EP2862823B1 - Method and device for changing holder units with flat packaging material coiled on supply rolls within a packaging machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a device for changing carrier units with flat packaging material wound on supply rolls within a packaging machine having the features of the independent claims.

For the processing, compilation, grouping and packaging of articles such as beverage containers, there are different types of packaging, for example, the summary of articles or containers to portable, relatively handy packaging units. Also, various ways are known to combine individual articles into larger containers. For example, beverage containers are usually combined and packaged by means of shrink films into containers of four, six or more containers. The production of containers is usually unavoidable because they represent the most common variant of sales units for beverage containers or bottles made of PET plastic. The containers are partially summarized for transport again.

In order to provide the packaging material for the containers, devices are known from the prior art which unwind the respective packaging material from one roll or from a plurality of rolls and subsequently encase the bundles with the unwound packaging material. Unwinding is expediently carried out by machine, wherein, for example, the respective packaging material is withdrawn from the roll by means of one or more rollers while the respective roll is being rotated. If the supply of packaging material of a roll is exhausted, a manual or automatic replacement of the respective roll can be done by a new roll with further packaging material.

A method and a device for feeding and changing of rolls on a production machine is, for example, from DE 40 40 545 A1 known. The device comprises a plurality of supply rolls of strip material arranged side by side. If the strip material is to be unwound from one of the rollers, then the respective roller is received by an arm and rotated to unwind the strip material. A beginning of the strip material is previously with a roller in Connected, which pulls the strip material from the respective role and leads away from the device in the downward direction.

If the supply of strip material of the respective role is exhausted, a new supply roll can be accepted by the arm and the used roll without strip material are dropped from the arm. Since prior to receiving the new roll threading of a beginning of the respective strip material must be between two adjacent rolls, the used roll must be dropped from the arm and the new role is taken by the arm before unwinding, a change operation necessarily requires an interruption of the band unwinding process. For this reason, no strip material can be provided during the change process, so that a wrapping of the respective article is interrupted with the strip material for a certain period of time. In addition, each change process requires a large number of necessary process steps, which requires a complex structure of the device and leads to the extended implementation of the method.

Accordingly, it is considered to be the primary object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method characterized by increased flexibility in changing supply rolls. In addition, the method should be able to be implemented in a simple manner and the device have a simple structure.

These objects are achieved with the subject matters of the independent claims. Features of advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims. Thus, in order to achieve the stated objectives, the invention proposes, on the one hand, a method which makes it possible to change exchange carrier units with flat packaging material wound up on supply rolls, in particular packaging film, within a packaging machine. The packaging machine is equipped with facilities for at least partial wrapping of piece goods, containers, article groups, etc. with packaging film. The devices for the at least partial wrapping of piece goods, containers, article groups, etc. can have, for example, guide rods which apply the flat packaging material to the respective piece goods, containers, article groups, etc. The person skilled in the art is aware of how he can configure such devices, so that in the context of the present description, not all possible variants are discussed.

Provided in the method according to the invention, designed as a change magazines so-called. Carrier units or exchange carrier units with new supply rolls are fed in a row one behind the other to a working area of a handling device. It is conceivable for this purpose that the respective exchange carrier units, when they are fed to the work area, stand on a horizontal conveyor which extends at least partially into the working area of the handling device or feeds the respective changing magazines or exchange carrier units into the working area of the handling device. The horizontal conveyor may preferably be designed as a conveyor belt and in particular as an endless conveyor belt.

The Wechselträgereinheiten can stand up on the horizontal conveyor so that they are arranged substantially in alignment with the transport direction of the horizontal conveyor. The respective longitudinal axis of supply rolls of the variable transfer units resting on the horizontal conveying device can be oriented in particular perpendicular to the transport direction of the horizontal conveying device. Accordingly, several, but preferably all new supply rolls of the horizontal conveyor on the raised and transported there to the machine Wechselträgereinheiten be oriented parallel to each other and maintained unchanged during transport over the horizontal conveyor their parallel orientation.

The inventive method allows the continuous production of the packaging machine with endlessly supplied packaging or film material, since at any time an "active" supply roll exists, which is located in the Wechselträgereinheit and unrolled there. During this unwinding process, which allows a certain operating time, the other exchange carrier unit, whose supply roll is unwound, and which is therefore "inactive" can be easily removed from the packaging machine and a new, thus prepared in this way, Wechselträgereinheit with a full supply roll of packaging material to be replaced. Due to the - theoretically unlimited - variety of quasi-endless feedable Wechselträgereinheiten, each of which can be successively brought into the working area of the handling device, the packaging machine can remain uninterrupted in use over a very long period of operation.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention it can be provided that the horizontal conveyor has a certain longitudinal extent, so that several - possibly a plurality of - Wechselträgereinheiten can be stored with supply rolls and flat packaging material on the horizontal conveyor and at the same time get up on the horizontal conveyor. As a rule, it is makes sense to arrange at least three, four or five such Wechselträgereinheiten one behind the other and the packaging machine in a row, so that at least a certain operating time is possible without machine interruption.

The horizontal conveyor can be designed as a buffer system, so that optionally one or more Wechselträgereinheiten can be stored manually and / or automatically on the horizontal conveyor and cached when not in use on or by means of the horizontal conveyor. When forming the horizontal conveyor as a buffer system can advantageously be several prepared Wechselträgereinheiten with supply rolls and flat packaging material on the horizontal conveyor, wherein in a change process, the respective Wechselträgereinheiten be accepted with new supply rolls and flat packaging material on the handling device of the horizontal conveyor.

It is conceivable here that the horizontal conveyor is operated intermittently, wherein by means of the horizontal conveyor after receiving one or more Wechselträgereinheiten by the handling device one or more further Wechselträgereinheiten be supplied to the working area of the handling device. If there is a specific or sufficient number of exchange carrier units in the working area of the handling device, the horizontal conveyor can stand still or make no further supply of exchange carrier units with new supply rolls to the working area of the handling device. For this purpose, the horizontal conveying device can be coupled to a control unit, which is also connected to the handling device. Suitable algorithms or specifications for the intermittent operation of the horizontal conveying device can be stored on the control unit, taking into account receipt of changeover carrier units by the handling device. It is also conceivable that the control unit is connected to a discharge device described in more detail below and intermittently controls the discharge device, taking into account a change process.

It is further provided that a working area of the handling device extends at least into a position of the operating position of the arranged in the packaging machine, equipped with a supply roll magazine or exchange carrier unit. As mentioned in more detail below, in the packaging machine at least two different mounting positions for exchange carrier units with new Provided stock rolls. The work area can in this case be designed such that over the handling device exchange carrier units with new supply rolls in all of the at least two mounting positions can be used.

Thus, the handling device for receiving and inserting exchange carrier units in the packaging machine, for example. Have a gripping arm whose extension defines the working range of the handling device in radial movement. Within the scope of the present invention, the working region may be that region in which the handling device can receive and transfer alternating-carrier units to the packaging machine or into the respective installation position of the packaging machine.

