DE102023127805A1 - Packaging device and method for producing packaging units - Google Patents

Abstract

A packaging device (1) and a method for producing packaging units (27) comprising at least two articles (20) are disclosed. The articles (20) are combined by a secondary packaging means (30). The packaging device comprises a feed device (2) for article groups (21), which article groups (21) are formed from at least two articles (20). Furthermore, a packaging module (17) for applying the secondary packaging means (30) to the at least two articles (20) and an alignment module (6) which comprises at least one transport device (7) for the article group (21). The alignment module further comprises at least one detection means (9), which detection means (9) is designed to detect features (25) of the articles (20) and to transmit corresponding data to a control device (10) of the packaging device (1). The alignment module further comprises at least one alignment unit (12) which can be controlled by the control device (10) and which engages at least partially with one of the articles (20) of the article group (21) in order to align it. The at least one alignment unit (12) is driven by an electromagnetic direct drive (14).

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging device and a method for producing packaging units having the features of the independent claims.

The present invention relates to a method and a device for producing a multipack with several beverage containers.

To package beverage containers, the beverage containers or bottles can be grouped on horizontal conveyors and combined into groups of a defined number of containers using a packaging material. For example, strapping is known which is applied to a group of beverage containers and holds the beverage containers of a respective group together. Packaging materials made of thermoplastic material and shrunk onto a group of items are also known. Such packaging materials, known as shrink film, are applied to the respective group of items before exposure to heat and then shrunk onto the respective group of items.

Since, in practice, the consumption of packaging material should be kept as low as possible, packages are also known in which several beverage containers are held together by a flat packaging blank that forms several openings. A respective beverage container passes through each opening with an upper section. The beverage containers are held together by a form-fitting and/or friction-fitting manner via such a packaging blank, forming a respective multipack. Multipacks containing four, six, or eight beverage containers are known, for example.

When producing such a multipack, it is often desired that the containers have a specific orientation, for example to make certain information on the container clearly visible or to convey an advertising message.

The patent specification EP 3 594 141 B1 describes a treatment machine for containers in which individual containers are clamped between a turntable and a centering head, whereby a desired rotational position of the clamped container is achieved via the turntable.

The disclosure document DE 10 2019 128 874 A1 describes a packaging device and a method for producing packaging units, in which the articles are combined using a packaging blank that is at least partially flat. The articles are fed in individual rows and arranged on turntables in a rotating module. The turntables allow the articles to be aligned according to specific features. The aligned articles are then fed in a defined assembly to a first packaging module, in which the packaging blank is applied to the article assembly.

Such a cyclical working method takes a lot of time, which has a negative impact on the system performance.

The object of the invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of prior art devices. In particular, a cost-effective and time-saving solution for aligning containers during continuous container transport is to be found.

The above object is achieved by a packaging device and a method for producing packaging units comprising the features in the independent patent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

A packaging device according to the invention serves to produce packaging units comprising at least two articles, which articles are combined into one packaging unit by a secondary packaging means.

The packaging device comprises a feeding device for groups of articles, which groups of articles are formed in particular by combinations of at least two articles.

For example, the feed system is formed by a sorting module in which individual items are assembled into corresponding article groups. The sorting module comprises, for example, sorting rods arranged between revolving traction devices. The sorting rods dip behind a defined number of articles and separate them as an article group from the following articles by applying an increased conveying speed, at least for a short time, to the articles forming an article group.

However, a corresponding dividing module may also comprise other suitable dividing devices known to the person skilled in the art.

Within the single-item module, article groups consisting of 2x2 articles, or 2x3 articles or similar are particularly preferred.

The articles are preferably beverage containers, in particular bottles made of PET or another suitable plastic or glass. Preferably, the articles can also be cans made of plastic, glass and/or aluminum or another metal, or similar.

Furthermore, the packaging device according to the invention comprises an alignment module in which the articles of the article group are aligned based on their features. In particular, the features can be information located on the lateral outer surfaces of the articles. The information can be printed directly on the lateral outer surfaces of the articles or can be located on a label arranged and attached to a lateral outer surface of the articles.

The alignment module comprises at least one transport device for the article group. Preferably, the articles are arranged upright on the transport device and moved by it in a transport direction. For example, the transport device is a continuous endless conveyor belt in the form of a mat chain or similar, a plurality of guide rails, conveyor chains, or similar.

Furthermore, the alignment module comprises at least one detection means. The at least one detection means is designed to detect features of the articles within the article group and transmit corresponding data to a control device.

The control device can be a general machine control of the packaging device, which in particular controls several or all handling modules of the packaging device. Alternatively, the control device can be a special control unit of the alignment module.

The at least one detection device determines, in particular, the features of articles, which make up the outer sides of the article group. In larger article groups, for example, comprising 4x4 articles or similar, some of the articles are arranged inside the article group in such a way that the corresponding articles are not visible from the outside. The features of such articles arranged inside generally do not need to be detected, and these inner articles are not aligned.

The at least one detection means is formed, for example, by at least one camera system that detects the orientation of articles in the article group. In particular, the number of detection means can correspond to the number of articles in an article group, and the detection means can be arranged within the alignment module in such a way that the orientation of all articles in an article group can be analyzed simultaneously or essentially simultaneously by the multiple detection means. This is particularly useful when the article group is formed by a row of at least two articles or when the article group is formed by two parallel rows, each of the rows comprising at least two articles.

Alternatively, a single detection device may be sufficient if it is designed to detect the features of all external articles in the article group.

A further embodiment may provide that only the items on one side of the item group are to be aligned. The number and arrangement or design of the at least one detection means can then be adjusted accordingly so that only the features of these items are detected.

For example, if groups of articles are fed in which four or more articles are arranged in two parallel rows, a further embodiment can provide for a detection means to be provided for each row.

However, if article groups are fed in more than two rows, for example article groups comprising 3x3 articles or 3x4 articles or similar, then it may be useful to provide four detection means, in particular one detection means for each side surface of the article group.

