EP3303153B1 - Air conditioning device, in particular for a vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for feeding products into containers, in particular bags in cartons, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding device according to the preamble of claim 9.

In practice, it is always necessary that different products are placed in a common container and packaged. The different products may, for example, be bags with different contents. It is also conceivable that although the contents are the same but the quantities are different. Of course, a combination of both is possible. Furthermore, the shape and / or the presentation of the bag may differ from each other. The different products thus differ in at least one parameter.

In the prior art according to US 2003/0183481 A1 discloses a solution that allows different products to be supplied to a common container. The products are first transported sorted on respective conveyors (a, b, c) and fed from there to a grouping conveyor (6). From Gruppierförderer the different products are detected as a group and placed in a container (14).

One problem with known packaging machines is that the different products must be present in the required number for insertion into the container. However, this is difficult at least when the delivery of the products is subject to certain fluctuations, for example in the case of disturbances in the products and / or delivery of the products. This usually makes the arrangement of expensive product storage required or there are adverse interruptions in the packaging process.

On this basis, the invention is based on the object to further develop methods and devices of the type mentioned, in particular with regard to the most cost-effective and uninterruptible supply of the products to the container.

A method for achieving this object has the features of claim 1. It is therefore provided that the conveying speed of the feeders is controlled such that the products are present following the feeders in a sequence which corresponds to the arrangement of the products within the container.

By adapting or controlling the conveying speed of the sort-feed conveying conveyor, it is possible to compensate for fluctuations in the supply of the products. In this way can be dispensed with a memory for the products. In addition, the products are in the required order or sorting following the feeders.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention it is provided that the products are fed by means of feeders to a discharge conveyor, wherein the products are preferably transferred by means of at least one slide from the individual feeders to the discharge conveyor, namely according to the sequence of products in the container.

In a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the feed devices are designed as conveyor belts, on which the products are transported, wherein the conveying speed of the conveyor belts can be influenced by means of a control such that the products reach the discharge conveyor in a sequence corresponding to the sequence of Products in the container corresponds.

A special feature may consist in that each feeding device is formed of a plurality of conveyors following each other in the conveying direction of the products, wherein the

Conveyor speed of the individual conveyor belts is controlled individually to achieve the desired order of products on the discharge conveyor.

It is advantageous if the products from the last conveyor belts of the feeders are deported to the discharge conveyor arranged substantially at the same height, wherein the discharge conveyor is directed transversely to the feeders and transported the products accordingly in the direction of the means for feeding the products into the container , In particular, this solution has the advantage that the products need not be raised, set down or dropped, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the products.

In a preferred embodiment it is provided that the discharge conveyor is formed of a plurality of adjoining conveyor belts, on which the products are transported, wherein the conveying speed of at least one conveyor belt can be influenced by means of the controller so that groups of products are formed, wherein between the groups other, in particular larger, distances are formed in the conveying direction, as between the products of a group, and wherein the products of a group preferably form a layer of products within the container.

This solution has the particular advantage that by the formation of spaced groups of Abschub the products in the container without interruption of the promotion can take place.

An alternative development may provide for the products to be fed from the feed devices (directly or without transverse discharge conveyors) into the carton, the feed devices being designed to be at least partially pivotable in order to place the products at the appropriate place in the carton.

An apparatus for solving the above-mentioned problem has the features of claim 9. It is therefore provided that supply means for each kind of products for transporting the same are provided in the direction of means for feeding the products into a container, wherein the conveying speed of the feed means by means of a controller controllable is that the products following the feeders are in a sequence that corresponds to the arrangement of the products within the container.

Preferably, a discharge conveyor is provided downstream of the feed devices, to which the products can be supplied by the feed devices, wherein the products are arranged on the discharge conveyor according to the sequence of the products in the container.

In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the feed devices are designed as conveyor belts, on which the products are transported, wherein the conveying speed of the conveyor belts can be influenced by means of a control such that the products reach the discharge conveyor in a sequence which corresponds to the sequence of products in the Container corresponds.

