Device for forming packaging units

Abstract

An apparatus for producing container bundles without a shrink film or strapping has container guides, which are either base or head guides, a grouping unit, one or more application elements, a multiple track container feed providing multiple container streams, and a container transporter for each stream. The guides are disposed on the container transporter. An application element near the transporter applies adhesive to containers. The grouping unit groups and compress a predetermined number of containers to form a container bundle.

Claims

1. An apparatus for producing bundles, said apparatus comprising at least one application element, container guides, a grouping unit, a multiple track container feed providing multiple container streams, and a container transporter for each container stream, wherein said container guides are selected from the group consisting of base guides and head guides, wherein said container guides are disposed on at least one container transporter, wherein said at least one application element is disposed in a region of at least one container transporter, wherein said at least one application element is configured to apply adhesive to containers, wherein said grouping unit is selected from the group consisting of a partitioning unit, a compressing unit, a partitioning section, and a compressing section, wherein said grouping unit is configured to group and compress a predetermined number of containers, wherein said grouping unit is disposed immediately downstream from a structure selected from the group consisting of at least one container transporter and an outlet device, and wherein said grouping unit is configured to combine said predetermined number of containers to form a bundle of containers downstream of said at least one container transporter for transportation onward, wherein said application elements are disposed one after another in a direction of conveyance of said at least one container transporter.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said container transporter comprises both base guides and head guides.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said base guides comprise turntables, and wherein said top guides comprise packing-and centering tulips.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said grouping unit comprises a linear transporter on which said containers are combined to form bundles and on which said bundles are transported onwards, wherein said linear transporter is arranged downstream of said container transporter.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said container transporter for each container stream comprises a star transporter for each container stream, wherein each star transporter comprises a primary star, wherein said container guides are disposed on said primary star, wherein said star transporter comprises a central axis, wherein said primary star rotates about said central axis, and wherein said at least one application element is disposed in a region of said star transporter.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said primary star comprises both base guides and head guides.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said application elements are disposed one after another in a direction of rotation of said primary star.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each star transporter further comprises an alignment star disposed upstream of said primary star.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said container transporter for each container stream comprises an electromagnetic linear drive with electrically-driven carriages, wherein said electrically-driven carriages are configured to be driven independently of one another, wherein said electrically-driven carriages comprise a first electrically-driven carriage and a second electrically-driven carriage, wherein said first electrically-driven carriage is configured to be driven at a first speed, wherein said second electrically-driven carriage is configured to be driven at a second speed, and wherein said first speed is greater than said second speed.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising an alignment unit disposed upstream of said container transporter, wherein said alignment unit comprises an electromagnetic linear drive, wherein said electromagnetic linear drive comprises electrically-driven carriages that are configured to be driven independently of one another and whose speed is configured to be independently controlled.

11. The apparatus of anyone of claim 9, wherein said electrically-driven carriages comprise container grippers.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising motorized drives, said motorized drives being configured to rotate containers gripped by said container grippers of said electrically-driven carriages.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an alignment unit disposed upstream of at least one container transporter.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said alignment unit comprises an electromagnetic linear drive, wherein said electromagnetic linear drive comprises electrically-driven carriages that are configured to be driven independently of one another and whose speed is configured to be independently controlled.

