Unpacking device, processing device comprising same and method for removing a thin-walled packaging envelope from a workpiece

Abstract

The invention relates to an unpacking device (30) designed for removing a thin-walled packaging covering (10) from a workpiece (1), comprising a processing station (P) with a workpiece holder (31) for receiving the workpiece (1), and a pair of counter-rotating rollers (40, 41) rotatably mounted about counter-rotating axes (GA1, GA2) and between which a feed gap (42) is formed. At least one of the counter-rotating rollers (40, 41) is driven by a drive (43) to rotate about its counter-rotating axis (GA1, GA2), wherein the pair of counter-rotating rollers (40, 41) is arranged on a circumference (U) of the processing station (P) and is configured to draw the thin-walled packaging covering (10) into the feed gap (42). The invention also relates to a processing device with such an unpacking device 30 and to an unpacking method.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an unpacking device according to claim 1, a processing device with such a device according to claim 11 and a method for removing a thin-walled packaging wrapper from a workpiece according to claim 12.

[0002] When machining workpieces such as optical lenses and lens blanks (hereinafter all processing stages from lens blank to finished optical lens are simply referred to as optical lens), these are typically individually packaged prior to machining. The optical lenses to be machined, particularly ophthalmic lens blanks, have very different diameters, thicknesses and surface curvatures even before they are fed to a first processing machine. They can be made of plastic or glass, for example. Most packaging for these workpieces has a cuboid-shaped outer shell made of cardboard from which the workpiece can be removed. In addition, the workpiece can be arranged in a packaging tray made of plastic (also called a blister or blister tray) or paper. The optical lens then lies in a recess orrecess of the packaging tray and is held in position inside the cuboid-shaped outer shell.

[0003] Furthermore, the workpiece can be arranged in a thin-walled packaging envelope, e.g., a film bag, a plastic sack, a paper bag, wrapping paper, a film, a wrapping film, a foam film, a felt material, a fleece, or the like. The workpiece or the optical lens can, in particular, be inserted into a pocket of the thin-walled packaging envelope or wrapped in a flat, thin-walled packaging envelope. Optionally, the thin-walled packaging envelope can also be sealed by welding.

[0004] Before processing can begin, the workpieces can be removed from the packaging manually or mechanically and placed in so-called job trays. In ophthalmic lens production, these are usually pairs of optical lenses for the final pair of glasses. The packaging materials are separated from each other.

[0005] The disadvantages of manual unpacking are the high labor costs and the high monotony of the task. After all, in larger processing lines, such as ophthalmic lens grinding shops, tens of thousands of lenses are processed every day.

[0006] EP 3 819 092 A1 discloses a method and device for removing optical lenses from the outer cardboard packaging. This also works well in conjunction with the optional additional packaging tray. According to this prior art for unpacking the optical lens from a package, a first side of the cardboard packaging is automatically cut open, and the workpiece automatically slides out of the cardboard packaging on this first side. If a packaging tray is present, the optical lens can be lifted out from this side.

[0007] To remove thin-walled packaging wrappings from the workpiece, EP 3 819 092 A1 proposes securing bags and wrapping films using opposing suction cups, which are then torn open by increasing the distance between the suction cups. An alternative suggestion is to first secure the workpiece from the front and back, for example by clamping it, and then make a circumferential cut along the circumference. Once the circumferential cut has been made, the upper half of the wrapping is to be lifted off, then the workpiece is secured from above and finally pulled out of the lower half of the wrapping. However, the suction cup does not always work reliably with wrinkled and air-permeable materials, and also due to possible contamination with the packaging material, so this is prone to errors.The proposed circumferential cut with subsequent handling is also slower than removing the workpiece from the cuboid-shaped outer packaging, which is why this work step is the bottleneck of the unpacking process for the efficiency of the unpacking machine.

[0008] The object of the invention is therefore to eliminate sources of error when unpacking the thin-walled packaging wrapper and to make the process more cost-efficient. The solution should function permanently and reliably.

[0009] Main features of the invention are defined in claims 1, 11, and 12. Embodiments are the subject of claims 2 to 10 and 13 to 16 as well as the following description.

