EP3385175B1 - Folding box closing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung for automated closing of a carton by a closing flap and a Einstecklasche the carton.

A carton sealer is part of a blister strip packaging machine having a transfer device for receiving and passing discrete blister strips and a blister strip stack forming device located downstream of the transfer device. Such machines are used for packaging stacks of blister strips in a secondary packaging designed as a folding box. The primary packaging is designed as a blister pack, in which certain products are in the courts of the blister pack. The blister pack is closed by a cover sheet. The products are in particular tablets, capsules, pills, syringes, ampoules, vials or liquid medicines. The finished unit from the blister pack and the products packaged therein is called a blister strip.

STATE OF THE ART

A Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung for automated closing of a carton is from the European patent application EP 1 717 147 A1 known. The Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung has a tongue with which the free edge of the Einstecklasche the carton is raised. The tongue is inserted into the interior of the carton. The tuck is inserted with a plunger under the leadership of the tongue into the carton and the tongue pulled out of the interior of the carton.

Another Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung for automated closing of a carton is that of the European patent application EP 1 097 802 A2 known. The Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung has a guide table for guiding the Einstecklasche the carton when inserted into the interior of the carton and a plunger plate. The plunger plate is driven to and fro and serves to insert and lock the tuck.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention has for its object to provide a Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung, can be closed with the folding cartons with high quantities per unit time and yet low noise emissions and vibrations.

SOLUTION

The object of the invention is achieved with the features of the independent claims.

Further preferred embodiments according to the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung for automated closing of a carton by a closing flap and a Einstecklasche the carton. The folding box sealing device has a first closing element carrier with a first closing element for contacting the insertion tab of a first folding box and a second closing element for a particularly simultaneous contacting of the closing flap of a second folding box. The folding box sealing device has a first rotary element with a first axis of rotation and a second rotary element with a second axis of rotation. The first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation are spaced parallel to each other and arranged at a rotational axis not equal to 90 ° to the Verschließelementträger. The first closure element carrier is connected via a first pivot bearing to the first rotation element and via a second pivot bearing to the second rotation element.

The new carton closure device has a different kinematics than the carton sealing devices known in the art. Due to the inclined arrangement of the two parallel axes of rotation of the two rotation elements of the associated Verschließelementträger is moved along a particular trajectory. The closing elements are then also moved on this movement path, so that the actual closing movement is also geometrically different than in the prior art.

The closing element carrier does not remain in its movement in the same horizontal plane, but due to the inclination of the axes of rotation also carries out a movement in the vertical direction. Seen from the side, the trajectory is elliptical, seen from above circular. From this trajectory results in a certain height offset, which can be used to arrange one or more further Verschließelementträger and / or rotational element connector. Due to the height offset, the first closing element carrier and the further closing element carriers or rotational element connectors can then pass one above the other during their movement.

This kinematics makes it possible to form the folding carton sealing device with lower moving masses than in the prior art. In addition, partial or even complete mass balancing is possible so that the carton sealing device runs with reduced or even no imbalance. As a result, the noise emissions and vibrations are significantly reduced.

The first closing element thus serves for pivoting or folding over the push-in tabs of the folding boxes. The second closing element serves to pivot the closing flap of the folding boxes in such a way that they are completely closed and the push-in tab is locked in the interior of the folding box. From the point of view of each carton, therefore, its tuck-in tab is first actuated by the first closing element and then its closing flap by the second closing element. However, since it is an automated process and the cartons are isolated and evenly spaced fed to the Faltschaltelverschließvorrichtung, the closing elements are preferably effective simultaneously. This means that the first closing element makes contact with a first folding box, while the second closing element arranged downstream in the conveying direction contacts a second folding box arranged downstream of the first folding box at the same time. In the next working cycle, the second closing element then contacts the first folding box, while the first closing element contacts another third folding box, etc.

The conveying speed of the folding boxes and the rotational speed of the rotating elements are designed to be adjustable so that a respective false box is located at the respective position when a closing element reaches it.

The first rotation element and the second rotation element may each have an upper side and a lower side, wherein the first closing element carrier is arranged above the upper side of the first rotary element and below the lower side of the second rotary element. The closing element carrier is thus arranged in the vertical direction between the rotating elements. In this way, and by the rotational axis, the passing of a plurality of Verschließelementträgern and / or rotational element connectors is allowed one above the other or on their side viewed from the elliptical trajectories.

