DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SETTING UP CONTAINERS HAVING A FUNCTIONAL EDGE FROM FLAT BLANKS

Abstract

A device for setting up containers along fold lines from flat blanks, having a forming station including a forming tool having a displaceable forming punch, and a backing device for setting up the containers from the blanks, and having a discharging device for carrying away the set-up containers from the forming station. The forming station is designed for folding a circumferential functional edge. The device is designed for turning the set-up containers after the forming station and for pushing the containers over preceding containers for forming a container stack having the container openings thereof facing forward.

Claims

1. A device for setting up containers along fold lines from flat blanks, having a forming station comprising a forming tool having a displaceable forming punch and a backing device for setting up the containers from the blanks, and having a discharging device for carrying away the set-up containers from the forming station, the forming punch comprising a punch end face interacting with a base part of the blank when setting up a container, and at least one first punch side leading laterally away from the punch end face at an angle and acting on a side wall part of the blank when setting up the container, wherein a flange segment facing laterally outward in a forming direction is connected to the at least one first punch side and is disposed at an angle to the first punch side, and the forming tool comprises at least one folding aid having a displaceable folding tool able to interact with the flange segment such that a functional edge protruding laterally outward is folded out of the blank when setting up the container.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the flange segment comprises an inner wall segment and an outer flange part, and the inner wall segment is set back by an offset relative to the outer flange part as seen in the forming direction.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein a height of the inner wall segment corresponds to a width of the functional edge.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the forming punch implements two first punch sides opposite each other and leading away from the punch end face laterally at an angle, and each acting on a first side wall part of the blank when forming the container, and a first flange segment facing laterally outward as seen in a forming direction is connected to each of the first punch sides and is disposed at an angle to the first punch side, and the forming tool comprises first folding aids each having a displaceable folding tool each able to interact with a first flange segment such that, in each case, a first functional edge protruding laterally outward is folded out of the blank when setting up the container.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the two first functional edges are disposed transverse to the transport direction of the blank.

6. The device according to claim 4, wherein the forming punch implements two second punch sides opposite each other and leading away from the punch end face laterally at an angle, and each acting on a second side wall part of the blank when forming the container, and a second flange segment facing laterally outward as seen in the forming direction is connected to each of the second punch sides and is disposed at an angle to the second punch side, and the forming tool comprises second folding aids each having a displaceable folding tool, each able to interact with a second flange segment such that in each case a second functional edge protruding laterally outward is folded out of the blank when setting up the container.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one folding aid comprises a displaceable folding tool able to act in a corner zone formed between the at least one first punch side and the at least one flange segment when forming the container.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the folding tool implements a folding edge.

9. The device according to claim 7, wherein the folding tool is pivotable toward the corner zone.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one folding aid comprises a stop element designed such that the forming punch displaced in the forming direction while setting up the container contacts the stop element and sets the stop element in motion, wherein the stop element is coupled to the folding tool such that the folding tool is displaced toward the flange segment by the motion of the stop element.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises at least one flange stop, particularly at least one pair of flange stops displaceable relative to each other, disposed ahead of the stack guide of the discharging device in the forming direction for clamping at least one functional edge during the forming or setting up.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the at least one stop comprises a folding aid or the at least one folding aid having a folding tool able to interact with the flange segment of the forming punch such that a functional edge offset laterally outward is folded out of the blank when setting up the container.

13. A method for setting up containers along fold lines from flat blanks by means of a device according to claim 1, having the following steps: introducing the blank into the forming station; displacing the forming punch toward the blank in the forming direction; pressing the blank into the setup space of the backing device by the forming punch and folding and forming the blank, and particularly the functional edge, by the forming punch; and fully setting up the container from the blank, wherein the folding tool of the at least one folding aid is brought together with the at least one flange segment during the setting up of the container, and the folding tool acts on the blank and interacts with the at least one flange segment such that a functional edge offset laterally outward is folded out of the blank.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the folding tool of the at least one folding aid acts in a corner zone implemented between the at least one punch side and the flange segment during the setting up of the container.

