CN211810371U

CN211810371U - Packaging device and transport device for film sections

Info

Publication number: CN211810371U
Application number: CN202020039868.3U
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·维尔纳; C·罗森沃克; F·科钦基; H·斯平德勒
Original assignee: Krones AG
Current assignee: Krones AG
Priority date: 2019-02-19
Filing date: 2020-01-09
Publication date: 2020-10-30
Anticipated expiration: 2030-01-09
Also published as: FR3092825B1; FR3092825A1; DE102019104112A1

Abstract

The utility model relates to a equipment for packing (1) and the conveyer that is used for film district section, equipment for packing include film separation station (2), be used for the conveyer and the film of film district section (3) to wrap up module (4). The transport device (20) comprises a plurality of film guiding elements (30) arranged in parallel, wherein at least one distance (A) between at least two adjacent film guiding elements (30) can be provided. The utility model discloses still relate to a conveyer (20) for adjusting equipment for packing (1).

Description

Packaging device and transport device for film sections

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a equipment for packing and equipment for packing's conveyer.

Background

Shrinkable films are suitable for packaging bundles or groups of goods, which are wrapped around the goods and shrunk onto the goods under the action of heat, whereby a certain mechanical stability is provided and protection against media and environmental influences is provided. The processing is usually carried out in so-called packaging plants, in which the goods or groups of goods to be packaged are surrounded by a shrinkable film by means of a film wrapping device. The film wrapped bundle is then fed to a shrinking station which provides the heat required to shrink the film, whereby the shrink film firmly surrounds the goods to form a shrunk bundle.

The goods or groups of goods to be enclosed are usually transported vertically or horizontally on a horizontal conveyor in the direction of a shrinking device and are wrapped in the transport direction with film wrapping devices in film sections of defined length.

Generally, the articles surrounded by the shrink film to collectively form the bundle are of the same shape and in particular of the same size. When changing from one type of bundle to another, the shape and/or size and/or number of the goods can also be changed if necessary. The dimensions of the film sections used for packaging change. For example, the film for producing the bundle is initially taken from one or more film supply units, for example, a roll, of the packaging device, as a running roll or continuous film. The continuous film is then transported on the transport section at least partially different transport speeds along further stations of the packaging device. Finally, the continuous film is fed to the film wrapping station of the wrapping device for the goods to be wrapped and grouped. Depending on the design of the wrapping device, sections of film are cut from the continuous film shortly before, during or shortly after the wrapping of the goods into bundles at the film wrapping device. The film transport and delivery device is used to deliver the cut film sections to the film wrapping device.

A method and a device for producing a plurality of bundles from a commercial product wrapped with film sections are known, for example, from document EP 2163482B 1. The continuous film is first printed. The film sections are then cut off from the continuous film in the film separating station in the corresponding length and fed to the film wrapping device of the wrapping device.

Patent document EP 2495178B 1 describes a packaging module for packaging wrapped bundles or groups of goods by means of a packaging film and/or a film which is shrinkable under heat, the bundles or groups of goods being transported on a horizontal conveyor in the direction of a shrinking station and being wrapped in the transport direction by means of a film wrapping device with a film section of defined length. The wrapping module includes a film transport and delivery device to deliver the cut film segments to the film wrapping device. The film transport and conveying device is equipped with a temperature control device for controlling the film sections to a higher temperature below the softening and/or shrinking temperature specific to the film. It is proposed that the temperature control device be arranged between the film cutting device for cutting off the film section and the film wrapping device.

Publication DE 102017114024 a1 discloses a wrapping module and a method for wrapping a group of goods with a wrapping film and/or a film that is shrinkable under heat. The group of products is transported in the direction of the packaging station and is surrounded in the transport direction by the film wrapping device with a film section of defined length. The film unwound from the film roll in the packaging module is guided as a continuous film web via a film store, for example a so-called winding machine, to be deflected by a film cutting device integrated therein and from there conveyed to a film transport and conveying device arranged downstream of the film cutting device for conveying the cut film portions to the film wrapping device.

The publication DE 102008020295 a1 describes a device for transporting films, which has at least one device for applying a low pressure. Devices for transporting films are used, for example, for transporting the films to subsequent packaging devices, in which the containers, in particular filled liquid containers, are packaged into bundles using the films. The means for applying low pressure have a first opening on the upper side and are surrounded by at least one conveyor belt having a second opening, thereby forming a suction surface on which the film is transported. The device for transporting a film according to the utility model has a device for adjusting the size and/or shape of the suction surface.

