EP3127825B1 - Inflation station for inflating film bags and method for same - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an inflation station for inflating foil bags according to the preamble of claim 1 and a corresponding method according to claim 6.

State of the art

Inflation stations are known for foil pouches that include a squeegee and an inflator. In order to bring the Blasmunde the inflator in the foil bag, the inflator is moved by means of a linkage with toggle lever and air spring relative to the squeegee. The necessary contact pressure is also obtained by means of the linkage with toggle lever and pneumatic spring. The compressed air spring limits the maximum occurring force at the dead center of the toggle lever.

The large masses of linkage, toggle and pneumatic spring that must be moved results in a limitation in machine speed and accuracy of positioning. In addition, the contact pressure can not be checked or not precisely controlled, which leads to increased wear of the vacuum suction of the squeegee. Also, very long response times of the linkage can result after maintenance. In addition, there is no sufficient flexibility with regard to the processing of different types of foil bags with, for example, different formats.

WO 99/59876 discloses a device for opening foil bags, which comprises two mutually opposite application heads, each with a suction cup, which can be moved back and forth between a suction and a spreading position. The edge portion of an openable foil pouch can be clamped between the two feeder heads at two spaced points by means of jaws as the feeder heads are moved towards each other. In the suction position, a suction channel is closed and air is pumped from the suction channel by means of a vacuum source until the suction cups are covered by the wall of the foil bag, so that a pressure drop is created in the suction channel. When the suction cups are then moved from the suction to the spreading position to open the foil bag, the jaws are pressed against each other so that the foil bag is still held by the jaws. The film bag can then be filled with liquid or with a viscous material or it can be a closure used and welded.

US 3,545,166 discloses that for opening a bag, the upper end portions of the two sides are engaged by a pair of suction cups connected to a vacuum source and movable away from each other to open the bag, such that a nozzle can be introduced. After the nozzle is inserted into the opened bag, a pair of jaws are moved toward each other and brought into communication with the upper end portions to urge them toward the nozzle and seal the upper end portions of the bag. Before air is introduced through the nozzle, the suction cups are disconnected from the vacuum source.

US 4,724,656 discloses that vacuum cups are used to open a bag, which are first brought into contact with the bag from both sides and, after a vacuum has built up, are pulled apart to open the bag. Thereafter, an air nozzle is inserted into the thus opened bag, and air is blown into the bag to inflate the bag. It can be provided that the vacuum tubes are bent outwards in their middle regions, so that they can surround the air nozzle.

task

The object of the invention is to provide a Aufblasstation for inflating foil bags and a corresponding method available that allow increased throughput and a wear-free operation of Aufblasstation.

solution

The object is achieved by the blow-out station according to claim 1 and the method according to claim 6. Preferred embodiments and further developments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The inflation station in a foil bag filling device for inflating foil bags prior to a filling process comprises a first Saugleistenarm and a second Saugleistenarm for opening a plurality of juxtaposed foil bag and a Aufblasleiste arranged therewith Blasmunden for inflating the opened foil bag, wherein the first Saugleistenarm with a first drive shaft and the second Saugleistenarm are movable with a second drive shaft. A servo motor is disposed on the first drive shaft, and a drive movement of the first drive shaft is transmitted from a first gear to a second gear engaging in the first gear and from the second gear to the second drive shaft. The two Saugleistenarme can also be designed in a closed state to hold the inflated foil bag for and / or during the Aufblasprozesses.

The film bagging apparatus may be used in the food processing industry for the filling of liquid or lumpy foods, such as beverages or porridges, in foil bags.

Instead, however, it is also possible that the foil bag filling device is provided in the animal feed processing industry for the filling of liquid or lumpy feed, such as cat's milk or wet food, in foil pouches.

Foil bags to be filled are stored in a collapsed condition prior to filling. In order to carry out a filling process, the foil bags are formed before filling, which means that a cavity is created in their interior, in which the filling material is to be filled.

The use of a servo motor arranged directly on a drive shaft eliminates the linkage required in the prior art, the pneumatic spring and the toggle lever. Thus, the inflation station according to the invention has a lower mass compared to a prior art inflation station, so that a higher operating speed is possible. In addition, there is no need for long adjustment times after maintenance of the inflation station.

