EP4161767A1

EP4161767A1 - Apparatus and method for assembling containers with a function rim from flat blanks

Info

Publication number: EP4161767A1
Application number: EP21730844.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marcel Gerber
Original assignee: Gietz AG
Current assignee: Gietz AG
Priority date: 2020-06-03
Filing date: 2021-06-01
Publication date: 2023-04-12
Also published as: CH717493A1; US20230257147A1; WO2021245052A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for assembling containers (92) along folding lines (97a, 97b, 98) from flat blanks (91), having a forming station (10), containing a forming tool (11) with a movable forming punch (12), and a counterholder device (21) for assembling the containers (92) from the blanks (91), and having a delivery device (51) for conveying the assembled containers (92) out of the forming station (10). According to a first aspect of the invention, the forming station (10) is designed to fold a peripheral functional rim (96a, 96b). According to a second aspect of the invention, the apparatus is designed to turn the assembled containers (92) after the forming station and to push them, with their container openings (99) in front, over preceding containers (92), forming a container stack (54).

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ERECTING CONTAINERS WITH FUNCTIONAL EDGE FROM COMPARTMENTS

CUTTING

The invention relates to the field of devices for erecting and gluing containers with functional edges from flat blanks.

According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a device of the type mentioned at the beginning according to the preamble of independent claim 1 and an associated method according to the preamble of independent claim 13.

Furthermore, according to a second aspect, the invention relates to a device of the type mentioned at the beginning according to the preamble of independent claim 15 and an associated method according to the preamble of independent claim 19.

Devices of the type mentioned above are disclosed, for example, in the patent publications DE 10 2005 020 617 A1, DE 102 48 231 A1, DE 299 05 241 Ul, EP 0 761 424 A1 and DE 43 18 004 A1.

In such devices, flat blanks are reshaped or erected to form containers with a container receiving compartment. The flat blanks form, for example, a bottom part as well as side wall parts and adhesive flaps, which are each delimited from one another by predefined fold lines.

To erect the container, the flat blanks are fed to a forming station arranged in the device. In the forming station, containers are erected from the blanks by means of a forming die and glued along the adhesive flaps. The containers, which are produced from flat blanks by means of a device mentioned at the beginning, generally consist of cardboard or a layer composite containing cardboard as the carrier material.

The containers are used, for example, to hold fresh food such as fruit, e.g. strawberries, blueberries or raspberries, as well as vegetables or mushrooms. Such containers usually do not contain an integrated lid but are in the form of bowls. The filled trays are usually covered with a transparent plastic film so that the contents of the packaging cannot fall out of the container receiving compartment and are protected from environmental influences. The containers are also used to hold frozen food, such as lasagna.

In addition, the containers are also used as eating and / or transport containers in the fast food area.

The above-mentioned containers have the disadvantage that they, or their container openings, cannot be closed completely in a liquid-tight manner and, in particular, also not in a gas-tight manner.

Comparable containers, in particular trays, are known which allow liquid-tight and possibly also gas-tight closure. However, these containers are deep-drawn or thermoformed plastic containers. In the area of the container opening, the containers contain a circumferential, laterally protruding sieve edge on which a sealing film, e.g. B. made of plastic, is sealable. Such deep-drawn or thermoformed containers cannot, however, be made from a renewable material such as cardboard.

Furthermore, comparable containers are also known which are made from pulp and are pressed into a container shape. However, such containers do not have the desired appearance, as is achieved with containers which are formed from blanks. It is therefore an object of the present invention to propose a device of the type mentioned at the beginning and an associated method which allow the manufacture of a container with a sealing edge, in particular with a circumferential sealing edge. Another disadvantage of the containers produced by means of the device mentioned at the outset is the unsatisfactory handling of the containers. As a rule, the containers do not have a retaining edge which, for example, would allow the container filled with hot contents to be held.

It is therefore a further object of the present invention to propose a device of the type mentioned at the beginning and an associated method which allow the production of a container with a retaining edge, in particular with a circumferential retaining edge.

The sealing or retaining edge mentioned above is referred to below as the functional edge due to its potentially multi-functional use. In connection with the production of containers with a functional edge from blanks, there is a further challenge in the output of the containers after the containers have been erected by the forming die.

It is known to push the containers erected from blanks in the molding station with the bottom first into the container receiving compartment of a preceding container, forming a stack of nested containers by means of the molding die. For example, the prior art cited in the introduction to the description describes a stack of the above-mentioned type. The formation of a stack of nested containers is extremely space-saving and is therefore particularly suitable for storing, transporting and providing the containers.

However, the type of stacking described above is not suitable for containers with a functional edge of the type described above If the containers are pushed into one another, there is a risk that the laterally protruding functional edge will be straightened up again, for example in an orientation which is almost parallel to the orientation of the container adjoining it.

It is therefore a further object of the invention to propose a device of the type mentioned at the outset which, following the erection of the containers, allows the formation of a stack of containers pushed one inside the other without a functional edge being impaired.

The above-mentioned objects are achieved by the features of independent claims 1 and 13 as well as 15 and 19. Special developments and embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

The term “container” is to be understood as a thin-walled, dimensionally stable object which forms a container receiving compartment with a container opening for receiving goods to be transported and / or stored. The container can have an integrated lid to close the container receiving compartment, this z. B. is connected via a folded edge to the base body forming the receptacle receiving compartment.

The container can also not have an integrated lid. In the latter case, the container is also referred to as a bowl. The flat blank or the container made from it consists in particular of or contains cardboard. Thus, the flat blank or the container made from it can be a layer composite with at least one layer, in particular a carrier layer, made of cardboard and at least one further layer made of another material, such as plastic or metal, e.g. B. aluminum, include or consist of it. The flat blanks have predefined fold lines along which the container is erected. The folding lines can be line-like weakening zones along which the container can be erected by folding. The lines of weakness can, for. B. be formed by grooving, scoring, scoring or perforation. The fold lines in particular form fold edges on the erected container.

The flat blank usually contains a base part, which forms the later container base, as well as side wall parts, which form the later side walls of the container to be produced. The side wall parts are connected to the bottom part via fold lines. The flat blank can also contain adhesive flaps by means of which the side walls of the container are connected to one another in the erected state.

The adhesive flaps are connected in particular to one or to two adjacent side wall parts via fold lines. In the latter case, the container receiving compartment is liquid-tight or leak-proof.

The flat blanks are designed in particular for the production of conical containers. Conical means that the side walls of the container form an angle of greater than 90 ° (degrees of angle) with respect to the base part.

Conical container shapes are chosen in particular because such containers can be stacked one inside the other to save space.

The generic device is generally designed not only for erecting the container but also for applying an adhesive to predefined adhesive points and for producing adhesive connections when the container is erected. The adhesive connections ensure the shape of the erected container after the forming station. The device for erecting containers, viewed in the process direction, comprises in particular a placement station for feeding in the blanks, a transport device for transporting the blanks along a transport path to the forming station, and a forming station. Furthermore, the device contains in particular an adhesive application station arranged along the transport path in front of the forming station for applying adhesive to the blanks, as well as a forming station. The adhesive application station can also be integrated into the forming station.

Furthermore, the device contains, in particular, a delivery device arranged following the molding station for taking over the erected containers released from the molding station.

To carry out the process, the flat blank is fed individually from the feed station to the transport device. For this purpose, the flat blank is separated from a stack in particular at the feed station. A separating device can be provided for this purpose.

The flat blank is passed along the transport route in particular at an adhesive application station at which an adhesive, e.g. B. in the form of glue dots at predefined glue points on the blank. The adhesive is applied in particular to adhesive flaps of the blank. If the adhesive application station is integrated into the forming station, the adhesive is applied in the forming station before erecting.

The flat blank is then fed to the forming station along the transport path, in particular from above or at an angle from above, and brought into a forming position. In the forming station, the flat blank is erected into a container by the movement of a forming die in cooperation with a Gegenhaltervor device by folding. At the same time, the pre-defined adhesive surfaces of the blank are used when the container is erected brought together and glued together. The forming die is driven, for example, by means of a drive. During a work cycle, the forming die carries out, in particular, a forming or erecting stroke and a return stroke along an active axis which accordingly runs parallel to the deformation direction. The effective axis is in particular aligned horizontally. The effective axis can also be oriented obliquely upwards.

A folding process takes place when the container is erected. In this case, in particular, the side wall parts are erected relative to the base part by folding and glued to the likewise folded adhesive flaps, so that the container retains its shape after being erected.

