Device and method for folding outer packaging

Abstract

An apparatus for at least partially folding outer packaging includes a conveyor that transports the outer packaging, a first folder, a second folder, and a set of one or more rotating folders that are part of the second folder. The first folders swivel on the conveyor and fold a front side segment of the outer package that adjoins its base segment and connecting segments that are hinged relative to the base segment. The second folders are above the conveyor device and are configured to fold connecting segments that are hinged relative to the base segment of the outer package. The second folders act on the front side segment of the outer package in a direction oriented against an effective direction of the first folding device around a fold line running in the particular connecting segments.

Claims

1. An apparatus for at least partially folding outer packaging, wherein said outer packaging has multiple segments connected by fold lines, and wherein said outer packaging has a base segment, said apparatus comprising a conveyor device, a first folding devices, a second folding devices, and a set comprising at least one rotating folder, wherein said conveyor device transports said outer packaging in a direction-of-transport, wherein said conveyor device transports said outer packaging in a position in which at least said base segment of said outer packaging rests on said conveyor device, wherein said first folding devices are arranged on said conveyor device such that said first folding devices swivel, wherein said first folding devices are configured to swivel in a first direction for folding of a front side segment of said outer package that adjoins said base segment of said outer package and connecting segments that are hinged relative to said base segment of said outer package, wherein said second folding devices are provided above said conveyor device, wherein said second folding devices are configured to effect a folding of said connecting segments that are hinged relative to said base segment of said outer package, wherein said second folding devices are configured to act on said front side segment of said outer package in a second direction that is oriented opposite said first direction to fold along a fold line running in said particular connecting segments, wherein said at least one rotating folder is driven to rotate about an axis of rotation, and wherein said second folding devices comprise said at least one rotating folder, wherein said first folding devices and said second folding devices engage opposite sides of said outer packaging.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a servo-motor, wherein said servo-motor drives said at least one rotating folder.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said servo-motor is configured to be triggered with a speed profile that depends on a format of said outer packaging.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a control system interacting with said servo-motor, wherein said control system is programmed and configured trigger said servo-motor with an angular acceleration profile that depends on a format of said outer packaging.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a control system interacting with said servo-motor, wherein said control system is programmed and configured to trigger said servo-motor with a rotary motion profile that depends on a format of said outer packaging.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said control system is further configured to change a direction of rotation of said at least one rotating folder.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said servo-motor is configured to be triggered based on a stored parameter set, said parameter set comprising different format-dependent parameters for triggering said servo-motor.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a shaft, wherein said at least one rotating folder is arranged on said shaft, wherein said at least one rotating folder comprises two rotating-folder segments extending radially opposite each other.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said rotating-folder segments comprise flat material.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said set comprises at least two rotating folders.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a shaft, wherein said rotating folders are arranged on said shaft so that they can be moved axially.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a distance of said rotating folders relative to said conveyor device is adjustable.

13. A method for at least partially folding outer packaging that has multiple segments connected by fold lines, said method comprising resting a base segment of said outer packaging on a conveyor device; using said conveyor device, moving said outer packaging in a direction-of-transport; swiveling first folding devices, which are arranged to swivel on said conveyor device, in a first direction, thereby folding a front side segment adjoining said base segment and connecting segments hinged on said front side segment relative to said base segment; and using second folding devices that are provided above said conveyor device and that have rotating folders that are driven to rotate about an axis of rotation, folding said connecting segments about a fold line running in said particular connecting segments by acting on said front side segment in a second direction that is oriented against said first direction, wherein said first folding devices and said second folding devices engage opposite sides of said outer packaging.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising, using a servo-motor, driving said rotating folders.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising selecting a speed profile that depends on said outer packaging, and driving said rotating folders with said speed profile.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising selecting an angular acceleration profile that depends on said outer packaging, and driving said rotating fodders with said angular acceleration profile.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising selecting a rotary motion profile that depends on said outer packaging, and driving said rotating fodders with said rotary motion profile.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising driving said rotating folders in an alternating direction of rotation.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising moving said rotating folders at least partially in spaces forming between containers arranged in rows in an area of said base segment of said outer packaging.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a folding device according to the invention in a perspective view;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a side view of the folding device of FIG. 1; and

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the upper part of the device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) In FIGS. 1 and 2, in each case a device 1 according to the invention is shown for the at least partial folding of outer packaging 2. The folding device 1 comprises substantially two device segments: a lower device segment and an upper device segment.

