AT7362U1 - METHOD FOR CONNECTING FILM TUBES - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for connecting a starting section (3) of a film tube (2) wound on a roll carrier (1) to an end section (4) of a second film tube (5) extending over subsequent processing stations, in particular a bagging system, at least partially in the form of strips it is provided that, in each case, at least one hinged flap (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b) is formed at the joining of the beginning and end sections (3, 4) of the two film tubes (2, 5), by means of a knitting operation, a flap (4a, 4b) of the end section (4) is placed on a tab (3a, 3b) of the starting section (3) and the overlapping tabs (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b) are connected to one another in a tension-proof manner. The production of a tension-resistant connection of the beginning and end sections (3, 4) of the film tubes (2, 5) takes place here by welding, whereby welding methods based on ultrasound are preferred.

Description

AT 007 362 U1

The invention relates to a method for connecting an initial portion of a ribbon tube wound on a roll carrier with an end portion .eines second film tube, in particular for packaging equipment, according to the preamble of claim 1 and a packaging system according to the preamble of claim 8. s film hoses are in usually wound on roller carrier, which are rotatably mounted and of which the film tube is unwound and fed to further processing steps. A wound on a roll carrier film tube is referred to below as' hose reel. Film hoses are used in packaging systems in a variety of ways, for example in bagging systems for packing goods in bags, or in palletizing systems for the transfer of goods stored on pallets.

In bagging plants, for example, the film tube is unwound from such a hose roll and filled with material in the following plant sections. For this purpose, the initially band-shaped film tube must be opened to allow its filling. This is done with the help of a dome, which is positioned in the axial direction within the film tube, so that 15 of the film tube is opened when passing through the cathedral. Such a configuration is also referred to as a "flying dome" because the dome must be kept in stable storage inside the film tube. As an alternative to such a flying dome, wedges or vacuum cups are also used, especially in the processing of slit pleated bags.

The opening of the film tube created by means of the dome is now available for filling with 20 goods, for example in bagging plants or for wrapping goods, for example in palletizing plants. In bagging plants, the relevant film tube section is formed on both sides of the filled material, e.g. sealed using special welding procedures and the packaged goods can be removed.

In this case, in particular, the problem of roll carrier change with complete consumption of a wound on the roll carrier film tube. In a conventional manner, for this purpose, the packaging system is stopped, removed the roller carrier of the used hose reel and instead provided a new hose reel. The initial section of the new hose reel is subsequently used by hand in one of the hose reel immediately following positioning and tensioning station and fed to the other sections of the system. In particular, the mandrel or wedge is manually inserted into the initial section of the new tubular film. Only when the mandrel or wedge has been used, the packaging system can be restarted.

The change of a roller carrier thus requires longer downtime of the entire system. It should be noted that hose reels generally have about 1200 sacks, but the processing speed of bagging plants is about 1800 sacks per hour. Thus, a hose reel is used up in about 40 minutes. Oer changing the hose profile but takes about 10-20 minutes. The bagging unit is therefore idle for up to one third of its service life during its operation. Increasing processing speeds for film hoses cause an increasing deterioration of the ratio between working time and system downtime.

It is therefore the object of the invention to avoid prolonged downtime of the entire system when changing the hose reel. In particular, it is the .Ziel that after connecting the old with the new film tube again creates a tube whose opening cross-section is not or only slightly reduced at the junction. This object is achieved by the characterizing features of claims 1 and 8, respectively.

