MX2015002201A

MX2015002201A - Method and device for handling hygiene items.

Info

Publication number: MX2015002201A
Application number: MX2015002201A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Björn Brandhorst; Andreas Neufeld
Original assignee: Focke & Co
Priority date: 2012-08-20
Filing date: 2013-08-15
Publication date: 2015-05-08
Also published as: CN104540740A; CN104540740B; DE102012107599A1; AR092134A1; BR112015002783A2; EP2885213B2; EP2885213A1; US20150203231A1; WO2014029481A1; BR112015002783B1; EP2885213B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for handling (flat) objects (10), particularly hygiene products such as nappies, sanitary napkins or similar, said objects (10) being transported on a substantially continuously-driven feed conveyor (15) and being compressed following transport on said feed conveyor (15). The invention is characterised in that a group (14) of objects (10) is shifted from the feed conveyor (15) by a shifting device (18), particularly a slider (27), said slider (27) at least partially travelling in the transport direction (24) of the feed conveyor (15) with the objects (10) during the shifting action; in that the group (14) of objects (10) is preferably fed, by said shifting device (18), to a first compression device (30) and is at least partially (pre)compressed thereby; and in that the at least partially (pre)compressed group (14) of objects (10) is subsequently fed to a second compression device (34) and undergoes a further (main) compression therein.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR THE HANDLING OF ARTICLES FOR HYGIENE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a method for handling objects (planes), particularly hygiene products such as diapers, sanitary napkins or the like, such objects are transported on a substantially continuously driven feed conveyor and are compressed after transport on the feed conveyor , in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.

However, the invention relates to a device for the handling of objects (plans), particularly hygiene products such as diapers, sanitary napkins or the like, with a feed conveyor for the substantially continuous transport of the objects and with a device for compression arranged after the feed conveyor for compressing a group of objects, in accordance with the preamble of claim 8.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Methods and devices of this type are known in the industry in a large number of different variants. Usually, objects are fed into a feed conveyor, a magazine conveyor, by example, and changed by means of a pusher of the feed conveyor at an angle, particularly transversely, to the transport direction thereof. The objects are then transported directly or indirectly in the area of a compression device. This can also be done by the pusher in the area of the feed conveyor. It is also conceivable, however, for objects to first pass through other stations or units and then reach the area of the compression device. Here, the objects are compressed as a group. The objects are then transported and / or packed.

A problem with the known methods and devices is that very high demands are placed at the working speed of the same, sometimes varying up to 1800 products per minute. These demands have also increased because the packaging and transportation performance of other items within the packaging line has increased in the meantime. However, known methods and devices are only suitable at such working speeds to a limited extent, particularly resulting in poorly positioned objects and / or pronounced wear on the devices.

By taking this as an exit point, it is the object of the invention to further develop methods and devices known, particularly with respect to higher work speeds and improved handling of objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION To achieve this objective, a method according to the invention has the features of claim 1. Accordingly, a provision is made that a group of objects is changed from the feed conveyor by a change device, particularly a pusher, the pusher runs along at least partially, with the objects in the conveying direction of the feed conveyor, and that the group of objects is preferably fed by the switching device to a first compression device and is -) compressed by it at least partially, and that at least the partially (pre) compressed group of objects is then fed to a second compression device and subjected to additional (main) compression in it.

In accordance with a preferred development of the invention, provision is made that the first compression device has two independently driven compression units which are moved relative to each other for the (pre) compression of the group of objects while the units of compression are also moved at least partially in the transport direction of the feed conveyor. This solution particularly offers the advantage and feature that the compression movement of the compression units can be overlapped with the next movement of the compression device.

Another distinctive feature of the method is that the air is extracted from the group of objects, particularly in the second compression device, preferably by suction holes arranged in the area of a lower bottom wall of the compression device, in order to reduce the force required for the compression of the group of objects. Alternatively or in addition, the group of objects may also be affected with the low pressure by the suction holes in order to retain the objects in the lower wall of the compression device, for example.

The next distinguishing feature of the method is that the objects or groups of objects are checked during handling in the area of the packaging machine with respect to the arrangement and appropriate position or number. An optical inspection device is used for this which sweeps the objects and / or group of objects and / or bags in a non-contact manner. This is preferably done in accordance with the laser cutting method.

