System and method for packaging products

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and a method for packaging products, in particular for packaging hygiene products, such as nappies, panty liners, sanitary pads, incontinence products, wet wipes, toilet paper, kitchen roll or similar, wherein, in multiple process steps (101, ..., 111), individual products (3) are combined into a packaging unit comprising a packaging material and multiple individual products (3) surrounded at least in regions by the packaging material, wherein, in at least one process step and / or for transportation between two process steps, an individual product (3) and / or a group comprising multiple individual products (3) and / or the packaging material is manipulated and / or moved by a transport element (20) that is moved in a controlled manner relative to a transport surface (21), wherein the transport element (20) and the transport surface (21) are parts of a transport system (2), comprising the transport surface and multiple transport elements (20) that can be moved independently simultaneously in a speed- and / or position-controlled manner relative to the transport surface (21).

Description

[0001] Plant and process for packaging products

[0002] FIELD OF APPLICATION AND STATE OF THE ART

[0003] The invention relates to a system and a method for packaging products. The invention particularly relates to a system and a method for packaging hygiene products, such as diapers, panty liners, sanitary pads, incontinence products, wet wipes, toilet paper, kitchen rolls, or the like.

[0004] Products to be packaged are usually taken from a stock or from a manufacturing facility as individual products and combined into a packaging unit comprising a packaging material and several individual products at least partially enclosed by the packaging material. The individual products, a unit comprising several individual products, and / or the packaging unit are appropriately treated in one or more process steps. For example, the individual products are turned, folded, inspected, combined in stacks or groups with several stacks, units comprising several individual products are fed to a packaging material, the packaging material is sealed, labeled, printed, and packaging units are dispensed.

[0005] Various devices are known for handling and / or transporting products during or between process steps. For example, EP1663823 B1 discloses a stacking device for forming stacks from individual products delivered one after the other, comprising a plurality of compartments moved along a closed path, into each of which a single product is inserted, with a stack of products then being pushed out from several adjacent compartments. EP1670706 B1 discloses a transfer device that receives individually delivered products in pockets and feeds them to a stacking device with compartments. During feeding, the products are given a speed component in the direction of movement of the compartments, while they are decelerated to a standstill in their previous direction.

[0006] TASK AND SOLUTION

[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a system and a method for packaging products, in particular for packaging hygiene products such as diapers, panty liners, sanitary pads, incontinence products, wet wipes, toilet paper, kitchen rolls or the like, which have a high degree of flexibility.

[0008] This object is achieved by the system having the features of claim 1 and the method having the features of claim 6. Further advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

[0009] According to a first aspect, a system for packaging products, in particular for packaging hygiene products such as diapers, panty liners, sanitary pads, incontinence products, wet wipes, toilet paper, kitchen rolls or the like, is provided, which is configured to combine individual products in a packaging unit comprising a packaging material and a plurality of individual products at least partially enclosed by the packaging material in several process steps, wherein the system comprises a transport system with a transport surface, a plurality of transport bodies and a control device, wherein the control device is configured to control actuators on the transport surface and / or on the transport bodies so that the transport bodies can be moved independently of one another simultaneously in a speed- and / or position-controlled manner relative to the transport surface, and wherein at least some of the transport bodies are configuredto move individual products and / or groups comprising several individual products for transport between two process steps and / or to move and / or manipulate individual products and / or groups and / or the packaging material comprising several individual products in at least one process step.