It is conceivable, for example, that the handling device is arranged between the aforementioned horizontal conveying device and the respective position of an operating position of the exchange carrier unit located in the packaging machine. In preferred embodiments, the handling device can be arranged laterally to each located in the packaging machine Wechselträgereinheit and cause by a pivoting movement of a gripper arm the insertion of the respective exchange carrier unit with new supply roll in the packaging machine.

Also, the work area is to be designed such that the handling device located in the packaging machine Wechselträgereinheiten and used supply rolls can replace each new exchange carrier units with a new supply roll. Thus, for example, it may be provided that, after inserting exchange carrier units with new supply rolls, the respective supply rolls of the inserted exchange carrier unit are firmly connected to the packaging machine, so that the exchange carrier unit can be removed from the packaging machine without the supply roll. In preferred Äusführungsformen surface packaging material is unwound in a process step of the new packaging roll and removed in a further and subsequent process step, the exchange carrier unit or the removable magazine from the packaging machine.

It is also conceivable that when inserting the exchange carrier unit with the new supply roll, the new supply roll is placed on a retaining mandrel of the packaging machine. The retaining pin can be designed such that it has its maximum after inserting the exchange carrier unit with the new supply roll Increased cross-sectional diameter and thereby the new supply roll clamped fixed. Advantageously, can be done without the new supply roll after clamping fixation of the supply roll on the retaining mandrel removal of the exchange carrier unit. By means of the clamping fixation on the retaining mandrel with increased maximum cross-sectional diameter slipping or a change in position of the new supply roll is prevented upon removal of the exchange carrier unit.

In particular, embodiments have proven in which after inserting the exchange carrier unit with new supply roll in the packaging machine first partially but not complete unwinding of the sheet packaging material from the new supply roll before the new supply roll is clamped over the respective retaining mandrel or before the respective exchange carrier unit the partially but not completely unwound supply roll is removed from the packaging machine.

According to the invention, it is additionally provided that new exchange carrier units are alternately used at at least two different installation positions in the packaging machine and their flat packaging material is connected to the packaging material still present in the packaging machine.

Welding operations, in particular welding operations with a welding bar o. The like. In preferred embodiments, the sheet-like packaging material of the respective new supply roll with the packaging material located in the packaging material before connection or brought into contact before welding. Thus, for example, it may be provided that the packaging machine has two installation positions for one exchange carrier unit each with a new supply roll. Thus, a supply roll can be arranged at a first of the two installation positions, from which packaging material is unwound, wherein at the same time in the second of the installation position by the handling device, a new exchange carrier unit with new supply roll and packaging material is used.

The inventive method is formed in preferred embodiments such that at least one of the mounting positions continuously a supply roll is arranged, from which flat packaging material is unwound. If an exchange carrier unit is arranged or is in the region of the first installation position the supply roll, from which packaging material is unwound, still associated with an exchange carrier unit, it is possible to remove the exchange carrier unit from the first installation position by the handling device. For this purpose, it may be expediently provided that, as already mentioned above, the supply roll, from which packaging material is unwound, is clamped by a holding mandrel by means of enlargement of its maximum cross-sectional diameter.

After receiving an exchange carrier unit from the installation position, the handling device can preferably deposit the respective exchange carrier unit on a discharge device. The discharge device can also be designed as a horizontal conveyor. In particular, embodiments are conceivable in which the discharge device is formed by a conveyor belt or an endless conveyor belt.

If the supply of changing magazines or exchange carrier units with new supply rolls to the working area of the handling device, as already mentioned above, by a horizontal conveyor, so the discharge device may be oriented parallel to this. The transport direction for the removal of magazines can thus run parallel to the transport direction for the supply of Wechselträgereinheiten with new supply rolls. For example. The removal of the magazines can be carried out in the direction of an equipment area, in the equipment area discharged magazines or Wechselträgereinheiten equipped with new supply rolls and set as change magazines or Wechselträgereinheiten with new supply rolls on the horizontal conveyor for feeding to the working area of the handling device. In the equipment area, the preparation of the exchange carrier units can thus be carried out with new supply rolls. The preparation of the respective exchange carrier units with new supply rolls can be automated and / or manual.

As already mentioned above, a supply roll can be arranged continuously at at least one of the installation positions, from which flat packaging material is unwound. If a change carrier unit with a new supply roll is used in a further of the installation positions, the flat packaging material of the new supply roll can be connected to the flat packaging material of the further supply roll, from which flat packaging material is unwound.

For simplified insertion of the exchange carrier units and for simplified connection of the respective flat packaging materials may be provided in preferred embodiments that the exchange carrier units are provided alternately for at least two different mounting positions in the packaging machine, wherein the exchange carrier units for the at least two different mounting positions in the packaging machine are prepared when supplied to the work area of the handling device.

For this purpose, first exchange carrier units can be provided, which are designed for insertion into the first installation position. In addition, second exchange carrier units may be provided, which are designed for insertion into the second installation position. First and second Wechselträgereinheiten can alternately be supplied to the working area of the handling device and optionally also alternately received by the handling device and inserted into the respective first or second change magazine respectively provided mounting positions. If the supply of Wechselträgereinheiten via a horizontal conveyor, as part of the preparation of first and second Wechselträgereinheiten can be arranged alternately in a row one behind the other on the horizontal conveyor upright.

New supply rolls of the respective first exchange carrier units can be oriented parallel to new supply rolls of the respective second exchange carrier units during transport via the horizontal conveying device and / or in the respective installation position. It makes sense to first and second magazines or carrier units of the used supply rolls are alternately removed from the packaging machine and possibly sold on a discharge device.

If the exchange carrier units when supplied to the working area of the handling device on a horizontal conveyor, the transport direction of the horizontal conveyor can be oriented such that insertion of the exchange carrier units in the respective mounting positions without turning the Wechselträgereinheiten and by means of a displacement by the handling device is feasible. In particular, the respective exchange carrier units can be lifted with new supply rolls for insertion into the respective installation position.

If the removal of Wechselträgereinheiten or magazines with spent supply rolls also takes place by a horizontal conveyor, the Horizontal conveyor be oriented such that a settling of the Wechselträgereinheiten or magazines takes place without turning on the discharge device designed as a horizontal conveyor.

In particular, embodiments have proven in which the handling device is formed by a multi-axially movable handling robot that uses both new exchange carrier units in the packaging machine as well as consumed removable carrier units or magazines from the packaging machine.

For this purpose, the handling robot can be designed to be rotatable about a vertically oriented axis. A gripping arm of the handling robot can be raised and lowered about an at least approximately horizontally oriented axis. The gripping arm can consist of two or more parts, which are optionally pivotable in opposite directions about at least approximately horizontally oriented axes. Further, the handling robot may have a head which is designed to be rotatable and is provided for receiving the respective changeover carrier units and / or spent supply rolls.

It is conceivable in this case that the handling device, before removal of the respective used supply roll, removes the respective change carrier unit associated with the supply roll and, upon removal of the change carrier unit, has the respective associated supply roll at least one residual stock of flat packaging material. Packaging material can be unwound from the respective supply roll during removal of the magazine.

