EP4209425A1 - Device and method for packaging small-sized articles with creation and optional features. securing overlapping packaging means folds - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device and a method for packaging small articles (A) with the formation and, if necessary, fixing of overlapping packaging material folds. In order to simplify such a device and such a method, the invention provides a Working head (1), which has at least one workstation (10) for receiving an article (A) and for processing a packaging material (P) assigned to the article (A). According to the invention, the article (A) is packed after it has been picked up in the work station (10) with the packaging means (P) forming and possibly fixing overlapping packaging means folds and then output from the work station (10).

Description

The present invention relates to a device and a method for packaging small-piece articles with the formation and optionally (if necessary) fixing of overlapping packaging material folds.

Devices and methods of this type are used in particular for packaging confectionery such as pieces of chocolate, sweets, chewy candies or soft caramels, pralines or the like, but also for pressed, powdery food concentrates such as brew blocks or for packaging consumer goods such as washing machine or dishwasher tabs. Usually, rotating working heads are used, to which the articles to be packed with the associated packaging material are fed one after the other. The items are then packed in the packaging while the working heads rotate.

The type of folding considered here, in which overlapping packaging material folds are formed, is referred to as letter folding. Depending on whether the packaging folds are first formed in the radial (rotational) direction or in the tangential (rotational) direction, one speaks of "diagonal" or "straight" letter folds.

In order to completely pack the article to be packed while forming overlapping packaging folds, numerous folding processes have to be carried out. With the known methods and devices, the article is transferred several times between different working heads or working organs. This makes the packaging process long and complex.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simplified method and a simplified device for packaging small-sized articles with the formation and, if necessary, fixing of overlapping packaging material folds.

In order to solve the underlying object, the invention provides the method according to claim 1 and the device according to claim 10.

The method according to the invention is carried out for the packaging of small-piece articles with a working head which can be rotated about an axis of rotation and which has at least one working station for receiving an article and for processing a packaging means assigned to the article. According to the invention, the article is packed with the packaging after it has been picked up in the work station, with the formation and, if necessary, fixing of overlapping packaging material folds, and is then output from the work station. In accordance with this invention, the article is fully wrapped in an article orientation. All folding operations required for packaging are carried out within the same work station of the working head between picking up and delivery of the article. Working bodies can be used for this come, which are permanently assigned to the respective workstation and rotate with the workstation about the axis of rotation of the working head. However, it is also possible for additional individual work steps to be carried out by standing or stationary work units, which the individual work stations move past. In any case, no further article transfer is required to complete the packaging. If necessary, the overlapping packaging folds can be sealed in a subsequent sealing head in order to achieve complete packaging. Since the fixing of the overlapping packaging material folds is optionally (possibly) and ideally still carried out within the working head, the risk is reduced when the article is transferred to the sealing head that the packaging material will unintentionally detach itself from the article due to the overlapping packaging material folds opening due to material restoring forces solves. As a result, the handling of the articles to be packaged in the working head and the entire packaging process are simplified considerably. However, it is also possible that by appropriately pressing the overlapping packaging folds onto the article immediately during the formation of the folds, the inherent restoring forces of the packaging are reduced to such an extent that the packaging folds do not open immediately after the respective folding elements have been removed. For example, the fully packaged article can optionally be transferred to a downstream sealing device for sealing the packaging folds, on which the packaging is sealed to completely fix the packaging folds.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

It can be useful if the working head and, if applicable, the work station continuously rotates or rotates about the axis of rotation. In the continuous packaging process, high article outputs of up to 2,300 articles per minute and article line are currently possible. The packaging process is preferably carried out simultaneously on a plurality of parallel article tracks, it being possible for duplicated or multiplied work stations to be provided for each article-carrying rotary head.

It can prove useful if at least some of the overlapping packaging material folds are formed on a preferably flat, preferably polygonal, in particular rectangular, article base and, if necessary, two side surfaces (end faces) of the article adjoining the article base, with the article particularly preferably having the shape an isosceles trapezoidal prism or a truncated pyramid. In the case of a rectangular article bottom, the edges delimiting the article bottom are in the same plane perpendicular to one another. This variant facilitates the formation of overlapping packaging folds on the bottom of the article. With this variant, a uniform and contour-close packaging of the article can be achieved.

It can be helpful if the item is picked up in the work station in such a way that the bottom of the item (in particular radially) deviates from the axis of rotation of the working head and the item is held by a holding element assigned to the work station on two side surfaces of the item that deviate from one another, which are preferably in and opposite to each other aligned with the direction of rotation of the working head, is clamped. As a result, the article base and the two end faces - between the clamped side surfaces - of the article are optimally accessible for processing with the working elements. Movable working elements can be used to simply act on the packaging on these surfaces of the article.

It can prove to be practical if the packaging means is arranged in the form of a channel around the article when the article is picked up in the work station, around a top surface of the article that faces away from the bottom of the article and two adjoining side faces of the article that face away from one another, preferably the clamped side faces of the article, to be covered, so that the packaging protrudes on two end faces of the article that are adjacent to the top surface and deviate from one another and these end faces and the bottom of the article are exposed or are not covered with packaging. As a result, the working elements of the workstation can have an optimal effect on the packaging. The packaging overhangs in the axial direction with respect to the axis of rotation of the working head can be easily processed by the working elements. If the packaging is fixed between the work station or holding element and the article, the folding of the packaging is considerably easier because a separate holding element for the packaging can be omitted.

It can be advantageous if the packaging material is placed on each of the two end faces of the article, starting from the top surface, and is folded over the intermediate edge in each case. As a result, the end faces of the article are preferably completely covered with packaging material. In this way, packaging close to the contours can also be achieved on the top surface and on the front sides of the article.

It may prove useful if the packaging is folded from each of the clamped side surfaces of the article over an intermediate edge onto one of the end faces of the article in order to form a separate side fold for each of these edges, so that there are two on each of these two end faces side folds. As a result, a bag-like or pouch-like packaging is formed, which covers all surfaces of the article with the exception of the bottom of the article. The letter fold, in which the folds in the radial (twist) direction are formed on the end faces of the article before the folds in the tangential (twist) direction, is also called diagonal letter fold. With the present invention/device, other folding sequences are also possible, in particular when changing the folding elements or their movement-controlling curves. The "straight letter fold" type of fold can be achieved in particular by changing the above-mentioned sequence (i.e. the tangential folds are formed before the radial folds on the front sides). The order of the remaining folding organs can in this case remain identical to the diagonal letter fold. This intermediate product, in which the packaging material surrounds the article in the form of a sack or bag, so that only the bottom of the article is exposed, can then be easily processed further, with the formation of overlapping bottom folds on the bottom of the article. The outermost side and bottom folds preferably extend counter to the direction of rotation of the working head, so that when they come into contact with stationary folding elements, they are pressed against the article and do not stand up. As a result, at least a temporary fixation of these packaging folds can be achieved, with the final fixing of the packaging folds then possibly taking place on a downstream sealing device.

It can be helpful if the packaging, especially after the side folds have been formed, is folded at each of the edges delimiting the bottom of the article and folded onto the bottom of the article, forming a separate bottom fold for each of these edges, so that at least two, preferably all, bottom folds are on the bottom of the article overlap. A rectangular article bottom is delimited by four perpendicular edges in the same plane. This results in four bottom folds, two of which are folded onto the bottom of the article in opposite directions and optionally crossing one another. This completely closes the packaging around the item.

