Abstract
A handling device for a filling of one or several product-receiving containers (12) with products (14) includes at least one feeding unit (16) for a feeding of the products (14), further includes at least one handling unit (18) for a handling of the products (14), and includes at least one alignment unit (20), which is configured for an alignment, at least with respect to a vertical plane (22), of the products (14) transferred to the alignment unit (20) by the handling unit (18) in order to feed the products (14) to the product-receiving containers (12) in a predetermined orientation. The alignment unit (20) includes at least one transfer element (24) and at least one support element (32), which are configured to alternatingly hold the products (14) in the product-receiving containers (12) in the predetermined orientation.
Claims
1. A handling device for a filling of one or several product-receiving containers (12) with products (14), comprising: at least one feeding unit (16) for a feeding of the products (14), further comprising at least one handling unit (18) for a handling of the products (14) and comprising at least one alignment unit (20), which is configured for an alignment, at least with respect to a vertical plane (22), of the products (14) transferred to the alignment unit (20) by the handling unit (18) in order to feed the products (14) to the product-receiving containers (12) in a predetermined orientation, wherein the alignment unit (20) comprises at least one transfer element (24) and at least one support element (32), which are configured to alternatingly hold the products (14) in the product-receiving containers (12) in the predetermined orientation.
2. The handling device according to claim 1, wherein the alignment unit (20) comprises at least the transfer element (24) having at least one alignment surface (28, 30) that is angled relative to a feeding plane (26) of the feeding unit (16), and comprises at least the support element (32) having at least one alignment surface (34) that is angled relative to the feeding plane (26), wherein the alignment surface (28, 30) of the transfer element (24) and the alignment surface (34) of the support element (32) are spaced apart from each other.
3. The handling device according to claim 1, wherein the alignment unit (20) comprises at least the transfer element (24) having at least two alignment surfaces (28, 30) which are angled relative to each other and which the products (14) can be adjoined to during a feeding to the product-receiving containers (12).
4. The handling device according to claim 1, wherein the alignment unit (20) comprises at least the transfer element (24) and at least the support element (32), wherein the transfer element (24) and the support element (32) are arranged offset from each other.
5. The handling device according to claim 1, wherein the alignment unit (20) comprises at least the transfer element (24) having at least one alignment surface (28, 30) which is angled relative to a feeding plane (26) and which the products (14) can be adjoined to during a feeding to the product-receiving containers (12), and having at least one support surface (38) for holding the products (14) in an alignment position, the alignment surface (28, 30) and the support surface (38) being arranged on sides of the transfer element (24) that face away from each other.
6. A packaging machine with at least one handling device according to claim 1.
7. A method for a filling of one or several product-receiving containers (12) with products (14) via a handling device according to claim 1, wherein in at least one method step (72) the products (14) are aligned, at least with respect to a vertical plane (22), by at least one alignment unit (20) of the handling device, wherein a transfer element (24) and a support element (32) of the alignment unit (20) are alternatingly moved into a support position, in which the products (14) are held in the product-receiving containers (12) in the predetermined orientation alternatingly by the transfer element (24) or by the support element (32).
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein while at least one product (14) is adjacent to the support element (32), the support element (32) of the alignment unit (20) is moved and moves the product-receiving containers (12) into a loading position.
9. The handling device according to claim 2, wherein the alignment unit (20) comprises at least the transfer element (24) having at least two alignment surfaces (28, 30) which are angled relative to each other and which the products (14) can be adjoined to during a feeding to the product-receiving containers (12).
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. In the drawings an exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The drawings, the de-scription and the claims contain a plurality of features in combination. Someone skilled in the art will purposefully also consider the features separately and will find further expedient combinations.
