EP0693365B1 - Machine for making carry-bags with handle - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for assembling carrier bags with carrying cords (see, for example, US-A-3 464 620 or US-A-5 044 773) which are guided through punched-outs in the optionally reinforced pocket edge, the free cord ends being knotted .
Until now, these carrier bags for high-quality products, made of laminated and multi-color printed paper, could only be assembled by hand, since threading the cord into the punching holes in the carrier bag and knotting the free ends using the previously available technologies was not economically feasible. An aggravating boundary condition for this task is that the carrier bags are manufactured in very different dimensions, so that such a device has to be designed very flexibly and easily and can be converted to other types of bags in a short time.
The actual carrier bags are normally punched out, folded and glued from the already printed and laminated paper in a fully mechanized production line and generally provided with reinforcements on the bottom and edge of the bag. Since the assembly with the cords could only be done by hand, usually at home, the carrier bags had to be temporarily folded, packed and, after returning from the assembly to completion, quality assurance and packaging, reintroduced into the production line. This interruption of the process often leads to considerable logistical problems and the often necessary changes in production to disruptions in the production process.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device that is fully mechanized Assembling of carrier bags with carrying cords enables and which is therefore suitable in an automatic production line for such bags to be integrated. This task is solved by combining the following features, some of which are known per se: one Device for clamping the pocket edges, one arranged on the clamping device or on this positionable punching device for punching the holes in the pocket edge and means for guiding the cord between the punched holes and Knotting devices for knotting the ends of the cords, at least the guide device is arranged for the cord on the clamping device or can be positioned thereon and Control devices are provided which alternate the punching and insertion device bring to use.

The invention further relates to a number of refinements of the new device as well as methods for assembling the above-mentioned carrier bags. Regarding details is particularly referred to the appended claims.

Fig. 1

zeigt in axionometrischer Darstellung eine Einrichtung zum Konfektionieren von Tragtaschen.

Fig.2

veranschaulicht im Schnitt ein Detail der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig.1

Fig.3-5

zeigen weiter Einzelheiten dieser Einrichtung.

Fig.6

veranschaulicht in axionometrischer Darstellung eine Variante zu der in der Vorrichtung nach den Fig. 1-5 eingesetzten Konstruktion des

Knot-Moduls".

Fig. 7

ist ein Schnitt durch den in Fig.6 gezeigten Modul gemäß der Ebene II-II.

Fig. 8

zeigt ein 2.Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung in Frontansicht.

Fig. 9

stellt ein Detail der Einrichtung ebenfalls in Frontansicht in der nächsten Phase des Arbeitsablaufes dar.

Fig. 10,13 und 16

zeigen Details der Einrichtung in den darauffolgenden Phasen in verkleinertem Maßstab, wobei die

Fig. 11,12;14,15;17 und 18

die Führungseinrichtung jeweils in Frontansicht und in Draufsicht in den zugehörigen Phasen veranschaulichen.

Fig. 19 und 20

zeigen in einer Darstellung analog zu Fig. 9 die beiden letzten Phasen des Arbeitsprozesses.

The features of the invention result from the following description of two exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawing:

Fig. 1

shows an axionometric representation of a device for assembling carrier bags.

Fig. 2

illustrates in section a detail of the device according to Fig.1

Fig. 3-5

show further details of this facility.

Fig. 6

illustrates in axionometric representation a variant of the construction of the used in the device according to FIGS. 1-5

Knot module ".

Fig. 7

is a section through the module shown in Figure 6 according to the plane II-II.

Fig. 8

shows a second embodiment of the invention in front view.

Fig. 9

shows a detail of the facility also in front view in the next phase of the workflow.

Figures 10, 13 and 16

show details of the facility in the subsequent phases on a reduced scale, the

Figures 11, 12, 14, 15, 17 and 18

illustrate the guide device in front view and in plan view in the associated phases.

19 and 20

show in a representation analogous to FIG. 9 the last two phases of the work process.