15. A device for setting up containers along fold lines from flat blanks, having a forming station comprising a forming tool having a displaceable forming punch, and a backing device for setting up the container from the blanks, and having a discharging device comprising a stack guide for forming a stack of set-up containers nesting in each other, particularly according to claim 1, wherein a turning device for turning the set-up container is disposed between the forming station and the discharging device, wherein the turning device is designed for modifying the orientation of the container opening such that the set-up containers can be pushed over a preceding container for forming a stack of containers pushed over one another, each having the container opening thereof facing forward.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the turning device comprises a turning body rotatable about an axis of rotation.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the turning body comprises at least one container receiver designed for receiving the set-up container from the forming punch and holding the sameset-up container.

18. The device according to claim 16, wherein the turning body comprises at least one ejector designed for ejecting the containers held by the container receiver into a stack guide of the discharging device.

19. A method for setting up containers along fold lines from flat blanks and for discharging the set-up containers in a stack of nested containers by means of a device according to claim 1, having the following steps: introducing the blank into the forming station; displacing the punch toward the blank in the forming direction; pressing the blank into the setup space of the backing device by the forming punch and folding and forming the blank, and particularly the functional edge, by the forming punch; and fully setting up the container from the flat blank, wherein the set-up containers are received by the turning device and turned, wherein the orientation of the container opening opening is modified, and after the turning, the set-up containers are pushed over a preceding container in the discharging device for forming a stack of containers pushed over one another, each having the container opening thereof facing forward.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein, after the turning, the containers are displaced, particularly ejected, into the container receiving space of the stack guide of the discharging device, particularly by means of an ejector.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0231] The object of the invention is explained in further detail below using embodiment examples shown in the attached drawings. They show, schematically in each case:

[0232] FIG. 1a a side view of a device according to the invention for setting up containers from flat blanks having a turning device;

[0233] FIG. 1b a side view of a device according to the invention for setting up containers from flat blanks without a turning device;

[0234] FIG. 2 a perspective view of a part of the forming station according to the invention and the turning device;

[0235] FIG. 3 a side view of a part of the forming station and the turning device according to FIG. 2;

[0236] FIG. 4 a perspective view of a part of the forming station according to FIG. 2;

[0237] FIG. 5 a side view of a detail of the forming station according to FIG. 2;

[0238] FIG. 6 a perspective view of a forming punch according to the invention;

[0239] FIG. 7 a perspective view of the turning device according to the invention;

[0240] FIG. 8a a flat blank;

[0241] FIG. 8b a container set up from the flat blank according to 8a and glued;

[0242] FIGS. 9a-9c perspective views of various forming stages during the setting up of a container;

[0243] FIG. 10a a perspective view of a particular embodiment of a container receiver;

[0244] FIG. 10b a side view of the container receiver according to FIG. 10a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0245] Identical parts in the figures are fundamentally referenced with the same reference numeral. Some features, such as features not essential to the invention, are not shown in the figures in order to clarify the invention. The embodiment examples described are examples representing the object of the invention or serve for explaining the object, and have no limiting effect.

[0246] FIGS. 1a and 1b in each case show an embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention for setting up of container 92 from flat blanks 91, as they are also shown in FIG. 8a (flat blank 91) and 8b (set up container 92).

[0247] The device 1 includes a feeder 2 for providing the blanks 91 as a stack 5 as seen in the process direction. The blanks 91 are individually taken off the stack 5 and transferred to a transport device 3 downstream of the feeder 2, by means of which the blanks 91 are transported to a forming station 10. Transporting the blanks 91 can be done by means of a chain or belt drive. The blanks 91 can be transported by means of drivers or clips, for example.

[0248] In the present embodiment, the blanks 91 are transported in the transport direction T along a transport plane 6 inclined diagonally upward in the direction of the forming station 10 and are deflected vertically downward by a deflecting device prior to the forming station 10, so that the blanks 91 are transported into the forming region of the forming station 10 in a vertical orientation.

[0249] The transport plane 6 can in principle also be horizontal or inclined diagonally downward. The transporting of the blanks 91 also need not run along a transport plane. The transport path can also follow a curved track.