[0010] According to a second aspect, a method is provided for packaging products, in particular for packaging hygiene products such as diapers, panty liners, sanitary pads, incontinence products, wet wipes, toilet paper, kitchen rolls or the like, wherein individual products are combined in a plurality of process steps in a packaging unit comprising a packaging material and a plurality of individual products at least partially enclosed by the packaging material, and wherein individual products and / or groups comprising a plurality of individual products and / or the packaging material are manipulated and / or moved in at least one process step and / or for transport between two process steps by means of a transport body moved in a speed- and / or position-controlled manner relative to a transport surface, wherein the transport body and the transport surface are parts of a transport system comprising the transport surface and a plurality of independently of one another simultaneously,Transport bodies movable in a controlled manner relative to a transport surface. The terms "a," "an," etc., are used in the context of this application merely as specific terms and not as counting words. In particular, one embodiment provides for an individual product or a group comprising several individual products to be manipulated and / or moved during a process step and / or for transport between two process steps by means of two or more speed- and / or position-controlled transport bodies moved relative to the transport surface. Likewise, one embodiment provides for several transport surfaces, wherein the transport surfaces have different orientations.

[0011] Manipulation of an individual product or a group of individual products and / or the packaging material is defined as any action on the individual product, the group or the packaging material in which a state is changed, for example by turning, moving, folding, compressing, erecting a carton or the like. In the context of the application, process steps are defined as any steps in the packaging of products, including process steps for handling individual products, such as manipulating an individual product by turning, moving, folding, compressing or the like, process steps for process control, such as weighing, process steps for stacking or grouping individual products or groups of individual products, process steps in which materials are added, changed or removed, and others.

[0012] A transport system comprising a transport surface and transport bodies movable relative thereto is also referred to as a planar transport system. The transport surface is designed as a stator. The transport bodies are movable at least in one plane parallel to the transport surface with three degrees of freedom to change their position and orientation. In advantageous embodiments, the transport system is designed such that movement of the transport bodies relative to the transport surface is possible with six degrees of freedom. This ensures a high degree of flexibility. In embodiments of the transport system, movement of the transport bodies relative to the transport surface occurs contactless or in a suspended manner. A corresponding transport system is known, for example, from DE102018209401 A1, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.However, the application is not limited to the use of a transport system known from DE102018209401 A1.

[0013] In one embodiment, the transport surface is arranged in a horizontal plane. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which, alternatively or additionally, a vertically arranged transport surface is provided. The use of such a transport system for transporting individual products or groups of individual products in a packaging system allows a flexible arrangement of individual stations for carrying out the process steps and a flexibly configurable process sequence. The transport bodies can either be fed to individual stations for carrying out a process step or not. For example, it is conceivable that an additional product should be provided in the packaging unit in a process step, with the transport bodies being fed to a station for carrying out a process step for adding an additional product.Alternatively or additionally, an individual product or a group of individual products can be fed to a control station for process monitoring at regular or irregular intervals.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, one embodiment provides for the groups of individual products to be fed to different packaging material stations, where different packaging materials are processed. One embodiment further provides for feeding to different closing stations, for example, different welding stations, depending on the packaging material used and / or other process parameters. Different process steps or identical process steps with different process parameters can be performed at the different closing stations.

[0015] In one embodiment, at least one process step can be performed in parallel at two or more stations. This allows a process sequence to be parallelized, at least in sections, for increased speed. In particular, for this purpose, one embodiment provides for a process step for sealing the packaging material to be performed in parallel at two or more stations.

[0016] Furthermore, the system can be flexibly adapted by adding or removing stations and / or by relocating individual stations.

[0017] Furthermore, it is possible for transport bodies to be repeatedly fed to a station, for example to repeatedly carry out a process step at different times in the process flow and / or to repeat a process step in the event of an error.

[0018] In one embodiment, the transport bodies are moved across the transport surface at varying speeds, so that the distance between the transport bodies is variable. In one embodiment, the distance is increased for inspections, for example, using metal detectors, for printing, and / or for weighing.

[0019] At least some of the transport bodies are designed to move individual products and / or groups comprising a plurality of individual products for transport between two process steps and / or to move and / or manipulate them during at least one process step. For this purpose, the transport bodies, in one embodiment, have suitable receptacles, support and / or holding elements by means of which individual products and / or groups of individual products are secured on the transport body during transport. In one embodiment, transport bodies have a suction or vacuum holding device for transporting individual products. Alternatively or additionally, in one embodiment, transport bodies have cassettes into which individual products can be inserted. In one embodiment, the cassettes have compartments, with individual products each being accommodated in a compartment.Alternatively or additionally, a further embodiment provides a separate mobile cassette with or without compartments for individual products, wherein the cassette can be moved between stations by means of one or more transport bodies. In one embodiment, the system comprises both transport bodies with cassettes and several separate cassettes.

