EP1426293A1 - Method and apparatus for packaging flat articles - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves gripping a packaging material (1) at predetermined gripping points spaced from each other, then reducing the distance between gripping points so that packaging material may buckle in the same direction between all gripping points. An Independent claim is also included for a packaging device.

Description

The invention is in the field of packaging technology and relates to a method and a device according to the preambles of the corresponding independent Claims. The method and device according to the invention are used for packaging of flat objects or of small groups of flat objects with the help of a packaging material that is fed as an almost endless web becomes. The packaging material is, in particular, weldable from a roll Plastic film.

A well-known, continuous process for packaging individual printed products or of small groups of printed products using plastic film from a roll consists of a flow in which the products to be packaged are essentially aligned parallel to the conveying direction one behind the other and spaced apart are encouraged to run between two film webs or with a film web merge and this to lay the products of the flow. Then the film webs or the film web are welded parallel to the conveying direction and in the distances between the products across the conveying direction also welded and cut. Such a method and a corresponding one Devices are described for example in publication EP-1188670 (F533).

Such processes soon reach their limits in terms of unit performance, because the Products are conveyed one after the other parallel to the conveying direction, what high quantities and especially for products that are relatively long in the conveying direction soon leads to conveyor speeds that are no longer easy to achieve are.

Higher unit outputs with easier to achieve conveyor speeds known to be possible if the products are conveyed in a flow in which they are not aligned parallel to the conveying direction but essentially across. In the publication EP-0588764 (Grapha Holding AG) a device is presented, with which such a method apparently is feasible. The device has a processing drum, such as, for example also for inserting inserts into printed products or folded packaging sheets is used. The film is from a feed point on Zigzag drum circumference in the successive on the circumference of the drum Drum compartments are drawn in and the film pockets thus formed then loaded with products, separated and sealed, and that's it packaged products taken from the drum compartments.

A corresponding device is described in more detail in the publication DE-3838985 (MAN) described for batch operation. With the help of this device a plastic film is stretched from the roll in a zigzag pattern, whereby a predetermined Number of V-shaped pockets open on three sides, in which to packaging printing products are positioned. Then the bags separate from each other separately to close the products positioned therein and to the open ones welded on three sides and released from the device. Only then will again a predetermined number of pockets are formed and the procedure is repeated. For every a pocket to be formed in a batch is essentially the same sub-device provided and all sub-devices are operated simultaneously.

In particular, it can be seen from the publication EP-3838985 how complicated known ones are Devices for packaging flat objects with a roll fed packaging material and how many are movable and from each other independently controllable parts they must have for the different functions.

For this reason, the invention has the task of a method and a Device to create the continuous packaging of flat objects with the help of a packaging material fed as a virtually endless web serve and compared to corresponding methods and devices according to Prior art are simpler and in particular also in a simple manner Have it adapted to different formats of the objects to be packaged.

This object is achieved by the method and the device as described in the Claims are defined.

According to the method according to the invention, the packaging material becomes continuous fed, advantageously such that the width of the quasi-endless path of the Packaging material is aligned substantially horizontally. Then it will Packaging material taken at regular intervals from above and the distances then reduced between the gripping points, the packaging material between the gripping points, for example by gravity (if necessary supported with additional measures) is deflected downwards. It forms such a pocket string with arranged between the gripping points on three sides open and closed pockets on one side, those of the closed Side opposite, open pocket sides is directed upwards. This pocket string is held at the gripping points past a loading position transported where an object to be packed in each pocket of the pocket string or a corresponding small group of flat objects is advantageously supported by gravity, that is, from above the open pocket side opposite the closed side. While the filled bags are transported further, they are separated from each other and then closed. For closing, the pockets are between, for example Closing elements equipped with welding jaws are positioned, which advantageously take over the bags and promote them further.

The method described above can also be carried out when the packaging material is gripped from below for the formation of the pocket strand.

Instead of feeding the packaging material with an essentially horizontal one Width and formation of the pockets essentially by the effect of Gravity, the packaging material can also be fed in any position and between the grab points by appropriate measures (e.g. Air flow) relative to the gripped surface in one direction or the other are deflected, the loading of the pockets then also being set up accordingly is.

It is also possible to side the pockets of the pocket string before loading at least partially to close, so that when loading it into the pockets objects to be introduced may lead laterally. The procedure also allows the bags to be buffered very easily before insertion the items to be packed and / or before closing the bags.

