EP3590853A1 - Processing device for packaging machines - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a processing device for packaging machines, with at least one upper processing unit for processing the top of packs and at least one lower processing unit for processing the bottom of packs, and with a common adjustment axis for the processing units, along which the processing units can be adjusted manually or by means of a drive in one setting direction , which runs parallel to a transport direction of the packaging machine.

Description

The invention relates to a processing device for packaging machines, in particular for labeling and / or printing packaging, with at least one upper processing unit for processing the top of packaging and at least one lower processing unit for processing the underside of packaging. The invention also relates to a packaging machine, in particular for food products, with at least one processing device according to the invention.

Packaging machines, such as are used in particular for packaging food products, typically comprise a multiplicity of workstations which are arranged in succession along a working or transport direction. In such food processing lines with packaging machines, the products are often not only packaged, but the packs are manufactured in the first place. In so-called thermoforming packaging machines, which are used very frequently for packaging food products, the packs are produced from at least two material webs, in particular film webs, namely a so-called bottom film and a so-called top film. Typically, at a deep-drawing station located in the initial area of the packaging machine, the lower film is deformed by means of a deep-drawing process, for example in order to produce a shell-shaped lower part of a respective package. At a subsequent loading station, the products are placed in the lower parts of the pack. The upper film is then fed in, which is placed on the lower packaging parts filled with the products, that is to say on the lower film, whereupon the two films are sealed in a sealing station of the packaging machine around the packs to close. During this process, at least the film web forming the bottom film is gripped after unwinding from a supply roll of conveyor chains of the packaging machine provided with retaining clips and transported along the packaging machine through the individual work stations.

The workflow in such a deep-drawing packaging machine is carried out in particular clocked. In each work cycle, a predetermined length of film is drawn off and transported along the packaging machine, a work cycle corresponding to at least one package or - if the packaging machine is designed with multiple tracks - at least one package row lying transversely to the transport direction.

In practice, it is often necessary to carry out further processing operations on the packs or the material or film webs. In particular, it is often necessary to provide the packs with information for further processing, transport, trading and, above all, the end user of the packaged products. For this purpose, the packs are provided with labels and / or printed, for example. In practice, this is often done on the packaging machines themselves, which are provided with appropriate processing devices for this purpose. These are usually arranged at an end region of the packaging machine, for example in order to label or print the finished packs, which are still connected as a film web. However, it is also possible to label or print the respective material webs at another point on the packaging machine.

Processing devices such as labelers and printers for packs have long been known. It is also known to support such processing devices directly on the packaging machine, in particular on a machine frame extending in the transport direction, and manually in the transport direction or designed to be movable by means of a drive in order to be able to set the respective processing position relative to the respective pack or row of packs. In order to keep the effort within limits and to keep the space requirement or the working length of the packaging machine as short as possible, in practice often only a single processing device is provided, which can process either only the top of the package or only the bottom of the package.

In principle, however, it is also known to provide two separate, independent processing devices, one of which can process the top of the pack and the other the bottom of the pack. A problem with processing devices for packaging machines, especially with labelers, is the large space requirement of the structures. Labelers, for example, require, among other things, a label supply and a label feeder. This structure typically projects laterally and upwards beyond the actual limitation of the packaging machine. If two separate labeling devices are to be used, they are in practice offset from one another in the direction of transport and also arranged in such a way that the structure of one labeler is on one side of the packaging machine and the structure of the other labeler is on the opposite side of the machine. This simplifies the arrangement of two labelers, but has the disadvantage that the operating personnel must constantly switch between the two machine sides, for example to change label supply rolls, thread the supply rolls into the label feeder, make fine adjustments or perform other interventions that are necessary while the packaging machine is in operation take care of. This is particularly problematic because packaging machines today have an enormous length and the operating personnel must therefore travel long distances in a short time.

Commissioning and setting of processing devices on packaging machines, in particular labelers and printers, are consequently often associated with a cumbersome and difficult operation in practice. This problem is constantly increasing due to the ever increasing degree of automation and the associated longer length of packaging machines.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a possibility for processing packs on packaging machines which requires as little space as possible and which allows operation to be as simple as possible.