It is also conceivable that the handling device or the handling robot removes a spent supply roll from the packaging machine before inserting new exchange carrier units. If a supply roll is used up, then no flat packaging material is stored on the supply roll.

As previously mentioned, the supply rolls can be placed on insertion of the respective exchange carrier unit in the installed position on a retaining pin. When removing the supply roll from the packaging machine, the handling device can thus possibly deduct the respective role from the retaining mandrel. If the supply roll on the retaining mandrel fixed by increasing its maximum cross-sectional diameter, it can be useful to fix the removal of the supply roll by reducing the maximum cross-sectional diameter of Haltedorns be solved. To remove the respective used supply roll from the packaging machine, the handling device may have one or more gripping fingers or the like, which grippingly clamp the respective used supply roll for removal from the packaging machine.

It is conceivable, for example, that the handling device stores the used-up supply roll in a storage container. It can also be provided that the handling device passes the spent supply roll after removal from the packaging machine to one or more transport devices for removal. The used-up supply roll can then be provided with further flat packaging material and fed again as a new supply roll with a corresponding change magazine or an exchange carrier unit to the working area of the handling device. The supply roll may be formed in terms of their geometry as a hollow cylinder and, for example. Made of plastic or materials with cellulosic components.

In preferred embodiments, it can also be provided that a beginning of the sheet-like packaging material of a supply roll of each newly inserted exchange carrier units is separated by separating one end of the respective used supply roll of each other exchange carrier units with a portion of the guided in the packaging machine flat packaging material, in particular by a welding operation by means of a welding bar or the like.

For example, by a guide element of the beginning of the sheet-like packaging material to be applied to the guided in the packaging machine flat packaging material, which then takes place a welding by means of the welding bar. It is conceivable that during or immediately after separation of the end of each used stock roll, the beginning of the sheet-like packaging material is applied to the guided in the packaging machine flat packaging material. The guide element may in this case describe a movement which is oriented at least approximately in the vertical direction downwards. Furthermore, the guide element can come into contact with the flat packaging material during its vertical downward movement. The beginning of the sheet-like packaging material can be guided together with the guide element in the vertical direction downwards and against the guided in the packaging machine flat packaging material. Preferably, the beginning of the sheet-like packaging material with the guided in the packaging machine flat Packaging material already brought into surface contact before welding. In particular, embodiments have proven in which the guide member is brought in its vertical guide down over the entire width of the sheet-like packaging material with the sheet-like packaging material in contact.

In order to be able to wrap the respective piece goods, containers, groups of articles or the like permanently with flat packaging material, in particular embodiments have proven in which removed an exchange carrier unit with a used supply roll of packaging material during uninterrupted operation of the packaging machine and replaced by an exchange carrier unit with a new supply roll becomes. In order to ensure uninterrupted operation, an exchange carrier unit with a new supply roll must already be inserted into the respective installation position of the packaging machine before the flat packaging material of a supply roll is completely used up or completely unwound in a further installation position. The sheet-like packaging material of the new supply roll can then be connected to the sheet-like packaging material of the further supply roll, preferably by means of welding.

Another feature of various embodiments of the method according to the invention may consist in that in the packaging machine, an active support member or an active exchange carrier unit is located, the supply roll is unwound with packaging material while already a still inactive exchange carrier unit is also in the machine previously was placed there by means of the handling device. If the supply roll of the active exchange carrier unit is used up and unrolled, by welding the packaging material to the beginning of the other exchange carrier unit a "switchover" between the two exchange carrier units can take place so that the first exchange carrier unit with the used supply roll is taken out of the machine at a suitable time can be made without interrupting the packaging process. That is, the carrier element with the empty supply roll can be removed immediately after the welding of the strip beginning of the supply roll of the respective other carrier element from the packaging machine and transported away. Since these processes can be repeated almost as often as sufficient supply with a plurality of successively supplied Wechselträgereinheiten, so a quasi-endless operation of the packaging machine is possible, if supplied on the feeder enough new Wechselträgereinheiten each with new supply rolls of packaging material become. Since the buffer size can basically be extended as desired, an almost unlimited operating time can be specified and implemented for uninterrupted continuous operation. Another advantage of the carrier elements or exchange carrier units used is that the handling device or the robot used for this purpose does not have to directly grip the supply rolls with the wound packaging material. This allows the part - ie the entire exchange carrier unit - removed during operation and used. The provided on the Wechselträgereinheiten clamping bars on which the beginning of the tape can be fixed, facilitate the automatic welding of the packaging material or the packaging film considerably, and at the same time with exact positioning of the unwound material. It is neither a threading of the material beginning nor its manual or manually supported fixation or welding of endless material in the machine required, so that can be dispensed with previously required manufacturing and handling steps.

In various embodiments it can be provided that a removal of a cassette and an empty supply roll from the packaging machine takes place at least approximately simultaneously and in one method step. In particularly preferred embodiments, however, as previously described in detail, it is provided that empty supply rolls and cassettes are removed from the packaging machine in separate and successive process steps.

The present invention also relates to a device for changing exchange carrier units with flat packaging material wound up on supply rolls, in particular packaging film, within a packaging machine. For this purpose, it should be mentioned that all the previously described features which can be provided for implementing the method according to the invention can also be used in various embodiments of the device according to the invention. Likewise, all the features which are described below for various embodiments of the device according to the invention can be used in further embodiments of the method according to the invention.

The packaging machine is equipped with facilities for at least partial wrapping of piece goods, containers, article groups, etc. with packaging film.

The device according to the invention comprises a feed device for providing change magazines or exchange carrier units with new supply rolls in a row behind one another, which is assigned to a work area of a handling device. As previously mentioned, in preferred embodiments of the present invention, the feeder may be formed by one or more horizontal conveyors which guide the respective changer units with new stock rolls into the work area of the handling device. In particular, embodiments are suitable with formation of the one or more horizontal conveying device by one or more endless conveyor belts. The one or more horizontal conveying devices designed as a feed device thus optionally extend, at least in sections, into the working area of the handling device. In various embodiments, more than one handling device may also be used. In practice, however, it has been shown that in preferred embodiments, a handling device may be sufficient to alternately insert exchange carrier units with new supply rolls in the respective installation position.

In particular, if the feeding device is formed by one or more horizontal conveying devices, it may be that the one or more horizontal conveying devices are operated intermittently or intermittently. For example, it can be provided that, after receiving one or more changeover carrier units from the handling device one or more other exchange carrier units are guided by means of the feeder or by means of one or more horizontal conveyors in the working area of the handling device, so that at least one change carrier unit from the feeder as far as possible is provided for the work area of the feeder.

The feed device or the one or more horizontal conveying devices can in this case be designed as a buffer system which stores a plurality of exchange carrier units with new supply rolls and, if required, supplies the handling device with the respective exchange carrier units.

The working area of the handling device extends at least into a position of the operating position of the alternator unit arranged in the packaging machine and equipped with a supply roll. Next, the work area is designed such that by means of the handling device, the new Wechselträgereinheiten can be used at the different mounting positions in the device.