The arrangement of the servo motor on the first drive shaft, a direct action of the servo motor on this drive shaft is possible, whereby an accuracy in the positioning of the Saugleistenarme and the contact pressure occurring between them is ensured so that wear of the Saugleistenarme, in particular the vacuum suction are minimized because, for example, the contact pressure of the two Saugleistenarme, ie also the terminal strips, is customizable. Due to the exact positioning of a defined inflation of the foil bag is also possible, as well as the Blasmunde be positioned exactly in the opened foil bag and the indentations of the terminal strips.

By the gear drive with the two intermeshing gears, the drive movement of the first drive shaft is transmitted to the first gear and from there to the second gear and thus to the second drive shaft. Since the first drive shaft is responsible for a drive movement of the first Saugleistenarms and the second drive shaft for a drive movement of the second Saugleistenarms, there is always a synchronous movement of the two Saugleistenarme during the opening or closing of Aufblasstation. Due to this arrangement of Saugleistenarme and described drive, it is thus possible to perform a rotationally-parallel movement, whereby the desired precise execution of the movement and control of the contact pressure of the two Saugleistenarme can be ensured.

The suction bar arms include vacuum cups which are designed to open foil bags by means of vacuum suction. Since the foil pouches are transferred to the inflation station in a collapsed state, it is necessary for an inflating process of the foil pouches to be carried out first to open the foil pouches so that the bladder mouth can be introduced into the opened foil pouches. In the upper region of the film bag, the vacuum suction cups are arranged on the Saugleistenarmen. The vacuum cups are brought in a closed state of the Saugleistenarme each by a horizontal movement of the vacuum suction in a first direction in contact with the respective foil bag halves. The first direction is directed towards the foil bag. By suction of air in the vacuum cups, a negative pressure and thus a suction effect are generated, so that the two film bag halves are sucked in the area of the vacuum cups. By horizontally moving the vacuum cups in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, the film bag halves are pulled apart, thereby opening the film bags so that the bladder mouth can be inserted into them.

In addition, the Saugleistenarme terminal strips with indentations, wherein the clamping bars preferably comprise elastic material. The indentations are provided so that Blasmunde can be introduced through the closed terminal strips held in the terminal strips and already opened foil bag. The elastic material allows a uniform distribution of the contact pressure exerted by the closed Saugleistenarme.

The inflatable strip with the blow dogs arranged thereon can be moved vertically, so that the blow mouth can be introduced into the opened foil pouches for an inflation process or, after inflation, can be brought out of the foil pouches again.

The Saugleistenarme are designed to exert a contact pressure in a closed state. The strength of the contact pressure can be variable, so that in addition to holding foil bags also in cooperation with the introduced Blasmunden an airtight seal is possible.

The inflation station further comprises a measuring and control device for a current of the servomotor. The measurement and control device enables measurement of the current flowing in the servomotor and / or control of the current so that it is possible to vary the current during, before, or after an inflation process, i. to control.

The measuring and control device can be designed to control the contact pressure based on type specifications of the film bags, such as film bag formats, filling volumes and / or film bag materials, by means of the current of the servomotor. In addition, such a stream calculated based on the type information. The calculated target current corresponds to a desired contact pressure to be exerted by the Saugleistenarme. The type specifications of the film bag can be entered into the measuring and control device and / or read from a data memory. The data memory may be part of the measuring and control device or the data memory may be a memory independent of it.

It may be advantageous to increase the contact pressure when inflating foil pouches whose foil pouch material, for example, has a greater thickness than previously inflated foil pouches or whose size, i. E. the format is larger than previously inflated foil pouches. Accordingly, it may be advantageous to reduce the contact pressure when inflating foil pouches whose foil pouch material, for example, has a smaller thickness than previously inflated foil pouches or whose size, i. E. the format is smaller than previously inflated foil pouches.

The inflation station may further include an evaluation and control unit configured to calculate a magnitude of a pressure pulse for inflation based on type specifications of the foil pouches, such as fill volume, foil pouch format, and / or foil material. In order to ensure a defined inflation of the film bag, so that the cavity produced in the interior of the film bag for film bags of the same type is the same, it is advantageous if the inflation by means of a pressure pulse with a defined thickness, d. H. a desired strength occurs. The desired thickness is preferably adapted to the type specifications of the foil bag. The pressure pulse can be generated by the Blasmunden the inflator for inflating the foil bag or introduced into the foil bag. Accordingly, the evaluation and control unit would control the Blasmunde, since they use the pressure pulse with the calculated target strength for inflating the foil bag.