A special feature may consist in that each feeder is formed of several successive in the conveying direction of the products conveyors, the conveying speed of the individual conveyor belts is individually controlled to achieve the desired order of the products on the discharge conveyor.

Preferably, it is provided that at least the respective last conveyor belts of the feeders and the discharge conveyor are arranged substantially equal in height, so that the products from the conveyor belts are pushed onto the discharge conveyor, wherein the discharge conveyor is arranged directed transversely to the feeders and the products in the direction of Device for feeding the products transported in the container.

Another special feature may consist in that the discharge conveyor is formed of a plurality of adjoining conveyor belts, on which the products are transported, wherein the conveying speed of at least one conveyor belt can be influenced by the controller in such a way that groups of products can be formed, wherein between the groups other, in particular larger, distances are formed in the conveying direction, as between the products of a group, and wherein the products of a group preferably form a layer of products within the container.

According to an alternative development, it can be provided that the feed devices are at least partially pivotable in order to place the products directly in the container at the corresponding position.

In this case, it can further be provided that the feed devices for transferring the products into the container are designed as endless conveyors, wherein the products are held and transported between conveying runs of the endless conveyors, and wherein the plane formed by the conveying runs in the transport direction, preferably together are to supply the product according to the position in the container this.

Preferably, it is further provided that the feed devices are formed independently of each other pivotable and / or driven.

Fig. 1

einen ersten Behälter mit unterschiedlichen Produkten in schematischer räumlicher Darstellung,

Fig. 2

einen zweiten Behälter in einer Darstellung gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine Draufsicht auf eine erste Variante einer Vorrichtung zum Zuführen von Produkten in Behälter,

Fig. 4

einen Vertikalschnitt durch die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 3 entlang Schnittlinie IV - IV in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 und 6

eine Draufsicht auf die Vorrichtung entsprechend Pfeil V bzw. VI in Fig. 4 während zeitlich aufeinander folgender Phasen des Transports der Produkte,

Fig. 7

einen Vertikalschnitt durch die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 3 entlang Schnittlinie VII - VII in Fig. 3,

Fig. 8 und 9

eine Einzelheit VIII bzw. IX der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 7,

Fig. 10

eine Seitenansicht eines Teils der Vorrichtung entsprechend Pfeil X in Fig. 7,

Fig. 11 und 12

eine Draufsicht auf die Vorrichtung im Bereich XI bzw. XII gemäß Fig. 3 während zeitlich aufeinander folgender Phasen des Transports der Produkte,

Fig. 13

eine Draufsicht auf eine zweite Variante einer Vorrichtung zum Zuführen von Produkten in Behälter,

Fig. 14

einen Vertikalschnitt durch die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 13 entlang Schnittlinie XIV - XIV,

Fig. 15

einen Vertikalschnitt durch die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 13 entlang Schnittlinie XV - XV.

The invention will be explained below with reference to two preferred embodiments shown in the drawing. In the drawing show:

Fig. 1

a first container with different products in a schematic spatial representation,

Fig. 2

a second container in a representation according to Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

a top view of a first variant of a device for feeding products into containers,

Fig. 4

a vertical section through the device according to Fig. 3 along section line IV - IV in Fig. 3 .

FIGS. 5 and 6

a plan view of the device according to arrow V or VI in Fig. 4 during successive stages of the transport of the products,

Fig. 7

a vertical section through the device according to Fig. 3 along section line VII - VII in Fig. 3 .

8 and 9

a detail VIII or IX of the device according to Fig. 7 .

Fig. 10

a side view of a portion of the device according to arrow X in Fig. 7 .

FIGS. 11 and 12

a plan view of the device in the area XI or XII according to Fig. 3 during successive stages of the transport of the products,

Fig. 13

a top view of a second variant of an apparatus for feeding products into containers,

Fig. 14

a vertical section through the device according to Fig. 13 along section line XIV - XIV,

Fig. 15

a vertical section through the device according to Fig. 13 along section line XV - XV.

