DESTACKING SYSTEM FOR CARDBOARD BLANKS

Abstract

A destacking system for cardboard blanks comprises a deposition unit for cardboard blanks with first and second deposition positions, a first destacker comprising a first stacking magazine for accommodating a first stack of cardboard blanks, a first retaining system for retaining the cardboard blanks at a first stacking position, and a first conveying unit with a first gripper to grip a first cardboard blank of the first destacker at the first stacking position and convey the first cardboard blank to the first deposition position, a second destacker comprising a second stacking magazine for accommodating a second stack of cardboard blanks, a second retaining system for retaining the cardboard blanks at a second stacking position, and a second conveying unit with a second gripper configured to grip a second cardboard blank of the second destacker at the second stacking position and convey the second cardboard blank to the second deposition position.

Claims

1. A destacking system for cardboard blanks, comprising: a deposition unit for cardboard blanks with a first deposition position and a second deposition position; a first destacker comprising a first stacking magazine for accommodating a first stack of cardboard blanks, a first retaining system for retaining the cardboard blanks at a first stacking position, and a first conveying unit with a first gripper configured to grip a first cardboard blank of the first destacker at the first stacking position and convey the first cardboard blank to the first deposition position; and a second destacker comprising a second stacking magazine for accommodating a second stack of cardboard blanks, a second retaining system for retaining the cardboard blanks at a second stacking position, and a second conveying unit with a second gripper configured to grip a second cardboard blank of the second destacker at the second stacking position and convey the second cardboard blank to the second deposition position.

2. The destacking system according to claim 1, wherein an angle is provided between a first center axis of the first destacker and a second center axis of the second destacker, the angle having a value of 0° to 45.

3. The destacking system according to claim 2, wherein the angle has a value of 10° to 30°.

4. The destacking system according to claim 1, wherein a minimum distance between a first receiving side of the first stacking magazine and a first receiving side of the second stacking magazine is larger than a minimum distance between a first deposition area at the first deposition position and a second deposition area at the second deposition position.

5. The destacking system according to claim 1, wherein the first conveying unit is configured to move the first gripper in a rectilinear path at least between the first stacking position and the first deposition position.

6. The destacking system according to claim 1, wherein the first conveying unit is configured to move the first gripper in an arcuate path at least between the first stacking position and the first deposition position.

7. The destacking system according to claim 1, wherein the second conveying unit is configured to move the second gripper in a rectilinear path at least between the second stacking position and the second deposition position.

8. The destacking system according to claim 1, wherein the second conveying unit is configured to move the second gripper in an arcuate path at least between the second stacking position and the second deposition position.

9. The destacking system according to claim 1, wherein the deposition unit has a first passage opening at the first deposition position, the first conveying unit being configured to move at least a portion of the first gripper through the first passage opening, wherein the deposition unit has a third passage opening at the second deposition position, the second conveying unit being configured to move at least a portion of the second gripper through the third passage opening.

10. The destacking system according to claim 1, wherein the deposition unit has, at the first deposition position, a first trough for receiving and shaping cardboard blanks, and, at the second deposition position, a second trough for receiving and shaping cardboard blanks.

11. The destacking system according to claim 10, wherein the first gripper is configured to grip the first cardboard blank of the first destacker at the first stacking position by suction and to pull the first cardboard blank into the first trough, the second gripper being configured to grip the second cardboard blank of the second destacker at the second stacking position by suction and to pull the second cardboard blank into the second trough.

12. The destacking system according to claim 1, wherein the first destacker comprises a first die including a first receiving mold for receiving and shaping cardboard blanks, the first die having a first opening, wherein the first conveying unit is configured to move a portion of the first gripper through the first opening.

13. The destacking system according to claim 1, wherein the second destacker comprises a second die including a second receiving mold for receiving and shaping cardboard blanks, the second die having a second opening, wherein the second conveying unit is configured to move a portion of the second gripper through the second opening.

