Setting device for bottle guides in packaging machines

The invention relates to an adjustment in Packaging machines, for variable position angeord of guide pieces for in parallel rows designated articles to be packaged such as in particular bottles or cans, with a transverse to the transport direction traverse to of the guide pieces are movably mounted, wherein in the Traverse a spindle is disposed at least provided with a axially movable in the Traverse spindle nut cooperating, via a one in the Traverse slot provided guided parallel key with the guide piece connected is.

Such adjustment units are used to the machines quickly different to other products or to products switch dimensions. can on the guide pieces for example, be arranged baffles similar to that of above Transport route between the products range and Produktrei hen separate and lead in the series thus formed.

Below the transport paths arranged adjusting for example, are responsible for conveyor belts or to adjust to each other chains in their distance.

The invention relates to an adjusting device, wherein only disposed in the tubular cross member a spindle is that depends on their whole either durchgängi with a provided gen thread or on one half of its a hang Regulations and having on the other a left-hand thread.

The rotation of the spindle is merely a guide transferred piece and in the second case in two guide pieces or, if a plurality of guide pieces on connecting plates are combined to form a guide piece group to which each spective group.

In the latter case the spindle is also provided with a Regulations and a left-hand thread formed. The distances between the Guide pieces of a group remain each other when moving always constant. Only the distances between guide pieces of different groups change. In any event simultaneously through the displacement of a group, a Ver displacement of the other group necessarily. If now the distance the guide pieces to adjust to objects of smaller Dimensions will be set rotates the spindle, where the distance between two guide pieces at reduced while is, whereby, however, also the distance between the Pro duktreihen enlarged. is In such an adjustment Thus it is necessary, the product lines then to Eigent compatible packaging process together again. By fixed depending on the adjustment movements of each side associated group members to each other are the Einsatzmög possibilities and variations of such Prior direction severely limited.

There have therefore already been proposed devices, wherein where a complicated linkage mechanism (for example, in the form of a scissors linkage) of the translational movement of the Spindle nut (s) a further translational movement of the means the linkage moving guide pieces is superimposed, thereby upon displacement of a guide piece to the distance a the the sem adjacent guide piece to the distance a plus the by the gear ratio given displacement shifted b is and the subsequent guide piece to a plus 2b.

This has the advantage that, when such a scissors mechanism to a fixed point on the center of the traverse upon actuation the spindle with right and left thread a proportional, to the changing dimensions of the products or the Trans transport chain distances concerted adjustment takes place.

However, the disadvantage is the complicated and troublefree tion-prone structure and in the function of the gegebe NEN thread pitch of the spindle and the fixed geometry of the Linkage.

The invention is therefore based on the object, a Verstel leinheit of the kind set forth so that when simple and compact design also a proportional Adjustment is possible, in this case, however, with less Assembly work a greater range of variation in the Adjustment is given.

The invention solves this problem in that in Traverse least two spindles parallel to each other are arranged and in each case one spindle associated (n) Spindle nut (s) a, together with the corresponding spindle acting threaded bore and at least one further passage having bore through which the adjacent (n) Spindle (n) free is passed / are and the spindle movements apart be decoupled.

Depending on the application, up to four spindles in the Tra be arranged shipping. In carrying out the spindles to integrated transmission is a spindle nut to each spindle ordered, which is cylindrical in shape, and in their Diameter with the inner diameter of the Traverse corresponds, whereby a good catch-free guide in Pipe is ensured. The adjacent, not with this Spindle nut cooperating spindles by corre sponding holes or recesses freely passed.

the arranged through the Entkoppelbarkeit in Traverse Spindles are in the adjustment of their associated Füh where approximately lands wide variation possibilities by the features of the claims will become more apparent.

According to claim 2 each spindle can with its own drive be equipped so that each guide piece individually ver can provide.

Also conceivable is an embodiment, as the claim 3 proposes, namely that there is provided a common drive and between this drive and the spindle gear in the form are disposed of gears.

By switchability this transmission is the possible speed that both all spindles are actuated simultaneously can, but only selected ones. Thus, it is pos Lich, after final positioning of individual leadership pieces by releasing their associated gears other Guide pieces to be adjusted further.

If vorgese in the transmissions gears of different number of teeth hen are composed according to the invention also the possibility the gear ratios between the drive and spindles to vary gear, so that individual at constant drive Guide pieces over a shorter, others to a Lan gere distance - in a pre-selected ratio zuein other - can be moved.

A similar possibility arises according to claim 5, characterized that the thread pitches of the individual spindles differed are Lich.

If the features of claims 4 and 5 with each other combinational ned, resulting in further variations.

As already known per se, can according to claim 6, the spinning spindles or individual spindles on one half of its length a legal and aufwei on the other half a left-hand thread sen. This allows the distances between two guide pieces, which are connected to the same spindle influenced, will.

Such spindles according to claim 7 also in two parts be formed, both parts of the spindles ge together can be couples. This allows tolerance and Assembly errors are compensated.

By combining any or all of the aforementioned features The invention thus relates to possible variations hardly Gren zen set.

Since the transport routes in the packaging in question machines are relatively long, the adjustment of the guide must pieces act naturally over the entire length. Although it pos is Lich, adjusting according to the invention at various locations provide units, however, it makes more sense, according to claim S the movement of the spindles of an adjustment on Trans missions present on in the direction of transport or downstream Ver alternate units transferred.