Claim 1 provides, for connecting an initial portion of a wound on a roll carrier tape wound film tube with an end portion of a second, over subsequent processing stations, in particular a packaging system, at least partially band-shaped extending film tube at the beginning and 50 end portions of the two Foiienschläuche Schnittsetzung each at least one hinged flap is formed, the lobes of the beginning and end sections are superimposed and connected to each other tensile strength. This ensures that the film tube of the used hose reel together with the film tube of the new hose reel again forms an approximately continuous film tube which extends over the Oesamtanlage 55. For this purpose, it is not necessary that the connecting section forms a dense Schiauchab section, since the connecting section does not necessarily have to be used for the filling. But it must be a tensile connection, so that the two connected film tubes can be easily passed through the other sections of equipment and in particular the dome of the old film tube in the new film tube can be easily transferred s. In particular, the method according to the invention ensures that, after joining the two film hoses, a hose is again formed whose opening cross-section at the connection point is not or only insignificantly reduced. For the creation of such a tension-proof connection is provided according to claim 1, form by knitting at least one hinged flap at the beginning and end section to 10. Such an interface can be done in different ways. For example, according to claim 2, the two to be joined initial and final sections are first cut transversely to the longitudinal extent of the film tubes to then cut off the resulting corner portions of the beginning and end sections at an acute angle to the longitudinal extension of the film tubes, so to be connected to the Beginning and end portions 15 each arise two lobes, which taper at the end. As can be seen immediately, these flaps are hinged, with the end taper facilitates handling of the flaps. In particular, it can be provided according to claim 3, that the cutting takes place transversely to the longitudinal extent of the film tubes at a right angle to the longitudinal extent, so that the lobes taper at the beginning and end portions of the two film tubes trapezoidal-shaped.

According to claim 4 it is provided that the tension-resistant connection of the beginning and end portions of the film tubes is formed by welding. In particular, welding processes based on ultrasound have proved to be advantageous for this purpose.

The generated flaps at the beginning and end sections must be lifted from the film tubes, held in place and swiveled back again. For this purpose, has proven to be advantageous according to claim 6 that the lobes to be connected to the beginning and end portions of the film tubes are sucked and pivoted by means of vacuum.

As already mentioned, welding methods are preferably used for producing a tension-resistant connection. An advantageous operation is defined in claim 7, to the 30 sequence for welding the beginning and end portions of the film tubes, a tab of the starting section is placed on a weld anus and sucked by the latter by means of negative pressure, and placed a tab of the end portion on the located on the weld anvil rag and welded to it.

Claim 8 refers to a bagging with a roll carrier on which a film 35 is wound hose, a positioning and tensioning station, which unwinds the film tube from the roll carrier and feeds subsequent sections of equipment, a packaging unit for processing a film tube section and a conveyor for transport packaged Goods. According to the invention, it is provided that between the positioning and tensioning station and the packaging station at least one cutting device for the Zuschnei-40 of the film tube and a welding station for processing the Folienschlauehes is arranged. The cutting device is used for the cut according to claim 1 and the welding station for the production of a tensile connection. According to claim 9, this is an ultrasonic welding system. In accordance with claim 10 further Saugschwenker between the positioning and tensioning station and the filling station are arranged, which serve for pivoting 45 of the lobes at the beginning or end portion.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. It show here

1a is a schematic representation of a packaging system with flying dome according to the sand of the art,

1b is a schematic representation of a packaging system with vacuum suction according to the sand of the art,

1c is a schematic representation of a packing plant with a wedge according to the sand of the art,

2a is a schematic representation of an inventive packaging system with roller magazine, cutting and welding unit, clamping and buffer unit and the packaging unit 55 in a process step in which the initial section of a new hose reel manually in the 3 AT 007 362 U1

Positioning and clamping station of the roll magazine is used and the end portion of the old roll is cut,

2b is the schematic representation of FIG. 2a seen from above,

FIG. 3a is a schematic representation according to FIG. 2 for that method step in which the starting portion of the new roll in the positioning and tensioning station is detected by a suction swivel, FIG.

3b is the schematic representation of FIG. 3a seen from above,

FIG. 4 a shows a schematic view according to FIG. 2 for that method step in which the tabs of the end section of the old roll are folded up; FIG. 4 b shows the schematic illustration according to FIG. 4 a seen from above;

FIG. 5a is a schematic representation according to FIG. 2 for that method step in which the starting section of the new roll is cut, FIG.

5b is the schematic representation of FIG. Tja seen from above,

Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of the beginning and end portions of the two connecting-15 the film tubes seen from above, in which a possible Schnittsetzung is visible,

Fig. 7a is a schematic representation according to " Fig. 2 for that process step in which the flaps of the beginning section of the new roll are folded up and the welding anvil is inserted,

Fig. 8a is a schematic illustration according to Fig. 2 for the process step in which the lobes of the starting section of the new roll are placed on the welding anvil.

