• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
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  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PACKING STRIP TYPE OBJECTS, ESPECIALLY MASCAR GUM STRIPS. The invention relates to a method and device for producing and packaging individual strip-like objects, especially chewing gum strips, comprising the following functionalities and method steps: provision of rectangular blades from which the strips are to be formed, the length of the shortest sides of the blades corresponding to the length of a strip to be formed; formation of individual strips from the blades provided; packaging the individual strips formed using a first packaging material; forming a group of the individual packaged strips; and packaging the strip formed group using a second packaging material. The blade provisioning step comprises the following additional features and method steps: creating grooves in the blades, said grooves that extend parallel to the shorter sides of the blades; and supplying the individual blades in a controlled manner in a longitudinal direction to the next stage of forming the individual strips, such that each blade is adjacent to the respective previous blade in a precise position, without gaps and without back pressure. THE (...).
    公开号:BR112013028438B1
    申请号:R112013028438-2
    申请日:2012-04-19
    公开日:2020-07-21
    发明作者:Heinz-Peter Hammacher；Bernhard Dreßler
    申请人:Loesch Verpackungstechnik Gmbh；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    [0001] The invention relates to a method and apparatus for packaging strip-like objects, in particular objects suitable for consumption, in particular chewing gum strips. The invention further relates to a method and an apparatus for producing such individual strip-like objects.
    [0002] In the prior art there are known methods and apparatus for producing strip-like objects, in particular chewing gum sticks or strip-like chewing gums, and methods and apparatus for packaging these strip-like objects. In specific embodiments, in particular packaging systems and machines for chewing gum, in particular strips of chewing gum, are known. In this case, chewing gum strips having different dimensions are commercially conventional and can be packaged by known machines. In particular, relatively wide long strips having a small thickness (so-called "stick gum") or strips which are narrower and shorter compared to them, but which have a greater thickness (so-called "gum" are known in the market in particular) tablet "). In addition, there are also additional market formats for chewing gum sticks or strip-like chewing gums.
    [0003] In any case, chewing gums or sticks or chewing gum strips are discussed below, this is simply intended to be understood to be by way of example. The present invention furthermore relates to chewing gums, to any type of strip-like objects, in particular those objects which are suitable for human consumption. This can also involve, for example, cookie products or confectionery and the like. However, it also includes strip-like products which are not intended for consumption such as, for example, medical or pharmaceutical products, such as diagnostic strips and the like. The important aspect for all such strip-like objects is that the objects are individually packaged in a batch of packaging material and, after a group of such packaged individual strip-like objects is further transported and formed, they are packaged as a group in a batch of additional packaging material.
    [0004] In known methods and apparatus for packaging strip-like objects, substantially larger rectangular plates from which strip-like objects are to be formed are generally provided initially. The length of the relatively short sides of the rectangular plates generally correspond to the length of a single of the strip-like objects which must be formed. In the case of known methods and apparatus, the individual strip-like objects are subsequently formed from these provided plates and are subsequently individually packaged with a first packaging material. In known machines, these individual packaged strips are then typically combined to form a product group, with the group of packaged product strips formed being then packaged with a second packaging material. In known chewing gum packaging machines, typically five, seven or any other number of chewing gum strips which are initially packaged individually and separately are additionally packaged in a stacked state in a group in this case. A plurality of the groups formed packaged in this manner can then be further grouped and packaged to form suitable sales units.
    [0005] In the known chewing gum packaging machines, the relatively large rectangular product plates are provided in a stacked state in a tank, are removed from the tank one after another and are transferred successively to a transport device. The conveying device then transports the plates to a separation station, in which the individual product strips (chewing gum strips) are formed from the plate, due to the fact that the product strips are separated through separation devices successively and continuously from the plate provided. The transport device to which the individual product plates removed from the tank are transferred is typically formed by a continuously flowing chain or belt-type conveyor. The transferred plates positioned on the chain or on the belt-type conveyor are accelerated in this case and generally transported to the separation station in the longitudinal direction of the same, where they reach the preceding plate in particular by contacting that preceding plate and colliding with it in the direction of transport. The plates which are longitudinally behind each other in a way without gaps in the transport direction are advanced by the belt or chain type transport device and thus supplied to the separation device in which the individual product strips are separated from the main board at the front narrow end of it.
    [0006] In this method, the plate removed from the tank and transferred to the transport device is transported towards the separation station at a higher speed (so-called over speed) than corresponding to the speed at which the individual product strips are separated and additionally transported at the front end of the main of the plates supported one behind the other. That speeding is necessary in order to tie the subsequent plate removed from the tank to the preceding plate, which is to say, in order to close the gap initially existing between those two plates in the transport direction of the type transport device. chain. As long as the gap has been closed, the plates are located in a gap-free manner in a state supported one behind the other, in which they are further pushed forward in the longitudinal direction by the transport device which runs at speed.
    [0007] The speed at which the conveying device moves forward in the direction of conveying, therefore can be substantially greater in this case than the speed at which the individual product strips are separated from the plate in the separating device and subsequently transported to the ahead (so-called machine speed). In typical applications, the speed of the plate transport device can be, for example, 30% or 40% greater than the machine speed. As the product plates are supported in front of the separating device which works more slowly and properly, they are only pushed forward effectively at the speed of the separating device, the belt or chain-type transport device which runs faster consequently runs under the product plates on which they are supported. The conveying device rubs properly along the underside of the plates, which means that there is friction between the product plate being transported more slowly and the conveying device that runs faster. This causes, on the one hand, material abrasion on the underside of the product plate, which can involve undesirable damage to the relevant surface of the product plate (eg friction marks) and, on the other hand, wear of the medium such as, for example, chains or belts. In addition, the product abrasion produced also results in contamination of the machine in this region, which subsequently involves an increased need for cleaning.
    [0008] In addition to the described belt or chain type transport device on which the product plates are supported, a comparable additional transport device, which works in principle in the same way, can additionally also be provided on known machines and is arranged above the product plates and consequently the product plates are adhered to and transported (so-called suspended conveyor) on the upper side of the product. In this case, the product plate is typically fixed between the lower and the upper transport device and moved forward. As a result of the product plates located one behind the other under supporting pressure (as described above), the relevant plate is consequently attached from below and from above in this case, with the transport devices rubbing along the upper and lower side of the plate as a result of its conventional overspeed in relation to machine speed and consequently producing abrasion of the product plate on the upper side and the lower side of the same, which correspondingly results in the problems mentioned above.
    [0009] The degree of abrasion and consequently the degree of wear of the plates is also dependent on the quality of the product material. In particular in the case of chewing gums, various materials which in particular have different grades of hardness can be processed. Depending on the quality of the material, the problems mentioned above that result from friction and a corresponding abrasion of material are of different magnitudes.
    [0010] In known chewing gum packaging machines, the aforementioned separating devices that separate the individual strip of chewing gum from the provided plate typically have a breaker roller or the like. That breaker roll typically has holes or other suitable receiving members on its periphery into which the supplied plate is inserted at the front end of it. With the rotation of the breaker roller, this receiving hole rotates outside the plane of the plate supply and breaks the desired strip from the plate.
