EP2610183B1 - Singulating device for small products as well as a packaging machine comprising such a singulating device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a separating device for a packaging machine for packaging small-sized products, especially small-sized confectionery and a packaging machine for these products, wherein the singling device preferably as singulator with a rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation, inner separation disc and arranged on the outer circumference of the singling disc to a vertical axis of rotation rotatable Aufgabering is formed. The invention also relates to a packaging machine with such a separating device.

Packaging machines of the aforesaid type can be designed as continuous packaging machines or as so-called hybrid machines (i.e. as packaging machines which can be operated either in a continuous or in a discontinuous mode of operation). The performance range of such packaging machines can vary over a wide range of batches, for example from 600 strokes per minute for a midrange machine to 2500 strokes per minute for a high performance machine.

From the WO 2004/007322 A1 a lollipop feeding device is known in which the lollipops are inserted over a specially shielded receiving area of a separating actuator from above into receiving openings of a Aufgaberinges. In conjunction with an attack on the radially outwardly facing styles, the products are led to further packaging operations.

From the EP 1 712 472 A1 a packaging machine for small-sized products is known in which lollipops, which are received with radially outwardly pointing stems in receiving openings of a singling positioner, are guided by stems attacking holding jaw pairs of a removal head for further packaging in the packaging machine.

In particular, small-sized products, such as confectionery products (hard or soft caramels, jelly or chocolate products, etc.) but must first in all these packaging machines before the actual packaging process by means of a separating device to individual, defined aligned products are separated.

Such separating devices are predominantly designed in packaging technology, in particular in candy and confectionery packaging technology, as singulating plates which are rotatable about a central disc rotation axis.

In such singling devices, the products, which are usually delivered in disorder from a production site, are fed centrally via a feeding and sorting device onto the singling plate.

As a result of the centrifugal force of the rotating plate, the products reach the edge where they are taken up in radially extending carrier pockets and thus made accessible to mechanical removal.

For example, the shows DE 10 2006 024 071 A1 Such a separating plate designed in accordance with the so-called "bag principle", in which the products are respectively inserted laterally into the carrier pockets of a feed ring running on the outer edge of the separating plate.

In order to allow a direct removal of the separated products from these Mitnehmertaschen, in a removal zone of the separating actuator of the isolated products bearing, outer Aufgabering must be separated from the located on the rotating inner plate, remaining product stream. To realize this separation, the inner plate is in the DE 10 2006 024 071 A1 executed segmented, wherein the inner tray segments are lowered in the removal zone in the vertical direction relative to the pockets of the Aufgabering, so as not to hinder removal of the products from the carrier pockets.

The lowering of the inner chamber area at the removal point which has become necessary due to the pocket-shaped design of the product receptacles on the charging ring has a disadvantageous effect on the filling angle, ie on the angular range of the carrier pockets of the charging ring filled with products (in FIG DE 10 2006 024 071 A1 only about 180 °), so that the time required for sorting the article in the Aufgabering the separating device is substantially increased.

In view of this, known from the prior art disadvantages, the invention has for its object to provide a separating device for a packaging machine and a packaging machine with such a separating device, in which the available in particular at a Aufgabering a singling device product images with a very high degree of filling can be applied.

In addition, a direct removal of the products from recesses of the singling device by circulating removal units of a removal head (gripper head) of a packaging machine operating according to the continuous or discontinuous principle should preferably also be possible.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a separating device according to claim 1 and a packaging machine according to claim 14.

In particular, the product receptacles of a feed ring, as a plurality, in particular vertically in a surface of the feed ring of the singulating, in particular singling, introduced recesses, which are open on both sides in the radial direction, formed, wherein the recorded during a singulation process in these recesses products in a Removal area by means of a removal device, preferably directly from the respective recess can be removed.

Because the products are preferably no longer pushed laterally into radially extending carrier pockets of the charging ring but fall into the vertically inserted recesses of the charging ring, advantageously a higher filling level of the separating actuator can be achieved. The vertical recesses can be optimally adapted in their contour to the contour of the products to be separated, so that the existing surface of the feed ring is better utilized.

