Indexing welding device for tubes

Abstract

The invention relates to a rotary indexing device for manufacturing packaging tubes comprising an indexed turret (1) having a rotation axis (2) and comprising at least a first track (A) and a second track (B), each track (A, B) comprising mandrels (3A,5 3B) arranged on the circumference of the indexed turret (1); the mandrels (3A, 3B) operating successively with stations (4A, 4B); the rotation axis (2) of the turret (1) being horizontal, and the tracks (A, B) being separated from one another by a gap (7) along the rotation axis (2) of the turret (1) and a misalignment (6) in the plane of rotation of the turret (1), said misalignment (6) making all the stations (4A, 4B) and10 the mandrels (3A, 3B) visible and said gap (7) minimizing the rotational inertia of said turret (1).

Description

[0001] P4270PC00 / 0101-191 spec dpt

[0002] INDEXING WELDING DEVICE FOR TUBES

[0003] CORRESPONDING APPLICATION

[0004] The present application claims priority to the earlier European patent application N° EP24203231.6 filed on September 27, 2024 in the name of AISAPACK HOLDING SA, the content of this earlier application being incorporated by reference in its entirety in the present application.

[0005] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention pertains to the field of devices for manufacturing flexible packaging tubes for liquid, viscous or dry products, and more particularly to the field of packaging tubes manufactured by welding. These tubes consist at least of a flexible tube body, and of a component which may for example be a tube head, a cap or a bottom .

[0007] PRIOR ART

[0008] Flexible tubes generally have at least two distinct parts, namely a flexible cylindrical skirt or body connected to a component generally including an orifice for extracting the product from the packaging. The skirt of the tube is obtained either by extrusion of a tubular body or by welding a multilayer sheet. The invention set out below relates notably, but not exclusively, to a rotary indexing device notably used to perform the operations of assembling the skirt, the shoulder, the seal and the cap.

[0009] Indexed rotary devices for assembling tubes operate with intermittent movements. The rotary part of the device carries mandrels that move successively from one work station to another, which is called indexing, and the mandrels transport the packaging being manufactured from one station to another, the stations working in parallel and each performing its dedicated operation at the same time. The indexing device thus allows the assembly operations to be performed in each station when the rotary device is stopped, which is advantageous in terms of the precision and simplicity of the device. The cycle of the rotary indexing device is divided into a P4270PC00 / 0101-191 spec dpt rotation time and a stop time, the rotation time also being called indexing time. When the turret is stopped (during the stop time), the individual assembly operations begin in each station, for example in parallel with the following movements:

[0010] • Relative approach movement between the mandrels and the work stations;

[0011] • Mandrel in the work station to accomplish the task assigned to the station,

[0012] • Relative withdrawal movement between the mandrels and the work stations to allow indexing, i.e. the rotational movement that brings the mandrels to the next station provided.

[0013] When rotation of the turret is stopped, the individual assembly operations are performed in parallel in the stations, for example:

[0014] 1. Loading of the tube shoulder onto the mandrel

[0015] 2. Loading of the tube skirt onto the mandrel

[0016] 3. Precise positioning of the skirt on the mandrel

[0017] 4. Heating of the zone to be welded

[0018] 5. Welding of the skirt to the shoulder

[0019] 6. Sealing

[0020] 7. Capping

[0021] 8. Ejecting

[0022] Prior art publication EP2021156 describes a multi-track indexing welding device that allows several packagings to be handled in parallel on the turret and has the advantage of having a small footprint. The device described in document EP2021156 is illustrated in Figure 1 and this publication teaches a vertical positioning of the axis 2 of the turret 1, which is particularly advantageous for handling a large number of tracks in parallel without increasing the footprint. However, the proposed solution makes supplying components and discharging packaging more complex. Indeed, the operator has to be able to move easily around the turret to access all the stations, which consequently requires the provision of walkways that interrupt the lines for supplying components or discharging packaging. In addition, it is not easy to visually inspect or access all P4270PC00 / 0101-191 spec dpt stations during production because not all stations are visible or reachable from a fixed operator position.