[0025] It is shown in:
[0026] FIG. 1 a packaging machine according to the invention with a handling device according to the invention, in a schematic illustration,
[0027] FIG. 2 a detail view of the handling device according to the invention, in a schematic illustration,
[0028] FIG. 3 a detail view of a handling unit and an alignment unit of the handling device according to the invention, in a schematic illustration,
[0029] FIG. 4a a detail view of the handling unit and the alignment unit of the handling device according to the invention during a transfer of a product from the handling unit to the alignment unit, in a schematic illustration,
[0030] FIG. 4b a detail view of the handling unit and the alignment unit of the handling device according to the invention during an alignment of a product by the alignment unit, in a schematic illustration,
[0031] FIG. 4c a detail view of the alignment unit of the handling device according to the invention in a support state of a support element of the alignment unit of the handling device according to the invention, in a schematic illustration,
[0032] FIG. 4d a detail view of the alignment unit of the handling device according to the invention, wherein the support element has transferred a product-receiving container into a loading position, in a schematic illustration,
[0033] FIG. 4e a detail view of the alignment unit of the handling device according to the invention in an initial state, in which once more products, when aligned, can be fed to the product-receiving container, in a schematic illustration, and
[0034] FIG. 5 a process flow of a method according to the invention for a filling of one or several product-receiving container/s with products by means of the handling device according to the invention, in a schematic illustration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] FIG. 1 shows a packaging machine 42 with at least one handling device 10. The packaging machine 42 is preferably configured for a packaging of products 14, in particular food products. The handling device 10 is preferably configured for a filling of one or several product-receiving container/s 12, in particular packaging/s, with products 14, in particular with food products. The packaging machine 42 may be realized, for example, as a food product packaging machine, as a food product filling machine, of the like. The packaging machine 42 may comprise further devices and/or units which are deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art and are utilized for a production, a processing and/or a transport of products 14, in particular food products, like for example a sterilization apparatus, a filling device, a closure device, a secondary-packaging device, or something like that. The packaging machine 42 may be part of a production line that is configured for a production and for a packaging of products 14, or the packaging machine 42 is a stand-alone machine that is configured only for a packaging of products 14. The products 14 that can be processed by the packaging machine 42 are preferentially food products, like for example biscuits, cookies, bars or the like. Preferably the handling device 10 is configured for a filling of product-receiving containers 12, which are embodied as trays, with food products, in particular biscuits, cookies, bars or the like, wherein preferably, in a further production step, the filled trays are fed to a tubular-bag packaging apparatus 46 of the packaging machine 42 comprising the handling device 10. Preferentially the product-receiving container/s 12 is/are embodied as receiving trays in which a plurality of products 14, in particular food products, can be arranged. However, it is also conceivable that the product-receiving container/s 12 has/have a different implementation that is deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art.
[0036] FIG. 2 shows a detail view of the handling device 10. The handling device 10 comprises at least one feeding unit 16 for a feeding of the products 14 and at least one handling unit 18 (see FIG. 3; in FIG. 2 indicated only by a dashed line), in particular a vacuum gripper unit, for a handling of the products 14, in particular for taking over the products 14 from the feeding unit 16. The handling device 10 further comprises at least one alignment unit 20, which is configured to align the products 14 transferred to the alignment unit 20 by the handling unit 18, at least with respect to a vertical plane 22 (see FIGS. 4a to 4e), in order to feed the products 14 to the product-receiving container 12 or to the product-receiving containers 12 in a predetermined orientation; in particular for an alignment from a horizontal orientation of the products 14 into a vertical orientation of the products 14 for the purpose of feeding the products 14 to the product-receiving container 12 or to the product-receiving containers 12 in a predetermined orientation.