The invention will be described below with reference to devices for feeding bags 10 in boxes 11. Instead of bag 10, other products can be supplied, as well as other containers instead of boxes 11 come into question. Accordingly, the terms "bag" and "cardboard" are used to represent all conceivable products or containers.

The invention relates to the feeding of two different types of products A, B into the boxes 11. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show two exemplary formations of the products A, B in exemplary boxes 11.

Products A, B may differ in content, size, presentation or other features of the contents or packaging. It is of course also conceivable that the products A, B differ with respect to several factors.

While in Fig. 1 the products A, B are each arranged sorted in rows, shows Fig. 2 a formation of the products A, B, in which the products are mixed at least in some rows. It is also conceivable that the products A, B are also arranged in several layers one above the other.

Fig. 3 shows an overview of a first device for feeding bags 10 in boxes 11. The bags 10 are supplied with two feeders 12, 13 sorted, in the present case products A with the feeder 12 and products B are transported to the feeder 13.

The products A, B or bag 10 are transported with the feed devices 12, 13 in the direction of a here transversely directed discharge conveyor 14 and passed to this. For this purpose, a transfer station 15 in the crossing region of the feeders 12,13 and the discharge conveyor 14 is provided.

As Fig. 4 shows the bags 10 and products A, B (flat) lying on the feeders 12, 13 are transported.

The feed devices 12, 13 are formed by a plurality of successive and adjoining conveyor belts 16 on which the products A, B or bags 10 lie flat. In the present case, three conveyor belts 16 are arranged successively, it being understood that the number of conveyor belts 16 can also be greater or less. During transport, the bags 10 are held by vacuum on the conveyor belts 16. For this purpose, in each case below the conveyor belts 16 there is a vacuum chamber 17, with the aid of which the bags 10 can be subjected to a vacuum and thus held on the conveyor belts 16.

Each conveyor belt 16 is individually driven by a servo motor 18. The control of the servomotors 18 is performed by a controller, not shown. With the aid of the control, it is possible to regulate the conveying speed of the individual conveyor belts 16 individually via the servomotors 18.

In the transfer station 15 is located after the three conveyor belts 16 of the feeder 12, a further conveyor belt 16, however, without a vacuum chamber 17th Above the conveyor belt 16 is the working area of a slide 19 with which the bags 10 are transversely pushed onto the discharge conveyor 14. The slider 19 is arranged in the present case as a driver on an above the conveyor 16 arranged (endless) conveyor 20. As shown, a plurality of slides 19 may be provided on the conveyor 20, each pushing off a product A, B.

A special feature is that the feeders 12, 13 and the discharge conveyor 14 or the conveyor belts 16 and the discharge conveyor 14 are arranged substantially equal in height, so that the bags 10 can be deported at the same height. It is therefore not necessary to take the bag 10 and set down, so that the transport of the bag 10 is particularly gentle.

In order to be able to adapt the device to different bags 10 or different products A, B, funnel-shaped baffles 21 are provided in the region of the feed devices 12, 13 with which the position of the bags 10 in the conveying direction or in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belts 16 can be centered , The distance of the baffles 21 to each other can be adjusted by an adjusting motor 22, for example, to process different widths products A, B can.

Also, the conveyor 20 with its driver-like slides 19 is adjustable. For this purpose, the conveyor 20 is arranged on a support arm 23 which is mounted vertically adjustable. In this way, the device can be adapted to different high or thick products A, B.

In addition, a height-adjustable stop 24 is arranged at the end of the conveyor belts 16. By lowering, lifting or otherwise, products A, B can be discharged if necessary, as shown schematically in Fig. 4 shown.

This device described so far works as follows:
To put a container in the Fig. 1 To be able to fill shown manner, three products B and two products A are required per row or situation. For this purpose, the feed devices 12, 13 or their conveyor belts 16 are controlled such that the products A, B reach the last conveyor belt 16 in the corresponding sequence and there by the conveyor 20 and its slide 19 are pushed onto the discharge conveyor 14.