The device according to the invention has the following functional units: Feeding means for feeding the packaging material, a conveyor system with Gripping elements that can be conveyed at variable distances from each other for the Grasping and conveying the packaging material, a feed for the loading of the bags with objects to be packed, a release agent for separating the bags from the pocket string and a closing agent for the Closing and advantageously for further conveying the bags.

The gripping elements of the conveyor system are designed to grip the packaging material from its one surface and without the subsequent pocket formation and the loading of objects to be packed in the way his. The gripping elements are arranged, for example, on gripper rods, the Gripper bars project beyond the width of the packaging material on both sides and their Ends in guides that run parallel to the longitudinal edges of the packaging material stored and driven accordingly. To support the gripping elements when gripping the packaging material, there may be support elements provided which are conveyed synchronously with the gripping elements and which attacking from the surface of the packaging material other than the gripping elements, Insert the packaging material into the gripping elements before they are closed become.

The means for closing the pockets has pairs of closing elements, which can be brought into an open and a closed position, one after the other are eligible for funding and for the sealing function, for example with welding jaws are equipped. The means for closing is advantageously equipped around the pocket strand or possibly already separated from the pocket strand Bags before or after loading and separating the bags to take over from the pocket strand from the grippers. For this function they are Closing elements optionally equipped with fixing elements with which they Can hold packaging material, and / or are a means of holding the bottom of the bag intended.

For adapting the pocket depth to the format of the objects to be packed only the distance between the gripping points when gripping the Packaging material or the distance between the gripping elements set become.

Figuren 1 und 2

eine erste, beispielhafte Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens anhand einer schematisch dargestellten, erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung (Figur 1: Blickrichtung parallel zur Breite des Verpackungsmaterials; Figur 2: Blickrichtung senkrecht zur Breite des Verpackungsmaterials);

Figuren 3 und 4

eine weitere, beispielhafte Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens anhand einer schematisch dargestellten, erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung (Figur 3: Blickrichtung parallel zur Breite des Verpackungsmaterials; Figur 4: Blickrichtung senkrecht zur Breite des Verpackungsmaterials).

Various embodiments of the method and device according to the invention are described in detail in connection with the following figures. Show:

Figures 1 and 2

a first exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention using a schematically illustrated device according to the invention (Figure 1: viewing direction parallel to the width of the packaging material; Figure 2: viewing direction perpendicular to the width of the packaging material);

Figures 3 and 4

a further exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention using a schematically illustrated device according to the invention (Figure 3: viewing direction parallel to the width of the packaging material; Figure 4: viewing direction perpendicular to the width of the packaging material).

1 and 2 show a first, exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention on the basis of a very schematically illustrated device. Figure 1 shows the device from a viewing direction parallel to the width of the packaging material, Figure 2 with a viewing direction perpendicular to the gripped surface of the packaging material. The general conveying direction (F) runs essentially from left to right in the figures, the packaging material 1 being fed, for example, from a roll 2, in order then to a gripping zone I, a pocket formation zone II, a loading point III, a transfer zone IV, a separation point V to pass through a closing zone VI and a discharge point VII, the fully packaged objects being released from the device at the discharge point.

The conveyor system 3, through the action of which the packaging material from the gripping zone I is promoted to the transfer zone IV, for example, a couple of parallel guide rails 4, in which the ends of gripper bars 5 can be conveyed at varying intervals, can be rolled or slidably mounted and are driven accordingly. On the gripper bars 5 are, for example, in the middle Gripping elements 6 are arranged which cooperate with support elements 7 in the gripping zone I. The support elements 7 are on their own rotating conveyor 8 arranged. Their distance corresponds to the distance that the gripping elements 6 in the gripping zone I have from each other, or the length of packaging material that must be separated from the virtually endless web for each packaging to be created. The Promotion of the support elements 7 is synchronized with the promotion of the gripping elements 6, such that one supporting element 7 on one side of the packaging material 1 occupies the same position as a gripping element 6 on the other Side of the packaging material. Furthermore, the support elements 7 are transverse to it Movable direction of conveyance, from a first position in which it is not on the packaging material 1 act in a second position in which they engage in the gripping elements. By moving the support elements from the first to the second Position, the packaging material is pushed into an open gripping element 6.

