EP0621185B1 - Apparatus for conveying and treating packages for liquids - Google Patents

Abstract

What is described is an apparatus for conveying and treating flow-media packages (2), with a feed conveyor (3, 6), two main conveying apparatuses (6), treatment stations (I, II, III...) mounted in series, a discharge conveyor and drives (10). To simplify such a conveying device and for a more reliable design, especially also by predetermining other paths of movement, in order thereby to increase the performance, provision is made, according to the invention, for the first main conveying apparatus to be a single-stage vertical conveying apparatus, the second main conveying apparatus to be a single-stage horizontal displacement apparatus (6), the two main conveying apparatuses (6) to have a common conveying position which, in the case of the vertical conveying apparatus, is the lower of two conveying positions, and for the treatment stations for filling and closing to be mounted vertically above the main conveying apparatuses (6). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a device for conveying and processing fluid packaging with a feeder, two main conveyors, processing stations arranged one behind the other, a conveyor and with drives, the first main conveyor a one-stage, vertical conveyor in the sense that between two end positions a reciprocating movement is carried out, the second main conveyor one horizontal displacement device, both main conveyors are a common conveying position have the lower of two conveyor positions in the vertical conveyor is, and wherein the processing stations for filling and sealing vertically above the second main conveyor are attached.

Of the numerous known plasticizer packs, the device mentioned above can be used a pack type promoted and processed, which is made of plastic, preferably is made by deep drawing half-shells and connecting the two and up is closed on all sides of an opening. The opening is located in the top floor and can take this more or less completely or only a small hole in this topsoil represent. Since these are plasticizer packs and the plasticizer is usually under With the help of gravity, the packaging is filled in the sense of this Invention assumed that the pack stands vertically upright on its bottom, Tubular side walls are arranged between the floor and top floor and the pack therefore has a substantially vertical longitudinal central axis.

The device parked in this way or this type of fluid packaging according to the The invention is therefore constructed so that gravity, i.e. the vertical towards the solder plays a role in the following description insofar as different from "above" and "below" is spoken, because the plasticizer flows preferably from above when filling downward. Devices for filling and closing plastic packaging are known, Various conveyors and processing stations are provided and for the Processing the individual stations in a so-called horizontal X direction one after the other are arranged.

There are conveyors whose direction of movement is vertical in a so-called Z direction lies; and conveyors whose third direction of movement is in a so-called Y direction, in essentially move horizontally again, with the horizontal third direction of movement is perpendicular to the horizontal second direction of movement. If you put the three directions of movement represented by straight double arrows, then they are perpendicular to each other like the X, Y and Z directions of the spatial coordinates.

A conveyor and processing device of the type specified in the introduction is known from EP-A-0 513 439 known. There are rows of plasticizer packs one after the other in pushed open transport boxes on the front and into these three transport boxes Conveyed directions of conveyance. The respective one from several flux packs like strands designed pack rows remain on a longer transport route, which is in moved on a horizontal plane, but has at least three different conveying directions, in the same shipping container. In other words, one and the same transport container is used one and the same loaded pack row in a horizontal plane first into a first Direction, then promoted in a second and finally in a third direction to during these multi-stage movements are also subject to partial machining. After that the row of packs is pushed out of the container and the empty container becomes the starting position, yet another direction of movement in the mentioned horizontal Level, returned to accommodate a new batch of packs. From this publication known multi-stage, horizontal displacement device moves the Transport container similar to a circle or in the shape of a square. The respective transport container must be stationary within the horizontal shifting device, while processing takes place in the vertical conveyor. It also hangs together that the multi-stage, horizontal displacement device can only be moved, when the pack row is in the lower conveying position.

The known machine is relatively complex and sometimes tends to certain Points of the device to malfunctions. The known conveyor device with the transport boxes is also difficult to clean, and the movement and positioning of the packs can only be done indirectly via the control of the transport boxes, so that considerable tolerances occur that can lead to errors.

From GB-A-86 a conveyor device is known in which grippers instead of Transport boxes ensure that packs move forward. But these grabs follow also a multi-stage shift pattern, because they are in a second position lowered, then move back to a first position, are there again lifted and move packs from a first to a second position etc. The one there shown conveyor is also difficult to clean and very expensive to set up. Processing takes place on only one level, and the transport principle is similar to that of the first-mentioned known device, because the grippers also in the manner of a circle or of a square, although the transport plane is vertical.

The invention is therefore based on the object of having the conveyor device mentioned at the beginning to simplify the processing stations and make them more reliable, in particular also by specifying other movement paths in order to increase performance.

The object is achieved in that the horizontal displacement device one stage in the sense is that between two lying in a horizontal plane Position a reciprocating movement is performed so that the horizontal Slider always moves back when the vertical conveyor which has lifted at least one package from the lower horizontal plane and which Pack in the upper horizontal plane stands still and that the vertical conveyor has at least two separately driven sections, each one vertical Movable bridge with at least one horizontally arranged support rod.

