PACKAGING DEVICE FOR ARTICLES AND METHOD FOR INSERTING ARTICLES INTO PREPARED OUTER PACKAGING

Abstract

A packaging device (1) for articles, such as beverage containers and the like, is disclosed. The packaging device (1) comprises a transport device (12), at least one transfer device (4), which can receive a packaging means already unfolded into a cardboard box and/or outer packaging (7) and transfer it to the transport device (12), and at least one manipulator (30) designed for inserting articles into packaging means already unfolded into a cardboard box and/or outer packaging (7). It is provided that the at least one transfer device (4) can align packaging means already unfolded into a cardboard box and/or outer packaging (7) and thereby orientate them, which orientation is adapted to the respective insertion of articles (3) via the at least one manipulator (30).

Claims

1. A packaging device (1) for articles (3), such as beverage containers (5) and the like, comprising: a transport device (12), at least one transfer device (4), which can receive a packaging already unfolded into a cardboard box and/or outer packaging (7) and transfer the unfolded packaging to the transport device (12), and at least one manipulator (30) designed for inserting articles (3) into the unfolded packaging (7), wherein the at least one transfer device (4) aligns the unfolded packaging (7) to receive articles (3) via the at least one manipulator (30).

2. The packaging device of claim 1 comprising: an erecting device (20) that forms cardboard boxes and/or outer packaging (7) by unfolding packaging and that transfers unfolded packaging (7) to the at least one transfer device (4), wherein the at least one transfer device (4) and/or a transfer tool (17), as part of the at least one transfer device (4), can be moved back and forth between the transport device (12) and the erecting device (20).

3. The packaging device of claim 2 wherein the transfer tool (17) comprises a perpendicularly extending orientation surface (18), on which perpendicularly extending orientation surface (18), the unfolded packaging (7) can be aligned.

4. The packaging device of claim 3 further comprising at least one support arm (23), which interacts with the transfer tool (17), such that an unfolded outer packaging (7) received by the transfer tool (17) can be pushed into flush contact against the orientation surface (18) by a relative movement of the transfer tool (17) relative to the at least one support arm (23).

5. The packaging device of claim 4 wherein the at least one support arm (23) supports the unfolded packaging (7) during the insertion of articles (3).

6. The packaging device of claim 3 wherein the transfer tool (17) is or comprises an L-shaped form element (19), wherein the L-shaped form element (19) includes the perpendicularly extending orientation surface (18).

7. The packaging device of claim 6 comprising, at least one first L-shaped form element (19) which receives and aligns a first unfolded (7), and at least one second L-shaped form element (19) which receives and aligns a second unfolded packaging (7), wherein dimensions of the at least one first and second unfolded packaging (7) differ from each other.

8. The packaging device of claim 7 wherein the transfer device (4) comprises at least one insertion aid (25), wherein the at least one insertion aid (25): holds and/or supports unfolded packaging (7) during insertion of articles (3), and/or wherein the at least one insertion aid (25): comprises a guide (21), for articles (3) for inserting articles (3) into the unfolded packaging.

9. The packaging device of claim 8 wherein the at least one insertion aid (25) supports the at least one support arm (23).

10. A process for inserting articles (3), such as beverage containers (5) and the like, into unfolded packaging comprising: receiving and aligning, via at least one transfer device (4), an unfolded packaging (7) to an orientation for receiving at least one article (3) to be insert therein and then transferring the unfolded packaging to a transport device (12) by the at least one transfer device (4), and inserting at least one article (3) into the unfolded packaging (7), and then transporting, via the transport device (12), the unfolded packaging (7) together with the at least one inserted article (3).

11. The process of claim 10 further comprising forming an unfolded packaging (7) with an erecting device (20) and moving the at least one transfer device (4) and/or a transfer tool (17) back and forth between the transport device and the erecting device in order to receive an unfolded packaging (7) and to transfer the at least one unfolded packaging (7) to the transport device (12).

12. The process of claim 11 wherein the at least one transfer device (4) and/or the transfer tool (17) includes a perpendicularly extending orientation surface (18), and aligning the at least one unfolded packaging (7) on the perpendicularly extending orientation surface (18) to an orientation for receiving at least one article (3) to be inserted therein.

13. The process of claim 12 further comprising: contacting the unfolded packaging with the perpendicularly extending orientation surface (18) during the receipt via the at least one transfer device (4) and/or contacting the unfolded packaging (7), during a movement in the direction of the transport device (12), with at least one support arm (23), which places the unfolded packaging (7) into flush contact against the perpendicularly extending orientation surface (18).

