EP3405394A1

EP3405394A1 - Device and method for grouping and combining articles into multiple packages with different package sizes

Info

Publication number: EP3405394A1
Application number: EP16822639.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Helmut Schwarz
Original assignee: Krones AG
Current assignee: Krones AG
Priority date: 2016-01-18
Filing date: 2016-12-15
Publication date: 2018-11-28
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-15
Also published as: EP3405394B1; US20190031381A1; DE102016200540A1; CN108473216A; WO2017125219A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for grouping and combining articles (5) into packages with different package sizes. The device comprises a dividing unit (3), by means of which groups (6a, 6b, 6c) can be formed from moved articles (5). Also provided is a cutting station (18) for cutting to length flat thermoplastic packaging material (20) from a material supply, a workstation (40) for applying the cut-to-length flat thermoplastic packaging material (20) to the groups (6a, 6b, 6c) of articles, and a shrinking tunnel (50), to which the groups (6a, 6b, 6c) can be fed, together with their respective applied and cut-to-length thermoplastic packaging materials (20), in order to produce the packages. The dividing unit (3) and the cutting station (18) are operatively connected to one another by an open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit (S), which has information relating to a layer to be produced from the packages. It is further provided that a) the dividing unit (3) can be actuated in a determined sequence via the open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit (S) taking into account the information for the forming of groups (6a, 6b, 6c) with different sizes, and that b) the cutting station (18) can be actuated corresponding to the determined sequence via the open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit (S) in order to cut to length the flat thermoplastic packaging material (20) with dimensions matching the size of the respective group (6a, 6b, 6c).

Description

Arrangement and Procedure for Grouping and

Combining articles into multiple items with different package sizes

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for

Grouping and combining articles into multiple containers

different container sizes.

In the production of containers articles or beverage containers are guided in several parallel rows in the direction of a one-piece, which leading articles or beverage containers against lagging articles or

Accelerated beverage containers and thereby produces a respective compilation of articles or beverage containers for a container. The compositions are then moved in the direction of a impact module, which

apply thermoplastic packaging material to the respective composition. Subsequently, the compositions are supplied with their respective thermoplastic packaging material to a shrink tunnel, wherein the thermoplastic packaging material is shrunk onto the respective composition and the respective articles or beverage containers on the thermoplastic

Packaging material are combined to form a respective container. To

Leaving the shrink tunnel, the containers can be brought into a specific orientation or orientation, from which subsequently a palletizable layer is formed.

Practice has shown that the space available on a pallet for such a situation is not always optimally utilized so that free spaces remain after the respective layer has been deposited on a pallet. Such problems are particularly present when the respective situation is to have several containers with a different number of articles and / or containers with different article size. If this is the case, temporally separate processes for producing the respective different containers are required for this purpose. It would be desirable therefore possibilities, which the production of layers with

Packages that have different sizes simplify. In addition, would be

Devices or methods desirable, which are compared with the prior Technique known methods or devices characterized by greater flexibility.

An object of the invention can therefore be seen to provide a generic device and a generic method available, by means of which in a simple manner layers of articles or containers of different sizes can be formed. In addition, the method and the device should be characterized by a high degree of flexibility in the creation of such layers.

The above object is achieved by an apparatus and a method comprising the features in independent claims 1 and 5, respectively. Further advantageous embodiments are described by the dependent claims.

The invention relates to a device for grouping and summarizing articles into several containers with different container sizes. The articles may be formed in preferred embodiments by beverage containers.

In particular, it is conceivable that the articles are formed by filled beverage containers and preferably by filled PET bottles.

The device comprises a dividing device, by means of which groupings can be formed from moving articles. For this purpose, the one-piece device can space away leading articles intended for a respective grouping from lagging articles. In particular, the one-piece device may comprise a plurality of rotating one-piece rods and / or one-piece fingers, wherein a respective Einteilstab or Einteilfinger in its orbital motion with intended for a particular grouping articles in contact and provided for the respective grouping articles to subsequent or anticipatory Spaced apart items intended for further grouping. The dividing bars and / or dividing fingers may be guided underneath a transport plane designed for the articles, appearing above the transport plane and in each case coming into contact with a respective article arranged at the top in a respective grouping.

