MACHINE AND METHOD FOR PACKAGING PIECE GOOD COMBINATIONS WITH MASS BALANCING ELEMENT

Abstract

The invention relates to a machine for packaging piece good combinations with a transport device which transports a plurality of piece goods in a predetermined transport direction, and with a first wrapping device which is suitable and intended for wrapping the piece goods with a film element, wherein this first wrapping device has a dispensing unit revolving around the piece goods, and wherein the piece goods can be delivered to the first wrapping device in order be wrapped by the film element, According to the invention a mass balancing element likewise arranged revolving around the piece goods is associated with the dispensing unit.

Claims

1. Machine for packaging piece good combinations with a transport device which transports a plurality of piece goods in a predetermined transport direction, and with a first wrapping device which is suitable and intended for wrapping the piece goods with a film element, wherein this first wrapping device has a dispensing unit revolving around the piece goods, and wherein the piece goods can be delivered to the first wrapping device in order be wrapped by the film element, wherein a mass balancing element likewise arranged revolving around the piece goods is associated with the dispensing unit, wherein a centre of gravity of the mass balancing element and/or of the dispensing unit can be relocated, in particular as a function of an amount of film on the dispensing unit, relative to an axis of rotation of the carrier and/or relative to an axis of rotation of the revolving movement of the dispensing unit.

2. Machine according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing unit and the mass balancing element are arranged on a common rotatable, annular carrier.

3. Machine according to claim 2, wherein the centre of gravity of the mass balancing element is movable towards the dispensing unit and/or away from the dispensing unit with respect to the axis of rotation of the carrier and/or with respect to the axis of rotation of the revolving movement of the dispensing unit.

4. Machine according to claim 2, wherein a centre point of the mass balancing element and a centre point of the dispensing unit lie on an axis and the axis extends through the axis of rotation of the carrier.

5. Machine according to claim 1, wherein the weight of the dispensing unit and/or of the film roll deviates by no more than 50% from the weight of the mass balancing element.

6. Wrapping device for wrapping piece goods, comprising an annular carrier on which at least one dispensing unit is arranged to revolve around the piece goods, and wherein a film element for wrapping the piece goods can be arranged on the dispensing unit, characterised in that the wrapping device has a mass balancing element, wherein the mass balancing element and the dispensing unit are arranged on the common carrier and the mass balancing element is movable relative to a rotational axis of the carrier, wherein the mass balancing element and/or the dispensing unit is movable relative to the axis of rotation of the carrier as a function of an amount of film on the dispensing unit.

7. Machine for packaging piece good combinations, wherein a transport device transports a plurality of piece goods in a predetermined transport direction, and wherein a first wrapping device wraps the piece goods with a film element, wherein this first wrapping device has a dispensing unit revolving around the piece goods, and wherein the piece goods are delivered to the first wrapping device in order to be wrapped by the film element, characterised in that a mass balancing element is associated with the dispensing unit and a centre of gravity of the mass balancing element and/or the dispensing unit is relocated relative to an axis of rotation, wherein the mass balancing element moves its centre of gravity with respect to the axis of rotation towards the dispensing unit and/or away from the dispensing unit.

Description

[0036] Further advantages and embodiments are apparent from the appended drawings.

[0037] In the drawings:

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a machine for wrapping piece good combinations;

[0039] FIG. 2 shows a further representation of a machine for wrapping piece good combinations;

[0040] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a wrapping device according to the invention; and

[0041] FIG. 4 shows a further representation of a machine for wrapping piece good combinations.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a section of a packaging machine or a machine 1 according to the patent. In this case containers 11 are delivered as single articles or as a stream of piece goods S. The reference numeral 3 designates a transport device which transports the containers or piece goods along the transport device T. In this case the transport device is preferably made up of several transport units which can also be arranged between the individual wrapping devices 2 and 6 and after them. In the machine illustrated in FIG. 1 the articles are delivered in a double-track feed by means of the first conveyor device. This delivery device can be for example a conveyor belt, a mat chain conveyor or the like.

