EP3216709B1 - Shaft system comprising a plurality of parallel receiving shafts for receiving film bags - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a shaft system comprising a plurality of parallel adjacent receiving shafts for receiving foil bags.

When processing film bags, the film bags are inserted from above into parallel receiving shafts and stacked in the shafts. By gravity they are guided along the shafts down and taken there each as a series of juxtaposed individual foil bags and further transported, for example, for filling with liquid products or to be provided with a spout. The removal is typically done by machine, for example by suction mechanisms.

The width of the receiving slots must be adapted to the width of the foil bag so that they are correctly stacked and guided in the shafts. If a change of format of the film bag occurs during processing, its width may change and the width of the receiving slots must be adjusted accordingly. Alternatively or additionally, the bag length or the bag thickness or the bag thickness difference may also change, so that the contour of the receiving slots and / or the shape of the retaining elements must be adjusted accordingly. For example, guides arranged integrally with the side walls of the receiving wells may have a different inner radius when the bag length is changed. A shaft system in which the width of the recordings can be adjusted, for example, in EP 2 708 482 A2 described.

If the receiving wells are integrally formed, the entire receiving wells, possibly including a frame, must be replaced. This requires a lot of time and a high cost of materials. In addition, this design is unfavorable from an ergonomic point of view, since integrally designed receiving shafts have a higher weight. It is also possible to arrange the side walls of the receiving slots displaced and adapt to the new bag formats by moving. However, this is possible only with constant contour and constant shape of the retaining elements, ie at constant bag length, consistent bag thickness and constant bag thickness difference possible, but not if the bag length, the bag thickness or the bag thickness difference changes, as an adjustable contour and an adjustable shape of the Retaining elements only technically possible and expensive. In addition, it must be precisely measured and adjusted the position of the walls, which is complicated and complicated. Furthermore, a drawback is that the center of the receiving wells will be displaced when changing the well width if sliding walls are used, except if each wall were between two wells formed in two parts and the position of the two parts individually adjustable. This would be even more complicated.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a shaft system that simplifies the format change.

The problem is solved by the receiving shafts are limited by walls which are formed by exchangeable format parts, wherein the exchange of the format parts, the width and / or contour of the receiving slots and / or the shape of retaining elements of the format parts is variable.

It is thus possible to flexibly adjust the shaft width and contour and the shape of the retaining elements by replacing the format parts, and thus to simplify the format change. There is no need to adjust the position in order to set the width exactly, since the setting can be done solely by attaching individually designed format parts at fixed positions. In addition, the changeover can be done manually by an operator and no mechanical drives are required. In summary, a simple and fast format change is possible. Another advantage of the shaft system described above is that the center of the receiving wells is not displaced when changing the shaft width.

The bag retention in the receiving shaft allow a bag retention in the receiving slot and must be adapted to the respective bag format, especially to the bag thickness and the bag thickness difference. The bag thickness difference results from the fact that some bags comprise a deployable bottom and lie in the receiving shafts in the folded state. On the side where the deployable bottom is located there are more layers of material on top of each other than at the top of the bag, so one end is thicker than the other.

Preferably, exactly one format part forms a wall between two adjacent receiving wells. However, two format parts together can form a wall. For specific shaft widths or shaft contours or bag formats, suitably shaped format parts may be provided, which are selected according to the size of the bag to be processed and attached to the appropriate position.

The format parts can be attached to a frame by means of a fastening mechanism that is format-independent, so that the frame for format change does not need to be replaced. This is advantageous because then not the entire Gestellt must be replaced and the frame, for example, firmly anchored to the ground and / or in a machine can be installed. Furthermore, the weight is significantly lower, so that no lifting mechanism is necessary and an ergonomic design is possible.

The format parts are designed such that the foil bags are guided through the receiving shafts down. The format parts may have recesses on the sides carrying the film bags (hereinafter also referred to as side surfaces of the format parts), the depth of the recesses of two adjacent format parts defining the width of the receiving shaft defined by them or the shape of the recesses of two adjacent format parts defines the contour of the limited by receiving shaft. If a format part forms the wall for adjacent receiving shafts, it has recesses on two opposite surfaces. The recesses described above are also referred to as lateral recesses.

The width and / or contour of the receiving shafts and / or the shape of the retaining elements can be changeable by replacing a first group of exchangeable format parts with a second group of exchangeable format parts, wherein the format parts of the first group have recesses with a different depth and / or shape or retaining elements of a different shape than the format parts of the second group.

