EP2897870B1 - Method and device for processing stacks of bags - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device and a method for processing sack stacks, and more particularly to a packaging machine or a device or device associated with a packaging machine. The device serves to center the sacks of a sack stack. It is possible that the device further serves to separate the sacks of the sack stack and also opens the isolated sacks, attaches to a filler neck, optionally z. B. fills with a bulk material, closes and removed.

From the DE 600 09 209 T2 For example, a packaging device and a method for wrapping flat objects such as books have become known, wherein laterally movable walls are provided at a centering position, which can be adjusted for centering in the lateral direction. For adjustment, a motor is provided which uses a belt to drive a pulley, which in turn is connected to the ring gear. A rotation of the ring gear rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation causes a movement of the chains, which are attached at their ends to the walls and thus increase or decrease the lateral distance of the walls during the rotational movement. The known packaging device works, but requires a lot of space for the supply of the items to be packaged.

The DE 10 2011 113 879.3 describes a processing device and a method for processing sack stacks, wherein the sacks are separated with the processing device and then attached to a filler neck of a packaging machine where they are filled with a bulk material. This device and the method described there work basically reliable. However, it has been found that, for example, with relatively long sacks with a relatively small width, the sacks may slip on the sack stack. This leads even with a minimal sideways movement of the bag possibly to an oblique or staggered attachment of the bag to the filler neck, so that the processing speed drops or even an intervention in the operation is necessary.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a processing apparatus and a method for processing sack stacks, whereby the reliability of the processing can be increased.

This object is achieved by a processing apparatus having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 14. Preferred developments of the invention are the subject matter of the subclaims. Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the general description and the description of the embodiments.

A processing device according to the invention serves to process at least one bag stack with a plurality of bags. At least one depositing device is provided, on which the stack of sacks can be arranged in a basic position. The sacks of the sack stack have a sack length and a sack width. At least one centering device is provided, which comprises at least two oppositely disposed centering units, which are arranged with a drive device relative to each other and movable away from each other.

The processing device according to the invention has many advantages. The processing device according to the invention allows increased reliability in the processing of sack stacks. By centering a lateral centering of the sacks of a bag stack is possible. Because of the centering units are arranged opposite each other and are arranged with a drive device relative to each other or movable away from each other, the sacks of a bag stack can be reliably centered.

If, during the positioning of a bag stack on the depositing device in the basic position, there is a displacement of one or more bags, they are reliably centered there again by the centering device with the stack and / or within the bag stack. This ensures a precisely defined position of the sacks prior to further processing.

It is possible and preferred, but not necessary, for the opposing centering units to be directly opposite. It is also possible that the arranged on different sides centering units are arranged in the longitudinal direction in each case offset from one another. It is possible that the number of centering units on one side differs from the number of centering units on the other side. For example, in the longitudinal direction on one side 2, 3, 4 or more centering units may be provided, while on the other side z. B. only one or a centering unit less or even half or any other number of centering units or a continuous centering is provided. It is essential here that a centering between the opposite centering units is possible. In the simplest case, only one centering unit is provided on each side. However, it is also possible that only one centering unit is provided on one side and on the other side. According to the invention, the drive device comprises at least one belt. At least one centering unit can be coupled or coupled to the belt at least temporarily. A drive device provided with at least one belt offers many advantages. Of the Belt is designed as a circulating belt and is deflected over, for example, two or more pulleys. In such an embodiment, it is possible that the belt is driven on such a deflection roller with a drive unit or drive means. But it is also possible that a linear drive acts directly on the upper or lower run of the belt and drives the belt by a linear movement. According to the invention, at least a part of the two arranged on opposite sides centering units each with at least one belt of the drive means at least temporarily coupled or coupled. If the drive device has, for example, two or more belts arranged in particular in parallel, then it is possible that a centering unit with a first belt can be coupled at least temporarily and that a second centering unit can be coupled at least temporarily with a second belt. However, it is preferred in particular in the case of processing devices which are not very large that only a small number of belts and in particular only one belt is provided, to which the centering units can then be coupled at least temporarily from the opposite sides. According to the invention, at least one is attached to a first Side provided centering unit with the lower run at least one rotating belt at least temporarily coupled or coupled. According to the invention, at least one centering unit provided on a second side is at least temporarily coupled or can be coupled to the upper run of at least one circulating belt.

Such embodiments offer significant advantages. The fact that in a rotating belt, which is driven in one direction, the upper strand moves in one direction, while the lower strand moves in opposite directions in the other direction, can be provided in a very simple manner, an opposite movement of the provided on both sides Centering units are made possible. If a centering unit on one side with the lower strand coupled and another centering unit coupled on the other side with the upper run, a movement of the belt in a first direction of rotation leads to a reduction of the distance between the centering units, while a rotation in the other direction leads to an increase in the distance between the two centering units ,

This principle can be advantageously exploited because a corresponding distance between the centering units can be set via an adjustable or controlled movement of the belt. The distance can be adjusted via the size of the rotation angle or the size of the linear movement of the belt.

It is particularly preferred that the storage device has a larger base than the stack of sacks. In particular, a width of the storage device is greater than the width of the bags of the bag stack and it is also the length of the storage device greater than the length of the bags of the bag stack. This ensures that the bag stack rests completely on the storage device at all times. The sack stack is not over on the side.