Figures 1 to 5 show schematically the inventive device for Assembling carrier bags made of laminated and printed paper with Carrying loops made of cords are provided. For the reasons mentioned at the beginning, it was so far not possible to mechanize this assembly process. In the die cut provided carrier bags had to be adjusted by hand from the cord pieces be threaded and knotted at their free end. The invention makes it possible these operations into a fully mechanized production line for such carrier bags integrate.

The assembly device consists of two similar, one pocket edge each assigned components 15, 16. These two components are not on one shown, vertically movable carriage arranged and are in a first phase of Assembly process from above into the open carrier bag. Any of the two Components includes two knot modules 17, 18 and a connecting channel 19 Punching devices 20 for making the holes through which a supply spool 21 running cord 3 is threaded. The knot modules and the connection channel are relative can be moved parallel to each other (a guide is shown schematically in the drawing and designated 22). During the retraction of the carriage in the pocket 23, the Modules 17, 18 removed from the connecting channel 19, in the next step they will be together pressed with the edge of the carrier bag being clamped.

The punching device 20 provided in the connecting channel comprises the punch 24, which his shaft has a level 25. this stage acts with a cam 26 of a flap 27 together, in the retracted position of the punch 24 a closed channel for the cord 3 forms and when pushing the stamp the flap 27 against the force of one Spring 28 pivots out of the path of the stamp. The stamp finally hits the edge of the Carrying bag and punches a hole in it, the diameter of which corresponds to that of the cord. The in this way punch holes 29 are exactly the inlet and outlet channels of Knot modules 17, 18 opposite. It is crucial that after withdrawing the punching device 20 and closing the channels through the flaps 27 without releasing the clamping of the edge of the Bags 23 immediately carry the cord 3 through the first knot module 17, the punched hole 29 Connection channel 19, the next punch hole 29 and the second knot module 18th is shot.

FIG. 3 shows the first knot module in various details. The module is made in two parts, both module halves 17a and 17b connected via a hinge 30 and pressed together by a spring 31. The cord 3 is vacuumed into the Channels sucked, the negative pressure inside the module 17 the closing force of the two Mold halves 17a and 17b additionally reinforced. The lower part 17a of the module is with a Inlet funnel 32. A cutting blade 33 can also be moved on the lower part stored, which is actuated by a pneumatic cylinder, not shown. Parallel to Cutting blade 33, a jaw 34 is slidably disposed, which by a spring 35 the cutting blade 33 is taken along and the cord end with a defined force stuck (Fig. 4).

The second knot module 18 is constructed analogously, it is also in two parts and is made by Spring force kept closed (Fig. 5). The module exits with a Vacuum line 36 connected, one arranged between module 18 and vacuum line Grid 37 limits the path of the cord 3 and ensures that this after shooting each takes a precisely defined position. A light barrier 38 signals the Control of the machine when the cord 3 has reached its end position

The function of the device described above is as follows:
The already opened carrier bag moves into the assembly station on a conveyor belt, the slide with the two components 15, 16 is inserted into the bag from above and clamps the two edges of the bag 23. In the next step, 20 holes 29 are made in the punching device Punched pocket edges, the stamps 24 are then withdrawn, so that the flaps 27 close the connecting channel for the cord 3 again. The control of the machine now connects the vacuum line 36 to a vacuum boiler via a solenoid valve (not shown). Due to the negative pressure, the cord 3 is shot in through the first knot module 17, the first punch hole 29, the connecting channel 19, the second punch hole 29 and finally through the second knot module 18 until the end abuts the grid 37 and the light barrier 38 is thus activated. This causes the solenoid valve and thus the vacuum to switch off. At the same time, the pneumatic cylinders are activated, which actuate the cutting device 33 and the clamping jaw 34. The cord 3 is thus cut off directly on the knot module 17, both ends are clamped outside the knot modules 17, 18. Subsequently, the connecting channel 19 is withdrawn from the edge of the pocket, the cord 3, which initially lies loosely in the channels of the knot modules, tightens to form a knot. The contracting knot presses the two halves of the knot module against the force of the spring 31. As a result of the increasing force on the cord, the holding force of the clamping jaws 34 is overcome and the cord ends are pulled out of the clamping devices. The cord ends are now separated by the somewhat larger or smaller diameter than the cord diameter. Entry channels drawn and further compressed. As soon as the knots have emerged from the modules, the slide with the components 15-20 is extended out of the pocket, the connecting channel 19 opening along a horizontal plane and releasing the cord loop.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a variant of the knot modules shown in the above figures 17 and 18. Fig. 6 shows a one-piece made of plastic module 1, which in its Inside has a channel 2, which on the one hand the dimension of the cord to be knotted 3 and on the other hand corresponds to the desired knot type with regard to its shape. As the section according to FIG. 7 in particular clearly shows, the channel forms a one-sided, inward direction open gutter so that the cord extends into the cavity 4 enclosed by this gutter can contract and tighten into a knot. The inlet channel 5 has one Diameter that allows the passage of a tightened knot. It is also possible to remove the node through the outlet channel 6 from the module; in this case of course the diameter of the outlet channel is increased accordingly. Of the Module 1 can be made by casting using an inlaid core. It can also be made of metal instead of plastic.