It can prove practical if, in order to fix the overlapping packaging folds, in particular bottom folds, at least two of these packaging folds, preferably the two outermost packaging folds, are held together or temporarily fixed, preferably by a standing working body, in a state in which at least the outermost packaging fold is held by the workstation in contact with the article and is moved past the stationary working element, preferably in such a way that the stationary working element acts on the packaging penetrating into the workstation. It can thereby be ensured that the packaging folds are fixed to one another in the intended position. The fixing of the packaging folds takes place, for example, in a state before the last folding element of the work station is detached from the last folded packaging fold. The overlapping packaging folds can be fixed temporarily (e.g. by reducing the packaging's own restoring forces) or permanently (e.g. by sealing) with this working element.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a device for packaging small items, preferably according to the method according to one of the preceding embodiments, with a working head which can be rotated about an axis of rotation and which has at least one work station for receiving an item and for processing the packaging means assigned to the item , wherein the device, preferably the working head, preferably each workstation, is designed to hold an article with associated packaging and to pack it with the packaging while forming and optionally fixing overlapping packaging folds. The same advantages result as with the method according to the invention.

1. a) Ein Halteorgan zum Halten des Artikels und eines dem Artikel zugeordneten Packmittels, insbesondere dergestalt, dass ein Artikelboden des Artikels von der Drehachse des Arbeitskopfs abweist, wobei das Halteorgan vorzugsweise als Haltebackenpaar ausgebildet ist, um den Artikel und das dem Artikel zugeordnete Packmittel insbesondere an zwei in und entgegen der Drehrichtung des Arbeitskopfs ausgerichteten Seitenflächen des Artikels klemmend zu halten.
2. b) Einen ersten Seitenfalter, der ausgebildet ist, um das Packmittel entlang einer Kante des Artikels, die vorzugsweise eine vom Artikelboden abweisende Deckfläche des Artikels begrenzt, abzuknicken und an eine von ebendieser Kante begrenzte Stirnseite des Artikels anzulegen, wobei der erste Seitenfalter vorzugsweise gabelförmig ausgebildet ist, um beide Stirnseiten des Artikels und ggf. den zweiten Seitenfalter und/oder den dritten Seitenfalter zu umgreifen, wobei der erste Seitenfalter bevorzugt annähernd radial zur Drehachse des Arbeitskopfs bewegbar ist. Dieser erste Seitenfalter kann zweiteilig ausgebildet sein, wobei ein erster Teil dieses ersten Seitenfalters, der sogenannte Vorfalter, dazu ausgebildet ist, das Packmittel an der besagten Kante abzuknicken und ein zweiter Teil des ersten Seitenfalters, der sogenannte Seitenfalter Mitte, dazu ausgebildet ist, das Packmittel ausgehend von der besagten Kante entlang der daran angrenzenden Stirnfalte des Artikels unter Ausbildung einer ersten Seitenfalte anzulegen. Der Seitenfalter Mitte ist beispielsweise konfiguriert, um zwischen dem Vorfalter und der Stirnseite exakt oder im Wesentlichen parallel zu dieser Stirnseite bewegt zu werden, um das geknickte Packmittel an die Stirnseite anzulegen.
3. c) Einen zweiten Seitenfalter, der ausgebildet ist, um das Packmittel entlang einer vom Artikelboden ausgehenden Kante des Artikels abzuknicken und unter Ausbildung einer zweiten Seitenfalte an eine von ebendieser Kante begrenzte Stirnseite anzulegen, wobei der zweite Seitenfalter vorzugsweise gabelförmig ausgebildet ist, um beide Stirnseiten des Artikels und ggf. den ersten Seitenfalter (bzw. den Seitenfalter Mitte) zu umgreifen, wobei der zweite Seitenfalter bevorzugt um eine parallel zur Drehachse des Arbeitskopfs ausgerichtete Schwenkachse schwenkbar ist.
4. d) Einen dritten Seitenfalter, um das Packmittel entlang einer anderen vom Artikelboden ausgehenden Kante abzuknicken und unter Ausbildung einer dritten Seitenfalte an die erste und/oder zweite Seitenfalte bzw. an die Stirnseite anzulegen, wobei der dritte Seitenfalter vorzugsweise gabelförmig ausgebildet ist, um beide Stirnseiten des Artikels und ggf. den ersten Seitenfalter (bzw. den Seitenfalter Mitte) und/oder den zweiten Seitenfalter zu umgreifen, wobei der dritte Seitenfalter bevorzugt um eine parallel zur Drehachse des Arbeitskopfs ausgerichtete Schwenkachse schwenkbar ist, insbesondere in eine dem zweiten Seitenfalter entgegengesetzte Schwenkrichtung.
5. e) Einen ersten Bodenfalter, um das Packmittel entlang einer den Artikelboden begrenzenden Kante abzuknicken und unter Ausbildung einer ersten Bodenfalte auf den Artikelboden zu falten, wobei der ersten Bodenfalter vorzugsweise wenigstens teilweise senkrecht zu dieser Kante und/oder exakt oder im Wesentlichen parallel zum Artikelboden, bevorzugt exakt oder im Wesentlichen parallel zur Drehachse des Arbeitskopfs, bewegbar ist. Die erste Bodenfalte erstreckt sich vorzugsweise von einer tangential zur Drehachse des Arbeitskopfs ausgerichteten Kante des Artikelbodens in axialer Richtung über den Artikelboden. Der erste Bodenfalter kann ein- oder mehrteilig ausgebildet sein. Verschiedene Teile des Bodenfalters sind vorzugsweise separat angetrieben.
6. f) Einen zweiten Bodenfalter, um das Packmittel entlang einer anderen, den Artikelboden begrenzenden Kante abzuknicken und unter Ausbildung einer zweiten Bodenfalte auf die erste Bodenfalte und/oder den Artikelboden und/oder den ersten Bodenfalter zu falten, wobei der zweite Bodenfalter vorzugsweise wenigstens teilweise senkrecht zu dieser Kante und exakt oder im Wesentlichen parallel zum Artikelboden, bevorzugt exakt oder im Wesentlichen parallel zur Drehachse des Arbeitskopfs und/oder in entgegengesetzter Richtung zum ersten Bodenfalter, bewegbar ist. Die zweite Bodenfalte erstreckt sich vorzugsweise von der anderen tangential zur Drehachse des Arbeitskopfs ausgerichteten Kante des Artikelbodens in axialer Richtung über den Artikelboden, entgegengesetzt zur ersten Bodenfalte. Der zweite Bodenfalter kann ein- oder mehrteilig ausgebildet sein. Verschiedene Teile des Bodenfalters sind vorzugsweise separat angetrieben.
7. g) Einen dritten Bodenfalter, um das Packmittel entlang einer weiteren, den Artikelboden begrenzenden Kante abzuknicken und unter Ausbildung einer dritten Bodenfalte auf die zweite Bodenfalte und/oder auf die erste Bodenfalte und/oder auf den Artikelboden und/oder den ersten Bodenfalter und/oder den zweiten Bodenfalter zu falten, wobei der dritte Bodenfalter vorzugsweise wenigstens teilweise senkrecht zu dieser Kante und parallel zum Artikelboden, bevorzugt tangential zur Drehachse des Arbeitskopfs, bewegbar ist. Die dritte Bodenfalte erstreckt sich vorzugsweise von einer parallel zur Drehachse des Arbeitskopfs ausgerichteten Hinterkante des Artikelbodens in Drehrichtung des Arbeitskopfs über den Artikelboden.
8. h) Einen vierten Bodenfalter, um das Packmittel entlang noch einer weiteren, den Artikelboden begrenzenden Kante abzuknicken und unter Ausbildung einer vierten Bodenfalte auf die dritte Bodenfalte und/oder auf die zweite Bodenfalte und/oder auf die erste Bodenfalte und/oder auf den Artikelboden und/oder den ersten Bodenfalter und/oder den zweiten Bodenfalter und/oder den dritten Bodenfalter zu falten, wobei der vierte Bodenfalter vorzugsweise wenigstens teilweise senkrecht zu dieser Kante und parallel zum Artikelboden, bevorzugt tangential zur Drehachse des Arbeitskopfs, bewegbar ist. Die vierte Bodenfalte erstreckt sich vorzugsweise von einer parallel zur Drehachse des Arbeitskopfs ausgerichteten Vorderkante des Artikelbodens entgegen der Drehrichtung des Arbeitskopfs über den Artikelboden, entgegengesetzt zur dritten Bodenfalte. Demnach erstreckt sich die äußerste Packmittelfalte entgegen der Drehrichtung und wird somit bei Kontakt mit einem stehenden Arbeitsorgan, beispielsweise einer Fixierzunge, nicht aufgestellt, sondern an den Artikel angedrückt.