A particularly simple and reliable solution is through the added feature of claim 9. It is suggested that the to design transmission and shaft connected via bevel pinion is connected to the corresponding spindles.

Since the adjustment of the guide pieces usually symmetrical must be made to a central longitudinal axis, is in accordance with claim 10 provided that when an uneven number of guide pieces on ei ner Traverse angeord the middle guide piece immovably net is such that, upon actuation of the spindles the left and the right of the fixed guide piece adjacent guide Set pieces as desired.

The invention will Darge below with reference to drawings and explained in detail.

Show it:

<b>Fig.</b> 1 in side view, a set with spindles Tra verses,

<b>Fig.</b> 2 a section of <b>Fig.</b> 1 in cross section,

<b>Fig.</b> 3 is a section along line AB of <b>Fig.</b> 2,

<b>Fig.</b> 4 in detail a device for transmitting the Drehbewe movement of the spindle to a transmission.

In the <b>Fig.</b> 1 is an adjustment in a Verpackungsma machine illustrated and generally designated by the reference numeral <b>1</b> verse hen.

In the present embodiment, the adjustment unit <b>1</b> portal-like manner over the merely indicated transport path <b>2</b> built. Left and right of the transport path<b>2</b> is each a carrier <b>3</b> and <b>4</b> bolted to the machine frame, between where a tubular crossmember <b>5</b> in clamping pieces <b>6</b> secured is.

In the Traverse <b>5</b> are in the present example four spindles <b>7</b> arranged in parallel, whose ends <b>8th</b> by carrier <b>3</b> and <b>4</b> are passed.

In the Traverse <b>5</b> slidably mounted eight guide pieces <b>9</b> and another <b>10</b> on the center of the crossmember <b>5</b>. which is fixed there.

As apparent from the <b>Fig.</b> 3 shows, each guide piece via an adjusting spring <b>11</b>That in a slot guide <b>12</b> in the Traverse <b>5</b> is guided, with a spindle nut <b>13</b> intra half of Traverse <b>5</b> connected. At the Traverse<b>5</b> encloses sequent frame <b>14</b> the guide piece <b>9</b> by screws <b>15</b>. the frame <b>14</b> with the key member <b>11</b> and the spindle nut <b>13</b> connect, a tab <b>16</b> mounted on the turn a Leit sheet <b>17</b> is screwed.

The parallel key <b>11</b> stuck in a groove on the circumference of the spindle nut <b>13</b>Which is cylindrical and in this case a threaded bore <b>18</b> for cooperating with her spindle <b>7</b> and three further recesses <b>19</b> through which the remaining three spindles <b>7</b> are freely passed (from About sichtlichkeitsgründen are represent only two other spindles posed).

The guide piece <b>10</b> in the middle of the crossmember <b>5</b> is no assigned spindle nut.

On the left support <b>3</b> is generally <b>20</b> Marked drive for the spindles <b>7</b> arranged. There is a handwheel<b>21</b>With which a shaft <b>22</b> is rotated, the drive shaft as is formed on a gear <b>23</b> leads whose Ab drive shafts for rotating the spindles <b>7</b> serve.

The gear <b>20</b> consists of intermeshing gears <b>24</b>That with the same or different Übersetzungsver ratio of the rotational movement of the shaft <b>22</b> to the individual spinning spindles <b>7</b> transfer. To decrease or Zukopplung individual spindles<b>7</b> the gears <b>24</b> using thrust levers <b>25</b> in or au SSER operatively connected to the spindles <b>7</b> to move. Thus Either all spindles <b>7</b> are simultaneously rotated or individual be from drive <b>20</b> decoupled.

In the example of <b>Fig.</b> 1, the spindles <b>7</b> on one half of its length with a right and on the other half with a left thread. Each spindle<b>7</b> then two spindle nuts <b>11</b> associated, through which a guide piece <b>9</b> can be adjusted. The guide pieces<b>9</b> are thus in pairs symmetrically to the guide piece <b>10</b> together coupled.

By appropriate selection of the thread pitches of the individual spinning spindles <b>7</b> or the gear ratios in the transmission <b>20</b> is the Positioning the respective guide pieces <b>9</b> or any Paa res of guide pieces <b>9</b> possible with great variation.

The rotation of the screw (s) <b>7</b> is measured using a cone pinion gearbox <b>26</b> on a transmission shaft <b>27</b>That right angle of the adjustment <b>1</b> going, transferred. The transmission shaft <b>27</b> leads to a neighboring adjustment <b>1</b>, Where the rotation of the shaft <b>27</b> also a bevel pinion gear on the spindles located there Gets transferred.

As in <b>Fig.</b> represented 4, the rotation of the spindle <b>7</b> an adjustment <b>1</b> over two equal bevel pinion gear <b>26</b> two transmission shafts <b>27</b> be entrusted to Drive the spindles <b>7</b> in front of and behind the adjusting <b>1</b> arranged further adjusting serve.

In addition, for example, trapezoidal screws or ball-spin spindles, any suitable spindle type are used. For bes sera guide the guide pieces <b>9</b> serve suitable bearings. in the However, some cases reaches even a simple lubrication.