Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B19/00—Packaging rod-shaped or tubular articles susceptible to damage by abrasion or pressure, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws or welding electrodes
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
  • B65B35/10—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles
  • B65B35/20—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by reciprocating or oscillatory pushers
  • B65B35/205—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by reciprocating or oscillatory pushers linked to endless conveyors
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
  • B65B35/30—Arranging and feeding articles in groups
  • B65B35/36—Arranging and feeding articles in groups by grippers
  • B65B35/38—Arranging and feeding articles in groups by grippers by suction-operated grippers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
  • B65B35/30—Arranging and feeding articles in groups
  • B65B35/50—Stacking one article, or group of articles, upon another before packaging
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
  • B65B35/56—Orientating, i.e. changing the attitude of, articles, e.g. of non-uniform cross-section
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
  • B65B5/06—Packaging groups of articles, the groups being treated as single articles
  • B65B5/068—Packaging groups of articles, the groups being treated as single articles in trays
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
  • B65B5/08—Packaging groups of articles, the articles being individually gripped or guided for transfer to the containers or receptacles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B57/00—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B2220/00—Specific aspects of the packaging operation
  • B65B2220/16—Packaging contents into primary and secondary packaging
  • B65B2220/18—Packaging contents into primary and secondary packaging the primary packaging being bags the subsequent secondary packaging being rigid containers, e.g. cardboard box