The described number and arrangement of the at least one detection means is to be understood as an example. Those skilled in the art can apply this to other article groups, for example, to article groups in which the articles are arranged in the form of a hexagonal sphere packing. In this case, at least one detection means or a plurality of detection means can be provided for each of the six side surfaces of the article group, corresponding to the number of articles on the side surface.

The alignment module further comprises at least one alignment unit that can be controlled by the control device. In particular, the alignment module comprises a plurality of alignment units that can be controlled by the control device. Particularly preferably, the alignment module comprises at least two alignment units that can be controlled by the control device. The alignment units can be designed to be rotatable about a rotation axis or can comprise a rotation means that is designed to apply a rotation to articles.

Each alignment unit can preferably be arranged on an article of the article group in such a way that the axis of rotation of the respective alignment unit or the axis of rotation about which the rotation means applies the rotation to the article coincides with the longitudinal axis of the article.

The alignment units can be controlled by the control device and are designed to be applied at least in part to one of the articles of the article group and to align it, in particular by applying a rotational movement to the article, whereby it is rotated about its longitudinal axis.

Based on the sensor-determined data, the control system calculates the rotation angle for the items in the article group to be aligned. The rotation angle indicates the rotation required to bring each item within the article group into the desired orientation. The rotation angle is preferably in a range between 0 degrees and 180 degrees. In some situations, however, it may be necessary or appropriate for the rotation angle to be in a range between 180 degrees and 359 degrees.

The control device controls the alignment units so that they cause the respectively assigned article to rotate by the calculated angle of rotation. This can be clockwise or counterclockwise. One embodiment can provide that all alignment units always cause the respectively assigned article to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. Alternatively, it can be provided that a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation takes place depending on the calculated angle of rotation. This can be particularly useful in order to minimize the angle of rotation, as this can potentially represent a decisive time factor. In this case, it can be provided in particular that a first alignment unit or a first part of the alignment units causes the respectively assigned article to rotate clockwise, while a second alignment unit or a second part of the alignment units causes the respectively assigned article to rotate counterclockwise.

In the packaging device, it is further provided that the alignment module comprises at least one electromagnetic direct drive for the at least one alignment unit.

One embodiment of the invention provides that the control device is designed to control the transport device and the alignment unit such that they are temporarily moved synchronously. In particular, it is provided that the at least one alignment device is synchronized with an article of the article group and then the alignment device and the article are temporarily and regionally moved synchronously through the alignment module. During this synchronous movement, the article respectively assigned to the alignment device is aligned. In particular, at least two or more alignment devices are synchronized with two or more articles of the article group and temporarily and regionally moved together synchronously through the alignment module, wherein the articles are aligned based on the sensor-determined data.

In particular, it can be provided that the alignment module comprises at least one working unit, which working unit is formed from at least two or a plurality of alignment units, wherein the number and arrangement of the alignment units of the working unit corresponds to the number and arrangement of the articles within the article groups. As already described above in connection with the detection means, for larger article groups in which some of the articles are arranged within the article group and are not visible from the outside, it may be sufficient if only the outer and thus visible articles of the article group are aligned accordingly. Accordingly, suitable working units can have a number and arrangement of alignment units that correspond to the number and arrangement of the outer articles of an article group.

The same applies if only the alignment of the articles on one side of the article group or the articles on part of the side of the article group is desired.

One embodiment of the invention provides that the electromagnetic direct drive is formed by at least one long stator system, which comprises a long stator and a plurality of at least two shuttle units arranged on the long stator.

The shuttle units are moved, at least in some areas, in a straight line along the long stator. One embodiment of the long stator can provide for it to be designed such that the shuttle units can be moved circumferentially along the long stator.

It is preferably provided that the shuttle elements are designed as an alignment unit and have an axis of rotation.

One embodiment provides for the at least one long stator to be arranged above a transport plane for the articles formed by the transport device. The shuttle units, designed as alignment units, are positioned from above on the articles of the article group and contact the articles, for example, via frictional engagement. Alternatively, clamping means for temporarily securing the articles can be provided on the underside of the shuttle units.

While the articles and the shuttle units attached to the article are moved further in the transport direction, a controlled rotation by the calculated angle of rotation can be applied to the article attached to a shuttle unit in order to align the features of the respective article in the desired manner.

Subsequently, the contact between the article and the shuttle unit is released, in particular by removing the frictional connection or clamping, etc., and the article group is fed for further handling in additional handling modules of the packaging device. For example, the article group with the aligned articles is fed to a packaging module to be described below.

The shuttle units can each be moved individually and independently of one another along the long stator. However, a joint movement of a plurality of shuttle units forming a working unit is preferably provided, at least for the purpose of aligning the articles, temporarily and in certain areas.

An alternative embodiment may provide that the at least one long stator with the shuttle units is arranged below the transport level for the articles.

In this case, a suitable transport device must be provided for the article groups, on which the articles to be aligned rest only partially and through which the transport device allows the alignment units to engage the bottom of the articles to rotate them for alignment based on the sensor-detected features. For example, the transport device can be formed by a suitably slotted mat chain.

An alternative embodiment can provide for the transport device to be formed by at least two conveyor chains spaced apart from one another. In particular, a transport device formed by two spaced-apart conveyor chains is suitable for processing groups of articles in which the at least two articles are arranged one behind the other in a row in the transport direction. If, on the other hand, at least two articles are arranged next to one another in the transport direction, then at least three spaced-apart conveyor chains are necessary. In particular, with two articles arranged next to one another, it can be provided that each of the articles rests partially on a middle conveyor chain and that each of the articles rests partially on an outer conveyor chain. The middle conveyor chain can have a greater width than the outer conveyor chains. Alternatively, two conveyor chains can be arranged centrally, each of which can have the same width as the outer conveyor chains, with the two middle conveyor chains preferably being arranged adjacent to one another.

In this case, the alignment units are designed to engage the underside of the articles from below through the opening between the conveyor chains and apply a corresponding rotation to them.

