EP2729374B1 - Method and linear device for handling articles - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for handling objects, in particular hygiene products such as diapers, sanitary napkins or the like, wherein the articles are conveyed on a first feed conveyor and conveyed away as a compressed group of objects on a discharge conveyor, according to the preamble of claim 1 Invention a corresponding device, according to the preamble of claim 4.

From practice such devices and methods are known in different variants. Also US 2,962,848 A . DE 20 11 921 A1 and FR 2 771 375 A1 show a device and method according to the preamble of claim 1. However, a disadvantage of the corresponding devices and methods is the total not sufficient performance of previous concepts.

On this basis, the object of the invention is to develop known devices and methods, in particular with regard to a greater performance.

To solve this problem, a method with the features of claim 1 is proposed. It is therefore provided that feed conveyor and discharge conveyor run parallel to each other and that a compression conveyor is angled, in particular transversely, between the feed conveyor and discharge conveyor, and that the compression conveyor has a feeder facing inlet region and a discharge conveyor facing the outlet region, wherein the inlet region and / or the discharge area is moved along with the group of items on the feeder or the depositing position on the discharge conveyor, for transferring the items between the conveyors during the continuous transport. This solution has the particular advantage that the objects can be transferred during the continuous operation of the feed conveyor and the discharge conveyor. According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the inlet region and outlet region of the compression conveyor are moved independently of one another.

Furthermore, the articles are preferably arranged in compartments formed on the feed conveyor and pushed off by means of a Abschubeinrichtung from the laterally open compartments in the inlet region of the Komprimierförderers, wherein the Komprimierförderer angular, in particular transversely to the feed conveyor, and that the compressed group of objects in the outlet region of the Compressing conveyor is transferred to a tray formed on the discharge conveyor, wherein the discharge conveyor at an angle, in particular transversely, to the compression conveyor and preferably parallel to the feed conveyor.

An apparatus for solving the above-mentioned problem has the features of claim 4. Accordingly, it is accordingly provided that feed conveyors and discharge conveyors run parallel to one another and that a compression conveyor runs at an angle, in particular transversely, between feed conveyor and removal conveyor, and that the compression conveyor has an inlet area facing the feed conveyor and an outlet area facing the discharge conveyor, wherein the inlet area and / or or the discharge area are movable together with the group of objects on the feed conveyor or the storage position on the discharge conveyor, for transferring the objects between the conveyors during the continuous transport.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention can be provided that the objects rest in the region of the Komprimierförderers on a conveyor track and by conveying means of the Komprimierförderers in the direction of the discharge conveyor are movable, wherein the conveying means are formed by transversely directed to the conveying direction transport organs, at least each on the back are arranged behind a group of objects and wherein preferably the group of objects on the front side is supported on a further transport member.

In a preferred embodiment it can be provided that the transport members are formed by cross struts, which are passed through recesses in the lateral guides of the Komprimierförderers, and that preferably the distance between the rear and front transport members in accordance with the dimensions of the objects to be transported is variable.

Another special feature may be that lateral guides of the inlet area and / or the outlet area each substantially parallel arranged to one another and with respect to their respective distance from one another, preferably individually, are variable, and that preferably the lateral guides are arranged parallel to carriers of the feed conveyor and / or the discharge conveyor for forming laterally open compartments for a plurality of objects.

Furthermore, it may be important that the lateral guides between the inlet region and the outlet region are each deformable, in particular by articulated connection of partial guides with each other and / or with the inlet region and / or the outlet region.

Fig. 1

eine Draufsicht auf eine Vorrichtung zum Handhaben von Gegenständen, beim Zuführen von Gegenständen von einem ersten Förderer (Zuförderer),

Fig. 2

die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 beim Übergeben von komprimierten Gegenständen auf einen zweiten Förderer (Abförderer),

Fig. 3

einen Vertikalschnitt durch die Vorrichtung entlang Schnittlinie III-III in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4

einen Vertikalschnitt durch die Vorrichtung entlang Schnittlinie IV-IV in Fig. 1,

Fig. 5

eine Einzelheit V der Vorrichtung in vergrößerter teilweiser Darstellung, gemäß Kennzeichnung in Fig. 3, und

Fig. 6

eine Einzelheit VI der Vorrichtung in vergrößerter teilweiser Darstellung, gemäß Kennzeichnung in Fig. 1.