    [0011] For this purpose, the plate is preferably provided at this location with a transverse extending groove that forms a line of weakness in the plate material and makes it easier to break the strip. The radial depth of the receiving hole of the breaker roll consequently corresponds substantially to the width of the strip to be formed and the radially external delimitation of the receiving hole which forms the breaking edge substantially engages the transverse groove provided in the plate. With a corresponding direction of rotation of the breaker roll, the chewing gum strip formed in this manner is generally pressed downwardly and transferred at that location to a subsequent conveying device. Therefore, the chewing gum strip is pressed down outside the plate supply plane to a lower plane. That operation typically also results in loading and in particular abrasion and wear of the formed chewing gum strip, with corresponding contamination of the relevant machine region.
    [0012] When the plate is supplied to the breaker roller by means of the aforementioned belt or chain-type transport devices or comparable transport devices, the plate is supplied to the breaker roller intermittently to a greater or lesser extent by the fact that the plate collides with the break in the breaker roll orifice with the front end of it and then is temporarily practically stopped while the strip is broken by rotating the breaker roll until the next receiving hole is ready to receive the next portion of the sheet . During this phase of the short stop of the plate, the supply devices mentioned above (conveyors of the type of belt or chain) also continue to move continuously and consequently rub against the relevant surfaces of that plate. Again this also results in material abrasion with the disadvantages described above.
    [0013] The known chewing gum packaging machines described above operate at a high speed, with the output previously typically being limited to producing and transporting approximately 2300 articles per minute as a result of the mechanical / physical conditions described above (one article corresponds to the strip of bubble gum) . In the meantime, however, that outflow is considered to be too low for modern market requirements.
    [0014] Based on the prior art described above and the disadvantages and problems caused in this way, an objective of the invention is to provide machines for packaging strip-like objects, in particular chewing gum strips, which have a greater output. In this case, an output of, for example, approximately 4000 articles per minute is sought. At the same time, a more protective processing of the products (chewing gum strips) formed and to be packaged is desired to be brought, which means, in particular, abrasion, wear and damage, on the one hand, in relation to the products, but, on the other hand, also of the machine, they are intended to be reduced or avoided, whereby the consequent problems mentioned (contamination, need for cleaning, etc.) are also intended to be reduced. In addition, it is also intended to improve the possibility of processing products with different material qualities, such as, for example, types of chewing gum with a softer quality. Finally, the invention is also intended to provide improved machines which guarantee a higher level of operational reliability, which means to say, in which problems in the course of transporting products through the machine (for example, product support, clogging, blockages, etc.) are avoided and in which the rejection rate due to defective products is reduced.
    [0015] This objective is achieved according to the invention by a method and an apparatus for producing individual strip-like objects, in particular objects suitable for consumption, in particular chewing gum strips, and by a method and an apparatus for packaging those objects strip-like, having the following functionalities and method steps: providing substantially rectangular plates, from which strip-like objects must be formed, where the length of the shorter sides of the plates corresponds to the length of a strip-like object to be formed; forming individual strip-like objects from the plates provided; packaging individual strip-like objects formed with a first packaging material; forming a group of the individual packaged strip-like objects; and packaging the group formed of strip-like objects with a second packaging material. The step of providing the plates particularly comprises the following additional functionalities and method steps: producing slots in the plates which extend substantially parallel with the shorter sides of the plates; and providing the individual plates in a controlled manner in the longitudinal direction in succession to the next step of forming the individual strip-like objects in such a way that each plate is adjacent to the preceding plate in a manner without positionally accurate gaps and without supporting pressure. In addition, the step of forming the individual strip-like objects particularly comprises the following additional functionalities and method steps: separating an individual strip-like object from the plate at the front end of it in the direction of transport by tearing along the main groove produced such that the plate provided and the separate strip-like object are in substantially the same plane; and accelerating the separate strip-like object in the direction of transport to form a spacing between successive individual strip-like objects.
    [0016] According to the invention, the supply of the individual plates provided for the separation device is controlled in such a way that each plate is adjacent to the preceding plate in a way without gaps positionally needs positive locking, without the plates being one behind the other in transport clogging or under support pressure. The supply of the plates to the separation device is therefore controlled in such a way that a gap which is initially present in the transport device between two successive plates as a result of the plates being supplied to the transport device is closed in such a way that the subsequent plate is moved towards the preceding plate without the subsequent plate that collides with the preceding plate. Consequently, the transport device for supplying the plates for the separation device does not run continuously according to the invention at a substantially constant speed, in particular a speed (excess speed) which is greater than the transport speed for the forward after the separation device (machine speed). Instead, the speed of the transport device for supplying the plates to the separation device is controlled, which is to say, it is alternately increased and decreased, according to the transport position in which the plate being transported is currently located.
    [0017] According to the invention, the individual strip-like object is additionally separated, in particular shattered, from the plate substantially in a straight direction (which means to say, in the direction of transport), which means to say, the plate provided and the strip-like object separated from each other are in substantially the same plane. In contrast to the machines known from the prior art, the individual strip is consequently no longer broken from the plate and moved outside the plate's supply plane, which means to say, no longer displaced or redirected to a subsequent different transport plane. .
    [0018] These steps according to the invention allow a machine output which is larger than the prior art with, at the same time, increased operational reliability and, at the same time, more protective product processing.
    [0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the transport device for supplying the plates for the separation device comprises a first and a second transport device, wherein a first provided plate is transferred to the first transport device and continues to be transported therefrom. substantially in the longitudinal direction thereof, and in which a second plate provided following the first plate is transferred to the second transport device and continues to be transported in this way, and in which a next plate provided following the second plate is subsequently transferred again for the first transport device and continues to be transported in this way. The first and second transport devices are arranged and cooperate in such a way that all the supplied plates are transported on the same transport path, in which the two transport devices are controlled substantially in such a way that the transported plates are first accelerated after they are supplied to the relevant transport device and are subsequently broken again, while it is brought around each plate adjacent to the preceding plate in a way without gaps and positionally accurate positive locking. The conveying devices are formed in particular in such a way that they convey the plates substantially without sliding friction, that is to say, without relative movement between the plate and the conveying device.
    [0020] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the first and second conveyor devices has at least one conveyor belt on which the plate is supported substantially without friction (that is to say, without relative movement with respect to the conveyor belt). The conveyor belt of each transport device has a protrusion (or greater thickness) in the region of the plate support in such a way that the plate supported on it does not touch the transport belt of the other transport device, the belt which is arranged next to it . Consequently, the plate being supported on the conveyor belt of the first conveyor device cannot slide over the adjacent conveyor belt of the second conveyor device, which belt may have a different speed. In this way, abrasion and wear of the transported plates are avoided to the greatest possible degree since there is substantially no relative movement between the affected transport device (conveyor belt) and the plate and since there is no contact and therefore no friction with respect to the other transport device (conveyor belt) not affected by the plate.
    [0021] In an additionally preferred embodiment of the invention, the separation station which follows the transport device formed by the first and second conveyor belts has a plurality of additional successive transport devices that adhere to and continue to transport the plates provided and objects similar to individual strips formed from it, in which the transport speeds of these successive transport devices increase in the transport direction. In this case, a plurality of, for example, three, roller pairs arranged in a mutually parallel manner are particularly arranged one behind the other in the direction of transport, wherein the rotation speed of successive pairs of roll increases in the direction of transport, and wherein the spacing in the transport direction between the axes of the successive pairs of roll is substantially equal to the width of the individual strip-like object to be formed in the transport direction. In this embodiment, the first roll pair adheres to the supplied plate and the subsequent roll pairs separate the strip-like object from the plate as a result of the increased speed over the first roll pair.
