EP3010809B1 - Packing machine for producing packages - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for producing containers, wherein a pad is placed under the same, and wherein, for example, a folding station folds over protruding edges in the direction of the container.

The containers have containers, containers in the context of the invention, for example, bottles, cans, tubes, pouches are, in each case made of metal, glass and / or plastic, so for example PET bottles, but also other packaging, especially those for Bottling of liquid or viscous products bare are also suitable for receiving food, but also already to groups (multiple pack, container) combined containers. Container treatment plants are, for example, rinsers, fillers, cappers but also labeling machines. These can be circumferential design or linear design. Continuous-design container treatment systems have a transport star on which the containers are guided past a circular path, for example past labeling devices. Prior to labeling, the containers can be aligned with recognition features, so that each label can be applied to the container in the same orientation.

After the containers have been treated in the container treatment plant, they can be fed to a packaging machine. In detail, the production of the container is carried out, for example, in a so-called packaging machine in such a way that the containers on a transport plane of a conveyor rising and fed with its container axis in the vertical direction or substantially vertical direction in a mass transport or in a wide container flow in that the containers can have an arbitrary orientation with regard to distinctive containers and / or features, since the former orientation, that is to say orientation, is lost. This wide container stream is then converted by lane division into several single-lane container streams. In further process steps, the compartments of the later containers or their container groups forming the single-track container streams, the merging of the necessary number of containers in each case to a compacted container group, in which the container with multiple shell or peripheral surfaces, ie with the contact Or contact surfaces abut against each other, and that connecting the container of each group of containers to the compact and solid or stable container.

It is possible to connect the individual containers of the container together, e.g. a wrap around e.g. with a tether or other comprehensive element is conceivable. Such a comprehensive element may be, for example, a carton blank or a foil section, which is placed around the relevant container and fastened accordingly. The cardboard ends can be glued together. The initially applied films can be shrunk in a shrink tunnel. It is also conceivable that the containers receive a stabilizing base, which is e.g. designed as a carton blank on which the containers stand up. Such a base is useful if the later container, e.g. should be formed from several layers of sub-packages. It can be attacked on the base, so that one sub-package is set to the other.

Subsequently, a comprehensive element can be provided to include the stacked containers. The carton blanks are preferably removed as such in the unfolded state from a magazine and can be folded before or after feeding to the subsequent container, with a correspondingly executed folding station is used. To form the film sections, a film roll is unrolled to form a film web, the relevant film sections being cut off from the film web. For this purpose, a film cutting station is useful, so that the respective film section has the required dimensions of each pack to be packaged. In a further embodiment, a spacer element, that is to say the separating element, can be arranged between the containers of the later containers. is designed as a bridge or, for example, as a compartment. This compartment is usually formed from a cardboard or cardboard, and is unfolded before insertion into the subsequent container, wherein an insertion station, which can be exemplified as a bridge inserter or compartment inserter, is used. But it is also possible to use a plurality of containers in receiving boxes, wherein the separating elements, so the webs or compartments quasi form honeycomb within the carton, in which the containers are arranged.

It is known to summarize or formulate several articles each into an article group and from the article groups using shrink films (eg US 7,726,464 A1 ) to produce fixed or transportable storage and transport units or containers. The disadvantage here is inter alia, that the films used in this case and in particular the shrinking of the films caused by heat or energy input considerable costs.

It has also been proposed to produce transportable containers by virtue of the fact that the containers formed in each case into a group of containers are surrounded by a strapping around the container group (FIG. DE 10 2009 025 824 A1 . DE 10 2009 044 271 A1 . DE 41 26 212 A1 ), ie connected to each other to form a container, which is a particularly cost-effective and easy way to produce containers or transport and storage units. The strapping can also be glued to the containers. A disadvantage of the strapping is, however, that the first removal of a container from such a container remaining in the container containers are no longer held together by the strapping. This applies not only when the strapping is separated or cut, but also when it is possible to remove a container from the container without severing the strapping.

Furthermore, when transporting such containers on a belt conveyor there is always the danger that cylindrical or largely cylindrical articles, such as cans, bottles or containers, will assume a nesting position due to vibration, impact, etc., ie slip into the gap of the adjacent row. In order to prevent this, a very high tension must be applied to the strapping in known containers.

