DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ATTACHING A PROTECTIVE ELEMENT TO PACKAGING

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a device and a method for attaching a protective element to packaging. Packaging can be, for example, a cardboard box or a folding carton in which one or more items can be placed. Such an item can be an element from the furniture and building component industry, in particular one or more furniture parts, such as floor panels, boards, cabinet components, furniture accessories, or the like. State of the art

[0002] It is common practice in packaging for furniture components to attach a protective element (so-called end-edge protection) to the end faces of the packaging. Such a protective element can be made from a section of cardboard. This element serves to reinforce specific sections of the packaging, providing additional protection for the contents during transport and preventing, for example, tearing of the packaging in that area.

[0003] From DE 10 2013 202 401 A1, a device for loading cardboard boxes is known, wherein the device comprises a staging unit for providing an outer packaging blank and a folding unit for forming an outer packaging from the outer packaging blank provided by the staging unit. The loading unit for arranging a packaging component on the inside of the outer packaging can include a handling device, in particular a robot, such that one, preferably two, handling devices can arrange the packaging component in the outer packaging.

[0004] The packaging components are held at one or more staging stations and then inserted into the open cardboard box, i.e., the outer packaging, for example by a robot, at an insertion station. Alternatively, the components can also be inserted directly into the outer packaging after folding without intermediate storage.

[0005] Document US 2009 / 0099687 Al is known. It describes a method and a device for inserting and placing unevenly spaced products onto unevenly spaced base products.

[0006] Furthermore, the document US 6,643,992 B2 is known. Subject matter of the invention

[0007] The aim of the invention is to provide a device and a method with which a larger number of packages can be processed per unit of time and / or which can be advantageously integrated into a packaging line.

[0008] The subject matter of claim 1 provides a corresponding device. Further preferred embodiments are listed in the dependent claims. The invention also relates to a method according to claim 10. The dependent device claims can each be combined individually with the independent method claim. The same applies to the features of the dependent method claims with respect to the independent device claim.

[0009] The invention provides a device comprising: a conveying device for moving packaging, for example, a cardboard box or a folding carton, and a handling device with a holding section for attaching a protective element to the packaging. The handling device and / or the holding section is / are movable in accordance with the movement of the packaging in order to attach the protective element to the packaging moved by the conveying device.

[0010] Thus, according to a first alternative, the handling device can be moved. According to a second alternative, the holding section of the handling device is moved, while the handling device itself remains stationary. As a further alternative, both the handling device and its holding section can be moved.

[0011] Since the protective element can be attached to the packaging while it is in motion, it is possible to process a high number of packages per unit of time. Furthermore, the device according to the invention can advantageously combine a conveying device for moving a package with a handling device. Using the holding section of the handling device, a protective element can be attached to various positions on the package, for example, at the front or rear in the direction of travel.

[0012] Furthermore, according to the invention, the device is designed to apply counter-pressure to the corresponding section of the packaging when the protective element is attached. This ensures a secure connection between the protective element and the packaging.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the device can be provided as a modular component in a packaging line, at the end of which the packaging is filled with one or more items and, if necessary, closed. The packaging can be conveyed continuously.

[0014] If the packaging is a cardboard box or a folding box, it can be folded from a blank into a box so that one or more items can be contained in it.

[0015] According to one embodiment, several handling devices positioned differently are provided for attaching protective elements to various locations on the packaging. In this way, specific requirements (e.g., B. higher clock speed) will be reacted to.

[0016] Furthermore, it is preferred that the handling device, in particular the holding section of the handling device, can attach several protective elements at one or more points on the packaging. This makes it possible to attach several protective elements to the packaging transversely to the direction of transport.

[0017] It is preferred that the packaging be moved while open when the protective element is attached. The item(s) to be placed inside the packaging can then be inserted after the protective element has been attached.

[0018] A protective element can be a single- or multi-layer corrugated cardboard, a honeycomb panel, a polystyrene element, a cardboard section, or similar material. The protective element serves to protect a specific area, particularly an end face, of the packaging.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the retaining section is designed to attach the protective element to an inner end face of the packaging. This makes it possible to reinforce the packaging on the inside and thus prevent transport damage.

[0020] It is preferred that the handling device has a counter-pressure section, preferably that the counter-pressure section is pivoted towards an outside of the packaging. By means of the counter-pressure section, counter-pressure can be applied when attaching the protective element to the packaging in order to press the protective element onto the packaging.

