WO2007147566A1

WO2007147566A1 - Device for treating flexible tubular structures having at least one opening

Info

Publication number: WO2007147566A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/005399
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Matheyka
Original assignee: Khs Ag
Priority date: 2006-06-23
Filing date: 2007-06-20
Publication date: 2007-12-27
Also published as: MX2008016435A; JP2009541149A; BRPI0712288A2; US20090158694A1; RU2009102072A; DE102006028796A1; CN101506048A; EP2035283A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for treating flexible tubular structures having at least one opening, especially bags (1). Said device comprises at least one gripper (3, 4) holding the structure by its opening, at least one guide gripper (3) and a sequential gripper (4). The invention is characterized in that the guide gripper (3) and the sequential gripper (4) are connected to different guide trains (5, 6) that can be displaced towards each other.

Description

Device for the treatment of flexible hose-like structures with at least one opening

The invention relates to a device for the treatment of flexible, hose-like structures with regularly at least one opening, in particular of bags, with at least one respective structure preferably holding at its opening gripper pair with at least one guide gripper and a follower gripper.

Such a device is described, for example, in US Pat. No. 5,862,653. Comparable is the EP 0 765 807 before. Such machines are used, for example, to transfer bags to a processing station where these bags are filled with mostly liquid or dry products.

For this purpose, the respective bags can be made of flat Hüllstoffbahnen, which are separated from a roll coming through a separating cut. The closure of the individual bags at the opposite end of the opening is defined by, for example, thermal sealing, by ultrasound or by gluing and comparable processes.

Of course, the device in question is also suitable for the treatment of already prefabricated bags or similar flexible hose-like structures. It is always important to supply the structures or bags in question to a subsequent processing. This not only includes the already described filling, but also, for example, the application of spouts, adapters and valves. Furthermore, the bags can also be contoured and equipped with labels, hangers, tabs etc. Finally, the subsequent processing steps or the treatment of the bags also include process operations such as inert gas sparging, sterilization or dust extraction.

In the prior art known in the art horizontal flat bag or seal bag machines are described, which work with an internal double-rod gripper system, which holds the stationary stable position of the respective bag for processing. To this inner double-rod gripper system is added an outer double-rod gripper system which is driven and grips the respective bag by a forward and backward movement. Following this, the bag is transported and released, with the interaction of the two double-bar gripper systems providing for the forward movement of the respective bags. The prior art therefore relies on a particularly complex solution, since a large number of components are required. In addition, the grippers are difficult and replace by tedious assembly operations for retrofitting the device on bags with a changed outer contour and / or deviating outer dimensions.

In addition, in the described double-rod gripper systems, the individual bags must be repeatedly released and seized again. This can cause the filled products to spill out, especially when processing liquid products and filled bags. As a result, there is a risk that the gripper will no longer fix the bag properly, so that it falls down by its weight.

But not only in liquid products problems arise in the filling of such bags, but also in dry products, such as powder. This must generally be held responsible for the flexibility of the tubular bag, which leads to inaccuracies in the gripping process and causes the respective bag to fall down.

For small bags with little tolerance or larger bags with small filling openings, the procedure described with the two double-rod gripper systems can even cause the bags are no longer placed with their bag centers in the correct position to the associated filling nozzles. This results in errors in the dosage, because the filling nozzles miss the middle of the bag and so dose next to the respective bag.

In addition, devices for the treatment of flexible hose-like structures with at least one opening are known from practice, which rely on a carousel equipped with grippers. On a relatively small diameter, a plurality of pairs of grippers are available, which hold and process the bags at the outer two vertical ends. Naturally, as the radius of such machines increases, the circular velocity also increases, which leads to very high centrifugal forces, so that the known machines are limited in their transport speed. Incidentally, the usually small diameter of the respective carousel permits only one metering with a maximum of two different metering devices or filling nozzles. In practice, however, increasingly more than two dosages are required and consequently a large number of metering devices or filling nozzles is necessary. For example, instant soups in the bag require at least three, if not four, or more dosing devices that load noodles, dried vegetables, croutons and the actual soup powder into the respective bag for making the ready-made soup. It can only be ensured by the individual dosages described a consistent quality with the desired proportions of the respective components. This assumes that in the example at least four metering devices are mounted on or above the device in question for the treatment of the flexible hose-like structure with at least one opening, which is not possible in the previous devices with the carousel equipped with grippers. Here, the invention aims to provide a total remedy.

The invention is based on the technical problem of developing such a device for the treatment of flexible, hose-like structures with at least one opening, in particular of bags, so that a simple and rapid retrofitting of the gripper pairs succeeds and, in principle, sufficient space for attaching associated metering devices Available.

To solve this technical problem, a generic device in the invention is characterized in that the guide gripper and the follower gripper are connected to different and relatively movable guide strands.

