotation of the respective container blank 4 to stop such that it is aligned in a correct manner with respect to the embossing tools 20. Subsequently, the desired embossing process can be carried out in the correct position.

Each of the chucks 17 is associated with an output device, not shown, which is designed to remove the container blanks 4 from the receiving device 3. For example, the dispenser may be a linearly movable plunger, which rests in a rest position on the bottom of the receiving recess in the respective chuck 17 and can be moved parallel to the axis of rotation in the direction of the mouth opening of the receiving recess 17 for the dispensing operation to the container blank 4th from the chuck 17 eject.

At the in FIG. 1 and 2 illustrated embodiment of an embossing device 1 corresponds to the number x = 1 of the workstations 26 the number n = 1 of the embossing stations 24a, 24b, 24c, since each of the embossing stations 24a, 24b, 24c exemplarily with a scanning device 23, with an output device, each with two embossing tools 20 and provided with an alignment device. Consequently, there are three synchronously operating working / embossing stations 24a, 24b, 24c, each of which processes a container blank 4 and along a common, exemplary parallel to a conveying direction 27th the conveyor belt 16 aligned, axis are arranged and form the embossing device 5 in their entirety.

In the embossing device 1, the container blank 4 can be rotated immediately after insertion into the chuck 17 and provided there determination and scanned by the scanning device 23 to after taking the correct rotational orientation with the embossing tools 20 processed at the intended portions of the side wall 6 and after returning the inner and outer tools 21, 22 are returned to the rest position on the conveyor belt 16 by means of the dispensing device. Preferably, the conveying movement of the conveyor belt 16 and the movement of the Verstellischs 7 are coordinated so that each of the can blanks 4 in the Absetzposition 15 again exactly in that recess 25 in the conveyor belt 16 can be traveled, from which he removed in the receiving position 12 of the conveyor belt 16 has been.

For the description of the in the Figures 3 and 4 The embossing means 51 shown are used for components which are identical to those already described in connection with FIGS FIGS. 1 and 2 described components are used, the same terms and by 50 increased reference numerals, a new description is only for significantly different design and / or function.

The embossing device 51 differs from the embossing device 1 in that the number x = 4 of the workstations 80, 81, 82, 84 is greater than the number n = 1 of the embossing stations. The first workstation 80 is a feed station, the second workstation 81 is exemplarily a combined scan and align station, the third workstation 82 is the stamping station, and the fourth workstation 83 is the output station. Here, the four workstations 80, 81, 82 and 83 form the embossing device 75.

The chucks 67 are in the embodiment according to the Figures 3 and 4 arranged on a workpiece rotary table 57 with respect to a rotation axis 63 in the same angular pitch and each rotatably mounted.

At the feed station 80, the container blanks 4 are lifted by means of a rotatably mounted on the machine frame 52, designed as loading star 64 feeding device from the conveyor belt 66 and positioned in front of the receiving recess of each oppositely disposed chuck 67. Subsequently, the container blanks 4 are inserted by means of a plunger 84 by a linear movement in the respective chuck 67. The plunger 84 is after inserting the container blank 4 back into the in FIG. 3 recognizable rest position reduced and the container blank 4 is fixed by means of a chuck 67 integrated, not shown, exemplary elastic running recording device in the chuck 67. By way of example, it is provided that the chucks 67 are locked away from the scanning and alignment station 81 on the workpiece rotary table 57 and can not perform any rotational movement. Since the container blanks 4 are randomly inserted with respect to their rotational orientation in the chuck 67, a sampling and orientation of the container blanks 4 is necessary before performing the embossing processing.

For this purpose, the workpiece rotary table 57 is first rotated by rotation about the axis of rotation 63 by way of example in a clockwise direction, so that the chuck 67 is positioned with the newly supplied container blank 4 at the second, designated 81 workstation. At this workstation 81 not shown adjusting means are provided, on the one hand solve the locking of the located at this workstation 81 chuck 67 so that it is rotatable relative to the workpiece rotary table 57, and on the other hand, a rotational movement of the respective chuck 67th can initiate. By means of the scanning device 73, the respective container blank 4 is scanned and upon detection of a mark on the surface of the container blank 4, the rotational movement of the adjusting means adjusted such that the container blank 4 has a predetermined rotational orientation about its container longitudinal axis 85. Subsequently, the chuck 17 is again locked against rotation on the workpiece rotary table 57.