    [0022] In the direction of transport downstream of the plurality of roller pairs, preferably a star-like transportation device which rotates about an axis of rotation arranged parallel with the axis of rotation of the roller pairs is preferably provided. The star-like transport device adheres to the strip-like object which is separated from the plate by the roller pairs and accelerates it in the direction of transport so as to form a defined uniform spacing between successive individual strip-like objects. This spacing is necessary in order to provide the strip-like object for the subsequent first packaging station.
    [0023] As a result of the cooperation according to the invention of the separation station with the transport devices in order to provide the plate provided for the separation station and the construction of the separation station and the supply of devices according to the invention and cooperation of these components with the additional components for packaging the strip-like objects formed with a first packaging material, so as to form a group of the individual packaged strip-like objects and for packaging the group formed of strip-like objects with a second packaging material packaging, in general it is possible to achieve a greater machine output than in the prior art (for example, approximately 4000 articles per minute), with the products being processed at the same time in a more protective way and with a higher level of operational reliability of the than in the case of prior art machines.
    [0024] Advantages and additional details of the invention will be realized from the following detailed description of a modality together with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side view of the entire packaging machine according to the invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged side view of the plate supply devices and the separation devices of the packaging machine according to the invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the plate supply and supply devices; Figure 4 is a side view of the provision and supply of plate from Figure 3 from the rear; Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the separation devices; Figure 6 is a side view of the strip packaging devices; Figure 7 is a side view of the group forming devices and the group packaging devices that are attached to them; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the group forming devices 5; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the group packaging devices.
    [0025] Figure 1 is a schematic overview of the chewing gum packaging machine. In this illustration, the product to be packaged passes through the machine from right to left, where a plate is provided and supplied at the right side end of that transport path, a plate from which the chewing gum strips individual strips must be formed, and in which the strips of chewing gum grouped and packaged are discharged for further processing at the left-hand end of that transport path. It is only clear that a product flow is also possible from left to right according to the application and the construction of the machine.
    [0026] In this case, the plate of chewing gum material P is provided first in the provision of plate and delivery devices 100 and then is provided for the separation devices 200, in which the individual chewing gum strips S are formed from the plate P. The strip packaging devices 300, in which the individual chewing gum strips formed S are packaged in a first packaging material V1, adjacent to the separating devices 200. The chewing gum strips VS which are packaged and formed in this way are then supplied to the group forming devices 400, groups G in which the packaged chewing gum strips VS are formed. The G groups formed in this manner are then finally supplied to group 500 packaging devices, in which the G groups formed from the VS packaged chewing gum strips are packaged in a second V2 packaging material. The VG strip groups packaged and formed in this way are then discharged for further processing, for example, for additional packaging and / or grouping operations in order to form suitable sales units.
    [0027] As Figure 1 shows, the chewing gum product to be packaged passes through the machine from right to left substantially in a plane on a uniform linear conveyor path without lateral redirects or redirects of the conveyed product in terms of height that occurs in this case. In this way the product is already loaded to a lesser extent and processed in a protective manner. The individual components of the packaging machine shown as an overview in Figure 1 are described in detail below with reference to the additional drawings. The arrows shown in the drawings indicate significant directions of transport or movement.
    [0028] Figures 2, 3 and 4 are different views of the plate supply and supply devices 100. The plates P formed from the chewing gum material are provided in the form of the PM stack in a tank. That tank can be filled with new P plates manually or automatically. The lower plate P is pushed from the stack PM with a first plate pressing device 112 and pushed with a second plate pusher 114 between two cutting rollers 120 which are arranged parallel to each other and which rotate in opposition. Cutting rollers 120 adhere to plate P and unload it behind rollers 120 again. The cutting rollers 120 have, on their longitudinal axis and / or on their periphery, a plurality of blades which produce grooves R in the plates P as a result of the rotation of the rolls. The axial spacing between two adjacent blades consequently corresponds to the width of a strip of chewing gum S to be formed. The number of sheets consequently corresponds to the number of strips S to be formed from a plate P plus one. The blades arranged on the longitudinal axis or on the periphery of the rollers 120 produce the grooves R in the plate P in such a way that they do not cut through the plate P but instead produce indentations similar to the groove in the plate on the upper side and / or the lower side of the same in such a way that a thin layer of material still remains between the grooves R on both sides.
    [0029] In the direction of transport downstream of the cutting rollers 120, the notched plates P are then collected by the additional plate pressing devices 116 and additionally transported and finally transferred to a transport device 150 which transports the plate P to the transport devices. separation 200. As can be seen from Figures 3 and 4, the P plates are moved substantially in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the same until transfer to the transport device 150. The P plates are then additionally transported in the longitudinal direction by the transport device 150 and supplied for the separation devices 200.
    [0030] Figure 4 is a side view of the plate supply and supply devices 100 in an observation direction obliquely above and to the right towards an oblique position below and to the left in Figure 3. In Figure 4, consequently, the transport 150 transports the plate P provided to it from the left additionally in a direction directed perpendicularly in the drawing plane.
    [0031] As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, devices 130 for orienting the plates P can additionally be provided in the direction of transport upstream of the cutting rollers 120. Those orienting the devices 130 push the plate P in the region upstream of the cutting rollers 120 against an interruption 132 which is arranged unloaded with the outermost right hand blades of the rollers 120 (when viewed in the transport direction of plate P in Figure 3). If a plate P is longer in relation to its dimensions than the total width of the cutting rollers 120, then it is possible that a remaining portion of the plate P protrudes outwards (which means, to the left in Figure 3) only on the outer left side edge of plate P (when viewed in the direction of transport of plate P in Figure 3) with respect to the outer left side blades of rollers 120. That portion of the protruding plate can then be cut off during the passage through the cutting rollers 120 through the outermost left-hand blades so that the plate P has, following the passage through the cutting rollers 120, a length which precisely corresponds to a multiple integer number of the strips S to be formed without an edge portion which may be narrower than a regular strip S to be formed remaining on one of the edges thereof.
    [0032] This edge cut should in general be carried out in such a way that only strips S of the same size are always produced and additionally transported during transport to the front of plate P and the subsequent formation of the individual strips S. Otherwise, the edge portion more The protruding narrow can produce a strip S which is very narrow, which can result in problems in the case of subsequent additional process steps.
    [0033] The guiding devices 130 can, for example, be formed either by a pressing device which adheres the plate P to the short edge of the same (located on the left side of the bottom in Figure 3) and pushes it against the interruption 132 in the direction longitudinal view. Alternatively, the guiding devices 130 can be formed by a guiding plate, on which the plate P rests and by which the plate P is again pushed against the interruption 132 in a frictionally engaged manner. Those guiding devices 130 can also be provided since the PM plate stack typically becomes slightly displaced in a longitudinal direction of the P plates as a result of the movements or vibrations inherent in the machine, so that the plate P is pushed from the PM pile by the first plate pusher 112 is initially not precisely oriented with respect to the cutting rollers 120. As a result, the guiding devices 130 therefore guarantee the centering of the plate P in relation to the cutting rollers 120. If the plate P has the dimensions correct from the beginning and the edge cut described above is therefore unnecessary, the guiding devices 130 can also be provided only to center the plate P in relation to the cutting rollers 120.
