EP3549879B1 - Packaging device for articles and method for preparing flat packaging blanks for articles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging device for articles and a method for providing flat packaging blanks for articles.

There are many different types of packaging for processing, compiling, grouping and packaging items such as beverage containers. At present, for example, the PET containers most frequently used as beverage containers have relatively small wall thicknesses and are not completely dimensionally stable even when filled. For this reason and with a view to better logistical manageability, a wide variety of packaging is used for grouped individual containers. For example, the containers can be placed in a grouped arrangement on a sheet of cardboard, the edges of which are folded up. This is also known as a tray. Embodiments are also known in which containers are placed in a grouped arrangement, for example on a sheet of cardboard, which forms a flat base for the respective container and has no edges that must or can be folded upwards. These cardboard sheets or packaging are called pads.

In order to be able to arrange a respective packaging as quickly as possible on the respective containers, devices are already known in which the respective containers run onto a packaging or onto a pad or tray. Such a device is disclosed, for example, by the DE 10 2014 112 341 A1 . The packaging device disclosed here has a horizontal conveyor on which groups of containers are formed. The packaging device further comprises a cardboard feeder, which provides cardboard outer packaging. Cardboard outer packaging is provided via the cardboard feed, so that a respective group of containers can move onto a respective cardboard outer packaging and subsequently stand on the respective cardboard outer packaging.

Practice has shown that problems can arise when providing cardboard outer packaging via the cardboard feeder according to the prior art. In this case, it can be the case, for example, that a respective orientation of a cardboard outer packaging already during the movement in the direction of the groups of containers leading horizontal conveyor does not match a target orientation. If a respective group of containers then drives onto such a cardboard outer packaging, not all of the containers can stand up on the respective cardboard outer packaging and / or a packaging unit formed from cardboard outer packaging and containers may tend to be unstable.

It can also be the case that the entire packaging process is blocked if several cardboard outer packaging unintentionally stick to one another and are moved in this form in the direction of the horizontal conveying device guiding the containers. Problems can also arise if a dimensioning and / or condition of a respective outer packaging does not correspond to a predetermined target dimensioning and / or target condition.

Previously, in the prior art, cardboard outer packaging which had a fault had to be removed from the packaging device by a user. The respective packaging process was unintentionally interrupted.

From the DE 101 16 104 A1 a method and a device for continuously filling a predetermined amount of a product into packs are known. The packs can be made from packaging material that is provided from a roll. Defects in the composite material or defects in the filled packaging are detected and the corresponding rejects are removed from the production process. This is to be made possible by a central controller collecting information data about the manufacturing process of the packaging material, the integrity of the package jacket or the open package and the filling process via a plurality of interfaces before, during and after filling. A surface control system and a plurality of detectors for collecting data for the central control are used to discharge unfilled packs or packs that are filled but leaky or damaged via a discharge device.

The DE 102 32 215 A1 discloses a conveyor for transporting and discharging flat objects. The conveyor device comprises conveyor modules which are arranged one behind the other and have conveyor belts that are driven in rotation. The rear parts of the conveyor modules in the conveying direction are each equipped with drives for executing a pivoting movement perpendicular to the conveying direction around the front part in the conveying direction. The modules can thereby be pivoted between a transport position and an ejection position. It can also be the length of a carried flat object and its position can be determined at any point in time. A spring-mounted or elastic pressure element, which can be moved approximately perpendicular to the conveying direction, is arranged above each conveyor module in such a way that it presses the object being transported by the relevant conveyor module against the conveyor belt during the pivoting movement.

A discharge station for cardboard blanks and a method for producing and discharging cardboard blanks can also be found in the DE 10 2009 046 349 A1 described. The cardboard blanks are examined for quality and defects and if defects or quality defects are found, they are automatically removed from a processing or manufacturing process. The relative positions of the cardboard blanks in front of an ejection line branching off from the conveyor line are recorded. The conveyor line is equipped with flap belts that can be swiveled in sections in a transport section and with take-off belts located behind in the conveying direction in a take-off section. The discharge belts can sometimes be operated at a higher speed than the flap or conveyor belts.

The DE 10 2012 209 978 A1 discloses a device for transporting objects or packaging with a revolving conveyor line and a plurality of conveyor devices revolving thereon, each comprising first and second conveyor elements. The conveying elements can each be driven individually and independently of one another and are intended to jointly transport an object. The conveyor elements can be driven independently of one another by means of linear drives.

The EP 1 177 980 A1 discloses a packaging machine in which blanks are removed from a magazine and placed on an ascending conveyor which then introduces the blanks into a transport path for articles. A suction device is used to remove blanks from the magazine and place them on the ascending conveyor. The ascending conveyor moves the deposited blanks over rotating pairs of teeth in the direction of the respective article EP 0 994 026 A1 discloses another packaging machine with an alternative solution for feeding packaging blanks, in which the blanks are pulled by a set of grippers.

In addition, the EP 0 378 052 A1 a packaging device with a bag-forming machine for producing bags to be filled with goods which are formed from a band of wrapping material. The tape is fed in via an input device, which includes a tape conveyor system, a glue application device, a processing station and a separating device for separating the Wrap material tape comprises in tape sections. The input device has a control device for detecting defects in the wrapping material and deflection means which, when a defect is detected in the wrapping material strip, allows the beginning of an incoming strip section to fall into a separating container.

In view of the error detection and discharge devices known from the prior art, it can be regarded as the primary object of the invention are to provide a generic device and a generic method in which an intervention by a user in the event of a malfunction associated with a fault in a packaging is necessary at least to a reduced extent. The device should also have an uncomplicated structure. Furthermore, the process should be easy to implement.

The above objects are achieved by a packaging device and a method having the features in the independent claims. Further advantageous refinements are described by the subclaims.

The invention relates to a packaging device for articles such as beverage containers or the like. The packaging device comprises at least one horizontal conveyor device for conveying articles. In various embodiments, the packaging device can comprise a dividing device which forms groups which are spaced apart from one another and each have a plurality of articles. The groups of articles can be moved at a distance from one another in a conveying direction of the at least one horizontal conveyor device by means of the at least one horizontal conveyor device.

