EP2748069B1 - Filling machine for filling packaging containers with products, and method therefor - Google Patents

Description

Filling machines for filling products, in particular liquid foods, into packing containers made of cardboard composite material are known from the prior art. To build known filling machines, for example, on the EP 0 936 992 B1 and the DE 41 42 167 C2 pointed.

The usually parallelepiped packing containers are produced only in the filling machine due to the better transport ability from knitted edges and welded together to pack coats packing. Each flat folded packing jacket has four packing walls separated from each other by parallel outer and inner fold edges. At the outer fold edges of the flat-folded packing jacket, a sharp inner angle is enclosed in each case between the packing walls. The inner fold edges of the flat folded packing jacket are arranged between the outer fold edges. At the inner fold edges of the flat-folded packing jacket, an obtuse inner angle is enclosed in each case between the packing walls. If the packing walls have matching dimensions, the inner crease edges divide the distance between the outer crease edges on the middle.

The at least one conveyor line of the filling machine, the flat folded packaging coats are fed from a magazine. In the magazine, the packing shells are arranged as a stack, usually standing upright, one behind the other. At a removal side of the magazine pointing in the direction of the conveyor line, two of the four packing walls of the respective front packing jacket are exposed. The stack is at its rear side towards the withdrawal side with a force, for example, a spring or a linear drive, applied to move the packing coats of the stack to the removal side.

A removal and unfolding device comprises a gripper for detecting one of the two released on the removal side of the magazine packing walls, a guide for the other of the two released packing walls and in the direction of movement behind the guide arranged holding elements for receiving the outer fold edges of the unfolded packing jacket.

The removal and unfolding device folds the initially flat folded packaging jacket into a packing jacket forming a rectangle in cross-section. The unfolded packing jacket is taken over by a transport device. Along the conveyor line of the filling machine, the packing containers produced from the packing shells are sterilized, filled and subsequently closed. The preparation of the package bottom is usually carried out immediately before filling. Subsequently, the packing head is usually produced.

In particular, transport wheels or circulating conveyor belts with pocket-shaped receptacles for the unfolded packing shells or packing containers are used as transport means. The stepwise rotating transport wheels have a plurality of radially outwardly extending, parallel recordings. The recordings are usually designed as mandrels, on which the unfolded packing coats or packing containers are pushed; One then speaks of a mandrel wheel. In another embodiment of such a transport wheel, each receptacle comprises a plurality of arms or profiles that come to rest on the outside, in particular directly next to the bent edges of the unfolded packing jacket or of the packing container. In this case the receptacles form cells into which the unfolded packing shells or packing containers can be inserted; one speaks then of a cellular wheel.

Hereinafter, belonging to the prior art filling machine with removal and Auffaltvorrichtung the company SIG Combibloc GmbH in D-52441 Linnich on hand of FIGS. 1a) - 1d) explained in more detail:

The flat-folded packing shells (1) are stored upright in the magazine (2) of the filling machine. Each flat folded packing jacket (1) has four packing walls (5a, 5b, 6a, 6b) which are separated from each other by parallel outer folding edges (3a, 3b) and inner folding edges (4a, 4b).

A removal side (7) of the magazine (2) releases the two forward-facing packing walls (5a, 5b) of the respective front packing jacket (1). So that the packing shells (1) do not fall out of the magazine on the removal side (7), retention elements (8a, 8b) are arranged on the removal side (7), which extend along the outer folding edges (3a, 3b) of the front packing sheath (1). extend. The respective front packing jacket (1) is not removed in the full width of the two packing walls (5a, 5b). Rather, the packing jacket (1) is only detected on one of the two released packing walls (5a) of the packing jacket (1) on the removal side (7) of the magazine (2) (cf. FIG. 1a) ). For detecting the packing wall (5a), a suction pad (9) is used, which is attached to a swivel arm (11) which is pivotably arranged about an axis (10). By a about the vertical axis (10) running pivoting movement of the suction pad (9) first releases the outer bending edge (3a) of the retaining element (8a), which in the further pivoting movement of the suction pad (9) to the opposite outer bending edge (3b ), which is still from the retaining element (8b) is held, a flat parallelogram, as in particular FIG. 1a ) is recognizable forms. In the course of the further pivotal movement, first the outer bending edge (3b) is released from the retaining element (8b). Subsequently, the packing jacket (1) with the other of the two released packing walls (5b) is slidably guided along a curved guide surface (12) of a guide element (13). The guide surface (12) causes an increase in the acute inner angles (15a, 15b) during the movement of the packing jacket (1) along the movement path (14), wherein the inner angle (15a) between the packing walls (5b, 6b) and the inner angle (15b ) are enclosed between the package walls (5a, 6a). In the direction of the movement path (14) is located at the end of the curved guide surface (12), a holding element (16), which is introduced in the form of a groove-shaped depression in the guide element (13). The holding element (16) serves to receive the outer bending edge (3b) of the unfolded packing jacket (1). Also in the direction of the movement path (14) behind the guide surface (12) is another, stationary holding element (17) in the form of a retaining strip (17) for receiving the diametrically opposite outer bending edge (3a). The distance and the orientation of the holding elements (16, 17) takes place in such a way that the packing jacket accommodated by the holding elements (16, 17) forms a rectangle in cross-section. This alignment is necessary for the faultless transfer of the unfolded packing jacket onto the transport device arranged downstream of the removal and unfolding device, such as, in particular, the transport wheels mentioned in the introduction. At the end of the curved guide surface (12), the initially acute inner angle (15a, 15b) of the packing jacket is briefly slightly more than 90 °, as can be seen from FIG. 3c), in order to ensure perfect snap-in of the bent edge (3b) into the holding element (16 ) to ensure.

