WO2021150718A1 - Buffer table for a packaging system, packaging system having a buffer table and method for operating a buffer table - Google Patents
Buffer table for a packaging system, packaging system having a buffer table and method for operating a buffer table Download PDFInfo
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- WO2021150718A1 WO2021150718A1 PCT/US2021/014365 US2021014365W WO2021150718A1 WO 2021150718 A1 WO2021150718 A1 WO 2021150718A1 US 2021014365 W US2021014365 W US 2021014365W WO 2021150718 A1 WO2021150718 A1 WO 2021150718A1
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
- B65G47/34—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor
- B65G47/46—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points
- B65G47/51—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to unprogrammed signals, e.g. influenced by supply situation at destination
- B65G47/5104—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to unprogrammed signals, e.g. influenced by supply situation at destination for articles
- B65G47/5109—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to unprogrammed signals, e.g. influenced by supply situation at destination for articles first In - First Out systems: FIFO
- B65G47/5113—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to unprogrammed signals, e.g. influenced by supply situation at destination for articles first In - First Out systems: FIFO using endless conveyors
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
- B65G47/52—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices
- B65G47/68—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices adapted to receive articles arriving in one layer from one conveyor lane and to transfer them in individual layers to more than one conveyor lane or to one broader conveyor lane, or vice versa, e.g. combining the flows of articles conveyed by more than one conveyor
- B65G47/682—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices adapted to receive articles arriving in one layer from one conveyor lane and to transfer them in individual layers to more than one conveyor lane or to one broader conveyor lane, or vice versa, e.g. combining the flows of articles conveyed by more than one conveyor from a single conveyor lane consisting of one conveyor or several adjacent conveyors
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Attitude Control For Articles On Conveyors (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a buffer table (2) for a packaging system (1). The buffer table (2) has an infeed section (3), an outfeed section (4), and at least two buffer lines (5a-h) which can be loaded with packages (6) separately from one another and are arranged between the infeed section (3) and the outfeed section (4), wherein in order to convey the respective packages (6), a conveyor device is assigned to each of the at least two buffer lines (5a-h). According to the invention, a sensor system (7) which operates in a contactless fashion is provided in a downstream end region of the at least two buffer lines (5a-h) in order to sense the presence or absence of a package (6) respectively in the downstream end region of the respective buffer lines (5a-h), wherein in addition, a control apparatus is provided for actuating the conveyor devices which are respectively assigned to the at least two buffer lines (5a-h), wherein the control apparatus is embodied to actuate, in accordance with a sensing result of the at least one sensor system (7), the conveyor devices which are respectively assigned to the buffer lines (5a-h).
Description
BUFFER TABLE FOR A PACKAGING SYSTEM, PACKAGING SYSTEM HAVING A BUFFER TABLE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A BUFFER
TABLE
Description
The present invention relates to a buffer table for a packaging system according to the preamble to the independent claim 1.
Accordingly, the invention relates in particular to a buffer table for a packaging system, wherein the buffer table has at least one infeed section, at least one outfeed section, and at least two buffer lines which can be loaded with packages separately from one another and are arranged between the at least one infeed section and the at least one outfeed section, wherein, in order to convey the respective packages, a conveyor device is assigned to each of the at least two buffer lines.
The present invention also relates to a method for operating a buffer table according to the other independent claim 14 and to a packaging system having a buffer table according to the other independent claim 13.
The buffer table contemplated above is in particular a buffer table in which packages are or can be buffered without pressure, i.e. with a previously defined or definable (small) distance between one another. Consequently, the invention particularly does not relate to a so-called “low-pressure buffering” of the kind that is used, for example, as a buffering apparatus or distribution unit in bottling lines. In low-pressure buffering apparatuses of this kind, the containers (bottles) are conveyed and buffered with a certain (low) dynamic pressure.
As a rule, packaging systems feature a plurality of packaging stations (packaging apparatuses), which process the packages in different respective work steps. Thus for example in filling systems for beverage cartons, after a filling machine, first a drinking straw applicator and then a shrink wrap applicator are used, for example. In the shrink wrap applicator, several packages are combined into a bundle.
In packaging system design, increasing importance is being placed on the processing rate, i.e. the number of packages per unit time. The higher the processing rate of a packaging system is, the more efficiently the packaging system works. Consequently, there is a fundamental need to optimize the processing rate of an individual packaging station or packaging apparatus of the packaging system in order to thus increase the processing rate of the packaging system as a whole. As a result, in the operation of a packaging system, the objective is to operate the slowest
respective packaging station (packaging apparatus) at its maximum processing rate whenever possible in order to thus maximize the output of packages by the packaging system as much as possible.