In inventive device is further provided that each new exchange carrier units with the new supply roll alternately used at least two different mounting positions in the packaging machine and the flat packaging material with the still in the packaging machine packaging material is connectable. It is conceivable, for example, that two installation positions for exchange carrier units and supply rolls are provided, wherein in existing supply rolls in both of the installation positions, the supply roll of the first installation position has a parallel orientation to the supply roll of the second installation position.

Preferably, it can be provided that the exchange carrier units are prepared at the latest when entering the working area of the handling device for the at least two different installation positions in the packaging machine. Thus, a prepared exchange carrier unit can be assigned a new supply roll. Furthermore, a prepared exchange carrier unit can be characterized by a specific orientation on the feed device, so that it can be received by the feed device by means of the handling device and inserted without rotation in the respective installation position.

In preferred embodiments, the exchange carrier units may each be formed by cassettes having a frame adapted to support the respective new supply roll and its sheet packaging material. For example, the frame may have at least two support rods extending in each case parallel to the respective new supply roll, on which the respective new supply roll rests. The respective longitudinal extent of the at least two support rods may correspond at least to the longitudinal extent of the supply roll, but preferably be formed approximately identically to the longitudinal extent of the supply roll.

Furthermore, the exchange carrier units, the exchangeable magazines or the cassettes can have one or more bores on at least one side, into which the handling device for accommodating the respective exchange carrier units with correspondingly formed gripper fingers is immersed. It is also conceivable that the exchange carrier units form a lateral stop for the respective new supply roll, on which the respective new supply roll is present. By means of the stop, the respective new supply roll can be held by the respective exchange carrier unit or by the respective cassette in a predefined position. A lateral slipping of the respective new supply roll from the respective change magazine or from the respective cassette or the respective changeover carrier unit is by the lateral stop avoided. The respective exchange carrier units or the respective cassettes can be formed, for example, by plastic and / or metal.

In addition, it can be provided that the cassettes or exchange carrier units each have a retaining bar extending parallel to the supply roll, which carries a beginning of the wound on the new supply roll of the respective cassette flat packaging material before connecting with the packaging material located in the packaging machine. If the respective exchange carrier unit also has at least two support rods for carrying the new supply roll, the at least two support rods and the holding rod can extend parallel to each other.

In preferred embodiments it can be provided that at least one first installation position for first exchange carrier units is provided and at least one second installation position for second exchange carrier units. The first exchange carrier units may in this case have a holding bar, which is arranged on a first side of the Wechselträgereinheit, while the second Wechselträgereinheiten have a holding bar, which is arranged on a second side of the Wechselträgereinheit, wherein with regard to the supply of the first and the second Wechselträgereinheiten the working area of the handling device is opposite the first side of the second side.

In addition, it can be provided that in the first exchange carrier units, the sheet-like packaging material of the respective new supply roll is guided upward in the direction of the holding staff, while in the second exchange carrier units the flat packaging material of the respective new supply roll is guided downwards in the direction of the holding staff.

In various embodiments, the sheet-like packaging material, which is provided for at least partial wrapping of piece goods, containers, article groups, etc., have optical markings, so that a connection to defined positions of the flat packaging material of the new supply roll with the packaging material still in the packaging machine necessary is.

For this purpose, embodiments have proven in which the support rods of the cassettes are rotatable, so that sheet-like packaging material of the respective new supply roll can be wound onto the support rod of the respective cassette. A winding of the respective sheet-like packaging material can be carried out such that the respective sheet-like packaging material is aligned for connection or defined positions for connection of the flat packaging material with the still in the packaging machine packaging material can be specified by winding.

The winding of the flat packaging material onto the respective holding bar can take place during or during the preparation of the exchange carrier units and thus before the exchange carrier units enter the working area of the handling device. It is conceivable that the winding is carried out manually and / or automatically.

In particular, embodiments have proved successful in which the packaging machine has at least one first installation position for first exchange carrier units and has at least one second installation position for second exchange carrier units. The support rods of the first exchange carrier units and the second exchange carrier units can be arranged on opposite sides, so that the holding rods of the first exchange carrier units in the first installation position towards the second mounting position and the support rods of the second exchange carrier units when inserted into the second installation position in the direction of first installation position.

As previously mentioned, can be created by a guide element of the beginning of the sheet-like packaging material of a new supply roll on the guided in the packaging machine flat packaging material, followed by welding by means of the welding bar. The respective support rods can pass the flat packaging material of the new supply roll below the guide element on the guide element with inserted exchange carrier unit in the respective installation position. By a vertical movement of the guide element down the flat packaging material of the new supply roll can then be applied to the packaging material still in the packaging machine and subsequently preferably connected by means of a welding with the packaging material still in the packaging machine.

Likewise, in the inventive device when inserting the respective exchange carrier unit in the respective installation position, the respective new supply roll be placed on a retaining mandrel, so that by means of enlargement of its cross-sectional diameter, the respective supply roll is clamped on the retaining mandrel.

Also in the context of the device according to the invention, the handling device by a multi-axially movable handling robot be formed, which uses both new exchange carrier units in the packaging machine as well as consumed Wechselträgereinheiten with empty supply rolls from this takes. As previously mentioned, the handling robot may be rotatable about a vertical axis and may have a gripping arm pivotable about one or more horizontally oriented axes.

If a discharge device is provided for carrier units removed from the packaging machine by the handling device, the discharge device can be formed by one or more horizontal conveying devices, in particular by endless conveyor belts.

• Fig. 1 zeigt eine schematische Perspektivansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels für eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zum Wechseln von Wechselträgereinheiten.
• Fig. 2 zeigt eine weitere schematische Perspektivansicht der Vorrichtung aus gemäß Fig. 1.
• Fig. 3 zeigt eine schematische Draufsicht auf die Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung zum Wechseln von Magazinen aus den Figuren 1 und 2.
• Fig. 4 zeigt detailliert einen Teil der Vorrichtung zum Wechseln von Wechselträgereinheiten aus dem Ausführungsbeispiel der Figuren 1 bis 3.
• Fig. 5 zeigt eine schematische Perspektivansicht einer Wechselträgereinheit mit neuer Vorratsrolle, wie sie für diverse Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Erfindung Verwendung finden können.
• Fig. 6 zeigt detailliert eine Handhabungseinrichtung, wie sie für diverse Ausführungsformen der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung Verwendung finden kann.

In the following, embodiments of the invention and their advantages with reference to the accompanying figures will be explained in more detail. The proportions of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the actual size ratios, since some shapes are simplified and other shapes are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

• Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of an inventive device for changing exchange carrier units.
• Fig. 2 shows a further schematic perspective view of the device of FIG Fig. 1 ,
• Fig. 3 shows a schematic plan view of the embodiment of a device for changing magazines from the FIGS. 1 and 2 ,
• Fig. 4 shows in detail a part of the device for changing exchange carrier units from the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 ,
• Fig. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of an exchange carrier unit with new supply roll, as they can be used for various embodiments of the present invention.
• Fig. 6 shows in detail a handling device, as it can be used for various embodiments of the device according to the invention.

For identical or equivalent elements of the invention, identical reference numerals are used. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures, which are required for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples, such as Device according to the invention or the method according to the invention can be configured and do not represent a final limitation.

