WO2014187543A1

WO2014187543A1 - Device and method for producing packaging units

Info

Publication number: WO2014187543A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/001320
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Lelie; Josef Düpper
Original assignee: Khs Gmbh
Priority date: 2013-05-21
Filing date: 2014-05-15
Publication date: 2014-11-27
Also published as: DE102013105175A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for producing packages, wherein, from a wide container stream, containers (13) are transformed into a plurality of one-lane container streams by a process of path division, and comprising at least one dividing and/or compressing unit for dividing and compressing a predefined number of containers, wherein compressed or aligned container groups and/or partial packages are formed and afterwards respectively combined into a subsequent package, wherein a first transporter (2) and a succeeding second transporter (4) with a different, preferably higher speed relative to the first transporter (2), are provided, wherein a stationary transport plane (10) is arranged as a transfer plate (3) between the two transporters (2, 4). A linear transporter (5) is provided that separates the containers (13), which are conveyed onto the transfer plate (3), from the remaining containers (13) by means of engagement elements (11), which protrude into the transport plane (18) from below, such that the partial package or the package is formed, wherein the partial package or the package can be accelerated along the transfer plate (3) to the speed of the second transporter (4) by means of the linear transporter (5). The invention further relates to a method for producing the packages.

Description

Apparatus and method for forming packaging units

The invention relates to an apparatus and to a method for producing containers according to claims 1 and 9, wherein from a wide container flow by means of gas distribution containers are converted into a plurality of single-lane container streams, and with at least one compartment and / or compressor unit for dividing and compacting a predetermined number of containers, compacted or formed container groups or sub-containers are formed and subsequently each combined into a later container, wherein a first conveyor and a subsequent second conveyor with a relative to the first conveyor other, preferably higher Speed is provided, wherein a stationary transport plane is arranged as a transfer plate between two transporters.

A dead plate or transfer plate is in the context of the invention, such a transport element on which the containers stand up, and are transported further drive-free, the transport succeeds only by the casserole, which is generated by the first conveyor. The containers passing from the conveyor onto the transfer plate press continuously against the containers already located on the transfer plate and press them so that they slide on the transfer plate in the direction of the second conveyor.

[0003] Containers within the meaning of the invention are, for example, bottles, cans, bags, pouches, each made of metal, glass and / or plastic, for example PET bottles, but also other packaging materials, in particular those for filling liquid or viscous products bare are also suitable for food, but also already to groups (multiple pack, container) combined containers.

In detail, the production of the container is carried out, for example, in a so-called packaging machine in such a way that the container on a transport plane of a conveyor rising and oriented with its container axis in the vertical direction or substantially vertical direction in a mass transport or in a wide Be supplied container flow in which the containers can have an arbitrary orientation with respect to distinctive containers and / or equipment features. This wide container flow is then through lane division in converted several single-lane container streams. In further process steps, the compartments of the later containers or their container groups forming the single-track container streams, the merging of the necessary number of containers in each case to a compacted container group, in which the container with multiple shell or peripheral surfaces, ie with the contact Or contact surfaces abut against each other, and that connecting the container of each group of containers to the compact and solid or stable container.

[0005] In this case, the individual containers can be aligned with distinctive design features, so that the respective containers have containers oriented in accordance with the respective requirements. It is possible to connect the individual container of the container with each other, for example, a wrap is conceivable, for example, with a tether or other comprehensive element. Such a comprehensive element may be, for example, a carton blank or a foil section, which is placed around the relevant container and fastened accordingly. The cardboard ends can be glued together. The initially applied films can be shrunk in a shrink tunnel. It is also conceivable that the containers get a stabilizing base, which is designed as a cardboard blank, for example, on which the containers stand up. Such a substructure makes sense if the subsequent container is to be formed, for example, from several layers of sub-packages. It can be attacked on the base, so that one sub-package is set to the other. Subsequently, a comprehensive element can be provided to include the stacked containers. As such, the carton blanks are preferably removed from a magazine in the unfolded state and can be folded before or after being fed to the subsequent bundle, with a correspondingly executed folding station being used. To form the film sections, a film roll is unrolled to form a film web, the relevant film sections being cut off from the film web. For this purpose, a film cutting station can be usefully used, so that the respective film section has the required dimensions of the respective package to be packaged. In a further embodiment, a spacer element can be arranged between the containers of the subsequent container, which is designed, for example, as a web or, for example, as a compartment. This compartment is usually formed from a carton, and is unfolded prior to insertion into the subsequent container, wherein a spacer element inserter, which can be exemplified as a bridge inserter or compartment inserter, is used. Is the container formed and has optionally left the shrink tunnel, a Packrouter can be provided to reorient the container.

