EP3431400A1 - Method and device for handling bag webs - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for handling a bag chain (11), wherein the bag chain (11) is folded in layers (23) into a stack (13), and wherein the layers (23) each comprise one or more bags (17) of the bag chain (11). According to the invention, it is provided that the bag chain (11) is folded by at least one folding member which engages between the bags (17) of the bag chain (11) for folding the bag chain (11). Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding device.

Description

The invention relates to a method for handling a bag chain, wherein the bag chain is folded in layers into a stack, and wherein the layers each contain one or more bags of the bag chain, according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention further relates to a corresponding device for handling a bag chain, wherein the bag chain is folded in layers into a stack, and wherein the layers each contain one or more bags of the bag chain, according to the preamble of claim 9.

A bag chain is a plurality of bags connected together in a chain. The bags may be formed from a sheet material and filled with a package contents or be empty. The pouches of the pouch chain typically have two large side panels joined together by side seams. In each case adjacent bags within the bag chain are connected in a connection region, as a rule, this connection region is located between the side seams facing each other of respectively adjacent bags of the bag chain. The bags can be separated by separation in the connection area from the bag chain. Either a separating cut is carried out in the connection area for this purpose or a perforation line is provided in the connection area, which can be separated in order to separate the bags.

Usually, such bag chains are packaged in cardboard boxes after production. To arrange the bag chains there to save space, it is also common that the bag strings are folded in layers, creating so-called zig-zag layers arise (corresponding to the course of the bag chains in the stack). Such a device is for example off DE 28 08 513 A known. There, the bag chain is guided by pivotable guide walls 10 which perform a pendulum motion, whereby the bag chain is folded after the guide walls in the so-called zig-zag layers there. A disadvantage of this solution is that the performance of the device by the pendulum movement of the guide walls and the masses to be moved is limited.

On this basis, the invention is based on the object to further develop methods and devices of the type mentioned, in particular with a view to greater performance at the same time as gentle as possible handling of the bag or bag chains.

A method for achieving this object has the features of claim 1. It is therefore provided that the bag chain is folded by at least one folding member which engages for folding the bag chain between the bags of the bag chain. It has surprisingly been found that you can fold bag chains in this way quickly and gently.

In the context of this application, "grabbing" does not mean "grabbing" in the sense of "holding on", but rather the relative movement between bag chain and folding member, which causes the folding element to be positioned between two adjacent bags and thus with the bag chain in Contact comes that a folding of the bag chain happens.

Preferably, it is provided that adjacent bags of the bag chain are connected to each other in a connecting region, wherein the folding member engages in the connecting region between adjacent bags in the bag chain to fold the bag chain there. In this way, it is particularly possible to fold the bag chains particularly gently

It is preferably provided that the bag chain is folded around the folding member by relative movement between the folding member and the bag chain. It is therefore conceivable both a Movement of the folding organ on the bag chain to, as well as the other way round or a superimposed movement.

Preferably, it is provided that the bag chain is folded in zig-zag layers, wherein the bag chain is folded by two folding members such that the bag chain first by a first folding member in one direction and then by another, second folding member in another, from the first direction deviating direction is folded to form the zig-zag layers.

In a preferred embodiment it can be provided that the folding organ or bodies are at least partially formed by arms of one or more rotationally driven starwheels, wherein the arms engage between adjacent bags and thereby fold the bag chain.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention can be provided that at least two star wheels are arranged on different, opposite sides of the bag chain, the arms of the arranged on different, opposite sides of the bag chain folding organs alternately successively in the bag chain to the bag chain to zig Fold layers to fold.

Another special feature may consist in that the bags folded in layers of the bag chain coming from the folding organs are fed to a discharge conveyor, with which the folded bags of the bag chain are kept in their formation during transport and conveyed in the direction of a filling station for containers, provided in that the bags of the bag chain are transported in upright positions with the discharge conveyor and wherein it is further provided that the layers are transported inclined with respect to an imaginary vertical plane on the discharge conveyor, in particular inclined in the transport direction.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the bags arranged in layers of the bag chain are pushed by a slider in a container, wherein the arranged in layers of bags bag chain coming from the discharge conveyor are transported to a pivoting platform, which is to accept the bag the bag chain is arranged inclined and which is pivoted for the removal of the bag of the bag chain in a horizontal arrangement, parallel to walls of the container adjacent to the platform.

An apparatus for solving the above-mentioned problem has the features of claim 9. It is therefore provided that the device comprises at least one folding member which is adapted to fold the bag chain by the folding member between the bags of the bag chain engages.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention can be provided that two folding members are provided, which are arranged on different, opposite sides of the bag chain, wherein the folding members are adapted to the bag chain first by a first folding member in one direction and then by another , second folding member is foldable in another, deviating from the first direction direction, to form zig-zag layers.