The bending edges (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b), in particular the inner fold edges (4a, 4b) of the packing jacket (1) cause restoring moments which counteract the unfolding of the packing jacket (1). With the unfolding of the initially flat folded package jacket (1) to a rectangular in cross-section packing jacket take the restoring moments. As in particular from FIG. 1 b) As can be seen, the contact line between the slidingly guided packing wall (5b) and the guide surface (12) extends approximately in the middle of the packing wall parallel to the folding edges (3b, 4a) delimiting the packing wall (5b). Due to the restoring moments which increase with the folding along the movement path (14), increasing pressure forces also result between the packing wall (5b) and the guide surface (12). The high pressure force increasing along the path of travel requires a high suction force of the suction gripper (9) in order to keep the packing casing (1) safe during removal and unfolding movement. Since filling machines require a high throughput rate when filling the packing containers, the removal and unfolding of the packing shells must take place at a correspondingly high speed. This leads to the packing shells (1) being pulled along the guide surface (12) into the holding elements (16, 17) at high speed, which leads to a high level of noise due to the inevitable snap-in of the packing sheath into the holding element (16). Finally, when the packing jacket snaps into the holding element (16) and during the unfolding movement along the guide surface (12), relatively high transverse forces occur between the suckers of the suction gripper (9) and the packing wall (5a). If the holding forces of the suction gripper are exceeded, there may be an unintentional detachment of the detected packing jacket and thus a malfunction of the entire filling machine. In addition, the high pressure forces between the guided Packing wall and the guide cause sanding marks on the packing wall.

The EP 0 766 621 B1 discloses a device for removing a packing jacket from a magazine and for unfolding the packing jacket into a rectangular cross-section, wherein a gripper pivotably arranged about a rotation axis grips one of the two released packing walls of the flat-folded packing jacket on the withdrawal side of the magazine. In addition, the device has a guide in the form of a flap which is arranged so as to be pivotable about an axis and which can be pivoted by means of a drive from a first position into a second position. Furthermore, the device has a stationary holding element for receiving one of the two outer folding edges of the not yet completely unfolded packing jacket. However, the opposite bending edge is not detected by a holding element. Rather, the not detected by the gripper packing wall is flush with the pivotable flap.

By pivoting the flap clockwise about the axis of the packing jacket is completely erected, so that the cross section of the packing jacket is rectangular. In this case, the voltage applied to the pivotable flap packing wall slides along the flap until, in the end position of the pivotable flap, a nose arranged at the end of the flap receives the second outer bending edge. The suction gripper can be solved only after complete erection of the packing jacket to a rectangular cross-section, otherwise the restoring forces of the packing jacket would cause it to slip out of the device. Another disadvantage of the device is that in the phase with the highest restoring forces, namely the complete erection of the packing jacket, the packing jacket rests flush against the flap and performs a relative movement to this, whereby a higher wear and damage to the package wall can result.

Based on this prior art, the invention is based on the object to provide a filling machine of the type mentioned above, which requires less holding forces to remove and unfold the packaging coats, are avoided in the malfunction and grinding marks on the guided packing wall and the noise is reduced , Furthermore, the invention is based on the object of proposing a corresponding method for removing and unfolding packaging coats from a magazine of such a filling machine.