In all embodiments, it is particularly preferred that at least one centering unit is designed as a centering finger or includes such. It is also possible and preferred for at least one centering unit to comprise or comprise at least one tine or centering tine.

Particularly preferably, at least one centering unit is arranged to be movable at least temporarily in a groove of the depositing device. For example, it is possible and preferred that at least one centering unit projects from below through the storage device upwards. On the storage device, which may have, for example, on the surface of a plate, the bag stack is arranged, which is centered or arbitrarily positioned by the protruding from below centering on the storage device. It is also possible that at least one centering unit protrudes at least temporarily from above into the groove in the depositing device or through the groove in the depositing device. According to the invention, at least one centering unit is in a first position below the depositing device at least or at least below a plate arranged the storage device. Such a configuration allows easy positioning of the bag stack on the storage device, since in particular the arranged on one side centering units can be moved to the first position when a stack of bags to be positioned on the storage device. Characterized in that on the side from which the stack of sacks of the storage device is supplied, the centering units are moved before positioning the bag stack in the first position, they are not in the positioning of the bag stack on the storage device upwards and hinder the positioning of the Sack stack at the basic position not. In this variant, the sacks are centered within the sack stack. However, a movement of the bag stack as a whole does not have to take place during centering. Therefore, the term centering in the sense of this application is to be understood as an exact positioning.

Preferably, a second position of the centering unit is provided in which the centering unit dives from below through the groove upwards and in particular pivots.

Particularly preferably, at least one third position is provided, in which the centering unit projects through the groove beyond the upper side of the plate of the depositing device. In this position can then be carried out a positioning of the bag stack.

In all embodiments, it is preferred that at least one adjustable and in particular exactly one adjustable stop is provided which defines a bag width and thus especially limits the travel of the centering units.

The adjustable stop can be provided in particular movable. The adjustable stop may be associated with a path detection device to allow an automatically controlled adjustment of the bag width. For targeted adjustment of the adjustable stop a corresponding drive can be provided, which is designed for example as a linear drive or otherwise adjusted the adjustable stop. For example, the adjustable stop can be provided on a rotatable spindle. The distance detection device can measure a distance directly or, for example, can return to a set path via an absolute rotary encoder or other sensor systems. According to the invention, at least one centering unit is coupled or coupleable to the belt via a coupling mechanism. Such a coupling mechanism allows the targeted coupling and decoupling of the centering of the belt.

It is possible and preferred that the coupling mechanism comprises at least one spring device. Via a spring mechanism or a spring device, it is possible that the centering unit is decoupled from the belt, for example, if the centering unit is held separately or moved separately. After switching off the acting forces such a spring device leads to an automatic production of a ground state, without a further drive is necessary. Preferably, the coupling mechanism comprises at least one coupling unit and at least one movable stop.

For example, when the driving device comprises a cylinder having an extendable piston rod, it is possible for the piston rod to be fixedly connected to a movable stop which is movably mounted on a slide guide or the like. Only when the movable stop with the coupling rod as far as extended, that the coupling unit comes into engagement with the movable stop, there is a further synchronous movement of the coupling unit and the movable stop.

Such a coupling mechanism makes it possible, for example, for a centering unit to be moved on one side only when the centering unit has already laid back a part or even a considerable part of the path on the other side. This is particularly advantageous when the centering unit is initially arranged on the other side below the storage device and must first be pivoted upwards. In that case, it makes sense to move the centering units towards one another only when the centering unit initially provided below the depositing device has already been pivoted upwards. As a result, an overall smaller processing device can be made available, which does not require so much lateral space.

The coupling mechanism is therefore preferably designed and configured to establish a coupling between the centering unit and the belt at least in a second position. In particular, the coupling mechanism is designed and set up to establish a coupling starting from a second position, so that there is also a coupling between the centering unit and the belt in a third position adjoining the second position.

Preferably, the coupling mechanism is designed and arranged such that in the first position, a coupling between the centering unit and the belt is at least substantially canceled.

Alternatively, both centering units can be made pivoting, so that both centering units always have to travel the same way. It is possible to provide a separate drive unit for moving the at least one centering unit on one side.

Such a configuration makes it possible for the centering units to be moved into the stop position on one side before a bag bundle is positioned on the depositing device. This is particularly advantageous when bags are present in a stack of sacks that tend to slide slightly laterally during positioning. If, during the processing of such a stack of sacks, the sack stack is positioned directly against a lateral end stop, such slipping of individual sacks or of a portion of the sack stack can be prevented considerably better. As a result, the pushing on of a bag stack can take place at a considerably higher speed.

If z. B. particularly stiff bags or sacks processed, which can be easily reorganized, can be dispensed with such a pre-positioning of the centering on one side of the bag stack. Then both centering units can be fed from both sides onto the stack of sacks for centering and positioning.

In all embodiments, the centering device can also serve in total for the further processing of the sacks of the sack stack in particular for guiding the sacks. For this purpose, in particular at least two centering units are provided on each side in order to allow good guidance in the longitudinal direction.

