Folding box erecting device in a cartoning machine

Abstract

A folding box erecting device in a cartoning machine has a storage chute in which a folding box stack is arranged, a counter-suction cup, a depository, and a transport device by means of which at least one suction cup can be moved between the folding box stack, the counter-suction cup, and the depository. The transport device has a carriage that can be moved bidirectionally along a linear first guide in the direction of a first axis X, and a support carriage that can be moved bidirectionally along a linear second guide arranged on the carriage in the direction of a second axis Y. A holder is arranged on the support carriage, which supports the suction cup and, together with the suction cup, is rotationally driven relative to the support carriage about a third axis Z.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a folding box erecting device in a cartoning machine, with a storage shaft in which a folding box stack is arranged, a counter-suction device, a depositing location and a transport device by means of which at least one suction device can be moved between the folding box stack, the counter-suction device and the depositing location.

[0002] A cartoning machine places products or product stacks into a folding box, which is then sealed. A cartoning machine of typical design has a folding box conveyor with a plurality of receiving positions arranged one behind the other, each for a single folding box, and a product conveyor with a plurality of receiving positions arranged one behind the other, each for a product or product group. The folding box conveyor and the product conveyor run alongside each other, at least in sections, and in a transfer unit, the products are usually pushed laterally into the adjacent open folding box.

[0003] In order to load the receiving positions of the folding carton conveyor with empty, erected folding boxes, a folding carton erecting device is arranged upstream of the transfer unit. The folding boxes are fed into a storage chute in a folded, flat state in the form of a folding carton stack. The bottom folding carton of the folding carton stack can be grasped by a suction cup and pulled out of the storage chute and removed. The suction cup holds the folding carton while it is still flat and moves it against a counter suction cup, which sucks in and holds the folding carton on one side. By moving the suction cup relative to the counter suction cup, the folding carton can be pulled apart and thus erected.If necessary, the folding box is moved against stops to achieve the desired upright shape and is then placed either directly on the folding box conveyor or in an intermediate storage location.

[0004] The vacuum cleaner travels along a relatively complex, closed curved path, a so-called cycloid, which is achieved by superimposing several movements, usually defined by control curves. These movements defined by control curves have the disadvantage that, on the one hand, they are very complex to construct and, on the other hand, they follow a fixed sequence, so that changing the curve requires considerable design effort.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of creating a folding box erecting device of the type mentioned, which can be easily adapted to changed conditions, for example a different type or size of folding box.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by a folding box erecting device with the features of claim 1. It is provided that the transport device has a carriage which can be moved bidirectionally along a linear 1st guide in the direction of a 1st axis X, and a support carriage which can be moved bidirectionally along a linear 2nd guide arranged on the carriage in the direction of a 2nd axis Y, wherein a holder is arranged on the support carriage which carries the suction cup and is rotationally driven together with the suction cup relative to the support carriage about a 3rd axis Z.

[0007] The invention is based on the basic idea of ​​not defining the movement of the suction cup via one or more control cams, but rather composing it from the movement of two linear displacements and one rotation. For the movement in the direction of the 1st axis (X-axis), the carriage is moved bidirectionally, i.e. back and forth, along the linear 1st guide by means of a drive device, in particular in the form of a servo motor. The linear 2nd guide, which runs in the direction of the 2nd axis (Y-axis), is formed on the 1st carriage. The support carriage can be moved bidirectionally, i.e. back and forth, along the 2nd guide by means of a drive device, for example in the form of a servo motor. The 1st axis (X-axis) and the 2nd axis (Y-axis) preferably run perpendicular to one another, so that by appropriate control of the drive devices, many points in the direction defined by the 1st axis (X-axis) and the 2nd axis can be moved.axis (Y-axis) can be approached.

[0008] The holder, which supports the suction cup, is located on the support carriage. The holder is driven for rotation about the third axis (Z-axis) by a drive device, for example, a servo motor. For this purpose, a rotary-driven main shaft can be provided on the support carriage, around which the holder rotates together with the suction cup.