Definitions

• packaging containers particularly cans, tubes, or cartridges, typically with an elongated shape, preferably with a round or rounded cross-section
• the products are usually transferred into boxes, cartons, or other containers, which may have a plastic lining, for example in the form of a film, for protection.
• the problem is solved by a receiving device having the features of claim 1.
• the problem is also solved by a packaging device having the features of claim 12.
• the above-mentioned problem is solved by a method having the features of claim 13.
• the receiving device for grouping and transferring elongated products designed as cans, tubes or cartridges closed on one side, with a grouping unit for receiving several rows of products, in particular from a conveyor device delivering the products and a multi-axis drive device for adjusting and/or rotating the grouping unit in several spatial directions, in which the grouping unit has a base element with a contact surface, to which products, preferably with an open End, during which grouping and transfer to the system are carried out, is characterized according to the invention in that a pressure chamber is arranged and formed on a side of the base element facing away from the system surface, which pressure chamber can be subjected to a differential pressure to the ambient air pressure via a fluid connection, wherein the base element has a plurality of openings, in particular adapted to the products to be transferred, which extend from the pressure chamber to the system surface and via which a pressure difference to the ambient air pressure can be exerted on an internal volume of the products lying on the system surface.
• the basic idea of the present invention is therefore based on the finding that the products, in particular during the transfer, can be subjected to a negative pressure and thus sucked onto and held on the contact surface of the base element, wherein the negative pressure or the resulting holding force is large enough to compensate for the acceleration(s) during the transfer and/or the weight of the products themselves, without any deformation, in particular a plastic deformation of the products, in particular of the jackets of the products, occurring due to the pressure difference between the internal volume of the products and the ambient air pressure.
• the base element comprises a replaceable perforated plate and/or a replaceable perforated mat.
• the replaceable perforated plate can particularly advantageously provide sufficient stability of the base element.
• the possibility of changing the perforated plate enables the adaptation of the base element and thus the receiving device to different products delivered by a conveyor device delivering the products.
• the perforated mat serves to support the seal between the open end, in particular an open edge of the one-sided sealed products, and the contact surface.
• the perforated mat is preferably made of a soft or at least elastically deformable material.
• the perforated mat is particularly preferably made of a closed-pore material to prevent the inflow of unwanted air into the pressure chamber.
• the interchangeability of the perforated mat also allows it to be adapted to the respective products, particularly in accordance with the perforated sheet.
• guide pins can be arranged between the openings. These preferably rest against an outer surface of the products.
• the guide pins can be firmly connected to the perforated sheet and/or the perforated mat and can be exchanged or replaced together with the perforated sheet and/or mat if a different product or type of product is to be grouped.
• the perforated sheet and/or the perforated mat can also be provided with recesses for the releasable attachment of guide pins, preferably between the openings.
• These guide pins differ from the generic pins described above in that the guide pins can be used to support the outer surface of the products in order to ensure a more stable position of the products on or in the grouping unit and, accordingly, in the receiving device.
• the releasable attachment of the guide pins to the perforated sheet and/or the perforated mat can ensure that the guide pins are only used with the grouping unit when the products to be transferred require this.
• the guide pins can be releasably connected to the perforated sheet and/or the perforated mat, for example, via threaded connections.
• An advantageous variant also comprises a perforated sheet and/or a perforated mat with releasably attached guide pins.
• support elements can be arranged in the pressure chamber, which support the base element, in particular the perforated sheet and/or the perforated mat, preferably distributed over the surface of the base element. This can particularly advantageously prevent deflection of the perforated mat or the perforated sheet, the curvature of which would impede or prevent a tight contact of the open ends, in particular the edges, of the products to be transferred against the contact surface.
• a replaceable and/or adaptable frame protruding or projecting from the contact surface is arranged on the base element.
• the frame can provide various advantages. On the one hand, the frame can exert a direct or indirect support effect on the products or rows of products, absorbing and/or dissipating the effects of acceleration(s), such as corresponding transverse forces when moving or pivoting the grouping unit. The frame can also ensure that the products do not fall off or are stripped off the grouping unit if or as long as there is no pressure difference to the ambient pressure, especially negative pressure.
• the frame particularly with a correspondingly changeable and/or adaptable design, allows the number of products per row as well as the number of rows of products on top of each other to be flexibly adapted to the respective container or to the respective receiving container can be adapted to not only group and transfer different products, but also to group or transfer the products into different receiving containers.
• the products can be arranged in such a way that no product protrudes beyond the outline or cross-section of the receiving or packaging container and does not fit into the receiving or packaging container during transfer.
• the frame comprises a base profile which has a profile adapted to the products and preferably encloses the products in sections.
• the base element ensures that a first row of products can project over or be transferred to the grouping unit safely and reliably.
• the base element is advantageously designed as a substantially horizontally running lower end of the frame. In other words, this means that the base profile is arranged horizontally in the lower region or at the lower end of the base element, with the profiling of the base profile being adapted to the respective products to be transferred and grouped.