[0037] The feeding unit 16 is preferably embodied as a transport belt unit. However, it is also conceivable that the feeding unit 16 has a different implementation deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art, like for example an implementation as a chain conveying unit, as a vacuum gripper unit, as an electrodynamic conveying unit, or something like that. A transport area 48 of the feeding unit 16 preferentially extends at least substantially parallel to a horizontal plane. The feeding unit 16 preferably has a feed transport direction 50 extending at least substantially parallel to a transport-away direction 52 of a transport-away unit 54 of the handling device 10. However, it is also conceivable, in particular in an alternative implementation of the handling device 10, that the feed transport direction 50 of the feeding unit 16 extends transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the transport-away direction 52 of the transport-away unit 54 (indicated in FIG. 2 as a dashed frame). The transport-away unit 54 is preferably configured for transporting the filled product-receiving container/s 12 away and/or further on, in particular for transporting the filled product receiving container/s 12 further on to the tubular-bag packaging apparatus 46. The transport-away unit 54 is prefer-ably embodied as a stepper conveyor unit, like for example a chain conveying unit or the like. It is however also conceivable that the transport-away unit 54 has a different implementation, deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art, like for example an implementation as a conveyor belt unit, as a vacuum gripper unit, as an electrodynamic conveying unit, or the like. The transport-away unit 54 is preferentially configured for a multi-row conveying of product-receiving containers 12. Preferably the transport-away unit 54 comprises a plurality of transport tracks, which are oriented at least substantially parallel to one another and are separated by lateral guiding elements 56, like for example guiding plates, sidewalls or the like. The transport-away unit 54 is preferably configured for a transport of the product-receiving container/s 12 underneath the handling unit 18 and/or underneath the alignment unit 20. Preferably, for a filling with products 14, the product-receiving container/s 12 can be transported by the transport-away unit 54 underneath and beyond the handling unit 18 and/or underneath and beyond the alignment unit 20.
[0038] The handling unit 18 is preferably configured to take over, in particular receive, the products 14 from the feeding unit 16, and to transfer the products 14 to the alignment unit 20. The handling unit 18 is preferentially embodied as a vacuum gripper unit. Preferably the handling unit 18 has at least one movement axis 60, 62, along which handling elements 58, in particular vacuum grippers, of the handling unit 18 are movable (see FIG. 3). The at least one movement axis 60, 62 of the handling unit 18 preferentially runs at least substantially parallel and/or at least substantially perpendicularly to the horizontal plane. Preferably the at least one movement axis 60 of the handling unit 18 runs at least substantially perpendicularly to the transport-away direction 52 of the transport-away unit 54. The handling unit 18, in particular the handling elements 58, may be movable along the at least one movement axis 60, which runs at least substantially perpendicularly to the transport-away direction 52 and at least substantially parallel to the horizontal plane, and may also be movable along at least one further movement axis 62 of the handling unit 18, which runs at least substantially perpendicularly to the transport-away direction 52 and at least substantially perpendicularly to the horizontal plane. It is also conceivable that, in particular in the alternative implementation of the feeding unit 16 that is indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 2, the handling unit 18 has a different implementation deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art, like for example an implementation as a pusher unit configured to transfer the products 14 from the feeding unit 16, which is for example realized as a conveyor belt unit extending transversely to the transport-away unit 54, to the alignment unit 20. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the handling unit 18 is embodied as a conveyor belt unit, as a chain conveying unit, as an electrodynamic conveying unit, or the like. In an alternative implementation, the handling unit 18 may also be realized at least partly in a one-part implementation with the feeding unit 16. For example, it is conceivable that the feeding unit 16 is embodied as a conveyor belt unit and the handling unit 18 is embodied as a pivotable conveyor belt section of the conveyor belt unit, a transfer of the products 14 to the alignment unit being realizable by a pivoting or tilting of the conveyor belt section, in particular around a pivot axis of the handling unit 18 that runs at least substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. Alternatively, he handling unit 18 may have an implementation like the handling unit already known from DE 10 2020 114 084 A1. Particularly preferably, the handling unit 18 is configured to take the products 14 over from the feeding unit 16, and to transfer them to the alignment unit 20, by means of which the products 14 are transferred to one or several product container/s, and are in particular guided into the product-receiving container/s 12.
[0039] The alignment unit 20 is preferably configured to transfer the products 14 from a horizontal orientation of the products 14 into a vertical orientation of the products 14 in order to feed the products 14 to the product receiving container 12 and/or to the product-receiving containers 12 in a predetermined orientation, in particular in the vertical orientation. Preferentially the products 14 are transported by the feeding unit 16 and/or by the handling unit 18 in a vertical orientation. Preferably, a transfer of the products 14 from the feeding unit 16 to the alignment unit 20 is brought about by the handling unit 18. The products 14 may, already in a transfer from the handling unit 18 to the alignment unit 20, be taken over by the alignment unit 20 such that they are, in particular slightly, inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, or the products 14 may be taken over by the alignment unit 20, in a transfer from the handling unit 18 to the alignment unit 20, such that they are oriented horizontally.