[0021] The handling device can be moved along a guide device, in particular a rail. This makes it possible to move the handling device adjacent to the conveyor device in accordance with the movement of the packaging.

[0022] It is preferred that the holding section be pivotable relative to a base of the handling element. In this way, the holding section, which accommodates the protective element, can be guided towards the moving packaging.

[0023] The conveyor system can include a speed sensor to determine the movement speed of the packaging. For example, if the conveyor system is a roller conveyor, the rotational speed of the drive rollers is measured. Based on the measured speed of the packaging, a control unit can regulate the movement of the handling device and / or the holding section.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the device includes a feeding unit configured to move protective elements into a receiving area of ​​the handling unit. Preferably, the feeding unit should be able to separate the protective elements. For example, the feeding unit could be designed as a belt conveyor.

[0025] The feeding unit may include an adhesive application device designed to individually coat one side of each protective element fed by the unit with an adhesive. Alternatively, an activation device may be provided to activate the adhesive. This makes it possible to apply an adhesive layer shortly before the protective element is processed.

[0026] The device can include a second handling unit, which, for example, is arranged downstream of the first handling unit in the transport direction of the packaging. Preferably, a second feeding unit is also provided, which is configured to move protective elements into a receiving area of ​​the second handling unit. Thus, one of the handling units can provide a protective element to a front end face, while the other handling unit is provided with a protective element to the rear end face. In this way, a particularly efficient process sequence can be implemented and a high throughput achieved.

[0027] It is preferred that the conveyor system has lateral belts that can come into contact with the sides of the packaging. This ensures slip-free conveying of the packaging.

[0028] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for attaching a protective element to packaging. The packaging can be a cardboard box or a folding carton. The protective element is, for example, a cardboard section, a single- or multi-layer corrugated board, a honeycomb panel, or a polystyrene element.

[0029] The process comprises the following steps: moving a package in a transport direction, picking up a protective element by means of a holding section of a handling device, synchronizing a movement of the handling device and / or the holding section with the movement of the package, and attaching the protective element to the package.

[0030] Since the protective element can be attached while the packaging is in motion, it is possible to process a high number of packages per unit of time.

[0031] When attaching the protective element to the packaging, counter-pressure is applied to the corresponding section of the packaging, allowing the protective element to be pressed against the packaging. This ensures a secure connection between the protective element and the packaging.

[0032] It is preferred that the protective element be attached to an inner end face of the packaging. This allows the packaging to be reinforced in a targeted manner and its contents to be protected.

[0033] The protective element is coated with an adhesive before being attached to the packaging, or an adhesive already applied to the protective element is activated. This ensures an efficient process flow. It is preferred that the application or activation of the adhesive occurs before the holding section picks up the protective element. The adhesive can thus already form a bond with the protective element before the protective element is attached to the packaging.

[0034] The movement speed of the packaging can be determined based on the conveying speed of the conveyor system moving the packaging. For example, light barriers or optical image recognition are used in the area of ​​the conveyor system. The movement of the handling device and / or the holding section can be adjusted based on the conveying speed of the packaging. Short Description of the drawings

[0035] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2a shows a detailed view at a point in time before a protective element is inserted into the packaging. Fig. 2b shows a detailed view during the insertion of the protective element.

[0036] Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

[0037] A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained with reference to the accompanying figures. Modifications described in this context can each be combined with further features of the embodiment to represent further embodiments of the invention.

[0038] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a device for processing packaging K1, K2. The packaging in question is a folded cardboard box, used, for example, for packaging furniture parts. The dimensions of the packaging can vary depending on the different dimensions of the items to be packaged. Fig. 1 Two differently sized packages K1 and K2 are shown to illustrate this using a clear example.

[0039] The device 1 comprises a conveyor 10. The conveyor 10 has a roller conveyor comprising a plurality of rollers arranged adjacent to one another. By moving at least some of the rollers of the roller conveyor, a package K1, K2 is moved by means of the conveyor 10 in a transport direction D.

[0040] According to the embodiment, 10 lateral belts are provided in a side area of ​​the rollers of the conveyor device, between which the packaging K1 can be clamped and conveyed with virtually no slippage. Since the transport speed of the rollers is determined or predetermined, and the lateral belts ensure slip-free conveying, the position of the respective packaging K1, K2 is known during the conveying movement.

[0041] A first handling device 20, designed as a robot arm, is located on one side of the conveyor 10. Also located on one side of the conveyor 10 and downstream of the first handling device 20 in the transport direction D, a second handling device 30 is provided, which, like the first handling device, is designed as a robot.