The DE 10 2006 037 105 A1 on the other hand deals with a method for assembling bottle packs, in which on both sides of a web a rotary star is provided which pushes bottle necks in brackets on flat carriers. The bottle package is still covered with a tape or wrapping (foil).

According to the DE 23 31 193 An adhesive is applied to containers in narrow areas or rows, each adjacent surfaces, which are not provided with adhesive, to allow gripping the package for the purpose of carrying. At the splice the containers stick together. The EP 2 096 039 A1 also discloses to provide container with an adhesive, but in addition also a shrink film is placed around the bottle package.

From the EP 2 500 296 A1 is an apparatus and method for grouping piece goods along a conveyor line. By means of one-piece elements engaging in the flow, gaps between successive piece goods are formed. The one-piece elements are individually controllable in their feed movement and / or speed because of the gearless direct drives used along the movement path. The one-piece elements emerge from below the movement path, divert a number of containers from the container flow, initially hold the container flow, thus creating a gap to the separated containers: the divider elements then accelerate and submerge again below the level of the movement path. In that sense, the combined EP 2 500 296 A1 actually only the before their registration or priority date known Einteiltechnik with Einteilfingern, which are arranged on rotating beams, with a drive system which is formed by gearless direct drives.

The DE 10 2011 081 705 A1 also deals with a method and apparatus for grouping containers. In this case, the device has two conveyors at different speeds. The second conveyor is faster than the first conveyor. Thus, the containers reaching the second conveyor are moved faster than the containers on the second conveyor. This creates a gap between the containers on the second conveyor. By means of a sliding or retaining device, the containers are accelerated on the second conveyor, delayed and / or shifted from each other, so that the original gap is changed. In this case, for example, the lagging container is pushed onto the leading container. The corresponding acceleration is achieved by means of linear motor drives, with the individual elements of the sliding or retaining device being individually controllable.

document US5765336A discloses a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of the type mentioned, in which a transport of documents to the container and also a folding of the tray edge is simplified.

The solution of this problem is achieved with a device having the features of patent claim 1.

Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments. In this case, all the features described in principle or in any combination are fundamentally the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their dependency. Also, the content of the claims is made an integral part of the description.

The invention relates to a device for producing containers, wherein containers are converted into a plurality of single-lane container streams from a wide container stream by means of gas division, and with at least one compartment and / or compressor unit for separating and compressing a predetermined number of containers, compacted or formed container groups and / or or partial packages are formed and subsequently each combined into a later container, wherein at least one document or blank feed is provided, which promotes documents or Aufaufzuschnitte from below a transport plane towards the transport plane, so that the containers with the containers stand up on the blanks. According to the invention, at least the underlay or blank feed has a linear transporter which has gripping means arranged on movement elements, which grip the support blank and convey it to the transport plane.

Advantageously, the documents or Aufstandszuschnitte be gripped by means of the movement elements (mover, carriage or carriage) arranged gripping elements. and are held on these from below the transport plane on which the containers stand, so transported to the container grouping to the container.

It is useful if the gripping means are mounted relative to the moving element movable on this. This has the advantage that the gripper elements can load the Aufstandszuschnitte with a certain clamping force, which further increases the positional stability during transport. Another advantage is the fact that a distance to a following or to an adjacent Aufstandszuschnitt can be generated, but will be discussed further. The gripping means can be separately controlled, and communicate with a central control unit. The gripping means can be mounted transversely and / or longitudinally movable on the moving element.

In a further favorable embodiment, the respective movement element may have gripping means, which on the one side and on the other in addition to the acting on the first front side gripping means still attack on the opposite second, rear side of the patch blank. So the Aufstandszuschnitt is held securely in position, for example, at four corners or corners. However, it is preferred if the Aufstandszuschnitt is held either on the front end seen in the transport direction or at the rear end of the gripping means. This is possible because the patch cut, in principle, has a certain stability.

The gripping elements can be mechanically operated. It is also possible that one or more vacuum grippers are arranged on the movement element. The vacuum grippers can suck the rump blank, which is basically advantageous.

Are containers to wrap, which are arranged side by side, it may be appropriate to provide two linear transporters. In this case, the gripping means on the movement elements can each transport the footprint blank of the relevant web. It is conceivable, however, if the adjacent movement elements interact with their gripping means.