In the course of a further rotary step movement, the container blank 4, which is now aligned with regard to its rotational orientation, is now brought to the embossing station 82 and thus into the effective region of the embossing tool 70. The embossing tool 70 has, by way of example, the same structure and the same attachment to a support rod 69 as the embossing tool 20 according to the first embodiment of the embossing device 1 and can thus emboss the desired portions of the side wall 6 of the container blank 4. After the embossing processing of the container blank 4, the embossing tool 70 is again brought into a neutral position, not shown, and the workpiece turntable 57 can be rotated further such that the freshly embossed container blank 4 reaches the workstation 83 designed as an output station. Here, the container blank 4 is pushed out of the chuck 67 in the same way as in the first embodiment of the embossing device 1. For a secure storage of the now embossed container blank 4 on the conveyor belt 66, a second charging star 86 is provided by way of example. Preferably, the transport speed of the conveyor belt 66 for the container blanks 4 along the linear conveyor track 87 and the transport speed of the loading stars 64, 86 and the workpiece rotary table 57 for the container blanks 4 along a substantially circular arc-shaped conveyor track 88 are coordinated such that lifted from the conveyor belt 66 container blanks 4 after embossing in the same Recess 75 of the conveyor belt 66 can be stored, from which they were taken before the embossing processing.

At the in FIG. 5 illustrated embodiment of a processing device 100 is the embossing device 101, the exemplary according to the in Figures 3 and 4 illustrated embossing device 51 is formed, a retraction device 102 downstream, which has in a known manner an intermittently rotatable workpiece rotary table 103 and a region-wise cut, reversing linearly movable tool carrier 104. At the workpiece rotary table 103, a plurality of chucks 105 are arranged for receiving container blanks 4, on the tool carrier 104 is a plurality of Einziehwerkzeugen 106 can be attached. With such a retraction device 102, in the present case, plastic deformations formed rotationally symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the container blank 4 are introduced onto the container blank 4. In the present case, the retraction device 102 is arranged downstream of the embossing device 101 with regard to the material flow of the container blanks 4. In a variant of the processing device, not shown, the retraction device 102 may also be arranged upstream of the embossing device 101. The retraction device 102 is followed by a conveyor, not shown, with which the container blanks 4 can be transported away from the retraction device 102.

In a non-illustrated embodiment of an embodiment of the embossing means, the chuck are rigidly connected to the workpiece rotary table and at the scanning and alignment station, a gripping and rotating device for the container blanks is provided in addition to the scanning device. In this embodiment, the container blank is released in the scanning and alignment of the chuck so that it can rotate freely in the chuck without damaging its side wall and is of the gripping and Rotary device taken and rotated around its longitudinal axis until the desired rotational orientation is reached. Subsequently, the container blank is locked again with the aid of the chuck.

In a further embodiment of an embossing device, also not shown, the embossing tool or the embossing tools are rotatably mounted and can thus be adapted to the rotational orientation of the container blank.

The in the FIG. 6 shown embossing device 125 can be used as an alternative to in the FIGS. 3 to 5 illustrated workpiece turntable 57 and the components mounted thereon are mounted to the machine frame 52. For this case, the embossing device 55 is removed. Subsequently, the workpiece turntable 122 is attached with the embossing stations 123 attached thereto. In the workpiece rotary table 122 shown by way of example, four embossing stations 123 are provided, which are distributed uniformly and point-symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the workpiece rotary table 122.

Each of the embossing stations 123 is configured to machine the container blank 4 independently on the outer circumference. For this purpose, each of the embossing stations 123 comprises a rotatably mounted on the workpiece rotary table 122 receiving mandrel 126, which is recognizable at the position A due to a partially cut container blank 4. The take-up mandrel 126 is a rotary drive 128, for example, an electrically operable geared motor assigned. An axis of rotation of the receiving mandrel 126 is parallel to the axis of rotation of the workpiece rotary table 122 and thus normal to the plane of representation of FIG. 6 aligned. The axis of rotation of the receiving mandrel 126 is located in the center of the present hollow cylindrical chuck 126. The axis of rotation of the workpiece rotary table 122nd lies in the center of the circular disk-shaped workpiece rotary table 122.

