EP0873939B1 - Device for making packs - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for producing Packs by wrapping objects in alternate one or more blanks, especially for the production of Large packs from pack groups, with a first folding turret for wrapping in a blank, in particular cardboard blank, and a second folding turret for wrapping in one another blank, in particular a paper or foil blank, being rotated side by side in a common upright plane arranged folding turret four each in the radial direction have open pockets for items and blanks and wherein the objects are each in one a horizontal central plane pocket of an insertion station of the first folding turret or in a pocket of the second folding turret can be inserted.

The invention is primarily concerned with the packaging of Groups of cigarette packs, i.e. with the manufacture of so-called cigarette sticks. These usually exist from ten or twelve to a cuboid or cubic unit summarized cigarette packs. Are predominantly these are formed in two rows of five cigarette packs each.

Depending on the requirements of the market, the cigarette sticks have to be different with regard to the packaging material be designed. In many cases, the covering consists of a (thin) Cardboard blank. This can also be done by an outside Foil (with tear strips) or surrounded by paper. Instead, the pack group can only be cut into one paper or be wrapped in a foil blank.

A device for producing cigarette sticks is known different execution by EP 0 529 404. At The finished packs can alternatively use this known device from a first or a second folding turret be expelled in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion of the packing group, extension direction offset by 90 °. Furthermore, in this prior art there is a magazine for Blanks and a blank sheet for feeding them arranged to a loading station in an unfavorable place.

The object of the invention is to propose a device and other measures that affect the manufacture of all Pack types with a single device with high performance enable reliable operation of the same.

a) der erste Faltrevolver weist eine einzige Ausschubstation gegenüberliegend zur Einschubstation und benachbart zur Tasche des zweiten Faltrevolvers auf,

b) der Gegenstand bzw. die Packungsgruppe ist in beiden Faltrevolvern nach dem Einschub in eine Tasche derselben stets längs eines oberhalb der horizontalen Mittelebene liegenden Halbkreises durch den jeweiligen Faltrevolver förderbar,

c) die Packungen sind aus dem zweiten Revolver in horizontaler Ebene aus- und in einen anschließenden horizontalen Packungsförderer einschiebbar,

d) Karton-Zuschnitte sind von einem unterhalb der Faltrevolver angeordneten Zuschnittmagazin über eine Zuschnittbahn von unten her einer Einschubstation des ersten Faltrevolvers zuführbar.

To achieve this object, the device according to the invention is characterized by the following features:

a) the first folding turret has a single extension station opposite the insertion station and adjacent to the pocket of the second folding turret,

b) the object or the pack group can always be conveyed through the respective folding turret in both folding turrets after being inserted into a pocket thereof along a semicircle above the horizontal central plane,

c) the packs can be removed from the second turret in the horizontal plane and inserted into a subsequent horizontal pack conveyor,

d) Cardboard blanks can be fed from below from a blank magazine arranged below the folding turret via a blank web to an insertion station of the first folding turret.

A device with the above features enables high-performance manufacturing of packaging units, in particular for cigarettes. Go through all items or pack groups the same conveyor line, regardless of the type or number of the wrappings. Folding and gluing organs are in the area the upper half of those positioned in the upright plane Folding turret arranged. It is advantageous to feed the packaging material, namely the cuts from thin cardboard, from a position below the folding turret. This will contamination of falling dust and paper particles the cut or punched blanks avoided.

Another special feature of the device is the training and function of organs in the area of the first folding turret assigned packing station. In their area the Groups of (cigarette) packs put together and for Insert in a pocket of the first folding turret ready.

Another special feature of the invention is the gluing of Folding or connecting tabs of the blanks. For folding cloth of the Cardboard blank is a gluing device in the area of the first Folding turret positioned so that an internal folding tab can be glued on the outside. For gluing The specialty of paper blanks is that a external folding flap moved out of the folded position or by shaping (winding) so that the inside points outwards and can be glued.

The design of the folding turret is also important or their pockets, the inside of tappets or tappet heads are formed.

According to the invention, the fully folded packs are Checked weighing, packing with weights outside of a Tolerance range can be discarded.

Fig. 1

eine Darstellung des Materialflusses durch die Vorrichtung in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 2

eine vereinfachte Darstellung der Vorrichtung in Seitenansicht,

Fig. 3

einen Teilbereich der Vorrichtung in Seitenansicht, bei vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 4

den Ausschnitt gemäß Fig. 3 bei veränderter Stellung von Organen,

Fig. 5

einen anderen Bereich der Vorrichtung, ebenfalls in Seitenansicht und vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 6

eine Einzelheit im Bereich eines ersten Faltrevolvers, nämlich eine Packungsstation, in Seitenansicht,

Fig. 7

eine weitere Einzelheit des ersten Faltrevolvers, nämlich eine Falt- und Beleimungsstation, ebenfalls in vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 8

einen zweiten Faltrevolver in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 9

Schritte bei der Beleimung eines Faltlappens, insbesondere eines Papierzuschnitts, in vereinfachter Seitenansicht,

Fig. 10

ein Bereich der Vorrichtung nach Fertigstellung der Packungen und vor dem Abtransport derselben, in Seitenansicht.