14. A thermoform packaging machine or a tray sealer comprising the destacking system for cardboard blanks according to claim 1.

15. A method of destacking cardboard blanks, the method comprising: providing a first destacker comprising a first stacking magazine for accommodating a first stack of cardboard blanks, a first retaining system for retaining the cardboard blanks at a first stacking position, and a first conveying unit; providing a second destacker comprising a second stacking magazine for accommodating a second stack of cardboard blanks, a second retaining system for retaining the cardboard blanks at a second stacking position, and a second conveying unit; providing a deposition unit having a first deposition position and a second deposition position; gripping a first cardboard blank of the first destacker at the first stacking position by a first gripper of the first conveying unit and conveying the first cardboard blank to the first deposition position; and gripping a second cardboard blank of the second destacker at the second stacking position by a second gripper of the second conveying unit and conveying the second cardboard blank to the second deposition position.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein an angle between a first center axis of the first destacker and a second center axis of the second destacker has a value of 0° to 45°, or is adjusted.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the angle has a value of 10° to 30°.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein an angle between a first center axis of the first destacker and a second center axis of the second destacker is adjustable in a range of 0° to 45°.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein a minimum distance between a first receiving side of the first stacking magazine and a first receiving side of the second stacking magazine is larger than a minimum distance between a first deposition area at the first deposition position and a second deposition area at the second deposition position.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the first gripper is moved in a rectilinear path or an arcuate path at least between the first stacking position and the first deposition position and/or the second gripper is moved in a rectilinear path or an arcuate path at least between the second stacking position and the second deposition position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] An embodiment according to the present disclosure is illustrated by the following Figures, in which:

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a destacking system for cardboard blanks according to the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of a destacking system for cardboard blanks according to the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a schematic thermoform packaging machine including the destacking system in a side view; and

[0028] FIG. 4 shows a schematic tray sealer including the destacking system in a perspective view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a destacking system 1 for destacking carton blanks 2. The destacking system 1 includes a first destacker 3, a second destacker 4, a third destacker 5, and a deposition unit 6.

[0030] The first destacker 3 comprises a first stacking magazine 7 for accommodating a first stack 8 of cardboard blanks 2, a first retaining system 9 for retaining the cardboard blanks 2 at a first stacking position 10, and a first conveying unit 11 with a first gripper 12. The first gripper 12 comprises two gripping units 12a, 12b. Each gripping unit 12a, 12b includes a suction head 13a, 13b. The first destacker 3 has a first die M1 including a first receiving mold A1 for receiving and shaping cardboard blanks 2. The first receiving mold A1 has a first opening Ö1.

[0031] The second destacker 4 comprises a second stacking magazine 14 for accommodating a second stack 15 of cardboard blanks 2, a second retaining system 16 for retaining the cardboard blanks 2 at a second stacking position 17, and a second conveying unit 18 with a second gripper 19. The second gripper 19 includes two gripping units 19a, 19b. Each gripping unit 19a, 19b includes a suction head 20a, 20b. The second destacker 4 has a second die M2 including a second receiving mold A2 for receiving and shaping cardboard blanks 2. The second receiving mold A2 has a second opening Ö2.

[0032] The third destacker 5 comprises a third stacking magazine 21 for accommodating a third stack 22 of cardboard blanks 2, a third retaining system 23 for retaining the cardboard blanks 2 at a third stacking position 24, and a third conveying unit 25 with a third gripper 26. The third gripper 26 includes two gripping units 26a, 26b. Each gripping unit 26a, 26b includes a suction head 27a, 27b. The third destacker 5 has a third die M3 including a third receiving mold A3 for receiving and shaping cardboard blanks 2. The third receiving mold A3 has a third opening Ö3. The destackers 3, 4, 5 are attached to one another by means of movable articulated arms 28.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of the destacking system 1. A first angle α1 is provided between a first center axis 29 of the first destacker 3 and a second center axis 30 of the second destacker 4. A second angle α2 is provided between the second center axis 30 of the second destacker 4 and a third center axis 31 of the third destacker 5. The angles α1, α2 can be adjusted manually or automatically by means of an electric drive, which is not shown, and a control unit, so as to ensure a desired grouping format of the deposited cardboard blanks 2.