A device for achieving the aforementioned objective has the features of claim 8. According to this, a provision is made that the group of objects can be changed from the feed conveyor by a change device, particularly a pusher, the pusher is adjusted to be moved along at least partially with the objects in the transport direction of the feed conveyor during the change , and that a first compression device is provided for at least the partial (pre) compression of the group of objects, and that a second compression device is provided in which at least the partially (pre-) compressed group of objects is undergoes additional (main) compression.

Another distinctive feature may be that a turning station is arranged between the first compression device and the second compression device to rotate the group of objects as required, preferably by 90 °. This can be advantageous for the additional packing process. The turning device can be used on a case-by-case basis for this purpose.

Checking the position of the group of objects can also be a major problem during the compression of the objects. This can preferably be done in the second compression device, with sensors being provided to check the position of the group of objects, particularly with a view to checking the uniform alignment of the objects within the group.

In addition, the compression process can be facilitated by preferably providing the second compression device with section holes for retaining the group of objects, particularly in the area of a lower bottom wall of the compression device. However, suction holes can also be used to retain objects in the compression device through affectation with low pressure.

It may be advantageous if the feed conveyor is included as a compartment belt, with partition walls being provided between adjacent compartments of the compartment belt, the pusher having flexible means with which the pusher rests against the partition walls during the change of objects. For example, quilted felt can be used for the pusher which rests against the walls of the compartments and ensure, on the one hand, that the objects are securely grasped and pushed and, on the other hand, offer the advantage that the compartments are cleaned in the process.

Another distinctive feature may be a coating on the feed conveyor which, for example, allows to eliminate a fault in the area of the device while the objects are being transported past the device on the feed conveyor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES A preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the figures.

Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of a production facility for hygiene products, Figures 2 to 4 show an enlarged representation of the packaging line in the area of a packaging machine for hygiene products during different successive phases, Figure 5 shows a vertical section through the device according to Figures 2 to 4 through the section line V-V in Figure 3, Figure 6 shows a vertical section through the device according to Figures 2 to 4 through the line in section VI-VI in Figure 3, Figure 7 shows a horizontal section through the device according to Figures 2 to 4 through the line in section VII-VII in Figure 6, Figure 8 shows an elongated vertical section through the device according to Figures 2 to 4 through the section line VIII-VIII in Figure 7, Figure 9 shows an enlarged detail of the device according to Figures 2 to 4 in accordance with arrow IX in Figure 2, Figure 10 shows a vertical section through of the line in section X-X in Figure 9 Figure 11 shows a vertical section through the device according to Figures 2 to 4 through the line in section XI-XI in Figure 2, Figure 12 shows an enlarged detail of the device according to Figures 2 to 4 in accordance with arrow XII in Figure 5, Figure 13 shows an enlarged detail of the device according to Figures 2 to 4 in region XIII in Figure 25, Figure 14 shows a vertical section through the device according to Figures 2 to 4 through the section line V-V in Figure 3 without additional illustration of a coating, Figures 15 and 16 show a horizontal section through the detail according to Figure 14, and Figures 17 to 20 show several schematic representations of the inspection of product groups for hygiene by means of an optical inspection device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention is described below on the basis of a device for grouping objects 10. First, the basic functional principle will be described, followed by special details of the device.

The objects 10 can be hygiene products such as diapers, sanitary napkins or cleansing wipes or the like. In the present case, the objects 10 are flat.

The objects 10 are transported from a converter 11 by a first feed conveyor 12 and assembled in a grouping device 13 into groups 14 of objects 10 and further transported in another feed conveyor 15.

The feed conveyor 15 carries two last packing machines 16 for wrapping groups 14 of objects 10 in bags (film) 17. By means of change devices 18 (not shown in Figure 1), the groups 14 can be optionally powered to one or the other packaging machine 16. Optionally, the groups 14 can also be transported past the packaging machines 16 in the area of a packaging machine 19 for folding boxes 20 or in the area of a packaging machine 21 to seal packages 22.

The feed conveyor 15 extends from the grouping device 13 along the two packing machines 16 in the area of the packaging machine 19. A third feed conveyor 23 leads from the feed conveyor 15 in the direction of the packaging machine 21. The third feed conveyor 23 starts just behind the second packaging machine 16. Here, too, a changing device 18 can be provided to transfer the groups 14 from the feed conveyor 15 to the conveyor of feeding 23.