With the new measures, the device ensures a step transport, which by two main conveyors is carried out, the first being the vertical conveyor and the second is the horizontal shifter, both of which are single-stage work. The respective package is thus successively changed by each main conveyor one step at a time. The vertical conveyor has an upper and a lower one Position, while the horizontal shifter one advanced and one retracted position and switches between them oscillating. So that too processing pack is promoted in the correct manner, the lower position of the falls vertical conveyor once with the advanced position of the horizontal Slider together; next time with the retracted position this Facility. In this way it is possible to horizontally close the respective pack move, then lift vertically upwards out of the shifting device and after a rest position in another position of the horizontal displacement device again lower and latch in there.

It is desirable if the respective pack from the horizontal displacement device is only pushed forward, i.e. the package in the so-called X direction is only moved horizontally along the row of processing stations; and always is then raised and stopped when the horizontal displacement device is in its withdrawn position. This is due to the measures according to the invention the direction of movement of the pack with the aid of the device, namely one step at a time right, then one step up, then a break for a calming or for a Machining, then the lowering again, then the one-step movement in the next advanced position, from which it is then raised to the upper position Position etc.

The focus is on the design and movement of the two main conveyors the device according to the invention. Nevertheless, it goes without saying that the still unprocessed Packs conveyed by a feeder and the filled, sealed packs on out the rear end of the main conveyor on a conveyor and removed become.

It is useful if the feed conveyor packs individually or in a strand aligned so that their longitudinal central axis is vertical, and when the packs in this vertical direction from an upper position down into the main conveyors is invited to a joint funding position.

It is also expedient if the conveyor is arranged downstream of the main conveyor is, i.e. - seen in the conveying direction of the packs - at the end behind the main conveyors and particularly preferably at least behind the vertical conveyor or is arranged on this in such a way that the processed packages in the above-mentioned Y direction, i.e. perpendicular to their direction of conveyance in the main conveyors, in essential, but horizontally.

The description of the horizontal displacement device requires some explanation with regard to the geometric extension of the individual components. Outside, so to speak the mentioned guide rods are located on the sides of the horizontal displacement device. With the term Y-direction already used above, which is transverse to the overall conveying direction the horizontal displacement device is the distance between the two To see guide rods. The simplest idea is when you move in the Z direction from looks up and down at the horizontal shifting device, so to speak vertically a plane which is defined by the X-axis, namely the total conveying direction of the horizontal Shifting device, and the Y axis is spanned. It is in a special, preferred case quite expedient, which a guide rod on the e.g. supreme or rearmost position of the Y-axis a little higher or lower than the other guide rod to be arranged at the front or lower end of the Y axis parallel to the first guide rod runs. This can be done for design and / or manufacturing reasons design that the one guide rod in the Z direction is slightly higher than the other Guide rod. This difference can be seen when looking at the X-Y plane just mentioned Not. The two parallel guide rods are axial movable. This means that each guide rod can move in its axis in the X direction to be moved oscillating with a certain amplitude. The amplitude corresponds to one Conveying step in the X direction. This creates the step-like conveying movement of the horizontal shifting device in the horizontal direction, i.e. in X direction. Step by step a package (in a particularly preferred embodiment, a strand of Packs) in the X direction and then in each case from the other vertical conveyor lifted up into the processing station and later lowered again. Of course, this lifting takes place in the Z direction.

It was mentioned above that the vertical conveyor separated at least two has driven sections, each of which has a vertically movable bridge with at least a horizontally arranged support rod. The individual pack or a strand at least two and for example up to 10 packs are / are removed from the support rods worn, which in the sense of the present invention preferably the length several packs arranged one behind the other in the strand. That way they give Carrier rods in front of channels that extend in the Y direction. The more general solution is that Transport of at least one package, and for such a would be the carrier bar trained accordingly short. Nevertheless, the vertical conveyor device according to the invention trained and technically as simple as possible, depending on the Machining type or a group of appropriately trained processing stations Packs in different positions in the vertical conveyor at the same time Plumb direction can be raised or lowered. That is why each group of processing stations a portion of the vertical conveyor associated with the purpose that within the section several support rods, which are attached to the same bridge, can be raised and lowered simultaneously.

It is advantageous if, according to the invention, the horizontal displacement device in the Distance between two axially movable guide rods arranged in parallel, each with several has transversely attached support strips which are parallel and parallel to each other at an axial distance running in pairs in the space between the guide rods and one Leave the central slot.

Several support strips extend across each guide rod. A first group of Support strips is on the first guide rod and a second group of support strips is on the second guide rod attached. Both groups of support strips converge. she are all parallel to each other, and not only those within a group but also those Support strips of one group to those of the other group. Touch the respective support strips but not in the middle of each other, but leave a middle slot in between, in the X direction runs. The middle slot is located approximately in the middle between the two Guide rods and parallel to them.

The invention is further advantageously designed in that the axial distance In each case two adjacent support strips a transverse slot is specified, which is transverse to Middle slot runs. The central slot therefore runs across the transverse slot. Within everyone Group, the support strips are arranged at a distance from each other, the distances of one Group are equal to the distances between the support strips of the other group, so that in the surface or in the space between the guide rods two support strips each other face each other and form a pair. Each support bar in one group corresponds to one Support bar of the other group, so that these two support bars each form a pair. The Distance between the support strips is called "axial" because it lies in the X direction and therefore in the direction of the axis of the guide rods.

