FI106621B - Package forming unit - Google Patents

Description

Packaging unit 106621

The invention relates to a packaging forming unit of the type set forth in the preamble of claim 1.

5

It is known to form cylindrical packages of liquid packaging board consisting of a vertical cylindrical sheath portion obtained by joining a blank with a heat sealable coating to one another at its opposite vertical edges and end portions sealing the top and bottom of the sheath portion. Such packages are used for sterile and airtight packaging of various beverages.

The package into which the material to be stored, such as a beverage, is fed at a later stage 15, is automatically formed in a packing unit having a series of so-called. wrapping mandrels around which the sheath portion is formed by wrapping. The wrapping mandrels are arranged in a rotating structure that moves the mandrel between different processing stations, which in turn always perform one specific operation, thereby gradually creating a canister packaging shell which is removed from the mandrel and led to the filling unit at the last processing station. · · ·. for filling and closing the kitchen.

In some processing positions, the processing element usually requires a substantially vertical movement of the processing element in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the wrapping mandrel. This is particularly the case when the processing member is at least partially in its operative position: in the conveying path of the wrapping mandrel and / or the packaging blank, e.g. in a processing position to form and end the package end piece: V: 30, whereby the processing member in its functional position may: T: be partially located inside the preform. In this case, the wrapping mandrel käsittely \ has stopped during the processing step, and after the processing step, the processing member must be moved out of its operational position • · * ·; · * to prevent the wrapping mandrel from moving to the next processing position.

35 It is common for e.g. said processing of the endpiece requires several different processing steps and thus a vertical movement of several different processing members.

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Packaging units requiring the above-described functions are known in the art and are disclosed e.g. European Patent EP-B1-0 038 448.

Thus, the arrangement of movement of the handling elements per processing station easily requires up to six separate power units and transmission arrangements, each of which still requires e.g. function-based control automation. This is likely to reduce the reliability of the Packaging Unit and increase the need for maintenance and the number of servicing operations.

The object of the invention is to increase the reliability of the packaging forming unit and to improve the state of the art by presenting a packaging forming unit in which the arrangements required for the movements of the handling means are considerably simpler than known solutions. To accomplish this purpose, at least two, preferably more than two, vertical movement members are kinetically coupled to the same power unit. Advantageously, the treatment elements moving towards the end of the mandrel of all treatment stations that heat, heat or shape the end of the package are arranged to move together in the above manner.

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In the packaging forming unit according to the invention, said processing means are kinetically connected in the same integral so-called. lifting *: 25, whereby the vertical movement of the lifting ring causes the simultaneous movement of each member. All that is required is a single lifting-and-moving power unit to obtain the vertical movement ai-v: which substantially simplifies the construction of the packaging forming unit. This solution greatly enhances operational reliability: Y: 30 because the control automation controls the movements of the handling elements and: T: at the same time controls the operation of the entire packing unit. The X automation complex clearly requires simpler arrangements than known applications.

For other preferred embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the appended dependent claims and to the description which follows.

3, 106621

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a container forming part of a package, Fig. 2 is a top view of a packaging unit according to the invention;

15 - Packaging: sales package or wrapper, as the context requires, - Sales package: ready-filled and sealed liquid packaging - Packaging: unpackaged and unsealed outer packaging - Bottle: packaging with a typical perpendicular to the longitudinal axis r a part wrapped in a closed structure, that is to say, a shell part with one or both ends closed. end piece - Packaging blank: a straight, flat piece of cardboard, usually liquid liquid carton *, formed by joining together to form a packing envelope * · 25, which may be separated from a larger surface] / submerged material such as an elongated strip - Exterior surface of a blank or preform pack- «··; V: 30 - Inner surface of a blank or billet material: a surface forming a surface in contact with the contents of the package and generally having a heat-sealing coating - Blanket Material: Blanket raw material, usually heat-sealed • · * ·; ♦ * liquid packaging board 35 <«

The packaging machine has a packaging forming unit for forming a vertical, horizontal sectional closed portion of the canister-like packaging envelope shown in Figure 1, i.e. a diaper portion O, to which is enclosed an end closure P. of the open end thereof. is still open, is transferred to a packing machine filling unit where the final sales package is formed and is not described further here.