A preferred embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawing. In this show:

Fig. 1

a top view of an apparatus for handling objects, when feeding objects from a first conveyor (feeder),

Fig. 2

the device according to Fig. 1 when transferring compressed objects to a second conveyor (removal conveyor),

Fig. 3

a vertical section through the device along section line III-III in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 4

a vertical section through the device along section line IV-IV in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 5

a detail V of the device in an enlarged partial representation, as indicated in Fig. 3 , and

Fig. 6

a detail VI of the device in enlarged partial representation, as indicated in Fig. 1 ,

The invention will be described below with reference to a device for grouping objects 10. The articles 10 may be (packaged) hygiene products such as diapers, sanitary napkins or wipes. In the present case, the articles 10 have a flat shape.

The articles 10 are transported on a continuously driven feed conveyor 11. On the feed conveyor 11 compartments 12 are formed, in which a plurality of objects 10 may be arranged. In the present case, the content of several compartments 12 forms a group 13 of objects 10 to be packaged. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the content of only one compartment 12 of the feed conveyor 11 forms the group 13.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the objects 10 are arranged upright in the compartments 12. Conceivable is a sealing layer of the objects 10 in the compartments 12, as far as they are completely filled. Preferably, the articles 10 are in the compartments 12 with large (front and back) sides together. Preferably, the objects 10 rest on an upper run of the feed conveyor 11 or a transport path.

Furthermore, a discharge conveyor 14 is provided which, like the feed conveyor 11, is continuously driven. Compartments 15 are also formed on the discharge conveyor 14 for receiving compressed objects 10. It is provided that a compartment 15 contains in each case the number of objects 10 corresponding to the contents of the package. Alternatively, it is of course also conceivable that the content of several compartments 15 forms the package contents.

Also on the discharge conveyor 14, the objects 10 are arranged upright in the compartments 15. Due to the compression of the objects 10, these are in sealing position with large (front and back) sides together.

Between the feed conveyor 11 and the discharge conveyor 14, a compression device 16 for compressing a group 13 of objects 10 is arranged. For this purpose, the group 13 is transferred during the continuous transport from the feed conveyor 11 to the compression device 16 and transferred after compression in a compartment 15 on the discharge conveyor 14, which is also driven continuously.

In the present case, the compression device 15 has a compression conveyor 17, which transports the group 13 of articles 10 between the feed conveyor 11 and the discharge conveyor 14 and thereby compresses. The compression conveyor 17 extends at an angle, preferably transversely, between the feed conveyor 11 and the discharge conveyor 14, which run parallel to one another in the region of the compression conveyor 17. Feed conveyor 11 and discharge conveyor 14 transport the objects 10 in the present case in the same direction. It is conceivable that feed conveyor 11 and discharge conveyor 14 transport the objects 10 in different, in particular opposite, directions.

For transferring a group 13 of articles 10 from the feed conveyor 11 to the compression conveyor 17, a Abschubeinrichtung 18 is provided with the group 13 angle, in particular transversely, pushed out to the transport direction on the feed conveyor 11 from the compartments 12 and the compression conveyor 17 can be supplied. The Abschubeinrichtung 18 has for this purpose a slide 19, which is brought laterally to rest on an upright edge of the packaging articles 10 and which supplies the articles 10 to the Komprimierförderer 17.

The slider 19 is adapted to be moved together with the articles 10 in the conveying direction of the feed conveyor 11, to allow the Abschub the articles 10 during the continuous transport. For this purpose, the slide 19 is mounted laterally of the feed conveyor 11 such that it is parallel to this in and opposite to the conveying direction of the same movable. Furthermore, the slider 19 is mounted displaceably transversely to the conveying direction to deport the articles 10. Furthermore, the slider 19 is pivotally mounted to be moved back to a starting position after the removal of the objects 10 ( Fig. 3 ). The pivot axis of the slider 19 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the feed conveyor eleventh

The compartments 12 on the feed conveyor 11 are limited transversely to the transport direction by drivers 20. The drivers 20 have a smaller vertical extent than the objects 10, so that the objects 10 on the Carrier 20 protrude and so in this area are laterally detected by the slider 19.

The compression conveyor 17 has an inlet region 21 facing the feed conveyor 11 and a discharge region 22 facing the discharge conveyor 14. The inlet region 21 and the outlet region 22 each have substantially parallel, lateral guides 23, 24 for a group 13 of articles 10. The lateral guides 23, 24 are each aligned parallel to the carriers of feed conveyor 11 and discharge conveyor 14. Between the lateral guides 23, 24 in the inlet region 21 and the outlet region 22 each lateral guides 25 are arranged, which extend along the transport path of the group 13 of objects 10. The respective adjacent lateral guides 23, 24, 25 are hinged together. For this purpose, the guides 23, 24, 25 may be connected to each other by appropriate joints, or by articulated intermediate pieces 47 (FIGS. Fig. 6 ).