(6) The lower device segment comprises substantially a conveyor device 3 made to move outer packaging 2 supplied as folding blanks. Preferably, by the conveyor device 3, the folding blanks, which consist of multiple segments, in particular a base segment 2.1, together with a multiplicity of containers B arranged in rows standing on the base segment 2.1, are moved in a direction of transport.

(7) The conveyor device 3 is made for the transport of outer packaging 2 of a varying size, i.e. in different formats. The conveyor device 3 preferably has a multiplicity of stop elements spaced apart from each other, against which a particular outer packaging moved on the transport device 3 abuts by its rear edge as seen in the direction-of-transport TR. These stop elements thus form reference points for the position or orientation of the outer packaging 2 on the conveyor device 3.

(8) The conveyor device 3 is designed in particular for transporting wrap-around packaging. Wrap-around packaging of this kind is made to form a closed watertight outer packaging by multiple segments that are connected to each other solely by pre-stamped folds. Thus, no cuts are needed. As a result, at least the lower part of the outer packaging 2, in which a multiplicity of containers B are held, is free of any leakage openings or leakage points.

(9) In particular, the blank forming the outer packaging has a base segment 2.1, a front side segment 2.2, a rear side segment 2.3 and lateral surface segments, 2.4, 2.5. The front side segment 2.2, the rear side segment 2.3 and the lateral surface segments 2.4, 2.5, are connected in an articulated manner to the base segment 2.1 directly by a fold line. Between the front side segment 2.2 and the lateral surface segments 2.4, 2.5 or the rear side segment 2.3 and the lateral surface segments 2.4, 2.5, connecting segments 2.6, 2.7 are provided that, on sides running at right angles to each other, are connected to different segments, for example the front side segment 2.2 and the lateral surface segment 2.4. The connecting segments 2.6 additionally have a fold line 2.6.1 running in a diagonal direction that divides the connecting segment 2.6 into a first and a second connecting segment area 2.6.2, 2.6.3.

(10) In the embodiment shown, the conveyor device 3 has a pair of first folding devices 4, 4′ that are provided in the area of the front connecting segments 2.6, seen in the direction of transport TR. The first folding devices 4, 4′ are arranged preferably in a swiveling manner on the conveyor device 3 and have at least one contact element that comes to rest opposite the particular connecting segment 2.6.

(11) In the de-activated state of the first folding device 4, 4′, this contact area adopts a horizontal position so that, in the de-activated folding device 4, 4′, the front side segment 2.2 and the connection segments 2.6 hinged to it are oriented likewise horizontally or substantially horizontally, i.e. are on a level or substantially on a level with the base segment 2.1.

(12) At the position at which the still flat carton blanks are pushed from below onto the transport level, the chain that supports the folding tools also starts. While the folding tools on the deflection shaft appear on the transport level, the front side segments and rear side segments are also oriented in parallel. In the further course of the folding process, the front side segment and rear side segment of the carton blank lie against the folding tool.

(13) The contact surface of the first folding devices 4, 4′ can be swiveled in a vertically upright orientation, for example by a lever device, so that the front side segment 2.2 or the connecting segments 2.6 hinged onto it are folded in a direction away from the base segment 2.1 or the conveyor device 3. After the folding by the first folding devices 4, 4′, the front side segment 2.2 or the connecting segments 2.6 hinged onto it are folded upwards at a right angle or substantially at a right angle away from the base segment 2.1. The contact elements of the first folding devices 4, 4′ thereby lie in each case solely on the connecting segments 2.6., i.e. they do not rest against the front side segment 2.2.