According to the invention, it is provided that the folding station is designed as a linear transporter with a closed path of movement, on which carriages rotate in a common direction, wherein at least one folding head is arranged on the respective carriage. Several folding heads can be arranged on the slide, which can be controlled independently of each other.

The fact that the carriages essentially revolve in a common direction means, within the meaning of the invention, that the carriages can be moved occasionally and briefly in a direction other than the common, actually predetermined direction of rotation, if, for example, to change a distance according to the given circumstances makes sense to the next or previous carriage. However, another advantage of the invention is that the carriages can be controlled independently of each other on the movement path in their respective movement.

The linear transporter ideally has a closed trajectory on which the individual carriages are arranged, which rotate. The Sleds can also be referred to as movers. The movement path has linearly oriented movement path sections and deflection regions arranged therebetween, so that a closed movement path is formed. The linearly oriented trajectory sections, which are also referred to as the rear and as a return strand, may have curved or obliquely oriented sections, for example, to compensate for a height difference, or to form, for example, a change in direction in the horizontal direction.

The carriages are individually controllable, so that each carriage can have a respective speed. Thus, the carriages are independently controllable so that the respective carriages at the respective trajectory section is equal in speed to other carriages located on the respective trajectory section, but this relevant carriage also accelerates relative to other carriages located on the same trajectory section on the same trajectory section , delayed or even reversed in its direction of movement can be reversed. This is advantageous since a very small number of slides can be provided, since the carriages moving along the return line can overtake the carriages moving along the rear. The trajectory can of course have a lock for discharging unneeded or to be checked slide. Of course, the lock can also be used for sluicing. The respective carriages may e.g. be controlled so that they are moved at a takeover of the separating elements at an adjusted speed, or even slowed down and subsequently undergo a speed build-up, so that there is a quasi-gentle takeover of the separating elements, which along along. an acceleration portion of the trajectory to the subsequent spaced.

The Lineartransporteur is designed in the manner of an electromagnetic path, the carriage rotate gearless at this directly controllable. For this purpose, an interface of the movement path can be connected to a control unit. The linear transporter can therefore be an electromagnetic direct drive. The actual drive is effected by a dynamically controllable electromagnetic field along the rail or track, whereby the on the carriage-like movement element (hereinafter "carriage" called), which can also be referred to as a mover arranged permanent magnet / -packung by the magnetic Force or the magnetic field is controlled moves. However, the term sled also includes a wheel or roller guide.

The folding heads arranged on the carriages can also carry out any movement relative to the linear transporter but also relative to the carriage itself, ie they can be actuated correspondingly in their degrees of freedom. An activation is carried out in an ideal embodiment via a central unit, which can also cause the control of the carriage.

It is expedient if the trajectory of the linear transporter is guided to a magazine, so that the folding heads arranged on the carriage can remove the relevant base from the magazine. The slides can be stopped for a short time to take over the document, so that a secure takeover is guaranteed. The documents can then be transported by means of Faltköpfe held on the carriage in the direction of the container, and where appropriate braked again, or even stopped at short notice. In a further advantageous embodiment, a removal device is provided stationarily on the underlay magazine, in the form of a pivoting or rotating, circulating suction gripper, which transfers the documents to the grippers of the carriages. For this purpose, the speeds of slides or their grippers and the removal device are ideally synchronized.

The documents are usually in flat, unfolded condition in the magazine. By means of the folding heads arranged on the carriage, the documents can be removed from the magazine. It makes sense if a plurality of folding heads are arranged on the carriage, wherein the folding heads are movable relative to each other. For removal from the magazine can also be provided that the relevant pad is first sucked, which is why on the carriage and elements with a suction function can be arranged, of course, the folding heads themselves may have a suction function. In addition, the folding heads can perform mechanical holding functions. The respective medium supply is not a problem. For one thing, the medium supply can be arranged on the path of movement, wherein the medium is tapped, or the carriage carries a corresponding medium supply as a memory with him. Of course, the reservoir would have to be refilled at times, which is why the optional lock can be provided. The memory can be used as energy storage or the like be executed so that the arranged on the carriage functional units can be supplied with the necessary energy.

By means of the carriages, which rotate on the path of movement, which as already mentioned above is designed as a rail, the documents can now be transported to the folding heads without the documents having to slide along a slideway. The usual slideway can even be omitted if the documents kept at the folding heads are transported quasi floating.