[0020] In one embodiment, it is provided that several transport goods, ie several individual products, individual products and groups and / or several groups, are transported at least temporarily simultaneously with a transport body, wherein the process steps corresponding to the individual transport goods are carried out at the stations.

[0021] In one embodiment, a functional unit for carrying out a process step is provided on a transport body. In the context of the application, a functional unit is referred to as a device for carrying out a process step, which is designed according to the process step. By means of the functional unit, it is possible to carry out one process step - or several process steps - during the transport of a transport item. In addition, the functional unit can be moved into different positions by means of the transport body in order to carry out process steps using the functional unit in a stationary manner or in a moving manner at different locations. Depending on the design of the functional unit, the transport item can be manipulated and / or checked on the transport body, for example, by weighing the transport item.Alternatively or additionally, one embodiment provides for the weight of a transport item picked up by a transport body to be determined from an actuating force for controlling the transport surface for the transport body. In other words, the transport item is weighed by the transport system. In one embodiment, weighing is performed for quality or error control purposes. For example, in one embodiment, the weight of an individual product is recorded upon its acceptance.

[0022] In one embodiment, the control device is configured to move two or more transport bodies in a coordinated manner relative to the transport surface to perform a process step. The two or more transport bodies enable manipulation of a received transport item. In one embodiment, the movement serves to manipulate the transport item, for example, to compress it, fold it, correct folding errors, or the like. For example, in one embodiment, two transport bodies are movable relative to one another in such a way that a transport item arranged between them is compacted or compressed.

[0023] In a further embodiment, the control device is configured to change a position and / or an orientation of a transport body with a received transport item relative to the transport surface for a subsequent process step, and / or to change a position and / or an orientation of a transport body for receiving a transport item relative to the transport surface. In one embodiment, flat products, in particular flat hygiene products such as panty liners, sanitary pads or diapers, are received lying down from a supply or a manufacturing device on a transport body, wherein the transport body is controlled to change its orientation so that the received products are transferred in an upright arrangement to a subsequent process step, for example for a stack. This makes it possible to eliminate turning processes in the process steps.In another embodiment, flat products, in particular flat hygiene products such as panty liners, sanitary towels, or diapers, are taken lying down from a supply or a manufacturing device onto a transport body and placed one above the other on the transport body to form a stack. Once a certain stack size has been reached, the transport body is controlled to change its orientation for transporting the stack to a packaging material. Alternatively or additionally, it is provided that the transport body changes its position and / or orientation for taking over the products. In one embodiment, the change in position and / or orientation serves to decelerate the taken over products.In other embodiments, the change in position and / or orientation serves as a tolerance compensation for compensating for tolerances from a previous process step and / or for compensating for tolerances during transfer from a production facility. For example, it is conceivable to transfer multiple individual products to the transport body by appropriately moving the transport body such that the individual products are aligned in one plane on the transport body. In other embodiments, the transport body is rotated so that the transported goods are transferred with a first orientation and transferred with a different second orientation.

[0024] In a further embodiment, the control device is configured to jointly feed two or more transport bodies with groups of individual products to a subsequent process step. The control serves, for example, to accumulate stacks of individual products so that the stacks can be fed to a device for secondary packaging.

[0025] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Further advantages and aspects of the invention emerge from the claims and from the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are explained below with reference to the schematic figures. In the figures:

[0027] Fig. 1 a system for packaging products in several process steps;

[0028] Fig. 2 a process step for receiving and lining up products;

[0029] Fig. 3 a process step for aligning products;

[0030] Fig. 4 shows a process step for compacting a stack of products;

[0031] Fig. 5 shows a process step for changing an orientation of a stack of products;

[0032] Fig. 6 shows a process step for grouping several stacks of products.