To apply sufficient force for the frictional engagement between the alignment units and the articles, a circumferential counterpressure belt can be provided above the transport surface. Alternatively, the alignment units can provide clamping means for the articles, which clamping means can be actively releasable, for example, or passively releasable, with the clamping being released, for example, when the alignment unit is lowered.

If the article groups are formed by a plurality of articles arranged in several parallel rows, then it is particularly provided that a long stator with shuttle units is arranged above or below the transport level for each article row.

In this context, it can preferably be provided that a distance between several long stators can be changed in order to be able to react to different sizes of the articles, in particular to different various article widths. This allows the packaging device to be easily adjusted when changing products and thus adapted to new production conditions.

By using several parallel long stators, multi-lane, parallel processing of several article groups is still possible.

A further embodiment may provide for the use of a planar motor system, which in particular comprises a stator plate and at least two planar rotor elements. Particularly preferably, the planar motor system comprises a plurality of planar rotor elements.

A planar motor system is an air-bearing drive system in which the planar rotor elements move orthogonally aligned on the stator plate or orthogonally aligned to the stator plate.

The energy fed into the stator plate is converted into a precisely controlled electromagnetic field. Preferably, all components required to generate and control the field are integrated into the stator plate.

The planar rotor elements, also known as movers, are usually equipped with cuboid-shaped magnets whose magnetization is perpendicular to a plane formed by the stator plate and which are controlled in the X and Y directions with alternating polarity. The movement of the planar rotor elements themselves is achieved by additional magnets arranged parallel to the plane, allowing the planar rotor elements to move in the X and Z directions. The number and arrangement of the magnets perpendicular and parallel to a plane formed by the stator plate determines the degrees of freedom and positioning accuracy.

The electromagnetic field generated by the stator plate causes the planar rotor elements to levitate, whereby these move above or below a horizontally aligned stator plate or laterally next to a vertically aligned stator plate, depending on the application.

Article groups divided into single or multi-lane lanes are guided past at least one detection device or a plurality of detection devices in order to determine the current orientation of the articles within the article group.

Based on comparison images or reference points, etc., the control device calculates a rotation angle for each article in the article group and the planar rotor elements of the planar motor system are controlled accordingly.

The planar motor elements of a planar motor system arranged above the transport plane, for example, have clamping or pressing units that are brought closer to the articles by a vertical stroke of the planar motor elements, thus clamping them between the transport plane and the planar motor element. By rotating the planar motor element accordingly, the articles are rotated around their longitudinal axis into the desired alignment position.

In particular, the planar rotor elements equipped with clamping or pressing units thus form the alignment units of the alignment module. These alignment units are designed to cause the articles to rotate about a rotation axis. The rotation axis is perpendicular to a surface formed by the underside of the stator plate.

Preferably, a number of planar runner elements corresponding to the number of articles within an article group form a work unit, at least temporarily. Particularly preferably, the work unit moves synchronously with the article group, at least temporarily and in certain areas. For multi-row article groups, it can be provided that only planar runner elements are provided for the outermost articles of the article group, since aligning the inner articles is neither necessary nor advisable.

The alignment units then detach from the articles and move either back to a starting position or to the next article group.

To adapt to different article heights, the planar motor system can be designed to be height-adjustable; in particular, the height of the stator plate above the transport level for the articles can be adjusted.

Using a suitable transport device, partially designed with openings, it would also be possible to use a planar motor system arranged below the transport plane.

The use of a planar motor system enables a particularly simple and cost-effective solution for aligning items, as the planar slide elements provide all the necessary degrees of freedom of movement. Furthermore, mechanical guides and complex drive arrangements are not necessary in this case. This eliminates the need for cabling or cable routing to the alignment units.

A particular advantage of using a planar motor system is its low overall height, as all axes are located in a single plane. Furthermore, the stator plate's installation position can be freely selected in space. Such a system is characterized by high dynamics and high speed consistency. Another advantage is that the planar rotor elements themselves are rotatable, allowing them to form the alignment units with a rotary axis without the need for any additional equipment.

Electromagnetic direct drives, especially systems comprising a long stator or a planar motor system, also enable high accelerations and travel speeds.

An alignment of articles driven by an electromagnetic direct drive can be easily integrated into packaging machines as a functional module.

A further advantage of using electromagnetic direct drives is that they are particularly wear-resistant, which reduces maintenance and operating costs while increasing availability.

It is also advantageous that stationary detection means can be used to determine the alignment position.

The use of an electromagnetic direct drive makes it particularly advantageous for the alignment of individual articles within the article groups to take place while the article groups are continuously conveyed in one transport direction through the alignment module.

Another advantage is that the systems shown can be used for mixed operation, in which different groups of articles can be processed without the packaging device having to be converted.

In this case, different article groups are understood to mean article groups that are made up of the same articles, but each contain a different number of articles, for example groups of two, groups of four, groups of six and/or groups of eight.

Preferably, a second detection means is provided for this purpose, which is arranged upstream of the alignment module or in the entrance area of the alignment module. The second detection means is designed to detect the number and arrangement of the articles within the different article groups.

An alternative embodiment may provide that the detection means which determines the orientation of the articles fulfils a dual function and determines both the orientation of the articles within the article group based on equipment features and the number and arrangement of the articles within the article group.

From the data on the number and arrangement of the articles within the article group, the control device calculates the arrangement of the shuttle elements or the planar runner elements to form work units, comprising the number of shuttle elements or planar runner elements corresponding to the number of articles.

One embodiment of the packaging device according to the invention can provide that the alignment module is arranged upstream of the packaging module in a transport direction of the articles through the packaging device. An alternative embodiment of the packaging device according to the invention can, however, provide that the alignment module is arranged downstream of the packaging module in a transport direction of the articles through the packaging device.

The packaging module can, for example, be formed by an application module for a packaging blank that is at least partially flat. Such an application module is designed to attach the packaging blank to the articles with a downwardly directed application force in such a way that the articles are arranged so that they pass through openings in the packaging blank in certain areas, with the packaging blank being arranged at least partially between the articles.

