Method and apparatus for the handling of bags for (hygiene) products

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the handling of bags (10) for (hygiene) products (11), wherein the bags (10) have an opening (25) via which these bags are each filled with at least one product (11), forming the bag contents, and wherein walls of the bags (10) are spaced apart from one another in the region of the opening (25) in order for the bag contents to be introduced into the respective bag (10) via the opening (25), and wherein, once the bag contents have been fed into a bag (10), the respective opening (25) is closed, preferably by sealing of the walls of the bag (10) in the region of the opening (25). Provision is made according to the invention that, once the bag contents have been fed into a bag (10), the filled bag (10) is conveyed in a conveying direction (13) along a conveying route (22) into a closing station (19), in which the filled bag (10) is closed, wherein, in the closing station (19), the filled bag (10) is stopped in a predetermined position along the conveying route (22) by a stopper device (29) in order for the filled bag (10) to be closed in the closing station (19), and that the filled and closed bag (10) is then transferred in the conveying direction (13) by a conveying device (33) to a conveying means (32), in particular a removal belt.

Description

[0001] Method and device for handling bags for (hygiene) products

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a method for handling bags for hygiene products, wherein the bags have an opening through which they are filled with at least one product as bag contents, and wherein walls of the bags are spaced apart from one another in the region of the opening in order to introduce the bag contents into the respective bag via the opening, and wherein after the bag contents have been fed into a bag, the respective opening is closed, preferably by sealing the walls of the bag in the region of the opening, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding device according to the preamble of claim 11.

[0005] Methods and devices of the type mentioned above are known in practice in numerous variants. One problem with the prior art can be the correct sealing of the bags. In particular, it is observed that the bags are often closed or sealed inconsistently.

[0006] Based on this, the invention is based on the object of further developing methods and devices, in particular with regard to a proper closure of the bags, or at least to provide alternative solutions.

[0007] A method for achieving the above-mentioned object has the features of claim 1. It is accordingly provided that after the bag contents have been fed into a bag, the filled bag is conveyed along a (rectilinear) conveying path in a conveying direction into a closing station in which the filled bag is closed, wherein the filled bag is stopped in the closing station in a predetermined position along the conveying path by a stopper device in order to close the filled bag in the closing station, and that the filled and closed bag is then transferred by a conveying device in the conveying direction to a conveying means, in particular a removal belt.

[0008] The solution according to the invention has the advantage, firstly, that the bags are stopped in the same position by the stop device, so that the bags are always sealed at the same location. Secondly, the conveyor device can subsequently accelerate the bag, which has been at rest during sealing, so that transport on the conveyor is possible without problems. This is especially true when the conveyor is driven at high speed or when there is a large difference in speed between the stationary, filled bag and the conveyor.

[0009] Preferably, it can be provided that the stopper device has a stopper member, in particular a stopper plate, which is positioned in the conveyor path to serve as a stop for a filled bag in the predetermined position, wherein the stopper member is moved out of the conveyor path after the respective bag has been closed in order to release the conveyor path for the transfer of the filled and closed bag to the conveyor means.

[0010] Preferably, it can be provided that the filled bags are conveyed one after the other into the closing station and are each stopped individually by the stopper device and then closed, whereupon the stopper member is moved out of the conveying path and the respective filled and closed bag is transferred to the conveying means by the conveying device.

[0011] A further special feature can be that the filled bags are each braked by the stopper element, in particular the stopper plate, before reaching the predetermined position in the closing station, wherein the filled bags are each pressed against the stopper element during transport in the conveying direction, which applies a predetermined pressure to the filled bag counter to the conveying direction until the predetermined position is reached. Furthermore, it can be provided that the stopper element is displaced in the conveying direction by the filled bag during the braking of the filled bag until the filled bag has reached the predetermined position, wherein it is preferably provided that thereafter the filled bag is no longer subjected to a predetermined pressure by the stopper element and is spaced apart from the filled bag, in particular in the conveying direction.

