Packaging machine.

State of the art

p0001The invention relates to a packaging machine according to the preamble of the main claim. To adapt the machine to the shape and size of each be packaged products and the packaging materials used for this purpose, such as boxes, bags, wrappers, cans, bottles, cups and the like - known technically as format change - are the individual processing and handling devices, as feed, feeding, folding, forming and closing devices arranged adjustable. These have, for example, US Patent No. 3,509,681 shows the adjustable parts slots, engage through the releasable clamping screws, or they are mounted on sliding guides, which are finely adjustable movable with screws. The conversion of the known machines to a different format each requires a lot of time. For complicated machines, such as cartoners, up to one hundred and even more parts and tools are to each reset.

p0002Further, a format change requires extensive knowledge and experience of the operator, since the individual components and tools need to be adjusted based on product and packaging nuts. In many places, the setting also from the position of a preset part depends, so that after an incorrect setting of a first part or tool, this and dependent parts need to be adjusted again. Finally, added that after completion of conversion of the machine repeated readjustments have to be made because of the tolerances and variations in products and packaging to ensure trouble-free operation. Such retroactive adjustments often require a multiple of the antecedent changeover.

p0003There are also already become known cartoning machines, in which individual tools and components are equipped with a motor-driven adjusting device. The provided with a position sensor adjustment devices can be controlled from a central control unit, are stored in the format-dependent data. Such adjustment devices are on parts of advantage that are poorly visible and accessible. All depends on format resettable tools and components of a packaging machine equipped in such a way requires a very high construction costs. Furthermore, in many places the machine for drive motors is no space available.

p0004It is therefore an object of the invention to establish a packaging machine so that a format change can be carried out in a short time, and if possible, avoiding readjustments.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

p0005The packaging machine according to the invention with the characterizing features of the main claim has the advantage that a format change can be carried out selectively and very fast, and can be omitted readjustments. In addition, a format change to be made by an operator who has no extensive equipment knowledge and experience, but can be learned.

p0006The measures specified in the dependent claims, advantageous refinements and improvements of the main claim packaging machine are possible. In particular, the display of the respectively actuated Umstellstelle It is advantageous, so that the individual Umstellstellen can be addressed in the correct order by the operator.

p0007In a method for converting a format packaging machine according to the main claim can be through the control of the controller, the predetermined nominal positions of the components fast and accurately.

drawing

p0008An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and explained in more detail in the following description. 1 shows a cartoner simplified in perspective view, Figure 2 is a folding of the packaging machine of Figure 1 with an adjustment in perspective view, Figure 3 shows a mobile drive for Stelleinrichtungen.vereinfacht and Figure 4 is a block diagram of a controller for the mobile drive.

Description of the embodiment

p0009A cartoning machine 10, which is exemplified for a packaging machine, has a product delivery means 11, a brochure folder 12, a folding box magazine 13, a carton conveyor 14 with Mitnehmerfingern 15, a product insertion device 16, a folding and closing means 17 an outlet 18 and a control unit 19. the devices 11 to 18 of the cartoner 10 have in a certain range adjustable tools and components, so that the machine for packaging articles of various dimensions in cartons 1 single with adapted length, width and height or can be changed.

p0010For the adjustability of the devices 11 to 18 is by way of example only a folding rail 20 of the folding and closing means 17 for folding a Einstecklappens 2 on an end flap 3 of the folding boxes 1 represents (Figure 2) and explained. Depending on the length and height of the processed cartons 1 is the folding rail 20 in a specific position with respect to the support rails 21, 22 of the conveyor 14, a Faltweiche 23 and an intermittently moving folding slide 24 to position.

p0011The folding rail 20 is supported by an angled arm 26 which is mounted on a carriage 27 of a slide 25 with screws 28th The carriage 27 is slidable on a guide rail 30 extending in a horizontal plane transversely to the conveying direction of the folding box-conveyor 14 and the longitudinal extension of the folding rail 20th To move the slide 27 on the guide rail 30, a screw 32 is rotatably but not axially displaceably mounted in a bearing block 31 on the guide rail 30, which engages with its threaded part in a threaded bore 34 of an eye 33 on the carriage 27th The screw 32 has a head 35 with a hexagonal recess 36, with a hexagonal portion of a tool can be positively coupled. By rotating the screw 32 in one direction or another, the carriage 27 is moved horizontally with the arm 26 and the folding rail 20th The one end position of the carriage 27, in which the carriage 27 at the foot of the bearing block 31 rests on the rail 30 is called a reference zero position, will be discussed in more detail below.

p0012Since the folding rail 20 in its vertical position must be adjusted, the guide rail 30 is not rigidly attached to the machine frame 37, but vertically movable with a right-angled arm 38 in a fixed position on the machine frame 37 are fastened with screws 39 slide 40th The 40 consisting of the arm 38 and the slide second slide 41 has equally as the slide 25, a screw 32 with head 35 and an eye 33 with threaded hole 34 and a bearing block 31. Thus, the arranged below the guide rail 30 head 35 of the screw 32 of the second slide 41 is available for coupling a tool from above, the guide rail 30 has an extension to the screw 32, a long hole 43. Further, the arm 26 a breakthrough 44 through which the guide rail 30 engages. To the slide guides 25, 41 determine in certain positions, is in the slide 27, 40 a releasable locking screw screwed 45, which presses the guide rail 30 and 38 respectively.

