EP3103731A1 - Pressing device for pressing products into packaging holders - Google Patents

Abstract

The pressing device (1) for pressing products (5, 6) into packaging receptacles (7) formed in a packaging base body (8) comprises a pressing tool (3) with a plunger plate (21) on which at least one first plunger ( 23), and a first operating unit (9) reciprocating the pressing tool (3) in and against a pressing direction (D). Furthermore, the pressing tool (3) comprises at least one second plunger (27), which is displaceably mounted in the plunger plate (21) in and against the pressing direction (D), and a second actuating unit (33) integrated in the pressing tool (3), which is in operative connection with the at least one second plunger (27).

Description

The present invention relates to an indenting device for impressing products in packaging receptacles.

In the packaging industry, products are packaged in so-called clamping packages. These squeeze packs are often used in medical products such as ampoules, syringes, inhalers or the like. The clamping packages usually have packaging receptacles into which the product to be packaged is to be received and which are formed in a packaging base body, generally a film web section. The packaging receptacles are dimensioned so that the products do not reach the respective packaging receptacles by themselves, but have to be pressed in, in order then to be picked up in them.

Usually, each packaging pickup picks up just one product. The products are each first placed on the packaging receptacles in a unit upstream of the indenting device. In the subsequent Eindrückvorgang the products are pressed by the indenting device in the respective packaging receptacle. The pressing takes place via a pressing device, which can usually have a pressing tool with a pressure plate and / or tappets, which press the products into the respective packaging receptacles. Furthermore, in most cases, the spinning tool includes a pneumatic cylinder that drives the pusher plate and / or the plungers.

When pushing the products into the packaging receptacles, a resistance must be overcome. This prevents the product from entering the packaging receptacle by itself and thus being more or less loosely received in the packaging receptacle. Resistance is defined by sizing the openings of the packaging receptacles and the widest part of the product. The smaller the opening of the packaging receptacle and the wider the widest part of the product, the more resistance must be overcome when pressing.

In order to save material costs and space, the packaging receptacles are often arranged close to each other in a row. When pushing the products into the packaging holders Each packaging receptacle is stretched, whereby a force acts in the direction of the respective adjacent packaging receptacle in adjacent packaging recordings. In a simultaneous impressions of several adjacent products, the forces that are generated in adjacent packaging recordings, act in the opposite direction, so that the stretching of the packaging recordings is inhibited. The pressing device must thus press the products into the packaging receptacles against the resistance of the packaging receptacles and in some cases also against the force generated in the adjacent packaging receptacle.

Applying a higher pressure force can damage the products and / or the packaging. This in turn has a negative impact on the production process.

The present invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a Eindrückvorrichtung for impressing products in packaging recordings, which ensures a safe Eindrückvorgang without damaging the products or the packaging even in close-fitting packaging recordings.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, the pressing-in device for pressing products into packaging receptacles comprises a pressing tool with a plunger plate, on which at least one first plunger is fixed, and a first actuating unit, which moves the pressing tool back and forth in and against a pressing direction. The pressing tool further comprises at least one second plunger, which is displaceably mounted in the plunger plate in and against the pressing direction, and a second actuating unit integrated in the pressing tool, which is in operative connection with the at least one second plunger.

By this arrangement with an integrated into the spinning tool second actuator for the second plunger can be achieved in a simple and gentle way a time-shifted impressions of adjacent products in the respective packaging recordings.

It is particularly advantageous if the at least one first plunger has a first length and the at least one second plunger has a second length, wherein the second length is greater than the first length.

The plunger plate preferably has at least one receiving opening, in which the at least one first plunger is accommodated. Through the receiving opening of the at least one first plunger can be easily connected to the plunger plate.

It is particularly advantageous if the at least one second plunger completely penetrates the plunger plate. As a result, the at least one second plunger can be guided during its movement in the vertical direction in the plunger plate, and arranged above the plunger plate second actuating unit can act on him in a simple manner.

Preferably, the second actuator unit comprises a piston which is movable relative to the plunger plate. The piston can thereby be brought into operative connection with the at least one second plunger or release the at least one second plunger.