Figures 2 to 4 show a top view of one of the two packaging machines 16 for packing a group 14 of objects 10 in a bag 17. The objects 10 are transported in the feed conveyor 15 in the transport direction 24. transport is done substantially continuously, the transport speed is adaptable. However, no obstruction of the feed conveyor 15 is provided during normal operation of the device.

In the present case, the feed conveyor 15 is included as a pocket chain conveyor. Important here are compartments 25 formed in the feed conveyor 15 which are joined by dividing walls 26 arranged transverse to the transport direction 24. Transversal to the transport direction 24, the compartments 25 open at least in the direction of change.

Several objects 10 are arranged in each compartment 25. In the present exemplary embodiment, the 10 objects are arranged in order to endure, and 10 objects rest on a narrow side. The number of objects 10 in a compartment 25 can be matched in each case. A different number of objects 10 in the compartments 25 is also conceivable, however.

The change device 18 is included as a pusher 27 in the present case. The pusher 27 is movably mounted in a unit 28 parallel to the feed conveyor 15. In addition, the pusher 27 has a transversely aligned front pusher plate 28 with which a group 14 of objects 10 is pushed by the feed conveyor 15, i.e. at an angle, particularly transverse to the transport direction 24.

In order to change a group 14 of objects 10, the pusher plate 28 is meshed between the partition walls 26 of the feed conveyor 15. Since the feed conveyor 15 is not being stopped after the change of group 14, the pusher 27 moves together with the group 14 on the feed conveyor 15 in the transport direction 24.

In the present case, the pusher 27 collects a group 14 which extends over several compartments 25. It is also conceivable for the pusher 15 only to change the objects 10 out of a respective compartment 25.

As can be seen from Figure 5, the pusher 27 it can be moved both transversely to the feed conveyor 15 and turned upwards after changing a group 14 and retracted in a starting position. However, after changing a group 14, the pusher 27 is moved again against the transport direction 24 in a starting position in accordance with Figures 3 and 4.

By means of the pusher 27, the group 14 of objects 10 is changed in the area of a first compression device 30, which is used for the pre-compression of the group 14. The compression device 30 has two compression units 31, for example in the form of compression jaws, which are brought to bear against the surfaces of opposite sides of the group 14 and compress these at least partially by pressing them together.

To allow continuous operation of the device, provision is made that the compression device 30 initially moves together with the pusher 27 in the transport direction 24 with the group 14 and the feed conveyor 14. After the transfer of the group 14 to the compression device 30, the compression units 31 are moved together, thereby compressing the group 14. The movement of the compression units 31 can be overlapped (at least partially) with the next movement.

Figure 2 shows a first phase of pre- compression, ie the transfer of the group 14 by means of the pusher 27 from the feed conveyor 15 in the area of the compression units 31. Figure 3 shows the compression device 30 during the pre-compression of group 14, and the Figure 4 shows the compression device 30 towards the end of the pre-compression of group 14.

The compression units 31 are moved together in the direction of the arrows 32 in order to compress the group 14. In Figures 3 and 4, the pusher 27 has already been moved back into a starting position and is already being retained for the change of the next group 14.

After the pre-compression conclusion in the compression device 30 (Figure 4), the pre-compressed group 14 is transferred to a transfer unit 33, whose task is to feed the pre-compressed group 14 to another compression device 34. A pusher 35 which changes the group 14 in the direction of the second compression device 34 is active in the transfer unit 33.

The transfer unit 33 has yet another optional function which will be described later and involves the alignment of the ots 10. Optionally, the transfer unit 33 can also be omitted, in which case the ots 10 are transferred directly to the other compression device 34. .

The second compression device 34 is not included to move along with the feed conveyor 15, but preferably to be stationary with two movable compression units 36 which can be moved, such as the compression units 31, laterally against the group 14 in order to perform the final compression or final compression of group 14.

The second compression device 34 is set to process one or more groups 14. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, several groups 14 can be accommodated one behind the other in the transport direction 37 in the compression device 34 and tablets simultaneously.

After the inclusion of the main compression, the group 14 or groups 14 is or are changed and packed in a bag 17 as indicated in Figure 2.