    [0034] As Figure 4 additionally shows, it is possible to provide, in the region of the plate supply devices 150, an additional pressing device 140 which is used initially to pick up the plate P before transferring it to the transport means of the transport devices 150 above the transport means and only then to deposit the plate P in the transport means of the transport devices 150 by the pressing device 140 being removed. The pressing device 140 can comprise a plate or a metal blade, in which the plate P is pushed by a pressing device 118 again in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the same and is deposited in that location, while the pressing plate 140 is located in a position above the means of transport of the plate transport devices 150. As long as the means of transport of the plate transport devices 150 is ready, the deposition push member 140 is removed (meaning to say, towards to the external right position in Figure 4), while the plate P falls into the transport means of the plate transport devices 150. The height of the fall can be, for example, approximately from 2 to 3 mm in this case. With this device, the supply of the P plates to the plate conveyor devices 150 can be decoupled in terms of the time of movement of the plate conveyor devices 150 and the plate P is correctly deposited on the conveyor devices 150 only when they have moved to the correct position, in which the plate P can be picked up.
    [0035] Figure 3 shows the transport devices 150 which are used to supply the plates P in a successive manner to the adjacent separation device 200 in the longitudinal direction thereof. These plate supply devices 150 particularly comprise two conveyor devices which are arranged next to each other, in particular two conveyor belts or two pairs of conveyor belts 152 and 154. The first pair of conveyor belts 152 is used to pick up one first plate P provided from the side (as described above) and then to carry it forward substantially in the longitudinal direction of it. The second pair of conveyor belt 154 which corresponds to the first pair of conveyor belt 152 in terms of their function serves to take a second key P which follows the first plate P (and which, as described above, is supplied again from the side ) and then again to transport it forward substantially in the longitudinal direction of it. Following the second pair of conveyor belts 154, the first pair of conveyor belts 152 again takes a next plate P which follows the previously mentioned second plate P and which is again supplied from the side and again carries it in the longitudinal direction of the same for the separation device 200. The conveyor belts 152, 154 have suitable carriers that are adjacent to the plate P at the rear end of the same in the direction of transport, respectively, and carry the plate P during the movement of the conveyor belt. The P plates are therefore supported on the conveyor belts 152, 154 in such a way that they are moved by the conveyor belts without friction, which means to say, there is no relative movement between the P plate and the conveyor belt 152 or 154 associated with it, respectively, as already explained in the introduction.
    [0036] Conveyor belts or pairs of conveyor belts 152, 154 are particularly constructed in such a way that they have a projection or greater thickness in the region in which the plate P is supported. As explained above in connection with the deposition pusher 140 (see Figure 4), each conveyor belt 152, 154 just needs to be moved to the correct position in which it can pick up the P plate. Consequently, this is the position in which the region of the greatest belt thickness is located under the deposition pusher 140 so that the plate P falls on that portion of the projected belt when the deposition pusher 140 is removed. At the same time, a region of the other conveyor belt is due to the fact that the region under the deposition plate 140 which has a normal thickness or less. The plate P supported in the projection region of the first pair of belts 152 thus cannot come into contact with the second pair of belts 154 in this portion. The plate P supported in the projected region of the first pair of belts 152 can consequently be moved forward without touching the second pair of belts 154 and in particular rubbing along it. In this way, friction of the plate P on the conveyor belt is generally avoided and as a result, material abrasion from the plate P is avoided.
    [0037] While the successive plates P are consequently transported in principle on the same transport path, they are alternatively transported by the first pair of belt 152 and the second pair of belt 154 in the manner described above. The speed of movement of the conveyor belts is controlled by suitable control devices in such a way that the plates P are first accelerated and subsequently broken again after the plates P are transferred in the region of the deposition pusher 140. In this way, the successive plates P as which are initially located with spacing between them in the longitudinal direction of the same on the conveyor belts 152, 154 close together, which means that each successive plate approaches in a way without gaps positionally needs positive locking upstream of the separation device 200 with respect to the preceding plate, respectively. Consequently, as a result of the P plates being transported in a controlled manner on the conveyor belts 152, 154, the P plates are therefore located without backing pressure one after the other in a way without gaps, which means, the supplied P plates from the rear in the direction of transport they do not reach the preceding plates P and do not push them forward from the rear.
    [0038] Thus, as already explained in the introduction, the transport devices 152, 154 do not move additionally continuously and therefore in particular do not slide under the plates P which are supported, but instead supply the plates in a controlled and cyclical manner , the P plates are transported in this phase in a particularly protected manner, which means that there are no loads imposed on the P plates by relative speeds between the means of transport (conveyor belts) and the P plate, while abrasion, wear and tear and damage to the plates and the machine is avoided.
    [0039] In this embodiment having two conveyor belts or pairs of conveyor belts 152, 154, consequently, an uncoupling of the removal of the P plates from the PM deposit and the deposit of the P plates in the transport devices 150 or 152, 154 from the delivery of the plates P for the subsequent separation device 200 can be achieved in terms of time. While the separating device 200 works continuously and removes the P plates from the plate supply devices 150, the devices 100 for providing and supplying the P plates to the transport devices 150 (which means, transferring the P plates to conveyor belts 152, 154) operate in a discontinuous manner in a cyclical manner.
    [0040] The two conveyor belts or pairs of conveyor belts 152, 154 are driven by an electric motor, in particular a servo motor that can be controlled precisely highly dynamically, respectively, in which the servomotors of the two conveyor belts 152, 154 work independently of each other and actuate those conveyor belts separately from and independently of one another. The characteristic of the servomotor drives is predefined by means of suitable software. Conveyor belts 152, 154 and in particular carriers fitted to them may have, in addition to encoding devices (encoders) integrated in the servo drives, additional sensor and / or encoding devices which cause the position of the conveyor belts or its carriers is precisely known at all times, which can be used to correctly control the servo drives. As already described above, the control causes one of the conveyor belts 152, 154 to stop while it picks up the plate P, which is to say, while the plate P arriving from the cutting rollers 120 is transferred laterally to it. The control particularly additionally causes the other of the two conveyor belts 152, 154 to carry the preceding plate P towards the separating device 200 during this time. The carrier devices of that last conveyor belt then run on or return to the position in which the next plate P will be transferred back to that conveyor belt. At the same time, the other conveyor belt again runs forward to the separation device 200 with the preceding plate P arranged in it. The control also causes the relevant conveyor belt to move in such a way that the relevant plate P is adjacent to the preceding plate P in a positionally precise manner and without gaps but without any impact and without supporting pressure. The transport device 150 is therefore a multi-channel transport device; therefore, in the present embodiment (Figure 3) in particular a two-channel transport device, in which each belt or each pair of belt 152, 154 forms a channel and in which the two channels are operated in a controlled and coordinated manner but in a to be independent of each other. It is evident in itself that a different number of channels can also be provided according to the application and the modality.
    [0041] Figures 2 and 5 particularly show the separation devices 200 for forming the individual strip-like objects S from the plates P adjacent to the plate supply devices 150. The separation devices 200 comprise in particular devices for separating a single object similar to strip (strip S) from plate P at the front end thereof in the direction of transport being smashed along the main groove R produced in plate P such that the supplied plate P and separate strip S are substantially the same plan. The separation devices 200 additionally comprise devices for accelerating the separate strip S in the transport direction to form a defined spacing between the successive individual strips S.
