Swirling unit and method for swirling an open container containing a flat product, and system and method for portioned filling of a flat product

Abstract

The present invention relates to a turning unit for pivoting an open container (19), preferably dish-shaped, in particular in which portions of a flat product such as potato chips are contained, the turning unit comprising at least one pivoting device (15) configured to pivot the container by rotating the container about its axis, thereby transferring the container from a first orientation of the container, in which an opening (20) of the container is oriented in a first direction, to a second orientation, in which the opening is oriented in a second direction.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a turning unit and a turning method for turning an open container, preferably bowl-shaped, in particular with a portion of a flat product such as potato chips contained therein.Furthermore, the present invention relates to a system and a method for portioned filling of a flat product, in particular of potato chips.

[0002] Various methods for producing portioned fillings of flat products such as potato chips and the like are well known from the prior art.

[0003] In methods known from the prior art, flat products are provided in portions in horizontal stacks, which are then automatically packed into can-like containers to form packages. However, depending on the type of flat product, this type of packaging is not always practical or desirable, and in addition is relatively cost-intensive.

[0004] Furthermore, methods are known from the prior art in which a horizontal stack of flat products is first transferred into a bowl-shaped container, usually made of plastic, which is then packed into a package. For transferring the horizontal stack into the bowl-shaped container, it is particularly known to cover the horizontal stack with the bowl-shaped container from above, with the opening of the bowl-shaped container being arranged vertically downwards. The bowl-shaped container is then packed into a package with the stack contained therein, which package is usually a cylindrical bag. However, in this case the process can only be partially automated. This is because at least the packaging of the bowl-shaped container with the stack contained in the bowl-shaped container in the tubular bag itself and / or the rotation of the bowl-shaped container with the stack contained in the bowl-shaped container by 180° must be performed manually or manually, although it would already be possible for the tubular bagging machine to automatically package the bowl-shaped container with the stack contained in the bowl-shaped container in a tubular bag after this.

[0005] Thus, a drawback of the latter type of portioned filling of flat products is the fact that it is relatively time- and cost-intensive, in particular due to the presence of manual or manually performed process steps.

[0006] The present invention is therefore based on the problem of proposing a turning unit and a method for turning an open container, preferably bowl-shaped, in which portions of a flat product, in particular potato chips, are contained, and a system and a method for portioned filling of a flat product, in particular potato chips, which system or method simplifies the portioned filling of a flat product, in particular potato chips, in which an open container, preferably bowl-shaped, in which portions of a flat product, in particular potato chips, are contained, is packaged in a tubular bag.

[0007] This problem is solved by a turning unit and a method for turning an open, preferably bowl-shaped container in which portions of a flat product, in particular potato chips, are contained, having the features of claims 1 and 20, and by a system and a method for portioned filling of a flat product, in particular potato chips, having the features of claims 18 and 21.

[0008] A turning unit according to the invention for swiveling an open, preferably bowl-shaped, container, in particular containing portions of a flat product such as potato chips, comprises at least one turning device which is configured to swivel the container by rotating it about its axis, thereby transitioning it from a first orientation of the container, in which the opening of the container is oriented in a first direction, to a second orientation of the container, in which the opening is oriented in a second direction.

[0009] The turning unit according to the invention allows an automatic turning of an open container from a first orientation of the container, in which the opening or the bottom of the container is oriented in a first direction, to a second orientation of the container, in which the opening or the bottom is oriented in a second direction, the first direction being different from the second direction. In particular, the turning unit according to the invention thus allows turning an open container with its opening arranged vertically downwards and covering the portions of the flat product from above, by shifting the container from the first orientation to the second orientation, so that the open container with the flat product contained therein can be subsequently packed, in particular in a tubular bag, after the turning, by a packaging unit or a horizontal packaging machine or a tubular bagging machine. Thus, using the turning unit according to the invention, the portioned filling of flat products, in which the open container with the portions of the flat product contained therein is packed in a tubular bag generating a package, is significantly simplified, since manual adjustments or manual adjustments are no longer required. In particular, the expenditure of time and money can thus be significantly reduced.

