EP2758314B1 - Apparatus and method for processing stacks of open bags - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device and a method for processing sack stacks, and more particularly to a packaging machine or a device or device associated with a packaging machine. The device can serve to separate the sacks of a sack stack. However, the device can also open the isolated bags, attach to a filler neck and possibly fill the bags with a bulk material, seal and transport away.

In the prior art, various processing devices of open sacks have become known. For example, there are packing machines that produce the required sacks from a supply of hose on the machine as so-called form-fill-seal machines (FFS packing machines) and then fill them in the machine. But there are also packing machines in which prefabricated open sacks of the packaging machine are supplied in batches. In such packaging machines for filling prefabricated open-sacks, the sacks must first be separated from the sack stack before a sack can be attached to the filler neck of the packaging machine and filled there.

For the separation of open sacks of a sack stack different devices and devices have become known. For example, the AT 404 117 B a device for feeding a scattered offensive sack. A sack stack of open sacks is stored in a magazine. The topmost open bag is gripped and lifted with suction heads of a removal device on the closed bottom of the bag. The hangs Sack from the suction heads down and lies with its open end still on the bag stack. Following this, a chain grate, which runs around the magazine via deflection wheels, is driven and driven under the raised bag in such a way that the bag is completely lifted and placed on the grate field of the chain grate. As a result, the open bag is isolated and can be passed by further rotation of the chain grate to a conveyor arranged next to it, which comprises a plurality of circumferential belts. The now separated offensive bag is transferred by the transport device to a further transport device arranged behind it, which opens the bag during further movement and transfers it to a pickup device with which the opened open bag is attached to a filler neck.

This prior art works basically satisfactorily. By driving under a raised at its bottom end offensive bag with a chain grid and the subsequent transfer to a transport device and an adjoining further transport device reliable separation of the open sacks of a sack stack can be achieved.

The document NL 1 035 060 C2 discloses a device for processing a sack-bag, wherein a sack is only partially offset.

A disadvantage of the known system, however, is the high space requirement, since the magazine with the magazine circulating chain rack, the transport device and the further transport device and the adjoining Aufzieheinrichtung are each designed großbauend and also still linearly arranged one behind the other and thus cause a considerable amount of space ,

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a processing apparatus and a method for processing sack stacks of open sacks, which, with an approximately comparable performance, requires a smaller area.

This object is achieved by a processing device according to the invention with the features of claim 1 and by a Method with the features of claim 15 solved. Preferred developments of the invention are subject of the dependent claims. Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the general description and the description of the embodiment.

A processing device according to the invention serves to process at least one bag stack with a plurality of open sacks. At least one depositing device is provided, on which the stack of sacks can be arranged in a basic position. The open sacks of the sack stack have a sack length and an open fill end at one end. At the other end, a closed bag bottom can be provided. It is also possible that the closed sack bottom is formed later, so that the sack stack consists of open sacks, which are open at both ends. At least one bag transport device is provided, which is suitable and intended to take the topmost bag of the bag stack in the basic position and to put in a lying only partially on the bag stack receiving position.

There is preferably provided a marking device for marking the open sacks, which is suitable and arranged to provide the open sacks in the receiving position with at least one mark. The mark can z. B. the filling date or batch number or the like.

The processing device according to the invention has many advantages, since it allows a small-sized device that allows high capacity and power despite the small area required.

Characterized in that the uppermost bag of the bag stack is taken gripped and offset on the stack of bags, wherein the distance of the receiving position from the basic position is smaller than the bag length, the bag is effectively isolated. The over the end of the bag stack protruding end of the offensive bag can be gripped or gripped by the like to the open bag to pass on to other components of the processing device.

The space required for the separation and the space required are only slightly larger than the stack of sacks. Since only small distances are covered, the processing device can be operated at high power. It has surprisingly been found that the performance compared to the Sackvereinzungsvorrichtung of the prior art can be significantly increased, although the required space is considerably lower.

Preferably, the bag transport device grips the topmost open bag at its open filling end. In particular, the bag conveying device displaces the topmost open bag by the bag transporting device gripping the topmost open bag at its open filling end and pulling it into the receiving position.

This allows a compact construction in which an easily accessible attachment of the marking device is possible. Characterized in that the open-mouth bag is pulled forward with its open end, the marking device can be arranged in an easily accessible area, where easy maintenance of the marking device is possible.

The marking device allows the labeling of the open sacks during processing. With the marking device, information about the content, the shelf life or the batch of the filled product can be noted on the open bag immediately before the filling. This allows a complete tracking and a complete proof of the origin and the batch, which is useful and / or necessary for many products from the food industry or even for the production of medicines or other substances.

If a marking device is arranged separately from the processing device, a considerably larger space requirement is required. In the arrangement provided here at the bag separation virtually no additional space is needed.

In addition, a problem-free and exact labeling is possible in this position, since the open bag rests flat and has no bulges. In addition, the open bag lies exactly on the surface. This is no longer present in the further course of the filling process, since the open bag hangs on the grippers or the filler neck and after filling has no flat, but a more curved surface. Therefore, such open sacks are nowadays usually labeled with a separate device downstream of the packaging machine. There, however, any product buildup or wrinkles in the film material can complicate a label.

