Abstract
A product handling device for a packaging machine includes at least one transport unit (14) for a transport of products (16) along a transport direction (18) of the transport unit (14), and at least one compression unit (20) for a compression of individual product groups of the products (16) transported by the transport unit (14). The compression unit (20) has at least one compression element (22), which is supported so as to be movable, wherein the compression element (22) is movable along the transport direction (18) together with at least one transport element (24) of the transport unit (14) on which the products (16) can be arranged.
Claims
1. A product handling device for a packaging machine, comprising: at least one transport unit (14) for a transport of products (16) along a transport direction (18) of the transport unit (14); and at least one compression unit (20) for a compression of individual product groups of the products (16) transported by the transport unit (14), wherein the at least one compression unit (20) comprises at least one compression element (22) which is supported so as to be movable, wherein the at least one compression element (22) is movable along the transport direction (18) together with at least one transport element (24) of the at least one transport unit (14) on which the products (16) can be arranged.
2. The product handling device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one compression element (22) is supported so as to be movable relative to the at least one transport unit (14) along two directions (26, 28) that run transversely to each other.
3. The product handling device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one compression unit (20) comprises at least one guiding and/or driving track (30), by which a movement of the at least one compression element (22) along the transport direction (18) can be guided and/or induced, wherein the at least one guiding and/or driving track (30) extends at least substantially parallel to the transport direction (18).
4. The product handling device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one compression unit (20) comprises at least one movement element (32), by which the at least one compression element (22) is movable relative to the at least one transport unit (14) transversely to the transport direction (18).
5. The product handling device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one compression unit (20) comprises at least one damping element (34), which is configured for a force effect on the at least one compression element (22).
6. The product handling device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one detection unit (36) for a detection of a maximum extent (38) of an individual product group, wherein the at least one detection unit (36) comprises at least one detection element (40), which interacts with the at least one compression element (22) for a detection of the maximum extent (38).
7. A method for compressing individual product groups of transported products (16) by a product handling device according to claim 1, wherein in at least one method step (44) the at least one compression element (22) is moved along the transport direction (18) together with the at least one transport element (24) of the at least one transport unit (14), on which the products (16) can be arranged.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein in at least one method step (46) a movement of the at least one compression element (22) along the transport direction (18) is superimposed by a movement of the at least one compression element (22) along a direction (28) that runs transversely to the transport direction (18).
9. The method according to claim 7, wherein in at least one method step (48) a distance between the at least one compression element (22) and a detection element (40) of a detection unit (36) of the product handling device is detected.
10. A packaging machine for a packaging of products (16), comprising at least one product handling device according to claim 1.
11. A product handling device for a packaging machine, comprising: at least one transport unit (14) for a transport of products (16) along a transport direction (18) of the at least one transport unit (14); at least one compression unit (20) for a compression of individual product groups of the products (16) transported by the at least one transport unit (14); and at least one detection unit (36) for a detection of a maximum extent (38) of an individual product group; wherein the at least one compression unit (20) comprises at least one compression element (22) which is supported so as to be movable, wherein the at least one detection unit (36) comprises at least one detection element (40), which interacts with the at least one compression element (22) for a detection of the maximum extent (38) of the individual product group.
12. A method for compressing individual product groups of transported products (16) by a product handling device according to claim 1, wherein in at least one method step (48) a distance between the at least one compression element (22) and a detection element (40) of a detection unit (36) of the product handling device is detected.
13. The method according to claim 8, wherein in at least one method step (48) a distance between the at least one compression element (22) and a detection element (40) of a detection unit (36) of the product handling device is detected.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings. The drawings, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Someone skilled in the art will purposefully also consider the features individually and will find further expedient combinations.