• die Führung derart eingerichtet ist, dass sie eine Vergrößerung der Innenwinkel auf einen Betrag von weniger als 90° bewirkt,
• mindestens eines der beiden Halteelemente zwischen einer Ausgangs- und einer Endstellung hin- und her beweglich angeordnet ist und
• die Haltelemente derart angeordnet sind, dass sie im Anschluss an die Vergrößerung der Innenwinkel durch die Führung die äußeren Knickkanten des noch nicht vollständig aufgefalteten, im Querschnitt ein Parallelogramm bildenden Packungsmantels aufnehmen und durch anschließendes Bewegen mindestens eines der beiden Haltelemente zwischen der Ausgangs- und der Endstellung den Packungsmantel vollständig auffalten, so dass der Querschnitt des Packungsmantels rechteckig ist.

This object is achieved in a filling machine according to the preamble of the current claim 1, characterized in that

• the guide is arranged to cause the internal angles to increase to less than 90 °,
• at least one of the two holding elements between an initial and an end position is arranged to reciprocate and
• the holding elements are arranged such that they receive the outer bending edges of the not fully unfolded, in cross-section forming a parallelogram packing jacket following the enlargement of the inner angle by the guide and by subsequently moving at least one of the two holding elements between the initial and the final position Fully unfold the packing sheath so that the cross section of the packing sheath is rectangular.

Furthermore, the object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 13.

Since the restoring forces of the packing jacket increase with the increase of the acute inner angle, the holding forces of the gripper can be effectively reduced by limiting the amount of the inner angle. The guide is arranged to cause the internal angles to increase to less than 90 degrees. The maximum magnification of the inner angle can be determined for example by the angle between a guide surface of the guide and the path of movement of the gripper and the length of the guide surface.

The transition of the packing jacket from the guide into the holding elements takes place with the same packing sleeves with a restoring force which is reduced compared to the prior art, whereby the noise when snapping into the holding elements are also reduced. The holding elements are arranged such that, following the enlargement of the internal angle by the guide, they receive the outer creasing edges of the packing jacket, which has not yet fully unfolded, forming a parallelogram cross-section. The holding elements can be arranged for this purpose in the direction of the movement path of the gripper behind the guide or a guide surface of the guide.

The holding elements for receiving the outer bending edges are preferably arranged in the direction of movement of the gripper during removal behind the guide. One of the guide elements can also be designed as part of the guide at the end of a guide surface. However, the retaining elements are not arranged on the gripper or the downstream transport device, since this would extend the work cycle of the removal and erection.

With the aid of at least one holding element which is movable back and forth between an initial position and an end position, the inner angle is then increased to 90 °, so that the packing jacket assumes the desired rectangular cross-section in the end position of the holding element or the holding elements and is completely unfolded.

The guide is preferably designed such that, at least in an end region of the guide, in which the restoring forces have already risen sharply, only the outer bending edge is guided instead of the packing wall of the packing jacket. The guide and the packing wall therefore do not touch each other, at least in the end region of the guide, so that grinding marks on the packing wall due to high pressure forces in the final phase of the Movement along the guide can be safely prevented. The resulting from the restoring forces are removed only on the guided buckling edge and as a result, the holding forces of the gripper further reduced.

Constructively advantageous, the holding element for receiving the guided outer bending edge between an initial and an end position back and forth movable and the holding element for receiving the diametrically opposite outer bending edge is arranged stationary.

Before the packing jacket forms the desired rectangular cross section, the leading buckling edge of the packing jacket enters the stationary holding element, in particular a stationary holding strip. At the same time, the trailing edge of the still non-rectangular parallelogram-forming packing jacket reaches into the area of action of the holding element which is movable back and forth between an initial position and an end position. This movable holding element is now moved from the starting position to the end position until the desired rectangular cross section of the packing jacket is reached.

The required path of movement between the starting and end positions of the holding element or elements depends on how far the packing jacket has already been unfolded at the end of the guide, i. by what angular amount the acute inner angles at the outer bending edges of the packing jacket at the end of the guide are less than 90 degrees.

An almost complete unfolding of the packing jacket before the holding elements come into effect requires a short movement path between the starting and the end position of the holding element or the holding elements. A less complete unfolding of the packing jacket before the holding elements take effect, requires a longer Movement path between the initial and the end position of the holding element or the holding elements. The longer path of travel reduces gripper holding force and noise, but adversely affects the process time for unfolding the package shell, while the shorter path increases gripper holding and noise but reduces process time.