[0250] An adhesive applying station 4 for applying adhesive to defined adhesive regions on the blank 91 is disposed between the feeder 2 and the forming station 10. The adhesive regions can be adhesive dots, for example, particularly applied to adhesive tabs 95 (see also FIG. 8a). The adhesive applying station 4, however, is not a mandatory feature of the present invention. The adhesive applying station can also be integrated in the forming station.

[0251] A folding station (not shown) can furthermore be disposed between the feeder 2 and the forming station 10, in which a fold is introduced in the connecting segment between a container cover and a container base body having a container receptacle, for example. The folding station can also serve for introducing a fold running in the transport direction T between a container side wall and a functional edge.

[0252] The flat blank 91 is fed into the forming station 10 downstream of the transport device 3 vertically or diagonally from above and is positioned in the forming region in a forming position. The forming station 10 includes a forming tool 11 having a forming punch 12 and a backing device 21 implementing a setup space 24. The flat blank 91 is set up and glued by means of the forming tool 11 to form a container 92 having a container receptacle 100 and a container opening 99.

[0253] The forming punch 12 and the backing device 21 implement a type of male/female tool and die system to this end. The forming punch 12 performs an in particular linear forming stroke along a working axis W in the forming direction U toward the flat blank 91 for setting up the container 92. The forming punch 12 thereby presses the flat blank 91 into the setup space 24 of the backing device 21, whereby the flat blank 91 is set up to form a container 92. When setting up, side wall parts 94a, 94b of the flat blank 91 are bent along predefined fold lines 98a, 98b relative to a base part 93.

[0254] The backing device 21, for example implemented by a linkage, is only indicated in FIGS. 1a, 1b, 3, and 5 for reasons of clarity. The implementing of the backing device 21 is not, however, an essential aspect of the invention. A backing device is also disclosed in DE 102 48 231 A1, disclosing a generic device for setting up containers from flat blanks. In the cited publication, the forming elements 51 shown in FIG. 2 implement the backing device.

[0255] The forming stroke of the forming punch 12 runs horizontally according to the two embodiments. The forming stroke can, however, also run diagonally upward or diagonally downward at an angle to the horizontal. It is much more important, however, that the forming stroke and the associated working axis W runs perpendicular to the plane in which the flat blank 91 is disposed in the forming position.

[0256] The exact sequence of the forming procedure and particularly the forming of the functional edges 96a, 96b according to the first aspect of the invention is described in more detail below using the FIGS. 2 through 6 and 9a through 9c.

[0257] The embodiment according to FIG. 1a is thus characterized in that the set-up container 92 is transferred to the container receiver 33a, 33b, 33c of a turning device 31 after the forming procedure, as is shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 7. The turning device 31 is disposed after the forming station 10 and before a discharging device 51 in the process direction.

[0258] The set-up containers 92 are rotated by 180° (angular degrees) in the turning device 31 and then ejected into the container receiving space 55 of a stack guide 52 of the discharging device 51 having the container opening 99 facing forward. The ejected containers 92 are pushed over each other in the stack guide 52 for forming a container stack 54.

[0259] The embodiment according to FIG. 1b is thus characterized in that the set-up container 92 is pushed into a container receiver 133 by the forming punch 12 after the forming procedure, as is shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b. The container receiver 133 is disposed after the forming station 10 and before a discharging device 51 in the process direction.

[0260] The set-up containers 92 are ejected into the container receiving space 55 of a stack guide 52 of the discharging device 51 by the forming punch 12 by means of the container receiver 133 having the container base 93 facing forward. The ejected containers 92 are pushed into each other in the stack guide 52 for forming a container stack 54.

[0261] The stacked containers 92 can then be removed from the stack guide 52 in groups according to the two embodiments according to FIGS. 1a and 1b, for example packaged in stacks in boxes and delivered.

[0262] The handling of the set-up containers 92 after the forming station 10 is described in more detail below using detail views.

[0263] The flat blank 91, as shown in FIG. 8a, includes a base part 93 for subsequently implementing the container base 93. The blank 91 further includes first side wall parts 94a for subsequently implementing the first side walls 94a of the container 92 and second side wall parts 94b for subsequently implementing the second side walls 94b of the container 92. The side wall parts 94a, 94b are each connected to the base part 93 by means of predefined fold lines 98a, 98b.