p0013With the same, the above-described sliding guides 25, 41 and the other devices 11 to 18 and their components are fitted, which are adjustable to different formats of the products to be packaged and the cartons used, wherein in one-dimensional adjustment one slide and two-dimensional setting two angularly coupled sliding guides are arranged.

p0014To adjust the slide guides is a mobile, Hand-operated rotary drive unit 50 with a coupling piece 51, which with the hexagonal recess 36 of the head 35 of the screws 32 is positively coupled. The coupling piece 51 may also be arranged on an extension which is connectable to the drive unit 50th The drive unit 50 includes a reversible direction of rotation electric motor 49 and a position sensor 52. The position sensor 52 which generates electric signals in dependence on the respective position of a sliding guide, is preferably of the type which generates a certain number of electrical pulses per revolution. To switch on the electric motor 49, the drive unit 50 a finger-contact pushbutton 53. In order to supply electric power and to route the electrical signals of the position sensor 52, the drive unit 50 is connected by means of a multicore cable 54 with a control unit 55th This switching unit 55 is in turn of a plurality of terminals 58 of a distributor or ring line 59 connectable to the leads by means of a cable 56 and a plug 57 with a central control device to the nineteenth

p0015The switching device 55 has a light indicator 61 for the ID number of each to be tackled Umstellstelle, an indicator light 62 for the position, an input keyboard 63 with code keys for entering, deleting and correcting numbers Umstellstellen and positions as well as several control lamps 64. Further, in the switching device 55 an amplifier 65 is provided. The switching device 55 that can be attached to the mobile drive unit 50 is, as well as the mobile drive unit not fixed, so that the operator take this along with the mobile drive unit 50 to the respectively to be addressed Umstellstelle the machine and there initiate a conversion and monitor can.

p0016As well as the switching device 55 also has the control device 19, an input keyboard 71 with the same functions as those of the input keyboard 61. In addition, the control unit 19 has two modes of operation switches 68, 69. Furthermore, there is arranged a monitor 72 visible on the control unit 19, on which for the operator display control program information and instructions. Further containing the control unit 19 a memory 73 for storing the data of the individual, provided with identification numbers Umstellstellen the machine for multiple formats and programs for the expiry of any modifications. The stored and entered data and signals are processed by a microprocessor 74 and transmitted as signals. These 76 are the keyboard 7J, the monitor 72, the memory 73, the microprocessor 74, the switching device 55 and the mobile drive unit 50 via two interfaces 75, connected to each other to. The interface 75 signals via respective positions of movable parts and tools of the machine to the controller are also entered.

p0017The setting of a format is performed as follows:<ul><li>When the machine is stationary, the operator first switch 68 on "Setting" and the switch 69 to "format data fetch" and then on the keyboard 71 to the control unit 19 or the keyboard 63 at the switching device 55 to the adjusted format associated identification number in the control unit on. The Formatkennummer entered is displayed on the monitor 72nd Further thereon, indicated on the monitor, the number of the first to be tackled Umstellstelle and their designation. The number of to be tackled Umstellstelle appears in the same way in the light display 61 of the switching device 55th The operator is now with the mobile drive unit 50 and the switching device 55 to the displayed Umstellstelle and coupling the coupling piece 51 with the head 35 of the screw 32 concerned Umstellstelle. By pressing the push button contact 53, the operator notifies the control unit 19 the Umstellbereitschaft. Controlled by the program entered on it, the control unit 19, the mobile drive unit 50 first to counterclockwise rotation, so that the slide in question is 25, first moved to their reference zero position. After reaching the zero position, the direction of rotation of the drive unit 50 from the computer is reversed due to the suddenly increasing current, so that the slide 25 is moved toward the new position. The position of the encoder 52 of the drive unit 50 erzeug th pulses to the control unit 19 are passed, in which a target / actual value comparison is carried out. When evaluating the signals, the drive unit is switched 50 shortly before reaching the end position from rapid to creep speed and turned off upon reaching the predetermined position of the motor 49 of the drive unit 50th The distance from the reference position of adjustment is shown in millimeters in the light display 62 of the switching device 55 and can with the desired value also displayed on the monitor 72 ver_- be adjusted. If the two values ​​match, the operator acknowledged by pressing the mute button on the keyboard 63 of the switching device 55 of the completion of switch undertaken at the predetermined Umstellstelle. Then appear on the monitor 72 the number and name of the now be tackled next Umstellstelle and the adjustment path. Likewise, the number of the next Umstellstelle in the light display 61 of the switching device 55 is displayed. The operator searches with the mobile drive unit 50 on the indicating Umstellstelle and proceeds in an analogous manner as described above. The pre-programmed work cycles are continued in the same manner until all Umstellstellen are adjusted to the new format.</li></ul>

p0018The individual programs and data stored in the memory 73rd If the data exceeds the capacity of the memory 73, so other programs can be implemented even on floppy disks and similar media, in the control unit 19th The data for the individual programs can be via the keyboard 71 of the control device input to the memory based on the known displacement paths. but they can also be empirically detected and entered by the Umstellstellen be set initially adjusted manually on the format and on the slide 25 of each Umstellstelle is shifted back to the mobile drive unit 50 to the reference zero position. The signals thus generated by the position transmitter 52 of the drive unit 50 are forwarded to the microprocessor 74, evaluated and stored in the memory of this 73rd

p0019In addition it is noted that, preferably stationary drive units are arranged on Umstellstellen, which are not accessible, which also have, in addition to a drive motor a position transmitter. The adjustment of these Umstellstellen occurs during the execution of the selected program, or by input from the operator via the keyboard 71 of the control device 19th