Packaging Machine and Method for Operating a Packaging Machine

Abstract

Packaging machine, in particular filling device, having at least one transport rail, and at least two transport slides movable along the transport rail and arranged on the transport rail, the transport slides being arranged for transporting at least one package and being moved clocked along a productive region of the transport rail. A processing becomes more flexible if the transport rail and the transport slides are so electromotively connected that the transport slides are moved along a productive area with two indices different from each other.

Claims

1. A packaging machine, in particular filling device, with at least one transport rail, and at least two transport slides movable along the transport rail and arranged on the transport rail, wherein the transport slides are arranged for transporting at least one package and are moved at least in sections in a cycled manner along a productive area of the transport rail, wherein a cycle is formed by a feed time and a dwell time and wherein the transport rail and the transport slides are electromotively coupled to one another in such a way that the transport slides are moved along a productive area with two indices which are different from one another, wherein the index is formed by the ratio between a dwell time at a work station and a feed time between two workstations, characterized in that a carrier is arranged at the transpot slide, which carries a bottom of a package.

2. The packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport slides are moved in the productive area in the region of a filling device, in particular a bottling device, with a different, in particular larger index than outside the filling device.

3. The packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the index is determined by the hold time at a workstation and a feed time between two workstations.

4. The packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that at least N transport slides with an N-fold index are respectively moved in the filling device, where N is greater than 1, in particular in that the transport slides are moved with an index greater than 1.

5. The packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two transport slides are moved in the filling device at a higher, preferably at least double, feed speed, and/or at least two transport slides arc moved with a higher, preferably at least double, feed stroke within the feed time.

6. The packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the feed time between two workstations in the productive area is constant.

7. The packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the hold time of at least two transport slides in the filling device is greater than or less than the hold time of the packages outside the filling device, in particular at least twice the hold time of the packages outside the filling device.

8. The packaging machine according to claim 1. characterized in that the transport stroke of the transport slides in the productive area between two workstations in each case is different in one cycle.

9. The packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport slides are moved in the productive area between two workstations each with different acceleration profiles.

10. The packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport rail has an infeed area, a productive area, an outfeed area and a buffer area, the transport direction of the transport slides extending in at least one first area at an angle to at least one second area, in particular at an angle between 30 and 60.

11. The packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport rail and the transport slides are formed as a linear motor.

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. The packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport rail has at least one leg along a transport device, in particular in that the transport device forms a closed ring with at least one leg in the form of the transport rail.

15. The packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport rail forms at least one leg partially along the productive area of the legs guided at least partially in the filling device of the packaging machine and/or in that the transport rail forms a leg at least partially along a buffer area, in particular in that the legs lie opposite one another.

16. The packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport slides are arranged on the transport rail with a U-shaped or C-shaped receptacle, in particular in that the transport slides are arranged at an angle to their direction of movement in a form-fitting manner on the transport rail.

17. (canceled)

18. The packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that two transport rails running parallel to one another are provided with respective transport slides arranged thereon, wherein respective two transport slides being guided synchronously on the two transport rails.

19. The packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that a transport slide is controlled on a first of the transport rails as a master slide and a transport slide is guided on a second of the transport rails as a slave slide as a function of the master slide.

20. The packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport rail has an infeed area extending at least in parts vertically, and in that the transport slides are formed in the infeed area by a feed unit, in particular by a mandrel wheel, for receiving empty pack sleeves.

21. The packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport rail has a outfeed area extending at least in parts at an angle to the horizontal, and in that the transport slides are formed in the outfeed region for depositing filled packages on a discharge unit.

22. The packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport rail has at least one coupling-out area, the transport rail being swivable in the coupling-out area and/or in that the transport rail has at least one coupling-in area, the transport rail being swivable in the coupling-in area.

23. The packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the decoupling area is arranged in the buffer area.

24. The packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport rail is guided in the filling area in a sterilisation unit, the sterilisation unit enclosing the transport slides in a circumferential manner.