For example, guides of different format parts may have different inner radii. This allows to consider different bag lengths. Alternatively or additionally, the retaining elements, which allow a bag retention in the receiving shaft, different format parts can differ. This is particularly advantageous for different bag thicknesses. Thus, it may also be considered that, for different bag formats, the bag thickness difference described above may be different.

As already explained above, the format change can be carried out in a simple way.

The format parts can be locked during operation in each case by means of a fastening mechanism. A lock means that all degrees of freedom of movement of a format part are locked. The attachment mechanism may in particular be format independent. Thus, uniform format parts can be used whose geometry differs only by which shaft width and / or shaft contour and / or shape of the retaining elements they define.

In particular, the format parts can be locked on the front side of a rear wall of the receiving shafts or of a frame part on the rear side of the receiving shafts be. Alternatively, the format parts may be locked to the side walls of a frame part, which is arranged between two receiving shafts.

The elements that form part of the attachment mechanism can have the same shape in all format parts. Thus, all format parts with retaining elements which are attached to the frame or part of the frame are compatible and can be easily and simply replaced. In particular, the thickness of all format parts can be the same. The shape of various format parts may be the same in particular except for the depth and / or shape of the recesses and / or shape of the retaining elements. This allows for easier storage.

The attachment mechanism may be configured such that in the attached state, all degrees of freedom of movement of a format part attached to the frame are blocked. In particular, translational movements in all three spatial directions as well as rotational movements of the format part are blocked. For this purpose, in particular, a fastening mechanism for hanging and locking a format part can be used, in particular such that a hinged and locked format part is firmly clamped. In particular, the attachment mechanism can be designed such that the change of the format parts can be done without tools.

The locking can be purely mechanical, in particular via form, force, and / or frictional engagement. This means that only mechanical forces hold the format parts in their position. An electrical control, which controls the position is not necessary. This simplifies the system and makes it more reliable.

The attachment mechanism may be configured to maintain the lock when the power supply to the well system is interrupted. In particular, the attachment mechanism may be configured such that an upper dead center with a higher energy level for releasing the lock must be exceeded.

The fastening mechanism may be designed such that the removal of a format part takes place against gravity. The attachment mechanism may in particular comprise a suspension mechanism. Among other things, the hooking mechanism has the property that a format part can be suspended, thereby preventing downward movement. The Einhängemechanismus can be designed such that unlocked format parts are secured to the intentional removal against accidental loosening (falling down). The attachment mechanism may be configured such that the attachment of the format parts is accomplished by hooking in and out of the format parts and locking. The attachment mechanism can also be used as Be formed latching mechanism. This is particularly advantageous in the attachment to frame parts which are arranged between two receiving shafts, since a space-saving replacement and fastening is possible.

The Einhängemechanismus may include a holding element and parts of a format part, such as a bolt. The suspension mechanism may in particular comprise a bolt of the format part and an upwardly facing receptacle for receiving the bolt.

The retaining element can be fastened to the frame and have a vertical passage opening through the retaining element. The holding element comprises a hook-shaped element pointing away from the frame, which forms a receptacle, in particular a conical receptacle, which is designed to receive a bolt and which points upwards during operation.

The format member may comprise a bolt which is part of the Einhängemechanismus and is designed such that it is received in the receptacle of the hook-shaped element when the format part is attached. The bolt is arranged in a rear recess in the format part, which is formed so that the hook-shaped element can be accommodated therein and that at least two opposite side surfaces of the holding member abut against the corresponding inner surfaces of the rear recess when the format part is hooked, so that on the side surfaces of the holding element a surface contact is formed.

The attachment mechanism may alternatively or in addition to the Einhängemechanismus include a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may be designed in particular for blocking an upward movement of the suspended format parts. The locking mechanism may comprise a clamping mechanism, for example a clamping mechanism by means of a spring. The lock can be designed such that the format part can be removed after opening the lock upwards. The locking mechanism may comprise a member of the format member having a bore and a clamping mechanism.