Preferably, the recesses for receiving the products from above are thus provided and formed in the vertical direction. That is, the products are intended to enter the recesses in a substantially vertical direction from above.

The separation device preferably used in the packaging machine according to the invention therefore no longer works according to the known "bag principle" (radial insertion of the products into pockets of the feed ring), but rather according to a "hole plate principle" (vertical falling of the products into the cutouts of the feed ring) Application spectrum based on the very different and increasingly complex product shapes in a Lochtellerkonstruktion considerably larger, since the recesses of the perforated plate can be optimally adapted to the respective product contour. In contrast, in the case of the known carrier pockets, only the longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the pocket can be adapted to the respective product contour by changing the spacing of the pocket walls.

In addition, according to the invention with preferably vertically introduced recesses instead of patch pockets equipped Aufgabering allows the careful processing of very sensitive product consistencies (eg products made of sugar-coated jelly or the like), since the products fall almost without stress into the recesses of the feed ring and not as in the known Mitnehmertaschen with considerable friction must slide sideways.

In the prior art, both this lateral slipping of the products into the carrier pockets and the further rotation of the feed ring with the products inserted in the pockets result in the products being exposed to a high degree of sliding friction which has a detrimental effect, in particular, on the still unpackaged confectionery products. In the case of the separating plate used in the packaging machine according to the invention, the sliding friction during product transport is considerably reduced, since the falling-in of the product into the recess of the feed ring takes place largely without friction.

To a further significant reduction of the sliding friction contributes a design of the task ring according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, according to which the introduced in Aufgabering recesses are not continuous in the vertical direction and the contour of the recesses is at least partially adapted to the contour of the products, so that the product in the recess at least partially form-fitting or form-locking, and taken from the Aufgabering in a product-gentle manner supporting and not pushing further into the removal area of the separating actuator is further rotated.

The reaching into the packaging machine according to the invention used singler has on the one hand by the novel design of the dispensing ring advantages in terms of achievable degree and their product-friendly operation, but still allows direct removal of the isolated products from the respective recesses of the Aufgabingings means of a corresponding removal device (eg rotating removal head with several removal units pivotally mounted thereon). Direct removal means here, in particular, but not exclusively, that no additional intermediary auxiliary devices, eg lower and upper punches or conveyor chains or conveyor belts are required for product transfer to the packaging unit of the packaging machine. Preferably, the recesses (pockets) of the feed ring by a skeleton construction, z. B. only with innkonturseitig adapted to the product shape, opposite wall sections, the direct gripping of the product by oppositely movable gripper jaws of a gripper jaw pair.

Fig. 1:

eine Draufsicht auf eine Vereinzelungseinrichtung (Vereinzelungsteller) einer Verpackungsmaschine;

Fig. 2 und 3:

perspektivische Teildarstellungen eines Produktentnahmebereichs des Vereinzelungstellers nach Fig. 1 und einer zur Produktentnahme verwendeten Entnahmeeinheit als Teil einer Verpackungseinrichtung einer Verpackungsmaschine im Moment der Produktentnahme aus dem Vereinzellungsteller, wobei Fig. 2 eine Ansicht aus stromaufseitiger Richtung auf die Entnahmeeinheit und Fig. 3 eine Ansicht aus stromabseitiger Richtung auf die Entnahmeeinheit zeigt.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a preferred embodiment and associated drawings. In these show:

Fig. 1:

a plan view of a separating device (separating plate) of a packaging machine;

2 and 3:

perspective partial representations of a product removal area of the separating actuator after Fig. 1 and a removal unit used for product removal as part of a packaging device of a packaging machine at the moment of product removal from the Vereinzelungsteller, wherein Fig. 2 a view from the upstream direction of the extraction unit and Fig. 3 a view from the downstream direction points to the extraction unit.

For singling and defined alignment of products P, such as confectionery articles, before they are transferred to a corresponding packaging unit (eg a rotating packing head), a separating plate 2 is used, as shown in an overall view in FIG Fig. 1 is shown. By means of a feeding and sorting unit (eg gutter or chute), which are not shown, the products P are placed on the inner separating disk 3 of the singling positioner 2 rotating about a central, vertical axis of rotation 1. From there they slide, due to the centrifugal force effect, over the surface of the inner separating disc 3 and the surface 8 'of the adjoining fixed ring segment 8 up to the surface 4' of the feed ring 4, where they fall into corresponding vertically introduced recesses 5.