In the pocket formation zone II, the distances between the gripping elements 6 reduced and the packaging material extending between the gripping elements 6 1 optionally actively deflected against one of its surfaces, such that pockets 1 'are created which all protrude onto the same side of the gripping elements. This Bags 1 'are at the loading point III with objects to be packed 10 loaded. The objects 10 to be packaged are, for example, in themselves supplied in a known manner by a clamp conveyor 11, into the pockets 1 ' inserted and then released from the clips 12 of the clip conveyor 11.

The bags are in the transfer zone IV following the loading point III 1 'with the objects 10 on the opposite of the gripping elements 6 Side (closed pocket side) of holding elements 15 and each two closing elements 16 are inserted between the pockets 1 'thus held. As soon as a bag 1 'with object 10 from the holding element 15 and optionally from the Closing elements 16 is sufficiently supported, it is released by the gripping element 6.

At the separation point V, each pocket 1 'is separated from the pocket string, for what a separating means 20, for example a separating roller arranged transversely to the pocket strand 21 is arranged and driven with heating wires or blades 22 such that it cooperates with the closing elements 16 retracted between the pockets 1 ' the packaging material is cut across and thus one bag each from the pocket string separates. So that the packaging material has its position around the one to be packed Maintaining item 10 in further promotion may be advantageous equip the distal ends of the closing means 16 with fixing elements (e.g. rows of needles).

When using appropriately designed gripping elements 6, the separation point can also be arranged in front of the transfer zone IV, that is, the pockets be separated from the pocket string if they are still held by the gripping elements become.

The closing zone VI follows the separation position V. In this two are Closing elements 16, which are conveyed before and after each pocket 1 ', against each other moved and for the closure of the packaging on three sides over the Object 10 protruding packaging material pressed against each other. The Closing elements for this closing are, for example, with welding jaws equipped so that when pressed against each other, an appropriate packaging material weld. It is also conceivable that the packaging material, where the bag has to be closed, coated with an adhesive (e.g. glue) is, wherein the adhesive is a connection between layers of packaging material allowed by pressing and / or heat. Also a connection of the two layers of the packaging material by using ultrasound or by pressing an embossed pattern is conceivable.

In the following discharge zone VII, the closing elements 16 are separated again moves and the holding elements 15 for the release of the packaged items 10 'open.

Holding elements 15 and closing elements 16 together with corresponding, Storage means, not shown, advantageously as shown, a drum-like, rotating arrangement 17 with an axis of rotation which is transverse to the conveying direction is aligned. For controlling the holding elements 15 and the closing means 16 fixed control means must be provided. The holding elements 15 must be on a first predetermined position for taking over a pocket 1 'with object 10' in brought an active configuration, that is, closed and they must be in a second, predetermined position for the release of the packaged item 10 'are brought into a passive configuration or opened. The Closing elements 16 are on the one hand by radial displacement from a passive in to bring an active position and back again. On the other hand, in their active Position each two locking means assigned to a pocket against each other and press against each other, which is why they are relative to the circumference of the drum-like Arrangement to be moved.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show, in the same representation as FIGS. 1 and 2, a further, very schematically illustrated embodiment of the device according to the invention, which illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention. The same functional units are designated with the same reference numbers as in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The main difference between the embodiment according to Figures 1 and 2 and that according to FIGS. 3 and 4 is that the latter is a previous one Separation point V 'with a previous release agent 20' and a previous one Has closing zone VI 'with a previous closing means 33. The pockets 1 ' of the pocket strand or the packaging material is in the previous separation point V ', which is arranged upstream from the separation point V, previously partially transversely cut and the pockets 1 'are in the previous closing zone VI', which is arranged upstream of the closing zone VI, previously closed on the side, before being loaded with items 10.

The previous separation of the packaging material only affects the areas of two longitudinal edges of the packaging material. The previous separation of the packaging material is necessary so that the still connected in a pocket string, but already open closed pockets for loading can be.

To carry out the previous separation, a previous release agent 20 ' provided that has two separating rollers 21 'arranged in the region of the longitudinal edges. These separation rollers 21 'cooperate with the support elements 7, which are stretch across the full width of the packaging material, while previous Gripping elements 6 'of a centrally arranged, preceding conveyor system 3' for the Promotion of packaging material 1 are responsible. In the direction of conveyance the previous separation point V 'is the packaging material 1 of gripping elements 6, as described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2.

The detail D in FIG. 4 shows that in the area of the longitudinal edges of the packaging material created previous separations 30.