[0033] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Fig. 1 schematically shows a system 1 for packaging products, in particular for packaging hygiene products such as diapers, panty liners, sanitary pads, incontinence products, wet wipes, toilet paper, kitchen rolls or the like, wherein the products are suitably treated or manipulated by means of the system 1 in eleven process steps 101, 111. In the process steps 101, ..., 111, depending on the application, individual products are turned, folded, checked, combined in stacks or groups with several stacks, units comprising several individual products are fed to a packaging material, the packaging material is closed, labeled, printed and packaging units are dispensed.

[0035] The system 1 comprises a transport system 2 with a transport surface 21, with several transport bodies 20 and with a control device 22. As schematically shown by arrows, the transport bodies 20 are movable relative to the transport surface 21 with six degrees of freedom.

[0036] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the transport system 2 is used to transport individual products or groups of individual products to stations for carrying out the process steps 101, ..., 111. In the exemplary embodiment shown, actuators on the transport surface 21 and / or on the transport bodies 22 are controlled for this purpose by means of the control device 22 in order to move a plurality of transport bodies 20 independently of one another at the same time in a speed- and / or position-controlled manner relative to the transport surface 21 for transporting individual products and / or groups comprising a plurality of individual products between two process steps 101, ..., 111.

[0037] Control is carried out in such a way that a transport body 20, for example, runs through process steps 102, 110, 103, 107, 106, 111, 105, 104, 101, and 107. Process steps 108, 109 are not performed in the process sequence shown in Fig. 1. In other embodiments, these process steps 108, 109 are performed in addition to or alternatively to other process steps. In the process sequence shown, process step 107 is performed twice. This is, for example, a control step that is performed after process steps 102, 110, and 103 and at the end of the process sequence.

[0038] With the exception of one station for performing process step 103, in the illustrated embodiment, all stations for performing the process steps are arranged on the transport surface 21. However, this design is merely schematic.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, the transport bodies 20 are not merely used to transport the products. Rather, in process step 110, it is provided that two transport bodies 20 are controlled to move relative to the transport surface 21 during the execution of the process step such that an individual product is manipulated by means of the transport bodies 20, for example, turned, folded and / or compressed. Likewise, in one embodiment, it is provided that two or more transport bodies 20 are used in a process step for manipulation

[0040] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, process step 111 takes place on a transport body 20. In one embodiment, process step 111 can be carried out during a movement of the transport body 20 between process steps 106 and 105.

[0041] The process flow shown in Fig. 1 is only an example and numerous variations are conceivable.

[0042] Fig. 2 shows a schematic plan view of a process step for receiving and lining up individual products 3 in a stack 30. In the illustrated embodiment, a transport body 20 is provided for this purpose, which has a schematically illustrated cassette 4 with a plurality of compartments 40, wherein an individual product 3 can be received in each compartment 40. The individual products 3 are fed in a product stream in a first orientation in a direction schematically indicated by an arrow. In the illustrated embodiment, a turning device 5 is provided, by means of which an orientation of the individual products 3 is changed. The illustrated turning device 5 is arranged in a stationary manner, wherein the transport body 20 is movable in a direction I relative to the turning device 5 in order to position a compartment 40 for receiving an individual product 3 relative to the turning device 5.In an alternative embodiment, a turning device 5 is omitted, wherein a transport body 20 with a suitably oriented cassette 4 is moved perpendicular to a drawing plane according to Fig. 2 for receiving and lining up the individual products 3.

[0043] In one embodiment, weighing occurs when individual products 3 are received. In particular, in one embodiment, the weight of an individual product received by the transport body 20 is determined from a positioning force for controlling the transport surface 21 for the transport body 20. By weighing the individual products 3 during their reception, irregularities can be detected early. In one embodiment, an associated transport body 20 is subjected to a manual or automated inspection when an irregularity occurs.