This object is achieved by a processing device with the features of claim 1. According to the invention, a common adjustment axis is provided for the processing units, along which the processing units can be adjusted manually or by means of a drive in an adjustment direction that runs parallel to a transport direction of the packaging machine. The object is also achieved by a packaging machine with at least one processing device according to the invention.

According to the invention, only a common adjustment axis is provided for the processing units. The invention thus leaves the path which has hitherto been used in the prior art, in the case of a plurality of processing units, to consider these as separate, independent machines and to design and operate them accordingly, each of which requires a complete infrastructure of its own in order to be attached to the packaging machine and in particular in the direction of transport Packaging machine can be adjusted.

The common adjustment axis is not to be understood as an imaginary or virtual axis in the mathematical sense, but rather as an objective component or structural unit that can be adjusted manually or by means of a drive of the processing units parallel to the transport direction of the packaging machine. In the case of manual adjustability, the adjustment axis can be a component or structural unit, for example a guide rod, which is designed in a specific manner, and extends over a suitable actuating length parallel to the transport direction of the packaging machine, and this component or structural unit can consequently also perform a guide function. This does not exclude additional guides for the processing units.

If a drive is provided for adjusting the machining units, then the adjusting axis can form or comprise a common drive element for the machining units or can be formed by such a drive element. This drive element can be, for example, a spindle, a toothed belt or a toothed rack.

The concept of the invention makes it possible to completely shift the operation of all processing units to only one of the sides of the packaging machine. On the other side of the machine, for example, an additional guide for the processing units can be provided, which the operating personnel, however, need not devote to, at least while the packaging machine is in operation.

Another advantage of a common adjustment axis for several processing units is that certain safety-related measures - insofar as they are fundamentally necessary - need only be taken on one side of the packaging machine. For example, if, according to a preferred embodiment, the processing units can be adjusted in opposite directions with respect to the transport direction of the packaging machine, a possible risk of injury to the operating personnel due to this adjustability must be appropriate due to applicable safety regulations Measures such as the provision of a cover can be avoided.

In addition, in the case of a common adjustment axis for the processing units, their integration is facilitated, or even made possible, in particular in terms of control technology. For example, settings of the processing units can be made via the central control of the packaging machine or the entire processing line, in which the packaging machine may be integrated.

In addition, the concept according to the invention enables a wide range of work variants, which will be discussed in more detail elsewhere, at least certain variants of which have hitherto not been able to be implemented, or at best only with the additional working length of the packaging machine being taken into account.

It is possible, but not mandatory, that only a single common adjustment axis is provided for the processing units. At least one further common adjustment axis can be provided, in which case all common adjustment axes of the processing units are then arranged on the same side of the packaging machine. An adjustment axis, which can also be referred to as the main adjustment axis, can be provided primarily for a common adjustment of the processing units. A processing unit decoupled from the main adjustment axis can be coupled to a further common adjustment axis and, for example, can be brought into a non-working position along this further common adjustment axis independently of the other processing unit (s).

A common adjustment axis in the sense of the invention can also be provided in such a way that the one processing unit is not directly connected to the common one Adjustment axis cooperates, but only indirectly via the other processing unit, which interacts directly with the common adjustment axis. The two processing units are consequently not adjustable independently of one another by means of the common adjustment axis. However, this does not rule out that the processing units can be moved relative to one another, for example in order to be able to change an offset in the transport direction of the packaging machine between the two processing units.

Preferred embodiments can also be found in the following description, the dependent claims and the drawing.

According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, a common traversing drive is provided for the two machining units, with which the machining units can be traversed along the adjustment axis.

The traversing drive can comprise an elongated drive element for the processing units, which extends in the adjusting direction. The drive element can be, for example, a spindle, a toothed belt or a toothed rack.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the processing units can be coupled to the adjustment axis independently of one another and can be decoupled from the adjustment axis. This enables a highly flexible operation of the packaging machine with regard to the function of the processing units. If the processing units are all coupled to the adjustment axis, the processing units can be adjusted together. The processing units can, for example, jointly change their position along the packaging machine, an offset that may be present between the two processing units in the transport direction being able to remain constant. However, an offset between the processing units does not have to exist and - if there is one - does not have to be constant his. Alternatively, a common adjustment of processing units each coupled to the adjustment axis can also be accompanied by an increasing or decreasing distance between the processing units in the transport direction of the packaging machine.

