PACKAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OPERATING SAME

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a packaging apparatus and method for packaging an article with a tubular film to be pulled over the article. The packaging apparatus has a machine frame on which a film supply apparatus and a film covering apparatus are mounted. The packaging apparatus includes a releasable drive coupling usable to operatively couple a drive with either the film covering apparatus or the film supply apparatus (or a subcomponent of the film supply apparatus). Once coupled, the drive can move the film covering apparatus or the film supply apparatus relative to the frame.

Claims

1. A packaging apparatus for packaging at least one article with a tubular film, the packaging apparatus comprising: a frame; a film supply apparatus movable relative to the frame and including a subcomponent comprising a subcomponent catch device, wherein the subcomponent catch device is movable between a first engaged position and a first disengaged position; a film covering apparatus movable relative to the frame and including a covering-apparatus catch device movable between a second engaged position and a second disengaged position; a drive element comprising a drive catch device; a drive operably connected to the drive element to drive the drive element to move the drive catch device relative to the frame; and a controller configured to control the drive, to move the subcomponent catch device between the first engaged and disengaged positions, and to move the covering-apparatus catch device between the second engaged and disengaged positions, wherein the subcomponent catch device is engageable by the drive catch device when in the first engaged position but not when in the first disengaged position, wherein the covering-apparatus catch device is engageable by the drive catch device when in the second engaged position but not when in the second disengaged position.

2. The packaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein only one of the subcomponent catch device and the covering-apparatus catch device is engageable by the drive catch device at a time.

3. The packaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to, when the subcomponent of the film supply apparatus is in a subcomponent operating position: move the subcomponent catch device to the first engaged position; control the drive to drive the drive element to raise the drive catch device into engagement with the subcomponent catch device; and thereafter, control the drive to drive the drive element to move the drive catch device and the subcomponent relative to the frame and the film covering apparatus until the subcomponent reaches a subcomponent maintenance position below the subcomponent operating position.

4. The packaging apparatus of claim 3, wherein the subcomponent further comprises a subcomponent positioning coupling device releasably engageable to the frame, wherein the controller is further configured to, after the drive catch device engages the subcomponent catch device, control the drive to drive the drive element to raise the drive catch device and the subcomponent to enable the positioning coupling device to disengage the frame.

5. The packaging apparatus of claim 4, wherein the subcomponent positioning coupling device comprises a positioning lever movable between a first position in which the positioning lever is positioned to engage the frame and a second position in which the positioning lever is positioned not to engage the frame.

6. The packaging apparatus of claim 5, wherein the controller is further configured to, after raising the drive catch device and the subcomponent, move the positioning lever from the first position to the second position.

7. The packaging apparatus of claim 3, wherein the subcomponent catch device comprises a first lever and a first lever drive operably connected to the first lever to pivot the first lever between the first engaged and disengaged positions, wherein the controller is operably connected to the first lever drive to control the first lever drive to pivot the first lever between the first engaged and disengaged positions.

8. The packaging apparatus of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to, when the film covering apparatus is in a covering-apparatus operating position: move the covering-apparatus catch device to the second engaged position; control the drive to drive the drive element to raise the drive catch device into engagement with the covering-apparatus catch device; and thereafter, control the drive to drive the drive element to move the drive catch device and the film-covering apparatus relative to the frame and the subcomponent of the film supply apparatus until the film-covering apparatus reaches a covering-apparatus maintenance position below the covering-apparatus operating position.

9. The packaging apparatus of claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to move the subcomponent catch device to the first disengaged position before controlling the drive to drive the drive element to raise the drive catch device into engagement with the covering apparatus catch device.

10. The packaging apparatus of claim 8, wherein the covering-apparatus catch device comprises a second lever and a second lever drive operably connected to the second lever to pivot the second lever between the second engaged and disengaged positions, wherein the controller is operably connected to the second lever drive to control the second lever drive to pivot the second lever between the second engaged and disengaged positions.

