Assembling apparatus and method

Abstract

 An apparatus and a method for assembling a packaging combination including a tubular casing (30) having a first end (32) and a second end (34), wherein the tubular casing (30) is partially filled with filling material and closed at its first as well as its second end (32, 34) by a closure means (C), like a closure clip, and wherein the partially filled tubular casing (30) comprises a plait-like portion (P) at its first end (32) being at least approximately free of filling material, and further including a dispensing device (40) having a passageway extending through the dispensing device (40) with an inlet opening at its one end and a dispensing opening at its other end for guiding and dispensing the filling material in a dispensing direction.
The apparatus (1) comprises at least one supporting means (10, 20) for accommodating and retaining the at least partially filled tubular casing (30), including at least one cartridge (20) for arranging the at least partially filled tubular casing (30);
at least one shaping means (210) for creating a defined shape to the first end (32) of the tubular casing (30), including at least one gripper means (230) for gripping the first end of the at least partially filled tubular casing (30) and at least one forming shoulder (220) for forming a defined shape to the said first end (32); and
at least one mounting means (310) for mounting the dispensing device (40) to said first end (32) of the tubular casing (30).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for assembling a packaging combination including a tubular casing and a dispensing device according to claim 1. The present invention further relates to a method for assembling said packaging combination according to independent claim 12.

[0002] Packing combinations including a tubular casing packing and a dispensing device are known, e.g. from German laid open document 38 31 225, wherein a device for dispensing the filling material stored in a tubular or bag-shaped packing is disclosed. The device includes a rigid tube having a dispensing nozzle at its one end and being provided for containing completely a bag-shaped casing. The bag-shaped casing containing a pasty filling material, like an adhesive, has to be opened at one end and has then to be positioned in said rigid tube with its opened end facing the dispensing nozzle. A piston matching the inner diameter of the tube is thereafter pushed into the tube, thereby squeezing the bag-shaped packaging and dispensing the filling material through the dispensing nozzle.

[0003] The assembling of said known tubular casing and dispensing device to a packaging combination on one hand is cost and time expensive, since said assembling has to be made by hand. Moreover, in case that the dispensing device has to be reused, it has to be cleaned from the filling material, which comes into contact at least with the dispensing nozzle. On the other hand, in case that said packaging combination shall be use as a disposable packaging combination, a large amount of material, in particular the rigid tube, is wasted, causing high costs.

[0004] Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method with which a packaging combination can automatically and time and cost efficient be assembled.

[0005] According to the present invention, there is provided anapparatus for assembling a packaging combination which includes a tubular casing having a first end and a second end, wherein the tubular casing is partially filled with filling material and closed at its first as well as its second end by a closure means, like a closure clip, and wherein the partially filled tubular casing comprises a plait-like portion at its first end being at least approximately free of filling material. The packaging assembly further includes a dispensing device having a passageway extending through the dispensing device with an inlet opening at its one end and a dispensing opening at its other end for guiding and dispensing the filling material in a dispensing direction. The inventive apparatus comprises at least one supporting means for accommodating and retaining the at least partially filled tubular casing, including at least one cartridge for arranging the at least partially filled tubular casing in the assembling apparatus. The apparatus further includes at least one shaping means for creating a defined shape to the first end of the tubular casing, including at least one gripper means for gripping the first end of the at least partially filled tubular casing and at least one forming shoulder for forming a defined shape to the said first end and at least one mounting means for mounting the dispensing device to said first end of the tubular casing.

[0006] The at least partially filled tubular casing is preferably vertically arranged in the assembling apparatus by means of said cartridge. Naturally, in order to form a defined shape to the first end and to mount a dispensing device thereto, the at least partially filled tubular casing may also be provided in a horizontal alignment or in any other suitable angle.

[0007] With the inventive apparatus, a packaging combination including a tubular casing and a dispensing device may automatically be assembled without the need of manpower and manual work, whereby a large amount of time and costs may be saved.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the inventive assembling apparatus, the cartridge is coupled with a drive means for moving said cartridge, whereby the tubular casing may be accurately be positioned to be processed.

[0009] The drive means for the cartridge may be of any suitable kind, like an electrical or pneumatically drive. In advantageous configuration, the drive means include a piston/cylinder assembly.

[0010] In a further advantageous embodiment, the forming shoulder of the shaping means is a shaping ring having an inner surface corresponding to the shape to be created of the first end of the tubular casing. Said shaping ring facilitates an easy and reliable forming of a defined shape to said first end of the tubular casing. Thereby, said shaping ring may be provided as a single part, but also may be composed of a number of segments.