[0010] The invention relates to an unpacking device which is designed to remove a thin-walled packaging wrapping from a workpiece, having a processing station with a workpiece holder for receiving the workpiece, and having a pair of counter-rotating rollers which are mounted so as to be rotatable about counter-rotating axes and between which a feed gap is formed, wherein at least one (i.e. exactly one, at least one or both of the counter-rotating rollers) is or are driven by a drive so as to be rotatable about its counter-rotating axis. The optional drive of both counter-rotating rollers can optionally be individual drive motors per counter-rotating roller or a common drive motor. Furthermore, the pair of counter-rotating rollers is arranged on a circumference of the processing station and is designed to feed the thin-walled packaging wrapping into the feed gap, in particular also to pull it off the workpiece.

[0011] The advantage of this is that the packaging wrap can be gripped by the friction of the counter-rotating rollers on a surface of the workpiece with the feed gap and then pulled through the feed gap. Essentially, the packaging wrap is pulled off the workpiece. For this to happen, the workpiece should be dimensionally stable, which is usually the case with optical lenses, for example. Pulling it in is quick and efficient and can also be used with a variety of differently designed packaging wraps, so there is no setup time when changing between differently wrapped workpieces. The unpacking device should therefore be designed to remove a thin-walled packaging wrap from the group of film bags, plastic sacks, paper bags, wrapping paper, film, wrapping film, foam film, felt material, fleece, or similar.

[0012] It is particularly advantageous if the unpacking device is designed for workpieces that are optical lenses (also optical lens blanks). These have two opposing workpiece sides or lens sides, of which at least one is usually curved. Furthermore, the workpiece preferably has a round workpiece circumference or lens circumference, preferably with a workpiece or lens diameter between 40 mm and 100 mm and more preferably between 50 mm and 85 mm. This facilitates orientation and optional rotation at the processing station. The workpiece or optical lens can be made of glass or transparent plastic, for example.

[0013] In particular, the circumference of the machining station may be at least substantially circular, wherein the rollers and / or the counter-rotating rollers are arranged such that they are tangent to this circular circumference.

[0014] Furthermore, it is advisable to arrange the pair of counter-rotating rollers between two of the rollers, preferably on one side of the machining station. These rollers can then define the distance between the workpiece and the counter-rotating rollers. The contact pressure is preferably absorbed by the rollers, and the counter-rotating rollers are relieved. At least one of the remaining rollers should be arranged on the other, opposite side of the machining station.

[0015] In an alternative embodiment, one of the two counter-rotating rollers is formed by one of the rollers. This allows all rollers to be driven in the same direction of rotation, while the additional counter-rotating roller rotates in the opposite direction. However, it is preferred that the counter-rotating rollers be formed separately from the rollers. This allows independent rotational speeds to be used, which improves the functional separation between workpiece rotation and packaging insertion.

[0016] The workpiece or optical lens can be inserted into a pocket of the thin-walled packaging wrapper or wrapped in a flat, thin-walled packaging wrapper. Optionally, the thin-walled packaging wrapper can also be sealed, for example, by welding.

[0017] According to an optional, more detailed embodiment, the workpiece holder has at least three (i.e. exactly three, at least three, exactly four or at least four) rollers distributed around the circumference of the processing station, which rollers are arranged to be rotatable about roller axes and are arranged in such a way that a workpiece (in particular clamped) can be rotated between the rollers on the processing station by rotating the rollers, in particular in such a way that the circumference of the workpiece is moved past the feed gap, preferably transversely past the feed gap. At least one (i.e. exactly one, at least one, exactly two, at least two, exactly three, at least three, exactly four or more than four) of the rollers is driven by a roller drive to rotate about its roller axis. The advantage of this is that the orientation of the workpiece relative to the feed gap can be changed, so that the probability of the packaging wrapping being initially gripped increases oris accelerated. Furthermore, rotating the workpiece can reduce the tensile forces acting on the packaging wrapper as it is drawn into the feed gap. In other words, rotating the workpiece allows the packaging wrapper to be torn off with less force.