[0040] The alignment unit 20 comprises at least one, in particular movably supported, transfer element 24, which has at least one alignment surface 28, 30 that is angled relative to a feeding plane 26 of the feeding unit 16, and comprises at least one, in particular movably supported, support element 32, which has at least one alignment surface 34 that is angled relative to the feeding plane 26, wherein the alignment surface 28, 30 of the transfer element 24 and the alignment surface 34 of the support element 32 are spaced apart from each other, in particular along a direction extending transversely to one of the alignment surfaces 28, 30, 34, in particular in order to delimit an alignment gap of the alignment unit 20 by which the products 14 can be held in an alignment position during a feeding to the product-receiving container/s 12 (see also FIGS. 4a to 4e). Preferentially the transfer element 24 is supported so as to be at least translationally movable, in particular along a movement axis of the transfer element 24 extending at least substantially perpendicularly to the horizontal plane (see FIGS. 4b to 4d). Alternatively or additionally, the transfer element 24 is supported so as to be movable in a pivotable or tiltable manner around a movement axis of the transfer element 24 extending at least substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. The feeding plane 26 of the feeding unit 16 preferably extends at least substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. Preferentially the sup-port element 32 is supported so as to be at least translationally movable, in particular along a movement axis of the support element 32 extending at least substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. Alternatively or additionally, the support element 32 is supported s as to be movable in a pivotable or tiltable manner around a movement axis of the support element 32 extending at least substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. Preferentially, the support element 32, in particular the alignment surface 34 of the support element 32, and the transfer element 24, in particular the alignment surfaces 28, 30 of the transfer element 24, are spaced apart from one another at least in an operating state.
[0041] The alignment unit 20 preferentially comprises at least the, in particular movably supported, transfer element 24 having at least two alignment surfaces 28, 30, which are angled relative to each other and which the products 14 can be adjoined to during a feeding to the product-receiving container/s 12 (see FIGS. 4a to 4e). Preferably, during a feeding to the product-receiving container/s 12, the products 14 can be transferred and/or aligned such that they glide along the alignment surfaces 28, 30 into the product-receiving container/s 12. Preferentially, the transfer element 24 has the alignment surface 28 and a further alignment surface 30 that is arranged directly next to the alignment surface 28. The alignment surface 28 and the further alignment surface 30 of the transfer element 24 may be formed by an, in particular single, arc-shaped contour of an outer surface of the transfer element 24 or may be formed by a contour of two portions of the outer surface of the transfer element 24 which are bent-off relative to each other.
[0042] The alignment unit 20 further comprises at least the, in particular movably supported, transfer element 24 having at least one alignment surface 28, 30 which is angled relative to the feeding plane 26 and which the products 14 can be adjoined to during a feeding to the product-receiving container/s 12, and having at least one support surface 38 for holding the products 14 in an alignment position, wherein the alignment surface 28, 30 and the support surface 38 are arranged on sides of the transfer element 24 which face away from each other (see FIGS. 4a to 4e). The alignment unit 20 further comprises at least the, in particular movably support-ed, transfer element 24 and at least the, in particular movably supported, support element 32, whereinin particular viewed along a longitudinal extension axis 36 of the alignment unit 20, the transfer element 24 and the support element 32 are arranged offset from each other. Preferably the alignment unit 20 comprises a plurality of transfer elements 24, which are preferentially realized identically to one another. Preferentially the transfer elements 24 are connected to each other via at least one connection element 64 of the alignment unit 20, and are in particular realized in a one-part implementation with each other (see FIGS. 4a to 4e). The trans-fer elements 24 are in particular arranged in an even distribution along the longitudinal extension axis 36 of the alignment unit 20. Preferably, viewed along the longitudinal extension axis 36 of the alignment unit 20, two transfer elements 24 are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other, in particular in such a way that there is an interstice between the two transfer elements 24. In particular, the plurality of transfer elements 24 forms a rake-like structure. Preferentially the alignment unit 20 comprises a plurality of support elements 32, which are preferably realized identically to one another. Preferentially the support elements 32 are connected to one another via at least one connection element 66 of the alignment unit 20, and are in particular realized in a one-part implementation with one another (see FIGS. 4a to 4e). The support elements 32 are in particular arranged in an even distribution along the longitudinal extension axis 36 of the alignment unit 20. Preferentially, viewed along