25. The packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the sterilisation unit surrounds the transport slides radially circumferentially, in particular in that the sterilisation unit forms a housing around the transport slides.

26. (canceled)

27. (canceled)

28. The packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one transport slide is formed as a carrier for at least one cleaning unit, the cleaning unit being guided through the transport slide along the productive region.

29. A method of operating a packaging machine, in particular a filling device, in which at least two transport slides arc moved along a transport rail, and packages are moved in a cycled container stream along a productive area of the transport rail by the transport slides, wherein a cycle is formed by a feed time and a dwell time and wherein transport rail and the transport slides are electromotively coupled to one another in such a way that the transport slides are moved along a productive area with two indices which are different from one another characterized in that that packages carried with their bottoms by carriers arranged at the transport slides.

30. The method according to claim 29, characterized in that the transport slides are moved with an index and/or a speed as a function of an operating mode of the packaging machine and/or the transport slides are positioned as a function of an operating mode of the packaging machine.

Description

[0074] In the following, the subject matter is explained in more detail using a drawing showing embodiments. In the drawings show:

[0075] FIG. 1a-e the transport of transport slides along a transport rail with different indices;

[0076] FIG. 2 the transport of transport slides along a transport rail according to an embodiment;

[0077] FIG. 3 a transport slide with a carrier according to an embodiment;

[0078] FIG. 4 a cross-section of a transport slide with a transport rail and a guide according to an embodiment;

[0079] FIG. 5 two parallel transport rails, each with synchronised transport slides according to an embodiment;

[0080] FIG. 6a a cross-section of a sterilisation unit with cleaning and sterile air supply;

[0081] FIG. 6b a view of a sterilisation unit with supply and discharge of sterilising agents and steam according to an embodiment;

[0082] FIG. 7 a closed ring of a transport rail according to an embodiment;

[0083] FIG. 8 a guidance of packings with carriers according to an embodiment;

[0084] FIG. 9 a transport rail with a reserve rail and a possibility of decoupling according to an embodiment.

[0085] FIG. 1a shows a transport rail 2 with transport slides 4a-f guided on it in a schematic view. The transport slides 4a-f are moved on the transport rail 2 by electromotorically in the direction of movement 6. Each individual transport slide 4a-f is preferably controlled individually, so that its position as well as its feed movement is defined along the transport rail 2. The transport slides 4a-f can take defined positions 8a-f along the transport rail 2. The defined positions 8a-f preferably correspond to workstations that are not displayed, where packs that are transported on the transport slide 4a-f are processed. The transport rail 2 can, for example, be divided into a productive area 10, an infeed area 12 and an outfeed area 14. In the infeed area 12, unfolded packages are placed on the transport slide 4a-f and pre-cleaned if necessary. In production area 10, the packages are fed to a sterilisation unit together with the transport slide and/or carrier, sterilised and then filled with the product. The filled packages are first closed and then fed out of the productive area 10. The closed, filled packages are ejected from the transport slides 4a-f or the carriers arranged on them in the outfeed area and are fed for further processing.

[0086] The transport rail 2 with the transport slides 4a-f preferably forms a linear motor, whereby the transport rail 2 preferably has a multitude of coils arranged side by side along the direction of movement 6, so that a magnetic field can be controlled along the transport rail 2. The transport slides 4a-f are preferably arranged slidingly on the transport rail 2 and are magnetically driven by the transport rail 2 or the coils arranged therein and moved in the direction of movement 6.

[0087] The transport of the transport slides 4a-f along the direction of movement 6, which can also be understood as the feed direction, is preferably cycled. This means that a feed from one position 8a-f to the next position 8a-f takes place in one cycle and that a dwell time is then maintained in which the transport slides 4a-f dwell on their respective position 8a-f. The stroke including the dwell time can be understood as a cycle time.

