Method and device for closing a folding box by means of a cover tab

Abstract

A method and a device are used for closing a folding box by means of a cover flap in a packaging device which has a folding box conveyor which is moved in a conveying direction and which has a plurality of packaging stations for each receiving a folding box, and a closing unit by means of which an insert flap arranged on the cover flap is inserted into the folding box in an insertion direction. The closing unit has a plurality of tools which are brought into contact with the cover flap and / or the insert flap one after the other. The tools are arranged on a carrier part which, together with the tools, is moved by means of a drive force on a first movement path with a movement component in the insertion direction. The first movement path is designed as a closed path curve and the carrier part is adjustably seated on a carriage which is mounted on a secondThe movement path is moved bidirectionally along a guide. The movement of the carrier part and the tools relative to the carriage and the movement of the carriage along the guide are superimposed by a control device such that the tools do not perform any relative movement to the folding boxes in the conveying direction for a period of time T, where T ≥ 200 ms.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for closing a folding box by means of a cover flap in a packaging device which has a folding box conveyor which is moved in a conveying direction and which has a multiplicity of packaging stations arranged one behind the other in a row, each for receiving a folding box filled with a product, and a closing unit by means of which an insert flap arranged on the cover flap is inserted into the folding box in an insertion direction running essentially perpendicular to the conveying direction, wherein the closing unit has a plurality of tools which are brought into contact with the cover flap and / or the insert flap one after the other, wherein the tools are arranged on a carrier part which is moved together with the tools and by means of a drive force on a first movement path with a movement component in the insertion direction.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding device for closing a folding box by means of a cover flap.

[0003] In a packaging machine, a so-called cartoning machine, products are filled into a folding box, which is then closed. For this purpose, a folding box conveyor and a product conveyor are typically arranged side by side. A product positioned on the product conveyor is pushed into an open folding box positioned adjacent to the folding box conveyor at a transfer station. The folding box, filled with product but still open, is then conveyed on the folding box conveyor to a closing unit. In the closing unit, the flaps formed on the folding box are folded and inserted into the folding box.

[0004] The folding box typically has a cover flap, which forms the end wall of the closed folding box, and a tuck-in flap connected to the end facing away from the folding box. In the closing unit, the tuck-in flap is first bent relative to the cover flap. The cover flap and tuck-in flap are then pressed toward the folding box together so that the tuck-in flap is inserted into the folding box. The cover flap and tuck-in flap are then pressed into the folding box again to ensure a locking effect. The thus closed folding box is removed from the closing unit and, if necessary, subjected to further processing.

[0005] A packaging device of this type can be operated in two fundamentally different ways. On the one hand, it is known to move the folding box conveyor and the product conveyor continuously at a constant speed. This continuous operating mode poses the problem that the tools in the closing unit, which are moved perpendicular to the conveying direction of the folding box conveyor, move relative to the folding box or the cover flap during the insertion process due to the continuous movement of the folding box conveyor and thus also of the folding box. The tool thus rubs against the surface of the cover flap, which can cause surface scratches.

[0006] Attempts have been made to move the tools on a closed curved path and to have them follow the folding box in the conveying direction, at least in sections, whereby the relative movement between the folding box and the tools can be reduced but not completely prevented.

[0007] In the other basic operating mode of the packaging device, the product conveyor and the folding carton conveyor are moved in the conveying direction in a cycle. The cycle comprises a transport phase in which the folding carton conveyor with the folding cartons arranged on it are conveyed in the conveying direction, followed by a standstill phase in which the folding carton conveyor and the folding cartons on it are stationary. During the transport phase, the folding carton conveyor is initially accelerated and then decelerated again until it comes to a standstill. With slow-moving packaging devices, the standstill phase is sufficient to insert the tuck-in flap into the folding carton and to close the folding carton with the cover flap.However, with a fast-moving packaging device, the downtime is so short that part of the transport phase must also be used to insert the tuck-in flap. This again results in the aforementioned relative movement between the tools and the surface of the cover flap, which can cause scratches.