• a cover plate is provided which rests partially on the contact surface and covers part of the openings and preferably enables the extension of the openings to be adapted to the shape of the frame.
• this enables the use of universal perforated mats and/or perforated sheets, whereby the perforated mats or perforated sheets are adapted to the respective products.
• the adaptation to the receiving container or packaging container takes place through the interaction of the frame and the advantageous cover plate.
• the basic functionality of the grouping unit and the base element is not necessarily dependent on the provision of the cover plate.
• an appropriate cover plate can particularly advantageously achieve energy savings by avoiding open openings and the associated ingress of unwanted air.
• a, in particular horizontally, movable, aperture is arranged on a side of the base element facing away from the contact surface, the movement of which can open or close rows of openings.
• the advantageous aperture allows only those openings to release a fluid connection between the pressure chamber on one side of the base element and the contact surface on the other side of the base element for which corresponding products have already been placed on the contact surface or for which a contact is currently to be established on the contact surface by transferring the products accordingly from a conveying device into the receiving device, in particular into the grouping unit.
• the receiving device comprises pressure generating means which are fluidly connected to the fluid connection and are designed to generate, maintain, and change a pressure differential with the ambient air pressure.
• the pressure difference with the ambient air pressure does not necessarily always have to be a negative pressure difference.
• a negative pressure difference is correspondingly advantageous in order to ensure that the products are held without mechanical contact on the inner surface of the products.
• the receiving device it can also be provided that it comprises a pressure control system which is at least designed to detect the pressure in the pressure chamber and, depending on at least one predetermined target pressure and the recorded pressure in the pressure chamber to control the pressure generation means.
• a pressure control system which is at least designed to detect the pressure in the pressure chamber and, depending on at least one predetermined target pressure and the recorded pressure in the pressure chamber to control the pressure generation means.
• a pressure difference in particular a negative pressure
• the pressure difference in particular the negative pressure
• the pressure control system can be designed and configured such that a constant pressure, in particular negative pressure, is applied to the openings throughout the entire loading process or the transfer of rows of products into the grouping unit.
• the pressure difference in particular the negative pressure
• the pressure difference is intentionally increased as long as only a few rows of products are placed in the grouping unit. This compensates for the pressure drop that is generated or arises in the form of leakage air due to unoccupied or occupied openings. This ensures that the effective pressure at the occupied or occupied openings reaches a desired level and that the products are safely held.
• the pressure control system can be configured to eliminate the negative pressure difference at a later point in the grouping and transfer process, namely when transferring the products into a packaging container or receiving container, and, if necessary, to establish a positive pressure difference relative to the ambient pressure.
• the pressure control system can be equipped with appropriate throttles, valves, sensors, and the like for this purpose.
• the receiving device can be designed such that it is moved synchronously with the conveying device in the conveying direction during the transfer or during the transfer of the row of products.
• a negative pressure or a negative pressure difference improves the stability of the products lying on the contact surface, if necessary even overcompensates the weight of the products, whereby at the same time the negative pressure is designed in such a way that any impairment or damage, for example in the form of plastic deformation, to the products is prevented.
• a negative pressure difference prevails in the pressure chamber and acts on the internal volume of the products lying on the contact surface.
• the receiving device and/or the grouping unit is moved synchronously with the conveying device in the conveying direction via the multi-axis drive device.
• the method can provide that when transferring the products or rows of products into the grouping unit of the receiving device, products are first placed in the lowest row of the grouping unit, which preferably come into contact with a corresponding base profile of a frame of the grouping unit or the receiving device, so that the outer surface of the products is supported at least in sections by the base profile.
• the multi-axis drive device can move, in particular pivot, the grouping unit with the products accommodated therein in such a way that the products are accelerated toward the contact surface by their weight. This can particularly advantageously ensure that the products rest against the contact surface when the pressure difference is acting or activated, and the products are held or secured by the pressure difference, in particular the negative pressure.
• the Fig. 1a shows parts of a packaging device 1 including a receiving device 40.
• the products preferably aluminum tubes with one open and one closed end, are delivered from a production facility on a conveyor device 101, preferably delivered without gaps.
• the conveyor device 101 can be designed to be circumferential and profiled and to have a plurality of transport pockets 102 or transport recesses.
• the conveyor device 101 is driven by a drive 103.
• the rotation of the grouping unit 20 takes place, as shown by the rotation arrows V and/or VI, in order to transfer the products 3 into a container 31, preferably with a bag-like plastic lining 32, as shown by way of example in the Fig. 1b shown.