It is known to group together or form a plurality of articles each into an article group and to manufacture from the article groups using shrink films (for example US Pat. No. 7,726,464 A1) solid or transportable storage and transport units or containers. The disadvantage here is, inter alia, that the films used in this case and in particular the shrinking of the films caused by heat or energy input not inconsiderable costs.

It has also been proposed to produce transportable containers in that the container formed in each case into a container group is packed by strapping around the container group in a loop-like manner (DE 10 2009 025 824 A1, DE 10 2009 044 271 A1, DE 41 26 212 A1) ie be connected to a container, which is a particularly cost-effective and easy way to produce containers or transport and storage units. The strapping can also be glued to the containers. A disadvantage of the strapping, however, is that the first removal of a container from such a container, the remaining container in the container are no longer held together by the Umrei-. This applies not only when the strapping is separated or cut, but also when it is possible to remove a container from the container without severing the strapping.

Furthermore, when transporting such containers on a belt conveyor, there is always the risk that cylindrical or largely cylindrical articles, such as cans, bottles or containers, assume a nesting position due to vibration, impact, etc., ie slip into the gap of the adjacent row , In order to prevent this, a very high tension must be applied to the strapping in known containers.

DE 10 2006 037 105 A1, on the other hand, deals with a method for assembling bottle packs, in which a rotary star is provided on both sides of a web, which presses bottle necks in brackets on flat carriers. The bottle package is still covered with a band or wrapping (foil). According to DE 23 31 193, an adhesive is applied to containers in narrow areas or rows, each adjacent surfaces, which are not provided with adhesive, to allow gripping the package for the purpose of carrying. At the splice the containers stick together. EP 2 096 039 A1 also discloses to provide containers with an adhesive, but in addition also a shrink film is arranged around the bottle package.

From EP 2 500 296 A1 is an apparatus and a method for grouping piece goods along a conveyor line. By means of one-piece elements engaging in the flow, gaps between successive piece goods are formed. The one-piece elements are individually controllable in their feed movement and / or speed because of the gearless direct drives used along the movement path. The one-piece elements emerge from below the movement path, divert a number of containers from the container flow, initially stop the container flow so that a gap is created with the separated containers. The dividing elements then accelerate and submerge again below the level of the movement path. In this respect, EP 2 500 296 A1 actually only combines the one-part technology known before its registration or priority date with one-piece fingers which are arranged on revolving beams with a drive system which is formed by gearless direct drives.

DE 10 20 1 081 705 A1 also deals with a method and a device for grouping containers. In this case, the device has two conveyors at different speeds. The second conveyor is faster than the first conveyor. Thus, the containers reaching the second conveyor are moved faster than the containers on the second conveyor. This creates a gap between the containers on the second conveyor. By means of a sliding or retaining device, the containers are accelerated on the second conveyor, delayed and / or shifted from each other, so that the original gap is changed. In doing so, e.g. the lagging container is pushed onto the leading container. The corresponding acceleration is achieved by means of linear motor drives, with the individual elements of the sliding or retaining device being individually controllable.