[0012] Furthermore, it can be provided that the pressure exerted on the filled bag by the stopper member for braking the latter is kept constant during braking, in particular by means of a pressure control valve.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the stopper member is moved transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the conveying path or conveying direction in order to stop the filled bag or to release the conveying path, and that the stopper member is moved along the conveying path or in the conveying direction in order to brake the filled bag.

[0014] Preferably, it is provided that the bag contents are conveyed through the opening into the bag by means of a slider and that the filled bag is conveyed into the closing station by the slider resting on the bag contents and that the slider is then moved out of the bag through the opening in order to close the filled bag in the closing station.

[0015] Furthermore, it can be provided that in the closing station, excess bag material outside the sealing area is separated and removed from the closing station, in particular via a suction channel.

[0016] The method can preferably be used when the bag contents are a group of products, in particular a group of hygiene products, wherein the products or hygiene products are arranged side by side in a group with their longitudinal extension parallel to the conveying direction and standing on a longitudinal edge. A device according to the invention has the features of claim 11.It is accordingly provided that the device is designed to convey the filled bag along a conveyor path in a first conveyor direction into a closing station, in which the filled bag is closed, after the bag contents have been fed into a bag, and that the device is designed to stop the filled bag in the closing station in a predetermined position along the conveyor path by means of a stopper device in order to close the filled bag in the closing station, and that the device is designed to subsequently transfer the filled and closed bag to a conveyor means, in particular a removal belt, by means of a conveyor device in the conveyor direction.

[0017] Preferably, it can be provided that the stopper device has a stopper member, in particular a stopper plate, which can be positioned in the conveyor path to serve as a stop for a filled bag in the predetermined position, wherein the device is designed to move the stopper member out of the conveyor path after the respective bag has been closed in order to free the conveyor path for the transfer of the filled and closed bag to the conveyor means.

[0018] Furthermore, it can be provided that the stopper member can be moved up and down in the vertical direction, namely transversely to the conveying path or the conveying direction, by rotating a lever arm of the stopper device.

[0019] One of many other conceivable alternatives may be that the stopper member can be moved via a (belt) drive along a guide extending in a vertical direction, for example by coupling it to a carriage that can be moved along the guide.

[0020] It is preferably provided that the stopper member is movable counter to the conveying direction for braking the filled bags, wherein the stopper member can be subjected to a predetermined pressure p1 via a pneumatic cylinder in order to brake the filled bags transported in the conveying direction.

[0021] It is preferably provided that the device is configured to maintain the predetermined pressure p1 constant via a pressure control valve. In a preferred embodiment, sealing bars are arranged in the closing station to close the bag in the area of ​​the opening, and a pusher of the conveying device engages the filled and sealed bag between the sealing bars and the bag contents and accelerates it in the conveying direction.

[0022] Preferably, it can be provided that the filled bag rests on a track plate in the closing station and that the pusher is designed as a fork-like member with several, in particular three, prongs that pass through corresponding recesses in the track plate in order to be brought into contact with the filled bag.

[0023] Preferably, it can be provided that the movement of the conveyor device is implemented via a coupling gear with two servo drives.

[0024] Numerous alternatives are conceivable here, too. For example, the pusher could be moved horizontally via a linear unit, while the vertical movement of the pusher could be achieved via a carriage that can be moved relative to the linear unit.

[0025] It is preferably provided that the conveying means, in particular the discharge belt, is driven continuously (and at high speed).

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the device, it can be provided that a cutting device for separating excess bag material is arranged upstream of the closing station or the sealing bar belonging to the closing station for sealing the bag in the region of the opening.

[0027] Preferably, the separated, excess bag material can be disposed of via a suction channel assigned to the closing station.