[0023] The publication EP3016790 proposes an alternative device illustrated in Figure 2 and teaches the use of an axis 2 of the turret 1 arranged horizontally, which avoids the drawbacks of the vertical turret axis proposed in publication EP2021156 mentioned above. The device proposed in publication EP3016790 has other advantages because it reduces the indexing time and achieves high production rates while maintaining a radial actuation mode of the mandrels 3. The device described in this publication thus comprises a low-inertia indexed turret 1 allowing the production rate per station to be increased. The advantage of the proposed solution is the increase in the production rate without modifying the quality of the packaging produced, both in terms of performance or appearance. However, the device proposed in EP3016790 has the disadvantage of a lack of visibility and access to the mandrels 3 and stations when several tracks are arranged in parallel (as in publication EP2021156). This has the drawback of making adjustment and visual monitoring of correct operation of the machine in production more difficult.

[0024] GENERAL DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The invention proposes improving multitrack indexed devices by finding the best compromise between three criteria:

[0026] - Production rate per mandrel, size and inertia of the machine;

[0027] - Accessibility, adjustment time and configuration change time, visual monitoring of the machine in production;

[0028] - Flexibility (ability to change process).

[0029] In embodiments, the invention relates to a rotary indexing device for manufacturing packaging tubes comprising an indexed turret having a rotation axis and comprising at least a first track and a second track, each track comprising mandrels arranged on the circumference of the indexed turret; the mandrels operating successively with stations; wherein the tracks are separated from one another by a gap along the rotation axis of the turret and a misalignment in the plane of rotation of the turret, P4270PC00 / 0101-191 spec dpt said misalignment making all the stations and the mandrels visible and said gap minimizing the rotational inertia of said turret.

[0030] In embodiments of the invention, the rotation axis of the turret is horizontal so that the stations and the mandrels are visible from the front face of the device.

[0031] In embodiments of the invention, the gap between the tracks is between 1.5 and 5 times the maximum diameter of the mandrels, and preferably between 2 and 4 times said maximum diameter.

[0032] In embodiments of the invention, the ratio between the misalignment and the gap is between 1 / 3 and 3, preferably between 1 / 2 and 2.

[0033] In embodiments of the invention, the ratio between the misalignment and the gap is equal to 1.

[0034] In embodiments of the invention, the mandrels have a radial actuation mode and the stations are fixed.

[0035] In embodiments of the invention, the mandrels and the stations both have a radial actuation mode, so that the axial travel is effected partly by the mandrels and partly by the stations.

[0036] In embodiments of the invention, the axial travel is between 2 and 200 mm, preferably between 10 and 100 mm.

[0037] In embodiments of the invention, the axial travel is between 30 and 70 mm.

[0038] In embodiments, the invention concerns a device as described in the present application, wherein the stations (4A, 4B) perform the following operations:

[0039] 51 Loading of a tube head,

[0040] 52 Loading of a tubular body,

[0041] 53 Positioning of the zones to be welded, P4270PC00 / 0101-191 spec dpt

[0042] 54 Hot air heating of the zones to be welded,

[0043] 55 Application of pressure and cooling of the weld,

[0044] 56 Inspection of the weld,

[0045] 57 Welding of a seal,

[0046] 58 Pre-screwing of a cap,

[0047] 59 Screwing of a cap,

[0048] 510 Inspection of the capping,

[0049] 511 Inspection of the printing, and

[0050] 512 Unloading of the packaging.

[0051] In embodiments, the invention concerns a device as described in the present application, wherein the stations (4A, 4B) perform the following operations:

[0052] 51 Loading of a neck,

[0053] 52 Loading of a tubular body,

[0054] 53 Orientation of the tubular body,

[0055] 54 Ultrasonic welding,

[0056] 55 Inspection of the weld,

[0057] 56 Welding of a seal,

[0058] 57 Inspection of the weld,

[0059] 58 Pre-screwing of a cap,

[0060] 59 Screwing of a cap,

[0061] 510 Embossing of the tubular body,

[0062] 511 Inspection of the embossing, and

[0063] 512 Unloading of the packaging.