The device can optionally contain one or more stationary folding devices between the feed station and the forming station, by means of which, for example, a pivoting edge is folded in a connecting section between a container lid and the container receiving compartment, or by means of which laterally protruding functional edges, which are aligned in the transport direction of the blank, are folded .

According to a first aspect of the invention, the device for erecting containers along folded edges from flat blanks comprises a forming station with a forming tool. The molding tool contains a movable molding die and a counter-holder device for erecting the containers from the blanks.

The forming die forms a die face which, when a container is erected, interacts with the container bottom to be formed of the container to be erected. Furthermore, the forming die forms at least one, laterally at an angle away from the ram face side of the die, which interacts when erecting the container with a container to be formed side wall of the container to be erected. The counter-holder device in particular forms an erecting space into which the blank is pressed by the forming die. The counter-holder device, in cooperation with the forming die, causes the container to be erected. The counterholder device can be formed, for example, by a linkage.

Furthermore, the device can contain a container receiving element which adjoins the counterholder device in the process direction and is designed to take over the erected, and in particular glued, container from the forming die and to hold it temporarily. The container receiving member is designed in particular as a counter-shape.

As mentioned, the device contains in particular a delivery device for guiding the erected containers away from the forming station.

The delivery device contains, in particular, a stack guide element for forming a stack of mutually engaging, erected containers. The stack guide element forms in particular a stacking shaft for receiving a stack of containers pushed one inside the other. The stack guide member can be formed, for example, by a linkage. The delivery device adjoins the counter-holder device or the container receiving element in the process direction.

The invention according to the first aspect is characterized in that the at least one punch side is adjoined by an outwardly pointing collar section arranged at an angle to the at least one punch side, and the forming tool has at least one folding aid with a movable folding tool which is connected to the collar section can interact in such a way that when the container is erected from the blank, a functional edge protruding laterally outward is folded. A folded edge is formed between the functional edge and the side wall. This folding edge is in particular already predefined as a folding line in the blank.

The functional edge of the erected container can be a sealing edge. The functional edge can be a retaining edge. The functional edge can be a sealing and holding edge.

The functional edge lies in particular in the plane of the container opening.

The functional edge runs in particular parallel to the container bottom.

The functional edge is characterized in particular by the fact that it runs transversely to the transport direction of the blank into the forming station.

The functional edge is arranged on the side of the container opening of the erected container.

According to a further development, a partially or fully circumferential functional edge is formed on the container, which borders the container opening laterally. The partially or fully circumferential functional edge is composed in particular of individual functional edge sections.

In the erected state of the container, the functional edge sections can overlap, in particular in corner zones. That is to say, the functional edge sections can form overlap areas in particular in corner zones. Overlapping functional edge sections can be connected to one another in the overlapping area by means of an adhesive connection.

The functional edge sections can, however, also be formed with a butt joint or with a miter. The term “functional edge” in the present description can, depending on the context, refer to both a functional edge section and to the functional edge of a container formed from several functional edge sections. "Functional margins" in this description correspond to the "functional marginal sections" introduced above.

The at least one punch side in particular forms a contact surface which, during the deformation, acts on a corresponding surface, such as a side wall part, of the blank. The contact surface can be continuous or provided with recesses. The stamp face in particular form a contact surface which acts on the bottom part of the blank during the deformation. The contact surface can be continuous or provided with recesses.

The collar section can extend along the entire stamp side of the forming stamp. The collar section can also only extend over a section along the punch side of the forming punch. The collar section can also be formed in several parts and can be composed of several collar segments which extend over sections along the die wall of the forming die.

According to a further development of the invention, the collar section has an inner wall section to which an outer collar part connects. Lying on the inside means towards the center of the forming die and lying on the outside means being arranged at a distance from the center of the forming die.

The inner wall section, viewed in the deformation direction, is set back via an offset with respect to the outer collar part.

The offset is designed in particular as a step. The offset is used in particular to clamp the functional edge in place while it is being formed. The offset can form an undercut to fix the functional edge on the collar section. The undercut has the particular effect that the functional edge is jammed in the undercut during the forming.

The inner wall section is aligned, in particular, perpendicular to the effective axis of the forming die. The inner wall section runs in particular parallel to the punch face.

The inner wall section can also be designed in such a way that the functional edge is bent over during the forming process. Overbending means that the functional edge is bent over beyond its end position. Bending over takes place in particular in the direction of the bottom part. Bending over the functional edge can lead to a better shape.

The overbending is only temporary, as the functional edge is moved back into its end position. This can take place automatically in that the functional edge automatically, i.e. passively, retreats into its end position through elastic forces, in particular springs back. However, the functional edge can also be actively bent back into its end position.

If the functional edge is to be bent over during the reshaping or erection of the container, the inner wall section and the active axis of the forming die in particular form an angle of less than 90 °.

The height of the inner wall section corresponds in particular to the width of the functional edge.

The device is particularly designed to erect containers with several side walls, in particular with four side walls. A functional edge is attached to each side wall.

Correspondingly, the forming punch forms several punch sides, in particular four punch sides, which lead away laterally at an angle from the punch face. In the formation of a circumferential functional edge, each stamp side can be assigned a collar section, as described above, for forming a functional edge.

However, it is also possible that a collar section of the type described above is assigned to only those stamp sides on which a functional edge running transversely to the transport direction is formed.

Functional edges which run parallel to the transport direction can, as already mentioned above, also be folded in a folding station arranged in the process direction upstream of the forming station. Each stamp side or each collar section interacts with a folding aid.

If the container contains four container sides which enclose a rectangular container bottom, and thus the forming die has four punch sides, the folding aids or their folding tools can each be arranged around the forming die at a right angle to one another.

According to a further development of the invention, the forming die forms two opposing first die sides which each lead laterally at an angle away from the die face and which act on a first container side wall to be formed of the container to be formed or erected when the container is being erected .

A first collar section, which is arranged at an angle to the first punch side and points outward, adjoins the first punch sides.

The first punch sides and with them the first collar sections are in particular arranged opposite one another. The first collar sections in particular run parallel to one another. The two first collar sections are designed in particular for shaping, that is to say for folding two first functional edges. The first two functional edges in particular run parallel to one another and are spaced apart from one another. The two functional edges run in particular transversely to the transport direction of the blank.

Furthermore, the die forms in particular two opposite, second die sides, which each lead laterally away from the die face at an angle, and which act on a second container side wall to be formed of the container to be erected when the container is being erected.

A second collar section, which is arranged at an angle to the second punch side and points outward, adjoins the second punch sides.

The second punch sides and with them the second collar sections are in particular arranged opposite one another. The second collar sections in particular run parallel to one another.

The two second collar sections are designed in particular for shaping, i.e. for folding two second functional edges. The two second functional edges in particular run parallel to one another and are spaced apart from one another. The two second functional edges in particular run parallel to the transport direction of the blank. The second functional margins are each arranged in particular at right angles to the first functional margins.

However, it is also possible that the second functional edges, as already mentioned above, are folded in a folding station arranged between the feed station and the forming station. In contrast to functional edges arranged transversely to the transport direction, functional edges arranged parallel to the transport device can namely be folded with comparatively simple means before the forming station. The molding tool has corresponding folding aids each with a movable folding tool, which can interact with the collar sections in such a way that when the container is erected from the flat blank, a laterally outwardly protruding functional edge is formed or folded. In particular, the hemming tool forms a hemming edge. The hemming tool is z. B. a folding knife.

When the container is being formed, the hemming tool is able, in particular, to act in a corner zone formed between the at least one punch side and the at least one collar section. The corner zone between the stamp side and the collar section can be a corner line. The corner line can be continuous or interrupted.

The hemming tool can be moved into the movement zone of the forming die, in particular from the side, during the deformation. This means that the hemming tool is moved towards the forming die during the forming process. The movement zone is defined by the space through which the forming die is located

Execution of a forming or erecting stroke is moved.

The hemming tool can be mounted rotatably or pivotably about a geometric axis of rotation. Accordingly, the hemming tool can be pivoted towards the corner zone.

The hemming tool can be part of a rotating body that can be rotated about a geometric axis of rotation.

According to a further development, the hemming tool is passively driven or moved. The hemming tool is driven, i.e. set in motion, in particular by the movement of the forming die in the forming direction.

For this purpose, the folding aid comprises a stop element which is designed in such a way that the forming die, which is moved in the deformation direction during the erection of the container, hits the stop element and sets it in motion. The The stop element is coupled to the hemming tool in such a way that the movement of the stop element moves the hemming tool, as described above, towards the collar section into a forming position.