[0008] The invention is based on the object of providing a method for closing a folding box by means of a cover flap in a packaging device, in which damage to the cover flap in the closing unit is prevented.

[0009] Furthermore, a corresponding device for closing a folding box by means of a cover flap is to be created, which can be used both in a packaging device operating in continuous mode and in a packaging device operating in cyclic mode.

[0010] The above-mentioned object is achieved from a process engineering point of view by a method having the features of claim 1. It is provided that the first movement path is a closed curved path and that the carrier part, on which the tools are arranged, is arranged so as to be adjustable along the first movement path on a carriage which is moved bidirectionally on a second movement path along a guide by means of a further drive force, wherein the movement of the carrier part and the tools relative to the carriage along the first movement path and the movement of the carriage along the guide along the second movement path are superimposed by means of a control device such that the tools are relatively motionless in the conveying direction relative to the folding boxes for a time period T, where: T ≥ 200 ms. The time period T is preferably in the range from 250 ms to 1000 ms and in particular in the range from 250 ms to 500 ms.

[0011] The invention is based on the basic idea of ​​superimposing the movement of the support part and the tools along the first movement path, which is designed as a closed curved path, and the movement of the carriage along the second movement path in a specific way by means of a control device, wherein these two movements can be carried out independently of one another. For this purpose, the support part, which carries the tools, is arranged so as to be adjustable or movable on the carriage and can be adjusted relative to the carriage along the first movement path. The carriage, together with the support part and the tools, can also be moved back and forth bidirectionally between an initial position and an end position on the second movement path along a guide. The movement of the support part and the tools relative to the carriage along the first movement path and the movement of the carriage along the guide along the secondThe movement path is superimposed by means of a control device which controls the drives and drive forces necessary for the movement in such a way that the tools and thus also the carrier plate do not carry out any relative movement in the conveying direction for a predetermined period of time T relative to the folding boxes and thus also relative to the folding box conveyor, ie they are relatively motionless.

[0012] When the folding boxes are moved in the conveying direction on the folding box conveyor, the tools and the carrier plate are also moved parallel to them with a corresponding movement profile for the time period T, so that no relative movement occurs between these components in the conveying direction. Thus, the time period T, which is ≥ 200 ms, can be used for the tools to act on the top flap and the tuck-in flap with a corresponding movement essentially perpendicular to the conveying direction, pressing them into the folding box. There is no relative movement between the tools and the folding box in the conveying direction, so the top flap cannot be damaged.

[0013] By controlling the control device, the movements along the closed 1st movement path and the movements along the 2nd movement path can be easily changed and adapted to the geometry of the folding box to be closed.

[0014] In one possible embodiment of the invention, the closed trajectory of the first movement path can be a circular path, an elliptical path, or an asymmetrical closed trajectory, i.e., the support part with the tools is continuously moved in a circular motion. The first movement path can have a movement component parallel to the insertion direction.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the 1st movement path has a movement component parallel to the 2nd movement path.

[0016] In a further development of the invention, the movement of the carriage on the second movement path can be a linear, bidirectional movement between an initial position and an end position. In this case, the carriage is moved back and forth in a straight line between the initial position and the end position.

[0017] The second movement path can be designed to run essentially parallel to the conveying direction. The term "essentially parallel" is intended to encompass an exactly parallel path or a slight angular deviation from parallelism in the range of ± 5°.

[0018] Alternatively, the movement on the 2nd trajectory can also be a curved bidirectional movement.

[0019] In one possible embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that, on the one hand, the carrier plate with the tools and, on the other hand, the carriage are each assigned their own drive device, particularly in the form of a servomotor. In this case, the drive force for moving the carrier part and the tools along the first movement path is generated by a first drive device, and the further drive force for moving the carriage along the second movement path is generated by a second drive device, preferably completely independently of one another.

