Processing Device and Method for Processing Separated Packages

Abstract

Described and depicted is a processing device for processing, preferably filled and scaled, packages, in particular cardboard composite packages, having a processing station for processing the packages, preferably for forming the packages and/or for applying additive packaging materials to these packages, having a transport device for supplying, in particular accumulated, packages along a supply path and for further transport of separated packages in the direction of the processing station along a relay path and having a separating device for separating the packages supplied via the transport device, wherein the separating device has a plurality of sliding means circulating respectively along a common, closed transport track and distributed along the transport track for moving the packages in an interlocking manner from the supply path to the relay path at least substantially transverse to the supply path and/or relay path in the region of the separating device. So that a reliable operation of the processing device can be achieved with at same time higher processing speeds, it is provided that the sliding means mounted on two rotary discs which are spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction and are rotatable about a respective axis of rotation, and in that the axes of rotation of the rotary discs are arranged parallel to one another and spaced horizontally apart from one another.

Claims

1. A processing device for processing, preferably filled and sealed, packages, in particular cardboard composite packages, having a processing station for processing the packages, preferably for forming the packages and/or for applying additive packaging materials to the packages, having a transport device for supplying, in particular accumulated, packages along a supply path and for further transport of separated packages in the direction of the processing station along a relay path and having a separating device for separating the packages supplied via the transport device, wherein the separating device has a plurality of sliding means circulating respectively along a common, closed transport track and distributed along the transport track for moving the packages in an interlocking manner from the supply path to the relay path at least substantially transverse to the supply path and/or relay path in the region of the separating device, and wherein the sliding means are mounted on two rotary discs which are spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction and are rotatable about a respective axis of rotation, and in that the axes of rotation of the rotary discs are arranged parallel to one another and spaced horizontally apart from one another. characterised in that the sliding means are arranged between the rotary discs.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the sliding means is distributed uniformly over the circumference of at least of rotary disc, designed so as to be bend-proof and/or rotatably connected to at least one rotary disc and/or in that one rotary disc is driven via a drive and the other rotary disc via the first rotary disc and the sliding means connecting the two rotary discs.

3. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the sliding means are connected to the rotary disc in an at least substantially uniform radius from the axis of rotation of a rotary disc, and in that, preferably, the sliding means are connected to the rotary discs in an at least substantially complete radius from the respective axes of rotation of the rotary discs.

4. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that a rotary disc is arranged in sections in the vertical direction above or below the package to be moved next by the separating device or the package just moved by the separating device, and/or in that a rotary disc is arranged horizontally next to the package to be moved next by the separating device or the package just moved by the separating device.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the sliding means respectively comprise at least one sliding surface for moving the packages in an interlocking manner from the supply path to the relay path, and in that, preferably, the sliding surfaces are oriented parallel to one another, preferably regardless of the angle of rotation of the rotary discs.

6. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the packages to be separated and/or the separated packages are guided in the region of the separating device laterally on the sides of the packages facing the sliding means by at least one guide surface of at least one supply guide and/or relay guide and in that, preferably, at least one sliding surface of each sliding means is provided so that when rotating about the axes of rotation of the rotary discs, the sliding surfaces engage over and/or under the at least one guide surface of the at least one guide rail, supply guide and/or relay guide so as to move the packages.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterised in that each sliding means has at least two sliding surfaces spaced apart from one another such that when rotating the rotary discs about their axes of rotation at least one sliding surface for moving the packages repeatedly engages over the at least one guide surface of the at least one guide rail and/or relay guide, and at least one other sliding surface repeatedly engages under the at least one guide surface of the at least one guide rail, supply guide and/or relay guide.

8. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the separating device comprises a movement guide for laterally guiding the packages during the movement of the packages by the sliding means, and in that, preferably, the movement guide, preferably continuously, transitions to a relay guide for guiding the packages along the relay path.

9. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the packages to be separated and/or the separated packages stand on a transport means for the transport of the packages along the supply path and/or the relay path, and in that, preferably, the packages are decelerated, held and/or moved in an interlocking and/or frictionally engaged manner in the transport direction while forming a slip between the packages and the at least one transport means.

10. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that a transport means extending laterally to the separated packages is provided for transporting the packages in the transport direction and, preferably for decelerating, holding and/or moving the packages in an interlocking and/or frictionally engaged manner in relation to the transport speed of the transport means carrying the packages.

11. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the sliding means comprise at least one stop surface for coming into contact with the respective next package to be separated, and in that, preferably, the stop surface is designed for decelerating the packages to be separated in an interlocking manner in relation to the transport speed of the transport means carrying the packages.

12. The device according to claim 9, characterised in that the transport means carrying the packages is a conveyor belt and/or in that the transport means provided laterally to the separated packages is a conveyor belt preferably comprising holding cams for contact of a surface of the packages facing the transport direction of the packages and/or opposite the transport direction, and in that, preferably, the conveyor belt comprising holding cams extends in sections laterally to the packages to be separated along the supply path, preferably at least laterally next to the package to be separated next.

13. A method for processing, preferably filled and sealed, packages, in particular cardboard composite packages, in which packages to be separated, in particular accumulated, are supplied using a transport device along a supply path to a separating device and are further transported from the separating device along a relay path in the direction of a processing station, in which the packages are moved in the separating device with sliding means circulating in a closed transport track and distributed along the transport track, in an interlocking manner, from the supply path to the relay path and at least substantially transversely to the supply path and/or relay path in the region of the separating device, in which two rotary discs spaced apart in the vertical direction and connected to the sliding means are rotated about mutually parallel and horizontally spaced axes of rotation, in which the sliding means circulate between the rotary discs, and in which the separated packages are processed in a processing station, in particular formed or provided with additive package materials.

14. The method according to claim 13, in which the package to be separated next respectively rests against at least one stop surface of the sliding means, and in which, preferably, the package to be separated next respectively stands on a transport means and is moved against the stop surface by the transport means in a frictionally engaged manner, preferably while forming a slip.

15. The method according to claim 14, in which the package respectively resting against the stop surface of a sliding means is moved by the following sliding means from the supply path to the relay path.

16. The method according to claim 13, in which the separated packages are moved in an interlocking manner by a holding cam of a transport means arranged laterally to the separated packages, and in which, preferably, the separated packages, during the interlocking further transporting of the packages, stand on a transport means moving slower than the respective holding cam.

17. The method according to claim 13, in which the separated packages stand on a transport means moving in the transport direction of the packages during the interlocking further transporting of the packages and preferably while forming a slip are thereby respectively pressed against a holding cam of a transport means extending laterally to the separated packages and moving in the transport direction of the packages.

18. The method according to claim 13, in which the packages to be separated are guided laterally along at least one supply guide, the packages are guided along a lateral movement guide during the separation and/or the separated packages are guided along a lateral relay guide, and in which, preferably, sliding surfaces of the sliding means for moving the packages repeatedly engage over at least one guide surface of the at least one supply guide and/or relay guide and push against the packages and/or engage under at least one guide surface of the at least one guide rail, supply guide and/or relay guide and push against the packages.

Description

[0039] The invention is explained in greater detail below by means of a drawing merely depicting an exemplary embodiment, wherein:

[0040] FIGS. 1A-B show a first processing device according to the invention in the region of a separating device in a schematic top view and a schematic perspective view,

[0041] FIGS. 2A-C show the separating device from FIGS. 1A-B in a schematic top view, a schematic perspective view and a schematic sectional view, and

[0042] FIG. 3 shows the processing device according to FIGS. 1A-B in the region of a processing station in a schematic top view,

[0043] FIG. 4 shows a second processing station according to the invention in the region of a separating device in a schematic top view.

[0044] FIGS. 1A-B show a processing device 1 in the region of a separating device 2 in a schematic top view and a schematic perspective view. The processing device 1 has a transport device 3 which comprises transport means 4, for example in the form of a conveyor belt, moving in a transport direction T, on which packages 5 are conveyed in a standing position. The corresponding transport means 4 of the transport device 3 initially guides the packages 5 along a supply path 6, here designed as a straight line, toward the separating device 2. After the separation of the packages 5, the same transport means 4 of the transport device 3 transports the separated packages 5 which are still standing on the transport means 4 further along a relay path 7 which is also rectilinear here. In the depicted and insofar preferred processing device 1, the supply path 6 and the relay path 7 are oriented parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another in the horizontal direction.