The at least one horizontal conveyor device can comprise a first conveyor belt, which moves articles that have already been grouped or possibly already grouped together in the horizontal direction. A further conveyor device can connect to the first conveyor belt. The further conveyor device can be formed, for example, by a further conveyor belt and / or several adjacent conveyor chains and / or several adjacent conveyor belts. A gap can be formed between the first conveyor belt and the further conveyor device, via which gap, as will be described below, flat packaging blanks can be introduced into a transport path of the articles, so that articles are conveyed via the at least one horizontal conveyor device or when they cross over Move from the first conveyor belt to the further conveyor device on flat packaging blanks introduced into the transport path.

The flat packaging blanks can comprise side, front and / or rear flaps which can be erected or folded. For this purpose, the further conveying device can be connected to a container forming unit, which may be designed as a component of the at least one horizontal conveying device, which container forming unit comprises a multiplicity of rotating folding fingers. The multitude of rotating folding fingers can be used during their rotating Movement, in particular, erect or fold the front and rear flaps of the flat packaging blanks that have already been introduced into the transport path of the articles and carry a respective grouping of articles. The flat packaging blanks already brought into the transport path of the articles and carrying a respective grouping of articles can thus pass from the further conveying device to the container forming unit, whereby by means of the respective plurality of circumferentially moving folding fingers of the container forming unit in particular the front and rear tabs of the already in the transport path of the Articles introduced and a respective grouping of article-bearing flat packaging blanks are erected or folded.

The packaging device further comprises at least one feed device which, as mentioned above, can introduce flat packaging blanks into a transport path of the articles, so that articles run onto flat packaging blanks introduced into the transport path during conveyance via the at least one horizontal conveyor device. The feed device can comprise at least one suction and / or gripping device and at least one transport device, wherein the at least one suction and / or gripping device can lift respective flat packaging blanks arranged on top of a stack from the stack and transfer them to the transport device. The at least one transport device can then introduce respective flat packaging blanks into the transport path of the articles. The stack can be made available via a magazine designed as a component of the packaging device. The packaging device can comprise a control and / or regulating device with which the at least one suction and / or gripping device is connected. The control and / or regulating device can, if necessary, control the at least one suction and / or gripping device for lifting a respective flat packaging blank arranged at the top of the stack. The at least one feed device can be arranged or positioned at least partially and preferably completely or essentially completely below a conveying plane formed by the at least one horizontal conveying device for articles.

It is provided that the at least one feed device is designed to recognize and divert or separate out certain flat packaging blanks which were previously intended for introduction into the transport path and which certain flat packaging blanks which were intended for introduction into the transport path up to that point have an error.

It may further be that the at least one feed device has at least one optical detection device, preferably designed as a camera, by means of which at least one optical detection device can detect a fault in the respective flat packaging blanks provided up to then for introduction into the transport path. It is also conceivable that the at least one optical detection device comprises a light barrier. The at least one optical detection device is preferably positioned in such a way that flat packaging blanks that have already been completely separated from the stack and not yet introduced into the transport path of the articles reach the detection area of the at least one optical detection device.

As already mentioned above, it can be that the at least one feed device comprises at least one transport device which is designed to introduce flat packaging blanks into the transport path of the articles. A section of the at least one transport device can be designed to be pivotable for discharging the respective flat packaging blank which has a defect. In particular, the packaging device or the feed device can have an actuator by means of which the section of the at least one transport device can be pivoted for discharging the respective flat packaging blank having a defect. The control and / or regulating device can be connected to the actuator and, if necessary, control the actuator for pivoting the section of the transport device.

In particular, it can be that the section of the at least one transport device for discharging the respective flat packaging blank, which has a defect, can be pivoted about an at least approximately horizontally oriented axis in the downward direction.

Embodiments have proven themselves in which the at least one feed device comprises at least one collecting container, in which at least one collecting container the at least one transport device holds a respective flat packaging blank which has a defect, by means of an axis that is preferably downward and around an at least approximately horizontally oriented axis directed pivoting movement of their section can pass. In conceivable embodiments, the packaging device can comprise at least one first collecting container, into which flat, faulty packaging blanks suitable for further use or packaging are introduced become. In addition, the packaging device can comprise at least one second collecting container into which flat packaging blanks that are not suitable for further use or packaging are introduced. It can be the case here that the control and / or regulating device makes a decision with the aid of the at least one optical detection device as to whether a respective flat packaging blank, which has a defect, is to be introduced into the at least one first collecting container or into the at least one second collecting container .

It may be that flat packaging blanks can be introduced into the transport path of the articles at a predetermined clock frequency via the at least one feeding device, the at least one feeding device being controllable in such a way that the at least one feeding device, in the event of a rejection of a respective flat packaging blank exhibiting a defect, the predetermined Can keep clock frequency. As already mentioned, the at least one feed device can comprise at least one transport device. The at least one feed device can be regulated in such a way that a conveying speed of the at least one transport device or at least one conveyor section of the at least one transport device is temporarily increased and coordinated with the discharge or removal of the respective flat packaging blank having a defect.

Embodiments have also proven successful in which the at least one feed device and the at least one horizontal conveyor device interact in such a way that a conveyor speed of the at least one horizontal conveyor device can be regulated in accordance with a discharge or removal of a respective packaging blank having a defect. In particular, the conveying speed of the at least one horizontal conveying device can be regulated in such a way that the conveying speed is temporarily reduced in accordance with the discharge or removal of the respective flat packaging blank having a defect. If the at least one horizontal conveyor device, as mentioned above, comprises a first conveyor belt on which articles that have already been grouped or grouped together are moved, it can be that the at least one feed device and the first conveyor belt formed as part of the at least one horizontal conveyor device interact in this way that a conveying speed of the first conveyor belt embodied as a component of the at least one horizontal conveying device is matched to a discharge or sorting out of a respective faulty one Packaging blank is adjustable. In particular, it can be the case here that a conveying speed of the first conveyor belt provided for grouped or grouped articles is temporarily reduced.