The packaging module can alternatively be formed by a strapping module, which is designed to tension at least one strapping band around the article group, so that the strapping band at least partially encompasses the outward-facing outer surfaces of the articles. The free end regions of the strapping band are connected to each other, creating a closed strapping.

If the items in the article group are aligned before being combined with the packaging material, the items are generally easily accessible from above. A suitable design of the transport device can also Accessibility of the items from below should be ensured at least in some areas.

In this case, a subsequently arranged packaging module can also be designed as a shrink module, for example. A shrink module comprises at least one film wrapping module and a shrink tunnel. In the film wrapping module, a film section is arranged around the article group with the aligned articles. The film section is then shrunk onto the aligned article group in the shrink tunnel, forming a packaging unit. In the shrink package thus formed, the articles are essentially grouped together in a rotationally secure manner and are also no longer easily accessible for alignment units.

However, if the items are bundled together using the packaging material before alignment, only packaging materials that still allow relative movement of the items, in particular rotational movement of the items around their respective longitudinal axes, are permitted. Furthermore, the items must be accessible for the alignment units.

The device described above can preferably be part of a beverage packaging system. Such a beverage packaging system comprises, for example, a wet section with a can and/or bottle pusher, a filling module, a closing module associated with the filling module, and optionally a labeling module. A pasteurizer can be arranged between the filling module and the labeling module or other downstream handling modules.

It is also conceivable that the beverage packaging system includes, for example, a blow molding module for the production of PET bottles, which are subsequently filled, sealed and labeled.

The beverages filled in cans or bottles are then combined into packaging units in a packaging device or a so-called production module, or piece goods are produced in the form of containers.

For example, several articles are compiled into article groups, which are then combined with a packaging material, whereby the articles are aligned before or after being combined with the packaging material, as described in detail above.

The articles are preferably beverage containers, in particular bottles made of PET or another suitable plastic or glass. Preferably, the articles can also be cans made of plastic, glass and/or aluminum or another metal, or similar.

The packaging units are then assembled into palletizable layers in a handling module designed as a grouping module or layer formation module or similar, which are then stacked on pallets in a palletizing device.

Within the beverage packaging plant, the articles and packaging units or piece goods are transported from one handling module to the next via suitable transport systems, which may be equipped with suitable buffer systems.

The components of the beverage packaging system are to be understood as examples only. Other configurations, including a transport line with a downstream handling module described in the application, are also intended to be covered by the application.

The invention further relates to a method for producing packaging units, wherein at least two articles are combined by a secondary packaging material. Article groups are formed. At least one feature of articles in the article group is detected by sensors, and the determined data is transmitted to a control device.

Based on the acquired data, the control system calculates a rotation angle and controls the alignment units. The alignment units are driven by an electromagnetic direct drive.

The method further provides for the application of the secondary packaging material before or after the alignment of articles of the article group.

It should be expressly mentioned at this point that all aspects and embodiments explained in connection with the device according to the invention equally relate to or can be partial aspects of the method according to the invention. Therefore, if at any point in the description or in the claim definitions for the device according to the invention certain aspects and/or relationships and/or effects are mentioned, this applies equally to the method according to the invention. The same applies in reverse, so that all aspects and embodiments explained in connection in connection with the method according to the invention, equally relate to or may be partial aspects of the device according to the invention. Therefore, if at any point in the description or in the claim definitions for the method according to the invention, certain aspects and/or relationships and/or effects are mentioned, this applies equally to the device according to the invention.

• 1 zeigt eine erste Ausführungsform einer Verpackungsvorrichtung in seitlicher Darstellung.
• 2 zeigt eine zweite Ausführungsform einer Verpackungsvorrichtung in seitlicher Darstellung.
• 3 zeigt eine dritte Ausführungsform einer Verpackungsvorrichtung in einer Darstellung von oben.
• 4 zeigt eine vierte Ausführungsform einer Verpackungsvorrichtung in seitlicher Darstellung.
• 5 zeigt die vierte Ausführungsform der Verpackungsvorrichtung gemäß 4 in einer Darstellung von oben.
• 6 zeigt eine fünfte Ausführungsform einer Verpackungsvorrichtung in seitlicher Darstellung.
• 7 zeigt die fünfte Ausführungsform der Verpackungsvorrichtung gemäß 6 in einer Darstellung von oben.
• 8 zeigt in schematischer Ansicht eine Ausführungsform einer Verpackungsanlage.

In the following, exemplary embodiments will explain the invention and its advantages in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. The relative sizes of the individual elements in the figures do not always correspond to the actual sizes, as some shapes are simplified and others are enlarged relative to other elements for better illustration.

• 1 shows a first embodiment of a packaging device in a side view.
• 2 shows a second embodiment of a packaging device in a side view.
• 3 shows a third embodiment of a packaging device in a view from above.
• 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a packaging device in a side view.
• 5 shows the fourth embodiment of the packaging device according to 4 in a view from above.
• 6 shows a fifth embodiment of a packaging device in a side view.
• 7 shows the fifth embodiment of the packaging device according to 6 in a view from above.
• 8 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a packaging system.

Identical reference numerals are used for identical or equivalently functioning elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures that are necessary for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments merely represent examples of how the invention can be configured and do not constitute an exhaustive limitation.

The embodiments, examples, and variants of the preceding paragraphs, the claims or the following description and figures, including their various views or respective individual features, may be used independently of one another or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless the features are incompatible.

1 shows a first embodiment of a packaging device 1 in a side view.

The packaging device 1 serves to produce packaging units comprising at least two articles 20, which are combined by a secondary packaging means 30.

The packaging device 1 comprises a feed device 2 for article groups 21, which article groups 21 are formed from at least two articles 20. The feed device 2 is formed, for example, by a dividing module 3, in which individual articles 20 are assembled to form article groups 21. For this purpose, the dividing module 3 comprises, for example, dividing rods 5 arranged between circulating traction means 4, which, after a defined number of articles, dip behind the articles 20 to be separated as article group 21 and separate them from the following articles 20. In particular, the dividing rods 5 have a conveying speed that is higher than that of the following articles 20, so that the articles 20 of the separated article groups 21 arranged upstream of the dividing rods 5 in the transport direction 50 are moved at a conveying speed that is higher than that of the articles 20 entering the dividing module 3.