While here the bag transport device grips the top open bag at its open filling end, in the prior art, however, an open bag is taken and raised at its closed bottom of the bag. In the AT 404 117 B it is not possible to take the bag at its filling end, since there is a risk that the lower bag wall of the filling end is released from the seized bag wall and falls down, the filler opening is partially formed. Should such a filler opening arise only partially, would drive in this known prior art, the circulating chain rust in front of the opened bag opening, whereby the open bag could be destroyed. At least the bag separator would not work properly and manual intervention by the operator would be required. Therefore, in this known prior art, a gripping of the offensive bag at its filling end is not possible.

By contrast, in the present invention it is possible and preferred to grasp the uppermost open sack at its open filling end. Should the lower layer of the filling end come off the upper layer and should it come to a partially opened filling opening, then this would close again after the open bag has been stored in its receiving position in a staggered position. The singulation process would not disturb this.

In advantageous embodiments, the bag transport device comprises at least one Reibradeinrichtung and / or a suction device. Such a suction device may be formed as a sucker or comprise one or more suckers. In particular, the suction device is arranged extendable on the bag transport device. This makes it possible that the bag transport device is arranged to be pivotable or movable and extends in a first position, the suction device to seize the open bag in the basic position. Subsequently, the suction device can be retracted again and the open bag can be pulled into the receiving position. There, in turn, the suction device is extended, so that the open bag is stored defined on the storage device in a separate pad. To move the suction device, a drive, such as a controllable vacuum or compressed air cylinder is preferably provided.

In all embodiments, it is preferred that a distance of the receiving position from the basic position is smaller than half the bag length. Preferably, the distance is less than a quarter of the bag length. Basically, it is sufficient that the distance of the receiving position of the basic position identifies such a size that the open bag can be taken at its filling end to further transport the open bag. In addition, the distance is dimensioned so that in the receiving position a proper marking of the offensive bag can be performed.

Preferably, the bag transport device is pivotally accommodated on at least one pivot axis, which preferably engages above the depositing device and in its mode of action at the open filling end. Possible is a parallelogram-like pivoting or other linear drive of the bag transport device.

In all embodiments, a pivoting device is preferably provided, which is equipped with at least one gripper device. The pivoting device with the gripper device is used in particular for further transport of the isolated offensive sacks. In this case, the pivoting device with the gripper device can seize the isolated offensive bag, in particular its filling end, and transfer it into a partially or completely suspended position. By such a swiveling up of the isolated open sack, the open sack can subsequently be opened and attached to a filler neck.

Preferably, the gripper device of the pivoting device engages in a first pivot position, the open end of the offensive bag in the receiving position. In a second pivot position, the gripper device is preferably suitable for transferring the open bag to a bag opening device and / or a bag hook device. The direction of movement of the pivoting device from the first pivoting position into the second pivoting position is preferably directed counter to the direction of movement of the bag-conveying device from the basic position into the receiving position. This allows a particularly compact design. If both movements are carried out via pivoting movements, then both pivot axes are provided in the area of the depositing device. The pivot axes can be provided above and / or below the storage device.

It is also possible that a combined device is provided which accomplishes the bag opening and which attaches the bag to a filler neck.

The pivot axis of the pivoting device is preferably suitable for pivoting the open filling end of the open-end bag into a transfer position. In particular, the pivot axis is arranged approximately in the height of the bag stack. As a result, during the pivoting movement, the filling end is pivoted upwards by a considerable amount, so that the opening bag is transferred into an at least partially suspended position.

In all embodiments, it is preferred that at least one marking device is provided for marking the open sacks. In this case, at least one mark can be designed as a label.

For example, it is possible to apply the batch number, the product to be filled, the filling date or similar information with the marking device on the opening bag. It is possible and preferred that at least one marking is applied in the region of the filling end. Marking the offensive sack in the pickup position has been found to be very beneficial. The performance of the processing device according to the invention is not affected at all or only to a small extent. It is advantageous if the marking device is provided below the receiving position and the filling end or a region of the filling end from below with a mark in the form of e.g. a caption. Here, the marking can both directly from below -. B. vertically - or more or less horizontally deflected by a mirror make the mark. A deflection over at least one mirror has the advantage that the optical system of the laser used for marking is arranged dust-proof.

In all embodiments, it is particularly preferred that a lifting device or at least one lifting device is provided for raising the bottom of the top bag of the sack stack in the basic position. Particularly preferably, a fixing device is further provided, which fixes the bag stack on the bag bottom.

It is particularly advantageous if the sack bottom of the uppermost offensive sack is lifted with the lifting device and a fixing device fixes the sack stack below the topmost sack on the bottom of the sack. By fixing the rest of the bag stack is reliably achieved that is moved in the transfer of the uppermost offensive bag from the basic position to the receiving position, only the uppermost bag offense. An entrainment of the underlying offensive bag is reliably avoided.

In all embodiments, it is possible and preferred that at least one product feed and at least one filler neck are provided for filling the open sacks. It is also possible that the processing device is arranged as a separate device before a filling device and the isolated open sacks in z. B. already open state to the filling device passes.