Additional distinguishing features of the device described up to this point will be explained in detail below: The group 14 of ots 10 is pushed by the shifting device 18 from the feed conveyor 15 between the compression units 31. The end regions of the compression units 31 facing the feed conveyor 15 are included so as to diverge slightly in order to facilitate the pushing of group 14. At this point in time, the distance of the compression units 31 with respect to each of the others corresponds approximately to the amplitude (size) of the uncompressed group 14 of ots 10.

The walls of the compression units 31 against which the group 14 abuts in the transport direction 37 so as to converge slightly, so that the channel for the ots 10 is formed between the compression units 31 tapered in the transport direction 37. As a result of transporting the group 14 of ots 10 along the walls, the group 14 is thus partially compressed. The transport of the ots 10 occurs in the same way as in the feed conveyor 15.

During the continuous transport of the ots 10 through the compression device 30, the ots 10 rest on a conveyor belt 38 which extends in the area of the compression device 30. In the present case, the transport means have transverse members 39 as transposed units aligned transverse to the conveying direction of the ots 10 which bear against a group 14 on the rear side in the transport direction and pushed on the conveyor belt 38. The additional transverse members 40 are provided for the support on the front side with a group 14. The transverse members 39, 40 are arranged so as to alter each other ..

The two groups of cross members 39, 40 are each driven by conveyor chains 41, 42. The conveyor chains 41, 42 run on either side of the conveyor belt 38 and are connected to the cross members 39 and 40, respectively. The conveyor chains 41, 42 are guided by deflecting rollers 43 so that the transverse members 39, 40 are guided along a distance above the conveyor belt 38 for transportation of the ots 10.

Several respective transverse members 39, 40 can be distributed in a uniform spacing around the periphery of the conveyor chains 41, 42. The spacing of the cross members 39, 40 of the same conveyor chain 41, 42 is predetermined and can not be changed . On the other hand, the spacing of the cross members 39, 40 of the two different conveyor chains 41, 42 can be changed as a function of the length of the objects 10 to be handled in the conveying direction of the compression device 30.

The two conveyor chains 41, 42 are each driven by a driving shaft 44, 45 and a (servo-) unit 46, 47 associated with the respective driving shaft 44, 45.

The compression units 31 are operated in a similar manner. For this purpose, two units 48, 49 are first provided which are used for the independent driving of a compression unit 31 each. In this form, the compression units 31 can move independently of the transport of the objects 10 on the feed conveyor 15 in the transport direction 24 and in the opposite direction. However, the compression units 31 can be moved together as shown in the illustration in accordance with Figures 3 and 4. The compression units 31 are also driven independently of the unit of the cross members 39, 40.

The coupling of the units 48, 49 with the compression units 31 is done by means of toothed belts 50, 51, 52, 53. In the present case, four toothed belts 50. 53 are provided because the compression units 31 are each included in two parts, ie with respective upper compression straps 54, 55 and lower compression straps 56, 57. The respective associated upper and lower compression straps 54, 56; 55, 57 are arranged at a distance from each other, thereby forming a gap between the upper compression jaws 54, 55 and the lower compression belts 56, 57 in the vicinity of which the cross members 39, 40 run ( Figure 6).

The compression jaws 54..57 are movably mounted on guides 58. The toothed belt 50 drives the upper compression jaw 55. The toothed belt 51 drives the upper compression jaw 54. The toothed belt 52 drives the lower compression belt 57 and, finally, the toothed belt 53 drives the lower compression strap 56. In order to synchronize the movements of the compression jaws 54, 56; 55, 57, engagement of the toothed belt 50, 52; 51, 53, that is to say by means of a respective transmission element 59.

Each of the 50..53 timing belts is included as a continuous band. The units 48, 49 and deflection rollers 60 are respectively arranged at ends of the belt on both sides. The coupling of the compression jaws 54..57 with the toothed belts 50. .53 is made by means of cams 61 by which the compression jaws 54..57 are connected with the toothed belts 50..53, for example by clamping (Figure 12).