11. The packaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the subcomponent of the film supply apparatus comprises at least one of: a film store, a film feed apparatus, a film opening apparatus, a cutting apparatus, and a welding apparatus.

12. The packaging apparatus of claim 11, wherein the drive element comprises at least one of: a drive chain, a drive cable, a linkage, and a drive belt.

13. A method of operating a packaging apparatus, the method comprising: when a subcomponent of a film supply apparatus in is a subcomponent operating position, moving a subcomponent catch device of the subcomponent from a first disengaged position to a first engaged position; driving a drive element to raise a drive catch device of the drive element into engagement with the subcomponent catch device; and thereafter, driving the drive element to move the drive catch device and the subcomponent relative to a frame and a film covering apparatus until the subcomponent reaches a subcomponent maintenance position below the subcomponent operating position.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the subcomponent catch device comprises a first lever, wherein moving the subcomponent catch device from the first disengaged position to the first engaged position comprises pivoting the first lever from the first engaged position to the first disengaged position.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising: when the film covering apparatus is in a covering-apparatus operating position, moving a covering-apparatus catch device of the film covering apparatus from a second disengaged position to a second engaged position; driving the drive element to raise the drive catch device into engagement with the covering-apparatus catch device; and thereafter, driving the drive element to move the drive catch device and the film-covering apparatus relative to the frame and the subcomponent of the film supply apparatus until the film-covering apparatus reaches a covering-apparatus maintenance position below the covering-apparatus operating position.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising moving the subcomponent catch device to the first disengaged position before driving the drive element to raise the drive catch device into engagement with the covering apparatus catch device.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the covering apparatus catch device comprises a second lever, wherein moving the covering apparatus catch device from the second disengaged position to the second engaged position comprises pivoting the second lever from the second engaged position to the second disengaged position.

Description

[0042] The present disclosure is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment illustrated schematically in the drawings.

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a perspective overall view of a packaging apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 2 to FIG. 8 show a simplified side view of a packaging apparatus of the present disclosure, showing the individual steps of lowering the film covering apparatus from an operating position into a maintenance position.

[0045] FIG. 9 to FIG. 17 show a simplified side view of a packaging apparatus of the present disclosure, showing the individual steps of the lowering of the film supply apparatus from an operating position into a maintenance position.

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a perspective overall view of a packaging apparatus 1 of the present disclosure for packaging an article 2 with a tubular film 3. The packaging apparatus 1 has a film stock in the form of a rolled tubular film 3. To produce and feed in the film, the packaging apparatus 1 has a film supply apparatus 5 that is arranged in the upper region of a machine frame 4 of the packaging apparatus 1. The film supply apparatus 5 has subcomponents, such as film feed apparatus, film opening apparatus, cutting apparatus, and welding apparatus (not illustrated explicitly).

[0047] For maintenance and/or installation purposes, it is sometimes necessary here to move the film covering apparatus 6 and/or the film supply apparatus 5 or a subcomponent of the film supply apparatus 5 into a maintenance position. Since the packaging apparatus 1 is generally some meters high, it is difficult, under some circumstances, for a fitter to reach all of the components of the packaging apparatus 1. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, both the film covering apparatus 6 and at least one subcomponent of the film supply apparatus 5 can be moved into a maintenance position, as shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 17.

[0048] It is now first of all explained in FIG. 2 to FIG. 8 how the film covering apparatus 6 is moved by way of the drive 7 into a maintenance position. It is subsequently explained in FIG. 9 to FIG. 17 how the film supply apparatus 5 or the subcomponent thereof is subsequently also moved by way of the drive 7 into a maintenance position.

[0049] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the packaging apparatus 1 with the machine frame 4. The film covering apparatus 6 is fastened to the machine frame 4 so as to be movable in a vertical direction. The film covering apparatus 6 is connected to a drive belt 18 of a drive 7 by way of a drive coupling 8. However, solutions with a drive cable and/or a drive belt are also conceivable. The drive 7 can take place here by motor or else hydraulically and/or pneumatically by way of a drive piston. The drive can be arranged at the top or at the bottom or at another suitable position of the machine frame 4.