[0020] Alternatively, a common drive device can be provided for generating the drive force for moving the support part and the tools along the first movement path and for generating the further drive force for moving the carriage along the second movement path. In this case, it is preferably provided that a first gear is arranged between the common drive device and the support part and / or a second gear is arranged between the common drive device and the carriage. The gear can be a gear drive, a coupling drive, a gear-and-toothed belt drive, or even a control cam that is forcibly followed by a control element and defines the movement.

[0021] In a first possible embodiment, it can be provided that the folding box conveyor is moved continuously at a constant speed in the conveying direction.

[0022] Alternatively, it can be provided that the folding box conveyor is moved in a conveying direction timed according to a process cycle, wherein the process cycle has a transport phase in which the folding box conveyor and the folding boxes supported on it are conveyed in the conveying direction, and a standstill phase in which the folding box conveyor is stationary. The time period T in which the carrier plate with the tools performs no relative movement relative to the folding box conveyor and relative to the folding boxes in the conveying direction is preferably in the range from 40% to 70% and in particular in the range from 50% to 60% of the duration of the process cycle. A process cycle lasts a total of approximately 700 ms to 1000 ms, so that the time period T can, for example, be between 350 ms and 500 ms.

[0023] During the transport phase, the folding box conveyor is first accelerated in an acceleration zone and then decelerated to a standstill in a braking zone. In a further development of the invention, it can be provided that the carriage is returned to its starting position during the acceleration of the folding box conveyor, i.e., during the acceleration zone.

[0024] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that, at the beginning of the acceleration range, the carriage is initially moved a short distance toward its end position. This ensures that the tools with the carrier plate are also moved a short distance in the conveying direction, whereby a pre-positioned cover flap and / or insert flap is taken over by the next tool and thus held in position. Only then does the carriage return to its starting position.

[0025] The device according to the invention for closing a folding box by means of a cover flap in a packaging device is characterized in that the first movement path is designed as a closed curved path, in that the carrier part is arranged on a carriage so as to be movable or adjustable along the first movement path, wherein the carriage can be moved back and forth bidirectionally between a start position and an end position on a second movement path along a guide by means of a further drive force. The movement of the carrier part and the tools relative to the carriage along the first movement path and the movement of the carriage along the guide along the second movement path can be superimposed by means of a control device such that the tools do not execute any relative movement to the folding boxes in the conveying direction for a time period T, i.e. are relatively motionless, where: T ≥ 200 ms.In particular, the time period T is in the range of 250 ms to 1000 ms and preferably in the range of 250 ms to 500 ms.

[0026] Further features of the device can be taken from the above and following description of the method, both individually and in combination.

[0027] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1A schematic perspective view of the end area of ​​an opened folding box, Fig. 2the folding box according to Fig. 1 when closing and Fig. 3 a schematic representation of the device according to the invention for closing a folding box by means of a cover flap.

[0028] From the Fig. 1 und 2 It is evident how a folding box FS is in a closing unit 12 (see Fig. 3 ) of a packaging device 10 is generally closed.

[0029] The folding box FS has a cuboid-shaped folding box body F 1 defined by side walls, into which a product P has been inserted in a predetermined process step. A cover flap F 2 is integrally formed on a front side edge of the folding box body F 1, which, in the closed state (not shown), forms the front wall of the folding box FS. A tuck-in flap F 3 is formed on the side edge of the cover flap F 2 facing away from the folding box body F 1, forming a folded edge.

[0030] In a first process step, the insertion flap F 3 is folded relative to the cover flap F 2 by means of a first tool 18, as shown in Fig. 2 is shown. Subsequently, the cover flap F 2 is folded relative to the folding box body F 1 by means of a second tool 19. The tuck-in flap F 3 is inserted into the interior of the folding box body F 1 in a known manner, as shown in Fig. 2 indicated by arrow E.

[0031] In a subsequent step, a pressure force directed into the interior of the folding box F is again applied to the cover flap F 2 and thus also to the tuck-in flap F 3 from the outside by means of a third tool 20, which ensures that the tuck-in flap F 3 sits securely in the folding box FS and the cover flap F 2 covers the front side of the folding box body F 1.