It is also possible and preferred that at least one closing device is provided for closing the open filling end of the open sacks after the filling process. It is also possible that a discharge device is arranged, with which the filled open sacks are transported away.

Preferably, a sack stacking magazine is provided, from which the sack stacks are automatically or manually removed, if necessary, and fed to the depositing device.

The processing device preferably has a centering device in order to position and / or center a sack stack which is in particular arranged approximately in a basic position or exactly in the basic position. In this case, the sacks of the sack stack in particular approximately or even exactly the same dimensions in terms of bag length and bag width. It is preferably provided at least one centering device, which comprises at least two opposing centering units, which are arranged with at least one drive means relative to each other and movable away from each other.

The drive device can drive at least one belt. The belt may be at least temporarily coupled to at least one centering unit. In particular, at least a part of the centering units arranged on both opposite sides are at least temporarily coupled to at least one belt of the drive device.

Preferably, at least one centering unit provided on a first side is at least temporarily coupled to the lower run of at least one circulating belt. It is preferred that at least one centering unit provided on a second side at least temporarily with the upper strand coupled at least one circumferential belt.

Preferably, at least one centering unit is arranged to be movable at least temporarily in a groove of the depositing device. Preferably, at least one centering unit is provided in a first position below a plate of the storage device. Preferably, at least this centering unit protrudes in a third position through the groove beyond the top of the plate of the storage device.

It is preferred that an adjustable stop is provided, which specifies a bag width. The adjustable stop can be provided movable. The adjustable stop and / or a centering unit may be associated with a path detection device to allow an automatic controlled adjustment of the bag width.

It is possible that a centering unit is coupled to the belt via a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism may comprise a spring device. The coupling mechanism preferably has at least one coupling unit and at least one movable stop. The coupling mechanism is in particular designed and arranged to produce a coupling between the centering unit and the belt at least in the second and / or third position. The coupling mechanism is preferably designed and arranged such that in the first position, a coupling between the centering unit and the belt is canceled.

A separate drive unit may be provided for moving the at least one centering unit on one side.

The inventive method is used for processing at least one bag stack with a plurality of open sacks. In this case, the bag stack is arranged on a storage device in a basic position. At least one bag transport device is provided. Preferably, at least one marking device is provided. The bag transport device takes the top and in particular only the uppermost sack of the sack stack in the home position and offset the uppermost sack in a only partially on the sack stack receiving position. In the receiving position, the opening bag is preferably marked with the marking device.

The method according to the invention also has many advantages, since it allows a reliable function with a small installation space and high performance.

Further advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiment, which will be explained below with reference to the accompanying figures.

Fig. 1

eine schematische perspektivische der Bearbeitungseinrichtung 1;

Fig. 2

die Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 1 in einer stark schematischen Ansicht mit weggelassenen Komponenten;

Fig. 2b

eine Draufsicht auf einen Offensack nach erfolgter Markierung;

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht von Teilen der Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 2 in einer Seitenansicht;

Fig. 4

die Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 3 in einer weiteren Ansicht;

Fig. 5

die Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 3 in einer dritten Ansicht;

Fig. 6

die Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 3 in einer vierten Ansicht;

Fig. 7

die Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 3 in einer fünften Ansicht;

Fig. 8

die Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 3 in einer sechsten Ansicht;

Fig. 9

die Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 3 in einer siebten Ansicht;

Fig. 10

die Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 3 in einer achten Ansicht;

Fig. 11

die Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 3 in einer neunten Ansicht;

Fig. 12

eine stark schematische Bearbeitungsvorrichtung in einer seitlichen Ansicht;

Fig. 13

die Zentrierungseinrichtung der Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 2 in einer ersten Position;

Fig. 14

die Zentrierungseinrichtung der Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 2 in einer zweiten Position; und

Fig. 15

die Zentrierungseinrichtung der Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 2 in einer dritten Position;

Fig. 16

eine weitere Zentriereinrichtung für eine Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 2 in einer ersten Position; und

Fig. 17

die Zentriereinrichtung nach Fig. 16 in einer zweiten Position.

In the figures show:

Fig. 1

a schematic perspective of the processing device 1;

Fig. 2

the processing device after Fig. 1 in a highly schematic view with omitted components;

Fig. 2b

a plan view of an open bag after marking;

Fig. 3

a side view of parts of the processing device according to Fig. 2 in a side view;

Fig. 4

the processing device after Fig. 3 in another view;

Fig. 5

the processing device after Fig. 3 in a third view;

Fig. 6

the processing device after Fig. 3 in a fourth view;

Fig. 7

the processing device after Fig. 3 in a fifth View;

Fig. 8

the processing device after Fig. 3 in a sixth view;

Fig. 9

the processing device after Fig. 3 in a seventh view;

Fig. 10

the processing device after Fig. 3 in an eighth view;

Fig. 11

the processing device after Fig. 3 in a ninth view;

Fig. 12

a highly schematic processing device in a side view;

Fig. 13

the centering device of the processing device according to Fig. 2 in a first position;

Fig. 14

the centering device of the processing device according to Fig. 2 in a second position; and

Fig. 15

the centering device of the processing device according to Fig. 2 in a third position;

Fig. 16

a further centering device for a processing device according to Fig. 2 in a first position; and

Fig. 17

the centering device after Fig. 16 in a second position.