Further features and special features of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the details shown in the drawings. It shows:

Fig. 1

a representation of the material flow through the device in perspective,

Fig. 2

a simplified representation of the device in side view,

Fig. 3

a partial area of the device in side view, on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 4

3 with changed position of organs,

Fig. 5

another area of the device, also in a side view and on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 6

a detail in the area of a first folding turret, namely a packing station, in side view,

Fig. 7

another detail of the first folding turret, namely a folding and gluing station, also on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 8

a second folding turret in a perspective view,

Fig. 9

Steps in the gluing of a folding flap, in particular a paper blank, in a simplified side view,

Fig. 10

an area of the device after completion of the packs and before the removal thereof, in side view.

In the preferred application example shown in the drawings is about the production of large packs 10 from a group of individual packs, i.e. a pack group 11. This in turn preferably consists of packs of cigarettes 12. In the present example form ten packs of cigarettes 12 a pack group 11. The cigarette packs 12 are positioned in two rows one above the other.

The large packs 10 - so-called cigarette sticks - exist from a pack group 11 made by one or more blanks is wrapped in packaging material.

The device and its details are on the manufacture of different large packs with regard to the outer wrapping 10 set up. An outer casing can be made from one Cardboard blank 13 consist. This surrounds the pack group 11 complete, i.e. on all sides. The in a special way contoured cardboard blanks 13 are separated, for example manufactured in a paper mill. The present packaging machine blank stacks 14 are fed. In the present Trap becomes a stack row 15 of consecutive Blank stacks 14 transverse to the direction of conveyance of the pack groups 11 fed into the area of a blank magazine 16. In this there is always a supply of superimposed ones Cardboard blanks 13 ready. Be at the bottom individual blanks taken one after the other. According to the Position of the cardboard blanks 13 or the blank stack 14 in the blank magazine, the blank stack 14 during the Transport in the stack row 15 in an inclined tilt position moves (Fig. 1) and so to the blank magazine 16th to hand over.

The thin-walled packaging material, namely paper or film, is made available as a continuous material web 17. The material web 17 is one in the area of the device positioned bobbin 18 subtracted and over guide rollers and in individual aggregates of a cutting or cutting station to be described 19 fed. In the area of them are in a vertical One after the other (thin-walled) blanks 20 made of paper or film separated from the material web 17 and for wrapping a pack group 11 held ready.

At the heart of the device are two folding revolvers, namely a first one Folding turret 21 and a second folding turret 22. These are side by side positioned so that the axes of rotation in one common horizontal plane. The first folding turret 21 is used to wrap a pack group 11 with a cardboard blank 13. In the area adjacent to the conveying direction second folding turret 22 is a pack group 11 of surrounded a blank 20 made of paper or film. This cut 20 can be a pack group 11 as the only one Wrapping surrounded. Alternatively, the blank can be 20 .mu.m a cardboard blank 13 already attached as a wrapper are folded around so that the bulk pack 10 has two outer wrappings having.

The pack group 11 is always by both folding turrets 21, 22 conveyed through, along two upward semicircular trajectories through a short linear movement connected in the horizontal median plane are. Depending on the design of the outer casing for the Packing group 11 can have both folding turrets 21, 22 or only one Folding turret 21 or 22 become active in a packaging sense. Consists the wrapping only goes through a cardboard blank 13 the large pack 10 with this cardboard blank 13 den second folding turret 22 without this a further blank creates. If the large pack 10 is only one (Thin) blank 20 made of paper or foil, passes the pack group 11 without wrapping the first folding turret 21. Only the second folding turret 22 is packaging technology active.

Each folding turret 21, 22 consists of four pockets 23, 24. Bei the first folding turret 21 has its pockets 23 in the center arranged on radial planes of the folding turret 21, in each case at a distance of 90 ° from each other. With the folding turret 22 the pockets 24 are arranged offset to the radial planes. An imaginary axis of rotation of the folding turret 22 is opposite offset an axis of rotation of the folding turret 21, namely higher. Adjacent pockets 23 and 24 of the two folding turrets 21 and 22 are on the same level.

Each folding turret 21, 22 has three working positions that from the pockets 23, 24 when the folding turret is rotated in cycles 21, 22 are run through.

An insertion station 25 is located in the folding turret 21 in the area of a horizontal central plane of the device. On Item or a pack group 11 is taken away a cardboard blank 13 into the open on the outside Pocket 23 inserted. Upstream of the respective pocket 23, namely stationary, a mouthpiece is arranged with upper and lower folding profiles 26, 27. The pack group 11 will between these folded profiles 26, 27 pushed under Taking along what is kept ready in a vertical plane (FIG. 6) Cardboard blank 13. This is reduced by the effect the folding profiles 26, 27 in a U-shape around the pack group 11.

In this folded position, the pack group 11 with the cardboard blank 13 inserted into the pocket 23.

Each pocket 23 is assigned a slide 28, 29. Form this at the same time the radially inner boundary of the pocket 23, an inner pocket bottom. The two slides 28, 29 of diametrically opposed pockets are in terms of of the movements connected to one another, namely by a (or two) common push rods 30. An extension movement of the a slide (29 in Fig. 3) causes a radial retraction of the other slide 28. The slide 28 is located in the Area of the insertion station 25 initially in a radially outer Position, the open entry side of the pocket 23 or the (large) pack 10 to be inserted. At the Pushing a pack group 11 into the pocket 23 is the Slider 28 first retracted into a 4, in which the slide 28 in the radial direction is positioned at a distance from the pocket 23. This position results from an extension position of the opposite one Slider 29. Then the slider 28 returns a position facing the pocket 23 (FIG. 2) back. If this is reached, the folding turret 21 by one stroke Switched through 90 °.