[0032] Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a device for closing the folding box FS by means of the cover flap F 2 in the packaging device 10. The packaging device 10 has a linear folding box conveyor 11, which can be a conveyor belt or a so-called folding box chain, which is driven by a drive device (not shown) in a conveying direction R, ie according to Fig. 3 from bottom to top. The folding box conveyor 11 has a plurality of packaging stations 11.1 arranged one behind the other, each of which contains a folding box FS filled with a product P.

[0033] The closing unit 12 is arranged next to the folding box conveyor 11. The closing unit 12 has a carriage 13 that can be moved bidirectionally back and forth along a linear guide 14, which in the illustrated example is formed by two parallel guide rods 15, by means of a drive device 16 (illustrated only schematically) on a second movement path B, which in the illustrated embodiment runs parallel to the conveying direction R, as indicated by the double arrow B.

[0034] A carrier part 17 carries the three tools 18, 19, 20 arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction R and can be moved together with these relative to the carriage 13 along a first movement path A on a closed path curve, as indicated by the arrow A. In the illustrated embodiment, the first movement path A is essentially circular, but other closed path curves are also possible, for example an elliptical path or an asymmetrical path curve.

[0035] By means of the tools 18, 19, 20, the insertion flap F3 and the cover flap F2 for closing the folding box FS can be inserted into the folding box body F1 in the manner described above in an insertion direction E that runs perpendicular to the conveying direction R. The carrier part 17 is driven for movement along the first movement path A by a drive device 21.

[0036] The drive device 16 of the carriage 13 and the drive device 21 of the carrier plate 17 are connected to a control device 23 via lines 24, 25. The control device 23 controls the drive devices 16 and 17 such that the movement of the carrier part 17 and the tools 18, 19, 20 relative to the carriage 13 along the closed first movement path A and the movement of the carriage 13 along the guide 14 along the movement path B are superimposed such that the tools 18, 19, 20 do not perform any relative movement in the conveying direction R for a time period T relative to the folding box conveyor 11 and the folding boxes FS located thereon.The time period T can be used to first bend the tuck-in flap F 3 relative to the cover flap F 2, then in the next time period T the cover flap F 2 is placed onto the folding box by means of the tool 19 while simultaneously inserting the tuck-in flap F 3 into the interior of the folding box body F 1, and then in a subsequent time period T an external compressive force is applied again to lock the tuck-in flap F 3. Due to the lack of relative movement in the conveying direction between the tools 18, 19, 20 and the folding boxes FS, no external damage or scratches occur on the cover flap F 2.

[0037] The movement path B can also run in a straight line at least in sections, it being only essential that the control device 23 can superimpose the movement of the carrier part 17 and the tools 18, 19, 20 relative to the carriage 13 along the 1st movement path and the movement of the carriage 13 along the guide along the 2nd movement path in such a way that for the said time period T no relative movement occurs between the folding boxes FS and the tools 18, 19, 20 in the conveying direction.