The first rotary element and the second rotary element may each be formed as a plate-like body, in the radially outer region of which the first rotary bearing and the second rotary bearing are arranged. Such a plate-like body is an article having a small height or thickness compared to its length and width or diameter. The length and width or the diameter of the rotation elements determines the movement path of the closure element carrier. It is therefore essential to the arrangement of the pivot bearing relative to the axis of rotation of the rotary member. The other embodiment of the rotary element can be selected in various ways. To fulfill the core function a disc is suitable. However, this has a comparatively large mass. To reduce the mass so a corresponding deviation from the basic shape of the disc can be made. These modifications can lead to a spoke-shaped, wheel-shaped or star-shaped body. This can in particular be designed so that it leads to no or only a slight imbalance even at high speeds.

The rotational axis can differ by between 1 ° and 15 °, in particular between 2 ° and 12 °, in particular between 3 ° and 10 °, in particular between 4 ° and 7 °, of 90 ° to the Verschließelementträger. Due to these angular ranges - depending on the diameter of the rotating elements - Produces the required height offset of the Verschließelementträgers on its trajectory to pass more Verschließelementträger and / or rotating element connector can.

The first closure element carrier may extend in a horizontal plane. This arrangement is particularly suitable if the folding boxes supplied to the folding box closing device are also received on a horizontally moving conveying means. The Verschließelementträger thus remains on its entire trajectory in its horizontal orientation, but moves along the viewed from the side elliptical trajectory. But it would also be possible to arrange the Verschließelementträger slightly inclined, as long as it is ensured that the required height offset is realized on the trajectory.

The carton sealing device may include a rotary member connector connecting the first rotary member to the second rotary member. Such a rotary element connector serves to ensure the defined and common rotational movement of the rotary elements even when reaching a dead center. The rotating element connector may be formed, for example, as a plate or sheet. It is arranged on the rotary elements via pivot bearings.

The closure element carrier may be formed as an elongate plate-like body having a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side and a longitudinal direction. The closing elements can be arranged spaced apart in the longitudinal direction on the first longitudinal side. The closing elements can be formed directly by the material of the plate-like body. But it may also be additional elements that are attached to the plate-like body.

The second closing element may have a depth perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and be rounded at its ends in the longitudinal direction so that it has its greatest depth in the middle and its smallest depth outside in the longitudinal direction. This design is matched to the position of the closure flap of the carton relative to the Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung. It leads to the fact that the closing flap in the middle is pressed somewhat further into the interior of the folding box, so that a secure latching of the push-in tab is achieved is reached. At the same time there is a lower risk of damage to the carton in this area than in the outer areas.

The first closing element and / or the second closing element can be pivotably mounted about a horizontal axis. As a result, the respective closing element can escape in contact with other elements of the folding box closing device, so that no damage to the folding box closing device occurs. The respective closing element can be acted upon by a spring element down and be mounted against the spring force of the spring element upwardly pivotable. It is also possible for the entire closing element carrier or a part of the closing element carrier to be mounted so pivotably and the closing elements to be pivoted together with the latter.

The Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung may comprise a second Verschließelementträger with a third closing element for contacting the Einstecklasche a third carton and a fourth closing element for contacting the closing flap of a fourth carton. The second Verschließelementträger is connected via a third pivot bearing with the first rotary member and a fourth pivot bearing with the second rotary member. By arranging a second closing element carrier, the throughput of the folding carton closing device is doubled at the same rotational speed of the rotating elements. In addition, the masses of the several Verschließelementträger partially compensate.

The first Verschließelementträger and the second Verschließelementträger can be connected at an angle of 180 ° in the circumferential direction offset with the first rotary member and offset by an angle of 180 ° in the circumferential direction with the second rotary member. By this arrangement it is ensured that the two Verschließelementträger come with their closure elements temporally evenly spaced for use on the cartons.

The Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung may comprise a third Verschließelementträger with a fifth closing element for contacting the Einstecklasche a fifth carton and a sixth closing element for contacting the closing flap of a sixth carton. The third Verschließelementträger is about a fifth pivot bearing the first rotary member and a sixth rotary bearing connected to a second rotary member. As a result, the throughput of Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung is further increased at a constant speed. For a further increase even more Verschließelementträger can be arranged, so for example four, five, six or more Verschließelementträger.