[0021] In the drawings:
[0022] FIG. 1 packaging machine according to the invention with a product handling device according to the invention, in a schematic illustration,
[0023] FIG. 2 a detail view of the product handling device according to the invention, in a schematic illustration,
[0024] FIG. 3 a detail view of a compression unit of the product handling device according to the invention, in a schematic illustration, and
[0025] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a method according to the invention for compressing individual product groups of transported products by means of a product handling device, in a schematic illustration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] FIG. 1 shows an, in particular rather simplified, illustration of a packaging machine 12 at least for packaging products 16, in particular food products, such as for example biscuits, cookies, chocolate articles or the like. The packaging machine 12 comprises at least one product handling device 10 for a handling, like for example for a transport, for an orientation, for a sorting, for a compression or the like, of products 16. The packaging machine 12 is in particular embodied as a food production machine and/or food packaging machine. However, it is also conceivable that the packaging machine 12 has a different implementation deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art, such as for example as a pharmaceutical production machine and/or pharmaceutical packaging machine or the like. Alternatively or additionally, the packaging machine 12 may be configured for a production, processing and/or packaging of food products, such as for example biscuits, cookies, chocolate articles or the like. The packaging machine 12 preferably comprises, in addition to the product handling device 10, further devices and/or units deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art, which are used for a production, processing and/or packaging of food products, such as for example a sterilization device, a closure device, a secondary-packaging device, a control or regulation unit or the like.
[0027] FIG. 2 shows a detail view of the product handling device 10 in a schematic illustration. The product handling device 10 for the packaging machine 12 comprises at least one transport unit 14 for a transport of products 16 along a transport direction 18 of the transport unit 14, and comprises at least one compression unit 20 for a compression of individual product groups, in particular of product rows oriented transversely to the transport direction 18, of the products 16 which are transported by the transport unit 14, the compression unit 20 comprising at least one compression element 22, in particular a plunger, which is supported so as to be, in particular translationally, movable. The transport unit 14 is preferably realized as a rod conveyor unit, in particular as a transverse rod conveyor unit. However, it is also conceivable that the transport unit 14 has a different implementation deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art, such as for example an implementation as a chain conveyor, as a conveyor belt, as a belt conveyor, as an electrodynamic linear or planar transport system, the functionality and construction of which is already known to someone skilled in the art under the product names XTS or XPlanar of the company Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG, or the like.
[0028] Preferably the transport unit 14 comprises at least one transport element 24, which is preferably realized as a rod belt, preferably as a transverse rod belt. Preferentially the transport element 24 is realized as a circulating rod belt. The transport element 24 is preferably supported movably, in particular in a circulating manner, on a guide unit 52, in particular on a frame, of the transport unit 14. The transport unit 14 preferably comprises at least one drive unit (not shown in detail here) for a movement, in particular for a circulating drive, of the transport element 24 relative to the guide unit 52. The transport unit 14 is preferably configured to transport the products 16 along the transport direction 18 in such a way that the products 16 are oriented transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the transport direction 18 in rows, in particular as a result of an arrangement of individual product groups of the products 16 in each case between two transverse rods 50 of the transport unit 14, in particular of the transport element 24. The transport direction 18 along which the products 16 can be conveyed, in particular in the form of product groups, preferably product rows, which are oriented transversely to the transport direction 18, preferably extends at least substantially parallel to a horizontal plane. Preferably the transport direction 18 extends at least substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the transport unit 14. In a state in which they are arranged between the two transverse rods 50, the products 16 may have small distances along a direction 28 extending transversely to the transport direction 18, and/or individual products 16 of a product group may be arranged between the two transverse rods 50 in such a way that not all products 16 of the product group bear against one another over their entire surface, in particular before the products 16 have passed the compression unit 20 during a transport along the transport direction 18.