In the present case, the feeding device 13 is accordingly operated such that initially three products B reach the discharge conveyor 14 and then two products A. Accordingly, the feeding device 12 is generally operated more slowly than the feeding device 13 during the feeding of the products B.

Fig. 5 In addition, it can be seen that the products B can not be supplied in sufficient quantity here by way of example, which can be seen from the large distances between the products B. Normally, the system would have to be stopped in such a situation until a sufficient number of products B is available again. In the present case, however, the supply of the products A can be delayed and at the same time the speed of the conveyor belts 16 of the feeder 13 are accelerated to provide timely products B, so that the sequence of products A, B is maintained on the discharge conveyor 14.

Should it not be possible to provide the products B in sufficient time in good time, it is also conceivable to dispose of "surplus" products A at the end of the feed device 12, wherein the stop 24 as in Fig. 4 is shown away. The products A thus discharged can be fed again to the feed device 12.

FIGS. 5 and 6 also show that in the area of the stop 24 also photoelectric barriers 25 are provided for each conveyor line in order to detect the presence of products A, B in the area of the conveyor 20.

Fig. 7 shows the further transport of the products A, B on the discharge conveyor 14. It shows that also the discharge conveyor 14 is formed of a plurality of conveyor belts 26, which in turn can be driven individually by servo motors 18. The aim of this measure is the formation of groups of products A, B, wherein the groups in the present case each correspond to a series or position of products A, B in the carton 11. This is done in the present case preferably so that the middle conveyor belt 26 of the discharge conveyor 14 is used to accelerate the products A, B, to between successive Groups to create a distance. For this purpose, the corresponding conveyor belt 26 is equipped with a vacuum chamber 17.

At the end of the discharge conveyor 14, the products A, B are transversely pushed by means of a corresponding slide 27. The slide works together with a special transfer table 28, which is designed to be height adjustable.

The products A, B are transferred from the discharge conveyor 14 to the transfer table 28. For this purpose, the last in the conveying direction conveyor belt 26 extends into the region of the transfer table 28. A peripheral deflection roller 29 is mounted horizontally displaceable so as to be able to fill individual compartments 30, 31 of the transfer table 28. In the present case, the compartments 30, 31 are of different sizes and widths, corresponding to the number of products A, B in a group. First, the tray 30 is filled with two products A, then the reversing roller 29 is withdrawn to settle the products B in the tray 31 can. The removal of the products A, B from the conveyor belt 26 takes place during the retraction of the deflection roller 29 in a shingled formation.

Fig. 9 shows a variant of the transfer table 28 with only one compartment 30. Such a solution can be used when only one type of product is to be fed into the boxes 11.

Fig. 10 shows the operation of the slider 27. The slider 27 is moved over the here slightly inclined arranged transfer table 28, so that the products A, B are pushed out of the compartments 30, 31 in a prepared box 11. The carton 11 is held by a robot 32 or a gripper arm 33 thereof. When transferring the products A, B from the transfer table 28, a retractable and extendable guide plate 34 is also used, which is already known from similar devices.

The slider 27 is mounted on a servo axis 36 via a plurality of levers 35 in order to ensure the Abschub of the products A, B.

A further detail consists in that the compartments 30, 31 can be closed by flaps 37 on the side facing the cardboard 11 ( FIGS. 11 and 12 ). In this way it can be prevented that unwanted products A, B slip from the transfer table 28 or from the compartments 30, 31.

The actual feeding of the products A, B into a carton 11 works as follows:
The products A, B are fed to the discharge conveyor 14, 26 groups of products A, B are formed by means of individually driven conveyor belts, each corresponding to a layer or series of products A, B in the carton 11. These groups are then transported by the last conveyor belt 26 to the transfer table 28 and stored there in one of the two compartments 30,31. When depositing the deflection roller 29 is withdrawn, so that the products A, B can be stored from above in the compartments 30, 31. Thereafter, the products A, B are pushed by the slider 27 in the prepared box 11. For this purpose, the flaps 37 as in Fig. 12 shown open.

