DE20017405U1 - Baling plant - Google Patents

Description

Applicant:

AUTEFA

automation GmbH Roentgenstr. 1-5 86316 Friedberg

Representatives Patent Attorneys
Dipl.-Ing. H.-D. Ernicke Dipl.-Ing. Klaus Ernicke Schwibbogenplatz 2b 86153 Augsburg / DE

Date:

File:

10.10.2000
727-127 en

DESCRIPTION Baling press system

The invention relates to a baling press system with the features in the preamble of the main claim.

Such a baling press system is known from EP-A-O 132. It is designed as a so-called one-way system and consists of several pre-presses, a finishing press and several press boxes. The presses are connected to one another by a one-way conveyor rail on which a transport carriage for the press boxes moves back and forth in reversing motion.

From EP-A-0 014 923 a baling press system with a circulation system is also known in which the conveyor device has several transport carriages that can be moved in the circuit between the presses.

DE-A-44 30 537 deals with a central carousel press that is fed from upstream filling and pre-pressing stations via a conveyor track with transport trolleys. Each transport trolley only contains a single filled press container. The empty press containers move back out of the press system via a second conveyor track in a different direction, creating a circuit with different routes for the forward and return transport of the press containers.

DE-A-26 14 921 shows a container changing device on a garbage press. A reciprocating cross carriage is arranged in front of the press mouth, which has two

Pick-up positions for containers. However, this cross carriage can only move a limited distance to the left or right. The maximum travel distance corresponds approximately to the width of the container. The cross carriage is also coupled to a longitudinal carriage that can be moved transversely to it, which pushes the containers in front of the press mouth and pulls them back again. The changing device is a shunting unit made up of two carriages that are coupled crosswise and can only be moved short distances. Stationary transfer stands are arranged on both sides of the cross carriage, on which the containers are delivered and picked up by an unspecified external transport system.

The object of the present invention is to improve the baling system.

The invention solves this problem with the features in the main claim.

The baling press system according to the invention has a higher capacity. This relates on the one hand to the increased conveying capacity through the conveyor provided with several box holders, which is preferably designed as a transport trolley. This means that less distance and time is required to change full and empty press boxes. Furthermore, the number of press boxes in the system can be increased. The increased capacity is also expressed in particular in a higher pressing capacity. The number of pre-presses can be increased. The pre-presses with their filling devices can also work longer and more continuously. Due to the increased conveying capacity, the conveyor is available more quickly for changing the press boxes and can also serve more pre-presses than before.

The conveying capacity is increased by the multiple box holders on the conveyor. An additional expansion is achieved by arranging one or more parking spaces for press boxes on the conveyor. It is particularly advantageous if the parking spaces are arranged close to the pre-presses. This shortens the travel distances and increases the conveying capacity.

It is particularly advantageous if each pre-press is assigned its own parking space. In the preferred embodiment, this parking space is located directly opposite the respective pre-press. This has the advantage that the press box located at the parking space can be pushed over the box holder of the conveyor directly into the opposite pre-press. This further reduces the travel distances and the time required and optimizes the conveying capacity.

To improve the conveying capacity, it is also advantageous if one or more movable packaging devices are assigned to the finished press. This relieves the load on the finished press and allows it to be refilled more quickly. Preferably, two trolleys of a packaging device are arranged on either side of the finished press. They can be moved on their own rails, and the finished press can also be connected to the conveyor device or its conveyor means via its own cross rail. This further reduces the changing times of the press boxes and bales and increases the conveying capacity. To increase capacity, it is also advantageous if the pre-presses have a filling device with at least one, preferably two buffer stores. This means that they can work continuously even when the press boxes are being changed. In the simplified

- 3a -

In an embodiment with a few remote parking spaces or without parking spaces, intermediate buffering can also take place during the absence of the press box.

The baling press system according to the invention is also, above all, cost-effective. Increasing the system capacity requires only a small amount of additional construction work. The conveyor system can also be designed to be particularly simple and cost-effective. In the simplest embodiment, the conveyor system has a straight rail track that directly connects the presses arranged one behind the other. It is also possible to use a connecting piece at the end of the rail track as a rail for a trolley of the packaging system, thereby achieving additional savings.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The invention is illustrated by way of example and schematically in the drawings. In detail:

Figure 1: a baling press in a

schematic plan view,

Figure 2 to 6: Movement sequences when changing the press box

in broken individual representations, 10

Figure 7 and 8: two variants of the finishing press with

Packaging equipment and

Figure 9: a pre-press with filling device and buffer storage in side view.

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a baling press (1) which has several pre-presses (2,3) and at least one finishing press (4). The presses (2,3,4) are arranged in a line one behind the other and are served by a common single-lane conveyor (5). The fiber material (22) is filled into press boxes (11) at the pre-presses (2,3) via filling devices (19) (see Figure 9), pre-pressed and then transported by the conveyor (5) to the finishing press (4).

