Bag fitting system and method for operating same

Abstract

The invention relates to a bag fitting system (100), comprising a bag fitting device (200) for fitting empty bags (400) onto a filling connection (501) of a packing machine (500) and comprising a supply (300) of empty bags (400). A conveyor device (1) comprising a conveyor section (2) with a first end (3) and a second end (4) is provided between the bag fitting device (200) and the supply (300) of empty bags (400), wherein empty bags (400) are conveyed along the conveyor section (2) by means of the conveyor device (1), empty bags (400) are supplied to the conveyor section from the supply (300) at the first end (3), and empty bags (400) are supplied to the bag fitting device (200) at the second end (4). In the method for operating such a bag fitting system (100), an empty bag (400) is supplied to the conveyor section (2) of a conveyor device (1) from a supply (300) at the first end (3) of the conveyor section (2) and is transferred to the bag fitting device (200) at the second end (4) of the conveyor section (2).

Description

[0001] Sack loading system and method for operating

[0002] Description

[0003] The present invention relates to a bag-seating system comprising at least one bag-seating device for placing empty bags onto a filling nozzle of a packing machine and at least one supply of empty bags. The present invention further relates to a method for operating such a bag-seating system.

[0004] Various packaging machine designs have become known in the prior art. In particular, rotating packaging machines with multiple filling nozzles distributed around the circumference often have a so-called bag-opening plug, which accelerates empty bags in the so-called firing channel and shoots the empty bags onto a rotating filling nozzle. Such systems are also used, in particular, with so-called valve bags.

[0005] A bag feeder as described above is disclosed, among other things, in EP 2 340 206 A1. Such bag feeders generally also have a bag supply, with individual stacks of bags being fed to the bag feeder via an inlet. In the bag feeder, individual bags are then fed one after the other into the discharge channel using grippers and other technical components. A disadvantage of such systems, however, is that the bag storage area is freely accessible and a considerable number of bags can go missing. This means that bags have to be reordered and refilled more often than planned, resulting in considerable additional costs. Furthermore, the known bag feeders are relatively large due to the necessary technology, making installation challenging, particularly in difficult installation situations.This technology is located in a very unfavorable working environment, as considerable dust can be generated during filling, especially when bags burst, etc. Furthermore, the dusty environment is sometimes critical in terms of occupational safety. Another occupational safety issue is the proximity of an operator, especially when manually feeding bags, to moving parts and the rotating packing machine.

[0006] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a packaging machine that improves at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, maintenance costs can be reduced, occupational safety can be improved, and / or better theft protection can be enabled.

[0007] This object is achieved by a bag-seating system having the features of claim 1 and by a method for operating a bag-seating system having the features of claim 24. Preferred developments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims. Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the general description and the description of the exemplary embodiment.

[0008] The bag placing system according to the invention comprises at least one bag placing device for placing empty bags onto one or more filler necks of a packing machine, and at least one supply of empty bags. At least one conveyor device with at least one conveyor section with at least one first end and at least one second end is provided between the bag placing device and the supply of empty bags. By means of the conveyor device, empty bags are conveyed individually, at least in sections, along the conveyor section, with empty bags being fed (individually) from the supply at the first end of the conveyor section, and with (conveyed) empty bags being fed individually or individually to the bag placing device at the second end.

[0009] The insertion system comprises, in particular, at least one packing machine, which is preferably designed as a rotating packing machine. Such a rotating packing machine generally comprises at least two filling nozzles, which are distributed around the circumference of the packing machine and are conveyed past the bag insertion device during the rotation of the packing machine.

[0010] The bag-loading device is designed, in particular, as a so-called bag-loading plug, which can preferably shoot bags onto a filling spout or can also be attached to a filling spout in another way. Particularly when using a rotating packing machine, the bag-loading device can be designed such that empty bags are shot onto a rotating filling spout via a so-called firing channel.

[0011] The empty sacks can be designed in different ways. Both material properties and other properties can be selected as appropriate depending on the design. In particular, the sacks used are initially folded flat or are stored folded flat and in particular have a sack bottom or a sack top which opens, for example, in a diamond shape when a sack is placed in the plug-in device or are opened accordingly by the sack plug-in device. In particular, valve sacks can be used which are initially folded flat and then preferably conveyed in a T-shape or with a T-shaped protruding sack bottom or a sack top, wherein this T-shaped design opens in a diamond shape when fed into the sack plug-in device or by the sack plug-in device.Preferably, a bag-applying device has an approximately diamond-shaped and / or tubular discharge channel.

[0012] Depending on the design, the supply of bags from the supply can be carried out manually and / or automatically.

[0013] The fact that the bags are conveyed individually and fed to the bag loading device means in particular that no bundles or stacks of bags are conveyed, but rather individual or separated bags are transported.

[0014] The bag insertion system according to the invention offers many advantages. A significant advantage is that it allows for a separation of the bag storage or supply of bags from the bag insertion device.