    [0042] As Figure 2 shows, the separation devices 200 particularly comprise three pairs of roll 210, 220, 230 which are arranged parallel to each other and which are arranged one behind the other in the direction of transport and engage one another in a manner proper. Each pair of rolls adheres to the supplied plate P or to strips of product S formed from it and transports them forward because each pair of rolls picks up the product between the two rolls of the same which rotate one against each other. As can be seen in Figure 5, the rollers for each roll pair 210, 220, 230 have peripheral surface regions by which the product is picked up. Roller surfaces are typically provided in those regions with a structure through which the product passing through can be picked up, in which that structure can be introduced into the product material to a greater or lesser depth according to the quality of the material of the product. product being transported. Chewing gum materials are typically so soft that structured roll surfaces leave behind a corresponding structure or pattern on the surface of the product that passes through. That structure in the chewing gum strips S is apparent in Figure 5 downstream of the roller pairs 210, 220, 230, respectively. In order to make these circumstances clear, Figure 5 shows an exploded view of the separation devices 200 and in particular the arrangement of the roller pairs 210, 220, 230. In comparison, Figure 2 shows the normal arrangement of these components within the machine .
    [0043] The spacing between the axes of the successive pairs of roll when observed in the direction of transport is substantially the same as the width of the chewing gum strip S to be formed in the direction of transport. In particular, the spacing between the axes of the roller pairs must have such dimensions in the direction of transport that the strip S carried and released by a first pair of roll can be taken by the next, next pair of roll and again carried forward.
    [0044] The rotation speed of the roller pairs 210, 220, 230 increases in the transport direction. As Figure 5 shows, the plate P provided by the plate transport devices 150 is adhered to by the first pair of roll 210. In this case, there may be provision for the rotation speed of the rollers of the first pair of roll 210 to substantially match the speed of the supplying the plate P so that the plate P is picked up and removed by the first pair of roll 210 from the supply devices 150 at a constant speed. The second subsequent roll pair 220 rotates at a greater speed than the first roll pair 210. This causes the rollers of the second roll pair 220 to separate, in particular to shatter, a strip S at the front end of plate P along the main groove R, since the transport speed is increased by the second pair of roller 220, which means to say, the movement that transports the product is accelerated.
    [0045] The third pair of roll 230 again has a greater speed of rotation than the previous second pair of roll 220, whereby strip S which runs through the third pair of roll 230 is further accelerated in the direction of transport. In this way, the spacing between the individual strips S in the transport direction is successively increased during the passage through the roller pairs 210, 220, 230.
    [0046] In an alternative embodiment, the first roller pair 210 can already have a rotation speed, which means, transport speed, which is greater than the speed of supplying the plate P through the plate transport devices 150 to the first pair of roll 210. In this case, the strip of product S is already separated from the plate P by the first pair of roll 210 along the main groove R.
    [0047] According to the present invention, it is significant that the chewing gum strips S separated from the plate P are smashed in the direction of transport without the formed strips S being redirected to a different transport plane in this case. The plate P provided and the strip S separated therefrom are therefore substantially located in the same plane. As already explained in the introduction, strips S were broken from the P plate on machines from the prior art by means of a breaker roller or the like and redirected outside the supply plane of the P plate. In the case of a corresponding direction of rotation of the breaker roller, the strips S were pressed away on the known machines in particular downward to a lower plane, on which the strips were then carried forward. The prevention according to the invention of a deflection or redirection of the strips S formed consequently guarantees a protective processing of the product in this region, in which in particular abrasion and damage in relation to the product are avoided. The construction according to the invention additionally guarantees a higher level of operational reliability due to the fact that support and blocking of product on the machine are avoided in this region.
    [0048] Additionally, as can be seen in Figures 2 and 5, a star-like transport device 250 is arranged in the separation devices 200 downstream of the plurality of roll pairs 210, 220, 230 in the transport direction. That star-like transport device 250 rotates about an axis which is arranged parallel with the axes of the preceding roller pairs, in which the rotation speed of the member similar to the star 250 is increased again, however, in relation to the rotation speed of the previous rollers. In this way, the transport star-like member 250 further accelerates the strip S again in the direction of transport, whereby the spacing between successive strips S is again increased in this case. In this case, in particular, a spacing is formed between the successive strips S, which corresponds to the pitch, that is to say, the spacing of the successive individual carriers of the subsequent transport devices, with which the strip S is additionally transported to the next station. This situation is illustrated in Figure 6 on the right side of the illustration.
    [0049] As can be seen in this case, the transport and separation star-like member 250 transfers the individual formed chewing gum strips S to a first strip transport device 310, which has carriers 312 for each stripe S with a predetermined spacing fixed. Consequently, the separating star-like member 250 transfers the strips S at a speed and with a spacing between them corresponding to the speed and spacing of the individual carriers 312 of the strip conveyor 310, to the first strip conveyor 310. The first strip transport device 310 can be formed by suitable transport means, for example, transport devices of the chain or belt type having carriers 312 which are fitted to it and which adhere to the product strip S and additionally push it forward.
    [0050] The strip transport device 310 then transports the chewing gum strip S to a first packaging material supply device 320. Here, the strips S are pushed onto a prepared curtain comprising a first packaging material V1. When the strips S are carried forward by carriers 312, the packaging material V1 is then positioned around the strip S, wherein cutting devices 322 provided in the packaging material supply devices 320 cut from the packaging material after a length feed rate or discharge length. A portion of packaging material which is loosely positioned around strip S when strip S continues to be transported is thus produced for each strip S. Following the first packaging material supply device 320, strip S it is therefore partially rolled up in the portion of the packaging material, as Figure 6 illustrates schematically for an extended scale above the transport path (partially packed strip VS).
    [0051] So that this strip VS which is initially partially wrapped in the packaging material is completely wrapped in the packaging material, folding devices 350 for the packaging material are subsequently provided downstream of the forward transport. Thus, the partially packed strip VS is transferred from the first strip transport device 310 to a notched drum or folding drum 350. That notched drum 350 has suitably similar front and / or rear slot receivers 352. The partially packed strip VS is pushed into a receiver 352 horizontally and turned through 180 ° by a rotation of the folding drum 350 and a corresponding rotation of the receiver 352, respectively. Receiver 352 runs radially outwardly along an inner wall 354 of the notched drum 350, inner wall which acts as a folding face. The packaging material portion 5 of the VS product strip is thus folded through 90 °, the packaging material portion which initially protrudes horizontally outside the receiver 352, as Figure 6 illustrates on the right above the notched drum 350 ( pre-folding).
    [0052] When the receiver 352 has reached the opposite position which is rotated 180 ° as a result of the drum 350 being rotated (cf. the illustration of the partially packed strip VS on the left above the drum 350), the strip VS is pushed from the receiver 352. It is guided again beyond a folding face of folding drum 350 such that the portion of packaging material initially still projects by 90 ° from the partially packed strip VS is folded downwards on the VS strip by an additional 90 ° (as shown on the left in Figure 6 in addition to folding drum 350 - final folding). In order to achieve this, the partially packed strip VS is removed from the receiver 352 when the receiver 352 of the notched drum 350, is in the rotated position by 180 ° by means of a second strip transport device 380 and then carried forward. For this purpose, the strip transport device 380 again has suitable carriers 382 which engage the receiver 352 in such a way that they push the partially packaged strip VS out of the receiver 352 and subsequently further transport it to the folding drum 350. A downstream of folding drum 350, suitable folding devices (folding switches) 356 are subsequently additionally provided in the region of the second strip conveyor 380 and bring lateral folding of the portions of packaging material that are protruding laterally in the strip VS ( lateral folding). Depending on the type of folding, these folding switches can also be on the first strip conveyor 310. These portions of packaging material that are protruding laterally are consequently folded 180 ° on the VS strip so that, at the end , a fully packaged strip VS is provided, as schematically illustrated at the extreme right-hand end of the transport path of Figure 6.