[0264] An adhesive tab 95 is disposed in each case on the side of the second side wall parts 94b, serving for connecting adjacent side walls 94a, 94b by means of adhesive connections. The adhesive tabs 95 are also connected to the second wall parts 94b by means of predefined fold lines 98c.

[0265] A functional edge 96a is connected to each of the first side walls 94a facing outward and is connected to the first side wall 94a by means of a predefined first fold line 97a. A second functional edge 96b is further connected to the second side walls 94b facing outward and is connected to the second side wall 94b by means of a predefined second fold line 97b. The functional edges 96a, 96b are angled laterally outward in the set-up state of the container 92 and form a circumferential sealing or holding edge (see FIG. 8b).

[0266] The functional edges 96a, 96b of the set-up container 92 overlap each other in the corner zones in the present embodiment example. The functional edges 96a, 96b are connected to each other in the overlap region by means of an adhesive connection.

[0267] The forming punch 12 according to the invention according to FIG. 6 includes a punch end face 13 and two first punch sides 14a opposite each other and two second punch sides 14b opposite each other and disposed perpendicular to the first punch sides 14a. The forming punch 12 is correspondingly designed for implementing a container 92 having a rectangular base area or rectangular base.

[0268] The punch end face 13 forms an end face. The first and second punch sides 14a, 14b implement lateral surfaces.

[0269] The punch end face 13 interacts with a base part 93 of the flat blank 91 during setting up of the container 92. The first punch sides 14a of the forming punch 12 interact with first side wall parts 94a during setting up of the container 92, and the second punch sides 14b of the forming punch 12 interact with second side wall parts 94b of the blank 91 (see also FIGS. 9a through 9c).

[0270] The punch sides 14a, 14b are disposed at an angle of greater than 90° relative to the punch end face 13, thereby enabling the forming of conical containers 92.

[0271] A first flange segment 15a is connected to each of the first punch sides 14a and a second flange segment 15b is connected to each of the second punch sides 14b. The flange segments 15a, 15b are each disposed at an angle to the associated punch sides 14a, 14b and face outward.

[0272] The flange segments 15a, 15b each form an inner wall segment 15a.1, 15b.1 to which an outer flange part 15a.2, 15b.2 is connected.

[0273] The inner wall segment 15a.1, 15b.1 is set back as seen in the forming direction U by means of an offset 17 relative to the outer flange part 15a.2, 15b.2. The inner wall segment 15a.1, 15b.1 runs parallel to the punch end face 13 of the forming punch 12 and also faces in the forming direction U.

[0274] One corner line 23 is implemented in each case between the punch sides 14a, 14b and the flange segments 15a, 15b or the inner wall segments 15a.1, 15b.1.

[0275] The function of the inner wall segment 15a.1, 15b.1 is described in more detail below in the context of the detailed description of the forming procedure.

[0276] The forming procedure, including setting up the container 92 and forming the functional edges 96a, 96b, is shown in detail in the FIGS. 2 through 5 and 9a through 9c.

[0277] The forming punch 12 is connected to a guide bar 16 brought into linear motion by means of a drive, not shown. For setting up the container 92 from the flat blank 91, the forming punch 12 is displaced toward the blank 91. The punch end face 13 of the forming punch 12 contacts the base part of the blank 91 and pushes the blank 91 into the setup space 24 of the backing device 21 as the motion in the forming direction U continues. When pushing the blank 91 into the backing device 21, the side walls 94a, 94b are set up. The backing device 21 is furthermore implemented so that the adhesive tabs 95 on the second side walls 94b are folded inward and come to rest on the outside of the first side walls 94a of the container 92 to be formed and set up.

[0278] When setting up the side walls 94a, 94b, the functional edges 96a, 96b contact the flange segment 15a, 15b of the forming punch 12. The interacting of the forming punch 12 and backing device 21 is not sufficient, however, for folding the functional edges 96a, 96b into the desired, folded position.

[0279] To this end, the forming station 12 includes folding aids 18a, 18b, wherein one folding aid 18a, 18b is associated with each punch side 14a, 14b and each flange segment 15a, 15b.