According to the invention, the guide gripper is that gripper of the gripper pair which, during transport of the respective structure, leads the gripper pair, while the following gripper follows the guide gripper and accordingly closes the gripper pair in the transport direction or running direction of the gripper. The grippers can hold the respective structure or the bag in any conceivable manner, for example, in which the grippers move into the opening and then rest on the bag walls in a frictional connection by widening the opening. Of course, it is also within the scope of the invention, when the gripper with staples, by suction, etc. seize the respective bag or the structure, and usually the guide gripper in the transport or running front front vertical end of each bag and the follower gripper the associated rear vertical end. It is also within the scope of the present invention, if the bags are not used differently from the illustrated embodiment at its mouth area, but at its side edges.

In detail, the two guide strands, which are movable relative to one another, may each be driven by a motor and separated from one another, wherein a respective different drive for the associated guide strand is preferred in order to ensure the described relative movement of the guide strands against each other. By this relative movement to one another, the invention ensures that very different sized bags can be processed with correspondingly variable openings or filling openings and contours. For this purpose, when changing from one type of bag to the other bag type according to the invention, it is only necessary to act on the guide strands so that the guide gripper and the following gripper are moved by the same amount, namely the guide gripper in the transport direction and the following gripper against the transport direction. By virtue of this procedure and provided that the respective bags are mirror-symmetrical to a plane running through the center of the bag, it is ensured that the center of the bag and consequently the mirror plane in question remain unchanged in this process. In this way, the invention ensures that with regard to the respective center of the bag placed metering devices unchanged in the middle of the bag, even in bags with changed dimensions.

In general, the two guide strands are each in the form of an endless loop and are operated as such. Of course, two independently drivable endless loops are realized in the core, because the two guide strands have a separate design. The guide strands themselves can each have one or more transport means such as belts, chains, etc., to which the guide grippers or follower grippers are connected separately and separately. That is, the guide gripper are each connected to a leadership strand, the leadership gripper strand. The follower grippers are also connected to a guide strand together, the follower gripper line. As already explained, both the guide gripper line and the follower gripper line have their own motor drive and own means of transport.

Both guide strands or gripper strands or their motors are connected to a common control system, which is responsible for the described relative movement of the gripper to each other. One of the two guide lines or gripper strands defined trajectory is linear at least on a portion of predetermined length. This subsection of predetermined length takes into account the requirements to dose different products or components in the structure or the bag or have to. Depending on the number of usually one behind the other (linear) and arranged in series metering devices, the length of the linear section is specified.

Overall, the trajectory of the two guide strands or gripper strands describes a long circular path. In this case, the two grippers are regularly arranged in comparison to the path formed by the guide strands respectively gripper strands on a common side, the processing side. A front and a rear deflector for the gripper or the individual gripper pairs ensures that they are held in the concentricity on the long circular path.

As already stated, the distance of the two grippers to each other generally corresponds to the width of the bag to be processed or the width of its opening or filling opening. Once a pair of grippers has fixed the bag to be processed, this is only released again when it is finished, for example, has the required filling, provided with a label and, where appropriate, was subjected to a dust extraction. It is understood that the distance in question is stored in the already mentioned control system and can be retrieved during processing of the bag in question. Likewise, other processing distances for the respective gripper are stored in the control system.

For example, as soon as a bag change is made, this corresponds to a different processing distance of the gripper with each other or from gripper pair to gripper pair, which is queried in the control system. At the same time, the control system ensures that the two grippers of each pair of grippers are driven apart in a reproducible manner, whereby it is additionally ensured that the respective bag centers do not undergo any change when the bags are changed. This ensures that the bags are always supplied with their bag center, for example, the respective metering device reproducible and fixed position of the bag center. In this way, retrofitting in a bag change virtually by pressing a button, by the belonging to the new bag processing intervals are queried in the control system and at the same time provides the control system for the required relative movement of the gripper of each gripper pair. Further, it is advantageous if the two guide strands respectively gripper strands are arranged one above the other in side view. Because this allows the two grippers advantageously attach each to holding plates, from which they extend. The holding plates in turn are connected to the guide strands or gripper strands arranged one above the other in side view.

As already described, the guide strands or gripper strands and with you the guide gripper and the follower gripper of each pair of grippers can be moved relative to each other, and advantageous motor, on the one hand the motor of the guide gripper bar and on the other hand that of the follower gripper bar a corresponding and by the control system depending on the bag learn given admission. Of course, it is also possible and is within the scope of the invention to manually adjust the guide strands or the gripper strands, so as to achieve an adaptation to a bag change. Both the manual and the motorized displacement of the gripper or guide strands to each other makes it possible not only to vary the distance between the grippers of each gripper pair to each other. But it can also be a total change in the distance of the gripper pairs from each other a desired change. This distance of the gripper pairs from each other is also referred to as gripper pairing. Incidentally, the motor and the manual displacement can of course be combined.