The group 13 of objects 10 is pushed by the Abschubeinrichtung 18 coming from the feed conveyor 11 between the lateral guides 23 of the inlet region 21. The feeders 11 facing end portions of the lateral guides 23 are slightly divergent in order to facilitate the insertion of the group 11 between the lateral guides 23. The distance of the lateral guides 23 to one another corresponds to the width (size) of the uncompressed group 13 of objects 10.

The distance of the lateral guides 24 in the outlet region 22 is less than the distance of the lateral guides 23 and substantially corresponds to the width of a tray 12 on the discharge conveyor 14. Optionally, the distance may be slightly smaller than the corresponding width of a tray 12th

The lateral guides 25 extending between the lateral guides 23, 24 of the inlet region 21 and outlet region 22 converge towards one another, so that the channel formed between the lateral guides 23, 24, 25 for the articles 10 extends from the inlet region 21 to the Outlet area 22 tapers. By transporting the group 11 of articles 10 along the lateral guides 23, 24, 25, the group 11 is compressed accordingly. The transport of the objects 10 takes place as on the feed conveyor 11 and the discharge conveyor 14 continuously.

During the continuous transport of the articles 10 on the compression conveyor 17, the articles 10 rest on a conveyor track 26 which extends between the feed conveyor 11 and the discharge conveyor 14. The group 13 of articles 10 is continuously moved by a conveyor between the feed conveyor 11 and the discharge conveyor 14. The conveyor has in the present case transversely to the conveying direction of the articles 10 aligned transverse struts 27 as transport organs, which rest in the conveying direction on the back of a group 13 and push them over the conveyor track 26. Further transverse struts 28 are provided for the front contact with a group 13. The transverse struts 27, 28 are arranged alternately successively.

The two groups of transverse struts 27, 28 are each driven by conveyor chains 29, 30. The conveyor chains 29, 30 extend on both sides of the conveyor track 26 and are connected to the transverse struts 27 and 28, respectively. The inner conveyor chain 29 serves to drive the transverse struts 27, whereas the outer conveyor chain 30 serves to drive the transverse struts 28. The conveyor chains 29, 30 are guided over deflection rollers such that the transverse struts 27, 28 are guided at a distance above the conveyor track 26 for transporting the articles 10. Below the conveyor track 26 is in each case a separate drive shaft 31, 32 for the conveyor chain 29, 30th intended. Only the drive shaft 32 for the outer conveyor chain 30 is driven by a drive 35. By coupling the two drive shafts 31, 32 by means of a drive belt 33, both drive shafts 31, 32 are moved by the drive 34.

Over the circumference of the conveyor chains 29, 30 are each a plurality of transverse struts 27, 28 distributed at a uniform spacing. In this way, a plurality of groups 13 of articles 10 can be transported simultaneously to the compression conveyor 17. The distance between the transverse struts 27, 28 of the same conveyor chain 29, 30 is fixed and unchangeable. The distance between the transverse struts 27, 28 of the two different conveyor chains 29, 30, however, is variable. For this purpose, the relative position of the two conveyor chains 29, 30 to each other changed and by means of a latching device, in particular a locking pin 35 are set. In this way, the distance of the successive transverse struts 27, 28 are adapted to each other, depending on the length of the objects to be handled 10 in the conveying direction of the Komprimierförderers 17. In the lateral guides 23, 24, 25 slot-like openings 38 are formed by the the transverse struts 27, 28 extend therethrough.

A special feature is that the inlet region 21 and the outlet region 22 are each preferably movable independently of one another, corresponding to the movement of the feed conveyor 11 and the discharge conveyor 14, respectively.

Both the inlet region 21 and the outlet region 22 can be moved transversely to the transport direction of the compression conveyor 17 for this purpose, independently of one another. For this purpose, the inlet region 21 along a corresponding first transverse axis 36 and the outlet region 22 along a corresponding second. Transverse axis 37 slidably mounted. The transverse axes 36, 37 extend parallel to the feed conveyor 11 and the discharge conveyor 14 and are displaceable in the axial direction by means of corresponding servo drives 48.

Furthermore, it is provided that the distance of the lateral guides 23, 24 of the inlet region 21 and the outlet region 22 is adjustable. For this purpose, the lateral guide 23, 24 respectively to support means 39, 40 are arranged, which are mutually adjustable and which are displaceable together by moving the transverse axis. Each support means 39, 40 has two support arms 41, 42 which are interconnected and at the end of each part of the lateral guides 23, 24 carries above and below the openings 38 for the transverse struts 27, 28. The interconnected support arms 41, 42 are along the transverse axes 36, 37 associated clamping rails 43, 44 to each other. The relative position of Carrying devices 39, 40 can be fixed relative to the clamping rails 43, 44, preferably via clamping levers 45, 46.