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The packaging forming unit shown in Figure 2 has a horizontally rotatable transfer table 1, the periphery of which is formed by forming parts supporting said packaging during its various stages of formation. The forming portions are identical and consist of a perpendicular mandrel 5 perpendicular to the plane of the table 10, around which the envelope portion of the packing envelope is formed, hereinafter referred to as a wrapping mandrel.

In addition to the transfer table 1, the packaging forming unit also comprises a fixed body 2, in which the table is rotatable and the horizontal part of which is below the level of table 1 is generally designated 2a. The body has a plurality of handling stations corresponding to the wrapping mandrel 5, each carrying out a certain step of forming an open can at one end. In the stop step, where the processing guns perform certain steps, the mandrels are at the processing stations, and in the transfer phase they move with a short rotational movement of the table corresponding to the angular distance between the wrapping mandrels 5, to the next station for the next processing step.

The following describes in more detail the various treatment stations mainly based on their role in forming the canister-like packaging envelope. All processing stations are provided with processing means 4 which, by means of their tongue or other action, produce the desired working steps.

The processing means 4 are located mainly outside the circular: V: 30 conveying path of the wrapping mandrels 5 and / or above the wrapping mandrels or are positioned so that they are temporarily on the wrapping mandrel transfer path and move away from the wrapping mandrels during the transfer step. These various parts are not shown in detail in Figure 2, but only the support structures of the various stations to which the aforementioned functional parts are attached.

By means of the transfer devices in the wrapping station A, the body transferred from the lower end of the blank web L to the station is cut off a blank of predetermined height which is inserted into the wrapping mandrel 5 and wrapped around it in the shape of the outer jacket. In this case, the casing portion O of the jar-like packaging shell is formed which has a closed circumferential shape in the horizontal section, in the case of cylindrical mandrels, a circular shape.

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In the side sealing station B, the vertical edges of the overlapping section O overlapping in the wrapping position are finally sealed together. This is accomplished by means of a pressing surface which squeezes the overlapping edges together while at the same time causing the previously sealed space to cool down the sealing coating on the inside of the blank.

In the preheating station C, hot air is blown into the upper end of the side seamed portion, at which point the heat seal coating on the inner surface of the blank material is suitably heated.

15 At the end piece position D, the end piece M is separated from the continuous blank web M fed into the position by punching out the end pieces corresponding to the horizontal sectional shape of the jacket portion O, whereupon the piece is forced through the opening thereby folding at its outer edges. After this, the piece is pressed down to the open top end of the diaper portion O using the upper surface of the wrapping mandrel 5 as a counter surface so that the upwardly folded outer edges of the piece are pressed against the inner surface of the diaper portion O.

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·, I 25 In the first heating station E, hot air is blown

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; j to the outer surface of the end piece, aligning it with the edges, whereby the underside of the section facing the inner surface of the upper end of the jacket portion O faces upwards.

In the second heating station F, the same treatment is carried out so that 0, *: the heating is sufficient for the entire circumference of the upper end.

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In the stowage position G, pivots from above by pressing the upper edge of the diaper portion O, which is located above the upper 'I' '35 of the uppermost edge of the end piece, so that it folds around the outer periphery of the end piece.

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At the first end sealing station H, the end edge of the sheath portion O is pressed against the upwardly folded end of the end piece, whereby in the previous heating steps the heated seaming coatings glue the parts together and the uppermost outer edge of the endpiece stays permanently

At the second end sealing station I, the same work steps are carried out at different points as in the previous position, so that the sealing is uniform at this stage with the entire circumference of the finished canister packaging shell.

At the last processing station, the discharge station J, the canister wrapping wrap is lifted up from the wrapping mandrel 5 and is moved along the transfer path to the filling machine filling unit.