the longitudinal extension axis 36 of the alignment unit 20, two support elements 32 are arranged spaced apart from each other, in particular in such a way that there is an interstice between the two support elements 32. In particular, the plurality of support elements 32 forms a rake-like structure. Preferentially the rake-like structures of the plurality of transfer elements 24 and of the plurality of support elements 32 are arranged in such a way that the respective elements (support elements 32 or transfer elements 24) of the rake-like structures are arranged opposite interstices (interstice between two support elements 32 or interstice between two transfer elements 24) of the other rake-like structure. Preferably, in at least one operating state, in particular after a transfer of the product-receiving container/s 12 into a loading position, in particular due to the rake-like structure, support surfaces 68 of the support elements 32 are oriented in alignment with support surfaces 38, 40 of the transfer elements 24, in particular viewed along a direction that runs at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension axis 36 of the alignment unit 20. Preferably, in at least one operating state, in particular at least after a trans-fer of the product-receiving container/s 12 into a loading position, the support elements 32 are arranged in the interstices between two transfer elements 24. Preferentially, in at least one operating state, in particular at least after a transfer of the product-receiving container/s 12 into a loading position, the transfer elements 24 are arranged in the interstices between two support elements 32. The longitudinal extension axis 36 preferentially extends at least substantially parallel to the horizontal plane and transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the transport-away direction 52 of the transport-away unit 54. A description of one of the transfer elements 24 can be read analogously onto all other transfer elements 24. A description of one of the support elements 32 can be read analogously onto all other support elements 32.
[0043] The alignment unit 20 preferably comprises at least the, in particular movably supported, transfer element 24 and at least the, in particular movably supported, support element 32, which are alternatingly configured to hold the products 14 in the product-receiving container/s 12 in the predetermined orientation (see for example FIGS. 4c to 4e). Preferably the transfer element 24 is configured, in at least one support state, to hold the products 14 already located in the product-receiving container/s 12 and additionally the newly aligned product 14 in the predetermined orientation, wherein the products 14 already located in the product-receiving container/s 12 are supported on the support surface 38 of the transfer element 24, whereas the newly aligned product 14 is supported on the further support surface 40 of the transfer element 24 which faces away from the support surface 38 of the transfer element 24. The support element 32 is preferably configured, in the support state, to support the newly aligned product 14 by the support surface 68 of the support element 32 which faces towards the transfer element 24. Preferably, as a result of a relative movement, in particular a lifting movement, relative to the support element 32, the transfer element 24 can be moved out of the support state, in particular in such a way that the transfer element 24 is free of a contact with the products 14, and is preferably no longer in a direct contact with the products 14. Preferentially the support element 32, in particular together with the newly aligned product 14 adjoining the support surface 68 of the support element 32, is movable, in particular translationally movable, relative to the transfer element 24, preferably in such a way that the support element 32 displaces the newly aligned product 14 towards the products 14 which are already located in the product-receiving container/s 12 until the newly aligned product 14 adjoins the products 14 already located in the product-receiving container/s 12. Preferentially, as a result of the movement of the support element 32 for a line-up of the products 14 in the product-receiving container/s 12, a translational movement of the product-receiving container/s 12 into a loading position is brought about, in particular such that a further product 14 can be fed to the product-receiving container/s 12 at a free position in the product-receiving container/s 12. The translational movement of the product-receiving container/s 12 into the loading position may be brought about by the support element 32 pushing the product-receiving container/s 12 and/or by the transport-away unit 54 moving the product-receiving container/s 12. Preferentially, in particular following a movement of the product-receiving container/s 12 into the loading position, the transfer element 24 is movable into the support state, in which the sup-port surface 38 of the transfer element 24 that faces away from the support element 32 ad-joins the product 14 that was arranged in the product-receiving container/s 12 most recently. The support element 32 is preferably movable into an alignment state, in which the support element 32 is configured for an alignment of products 14 fed in by the handling unit 18. Preferably, in at least one operating state, the support element 32 supports the products 14 already located in the product-receiving container/s 12, and in at least one operating state the transfer element 24 supports the products 14 already located in the product-receiving container/s 12.
