阅读说明：本技术 用于将保护元件安装在包装上的设备和方法 (Device and method for mounting a protective element on a package ) 是由 塞巴斯蒂安·施珀尔克 延斯·路德维希 于 2019-01-22 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及用于将保护元件安装在包装上的设备和方法。包装例如可以是纸板盒或折叠盒,在所述纸板盒或折叠盒中可以装入一个或多个物品。这种物品可以是家具和建筑元件工业的领域中的元件,尤其一个或多个家具部件,如地板镶板、木板、柜元件、家具配件等。(The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for mounting a protective element on a package. The package may be, for example, a cardboard or folding carton in which one or more articles may be contained. Such an article may be an element in the field of furniture and building element industry, in particular one or more furniture parts, such as floor panels, boards, cabinet elements, furniture fittings and the like.)

1. A device (1) having:

a conveyor (10) for moving packages (K1, K2), and

an operating device (20, 30) having a holding section (24) for mounting a protective element (S) on the packaging (K1, K2),

wherein the handling device (20, 30) and/or the holding section (24) are movable in accordance with the movement of the package (K1, K2) in order to mount the protective element (S) on the package (K1, K2) moved by means of the conveyor (10).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the holding section (24) is provided for mounting the protective element (S) on the inner side, in particular on the inner end side, of the packaging (K1, K2),

wherein preferably the operating device (20, 30) with the holding section (24) is provided for mounting a plurality of protective elements on one or more locations of the packaging (K1, K2).

3. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating means (20, 30) have a counter section (25) which is provided for co-acting with the retaining section (24) when the protective element is mounted on the packaging,

wherein preferably the counter-pressure section (25) is provided for pivoting to the outside of the package (K1, K2).

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating means (20, 30) are movable along a guide means, in particular a rail, and/or the holding section (24) is movable relative to the operating means (20, 30).

5. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding section (24) is pivotable relative to a base (23) of the operating element (22).

6. The apparatus (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying device (10) has speed detection means by means of which the speed of movement of the packs (K1, K2) can be determined.

7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device has a feed device (40) which is provided for moving the protective element (S) into a receiving region of the operating device (20), wherein preferably the feed device (40) is designed as a belt conveyor.

8. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a second operating means (50),

preferably, a second supply device (50) is also provided, which is provided for moving the protective element (S) into the receiving region of the second handling device (30).

9. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said conveying means (10) have lateral belts which can be brought into contact with the lateral faces of said packages (K1, K2).

10. A method for mounting a protective element (S) on a package (K1, K2), the method comprising the steps of:

moving the packages (K1, K2) in a transport direction (D);

receiving a protective element (S) by means of a holding section (24) of the operating device (20, 30);

-synchronizing the movement of the handling device (20, 30) and/or the holding section (24) with the movement of the packaging (K1, K2); and

-mounting the protection element (S) on the packaging (K1, K2).

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the protective element (S) is mounted on the inside, in particular on the inner end side, of the packaging (K1, K2),

wherein preferably a plurality of protective elements are mounted on the packaging (K1, K2) by the operating device or by a plurality of operating devices.

12. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 11, characterized in that, before mounting on the package, the protective element (S) is provided with an adhesive or the adhesive provided on the protective element (S) is activated,

wherein the application or activation of the adhesive is preferably carried out before the accommodation of the protective element (S) by the holding section (24).

13. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that, when mounting the protective element (S) on the packaging (K1, K2), a counter pressure is applied at the respective section of the packaging (K1, K2).

14. Method according to any of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the speed of movement of the packs (K1, K2) is determined on the basis of the speed of transport of the conveyor (10) moving the packs (K1, K2).

15. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the protective element (S) is a cardboard section, one or more layers of corrugated cardboard, a honeycomb panel or a foam element and/or the packaging (K1, K2) is a cardboard box or a folding box.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device and a method for mounting a protective element on a package. The package may be, for example, a cardboard or folding carton in which one or more articles may be contained. Such an article may be an element in the field of furniture and building element industry, in particular one or more furniture parts, such as floor panels, boards, cabinet elements, furniture fittings and the like.

Background

In the case of packagings for packaging furniture parts, it is known to install protective elements in the region of the end faces of the packaging (so-called end edge protection). Such a protective element may be made of cardboard sections. The protective element serves here to reinforce specific sections of the packaging in a targeted manner in order to additionally protect the articles contained therein during transport and, for example, to prevent the packaging from breaking open in this region.