8b, the schematic representation of FIG. 8a seen from above,

9a is a schematic representation according to FIG. 2 for that method step in which the suction lugs for swiveling the lobes of the starting section of the new roll are pivoted away,

9b, the schematic representation of FIG. 9a seen from above,

10a is a schematic representation according to " Fig. 2 for that process step in which the lobes of the end section of the old roll are placed on the laps of the beginning section of the new roll and are welded to them, 30 FIG. 10b is the schematic illustration according to FIG. 10a seen from above,

11a is a schematic representation according to FIG. 2 for that process step in which the welding device and the suction swivel were folded away from the film tubes, FIG.

11 b, the schematic representation according to FIG. 11 a seen from above,

FIG. 12a shows a schematic view according to FIG. 2 for the process step in which the welding anvil has been pulled out laterally and the tension-proof connection between the film hoses to be connected is completed, FIG.

12b, the schematic representation of FIG. 12a seen from above, and Fig. 13a-c different embodiments of a roller magazine.

Fig. 1a-c shows a schematic representation of a conventional bagging system with a 40 hose reel 16 *, a clamping and buffer unit 23, a filling unit 20 and a conveyor 21. In the filling unit 20, it is necessary to open the film tube 5 before filling , which is accomplished by means of a dome 25 inserted into the film tube 5. The film tube 5 can now be filled about a hopper 26. On both sides of the filled-th section of the film tube 5 is cut off and welded the ends. The abge-45 packaged good can be transported away from the conveyor 21 in a row. The operations in such plants are automated and controlled by plant control systems.

Fig. 1b shows a further embodiment of a conventional bagging system, in which instead of the dome 25 vacuum cups 27 are used to open the film tube 5, which is particularly recommended for slit pleated bags. In Fig. 1c, the use of a wedge 28 is shown schematically. In all these embodiments, the problem of changing the roll carrier with complete consumption of a wound on the roll carrier 1 film tube 5. In a conventional manner, the packaging system is stopped, the roller carrier 1 of the used hose reel 16 'removed and instead provided a new hose reel 16. The initial section of the new hose reel 16 is subsequently inserted manually into a tensioning and buffer unit 23 immediately following the hose reel 16 and fed to the further sections of the system. In particular, the dome 25 or wedge 28 is manually inserted into the initial section of the new hose reel 16. Only when the dome 25 or wedge 28 was used, the packaging system can be restarted, which requires longer downtime of the entire system. 5 According to the invention, these downtimes can be avoided by arranging a cutting device 7, 8, 9 and a welding station 12, 13, as will be explained with reference to the following FIGS. 2 to 12.

Fig. 2 shows schematically an overview of the entire system with the new film tube 2, which is wound on the new hose reel 16 strip-shaped, cutting devices io 7, 8, 9, welding station 12, 13, buffer unit 23 and the packaging unit 24. In the packaging unit 24 may be, for example, a filling unit of a bagging unit, or a packaging unit for wrapping pallets using a film tube 5. In contrast to conventional systems according to FIGS. 1 a - c, according to the invention between the tensioning and positioning unit 6 a, 6 b of the roller magazine 21 and the buffer unit 23 cutting-15 devices 7, 8,9 and a welding station 12,13 provided.

The new tube roller 16 is brought from a roller magazine 21, for the different variants are conceivable. For example, FIG. 13 a shows a linear roller magazine in which the tube rollers 16 are aligned coaxially and are fed successively to a changer 29. The changer 29 removes a hose reel 16 from the linear reel magazine and positions it in relation to the remaining system sections 22, 23, 24 so that the starting section 3 of the new hose reel 16 can be fed to the remaining system sections 22, 23, 24. Fig. 13b shows an alternative embodiment of a roller magazine, a carousel roller magazine, in which the tube rollers 16 are arranged in a circle. According to FIG. 13c, a paternoster lift can also be provided so that the hose reels 16 can also be moved in a direction perpendicular to the image plane 25 of FIG. 13c.