[0010] Preferably, the rotation may only take place around one axis of the container, for example around the longitudinal axis of the container. Nevertheless, the container may be rotated several times around different axes of the container. If the container is conveyed to the turning unit in the conveying direction, the rotation may preferably take place around an axis of the container running parallel to the conveying direction.

[0011] Since the container is an open container, there is no lid or enclosure, in particular during the swirling or swirling process. In principle, however, the swirling unit may also be suitable for swirling closed containers. Preferably, the open container is bowl- or dish-shaped, and is therefore formed as a bowl or dish, the term "bowl" being understood in this case as a receiving bowl or a dispensing bowl. Advantageously, the container may be formed from a rigid material. The material may be, for example, a plastic material. Furthermore, the geometry of the container may be adapted to the shape of the flat product. When the container is viewed in cross section along a plane parallel to the bottom of the container, the container may have a cross-sectional shape that is in particular circular, square or rectangular. The container may have a bottom and one or more side walls. The side wall or side walls may have an end, which may define an opening. The opening or end may preferably extend in a plane parallel to the floor. So, in this case, for example, the bottom is oriented vertically downward in one direction in the orientation of the container, in which the opening is oriented vertically upward in one direction. The orientation direction of the opening or bottom can be defined, for example, by the direction of a normal vector on the plane in which the opening extends or on the surface of the bottom.

[0012] Preferably, the flat product is a stackable product, so that portions of the flat product to be contained in the container can be provided or portioned, preferably in the form of a horizontally stacked stack. In particular, the flat product may be an edible snack product, such as potato chips, cookies, candy bars, chocolate bars, etc.

[0013] Preferably, the angle between the first direction and the second direction may be 180°, but other angles such as 90° are also contemplated.

[0014] Preferably, in the first orientation, the opening may be oriented vertically downwards, and in the second orientation, the opening may be oriented vertically upwards and / or the bottom of the container may be oriented vertically downwards. This allows a container with an opening arranged vertically downwards and covering a portion of a flat product to be rotated by 180° from this orientation so that after the rotation, the opening is oriented vertically upwards or the bottom of the container is oriented vertically downwards. Preferably, in this case, the opening may then extend in a plane parallel to the bottom. Depending on the design of the container, it may be provided that in the first orientation, the opening is oriented vertically downwards and similarly in the second orientation, the bottom of the container is oriented vertically downwards, but in the second orientation, the opening may not be oriented vertically upwards. In this case, the opening may thus extend in a plane, but this plane is not parallel to the bottom.

[0015] Preferably, the pivoting device may be configured such that the container may be pivoted whilst the product remains in the container, thus preferably preventing the product from falling out of the container during pivoting.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the swiveling device may have a swiveling mechanism to which the container can be removably connected, and the swiveling mechanism may be rotatably formed to perform a rotation of the container. Then, in order to swivel the container by transferring it from a first orientation to a second orientation, the swiveling mechanism may perform a rotational movement with the container connected to the swiveling mechanism, and the swiveling mechanism may be rotated from the first orientation of the swiveling mechanism to the second orientation of the swiveling mechanism. Preferably, the container may be removably connectable to the swiveling mechanism or may be arranged on the swiveling mechanism. Thus, after the swiveling process, the container can be removed from the swiveling mechanism. The connection between the swiveling mechanism and the container is preferably a form-fit connection or a force-fit connection. The container may be transportable to the swiveling device by a transport mechanism of the swiveling device or at least one portioning device of the portioning unit of the system for portioned filling, and the container may be connected to the swiveling mechanism under a transport movement. After removing the container from the pivoting mechanism, the pivoting mechanism can be rotated from the second orientation to the first orientation to pivot an additional container, to receive or connect to an additional container.