The cardboard blank 13 is so relative to the pack group 11 positioned that when inserted into the pocket 23 in the U-shaped Folding position on the radially outer side of the folding tab different lengths are formed as a supernatant, namely an inner tab 31 and an outer tab 32. In the area the insertion station 25, the inner tab 31 against a radial outer side of the pack group 11 folded (Fig. 4), namely by an up and down or tangentially movable Folding plate 33. The folding plate 33 remains in the folded position according to Fig. 4 during the initial phase of the rotational cycle of the folding turret 21.

The second folding flap, namely the outer flap 32, is used in the Rotational movement of the folding turret 21 folded, namely by a fixed, circular arc-shaped outer guide 34. This is immediate positioned adjacent to the path of movement of the folding turret 21 and causes the outer lobe 32 to fold due to the relative movement of the pocket 23 including the cardboard blank 13.

The bag 23 with pack group 11 and partially folded Cardboard blank 13 reaches an upper gluing station 35. In the pocket 23 is positioned in an upright plane. The Folding tabs 31, 32 are overhead.

The folding tabs mentioned, namely inner tabs 31 and outer tabs 32, are to be connected to one another by gluing. This will glue applied in the glue station 35 by a gluing device 36, on the outward side of the inner lobe 31. The gluing device 36 is in the present Example from a glue nozzle 37, the movement with parallel axis Glue in the longitudinal direction on the elongated inner tab 31 applies.

A special feature is realized for the glue application. The in the folded rag described, namely inner tab 31st and outer tabs 32 are released in the area of the glue station 35. Due to the material tensions and given thereby Restoring forces become inner lobe 31 and outer lobe 32 moved automatically in inclined positions, namely under one acute angle to the closing plane of the bulk pack 10. The (narrower) Inner tab 31 is supported on the inside on the outer tab 32 from (Fig. 7). As a result, the outside of the inner lobe lies 31 partly free. The glue nozzle 37 is taken into account this position of the folding tabs 31, 32 obliquely, so that the glue is applied to the free side of the inner tab 31 can be.

To ensure this position of the folding tabs 31, 32 is the outer guide 34 is interrupted in the area of the glue station 35. A second outer guide 38 adjoining the circumferential direction is in the area of the glue station 35 with an oblique Guide leg 39 provided, the relative position of about Relative position of the outer tab 32 in the area of the glue station 35 corresponds to or runs parallel to this.

After applying the glue in the glue station 35, the folding turret 21 advanced by one clock. The relevant bag 23 with the large pack 10 in the area of External guide 38 or in the area of a circular guide contour the same. This will fold the flaps, namely Inner tab 31 and outer tab 32, pressed into the folded position and bonded together by the applied glue.

The bag 23 now arrives in an ejection station 40, which the Insert station 25 is diametrically opposite. In the extension station 40 is the large pack 10 by the slide 29 in the radial direction pushed out of the pocket 23 and at the same time to the second folding turret 22 or to an opposite one pocket 24 held ready for pocket 23. The Slider 29 conveys the pack 10 into the pocket 24.

If the bulk pack 10 with an outer wrapping made of paper or foil is to be provided in the area of the transfer from Folding turret 21 for folding turret 22 a blank 20 made of paper or foil ready. The blank 20 is in an upright tangential plane to both folding turrets 21, 22. The blank 20 is cut off from the material web 17 by an upright blank conveyor 41, which at present example from the blank 20 laterally capturing Suction belts exist in the takeover position shown in FIG. 3 promoted.

A special feature is that the blank 20 in the Takeover position with regard to the relative position to (Large) pack 10 is fixed. For this purpose is the cutting 20 in the relative position between the packs the pack 10 and. to be pushed out of the folding turret 21 a holding member, namely a plunger 42 of the receiving Folding turret 22 held by clamping. The cut 20 is due to a front in the conveying direction of the large package 10 Side surface 43 on the one hand and on a free surface the plunger 42 on the other hand.

With continued extension movement by the slide 29 and Appropriate retraction of the plunger 42 is maintained the clamping position for the blank 20 this inserted into the bag 24 together with the large pack 10.

The blank 20 is U-shaped in a known manner around the Large pack 10 folded around (Fig. 4).

The second folding turret 22 is constructed in an analogous manner the folding turret 21, namely with four at equal angular intervals pockets 24 spaced from each other a plunger 42, 44 assigned. The plungers 42 and 44 from each other diametrically opposed pockets 24 are in terms of Movement connected to each other, namely via push rods 45, 46. The folding turret 22 is designed so that the each other opposite pockets 24 lie in offset planes. The to the receiving pocket 24 in the area of a transfer station 47 opposite pocket 24 in the area of an extension station 48 is offset in height, is in the present Example in a higher level. Similarly, there are the other two pockets 24, namely in the upper one and the lower position of the folding turret 22, in offset vertical planes.

For this reason there are two for actuating the plungers 42 and 44 parallel push rods 45, 46 provided at the ends are connected by cross members 49. A movement the plunger 42 in one direction causes an opposite directed movement of the plunger 44.