With the ability to adjust the gripper pair division, the invention takes into account requirements, according to which, for example, a larger bag can only be filled with two instead of four previously dosing and must. In such a case one will usually work with a larger gripper pair pitch than before and possibly increase the speed of the guide strands or gripper strands at the same time. Of course, a reverse procedure is conceivable.

Characterized in that the grippers are advantageously releasably connected to the guide strands or enter into a releasable connection with their associated holding plates, the device according to the invention can be easily converted to other grippers. This again increases the flexibility and improves the device described for almost universal applications. Incidentally, there is the option of subdividing both the management looper row and the follower lover tier individually or both into segments, which are combined into modules. This translates into transitional stations of, for example, a leader's looper ahead of the leader and also a synchronization of the movement. This can be done with the common control system.

As a result, a device for the treatment of flexible hose-like structures with at least one opening, in particular of bags, is made available, which has a flexibility which has hitherto been absent. In fact, very different bags or structures can be processed with still varying openings or filling openings, without the need for mechanical intervention. Rather, for example, the conversion in a bag change as it were automatically by retrieval of the associated processing program in the control system. Finally, the grippers can be easily exchanged, so that different gripping applications are easily taken into account. Here are the main benefits.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only one exemplary embodiment; show it:

Fig. 1 shows the device according to the invention fragmentary in perspective

View,

Fig. 2 is a side view of the device, partially in detail and

Fig. 3 is a side view at a bag change.

In the figures, a device is shown, which is suitable for the treatment of flexible tubular structures with at least one opening, in the context of the embodiment and not limiting for the treatment of bags 1. By processing the bag 1 is meant by way of example its filling by means of metering devices 2. Alternatively or additionally, this could also include the attachment of labels, an imprint, contouring, the application or attachment of spouts, adapters, valves, etc.

For the basic structure of the illustrated device includes at least one gripper pair 3, 4, which has a guide gripper 3 and a follower gripper 4. It can be seen that a plurality of guide grippers 3 and follower grippers 4 are realized in the exemplary embodiment. Each bag 1 is fixed and transported by means of the associated gripper pair 3, 4. For this purpose, the gripper pair 3, 4 holds the bag 1 in question at its opening or filling opening. Of particular importance for the invention is the fact that the or the guide gripper 3 and the respective follower gripper 4 are connected to different and relatively movable guide strands or gripper strands 5, 6. In fact, all of the guide grippers 3 enter into a connection with a guide gripper rope 5, while the following grippers 4 are in turn exceptionally connected to a follower gripper strand 6 of the two guide strands or gripper strands 5, 6.

It can be seen that the respective guide grippers 3 assume a leading position in the transport direction or movement direction R of the respective gripper pairs 3, 4, while the follower grippers 4 follow - nomen est omen. So that the two guide strands 5, 6 are mutually movable or displaceable, the guide strands 5, 6 have only indicated different motor drives 7, 8, which can be acted upon separately from each other. It is of course within the scope of the invention to work with only one drive, as long as this allows the separate admission of on the one hand the guide looper strand 5 and on the other hand, the following looper strand 6.

The motor drive 7 is a guide gripper strand drive 7, which operates on the guide gripper track 5, while the motor drive 8 is designed as a follower gripper track drive 8 and acts on the follower gripper track 6. Both the guide gripper line drive 7 and the follower gripper line drive 8 are designed as electronic servomotors within the scope of the exemplary embodiment and are not restrictive and are connected to a common control system 9.

Both guide strands 5, 6 are each in the form of an endless loop, formed in the embodiment in the form of an elongated circular path. The trajectory defined in this way by the two guide tracks or gripper strands 5, 6 and traversed in the direction of movement R runs linearly at least over a section T of predetermined length L. In fact, this subsection T of predetermined length L takes account of the number of metering devices 2 in the example case, which are each arranged in a stationary manner.

In order for the metering devices 2 or associated processing points to ensure proper filling of the bags 1, it must be ensured that respective bag centers or bag center planes M are placed exactly below or above the metering devices 2 arranged along the movement path in their concentricity. Because only then can a flawless processing or filling the bag 1 done in the example, even if different sizes, varying design, at least divergent bags 1 should receive a treatment.

It can be seen that the two guide strands or gripper strands 5, 6 are arranged or extend one above the other in side view and define the movement path in question. In this case, the two guide strands 5, 6 each include one or more transport means not explicitly shown, such as belts, chains, etc., which in principle can also be combined. The guide grippers 3 and the follower grippers 4 are connected to the transport means in question separately and separately from one another, namely the guide grippers 3 to the transport means of the guide gripper bar 5 and the follower grippers 4 to the respective transport means of the follower gripper bar 6.

