Patent Application
20120145310
The invention relates to a machine for producing a cup made of composite material, namely from an outer shell and an inner cup, as well as a method for producing such a cup, as described in claims 1 and 35.
Disposable cups are currently indispensable and are mostly used for conveying liquid, paste-like or powdered substances from a production site or delivery point to the consumer and for enabling the latter to consume the contents of the cup. Production sites could include for example producers of yoghurt, ready meals and drinks. Delivery points are for example pubs, snack bars or cafes, which generally serve the cup contents without a lid or seal.
In principle, there are several methods for producing this cup 100. One option is to wind the outer shell 101 around the finished inner cup 102. In this case the inner cup 102 is mostly mounted by a mandrel which performs the holding and support function during the winding process.
Another option is to produce the inner cup 102 and outer shell 101 separately and then push them inside one another. For this purpose the inner cup 102 generally comprises a beading in the base area which prevents the outer shell 101 from sliding off the mostly conical or cone-shaped inner cup 102, if the latter is not adhered or is only lightly adhered to the inner cup 102.
Another option is to produce the outer shell 101 first from the blank or winding and to place the latter into the cavity of the mold provided for shaping it prior to the production of the inner cup 102. The inner cup 102 is produced for economic reasons preferably in a deep-drawing process from a film-like material that can be deep-drawn.
The present invention relates to a production method in which a finished outer shell 101 and a finished inner cup 102 are pushed inside one another.
The inner cup 102 and the outer shell 101 are usually made of different materials. For example, the inner cup 102 is often made of plastic or a different material that can be deep-drawn and the outer shell 101 is often made of paper or cardboard. The latter can thus still be printed prior to assembly or prior to the formation of the outer shell from the winding or blank. It is also possible for example to make the inner cup 102 from foil-wrapped cardboard. Furthermore, the outer shell 101 can also be made of plastic, in particular foamed plastic. Furthermore, the outer shell 101 can be designed not only in the form of a sleeve, but can also have the shape of a cup. In this case two cups, namely an inner cup 102 and an outer cup forming the outer shell 101, are pushed inside one another. Lastly, it is also possible for the cup 100 to be made of three materials arranged inside one another, i.e. an inner cup 102 made of (smooth) plastic, an intermediate cup made of foamed plastic and an outer shell 101 made of paper.
The different materials of a cup usually perform different functions. For example, the inner cup 102 is designed to prevent the fluid contained therein from escaping, whilst the outer shell 101 is designed to be printed easily and also to provide thermal protection from the contents of the cup. Lastly, consideration of the environmental impact is also very important in a cup made of composite material.
The large numbers of disposable cups that are used daily require highly automated production methods or machines for producing the latter. Currently known methods or machines do meet existing requirements, but there is room for improvement, particularly with regard to meeting the future—in all probability increased—need for disposable cups or reducing the number of machines operating in parallel,
Therefore, the objective of the invention is to provide a machine and a method, which enable the improved production of cups made of composite material and in particular the shortening of cycles times.
The objective of the invention is achieved by a machine for producing a cup made of composite material, namely from an outer shell and an inner cup, according to claim 1, namely with a machine comprising:
The objective of the invention is also achieved by a method of producing a cup made of composite material, namely with an outer shell and an inner cup, according to claim 35, namely a method, comprising the steps:
According to the invention preferably several first holding devices operate together, which are arranged on a first rotatably mounted star- or wheel-like holding device carrier, comprising a plurality of second holding devices which are arranged on a second rotatably mounted star- or wheel-like holding device carrier. On the first holding devices an outer shell is prepared so that it can be transferred at a transfer station to the second holding devices and is brought together with the inner cup. It is advantageous that the machine is relatively compact due to the use of wheel- or star-like holding device carriers. Also wheel- or star-like structures can be produced relatively easily and are not prone to faults. According to the invention in this way a robust, compact and fault-free machine is provided, which in addition makes it possible to have very short cycle times.
“Finished” in terms of the invention does not necessarily mean “completely finished” but denotes reaching at least the state of the outer shell/the inner cup/the cup, which is necessary for performing the upcoming step. For example, the outer shell may not have been printed prior to adhering and may be printed later (at some point). With regard to the adhesion “finished” means for example that the outer shell has been wound and the adhesive tabs are coated with adhesive.
Advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are described in the subclaims and the description in association with the Figures of the drawing.
An advantageous variant of the machine according to the invention comprises the following components:
In this way inner cups which are supplied to the machine of the invention unprepared, in order to be joined directly to the outer shell, are prepared inside the machine according to the invention. For example, adhesive can be applied to the inner cup, so that it bonds well with the outer shell. In a particularly advantageous variant of the invention the transfer station consists of a compressed air nozzle in a third holding device, by means of which the inner cup can be transferred from a third to a second holding device. In principle, also other transfer stations can consist of a compressed air nozzle, for example the transfer station between the first and second holding device. This functions particularly well, if the outer shell is also shaped in the form of an (outer) cup.
It is advantageous if the first holding devices are designed in the form of mandrels. This variant is an advantage, as the winding of an outer shell can be wound relatively easily around a mandrel to shape the outer shell.
It is an advantage if at least one first opening of a line arranged in the mandrel opens at the first holding devices designed as mandrels respectively at the front circumferential area as seen in the rotational direction of the first holding device and the said opening is in lineconnection with a suction input of a vacuum generator. In this way without additional levers the blank can be held on the holding device carrier in a simple manner.
It is advantageous, if on the first holding device designed as a mandrel respectively on its end section closer to the holding device carrier a sleeve is arranged mounted to be displaceable in axial direction, in order to release the outer shell from the mandrel wound onto the mandrel for transferring to the transfer station. In this way also with more tightly wound outer shells a perfect transfer is prepared and any jamming on the mandrel is prevented.
It is also advantageous, if at least one first outflow openings opens onto the first holding devices designed as mandrels respectively on their circumference and said opening is line-connected with a pressure generator, in particular for compressed air. In this way not only can the release movement from the holding device carrier be supported but in addition also the transfer movement can be performed between two holding device carriers.
It is advantageous, if over the circumference of the first holding devices designed as mandrels a plurality of first outflow openings are arranged, because in this way a more even and directed transfer can be performed.
It is also advantageous if in the area of the first outflow opening or first outflow openings a circumferential channel is arranged in the holding device designed as a mandrel and the first outflow opening opens into the channel. In this way a completely circumferential channel is created for the inflow of the winding wound on the mandrel. Thus a more even transfer movement can be achieved.
It is advantageous if the first outflow opening and/or the channel is aligned so that the latter has or have an outflow direction directed to the side facing away from the center of the first holding device carrier, because in this way not only can the release of the winding from the holding device carrier be performed, but also at the same time the transfer movement can be performed in this way.
It is also advantageous, if the second holding devices are designed as sleeves or rings. In this embodiment the finished outer shells are pushed into rings or sleeves and sit relatively securely for the following steps.
It is also advantageous, if in an inner circumferential area of the second holding device designed as a sleeve or ring at least one second outflow opening is arranged. In this way on the basis of the holding device used as a mount no additional nozzles or lines are required. Thus not only is it possible to reduce the number of components but also assembly errors can be avoided.
It is advantageous, if the second outflow opening is aligned such that the latter has an outflow direction directed in the direction of the first holding device of the first holding device carrier. In this way from the holding device used as a mount the flow of medium for transport can be released directly onto the mandrel.
It is also advantageous if the outflow direction directed to the first holding device is directed to the second outflow opening to the center of the mandrel, because also a counterflow can be achieved by deflecting the medium flow accordingly on the end face of the mandrel.
It is advantageous, if at least one second openings of a line arranged in the sleeve or the ring opens in an inner circumferential area of the second holding device designed as a sleeve or ring and said opening is in line-connection with a suction input of a vacuum generator. In this way after taking over the outer shell the latter can be mounted.
It is also advantageous, if the third holding devices are designed as mandrels. In this variant of the invention the inner cups are supplied in finished or prefinished form to the machine according to the invention and fitted onto mandrels there, in order to be processed further, for example for the application of adhesive.