[0018] The rollers can be cylindrical. Optionally, the rollers can have a circumferential track or groove, particularly one that can accommodate the workpiece along its circumference. This prevents the workpiece from drifting along the roller axis during rotation.

[0019] Rollers are understood to mean both those shapes which have a length exceeding their diameter and those whose length is smaller than their diameter.

[0020] Preferably, at least two (i.e., exactly two, at least two, exactly three, at least three, exactly four, at least four, or all) of the rollers are driven by a roller drive to rotate about their roller axis. The optional drive of at least two roller axes can optionally be individual drive motors per roller or a common roller drive motor.

[0021] According to a special embodiment, the roller axes deviate from a parallel alignment by a maximum of 15 degrees; preferably, they are at least substantially parallel to one another, and particularly preferably, they are exactly parallel to one another. This prevents the workpiece from wandering along the roller axis and enables a large radial clamping force. A small deviation from the parallel alignment can, for example, be used to secure the workpiece on the workstation, in particular by pressing it against a support surface due to its tendency to wander as the angle opens. However, manufacturing tolerances and load deformations are permissible when considering what is exactly parallel. Essentially, this should be understood as a deviation from parallelism of up to 5 degrees.

[0022] Furthermore, it is preferable if the roller axes are aligned geodetically vertically. This allows flat workpieces to be placed between the rollers in a geodetically horizontal position.

[0023] In a more detailed embodiment of the unpacking device, it is provided that at least one (i.e. exactly one, at least one, exactly two, at least two, exactly three, at least three, exactly four, at least four or all) of the rollers is mounted so as to be displaceable that the size of the processing space between the rollers can be changed. This allows a workpiece to be easily placed between the rollers and then, for example, fixed to the workpiece circumference using the rollers. In addition, workpieces of different diameters can be accommodated. Optionally, the displaceably mounted roller(s) can be driven by a displacement drive.

[0024] Preferably, at least the roller(s) driven by the roller drive to rotate about their roller axis have a rubberized contact surface. This allows a high torque to be applied to the workpiece without requiring excessive clamping.

[0025] Furthermore, it can optionally be provided that the counter-rotating axes deviate from a parallel alignment by a maximum of 15 degrees, preferably being aligned at least substantially parallel to one another, and particularly preferably being aligned exactly parallel to one another. This achieves an at least substantially homogeneous feed speed across the length of the feed gap. However, manufacturing tolerances and load deformations are permissible when considering what is exactly parallel. "Substantial" is understood here as a deviation from parallelism of up to 5 degrees. The counter-rotating axes are preferably aligned geodetically vertically.

[0026] Specifically, it is optionally provided that the roller axes and the counter-rotating axes deviate from a parallel alignment by a maximum of 15 degrees, preferably being aligned at least substantially parallel to each other, and particularly preferably being aligned exactly parallel to each other. This allows the aforementioned axes and the corresponding rollers to be arranged side by side in a space-saving manner, resulting in a simple design. However, manufacturing tolerances and load deformations are permissible when considering what is exactly parallel. Essentially, this should be understood as a deviation from parallelism of up to 5 degrees.

[0027] The feed gap can have a width that is essentially the same, at least essentially the same, or exactly the same across its entire length. This means that it is generally irrelevant where along the counter-rotating axes the packaging wrapper enters the feed gap. The width of the feed gap can also be reduced to zero using simple kinematics, and the counter-rotating rollers can be pressed against each other with a contact force.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the feed gap has a width that can be actively adjusted by an adjustment drive, and / or the counter-rotating rollers are biased toward each other by a spring. This allows the width to be actively adjusted or preset, and / or the width can be adjusted elastically during operation, for example, when thickened portions or material accumulations of the packaging wrapper are drawn in.

[0029] Preferably, at least one (i.e., exactly one, at least one, or both) of the counter-rotating rollers has a rubberized contact surface. Alternatively, at least one (i.e., exactly one, at least one, or both) of the counter-rotating rollers can be configured as a roller brush. Both serve to increase the frictional force against the packaging wrapper and improve the feed behavior with the counter-rotating rollers.

[0030] Furthermore, the machining station can be provided with a support on which the workpiece is placed adjacent to the counter-rotating rollers. This simplifies handling of the workpiece, as it can be temporarily rested without having to be held by the rollers, for example, for loading and unloading.