    [0053] As mentioned above, the individual chewing gum strip S is consequently completely wrapped in a portion of the packaging material V1, which portion is provided in the packaging material supply devices 320. In typical embodiments, that device comprises a driven unwinding by servo of the strip of packaging material with screen edge control for lateral correction of the packaging material. The packaging material discharge or delivery device 320 may additionally comprise a cam controlled packaging material discharge (servo drive with cam profile) and a positional synchronous feeding of the packaging material. Finally, the packaging material delivery devices 320 also comprise a cam-controlled cutting station 322 (servo drive with cam profile) for positionally synchronous feeding of individual packaging material portions to each strip S. The cutting station 322 can be formed by one or two rotary cutting rollers and optionally a counter-blade, in which several cutting and packaging material guide operations. The packaging material unloading device or packaging material supply device 320 and the cutting station 322 can be constructed so that it can be displaced upwards and intended to be opened in order to perform necessary maintenance operations and be able to rectify any malfunctions.
    [0054] The devices 400 for forming groups G of the individual packaged strip-like objects VS then proceed in the subsequent process sequence of the packaging machine (cf. Figures 1 and 7). In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, those group forming devices 400 are devices for forming a stack of a plurality of strips of VS product located one above the other. In another embodiment which is not illustrated in the drawings, the group forming devices alternately can be constructed in such a way that a plurality of product strips are next to each other. In yet another embodiment, group forming devices can also be provided in such a way that a plurality of stacks of individual strips located one above the other are arranged side by side. These different modalities of group forming devices can be combined and built in a variable and modular way with the components and machine members described above, while extremely varied sizes, group shapes and packaging styles can be produced for different units desired sales.
    [0055] Figures 7 and 8 show, the group forming devices 400 of the present embodiment comprise a collection drum 410 which has a plurality of so-called channels. In technical circles, such a collection drum is also called "multi-channel race paths". In the modality illustrated in Figure 8, the collection drum 410 has three channels which are all arranged in rotation around a common axis ("three-channel running track"). Each channel is mobile in relation to the other channels of the collection drum. Each channel has a plurality of receiving devices or collection holes 420, 430, 440, where each collection hole again has a plurality of compartments 460 for receiving a strip of VS product. The number of compartments 460 of each collection hole 420, 430, 440 corresponds to the number of strips VS, from which a stack or group G of strips is intended to be formed.
    [0056] In the embodiment of Figure 8, the collection drum 410 has three channels which again each have three collection holes 420, 430, 440, where each collection hole has five compartments 460 each to receive a VS strip. In Figure 8, the three channels are indicated with the symbols of circle, triangle and square, which means that all collection holes 420, 430, 440 which in this case have the same symbol belong to a channel. The collection holes in a channel are typically equidistant, meaning that they are arranged at an angle of 120 ° to each other. The channels rotate in an intermittently controlled manner around the axis of the drum 410, in which they move slowly or rapidly in phases or come to an interruption. Each channel can always additionally rotate only to such an extent that none of the collection holes 420, 430, 440 of the same collide with the previous collection holes of another channel in the direction of rotation. The three channels consequently move, on the one hand, independently of each other around the axis of rotation, in which they are controlled in the direction mentioned above in terms of their rotation movement are still dependent on each other. Each channel has an individual drive in the form of an electric motor (servomotor).
    [0057] In Figure 8, the individual packaged strips VS are transported by the second strip transport device 380 towards collection drum 410, where they are introduced individually and successively into compartments 460 of a prepared collection hole 420, 430, 440 of one of the three channels. The relevant channel continues to rotate intermittently around a position in such a way that the next collection hole compartment can be filled. As long as all of the collection orifice compartments are filled, this collection orifice additionally rotates to the discharge position of the collection drum 410 opposite 180 °, where all of the compartments 460 of that collection orifice are emptied simultaneously by the fact that that the content of that collection hole is pushed at the same time. This is brought, for example, by an inclined type conveyor 480 (see Figure 7) that adheres to the stack of VS strips in the collection hole to be emptied from below and from the rear, and pushes it in the direction of transport outside the relevant collection hole (in Figure 8, in an oblique direction down to the left). In this case, therefore, a stack or a group G of five individual packaged chewing gum strips VS is then provided.
    [0058] As the individual packaged chewing gum strips VS are supplied by the strip transport device 380 continuously with equal spacing, it must be ensured that these strips are continuously removed and transported forward by the collection drum 410. While a collection 420, 430, 440 of a specific channel is consequently filled successively with the VS strips (five compartments 460 to receive five VS strips), the collection hole of a next channel reaches the previous collection hole and is ready to pick up the next five VS strips supplied successively in their compartments without any interruption of a strip supply system, provided that all the compartments of the previous collection hole of the previous channel are filled and that previous collection hole has moved out that filling zone (see also Figure 7, right side). Consequently, while the next collection hole is successively filled with VS strips, the other collection holes move further in a controlled manner on the condition that they do not collide with the preceding collection hole of a previous channel. The collection holes completely filled with VS chewing gum strips move, as described above, by 180 ° to the discharge position, in which group G is removed from the collection hole, respectively. Meanwhile, the collection holes previously emptied in the discharge position continue to move in succession and travel back to the starting position to receive new, supplied VS strips.
    [0059] In this way, the operation of filling the collection drum 410 with individual strips VS is decoupled in terms of the time of removing the groups G formed from the collection drum 410. This principle of temporal decoupling of the movements corresponds to the principle described above which is applied in the field of provision and supply of plates P for plate transport devices 150 and separation devices 200, in which the sequence of method steps is, however, carried out in a transposed manner by one degree. While the plate P is provided and supplied at the machine entrance as a uniformly coherent structure and is then separated into individual strips S in the separation devices 200, the individual strips VS are supplied in the region of the group forming devices 400 and combined to form a group G and carried forward in this way.
    [0060] Finally, the group 500 packaging devices additionally adjacent to the group 400 forming devices in the direction of transport in the packaging machine and is again substantially formed by a packaging material supply device 520 and folding devices in the form of a drum folding faces 550 having folding faces 554 and associated folding switches 556. Figures 7 and 9 show, the groups G formed from the individual packaged chewing gum strips VS are supplied to the group 500 packaging devices by the inclined type transport device 480. The inclined type transport device 480 in particular is a double inclined conveyor which has the advantage that the movement speed of each individual inclination can be reduced, which is disadvantageous for reasons of control and drive mechanics.
    [0061] The supplied strip group G initially passes through a packaging material supply device 520 (comparable to the packaging material supply device described above 320 for the individual strips S; see Figure 6) in which a second packaging material V2 packaging in which group G is finally intended to be packaged is provided. The packaging material supply device 520 again also comprises cutting devices 522, by means of which a portion of packaging material is produced and fed into the conveyor path. The packaging material supply device 520 additionally comprises (again also similarly for the packaging material supply device 320 previously described for the individual strips) packaging material unwinding devices and packaging material discharge devices which may have substantially the same mechanical / physical functionality as described above in connection with the first packaging material supply device 320. In the region of the packaging material supply devices 520 for strip group G, additionally it is also possible to provide the provision, supplying and unrolling an open shattered strip for packaging.