In order to be able to ensure trouble-free film processing, it is important in the case of very thin films that the film is optimally positioned within the separating station. Which would otherwise cause the corners and/or edge regions of the film to invert.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The object of the present invention is to provide a transport device for film sections of a packaging device, which can be used for different films, wherein the films can in particular be made of different materials having different properties and/or can have different dimensions and the like.

The above object is achieved by a packaging apparatus and a transport device for a packaging apparatus.

The packaging apparatus described herein includes a film separation station, a transport device for the film segments, and a film wrapping module. The planar film material is provided in a suitable storage device. According to one embodiment, the film material is provided as a continuous material on a roll. The film sections required for packaging the goods or groups of goods are produced within the film separating station by cutting the film sections from the continuous supply with a suitable cutting tool in defined lengths. Such as knives, blades, heating wires, etc., are suitable as cutting means. The film sections thus cut off are fed via a transport device to a film wrapping module. The film sections are generally transported from below to the film wrapping modules.

Furthermore, the goods to be packaged or the goods composition to be packaged, which are to be packaged by means of the respective film sections, are conveyed to the film wrapping module. Commercial products, in particular beverage containers, such as bottles or cans filled with beverages made of plastic or glass; however, other items of merchandise, such as shampoo bottles, etc., can also be enclosed and joined by means of the film sections.

The goods are arranged partially within the film wrapping module on the front end region of the film section and the film is wrapped around the goods. Typically, the film wrapping module includes a wrapping rod for this purpose, which wraps the film around the goods. In particular, it is provided that the goods stand on both end regions of the film section after the wrapping process is completed.

The product thus enclosed by the film section is then transported to the next processing station. In particular, the film section is a shrink film which shrinks on account of its properties when heat is introduced. In particular, the goods enclosed by the film sections are fed to a shrinking device, in which the goods enclosed by the film sections are subjected to a shrinking medium, for example hot air. In this regard, the film sections firmly abut the goods and form a package holding the goods together. The assembly of the composition of the article of commerce and the shrink film section is also referred to as a bundle or shrink bundle.

The transport device comprises a plurality of film guiding elements arranged in parallel, wherein at least one distance between at least two adjacent film guiding elements is provided or adjustable. This adjustability or adjustability is used, for example, to adapt the transport device and/or the packaging device to (changing) production conditions, for example, when the packaging device is first started to operate or when the product is changed. For example, if other articles are being processed, the dimensions of the film segments must be matched to the new article or article composition. For example, if larger items are to be combined, correspondingly larger film sections for packaging are required if necessary. If the bundle is to be formed integrally from different quantities of goods, correspondingly different sizes of film sections are required. Changing the film material used may also require adjustment of the transport apparatus.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the film guiding elements are parallel conveyor belts. Preferably, this is a conveyor belt of endless design, which can be loaded with low pressure. The conveyor belts together form a transport region for the film sections, which transport region is also referred to as a conveying surface in the following. In particular, the transport surface, which is designed to be inclined relative to a horizontal plane and over which the film portions are transported in the transport direction, is designed parallel to the film guiding elements arranged in parallel. Especially from below in an inclined direction upwards.

According to another embodiment, the film guiding element is a film transfer finger. The film transfer means in particular project into the transition region between the transport device and the film wrapping module and stabilize the film section in the transition region and/or ensure that the further transport of the film section is not disturbed.

According to one embodiment, it can be provided that the transport device comprises a first film guiding element in the form of a parallel conveyor belt and a second film guiding element in the form of a film transfer finger. For example, it can be provided that the conveyor belt and the film transfer fingers are arranged alternately next to the transition region to the film wrapping module. According to a further embodiment, adjacent to the transition region, each conveyor belt is provided with film transfer fingers on both sides parallel to the transport direction of the film sections and parallel to the conveyor belt. This transport device comprises twice as many second film guiding elements as the first film guiding elements. In this embodiment, it can be provided in particular that one first film guiding element and the corresponding two second film guiding elements form a mechanical or film guiding unit and can therefore only be set or adjusted jointly.

In a variant, it can be provided that all film guiding elements can be arranged or adjusted in common, wherein in particular corresponding identical distances are formed between directly adjacent further guiding elements. It is preferably provided, however, that at least two adjacent film elements comprised by a group can be arranged jointly or each film guiding element can be arranged separately.