Furthermore, it is possible, for example, to decouple a processing unit from the adjustment axis. The decoupled processing unit can be brought into a non-working position on the packaging machine, for example for maintenance purposes or for applying a new label supply roll, manually or via an optionally additionally provided drive, while the or any other processing unit continues its processing operation.

Furthermore, it can be provided according to the invention that each processing unit comprises a coupling device which can be actuated manually or can be controlled by means of a control device and is designed to couple the processing unit and the adjustment axis to one another and to decouple them from one another. The control device can be assigned to the processing device and in particular integrated into the processing device and connected in a suitable manner to a central control device of the packaging machine. Alternatively, the control device used to control the coupling devices of the processing unit can be integrated into a central control device of the packaging machine or a higher-level processing line.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, in addition to the common adjusting axis, a guide for the machining devices running parallel to the adjusting direction is provided. The guide can comprise a guide element or at least two guide elements which run at a distance from one another transversely to the adjustment direction. The management body (s) can, for example, be simple, passive guide rods. If two spaced-apart guide elements are provided, then these can be on opposite ones Be arranged sides of the packaging machine. This results in a particularly stable and precise guidance and alignment of the processing units with respect to the respective packaging machine. While the or each common adjustment axis for the processing units is only arranged on one machine side, guide devices for the processing units can thus be present on both sides of the packaging machine.

According to a further possible exemplary embodiment, in addition to the adjustment axis for the processing units, at least one transverse axis running at right angles to the transport direction is provided for at least one additional unit. The transverse axis can be moved in the adjustment direction manually or by means of a drive along the adjustment axis. The additional unit for which the additional transverse axis is provided can be, for example, a printing device for printing, for example, the top of the package or the bottom of the package.

As already mentioned above, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the processing units are each a labeling unit, the upper labeling unit being used for labeling the top of packs and the lower labeling unit for labeling the bottom of packs. Alternatively, the processing units can each be configured as printing units for printing on the sides of the pack. Furthermore, “mixed” applications are also possible according to the invention, in which different processing units are used. For example, the top of the pack can be labeled using an upper labeling unit and the bottom of the pack can be printed using a lower printing unit.

In a packaging machine according to the invention, in particular a machine for packaging food products, which comprises at least one processing device according to the invention as disclosed herein, according to a In a preferred embodiment, the processing device is supported on a machine frame of the packaging machine. This does not exclude that additional, but not sufficient, support is provided by another device that is not formed by the packaging machine or does not belong to the packaging machine, or by a footprint, in particular the floor. The processing device is preferably supported exclusively on the packaging machine and in particular on a frame or frame of the packaging machine.

The adjustment axis of the packaging machine is preferably arranged on one side of a machine frame or a machine frame of the packaging machine. The adjustment axis is preferably supported on the machine frame or the machine frame. In particular, the adjustment axis is supported only in this way.

The processing units of the processing device, viewed in the transport direction, can be arranged in the same working section of the packaging machine that is assigned to a pack or a pack row lying transversely to the transport direction. In this configuration, the processing unit consequently processes the same package, ie the upper processing unit processes the top of the packaging and the lower processing unit processes the bottom of the packaging. If it is a multi-lane packaging machine, the processing units process the same row of packs. An offset between the processing units in the transport direction of the packaging machine within the working section can be provided. This offset can result from the processing positions desired in each case, which can be different for the top of the pack and the bottom of the pack of a respective pack. For example, it may be desirable to apply a label for the top of the package to a region of the package which is at the front in the transport direction, whereas a label or a print on the underside of the pack, viewed in the direction of transport, should be placed in the rear pack area.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, an alternative configuration can be provided, in which the processing units are arranged in different working sections which are offset with respect to one another in the transport direction and are each assigned to a pack or a row of packs lying transversely to the transport direction. The working sections can be offset one or more packs or pack rows in the transport direction or - in other words - spaced apart. This configuration can be advantageous, for example, depending on the specific design and any existing structure of the processing units that extends beyond the limitation of the actual packaging machine. In addition, this may make it easier to operate the processing units.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, a plurality of pairs, each comprising an upper processing unit and a lower processing unit, can be provided, which are arranged in different working sections offset in the transport direction, each working section being assigned to a pack or a pack row lying transversely to the transport direction.