Preferably, the sacks to be processed are designed as open sacks and have a sack length and an open filling end at one end. Preferably, at least one marking device is provided. The bag transport device is in particular suitable and provided for gripping the topmost bag of the bag stack in the basic position and placing it in a receiving position which is only partially on the bag stack and in the receiving position.

It is preferred that at least one bag transport device is provided. If a marking device is provided, the open sacks in the receiving position can be provided with at least one marking.

Preferably, the bag transport device grips the topmost open bag at its open filling end. The bag transport device has in particular at least one suction device. The suction device can be arranged extendable on the bag transport device. A distance of the pickup position from the home position is in particular smaller than half the bag length and preferably smaller than a quarter of the bag length. The bag transport device is in particular pivotally accommodated on at least one pivot axis, which is arranged in particular above the storage device. The bag transport device preferably acts in its mode of action at the open filling end.

At least one pivoting device is provided which is equipped with at least one gripper device. The gripper device of the pivoting device is particularly suitable to take in a first pivot position, the open end of the offensive bag in the receiving position. The gripper device of the swiveling device is preferably suitable for transferring the open sack to a sack opening device and / or to a sack hitch device in a second swivel position.

Advantageously, a pivot axis of the pivoting device is suitable for pivoting the open filling end of the open-end bag into a transfer position.

In particular, a lifting device for raising the bottom of the top bag of the sack stack in the basic position is provided. It may be provided a fixing device which fixes the bag stack attacking the bag bottom.

It is preferred that at least one product feed and at least one filler neck are provided for filling the open sacks. At least one closing device for closing the open filling end of the open sacks is also preferred. For discharging a discharge device may be provided.

The inventive method is used for processing at least one bag stack with a plurality of bags. In this case, the bag stack is positioned in a basic position on a storage device. The sacks of the sack stack have a sack length and a sack width. With at least one centering device, the sack stack is centered. The centering device comprises at least two opposing centering units. In this case, the centering units are arranged relative to one another via a drive device toward one another and away from one another.

The method according to the invention also has many advantages. The inventive method allows reliable processing of sack stacks, in which the bags can be centered within the bag stack.

In all embodiments, it is preferred that open sacks are processed as sacks, which are closed at its bottom end and having an opening at its head end. But it is also possible that other types of bags or tubular film pieces are processed. It is also possible in particular that stacks of valve bags are centered according to the invention.

Further advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments, which are explained below with reference to the accompanying figures.

Although the embodiments are described with reference to the processing of open-mouth bags, the processing of valve sacks or other sacks or even flat sheets, pieces of film or pieces of hose or the like is also possible.

Fig. 1

eine schematische perspektivische der Bearbeitungseinrichtung 1;

Fig. 2

die Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 1 in einer stark schematischen Ansicht mit weggelassenen Komponenten;

Fig. 2b

eine Draufsicht auf einen Offensack nach erfolgter Markierung;

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht von Teilen der Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 2 in einer Seitenansicht;

Fig. 4

die Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 3 in einer weiteren Ansicht;

Fig. 5

die Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 3 in einer dritten Ansicht;

Fig. 6

die Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 3 in einer vierten Ansicht;

Fig. 7

die Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 3 in einer fünften Ansicht;

Fig. 8

die Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 3 in einer sechsten Ansicht;

Fig. 9

die Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 3 in einer siebten Ansicht;

Fig. 10

die Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 3 in einer achten Ansicht;

Fig. 11

die Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 3 in einer neunten Ansicht;

Fig. 12

eine stark schematische Bearbeitungsvorrichtung in einer seitlichen Ansicht;

Fig. 13

die Zentrierungseinrichtung der Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 2 in einer ersten Position;

Fig. 14

die Zentrierungseinrichtung der Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 2 in einer zweiten Position; und

Fig. 15

die Zentrierungseinrichtung der Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 2 in einer dritten Position;

Fig. 16

eine weitere Zentriereinrichtung für eine Bearbeitungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 2 in einer ersten Position; und

Fig. 17

die Zentriereinrichtung nach Fig. 16 in einer zweiten Position.

In the figures show:

Fig. 1

a schematic perspective of the processing device 1;

Fig. 2

the processing device after Fig. 1 in a highly schematic view with omitted components;

Fig. 2b

a plan view of an open bag after marking;

Fig. 3

a side view of parts of the processing device according to Fig. 2 in a side view;

Fig. 4

the processing device after Fig. 3 in another view;

Fig. 5

the processing device after Fig. 3 in a third view;

Fig. 6

the processing device after Fig. 3 in a fourth view;

Fig. 7

the processing device after Fig. 3 in a fifth view;

Fig. 8

the processing device after Fig. 3 in a sixth view;

Fig. 9

the processing device after Fig. 3 in a seventh view;

Fig. 10

the processing device after Fig. 3 in an eighth view;

Fig. 11

the processing device after Fig. 3 in a ninth view;

Fig. 12

a highly schematic processing device in a side view;

Fig. 13

the centering device of the processing device according to Fig. 2 in a first position;

Fig. 14

the centering device of the processing device according to Fig. 2 in a second position; and

Fig. 15

the centering device of the processing device according to Fig. 2 in a third position;

Fig. 16

a further centering device for a processing device according to Fig. 2 in a first position; and

Fig. 17

the centering device after Fig. 16 in a second position.