On the other hand, in the operation of the packaging system, it is inevitable that malfunctions in individual packaging apparatuses can also occur in the course of processing the packages. In order to be able to maintain the most trouble- free production sequence possible and/or in order to compensate for fluctuations in the processing rate of packaging apparatuses in the packaging system, it is generally customary for a buffering apparatus - particularly in the form of a buffer table - to be positioned between two packaging apparatuses.
The buffer table accepts packages when a malfunction occurs downstream of the buffer table in the packaging system and the packages can no longer be processed further downstream. Once the downstream malfunction has been eliminated, the packages that are buffered on the buffer table can be retrieved from the buffer table and processed.
It is thus possible by means of the buffer table to continue operating the packaging apparatuses or other apparatuses that are upstream relative to the buffer table for a certain period of time at least until the buffer table is filled, i.e. the buffering capacity of the buffer table has been exhausted.
The use of a buffer table thus accomplishes the fail safety of an upstream apparatus in the event of the failure of a downstream apparatus since the upstream apparatus can continue to fill the buffer table with packages at first before having to be switched off. If the malfunction of the downstream apparatus has been previously eliminated, then the upstream apparatus can continue operating without interruption.
The present invention is based on the knowledge that because of slack effects in the inlet or infeed section as packages are being fed into the buffer lines or buffer conveyors of the buffer table, the rows of packages traveling into the buffer lines or buffer conveyors of the buffer table must have a relatively large distance from the downstream or outfeed end region of the corresponding buffer line or corresponding buffer conveyor. It is therefore customary for the buffer lines or buffer conveyors of the buffer table to be filled in such a way that the row of packages traveling into the corresponding buffer line or buffer conveyor has a relatively large distance from the downstream or outfeed end of the corresponding buffer line or buffer
conveyor. Such a gap in the downstream or outfeed end region of the buffer line/buffer conveyor is necessary due to slack effects in the inlet.
When such a buffer line is being emptied, however, the problem arises that between a last package of an outgoing row of packages and a first package of another outgoing row of packages, there is a relatively large distance (gap). This gap can cause problems in the subsequent packaging apparatuses or work steps, particularly if the packages are fed to a drinking straw applicator, for example.
Based on this presentation of the problem, the object of the invention, therefore, is to improve a buffer table of the type mentioned at the beginning such that as the individual buffer lines are being emptied, no gaps occur between the last package of an outgoing row of packages and the first package of a second outgoing row of packages.
The object of the invention, therefore, is particularly to disclose a buffer table for packaging systems, which ensures a reliable operation of the packaging system.
The object underlying the invention is particularly attained by means of a buffer table according to the independent claim 1, with advantageous modifications thereof being disclosed in the corresponding dependent claims.
Accordingly, the invention relates to a buffer table for a packaging system, wherein the buffer table has at least one infeed section, at least one outfeed section, and at least two buffer lines which can be loaded with packages separately from one another and are arranged between the at least one infeed section and the at least one outfeed section, wherein in order to convey the respective packages, a conveyor device is assigned to each of the at least two buffer lines. In this instance, the feeding-out process preferably takes place at an angle to the at least one buffer line and even more preferably, perpendicularly to the at least one buffer line.
The conveyor devices assigned to the buffer lines can in particular each have conveyor belts or conveyor lines. Naturally, however, other embodiments are also possible here. In this connection, however, it is essential that the respective conveyor devices assigned to the buffer lines of the buffer table have the ability to be controlled and operated independently of one another.
In particular according to the invention, at least one sensor system, which operates in a contactless fashion and is in particular optical, is provided in a downstream or outfeed end region of the at least two buffer lines in order to sense the
presence or absence of a package respectively in the downstream end region of the respective buffer lines.
The at least one sensor system, which operates in a contactless fashion, is for example a camera, a camera row arranged transversely to the at least two buffer lines, a photocell or a row of photocells, a photodiode or a row of photodiodes, and/or a presence signaling sensor which operates with electromagnetic waves or ultrasound. If a presence signaling sensor which operates with electromagnetic waves is used, it can for example be an HF presence signaling sensor, a microwave presence signaling sensor, or a presence signaling sensor based on the Doppler radar principle. Naturally, though, other techniques can also be used for the at least one sensor system in the downstream or outfeed end region of the buffer lines of the buffer table, for example a depth sensor, particularly in the form of a TOF camera, in the form of a PMD camera, or in the form of a PMD sensor.
According to the invention, the buffer table has a control apparatus for actuating the conveyor devices which are respectively assigned to the at least two buffer lines. The control apparatus is embodied to actuate, in accordance with a sensing result of the at least one sensor system, the conveyor devices which are respectively assigned to the buffer lines.
In particular, the control apparatus is embodied, during the feeding of packages into one of the at least two buffer lines, to actuate the conveyor device assigned to this buffer line in such a way that the packages which are fed into the buffer line are conveyed with the conveyor device for long enough or far enough that the first package which has been fed into the buffer line has reached a previously defined or definable region in the downstream or outfeed end region of this buffer line.