With the help of the control system 9 not only the two grippers 3, 4 can now be changed in their distance A to each other, for example, by the guide rapier drive 7 acts on the guide gripper strand 5, while the follower gripper strand 6 rests. But it is also possible to vary a distance B of the gripper pairs 3, 4 from each other. This distance B of the gripper pairs 3, 4 from each other is also referred to as gripper pairing. Depending on the size of the bag 1 to be processed in the example case and the number of required components and thus the metering devices 2 for its filling can now with the help of the control unit 9 by acting on the one hand of the Führungsgreiferstranganes 7 and on the other hand of the follower gripper 8 both the distance A of the gripper 3, 4 to each other and the distance B of the gripper pairs 3, 4 from each other or the gripper pair division can be varied.

If, in this context, the bags 1 each have a mirror-symmetrical configuration compared to a mirror plane passing through the respective bag center M (which is practically always the case), the control system 9 ensures in this context, for example, that the respective guide grippers 3 By a certain amount C in the transport direction R are adjusted and the respective follower gripper 4 by the same amount C against the transport direction R. By this symmetrical adjustment to the same amount C is achieved that the bag center M even when changing a bag unchanged their position maintains, as the illustration in Fig. 3 makes clear for different bags 1 and in a bag change. In this way, it is possible to change the bag as it were by pressing a button by interrogating in the control system 9 associated processing distances A and / or B for the respective bag 1 and leading to the corresponding loading of the motors or drives 7, 8. In principle, the gripper pair division can also be changed by inserting corresponding spacers 10, as indicated in FIG. 2. That is, the distances A and / or B can be changed both motor and manually. As a result, differently shaped bags 1 are taken into account during a bag change and at the same time ensured that the respective bag centers M maintain their unchanged position in comparison to the guide strands 5, 6 and consequently also to the metering devices 2.

In detail, the grippers 3, 4 are respectively connected to holding plates 1 1, 12, which is best seen in FIG. The guide holding plates 11 accommodating the respective guide grippers 3 are logically connected to the guide gripper bar 5. In contrast, the follower plates 12 enter into a connection with the follower gripper strand 6. This can be done in detail by screwing, riveting, etc. The grippers 3, 4 themselves are detachably connected to the respective guide strands or gripper strands 5, 6 or their associated holding plates 1 1, 12 connected, in the example case hanging.

Finally, it can still be seen in a comparative examination of FIGS. 1 to 3 that the two grippers 3, 4 are each arranged on a common side, the processing side 13, in comparison to the movement path formed by the guide strands or gripper strands 5, 6. In this way, the metering devices 2 can be linearly arranged in series one behind the other above the movement path on this processing side 13 are placed and the guide strands 5, 6 largely protected from any contamination in the dosage. At the same time, the linear course of the movement path in the relevant subsection T of this arrangement takes into account. In fact, namely, the metering devices 2 and the guide strands 5, 6 at least in this section T rectified and parallel to each other.

Finally, it is indicated in FIG. 2 that the two guide strands or gripper strands 5, 6 can be modularly constructed with associated frames, and consequently can be assembled from different modules. This makes it possible to adapt the described device of its length and design to very different requirements. This also includes the option of providing a further third strand (not shown) above or below the two guide strands or gripper strands 5, 6. This third Guide strand or rapier strand may be equipped with multiple pairs of double grippers, so that two bags 1 can be processed simultaneously. Of course, it is alternatively or additionally within the scope of the invention, in addition to the two guide strands 5, 6 more guide strands above and / or below with associated grippers 3, 4 to place.

Claims

claims:

1. Apparatus for treating flexible hose-like structures, in particular of bags (1), with at least one gripper pair (3, 4) holding the structure with at least one guide gripper (3) and a following gripper (4), characterized in that the guide gripper (3 ) and the follower gripper (4) are connected to different and relatively movable guide strands (5, 6).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the two guide strands (5, 6) are each driven by a motor separated from each other.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two guide strands (5, 6) are each formed in the form of an endless loop.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the two guide strands (5, 6) are arranged in side view at least partially above one another.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the two guide strands (5, 6) each have one or more transport means such as belts, chains, etc., to which separately and separately in each case a plurality of guide gripper (3) or follower gripper (4) are connected.

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that one of the two guide strands (5, 6) defined path of movement at least on a partial section (T) of predetermined length (L) is linear.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the guide strands (5, 6) are designed to be displaceable against each other manually or by motor, so as to a distance (A) of the gripper (3, 4) to each other and / or a distance (B) of the gripper pairs (3, 4) to vary from each other.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the grippers (3, 4) are releasably connected to the guide strands (5, 6).

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the two grippers (3, 4) in each case by holding plates (11, 12) extend, which in turn are connected to the guide strands (5, 6).

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the two grippers (3, 4) in comparison to the guide tracks (5, 6) formed path of movement on a common processing side (13) are arranged.