WO2014195391A1

WO2014195391A1 - Device and method for forming packaging units

Info

Publication number: WO2014195391A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/061657
Authority: WO
Inventors: Volker Zahn
Original assignee: Khs Gmbh
Priority date: 2013-06-07
Filing date: 2014-06-05
Publication date: 2014-12-11
Also published as: EP3003873A1; US20160122059A1; DE102013105923A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for shrinking films and/or film sections around products or groups of products, particularly bundles, said device comprising, as a shrink tunnel, at least one conveyor element on which the bundles can be conveyed in an upright position from an entry side to an exit side of the shrink tunnel, and said conveyor element comprising a forward run and a return run. It is suggested that the conveyor element comprises a linear transporter on which individually controllable displacement elements circulate that have at least one and ideally a plurality of tray or panel-type carrier elements. The invention also relates to a method for producing bundles, particularly using such a device. The device is preferably a component of a packaging machine.

Description

Apparatus and method for forming packaging units

The invention relates to a device for shrinking of films and / or film sections by products or product groups, in particular of containers, wherein the device as a shrink tunnel has at least one conveying element on which the container rising from an inlet side to an outlet side of the shrink tunnel can be promoted, wherein the conveying element has a rear and a return strand. However, the invention also relates to a method for producing containers, in particular with such a device, which is preferably designed as a shrink tunnel.

Container according to the invention, for example, bottles, cans, tubes, pouches, each made of metal, glass and / or plastic, so for example, PET bottles, but also other packaging, especially those for filling of liquid or viscous products but are also suitable for food, but also already in 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 stream is then converted by lane division into several single-lane container streams. In further process steps, the compartments of the single 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 several shell or peripheral surfaces, ie with the Contact or contact surfaces abut each other, and that connecting the container of each group of containers to the compact and solid or stable container. The individual containers can be aligned according to distinctive design features, so that the respective containers have depending on the particular needs oriented container. Possible is the individual containers of the Bundle to connect together, where, for example, a wrap is conceivable, for example with a tether or other comprehensive element. Such a comprehensive element, that is, a wrapping element can be, for example, a carton blank, a foil or a film section, which is placed around the relevant container and fastened accordingly. The cardboard ends can be glued together. In the shrink tunnel, which will be discussed in more detail, the initially applied films can be shrunk. 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. The carton blanks are preferably removed as such in the unfolded state from a magazine and can be folded before or after feeding to the subsequent container, with a correspondingly executed folding station is 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. If the container is formed and has optionally left the shrink tunnel, a packing router for reorienting the container can be provided. It is known to summarize several articles together in each case to form an article group or to form and from the article groups using shrink films (eg US 7,726,464 A1) to produce solid or transportable storage and transport units or containers. One disadvantage here is, inter alia, that the films used in this case and, in particular, shrinkage of the foils due to heat or energy input cause not insignificant costs. It has also been proposed to produce transportable containers in that each container formed into a group of containers 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, connected to each other to form 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, there is always the danger when transporting such containers on a supporting element 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 pushes bottle necks in brackets on flat carriers. The bottle package is still covered with a band or wrapping (foil).

[0009] According to DE 23 31 193, an adhesive is applied to containers in narrow areas or rows, wherein adjacent areas which are not provided with adhesive are intended to enable gripping of 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 a device 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 in their feed movement and / or speed individually controlled because of the gearless direct drives used along the trajectory. The one-piece elements emerge from below the movement path, divert a number of containers from the container stream, 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 combines only the one-piece technique known before its registration or priority date with one-piece fingers, which are arranged on revolving bars, with a drive system which is formed by gearless direct drives.