[0029] The compression unit 20 is preferably configured to compress the individual product groups arranged between two transverse rods 50, in particular product rows oriented transversely to the transport direction 18 and arranged between two transverse rods 50, of the products 16 transported by the transport unit 14. Preferably, individual products 16 of the individual product groups are movable towards one another by the compression unit 20 along the direction 28 that runs transversely to the transport direction 18, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly to the transport direction 18 and at least substantially parallel to the horizontal plane, preferably until the products 16 of the individual product groups bear against one another. For an effect, in particular a force effect, along the direction 28 that runs transversely to the transport direction 18, on the products 16 of the individual product groups, the compression unit 20 preferably comprises at least the compression element 22, which is supported so as to be, in particular translationally, movable. For an effect on the products 16 of the individual product groups at least along the direction 28 that runs transversely to the transport direction 18, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly to the transport direction 18 and at least substantially parallel to the horizontal plane, the compression element 22 is preferably supported so as to be translationally movable relative to the transport unit 14. However, it is also conceivable that, in particular at least for an effect on the products 16 of the individual product groups, the compression element 22 is alternatively or additionally supported movably relative to the transport unit 14 in a different manner and along a different direction, deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art. The compression element 22 is preferably realized as a plunger. However, it is also conceivable that the compression element 22 has a different implementation deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art, such as for example an implementation as a slider, as a rod, as a rake or the like. Preferably, the compression unit 20 comprises a plurality of compression elements 22, wherein the individual compression elements 22 are in each case configured for an effect, in particular a force effect, along the direction 28 that runs transversely to the transport direction 18, on products 16 of an individual product group arranged between two transverse rods 50. The compression elements 22 are preferably implemented identically. However, it is also conceivable that the compression elements 22 are implemented differently.
[0030] The compression element 22 is preferentially, in particular at least temporarily, movable along the transport direction 18 together with, preferably synchronously with, the transport element 24 of the transport unit 14 on which the products 16 can be arranged. The compression element 22 is, in particular at least temporarily, movable along the transport direction 18 together with, preferably synchronously with, the transport element 24 of the transport unit 14 on which the products 16 can be arranged. The compression unit 20 preferably comprises at least one drive unit 54 for a movement of the compression element/s 22 along the transport direction 18 relative to the guide unit 52 of the transport unit 14 (cf. FIGS. 2 and 3). The drive unit 54 of the compression unit 20 is preferably configured to move the compression element/s 22 in a circulating manner on or with a guiding and/or driving track 30, which is arranged laterally offset relative to the transport element 24 and/or relative to the guide unit 52 of the transport unit 14, in particular in order to move the compression element/s 22 along the transport direction 18 at least temporarily together with, preferably synchronously with, the transport element 24 of the transport unit 14 on which the products 16 can be arranged. The drive unit 54 of the compression unit 20 preferably comprises at least one electric motor 56. In particular, the electric motor 56 of the drive unit 54 of the compression unit 20 is configured for a rotating drive of a drive element (not shown in detail here), in particular a drive roller or the like, of the drive unit 54 of the compression unit 20, said drive element being configured, in a manner already known to someone skilled in the art, for a transmission of a drive force, in particular to a drive belt of the drive unit 54 of the compression unit 20, said drive belt preferably forming the guiding and/or driving track 30, for a movement of the compression element/s 22 along the transport direction 18. The drive unit 54 of the compression unit 20 is preferably embodied as a belt drive comprising the drive belt that is realized as a toothed belt and on which the compression element/s 22 is/are arranged. Alternatively or additionally, the drive unit 54 of the compression unit 20 may comprise further components which are deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art and which are configured for a drive of the compression element/s 22 along the transport direction 18, or the drive unit 54 of the compression unit 20 may have a different implementation deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art, such as for example an implementation as an electrodynamic linear or planar transport system, the functionality and construction of which are already known to someone skilled in the art under the product names XTS or XPlanar of the company Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG.