In other words, with the embodiment according to the invention, it is possible to stop the row of packages that is traveling into the buffer line directly before the downstream or outfeed end of the buffer line. This effectively prevents a gap from forming between the rows of packages of two buffer lines as the individual buffer lines are being emptied.
Preferably, in the upstream end region or infeed end region, each of the buffer lines is provided with a suitable sensor system, for example in the form of a mechanical switch or in the form of a photoelectric sensor, which detects when packages are being fed via the infeed section of the corresponding buffer line. In other
words, the sensor system provided in the infeed end region of the corresponding buffer line preferably automatically detects a state when packages are being fed via the infeed section of the corresponding buffer line. Preferably, the control apparatus in this case automatically actuates the conveyor device assigned to the respective buffer line until the sensor system provided in the downstream or outfeed end region of the buffer line detects that the first package of the row of packages being fed to the buffer line has reached the downstream or outfeed end region of the buffer line. Then the control apparatus is used to actuate the conveyor device in such a way that a further movement of the packages in this buffer line is stopped.
The previously defined or definable region up to which the first package - which has been fed into the buffer line - is conveyed using the conveyor device assigned to the buffer line is selected or can be selected in such a way that the first package in the at least one outfeed section of the buffer table can be removed by the removal apparatus of the outfeed section so that an in particular maximum distance can be set between the first package which has been removed from the buffer line using the removal apparatus and a package which has been previously removed from another buffer line of the buffer table using the removal apparatus and said distance is preferably at most 10 cm and even more preferably at most 5 cm.
In particular, a minimum desired gap between two adjacent packages can be set so that when the buffer line is being started up, the required speed is reached at the moment that the preceding row is caught up to.
If all of the packaging apparatuses downstream of the buffer table are operating correctly, the buffer table according to the invention can transmit the packages without delay, namely by initially conveying the packages without delay from the infeed section to the outfeed section via a dedicated buffer line of the buffer table. This dedicated buffer line can also be understood to be a “bypass buffer line,” which as a rule conveys the packages only from the infeed section to the outfeed section.
If a downstream malfunction relative to the buffer table occurs, the outfeed section of the buffer table that is preferably provided directly before the malfunction or directly before the malfunctioning packaging apparatus is instructed not to remove any more packages from the buffer table. After this, the first buffer line (bypass buffer line) of the buffer table assigned to the outfeed section continues to fill at first until it has reached a maximum filling level. The filling of this first buffer line
of the buffer table is controlled using the sensor system that operates in a contactless fashion and is provided in the downstream or outfeed end region.
In detail, the first buffer line of the buffer table is filled until in the first buffer line, the first downstream package reaches the previously defined or definable region in the downstream or outfeed end region of the buffer line. Then the infeed section of the buffer table successively fills the buffer table along other buffer lines.
In this connection, the packages that are to be buffered are at first fed to a second buffer line of the buffer table by the infeed section in such a way that a first downstream package of this row of packages has reached the region monitored by the sensor system provided in the downstream or outfeed end region. Then the filling of a next (other) buffer line takes place.
This procedure is carried out either until the buffer table as a whole has reached a maximum filling level or until the malfunction has been eliminated and the buffer table can then be emptied. If up to the time that the maximum filling level of the buffer table is reached, the malfunction in the downstream packaging apparatus has not been eliminated, then at least the packaging apparatus directly upstream - but possibly also thus the entire packaging system - is stopped. In particular, all of the packaging apparatuses directly assigned to the respective buffer table are stopped, i.e. all of the packaging apparatuses that feed packages of the at least one infeed section directly to the buffer table or that receive them from the at least one outfeed section of the buffer table.
If the malfunction downstream is eliminated, then the downstream packaging apparatus resumes operation again. As a result, the buffer table can once again be successively emptied in that the outfeed section receives the packages from the previously filled buffer lines and feeds them to the downstream packaging apparatus until the buffer table has been emptied.
The feeding and discharging of packages to and from the buffer table is preferably carried out with feed apparatuses. Such feed apparatuses are preferably situated in the infeed section and outfeed section of the buffer table. Preferably, the infeed section and outfeed section are each assigned a corresponding conveyor device in order to feed the packages supplied with the feed apparatus of the infeed section packages to the buffer table or to the individual buffer lines of the buffer table or in order to feed packages from the buffer lines to the corresponding feed apparatus (outgoing conveyor) during the feeding-out process. By means of the feed apparatuses
and the conveyor devices assigned to the infeed section and outfeed section, a continuous processing of packages in packaging apparatuses along the packaging system is possible, without requiring manual intervention.