[0045] On the sides of the supply path 6 and the relay path 7 facing the separating device 2, a supply guide 8 and a relay device 9 are provided which respectively provide guide surfaces 10, 11 for guiding the packages 5 transported along the supply guide 8 and the relay guide 9 along the supply path 6 and the relay path 7. Thus, the guide surfaces 10, 11 of the supply guide 8 and the relay guide 9 are also offset parallel to one another, as is the case for the supply path 6 and the relay path 7. In addition, in the depicted and insofar preferred processing device 1, a movement guide 12 is provided between the supply guide 8 and the relay guide 9 which serves to guide the packages 5 during separation, i.e. when moving from the supply path 6 to the relay path 7. Thus, the packages 5 can slide along a guide surface 13 of the movement guide 12 which continuously transitions to the guide surface 11 of the relay guide 9.

[0046] While the packages 5 are brought along the supply path 6 exclusively by the transport means 4 carrying the packages 5, the packages 5 remain standing on the transport means 5 after separation. However, the transport speed of the packages 5 is determined by a further transport means 14 arranged laterally to the packages 5, which may preferably be a conveyor belt. The transport means 14 comprises holding cams 15 which rest in an interlocking manner on the sides of the packages 5 facing away from the transport direction T. The holding cams 15 move in the transport direction faster than the transport means 4 carrying the packages 5. Thus, a slip is formed between the packages 5 and the transport means 4 carrying same and the holding cams 15 move the packages 5 over the transport means 4. Thus, the preferably constant interval of the holding cams 15 defines the interval of the separated and relayed packages 5.

[0047] The separating device 2 depicted separately in FIGS. 2A-C comprises two rotary discs 16, 17 arranged parallel to one another which are connected by means of a series of sliding means 18 uniformly distributed over the circumference of the rotary discs 16, 17. The sliding means 18 are thus rotatably and continuously fixed at the same interval from the axis of rotation 19, 20 of the respective rotary discs 16, 17 on the rotary discs 16, 17. The rotary discs 16, 17 are offset from one another in the horizontal direction like their axes of rotation 19, 20, but are oriented in parallel to one another. The connections 21 of each sliding means 18 with the two rotary discs 16, 17 are also spaced apart in the same way as the axes of rotation 19, 20 of the rotary discs 16, 17. When the rotary discs 16, 17 rotate, the sliding means 18 circulate continuously along a closed transport track B. By connecting the rotary discs 16, 17 via the sliding means 18, it is sufficient to drive one rotary disc 16 via a drive 32, in this case the lower rotary disc 16 to set both rotary discs 16, 17 in rotation about their axes of rotation 19, 20 according to the arrows shown. In the depicted and insofar preferred separating device 2, both rotary discs 16, 17 rotate at the same speed. In addition, the sliding means 18 remain oriented in the same way in the direction of the packages 5 during the rotation of the rotary discs 16, 17. The sliding means 18 respectively comprise a plurality of sliding surfaces 22 spaced apart form one another in the vertical direction which rest laterally on the packages 5 for separation provided that the packages 5 have a sufficient height. These sliding surfaces 18 are oriented in each angular position of the rotary discs 16, 17 parallel to the packages 5 or to the supply path 6 and/or to the relay path 7. Furthermore, the sliding means 18 are provided with stop surfaces 23 which are oriented at least substantially at right angles to the sliding surfaces 22, but do not have to be.