[0028] A further special feature may be that the conveyor device with the pusher is arranged at a predetermined distance from the closing station, in particular that the conveyor device with the pusher is mechanically connected to the closing station and can only be adjusted together with it while maintaining the predetermined distance.

[0029] The stopper element and / or the pusher can be adapted to different bag formats (different bag width, length and height), for example by replacing the elements with elements dimensioned according to the bags to be handled.

[0030] A further special feature may be that the conveyor device with the pusher is arranged at a predetermined distance from the closing station, in particular that the conveyor device with the pusher is mechanically connected to the closing station and can only be adjusted together with it while maintaining the predetermined distance.

[0031] A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the drawing, in which:

[0032] Fig. 1 : a device for handling bags in a schematic spatial representation,

[0033] Fig. 2 to 5: a vertical section through the device along section line II - II in Fig. 1 during successive phases of the movement sequence.

[0034] The invention will be described below with reference to a device for handling bags 10 in connection with the packaging of hygiene products, namely diapers. However, since the device is also suitable for other items, the following will refer to products 11 in general.

[0035] The products 11 are preferably packaged as a group 38 of products 11 as bag contents in a bag 10. The number of products 11 in the bag 10 can vary. It is conceivable to have only one product 11 in the bag 10. In practice, there will be several products 11 within a preferably cuboid-shaped group 38.

[0036] In the case of the diapers in question as products 11, the diapers are produced on a

[0037] Longitudinally upright, they are assembled in a regular arrangement to form a cuboid group 38, with the longitudinal extension of the diapers pointing in the conveying direction 13. Preferably, the group 38 of diapers is also compressed before packaging in the bag in order to reduce the dimensions of the group 38.

[0038] The products 11 are fed by means of a slider 12, which inserts the products 11 into a ready and stretched bag 10. The slider 12 rests against the back of the products 11 or their group 38 and transports them in the conveying direction 13 into the bag 10. In the present case of diapers as products 11, the slider 12 cooperates with a so-called shuttle 14. The slider 12 and shuttle 14 are already known from the prior art, so a detailed description is omitted.

[0039] The bags 10 are transferred as bag stacks 15 by means of a belt conveyor 16 with pin holders 17 to a bag opening station 18, where the bags 10 are filled one after the other with the products 11 through an opening 25 of the bag 10. The structure and operation of the bag opening station 18 are also known from the prior art.

[0040] Following the bag opening station 18, the filled bags 10 are conveyed by the slider 12 to a closing station 19 (Fig. 2). The slider 12 extends through the opening 25 of the bag 10 and rests against the rear, i.e., at the rear in the conveying direction 13, of the group 38 of products 11.

[0041] In the next step, the filled bag 10 is closed in the closing station 19. In the present case, this is done by two sealing bars 20, 21, which are arranged above and below the conveyor line 22 of the filled bags 10 and can be moved together to close the bag 10 by sealing (Fig. 3). The bag 10 rests on a track plate 26. Excess bag material 27 can be severed by a cutting device 23 and disposed of via a suction channel 24 (Fig. 3). The bag material 27 to be severed is initially held in a holding unit 28 for the separation cut to be carried out. After the separation cut has been carried out, the holding unit 28 is released and the bag material 27 is transported away via the suction channel 24. Finally, the filled and sealed bag 10 is transported away by means of a conveyor 32, in particular a removal belt, connected to the track plate 26. Preferably, the removal belt orthe conveyor 32 is driven continuously and at high speed (Fig. 5).

[0042] In order to be able to close the bags 10 at a consistent, predetermined position, a stopper device 29 is used. The stopper device 29 is arranged at a distance downstream of the closing station 19 and has a stopper element 30, for example in the form of a stopper plate, with which the bags 10 are stopped in a predetermined position along the conveyor line 22. For this purpose, the stopper element 20 of the stopper device 29 is positioned in the conveyor line 22 of the filled bags 10 so that the filled bags 10 hit the stopper element 20 and are stopped. In this way, all bags 10 can be stopped one after the other at the same position at a distance from the closing station 19, so that the bags 10 can be closed consistently.