[0034] The deposition unit 6 for cardboard blanks 2 may include, for example, a rigid frame, a framework, or a holding structure, and the deposition unit 6 comprises a first deposition position 32, a second deposition position 33, and a third deposition position 34. The first gripper 12 is configured to grip a first cardboard blank 2′ of the first destacker 3 at the first stacking position 10 and to convey the first cardboard blank 2′ to the first deposition position 32. The second gripper 19 is configured to grip a second cardboard blank 2″ of the second destacker 4 at the second stacking position 17 and to convey the second cardboard blank 2″ to the second deposition position 33. The third gripper 26 is configured to grip a third cardboard blank 2′″ of the third destacker 5 at the third stacking position 24 and to convey the third cardboard blank 2′″ to the third deposition position 34. The term “second cardboard blank 2” of the second destacker 4″ is intended to refer to the first cardboard blank at the bottom of the second destacker 4, wherein the bottom of the second destacker 4 is at the second opening Ö2. Likewise, the term “third cardboard blank 2′” of the third destacker 5″ is intended to refer to the first cardboard blank at the bottom of the third destacker 5, wherein the bottom of the third destacker 5 is at the third opening Ö3.

[0035] A minimum distance A between a first receiving side 35 of the first stacking magazine 7 and a first receiving side 36 of the second stacking magazine 14 is larger than a minimum distance A′ between a first deposition area 37 at the first deposition position 32 and a second deposition area 38 at the second deposition position 33. Likewise, a minimum distance A between a second receiving side 39 of the second stacking magazine 14 and a first receiving side 40 of the third stacking magazine 21 is larger than a minimum distance A′ between the second deposition area 38 at the second deposition position 33 and a third deposition area 41 at the third deposition position 42. The first conveying unit 11 is configured to move the first gripper 12 in a rectilinear path at least between the first stacking position 10 and the first deposition position 32. The second conveying unit 18 is configured to move the second gripper 19 in a rectilinear path at least between the second stacking position 17 and the first deposition position 33. The third conveying unit 25 is configured to move the third gripper 26 in a rectilinear path at least between the third stacking position 24 and the third deposition position 42.

[0036] The first conveying unit 11 is provided with a first plate 43 having the gripping units 12a, 12b arranged thereon. A first lifting device 44 (e.g., electric or pneumatic actuator) drives the axial movement of the first plate 43. The second conveying unit 18 is provided with a second plate 45 having the gripping units 19a, 19b arranged thereon. A second lifting device 46 (e.g., electric or pneumatic actuator) drives the axial movement of the second plate 47. The third conveying unit 25 is provided with a third plate 48 having the gripping units 27a, 27b arranged thereon. A third lifting device 49 (e.g., electric or pneumatic actuator) drives the axial movement of the third plate 50.

[0037] The deposition unit 6 has a first passage opening 51a and a second passage opening 51b at the first deposition position 32, a third passage opening 52a and a fourth passage opening 52b at the second deposition position 33, and a fifth passage opening 53a as well as a sixth passage opening 53b at the third deposition position 34.

[0038] In order to convey the cardboard blanks 2 of the first destacker 3 between the first stacking position 10 and the first deposition position 32, at least a portion 57a of the first gripping unit 12a of the first gripper 12 is moved through the first passage opening 51a, and at least a portion 57b of the second gripping unit 12b of the first gripper 12 is moved through the second passage opening 51b, the lowermost cardboard blank 2′ is gripped by the suction heads 13a, 13b and pulled downwards until the gripped cardboard blank 2′ has been placed at the first deposition position 32. Subsequently, the cardboard blank 2′ is temporarily fixed at the first deposition position 32 or retained by suction units (not shown) of the deposition unit 6. The suction units may be, for example, suction heads, devices or machines that communicate with a vacuum source (e.g., vacuum pump), and that draw air through passage openings (e.g., passage openings 51a, 51b or other openings) of the deposition unit 6.

