JP2009541149A - Apparatus for treating a flexible hose-like structure having at least one opening - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for treating a flexible hose-like structure, in particular a bag, in which a simple and quick installation of a pair of grippers is formed and which has at least one opening so that in principle sufficient space is available for attaching an accessory distributor. To develop.
The invention relates to a device for treating a flexible hose-like structure, in particular a bag (1), having at least one opening, in particular a bag (1). The invention is characterized in that the guide gripper (3) and the continuous gripper (4) are connected to guide rods (5, 6) which are different and relatively movable relative to each other.

Description

  The invention comprises a flexible hose-like structure regularly provided with at least one opening, comprising at least one pair of grippers, in particular holding at least one guide gripper and a continuous gripper in each opening. In particular, it relates to an apparatus for processing bags.

  Such a device is described, for example, in US Pat. No. 5,862,653. EP 765807 (Patent Document 2) proceeds in a comparable manner. This type of machine is used, for example, to transfer bags to a processing station, which is filled with most liquid or dry products.

  For this purpose, each bag can be manufactured from flat filler bands coming from one roll and broken apart by separating cuts. The closure of the individual bags at the opposite end of the opening is formed, for example, by heat sealing with ultrasound or by applying and comparing processes.

  Of course, such devices for treating already prefabricated bags or similar flexible hose-like structures are suitable. It always causes the structure or bag to be fed for subsequent processing. The filling already described in this is not appropriate, rather it is for example suitable for sourcing, refurbishing and ventilation. In addition, the bag is outlined and equipped with labels, loops, and a platform. Finally, subsequent processing steps or bag processing includes processing steps such as gas treatment with inert gas, sterilization or dust suction.

  The prior art known from the art describes a horizontal flat bag machine or a sealed-edge bag machine, which works with an inwardly located double rod gripper system that places each bag in a stable manner. Process in position. The internal double rod gripper system is further supplemented by an external double rod gripper system that is driven to catch each bag by moving back and forth. Following this, the bags are transported and opened, and the harmony of the double rod gripper system allows for the forward movement of each bag.

  Since the prior art requires a large number of bag members, specially expensive solutions can be dealt with accordingly. In addition to this, the gripper becomes heavy, allowing the replacement of bags with external contours and / or different external dimensions which have been altered by the protracted assembly process for equipment re-equipment.

  This leads to the fact that in the described double rod gripper system, the individual bags must always be reopened and gripped by a new gripper system. In particular, it leads the filled product to be pushed out of the filled bag during the processing of the liquid product. This causes the bag to fall down by its weight because the gripper no longer correctly secures the bag.

  However, in the case of liquid products, not only does the problem of filling such bags occur, but it also occurs in the case of dry products such as powders. To this end, it must generally be attributed to the flexibility of the hose-like bag, which leads to inaccuracies and the respective bags falling down during the gripping process.

  In the case of small bags with small tolerances or large bags with small filling openings, the working mode is arranged by the double rod gripper system so that the bag is no longer positioned exactly at the center of the bag in the attached filling nozzle. Can lead to. Thereby, since the filling nozzle removes the center of the bag and distributes by the side of each bag, a distribution error occurs.

  Furthermore, devices for treating flexible hose-like structures with at least one opening from the field are known and are provided in a merry-go-round equipped with grippers. At relatively small diameters, multiple pairs of grippers are utilized to process the bags, each held on both longitudinal outer ends. The increasing radius of such machines naturally increases the circular speed, resulting in very high centrifugal forces, which limits the known machines to their transport speed. Eventually, in each case of each merry-go-round, it is possible to dispense with two different dispensing devices or filling nozzles with the highest diameter.

  However, in practice, more than two dispenses are required, so a large number of dispensers or filling nozzles are required. So when there are no four or more dispensing devices and noodles, dried vegetables, croutons and the original soup powder are filled into each bag to make a retort soup, for example, the retort soup in the bag Requires at least three distributors. In this case, the same quality can be ensured by the desired proportions of the respective components only by the individual distribution. For example, in a conventional device with a merry-go-round with grippers, at least four dispensing devices are provided beside or above the device for processing a flexible hose-like structure with at least one opening. It is assumed that this is not possible.