The beginning section 3 of the new film tube 2 of a new tube roll 16 is positioned and fixed in a feed device of the changer 29 such that the start section 3 hangs down in a defined position, being well protected against electromagnetic interference. The initial section 3 is subsequently detected by the tension roller 6a and the feed roller 6b 30 (FIG. 2). During this operation, the end portion 4 of the old film tube 5 is pneumatically detected on both sides by means of the suction swivels 10a, 10b and positioned on a first cutting device 9, where the end portion 4 is cut. The cutting process will be chosen so that at least one fold-up flap 4a, 4b is formed at the end portion 4. A preferred method of setting is that the end section 4 is first cut transversely to the longitudinal extent L of the film tube 5, preferably at right angles, along a cutting line Qi (see also FIG. 6). In addition, the resulting corner regions 15 are cut at an acute angle to the longitudinal extension L of the film tube 5 along the cutting lines Si 40 and S2, so that an upper flap 4a and a lower flap 4b arise, each tapering at the ends. It is now immediately apparent, on the one hand, that the acute angle to the longitudinal extension L must open in the direction of the film tube 5, since otherwise no fold-up tabs 4a, 4b can be formed, and on the other hand, the section line Q ^ can also be omitted if the cutting lines Si and S2 are selected so that their intersection point 45 comes to rest within the film tube 5.

Alternatively, the film tube 5 could be slit at its initial sections 4 but also only axially, which would also arise hinged tabs 4a, 4b. Depending on the requirements and the respective processing circumstances, it may thus be advantageous to use different interfaces. FIG. 3 shows a further working step in which the initial section 3 of the new film tube 2 is pneumatically gripped by a suction swivel 18 and pressed by means of the tensioning roller 6a against the feed roller 6b. Furthermore, the cutting device 9 is pivoted away, wherein the tabs 4a, 4b of the end portion 4 are held in a defined position.

4 shows how the initial section 3 is then fed by means of the suction swivel 18 to the cutting device 7, where the initial section 3 is transverse to the longitudinal extension L of the AT 007 362 U1

6), which is recommended in particular in the case of bulky initial sections 3, wherein the corner regions 19 are formed (FIG. 6) The lobes 4a and 4b the end portion 4 of the old film tube 5 are meanwhile folded up using the suction swivel 5 10a and 10b.

According to FIG. 5, the initial section 3 of the new film tube 2 is fed to the cutting device 8, wherein the cutting process will in turn be selected such that at least one flip-up flap 3a, 3b is formed at the beginning section 3. A preferred method of setting is that the corner regions 19 are cut off at an angle to the longitudinal extent L of the film tube 2 along the cutting lines S3 and S4, so that an upper flap 3a and a lower flap 3b are formed, which taper at the ends. It is now on the one hand immediately apparent that the acute angle to the longitudinal extent L must open in the direction of the film tube 2, otherwise no fold-up tabs 3a, 3b can be formed, and on the other hand, the section line Q2 can also be omitted if the Schnittli-15 S3 and S4 are chosen so that their intersection point within the film tube 2 comes to rest.

Now, according to FIG. 7, the lugs 3a and 3b of the film tube 2 can be folded up by means of the suction swivels 11a and 18b. In this positioning of the tabs 4a, 4b, 3a and 3b, a welding anvil 14 can be inserted laterally to allow the following welding 20 of the two film tubes 2 and 5.

As shown in Fig. 8, then the tabs 3a and 3b are placed by means of the suction pivot 11a and 18 on the welding anvil 14 and pneumatically detected by this. According to FIG. 9, the suction swivels 11a and 18 can subsequently be pivoted away. Now, as shown in FIG. 10, by means of the suction swivels 10a and 10b, the flaps 4a and 4b of the end-25 cut 4 of the old film tube 5 can be placed on the flaps 3a and 3b of the starting section 3 of the new film tube 2. The welding tool 12,13 can now be moved in the direction of the film tubes 2 and 5 in this positioning of the tabs 3a, 3b, 4a and 4b on the welding anvil 14. Preferably, this is a welding device based on ultrasound, wherein the welding tools 12a, 12b and 13a and 13b are also referred to as 30 sonotrodes. These sonotrodes 12a, 12b 13a, 13b are placed with pressure on the tabs 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, which are vibrated by means of ultrasound. The input power of the ultrasonic welding device is chosen in particular as a function of the film thickness and the film properties, in order to avoid problems with cooling and sticking. In the areas of contact there is then a relative movement of the tabs 35 3a and 4a or of the tabs 3b and 4b, which lead to heat generation and subsequently to plasticizing, i. for melting the plastic material, leads. The plastic is thus connected by means of mechanical vibrations.

