EP2885213B1 - Method and device for handling hygiene items - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for handling (flat) objects, in particular hygiene products such as diapers, sanitary napkins or the like, wherein the articles are transported on a substantially continuously driven feed conveyor and subjected to compression following transport on the feed conveyor, according to Preamble of claim 1.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for handling (flat) objects, in particular of hygiene products such as diapers, sanitary napkins or the like, with a feed conveyor for the substantially continuous transport of the articles and with a compression device arranged after the feed conveyor for compressing a group of objects , according to the preamble of claim 8.

Methods and devices of this type are known from practice in many different variants. Usually, the objects on a feed conveyor, such as a fan conveyor, supplied and by means of a slide from the feed conveyor angle, in particular transversely, deported to the conveying direction of the same. Thereafter, the articles are transported directly or indirectly into the area of a compression device. This can also be done by the slider in the region of the feed conveyor. It is also conceivable, however, that the objects first pass through other stations or organs and then reach the area of the compression device. There the objects are compressed as a group. Thereafter, the objects are transported on and / or packed.

On the one hand, the sometimes very high demands on the working speed of the same in the range of up to 1,800 products per minute are a problem with known methods and devices. These requirements have also increased because the transport and packaging performance of other organs within the packaging line has increased in the meantime. However, known methods and devices are only of limited suitability for such operating speeds, so that in particular misalignment of the objects and / or severe wear on the devices occurs.

Proceeding from this, the object of the invention is to develop known methods and devices, in particular with regard to higher operating speeds or improved handling of the objects.

To solve this problem, a method according to the invention has the features of claim 1. It is therefore envisaged that a group of objects by a Abschubeinrichtung, in particular a slide, is deported from the feed conveyor, wherein the slide during the deportation with the objects in the transport direction of the feed conveyor at least partially runs along and that the group of objects
is supplied by the Abschubeinrichtung a first compression means and by these at least partially (pre-) compressed and that then the at least partially (pre-) compressed group of objects supplied to a second compression device and is subjected in this a further (main) compression.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the first compression means comprises two independently driven Komprimierorgane which are moved for (pre-) compressing the group of objects relative to each other, while the Komprimierorgane are also moved at least partially in the transport direction of the feed conveyor. This solution has in particular the advantage or the feature that the compression movement of the Komprimierorgane can be superimposed with the tracking movement of the compression device.

A further special feature of the method is that air is extracted from the group of objects, in particular in the second compression device via suction bores, which are preferably arranged in the region of a lower bottom wall of the compression device, in order to reduce the force required to compress the group of objects. Alternatively or additionally, the group of objects can also be subjected to a negative pressure via the suction bores in order to hold the articles, for example, on the bottom wall of the compression device.

A next peculiarity of the method is that the objects or groups of objects are checked during handling in the area of the packaging machine with regard to the correct arrangement or position or number. For this purpose, at least one optical test device is used, which scans the objects and / or group of objects and / or bags without contact. This is preferably done by the laser cutting method.

An apparatus for solving the above-mentioned problem has the features of claim 7. It is therefore provided that the group of objects by a Abschubeinrichtung, in particular a slide, from the feed conveyor can be pushed, wherein the slider is adapted to be at least partially moved during the Abschiebens with the objects in the transport direction of the feed conveyor, and that a first Compression means is provided for at least partially (pre-) compression of the group of objects, and that a second compression means is provided, in which the at least partially (pre) compressed group of objects of a further (main) compression is subjected.

Another special feature may be that between the first compression device and the second compression means a turning station for turning the group of objects as needed by 90 ° is arranged. This can be advantageous for the further packaging process. For this purpose, the turning device may occasionally be used.

An important topic in the compression of objects can also be the examination of the position of the group of objects. This can preferably take place in the second compression device, wherein sensors are provided for checking the position of the group of objects, in particular with regard to a control of a uniform escape of the objects within the group.

Furthermore, the compression process can be facilitated by the fact that preferably the second compression device suction holes are provided for holding the group of objects, in particular in the region of a lower bottom wall of the compression device. Furthermore, the suction bores can also be used to hold the articles by applying negative pressure in the compression device.