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Once the finished jar is removed from the wrapping mandrel 5, the wrapping mandrel is again moved by short rotation of table 1 to the wrapping station A to receive a new blank of the diaper portion O, and the above-described processing steps are repeated.

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Typical processing times at each station A-J may be of the order of 500 ms, including a transfer from one station to the next. Therefore, "• j can be prepared in the packaging unit n.

: 5 seconds, with a production capacity of 1 jar / 0.5s, ie about 120 / min.

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In the above processing stations, the concept of at least the wrapping wind 30 of the preheating station C, the first and second heating stations EF, the positioning of the station G and the first and second end sealing stations H1 require: 5 longitudinal, usually vertical movements, whereby the processing means 4 first move down from their non-functional position: T: to the functional position in contact with the packaging blank (tumbler design tool and end seam clamps) ::: or near it (heating and heating air) 35 organs) and, after the treatment procedure, back up to a non-functional position. Thereafter, the processing member 4 is specifically meant to carry out the movement described above, and with respect to the other processing members 4, reference is made to the state of the art depending on the context.

Figure 3 shows a section of the unit in vertical section. The packaging forming unit according to the invention includes, as an integral part, a lifting ring 3, which, as shown in Fig. 3, is preferably located below the horizontal body plate 2a of the body 2 and to which the handling element 4 of the processing station is fixedly connected. The lifting ring 3 runs horizontally parallel to the edge of table 1 at various positions. The lifting ring 3 is connected to a power unit 6 below it to provide vertical movement of the lifting ring 3. In particular, Fig. 3 shows the manipulation member 4 of the abutment station G, which by means of its inner part presses the upper edge of the upper end of the diaper portion O (peripheral groove on the bottom of the cup-like inner member) thus their movements are determined by the movement of the common lifting ring 3. Figure 3 shows only the mandrel 5 at the recovery station G.

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According to a preferred embodiment of Fig. 3, the processing member 4 is connected to the lifting ring 3 by a guide arrangement 17 comprising two substantially parallel elongated guide members 11, which are

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preferably interconnected by means of substantially horizontal arms. 14.15. The conductor unit 11 consists of a substantially .... fixed vertical conductor sleeve 12 attached to the body 2, and a longitudinal nozzle 12 within it. . at least one of the guide arms 13 is connected by a removable and preferably longitudinal: ·: * adjustable connection 18 to the lifting ring 3, whereby the guide arms 13 coupled together by the link arms 14,15 move identically to the lever: · · v: as the ring 3 rises or falls. According to the preferred embodiment shown, the upper link arm 14 is further formed on a transfer table 1, i.e. a wrapper. *. ♦. in the direction towards the mandrel 5, so that the handling element 4 may be substantially »» »(***. attached to its end, but it is clear that for the connection of the handling element 4 to the conductor arrangement I, separate bodies may be formed. The body plate 2a is provided with a space 16 for allowing vertical movement of the lower link arm 15, which is advantageous to the space requirement of the guide assembly I, but the link arm 158 106621 can also be arranged to move .

Other junctions which impart vertical reciprocal movement of the lifting ring by means of a guide arrangement 17 to the handling member 4 are also described by reference numeral 18.

The above-described embodiment, in which the lifting ring 3 and the power unit 6 are located substantially below the transfer table 1 and the horizontal frame plate 2a below, is e.g. most advantageous in terms of space solutions, and can also reduce the noise level, since the actuator moving the reciprocating members 4 and the lifting ring 3 can be acoustically insulated by means of a frame. It will be understood that other embodiments are possible, and the joint use of the processing means 4 could be located on the other side of the base plate 2a. For example, the lifting ring 3 can also be located above the transfer track of the transfer table 1 and the wrapping mandrels 5, and the power unit 6 can be positioned in a variety of ways with suitable transmission arrangements. Likewise, it is possible to carry out a guide arrangement 17, in particular with respect to the position of the lifting ring 3, other than in accordance with the preferred embodiment shown, and there may be only one guide and respectively a guide arm.