[0017] The pivoting mechanism may be formed in the shape of a hollow cylinder or tube, such that the container may be accommodated inside the hollow cylinder or tube to effect the rotation.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pivoting mechanism may have a first part, which may be formed in the shape of a segment of a cylinder and rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the cylinder, and the container may be removably connectable to an interior of the first part. Preferably, the first part may be in the shape of a segment of a hollow cylinder.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the swivel mechanism may have a second part, which may be formed in the shape of a circle or disk and may be arranged fixedly against rotation at the axial end of the first part or may be connected to it, such that the center of the circle or disk is located at least approximately on the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, and the second part may have a passageway which may be formed to guide the container through it. According to this, the first part and the second part may be arranged in particular opposite each other, such that the second part may more or less form at least approximately the bottom surface of the cylinder and the first part may form part of the outer surface of the cylinder. The second part may be rotatably attached to a housing mechanism of the swivel device. The swivel unit may comprise a housing device with a cover, and if the swivel unit has to comprise several swivel devices, the second part of the swivel mechanism of the swivel device may be attached together. When the container is transported to the swivel mechanism by the transport mechanism, the container may be guided through the passageway and may undergo a transport movement to reach the first part, in particular for releasably connecting the container to the first part. The geometry of the passages can be adapted to the shape of the container, in particular the cross-sectional shape.

[0020] Preferably, the container may be removably connectable to the interior such that the opening can be at least partially, preferably completely, covered by the interior, depending on the orientation of the opening and the interior. As a result, it is possible to hold the product in the container during swirling or to prevent the product from falling out of the container. The geometric shape of the interior may be adapted to the shape of the product or, in particular, to the shape of the part of the product that protrudes beyond the end of the container, if the product contained in the container protrudes beyond the end. Preferably, the distance between the opening and the interior, or the distance between the product and the interior, may be as small as possible when the container is placed on the interior surface, in order to minimize the movement of the product in the container in the direction of the opening from the container.

[0021] Advantageously, the pivoting mechanism may have a receptacle formed to at least partially accommodate the container, in particular by at least partially including a side wall of the container or an edge of a side wall of the container, said edge defining an opening so as to releasably connect the container to the pivoting mechanism. In particular, the receptacle may be intended to accommodate or surround the edges of two opposing side walls of the container. The container may enter or be introduced or pushed into the receptacle under the conveying movement of the conveying mechanism. In particular, the first part or the interior may have the receptacle.

[0022] In an embodiment of the invention, the receptacle is formed as a receiving track, the end of which can be received in the receiving track and can be guided so as to be longitudinally movable. Advantageously, the receiving track can be formed in the form of two opposing guide grooves extending inward in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, the ends of the two opposing side walls can be received. The receptacle, i.e. the receiving track, extends over the entire length of the first part and extends beyond the axial end of the first part to the axial end of the second part, from where the container can be guided through a passage to reach the first part, where the end is transferred to the receptacle, i.e. the receiving track. Thus, both the first part and the second part may have or form the receptacle, i.e. the receiving track. At another axial end of the first part, opposite the axial end of the first part, the end of the container can be separated from the receptacle, i.e. the receiving track, after the container has been turned. It can also be provided that only the first part has or forms the receptacle, i.e. the receiving track.

[0023] Advantageously, the pivoting device may have a drive mechanism for driving the pivoting mechanism, the drive mechanism being capable of causing the pivoting mechanism to perform a rotational movement, the drive mechanism may be a drive motor, in particular a motor.

[0024] Further, the pivoting device may have a transmission mechanism that meshes with the drive mechanism and the pivoting mechanism.

[0025] In particular, the transmission mechanism may be a gear transmission, which may have a first gear coupled to the drive mechanism and a second gear meshing with the first gear and coupled to the turning mechanism. Preferably, the first gear and the second gear may be straight-toothed. The second gear may be arranged on the second part or connected to the second part. In particular, the second gear may be arranged on the circumference of a circle or a disk. Preferably, the gear transmission is formed as a helical gear transmission. Preferably, the radius of the second gear is larger than the radius of the first gear.

[0026] Additionally, the turning device may have a sensor mechanism for monitoring the turning process.