[0031] Optionally, the unpacking device can additionally comprise a loading device designed to transport a workpiece to the processing station and / or remove it from the processing station, in particular to push a workpiece laterally onto the support of the processing station and / or to push a workpiece laterally off the support of the processing station. This allows loading and unloading to proceed automatically.

[0032] Furthermore, there is the option that the unpacking device has a detector designed to detect whether the thin-walled packaging wrapping has been removed from the workpiece. For this purpose, the detector can optionally be designed to detect the presence of the thin-walled packaging wrapping on the workpiece, e.g. by means of an optical detector. Alternatively, this can optionally be achieved with a detector designed to detect the thin-walled packaging wrapping on the side of the feed gap facing away from the processing station, e.g. optically or mechanically. Further alternatively, the detector can optionally be designed to detect the feed of the thin-walled packaging wrapping based on forces and / or movements acting on one or both of the counter-rotating rollers, in particular tensile or compressive forces and / or torques and / or changes in the width of the feed gap.

[0033] The unpacking device according to the invention can be arranged as an assembly in the higher-level unpacking device according to EP 3 819 092 A1. This higher-level unpacking device for unpacking a workpiece, in particular an optical lens or an optical lens blank, from a package, has a feed station designed to receive a package in which a workpiece is arranged. It also has a slicing station with a first cutting or sawing tool, which is designed for the automated cutting of a first packaging side of the package behind the feed station. Finally, it also has a sliding-out station behind the slicing station, which is designed to automatically generate a relative movement between the package and the workpiece, by means of which the workpiece slides out of the package on the first packaging side.With regard to the optional configurations of the higher-level unpacking device according to EP 3 819 092 A1, reference is made in full to EP 3 819 092 A1.

[0034] The preferred location of the unpacking device in the higher-level unpacking device according to EP 3 819 092 A1 is behind its sliding-out station. Furthermore, it is preferably arranged in front of its workpiece holder for mechanically picking up the workpiece. Thus, after sliding out, all removed workpieces can be freed from any potentially present thin-walled packaging wrapping using the unpacking device, if necessary.

[0035] The invention also relates to a processing device comprising an unpacking device as described above and below and a processing machine. The unpacking device is arranged along an automated conveyor line upstream of the processing machine, and unpacked workpieces are transported by the conveyor line from the unpacking device to the processing machine. The processing machine is selected from the following group: milling machine, lathe, grinding machine, polishing machine, coating machine, cleaning machine, film-wrapping machine, and blocking machine. This allows the processing machine to be automatically provided with a workpiece freed from the thin-walled packaging wrapping.

[0036] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for removing a thin-walled packaging wrapper from a workpiece, comprising the steps: a) approaching a workpiece with a thin-walled packaging wrapper to a feed gap between a pair of counter-rotating rollers mounted for rotation about counter-rotating axes; b) drawing the thin-walled packaging wrapper into the feed gap until the thin-walled packaging wrapper is pulled off the workpiece.

[0037] Thin-walled packaging wrappers are removed from a workpiece safely and quickly in this simple manner. For this purpose, the pair of counter-rotating rollers should be driven in opposite directions around their counter-rotating axes.

[0038] An optional method step involves rotating the workpiece with a workpiece circumference transversely past the feed gap, either before engaging the thin-walled packaging wrapper with the feed gap, in particular to increase the likelihood of the thin-walled packaging wrapper entering the feed gap; and / or during the feed of the thin-walled packaging wrapper into the feed gap, in particular to assist in pulling the thin-walled packaging wrapper off the workpiece. Rotating the workpiece can therefore promote both the start of the feed and the progress of the feed of the packaging wrapper.

[0039] Optionally, the direction of rotation of the workpiece can be changed, either before gripping the thin-walled packaging sleeve with the feed gap, in particular to increase the probability that the thin-walled packaging sleeve enters the feed gap; and / or during the feed of the thin-walled packaging sleeve into the feed gap, in particular to assist in pulling down the thin-walled packaging sleeve. This can also serve to accelerate the initial feed or improve the progress of pulling down the packaging sleeve.