[0064] In embodiments, the invention concerns a device as described in the present application, wherein the stations (4A, 4B) perform the following operations:

[0065] 51 Loading of a cap,

[0066] 52 Dimensional inspection of the cap,

[0067] 53 Loading of a tubular body,

[0068] 54 Inspection of the printing of the tubular body,

[0069] 55 Angular orientation of the tubular body,

[0070] 56 Axial positioning of the zones to be welded, P4270PC00 / 0101-191 spec dpt

[0071] 57 Hot air heating of the interface to be welded,

[0072] 58 Application of pressure to the weld,

[0073] 59 Inspection of the weld,

[0074] 510 Addition of a tamper-proof label,

[0075] 511 Inspection of the labelling,

[0076] 512 Printing of a code,

[0077] 513 Inspection of the printing, and

[0078] 514 Unloading of the packaging.

[0079] In embodiments, the invention concerns a device as described in the present application, wherein the stations (4A, 4B) perform the following operations:

[0080] 51 Loading of a tube head,

[0081] 52 Loading of a tubular body,

[0082] 53 Positioning of the zones to be welded,

[0083] 54 Hot air heating of the zones to be welded,

[0084] 55 Application of pressure and cooling of the weld,

[0085] 56 Inspection of the weld,

[0086] 57 Snap-fitting of a pump,

[0087] 58 Snap-fitting of an end piece,

[0088] 59 Screwing of a cap,

[0089] 510 Inspection of the capping,

[0090] 511 Labelling, and

[0091] 512 Unloading of the packaging.

[0092] DEFINITION OF TERMS USED IN THE DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0093] 1: indexed turret

[0094] 2: rotation axis of the turret

[0095] 3: mandrels

[0096] 3A: mandrel on track A

[0097] 3B: mandrel on track B

[0098] 3C and 3D: mandrels on additional tracks (see Figure 8, principle of a four-track embodiment) P4270PC00 / 0101-191 spec dpt

[0099] 4: stations

[0100] 4A: station on track A

[0101] 4B: station on track B

[0102] 5: axis of the mandrel

[0103] 5A: axis of the mandrel on track A

[0104] 5B: axis of the mandrel on track B

[0105] 6: misalignment between the tracks (i.e. the distance measured in the plane of rotation between the axes 5A, 5B of the parallel mandrels 3A, 3B on tracks A and B)

[0106] 6A, 6B: partial misalignment between the tracks

[0107] 7: gap between the tracks

[0108] 8: axial travel

[0109] 10: angular axis corresponding to the indexing positions of the turret.

[0110] The invention discloses an indexing assembly device for packaging tubes. This device is notably used to perform the following successive operations necessary for the manufacture of a packaging tube in successive stations:

[0111] 1. Loading of a component (for example a tube head) onto the mandrel;

[0112] 2. Loading of a tubular body onto the mandrel;

[0113] 3. Precise positioning of the zones to be welded of the component and of the tubular body;

[0114] 4. Heating of the welding zone of the tubular body and of the component;

[0115] 5. Application of pressure and at least partial cooling of the weld;

[0116] 6. Sealing;

[0117] 7. Capping;

[0118] 8. Ejecting (for example, unloading of the packaging).

[0119] The advantage of the device according to the present invention is notably, but not exclusively, its flexibility when performing various welding or assembly processes. Thus, on a given turret 1 , several different processes can be performed by rapidly changing the stations 4 positioned around the turret 1. This enables stations 4 with different functions to be used (welding, snap-fitting, screwing, heating, cooling, loading, unloading, sealing, embossing, marking, bonding, labelling, weld P4270PC00 / 0101-191 spec dpt inspection, orientation, inspections, etc.). In addition, the position of the stations 4 around the turret 1 can be interchanged, which makes it possible to perform a large number of different processes with the same turret. For example, with eight different stations 4 around the turret 1 , the theoretical number of possible processes is 120 if the position of five of these stations 4 is interchangeable. Obviously, not all the processes that are theoretically possible are of practical use, but this illustrates the practicality of being able to interchange the position of the stations 4 and of having a large number of stations 4 on the turret.