It can be useful if the device has at least one of the following working elements, with each workstation preferably having at least one of the following working elements and/or a device body to which the working head is rotatably attached, at least one of the following working elements b - h, in particular as stationary working element, which the individual work stations move past:

1. a) A holding element for holding the article and a packaging means assigned to the article, in particular such that a bottom of the article deviates from the axis of rotation of the working head, wherein the holding element is preferably designed as a pair of holding jaws in order to hold the article and the packaging means assigned to the article in particular to clamp two side surfaces of the article aligned in and against the direction of rotation of the working head.
2. b) A first side folder, which is designed to fold the packaging material along an edge of the article, which preferably delimits a top surface of the article that faces away from the bottom of the article, and to place it against an end face of the article delimited by this same edge, the first side folder preferably being fork-shaped is in order to encompass both end faces of the article and possibly the second side folder and/or the third side folder, the first side folder preferably being movable approximately radially to the axis of rotation of the working head. This first side folder can be designed in two parts, with a first part of this first side folder, the so-called pre-folder, being designed to bend the packaging at the said edge and a second part of the first side folder, the so-called side folder in the middle, being designed to bend the packaging starting from said edge along the adjoining forehead fold of the article to form a first side fold. The center side folder is configured, for example, to be moved between the pre-folder and the end face exactly or substantially parallel to this end face in order to place the folded packaging material against the end face.
3. c) A second side folder, which is designed to fold the packaging material along an edge of the article starting from the article base and to place it on a front side delimited by this very edge, forming a second side fold, with the second side folder preferably being designed in the shape of a fork in order to enclose both front sides of the Article and, if necessary, the first side folder (or the side folder middle), wherein the second side folder is preferably pivotable about a pivot axis aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the working head.
4. d) A third gusset to bend the packaging material along another edge extending from the article base and to create a third gusset on the first and/or second gusset or on the end face, with the third gusset is preferably fork-shaped in order to encompass both end faces of the article and, if applicable, the first side folder (or the center side folder) and/or the second side folder, the third side folder preferably being pivotable about a pivot axis aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the working head, in particular in a pivoting direction opposite to the second side folder.
5. e) A first bottom fold to fold the packaging along an edge delimiting the article bottom and fold it onto the article bottom to form a first bottom fold, the first bottom fold preferably being at least partially perpendicular to this edge and/or exactly or substantially parallel to the article bottom, preferably exactly or essentially parallel to the axis of rotation of the working head. The first bottom fold preferably extends from an edge of the article bottom aligned tangentially to the axis of rotation of the working head in the axial direction over the article bottom. The first bottom folder can be designed in one or more parts. Different parts of the bottom folder are preferably driven separately.
6. f) A second bottom fold to fold the packaging material along another edge delimiting the bottom of the article and to fold it onto the first bottom fold and/or the bottom of the article and/or the first bottom fold to form a second bottom fold, with the second bottom fold preferably being at least partially vertical to this edge and exactly or substantially parallel to the article base, preferably exactly or substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the working head and/or in the opposite direction to the first base folder. The second bottom fold preferably extends from the other edge of the article bottom aligned tangentially to the axis of rotation of the working head in the axial direction over the article bottom, opposite to the first bottom fold. The second bottom folder can be designed in one or more parts. Different parts of the bottom folder are preferably driven separately.
7. g) A third bottom fold to fold the packaging material along another edge delimiting the bottom of the article and to form a third bottom fold on the second bottom fold and/or on the first bottom fold and/or on the bottom of the article and/or the first bottom fold and/or to fold the second bottom folder, the third bottom folder preferably being movable at least partially perpendicularly to this edge and parallel to the bottom of the article, preferably tangentially to the axis of rotation of the working head. The third bottom fold preferably extends from a rear edge of the article bottom, aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the working head, over the article bottom in the direction of rotation of the working head.
8. h) A fourth bottom fold to bend the packaging material along yet another edge delimiting the bottom of the article and forming a fourth bottom fold on the third bottom gusset and/or onto the second bottom gusset and/or onto the first bottom gusset and/or onto the article bottom and/or the first bottom fold and/or the second bottom fold and/or the third bottom fold, with the fourth bottom fold preferably at least partially perpendicular to this edge and parallel to the article base, preferably tangential to the axis of rotation of the working head, movable. The fourth bottom fold preferably extends from a front edge of the article bottom, aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the working head, against the direction of rotation of the working head over the article bottom, opposite to the third bottom fold. Accordingly, the outermost packaging fold extends counter to the direction of rotation and is therefore not raised when it comes into contact with a stationary working element, for example a fixing tongue, but is pressed against the article.

It can prove to be practical if at least one of these working elements, in particular the section of the respective working element acting on the packaging, is essentially perpendicular to an edge of the article along which the packaging is folded, and in particular starting from this edge exactly or essentially parallel to the area of the article delimited by this edge, against which the folded packaging material is placed. As a result, the folding movement of the packaging can be influenced in a targeted manner with the respective working element.

It may be useful if at least two of these working members form a pair of members and are movable relative to the article, preferably in opposite directions, preferably to overlap one another over the same face of the article, more preferably to have two overlapping ones on that face of the article to form packaging folds.

It may prove useful if at least two other of these working organs form a further pair of organs and are movable relative to the article, preferably in opposite directions and more preferably perpendicular to the directions of movement of the first pair of organs, preferably around at least one face of the article to cover each other, more preferably to form a total of four, in particular overlapping, packaging folds together with the first pair of organs.

It can be advantageous if the device has a preferably stationary working element for fixing the overlapping packaging folds, in particular bottom folds, wherein the stationary working element is preferably designed to act on the packaging by penetrating at least one of the working elements rotating relative to the article . With this stationary working element, the overlapping packaging folds can be fixed temporarily (eg by reducing the packaging's own restoring forces) or permanently (eg by sealing).

Further preferred developments of the invention result from combinations of the features mentioned above.

terms and definitions

Small-piece articles within the meaning of this invention are in particular small-piece foods, such as pieces of chocolate, sweets, chewy sweets or soft caramels, pralines, bouillon blocks, or small-piece consumer goods, such as washing machine or dishwasher tabs.

The articles packaged using the method according to the invention preferably have a flat and polygonal, in particular rectangular or square base area, which is referred to below as the article base. The bottom of the article is preferably the standing surface of the article, possibly also its largest flat surface.

The packaging within the scope of the present invention is a packaging made of paper, plastic and/or metal. It can be designed in one or more layers and in particular have a heat-sealable or cold-sealable coating. The packaging is preferably provided in the form of packaging blanks. In particular, these packaging blanks can have the same basic shape as the bottom of the article. For example, the packaging blank is rectangular, as is the bottom of the article. The packaging blank and the bottom of the article preferably have approximately the same aspect ratios between long sides and short sides (e.g. in a ratio of 4:3).

Within the scope of the present invention, stationary working elements are to be understood as working elements which are fastened to a device body which is stationary with respect to the working head and are consequently not attached to the working head and do not rotate integrally with it. The stationary working elements can optionally be provided as passive, i.e. fixed, immovable elements, past which the article is guided. Alternatively, the stationary working elements can be provided as active, i.e. movable, elements which can, for example by means of a drive, carry out movements relative to the rotation of the working head in order to carry out folding processes on the packaging.