After inserting the pack 10 with blank 20 into a Pocket 24 of the folding turret 22 are in the radial direction outside protruding folding tabs 50 and 51 are formed. With these radial protruding folding tab 50, 51, the pack 10 by the Pocket 24 in an (upper) closing station of the folding turret 22 promoted. In this first the folding tabs 50 and 51 moved into the closed position by folding members, namely under System on a side surface 53 of the package 10. Serve for this transversely movable, namely pivotable folder 54, 55 in this Example are designed as angular profiles with Folded legs 56.

In the folded position (Fig. 4) the folder 54, 55 and their Folded legs 56 positioned at a distance from each other, so that in a closing tool 57 to an approximately central region pass through to abut the side surface 53 of the package 10 can. It is in particular a sealing tool, in other words, a sealing jaw, which is used as the outer wrapping for a film the folding tabs 50, 51 by thermal sealing together connects. With a blank 20 made of paper, this can be provided with thermally activatable glue (hot melt). Also this glue leads to an application of heat and pressure Connection of the folding tabs 50, 51 to one another.

The pack 10 passes through further rotation of the folding turret 22 in the extension station 48. By appropriate movement of the The plunger 44 pushes the pack 10 out of the pocket 24 and handed over to a package conveyor 58. This transports the packs 10 over a horizontal conveyor line. At the At the end of the pack conveyor 58, the packs 10 are in one Pack tower 59 introduced, in which the packs 10 individually are stacked on top of each other. The packs are 10 in Conveyed horizontally from the packing tower 59.

The packs 10 are not immediately removed from the folding turret 22 handed over to the pack conveyor 58. Rather, there is a peculiarity in that the pushed out of the pocket 24 Packs 10 are transferred to an intermediate stage 60. The movement the plunger 44 is controlled so that the pack 10 to moved to complete storage on the intermediate stage 60 becomes. The intermediate stage 60 can be moved back and forth, namely from a takeover position for the packs (for example Fig. 3) in a transfer position for the packs 10 to the Pack conveyor 58 (Fig. 5, dash-dotted). The intermediate stage 60 consists of at least one overpass and one underpass for the packs 10. The intermediate stage 60 is for Takeover and further transport of the packs 10 back and forth moveable. At least the underpass, i.e. a lower wall the intermediate stage 60 is provided with a slot for the passage of drivers 61 of the pack conveyor 58.

The pack conveyor 58 is designed as an endless conveyor. The Packs 10 are lying on a surface by carriers 61 funded. These are arranged on an endless organ, in particular on a chain. The drivers 61 are the same Spaced from each other. These distances are dimensioned that the largest possible type of pack 10 between adjacent Carriers 61 takes place. The pack conveyor 58 is therefore unchanged for each type of package in question applicable.

In the area of the pack conveyor 58, folds of the outer wrapper, So the cut 20 completed, in the area end faces directed sideways. For this purpose 58 folding rails or on both sides of the packaging conveyor Fold switches 109 arranged in a manner known per se Fold protruding flaps of cut 20 to the side. In one The end region of the pack conveyor 58 is also a Sealing member 110 positioned, which from 20 cuts performs a thermal sealing of the folding flaps on a film. When cutting 20 from paper, hot melt areas can be activated become.

The packs 10 are ended by the pack conveyor 58 the conveyor line is stored on a lifting platform 62. This is movable up and down by a lifting rod 63. The one from that Package conveyor 58 receives package 10 through the lifting platform 62 by moving upwards into the packing tower 59 below introduced. The lifting platform 62 is on fixed, upright Guide rods 64 slidable through a pivot arm 65.

The conveying movement of the pack conveyor 58 is independent on the size, namely dimension in the conveying direction of the large pack 10 - always the same. This results in a predefined, permanent relative position of the packs 10 in the packing tower 59. Its right-hand boundary (Fig. 2, Fig. 5) remains unchanged, regardless of the transverse dimension of the packs 10.

The material supply of the device is functional and spatially trained. The blank magazine 16 for the Cardboard blanks 13 is located below the folding turret 21, 22, specifically in the area below the folding turret 22. The cardboard blanks taken from a dispenser 66 13 are carried by transport rollers 67 along a cutting path 68 transported below the folding turret 21, 22 and redirected into a vertical conveyor plane. In the field of Insert station 25, the cardboard blanks 13 in succession conveyed from below into the insertion position and in this to Carried ready by a pack group 11 (Fig. 3).

The handling of the sheet-like packaging material is also solved in a special way. The bobbin 18 is in one positioned lower area of the machine, namely below the level of the folding turret 21, 22. The deducted from the bobbin 18 Material web is first of all made over several deflecting rollers 69 guided. In the area of a horizontal path section 70 an edge control, not shown in detail, for the material web 17 furnished. In this area is known about Organs controlled the exact running direction of the material web 17.

This is followed by a compensation pendulum that is known in terms of structure and function 71. This controls the web tension.

The material web is then a further deflection rollers 72 Strip unit 73 fed. This transmits a tear strip 74 on the material web 17, namely on that of the later Large pack 10 corresponding relative position.

The material web provided with the (continuous) tear strip 74 17 is then in the area of an upright track section 75 guided past a printing unit 76. This can one especially with cuts 20 made of paper, but also with Foil cuts desired printing on the material web attach. It can also be print marks for control the material web 17 act.