[0042] The handling devices 20, 30 can be arranged next to the conveying device 10, as in the exemplary embodiment. According to a further modification, the handling devices 20, 30 are mounted vertically above the conveying device 10.

[0043] In the embodiment shown here, the handling devices 20, 30 are each attached laterally to the conveyor device 10.

[0044] According to another embodiment, the handling devices 20, 30 can be moved along a guide device (not shown), in particular a rail.

[0045] The device 1 further comprises a first feeding device 40, which is designed as a belt conveyor. The first feeding device 40 is located close to the first handling device 20 and is configured to feed individual protective elements (edge ​​protectors) S1 into the area of ​​the first handling device 20. The protective elements can be individually provided and / or cut to size according to the requirements and moved into an area of ​​the first handling device 20 by means of the first feeding device 40.

[0046] Furthermore, the device 1 comprises a second feeding device 50, which is configured to feed individual protective elements into the area of ​​the second handling device 30. The second feeding device 50 is arranged close to the second handling device 30 and is designed as a belt conveyor.

[0047] Although the feeding devices 40, 50 are similarly designed according to the embodiment, a modification may provide for the feeding devices 40, 50 to be designed differently in order to feed different protective elements.

[0048] In the area of ​​the first and second feeding devices 40, 50, an adhesive application device (not shown) is provided, which is configured to individually apply an adhesive to one side of the protective elements S conveyed by the respective feeding devices 40, 50. The adhesive is applied shortly before the respective protective element S is picked up by the respective handling device 20, 30.

[0049] According to a modification, the protective elements are already provided with an adhesion-promoting layer, which is activated in the area of ​​the respective feeding device 40, 50 or after the protective element has been picked up by one of the handling devices 20, 30.

[0050] In Fig. 2a The first handling device 20 is shown in detail. The design of the second handling device 30 is similar to that shown in Fig. 2aThe first handling device 20 shown is described below. Therefore, only the first handling device 20 will be described below.

[0051] The first handling device 20 comprises a robot arm 21 and a handling element 22 attached to the robot arm 21 for handling a protective element S. The handling element 22 includes a holding section 24 that is pivotable relative to a base 23 of the handling element 22 and is configured to receive and at least temporarily hold a protective element S. For example, openings can be provided on the pivotable holding section 24 so that a vacuum is created to hold the protective element S on the pivotable holding section 24.

[0052] Furthermore, the handling element 22 includes a counter-pressure section 25, which is also pivotable relative to the base 23 of the handling element 22. The counter-pressure section 25 is movable in the opposite direction to the pivoting movement of the holding section 24.

[0053] According to the embodiment, the counter-pressure section 25 is dimensioned and designed similarly to the retaining section 24. The dimensions of the counter-pressure section 25 and the retaining section 24 can be variable, particularly in width, to adapt them to differently dimensioned packagings K1, K2.

[0054] In its basic position, the retaining section 24 is essentially horizontally oriented. By pivoting the retaining section 24, the protective element S can be inserted into a package K1, K2, whereas by a corresponding, but opposite, pivoting movement, the counter-pressure section 25 is positioned on an outside of the package K1, K2.

[0055] When the retaining section 24 presses the protective element S against the inside of the packaging K1, the counter-pressure section 25 generates counter-pressure, ensuring that the protective element S is securely pressed against the inside of the packaging K1. The interaction of the retaining section 24 and the counter-pressure section 25 thus enables the protective element S, coated with an adhesive, to be quickly bonded to the inside of the packaging K1 and K2.

[0056] The following is an exemplary procedure to further describe the embodiment using a clear example.

[0057] First, the empty, pre-folded packaging (cardboard box or folding carton) is placed on the conveyor 10 and continuously transported by it. The side belts clamp the packaging, ensuring slip-free conveying. This allows the control unit to always know the position of the conveyed packaging.

[0058] In a first feeding device 40, a protective element S is separated and subsequently coated, particularly at specific points, with an adhesive. The first handling device 20 takes over the protective element S and pivots it into an area above the packaging moved by the conveying device 10.

[0059] In this or subsequent step, the first handling device 20 is synchronized to the movement speed of the packaging, so that the first handling device moves according to the movement speed of the packaging.

[0060] When synchronous movement is achieved, the protective element S is pivoted by means of the handling element 22 onto the packaging K1 through the holding section 24 to the inside of the front end of the packaging K1 in the transport direction D. Furthermore, the counter-pressure section 25 is guided into the area of ​​the outside of the packaging K1.