    [0062] As Figure 9 shows, the packaging material matrix is positioned in the region of the packaging material supply devices 520 around the supplied G group which is then supplied to the folding drum 550. In this folding drum 550, the supplied partially packed group G is rotated by 180 °, where the projected packaging material portion is folded by means of folding face 554 of folding drum 550 and, when partially packed group G is pushed from folding drum 550 , is completely positioned against the package formed in this way. Suitable additional folding devices, in particular folding switches 556, which finally additionally fold the material projecting laterally from packaging portions and position them in the formed packages, additionally then attach the folding drum 550, as can be seen in Figure 9 at a lower left-hand end of the transport path. A sealing device 570 can also be in this region and close to the packaging material of the formed VG package (cf. Figure 7). The VG chewing gum strip package formed is then finally additionally transported by a suitable transport device, for example, a transport device of the inclined type 580 (preferably again a double inclination) and unloaded from the packaging machine. List of reference numerals P Plate PM Plate stack, tank R Slot S Object similar to strip, strip V1 First packaging material VS Packaged strip G Group, stack of packaged strips V2 Second packaging material VG Packaged strip group 100 Plate supply and supply devices 112 Pressing devices, plate pusher 114 Pressure devices, plate pusher 116 Pressing devices, plate pusher 118 Pressing devices, plate pusher 120 cutting rollers, pair of roll 130 Guidance devices 132 Interruption 140 Pressing device, deposition plate 150 Plate supply devices, transport devices 152 First plate transport device, 10 pair / conveyor belt 154 Second plate transport device, pair / conveyor belt 200 Separation devices 210 First roll pair 220 Second roller pair 230 Third roller pair 250 Star-like transport device, separation star-like member 300 Strip packaging devices 310 First strip transport device 312 Bearer 320 Packaging material supply device 322 Cutting devices, cutting station 350 Folding devices, folding drum, notched drum 352 Receiver 354 Folding face, inner drum wall 356 Folding devices, folding switches 380 Second strap conveyor 382 Bearer 400 Group formation devices 410 collection drum 420 First channel collection hole 430 Second channel collection hole 440 Third channel collection hole 460 Compartments in the collection hole 480 Inclined type transport device, double inclination 500 group packaging devices 520 Packaging material supply device 522 Cutting devices, cutting station 550 Folding devices, folding drum 554 Folding face 556 Folding devices, folding switches 570 Sealing device 580 Inclined type transport device, double inclination
    权利要求:
    Claims (19)
    [0001]
    Method for packaging strip-like objects, in particular objects suitable for consumption, in particular chewing gum strips, having the following steps: - provide substantially rectangular plates (P), from which the strip-like objects (S) must be formed, in which the length of the shorter sides of the plates (P) corresponds to the length of a strip-like object (S) to be formed; - forming individual strip-like objects (S) from the plates (P) provided; - packaging the individual strip-like objects (S) formed with a first packaging material (V1); - forming a group (G) of the strip-like objects (VS) individually packaged; - packaging the formed group (G) of strip-like objects (VS) with a second packaging material (V2); - the step of providing the plates (P) comprises the following additional steps: - produce grooves (P) in the plates (R) which extend substantially parallel with the shorter sides of the plates (P); - supply the individual plates (P) in a longitudinal direction in a controlled manner, successively to the next stage of forming the individual strip-like objects (S) in such a way that each plate (P) is adjacent to the preceding plate (P) of a positionally precise and without gaps, without supporting pressure; characterized by the fact that - the step of forming the individual strip-like objects (S) comprises the following additional steps: - separate an individual strip-like object (S) from the plate (P) at the front end of it in the direction of transport by tearing along the main groove (R) produced in such a way that the supplied plate (P) and the object similar to the separate strip (S) are in substantially the same plane; - accelerating the strip-like object (S) separated in the direction of transport so as to form a spacing between the successive individual strip-like objects (S); - in which the successive plates (P) in their longitudinal direction and the individual strip-like objects (S) formed from it pass through a plurality of successive transport devices (210, 220, 230, 250) that adhere and additionally they transport the plates (P) or the strip-like objects (S) formed, in which the transport speed of the successive transport devices (210, 220, 230, 250) increases in the transport direction; - wherein the plurality of successive conveying devices (210, 220, 230, 250) comprises a plurality of, in particular three, roller pairs (210, 220, 230) arranged parallel to each other and arranged one behind the other in the direction of transport, in which the rotation speed of the successive pairs of roll (210, 220, 230) increases in the direction of transport, in which the pairs of roll (210, 220, 230) respectively adhere to each other, in which the spacing in the transport direction between the axes of the successive pairs of roll (210, 220, 230) is substantially identical to the width of the individual strip-like object (S) to be formed in the transport direction, and in which the first pair of roll (210) the supplied plate (P) is adhered and the subsequent pairs of roll (220, 230) separate the strip-like object (S) from the plate (P); - in which the successive transport devices (210, 220, 230, 250) comprise a star-like transport device (250) which is arranged in the direction of transport downstream of the plurality of roller pairs (210, 220, 230) , in which the star-like transport device (250) rotates about an axis which is arranged parallel with the axes of the roller pairs (210, 220, 230), where the rotation speed of the similar transport device the star (250) is greater than the rotation speed of the previous roll pairs (210, 220, 230), and in which the star-like transport device (250) accelerates the strip-like object (S) separated in the direction carriage.
    [0002]
    Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a provided plate (P) is transferred to a first transport device (152), whereby the plate (P) is first accelerated and subsequently broken again in the longitudinal direction of the same way that the plate (P) is adjacent to the preceding plate (P) and the fact that the next plate (P) provided is transferred to a second transport device (154) which corresponds to the first transport device (152) and by which that plate (P) is first accelerated and subsequently broken again in the longitudinal direction of it so that the plate (P) is adjacent to the preceding plate (P), in which the plates (P) are carried by the transport devices (152, 154) substantially without friction.
    [0003]
    Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the plates (P) are oriented before the grooves (R) are produced in such a way that the plates (P) can have, only at one end of the same in a longitudinal direction, a projection portion which is cut when grooves (R) are produced.
    [0004]
    Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the step of forming a group (G) of individual packaged strip-like objects (VS) comprises forming a stack of a plurality of similar objects the strip (VS) one above the other.
    [0005]
    Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the step of forming a group (G) of individual packaged strip-like objects (VS) comprises the arrangement of a plurality of strip-like objects ( VS) next to each other.