Via a subsequent horizontal conveyor line 77 the material web 17 above the plane of the folding turret 21, 22nd in the area of a cutting station 78. Here the material web 17 conveyed down over deflection rollers 79. In the area a first, upright conveyor section is at the In the present example, a cutting unit 80 is arranged. This If necessary, pre-cuts in the area of the material web 17, in particular separating cuts for definition an outer cover flap in the area of the end faces of the large pack 10. Such cover or label tabs are special usual with outer wrappings from a blank 20 made of paper.

The material web 17 then reaches the area of the cutting station 19, which separates the blanks 20 from the material web 17. The material web is located during the separation process 17 or the blank 20 already in the area of the upright Management and funding bodies, namely the blank conveyor 41. These hold the blank 20 in the transfer station 47 in the described vertical plane ready.

Another specialty is the feeding of the single packs, namely the cigarette packs 12, to the insertion station 25. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 6, the cigarette packs 12 in the axially parallel direction in two Pack rows 81, 82 fed to the insertion station 25, and in a conveyor level below the insertion level for the pack group 11 lies in the folding turret 21. Each Pack series 81, 82 consists of two in the present case rows of cigarette packs 12 lying one above the other (FIG. 1). From each continuous pack row 81, 82 from two individual rows can therefore directly by a transverse push Packing group 11 of the desired size and formation separated become.

A packing lifter 83 is provided for this purpose. This is provided with a platform 84 on which one of the pack group 11 corresponding number of packs of cigarettes 12 intake finds. The platform attached to a push rod 85 84 is in an oblique direction of movement in the present case 86 movable up and down. From a lower, from the insertion position the distal position is platform 84 Movable in the direction of movement 86 and at the same time sideways in an insertion position immediately in front of a pocket 23 of the folding turret 21. The push rod 85 is for this purpose stored accordingly at an angle.

The individual packs or pack group 11 will be divided by packing row 81 or 82 and at the same time pushed onto platform 84. Therefor a cross slide 87 is provided, which the packing group 11th captured laterally and shifted to rest on the platform 84. The cross slide 87 is on (horizontal) guide rods 88 movably mounted.

The cross slide 87 is designed in a special way, namely as a double slide with two spaced apart Carriers 89 and 90. By pushing the Cross slide 87 is in a first conveying cycle (corresponding Fig. 6) a pack group 11 of the distant pack row (right in Fig. 6) shifted by one movement clock, namely in an intermediate position corresponding to the position of the Pack series 81. This pack group 11 is made by the carrier 90 funded. At the same time, the in a corresponding Distance arranged driver 89 a pack group 11 pushed off the pack series 81 until the edition on platform 84. This pack group 11 on the platform 84 is fed to the insertion station 25 in the manner described.

The individual or subsequent in the area of each pack row 81, 82. Cigarette packs 12 are in terms of the conveying movement stopped by in the path of movement of the cigarette packs 12 of the pack series 81, 82 retractable stop members (Not shown). These stop organs give the promotion of Pack series 81, 82 depending on the push-off of the pack groups 11 free again. After the described funding cycle of Cross slide 87 in the direction of platform 84 becomes the cross slide 87 from the area of the shifted pack group moved out, for example by lifting. The cross slide 87 returns to the starting position shown in FIG. 6. At the next funding cycle, namely after the return of platform 84 in the lower starting position, the conveying movement of the cross slide 87 repeated, the driver 89 the previously in Area of the pack series 81 detached pack group 11 detected and slides onto platform 84. The cross slide 87 then returns to the starting position (Fig. 6). The Stop organs for the pack rows 81, 82 are withdrawn. Both pack series 81, 82 are now conveyed into the work area of the cross slide 87. The peculiarity exists in that the cross slide 87 for removing pack groups 11 of both pack series 81, 82 always a uniform one Floats.

The one held by the platform 84 in the upper end position Pack group 11 is by a slide 91 from the Platform 84 removed and inserted into the pocket 23. The pusher 91 is movably supported on support rods 92.

Another special feature is the controlled movement of the Slider 28, 29 on the one hand and the plunger 42, 44 on the other hand. During the rotational movement of the folding turret 21, the slide 28, 29 positioned so that the one facing a filled pocket 23 Slider 28 on the facing side of the (large) package 10 rests, ie forms a pocket bottom (Fig. 4, top). To for this purpose are on the sliders 28, 29 and on the sliders 28, 29 facing thickenings 93 laterally projecting guide rollers 94, 95 attached. One guide role 94 each and 95 occurs when the folding turret 21 rotates stationary cam track, namely in a guide groove 96. This is in the lower example in the present example (FIG. 4) Half of the folding turret 21 arranged, preferably as Part of an approximately semicircular, fixed disc. If the push rod 30 after pushing out a pack 10 from a pocket 23 in the area of the transfer station 47 in the The normal position has returned, there is the slide 29 facing guide roller 95 in the (upper) entry area the guide groove 96 (position according to FIG. 2). When the Folding turret 21 enters the guide roller 95 from above Guide groove 96 a. This is the position described opposite slide 28 on the package 10 in the pocket 23 guaranteed. The guide groove 96 extends to the bottom the pocket 23 in the region of the insertion station 25.