[0043] In a starting position according to Fig. 5, the stopper device 29 with the stopper member 30 is arranged above the conveyor line 22, with the stopper plate moved into a forward position opposite to the conveying direction 13. In this position, the filled and sealed bags 10 can be conveyed onto the discharge conveyor without colliding with the stopper device 29.

[0044] In the next step, the stopper member 30 is lowered into the conveyor section 22 so that the next bag 10 to be sealed can be stopped (Fig. 2). Another special feature is shown in Fig. 3. The stopper member 30 is pushed by the filled bag 10 from the front position in the conveyor direction 13 until the predetermined position of the filled bag 10 is reached. In this way, the filled bag 10 is initially decelerated and not stopped all at once in order to protect the bag contents. For example, the stopper member 30 can be pushed 40 mm in the conveyor direction 13. During this deceleration, the stopper member 30 exerts a predetermined constant pressure p1 on the filled bag 1, which is controlled, for example, by a pressure control valve.Once the filled bag has reached the specified position, the pressure p1 is no longer applied, and the stopper member 30 can even be retracted slightly from the filled bag 12 in the conveying direction 13. To clear the path for the removal of the filled and sealed bag 10, the stopper device 29 is then moved vertically upwards, as shown in Fig. 4. In the upper end position, the stopper plate 30 is then subjected to pressure again and extended to the front position, whereupon the cycle begins again.

[0045] From a design perspective, the vertical movement of the stopper member 30 can be achieved by rotating a lever arm 31. Alternatively, the stopper member 30 can be moved vertically via a belt-driven carriage. Preferably, the horizontal movement of the stopper member 30 is achieved by a pressure cylinder in combination with a linear rail.

[0046] In order to transfer the filled and sealed bags 10 to the conveyor 32 running adjacent to the conveyor plate 26, a conveyor device 33 with a pusher 34 is provided. This pusher accelerates the group 38 of products 11, which is stationary after sealing. The conveyor 32 can thus be operated at a continuous and high speed. Without the pusher 34, the conveyor 32 would initially have to start slowly due to the slippage that occurs between the stationary group 38 and the belt surface, which reduces the possible cycle rate. At a cycle rate of 70 cycles per minute, the pusher 34 can accelerate the filled and sealed bag 10 to approximately 43 m / s. 2 accelerate.

[0047] The pusher 34 can be designed as a fork-like member with several fingers / prongs that grasp the filled and sealed bag 10 from the rear and accelerate it toward the continuously driven conveyor 32. In this way, the filled and sealed bag 10 can be brought to a corresponding speed and transported out of the closing station 19 without having to reduce the speed of the feed or removal.

[0048] The pusher 34 is driven by a coupling gear 35 with two servo motors 36, 37, which are arranged below the track plate 26. The fingers or prongs of the pusher 34 protrude from below through slot-like recesses in the track plate 26 and grasp the filled and sealed bags 10 between the sealing bars 30, 21 and bags 10, and transport the filled and sealed bags 10 in the horizontal conveying direction 13 to the conveyor 32. The pusher 34 then descends and is moved back under the track plate 26 to an initial position and moved upwards again in the vertical direction to transport the next filled and sealed bag 10.

[0049] The position of the pusher 34 or the conveyor device 33 relative to the closing station 19 or the sealing bars 20, 21 is constant: for example, the conveyor device 33 and the closing station 19 can be screwed together so that both can only be adjusted together.