[0088] The transport stroke along the movement direction 6 corresponds to the distance between two positions 8a-f adjacent to each other along the movement direction 6. In contrast to a conveyor belt or a transport chain, the transport stroke can be variable between two positions 8a-f, since each individual transport slide 4a-f can be controlled individually. This is advantageous in that the distances between the positions can be adapted to the space requirements of the respective workstation, and not the other way round as is the case with conventional workstations.

[0089] As an example, the transport slide 4c is first moved in one cycle from position 8c to position 8b during the feed time and then the transport slide 4c remains at position 8b for a dwell time. Then the next cycle takes place in which the transport slide 4c is moved to position 8a and then remains there for a dwell time.

[0090] In particular, the cycle time for each individual transport slide 4a-f on transport rail 2 is the same, i.e. the sum of the feed time and dwell time is the same. Thus the transport slides 4a-f are moved in a clocked movement along the transport rail 2 through the infeed area 12, the productive area 10 and the outfeed area 14.

[0091] During the dwell time a work step is carried out at the workstations assigned to the respective positions 8a-f on the packages arranged on the transport slide 4a-f.

[0092] By using the transport rail 2 it is possible to individually design the transport stroke (also called feed path or feed section) as well as the dwell time, also called hold time. This means, for example, that a transport slide 4a-f in one cycle can have a standard transport stroke and a standard dwell time, but it is also possible that, for example, in the case of a double transport stroke compared to the standard transport stroke, the dwell time can be at a position 8a-f until the end of the second subsequent cycle, as described below. This increased transport speed in the transport time, which leads to the increased transport stroke, can be understood as a synonym for an index that has been changed from a standard hub during a standard time with a standard dwell time. A modified index can also be understood as meaning that for the movement from one position 8a-f to the next position 8a-f, including the dwell time spent there, more than one standard clock, in particular 2 or more standard clocks, are used, as will be described below.

[0093] FIG. 1a shows the transport rail 2 of the filling device at a time T0.

[0094] Starting from this time T0, at the beginning of a cycle, the transport slides 4a-f are first moved by the transport stroke 16 from a position 8a-f to the next position 8a-f. The transport slides 4a-f are then moved by the transport stroke 16. This means that the transport slide 4a is transported by the transport stroke 16a, the transport slide 4 by the transport stroke 16b and so on. After the feed time, which can be set individually for each feed between two adjacent positions 8a-f, there is a dwell time which can also be set, but should be such that the sum of transport time and dwell time corresponds exactly to the time of one cycle.

[0095] During the dwell time, the transport slides 4a-f remain at positions 8a-f and the workstations can process the packages arranged on the transport slides 4a-f. The sum of the feed time and the dwell time preferably corresponds to one cycle. After one cycle has elapsed, the movement continues as shown in FIG. 1b.

[0096] FIG. 1b shows that the transport slide 4f has been moved to position 8e, whereupon a new transport slide 4g is fed from a buffer area of the transport rail 2 and remains in position 8f. Here, an unfolded pack sleeve can be applied to the 4g transport slide or a carrier arranged on it. It is also possible for several unfolded packages to be placed parallel to each other on a carrier arranged on the 4a-g transport slide.

[0097] FIG. 1b also shows that the transport slide 4a has been moved from position 8a to position 8.sub.0 adjacent in the direction of movement 6.

[0098] FIG. 1c shows the movement of the transport slides 4a, b with a double index. Starting from FIG. 1b, the transport slide 4a was moved at the beginning of the cycle by the transport stroke 16a, the transport stroke 16a being such that the transport slide 4a was moved from position 8.sub.0 to position 8.sub.2. Starting from FIG. 1b, the transport slide 4b was moved by the transport stroke 16b starting from position 8a to position 8.sub.1.It can be seen that the transport strokes 16a, 16b are increased compared to the transport strokes 16c-f. Due to the increased transport strokes 16a, 16b, position 8.sub.0 is unoccupied at the end of the transport time. Thus it is now possible in the next cycle, as shown in FIG. 1d, to move the transport slides 4c-f again along the direction of movement 16 with a standard transport stroke to the positions 80-c. The transport slides 4c-f can then be moved to the 8.sub.0c with a standard transport stroke. Meanwhile, the transport slides 4a, b may remain at positions 81, 82. This extended dwell time can be used to continue the filling process on the packages arranged on the transport slides 4a, b. The filling process can also be continued on the packaging. A filling device can be provided both at position 81 and at position 82. Due to the longer dwell time, it is possible to fill the product at lower flow speeds, which increases the production quality.