In the area of this insertion station 25 and opposite in The area of the transfer station 47 is both guide rollers 94, 95 outside the guide groove 96. This causes a shift of the Push rod 30 possible in one and the other direction.

To perform the shift, namely the extension movement for the packs 10 from the pocket 23 in the area of the transfer station 47, becomes a separate actuator on the slides 28, 29 effective. In the present case, this consists of two slide segments 97, 98, which are approximately in the horizontal Central plane of the folding turret 21 are effective. The bridge-like Slider segments 97, 98 are arranged at a distance from one another, with the corresponding relative position (Fig. 4 right) the entry of the guide roller 94 in the area between the Slider segments 97, 98 allows. If this now in the one or the other direction (by a not shown Organ), this also makes the slide 28 and 29 as well as the push rod 30 existing unit, to the end position shown in FIG. 4. After this The extension in the area of the transfer station 47 is said Unit moved back by the slide segments 97, 98, such that the guide roller 95 on the entry side of the guide groove 96 located.

The folding turret 22 is designed in an analogous manner. This is also shown in Fig. 8.

The pockets 24 of this folding turret 22 consist of two parallel ones Pocket plates 99, 100. Between these, the Pack group 11 or the (bulk) pack 10 receptacle. Laterally the pocket 24 is delimited by side pieces 101, 102. This form side walls of the pockets 24. The side pieces 101, 102 are arranged crosswise between the pocket plates 99, 100. By adjusting at least one side piece 101, 102, the effective width of a pocket 24 can be adapted to the format of the Packing group 11 can be adjusted. The side pieces 101, 102 have the same due to their positioning and shape Function of folding organs. When inserting one with a blank 20 U-shaped enveloped bulk pack 10 or pack group 11 are in the conveying direction, laterally protruding Rag the blank 20 through the side pieces 101, 102 folded.

Because of the side pieces 101, 102 organs for actuation the plunger 42, 44 do not enter the pocket 24 from the side. For this purpose, they are transverse or parallel to the Elongated plungers 42, 44 arranged actuating rods 103 arranged outside the pockets 24, namely above or next to the pocket plates 99 (Fig. 8). The actuating bars 103 each run parallel to the plungers 42, 44 into one lateral area next to support cheeks 104, 105 of the folding turret 22. At the ends of the actuating rods protruding from this area 103, a feeler roller 106 is arranged in each case. This enters a curved groove analogous to the guide groove 96 of the Folding turret 21 and causes the displacement described the plunger 42, 44 during the rotational movement of the folding turret 22 or when it stops. The actuating rods 103 are closed this purpose by the transverse trusses 49 with each associated plunger 42, 44 connected. The trusses kick through slot-shaped recesses 107 in the area a pocket plate 99 are formed.

The actuating rods 103 are each by two parallel push rods 45 or 46 out. With the one side push rod 45 or 46 connected to an actuating rod 103 at the other end with an opposite plunger 42 or 44 are connected. The plungers 42, 44 are in a central, cuboid Support body 108 of the folding turret 22 or a central one Rotating body of the same stored.

Another special feature that can be used independently is gluing areas of the blank 20 made of paper or the like. There is a glue station in the area of the pack conveyor 58 111 formed with a glue unit 112 with glue nozzles for Applying glue to the blank 20 from above is largely folded around the glue station 111 at least the object to be wrapped (Fig. 9, right). The The object - pack group 11 - is made from the blank 20 enveloped that an overlap is formed on the top, consisting of a relatively short inner tab 113 and an outer flap or cover flap 114. This extends in the present case over the full width of the pack 10 and is bonded to the inner tab 113.

By transporting the packs 10 in the area of the pack conveyor 58 each pack reaches the area of a holding member for the (not yet glued) cover cloth 114. With the The present exemplary embodiment is a Suction roller 115, i.e. around an elongated one, around its own axis rotatable organ. Suction holes open on the outside of the same, which are connected to a vacuum source and which on Circumference of the suction roll 115 generate a negative pressure. In the area of this organ - suction roller 115 - the cover flap 114 of the Suction roller 115 detected and fixed on the circumference. By turning the Suction roll 115 and transverse axial displacement in the conveying direction of the Packs 10, the cover flap 114 is wound onto the suction roll 115, such that an area facing the inner tab 113 of the cover flap 114 in an end position of the suction roll 115 points upwards. The cover flap 114 is held so that its inside is directed outwards or upwards, and indeed directly adjacent to the glue unit 112 or to the latter Glue nozzle. The glue can now be applied to the inside from above of the cover flap 114 are transmitted. As a result of further movement of the packs is the cover flap 114 which is now glued on the inside withdrawn from the suction roll 115 and into the pack-appropriate Position moved back, the suction roller 115 as a pressure member works.

So when lifting the cover flap 114 in the gluing station the inner tab 113 is not lifted at the same time for this a holding member, namely in the conveying direction of the Packs of movable pressing web 116 are provided. This lies after lifting the top flap 114 on the inner flap 113 and fixes it in the folded position.

An actuating mechanism 117 is for actuating the suction roller 115 intended. This consists of a tooth segment 118 and one with the gear segment meshing gear 119. The gear 119 in turn is connected to the suction roll 115 so that when moving in the conveying direction, the suction roll 115 is rotated at the same time, here counterclockwise. After gluing the cover flap 114 (Fig. 9, left position) reverses the suction roll by counter-rotating Rotary movement back to the starting position.