[0009] Preferably, the 1st axis (X-axis), the 2nd axis (Y-axis) and the 3rd axis (Z-axis) are each perpendicular to each other.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first axis (X-axis) runs in the direction of removal of a folding box from the storage chute. Typically, the bottom folding box of the folding box stack is removed in the stacking direction, so that the first axis (X-axis) preferably runs in the stacking direction or in the longitudinal direction of the folding box stack.

[0011] Preferably, the second axis (Y-axis) runs perpendicular to a suction and contact surface of the counter-suction device. The counter-suction device comes into contact with the folding box surface at its suction and contact surface and holds it there due to a generated negative pressure. Preferably, the transport device is aligned so that the second axis (Y-axis) runs perpendicular to the suction and contact surface of the counter-suction device and, when the folding box is suctioned onto it, also perpendicular to the suctioned surface of the folding box.

[0012] In a further development of the invention, the suction cup can be assigned a raising finger, which can be brought into contact with the folding box during its erection. The raising finger can be pivoted relative to the suction cup, with the pivoting movement being controlled by a gear mechanism and, in particular, a roller that rolls along a control cam. Preferably, the pivoting movement of the raising finger is derived from the rotational movement of the holder and thus of the suction cup about the third axis (Z-axis).

[0013] The erecting finger can push the folding box into a desired upright position thanks to its rotating movement. This ensures that the folding box is fully erected.

[0014] In a further development of the invention, at least two, and preferably exactly two, suction cups pointing in opposite directions are arranged on the holder. The suction and contact surfaces of the suction cups, which point in opposite directions, are thus offset by 180° in the circumferential direction.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a monitoring device can be provided by means of which the shape of the partially or fully erected folding box can be detected. The monitoring device can comprise a camera and / or sensors with which it is determined whether the folding box has a predetermined target shape before being deposited on the depositing station. In particular with folding boxes that have a square cross-section, it can happen that incorrect erection results in a folding box with an L-shaped cross-section in a double layer. In order to prevent these folding boxes from being deposited on the folding box conveyor in the first place, the shape of the erected folding box can be detected by means of the monitoring device.If it is determined that the desired shape has not been achieved, the incorrectly erected folding box is not placed on the depository but is either ejected or an attempt is made to erect the folding box correctly the next time it passes the counter suction device.

[0016] When the monitoring device detects that the folding box has been correctly erected, the folding box is transferred to the storage location.

[0017] The monitoring device can additionally or alternatively include force sensors that check the force required to pull the bottom folding box of the stack of folding boxes out of the storage chute. If the forces required to pull the folding box are too great, the storage chute can be adjusted, for example, using the so-called retaining fingers that hold the stack of folding boxes in the storage chute.

[0018] In one possible embodiment of the invention, the holder can be continuously rotated around the third axis (Z-axis) at a constant or varying speed. Preferably, however, the holder is rotated stepwise around the third axis (Z-axis), with rotation in 45° or 60° steps being provided, so that each suction cup returns to its starting position after eight or six steps, respectively.

[0019] The following example describes the process for erecting a folding box: In a starting position, the suction cup rests with its suction and contact surface against the underside of the bottom folding box of the stack of folding boxes. The other suction cup supports a previously erected folding box on its suction and contact surface. The box is additionally supported by the erecting finger and is located in an intermediate position between the counter suction cup and the storage location.

[0020] From this initial position, the carriage, together with its superstructures, can be moved away from the folding box stack in the direction of the first X axis, whereby the bottom folding box of the folding box stack is removed from the storage chute 11. The erecting finger can be in line with the suction and contact surface of the suction device and support the folding box while it is still lying flat.

[0021] The main shaft is then rotated by 45° so that the folding box which has just been pulled off and is still lying flat is in an intermediate position between the storage shaft and the counter suction cup, while the folding box which has already been erected on the opposite suction cup is deposited on the depositing position 29.