15. An apparatus for producing bundles, said apparatus comprising at least one application element, container guides, a grouping unit, a multiple track container feed providing multiple container streams, and a container transporter for each container stream, wherein said container guides are selected from the group consisting of base guides and head guides, wherein said container guides are disposed on at least one container transporter, wherein said at least one application element is disposed in a region of at least one container transporter, wherein said at least one application element is configured to apply adhesive to containers, wherein said grouping unit is selected from the group consisting of a partitioning unit, a compressing unit, a partitioning section, and a compressing section, wherein said grouping unit is configured to group and compress a predetermined number of containers, wherein said grouping unit is disposed immediately downstream from a structure selected from the group consisting of at least one container transporter and an outlet device, and wherein said grouping unit is configured to combine said predetermined number of containers to form a bundle of containers downstream of said at least one container transporter for transportation onward, wherein at least two application elements are arranged one above the other.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said container transporter comprises both base guides and head guides.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said grouping unit comprises a linear transporter on which said containers are combined to form bundles and on which said bundles are transported onwards, wherein said linear transporter is arranged downstream of said at least one container transporter.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said container transporter for each container stream comprises a star transporter for each container stream, wherein each star transporter comprises a primary star, wherein said container guides are disposed on said primary star, wherein said star transporter comprises a central axis, wherein said primary star rotates about said central axis, and wherein said at least one application element is disposed in a region of said star transporter.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said container transporter for each container stream comprises an electromagnetic linear drive with electrically-driven carriages, wherein said electrically-driven carriages are configured to be driven independently of one another, wherein said electrically-driven carriages comprise a first electrically-driven carriage and a second electrically-driven carriage, wherein said first electrically-driven carriage is configured to be driven at a first speed, wherein said second electrically-driven carriage is configured to be driven at a second speed, and wherein said first speed is greater than said second speed.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising an alignment unit disposed upstream of said at least one container transporter.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is explained in detail below through the use of an embodiment example with reference to the figures. In the figures:

(2) FIG. 1 shows, in perspective view, a partial section of a device for producing a bundle having six articles or containers,

(3) FIG. 2 shows, in plan view, the partial section of FIG. 1

(4) FIG. 3 shows, in side view, the partial section of FIG. 1,

(5) FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a partitioning or compressing section in the exemplary embodiment as a linear transporter,

(6) FIG. 5 shows the partial section of FIG. 1 in plan view with an upstream alignment star and contiguous partitioning or compressing section

(7) FIG. 6 shows the partial section of FIG. 5 in a side view,

(8) FIG. 7 shows the partial section of FIG. 5 in a front view from the inlet side,

(9) FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of a device for producing bundles as an electromagnetic, linear endless transporter, and

(10) FIG. 9 shows this device in perspective view.

(11) In the different figures, the same reference character in each case identifies identical parts, which is why they are generally described only once.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(12) FIG. 1 shows a partial section of a packaging machine 1 for producing bundles 2 from containers 3. The packaging machine 1 receives a wide container stream of container 3 and converts it into a plurality of, as depicted for example into two, single-track container streams 4.1, 4.2. The containers 3 have container features and/or furnishing features that are oriented in arbitrary directions.

(13) One star transporter 5, 5.1, 5.2 is provided for each of the container streams 4.1, 4.2. Each star transporter 5 has a plurality of base guides 6 and head guides 7 for containers 3. Application elements 8 are disposed on the star transporter or on its primary star 12, 12.1, 12.2. Containers 3 are combined downstream of the star transporter 5 to form a bundle 2.

(14) Containers 3 are transported from an inlet side 9 towards an outlet side 10 in an axial transport direction 14. Application elements 8 are provided at the star transporter 5 for the applying an adhesive agent. The containers 3 are combined to form a complete bundle 2 downstream of the star transporter 5 and transported towards the outlet side 10.

(15) FIG. 1 shows that each star transporter 5, 5.1, 5.2 has an inlet device 11, 11.1, 11.2, a primary star 12, 12.1, 12.2, and an outlet device 13, 13.1, 13.2 for respective container tracks 4.1, 4.2. The inlet device 11 is implemented as an inlet star and the outlet device 13 is implemented as an outlet star. Because a star transporter 5 is provided for each container track 4.1, 4.2, they or their components are provided in the figures with the auxiliary number .1 or .2 to indicate the association with respective container track 4.1, 4.2. The respective components are identical in each case.

(16) Base guides 6 on the primary star 12 are configured, for example, as turntables, with their head guides 7, at the holding end, either having or being configured as packing or centering tulips. A container 3 is thus held securely in a stable position between a base guide 6 and a head guide 7. Turntables and packing or centering tulips are known, for example, from their use in labeling machines.