It may be advantageous if the feed conveyor is designed as a fan belt, wherein partitions between adjacent compartments of the fan belt are provided, and wherein the slider has flexible means with which the slider rests against the partitions during the pushing of the articles. For example, felt pads for the slider can be used, which rest against the walls of the subjects and on the one hand ensure that the objects are securely detected and ejected and on the other hand offer the advantage that the subjects are thereby cleaned.

Another feature may be a lining on the feed conveyor, which ensures that, for example, a malfunction in the area of the device can be remedied while the articles are being transported past the conveyor on the device.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine Produktionsanlage für Hygieneprodukte,

Fig. 2 - 4

eine vergrößerte Darstellung der Verpackungslinie im Bereich einer Verpackungsmaschine für die Hygieneprodukte, während verschiedener aufeinander folgender Phasen,

Fig. 5

einen Vertikalschnitt durch die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 bis 4 entlang Schnittlinie V - V in Fig. 3,

Fig. 6

einen Vertikalschnitt durch die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 bis 4 entlang Schnittlinie VI - VI in Fig. 3,

Fig. 7

einen Horizontalschnitt durch die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 bis 4 entlang Schnittlinie VII - VII in Fig. 6,

Fig.8

einen Vertikalschnitt in vergrößertem Maßstab durch die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 bis 4 entlang Schnittlinie VIII - VIII in Fig. 7,

Fig. 9

ein Detail der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 bis 4 in vergrößertem Maßstab entsprechend Pfeil IX in Fig. 2,

Fig. 10

einen Vertikalschnitt entlang Schnittlinie X - X in Fig. 9,

Fig. 11

einen Vertikalschnitt durch die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 bis 4 entlang Schnittlinie XI - XI in Fig. 2,

Fig. 12

ein Detail der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 bis 4 in vergrößertem Maßstab entsprechend Pfeil XII in Fig. 5,

Fig. 13

ein Detail der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 bis 4 in vergrößertem Maßstab im Bereich XIII in Fig. 25,

Fig. 14

einen Vertikalschnitt durch die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 bis 4 entlang Schnittlinie V - V in Fig. 3 mit zusätzlicher Darstellung einer Verkleidung,

Fig. 15 - 16

einen Horizontalschnitt durch das Detail gemäß Fig. 14, und

Fig. 17 - 20

mehrere schematische Darstellungen der Prüfung von Gruppen aus Hygieneprodukten mittels einer optischen Prüfvorrichtung.

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

Fig. 1

a schematic plan view of a production plant for hygiene products,

Fig. 2-4

an enlarged view of the packaging line in the area of a packaging machine for the hygiene products, during various successive phases,

Fig. 5

a vertical section through the device according to Fig. 2 to 4 along section line V - V in Fig. 3 .

Fig. 6

a vertical section through the device according to Fig. 2 to 4 along section line VI - VI in Fig. 3 .

Fig. 7

a horizontal section through the device according to Fig. 2 to 4 along section line VII - VII in Fig. 6 .

Figure 8

a vertical section on an enlarged scale through the device according to Fig. 2 to 4 along section line VIII - VIII in Fig. 7 .

Fig. 9

a detail of the device according to Fig. 2 to 4 on an enlarged scale according to arrow IX in Fig. 2 .

Fig. 10

a vertical section along section line X - X in Fig. 9 .

Fig. 11

a vertical section through the device according to Fig. 2 to 4 along section line XI - XI in Fig. 2 .

Fig. 12

a detail of the device according to Fig. 2 to 4 on an enlarged scale according to arrow XII in Fig. 5 .

Fig. 13

a detail of the device according to Fig. 2 to 4 on an enlarged scale in the area XIII in Fig. 25,

Fig. 14

a vertical section through the device according to Fig. 2 to 4 along section line V - V in Fig. 3 with additional representation of a panel,

Fig. 15 - 16

a horizontal section through the detail according to Fig. 14 , and

Fig. 17 - 20

several schematic representations of the examination of groups of hygiene products by means of an optical test device.