In principle, other methods of producing a tension-resistant connection are also conceivable, for example via clamps or by gluing. For example, it would be conceivable in principle to provide the surface of the initial section 3 of the new film tube 2 with adhesive and to put the end section 4 of the old film tube 5 over it. However, this would require the adhesive to set sufficiently fast, which is not the case with currently available adhesives.

After completion of the welding process, as shown in FIG. 11, the sonotrodes 12a, 12b, 13a and 13b withdrawn and the Saugschwenker 10a and 10b are folded away. As the last 45 step, the welding anvil 14 can now be pulled out laterally, whereby the connection point 17 is released. Although this connection point 17 has in each case in its edge regions a triangular cut-out and is therefore not tight, but provides a tension-resistant connection. The two connected film tubes 2 and 5 can thus be easily passed through the other system sections. In particular, the method according to the invention ensures that after joining the two film tubes 2 and 5, a tube is formed again. The inventive method also allows an accurate welding of the two film tubes 2 and 5, which is crucial for the prevention of misalignments of the connected film tube. However, the film tube 2.5 itself has relatively large tolerances, which can be compensated by the inventive method. The method according to the invention can be used in systems with flying dome 25 as well as at 6

Claims (10)

AT 007 362 U1 systems with wedge 28 or vacuum suction 27 are used. Thus, by means of the method according to the invention, longer downtimes of the entire system can be avoided when changing the hose reel. 1. CLAIMS 1. Method for connecting a starting section (3) of a film tube (2) wound on a roll carrier (1) in a band-shaped manner to one end section (4) of a second, above subsequent processing stations, in particular a packaging system, at least partially band-shaped extending film tube (5), characterized in that at the beginning and end sections to be joined (3, 4) of the two film tubes (2, 5) by knitting each at least one hinged flap (3a, 3b, 4a , 4b) is formed, wherein the tabs (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b) of the initial and final sections (3,4) are superimposed and tensile strength connected to each other. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the setting is carried out so that the two to be joined start and end portions (3, 4) each transverse to the longitudinal extent (L) of the film tubes. (2, 5) are cut off, and the resulting corner regions (15) of the beginning and end portions (3, 4) are cut at an acute angle to the longitudinal extent (L) of the film tubes (2, 5), so that at the Beginning and end portions (3,4) in each case two lobes (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b) arise, the end tapered. 3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the cut transverse to the longitudinal extent (L) of the film tubes (2, 5) at a right angle to the longitudinal extent (L), so that the tabs <3a, 3b, 4a, 4b ) at the beginning and end sections (3, 4) of the two film tubes (2, 5) in a trapezoidal manner. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tension-resistant connection of the beginning and end portions (3,4) of the film tubes (2,5) is formed by welding. 5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the welding takes place by means of ultrasound. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the tabs (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b) of the initial and end portions to be connected (3,4) of the film tubes (2,5) sucked and pivoted by means of negative pressure become. 7. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that for welding the beginning and end portions (3, 4) of the film tubes (2, 5) a tab (3a, 3b) of the initial section (3) on a welding anvil ( 14) is applied and sucked by this by means of negative pressure, and a tab (4a, 4b) of the end portion (4) on the welding anvil (14) located tabs (3a, 3b) is placed and welded thereto. 8. Packaging installation with a roll carrier (1) on which a film tube (2) is wound, a positioning and tensioning station (6a, 6b), which unwinds the film tube (2) from the roll carrier (1) and feeds subsequent sections of equipment, a packaging unit (24) for processing a film tube section and a conveyor (21) for transporting packaged goods, characterized in that between the positioning and clamping station (6a, 6b) and the packaging unit (24) at least one cutting device (7,8,9) for the cutting of the film tube (2) and a welding station (12,13) for processing the film tube (2) is arranged. 9. Packaging installation according to claim 8, characterized in that it is at the welding station (12,13) is an ultrasonic welding system. 10. Packaging installation according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that between the positioning and clamping station (6a, 6b) and the packaging unit (24) suction swivels (10, 11) are arranged. 7 55