Brief description of the figures

• Fig. 1a: eine computergenerierte Seitenansicht einer Verpackungsmaschine mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Arbeitskopf bzw. Packkopf, welcher mit einem in Artikelförderrichtung vorgelagerten Greiferkopf und einem in Artikelförderrichtung nachgelagerten Siegelkopf nach dem Prinzip aneinander abrollender Kreise zusammenwirkt, um Artikel in einem Artikelstrom zu kontinuierlich zu fördern, wobei der Arbeitskopf bzw. Packkopf eine Mehrzahl von identischen Arbeitsstationen mit jeweils einem Halteorgan zur Aufnahme eines Artikels mit zugeordnetem Packmittel und mit jeweils einer Mehrzahl von Arbeitsorganen zur Einwirkung auf das diesem Artikel zugeordneten Packmittel aufweist (der besseren Übersicht halber ist lediglich eine Arbeitsstation des Arbeitskopfs bzw. Packkopfs dargestellt).
• Fig. 1b: eine andere computergenerierte Seitenansicht der Verpackungsmaschine aus Fig. 1a in einem anderen Zustand als in Figur 1a, in welchem sich die zusammenwirkenden Rotationsköpfe gegenüber der Darstellung aus Figur 1a in den jeweils mit Pfeilen angezeigten Drehrichtungen weitergedreht haben.
• Fig. 2a: eine perspektivische, computergenerierte Detailansicht der Verpackungsmaschine aus den Figuren 1a und 1b in einem Zustand kurz vor der Artikelaufnahme von dem vorgelagerten Greiferkopf, in welchem die Haltebacken der den Artikel aufnehmenden Arbeitsstation des Arbeitskopfs in Erwartung des aufzunehmenden Artikels geöffnet sind.
• Figuren 2b und c: perspektivische, computergenerierte Ansichten eines zu verpackenden Artikels, der näherungsweise die Form eines Trapezprismas mit rechteckigem Artikelboden, im Wesentlichen parallelen, trapezförmigen Stirnseiten und einer zum Artikelboden parallelen, rechteckigen Deckfläche aufweist, aus verschiedenen Richtungen.
• Fig. 3a-l: verschiedene computergenerierte Perspektivansichten derselben Arbeitsstation des Arbeitskopfs bzw. Packkopfs aus Fig. 1a-b und 2a in verschiedenen Drehphasen des Arbeitskopfs bzw. Packkopfs in derselben Perspektive, wobei das Packmittel zur besseren Übersicht nicht dargestellt ist und wobei die Ansichten im Einzelnen zeigen:
  • Fig. 3a: Die Arbeitsstation vor Artikelaufnahme mit geöffneten Haltebacken.
  • Fig. 3b: Die Arbeitsstation unmittelbar nach Artikelaufnahme mit geschlossen Haltebacken.
  • Fig. 3c-d: Die Bewegungen des ersten Arbeitsorgans in verschiedenen Schritten, wobei mit einem ersten Teil des ersten Arbeitsorgans, dem sogenannten Vorfalter, die zur Drehachse des Arbeitskopfes konvex gewölbten und radial nach innen zur Drehachse des Arbeitskopfes weisenden Enden des rinnenförmig geformten Packmittels eingedrückt und abgeknickt werden, wobei die abgeknickten Packmittelüberstände anschließend mit einem zweiten Teil des ersten Arbeitsorgans (Seitenfalter Mitte) bzw. mit dessen plattenförmigen Abschnitten, die in radialer Richtung nach außen an den freiliegenden Seitenflächen des Artikels zwischen dem Vorfalter und dem Artikel entlang gleiten, unter Ausbildung von ersten Seitenfalten an die freiliegenden bzw. ungeklemmten Seitenflächen des Artikels angelegt werden.
  • Figuren 3e-f: die Bewegungen der zweiten und dritten Arbeitsorgane, die gabelförmig geformt sind, wobei das zweite Arbeitsorgan ausgebildet ist, um die in Drehrichtung des Arbeitskopfs hinteren, über den Artikel überstehenden Packmittelenden zur Überdeckung des immer noch vom ersten Arbeitsorgan bzw. Seitenfalter Mitte gehaltenen Packmittels auf die ungeklemmten Seitenflächen des Artikels zu klappen, unter Ausbildung von zweiten Seitenfalten, wobei das dritte Arbeitsorgan ausgebildet ist, um die in Drehrichtung des Arbeitskopfs vorderen Packmittelenden unter Überdeckung der zweiten Seitenfalten auf die ungeklemmten Seitenflächen des Artikels zu klappen, unter Ausbildung von dritten Seitenfalten.
  • 3g-h: die Bewegungen der vierten und fünften Arbeitsorgane, welche den senkrecht vom Artikelboden radial nach außen vorstehenden Packmittelrand eines vom Packmittel gebildeten Packmittelbeutels aus entgegengesetzten Richtungen annähernd parallel zur Drehachse des Arbeitskopfs eindrücken und abknicken, um das Packmittel unter Ausbildung von sich ggf. überlappenden, ersten und zweiten Bodenfalten, auf den Artikelboden zu klappen.
  • Figuren 3i-j: die Bewegungen der sechsten und siebten Arbeitsorgane, welche den verbleibenden, vom Artikelboden radial nach außen vorstehenden Packmittelrand des vom Packmittel gebildeten Packmittelbeutels aus entgegengesetzten Richtungen im Wesentlichen tangential zur Drehachse des Arbeitskopfs eindrücken und unter Ausbildung von sich gegenseitig überlappenden und ggf. die ersten und zweiten Bodenfalten überlappenden, dritten und vierten Bodenfalten auf den Artikelboden zu klappen.
  • Figur 3k: den Abschluss des Verpackungsvorgangs in der Arbeitsstation durch temporäre Fixierung der sich am Artikelboden überlappenden Bodenfalten mittels eines stehenden Fixierorgans, welches auf die äußerste Bodenfalte des den Artikel umgebenden Packmittels einwirkt und dieses an den Artikel andrückt, während die sich um die Drehachse des Arbeitskopfs drehende Arbeitsstation an diesem stehenden Fixierorgan vorbeifährt.
  • Figur 3i: die Artikelübergabe vom Arbeitskopf bzw. Packkopf an den nachgelagerten Siegelkopf, auf welchem die Siegelung des Packmittels durch thermische Aktivierung des Packmittels mittels Wärmeeinwirkung über ein Siegelorgan erfolgt.
• Fig. 4a-p: verschiedene photographische Draufsichten auf eine Arbeitsstation des erfindungsgemäßen Arbeitskopfs, umfassend ein Halteorgan, welches einen teilweise mit Packmittel umwickelten Artikel hält, sodass ein Artikelboden des Artikels direkt in der Bildebene und senkrecht zur Blickrichtung des Betrachters ausgerichtet ist, wobei die Arbeitsstation ferner eine Vielzahl von Arbeitsorganen aufweist, die zur Einwirkung auf das dem Artikel zugeordnete Packmittel ausgebildet sind. Im Einzelnen zeigen:
  • Figur 4a: Eine photographische Draufsicht auf eine Arbeitsstation mit darin aufgenommenem Artikel und Packmittel, wobei das Packmittel rinnenförmig um den Artikel angeordnet sowie zwischen Artikel und Halteorgan festgeklemmt ist, wobei sich die Achse der Packmittelrinne parallel zur Drehachse des Arbeitskopfs erstreckt.
  • Figur 4b: eine fotografische Draufsicht auf die Arbeitsstation gemäß Figur 4a, wobei Arbeitsorgane auf die über die Artikelstirnseiten überstehenden Enden des rinnenförmigen Packmittels einwirken und selbige unter Ausbildung von ersten Seitenfalten nach oben in die Packmittelrinne hineindrücken, sodass das Packmittel sinnbildlich ein den Artikel aufnehmendes Nest bildet und vier Packmittelenden strahlenförmig von dem Artikel abstehen.
  • Figur 4c-f: weitere fotografische Draufsichten auf die Arbeitsstation gemäß Figur 4a-b, wobei ein zweites Arbeitsorgan die in der Ansicht unteren und in Drehrichtung des Arbeitskopfs hinteren beiden Packmittelenden an die freiliegenden Seitenflächen des Artikels klappt, um ein zweites Seitenfaltenpaar zu bilden, das in Drehrichtung des Arbeitskopfs nach vorne steht, während das erste Arbeitsorgan das Packmittel noch in Anlage an diesen Seitenflächen hält.
  • Figur 4g-h: weitere fotografische Draufsichten auf die Arbeitsstation gemäß Figur 4a-f, wobei ein drittes Arbeitsorgan die in der Ansicht oberen und in Drehrichtung des Arbeitskopfs hinteren beiden Packmittelenden auf die ersten und/oder zweiten Seitenfalten klappt, um ein drittes Seitenfaltenpaar zu bilden, das in Drehrichtung des Arbeitskopfs nach hinten steht, während das zweite Arbeitsorgan zurückweicht und das erste Arbeitsorgan das Packmittel weiter in Anlage an diesen Seitenflächen des Artikels hält, wobei das Packmittel einen nach oben offenen Sack bzw. Beutel bildet, welcher den Artikel an allen Seitenflächen mit Ausnahme des Artikelbodens konturnah bedeckt.
  • Figur 4i-j: weitere fotografische Draufsichten auf die Arbeitsstation gemäß Figur 4a-h, wobei ein viertes und ein fünftes Arbeitsorgan den in der Ansicht nach oben vorstehenden Packmittelrand aus und in entgegengesetzten Richtungen, vorzugsweise parallel zur Rotationsachse des Arbeitskopfs, auf den Artikelboden klappen, um erste und zweite sich ggf. überlappende Bodenfalten zu bilden.
  • Figur 4k-n: weitere fotografische Draufsichten auf die Arbeitsstation gemäß Figur 4a-j, wobei ein sechstes Arbeitsorgan den verbleibenden unteren und in Drehrichtung des Arbeitskopfs hinteren Packmittelrand in einer senkrecht zur Erstreckungs- und Klapprichtung der ersten und zweiten Bodenfalten in Drehrichtung des Arbeitskopfs auf die ersten und zweiten Bodenfalten klappt, um eine dritte Bodenfalten zu bilden.
  • Figur 4o-p: weitere fotografische Draufsichten auf die Arbeitsstation gemäß Figur 4a-n, wobei ein siebtes Arbeitsorgan den verbleibenden oberen und in Drehrichtung des Arbeitskopfs vorderen Packmittelrand entgegen der Erstreckungs- und Klapprichtung der dritten Bodenfalten sowie entgegen der Drehrichtung des Arbeitskopfs auf die dritte Bodenfalte klappt, um eine vierte Bodenfalten zu bilden.
• Figur 5a-b: verschiedene computergenerierte Perspektivansichten derselben Arbeitsstation des Arbeitskopfs bzw. Packkopfs gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung, im Wesentlichen alternativ zu den Figuren 3i-k, wobei Fig. 5a die Ausbildung der dritten Bodenfalte darstellt und Fig. 5b die Ausbildung der vierten Bodenfalte darstellt.