Fig. 1 shows an overall perspective view of a packaging machine 100, which comprises a processing device 1. A silo 35 is provided, from which the bulk material 26 to be filled is fed to a metering and weighing device 36. In the embodiment, a weighing system with net weighers used, in which the product to be filled 26 is first collected in a net balance and then filled into the open bag 3 to be filled. Below the metering device 36, the product supply 29 is provided, which in the in Fig. 1 invisible filler 30 ends.

A covering 34 surrounds the processing device 1. A bag stacking magazine 33 serves to receive a number of bag stacks 2. The filled open sacks 3 are transported away via a discharge device 32.

Fig. 2 shows the processing device 1, in which the housing and other components have been omitted in the illustration, in a schematic perspective view.

The product feed 29 can be seen in the upper region and opens into the filler neck 30. From the sack stacking magazine 33, a sack stack 2, not shown here, is supplied to the delivery table 4. The storage table 4 here has dimensions that can correspond approximately to the bag length 6 and the bag width 48. In particular, open sacks 3 with variable bag length 6 can also be processed.

A sack stack 2 comes with a in Fig. 2 not shown centering 50 centered. Such a centering device 50 will be described below with reference to FIGS FIGS. 12 to 17 described in detail. For centering drive tines 51 and 52 of the centering device 50 through the provided on both sides 46, 47 grooves 45 of the tray table 4 from the outside to the stack of sacks. The tines 52 are pivoted up on the side 47 from below and then moved toward the stack of sacks 2, so that the sack stack 2 is centered.

In principle, the processing device 1 also works without such a centering device 50. However, it has been found that it can happen, in particular with relatively many open sacks 3 in a sack stack 2 and / or at a relatively high processing speed, that the open sacks 3 of the sack stack 2 slip laterally or but easily be taken wrong. As a result, a high-precision and fast filling of open-mouth sacks 3 can be impaired.

This is reliably avoided by means of a centering device 50 arranged substantially below the depositing device 4. The tines 51 and 52 of the centering device 50 may be located below the depositing device 4, depending on the embodiment, when a new stack of sacks 2 is positioned on the depositing device 4 in order to enable the sack stack to be pushed onto the depositing device 4.

Especially with longer, narrow open sacks 3, when transferring an offensive sack 3 into the receiving position, the sack bottom may migrate laterally. This reliably prevents guidance by the centering device 50.

At the rear end of the tray table 4, the lifter 27 and the fixing device 28 are provided to lift the bottom end of an opener bag 3 arranged on the tray 4. Following the lifting of the bottom end of the remaining underlying stack of sacks 2 is fixed with the fixing device 28.

At the front end of the storage device 4, the bag transport device 12 can be seen, which has at the lower end here via a suction device 15 or in other cases via a friction wheel for gripping the open filling end 8 of an open bag 3.

With the bag transport device 12 of the open bag 2 is moved to a front position, as in Fig. 6 is shown. In this case, the filling end 8 of the topmost offensive bag 13 rests on the support device 38. In this position, the open filling end 8 is at the in Fig. 2 Visible marking area 44 accessible from below. Then, with the provided below the support means 38 and therefore in Fig. 2 unrecognizable marking device 25 at least one mark 7 are mounted on the open bag 3. A swivel device 18 is equipped with a gripping device 19. The pivoting device 18 comprises two pivoting arms, each with grippers arranged at its end. The pivoting device serves to take over a separated offensive bag 3 and to transfer and pass it on to a bag-opening device 22 and a bag-hook device 23, which finally attach the opened-off bag 3 to the filler neck 30.

After filling the offensive sack 3 with the filler neck 30, the open filling end 8 of an offensive sack 3 with the upper transport device 41 is further transported. The upper transport device 41 may comprise a closing device 31 for closing the open sacks 3 or a separate closing device is connected downstream. The filled open bag 3 is finally transferred to the discharge belt 32 and discharged.

In Fig. 2b By way of example, a highly schematic open sack 3 is shown in a plan view or a view from below. The open bag 3 is provided with a marking 7 which has been applied by the marking device 25. The marking device 25 is arranged here essentially below the depositing device 4 and applies the marking 7 in the marking region 44.

Mark 7 here has a designation 42 ("XXX") and here a date 43 ("31.12.20"). The designation 42 may correspond to the trade name or the trade mark or may include a unique number or the like which preferably uniquely classifies the content. The date 43 may indicate the minimum shelf life or, for example, reflect or contain the date of filling and / or the date of production. It is possible that a plurality of designations 42 and / or a plurality of data 43 may be noted on the open bag 3. The data can be printed, stamped or z. B. be applied with a laser. An electronic data transmission in a readable memory is possible. Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of some essential components of the processing device 1. There were some components and the housing of the processing device omitted to facilitate the overview and explain the function.