In particular, at least one distance between at least two adjacent film elements is provided via an adjusting mechanism, which is respectively coupled to the respective film guiding element or to a group of at least two adjacent film guiding elements or to all film guiding elements. The adjusting mechanism is used in particular for setting at least one distance between at least two adjacent film guiding elements in a transport direction transverse to the film sections. For example, it can be provided that the film guiding elements are each arranged on at least one slide, which is arranged on at least one rail transverse to the transport direction, so that the film guiding elements can be moved on the rail transverse to the transport direction. Alternatively, the film guiding elements can be fastened to screws arranged transversely to the transport direction and/or transversely to the film guiding elements, respectively, and can be configured such that their position can be changed. Other suitable adjustment mechanisms are known to the skilled person and are to be included in the present invention.

According to one embodiment of the invention the film guiding element is a conveyor belt. The conveyor belts are arranged or adjusted in such a way that at least one group of at least two adjacent conveyor belts forms a transport region or a conveying surface. In particular, at least three or more adjacent conveyor belts form a transport region or a conveying surface. The conveyor belts forming the common conveying surface are arranged at equal distances from one another, i.e., the distance between two adjacent conveyor belts of the conveying surface is equal to the distance between two other adjacent conveyor belts of the conveying surface. In particular the number of conveyor belts and the spacing between the conveyor belts, depends on the properties, in particular the size and/or the film properties, of the film sections to be transported. In order to keep the distance as small as possible, the maximum possible number of conveyor belts is selected so that there is no or only a very small distance between the respective adjacent conveyor belts. This makes it possible to construct a conveying surface that is as closed as possible.

In particular, when arranging the conveyor belts, it must be noted that the edge regions of the film portions arranged parallel to the film guiding elements are each arranged on one of the conveyor belts. In particular, the edge region should not project beyond the outer conveyor forming the conveying surface. In particular, the edge region should not protrude into the distance between the outer conveyor belt forming the conveying surface for the film section and the adjacent conveyor belt, which is assigned to another conveying surface and/or is not used for transporting the film section, for example.

For example, in order to simultaneously feed two or more film sections to a film wrapping module or a plurality of film wrapping modules via the transport device, two or more groups each of which is formed by at least two adjacent film guiding elements are arranged, wherein the groups are arranged parallel to one another and form parallel transport regions or transport planes. In this case, the film guiding elements in each group are arranged at equal distances from one another. The second distance between the parallel transport regions can be flexibly set, in particular, depending on the film separating station that transports the film sections and/or depending on the design of the subsequent film wrapping modules.

A corresponding number of film sections can be transported simultaneously and/or in parallel over at least two parallel transport areas. The film sections are preferably transported in this case in at least two parallel transport regions aligned transversely to the transport direction. This can be advantageous in particular for processing film sections in parallel in subsequent film wrapping modules. However, for other embodiments, an offset arrangement of the film portions transversely to the transport direction may also be suitable.

According to a further embodiment, it can be provided that spacer elements are arranged between the film guiding elements arranged in parallel in order to fill the space between the film guiding elements and to form a conveying surface which is as closed as possible. For example, when parallel transport regions are formed for the multi-track transport of film portions, it may be necessary to form a significant distance between the film guiding elements in a group. The problem arises in the use of film sections made of very thin material, which may sag in the region between the film-guiding elements. This can lead to distortion of the film segments or other problems in the next process.

Suitable spacer elements are, for example, flat plates which are inserted between the film guide elements in particular in such a way that the flat plates are at least maximally closed to the upper side of the film guide elements so as to form a closed conveying surface. For this purpose, the plates each have a thickness corresponding to the distance to be closed or are provided with a plurality of flat surfaces in order to fill the corresponding distance. In this case, the spacer elements need not completely fill the respective spacings between the film guiding elements. The respective spacing between the film guiding elements is advantageously reduced by the spacer elements, for example, two smaller spacings are produced. In this case, a smaller distance is formed between the spacer element and one of the two adjacent film guiding elements between which the spacer element is arranged.

