EP2620397B1 - Drum unit with retrieval system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for the automatic removal of stacked, flat products, preferably prefolded folded products such as packing slips, leaflets, booklets, outserts or flat folded carton blanks, from an open-topped outer packaging, in particular from a tray, wherein a drum rotatable about a horizontal longitudinal axis is, distributed around its circumference four each offset by 90 ° from each other, radially incised having mutually equal chambers, which are dimensioned such that they can each accommodate a tray with stacked products.

Such a device is known from EP 1 652 774 A1 ,

A gripper system for the automatic removal of bars of flat goods from a transport packaging is known, for example from the DE 100 10 100 A1 ,

The removal of loose, vertically stacked components, such as slips, folding papers, cards and the like from containers is usually very difficult to solve fully automated, because the insertion and positioning of tools for damage-free removal is not possible directly reliable. When filling the containers with folded materials, these build up a kind of tension against the wall of the container due to their expansion. This fact further complicates the removal of the stack. The usual procedure in industry is the manual removal by persons. At any rate, in the packaging industry, no fully automated removal systems for loosely stacked leaflets from outer packaging are known, which make it possible to remove all the components at once with the necessary safety and to feed them to the packaging machine. Current systems therefore require manual loading of the trays in a vertical position. Beforehand, a front side wall of the tray must be opened by hand, so that the packing slips can slip out or be led out. The leaflets are then individually processed by machine and fed to the packaging machine.

For the field of folding carton blanks already describes the DE 196 35 433 A1 a device for the automatic transfer of flat folding carton blanks from an outer packaging in a feeder of a cartoning machine. In an automated removal device, the flat folded carton blanks, which are usually stacked in several layers one above the other and separated by intermediate bottoms, are made of a sleeve-shaped top and bottom removed from open outer packaging. For this purpose, the stacked layers are raised from below relative to the outer packaging by means of a lifting device. As soon as the uppermost layer with its associated intermediate bottom has arrived above the upper edge of the outer packaging, the entire layer is laterally pushed onto a conveyor belt and removed from the outer packaging in the horizontal direction. As a prerequisite for this automated removal, however, a sleeve-shaped outer packaging must be used with specially designed shelves. The opening process of the outer packaging before the automated removal process is relatively complicated and only manually feasible. It should be noted that the despite the bottom and top open sleeve, which often consists of a plastic film, no packaged parts should fall out. On the other hand, the uprighting and filling process, in which the same problems occur in the reverse order of time, is just as complex and difficult to automate. In addition, in the case of different formats of the outer packaging according to the DE 196 35 433 A1 known technique different devices with appropriately designed lifting devices are used to effect a precise fit relative movement of the entire layers relative to the opened outer packaging. Also, the removal of the shelves is done by separate, specially designed for this purpose devices. Finally, at the end of the automated removal process, the disposal of the empty outer packaging, which is realized by means of a relatively expensive disposal device for removing the empty tube remains.

Particularly disadvantageous in this known device, however, is the removal of the folding box blanks by means of a conveyor belt. As a result, the originally folded in cartons folded cartons at best lying flat in dandruff form, so that the relatively neatly handled bars are lost as such. In addition, the choice of the destination is extremely limited by the use of a conveyor belt, since normal conveyor belts usually can not be pivoted in any direction and extended or shortened to any destination.

A considerable improvement offers a contrast in the DE 197 20 710 C2 described gripper system, which is prepared for the removal of flat folding cartons from a transport packaging. In this case, a flat suction unit is used in a holding direction, which has a negative pressure generation in a direction perpendicular to the y-direction z-direction. By means of such a suction gripper, a gentle, secure transport holder of the folding carton bar can be achieved. By coupling this known gripper system to a positioning system, in particular to a robot cell, the removed bars of folding boxes can be transported practically anywhere. A disadvantage of this known gripper system, however, that a device for generating negative pressure is necessarily required to make the flat suction unit in the holding direction to take effect. Since the negative pressure usually can not be generated on the gripper system itself, therefore, a suction line to the gripper system must be installed from a remote location, which must be designed to be flexible and flexible, so that the gripper actually transported from the positioning any desired destination and thereby always the required vacuum for the effectiveness of the suction device can be kept.

From the US-A 4,538,511 In contrast, a simpler, equipped only with mechanical holding devices gripper system is known, with which also rod-shaped juxtaposition flat goods such as cartons can be removed from containers and transported. However, these containers are not a carton, as is commonly used as carton packaging, but specially dressed, laterally open containers in an automated transport system. Removing a carton box from a conventional carton is not possible with the known system.