The processing device 1 has a height-adjustable depositing device 4, on which a stack of sacks 2 is or is arranged in the basic position 5. The stack of sacks 2 comprises a plurality of open sacks 3, each having a sack length 6 and sack width 48. The open sacks 3 are aligned with their open Einfüllende 8 respectively to the front end of the storage device 4, while the sack bottom 10 is arranged stacked at the rear end of the storage device 4, respectively.

In this embodiment, the open sacks 3 on a bag length 6, which corresponds approximately to the length of the storage device 4. However, it is also possible to use longer and in particular shorter open sacks 3. To adjust the position of the lifting device 27 and the fixing device 28, an adjusting device 40 is provided, which is movable in the direction of the bag length 6.

In the in Fig. 3 illustrated position, the lifting device 27, the rear end of the bag 3 in the vicinity of the bag bottom 10 has taken and raised. Following the lifting, the fixing device 28 has moved under the uppermost bag 13 and has fixed the remaining stack of sacks 2 to the bag bottom 10.

The bag transport device 12 at the front end 9 has an extendable suction device 15, which in the in Fig. 3 shown extended position and has dropped to a region at the open filling end 8. The suction device 15 is activated in this state and grips the front filling end 8 of the topmost offensive bag 13.

Furthermore, a pivoting device 18 is provided for taking over a separated offensive bag 3. The pivoting device 18 has a gripping device 19 and is in Fig. 3 shown in the second pivot position 21. The pivoting device 18 is arranged pivotable about the pivot axis 24. The Swivel device 18 is used to take over the topmost offensive bag 13 from the receiving position 14 and is passed after the pivoting of the pivoting device 18 in the second pivot position 21 to the above the pivoting device 18 drawn blind opening device 22 and the Sackanhängeeinrichtung 23, according to in the illustration Fig. 3 an attached open bag 3 is shown.

Fig. 4 shows the situation after the suction device 15 has been retracted on the bag conveyor 12, whereby the filling end 8 of the uppermost bag Off 13 was lifted from the bag stack 2. At the same time, the lifting device 27 can be deactivated at the other end 11, so that the bottom of the bag 10 falls down again onto the sack stack 2 held by the fixing device 28.

In Fig. 5 the position is drawn after the bag transport device 12 has been moved to a front position, where the filling end 8 of the uppermost bag Off 13 is above the receiving position 14. Both the open filling end 8 and the bottom of the bag 10 are accordingly a distance 16 forward in the direction of the open Einfüllendes 8 has been moved. It is possible that the bag transport device 12 is pivoted about one or more pivot axes 17. Another possible linear motion or linear motion is possible. During the forward movement of the bag transport device 12, the fixing device 28 fixes the rear end of the bag stack 2, so that it is ensured that only a single, namely the top bag 13 is pulled forward by the movement of the bag transport device 12. As a result, an effective separation of the open filling end 8 of the offensive bag 13 is realized.

During the transfer of the in Fig. 5 in the in Fig. 6 shown position, the suction device 15 is moved over the cylinder device 37 down, so that the open filling end 8 rests on the support means 38. In this position, the open filling end 8 is at least partially of accessible below, so that provided below the support means 38 marking device 25 can attach at least one mark on the opening bag. For example, the marking device may include a laser that applies one or more lettering on the outer surface of the offset bag 13. For example, it is possible to apply the product to be filled, the batch number, the filling date or the shelf life of a food to the open filling end of the offensive bag 13, spray it on or otherwise mark or label the open filling end.

A marking beam of the marking device can be directed either directly from below onto the bag or deflected via mirrors to protect the optics from dirt.

In Fig. 6 It can be seen that the distance 16 by which the topmost bag 13 was pulled forward in the direction of its open filling end 8, only a small proportion of the bag length 6. The distance 16 can be suitably selected depending on the requirement.

Fig. 7 shows a situation in which the lifting device 27 has been lowered back down to the rear end of the bag stack 2 to seize the bag bottom 10 of the following Offensacks 3 and lift subsequently.

This situation is in Fig. 8 shown. At the same time pivots the pivoting device 18 of the previously illustrated second pivotal position 21 in an in Fig. 9 When pivoting from the pivoting position 21 into the pivoting position 20, the gripper device 19 moves from a position well above the storage device 4 in a position at the level of the storage device 4, while the gripper device in the longitudinal direction of the open sacks from a central region of the Open sacks 3 is moved to the front end.

During the pivoting of the gripper device 19 remains Lifting device 27 is raised to the bottom of the bag 10 and the fixing device 28 lowers to the bottom portion of the remaining bag stack 2. At the same time, the bag transport device 12 is still moved forward a bit to avoid a collision with the pivoting device 18. Depending on the embodiment, it is also possible that the bag transport device between the two pivot arms of the pivoting device 18 may remain when the pivoting device pivots downward. In the subsequent pivoting movement from the pivoting position 20 into the pivoting position 21, the bag transporting device 12 is in any case moved out of the movement path.

Fig. 10 shows the position in which the pivoting device 18 in the upper second pivoting position 21 passes the hanging on the gripper device 19 Offensack 3 to the bag opening device 22 and the Sackanhängeeinrichtung 23. During the pivoting of the pivoting position 20 in the pivoting position 21, the gripper device 19 moves back up and seen in the longitudinal direction of the open sacks back. As a result, the open sacks hang in the pivoting position 21 in a central region above the sack stack 2. More installation space in the surface is not required by the pivoting of the gripper device 19.