[0040] According to the method, it can be provided that the workpiece is arranged for turning on a machining station with a circumference (of the machining station), wherein at least three (i.e. exactly three, at least three, exactly four or at least four) rollers arranged rotatable about roller axes are arranged distributed around the circumference in such a way that the workpiece is clamped between the rollers on the machining station and is rotated on the machining station by rotation of the rollers, for which purpose at least one (i.e. exactly one, at least one, exactly two, at least two, exactly three, at least three, exactly four, at least four or all) of the rollers is driven by a roller drive to rotate about its roller axis. With the help of the rollers, turning can be implemented simply and automatically.

[0041] The process should be designed especially for workpieces that are optical lenses (including optical lens blanks). How these can be designed has been described above. Reference is therefore made to this section.

[0042] Furthermore, the process should be designed for thin-walled packaging wrappers. How these can be designed has been described above. Reference is therefore made to this section.

[0043] Specifically, the method can be carried out using an unpacking device as described above and below. Conversely, the unpacking device can be configured to carry out the method described above and below. The advantages apply reciprocally.

[0044] Further features, details, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view from above of an unpacking device; Fig. 2 shows a perspective view from above of an unpacking device with a workpiece; Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a workpiece with components of a package; and Fig. 4 shows a conveyor line along which an unpacking device and a processing machine are arranged.

[0045] The Fig. 1 and 2 show two different perspective views from obliquely above of an unpacking device 30 which is used to remove a thin-walled packaging wrapper (see reference number 10 in Fig. 3 ) from a workpiece (see reference number 1 in Fig. 2 and 3). The same reference numbers therefore refer to the same components. Fig. 2 In addition, such a workpiece 1 is shown and the bearing components arranged above are hidden, which would otherwise be shown as in Fig. 1 would obstruct the view of workpiece 1.

[0046] The unpacking device 30 has a processing station P with a workpiece holder 31 for receiving the workpiece 1 (only in Fig. 2 shown). The workpiece holder 31 comprises four cylindrical rollers 32, 33, 34, 35 distributed around a circumference U of the machining station P and mounted rotatably about roller axes RA1, RA2, RA3, RA4. These are parallel to each other and geodetically vertically aligned. In addition, the machining station P has a support F on which the workpiece 1 (only in Fig. 2shown). The circumference U is roughly outlined by a dashed line, whereby this is variable in size or diameter. For this purpose, two of the rollers 32, 33 are mounted displaceably transversely to their roller axes RA1, RA2 such that the distance to the other two roller axes RA3, RA4 is adjustable. For this purpose, a displacement drive 37 (only in Fig. 1 marked). In addition, the support F has slots through which the roller axes RA1, RA2 of the movable rollers 32, 33 extend.

[0047] The roller axes RA1, RA2, RA3, RA4 are arranged and driven in such a way that the workpiece 1 (only in Fig. 2shown) clamped between the rollers 32, 33, 34, 35 on the processing station P by rotation of the rollers 32, 33, 34, 35. For this purpose, each of the rollers 32, 33, 34, 35 is driven by a roller drive 36 to rotate about its roller axis RA1, RA2, RA3, RA4. Alternatively, the rollers 32, 33, 34, 35 can share one or two roller drives, or individual rollers can only rotate passively, i.e. without a roller drive. The rollers 32, 33, 34, 35 driven to rotate about their roller axes RA1, RA2, RA3, RA4 should each have a non-slip, for example rubberized, contact surface 38.

[0048] Furthermore, the unpacking device 30 has a pair of cylindrical counter-rotating rollers 40, 41, which are rotatably mounted about mutually parallel counter-rotating axes GA1, GA2 and between which a feed gap 42 is formed. In particular, the counter-rotating axes GA1, GA2 are also aligned parallel to the roller axes RA1, RA2, RA3, RA4, thus also geodetically vertically aligned. The feed gap 42 has the same width B over its length, which can be actively adjusted by an adjustment drive 44. In addition, the counter-rotating rollers 40, 41 are biased toward each other by a spring force and have a rubberized contact surface 47. Alternatively, the counter-rotating rollers 40, 41 could also each be designed as a roller brush.