A device for erecting a cardboard box is known from DE 102013202401 a1, wherein the device has a supply unit for supplying an outer package blank and a folding unit for forming an outer package from the outer package blank supplied by the supply unit. The assembly unit for arranging the packaging parts on the inner side of the outer packaging can have an operating device, in particular a robot, so that one, preferably two, operating devices can arrange the packaging parts in the outer packaging.

The packaging components are held in advance at one or more supply points and are subsequently inserted into the open cardboard box, i.e. into the outer packaging, at the insertion point, for example by means of a robot. Alternatively, the components can also be inserted into the outer package directly after folding without temporary storage.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is to provide a device and a method by means of which more pieces of packaging can be processed per unit time and/or the packaging can be integrated advantageously into a packaging section.

The subject matter of claim 1 provides a corresponding apparatus. Further preferred embodiments are listed in the dependent claims. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method. The dependent device claims can each be combined individually with the independent method claim. The corresponding applies also to the features of the dependent method claims with respect to the independent apparatus claim.

The invention provides an apparatus, comprising: a conveyor for moving packages, such as cardboard or folded boxes; and an operating device having a holding section for mounting the protective element on the package. The handling device and/or the holding section can be moved according to the movement of the package in order to mount the protective element on the package moved by means of the conveying device.

Thereby, the operating device can be moved according to the first alternative. According to a second alternative, the holding section of the operating device is moved, while the operating device is arranged stationary. As a further alternative, the operating device and its holding section can be moved.

Since the protective element can be mounted on the package during its movement, it is possible to handle more pieces of the package per unit time. Furthermore, the apparatus according to the invention may advantageously combine the conveying means for moving the packages with the handling means. The protective element can be mounted at different positions of the packaging by means of the holding section of the handling device, for example in the direction of passage in front of or behind.

The device can be designed according to one embodiment as a modular assembly in a packaging section, at the end of which the packaging is filled with one or more articles and, if appropriate, closed. The packages can be conveyed continuously.

If the package is a cardboard or folding carton, the cardboard or folding carton may be folded from the blank into a box such that one or more articles may be contained therein.

According to one embodiment, a plurality of differently positioned handling means are designed for mounting the protective element at different locations of the package. In this way it is possible to react to specific requirements, for example higher cycle rates.

It is also preferred that the handling device, in particular the holding section of the handling device, can mount a plurality of protective elements at one or more locations of the package. It is thereby possible that a plurality of protective elements can be mounted on the packaging transversely to the transport direction.

Preferably, the packaging is moved in the open state when the protective element is mounted. One or more articles to be introduced into the package may be enclosed in the package after the protective element is mounted on the package.

The protective element may be one or more layers of corrugated cardboard, honeycomb board, foam elements, cardboard sections, etc. The protective element serves to protect a specific region of the packaging, in particular the end side.

According to one embodiment, it is provided that the holding section is provided for mounting the protective element on the inner end face of the packaging. It is thereby possible to reinforce the packaging on the inside in order to avoid transport damage.

Preferably, the operating device has a counter-pressure section, wherein preferably the counter-pressure section is pivoted towards the outside of the package. By means of the counter-pressure section, a counter-pressure can be applied when mounting the protective element on the packaging in order to press the protective element onto the packaging.

The operating device can be moved along a guide, in particular a rail. It is thereby possible for the handling device to be moved adjacent to the conveying device in accordance with the movement of the packages.

Preferably, the holding section is pivotable relative to the base of the operating element. In this way, the holding section containing the protective element can be guided towards the moving package.

The conveying device may have a speed detection device, by means of which the speed of movement of the packages can be determined. For example, if the transport device is configured as a roller conveyor, the rotational speed of the drive roller is determined. Depending on the determined speed of the packaging, the control device can control the movement of the operating device and/or the holding section.

According to one specific embodiment, the device has a feed device which is provided for moving the protective element into the receiving region of the handling device. In this case, the supply device can preferably separate the protective element. For example, the supply device can be designed as a belt conveyor.

In the region of the feed device, an adhesive application device can be provided, which is provided for individually applying adhesive to the protective elements conveyed by the feed device on one side thereof. Alternatively, an activation device for activating the adhesive may be provided. It is thereby possible to provide the adhesion layer shortly before processing the protective element.