The cord is injected through the inlet channel using compressed air or, as in the example above, using a vacuum To tighten the knot, one end of the cord 3 is jerkily accelerated away from the module, the knot initially contracting slightly due to the inertia effect. By pulling further, the friction between the different cord parts against one another further tightens the knot. By pulling through The knot is further tightened and calibrated as desired in channels 5 and 6. Instead of the sudden acceleration at the beginning of the tightening of the knot, the free end of the cord can be braked slightly while the other end is pulled with a uniform and constant force, as in the The above example is described.

A further exemplary embodiment is described with reference to FIGS. 8-20, wherein for Similar parts and components use the same reference numerals as in the example above will.

On a traverse 40 of the assembly machine is a stationary Head "41 is arranged, which contains 4 pneumatically operated punching tools 20 in its interior and 4 knot modules in an underlying level, the inlet and outlet channels of which are aligned with the punching tools. The head 41 and the associated periphery are symmetrical with respect to the axis 46 In the drawing, therefore, the device was completely omitted in many cases, opposite the head is the guide device, which is made up of two parts 44 and 45. This can be moved up to the head 41 by the pneumatic cylinder 42. In the underside of the upper part 44 of the guide device, a U-shaped channel 47 is provided for the cord 3, on the other hand, the top of the part 45 is planar. The U-shaped channel 47 can be connected at one end to a vacuum line, and on the other side there is a feed device for the cord 3 and a cutting device with which the cord is cut to length after insertion into the channel 47. The latter devices essentially correspond to the analog devices in the device according to FIGS. 1-7, so that a detailed description could be dispensed with.

The operation of the machine according to Figures 8-20 is as follows:
By means of a pneumatically operated stamp (not shown), the pocket 23, which has already been folded, glued and provided with a reinforcing edge, is pushed over the head 41 from below until the upper edge of the pocket dips into the gap between the cutting plate 43 and the head 41 and finally strikes the stop 48. In the next phase (FIG. 9), the punching tools 20 are activated and punch a total of 4 holes in the reinforced pocket edge. FIGS. 10 to 12 show the next step: the clamping of the pocket edge is loosened and the pocket is moved downwards by a defined distance from the stamp, not shown, in which the holes 29 punched into the pocket edge lie in the plane of the channel 47 of the guide device . A piece of cord 3 is sucked into the channel 47 by vacuum and then cut to length by the cutting device. In the phase shown in FIGS. 13-15, the guide device 44, 45 is moved to the head 41 by the pneumatic cylinder 42, the channel 47, the punched holes in the pocket edge and the inlet channels of the knot modules being aligned. The other two channels of the knot modules are connected to a vacuum system. If vacuum is now applied to the two knot modules, the free ends of the prepared U-shaped cord loop are sucked into the knot modules. The top part 44 of the guide device is lifted off by a further pneumatic cylinder 49, so that in each case a sufficient piece of cord can be inserted into the knot modules. As shown in FIGS. 16-18, the guide device 44, 45 is then withdrawn from the head 41. In the phase shown in FIG. 19, the clamping of the edge of the pocket is loosened or completely released and the pocket is moved downward, with the knots still in the knot modules being held. The modules are designed in two parts analogously to the modules 17 and 18 of the first exemplary embodiment, wherein the opening of the two halves can be supported by pneumatic cylinders. By moving the bag, the cord is pulled through the punched holes in the edge of the bag until it stops. The further downward movement of the pocket causes the knots to be tightened and compressed by pulling them in or out. Exit channel of the knot modules until the knots are finally completely pulled out of the modules (Fig. 20). The bag is now fully assembled and is folded up in the following stations of the system and packed ready for dispatch.