The film guide element in the form of a conveyor belt is preferably a vacuum conveyor belt, i.e. a conveyor belt which can be subjected to low pressure. In particular, the transport device is equipped with at least one vacuum generator and each conveyor belt is connected to at least one vacuum generator. According to one embodiment, all conveyor belts are connected to a vacuum generator, so that all conveyor belts are loaded with the same underpressure during operation of the vacuum generator. According to a further embodiment, it is provided that a valve or other suitable switching on and off or control device is arranged between each conveyor belt and at least one vacuum generator. The suction pressure can thus be acted upon in a targeted manner for each conveyor belt or can be controlled individually. It is also conceivable that each group of at least two adjacent conveyor belts can be connected to a control device and be controlled jointly.

The targeted control makes it possible to not subject the individual conveyor belts, which are not part of the transport region or of the conveying surface, to low pressures due to the specific production conditions. For example, it can be provided that only the group of outer conveyor belts and the inner conveyor belt arranged between the outer conveyor belts, which together form the transport region, are subjected to a low pressure. The same applies to the case where a plurality of parallel transport areas are constructed. It may additionally be provided, for example, that each conveyor belt has its own drive, so that in this case the individual conveyor belts not used for transport can additionally be switched off. It may generally be advantageous, however, for all conveyor belts to be driven via a common drive. Electronic controls for selectively shutting down individual conveyor belts may be used if desired.

The transport device is also equipped with a control device. For this purpose, the transport device can have its own control device or be actuated together by the mechanical control device of the packaging device. This has the advantage, in particular, that all mechanical parts of the packaging device can be automatically adapted to the new production conditions at the same time when the product is changed. Preferably, the control device or the mechanical control device is coupled to the film guiding elements and/or to the adjustment mechanism of the film guiding elements and contains information about at least one distance provided between the film guiding elements. After the input of the parameters of the new production conditions, in particular of the film sections to be processed, for example material properties, dimensions, etc., the coordinated arrangement of the film guiding elements is calculated for the new production conditions.

According to one embodiment, the calculated new arrangement of the film guiding elements is output, for example, via an image display or the like, so that the film guiding elements can be set or adjusted manually by the operator of the transport device and/or the packaging device accordingly. In particular, the actual situation, i.e. the current arrangement of the film guiding elements, can also be taken into account when calculating the new arrangement. In which case the operator may be provided with further information to set or adjust manually. This can be, for example, information which indicates which film guiding elements can be left in their respective positions and which must be set or adjusted.

Alternatively, an automated setting or adjustment is provided, i.e. the control device sends corresponding information to the adjustment mechanism, which then automatically sets the film guide element. In this case, the actual supply situation is preferably also taken into account, in order to automate the setting or adjustment with as few process steps as possible.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the film sections are transported via a plurality of so-called individual belt modules, which can be moved transversely to the transport direction. Whereby the belt module can be arranged ideally. The number of belt modules can also be varied and can thus be coordinated with the machining program according to the respective production conditions. The belt modules of each film section can be arranged or adjusted in blocks or groups according to the program and adjusted according to the optimum positioning of the film sections. This ensures that the film section is optimally positioned relative to the film transfer fingers. To prevent the film sections from sagging between the belt modules, insert plates or intermediate support devices that can be set or adjusted can be added between the belt modules as spacer elements.

The transport device described here can be set optimally according to the different widths of the film sections and the number of film sections to be processed in parallel. In particular, different film properties, such as thickness, stiffness, etc., can be adapted. The transport device can therefore be universal and can be easily and cost-effectively coordinated with new production conditions. Different products can thus be processed in the packaging device and no special solutions for special products are required.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention and their advantages are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensional ratios of the individual elements in the figures do not always correspond to the actual dimensional ratios, since some shapes are shown simplified and others are shown enlarged for better illustration than others.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a packaging apparatus.

Fig. 2 shows the transport device of the packaging arrangement according to fig. 1 in a first operating state.

Fig. 3 shows the transport device according to fig. 2 in a second operating state.

Fig. 4 shows the transport device according to fig. 2 in a third operating state.

The same reference numerals are used for identical or functionally identical elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only the reference numerals necessary for describing the respective figures are shown in the respective figures. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of an apparatus or described method that may be implemented according to the invention and are not final limiting.