[0043] The reference numeral 2 designates a first wrapping device which serves to wrap the containers with at least one layer of a so-called stretch film. In this case this film element is preferably wound helically in a manner which is known per se onto the articles or containers which are conveyed adjacent to one another in pairs, wherein a sufficient tension of the film element ensures the firm mechanical cohesion of the articles or stream of piece goods.

[0044] In order to ensure disruption-free transport of the stream of articles or piece goods in the first wrapping device 2, revolving feed belts (not shown) can engage for example laterally on the stream of articles or piece goods S, which convey the containers through the first wrapping device 2, whilst the containers 1 are simultaneously wrapped.

[0045] In the first wrapping device 2 the containers can for example slide on a lower slide plate (not shown) which is likewise wrapped with them.

[0046] The reference numeral 60 relates to a first feed module which is arranged downstream of the first wrapping device and serves for the further transport of the stream of articles or piece goods already wrapped with at least one layer of stretch film (typically by means of upper and lower feed belts or feed straps). In this case these feed belts or feed straps can rotate endlessly over the length of the first feed module on the upper and lower faces of the stream of articles or piece goods and thus ensure further conveying thereof to a second conveying device 6.

[0047] In the second wrapping device 6 a second layer of film element can likewise be applied helically to the stream of articles or piece goods, which preferably takes place at a different winding angle than in the first wrapping device 2 and/or in an opposing winding direction (i.e. revolving direction).

[0048] The reference numeral 61 relates to a further feed module and serves for further transport of the stream of articles or piece goods which are now wrapped with several layers of stretch film. For this purpose it is also possible in turn to use upper and lower feed belts or feed straps which preferably can rotate endlessly over the length of the second feed module 61 on the upper and lower faces of the stream of articles or piece goods and cause further conveying thereof. A multi-layer film packaging with containers 11 packaged therein, which is wrapped helically by film elements and initially moves endlessly in the conveying direction, is formed by this transport, wherein subsequently the planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and to the conveyor device can be provided as required with perforations, and/or packagings are severed between successive containers or pairs of containers or groups of several conveyed containers.

[0049] Accordingly the reference numerals 62 and 64 relate to cutting units or separating units which serve to separate the film elements. In this case these two cutting units 62, 64 can be redundant in order to produce higher throughput speeds.

[0050] The reference numeral 66 designates a discharge device which removes the pack 10 produced in this way.

[0051] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a corresponding machine for wrapping packs. Here again the containers 11 are illustrated as well as the slide plate or the carrier 32 onto which the plastic containers 11 are pushed. The reference numeral 34 designates lateral guiding elements which serve for lateral guiding of the containers or the piece good combinations.

[0052] The reference numerals 63 and 65 designate transport devices which in this case remove the already wrapped containers from the first wrapping device 2. The reference numeral 72 designates quite schematically a cutting or separating element which cuts the film element. This moves in a vertical direction P1.

[0053] The reference numeral 6 again designates the second wrapping device, wherein in this case likewise the already bundled containers can be wrapped again. The reference numerals 76 and 78 designate two further transport devices which in turn are intended for removing the pack from the second wrapping device 6. The reference numeral 79 designates a second cutting element which likewise serves for cutting the film element.

[0054] The reference numeral 82 designates a transport unit for removing the individual packs which are now already cut.

[0055] A wrapping device according to the invention is shown schematically in FIG. 3. This has an annular carrier, designated as a whole by 25, which is rotatable here along the arrow P2 in the corresponding direction of rotation. On this carrier a dispensing unit 30, shown quite schematically and drawn as a whole, and a mass balancing element 35 are arranged. The dispensing unit 30 has a dispensing element or a receiving device 31 on which a film roll 15 shown only schematically is, for example, rotatably arranged with a film element 12 which can be unwind therefrom. This film element 12 serves for wrapping the piece good combination 10. Here again the carrier 32 is also illustrated which is also wrapped as well as the lateral guiding elements 34. After the wrappingas mentioned abovethe piece goods combination 10 is removed again from the carrier 32 and also from the lateral guiding elements 34.