[0015] Such a separation of bag storage and attachment device offers at least, among other advantages, that the bags can be securely stored in the supply of empty bags provided separately from the attachment device. The bags can then be kept in a locked area and thus protected, for example, from theft. Such a bag storage area or a supply of empty bags can, for example, be locked, and only those bags are conveyed to the bag attachment device that are actually processed there. Furthermore, the storage of empty bags and the technology required to insert the empty bags into the conveyor line, which in the prior art feeds the bags to the discharge channel, can be made possible in a cleaner area than near the filling system or the packing machine.

[0016] A further advantage is that by separating the bag storage or supply of empty bags and the attachment device or the bag attachment device, depending on the design, the

[0017] This makes better use of the available space, for example, in a warehouse. Depending on its design, the conveyor system can also accommodate or cover curves and height differences, allowing the bag storage system to be installed even in difficult installation conditions. Such a height difference can, for example, extend over or bridge multiple floors.

[0018] Preferably, at least one bag feed device is assigned to the first end of the conveyor device. Such a bag feed device can preferably be loaded manually, but in particular can also be designed as a bag attachment device or comprise a bag attachment device. Depending on the configuration, a bag attachment device of the same construction as that at the second end of the conveyor device can also be provided. Such a bag feed device comprises in particular at least one assembly which can, for example, separate a stack of bags and feed them to the conveyor line. The bag feed device is in particular assigned to the supply of empty bags. Thus, it is preferably also possible for the bag feed device to be securely housed in a closed area so that empty bags cannot be stolen by unauthorized persons at this point either.Furthermore, the personnel can operate the automatic bag feeding device or supply it with entire bundles of bags in a more protected working environment away from the dust area of ​​the machine, or with manual feeding, feed the individual bags directly onto the conveyor line.

[0019] The conveying device particularly preferably comprises at least one circulating conveying element which conveys a sack to be conveyed at least in sections. In particular, for example, a circulating belt or the like can be provided, by means of which, with a suitable type of counter-bearing, a sack is conveyed along the conveying path. For example, a sliding plate or a roller bar can be provided which is arranged on the opposite side to the circulating conveying element. In this way, a sack clamped between the sliding plate or a roller bar or the like can be moved by means of the conveying element. Depending on the design, the counterpart to the circulating conveying element can also be another circulating conveying element. In particular, the conveying device can comprise a so-called double-belt conveyor or be designed as such.

[0020] The conveying element preferably holds a sack to be conveyed at least in sections. In this case it is particularly preferred that a sack to be filled is clamped at least in sections by means of at least one conveying element so that the sack cannot fall away and is conveyed. This can be the case in particular if the sack body hangs freely and the sack base or the sack cover is folded over in a T-shape and additionally geometrically prevents it from slipping downwards out of the conveying element or the conveying elements. This is preferably also done in this way with sewn sacks which do not have a T-shape but where the end of the sack is folded over and sewn, whereby a relative thickening is created which prevents it from slipping out.

[0021] In expedient further developments, at least two (rotating) conveyor elements are provided, between which a valve bag to be filled is held or clamped at least in sections. It is thus possible for a bag to be conveyed in a predetermined direction and in particular from the first end of the conveyor device from the bag storage area to the second end of the conveyor section, namely to the bag attachment device, by a particularly synchronized movement of the two rotating conveyor elements. Both conveyor elements then run essentially parallel, at least in sections, and can preferably also at least almost touch or even touch. A bag can be held and conveyed in particular by a type of frictional adhesion or by clamping a bag between the two conveyor elements.

[0022] In expedient developments, the conveying element is driven. This allows the conveying element, which is in contact with a bag to be conveyed, to move toward the second end of the conveyor line, thus conveying the bag to the bag applicator.

[0023] The conveyor element preferably comprises at least one belt, at least one strap, at least one chain, and / or the like. In particular, the use of a round belt, a flat belt, and / or another belt with a suitable contour may be expedient.

[0024] Particularly preferably, the bags are transported essentially suspended, at least in sections. In this case, it is particularly possible to use, for example, a bag loading device with a loading channel, whereby bags are then inserted or "shot" individually into the conveyor line.

[0025] In expedient embodiments, the conveyor line includes at least one horizontal curve. This means, in particular, that the conveyor line includes left and / or right curves, viewed in the direction of transport. This makes it possible, in particular, to provide not only a straight conveyor line, but also to set up the bag supply or the supply of empty bags at other, more distant locations that cannot be reached in a straight line via the conveyor line.

[0026] In preferred embodiments, the conveyor line comprises at least one convex and / or concave curve. This makes it possible, in particular, for the conveyor line to compensate for and / or describe height differences. For example, it is also possible to install the bag supply and the attachment device, or the packing machine, or the filling nozzles of a packing machine, on different floors of a hall.

[0027] Preferably, overlapping curves can also be provided.

[0028] Preferably, the conveyor line comprises at least one support structure at least for the conveyor elements.