In the variant with three closing element carriers, these can be connected at an angle of 120 ° in the circumferential direction offset with the rotation elements. This results in the above-described uniform clocking with three times the throughput compared to only one Verschließelementträger and a complete mass balance.

The folding box sealing device can have a conveying device with a horizontal conveying plane and a conveying direction lying in the conveying plane. The cartons are separated and fed in succession on the conveyor in the conveying direction of the Verschließelementträger. The conveying device may be, for example, a circulating driven conveyor belt. Other elements may be provided to effect the first part of the pivotal movement of the closure flap.

The Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung may comprise a folding element and a stop element, which are designed and arranged so that the closing flap is folded during conveyance of the carton in the conveying direction before reaching the Verschließelementträgers by the Umklappelement down so that it rests on the stop element. This position allows the subsequent pivoting of the closing flap by the first closing element.

The folding-over element may be, for example, a fixed folding flap with a run-on slope. The position of the folding rail can be designed to be adjustable.

The stop element may be, for example, a strip of triangular cross-section. This is also arranged stationary and can be configured adjustable. The stop element can be designed and arranged so that it with only one adjustment simultaneously adjustable in several directions. The adjustment can thus in particular be combined in the sense of "up and down" and "forward and backward" perpendicular to the conveying direction.

The first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation may be inclined in the conveying direction. As a result, the closing elements move downwards during the contacting of the closing flap and the insertion flap, which has a positive influence on the desired closing and locking of the folding box. But you could also be inclined against the direction of conveyance.

The carton sealing device may include a drive connected to the first rotary member for directly rotatably driving the first rotary member. The second rotation element can not have its own drive, but can be indirectly driven by the drive of the first rotation element. As a result, the device complexity is reduced. The always correct relative orientation of the closing elements to one another can not be influenced unintentionally by the drive. The drive can be z. B. act to an electric motor.

The closing element carrier can only the first closing element and the second closing element - d. H. no further closing elements - have. Otherwise, no further downstream closure elements can be present in the folding carton closing device. In other words, the new Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung can be designed so that it pivots only with two locking elements, the tuck and spends the (already partially swung) closing flap in its final position while locking the tuck. So it is not necessary a third closing element for locking the tuck.

The folding carton closing device can be driven continuously. The feeding of the cartons is preferably carried out continuously. The Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung can be operated with very high speeds of rotation elements, so that throughputs of cartons of up to 600 pieces per minute are possible. Despite these high throughputs, the new folding box locking device runs particularly quietly and with low vibration.

Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the description and the drawings. The advantages of features and of combinations of several features mentioned in the description are merely exemplary and can take effect alternatively or cumulatively, without the advantages having to be achieved by embodiments according to the invention. Without thereby altering the subject matter of the appended claims, as regards the disclosure of the original application documents and the patent, further features can be found in the drawings, in particular the illustrated geometries and the relative dimensions of several components and their relative arrangement and operative connection. The combination of features of different embodiments of the invention or of features of different claims is also possible deviating from the chosen relationships of the claims and is hereby stimulated. This also applies to those features which are shown in separate drawings or are mentioned in their description. These features can also be combined with features of different claims. Likewise, in the claims listed features for further embodiments of the invention can be omitted.

The features mentioned in the patent claims and the description are to be understood in terms of their number that exactly this number or a greater number than the said number is present, without requiring an explicit use of the adverb "at least". For example, if there is talk of a Verschließelementträger, this is to be understood that exactly one Verschließelementträger, two Verschließelementträger or more Verschließelementträger are present. These features may be supplemented by other features or be the only characteristics that make up the product in question.

The reference numerals contained in the claims do not limit the scope of the objects protected by the claims. They are for the sole purpose of making the claims easier to understand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht einer beispielhaften Faltschachtel.

Fig. 2

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht einer beispielhaften Ausführungsform einer neuen Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung.

Fig. 3

zeigt eine Seitenansicht der Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 in der Förderrichtung.

Fig. 4

zeigt eine Vorderansicht der Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 senkrecht zur Förderrichtung.

Fig. 5

zeigt eine teilweise geschnittene und weggeschnittene Ansicht der Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 in der Förderrichtung.

Fig. 6

zeigt eine vereinfachte perspektivische Ansicht eines Teils der Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 mit eingezeichneten Bewegungsbahnen der Verschließelemente.

Fig. 7

zeigt eine Seitenansicht der Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 6 in der Förderrichtung mit der Bewegungsbahn des ersten Verschließelements.