[0049] Both of the counter rollers 40, 41 are connected to a common drive 43 (reference number 43 in Fig. 1only indicated because it is located on the underside) are driven in opposite directions about their counter-rotating axes GA1, GA2. The pair of counter-rotating rollers 40, 41 is arranged on the circumference U of the processing station P and is designed to press the thin-walled packaging wrapping 10 (see reference number 10 in Fig. 3 ) into the feed gap 42 and pull it down from the workpiece 1.

[0050] If the workpiece 1 (only in Fig. 2 shown) is now clamped between the rollers 32, 33, 34, 35 and rotated on the machining station P by rotating the rollers 32, 33, 34, 35, the workpiece circumference 5 of the workpiece 1 (only in Fig. 2 shown) is moved transversely past the feed gap 42. The workpiece 10 can in particular be an optical lens (or a lens blank).

[0051] Fig. 3shows a schematic representation of a workpiece 1 or an optical lens 2 with components of a packaging. The workpiece 1 has two opposite workpiece sides 3, 4 or lens sides, of which in the case of an optical lens 2 at least one is usually curved. In addition, the workpiece 1 has a round workpiece circumference 5 or lens circumference, for example with a workpiece or lens diameter 6 between 40 mm and 100 mm. The workpiece circumference 7 has a height 7 which corresponds to the thickness of the workpiece 1 at the workpiece circumference 5. The workpiece 1 or the optical lens 2 can be made of glass or transparent plastic, for example.

[0052] Such workpieces 1 can be formed in a thin-walled packaging envelope 10 from the group consisting of a film bag, plastic sack, paper bag, wrapping paper, film, wrapping film, foam film, felt material, fleece or the like. Fig. 3The variant of the film bag with a zip closure (also referred to as a ziplock bag). For packaging, the workpiece 1 can be inserted into the pocket of the film bag or the thin-walled packaging wrapper 10. As a further packaging component, the workpiece 1 thus received in the thin-walled packaging wrapper 10 can be placed in a packaging tray 12 with a receiving recess. This packaging tray 12, in turn, can be inserted into a box 11, e.g., a cardboard sleeve or a cardboard box.

[0053] Fig. 2 shows a processing state in which the thin-walled packaging wrapper 10 has already been removed from the workpiece 1 and the rollers 32, 33 for removing the workpiece 1 from the unpacking device 1 have been moved away from the workpiece 1. However, beforehand the workpiece 1 has been covered with a thin-walled packaging wrapper 10 according to Fig. 3In the simplest case, the thin-walled packaging wrapper 10 (see reference number 10 in Fig. 3 ) directly into the feed gap 42 and is pulled down by the workpiece 1. However, it is safer to first clamp the workpiece 1 with the rollers 32, 33, 34, 35 and thereby secure its position.

[0054] With the unpacking device according to the Fig. 1 and 2A method for removing the thin-walled packaging wrapping 10 from a workpiece 1 can now be carried out, in which the workpiece 1 with the thin-walled packaging wrapping 10 is approached to the feed gap 42 between the pair of counter-rotating rollers 40, 41 and the thin-walled packaging wrapping 10 is drawn into the feed gap 42 to such an extent that the thin-walled packaging wrapping 10 is pulled off the workpiece 1. In this case, the method can optionally involve rotating the workpiece 1 with a workpiece circumference 5 transversely past the feed gap 42 by using the roller drive 36. The rotation can, for example, take place before the thin-walled packaging wrapping 10 is gripped by the feed gap 42 in order to increase the probability (or shorten the time) that the thin-walled packaging wrapping 10 enters the feed gap 42.Alternatively or additionally, rotation can be used when pulling the thin-walled packaging wrapper 10 into the feed gap 42 to assist in pulling the thin-walled packaging wrapper 10 down from the workpiece 1. It is also possible to change the direction of rotation of the workpiece 1. If this is done before the thin-walled packaging wrapper 10 is gripped by the feed gap 42, this can increase the probability (or shorten the time) that the thin-walled packaging wrapper 10 gets into the feed gap 42. If this is done alternatively or additionally only when the thin-walled packaging wrapper 10 is pulled into the feed gap 42, the pulling down of the thin-walled packaging wrapper 10 can be assisted.