Another distinguishing feature of the device is shown in Figures 7 and 8. The issue here is the construction of the transfer unit 33. As described above, the transfer unit 33 has a transfer network 64 with side walls 62 between which the pre-compressed group 14 is pushed through of the pusher 35, ie in the area of the second compression device 34. However, the transfer unit 33 can also be used to rotate the groups 14 before being transferred to the second compression device 34. For this purpose, the transfer 33 has a turning station 63 which can be optionally used. The use of the turning station 63 is particularly advantageous if the objects 10 have a greater height than width. In such a case, the turning station 63 is then used and first rotates the groups 14 by 90 °, so that the pusher 35 changes the rotated group 14 through a channel with side walls 62 in the direction of the second compression device 34, where the main compression usually occurs.

Speaking structurally, the turning station 63 is formed in the present case so that a mixer 66 is rotationally driven about a horizontal axis 67 and has pockets 65, each for a group 14. A separate unit 68 is used for this. A group 14 of objects 10 to be rotated is pushed into a pocket 65 in the entrance area 69 of the mixer 66. After this, the mixer 66 is rotated by 90 ° in accordance with the arrow 70 in Figure 8, of so that the pocket is leveled with the adjacent compression device 34. The group 14 is then pushed by the pusher 35 and transferred to the compression device 34. Pockets 65 are each bordered on their upper side by a lower wall 71 and side walls 62. On the upper side, group 14 is retained by guides 72 in pocket 65.

The transfer network 64 has a similar construction as the pockets 65, ie with side walls 62 and a bottom wall 71, although stationary and non-rotatable.

To allow switching between the turning station 63 and the transfer network 64, both units are mounted so as to be movable transverse to the transport direction 37 of the group 14, ie in a common carriage 73 in the present case. The car 73, in turn, can be moved in corresponding tracks 74.

The construction of the second compression device 34 can be seen from Figures 11 and 13. Here, a group 14 or several groups 14 of objects are simultaneously subjected or subjected to additional compression in the compression device 34 through two compression units 75 or compression jaws. In the present case, this is done through excessive lateral pressure stress in group 14 or groups 14 in accordance with arrows 32. The two compression units 75 are mounted by carriages 76 on a track 77 and can move transverse to the transport direction 37. By means of (servo-) units 78, 79, the axes 80, 81 are driven with which the cars 76 are coupled. In this form, the rotation of the axes 80, 81 becomes a lateral movement of the compression units 75. During compression, the group 14 or groups 14 rest on a base 82, which serves as a bottom wall.

Another distinguishing feature of the compression device 34 is shown in Figure 13. The sensors 83 for detecting the position of the groups 14 are arranged in the working area of the compression units 75, for example in the form of barriers of light. In this way, the bad positions as in Figure 13 can be identified. However, the suction holes 84 are arranged in a pattern at the base 82 or bottom wall. Through the suction holes 84, the objects 14 can be affected with the low pressure in the working area of the compression units 75. For one, this serves to retain the objects 10 or group 14, and / or also serves to extract air in order to reduce the force required for the compression of objects 10.

Another distinguishing feature, which is shown in Figures 9 and 10, relates to the construction of the pusher 27 in the area of the feed conveyor 15. In accordance with this feature, the pusher plate 29 is provided on the side facing towards the objects 10 with an overlay 85 made of a flexible material such as felt, for example. This overlap 85 serves to ensure that even narrower objects 10 are pushed out of the compartments 25. In addition, through the splice on the upper side of the feed conveyor 15 and the dividing side walls 26, a conveyor cleaning can also be performed. 15. Figure 9 shows that the overlay 85 is arranged so that it is effective in the area of the edges of the compartments 25.

A last distinguishing feature is shown in Figures 14 to 16. The distinguishing feature refers to the liner arrangement 86 which covers the feed conveyor 15 as needed.

In the present case, the liner 14 is included so as to cover the feed conveyor 15 with the objects 10 or groups 14 on the sides and upper part. With the liner closed, the objects 10 therefore can not be changed from the feed conveyor 15. Accordingly, the pusher 27 rests on the next side to the liner 86.

The reason for the liner 86 is the division of the feed conveyor 15 from the compression device 30 and the change device 18. This may be necessary if a failure occurs in one of the neighboring units, or if the maintenance work, measures of Re-equipment or similar should be carried out. It is then necessary to protect the operator or personnel / specialist of customer services so that they are not injured in the feed conveyor 15. Under coating 86, the feed conveyor 15 can thus continue to be operated while the work is being performed. in neighboring units. This is especially advantageous if several packaging machines 16 are arranged along the feed conveyor 15, so that the objects 10, even in the case of a failure or maintenance of a packaging machine 16, are transported further and to another packaging machine 16.