The stop element is mounted rotatably about a common axis of rotation together with the hemming tool, so that a rotary movement of the stop element triggered by the forming die while the container is being erected triggers a rotary movement of the hemming tool towards the collar section.

The stop element and the hemming tool are in particular physically connected to one another, in particular rigidly connected. The stop element is in particular part of the above-mentioned rotating body. The stop element can in particular be designed as a pivot lever.

The folding aid can contain resetting means, by means of which the folding tool and in particular the rotating body can or will be moved or pivoted back into a starting position after the forming process, in particular when the forming die is withdrawn.

The resetting means can be active resetting means which are actively driven via a drive.

The restoring means can be passive restoring means, in which a restoring force is exerted on the restoring means when moving from its rest position back in the direction of the rest position.

Passive restoring means can, for example, contain spring elements such as torsion springs or compression springs.

Furthermore, the return means can also include elements such as return levers, which with moving parts of the mold, such as. B. the forming die, interact and are moved back to the starting position by this. For example, the hemming tool of the hemming aid can be moved back into a starting position via the return stroke of the forming die, which acts on a reset lever of the hemming aid.

The aforementioned resetting means allow a passive movement of the hemming tool from a reshaping position back into the starting position.

This means that the hemming tool can be moved completely passively, i.e. without an active drive, during a forming cycle.

It is also possible for the forming die to be moved from the starting position towards the hemming tool in the direction of the forming position or into the forming position. The hemming tool does not need to be moved to take up the forming position.

It is also possible for the hemming tool or the rotating body to be actively driven by means of a drive, ie. H. is actively moved from the starting position to the forming position. Furthermore, it is also possible for the hemming tool or the rotating body to be actively reset or moved back from a reshaping position into the starting position by means of a drive. In this case, the drive is part of an active reset device.

Provision can be made for the hemming tool to be moved from the initial position into the forming position by a common drive and to be returned or moved back from the forming position to the initial position.

It can also be provided that the hemming tool is moved from the starting position into the reshaping position by separate drives and is returned or moved back from the reshaping position into the starting position.

The drive can for example be a pneumatic drive and z. B. comprise a pneumatic cylinder. The drive can be a hydraulic drive and z. B. a Include hydraulic cylinders. The drive can be an electric drive. The electric drive can comprise a linear motor.

In the case of a hemming tool that can be rotated or pivoted about a geometric axis of rotation, the hemming aid can be designed in such a way that when the hemming tool is pivoted towards the corner zone, a dead center position is formed in which the hemming tool exerts a maximum contact pressure on the blank in the direction of the corner zone, whereby the pressing force decreases again as the hemming tool is pivoted further.

To form the dead center position, the rotating body can comprise a rotating element that rotates with it, through which the axis of rotation passes. The rotary element forms a force transmission contact with an in particular stationary guide element. The rotary element forms a contact area along its ET circumference, at which there is a maximum radial distance of the outer circumference of the rotary element to the axis of rotation, and at which the guide element accordingly exerts a maximum compressive force on the rotary element and via this on the hemming tool. The contact area, together with the guide element, forms a dead center position in that the radial distance of the outer circumference of the rotary element to the axis of rotation and thus the pressure force on the rotary element decreases again before and after the contact area. The guide element, which is not part of the rotating body, is arranged relative to the rotating element in such a way that the associated force vector does not lead through the axis of rotation F.

The rotary element can, for example, have the shape of an equilateral triangle in cross-section. The invention according to the first aspect also comprises a method for erecting containers from flat blanks. This includes the following steps: - Introducing the, in particular held, blank into the forming station and positioning the blank in a forming position;

- Moving the forming die in the forming direction towards the blank;

- Pushing the blank into the erecting space of the counter holder device and

- Folding and reshaping of the blank, and in particular of the functional edge, by means of the forming die and

- Complete erection of the container from the blank.

The method is characterized in that the hemming tool of the at least one hemming aid is brought together with the at least one collar section during the forming, ie erecting of the container, and the hemming tool acts on the blank and cooperates with the at least one collar section in such a way that the blank a laterally outwardly protruding functional edge is folded. The folded functional edge rests in particular on the collar section or the inner wall section of the collar section.

According to a further development of the method, the at least one folding aid acts during the erection of the container with the folding tool on the corner zone formed between the at least one punch side and the at least one collar section. The hemming tool pushes the hinge line formed between the container wall and the functional edge into the corner zone, causing the functional edge to be folded. The hemming process creates an angle between the functional edge and the associated container side wall.

The hemming tool and collar section can be brought together by moving the hemming tool towards the collar section. Folding tool and collar section can be brought together in particular by both the collar section and the folding tool are moved towards each other. The hemming tool and collar section can also be brought together by moving the collar section towards the hemming tool, in particular the non-moving hemming tool.

The rotary movement of the rotary body can in particular be triggered by the advance of the forming die in the forming direction. This is particularly the case when the hemming tool is designed as a rotating body together with a stop element. For this purpose, the forming die strikes the stop element, in particular with its die face, and sets it in motion, in particular in a pivoting movement. The stop element and with it the hemming tool are consequently set in rotation by the forming die. The hemming tool is moved, in particular pivoted, from the side into the movement zone of the forming punch and towards it during the deformation. As the movement progresses, the hemming tool increasingly engages in the corner zone between the punch side and the collar section. Furthermore, as the movement of the hemming tool progresses, the force exerted by the hemming tool on the corner zone also increases until a dead center position is reached, in which a maximum force is exerted.

After the dead center position has been overcome, the force acting on the corner zone decreases again due to the progressive movement, in particular rotary movement, of the hemming tool and the hemming tool is again moved out of the movement zone of the forming die, in particular pivoted out. This allows the erected and, in particular, also glued container to be removed from the mold after the erection process.

If the hemming tool is pivoted, the pivoting direction remains unchanged even after the dead center position has been exceeded. With the return stroke, the forming die is moved back into its starting position against the forming direction. In addition, the hemming tool, e.g. B. via the restoring means, moved back or pivoted back into its starting position.

According to a special embodiment of the device, as it is, for. B. is used according to the first and the second aspect of the invention described below, the device contains at least one collar stop element arranged in the process direction in front of the stack guide element of the delivery device, in particular at least one pair of collar stop elements, which are in particular arranged parallel to and spaced from one another.

The at least one collar stop member can be designed as a collar stop bar or contain one. The at least one collar stop member can comprise an angle profile, the collar stop bar being formed by a profile flank.

The collar stop member can comprise a collar stop strip extending over the entire collar section. The collar stop member can comprise a plurality of collar stop strip sections extending along the collar section.

The collar stop member can be arranged on a carrier.

The at least one collar stop member or the at least one pair of collar stop members form a stop for a functional edge or for two functional edges running parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another, which laterally delimit the container receiving compartment.

This means that the functional edge or the two functional edges of the erected container abut the collar stop element or the collar stop elements when the container is pushed in the process direction or the forming direction. The collar stop member or the collar stop members consequently forms or form an insertion limit for the erected container. The collar stop member or the collar stop members serve or serve in particular as a counter holder for the forming die. Thus, the forming die with its collar sections presses the functional edges against the collar stop member or the collar stop members during the erection or after the erection of the container.

Due to the pressing force, adhesive connections are fully formed in the overlapping area of the functional edges. For this purpose, the forming die and collar stop element or collar stop element can temporarily, i.e. briefly, remain in a clamping or pressing position when the stacking position is reached. This allows at least partial curing or setting of the adhesive before z. B. the erected container is transferred to the stack guide member of the delivery device.

The erected container is pushed into the stack guide member in particular by the forming die. According to the present, but not the only conceivable embodiment, the erected containers are pushed with the container bottom first into the respective rearmost container of a container stack formed in the stack guide element.

The at least one collar stop element can be arranged on a container receiving element arranged in the process direction or the forming direction between the counter-holder device and the delivery device.

The container receiving element with the collar stop element can, as already described above, be arranged in the process or forming direction between the counter-holder device and the delivery device.

The container receiving eorgan with the collar stop member can also be part of the deployment device itself. The container receiving member with the collar stop member can also be part of the counter holder device itself. This is particularly the case when no turning device is provided. The collar stop organs of the at least one pair of stop organs are in particular displaceable relative to one another, such that the distance between the pairing of the collar stop organs can be changed. The collar stop members are in particular linearly displaceable with respect to one another. The, in particular linear, displaceability is in particular in a plane perpendicular to the effective axis or the deformation direction.