Fig. 1 shows an overall perspective view of a packaging machine 100, which comprises a processing device 1. A silo 35 is provided, from which the bulk material 26 to be filled is fed to a metering and weighing device 36. In the exemplary embodiment, a weighing system with net scales is used, in which the product 26 to be filled is first collected in a net balance and then filled into the open bag 3 to be filled. Below the metering device 36, the product supply 29 is provided, which in the in Fig. 1 invisible filler 30 ends.

A covering 34 surrounds the processing device 1. A bag stacking magazine 33 serves to receive a number of bag stacks 2. The filled open sacks 3 are transported away via a discharge device 32.

Fig. 2 shows the processing device 1, in which the housing and other components have been omitted in the illustration, in a schematic perspective view.

The product feed 29 can be seen in the upper region and opens into the filler neck 30. From the sack stacking magazine 33, a sack stack 2, not shown here, is supplied to the delivery table 4. The storage table 4 here has dimensions that can correspond approximately to the bag length 6 and the bag width 48. In particular, you can also open sacks 3 with variable bag length 6 are processed.

A sack stack 2 comes with a in Fig. 2 not shown centering 50 centered. Such a centering device 50 will be described below with reference to FIGS FIGS. 12 to 17 described in detail. For centering drive tines 51 and 52 of the centering device 50 through the provided on both sides 46, 47 grooves 45 of the tray table 4 from the outside to the stack of sacks. The tines 52 are pivoted up on the side 47 from below and then moved toward the stack of sacks 2, so that the sack stack 2 is centered.

In principle, the processing device 1 also works without such a centering device 50. However, it has been found that it can happen, in particular with relatively many open sacks 3 in a sack stack 2 and / or at a relatively high processing speed, that the open sacks 3 of the sack stack 2 slip laterally or else it can be easily taken wrong. As a result, a high-precision and fast filling of open-mouth sacks 3 can be impaired.

This is reliably avoided by means of a centering device 50 arranged substantially below the depositing device 4. The tines 51 and 52 of the centering device 50 may be located below the depositing device 4, depending on the embodiment, when a new stack of sacks 2 is positioned on the depositing device 4 in order to enable the sack stack to be pushed onto the depositing device 4.

Especially with longer, narrow open sacks 3, when transferring an offensive sack 3 into the receiving position, the sack bottom may migrate laterally. This reliably prevents guidance by the centering device 50.

At the rear end of the tray table 4, the lifter 27 and the fixing device 28 are provided to lift the bottom end of an opener bag 3 arranged on the tray 4. Following the lifting of the bottom end becomes the remaining underlying sack stack 2 fixed with the fixing device 28.

At the front end of the storage device 4, the bag transport device 12 can be seen, which has at the lower end here via a suction device 15 or in other cases via a friction wheel for gripping the open filling end 8 of an open bag 3.

With the bag transport device 12 of the open bag 2 is moved to a front position, as in Fig. 6 is shown. In this case, the filling end 8 of the topmost offensive bag 13 rests on the support device 38. In this position, the open filling end 8 is at the in Fig. 2 Visible marking area 44 accessible from below. Then, with the provided below the support means 38 and therefore in Fig. 2 unrecognizable marking device 25 at least one mark 7 are mounted on the open bag 3. A pivoting device 18 is equipped with a gripping device 19. The pivoting device 18 comprises two pivoting arms, each with grippers arranged at its end. The pivoting device serves to take over a separated offensive bag 3 and to transfer and pass it on to a bag-opening device 22 and a bag-hook device 23, which finally attach the opened-off bag 3 to the filler neck 30.

After filling the offensive sack 3 with the filler neck 30, the open filling end 8 of an offensive sack 3 with the upper transport device 41 is further transported. The upper transport device 41 may comprise a closing device 31 for closing the open sacks 3 or a separate closing device is connected downstream. The filled open bag 3 is finally transferred to the discharge belt 32 and discharged.

In Fig. 2b By way of example, a highly schematic open sack 3 is shown in a plan view or a view from below. The open bag 3 is provided with a marking 7 which has been applied by the marking device 25. The marking device 25 here is arranged substantially below the depositing device 4 and applies the marking 7 in the marking region 44.

Mark 7 here has a designation 42 ("XXX") and here a date 43 ("31.12.20"). The designation 42 may correspond to the trade name or the trade mark or may include a unique number or the like which preferably uniquely classifies the content. The date 43 may indicate the minimum shelf life or, for example, reflect or contain the date of filling and / or the date of production. It is possible that a plurality of designations 42 and / or a plurality of data 43 may be noted on the open bag 3. The data can be printed, stamped or z. B. be applied with a laser. An electronic data transmission in a readable memory is possible. Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of some essential components of the processing device 1. Thereby some components and the housing of the processing device have been omitted to facilitate the overview and to explain the function.

The processing device 1 has a height-adjustable depositing device 4, on which a stack of sacks 2 is or is arranged in the basic position 5. The stack of sacks 2 comprises a plurality of open sacks 3, each having a sack length 6 and sack width 48. The open sacks 3 are aligned with their open Einfüllende 8 respectively to the front end of the storage device 4, while the sack bottom 10 is arranged stacked at the rear end of the storage device 4, respectively.