The recesses 5 of the feed ring 4 are each continuous in the vertical direction and below the feed ring 5, in turn, a fixed slide ring 11 is arranged so that the fallen into the recesses 5 products P rest on the stationary slide ring 11 and the rotating Aufgabering 4 on the slide ring 11 are pushed further in the circumferential direction into the removal region 6 of the separating actuator 2.

However, this continuation of the isolated products P in the removal region 6 of the separating actuator 2 can also be realized by a supporting Aufgabering 4, ie that the recesses 5 are not continuous in the vertical direction and the products P z. B. supported or partially positively received within the task ring 4, so that in this embodiment of the below the rotating Aufgaberings 4 arranged, fixed slide ring 11 may be omitted. It can thus be distinguished between a sliding and carrying execution of the task ring. 4

How out Fig. 1 It can be seen that a segment portion of the separating plate 2 serves as a removal region 6, ie as region 6, in which the separated products P are respectively removed directly from the respective recess 5 of the charging ring 4 by means of a removal device 7, this removal region 6 being defined by a stationary, bar-shaped Barrier 15 and by an active Produktabweiser (rotating brush 10) from the remaining still on the inner separator disc 3 or on the fixed ring segment 8 and Aufgabering 4 located, unsorted product stream is separated. The blocking of the removal region 6 of product stream (products outside the feed ring 4) can also be effected in another, in particular product-dependent manner, eg by integral design (in particular inclination) of the surface of the singling plate 2, in particular of the inner singling disc 3, so that the removal region 6 " automatically "or without special installations or even due to the long-term effect of products outside the feed ring 4 remains free.

To allow a direct radial removal of product from the recesses 5 of the feed ring 4, the recesses 5 for engaging the opposite gripper jaws 14 of the removal unit 13 each in the radial direction on both sides, i. radially inward and radially outward, open.

In addition, the arranged between inner separating disc 3 and Aufgabering 4, fixed ring segment 8 and the Aufgabering 4 radially outer outer band 9 in the removal region 6 are each partially or completely removed to a direct radial product removal by attacking the gripper jaws 14 of the respective extraction unit 13 of radially inside and outside to allow the product. As from the perspective detailed representations of FIGS. 2 and 3 it can be seen, the curved contour of the fixed outer band 9 and the stationary ring segment 8 is geometrically adjusted in each case the movement path of the gripper jaws 14 of a removal unit 13.

The removal device 7 used in the exemplary embodiment is configured as part of a packaging device of a packaging machine rotating removal head 12 (gripper head) which rotates about a stationary central axis. At the removal head 12, in turn, several removal units 13, preferably arranged in a uniform circumferential pitch, pivotally. The pivot axis 13a of each extraction unit 13 is provided parallel to the axis of rotation of the removal head 12. The removal units 13 lead in the circumferential direction, preferably to compensate for division differences between separating plate (division of the recesses 5) and the division of the removal units 13 on the removal head 12, accelerated movements about their respective pivot axis 13a.

The in the FIGS. 2 and 3 shown removal unit 13 has for product removal in each case two opposing gripper jaws 14 which can perform a closing or opening movement radially to Aufgabering 4 for clamping or releasing the products P, in each case a product of a recess 5 (pocket) of the To pick up task ringings (4). For this purpose, the gripper jaws 14 of a pair of gripper jaws are each pivotable about associated, individual axes 14a (which extend substantially perpendicular to the central axis of rotation of the removal head 12 or the pivot axis of the removal units 13). The gripper jaws can also be mounted in the removal unit 13 about a common axis for an opening and closing movement of the gripper jaw pair.