Preferably, it is provided that the or the folding member (s) are at least partially formed by the arms of one or more rotationally driven star wheels, wherein the arms are formed cross between adjacent bags and thereby fold the bag chain.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the star wheels are continuously driven to rotate about parallel and with such a spaced apart axes, so that one arm of a star wheel in each case engages in a space between two arms of the other star wheel, and wherein the bag chain between passed through the adjacent arms of the opposite star wheels and thereby foldable by the movement of the arms

Another peculiarity may be the construction of a discharge conveyor for the stacked bags. Accordingly, the discharge conveyor folded in bags of the bag chain from the one or more Faltorganen be fed, the discharge conveyor has compartments, in each of which a folded bag chain is receiving and which are adapted to the folded bag of the bag chain during transport to the discharge conveyor to keep in their formation.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention can be provided that the discharge conveyor is formed by two (endless) conveyor, each having opposite a conveyor strand of the respective conveyor projecting driver so that the subjects limited by the facing conveyor belt of the conveyor and the respective driver be arranged, and wherein the carriers are inclined with respect to an imaginary vertical plane at the conveyor troughs, and wherein the bag of the bag chain with abut a side surface of the carriers, so that the layers are accordingly transported in the transport direction inclined in the subjects standing.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the device has a pivotable platform for transferring the folded bag chains to a container, wherein the platform for receiving the folded bag chains is arranged inclined and pivoting for transferring the folded bag chains in a horizontal plane, or parallel to walls of the container adjacent to the platform.

Fig. 1

eine räumliche, schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zum Handhaben von Beutelketten,

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung entsprechend Pfeil II in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 bis 5

eine Einzelheit der Vorrichtung während aufeinander folgender Phasen der Handhabung (Faltung) der Beutelketten,

Fig. 6

einen Vertikalschnitt durch die Vorrichtung entsprechend Schnittlinie VI - VI in Fig. 3,

Fig. 7

einen Horizontalschnitt durch die Vorrichtung entsprechend Schnittlinie VII - VII in Fig. 2,

Fig. 8

eine Seitenansicht einer Einzelheit der Vorrichtung gemäß Pfeil VIII in Fig. 10, und

Fig. 9 und 10

eine Seitenansicht einer Einzelheit der Vorrichtung gemäß Pfeil IX in Fig. 7 während aufeinander folgender Phasen der Zuführung der gefalteten Beutelketten in einen Behälter.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawing. In this show:

Fig. 1

a spatial, schematic representation of an apparatus for handling bag chains,

Fig. 2

a side view of the device according to arrow II in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3 to 5

a detail of the device during successive phases of handling (folding) the bag strings,

Fig. 6

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

Fig. 7

a horizontal section through the device according to section line VII - VII in Fig. 2 .

Fig. 8

a side view of a detail of the device according to arrow VIII in Fig. 10 , and

FIGS. 9 and 10

a side view of a detail of the device according to arrow IX in Fig. 7 during successive phases of feeding the folded bag strings into a container.

The invention will be described below with reference to a packaging machine 10 with which bag strings 11 are packed in containers 12.

Within the container 12, the bag strings 11 are stacked. The invention is concerned with the formation of these stacks 13 and the subsequent transport thereof into a container 12.

Fig. 1 shows the essential organs of the device. In a cutting station 14 to be packaged bag chain 11 is separated, in a subsequent folding station 15, the bag chain 11 is folded. By means of a discharge conveyor 16, the folded bag chains 11 are removed. Finally, the folded bag strings 11 are inserted into the container 12.

The bag chains 11 are formed as described above, ie as a chain of interconnected bags 17. Adjacent bags 17 are connected to each other in a connecting region 18.

In the cutting station 14, the bag strings 11 are shortened to a predetermined length. For this purpose, a separating knife 19 which cooperates with a counter knife 20 which is arranged on a different side of the bag chain 11 as the cutting knife 19th

The bag chain 11 conveyed in the direction of the folding station 15 is transported past the separating knife 19 and the counter knife 20, the position of the connecting regions 18 being detected by a sensor 21 and the bag chain 11 at a certain length by co-movement of the separating knife 19 and the counter knife 20 in the connecting region 18 is separated. In the present case, conveyors 22 serve to transport the bag chain 11 in the direction of the folding station 15.

Within the stack 13 to be formed, the bags 17 and the bag chains 11 are arranged in layers 23. In the present case 23 two bags 17 are arranged in each layer. However, the number of bags 17 per layer 23 may differ. It is conceivable that only one bag 17 per layer 23 is provided. Also, several bags 17 per layer 23 are conceivable.

Within a stack 13, the bag chain 11 is arranged in a zigzag-like or -shaped manner. Accordingly, the bag string 11 must be folded alternately in two directions. For this purpose, two star wheels 24, 25 are provided in the illustrated embodiment, with the arms 26, the bag chain 11 is folded alternately in one direction and the other.