[0050] 11 May 9, 2023

[0051] List of reference symbols

[0052] 10 bags

[0053] 11 Product

[0054] 12 sliders

[0055] 13 Conveying direction

[0056] 14 Shuttle

[0057] 15 stacks of bags

[0058] 16 belt conveyors

[0059] 17 pin holders

[0060] 18 Bag opening station

[0061] 19 locking station

[0062] 20 seal bars

[0063] 21 seal bars

[0064] 22 conveyor line

[0065] 23 Cutting device

[0066] 24 Suction channel

[0067] 25 Opening (Bag)

[0068] 26 track plate

[0069] 27 Bag material

[0070] 28 Holding unit

[0071] 29 Stopper device

[0072] 30 stopper organ

[0073] 31 lever arm

[0074] 32 conveyors (conveyor belt)

[0075] 33 Conveyor system

[0076] 34 kickers

[0077] 35 coupling gears

[0078] 36 servo motor

[0079] 37 Servo motor

[0080] 38 Group

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for handling pouches (10) for (hygiene) products (11), wherein the pouches (10) have an opening (25) through which they are filled with at least one product (11) as pouch contents, and wherein the walls of the pouches (10) are spaced apart from one another in the region of the opening (25) in order to introduce the pouch contents into the respective pouch (10) through the opening (25), and wherein, after the pouch contents have been introduced into a pouch (10), the respective opening (25) is closed, preferably by sealing the walls of the pouch (10) in the region of the opening (25), characterized in that, after the pouch contents have been introduced into a pouch (10), the filled pouch (10) is conveyed along a conveying path (22) in a conveying direction (13) into a closing station (19) in which the filled pouch (10) is closed.wherein the filled bag (10) is held in a predetermined position along the conveyor line (22) in the closing station (19) by a stopper device, (29) is stopped to close the filled bag (10) in the closing station (19), and that the filled and closed bag (10) is then transferred by a conveying device (33) in the conveying direction (13) to a conveying means (32), in particular a conveyor belt.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the stopper device (29) has a stopper element (30), in particular a stopper plate, which is positioned in the conveying path (22) to serve as a stop for a filled bag (10) in the predetermined position, wherein the stopper element (30) is moved out of the conveying section (22) after the respective bag (10) has been closed, in order to clear the conveying section (22) for the transfer of the filled and closed bag (10) to the conveying means (32).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the filled bags (10) are conveyed one after the other into the closing station (19) and each is individually stopped by the stopper device (29) and then closed, whereupon the stopper element (30) is moved out of the conveying section (22) and the respective filled and closed bag (10) is transferred by the conveying device (33) in the conveying direction (13) to the conveying means (32).

4. Method according to claim 3 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the filled bags (10) are slowed down by the stopper (30), in particular the stopper plate, before reaching the predetermined position in the closing station (19), wherein the filled bags (10) are pressed against the stopper (30) during transport in the conveying direction (13), which exerts a predetermined pressure on the filled bag (10) against the conveying direction (13) until the predetermined position is reached.

5. Method according to claim 4 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the stopper element (30) is moved by the filled bag (10) in the conveying direction (13) during the deceleration of the filled bag (10) until the filled bag (10) has reached the predetermined position, wherein it is preferably provided that afterwards the filled bag (10) is no longer subjected to a predetermined pressure by the stopper element (30) and is in particular spaced apart from the filled bag (10) in the conveying direction (13).

6. Method according to claim 4 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure exerted on the filled bag (10) by the stopper organ (30) for braking is kept constant during braking, in particular by means of a pressure regulating valve.

7. Method according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the stopper element (30) is moved transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the conveying path (22) or conveying direction (13) in order to stop the filled bag (10) or to release the conveying path (22), and that the stopper element (30) is moved along the conveying path (22) or in the conveying direction (13) in order to slow down the filled bag (10).

8. Method according to claim 1 or any of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the bag contents are conveyed into the bag (10) through the opening (25) by means of a slide (12) and that the filled bag (10) is conveyed into the closing station (19) by the slide (12) in contact with the bag contents and that the slide (12) is then removed from the closing station (19) through the opening (25). The bag (10) is moved out to close the filled bag (10) in the closing station (19).