[0011] To ensure a save and reliable gripping of the first end of the tubular casing, the gripper means of the shaping means include at least one claw for gripping said first end of the tubular casing. By using said gripper claws, a gripping force may be adjusted, dependent on the kind of the packaging material, for avoiding damages of sad casing material or the closing means. In another embodiment, the gripper means can be formed by a suction device which sucks in the first and of the tubular casing. Moreover, any other device for providing a "gripping force" to "grip" and hold the first end of the tubular casing can be used.

[0012] For creating a defined shape to the first end of the tubular casing, advantageously, the shaping means and/or the gripper means include a drive means for reversible moving the shaping means and the gripper means relative to each other.

[0013] The assembling apparatus according to the present invention can comprise receiving means for receiving the partially filled tubular casing. By means of said receiving means which may be a conventionally conveyor, the apparatus may be coupled to a clipping machine in which said tubular casing can be produced. In this case, it is possible to control the assembling apparatus on the basis of a signal from said clipping machine.

[0014] For automatically and defined providing the dispensing device to be mounted to the tubular casing, the apparatus comprises receiving means for receiving the dispensing device.

[0015] In order to prevent the filling material in the packaging combination from being contaminated or escaped, a closure cap may be attached to said packaging combination. Additionally or alternatively, for an easy and accurate dispensing of the filling material, also a dispensing nozzle may be provided. Accordingly, in an advantageous configuration, the assembling apparatus comprises attachment means for attaching a closure cap and or a dispensing nozzle to the dispensing device.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the inventive apparatus, at least the supporting means, the shaping means and the mounting means are arranged in work stations to enable an efficient assembling of the tubular casing and the dispending device.

[0017] Moreover, there is provided a method for assembling a packaging combination including a tubular casing having a first end and a second end, wherein the tubular casing is partially filled with filling material and closed at its first as well as its second end by a closure means, like a closure clip, and wherein the partially filled tubular casing comprises a plait-like portion at its first end being at least approximately free of filling material. The packaging combination further includes a dispensing device having a passageway extending through the dispensing device with an inlet opening at its one end and a dispensing opening at its other end for guiding and dispensing the filling material in a dispensing direction. The method comprises the steps of accommodating and retaining the at least partially filled tubular casing, positioning a forming shoulder at the first end of the tubular casing, gripping the first end of the tubular casing, forming a defined shape to the first end of said tubular casing by moving the tubular casing and the forming shoulder relative to each other, and mounting a dispensing device to said first end of said tubular casing.

[0018] According to the present invention, the method further comprises, not necessarily in this order, the steps of receiving the at least partially filled tubular casing, moving the at least partially filled tubular casing between working stations including at least the supporting means, the shaping means and the mounting means, and attaching a closure cap and a dispensing nozzle to the dispensing device.

[0019] The inventive method thereby provides the same advantages as disclosed in conjunction with the inventive assembling apparatus. With the inventive assembly apparatus as well as method, it is possible to assemble packaging combination with a dispensing device the axial length of which is substantially shorter than the axial length of the tubular casing. Thus, if such a packaging combination shall be used as a disposable packaging combination, the burden of the environment due to a bulky dispensing device, like in the prior art, is reduced.

[0020] Further advantages and a preferred embodiment will be described in the following together with the drawings listed below. The expressions "left", "right", "below" and "above" are referred to the drawings in an alignment such that the reference numbers used can be read in normal.

[0021] In the drawings:

Fig. 1:

is a schematically perspective view to an assembling apparatus according to the present invention;

Fig. 2:

is a schematically cross-section of the shaping station of the assembling apparatus according to Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3:

is a schematically perspective view to the mounting station of the assembling apparatus according to Fig. 1.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a schematically perspective view to an assembling apparatus 1 according to the present invention. The assembling apparatus 1 comprises a circular table 10, which holds supporting means 20 for accommodating and retaining a number of at least partially filled tubular casings 30 while a dispensing device 40 is mounted to each of said tubular casings 30. The apparatus further comprises a number of work stations 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, which are arranged around table 10 for processing tubular casings 30, when positioned in their working area.