List of reference numerals

1 packaging equipment

2 film separation station

3 film segment

3a wide film segment

3b narrow film segment

4 film wrap-around module

5 first conveyor belt

6 commercial composition

7 bundling body

8 second conveyer belt

9 wrap rod

10 cutting tool

20 transport device

21 conveyor belt

22 vacuum conveyor belt

23 air inlet

24 upper return section

25 film transfer finger

26 cover element

30 film guide element

31 film guide unit

32 outer film guide unit of conveying surface

33 internal film guide unit of conveying surface

34 stationary film guide unit

35 low-pressure tank

40 control device

Distance A

A1/A2/A3 first/second/third spacing

AZ1 first operating State

AZ2 second operating State

AZ3 third operating State

B_3aWidth of the wide film section

B_3bWidth of narrow film section

FB1 first conveying Width

FB2 second conveying Width

FF. FF1, FF2 and FF3 conveying surfaces

TR3 second direction of travel

TR6 first direction of travel

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a packaging apparatus 1. The packaging plant 1 comprises a film separating station 2, a transport device 20 for the film sections 3 (see also fig. 2 to 4) and a film wrapping module 4. The commercial composition 6 is conveyed via the first conveyor belt 5 in a first transport direction TR6 to the film wrapping module 4. A film section 3 is provided by the film separation station 2. The film separating station 2 comprises at least one suitable cutting means, such as a knife, a heating wire, a blade or the like, by means of which, for example, film sections 3 are cut off in corresponding lengths from a continuous supply of film material provided on a reel. The cut film portions 3 are conveyed by the conveying device 20 in a second conveying direction TR3, in particular in an oblique second conveying direction TR3, to the film wrapping modules 4. The product of the product composition 6 is arranged on the front side edge of the film portion 3 in the second transport direction TR3 and the film portion 3 is arranged around the product of the product composition 6 by means of the wrapping rod 9 of the film wrapping module 4.

The commodity of the commodity composition 6 is preferably a beverage container, such as a plastic or glass bottle, can, or the like. The composition of goods 6 is preferably composed of goods of the same construction, but different goods can also be combined and jointly joined by the film sections 3 of the shrink film to form a hybrid bundle.

The composition of commerce 6 enclosed by the film sections 3 is also referred to as a bundle 7. The bundle 7 thus produced is transported via a second conveyor belt 8 to a further processing station, in particular to a shrinking device (not shown), in which the bundle 7 is loaded with a shrinking medium. The shrinking medium causes the film segment 3 wrapped around the commodity composition 6 to shrink based on its properties and simultaneously secure around the commodity of the commodity composition 6, thereby forming a finished shrink wrap.

Fig. 2 shows the transport device 20 of the packaging unit 1 according to fig. 1 in a first operating state AZ 1. The transport device 20 comprises a plurality of parallel arranged conveyor belts 21. In this case, in particular, the so-called circulating vacuum conveyor belt 22, in particular the conveyor belt 21, has a so-called suction opening 23. Each conveyor belt 21 can be subjected to a reduced pressure in the region of the upper run 24, which forms part of the conveying surface or part of the transport region for the film sections, as a result of which the respective film section is sucked onto the conveyor belt 21 and can be transported reliably on the conveyor belt.

Two so-called film transfer fingers 25 are associated with each conveyor belt 21 in the transition region to the subsequently arranged film wrapping modules, which are not shown in fig. 2 to 4. The film transfer means in particular are arranged parallel to the second transport direction TR3 on opposite sides of each conveyor belt 21 and ensure the further transport of the film sections in the transition region and/or stabilize the film sections in the transition region. The conveyor belt 21 and the film transfer fingers 25 are so-called film guide elements 30.

In order to optimally coordinate the transport area of the transport surface or of the transport device 20 with the respective film section to be transported, at least one distance a can be provided between at least two adjacent film guiding elements 30 and can be adapted in particular to the changing production conditions.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, two film transfer fingers 25 are each mechanically coupled to the conveyor belt 21 and are in particular fixed thereto. Thus, the two film transfer fingers 25 and the respective conveyor belt 21 form a film guide unit 31 and can only be arranged or adjusted jointly with one another. The skilled person will understand that, for example, at least one film transfer finger 25 can be arranged between adjacent conveyor belts, which is not fastened to either of the two conveyor belts 21, but can instead be provided or adjusted separately. In this case, it can be provided that the position of the film transfer fingers 25 can be set or adjusted only transversely to the second conveying direction TR3 in order to adapt the conveying device 20 to changing production conditions. Alternatively, it can be provided that a suitable transport device 20 comprises only a settable or adjustable conveyor belt 21.