In this way, for example, the size of the container receiving space can be adjusted.

The collar stop members can also be moved relative to one another in particular between a stop position and a release position transversely to the active axis.

In the stop position, the erected container can only be pushed in between the two collar stop elements until the functional edges stop against the collar stop elements. This means that the distance between the inner edges of the two collar stop members is smaller than the distance between the outer edges of the functional edges.

In the release position, the collar stop members and the functional edges of the erected container can be moved past one another along the active axis. This means that the distance between the inner edges of the two collar stop members is equal to or greater than the distance between the outer edges of the functional edges.

The drive for the particularly linear displacement of the collar stop members relative to one another or to change the distance between the pairing of the collar stop members can be:

- pneumatic drive, in particular with a pneumatic cylinder; - hydraulic drive, in particular with a hydraulic cylinder; or a

- electric drive, in particular with a linear motor. The collar stop members can each be displaceable via a slide guide. The slide guide comprises in particular a guide slide and a guide rail.

Thus, the collar stop members can each be displaced transversely to the effective axis via a slide guide on a common carrier structure.

The support structure and the slide guide can be part of the container receiving member.

Furthermore, the collar stop members can also be displaced, in particular, along the active axis. The collar stop members can, in particular, be displaced together along the effective axis.

On the one hand, the collar stop members can be displaced from an initial position in the process direction or the forming direction into a stacking position. The displacement takes place in particular through the entrainment force of the forming die moved in the process direction or in the forming direction. This ensures that the forming die with its collar section does not strike hard against the collar stop members. Rather, the forming die takes the collar stop members along a limited distance during the erection process. As a result, the impact of the collar sections on the collar stop members is damped. The collar stop members, in turn, can be assigned damping means which dampen the movement in the deformation direction triggered by the entrainment force of the form stamp. The damping means can be pneumatic cylinders or hydraulic cylinders. The cylinders mentioned can be part of a pneumatic drive or hydraulic drive.

On the other hand, the collar stop members can be displaced or returned from the stack formation position back to the starting position counter to the process direction or the deformation direction. The, in particular linear, displacement takes place in particular via a drive. The drive for the, in particular, linear displacement of the collar stop members along the effective axis can be:

- pneumatic drive, in particular with a pneumatic cylinder;

- hydraulic drive, in particular with a hydraulic cylinder; or an - electric drive, in particular with a linear motor.

The collar stop members can be displaced along the active axis via a slide guide.

The collar stop members can be displaced along the active axis in particular via a common slide guide and a common drive. The slide guide includes, in particular, a guide slide and a

Guide rail. Thus, a carrier structure with the collar stop members arranged on it can be displaced via a slide guide with a drive.

The support structure and the slide guide or parts thereof can be part of the container receiving element. The displaceability of the collar stop members relative to each other transversely to

Active axis between a stop position and a release position in combination with the displaceability of the collar stop members along the active axis between a starting position and a stacking position allows the formation of a stack of nested, erected and, in particular, glued containers in the delivery device.

For this purpose, the collar stop members can be moved past the at least one functional edge of the erected container when they move along the active axis from the stacking position into the starting position in the release position.

The collar stop members are during the deformation or erection of the container between the starting position and the stacking position along the The effective axis, viewed in the process direction or the forming direction, is arranged in front of the functional edges.

The collar stop members are in particular aligned vertically in the forming station.

If the forming die for erecting containers with a rectangular container bottom with two long sides and two short sides of the container has two opposite short sides and two opposite long sides, the collar stop members are in particular arranged parallel to the long sides of the punch.

According to a special development of the aforementioned embodiment with at least one collar stop element, at least one collar stop element, in particular the collar stop element of at least one pair of collar stop elements, each forms a hemming tool according to the invention, which can interact with the collar section of the forming die in such a way that when the container is erected from the Cut a functional edge that protrudes outwards from the side is folded.

The collar stop member or members act during the deformation or the erection of the container in particular in a corner zone formed between the at least one punch side and the collar section.

The collar stop member or members can be moved towards the collar portion of the forming die during the shaping of the functional edges of the container. However, it is also possible for the collar stop members or the collar stop members to be stationary while the functional edges of the container are being formed and only the forming die is moved towards the collar stop member or to the collar stop members. It is conceivable that the device according to the invention contains two pairings of collar stop members which are located opposite one another and which interact with the collar sections of the forming die. The collar stop organs In their starting position in the stop position, they form, in particular, a closed frame. The collar stop members can have the functionality described above. The collar stop members according to this development can, as already described above, each form a hemming tool. It is also conceivable that the device has both at least one folding aid with a folding tool in the form of a collar stop member, as described above, and at least one folding aid with a pivotable folding tool, as also described above.

Thus, the device can contain two collar stop members designed as folding aids, in particular opposite one another, which cooperate with two first, in particular opposite collar sections. Furthermore, the device can contain two folding aids, each with a pivotable folding tool, which in particular lie opposite one another and which interact with two second, in particular opposite, collar sections. The pivotable hemming tools are, in particular, mounted so as to be rotatable or pivotable about a geometric axis of rotation.

According to a possible embodiment of the method for erecting a container along folding lines from a flat blank, the forming die is moved in the forming direction towards the blank, the die being moved by the forming die into the erecting space of the counterholder device.

The forming die is moved with the at least one collar section towards the collar stop member and brought together with it. As a result, the functional edge formed by the hemming tool is clamped or pressed firmly between the collar section and the collar stop member. If the at least one collar stop member is designed as a folding aid with a folding tool, this acts in this way with the at least one collar section together that a laterally outwardly protruding functional edge is formed from the blank.

The forming die pushes the container erecting in the counter-holder device, clamping the at least one functional edge together with the at least one collar stop element moving along with it, further in the process direction or forming direction into the stack guide element of the delivery device.

The movement or entrainment movement of the at least one collar stop organ in the process direction or deformation direction can be damped.

The clamping or pressing of the at least one folded edge between the at least one collar section and the at least one collar stop member can be maintained for a defined time when the stacking position is reached in order to establish the adhesive connection. This applies in particular to corner sections, which overlap in the folded state, of two functional edges which meet at an angle and which are connected to one another by means of an adhesive bond.

The at least one collar stop member is arranged in front of the at least one functional edge when viewed in the process direction or the forming direction.

To release the erected container and to return the at least one collar stop member from the stacking position to the starting position, the collar stop member is moved from the stop position into the release position transversely to the process direction or forming direction. As a result, the at least one collar stop member is returned to the starting position and transversely to the process direction or forming direction into the stop position, counter to the process direction or forming direction, past the functional edges of the erected container.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the generic device for erecting containers from flat blanks comprises a forming station with a molding tool. The molding tool contains a movable molding die and a counter-holder device for erecting the containers from the blanks. Furthermore, the device contains a delivery device with a stack guide member for forming a stack of mutually engaging, erected containers.

The device is now characterized in that a turning device for turning the erected containers is arranged between the forming station and the delivery device, the turning device being designed to change the orientation of the container opening in such a way that the erected containers are stacked to form a stack pushed containers can each be pushed with their container openings first over a preceding container.

This is in contrast to the containers being pushed into one another, in which the containers are each pushed bottom first into the container receiving compartment of a leading container.

According to a further development of the invention, the turning device contains a turning body that can be rotated about an axis of rotation. The turning body can be driven about the axis of rotation in particular via a drive. The axis of rotation is arranged in particular perpendicular to the effective axis or to the deformation direction. The turning body comprises, in particular, at least one container receiving element which is designed to accept and hold the erected, and in particular glued, container from the forming die. The container receiving member is designed in particular as a counter-shape.

The at least one container receiving element forms, in particular, at least one, and especially several stop strips, against which a functional edge of the erected container strikes or abuts when the container is pushed into the container receiving element. The at least one stop bar consequently forms an insertion limit for the erected container.

According to a further development, the container receiving member forms a pair of stop strips which are arranged parallel to one another and at a distance from one another. The pairing of stop strips form a stop for two functional edges which run parallel to one another and are spaced apart from one another and which laterally delimit the container receiving compartment.

According to a further development, the stop strips form a circumferential or closed frame which encloses a container receiving space into which the erected container is pushed by the forming die following the erecting process.

The stop bars or the frame can be in one piece. The stop bars or the frame can be in several parts. The stop bars can be displaceable relative to each other. This allows the container receiving member or the container receiving space to be adapted to different container sizes and shapes.

This means that the size of the frame or the size of the container receiving space can be adjustable, i.e. scalable.