After relative movement of transfer table 28 and carton 11 in the vertical direction, the next row or layer of products A, B can then be filled into the carton 11.

The filled boxes 11 are provided by the robot 32 for removal ( Fig. 3 ). In the present case, two robots 32 are provided, with which in each case a carton 11 is handled alternately. The empty boxes 11 are fed by means of a feed conveyor 38.

A second variant of a device for feeding products into containers is in Fig. 13 to 15 shown. In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment, the products A, B are not transferred from the feed devices 12, 13 to a transverse discharge conveyor 14, but instead are transported more or less directly into the cartons 11.

In the present case, this is achieved in such a way that the feed devices 12, 13 are designed to be pivotable following the conveyor belts 16 with the guide plates 21. In this way, the products A, B by individually pivoting the Supply conveyor 12, 13 according to the desired formation of the products A, B store in the container or carton 11.

Another special feature is that the products A, B do not rest on a conveyor in the region of this last conveyor section but are held between two conveyor belts. Against this background, the last conveying section of the feed devices 12, 13 is referred to below as a tray conveyor 39. The two storage conveyor 39 are therefore individually pivotable and driven. In addition, the conveying paths of the storage conveyor 39 are formed rotated along the longitudinal axis, so that the bag 10 can be stored in the carton 11 scaled.

Further, a separating member 40 is movable into the carton to separate the products A and B from each other. In particular, in this way it is possible first to promote all products A, B of a variety in the container and then all the products of another variety.

In order to be able to arrange the products A, B not only in one layer or row in the cardboard 11 in this solution but also in several superimposed layers or rows, it is further provided that the deposition conveyors 39 are pivotable not only in the horizontal plane, but also in the vertical plane.

Also in the second embodiment, in the area of the feeders 12, 13 by individual control of the conveying speed of the conveyor belts 16, the order of arrival of the products A, B in the carton 11 can be controlled. Moreover, even with this solution, it is possible to eject or remove excess products A, B, for example by means of an outfeed conveyor, which can be arranged between the two storage conveyors 39 (not shown in the figures). LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 10 bag B product 11 carton 12 feeding 13 feeding 14 discharge conveyor 15 Transfer station 16 conveyor belt 17 vacuum chamber 18 servomotor 19 pusher 20 promoter 21 baffle 22 adjusting 23 support arm 24 attack 25 photocell 26 conveyor belt 27 pusher 28 Delivery table 29 idler pulley 30 subject 31 subject 32 robot 33 claw arm 34 baffle 35 lever 36 servo axis 37 flap 38 feeder 39 disposing conveyor 40 separating element A product

Claims (17)