It is particularly advantageous, if the first holding devices are designed in the form of mandrels, the second holding devices are designed in the form of as sleeves or rings and the third holding devices are designed in the form of as mandrels. This variant of the invention represents a combination of the three last variants. In this case an outer shell is shaped on a mandrel (first holding device) and then inserted into a ring or a sleeve (second holding device). In the meantime the inner cups are prepared on mandrels (third holding device) and then inserted into the outer shell. This combination thus ensures a particularly unproblematic sequence in the production of a cup made of composite material.
It is also advantageous, if the workstation for winding the winding of the outer shell onto a first holding device designed as a mandrel comprises brushes which brush the winding on rotation of the first holding device carrier in a U-shape onto the mandrel or if the workstation for winding the winding of the outer shell onto the first holding device designed as mandrel comprises levers, which completely wind the U-shaped prebent winding around the mandrel. In this case the winding of the outer shell on the rotation of the first holding device carrier is pre-bent into a U-shape by laterally arranged brushes. Levers then grip the not yet bent ends of the winding, bend them completely around the mandrel and compress the latter. The brushes provide a particularly gentle bending of the winding, whereby damage to the often sensitive outer surfaces of the outer shells is prevented. The brushes are preferably stationary, but can also be moved. From this variant of the invention it is also clear that the design of a process step is not necessarily restricted locally to a workstation at which a first holding device carrier stops. Rather a process step, as shown, can also be performed during the rotation thereof.
It is also advantageous, if the brushes and the two levers are mounted to be fixed in relation to the first holding device carrier on the machine frame of the machine. Thus at certain points workstations are fixed at which predefined steps are performed. In this way it is possible to have fewer machine parts.
It is advantageous if each of the first holding devices is assigned a separate clamping lever and the clamping lever is mounted pivotably on the first holding device carrier relative to the first holding device. In this way during the further rotation of the holding device carrier up to the planned transfer a compression of the adhesive seam can be performed.
It is also advantageous, if the clamping levers are arranged relative to the holding devices designed in the form of a mandrel respectively on the rear circumferential area of the mandrels as viewed in the rotational direction of the first holding device carrier and the clamping levers can be adjusted with their stamps from a position spaced apart from the mandrel into a position bearing against the mandrel. In this way only after completely winding the blank is the adhesive seam compressed. Until then the winding process can be performed unhindered and complicated mechanisms for this are avoided.
In an advantageous variant of the invention the axes of the first and/or second and/or third holding devices are aligned in a star shape on the respective holding device carrier. This arrangement provides a large amount of space for the workstations, which can be aligned substantially radially relative to the rotational axis of a holding device carrier, in particular, if the holding devices are directed outwardly from the inside. In principle it is also possible however, that the holding devices are aligned inwardly from the outside.
In a further advantageous variant of the invention the axes of the first and/or second and/or third holding devices are aligned in the manner of a revolver magazine on the respective holding device carrier. This arrangement provides a more compact structure of the machine, as the workstations are aligned essentially parallel to the axis of a holding device carrier. Of course, star-shaped holding devices can also be combined with holding devices in the manner of a revolver magazine.
It is advantageous if the machine comprises a preparation station for performing one of the following steps prior to providing the winding of the outer shell: separating a winding of an outer shell from a stack, prebending the seam area (in particular the subsequent inner seam area), heating a seam area or the entire winding, applying adhesive to the seam area. In particular, if the outer shells are not provided in prepared form so that they can be wound directly around a first holding device, in the area of the machine according to the invention the necessary preparations can be made. The listed steps should in this case be considered to be examples. Of course, also other or additional steps are possible.
It is also advantageous if the station for prebending the seam area is arranged on the side of the preparation station past which the inner end of the winding in the seam area in the finished outer shell is conveyed. In this way the shaping is shifted to the inner side of the outer shell, by means of which better roundness of the outer shell can be achieved.
It is advantageous if the preparation station comprises cooperating pairs of conveyor belts and the pairs are arranged spaced apart from one another in conveying direction transversely to the conveying direction and thus span a conveying plane. In this way a definite clamping of the still flat windings to be transported is achieved. In this way the stacked and separated windings are conveyed reliably and in a precise cycle to the individual workstations.