However, the dividing module 3 may also comprise other suitable dividing devices known to the person skilled in the art.

Particularly preferably, in the single-partition module 3 article groups 21 are formed from 2x2 articles 20 or 2x3 articles 20.

The articles 20 are preferably beverage containers, in particular bottles made of PET or another suitable plastic or glass. Preferably, the articles can also be formed by cans 22 made of plastic, glass and/or aluminum or another metal or similar.

Furthermore, the packaging device 1 comprises an alignment module 6, in which the articles 20 of the article group 21 are aligned based on features 25. In particular, the features 25 are information located on the lateral outer surfaces of the articles 20, in particular directly on the lateral outer surfaces on printed information or information located on a label attached to the outer side surface.

The alignment module 6 comprises at least one transport device 7 for the article group 21. For example, the transport device 7 is formed by a circumferentially arranged mat chain 8. Preferably, it is provided that the articles 20 are arranged upright on the transport device 7 and are moved upright in the transport direction TR.

Furthermore, the alignment module 6 comprises at least one detection means 9, which detection means 9 is designed to detect features 25 of the articles 20 and to transmit corresponding data to a control device 10 of the packaging device 1 or the alignment module 6.

The at least one detection means 9 is formed, for example, by at least one camera system 11, which detects the orientation of the articles 20, for example the orientation of the 1 illustrated cans 22. In particular, the number of detection means 9 can correspond to the number of articles 20 of an article group 21, and the detection means 9 can in particular be arranged within the alignment module 6 such that the orientation of all articles 20 of an article group 21 can be analyzed simultaneously or essentially simultaneously by the plurality of detection means 9. Alternatively, a single detection means 9 can also be sufficient if it is designed to detect the features 25 of all articles 20 within the article group 21.

For example, if article groups 21 are fed in which the articles 20 are arranged in two parallel rows, a further embodiment can provide for a detection means 9 for each of the parallel rows. However, if article groups 21 are fed in more than two rows, for example, article groups 21 comprising 3x3 articles 20 or 3x4 articles 20 or similar, it may be expedient to provide four detection means 9, in particular one detection means 9 for each side surface of the article group 21.

Based on the sensor-determined data, the rotation angles required to align each article 20 within article group 21 are calculated. The rotation angle is preferably in a range between 0 degrees and 180 degrees. In some situations, however, the rotation angle may also be in a range between 180 degrees and 359 degrees.

The alignment module 6 further comprises a plurality of alignment units 12 that can be controlled by the control device 10. These alignment units 12 are designed to be rotatable, in particular, about a rotation axis 13. The alignment units 12 are arranged on the articles 20 such that the rotation axis 13 of the respective alignment unit 12 coincides with the longitudinal axis 23 of the article.

It is provided that the alignment module 6 comprises at least one electromagnetic direct drive 14 for the at least one alignment unit 12.

In the example shown, the electromagnetic direct drive 14 is formed by a linear motor designed as a long stator 15, on which long stator 15 there are several shuttle units 16 or runners designed as alignment units 12.

In this case, the alignment units 12 are moved, at least in some areas, in a straight line along the elongate stator 15. Preferably, a number of alignment units 12 corresponding to the number of articles 20 within an article group 21 are combined as a working unit 42 and are moved, at least temporarily and in some areas, together along the electromagnetic elongate stator 15. Particularly preferably, the alignment units 12 combined as a working unit 42 are arranged in the same manner as the articles 20 within an article group 21.

The long stator 15 is arranged above the transport plane for the articles 20 formed by the transport device 7. The alignment units 12 are formed by shuttle units 16 arranged on the long stator 15. The rotation axis 13 sits on the shuttle units 16, which rests on the articles 20 from above and contacts them via friction. Now, a controlled rotation by a calculated angle of rotation can be applied to the articles 20 of the article group 21 in order to align the features 25 of the respective articles 20 in the desired manner.

The shuttle units 16 can each be moved individually and independently of one another on the long stator 15. However, the joint movement of a plurality of shuttle units 16 forming a working unit 42 is preferably provided, at least temporarily and in certain areas.

The article groups 21 are continuously moved through the alignment module 6, whereby the alignment units 12 are synchronized with the articles 20 of the article groups 21. The alignment of the articles 20 thus takes place in particular while these within an article group 21 are continuously moved in the transport direction TR through the alignment module 6.

The article groups 21 with the now aligned articles 20 are identified by the reference symbol 26 for differentiation. The aligned article group 26 is fed to a packaging module 17. In the packaging module 17, the articles 20 of the aligned article group 26 are combined with a secondary packaging material 30 to form a packaging unit 27.

The illustrated packaging module 17 is, for example, an application module 18 for packaging blanks 31 that are at least partially flat, also referred to as upper grip carton packaging 32. Bottles are grouped together via their neck areas. In the case of cans 22, these are grouped together via their lid areas by an upper grip carton packaging 32.

An upper grip carton packaging 32 has an arrangement and number of through-openings that correspond to the arrangement and number of articles 20 to be grouped. The diameter of the through-openings is generally slightly smaller than a maximum diameter of the articles 20 in an upper region. The upper grip carton packaging 32 is placed onto the articles 20 and pressed on so that a defined upper region of the articles 20 is pushed through the through-openings. In particular, an upper region with a maximum diameter is pushed through the through-openings and the edge regions of the through-openings are brought into engagement with the articles 20 below this maximum diameter so that the upper grip carton packaging 32 is securely and firmly attached to the articles 20. In particular, in the case of cans 22, the edge regions of the through-openings are secured below the flanged edge in the lid region.

To secure the upper gripper carton packaging 32 to the articles 20 in this way, particularly to push the articles 20 through the through-openings, relatively high application forces are required. For this reason, the edge regions of the through-openings are often provided with radially outwardly extending incisions or similar features so that the edge regions are at least partially bent upward when pressed onto the articles 20 and engage below the maximum diameter of the articles 20 in the upper region.