A simple adjustment of the piston is achieved in that the piston is preferably operated pneumatically.

Preferably, a plate is connected to the piston, wherein the plate acts on the at least one second plunger during the pressing operation of the at least one second plunger. Through the plate, the second actuator can simultaneously act on a plurality of second plunger.

Preferably, the plate acts on the at least one second plunger in an extended position of the piston so that the plate is brought into operative connection with the at least one second plunger.

Advantageously, in a retracted position of the piston, the at least one second plunger is not acted upon by the plate, so that the plate is not in operative connection with the at least one second plunger and the at least one second plunger can be moved upwards.

The first actuating unit preferably comprises a servomotor, which is provided for fast and exact adjustment of the spinning tool.

So that the at least one second ram, as soon as it does not contact the products, does not slip out of the spinning tool in the pressing direction, the at least one second ram comprises a head with a collar which by positive locking for limiting vertical movement of the at least one second ram in Pressing direction ensures.

In order to fully exploit the advantages of the invention, the indentation device usually comprises a plurality of first plungers and a plurality of second plungers.

Fig. 1

zeigt eine Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Eindrückvorrichtung in einer Ausgangsposition;

Fig. 2

zeigt die Eindrückvorrichtung aus Fig. 1 in einem ersten Schritt des Eindrückvorgangs;

Fig. 3

zeigt die Eindrückvorrichtung aus Fig. 1 in einem zweiten Schritt des Eindrückvorgangs;

Fig. 4

zeigt die Eindrückvorrichtung aus Fig. 1 in einem dritten Schritt des Eindrückvorgangs;

Fig. 5

zeigt die Eindrückvorrichtung aus Fig. 1 in einem vierten Schritt des Eindrückvorgangs; und

Fig. 6

zeigt die Eindrückvorrichtung aus Fig. 1 in einem fünften Schritt des Eindrückvorgangs.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1

shows an embodiment of a Eindrückvorrichtung invention in a starting position;

Fig. 2

shows the indenting device Fig. 1 in a first step of the pushing-in process;

Fig. 3

shows the indenting device Fig. 1 in a second step of the indenting process;

Fig. 4

shows the indenting device Fig. 1 in a third step of the indenting process;

Fig. 5

shows the indenting device Fig. 1 in a fourth step of the pushing-in process; and

Fig. 6

shows the indenting device Fig. 1 in a fifth step of the push-in process.

In Fig. 1 to 6 an embodiment of an indenting device according to the invention is shown in various stages of Eindrückvorgangs.

The push-in device 1 is used comprises a spinning tool 3, are pressed by the products 5, 6 in packaging receptacles 7, which are formed in a preferably cyclically moving packaging base body 8. The packaging base bodies 8 may be, for example, sections of a foil strip or separate packaging sections.

The pressing tool 3 is reciprocated by a first operating unit 9 in a pressing direction (arrow D) and counter to the pressing direction D. The first actuating unit 9 comprises a servomotor 11, which drives a linear actuator 13. The linear actuator 13 is connected to a carriage 15 which is reciprocated by the linear actuator 13 in a substantially horizontal direction. The carriage 15 is movably mounted on a guide rail 17. The carriage 15 is in turn connected via a rotatably mounted lever 19 with the spinning tool 3. However, many other embodiments of the first actuating unit 9 are also conceivable, with which the pressing tool 3 can be reciprocated in and against the pressing direction D.

The pressing tool 3 has a plunger plate 21 which is an integral part of the pressing tool 3 and can not be moved independently of the pressing tool 3. On the plunger plate 21 a plurality of first plunger 23 are fixed. The first plungers 23 are received in receiving openings 25 in the plunger plate 21 and fixedly connected to the plunger plate 21 in the receiving openings 25. The fixing can be done in various ways, such as by press-fitting. A part of the first plunger 23 is received in the plunger plate 21 and another part projects in the pushing direction D beyond the Plunger plate 21 also. The first plungers 23 serve to press in the products marked with reference numeral 5 in the figures.