Furthermore, each of the embossing stations 123 comprises a rotatably mounted, with a linear drive 130 coupled embossing roller 129 and a scanning device, which is provided for scanning the container blank 4. With the aid of the scanning device, a rotational relative position of the container blank 4 relative to the embossing roller 129 can be determined, which has a non-illustrated, raised and / or recessed formed on the outer surface of the embossing roller 129 pattern, by a rolling movement in the outer surface of the respective container blank. 4 can be incorporated. In order to ensure the desired overlap between the decor of the container blank 4 and the embossing pattern of the embossing roller 129, after feeding the container blank 4 to the workpiece turntable and attaching the container blank 4 on the respective mandrel 126 starting from the loading position designated A during the rotational movement of the Werkstückrundtischs 122 first made a scan of the outer surface of the container blank 4 by means of the scanning device 131, wherein the container blank 4 is rotated by the rotational movement of the receiving mandrel 126. At this time, the embossing roll 129 is arranged by means of the linear drive 130 in a position spaced from the container blank 4 rest position.

The rotational position of the embossing roller 129 is known due to a rotation angle sensor, not shown, and may be provided to a control device 132. The control device 132 is also connected to the scanning device 131 and can thus carry out a control of the linear drive 130 at the appropriate time, so that the embossing roller 129 engages with the outer surface of the container blank 4 and thus can start the desired embossing process.

The embossing roller 129 can either be stored only rotatably mounted on the linear drive 130 or still includes its own rotary drive, whereby an active synchronization of the rotational position of embossing roller 129 and the decor of the container blank 4 can be achieved. In the present case, the diameter of the embossing roller 129 is smaller than the diameter of the container blank 4 chosen, since only a portion of the outer surface of the container blank 4 is to be provided with an embossing or a repeating on the outer surface embossing is provided.

In one embodiment, not shown, the diameter of the embossing roller is selected equal to the diameter of the container blank, so that embossing of the entire outer surface of the container blank can be done with a continuous, non-repeated embossing motif.

Before reaching the discharge position designated D, the embossing roller 129 is removed by a corresponding linear movement of the linear drive 130 of the outer surface of the container blank 4 and can then be removed from the mandrel 126 and transported away from the workpiece rotary table 122.

It is advantageous if the rotary drive 128 and / or the rotary drive not shown for the mandrel 126 are each freely movable, which can be ensured by an independent control by the control device 132. In this way, for example, can also be provided to brake the rotational movement of the container blank 4 briefly or to accelerate to reach as quickly as possible the engagement position between the container blank 4 and embossing roller 129 for the desired embossing process.

Additionally or alternatively, this can also be a two-fold embossing of the same surface area of the container blank 4 are provided, either by a synchronized Reversing movement of the receiving mandrel 126 and the embossing roll 129 or by kurzeitiges lifting the embossing roller 129 and corresponding rotation of embossing roll 129 and container blank. Thus, a multi-stage embossing process for the container blank 4 can be achieved, in which the same outer surface area of the container blank 4 with different surface areas of the embossing roller 129, optionally also with variable contact pressure between embossing roller 129 and container blank 4, is processed.

Claims (15)