The depositing device 4 is raised automatically such that the now uppermost bag 13 is arranged at about a height with the support means 38 so that the uppermost bag 13 is later taken over by the bag transport 12 can be.

In the in Fig. 10 shown position, the bottom end 10 of the offensive bag 13 is already raised and the fixing device 28 has fixed the bottom end of the bag stack 2. The bag transport device 12 is in a forward position, in which the pivoting of the pivoting device 18 in the upper second pivot position 21 is possible.

Fig. 11 shows the position after the transfer of a bag to be filled 3 of the pivoting device 18 to the bag opening device 22 and the Sackanhängeeinrichtung 23. The uppermost now open bag 13 is still raised at its bottom end by the lifting device 27. Following this, the bag transport device 12 is moved back again in order to grip the open filling end 8 of the now uppermost offensive bag 13 with the suction device 15, lift it up and transfer it into the receiving position 14.

In FIG. 12 a processing device 1 is shown in a highly schematic and sectional side view, wherein essentially the centering device 50 can be seen on the storage device 4 shown schematically. The centering device 50 is arranged substantially below the depositing device 4 or below the plate 53 of the depositing device 4. The plate 53 of the storage device 4 is shown in section. The cut passes through the region of the grooves 45.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic representation of a first variant, in which the centering device 50 of the processing device 1 via two guide rollers 59 and 60, around which a circumferential belt 54 is provided. At the completely circumferential belt 54, the centering finger 52 is fixed in such a way that the centering finger 52 projects perpendicularly or at least approximately perpendicularly from the belt 54. This means that upon rotation of the deflecting rollers 59 and 60, the centering finger 52 is further transported with the belt 54, but each protrudes perpendicularly from the belt 54.

It is possible for one of the deflecting rollers 59 and 60 to be drivably provided as a drive device 49 via a motor shown in broken lines here on the deflecting roller 60 in order to drive the belt 54. But it is also possible that a cylinder 56 with an extendable piston rod 58 serves as the drive means 49. The piston rod is connected via a driver 55 here with the belt 54. An extension of the piston rod 58 therefore causes a synchronous movement of the belt 54 against clockwise in the orientation of FIG. 12 , Conversely, when retracting the piston rod 58, the belt 54 is moved clockwise.

In FIG. 12 three different positions 61, 62 and 63 of the centering device 50 are shown. In this case, the second position 62 is shown by a solid line, while the first position 61 and the third position 63 are shown dotted.

In the first position 61, the centering unit 51 designed as a centering finger is on the left side 46 farthest from the sack stack 2 already drawn in here. The centering unit provided on the other side 47 and here also designed as a centering finger 52 is in the position 61 arranged below the plate 53. Since the tines or centering fingers 52 are located below the plate 53 in the position 61, a new stack of sacks 3 can be pushed from the side 47 at least approximately into the basic position 5.

When the piston rod 58 is extended out of the cylinder 56, the connection point 55 on the belt 54 moves synchronously by the distance "a" and is moved in the direction of the deflection roller 60. Thereby, the centering finger 51 is pivoted from the first position 61 below the plate 53 through the groove 45 in a at least partially above the plate 53 located position 62 by the amount of the distance "a" and at the same time is in the transfer of the first position 61 transferred to the second position 62 of the drive belt 54 coupled to the centering finger 51 by the same distance "a" in the position 62, which is significantly closer to the stack of sacks 2.

Upon further extension of the piston rod 58 by the distance "b" from the cylinder 56, the centering finger 52 coupled to the upper run 73 moves in the schematic representation of FIG FIG. 12 from the right on the stack of sacks 2 to the path "b", while the centering finger 51 in the illustration according to FIG. 12 from the left onto the sack stack by the same amount of the distance "b" moves too. Finally, the extended position is reached, in which the third position 63 is reached.

The centering fingers 51 and 52 are directly against the stack of sacks 2. The individual open sacks 3 of the sack stack 2 have been positioned and centered by the transfer of the centering fingers 51 and 52 into the third position 63.

The travel of the piston rod 58 and in particular the distance "b" is in each case adapted to the bag width 48 of the open sacks 3 to be processed.

The centering device 50 allows a simple and reliable centering of a sack stack 2. A plurality of longitudinally successively arranged centering units 51 and 52 also provide in the further process for guiding the open sacks 3 when removing the same. Even if an openable bag to be processed, for example, briefly completely released in the receiving position 14 before the gripper device 19 engages the open filling end 8 of the offensive bag 3, a defined position of the open bag 3 is ensured by the centering device 50. It has been found that at high processing speeds and certain bag materials there may be a slight slippage of individual open sacks on the sack stack, if no centering device 50 is used. A centering device 50 equipped with several centering units, in which the centering units are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction, ensures reliable and reproducible separation and positioning for the subsequent filling of open sacks even with long and narrow sacks.

With reference to the FIGS. 13-15 another embodiment is explained, in which the centering device 50 has a coupling mechanism 70 to allow a temporary decoupling of at least one centering unit 51 from the movement of the rotating belt 54.