[0029] In expedient embodiments, the support structure comprises at least one support element. A support element can be provided, for example, by a pipe, a pipe section and / or by a plurality of assembled pipe sections or the like. Such a support element then specifies the basic shape or design of the conveyor device or the conveyor line. At least one holding element, such as a holding plate or a sheet metal structure or the like, can be provided on such a support element, for example, in particular for holding the at least one conveyor element. Alternatively or additionally or in combination, the support element can also be provided, for example, by a ceiling and / or beams and / or supports already present on site. In preferred developments, the support structure comprises at least one holding element received on the support element. A holding element can then be, in particular, for examplebe attached to a support element designed as a tube and / or be attached directly to existing load-bearing structures on site, e.g. holding elements can also be screwed directly to an existing building ceiling.

[0030] In advantageous embodiments, the support structure comprises at least one bearing device for the conveying element. Such a bearing device can, for example, be designed as a bearing roller or roller and / or comprise at least one roller. A bearing device serves, in particular, as a guide for the conveying element and / or, in particular in a roller-like configuration, can also support or promote the movement of the conveying element.

[0031] Preferably, the bearing device is associated with the holding element. Thus, it is particularly possible to provide holding elements with at least one roller at various sections of the support element in order to transfer the correct shape of the conveyor line to the conveyor element.

[0032] In expedient developments, at least one lifting device is provided and, in particular, assigned to at least one storage device. Such a lifting device can, for example, be provided by suitably shaped sheets and / or rods or bars, which guide or lift a bag conveyed through the conveyor line over the storage device or rollers. The lifting device, in particular, provides a type of ramp, which supports the bag as it crosses the storage devices. Depending on the design, this slight "lifting" of the bag preferably slightly bends or processes the flat leg of a hanging bag, so that, for example, when using valve bags, the valve is already slightly pre-opened as it passes over the lifting devices, which prepares and facilitates the actual opening of the valve at the end of the conveyor line or during the transition to the bag loading device.This can be particularly the case if the sack body is hanging freely and the upper sack bottom or the sack top is folded over in a T-shape. Depending on the design, the T-shaped folded leg or the upper sack bottom or the sack top could then possibly hit the storage devices and / or the holding element, which could cause the sack to become jammed and block the conveyor line. This is prevented by lifting the T-shaped leg or both sides of the leg in particular. Furthermore, depending on the design, particularly when valved sacks are used, the valve can be pre-opened or made more flexible during conveying. The sack body is clamped relatively firmly between the conveyor elements and so when the sack passes over the lifting devices only the T-shaped leg or both sides of it are lifted and moved relative to the sack body.This creates a sort of rolling motion that pre-opens the flattened valve toward the open position. Should the bag body also drift upwards due to passing over the lifting devices, it will slide downwards again due to gravity in the conveyor section between two holding elements, particularly until it rests on a T-shaped leg or a thickened portion in a sewn bag, since the pressure between the conveying elements is lower there.

[0033] Preferably, at least one guide device is assigned to at least the second end of the conveyor line. Such a guide device serves in particular to transfer a sack conveyed through the conveyor line into the sack applicator in a predetermined manner. Such a guide device is provided in particular as a guide plate, wherein preferably at least two guide devices or two guide plates (left and right) are provided in order to properly transfer the sack into the sack applicator or into the firing channel of the applicator. Such a guide device supports and / or brings about the opening of a valve sack, for example. In this case, it is provided in particular that the sack applicator has an approximately diamond-shaped firing channel, wherein the guide plates determine the shape of the diamond-shaped or rounded sack cover orThe diamond-shaped design of the upper area of ​​the bag facilitates the opening of the bag valve. Those skilled in the art are familiar with the various types of bags for use in a packaging machine, and in particular, the design of a valve bag is also familiar. In a valve bag, a bag bottom encloses the valve, with the valve area being designed in two layers, so that a filling spout can be guided into the interior of the bag to fill with product.

[0034] The applicant reserves the right to apply for separate protection for a bag-loading device with such a guiding device.

[0035] Particularly preferably, at least one drive station is assigned to the conveying device. In particular, at least one drive is provided for at least one conveying element. Depending on the design and length of the conveying path, at least one intermediate drive can also be provided, in particular to ensure continuous or uniform conveying or tensile load distribution of the conveying element.

[0036] In expedient embodiments, the conveyor line comprises at least one deflection station at least at the first end and / or at the second end. Such a deflection station is provided in particular to bring about the circumferential configuration of the conveyor element. For example, a belt return from the first end to the second end can be brought about. Such a deflection station can, for example, be provided by at least one roller via which the conveyor element is returned or the direction of the conveyor element is deflected. Depending on the embodiment, however, a deflection can also take place, for example upwards, in order to feed the conveyor element to the drive station and / or a tensioning station. If a conveyor line consists of more than one belt per side, deflection stations can also be provided in the conveyor line.