In order to convey the respective packages in the buffer table, respective conveyor devices are provided along the respective buffer lines. The conveyor devices are equipped to accept the packages in a buffer line and convey them to the downstream or outfeed end region of the buffer line.
From the infeed section, the packages must be fed to a respective buffer line of the buffer table. The buffer lines are preferably situated next to one another on the buffer table.
As has already been mentioned above, a conveyor device is assigned to the infeed section in order to feed the packages from the outfeed section usually in a linear motion to the corresponding buffer line of the buffer table. In order to then be able to distribute the supplied packages to the individual buffer lines, however, it is necessary to vary the movement direction of the packages, in particular from the conveyor device of the infeed section to the respective buffer line that is currently being used. To accomplish this, the infeed section can have a loading apparatus, which is in particular a so-called satellite or redirecting device and which makes sure that the packages that are fed from the infeed section by the feed apparatus are fed to the respective correct buffer line.
The conveyor device assigned to the infeed section and/or the conveyor device assigned to the outfeed section preferably consist(s) of double-sided vertical plastic link chains with attached rubber plates for conveying the packages in a gentle fashion.
According to exemplary embodiments, the outfeed section has a removal apparatus, which is embodied to remove packages as needed from one of the at least two buffer lines and to feed these packages to a conveyor belt, in particular a conveyor belt of an outgoing conveyor, with a conveyor device preferably likewise being assigned the removal apparatus for this purpose.
The removal apparatus can be embodied as a linearly operated satellite, which is able to move transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the buffer lines and feeds the packages from the buffer lines to the outfeed feed apparatus.
Preferably, several buffer lines positioned next to one another are provided on the buffer table. The more buffer lines are positioned next to one another,
the greater the buffering capacity of the buffer table, thus reducing the failure probability of the packaging system. The buffer table can be either a horizontal buffer table or a vertical one.
The invention also relates to a packaging system with at least one buffer table of the above-mentioned type according to the invention and with a first packaging apparatus and optionally a second packaging apparatus. The first packaging apparatus is embodied to feed packages to a first feed apparatus, wherein the infeed section of the buffer table is embodied to feed the packages from the first feed apparatus to at least one buffer line of the buffer table, and wherein the outfeed section of the buffer table is embodied to remove the packages from the at least one buffer line of the buffer table and feed them to a second feed apparatus. The second feed apparatus is embodied to feed the packages removed from the at least one buffer line to the optionally provided second packaging apparatus.
In this case in particular, the sensor system which operates in a contactless fashion and is provided in the downstream or outfeed end region of the at least one buffer line of the buffer table is embodied to actuate, via the control apparatus, the conveyor device assigned to the at least one buffer line in such a way that, using the conveyor device assigned to the at least one buffer line, the packages which are fed to the at least one buffer line are conveyed far enough toward the downstream or outfeed end region of the at least one buffer line that when the packages are removed from the at least one buffer line, there is no gap between the first package which is removed from the at least one buffer line and a package which has previously been removed from the outfeed section and is adjacent to and directly downstream of the first package removed from the at least one buffer line.
The term “gap” used herein is understood to be a distance between two adjacent packages, which is greater than a previously defined maximum distance between the packages of a row of packages that has been feed into a buffer line.
The invention also relates to a method for operating a buffer table, in particular a buffer table of the above-mentioned type according to the invention, wherein at least one buffer line of the buffer table is loaded with packages using an infeed section in such a way that, using a conveyor device assigned to the at least one buffer line, a first downstream package is conveyed up to a previously defined or definable region at the downstream end of the at least one buffer line. In this case in particular, the conveying of the packages in the at least one buffer line is controlled
using a sensor system that operates in a contactless fashion and is provided in the downstream end region of the buffer line.
In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 schematically depicts an exemplary embodiment of the packaging system according to the invention;
FIG. 2a-c each schematically depict an isometric view of the outfeed end region of an exemplary embodiment of the buffer table according to the invention in a state in which the buffer lines of the buffer table are being loaded with packages and the buffer lines are being successively emptied.
FIG. 1 schematically depicts a packaging system 1 with a first packaging apparatus 8 for example in the form of a filling machine, a buffer table 2, and a second packaging apparatus 9, for example a drinking straw applicator. The first packaging apparatus 8 (filling machine) has an outfeed section from which packages 6, for example beverage cartons or the like, preferably in the closed state, are placed onto a conveyor belt or conveyor line (first feed apparatus 10). By means of this feed apparatus 10, the packages 6 are fed to an infeed section 3 of the buffer table 2.
On the outlet side of the buffer table 2, an outfeed section 4 is provided via which the packages 6 buffered on the buffer table 2 are fed out to a second feed apparatus 11 (outgoing conveyor).
