WO2005077762A1

WO2005077762A1 - Device for applying sections of foil from a foil strip to objects

Info

Publication number: WO2005077762A1
Application number: PCT/CH2005/000062
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rolf Hodler
Original assignee: Hans Rychiger Ag
Priority date: 2004-02-17
Filing date: 2005-02-04
Publication date: 2005-08-25
Also published as: EP1564143A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for applying sections of foil from a foil strip (30) to objects (71 76). Said device comprises: a unit for feeding the foil strip (30) in a first direction (31); a transport system for transporting the objects step by step along at least one first track and one second track, said tracks running parallel to one another in a second direction (41) that is at an angle to the first direction (31); and at least two tools (10, 20) for producing the foil sections from the foil strip (30) and for applying said foil sections to a first object on the first track and to a second object on the second track. The angle between the first direction (31) and the second direction (41) is defined in a fixed manner. The transport system has interchangeable object carriers, which extend over the two or more parallel tracks and determine the number of parallel tracks and the distances between said tracks. The tools (10, 20) are interchangeable and their transversal distances can be modified. The object carriers and/or tools (10, 20) can be exchanged in the shortest possible time, eliminating long interruptions in production when the shape or size of the foil sections to be produced is modified.

Description

Device for applying film parts from a film strip to objects

Technical field

The invention relates to a device for applying film parts from a film strip to objects, comprising a device for feeding the film strip along a first direction, a transport system for step-by-step transport of the objects along at least a first path and a second path, the paths being parallel to one another and run in a second direction, which includes an angle to the first direction, and at least two tools for producing the film parts from the film strip and for applying the film parts to a first object on the first track and to a second object on the second track. The invention further relates to a tool and a slide for such a device and a method for applying film parts. State of the art

Devices of the type mentioned above are known. They are used, for example, to seal plastic or aluminum cups filled with food using film covers. Another application is the closing of punched openings in prefabricated lids made of tinplate or aluminum for appropriate cans. In this case, a membrane that closes the opening is applied to the cover in such a way that it can be removed by tearing it open, thereby opening up the opening. The film strip can accordingly be made of a plastic, a metal or a composite material. To ensure that the strip material is used well and that there is not too much waste, the width of the film strip, the number of strips, the angle between the film strip and the direction of transport of the objects and the transport movements of the objects and the film strip must be coordinated. In the production of smaller film parts, for example, the number of webs is increased.

In the known devices, the number of tracks is specified in principle. If a change in the number of webs is possible at all, it requires a far-reaching, complex modification of the device. This takes a considerable amount of time, so that any change in the configuration results in a significant interruption in production. If film parts of a different shape and / or size are to be produced from the film band, the angle between the film band and the transport paths of the objects is also changed so that the film material can be used well. Changing the angle also means a lot of work.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a device belonging to the technical field mentioned at the outset for applying film parts from a film strip to objects, which device can be adapted quickly and easily to different objects Forms and / or sizes of the film parts, good utilization of the film material and high productivity enables.

The solution to the problem is defined by the features of claim 1. According to the invention, the angle between the first direction and the second direction is fixed. The transport system has interchangeable slides, which extend over the at least two parallel tracks and determine the number of parallel tracks and distances between the tracks. The tools are also interchangeable and their cross distances can be changed. The number of lanes is not determined by the device itself, but only by the (exchangeable) slides. The number of lanes can be changed quickly and easily by changing the slides, no time-consuming conversion is necessary. In the device according to the invention, the configuration is thus adapted to different shapes and / or sizes of the film parts to be produced by exchanging the specimen slides (and, if appropriate, adjusting the step size accordingly) and by changing and / or repositioning the tools. The angle between the film belt and the conveyor tracks remains unchanged.

The slide and / or tools can be exchanged within a very short time, so that changes in the shape or size of the lids to be produced hardly cause any interruptions in production. A time-consuming conversion to change the number of transport tracks or to adjust the angle between the foil belt and the tracks is not necessary. Accordingly, there is high productivity, especially for packaging machines, which are often adapted to other lid sizes. Finally, the device has a high degree of flexibility, so that the existing film material can be optimally used.

