MAGAZINE UNIT, PACKAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COMBINING ARTICLE GROUPINGS

Abstract

The invention relates to a magazine unit (1) for consumable material (20), comprising at least two receiving units (2) for consumable material (20), at least one removal position (AP) and at least one filling position (BP), wherein the receiving units (2) are configured to be movable between the removal position (AP) and the filling position (BP). The invention also relates to a packaging apparatus (15) and to a method for combining article groupings (33) with a packaging means (21).

Claims

1. A magazine unit (1) for consumable material (20), comprising: at least two receiving units (2) for consumable material (20), at least one removal position (AP) and at least two filling positions (BP), and wherein each of the at least two receiving units (2) is configured to be movable between the at least one removal position (AP) and at least one of the at least two filling positions (BP).

2. The magazine unit (1) of claim 1, comprising two receiving units (2) for consumable material (20), a single removal position (AP) and two filling positions (BP), wherein the removal position (AP) is arranged between the two filling positions (BP).

3. The magazine unit (1) of claim 2, wherein, in a first work mode (AM1), a first receiving unit (2) is arranged in the first filling position (BP) and a second receiving unit (2) is arranged in the removal position (AP), and wherein, in a second work mode (AM2), the first receiving unit (2) is arranged in the removal position (AP) and the second receiving unit (2) is arranged in the second filling position (BP).

4. The magazine unit (1) of claim 2, wherein the removal position (AP) and the two filling positions (BP) are arranged in a straight line, wherein the receiving units (2) are configured to be movable together in the straight line.

5. The magazine unit (1) claim 2, wherein the two receiving units (2) are arranged on a carriage (3), which is assigned to a carriage guide (5), which carriage guide (5) extends over the removal position (AP) and both filling positions (BP).

6. The magazine unit (1) of claim 1, wherein each receiving unit (2) is assigned a lifting device (13).

7. The magazine unit (1) of claim 1, wherein at least one protective element (7) is arranged between the at least two receiving units (2).

8. A packaging apparatus (15) comprising: a packaging module (19) for creating article groupings (33) with packaging (21), and a magazine unit (1) storing the packaging (21) that is provided as consumable material (20), wherein the magazine unit (1) comprises at least two receiving units (2) for consumable material (20), at least one removal position (AP) and at least two filling positions (BP), wherein each of the at least two receiving units (2) is configured to be movable between the at least one removal position (AP) and one of the at least two filling positions (BP).

9. The packaging apparatus (15) of claim 8, wherein the packaging module (19) further comprises a transport device (40) configured to move the article groupings (33) in a transport direction (TR), wherein the at least one removal position (AP) and the at least two filling positions (BP) are arranged in a straight line parallel to the transport device (40), wherein the receiving units (2) are configured to be movable in the straight line.

10. The packaging apparatus (15) claim 9, wherein the at least one removal position (AP) and the at least two filling positions (BP) are arranged parallel to the transport device (40).

11. The packaging apparatus (15) wherein at least one protective device (36) is assigned to the at least one removal position (AP), wherein the protective device (36) is configured to prevent any manual intervention during ongoing production operation in the receiving unit (2) arranged in the removal position (AP).

12. A method for combining article groupings (33) with packaging (21), the method comprising: providing packaging (21) a consumable material (20) in a magazine unit (1), wherein the magazine unit (1) comprises at least two receiving units (2) for consumable material (20), at least one removal position (AP) and at least two filling positions (BP), configuring each of the at least two receiving units (2) to be movable between the at least one removal position (AP) and one of the at least two filling positions (BP), removing the packaging (21) from one of the at least two receiving unit (2) arranged in the removal position (AP).

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising filling or refilling the magazine unit (1) by placing packaging (21) into one of the at least two receiving unit (2) when that receiving unit (2) is in a filling position (BP).

14. The method claim 13, wherein the magazine unit (1) comprises two receiving units (2) for consumable material (20), a single removal position (AP) and two filling positions (BP), wherein the removal position (AP) is arranged between the two filling positions (BP), and wherein the magazine unit (1) can be moved back-and-forth between a first work mode (AM1) and a second work mode (AM2).