As Figure 1 shows with an additional dashed line, the baling press system (1) can also be expanded. In the embodiment shown, there are two pre-presses (2, 3) and one finishing press (4). The number of pre-presses (2, 3) can be increased. In addition, another similar section of the baling press system (1) can be connected to the other side of the conveyor device (5) in a mirror-image arrangement.

The conveyor device (5) is designed as a one-way system and has a reversing, back-and-forth moving conveyor (6) which has several box holders (12, 13) for transporting several press boxes (11). In addition, the conveyor (6) has a changing device (not shown) with which the press boxes (11) can be pushed off and picked up transversely to the direction of travel (26).

In the preferred embodiment, the conveyor device (5) is designed as a one-way rail system, wherein the conveyor means (6) is designed as a rail-bound transport carriage that travels back and forth on a rail track (7) between the presses (2,3,4). The rail track (7) connects the presses (2,3,4) and is preferably designed as a straight longitudinal rail laid along the linearly arranged presses (2,3). The rail track (7) can optionally be floor-bound or attached to supports in a raised position. Accordingly, the transport carriage (6) can optionally be guided in a standing or hanging position. The drive and positioning of the transport carriage (6) can be designed in any suitable manner.

The conveyor system (5) has a suitable control system for the travel movements, the press box changes and the other functions. The presses (2,3,4) also have suitable controls. In addition, the baling press system (1) has a central system and process control system (none shown).

In the embodiment shown, the transport carriage (6) has two box holders (12,13) for two press boxes (11).' As Figures 7 and 8 illustrate, the box holders (12,13) each consist of a

double-track rail section (14) extending transversely to the direction of travel (26) and the rail track (7). The press boxes (11) can be transported on these rail sections (14) via rollers or the like and moved transversely to the transport carriage (6). Corresponding rail sections (14) are also located on the other components (2,3,4,10) of the baling press system (1).

Alternatively, the rail section (14) can also be designed as a roller conveyor or any other suitable conveying means, with the changing device being designed accordingly. In the preferred embodiment, the two box receptacles (12, 13) are arranged one behind the other in the direction of travel (26) of the transport carriage (6).

The conveyor device (5) has several parking spaces (10) for the intermediate storage of press boxes (11). In the preferred embodiment, the number of parking spaces

(10) is as high as the number of pre-presses (2,3). In addition, in the preferred embodiment, the parking spaces (10) are present at each pre-press (2,3) and are also arranged centrally opposite one another and on the other side of the rail track (7). Each parking space (10) has a suitable box holder, which can be designed in a similar way to the box holder (12,13) of the transport carriage (6). There are also suitable box holders inside the pre-presses (2,3) and the finishing press (4). In the preferred embodiment, the box holders of the pre-presses (2,3) and the opposite parking spaces (1-0) are aligned.

The finishing press (4) can be designed in any suitable way. It presses the pre-pressed fiber material (22) in the press boxes (11) together under high pressure using press stamps and pressure plates and forms a highly compressed fiber bale. This is

• «

after removal of the press box (11) it is packaged in a suitable manner, whereby film packaging and/or bale strapping or the like can be carried out.

In the preferred embodiment, the finishing press (4) is assigned a packaging device with two separate trolleys (15, 16) that are arranged on both sides of the finishing press (4) and can be moved along the finishing press (4). The components of a strapping device and a wrapping device for a single or multi-part packaging film and, if necessary, a removal and unloading device for the finished pressed and packaged bale are arranged on the trolleys (15, 16). The packaging device (15, 16) can be designed in accordance with EP-A-O 294 820 or EP-B-O 528 892.

Alternatively, the packaging device (15, 16) can also be designed in any other way and in particular can also be integrated into the finishing press (4). If necessary, only bale strapping or pure film packaging with adhesive films can take place on the finishing press (4).

As Figure 9 shows, the pre-presses (2, 3) have a filling device (19) and are connected to an external fiber feed (23) with a condenser or the like. The fiber material (22), which is preferably plastic fibers, but alternatively also natural fibers, is preferably fed in endless strands, the so-called tow. Alternatively, short and finely chopped fibers, the so-called staple fibers, can also be fed in:

The pre-press (2,3) fills the fiber material (22) into a press box (11) located on the underside and compresses it here by means of a press star (24). In the preferred embodiment, the pre-press (2,3)

with its filling device (19) and the other components according to EP-B-O 907 498.

The pre-press (2,3) has at least one buffer storage (20,21) in which the supplied fiber material (22) can be temporarily stored when the press box (11) is not currently available. This is the case, for example, when a full press box (11) is replaced with an empty one. Depending on the design of the conveyor device (5), the press box (11) can also be on the move for a while. During this period of absence, the fiber material (22) is also temporarily buffered.