The device may have a second handling device which is arranged in the transport direction of the packages, for example subordinate to the first handling device, wherein preferably a second supply device is also provided which is arranged for moving the protective element into the receiving region of the second handling device. In this way, one of the actuating devices can be provided with a protective element for the front end side, while the respective other actuating device is designed to provide a protective element for the rear end side. In this way, a particularly efficient method sequence and a high throughput can be achieved.

Preferably, the conveyor has lateral belts which can be brought into contact with the lateral sides of the packages. Thereby, a slip-free transport of the packages can be ensured.

The invention further relates to a method for mounting a protective element on a package. The package may be a cardboard box or a folded box. The protective element is, for example, a cardboard section, one or more layers of corrugated cardboard, a honeycomb board or a foam element.

The method comprises the following steps: moving the package in a transport direction; receiving the protective element by means of a holding section of the operating device; synchronizing the movement of the handling device and/or the holding section with the movement of the package; and mounting the protective element on the package.

Since the protective element can be mounted during the movement of the package, it is possible to process more pieces of the package per unit time.

Preferably, the protective element is mounted on the inner end side of the package. This makes it possible to reinforce the packaging in a targeted manner and to protect the contents thereof.

The protective element is provided with an adhesive or the adhesive applied to the protective element is activated before mounting on the package. Thereby ensuring an efficient process flow. In this case, it is preferred that the adhesive is applied or activated before the protective element is received by the holding section. The adhesive may thus already constitute the joining means for the protective element before the protective element is mounted on the package.

When the protective element is mounted on the packaging, a counter pressure can be applied to the corresponding section of the packaging, so that the protective element can be pressed onto the packaging. Thereby ensuring a reliable connection between the protective element and the package.

The speed of movement of the packages may be determined on the basis of the conveying speed of the conveyor moving the packages. For example, a grating or an optical image recognition device is arranged in the region of the transport device. The movement of the handling device and/or the holding section can be set according to the conveying speed of the packages.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2a shows a detailed view of a point in time before the introduction of the protective element into the package.

Fig. 2b shows a detailed view during the mounting of the protective element.

Detailed Description

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in accordance with the accompanying drawings. The variants described in connection with this can each be combined with other features of the described embodiments in order to represent further embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows an apparatus 1 for processing packages K1, K2. The package referred to herein is a folded cardboard box, which is used, for example, for packaging furniture parts. The size of the package may vary depending on the different sizes of the articles to be packaged. In fig. 1, two packs K1, K2 of different sizes are shown in order to illustrate by way of a visual example.

The apparatus 1 comprises a conveyor 10. The conveyor 10 has a roller table which comprises a plurality of rollers which are each arranged next to one another. The packs K1, K2 are moved by means of the conveyor 10 in the transport direction D by the movement of at least some of the rollers of the roller table.

According to one embodiment, lateral belts are provided in the lateral regions of the rollers of the conveyor 10, between which the packs K1 can be clamped and conveyed approximately without slipping. Since the transport speed of the rollers is determined or preset and the lateral belts ensure a slip-free conveying movement, the position of the respective pack K1, K2 is known during the conveying movement.

On one side of the conveyor 10, a first handling device 20 is present, which is designed as a robot arm. A second handling device 30, which is designed as a robot in the same way as the first handling device, is likewise provided on one side of the conveyor 10 and downstream of the first handling device 20 in the transport direction D.

The handling device 20, 30 may, as in the embodiment, be arranged beside the transfer device 10. According to another variant, the handling devices 20, 30 are mounted above the conveyor 10 in a vertical direction.

In the embodiment shown here, the handling devices 20, 30 are each fastened to the side of the conveyor 10.

According to a further embodiment, the handling device 20, 30 can be moved along a guide device (not shown), in particular an orbital path.

The apparatus 1 further comprises a first feeding device 40, which is configured as a belt conveyor. The first supply device 40 is arranged in the vicinity of the first operating device 20 and is provided for feeding a separate protective element (end edge protection) S1 into the region of the first operating device 20. The protective element can be provided and/or cut individually as required and can be moved into the region of the first operating device 20 by means of the first supply device 40.

Furthermore, the device 1 comprises a second feeding device 50, which is provided for feeding the separated protective elements into the region of the second operating device 30. The second supply device 50 is arranged in the vicinity of the second operating device 30 and is configured as a belt conveyor.