Surface contact occur. The dividing device may comprise at least one conveyor belt, by means of which at least one conveyor belt the articles or the groupings formed from the articles are moved. The at least one

If necessary, the conveyor belt can form the previously mentioned transport plane, below which the dividing bars and / or dividing fingers are guided. A conveying speed the conveyor belt may be formed enlarged in relation to a speed of movement of the dividing bars and / or dividing fingers.

In conceivable embodiments, it may be that the articles of

Einteileinrichtung be supplied in several parallel rows. For example, the one-part device can be arranged upstream of at least one horizontal conveyor on which articles stand up and by means of a plurality of mutually parallel oriented

Gassenbleche be performed in the parallel rows. Such embodiments have proven particularly useful, if formed by the one-piece device

Groupings are to comprise several articles juxtaposed in a direction of movement of the respective grouping. In further embodiments, it is also conceivable that the articles of the one-piece device are supplied in only one row or as a single-row article stream.

The device also comprises a separating station for cutting flat sheet thermoplastic packaging material from a supply of material. For example, the material supply can be arranged on a supply roll and cut to length from the

Reservoir be handled. The device may thus comprise a retaining pin on which the supply roll is seated. The supply roll and the separation station can be arranged between at least one guide roller, on which the sheet-like thermoplastic packaging material rests on movement in the direction of the separation station. In particular, a plurality of guide rollers may be provided, which deflect the thermoplastic packaging material and lead in the direction of a workstation described below. Further, a control and / or regulating unit may be provided, which is in communication with the retaining pin. The workstation described below can also be coupled to the control and / or regulating unit. In conceivable embodiments, the control and / or regulating unit may be a rotational frequency of the retaining mandrel for unwinding thermoplastic

Packaging material under consideration of a respective actual need of the workstation described below over the time course automatically or independently regulate. It is therefore conceivable that the device comprises a retaining pin on which a thermoplastic packaging material carrying

Supply roll can be arranged, wherein a rotational frequency of the retaining mandrel on the control and / or regulating unit, taking into account a respective need for thermoplastic packaging material is independently controllable. It may also be that the storage roll or the retaining pin and the separation station in a running direction of the sheet-like thermoplastic packaging material, a memory or dancer is interposed, which absorb thermoplastic packaging material and can deliver when needed. Furthermore, the device comprises a workstation for applying the

cut to length laminar thermoplastic packaging material on the groupings of articles. For example, for this purpose, several impact bars may be provided which emerge from below a conveying plane or transport plane designed for the articles and place the thermoplastic packaging material around the groupings of articles. The workstation may comprise at least one conveyor belt on which the groupings during the application of the thermoplastic

Stand up packaging material or means of which at least one conveyor belt, the groupings during the application of the thermoplastic

Packaging material to be moved. In addition, a shrink tunnel is provided, to which the groups can be fed together with their respective applied and cut thermoplastic packaging material for producing the container. The groupings can be passed through the shrink tunnel together with their respective applied and cut thermoplastic packaging material

Heat energy to be applied. Resulting from the application of heat energy resulting in the respective grouping applied and cut to length thermoplastic packaging material can be shrunk onto the respective grouping. As a result, a respective container can be generated from the respective grouping. According to the invention, it is provided that the dividing device and the separating station are connected to a control and / or regulating unit, which has information about a position to be produced from containers. The one-piece device can be controlled via the control and / or regulating unit, taking into account the information for forming groupings with different sizes or different number of articles in a specific sequence. Next is the separation station on the control and / or regulating unit for cutting the sheet-like thermoplastic

Packaging material with a sizing adapted to the size or number of articles of the respective grouping dimensions according to the particular order controllable. As previously mentioned, the workstation may comprise at least one conveyor belt on which the groupings stand during the application of the thermoplastic packaging material or by means of which at least one conveyor belt the groupings are moved during the application of the thermoplastic packaging material. It is conceivable that a transport speed or conveying speed of the at least one

Transport belt for groupings on the control and / or regulating unit, taking into account a respective size of the respective groupings, which are moved for applying the thermoplastic packaging material by means of the at least one conveyor belt, in real time is controllable. It may also be that a speed of the previously mentioned and formed as part of the workstation impact bars on the control and / or regulating unit under

Considering a respective size of the respective groupings, which pass through the workstation for applying the thermoplastic packaging material, can be regulated in real time.