The film guide element 30 can be set or adjusted via a suitable adjusting mechanism, which is not visible behind the cover element 26, wherein in particular at least one distance a between two adjacent conveyor belts 21 is changed. For example, during the adjustment, the at least one conveyor belt 21 is moved transversely to the second transport direction TR 3. This transverse movement can be brought about, for example, by the conveyor belt 21 being arranged on a slide which can be moved on a slide guide which is set up transversely to the second transport direction TR 3. Setting or adjustment may also be via a screw or other suitable mechanism.

According to one embodiment of the invention, all film guiding elements 30 can be set or adjusted individually. Alternatively, it can be provided that the film guiding elements 30 are coupled to one another such that they can only be set or adjusted jointly. Alternatively, only groups of at least two adjacent film guiding elements 30 can be coupled to one another in terms of setting or adjustment technology and can therefore be configured to be set or adjusted jointly. As already mentioned, in the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 2 to 4, the conveyor belt 21 and the two film transfer fingers 25 arranged thereon each form a film guide unit 31, which can only be set or adjusted in one piece.

Preferably, the transport device 20 is equipped with at least one vacuum generator (not visible). The conveyor belt 21 is arranged around a so-called low-pressure tank 35, which is in fluid connection with a vacuum generator. The low-pressure tank 35 has at least one suction opening in each case in the side which bears against the upper run 24 of the conveyor belt 21. If a vacuum is generated by the vacuum generator, the transport belt 21 and the film section arranged on the transport belt 21 above the suction opening 23 are sucked in by the vacuum tank 35. This prevents the film sections from being released from the transport surface or transport region of the transport device 20 and/or slipping on the transport surface of the transport device 20 during transport to the film wrapping module (see fig. 1).

The transport device 20 may also be equipped with a control device 40. Or the control device 40 is part of the transport device 20 and serves in particular to control the transport device 20. Alternatively, the control device 40 may also be a mechanical control device of the overall packaging device 1 and thus control and regulate all mechanical components of the packaging device 1. In particular, it is often not sufficient to merely adjust the transport device 20 when changing products. It is also often necessary to match the film separation station and/or the film wrapping module to the new production conditions.

The control device 40 is preferably coupled to the transport device 20, in particular to the film guide element 30 of the transport device 20. In conjunction with the automated setting and adjustment, it is provided, for example, that the control device 40 includes information about at least one distance a provided between at least two adjacent film guiding elements 30. The settings of the film guiding elements 30 or the film guiding units 31 are calculated after entering specific parameters regarding the new production conditions, for example the type of film used, in particular its thickness, etc., and regarding the product, the dimensions of the required film sections, etc. In particular, the arrangement of all film guiding elements 30 relative to one another is calculated. The calculated arrangement can then be displayed, for example, via a display provided for the control device 40, so that it can be set or adjusted manually by an operator. Alternatively, it can be provided that the control device 40 actuates the adjusting mechanism of the transport device 20 and controls a corresponding setting or adjustment of the film guiding element 30 or the film guiding unit 31 relative to one another.

Furthermore, it can be provided that a spacer element can be arranged between the conveyor belt 21 or the conveyor guide unit 31, for example by suspending a suitably configured flat plate. This results in a bearing surface for the film section that is as closed as possible and prevents the film section from sagging between two adjacent conveyor belts 21 or film guide elements 31. The spacer elements need not completely fill the respective gap between the conveyor belt 21 and the film guide unit 31. The respective spacing between the conveyor belt 21 or the film guide unit 31 is advantageously reduced by a spacer element, for example, to produce two smaller spacings. For this purpose, a correspondingly small distance is formed between the spacer element and one of the two adjacent conveyor belts 21 or film guide units 31 between which the spacer element is arranged.

Fig. 3 shows the transport device 2 according to fig. 2 in the second operating state AZ2 and fig. 4 shows the transport device 20 in the third operating state AZ 3.

In the second operating state AZ2 according to fig. 3, the wide film section 3a is fed in the second transport direction TR3 to a film wrapping module (not shown, see fig. 1). The five film guiding elements 31 in the middle are each arranged directly adjacent to one another and form a transport plane FF or transport region for the wide film section 3 a. In particular, the five film guide units 31 form a first transport width FB1 transverse to the second transport direction TR3, which is at least slightly greater than the width B of the wide film section 3a to be transported_3a. The film portion 3a is transported on a transport surface FF or transport region, in particular arranged centrally. This arrangement ensures that the edge region or film edge of the film portion 3a parallel to the transport direction TR3 is arranged on the upper run 24 of the outer film guide unit 31 forming the transport plane FF. The two outer film units 31 forming the conveying surface FF or the transport area are additionally denoted by reference numeral 32, while the three inner film guiding units 31 additionally have reference numeral 33 for the sake of distinction.