Although the supply devices 40, 50 are configured analogously to this embodiment, it is proposed according to one variant that the supply devices 40, 50 are configured differently in order to feed different protective elements.

In the region of the first and second supply devices 40, 50, an adhesive application device (not shown) is provided, which is provided for individually providing the protective elements S conveyed by the respective supply device 40, 50 with adhesive on one side thereof. The adhesive application takes place at a point in time shortly before the respective protective element S is received by means of the respective operating device 20, 30.

According to one variant, the protective element is already provided with an adhesive layer, which is activated in the region of the respective supply device 40, 50 or after the protective element has been received by one of the handling devices 20, 30.

The first operating device 20 is shown in detail in fig. 2 a. The second operating device 30 is similar in design to the first operating device 20 shown in fig. 2 a. Thus, only the first operating device 20 will be described below.

The first handling device 20 has a robot arm 21 and an operating element 22 mounted on the robot arm 21 for operating the protective element S. The operating element 22 comprises a holding section 24 which is pivotable relative to a base 23 of the operating element 22 and which is provided for receiving the protective element S and at least temporarily holding the protective element. For example, openings can be provided in the pivotable holding section 24, so that a vacuum is provided for holding the protective element S, which vacuum holds the protective element S on the pivotable holding section 24.

Furthermore, the actuating element 22 comprises a counter-pressure section 25, which is likewise arranged pivotably relative to the base 23 of the actuating element 22. The counter-pressure section 25 can be moved in this case counter to the direction of the pivoting movement of the holding section 24.

According to the present embodiment, the counter-pressure section 25 is dimensioned and designed similarly to the holding section 24. The dimensions, in particular the width, of the counter-pressure section 25 and the retaining section 24 can be varied in order to adapt them to different sizes of packages K1, K2.

In a basic position, the holding section 24 is oriented substantially horizontally. By means of the pivoting movement of the holding section 24, the protective element S can be introduced into the packs K1, K2, while the counter-pressure section 25 is positioned on the outside of the packs K1, K2 by means of a corresponding, but opposite, pivoting movement.

If the protective element S is pressed by the holding section 24 against the inside of the pack K1, a counterpressure can be applied by means of the counterpressure section 25, so that a secure pressing of the protective element S against the inside of the pack K1 can be achieved. In this way, a smooth engagement of the adhesive-provided protective element S on the inside of the packages K1, K2 is possible by the combined action of the holding section 24 and the counter-pressure section 25.

An exemplary method flow is set forth below to further describe the present embodiments in terms of illustrative examples.

First, empty, pre-folded packages (cardboard boxes or folded boxes) are placed onto the conveyor 10 and continuously transported by the conveyor 10. The package is clamped by the lateral straps so that it can be transported without slipping. The control device is thus always aware of the position of the packages being conveyed.

In the first supply device 40, the protective element S is separated and subsequently the adhesive is applied to the protective element, in particular in a punctiform manner. The first handling device 20 receives the protective element S and pivots it into the area above the packages moved by the conveyor 10.

At the same time or subsequently, the first operating device 20 is synchronized to the speed of movement of the packs, so that the first operating device moves according to the speed of movement of the packs.

If a synchronous movement is reached, protective element S is pivoted by means of actuating element 22 onto pack K1 via retaining section 24 onto the inside of pack K1 on the front end side in transport direction D. Furthermore, the counter-pressure section 25 is guided into the region outside the pack K1.

During the movement of the cardboard box and the synchronized movement of the first handling device 20, the protective element S is pressed onto the inside of the package K1. After the end of the defined pressing time, the holding section 24 and the counter-pressure section 25 are pivoted into the basic position again. The operating device 20 is then stopped and moved back into the initial position again.

After the protective element S has been mounted by means of the first handling device 20, a further protective element S is mounted by means of the second handling device 30 on the inner side of the rear end side of the packaging K1 in the transport direction D. The second operating device 30 performs similar operating steps to the first operating device 20.

According to the present embodiment, the movements of the first and second operating devices 20, 30 are adapted to one another, so that the respective method sequences are staggered with respect to one another and a high operating frequency can be achieved.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the first handling device 20 provides the front end side of the pack with the protective element S, while the second handling device 30 is designed for the rear end side of the pack. However, according to a variant of the present embodiment, the first operating device 20 can be designed for the rear side of the package and the second operating device 30 can be designed for the front side of the package.