Fig. 8

zeigt eine vereinfachte Ansicht von oben auf einen Teil der Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung vor dem Kontaktieren der Einstecklasche einer Faltschachtel durch das erste Verschließelement.

Fig. 9

zeigt eine vereinfachte Ansicht von oben auf einen Teil der Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung während des Kontaktierens der Einstecklasche einer Faltschachtel durch das erste Verschließelement.

Fig. 10

zeigt eine vereinfachte Ansicht von oben auf einen Teil der Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung während des Kontaktierens der Schließklappe einer Faltschachtel durch das zweite Verschließelement.

Fig. 11

zeigt eine vereinfachte Ansicht von oben auf eine Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung mit drei Verschließelementträgern nach dem Kontaktieren der Faltschachteln durch die Verschließelemente eines der Verschließelementträger.

Fig. 12

zeigt eine vereinfachte Ansicht von oben auf eine Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung mit zwei Verschließelementträgern nach dem Kontaktieren der Faltschachteln durch die Verschließelemente eines der Verschließelementträger.

Fig. 13

zeigt eine vereinfachte Ansicht von oben auf eine Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung mit einem Verschließelementträger nach dem Kontaktieren der Faltschachteln durch die Verschließelemente des Verschließelementträgers.

In the following the invention will be further explained and described with reference to preferred embodiments shown in the figures.

Fig. 1

shows a perspective view of an exemplary carton.

Fig. 2

shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a new Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung.

Fig. 3

shows a side view of the Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung according to Fig. 2 in the conveying direction.

Fig. 4

shows a front view of the Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung according to Fig. 2 perpendicular to the conveying direction.

Fig. 5

shows a partially sectioned and cut away view of Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung according to Fig. 2 in the conveying direction.

Fig. 6

shows a simplified perspective view of a part of the Faltschaltelverschließvorrichtung according to Fig. 2 with marked trajectories of the closing elements.

Fig. 7

shows a side view of the Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung according to Fig. 6 in the conveying direction with the movement path of the first closing element.

Fig. 8

shows a simplified top view of a part of the Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung before contacting the tuck of a carton by the first closing element.

Fig. 9

shows a simplified top view of a part of the Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung while contacting the tuck of a carton through the first closing element.

Fig. 10

shows a simplified top view of a part of the Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung during contacting the closing flap of a folding box through the second closing element.

Fig. 11

shows a simplified top view of a Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung with three Verschließelementträgern after contacting the cartons through the closing of one of the Verschließelementträger.

Fig. 12

shows a simplified top view of a Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung with two Verschließelementträgern after contacting the cartons by the closing of one of the Verschließelementträger.

Fig. 13

shows a simplified top view of a Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung with a Verschließelementträger after contacting the cartons through the closing elements of Verschließelementträgers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a carton 1. The carton 1 consists of a blank of cardboard, which is glued or stuck and then erected. The folding box 1 has a plurality of side walls 2, which form the sides, the bottom and the lid of the folding box 1. At its two front ends, the folding box 1 has two side flaps 3, a closing flap 4 and an insertion flap 5. The insertion tab 5 is connected via a bending line with the closing flap 4. The closing flap 4 is connected via a further bending line with the corresponding side wall 2. The side flaps 3 are connected via further bending lines with the respective side wall 2. For the locking of the closed carton is used in each case a bolt Riegel 6, which is arranged on the side flaps 3.

The closing of the carton 1 takes place in per se known manner by pivoting the side flaps 3 vertically inward, pivoting the closure flap 4 down, pivoting the tuck 5 down relative to the closing flap 4, continued pivoting the closure flap 4 such that the tuck 5 enters the interior of the carton 1 and finally pressing the closing flap 4 such that the desired locking of the Einstecklasche 5 is achieved by the locking tabs 6 of the side flaps 3.

Fig. 2-5 show various views of an exemplary embodiment of a Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung 7 for automated closing of cartons 1. To improve the clarity of the drawings, not all components are made Fig. 1 shown in the further drawings.

The cartons 1 are in the already erected, back-closed and filled state, but front unclosed state on a conveyor 8 in a horizontal X-Y-conveying plane in a lying in this conveying plane conveying direction 9 the closure region of Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung 7 supplied. The conveyor device 8 is designed in particular as a rotationally driven conveyor belt, which has separating elements 10 for the defined spaced receiving of the folding boxes 1, so that corresponding cassettes for receiving the folding boxes 1 are formed. The conveyor 8 is driven in particular continuously. It could also be driven clocked.