The measuring and control device and the evaluation and control unit may each be a separate device or unit, but it may also be provided that they represent a common device or unit.

The inflation station may further comprise a foil bag transport device. With the foil bag transport device, the folded foil bags of the inflation station can be supplied for an inflation process or after inflation, the inflated foil bag can be supplied to the foil bag transport device further processes.

An inventive method for inflating foil bags with the inflation station as described above or below, comprises the steps of: positioning the foil bags below the inflation station; Closing the Saugleistenarme and exerting a contact pressure with a first value; horizontal movement of the vacuum cups in a first direction and in contact with the respective film bag halves, forming a negative pressure; horizontal movement of the vacuum suction in a second direction and thereby opening the foil bag; Introducing the blow mouth into the opened foil pouches; Increasing the contact pressure to a second value and then inflating the foil bag by means of the introduced Blasmunde.

After the inflation step, opening of the suction bar arms and discharge of the blow mouth from the inflated foil bags may take place.

Then, a removal of the inflated foil bag can then be made to use for further processes.

The method may comprise the further steps of: inputting type information of the foil pouches and / or reading in type data of the foil pouches from a data memory; Calculating a target current of the servomotor based on the type information by means of a measuring and control device and controlling the servomotor according to the calculated target current.

• Figur 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer offenen Aufblasstation in einer ersten Blickrichtung von schräg unten,
• Figur 2 eine perspektivische Ansicht der offenen Aufblasstation in einer zweiten Blickrichtung von schräg unten und
• Figur 3 ein Detail zur Bewegung der beiden Saugleistenarme.

The attached figures represent by way of example for better understanding and illustration aspects of the invention. It shows:

• FIG. 1 a perspective view of an open inflation station in a first viewing direction obliquely from below,
• FIG. 2 a perspective view of the open inflation station in a second viewing direction obliquely from below and
• FIG. 3 a detail on the movement of the two Saugleistenarme.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an open Aufblasstation 1 in a first viewing direction obliquely below the inflation station 1, so that the side of the Aufblasstation 1 is seen with the servo motor 17. The inflation station 1 comprises two relatively movable Saugleistenarme 2, 3. The Saugleistenarme 2, 3 are mirror-symmetrical and In the region in which they can be brought into contact or held in the film bag, a plurality of elements arranged side by side along the suction bar arms 2, 3 serve to clamp and open foil bags in a closed inflation station 1. These elements each comprise a terminal strip 4 with a recess 5 in the middle and a plurality of vacuum suction 6 per element. The indentation 5 is provided so that Blasmunde 7 can be introduced through the closed terminal strips 4 held in the terminal strips 4 and already opened foil bag. The Blasmunde 7 can be moved by a vertical process of the inflator 8, to which they are attached. The film bags are fed in a collapsed condition to the inflation station 1 with a film bag transport device (not shown) in which the film bags are in such an orientation relative to the inflation station 1 that upon closing the suction bar arms 2, 3 the foil bags are in an upper area can be held or clamped between the terminal strips 4. The clamping strips 4 preferably comprise an elastic material.

The dimensions of the Blasmunde 7 are such that they can be introduced by the indentation 5 of the terminal strips 4 in the opened foil bag and thereby, in conjunction with the contact pressure of the Saugleistenarme 2, 3, ensure a substantially airtight seal after insertion, so that the foil bags can be inflated in a defined manner by means of air introduced through the blowing mouth 7.

The opening or closing of the Saugleistenarme 2, 3 by means of the servo motor 17, which is directly on a first drive shaft 14 (not visible here; FIG. 2 ) is arranged. By this arrangement, a direct action of the servomotor 17 on the first drive shaft 14 is possible, whereby the movement of the two Saugleistenarme 2, 3 can be better controlled and accuracy in the positioning of the Saugleistenarme 2, 3 is ensured. As a result, signs of wear of the Saugleistenarme 2, 3, in particular the vacuum suction 6 can be minimized because, for example, the contact pressure of the two Saugleistenarme 2, 3, that is also the terminal strips 4, is adjustable. Due to the exact positioning of a defined inflation of the film bag 18 is also possible because the Blasmunde 7 are exactly positioned in the opened film bag 18 and the indentations 5 of the terminal strips 4.