• eine Geometrie bzw. ein Umfangsverlauf eines flächigen Verpackungszuschnittes nicht mit einer vorgegebenen Soll-Geometrie bzw. einem vorgegebenen Soll-Umfangsverlauf übereinstimmt und/oder dadurch, dass
• eine Lage und/oder Position eines flächigen Verpackungszuschnittes nicht mit einer vorgegebenen Soll-Lage bzw. Soll-Position übereinstimmt und/oder dadurch, dass
• an einem jeweiligen flächigen Verpackungszuschnitt ungewollt mindestens ein weiterer flächiger Verpackungszuschnitt anhaftet.

A defect in a respective flat packaging blank can be formed, for example, by the fact that

• a geometry or a circumferential course of a flat packaging blank does not match a predetermined target geometry or a predetermined target circumferential course and / or because
• a location and / or position of a flat packaging blank does not match a predetermined target location or target position and / or because
• at least one further two-dimensional packaging blank adheres inadvertently to a respective flat packaging blank.

The invention also relates to a method for providing flat packaging blanks for articles such as beverage containers or the like. Features that have already been described above for various embodiments of the packaging device can also be provided in various embodiments of the method described below and are not mentioned more than once. Furthermore, features described below, which relate to various embodiments of the method, can be provided in the previously described packaging device.

A first step provides for the promotion of articles. Here, groups of articles can be moved horizontally at a distance from one another in a conveying direction. A further step provides for the introduction of flat packaging blanks into a transport path of the articles, with articles running onto flat packaging blanks introduced into the transport path during conveyance.

The flat packaging blanks can be formed, for example, by cardboard, cardboard, corrugated cardboard and / or plastic. In addition, packaging blanks provided for introduction into the transport path are checked for an error and those respective flat packaging blanks which, when checked, an error is detected, are separated out instead of being introduced into the transport path.

It can be the case that respective flat packaging blanks provided for introduction into the transport path are checked for an error with the aid of at least one optical detection device and in particular with the aid of a camera. It is also conceivable that the respective flat packaging blanks provided for introduction into the transport path are checked for an error with the aid of a light barrier.

It can also be that the flat packaging blanks are introduced into the transport path of the articles via at least one transport device, with a section of the at least one transport device preferably being pivoted downwards about an at least approximately horizontally oriented axis when an error is detected during the check As a result, the respective flat packaging blank, in which an error is detected in the course of the check, is separated out or discharged instead of being introduced into the transport route.

It is also conceivable that the respective flat packaging blank, in which an error is detected as part of the check, instead of being introduced into the transport path via the section of the at least one transport device that is preferably pivoted downward about an at least approximately horizontally oriented axis in the direction of a collecting container is forwarded. In this case, the respective flat packaging blank having a defect can lose its contact or surface contact with the section of the transport device pivoted downwards, whereupon the section pivoted downwards is pivoted back upwards into an initial position.

It is also conceivable that flat packaging blanks are introduced into the transport path of the articles via at least one feed device with a predetermined clock frequency, the at least one feed device being regulated in the event of a respective flat packaging blank being diverted to maintain the specific clock frequency.

In addition, a conveying speed of the articles can be regulated in accordance with a respective discharge of a respective flat packaging blank.

It should be pointed out that all aspects that have been dealt with in connection with the previously explained packaging device discussed and can be related to this, can also form partial aspects of the method according to the invention and vice versa.

The following remarks summarize some aspects of the invention, which has already been explained in different design variants, specify some aspects, but should not be seen as a contradiction to the explanations already given, but rather in synopsis, in case of doubt, possibly as more specific design variants and / or modifications. As already mentioned several times above, the packaging device according to the invention can in particular comprise a horizontal conveying device, by means of which articles, which in the present case can be formed by beverage containers, for example, are moved along a defined conveying direction.

A feed device, which is positioned below a transport plane defined by the horizontal conveyor device, can in particular be part of the packaging device. Flat packaging blanks can be introduced into a transport path of the articles or beverage containers via the feed device, so that the articles or beverage containers approach the packaging blanks brought into the transport path during their continuous movement caused by the horizontal conveyor device. The packaging blanks can form a flat contact surface for articles. Optionally or optionally, the packaging blanks can have edges that are folded upwards after the articles have been pushed onto a respective packaging blank.

The packaging device also preferably comprises a magazine in which several packaging blanks are arranged in a stacked form or placed flat on top of one another as a stack. In addition, the packaging device comprises a suction and / or gripping device which is designed as part of the feed device and which can lift and receive a respective flat packaging blank lying on top of the stack from the stack. The suction and / or gripping device can then introduce a respective flat packaging blank received from the stack between two toothed belts of the feed device, which toothed belts are moved around and thereby convey a respective introduced packaging blank in the direction of an optical detection device.

The suction and / or gripping device is controlled or actuated via a suitable control and / or regulating device. The position from which the toothed belts receive the respective packaging blank from the suction and / or gripping device is also referred to as the transfer position in the present context.

The toothed belts are driven in a revolving manner and move the respective packaging blank received in the area of the transfer position in the direction of an optical detection device, which can include, for example, a light barrier and / or a camera.

Practice has shown that during a continuous removal of packaging blanks from the stack, individual packaging blanks received via the toothed belts can exhibit an error. For example, there can be an error if a dimensioning of a respective packaging blank does not correspond to a predetermined target dimensioning or if the dimensions of packaging blanks are too large or too small. It can also be the case that a position of packaging blanks received via the toothed belt does not correspond to a desired or predetermined target position. Several packaging blanks can also adhere to one another on the stack due to electrostatic adhesion and / or mechanical hooking, so that several packaging blanks adhering to one another are inadvertently transferred to the toothed belts in the area of the transfer position via the suction and / or gripping device. Such packaging blanks adhering to one another are also not suitable for being introduced into the transport path of the articles or beverage containers and should therefore be recognized as errors.