Between the previous separation point V 'and the previous closing zone VI', advantageously in an area in which the gripping elements 6 'or 6 are still in their have maximum distance from each other, means 31 are arranged, which serve for this purpose along the longitudinal edges of the packaging material 1, that is in the area of the side Pocket seams, one that can be activated, for example, by pressing and / or heat Apply adhesive 32.

In the previous closing zone VI ', which is between the pocket formation zone II and the loading point III is arranged and which also assume a buffer function can be created on the pockets 1 'side seams, for example, that a batch of pockets 1 'is arranged between the seams to be created Press elements 34 are pressed and optionally heated. To do this the gripping elements 6 are arranged at a minimal distance from one another.

After the previous closing zone VI ', they are now closed on the side Bags by increasing the distances between the gripping elements 6 for the feed is opened, the previous separations 30 being spread apart.

The loading, separation and closing of the bags and the discharge of the packaged items 10 'are essentially the same as this in context is described with Figures 1 and 2.

Claims (17)

Method for packaging flat objects (10) with the aid of a packaging material (1) which has a first and a second surface and is supplied in the form of a quasi-endless web, a string of bags (1 ') being made from the packaging material (1) is shaped and conveyed in a conveying direction (F) and the bags (1 ') are loaded with the objects (10) to be packaged, separated from the strand and sealed, characterized in that the packaging material (1) is arranged in a manner to form the pocket strand spaced gripping points is gripped from the first surface and then the distances between the gripping points are reduced, the packaging material (1) being deflected in the same direction between all gripping points. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the packaging material (1) is deflected between the gripping points against the second surface. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the width of the packaging material (1) is substantially horizontal and the first surface is directed upward in the formation of the bag string, that the packaging material (1) is deflected downwards between the gripping points and that the bags (1 ') are loaded from above. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that after the bags (1 ') have been loaded, the bag string is transferred to the closing means (16) and separated into individual bags (1') and then the bags (1 ') are closed become. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the pockets (1 ') of the pocket string are partially separated from one another and laterally closed before loading. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that an adhesive is applied to the packaging material (1) before the lateral closure. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the pockets (1 ') of the pocket string are buffered before loading and / or before closing. Device for packaging flat objects (10) with the aid of a packaging material (1), which has a first and a second surface and is fed in the form of a quasi-endless web, which device is a feeding means for feeding the packaging material (1), a conveyor system (3) for the formation of a strand of bags (1 ') from the packaging material (1) and for its further conveyance, a loading means for loading the bags (1') with objects (10) to be packed, a separating means (20) for the separation of the pockets (1 ') from the pocket string and a closing means for closing the pockets (1'), characterized in that the conveyor system (3) has gripping elements (6) which can be conveyed at variable distances from one another and for gripping the Packaging material (1) are equipped from its first surface, as well as first control means for activating the gripping elements and in conveying area Attention arranged after the first control means, second control means for reducing the distances between the gripping elements (6). Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the feed means for feeding the packaging material (1) is equipped with a substantially horizontal width, that the gripping elements (6) for gripping the packaging material (1) are arranged from above, such that the packaging material (1) between the gripping elements (6) is deflected downwards by gravity. Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that additional support elements (7) are provided which can be driven synchronously with the gripping elements (6) and which are driven from the second surface of the packaging material (1) and into the gripping elements (6). Device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the gripping elements (6) are arranged on gripper bars (5), the ends of the gripper bars (5) being mounted in sliding or rolling fashion in guide rails (4) running laterally from the packaging material (1) and are drivable. Device according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the closing means has a plurality of closing elements (16) which can be inserted between the pockets (1 ') held by the gripping elements (6) and can be closed around them. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the closing means further comprises a plurality of holding elements (15) which are equipped for gripping the charged pockets (1 ') on the side opposite the gripping elements (6). Device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the closing elements (16) and optionally the holding elements (15) are parts of a drum-shaped arrangement (17). Device according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that, in the conveying direction (F), a preceding separating means (20 ') for partial separation of the packaging material (1) in front of the separating means (20) and a preceding closing means (33) for before the closing means lateral closure of the pockets (1 ') is arranged. Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the apparatus further comprises means (31) for applying an adhesive to the packaging material. Apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that a preceding conveyor system (3 ') is arranged in the conveying direction (F) in front of the conveyor system (3), which has previous gripping elements (6') which from the same surface onto the packaging material ( 1) act like the gripping elements (3), which are equipped and controlled for gripping the packaging material at the gripping points and for transferring the gripping points to the gripping elements (6).

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