Show it:

• Fig. 1a : a computer-generated side view of a packaging machine with a working head or packing head according to the invention, which interacts with a gripper head upstream in the article conveying direction and a sealing head downstream in the article conveying direction according to the principle of circles rolling off one another in order to continuously convey articles in an article stream, with the working head or Packing head a plurality of identical work stations, each with a holding member for receiving an article with associated packaging and each having a plurality of working elements for acting on the packaging means assigned to this article (only one working station of the working head or packing head is shown for the sake of a better overview).
• Fig. 1b : Another computer-generated side view of the packaging machine Fig. 1a in a different condition than in Figure 1a , in which the cooperating rotary heads differ from the representation Figure 1a continued to rotate in the directions indicated by the arrows.
• Figure 2a : a perspective, computer-generated detailed view of the packaging machine from FIGS Figures 1a and 1b in a state just before picking up the article from the upstream gripper head, in which the holding jaws of the work station of the working head picking up the article are open in anticipation of the article to be picked up.
• figures 2b and c: perspective, computer-generated views of an article to be packaged, which has approximately the shape of a trapezoidal prism with a rectangular article base, essentially parallel, trapezoidal end faces and a rectangular top surface parallel to the article base, from different directions.
• Fig. 3a-l : various computer-generated perspective views of the same work station of the working head or packing head Fig. 1a-b and 2a in different phases of rotation of the working head or packing head in the same perspective, whereby the packaging is not shown for a better overview and the views show in detail:
  • Figure 3a : The work station in front of article pick-up with open holding jaws.
  • Figure 3b : The workstation immediately after picking up the item with the holding jaws closed.
  • Fig. 3c-d : The movements of the first working element in different steps, whereby with a first part of the first working element, the so-called pre-folder, the ends of the channel-shaped packaging means, which are convexly curved towards the axis of rotation of the working head and point radially inwards towards the axis of rotation of the working head, are pressed in and bent, whereby the kinked excess packaging material then with a second part of the first working element (middle side folder) or with its plate-shaped sections, which slide in the radial direction outwards on the exposed side surfaces of the article between the pre-folder and the article, forming first side folds on the exposed or unclamped side faces of the article.
  • Figures 3e-f : the movements of the second and third working elements, which are fork-shaped, with the second working element being designed to move the packaging material ends which are at the rear in the direction of rotation of the working head and protrude beyond the article to cover the packaging material still held by the first working element or side folder center on the to fold unclamped side surfaces of the article, forming second side folds, whereby the the third working element is designed to fold the packaging means ends that are at the front in the direction of rotation of the working head, overlapping the second side folds, onto the unclipped side surfaces of the article, with the formation of third side folds.
  • 3g-h: the movements of the fourth and fifth working elements, which press in and bend the packaging material edge, which protrudes radially outwards from the article base, of a packaging material bag formed by the packaging material from opposite directions, approximately parallel to the axis of rotation of the working head, in order to wrap the packaging material, possibly forming overlapping ones , first and second bottom folds to fold onto the article bottom.
  • Figures 3i-j : the movements of the sixth and seventh working elements, which press in the remaining packaging material edge of the packaging material bag formed by the packaging material, which protrudes radially outwards from the article base, from opposite directions essentially tangentially to the axis of rotation of the working head and with the formation of mutually overlapping and, if necessary, the first and second Fold overlapping bottom folds, third and fourth bottom folds onto article bottom.
  • Figure 3k : the completion of the packaging process in the work station by temporarily fixing the bottom folds overlapping on the article bottom by means of a standing fixing element, which acts on the outermost bottom fold of the packaging material surrounding the article and presses it against the article, while the work station rotates around the axis of rotation of the working head drives past this stationary fixing element.
  • Figure 3i : the article transfer from the working head or packing head to the downstream sealing head, on which the sealing of the packaging takes place through thermal activation of the packaging by means of the effect of heat via a sealing element.
• Fig. 4a-p : various photographic plan views of a work station of the work head according to the invention, comprising a holding element which holds an article partially wrapped with packaging material, so that an article bottom of the article is aligned directly in the image plane and perpendicular to the viewer's line of sight, the work station also having a large number of work elements has, which are designed to act on the article associated packaging. Show in detail:
  • Figure 4a Figure 1: A photographic plan view of a work station with article and packaging material received therein, the packaging material being channeled around the article and clamped between the article and the holding member, the axis of the packaging material channel extending parallel to the axis of rotation of the working head.
  • Figure 4b : a photographic plan view of the workstation according to FIG Figure 4a , with working elements on the ends of the channel-shaped packaging means protruding beyond the article front sides act and push the same with the formation of first side folds upwards into the packaging channel, so that the packaging symbolically forms a nest receiving the article and four packaging ends radiate from the article.
  • Figure 4c-f : further photographic plan views of the work station according to Figure 4a-b , wherein a second working element folds the two packaging means ends, which are lower in the view and at the rear in the direction of rotation of the working head, onto the exposed side surfaces of the article in order to form a second pair of side folds which stand forward in the direction of rotation of the working head, while the first working organ still has the packaging means in Plant holds on these side surfaces.
  • Figure 4g-h : further photographic plan views of the work station according to Figure 4a-f , wherein a third working element folds the two packaging means ends, which are upper in the view and rear in the direction of rotation of the working head, onto the first and/or second side gussets in order to form a third pair of side gussets which stands backwards in the direction of rotation of the working head, while the second working element recedes and the first working element continues to hold the packaging means in contact with these side surfaces of the article, the packaging means forming a sack or bag which is open at the top and which closely covers the article on all side surfaces with the exception of the article bottom.
  • Figure 4i-j : further photographic plan views of the work station according to Figure 4a-h , wherein a fourth and a fifth working element fold the packaging edge protruding upwards in the view and in opposite directions, preferably parallel to the axis of rotation of the working head, onto the article base in order to form first and second possibly overlapping base folds.
  • figure 4k-n : further photographic plan views of the work station according to Figure 4a-j , wherein a sixth working element folds the remaining lower packaging edge, which is at the rear in the direction of rotation of the working head, onto the first and second bottom folds in a direction perpendicular to the extension and folding direction of the first and second bottom folds in the direction of rotation of the working head, in order to form a third bottom fold.
  • Figure 4o-p : further photographic plan views of the work station according to Figure 4a-n A seventh working element folds the remaining upper edge of the packaging material, which is at the front in the direction of rotation of the working head, against the direction of extension and folding of the third bottom folds and counter to the direction of rotation of the working head onto the third bottom fold in order to form a fourth bottom fold.
• Figure 5a-b 12: various computer-generated perspective views of the same work station of the working head or packing head according to a further embodiment of the present invention, essentially alternative to those in FIG Figures 3i-k , whereby Figure 5a represents the formation of the third bottom fold and Figure 5b represents the formation of the fourth bottom fold.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