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, in the first work mode (AM1), a first receiving unit (2) is arranged in a first filling position (BP) and is being filled with consumable material (20), and wherein, in the second work mode (AM2), a second receiving unit (2) is arranged in a second filling position (BP) and is being filled with consumable material (20).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0103] Exemplary embodiments of the invention and their advantages are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. The proportions of the individual elements relative to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the actual proportions, since some forms are simplified, while other forms are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

[0104] FIGS. 1 and 2 each show a magazine unit in different work modes in a side view.

[0105] FIGS. 3 to 6 show further representations of the magazine unit according to FIG. 1.

[0106] FIG. 7 schematically shows the structure of a packaging apparatus.

[0107] FIG. 8 shows a plan view of a packaging module.

[0108] FIG. 9 shows a rear view of the packaging module according to FIG. 8.

[0109] FIGS. 10 and 11 each show a front view of the packaging module according to FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0110] Identical reference numerals are used for identical elements of the invention or those having the same effect. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference signs are shown in the individual figures, which are required for the description of the corresponding figure. The embodiments shown are merely examples of how the magazine unit or packaging apparatus according to the invention or the method according to the invention can be configured, and are non-limiting.

[0111] FIGS. 1 and 2 each show a magazine unit 1 in different work modes AM1, AM2 in a side view. FIGS. 3 to 6 show further views of the magazine unit 1 according to FIG. 1; in particular, FIGS. 3 and 4 show perspective views, FIG. 5 shows a plan view and FIG. 6 shows a front view.

[0112] The magazine unit 1 comprises at least two receiving units 2 for consumable material 20; in particular, the magazine unit 1 comprises two receiving units 2-1 and 2-2.

[0113] Furthermore, the magazine unit 1 comprises at least one removal position AP and at least two filling positions BP. Preferably, the removal position AP is arranged between the two filling positions BP1 and BP2.

[0114] Furthermore, it is provided that the receiving units 2-1 and 2-2 are configured to be movable between the removal position AP and the two filling positions BP1, BP2.

[0115] The receiving units 2-1, 2-2 are in particular arranged next to one another on a carriage 3, which is arranged on a carriage guide 5 via guide elements 4. The carriage 3 can thus be moved in a first movement direction BR1 and counter to the first movement direction BR1 in a second movement direction BR2. The guide elements 4 can, for example, be configured as guide rollers or similar.

[0116] The carriage guide 5 extends over the removal position AP and both filling positions BP1, BP2.

[0117] In particular, the removal position AP and the two filling positions BP1, BP2 are thus arranged in a straight line and the receiving units 2-1, 2-2 are configured to be movable together in the straight line.

[0118] In a first work mode AM1 shown in FIG. 1, the first receiving unit 2-1 is arranged in the first filling position BP1 and the second receiving unit 2-2 is arranged in the removal position AP.

[0119] By moving the carriage 3 along the carriage guide 5 in the first movement direction BR1, the magazine unit 1 is transferred to a second work mode AM2 according to FIG. 2, in which second work mode AM2 the first receiving unit 2-1 is arranged in the removal position AP and the second receiving unit 2-2 is arranged in the second filling position BP2.

[0120] By moving the carriage 3 along the carriage guide 5 in the second movement direction BR2, the magazine unit 1 can subsequently be returned to the first work mode AM1 according to FIG. 1.

[0121] In an ongoing production operation, it is provided that consumable material 20 is only ever removed from the receiving unit 2, which receiving unit 2 is in the removal position AP in each instance.

[0122] Meanwhile, the other receiving unit 2, which is in one of the two filling positions BP1 or BP2, can be refilled with consumable material 20.

[0123] As soon as the consumable material 20 from the receiving unit 2 located in the removal position AP has been used up, the other receiving unit 2, which has been filled in the meantime, can be brought back to the removal position AP by moving the carriage 3 in the corresponding movement direction BR1 or BR2.