[0280] The folding aids 18a, 18b each include a folding tool 19a, 19b having a folding blade and pivotably supported about an axis of rotation F. The folding blade implements one folding edge 20 each. For folding the functional edges 96a, 96b, the folding tools are each pivoted laterally out of a resting position from outside of the motion zone of the forming punch 12 against the forming punch 12 being displaced in the forming direction U. When pivoting out, the folding tool 19a, 19b includes a motion component toward the forming punch 12 and in the forming direction U.

[0281] The folding edge 20 of the folding tool 19a, 19b thereby engages in the corner line 23 implemented between the punch side 14a, 14b and the flange segment 15a, 15b or the inner wall segment 15b.1, 15b.1.

[0282] For the procedure, the folding tool 19a, 19b presses the fold line 97a, 97b of the functional edge 94a, 94b into the corner line 23, whereby the functional edge 94a, 94b is folded outward, that is, is bent outward from the associated side wall part 94a, 94b. The functional edge 94a, 94b thereby comes to rest against the inner wall segment 15a.1, 15b.1 of the flange segment 15a, 15b.

[0283] The height h of the inner wall segment 15a.1, 15b.1 corresponds to the width b of the functional edge 96a, 96b or is slightly less, so that the functional edge 96a, 96b folded outward is clamped between the corner line 23 and the offset 17.

[0284] The folding tool 19a, 19b is implemented so that the tool has a dead center point in which the folding edge 20 of the folding tool 19a, 19b exerts a maximum force in the direction of the corner line 23 on the fold edge 97a, 97b of the functional edge 96a, 96b. The dead center point corresponds to a position of the folding tool 19a, 19b in which the folding edge 20 is at the least distance from the corner line 23.

[0285] After passing the dead center point, that is, as the folding tool 19a, 19b pivots further, the acting force of the folding tool 19a, 19b drops off again. The folding tool 19a, 19b thus has a motion component in the forming direction U and away from the forming punch 12 after passing through the dead center point and pivoting further.

[0286] The rotary body includes a co-rotating rotary element 25, through which the axis of rotation F leads, for implementing a dead center point and together with the folding tool 19a, 19b being part of a rotary body rotatable about the axis of rotation F. The rotary element 25 has the cross-sectional shape of an equilateral triangle in the present embodiment example. Other cross-sectional shapes are, however, also conceivable. The rotary element 25 implements a force transfer contact together with a guide element 26.

[0287] The rotary element 25 implements a contact region along the circumference thereof, at which a maximum radial distance to the outer circumference of the rotary element 25 from the axis of rotation F is present, and at which the guide element 26 correspondingly exerts a maximum compressive force on the rotary element 25 and thus on the folding tool 19a, 19b by means thereof. The contact region, implemented in the present embodiment example by an edge of the equilateral triangle, forms a dead center point together with the guide element 25, in that the radial distance to the outer circumference of the rotary element 25 from the axis of rotation F and thus the compressive force on the rotary element 25 drops off before and after the contact region. It is understood that the associated force vector does not lead through the axis of rotation F.

[0288] In the present embodiment example, the folding tool 19a, 19b is passively driven by the forming punch 12. To this end, the folding aids 18a, 18b each include one stop element 22 coupled to the folding tool 19a, 19b and also rotatably supported about the axis of rotation F. The stop element 22 and the folding tool 19a, 19b are part of the rotary body rotatable about the axis of rotation F.

[0289] The stop element 22 protrudes into the motion zone of the forming punch 12 before the forming punch 12 as seen in the forming direction U during the forming procedure. The forming punch 12 then pushes the stop element 22 away in the forming direction U during the forming procedure, whereby the element is set in rotary motion, the motion being transferred to the folding tool 19a, 19b.

[0290] The folding tools 19a, 19b each interact with a return lever 88 being actuated, that is, being set in motion by the returning forming punch 12, that is, when the forming punch 12 returns in the return stroke after setting up the container 92.

[0291] By actuating the return lever 88, the folding tool 19a, 19b is pivoted back into the resting position outside of the motion zone of the forming punch 12 after the forming procedure.