[0027] Preferably, the swivel device may have a sensor mechanism, which may be configured to monitor that the container has been removed from the swivel mechanism after it has been swiveled. Thus, the sensor mechanism may be arranged adjacent to the swivel mechanism. Preferably, the sensor mechanism may have a photoelectric sensor, which may in particular be a light barrier with a light emitter and a light receiver. For example, a laser diode may be used as the light emitter and a photodiode may be used as the light receiver. In order to inform the control mechanism that the swivel mechanism is available for further swivel processes, the sensor mechanism may detect the time when the container has completely left the swivel mechanism or receptacle, and may send a signal to the control mechanism of the swivel device indicating that the container has left the swivel mechanism or receptacle. Immediately, the control mechanism may control the drive mechanism to rotate the swivel mechanism to a position or orientation of the swivel mechanism, where the swivel mechanism can receive another container for subsequent swivel of the container.

[0028] Advantageously, the turning device may comprise a conveying mechanism for conveying the container after turning. Preferably, the conveying mechanism is a belt conveyor. The conveying direction may be parallel to the direction of rotation of the container or parallel to the axis of the container about which the rotation takes place.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the transport mechanism may be arranged close to the pivoting mechanism in such a way that by shifting the container into the second orientation, the bottom of the container can be shifted into engagement with the transport means of the transport mechanism, so that the container can be removed from the pivoting mechanism by the effect of a force acting on the bottom of the transport means. The transport mechanism may be arranged for this purpose below the pivoting mechanism or the first part. In particular, the container can be moved away from or out of the receptacle by the effect of a force of the transport means, for example the belt of a belt conveyor. The receptacle may be formed to provide sufficient resistance after rotation to ensure frictional engagement with the transport means, i.e. the belt conveyor.

[0030] In an embodiment of the invention, the pivoting unit may comprise a plurality of pivoting devices arranged in parallel and adjacent to one another. For example, the pivoting unit may comprise 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 pivoting devices arranged in parallel and adjacent to one another. Preferably, the pivoting devices are configured similarly. The pivoting devices may be formed as separate modules that can be connected to one another, so that the pivoting unit can be modified, in particular expanded, in a modular manner.

[0031] Advantageously, the turning unit may thus comprise a merging device, which is arranged downstream of the turning device and is configured to merge, preferably in a synchronized manner, the containers turned by the turning device into one lane. The merging device may comprise a removal mechanism, which may be formed in such a way that all the containers conveyed by the conveying mechanism of the turning device, in particular in terms of width, can reach a common belt of the removal mechanism arranged downstream of the conveying mechanism. Furthermore, in order to firstly orient, select and distribute the containers that have reached the removal mechanism, the merging device may comprise an orientation mechanism and a synchronization mechanism, such distribution being performed in a synchronized manner. The orientation mechanism may be formed in the form of lateral guides extending along both sides of the container in the removal direction. After the containers have been distributed by the synchronization mechanism, the containers that are still being conveyed initially in the parallel lanes of the belt of the removal mechanism may be merged into one lane by a preferably adjustable guide mechanism of the merging device. The guide mechanism may be formed in the form of lateral guides extending obliquely to the removal direction across the belt of the removal mechanism and redirecting the containers into the lane. The containers can then be packaged by a packaging unit. Advantageously, the clock frequency of the synchronization mechanism and / or the conveying speed of the removal mechanism can be adapted in particular to the operating speed of the packaging unit. The packaging unit can be a tubular bagger. By providing a merging device, one tubular bagger is sufficient. If one dispenses with a merging device, the packaging unit can comprise a number of packaging devices corresponding to the number of turning devices, e.g. several tubular baggers.

[0032] A system according to the invention for portioning and filling flat products, in particular potato chips, comprises a product supply unit for supplying the product, a container supply unit for supplying open containers, preferably bowl-shaped, for containing the product, a portioning unit for transferring the supplied product into the supplied container in portions, and a turning unit according to the invention. The product supply unit or the container supply unit may supply the product or container to the portioning unit, which may portion the supplied product and in particular transfer the product to the container by covering the portion with the container. The container covering the portion may then be transported by a transport mechanism of at least one portioning device of the portioning unit to the turning unit in order to be turned there before packaging. The container supply unit may comprise a magazine for storing the containers, which may be filled manually. The product supply unit, the container supply unit and the portioning unit, as well as the turning unit, may be formed as modules. In particular, the portioning unit may comprise a plurality of portioning devices, e.g. corresponding to a plurality of turning devices of the turning unit, each of them may have a transport mechanism for transporting containers covering the portions to the turning device of the turning unit. Furthermore, the system may comprise an operation unit enabling an operator to operate the system. Furthermore, the system may comprise a control unit, which may control the product supply unit, the container supply unit, the portioning unit and the turning unit according to control commands input by an operator with the control unit.