The schematic perspective view of Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of an inventive device 1 for changing exchange carrier units 8a 'and 8b'. In the context of the method, the exchange carrier units 8a 'and 8b' are removed from the packaging machine 3 and replaced by exchange carrier units 8a and 8b with new supply rolls 9. On the new supply rolls 9 packaging material 10, in this case packaging film 11 is wound and stored.

The packaging machine 3 comprises in practice a plurality of devices which are designed for wrapping articles with the flat packaging material 11. For reasons of clarity, the devices in the figures of the present patent application are not shown.

Like the Fig. 1 can recognize change carrier units 8a and 8b, each with a new supply roll 9, on which packaging film 11 is stored, one behind the other on a feeding device 4, which is designed as a horizontal conveyor 40, guided in the transport direction TR1 or fed to the packaging machine 3. The new supply rolls 9 are here oriented parallel to one another and aligned such that their respective longitudinal axis runs perpendicular to the transport direction TR1 of the horizontal conveyor 40.

Next, a handling device 5 is shown, which is designed as multiaxial movable handling robot 50 and has a work area AB, within which they accept Wechselträgereinheiten 8a and 8b of the horizontal conveyor 40 and the respective Wechselträgereinheiten 8a and 8b in a respective assigned mounting position EB1 or EB2 (see , Fig. 4 ) of the packaging machine 3 can use. If supply rolls 9 are located in both of the installation positions EB1 and EB2, the supply rolls 9 can have a parallel orientation to one another.

The feeding device 4 or the horizontal conveying device 40 extends into the working area AB of the handling device 5 and conveys changing carrier units 8a or 8b successively into the working area AB.

As in Fig. 1 can be seen, are a plurality of Wechselträgereinheiten 8a and 8b, which are not in the work area AB, with their lower sides in each case on the horizontal conveyor 40. The horizontal conveyor 40 is thus as Buffer system formed. If the handling device 5 or the handling robot 50 receives one or more changeover carrier units 8a or 8b from the horizontal conveyor 40 for a change operation, the corresponding number of change carrier units 8a or 8b can be moved from the horizontal conveyor 40 to the working area AB of the handling device 5 the working area AB of the handling robot 50 are continued. Since the horizontal conveyor 40 in the present case, if necessary, continues to exchange carrier units 8a or 8b with new supply rollers 9 to the working area AB of the handling device 5, it is operated intermittently. The respective feed to changeover carrier units 8a or 8b to the working area AB or the intermittent operation of the horizontal conveyor 40 can be predetermined via a control unit S, which is also coupled to the handling device 5 or to the handling robot 50. For example, upon receipt of an exchange carrier unit 8a or 8b by the handling device 5, the horizontal conveying device 40 can continue at least approximately simultaneously with a further change carrier unit 8a or 8b to the working area AB. In the present case, the discharge device 6, which will be described in detail below, is also coupled to the control unit S for intermittent operation and for discharging exchange carrier units 8a 'and 8b'.

The Fig. 1 also shows that the working area AB of the handling device 5 in a position of the operating position of the arranged in the packaging machine 3, equipped with a supply roll 9 Wechselträgereinheit 8a 'extends. As in Fig. 4 shown in some detail, the packaging machine 3 has a second installation position EB2, in which also an exchange carrier unit 8b 'can be used with supply roll 9. The working area AB also extends into the operating position of the exchange carrier unit 8b 'of the second installation position EB2. Thus, via the handling device 5 exchange carrier units 8a and 8b in their respective installation position EB1 and EB2 (see. Fig. 4 ) can be used.

In order to be able to receive the respective changeover carrier units 8a or 8b from the horizontal conveyor 40 and to be able to use them in the respective installation position EB1 or EB2, the handling device 5 designed as handling robot 50 is rotatable about a vertical axis V. In detail, the freedom of movement of an exemplary handling device 5, as well as in Fig. 1 Use finds in Fig. 6 shown and described.

Furthermore, the working area AB of the handling device 5 is designed such that the handling device 5 can remove used up supply rolls 9 'without packaging film 11 from the packaging machine 3. Fig. 1 shows a process step in which a used-up supply roll 9 'without packaging film 11 has already been removed from the packaging machine 3 and is carried by the handling device 5. Within the working area AB of the handling device 5, a storage module 13 is arranged, in which the handling device 5 deposits the used supply roll 9 '. The used up supply rolls 9 'are reusable, so that again packaging film 11 can be stored on the used supply roll 9' and the spent supply roll 9 'can be associated with further packaging film 11 or with further packaging material 10 as supply roll 9 of an exchange carrier unit 8a or 8b ,

If an exchange carrier unit 8a or 8a with new supply roll 9 is inserted into the respective installation position EB1 or EB2 of the packaging machine 3, then the new supply roll 9 is moved onto a holding mandrel 15 or 15 '(cf. Fig. 4 ) and fixedly connected to the retaining pin 15 or 15 'by clamping. Next, the packaging film 11 with still remaining in the packaging machine 3 packaging film 11 'and with still remaining in the packaging machine 3 packaging material 10' (see. Fig. 4 ) connected. The connection takes place by means of welding both packaging films 11 and 11 '.

After a certain proportion of packaging film 11 has been unwound from the new supply roll 9 in the packaging machine 3, the respective new supply roll 9 is no longer in surface contour with the respective exchange carrier unit 8a 'or 8b'. Thereupon, the respective changeover carrier unit 8a 'or 8b' assigned to the new supply roll 9 can be taken out of the packaging machine 3 by the handling device 5. Advantageously, the new supply roll 9 in this case over the respective in Fig. 4 shown retaining pin 15 and 15 'fixed, so that in addition slipping of the supply roll 9 on the retaining pin 15 or 15' can be excluded by the clamping.

Since the working area AB of the handling device 5 extends into the positions of the operating position of exchange carrier units 8a 'and 8b', the handling device 5 or the handling robot 50 can remove removable carrier units 8a 'or 8b' from the packaging machine 3. If an exchange carrier unit 8a 'or 8b' has been removed from the packaging machine 3, then the respective Wechselträgereinheit 8a 'and 8b' by the handling device 5 on the discharge device 6 and on the horizontal conveyor 60 are discontinued.

The discharge device 6 or the horizontal conveyor 60 has a transport direction TR2 for the exchange carrier units 8a 'and 8b', which runs parallel to the transport direction TR1 of the feed device 6 designed as a horizontal conveyor device 60. The removal device 6 guides the exchange carrier units 8a 'or 8b' in the direction of an equipment area 17 (cf. Fig. 2 ), in which exchange carrier units 8a and 8b are prepared with new supply rolls 9.