A particular advantage is that the documents taken on the transport to be handed over to the container need not be placed flat on the conveyor belt immediately after removal from the magazine, but may remain in dense, possibly diversified formation, so that the supply of the Transport way acts as a kind of storage or intermediate buffer line. Any necessary spacing, the last last mover (slide with gripper) then accomplish by appropriate acceleration.

The documents are then placed in the required position under the container or pushed under the container groups. If the pad is placed under the container, the folding heads now take over the folding of the protruding edges. In this respect, the carriages not only have the function of transporting the documents. Rather, the carriages still accompany the containers to fold up the protruding edges. It can be provided that the sled are reduced in their speed. It is also possible if the carriages have the same speed as the containers, which are transported on the base upright on a container transporter, for example, to a film wrapping station.

The folding heads can be designed as active or passive folding heads with respect to their folding task.

After the protruding edges are folded towards the containers forming the container, the containers have a greater distance, which is increased by the dimension of the folded-up edges. This means that the bundle around the folded-up tray edges gets smaller.

It is possible that the linear transporter according to the invention also takes on the further transport to the optional film wrapping station. For this, the trajectory would have to be extended accordingly, but this represents no problem due to the individual adaptability. But it would be possible to reduce the above distance by the carriages are controlled accordingly.

Fig. 1

Eine Vorrichtung zum Vereinzeln und Falten von Unterlagen.

Fig. 2

Die Vorrichtung zum Vereinzeln von Unterlagen.

Fig. 3

Die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 2 in einer Variante für die Vereinzelung.

Fig. 4

Die Vorrichtung zum Falten von Unterlagen in prinzipieller Ansicht.

Fig.5

Ein formschlüssiges Faltvorrichtung mit Führungsrolle in translatorischer Bewegung.

Fig. 6

Ein formschlüssiges Faltvorrichtung in rotatorischer Bewegung.

Fig. 7

Ein kraftschlüssiges Faltvorrichtung in rotatorischer Bewegung.

Fig. 8

Eine Anordnung der Faltvorrichtung in prinzipieller Ansicht.

Fig. 9

Eine Vorrichtung zur Zufuhr eines Mediums in prinzipieller Ansicht.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

A device for separating and folding documents.

Fig. 2

The device for separating documents.

Fig. 3

The device off Fig. 2 in a variant for singling.

Fig. 4

The device for folding documents in a basic view.

Figure 5

A form-fitting folding device with guide roller in translational motion.

Fig. 6

A form-fitting folding device in a rotary motion.

Fig. 7

A non-positive folding device in rotational movement.

Fig. 8

An arrangement of the folding device in a basic view.

Fig. 9

A device for supplying a medium in a basic view.

In the different figures, the same parts are always provided with the same reference numerals, which is why these are usually described only once.

FIG. 1 shows a partial section of a device as part of a packaging machine 1 for the production of containers 2. By way of example, but not absolutely necessary, are converted from a wide container flow by means of gas distribution container 3 into several single-lane container streams, and with at least one compartment and / or compressor unit for dividing and compacting a predetermined number of containers 3, compacted or formed container groups or sub-containers are formed and subsequently each combined to form a subsequent container 2, wherein a Unterlagenzuführeinrichtung 4 and at least one folding station 5 are provided.

The underlay feeding device 4, consists of a backing magazine 12 and a document separation 10. The pad feed device 4 and the folding station 5 are connected via a linear conveyor 6 and work with this, which arranged on slide 7 guide, holding and / or Having folding devices. These hold a pad 9 and / or fold them. The documents 9 are only sketchy and not shown to scale with respect to the actual length.

The base 9 is removed by a suitable document separation 10 from a arranged below the transport plane 11 base magazine 12 and passed to one or more also below the transport plane 11 bereitstehendes holding and folding device 8 and transported by them so that the pad 9 from below the transport plane 11 is conveyed in a suitable path through the transport plane 11 and on this. It is advantageous if, for example, be achieved by a suitable radius 13 between the ascending portion of the linear conveyor 6 in the transport direction B below the transport plane 11 and the almost tangential connection to the horizontal section on the transport plane 11.

During normal operation, the front edge of the container 2 coincides with the front edge of the bottom surface of the base 9 so that the container 2 is positioned on the bottom surface 9.1 after the complete surface of the base 9. Subsequently, in the area of the folding station 5, as a section on the transport plane 11, the folding operation of the base 9 takes place around the container by means of the holding and folding device 8, which are returned below the transport plane 11 after completion of the folding process.