14. The process of claim 13 further comprising retaining contact between the at least one support arm (23) and the unfolded packaging (7) during the insertion of articles (3).

15. The process of claim 14 wherein the transfer device (4) comprises at least one insertion aid (25), further comprising: holding and/or an unfolded packaging (7) with the at least one insertion aid (25) temporally during insertion of the articles; and/or moving articles (3) through a guide (21) during insertion into an unfolded packaging (7).

16. The process of claim 15 further comprising holding an unfolded packaging means (7) with the at least one insertion aid (25) and then moving the transfer tool (17) away from the transport device (12) so that the unfolded packaging (7) loses its-contact with the transfer tool (17) and is placed on the transport device (12).

17. The process of claim 16 wherein the moving of the transfer tool (17) away from the transport device (12) is started prior to and/or during the insertion of articles (3) into the unfolded packaging.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0055] In the following, embodiments will explain the invention and its advantages in more detail using the attached figures. The proportions of the individual elements to each other in the figures do not always correspond to the real proportions since some shapes are simplified and others are enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

[0056] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a packaging device and clearly shows a step as it can be provided for various embodiments of the inventive process.

[0057] FIGS. 2 to 7 each show the embodiment of a packaging device from FIG. 1 and illustrate further steps that can be provided for the embodiments of the inventive process.

[0058] FIGS. 8 to 11 each show a schematic view of an embodiment of an inventive packaging device.

[0059] Identical reference signs are used for identical or identically acting elements. In addition, for the sake of clarity, the only reference signs shown in the individual figures are those which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. The embodiments shown are only examples of how the invention can be designed and do not represent a final limitation. It should also be noted that all of the features described below are not closely linked to other features of the respective embodiment. Rather, all of the features described below can be provided individually and detached from the respective embodiment and/or in a general context.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0060] The schematic view of FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a packaging device 1. By the packaging device 1, articles 3, which are formed as beverage containers 5, can be inserted into outer packaging 7.

[0061] The packaging device 1 from the embodiment in FIG. 1 comprises a transport device 12. As described below, the transport device 12 can transport outer packaging 7 and respective articles 3 inserted into the outer packaging 7 in the direction of the image plane. The schematic view of FIG. 1 already shows that no guide rails are provided in the region of the transport device 12 in order to support the respective outer packaging 7 during the insertion of articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5 and to guide them towards the image plane during a movement of the outer packaging 7 and the articles 3 inserted therein and formed by beverage containers 5. The transport device shown under reference number 12 is designed as a horizontal conveyor and comprises a circulating conveyor belt, on which the outer packaging 7 stand and by which circulating conveyor belt the outer packaging 7 and the articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5 inserted therein can be moved in the direction of the image plane.

[0062] Furthermore, an infeed 13 designed as part of the packaging device 1 is shown, which provides articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5 for insertion into outer packaging 7 and conveys or transports them to this end in the opposite direction of the image plane. A conveying direction of the transport device 12 and a conveying direction of the infeed 13 are thus oriented parallel to each other and run opposite to one another. Via the infeed 13, several rows of articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5 are provided.

[0063] The erecting device referred to as number 20, which is only schematically indicated at hand, is intended to unfold packaging and to form a respective outer packaging 7 from packaging by erecting them. In practice, the packaging not yet unfolded can be provided in horizontal form on a stack located in a working area of the erecting device 20, picked up by the erecting device 20, unfolded and removed from the stack. In the embodiment in FIG. 1, the outer packaging 7 comprises not recognizable compartments located inside the outer packaging 7 and forming a plurality of chambers. An article 3 and/or a beverage container 5 is inserted into a respective chamber formed by the compartment. The compartments can be unfolded and/or pulled apart together with the entire outer packaging 7 via the erecting device 20. A respective outer packaging 7 can thus hold several articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5.

[0064] Unfolded and as outer packaging 7, the packaging are then received by a transfer device 4. The transfer device 4 comprises a transfer tool 17 for receiving the packaging already unfolded and formed as outer packaging and/or a cardboard box. The transfer tool 17 can be moved back and forth between the erecting device 20 and the transport device 12 and is formed as an L-shaped form element 19 at hand.

[0065] FIG. 1 illustrates here that the transfer tool 17 is formed to receive several packaging already unfolded into an outer packaging 7 and/or that several packaging already unfolded into an outer packaging 7 can be received at the same time by the transfer tool 17 formed as part of the transfer device 4. The transfer tool 17 and/or the L-shaped form element 19 provides a horizontal surface to receive several outer packagings 7. Furthermore, the transfer tool 17 and/or the L-shaped form element 19 comprises an orientation surface, which is shown under reference number 18 and runs in perpendicular direction.