In the in Fig. 1 to 6 shown embodiment, two first plunger 23 are present. However, the number of first tappets 23 may vary arbitrarily from one to a larger number. It is important that all the first plunger 23 protrude equally far in the pressing direction D from the plunger plate 21 to rest on the products 5 at the same time. As a result, it is also possible to ensure that all products 5 of the first tappets 23 are pressed simultaneously and uniformly into the corresponding packaging receptacles 7. Furthermore, the pressing tool 3 has a plurality of second plungers 27. The second plungers 27 are displaceably mounted in and against the pressing direction D in the plunger plate 21 and formed substantially rod-shaped. The second plungers 27 are used to depress the products marked with reference numeral 6 in the figures.

In the in Fig. 1 to 6 shown embodiment, three second plunger 27 are present. However, the number of second tappets 27 may vary as desired from one to a larger number. It is important that all second plungers 27 are the same length, in order to rest on the products 6 at the same time. This can in turn ensure that all products 6 are pressed by the second plungers 27 simultaneously and uniformly into the corresponding packaging receptacles 7.

In the present embodiment, the products 6 are pressed in front of the products 5 in the packaging receptacles 7. This will be described later in more detail.

The second plungers 27 have a head 29 with a collar 31. The head 29 of the second plunger 27 is formed in each case on the side facing away from the products 6 of the second plunger 27. By positive engagement with the upper part of the plunger plate 21, a vertical movement of the second plunger 27 is limited in the pressing direction D, so that the second plunger 27, if they do not abut the respective product 6, can not fall out of the spinning tool 3.

The first plunger 23 and second plunger 27 are arranged alternately in series in order to ensure an offset impressions of adjacent products 5, 6 can.

The first plungers 23 have a first length and the second plungers 27 have a second length. The second length is greater than the first length. The lengths of the individual plungers 23, 27 can be adjusted depending on the purpose and product shape, wherein it is important that the at least one second plunger 27 completely penetrates the plunger plate 21.

The pushing-in device 1 has a second actuating unit 33 integrated into the pressing tool 3, which is in operative connection with the second push-rods 27. The second

Actuator 33 includes a piston 35. Piston 35 is movable relative to plunger plate 21. In the present exemplary embodiment, the piston 35 is substantially displaceable in and against the pressing direction D and accommodated in a cylinder 36. The piston 35 is preferably pneumatically operated.

Preferably, a plate 37 is formed in the spinning tool 3. This plate 37 is movably mounted in the spinning tool 3 and fixedly connected to the piston 35. The plate 37 acts simultaneously on all second plungers 27 during the pushing operation performed by the second plungers 27. However, if only a second plunger 27 may be provided, the plate 37 may also be omitted. In this case, the piston 35 acts on the second plunger 27 directly.

In the embodiment described here, the second plunger 27 are acted upon by the plate 37 when the piston 35 is in an extended position. If the piston 35 in a retracted position, the second plunger 27 are not acted upon by the plate 37 and can be moved freely in the vertical direction in the plunger plate 21.

In the following, the individual steps for impressing the products 5, 6 into the respective packaging receptacles 7 will now be discussed in more detail. Fig. 1 represents the initial situation in which the products 5, 6 rest only on the packaging receptacles 7. In Fig. 2 to 5 the respective intermediate positions of the spinning tool 3 are shown during the pressing operation. In Fig. 6 the end position of the spinning tool 3 is shown, which is present at the end of a spinning cycle, when all products 5, 6 are pressed into the respective packaging receptacles 7.

In the starting position according to Fig. 1 the products 5, 6 are each loosely placed on a packaging receptacle 7, so that they at least partially extend into the packaging receptacle 7. The first plunger 23 and the second plunger 27 are located in Fig. 1 on any of the products 5, 6 on. The piston 35 with the plate 37 attached thereto acts on the second plungers 27, so that the second plungers 27 are not displaceable counter to the pressing direction D.

In Fig. 2 was moved by moving the linear actuator 13 by means of the servomotor 11 of the carriages 15 in the substantially horizontal direction. As a result, the pressing tool 3 in the pressing direction D is moved downward in the direction of the products 5, 6. The piston 35 is still in the extended position, so that the second plunger 27 continue to be acted upon by the plate 37. The second plunger 27 are in Fig. 2 on the products 6, while the first plunger 23, the products 5 do not touch.