The first Saugleistenarm 2 is movable by the first drive shaft 14, at one end of the servo motor 17 and at the other end a first gear 9 (not visible here; FIG. 2 ) is arranged. The first Saugleistenarm 2 has two axes 10, 11 (not visible here, see FIG. 2 ), wherein the first axis 10 are connected by means of a first linkage 12 to the first drive shaft 14 and the second axis 11 by means of a second linkage 13 with a third, parallel to the first drive shaft 14 axis 15.

The second Saugleistenarm 3 also has two axes 19, 20 (not visible here, see FIG. 3 ), wherein the first axis 19 by means of a first linkage 21 with the second drive shaft 23 and thus with a second gear 16 (not visible here; FIG. 2 ) and the second axis 20 are connected by means of a second linkage 22 with a third, parallel to the second drive shaft 23 axis 24 (not shown here; FIG. 3 ).

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the closed Aufblasstation 1 in a second viewing direction obliquely below the inflation station 1, so that the side of Aufblasstation 1 with the two gears 9, 16 can be seen. The two Saugleistenarme 2, 3 were moved towards each other and the Aufblasstation 1 closed so that the terminal strips 4 are now in contact or between the terminal strips 4, the upper portions of the inflated foil bag 18 are clamped or held by it. Between the two Saugleistenarmen 2, 3 there is a contact pressure whose strength is controlled by the servo motor 17. Clearly visible are the passages for the Blasmunde 7, which are formed by the indentations 5 in the terminal strips 4.

The closing movement of the two Saugleistenarme 2, 3 was performed by the gear drive with the interlocking first 9 and second gears 16, wherein the movement of the first gear 9 has been transmitted to the second gear 16. Thus, a synchronous movement of the first 2 and the second 3 Saugleistenarms during closing, starting from the arranged on the first drive axle 14 servomotor 17th

Since the foil bags 18 are transferred to the inflation station 1 in a folded state, it is necessary for an inflating process of the foil bags 18 by means of the blow mouth 7 to first open the foil bags 18, so that the blow tubes 7 can be introduced into the opened foil bags 18 ,

By way of example, a foil bag 18 is shown, which is held between two clamping bars 4 of the suction bar arms 2, 3. In the upper, non-visible region of the film bag 18, the vacuum suction 6 are arranged on the Saugleistenarmen 2, 3. These are each brought by a horizontal process in a first direction in contact with the respective film bag halves. The first direction is directed towards the foil bag 18. By sucking air into the vacuum cups 6, a negative pressure and thus a suction effect are generated, so that the two film bag halves are sucked in the region of the vacuum suction 6 and pulled apart by a horizontal process of the vacuum suction 6 in a second direction, opposite to the first direction can be, whereby the film bag 18 are opened, so that the Blasmunde 7 can be introduced into the inflation process in it.

During or after the Blasmunde 7 are introduced or introduced into the film bag 18, the contact pressure of the two Saugleistenarme 2, 3 can be readjusted by means of the servo motor 17, for example by monitoring and control of the current consumption of the servomotor 17. By increasing the contact pressure the film bags 18 are not only held between the clamping bars 4 of the Saugleistenarme 2, 3, but when the Blasmunde 7 have been introduced into the film bag 18, sealed. Without such a seal would sterile gas and / or air, which is introduced by means of the Blasmunde 7 during the Aufblasprozesses in the foil bag 18, partially escape again. By such inflation, in which gas and / or air escapes again during inflation, foil bags 18 would not have a defined shape and thus no defined cavity in their interior after the inflation process.

By readjusting the contact pressure of the two Saugleistenarme 2, 3 by means of the attached directly to the drive shaft 14 servo motor 17, after the vacuum suction 6 have already moved in the second direction, an additional mechanical stress of the vacuum suction 6 is avoided, so that signs of wear are minimized can.

After blowing and opening the Saugleistenarme 2, 3, the inflated foil bag 18 can be supplied by the foil bag transport device further processes.

