Patent Grant
6938393
The invention relates to a packaging line for packaging separate products, such as, for instance, magazines, CDs, DVDs and combinations thereof in a continuous manner, the packaging line being provided with:
The invention also relates to a method for packaging separate products, such as, for instance, magazines, CDs, DVDs and combinations thereof in a continuous manner, wherein the method, while utilizing such a packaging line, assembles products in a product assembling path which is provided with a first conveyor and a number of feeders arranged along the conveyor, while in a packaging module, with the aid of folding means, a packaging tube is formed from a continuous packaging web, which packaging tube is advanced in the packaging module by a second conveyor, while with a cross separating device, separate packages filled with product are discharged from the packaging tube, while a control controls the supply of the products from the feeders as well as the transport speed of the conveyors and the speed of the cross separating device, while the cross separating device comprises two separating elements such as, for instance, sealing beams or cutting knives, of which separating elements a first one is arranged above the packaging tube and a second is arranged below the packaging tube, the separating elements passing through both a reciprocating vertical movement with a vertical stroke length and a reciprocating horizontal movement with a horizontal stroke length.
Such a packaging line and method are known from practice and have already been marketed by applicant for a great many years.
A problem of the known packaging line and method is that the packaging length of the package cannot be varied, at least not per product to be packaged. Once the known packaging line has been set, packages of equal length can be manufactured. However, it occurs that in the product assembling path, successive products are assembled of mutually different lengths. In the known packaging line, these products are accommodated in packages of equal length.
The invention contemplates a packaging line and a method without this drawback. To this end, the packaging line is characterized in that the control is designed for processing information about the length of each product to be packaged and for setting the horizontal stroke length per product, in-process, such that the packages with different lengths for products of different lengths can be manufactured in random order.
To this end, the method is characterized in that the control processes information about the length of each product to be packaged and sets the horizontal stroke length per product in-process, such that packages with different lengths for products of different lengths can be manufactured in random order.
As the control is designed for processing information about the length of each product to be packaged and for setting, per product, in-process, the horizontal stroke length, packages with different length for products of different lengths can be manufactured in random order. Due to this real-time conversion, an optimal flexibility of the packaging line and the method is obtained.
Moreover, the method used in the packaging line leads to a cutback of packaging material. Further, each product is accommodated in a fitting package with regard to the length. This latter is desired because a well-fitting package protects the product better and because, moreover, it is beneficial to the appearance of the packaged product.
To, also, be able to process products of different thickness, the packaging line is preferably characterized in that the control is also designed for processing information about the thickness of each product to be packaged and for setting, in-process, per product, the vertical stroke length, such that products of different thickness can be processed in random order.
Due to this feature, it is effected that the cross separating device functions optimally. The fact is that by keeping the vertical stroke length small, i.e. matching the product, a minimal time loss occurs for dead stroke, so that the duration of the separating operation, which is of importance in a sealing operation, can be geared to the desired sealing time as accurately as possible.
To enhance the flexibility of the packaging line and the method even more, it is particularly favorable, according to a further elaboration of the invention, when the control is designed for processing information about the width and/or thickness of each product to be packaged, while the folding means are provided with actuators with the aid of which the position of the folding means can be set in-process, while the control is designed for operating the actuators depending on the information about the width and/or thickness of each product, such that, from the continuous packaging web, a packaging tube of suitable dimensions is formed. With such a device and method, the position of the folding means can be set real-time, or in-process, and processing products of different width in random order or in succession becomes possible without having to stop the packaging line for resetting the folding means. Therefore, there is no longer any question of loss of production due to setting time which is particularly advantageous from an economic point of view.
According to a further elaboration of the invention, the packaging line and the method are characterized in that the control obtains the data about the dimensions of each product to be packaged from a database, in which database the dimension data of each product which is assembled in the product assembling path are stored.
With such a packaging line and/or method, without the presence of sensors, the desired in-process setting can be obtained. It is of importance, then, that the database contains data about the dimensions of the products present in the various feeders in the product assembling path. Generally, the database will also contain data concerning customers for whom the various products to be packaged are destined. Address data and data about the product composition desired by a specific customer can then be involved.
According to an alternative or additional further elaboration of the invention, the packaging line and the method can be characterized by sensors, which are arranged for picking up information about the dimensions of products which are assembled in the product assembling path, while the control derives the data about the dimensions of each product to be packaged from signals which are given off by the sensors mentioned.