By further moving the spinning tool 3 in the pressing direction D ( Fig. 3 ), the pressing tool 3 is moved to a position in which the products 6 are pressed by the second plungers 27 in the packaging receptacle 7. The second plungers 27 are still acted upon by the plate 37. The first plungers 23 only apply to the respective products 5 when the products 6 have already been pressed into the packaging receptacles 7 some distance. Alternatively, the first plungers 23 could not hit the respective products 5 until the products 6 had already been completely pressed into the packaging receptacles 7.

In Fig. 4 shows the state in which the products 6 have just been completely pressed into the packaging receptacles 7. The second plungers 27 are in Fig. 4 still acted upon by the plate 37. Meanwhile, the first plungers 23 also press the products 5 a little way into the respective packaging receptacles 7. Both are carried out by moving the pressing tool 3 further in the pressing direction D.

As soon as the second products 6 have been completely pressed in by the second plungers 27, the piston 35 is moved into the retracted position (FIG. Fig. 5 ). The plate 37 does not act on the second plunger 27 now. The second plunger 27 are thus displaced in the vertical direction against the pressing direction D. When the pressing tool 3 is now further moved in the pressing direction D down, the second plunger 27 are based on the completely depressed products 6 and thus remain in their absolute location, so in other words move relative to the downwardly moving plunger plate 21 upwards ,

As a result of the further movement of the spinning tool 3 in the pressing direction D, the products 5 are then pressed completely into the packaging receptacles 7. In Fig. 6 is the final state a Eindrückzyklus shown in which all products 5, 6 are pressed into the respective packaging receptacles 7. The piston 35 is still in the retracted position, whereby the second plunger 27 is still not acted upon by the plate 37.

As soon as the products 5 have been completely pressed into the packaging receptacle 7, the entire pressing tool 3 moves upwards in the opposite direction to the pressing direction D. The second plunger 27 move back in the pressing direction D due to gravity, until the head 29 abut with the collar 31 on the plunger plate 21. Even during the upward movement of the spinning tool 3, the plate 37, the second plunger 27 act again. The pressing tool 3 thus has the starting position Fig. 1 taken again and is ready for a renewed pressing.

The operative connection between the second actuator 33 and the second tappets 27 may also be active, i. a movement of the piston 35 can result in an active movement of the second plunger 27.

Claims (13)

Press-in device (1) for pressing products (5, 6) into packaging receptacles (7) formed in a packaging base body (8)
a pressing tool (3) with a plunger plate (21) on which at least one first plunger (23) is fixed, and
a first operating unit (9) which reciprocates the pressing tool (3) in and against a pressing direction (D),
wherein at least a second plunger (27) is slidably mounted in and against the pressing direction (D) in the plunger plate (21), and
wherein a second actuating unit (33) integrated in the pressing tool (3) is in operative connection with the at least one second plunger (27). Indentation device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one first plunger (21) has a first length and the at least one second plunger (27) has a second length, wherein the second length is greater than the first length. Indentation device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plunger plate (21) has at least one receiving opening (25) in which the at least one first plunger (23) is accommodated. Push-in device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one second plunger (27) completely penetrates the plunger plate (21). Push-in device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second actuating unit (33) comprises a piston (35) which is movable relative to the plunger plate (21). Indentation device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the piston (35) is pneumatically operated. Indentation device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that a plate (37) is connected to the piston (35), and the plate (37) the at least one second plunger (27) during the pressing operation of the at least one second plunger (27). Indentation device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that in an extended position of the piston (35), the plate (37) acts on the at least one second plunger (27). Indentation device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that in a retracted position of the piston (35), the plate (37) does not act on the at least one second plunger (27). Push-in device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first actuating unit (9) comprises a servomotor (11). Indentation device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one second plunger (27) has a head (29) with a collar (31) which by positive engagement for limiting a vertical movement of the at least one second plunger ( 27) in the pressing direction (D). Indentation device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of first plungers (23) is present. Indentation device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of second tappets (27) is present.

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