The two star wheels 24, 25 are each arranged to rotate about a horizontal axis 27. The direction of rotation of the two star wheels 24, 25 is in opposite directions.

Both star wheels 24, 25 have the same number of arms 26. The arms 26 are each arranged radially directed with respect to the axis 27. Free spaces 28 are formed between adjacent arms 26 of a starwheel 24, 25.

The two star wheels 24, 25 and their axes 27 are arranged at a vertical distance from each other, however, such that the arms 26 of a star wheel 24, 25 respectively project into the free spaces 28 between the arms 26 of the respective other star wheel 25, 24. Preferably, the angular position of the arms 26 is offset by 90 ° to each other. In this way, the zigzag folding of the bag chain 11 can take place.

The supplied bag chain 11 is lifted by a first arm 26 of the lower star wheel 25 from the conveyor 22. In this case, the two bags 17 of the first layer 23 rest on the arm 26 and a free end of the arm 26 extends into the connecting region 18 to the next bag 17 (FIG. Fig. 3 ). Continuing the rotation of the two star wheels 24, 25 engages a free end of an arm 26 of the upper star wheel 24 from the other side in a connecting region 18 between adjacent bag pairs and thus indicates the folding of the bag string 11 in the other direction ( Fig. 4 ). In this way, the bag chain is folded by the alternate engagement of arms 26 of the two star wheels 24, 25 as folding organs.

Alternatively, a vertical arrangement of the axes 27 is conceivable, so that the star wheels 24, 25 are then arranged to rotate in a horizontal plane. The folding of the bag chain 11 then takes place in a horizontal plane instead of in a vertical plane as shown in the figures.

The two star wheels 24, 25 may be coupled with respect to the drive, for example by gears. However, it is also conceivable that the star wheels 24, 25 are driven by independent servomotors. In this case, it is also possible to adjust the rotational speeds of the two star wheels 24, 25 individually. It is also conceivable to vary the rotational speeds of the starwheels 24, 25 in order to keep the advance of the bag chain 11 as constant as possible, in particular in the inlet region of the discharge conveyor 16. This variation of the rotational speeds can be done separately for each starwheel 24, 25 (individually different) or for both starwheels 24, 25 together (both in agreement).

Subsequent to the folding organs, the folded bag chain 11 reaches the region of the discharge conveyor 16. For this purpose, the bags are deposited on guides 38 and pushed in the direction of the discharge conveyor 16 into a compartment 29.

The compartments 29 of the discharge conveyor 16 are bounded on the upper side and underside by conveyor belts 30, 31 of endless conveyors 32, 33, and laterally by drivers 34 which project from the conveyor belts 30, 31. The distance between the endless conveyors 32, 33 running one above the other or the length of the drivers 34 is so dimensioned that the lateral boundaries of the compartments 29 are each formed by a driver 34 of the conveying run 30 and a driver 34 of the conveying run 31. In addition, the driver 34 and thus the side walls of the compartments 29 are arranged inclined in the conveying direction of the discharge conveyor 16.

By the inclined driver 34 and side walls, the upright layers 23 of the stack 13 are arranged correspondingly inclined. In this way, the layers 23 can be ajar accordingly and thus are less prone to falling over.

Alternatively, it is particularly conceivable to arrange the discharge conveyor 16 as a whole inclined, in which case the drivers 34 can be arranged vertically to the conveying runs 30, 31 in order to achieve the situation described above. It would also be conceivable to have a substantially vertical arrangement of the removal conveyor 16, so that the stacks 13 can be transported downwards or upwards, as it were, in a shaft.

Subsequent to the discharge conveyor 16, the stacks 13 reach a platform 35, which is inclined in the same direction as the carrier 34 for accepting a stack with respect to an imaginary horizontal plane. When a stack 13 is fed onto the platform 35, the stack 13 becomes supported downstream by a counter-holder 36 to prevent the layers 23 of the stack 13 from falling apart. Accordingly, the counter-holder 36 is moved in the conveying direction with the stack 13 until it has arrived on the platform 35 ( Fig. 9 ).