It is also advantageous, if the preparation station at the end of the conveyor belts facing the first holding device carrier comprises a feed slide with means for holding the winding to form the outer shell and the feed slide can be adjusted from a position taking the winding from the conveyor belts into a position providing the winding to the first holding device of the first holding device carrier. In this way a definite pre-positioning of the winding to be transferred can be achieved and the latter can be transferred after their preparation to the winding station. By means of the adjustment movement also a relative positioning is possible relative to the holding device, whereby the dimensional ratios of the outer shell can be defined simply.
It is also advantageous, if the means for holding the winding on the feed slide are formed by support surfaces spaced apart from one another in transverse direction relative to the movement direction of the feed slide, into which suction opening open and the latter are in line-connection with a suction input of a vacuum generator. In this way the blank is secured gently on its optically attractive outside without there being a risk of damage.
It is advantageous, if between the support surfaces of the feed slide spaced apart from one another in transverse direction a recess is formed in the feed slide, through which on preparing the winding to form the outer shell at least the first holding devices can be moved. Thus up to holding the winding on the holding device a definitely prepositioned holding is possible.
It is also advantageous, if the preparation station for applying adhesive in the seam area comprises at least one nozzle facing the seam area and the latter is guided parallel relative to the conveying plane and transversely relative to the conveying direction of the winding or the transverse adjustment of the nozzle is performed in perpendicular direction relative to the conveying direction of the winding. In this way in cooperation with the blank the application of adhesive is made considerably easier.
It is also advantageous, if the transverse adjustment of the nozzle for applying the adhesive is performed at the same time as the conveying movement of the winding. Owing to this relative movement to one another the smallest amount of space is required for the nozzle arrangement.
It is also advantageous, if the machine comprises an adhesive application nozzle, which in a position of rest is kept clean by a moistened, rotating sponge, Over time deposits of adhesive can build up on the adhesive nozzle, which impair their correct functioning or can even lead to the incorrect functioning of the latter. For this reason it is an advantage in principle to clean the nozzle between applications of adhesive, It is particularly advantageous if this is performed with a rotating, moistened sponge, which—as experiments have shown—is particularly suitable for this task. The nozzle can always be kept clean in this way, particularly if cold or hot glue is applied.
Finally, it is advantageous if the station for applying adhesive onto the seam area is arranged on the side of the preparation station past which the outer lying end of the winding in the finished outer shell is conveyed. In this way the winding of the blank can be performed easily without the applied adhesive being scraped off during the winding process of the applied adhesive.
At this point it should be noted that the variants and possibilities relating to the machine according to the invention and the advantages resulting therefrom can of course also apply to the method according to the invention.
The above embodiments and developments of the invention can be combined in any way and manner.
For a better understanding of the invention the latter is explained in more detail with reference to the following Figures.
In a much simplified schematic representation:
First of all, it should be noted that in the variously described exemplary embodiments the same parts have been given the same reference numerals and the same component names, whereby the disclosures contained throughout the entire description can be applied to the same parts with the same reference numerals and same component names. Also details relating to position used in the description, such as e.g. top, bottom, side etc. relate to the currently described and represented figure and in case of a change in position should be adjusted to the new position. Furthermore, also individual features or combinations of features from the various exemplary embodiments shown and described can represent in themselves independent or inventive solutions.
In the following part of the manufacturing process of a cup 100 is explained. Firstly it should be noted that the steps necessary for this are represented only symbolically, as a representation of the respectively assigned workstations of the machine 1 in every detail would affect the clarity of the overview. In the following reference is only made to steps, of course in the following explanations this also means respectively assigned current workstations.