[0037] Preferably, the deflection station, the drive station, and / or the tensioning station are provided, at least in sections, in at least one assembly. Thus, the two stations can preferably merge into one another and / or comprise at least one common assembly. In particular, the drive station and / or at least the deflection station can be provided at the second end of the conveyor line.

[0038] Preferably, at least one tensioning station is assigned to at least one conveyor element of the conveyor line. With such a tensioning station, a conveyor element can be initially tensioned and / or the tension can be subsequently adjusted and / or adapted. The tensioning device can be implemented using methods known in the art, e.g., via a weight-loaded pretension, via a spindle system, pneumatically, etc.

[0039] The conveyor line is preferably of modular construction. This means that a conveyor line can be put together as required, for example from straight elements and curved elements. A conveyor element can then be threaded into the conveyor line and shortened or connected as required. The method according to the invention is suitable for operating a bag loading system as described above. Empty bags are fed from a supply into the conveyor line of a conveyor device at the first end of the conveyor line. After the bags have been conveyed through the conveyor line, the empty bags are transferred to the bag loading device at the second end of the conveyor line.

[0040] The method according to the invention also offers the advantages that have already been described for the bag attachment system according to the invention.

[0041] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiment which will be explained below with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0042] The figures show:

[0043] Fig. 1 is a purely schematic representation of an embodiment of a packing system according to the application with a bag insertion system according to the application in a perspective view;

[0044] Fig. 2 shows the embodiment according to Figure 1 in a plan view;

[0045] Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a packing system from the prior art;

[0046] Fig. 4 is a purely schematic representation of an embodiment of a packing system according to the application with a bag insertion system according to the application in a plan view;

[0047] Fig. 5 is a purely schematic representation of a further embodiment of a packing system according to the application with a bag attachment system according to the application in a plan view;

[0048] Fig. 6 is a purely schematic representation of another embodiment of a packing system according to the application with a bag insertion system according to the application in a plan view;

[0049] Fig. 7 is a purely schematic representation of a next embodiment of a packing system according to the application with a bag attachment system according to the application in a plan view;

[0050] Fig. 8 is a purely schematic representation of a section of a conveyor line of an embodiment of a bag insertion system according to the application in a perspective view;

[0051] Fig. 9 is a purely schematic detailed view of the conveyor line of an embodiment of a bag insertion system according to the application in a perspective view;

[0052] Fig. 10 is a purely schematic representation of the second end of the conveyor line with the bag insertion device of an embodiment of a bag insertion system according to the application in a perspective view;

[0053] Fig. 11 is a further purely schematic representation of the second end of the conveyor line with the bag insertion device of an embodiment of a bag insertion system according to the application in a perspective view; and

[0054] Fig. 12 is a next purely schematic representation of the second end of the conveyor line with the bag insertion device of an embodiment of a bag insertion system according to the application in a perspective view;

[0055] Fig. 13 shows another purely schematic representation of the second end of the conveyor line with the bag insertion device of an embodiment of a bag insertion system according to the application in a perspective view;

[0056] Fig. 14 is a further purely schematic representation of the second end of the conveyor line with the bag insertion device of an embodiment of a bag insertion system according to the application in a perspective view; and

[0057] Fig. 15 is a purely schematic representation of the second end of the conveyor line with the bag insertion device of an embodiment of a bag insertion system according to the application in a perspective view.

[0058] Figure 1 shows a purely schematic perspective view of a bag application system 100 according to the application or a packing system 50 according to the application.

[0059] In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the packing system 50 comprises a rotating packing machine 500, by means of which, in the exemplary embodiment shown here, bulk material can be filled into bags. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the packing machine 500 comprises eight filling modules 502 distributed over the circumference, each comprising a filling nozzle 501. The filling nozzles 501 are arranged outwards and distributed over the circumference of the packing machine 500. The filling nozzles 501 can thus rotate 360° about a central rotation axis 503, with an empty bag being pushed or shot onto a filling nozzle 501 at a specific position and then filled during the rotation. For this purpose, the product to be filled is fed via the filling nozzle 501 from a silo (not shown in detail here). For this purpose, the corresponding conveyor technology can be provided in particular in the filling modules 502.

[0060] For attaching or, in this case, shooting empty bags 400 onto a filling nozzle 501, a bag attachment device 200 is provided in the illustrated embodiment, which in this case comprises a firing channel 201. The bag attachment device 200 shown is designed such that a bag 400 received in the firing channel 201 is accelerated by means of a driven conveyor belt and a roller bar and is shot towards a filling nozzle 501 on the side of the firing channel 501 facing the packaging machine 500. The shooting of the empty bags is adapted to the rotation speed of the packaging machine 500 and thus to the filling nozzles 501 rotating past.