[0044] As schematically indicated by a double arrow in Fig. 2, the transport body 20 is also movable when the individual products 3 are taken over relative to the turning device 5 in the feed direction of the individual products 3 in order to compensate for an offset between the individual products 3 in the product flow due to the manufacturing technology.

[0045] In another embodiment, in contrast to Fig. 2, there is no movement of the transport bodies 20 in the feed direction of the individual products 3. If an alignment of the individual products 3 is necessary, this can be done in a subsequent process step as shown schematically in Fig. 3.

[0046] Fig. 3 schematically shows a process step for aligning a stack 30 of individual products 3 lined up on a transport body 20. The individual products 3 are initially arranged in a random manner in a cassette 4 arranged on the transport body 20. The transport body 20 is moved back and forth relative to the transport surface 21, as schematically represented by an arrow, so that the individual products 3 are aligned with their downward-facing ends on a base of the cassette 4. Depending on the design, the movement occurs perpendicular to the transport surface 21 and / or with a different directional component.

[0047] Fig. 4 schematically shows a process step for compacting a stack 30 of individual products 3 arranged on a transport body 20. The stack of individual products 3 is arranged in a cassette 4 arranged on the transport body 20. The cassette 4 has two adjustable walls 42 arranged at opposite ends. To compact the stack 30, the two walls 42 are moved toward each other. In an alternative embodiment, one adjustable wall and one stationary wall are provided.

[0048] Two rams 7 are provided for moving the walls 42. In one embodiment, the rams 7 are provided in a stationary position at a station, with the transport body 20 with the stack 30 of individual products 3 being moved between the rams for compaction. In the illustrated embodiment, the rams 7 are each provided on a transport body 20, with the transport bodies 20 being moved toward each other to compact the stack 30.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the transport bodies 20 with the stamps 7 are adjustable relative to the transport surface 21. In an alternative embodiment, a second transport surface is provided, which is arranged perpendicular to the illustrated transport surface 21, wherein the transport bodies 20 with the stamps 7 are adjustable relative to the second transport surface. In yet another embodiment, the stamps 7 are attached to a transport body 20 by means of superstructures, so that a distance between the transport bodies 20 of the stamps 7 and the transport surface 21 can be reduced while maintaining the same height of the stamps 7.

[0050] Fig. 5 shows a schematic plan view of a process step for changing the orientation of a stack 30 of individual products 3 lined up on a transport body 20. The stack 30 of individual products 3 is arranged in a cassette 4 arranged on the transport body 20. The orientation is initially such that first ends 31 of the individual products 3 are arranged at the front in a transport direction schematically indicated by an arrow and second ends 32 are arranged at the rear. The terms “first” and “second” serve merely to differentiate and do not indicate a sequence. The transport body 20 is rotated about an axis perpendicular to the transport surface, so that after the rotation the second ends 32 of the individual products are arranged at the front in a transport direction schematically indicated by an arrow. The change in orientation shown is merely an example and numerous variations are conceivable.

[0051] Fig. 6 shows a schematic plan view of a process step for grouping a plurality of stacks 30, each arranged on a transport body 20. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the stacks 30 in a lower row in the figure are arranged with a uniform orientation, and the stacks 30 in an upper row in the figure are arranged with different orientations for grouping. However, this arrangement is merely exemplary. In other embodiments, the stacks 30 are alternatively or additionally arranged at least partially offset by 90° from one another.

[0052] In one embodiment, it is further provided that the transport bodies 20 are additionally moved perpendicular to the transport surface during the process step for grouping a plurality of stacks 30 in order to position stacks 30 one above the other.