A suitable upper grip carton package 32 preferably consists of a cardboard material, a plastic material, a cardboard-plastic composite material or the like.

Alternatively, the packaging module 17 can be a strapping module or a shrinking module. In a strapping module, at least one strapping band is tensioned around the outward-facing outer surfaces of the aligned article group. The free end regions of the strapping band are connected to each other, creating a closed strap.

A shrink module comprises at least one film wrapping module and a shrink tunnel. In the film wrapping module, a film section is arranged around the aligned article group 26. The film section is then shrunk onto the aligned article group 26 in the shrink tunnel, forming a packaging unit 27.

2 shows a second embodiment of a packaging device 1 in a side view. This shows that the alignment of the articles 20 can in some cases only take place after the application of the secondary packaging means 30. This is particularly the case when the top or bottom of the articles 20 is still accessible and when the articles 20 combined by the secondary packaging means 30 are still arranged within the packaging unit so as to be rotatable about their own longitudinal axis 23. This is particularly the case when the articles 20 are combined with a packaging blank 31 which does not cover the top sides of the articles 20 or when the articles 20 are combined with strapping.

Regarding the functionality of the alignment module 6, please refer to the description of 1 referred to.

3 shows a third embodiment of a packaging device 1 in a view from above. This is essentially an embodiment according to 1 , whereby article groups 21 are processed in three lanes. The article groups are each formed from six articles 20, which are arranged in two parallel rows of three.

For each transport track 45, two long stators 15, 15-1, 15-2 are provided with shuttle units 16 designed as alignment units 12. The shuttle units 16 are moved on each long stator 15 in such a way that three shuttle units 16-1 or 16-2 on a long stator 15 always form a first movement unit 40, 40-1, 40-2. Furthermore, it is provided that a first movement unit 40-1 on the first long stator 15-1 of each transport track 45 and a first movement unit 40-2 on the second long stator 15-2 of the same transport track 45 together form a second movement unit 41, in which second movement unit 41 a total of six shuttle units 16 form the above-described work unit 42 and are preferably moved jointly and synchronously at least temporarily and in certain areas.

For the functionality of the alignment module 6, please refer to the figure description of 1 referred to.

Furthermore, it can preferably be provided that a distance 55 between the two long stators 15-1, 15-2 assigned to a transport track 45 can be changed in order to be able to respond to different sizes of the articles 20, in particular to different article widths. This allows the packaging device 1 to be easily reconfigured during a product change and thus adapted to new production conditions.

4 shows a fourth embodiment of a packaging device 1 in a lateral view and 5 shows the fourth embodiment of the packaging device 1 according to 4 in a view from above. In this case, transport also takes place in three transport tracks 45, as in connection with the embodiment of the 3 has been described, to which reference is hereby made.

In contrast to the 1 to 3 In the embodiments shown, the long stators 15 with the alignment units 12 are arranged below the transport plane for the articles 20 formed by the transport device 7. Accordingly, the long stators 15 with the alignment units 12 are in 5 not visible.

In this case, a suitable transport device 7 must be provided, on which the articles 20 rest only in certain areas and through which the alignment units 12 can engage the bottom side of the articles 20 in order to set them in rotation for alignment based on the sensor-detected features 25. For example, the transport device 7 can be formed by appropriately slotted mat chains or the transport device 7 is formed by at least three spaced-apart conveyor chains 46 per transport track 45.

If the transport device 7 is formed by three spaced conveyor chains 46 per transport track 45, then it is provided that the articles 20 of both rows of three of the article group 21 rest in some areas on the middle conveyor chain 46a and in some areas on an outer conveyor chain 46b.

In this context, a top-running counterpressure belt 48 may be provided to apply sufficient force for the frictional engagement between the alignment units 12 and the articles 20.

The arrangement of two long stators 15 per transport track 45 below the transport surface can be analogous to the embodiment of the 3 take place.

With regard to further properties of the alignment module 6 and the packaging module 17, reference is made to the figure description of the 1 to 3 referred to.

Even in the embodiment in which the alignment units 12 engage the articles 20 from below, analogous to the embodiment of the 2 It should be provided that alignment only takes place after the articles 20 have been grouped together using a secondary packaging 30.

6 shows a fifth embodiment of a packaging device 1 in a lateral view and 7 shows the fifth embodiment of the packaging device 1 according to 6 in a view from above.

In the embodiment shown here, the electromagnetic direct drive 14 is formed by an air-bearing planar motor system 60, which comprises a flat, horizontally aligned stator plate 61 and associated planar rotors 62, in particular wherein one or more planar rotors 62 move orthogonally aligned below the stator plate 61.

The energy fed into the stator plate 61 is converted into a precisely controlled electromagnetic field. Preferably, all components required to generate and control the field are integrated into the stator plate 61.

The planar rotors 62 or movers are usually equipped with cuboid-shaped magnets whose magnetization is perpendicular to a plane formed by the stator plate 61 and which are controlled in the X and Y directions with alternating polarity. The movement of the planar rotors 62 themselves is achieved by additional magnets arranged parallel to the plane, thus allowing the planar rotors 62 to move in the X and Z directions. The number and arrangement of the magnets perpendicular and parallel to a plane formed by the stator plate 61 determines the degrees of freedom and positioning accuracy.

The electromagnetic field generated by the stator plate 61 causes the planar rotors 62 to levitate, whereby they move above or below the stator plate 61 depending on the application.

In 7 The stator plate 61 and the planar rotors 62 are shown in dashed lines for ease of understanding. In the illustrated embodiment, the planar rotors 62 have a circular circumference. For example, the diameter of the planar rotors 62 essentially corresponds to the diameter of the top side of the articles 20, for example, the diameter of a lid area of cans 22 or the like. An alternative embodiment provides that the diameter of the planar rotors 62 is smaller than the diameter of the top side of the articles 20.