As drive means 49 here again serves a cylinder 56 with an extendable piston rod 58 or a driven pulley. A driver 55 is connected to the piston rod 58. The driver 55 is connected to the circulating belt 54.

On the driver 55, a movable stop 67 is provided, which is provided movable relative to a slide rod 64 and a coupling rod 57. As a result, the movable stop 67 can be displaced on the slide bar 64. The relative movement between the slide bar 64, the coupling rod 57 and the movable stop 67 is limited by the coupling unit 66, which is designed here as a coupling plate.

First, at the in Fig. 13 shown first position, the coupling between the coupling unit 66 and the movable stop 67 is released, so that upon extension of the piston rod 58 of the fixedly arranged on the driver 55 movable stop 67 is moved and slides on the slide bar 64. Upon further extension of the movable stopper 67 strikes the coupling unit 66, so that in the following a synchronous movement of the coupling rod 57 and the piston rod 58 takes place. Characterized not only the belt 54 is moved on the further extension of the piston rod 58 from the cylinder 56, but also the centering unit 51 connected thereto via the coupling rod 57.

While during the transfer of the centering unit 52 from the first position 61 (see. Fig. 13 ) into the second position 62 (cf. Fig. 14 ) initially only the centering unit 52 is pivoted from the area below the plate 53 upwards, takes place from reaching the second position 62 and a linear displacement of the first centering unit 51. In a fixed coupling of the first centering unit to the belt 54, the first centering 51 would after the transfer to the second position 62 already in the in Fig. 14 hatched marked position. Then a larger width would be needed.

Subsequently, the centering units 51 and 52 on each other fed in. The extension of the piston rod 58 from the cylinder 56 is limited by an adjustable stop 65 which is adjustable in the lateral direction. If, upon further extension of the piston rod 58, the centering unit 51 strikes against the adjustable stop 65, further extension of the piston rod 58 is prevented. The position of the adjustable stopper 65 is set so that the bag stack 2 with the open sacks 3 in this position is sufficiently centered by the centering units 51 and 52. In particular, the position of the adjustable abutment 65 is adjusted to the width 48 of the open sacks 3 and gives an end position of the centering units 51, 52 to be reached substantially offset by half the amount of sack width to the center line 69.

This position is in Fig. 15 shown. The coupling device 70 with the coupled coupling device 66 and the adjustable stop 65 are coupled together. For better clarity, see Fig. 15 in each case a small distance to the centering fingers 51 and 52 drawn on both sides of the bag stack 2, which may be present in an actual centering of a bag stack 3, but need not be present.

When the piston rod 58 retracts into the cylinder 56, finally, the spring force of the spring device 68 acts and causes a transfer into the in Fig. 13 illustrated first position 61.

With reference to the FIGS. 16 and 17 In the following, another embodiment will be explained. It puts FIG. 16 a highly schematic view of the processing device 1 with the centering device 50 and the plate 53 of the storage device. In this embodiment, the centering device 50 additionally has a drive unit 75 with the centering unit 51 is movable separately.

It is in turn an adjustable stop 65 is provided, which is adjusted to the bag width 48. The adjustable stop 65 is provided movably via a drive unit 76. A Displacement measuring device 74 can detect the position of the adjustable stop 65 and / or the path traveled by the centering unit 51 or a characteristic measure thereof. Thus, for example, the bag width 48 can be adjusted via the path detection device 74, computer-controlled. As a result, the bag width 48 can be adjusted automatically when processing bags of different widths.

Although in the preceding embodiments, such a path detection device has not been drawn, it is preferably also present there.

At the in FIG. 16 In the embodiment shown, the centering unit 51 is positioned directly on the stop 65 via the drive unit 75. This means that the centering unit 51 is transferred directly to its end position, which corresponds to the position 63 in the previous example FIG. 14 equivalent. The centering unit 52, however, remains in the first position 61 below the plate 53rd

If now the sack stack 2 are centered, the piston rod 58 of the cylinder 56 is extended. In this case, the belt 54 is transported directly on and the centering unit 52 pivots about the guide roller 60 and through the groove 45 in the plate 53 upwards.

Subsequently, the centering unit 52 moves on further extension of the cylinder 58 to the first centering unit 51 until the third position 63 and thus the end position is reached.

Fig. 17 shows the intermediate position of the centering unit 52 in the second position 62nd

In the third position 63 results in a position, as in Fig. 15 has been illustrated and explained with reference to the preceding embodiment.

Overall, the invention provides an advantageous processing device available, with a reliable centering and / or separation of the bags is made possible.

The centering device according to the FIGS. 13-15 allows a central centering and reliable positioning of a bag stack 2, wherein the centering units 51 and 52 from both sides 46 and 47 approach to the stack of sacks 2. In the embodiment according to the FIGS. 16 and 17 the bag stack is positioned at an end stop which is formed here by the centering units 51. For further centering, the centering units 52 approach the sack stack 2 from the other side 47.

During further processing and separation of the open sacks 3, the open sacks are guided by the centering units 51 and 52 in an advantageous manner, so that lateral slippage when pulling forward and during further processing of the open sacks 3 is reliably prevented.