Through this arrangement of support strips is a load-bearing surface for the to moving packs created with the advantage that between the rake-like facing each other support elements vertically up and in the Z direction can be moved.

It is therefore particularly advantageous if, according to the invention, the two guide rods in each case are connected by a drive bar running transversely between them. The drive bar ensures a horizontal oscillation movement in the X direction such that both guide rods at the same time in the advanced position and then in the retracted position Position, etc. Together with the guide rods are a matter of course all support bars moved in the same way. By the in the X direction or in the axial Distance between two adjacent support strips taken in the direction of the guide rods a transverse slot is provided which extends in the Y direction, that is to say horizontally and perpendicular to the X axis. Pairs of transverse slots therefore extend perpendicular to the central slot, which is a grid-like lattice complementary to the physical parts Specify space (a space of slots) through which other elements of the Can move device up and down in the vertical or Z direction.

It is also expedient if, according to the invention, the bridge is horizontal and in Direction of conveyance and when the support rod is arranged at right angles to the bridge.

It is also particularly advantageous if, according to the invention, the vertical conveyor device three Sections with three bridges of different lengths, that in the overall direction of conveyance (the horizontal displacement device) rear bridge carries two support rods and the middle bridge carries three support rods arranged parallel to each other at a distance. This more concrete design allows the rear bridge to be placed under the last one Processing station at which e.g. a plastic film on top of the smooth circular Edge of the bundle of the pouring opening of the pack is glued or sealed. Here can the rear of the two support rods in the form of a strip or in the form of a strip Angle be designed to better adapt to a conveyor, z. B. an endless Band or a link chain to provide. If there are three support bars at the middle bridge are provided, then one can for a preferred embodiment Use the empty station and the other two support bars for filling stations if at the row of processing stations two filling stations are arranged one behind the other. Here you can either fill a package with half the volume of the product; or at other embodiments, the packs can be filled in pairs, but what in The scope of the embodiments described here is not provided.

The third and thus foremost bridge can be longer, for example, and one whole series of packs (or a series of strands of packs) simultaneously in lifting different processing stations because e.g. the processing times are the same are long. You can also use the length of several strands in a row give arranged packs.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the bridge of the vertical conveyor vertically through the central slot and the support rods vertically through the transverse slots between the Support strips movable. It can thus be seen that the vertical conveyor is advantageously transverse to horizontal displacement device is movable without the superstructures of the two Facilities interfere with each other, provided, of course, that when one is moving Establish the other standing still in the correct position.

With the elements and structures described above, the two main conveyors ensure the path of the packs to be processed as described above. The packs thus pass through the feed conveyor onto the two main conveyors and are gradually restored by advancing, lifting, editing, lowering Feeding etc. from one processing station to another until the package is filled.

This is followed by closing in a first stage. According to the invention, that the processing station for closing a heated, essentially stationary Has a vacuum stamp, in addition to which a feed device working with vacuum means for intermittent feeding of film sections is arranged in the form of a Film is pulled off a supply roll.

The last processing station of the one described above and in a row one after the other attached processing stations is the one for locking, for locking in a first Step, namely with a section of a plastic film. The package was completely closed - Except for the opening through which was filled and on the upper edge of a uniform sealable or adhesive surface is provided, on which the said film section is applied from plastic. This application succeeds with the measures according to the invention in that the separated from the film web section of film with vacuum a heated vacuum stamp is held against which the filled package (and the preferred other embodiment of the strand of filled packs) by the vertical Conveyor is raised and pressed so that the heated section of film detached from the vacuum stamp and delivered to the sealable or adhesive surface of the pack becomes. Of course, the vacuum is transferred to the heated vacuum stamp when it is handed over switched off.

With the help of the vertical conveyor, the sealed package is put back into the lower conveying position brought down in the Z direction, where it is then ready for removal.

The device for conveying and processing the plasticizer packs is further according to the invention characterized in that in the area of the discharge device a cover screwing device, preferably with an integrated separating device for the closed packs, the individual being rotatable about two axes perpendicular to each other Takes up the lid and screwed onto the package. Basically, it is also screwing the lid on to close the package, but by a second one Level of closing, for security reasons and against mechanical damage the plastic film sealing the pack has a lid on the outside over the plastic film is screwed on. For this purpose, the lids are in the form of a band and are attached to one another rolled up on a roll, the lids connected to each other by a small bridge. For example, this can have a length of about 10 mm, which makes the band of the lid arises, which can then be wound up on the supply roll. Lid after lid then subtracted from this roll, separated, e.g. by cutting knife, and on the mentioned Pressed receptacle, which has a disc-shaped surface, which is around the two mentioned Drives axles rotatable. For example The first axis in the Y direction rotates In the correct position over the pack, and by rotating the holder around the second axis, which is adjusted by 90 ° by the last-mentioned rotating or swiveling movement the lid is rotated and screwed onto a thread, which e.g. and preferably on the outer surface of a collar next to the one sealed by the film Opening is located.