[0031] The compression element 22 is preferably supported movably relative to the transport unit 14 and/or relative to a housing and/or guiding unit 62 of the compression unit 20 along the two directions 26, 28 that run transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to each other (cf. FIGS. 2 and 3). Preferentially, the compression element 22, in particular all compression elements 22 in each case, has/have a linear movement axis 58 which, in particular viewed in a plane extending at least substantially parallel to the horizontal plane, extends at least substantially perpendicularly to the transport direction 18. A movement of the compression element/s 22 along the respective linear movement axis 58 is preferably configured to bring about a compression movement of the compression element/s 22 for a compression of individual product groups, in particular product rows oriented transversely to the transport direction 18, of the products 16 transported by the transport unit 14. Preferably, the two directions 26, 28 that run transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to each other run at least substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. Preferably, one of the two directions 26, 28 that run transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to each other runs at least substantially parallel to the transport direction 18 and the other one of the two directions 26, 28 that run transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to each other preferably runs at least substantially perpendicularly to the transport direction 18, in particular when viewed in a plane extending at least substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. Preferably, the compression element 22, in particular all compression elements 22 together, is/are movable relative to the transport unit 14 at least substantially parallel to the transport direction 18 by means of the drive unit 54 of the compression unit 20, in particular by means of the drive element that is realized as a belt, preferably as a toothed belt. Preferentially, the compression element 22, in particular all compression elements 22, is/are movable independently of each other, preferably individually, relative to the transport unit 14 along the one of the two directions 26, 28 that run transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to each other, which preferably runs at least substantially perpendicularly to the transport direction 18, in particular depending on a position of the compression element/s 22 relative to the transport element 24 along the transport direction 18. The compression element/s 22 is/are preferably translationally movable relative to the transport unit 14 along the one of the two directions 26, 28 that run transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to each other, which preferably runs at least substantially perpendicularly to the transport direction 18, in particular depending on a position of the compression element/s 22 relative to the transport element 24 along the transport direction 18. The compression unit 20 preferably comprises at least one bearing element 60, which is in particular fixedly connected to the drive element that is realized as a belt, preferably as a toothed belt (cf. FIGS. 2 and 3), on which, in particular in which, the compression element 22 is supported so as to be movable, preferably translationally movable, in particular along the one of the two directions 26, 28 that run transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to each other, which preferably runs at least substantially perpendicularly to the transport direction 18. Preferentially, the compression unit 20 comprises a plurality of bearing elements 60, wherein preferably one bearing element 60 is provided for each compression element 22, in particular in order to preferably realize individual, translationally movable support of each individual compression element 22. However, it is also conceivable that a plurality of compression elements 22 are supported movably on a single bearing element 60.
[0032] The compression unit 20 comprises at least the, in particular circulating, preferably endless, guiding and/or driving track 30, by means of which a movement of the compression element 22 along the transport direction 18 can be guided and/or induced, wherein the guiding and/or driving track 30 extends for the most part at least substantially parallel to the transport direction 18 (cf. FIG. 2). The guiding and/or driving track 30 is preferably defined or realized by the drive element that is realized as a belt, preferably as a toothed belt. Preferentially, the bearing element/s 60 is/are fixedly connected with the drive element that is realized as a belt, preferably as a toothed belt. The bearing element/s 60 is/are preferably movable along the guiding and/or driving track 30, in particular circulating around the housing and/or guiding unit 62 of the compression unit 20. Further implementations of the guiding and/or driving track 30, deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art, are likewise conceivable, like for example an implementation of the guiding and/or driving track 30 as a stator track of a drive unit of the compression unit 20, which is realized as an electrodynamic linear transport system.
[0033] The compression unit 20 preferably comprises at least one movement element 32, in particular a control cam, by means of which the compression element 22 is movable, in particular translationally movable, relative to the transport unit 14 and/or relative to the housing and/or guiding unit 62 of the compression unit 20, in particular as a result of a movement of the compression element 22 along the transport direction 18, transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the transport direction 18 (cf. FIG. 3). The movement element 32 is preferably defined or realized by a guide groove of the compression unit 20, in which a guide extension 64 of the compression element 22/s engages. Preferentially the movement element 32, which is in particular realized as a control cam, extends - except for a section 66, in particular except for a control cam section, of the movement element 32, by means of which a movement of the compression element 22/s can be induced, along the directions 28 that run transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the transport direction 18 relative to the transport unit 14 and/or relative to the housing and/or guiding unit 62 of the compression unit 20 at least substantially parallel to the transport direction 18. However, it is also conceivable that the movement element 32 has a different implementation and/or arrangement deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art, such as for example an implementation as a separate electric drive motor for the compression element 22, as a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder acting on the compression element 22, or the like.