1. Machining device for container blanks (4) with an embossing apparatus (1; 51; 121) comprising a base body (2; 52) to which are assigned a receiving device (3; 53; 67; 126), in particular a clamping device for the temporary location of the container blanks (4), a scanning device (23; 73; 131) for the determination of a rotary orientation of the container blanks (4), an embossing device (5; 82; 125) for the application of local deformations in side walls (6) of the container blanks (4) and an output device (24; 83) for the removal of the container blanks (4) from the receiving device (3; 53; 67; 126), characterised in that the embossing apparatus (5; 82; 125) comprises a number of x (wherein x ≥ 1) working stations (24a, 24b, 24c; 80, 81, 82, 83; 123) which include a number of n (wherein n ≥ 1) embossing stations (24a, 24b, 24c; 123), wherein each of the embossing stations (24a, 24b, 24c; 123) is designed for embossing a part-surface of the side wall (6) of the container blank (4), said part-surface being limited both in an axial and in a circumferential direction, and wherein the output device (24a, 24b, 24c; 83) is assigned to the last (nth) embossing station (24a, 24b, 24c) or to an immediately following (n+1th, in particular xth) working station (83).
2. Machining device according to claim 1, characterised in that an aligning device (24; 81) designed for adjusting the rotary orientation between the container blanks (4) and the embossing device (5; 82) is assigned to the embossing apparatus (1; 51).
3. Machining device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a conveying apparatus which is in particular designed as a conveyor bet (16; 61) and which is designed for a feed and/or discharge of the container blanks (4) is assigned to the embossing apparatus (1; 51).
4. Machining device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the receiving device (3; 53; 67; 126) is mounted on the base body (2; 52) and/or on the embossing device (5; 82) while being capable of linear and/or rotary movement.
5. Machining device according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterised in that the embossing device (5; 82; 125) is mounted on the base body while being capable of linear and/or rotary movement.
6. Machining device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterised in that an aligning device and an output device or an aligning device and an output device and a scanning device (23) are assigned to each embossing station (24a, 24b, 24c; 123).
7. Machining device according to claim 6, characterised in that the receiving device (3) and the embossing device (5) are coupled to a drive unit designed for initiating a movement, in particular a reversing arcuate movement, to the receiving device (3), the movement preferably being a circular movement or a linear movement superimposed on a circular movement.
8. Machining device according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that several embossing stations (24a, 24b, 24c) are arranged along a common axis which is in particular oriented parallel to a conveying direction (27) of the conveying apparatus (16).
9. Machining device according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the embossing apparatus (51) comprises a workpiece rotary table (52) which is rotatably mounted on the base body (52) and on which are mounted several receiving devices (67), and/or in that the scanning device (73) and/or the aligning device (81) and/or the output device is/are designed as separate working stations (80, 81, 82, 83).
10. Machining device according to claim 9, characterised in that a feed device (64, 86) designed as a loading star rotatably mounted on the base body is assigned to the workpiece rotary table (52; 122) in order to transfer the container blanks (4) from the conveying apparatus (66) into the receiving device (67; 126) and/or to move them from the receiving device (67; 126) to the conveying apparatus (66).
11. Machining device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that several embossing tools (20; 126, 129) are located in an embossing station (24a, 24b, 24c; 82; 123) and/or in that the embossing tool (20; 126, 129) comprises an inner tool (21; 126) and an outer tool (22; 129) which are mounted for relative movement in respect to one another.
12. Machining device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a draw-in device (102) comprising a tool carrier (104) for receiving draw-in tools, a workpiece rotary table (103) for receiving the container blanks (4) and a drive unit is provided upstream or downstream of the embossing apparatus (1; 51; 121), wherein the drive unit is designed for providing a cyclically reversing linear movement and an intermittent rotary movement between the workpiece rotary table (103) and the tool carrier (104) and wherein a conveying means (16; 66) is provided between the embossing apparatus (1; 51; 121) and the draw-in device (102) for conveying the container blanks (4) between the embossing apparatus (1; 51; 121) and the draw-in device (102).
13. Method for embossing a part-surface of a side wall (6) of a container blank (4), said part-surface being limited both in an axial and in a circumferential direction, in particular using a machining device (1; 51; 121) according to any of the preceding claims, the method comprising the following steps:

    picking up the container blanks (4) from a conveying apparatus (16; 66) for locating the container blanks (4) in a receiving device (3; 53; 67; 126), determining a rotary orientation of the container blanks (4) by means of orientation information detectable at the container blank (4), carrying out an embossing operation on the container blanks (4) by means of an embossing device (5; 55; 125) designed for producing local deformations in side walls (6) of the container blanks (4) and removing the container blanks (4) from the receiving device (3; 53; 67; 126) by means of an output device, wherein the embossing device (5; 55; 125) includes a number of n (wherein n ≥ 1) embossing stations (24a, 24b, 24c; 123) and wherein the step of removing the container blanks (4) from the receiving device (3; 53; 67; 126) follows the embossing operation at the nth embossing station (24a, 26b, 24c; 82; 123) as a next step.
14. Method according to claim 13, characterised in that the steps of picking up the container blank (4) into the receiving device (3; 126), determining the orientation, embossing and removing the container blank (4) from the receiving device (3; 126) are carried out at a single working station (24a, 26b, 24c; 123).
15. Method according to claim 13, characterised in that the steps of picking up the container blank (4) into the receiving device (3; 126), determining the orientation, embossing and removing the container blank (4) from the receiving device (3; 126) are carried out at a plurality of working stations (80, 81, 82, 83) lined up in a machining direction.

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