[0022] The main shaft is then rotated another 45° so that the folding carton, still lying flat and gripped by the first suction cup, lies parallel to the suction and contact surface of the counter suction cup. The support carriage, together with the holder and the suction cups, is then moved along the second Y-axis toward the counter suction cup until the surface of the folding carton facing away from the suction cup rests against the suction and contact surface of the counter suction cup.

[0023] The support carriage then retracts along the second Y-axis, with the counter suction cup still holding the folding box on its outer side, thus aligning the folding box. As the support carriage retracts, the erecting finger is rotated 90° via a gear, thus supporting the erecting movement of the folding box.

[0024] After the folding box has been erected, the main shaft is rotated again and at the same time the carriage is moved in the direction of the folding box stack along the 1st axis X, so that a state is reached again which corresponds to the initial state with the difference that the other suction cup is now in contact with the folding box stack.

[0025] Further details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 shows a folding box erecting device according to the invention when removing a folding box from the storage shaft, Fig. 2 shows the folding box erecting device according to Fig. 1 in a position rotated by 45°, Fig. 3 the folding box erecting device according to Fig. 2 in a position rotated by a further 45° and Fig. 4 the folding box erecting device according to Fig. 3 in a position rotated by another 90°.

[0026] One in Fig. 1 The folding box erecting device 10 shown for a cartoning machine has a base frame 24 fixed to the frame, on one side of which is arranged a storage chute 11 delimited by side walls 13, in which a folding box stack 12 is deposited. The storage chute 11 opens towards the interior of the base frame 24, so that a folding box FS of the folding box stack 12 can be pulled inwards from the storage chute 11 in a removal direction E, which coincides with a first axis X.

[0027] A counter-suction device 30 is arranged offset by 90° to the storage shaft 11 and has a suction and contact surface 30.1 facing the interior of the base frame 24. Furthermore, a storage location 29 is formed on the base frame 24, onto which the folding box FS can be placed after it has been erected.

[0028] The base frame 24 supports a transport device 14 with a linear first guide 17 formed by two spaced-apart guide rods 18. A carriage 19 is mounted on the guide rods 18, which can be moved bidirectionally, i.e., back and forth, in the longitudinal direction of the first guide 17 and in the direction of the first axis X by means of a drive device (not shown), as indicated by the double arrows A.

[0029] A support carriage 21 is mounted on a cross member 20 of the carriage 19, which can be moved bidirectionally, i.e., back and forth, along a second linear guide 23 formed by the cross member 20 of the carriage 19 by means of a drive device (not shown) along a second axis Y, as indicated by the double arrow B. The second axis Y runs perpendicular to the first axis X.

[0030] On the support carriage 21 is a main shaft 26 which runs in the direction of a 3rd axis Z, whereby the 3rd axis Z is perpendicular to the 1st axis X as well as perpendicular to the 2nd axis Y and perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in Fig. 1 The main shaft 26 is rotationally driven and can be rotated about the 3rd axis Z, as indicated by arrow D.

[0031] A holder 16 is mounted on the main shaft 26 and rotates with the main shaft 26. Two suction cups 15, 25 are provided on the holder 16, with their suction and contact surfaces 15.1, 25.1 facing in opposite directions. The suction cups 15, 25 are each connected to the holder 16 via a suction cup holder 22, with the suction cup holders 22 each additionally pivotally supporting a raising finger 27.

[0032] The main shaft 26 can be rotated in steps of, for example, 45° each until it reaches its starting position again.

[0033] In a Fig. 1 In the initial position shown, the suction cup 15 rests with its suction and support surface 15.1 on the underside of the lower folding box FS of the folding box stack 12. The other suction cup 25 carries a previously erected folding box FS' on its suction and support surface 25.1, which is additionally supported by the erecting finger 27 and is located in an intermediate position between the counter suction cup 30 and the storage location 29.