Are the products not radially but tangentially (in the circumferential direction of Aufgaberinges 4), for example, with the same segmentation, so that the products in the removal area imparted a vertical movement and / or lowering the recesses forming partitions the products are accessible or provided with projections (eg, lollipops) that allow for tangential engagement of opposing gripper jaws on the product for removal, the gripper jaws may also be mounted about a common or about separate pivot axes parallel to the axis or in accordance with the pivot axis of the entire removal unit.

At the same time, the removal unit 13 has a packaging pliers 16, which is also pivotally, preferably coaxially to the pivot axis 13a, mounted on the removal unit 13 by means of a cranked lever 16a and the fixation of the packaging material to the associated, held by the gripper jaws 14 Product P is used. The packaging means 16 has a U-shaped recess for avoiding a collision with the gripper jaws 14 pivotable about the pivot axis 13a, associated removal unit 13. The packaging is preferably radially as a continuous web in the removal head 12 to a product-carrying, with this circumferential removal unit with high Shot down speed, clamped and held by the associated Packmittelzange 16 against the removal unit or the holding jaw pair thereof, so that a packaging material element adjacent to the gripped product and preferably this U-shaped envelope is arranged.

These axes 14a of the gripper jaws 14 extend parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis 13a of the removal unit 13.

The co-axiality of the pivot axis 13a of the extraction unit 13 and the clamp pivot axis 16a of the packaging tongs 16 has advantages in the low-friction transfer of product and packaging material portion from the removal head 12 to a downstream head, which at least partially effects the packaging of the product, e.g. in a two-head packaging machine with two article-bearing heads.

Possibly. However, the pliers pivot axis 16a of the packaging pliers 16 can also be arranged axially parallel, but at a distance from the pivot axis 13a of the removal unit 13.

The arrangement and design of the essential functional elements of the separating actuator 2 is from the overall view from above according to FIG. 1 seen. The axis of rotation of the driven charging ring 4 represents the center of the separating actuator 2. Although the inner separating disk 3 is likewise set in rotary motion by a drive, in the exemplary embodiment, it is apparent from FIG FIG. 1 the rotation axis 1 of the inner separation disc 3 is not identical to the axis of rotation of the Aufgaberings 4 (= center of the separation actuator 2), but arranged offset axially parallel to this, ie the inner separation disc 3 and the Aufgabering 4 are mounted eccentrically to each other. The arranged between the inner separation disc 3 and the outer Aufgabering 4 fixed ring segment 8 but in contrast to the inner separation disc 3 concentric with the axis of rotation of the Aufgaberings 4 (= center of the singling actuator 2).

Due to the eccentric arrangement of the inner separation disc 3 with respect to the fixed ring segment 8, a variable radial width of the stationary ring segment 8 is generated over its circumferential extent. As a result of this variable width, the products P impinging on the stationary ring segment 8 are subjected to an additional component of movement. The movement influencing of the products P produced in this way results in a further optimization of the degree of filling of the feed ring 4.

This in Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment, however, is by no means limiting, because alternatively, a concentric arrangement of inner separation disc 3, outer Aufgabering 4 and zwischengefügtem, fixed ring segment 8 is conceivable. In this way, a constant width of the fixed ring segment 8 is formed over its circumferential extent and thus eliminates the additional, exerted on the products P movement component.

From the FIGS. 2 and 3 It is clear that the surface 8 'of the stationary ring segment 8 is located on a higher vertical plane than the bottom surfaces 5' of the recesses 5 in Aufgabering 4, so that during the singulation process, the products P under the action of gravity in the recesses 5 of the feed ring 4 of fall in the top.

The separating plate 2 thus acts similarly to a perforated plate whose recesses 5 are preferably partially adapted as precisely as possible to the product contour in order to enable a defined (tangential or radial) alignment of the products P. At the same time, however, the products P can be removed directly from the recesses 5 of this plate-like plate construction by the removal unit 13. For this purpose, in the removal region 6 of the separating actuator 2 curved recesses (reductions) compare oblique surface 8 "provided on the fixed ring segment 8 and inclined surface 9 'on the outer band 9, the collision-free allow a radial removal movement of the gripper jaws 14.

As a result, the invention thus provides a separating device for a packaging machine, which can be operated with a very high degree of filling and at the same time with a high level of product protection, so that the efficiency and serviceability of the packaging machine can be further increased.

