SYSTEM FOR DESTACKING CARTON BLANKS

Abstract

A system for destacking carton blanks comprises a stacking magazine for receiving a stack of carton blanks, the stacking magazine having a retaining system. The system for destacking carton blanks further comprises a first die comprising a first cavity for shaping the carton blanks, and a transport device with at least one first gripping unit for gripping and displacing carton blanks. The transport device is configured to grip a carton blank from the stack, transport the carton blank into the first cavity and form the carton blank by exerting a force.

Claims

1. A system for destacking carton blanks, comprising: a stacking magazine for receiving a stack of carton blanks, the stacking magazine including a retention system; a first die comprising a first cavity for shaping the carton blanks; and a transport device with a first gripping unit for gripping and displacing carton blanks, wherein the transport device is configured to grip a carton blank from the stack, to transport the carton blank into the first cavity and to form the carton blank by exerting a force.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the transport device is configured to grip the carton blank by suction and pull it into the first cavity.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first die comprises a first passage opening, and the transport device is configured to move a portion of the first gripping unit through the first passage opening.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the transport device is configured to apply pressure to the carton blank from above and to press the carton blank into the first cavity.

5. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a second die for shaping carton blanks, the second die comprising an opening, wherein the transport device is configured to transport the carton blank from the stack through the second die into the first cavity.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the second die is arranged below the stacking magazine.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein an upper opening width of the second die is greater than an upper opening width of the first cavity.

8. The system according to claim 5, wherein the first cavity is provided with a first bottom surface and side walls, the side walls of the first cavity having a first angle of inclination in relation to the first bottom surface, wherein the second die has inclined side walls, the inclined side walls of the second die having a second angle of inclination in relation to the opening which is smaller than the first angle of inclination.

9. A deep-drawing packaging machine or tray sealing machine comprising the system for destacking carton blanks according to claim 1.

10. A method for destacking carton blanks, comprising: picking up a stack of carton blanks in a stacking magazine, the stacking magazine having a retention system; providing a first die comprising a first cavity for shaping carton blanks; gripping a carton blank by a transport device with a first gripping unit; transporting the carton blank by the transport device from the stack into the first cavity; and forming the carton blank in the first cavity while exerting a force on the carton blank by the transport device.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the carton blank is held from below by the first gripping unit through suction and drawn into the first cavity.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein pressure is exerted on the carton blank from above by the first gripping unit and the carton blank is pressed into the first cavity.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the carton blank is transported from the stack first into a second die and then into the first cavity of the first die.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the second die is arranged below the stacking magazine.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein an upper opening width of the second die is larger than an upper opening width of the first cavity.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] An embodiment according to the disclosure is shown by the following figures, in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the system for destacking carton blanks according to the disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 2 is a schematic partial side view of the first die and the second die;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the system;

[0029] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the system;

[0030] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a deep-drawing packaging machine comprising the system for destacking carton blanks; and

[0031] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a tray sealing machine comprising the system for destacking carton blanks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] FIG. 1 shows the system 1 for destacking carton blanks 2 according to the disclosure. The system 1 is provided with a stacking magazine 3, a first die 4, a second die 5 and a transport device 6.

[0033] The stacking magazine 3 is provided with lateral vertical supports 8 for receiving a stack 7 of carton blanks 2. The supports 8 extend from a base frame 9 of a restraint system or retention system 10 of the system 1. The base frame 9 is provided with one or more substantially horizontal holding elements 11 (e.g., one or more laterally extending projections, such as ledges, plates, or support frames) to hold the carton blanks 2 in the stacking magazine 3. The holding elements 11 partially cover the carton blanks 2 from below.

[0034] The transport device 6 is fixed to the base frame 9 of the stacking magazine 3. The transport device 6 is provided with a substantially horizontal plate 12 which may be moved back and forth along a first vertical axis 14 by a lifting device 13 (e.g., electric or pneumatic actuator) of the transport device 6. A first gripping unit 15 and a second gripping unit 16 are disposed on the plate 12. The gripping units 15, 16 comprise suction cups (not shown) which communicate with a vacuum pump (not shown) through a first pipe 17.