Furthermore, it should be noted, that between the steps the first or the second holding device carrier 3 and 5 are rotated about a position. The rotational movement is thus discontinuous. The rotational movement stops preferably only for a certain period, which corresponds to the time required for the longest step. It is therefore particularly advantageous to divide long steps into several individual steps:
In a first step A1 or in a corresponding workstation a winding or blank for forming an outer shell 101, which is coated with adhesive in the seam area, is supplied and aligned (cf. also
The stamp can be released, if it is part of a workstation, as soon as the adhesive provides sufficient adhesive force to prevent the outer shell 101 from falling apart. The stamp can also be part of a first holding device 2 however. In this case it can be connected to a clamping lever 26 which is guided or mounted adjustably, in particularly pivotably on the first holding device carrier 3. As the clamping lever 26 or the stamp is moved along with the holding devices 2, it remains closed until the adhesive has dried and thus pushes the two connecting and overlapping ends of the winding against one another to form the prepared outer shell 101 and the latter onto the first holding device 2 or its mandrel. This variant is an advantage in that the cycle times are not extended unnecessarily because of the setting of the adhesive. In a fourth step A4 the finished outer shell 101 is transferred to a second holding device 4. The latter can be formed by a ring or a sleeve. The fourth step A4 is at the same time the first step B1 in the region of the second holding device carrier 5. The transfer can be performed for example by a displaceable ring or a sleeve-like slide (forming in this example the transfer station 6), which releases the finished outer shell 101 from the mandrel or slips off the latter and possibly pushes at the same time into the second holding device 4, in particular the ring. Here the transfer or the takeover of the outer shell 101 can also be performed by a directed medium flow, in particular an air flow, as described further below.
If necessary, the outer shell 101 can also be drawn by means of a vacuum into the ring. It is also possible that the outer shell 101 is taken from the mandrel by means of tongs.
In the next step B2 the outer shell 101 is readjusted, that is pushed correctly into the mount of the second holding device 4, in particular the ring, as its correct position in the transfer station 6 cannot always be ensured. Preferably, guiding rods 7 prevent the outer shell 101 falling out, if the latter does not sit correctly in the second holding device 4, and thus prevent secure holding by the vacuum. In a next step B3 the prefabricated inner cup 102 is inserted into the outer shell 101.
In an advantageous variant the inner cup 102 is pushed by means of compressed air out of a tube and can thus be moved into the prepositioned outer shell 101.
It would also be possible for the inner cups 102 prepared for the transfer or takeover to be picked up at the base and thus drawn from the second holding device carrier 5 into the outer shell 101 held there. A possible arrangement of a transfer means 41 is shown in simplified form in the following
In the next step B4 the inner cup 102 is readjusted or locked into the outer shell 101, in case after the insertion process there is still no complete locking between the beading of the inner cup 102 and the lower edge of the outer shell 101 facing the base. By means of applying pressure or by means of a not shown stamp the base of the inner cup 102 can bulge outwards in particular and thus the locking in place of the beading attached to the inner cup 102 is facilitated, as in this way the external dimension thereof is reduced so far that the clear through cross section on the outer shell 101 does not need to be over-extended. Optionally or in addition the inner cup 102 can be delivered with adhesive already applied. If necessary the beading in the base part of the inner cup 102 can be omitted, if the adhesive ensures that the outer shell 101 adheres reliably to the inner cup 102. This is disadvantageous as it makes the recycling of the cup 100 after use more difficult. Optionally the readjustment can also be omitted. Thus the steps B3 and B4 can also be combined, for example if the inner cup 102 is inserted at high speed into the outer shell 101.
In a further step B5 it is checked whether the cup 100 has been produced correctly (symbolized here by a camera). If this is not the case the cup 100 is conveyed into a waste container, for example by means of a tube system in step B6, If the cup 100 is satisfactory it is taken off the ring in a last step B7. This can be performed for example by means of a compressed air pulse, which blows the cup 100 for example into a connected conveyor tube. One of the workstations, in the present case workstation B8, is not allocated its own processing step and is thus free. It would also be possible to provide said free station at a different point or to use the latter for an additional necessary step. This sequence is only selected by way of example and can be adjusted freely as necessary.