[0120] In embodiments, the invention thus relates to a rotary indexing device comprising an indexed turret 1 comprising several tracks A, B arranged in planes parallel and perpendicular to the rotation axis 2 of said turret. According to the invention, the axis 2 of the turret 1 is preferably horizontal, which facilitates visual monitoring and intervention by the operator on the device, for example on the mandrels 3 or the stations 4. According to embodiments of the invention, the tracks A, B are staggered in two directions to allow visual access to each mandrel and reduced rotational inertia.

[0121] The principle of the invention reduces indexing time on account of the low inertia of the device. This enables higher production rates to be achieved without reducing the time required for individual assembly operations.

[0122] The invention ensures high production rates without reducing the welding time.

[0123] The invention ensures a high production rate without this rate having an effect on the quality of the packaging produced, both in terms of performance and appearance.

[0124] In other words, the invention relates to a device which maintains a reduced indexing time in order to achieve high production rates.

[0125] Compared to a device in which all the tracks are in the same plane (see Figure 6) which enables excellent access to each station (the distance 7 between the tracks P4270PC00 / 0101-191 spec dpt is 0, see Figure 4), the concept according to the invention reduces the inertia of the turret by a factor of between 1.5 and 15 and preferably between 2.5 and 10 while maintaining very good access to the stations.

[0126] In comparison with a device in which the tracks are parallel and not staggered which has very low rotational inertia (the misalignment 6, see Figure 4, between the stations is 0, see for example Figure 1 where all the stations of each track are all vertically aligned or the construction in Figure 6 which is explained below), the concept according to the invention significantly improves access to the stations while maintaining a very advantageous rotational inertia.

[0127] According to embodiments of the invention, the misalignment 6 (see Figure 4) between the tracks A, B is between 1.5 and 5 times the maximum diameter of the mandrels 3A, 3B that can be used on the device, and preferably between 2 and 4 times the maximum diameter of the mandrels.

[0128] According to embodiments of the invention, the gap 7 between the tracks A, B (see Figure 4) is between 1.5 and 5 times the maximum diameter of the mandrels 3A, 3B that can be used on the device, and preferably between 2 and 4 times.

[0129] According to embodiments of the invention, the ratio between the misalignment 6 and the gap 7 is between 1 / 3 and 3, preferably between 1 / 2 and 2, and advantageously this ratio is equal to 1.

[0130] In order to optimize the inertia of the turret 1 , particular care is taken to reduce the mass of the elements of the turret 1 which are distant from its centre of rotation. Thus, particular attention has been paid to the mandrels 3 located at the periphery of the turret 1. In order to reduce the mass of the latter, low density materials are preferably used. Materials with a density of less than 5 and preferably less than 3 are used, such as aluminium or resin- and fibre-based composite materials. According to the invention, the geometry of the mandrels 1 is also optimized by locally replacing a cylindrical geometry with a profile of equivalent rigidity but of lower mass, for example. P4270PC00 / 0101-191 spec dpt

[0131] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the stations 4 have an "axial" actuation mode enabling them to move from a "working position" to a "disengaged position". In the description of the invention, the term "axial" is understood to mean the relative movement between the station 4 and the mandrel 3 which is effected in the direction of the axis 5 of the mandrel 3 when the turret 1 is in the indexed position. "Working position" is also understood to mean the relative position between the mandrel 3 and the station 4 in the indexed position, as opposed to the "disengaged position" corresponding to the relative position between the stations 4 and the mandrels 3 during indexing, i.e. when the turret 1 is rotating. The axial travel 8 corresponds to the distance between the working position and the disengaged position. The axial actuation of the stations 4 minimizes the axial travel as a function of the size of the components and as a function of the type of station 4. The axial actuation of the stations 4 is preferably performed by a linear servomotor, which provides precise, fast and repetitive control. Alternatively, the axial actuation of the stations 4 is performed by a pneumatic cylinder. The axial actuation is preferably performed individually per station 4, or alternatively on a group of stations 4 in parallel (for example on a group of four stations 4 for a turret 1 comprising four parallel tracks).