[0066] If a packaging already unfolded into an outer packaging 7 is received by the transfer tool 17 and/or the L-shaped form element 19, the respective outer packaging 7 can be placed on the transfer tool 17 via the erecting device 20 in such a way that the outer packaging 7 to be positioned in the area of the orientation area 18 gets in flush contact with the orientation surface 18 already at this point and is thereby aligned and brought into an orientation that is adapted to the respective subsequent insertion of articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5.

[0067] It is also conceivable that the erecting device 20 initially places packaging already unfolded into an outer packaging 7 onto the transfer tool 17 without an outer packaging lying flush against the orientation surface 18. As described below, the alignment can then be carried out at a later point in time using the support arm 23.

[0068] In addition, it is conceivable that the respective outer packaging is placed onto the transfer tool 17 via the erecting device 20 in such a manner that the outer packaging 7 to be positioned in the area of the orientation surface 18 already at this time is brought in flush contact with the orientation surface 18 and is thus aligned and be brought into an orientation which corresponds to the respective subsequent insertion of articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5. Since the respective outer packaging 7 received by the transfer tool 17 may inadvertently lose its flush contact with the orientation surface during a movement in the direction of the transport device 12, it may be provided that the support arm 23 again aligns the respective outer packaging flush on the orientation surface 18 and/or gets it in flush contact with the orientation surface 18.

[0069] The further outer packaging 7, which at the same time can be carried by the transfer tool 17 and/or the L-shaped forming element 19, is in surface contact with a lateral surface with the outer packaging 7, which outer packaging 7 rests against the orientation surface 18. If the aforementioned outer packaging 7 is already flush with the orientation surface 18, the further outer packaging 7 not in direct surface contact with the orientation surface 18 and carried by the transfer tool 17 is thus also aligned and brought into an orientation which is adapted to the respective subsequent insertion of articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5.

[0070] The packaging device 1 and/or the transfer device 4 also comprises an insertion aid 25 with a guide 21 provided for articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5, which guide 21 is designed as a frame in this case. Furthermore, a support arm 23 is part of the insertion aid 25. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the guide 21 and the support arm 23 are mechanically coupled to each other. However, also embodiments are possible which lack such a mechanical coupling or where the packaging device 1 and/or the transfer device 4 only comprises a guide 21 or a support arm 23.

[0071] Furthermore, a manipulator 30 is provided, which can receive articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5 from the infeed 13 and can subsequently place and/or insert them in outer packaging 7. As described below, the manipulator 30 and the insertion aid 25 work together for the insertion of articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5 in outer packaging 7. In order to be able to receive articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5 from the infeed 13 temporally, the manipulator 30 comprises a plurality of gripper heads 32. In various embodiments, the gripper heads 32 can establish, for instance, a mechanical and/or pneumatic connection with the respective articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5 to temporally receive articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5.

[0072] It should also be noted that FIG. 1 may illustrate the manipulator 30 only partially. It is conceivable, for example, that a handling unit or a gantry type system is provided which is designed as part of the manipulator 30 and which can move back and forth the components of the manipulator 30 shown in FIG. 1 between the transport device 12 and the infeed 13. Likewise, the transfer tool 17 may comprise a handling unit not shown in the figures of this patent application and/or a gantry type system not shown in the figures of this patent application, by which handling unit and/or by which gantry type system the L-shaped form element comprising an orientation surface 18 for articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5 is carried and/or moved back and forth between the erecting device 20 and the transport device 12.

[0073] FIG. 2 shows again the embodiment of a packaging device from FIG. 1. A summary of FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrates a step as it may be provided with various embodiments of an inventive process.

[0074] Starting from FIG. 1, the transfer tool 17 and/or the L-shaped form element 19 was moved in the direction of the transport device whereas the transfer tool 17 and/or the L-shaped form element 19 has reached the transport device 12 in FIG. 2 and is arranged just above the transport device 12. The position of the insertion aid 25 in FIG. 2 is unchanged with respect to its position in FIG. 1. In addition, FIG. 2 shows that the outer packaging 7 not in direct surface contact with the orientation surface 18 of the transfer tool 17 and/or a lateral surface of the outer packaging 7 not in direct surface contact with the orientation surface 18 of the transfer tool 17 is brought in contact with the downwards pointing support arm 23 of the insertion aid 25 through the movement of the transfer tool 17. Through the movement of the transfer tool 17 in the direction of the support arm 23, the support arm 23 pushes the outer packaging 7 shown in FIG. 2 on the left side in flush contact against the orientation surface and/or aligns the outer packaging 7 shown in FIG. 2 on the left side in a flush manner and/or aligns the outer packaging 7 shown on the left side with the orientation area 18. As the outer packaging 7 shown in FIG. 2 on the left side is in flush contact with the orientation surface 18 and the further outer packaging 7 and/or the outer packaging 7 shown on the right side with an outer surface is in flush contact with an outer surface of the outer packaging 7, which is in contact with the orientation surface 18, both outer packaging 7 in FIG. 2 are brought into an orientation which is adapted to the subsequent insertion of articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5 via the manipulator 30.