The fixed predetermined angle between the first direction and the second direction is advantageously 30-60 °, preferably 45-55 °. On the one hand, such an angle between the transport direction of the objects and the feed direction of the film strip allows the film feed and the transport system to be arranged without conflict. On the other hand, film parts of many different shapes or sizes can be made from the film tape be produced so that the film material is used well and there is little waste. An angle of approximately 52 ° has proven to be particularly advantageous.

The device for feeding the film strip is preferably designed such that films of different widths can be processed. The device for feeding can have, for example, transport rollers of a certain maximum width, which also allow the feeding of film strips of a smaller width. This increases the flexibility of the device and enables optimal use of the film material.

Alternatively, the width of the film strip can be predetermined, and the adaptation to different shapes or sizes of the film parts takes place exclusively by changing the number of sheets, the tool spacing and / or the dimensions of the specimen slides.

The slides preferably run transversely to the second direction, i. H. transverse to the direction of transport of the objects. This enables the entire width of the webs to be covered by the shortest possible slides. Such carriers can also have a simple rectangular base area and can be attached to the transport system along their long sides to the side of the tracks. This arrangement also allows the slides to be easily transported back after the film parts have been applied and the objects have been removed from the slides.

Alternatively, the main axis of the slide can run obliquely to the transport direction of the objects. In this case, the slides have, for example, a parallelogram-shaped base. Optionally, rectangular specimens arranged perpendicular to the direction of transport or parallelogram-shaped specimens arranged obliquely to the direction of transport can be used in the same device. This creates additional flexibility when adapting to other objects.

The device advantageously has a crossmember on which the tools can be fastened at different transverse positions. A cross member allows the attachment of the Tools essentially across the entire width of the conveyor tracks. It also enables simple and inexpensive construction of the device.

The cross member preferably has receptacles of different design at the different transverse positions, so that each of the tools can only be received in certain of the transverse positions. This makes it impossible to arrange the tools in the wrong position.

For example, a device should be able to close a certain number of different types of containers with lids of different shapes and / or sizes. The film width to be used, the number of webs and the position of the tools are now specified for each container or lid type in such a way that processing is as quick as possible with as little scrap as possible. There is a certain number of tools available for each type of cover, which depends on the number of sheets specified. A tool for a certain type of lid can now only be attached to the transverse positions specified for the respective container type.

A plurality of groups of pins and / or recesses can be arranged on the crossmember for fastening the tools at the correct position, the tools having a plurality of recesses and / or pins which can interact with at least one of the groups of pins and / or recesses. The pins or recesses of the tool thus work together with a group of pins or recesses on the cross member like a key with a lock, in that pins of the cross member engage in recesses of the tool and / or pins of the tool engage in recesses of the cross member.

Alternatively, the tools are held on the cross member on differently shaped profiles. The receptacles can also all be of identical design, with the correct positioning of the tools being supported, for example, by markings or color coding. The tools can also be fastened instead of on a cross member, for example on lateral holding elements or inwardly pointing brackets arranged above the transport tracks. The positioning and / or changing of the tools can be automated, e.g. B. by the tools are arranged displaceably on a transverse rail, and in that tools can be exchanged between the rail and a tool magazine.

A tool for producing a film part from a film strip, in particular by punching it out, and for applying the film strip to an object can be attached to the device according to the invention in a changeable manner in its transverse position. In addition to the punch, the tool can also have, for example, a heating element for sealing the cover and / or a die for stripping the cover off the punch.

For attachment to the device according to the invention, the tool advantageously has a plurality of recesses and / or pins which can interact with a group of pins and / or recesses arranged on the device.

A specimen slide for use in the device according to the invention can hold at least two objects, for example cup-like containers or prefabricated lids to be provided with a membrane. It is interchangeably attached to the device. The number of webs in the device is determined by the number and arrangement of the objects held by the slide, the carrier can, for example, run transverse to the webs and can carry a number of objects in a row which corresponds to the number of webs.