[0132] An embodiment with four staggered tracks in parallel with the mandrels 3A to 3D is illustrated in Figure 8: this construction is similar to the construction illustrated in Figures 3-5, but with two additional tracks, the features and principle of the two- track embodiment as described in the present application applying correspondingly to this non-limiting embodiment, the number of tracks potentially being different from that illustrated in the embodiments described in the present application.

[0133] The advantage of preferential control by station 4 according to embodiments for example enables control to be adapted in response to contingencies (for example, component missing from a mandrel 3).

[0134] According to embodiments of the invention, the mandrels 3 have a radial actuation mode and the stations 4 are fixed as described in publication EP3016790. In this P4270PC00 / 0101-191 spec dpt configuration, the mandrels 3 perform the axial travel 8, separating the disengaged position from the working position.

[0135] According to embodiments of the invention, the stations 4 and the mandrels 3 both have a radial actuation mode. In this configuration, the axial travel 8 is effected partly by the mandrels 3 and partly by the stations 4. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for assembly operations requiring a long axial travel. This is for example the case for components that are large along the axis 5 of the mandrel 3. Examples include cannula devices or certain dosing systems.

[0136] The axial travel 8 according to the invention is between 2 and 200 mm, preferably between 10 and 100 mm and advantageously between 30 and 70 mm.

[0137] The invention improves the efficiency of the device in production on account of

[0138] - The ability to visually monitor all the stations 4 from the front face of the machine when the machine is in production;

[0139] - Easy access to the mandrels 3 and the stations 4 from the front face of the machine, which reduces adjustment times;

[0140] - Easy access to the mandrels 3 and the stations 4 from the front face of the machine, which reduces maintenance times;

[0141] - Easy access to the mandrels 3 and the stations 4 from the front face of the machine, which reduces configuration-change times.

[0142] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0143] Figure 1 illustrates an indexed device having a vertical rotation axis and described in publication EP2021156.

[0144] Figure 2 illustrates an indexed device having a horizontal rotation axis and having low rotational inertia and described in publication EP3016790.

[0145] Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of the device according to the invention viewed perpendicular to the rotation axis of the turret. P4270PC00 / 0101-191 spec dpt

[0146] Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention viewed parallel to the rotation axis of the turret of the device illustrated in Figure 3.

[0147] Figure 5 illustrates a detailed part of Figure 3.

[0148] Figure 6 illustrates a comparative turret configuration viewed perpendicular to the rotation axis of said turret.

[0149] Figure 7 illustrates the comparative turret configuration of Figure 6 as a side view of the rotation axis of the turret.

[0150] Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of the device according to the invention with four tracks staggered according to the principle of the invention.

[0151] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0152] As indicated above, Figures 1 and 2 illustrate devices from the prior art and reference is made to these publications for the description of the operation of such devices and of the inventions disclosed in these publications.

[0153] The principle of the invention according to one embodiment thereof is illustrated in Figure 3 which is a view of the device perpendicular to the rotation axis of the turret 1 showing firstly a series of mandrels 3A, 3B distributed around the central part of the turret 1 and the stations 4A, 4B, the references S1-S10 illustrate the fact that each station performs a predetermined operation in the manufacturing process, opposite the mandrels 3A, 3B.

[0154] For example, as mentioned above as operations necessary for the manufacture of a packaging tube, the stations 4A, 4B can successively perform:

[0155] S1 : Loading of a component onto the mandrel, for example a tube head;

[0156] S2: Loading of a tubular body onto the mandrel; P4270PC00 / 0101-191 spec dpt

[0157] S3: Precise positioning of the zones to be welded of the component and of the tubular body;

[0158] S4: Heating of the welding zone of the tubular body and of the component;

[0159] S5: Application of pressure and at least partial cooling of the weld;

[0160] S6: Sealing;

[0161] S7: Capping;

[0162] S8: Ejecting.

[0163] The stations S9 to S12 can perform other operations depending on the product manufactured, for example a quality check (preferably before ejecting) or other operations as mentioned in the present description (adding labels, etc.).

[0164] In the example illustrated, the mandrels are distributed over two tracks A and B which can be seen in Figure 4 (side view). In Figure 3, this means that track A is seen in the foreground and track B is seen in the background, which is illustrated by the arrow shown on the left of Figure 4. In order to identify them easily, the mandrels 3A and the stations 4A on the track A comprise points forming a texture.