The invention will be described below with reference to a device for grouping objects 10. First, the basic principle of operation and then special details of the device will be described.

The articles 10 may be sanitary products such as diapers, sanitary napkins or wipes and the like. In the present case, the articles 10 have a flat shape.

The articles 10 are transported by a converter 11 coming through a first feed conveyor 12 and assembled in a grouping device 13 to groups 14 of objects 10 and transported on a further feed conveyor 15 on.

The feed conveyor 15 leads past two packaging machines 16 for wrapping groups 14 of articles 10 into (film) bags 17. By means of stripping devices 18 (not in Fig. 1 shown) groups 14 can optionally be supplied to one or the other packaging machine 16. Optionally, the groups 14 can also be conveyed past the packaging machines 16, into the area of a packaging machine 19 for folding boxes 20 or into the area of a packaging machine 21 for sealing packs 22.

The feed conveyor 15 extends from the grouping device 13 along the two packaging machines 16 into the area of the packaging machine 19. A third feed conveyor 23 leads from the feed conveyor 15 in Direction of the packaging machine 21. The third feed conveyor 23 begins shortly behind the second packaging machine 16. Again, a Abschubeinrichtung 18 may be provided for transferring the groups 14 from the feeder 15 to the feed conveyor 23.

Fig. 2 to 4 show a plan view of one of the two packaging machines 16 for packaging a group 14 of objects 10 in a bag 17. The articles 10 are transported on the feed conveyor 15 in the transport direction 24. The transport takes place essentially continuously, the speed of the transport being adaptable. However, a standstill of the feed conveyor 15 is not provided during normal operation of the device.

The feeder 15 is formed in this case as a bag chain conveyor. Of importance are formed on the feed conveyor 15 compartments 25 which are bounded by arranged transversely to the transport direction 24 dividers 26. Transverse to the transport direction 24, the compartments 25 are open at least in Abschubrichtung.

In each compartment 25 a plurality of objects 10 are arranged. In the present embodiment, the objects 10 are arranged standing, with the objects 10 resting on a narrow side. The number of objects 10 in a compartment 25 may be the same. It is also conceivable a different number of items 10 in the subjects 25th

The Abschubeinrichtung 18 is formed in the present case as a slide 27. The slider 27 is movable parallel to the feed conveyor 15 mounted on a unit 28. Furthermore, the slide 27 has a front, transversely directed slide plate 28, with which a group 14 of objects 10 is pushed by the feed conveyor 15, namely at an angle, in particular transversely to the transport direction 24th

To Abschub a group 14 of objects 10, the slide plate 28 engages between the partitions 26 of the feed conveyor 15 therethrough. Since the feed conveyor 15 is not to be stopped when the group 14 is being pushed off, the slide 27 travels with the group 14 on the feed conveyor 15 in the transport direction 24.

In the present case, the slider 27 detects a group 14, which extends over several compartments 25. It is also conceivable that the slider 15 only pushes off the objects 10 from a compartment 25.

How out Fig. 5 it can be seen, the slider 27 can be moved both transversely to the feeder 15, and pivoted after Abschub a group 14 upwards and pulled back to a starting position. Further, the slide 27 is moved back after the Abschub a group 14 against the transport direction 24, in a starting position according to Fig. 3 respectively. Fig. 4 ,

By means of the slide 27, the group 14 is deported by articles 10 into the region of a first compression device 30, which serves for pre-compression of the group 14. The compression device 30 has two compression members 31, for example in the form of compression jaws, which are brought into abutment against opposite side surfaces of the group 14 and at least partially compressed by compression.

In order to enable a continuous operation of the device, it is provided that the compression device 30 together with the slider 27 first runs along in the transport direction 24 with the group 14 or the feed conveyor 14. After transferring the group 14 to the compression device 30, the compression elements 31 are moved together, thus compressing the group 14. The movement of the Kompressierorgane 31 can be (at least partially) superimposed with the tracking movement.