In particular, the locking mechanism may comprise a retaining element attached to a rear wall of the receiving shafts or a frame part on the rear side of the receiving shafts, and a clamping mechanism. The tensioning mechanism may comprise a forcibly actuated first pin which passes through the passage opening in the holding element and in which a second pin is resiliently mounted, wherein the first pin through the through hole vertically (along the z-axis) is movable and the second pin is vertically movable in the first pin. The format part has a bore which, when the format part is hooked, facing up and is arranged below the second pin. It also forms part of the locking mechanism. The first pin is configured to move down the second pin as it moves down until it abuts the end in the hole in the format portion. The end of the second pin may be conical. The bore may also be conical. The axis of the pin is not aligned with the hole axis of the hole in the hinged state of the format part. The hinged format part can be locked by moving the first pen downwards.

The well system may include a sensor configured to detect if a format part is deployed. The sensor can be arranged fixed to the machine. The sensor may for example comprise a light barrier. The automatic detection of missing format parts is advantageous because the risk of injury is high when format parts are missing.

The well system may include a warning system configured to issue a warning when the sensor detects that no format part is suspended. The warning can be done visually, haptically and / or acoustically. In addition, the power supply to a system in which the shaft system is installed, be turned off when the sensor detects that no format part is mounted. The device may include the or a sensor that detects whether the format parts are locked and a warning system that issues a warning in the event of a missing lock.

• Figur 1 eine schematische, nicht maßstabsgetreue Schrägansicht auf ein Schachtsystem mit befestigten Formatteilen,
• Figur 2 eine schematische, nicht maßstabsgetreue Schrägansicht auf einen Teil des Schachtsystems mit abgenommenen Formatteilen,
• Figur 3 eine schematische, nicht maßstabsgetreue Schrägansicht eines Formatteils,
• Figur 4 eine schematische, nicht maßstabsgetreue Schrägansicht eines Halteelements,
• Figur 5 eine schematische, nicht maßstabsgetreue Darstellung eines Schnitts in einer vertikalen Ebene senkrecht zu der Reihe von Aufnahmeschächten eines Befestigungsmechanismus im entriegelten Zustand,
• Figur 6 eine schematische, nicht maßstabsgetreue Seitenansicht des Befestigungsmechanismus aus Figur 5 im verriegelten Zustand
• Figur 7 eine schematische, nicht maßstabsgetreue Draufsicht auf einen Einhängemechanismus und
• Figur 8 eine schematische, nicht maßstabsgetreue Schrägansicht auf ein Schachtsystem mit seitlicher Befestigung der Formatteile.

Further features and advantages are explained below with reference to the exemplary figures. Showing:

• FIG. 1 a schematic, not to scale oblique view of a shaft system with attached format parts,
• FIG. 2 a schematic, not to scale oblique view of a part of the shaft system with removed format parts,
• FIG. 3 a schematic, not to scale oblique view of a format part,
• FIG. 4 a schematic, not to scale oblique view of a holding element,
• FIG. 5 a schematic, not to scale representation of a section in a vertical plane perpendicular to the row of receiving slots of a fastening mechanism in the unlocked state,
• FIG. 6 a schematic, not to scale side view of the attachment mechanism FIG. 5 in the locked state
• FIG. 7 a schematic, not to scale, top view of a Einhängemechanismus and
• FIG. 8 a schematic, not to scale oblique view of a shaft system with lateral attachment of the format parts.

FIG. 1 shows a shaft system 1 in an oblique view. Several replaceable format parts 2 with side recesses form the walls between adjacent receiving wells 3. The format parts are fixed to a frame, in this case at the rear of the receiving wells. As can be seen here, except for the outermost format parts, each format part forms a wall for two adjacent receiving wells.

The format parts are arranged equidistantly, so that all shafts have the same width. As can be seen here, mutually facing recesses in the format parts define the width, since the foil bags are transported in these recesses. The format parts are shown from the side, which is then attached to the holding element.

In addition, the shape of the recesses defines the contour of the receiving wells and thus for which bag length the receiving wells are formed. For example, here are formed by the shape of the recesses guides a certain inner radius.

FIG. 2 shows the shaft system FIG. 1 , where the format parts were taken here. Here, juxtaposed holding elements 5 are shown, which are fastened to the frame. Each retaining element is in each case attached to a wall 6 of the frame, wherein the walls are fastened next to one another on a transverse bar 7. Alternatively, the holding elements may be mounted side by side on a continuous wall. A passage opening extends vertically through the retaining element. In addition, the holding element has a hook-shaped element 9 facing away from the frame, which here forms a conical, upwardly facing receptacle, which is designed for receiving a bolt.