Fig. 10 shows a peculiarity regarding the treatment completed (large) packs 10. The pack tower 59 packs 10 moved upward reach the area of a upper cross conveyor 120. This consists of an endless conveyor or a belt 121. On the outside there are one Pack 10 associated drivers 122, 123 arranged. A sub-run 124 of the belt 121 detects the upper pack 10 in each case of the pack tower 59 and conveys the pack 10 in the transverse direction from. The package 10 passes through a cross conveyor 120 Packing scale 125 which is in the path of movement of the packs 10 is arranged. The weight of the Pack 10 determined. If the determined weight is outside of a tolerance range, the relevant package 10 is discarded. For this purpose, the weighed packs 10 of the packing scale 125 is transported away by the cross conveyor 120 on a conveyor plate 126. This includes laterally shaft 127 open at the top. Faulty packs 10 are in the Area of the conveyor plate 126 pushed in the transverse direction from this in the side opening next to the conveyor plate 126 Shaft 127. This directs the incorrect packs into a collecting container 128.

Reference symbol list:

10th

Bulk pack

11

Packing group

12th

Pack of cigarettes

13

Cardboard blank

14

Blank stack

15

Batch row

16

Cutting magazine

17th

Material web

18th

Bobine

19th

Cutting station

20th

Cutting

21

Folding turret

22

Folding turret

23

bag

24th

bag

25th

Insertion station

26

Folding profile

27

Folding profile

28

Slider

29

Slider

30th

Push rod

31

Inner lobe

32

External lobes

33

Folding plate

34

External guidance

35

Glue station

36

Gluing device

37

Glue nozzle

38

External guidance

39

Guide leg

40

Extension station

41

Blank conveyor

42

Pestle

43

Side surface

44

Pestle

45

Push rod

46

Push rod

47

Transfer station

48

Extension station

49

traverse

50

Folding rag

51

Folding rag

52

Closing station

53

Side surface

54

butterfly

55

butterfly

56

Folding thighs

57

Locking tool

58

Pack conveyor

59

Pack tower

60

Intermediate stage

61

Driver

62

Lifting platform

63

Lifting rod

64

Guide rod

65

Swivel arm

66

Dispenser

67

Transport roller

68

Cutting path

69

Deflection roller

70

Track section

71

Compensation pendulum

72

Deflection roller

73

Strip aggregate

74

Tear strips

75

Track section

76

Printing unit

77

Conveyor line

78

Cutting station

79

Deflection roller

80

Cutting unit

81

Pack series

82

Pack series

83

Pack lifter

Claims (15)

1. Apparatus for producing packs (10) by wrapping articles in alternatively one or more blanks, in particular for producing large packs (10) comprising pack groups (11), having a first folding turret (21) for wrapping articles in a blank, in particular cardboard blank (13), and having a second folding turret (22) for wrapping articles in another blank (20), in particular in a paper or film blank, it being the case that the folding turrets (21, 22), which are arranged next to one another and so that they can rotate in a common, upright plane, each have four pockets (23, 24), which are open in the radial direction, for articles and blanks, and it being the case that the articles can be pushed into a pocket (23), which is in each case situated in a horizontal central plane, of a push-in station (25) of the first folding turret (21) or into a pocket (24) of the second folding turret (22), characterized by the following features: -

   a) the first folding turret (21) has a single push-out station (40) which lies opposite the push-in station (25) and is adjacent to the pocket (24) of the second folding turret (22),

   b) the article or the pack group (11), in both folding turrets (21, 22), after it has been pushed into a pocket (23, 24) thereof, can always be transported along a semicircle, which lies above the horizontal centre plane, through the folding turret (21, 22) in question,

   c) the packs (10) can be pushed out of the second turret (22) in a horizontal plane and can be pushed into an adjoining horizontal pack conveyor (58),

   d) cardboard blanks (13) can be fed from a blank magazine (16), which is arranged beneath the folding turrets (21, 22), via a blank path (68), from below, to a push-in station of the first folding turret (21).
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized by the following features:

   a) each pocket (23, 24) of a folding turret (21, 22) is assigned a slide (28, 29) or pusher (42, 44), which acts in the radially inner region of the pockets (23, 24) and acts temporarily as an inner boundary of the pockets (23, 24),

   b) the slides (28, 29) or pushers (42, 44) of diametrically opposite pockets (23, 24) are connected to one another and moveable by means of a push rod (30) or push-rod stem (45, 46) which can be moved back and forth in the longitudinal direction,