Fig. 2 1 shows a first phase of precompression, namely the transfer of the group 14 by means of the slide 27 from the feed conveyor 15 into the region of the compression members 31. Fig. 3 shows the compressor 30 during group 14 pre-compression and Fig. 4 the compressor 30 towards the end of group 14 precompression.

The compressors 31 are moved towards each other in the direction of the arrows 32 to compress the group 14. The slider 27 is in Fig. 3 and 4 has already been moved back to a starting position, and is kept ready for the next group 14 to be thrown off.

Upon completion of precompression in the compressor 30 ( Fig. 4 ), the precompressed group 14 is transferred to a transfer device 33, which has the task of supplying the precompressed group 14 to a further compression device 34. In the transfer device 33, a slider 35 is active, which shifts the group 14 in the direction of the second compression device 34.

The transfer member 33 has yet another optional function which will be described later and which deals with the alignment of the articles 10. Optionally, the transfer element 33 can also be dispensed with and the articles 10 can be transferred directly to the further compression device 34.

The second compression means 34 is not co-contiguous with the feed conveyor 15 but is stationarily formed with two movable compression members 36 which, like the compressors 31, can be laterally moved against the group 14 to perform a main compression of the group 14.

The second compressor 34 is configured to process one or more groups 14. As Fig. 3 and 4 show several groups 14 can be consecutively in the transport direction 37 in the compression device 34 recording and simultaneously compressed.

After completion of the main compression, the group 14 or groups 14 are deported and packaged in a bag 17, as in Fig. 2 indicated.

• Die Gruppe 14 aus Gegenständen 10 wird durch die Abschubeinrichtung 18 vom Zuförderer 15 kommend zwischen die Komprimierorgane 31 geschoben. Die dem Zuförderer 15 zugewandten Endbereiche der Komprimierorgane 31 sind dabei leicht divergierend ausgebildet, um das Einschieben der Gruppe 14 zu erleichtern. Der Abstand der Komprimierorgane 31 zueinander entspricht dabei zu diesem Zeitpunkt etwa der Breite (Größe) der unkomprimierten Gruppe 14 von Gegenständen 10.

Further features of the device described so far are discussed in detail below:

• The group 14 of objects 10 is pushed by the Abschubeinrichtung 18 coming from the feed conveyor 15 between the Kompressierorgane 31. The feeders 15 facing end portions of the Komprimierorgane 31 are slightly divergent in order to facilitate the insertion of the group 14. The distance between the Kompressierorgane 31 to each other at this time corresponds approximately to the width (size) of the uncompressed group 14 of objects 10th

Walls of the Komprimierorgane 31, in which the group 14 is applied, slightly converge in the transport direction 37 to each other, so that the channel formed between the Komprimierorganen 31 for the objects 10 tapers in the transport direction 37. By transporting the group 14 of articles 10 along the walls, the group 14 is correspondingly partially compressed. The transport of the articles 10 takes place as on the feed conveyor 15th

During the continuous transport of the articles 10 by the compression device 30, the articles 10 rest on a conveyor track 38 which extends in the region of the compression device 30. The conveyor has in the present case transversely to the conveying direction of the articles 10 aligned transverse struts 39 as transport organs, which rest in the transport direction 37 back to a group 14 and push them over the conveyor track 38. Further transverse struts 40 are provided for the front contact with a group 14. The cross struts 39, 40 are arranged alternately successively.

The two groups of transverse struts 39, 40 are each driven by conveyor chains 41, 42. The conveyor chains 41, 42 each extend on both sides of the conveyor track 38 and are connected to the transverse struts 39 and 40, respectively. The conveyor chains 41, 42 are guided over deflection rollers 43 in such a manner that the transverse struts 39, 40 are guided at a distance above the conveyor track 38 for transporting the objects 10.

Over the circumference of the conveyor chains 41, 42 can each be a plurality of transverse struts 39, 40 are distributed at a uniform distance. The distance between the transverse struts 39, 40 of the same conveyor chain 41, 42 is fixed and not changeable. The distance of the transverse struts 39, 40 of the two different conveyor chains 41, 42, however, is variable in dependence on the length of the objects to be handled 10 in the conveying direction of the compression device 30.