• Die Gegenstände 10 werden durch eine nicht gezeigte Vorrichtung in die Fächer 12 des Zuförderers 11 eingefördert, wobei die Gegenstände aufrecht in den Fächern 12 stehen und quer zur Transportrichtung angeordnet sind. Im Bereich der Abschubeinrichtung 18 wird eine Gruppe 13 von Gegenständen 10 durch den Schieber 19 erfasst und während des kontinuierlichen Laufs des Zuförderers 11 in den Einlaufbereich 21 des anschließenden Komprimierförderers 17 geschoben. Dabei wird der Einlaufbereich entsprechend der Bewegung der Gruppe 13 zusammen mit dem Stempel 19 bewegt, sodass der Abschub der Gruppe 13 während der kontinuierlichen Bewegung der Gegenstände 10 bzw. der Gruppe 13 erfolgt.

The device described so far operates as follows:

• The articles 10 are conveyed by a device not shown in the compartments 12 of the feed conveyor 11, wherein the objects are upright in the compartments 12 and are arranged transversely to the transport direction. In the area of the Abschubeinrichtung 18 a group 13 of objects 10 is detected by the slider 19 and pushed during the continuous operation of the feed conveyor 11 in the inlet region 21 of the subsequent compression conveyor 17. Here, the lead-in area is moved in accordance with the movement of the group 13 together with the punch 19, so that the Abschub the group 13 during the continuous movement of the objects 10 and the group 13 takes place.

The inserted between the lateral guides 23 of the inlet region 21 group 13 is detected by a transverse strut 27 back and pushed along the conveyor track 26. At the front, the group is guided by a transverse strut 28. During transport of the group 13 in this way, the group 13 is compressed by the converging lateral guides 25. As soon as the group 13 arrives in the discharge area 22, the compression is completed and the dimensions of the group 13 correspond to the dimension of a compartment 15 on the subsequent discharge conveyor 14. The removal of the compressed group 13 into a compartment 15 of the discharge conveyor 14 takes place by means of the rear transverse struts 27. In this case, the outlet region is moved in accordance with the continuously driven discharge conveyor 14, so that a transfer of the group 13 can take place during the continuous operation of the device. Thereafter, the group 13 can be handed over in a container package.

At the same time, a plurality of groups 13 can be compressed one after the other on the compression conveyor 17. Both the inlet region 21 and the outlet region 22 are moved independently of each other according to Movement of the compartments 12, 15 on the feed conveyor 11 and the discharge conveyor 14. Due to the articulated connection of the lateral guides 23, 24, 25, the conveyor channel can adapt to the changing position of the inlet region 21 and the outlet region 22. Furthermore, a length compensation for the lateral guides 23, 24, 25 may be provided, such. In Fig. 6 shown. There, a support arm 41 (42) is attached to a side guide 24 with lateral play.

To adapt to the transport of objects 10 of other sizes, on the one hand, the adjustment of the distance of the lateral guides 23, 24 is provided. In this way, the device can be adapted to a different width of the articles 10 transversely to the conveying direction. On the other hand, the distance between the transverse struts 27, 28 is mutually variable. In this way, the device can be adapted to a different length of the articles 10 in the conveying direction. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 10 object 39 support means 11 feeder 40 support means 12 subject 41 Beam 13 group 42 Beam 14 discharge conveyor 43 clamping rail 15 subject 44 clamping rail 16 compressing 45 clamping lever 17 Komprimierförderer 46 clamping lever 18 Abschubeinrichtung 47 connecting piece 19 pusher 48 servo drive 20 takeaway 21 intake area 22 discharge area 23 Guide (inlet area) 24 Guide (discharge area) 25 guide 26 conveyor track 27 crossmember 28 crossmember 29 conveyor chain 30 conveyor chain 31 drive shaft 32 drive shaft 33 drive belts 34 drive 35 Indexing plungers 36 Transverse axis (inlet area) 37 Transverse axis (outlet area) 38 breakthrough

Claims (8)