• the rotation arrow VI in the Fig. 1a and 1b is of particular importance in an advantageous embodiment. After the products 3 have been transferred row by row onto or into the grouping unit 20, their end position can be adjusted before the transfer in the direction of the rotation arrow V takes place. in the Fig. 1b shown - a rotation starting from the position of the Fig. 1a in the direction of arrow VI , which rotates the grouping unit counterclockwise, preferably by at least 30°. This allows the weight of the products 3 to be used to ensure that all products rest securely against the contact surface 201, so that the pressure difference, in particular the negative pressure, can hold the products in place before pivoting clockwise (in direction V) occurs.
• the Fig. 2 shows a section through a grouping unit 20.
• the example shows the Fig. 2 Only one product 3 is arranged in and on the grouping unit 20.
• An open end 34 of the product 3 rests against a contact surface 201 of the base element 200 of the grouping unit 20.
• the area in which products 3 can be or are to be received is again formed by the frame 230, of which in the sectional view of the Fig. 2 Profiles 215 and 216 are visible.
• Profiles 215 and 216, as well as base profile 202 can be releasably connected to base element 200 using appropriate fasteners, allowing the correspondingly framed area of base element 200 to be modified.
• the base element 200 comprises a perforated plate 212 and a perforated mat 210.
• the perforated plate 212 and the perforated mat 210 both have openings 211, which are adapted to the shape, in particular the cross-section, of the products 3. This creates openings 211, which connect the contact surface 201, against which the products 3 come to rest, with an opposite side of the base element 200 of the grouping unit 20.
• the pressure chamber 203 is arranged on the side of the base element 200 facing away from the contact surface.
• the pressure chamber 203 has a cavity 225, which is formed by a base plate 218 and, in the illustration of the Fig. 2 wall elements not shown Furthermore, the arrangement of supports 220 can be provided in the cavity 225 distributed over the surface of the pressure chamber 203, of which only one support 220 is shown as an example in the illustration of the Fig. 2 is reproduced.
• a fluid connection (not shown) can be used to generate, maintain, and change a pressure difference in the pressure chamber 203 compared to the ambient air pressure.
• a corresponding pressure difference can thus also be generated in the transition area between the openings 211 and the contact surface 201 via the openings 211. If an opening or an open end 34 of a product 3 comes into contact with the contact surface 201 or is located in the immediate vicinity, the pressure difference can also affect the internal volume of the products 3.
• the perforated mat 210 can be soft or elastic and particularly preferably made of closed-pore material in order to minimize or prevent leakage of air through the openings 211.
• a cover plate 214 is also provided on the contact surface 201, with which the area or surface of the openings 211 in the preferably replaceable perforated plate 212 and perforated mat 210 can be limited, preferably to the area limited by the frame 230.
• the grouping unit 20 is shown viewed perpendicular to the contact surface 201 of the base element 200. Part of the surface of the base element 200 is covered by the cover plate 214, as already shown in Fig. 2 On the inner edge of the cover plate 214, the frame 230 is again arranged, which consists of the side profiles 215, the upper profile 216 and the base profile 202. In the illustration of the Fig. 3 It is also possible to see how the profiling of the base profile 202 is adapted to the outer shape or outer contours of the products 3. It is evident that the perforated sheet 212 (in Fig.
• the openings 211 are adapted in their arrangement and/or shape/cross-section to the shape, in particular the cross-section, of the products 3. Accordingly, it is particularly advantageous to design the perforated plate 212 and the perforated mat 210 so that they can be exchanged in the base element 200 of the grouping unit 20.
• the perforated plate 212 and/or the perforated mat 210 can, for example, be detachably screwed to the base element 200.
• guide pins 229 are arranged between the products 3, which, like the frame 230, can be designed to protrude above the contact surface 201 and can advantageously assist the support and guidance of the products 3 without there being any contact or contact with an internal volume or an internal surface of the products 3.
• Fig. 4 In addition to the pressure chamber 203, the associated fluid connection 227 is also shown, which is in fluid connection with pressure generating means and/or a pressure control system in order to support the grouping and transfer of the products 3, for example based on predetermined pressure profiles. Via the fluid connection 227, for example, a negative pressure (negative pressure difference) or a Overpressure (positive pressure difference) can be created, maintained and changed.
• a negative pressure negative pressure difference
• Overpressure positive pressure difference
• the design of the Fig. 5 shows a variant in which a particularly horizontally movable aperture 240 is arranged on the surface of the base element 200 facing away from the contact surface 201, in particular the perforated mat 210 and the perforated plate 212 in the cavity 225 of the pressure chamber 203, by the movement 241 of which apertures 211 can be opened or closed in rows.
• This can be achieved by a corresponding linear motor 242 and ensures that only rows 33 of apertures 211 are open that are covered or overlapped by products 3 or against which products 3 are currently coming into contact or are intended to come into contact.
• the Fig. 6 shows two different patterns of arrangements of products 3. On the left side, an arrangement is shown in which a different number of products 3, namely alternating N, N-1, and N products 3, are arranged in different rows 33. The right-hand illustration shows an arrangement in which N products 3 are placed one above the other in each row 33.
• the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention are configured to implement both types of arrangements by appropriately controlling the transfer means 107 and the multi-axis drive device 33.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Attitude Control For Articles On Conveyors (AREA)

Priority Applications (5)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (3)

Family

ID=84602134

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Family Cites Families (3)

• 2022
  • 2022-12-23 PL PL22216288.5T patent/PL4389618T3/pl unknown
  • 2022-12-23 EP EP22216288.5A patent/EP4389618B1/de active Active
• 2023
  • 2023-11-20 CN CN202380088636.3A patent/CN120500440A/zh active Pending
  • 2023-11-20 WO PCT/EP2023/082396 patent/WO2024132325A1/de not_active Ceased
• 2025
  • 2025-06-05 MX MX2025006543A patent/MX2025006543A/es unknown

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