As in connection with the 1 to 5 As described, article groups 21 divided into multiple lanes are guided past at least one detection means 9 or a plurality of detection means 9, in particular past at least one camera 11 or another suitable sensor unit. The current orientation of the articles 20 within the article group 21 is determined, in particular by detecting certain features 25 of the articles 20.

Based on comparison images or reference points or similar, the control device 10 calculates a rotation angle for each article 20 of the article group 21 and this angle is transmitted to the planar rotors 62 of the planar motor system 60 or the planar rotors 62 of the planar motor system 60 are controlled accordingly by the control device 10.

The planar runners 62 of the planar motor system 60 arranged above the transport plane have clamping or pressing units 63, which are moved toward the articles 20 by a vertical lifting movement of the planar runners 62 and thus clamp them between the transport plane and the planar runner 62. By a corresponding rotation of the planar runner 62, the articles 20 are rotated about their longitudinal axis 23 into the desired alignment position.

In particular, the planar rotors 62 equipped with clamping or pressing units 63 form the alignment units 12, which are designed to be rotatable about an axis of rotation 13, which axis of rotation 13 is designed perpendicular to a surface formed by the underside of the stator plate 61.

Preferably, a number of planar runners 62 corresponding to the number of articles 20 within an article group 21 form a working unit 42 at least temporarily. It is particularly preferably provided that the working unit moves synchronously with the article group 21 at least temporarily and in certain areas.

The alignment units 12 then detach from the articles 20 and move either back to a starting position or to the next article group 21 to be processed.

To adapt to different article heights, the planar motor system 60 can be designed to be height-adjustable, which is indicated by the arrow in 6 is indicated. In particular, the stator plate 61 is designed to be height-adjustable within the alignment module 6.

Even in the embodiment with planar motor system 60, it can be provided that this is analogous to the embodiment of the 4 and 5 to be arranged below a suitably designed transport device 7.

The embodiment with planar motor system 60 can also be used analogously to the embodiment of the 2 It should be provided that alignment only takes place after the articles 20 have been combined with a secondary packaging 30.

It is particularly advantageous for all those in the 1 to 7 illustrated embodiments that stationary detection means 9 can be used to determine the alignment position.

Especially when using a 6 and 7 In the planar motor system 60 shown, the necessary degrees of freedom of movement are present in the planar sliders 62, since in this case, no mechanical guides or complex drive arrangements are necessary. In particular, cabling or cable routing to the alignment units 12 is eliminated.

Such an alignment of articles 20 can be easily integrated into packaging machines as a functional module.

A further advantage of using electromagnetic direct drives 14 is that they are particularly wear-resistant, which reduces maintenance and operating costs while increasing availability.

A further advantage of using a planar motor system 60 is its low overall height, since all axes are designed in one plane are. In addition, the installation position of the stator plate 61 can be freely selected in space. Such a system is also characterized by high dynamics and high speed consistency. Another advantage is that the planar rotors 62 themselves are rotatable, so that the planar rotors 62 can already form the alignment units 12 with the rotation axis 13 without any additional devices.

It is advantageous in all embodiments described here that a mixed operation can take place in which different article groups 21 can be processed without the packaging device 1 having to be converted.

In this case, different article groups are understood to mean article groups 21 that are formed from the same articles 20, but each contain a different number of articles 20, for example groups of two, groups of four, groups of six and/or groups of eight.

A second detection means (not shown) is provided upstream of the alignment module 6 or in the entrance area of the alignment module 6, which detects the number and arrangement of the articles 20 within the article group 21. An alternative embodiment can provide that the first detection means 9 detects both the orientation of the articles 20 within the article group 21 and the number and arrangement of the articles 20 within the article group 21.

From the data on the number and arrangement of the articles 20 within the article group 21, the control device 10 calculates the arrangement of the shuttle units 16 to form first movement units 40 and second movement units 41 (cf. 3 ).

According to a further embodiment, the control unit 10 calculates the arrangement of the planar rotors 62 of the planar motor system 60, in particular for forming suitable working units 42.

In all embodiments described here, it is provided that articles 20 are aligned which have already been compiled into article groups 21 and, if appropriate, have already been combined with a secondary packaging means 30 to form packaging units 27.

The use of an electromagnetic direct drive 14 enables, in a particularly advantageous manner, the alignment of individual articles 20 within the article groups 21 to take place, while the article groups 21 are continuously conveyed in the transport direction TR through the alignment module 6.

Both systems comprising a long stator 15 and planar motor systems 60 enable high accelerations and travel speeds.

8 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a packaging system 100. Articles are fed in a transport direction 50 via an article feed 101. The articles are then separated in a separation module 102 to be examined for damage in an inspection module 103.

Items identified as defective or faulty are removed from the production facility to prevent them from being sold. Defective or faulty items include items with damaged primary packaging, incorrectly filled items, labels that are attached crookedly, and similar items.

The articles are then grouped into article groups in a dividing module 3. In an alignment module 6, articles of the article group are aligned based on sensory characteristics and then packaged in a packaging module 17, in particular in an application module 18, as is required in connection with the 1 to 7 described above, equipped with a secondary packaging material. The arrangement of the dividing module 6 and the packaging module 17 can be interchanged.

A plurality of the packaging units produced in this way can be assembled into bundle layers in a grouping module 104. The bundle layers are then arranged on a base in the form of a tray or similar in a transfer module 105. Subsequently, a bundle layer arranged on a tray is wrapped with shrink film in a film wrapping module 106. The shrink film is shrunk in a shrink tunnel 107, forming so-called bulk bundles.