Overall, the invention provides an advantageous processing device and an advantageous method, with which open sacks of a sack stack can be separated reliably and effectively. The space required and the space required are small. The performance can be significantly increased over the prior art, resulting in both space advantages and capacity advantages. In the receiving position, markings and other applications can advantageously be applied to the opening bag.

The control of the processing device 1 can be carried out via a control device, not shown here, which has one or more light barriers or other sensors to ensure defined positioning during the entire operation.

The compact design allows a significantly reduced space requirement, so that in the same space significantly higher filling capacity is possible. <B> LIST OF REFERENCES: </ b> 1 processing device 40 adjustment 2 bag stack 41 upper transport device 3 open mouth 4 Bin Setup 42 description 5 basic position 43 date 6 bag length 44 Marking 7 mark 45 groove 8th open filler 46 page 9 an end 47 page 10 Bottom, sack bottom 48 sack width 11 other end 49 driving means 12 Bag transport device 50 centering 13 top open bag 51 Centering unit, finger 14 pickup position 52 Centering unit, finger 15 suction device 53 plate 16 distance 54 belt 17 swivel axis 55 takeaway 18 Pivot means 56 cylinder 19 Gripper device 57 coupling rod 20 first pivot position 58 piston rod 21 second pivot position 59 idler pulley 22 Sack opener 60 idler pulley 23 Bag attacher 61 first position 24 swivel axis 62 second position 25 marker 63 third position 26 bulk 64 sliding bar 27 lifter 65 adjustable stop 28 fixing 66 Coupling unit, coupling plate 29 product supply 30 filling 67 movable stop 31 closing 68 spring means 32 discharge 69 center line 33 Bag stacking magazine 70 coupling mechanism 34 paneling 72 strand 35 silo 73 obertrum 36 Dosing and weighing device 74 Position detection device 75 drive unit 37 cylinder device 76 drive unit 38 support means 100 packing machine

Claims (15)

1. Processing device (1) for processing at least one stack of bags (2) comprising a plurality of open-mouth bags (3) wherein at least one stacking device (4) is provided on which the stack of bags (2) can be arranged in a base position (5) wherein the open-mouth bags (3) of the stack of bags (2) have a bag length (6) and an open filling mouth (8) at one end (9) thereof, characterized in that at least one marker device (25) and at least one bag conveying device (12) are provided which are suitable and provided for gripping the topmost open-mouth bag (13) of the stack of bags (2) in the base position (5) and for displacing them to a take-up position (14) only partially supported on the stack of bags (2) and to apply at least one mark (7) on the open-mouth bags (3) in the take-up position (14).
2. The processing device (1) according to claim 1 wherein the bag conveying device (12) grips the topmost open-mouth bag (13) by its open filling mouth (8).
3. The processing device (1) according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the bag conveying device (12) comprises at least one suction device (15).
4. The processing device (1) according to the preceding claim wherein the suction device (15) is extendably disposed at the bag conveying device (12).
5. The processing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein a distance (16) of the take-up position (14) from the base position (5) is less than half the bag length (6) and preferably less than a quarter of the bag length (6).
6. The processing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the bag conveying device (12) is pivotally received at least at one pivot axis (17) that is in particular disposed above the stacking device (4) and acts on and engages the open filling mouth.
7. The processing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein at least one pivot device (18) is provided that is equipped with at least one gripper device (19).
8. The processing device (1) according to the preceding claim wherein in a first pivot position (20) the gripper device (19) of the pivot device (18) is suitable to grip the open end (8) of the open-mouth bag (3) in the take-up position (14).
9. The processing device (1) according to any of the two preceding claims wherein in a second pivot position (21) the gripper device (19) of the pivot device (18) is suitable to transfer the open-mouth bag (3) to a bag opener (22) and/or a bag appending device (23).
10. The processing device (1) according to any of the three preceding claims wherein a pivot axis (24) of the pivot device (18) is suitable to pivot the open filling mouth of the open-mouth bag to a handover position.
11. The processing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein a lifting device (27) is provided for lifting the bag bottom (10) of the topmost open-mouth bag (13) of the stack of bags (2) in the base position (5).
12. The processing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein a fixing device (28) is provided that fixes the stack of bags (2) engaging the bag bottom (10).
13. The processing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein at least one product feeder (29) and at least one filling spout (30) for filling the open-mouth bags (3) are provided.
14. The processing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein at least one centering device (50) is provided for centering the stack of bags (2) and for guiding the open-mouth bags (3) during transfer to the take-up position.
15. Method for processing at least one stack of bags (2) having a multitude of open-mouth bags (3) wherein the stack of bags (2) is disposed on a stacking device (4) in a base position (5) wherein at least one marker device (25) and a bag conveying device (12) are provided wherein the bag conveying device (12) grips the topmost open-mouth bag (13) of the stack of bags (2) in the base position (5) and displaces it to a take-up position (14) that is only partially supported on the stack of bags (2) and wherein the marker device (25) makes at least one mark (7) on the open-mouth bags (3) in the take-up position (14).

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