[0035] The first die 4 comprises a first cavity 18 for shaping (i.e., erecting) the carton blanks 2. A first passage opening 19 and a second passage opening 20 are provided in the first die 4. The first and second passage openings 19, 20 extend along a depth 21 of the first die 4. A portion 22 of a first gripping unit 15 of the transport device 6 is movable through the first passage opening 19 and a portion 22′ of a second gripping unit 16 of the transport device 6 is movable through the second passage opening 20.

[0036] The second die 5 is attached to the base frame 9.

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a schematic partial view of the first die 4 and the second die 5. The first die 4 is provided with an upper opening width 24, side walls 25 and a bottom surface 26. The side walls 25 of the first cavity 18 have a first angle of inclination 27 with respect to the first bottom surface 26. The second die 5 comprises an opening 23 with an upper opening width 24′ and a lower opening width 28. The second die 5 comprises inclined sidewalls 25′ and straight sidewalls 29, the inclined sidewalls 25′ having a second inclination angle 30 in relation to the lower opening width 28. The upper opening width 24′ of the second die 5 is larger than the upper opening width 24 of the first cavity 18. The lower opening width 28 of the second die 5 is smaller than the upper opening width 24 of the first cavity 18. The second inclination angle 30 may be smaller than the first inclination angle 27.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of system 1. To draw a carton blank 2 from the stack 7 into the opening 23 of the second die 5 and preform it, the portion 22 of the first gripping unit 15 is moved through the first passage opening 19 of the first die 4 and the portion 22′ of the second gripping unit 16 is moved through the second passage opening 20 of the first die 4. The bottom carton blank 2 in the stacking magazine 3 is gripped from below by suction. This carton blank 2 is drawn into the opening 23 of the second die 5 and preformed (i.e., partially erected) by the side walls 25′ of the second die 5. In FIG. 3, the carton blank 2 is shown in the opening 23 of the second die 5 in its preformed state 31.

[0039] FIG. 4 shows a schematic side view of system 1. The carton blank 2 shown in FIG. 3, preformed in the opening 23 of the second die 5, is drawn into the first cavity 18 of the first die 4 and formed here into a final shape 32, e.g., a tray shape. The first die 4 further comprises a first suction cup opening 33 with a first suction cup 34 and a second suction cup opening 35 with a second suction cup 36 connected to a vacuum unit not shown. When the carton blank 2 is in contact with a bottom surface 26 of the first cavity 18, this carton blank 2 is fixed there by means of the first suction cups 34 and second suction cups 36 and the vacuum of the gripping units 15,16 is switched off. The carton blanks 2 formed, folded or erected in the first cavity 18 will remain fixed in the first die 4 until a further transfer.

[0040] FIG. 5 schematically shows a deep-drawing packaging machine 37 comprising the system 1 for destacking carton blanks 2 with the features set out above. The deep-drawing packaging machine 37 is provided with a forming station 38, a sealing station 39 and a cutting station 40, which are arranged in this order in a working direction R on a machine frame 41. On the input side, there is a feed roller 42 on the machine frame 41, from which a first film web 43 is drawn off. The carton blanks 2 formed in the system 1 are each removed from the first die 4 by means of a manipulator 44 and fed to a feed belt 45 arranged on the deep-drawing packaging machine 37 and inserted into the forming station 38, in which a film is formed into the formed carton blanks 2.

[0041] FIG. 6 schematically shows a tray sealing machine 46 comprising the system 1 for destacking carton blanks 2. The tray sealing machine 46 is provided with a sealing station 47 for sealing trays with a lidding film. The sealing station 47 is provided with a die top part and a tray receptacle (not shown). The carton blanks 2 formed in the system 1 are each removed from the first die 4 by means of a manipulator 48 and fed to a feed belt 49 arranged on the tray sealing machine 46.