[0034] Preferentially the compression unit 20 comprises at least one damping element 34 (indicated in FIG. 2 only by dashed lines), in particular a spring, which is configured for a force effect onto the compression element 22, in particular for damping a force effect of the compression element 22 on the product group, in particular along the direction 28 that runs transversely to the transport direction 18. The compression element 22 is preferably supported so as to be movable, in a spring-loaded manner, by means of the damping element 34. Preferentially the damping element 34, in particular the spring, is configured for a force effect onto the compression element 22 in a direction facing towards the transport unit 14, in particular for damping a force effect of the compression element 22 on the product group, in particular along the direction 28 that runs transversely to the transport direction 18. However, it is also conceivable that the damping element 34, in particular the spring, is configured for a force effect onto the compression element 22 in a direction facing away from the transport unit 14, in particular for damping a force effect of the compression element 22 on the product group, in particular along the direction 28 that runs transversely to the transport direction 18. The damping element 34 is preferably realized as a spring, in particular a spiral spring, a disk spring or the like. However, it is also conceivable that the damping element 34 has a different implementation deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art, such as for example an implementation as an elastomer damper, as a gas compression spring or the like. The damping element 34 is preferably supported with one side on the compression element 22, and with a further side the damping element 34 is preferably supported on the bearing element 60. However, it is also conceivable that, for damping a force effect of the compression element 22 on the product group, in particular along the direction 28 that runs transversely to the transport direction 18, the damping element 34 interacts with the compression element 22 in a different manner that is deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art.
[0035] The product handling device 10 preferably comprises at least one detection unit 36 for a detection of a maximum extent 38 of the product group, in particular of a maximum length of the product group extending transversely to the transport direction 18, wherein the detection unit 36 comprises at least one detection element 40, in particular a distance sensor, which interacts with the compression element 22 for a detection of the maximum extent 38 (cf. FIG. 2). The detection unit 36 is preferentially realized as an electronic, preferably optoelectronic, detection unit 36, such as for example as a laser distance detection unit or the like. The detection element 40 is preferably arranged on a side of the transport unit 14 that is situated opposite the compression element/s 22. Preferably, the detection element 40 is configured to emit a measurement signal, in particular a laser pulse, towards the compression element 22. Preferentially, the detection unit 36 is configured to detect, as a result of a reflection of the emitted measurement signal on a surface of the compression element 22 that faces towards the detection element 40 and bears against the product group at an end of a compressed product group that faces away from the detection element 40, a distance between the detection element 40 and the compression element 22 that corresponds to a maximum length of the product group. However, it is also conceivable that the detection unit 36 has a different implementation and/or functionality, deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art, for a detection of a maximum length of compressed product groups.
[0036] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a method 42 for compressing individual product groups of transported products 16 by means of the product handling device 10, in a schematic illustration. In the method 42 for compressing individual product groups of transported products 16 by means of the product handling device 10, in at least one method step 44 the compression element 22 is, in particular at least temporarily, moved along the transport direction 18 together with, preferably synchronously with, the transport element 24 of the transport unit 14 on which the products 16 can be arranged. In at least one, in particular further, method step 46 of the method 42, a movement of the compression element 22 along the transport direction 18 is preferably superimposed by a movement of the compression element 22 along the direction 28 that runs transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the transport direction 18. Preferably, in at least one, in particular further, method step 48 of the method 42, a distance between the compression element 22 and the detection element 40 of the detection unit 36 of the product handling device 10 is detected, in particular in order to determine the maximum extent 38, in particular the maximum length of the product group extending transversely to the transport direction 18. The method 42 for compressing individual product groups of transported products 16 may comprise further method steps which are deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art. Moreover, possible method steps which can be derived from the description of FIGS. 1 to 3 shall also be considered to be disclosed for the method 42.