US Pat. No. 5,862,653 European Patent No. 765807

  The technical problem of the present invention is that a flexible hose-like structure with at least one opening is used so that a simple and quick installation of a pair of grippers is formed and in principle sufficient space is available for attaching the accessory distributor. It is to develop a device for processing bags.

  In order to solve this technical problem, an apparatus of this kind is characterized in that, within the scope of the invention, the guide gripper and the continuous gripper are connected to guide rods which are different and can move relative to each other.

  In the case of a guide gripper, according to the present invention, a guide gripper of a gripper pair that refers to the gripper pair is used during the transport of each structure, while the continuous gripper follows the guide gripper, and accordingly the gripper The pair closes in the transport direction or the gripper travel direction. The gripper can hold the structure or bag in its conceivable type and form and abuts against the bag wall under the enlargement of the opening due to the friction bundle. Of course, the gripper with the clip catches each bag or structure by suction force etc., and usually the guide gripper catches the front vertical end in the transport or running direction of each bag, and the continuous gripper is attached. Catch the edge.

  Similarly, it is within the scope of the present invention when the bag can be caught on its sides without catching the mouth region unlike the illustrated embodiment.

  In particular, both guide rods which do not move relative to each other can be driven motorically and separately from each other, each different drive being preferred for an attached guide rod, said guide rods relative to each other Ensure movement. By this relative movement with respect to each other, the present invention confirms that completely different large bags can be processed with variable openings or filling openings and contours accordingly. Therefore, according to the present invention, when changing from one bag type to another bag type, the guide gripper and the continuous gripper are moved by the same value, and the guide gripper is in the transport direction and the continuous gripper is opposite to the transport direction. It is simply necessary to actuate the guide rod in a motorized manner so that it can be moved to This measure ensures that the bag center and the mirror plane remain unchanged during this process, assuming that each bag is formed mirror-symmetrically with respect to the plane extending through the bag center. The In this form, the present invention takes into account the respective bag centers and distributes the arranged dispensing devices to the bag centers without being changed, and even in the case of bags with changed dimensions, Confirm to dispense.

  Usually, both guide rods are each formed in the form of an endless loop and are driven as such. Of course, two endless loops which can be driven independently of each other are realized in the heart, since both guide rods have a design separated from each other. The guide rod itself has one or a plurality of transport means such as a belt, a chain, etc., and a guide gripper or a continuous gripper is connected to each separately and separately. That is, the guide grippers are connected to the guide rod and the guide gripper rod, respectively. The guide gripper rod as well as the continuous gripper rod, as already explained, possess a specific motorized drive and a specific transport means.

  Both guide rods or gripper rods or motors are connected to a common control device, which is clearly shown for the relative movement of the grippers with respect to each other. A moving path defined by both guide rods or gripper rods extends linearly at least to a predetermined length. This predetermined length portion takes into account the requirement that different products or components be or will be dispensed into the structure or bag. Usually, the length of the linear part is given according to the number of distributors arranged one after the other (straight line) and in a row.

  As a whole, a circular rail in which a moving rail composed of both guide rods or gripper rods is extended is drawn. In this case, both grippers are regularly arranged on the common side, that is, the processed side as compared with the moving rail formed by the guide rod or the gripper rod. The front-rear turning for the grippers or individual gripper pairs takes into account that they are held in a circular rail that extends long in circulation.

  As already implemented, the distance between the two grippers usually corresponds to the width of the bag to be processed or the width of the bag opening or filling opening. As soon as the gripper pair secures the bag to be processed, the bag is finished again, for example only when it has the required filling and is provided with a label and possibly subject to dust suction. Opened. It will be appreciated that the spacing may be removed in a control device that has already been determined and data may be recalled when processing the bag. Similarly, other machining intervals for the respective grippers are arranged rearward in the control device.