The advantage of such an elaboration is that the database does not need to be loaded with data about the dimensions of products present in the various feeders. The fact is that the sensors provide this information and pass it on to the control, optionally via a database.
According to a few further elaborations of the invention, dimension data can also be used for setting modules in the post-packaging path such as, for instance, an ejecting station and/or a stacking station. Such further elaborations, which are described in the subclaims, contribute to the processing flexibility of the entire packaging line and the method as a whole.
According to a still further elaboration of the invention, the packaging line is characterized in that the cross separating device comprises a separating module having a first separating element and a second separating element, the separating module being provided with a conveyor arranged upstream of the separating elements and a conveyor arranged downstream of the separating elements, while at least the conveyor arranged downstream is designed for conveying a packaging tube containing products to be packaged in a transport plane, in a transport direction having a substantially constant speed, wherein the separating elements have a beam-shaped configuration, while a longitudinal center line of each separating element extends perpendicularly to the transport direction and parallel to the transport plane, the separating elements being designed for separating the packaging tube with the aid of the separating elements in cross direction between the products for forming separate packages containing products, the separating elements being designed for passing through a reciprocating movement along the transport direction in a synchronous manner, while at least a first separating element of the separating elements is arranged for movement in a direction perpendicular to the transport plane, so that the separating elements can be moved from each other and towards each other, while a first controllable drive effects the movement of the first separating element in the direction perpendicular to the transport plane, while a second controllable drive effects the synchronous, reciprocating movement of the separating elements along the transport direction. It is then preferred to also arrange the second separating element of the separating elements for movement in a direction perpendicular to the transport plane, while a third controllable drive effects the movement of the second separating element in the direction perpendicular to the transport plane.
As the drives are controllable, the path along which the movements proceed and the rate at which these movements are made can be varied in a simple manner. As a result, the movement of the first separating element in the direction perpendicular to the transport plane can be accurately controlled. This also holds for the movement of the second separating element in the direction perpendicular to the transport plane. Further, the movement of the separating elements in the direction of the transport plane can be accurately controlled. This offers enormous advantages with regard to the known device. For instance, in the known device, the horizontal movement of the separating elements was effected by a slide crank drive mechanism. As is known, such a mechanism does not have a linear velocity curve, so that, essentially, at no moment the horizontal movement runs perfectly synchronously to the transport speed of the conveyor located upstream of the separating elements. With the second controllable drive, the conveyor running perfectly synchronous to the transport speed of the conveyor located upstream of the separating elements can indeed be achieved, so that during separation of the packaging tube, i.e. during the cutting thereof in case of paper and during sealing through thereof in case of a plastic foil web, no forces are applied to the packaging tube in the transport direction. Conversely, if desired, during separation, some pull can be applied to the packaging tube or this packaging tube can be somewhat eased. These possibilities, which can be useful in particular when sealing plastic foil, lack completely in the known device. As the separation time is independent of the speed of the packaging line, separation can be finished even after the rest of the packaging line has stopped. Moreover, it is possible to effect a greater stroke and the separation time is independent of the speed of the packaging line. In particular when sealing, this is of great importance because thus, the sealing time can be accurately set. For instance, a thick foil can be sealed longer. Moreover, the independent control of the separation elements offers the possibility of packaging very long products; for instance even surf boards could be packaged in foil. Moreover, the controls can be provided with a memory in which the settings belonging to a particular job, for instance the packaging of a particular weekly, are stored. On reoccurrence of such a job, the packaging machine can directly retrieve the values belonging to that job and the packaging line is directly set, so that packaging can start directly. As, with modern controllable drives, such as, for instance controllable servomotors, the control takes place digitally, the settings will not shift, which was indeed the case with the known device as a result of clearance, wear or the like. It is also interesting that such a separating module can be tested stand-alone, without it forming part of the packaging line. In this manner, for instance, the sealing time for a particular foil can be tested outside the packaging line.
According to a further elaboration of the invention, the conveyor arranged downstream of the separating elements can be provided with a fourth controllable drive for driving the respective conveyor at a variable speed. Thus, the speed of the packaged product located downstream of the separating elements relative to the packaging tube located upstream of the separating elements can be varied, for instance for pulling the product, discharged downstream, loose from the packaging tube, which is necessary when sealing, at least can promote the separation process.