The drive of the two conveyor chains 41, 42 via one drive shaft 44, 45, and one of the respective drive shaft 44, 45 associated (servo) drive 46, 47th

The drive of the Komprimierorgane 31 takes place in a similar manner. For this purpose, two drives 48, 49 are initially provided, which serve for the independent drive of a respective Komprimierorgans 31. In this way, the Kompressierorgane 31 can be moved independently of the transport of the articles 10 on the feed conveyor 15 in the transport direction 24 and in the opposite direction. Furthermore, the Kompressierorgane 31 can be moved toward each other, as shown in FIG Fig. 3 and 4 , The drive of the Komprimierorgane 31 is carried out independently of the drive of the transverse struts 39, 40th

The coupling of the drives 48, 49 with the Kompressierorganen 31 via timing belt 50, 51, 52, 53. In the present case, four toothed belts 50..53 are provided because the Komprimierorgane 31 are each formed in two parts, namely with each upper compression jaws 54, 55 and lower compression jaws 56, 57. The associated upper and lower compression jaws 54, 56; 55, 57 are arranged at a distance from one another, so that a gap is formed between the upper compression jaws 54, 55 and the lower compression jaws 56, 57, in the region of which the transverse struts 39, 40 pass ( Fig. 6 ).

The compression jaws 54..57 are slidably mounted on guides 58. The timing belt 50 drives the upper compression jaw 55. The timing belt 51 drives the upper compression jaw 54. The timing belt 52 drives the lower compression jaw 57 and finally drives the timing belt 53, the lower compression jaw 56 at. To prevent the movements of the compression jaws 54, 56; 55, 57 is a coupling of the toothed belts 50, 52; 51, 53, namely via a respective transmission element 59.

The toothed belts 50..53 are each designed as endless straps. At the opposite ends of the straps, on the one hand, the drives 48, 49 are arranged or deflection rollers 60. The coupling of the compression jaws 54..57 with the toothed belts 50..53 takes place by means of carriers 61, via which the compression jaws 54..57 with the toothed belts 50..53 are connected, for example by jamming ( Fig. 12 ).

Another special feature of the device is in Fig. 7 and 8th shown. It is about the construction of the transfer device 33. As described above, the transfer device 33 has a transfer track 64 with lateral walls 62, between which the precompressed group 14 is pushed by means of the slider 35, namely in the region of the second compression device 34th Die However, transfer device 33 can also be used to rotate the groups 14 prior to transfer to the second compression device 34. For this purpose, the transfer device 33 has a rotating station 63, which can optionally be used. The use of the rotating station 63 is particularly advantageous if the objects 10 have a greater height than width. In such a case, then the turning station 63 is used, which rotates the groups 14 first by 90 °, so that the slider 35 thereafter the rotated group 14 through a channel with lateral walls 62 in the direction of the second compression device 34 deported, where in the usual way the main compression takes place.

Constructively, the rotating station 63 is formed in the present case so that a turret 66 is driven to rotate about a horizontal axis 67 and has pockets 65 for each group 14. A separate drive 68 serves this purpose. A group 14 of objects 10 to be rotated is inserted into a pocket 65 in the inlet region 69 of the revolver 66. After that the turret 66 is rotated 90 ° according to arrow 70 in Fig. 8 rotated so that the pocket is aligned with the subsequent compression device 34. Thereafter, the group 14 is pushed out by the slider 35 and transferred to the compression device 34. The pockets 65 are each bounded on the underside by a bottom wall 71 and lateral walls 62. On the top side, the group 14 is held by guides 72 in the pocket 65.

The transfer track 64 is structurally similar to the pockets 65, namely with lateral walls 62, and a bottom wall 71, however, fixed and not rotatable.