[0099] As can be seen from the FIGS. 1c-d, the time for the transport slides 4a,b from the beginning of the movement from position 8a,b to positions 81,2 to the end of the work step, here the filling process, is longer, preferably twice as long, as it is for the movement in one cycle for example from position 8c to position 8b or from position 8b to position 8a. This can be understood as a longer or double index.

[0100] At the end of the second cycle after the beginning of the movement of the transport slide 4a, b from positions 8.sub.0,a to positions 8.sub.1,2, the work step at the workstations at positions 8.sub.1, 2 is completed. Then the transport slides 4a-f are moved further according to FIG. 1e. In this case, the transport slides 4a, b are again moved at an increased speed and a greater transport stroke from position 8.sub.2 to position 8.sub.4 or from position 8.sub.1 to position 8.sub.3. At the same time, the transport slides 4c are moved from position 8.sub.0 and 4d from position 8.sub.a to position 8.sub.2 and 8.sub.1 respectively. These two increased transport strokes in the transport time are caused by an increased speed. This can also be understood as an increased index. Meanwhile the transport slides 4e were moved from position 8b to position 8a and 4f from position 8c to position 8b.

[0101] In the next cycle, the transport slides 4a, b can then be moved one position at a time in the normal cycle, whereby the transport slides 4c and d remain at positions 8.sub.1,2 in this cycle at the same time and the transport slide 4e is moved to position 8.sub.0 and the transport slide 4f to position 8a. During this entire cycle, the workstation at position 8.sub.1, 8.sub.2 can process the packages arranged there and thus has an increased processing time.

[0102] FIG. 2 shows a transport rail 2 with transport slides 4a-i. It can be seen that the transport rail 2 has a guide 2a, which for example is designed as a continuous groove. In contrast to FIG. 1a-d, in the productive area along the transport rail 2 there are two filling devices next to each other in double design at positions 8.sub.1,2 and 8.sub.3,4. At the beginning of a first cycle, the transport slides 4e, f are moved from positions 8.sub.a,0 to positions 8.sub.1,2. At the same time at the beginning of the cycle the transport slide 4c is moved from position 8.sub.2 to position 8.sub.4 and the transport slide 4d from position 8.sub.1 to position 8.sub.3. Then, preferably in the same cycle, a filling process is carried out on the 18c-f pack sleeves, which are still open at the top. At positions 8.sub.1, 2 prefilling takes place and at positions 8.sub.3, 4 filling takes place. The production quality can be increased by the double filling process. The accuracy of the filling quantity can also be increased. In the next cycle, only the transport slides 4g-i and the transport slides 4a-b are moved by one position each, whereas the transport slides 4c-f remain in their previous positions and the filling process can be continued. This filling process lasts until the end of the second cycle and only at the beginning of the third cycle does the transport slide 4c-f also feed, whereby the transport slide 4c-d is moved from positions 8.sub.4, 3 and 8.sub.6,5 respectively and the transport slide 4e, f is moved from positions 8.sub.2, 1 and 8.sub.4, 3 respectively. This double stroke is also carried out for the transport slides 4g, h, which are moved from positions 8a, 0 respectively to positions 8.sub.1, 2 and where the filling process can begin.

[0103] No workstation is provided at position 8.sub.0 and at position 8.sub.5, i.e. the position which only every second pack 18a-i moves to due to the enlarged index, so that no processing takes place there. This means that an empty position can exist between two processing positions in the area of the changed index. Position 8.sub.5 can also be without further processing of the package 18b, and the gable of the packaging can be closed, for example, at position 8.sub.6 on package 18a.