[0165] As can be seen in Figure 3, angular axes 10 in dot-dash lines are illustrated every 30° but the mandrels 3A and 3B are not coaxial with these axes 10 (as in the prior art constructions illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 for example) but parallel to said angular axes and therefore offset with respect to the turret 1 and not essentially perpendicular to the surface thereof as in the constructions illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. This angular offset between the tracks A and B is quantified by a misalignment 6 between the tracks A and B.

[0166] As shown in Figure 3, the axis 5A of the mandrel 3A is parallel to the angular axis 10 but with a partial misalignment 6A and the axis 5B of the mandrel 3B is also parallel to the angular axis 10 but with a partial misalignment 6B and the stations S7 are on each side of the angular axis but aligned with the mandrels 3A, 3B respectively. This construction is repeated for each mandrel 3A / 3B and each station 4A / 4B of each track A and B. The sum of the partial misalignment 6A and the partial P4270PC00 / 0101-191 spec dpt misalignment 6B is equal to the misalignment 6 mentioned above and illustrated in Figure 4.

[0167] A first effect obtained with this staggered construction of the tracks A and B is that, since the rotation axis 2 of the turret 1 is horizontal, all the mandrels 3A and 3B and the stations 4A and 4B are visible from a position of the operator who will typically see the turret as in Figure 3. Thus, without moving, the operator can monitor all the mandrels 3A, 3B and all the stations 4A, 4B without moving during production and when the turret 1 rotates (indexing) in the direction of rotation indicated by the rotating arrow on the turret 1 in Figure 3.

[0168] On the other hand, the mandrels 3A and 3B are at a certain distance, called the axial travel 8, from the stations 4A, 4B and they are moved by this distance when the operation provided by the station 4A / 4B is performed. Otherwise, the mandrels 3A / 3B are withdrawn towards the turret 1 during movement of the turret, which reduces its radius and consequently its inertia.

[0169] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate side views of the two tracks A and B and show the position of the end of the mandrels 3A, 3B and therefore the position of the stations 4A, 4B which can be seen in dashed lines in Figure 5 as a construction detail. The misalignment 6 between the tracks A and B offsets the stations 4A and 4B and allow a more compact construction of the tracks A, B in the direction of the rotation axis 2 compared to the construction in which the stations are aligned along the axis

[0170] 2 (as in the construction in Figure 1 , for example). In addition, this construction with a misalignment 6 and a gap 5 also reduces the diameter of the turret 1 with the mandrels 3A, 3B, which reduces the inertia of the device, as will be understood when considering the comparative construction of Figures 6 and 7.

[0171] Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a comparative construction using the same view as Figure

[0172] 3 (for Figure 6) and Figure 4 (for Figure 7). In this comparative construction, the two tracks A and B are in the same plane of rotation (the value of the gap 7 is equal to zero). In this construction, all the mandrels 3A and 3B are parallel to the angular axes 10 with partial misalignment 6A and 6B respectively, but they are in the same P4270PC00 / 0101-191 spec dpt plane, as can be seen in Figure 7. This construction makes it possible to compare the embodiment of the invention in Figures 3 and 4, which has two tracks that are both staggered and spaced apart, with this construction, which has two tracks that are only staggered. Given the size of the stations 4A, 4B, the sum of the distances 6A and 6B in Figure 7 is greater than the sum of the corresponding distances 6A, 6B in Figure 5, i.e. the misalignment 6 in Figure 7 is greater than the misalignment 6 in Figure 5. Consequently, the distance between the axes 5A and 5B of the mandrels in Figure 7 is greater than the distance between the axes 5A and 5B of the mandrels in Figure 5, which results in the diameter of the turret 1 in Figure 6 being greater than the diameter of the turret in Figure 3 and thus the turret in Figure 6 has a greater inertia than the turret in Figure 3, with the condition that the stations 4A, 4B and the mandrels 3A and 3B can be seen directly by the operator from their position. In other words, the construction according to an embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in Figures 3 to 5 reduces inertia, which is a favourable and desired effect.