The optical detection device is connected to the control and / or regulating device. With the aid of the optical detection device, the control and / or regulating device is able to detect an error in flat packaging blanks moved into the area of the optical detection device by means of the toothed belt. Since such packaging blanks are not suitable for being introduced into the transport path of the articles or beverage containers, a section of the transport device, which is designed as part of the feed device and moving flat packaging blanks, is pivoted downwards, as will be described below.

This makes it possible to forward such faulty packaging blanks into a collecting container, whereas packaging blanks, when checked no fault was detected, are introduced into the transport path of the articles or beverage containers via the conveyor section of the transport device. A guide is assigned to the section of the transport device, by means of which it can be prevented that a respective packaging blank, which has a defect, inadvertently leaves the section inclined in the downward direction before being passed on into the collecting container. For this purpose, the guide is arranged in a stationary manner on the section of the transport device.

In a checking area it can be determined whether the respective packaging blanks provided up to then for introduction into the transport path of articles or beverage containers are faulty. If individual faulty packaging blanks are recognized, such packaging blanks are passed on into the collecting container by means of the previously described pivoting movement of the pivotable section of the transport device oriented in the downward direction.

If no error is found in the packaging blanks, the section located in the inspection area and designed as a component of the transport device remains in the horizontal position and is not pivoted in the downward direction. As a result, respective faultless packaging blanks are introduced into the transport path of the articles or beverage containers via the conveyor section arranged in a conveyor area of the packaging device, with several articles or beverage containers approaching a respective faultless packaging blank introduced into their transport path.

If the control and / or regulating device with the aid of the optical detection device does not detect any errors in packaging blanks over a certain period of time, the horizontal conveyor is operated at a constant conveying speed so that a constant number of articles or beverage containers moves along the horizontal conveyor over the course of time becomes.

Flat packaging blanks with a predetermined and constant value are also fed via the at least one feed device Conveying speed of the horizontal conveyor adapted clock frequency introduced into the transport path of the article or beverage container.

If a packaging blank has a fault, this packaging blank, which is still intended to be introduced into the transport path, is forwarded to the collecting container instead of being brought into the transport path. Since this packaging blank, which has a defect, is therefore not ready for introduction, the packaging device must be regulated accordingly in order to be able to compensate for the discharge or discharge of the packaging blank having a defect.

Both the feed device and the horizontal conveyor device are connected to the control and / or regulating device. If a respective packaging blank showing an error is ejected or separated out, the control and / or regulating device can temporarily reduce a conveying speed of the horizontal conveying device and, if necessary, a conveying speed of the first conveyor belt, which is part of the horizontal conveying device, so that a formerly to encounter the one error Having packaging blank, a predetermined group of articles or group of beverage containers now drives onto a subsequent packaging blank introduced via the feed device into the transport path of the article or beverage container.

Alternatively, it can be that the feed device is regulated via the control and / or regulating device in such a way that the feed device can maintain the specified clock frequency when discharging or rejecting a respective packaging blank having a defect. In particular, a conveying speed of the conveying section can be temporarily increased for this purpose. The suction and / or gripping device for separating an additional packaging blank can also be activated in order to compensate for the lack of the packaging blank which is passed on into the collecting container or which has an error.

It is also conceivable that a conveying speed of the toothed belt moving the respective packaging blank in the direction of the optical detection device is temporarily increased.

If the packaging device is in a regular packaging operation, the transported packaging blanks are not faulty. In this case flawless packaging blanks are introduced into a transport path of the articles or beverage containers via the feed device or the conveying section of the feed device at a predetermined clock frequency. The horizontal conveying device moves the articles that have already been grouped together or the beverage containers that have already been grouped together at a constant conveying speed. For this purpose, the horizontal conveyor device and the feed device are controlled via the control and / or regulating device, which is also connected to the optical detection device.

If only one packaging blank that has already been removed from the stack by the suction and / or gripping device and passed on to the toothed belt has at least one fault, this faulty packaging blank has already been moved in the direction of the optical detection device. The optical detection device is connected to the control and / or regulating device which, with the aid of the optical detection device, detects that the packaging blank has an error.

In a further step, the control and / or regulating device has already recognized that the packaging blank has a fault and moves the packaging blank having a fault onto the section of the transport device via which section the packaging blank having a fault can be diverted or rejected. The flat packaging blank, which follows the packaging blank exhibiting a defect, was also checked via the control and / or regulating device with the aid of the optical detection device, whereby it was established that this packaging blank did not have any faults.

In a further step, the control and / or regulating device initiates a lowering movement oriented in the downward direction and provided for diverting the faulty flat packaging blank. The flat packaging blanks already located on the conveyor section of the transport device continue to be transported via the conveyor section in the direction of the groups of articles or groups of beverage containers moved over the horizontal conveyor device. In order to prevent the flat packaging blank, which is arranged on the section and has a defect, inadvertently losing its contact with the section, a guide arranged in a stationary manner on the section can be provided.

Subsequently, the packaging blank exhibiting a defect loses its contact with the section of the transport device, which is still pivoted downwards, and is carried on into the collecting container. While a portion of the packaging blank exhibiting a defect is still resting on the section of the transport device, a subsequent flat packaging blank has already been arranged on the section which is still pivoted downwards.

The flawless flat packaging blank can be transferred from the section to the conveyor section, which moves the flat packaging blank in the direction of the groups of articles or groups of beverage containers. A regulation for compensating for the flat packaging blank which is now located in the collecting container and which has a defect can be carried out in accordance with the previous description. If an error is detected in a further flat packaging blank checked by means of the control and / or regulating device with the aid of the optical detection device, the packaging device can also divert this further flat packaging blank, which has a fault, according to the previous description or forward it to the collecting container.

In addition to the first conveyor belt, on which articles or beverage containers, which may already be grouped together, are moved horizontally in or along the conveying direction, the horizontal conveying device can have a further conveying device following the first conveyor belt in the conveying direction, which is conceivable Embodiments can be formed, for example, by several circumferential and parallel to one another guided conveyor chains or by several circumferential and parallel to one another guided conveyor belts.