9. Method according to claim 1 or any of the other preceding claims, characterized in that in the closing station (19) excess bag material outside the sealing area is separated and removed from the closing station (19), in particular via a suction channel (24).

10. Method according to claim 1 or any of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the bag contents comprise a group (38) of products (11), in particular a group (38) of hygiene products, wherein the products (11) or hygiene products are arranged side by side in a group (38) with their longitudinal extent parallel to the conveying direction (13) and standing on a longitudinal edge.

11. Device for handling pouches (10) for (hygiene) products (11), wherein the pouches (10) have an opening (25) through which they can be filled with at least one product (11) as pouch contents, and wherein the walls of the pouches (10) are spaced apart from one another in the region of the opening (25) in order to introduce the pouch contents into the respective pouch (10) via the opening (25), and wherein the device is configured to close the respective opening (25) after the pouch contents have been introduced into a pouch (10), preferably by sealing the walls of the pouch (10) in the region of the opening (25), in particular for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is configured to convey the filled pouch (10) along a conveying path (22) in a conveying direction (13) into a closing station (19) after the pouch contents have been introduced into a pouch (10).in which the filled bag (10) is closed, and that the device is configured to stop the filled bag (10) in the closing station (19) in a predetermined position along the conveying path (22) by means of a stopper device (29) in order to close the filled bag (10) in the closing station (19), and that the device is configured to subsequently transfer the filled and closed bag (10) by means of a conveying device (33) in the conveying direction (13) to a conveying means (32), in particular a discharge conveyor.

12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the stopper device (29) has a stopper element (30), in particular a stopper plate, which can be positioned in the conveying section (22) to serve as a stop for a filled bag (10) in the predetermined position, wherein the device is configured to move the stopper element (30) out of the conveying section (22) after the respective bag (10) has been closed, in order to clear the conveying section (22) for the transfer of the filled and closed bag (10) to the conveying means (32).

13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the stopper element (30) can be moved up and down by rotating a lever arm of the stopper device (29) in a vertical direction, namely transverse to the conveying path (22) or the conveying direction (13).

14. Device according to claim 11 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the stopper element (30) is movable for braking the filled bags (10) against the conveying direction (13), wherein the stopper element (30) can be acted upon by a pneumatic cylinder with a predetermined pressure p1 in order to brake the filled bags (10) transported in the conveying direction (13).

15. Device according to claim 11 or any of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the device is configured to keep the predetermined pressure p1 constant via a pressure regulating valve.

16. Device according to claim 11 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that sealing bars (20, 21) are arranged in the closing station (19) for closing the bag (10) in the area of ​​the opening (25) and that a pusher (34) of the conveying device (33) grasps the filled and sealed bag (10) between the sealing bars (20, 21) and the bag contents and accelerates it in the conveying direction (13).

17. Device according to claim 16 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the filled bag (10) rests on a track plate (26) in the closing station (19) and that the pusher (34) serves as a fork-like organ with several, in particular three, prongs is formed which pass through corresponding recesses in the web plate (26) in order to be brought into contact with the filled bag (10).

18. Device according to claim 11 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the movement of the conveying device (33) is implemented via a coupling gear (35) with two servo drives (36, 37).

19. Device according to claim 11 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the conveying means (32), in particular the discharge belt, is continuously driven.

20. Device according to claim 11 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that a cutting device (23) is arranged upstream of the closing station (19) or the sealing bars (20, 21) belonging to the closing station (19) for sealing the bag (10) in the area of ​​the opening (25) for separating excess bag material.

21. Device according to claim 20 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the separated, excess bag material can be disposed of via a suction channel (24) associated with the closing station (19).

22. Device according to claim 20 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the conveying device (33) with the pusher (34) is arranged at a predetermined distance to the closing station (19), in particular that the conveying device (33) with the pusher (34) is mechanically connected to the closing station (19) and is adjustable only together with it while maintaining the predetermined distance. *****

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