In the preferred embodiment, the pre-press (2, 3) has two buffer stores (20, 21). The first buffer store (20) is formed in the upper area of the filling device (19) on the feed shaft and if necessary also on the cover plate of a lateral slide (25) and in the filling shaft below, where the fed fiber material (22) is first picked up and if necessary also weighed. This arrangement is particularly suitable for staple fibers. The slide (25) can be used to push the fiber material into the press shaft and the second buffer store (21) located there. The lower end of the press shaft can be temporarily closed by further slides or the like while a press box (11) is absent. As soon as the press box (11) is present again, the accumulated fiber material (22) is filled into the press box (11) and pre-compacted by the pre-press stamp (24). At the end of the filling and pre-pressing, the press box is changed as described below.

Figures 2 to 6 illustrate the various logistics steps involved in changing and transporting press boxes (11) in an exemplary sequence. Filled press boxes (11) are indicated by hatching.

- 9 marked.

As soon as a press box (11) on one of the pre-press (2) has been filled and completed in the manner described above, the transport carriage (6) moves with one of its box holders (12,13) in front of the pre-press (2). Figure 2 shows this position. The full press box (11) is then pushed onto the transport carriage (6) in a suitable manner. The transport carriage then moves

(6) a little further into the position shown in Figure 3, in which the second box holder (13) is now located between the pre-press (2) and the opposite parking space (10) and is aligned with it. An empty press box (11) located at the parking space (10) can then be pushed directly over the transport carriage (6) into the pre-press (2). The transport carriage (6) then moves to the finishing press (4).

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the press box change on the finishing press (4). Here, the transport carriage (6) according to Figure 4 first moves with its empty box holder (13) in front of the finishing press (4) and picks up the empty press box (11) that is waiting there. The transport carriage (6) then moves to the position shown in Figure 5 and brings the full press box (11) into the finishing press (4). The transport carriage (6) is now loaded with an empty press box (11) on the second box holder (13).

Figure 6 shows the next logistics step. The press box (6) now moves in front of the same pre-press (2) and delivers the empty press box (11) it brought with it to the parking area (10). This closes the logistics cycle. The process then runs in the same way for the second and further pre-presses (3).

- 10 -

Due to the short distances and quick conveyor changes, the change and transport of the press boxes (11) takes place in a very short time. The conveyor and system capacities are coordinated so that the relatively fast-working finishing press (4) can serve at least two, preferably four or more pre-presses (2,3). The conveying time of the conveyor device (5) is a fraction of the filling and pre-pressing time on the pre-presses (2,3).

The pre-presses (2, 3) are preferably evenly distributed in their working rhythm so that they always complete their process at different times and preferably at the same time intervals between each other. The conveyor device (5) has enough time to change and transport the press boxes (11) due to its speed.

If irregularities occur in the pre-presses (2,3) or the finishing press (4), the conveyor system (5) has buffer options thanks to its at least two box holders (12,13) and the storage locations (10). On the one hand, the number of storage locations (10) can be higher than the number of pre-presses (2,3). This means that full press boxes (11) can be temporarily stored in the event of a malfunction in the finishing press (4) without disrupting the pre-press line.

On the other hand, the transport carriage (6) can also drive to another pre-press (3) on the way back from the finishing press (4) and before delivering its empty press box (11) to the associated pre-press (2), take a full press box (11) from its empty box holder (12) and then immediately deliver its empty press box (11) to this pre-press (3). This is possible if the press boxes (11) can be exchanged between the pre-presses (2,3), e.g. if the same or

- 11 insensitive fibre material (22) is worked on.

As a variation, it is also possible for the transport carriage (6) to initially only pick up the full press box (11) from the other pre-press (3) on its way back, but then immediately travels on to the target pre-press (2) and there delivers the associated empty press box (11) to the associated storage area (10). The transport carriage (6) then travels back to the other pre-press (3) and there carries out the press box change between the storage area (10) and the pre-press (3). With its full press box (11) it can then travel on to the finishing press (4). In this way, the transport and change cycles of different pre-presses (2,3) can be overlapped.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate two variants for the arrangement of the packaging device (15,16) on the finishing press (4). In the variant in Figure 7, the finishing press (4) is connected to the conveyor device (5) via a cross rail (9). The press boxes (11) can be picked up and transported on the cross rail (9). For this purpose, the cross rail (9) at the end of the rail track (7) is connected to the transport carriage (6) and its box holders (12,13). This means that the press box (11) can be pushed directly from the transport carriage (6) onto the cross rail (9) and then into the finishing press (4).

In this embodiment, the two trolleys (15,16) of the packaging device each have their own

Rail (17,18) on which they can move backwards and forwards relative to the finishing press (4). The rails (17,18) protrude laterally over the finishing press with both ends so that the trolleys (15,16) have two rest positions to the left and right of the finishing press (4). One rail (17) also crosses the cross rail (9).