  For example, as soon as a bag change is made, this bag change coincides with the other processing intervals of the grippers or other processing intervals from the gripper pair to the gripper pair, and the processing interval can be queried for data by the controller. . At the same time, the controller considers that both grippers of each pair of grippers are moved relative to each other and replenishes to ensure that the center of each bag is not changed during bag replacement. Thereby, the bag can always be remanufactured, for example in the respective dispensing device, by means of the center of the bag and fed by a fixed position in the center of the bag. In this format, the processing interval belonging to a new bag is queried for data by the control device, and the control device takes into account the necessary relative movement of the grippers of each gripper pair at the same time. Almost formed.

  Furthermore, it is an advantage when both guide rods or gripper rods are arranged vertically in the side view. Therefore, both grippers are thereby preferably attached to the holding plate, respectively, and the gripper extends from the holding plate. The side of the holding plate is connected to a guide rod or gripper rod which is arranged vertically in the side view.

  As already described, the guide rods or gripper rods cause the guide gripper and the continuous gripper of each gripper pair to be moved relative to each other and preferably moved motorically. On the one hand, the motor of the guide gripper rod and on the other hand the motor of the continuous gripper rod are one suitable motor and are subjected to a predetermined action according to the bag by the control device. Of course, guide rods or gripper rods can be manually adjusted to achieve fit in the bag change and are within the scope of this invention. Not only does manual and motorized movement of the gripper rods or guide rods allow each other to change only the spacing between the grippers of each gripper pair, but overall, the spacing between the gripper pairs also undergoes the desired change. The distance between the gripper pairs is also shown as a gripper pair section. Usually, motor type and manual movement can be naturally combined.

  Due to the possibility of adapting the gripper pair sections, the present invention takes into account the requirements that, for example, a larger bag can be filled in advance by two dispensing devices instead of four dispensing devices and must be filled. In such a case, it is usually actuated with a larger gripper pair section in advance, increasing the speed of the guide rod or gripper rod as simultaneously as possible. Of course, the opposite mode of action can also be considered.

  The gripper is preferably detachably connected to the guide rod or the separable coupling with the attached retaining plate allows the device according to the invention to be mounted on other grippers without difficulty. It often increases flexibility and exercises the device for almost universal use. By the way, an option arises to segment the guide gripper rod as well as the continuous gripper rod individually or both. For example, it is premised on a delivery station from one guide gripper rod to the next guide gripper rod, and is also premised on movement synchronization. This is achieved by a common control device.

  Eventually, a flexible hose-like structure with at least one opening, in particular a device for processing bags, is available and possesses flexibility that does not exist in the past. Today, completely different bags or structures are processed with changing or filling openings without the need for mechanical action. Rather, for example, the equipment for changing the bag is almost automatically performed by calling an auxiliary machining program in the control device. Finally, since the gripper is easily replaced, various gripping applications can be considered without problems. In this, you should see the essential advantages.

The device according to the invention is shown in fragmentary perspective view. The side view of the device is shown in part in detail. The side view in bag exchange is shown.

  The figure shows, within the scope of the exemplary embodiment, an apparatus suitable for processing a bag 1 for processing and without limitation a flexible hose-like structure with at least one opening. . By the processing of the bag 1, for example, the filling is performed by the distribution device 2. Optionally or additionally, labeling, continuous printing, application or injection, adaptation, ventilation, etc. are performed.

  In the basic arrangement of the device shown, there is at least one pair of grippers 3, 4 carrying a guide gripper 3 and a continuous gripper 4. It can be appreciated that a number of guide grippers 3 and continuous grippers 4 are realized in the embodiment. Each bag 1 is fixed and transported by attached gripper pairs 3 and 4. For this purpose, the gripper pairs 3 and 4 hold the bag 1 in its opening or filling opening.