As in Fig. 1 To recognize, are transported on the feeder 4 first exchange carrier units 8a and second exchange carrier units 8b. The first changeover support units 8a are provided to be inserted in the first installation position EB1. The second exchange carrier units 8b are provided to be inserted into the second installation position EB2. Since the insertion of changeover carrier units 8a and 8b alternately takes place with respective supply rollers 9 in the first installation position EB1 and in the second installation position EB2, first exchange carrier units 8a and second exchange carrier units 8b are also alternately arranged on the horizontal conveyor 40. The handling device 5 can thus receive the change carrier unit 8a and 8b arranged in each case on the horizontal conveyor 40 and insert it into the respective installation position EB1 or EB2. By the prepared first and second exchange carrier units 8a and 8b on the horizontal conveyor 40 in an alternating arrangement can be dispensed with an elaborate sensor to distinguish between the first and second exchange carrier unit 8a and 8b for the respective receipt by the handling device 5. Thus, the first Wechselträgereinheiten 8a and the second Wechselträgereinheiten 8b by the alternate arrangement on the horizontal conveyor 40 already prepared for delivery to the work area AB for insertion into the respective mounting position EB1 or EB2. Furthermore, the exchange carrier units 8a and 8b are preoriented on the horizontal conveyor 40 so that the handling device 5 can receive the exchange carrier units 8a and 8b and insert the exchange carrier units 8a and 8b without rotation into the respective installation position EB1 or EB2.

As well as in Fig. 4 The first exchange carrier units 8a and the second exchange carrier units 8b each have a holding bar 19 or 19 '(see also FIG Fig. 5 ). The holding bar 19 of the first changeover carrier units 8a is hereby arranged on a first side of the first change carrier unit 8a, while the holding bar 19 'of the second exchange carrier unit 8b is arranged on a second side of the second exchange carrier unit 8b. If first exchange carrier units 8a and second exchange carrier units 8b are received by the handling device 5 and inserted into the respective installation position EB1 or EB2, the first side of the second side faces the supply of the first and second exchange carrier units 8a and 8b. Even when the changeover carrier units 8a and 8b are fed onto the horizontal conveyor 40 to the working area AB, the holding bar 19 or 19 'of the first exchange carrier units 8a and the second exchange carrier units 8b are located on opposite sides. The Wechselträgereinheiten 8a and 8b are thus prepared on the horizontal conveyor 40 with respect to their orientation for insertion into the respective mounting position EB1 or EB2.

Since the removal of first and second exchange carrier units 8a 'and 8b' from the packaging machine 3 is also performed alternately, the exchange carrier units 8a 'and 8b' are also arranged alternately on the discharge device 6 or the exchange carrier units 8a 'and 8b' are alternately transported away by the discharge device 6.

The Fig. 2 shows a further schematic perspective view of the device 1 from Fig. 1 and the packaging machine 3. In Fig. 2 Good to see is an equipment area 17, in which Wechselträgereinheiten 8a 'and 8b' are taken, equipped with a new supply roll 9 and moved as Wechselträgereinheiten 8a and 8b on the feeder 4 and the horizontal conveyor 40 in the direction of the working area AB. For this purpose, a manually operable preparation instrument 21 is provided in the present case. In further embodiments, however, it is also conceivable that the exchange carrier units 8a and 8b are formed automatically with their respective new supply roll 9 and deposited on the feed device 4 or the horizontal conveying device 40. Fig. 2 moreover shows that the transport of the exchange carrier units 8a and 8b by the horizontal conveyor 40 in the equipment area 17 begins, while the transport of Wechselträgereinheiten 8a 'and 8b' via the discharge device 6 in the equipment area 17 ends. The transport direction TR1 of the feed device 4 and the transport direction TR2 of the discharge device 6 are oriented continuously parallel to one another.

A schematic plan view of the embodiment of a device 1 from the FIGS. 1 and 2 is still in Fig. 3 shown. Good to see in Fig. 3 again a possible embodiment of the working area AB of the handling device 5 and the handling robot 50, which work area AB radially around a rotation axis V (see. Fig. 1 ) of the handling device 5 extends. For the person skilled in the art, it is clear that the dimensioning as well as the position of the working area AB in the figures of the present patent application is to be understood merely as an example. In practice, the work area can also have larger or smaller dimensions in order to be able to accept the respective exchange carrier units 8a and 8b from the feed device 4 and to be able to insert them into the respective installation position EB1 or EB2 or around the respective exchange carrier units 8a 'and 8b' from FIG Can remove packaging machine 3 with the used supply rolls 9 '.

The Fig. 4 shows in detail a part of the device 1 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 , In Fig. 4 Now the installation positions EB1 and EB2 of the packaging machine 3 can be seen. The first installation position EB1 is provided exclusively for inserting first exchange carrier units 8a with new supply rolls 9, while the second installation position EB2 is provided exclusively for inserting second exchange carrier units 8b with new supply rolls 9. In the installation positions EB1 and EB2 alternately exchange units 8a and 8b are used with new supply rolls 9.

After inserting the respective Wechseiträgereinheiten 8a and 8b with new supply rollers 9 engages a retaining pin 15 or 15 'by the respective and in Fig. 4 unrecognizable supply roll 9. The holding mandrel 15 of the first installation position EB1 is oriented parallel to the holding mandrel 15 'of the second installation position EB2.

Fig. 4 also shows a guide element 29, which is designed to connect the flat packaging material 10 or 10 'of the packaging film 11 with the still remaining in the packaging machine 3 packaging film 11' vertically movable. Is little or no packaging film 11 on the supply roll 9 an installation position EB1 or EB2 arranged (see. Fig. 1 ), the guide element 29 is lowered vertically, wherein the packaging film 11 is applied to the packaging film 11 remaining in the packaging machine 3 or to the packaging material 10 remaining in the packaging machine 3 '. In Fig. 4 was used in the first installation position EB1 a change carrier unit 8a with new supply roll 9, so that with vertical lowering of the guide member 29, the packaging film 11 of the new supply roll 9 on the still remaining in the packaging machine 3 packaging film 11 'or on the packaging film 11' in the second mounting position EB2 arranged supply roll 9 is applied. The guide element 29 is formed so that it is brought in its vertical guide down over the entire width of the packaging film 11 with the packaging film 11 in contact.

The reference numeral 23 also refers to an actuator for in Fig. 4 Welding bar, not shown. About the actuator 23, a welding bar, for example. Be moved horizontally and a welding of the packaging films 11 and 11 'make. The welding takes place after the guide element 29 has brought the packaging films 11 and 11 'into contact with each other. Since uninterrupted packaging film 11 or 11 'is withdrawn from supply rolls 9, in the present case the supply roll 9 of the first installation position EB1 is set in rotation immediately after welding. In this case, the amount of the packaging film 11 stored on the supply roll 9 of the first installation position EB1 decreases, wherein the supply roll 9 with its packaging film 11 loses contact with the exchange carrier unit 8a.

By increasing the cross-sectional diameter of the holding mandrel 15, the supply roll 9 can be clamped in the first installation position EB1, whereupon the handling device 5 or the handling robot 50 (cf. FIGS. 1 to 3 ) the change carrier unit 8a or the magazine 8a 'is removed from the first installation position EB1 and deposited on the discharge device 6. The removal is preferably carried out after the supply roll 9 with its decreasing packaging film 11 has lost contact with the exchange carrier unit 8a.