It can also be the case that the further conveyor device is formed by a further conveyor belt. In addition, there can be a gap between the conveyor belt embodied as a component of the horizontal conveyor device and the further conveyor device likewise embodied as a component of the horizontal conveyor device. Flat packaging blanks can be introduced into the transport path of the articles or beverage containers via the gap, as has already been described above.

It can be the case here that the respective flat packaging blanks have front and rear flaps, which chronologically after the respective introduction into the Transport route of the article or beverage container must be erected over the gap. For this purpose, the further conveying device is followed by a container forming unit in the conveying direction. The respective flat packaging blanks, which are moved by the further conveyor device in the conveying direction, already carrying a respective grouping of articles and have not yet erected front and rear tabs, then pass from the further conveyor device to the container forming unit.

The flat packaging blanks already carrying a respective grouping of articles are moved further in the conveying direction via the container forming unit, with a large number of folding fingers designed as part of the container forming unit and moving circumferentially erecting the front and rear flaps of the flat packaging blanks or folding them upwards.

If the respective flat packaging blanks do not have front and rear flaps that can be folded upwards, it may be that the horizontal conveyor device has a further conveyor belt instead of the pack form unit or that the horizontal conveyor device does not have a pack form unit.

• Fig. 1 zeigt eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Verpackungsvorrichtung.
• Fig. 2 zeigt eine schematische Perspektivansicht der Ausführungsform der Verpackungsvorrichtung aus Fig. 1.
• Figuren 3 bis 8 zeigen jeweils eine weitere schematische Perspektivansicht der Ausführungsform der Verpackungsvorrichtung aus den Figuren 1 und 2 und verdeutlichen Schritte, wie sie bei diversen Ausführungsformen des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens vorgesehen sein können.
• Fig. 9A und Fig. 9B zeigen gemeinsam eine Ausführungsform einer Horizontalfördereinrichtung, wie sie als Bestandteil diverser Ausführungsformen einer Verpackungsvorrichtung vorgesehen sein kann bzw. wie sie zur Umsetzung für diverse Ausführungsformen des Verfahrens Verwendung finden kann.
• Fig. 10 zeigt im Flussdiagramm eine Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.

In the following, exemplary embodiments are intended to explain the invention and its advantages in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. The proportions of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the real proportions, since some forms are simplified and other forms are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

• Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of the packaging device according to the invention.
• Fig. 2 FIG. 13 shows a schematic perspective view of the embodiment of the packaging device from FIG Fig. 1 .
• Figures 3 to 8 each show a further schematic perspective view of the embodiment of the packaging device from FIG Figures 1 and 2 and illustrate steps as they can be provided in various embodiments of the method according to the invention.
• Figures 9A and 9B show together an embodiment of a horizontal conveyor as part of various embodiments of a Packaging device can be provided or how it can be used for implementation for various embodiments of the method.
• Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of the method according to the invention in the flow diagram.

Identical reference symbols are used for identical or identically acting elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the. The illustrated embodiments merely represent examples of how the invention can be embodied and do not represent a final limitation.

The Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of the packaging device 1 according to the invention. The packaging device 1 comprises a horizontal conveyor device 7, which, for example, according to the exemplary embodiment from Figures 9 can be formed and by means of which articles 3, which in the present case are formed by beverage containers 5, are moved along the conveying direction FR indicated by means of an arrow representation.

Part of the packaging device 1 is a feed device 4, which is positioned below a transport plane formed by the horizontal conveyor device 7. Flat packaging blanks 2 (cf. Fig. 2 ) are introduced into a transport path of the article 3 or beverage container 5, so that the articles 3 or beverage container 5 drive onto the packaging blanks 2 brought into the transport path during their continuous movement caused by the horizontal conveyor 7. The packaging blanks 2 can form a flat contact surface for articles 3. In various embodiments, the packaging blanks 2 can have edges which, after the articles 3 have been pushed onto a respective packaging blank 2, are folded in an upward direction.

The packaging device 1 comprises a magazine 11 in which a plurality of packaging blanks 2 are arranged in a stacked form or as a stack 13. In addition, the packaging device 1 comprises a suction and / or gripping device 15, which is designed as a component of the feed device 4 and can receive from the stack 13 a respective flat packaging blank 2 configured at the top as a component of the stack 13. The suction and / or gripping device 15 can then introduce a respective flat packaging blank 2 received from the stack 13 between two toothed belts 16 of the feed device 4, which toothed belts 16 are moved circumferentially and thereby convey a respective introduced packaging blank 2 in the direction of an optical detection device 18. The suction and / or gripping device 15 is controlled or actuated via the control and / or regulating device S. A transfer position from which the toothed belts 16 receive the respective packaging blank 2 from the suction and / or gripping device 15 is shown in FIG Fig. 1 referred to in paragraph 20.

The toothed belts 16 are driven in a rotating manner and move the respective packaging blank 20 received in the area of the transfer position 20 in the direction of an optical detection device 18, which can include a light barrier and / or a camera, for example.

Practice has shown that during a continuous removal of packaging blanks 2 from the stack 13, individual packaging blanks 2 received via the toothed belt 16 can have an error. For example, there may be an error if a dimensioning of a respective packaging blank 2 does not correspond to a predetermined target dimensioning or if the dimensions of packaging blanks 2 are too large or too small. It can also be the case that a position of the packaging blanks 2 received via the toothed belt 16 does not correspond to a desired or predetermined target position. Several packaging blanks 2 can also adhere to one another on the stack 13 due to electrostatic adhesion and / or mechanical hooking, so that several packaging blanks 2 adhering to one another are inadvertently transferred to the toothed belt 16 via the suction and / or gripping device 15 in the area of the transfer position 20. Such packaging blanks 2 adhering to one another are also not suitable for being introduced into the transport path of the articles 3 or beverage containers 5 and therefore form an error.