[001 1] DE 1 0 201 1 081 705 A1 likewise 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 this case, for example, 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. For shrinking the film section on the container concerned, this, as already mentioned above, promoted with the comprehensive film from an inlet side to an exit side through the shrink tunnel. The container stands on a conveyor element. The conveyor element is designed in the manner of a circulating chain conveyor, wherein a support element itself is designed, for example, as a hinge belt. The support element is guided on both sides on guide elements, and extends along at least through the shrink tunnel. In this case, a rear and a return strand is provided, wherein the support element is designed as an endless conveyor. The rear with its footprint forms the transport plane, with the conveyor leading out of the actual shrink tunnel at least on the exit side. Of course, at least along the rear, the support element, that is, for example, the hinge belt is supported on support elements, for which purpose, for example, rotatably mounted transverse rollers can be provided. In Shrinking the film section is shrunk on heat influence on the container. In addition there is a higher temperature in relation to the environment within the shrink tunnel. The temperature of the shrink tunnel has an amount which corresponds at least to the shrinkage temperature of the relevant Folienab- cut, the temperature must also be chosen so that the product contained in the containers is not damaged. On the front side, closure elements are provided both on the inlet side and on the outlet side, for example in the manner of lamella curtains or closing gates, which are intended to prevent temperature losses even in the event of malfunctions. In addition, the shrink tunnel is closed on the upper side and on the underside, so that further measures have been taken to avoid temperature losses. Because every temperature loss must be compensated by additional heat input, so by additional energy consumption. The shrink tunnel can be heated electrically or by gas. Innovative energy concepts are planned which can lead to considerable energy savings. The shrinking within the shrink tunnel is done in a known manner by means of tempered air flows in shrink tunnel zones. Within the shrink tunnel must always prevail temperatures such that a uniform shrinking of the film section can be done, the shrink tunnel is set up in several heating or tunneling zones possibly with their own heating means. This also applies to the contact area of the container on the relevant support element area. For example, in case of malfunctions in which there is no container in the shrink tunnel, there is a possibility that the heat escapes on the inlet and outlet side, since the slat curtains can not retain this sufficient. It is therefore proposed in DE 10 2010 020 957 A1 to control controllable shutters in the event of a fault, so that they completely close the inlet and outlet sides. Thus, escape of heat can be effectively prevented in case of malfunction. It can also be seen that the support element, ie the chain-chain-like conveying means, is heated along its conveying path through the shrink tunnel. In this respect, the support element in terms of energy is a disruptive element, since it absorbs a lot of heat energy, which would actually be necessary for the shrinking process. This heat loss must be compensated by additional heat input, which in turn uses a lot of energy, which is very disadvantageous in terms of finite, global energy reserves but also in terms of the expected costs. In addition, the support element on the outlet side but also on the inlet side projects beyond the actual shrink tunnel, whereby the conveying element, so his chainmail-like support element Thermal energy carries out at least on the outlet side, these losses must be compensated again. If the return run is guided inside the shrinking tunnel, such a loss will also occur on the inlet side, since the conveying means is warmed up along the return run, whereby a cooling takes place in the transport direction in front of the entry region. However, such cooling may also be expedient, since the foil located on the relevant support element section shrinks unevenly at the foot on the side of the container which is again resting thereon, which is not desired per se. The object of the invention is to improve a device and a method of the type mentioned by simple means, so that at least the aforementioned disadvantages in terms of energy losses, but also with regard to uneven appearance of the shrunk-film are largely eliminated.

To solve this problem, a shrink tunnel according to the patent claim 1 is provided. However, the object can also be achieved with a method having the features of claim 10. Further developments, advantages and possible applications of the invention are also evident 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.

With the invention, a device for shrinking of films and / or film sections by products or product groups, in particular of containers specified, wherein the device as a shrink tunnel has at least one conveying element on which the container rising from an inlet side to an outlet side of the shrink tunnel can be promoted, wherein the conveying element has a rear and a return strand. According to the invention, the conveying element comprises a linear transporter, on which movement elements individually controllably revolve, which have at least one, ideally a plurality of tray or plate-like support elements. It is useful if the support element has an adapted to a footprint of the container dimension. Targeting is also when the support element or the movement element has adjusting elements, so that the support element is individually adjustable in its dimension to the contact surface of the container. The adjusting elements may preferably be designed telescopically, and be adjusted continuously from a neutral position to a maximum and minimum position. Thus, the support element adapted to the footprint is preferably completely covered by the upright container, whereby, of course, in each case a small edge could survive. However, in terms of energy, this nevertheless has a positive effect, since only the relevant support element in its respective dimension and, if at all, only a small edge which projects beyond the container is warmed up.