After the packaging film 11 'has been separated from the supply roll 9 arranged in the second installation position EB2 and after the change carrier unit 8a or the magazine 8a' has been removed from the first installation position EB1, the supply roll 9 of the second installation position EB2 from the holding mandrel is transferred via the handling device 5 15 'deducted and the handling device 5 in a memory module 13 (see. Fig. 1 ) discontinued. If a clamping connection between the retaining pin 15 'and the supply roll 9 is present, this clamping connection must be solved previously.

In the second installation position EB2 can then be set by means of the handling device 5, a second exchange carrier unit 8b with new supply roll 9. The insertion of an exchange carrier unit 8a or 8b thus takes place, while from a supply roll 9 of the first installation position EB1 or the second installation position EB2 packaging film 11 or 11 'is unwound. Accordingly, during the continuous operation of the packaging machine 3 permanently on one of two mounting positions EB1 or EB2 arranged a supply roll 9, from which packaging film 11 or 11 'is unwound.

The exchange carrier units 8a and 8b are each formed by cassettes having a frame adapted to support the respective new supply roll 9 and its wrapping film 11. The frame has two holes 25 and 25 ', in which gripping fingers 31 (see. Fig. 6 ) of the handling device 5 or of the handling robot 50 (cf. Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 ) for receiving the change carrier unit 8a and 8b from the supply device 4 engage. If the respective exchange carrier unit 8a or 8b was inserted into the respective installation position EB1 or EB2, the gripping fingers 31 can leave the bores 25 and 25 '.

The Wechselträgereinheiten 8a and 8b also each have legs 27 and 27 ', by means of which they stand up on the feeder 4 and on the horizontal conveyor 40 and on the packaging machine 3 in the respective installation position EB1 and EB2 (see. Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 ). Furthermore, they each have a stop 33, on which the respective supply roll 9 rests via its packaging film 11 on the respective exchange carrier unit 8a or 8b. Advantageously, the respective supply roll 9 can be held laterally over the stop, so that lateral slipping of the supply roll 9 is prevented by the exchange carrier unit 8a or 8b, in particular when inserted into the respective installation position EB1 or EB2.

Shown is also again the holding rod 19, which carries a beginning of the packaging film 11 before vertical lowering of the guide element 29. If the exchange carrier unit 8a or 8b is in the respective installation position EB1 or EB2, the holding bar 19 or 19 'is oriented parallel to the holding mandrel 15 or 15'. The support rod 19 or 19 'is connected to a wheel 35 in connection, via which the support rod 19 or 19' is rotatably movable. Upon rotation of the holding rod 19 or 19 'packaging film 11 is wound on the support rod 19 and 19'.

If the packaging film 11 has optical markings, a connection with the packaging film 11 'remaining in the packaging machine 3 may be desirable at defined locations. For positional specification for the welding, the packaging film is wound on the support rod 19 via the wheel 35 for this purpose. In the present case, the wheel 35 is actuated manually, in other embodiments is a mechanical actuation with position specification of the packaging film 11 and the packaging material 10 for the welding imaginable. Preferably, the position specification of the packaging film 11 for the welding takes place before the respective changeover carrier unit 8a or 8b is placed on the feed device 4, but at the latest before the respective change carrier unit 8a or 8b enters the working area AB (cf. FIGS. 1 to 3 ) of the handling device 5 or of the handling robot 50.

In the first exchange carrier units 8a has, as in the Fig. 4 shown, the sheet-like packaging material 10 and the packaging film 11 away from the support rod 19 and obliquely downward. In the case of the second changeover carrier units 8b, the flat packaging material 10 or the packaging film 11, on the other hand, points away from the holding bar 19 and obliquely upward.

In addition, the support rods 19 and 19 ', the flat packaging material 10 and the packaging film 11 below the guide element 29 on the guide member 29 over, so that the guide member 29 by means of its vertical downward movement can come into contact with the respective packaging film 11 and the packaging film 11 with the guide member 29 for the purpose of its welding down and against the still remaining in the packaging machine 3 packaging film 11 'and against the still remaining in the packaging machine 3 flat packaging material 10 leads.

The Fig. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of an exchange carrier unit 8b with new supply roll 9, as they can be used for various embodiments of the present invention.

Corresponding Fig. 4 shows Fig. 5 the two legs 27 and 27 'of the exchange carrier unit 8b and the holding rod 19'. In the Fig. 5 shown second Wechselträgereinheiten 8b is provided for insertion into the second mounting position EB2 of the packaging machine 3. The flat packaging material 10 and the packaging film 11, for this reason, from the support bar 19 'away and obliquely upward. In addition, the retaining bar 19 'of the second removable magazine is made Fig. 5 on a the in Fig. 4 holding rod 19 shown the first exchange carrier unit 8a opposite side arranged.

Next shows Fig. 5 a support rod 12, of which the Wechselträgereinheiten 8a (see Fig. 4 ) and 8b each have two and over which the respective new supply roll 9 is worn. The support rods 12 in this case extend parallel to the respective holding rod 19 or 19 'and have a longitudinal extent, at least approximately identical to the longitudinal extent of the supply rolls 9 is formed. The respective supply rollers 9 are also oriented parallel to the support rods 12.

The Fig. 6 shows in detail a handling device 5, as it can be used for various embodiments of the device 1 according to the invention (see Fig. 1 ). The handling device 5 is analogous to the handling device of the previous FIGS. 1 to 3 designed as a handling robot 50 and rotatable about the vertical axis V. Next, the handling device 5 has an arm 38 which can be pivoted as a whole about the first horizontal axis H1. Next, the arm 38 to increase its freedom of movement of two segments 61 and 61 'which can be pivoted in opposite directions to each other about the second horizontal axis H2. At the free end of the arm 38, a gripping head 39 and a gripping hand 41 are arranged. The gripping head 39 is designed for receiving changeover carrier units 8a and 8b as well as exchange carrier units 8a 'and 8b' and for this purpose comprises a plurality of gripping fingers 31 and 31 'receiving the respective change carrier unit 8a and 8b or the respective change carrier unit 8a' or 8b 'in FIG Bores 25 and 25 '(see. Fig. 4 ) immerse.

As in Fig. 6 In addition, it can be seen, the gripping head 39 of the handling device 5 is rotatable about a third horizontal axis H3, which is parallel to the first horizontal axis H1 and parallel to the second horizontal axis H2.

At its free end of the arm 38, a gripping hand 41 is also arranged, which is provided for receiving used up supply rolls 9 'from the respective installation position EB1 or EB2 (see Fig. 1 ). Likewise, the gripping hand 41 is designed to be rotatable about a fourth horizontal axis H4. The fourth horizontal axis H4 is perpendicular to the third horizontal axis H3.