(17) As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of application elements 8 is provided on the primary star 12. These application elements follow one another when seen in the direction of rotation, indicated by an arrow 18, of the main star 12. The base guide 6 makes it possible to align standing containers so that certain container and/or furnishing features, such as embossings, are oriented in a predictable manner, so that after having an adhesive agent applied to them, the containers 3 are aligned exactly relative to each other once they are accommodated in the bundle 2. The container 3 can also be rotated simply to apply adhesive agent at a plurality of contact and touching surfaces when seen in peripheral direction. An aligning or rotating, which takes place either upstream of application elements 8 and/or between application elements 8 following in the direction of rotation 19 is indicated by reference character 20 in FIG. 2.

(18) In a preferred embodiment, two application elements 8 to are arranged one above the other, with subsequent application elements 8 being likewise arranged one above the other. Each application element 8 thus always provides precisely one container region, i.e. one section of the contact and touching surface, with contact adhesive and adhesive. The application elements 8 can be adjusted in their inclination relative to each spatial axis, for example in the event of a spraying or sprinkling application of contact adhesive and adhesive. Application elements 8 can also be entrained with a container 3 over at least a partial distance.

(19) A linear transporter 15 that functions as a partitioning and/or compressing section 22 is arranged immediately downstream of an outlet device 13 or of both outlet star-wheels 13.1 and 13.2. The outlet device 13 or the two outlet stars 13.1 and 13.2 bring adhering containers 3 together and transfer adhering containers 3 in pairs to the linear transporter 15, as depicted in FIG. 2 by reference character 19. In the process, two adhering containers 3 are first pressed together at their contact and touching surfaces.

(20) The linear transporter 15 can be configured to combine of a plurality of container pairs, for example three, to form a bundle 2 that has six containers 3. For this purpose, a linear transporter 15 may have entraining elements 21, and in addition lateral guide elements 16 as depicted in FIG. 4.

(21) The linear transporter 15 is therefore downstream of the star transporter 5 or the outlet device 13. The static and/or moving guide elements 16 can be provided on either side of the linear transporter 15. Entraining elements 21 may also be provided, each of which is associated with one bundle 2. The entraining elements 21 can apply a force along the axial transport direction 14 to press together the containers 3 of a bundle 2. The guide elements 16 can apply a pressing force on the containers 3 square to transport direction 14 to also promote an adhesive bond in the transverse direction.

(22) Where UV-curing adhesive is used, a curing station 17, such as a UV curing station is beneficially positioned on linear transporter 15.

(23) Alignment of containers 3 into a nominal position is carried out along the transport path of the primary star 12.1, 12.2. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 5 to 7, the alignment is performed on an alignment star 23.1, 23.2 that is upstream of the respective primary star 12.1, 12.2. An inlet star 11.1, 11.2 feeds containers 3 in the container streams 4.1, 4.2 to the alignment star 23.1, 23.2.

(24) A detection system 24.1, 24.2 is disposed on the alignment star 23.1, 23.2. In the exemplary embodiment, the detection system 24.1, 24.2 is a camera system.

(25) A transfer star 25.1, 25.2 is disposed between a respective alignment star 23.1 or 23.2 and a respective primary star 12.1, 12.2. In the preferred embodiment, the transfer star 25.1, 25.2 has the dimensions of the inlet star 11.1, 11.2 and/or of the outlet star 13.1, 13.2.

(26) The exemplary detection systems 24.1, 24.2 detect the actual position of, for example, labels, embossings, and/or other features. The actual data is fed to an evaluator that compares the detected data with stored nominal data. Based on the comparison, the head guides 7 or the base guides 6, for example packing tulips or turntables, move the container 3 concerned to the desired nominal position. A container 3 aligned into the nominal position remains in that position along the rest of its transport path. In the further course of partitioning and/or compressing section 22 the bundle stream is divided up into, for example, two parallel bundle streams as shown, by way of example, in FIG. 5.