In this embodiment, the open sacks 3 on a bag length 6, which corresponds approximately to the length of the storage device 4. However, it is also possible to use longer and in particular shorter open sacks 3. To adjust the position of the lifting device 27 and the fixing device 28, an adjusting device 40 is provided, which is movable in the direction of the bag length 6.

In the in Fig. 3 illustrated position, the lifting device 27, the rear end of the bag 3 in the vicinity of the bag bottom 10 has taken and raised. Following the lifting, the fixing device 28 has moved under the uppermost bag 13 and has fixed the remaining stack of sacks 2 to the bag bottom 10.

The bag transport device 12 at the front end 9 has an extendable suction device 15, which in the in Fig. 3 shown extended position and has dropped to a region at the open filling end 8. The suction device 15 is activated in this state and grips the front filling end 8 of the topmost offensive bag 13.

Furthermore, a pivoting device 18 is provided for taking over a separated offensive bag 3. The pivoting device 18 has a gripping device 19 and is in Fig. 3 shown in the second pivot position 21. The pivoting device 18 is arranged pivotable about the pivot axis 24. The pivoting device 18 is used to take over the topmost offensive bag 13 from the receiving position 14 and is passed after the pivoting of the pivoting device 18 in the second pivot position 21 to the above the pivoting device 18 drawn blind opening device 22 and the Sackanhängeeinrichtung 23, according to in the illustration Fig. 3 an attached open bag 3 is shown.

Fig. 4 shows the situation after the suction device 15 has been retracted on the bag conveyor 12, whereby the filling end 8 of the uppermost bag Off 13 was lifted from the bag stack 2. At the same time, the lifting device 27 can be deactivated at the other end 11, so that the bottom of the bag 10 falls down again onto the sack stack 2 held by the fixing device 28.

In Fig. 5 the position is drawn after the bag transport device 12 has been moved to a front position, where the filling end 8 of the uppermost bag Off 13 is above the receiving position 14. Both the open filling 8 as Also, the sack bottom 10 are accordingly a distance 16 forward in the direction of the open Einfüllendes 8 have been moved. It is possible that the bag transport device 12 is pivoted about one or more pivot axes 17. Another possible linear motion or linear motion is possible. During the forward movement of the bag transport device 12, the fixing device 28 fixes the rear end of the bag stack 2, so that it is ensured that only a single, namely the top bag 13 is pulled forward by the movement of the bag transport device 12. As a result, an effective separation of the open filling end 8 of the offensive bag 13 is realized.

During the transfer of the in Fig. 5 in the in Fig. 6 shown position, the suction device 15 is moved over the cylinder device 37 down, so that the open filling end 8 rests on the support means 38. In this position, the open filling end 8 is at least partially accessible from below, so that the provided below the support means 38 marking device 25 can attach at least one mark on the open bag. For example, the marking device may include a laser that applies one or more lettering on the outer surface of the offset bag 13. For example, it is possible to apply the product to be filled, the batch number, the filling date or the shelf life of a food to the open filling end of the offensive bag 13, spray it on or otherwise mark or label the open filling end.

A marking beam of the marking device can be directed either directly from below onto the bag or deflected via mirrors to protect the optics from dirt.

In Fig. 6 It can be seen that the distance 16 by which the topmost bag 13 was pulled forward in the direction of its open filling end 8, only a small proportion of the bag length 6. The distance 16 can be suitably selected depending on the requirement.

Fig. 7 shows a situation in which the lifting device 27 has been lowered back down to the rear end of the bag stack 2 to seize the bag bottom 10 of the following Offensacks 3 and lift subsequently.

This situation is in Fig. 8 shown. At the same time pivots the pivoting device 18 of the previously illustrated second pivotal position 21 in an in Fig. 9 When pivoting from the pivoting position 21 into the pivoting position 20, the gripper device 19 moves from a position well above the storage device 4 in a position at the level of the storage device 4, while the gripper device in the longitudinal direction of the open sacks from a central region of the Open sacks 3 is moved to the front end.

During the pivoting of the gripper device 19, the lifting device 27 remains raised with the bag bottom 10 and the fixing device 28 lowers to the bottom portion of the remaining bag stack 2. At the same time, the bag transport device 12 is still moved a bit forward to a collision with the pivoting device 18 avoid. Depending on the embodiment, it is also possible that the bag transport device between the two pivot arms of the pivoting device 18 may remain when the pivoting device pivots downward. In the subsequent pivoting movement from the pivoting position 20 into the pivoting position 21, the bag transporting device 12 is in any case moved out of the movement path.

Fig. 10 shows the position in which the pivoting device 18 in the upper second pivoting position 21 passes the hanging on the gripper device 19 Offensack 3 to the bag opening device 22 and the Sackanhängeeinrichtung 23. During the pivoting of the pivoting position 20 in the pivoting position 21, the gripper device 19 moves back up and seen in the longitudinal direction of the open sacks back. As a result, the open sacks hang in the pivoting position 21 in a central region above the sack stack 2. More space in the area is through the pivoting of the gripper device 19 is not needed.