By way of example in Fig. 6 illustrated handling device 5 or by means of example in Fig. 6 illustrated handling device 5 is a receipt of Wechselträgereinheiten 8a and 8b (see. Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 ) with subsequent insertion into the respective installation position EB1 or EB2, without having to rotate the exchange carrier units 8a and 8b for this purpose.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications or changes may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Bezuaszeichenliste

1

contraption

3

packaging machine

4

feeding

5

handling device

6

removal device

8a

first exchange carrier unit

8b

second exchange carrier unit

8a '

first exchange carrier unit

8b '

second exchange carrier unit

9

supply roll

9 '

used supply roll, used supply roll

10

flat packaging material

10 '

flat packaging material

11

packaging film

12

supporting rod

13

memory module

15

holding mandrel

15 '

holding mandrel

17

equipment range

19

retaining bar

19 '

retaining bar

21

preparedness instrument

23

actuator

25

drilling

27

mainstays

27 '

mainstays

29

guide element

31

gripping fingers

31 '

gripping fingers

33

attack

35

wheel

38

poor

39

gripping head

40

Horizontal conveyor

41

gripping hand

50

handling robots

60

Horizontal conveyor

61

segment

61 '

second segment

FROM

Workspace

EB1

first installation position

EB2

second installation position

H

axis

S

control unit

TR1

Transport direction feeder

TR2

Transport direction discharge device

V

axis

Claims (15)

1. Method for changing removable carrier units (8a', 8b') with flat packaging material (10), particularly packaging film (11), wound an supply rolls (9) within a packaging machine (3), the packaging machine (3) being equipped with devices for at least partially wrapping piece goods, containers, article groups, etc. with flat packaging material (10, 10'), in which method removable carrier units (8a, 8b) with new supply rolls (9) are fed in a series one after the other to a work area (AB) of a handling device (5), the work area (AB) of which extends into of least one position of the operation position of the removable carrier unit (8a', 8b') equipped with a supply roll (9) which is arranged within the packaging machine (3), whereby removable carrier units (8a', 8b') located within the packaging machine (3) and used up supply rolls (9') are replaced with new removable carrier units (8a, 8b) with in each case a new supply roll (9), wherein respective removable carrier units (8a, 8b) with new supply rolls (9) are inserted alternately in at least two different installation positions (EB1, EB2) within the packaging machine (3) and the flat packaging material (10) of which is connected to the packaging material (10') still located within the packaging machine (3).
2. Method according to claim 1, in which the removable carrier units (8a, 8b) with new supply rolls (9) are provided alternately for respectively at least two different installation positions (EB1, EB2) within the packaging machine (3), wherein the removable carrier units (8a, 8b) with the new supply rolls (9) are respectively prepared for the at least two different installation positions (EB1, EB2) within the packaging machine (3) during feeding to the work area (AB) of the handling device (5).
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, in which the handling device (5) is formed by a multiaxially movable handling robot (50), which both inserts removable carrier units (8a, 8b) with new supply rolls (9) into the packaging machine (3) as well as removes removable carrier units (8a', 8b') and used up supply rolls (9') from the packaging machine (3).
4. Method according to claim 3, in which the handling device (5) removes the respectively assigned removable carrier unit (8a', 8b') before a removal of the respective used up supply roll (9') and whereby the respectively assigned supply roll (9) has at least one remaining stock of flat packaging material (10) upon removal of the removable carrier unit (8a', 8b').
5. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 4, in which a beginning of the flat packaging material (10) of a supply roll (9) of the respective newly inserted removable carrier unit (8a, 8b) is connected to a section of the flat packaging material (10') guided within the packaging machine (3) under separation of an end of packaging material (10') of the respective used up supply roll (9'), in particular by a welding process by means of a welding bar.
6. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 5, in which a removable carrier unit (8a', 8b') and a used up supply roll (9') is removed during the uninterrupted operation of the packaging machine (3) and is replaced by a removable carrier unit (8a, 8b) with a new supply roll (9).
7. Device (1) for changing removable carrier units (8a', 8b') with flat packaging material (10), particularly packaging film (11), wound on supply rolls (9) within a packaging machine (3), the packaging machine (3) being equipped with devices for at least partially wrapping piece goods, containers, article groups, etc. with packaging material (10, 10'), with a feeding device (4) for the provision of removable carrier units (8a, 8b) with new supply rolls (9) in a series one after the other, the feeding device (4) being assigned to a work area (AB) of a handling device (5), the work area (AB) extending into at least one position of the operating position of the removable carrier unit (8a', 8b') equipped with a supply roll (9) which is arranged within the packaging machine (3), so that removable carrier units (8a , 8b') located within the packaging machine (3) with used up supply rolls (9') can be replaced with new removable carrier units (8a, 8b) with new supply rolls (9) by means of the handling device (5), wherein respective new removable carrier units (8a, 8b) each with the respective new supply roll (9) can be inserted alternately in at least two different installation positions (EB1, EB2) within the packaging machine (3) and the flat packaging material (10) of which can be connected with the packaging material (10') still located within the packaging machine (3).
8. Device according to claim 7, in which the removable carrier units (8a, 8b) with new supply rolls (9) are respectively prepared for the at least two different installation positions (EB1, EB2) within the packaging machine (3) at the latest upon entry into the work area (AB) of the handling device (5).
9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, in which the removable carrier units (8a, 8b) are respectively formed by cassettes having a frame which is designed for the supportive holding of the respective new supply roll (9) with its flat packaging material (10).
10. Device according to claim 9, in which the cassettes in each case have a supporting bar (19, 19') extending parallel to the supply roll, which, before connecting with the packaging material (10') located within the packaging machine, carries a beginning of the flat packaging material (10) wound on the new supply roll (9) of the respective cassette.
11. Device according to claim 10, in which the supporting bars (19, 19') of the cassettes are designed rotatable, so that flat packaging material (10) of the respective new supply roll (9) can be wound on the supporting bar (19, 19') of the respective cassette.
12. Device according to one or more of the claims 9 to 11, wherein the packaging machine (3) has at least one first installation position (EB1) for first removable carrier units (8a) and at least one second installation position (EB2) for second removable carrier units (8b), which supporting bars (19, 19') of the first removable carrier units (8a) and the second removable carrier units (8b) are arranged on opposite sides, so that the supporting bars (19) of the first removable carrier units (8a) point in the direction of the second installation position (EB2) when inserted into the first installation position (EB1) and the supporting bars (19') of the second removable carrier units (8b) point in the direction of the first installation position (EB1) when inserted into the second installation position (EB2).
13. Device according to one or more of the claims 7 to 12, wherein during the insertion of the respective removable carrier unit (8a, 8b) into the respective installation position (EB1, EB2) the respective new supply roll (9) can be placed on a holding mandrel (15, 15'), which is designed to enlarge its cross- sectional diameter, so that by means of enlarging its cross- sectional diameter the respective supply roll (9) can be fixed by clamping to the holding mandrel (15, 15').
14. Device according to one or more of the claims 7 to 13, in which the handling device (5) is formed by a multiaxially movable handling robot (50), which both inserts new removable carrier units (8a, 8b) into the packaging machine (3) as well as removes removable carrier units (8a', 8b') and used up supply rolls (9') from the packaging machine (3).
15. Device according to one or more of the claims 7 to 14, comprising a discharge device (6) for removable carrier units (8a', 8b') removed by the handling device (5) from the packaging machine, wherein the discharge device (6) and / or the feeding device (4) are respectively formed by one or several horizontal conveyors (60, 40).

Images