[0048] The sliding surfaces 22 are either arranged above or below the supply guide 8 and the relay guide 9 formed as guide rails, as shown in FIGS. 1A-B. Generally, the supply guide 8 and the relay guide 9 may also comprise a plurality of guide rails arranged one above the other so that the sliding surfaces 22 would then preferably be arranged above or below such a guide rail. In other words, each sliding surface 22 can be arranged above or below a guide surface 10, 11 of the supply guide 8 and/or the relay guide 9. The sliding surfaces 22 of the sliding means 18 are guided forward on the side of the guide surfaces 10, 11 facing away from the packages 5 and are pressed beyond the guide surfaces 10, 11 against the packages 5, wherein the packages 5, like the sliding surfaces 22, move away in the horizontal direction from the guide surfaces 10, 11 in the direction of the side of the packages 5 facing away from the separating device 2. Thus, the separation of the packages 5 is carried out, after which the corresponding sliding surfaces 22 of the sliding means 18 are moved back in the direction of the separating device 2 behind the guide surfaces 10, 11.

[0049] The packages 5 to be separated are in the meantime accumulated along a supply path 6 by the respectively front and therefore next-to-be-separated package 5 resting against stop surfaces 23 of the sliding means 18, which causes the separation of the preceding package 5 by means of the movement of the package 5. The package 5 to be separated next then comes into contact with the sliding surfaces 22 of the following sliding means 18, whereby the separation of this package 5 is brought about, wherein the following package 5 then comes into contact with the stop surface 23, to accumulate the packages 5 still to be separated and to position the next package 5 to be separated for separation with the following sliding means 18.

[0050] FIG. 3 shows the processing device 1 according to FIGS. 1A-B in the region of a processing station 24 in a schematic top view. The processing station 24 serves to apply additive packaging materials 25 in the form of straws to the sides of the packages 5 previously separated by the separating device 2. The packages 5 are thus transported along the relay path 7 past the processing station 24 by means of the lateral transport means 14 comprising holding cams 15. The packages 5 thus pass a rotating application wheel 26 on which circulating applicators 27 are provided which carry the additive packaging materials 25 to the packages 5 and apply the additive packaging materials 25 to the packages 5 in an application position 28. The packages 5 can be provided with adhesive for this purpose in advance. During the transportation of the additive packaging material 25 in the direction of the packages 5, the additive packaging materials 25 are moved along an additive packaging material guide 29, which prevents the additive packaging material 25 from falling off of the applicators 27. After the application of the additive packaging material 25 to the packages 5, the additive packaging material 25 is fixed to the packages 5 by means of a continuously circulating belt 30 until the adhesive has set.

[0051] An alternative processing device 31 is shown in FIG. 4 in the region of a separating device 2 which is similar to the previously described processing device 1. Therefore, the same components are provided with the same reference signs. However, one substantial difference is that the transport means 4, on which the packages 5 stand, moves faster than the transport means 14 arranged laterally to the packages 5. However, the transport speed of the packages 5 is limited by the transport speed of the holding cams 15 of the transport means 14 arranged laterally to the packages 5 against which the lower transport means 4 presses the packages 5. Due to the difference in relation to the transport speeds of the two transport means 4, 14, a slip is formed between the lower transport means 4 and the packages 5 standing on top of them.

[0052] The depicted and insofar preferred packages 5 are cardboard composite packages, in particular drinks carton composite packages. The associated packagings are formed from a flat, layer-shaped packaging laminate which has been formed into a closed package by folding and firmly bonded sealing seams. The packaging here is filled with a flowable foodstuff, in particular a drink, and closed by sealing the packaging laminate. The packaging laminate here comprises a cardboard layer and outer plastic layers made of a thermoplastic material.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0053] 1 Processing device [0054] 2 Separating device [0055] 3 Transport device [0056] 4 Transport means [0057] 5 Packages [0058] 6 Supply path [0059] 7 Relay path [0060] 8 Supply guide [0061] 9 Relay guide [0062] 10, 11 Guide surfaces [0063] 12 Movement guide [0064] 13 Guide surface [0065] 14 Transport means [0066] 15 Holding cam [0067] 16, 17 Rotary disc [0068] 18 Sliding means [0069] 19, 20 Axis of rotation [0070] 21 Connection [0071] 22 Sliding surfaces [0072] 23 Stop surfaces [0073] 24 Processing station [0074] 25 Additive packaging material [0075] 26 Applicator wheel [0076] 27 Applicator [0077] 28 Application position [0078] 29 Additive packaging material guide [0079] 30 Belt [0080] 31 Processing device