(27) In an improved embodiment of the device, shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the star transporters are replaced by endlessly circulating transport systems that are configured as linear drives provided with circulating and electrically drivable carriages. For each container 3, the container guides, for example the base guides 6 and/or the head guides 7, are disposed on such a carriage 27. The drives for the rotation of containers 3 about their respective vertical axes are also advantageously disposed on carriage 27.

(28) It is to particular advantage that the linear drives 26 operate according to the principle of an electro-magnetic linear drive such that each transport carriage 27 can be driven, at least in sections in the circulation region of linear drive 26, independently of other carriages 26.

(29) The fixed-position part of the linear drive 26 forms a guide for the movable transport carriages. A plurality of magnet poles with associated individually actuatable windings are provided, one following after the other in the movement direction or transport direction of the carriages, as well as permanent magnets which are provided on or in transport carriage 27. Such a linear drive is offered on the market under the brand name PackTrak by Siemens AG.

(30) FIGS. 8 and 9 show such an arrangement comprising two electromagnetic linear drives 26.1, 26.2 for the upper container row in FIG. 8 and linear drives 26.3, 26.4 for the lower container row in FIG. 8. Analogously to the aforesaid examples, both container rows enter in two rows and are received by circulating linear drives 26.1, 26.3 or their carriages 27. An inlet or transfer element 29, which is also to be provided as required, is indicated as a circle. The container feeds can also be arranged in a transport direction A in such a way that they enter aligned with the straight line or at a tangent to the curve of the linear drive 26.

(31) The figure shows certain carriages 27 carrying containers 3. The detection of the position and angle of rotation, aligning and handling of the containers 3 is carried out in the same manner as discussed in connection with FIGS. 1 to 7. Drives for the rotary motion of containers 3 as well as the handling stations and units described above are also not depicted or described, as an analogous configuration and positioning is to be selected.

(32) The figure also shows returning carriages 27a, 28a. These carriages 27a, 27b are returning to collect a further container 3 or to act upon them.

(33) The particularity of the solution shown here is that rear linear drives 26.2, 26.4 or their carriages 28, only three of which are shown schematically, can be effected such that containers 3 in the region of the inlet, i.e. the transition from an upstream linear drive 26.1 to its downstream linear drive 26.2, the containers are still held at a distance so as to avoid prematurely approaching one another and to prevent unwanted sticking. The desired container groups, which in this case each have six containers formed by two each of rows of three containers each, are formed in the region of the straight line that represents a partitioning and/or compressing section 22 by having containers 3 or partial groups of containers speed up or slow down relative to one another in a suitable manner.

(34) For example, two adjacent containers can first be brought into contact at their adhesive points square to the transport direction, if necessary after previous scanning and alignment of the adhesive and sticking points, and these then bonded container sub-groups are speeded up or slowed down in a suitable manner so as to achieve the desired compressing and pressing together with container sub-groups that are adjacent in transport direction. The containers are ideally held so that they cannot rotate until an adequate curing and/or drying is assured.

(35) The bundles or container groups so formed can ultimately be released onto a linear transporter 15.

(36) In the depicted example of FIGS. 8 and 9, it is only in the region of the linear drive 26.1, 26.3 that the container is transported by the carriage 27 in a rotatable manner. After their transfer or conveyance into the engagement region of rear linear drives 26.2 and 26.4, containers 3 are ideally held in a way that prevents rotation because rotation of containers 3 about the vertical axis is now neither necessary nor desirable with the angular position of the adhesive and sticking points being known. Of advantage here is a supporting gripper guide for the containers 3 or a sliding transport onto a suitable base surface, ideally a metal substrate.

(37) In an improved embodiment of the linear drive 26 or its transport carriage 28, the gripper and holder with which containers 3 are fixed can be displaced and driven square to main transport direction A. This improves the adhesion of adjacent containers 3 as any rotational motion is thus avoided.

(38) The unit can also be composed in such a way that only the primary star according to the example in FIGS. 1 to 5 or only the outlet star is replaced in the aforesaid manner with a linear transporter, in particular an electromagnetically driven linear transporter with independently controllable and drivable carriages.