In the present case, the liner 86 is included in two parts, and the carriages 87 are respectively mounted in a way 88, so that the two halves of the liner 86 can be pushed apart and together as shown in Figure 15 and 16. Figure 16 shows the normal operation in which the objects 10 on the feed conveyor 16 are transversally shifted by the pusher 27 in the area of the compression device 30. Figure 15 shows a case of a failure or maintenance during the which area of the feed conveyor 15 is encapsulated in the area of the packaging machine 16 and the compression device 30.

Another distinctive feature may consist of an optical inspection device 89, which can be used to check the objects 10 or groups 14 of objects 10. The inspection device 89 operates with a laser with the aid of which the objects to be inspected are preferably illuminated with a band of light 90 at an angle of < 90 ° in accordance with the laser cutting method. The light band 90 is detected at a triangulation angle with a sensor, and the dimensions of the objects are calculated based on the deflection of the light band 90 and the triangulation angle.

Figures 17, 19 and 18, 20 are proposed to explain the use of the measurement principle in this technical field. Accordingly, Figure 17 shows the sweep of the objects 10 in the feed conveyor 15. The inspection device 89 is arranged in a stationary manner above the feed conveyor 15 and detects the objects 10 arranged in the pockets 91 of the feed conveyor. feed 15. By means of a sensor 92, which is activated by a division member 93 between the pockets 91, the sweep is respectively activated. In the present case, there is no object 10 in any of the pockets 91 to be detected, so that a gap 94 has been created between the objects 10. The result of the sweeping of the upper side of the objects 10 is shown in Figure 19 It can be clearly seen that the gap 94 that results from the Lost object 10 is visibly apparent in the measured result.

Figures 18 and 20 show another possible use in relation to the sweeping of the packaged objects 10. This involves sweeping groups 14 of objects 10 packed in bags 17. In the present case also, a corresponding inspection device 89 is arranged on top of the transportation path and detect the bags 17 from above. It can be seen from Figure 20 that, through scanning the upper side of the bags 17, the gaps or other bad positions in the group 14 could be detected in the present case as well.

However, it is also conceivable to arrange the inspection devices 89 elsewhere in the packaging process, as indicated in Figure 5, such as in the area of the compression device 30, the transfer unit 33 or the compression device. 34. Depending on the application, a check of the objects 10 or groups 14 of objects 10 can also be performed on other plates in the packaging process.

List of Reference Symbols 10 object 28 unit 11 converter 29 pusher plate 12 conveyor 30 compression feeding device 13 device of 31 compression unit grouping 14 group 32 arrow 15 conveyor of 33 power transfer unit 16 packaging machine 34 device compression 17 bag 35 pusher 18 change device 36 compression unit 19 packaging machine 37 transport direction 20 folded box 38 conveyor belt 21 packaging machine 39 cross member 22 package seal 40 transverse member 23 conveyor of 41 conveyor chain feed 24 transport direction 42 conveyor chain 25 compartment 43 deflection rollers 26 partition wall 44 unit axis 27 pusher 45 drive shaft 46 unit (member 63 transverse turning station) 47 unit (64 mesh cross transfer mesh) 48 unit (unit of 65 compression pockets) 49 unit (66 compression mixer unit) 50 timing belt 67 shaft 51 timing belt 68 unit 52 timing belt 69 entry area 53 timing belt 70 arrow 54 compression jaw 71 upper bottom wall 55 compression jaw 72 guide higher 56 compression mandrel 73 trolley lower 57 compression mandrel 74 way lower 58 guide 75 compression unit 59 member of transmission 76 car 60 deflection roller 77 track 61 cam 78 unit 62 wall 79 unit 80 axis 81 axis 82 base 83 sensors 84 suction hole 85 overlay 86 coating 87 car 88 way 89 inspection device 90 light band 91 pocket 92 sensor 93 division bar 94 hollow

Claims

CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property.