It may also be that a movement speed for the cut thermoplastic packaging material in the direction of the workstation via the control and / or regulating unit, taking into account a respective dimensioning of the cut blanks adjusted or regulated. In this case, from the cut thermoplastic packaging material formed blank with greater dimensions compared to the cut thermoplastic

Packaging material formed blanks with lesser dimensioning possibly be performed at a higher speed of movement in the direction of the workstation.

In conceivable embodiments, the device may have at least one optical detection device in communication with the control and / or regulating unit, by means of which a position may be transferred to the thermoplastic

Packaging material applied print is recognizable, wherein the separation station on the control and / or regulating unit for the defined cutting of the planar

thermoplastic packaging material, taking into account the detected via the at least one optical detection device position of the imprint can be controlled. Thus, even with different container sizes a desired

Appearance of the shrunk onto the respective assortment of articles sheet thermoplastic packaging material can be ensured. In preferred embodiments, the optical detection device can be designed as a camera system. Furthermore, it may be that the control and / or regulating unit can provide information about the volume of the articles intended for the respective layer, wherein the control and / or regulating unit is designed to independently generate the information taking into account the information about the volume of the articles. For this purpose, an intelligent logic can be stored on the control and / or regulating unit, by means of which the control and / or regulating unit independently generates the information from the information about the volume of the article or container intended for the respective position. In this way, it can be ensured that an available space or space for a position capable of being palletized is utilized in the best possible way or that a palletizable layer can be formed from the largest possible number of articles or containers.

In addition, embodiments in which the separating station comprises at least one mechanical and / or optical separating instrument for cutting the two-dimensional thermoplastic packaging material have proven successful. The mechanical

Separating instrument may optionally have a movable blade for cutting the sheet-like thermoplastic packaging material. If the separation station has an optical separation instrument, the optical separation instrument may as

Laser beam cutting machine to be formed.

The apparatus may also comprise a supply of thermoplastic packaging material for the supply of material, wherein the storage device and the separation station are interposed, preferably in the form of a dancer, storage for thermoplastic packaging material.

The invention further relates to a method for grouping and

Combining articles into containers with different container sizes.

Features which have already been mentioned above for various embodiments of the device can also be provided in various embodiments of the method according to the invention and are therefore not mentioned redundantly. In addition, the following features, which various embodiments of the

relate to the invention, be provided in the previously described device. It is conceivable that the device is designed to implement the embodiments of the method according to the invention described below.

As part of the process, individual groups are formed from several articles moving in succession. Furthermore, sheet-like thermoplastic packaging material is applied to the groupings. This will be followed chronologically surface thermoplastic packaging material subjected to heat energy, resulting in the formation of packages by shrinking the sheet-like thermoplastic packaging material to the groupings.

In the context of the method according to the invention, it is additionally provided that, taking into account a predetermined composition and distribution of a layer to be produced from the bundles, a plurality of groups of different sizes are formed in a specific order and that blanks provide laminar thermoplastic packaging material with a dimensioning adapted to the size of the respective grouping the particular order generated and for that

Be provided to the respective grouping.

Further, it may be that the plural groupings of different sizes are formed by a plurality of groupings having a different number of articles.

Have proven to be embodiments in which when generating the

Blanks a position of the thermoplastic packaging material

applied printing is taken into account. The position of the printing applied to the thermoplastic packaging material can be sensed or detected in preferred embodiments. In particular, the respective position of the print applied to the thermoplastic packaging material can be detected and / or detected by means of an optical sensor system and preferably by means of a camera system.