The gripper system according to the cited above DE 100 10 100 A1 Finally, the automatic removal of bars allows flat goods from an open outer packaging and their careful and safe transport to any destination in the vicinity. This is achieved by virtue of the fact that the elements of the arrangement which act in the x-direction comprise a pair of side wings which are arranged on two opposite sides with respect to a y-axis of the device and, after corresponding pivoting, each have one in the x-direction or in x-direction acting force on the rod of flat goods can exert that the side wings along a to the y and to the x-direction perpendicular z-axis linearly movable and lockable in at least two axial positions along the z-direction, and that the Side wings are designed so that they can exert a force on the rod of flat goods in the z direction. This can indeed accomplish the desired automated removal of rods of flat goods from an open outer packaging, but obviously at the cost of an extremely complicated electromechanical system with a corresponding number of potential sources of error and, of course, correspondingly high manufacturing and operating costs.

The present invention is based on the object to modify with costly technical means, a device for automatic removal of stacked, flat products of the generic type with the features defined in that the advantages of the known gripper systems, especially the fully automatic removal of the flat products an outer packaging can also be achieved, but the technical effort for this should be significantly lower.

This object is achieved in a surprisingly simple and cost-effective manner by the fact that the drum can be rotated so that the first chamber positioned in a zero-clock position with upwardly directed receiving opening for inserting a tray with stacked in the direction of the longitudinal axis products with the second chamber simultaneously in a nine o'clock position in neutral position, the third chamber in a six o'clock position in an overhead removal position with downwardly directed opening for removing the stacked products from the third chamber under the action of gravity and optionally a shaking movement and finally the fourth chamber are positioned in a three o'clock position in disposal position for removing the empty tray, and that below the drum following the third chamber positioned in its removal position, a transport means for loading with the out of the opening the third chamber in this position moved out stack of products and for their further transport in the horizontal direction away from the drum is provided.

The new inventive idea is to use instead of a complex gripper mechanism a simple rotatable drum with appropriately designed chambers to the functions of automatable loading with a filled with processed flat products tray, the targeted automatic removal of the entire stack of flat products from the tray below Influence of gravity as well as the uncomplicated disposal of the emptied tray out of the drum. Thus, a particularly simple and reliable device for the automatic removal of stacked, flat products from an open-topped outer packaging can now be provided without major manufacturing effort.

Embodiments of the device according to the invention are preferred, in which the transport device comprises a horizontally extending rail system, on which the stack of flat products moved out of the opening of the third chamber in its overhead removal position can be picked up in the horizontal direction away from the drum for further transport.

In particularly advantageous developments of these embodiments, at least one rail of the rail system can be moved in the vertical direction in order to promote or initiate the removal of the stack from the outer packaging.

Very particular preference is given to variants of these developments, in which the vertically movable rail comprises a vibration unit with which the stack removal can be initiated in a defined manner and carried out safely and completely.

Further developments of the embodiments described above are particularly advantageous, which are characterized in that the rail system has two parallel with horizontal spacing arranged, movable along the rail system slide, which moved out in the removal position from the third chamber stack of products at the beginning of the stack and Limit the stack end and thus enable a loss-proof and tamper-proof onward transport of the entire stack.

Alternatively or additionally, in further embodiments of the invention, the transport device may comprise a carriage and / or a carriage and / or a conveyor belt for receiving the stack of flat products moved out of the opening of the third chamber in the overhead removal position and for transporting it further.

In a class of advantageous embodiments of the invention, a movable in the radial direction of the drum lifting unit is provided inside the drum, which is mechanically coupled to a tray inserted in a chamber and on the one hand ensures its tight fit within the chamber during the rotational phases, on the other hand aids in the removal of the stack from the tray in the six o'clock position.

Also advantageous are embodiments of the invention in which a conveyor for automatically removing the ejected from the fourth chamber empty outer packaging is provided radially outside next to the drum following the fourth chamber in its three o'clock disposal position, thus also this necessary process step automated and can be done without human intervention.

For the same reasons, embodiments of the device according to the invention are also advantageous, in which, radially outward over the drum following the first chamber in its zero-clock loading position, a conveying device for automatically feeding the filled into the first chamber, filled with a stack of flat products Overpacking is provided.

In further very advantageous embodiments of the invention, the drum may have a set of four additional chambers at 45 ° offset from the first four chambers to increase either the capacity and processing speed of the equipment or its flexibility in processing different flat products.

In a preferred development of these embodiments, the chambers of the first set have a different size than that of the second set in order to be able to process flat products or outer packages of different sizes with the same device.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the Invention with reference to the figures of the drawing showing essential to the invention details, and from the claims. The individual features may be implemented individually for themselves or for a plurality of combinations in variants of the invention.