[0055] Fig. 4shows a sketch of a processing device 100 with a conveyor line 90 along which an unpacking device 30 and a processing machine 101 are arranged. Work boxes 91 are transported in a direction of movement X along the conveyor line. Upstream of the unpacking device 30, two workpieces 1 are contained in a thin-walled packaging sleeve 10. The packaging sleeve 10 is removed in the unpacking device 30, for which purpose the workpieces 1 can be temporarily removed from the work boxes 91. Downstream of the unpacking device 30, two unpacked workpieces 1 are transported with a work box 91 on the conveyor line 90 to the processing machine 101.The processing machine 101 belongs to the group of milling machines, lathes, grinding machines, polishing machines, coating machines, cleaning machines, foiling machines, and blocking machines (blocking = fastening the workpiece to a workpiece holder, usually with an alloy or adhesive). With this processing machine 101, the workpieces 1 are machined according to the designation.

[0056] The invention is not limited to one of the embodiments described above, but can be modified in many ways.

[0057] For example, common drives can be provided, rollers 32, 33, 34, 35 and counter-rotating rollers 40, 41 can be partially non-driven, different numbers of rollers 32, 33, 34, 35 can be provided, and, for example, the axial alignments of the rollers 32, 33, 34, 35 can deviate from parallelism. Furthermore, the rollers 32, 33, 34, 35 and counter-rotating rollers 40, 41 can be conical or contoured.

[0058] Optionally, the unpacking device 30 can also have a loading device which is designed to transport the workpiece 1 to the processing station P and to remove it again from the processing station P, for example to push it laterally onto the support F of the processing station P and to push it laterally off the support F of the processing station P.

[0059] All features and advantages arising from the claims, the description and the drawings, including design details, spatial arrangements and method steps, can be essential to the invention both individually and in a wide variety of combinations. List of reference symbols

[0060] 1 workpiece 40 Counter roller 2 optical lens / optical 41 Counter roller lens blank 42 Feed gap 3 first workpiece side or first 43 Drive (of the counter roller) lens side 44 Adjustment drive (of the width) 4 second workpiece side or second 47 Contact surface lens side 5 Workpiece circumference or 90 conveyor belt Lens circumference 91 Workbox 6 Workpiece diameter or Lens diameter 100 Processing device 7 Workpiece thickness or lens thickness 101 processing machine 10 thin-walled Packaging wrapping B Width of the feed gap 11 packaging box F Edition 12 packaging tray GA1 Counter-rotating axis GA2 Counter-rotating axis 30 Unpacking device P Processing station 31 Workpiece holder RA1 roller axis 32 roller RA2 roller axis 33 roller RA3 roller axis 34 roller RA4 roller axis 35 roller U Scope 36 Roller drive X Conveying direction 37 displacement drive 38 Contact surface

Claims

1. Unpacking device (30), which is designed to remove a thin-walled packaging wrapping (10) from a workpiece (1), - with a processing station (P) with a workpiece holder (31) for receiving the workpiece (1), and - with a pair of counter-rotating rollers (40, 41) which are mounted so as to be rotatable about counter-rotating axes (GA1, GA2) and between which a feed gap (42) is formed, ∘ wherein at least one of the counter-rotating rollers (40, 41) is driven by a drive (43) so as to be rotatable about its counter-rotating axis (GA1, GA2), and ∘ wherein the pair of counter-rotating rollers (40, 41) are arranged on a circumference (U) of the processing station (P) and are designed to feed the thin-walled packaging wrapping (10) into the feed gap (42).

2. Unpacking device (30) according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe workpiece holder (31) has at least three rollers (32, 33, 34, 35) distributed around the circumference (U) of the machining station (P) and arranged to rotate about roller axes (RA1, RA2, RA3, RA4), which are arranged such that a workpiece (1) can be rotated between the rollers (32, 33, 34, 35) on the machining station (P) by rotation of the rollers (32, 33, 34, 35), wherein at least one of the rollers (32, 33, 34, 35) is driven by a roller drive (36) to rotate about its roller axis (RA1, RA2, RA3, RA4).