If desired, the entire device can also be operated aseptically. It is for that advantageous if according to the invention over a partial length of the row of the one behind the other Processing stations, the latter and encompassing the main conveyors, with horizontal Movable lock blocks with housing with inlets and outlets for sterile gases is appropriate. If you look at the row of processing stations and thus the individual ones Processes that take place in succession, from the beginning to the end of the series mentioned, i.e. in the X direction, in the horizontal direction of movement of the horizontal displacement device, then can be processed in some upstream stations without sterilization, e.g. can protruding corners of the empty pack are cut off and an upper edge on a waistband smooth next to the pouring opening to form a sealable or adhesive ring surface create without these processes having to be carried out in aseptic rooms. Different is of course filling the package.

In order to sterilize at least the inside and the pouring area of the pack for filling, a sterilization area is provided, which the sterile area for filling and Closes then. These areas are located on the partial length of the series mentioned Processing stations and are provided with the housing mentioned. The packs will through the horizontal displacement device into and out of the housing pushed out, which is why the housing with locks in the form of the lock blocks mentioned is provided. The housing is suitably constructed so that both main conveyors are can move at least partially in the housing, the drives themselves not being sterile Space must be provided.

According to the invention, a number of Attach the intensive chambers arranged one behind the other in the housing and move them Close the flaps. As a result, the packs can be made faster and with less effort be sterilized because the concentration of the sterile medium and thus sterilizing gases in sufficient volume in the smaller intensive care chambers and to sterilize the Packages do not have to fill the entire housing with highly sterile gas. So it takes by the provision of the intensive chambers on the lock blocks not the highest density condition to be asked.

It is understood that the tape of the film sections through an aseptic lock must be led into a sterile chamber before the separated and heated film sections sealed onto the filled package using the heated vacuum stamp.

Figur 1

die Draufsicht auf die gesamte Anlage mit einer Thermoformmaschine, oben schematisch dargestellt durch das lange Rechteck, der Bearbeitungsvorrichtung mit den verschiedenen Bearbeitungsstationen gemäß Figur 5, schematisch dargestellt durch das mittlere Rechteck, und die Deckelaufschraubeinrichtung gemäß Figur 11, schematisch dargestellt durch das untere kleine Rechteck,

Figur 2

schematisch eine bestimmte Folge von Packungen in einer ersten Position,

Figur 3

ähnlich wie in Figur 2 ebenfalls schematisch die Folge von Packungen in einer zweiten Position,

Figur 4

ähnlich wie die Figuren 2 und 3 schematisch die Darstellung einer Folge von Packungen in einer dritten Position,

Figur 5

die Seitenansicht der Bearbeitungsvorrichtung mit den hintereinander angeordneten einzelnen Bearbeitungsstationen ohne Aseptikräume,

Figur 6

drei einzelne aus der Figur 5 herausgezeichnete Einrichtungen zum vertikalen Ausheben von Packungen, sozusagen die erste Hauptfördereinrichtung bzw. die vertikale Fördereinrichtung,

Figur 7

eine schematisierte Ansicht der gesamten Vorrichtung von der linken Stirnseite entsprechend der Linie VII-VII in Figur 5,

Figur 8

aus Figur 5 einzeln herausgezeichnet die Einrichtung zum horizontalen Verschieben der Packungen, wobei hier die beiden horizontalen Führungsstangen im Abstand übereinanderliegend gezeigt sind,

Figur 9

eine Ansicht der Figur 8 von links nach rechts entlang der Pfeile IX-IX,

Figur 10

eine Draufsicht auf die horizontale Verschiebeeinrichtung für die Packungen, wenn man auf die Figuren 8 und 9 von oben nach unten blickt, und

Figur 11

eine Seitenansicht der Einrichtung zur Deckelaufschraubung, wenn man in Figur 1 entlang der Linie XI-XI blickt.

Further advantages, advantageous features and possible applications of the present invention result from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the attached drawings. These show:

Figure 1

the top view of the entire system with a thermoforming machine, shown schematically above by the long rectangle, the processing device with the various processing stations according to FIG. 5, shown schematically by the middle rectangle, and the cover screwing device according to FIG. 11, shown schematically by the lower small rectangle,

Figure 2

schematically a certain sequence of packs in a first position,

Figure 3

similar to Figure 2 also schematically shows the sequence of packs in a second position,

Figure 4

similar to FIGS. 2 and 3, a schematic representation of a sequence of packs in a third position,

Figure 5

the side view of the processing device with the individual processing stations arranged one behind the other without aseptic rooms,

Figure 6

three individual devices drawn out of FIG. 5 for the vertical lifting of packages, so to speak the first main conveyor device or the vertical conveyor device,

Figure 7

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the entire device from the left end face along the line VII-VII in FIG. 5,

Figure 8

the device for horizontally displacing the packs is individually drawn out from FIG. 5, the two horizontal guide rods being shown at a distance from one another,

Figure 9

8 shows a view of FIG. 8 from left to right along arrows IX-IX,

Figure 10

a plan view of the horizontal displacement device for the packs when looking at Figures 8 and 9 from top to bottom, and

Figure 11

a side view of the device for screwing on the lid when looking along the line XI-XI in Figure 1.

From the schematically shown in Figure 1 above by the elongated, transverse rectangle Thermoforming machine 1 gets a strand of packs 2 after transfer to the horizontal position on a support grid 3, where a strand of six pairs of packs 2, Opening against opening fastened together, can be seen lying horizontally next to each other. Man can imagine the strand of packs twice as long as in the lower ones Devices is shown, namely a string of twelve arranged one behind the other Packs 2. With the first separator 4, the pairs of strands become like this separated from each other that after passing through the separator 4 each strand of Packs 2 are individually next to each other, as in the generally designated 5 Conveying and processing device is shown schematically.