As a result, the performance of the packaging machine with regard to the processing of the packs by means of the processing units can be multiplied in accordance with the number of pairs. For example, the processing performance can be doubled with two pairs of processing units. Another possibility, which results from the use of several pairs of processing units, is to carry out additional processing on the packs, For example, attach one or more additional labels that may only be required temporarily.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the processing units or pairs of processing units can be moved independently of one another from a work area into a non-work position. For example, a pair of processing units can be serviced in the non-working position or, for example, provided with a new label supply without the packaging machine coming to a standstill, while temporarily reducing the processing power. After this interruption, the temporarily inactive pair of processing units can be moved back into the respective work section, whereupon the original full power is available again.

Regardless of the respective specific configuration of the packaging machine according to the invention, it can be provided that the processing units can each be moved within their working section in the adjusting direction in order to set a desired working offset between an upper processing position and a lower processing position.

Furthermore, a control device is preferably provided, which is designed to control a traversing drive of the processing device and the processing units, in particular coupling devices of the processing devices, depending on the respective operating situation, in order to adjust the processing units jointly or individually in the adjusting direction.

As already mentioned above, the coupling units can serve to couple the respective processing unit and the adjustment axis with one another and to decouple them from one another. This can be done independently of one another for the processing units. As also mentioned above, the control device assigned to the processing unit or integrated into a central control device of the packaging machine.

Fig. 1

schematisch in einer senkrecht zur Transportrichtung der Verpackungsmaschine geschnittenen Ansicht die Anordnung zweier Bearbeitungseinheiten gemäß der Erfindung, und

Fig. 2 bis 4

jeweils schematisch eine mögliche Konfiguration einer erfindungsgemäßen Verpackungsmaschine.

The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

schematically in a view cut perpendicular to the direction of transport of the packaging machine, the arrangement of two processing units according to the invention, and

2 to 4

each schematically shows a possible configuration of a packaging machine according to the invention.

In the Fig. 1 Packaging machine 13, shown schematically in cross section, comprises a machine frame 37 which is supported on the floor by means of a base frame 49. A left-hand transport chain 51 and a right-hand transport chain 51 are supported by chain guides (not shown) on the respective frame element of the machine frame 37 which extends in the transport direction and, as described in the introductory part, serve to transport a lower film 13 through the packaging machine, from which packs together with an upper film 15 with food products included therein (not shown). In the example shown, the packaging machine 13 is constructed in four tracks, ie in each row of packs 41 (cf. 2 to 5 ) there are four packs 15 next to each other, which are separated at the end of the work process.

With regard to the present invention, there is no need for any further details of the fundamentally known structure and the mode of operation of a packaging machine and in particular a thermoforming packaging machine which is also well known to the person skilled in the art, as also explained in the introductory part, not to be discussed.

The packaging machine 13 according to the invention is provided with a processing device 11 which serves to process the top and bottom sides of the packs 15. For this purpose, the processing device 11 comprises at least a pair of processing units, namely an upper processing unit 17, which is located above the packs 15, and a lower processing unit 19 below the packs 15.

The processing in the present exemplary embodiment is the application of labels. Both processing units 17, 19, each designed as a labeler, are each assigned a structure that includes, among other things, a label supply roll 45 and a feed for the label web 47 rolled up in the supply 45. How out Fig. 1 emerges, these structures of the processing units 17, 19 project laterally and upward beyond the machine frame 37 of the packaging machine 13.

These structures comprising the supply roll 45 and the label feed (not shown in more detail) are each connected to the respective processing unit 17, 19 in such a way that when the respective processing unit 17, 19 is moved in the transport direction T of the packaging machine 13 and counter to the transport direction T - in other words in the adjusting direction S (cf. 2 to 5 ) - always be moved together with their respective processing unit 17, 19.

The adjusting movements of the processing units 17, 19 are performed on the machine frame 37 in the exemplary embodiment shown here. For this purpose, guides 29, 31 are provided on the left side and on the right side of the machine frame 37 Fig. 1 only schematically and in the 2 to 5 are each indicated as a dash-dotted line.