[0061] In the prior art, such a bag applicator 200 typically includes a bag supply and gripper technology, as well as other components for separating bags from a stack of bags, lifting them, and feeding them to the loading channel 501. However, depending on the design and location of such a packing system, such a bag applicator, or such a bag applicator 200, this can be disadvantageous. On the one hand, such bag applicators known from the prior art require considerably more space than the embodiment shown here.Furthermore, the bag supply and the necessary technology, consisting of a multitude of moving parts for separating bags and inserting the separated bags into the discharge channel, are located in the dirty area of ​​the packing machine. This is always accompanied by a considerable amount of dust, especially when filling bags with bulk material, such as cement, even when optimal filling conditions and optimal technology are present. Furthermore, the bag supply is then in an unguarded and accessible area, which can also lead to problems depending on the location of the bag insertion device or the packing machine.

[0062] In order to separate the bag supply 300 or the supply 300 for empty bags 400 and the technology for separating bags and the incoming discharge channel, a conveyor device 1 is provided in the illustrated embodiment, which comprises a conveyor line 2. The conveyor device 1 and the bag attachment device 200 are comprised here by a bag attachment system 100 according to the application.

[0063] The conveyor device 1 or the conveyor line 2 has a first end 3 and a second end 4. The second end 4 of the conveyor line 2 is assigned to the bag insertion device 200, wherein empty bags are introduced individually at the first end 3 of the conveyor line 2.

[0064] In order to convey the bags 400 along the conveyor line 2, at least one conveyor element 5 is provided, which conveys the empty bags 400 in the embodiment shown here in a hanging manner in the direction of the bag attachment device 2.

[0065] The bag loading system 100 according to the application and the resulting separation of the bag loading device 200 and the bag supply 300 or the technology required for introducing the empty, isolated bags into the conveyor line 2 make it possible to relocate the supply 300 from this feed device 600 into a clean and enclosed area. This prevents empty bags 400 from the supply 300 of the bag loading system 100 from being stolen by unauthorized persons, particularly when the bags are palletized by a robot. Furthermore, the supply 300 and the bag feed device 600 can be located in a relatively clean area, which generally results in a longer service life and less frequent maintenance.It is also possible to remove personnel from the directly dusty area of ​​the packing machine and perform the manual attachment, which is still practiced in some countries, in a dust-protected area away from the machine. Furthermore, personnel are thus not exposed to the immediate danger zone of the rotating packing machine.

[0066] In the illustrated embodiment, the conveyor line 2 is depicted as relatively short and linear. However, this only serves to better illustrate the bag-loading system 100 according to the application.

[0067] However, the conveyor line 2 can preferably be designed to be of any desired length and, depending on the design, can also have left and right curved sections 7 and / or convex or concave curved sections 8 and also overlapping curved sections, which are not shown in Figure 1, however. This makes it possible to provide the conveyor line 2 around curves and also with a height difference. In particular, it is also possible for the bag supply 300 and the bag placement device 200 to be arranged on different floors of a building or hall.

[0068] Figure 2 shows a purely schematic plan view of the embodiment already shown in Figure 1. Here, too, one can see the supply 300 for empty bags 400, the conveyor device 1 with the conveyor line 2, the bag insertion device 200 with the firing channel 201 for shooting empty bags 400 onto the rotating filling nozzles 501 of a rotating packing machine 500. Figure 3 shows a purely schematic view of a packing system 50 known from the prior art, comprising a rotating packing machine 500, a bag insertion device 200, and a discharge device 700.

[0069] Here, the bag loading device 200 comprises, as is usual in the prior art, a bag feeding device 600, by means of which bags are separated and transferred into the loading channel, and a supply 300 for empty bags 400. However, these can also be fed externally continuously as bundles or from the roll or automatically.

[0070] The discharge device 700 serves to transport filled bags 400 at a filling nozzle 501 during the rotation of the packing machine 500, for example in order to convey them to a palletizer.

[0071] The discharge device 700 is not depicted in the previously shown embodiment. However, it can be seen here that, due to the necessary technology of the bag insertion device 200, and in particular due to the assemblies that separate the empty bags 400 and feed them to the discharge channel 501, the discharge device 700 must be arranged offset by at least approximately 30° from the bag insertion device 200, as in the prior art shown.

[0072] The firing channel 201 is generally provided radially to the rotation axis 503, wherein according to the application the firing channel 201 is arranged for or the central longitudinal axis of the firing channel 201 at a rotation angle of the packing machine 500 of 0°, or the installation location of the firing channel 201 is defined as a 0° rotation angle of the packing machine 500. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the packing machine rotates anti-clockwise, wherein the discharge device 700 in the prior art must be arranged at a rotation angle of approximately 330° at the latest, since otherwise, due to the design, there is insufficient space available to place the bag attachment device 200 and the discharge device 700 next to one another.

[0073] This leaves at least an angle c of approximately 30° between the discharge channel 201 and the discharge device 700, creating a relatively large so-called dead angle in which the bag can no longer be filled because it must already have been ejected. This means that the system must either run slower to completely fill the bag up to the 330° rotation while still achieving the most accurate filling, or optionally, the performance can be increased if the filling is less accurate.