It may also be that the blanks of the sheet-like thermoplastic

Packaging material can be formed by separating a material supply by means of an optical and / or mechanical cutting instrument. It may be that the blank of the sheet-like thermoplastic packaging material by separating a material supply by means of a load beam and / or a cutting blade are formed.

It is also conceivable that the sheet-like thermoplastic packaging material is unwound from a supply roll and unwound from the supply roll and still standing in connection with the supply roll surface thermoplastic

Packaging material is received by means of a preferably designed as a dancer memory for sheet-like thermoplastic packaging material. In the following, embodiments of the invention and their advantages with reference to the accompanying figures will be explained in more detail. The proportions of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the actual size ratios, since some shapes are simplified and other shapes are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a

device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows in the flowchart individual steps of a conceivable one

Embodiment of a method according to the invention. Identical or equivalent elements of the invention will be identical

Reference numeral used. The illustrated embodiment is merely an example of how the invention may be configured and is not an exhaustive limitation. It is further to be understood that the features described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2 below are not intended to be in isolation of the embodiment but may be incorporated by reference general context can be used.

The only FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention. The device 1 is provided for

Grouping and summarizing articles 5 into several containers with

different sizes. For this purpose, the device 1 comprises a dividing device 3, by means of which groupings 6a, 6b and 6c can be formed from moving articles 5.

For this purpose, the dividing device 3 has a horizontal conveying device 7, on which the articles 5 stand up to form a respective grouping 6a, 6b, 6c.

In addition, a plurality of circumferential one-piece fingers 4 can be seen, which emerge from below a conveying plane provided by the horizontal conveyor 7 and subsequently come into contact with at least one moving article 5 of a respective grouping 6a, 6b, 6c to be formed from the articles 5. A

Movement speed of the Einteilfinger 4 is opposite to one

Transport speed of the horizontal conveyor 7 formed smaller, so that on the Einteilfinger 4 selectively Article 5 with respect to a transport speed of the horizontal conveyor 7 are delayed to form from the articles 5 to be recognized in Figure 1 groupings 6a, 6b and 6c. Furthermore, the device 1 comprises a separating station 18 for cutting flat thermoplastic packaging material 20 from a supply of material. The sheet-like thermoplastic packaging material 20 is provided by a supply roll 30 or unwound from a supply roll 30. For cutting the flat

thermoplastic packaging material 20, separating station 18 may comprise, for example, a mechanical and / or optical cutting instrument.

The separation station 18 and the supply roll 30 is interposed in the running direction of the sheet-like thermoplastic packaging material 20, a buffer 22 or dancer 24, via which thermoplastic packaging material 20th

can be received and delivered with an adapted to a particular requirement amount per unit time. The buffer 22 or dancer 24 has a plurality of rollers which guide the sheet-like thermoplastic packaging material 20 and can be moved relative to one another in order to increase or decrease an amount of the thermoplastic packaging material 20 received via the buffer 22 or dancer 24. In order to be able to supply the buffer 22 or dancer 24 with sufficient thermoplastic packaging material 20 or to ensure that a supply of thermoplastic packaging material 20 accommodated by the buffer or dancer 24 is not exhausted, there is a holding mandrel to be recognized in FIG. on which the supply roll 30 is seated, with the control and / or regulating unit S in combination. A rotational frequency of the retaining mandrel is adjusted or regulated by the control and / or regulating unit S in such a way that the retaining mandrel unwinds the thermoplastic material 20 from the supply roll 30 in order to supply the intermediate accumulator 22 or dancer 24 as needed.