A disadvantage of the known procedure and devices is that the speed difference between the dead plate and the second conveying element ment, so the feed dog is so large that sluggishness due to slippage can occur when the container from the slow, so pass from the dead plate on the fast, second conveyor element. Thus, the desired and required pitch, so the desired and required distance between the leading and lagging containers on the second conveyor element, so transporter not necessarily be complied with. It is also possible that a container can tip over due to the suddenly great relative speed, so that the entire container flow is permanently disturbed so that the entire system with upstream and downstream units must be shut down until the fault is eliminated.

The object of the invention is to provide a device and a method for producing containers of the type mentioned, in which despite the different speed of the container along the second conveyor to the containers along the dead plate trouble-free operation is possible, the each desired distance between leading and lagging container with simple means can always be ensured.

In order to achieve this object, an apparatus for producing containers according to claim 1 is provided. However, the solution of the problem is also possible with a method having the features of claim 9.

Further developments, advantages and possible applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments. In this case, all the features described in principle or in any combination are fundamentally the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their dependency. Also, the content of the claims is made an integral part of the description. According to the invention, a linear transporter is provided, which has engaging elements which engage from below a transport plane of the transfer sheet in this, wherein the respective engaging element separates the container from the remaining containers, so that the partial container or the container is formed, wherein the linear transporter Partial container or the container accelerates along the transfer sheet to the speed of the second conveyor by means of the engagement elements. With the invention it is achieved that the containers are separated from the container stream. In this respect, the grouping is summarized in a sub-aggregate, namely in the area of the linear transporter. In this case, the solution according to the invention causes the otherwise usual Rückstaubelastung the nachrückenden- container in their lanes of restrained devices no longer detrimental acts, since the linear transporter transported away the container to be separated from the container pulp. The engaging elements hold against the back pressure of the incoming container against. It is expedient if the containers are gently accelerated, which means that the transport speed of an amount of zero in a transfer area is greater than a final amount in a transfer area does not increase but steadily increases. In the transition area, the partial containers or containers thus exhibit the speed of the second conveyor, so that slippage due to inertia is meaningless. Also, a tipping over due to the lack of speed difference is no longer to be feared, since the container, so the container already have the speed of the second transporter. In this case, the linear transporter can cover at least one initial region of the second transporter, whereby this region can also be referred to as a transfer region. In the transfer area, the container has already reached the speed of the second conveyor, which of course low speed differences may be possible.

The linear transporter has a closed trajectory on which individual movement elements are arranged, which rotate. The movement elements are individually controllable, so that each movement element can have a respective speed. At a round of the trajectory, the speed of the motion elements located there is expediently unequal to each other, although all the motion elements along the Hintrumms at the same place the Hintrumms have the same speed. Along the turn, the part containers or containers are accelerated to the speed of the second conveyor. Along the return rumble the movement elements can again have a different speed. This is advantageous in that a very small number of movement elements can be provided, since the movement elements moving along the return strand overtake the movement elements which move along the rear edge. Of course, the trajectory can not be a lock for discharging have required or to be checked movement elements. Of course, the lock can also be used for sluicing.

The linear transporter is embodied in the manner of an electromagnetic track, with the movement elements being geared directly to the gearbox without gearshift, with the respectively desired speed of the respective movement element being individually controllable. For this purpose, an interface of the movement path can be connected to a control unit. The linear transporter can therefore be an electromagnetic direct drive.