In order to switch between the rotating station 63 and the transfer track 64 during operation of the device, both organs are mounted displaceably transversely to the transport direction 37 of the group 14, namely in the present case on a common carriage 73. The carriage 73 is in turn slidable on corresponding rails 74 ,

The construction of the second compression device 34 results Fig. 11 and 13 , Accordingly, in the compression device 34, a group 14 or more groups 14 of objects are simultaneously subjected to further compression by two compression means 75 or compression jaws. This is done in the present case by exerting lateral pressure on the group 14 or the groups 14 according to the arrows 32. The two Kompressierorgane 75 are mounted on carriages 76 on a running rail 77 and transversely to the transport direction 37 slidably. Via (servo) drives 78, 79 spindles 80, 81 are driven, with which the carriages 76 are coupled. In this way, the rotation of the spindles 80, 81 is converted into a lateral movement of the Komprimierorgane 75. During compression, the group 14 rests or rest the groups 14 on a base 82 which serves as a bottom wall.

Another special feature of the compression device 34 is in Fig. 13 bezeigt. In the working area of the compression elements 75, sensors 83 for detecting the position of the groups 14 are arranged, for example in the form of light barriers.

In this way, misalignments like in Fig. 13 be recognized. Furthermore, suction holes 84 are arranged in a grid in the base 82 and bottom wall. Via the suction bores 84, the articles 14 can be subjected to a negative pressure in the working region of the compression elements 75. This serves on the one hand to hold the objects 10 or group 14 and / or also to suck air in order to reduce the force necessary for compressing the objects 10.

Another in FIGS. 9 and 10 The peculiarity shown relates to the construction of the slider 27 in the region of the feed conveyor 15. Accordingly, the slide plate 29 is provided on the side facing the articles 10 with a support 85 made of a flexible material, such as felt. This support 85 serves to ensure that even narrow objects 10 are pushed out of the compartments 25. Furthermore, by the system at the top of the feed conveyor 15 and the lateral partitions 26 and a cleaning of the feed conveyor 15 can be carried out. Fig. 9 indicates that the support 85 is arranged so that it is effective in the region of edges of the compartments 25.

One last peculiarity is in the Fig. 14 to 16 shown. The peculiarity relates to the arrangement of a panel 86, which covers the feeder 15, if necessary.

In the present case, the covering 14 is designed such that it covers the feed conveyor 15 with the objects 10 or groups 14 located thereon laterally and on the top side. When the cover is closed, therefore, the articles 10 can not be pushed off the feed conveyor 15. Accordingly, the slider 27 rests laterally next to the panel 86th

Background of the panel 86 is a partitioning of the feed conveyor 15 from the compression device 30 and the Abschubeinrichtung 18. This may be necessary if any of the adjacent organs is a fault, maintenance, renovation or the like must be performed. It is then necessary to protect the operator or customer service / fitter, so that it is not on the feeder 15 injured. The feed conveyor 15 can thus continue to be operated by the casing 86, while work is carried out on the adjacent organs. This is particularly advantageous if a plurality of packaging machines 16 are arranged along the feed conveyor 15, so that the articles 10 are transported past the latter and to another packaging machine 16 even in the event of a breakdown or maintenance of a packaging machine 16.

In the present case, the panel 86 is formed in two parts and each carriage 87 mounted on a running rail 88 so that the two halves of the panel 86 can be moved apart and together, as in FIGS. 15 and 16 shown. Fig. 16 shows the normal operation, in which the articles 10 are pushed off on the feed conveyor 16 transversely through the slider 27 in the region of the compression device 30. Fig. 15 shows the case of the failure or maintenance, in which the region of the feed conveyor 15 in the region of the packaging machine 16 and the compression device 30 is encapsulated.

Another feature may be an optical inspection device 89 which may be used to inspect the articles 10 or groups 14 of articles 10, respectively. The test device 89 operates with a laser, with the help of which the objects to be tested are illuminated by the light-section method, preferably with a light band 90 at an angle of <90 °. In this case, the light band 90 is detected at a triangulation angle with a sensor and the dimensions of the object are calculated on the basis of the deflection of the light band 90 and the triangulation angle.