The depositing device 4 is raised automatically such that the now uppermost bag 13 is arranged at about a height with the support means 38 so that the uppermost bag 13 is later taken over by the bag transport 12 can be.

In the in Fig. 10 shown position, the bottom end 10 of the offensive bag 13 is already raised and the fixing device 28 has fixed the bottom end of the bag stack 2. The bag transport device 12 is in a forward position, in which the pivoting of the pivoting device 18 in the upper second pivot position 21 is possible.

Fig. 11 shows the position after the transfer of a bag to be filled 3 of the pivoting device 18 to the bag opening device 22 and the Sackanhängeeinrichtung 23. The uppermost now open bag 13 is still raised at its bottom end by the lifting device 27. Following this, the bag transport device 12 is moved back again in order to grip the open filling end 8 of the now uppermost offensive bag 13 with the suction device 15, lift it up and transfer it into the receiving position 14.

In FIG. 12 a processing device 1 is shown in a highly schematic and sectional side view, wherein essentially the centering device 50 can be seen on the storage device 4 shown schematically. The centering device 50 is arranged substantially below the depositing device 4 or below the plate 53 of the depositing device 4. The plate 53 of the storage device 4 is shown in section. The cut passes through the region of the grooves 45.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic representation of a first variant, in which the centering device 50 of the processing device 1 via two pulleys 59 and 60 has to be a circumferential Belt 54 is provided. At the completely circumferential belt 54, the centering finger 52 is fixed in such a way that the centering finger 52 projects perpendicularly or at least approximately perpendicularly from the belt 54. This means that upon rotation of the deflecting rollers 59 and 60, the centering finger 52 is further transported with the belt 54, but each protrudes perpendicularly from the belt 54.

It is possible for one of the deflecting rollers 59 and 60 to be drivably provided as a drive device 49 via a motor shown in broken lines here on the deflecting roller 60 in order to drive the belt 54. But it is also possible that a cylinder 56 with an extendable piston rod 58 serves as the drive means 49. The piston rod is connected via a driver 55 here with the belt 54. Extending the piston rod 58 therefore causes a synchronous movement of the belt 54 counterclockwise in the orientation of FIG. 12 , Conversely, when retracting the piston rod 58, the belt 54 is moved clockwise.

In FIG. 12 three different positions 61, 62 and 63 of the centering device 50 are shown. In this case, the second position 62 is shown by a solid line, while the first position 61 and the third position 63 are shown dotted.

In the first position 61, the centering unit 51 designed as a centering finger is on the left side 46 farthest from the sack stack 2 already drawn in here. The centering unit provided on the other side 47 and here also designed as a centering finger 52 is in the position 61 arranged below the plate 53. Since the tines or centering fingers 52 are located below the plate 53 in the position 61, a new stack of sacks 3 can be pushed from the side 47 at least approximately into the basic position 5.

When the piston rod 58 is extended out of the cylinder 56, the connection point 55 moves synchronously on the belt 54 by the distance "a" and is in the direction of the deflection roller 60 too moved. Thereby, the centering finger 51 is pivoted from the first position 61 below the plate 53 through the groove 45 in a at least partially above the plate 53 located position 62 by the amount of the distance "a" and at the same time is in the transfer of the first position 61 transferred to the second position 62 of the drive belt 54 coupled to the centering finger 51 by the same distance "a" in the position 62, which is significantly closer to the stack of sacks 2.

Upon further extension of the piston rod 58 by the distance "b" from the cylinder 56, the centering finger 52 coupled to the upper run 73 moves in the schematic representation of FIG FIG. 12 from the right on the stack of sacks 2 to the path "b", while the centering finger 51 in the illustration according to FIG. 12 from the left to the bag stack by the same amount of distance "b" moves. Finally, the extended position is reached, in which the third position 63 is reached.

The centering fingers 51 and 52 are directly against the stack of sacks 2. The individual open sacks 3 of the sack stack 2 have been positioned and centered by the transfer of the centering fingers 51 and 52 into the third position 63.

The travel of the piston rod 58 and in particular the distance "b" is in each case adapted to the bag width 48 of the open sacks 3 to be processed.

The centering device 50 allows a simple and reliable centering of a sack stack 2. A plurality of longitudinally successively arranged centering units 51 and 52 also provide in the further process for guiding the open sacks 3 when removing the same. Even if an openable bag to be processed, for example, briefly completely released in the receiving position 14 before the gripper device 19 engages the open filling end 8 of the offensive bag 3, a defined position of the open bag 3 is ensured by the centering device 50. It has been found that at high processing speeds and certain bag materials it can come to a slight slippage of individual open sacks on the sack stack, if no centering device 50 is used. A centering device 50 equipped with several centering units, in which the centering units are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction, ensures reliable and reproducible separation and positioning for the subsequent filling of open sacks even with long and narrow sacks.

With reference to the FIGS. 13-15 another embodiment is explained, in which the centering device 50 has a coupling mechanism 70 to allow a temporary decoupling of at least one centering unit 51 from the movement of the rotating belt 54.

As drive means 49 here again serves a cylinder 56 with an extendable piston rod 58 or a driven pulley. A driver 55 is connected to the piston rod 58. The driver 55 is connected to the circulating belt 54.