Furthermore, the stop strips or the frame can also be displaceable along the effective axis for adjusting its functional position. The stop bars can be collar stop bars described above. Accordingly, these collar stop strips can have the (movement) functionality described above and the structural features mentioned.

According to a further development of the invention, the turning body contains at least one ejection element which is designed to eject the container held by the container receiving element into a stack guide element of the delivery device. According to a further development of the invention, the turning body contains at least two opposing container receiving elements, that is to say arranged at an angle of 180 ° (degrees of angle) about the axis of rotation.

The turning body can be z. B. rotate in a working cycle by 180 °, with a first container receiving member for the takeover of an erected punch facing the forming die and a second container receiving member for transferring an erected container facing the delivery device.

According to a further development of the invention, the deformation direction of the forming die and the ejection direction of the ejection element point in the same direction. This means that the deformation direction of the forming die corresponds to the ejection direction of the ejection element. The ejector element can now be designed in such a way that it interacts with the forming die in such a way that the ejection stroke of the ejector element is triggered by the deformation stroke of the forming die. For this purpose, the ejection element forms a first contact area, via which the forming die, e.g. B. by means of its end face pushes away the ejection element during the forming process in the forming direction. During this movement, the ejection element ejects the erected container into the stack guide element via a second contact area.

The ejector is consequently driven passively via the forming die.

In addition, the length of the ejector can be adjustable. This can e.g. B. can be achieved by a telescopic ejector. This allows the optimal ejection length to be set depending on the container size and depth.

Furthermore, the ejection element can interact with damping elements, such as shock absorbers, which dampen the ejection movement and thus ensure that the erected containers are ejected more gently. According to a development of the invention it can also be provided that the turning body four, each at an angle of 90 ° (degrees) around the axis of rotation Contains arranged container receiving organs. In this case, the turning body is rotated by 90 ° during a work cycle.

An ejection element can be assigned to a pairing of two mutually opposite container receiving organs, that is to say arranged at an angle of 180 ° (angular degrees) around the axis of rotation. The ejection element can be designed as described above and each passively driven by the forming die.

However, it is also possible for the ejection element to be actively driven by a drive.

The invention according to the second aspect also comprises a method for erecting containers from flat blanks and for laying out the shaped containers in a stack of interlocking containers. This includes the following steps:

- Importing the, in particular held, blank into the forming station and positioning the blank in a Elmformposition; - Moving the forming die in the forming direction towards the blank;

- Pushing the blank into the erecting space of the counter holder device and

- Folding and reshaping of the blank, and in particular the functional edge, by means of the forming die and - complete erecting of the container from the flat blank.

The method is characterized in that the erected containers are taken over by the turning device and turned, the orientation of the container opening being changed, and the erected containers and in particular glued containers after turning by means of the ejector in the delivery device to form a Stack of containers pushed one on top of the other are pushed over a preceding container with their container opening first. When the erected container is transferred to the turning device, the erected container is pushed into the container receiving member, in particular by the forming die. Here, the functional edge of the erected container is pressed against the stop strips of the container receiving member by the collar sections of the forming die.

Due to the pressing force, adhesive connections are fully formed in the overlapping area of the functional edges. For this purpose, the form stamps and stop bars can temporarily, i.e. briefly, remain in the clamping or pressing position. This allows the adhesive to harden or set at least partially before the forming die is withdrawn again.

The erected container remains in the container receiving element after the forming die has been withdrawn.

The container held in the container receiving member is now rotated through the turning device. According to a further development of the invention, the erected container is rotated in the turning device from its erect position by 180 °, so that the container opening in the ejection position of the container is oriented in the opposite direction to the reshaping or erecting position of the container in the forming station. The turning device according to the invention consequently allows the formation of a stack of containers pushed one on top of the other, in which the container is pushed with the container opening first over the container at the rear of the stack.

In contrast to the stack formation according to a conventional method, as described above, the stack formation according to the invention from interlocking containers has the advantage that the sliding direction of the container runs counter to the folding direction of the functional edge, so that the functional edge does not move back into its stack while it is being stacked Can move back from the starting position. the Rather, the functional edge is stabilized in its laterally protruding position by the stack formation.

As already mentioned, following the turning, the erected containers are moved or ejected from the container receiving element into the container receiving element of the stack guiding element of the delivery device. This is done in particular by means of an ejection element already mentioned above, such as a ram, being ejected towards the stack guide element.

The interlocking containers in the stack guide member in stack formation can, for. B. by operating personnel removed from the stack guide member and packed in cardboard boxes, for example, in a stack formation.

The present device and the associated method according to the first aspect of the invention allow the production or erection of containers, in particular trays, with a functional edge running transversely to the transport direction of the blank and, in particular, the formation of a functional edge surrounding the container opening. Furthermore, the present

Device and the associated method according to the second aspect of the invention, the formation of a stack of interlocking containers with functional edge, without the functional edge would be impaired in the stack formation.

The first and second aspects of the invention complement each other in a self-explanatory manner to form a superordinate, uniform concept of the invention. Accordingly, features of the first aspect of the invention can be combined with features of the second aspect of the invention.

In the following, the subject matter of the invention is explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments which are shown in the accompanying drawings. They each show schematically:

1a shows a side view of a device according to the invention for erecting containers from flat blanks with a turning device; 1b shows a side view of a device according to the invention for erecting containers from flat blanks without a turning device;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of part of the mold station according to the invention and the turning device;

3 shows a side view of part of the forming station and the turning device according to FIG. 2;

4 shows a perspective view of part of the forming station according to FIG. 2; FIG. 5 shows a side view of a detail of the forming station according to FIG. 2; 6 shows a perspective view of a molding die according to the invention; 7 shows a perspective view of the turning device according to the invention; 8a shows a flat blank; 8b shows a container erected from the flat blank according to 8a and glued;

9a-9c are perspective views of various deformation stages during the erection of a container;

10a is a perspective view of a particular embodiment of a container receiving member;

10b side view of the container receiving member according to FIG. 10a.

In principle, the same parts are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures. For an understanding of the invention, certain features, for example features that are not essential to the invention, are not shown in the figures. The exemplary embodiments described are examples of the subject matter of the invention or serve to explain it and have no restrictive effect.

Figures la and lb each show an embodiment of an inventive device 1 for erecting shells 92 from flat blanks 91, as they are also shown in FIGS. 8a (flat blank 91) and 8b (erected shell 92). The device 1, viewed in the process direction, comprises a feed station 2 for providing the blanks 91 as a stack 5. The blanks 91 are pulled individually from the stack 5 and transferred to a transport device 3 connected to the feed station 2, by means of which the blanks 91 are transported to a forming station 10 will. The transport of the blanks 91 can take place via a chain or belt drive. The blanks 91 can be transported, for example, by means of drivers or clamps.

In the present embodiment, the blanks 91 are transported in the transport direction T along an upwardly inclined transport plane 6 in the direction of the forming station 10 and deflected vertically downward in front of the forming station 10 via a deflection so that the blanks 91 are oriented vertically into the forming area of the forming station 10 can be transported.

In principle, the transport plane 6 can also be inclined horizontally or obliquely downwards. Likewise, the transport of the blanks 91 does not have to run along a transport plane. The transport route can also take place along a curved path.

An adhesive application station 4 for applying adhesive to defined adhesive areas on the blank 91 is arranged between the application station 2 and the forming station 10. The adhesive areas can be, for example, adhesive points which are applied in particular to adhesive tabs 95 (see also FIG. 8a). The adhesive application station 4, however, is not a mandatory feature of the present invention. In addition, the adhesive application station can also be integrated into the forming station.

Furthermore, a folding station (not shown) can also be arranged between the feed station 2 and the forming station 10, in which a fold is introduced, for example, in the connecting section between a container lid and a container base body with a container receiving compartment. The folding station can also serve to introduce a fold running in the transport direction T between a container side wall and a functional edge.

The flat blank 91 is fed vertically or at an angle from above to the forming station 10 adjoining the transport device 3 and is positioned in a forming position in the forming area. The molding station 10 comprises a molding tool 11 with a molding die 12 and a counter holder device 21 which forms an erecting space 24. The flat blank 91 is erected by means of the molding tool 11 to form a container 92 with a container receiving compartment 100 and a container opening 99 and glued. The forming die 12 and the counter holder device 21 form a type of male / female system for this purpose. To erect the container 92, the forming die 12 executes an, in particular linear, forming stroke in the forming direction U towards the flat blank 91 along an effective axis W. The forming die 12 presses the flat blank 91 into the erecting space 24 of the counterholder device 21, as a result of which the flat blank 91 is erected to form a container 92.