[0074] Figure 4 again shows the embodiment according to Figures 1 and 2 in a plan view, wherein the housing 19 of the bag attachment device 200 is not shown here in order to illustrate how slim the bag attachment device 200 is or can be in principle designed without the otherwise required bag holder from the bundle.

[0075] According to the application, this results in a separation of the supply 300 from bags 400, depending on the design with the bag feeding device 600, and the bag attachment device 200 being possible.

[0076] This is achieved by providing a conveyor line 2 or a conveyor device 1 between these components. This makes it possible, as previously described, to safely accommodate the bags and the technology required for their introduction into the conveyor line 2 and, depending on the design, also in a clean area. Furthermore, this allows the discharge device 700 to be arranged at a larger rotation angle, as described in more detail in the following figures.

[0077] Figure 5 shows a purely schematic illustration of a further embodiment of a packing system 50 according to the application or of a bag-loading system 100 according to the application. Here, too, a rotating packing machine 500 is provided, which can rotate 360° around a rotation axis 503.

[0078] Here too, filling nozzles 501 are arranged distributed over the circumference, whereby here too eight filling modules 502, each with a filling nozzle 501, are provided.

[0079] As soon as the bags reach a predetermined fill weight, they are removed from the filling nozzle 501 by a transfer device 800 (not shown in detail) and fed to the transfer area 702 of a discharge device 700. The transfer device 800 is assigned to the packing machine 500 and is designed as a so-called discharge device 801. Depending on the configuration, the transfer device 800 can also include a buffer device 802 (not shown in detail), which temporarily stores a filled bag 400 so that the corresponding filling nozzle 501 is actually freely accessible upon reaching the discharge channel 201.

[0080] In the embodiment shown, empty bags 400 are fed to the bag applicator 200 via a conveyor line 2 of a conveyor device 1. This allows the bag applicator 200 to be designed very slim, so that in the embodiment shown here, the

[0081] The firing channel 201 is provided at a rotation angle a of 0°, wherein the discharge device 700 or the conveying device 701 of the discharge device 700 or the transfer area 702 is also provided at a rotation angle b of 360° or 0°.

[0082] Thus, in the exemplary embodiment shown here, the firing channel 201 of the bag-loading device 200 and the discharge device 7 or the conveyor device 701 or the transfer area 702, to which a filled bag 400 is transferred, can be arranged in a line. This is achieved in the exemplary embodiment shown in that the bag-loading device 200 and the discharge device 700 or the conveyor device 701 or the transfer area 702 are provided offset in height at a rotation angle a, b of 0° and 360°, respectively. The discharge device 700 is arranged below the bag-loading device 200 or below the firing channel 201. This enables a particularly slim design of the packing system 50, wherein the bag supply 300 and the bag feed device 600 are arranged spatially separated from the bag attachment device 200 via the conveyor line 2 or the conveyor device 1.Furthermore, when installing the discharge device 700, it's not necessary to consider whether a right- or left-handed packing machine is being installed. The slimmer design also allows for easier project planning in confined spaces.

[0083] Figures 6 and 7 show two further embodiments of packing systems 50 according to the application with bag insertion systems 100 according to the application.

[0084] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 6, a left-rotating packing system 50 is shown, with the bag applicator 200 or the discharge channel 201 being arranged at a rotation angle a of 0°. The conveyor device 701 of the discharge device 700 or the transfer area 702 is provided at a rotation angle b of approximately 350° in the exemplary embodiment shown here. Thus, an angle c of only approximately 10° exists between the central longitudinal axis of the discharge channel 201 and the central longitudinal axis of the discharge device 701, which also represents a significant reduction in the system's size compared to the prior art.

[0085] In Figure 7, both the transfer area 702 or the conveyor device 701 or the discharge device 700 and the bag attachment device 200 or the discharge channel 200 are provided at a rotation angle a, b of 0° or 360°.

[0086] In contrast to the previously shown embodiment, however, here the discharge device 700 extends laterally below the discharge channel 201 at an angle c of 10°. This configuration also offers significant space savings, which is achieved here by the fact that the discharge device 700 can be arranged, at least in sections, below the bag insertion device 200 or the discharge channel 201. This is also achieved by the fact that the bag supply 300 and the bag feed device 600 are spatially separated from the bag insertion device 200 via the conveyor device 1 or the conveyor line 2.

[0087] Figure 8 shows a purely schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a bag application system 100 according to the application. Here, too, the supply 300 for empty bags 400 can be seen, which are introduced into a conveyor section 2 of the conveyor device 1 via a bag feed device 600. In the exemplary embodiment shown, it is indicated purely schematically that the conveyor section 2 can be curved and can also overcome differences in height. For example, a right-hand curve 7 is provided here, with convex and concave curves 8 being indicated purely schematically here by the dotted line. In the exemplary embodiment shown, it is provided that two circulating conveyor elements 5 run along the conveyor section 2, which here are designed as belts 6 or are provided here by round belts.In the illustrated embodiment, a so-called double-belt drive is used as the conveyor mechanism. Depending on the embodiment, other conveyor elements such as belts and / or chains and / or the like can also be used.