Appropriately, the movement elements carry the engaging elements. The means of intervention appear in the transfer area from a level below the transport level, as already mentioned. The engaging elements may be designed, for example, as a compartment pin or as a finger element, which emerge from below the transport plane, and create a supportive in each case a container of the container, preferably on a foot region of the respective container. It may be provided in a preferred embodiment that each attack two compartment bolts on a container. The compartment bolts are preferably dimensioned such that they have a support function in addition to a guide function. It can be provided for each container of the container engaging elements. It is also possible that only one row of containers of the container are assigned engaging elements. This is possible if the engagement elements act on a rear side of the containers arranged in the transport direction, so that the containers are quasi accelerated from the rear to the speed of the second conveyor. It is conceivable if each possible container alley compartment pins are assigned, each container alley is also associated with a trajectory. Cost-effective, if each possible container alley compartment pins are assigned, but at least one, preferably a maximum of two trajectories are provided. The provided on each possible container alley finger elements are connected by special measures with the relevant movement elements, with an individual appearance of below the transport plane is adjustable. These measures take into account the fact that not all of the possible container lanes are also active, which is due to the particular container to be produced. Thus, a container of two rows can be formed, each with three containers. In this respect, only three Behältergassen are active. But it is also possible Containers with three, four, five or more rows of two, three, four, five or more bins. The device for creating the container is individually designed to create the respective desired container, wherein minimal changeover work is required to actively leave the individual container lanes or disable. In this respect, it is particularly favorable that the relevant engaging elements are also left active or deactivated. The deactive engaging elements can circulate, for example, with the movement elements, but an emergence of below the transport plane can be prevented. For example, the engagement elements can emerge due to the force of the spring, and can be controlled such that the energy store of the deactive engagement element leaves the same in its rest position. Also possible are corresponding guideways, which cause a rise and fall of the engaging element along the Hintrumms, and which optionally prevent in conjunction with the also controllable energy storage emergence in the field of an inactive container alley. For example, a bolt can also be mechanically controlled, eg cam-controlled, whereby the mechanical control can of course be canceled if the relevant container alley is deactivated. The trajectories can each be arranged laterally of the device for creating the container, wherein a single trajectory on only one side may be sufficient. It is also conceivable, however, to provide one movement path on each side. If the engagement elements dive from below the transport plane, it makes sense if the return run of the trajectory is arranged below the run-out.

Curved areas are preferably executed between the rearward and the rearward trumpet. The trajectory is individually created in their course, which means that the trajectory can be adapted not only in their course to the requirements of the device for creating the container.

In the inventive embodiment, the transfer sheet is arranged between the first conveyor and the second conveyor, which can also be referred to as a transfer sheet. The containers are fed to the transfer sheet in lanes, the containers being pushed onto the transfer sheet due to the advancing containers and sliding towards the second conveyor. For the purposes of the invention, the aim is to have the linear transporter having its take-over area in the region of the transfer sheet. Of course, the final speed of accelerated by means of the linear transporter container so sub-package or container also be slightly lower or even higher than the speed of the second conveyor, which of course generally applies.

If the engagement elements emerge from below the transport plane, it is useful in the context of the invention to provide corresponding slots for the Eingreiffinger along the transfer sheet so that they can emerge. If necessary, the slot can be closed by means of the engagement element itself, if the respective container alley is deactivated, reference being made in this regard to the previously mentioned reference, wherein a region of the engagement element, preferably its tip, can be designed to close the slot.

Of course, the transfer sheet may be provided instead of the first transporter. However, the containers are conveyed on carriers to the transfer plate, so that the transfer plate is arranged in the transport direction in a targeted manner in front of the second conveyor.

It is possible that along the movement path several movement elements, so arranged engaging elements engage in the container stream. Thus, it can be provided that in the transfer area a plurality of first engaging elements initially stop the backwater, with a last engagement element in the transport direction actively accelerates the container, ie the partial container or container at the end of the transfer region away from the container pulp. It is favorable that the first engagement elements in each case stop the backwater in the transfer area, since in this way the total back-pressure in the transfer area can be distributed among several engagement elements. Thus, the last intervention element in the takeover area is virtually free of backpressure. It is also possible that the first engagement elements in the transfer region also already bring about a certain acceleration, whereby the first engagement elements along the transport direction in the take-up area naturally reach the last position in the transfer region and bring about the required acceleration.

If the engaging elements reach the transfer area, they can also be guided under the transport level with the same measures for surfacing. In this case, the engagement means can be slowed down by means of the appropriately controllable movement elements in their speed, so as not to interfere with the container during the descent. In the transfer area, driver rods of the second transporter can effect a further transport. In this case, the separated containers along the second transporter can be brought together transversely to the direction. The second conveyor can therefore be regarded as a synchronization station. Another advantage of the invention can be seen in a stop of the system. At a stop of the system, the relevant movement elements whose engagement elements have already submerged along the Rücktrumms be moved until a waiting position is reached immediately after the last already stopped moving element.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of an embodiment. Show it:

1 shows a device for forming containers in a partial section,

Fig. 2 shows the device of Figure 1 in a second embodiment, and

Fig. 3 shows the device of Figures 1 and 2 in a fault of

Plant cutout.