When erecting, side wall parts 94a, 94b of the flat blank 91 are angled along predefined fold lines 98a, 98b with respect to a bottom part 93.

The counter-holder device 21, which is formed, for example, by a linkage, is only indicated in FIGS. 1 a, 1 b and 3 and 5 for reasons of clarity. The design of the counter-holder device 21 is, however, also not an aspect that is essential to the invention. A counter-holder device is also shown, for example, in DE 102 48 231 A1, which discloses a device of the generic type for erecting containers from flat blanks. In the cited publication, the shaped elements 51 shown in FIG. 2 form the counterholder device.

The forming stroke of the forming die 12 runs horizontally according to the two execution forms. The forming stroke can, however, also run obliquely upwards or obliquely downwards at an angle to the horizontal. It is much more important however, that the forming stroke or the associated effective axis W runs perpendicular to the plane in which the flat blank 91 is arranged in the forming position.

The exact sequence of the forming process and in particular the formation of the functional edges 96a, 96b according to the first aspect of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6 and 9a to 9c.

The embodiment according to FIG. 1 a is now characterized in that the erected container 92 is transferred to the container receiving element 33a, 33b, 33c of a turning device 31 after the forming process, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 7. The turning device 31 is arranged in the process direction following the forming station 10 and in front of a delivery device 51.

The erected containers 92 are rotated by 180 ° (angular degrees) in the turning device 31 and then ejected with the container opening 99 first into the container receptacle 55 of a stack guide member 52 of the delivery device 51. The ejected containers 92 are pushed one above the other in the stack guide member 52 to form a container stack 54.

The embodiment according to FIG. 1b is now characterized in that the erected container 92 is pushed by the forming die 12 into a container receiving member 133 after the forming process, as shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b. The container receiving element 133 is arranged in the process direction following the forming station 10 and in front of a delivery device 51.

The erected containers 92 are ejected from the forming die 12 via the container receiving element 133 with the container bottom 93 first into the container receptacle 55 of a stack guide element 52 of the delivery device 51. The ejected containers 92 are pushed into one another in the stack guide member 52 to form a container stack 54. The stacked containers 92 can, according to the two embodiments according to FIGS.

The handling of the erected containers 92 following the forming station 10 is explained in more detail below with the aid of detailed views.

The flat blank 91, as shown in FIG. 8 a, has a bottom part 93 which forms the later container bottom 93. Furthermore, the blank 91 has first side wall parts 94 a, which later form the first side walls 94 a of the container 92, and second side wall parts 94 b, which form the later second side walls 94 b of the container 92. The side wall parts 94, 94b are each connected to the bottom part 93 via predefined fold lines 98a, 98b.

On the side of each of the second side wall parts 94b there is an adhesive tab 95 which is used to connect adjacent side walls 94a, 94b by means of adhesive connections. The adhesive flaps 95 are also connected to the second side wall parts 94b via predefined fold lines 98c.

A functional edge 96a, which is connected to the first side wall 94a via a predefined first fold line 97a, adjoins the first side walls 94a on the outside. Furthermore, the second side walls 94b are each adjoined to the outside by a second functional edge 96b, which is connected to the second side wall 94b via a predefined second fold line 97b. The functional edges 96a, 96b are angled laterally outward in the erected state of the container 92 and form a circumferential sealing or holding edge (see FIG. 8b).

The functional edges 96a, 96b of the erected container 92 overlap in the corner zones in the present embodiment. The functional edges 96a, 96b are connected to one another in the overlapping area by means of an adhesive connection.

The molding die 12 according to the invention according to FIG. 6 has a die end face 13 as well as two opposing, first die sides 14a and two facing one another opposite, second punch sides 14b, which are arranged at right angles to the first punch sides 14a. The forming die 12 is designed accordingly to form a container 92 with a rectangular base area or with a rectangular base. The stamp face 13 forms an end face. The first and second die sides 14a, 14b form side surfaces.

The punch end side 13 interacts with a bottom part 93 of the flat blank 91 during the erection of the container 92. The first die sides 14a of the forming die 12 interact with the first side wall parts 94a while the container 92 is being erected, and the second die sides 14b of the forming die 12 interact with the second side wall parts 94b of the blank 91 (see also FIGS. 9a to 9c.

The stamp sides 14a, 14b are arranged at an angle of more than 90 ° with respect to the stamp face 13, which enables the formation of conical containers 92.

A first collar section 15a each adjoins the first punch sides 14a and a second collar section 15b each adjoins the second punch sides 14b. The collar sections 15a, 15b are each arranged at an angle to the associated die sides 14a, 14b and are directed outwards. The collar sections 15a, 15b each form an inner wall section 15a.l, 15b.1, to which an outer collar part 15a.2, 15b.2 adjoins.

The inner wall section 15a.1, 15b.1, viewed in the deformation direction U, is set back via an offset 17 with respect to the outer collar part 15a.2, 15b.2. The inner wall section 15a.l, 15b.1 runs parallel to the punch end face 13 of the forming punch 12 and also points in the forming direction U. A corner line 23 is formed between the punch sides 14a, 14b and the collar sections 15a, 15b or the inner wall sections 15a.1, 15b.1.

The function of the inner wall section 15a.l, 15b.1 is described in more detail below in connection with the detailed description of the forming process.

The forming process, which includes the erection of the container 92 and the formation of the functional edges 96a, 96b, is shown in detail in FIGS. 2 to 5 and 9a to 9c. The forming die 12 is connected to a guide rod 16, which is set in linear motion by a drive (not shown). To erect the container 92 from the flat blank 91, the forming die 12 is moved towards the blank 91. The punch 12 hits the bottom part of the blank 91 with its punch end 13 and pushes the blank 91 with continued movement in the forming direction U into the erecting space 24 of the counterholder device 21. When the blank 91 is pushed into the counterholder device 21, the side walls 94a, 94b are erected. The counterholder device 21 is also designed in such a way that the adhesive flaps 95 are folded inward on the second side walls 94b and come to rest on the outside against the first side walls 94a of the container 92 to be formed or erected.

When the side walls 94a, 94b are erected, the functional edges 96a, 96b abut the collar section 15a, 15b of the forming die 12. However, the interaction of the forming die 12 and counterholder device 21 is not sufficient to fold the functional edges 96a, 96b into the desired, angled position . For this purpose, the forming station 12 has folding aids 18a, 18b, a folding aid 18a, 18b being assigned to each punch side 14a, 14b or each collar section 15a, 15b. The folding aids 18a, 18b each have a folding tool 19a, 19b with a folding knife, which is pivotably mounted about an axis of rotation F. The folding knife forms a folding edge 20 in each case. To fold the functional edges 96a, 96b, the folding tools are each pivoted laterally from a rest position from outside the movement zone of the forming die 12 towards the forming die 12 moving in the forming direction U. The hemming tool 19a, 19b has a movement component towards the forming die 12 and in the deformation direction U when it is pivoted towards it.

The folding tool 19a, 19b engages with its folding edge 20 in each case in the corner line 23 formed between the punch side 14a, 14b and the collar section 15a, 15b or the inner wall section 15b.1, 15b.1.

During this process, the folding tool 19a, 19b presses the folding line 97a, 97b of the functional edge 94a, 94b into the corner line 23, whereby the functional edge 94a, 94b is folded outwards, i.e. is angled outwards from the associated side wall part 94a, 94b. The functional edge 94a, 94b comes to rest against the inner wall section 15a.l, 15b.1 of the collar section 15a, 15b.

The height h of the inner wall section 15a.1, 15b.1 corresponds to the width b of the functional edge 96a, 96b or is slightly smaller so that the outwardly folded functional edge 96a, 96b is clamped between the corner line 23 and the offset 17.

The hemming tool 19a, 19b is designed so that it has a dead center position in which the hemming tool 19a, 19b with its hemming edge 20 exerts a maximum force in the direction of the corner line 23 on the hemming edge 97a, 97b of the functional edge 96a, 96b. The dead center corresponds to a position of the hemming tool 19a, 19b in which the hemming edge 20 is at the smallest distance from the corner line 23.

After the dead center position is exceeded, that is, when the hemming tool 19a, 19b is pivoted further, the force of the hemming tool 19a, 19b takes effect off again. After the dead center position has been overcome, the hemming tool 19a, 19b has a movement component in the contouring direction U and away from the forming die 12 when pivoting further.