A forcibly actuated first pin 10 extends through the passage opening. A second pin 11 is resiliently mounted in the first pin. The first pin is vertically movable (along the z-axis) through the through hole. The first pin is formed so that when it is moved down, it moves the second pin stored therein down until it abuts an obstacle. When the second pin is pushed, a spring (not here shown, reference numeral 12 in the detail view in FIGS. 6 and 7 ) of the resilient bearings. The lower end of the second pin is conical here. By way of example, all the first pins arranged next to one another run through passage openings in a crossbar 13 and are firmly connected to the crossbar. The first pins are connected to the crossbar so that they are actuated by adjusting the height of the crossbar.

By way of example, here an actuating element 14 (also referred to as a switching flag) projects upwards over the crossbar for manual operation of the second pin. By the switching flag 14 so each of the second pins can be manually operated.

It is also possible that only the switching lugs for direct adjustment of the second pins or only the crossbar for actuating the first pins, which in turn actuate the second pins, are provided.

In FIG. 2 Furthermore, sensors 8 are shown, each of which detects whether format parts are suspended and locked. Each sensor is connected to a warning system 21 which issues a warning if a format part is missing or unlocked during operation. The sensors 8 are arranged on the crossbar 13 and evaluate the different positions of the switching lugs 14 from each.

One of the holding elements 6 with the two pins is in FIG. 3 shown in detail. The figure is an oblique view of the front of the support member, so the side to which a format part is attached.

In FIG. 4 a detail view of a format part 2 is shown. The figure is an oblique view of the back of the format part, ie the side which is attached to the holding element and facing the wall 6. The format part comprises two recesses of a depth (d) and a bolt 15 which is arranged in a rear recess in the format part. The format part has an element with a bore 16 which, when the format part is mounted, facing upwards and is conical in this example. The element with the bore is also arranged in the rear recess.

It should be noted that the format parts may also comprise retaining elements, which are adapted to the respective bag format, in particular the bag thickness and the bag thickness difference, of the bags to be processed.

In FIG. 5 It is shown how the format part is hung on the frame but not locked. Here, the spring 12 described above is shown in the resilient mounting of the second pin. The format part in FIG. 5 is hooked by the bolt by the bolt is received in the receptacle of the hook-shaped element. The back recess with the bolt in the format part is formed so as to receive therein the hook-shaped member as shown here. The rear recess has a step downwards so that it is deeper there and receives the lower part of the holding member and the lower end of the second pin. At the bottom of the format part, it rests against the wall.

Furthermore, the figure shows that the bore is arranged below the second pin. The axis 11a of the second pin is not aligned in the suspended state of the format part with the bore axis 16a of the bore.

The first pin is configured to move down the second pin as it moves down until it abuts the end in the hole in the format portion.

FIG. 6 shows a format part that is hung and locked. The hinged format member is locked by moving the first pin downwardly so that the conical lower end of the second pin abuts the conical opening and the spring is compressed.

In the figure, also various surface and line contacts are shown, which contribute to blocking the movement of the format parts when hanging and locking.

There are two line contacts 17 between the bolt and the receptacle along the length of the bolt. Furthermore, because the axis of the second pin is out of alignment with the bore axis, there is a one-sided line contact 18 in the bore as the end of the second pin abuts the bore. In addition, a surface contact 19 is formed between the frame side facing the format part and a front surface of the support member. Another surface contact 20, as in the plan view in FIG. 7 shown, formed between the holding member and the rear recess, which is formed such that at least two opposite side surfaces of the holding member abut against the corresponding inner surfaces of the rear recess.

The holding member forms together with parts of the format part and the first and second pin a fastening mechanism. The fastening mechanism described above blocks the movement of the format part as follows:

Due to the surface contact between the side facing the frame of the format part and the front surface of the support member, the rotation of the format part about the x-axis in the positive direction by positive engagement and in the negative direction by frictional engagement is prevented.

The two line contacts between the pin and the receptacle prevent the format part from moving downwards (counter to the z-axis) and transversely to the pin axis (along the y-axis) due to positive locking. The recording also blocks a rotation about the z-axis by friction. For this purpose, the conical recording shown here with steep flanks is particularly suitable. By the surface contacts described above, a lateral movement of the format part (along the bolt or along the x-axis) and a rotation about the y-axis are limited by positive locking.