[0075] The manipulator 30 already lifted several articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5 from the infeed 13 in FIG. 2 and moved them in the direction of the insertion aid 25, in the direction of the transfer tool 17 and in the direction of the transport device 12 for insertion into the outer packaging 7 carried and aligned by the transfer tool 17.

[0076] In FIG. 3, the embodiment of a packaging device 1 from FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown again. Furthermore, a summary of FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrates a step as it may be provided with various embodiments of an inventive process. The insertion aid 25 was lowered in the direction of the outer packaging 7 wherein the outer packaging 7 was held via the insertion aid 25 in the position from FIG. 3. It is possible that the insertion aid 25 has at least one projection and/or at least one finger not illustrated in the figures of this patent application, which respective at least one projection and/or at least one finger engages and/or is immersed in the at least one chamber formed by a compartment of the outer packaging 7 and thereby holds the respective outer packaging 7 in its position. It is also conceivable, for example, that a carrying handle formed as part of the outer packaging 7 and pointing upwards is gripped and/or seized by the insertion aid 25 and the respective outer packaging 7 thereby is held in its respective position by the insertion aid 25. In practice, there are more possibilities not described in full in the context of this patent application, by which the outer packaging 7 can be held via the insertion aid 25.

[0077] By holding the outer packaging 7 via the insertion aid 25, the transfer tool 17 and/or the L-shaped form element 19 can be moved back in the direction of the erecting device 20 in order to receive further packaging already unfolded into an outer packaging 7. Since the movement of the transfer tool 17 and/or the L-shaped form element 19 back towards the erecting device 20 already happens before articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5 are inserted into the outer packaging 7, a high throughput is achieved in the packaging of articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5 by the packaging device 1.

[0078] While the transfer tool 17 and/or the L-shaped form element 19 is moved in the direction of the erecting device 20, the outer packaging 7 is placed on the transport device 12 and/or loses contact with the transfer tool 17 and/or the L-shaped form element 19 and continues to be held via the insertion aid 25. Also, the support arm 23 formed here as part of the insertion aid 25 and pointing downwards continues to have surface contact with the lateral surface of the outer packaging 7.

[0079] In FIG. 4, the embodiment of a packaging device 1 from FIGS. 1 to 3 is illustrated again. Also, a summary of FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrates a step as it may be provided with various embodiments of an inventive process.

[0080] As the transfer tool 17 and/or the L-shaped form element 19 has arrived at the erecting device 20 in FIG. 4, the erecting device 20 provides further outer packaging 7 for the transfer tool 17 formed as part of the transfer device 4 and/or the L-shaped form element. To this end, the erecting device 20 comprises a transport tool 22, which moves several packaging already unfolded into an outer packaging 7 in the direction of the transfer tool 17 and/or the L-shaped form element 19.

[0081] The position of the insertion aid 25 in FIG. 4 is unchanged with respect to its position in FIG. 3. The outer packaging 7 placed on the transport device 12 are further held in their position via the insertion aid 25. In FIG. 4, the manipulator 30 has achieved a position, in which the manipulator 30, solely by a vertical lowering movement, can insert the articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5 carried by the manipulator 30 into the outer packaging 7 placed on the transport device 12. Since the outer packaging 7 was brought into an orientation through alignment as previously described, which orientation is adapted to the subsequent insertion via the manipulator 30, the subsequent insertion can be carried out accurately and without problems. The insertion aid 25, which is still in contact with the outer packaging 7 now placed on the transport device 12, prevents unintentional folding by positioning the support arm 23 on the outer packaging and by holding the outer packaging in the described orientation. Guide rails, which support the outer packaging 7 already placed on the transport device 12 and thereby prevent unintentional folding, are therefore not necessary for the packing device 1.

[0082] In FIG. 5, the embodiment of a packaging device 1 from FIGS. 1 to 4 is shown again. Furthermore, a summary of FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrates a step as it may be provided with various embodiments of an inventive process.