[0124] It is thus not necessary to stop the machine to refill consumable material 20. The time required to change the receiving units 2 within the magazine unit 1 is minimized since only a small displacement movement is necessary, the path length of which is in particular defined by the width of the receiving units 2, the width of which in turn is determined by a width of the consumable material.

[0125] The view in FIG. 1 also shows an example of a drive 6 for the carriage 3.

[0126] Each receiving unit 2 may provide specific receiving apparatuses 11 for receiving the consumable material 20. For example, the receiving unit 2 can comprise a frame arrangement 12, within which frame arrangement 12 the consumable material 20 is arranged, for example in stacks. Centering elements, alignment elements or similar can be provided, which make exact positioning and/or alignment of the consumable material 20 within the receiving unit 2 possible or assist therewith.

[0127] Furthermore, it is shown that at least one protective element 7, for example a protective wall 8, is arranged between the receiving units 2. In addition to this so-called inner protective element 7, each receiving unit 2 can comprise a further, outer protective element 9 in parallel, which is also configured as a protective wall 10.

[0128] The protective elements 7, 9 are also arranged on the carriage 3 and are thus configured to be movable together with the receiving units 2.

[0129] Furthermore, each of the receiving units 2 can be assigned a lifting device 13, 13-1, 13-2, via which lifting device 13 the consumable material 20 arranged within the receiving units 2-1, 2-2 can be raised accordingly so that the consumable material unit to be removed is always located at the same removal position E. In particular, each lifting device 13 raises a base plate 14, on which the consumable material 20 is arranged.

[0130] The lifting devices 13 are also arranged on the carriage 3 and are thus moved accordingly together with the receiving units 2 in the first movement direction BR1 or the second movement direction BR2.

[0131] A further embodiment (not shown) can provide that the receiving units 2 are each configured to be individually movable perpendicularly to the first movement direction BR1. For example, the receiving units 2 on the carriage 3 can thus each be guided in further rails, which rails are orthogonal to the carriage guide 5. This additional movement component can improve the accessibility of the receiving unit 2 arranged in the filling position BP and can thus make filling even easier.

[0132] The consumable material 20 can, for example, be a packaging blank 21 such as those used in the beverage industry to combine several beverage containers into a sales unit or packaging unit. For example, it can be upper grip cardboard packaging 22 (cf. FIG. 3). Alternatively, the packaging blank 21 may also be formed by outer packaging in the form of outer cardboard packaging, strapping or similar.

[0133] The filling of the receiving units 2 arranged in a filling position BP can take place manually or in an automated manner. For automated filling, an appropriately trained robot can be provided, for example. Particularly preferably, automated filling can be carried out by a driverless transport system or similar, which is equipped with a robot and comprises a receiving device for consumable material. The robot removes the consumable material from a receiving apparatus of the driverless transport system and fills it into the receiving unit of the magazine unit, which receiving unit is in a filling position. If the receiving apparatus of the driverless transport system is empty, the transport system automatically fetches additional consumable material from a storage area, which does not have to be arranged in the immediate vicinity of the magazine unit. The control of driverless transport systems is known so that a more detailed explanation in connection with the present invention can be dispensed with.

[0134] In the magazine unit 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, both receiving units 2 are arranged on a common carriage 3. Alternatively, in an embodiment (not shown), it can be provided that the receiving units 2 are configured to be movable individually. In this case, it can be provided that the receiving units 2 are each arranged on their own carriages, which use a common rail system, or each carriage is assigned its own rail system.

[0135] FIG. 7 schematically shows the structure of the packaging apparatus 15 for producing packaging units 30. A packaging unit 30 is formed in particular by at least two articles 31, which are combined with at least one packaging blank 21.

[0136] The articles 31 to be combined are preferably containers filled with a fluid content, for example bottles or cans 32, in particular beverage containers. However, the bottles or cans 32 or similar containers can also be filled, for example, with fluid or pasty cosmetics such as shampoo or similar.

[0137] The packaging blank 21 can, for example, be upper grip cardboard packaging 22. Alternatively, the packaging blank 21 can also be formed by outer packaging in the form of outer cardboard packaging, strapping, or similar, within which the articles 31 are arranged accordingly.