The guides 29, 31 can only comprise passive guide elements, such as guide rods, which are carried by the machine frame 37 and have no drive function for the respective processing unit 17, 19.

The provision of a guide for the processing device 11 is not mandatory according to the invention. Depending on the specific configuration of the machining device 11 and the common adjustment axis 21 for the machining units 17, 19 described in more detail below, the adjustment axis 21 can be sufficient to ensure the required stability and guidance and to allow the machining units 17, 19 to be adjusted in the direction of adjustment S.

In the Fig. 1 shown position of the adjustment axis 21 relative to the packaging machine 13 is to be understood purely schematically. Depending on the specific structure of the packaging machine 13 and in particular the machine frame 37, the adjustment axis 21 can be arranged at any desired location on one of the machine sides. In the exemplary embodiments shown here, the adjustment axis 21 is located on the right-hand side of the machine, as seen in the transport direction T. The adjustment axis 21 is in the 2 to 5 indicated by a dashed line thicker than the guides 29, 31.

How Fig. 1 shows, the upper processing unit 17 and the lower processing unit 19 are each connected to the common adjustment axis 21. This is done in each case by a holder 18, 20, which is only indicated schematically.

In order to be able to adjust the machining units 17, 19 by means of the adjustment axis 21, the adjustment axis 21 can be designed, for example, as a threaded spindle extending parallel to the transport direction T, with which spindle nuts formed on the brackets 18, 20 can be coupled. The threaded spindle acting as the adjusting axis 21 can be operated manually, for example. In a preferred embodiment is for the adjustment axis 21 in Fig. 1 schematically shown drive 23 is provided, which is connected to a control device 25 and thus enables a controlled adjustment of the machining units 17, 19 by the threaded spindle forming the adjustment axis 21 is set in rotation accordingly. As also mentioned in the introductory part, the control device 25 can only be assigned to the processing device 11 and connected to a higher-level control device (not shown) of the packaging machine 13. Alternatively, the control device 25 can be integrated into such a central control device.

Instead of a spindle drive for the processing units 17, 19, a differently designed traversing drive can also be provided, which is based, for example, on the drive principle of a toothed belt or a rack.

How Fig. 1 Also schematically shows, each of the two processing units 17, 19 is provided with a coupling device 27, which allows the respective processing unit 17, 19 to be coupled to the adjustment axis 21 via its holder 18, 20 either with a drive effect or to be decoupled from the adjustment axis 21. In this way, an individual, mutually independent adjustment movement of the two processing units 17, 19 is possible.

The 2 to 5 show, by way of example, various configurations in which the processing units 17, 19 of the processing device 11 on the packaging machine 13 can be positioned and adjusted relative to one another with respect to the transport direction T and in particular with regard to the packaging 15 or packaging rows 41.

Just Fig. 2 shows an additional option which, however, can in principle also be used in all configurations possible according to the invention, namely the provision of an additional unit 35, which is, for example, a printing device can act to print on either the top or bottom of the package. For this additional unit 35, a transverse axis 33 is provided which extends perpendicular to the transport direction T and which - like the processing units 17, 19 - can be moved in the adjusting direction S by means of the common adjusting axis 21 in order to relate the printing position on the top side of the package or on a package row 41 To be able to adjust the bottom of the pack. The additional unit 35 is also adjustable along the transverse axis 33 in order to be able to reach all packs 15 of a row 41 of packs. The movement possibilities of the additional unit 35 thus given are shown in Fig. 2 indicated by the double arrows.

In the embodiment of the Fig. 2 the upper processing unit 17 and the lower processing unit 19 are assigned to the same row of packs 41 and thus - seen in the transport direction T - to the same working section. The two processing units 17, 19 are essentially one above the other. The offset between the two processing units 17, 19 in the actuating direction S within this same working section can be adjusted by moving the processing units 17, 19 along the adjustment axis 21. As a result, the processing position with respect to the packs 15 of the relevant row of packs 41 can be specified precisely for the upper processing unit 17 and for the lower processing unit 19. As a result, for example, labels can be applied to any desired position on the top and bottom of a pack, or the top and bottom sides of the packs 15 can be printed at any point in principle if the processing units 17, 19 are not labels, but are Printer.