In a further possible embodiment can be provided that the moving element with a separate support element, individually tangibly connected. For this purpose, arranged on the movement element gripping elements may be provided which engage the separate support member in a transfer station and move to the container to be transported. After passing through the support elements can be stored again in the transfer station. The gripping elements can be arranged transversely movable and / or longitudinally movable on the moving element. The gripping elements can be designed so that they also take over the function of the adjustment. The separate support element can of course be used in the adapted dimension. Targeting may also be if the movement elements are controllable so that by merging at least two support elements, a preferably adapted to the footprint total support member is formed. Of course, more than two support elements can be merged so.

In a preferred embodiment, the linear transporter is designed as an electromagnetic direct drive, at the trajectory of which the movement elements rotate as so-called movers or carriages. 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 one end of the trajectory is the speed of the sensitive movement elements expediently equal to each other, all movement elements along the back at the same location of the back have the same speed. Along the way back 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 moving along the rear. The trajectory can of course have a lock for discharging unneeded or verifiable motion elements. Of course, the lock can also be used for sluice-in. The linear conveyor can also have a waiting station for the movement elements. Of course, the trajectory also includes a trajectory section to the transfer station and away from this, when separate support elements are to be gripped. In the waiting station, the movement elements, ie the supporting elements arranged thereon, can be brought into a fan-shaped position.

It is advantageous if it was further provided that the movement elements are largely shielded against heat influence within the shrink tunnel. For this purpose, running shielding elements can be provided, but of course also permanently installed shielding elements can be provided. However, the shielding elements should in any case be designed so that the objective of the shrink tunnel, namely a uniform shrinking of the film is not called into question. The linear transporter is designed in the manner of an electromagnetic path, wherein the movement elements rotate gearless at this directly controllable, wherein the respective desired speed of each movement element is individually controlled. For this purpose, an interface of the movement path can be connected to a control unit.

The above object is also achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 0. It is advantageously provided that the support element is towed by the moving element. Thus, the support member may be designed, for example, as chainmail-like support element, which is adapted in a preferred embodiment of the dimension of the footprint of the container. For this purpose, the above measures can be taken. It is advantageous if two or more support elements are combined, so as to form an overall support element, which is adapted to the footprint of the container. The two or more support elements can preferably be summarized overlapping, wherein the respective support member is also arranged a respective movement element. This is possible because the movement elements are individually controllable.

Targeting is that the movement elements are controlled so that the containers are continuously, so promoted with appropriately adjusted speed through the shrink tunnel. The movement elements can be moved at a correspondingly higher speed along the return path than along the back. Thus, a very small number of movement elements can be provided, with fewer movement elements being arranged along the return strand than along the rear.

The shrink tunnel according to the present invention, which is also adapted to carry out the corresponding method is preferably part of a packaging machine, in which the containers are formed from a wide container stream. The shrink tunnel is preferably provided as the last station of the packaging machine.

1 shows a shrink tunnel of a packaging machine in a basic view.

Figure 2 Shrink tunnel gem. Figure 1 with extended trajectory

Figure 1 shows a shrink tunnel 1 for shrinking of films and / or film sections by products or product groups, in particular of containers 2, wherein the shrink tunnel 1 has at least one conveying element 3, on which the container 2 rising from an inlet side 4 to a Austrittsei - te 5 of the shrink tunnel 1 can be promoted, wherein the conveying element 3 has a rear 6 and a return strand 7.