Taking into account the above relationship, the guide in particular causes an enlargement of the acute inner angle to an amount in a range of 30 ° - 80 °, preferably in a range of 45 ° - 60 °.

After the movable holding element is in the end position or the two movable holding elements are in the end position and the packing jacket has the desired rectangular cross-section, this is preferably transferred with a lifting device or the gripper itself to a downstream on the conveyor line transport device, in particular on the Thorn of a transport wheel deferred.

A further reduction of the holding forces can be achieved in that the movement path of the gripper is rectilinear and runs at right angles to the released packing wall of the packing jacket on the removal side of the magazine, which the gripper detects. The movement path of the gripper aligned in this way reduces its holding forces, in particular the suction force of the gripper, which is preferably designed as a suction gripper. The linear guide also reduces the stress on the packing shells and the closure of the suction cups of the gripper.

A continuous unfolding of the packing jacket until it forms a non-rectangular parallelogram in cross-section is preferably achieved in that the guide a planar guide surface for slidably guiding the outer packing edge and the distance between the guide surface and the path of movement of the gripper from the removal side of the magazine in the direction of the holding elements for receiving the outer bending edges is continuously reduced.

A secure and material-preserving reception of the packing jacket at the outer bending edges is achieved in that each holding element has two surfaces arranged at an angle to each other, which in the end position of the reciprocating support elements (s) come to bear flat against the packing walls. The corresponding holding forces are then introduced not only in the creases, but also the adjacent sections of the packing walls.

In a structurally advantageous embodiment, each movable holding element is designed in particular as an angle profile. The drive for the reciprocating retaining strip is a linear system comprising a lever with linear guide and servomotor. However, electromechanical linear drives are also possible.

If the space conditions in the filling machine require a particularly compact design, one of the two holding elements can be arranged on the guide in one embodiment of the invention. The holding element is designed in particular as an integral part of the guide; It can for example be made in one piece with the guide as a milling or casting.

When at least one of the two holding elements is moved from the starting position to the end position, the guidance of the packing jacket is completed along the guide. It is therefore also possible that arranged on the guide Hold member together with the guide between an initial and an end position to perform back and forth.

Figur 2

eine schematische perspektivische Teilansicht einer Füllmaschine im Bereich der Entnahme- und Auffaltvorrichtung, während der Entnahme eines flachgefalteten Packungsmantels aus einem Magazin,

Figur 3

die Teilansicht der Füllmaschine nach Figur 2, während der Übergabe des aufgefalteten Packungsmantels an ein entlang der Förderlinie nachgeordnetes Transportrad sowie

Figur 3a

eine Detailansicht eines Mantelschiebers einer Füllmaschine nach Figuren 2 und 3,

Figuren 4 a-d

eine schematische Ansicht zur Veranschaulichung des Verfahrens zum Entnehmen und Auffalten von Packungsmänteln aus einem Magazin einer Füllmaschine nach den Figuren 2 und 3 sowie

Figuren 5 a-e

eine schematische Ansicht zur Veranschaulichung des Verfahrens zum Entnehmen und Auffalten von Packungsmänteln aus einem Magazin eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Füllmaschine.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the figures. Show it:

FIG. 2

1 is a schematic perspective partial view of a filling machine in the region of the removal and unfolding device, during the removal of a flat-folded packing jacket from a magazine,

FIG. 3

the partial view of the filling machine after FIG. 2 During the transfer of the unfolded packing jacket to a downstream along the conveyor line transport wheel and

FIG. 3a

a detailed view of a jacket valve of a filling machine after FIGS. 2 and 3 .

Figures 4 ad

a schematic view for illustrating the method for removing and unfolding of pack coats from a magazine of a filling machine according to the FIGS. 2 and 3 such as

Figures 5 ae

a schematic view illustrating the method for removing and unfolding of pack coats from a magazine of a second embodiment of a filling machine according to the invention.

As far as the in the FIGS. 2 to 5 Partially illustrated filling machines according to the invention for filling liquid foodstuffs into packaging containers comprises matching components, such as those partially disclosed in US Pat FIG. 1 Filling machine according to the prior art shown, matching reference numerals are used. In addition, the explanatory notes to the in FIG. 1 expressly shown filling machine.