In the schematic drawing embodiments of the invention are shown, which are explained in more detail in the following description.

Fig.1

eine schematische Schnittansicht durch die Trommel einer Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit einem Tray in der ersten Kammer in der Null-Uhr-Position (I), welche in der durch einen gekrümmten Pfeil angedeuteten Rotationsrichtung der Trommel von der Null-Uhr-Position (I) über die neutrale Neun-Uhr-Position (II), die Sechs-Uhr-Position (III) mit einer Überkopf-Entnahmestellung mit nach unten gerichteter Öffnung zum Entfernen der gestapelten Produkte in die Drei-Uhr-Position (IV) zur Entsorgung des leeren Trays rotiert werden kann;

Fig. 2

wie Fig.1, wobei sämtliche vier Kammern in den vier Positionen jeweils mit einem Tray beladen sind;

Fig. 3a

der untere Bereich der Trommel von Fig. 2 in weiterem Detail mit Schieber zur Verhinderung eines ungewollten Herausfallens des Stapels von Flachprodukten aus der Kammer;

Fig. 3

wie Fig. 1, aber mit dem weiteren Detail einer vertikal bewegbaren Hubeinheit zur mechanischen An- und Abkopplung an das in der Kammer befindliche Tray;

Fig. 4

wie Fig. 3 aber mit dem weiteren Detail eines längs des Schienensystems bewegbaren Schiebers zum Zusammenhalten des entnommenen Stapels von Flachprodukten während der Weiterbeförderung von der Trommel weg;

Fig. 5

eine schematische räumliche Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäß eingesetzten Trommel mit 2 x 4 Kammern zur Verarbeitung von Trays zweier unterschiedlicher Größen;

Fig. 6a

eine schematische räumliche Darstellung einer Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit einer Fördervorrichtung zum automatischen Zuführen der in die erste Kammer einzulegenden gefüllten Trays sowie einer weiteren Fördereinrichtung zum automatischen Entfernen der aus der vierten Kammer ausgestoßenen leeren Trays;

Fig. 6b

eine detaillierte Ansicht des Auslaufs der Vorrichtung nach Fig. 6a; und

Fig. 7

eine schematische Vertikal-Schnitt-Ansicht durch die Trommel und den Auslauf einer Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung.

Show it:

Fig.1

a schematic sectional view through the drum of an embodiment of the device according to the invention with a tray in the first chamber in the zero-clock position (I), which in the direction indicated by a curved arrow rotation direction of the drum from the zero-clock position (I) above the nine o'clock neutral position (II), the six o'clock position (III) with an overhead removal position with downwardly facing opening for removing the stacked products to the three o'clock position (IV) for disposal of the empty one Trays can be rotated;

Fig. 2

as Fig.1 wherein all four chambers in the four positions are each loaded with a tray;

Fig. 3a

the lower area of the drum of Fig. 2 in more detail, with a slider for preventing accidental dropout of the stack of flat products from the chamber;

Fig. 3

as Fig. 1 but with the further detail of a vertically movable lifting unit for mechanical coupling and uncoupling to the tray located in the chamber;

Fig. 4

as Fig. 3 but with the further detail of a slider movable along the rail system for holding together the removed stack of flat products as they pass from the drum;

Fig. 5

a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the invention used according to the invention with 2 x 4 chambers for processing trays of two different sizes;

Fig. 6a

a schematic spatial representation of an embodiment of the device according to the invention with a conveyor for automatically feeding the filled into the first chamber filled trays and another conveyor for automatically removing the expelled from the fourth chamber empty trays;

Fig. 6b

a detailed view of the outlet of the device according to Fig. 6a ; and

Fig. 7

a schematic vertical sectional view through the drum and the outlet of an embodiment of the device according to the invention.

The embodiments of the device according to the invention shown in the figures of the drawing for the automatic removal of stacked, flat products 1, preferably prefolded folded products such as packing slips, leaflets, booklets, outserts or lying flat carton blanks, from an open-topped outer packaging 2; 6, in particular from a tray, according to the invention are characterized in that a rotatable about a horizontal longitudinal axis drum 3 is provided, which is distributed around its circumference four each offset by 90 ° staggered, radially cut mutually same chambers 4 having such dimensions are that they can each receive a tray with stacked products 1, that the drum 3 can be rotated so that the first chamber in a zero-clock position (I) with upwardly directed receiving opening for inserting a tray 2 with in the direction the longitudinal axis of stacked products 1, wherein at the same time the second chamber in a nine o'clock position (II) in neutral position, the third chamber in a six o'clock position (III) in an overhead removal position with downwardly directed opening to Removing the stacked product from the third chamber under the action of gravity and possibly a shaking movement and finally the fourth chamber in a three o'clock position (IV) are positioned in the disposal position for removing the empty tray 6, and that below the drum 3, following the third chamber positioned in its removal position (III), a transport means 8; 10 is provided for loading with the moved out of the opening of the third chamber in this position stack 7 of products 1 and for their further transport in the horizontal direction of the drum 3 away.