As already mentioned the inner cup 102 can be supplied already coated with adhesive, This preparation can however also be performed in the machine 1. In the following the steps required for this are explained:
In a first step C1 the inner cups 102 supplied in a stack are pushed separately onto a third holding device 8, which is arranged on a third holding device carrier 9. The separation can be performed by means of rollers with a spiral-shaped groove, into which the edge of the cup engages (see also
As already mentioned the winding of the outer shell 101 can also be supplied already coated with adhesive. The preparation of the winding can also be performed however in the machine 1. The necessary steps for this are explained in the following:
In a first step D1 the windings supplied in a stack are separated and placed on a rotary disc 10. The separation can be performed by fanning out the stack by means of compressed air and suctioning the bottom winding. The rotary disc 10 moves in step with the holding device carrier 3, 5 and 9. In a second step D2 the adhesive tab (in particular subsequently the inner tab) can be prebent, so that the outer surface of the outer shell 101 in its overlapping area later is as even as possible in terms of roundness. In a next step D3 the winding is heated or only the tabs to be adhered are heated in order to accelerate the subsequent adhesion process. Optionally the winding can also be embossed. If the embossing press is heated, furthermore a separate step for heating can be omitted. In a fourth step D4 the adhesive is applied, here by means of a nozzle, It is advantageous if the nozzle moves linearly over the seam area, ejects adhesive and in its position of rest or park position is cleaned by a rotating, moistened sponge, and thereby kept clear (cf. also
It should be noted at this point, that the rotary axes of the holding device carriers 3, 5 and 9 and the rotary disc 10 do not necessarily need to be parallel—as shown in
In
In
As soon as the adhesive force of the adhesive is sufficient to prevent the now finished outer shell 101 falling out owing to internal tensions, the clamping lever 26 can be moved back into it position of rest. This is preferably performed very late, in order to maintain as long as possible the pressing force on the overlapping seam. Preferably, the release is performed shortly before reaching the transfer station 6. The levers 20 are arranged in the described example in the region of a workstation, i.e. fixed. Alternatively the levers 20 can also be arranged on a first holding device 2 and moved with the latter or the first holding device carrier 3. Furthermore, the brushes 19 are not designed to be curved necessarily but can also be designed to be straight. Lastly, the brushes 19 can also be moved in order to facilitate the winding process. In particular, rotating brushes are possible here.
The axes of the mandrels are aligned in
The main difference from the previously shown machines 1 is therefore that the first and the second holding device 2 and 4 are designed as mandrels and the outer shell 101 is pushed onto an inner cup 102 and not the inner cup 102 into an outer shell 101. This can have advantages in terms of production technology. For example, the inner cup 102 can be gripped and secured by means of a tong-like device on it edge, so that the base of the inner cup 102 can be printed with a stamp (not shown) from the inside out, in order to facilitate the assembly process of the outer shell 101.
Lastly,
In
Here a similar arrangement is shown for preparing a blank, as already performed above in
In a further following workstation the adhesive is applied in a fourth step.
In the exemplary embodiment shown here the adhesive is applied in a simultaneous movement both of the nozzle 23 and the blank or winding in its transport direction by means of the conveyor belts 15. The nozzle 23 is used for the application of adhesive to the seam area, whereby the latter is guided adjustably parallel to the conveying plane and transversely to the conveying direction of the winding. The transverse position of the nozzle 23 is performed preferably in perpendicular direction in relation to the conveying direction of the winding. This is shown in a simplified manner by a double arrow. The transverse adjustment of the nozzle 23 for the application of the adhesive is performed simultaneously and coordinated with the conveying direction of the winding. In this way with suitably coordinated movement speeds relative to one another between the nozzle 23 and the winding a preferably continuous adhesive track 28 can be applied.
With previously known adhesive application devices the further transport of the winding in the region of the adhesive application station is stopped and the adhesive application is performed by means of the nozzle 23 by means of an angular movement aligned according to the winding relative to the conveying direction.
In the present case it is now possible to assign to the first nozzle 23 a further nozzle 29 for the application of adhesive or arrange it directly adjacent thereto and thus to apply in a single, common movement process simultaneously two adhesive tracks 28 in the region of the tabs to be adhered. The two adhesive tracks 28 are applied here in the region of the tab, which is arranged on the outside in the finally aligned state of the outer shell 101. In this way the two previously described levers 20 can perform the winding movement for the complete winding process without scraping of the adhesive.