Figure 3 further shows a transmission arrangement 19 for transmitting the motion of the power unit 6 to the lifting ring 3. The power unit is of reciprocating rotation: 25 rows of type, and the transmission arrangement, in this case a ball screw, converts the

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..... sex into a linear motion. The power unit may also be in reciprocating linear motion, whereby the lifting ring 3 may be connected directly to the power unit.

30 · · v .: Furthermore, it is clear that the power unit 6 provides a substantially mandrel • · v; 5 longitudinal movement can be mechanically converted into a processing weapon. ! ·. also with other directional movement, for example by means of a means for communicating the movement of the guide bar 13.

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Figure 3 further shows the wrapping mandrel 5 marked with reference numeral 7

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«...: a lifting ring at the lower end for adjusting the position of the diaper portion 9 106621 around the wrapping mandrel 5. The raising ring 7, which is actuated by a suitable guide track located below the table in the circumferential structure 20, lifts the mantle portion O from the initial position to a higher position in the C-J positions so that the treatments can be performed on its upper end. 5 The motor rotating the turntable 1, which is attached to the base plate 2a and located below it, is designated by reference M.

The invention is also not limited to the treatment of the approximately cylindrical packages of Figure 1, but can be applied to any forming unit in which a closed structure defined by the shape of the shell surface of the mandrel is formed and may have a non-circular section. Likewise, the package may be conically longitudinally.

Standard mechanical and automation solutions, such as pneumatic cylinders, sensors and servo drives, can be used to provide movement and rhythmic movement of the lifting ring 3 and other parts of the packing unit.

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Claims (8)

A unit for forming a package comprising 5. two or more processing stations (AJ) provided with processing means (4) to form a packaging material for a closed structure, at least one winding mandrel (5) attached to a movable structure such as an upper guide table (1) arranged to transmit the winding mandrel (5) and a wrapped portion (O) of the package blank between different processing stations (AJ), arrangements for effecting the movement of the processing means (4) in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the winding mandrel (5), characterized in that the movements of the treatment means (4) in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the winding mandrel (5) are designed in such a way that at least two treatment means (4) are kinetically coupled to the same power device (6). ) to realize the motion simultaneously with the same power device (6). 2. A unit for forming a package according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two processing means (4) are coupled with a control arrangement (17) to the same connection structure (3) which is *; further connected to the power device (6), said connecting structure (3) being arranged to move in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the winding mandrel "" * (5). • · • · · • · · • ·: T: 30 3. A unit for forming a package according to claim 2, characterized in that the guide arrangement (17) comprises at least one control unit (11) consisting of an elongated guide sleeve (12) fixed to the body of the package formation unit extending in the direction of the winding mandrel. (5) longitudinal shaft and a longitudinally extending guide arm (13) parallel to the guide sleeve, which is further connected with its one end to the treatment means (4) and with its other end to the front. the binding structure (3). • «» ♦ * * · «« 106621 13 4. A unit for forming a package according to claim 3, characterized in that the control arrangement (17) comprises two essentially identical and parallel control units (11), whose control arms (13) are fixedly coupled to an upper control arm (14). and a lower guide arm (15). 5 5. A unit for forming a package according to claim 4, characterized in that the treatment means (4) are firmly coupled to the guide arm (14, 15). Unit for forming a package according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force device (6) is located on the other side of the movable structure of the winding mandrels (5), such as a turntable (1), in relation to the winding mandrels. (5). 15 7. A unit for forming a package according to claim 6, characterized in that the movable structure of the winding mandrel (5), such as the turntable (1), is arranged to move in the horizontal plane and the force device (6) is below said movable structure. 20 construction. 8. A unit for forming a package according to claim 7, characterized in that the force device (6) is placed below a base plate. · ·, (2a) of the body of the package forming unit. V '.' 25 • · I • 4 <* 4 • 4 »« II «* I • • · • · • · · ♦ 4» • · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · • ♦ 1 • · 1 • · · • · «• · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·