    [0006]
    Apparatus for producing objects similar to individual strips, in particular objects suitable for consumption, in particular strips of chewing gum, having the following features: - devices (100) for providing substantially rectangular plates (P), from which the strip-like objects (S) must be formed, in which the length of the shorter sides of the plates (P) corresponds to the length of a similar object the strip (S) to be formed; - devices (200) for forming individual strip-like objects (S) from the plates (P) provided; characterized by the fact that - the devices (100) for providing the plates (P) have the following characteristics: - devices (120) for producing slots (R) in the plates (P) which extend substantially parallel with the shorter sides of the plates (P); - devices (150, 152, 154) for supplying the individual plates (P) in a longitudinal direction in a successive manner to the following devices (200) to form the individual strip-like objects (S) in such a way that each plate (P) is adjacent to the preceding plate (P) in a positionally precise manner and without gaps, without supporting pressure; - and the fact that the devices (200) for forming the individual strip-like objects (S) comprise a plurality of successive transport devices (210, 220, 230, 250), wherein the transport speed of the transport devices (210, 220, 230, 250) increases in the direction of transport, in which the transport devices (210, 220, 230, 250) adhere and additionally transport the supplied plates (P), which are mutually successive from one without gaps, in its longitudinal direction and the individual strip-like objects (S) formed from it, and in which the transport devices (210, 220, 230, 250) have the following characteristics: - devices for separating an individual strip-like object (S) from the plate (P) at the front end of the same in the direction of transport tearing along the main groove (R) produced in such a way that the supplied plate (P) and the separate strip-like object (S) is substantially on the same plane; wherein a plurality of, in particular three, roller pairs (210, 220, 230) arranged parallel to each other are arranged one behind the other in the transport direction, wherein the rotation speed of the successive roller pairs (210, 220 , 230) increases in the transport direction, in which the successive roller pairs (210, 220, 230) respectively adhere to each other, in which the spacing in the transport direction between the axes of the successive roller pairs (210, 220 , 230) is substantially identical to the width of the individual strip-like object (S) to be formed in the direction of transport, and in which the first roller pair (210) adheres to the supplied plate (P) and the subsequent roller pairs (220, 230) separate the strip-like object (S) from the plate (P); and - devices (250) for accelerating the strip-like object (S) separated in the direction of transport so as to form a spacing between the successive individual strip-like objects (S), in which a star-like transport device (250) it is arranged in the direction of transport downstream of the plurality of roller pairs (210, 220, 230), in which the star-like transport device (250) rotates about an axis which is arranged parallel with the axes of the pairs (210, 220, 230), in which the rotation speed of the star-like transport device (250) is greater than the rotation speed of the preceding roller pairs (210, 220, 230), and in which the star-like transport device (250) accelerates the strip-like object (S) separated in the direction of transport.
    [0007]
    Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that the rotation speed of the first pair of rollers (210) corresponds substantially to the speed of the plate supply (P).
    [0008]
    Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by the fact that the devices (100) for providing the plates (P) have the following additional characteristics: - a deposit to provide the plates (P) as a battery (PM); - cutting rollers (120) to produce the grooves (R) in the plates (P); - pressing devices to remove (112) a plate (P) respectively from the tank, to supply (114) the plate (P) to the cutting rollers (120) and additionally to transport (116, 118) the plate ( P) downstream of the cutting rollers (120), where the pressing devices (112, 114, 116, 118) move the plate (P) substantially in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal direction.
    [0009]
    Apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the devices (100) for providing the plates (P) have the following additional characteristics: - a first transport device (152) for transporting a first plate provided (P) substantially in the longitudinal direction thereof; - a second transport device (154) for transporting a second plate provided (P) which follows the first plate (P) substantially in the longitudinal direction thereof; - wherein the first transport device (152) downstream of the second transport device (154) carries a next provided plate (P) which follows the second plate (P); - wherein the first and second transport devices (152, 154) are arranged in such a way that the plates (P) are transported on the same transport path in such a way that each plate (P) is adjacent to the plate (P) that precedes it in a positive locking manner; - control devices for controlling the first and second transport devices (152, 154) in such a way that the transported plates (P) are first accelerated and subsequently broken again.
    [0010]
    Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the first and second transport devices, respectively, have at least one transport belt (152, 154), in which the first plate (P) is supported on the belt conveyor (152) of the first conveyor and the second plate (P) is supported on the conveyor belt (154) of the second conveyor substantially without any friction, and each conveyor belt (152, 154) has at least least one carrier, which the plate (P) contacts.
    [0011]
    Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that the conveyor belt (152, 154) of each transport device has a protrusion in the region in which the plate (P) is supported in such a way that the supported plate ( P) does not touch the adjacent transport belt (152, 154) of the other transport device, respectively.
    [0012]
    Apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized by pressing devices (118) for transferring the plates provided (P) downstream of the cutting rollers (120) to the first or the second transport device (152 , 154), in which the pressing devices (118) move the plates (P) substantially in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof.
    [0013]
    Apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized by devices (130) arranged upstream of the cutting rollers (120) in the transport direction to orient the plates (P) in such a way that the plates (P) can have, at only one end of the same in the longitudinal direction, a projection portion which is cut when the grooves (R) are produced.
    [0014]
    Apparatus for packaging strip-like objects, in particular objects suitable for consumption, in particular chewing gum strips, characterized by the fact that it comprises the following characteristics: - a device for producing individual strip-like objects (S) as defined in any one of claims 6 to 13; - devices (300) for packaging the individual strip-like objects (S) produced with a first packaging material (V1); - devices (400) for forming a group (G) of the individual packaged strip-like objects (VS); - devices (500) for packaging the formed group (G) of the strip-like objects (VS) with a second packaging material (V2).
    [0015]
    Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the devices (400) for forming a group (G) of the individual packaged strip-like objects (VS) have devices (410) for forming a stack (G) of a plurality of strip-like objects (VS) which are one above the other.
    [0016]
    Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the devices (400) for forming a stack (G) of strip-like objects (VS) have a collection drum (410) having a plurality of channels (multiple channels race paths), where all the channels of the collection drum (410) revolve around a common axis, where each channel is movable in relation to the additional channels of the collection drum (410), where each channel has a plurality of collection holes (420, 430, 440), each collection hole (420, 430, 440) having a plurality of compartments (460) for receiving a strip-like object (VS), and in which the number of compartments (460) corresponds to the number of strip-like objects (VS) in a pile (G) to be formed.
    [0017]
    Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized by the fact that the collection drum (410) has three channels having three collection holes (420, 430, 440) having five compartments (460), respectively.
    [0018]
    Apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the devices (400) for forming a group (G) of the individual packaged strip-like objects (VS) have devices for arranging a plurality of strip-like objects (VS) side by side.
    [0019]
    Apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that the devices (300) for packaging the individual strip-like objects (S) produced with a first packaging material (V1) and the devices (500) for packaging the formed group (G) of the strip-like objects (VS) with a second packaging material (V2) they have, respectively, devices (320, 322; 520, 522) to supply a portion of packaging material and devices ( 350; 550, 556) for folding projection portions of the packaging material portion around the individual strip-like objects (VS) or groups (VG) of the strip-like objects (VS) that are to be packed.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    CA2834648A1|2012-11-15|
    DE102011075439A1|2012-11-08|
    CN103517851A|2014-01-15|
    PL2694377T3|2016-07-29|
    CA2834648C|2019-01-08|
    EP2694377A1|2014-02-12|
    WO2012152557A1|2012-11-15|
    CN103517851B|2016-04-06|
    BR112013028438A2|2017-01-24|
    US9840345B2|2017-12-12|
    EP2694377B1|2016-01-20|
    US20140137517A1|2014-05-22|
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    法律状态:
    2018-12-18| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|
    2019-08-27| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|
    2020-05-26| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2020-07-21| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 19/04/2012, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    2022-01-11| B25D| Requested change of name of applicant approved|Owner name: LOESCH VERPACKUNGSTECHNIK GMBH + CO. KG. (DE) |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    DE102011075439A|DE102011075439A1|2011-05-06|2011-05-06|Method and device for packaging strip-shaped objects, in particular chewing gum sticks|
    DE102011075439.3|2011-05-06|
    PCT/EP2012/057145|WO2012152557A1|2011-05-06|2012-04-19|Method and device for packing strip-type objects, especially strips of chewing gum|
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