According to the invention, the conveying element 3 comprises a linear transporter 8 on which movement elements 9 individually controllably circulate, which have at least one, as exemplified, a plurality of tray-like or plate-like support elements 10. The support member 10 is formed of a flexible material, for example in the manner of a chainmail and as shown in Figure 1 recognizable smaller than a footprint of the container 2. Therefore, several moving elements 9 are combined into a group, so that with the optionally overlapping the support elements 10 is adapted to the footprint of the container 2 transport group 1 1 is formed.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the linear transporter 8 is designed as an electromagnetic direct drive, on whose movement path 12 the moving elements 9 rotate as so-called movers or carriages. The linear transporter 8 has a closed path of movement, on which individual movement elements 9 are arranged, which rotate. The movement elements 9 are individually controllable, so that each movement element 9 can have a respective speed. Along a return run 7, the movement elements 9 can have a different speed than along the rear run 6. This is advantageous since a very small number of movement elements 9 can be provided since the movement elements 9 moving along the return run 7 extend along the rear 6 moving movement elements 9 overtake.

Figure 2 shows an analogous to Figure 1 shrink tunnel 1, wherein extending a linear conveyor 8 with the plurality of its moving elements 9 outside of the actual shrink tunnel 1, so that before the actual shrink tunnel 1, a speed compensation area 12 is formed. Analogously but not shown, in addition to or instead of the input-side speed compensation area 12, such a speed compensation area can be provided behind the shrink tunnel 1.

The advantage is that one degree of freedom with respect to the speed control is achieved and can be transported within the shrink tunnel 1 on the rear 6 at a constant speed or that upstream and downstream process steps for the shrinking process are largely irrelevant. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 shrink tunnel

2 containers

3 conveying element

4 entrance side

5 exit side

6 way back

7 return

8 linear transporter

9 movement elements

10 supporting elements

1 1 transport group

12 speed compensation range

Claims

claims

1 . Device for shrinking films and / or film sections by products or product groups, in particular of containers, wherein the device as a shrink tunnel has at least one conveying element on which the containers can be conveyed from an inlet side to an outlet side of the shrinking tunnel, wherein the conveying element is a rearward and a Rücktrum, characterized in that the conveying element comprises a linear transporter, on which run individually controllable movement elements having at least one, ideally a plurality of tray or plate-like support elements or are formed from these.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the support element has a dimension adapted to a footprint of the container dimension, or that the support element has adjusting elements, so that the support element is adaptable in its dimension to the footprint of the container, wherein the adjustment preferably are telescopically executable.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the movement element is connectable to a respective support member, wherein the movement element comprises gripping means, which are transversely movable and / or longitudinally movable on the movement element, so that with each movement element, a separated support element is tangible

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement elements are controllable so that by merging of at least two support elements is adapted to a footprint adapted overall support member.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting element is supported along its transport path at a rear by means of supporting elements.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the linear transporter is designed as an electromagnetic direct output, at the trajectory of which the movement elements rotate as so-called movers or carriages.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveying element has a waiting station for the moving elements.

8. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the or the support elements can be brought into a fan-shaped position.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement elements have at least partially entrained shielding elements.

10. A method for the production of containers, in particular with a device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a shrink tunnel is provided which has a conveying element on which the container is supported from an inlet side to an outlet side of the shrinking tunnel, wherein the conveying element is a Lineartransporteur comprises, on which individually controllable movement elements circulate, at least one, ideally a plurality of tray or plate-like support members, and wherein the support member is towed by the movement member.

1 1. The method of claim 10, wherein the moving elements are controlled so that at least two support elements are combined, on which the container are conveyed through the shrink tunnel.

12. The method according to any one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the container is lifted on the support elements and moved by the moving elements is continuously dragged through the shrink tunnel.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the movable on the rear movement elements with respect to the speed of the moving elements along the return strand in their speed differently adjustable, wherein the moving elements are moved along the return strand at a faster speed than along the rear.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the movement elements are controllable so that along the return run fewer movement elements are arranged as along the rear.

15. Production plant with a, a packaging machine downstream device as a shrink tunnel, characterized in that the device is designed according to one of claims 1 to 9.