[0050] In the present example, the drive coupling 8 has a catch lever 20 that is mounted on the film covering apparatus 6. A counterpart 21, for example a bushing, that is in engagement with the catch lever 20 when the catch lever 20 is in an extended state is mounted on the drive belt/chain/cable 18. In FIG. 2, the catch lever 20 is in the extended state and is therefore inoperative connection with the counterpart 21. By way of the drive coupling 8, it is therefore possible to move the film covering apparatus 6 on the machine frame 6.

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view according to FIG. 2, wherein the film covering apparatus 6 is now in a lowered position and is intended to be brought into a maintenance position.

[0052] As can be seen in FIG. 4, the film covering apparatus 6 has positioning coupling devices 14. In the present exemplary embodiment, these are pivotable levers that can be moved, for example, by a hydraulic drive (not illustrated). The movable levers are activated via a controller of the packaging apparatus. As indicated in FIG. 4 by the curved arrows 30, the positioning coupling devices 14 of the film covering apparatus 6 are moved into an engagement position. However, the positioning coupling devices 14 do not absolutely have to be formed by movable parts of this type. Instead of the pivotable lever, it is thus also possible, for example, for a rigid projection also to be arranged on the film covering apparatus 6.

[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the film covering apparatus 6 is subsequently lowered further by way of the drive 7, as a result of which the positioning coupling devices 14 sit on mountings 15 mounted on the machine frame 4. The film covering apparatus 6 is now in the maintenance position thereof. If, instead of the pivotable lever, for example a rigid projection is arranged on the film covering apparatus 6, the projection sits correspondingly on the mounting 15. However, instead of on the mounting 15 on the machine frame 4, it may optionally also be expedient for the film covering apparatus 6 to be deposited directly on a surface located under the film covering apparatus 1, for example on the floor of a workshop.

[0054] As can be seen in FIG. 6, the operative connection between drive 7 and film covering apparatus 6 is released as soon as the film covering apparatus 6 is in the maintenance position thereof. The drive coupling 8 is responsible for this purpose. In the present case, the drive 7 initially moves further downward by a distance in order thereby to relieve the catch lever 20 of load.

[0055] As can be seen in FIG. 7, the catch lever 20 of the film covering apparatus 6 is subsequently moved into a retracted position, as is indicated by the curved arrows 31. This takes place, for example, by way of a pneumatic piston that is connected (not illustrated) to the pivotable catch lever 20. By the pivoting of the catch levers 20 into a retracted position, it is subsequently possible to move the drive 7 together with counterpart 21 upwards on the machine frame 4 without the drive transporting the film covering apparatus 6 upward at the same time. On the contrary, the film covering apparatus 6 continues to remain in the maintenance position thereof, as can be seen in FIG. 8.

[0056] It is now explained in FIG. 9 to FIG. 17 how the film supply apparatus 5 or a subcomponent of the film supply apparatus 5 is now also moved by way of the drive 7 into a maintenance position.

[0057] In FIG. 9, the film supply apparatus 5 is illustrated still in the operating position thereof—and therefore fastened to the upper end of the machine frame 4. To fasten the film supply apparatus 5 to the machine frame 4, use is made of positioning coupling devices 13. These can be pivotable levers that is moved, for example, by way of pneumatics. A controller takes over the targeted activation of the lever. As can be seen in FIG. 9, the positioning coupling devices 13 are initially in an extended state. As a result, the film supply apparatus 5 is inoperative connection with a mounting 15 on the machine frame 4.