(14) To be able to adapt the device to different formats of outer packaging, the first folding devices 4, 4′ can preferably be shifted in the direction of transport or against the direction of transport or can be positioned at different distances from the aforesaid stop element so that a folding of the front side segment 2.2 and the thereby hinged connecting segment 2.6 is possible regardless of the format of the outer packaging 2.

(15) For the further folding of the outer packaging 2, it is necessary to fold the connecting segments 2.6 together along the fold line 2.6.1. so that the two connecting segment areas 2.6.2, 2.6.3 of the connecting segment 2.6 come to rest at least partially against each other in the further folding of the outer packaging 2. To effect this folding along the fold line 2.6.1, by the second device segment arranged above the conveyor device 3, wherein the second device segment is below called the second folding device 5, an application of force on the front side segment 2.2 is exerted, this being where the contact elements of the first folding device 4, 4′ rest against the connecting segments 2.6.

(16) In the example of an embodiment shown, the second folding device 5 comprises a supporting device 10 that is made of two supporting device elements 10.1, 10.2 spaced apart from each other. In the lower area of the supporting device 10, a shaft is mounted such that it can rotate about an axis of rotation DA by suitable mounting devices relative to the supporting device 10. The shaft 8 preferably runs parallel to the level at which the outer packaging 2 is moved through the conveyor device 3. Moreover, the shaft 8 preferably runs crosswise to the direction of transport TR of the conveyor device 3, in particular at right angles to the direction of transport TR. The supporting device 10 is arranged apart from the conveyor device 3 in such a way that the shaft 8 is above the containers B that are moved as they stand on the transport device 3. At least one, but in the example of the embodiment shown two, rotating folders 6, 6′ are held on the shaft. The rotating folders 6, 6′ are set in rotation when the shaft 8 rotates.

(17) A servo-motor 7 is provided on the supporting device 10. The servo-motor 7 is operatively connected to the shaft 8 by suitable driver. In the embodiment shown, the driver is formed by a drive belt. But in other embodiments, the driver can be formed by a chain drive, cogs, etc.

(18) In the exemplary embodiment shown, each of the rotating folders 6, 6′ has two diametrically opposite rotating-folder segments 6.1, 6.1′. The rotating-folder segments 6.1, 6.1′ are preferably made of flat material. As used herein, flat material refers to a material having a thickness that is small in comparison to the other dimensions of the rotating-folder segments.

(19) The rotating folders 6, 6′ are made to be propeller-like. The dimensions of the rotating folders 6, 6′ are selected in such a way that, when the shaft 8 is rotated, the rotating-folder segments 6.1, 6.1′ standing away from the shaft 8, meet the folded-up front side segment 2.2 above the containers B standing on the base segment 2.1 with their narrow sides and thereby effect a folding-back of this front side segment 2.2, the folding-back being oriented against the direction of action of the first folding devices 4, 4′. The rotating folders 6, 6′ preferably act suddenly on the front side segment 2.2 and thereby effect a folding of the connecting segments 2.6 along its particular fold line 2.6.1. This can be seen in particular in FIGS. 1 and 2 on the at least partially folded outer packaging in the direction-of-transport TR after the second folding device 5.

(20) FIG. 3 shows the second folding device 5 with a greater degree of detail. Two rotating folders 6, 6′ arranged independently of each other are arranged in a twist-proof manner on the shaft 8. The particular rotating-folder segments 6.1, 6.1′ of the individual rotating folders 6, 6′ point in the same direction, i.e. the longitudinal axes of the propeller-like rotating folders 6, 6′ and are oriented parallel to each other. To adjust the distance d of the rotating folders 6, 6′ to each other or to adjust the distance of the rotating folders 6, 6′ to the supporting device elements 10.1, 10.2, the rotating folders 6, 6′ are arranged such that they can be shifted on the shaft 8 and can be fixed relative to the shaft 8 by engaging or fixing means, for example a clamping mechanism or catch bolts. Due to this axial mobility, the working width of the second folding device 5 can be adjusted. This enables it to be adapted to different formats of outer packaging or the spacing of the containers B arranged in rows.