The optical detection device 18 is connected to the control and / or regulating device S. With the aid of the optical detection device 18, the control and / or regulating device S is able to detect an error in the respective flat packaging blanks 2 moved via the toothed belt 16 into the area of the optical detection device 18. Since such packaging blanks 2 are not suitable for being introduced into the transport path of the articles 3 or beverage containers 5, a section 27 is formed as part of the feed device 4, as will be described below and transport device 25 moving flat packaging blanks 2 is pivoted in the downward direction. As a result, packaging blanks 2 '(cf. Fig. 3 ) in each case forwarded to a collecting container 28, whereas packaging blanks 2, which were not found to be faulty when checked, are introduced into the transport path of the articles 3 or beverage containers 5 via the conveyor section 29 of the transport device 25. The section 27 of the transport device 25 is assigned a guide 32 which can be used to prevent a respective packaging blank 2 ', which has a defect, from inadvertently leaving the section 27 inclined in the downward direction before being forwarded into the collecting container 28. For this purpose, the guide 32 is arranged in a stationary manner on the section 27.

The reference number 30 thus refers in Fig. 1 to a checking area, in which it is determined whether the respective packaging blanks 2 provided up to then for introduction into the transport path of articles 3 or beverage containers 5 form an error. If it is recognized in the case of individual packaging blanks 2 ′ that they form a fault, such packaging blanks 2 ′ are passed on into the collecting container 28 by means of the previously described pivoting movement of the section 27 oriented in the downward direction. If no fault is found in the packaging blanks 2, the section 27 located in the inspection area 30 and designed as a component of the transport device 25 remains in the horizontally oriented position according to FIG Fig. 1 and does not pivot in the downward direction. As a result, respective faultless packaging blanks 2 are introduced into the transport path of the articles 3 or beverage containers 5 via the conveyor section 29 arranged in a conveyor area 40 of the packaging device 1, with several articles 3 or beverage containers 5 approaching a respective faultless packaging blank 2 introduced into their transport path.

If the control and / or regulating device S with the aid of the optical detection device 18 does not detect any errors in the packaging blanks 2 over a certain period of time, the horizontal conveying device 7 is operated at a constant conveying speed, so that over the course of time a constant number of articles 3 or Beverage containers 5 is moved along the horizontal conveyor 7. Flat packaging blanks 2 are also introduced into the transport path of the articles 3 or beverage containers 5 via the at least one feed device 4 with a predetermined cycle frequency adapted to the constant conveying speed of the horizontal conveying device 7.

If a packaging blank 2 has a defect, this packaging blank 2 ′, which has been provided for introduction into the transport path, is forwarded instead of being introduced into the collecting container 28. Since this packaging blank 2 ', which has a defect, is not ready for introduction, the packaging device 1 must be regulated accordingly in order to compensate for the discharge or discharge of the packaging blank 2' which has a defect. Both the feed device 4 and the horizontal conveyor device 7 are connected to the control and / or regulating device S. If a respective packaging blank showing an error is ejected or separated out, the control and / or regulating device S can set a conveying speed of the horizontal conveying device 7 and, if necessary, a conveying speed of the first conveyor belt 8 formed as part of the horizontal conveying device 7 (cf. Figures 9 ) temporarily reduce, so that a group of articles 3 or group of beverage containers 5, which was formerly intended to drive onto the packaging blank 2 'with a defect, is now transferred to a subsequent packaging blank 2 brought into the transport path of the articles 3 or beverage containers 5 via the feed device 4 opens.

Alternatively, it can be that the feed device 4 is regulated via the control and / or regulating device S in such a way that the feed device 4 can maintain the specified clock frequency when a respective packaging blank 2 having a defect is discharged or rejected. In particular, a conveying speed of the conveying section 29 can be temporarily increased for this purpose. The suction and / or gripping device 15 can also be activated for separating an additional packaging blank 2 in order to compensate for the lack of the packaging blank 2 'passed on into the collecting container 28 or having an error. It is also conceivable that a conveying speed of the toothed belt 16 moving the respective packaging blank 2 in the direction of the optical detection device 18 is temporarily increased.

The Fig. 2 FIG. 11 shows a schematic perspective view of the embodiment of the packaging device 1 from FIG Fig. 1 . The packaging device 1 is located in Fig. 2 in a regular packaging company where none of the in Fig. 2 forms an error with the packaging blanks 2 shown. Via the feed device 4 or the conveyor section 29 of the feed device 4, faultless packaging blanks 2 are introduced into a transport path of the articles 3 or beverage containers 5 at a predetermined cycle frequency. The horizontal conveyor 7 moves the articles 3 that have already been grouped together or the beverage containers 5 that have already been grouped together with a constant conveying speed. For this purpose, the horizontal conveyor device 7 and the feed device 4 are controlled via the control and / or regulating device S, which is also connected to the optical detection device 18.

The schematic perspective view of the Fig. 3 also shows the packaging device 1 from FIG Figures 1 and 2 . With reference to number 2 ', a packaging blank is shown which has at least one error as described above Fig. 1 having. The packaging blank 2 ', which has an error, has already been removed from the stack 13 by the suction and / or gripping device 15 and passed on to the toothed belt 16, which moves the packaging blank 2', which has an error, in the direction of the optical detection device 18 to have. As mentioned above, the optical detection device 18 is connected to the control and / or regulating device S, which is shown in FIG Fig. 3 with the aid of the optical detection device 18 recognizes that the packaging blank 2 'has a defect.

The schematic perspective view of the Fig. 4 shows the packaging device 1 from Figures 1 to 3 as well as a further step as related to the procedural step Fig. 3 chronologically follows. The control and / or regulating device S has already recognized that the packaging blank 2 'has an error and moves the packaging blank 2' containing an error onto the section 27 of the transport device 25, via which section 27 the packaging blank 2 'containing an error is diverted or removed can be sorted out. The flat packaging blank 2, which follows the packaging blank 2 'with a defect, was also checked via the control and / or regulating device S with the aid of the optical detection device 18, whereby it was established that this packaging blank 2 has no defect.