[0292] After forming, that is, setting up the containers 92 in the forming station 10, the set-up container 92 is transferred to the turning device 31. The turning device 31 includes a turning body 32 rotatably supported about a vertical axis of rotation D. The turning body 32 includes four container receivers 33a-33c, each disposed at an angle of 90° (angular degrees) about the axis of rotation D.

[0293] The container receivers 33a-33c include stop strips each implementing a closed frame as a single part enclosing a container receptacle space 35.

[0294] The container receivers can, however, also include stop strips made of a plurality of parts and adjustable to correspond to different container dimensions.

[0295] The set-up containers 92 is pushed by the forming punch 12 in the forming direction U into the container receptacle space 35 of the container receiver 33c facing toward the forming punch 12 in the last step of the forming procedure. The circumferential functional edge 96a, 96b of the container 92 thereby contacts the frame of the container receiver 33c.

[0296] The turning body 32 is rotated by 90° per forming cycle, so that the container receiver 33c is displaced away from the forming station 10 together with the set-up container 92, and an empty container receiver is displaced toward the forming station 10 and is positioned opposite the forming punch 12.

[0297] It is fundamentally possible that the turning body 32 includes only two container receivers, each disposed at an angle of 180° (angular degrees) about the axis of rotation D. In this case, the turning body 32 is rotated by 180° per forming cycle.

[0298] After rotating the container receiver 33c having the set-up container 92 by a total of 180°, potentially after two or one forming or working cycles, depending on the number of container receivers on the turning body 32, the container 92 lies in an ejecting position rotated by 180° relative to the original forming position thereof. The container opening 99 thereby faces in the opposite direction in the ejecting position relative to the forming position.

[0299] The container 92 is then pushed into the container receiving space 55 of the stack guide 52 of the discharging device 51 having the container opening 99 facing forward. The container 92 is thereby pushed over the preceding container 92 in each case having the container opening 55 facing forward for forming a container stack 54.

[0300] For ejecting the container 92 from the container receiver 33c, the turning body 32 includes ejectors 34a, 34b, the ejecting axis thereof running in parallel to the working axis W of the forming punch 12 in the ejecting position.

[0301] According to the present embodiment example, one ejector 34a, 34b each is implemented displaceable in two opposite directions for a pair of container receivers 33a, 33c opposite each other. The ejector 34a, 34c correspondingly implements two contact regions opposite each other.

[0302] The ejector 34a, 34b is passively driven by means of the forming punch 12, in that the forming punch 12 pushes the ejector 34a, 34b away when pushing the set-up container 92 into the container receiver 33c by forming a pushing contact with a first contact region in the forming direction U. For the procedure, the ejector 34a, 34b pushes the container 92 set up in the preceding working cycle out of the opposite container receiver 33a into the container receiver space 55 of the stack guide 52 by means of the opposite second contact region.

[0303] Because the ejector 34a implements the pushing contact with the outer side of the container base 93 when pushing the container 92 into the container receiving space 55 of the stack guide 52, the ejector 34a can be pivoted together with the turning body 32 about the axis of rotation D of the turning body 32 after ejecting the container 92 out of the container receiver 33a, particularly without the ejector 34a first needing to be displaced back in the opposite direction out of the container receiving space 55 of the stack guide 52.

[0304] FIGS. 10a and 10b show a particular embodiment of a container receiver 133 allowing the forming of a stack of set-up and nested containers 92 having circumferential functional edges 96a, 96b, wherein the containers 92 are each pushed into the container stack having the container base 93 facing forward.

[0305] The problem for the present type of stacking is that the functional edges 96a, 96b are straightened out again when pushing the containers 92 into each other. The problem can be solved in that the functional edges 96a, 96b are connected to each other by means of an adhesive connections in overlap regions (see e.g. FIGS. 8a and 8b).

[0306] The container receiver 133 is thus designed for implementing the adhesive connection and for forming a container stack of the type indicated above.

[0307] To this end, the container receiver 133 includes a pair of two flange stop strips 136a, 136b disposed parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other. The container receptacle space 135 is disposed between the flange stop strips 136a, 136b.

[0308] The pair of flange stop strips 136a, 136b form a stop for two functional edges 96b running parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other and laterally delimiting the container receptacle 100 of the set-up container 92.