The transport device 8; 10 includes a horizontally extending rail system, as particularly shown in FIGS Figures 3 . 4 . 6a, 6b and 7 is clearly recognizable. At least one of the rails of this rail system is movable in the vertical direction and comprises a vibration unit (see FIGS. 3 and 3a ).

In addition, the rail system 8; 10 two parallel with horizontal distance from each other, along the rail system movable slide 11 , which limit the moved out in the removal position from the third chamber stack 7 of flat products 1 at the beginning of the stack and the stack end.

In - not shown in the drawing - embodiments of the invention, the transport device 8; 10 also have a carriage and / or a carriage and / or a conveyor belt for receiving the moved out of the opening of the third chamber in the overhead removal position stack 7 of products 1 and for their further transport.

Inside the drum 3 is a movable in the radial direction of the drum 3 lifting unit 5; 9 is provided, which is mechanically connected to a tray inserted in a tray and can be decoupled.

The drum unit 3 according to the invention simultaneously serves for the feeding, positioning and emptying of packed, vertically stacked flat products 1 in the outer packaging 2. The trays are deposited in layers by a robot on a conveyor belt and transported from there in the direction of the drum. At the end of the tape is the slider, which inserts the trays one by one into the drum. Finally, the empty containers are removed. The fully automated process takes place in the rotating drum unit 3 with different operations in the above-defined positions I to IV. The drum 3 is fitted with the containers 2 via a sliding unit (I). The drum 3 moves in each step by 90 °. After the first partial rotation, the container is in a neutral position (II) without active working step. In the third position, the container is positioned overhead (III). A movable in the radial direction of the drum 3 lifting unit 5 in the middle of the drum fixes the container 6 and holds it firmly. The stack 7 of flat products 1 lies on a rail system 8; 10, is lowered and slides down (see in particular in the FIGS. 3 and 3a ). By a longitudinal vibration unit in the rail system 8; 10, the process of sliding out is supported by impacts on the product stack. Two slides 11 in the rail system 8; 10 promote the flat products out of the drum unit 3 via a guide. The empty container 6 is released from the fixing device 9 again and brought by rotation of the drum 3 in the disposal position (IV). Another pushing device conveys the empty container 6 out of the drum unit 3.

Radially outside of the drum 3, a conveyor 22 for automatically removing the empty tray 6 ejected from the fourth chamber is provided adjacent to the fourth chamber in its three o'clock disposal position (IV).

As in Fig. 6a can be seen, also radially outward above the drum 3, following the first chamber in its zero-clock loading position (I) a conveyor 21 for automatically feeding the to be inserted into the first chamber, filled with a stack 7 of flat products 1 Trays 2 is provided ,

A complete process includes:

• Pick up the box (vacuum cleaner tool)
• Placement of the box in the swivel unit (vacuum cleaner tool)
• Fixing the box (slider on swivel unit)
• Cutting the package strip at the top and bottom (knife tool, swivel unit)
• Opening the four cardboard lid parts (knife tool)
• Pivoting the box (swivel unit)
• Gripping the gripper and picking up the first Traylage (gripper tool)
• Storage of the first layer on the feed unit to the drum
• Disposal of paper liner
• Pivoting the box (swivel unit)
• Gripping the gripper and picking up the second layer (gripper tool)
• Storage of the second layer on the feed unit to the drum
• Folding and disposal of the outer packaging (vacuum cleaner tool)
• Insert trays one by one into the drum
• Further clocking in 90 ° steps
• Removal in the overhead position, rear suction of the tray, movable external rail elements to move around the packing slip.
• Further clocking to the disposal position. Pushing out the empty tray.
• Transfer the empty trays via conveyor belt to the disposal point

Fig. 5 shows a special embodiment of the drum according to the invention with 2 x 4 chambers for processing trays of two different sizes. The two sets of chambers are arranged in the drum offset by 45 ° to each other and point according to the two types of trays to be processed in each case two different sizes.