In the different figures, the same parts are always provided with the same reference numerals, which is why they are usually described only once.

FIG. 1 shows a device for forming containers. The device is part of a packaging machine. The device 1 has a first conveyor 2, a dead plate 3, which may also be referred to as a transfer plate 3, and a second conveyor 4.

The device has a linear transporter 5, on which movement elements 6 rotate. For this purpose, the linear transporter 5 a Hintrumm 7, a Rücktrumm 8 and deflection 9 between the two Trummen 7, 8. At the linear transporter 5 umiaufene moving elements 6 are arranged. The movement elements 6 are individually controllable. At the moving elements 6 engaging elements 1 1 are arranged. The engaging elements 1 1 appear in a transfer area 12 from below a transport plane 10 in this. From the first conveyor 2, containers 13 are transported onto the transfer sheet 3. The emerging into the transport plane 12 engaging elements 1 1 take the back pressure of the aufförderten container 13 in the transfer area 12, wherein the engaging elements 1 1 seen in the transport direction 14, behind the relevant container 13 are arranged. Along the takeover area 12, the containers 13 can already be accelerated a bit.

It can be seen in Figure 1 that the engaging elements 1 to the containers 13 adjacent these move in the transport direction 14 so that a gap 15 between the containers 13 carried away and the containers 13 in the transfer area 12 is formed. This gap 15 corresponds to the pitch of the second conveyor 4 designed as a synchronizing station. The containers are accelerated to the speed of the second conveyor 4 by means of the engagement elements 11 held on the moving elements.

The linear transporter 5 has to the transfer area 12 still on a transfer area 16, which projects beyond the transfer sheet 3 in the transport direction 14. In the transfer region 16, the engaging elements 1 1 again submerge under the transport plane 10. At the second conveyor 4 driving rods 17 are arranged so that the containers 13 are transported along along the second conveyor.

Advantageously, it can be provided that the engagement elements 1 1, so the movement elements located there 6 are braked slightly in the transfer area 16 when the driver rod 17 rests against the container 13. Thus, interference can be prevented, which could be caused by abutting engagement elements, when the driving rods have already taken on the further transport along the second conveyor 4.

It is also apparent in Figure 1 that the engaging elements 1 1 are returned from above the transport plane 10 again under this. Along the way trumms 8, the engagement elements 11 are returned to the transfer area 12.

The linear transporter 5 is embodied by way of example as an electromagnetic direct drive, on which the movement elements 6 rotate individually controllable as movers or support carriages. For this purpose, an interface can be provided, which communicates with a central control unit. Thus, the respective movement elements 10 can have different speeds depending on the location along the return trench 7, and thus have a steady acceleration from the acceptance region 12 to the final speed in the acceptance region 16. Along the Rücktrumms 8, the moving elements 10 can then be moved much faster, so that a small number of moving elements 0 is sufficient. In the embodiment of Figure 1, a gap 15 is provided between each container 13, ie between each sub-container. In contrast, an embodiment is shown in Figure 2, in which two movement elements 6 are so controlled that two sub-packages are brought together. Of course, more than two sub-containers can be merged. Obvious is thus the individual control possibility of the respective movement element 6 along the linear transporter 5, so that with little effort different packaging tasks can be addressed.