3. Unpacking device (30) according to claim 2, characterized in that the roller axes (RA1, RA2, RA3, RA4) deviate from a parallel alignment by a maximum of 15 degrees.

4. Unpacking device (30) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that at least one of the rollers (32, 33, 34, 35) is mounted displaceably in such a way that the size of the processing space (P) between the rollers (32, 33, 34, 35) can be changed.

5. Unpacking device (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the counter-rotating axes (GA1, GA2) deviate from a parallel alignment by a maximum of 15 degrees.

6. Unpacking device (30) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the roller axes (RA1, RA2, RA3, RA4) and the counter-rotating axes (GA1, GA2) deviate from a parallel alignment by a maximum of 15 degrees.

7. Unpacking device (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed gap (42) has only substantially, at least substantially or exactly the same width (B) over its length.

8. Unpacking device (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed gap (42) has a width (B) which can be actively adjusted by an adjusting drive (44), and / or that the counter-rotating rollers (40, 41) are loaded towards one another by a spring force of a spring.

9. Unpacking device (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the machining station (P) has a support (F) on which the workpiece (1) is to be placed adjacent to the counter-rotating rollers (40, 41).

10. Unpacking device (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that this has a loading device which is designed to transport a workpiece (1) to the processing station (P) and / or to remove it from the processing station (P).

11. Processing device (100)with an unpacking device (30) according to one of claims 1 to 10 and a processing machine (101), wherein the unpacking device (30) is arranged along an automated conveyor line (90) in front of the processing machine (101), and unpacked workpieces (1) are transported by the conveyor line (90) from the unpacking device (30) to the processing machine (101), wherein the processing machine (101) is from the following group: milling machine, lathe, grinding machine, polishing machine, coating machine, cleaning machine, foiling machine and blocking machine.

12. Proceedingsfor removing a thin-walled packaging wrapping (10) from a workpiece (1), comprising the steps of: a) approaching a workpiece (1) with a thin-walled packaging wrapping (10) to a feed gap (42) between a pair of counter-rotating rollers (40, 41) which are mounted so as to be rotatable about counter-rotating axes (GA1, GA2); b) pulling the thin-walled packaging wrapping (10) into the feed gap (42) to such an extent that the thin-walled packaging wrapping (10) is pulled off the workpiece (1).

13. The method according to claim 12, comprising the step: - rotating the workpiece (1) with a workpiece circumference (5) transversely past the feed gap (42), ∘ either before gripping the thin-walled packaging wrapper (10) with the feed gap (42), in particular to increase the probability that the thin-walled packaging wrapper (10) gets into the feed gap (42); and / or ∘ while pulling the thin-walled packaging wrapper (10) into the feed gap (42), in particular to assist in pulling the thin-walled packaging wrapper (10) down from the workpiece (1).

14. The method according to claim 13, comprising the step: - changing the direction of rotation of the workpiece (1), ∘ either before gripping the thin-walled packaging wrapper (10) with the feed gap (42), in particular to increase the probability that the thin-walled packaging wrapper (10) will enter the feed gap (42); and / or ∘ while feeding the thin-walled packaging wrapper (10) into the feed gap (42), in particular to assist in pulling down the thin-walled packaging wrapper (10).

15. The method according to one of claims 13 or 14, wherein the workpiece (1) is arranged for rotation on a machining station (P) having a circumference (U), wherein at least three rollers (32, 33, 34, 35) arranged rotatably about roller axes (RA1, RA2, RA3, RA4) are arranged distributed around the circumference (U) in such a way that the workpiece (1) is clamped between the rollers (32, 33, 34, 35) on the machining station (P) and is rotated by rotation of the rollers (32, 33, 34, 35) on the machining station (P), for which purpose at least one of the rollers (32, 33, 34, 35) is driven by a roller drive (36) to rotate about its roller axis (RA1, RA2, RA3, RA4).

16. Method according to one of claims 12 to 15, wherein it is carried out with an unpacking device (30) according to one of claims 1 to 10.

Images