Also in Figures 2 to 4 you can see the support grid 3 in the view from the front when you in Figure 1 looks from the bottom up. This support grid 3 are about the axis 6 by 90 ° in the (not shown) vertical position pivotable. From this position, the respective package strand can in the direction of arrow Y in FIG. 1 into the processing and conveying device 5 be introduced where the respective strand of packs 2 vertically in the direction of arrow Z (Figure 2) is placed down on support rods and support strips, the following to be discribed.

In Figure 1, the Z direction is the viewing direction, and it is assumed that the in the conveyor and Processing device 5 rightmost strands of packs 2 themselves are already below the support grid 3. The latter then swivel upwards again by 90 ° in the position shown in Figures 2 to 4, so that the next pack strands from the Thermoforming machine 1 can be loaded.

In the conveyor and in the center and in the main shown in Figures 2 to 5 Processing device 5, the strands of packs 2, among others, by the horizontal displacement device 6 (Figures 8 to 10) moved in the direction of arrow X. If there in Figure 1 the left most in the total conveying direction X of the horizontal Shifter 6 have reached the position shown, they are in the Y direction in the Lid screwing device 7 (Figure 11) in the position shown on the left in Figure 1 after which it is pushed in the horizontal direction against the arrow X (after interposing of vertical movements in the Z direction) brought into a position for final removal become.

It is clear from FIG. 1 that the strands of packs 2 in the thermoforming machine 1 manufactured, transferred in the Y direction in the conveyor and processing device 5, filled there and be closed, then again in the Y direction in the cover screwing device 7 transferred and removed from there after the additional provision with a lid.

While Figures 2 to 4 are more suitable for the actual trajectories of the Strands of packs 2 and to explain the operation, the conveying and Processing device 5 are first illustrated and explained with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10.

The strands of packaging 2 are fed in the Y and Z directions, being in figure 5 a pair of packing strands 2 in the Z direction on the way from the support grid 3 to horizontal displacement device 6 is shown.

The horizontal shifting device is used to simplify the illustration and for better understanding 6 in Figure 5 as if the two described in more detail later Guide rods 8 are at the same height in the Z direction, although the more precise ones Drawings in Figures 7 to 9 show that for design and manufacturing reasons Guide rods 8 actually in the Z direction at about their own radial extent are staggered. The principle remains the same and can therefore also be used already explain with reference to Figure 5.

5 shows both the horizontal displacement device 6 and also the vertical conveyor 9 in one and the same, namely in the Z direction lower Funding position. Both devices 6 and 9 are single-stage, i.e. their movements take place always oscillating by one step, whereby the oscillation amplitude corresponds to the length of the step

The distance a shown in FIG. 5 lies above the common lower conveying position two main conveyors 6 and 9 the series of processing stations, which will be described in more detail later described and shown in the representations arranged one behind the other. The processing stations therefore lie vertically in the Z direction above the main conveyors 6 and 9, because this means that on the one hand the conveying and the processing on the other hand are spatially separated can be.

Vertical conveyor 9

It is also expedient for a better understanding of FIG. 5, first with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 explain the vertical conveyor 9. It points in the overall direction of conveyance X horizontal displacement device 6 in succession on three sections, each different are drivable and controllable. Each section has a cranked geared motor 10 11, so that 12 lifting rods 13 vertically up and down in the Z direction via a synchronous shaft moved can be. The lifting rods 13 fastened to the bottom of the synchronous shaft 12 carry one at the top horizontal bridge 14, which is consequently vertically movable. Each bridge 14 carries at least two also horizontally extending, parallel to each other and perpendicular to Direction of extension of the bridge arranged support rods 15. The farthest in Figure 6 the support rod 15 arranged on the right is, for functional and space reasons, an L-shaped cross section, elongated angle, whereas on the same right, shortest bridge 14 the left support rod 15, like all other support rods 15, is in the form of a rod is. The large number of these support rods 15 can also be seen in FIG. 5. Figure 6 shows that through the foremost section in the X direction, eleven strands of packs, from the middle section three and from the rear section two strands of packs, separated in each section for can be lowered in the Z direction or raised in the direction opposite the arrow Z. For the plane of the strands of packs 2, it should be noted that they are vertical according to FIG. 6 stands on the paper plane and extending in the X direction, the bridges 14 extending in the X direction extend and lie in this plane as the support rods 15, but which are extend in the Y direction. This Y direction can be seen in FIG. 7.

Horizontal displacement device 6

The horizontal displacement device 6 can be described well with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. This has two guide rods 8 which are parallel to one another and at a distance B from one another, common only on a drive bar 16 shown in FIGS. 8 and 10 on the right are connected. There is a crank drive 17 for an oscillating movement of both Guide rods 8 in their axial direction, i.e. in the X direction. To avoid any oil pollution is the sliding point 19 of the horizontal guide rods 8 by one Bellows 20 covered. A ball bushing guide 21 provides for the storage of the Guide rod 8. About the crank drive 17 and a sinusoidal movement oscillating movement of the guide rods 8 reached.