[0173] Comparing the inertia of a turret according to Figure 6 with a number N of stations in a single plane with the inertia of the new device with N stations but on two planes. An example is given with mandrels 63.5 mm in diameter and stations 170 mm in diameter.

[0174] In the table below,

[0175] The device according to the invention therefore reduces the inertia of the turret by a factor of between 1 and 10, and preferably between 2 and 7.

[0176] In variants as described in the present application, the mandrels may be fixed along their axes 5A and 5B respectively, and the stations 4A and 4B move in the direction of the mandrels 3A and 3B. In other variants, both the mandrels 3A, 3B and the stations 4A, 4B move towards each other when an operation in the stations is to be P4270PC00 / 0101-191 spec dpt performed and both move away during indexing. The movement may be identical for the mandrels 3A, 3B and the stations 4A, 4B (for example the travel 8 divided by two) or the movements may be different, for example the elements having the greatest inertia move less than the elements having the lowest inertia. Another criterion may be the footprint required for the movement or the available space.

[0177] This construction has many advantages:

[0178] Device flexibility: ability to quickly change processes by changing the position and type of station on the turret on account of the easier access to the stations.

[0179] Examples of processes which can be performed with the construction described and illustrated in the present application are set out below (by station S1-S12, examples 1, 2 and 4, by station S1-S14, example 3, on each track) by taking the illustrative example of a packaging formed of a tubular body and of a component, for example in the form of a tube head.

[0180] Example 1 :

[0181] 51 Loading of a tube head;

[0182] 52 Loading of a tubular body;

[0183] 53 Positioning of the zones to be welded;

[0184] 54 Hot air heating of the zones to be welded;

[0185] 55 Application of pressure and cooling of the weld;

[0186] 56 Inspection of the weld;

[0187] 57 Welding of a seal;

[0188] 58 Pre-screwing of a cap;

[0189] 59 Screwing of a cap;

[0190] 510 Inspection of the capping;

[0191] 511 Inspection of the printing;

[0192] 512 Unloading of the packaging.

[0193] Example 2:

[0194] S1 Loading of a neck; P4270PC00 / 0101-191 spec dpt

[0195] 52 Loading of a tubular body;

[0196] 53 Orientation of the tubular body;

[0197] 54 Ultrasonic welding;

[0198] 55 Inspection of the weld;

[0199] 56 Welding of a seal;

[0200] 57 Inspection of the weld;

[0201] 58 Pre-screwing of a cap;

[0202] 59 Screwing of a cap;

[0203] 510 Embossing of the tubular body;

[0204] 511 Inspection of the embossing;

[0205] 512 Unloading of the packaging.

[0206] Example 3:

[0207] 51 Loading of a cap;

[0208] 52 Dimensional inspection of the cap;

[0209] 53 Loading of a tubular body;

[0210] 54 Inspection of the printing of the tubular body;

[0211] 55 Angular orientation of the tubular body;

[0212] 56 Axial positioning of the zones to be welded;

[0213] 57 Hot air heating of the interface to be welded;

[0214] 58 Application of pressure to the weld;

[0215] 59 Inspection of the weld;

[0216] 510 Addition of a tamper-proof label;

[0217] 511 Inspection of the labelling;

[0218] 512 Printing of a code;

[0219] 513 Inspection of the printing;

[0220] 514 Unloading of the packaging.

[0221] Example 4:

[0222] 51 Loading of a tube head;

[0223] 52 Loading of a tubular body;

[0224] 53 Positioning of the zones to be welded;

[0225] 54 Hot air heating of the zones to be welded; P4270PC00 / 0101-191 spec dpt

[0226] 55 Application of pressure and cooling of the weld;

[0227] 56 Inspection of the weld;

[0228] 57 Snap-fitting of a pump;

[0229] 58 Snap-fitting of an end piece;

[0230] 59 Screwing of a cap;

[0231] 510 Inspection of the capping;

[0232] 511 Labelling;

[0233] 512 Unloading of the packaging.