On the driver 55, a movable stop 67 is provided, which is provided movable relative to a slide rod 64 and a coupling rod 57. As a result, the movable stop 67 can be displaced on the slide bar 64. The relative movement between the slide bar 64, the coupling rod 57 and the movable stop 67 is limited by the coupling unit 66, which is designed here as a coupling plate.

First, at the in Fig. 13 shown first position, the coupling between the coupling unit 66 and the movable stop 67 is released, so that upon extension of the piston rod 58 of the fixedly arranged on the driver 55 movable stop 67 is moved and slides on the slide bar 64. Upon further extension of the movable stopper 67 strikes the coupling unit 66, so that in the following a synchronous movement of the coupling rod 57 and the piston rod 58 takes place. As a result, upon further extension of the piston rod 58 from the cylinder 56th not only the belt 54 is moved, but also the centering unit 51 connected thereto via the coupling rod 57.

While during the transfer of the centering unit 52 from the first position 61 (see. Fig. 13 ) into the second position 62 (cf. Fig. 14 ) initially only the centering unit 52 is pivoted from the area below the plate 53 upwards, takes place from reaching the second position 62 and a linear displacement of the first centering unit 51. In a fixed coupling of the first centering unit to the belt 54, the first centering 51 would after the transfer to the second position 62 already in the in Fig. 14 hatched marked position. Then a larger width would be needed.

Following the centering units 51 and 52 are approached each other. The extension of the piston rod 58 from the cylinder 56 is limited by an adjustable stop 65 which is adjustable in the lateral direction. If, upon further extension of the piston rod 58, the centering unit 51 strikes against the adjustable stop 65, further extension of the piston rod 58 is prevented. The position of the adjustable stopper 65 is set so that the bag stack 2 with the open sacks 3 in this position is sufficiently centered by the centering units 51 and 52. In particular, the position of the adjustable abutment 65 is adjusted to the width 48 of the open sacks 3 and gives an end position of the centering units 51, 52 to be reached substantially offset by half the amount of sack width to the center line 69.

This position is in Fig. 15 shown. The coupling device 70 with the coupled coupling device 66 and the adjustable stop 65 are coupled together. For better clarity, see Fig. 15 in each case a small distance to the centering fingers 51 and 52 drawn on both sides of the bag stack 2, which may be present in an actual centering of a bag stack 3, but need not be present.

When the piston rod 58 re-enters the cylinder 56, Finally, the spring force of the spring means 68 and causes a transfer into the in Fig. 13 illustrated first position 61.

With reference to the FIGS. 16 and 17 In the following, another embodiment will be explained. It puts FIG. 16 a highly schematic view of the processing device 1 with the centering device 50 and the plate 53 of the storage device. In this embodiment, the centering device 50 additionally has a drive unit 75 with the centering unit 51 is movable separately.

It is in turn an adjustable stop 65 is provided, which is adjusted to the bag width 48. The adjustable stop 65 is provided movably via a drive unit 76. A displacement measuring device 74 can detect the position of the adjustable stop 65 and / or the distance traveled by the centering unit 51 or a characteristic measure thereof. Thus, for example, the bag width 48 can be adjusted via the path detection device 74, computer-controlled. As a result, the bag width 48 can be adjusted automatically when processing bags of different widths.

Although in the preceding embodiments, such a path detection device has not been drawn, it is preferably also present there.

At the in FIG. 16 In the embodiment shown, the centering unit 51 is positioned directly on the stop 65 via the drive unit 75. This means that the centering unit 51 is transferred directly to its end position, which corresponds to the position 63 in the previous example FIG. 14 equivalent. The centering unit 52, however, remains in the first position 61 below the plate 53rd

If now the sack stack 2 are centered, the piston rod 58 of the cylinder 56 is extended. In this case, the belt 54 is transported directly and the centering unit 52nd pivots about the pulley 60 and up through the groove 45 in the plate 53.

Subsequently, the centering unit 52 moves on further extension of the cylinder 58 to the first centering unit 51 until the third position 63 and thus the end position is reached.

Fig. 17 shows the intermediate position of the centering unit 52 in the second position 62. In the third position 63 results in a position, as they are in Fig. 15 has been illustrated and explained with reference to the preceding embodiment.

Overall, the invention provides an advantageous processing device with which a reliable centering and / or separation of the bags is made possible.

The centering device according to the FIGS. 13-15 allows a central centering and reliable positioning of a bag stack 2, wherein the centering units 51 and 52 from both sides 46 and 47 approach to the stack of sacks 2. In the embodiment according to the FIGS. 16 and 17 the bag stack is positioned at an end stop which is formed here by the centering units 51. For further centering, the centering units 52 approach the sack stack 2 from the other side 47.

During further processing and separation of the open sacks 3, the open sacks are guided by the centering units 51 and 52 in an advantageous manner, so that lateral slippage when pulling forward and during further processing of the open sacks 3 is reliably prevented.

Overall, the invention provides an advantageous processing device and an advantageous method, with which open sacks of a sack stack can be separated reliably and effectively. The space required and the space required are small. The performance can be significantly increased over the prior art, so that both Space advantages as well as capacity advantages result. In the receiving position, markings and other applications can advantageously be applied to the opening bag.