A method for applying film parts from a film strip to objects comprises the following steps: a) The film strip is fed along a first direction. b) The objects are transported step by step along at least a first path and a second path, the paths being parallel to one another and running in a second direction, which includes a predetermined angle to the first direction. c) The film parts are produced from the film strip and applied to a first object on the first web and to a second object on the second web. d) The objects are held in interchangeable slides, which extend over the at least two parallel tracks and determine the number of parallel tracks and distances between the tracks.

Further advantageous embodiments and combinations of features of the invention result from the following detailed description and the entirety of the claims.

Brief description of the drawings

The drawings used to explain the exemplary embodiment show:

1 shows a schematic view of a device according to the invention;

2A-C a schematic representation of the method according to the invention;

3 shows a schematic representation of the configuration of the specimen slides and the film web;

4A-C are schematic representations of various possible configurations with a given total width of the specimen slides and a given angle between the transport direction and the direction of the film web;

5 shows a schematic illustration of the fastening of a tool of the device according to the invention; and

Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of various possible configurations of tools.

In principle, the same parts are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures. Ways of Carrying Out the Invention

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a device according to the invention. Shown are two tools 10, 20 for producing film parts from a film strip 30 and for applying the film parts to cup-like containers as well as their storage and actuation. The device comprises further elements (not shown), namely a device for feeding the film strip 30 made of plastic, metal or a composite material, which can be formed in a manner known per se, for example by means of two pairs of rollers arranged in front of and behind the work station, which hold the film strip 30 can promote step by step in a film conveying direction 31. Another element is a transport system for transporting the containers held on specimen slides in a transport direction 41. This transport system is arranged below the web of the film strip 30.

The tools 10, 20 have essentially cubic bearing housings 1 1, 21, in which the punches are vertically displaceably mounted on ball guides. The punches are arranged at the lower end of vertically oriented actuators. The upper portions of these actuating elements pass through the tops of the bearing housings 11, 21, and a flange 12, 22 is attached to each of the upper ends. The tools 10, 20 further comprise a cooling device for the punch, which ensures that the punched-out film parts can be easily detached from the stamp. This detachment process is supported by scrapers 13, 23, which are arranged between the bearing housings 11, 21 and the film strip 30 and on which the film parts are stripped when the stamps are moved back. The tools 10, 20 also include heating devices that are independent of the stamping punches for sealing the punched-out film parts onto the edge of the container. For this purpose, the film strip 30 has a corresponding lacquer on its underside.

The tools 10, 20 are exchangeably attached to a frame 50. For this purpose, the frame 50 has an opening 51 arranged transversely to the transport direction 41, the width of which corresponds to the width of the bearing housings 11, 21 of the tools 10, 20 corresponds. The frame 50 has a plurality of cylindrical openings 52 along the longitudinal sides of the opening 51. As shown in FIG. 5 using the example of the tool 10, the bearing housing 11 has lateral flanges 14a, 14b at its lower end, on which upward-pointing pins 15a, 15b are arranged. The dimensions and distances of these pins 15a, 15b correspond to the dimensions and distances of the openings 52, so that the tool 10 can be attached to the frame 50 by the pins 15a, 15b engaging in the openings 52 from below. The side flanges 14a, 14b of the bearing housing 11 lie directly on the underside of the frame 50. The pins 15a, 15b have a thread in their uppermost section, so that the tool 10 can be detachably fastened in the opening 51 of the frame 50 by means of nuts 15a, 15b. The fixation of the tool 10 can alternatively also take place, for example, by means of clamps arranged above the frame 50 on the pins 15a, 15b or by a screw connection between the pins 15a, 15b and the openings 52. The second tool 20 is attached to the frame 50 in the same manner as the first tool 10.

The tools 10, 20 are actuated by a cross bar 60 arranged above the same. This is arranged horizontally and obliquely to the opening 51 and thus obliquely to the tools 10, 20. This creates more space and the film guides can be arranged as close as possible on both sides of the tools. The crossbar 60 has two flange connectors 61, 62 on its underside. The flanges 12, 22 arranged at the top on the actuating elements of the punch are fixed thereon so that the movement of the punch through the crossbar 60 is positively controlled. The crossbar 60 is coupled to a linear drive (not shown) which causes its vertical up and down movement 63.