Thereafter, the platform 35 is pivoted in a horizontal plane or pushed into a position parallel to walls of the container 12 and the stack 13 transversely to the transport direction by a slider 37 into the container 12.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 packaging machine 36 backstop 11 bag chain 37 pusher 12 container 38 guide 13 stack 14 cutting station 15 folding station 16 discharge conveyor 17 bag 18 connecting area 19 separating knife 20 against knife 21 sensor 22 promoter 23 location 24 star wheel 25 star wheel 26 poor 27 axis 28 free space 29 subject 30 conveying 31 conveying 32 endless conveyor 33 endless conveyor 34 takeaway 35 platform

Claims (15)

Method for handling a bag chain (11), wherein the bag chain (11) is folded in layers (23) into a stack (13), and wherein the layers (23) each contain one or more bags (17) of the bag chain (11) , characterized in that the bag chain (11) is folded by at least one folding member which engages for folding the bag chain (11) between the bags (17) of the bag chain (11). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that adjacent bags (17) of the bag chain (11) are connected to each other in a connecting region (18), wherein the folding member in the connecting region (18) between adjacent bags (17) engages in the bag chain (11) to fold the bag chain (11) there. Method according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the bag chain (11) is folded around the folding member by relative movement between the folding member and the bag chain (11). A method according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the bag chain (11) is folded in zig-zag layers, wherein the bag chain (11) is folded by two folding members such that the bag chain (11) first by a first folding organ in one direction and then another, second folding member is folded in a different, deviating from the first direction direction, to form the zig-zag layers. Method according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the folding member (s) are at least partially formed by arms (26) of one or more rotating star wheels (24, 25), the arms (26) being arranged between adjacent bags ( 17) and thereby fold the bag chain (11). Method according to claim 5 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that at least two star wheels (24, 25) are arranged on different, opposite sides of the bag chain (11), the arms (26) being on different, opposite sides of the bag chain (11) arranged star wheels (24, 25) alternately successively in the bag chain (11) engage to fold the bag chain (11) in zig-zag layers. Method according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the bags (17) folded into layers (23) of the bag chain (11) are fed by the folding member (s) to a discharge conveyor (16) with which the folded bags (17) of the bag chain (11) are kept in their formation during transport and are conveyed in the direction of a filling station for containers (12), wherein the bags (17) of the bag chain (11) are provided with upright layers (23) are transported with the discharge conveyor (16) and wherein it is further provided that the layers (23) are transported inclined with respect to an imaginary vertical plane on the discharge conveyor (16), in particular inclined in the transport direction. Method according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the bags (17) of the bag chain (11) arranged in layers (23) are pushed by a slider (37) into a container (12), the layers being in layers (23) arranged bags (17) of the bag chain (11) coming from the discharge conveyor (16) transported on a pivotable platform (35) which is inclined for accepting the bag (17) of the bag chain (11) and for transporting the Bag (17) of the bag chain (11) is pivoted in a horizontal arrangement, or parallel to walls of the adjacent to the platform (35) arranged container (12). Device for handling a bag chain (11), wherein the bag chain (11) is folded in layers (23) into a stack (13), and wherein the layers (23) each contain one or more bags (17) of the bag chain (11) , characterized in that the device comprises at least one folding member that is adapted to fold the bag chain (11) by the folding member between the bag (17) of the bag chain (11) engages. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that two folding members are provided, which are arranged on different, opposite sides of the bag chain (11), wherein the folding members are adapted to the bag chain (11) first by a first folding member in one direction and is then foldable by another, second folding member in a different, deviating from the first direction direction, to form zig-zag layers. Device according to claim 9 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the folding member (s) are formed at least partly by arms (26) of one or more rotating star wheels (24, 25), the arms (26) being between adjacent bags (17) are cross-shaped and thereby fold the bag chain (11). Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the star wheels (24, 25) are continuously rotationally driven about parallel horizontal axes (27) arranged at such a distance from each other so that an arm (26) of a star wheel (24, 25) respectively in a free space (28) between two arms (26) of the other star wheel (25, 24) engages, and wherein the bag chain (11) between the adjacent arms (26) of the opposite star wheels (24, 25) passed through and thereby by the movement of Arms (26) is foldable. Device according to claim 9 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises a discharge conveyor (16) to which the bags (17) of the bag chain (11) folded in layers (23) can be fed coming from the folding bodies, wherein the Delivery conveyor (16) has compartments (29), in each of which a folded bag chain (11) is received and which are adapted to the folded bags (17) of the bag chain (11) during transport to the discharge conveyor (16) in their formation to keep. Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the discharge conveyor (16) by two (endless) conveyor (32, 33) is formed, each with respect to a conveying strand (30, 31) of the respective conveyor (32, 33) projecting driver ( 34) so that the compartments (29) are bounded by the facing conveyor cords (30, 31) of the conveyors (32, 33) and the respective catches (34), and wherein the catches (34) are inclined with respect to an imaginary vertical plane are arranged on the conveyor lugs (30, 31), and wherein the bags (17) of the bag chain (11) abut with a side surface on the drivers (34), so that the layers (23) correspondingly inclined in the transport direction in the compartments (29) standing transportable. Device according to claim 9 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises a pivotable platform (35) for transferring the folded bag chains (11) to a container (12), the platform (35) for receiving the folded bag chains (11) is arranged inclined and for transferring the folded bag chains (11) is pivotable in a horizontal plane, or parallel to walls of the adjacent to the platform (35) arranged container (12).

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