(21) To ensure the adjustability of the height of the shaft 8 relative to the conveyor device 3 or the effective depth of the rotating folders 6, 6′ relative to the outer packaging 2 transported on the conveyor device 3, the holders or mounting points of the shaft 8 are arranged in a movable manner on the particular supporting device elements 10.1, 10.2.

(22) In the example of an embodiment shown, a spindle drive 9, 9′ is allocated to each holding point of the shaft 8. Using the spindle drive, the height of the holding point can be adjusted relative to the conveyor device 3. The two spindle drives 9, 9′ are preferably triggered synchronously to each other so that a simultaneous height adjustment of both holding points of the shaft 8 occurs. In this way, a height adjustment of the shaft 8 is achieved in such a manner that it always has a horizontal orientation. Due to the height adjustment of the shaft 8, an adaptation of the folding device 1 to different formats of outer packaging 2 or container formats held in it is possible.

(23) In a preferred embodiment, the folding device 1 is made both for folding the connecting segments 2.6 hinged on the front side segment 2.2 and also the connecting segments 2.7 hinged on the rear side segment 2.3. To achieve this, in the rear area, i.e. on the area adjoining the base segment 2.1 seen in the direction-of-transport 2.1, a first folding device 4a is provided. The first folding device 4a is made to fold up the rear side segment 2.3 or the connecting segments 2.7 hinged on the rear side segment. To effect a folding of the connecting segments 2.7 along the fold line 2.7.1, it is necessary for the rear side segment 2.3 to be folded in a direction opposite the direction-of-transport TR in the event of the action of the first folding device 4a on the connecting segments 2.7. Because of this, the rotating folders 6, 6′ can change their direction of rotation RR, i.e. they can be driven clockwise or counter-clockwise. To achieve this, a triggering of the servo-motor 7 occurs in such a manner that it is driven in an alternating, in particular in a chronologically intermittently changing, direction of rotation. As a result, it moves the rotating folders 6, 6′ in a direction of rotation RR shown in FIG. 2 (clockwise) to fold the front side segment 2.2 and in the opposite direction (counter-clockwise) to fold the rear side segment 2.3.

(24) A control system is provided to enable use of the folding device 1 for a multiplicity of different outer packaging formats. The control system interacts with the servo-motor 7 and effects a triggering of the servo-motor 7 optimized for the particular format of the outer packaging 2 and thereby an appropriate rotation of the rotating folders 6, 6′ for the particular outer packaging type.

(25) To achieve this, the control system preferably has a memory unit in which at least one set of parameters is saved. This set of parameters includes parameters allocated to the format of the outer packaging 2. This enables the parameters for triggering the servo-motor to depend on the format processed on the folding device 1. The selected parameters effect a triggering of the servo-motor with a desired rotary motion profile that is adapted optimally to the outer packaging format allocated to these parameters, so that the desired folding along the fold lines 2.6.1, 2.7.1 of the connecting segments 2.6, 2.7 is achieved by the action of the rotating folders 6, 6′ on the front side segment 2.2 or the rear side segment 2.3 by an optimum speed of impact or an optimum point of impact.

(26) The invention was described above using examples of embodiments. It is clear that a multiplicity of modifications and variations are possible without thereby departing from the inventive idea underlying the invention.

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST

(27) 1 Folding device 2 Outer packaging 2.1 Base segment 2.2 Front side segment 2.3 Rear side segment 2.4 Lateral surface segment 2.5 Lateral surface segment 2.6 Connecting segment: 2.6.1 Fold line 2.6.2 First connecting segment area 2.6.3 Second connecting segment area 2.7 Connecting segment: 2.7.1 Fold line 3 Conveyor device 4, 4′ First folding device 4a First folding device 5 Second folding device 6, 6′ Rotating folders 6.1, 6.1′ Rotating-folder segment 7 Servo-drive 8 Shaft 9, 9′ Spindle drive 10 Supporting device 10.1, 10.2 Supporting device element B Container d Distance DA Axis of rotation RR Direction of rotation TR Transport direction