FIG. 3 shows a detail of the movement of the two Saugleistenarme 2, 3. In this schematic side view of the first 2 and the second Saugleistenarm 3 and the first 9 and the second gear 16 can be seen. The first Saugleistenarm 2 is movable by the first drive shaft 14, at one end of the servo motor 17 and at the other end of the first gear 9 is arranged. The first Saugleistenarm 2 also has axes 10, 11, wherein the first axis 10 are connected by means of a linkage 12 with the first drive shaft 14 and the second axis 11 by means of a linkage 13 with a third, parallel to the first drive shaft 14 axis 15.

The second Saugleistenarm 3 also has two axes 19, 20, wherein the first axis 19 are connected by means of a linkage 21 with the second drive shaft 23 and the second axis 20 by means of a linkage 22 with a third, parallel to the second drive shaft 23 axis 24 ,

By this gear drive with the two intermeshing gears 9, 16, the movement of the first gear 9 to the second gear 16 and thus a drive movement the first drive shaft 14, on which the servo motor 17 is arranged, transmitted to the second drive shaft 23. Thus, there is always a synchronous movement of the first 2 and the second 3 Saugleistenarms during the opening or closing of the Aufblasstation 1. Due to the illustrated arrangement of the two Saugleistenarme 2, 3, it is thus possible to perform a rotationally-parallel movement, whereby the desired precise Execution of the movement and a control of the contact pressure of the two Saugleistenarme 2, 3 can be ensured.

Claims (9)

1. Inflating station (1) in a film bag filling apparatus for inflating of film bags (18) prior to a filling process, wherein the inflating station (1) comprises a first suction bar arm (2) and a second suction bar arm (3) for opening of multiple film bags (18) that are arranged next to on another and a vertical displaceable n inflating bar (8) with inflating spouts (7) arranged thereon for inflating of the opened film bags (18), wherein the first suction bar arm (2) is moveable with a first drive shaft (14) and the second suction bar arm (3) with a second drive shaft (23), wherein a servo engine (17) is arranged on the first drive shaft (14) and a drive movement of the first drive shaft (14) is transferred from a first gear wheel (9) to a second gear wheel (16) that encroaches in the first gear wheel (9) and from the second gear wheel to the second drive shaft (23), wherein the suction bar arms (2, 3) are designed to apply a contact pressure in a closed state, wherein the suction bar arms (2, 3) comprise clamping bars (4) with bulgings (5) and vacuum cups (6), wherein the vacuum cups (6) are designed to open film bags (18) in a closed state of the suction bar arms (2, 3) by means of vacuum suction and horizontal displacement of the vacuum cups (6) such that the inflating spouts (7) may be inserted therein for the inflating process, wherein the inflating station (1) further comprises a measurement and control device for a current of the servo engine (17)
2. Inflating station of claim 1, wherein the clamping bars (4) comprise elastic material.
3. Inflating station of to claim 1 or 2, wherein the measurement and control device is designed to control the contact pressure on the basis of type information of the film bags (18) by means of the current of the servo engine (17).
4. Inflating station of one of claims 1 to 3, which further comprises an evaluation and control unit that is designed to calculate a strength of a pressure pulse for inflating on the basis of type information of the film bags (18).
5. Inflating station of one of claims 1 to 4, which further comprises a film bag transporting device.
6. Method for inflating of film bags (18) with the inflating station (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5 with the steps:

   - positioning of the film bags (18) below the inflating station (1),

   - closing of the suction bar arms (2, 3) and applying of a contact pressure with a first value,

   - horizontal displacing of the vacuum cups (6) in a first direction and bringing them in contact with the corresponding film bag halves; forming of a negative pressure,

   - horizontal displacing of the vacuum cups (6) in a second direction and therefore opening of the film bags (18),

   - inserting the inflating spouts (7) in the opened film bags (18)

   - increasing of the contact pressure to a second value and

   - subsequently inflating of the film bags (18) by means of the inserted inflating spouts (7).
7. Method of claim 6 that comprises after the inflating step an opening of the suction bar arms (2, 3) and a removing of the inflating spouts (7) from the inflated film bags (18).
8. Method of claim 7 in which a subsequent removing of the inflated film bags (18) takes place.
9. Method of one of claims 6 to 8 with the further steps:

   - inputting of the type information of the film bags (18) and/or reading of type information of the film bags (18) out of a data storage,

   - calculating of a set current of the servo engine (17) based on the type information by means of a measurement and control device,

   - controlling the servo engine (17) according to the set current.

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