  The special significance of this invention is the situation where the guide gripper 3 and the continuous gripper 4 are connected to different guide rods or gripper rods 5 and 6 which are movable relative to each other. Today, the entire guide gripper 3 is connected to the guide gripper rod 5, while the continuous gripper 4 is also exceptionally connected to the continuous gripper rod 6 of both guide rods or gripper rods 5, 6.

  Each guide gripper 3 takes a guide position in the transport direction or movement direction R of each pair of grippers 3, 4 and the continuous gripper 4 follows in the meantime. Since both guide rods 5, 6 can move relative to each other or can be displaced, the guide rods 5, 6 can carry different motorized drives 7, 8 which are only shown, and the drives can act separately on each other. In this case, of course, it is within the scope of the invention to operate with only one drive, as long as this allows separate action of the guide gripper rod 5 on the one hand and the continuous gripper rod 6 on the other hand.

  In the case of the motor type drive unit 7, the guide gripper rod drive unit 7 is used and operates on the guide gripper rod 5, during which the motor type drive unit 8 is formed as a continuous gripper rod drive unit 8. 6 is activated. The guide gripper rod drive unit 7 and the continuous gripper rod drive unit 8 are within the scope of the embodiment and are not limited and are formed as an electronic servo motor and connected to one common control device 9.

  Both guide rods 5 and 6 are each formed in a circular rail configuration extending long in the range of the embodiment in the form of an endless loop. In this method, a moving rail defined by both guide rods or gripper rods 5 and 6 and passing in the moving direction R extends linearly to at least a portion T having a predetermined length L. Today, the number of distributors 2 is taken into account in the case of an example in which this part T of a predetermined length L is arranged in a fixed manner.

  Since the dispensing device 2 or the accessory processing location can take into account the perfect filling of the bag 1, its circulation is provided below or above the dispensing device 2 in which the respective bag center or bag center plane M is arranged exactly along the moving rail. It must be confirmed that it is arranged at the time. This is because the perfect processing or filling of the bag 1 can be performed as an example, and it can be performed when different and differently configured bags 1 are processed. is there.

  It is recognized that both guide rods or gripper rods 5, 6 are arranged vertically or extend in a side view and fix the moving rail. At this time, the guide rods 5 and 6 each hold one or a plurality of transportation means such as belts and chains, which are not clearly shown, and these transportation means can be basically assembled. A guide gripper 3 and a continuous gripper 4 are connected to the transport means separately from each other, that is, the guide gripper 3 is connected to the transport means of the guide gripper rod 5 and the continuous gripper 4 is connected to the continuous gripper rod 6. Connected to each means of transport.

  By means of the control device 9, for example, the guide gripper rod drive 7 causes the guide gripper rod 5 to act and the continuous gripper rod 6 rests in the meantime, so that both grippers 3, 4 are not only changed at the interval A. Rather, the distance B between the grippers 3 and 4 can be changed. This spacing B between the grippers 3, 4 is shown as a gripper pair section. Depending on the size of the bag 1 to be processed as an example, the number of required components and the dispensing device 2 for filling, the control device by the action of the guide gripper rod drive 7 on the one hand and the continuous gripper rod drive 8 on the other hand 9, the distance A between the grippers 3, 4 and the distance B between the grippers 3, 4 or the gripper pair section can be changed.

  In this connection, when the bags 1 are formed symmetrically with each other as compared to the mirror plane passing through the respective bag center M during the bag change (which is actually the usual case), the control device 9 takes into account, for example, that each guide gripper 3 is adjusted in the transport direction R by a predetermined value C, and each continuous gripper 4 is adjusted opposite the transport direction R by the same value C. With this same symmetrical adjustment of only the same value C in each case, the bag center M remains unchanged during the bag change, as is evident in the bag 1 or bag change shown in FIG. Maintaining position is achieved.