[0309] The flange stop strips 136a, 136b serve as backing devices for the forming punch 12, in that the two functional edges 96b of the set-up container 92 contact the flange stop strips 136a, 136b when pushing the container 92 into the container receptacle space 135 of the container receiver 133. The flange segments 15b of the forming punch 12 thereby press the functional edges 96b of the set-up container 92 against the flange stop strips 136a, 136b.

[0310] Adhesive connections in the overlap region of the functional edges 96a, 96b are completed by the press force. To this end, the forming punch 12 and flange stop strips 136a, 136b briefly remain in the clamping position. The adhesive is thereby given the necessary time for curing and bonding.

[0311] For the procedure, the forming punch 12 pushes the set-up container 92 having the container base 93 facing forward into the rearmost container of a container stack (not shown) formed in the stack guide. The procedure is shown schematically in DE 10 24 82 31 A1 (FIGS. 1), for example.

[0312] The flange stop strips 136a, 136b are thus displaceable relative to each other such that the distance between the pair of flange stop strips 136a, 136b can be modified.

[0313] To this end, the flange stop strips 136a, 136b are connected to guide slides 142a, 142b; 143a, 143b. The guide slides 142a, 142b; 143a, 143b are displaceably supported along guide rails 141a, 141b running perpendicular to the working axis W.

[0314] The guide rails 141a, 141b and the guide slides 142a, 142b; 143a, 143b and the flange stop strips 136a, 136b are disposed on a support structure.

[0315] The flange stop strips 136a, 136b are displaceable along the guide rails by means of a pneumatic drive (pneumatic cylinder). Alternative drives, such as a hydraulic drive (hydraulic cylinder) or a linear motor are also possible.

[0316] In the embodiment of the setting up procedure, the flat blank 91 is pushed into the backing device 21 by the forming punch 12 and thereby set up as described further above. To this end, the forming punch 12 is disposed on a driven guide bar 16.

[0317] The forming punch 12 pushes the set-up container 92 into the container receptacle space 135 of the container receiver 133 after the setting up procedure until the side functional edges 96b of the set-up container 92 contact the flange stop strips 136a, 136b present in a stop position.

[0318] The container receiver 133 is thus displaced together with the forming punch 12 in the forming direction U, particularly synchronously displaced. During the phase, a press force is exerted on the side functional edges 96b by the side flange segments 15b, wherein the flange stop strips 136a, 136b serve as a backing device.

[0319] At the same time, for the procedure, the set-up containers 92 are pushed into the container stack in the stack guide having the container base 93 facing forward.

[0320] The support structure is connected to guide slides 147 displaceable along guide rails 146 running parallel to the working axis W for displacing the support structure of the container receiver 133 along the working axis W together with the components disposed thereon.

[0321] The slide guides indicated above are shown only as one potential embodiment variant for implementing the displaceability.

[0322] The container receiver 133 is displaced along the working axis W by means of a pneumatic drive (pneumatic cylinder) 145. Alternative drives, such as a hydraulic drive (hydraulic cylinder) or a linear motor are also possible.

[0323] The forming punch 12 is then displaced back into the initial position thereof in a return stroke.

[0324] For releasing the container 92 pushed into the container stack, the flange stop strips 136a, 136b are displaced laterally outwardly from the stop position into the release position by means of the slide guide 141a, 141b, 142a, 142b, 143a, 143b for enlarging the container receptacle space 135, until the inner edges 137a, 137b of the flange stop strips 136a, 136b are outside of the outer edges of the functional edges 96b.

[0325] The container receiver 133 together with the flange stop strips 136a, 136b thereof is then displaced back out of the stacking position, past the functional edge 96b, into the initial position.

[0326] For the procedure, the flange stop strips 136a, 136b are also displaced back toward each other into the stop position thereof. A new forming cycle can then be initiated.

[0327] The flange stop strips 136a, 136b can perform the function of folding aids or can be implemented as part of a folding aid as previously described in the general description. The flange stop strips 136a, 136b accordingly also implement (displaceable) folding tools. The flange stop strips 136a, 136b can thereby engage in the corner zone between the punch side and the flange segment and thus bring about the folding of the functional edge and conclude the procedure.