On a frame (18) of the filling machine, the magazine (2) for receiving the flat folded packaging shells (1) for the preparation of the packing container is arranged at the beginning of the conveyor line. The magazine (2) comprises holding profiles (19a, b) which come to bear against the outer folding edges (3a, b) of the packing shells (1). At the end faces of the free legs of the holding profiles (19a, b) are formed as projections retaining elements (8a, b). The retaining elements (8a, b) prevent the upright stack of packing sheaths (1) held by the magazine (2) from falling out of the magazine (2) at the removal side (7).

The removal side (7) of the magazine (2) releases the two front packing walls (5a, b) of the total four packing walls (5a, b, 6a, b) of the respective front packing casing (1). The removal and unfolding device arranged downstream of the magazine (2) on the conveyor line of the filling machine comprises a suction gripper (9) with three pneumatic suckers for detecting the packing wall (5a) released on the removal side (7). The suction gripper (9) is attached to an actuator (20) which is displaceably arranged along a rectilinear movement path (21) perpendicular to the released packing wall (5a) of the packing jacket (1). The displacement movement is effected by a linear system.

The removal and Auffaltvorrichtung further comprises a planar guide surface (23) as a guide for the outer bending edge (3b) of the other of the two released packing walls (5b) of the packing jacket. The level Guide surface (23) serves for the sliding guidance of the outer bending edge (3b).

In the direction of the movement path (21) behind the planar guide surface (23) there is a stationary holding element (17) for receiving the outer bending edge (3a). The holding element (24) for receiving the diametrically opposite outer bending edge (3 b) is between a in the FIGS. 4a ) - c) initial position and one in FIG. 4 d) shown end position by means of a linear drive back and forth. Both the stationary holding element (17) and the movable holding element (24) are designed as an angle profile. The two angularly arranged surfaces of the angle profile enter the in FIG. 4 d) shown end position on the package walls (5a, 6a and 5b, 6b) to the plant.

As in particular from the FIGS. 4a ) - d) recognizable decreases the distance of the planar guide surface (23) and the movement path (21) of the suction pad (9) from the removal side (7) of the magazine (2) in the direction of the holding elements (17, 24) continuously.

In order to transfer the packing jacket (1) completely erected by the holding elements (17, 24) to a transport device (22) of the filling machine arranged downstream of the removal and unfolding device, a jacket slide (28) is provided which is vertically movable by means of a circulating belt (30) and is movable from.

The transport device (22) comprises a transport wheel (26) which can be rotated about an axis (25) and has four radially outwardly extending, parallel receptacles each having a plurality of profiles (27) which are located at the inner bend edge (4a) and the package walls (FIG. 6a, b) come to the plant. The profiles (27) form cells in which the unfolded Packing jackets (1) with a rectangular cross-section of the actuator (20) can be inserted. The axis of rotation (25) of the transport wheel (26) extends in a horizontal plane transverse to the conveyor line (21) of the filling machine. The transport wheel (26) is rotated by a drive, not shown, step by step by 90 degrees about the axis of rotation (25) of the transport wheel. From the illustrated transport wheel (26) the unfolded packing shells are transferred to further, not shown in the figures, transport devices to perform on the Packungsmänteln (1) processing steps for the preparation of the packing container.

The magazine (2) of the partially shown filling machine after FIG. 5 agrees with the magazine (2) of the filling machine after the FIGS. 2 to 4 so that reference is made to the explanations there.

The removal side (7) of the magazine (2) releases the two front packing walls (5a, b) of the total four packing walls (5a, b, 6a, b) of the respective front packing casing (1). The removal and unfolding device arranged downstream of the magazine (2) on the conveyor line of the filling machine comprises a suction gripper (9) with three pneumatic suckers for detecting the packing wall (5a) released on the removal side (7). The suction gripper (9) is attached to an actuator (20) which is displaceably arranged along a rectilinear movement path (21) perpendicular to the released packing wall (5a) of the packing jacket (1). The displacement movement is effected by a conventional linear drive, in particular a pneumatic cylinder.

The removal and Auffaltvorrichtung also has a curved guide surface (23) as a guide for the other of the two released packing walls (5b) of the packing jacket (1). The curved guide surface (23) the sliding guide initially serves the packing wall (5b) (cf. FIG. 5 b) ) and then (cf. FIG. 5c) ) of the outer bending edge (3b). The transition to the kink edge guide causes at least in one end portion of the guide surface (23), in which the restoring forces caused by the packing jacket (1) have already risen sharply, only the outer bending edge (3b) instead of the packing wall (5b) of the packing sheath ( 1) is guided. The guide surface (23) and the packing wall (5b) therefore do not touch at least in the end portion, so that grinding marks on the packing wall (5b) are reliably prevented by high pressure forces in the final phase of the movement along the guide surface (23). At the same time, the holding forces of the suction gripper (9) in the critical closing phase of Auffaltbewegung be further reduced by the leadership.