In addition, the device 1 comprises a workstation 40 for applying the cut across the separation station 18 sheet-like thermoplastic packaging material 20 on the groupings 6a, 6b, 6c on articles 5. The workstation 40 has a plurality of circumferential turning bars, which the cut flat thermoplastic

Position packaging material 20 on the groupings 6a, 6b, 6c. A

Speed of the impact bars and a conveying speed of a

Part of the workstation 40 trained and the movement of the groupings 6a, 6b and 6c during the application of the cut thermoplastic

Packaging material 20 provided conveyor belt is further adjusted automatically via a control and / or regulating unit S, taking into account a respective size of the groupings 6a, 6b and 6c. Further, a shrink tunnel 50 is part of the device 1. The shrink tunnel 50 includes a tunnel housing in which, for the manufacture of packages, the groupings 6a, 6b, 6c may enter together with their respective applied and cut thermoplastic packaging material 20. The

Tunnel housing can be seen proportionally in Figure 1. In the shrink tunnel 50, the groupings 6a, 6b and 6c and the respective applied to the groupings cut-to-length thermoplastic packaging material 20 are subjected to heat energy.

The dividing device 3 and the separation station 18 are connected to each other via the control and / or regulating unit S in operative connection. In this case, the control and / or regulating unit S has information about a position to be produced from the containers and intended for a pallet. The one-piece device 3 is on the control and / or

Regulating unit S, taking into account the information for forming grouping 6a, 6b, 6c with different sizes in a specific order controllable. In Figure 1, the groupings 6a, 6b and 6c have a different size due to a different number of articles 5 and beverage containers.

Further, the separation station 18 via the control and / or regulating unit S for cutting the sheet-like thermoplastic packaging material 20 with a dimensioned to the size of the respective grouping 6a, 6b and 6c dimensioning according to the particular order controllable. Thus, for example, for the grouping 6a with a larger volume than the grouping 6c, a higher amount of thermoplastic packaging material 20 is cut to length from the material supply provided via the supply roll 30.

The groupings 6a, 6b, 6c, which have different sizes, enter into the previously mentioned shrink tunnel 50 after application of the respective thermoplastic packaging material with adapted dimensioning, in which the respective thermoplastic packaging material is shrunk onto the groupings 6a, 6b and 6c. The groupings 6a, 6b and 6b leave after Shrinking the thermoplastic packaging material, the shrink tunnel 50 and are fed to the shrink tunnel 50 in the flow direction of the container downstream and not shown in Figure 1 distributor, which from the containers a

Alignment generated for a palletizable layer. The palletizable layer is then deposited by means of a likewise present in the figures present patent application not shown with palletizer on an associated pallet. FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of individual steps of a conceivable embodiment of a method according to the invention. So are individual

Groupings 6a, 6b, 6c (see Figure 1) of several articles 5, taking into account a compilation and distribution of a manufactured from containers layer with different sizes and formed in a specific order.

Further, blanks are produced and provided on sheet thermoplastic packaging material 20 having a sizing adapted to the size of the respective grouping 61, 6b and 6c, respectively, according to the particular order. For provision, the blanks can be brought over a transport plane formed for moving the groupings 6a, 6b and 6c or over one for moving the groups

Grouping 6a, 6b and 6c formed transport plane are aligned.

A further step envisages applying the blanks, adapted with their dimensioning to the size of the respective grouping 6a, 6b or 6c, to sheet-like thermoplastic packaging material 20 to the respective grouping 6a, 6b or 6c. The application can take place by means of the working station 40 illustrated and described schematically in FIG.

In addition, the blanks of sheet-like thermoplastic packaging material 20, which are adapted with their dimensioning to the size of the respective grouping 6a, 6b, 6c and applied to the respective grouping 6a, 6b, 6c, are provided with heat energy, resulting in the blanks on the groupings 6a, 6b, 6c shrunk and containers from the groupings 6a, 6b, 6c and the

Blanks are produced.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications or changes may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the following claims. LIST OF REFERENCES

1 device

3 one-piece device

4 one-piece fingers

5 articles

6a grouping

6b grouping

6c grouping

7 horizontal conveyor

18 separation station

20 Sheet-like thermoplastic packaging material

22 cache

24 dancers

30 supply roll

40 workstation

50 shrink tunnel

S Control and / or regulating unit

Claims

claims

1 . Device (1) for grouping and combining articles (5) into several containers with different container sizes, comprising