[0039] In order to convey the cardboard blanks 2 of the second destacker 4 between the second stacking position 17 and the second deposition position 33, at least a portion 58a of the first gripping unit 19a of the second gripper 19 is moved through the third passage opening 52a, and at least a portion 58b of the second gripping unit 19b of the second gripper 19 is moved through the fourth passage opening 52b, the lowermost cardboard blank 2″ is gripped by the suction heads 20a, 20b and pulled downwards until the gripped cardboard blank 2″ has been placed at the second deposition position 33. Subsequently, the cardboard blank 2″ is temporarily fixed at the second deposition position 33 or retained by suction units (not shown) of the deposition unit 6. The suction units may be, for example, suction heads, devices or machines that communicate with a vacuum source (e.g., vacuum pump), and that draw air through passage openings (e.g., passage openings 52a, 52b and/or other openings) of the deposition unit 6.

[0040] In order to convey the cardboard blanks 2 of the third destacker 5 between the third stacking position 24 and the third deposition position 42, at least a portion 59a of the first gripping unit 26a of the third gripper 26 is moved through the fifth passage opening 53a, and at least a portion 59b of the second gripping unit 26b of the third gripper 26 is moved through the sixth passage opening 53b, the lowermost cardboard blank 2′″ is gripped by the suction heads 27a, 27b and pulled downwards until the gripped cardboard blank 2′″ has been placed at the third deposition position 34. Subsequently, the cardboard blank 2′″ is temporarily fixed at the third deposition position 34 or retained by suction units (not shown) of the deposition unit 6. The suction units may be, for example, suction heads, devices or machines that communicate with a vacuum source (e.g., vacuum pump), and that draw air through passage openings (e.g., passage openings 53a, 53b and/or other openings) of the deposition unit 6.

[0041] At the first deposition position 32, a first trough 60 for receiving and shaping cardboard blanks 2 is provided. At the second deposition position 33, a second trough 61 for receiving and shaping cardboard blanks 2 is provided. At the third deposition position 34, a third trough 62 for receiving and shaping cardboard blanks 2 is provided. While being conveyed between the stacking positions 10, 17, 24 and the deposition positions 32, 33, 34, the flat cardboard blanks 2 are formed into a tray shape first by the receiving molds A1, A2, A3 of the respective destackers 3, 4, 5 and subsequently by the respective troughs 60, 61, 62 of the deposition unit 6. The above-mentioned passage openings 51a, 51b, 52a, 52b, 53a, 53b and other openings may be formed at bottom sides of the respective troughs 60, 61, 62.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows schematically a thermoform packaging machine 63 comprising the destacking system 1 for cardboard blanks 2 with the above specified features. The thermoform packaging machine 63 comprises a forming station 64, a sealing station 65 and a cutting station 66 arranged in this sequence in an operating direction R on a machine frame 67. On the input side, the machine frame 67 has provided thereon a supply roll 68, from which a first film/foil web 69 is unwound. The cardboard blanks 2 formed and grouped in the destacking system 1 are removed in their grouping format from the deposition unit 6 by means of a manipulator 70 and fed to a feed belt 71 arranged on the thermoform packaging machine 63, and placed into the forming station 64, where the formed cardboard blanks 2 have a film formed thereinto.

[0043] FIG. 4 shows schematically a tray sealer 72 comprising the destacking system 1 for cardboard blanks 2. The tray sealer 72 is provided with a sealing station 73 for closing trays with a cover film. The sealing station 73 includes a tool upper part and a tray holder (not shown). The cardboard blanks 2 formed and grouped in the destacking system 1 are removed in their grouping format from the deposition unit 6 by means of a manipulator 74 and fed to a feed belt 75 arranged on the tray sealer 72.