To form a dead center position, the rotary body comprises a co-rotating rotary element 25 through which the axis of rotation F passes and which, together with the hemming tool 19a, 19b, is part of a rotary body which can rotate about the axis of rotation F. In the present exemplary embodiment, the rotary element 25 has the shape of an isosceles triangle in cross-sectional view. However, other cross-sectional shapes are also conceivable. The rotary element 25 forms a force transmission contact with a guide element 26.

The rotary element 25 now forms a contact area along its circumference, at which there is a maximum radial distance of the outer circumference of the rotary element 25 to the axis of rotation F, and at which the guide element 26 accordingly exerts a maximum compressive force on the rotary element 25 and via this on the hemming tool 19a, 19b exercises. The contact area, which in the present embodiment is formed by an edge of the isosceles triangle, forms a dead center position together with the guide element 25 by the radial distance of the outer circumference of the rotary element 25 to the axis of rotation F and thus the pressure force on the rotary element 25 before and after the contact area decreases again each time. It goes without saying that the associated force vector does not lead through the axis of rotation F.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the hemming tool 19a, 19b is passively driven by the forming punch 12. For this purpose, the folding aids 18a, 18b each have a stop element 22 which is coupled to the folding tool 19a, 19b and is also rotatably mounted about the axis of rotation F. The stop element 22 and the hemming tool 19a, 19b are part of the rotating body that is rotatable about the axis of rotation F.

The stop element 22 protrudes during the forming process, viewed in the forming direction U, in front of the forming die 12 into the movement zone of the forming die 12. The forming die 12 now pushes the stop element 22 during the Deforming process away in the deformation direction U, as a result of which this is set in a rotary movement which is transmitted to the hemming tool 19a, 19b.

The hemming tools 19a, 19b each cooperate with a return lever 88 which, following the erection of the container 92, is actuated by the retracting forming die 12, i.e. when the forming die 12 is withdrawn in the backward stroke, that is, set in motion.

By actuating the reset lever 88, the hemming tool 19a, 19b is pivoted back into the rest position outside the movement zone of the forming die 12 after the forming process. Following the molding, i.e. erecting of the containers 92 in the molding station 10, the erected container 92 is transferred to the turning device 31. The turning device 31 contains a turning body 32 rotatably mounted about a vertical axis of rotation D. The turning body 32 contains four container receiving members 33a-33c, each arranged at an angle of 90 ° (degrees) about the axis of rotation D. The container receiving members 33a-33c contain stop strips which each form a closed, one-piece frame which encloses a container receiving space 35.

The container receiving members can, however, also contain stop strips which consist of several parts and which can be adjusted accordingly to different container dimensions.

In the last step of the forming process, the erected container 92 is pushed by the forming die 12 in the forming direction U into the container receiving space 35 of the container receiving member 33c facing the forming die 12. The container 92 strikes with its circumferential functional edge 96a, 96b on the frame of the container receiving member 33c. The turning body 32 is rotated by 90 ° per forming cycle so that the container receiving element 33c with the erected container 92 is moved away from the forming station 10 and an empty container receiving element is moved towards the forming station 10 and positioned opposite the forming die 12. In principle, it is also possible that the turning body 32 only has two, each in one

Contains an angle of 180 ° (degrees) about the axis of rotation D arranged container receiving organs. In this case, the turning body 32 is rotated by 180 ° per forming cycle.

After a rotation of the container receiving member 33c with the erected container 92 by a total of 180 °, depending on the number of container receiving members on the turning body

32 may be the case after two or one reshaping or working cycle, the container 92 is in an ejection position rotated by 180 ° with respect to its original reshaping position. The container opening 99 points in the ejection position in the opposite direction to the deforming position. The container 92 is now pushed with the container opening 99 first into the container receptacle 55 of the stack guide member 52 of the delivery device 51. Here, the container 92 is pushed with the container opening 55 first, forming a container stack 54 over the preceding container 92.

To eject the container 92 from the container receiving element 33c, the turning body 32 contains ejection elements 34a, 34b, the ejection axis of which in the ejection position runs parallel to the effective axis W of the forming die 12.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, an ejection element 34a, 34b, which can be moved in two opposite directions, is designed for pairing mutually opposite container receiving elements 33a, 33c. Correspondingly, the ejection element 34a, 34c forms two contact areas lying opposite one another. The ejection element 34a, 34b is passively driven via the forming die 12 by the forming die 12 pushing away the ejection element 34a, 34b by forming a sliding contact with a first contact area in the forming direction U when the erected container 92 is pushed into the container receiving element 33c. During this process, the ejection element 34a, 34b pushes the container 92 erected in a previous work cycle over the opposite, second contact area from the opposite container receiving element 33a into the container receiving element 55 of the stack guide element 52.

Since the ejector 34a when the container 92 is pushed into the container receptacle 55 of the stack guide element 52, the sliding contact with the outside of the

Forms container bottom 93, the ejector 34a can pivot after the ejection of the container 92 from the container receiving member 33a together with the turning body 32 about the axis of rotation D of the turning body 32, in particular without the ejector 34a beforehand in the opposite direction from the container receptacle 55 of the stack guide member 52 must be moved back.

Figures 10a and 10b show a special embodiment of a container receiving member 133, which allows the formation of a stack of erect and nested containers 92 with a circumferential functional edge 96a, 96b, the container 92 being pushed into the container stack with the container bottom 93 first.

The problem with this type of stack formation is that the functional edges 96a, 96b are erected again when the containers 92 are pushed into one another. This problem can be solved in that the functional edges 96a, 96b are connected to one another in overlapping areas via an adhesive connection (see, for example, FIGS. 8a and 8b).

The container receiving member 133 is now designed to form this adhesive connection and to form a container stack of the aforementioned type. For this purpose, the container receiving member 133 has a pairing of two collar stop strips 136a, 136b, which are arranged parallel to one another and at a distance from one another. The container receiving space 135 is arranged between the collar stop strips 136a, 136b. The pairing of collar stop strips 136a, 136b forms a stop for two functional edges 96b which run parallel to one another and are spaced apart from one another and which laterally delimit the container receiving compartment 100 of the erected container 92.

The collar stop strips 136a, 136b serve as counterholders for the forming die 12, in that the two functional edges 96b of the erected container 92 hit the collar stop strips 136a, 136b when the container 92 is pushed into the container receiving space 135 of the container receiving member 133. With its collar sections 15b, the forming die 12 presses the functional edges 96b of the erected container 92 against the collar stop strips 136a, 136b. The adhesive connections in the overlapping area of the functional edges 96a, 96b are completely formed by the pressing force. For this purpose, the molding die 12 and the collar stop strips 136a, 136b remain briefly in the clamping position. This gives the adhesive the time it needs to harden or set. During this process, the forming die 12 pushes the erected container 92 with the container bottom 93 first into the respective rearmost container of a container stack (not shown) formed in the stack guide element. This process is shown schematically, for example, in DE 1024 8231 A1 (FIG. 1).

The collar stop strips 136a, 136b can now be displaced relative to one another, such that the distance between the pairing of the collar stop strips 136a, 136b can be changed. For this purpose, the collar stop strips 136a, 136b with guide carriages 142a, 142b; 143a, 143b connected. The guide carriages 142a, 142b; 143a, 143b are mounted displaceably along guide rails 141a, 141b running perpendicular to the effective axis W. The guide rails 141a, 141b and with them the guide carriages 142a, 142b; 143a, 143b and the collar stop strips 136a, 136b are arranged on a support structure.

The collar stop strips 136a, 136b can be moved along the guide rails via a pneumatic drive (pneumatic cylinder). Alternative drives, such as a hydraulic drive (hydraulic cylinder) or a linear motor, are also possible.

In the execution of the erecting process, the flat blank 91 is pushed through the forming die 12 into the counter-shaft device 21, as already described above, and is erected in the process. For this purpose, the forming die 12 is arranged on a driven guide rod 16.

The forming die 12 pushes the erected container 92 after the erection process into the container receiving space 135 of the container receiving member 133 until the lateral functional edges 96b of the erected container 92 strike the collar stop strips 136a, 136b in a stop position. The container receiving member 133 is now moved along with the forming die 12 in the deformation direction U, in particular moved synchronously. During this phase, the lateral collar sections 15b exert a pressing force on the lateral functional edges 96b, the collar stop strips 136, 136b serving as counterholders. At the same time, during this process, the erected container 92 is pushed with the container bottom 93 first into the container stack in the stack guide member. To move the carrier structure of the container receiving member 133 with the components arranged on it along the active axis W, the carrier structure is connected to guide carriages 147 which can be moved along guide rails 146 running parallel to the active axis W. The aforementioned slide guides are only shown as possible execution variants for implementing the displaceability.