[0061] During the movement of the carton and the synchronized movement of the first handling device 20, the protective element S is pressed against the inside of the packaging K1. After a defined pressure time, the holding section 24 and the counter-pressure section 25 are pivoted back into their home positions. Subsequently, the handling device 20 is stopped and returned to its starting position.

[0062] After the protective element S has been attached by the first handling device 20, another protective element S is attached by the second handling device 30 to the inside of the rear end face D of the packaging K1 in the transport direction. The second handling device 30 performs similar work steps to the first handling device 20.

[0063] According to the embodiment, the movements of the first and second handling devices 20, 30 are coordinated so that the corresponding process sequences interlock and a high work cycle is enabled.

[0064] According to the embodiment, the first handling device 20 provides a protective element S to a front end face of the packaging, whereas the second handling device 30 is provided for a rear end face of the packaging. However, according to a modification of the embodiment, the first handling device 20 can be provided for the rear end face of the packaging and the second handling device 30 for the front face of the packaging.

Claims

1. Device (1), comprising: a conveying device (10) for moving a packaging (K1, K2), and a handling device (20, 30) with a holding portion (24) for applying a protective element (S) to the packaging (K1, K2), wherein the handling device (20, 30) and / or the holding portion (24) is movable in accordance with the movement of the packaging (K1, K2) in order to apply the protective element (S) to the packaging (K1, K2) moved by means of the conveying device (10), wherein the device (1) is configured to apply a counterpressure to the corresponding section of the packaging (K1, K2) when applying the protective element (S) to the packaging (K1, K2).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the holding portion (24) is configured to apply the protective element (S) to an inner side, in particular the inner end face, of the packaging (K1, K2), wherein it is preferred that the handling device (20, 30) with the holding portion (24) is configured to apply a plurality of protective elements at one or more points of the packaging (K1, K2).

3. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the handling device (20, 30) has a counterpressure section (25) which is configured to interact with the holding portion (24) when applying the protective element to the packaging, wherein it is preferred that the counterpressure section (25) is configured to be pivoted towards an outer side of the packaging (K1, K2).

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the handling device (20, 30) is movable along a guide device, in particular a rail, and / or the holding portion (24) is movable relative to the handling device (20, 30).

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the holding portion (24) is pivotable relative to a base (23) of the handling element (22).

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the conveying device (10) has a speed detection device by means of which the speed of movement of the packaging (K1, K2) can be determined.

7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the device has a feed device (40) which is configured to move protective elements (S) into a pick-up area of the handling device (20), wherein it is preferred that the feed device (40) is designed as a belt conveyor.

8. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the device has a second handling device (50), wherein it is preferred that a second feeding device (50) is also provided which is configured to move protective elements (S) into a pick-up area of the second handling device (30).

9. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the conveying device (10) has lateral belts which can come into contact with sides of the packaging (K1, K2).

10. Method for applying a protective element (S) to a packaging (K1, K2), comprising the steps: moving a packaging (K1, K2) in a direction of transport (D), picking up a protective element (S) by means of a holding portion (24) of a handling device (20, 30), synchronising a movement of the handling device (20, 30) and / or the holding portion (24) with the movement of the packaging (K1, K2), and applying the protective element (S) to the packaging (K1, K2), characterised in that when the protective element (S) is applied to the packaging (K1, K2) a counterpressure is applied to the corresponding section of the packaging (K1, K2).

11. Method according to claim 10, characterised in that the protective element (S) is applied to an inner side, in particular the inner end face, of the packaging (K1, K2), wherein it is preferred that a plurality of protective elements are applied to the packaging (K1, K2) by the handling device or by a plurality of handling devices.

12. Method according to one of the claims 10-11, characterised in that the protective element (S) is provided with an adhesive before being applied to the packaging or an adhesive applied to the protective element (S) is activated, wherein it is preferred that the application or activation of the adhesive is carried out before the protective element (S) is picked up by the holding portion (24).

13. Method according to one of the claims 10-12, characterised in that the speed of movement of the packaging (K1, K2) is determined on the basis of the conveying speed of the conveying device (10) moving the packaging (K1, K2).

14. Method according to one of the claims 10-13, characterised in that the protective element (S) is a cardboard section, a single or multi-ply corrugated cardboard, a honeycomb board or a styrofoam element, and / or the packaging (K1, K2) is a cardboard box or folding box.