In order for the products to pass through the lifting unit without jamming, as in Fig. 6b shown - before turning the drum, a sliding plate 23 extended horizontally. The products are lowered in a controlled manner. The above-described lifting unit 5 can vibrate in the horizontal or in the vertical direction. After removal, the product stacks are held between two drivers (slide 11). As soon as a new product stack hits the previous product package, the front carrier is pulled in by the new package and the rear carrier of the previous package, so that only the rearmost driver presses from behind.

• Hubeinheit horizontal + Hubeinheit mit Sauger horizontal
• Hubeinheit vertikal + Hubeinheit mit Sauger vertikal
• Hubeinheit horizontal + Hubeinheit mit Sauger vertikal
• Hubeinheit vertikal + Hubeinheit mit Sauger horizontal

oder jede Einheit für sich alleine.As in Fig. 7 shown, a lifting unit 24 may be provided with suckers, which can vibrate either horizontally or vertically. So that the suckers are out of the way during the rotation of the drum, the suckers are raised. Combinations of vibrations: There are all combinations of vibrations

• Horizontal lifting unit + lifting unit with suction cup horizontally
• Vertical lifting unit + lifting unit with suction unit vertical
• Horizontal lifting unit + lifting unit with suction cup vertically
• Vertical lifting unit + lifting unit with suction cup horizontally

or each unit on its own.

The choice of combinations depends on the product.

Suction cups 25 in the drum hold the tray during the unloading process.

Two slide units 26 are provided on the rail system: two drivers 11 are mounted on each of the two slide units 26. The sliding units 26 convey the product packages out of the drum unit and feed them to a packaging installation.

Claims (11)

1. Apparatus for the automatic removal of flat products (1) stacked against one another, and preferably pre-folded folded products such as packing slips, patient information sheets, booklets or outserts, or blanks for folded boxes which are in a flat state, from outer packaging (2, 6) which is open at the top and in particular from a tray, there being provided a drum (3), rotatable on a horizontal longitudinal axis, which has, distributed around its circumference, four mutually identical chambers (4) which are arranged with a 90° offset from one another, which are recessed radially, and which are of a size such that they are each able to receive a tray containing products (1) stacked against one another, characterised in that the drum (3) can be rotated in such a way that the first chamber is positioned in a 12 o'clock position in which a receiving opening, for the insertion of a tray containing products (1) which are stacked against one another in the direction defined by the longitudinal axis, is directed upwards while, at the same time, the second chamber is positioned in a 9 o'clock position which is a neutral position, the third chamber is positioned in a 6 o'clock position which is a position for removal from overhead in which an opening is directed downwards, for the removal of the products (1) stacked against one another from the third chamber under the prompting of gravity and, if required, a shaking movement and, finally, the fourth chamber is positioned in a 3 o'clock position which is a disposal position for the removal of the empty tray (6), and in that there is provided below the drum (3), following on from the third chamber when positioned in its position for removal, a transporting means (8; 10) to be loaded with the stack (7) of products (1) which has moved out of the opening of the third chamber in this position and to feed them onwards and away from the drum (3) in a horizontal direction.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the transporting means comprises a horizontally extending rail system (8; 10).
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterised in that at least one rail (8) of the rail system (8; 10) can be moved in a vertical direction.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterised in that the rail (8) able to be moved vertically comprises a vibrator unit.
5. Apparatus according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the rail system (8; 10) has two pushers (11) which are arranged in parallel or in line and at a distance from one another horizontally, which can be moved along the rail system (8; 10), and which form boundaries at the beginning of the stack and at the end of the stack for the stack (7) of products (1) which moves out of the third chamber in the removal position.
6. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transporting means (8; 10) has a carriage and/or a slider and/or a conveyor belt to receive the stack (7) of products (1) which moves out of the opening of the third chamber in the position for removal from overhead and to feed it onwards.
7. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that there is provided in the interior of the drum (3) a lifting unit (5, 9) which can be moved in a radial direction of the drum (3) and which can be mechanically coupled to and uncoupled from a tray inserted in a chamber.
8. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that there is provided, clear of the drum (3) radially and adjacent to it and following on from the fourth chamber in its 3 o'clock position, a feeding means (22) for the automatic removal of the empty tray (6) ejected from the fourth chamber.
9. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that there is provided, clear of the drum (3) radially and above it and following on from the first chamber in its 12 o'clock position for loading, a feeding arrangement (21) for the automatic infeed of the tray (2) filled with a stack (7) of products (1) which is to be inserted in the first chamber.
10. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the drum (3) has a set of four more chambers offset at 45° from the first four chambers.
11. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterised in that the chambers making up the first set are of a different size from those making up the second set.

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