FIGS. 17 and 19 or 18 and 20 serve to explain the use of the measuring principle in the present technical field. So shows Fig. 17 the scanning of the articles 10 on the feed conveyor 15. The test device 89 is fixed above the feed conveyor 15 and detects the objects 10 arranged in the pockets 91 of the feed conveyor 15 by a sensor 92 which is activated by a separating web 93 between the pockets 91, in each case the sampling is triggered. In the present case, missing in one of the detected pockets 91, an object 10, which is why a gap 94 between the Objects 10 has arisen. The result of scanning the top of the articles 10 is in FIG Fig. 19 shown. It can be clearly seen that the gap 94 created by the missing object 10 is visibly apparent in the measurement result.

FIGS. 18 and 20 show a further possible use in connection with the scanning of packaged objects 10. This involves a scanning of packaged in bags 17 groups 14 of objects 10. Also in this case, a corresponding test device 89 is disposed above the conveyor line and detects the bag 17th from above. Fig. 20 shows that by scanning the top of the bag 17 gaps or other misalignments in the group 14 would be recognizable in this case.

Furthermore, it is also conceivable to arrange the test devices 89 elsewhere in the packaging process, as in Fig. 5 indicated, for example, in the region of the compression device 30, the transfer device 33 or the compression device 34. Also at other points in the packaging process, a check of the objects 10 or groups 14 of objects 10 may be made in individual cases. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 10 object 39 crossmember 11 Converter 40 crossmember 12 feeder 41 conveyor chain 13 grouping 42 conveyor chain 14 group 43 guide rollers 15 feeder 44 drive shaft 16 packaging machine 45 drive shaft 17 bag 46 Drive (cross strut) 18 Abschubeinrichtung 47 Drive (cross strut) 19 packaging machine 48 Drive (compression element) 20 folding 49 Drive (compression element) 21 packaging machine 50 toothed belt 22 packing 51 toothed belt 23 feeder 52 toothed belt 24 transport direction 53 toothed belt 25 subject 54 upper compression jaw 26 partition wall 55 upper compression jaw 27 pusher 56 lower compression jaw 28 unit 57 lower compression jaw 29 slide plate 58 guide 30 compressing 59 transmission element 31 Komprimierorgan 60 idler pulley 32 arrow 61 takeaway 33 Transfer device 62 wall 34 compressing 63 turning station 35 pusher 64 The transfer track 36 Komprimierorgan 65 Bags 37 transport direction 66 revolver 38 conveyor track 67 axis 68 drive 69 intake area 70 arrow 71 bottom wall 72 guide 73 carriage 74 runner 75 Komprimierorgan 76 carriage 77 runner 78 drive 79 drive 80 spindle 81 spindle 82 document 83 sensors 84 suction bores 85 edition 86 paneling 87 carriage 88 runner 89 Tester 90 trunking 91 bag 92 sensor 93 divider 94 gap

Claims (13)