   c) during the rotational movement of the folding turret (21, 22), the slides (28, 29) or pushers (42, 44) can be adjusted by means of a guide roller (94, 95) or contact roller (106), which is connected to the slide (28, 29) or pusher (42, 44), it being the case that the guide roller (94, 95) or contact roller (106) bears against a cam track, in particular in a stationary guide groove (96).
3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, characterized in that in the horizontal position, namely directed towards a push-in station (25) and a push-out station (40), the slides (28, 29) can be moved in a radial direction by a separate actuating element, in particular by stationary slide segments (97, 98) which act in the region of at least one of the guide rollers (94, 95), by movement in the radial direction, in order to actuate the two slides (28, 29).
4. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the second folding turret (22) has pockets (24) which are offset with respect to the associated radial plane, and in that, correspondingly, the axis of rotation of the second folding turret (22) is offset vertically with respect to the axis of rotation of the first folding turret (21), in particular is located at a higher level, such that, in the region of a transfer station (47), a pocket (24) which belongs to the second folding turret (22) and is offset downwards with respect to a horizontal radial plane is located in the same (horizontal) plane as a pocket (23) of the first folding turret (21).
5. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that push rods (42, 44) which are assigned to the pockets (24) of the second folding turret (22) can be actuated by push-rod stems (45, 46) which are located outside the pockets (24) and are connected to the push rods (42, 44), which are arranged within the pockets (24), by crossmembers (49) which pass through cutouts (107) in walls of the pockets (24), namely through pocket plates (99).
6. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the pockets (24) of the second folding turret (22) comprise two parallel pocket walls or pocket plates (99, 100) between which side pieces (101, 102) are arranged as a lateral boundary or side wall of the pockets (24), it being possible for the side pieces (101, 102) to be adjusted relative to one another in order to change the spacing, and in that the side pieces (101, 102) serve at the same time as folding elements for the operation of pushing in a pack group (11) with blank (20).
7. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the blank (20) which is fed in the region between the first folding turret (21) and the second folding turret (22) can be fixed in terms of the pack-specific position, in particular by the blank (20) being clamped between a pack (10) or pack group (11) which is to be pushed out of the first folding turret (21) and a push rod (42) which has been moved into a receiving position and belongs to the second folding turret (22), the blank (20) being force-fixed against a side surface (43) of the pack (10) or of the pack group (11), said surface being located at the front in the movement direction.
8. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that pack groups (11) which are to be wrapped can be separated off from at least one pack row (81, 82), which is fed in the axis-parallel direction, by virtue of transverse movement, preferably by virtue of a pack group (11) being pushed onto a platform (84) of a pack lifter (83), it being the case that, in a bottom, initial position beneath the pocket (23) of the first folding turret (21) which is to be charged, the platform (84) receives a pack group (11) and, by virtue of obliquely directly upward movement, transports the pack group (11) into a position in front of the pocket (23).
9. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that two parallel pack rows (81, 82) can be fed in the axis-parallel direction to the push-in station (25) of the first folding turret (21), and in that pack groups (11) from the two pack rows (81, 82) in each case can be separated off by a transverse slide with two carry-along elements (89, 90) each assigned to one pack row (81, 82), the transverse slide (87) preferably always executing the same conveying movements, such that the pack groups (11) of the pack rows (81, 82) can be transported in each case by a predetermined stepped movement interval and, in the process, in each case one pack group (11) can be deposited on the platform (84).
10. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that, in the region of the first folding turret (21), the pack group (11) which has been wrapped in a cardboard blank (13) in the form of a U can be conveyed out of the charging station (25), along a quarter-circle, into a top gluing station (35), it being possible, before or during the stepped conveying interval, for radially outwardly directed folding tabs, namely an inner tab (31) and an outer tab (32), of the cardboard blank (13) to be folded, and in that, in the region of the top gluing station (35), the folding tabs (31, 32) are set up automatically and moved into an oblique position, and in that, in this position, glue can be applied, in particular by a glue nozzle (37), onto the outside of the exposed inner tab (31).
11. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that, in the region of the second folding turret (22), a blank (20) which has been folded in the form of a U and consists of paper or film can have its radially outwardly directed folding tabs (50, 51) folded in the region of a top closing station (52), preferably by pivotable, angular folders (54, 55), it being the case that the folders (54, 55), in the folding position, leave exposed a central region through which a closing tool (57), in particular a sealing strip, passes for the purpose of sealing or adhesively bonding the partially overlapping folding tabs (50, 51).
12. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that web-like packaging material for producing blanks (20) can be drawn off, as a material web (17), from a reel (18) which is positioned beneath the region of the folding turrets (21, 22), to be precise offset with respect to the first folding turret (21), and in that the material web (17) can be transported, via deflecting rollers and processing stations, into a region above the folding turrets (21, 22), it being possible for the material web (17) to be fed from above to a cutting station (19) for the purpose of severing the blanks (20), in the region approximately between the two folding turrets (21, 22).
13. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that, to glue an (outer) folding tab or cover tab (114) of a blank (20), it can be lifted out of its folded position and can be deformed in such a manner that an inner side, to which glue is to be applied, faces outwards and in particular faces towards a gluing unit (112) arranged above a movement path of the packs (10).
14. Apparatus according to Claim 13, characterized in that the folding tab or cover tab (114) can be gripped by a holding member, in particular by a suction roller (115), which can rotate about its own longitudinal axis, is transversely oriented and onto the lateral surface of which a partial region of the cover tab (114) can be wound as a result of rotational movement of the suction roller (115) and movement of the packs (10) in the conveying direction, in such a manner that an edge region of the cover tab (114) is oriented with the inner side facing upwards.
15. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that finished packs (10) can be checked for a preset desired weight in the region of a pack balance (125), it preferably being the case that in each case the upper pack (10) of a pack tower (59) comprising packs (10) arranged on top of one another can be conveyed away by a transverse conveyor (120) onto the pack balance (125), and in that packs which have been established to be faulty following the pack balance (125) can be pushed into a chute (127).

Images