A final note should be given at this point regarding the descriptions of embodiments of the invention, whereby these description passages each refer to the attached drawings. When, in the context of the figures and their descriptions, "schematic" representations and views are generally referred to, this in no way means that the figures and their descriptions are of secondary importance with regard to the disclosure of the invention. The person skilled in the art is perfectly capable of deriving sufficient information from the schematic and abstract representations to enable him to The figures are intended to facilitate the understanding of the invention without in any way impairing the reader's understanding due to the proportions shown, which may not be exactly to scale. The figures thus enable the reader skilled in the art, based on the more concretely explained implementations of the method according to the invention and the more concretely explained functioning of the device according to the invention, to derive a better understanding of the inventive concept formulated in a more general and/or abstract manner in the claims and in the general part of the description.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it is conceivable to a person skilled in the art that modifications or variations of the invention can be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

List of reference symbols

1

Packaging device

2

Feeding device

3

One-piece module

4

rotating traction means

5

Dividing rods

6

Alignment module

7

Transport device

8

Mat chain

9

(first) detection agent

10

Control device

11

Camera system

12

Alignment unit

13

axis of rotation

14

electromagnetic direct drive

15,15-1,15-2

Long stator / long stator linear motor

16,16-1,16-2

Shuttle unit

17

Packaging module

18

Application module

20

Article / Single article

21

Article group

22

can

23

Longitudinal axis of an article

25

Features

26

Article group with aligned articles / aligned article group

27

Packaging unit

30

Secondary packaging materials

31

Packaging cutting

32

upper grip carton packaging

40,40-1,40-2

first movement unit

41

second movement unit

42

work unit

45

Transport track

46

conveyor chain

46a

medium conveyor chain

46b

outer conveyor chain

48

Counterpressure belt

50

Transport direction

55

Distance

60

Planar motor system

61

Stator plate

62

Planar runner

63

clamping or pressing unit

100

packaging plant

101

Article inflow

102

Separation module

103

Inspection module

104

Grouping module

105

Transfer module

106

Foil wrapping module

107

shrink tunnel

QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 3 594 141 B1 [0006]
• DE 10 2019 128 874 A1 [0007]

Claims (15)

Packaging device (1) for producing packaging units (27) comprising at least two articles (20) which are combined by a secondary packaging means (30), the packaging device (1) comprising • a feed device (2) for article groups (21) comprising at least two articles (20), • a packaging module (17) for applying the secondary packaging means (30) to the at least two articles (20), • an alignment module (6) which comprises at least one transport device (7) for the article group (21), • wherein the alignment module (6) comprises at least one detection means (9), which detection means (9) is designed to detect features (25) of the articles (20) and to transmit corresponding data to a control device (10) of the packaging device (1), • wherein the alignment module (6) comprises at least one alignment unit (12) which can be controlled by the control device (10) and which is arranged at least partially on a the article (20) of the article group (21) engages in order to align it, • wherein the alignment module (6) comprises at least one electromagnetic direct drive (14) for the at least one alignment unit (12). Packaging device (1) according to Claim 1 , wherein the control device (10) is designed to control the transport device (7) and the alignment unit (12) in such a way that they are temporarily moved synchronously. Packaging device (1) according to Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the alignment module (6) comprises at least one working unit (42), which working unit (42) is formed from a plurality of alignment units (12), wherein the number and arrangement of the alignment units (12) of the working unit (42) corresponds to the number and arrangement of the articles (20) within the article groups (21). Packaging device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electromagnetic direct drive (14) is formed by a long stator system comprising a long stator (15) and at least two shuttle elements (16) arranged on the long stator (15). Packaging device (1) according to Claim 4 , wherein the shuttle elements (16) are designed as an alignment unit (12) and have a (48) axis of rotation (13). Packaging device (1) according to 5, wherein the long stator system is arranged above a transport plane for the articles (20) formed by the transport device (7) or wherein the long stator system is arranged below a transport plane for the articles (20) formed by the transport device (7) and wherein the transport device (7) is designed to be open at least in some areas, so that the alignment units (12) can act on the articles (20) of the article group (21) from below through the open areas of the transport device (7), in particular wherein a circulating counterpressure belt is arranged above the transport plane formed by the transport device (7). Packaging device (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , wherein the electromagnetic direct drive (14) is formed by a planar motor system (60) comprising a stator plate (61) and at least two planar rotor elements (62). Packaging device (1) according to Claim 7 , wherein the planar rotor elements (62) form the alignment units (12). Packaging device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the alignment module (6) is arranged upstream of the packaging module (17) in a transport direction of the articles (20) through the packaging device (1) or wherein the alignment module (6) is arranged downstream of the packaging module (17) in a transport direction of the articles (20) through the packaging device (1). Packaging device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the packaging module (17) is an application module (18) for a packaging blank (31) which is at least partially flat, which application module (18) is designed to fix the packaging blank (31) to the articles (20) with a downwardly directed application force in such a way that the articles (20) are arranged to pass through openings in the packaging blank (31) in some areas and that the packaging blank (31) is arranged at least partially between the articles (20), or wherein the packaging module (17) is a strapping module, which strapping module is designed to tension at least one strapping band around the article group (21) so that the strapping band at least partially encompasses the outwardly facing outer circumferential surfaces of the articles (20). Method for producing packaging units (27), wherein at least two articles (20) are combined by a secondary packaging means (30), • wherein article groups (21) are formed, • wherein at least one equipment feature (25) of at least one article (20) of the article group (21) is detected by sensors, • wherein the sensor-determined data are transmitted to a control device (10), • wherein an angle of rotation is calculated on the basis of the detected data by the control device (10) and alignment units (12) are controlled, • wherein one or more alignment devices (12) are driven via an electromagnetic direct drive (14), • wherein an application of the secondary packaging means (30) takes place before or after the alignment of articles (20) of the article group /(21). Procedure according to Claim 11 , wherein the alignment of the articles (20) takes place while the article groups (21) are continuously moved via a transport device (7) in a transport device (7). Procedure according to Claim 11 or 12 , wherein the transport device (7) and the alignment units (12) are moved synchronously at least temporarily. Method according to one of the Claims 11 until 13 , wherein working units (42) comprising a plurality of alignment units (12) are formed, wherein the number and arrangement of the alignment units (12) of the working unit (42) corresponds to the number and arrangement of the articles (20) within the article groups (21). Procedure according to Claim 14 , wherein a second detection means detects the number and arrangement of the articles (20) within an article group (21) and transmits the data to the control device (10), which controls the alignment units (12) for forming the working units (42).

Images