At the outfeed section 4, a second conveyor belt is provided as the second feed apparatus 11 (outgoing conveyor), which feeds the packages 6 to the second packaging apparatus 9 (for example a drinking straw applicator). On the inlet side of the second packaging apparatus 9, an infeed section is provided. On the outlet side of the second packaging apparatus 9, an outfeed section is provided. The packages 6, which for example have a drinking straw applied to them in the second packaging apparatus 9, are output from the second packaging apparatus 9 (drinking straw applicator) at the outfeed section.
No detailed explanation is required for it to be clear that the packaging system 1 schematically depicted in FIG. 1 is just an example and that the sequence and arrangement of the packaging apparatuses 8, 9 and the buffer table 2 can be varied. In particular, according to the exemplary embodiments, a filling machine, a drinking straw applicator, a shrink wrap applicator, or the like should all be understood as packaging apparatuses of a packaging system 1.
The buffer table 2 that is only shown schematically in FIG. 1 is used for buffering packages 6 that are supplied by the first packaging apparatus 8. The flow of packages 6 viewed in the downstream direction starts from the first packaging apparatus 8, travels via the first feed apparatus 10, the buffer table 2, and the second feed apparatus 11 to the second packaging apparatus 9.
If a malfunction occurs downstream of the buffer table 2, for example in the region of the second packaging apparatus 9, then the packages 6 should no longer be fed to the second packaging apparatus 9. The buffer table 2 is provided in order to prevent the first packaging apparatus 8 (for example a filling machine) from having to be shut down. Packages 6 can be fed into the buffer table 2 via the infeed section 3 that is assigned to the buffer table 2, while no additional packages 6 are output at the outfeed section 4 assigned to the buffer table 2.
This can continue until the buffering capacity of the buffer table 2 is reached. During this time, however, the first packaging apparatus 8 (for example a filling machine) can continue to output packages 6. The time that the buffer table 2 makes available can be used to eliminate the malfunction in the packaging apparatus
9 that is situated downstream relative to the buffer table 2. Once the malfunction has been eliminated and the at least one downstream packaging apparatus 9 is functional again, packages 6 can once again be fed to the second feed apparatus 11 of the second packaging apparatus 9 via the outfeed section 4 assigned to the buffer table 2.
Although not shown in the drawings, the infeed section 3 of the buffer table 2 has a loading apparatus preferably with a conveyor device assigned to the loading apparatus, wherein the loading apparatus is embodied to respectively feed packages 6 as needed from the first packaging apparatus 8 or the first feed apparatus
10 to one of the buffer lines 5a-h of the buffer table 2. In this case, the loading apparatus can be embodied as a linearly operated satellite and/or redirecting device, wherein the satellite and/or redirecting device can be moved transversely and
preferably perpendicularly with respect to the buffer lines 5a-h of the buffer table 2 in order to thus successively fill the individual buffer lines 5a-h of the buffer table 2.
In particular, the buffer table 2 shown in the drawings is a buffer table 2 in which an outfeed section 4 is arranged at the downstream end region of the buffer lines 5a-h and an infeed section 3 is arranged at the opposite end region of the buffer lines 5a-h. Once a defined filling level of one of the buffer lines 5a-h has been reached, the loading apparatus provided in the infeed section 3 of the buffer table 2 is designed to then load a next buffer line 5a-h of the buffer table 2.
On the other hand, the individual buffer lines 5a-h of the buffer table 2 shown in the drawings are each provided with a correspondingly assigned conveyor device for conveying the packages 6 in the conveying direction in the individual buffer lines 5a-h. The conveyor devices respectively assigned to the individual buffer lines 5a-h can be embodied as conveyor belts or conveyor lines.
As can be inferred from the schematic depictions in FIG. 2a to FIG. 2c, the outfeed section 4 of the buffer table 2 has a removal apparatus 12 in the form of a linearly operated redirecting satellite which can be moved transversely and in particular perpendicularly with respect to the buffer lines 5a-h of the buffer table 2.
Preferably, the removal apparatus 12 of the outfeed section 4, i.e. in this case the redirecting satellite, is assigned a conveyor device for feeding the packages 6 that have been accepted from a buffer line 5a-h of the buffer table 2 to the second feed apparatus 11 (for example an outgoing conveyor).
Even though in the embodiments shown in the drawings, the removal apparatus 12 is embodied as a linearly operated redirecting satellite, which can be moved transversely and in particular perpendicularly with respect to the buffer lines 5a-h of the buffer table 2, it is basically also conceivable to select other embodiments for the removal apparatus 12 such as a pivotably operated belt which, starting from the second feed apparatus 11, can be pivoted between the buffer lines 5a-h of the buffer table 2.
The same also applies figuratively to the loading apparatus, not shown in the drawings, in the infeed section 3 of the buffer table 2.