A first preferred embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings Figures 1 to 4p described in detail.

Within the scope of the method according to the invention, in particular small-sized food or consumer goods items A, which are designed as a truncated pyramid or trapezoidal prism and have a rectangular item base A0, are packaged. However, the present invention is not limited to such articles.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the article A is oriented in a state received in the workstation 10 by a holding member 20 of the working head 1 such that the rectangular article base A0 deviates in the radial direction from the axis of rotation X1 of the working head 1 . The longitudinal edges of the article base A0 are aligned parallel to the axis of rotation X1 of the working head 1 and the transverse edges of the article base A0 extend in the tangential direction or in planes aligned perpendicular to the axis of rotation X1 of the working head 1 .

The working head or packing head 1 according to the invention is part of a device for packaging the small-piece articles A in packaging P. In the computer-generated Figures 1-3 the packaging P is not shown for the sake of clarity. In these figures, mainly the organs 20, 31-37 of a work station 10 of the packing head 1 are shown in view in order to explain their construction and functions. The packing head 1 is designed to pick up individual articles A from an article stream from an upstream gripper head 2 and to completely surround them with packaging means (P) and then to deliver them in the packed state to a downstream sealing head 3 . In order to fulfill this task, the packing head 1 according to the invention comprises a total of eight work stations 10 which are arranged at regular angular intervals around the circumference of the packing head 1 and are of identical design. For the sake of clarity, only one of these workstations 10 is shown.

In the packaging device described herein, an article A with associated packaging means (P; see figure 4 ) Supplied substantially radially from the gripper head 2. The gripper head 2 rotates in the illustration according to FIG figure 1 clockwise about a horizontally aligned axis of rotation X2. The gripper head 2 holds the article A on the two trapezoidal side faces or end faces A3, so that the longitudinal edges are aligned along the rectangular base area of the article A parallel to the axis of rotation X2. In this state, the article A is transferred from the gripper head 2 to the packing head 1 and is thereby partially wrapped in the packaging material.

In order to enable and facilitate the transfer of the article A to the packing head 1, all the organs 20, 31-37 of the work station 10 receiving the article A, namely in particular the holding organ 20 and the various working organs 31-37, are arranged in a starting position. in which the article reception in the holding member 20 is not impaired.

The holding member 20 comprises a pair of holding jaws, which clamps the approximately rectangular side surfaces A2 of the article A, which are aligned at an acute angle to one another, in the circumferential direction (i.e. in and against the direction of rotation) of the working head 1 . The bottom of the article A0 is oriented radially outwards and away from the axis of rotation X1 of the working head 1 . The unclamped or exposed, trapezoidal side surfaces or end faces A3 of article A point away from article A in the axial direction. The side surfaces A2 of the article A located at the front and rear in the direction of rotation of the working head 1 are clamped in place with the packaging means P in the holding element 20 .

The first working element 31 comprises, for each of the side surfaces A3 of the article A, a pre-folder 31a which is arranged in front of the holding element 20 in the direction of rotation of the rotary head 1 so as to be pivotable about an axis aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary head 1 . At the distal end of this prefolder 31a, i. H. at a position at the maximum distance from the pivot axis, there are approximately semicircular curved contact sections which, when the pre-folder 31a pivots about its pivot axis, press from below, i.e. radially outwards, against the convexly curved underside of the channel-shaped overhang of the packaging material over article A. In the process, the convexly curved back of the packaging is buckled and the rigidity of the convexly curved packaging P is overcome. The rigidity of the packaging P is weakened in this way after the buckling with a fork-shaped side folder 31b, which moves in the radial direction outwards between the prefolder 31a and the article A along the end faces A3 of the article A and its forked ends essentially aligned parallel to the end faces A3 of the article A are placed against and held in engagement with the end faces A3 of the article A to form first side gussets.

In this state, the packaging P approximately forms a nest that accommodates article A (see Fig. Figure 4c ), whose packaging ends extend away from article A in a star shape. The packaging P is held in contact with all side surfaces A2, A3 of the article A adjoining the article base A0.

Starting from this state, a likewise fork-shaped, second working element 32, which is referred to as a rear side folder and is arranged behind the article A in the direction of rotation of the working head 1, is pivoted forward about a pivot axis aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the working head 1. As a result, the ends of the packaging means protruding beyond the article A are folded onto the packaging means P held in contact with the end faces A3 of the article A, forming second side folds. The bifurcated, substantially parallel portions at the distal end of the rear gusset 32 are passed just outside the bifurcated, substantially parallel portions of the central gusset 31b, so that near the rear edge of the article A a neatly defined fold line in the packaging material P results and the packaging P is folded around the article A close to the contour.

Following this, the excess packaging material at the front in the direction of rotation D1 is folded with a fork-shaped, third working element 33 (side folder at the front, forming third side folds and overlapping the first and/or second side folds on the end faces A3 of article A. For this purpose, the third working element 33 , which is referred to as the front side folder and is arranged in front of the article A in the direction of rotation D1 of the working head 1, is pivoted backwards in the direction of the article A about a pivot axis aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the working head 1. The forking, essentially parallel sections at the distal The ends of the front side folder 33 are also guided past just outside the forking, essentially parallel sections of the middle side folder 31b, so that near the front edge of the article A there is a properly pronounced fold edge in the packaging P and the packaging P is also close to the contour here Article A is folded. As the pivoting movement of the third working member 33 in the direction of the article A progresses, the second working member 32 retreats backwards from the article A by a simultaneous pivoting movement in the same direction in order to free up the space next to the end faces A3 of the article A.