  In this method, the control device 9 is queried for the data for the respective bag 1 for the accessory processing intervals A and / or B, leading to the matching action of the motors or drives 7, 8 so that the bag change is a button pressure. Is done in the same way. Basically the gripper pair section undergoes a change as shown in FIG. 2 by insertion of a suitable spacer member 10. That is, the interval A and / or B is changed to a motor type and a manual type. Thereby, the differently configured bags 1 are taken into account when changing the bags, and at the same time, the respective bag center M maintains its unchanged position compared to the guide rods 5, 6, so that the distribution device 2 To be maintained.

  Specifically, the grippers 3 and 4 are connected to the holding plates 11 and 12, respectively, and the holding plates are best recognized in FIG. A guide holding plate 11 for receiving each guide gripper 3 is connected to the guide gripper rod 5 consistently. Accordingly, the continuous holding plate 12 is connected to the continuous gripper rod 6. This can be done in detail by screwing, riveting or the like. The grippers 3, 4 themselves are detachably connected to the respective guide rods or gripper rods 5, 6 or attached holding plates 11, 12 and are suspended in the example.

  In the final consideration of FIGS. 1 to 3, both grippers 3 and 4 are formed on the processing side surface 13 compared to the common side surface from the moving rail formed by the guide rods or gripper rods 5 and 6, respectively. It is recognized that it is arranged. In this way, the dispensing devices 2 are arranged in a line in a straight line and can be placed on top of the moving rail on this working side 13 so that the guide rods 5, 6 are largely protected from contamination during dispensing. Is done. At the same time, the linear course of the moving rail is taken into account in this part T of this arrangement. Today, that is, the dispensing device 2 and the guide rods 5, 6 are at least equally aligned with this section T and extend parallel to each other.

  Finally, FIG. 2 shows that both guide rods or gripper rods 5 and 6 are modularly configured with an attached frame, so that they can be composed of different modules. This gives rise to the possibility of adapting the device to requirements that are quite different from its length and configuration. For this purpose, the option of providing another third rod (not shown) at the top or bottom of both guide rods or gripper rods 5, 6 is suitable. Since this third guide rod or gripper rod is equipped with a plurality of pairs in the double gripper, two bags 1 can be processed simultaneously. Of course, alternatively or additionally, it is within the scope of the present invention that in addition to both guide rods 5, 6, further guide rods are arranged at the top and / or bottom with the attached grippers 3, 4.

1. . . . . Bag 2. . . . . Distributing device 3, 4. . . Gripper 5,6. . . Gripper rod 11,12. . . Holding plate

Claims (10)

  Process a flexible hose-like structure, in particular a bag (1), comprising at least one pair of grippers (3, 4) holding a structure comprising at least one guide gripper (3) and one continuous gripper (4) Device, characterized in that the guide gripper (3) and the continuous gripper (4) are connected to different and relatively movable guide rods (5, 6).   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that both guide rods (5, 6) are each driven separately from one another in a motorized manner.   3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that both guide rods (5, 6) are each formed in the form of an endless loop.   4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the guide rods (5, 6) are arranged at least partly up and down in a side view.   Both guide rods (5, 6) each have one or a plurality of transport means such as belts, chains, etc. The transport means are separately and separately separated from each other by a plurality of guide grippers (3) or continuous 5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a gripper (4) is connected.   6. The moving rail defined by both guide rods (5, 6) extends at least linearly on a part (T) of at least a predetermined length (L). The device described in 1.   The guide rods (5, 6) are formed so as to be movable relative to each other in a manual or motor fashion, and the distance (A) between the grippers (3, 4) and / or the distance between the pair of grippers (3, 4). The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein (B) is changed.   8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the grippers (3, 4) are detachably connected to the guide rods (5, 6).   The grippers (3, 4) respectively extend from the holding plate (11, 12), and the holding plate is connected to the guide rod (5, 6). The apparatus according to one item.   10. Both grippers (3, 4) are arranged on a common working side (13) compared to a moving rail formed by guide rods (5, 6). The device according to item.

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