[0044] FIG. 5 shows a schematic process flow of a method 44 for a filling of one or several product-receiving container/s 12, in particular packaging/s, with products 14, in particular with food products, by means of the handling unit 18. In at least one method step 70 of the meth-od 44, products 14 are taken over from the feeding unit 16 and transferred to the alignment unit 20 by means of the handling unit 18. The products 14 are preferably taken over from the feeding unit 16 and transferred to the alignment unit 20 by the handling unit 18 in a horizontal orientation. In at least one method step 72 of the method 44, in particular during a feeding of the products 14 to the product-receiving container/s 12, the products 14 are aligned, at least with respect to a vertical plane 22, by means of at least the alignment unit 20 of the handling device 10, in particular using a weight force of the products 14; the products 14 being in particular aligned from the horizontal orientation of the products 14 into a vertical orientation of the products 14. Preferably, in at least one support state (see FIGS. 4a and 4b), the products 14 already located in the product-receiving container/s 12 and in addition the newly aligned product 14 are held in the predetermined orientation by the transfer element 24, wherein the products 14 already located in the product-receiving container/s 12 are supported on the support surface 38 of the transfer element 24, whereas the newly aligned product 14 is supported on the further support surface 40 of the transfer element 24. In the support state, the support element 32 preferably supports the newly aligned product 14 by the support sur-face 68 of the support element 32, which faces towards the transfer element 24. Preferentially, in at least one method step 74 of the method 44, the transfer element 24 and the support element 32 of the alignment unit 20 are alternatingly moved into a support position (see FIGS. 4b to 4d), in which the products 14 are held alternatingly by the transfer element 24 or the support element 32 in the predetermined orientation in the product-receiving container/s 12. Preferably, as a result of a relative movement, in particular a lifting movement, relative to the support element 32, the transfer element 24 is moved out of the support state, in particular in such a way that the transfer element 24 is free of a contact with the products 14, and is preferably no longer in a direct contact with the products 14 (see FIG. 4c). Preferentially the support element 32, in particular together with the newly aligned product 14 adjoining the support surface 68 of the support element 32, is moved, in particular moved translationally, relative to the transfer element 24, preferably in such a way that the support element 32 dis-places the newly aligned product 14 towards the products 14 already located in the product-receiving container/s 12 until the newly aligned product 14 adjoins the products 14 already located in the product-receiving container/s 12 (see FIG. 4d). Preferentially, in at least one method step 76 of the method 44, the support element 32 of the alignment unit 20 is, in particular translationally, moved while at least one product 14 adjoins the support element 32, wherein the product-receiving container/s 12 is/are moved into a loading position (see FIGS. 4c and 4d). Preferentially, as a result of the movement of the support element 32 for a line-up of the products 14 in the product-receiving container/s 12, a translational movement of the product-receiving container/s 12 into the loading position is brought about, in particular such that a further product 14 can be fed to the product-receiving container/s 12 at a free position in the product-receiving container/s 12 (see FIGS. 4d and 4e). The translational movement of the product-receiving container/s 12 into the loading position may be brought about by the support element 32 pushing the product-receiving container/s 12 and/or by the transport-away unit 54 moving the product-receiving container/s 12. Preferentially, in at least one method step 78 of the method 44, in particular following a movement of the product-receiving container/s 12 into the loading position, the transfer element 24 is moved into the support state, in which the support surface 38 of the transfer element 24, which faces away from the support element 32, adjoins the product 14 that was arranged in the product-receiving container/s 12 most recently (see FIG. 4d). Preferably, in particular in at least one method step 80 of the method 44 (see FIG. 4e), the support element 32 is moved into an alignment state, in which the support element 32 is configured for an alignment of products 14 fed in by the handling unit 18. The method 44 may comprise further method steps which are deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art, in particular derived from the description of the functionality and/or from the implementation of the handling device 10 and/or of the packaging machine 42.