[0234] Embodiments have been described in order to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture and use of the systems, devices and processes described in the present application. A number of these embodiments have been illustrated in the appended drawings and described above. The systems and processes specifically described in the present application and illustrated in the appended drawings are non-limiting embodiments of the scope of the present invention. The features illustrated or described in relation to one embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variants are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. A certain number of problems with conventional processes and systems have been noted here and the processes and systems described here may solve one or more of these problems. In addition, while this invention has been described in conjunction with a certain number of embodiments, alternatives, modifications, equivalents and variants that are in the spirit and scope of the present invention are also covered by the present application.

Claims

P4270PC00 / 0101-191 spec dptCLAIMS1. Rotary indexing device for manufacturing packaging tubes comprising an indexed turret (1) having a rotation axis (2) and comprising at least a first track (A) and a second track (B), each track (A, B) comprising mandrels (3A, 3B) arranged on the circumference of the indexed turret (1); the mandrels (3A, 3B) operating successively with stations (4A, 4B); wherein the tracks (A, B) are separated from one another by a gap (7) along the rotation axis (2) of the turret (1) and a misalignment (6) in the plane of rotation of the turret (1), said misalignment (6) making all the stations (4A, 4B) and the mandrels (3A, 3B) visible and said gap (7) minimizing the rotational inertia of said turret (1).

2. Device according to Claim 1 , wherein the rotation axis (2) of the turret (1) is horizontal.

3. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the gap (7) between the tracks (A, B) is between 1.5 and 5 times the maximum diameter of the mandrels (3A, 3B), and preferably between 2 and 4 times said maximum diameter.

4. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the ratio between the misalignment (6) and the gap (7) is between 1 / 3 and 3, preferably between 1 / 2 and 2.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio between the misalignment (6) and the gap (7) is equal to 1.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mandrels (3A, 3B) have a radial actuation mode and the stations (4A, 4B) are fixed.

7. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 5 above, wherein the mandrels (3A, 3B) and the stations (4A, 4B) both have a radial actuation mode, so that the axialP4270PC00 / 0101-191 spec dpt travel (8) is effected partly by the mandrels (3A, 3B) and partly by the stations (4A, 4B).

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the axial travel (8) is between 2 and 200 mm, preferably between 10 and 100 mm.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the axial travel (8) is between 30 and 70 mm.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stations (4A, 4B) perform the following operations:51 Loading of a tube head,52 Loading of a tubular body,53 Positioning of the zones to be welded,54 Hot air heating of the zones to be welded,55 Application of pressure and cooling of the weld,56 Inspection of the weld,57 Welding of a seal,58 Pre-screwing of a cap,59 Screwing of a cap,510 Inspection of the capping,511 Inspection of the printing, and512 Unloading of the packaging.

11. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 9 above, wherein the stations (4A, 4B) perform the following operations:51 Loading of a neck,52 Loading of a tubular body,53 Orientation of the tubular body,54 Ultrasonic welding,55 Inspection of the weld,56 Welding of a seal,57 Inspection of the weld,P4270PC00 / 0101-191 spec dpt58 Pre-screwing of a cap,59 Screwing of a cap,510 Embossing of the tubular body,511 Inspection of the embossing, and512 Unloading of the packaging.

12. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 9 above, wherein the stations (4A, 4B) perform the following operations:51 Loading of a cap,52 Dimensional inspection of the cap,53 Loading of a tubular body,54 Inspection of the printing of the tubular body,55 Angular orientation of the tubular body,56 Axial positioning of the zones to be welded,57 Hot air heating of the interface to be welded,58 Application of pressure to the weld,59 Inspection of the weld,510 Addition of a tamper-proof label,511 Inspection of the labelling,512 Printing of a code,513 Inspection of the printing, and514 Unloading of the packaging.

13. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 9 above, wherein the stations (4A, 4B) perform the following operations:51 Loading of a tube head,52 Loading of a tubular body,53 Positioning of the zones to be welded,54 Hot air heating of the zones to be welded,55 Application of pressure and cooling of the weld,56 Inspection of the weld,57 Snap-fitting of a pump,58 Snap-fitting of an end piece,P4270PC00 / 0101-191 spec dptS9 Screwing of a cap,510 Inspection of the capping,511 Labelling, and512 Unloading of the packaging.

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