[0138] The packaging apparatus 15 comprises a first transport device 16, via which articles 31 are fed to a dividing module 17 in an unordered mass flow or in an ordered mass flow or in another suitable arrangement in the transport direction TR. In the dividing module 17, article groupings or article groups 33 of at least two articles 31 are formed. The article groups 33 each contain a defined number of articles 31, which articles 31 are in particular arranged in a defined arrangement within the article group 33. The number and arrangement of the articles 31 within the article group 33 in particular corresponds to the number and arrangement of the articles 31 within the packaging unit 30 to be formed.

[0139] The article groups 33 are fed to a packaging module 19 via a second transport device 18. The packaging module 19 is configured to arrange at least one packaging blank 21 on each article group 33. In particular, the packaging module 19 in the exemplary embodiment shown is configured to attach an upper grip cardboard packaging 22 to the article group 33 and thus combine the articles 31 into a packaging unit 30.

[0140] The packaging module 19 is assigned at least one magazine unit 1, as already described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 6, in which magazine unit 1 is provided upper grip cardboard packaging 22 as consumable material 20, in particular packaging blank 21.

[0141] FIG. 8 shows a plan view of a packaging module 19 with a magazine unit 1.

[0142] The packaging module 19 comprises a transport device 40, via which the article groups (not shown) are transported in the transport direction TR through the packaging module 19.

[0143] It is preferably provided that the removal position AP of the magazine unit 1 and the two filling positions BP1, BP2 are arranged in a straight line parallel to the transport device 40, wherein the receiving units 2 of the magazine unit 1 are configured to be movable together in the straight line.

[0144] Furthermore, the packaging module 19 comprises at least one applicator 41, which is configured to remove at least one upper grip cardboard packaging 22 from a magazine unit 1 assigned to the packaging module 19, and to fasten it to the articles 31 of the article group 33 by pressing it on from above, forming a packaging unit (not shown, cf. FIG. 7). This can in particular take place while the article groups 33 are continuously moved through the packaging module 19.

[0145] In particular, the applicator 41 removes the particular at least one upper grip cardboard packaging 22 from the middle removal position AP of the magazine unit 1.

[0146] It is particularly preferred that only the packaging blank 21 in the middle removal position AP are accessible to the applicator 41. According to the embodiment shown, the two filling positions BP1, BP2 are closed off or protected from the machine room of the packaging module 19 by a housing 35 or similar. The fact that there is no open connection between the filling positions BP1, BP2 and moving components of the packaging module 19 represents an important safety aspect when filling the magazine unit 1 with consumable material 20.

[0147] FIG. 9 shows a rear view of the packaging module 19, FIGS. 10 and 11 each show a front view of the packaging module 19, wherein the magazine unit 1 according to FIG. 10 is in the first work mode AM1 and the magazine unit 1 according to FIG. 11 is in the second work mode AM2.

[0148] FIGS. 9 to 11 each show only the magazine unit 1 within the packaging module 19; further machine components, such as the applicator, have been omitted for reasons of clarity.

[0149] FIG. 9 shows a view through the packaging module 19 onto the magazine unit 1, while FIGS. 10 and 11 show views from the front onto the packaging module 19 and the magazine unit 1. In particular, FIG. 10 shows the packaging module 19 with the magazine unit 1 in the first work mode AM1, and FIG. 11 shows the packaging module 19 with the magazine unit 1 in the second work mode AM2.

[0150] The transfer of the magazine unit 1 from the first work mode AM1 to the second work mode AM2 has been described in detail in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2 so that a repeated description can be dispensed with.

[0151] When comparing FIG. 9 with FIGS. 10 and 11, it can be seen that the filling positions BP1, BP2 are each separated by a housing 35 from the interior of the packaging module 19, in which the transport device 40 and the applicator 41 are arranged (cf. FIG. 8), while the receiving unit 2, which is loaded with consumable material 20 and located in the removal position AP, is accessible to the machine components of the packaging module 19, in particular the applicator.