As can be inferred particularly from the depictions in FIG. 2a to FIG. 2c, in the buffer table 2 according to the invention, at least one sensor system 7, which operates in a contactless fashion and is in particular optical, is provided in a downstream or outfeed end region of the buffer lines 5a-h of the buffer table 2 and
can be used to sense a presence or absence of a package 6 in the respective downstream end region of each of the buffer lines 5a-h of the buffer table 2.
In addition, the buffer table 2 according to the invention has a control apparatus, not explicitly shown in the drawings, which is embodied to actuate the conveyor devices respectively assigned to the buffer lines 5a-h of the buffer table 2. In this case, the actuation of the conveyor devices assigned to the buffer lines 5a-h of the buffer table 2 is particularly carried out in accordance with a sensing result of the at least one sensor system 7 in the downstream or outfeed end region of the corresponding buffer line 5a-h.
According to some embodiments, the sensor system 7, which is positioned in the downstream or outfeed end region of the buffer lines 5a-h and operates in a contactless fashion, can have a camera, a camera row arranged transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the buffer lines 5a-h, a photocell or a row of photocells, a photodiode or a row of photodiodes, and/or a presence signaling sensor which operates with electromagnetic waves or ultrasound or a corresponding row of presence signaling sensors.
According to the invention, the control apparatus of the buffer table 2, which is not explicitly shown in the drawings, is embodied, during the feeding of a row of packages into one of the preferably parallel buffer lines 5a-h of the buffer table 2, to actuate the conveyor device assigned to this buffer line 5a-h in such a way that the packages 6 which are fed into the buffer line 5a-h are conveyed with the conveyor device for long enough or far enough that the first package of the row of packages which has been fed into the buffer line 5a-h has reached a previously defined or definable region 13 in the downstream end region of the buffer line 5a-h.
The previously defined or definable region 13 up to which the first package - which has been fed into the buffer line 5a-h - is conveyed using the conveyor device assigned to the buffer line 5a-h is in particular selected in such a way that the first package of the row of packages fed into the buffer line 5a-h can be removed by a removal apparatus 12 (in this case: by the redirecting satellite) in the outfeed section 4 of the buffer table 2 in such a way that an in particular maximum distance can be set between the first package 6 which is removed from the buffer line 5a-h using the redirecting satellite and a package 6 which has been previously removed from another buffer line 5a-h of the buffer table 2 using the redirecting satellite.
The distance is in particular selected so that there is no gap between these two packages 6 in order to thus ensure a correct operation of the packaging apparatus 9 provided downstream of the buffer table 2.
In detail, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the sensor system 7 provided in the downstream or outfeed end region of the buffer lines 5a-h sends a corresponding signal to the control apparatus of the buffer table 2 in order to stop a row of packages that is traveling into one of the buffer lines 5a-h just when it is directly in front of the outfeed section 4 and in particular, independently of any slack effects in the inlet or infeed section 3 in which the row of packages is traveling into the buffer line 5a-h.
By contrast if in the successive emptying of the individual buffer lines 5a-h of the buffer table 2, the last package 6 of the row of packages traveling out of a buffer line 5a-h of the buffer table 2 is fed into the removal apparatus 12 embodied as a redirecting satellite, the conveyor device assigned to the redirecting satellite is stopped and the removal apparatus 12 embodied as a redirecting satellite proceeds to the next buffer line 5a-h.
In this movement, the removal apparatus 12 embodied as a redirecting satellite preferably follows the feed direction of the second feed apparatus 11 (feed direction of the outgoing conveyor) so that in this movement, a space is maintained between the packages 6 in the removal apparatus 12 and on the second feed apparatus 11.
However if the removal apparatus 12 embodied as a redirecting satellite were to be moved counter to the feed direction of the second feed apparatus 11 , then a small gap would be produced between the last (downstream) package 6 on the removal apparatus 12 and the first (upstream) package 6 on the second feed apparatus 11.
Once the removal apparatus 12 embodied as a redirecting satellite has reached the next buffer line 5a-h of the buffer table 2, the conveyor device assigned to the removal apparatus 12 and the conveyor device assigned to this buffer line 5a-h are started simultaneously so that the packages 6 provided on the removal apparatus 12 and the packages 6 present in the (second) buffer line 5a-h move simultaneously. As a result of this, no gaps are produced between the packages 6 in the row of packages that is finally fed to the second feed apparatus 11.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings and instead ensues from a consideration of all of the features disclosed herein.