It is understood that the in Fig. 2 The longitudinal offset of the processing units 17, 19 shown in the setting direction S can also be zero, ie the processing units 17, 19 can be positioned relative to one another in such a way that they are exact lie on top of each other. It is also possible according to the invention that the positions of the two processing units 17, 19 in the transport direction T are opposite the arrangement in FIG Fig. 2 are interchanged, ie the upper processing unit 17 lies further forward in the transport direction T than the lower processing unit 19.

In the embodiment of the Fig. 3 the two processing units 17, 19 are assigned to different pack rows 41. A longitudinal offset in the adjustment direction S of the two processing units 17, 19 by exactly one row of packs 41 is shown. The offset can also be more than one row of packs 41.

With regard to the movability of the two processing units 17, 19, different configurations are fundamentally possible. It can thus be provided that the two processing units 17, 19 can only be moved together and are therefore positively coupled. It is also possible that, for example, only the lower processing unit 19 can be moved on the adjustment axis 21, but not the upper processing unit 17, which for this purpose is located on a further adjustment axis 21, not shown, which is arranged on the same machine side as the common adjustment axis 21. can be adjusted relative to the lower processing unit 19. Since such a configuration enables a common adjustment by moving the lower processing unit 19 on the adjustment axis 21, the adjustment axis 21 is also a common adjustment axis for the two processing units 17, 19 in this configuration.

The embodiment of the Fig. 4 based on the configuration according to Fig. 2 , in which case the processing device 11 comprises two pairs of processing units 17, 19 and each pair 43 is assigned to a row of packs 41, the two pairs 43 being offset from one another by a row of packs 41 in the transport direction T. It is understood that the offset can also be more than one row 41 of packs.

As already mentioned in the introductory part, the processing power can be doubled as a result, or the possibility can be created to carry out additional processing of the top and / or bottom sides of the packs 15, which can optionally also be carried out only temporarily. For example, so-called promotional labels or other additional labels or also printing can be applied to the packages 15 for temporary advertising campaigns by means of the additional pair 43 of processing units 17, 19.

In the Fig. 5 illustrated embodiment is based on the concept of Fig. 4 , Again, two pairs 43 of processing units 17, 19 are provided. The above in connection with Fig. 1 The optional coupling and uncoupling of the processing units 17, 19 by means of the coupling devices 27 can be used, for example, in this configuration, for example that in FIG Fig. 5 right pair 43 of processing units 17, 19 from a working position according to the embodiment of FIG Fig. 4 in a non - working position Fig. 5 to move to the right against the transport direction T, for example to carry out maintenance work or a label supply roll 45 (cf. Fig. 1 ) switch. During this period, the processing of the packs 15 by means of the in Fig. 5 Left pair 43 of processing units 17, 19 continued, which temporarily means a lower processing power, but is advantageously not associated with a temporary complete failure of the processing device 11. Such a configuration consequently enables a so-called "no down time" function of the packaging machine, which thus achieves a higher production output overall.

The temporarily interrupting processing units 17, 19 can be adjusted in the state decoupled from the adjusting axis 21, for example, manually or by means of a traversing drive which is an addition to the common adjusting axis 21 provided adjustment axis (not shown). An additional adjustment axis can be assigned to both pairs 43 of processing units 17, 19. Alternatively, each pair 43 can have its own additional adjustment axis.

In all of the configurations described above and also possible in accordance with the invention, it is preferred in the case of several adjustment axes if all adjustment axes are arranged on the same side of the packaging machine.

As already mentioned in the introduction, an essential advantage of the invention is that the operation of the processing unit can be completely shifted to only one side of the packaging machine. Furthermore, the effort for any safety measures that may be required can be reduced, in particular safety measures due to the mobility of the processing units and the associated potential risk of crushing. A further advantage is that the working length of the packaging machine for the processing unit according to the invention is comparatively low. In particular, if several pairs of processing units are provided, a saving of the required machine length of 50% and more can be achieved compared to a performance increase achieved in a conventional manner, without having to accept losses in functionality or performance.