In the direction of the movement path (21) behind the curved guide surface (23) is located in this embodiment of the invention, a stationary holding element (17) for receiving the outer bending edge (3a) (see. FIG. 5d) ). The stationary holding element (17) is designed as an angle profile. The holding element (24) for receiving the diametrically opposite outer bending edge (3b) is arranged in this embodiment on the guide itself. The holding element (24) has two surfaces arranged at right angles to one another, which spring back as an integral part of the guide element (13) relative to the curved guide surface (23) which is likewise arranged on the guide element (13).

The guide element (13) comprising the guide surface (23) and the holding element (24) is of the in the FIGS. 5a) - d) illustrated starting position and in FIG. 5 e) shown end position by means of a linear drive back and forth. The two perpendicular to each other arranged surfaces of the integrated holding element (24) enter the in FIG. 5 e) End position shown on the package walls (5b, 6b) to the plant.

In order to transfer the packing jacket (1) completely erected by the holding elements (17, 24) to a transporting device (22) of the filling machine arranged downstream of the removal and unfolding device, a jacket slide (28) is also provided in this embodiment, which by means of a circulating belt (FIG. 30) is vertically movable up and down.

The transport device (22) is as shown in the FIGS. 2 to 4 constructed, so that reference is made to the statements there.

• Zunächst wird das Magazin (2) mit einem Stapel flach gefalteter Packungsmäntel (1) befüllt, die im dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel aufrecht stehen. Das Magazin (2) gibt die beiden vorderen Packungswände (5a, b) an der Entnahmeseite (7) des Magazins (2) zum Erfassen durch den Sauggreifer (9) frei. Der Sauggreifer (9) wird von dem Aktor (20) in Richtung der Entnahmeseite (7) in eine vordere Position des Bewegungswegs (21) bewegt und erfasst die freigegebene vordere Packungswand (5a) mit Hilfe der drei Sauger des Sauggreifers (9), indem in den Saugern ein Unterdruck pneumatisch erzeugt wird. Anschließend wird der Sauggreifer (9) aus der vorderen Stellung des Bewegungswegs (21) in Richtung seiner hinteren Position mit Hilfe des Aktors (20) entlang des Bewegungswegs (21) bewegt. Dabei kommt zunächst die äußere Knickkante (3a) von dem Rückhalteelement (8a) frei, während die äußere Knickkante (3b) noch von dem Rückhalteelement (8b) an der Entnahmeseite (7) zurückgehalten wird. Dabei öffnet sich der Packungsmantel parallelogrammartig, wie dies insbesondere auch aus der perspektivischen Darstellung nach Figur 2 sowie Figur 4 a) erkennbar ist. Während der weiteren Bewegung des Packungsmantels (1) entlang des Bewegungswegs (21) mit Hilfe des Sauggreifers (9) kommt auch die äußere Knickkante (3b) von dem Rückhalteelement (8 b) frei und gleitet entlang der ebenen Führungsfläche (23), wodurch eine kontinuierliche Vergrößerung der spitzen Innenwinkel (15a, b) zwischen den Packungswänden (5b, 6b bzw. 5a, 6a) bewirkt wird, bis diese Innenwinkel (15a, b) in dem dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel am Ende der Führungsfläche (23) etwa 50 ° betragen (vgl. Figur 4 c)).

Hereinafter, the method for removing and unfolding the packing shells (1) from the magazine (2) of the filling machine with reference to the Figures 2-4 explained in more detail:

• First, the magazine (2) is filled with a stack of flat-folded packing shells (1), which are upright in the illustrated embodiment. The magazine (2) releases the two front packing walls (5a, b) on the removal side (7) of the magazine (2) for gripping by the suction gripper (9). The suction gripper (9) is moved by the actuator (20) in the direction of the withdrawal side (7) in a front position of the movement path (21) and detects the released front packing wall (5a) by means of the three suckers of the suction gripper (9) In the suckers a negative pressure is generated pneumatically. Subsequently, the suction gripper (9) from the front position of the movement path (21) is moved in the direction of its rear position by means of the actuator (20) along the movement path (21). In this case, initially the outer bending edge (3a) of the retaining element (8a) free, while the outer bending edge (3b) of the Retaining element (8b) is retained on the removal side (7). In this case, the packing jacket opens parallelogram, as in particular from the perspective view FIG. 2 such as FIG. 4 a) is recognizable. During the further movement of the packing jacket (1) along the movement path (21) by means of the suction gripper (9) and the outer bending edge (3b) of the retaining element (8 b) free and slides along the planar guide surface (23), whereby a Continuous enlargement of the acute inner angle (15a, b) between the package walls (5b, 6b and 5a, 6a) is effected until these inner angle (15a, b) in the illustrated embodiment at the end of the guide surface (23) is about 50 ° ( see. FIG. 4c) ).

At this time, the guided outer bending edge (3b) reaches the effective area of the movable holding element (24), which is still in the starting position (cf. FIG. 4c) ). The diametrically opposite outer bending edge (3a) is received at this time in the stationary holding element (17). The cross-section of the packing jacket (1) accommodated by the two holding elements (24, 17) forms a non-rectangular parallelogram.

Now, the movable holding element (24) from the starting position ( Figure 4c ) in the in FIG. 4 d) shown end position moves, wherein the cross section of the holding elements (17, 24) recorded packing jacket (1) forms a rectangle as soon as the movable holding element (24) has taken the end position (see. FIG. 4d ).

Once the movable support member (24) in FIG. 4 d) has taken the end position, the two holding elements (17, 24) are aligned with one of the profiles (27) formed by the transport wheel (26). The suction cups of the suction gripper (9) are switched off.

The erected packing jacket (1) can now be pushed onto the receptacle with the aid of the jacket slide (28), which grasps the packing jacket (1) at its lower edge (29). As soon as the packing jacket (1) is in the profiles (27) of the receptacle, the suction gripper (9) moves back towards the front of the stack, the removal side (7) of the magazine (2), to the next packing jacket (1) to capture. Meanwhile, the sheath slide (28) on the belt (30) moves down to capture the next erect packing jacket (1) at its lower edge (29) and postpone on the recording. <B> LIST OF REFERENCES </ b> No. description 1 pack casing 2 magazine 3 a, b outer creases 4 a, b inner fold edges 5 a, b package panels 6 a, b package panels 7 removal side 8th retainers 9 Suction pads 10 axis 11 swivel arm 12 guide surface 13 guide elements 14 motion path 15 a, b interior angle 16 retaining element 17 retaining element 18 frame 19 a, b retaining profiles 20 actuator 21 motion path 22 transport means 23 level guide surface 24 Holding element (movable) 25 Rotary axle transport wheel 26 Transport wheel 27 profiles 28 coat slide 29 lower edge 30 tape

Claims (16)

1. A filling machine for filling products into packaging containers comprising

   - a magazine for receiving flat-folded packaging jackets (1) for producing the packaging containers, wherein each flat-folded packaging jacket (1) has four packaging walls (5a, b, 6a, b) separated from one another by parallel outer and inner bending edges (3a, b, 4a, b) and at the outer bending edges (3a, b) an acute internal angle (15a, b) is included in each case between the packaging walls (5a, 6a or 5b, 6b),

   - a removal side (7) of the magazine (2) which exposes two of the four packaging walls (5a, b, 6a, b) of the respectively front packaging jacket (1) in the magazine (2),

   - a gripper (9) for gripping one (5a) of the two exposed packaging walls (5a, b) of the packaging jacket (1) on the removal side (7) of the magazine (2) and for movement of the packaging jacket (1) along a movement path (21),

   - a guide (23) which with the movement of the packaging jacket (1) along the movement path (21), brings about an enlargement of the internal angles (15a, b) which are included between the packaging walls (5a, 6a or 5b, 6b) at the outer bending edges (3a, b),

   - retaining elements (17, 24) for receiving the outer bending edges (3a, b) of the packaging jacket (1),
   characterised in that

   - the guide (23) is adapted to bring about an enlargement of the internal angle (15a, b) to an amount of less than 90°,

   - at least one of the two retaining elements (24) is arranged so that it can move to and fro between a starting and an end position, and