Claims (17)

1. Singling device, in particular singling plate, for feeding small-sized products to a packaging device of a packaging machine with an inner singling disc (3) rotating about a vertical axis of rotation (1) and a radial external feeder ring (4), rotating about a vertical axis of rotation and at least partially surrounding the inner singling disc (3), that has recesses (5), which are opened opposite each other on both sides in radial direction, for receiving products, whereby the inner singling disc (3) has a take-out area (6) separated by a blocking device (15) that remains free from products, wherein products are in recesses (5) of the feeder ring (4) at the take-out area (6).
2. Singling device according to claim 1, characterized in that a stationary ring segment (8) that conveys a product transfer from the singling device (3) to the feeder ring (4) is provided between the singling disc (3) and the feeder ring (4).
3. Singling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the feeder ring (4) forms a bearing structure for the products (P), or a slide ring (11) is associated to the feeder ring (4) for supporting the products in the recesses (5).
4. Singling device according to claim 3, characterized in that the slide ring (11) is fixedly arranged below the feeder ring (4).
5. Singling device according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the recesses (5) of the feeder ring (4) are provided vertically in a surface (4') of the feeder ring (4) and are continuous in vertical direction.
6. Singling device according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the recesses (5) of the feeder ring (4) are not continuous in vertical direction.
7. Singling device according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a contour of the recesses (5) is at least partially adapted to a contour of the products (P).
8. Singling device according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a stationary ring segment (8) is arranged between the inner singling disc (3) and the outer feeder ring (4) of the singling plate (2).
9. Singling device according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a stationary ring segment (8) is arranged between the inner singling disc (3) and the outer feeder ring (4) of the singling plate (2), and a surface (8') of the stationary ring segment (8) if viewed in vertical direction is situated on the same or on a higher plane than a bottom surface (5') or a bottom plane of the recess (5) so that during the singling process the products (P) fall into the recesses (5) of the feeder ring (4) by action of gravity.
10. Singling device according to one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that an axis of rotation (1) of the inner singling disc (3) is arranged eccentrically to the axis of rotation of the feeder ring (4), and a stationary ring segment (8) is arranged concentrically to the axis of rotation of the feeder ring (4) so that the stationary ring segment (8) has a variable radial width over its circumferential extension in order to give an additional motion component to the supplied products (P).
11. Singling device according to one of the claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the inner singling disc (3), a stationary ring segment (8) and the feeder ring (4) are arranged respectively concentrically to each other, and the stationary ring segment (8) has a constant radial width over its circumferential extension, whereby the feeder ring (4) is surrounded radially outwards by a stationary ring-shaped outer band (9).
12. Singling device according to one of the claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the stationary ring segment (8) and/or the outer band (9) are partially or totally removed in the take-out area (6) of the singling plate (2), and a product pick-up out of the feeder ring (4) is unimpaired.
13. Singling device according to one of the claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a take-out area (6) of the singling plate (2) is separated by means of one or more active product deflectors from the flow of products supplied onto the inner singling disc (3) so that only the products (P) singled in the recesses (5) of the feeder ring (4) arrive into the take-out area (6) of the singling plate (2).
14. Packaging machine for packaging small-sized products with a singling device according to at least one of the claims 1 to 13.
15. Packaging machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the products (P) can be fed from above into the recesses (15) in order to convey them to a take-out area, whereby the singled product (P) can be taken out in the take-out area out of the respective recess (5) of the feeder ring (4) respectively by means of a take-out device (7).
16. Packaging machine according to one of the claims 14 or 15, characterized in that the take-out device (7) is part of a packaging device and is designed as a rotating pick-up head (12) with several pick-up units (13) swivellably mounted thereon, whereby the pick-up units (13) are provided with respectively two swivelling gripper jaws (14) facing each other in order to remove the products (P) from the recesses (5) of the feeder ring (4) respectively by clamping between these gripper jaws (14) in radial direction or circumferential direction.
17. Packaging machine according to one of the claims 14 to 18, characterized by only two product carrying heads or more than two product carrying heads, in particular by three to five product carrying heads.

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