From the foregoing, it will be clear that the separating elements can comprise sealing beams to be heated, for separating a packaging tube of plastic foil. However, it is also possible that the separating elements comprise knives for separating a packaging tube of paper.
As the first, second and third drives realize a reciprocating movement whose stroke can be set and whose beginning and end can be set, so that the stroke and the path along which the reciprocating movement of the separating elements proceeds can be set, for instance the position of the point of contact at which the separating elements touch relative to the transport plane, can be varied. For instance, the point of contact can be positioned halfway of the thickness of the products to be packaged above the transport plane. What is thus effected is that between the products, a minimum amount of material is required for closing the package with the aid of the separating elements. In particular with thick products this can save a considerable amount of packaging material. Moreover, it can thus be effected that with thin products only a small stroke is made, which influences the speed of the device in a positive manner.
Further elaborations are described in the subclaims and will be clarified on the basis of an exemplary embodiment, with reference to the drawing.
In the drawing:
According to the invention, the control 6 processes information about the length of each product to be packaged and the horizontal stroke length is set in-process, per product, such that packages with different lengths for products of different lengths can be manufactured in random order.
In the present exemplary embodiment, the control 6 also processes information about the thickness of each product to be packaged and the vertical stroke length is set, in-process, per product, such that products of different thickness can be processed in random order.
Further, in the present exemplary embodiment, the control 6 processes information about the width and/or thickness of each product to be packaged. The folding means 7, 9 are provided with actuators 17, 16, respectively, with the aid of which the position of the folding means 7, 9 can be automatically set in-process through operation of these actuators 16, 17 by the control 6. The operation of the actuators 16, 17 is dependent on the information about the width and/or thickness of each product, such that from the continuous packaging web, a packaging tube of suitable dimensions is formed.
In the present exemplary embodiment, the folding means 7, 9 comprise folding bars 9, whose position can be set in-process with the aid of actuators 16. The folding means 7, 9 further comprise a packaging web guiding element 7 over which a packaging web, fed from a bottom side, is guided in the horizontal plane of the second conveyor 8, and over which the forming of the packaging tube from the packaging web is initiated. The width and/or form of the packaging web guiding element 7 is set by two actuators 17, which actuators are operated in-process by the control 6, depending of the data available in the control 6 about width and/or thickness of a product to be packaged.
The control 6 can obtain the data about the dimensions of each product to be packaged from a database, in which database the dimension data of each product which is assembled in the product assembling path are stored.
In the present exemplary embodiment, the packaging line 1 is provided with sensors 18, 19 which sensors 18, 19 pick up information about the dimensions of products which are assembled in the product assembling path 2. The control 6 derives the data about the dimensions of each product to be packaged from signals which are given off by the sensors 18, 19 mentioned.
In the exemplary embodiment, each feeder 4 is provided with at least one sensor 18 which gives off the dimension information about the product present in the feeder 4 to the control 6. Further, at the first conveyor 3, a sensor 19 is arranged which obtains dimension information from products transported by the first conveyor 3.
Downstream of the cross separating device 10, an ejecting station 20 is arranged. On the basis of the dimension data of a respective product, the control 6 sets the ejecting function of the ejecting station 20. In the present exemplary embodiment, the ejecting station 20 is provided with a switch which can assume a feed-through position and an ejecting position. The control 6 is designed for controlling the duration in which the switch is held in the ejecting position depending on the length of the product known in the control 6. This duration can be varied in-process depending on the length of the products which has to be ejected.
Further downstream of the cross separating device 10, a stacker 21 is arranged. The stacker 21 is provided with actuators for automatically setting the stacker 21 depending on the dimensions of the products to be stacked. On the basis of the dimension data of a respective product, the control 6 controls, in-process, the actuators for setting the stacker 21.
It is noted that in the exemplary embodiment of the cross separating element 10 represented in
However, it is also possible that the horizontal and vertical stroke are energized by one single motor and that the extent of the stroke can be influenced by adjusting a coupling mechanism which connects the horizontal movement to the vertical movement Naturally, for the automatic, in-process adjustment of the coupling mechanism, an actuator to be energized by the control 6 needs to be present.
It will be clear that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment described but that various modifications are possible within the framework of the invention as defined by the claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1019610 | Dec 2001 | NL | national |
| 1021145 | Jul 2002 | NL | national |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20030131567 A1 | Jul 2003 | US |