As a result of this side folding process, the packaging material is covered with packaging material P over its entire surface on all side surfaces A2, A3 adjoining the article base A0 and on the top surface A1 facing away from the article base A0. The packaging means P forms a sack or pouch surrounding the article A, with only the article base A0 being exposed and the packaging means P projecting over the article base A0 as a peripheral packaging means edge. The outer, third side folds project from the front edge of the article A in the direction of rotation D1 of the working head 1 to the rear, counter to the direction of rotation D1 of the working head 1 . As a result, the external, third side folds are pressed against the article A by contact with standing structures such as baffles and are not set up.

The edge of the packaging that protrudes beyond the article base A0 is then folded in opposite directions, which are aligned parallel to the axis of rotation X1 of the working head 1, with the fourth and fifth working elements 34, 35 in the form of bottom folders on the transmission/machine side and on the operator side, and with the formation of itself possibly overlapping first and second bottom folds folded in opposite directions onto article bottom A0. As a result of these folding processes, only two approximately parallel sections remain of the previously circumferential edge of the packaging material, which protrude beyond the article base A0 along the front and rear edges of the article base A0 aligned parallel to the axis of rotation X1 of the working head 1 . These remaining excess packaging materials are then successively folded onto the article base A0 and the first and second base folds already present using sixth and seventh working elements 36 and 37, forming overlapping third and fourth base folds.

The sixth working element 36 is the sickle-shaped inner folder. This inner folder can be pivoted about a pivot axis aligned parallel to the axis of rotation X1 of the working head 1, so that the distal end of this inner folder 36 just sweeps over the article base A0 in the direction of rotation of the working head 1. As a result, a fold edge and thus the third bottom fold from the packaging material P is formed along the rear longitudinal edge of the article bottom A0.

The seventh working element 37 is the outer folder, which is also designed in the shape of a sickle. This outer folder 37 can be pivoted about a pivot axis aligned parallel to the axis of rotation X1 of the working head 1, so that the distal end of this outer folder 37 just sweeps over the article base A0 and the distal end of the inner folder 36, counter to the direction of rotation of the working head 1. As a result, a folded edge and the fourth bottom fold are formed along the front longitudinal edge of the article bottom A0.

The plate-shaped sections at the distal end of the inner and outer folders 36, 37, which act on the packaging material P, are slotted in the middle in a tangential direction to the axis of rotation X1 of the working head 1. Therefore, a tongue-shaped cantilever of a stationary (i.e. not rotating with the working head 1) fixing member 38 can penetrate into the work station 10 by penetrating these inner and outer folders 36, 37 and act on the packaging P and press the same against the article A. As a result, the bottom folds are held together or temporarily fixed, so that the packaging formed from the packaging P around the article A preferably does not open on its own.

Then the article A packed with packaging P is transferred to a continuously rotating sealing head 3, which clamps the article A between the end faces A3, on which the overlapping first and second side folds are formed. The corresponding holding jaws of the sealing head 3 can be subjected to heat in order to thermally activate the packaging P at the end faces A3. The packaging P is optionally sealed with a corresponding sealing element of the sealing head 3 on the article base A0.

In the following, a modification of the embodiment described above with reference to FIG Figures 5a and 5b described. Except for the differences described below, the apparatus and the method for packaging the article A in the modified embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

As already mentioned, it is not absolutely necessary for all working steps to be carried out by working elements which are assigned to the working station 10 and rotate with it when the working head 1 rotates. It is also possible that individual work steps for forming the side and/or bottom folds of standing or stationary working elements are performed, which the respective work stations 10 move past. These standing or stationary working elements can be formed, for example, by passive, ie fixed and immovable, elements, on which the article A is guided past.

This is an example in Figures 5a and b shown. Instead of the seventh working element 37, ie the outer folder 37, which is provided in the first exemplary embodiment for forming the folded edge and fourth bottom fold along the front longitudinal edge of the article bottom A0, a fixed folded edge 39 is now provided. This is attached to the device body which is stationary with respect to the working head 1 . As a result, the article A, which is held together with the packaging material P in the holding member 20 of the work station 10, is moved past the folded edge 39 as the work head 1 rotates.

the inside Figure 5a The packaging state shown essentially corresponds to that which exists after the formation of all side folds and the first, second and third bottom fold. In particular, the state is shown in which the sixth working element 36 has formed a folded edge along the rear longitudinal edge of the article base A0 and thus the third base fold from the packaging P. By rotating the working head 1 further, the article is then moved past the fixed folding edge 39 . As a result, the rear end of the stationary folded edge 39, seen in the direction of rotation D1, sweeps over the article base A0, whereby the excess packaging material remaining after the formation of the third base fold is folded over, forming a folded edge along the front longitudinal edge of the article base A0, and the fourth base fold is thus formed.

As in Figure 5b is shown, the sixth working element 36, ie the inner folder 36, can be pivoted back during the formation of the fourth bottom fold in order to avoid interference with the fixed folding edge 39. In particular, the inside folder 36 is moved back counter to the direction of rotation D1 as the stationary folding edge 39 sweeps over the bottom of the article A0. Alternatively, it is also possible to dimension the fixed folding edge 39 in such a way that it just sweeps over both the article bottom A0 and the inner folder 36—which is not pivoted back in this case.

That in the Figures 5a and 5b The stationary folding element 39 shown extends in the circumferential direction along the direction of rotation D1 of the working head 1. With this preferred configuration, the stationary folding element 39 can integrally assume the function of the stationary fixing element 38, ie temporarily fix the bottom folds.

Side and/or bottom folds are preferably formed with passive stationary working elements, for the formation of which the packaging P must be folded counter to the direction of rotation D1 of the working head 1, since this can be accomplished by sweeping over fixed folded edges. In particular, it is possible not only the seventh working body 37 to be replaced by the fixed fold edge 39, but also to replace, for example, the third working element 33 for the formation of side folds with a fixed fold edge.

Alternatively, the stationary working elements can be provided as active, ie movable elements, which can perform movements relative to the rotation of the working head 1, for example by means of a drive, motor or actuator, in order to carry out folding processes on the packaging P. Consequently, these are not limited to the formation of side and/or bottom folds, for the formation of which the packaging means P must be folded counter to the direction of rotation D1 of the working head 1 . This expands the range of uses of the stationary/standing work units.