[0152] In contrast, it is provided that the filling positions BP1, BP2 are freely accessible from the outside (see FIGS. 10 and 11) so that the receiving unit 2 located in a filling position BP1 or BP2 can be filled with consumable material 20 during ongoing production operation of the packaging module 19.

[0153] In contrast, the removal position AP is closed to the outside by a door 36 or other suitable closure element. The door 36 allows access to the removal position AP, for example for maintenance purposes.

[0154] The door 36 in particular forms a protective device, which is configured to prevent any manual intervention during ongoing production operation in the receiving unit 2 arranged in the removal position AP.

[0155] For example, the door 36 is equipped with appropriate safety devices, which prevent any intervention in the removal position AP during ongoing production operation. For example, the door 36 can be equipped with a contact switch. If the door 36 is opened during ongoing production operation, the machine stops immediately.

[0156] Further protective mechanisms may be provided; for example, a light curtain 37 (shown in FIG. 11 by dashed lines) may be provided, which is only activated when the magazine unit 1 is transferred from one work mode AM1 or AM2 to the other work mode AM2 or AM1. In this case, the moving machine components pose a danger in the filling regions BP open to the outside. If a user were to intervene in one of the filling regions BP during this time, the light curtain 37 would be interrupted. This interruption would trigger an immediate stop of the movement of the receiving units 2 within the magazine unit 1 via a correspondingly coupled control unit (not shown) of the packaging apparatus 15, the packaging module 19, or the magazine unit 1.

[0157] The protective elements 7 and 9 described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 6 prevent any lateral intervention in the removal position AP from the filling positions BP. In particular, it can be provided that the protective elements 7, 9 are significantly higher than the receiving apparatus 11 holding the consumable material 20.

[0158] Furthermore, protective elements (not shown) can be provided, which are closed when the receiving units 2 are moving, in order to prevent a user from intervening in moving components of the magazine unit 1 during this period.

[0159] The embodiments, examples and variants of the preceding paragraphs, the claims or the following description and the figures, including their various views or respective individual features, may be used independently of one another or in any combination. Features described in connection with an embodiment are applicable for all embodiments provided the features are not incompatible.

[0160] Even if in the context of the figures reference is generally made to schematic representations and views, this in no way means that the figure representations and their description are to be of subordinate importance with regard to the disclosure of the invention. A person skilled in the art is certainly able to derive sufficient information from the schematically and abstractly drawn representations that will make it easier for a person skilled in the art to understand the invention without being confused in any way by the drawn and possibly not exactly true-to-scale proportions of the articles and/or parts of the magazine unit, the packaging apparatus etc. or other drawn elements. The figures allow a person skilled in the art as reader to get a better understanding of the inventive idea, which has been formulated more generally and/or more abstractly in the claims and in the general part of the description, on the basis of the more specifically explained implementations of the method according to the invention and the more specifically explained mode of operation of the device according to the invention.

[0161] The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it is conceivable for a person skilled in the art that modifications or changes can be made to the invention without departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0162] 1 magazine unit [0163] 2, 2-1, 2-2 receiving unit [0164] 3 carriage [0165] 4 guide elements [0166] 5 carriage guide [0167] 6 drive [0168] 7 inner protective element [0169] 8 protective wall [0170] 9 outer protective element [0171] 10 protective wall [0172] 11 receiving apparatus [0173] 12 frame arrangement [0174] 13, 13-1, 13-2 lifting device [0175] 14 base plate [0176] 15 packaging apparatus [0177] 16 first transport device [0178] 17 dividing module [0179] 18 second transport device [0180] 19 packaging module [0181] 20 consumable material [0182] 21 packaging blank [0183] 22 upper grip cardboard packaging [0184] 30 packaging unit [0185] 31 articles [0186] 32 cans [0187] 33 article group [0188] 35 housing [0189] 36 door [0190] 37 light curtain [0191] 40 transport device [0192] 41 applicator [0193] AP removal position [0194] AM1 first work mode [0195] AM2 second work mode [0196] BP, BP1, BP2 filling position [0197] BR1 first movement direction [0198] BR2 second movement direction [0199] E removal position [0200] TR transport direction