[0088] In the embodiment shown here, the bags 400 are clamped between the two conveyor elements 5 during transport along the conveyor line 2 and are conveyed by a similarly directed movement of the belts or conveyor elements 5 from the first end 3 to the second end 4 into the bag attachment device 200.

[0089] The basic structure of the conveyor line 200 is defined here by a support structure 9, wherein the support structure 9 comprises a support element 10, which is provided here by a correspondingly shaped tube 20. Arranged at specific intervals on this tube 20 are holding elements 11, on which bearing devices 12 for the conveyor elements 5 are provided.

[0090] Figure 9 shows a purely schematic representation of a section of a conveyor line 2 of a conveyor device 1 according to the application. The supporting structure 9 can be seen here, which here comprises a supporting element 10, which is provided here by a pipe 20.

[0091] Mounted on this support element 10 are retaining elements 11, on which rollers 21 are provided as bearing devices 12. In the illustrated embodiment, a conveyor element 5 is guided to one side of a roller and returned to the other side of the roller 21. Thus, conveyor elements 5 circulating on the left and right are provided.

[0092] In the embodiment shown here, the bearing devices 12 comprise a roller 21 as a running roller for each conveyor element 5 and, on the other side of the respective guide element 5, a guide element 25, which is designed here as a rolling bearing 26. The counterpart to the roller 21 can also be another roller or a sheet metal part or the like, which holds the conveyor element in the roller 21.

[0093] In the embodiment shown here, the empty bags 400 are clamped centrally between the two conveyor elements 5 or the belts 6. To prevent the clamped bags from getting caught on the storage devices 12 or when crossing the storage device 12 in the embodiment shown here, lifting devices 18 are provided, which are provided here by appropriately shaped rods. The lifting devices are generally useful at every transition or at every holding element 11, but are not shown in detail in the figures.

[0094] These bars 22 comprise a ramp-like structure 23 which slightly lifts the bags 400 hanging between the belts 6 so that they can slide over the storage devices 12.

[0095] A further advantage of the lifting device 18 is that the T-shaped leg of the empty bags, which are designed here as valve bags 400, is slightly raised and pre-bent or pre-formed when crossing each holding element 11 or when crossing the storage device 12, so that the valve of the valve bag 400 can be opened more easily later. This pre-opening effect does not occur with sewn bags, but is also not necessary, since the opening of the bag or a bag valve is opened later in the bag attachment device 200 in a different way, as is known from the prior art.

[0096] Figure 10 shows a purely schematic representation of the second end 4 of a conveyor line 2 of a conveyor device 1 of a bag placing system 1 according to the application, at which point the empty bags 400 are transferred from the conveyor line 2 to the bag placing device 200.

[0097] It is shown that a guide device 13 is provided on the left and right, which here are designed as guide plates 24. These guide plates 24 extend slightly upwards from the conveyor line 2 in order to convey the bag toward the discharge channel 201 of the bag insertion device 200.

[0098] By means of the correspondingly shaped guide devices 13 and the upward movement here, the T-shaped, flat upper leg of a bag 400, which is designed here as a valve bag 400, is opened and, with simultaneous fixing of the bag body between the conveying elements 5, is thus introduced into the diamond-shaped or rounded discharge channel 201.

[0099] Figures 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 show further perspective views of the second end 4 of the conveyor line 2 of the conveyor device 1 of a bag placing system 100 according to the application and here in particular the transition to the bag placing device 200.

[0100] Here, too, the deflection station 16, the drive station 14 and the discharge channel 201 of the bag loading device 200, which is connected to the conveyor line 2, can be clearly seen.

[0101] In Figure 11, it can be seen, among other things, at the front end of the firing channel 201 that a roller bar 202 is provided as a counterpart for a drive belt 203, which accelerates the bag 400 in the firing channel 201.

[0102] Figure 11 further shows that a deflection station 16 is provided at the second end 4, which deflects the conveyor element 5 or the belts 6 and guides them back to the first end 3, where a deflection station 16 is also provided in the embodiment shown here.

[0103] Furthermore, it is also shown here that the conveyor element 5 is deflected from the horizontal conveying direction of the conveyor line 2 such that it is fed to a drive station 14 arranged above. The left and right conveyor elements 5 can be driven by a common drive.

[0104] In Figure 11 it is also indicated that a tensioning station 17 can also be provided, by means of which a certain tension can be applied to the conveyor elements 5 initially and / or during re-tensioning.

[0105] Furthermore, the guide devices 13 are shown in Figures 11 to 14, which are designed as guide plates 24. In Figure 15, the guide devices 13 are not shown. Thus, the lifting devices 18 can be seen, which in the shown

[0106] Example of implementation, the bearing devices 12 are placed.