After the application of adhesive the winding is transferred by means of the cooperating conveyor belts 15 at its end facing the first holding device carrier 3 to a feed slide 30. On said feed slide 30 preferably lateral guiding rails 17 described above and the stopping blocks 18 fixing the position in conveying direction are arranged. If the winding is located at the prepositioned point of the feed slide 30, means are formed on the latter for holding it. In this case the feed slide 30 can be adjusted from a position of taking over the winding from the conveyor belts 15 into the position—A1—providing the winding to the first holding device 2 of the first holding device carrier 3. In this way the winding is conveyed from the area of the conveyor belts 15 into the pivot area of the first holding devices 2 in the region of the first holding device carrier 3. This transferred position of the winding is shown in
The previously described means for holding the winding on the feed slide 30 are formed here by support surfaces 31 spaced apart from one another in transverse direction relative to the movement direction of the feed slide 30, in which suction openings 32 open. The latter are line-connected to a not shown suction input of a vacuum generator. By means of the created vacuum the winding transported by the conveyor belts 15 is taken over and held in the positioned point on the feed slide 30. In this prepositioned and held position the adjustment of the feed slide 30 is performed into the pivot area of the first holding device 2.
Furthermore, it is shown in a simplified manner that between the support surfaces 31 of the feed slide 30 spaced apart from one another in transverse direction in said feed slide a recess 33 is formed, through which on preparing—A1—the winding for forming the outer shell 101 at least the first holding devices 2 can be moved. In this way for the transfer of the winding from the feed slide 30 to the first holding device 2 the windings are held until the takeover is performed from the first holding device 2, as already described above. Immediately after the takeover of the winding from the feed slide 30 to the first holding device 2 the shaping of the section is performed to the completely rolled outer shell 101, as already described for
Unlike the previously described holding of the winding on the first holding device 2, in particular the mandrel, by means of the clamping strip 21, here the holding of the winding on the mandrel is performed by at least one opening 34 opening in the circumferential area of the first holding device 2. Preferably however, several of these openings 34 are provided, which are in flow-connection with a line 35 arranged in the mandrel. This line 35 and thus the openings 34 are also in line-connection with a suction input of a vacuum generator not shown in detail. The openings 34 arranged in the mandrel are arranged in this case on the first holding devices 2 in the front circumferential area, as seen in the rotational direction of the first holding device carrier 3. In this section also the first bearing of the winding on the holding device 2 takes place.
In
As described above for
To facilitate the transfer of the completely wound outer shell 101 it is advantageous if at least one first outlet opening 37 opens at the first holding device 2 designed as a mandrel on its circumference and the latter is line-connected with a pressure generator here not shown in detail, in particular for compressed air. To achieve a more even transfer it is advantageous if over the circumference of the first holding devices designed as a mandrels several such outflow openings 37 are provided or arranged. Particularly preferably, in the area of the first outflow opening 37 or the first outflow openings 7 a circumferential channel 38 can be arranged in the first holding device 2 designed as a mandrel. Here the first outflow opening or outflow openings 37 open into the channel 38. To achieve a directed transfer, from the first holding device 2 to the second holding device 4, it is advantageous if the first outflow opening 37 and/or the channel 38 is aligned so that the latter have an outflow direction directed to the side facing away from the center of the first holding device carrier 3. In this way it is possible to transfer the wound outer shell 101 into the mount of the second holding device 4.
In
The here ring-shaped, second holding device 4 is used for mounting the outer shell 101 wound in the first workstation and then for inserting the inner cup 102 to complete the cup 100.
To facilitate the transfer or takeover of the outer shell 101 from the first holding device 2, it is advantageous to arrange or provide at least one second outflow opening 39 in an inner circumferential area of the second holding device 4 designed here as a sleeve or ring. Preferably, several such second outflow openings 39 are arranged distributed evenly over the circumference and can be line-connected via a distributor channel with a pressure generator, in particular for compressed air.
The second outflow openings 39 are aligned so that the latter have an outflow direction directed in the direction of the first holding device 2 of the first holding device carrier 3. Preferably, however the outflow direction is directed towards the center of the mandrel. By steering the medium flow accordingly from the second outflow opening 39 to the mandrel 2 and deflecting the latter, the transfer of the outer shell 101 into the second holding device 4 is performed in the mariner of a counterflow movement.