Claims
1. A buffer table (2) for a packaging system (1), wherein the buffer table
(2) has the following: at least one infeed section (3); at least one outfeed section (4); and at least two buffer lines (5a-h) which can be loaded with packages (6) separately from one another and are arranged between the at least one infeed section
(3) and the at least one outfeed section (4), wherein, in order to convey the respective packages (6), a conveyor device is assigned to each of the at least two buffer lines (5a-h), characterized in that at least one sensor system (7), which operates in a contactless fashion and is in particular optical, is provided in a downstream or outfeed end region of the at least two buffer lines (5a-h) in order to sense the presence or absence of a package (6) respectively in the downstream or outfeed end region of the respective buffer lines (5a-h), wherein in addition, a control apparatus is provided for actuating the conveyor devices which are respectively assigned to the at least two buffer lines (5a-h), wherein the control apparatus is embodied to actuate, in accordance with a sensing result of the at least one sensor system (7), the conveyor devices which are respectively assigned to the buffer lines (5a-h).
2. The buffer table (2) according to Claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor system (7) has a camera, a camera row arranged transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the buffer lines (5a-h), a photocell, a photodiode, a presence signaling sensor which operates with electromagnetic waves or ultrasound, and/or at least one depth sensor, particularly in the form of a TOF camera, in the form of a PMD camera, or in the form of a PMD sensor.
3. The buffer table (2) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the control apparatus is embodied, during the feeding of packages (6) into one of the at least two buffer lines (5a-h), to actuate the conveyor device assigned to this buffer line (5a-h) in such a way that the packages (6) which are fed into the buffer line (5a-h) are conveyed with the conveyor device for long enough or far enough that the first package (6) which has been fed into the buffer line (5a-h) has reached a previously defined or
definable region (13) in the downstream or outfeed end region of the buffer line (5a- h).
4. The buffer table (2) according to Claim 3, wherein the previously defined or definable region (13) up to which the first package (6) - which has been fed into the buffer line (5a-h) - is conveyed using the conveyor device assigned to the buffer line (5a-h) is selected or can be selected in such a way that the first package (6) can be removed by a removal apparatus (12) in the at least one outfeed section (4) in such a way that an in particular maximum distance can be set between the first package (6) which is removed from the buffer line (5a-h) using the removal apparatus (12) and a package (6) which has been previously removed from another buffer line (5a-h) using the removal apparatus (12) and said distance is preferably at most 10 cm and even more preferably at most 5 cm.
5. The buffer table (2) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one outfeed section (4) has a removal apparatus (12) which is embodied to remove packages (6) as needed from one of the at least two buffer lines (5a-h) and to feed these packages (6) to a conveyor belt (11) and in particular to a conveyor belt of an outgoing conveyor, wherein a conveyor device is preferably assigned to the removal apparatus (12) for this purpose.
6. The buffer table (2) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one infeed section (3) has a loading apparatus, preferably with a conveyor device which is assigned to the loading apparatus, wherein the loading apparatus is embodied to respectively feed packages (6) as needed to one of the at least two buffer lines (5a- h).
7. The buffer table (2) according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein the loading apparatus and/or the removal apparatus (12) are embodied as linearly operated satellites which can be moved transversely and preferably perpendicularly with respect to the buffer lines (5a-h).
8. The buffer table (2) according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein the loading apparatus and/or the removal apparatus (12) are embodied as pivotably operated belts
which, starting from a respective conveyor belt, can be pivoted between the buffer lines (5a-h) of the buffer table (2).
9. The buffer table (2) according to one of Claims 6 to 8, wherein the loading apparatus is embodied to load a next buffer line of the buffer lines (5a-h) after a defined filling level of one of the buffer lines (5a-h) has been reached and/or when a package (6) is sensed in the downstream end region of the buffer line (5a-h).
10. The buffer table (2) according to one of Claims 5 to 9 in combination with Claim 3, wherein the removal apparatus (12) is embodied in such a way and/or the previously defined or definable region (13) up to which the first package (6) - which has been fed into the buffer line (5a-h) - is conveyed using the conveyor device assigned to the buffer line (5a-h) is/are selected or can be selected in such a way that the first package (6) can be removed by the removal apparatus (12) in the at least one outfeed section (4) so that an in particular maximum distance can be set between the first package (6) which has been removed from the buffer line (5a-h) using the removal apparatus (12) and a package (6) which has been previously removed from another buffer line (5a-h) using the removal apparatus (12) and said distance is preferably at most 10 cm and even more preferably at most 5 cm.
11. The buffer table (2) according to one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the at least one outfeed section (4) is arranged at the downstream end region of the at least two buffer lines (5a~h) and the at least one infeed section (3) is arranged at the opposite end region of the at least two buffer lines (5a-h).
12. The buffer table (2) according to one of Claims 1 to 11, wherein the conveyor devices which are respectively assigned to the buffer lines (5a-h) each have, in particular, conveyor belts or conveyor lines.