At an upstream station, not shown, of the packaging installation, stacks of blister strips were previously introduced into the interior of the folding boxes 1. The folding boxes 1 should now be closed with the Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung 7 final. Downstream they are packed further.

The Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung 7 has one or more folding elements 11. The number of folding elements 11 depends u. a. on the size of the cartons 1 from. In the present case, a first folding element 11 is provided, which is designed as Umklapparm 12 and serves for the first pivoting of the closing flap 4. For the continued pivoting of the closing flap 4 is another folding element 11, which is arranged downstream and formed as a folding rail 13 with a run-on slope. The folding elements 11 can be designed to be adjustable so that adaptation to the size of the folding boxes 1 is possible.

The closing flap 4 is folded by means of the folding elements 11 so far down that it rests on a stop element 14. The stop element 14 is here designed as a cross-sectionally triangular bar. This is arranged stationary and adjustable. The stop element 14 is designed and arranged so that it is adjustable with only one adjustment simultaneously in several directions. The adjustment is carried out combined in the directions Y and Z.

For the actual closing of the folding box 1, the folding box closing device 7 has at least one closing element carrier 15 with a first closing element 16 for contacting the insertion flap 5 of a first folding box 1. The tuck 5 is thereby bent around the stop element 14, so that it now points inwards.

The first closing element carrier 15 has a second closing element 17 for a simultaneous contacting of the closing flap 4 of a second folding box 1. The first closing element carrier 15 extends substantially in the X-Y plane and is formed as an elongated plate-like body. It has a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side and a longitudinal direction which extends parallel to the conveying direction 9. The closing elements 16, 17 are spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction on the longitudinal side facing the folding boxes 1.

In the present embodiment, the Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung 7, a second Verschließelementträger 15 and a third Verschließelementträger 15, which are each formed as the first Verschließelementträger 15. The Verschließelementträger 15 are offset by an angle of 120 ° in the circumferential direction. However, the folding box closing device 7 could also have a larger or a smaller number of closing element carriers 15, that is to say in particular 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6 closing element carriers 15.

The folding box closing device 7 furthermore has a first rotary element 18, which is designed as a rotatably mounted and rotationally driven plate-like body. Instead of a plate, it could also be a wheel, a star, etc. The first rotation element 18 is thereby driven in rotation by means of a motor 19. The motor 19 is in particular an electric motor. This drives the first rotation element 18 about a first axis of rotation 20 in a direction of rotation 21. The first rotary element 18 has an upper side and a lower side, wherein the closing element carriers 15 are arranged on or above the upper side of the first rotary element 16. This arrangement takes place via pivot bearings 22, which are arranged in the radially outer region of the first rotary element 18.

The folding carton closing device 7 has a second rotating element 23. This is also formed as a plate-like body with a top and a bottom. It also has pivot bearings 22, but which are arranged on the underside of the second rotary member 23. The second rotation element is rotatable about a second axis of rotation 24 which extends extends parallel to the first axis of rotation 20. The second rotation element 23 is driven in the direction of rotation 21 together with the first rotation element 18. It has in this case no own drive, but is driven by the motor 19 via the first rotary member 18 and the Verschließelementträger 15.

The first axis of rotation 20 and the second axis of rotation 24 of the rotary elements 18, 23 are arranged at a rotational axis of rotation 25 not equal to 90 ° to the Verschließelementträgern 15. This inclined arrangement is particularly good in Fig. 4 recognizable. The axes of rotation 20, 24 are arranged inclined in the X direction and thus the conveying direction 9 forward. Thus, they are not arranged at right angles to the closing element carriers 15, which extend parallel to the XY direction.

By this inclined arrangement, a different kinematics than in the known in the art Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtungen be applied. Due to the inclined arrangement of the two parallel axes of rotation 20, 24 of the two rotation elements 18, 23, the locking element carrier 15 rotatably connected thereto are moved along a particular movement path. This results in special movement paths of the closing elements 16, 17 and thus a new closing movement.

In Fig. 5 For clarity, the first rotation element 18 was not shown.