At the bottom of the frame, between the film strip 30 and the containers to be closed, there is a die holder 53 with a plurality of dies, with which the punch interacts when punching out and applying the film parts.

The frame 50 can be moved together with the tools 10, 20 used

Fold up pivot axis 54. The crossbar 60 can be decoupled from its drive so that it can be folded up together with the frame 50. To the Replacing the tools 10, 20, the flanges 12, 22 of the tools 10, 20 are first released from the flange connectors 61, 62 on the crossbeam 60. The frame 50 is then folded up by an angle of at least 90 °. The fastening elements for the tools 10, 20 can then be loosened and the tools 10, 20 can be removed from below. New tools are again inserted into the opening from below and fastened in their predetermined position. Now the frame 50 and the crossbar 60 are folded down and fixed by means of a lock 55. Finally, the new tools are fixed to the flange connectors 61, 62 and the drive is coupled to the crossbar 60 again.

The method according to the invention is shown schematically in FIGS. 2A-C. The film strip 30 is fed step by step along a film conveying direction 31. For better orientation, an arbitrary transverse line 32 of the film strip 30 is indicated by a dashed line. The containers 71, 72, ... to be closed are held in specimen slides 81, 82, ... which are transported step by step along a transport direction 41. The transport direction 41 and the film conveying direction 31 enclose an angle of approximately 50 °. All slides 81, 82, ... are identical, designed to hold two containers 71, 72, ... arranged in the transverse direction. If, for example, cups of a slightly conical shape that widens upwards are to be closed, they can be held very simply by placing them in openings whose shape and size correspond to a cross section at a certain height of the cup.

FIG. 2A shows the start of a packaging process. The first containers 71, 72 to be closed are held in the second slide 82. This is in the working position, ie it is positioned so that the containers 71, 72 are located directly below the punching tools. While the containers 71, 72 are being closed with a film lid, both the film web 30 and the specimen slides 81, 82 stand still for a short time. The punching tools are lowered, so that in cooperation with the matrices arranged below the film web 30, two film parts of round shape are simultaneously produced from the film web 30. The punching tools are then withdrawn, the wipers arranged above the film web preventing the film parts from sticking to the punching tools. Next the heating devices of the tools are now actuated to seal the lids on the edges of the containers 71, 72. Finally, the heater is withdrawn from the edges of the container.

As soon as these steps have been carried out, both the film web 30 along the film conveying direction 31 and the specimen slides 81, 82 along the transport direction 41 can be transported one step further. The situation shown in FIG. 2B results. The second slide 82 has now been transported to the former position of the first slide 81, and a third slide 83 with the containers 73, 74 now takes up the working position below the tools. The film web 30 has been transported to such an extent that the holes 91, 92 created by the punching process have been removed from the work area, i. H. from the area in which the foil parts are to be punched out in the following step.

This is followed by another step in which the containers 73, 74 are closed with foil lids.

FIG. 2C shows the situation after the further transport of the film web 30 and the object carriers 82, 83. It is clearly visible that the holes 91, 92, 93, 94 formed in the film web 30 are arranged in such a way that only very little waste of the Foil material arises. In principle, the packaging process can continue as long as the film can be fed. After the lid has been applied and the slides 81, 82, ... have been transported away from the working position, the containers 71, 72, ... are removed from the slides 81, 82, ... and transported away from the device. The empty slides 81, 82, ... are then brought back into a loading position and again provided with containers. The return transport takes place in a manner known per se, for example the transport system can be formed by a conveyor belt running below the working level, to which the specimen slides are coupled, or the specimen slides are decoupled from the transport system and transported back to the loading location asynchronously by a separate mechanism. Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the configuration of the slides and the film web. Some typical predetermined and variable parameters of the device for applying the film parts, the film web 30 and the method carried out are shown. In the device according to the invention, the angle α between the film conveying direction 31 and the transport direction 41 of the specimen slides 81, 82 is fixed. FIG. 3 shows the angle β, which is complemented by the angle α to a right angle, ie α + β = 90 °. The diameter D of the film parts to be punched out is also specified for a specific packaging process. For the sake of simplicity, we assume circular foil parts in the schematic illustration in FIG. Of course, most of the lids to be produced have a more complicated shape, e.g. B. because additional pull tabs should be formed, or because different, z. B. rectangular shaped containers are to be closed. The only consequence of this is that the orientation of the film parts to be punched out is also relevant. This should be chosen so that as little scrap as possible is produced. Depending on the shape and orientation, there is another effective value of the diameter D.