The electromagnetic linear transporter 6 has a closed trajectory 14, on which the individual carriages 7 (movers) rotate. The carriages 7 are individually controllable, so that each carriage 7 can be driven at its own, independent speed. At a rear 15 of the trajectory 14, the speed of the carriage 7 located there is the same depending on the desired transport behavior of the container or it can already be carried out a compaction on the back 15 in the folding station 5. This may be useful, since initially a very large distance to an adjacent container or base 9 is required for the flat base 9, which can be closed or at least greatly reduced with the installation of one or both side parts 9.2. This achieves a higher density and preparation for the subsequent treatment steps of the containers. Along the return strand 16, the carriages 7 can again have a completely different speed and, in particular, can be in a very tight ready position shortly before the pad feed device 4. The trajectory 14 can of course have a lock for discharging unneeded or to be checked slide 7.

The rear 15 of the movement path 14 is in the context of the invention, the portion of the movement path 14 to which the documents 9 are transported from below the transport plane 11 to this. The return strand 16 is then the portion at which the carriage 7 are moved without held and / or co-moving documents 9. At the in FIG. 1 illustrated embodiment, the pad feed 4 and folding station 5 are arranged at the rear 15. In the conveying direction (arrow A), the rear 15 has in the area of the document separation 10 and feed 4 a movement section ascending in the direction of the transport plane 11, so that the documents 9 can be conveyed through a gap onto the transport plane 11. In the folding station 5, the pad 9 is folded around the container 2.

The linear transporter 6 is designed in the manner of an electromagnetic path, wherein the carriage 7 rotate gearless at this directly controllable, the respective desired speed of the respective carriage 7 is individually controlled. For this purpose, an interface of the movement path 14 can be connected to a control unit. The linear transporter 6 can therefore be an electromagnetic direct drive. It can be seen that the advantage is that the carriages 7 can be guided very quickly along the return strand 16 in the direction of the rear 15 so that the total number of carriages 7 is reduced compared to a conveyor with fixed pitch; because the required along the rear 15 division can be lifted along the return strand 16, which in FIG. 1 can be seen by the grouped carriage 7 along the return strand 16.

At the in FIG. 2 shown embodiment of the document separation 10, the support magazine 12 is disposed below the transport plane 11 in the region of the rising web portion so to the movement path 14, which extend the documents 9 approximately parallel and spaced from the path of movement 14. The document separation 10 can, as shown, be separated by a fixed to a lever 17 and driven by a suitable control suction 18 such that the isolated pad 9 is in a waiting holding and folding device 8 (not shown). Conveniently, the distance between the base magazine 12 and carriage 7 respectively holding and folding device 8 is selected so that no collision with each other can occur. Not shown are further carriage 7, which may be necessary for the movement and for the processing of the pad 9.

An alternative to the suction shown is the use of a linear drive, such as a pneumatic cylinder, which is perpendicular to the movement path 14 with a suction cup located at the end of the cylinder in the direction of the backing magazine 12. Again, the base 9 is singled by the reciprocating motion of the cylinder and brought to the waiting carriage 7.

FIG. 3 is similar in basic construction to that in FIG. 2 , In this variant, instead of the lever extraction, a so-called rotating suction 19 for separating the documents occurs. The backing magazine 12 is arranged in a suitable manner depending on the movement of the suction on the suction so that a safe separation and subsequent transfer of the pad 9 is guaranteed to the holding and folding device 8 of a carriage 7 ready. Advantageously, no waiting time in the work cycle is to be considered in this type of separation, since after filing the pad 9 by a sucker, the following sucker can start with the separation.

In contrast, the sucker needs to FIG. 2 After the separation of a base 9, it is only in a waiting position until the base 9 has been moved in the conveying direction (arrow A) by the holding and folding device 8 of a carriage 7 so that the suction device can move again in the direction of the base magazine 12.