   - the retaining elements (17, 24) are arranged in such a manner that following the enlargement of the internal angle (15a, b) by the guide (23), they receive the outer bending edges (3a, 3b) of the not yet completely unfolded packaging jacket (1) forming a parallelogram in cross-section and completely unfold the packaging jacket (1) due to subsequent movement of at least one of the two retaining elements (24) between the initial and the end position so that the cross-section of the packaging jacket (1) is rectangular.
2. The filling machine according to claim 1, characterised in that one of the two retaining elements (24) for receiving the guided outer bending edge (3b) is disposed so that it can move to and fro between an initial and an end position and the other retaining element (17) is disposed in a fixed position for receiving the diametrically opposite outer bending edge (3a).
3. The filling machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that in the initial position of each retaining element (24) which can be moved to and fro, the cross-section of the packaging jacket (1) received by the retaining elements (17, 24) forms a non-rectangular parallelogram.
4. The filling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the movement path (21) of the gripper (9) is rectilinear.
5. The filling machine according to claim 4, characterised in that the movement path (21) of the gripper (9) runs at right angles to the exposed packaging wall (5a) gripped by the gripper on the receiving side (7) of the magazine (2).
6. The filling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the gripper (9) is configured as a suction gripper.
7. The filling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the guide comprises a guide surface (23) for at least partial sliding guidance of the outer bending edge (3b).
8. The filling machine according to claim 7, characterised in that the guide surface (23) is flat and the distance between the flat guide surface (23) and the movement path (21) of the gripper (9) from the removal side (7) of the magazine (2) in the direction of the retaining elements (17, 24) for receiving the outer bending edges (3a, b) decreases continuously.
9. The filling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that each retaining element (17, 24) comprises two surfaces arranged at an angle to one another which come to rest against the packaging walls (5a, 6a or 6a, 6b) in the end position of each retaining element (24) which can be moved to and fro.
10. The filling machine according to claim 9, characterised in that each retaining element (17, 24) has an angular profile.
11. The filling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that one of the two retaining elements (24) is disposed on the guide (23).
12. The filling machine according to claim 11, characterised in that the retaining element (24) disposed on the guide is disposed so that it can move to and fro together with the guide (23) between the initial and the end position.
13. A method for removing and unfolding packaging jackets (1) from a magazine (2) of a filling machine for filling products in packaging containers comprising the process steps

    - introducing flat-folded packaging jackets (1) into the magazine (2), wherein each flat-folded packaging jacket (1) has four packaging walls (5a, 6a, or 5b, 6b) separated from one another by parallel outer and inner bending edges (3a, b, 4a, b) and at the outer bending edges (3a, b) an acute internal angle (15a, b) is included in each case between the packaging walls (5a, 6a or 5b, 6b),

    - exposing two (5a, b) of the four packaging walls (5a, b, 6a, b) of the respectively front packaging jacket (1) on a removal side (7) of the magazine (2),

    - gripping one (5a) of the two exposed packaging walls (5a, b) of the packaging jacket on the removal side (7) of the magazine (2) and moving the packaging jacket (1) along a movement path (21) with the aid of a gripper (9),

    - guiding the packaging jacket (1) along a guide (23) which by moving the packaging jacket (1) along the movement path (21), brings about an enlargement of the internal angles (15a, b) which are included between the packaging walls (5a, 6a or 5b, 6b) at the outer bending edges (3a, b),

    - receiving the outer bending edges (3a, b) of the packaging jacket (1) unfolded in such a manner as to form a parallelogram in cross-section with the aid of retaining elements (17, 24),
    characterised in that

    - by the movement of the packaging jacket (1) along the movement path (21) an enlargement of the acute internal angle (15a, b) to an amount of less than 90° is brought about,

    - subsequently, at least one of the two outer bending edges (3a, 3b) is received in an initial position of a retaining element (24) which can be moved to and fro, wherein the cross-section of the packaging jacket (1) received by the retaining elements (17, 24) in the initial position of the retaining element or the retaining elements forms a non-rectangular parallelogram and

    - then each of the retaining elements (24) which can be moved to and fro is moved from the initial position into the end position, wherein the cross section of the packaging jacket (1) received by the retaining elements (17, 24) in the end position forms a rectangle.
14. The method according to claim 13, characterised in that the packaging jacket (1) is moved along a rectilinear movement path (21) with the aid of the gripper (9).
15. The method according to claim 14, characterised in that the gripper (9) is moved at right angles to the packaging wall (5a) of the packaging jacket (1) exposed on the removal side (7) of the magazine (2) and gripped by the gripper (9).
16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterised in that the outer bending edge (3b) of the packaging jacket (1) is moved in a sliding manner along a flat guide surface (23).

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