[0053] In one embodiment, the group of stacks 30 according to Fig. 6 is fed to a packaging material (not shown), for example a film bag, in a subsequent process step (not shown). The stacks 30 are separated from the transport bodies 20. To separate the stacks from the transport bodies 20, the transport bodies 20 are inclined in one embodiment so that the stacks 30 slide off the transport bodies 20. Additionally or alternatively, in one embodiment, the stacks 30 are pushed out by means of suitable sliders or similar elements. After the transfer of the stacks 30, the transport bodies 20 are moved in one embodiment into a start position, for example for receiving and lining up individual products according to the process step shown in Fig. 2.

[0054] In the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 3 to 6, the transport bodies 20 each comprise cassettes 4 without compartments. In other embodiments, transport bodies with cassettes 4 with compartments 40 similar to Fig. 2 are provided for these or similar process steps.

[0055] In yet other embodiments, the transport bodies 20 do not have cassettes 4 for receiving and transporting the individual products 3. The individual products 3 are held on the transport body 20, for example, by gravity or by means of a suitable holding device.

[0056] The embodiments shown are merely examples and numerous modifications are conceivable for the use of a planar transport system 2 in a system for packaging products.

Claims

Patent claims: Plant for packaging products, in particular for packaging hygiene products such as diapers, panty liners, sanitary napkins, incontinence products, wet wipes, toilet paper, kitchen rolls or the like, wherein the plant is set up to package individual products (3) in several process steps (101 , ..., 111) in a packaging unit comprising a packaging material and several individual products (3) at least partially enclosed by the packaging material, characterized in that the system (1) comprises a transport system (2) with a transport surface (21), several transport bodies (20) and a control device (22), wherein the control device (22) is configured to control actuators on the transport surface (21) and / or on the transport bodies, such that the transport bodies (20) can be moved independently of one another simultaneously with speed and / or position control relative to the transport surface (21), and wherein at least a part of the transport bodies (20) is configured to transport individual products (3) and / or groups comprising several individual products (3) between two process steps (101 , ..., 111) and / or to move and / or manipulate individual products (3) and / or groups comprising several individual products (3) and / or the packaging material in at least one process step (101, ... , 111). System according to claim 1, characterized in that a functional unit for carrying out a process step is provided on a transport body (20). System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control device (22) is configured to move two or more transport bodies (20) in a coordinated manner relative to the transport surface (21) for carrying out a process step.The system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the control device (22) is configured to change a position and / or an orientation of a transport body (20) with a received transport item relative to the transport surface for a subsequent process step, and / or to change a position and / or an orientation of a transport body (20) for receiving a transport item relative to the transport surface (21). A system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control device (22) is configured to feed two or more transport bodies (20) with groups of individual products (3) together to a subsequent process step. A method for packaging products, in particular for packaging hygiene products such as diapers, panty liners, sanitary napkins, incontinence products, wet wipes, toilet paper, kitchen rolls or the like, wherein individual products (3) are packaged in several process steps (101, ..., 111) in a packaging unit comprising a packaging material and several individual products at least partially enclosed by the packaging material, characterized in that an individual product (3) and / or a group comprising several individual products (3) and / or the packaging material is manipulated and / or moved in at least one process step and / or for transport between two process steps by means of a transport body (20) moved in a controlled manner relative to a transport surface (21), wherein the transport body (20) and the transport surface (21) are parts of a transport system (2) comprising the transport surface and several transport bodies (20) that can be moved independently of one another simultaneously, speed- and / or position-controlled relative to the transport surface (21).A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the weight of a transport item picked up by means of a transport body (20) is determined from an actuating force for controlling the transport surface (21) for the transport body. A method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that two or more transport bodies (20) are moved in a coordinated manner relative to the transport surface (21) to perform a process step. A method according to claim 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that the position and / or orientation of a transport body (20) with a picked-up transport item is changed relative to the transport surface (21) in order to position and / or orient the transport item for a process step, and / or the position and / or orientation of a transport body (20) is changed relative to the transport surface (21) for picking up a transport item. Method according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that two or more transport bodies (20) with received groups of individual products (3) are jointly fed to a subsequent process step.

Images