[0056] The references M.sub.S and M.sub.M designate the centre points of the dispensing unit and of the mass balancing element. As already described above, as the film roll 15 becomes smaller the centre of gravity of the mass balancing element 35 moves in a rectilinear movement towards the dispensing unit 30 or the centre of gravity of the dispensing unit moves in a likewise rectilinear motion towards the mass balancing element.

[0057] Furthermore, it can also be seen in FIG. 3 that the centre point M.sub.S of the dispensing unit 30, the centre point M.sub.M of the mass balancing element 35 and the rotational axis D of the carrier lie on a common axis X. It can also be seen from FIG. 3 that the dispensing unit 30 and the mass balancing element 35 are moved relative to the rotational axis D of the carrier 25.

[0058] The reference numerals 92 and 94 designate wheels which serve to support the revolving carrier 25. In this case one of these wheels can also be driven.

[0059] It is preferably also possible that the carrier 25 can move in two different directions of rotation. A rotational speed of the carrier 25 is advantageously synchronised with the speed of advance of the piece good combinations 10.

[0060] The reference numeral 38 designates in each case a drive for the mass balancing element 35 and the dispensing unit 30. In this representation a drive 38 is associated with both the mass balancing element 35 and also the dispensing unit 30. However, it is also conceivable that only the mass balancing element has a drive or also that only the dispensing unit has a drive. The arrow P3 designates in each case the direction of movement of the mass balancing element 35 and of the dispensing unit 30.

[0061] Furthermore, the reference numeral 39 shows schematically a sensor which is associated with the dispensing unit 30 and which for example can detect the amount of film, the revolutions of the film roll or the like.

[0062] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a machine according to the invention. In this machine a first wrapping device 2 as well as a second wrapping device 6 are illustrated. In addition, however, further wrapping devices can be attached on the right-hand side. Here again the transport devices 63, 65 are illustrated between the first wrapping device and the second wrapping device. These can be in particular feed devices which remove the containers for example from the wrapping devices 2, 6. The reference numeral 15 designates a film roll. In this case the wrapping device 6 can be used for example if the film roll must be changed in the first wrapping device 2. For this purpose at least the further wrapping device 6 is suitable and intended to be operated in different revolving directions.

[0063] Furthermore, again it can also be seen that a mass balancing element 35, which moves towards the dispensing unit 30 as the film roll 15 becomes smaller, is associated with the dispensing unit 30 or the film roll 15. If several wrapping devices are provided in the machine, each wrapping device also correspondingly has a respective mass balancing element associated with the dispensing unit.

[0064] The applicant reserves the right to claim all the features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention in so far as they are individually or in combination novel over the prior art. Furthermore it is pointed out that in the individual drawings features were also described which may be advantageous per se. The person skilled in the art recognises immediately that a specific feature described in a drawing may also be advantageous without the incorporation of further features from this drawing. Furthermore the person skilled in the art recognises that advantages may also result from a combination of several features shown in individual drawings or in different drawings.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0065] 1 machine [0066] 2 first wrapping device [0067] 3 transport device [0068] 6 second wrapping device [0069] 10 piece good combinations, packs [0070] 11 piece goods, containers [0071] 12 film element [0072] 15 film roll [0073] 25 carrier [0074] 30 dispensing unit [0075] 31 dispensing element, receiving device [0076] 32 slide plate, carrier [0077] 34 lateral guiding elements [0078] 35 mass balancing element [0079] 38 drive [0080] 39 sensor [0081] 60 first feed module [0082] 61 further feed module [0083] 62,64 cutting units, separating units [0084] 63,65 transport devices [0085] 66 discharge device [0086] 72 cutting element, separating element [0087] 76,78 further transport devices [0088] 79 second cutting element, second separating element [0089] 82 transport unit [0090] 92,94 wheels [0091] D axis of rotation [0092] S stream of piece goods [0093] T transport direction [0094] M.sub.M centre point of the mass balancing element 35 [0095] M.sub.S centre point of the dispensing unit 30 [0096] P1 vertical direction [0097] P2 direction of rotation [0098] P3 direction of movement [0099] X axis