1. Method for handling (flat) items (10), in particular hygiene products such as nappies, sanitary napkins, or the like, wherein the items (10) are transported on an infeed conveyor (15) which is driven in a substantially continuous manner, and, subsequent to transportation, are subjected to compressing on the infeed conveyor (15), wherein a group (14) of items (10) by a shunting installation (18), in particular by a slide (27), is shunted from the infeed conveyor (15), wherein the slide (27) during shunting at least partially runs conjointly with the items (10) in the transportation direction (24) of the infeed conveyor (15), and that the group (14) of items (10) by the shunting installation (18) is infed to a first compressing installation (30) and by the latter is at least partially (pre-) compressed, and wherein thereafter the at least partially (pre-) compressed group (14) of items (10) is infed to a second compressing installation (34), and in the latter is subjected to further (main) compressing, that the first compressing installation (30) during (pre-) compressing at least partially runs conjointly in the transportation direction (24) of the infeed conveyor (15).
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first compressing installation (30) has two compressing members (31) which are driven in a mutually independent manner and which, for (pre-) compressing of the group (14) of items (10) are moved in relation to one another and independently of one another while the compressing members (31) are also at least partially moved in the same direction as the infeed conveyor (15) or in a direction opposite thereto.
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the compressing installation (30) or the compressing members (31), respectively, is or are at least partially continuously operated or moved, respectively.
4. Method according to Claim 1 or one of the further preceding claims, characterized in that in order to reduce the force required for compressing the group (14) of items (10), air is extracted from the group (14) of items (10), in particular in the second compressing installation (34), by way of suction bores (84) which are preferably disposed in the region of a lower base wall (82) of the compressing installation (34).
5. Method according to Claim 1 or one of the further preceding claims, characterized in that in order for the group (14) of items (10) to be retained, the group (14) of items (10) is impinged with negative pressure, in particular in the second compressing installation (34), by way of suction bores (84) which are preferably disposed in the region of a lower base wall (82) of the compressing installation (34).
6. Method according to Claim 1 or one of the further preceding claims, characterized in that the items (10) and/or groups (14) of items (10) and/or bags (17) with items (10) are scanned by at least one testing device (89) with a view to an orderly design embodiment and/or arrangement and/or number of the items (10), wherein the testing device (89) preferably operates in a non-contacting manner, in particular according to the laser-cutting method.
7. Device for handling (flat) items (10), in particular hygiene products such as nappies, sanitary napkins, or the like, having an infeed conveyor (15) for the substantially continuous transportation of the items (10) and having a compressing installation (30), which is disposed so as to follow the infeed conveyor (15), for compressing a group (14) of items (10), characterized in that the group (14) of items (10) by a shunting installation (18), in particular by a slide (27), is capable of being shunted off the infeed conveyor (15), wherein the shunting installation (18) is adapted for being at least partially moved conjointly with the items (10) in the transportation direction (24) of the infeed conveyor (15) during shunting, and that a first compressing installation (30) is provided for at least partially (pre-) compressing the group (14) of items (10), and which during (pre-) compressing at least partially runs conjointly in the transportation direction (24) of the infeed conveyor (15), and that a second compressing installation (34) is provided, in which the at least partially (pre-) compressed group (14) of items (10) is subjected to further (main) compressing.
8. Device according to Claim 7, characterized in that a rotary station (63) for rotating the group (14) of items (10) on demand preferably by 90° is disposed between the first compressing installation (30) and the second compressing installation (34).
9. Device according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that sensors (83) for testing the position of the group (14) of items (10) are provided preferably in the second compressing installation (34), in particular with a view to checking a uniform alignment of the items (10) within the group (14).
10. Device according to Claim 7 or one of the further preceding claims, characterized in that preferably the second compressing installation (34), in particular in the region of a lower base wall (82) of the compressing installation (34), has suction bores (84) for retaining the group (14) of items (10), and/or for suctioning air during compressing of the group (14) of items (10).
11. Device according to Claim 7 or one of the further preceding claims, characterized in that the infeed conveyor (15) is configured as a compartment belt, wherein partition walls (26) are provided between adjacent compartments (25) of the compartment belt, and wherein the slide (27) has flexible means (85) by way of which the slide (27) bears on the partition walls (26) during shunting of the items (10).
12. Device according to Claim 7 or one of the further preceding claims, characterized in that the compressing installations (30, 34) are at least partially part of a device for packing the items (10), and that in the case of an at least partial interruption of the operation of the device a cladding (86) is positionable on the infeed conveyor (15) in such a manner that the items (10) on the infeed conveyor (15) are transported past the device, and an operator of the device is protected by the cladding (86).
13. Device according to Claim 7 or one of the further preceding claims, characterized in that at least one testing device (89) for testing the items (10) and/or the groups (14) and/or the bags (17) with a view to an orderly design embodiment and/or arrangement and/or number of the items (10) is disposed along the conveying path of the items (10) and/or of the groups (14) of items (10) and/or of the bags (17) having items (10), wherein the testing device (89) preferably operates in a non-contacting manner, in particular according to the laser-cutting method.

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