1. Method for handling (flat) objects (10), particularly hygiene products such as diapers, sanitary napkins or the like, wherein the objects (10) are transported on a substantially continuously operated feed conveyor (15) and are compressed after transport in the feed conveyor (15), characterized in that a group (14) of objects (10) is exchanged by a change device (18), particularly a pusher (27), from the feed conveyor (15), the pusher (27) that runs along at least partially with the objects (10) in the transport direction (24) of the feed conveyor (15), and that the group (14) of objects (10) is preferably powered by the change device (18) to a first compression device (30) and (pre) compressed by it at least partially, and that at least the partially (pre) compressed group (14) of objects (10) is then fed to a second di compression device (34) and undergoes additional (main) compression in this.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first compression device (30) moves along at least partially in the transport direction (24) of the feed conveyor (15) during the (pre-) compression.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first compression device (30) has two independently driven compression units (31) which are moved relative to each other and independently of each other for the (pre) compression of the group (14) of objects (10), while the compression units (31) are also moved at least partially in the same or opposite direction as the feed conveyor (15).

Four . Method according to claim 1 or according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compression device (30) and the compression units (31) are driven or moved continuously at least in part.

5. Method according to claim 1 or according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air is extracted from the group (14) of objects (10), particularly in the second compression device (34), through the hole of suction (84) preferably arranged in the area of a bottom bottom wall (82) of the compression device (34) in order to reduce the force required for the compression of the group (14) of objects (10).

6. Method according to claim 1 or according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the group (14) of objects (10), particularly in the second compression device (34), is affected with the low pressure through the hole suction (84) preferably arranged in the area of a lower bottom wall (82) of the compression device (34) in order to retain the group (14) of objects (10).

7 Method according to claim 1 or according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the objects (10) and / or groups (14) of objects (10) and / or bags (17) with objects (10) are scanned by at least one inspection device (89) by the appropriate shape and / or arrangement and / or number of objects (10), the inspection device (89) preferably operates in a non-contact manner, particularly in accordance with the method of laser cutting.

8. Device for handling objects (planes) (10), particularly hygiene products such as diapers, sanitary napkins or the like, with a feed conveyor (15) for the substantially continuous transport of the objects (10) and with a compression device ( 30) arranged adjacent to the feed conveyor (15) to compress a group (14) of objects (10), characterized in that the group (14) of objects (10) can be changed from the feed conveyor (15) by a change device (18), particularly a pusher (27) ), the shifting device (18) is adjusted to be moved along at least partially with the objects (10) in the transport direction (24) of the feed conveyor (15) during the change, and that a first compression device (30) is provided for at least the (pre) partial compression of the group (14) of objects (10), and that a second compression device (34) is provided in which the group at least partially ( pre-compressed (14) of objects (10) (subjected to additional (main) compression.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that a turning station (63) is arranged between the first compression device (30) and the second compression device (34) to rotate the group (14) of objects (10) as is required, preferably by 90 °.

10. Device according to claim 8 or according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that sensors (83) are preferably provided in the second compression device (34) to check the position of the device. group (14) of objects (10), particularly with a view to checking the uniform alignment of the objects (10) within the group (14).

11. Device according to claim 8 or according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that preferably the second compression device (34) has a suction hole (84) for retaining the group (14) of objects (10) and / or to extract air during compression of the group (14) of objects (10), particularly in the area of a bottom bottom wall (82) of the compression device (34).

12. Device according to claim 8 or according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed conveyor (15) is included as a compartment belt, with partition walls (25) being provided between adjacent compartments (25) of the magazine belt, the pusher has flexible means (85) with which the pusher (27) rests against the dividing walls (26) during the change of objects (10).

13. Device according to claim 8 or according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compression devices (30, 34) are at least part of a device for packaging the objects (10), and that, in the case of an at least partial interruption of the operation of the device, a coating (86) can be positioned on the feed conveyor (15) in such a way that the objects ( 10) in the feed conveyor (15) are transported past the device and an operator of the device is protected by the liner (86).

14. Device according to claim 8 or according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one inspection device (89) is arranged along the transport path of the objects (10) and / or the groups ( 14) of objects (10) and / or bags (17) with objects (10) for checking objects (10) and / or groups (14) and / or bags (17) for shape and / or arrangement and / or number of suitable objects (10), the inspection device (89) preferably operates in a non-contact manner, particularly in accordance with the laser cutting method.