The container receiving member 133 is displaced along the effective axis W via a pneumatic drive (pneumatic cylinder) 145. Alternative drives, such as a hydraulic drive (hydraulic cylinder) or a linear motor, are also possible.

The forming die 12 is now moved back into its starting position in a backward stroke.

To release the container 92 pushed into the container stack, the collar stop strips 136a, 136b are removed from the slide guide 141a, 141b, 142a, 142b, 143a, 143b while enlarging the container receiving space 135

Stop position moved laterally outwards into the release position until the

Inner edges 137a, 137b of the collar stop strips 136a, 136b outside the

Outside edges of the functional edges 96b lie.

The container receiving member 133 is now with its collar stop strips 136a, 136 from the stacking position past the functional edge 96b into the

Starting position moved back

During this process, the collar stop strips 136a, 136b are also moved back towards each other into their stop position. A new forming cycle can now be initiated. The collar stop strips 136a, 136b can, as already described in the general part of the description, exercise the function of folding aids or as part of a Be trained folding aid. Correspondingly, the collar stop strips 136a, 136b also form (movable) hemming tools. The collar stop strips 136a, 136b can engage in the corner zone between the punch side and the collar section and thus bring about the folding of the functional edge or complete this process.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Device (1) for erecting containers (92) along folding lines (97a, 97b, 98) from flat blanks (91) with a forming station (10) containing a forming tool (11) with a movable forming punch (12) and a counter holder device (21) for erecting the container (92) from the

Blanks (91), and with a delivery device (51) for guiding the erected containers (92) away from the forming station (10), the forming punch (12) having a punch end face (13) which, when a container (92) is erected, has a bottom part (93) of the blank (91) interacts, as well as at least one, laterally at an angle away from the punch end face (13) leading away first

Stamp side (14a, 14b) which acts on a side wall part (94a, 94b) of the blank (91) when the container (92) is erected, characterized in that on the at least one first stamp side (14a, 14b) a (U) laterally outwardly pointing collar section (15a, 15b), which is arranged at an angle to the first punch side (14a, 14b), and the forming tool (11) has at least one folding aid (18a, 18b) with a movable folding tool ( 19a, 19b), which can interact with the collar section (15a, 15b) in such a way that when the container (9G) is erected from the blank (91) a laterally outwardly protruding functional edge (96a, 96b) is folded.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the collar section (15a, 15b) has an inner wall section (15a.l, 15b.1) and an outer collar part (15a.2, 15b.2), and the inner wall section (15a.l, 15b.1), viewed in the forming direction (U), is set back via an offset (17) with respect to the outer collar part (15a.2, 15b.2).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the height (h) of the inner wall section (15a.1, 15b.1) corresponds to the width (b) of the functional edge (94a, 94b).

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the forming die (12) has two first die sides lying opposite one another

(14a) which laterally lead away from the punch face (13) at an angle, and which act on a first side wall part (94a) of the blank (91) when the container (92) is formed, and on the first punch sides (14a) ) in each case a first collar section (15a), viewed in the deformation direction (U), which points laterally outward and which is connected in one

Angle to the first punch side (14a) is arranged, and the forming tool (11) has first folding aids (18a) each with a movable folding tool, which can each interact with the first collar sections (15a) in such a way that when the container (92) is erected a laterally outwardly protruding first functional edge (96a) is folded into the blank (91).

5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the two first functional edges (96a) are arranged transversely to the transport direction (T) of the blank (91).

6. Device according to one of claims 4 to 5, characterized in that the forming punch (12) has two opposite second punch sides

(14b) which laterally lead away at an angle from the punch side (13) and which act on a second side wall part (94a) of the blank (91) when the container (92) is formed, and on the second punch sides (14b), respectively a second collar section (15b), viewed laterally outwardly in the deformation direction (U), which in one

Angle to the second punch side (14b) is arranged, and the forming tool (11) has second folding aids (18b) each with a movable folding tool (19b) which can each interact with the second collar sections (15b) in such a way that when the container ( 92) from the Cut (91) a laterally outwardly protruding second functional edge (96b) is folded in each case.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the at least one folding aid (18a, 18b) contains a movable folding tool (19a, 19b) which is able to move in between when the container (92) is formed the at least one first punch side (14a) and the at least one collar section (15a) formed corner zone (23).

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the folding tool (19a, 19b) forms a folding edge (20). 9. Device according to one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that the hemming tool (19a, 19b) can be pivoted towards the corner zone (23).

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the at least one folding aid (18a, 18b) comprises a stop element (22) which is designed such that the during the erection of the container (92) in the deformation direction (U ) the moving die (12) strikes the stop element (22) and sets this in motion, the stop element (22) being coupled to the hemming tool (19a, 19b) in such a way that the hemming tool (19a, 19a, 19b) is moved towards the collar section (15a, 15b). 11. The device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the device has at least one collar stop element (136a, 136b) arranged in the forming direction in front of the stack guide element (52) of the delivery device (51), in particular at least one pair of collar stop elements ( 136a, 136b) for clamping at least one functional edge (96b) during the reshaping or erecting.

12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the at least one collar stop member (136a, 136b) is a folding aid or the at least one Forming a folding aid with a folding tool which can interact with the collar section (15a, 15b) of the forming die (12) in such a way that when the container (92) is erected from the blank (91), a laterally outwardly protruding functional edge (96a, 96b) is folded will. 13. Method for erecting containers (92) along fold lines (97a, 97b,

98) from flat blanks (91) by means of a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, with the following steps:

- Introducing the blank (91) into the forming station (10);

- Moving the forming die (12) in the forming direction (U) towards the blank (91);

- Pushing the blank (91) into the erecting space (24) of the counter-holder device (21) through the forming die (12) and folding and reshaping the blank, and in particular the functional edge, through the forming die and

- Complete erection of the container (92) from the blank (91), characterized in that the folding tool (19a, 19b) of the at least one folding aid (18a, 18b) with the at least one collar section (15a) during the erection of the container (92) , 15b) is brought together and the hemming tool (19a, 19b) acts on the blank (91) and cooperates with the at least one collar section (15a, 15b) that a laterally outwardly protruding

Functional edge (96a, 96b) is folded.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that during the erection of the container (92) the folding tool (19a, 19b) of the at least one folding aid (18a, 18b) in between the at least one stamp side (14a, 14b) and the collar section (15a, 15b) formed corner zone (23) acts.

15. Device (1) for erecting containers (92) along folding lines (97a, 97b, 98) from flat blanks (91) with a forming station (10) containing a Molding tool (11) with a movable molding die (12) and a counter-holder device (21) for erecting the containers (92) from the blanks (91), and with a delivery device (51) containing a stack guide element (52) for forming a stack ( 54) from interlocking, erect containers (92), in particular according to one of the

Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a turning device (31) for turning the erected container (92) is arranged between the forming station (10) and the delivery device (51), the turning device (31) being designed to adjust the orientation of the Container opening

(99) in such a way that the erected containers (92) can be pushed over a preceding container (92) with their container openings (99) first to form a stack (54) of containers (92) pushed one on top of the other. 16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that the turning device (31) contains a turning body (32) rotatable about an axis of rotation (D).

17. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that the turning body (32) comprises at least one container receiving element (33a, 33b, 33c) which is designed to accept and hold the erected container (92) from the forming die (12).

18. Device according to one of claims 16 to 17, characterized in that the turning body (32) contains at least one ejection element (34a, 34b) which is designed to hold the container (92) held by the container receiving element (33a, 33b, 33c) into a stack guide member (52) of the delivery device (51).

19. A method for erecting containers (92) along folding lines (97a, 97b, 98) from flat blanks (91) and for laying out the erected containers (92) in a stack (54) of interlocking containers (92) by means of a device (1) according to one of claims 15 to 18, with the following steps:

- Introducing the blank (91) into the forming station (10);

- Complete erecting of the container (92) from the flat blank (91), characterized in that the erected containers (92) are taken over by the turning device (31) and turned, the orientation of the container opening (99) being changed, and the erected container (92) after turning in the delivery device (51) to form a stack (54) of containers (92) pushed one on top of the other are pushed over a preceding container (92) with their container opening (99) first.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the containers (92) are moved into the container receptacle (55) of the stack guiding element (52) of the delivery device (51) following the turning, in particular by means of an ejector element (34a, 34b) , especially expelled.