On the guide rod 8 there is a plurality of clamping pieces 22, each of which horizontally protruding into the space between the two guide rods 8 Support strips 24 are attached, which carry guide bracket 23. One can see in FIG Top view of the support surface when looking in the Z direction, like the support strips 24 Open the rake-like grid. All support strips 24 are at a distance from the neighboring respective Support bar arranged parallel to each other. Detects in the direction of the axis of the guide rods 8 10 shows the axial distance c between, for example, two support strips 24 of the upper one Group. Through the central slot 25, which extends in the X direction and in the plane of Support strips 24 is located, the respective bridge 14 can be in the Z direction vertically up and down move away. The transverse slots 26, of which on the right in FIG 10 the two pairs of transverse slots 26 are somewhat wider than the others further to the left arranged. The support bars 15 extending transversely to the bridges 14 can thus also move vertically up and down in the Z direction through the transverse slots 26, of course together with the bridges 14 to which they are attached. In other words, it is horizontal distance b between the two guide rods 8 greater than half the length of one Support bar 24, whereby the central slot 25 is formed.

Closing device

If you look at the processing and conveying device 5 in FIG. 1 in the Y direction, you can see the representation of Figure 5. At the right end is the device for closing the Packs 2 attached. It has a supply roll 29 or for the strand of several Packs arranged one behind the other on several of these supply rolls 29 with the same axis. A Web of a sealable, thin plastic film 30 is from this supply roll 29 in the direction of Arrow 31 removable. In this case, the film web 30 over pull-off rollers 32 and on the swivel lift 33 pulled in the direction of the double arrow 34 pivotally articulated tensioning roller 35. To Leaving the last deflecting roller 36, the film web 30 is fed by a feed device 37 Intake plates 38 from below and plate 39 from above (Figure 3) fed and held there. The Feed device 37 moves the film web 30 by a film section, the width of which is approximately corresponds to the filling opening of the pack in the X direction, pushed forward and at the point of the arrow 40 separated in Figure 2 after this film section under the heated vacuum stamp 41st was spent. The vacuum stamp itself is not oscillating, but quasi at one point stationary, i.e. elastically movable. This is for example due to springs above the heated vacuum stamp reached and has the purpose of being vertically opposite in the direction Arrow Z pack with its opening in the top shelf against the hot one Vacuum stamp, on which the film section hangs below, is pressed in this way seal the film section onto the smoothly prepared edge. This is the pack locked.

The feed device 37 moving in the direction of the double arrow 42 then returns to it withdrawn position, which in the interplay of the vacuum devices between the lower vacuum plate 38 and the upper vacuum plate 39 the initially still cold film web 30 is in turn pushed a section under the vacuum plate 41, after which the same Game repeats itself. As a result, the film sections are intermittently heated Vacuum stamp 41 supplied.

Cover screwing device 7

If one looks along the line XI-XI in FIG. 1, one sees the cover screwing device 7, which is shown in detail in Figure 11. In a frame 27, this device 7 has a Supply roll 28 for a web with screw caps 43, each via small, not shown Bridges of a length of about 10 mm are connected to each other so that the figure 11 shown, U-shaped path of screw caps 23 results. In the direction of the curved arrow 44, this path is covered by screw caps 43 from the supply roll 28 arranged at the bottom right deducted. If an entire strand of packs 2 is to be loaded, the arrangement lies according to the representation of Figure 1 in a corresponding number, i.e. there are several Supply rolls 28 corresponding to the number of packs 2 in the strand on the same axis arranged one behind the other. At the same time, these tracks are then screwed in 43 Direction of the curved arrow 44 intermittently advanced by the pull lever 45.

After the separation by means of a separating knife represented only by the arrow 46, the single screw cap 43 and then vertically in the Z direction from above in front of one Recording 47 brought. This is a disk that can be rotated about an axis 48. The drive for this takes place via the geared motor 49. The geared motor 50 shown on the left serves the Pivoting the receptacle 47 by 90 ° in the direction of arrow 51 about a further axis 52, the perpendicular to the first axis of rotation 48 horizontally and in the viewing direction when viewing the Figure 11 lies. The receptacle 47 pivots along this first horizontal axis 52 curved arrow 51 downward by 90 ° so that while rotating the receptacle 47 the screw cap 43 then largely on the pack (or pack row) Cover the sealed plastic film is screwed on.

For this purpose, the strand of packs 2 is made from the lower holder 53 shown in FIG raised and held stationary next to the cheek 54 while the screw cap 43 on the external thread of the pack. After screwing on e.g. ten The closed strand 2 is screwed to the left in the direction of arrow 55 generally designated 56 cradle, in which a standing Knife 57 and this a rotating knife 58 are. When conveying down the strand of packs from the upper position shown in Figure 11 next to the arrow 55 left in the Z direction downwards, i.e. during the downward movement between the knives 57 and 58, the individual packs 2 are separated from one another and then stand up at the bottom the bracket 59, which in FIG. 1 is the rightmost row of Corresponds to circles. The pusher 60 then passes the isolated row of packs 2 11 from left to right (according to FIG. 1 from right to left) onto a conveyor belt 61, which is only indicated schematically in FIG. 1. In Figure 1 you can see under the Conveyor 61 the horizontal axis 62 of the conveyor and the distance to the right of it horizontal axis 63 of the conveyor for feeding the strand of packs from the conveyor and Processing device 5 in the Y direction, as is also indicated in Figure 7. The brake lever 64 for the supply roll 28 of FIG. 11 need not be described in more detail here, because two of his alternative positions are shown in dashed lines and his braking function is in itself known.