[0107] 200 bag attachment device

[0108] List of reference symbols 201 Shooting channel

[0109] 202 roller guide

[0110] 1 conveyor system

[0111] 203 drive belts

[0112] 2 conveyor line

[0113] 300 stock

[0114] 3 first end

[0115] 400 bags / valve bag

[0116] 4 second end

[0117] 500 packing machines

[0118] 5 Conveyor element

[0119] 501 filler neck

[0120] 6 belts

[0121] 502 filling module

[0122] 7 left / right 503 rotation axis

[0123] Curved run 600 bag feeding device

[0124] 8 convex / concave 700 discharge device

[0125] Curve 701 conveyor system

[0126] 9 Supporting structure 702 Transfer area

[0127] 10 Supporting element 703 Conveyor belt

[0128] 11 Holding element 704 Cleaning

[0129] 12 Storage facility 705 Check weighing

[0130] 13 Guide device 706 discharge

[0131] 14 Drive station 707 removal

[0132] 15 Intermediate drive 800 transfer device

[0133] 16 deflection station 801 discharge device

[0134] 17 Tensioning station 802 Buffer device

[0135] 18 Lifting device a reference axis to

[0136] 19 Housing rotation angle

[0137] 20 Pipe b reference axis to

[0138] 21 Roll rotation angle

[0139] 22 Bar c Angle

[0140] 23 Ramp

[0141] 24 guide plate

[0142] 25 Guide element

[0143] 26 rolling bearings

[0144] 50 packing system

[0145] 100 bag insertion system

Claims

Claims:

1. Bag placing system (100), comprising at least one bag placing device (200) for placing empty bags (400) onto a filling nozzle (501) of a packing machine (500), and at least one supply (300) of empty bags (400), characterized in that at least one conveyor device (1) with at least one conveyor section (2) with at least one first end (3) and at least one second end (4) is provided between the bag placing device (200) and the supply (300) of empty bags (400), wherein empty bags (400) are conveyed individually at least in sections along the conveyor section (2) by means of the conveyor device (1), wherein empty bags (400) are fed from the supply (300) at the first end (3) of the conveyor section and wherein empty bags (400) are fed to the bag placing device (200) at the second end (4).

2. Bag insertion system (100) according to claim 1, wherein at least one manual bag feed and / or a bag feed device (600) is assigned to the first end (3) of the conveyor device (1).

3. Bag attachment system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying device (1) comprises at least one circulating conveying element (5) which conveys a bag (400) to be conveyed at least in sections.

4. Bag attachment system (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the conveying element (5) holds a bag (400) to be conveyed at least in sections.

5. Bag attachment system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two conveying elements (5) are provided, between which a bag (400) to be conveyed is clamped at least in sections.

6. Bag insertion system (100) according to one of the preceding claims 3 to 5, wherein the conveying element (5) is driven.

7. Bag attachment system (100) according to one of the preceding claims 3 to 6, wherein the conveyor element (5) comprises at least one belt (6), at least one strap and / or at least one chain.

8. Bag attachment system (100) according to one of the preceding claims 3 to 7, wherein the bags are transported in a hanging position.

9. Bag insertion system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor line (2) comprises at least one left and / or right curved path (7).

10. Bag placement system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying path (2) comprises at least one convex and / or concave and / or superimposed curve (8).

11. Bag attachment system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor line (1) comprises at least one support structure (9) at least for the conveyor elements (5).

12. Bag attachment system (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the support structure (9) comprises at least one support element (10).

13. Bag attachment system (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the support structure (9) comprises at least one holding element (11) received in the support element (10).

14. Bag attachment system (100) according to one of the three preceding claims, wherein the support structure (9) comprises at least one bearing device (12) for the conveying element (5).

15. Bag attachment system (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the bearing device (12) is associated with the holding element (11).

16. Bag attachment system (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one lifting device (18) is provided, which is in particular assigned to the storage device (12).

17. Bag insertion system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one guide device (13) is provided at least at the second end (4) of the conveyor line (2).

18. Bag insertion system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one drive station (14) is assigned to the conveyor device (1).

19. Bag insertion system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one intermediate drive (15) is provided.

20. Bag insertion system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor line (2) comprises at least one deflection station (16) at least at the first end (3) and / or at the second end (4).

21. Bag insertion system (100) according to one of the three preceding claims, wherein the drive station (14) and the deflection station (16) are provided in one assembly.

22. Bag attachment system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor line (2) has at least one clamping station (17) for at least one conveyor element (5).

23. Bag insertion system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor line (2) is of modular construction.

24. A method for operating a bag insertion system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the following steps: Feeding an empty bag (400) from a supply (300) into the conveyor line (2) of a conveyor device (1) at the first end of the conveyor line (2); Transferring the empty bag (400) into the bag attachment device (200) at the second end (4) of the conveyor line (2).

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