In addition, the “no down time” or “double speed plus no down time” functions that are usually required in practice can also be implemented without any problems with the concept according to the invention, and this — as mentioned — in comparison to the known solutions, requiring less space, in particular with regard to the working length of the packaging machine.

LIST OF REFERENCES

11

processing device

13

packaging machine

15

pack

17

upper processing unit

18

bracket

19

lower processing unit

20

bracket

21

adjustment axis

23

drive

25

control device

27

coupling device

29

guide

31

guide

33

transverse axis

35

additional unit

37

machine frame

41

pack row

43

Pair

45

supply roll

47

label web

49

undercarriage

51

transport chain

T

transport direction

S

setting direction

Claims (15)

Processing device (11) for packaging machines (13), in particular for labeling and / or printing packages (15),
with at least one upper processing unit (17) for processing package tops and at least one lower processing unit (19) for processing package undersides, and
with a common adjustment axis (21) for the processing units, along which the processing units can be adjusted manually or by means of a drive (23) in an adjusting direction (S) which runs parallel to a transport direction (T) of the packaging machine. Device according to claim 1,
A common traversing drive (23) is provided for the two machining units (17, 19), with which the machining units can be moved along the adjustment axis (21). Device according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein the drive (23) comprises an elongated drive element for the processing units (17, 19), which extends in the adjusting direction (22), in particular a spindle, a toothed belt or a toothed rack. Device according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the processing units (17, 19) can be coupled independently of one another to the adjustment axis (21) and can be decoupled from the adjustment axis, and / or wherein each processing unit (17, 19) has a manually operable one or comprises a coupling device (27) which can be controlled by means of a control device (25) and which is designed to couple the processing unit and the adjustment axis (21) to one another and to decouple them from one another. Device according to one of the preceding claims,
In addition to the adjusting axis (21), a guide (29, 31) for the machining units (17, 19) running parallel to the adjusting direction (S) is provided, the guide in particular being a guide element or at least two transverse to the adjusting direction (S) at a distance comprises mutually extending management members (29, 31). Device according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein in addition to the adjustment axis (21) for the processing units (17, 19) at least one transverse axis (33) extending transversely to the transport direction (T) is provided for at least one additional unit (35), the transverse axis being manual or by means of a drive along the adjustment axis is movable in the setting direction (S). Packaging machine (13), in particular for food products, with at least one processing device (11) according to one of the preceding claims. Packaging machine according to claim 7,
wherein the processing device (11) is supported on a machine frame (37) of the packaging machine (13). Packaging machine according to claim 7 or 8,
wherein the adjustment axis (21) of the processing device (11) is arranged on one side of a machine frame (37) of the packaging machine (13) and is preferably supported on the machine frame. Packaging machine according to one of claims 7 to 9,
wherein the processing units (17, 19), viewed in the transport direction (T), are arranged in the same working section of the packaging machine (13) that is assigned to a pack (15) or a pack row (41) lying transversely to the transport direction (T). Packaging machine according to one of claims 7 to 9,
wherein the processing units (17, 19) are arranged in different working sections offset in the transport direction (T), each of which is assigned to a pack (15) or a pack row (41) lying transversely to the transport direction (T). Packaging machine according to one of claims 7 to 11,
A plurality of pairs (43) comprising an upper processing unit (17) and a lower processing unit (19) are provided, which are arranged in different working sections offset in the transport direction (T), each of a pack (15) or one transverse to the Direction of transport (T) lying pack row (41) are assigned. Packaging machine according to one of claims 7 to 12,
wherein the processing units (17, 19) or pairs (43) of processing units (17, 19) can be moved independently of one another from a working area into a non-working position. Packaging machine according to one of claims 7 to 13,
wherein the processing units (17, 19) can each be moved within their working section in the adjusting direction (S) in order to set a desired processing offset between an upper processing position and a lower processing position. Packaging machine according to one of claims 7 to 14,
A control device (25) is provided, which is designed to control a traversing drive (23) of the processing device (11) and the processing units (17, 19), in particular coupling devices (27) of the processing units, depending on the respective operating situation, in order to to adjust the processing units together or individually in the direction of adjustment (S).

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