[0104] As already explained in FIG. 2, the transport rail 2 has a continuous groove 2a, which is shown schematically in FIG. 3. A C-shaped profile of a transport slide 4a can be inserted in this groove. A carrier 20 can be arranged on the transport slide 4a. The carrier 20 may have receptacles 20a-d for holding 18a-i pack sleeves. The receptacles 20a-d may preferably be corresponding to the base cross-section of the packs 18a-i, but may also, for example, clamp the packing or similar.

[0105] The slide 4a is guided through the guide 2a on the transport rail 2 and is there positively secured against being detached transversely to the direction of movement 6.

[0106] This mechanical securing is shown again in FIG. 4. It can be seen that the transport slide 4a has a C-shaped receptacle which is guided in the groove 2a of the transport rail 2. The guidance of the transport slide 4a on the transport rail 2 shown in FIG. 4 is particularly advantageous if the transport rail 2 specifies a direction of movement of the transport slide 4a which is not only horizontal but vertical if necessary. Especially if the transport slides 4a are guided on the transport rail 2 pointing in the direction of the ground. Then the transport slides 4a cannot fall off the transport rail 2.

[0107] FIG. 5 shows another example in which two transport rails 2, 2 are arranged parallel to each other. Transport slides 4a, 4b or 4a, 4b can be arranged on each of the transport rails 2, 2. In each case two transport slides 4a, 4a and 4b, 4b respectively are synchronised with one another, so that their movement along the movement direction 6, 6 along the guide rails 2, 2 is synchronised. A suitable control ensures that in particular the acceleration profile and the positioning at one of the positions 8a-f between two of the transport slides 4a, 4a; 4b, 4b is almost identical. It is preferred if one transport slide 4a, 4b on one transport rail 2 acts as master and the other transport slide 4a, 4b on the other transport rail 2 as slave follows the master directly.

[0108] Between the transport slides 4a, 4a and 4b and 4b there can be one carrier 20 each, but this is not shown for the sake of clarity.

[0109] Such a representation, with a carrier 20 arranged between two transport slides 4a, 4a, is shown in FIG. 6a. FIG. 6a shows schematically a cross section through a sterilization unit. You can see that the sterilization unit 22 has a housing 22a. The housing 22a encloses the transport slides 4a, 4a as well as the carrier 20 and the packing sleeves 18a-a arranged on it circumferentially. Inside housing 22a, for example, there may be 24 sterilisation or steam applicators, which, for example, spray sterilising agents and/or steam onto the packing sleeves 18a, 18a or otherwise apply them.

[0110] The bottom of the housing 22 is preferably tapered, with preferably a drain bead 22b, in which the unused sterilising agent or the water of the water vapour can collect and drain off or be sucked off.

[0111] It can also be seen that the housing 22a is guided in a gap 26, 26 between a respective transport slide 4a, 4a and a respective transport rail 2a, 2a. This means that the volume inside the housing 22a is as small as possible, so that the consumption of sterilising agents is reduced.

[0112] As the transport slides 4a, 4a are preferably guided electromagnetically through the transport rail 2a, 2a in the manner of a linear motor, an air gap can be provided, since the magnetic forces can also act beyond the air gap. This means that the housing 22a can be arranged closed all around the carrier 20 and the packagingES 18 arranged on it.

[0113] During transport of the transport slides 4 through the sterilisation unit 20, the transport slides 4 move in the direction of movement 6 as shown in FIG. 6b. FIG. 6b shows a schematic view of a sterilisation unit 22 with a steriliser 28, a filling unit 30 and a sealing unit 32.

[0114] Units 28-32 can be part of productive area 10. The transport slides 4a-h together with packages 18 are moved along the transport rail 2 through the areas 28-32. The movement in movement direction 6 causes ambient air to be carried along, as shown by the arrows 34. Applied sterilant is carried along in the sterilizer 28 in the direction of arrows 36 by the air stream. Vent slots 38 may be provided between the sterilizer 28 and the filling unit 30 to remove any excess sterilant.