[0033] In an embodiment of the system, the system may comprise a packaging unit for packaging the containers, the containers containing the portions of the flat product. The packaging unit may be a horizontal packaging machine. In particular, the packaging unit may be a tubular bagger. In particular, the containers may be packaged in tubular bags.

[0034] In the method according to the invention, an open, preferably bowl-shaped container is swiveled by at least one swiveling device of a swiveling unit, in which in particular portions of a flat product such as potato chips are contained, are transferred from a first orientation of the container, in which the opening of the container faces in a first direction, to a second orientation of the container, in which the opening faces in a second direction, by rotating the container around its axis. For advantageous effects of the method according to the invention, please refer to the description of the advantages of the swiveling unit according to the invention.

[0035] Further advantageous embodiments of the method result from the characterizing subclaims which refer to device claim 1.

[0036] In the method according to the invention for the portioned filling of flat products, in particular of potato chips, by a system, a portioning unit of the system provides portions of the flat product and transfers the portions into containers, which are covered by an open container, preferably bowl-shaped, defining a first orientation of the container by having the opening of the container oriented vertically downwards, and the container in which the product is contained is pivoted by at least one pivoting device of a pivoting unit of the system by rotating the container around its axis from the first orientation, in which the opening is oriented vertically downwards, to a second orientation of the container, in which the opening is oriented vertically upwards and / or the bottom of the container is oriented vertically downwards. For advantageous effects of the method according to the invention, please refer to the description of the advantages of the pivoting unit according to the invention.

[0037] Preferably, the container can be transported from the portioning unit to the turning unit in a transport direction. The portioning unit may have for this purpose at least one portioning device with a transport mechanism. Alternatively, the turning device may have a transport mechanism. The container can then be transported while in the first orientation to the turning unit and there turned from the first orientation to the second orientation.

[0038] Preferably, the container may be rotated about an axis of the container extending parallel to the conveying direction during pivoting.

[0039] Advantageously, the containers containing the flat product portions can be packaged, after pivoting, preferably in tubular bags by the packaging unit of the system. The containers containing the flat product portions can be packaged in the second orientation.

[0040] Further advantageous embodiments of the method result from the characterizing subclaims which refer to device claim 1.

[0041] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0042] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view from one side of a system for portioned filling of flat products. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a partial front perspective view of the swivel unit of the system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the turning unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view from above of the swivel unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the swivel unit from the rear. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the pivoting device of the pivoting unit before the container is pivoted. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the pivoting device after the container has been pivoted. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view from above of the turning unit, in particular the joining device of the turning unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a top view of the confluence device. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a partial view from one side of a system for portioned filling of flat products in another embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partial rear perspective view of the system, and in particular the swivel unit of the system. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a partial front perspective view of the system, particularly the pivot unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0043] Fig. 1 shows a system 10 for portioned filling of flat products (not shown), in particular potato chips, in a first embodiment, comprising a product supply unit 11 for supplying the product, a container supply unit 12 for supplying open containers (not shown) in the shape of a bowl for containing the product, a portioning unit 13 for transferring the supplied product in portions to the supplied containers, and a turning unit 14 for turning the containers. The turning unit 14 comprises a number of similar turning devices 15 arranged parallel to each other adjacent to each other, and a merging device 16 arranged downstream of the turning device 15 and configured to merge the containers turned by the turning devices 15 in a synchronous manner into one lane. Furthermore, the system 10 comprises an operating unit 17 enabling an operator to operate the system. The system 10 may comprise a control unit capable of controlling the product supply unit 11, the container supply unit 12, the portioning unit 13 and the turning unit 14 according to control commands input by an operator using the control unit 17. Furthermore, the container supply unit 12 comprises a magazine 18 for storing containers which can be filled manually.