1. A method of feeding products (A, B) into containers, in particular of feeding bags (10) into cartons (11), wherein at least two different types of products (A, B) are fed into a container, and wherein the products are transported via respective feeding devices (12, 13), in particular conveyors (16), in the direction of a device for feeding the products into a container, and wherein each type of the products (A, B) is transported separately by means of a dedicated feeding device (12, 13), characterized in that the conveying speed of the feeding devices (12, 13) is controlled such that, following the feeding devices (12, 13), the products (A, B) are present in a sequence which corresponds to the arrangement of the products (A, B) within the container.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the feeding devices (12, 13) feed the products (A, B) to a removal conveyor (14), wherein the products (A, B) are transferred from the individual feeding devices (12, 13) to the removal conveyor (14), specifically in accordance with the sequence of the products (A, B) in the container.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the feeding devices (12, 13) are designed in the form of conveyor belts (16), on which the products (A, B) are transported, wherein the conveying speed of the conveyor belts (16) can be influenced by a control means such that the products (A, B) reach the removal conveyor (14) in a sequence which corresponds to the sequence of the products (A, B) in the container.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that each feeding device (12, 13) is formed from a plurality of conveyor belts (16) following one after the other in the conveying direction of the products (A, B), wherein the conveying speed of the individual conveyor belts (16) is controlled individually in order to achieve the desired order of the products (A, B) on the removal conveyor (14).
5. The method as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the products (A, B) are pushed off from the respectively final conveyor belts (16) of the feeding devices (12, 13) onto the removal conveyor (14), which is arranged at an essentially equal height level, wherein the removal conveyor (14) is directed transversely to the feeding devices (12, 13) and correspondingly transports the products (A, B) away in the direction of the device for feeding the products (A, B) into the container.
6. The method as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the removal conveyor (14) is formed from a plurality of adjoining conveyor belts (26), on which the products (A, B) are transported, wherein the conveying speed of at least one conveyor belt (26) can be influenced by the control means such that groups of products (A, B) are formed, wherein the distances formed between the groups in the conveying direction are different, in particular greater, than those between the products (A, B) of a group, and wherein the products (A, B) of a group form preferably a layer or row of products (A, B) within the container.
7. The method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that excess products (A, B) are removed from the removal conveyor (14), wherein the products (A, B) are pushed off from the removal conveyor (14), in particular in the region where the products (A, B) are fed to the removal conveyor (14), and preferably by continuation of the conveying movement of the feeding by way of the respective feeding device (12, 13).
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the products (A, B) are fed into a container (directly) by the feeding devices (12, 13), wherein the feeding devices (12, 13), at least in part, are of pivotable design in order to set down the products (A, B) at an appropriate location in the container.
9. An apparatus for feeding products into containers. in particular for feeding bags (10) into cartons (11), wherein at least two different types of products (A, B) are fed into a container, with feeding devices (12, 13) for a respective type of products (A, B), for transporting the same in the direction of a device for feeding the products (A, B) into a container, characterized in that the conveying speed of the feeding devices (12, 13) can be controlled by a control means such that, following the feeding devices (12, 13), the products (A, B) are present in a sequence which corresponds to the arrangement of the products (A, B) within the container.
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, characterized by a removal conveyor (14) which can be fed the products (A, B) by the feeding devices (12, 13), wherein the products (A, B) are arranged on the removal conveyor (14) in accordance with the sequence of the products (A, B) in the container.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the feeding devices (12, 13) are designed in the form of conveyor belts (16), on which the products (A, B) are transported, wherein the conveying speed of the conveyor belts (16) can be influenced by a control means such that the products (A, B) reach the removal conveyor (14) in a sequence which corresponds to the sequence of the products (A, B) in the container.
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that each feeding device (12, 13) is formed from a plurality of conveyor belts (16) following one after the other in the conveying direction of the products (A, B), wherein the conveying speed of the individual conveyor belts (16) can be controlled individually in order to achieve the desired order of the products (A, B) on the removal conveyor (14).
13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that at least the respectively final conveyor belts (16) of the feeding devices (12, 13) and the removal conveyor (14) are arranged at an essentially equal height level, and therefore the products (A, B) can be pushed off from the conveyor belts (16) onto the removal conveyor (14), wherein the removal conveyor (14) is directed transversely to the feeding devices (12, 13) and transports the products (A, B) in the direction of the device for feeding the products (A, B) into the container.
14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the removal conveyor (14) is formed from a plurality of adjoining conveyor belts (26), on which the products (A, B) are transported, wherein the conveying speed of at least one conveyor belt (26) can be influenced by the control means such that groups of products (A, B) can be formed, wherein the distances formed between the groups in the conveying direction are different, in particular greater, than those between the products (A, B) of a group, and wherein the products of a group form preferably a layer or row of products (A, B) within the container.
15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the feeding devices (12, 13), at least in part, are of pivotable design in order to set down the products (A, B) directly in the container at the appropriate position.
16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the feeding devices (12, 13) are designed in the form of endless conveyors for transferring the products (A, B) into the container, wherein the products are retained and transported between conveying strands of the endless conveyors, and wherein the planes formed by the conveying strands are twisted, preferably jointly, in the transporting direction in order to feed the product (A, B) to the container in accordance with the position in the latter.
17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the feeding devices (12, 13) are designed such that they can be pivoted and/or driven independently of one another.

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