The schematic perspective view of the Fig. 5 shows the packaging device 1 from Figures 1 to 4 as well as a further step as related to the procedural step Fig. 4 chronologically follows. Via the control and / or regulating device S, a lowering movement oriented in the downward direction and provided for diverting the flat packaging blank 2 'having a defect has already been initiated. The flat packaging blanks 2 already located on the conveyor section 29 of the transport device 25 are hereby continues to be transported via the conveyor section 29 in the direction of the groups of articles 3 or groups of beverage containers 5 moved via the horizontal conveyor device 7. In order to prevent the flat packaging blank 2 ′, which is arranged on the section 27 and has a defect, inadvertently losing its contact with the section 27, a fixedly arranged on the section 27 and in Fig. 5 not shown with guide 24 accordingly Fig. 1 be provided.

The schematic perspective view of the Fig. 6 shows the packaging device 1 from Figures 1 to 5 as well as a further step as related to the procedural step Fig. 5 chronologically follows. How Fig. 6 shows, the packaging blank 2 ′ having a defect loses its contact with the section 27 of the transport device 25, which is still pivoted in the downward direction, and is continued into the collecting container 28. While a portion of the packaging blank 2 'with a defect is still resting on the section 27 of the transport device 25, a subsequent flat packaging blank 2 has already been arranged on the section 27, which is still pivoted downwards.

The schematic perspective view of the Fig. 7 shows the packaging device 1 from Figures 1 to 6 as well as a further step as related to the procedural step Fig. 6 chronologically follows. In particular, a synopsis of the Figures 6 and 7th recognize that the in Fig. 6 for sorting out or discharging the packaging blank 2 'having a defect in the downwardly pivoted section 27 of the transport device 25 in FIG Fig. 7 was pivoted back together with the flawless flat packaging blank 2 lying on it in the upward direction.

Corresponding Fig. 8 the flawless flat packaging blank 2 can be transferred from section 27 to the conveying section 29, which moves the flat packaging blank 2 in the direction of the groups of articles 3 or groups of beverage containers 5. A regulation for compensating for the flat packaging blank 2 'now located in the collecting container 28 and exhibiting a defect can be made in accordance with the previous description Fig. 1 respectively. If an error is detected in a further flat packaging blank 2 checked by means of the control and / or regulating device S with the aid of the optical detection device 18, the packaging device 1 can also use this further flat packaging blank 2 'with a fault. according to the previous description of the Figures 3 to 7 divert or forward into the collecting container 28.

The Figures 9A and 9B show an embodiment of a horizontal conveyor device 7, as it can be provided as part of various embodiments of a packaging device 1 or how it is used to implement various embodiments of the method 100 (cf. Fig. 10 ) Can be used. So shows Figure 9A a schematic side view of the horizontal conveyor 7 and Figure 9B a schematic plan view of the horizontal conveyor 7 Figure 9A .

The horizontal conveyor device 7 comprises a first conveyor belt 8 on which articles 3 or beverage containers 5, which may already be combined into groups, are moved horizontally in or along the conveying direction FR. The first conveyor belt 8 is followed in the conveying direction FR by a further conveyor device 9 which, in conceivable embodiments, can be formed, for example, by several circumferential and parallel conveyor chains or by several circumferential and parallel conveyor belts. It can also be the case that the further conveyor device 9 is formed by a further conveyor belt. Figures 9A and 9B can also be seen that there is a gap 50 between the conveyor belt embodied as a component of the horizontal conveyor device 7 and the further conveyor device 9, which is also embodied as a component of the horizontal conveyor device 7. Flat packaging blanks 2 (cf. Figures 2 to 8 ) are introduced into the transport route of the article 3 or beverage container 5, as already described above.

It can be the case that the respective flat packaging blanks 2 (cf. Figures 2 to 8 ) have front and rear tabs that have to be erected over the gap 50 after the respective introduction into the transport path of the article 3 or beverage container 5. For this purpose, the further conveying device 9 is followed by a container forming unit 10 in the conveying direction FR. The respective flat packaging blanks 2 moved by the further conveyor 9 in the conveying direction FR, already carrying a respective grouping of articles 3 and having not yet erected front and rear tabs, then pass from the further conveyor 9 to the container forming unit 10.

The flat packaging blanks 2, which already carry a respective grouping of articles 3, are moved further in the conveying direction via the container form unit 10 FR moves, with a large number of folding fingers 12 designed as part of the container form unit 10 and moving circumferentially erecting the front and rear flaps of the flat packaging blanks 2 or folding them in an upward direction. If the respective flat packaging blanks 2 do not have front and rear flaps that can be folded upwards, it may be that the horizontal conveyor 7 has a further conveyor belt instead of the pack forming unit 10 or that the horizontal conveyor 7 does not have a pack forming unit 10.

The flow chart of the Fig. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the method 100 according to the invention. By means of the packaging device 1 according to the preceding Figures 1 to 8 the method 100 can accordingly Fig. 10 implemented. In order to implement method 100, it is also possible to follow Fig. 10 a packaging device 1 according to the preceding Figures 1 to 8 and their associated description are used. The following reference numbers, which relate to the steps of the method 100 according to Fig. 10 therefore refer to the embodiment of a packaging device 1 according to FIG Figures 1 to 8 .

In the context of a first step S1, articles 3 are transferred via at least one horizontal conveyor device 7 or via a first possibly as part of the horizontal conveyor device 7 according to FIG Fig. 9 trained conveyor belt 8 moves. A further or second step S2 provides for a check of packaging blanks 2 provided for introduction into a transport route of the articles 3 for errors.

If no error is detected in the course of the check for flat packaging blanks 2, such flat packaging blanks 2 are introduced into the transport path of the article 3 in a third step S3.

If, on the other hand, an error is detected in the course of the check in a flat packaging blank 2 'or several flat packaging blanks 2', then in a fourth step S4 to be carried out instead of the third step S3, such flat packaging blanks 2 'are separated out instead of being brought into the transport path or diverted.

The embodiments, examples and variants of the preceding paragraphs, the claims or the preceding description and the figures, including their various views or respective individual features, can be used independently of one another or in any combination. Features that appear in In connection with an embodiment described are applicable to all embodiments, provided that the features are not incompatible.