[0034] Starting from the initial position according to Fig. 1 the carriage 19, together with its superstructures, is moved away from the folding box stack 12 in the direction of the first axis X, whereby the lower folding box FS of the folding box stack 12 is pulled out of the storage shaft 11. The erecting finger 27 lies in a plane with the suction and contact surface 15.1 of the suction device 15 and supports the still flat folding box FS.

[0035] The main shaft 26 is then rotated by 45°, so that the folding box FS which has just been pulled off and is still lying flat is in an intermediate position between the storage shaft 11 and the counter suction cups 30, while the folding box FS which has already been erected on the opposite suction cup 25 is deposited on the depositing position 29. The position is in Fig. 2 shown.

[0036] The main shaft 26 is then rotated again by 45° so that the folding box FS, still lying flat and gripped by the first suction cup 15.1, lies parallel to the suction and contact surface 30.1 of the counter suction cup 30. The support carriage 21 is then moved together with the holder 16 and the suction cups 15, 25 along the second axis Y in the direction of the counter suction cup 30 until the surface of the folding box FS facing away from the suction cup 15 rests against the suction and contact surface 30.1 of the counter suction cup 30. This state is shown in Fig. 3 shown.

[0037] The support carriage 21 is then retracted along the second axis Y, with the counter suction cup 30 still holding the folding box FS on its outer side, thereby aligning the folding box FS. As the support carriage 21 retracts, the erecting finger 27 is rotated by 90° via a gear mechanism (not shown), thus assisting the erecting movement of the folding box FS.

[0038] After the folding box FS has been erected, the main shaft 26 is rotated again and at the same time the carriage 19 is moved in the direction of the folding box stack 12 along the 1st axis X, so that a state is now reached again which corresponds to the state according to Fig. 1 with the difference that the suction cup 25 now rests against the folding box stack 12.

[0039] In the path of movement between the counter-suction device 30 and the depositing location 29, a monitoring device 28 is provided, only schematically indicated. This monitoring device may have a camera and / or sensors to check whether the folding box FS, which is about to be deposited at the depositing location, is properly erected. If this is not the case, the incorrectly erected folding box FS is not deposited at the depositing location 29, but is either ejected or another attempt is made to erect the folding box FS using the folding box erection device 10.

Claims

1. Folding box erecting device (10) in a cartoning machine, with a storage shaft (11) in which a folding box stack (12) is arranged, a counter-suction device (30), a depositing location (29) and a transport device (14) by means of which at least one suction device (15, 25) can be moved between the folding box stack (12), the counter-suction device (30) and the depositing location (29), characterized in that the transport device (14) has a carriage (19) which can be moved bidirectionally along a linear 1st guide (17) in the direction of a 1st axis X, and a support carriage (21) which can be moved bidirectionally along a linear 2nd guide (23) arranged on the carriage (19) in the direction of a 2nd axis Y, wherein a holder (16) is arranged on the support carriage (21), which holder carries the suction cup (15, 25) and is rotatably driven together with the suction cup relative to the support carriage (21) about a 3rd axis Z.

2. Folding box erecting device according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe 1st axis X and the 2nd axis Y and the 3rd axis Z are perpendicular to each other.

3. Folding box erecting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the 1st axis X runs in the removal direction E of a folding box (FS) from the storage shaft (11).

4. Folding box erecting device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the 2nd axis Y runs perpendicular to a suction and contact surface (30.1) of the counter-suction device (30).

5. Folding box erecting device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the suction device (15, 25) is assigned an erecting finger (27) which can be brought into contact with the folding box (FS) when it is erected.

6. Folding box erecting device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that two suction cups (15, 25) pointing in opposite directions are arranged on the holder (16).

7. Folding box erecting device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in thata monitoring device (28) is provided by means of which the shape of the folding box (FS) can be detected.

8. Folding box erecting device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the holder (16) can be rotated step by step around the 3rd axis Z.

9. Folding box erecting device according to claim 8, characterized in that the holder (16) can be rotated in steps of 45° to 60°.

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