[0044] 2-9 generally represent various views of the pivoting unit 14 and its components, although the components are partly hidden by the figures. In the following, the same reference numbers are used for structurally identical or functionally identical components or parts. Moreover, in view of the similarity of the pivoting device 15 in particular, substantially only one element or only one of the elements is provided with a corresponding reference number.

[0045] The swiveling unit 14 comprises a plurality, here five, of similar swiveling devices 15 arranged parallel and adjacent to one another, and as shown in particular in Figures 6 and 7, each swiveling device 15 is configured to swivel an open container, which is bowl-shaped, in particular with portions of a flat product (not shown) such as potato chips or the like contained in the container 19, by transitioning the container from a first orientation of the container 19 (Figure 6), in which the opening 20 of the container 19 is oriented vertically downwards, by rotation of the container 19 around its longitudinal axis (not shown), to a second orientation of the container 19 (Figure 7), in which the opening 20 is oriented vertically upwards. A given portion of the flat product is covered by a container 19 with its opening 20 arranged vertically downwards by a portioning unit 13 for transferring the portion of the flat product to the container 19, and the container 19 with the flat product contained therein is transported to the rotating device 15 by a conveying mechanism 21 of at least one portioning device (not shown) of the portioning unit 13 at its opening 20 oriented vertically downwards.

[0046] As can be seen from FIG. 2, a number of conveying mechanisms 21 are provided, arranged parallel and adjacent to one another, which can convey containers 19 covering corresponding portions of the flat product to a number of turning devices 15.

[0047] Each pivoting device 15 has a pivoting mechanism 22 to which the container 19 is removably connected, the pivoting mechanism 22 being rotatable to effect a rotation of the container 19 from a first orientation of the pivoting mechanism 22 to a second orientation of the pivoting mechanism 22. The pivoting mechanism 22 has a first part 23, which is formed in the shape of a portion of a hollow cylinder and can be rotated about a longitudinal axis (not shown) of the hollow cylinder, the container 19 being removably connected to an inside 24 of the first part 23. Furthermore, the swiveling mechanism 22 has a second part 25, which is formed in the shape of a circle or disk and is arranged fixed against rotation at an axial end 26 of the first part 23 such that the center of the circle (not shown) is located at least approximately on the longitudinal axis of the hollow cylinder, the second part 25 is rotatably attached to a common cover 27 of a housing device (not shown) of the swiveling unit 14 and has a passage 28, which is formed to guide the container 19 through the passage for removably connecting the container 19 to the first part 23 or for performing a rotation to reach the first part 23. The container 19 can be removably connected to the inner side 24 such that the opening 20 can be completely covered by the inner side 24 by orienting the opening 20 with the inner side 24 in order to hold a flat product in the container 19 during the swiveling. Furthermore, the pivoting mechanism 22 has a receiving track 29, which is formed to at least partially receive the container 19 by including ends 30 of two opposing side walls 31 of the container 19, said ends defining an opening 20 for removably connecting the container 19 to the pivoting mechanism 22. The receiving track 29, in the form of two opposing guide grooves 29, extends along the entire length of the first part 23, along the longitudinal axis of the hollow cylinder, up to an end 60 of the passage 28 facing the transport mechanism 21. Although the transport mechanism 21 only extends up to the end 60, the container 19 can pass through the passage 28 and reach the first part 23 under the transporting action of the transport mechanism 21 while the end 30 is introduced in the receiving track 29. Thus, the end 30 is guideable to be longitudinally movable and can be received in the receiving track 29.

[0048] Furthermore, each of the rotating devices 15 has a drive mechanism 32 that drives the rotating mechanism 22, which is composed of a motor.

[0049] Further, each of the turning devices 15 has a transmission mechanism 33 meshing with the driving mechanism 32 and the turning mechanism 22, and the transmission mechanism is a gear transmission including a first gear 34 coupled to the driving mechanism 32 and a second gear 35 meshing with the first gear 34 and coupled to the turning mechanism 22. The second gear 35 is disposed on a disk or circumference (not shown) and is formed so as to have a larger radius than that of the first gear 34.