Even if “schematic” representations and views are generally spoken of in connection with the figures, this in no way means that the representations of the figures and their description are of subordinate importance with regard to the disclosure of the invention. The person skilled in the art is quite able to derive sufficient information from the schematically and abstractly drawn representations that facilitate his understanding of the invention without having to rely on the drawn and possibly not exactly to scale proportions of the piece goods and / or parts of the device or other drawn elements would be impaired in its understanding in any way. The figures thus enable the person skilled in the art as a reader to derive a better understanding of the inventive ideas formulated in the claims and in the general part of the description in more general and / or more abstract form on the basis of the more specifically explained implementations of the method according to the invention and the more specifically explained mode of operation of the packaging device according to the invention.

List of reference symbols

1

Packaging device

2

Packaging cut

3

items

4th

Feeding device

5

Beverage container

7th

Horizontal conveyor

8th

Conveyor belt, first conveyor belt

9

second conveyor belt

10

Container form unit

11

magazine

12th

Folding finger

13th

stack

15th

Suction and / or gripping device

16

Timing belt

18th

Optical detection device

20th

Transfer position

24

guide

25th

Transport device

27

Section of the transport facility

28

Collecting container

29

Conveyor section

30th

Review area

32

guide

40

Funding area

50

gap

100

Procedure

FR

Conveying direction

S.

Control and / or regulating device

S1

first step, first procedural step

S2

second step, second process step

S3

third step, third process step

S4

fourth step, fourth process step

Claims (13)

1. A packaging apparatus (1) for articles (3), such as beverage containers (5) or the like, the packaging apparatus (1) comprising

   - at least one horizontal conveying device (7) used to convey articles (3), as well as

   - at least one feeder device (4), which can introduce planar packaging blanks (2) into a transport path of the articles (3) such that articles (3) move, while being conveyed along the at least one horizontal conveying device (7), onto planar packaging blanks (2), which have been introduced into the transport path,
   characterised in that
   the at least one feeder device (4) is designed to identify and discharge specific planar packaging blanks (2'), which were up to then provided for being introduced into the transport path, with said specific planar packaging blanks (2') up to then provided for being introduced into the transport path having an error.
2. The packaging apparatus according to claim 1, in which the at least one feeder device (4) has at least one optical detection device (18), which is preferably designed as camera, by which optical detection device (18), which is preferably designed as camera, an error of particular planar packaging blanks (2), which were up to then provided for being introduced into the transport path, is identifiable.
3. The packaging apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the at least one feeder device (4) comprises at least one transport device (25), which is designed to introduce planar packaging blanks (2) into the transport path of the articles (3), wherein a section (27) of the at least one transport device (25) is designed to be swivelable in order to discharge the particular planar packaging blank (2') that has an error.
4. The packaging apparatus according to claim 3, in which the section (27) of the at least one transport device (25) is designed to be swivelable about an at least approximately horizontally oriented axis in a downward direction in order to discharge the particular planar packaging blank (2') that has an error.
5. The packaging apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4, in which the at least one feeder device (4) comprises at least one collection receptacle (28), into which at least one collection receptacle (28) the at least one transport device (25) can transfer a particular planar packaging blank (2') that has an error by means of a swivel movement of the section (27) of the transport device (25), the swivel movement preferably directed in a downward direction and about an at least approximately horizontally oriented axis.
6. The packaging apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 5, in which planar packaging blanks (2) are introducible by way of the at least one feeder device (4) into the transport path of the articles (3) at a specified cycle frequency, wherein the at least one feeder device (4) is regulatable in such a manner that the at least one feeder device (4) can maintain the specified cycle frequency in the instance of a discharge of a particular planar packaging blank (2') that has an error.
7. The packaging apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 5, in which the at least one feeder device (4) and the at least one horizontal conveying device (7) interact in such a manner that a conveying speed of the at least one horizontal conveying device (7) is regulatable in a manner coordinated with a discharge of a particular planar packaging blank (2') that has an error.
8. A method (100) used to supply planar packaging blanks (2) for articles (3), such as beverage containers (5) or the like, the method comprising the following steps:

   - conveying of articles (3), as well as

   - introducing of planar packaging blanks (2) into a transport path of the articles (3), wherein articles (3) move, while being conveyed, onto planar packaging blanks (2), which have been introduced into the transport path,
   characterised in that

   - planar packaging blanks (2) provided for being introduced into the transport path are checked for an error, and such particular planar packaging blanks (2') for which an error was identified during the check are discharged instead of being introduced into the transport path.
9. The method according to claim 8, in which particular planar packaging blanks (2) provided for being introduced into the transport path are checked for an error with the help of at least one optical detection device (18) and preferably with the help of at least one camera.
10. The method according to claim 8 or claim 9, in which the planar packaging blanks (2) are introduced into the transport path of the articles (3) by way of at least one transport device (25), wherein, upon identification of an error in the context of the check, a section (27) of the at least one transport device (25) is swiveled preferably about an at least approximately horizontally oriented axis in a downward direction, with the result that the particular planar packaging blank (2') for which an error was identified in the context of the check is discharged instead of being introduced into the transport path.
11. The method according to claim 10, in which, instead of being introduced into the transport path, the particular planar packaging blank (2') for which an error was identified in the context of the check is transferred into a collection receptacle (28) by way of the section (27) of the at least one transport device (25) being swiveled preferably about an at least approximately horizontally oriented axis in a downward direction.
12. The method according to one of the claims 8 to 11, in which planar packaging blanks (2) are introduced by way of at least one feeder device (4) into the transport path of the articles (3) at a specified cycle frequency, wherein the at least one feeder device (4) is regulated to maintain the specific cycle frequency in the instance of a discharge of a particular packaging blank (2').
13. The method according to one of the claims 8 to 11, in which a conveying speed of the articles (3) is regulated in a manner coordinated with a particular discharge of a particular planar packaging blank (2').

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