In FIG. 4 are in a basic view of the possible positions of the carriage 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 depending on the selected function and embodiment of the associated folding devices shown before and after folding and thus the relative movement of the carriage to each other even with parallel transport. If the three carriages 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 initially have the same speed after taking over the pad, the rear carriage 7.2 picks up relative to the carriage 7.2, is accelerated at times relative to 7.1 and the front carriage 7.3 is also approximated to the slide 7.1, to which this Sled 7.3 is slowed relative to 7.1 and 7.2 at least temporarily. In this case, the same effect can also be achieved by accelerating the 7.1 and 7.2 relative to the carriage 7.3 at different speeds. After the final setting up of the tabs 9.2, the three slides 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 at times have the same speed or have no relative speed to each other. Alternatively and analogously to the above, the carriages 7.1 and 7.3 can also be slowed down relative to 7.2.

By way of example, for the assumption that the folding device 22 of the carriage 7.1 performs no relative movement to the base 9 below the base 9 during the folding operation, the leading and rear driving and folding devices 29 of the slides 7.2 and 7.3 can move relative to one another, that is to say Distance a between the middle slide 7.1 to the leading end and the distance a between the middle slide 7.1 to the rearward becomes smaller during the folding process (b). This also means that the distance between the container 2 enveloped with the base 9 to one another after folding can be smaller than the distance of the container 2 with the unfolded base 9 to each other. Along with this, there is the possibility of transporting the packages after folding with a smaller pitch compared to a folding station with a fixed pitch.

FIGS. 5a and 5b show by way of example two different working positions of the folding device 22 along the control cam 20. The transport direction is here perpendicular to the image plane. In the FIG. 5a has the folding device 22 of a carriage 7 reaches the rising portion and is still in this position below the transport plane 11, in the illustration after FIG. 5b the folding device 22 has reached the uppermost position of the cam 20 and the folding head 27 is now above the transport plane 11 and has one or more of the movable flaps 9.2 of the pad 9 folded upwards.
As in FIG. 5 can be seen, sub-components of the folding device 22 are movable relative to the supporting carriage 7. By way of example, the folding device 22 has a sliding joint 23 which is mounted on the carriage 7. The sliding joint 23 carries a relative to this movable support member 24, which is preferably designed as an angle element. It also has a transport plane 11 parallel to the connecting leg 25 and a perpendicular thereto roller leg 26. At the on the support element 21 of the folding head 27 is arranged in the configuration of a quarter-round profile. On the roller leg 26, the guide element 28 is arranged in the embodiment as a roller. The roller leg 26 is also in communication with the sliding joint 23.

The preferred use of a quarter circle as Faltvorrichtungsprofil leads when surfacing to a nearly tangential application of the tab 9.2 to the profile. With the further emergence until reaching the uppermost position, the movable tab 9.2 is also tangent to the folding head 27. Here, the distance of the folding device 22 to the fold line of the tab in a suitable manner to be selected so that after completion of the folding process, the tab 9.2 in one Angle of approximately 90 degrees is erect.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative to the folding device 22 embodiment. This entrainment and folding device 29 gem. FIG. 6 in the left illustration the segment shows the function of takeaway. The segment is ajar backwards with the driver element to the unfolded pad 9 and drives the pad 9 by the carriage 7 rotatably mounted entrainment and folding device 29 in the conveying direction (arrow A).

In the right-hand illustration, the end position of the driving and folding head 29 can be seen. For this purpose, the segment is articulated via an unillustrated arrangement of articulation lever and control cam relative to the carriage 7 so that a rotation of the driving and folding device 29 can be achieved by about 90 degrees clockwise. At the same time the entrainment and folding device 29 is positively driven in the conveying direction (arrow A) that with the rotation of the unfolded flap 9.2 of the pad 9 is folded by 90 degrees upwards. The contact surface of the folding device 29 acts according to the executed function wrinkles again as a driver for the now partially folded pad 9. According to the illustrated conveying direction (arrow A), the rear entrainment and folding device 29 can be seen in the example. It is therefore conceivable to use such a segment also at the front edge of the unfolded pad 9. In this case, the leading carriage 7 would not be positive, ie move faster than the pad 9 in the conveying direction (arrow A) to initiate the folding process, but delayed with respect to the base 9 move, so that at the end of the movement here, the contact surface of the entrainment - And folding device 29 abuts against the folded tab 9.2.

Also FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of a holding and folding device 8. In the left illustration, the segment can be seen in its initial position as a holding segment. The sucker 30 is rotatably mounted on a carriage 7, not shown, and can also be articulated via an unillustrated arrangement of the articulation lever and cam in such a way to a rotation of the nipple 30 by approximately 90 degrees counterclockwise. Preferably, the pivot point of the teat 30 is congruent with the fold line of the movable tab 9.2. In this way, as can be seen in the right-hand illustration, a folding of the flap 9.2 can be achieved.