[0050] Furthermore, each pivoting device 15 has a sensor mechanism 36, which comprises a light barrier 37 with a light emitter 38 and a light receiver 39, which is configured to monitor the container 19 leaving the storage track 29 after it has been pivoted. A light beam 56 is formed between the light emitter 38 and the light receiver 39.

[0051] In addition, each turning device 15 has a conveying mechanism 40 for transporting the container 19 after it has been turned, and the conveying mechanism 40 is arranged below the turning mechanism 22 or the first part 23 so that by shifting the container 19 to a second orientation, the bottom 41 of the container 19 can be brought into engagement with the conveying means 42 of the conveying mechanism 40, so that under the effect of the force of the conveying means 42 acting on the bottom 41, the container 19 can be removed from the first part 23 or carried out from the storage track 29 at another axial end 43 of the first part 23.

[0052] After turning, the container 19 then contacts the conveying means 42 with the opening 20 oriented vertically upwards, i.e. with the bottom 41 oriented vertically downwards, and is conveyed to the merging device 16, where the container 19 reaches on the removal mechanism 44 of the merging device 16. The container 19 turned by the multiple turning devices 15 arranged parallel and adjacent to each other can then be oriented, selected or distributed in a synchronized manner by the orientation mechanism 45 of the merging device 16 and the synchronization mechanism 46 of the merging device 16, which are arranged on the removal mechanism 44, and the container 19 is then merged from the original five parallel lanes into one lane by the guide mechanism 47 of the merging device 16. The orientation mechanism 45 is formed in the form of a lateral guide 57 extending along both sides of the container 19 in the removal direction 59. Furthermore, the guide mechanism 47 is formed in the form of a lateral guide 47 which extends obliquely to the removal direction 59 on the belt 58 of the removal mechanism 44 and redirects the containers 19 into one lane. Thereafter, while in the second orientation, the containers 19 with the products contained therein can be packaged, for example, into a tubular bag by a packaging unit (not shown), which may be a tubular bagger.

[0053] 10-12 generally show in another embodiment a system 48 for portioned filling, in particular of flat products such as potato chips (not shown), which comprises a product supply unit (not shown), a container supply unit 49 with a magazine 50, a portioning unit 51 and a turning unit 52 for turning containers 53, the turning unit 52 having a number of turning devices 54 arranged parallel and adjacent to one another and a merging device 55.

Claims

1. A swirling unit (14, 52) for swirling an open container (19, 53), preferably bowl-shaped, comprising: The container contains portions of flat products, in particular potato chips, The pivoting unit (14, 52) comprises at least one pivoting device (15, 54), The pivoting device (15, 54) is configured to pivot the container by rotating the container about its axis, thereby moving the container from a first orientation of the container, in which the opening (20) of the container is oriented in a first direction, to a second orientation of the container, in which the opening is oriented in a second direction. Swivel unit.

2. In the first direction, the opening (20) is oriented vertically downward; In the second orientation, the opening (20) is oriented vertically upward and / or the bottom (41) of the container (19, 53) is oriented vertically downward. The swivel unit according to claim 1 .

3. the pivoting device (15, 54) is configured so that the container (19, 53) can be pivoted while the product remains in the container; The swivel unit according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The pivoting device (15, 54) The container (19, 53) has a rotating mechanism (22) to which it is detachably connected, and the rotating mechanism is rotatably configured so that rotation of the container is performed. The swivel unit according to claim 3 .

5. The pivoting mechanism (22) has a first portion (23), The first part (23) is formed in the shape of a portion of a cylinder and rotated about the longitudinal axis of the cylinder; The container (19, 53) is removably connectable to the inside (24) of the first part (23). The swivel unit according to claim 4.

6. The pivoting mechanism (22) has a second part (25), the second part (25) is formed in the shape of a circle and is arranged in a fixed manner against rotation at the axial end (26) of the first part (23) so that the centre of the circle is at least approximately on the longitudinal axis of the cylinder; The second part (25) has a passageway configured to guide the container (19, 53). The swivel unit according to claim 5.

7. the container (19, 53) is removably connectable to the interior (24) by orienting the opening towards the interior, such that the opening (20) is at least partially, preferably completely, covered by the interior. The swivel unit according to claim 5.