Step aseptic

If the conveying and processing device 5 is used in the aseptic mode, then is a Asepktikgehäuse 65 provided with supply and discharge lines, not shown, for sterile gases. This structure of the aseptic - also called step aseptic because of the step transport - let yourself best described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, with FIG. 3 used in particular here becomes. The horizontal displacement device 6 is for simplified illustration and for the better Understanding has been omitted. Instead, you can only see the packs 2 Part of the total length of the horizontal conveyor track in the X direction is a housing with lock blocks 66, 66 'on the left, 67, 67' in the middle in a partition 68 and 69 on the right Transition to a pre-chamber 70 for keeping sterile for the web of plastic film 30. During the housing 65 with the prechamber 70 is stationary, the lock blocks 66 to 69 in Move the X direction back and forth by one step.

The part of the housing 65 located to the left of the partition 68 encompasses five in a row processing stations arranged one behind the other in the form of intensive chambers 71 to 75, while the right part of the housing 65, in the conveying direction behind the partition 68, the two Filling tubes 76 and 77 includes. As the last processing station, the housing 65 also includes the vacuum stamp 41 already described.

In addition, parts of the two main conveyors 6 and 9 are located within the sterile gas filled housing 65.

The vertical conveyor 9 lifts the pack strands vertically in the Z direction up on the height of the processing stations, the five in FIG. 3 in the left part of the housing 65 Arranged pack strands get into the intensive chambers 71 to 75. After complete Moving into these intensive care chambers are closed by movable flaps 78.

Operation of the device

The feeding of the packs separated and separated vertically by the separating device 4 2 in the Z direction has already been explained above. A pair of horizontal packing strands on the storage grid 3. As a result, every cycle a strand of packs 2 in the Z direction vertically down into the upper one shown in FIG Position moved. All of the previously supplied packing strands are then also in the upper conveyor position of the vertical conveyor 9, as shown in Figure 2.

In the next step, the package strand moves to the lower conveying position, which is shown in the figure 3 is shown. The vertical conveyor moves without movement and without interference now the considered strand of packs with the help of the horizontal shifting device 6 one step to the right in such a way that the lock blocks 66 and 66 'are also shown in the figure 3 position to the position shown in Figure 4 move. One recognizes that the right Lock block 66 'is located inside the sterile housing 65 while sealing through the left lock block 66.

The vertical conveyor 9 lifts the row of pack strands back up into the next conveyor position, so that the horizontal displacement device 6 empty by one step can move to the left so that the lock blocks 66, 66 'again in the position of Figure 2 are.

If one looks at FIG. 5 in comparison to FIG. 4, one can see that in the processing station I the protruding corners on the protruding packaging strand on the protruding one the middle seam are cut off, in position II the upper edge is heated of the federal government at the pouring or filling opening of the pack. In position III there is a cold one Deformation of the heated edge of the seal to prepare and smooth it around it to make it adhesive or sealable and to be able to connect it later with the plastic film.

After this processing in position III, the package strand is lowered and then has the in Figure 3 blackened state or the position between the two lock blocks 66 and 66 'reached. The movement of the horizontal displacement device 6 into the next takes place advanced position so that the position shown in Figure 4 is reached. Now that is there blackened marked strand of packing in the upper position IV in the first intensive chamber 71 inserted, after which the flaps 78 close. Here the pack row is heated by hot air. Alternatively, the strand of the packs could also be heated by infrared light.

In the housing 65, the portion to the left of the partition 68 is the sterilization space while the second part on the right is the sterile room. There is overpressure in the sterilization room sterile gas, and the housing 65 is closed by the lock block 66.

The pack strand then moves downward, then to the right and then up again into the second intensive chamber 72 and is in position V. Hydrogen peroxide gas is introduced into the second intensive chamber 72 through the pipe 79. The H ₂ O ₂ gas is drawn off separately from each intensive chamber 71 to 75, as is shown, for example, at 80 in FIG. 4 at the bottom of the intensive chamber 72. The air, which is intensely impregnated with the H ₂ O ₂ gas, is sucked into the sterilization chamber on the one hand in small quantities and on the other hand predominantly at 80. The H ₂ O ₂ gas has condensed outside and inside on the surface of the package to be sterilized.

The pack still moist from the condensed H ₂ O ₂ gas reaches the next intensive chamber 73 after further steps and reaches position VI there. This is the first drying chamber. In a corresponding way, the package then arrives in the second drying chamber in position VII and finally in the downstream drying chamber in position VIII. In this last drying chamber, intensive chamber 75, the package or strand of packages is sterilized, dried and warm and is now placed downward in the Z direction on the horizontal displacement device 6 and transferred further to the right into the sterile chamber through the second lock with the lock blocks 67 and 67 '. There the packing string is filled in positions IX and X. In the sterile chamber located on the right of the partition 68 in the housing 65, the overpressure of sterile gas is higher than in the sterilization chamber arranged in front of it on the left.