Targeting in the invention is that the container 13, so sub-package seen in the transport direction 14 are pushed from behind, so that the engaging elements 1 1 actively effect the required acceleration from behind. The engaging elements 1 1 keep the back pressure of the incoming container 13 only in the transfer area 12, preferably only in a short section of the same against. A particular advantage is that, depending on the container or type of packaging several engagement elements (1 1) intervene at the same time, so that the dynamic pressure is applied not only to a container but is distributed over a number of containers. In a not shown, but particularly preferred alternative embodiment, the linear transporter 5 is arranged such that the engagement elements (1 1) can already emerge in the container flow in the area of the feeding conveyor (4) and there dynamic and, if necessary, the influence of the or cause the container (13), in particular accompany the overthrust of the container on the transport plate (3) or possibly cause alone.

The engaging elements 1 can also be referred to as compartment pins or engaging fingers.

FIG. 3 shows a possible accident. Here is another advantage of the invention clearly visible. The moving elements 6 in the transfer area 12 are stopped. Nevertheless, movement elements 6 can also be moved both along the rear run 7 and along the return run 8 until they reach a waiting position and directly adjoin the last movement element 6 which has already been stopped. If the device now starts again, the first movement element 6 is already in the required start position, whereby all other movement elements 6 are already in the waiting position near the takeover area 12.

Applies to all embodiments described above, that as above from means of Mitnehmerstäben (17) engaging in the container flow conveyor (4), could also be designed as endless circulating conveyor belt or with such an endless circulating conveyor belt on which the container or . Getting up groups of containers could work together.

Claims

claims

A device for producing containers, wherein one or more single-lane streams of individual containers (13) or groups of containers (13) comprising at least one compartment and / or compressor unit for dividing and compressing a predetermined number of containers, compacted or formed container groups Formed and subsequently each combined into a later container, wherein a first conveyor (2) and a subsequent second conveyor (4) with respect to the first conveyor (2) other, preferably higher speed is provided, wherein a stationary Transport plane (10) arranged as a transfer plate (3) between the two conveyors (2,4) is characterized by

a linear transporter (5) on which individually rotatable control and driven movement elements (6), wherein the movement elements (6) transversely to the guide rail of the linear transporter (5) movable engagement elements (11), and wherein by means of from below the transport plane (10 ) in these emerging engagement elements (11) on the transfer sheet (3) conveyed container (13) from the remaining containers (13) are separable, so that the partial container or the container is formed, wherein the partial container or the container by means of the linear conveyor (5) along the transfer sheet (3) on the speed of the second conveyor (4) can be accelerated.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the linear transporter (5) separates the container (13) in a transfer area (12) and has a transfer area (16), at which the container (13), ie sub-container or container the speed of the second transporter (4).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the linear transporter (5) with its transfer region (12) covers at least a starting region of the second transporter (4).

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the engagement elements (11) are designed as a compartment pin.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the engagement elements (11) in a transfer area (16) below the transport plane (10) are traceable.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the linear transporter (5) is designed as an electromagnetic direct drive, at the trajectory motion elements (6) rotate, wherein the engaging elements (1) with the moving elements (10) are in communication.

7. A method for the production of containers, in particular with a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein from a wide container flow by means of gas distribution container (13) are converted into a plurality of single-lane container streams, and with at least one compartment and / or compressor unit for dividing and compacting a predetermined number of containers (13), compacted or formed container groups or sub-containers and subsequently each combined into a later container, wherein a first conveyor (2) and a subsequent second conveyor (4) with respect to the first conveyor (2) is provided at a different, preferably higher speed, comprising at least the steps:

Introducing engaging elements (11) arranged on a linear transporter (5) into the container stream from below a transport plane (10) into them for dividing the partial containers or containers, and

Accelerating the part or container of a transfer area (12) of the linear transporter (5) to a transfer area (16), so that the sub-containers or containers have the speed of the second conveyor (4).

8. A method for the production of containers according to claim 7, characterized in that the transport direction located downstream movement element on the Transportuer (5) or its raised engagement element (11) at least a portion of a speed equal to or less than the Container (13) feeding conveyor (2).

9. A method for the production of containers according to claim 8, characterized in that in normal operation always two moving elements (6) or their raised engagement elements (11) at least a portion of a speed equal to or less than that of the container (13 ) feeding conveyor (2).