[0115] The filling unit can be filled with inert gas (e.g. nitrogen) and/or steam. In addition, the product is placed in the package 18. A ventilation slot 38 can again be provided between the filling unit 30 and the clamping unit 32, so that excess steam or excess sterilising agent or excess nitrogen can also be removed here.

[0116] In the sealing unit 32, for example, sealing under steam can be carried out. This applied steam is also carried by the air flow in the direction of the arrows 40 and ejected at the end of the sterilization unit 22.

[0117] FIG. 7 shows the transport rail 2 as a closed ring. The transport rail 2 has an infeed area 12, a productive area 10, as well as an outfeed area 14 and a buffer area 42. The transport slides are moved in a cycled manner in the infeed area 12, the productive area 10 and the outfeed area 14 as described. In buffer area 42, the transport slides 4 can be sterilized or cleaned. The productive area 10 comprises at least a part of the transport rail 2 in which the transport slides 4 are moved horizontally. Along the infeed area 12 as well as the outfeed area 14, the transport rail can be shaped in such a way that the transport slides 4 are moved at an angle, especially in a vertical direction, at least in parts. Preferably the transport rail 2 in buffer area 42 runs parallel to the transport rail 2 in productive area and the transport slides 4 are arranged pointing downwards on the transport rail 2. The transport slides 4 can be moved untimed in the buffer area. It should only be ensured that at the beginning of each cycle one transport slide 4 is available for transport into the infeed area 12.

[0118] In the infeed area 12, for example, an unfolded package 18 is first placed on a transport slide 4 in a cycled fashion, and then the unfolded package sleeve 18 is cleaned in the next cycle. In the next cycle, the transport slide 4 is moved to production area 10. There the transport slides 4 are moved according to the description of FIG. 1a-d with single and double index, for example, and the transport slides 4 as well as the packages 18 are sterilised, filled and sealed there. The filled, sealed packages 18 are then moved to the outfeed area 14 and ejected there.

[0119] In buffer area 42, the empty transport slides 4 arrive and can be cleaned there and, if necessary, temporarily stored for a new round trip.

[0120] A carrier 20 can hold the packages, for example, by receptacles. It is also possible that corresponding carriers are arranged on two transport slides 4 arranged one behind the other, as shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows a top view of a transport rail 2 with several transport slides 4a-c, 4a-c or correspondingly shaped carriers. The illustration in FIG. 8 corresponds to three cycles during the processing of the packages. First, the transport slides 4c, 4c are moved to the infeed area 12 spaced apart from each other. The distance between a leading edge 44 and a trailing edge 44c of two adjacent transport slides 4c, 4c is so large that packages 18 can be inserted. In the next cycle, the packages 18 are inserted between the transport slides 4b, 4b and arranged, for example, so that they are positioned at a recess at the rear edge 44b of the slide 4b. In the next cycle, the packages 18 are clamped between the transport slides 4a. 4a such that the distance between the transport slides 4a, 4a is such that the package is clamped between the respective trailing edge 44a and the leading edge 44a. This clamping is possible by individually controlling the position of each of the slides 4a, 4a. The procedure according to FIG. 8 can also be carried out in a single cycle during infeed.

[0121] In the buffer area it is possible to feed in transport slide 4 from transport rail 2 to a reserve rail 46. For this purpose, an outfeed 48 and an infeed 50 are provided on the transport rail 2. The outfeed 48 of the transport rail 2 can be swivelled transversely to the direction of movement 6, so that it can be coupled to the reserve rail 46. Transport slides 4, which are moved in the direction of movement 6, are moved onto the reserve rail 46 via the outfeed 48. There, for example, they can be removed from the reserve rail 46, repaired and reattached without affecting the running operation along the transport rail 2. The transport slide 4 can be moved back again from the reserve rail 46 to the transport rail 2 via the infeed 50, which can also be swivelled transversely to the direction of movement 6.

[0122] With the help of the present packaging device it is possible to set the working time individually at different workstations.