To improve the traceability of the trajectories serve Fig. 6 and 7 , There are only a few parts of Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung 7 shown in order to better recognize the trajectories. The first closing element 16 moves on a first movement path 26. Due to the rotation axis 25, this movement path 26 is not in the XY plane. Instead, there is also a movement in the Z direction (see Fig. 7 ). On the way to the carton 1 is initially a move upwards. Subsequently, the reverse movement takes place downwards on the way from the folding box 1. As a result, a height offset is achieved, which allows the plurality of closing element carriers 15 to pass one another or one another without collision during their movement along their respective movement path.

In Fig. 6 In addition, a second movement path 27 is shown, which is associated with the second closing element 17. For a better distinguishability of the second movement path 27 from the first movement path 26, this is shown with two lines.

A part of the closure element carrier 15 and the closing elements 16, 17 arranged or formed thereon are mounted so as to be pivotable about the horizontal axis X in a limited manner. Serve spring elements 28 which act on the respective pivotable element down. The respective pivotable element is then mounted against the spring force of the spring element 28 pivotally upwards.

Fig. 8 . 9 and 10 Now show different positions of the Verschließelementträger 15 of a total of three Verschließelementträgern 15 relative to a carton 1, as they occur in a working cycle. In Fig. 8 and 9 For reasons of clarification, which folding box 1 is considered here, the folding box 1 present downstream is not shown. It is understood, however, that at least in the current product process also on the right here a folder Folded 1 exists.

Fig. 8 shows the position of one of the Verschließelementträger 15 and the closing element 16 disposed thereon shortly before contacting the Einstecklasche 5. It can be seen that arranged in the above in the Y direction pivot bearing 22 is not yet at the 12 o'clock position and thus the closing element 16 is not yet in its maximum extended position.

In Fig. 9 Now the following, in the Y direction maximum extended position of Verschließelementträgers 15 is shown. The tuck 5 has been bent so far that it surrounds the stop element 14 and therefore can not be seen in this view. The closing flap 4 is largely - but not completely - closed, and the tucking tab 5 projects into the interior of the folding box 1.

In the following in Fig. 10 shown position, the carton 1 is now completely closed and locked by means of the second closing element 17. It is also clearly visible in these views that the second closing element 17 has a depth perpendicular to its longitudinal direction and is rounded at its ends in the longitudinal direction such that it has its greatest depth in the middle and its smallest depth outside in the longitudinal direction having. As a result, the closing flap 4, viewed in the X direction, is pressed further in its center in the direction of the interior of the folding box 1 than in the edge regions. As a result, a secure locking of the closure of the folding box 1 is achieved without causing damage to the side walls 2 of the folding box 1.

Fig. 11 shows the previously described Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung 7 with three Verschließelementträgern 3 in a view in which all three Verschließelementträger 15 are clearly visible. It is a position after contacting the folding boxes 1 by the closing elements 16, 17 of one of the Verschließelementträger 15 and before contacting the following Falschachteln 1 by the closing elements 16, 17 of the following Verschließelementträgers 15th

In Fig. 12 is now another embodiment of the Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung 7 in the same position as in Fig. 11 shown. In this embodiment, the Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung 7 only two Verschließelementträger 15. For a geometrically determined coupling of the rotary elements 18, 23, these are therefore connected to each other by means of a rotary element connector 29. The rotary member connector 29 is also rotatably attached to the top of the first rotary member 18 and the bottom of the second rotary member 23.

Fig. 13 shows a corresponding view of an exemplary embodiment of Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung 7 with only one Verschließelementträger 15. Therefore, here also in addition, the rotary element connector 29 is present. This embodiment has the least number of components. To achieve the same throughput as with the Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung 7 with three Verschließelementträgern 15 but the speed must be tripled.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

folding

2

Side wall

3

side flap

4

closing flap

5

tuck

6

bars lobes

7

Faltschachtelverschließvorrichtung

8th

conveyor

9

conveying direction

10

separating element

11

turndown

12

Umklapparm

13

Umklappschiene

14

stop element

15

Verschließelementträger

16

First closing element

17

Second closing element

18

First rotation element

19

engine

20

First axis of rotation

21

direction of rotation

22

pivot bearing

23

Second rotation element

24

Second axis of rotation

25

Drehachswinkel

26

First trajectory

27

Second movement path

28

spring element

29

Rotating member connector

Claims (15)