[0083] In FIG. 5, the manipulator 30 was lowered in the direction of the transport device 12, together with the articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5 carried by the manipulator 30. During lowering, the articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5 were moved through the guide 21 formed as part of the insertion aid 25 and/or the guide frame formed as part of the insertion aid 25. This ensures that the articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5 are guided accurately into their respective chambers formed by the compartment of the outer packaging 7.

[0084] During insertion, the outer packaging 7 placed on the transport device 12 continues to be held by the insertion aid 25. In addition, the support arm 23 formed as part of the insertion aid 25 continues to be in contact with a lateral surface of the outer packaging 7 pictured on the right side in FIG. 5 and already placed on the transport device 12.

[0085] In FIG. 6, the embodiment of a packaging device 1 from FIGS. 1 to 5 is shown again. Furthermore, a summary of FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrates a step as it may be provided with various embodiments of an inventive process. In FIG. 6, the transport tool 22 of the erecting device 20 has now completely placed further packaging folded up into an outer packaging 7 on the transfer tool 17 wherein the outer packaging 7 pictured on the left side and carried by the transfer tool 17 is in flush contact with the orientation surface and is thereby aligned.

[0086] The manipulator 30 has inserted the articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5, which were still carried in FIG. 4, into the respective assigned outer packaging 7 and has been raised vertically in relation to the transport device 12. Also, the outer packaging 7 is no longer held via the insertion aid 25 wherein the insertion aid has been moved and/or raised vertically in relation to the transport device 12. There is no longer contact between the support arm 23 and a lateral surface of the outer packaging 7 placed on the transport device 12 and pictured on the right side, which still existed in FIG. 5. Furthermore, FIG. 6 shows that additional articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5 have already been provided via the infeed 13. The manipulator 30 therefore can be moved in the direction of the infeed 13 to receive additional articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5 provided for insertion into the outer packaging 7 carried by the transfer tool 17 in FIG. 6.

[0087] In FIG. 7, the embodiment of a packaging device 1 from FIGS. 1 to 6 is shown again. Furthermore, a summary of FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrates a step as it may be provided with various embodiments of an inventive process. The outer packaging 7 still pictured in FIG. 6 and placed on the transport device 12, into which the articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5 have been inserted, are no longer shown in FIG. 7 and have been transported via the transport device 12 in the direction of the image plane. For example, the outer packaging 7 with the inserted articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5 can be moved in the direction of a grouping station and/or palletizing station via the transport device 12.

[0088] In FIG. 7, the manipulator 30 is again in contact with articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5 via its gripper heads 32 as described in FIG. 1. The step according to FIG. 7 is followed by the steps described in FIGS. 2 to 6.

[0089] FIGS. 8 to 10 each show a schematic view of an embodiment of an inventive packaging device 1. It should be mentioned in advance that FIGS. 8 to 10 respectively do not show all the features of an embodiment of an inventive packaging device 1.

[0090] Thus, FIG. 8 shows again the transport device 12 already illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 as well as the packaging already unfolded to a respective outer packaging 7. Reference sign 40 refers to a suspension, to which the support arm 23 and/or the guide 21, preferably in the form of a frame (see FIGS. 1 to 7), can be attached. These components are shown again in FIG. 9, whereby FIG. 9 clearly illustrates that the transport device 12 comprises a circulating conveyor belt.

[0091] FIG. 10 shows a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a packaging device 1. According to FIGS. 8 and 9, the packaging already unfolded into an outer packaging 7 can also be seen in FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, the guide 21 and/or the guide frame also shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 is arranged on the suspension 40. Reference sign 13 continues to refer to an infeed for articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5 wherein the manipulator 30 is positioned above the infeed 13 to receive articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5.

[0092] A summary of FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrates that the manipulator 30 is moved in the direction of the guide 21 to insert articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5 and hereby leaves the infeed 13. The subsequent insertion of articles 3 and/or beverage containers 5 in outer packaging 7 can be carried out subsequently to FIG. 11 in accordance with the previous description of FIGS. 4 to 7.

[0093] The invention was described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it is conceivable for an expert that variations or modifications of the invention can be made without leaving the scope of protection of the claims below.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0094] 1 Packaging device [0095] 2 Article [0096] 3 Transfer device [0097] 4 Beverage container [0098] 7 Outer packaging [0099] 12 Transport device [0100] 13 Infeed [0101] 17 Transfer tool [0102] 18 Orientation surface [0103] 19 L-shaped form element [0104] 20 Erecting device [0105] 21 Guide [0106] 22 Transport tool [0107] 23 Support arm [0108] 25 Insertion aid [0109] 30 Manipulator [0110] 32 Gripper head [0111] 40 Suspension