The diameter D, together with the maximum width of the object carriers 81, 82 and the maximum width of the film web 30, determines which number N of tools can be arranged next to one another, ie how many film parts can be produced and applied to the containers at the same time. On the basis of the diameter D of the film parts and the number N of tools, a film width B is selected which roughly permits the arrangement of N film parts of the diameter D transversely to the film conveying direction 31. By selecting the angle γ between the transverse direction of the film strip and the connecting line of the center points of film parts arranged next to one another, the division can be optimized in such a way that the smallest possible remaining strip remains on the side of the punched-out film parts. In this case, however, it must be ensured that with conventional devices for feeding the film strip 30 it is necessary that a minimal strip remains on both sides, so that the film can always be stretched in the work area. The parameters A, D, N, B and γ now clearly show the distance A between the containers 71, 72, the step width V _{B of} a transport step in the transport direction 41 and the step width V _{F of} the device for further conveying the film strip 30 for optimal use of the strip The slides 81, 82 are therefore selected such that the containers 71, 72 held therein are at a distance A, and the device is controlled in such a way that the determined step sizes V _B , V _{F are} maintained.

FIGS. 4A-C are schematic representations of various possible configurations with a predetermined total width of the specimen slides and a predetermined angle between the transport direction and the direction of the film web. The predetermined angle β is approximately 38 ° in the example shown. _FIGS . 4A, 4B show the closing of the same containers with a diameter D _17, wherein in the first case (FIG. 4A) two containers 71, 72 are arranged next to one another at a distance A on a slide 82 and in the second case (FIG. 4B) three containers 71 ', 72', 73 'at the same distance A _t side by side on a slide 82'. The film width B ₂ in the second case is chosen to be correspondingly wider than the film width B, in the first case.

In the third case, shown in FIG. 4C, containers 71 ″, 72 ″ with a larger diameter D ₂ are to be closed by foil covers. In this case, the dimensions of the device only permit the simultaneous production and attachment of two lids. Therefore, only two lids are punched out of the film web next to one another, and a corresponding film with the film width B _{3 is} selected. The distance A ₂ between the containers is selected such that the film parts to be punched out are arranged on the film web in such a way that the film does not tear during the packaging process, but that at the same time as little scrap is produced.

The parameter values given in the following table for the configurations shown in FIGS. 4A-C are only to be understood as examples. The angle ß is constantly 38 °: Conf. D [mm] NB [mm] A [mm] V _B [mm] V _F [mm] γ [°]

A 72 2 161 119.5 89 79 12

B 72 3 234 119.5 89 79 12

C 98 2 206 158 120 101 13

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of various possible configurations of tools. The AC configurations according to the table above are again shown. Tools are required for configurations A and B for producing and sealing lids with a diameter D of 72 mm and for configuration C tools for lids with a diameter D of 98 mm. In the example shown, two upward-pointing pins are arranged on the side flanges, in the first case with a distance of 80 mm, in the second case with a distance of 100 mm. So that the tools can be fastened in the opening 51 of the frame 50 according to the configurations AC, openings 52 are to be arranged as shown in FIG. For the sake of clarity, the recesses 52 for the larger tool are shown as triangles, those for the smaller tool as circles. Based on a symmetrical arrangement of the tools in the transverse direction, recesses must be arranged on both sides of the axis of symmetry at intervals of 19.75, 29, 40, 79.5, 99.75, 129 and 159.5 mm. As can easily be determined from the distances, the tools can only be fixed at positions that correspond to the AC configurations. Wrong positioning is not possible. Of course, additional openings can be arranged along the opening 51 in order to enable further configurations. The positioning of the tools can be further simplified by markings and / or different cross-sectional shapes of the pins. The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiment shown. The punching tools can be arranged and actuated differently, for example the tools can be driven individually and controlled synchronously by a central control. The tools can also be attached in a different way above the film web, e.g. B. on the top of a frame or on inclined rails.