- a dividing device (3), by means of which moving articles (5)

Groupings (6a, 6b, 6c) can be formed,

- A separation station (18) for cutting flat thermoplastic

Packaging material (20) from a stock of materials,

- A workstation (40) for applying the cut flat

thermoplastic packaging material (20) on the groupings (6a, 6b, 6c) on articles (5) and

- A shrink tunnel (50), which for the manufacture of the container

Groupings (6a, 6b, 6c) can be fed together with their respective applied and cut thermoplastic packaging material (20), characterized in that the one-piece device (3) and the separation station (18) via a control and / or regulating unit (S) with each other in operative connection, which has information about a position to be produced from containers, wherein a) the dividing device (3) via the control and / or regulating unit (S) taking into account the information for forming groups (6a, 6b, 6c) with different Sizes can be controlled in a specific sequence and wherein b) the separating station (18) via the control and / or regulating unit (S) for cutting the sheet-like thermoplastic packaging material (20) to a size of the respective grouping (6a, 6b, 6c) adapted dimensioning according to the particular order is controllable.

2. Device according to claim 1, comprising at least one with the control and / or regulating unit (S) related optical detection means by means of which a position of the thermoplastic packaging material (20) - 2 - applied imprint can be seen, wherein the separating station (18) via the control and / or regulating unit (S) for defined cutting of the sheet-like thermoplastic packaging material (20) is controlled taking into account the detected via the at least one optical detection device position of the imprint ,

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control and / or regulating unit (S) information about the volume of the article provided for each position (5) can be provided, wherein the control and / or regulating unit (S) for self-employed Creating the information is made taking into account the information on the volume of the article (5).

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the separating station (18) comprises at least one mechanical and / or optical separating instrument for cutting the sheet-like thermoplastic packaging material (20).

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, comprising at least one

Holding mandrel on which a supply roll (30) carrying the thermoplastic packaging material (20) can be arranged, wherein a rotation frequency of the holding mandrel via the control and / or regulating unit (S) is independently controllable taking into account a respective need for thermoplastic packaging material (20) ,

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a supply providing the material supply for the thermoplastic packaging material (20), wherein the provision and the separation station (18) preferably as a dancer (24) formed memory (22) for thermoplastic packaging material ( 20) is interposed.

7. A method of grouping and summarizing articles (5) into packages of different package sizes, the method comprising the steps of:

Forming individual groupings (6a, 6b, 6c) from a plurality of successively moved articles (5),

Applying flat thermoplastic packaging material (20) to the

Grouping (6a, 6b, 6c), - Applying the sheet-like thermoplastic packaging material (20) with heat energy, as a result of shrinking the flat - 3 - thermoplastic packaging material (20) on the groupings (6a, 6b, 6c) containers are formed, characterized in that

Taking into account a predetermined composition and distribution of a layer to be produced from the containers a) a plurality of groupings (6a, 6b, 6c) with different sizes in

b) producing blanks on sheet-like thermoplastic packaging material (20) with a dimensioning adapted to the size of the respective grouping (6a, 6b, 6c) in accordance with the specific sequence and for application to the respective grouping (6a, 6b, 6c) are provided.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein for generating the groupings (6a, 6b, 6c) with different sizes a plurality of groupings (6a, 6b, 6c) with

different number of articles (5) are formed.

9. The method of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein in generating the

Blanks a position of an applied to the sheet-like thermoplastic packaging material (20) imprint is taken into account.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the blanks of the

sheet-like thermoplastic packaging material (20) are formed by separating a material supply by means of an optical and / or mechanical cutting instrument.

1 1. Method according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the flat

thermoplastic packaging material (20) is unwound from a supply roll (30) and flat thermoplastic packaging material (30) unwound from the supply roll (30) and still in contact with the supply roll (30) by means of a storage device (22) preferably designed as a dancer (24) ) is received for sheet-like thermoplastic packaging material (20).