13. A packaging system (1) having a buffer table (2) according to one of Claims 1 to 12 and having a first packaging apparatus (8) and optionally a second packaging apparatus (9), wherein the first packaging apparatus (8) is embodied to feed packages (6) to a first feed apparatus (10), wherein the infeed section (3) of the buffer table (2) is embodied to feed the packages (6) from the first feed apparatus (10) to at
least one buffer line (5a-h) of the buffer table (2), wherein the outfeed section (4) of the buffer table (2) is embodied to remove the packages (6) from the at least one buffer line (5a-h) and feed them to a second feed apparatus (11), wherein the second feed apparatus (11) is embodied to feed the packages (6) removed from the at least one buffer line (5a-h) to the optionally provided second packaging apparatus (9), wherein the sensor system (7) which is provided in the downstream or outfeed end region of the at least one buffer line (5a-h) is embodied to actuate, via the control apparatus, the conveyor device assigned to the at least one buffer line (5a-h) in such a way that, using the conveyor device assigned to the at least one buffer line (5a-h), the packages (6) which are fed to the at least one buffer line (5a-h) are conveyed far enough toward the downstream or outfeed end region of the at least one buffer line (5a-h) that when the packages (6) are removed from the at least one buffer line (5a-h), there is no gap between the first package (6) which is removed from the at least one buffer line (Sa il) and a package (6) which has previously been removed from another buffer line (Sa il) of the buffer table (2) using the outfeed section (4) and is adjacent to and directly downstream of the first package (6) removed from the at least one buffer line (5a-h).
14. A method for operating a buffer table (2), in particular a buffer table (2) according to one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein at least one buffer line (5a-h) of the buffer table (2) is loaded with packages (6) using an infeed section (3) in such a way that, using a conveyor device assigned to the at least one buffer line (5a-h), a first downstream package (6) is conveyed up to a previously defined or definable region (13) at the downstream end of the at least one buffer line (5a-h).
15. The method according to Claim 14, wherein the conveying of the packages (6) in the at least one buffer line (5a-h) is controlled using a sensor system (7) that operates in a contactless fashion and is provided in the downstream end region of the buffer line (5a-h).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP20152952.6 | 2020-01-21 | ||
| EP20152952.6A EP3854732B1 (en) | 2020-01-21 | 2020-01-21 | Storage table for a packaging installation, packaging installation comprising a storage table and method for operating a storage table |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2021150718A1 true WO2021150718A1 (en) | 2021-07-29 |
Family
ID=69187563
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2021/014365 WO2021150718A1 (en) | 2020-01-21 | 2021-01-21 | Buffer table for a packaging system, packaging system having a buffer table and method for operating a buffer table |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP3854732B1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2021150718A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP4279422A1 (en) | 2022-05-20 | 2023-11-22 | Illinois Tool Works, Inc. | Storage table of a packaging system and device for inserting or removing packages into or from a storage line of a storage table |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH07267352A (en) * | 1994-03-31 | 1995-10-17 | Daifuku Co Ltd | Conveyor device |
| DE60200953T2 (en) * | 2001-01-16 | 2005-09-29 | Newtec Case Palletizing | Method and system for the automatic and continuous production of layers of sales units before palletizing |
| DE202005013125U1 (en) * | 2005-08-19 | 2005-11-03 | Krones Ag | Single-lane container e.g. bottle, flow forming apparatus, has conveyors for container flow, intermediate area connected in conveyor, and separating area connecting intermediate area with conveyors |
| EP2199217A1 (en) * | 2008-12-12 | 2010-06-23 | OCME S.r.l. | Device selecting groups of objects for feeding packaging machines and respective selection method |
| WO2017054942A1 (en) * | 2015-09-29 | 2017-04-06 | Sig Technology Ag | Storage table, method for operating a storage table and packaging unit having a storage table |
-
2020
- 2020-01-21 EP EP20152952.6A patent/EP3854732B1/en active Active
-
2021
- 2021-01-21 WO PCT/US2021/014365 patent/WO2021150718A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH07267352A (en) * | 1994-03-31 | 1995-10-17 | Daifuku Co Ltd | Conveyor device |
| DE60200953T2 (en) * | 2001-01-16 | 2005-09-29 | Newtec Case Palletizing | Method and system for the automatic and continuous production of layers of sales units before palletizing |
| DE202005013125U1 (en) * | 2005-08-19 | 2005-11-03 | Krones Ag | Single-lane container e.g. bottle, flow forming apparatus, has conveyors for container flow, intermediate area connected in conveyor, and separating area connecting intermediate area with conveyors |
| EP2199217A1 (en) * | 2008-12-12 | 2010-06-23 | OCME S.r.l. | Device selecting groups of objects for feeding packaging machines and respective selection method |
| WO2017054942A1 (en) * | 2015-09-29 | 2017-04-06 | Sig Technology Ag | Storage table, method for operating a storage table and packaging unit having a storage table |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP3854732B1 (en) | 2024-04-17 |
| EP3854732A1 (en) | 2021-07-28 |
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