In addition to those shown, a variety of other slide configurations are possible. In particular, containers can also be closed with a film lid, in which the opening to be closed is not essentially round. In this case, the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention create great flexibility in the arrangement of the film parts to be punched out on the film strip; the successive specimen slides, for example, do not all have to be of the same shape, the holding elements for the containers can have different transverse positions and / or different distances, or the specimen slides are arranged obliquely to the transport direction. Simultaneously closing differently shaped openings is also possible if the specimen slides have holding elements for different containers. A single slide can also have several parallel rows with holding elements for containers, which are processed one behind the other.

The device according to the invention can also be used for closing punched openings in prefabricated lids, for example made of tinplate or aluminum. In this case, a membrane that closes the opening is applied to the cover in such a way that the user can remove it by tearing it open, thereby opening up the opening. The lids processed in this way are applied to corresponding cans made of tinplate or aluminum.

In summary, it can be stated that the invention provides a device for applying film parts from a film strip to objects, which enables quick and easy adaptation to different shapes and / or sizes of the film parts, good utilization of the film material and high productivity.

Claims

claims

1. Device for applying film parts from a film strip (30) to objects (71 ... 76), comprising a) a device for feeding the film strip (30) along a first direction (31); b) a transport system for the step-by-step transport of the objects (71 ... 76) along at least a first path and a second path, the paths being parallel to one another and running in a second direction (41) which is one with respect to the first direction (31) Includes angle (α); c) at least two tools (10, 20) for producing the film parts from the film strip (30) and for applying the film parts to a first object (71) on the first web and to a second object (72) on the second web; characterized in that d) the angle (α) between the first direction (31) and the second direction (41) is fixed; e) that the transport system has interchangeable specimen slides (81 ... 84) which extend over the at least two parallel tracks and determine the number of parallel tracks and distances between the tracks; and f) that the tools (10, 20) are interchangeable and their transverse distances can be changed.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed predetermined angle (α) between the first direction (31) and the second direction (41) is 30-60 °, preferably 45-55 °.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device for feeding the film strip is designed such that film strips (30) of different widths can be processed.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the specimen slides (81 ... 84) extend transversely to the second direction.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by a cross member (50) on which the tools (10, 20) can be fastened at different transverse positions.

6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the cross member (50) has differently designed receptacles (51, 52) at the different transverse positions, so that each of the tools (10, 20) can only be received in certain of the transverse positions.

7. The device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that for fastening the tools (10, 20) on the cross member (50) a plurality of groups of pins and / or recesses (52) are arranged and that the tools (10, 20) several Have recesses and / or pins (15a, 15b) which can interact with at least one of the groups of pins and / or recesses (52).

8. Tool (10, 20) for producing a film part from a film strip (30), in particular by punching, and for applying the film part to an object (71 ... 76), for a device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is changeable in its transverse position attachable to the device.

9. Tool according to claim 8, characterized in that it has a plurality of recesses and / or pins (15a, 15b) for attachment to the device, which with a group of pins and / or recesses (52) arranged on the device can cooperate.

10. slide (81 ... 84) for a device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it can accommodate at least two objects (71 ... 76), in particular cup-like containers, and that it can be replaced on the device can be attached.

1 1. Method for applying film parts from a film strip (30) to objects (71 ... 76), wherein a) the film strip (30) is fed along a first direction (31); b) the objects (71 ... 76) are transported step by step at least along a first path and a second path, the paths being parallel to one another and running in a second direction (41), which is a fixed predetermined direction to the first direction (31) Includes angle (α); c) the film parts are produced from the film strip (30) and are applied to a first object (71) on the first web and to a second object (72) on the second web; d) the objects (71 ... 76) being held in interchangeable object carriers (81 ... 84) which extend over the at least two parallel tracks and determine the number of parallel tracks and the distances between the tracks.