The web 30 of the plastic film passes through the aseptic lock 81 and from there into the top described in the sterile chamber 70 and under the heated vacuum stamp 41. Das Seal the film section by moving up the still unsealed packaging strand against the vacuum stamp 41 was already described above. The product is under aseptic conditions filled in the pack 2 and the pack under aseptic Conditions have been closed.

By creating the intensive chambers 71 to 75 which can be closed by the flaps 78, the sterilization can take place with a concentrated H ₂ O ₂ gas flow, with considerable gas savings. This would not be possible without the intensive chambers in the housing 65 alone, because packs are often moved in and out through the locks, so that a great deal of sterilizing agent would be lost. In addition, this would be released into the atmosphere or the outside, which is considered harmful. The highly intensive sterilization gases are used by the closable flaps 78 under the intensive chambers 71 to 75 in order to lose as little sterilization agent as possible. Gas for sterilization is only allowed to flow when the intensive chambers 71 to 75 are closed. After leaving the package strand of position XI, the strand passes through a calming position XI and is then closed in position XII by means of the heated vacuum stamp 41 in the manner described by the respective film section. Then the packing string is lowered to the lower level and moved out of the housing 65 through the right lock. In this position, the package strand is lifted into an empty position XIII by the elongated support rod 15, which is L-shaped in cross section, and then set down again. The horizontal displacement device 6 then moves the strand to the right into the position XIV shown in FIG. 5, where other corners of the sealing seam are cut off. Thereafter, the pack is put back on the conveyor shown in FIG. 7 during the return stroke of the horizontal displacement device 6, ie when the two guide rods 8 move in the direction opposite the arrow X, where they are removed in the Y direction.

Then the closed package strand enters the lid screwing device 7, the Function has already been explained in connection with the description of this device.

Claims (12)

1. Device for conveying and processing packages for flowable media (2), with a feeder (3, 6), two main conveying means (6, 9), processing stations (I - XII) arranged one behind another, a discharger (61, 63), and with drives (10, 17), wherein the first main conveying means is a single-step, vertical conveying means (9) in the sense that a reciprocating movement is carried out between two end positions, the second main conveying means is a horizontal shifting means (6), both main conveying means (6, 9) have a common conveying position, which in the case of the vertical conveying means (9) is the lower of two conveying positions, and wherein the processing stations (IX - XIII) for filling and closing are arranged vertically above the second main conveying means (6, 9), characterised in that the horizontal shifting means (6) is also single-step in the sense that a reciprocating movement is carried out between two positions in a horizontal plane, such that the horizontal shifting means (6) always returns when the vertical conveying means (9) has lifted up at least one package (2) from the lower, horizontal plane, and the package (2) is stationary in the upper, horizontal plane, and that the vertical conveying means (9) is provided with at least two separately driven sections, each of which is provided with a vertically moveable bridge (14) with at least one horizontally arranged supporting rod (15).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the horizontal shifting means (6) is provided with two axially moveable guide rods (8) arranged parallel at a distance (b) apart, each with a plurality of transversely arranged supporting bars (24) which, at an axial distance (c) apart, lead towards one another parallel and pair-wise in the space between the guide rods (8), and leave a central slot (25).
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that by means of the axial distance (c) apart of each two adjacent supporting bars (24), a transverse slot (26) is produced, which runs transversely with respect to the central slot (25).
4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the respective two guide rods (8) are connected by means of a drive strip (16) running transversely between them.
5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the bridge (14) is horizontal and towards the conveying direction, and that the carrier rod (15) is arranged at a right-angle to the bridge (14).
6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the vertical conveying means (9) is provided with three sections with three bridges (14) of different lengths, that the rear bridge (14) in the entire conveying means (X) carries two supporting rods (15), and that the central bridge (14) carries three supporting rods (15) arranged parallel beside one another at a distance apart.
7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that a supporting rod (15) is the length of several package (2) arranged one behind another in the line.
8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the bridges (14) of the vertical conveying means (9) are moveable vertically through the central slot (25) and the supporting rods (15) are moveable vertically through the transverse slot (26) between the supporting strips (24).
9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the processing station (XII) is provided with a heated, substantially stationary vacuum die (41) for closing, adjacent to which there is arranged a feeder means (37) for intermittent advancing of foil sections, which can be drawn in the form of a foil web (30) from a stock roll (29).
10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that in the area of the discharger (61, 63) there is provided a means (7) for screwing on lids, preferably with an integrated separating means (57, 58) for the closed packages (2), wherein a pick-up (47), rotatable about two axes (48, 52) perpendicular to one another, takes up the separated lid (43) and screws it onto the package (2).
11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that on a part of the length of the row of processing stations (I - XIII) arranged one behind another, there is arranged a housing (65, 68) encompassing the latter and the main conveying means (6, 9), provided with horizontally moveable sluice modules (66, 66', 67, 67', 69) with inlet and outlet lines for sterile gas.
12. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that at the level of the processing stations (I - XIII) there is arranged in the housing (65) a row of intensive chambers (71 - 75) arranged one behind another, and closeable by means of moveable shutters (78).

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