In order to transition the transport device 20 from the first operating state AZ1 according to fig. 2 into the second operating state AZ2 according to fig. 3, the middle five film guiding units 31 are pushed together. In particular, the film guide element in the middle of the five film guide elements 31 is not provided or adjusted here. Alternatively, the conveying surface FF may be formed by pushing the inner film guide unit 33 and one of the outer film guide units 32 toward the other outer film guide unit 32. The chosen arrangement of the film guiding units 31 forming the conveying plane FF depends on the requirements of the subsequent film wrapping modules. It is generally preferable to configure the conveying surface FF possibly centrally.

In the example shown in fig. 3, the respective two outermost film guiding units 31 are not required for transporting the wide film section 3 a. In order to distinguish the film guiding unit 31 forming the transport plane FF, the film guiding unit 31 is referred to as stationary and is additionally denoted by reference numeral 34.

In this exemplary embodiment, a first distance a1 is formed between the outer film guide unit 32 forming the transport plane FF and the respectively adjacent stationary film guide unit 34. And no or substantially no space is formed between the film guide units FF1 forming the conveying surface FF. In general, the size of the first distance a1 depends on the initial arrangement of the film guiding unit 31, since it is preferable to reposition only the film guiding unit 31, which is required for forming the conveying surface FF, during the setting or adjustment. If the remaining stationary film guide units 34 do not interfere with the formation of the transport plane FF, these stationary film guide units preferably remain in their respective positions. In particular, the setting or adjustment is carried out in as few process steps as possible in terms of process economy.

It is preferably provided that a controllable valve is arranged between the at least one vacuum generator and each low-pressure tank 35. Thus, the low pressure can be applied specifically only to the conveyor belt 21 for conveying the film section 3a by switching on or off and/or controlling the respectively assigned valve. Thus, it is preferable that a low pressure is generated only on the conveyor belts 21 of the film guide units 32 and 33 forming the conveying surface FF, but a low pressure is not generated on the conveyor belt 21 of the film guide unit 34. The same effect can be achieved when each conveyor belt 21 is provided with an individually controllable vacuum generator. Furthermore, it can be provided that the movement of the film guide unit 34, which is not required, can also be interrupted in order to save energy.

In a third operating state AZ3 according to fig. 4, three narrow film sections 3b are fed in parallel in the second transport direction TR3 to a film wrapping module (not shown, see fig. 1). In this case, three film guiding units 31 are arranged at equal distances from one another and form a conveying surface FF1, FF2 or FF3 for the narrow film section 3 b. The three film guiding units 31 thus form a transport region, wherein the three transport regions are each arranged in parallel and are configured to convey the narrow film sections 3b simultaneously and in parallel. The film portions 3b in the three transport regions are preferably transported in alignment transversely to the second transport direction TR 3. This is advantageous in particular for the parallel processing of the film sections 3b in the subsequent film wrapping modules. However, it may also be advantageous for other embodiments to arrange the three narrow film portions 3b offset within the transport device 20 transversely to the second transport direction TR 3.

In particular, the respective three film-guiding units 31 form a second transport width FB2 transverse to the second transport direction TR3, which is at least slightly greater than the width B of the wide film section 3B to be transported_3b. Film section 3b is transported, in particular, centrally arranged on a respective transport surface FF1, FF2 or FF 3. This arrangement ensures that the edge regions or film edges of the film portions 3b parallel to the transport direction TR3 are arranged on the upper run 24 of the outer film guide unit 32 forming the conveying surface FF1, FF2 or FF3, respectively.

A second pitch a2 is formed between respective adjacent ones of three film guide units 31 that form conveying surfaces FF1, FF2, or FF3, respectively. The size of the second distance a2 depends in particular on the width B of the narrow film section 3B to be transported_3b. The second spacing a2 is selected in particular such that the edge regions of the film portions are each arranged parallel to the second transport direction TR3 on the outer film guide unit 32, which forms the respective transport surface FF1, FF2 or FF 3.