- 12 -

Figure 8 shows a simpler and more cost-effective variant, which in principle corresponds to the representation in figure 1. Here, only one trolley (16) of the packaging device has its own rail (18). The other trolley (15) moves on a connecting piece (8) which is located at the end of the rail track (7).

The rail track (7) is extended accordingly.

This means that the additional rail (17) is not required. In this variant, the press box (11) is pushed directly from the transport carriage (6) into the finishing press (4).

Variations of the embodiment shown are possible in various ways. On the one hand, the

■ Conveyor system (5) can also manage without or with only a few parking spaces (10). The parking spaces (10) can also be located at any other point on the rail track (7). In particular, they can also be positioned next to the pre-presses (2,3) and on the same side of the rail track (7). One or more parking spaces (10) can also be located in the area of the finishing press (4).

The changing devices for the transverse movement of the press boxes (11) are preferably assigned to the transport carriage (6) and its box holders (12, 13). Alternatively, the changing devices and the drives for the press box movement can also be designed and positioned differently. They can be located both on the press boxes (11) and at stationary locations, e.g. the pre-presses (2, 3), the .:U;o storage locations (10) or the finishing press (4).

In a further modification, the transport carriage (6) can have more than two box holders (12,13). In the embodiment shown, the presses (2,3,4) are in

• t· ···

- 13 -

in a straight line one behind the other and connected by a straight rail track (7). Depending on local conditions, this may also be different, with the rail track (7) having a curved or winding shape.

The conveyor device (5) is also variable. Instead of the rail-bound transport carriage (β), any other suitable conveyor means can be used, e.g. a floor-bound and suitably inductively or similarly guided transport carriage.

- 14 LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

1 baling press

2 Pre-press

3 Pre-press

4 Finishing press

5 single-lane conveyor

6 Conveyors, transport trolleys

7 Rail track, longitudinal rail

8 Connector

9 Rail, cross rail

10 parking spaces

11 Press box

12 first box recording

13 second box recording

14 rail piece

15 Packaging equipment, trolley

16 Packaging equipment, trolley

17 Rail

18 Rail

19 Filling device

20 buffer storage

21 buffer storage

22 Fibres

23 Fiber supply

24 press stamps

25 sliders

26 Direction of travel

Claims (13)

1. Baling press system with at least one pre-press ( 2 , 3 ), at least one finishing press ( 4 ), several press boxes ( 11 ) and a single-lane conveyor device ( 5 ) with a conveyor means ( 6 ) for the press boxes ( 11 ) that can be moved in reversible fashion between the presses ( 2 , 3 , 4 ), characterized in that the conveyor means ( 6 ) has several box receptacles ( 12 , 13 ) for press boxes ( 11 ) and a changing device. 2. Baling press system according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveyor device ( 5 ) in the area of the pre-presses ( 2 , 3 ) has at least one parking space ( 10 ) for the temporary parking of at least one press box ( 11 ). 3. Baling press system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each pre-press ( 2 , 3 ) is assigned a parking space ( 10 ) opposite on the other side of the conveyor device ( 5 ). 4. Baling press system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the conveying device ( 5 ) is designed as a rail system and has a rail track ( 7 ) connecting the presses ( 2 , 3 , 4 ) and a transport carriage as conveying means ( 6 ). 5. Baling press system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the rail track ( 7 ) is designed as a straight longitudinal rail for the transport carriage ( 6 ) laid along the presses ( 2 , 3 , 4 ). 6. Baling press system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least in the region of the finished press(es) ( 4 ) a cross rail ( 9 ) is arranged for taking over the press boxes ( 11 ) from the transport carriage ( 6 ). 7. Baling press system according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the box receptacles ( 12 , 13 ) have transverse rail pieces ( 14 ) for the press boxes ( 11 ). 8. Baling press system according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cross rail ( 9 ) can be connected to the rail pieces ( 14 ). 9. Baling press system according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that one or more movable packaging devices ( 15 , 16 ) are assigned to the finishing press ( 4 ). 10. Baling press system according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a trolley ( 15 ) of the packaging device can be moved on a connecting piece ( 8 ) of the rail track ( 7 ). 11. Baling press system according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least one trolley ( 16 ) of the packaging device can be moved on a separate rail ( 18 ). 12. Baling press system according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that two trolleys ( 15 , 16 ) of the packaging device are arranged on separate rails ( 17 , 18 ) crossing the cross rail ( 9 ) on both sides of the finishing press ( 4 ). 13. Baling press system according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the pre-press ( 2 , 3 ) has a filling device ( 19 ) and at least one buffer storage ( 20 , 21 ) for the fiber material ( 22 ).