Reference List

1

packing head

2

gripper head

3

seal head

10

workstation

20

retaining organ

30

working bodies

31

First working body

31a

pre-moth

31b

gusset in the middle

32

Second working element (side folder at the back)

33

Third working organ (side folders in front)

34

Fourth working element (bottom folder on the machine/transmission side)

35

Fifth working element (bottom folder on the operator side)

36

Sixth working organ (inner folder)

37

Seventh working organ (outer moth)

38

fixation organ

39

fixed folding edge

A

Article

A0

item bottom

A1

top surface

A2

side faces (clamped)

A3

end faces (not clamped)

D1

Direction of rotation packing head

D2

Direction of rotation of the gripper head

D3

Direction of rotation of the sealing head

P

packaging

X1

Axis of rotation packing head

X2

Axis of rotation gripper head

X3

Axis of rotation sealing head

Claims (15)

Method for packaging small articles (A) with a working head (1) which can be rotated about an axis of rotation (X1), which has at least one working station (10) for receiving an article (A) and for processing a packaging means (P ), wherein the article (A) after it has been received in the work station (10) is packed with the packaging means (P) with the formation and, if necessary, fixing of overlapping packaging material folds and is then output from the work station (10). Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the working head (1) and optionally the work station rotates continuously about the axis of rotation (X1). Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least some of the overlapping packaging folds are formed on a preferably flat, preferably rectangular, article base (A0) and optionally two side surfaces (A3) of the article (A) adjoining the article base (A0). , wherein the article (A) particularly preferably has the shape of an isosceles trapezoidal prism or a truncated pyramid. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the article (A) is picked up in the work station (10) in such a way that the article base (A0) deviates from the axis of rotation (X1) of the working head (1) and the article (A) from a holding element (20) associated with the work station (10) is clamped on two mutually diverging side surfaces (A2) of the article (A), which are preferably aligned in and against the direction of rotation of the work head (1). Method according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that when the article (A) is received in the work station (10), the packaging means (P) is arranged in the form of a channel around the article (A) in order to form a top surface ( A1) of the article (A) and two adjoining side faces (A2) of the article (A) that deviate from one another, preferably the clamped side faces (A2) of the article (A), so that the packaging (P) is attached to two of the Top surface (A1) adjoining and mutually deflecting end faces (A3) of the article (A) protrudes and these end faces (A3) and the article base (A0) are not covered with packaging (P). Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the packaging means (P) is placed on each of the two end faces (A3) of the article (A) starting from the top surface (A1) and is folded over the intermediate edge in each case. Method according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the packaging (P), starting from each of the clamped side surfaces (A2) of the article (A), is folded over an intermediate edge onto one of the end faces (A3) of the article (A). , to form a separate gusset for each of these edges, so that there are two gussets on each of these two front sides (A3). Method according to one of the five preceding claims, characterized in that the packaging (P), in particular after the formation of the side folds, is folded at each of the edges delimiting the article base (A0) and, forming a separate base fold for each of these edges, is attached to the article base (A0 ) is folded so that at least two, preferably all, bottom folds on the article bottom (A0) overlap. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that to fix the overlapping packaging folds, in particular bottom folds, at least two of these packaging folds, preferably the two outermost packaging folds, are held together or temporarily fixed, preferably by a standing working element (38) in one state , in which at least the outermost packaging fold is held by the workstation (10) in contact with the article (A) and is moved past the standing working element (38), preferably in such a way that the standing working element (38) moves into the working station (10) penetrating the packaging (P) acts. Device for packaging small articles (A), in particular for carrying out a method according to one of the preceding claims, with a working head (1) which can be rotated about an axis of rotation (X1) and which has at least one working station (10) for receiving an article (A) and for processing the packaging (P) assigned to the article, wherein the device, preferably the working head, preferably each work station (10), is designed to hold an article (A) with assigned packaging (P) and to form and fix itself overlapping packaging folds to be packed with the packaging (P). Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the device has at least one of the following working organs, wherein preferably each workstation (10) has at least one of the following working organs and/or a device body on which the working head (1) is rotatably attached, at least has one of the following working elements b - h, in particular as a stationary working element, past which the individual work stations (10) move: a. A holding element (20) for holding the article (A) and a packaging means (P) assigned to the article (A), in particular such that an article bottom (A0) of the article (A) deviates from the axis of rotation (X1) of the working head (1), the holding element (20) preferably being designed as a pair of holding jaws in order to hold the article (A) and the packaging material (P) assigned to the article (A) in particular to clamp two side surfaces (A2) of the article (A) aligned in and against the direction of rotation of the working head (1). b. A first side folder (31a, 31b), which is designed to fold the packaging (P) along an edge of the article (A), which preferably delimits a top surface (A1) of the article (A) that faces away from the article base (A0), and to form a first side fold on an end face (A3) of the article (A) delimited by this same edge, the first side fold (31b) preferably being fork-shaped in order to enclose both end faces (A3) of the article (A) and, if applicable, the second Side folder and/or to encompass the third side folder, the first side folder being movable at least approximately (31a, 31b) radially to the axis of rotation (X1) of the working head (1). c. A second side folder (32), which is designed to fold the packaging (P) along an edge of the article (A) starting from the article base (A0) and to place it on a front side (A3) delimited by this same edge, forming a second side fold, wherein the second side folder (32) is preferably fork-shaped in order to encompass both end faces (A3) of the article (A) and possibly the first side folder (31b), the second side folder (32) preferably rotating about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation (X1 ) of the working head (1) aligned pivot axis is pivotable. i.e. A third side folder (33) to fold the packaging (P) along another edge starting from the article base (A0) and to place it on the first and/or second side fold or on the end face (A3) to form a third side fold, with the third side folder (33) is preferably fork-shaped in order to encompass both front sides (A3) of the article (A) and, if necessary, the first side folder (31b) and/or the second side folder (32), the third side folder (33) being preferred is pivotable about a pivot axis aligned parallel to the axis of rotation (X1) of the working head (1), in particular in a pivoting direction opposite to the second side folder (32). e. A first bottom fold (34) to fold the packaging (P) along an edge delimiting the article bottom (A0) and to fold it onto the article bottom (A0) while forming a first bottom fold, the first bottom fold (34) preferably being at least partially perpendicular to this edge and/or parallel to the article base (A0), preferably parallel to the axis of rotation (X1) of the working head (1), movable. f. A second bottom fold (35) to bend the packaging (P) along another edge delimiting the article bottom (A0) and to form a second bottom fold on the first bottom fold or the article bottom (A0) or the first bottom fold (34 ) to fold, wherein the second bottom folder (35) is preferably at least partially perpendicular to this edge and parallel to the article bottom (A0), preferably parallel to the axis of rotation (X1) of the working head (1) and/or in the opposite direction to the first bottom folder (34) , is movable. G. A third bottom fold (36) to fold the packaging (P) along another edge delimiting the article bottom (A0) and to form a third bottom fold on the second bottom fold or the article bottom (A0) or the first bottom fold (34) or to fold the second bottom folder (35), the third bottom folder (36) preferably being movable at least partially perpendicularly to this edge and parallel to the article bottom (A0), preferably tangentially to the axis of rotation (X1) of the working head (1). H. A fourth bottom fold (37) in order to bend the packaging (P) along yet another edge delimiting the article bottom (A0) and to form a fourth bottom fold on the third bottom fold or the article bottom (A0) and/or the first bottom fold ( 34) and/or the second bottom folder (35) and/or the third bottom folder (36), the fourth bottom folder (37) preferably being at least partially perpendicular to this edge and parallel to the article bottom (A0), preferably tangential to the axis of rotation ( X1) of the working head (1) is movable. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one of these working elements (31-37), in particular the section of the respective working element (31-37) acting on the packaging means (P), is substantially perpendicular to an edge of the article (A) , along which the packaging is folded, and in particular, starting from this edge, can be moved exactly or essentially parallel to the surface (A0-3) of the article (A) delimited by this edge, against which the folded packaging (P) is placed . Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least two of these working members (32, 33; 34, 35) form a pair of members and are movable relative to the article (A), preferably in opposite directions to overlap each other over the same face (A0-A3) of the article (A), more preferably to form two overlapping dunnage folds on that face (A0-A3) of the article (A). Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least two other of these working organs (36, 37) form another pair of organs and are movable relative to the article (A), preferably in opposite directions and more preferably perpendicular to the directions of movement of the first pair of organs, preferably in order to overlap one another over at least one surface (A0) of the article (A), more preferably in order to form a total of four, in particular overlapping, packaging folds together with the first pair of organs. Device according to one of the four preceding claims, characterized in that the device has a stationary working element (38) for fixing the overlapping packaging material folds, in particular bottom folds, wherein the stationary working element (38) is preferably designed to penetrate at least one of the working elements (36, 37) moving relative to the article (A) act on the packaging (P).

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