Claims

1. A method for closing a folding box (FS) by means of a cover flap (F2) in a packaging device (10) which has a folding box conveyor (11) which is moved in a conveying direction (R) and which has a plurality of packaging stations (11.1) arranged one behind the other in series for receiving a folding box (FS) filled with a product (P), and a closing unit (12) by means of which an insertion flap (F3) arranged on the cover flap (F2) is inserted into the folding box (FS) in an insertion direction (E) running substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction (R), wherein the closing unit (12) has a plurality of tools (18, 19, 20) which are brought into contact one after the other with the cover flap (F2) and / or the insertion flap (F3), wherein the tools (18, 19, 20) are arranged on a carrier part (17) which, together with the tools (18, 19, 20) by means of a driving force on a 1.Movement path (A) is moved with a movement component in the insertion direction (E). characterized in that the 1st movement path (A) is a closed trajectory curve, in that the carrier part (17) is arranged adjustably along the 1st movement path (A) on a carriage (13) which is moved bidirectionally by means of a further drive force on a 2nd movement path (B) along a guide (14), wherein the movement of the carrier part (17) and the tools (18, 19, 20) relative to the carriage (13) along the 1st movement path (A) and the movement of the carriage (13) along the guide (14) along the 2nd movement path (B) are superimposed by means of a control device (23) such that the tools (18, 19, 20) are relatively motionless in the conveying direction (R) for a time period T relative to the folding boxes (FS), where: T ≥ 200 ms.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the time period T is in the range of 250 ms to 500 ms.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the closed trajectory of the 1st movement path (A) is a circular path, an elliptical path or an asymmetric closed trajectory.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the 1st movement path (A) has a movement component parallel to the insertion direction (E).

5. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the 1st movement path (A) has a movement component parallel to the 2nd movement path (B).

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the movement on the 2nd movement path (B) is a linear bidirectional movement between an initial position and an end position.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the 2nd movement path (B) runs essentially parallel to the conveying direction (R).

8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in thatthe driving force for moving the carrier part (17) and the tools (18, 19, 20) on the 1st movement path (A) is generated by means of a 1st drive device (21) and the further driving force for moving the carriage (13) on the 2nd movement path (B) is generated by means of a 2nd drive device (16).

9. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the drive force for moving the carrier part (17) and the tools (18, 19, 20) on the 1st movement path (A) and the further drive force for moving the carriage (13) on the 2nd movement path (B) are generated by means of a common drive device.

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that a gear is arranged between the common drive device and the carrier part (17) and / or between the common drive device and the carriage (13).

11. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in thatthe folding box conveyor (11) is moved continuously at a constant speed in the conveying direction (R).

12. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the folding box conveyor (11) is moved in a cycle in the conveying direction (R), wherein the process cycle comprises a transport phase in which the folding boxes (FS) arranged on the folding box conveyor (11) are conveyed in the conveying direction (R), and a standstill phase in which the folding box conveyor (11) is at a standstill, wherein the time period T is 40% to 70% of the duration of the process cycle.

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the time period T is 50% to 60% of the duration of the procedural cycle.

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in thatthe transport phase has an acceleration range and a braking range and that the carriage (13) is moved back to its starting position during the acceleration range.

15. Method according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the carriage (13) is moved towards its end position at the beginning of the acceleration range.

16. Device for closing a folding box (FS) by means of a cover flap (F2) in a packaging device (10), which has a folding box conveyor (11) which is movable in a conveying direction (R) and which has a plurality of packaging stations (11.1) arranged one behind the other in a row for receiving a folding box (FS) filled with a product (P), and a closing unit (12) by means of which an insertion flap (F3) arranged on the cover flap (F2) can be inserted into the folding box (FS) in an insertion direction (E) running substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction (R), wherein the closing unit (12) has a plurality of tools (18, 19, 20) which can be brought into contact with the cover flap (F2) and / or the insertion flap (F3) one after the other, wherein the tools (18, 19, 20) are arranged on a carrier part (17) which, together with the Tools (18, 19, 20) by means of a driving force on a 1.Movement path (A) with a movement component in the insertion direction (E) is movable, . characterized in that the 1st movement path (A) is designed as a closed trajectory curve, in that the carrier part is arranged adjustably along the 1st movement path (A) on a carriage (13) which is movable bidirectionally on a 2nd movement path (B) along a guide (14) by means of a further drive force, wherein the movement of the carrier part (17) and the tools (18, 19, 20) relative to the carriage (13) along the 1st movement path (A) and the movement of the carriage (13) along the guide (14) along the 2nd movement path (B) can be superimposed by means of a control device (23) such that the tools (18, 19, 20) are relatively motionless in the conveying direction (R) for a time period T relative to the folding boxes (FS), where: T ≥ 200 ms.

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