8. The pivoting mechanism (22) has a receptacle, the receptacle is configured to at least partially accommodate the container (19, 53), in particular by at least partially including an edge of the side wall (31) of the container; The end defines the opening (20) for releasably connecting the container to the pivot mechanism. The swivel unit according to claim 4.

9. The receptacle is formed as a receiving track (29), The end portion (30) is receivable in the receiving track (29) and is longitudinally movably guideable. The swivel unit according to claim 8.

10. The pivoting device (15, 54) has a drive mechanism (32) that drives the pivoting mechanism (22). The swivel unit according to claim 4.

11. The pivoting device (15, 54) has a transmission mechanism (33) that engages with the drive mechanism (32) and the pivoting mechanism (22). The swivel unit according to claim 10.

12. The transmission mechanism (33) is a gear transmission having a first gear (34) connected to the drive mechanism (32) and a second gear (35) connected to the turning mechanism (22) and meshing with the first gear. The swivel unit according to claim 11.

13. the pivoting device (15, 54) has a sensor mechanism (36) configured to monitor the removal of the container (19, 53) from the pivoting mechanism (22) after the container (19, 53) has been pivoted. The swivel unit according to claim 4.

14. The turning device (15, 54) has a conveying mechanism (40) that conveys the container (19, 53) after turning. The swivel unit according to claim 4.

15. The conveying mechanism (40) is arranged close to the pivoting mechanism (22) so that by moving the container to the second orientation, the bottom (41) of the container (19, 53) engages with the conveying means (42) of the conveying mechanism, so that the container can be removed from the pivoting mechanism by the effect of a force acting on the bottom of the conveying mechanism. The swivel unit according to claim 14.

16. The turning unit (14, 52) comprises a plurality of turning devices (15, 54) arranged adjacently and in parallel. The swivel unit according to claim 1 .

17. the turning unit (14, 52) has a merging device (16, 55) arranged downstream of the turning device (15, 54) and configured to merge the containers (19, 53) turned by the turning device into one lane, preferably in a synchronized manner; 17. The swivel unit according to claim 16.

18. A system (10, 48) for portioning and filling flat products, in particular potato chips, comprising: The system (10, 48) a product supply unit (11) for supplying the product; a container supply unit (12, 49) for supplying an open container (19, 53), preferably bowl-shaped, for containing said product; a portioning unit (13, 51) for transferring the dispensed product in portions into the dispensed container; The swivel unit (14, 52) according to claim 1; A system comprising:

19. The system (10, 48) a packaging unit for packaging the containers (19, 53) with the portions of the flat product contained therein; 20. The system of claim 18.

20. 1. A method for swirling an open container (19, 53), preferably bowl-shaped, by means of at least one swirling device (15, 54) of a swirling unit (14, 52), comprising: The container contains portions of flat products, in particular potato chips, pivoting the container by rotating it about its axis, thereby moving the container from a first orientation in which the opening (20) of the container faces in a first direction to a second orientation in which the opening faces in a second direction; method.

21. 1. A method for portioning and filling flat products, in particular potato chips, by means of a system (10, 48), comprising: the portions of said flat product are provided by a portioning unit (13, 51) of said system, said portions being transferred into containers; the portion is covered by an open container (19, 53), preferably bowl-shaped, the opening (20) of the container being oriented vertically downwards, the vertically downwards being a first direction of the container; the container is rotated with the product contained in it by rotating the container around its axis by at least one pivoting device (15, 54) of a pivoting unit (14, 52) of the system, thereby transferring the container from the first orientation in which the opening faces vertically downward to a second orientation in which the opening faces vertically upward and / or the bottom of the container faces vertically downward. method.

22. the containers (19, 53) are conveyed from the portioning unit (13, 51) to the turning unit (14, 52) in a conveying direction; 22. The method of claim 21.

23. the container (19, 53) is rotated around its axis, which runs parallel to the conveying direction, during the pivoting; 23. The method of claim 22.

24. the containers (19, 53) with the portions of flat product contained therein are then packed, preferably in tubular bags, after being turned by a packaging unit of the system (10, 48); 24. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23.

Images