[0058] To produce an operative connection between the film supply apparatus 5 and the drive 7, the film supply apparatus 5, similarly to the film covering apparatus 6, has a catch lever 20. The catch lever 20 is also pivotable and is movable in a targeted manner by a controller. To produce the engagement between the catch lever 20 and the drive 7, the catch lever 20 of the film supply apparatus 5 is first of all brought into an extended position. This is illustrated in FIG. 10 and is indicated by the curved arrows 32. Subsequently, the drive 7 together with the counterpart 21 mounted thereon is moved further upward until the catch lever 20 and the counterpart 21 come into engagement. This is illustrated in FIG. 11. However, analogously to the positioning coupling devices 14, the positioning coupling devices 13 also do not absolutely have to be formed by movable parts. Instead of the pivotable lever, it is, for example, also possible for a rigid projection to be arranged on the film supply apparatus 5, which projection comes into engagement with the counterpart 21.

[0059] By further movement of the drive 7 upward, the film supply apparatus 5 is raised and, as a result, the positioning coupling devices 13 are relieved of load, as can be seen in FIG. 12. Only when the positioning coupling devices 13 have been relieved of load is it possible for the positioning coupling devices 13 to move from an extended position into a retracted position, as illustrated in FIG. 13 and indicated by the curved arrows 33. By way of the retraction of the positioning coupling devices 13, the possible contact between the positioning coupling devices 13 and the mountings 15 on the machine frame 4 is canceled. It is thus possible to lower the film supply apparatus 5 along the machine frame 4 with the aid of the drive 7. This is illustrated in FIG. 14.

[0060] To relieve the drive 7 of load during the maintenance of the film supply apparatus 5, the film supply apparatus 5 is also brought in the maintenance position thereof into operative connection with the machine frame 4 again. This again takes place with the positioning coupling devices 13. For this purpose, the positioning coupling devices 13 are moved, for example by way of pneumatics, into an extended position shortly before the film supply apparatus 5 is moved in the maintenance position thereof. This is illustrated in FIG. 15 and is indicated by the curved arrows 34. In the present case, mountings 15 are in turn mounted on the machine frame 4 level with the machine frame on which the film supply apparatus 5 is intended to be positioned for maintenance. The extended positioning coupling devices 13 ensure that the film supply apparatus 5 can be deposited on the mounting 15, as shown in FIG. 16. As a result, the drive 7 can be relieved of load and the maintenance to the film supply apparatus 5 can be carried out safely. The unloaded state of the drive 7 is illustrated in FIG. 17.

[0061] To bring the packaging apparatus 1 from the maintenance position thereof again into an operating position, the sequence described in FIG. 2 to FIG. 17 takes place analogously, but in a reverse sequence.

[0062] The described illustrations merely show a schematic and basic illustration of the packaging apparatus of the present disclosure. Many other variants are also conceivable. For example, numerous mountings can be arranged on the machine frame to permit a multiplicity of possible maintenance positions for the film supply apparatus and the film covering apparatus. It is also possible for the film supply apparatus to have a plurality of separately-movable components. Analogous to the exemplary embodiment shown and described above, a first subcomponent of the film supply apparatus could then be moved into a maintenance position and, thereafter and in the same manner, a plurality of other subcomponents could then be moved into a maintenance position in subsequent steps.

[0063] Various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. These changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

[0064] While the features, methods, devices, and systems described herein may be embodied in various forms, there are shown in the drawings, and have been described, some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments. Not all of the depicted components described in this disclosure may be required, however, and some implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components from those expressly described in this disclosure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components; the shapes, sizes, and materials of the components; and the manners of attachment and connections of the components may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims as set forth herein. This specification is intended to be taken as a whole and interpreted in accordance with the principles of the invention as taught herein and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

TABLE-US-00001 List of reference numbers:  1. Packaging apparatus  2. Article  3. Film  4. Machine frame  5. Film supply apparatus  6. Film covering apparatus  7. Drive  8. Drive coupling 13. First positioning coupling device 14. Second positioning coupling device 15. Mounting 18. Drive belt/chain/cable/piston 20. Catch lever 21. Counterpart