The invention is not restricted to the examples shown.

Claims (6)

1. Machine for making carry-bags comprising carry-cords led through punched holes in the bag's margin which is optionally reinforced, the ends of the cords being snarled, characterised by the combination of the following, partially known characteristics:

   means (15, 16) for clamping the bag's margins,

   punching means (20) for punching the holes (29) in the bag's margin either arranged on the clamping means or being able to be positioned on it, and

   means (19) for guiding the cord between the punched holes and knotting means (17, 18) for knotting the cord ends,

   at least the guiding means (19) for the cord (3) being either also arranged on the clamping means or able to be positioned on it, and control means being provided which activate alternately the punching means and the guiding means.
2. Machine according to claim 1, characterised in that it forms part of a production line for carry-bags, preferably being arranged on a sliding carriage and insertable into opened bags (23).
3. Machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterised by respective two knotting means known per se in form of preferably bipartite modules (17, 18) including a channel (2) in their interiors which corresponds substantially to the outline of a slack knot of the cord (3), the cord being conveyed through the module by air and the exit or inlet port of the first module (17) faces one port end of the guiding means (19), whereas the other port end faces the inlet port of the second module (18), and the guiding means (19) is preferably displaceable relative to the two knotting modules (17, 18) for tightening the knot and can be opened in the direction of movement of the sliding carriage for removing the cord.
4. Machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the knotting modules are provided with clamping means and, optionally, cutting means (34 and 33) for the cord at the respective side averted from the guiding means (19) in a manner known per se, the clamping means (34) being activated before the guiding means (19) is displaced relative to the knotting modules for tightening the knot.
5. Method for making carry-bags comprising carry-cords by a machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the machine is pushed over the bag's margin, and the bag's margin is clamped in the machine, the punching means is activated and punches holes (29) into the margin, that subsequently the guiding means (19) is activated and forms a continuous channel for the cord between the two knotting modules (17, 18), a precise alignment of the punched holes (29) and the guiding means (19) being ensured by clamping the bag's margin to the machine and the arrangement and positioning of the punching means and the guiding means on the clamping means, and the cord (3) is shot through the module (17), the first punched hole (29), the guiding means (19), the second punched hole (29) and the second knotting module (18) by air, the cutting means (33) severs the cord, the clamping means (34) on the modules (17, 18) secures the respective free cord end, the guiding means is displaced away relative to the modules (17, 18), thus tightening the knots and pulling them out of the modules, clamping of the bag's margins is released, the machine is lifted from the bag's margin, the two halves of the guiding means (19) being opened in the direction of movement of the machine, thus releasing the cord loop.
6. Method for making carry-bags comprising carry-cords by a machine according to any of claims 1-3, characterised in that the margin of the bag (23) is introduced into the machine and is clamped therein, the punching means (20) is activated and punches holes (29) into the margin, subsequently the bag is displaced in a direction opposite to the direction of introduction so that the punched holes in the bag's margin face directly the exit ports of the guiding means (44, 45 and 47), on the one hand, and the exit and inlet ports of the modules, on the other hand, wherein a cord loop is inserted into the guiding means by air and is cut to length there by a cutting means, then the two cord ends are shot through the punched holes (29) and the module (17) and the second knotting module (18) by air, after which the bag (23) is displaced out of the machine in a direction opposite to the direction of introduction while the guiding means (44, 45) is opened and the clamping means is preferably released, the knots, thus, being tightened within the modules, when pulled through their exit ports, and are finally pulled out of them.

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