1. A folding box closing apparatus (7) for automated closing of a folding box (1) by a closing flap (4) and an insertion tab (5) of the closing box (1), comprising:

   a first closing element carrier (15) including a first closing element (16) for contacting the insertion tab (5) of a first closing box (1), and

   a first rotational element (18) having a first rotational axis (20) and a second rotational element (23) having a second rotational axis (24), the first rotational axis (20) and the second rotational axis (24) being arranged to be spaced apart and parallel to one another, characterised in that

   the apparatus includes a second closing element (17) for contacting the closing flap (4) of a second folding box (1),

   the first rotational axis (20) and the second rotational axis (24) are arranged at a rotational axis angle (25) with respect to the first closing element carrier (15) that is unequal to 90°, the first closing element carrier (15) being connected to the first rotational element (18) by a first pivot bearing (22) and to the second rotational element (23) by a second pivot bearing (22).
2. The folding box closing apparatus (7) of claim 1, characterised in that each of the first rotational element (18) and the second rotational element (23) includes a top side and a bottom side, the first closing element carrier (15) being arranged above the top side of the first rotational element (18) and below the bottom side of the second rotational element (23).
3. The folding box closing apparatus (7) of claim 1 or 2, characterised in that each of the first rotational element (18) and the second rotational element (23) is designed as a plate-like body, the first pivot bearing (22) and the second pivot bearing (22) being arranged in the radial outer portion of the body.
4. The folding box closing apparatus (7) of at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rotational axis angle (25) differs from 90° with respect to the closing element carrier (15) by between 1° and 15°, especially between 2° and 12°, especially between 3° and 10°, especially between 4° and 7°.
5. The folding box closing apparatus (7) of at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first closing element carrier (15) extends in a horizontal plane.
6. The folding box closing apparatus (7) of at least one of the preceding claims, further characterised by a rotational element connector (29) which connects the first rotational element (18) to the second rotationalal element (23).
7. The folding box closing apparatus (7) of at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the closing element carrier (15) is designed as an elongated plate-like body having a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side and a longitudinal direction, the closing elements (16, 17) being arranged at the first longitudinal side to be spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction.
8. The folding box closing apparatus (7) of claim 7, characterised in that the second closing element (17) has a depth extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the second closing element (17) is designed to be rounded at its ends in the longitudinal direction such that it has its greatest depth in the center portion and its smallest depth outside as seen in the longitudinal direction.
9. The folding box closing apparatus (7) of at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first closing element (16) and/or the second closing element (17) is pivotally supported about a horizontal axis.
10. The folding box closing apparatus (7) of claim 9, characterised in that the first closing element (16) and/or the second closing element (17) is downwardly subjected by a spring element (28) and is supported to be upwardly pivotable against the spring force of the spring element (28).
11. The folding box closing apparatus (7) of at least one of the preceding claims, further characterised by a second closing element carrier (15) including a third closing element (16) for contacting the insertion tab (5) of a third folding box (1) and a fourth closing element (17) for contacting the closing flap (4) of a fourth folding box (1), the second closing element carrier (15) being connected to the first rotational element (18) by a third pivot bearing (22) and to the second rotational element (23) by a fourth pivot bearing (22).
12. The folding box closing apparatus (7) of claim 11, characterised in that the first closing element carrier (15) and the second closing element carrier (15) are connected to the first rotational element (18) in a displaced way by an angle of 180° in the circumferential direction and to the second rotation element (23) in a displaced way by an angle of 180° in the circumferential direction.
13. The folding box closing apparatus (7) of claim 11, further characterised by a third closing element carrier (15) including a fifth closing element (16) for contacting the insertion tab (5) of a fifth closing box (1) and a sixth closing element (17) for contacting the closing flap (4) of a sixth folding box (1), the third closing element carrier (15) being connected to the first rotational element (18) by a fifth pivot bearing (22) and to the second rotational element (23) by a sixth pivot bearing (22).
14. The folding box closing apparatus (7) of claim 13, characterised in that the first closing element carrier (15), the second closing element carrier (15) and the third closing element carrier (15) are arranged with respect to the second rotational element (23) in a displaced way by an angle of 180° in the circumferential direction and with respect to the second rotational element (23) in a displaced way by an angle of 120° in the circumferential direction.
15. The folding box closing apparatus (7) of at least one of the preceding claims, further characterised by a conveying apparatus (8) having a horizontal conveying plane and a conveying direction (9) being located in the conveying plane, the folding boxes (1) being separated (singulated) in the conveying plane and being fed to the closing element carrier (15) one behind the other in the conveying direction (9) by the conveying apparatus (8).

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