Compared to the comments in the Figures 5 and 6 , in which there is a positive connection between the folding tool and the tab 9.2, a frictional connection is made in this embodiment. The medium used can be performed, for example, by the rotary connection between the holding and folding device 8 and slide 7. Again, it is conceivable to use the holding and folding device 8 shown rearwardly corresponding to the front flap of the pad 9.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the arrangement of the driving and folding devices against an unfolded and a folded pad 9 in a basic view again. The in the Figures 5 . 6 , and 7 shown embodiments are arranged here in a suitable form in the region of the movable tabs 9.2 of the pad 9. Thus, the folding device 22 is after FIG. 5 to preferably use for folding the side flaps, the folding devices 8, 29 after FIG. 6 and 7 are preferred for folding the front and rear tabs 9.2. The already in FIG. 1 described position in the top view: assuming that there is no relative movement in the conveying direction (arrow A) between the lateral folding device 22 and the pad 9 during transport of the pad 9 in the folding station 5, so it is stationary relative to is the pad 9, change the distances of the carriage 7 for the folding device 29 after FIG. 6 the rear and the front tab 9.2 to the stationary element.

For a holding and folding device 8 after FIG. 7 however, under the assumption described for the lateral folding device 22, no change in the position of the carriages 7 would occur.

FIG. 9 shows a device for supplying a medium, such as an electric line or a gas supply or discharge (inlet 31 a, outlet 31 b) in a basic view and represents the prior art. To supply the folding device 8 and the sucker 30 after FIG. 7 can the medium 31a advantageously by a central, fixed rotary feedthrough 32, to which a rotatably mounted rocker arm 33 connects and via a so-called energy chain 34 is connected to the carriage 7, are conveyed in the direction of sucker 30. By a correspondingly cascaded structure, further slides 7 and thus folding device 8 (not shown) can be supplied with a medium in a suitable manner.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

packaging machine

2

container

3

container

4

Unterlagenzuführeinrichtung

5

folding station

6

linear transporter

7

carriage

8th

Holding and folding device

9

document

9.1

Bottom of the base

9.2

Tab of the pad

10

Base isolation

11

transport plane

11.1

Through opening

12

Pad Magazine

13

radius

14

trajectory

15

Hintrum

16

return run

17

lever

18

suction

19

rotating suction

20

cam

21

support element

22

folding

23

sliding joint

24

supporting member

25

connecting leg

26

role leg

27

folding head

28

guide element

29

Carrying and folding device

30

sucker

31a

medium inlet

31b

medium outlet

32

Rotary union

33

cam follower

34

energy chain

A

Transport direction of the containers

B

Transport direction of the carriages

Claims (8)

1. Apparatus for producing packages (2), wherein a base (9) is placed thereunder, and wherein a folding station (5) folds protruding edges of the base in the direction towards the packaging unit, characterised in that at least the folding station (5) is configured as a linear conveyor (6) with a closed moving track (14), on which movement elements in the form of carriages (7) or trolleys circulate in a common direction, wherein at least one folding head (27) is arranged on each respective movement element, wherein the linear conveyor (6) is configured as an electromagnetic direct power takeoff.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the linear conveyor (6) comprises a closed moving track, which comprises an outgoing strand (15) and a return strand (16), between which curve regions are arranged.
3. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the folding heads (27) arranged at the carriages (7) are freely movable in relation to the linear conveyor (6), but also in relation to the carriages (7).
4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterised in that a plurality of folding heads (27) are arranged at each respective carriage (7), which can be controlled independently of one another.
5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the carriages (7) can be individually activated along the moving track (14).
6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the bases (9) are taken out of a magazine with the folding heads arranged on the carriages (7).
7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the folding head (27) is configured such as to hold the respective base along its transport path to the package (2), and to fold the protruding edges upwards.
8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the linear conveyor is conveyed to a magazine, from which the respective base (9) is taken, wherein the linear conveyor comprises a section on which the bases are laid beneath the packages (2), and wherein the linear conveyor with its moving track (14) is conveyed further, such that the package can be conveyed in the direction towards a following component.

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