1. A method for handling articles (10), in particular hygiene products such as diapers, sanitary napkins or the like, wherein the articles (10) are supplied on a first feed conveyor (11) and are removed as a compressed group (12) of articles (10) on a removal conveyor (14), wherein the feed conveyor (11) and the removal conveyor (14) are continuously driven and a group (13) of articles (10) is transferred from the continuously driven feed conveyor (11) to a continuously driven compressing device (16) in which the group (13) of articles (10) is compressed, and wherein the compressed group (13) of articles (10) is transferred from the compressing device (16) to the continuously driven removal conveyor (14), and wherein the compressing device (16) has a continuously driven compressing conveyor (17), in the region of which the group (13) of articles (10) is compressed during the continuous conveying, and wherein the compressing conveyor (17) has lateral guides (23, 24, 25) which are located opposite one another, the articles (10) being conveyed through between said lateral guides, and wherein the distance between the opposite guides (23, 24, 25) is reduced over the length of the compressing conveyor (17) for continuously compressing the group (13) of articles (10) when they are being conveyed on the compressing conveyor (17), and wherein the compressing conveyor (17) has an inlet region (21) which faces the feed conveyor (11) and an outlet region (22) which faces the removal conveyor (14), characterized in that the compressing conveyor (17) extends at an angle, preferably transversely, between the feed conveyor (11) and the removal conveyor (14), which extend parallel to one another in the region of the compressing conveyor, and in that the inlet region (21) and/or the outlet region (22) are moved together with the group (13) of articles (10) on the feed conveyor (11) or to the delivery position on the removal conveyor (14) to transfer the articles (10) between the conveyors during the continuous conveying.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the inlet region (21) and the outlet region (22) of the compressing conveyor (17) are moved independently of one another.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the articles (10) are arranged in compartments (12), which are formed on the feed conveyor (11), and are pushed out of the laterally open compartments (12) into the inlet region (21) of the compressing conveyor (17) by means of a pushing device (18), wherein the compressing conveyor (17) extends at an angle, in particular transversely, with respect to the feed conveyor (11), and in that the compressed group (13) of articles (10) is transferred in the outlet region (22) of the compressing conveyor (17) into a compartment (15) which is formed on the removal conveyor (14), wherein the removal conveyor (14) extends at an angle, in particular transversely, with respect to the compressing conveyor (17) and preferably parallel to the feed conveyor (11).
4. A device for handling (flat) articles (10), in particular hygiene products such as diapers, sanitary napkins or the like, said device having a feed conveyor (11) for conveying the articles (10), having a compressing device (16), which is arranged downstream of the feed conveyor (11), for compressing the group (13) of articles (10), and having a removal conveyor (14), which is arranged downstream of the compressing device (16), for conveying the compressed articles (10), wherein the feed conveyor (11) and the removal conveyor (14) are set up for continuously conveying the articles (10) or a compressed group (13) produced of articles (10) and wherein the compressing device (16), which is arranged between the feed conveyor (11) and the removal conveyor (14), is set up for continuously compressing groups (13) of articles (10), and wherein the compressing device (16) has a continuously operating compressing conveyor (17), having lateral guides (23, 24, 25) which are located opposite one another and are arranged converging in the direction of the removal conveyor (14) and wherein the compressing conveyor (17) has an inlet region (21) which faces the feed conveyor (11) and an outlet region (22) which faces the removal conveyor (14), characterized in that the compressing conveyor (17) extends at an angle, preferably transversely, between the feed conveyor (11) and the removal conveyor (14), which extend parallel to one another in the region of the compressing conveyor, and in that the inlet region (21) and/or the outlet region (22) are movable together with the group (13) of articles (10) on the feed conveyor (11) or to the delivery position on the removal conveyor (14) for transferring the articles (10) between the conveyors during the continuous conveying.
5. The device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the articles (10) rest on a conveyor path (26) in the region of the compressing conveyor (17) and are movable in the direction of the removal conveyor (14) by conveying means of the compressing conveyor (17), wherein the conveying means are formed by conveying members which are directed transversely with respect to the conveying direction and are arranged at least in each case at the rear behind a group (13) of articles (10) and wherein the group (13) of articles (10) is preferably supported at the front by a further conveying member.
6. The device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the conveying members are formed by transverse struts (27, 28) which are guided through recesses (38) in the lateral guides (23, 24, 25) of the compressing conveyor (17), and in that the distance between the rear and front conveying members is preferably able to be modified according to the dimensions of the articles (10) to be conveyed.
7. The device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that lateral guides (23, 24) of the inlet region (21) and/or of the outlet region (22) are arranged in each case substantially parallel to one another and are modifiable with regard to their respective distance from one another, preferably individually, and in that the lateral guides (23, 24) are preferably arranged parallel to entrainment means (20) of the feed conveyor (11) and/or of the removal conveyor (14) for forming laterally open compartments (12, 15) for several articles (10).
8. The device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the lateral guides (25) are realized so as to be deformable in each case between the inlet region (21) and the outlet region (22), in particular as a result of the articulated connection of part guides to one another and/or to the inlet region (21) and/or to the outlet region (22).

Images