Furthermore, in the locked state, the spring force of the compressed spring is divided by the conical contact surfaces in a y-component and a z-component, which leads in each case to a positive locking. The z-component counteracts a movement of the format part upwards (in the z-direction). In addition, a force acts in the positive y-direction (that is to say on the y-component). The spring force (in particular the z-component) thus also enhances the above-described line contact between the bolt and the receptacle, so that the fuse there is still reinforced. The y-component also ensures the surface contact between the frame-facing side of the format part and the front surface of the holding element.

For attaching the above-described format part to a frame with the above-described holding element, the format part is hung with its bolt in the conical receptacle and thereby pushed over a portion of the support member. Then the format part is locked by moving the first pin down until the second pin abuts the hole and the spring is compressed.

An alternative embodiment is in FIG. 8 shown. Here, a frame part 22 of the frame is arranged between two adjacent receiving shafts, wherein the frame part in each case has a latching mechanism on its side walls. On each side wall a format part is fixed by means of the latching mechanism. Only with the outermost frame parts, a format part is attached only to a receiving shaft facing side wall. An advantage of this embodiment is that non-two-sided and one-sided format parts must be provided (depending on whether they are attached to the edge or between two receiving slots).

Claims (15)

1. Shaft system (1) comprising a plurality of receiving shafts (3) arranged in parallel side by side for receiving and dispensing foil bags, such that foil bags can be inserted into the receiving shafts from above, guided downwards in the direction of gravity to the bottom and taken out individually,
   characterized in that
   the receiving shafts (3) are bordered by walls (2) which are formed by exchangeable format parts (2) being comprised in a first group of exchangeable format parts,
   wherein the shaft system comprises a second group of format parts, whose geometry differs from the geometry of the format parts of the first group of format parts and which are exchangeable with the format parts of the first group of format parts, and
   wherein as a result of the exchange of the format parts (2) the width and/or contour of the receiving shafts (3) are variable and/or the receiving shafts are equipable with retaining elements of a different shape.
2. Shaft system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the format parts (2) comprise recesses, wherein the depth of the recesses of two neighboring format parts defines the width of the receiving shaft (3) bordered by them or wherein the shape of the recesses of two neighboring format parts defines the contour of the receiving shaft bordered by them.
3. Shaft system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the width and/or contour of the receiving shafts (3) and/or the shape of the retaining elements the receiving shafts are equipped with is changeable by replacing the first group of exchangeable format parts (2) by the second group of exchangeable format parts (2), wherein the format parts (2) of the first group comprise recesses with a depth and/or shape different from the ones of the format parts (2) of the second group.
4. Shaft system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the format parts are fixed at the front side of a rear wall of the receiving shafts or of a frame part at the rear side of the receiving shafts or at the side walls of a frame part which is arranged between two receiving shafts.
5. Shaft system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein during operation the format parts (2) are fixed by way of a fastening mechanism which is particularly independent of the format.
6. Shaft system (1) according to claim 5, wherein all elements of the format parts (2), which form parts of the fastening mechanism, have the same shape in all format parts (2).
7. Shaft system (1) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the fastening mechanism is configured such that all degrees of freedom of the movement of a format part (2) are blocked in the fixed state.
8. Shaft system (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein fixation takes place in a purely mechanical manner.
9. Shaft system (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein fixation takes place by way of form, force or friction closure.
10. Shaft system (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the fastening mechanism is configured to maintain the fixation upon interruption of the energy supply to the shaft system (1).
11. Shaft system (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a latching mechanism and/or a suspension mechanism and/or a locking mechanism.
12. Shaft system (1) according to any one of claims 11, wherein the format parts (2) respectively comprise a bolt (15), and wherein the suspension mechanism for one of the format parts respectively comprises the bolt (15) and an upwardly oriented receptacle for receiving the bolt.
13. Shaft system (1) according to any one of claims 11 or 12, wherein the format parts respectively comprise an element with a bore (16) and wherein the locking mechanism for one of the format parts respectively comprises the element with the bore (16) and a clamping mechanism.
14. Shaft system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a sensor (8) which is configured to detect whether a format part (2) is hung in and/or locked.
15. Shaft system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a warning system (21) configured to issue a warning when the sensor (8) detects that no format part is hung in and/or locked.

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