It is also shown here that on the inner circumference area, at least one second opening 40 of a line arranged in the sleeve or the ring opens in the second holding device 4 designed as a sleeve or ring, which opening possibly with the interconnection of a distribution channel is in line connection with a suction input of a vacuum generator. In this way the outer shell 101 inserted into the second holding device 4 can be fixed on its outer circumference. Said transfer or taking over of the outer shell 101 from the first holding device 2 to the second holding device 4 is performed at the interface of the workstations A4, B1. The previously described readjustment of the outer shell 101 or positioning thereof in the second holding device 4 and the additional subsequent steps can be performed in a similar way to the one described in detail above.
The previously described transfer of the blank or the winding from the feed slide 30 to the first holding device 2 can be determined by the selected relative end position of the feed slide 30 to the mandrel of the first holding device 2 the size ratio of the outer shell 101 to be produced. The further the feed slide 30 is adjusted to the center of the first holding device carrier 3, the greater the outer shell 101 in its circumferential dimension, in particular its diameter. If the adjustment is not so far the circumferential dimension is reduced accordingly. By means of this deliberate adjustment not only can the joining process between the inner cup 102 and the outer shell 101 be varied but also the clamping force of the outer shell 101 on the inner cup 102 can be determined. The narrower or smaller the outer shell 101 the more securely the latter sits on the inner cup 102.
The holding device carrier 3 with its first holding devices 2 arranged thereon for producing the outer shells 101 from the windings can be designed in a similar way, as already described for
The second holding device carrier 5 with its second holding devices in the form of sleeves or rings also has a preferably horizontal axis of rotation. Unlike the previously described exemplary embodiment, the two axes of rotation of the first and second holding device carrier 3, 5 are aligned parallel to one another, but in the region of the transfer station 6—A4, B1—the longitudinal axes of the two holding devices 2, 4 are aligned to cross one another, in particular at right angles.
The transfer is performed here by a separate transfer device 42, which is formed for example by a lever and pivot mechanism. The transfer device 42 comprises for example a vacuum suction device and pulls with the latter the finished outer shell 101 from the first holding device 2 in axial direction until a pivot movement can be performed about an angle of e.g. 90°. Thus in the present exemplary embodiment a pivot angle is reached which corresponds to the relative alignment of the second holding device 4 with its longitudinal or mounting axis. At a different angle of inclination of the two longitudinal axes of the first holding device 2 or the second holding device 4 relative to one another, the pivot angle to be executed should be adjusted accordingly.
In the position of the outer shell 101 for mounting in the second holding device 4 the said outer shell is surrounded by schematically simplified gripping tongs 43 on their outer circumference. As the outer shell 101 is formed by a circumferentially relatively unstable material, the latter can also be supported internally by tensioning tongs 44 adjustable by the second holding device 4 in axial direction, which mounts the outer shell 101 bearing on its inner side. By means of the tensioning tongs 44 the outer shell 101 prepositioned by the gripping tongs 43 is taken over, and inserted or drawn into the second holding device 4. After this insertion process the prepositioned pressing in a separation workstation can be performed, as described above for the workstation B2. Afterwards the inner cup 102 can be inserted into the prepositioned outer shell 101. This can be performed by means of a third holding device carrier 9 and third holding devices 8 arranged thereon, as described above for
The exemplary embodiments show possible embodiment variants of a machine according to the invention, whereby it should be noted at this point that the invention is not restricted to the embodiment variants shown in particular, but rather various different combinations of the individual embodiment variants are also possible and this variability, due to the teaching on technical procedure, lies within the ability of a person skilled in the art in this technical field. Thus all conceivable embodiment variants, which are made possible by combining individual details of the embodiment variants shown and described, are also covered by the scope of protection.
Finally, as a point of formality, it should be noted that for a better understanding of the structure of the machine 1 the latter and its components have not been represented true to scale in part and/or have been enlarged and/or reduced in size.
The problem addressed by the independent solutions according to the invention can be taken from the description.
Mainly the individual embodiments shown in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| A 1148/2009 | Jul 2009 | AT | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2010/004484 | 7/22/2010 | WO | 00 | 2/21/2012 |