The control of the processing device 1 can be carried out via a control device, not shown here, which has one or more light barriers or other sensors to ensure defined positioning during the entire operation.

The compact design allows a significantly reduced space requirement, so that in the same space significantly higher filling capacity is possible. <B> LIST OF REFERENCES: </ b> 1 processing device 38 support means 2 bag stack 40 adjustment 3 open mouth 41 upper transport device 4 Bin Setup 42 description 5 basic position 43 date 6 bag length 44 Marking 7 mark 45 groove 8th open filler 46 page 9 an end 47 page 10 Bottom, sack bottom 48 sack width 11 other end 49 driving means 12 Bag transport device 50 centering 13 top open bag 51 Centering unit, finger 14 pickup position 52 Centering unit, finger 15 suction device 53 plate 16 distance 54 belt 17 swivel axis 55 takeaway 18 Pivot means 56 cylinder 19 Gripper device 57 coupling rod 20 first pivot position 58 piston rod 21 second pivot position 59 idler pulley 22 Sack opener 60 idler pulley 23 Bag attacher 61 first position 24 swivel axis 62 second position 25 marker 63 third position 26 bulk 64 sliding bar 27 lifter 65 adjustable stop 28 fixing 66 Coupling unit, coupling plate 29 product supply 67 movable stop 30 filling 68 spring means 31 closing 69 center line 32 discharge 70 coupling mechanism 33 Bag stacking magazine 72 strand 34 paneling 73 obertrum 35 silo 74 Position detection device 36 Dosing and weighing device 75 drive unit 76 drive unit 37 cylinder device 100 packing machine

Claims (14)

1. Processing device (1) for processing at least one stack (2) of bags comprising a plurality of bags (3) wherein at least one stacking device (4) is provided on which the stack (2) of bags can be arranged in a base position (5) wherein the bags (3) in the stack (2) of bags have a bag length (6) and a bag width (48),
   wherein at least one centering device (50) is provided comprising at least two centering units (51, 52) disposed opposite one another and disposed so that a driving device (49) can move them relative to one another, towards one another and away from one another,
   characterized in that the centering unit (51) provided on a first side (46) is at least temporarily coupled with the return side (72) of at least one continuous belt (54) and wherein the centering unit (52) provided on a second side (47) is at least temporarily coupled with the carrying side (73) of at least one continuous belt (54), and that at least one centering unit (52) is provided in a first position (61) beneath a plate (53) of the stacking device (4).
2. The processing device (1) according to claim 1 wherein the driving device (49) drives at least one belt (54), and wherein at least one centering unit (51, 52) is at least temporarily coupled to the belt (54).
3. The processing device (1) according to claim 1 or 2 wherein at least part of the centering units (51, 52) disposed on two opposite sides (46, 47) is at least temporarily coupled with at least one belt (54) of the driving device (49).
4. The processing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein at least one centering unit (51, 52) is configured as a centering finger (51, 52).
5. The processing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein at least one centering unit (51, 52) is at least temporarily displaceably disposed in a groove (45) of the stacking device (4).
6. The processing device (1) according to the preceding claim
   wherein at least one centering unit (52) extends in a third position (63) through the groove (45) beyond the top surface of the plate (53) of the stacking device (4).
7. The processing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein an adjustable stopper (65) is provided that defines a bag width (48).
8. The processing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the adjustable stopper (65) is provided displaceable and wherein a travel capturing device (74) is assigned to the adjustable stopper (65) to allow automatically controlled adjustment of the bag width (48).
9. The processing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein a centering unit (51) is coupled to the belt (54) by means of a coupling mechanism (70).
10. The processing device (1) according to the preceding claim
    wherein the coupling mechanism (70) comprises a spring device (68).
11. The processing device (1) according to any of the two preceding claims wherein the coupling mechanism (70) comprises at least one coupling unit (66) and at least one movable stopper (67).
12. The processing device (1) according to any of the three preceding claims wherein the coupling mechanism (70) is configured and set up for establishing at least in the second and/or third position (62, 63) a coupling between the centering unit (51) and the belt (54), wherein in particular the coupling mechanism (70) is configured and set up so that in the first position (61) a coupling between the centering unit (51) and the belt (54) is released.
13. The processing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein a separate driving unit (75) is provided for displacing the at least one centering unit (51) on one side (46).
14. Method for processing at least one stack (2) of bags consisting of a plurality of bags (3) wherein the stack (2) of bags is positioned on a stacking device (4) in a base position (5) wherein the bags (3) in the stack of bags (2) have a bag length (6) and a bag width (48),
    characterized in that the stack (2) of bags is centered by means of at least one centering device (50) comprising at least two centering units (51, 52) disposed opposite one another which centering units (51, 52) are disposed so as to move via a driving device (49) relative to one another, towards one another and away from one another, and that the centering unit (51) provided on a first side (46) is at least temporarily coupled with the return side (72) of at least one continuous belt (54) and that the centering unit (52) provided on a second side (47) is at least temporarily coupled with the carrying side (73) of at least one continuous belt (54) and that at least one centering unit (52) is located in a first position (61) beneath a plate (53) of the stacking device (4).

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