In order to prevent the film section 3b from sagging between the respective film guide units 31 of the respective conveying surface FF1, FF2 or FF3, a cover element 28 can be inserted between the film guide units forming the conveying surface FF1, FF2 or FF3 in each case, in order to create a transport surface which is as closed as possible. The cover element 28 may be formed, for example, by a flat plate which is suspended between the film guiding units 31. The flat plates have a corresponding thickness, but it is also possible to insert a plurality of flat plates between two film guiding units 31 to fill the second distance a2 accordingly.

A third distance A3 is formed between the outer film guide unit 32 of the transport plane FF1 or FF2 and the adjacent outer film guide unit 32 of the adjacent transport plane FF2 or FF3, respectively. The size of the third distance a3 depends, inter alia, on the design of the film separating station that produces the film section 3b and that feeds the transport device 20 and/or on the design of the subsequent film wrapping modules. The third distance A3 is preferably selected between conveying surfaces FF1, FF2 and FF3 in a range predetermined by the width of transport device 20, so that film section 3b can be processed directly in the subsequent film wrapping modules without readjusting the distance between film sections 3b transported in parallel.

As described in connection with fig. 2, the spacing of the film guiding elements 30 is preferably automatically calculated and set on the basis of the provided information about the changing production conditions.

The embodiments, examples and variants of the preceding paragraphs or the following description and drawings and their different views or the respective individual features can be applied independently of one another or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment may be used with all embodiments unless the feature is incompatible.

When referring generally to "schematic" illustrations and views in relation to the drawings, it is in no way intended that the drawings and their description be considered secondary to the disclosure of the invention. The person skilled in the art is fully enabled to obtain sufficient information from the illustrations shown schematically and abstractly to enable him to easily understand the invention without it interfering in any way with the understanding of the film sections and/or parts of the device or other elements drawn, for example due to being drawn and possibly not shown exactly to scale.

Claims

1. A packaging plant (1) comprising a film separating station (2), a transport device (20) for film sections (3) and a film wrapping module (4),

wherein the transport device (20) comprises a plurality of film guiding elements (30) arranged in parallel, and

wherein at least one distance (A) between at least two adjacent film guiding elements (30) can be provided.

2. Packaging plant (1) according to claim 1, wherein the film guiding element (30) is formed by a conveyor belt (21) and/or wherein the film guiding element (30) is formed by a film transfer finger (25).

3. A packaging apparatus (1) according to claim 2, wherein the film guiding element (30) is formed by a circularly configured conveyor belt (21).

4. Packaging unit (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the film guide element (30) is formed by a film transfer finger (25) which projects into the transition area between the transport device (20) and the film wrapping module (4).

5. Packaging unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least two adjacent film guiding elements (30) can be provided jointly or wherein each film guiding element (30) can be provided individually.

6. A packaging apparatus (1) according to claim 2, wherein at least two adjacent film guiding elements (30) can be provided jointly or wherein each film guiding element (30) can be provided individually.

7. A packaging apparatus (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that all film guiding elements (30) can be provided jointly.

8. A packaging apparatus (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that all film guiding elements (30) can be provided jointly.

9. Packaging unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the film sections (3) are transported in a transport direction (TR3) which is parallel to the film guide elements (30) arranged in parallel and wherein the transport device (20) comprises an adjustment mechanism for at least one spacing (a) provided between at least two adjacent film guide elements (30).

10. Packaging unit (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the transport device (20) comprises an adjustment mechanism for setting at least one spacing (a) transverse to the transport direction (TR 3).

11. The packaging apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that spacer elements (28) can be arranged between the parallel arranged film guiding elements (30).

12. Packaging plant (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the transport means (20) are equipped with a vacuum generator and in that each conveyor belt (21) is connected to the vacuum generator.

13. A packaging plant (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that a controllable valve is arranged between the vacuum generator and each conveyor belt (21).

14. The packaging apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the packaging apparatus (1) comprises a control device (40), the control device (40) being coupled with a transport device (20) and the film guiding element (30) and comprising information for setting at least one spacing (a), wherein the automatic setting of the at least one spacing (a) can be controlled by the control device (40) after entering parameters of a film section (3) to be processed.

15. Transport device (20) for film sections (3), comprising a plurality of parallel arranged film guiding elements (30), wherein at least one spacing (a) between adjacent film guiding elements (30) is settable, wherein the transport device (20) is a transport device (20) within a packaging apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.