[0023] Circular table 10 is horizontally arranged and supported to be rotatable about its vertically arranged central axis by a respective drive (not shown). Concentrically to and along the outer edge of table 10 and at equal distances to each other, the supporting means in form of cartridges 20 are vertically arranged. As it can be seen from Fig. 2, each cartridge 20 includes a barrel 22 which has an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the filled tubular casing 30, and in which said tubular casing 30 is form-fit accommodated. For transporting tubular casing 30 to the respective work station, table 10 is rotated counter-clockwise.

[0024] Work station 100 includes the receiving means for receiving a tubular casing 30. According to Fig. 1, said receiving means is formed by two parallel and horizontally arranged band conveyors 110 which both can deliver two tubular casings 30 to table 10 at the same time. It has to be understood, that in this case two cartridges 20 are positioned in working or receiving station 100 for receiving the tubular casings 30 just delivered.

[0025] In the next working station 200, counter-clockwise arranged beside receiving station 100 at table 10, the shaping means 210 are positioned at least approximately above cartridges 20 when positioned in working or shaping station 200. Shaping station 200 includes two identical shaping means 210 for simultaneously creating a defined shape to the first ends of tubular casings 30.

[0026] Following shaping station 200 in counter-clockwise direction, a mounting station 300 is positioned at circular table 10, for mounting dispensing device 40 to tubular casing 30. Even if not shown in detail, mounting station 300 includes feeding means for feeding dispensing device 40 to mounting station 300. Dispensing device 40, when delivered to mounting station 300, is already provided with an appropriate portion of adhesive at one of its inner surfaces to be secured to tubular casing 30. In an alternative embodiment, mounting station 300 may include a dispensing apparatus for dispensing an adhesive to dispensing device 20 immediately before mounting dispensing device 40 to tubular casing 30. In case that the adhesive is a hot-melt adhesive, mounting station 300 includes a respective heating device known in the art.

[0027] Assembling apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of Fig. 1 further includes an attachment station 400 for attaching a closure cap and or a dispensing nozzle to dispensing device 40. In particular, the closure cap for closing the dispensing opening of dispensing device 40, in a preferred embodiment, includes an inner screw thread for being screwed to dispensing device 40, which has a respective outer screw thread. Together with the closure cap, the dispensing nozzle may be attached to dispensing device 40, e.g. by means of a latch which is secured to dispensing device 20 by the closure cap when screwed to dispensing device 40.

[0028] Further in a counter-clockwise direction, a discharge station 500 as a last work station is arranged at circular table 10. Discharge station 500 includes discharge means 510 in the form of a lifter arrangement 512 for lifting the packaging combination consisting of tubular casing 30 and dispensing device 40 from cartridges 20, and a conveyor arrangement 514 including a chute for distributing the packaging combination from assembling apparatus 1 for further treatment.

[0029] Fig. 2 is a schematically cross-section of shaping station 200 of assembling apparatus 1 according to Fig. 1. Shaping station 200 includes two identical shaping means 210 each including a shaping ring 220, gripper claws 230 and drives (not shown) for actuating and moving shaping ring 220 and claws 230 as described in detail below. As it can be seen in Fig. 2, shaping ring 220 consists of two semicircular segments 220a, 220b. Alternatively, shaping ring 220 may also be formed as one element or may include more than two segments.

[0030] In shaping station according to Fig. 2, two cartridges 20 are positioned vertically below shaping means 210 and held by table 10 (not shown in Fig. 2). Each cartridge 20 includes an approximately cylindrical barrel 22, which is mounted to a cylinder 24 and vertically movable therein. A piston 26 is attached to the bottom section of barrel 22 and extends through the bottom of cylinder 24.

[0031] Below cartridge 20, a drive assembly D including two identical drive elements in the form of a piston/cylinder combination is arranged to act on piston 26 in order to move barrel 22 together with tubular casing 30 upwardly, whereby the upper or first end 32 of tubular casing 30, including a plait-like portion P, which is closed by a closure clip C, is positioned in the working area of shaping means 210. Tubular casing 30 is positioned in barrel 22 with its lower or second end 34, which is also closed by a closure clip C, directed downwardly. Between the bottom of barrel 22 and the second end 34 of tubular casing 30, a fitting element F is positioned, for adapting cartridge 20 to the length of tubular casing 30 which has to project from the upper edge of barrel 22 about a predetermined length. For handling e.g. a longer tubular casing than that shown in Fig. 2, a respectively shorter fitting element F is to be placed in barrel 22. In adaption to a different diameter of tubular casing 30, barrel 22 may be exchanged to one of a respectively other inner diameter.

[0032] Fig. 3 is a schematically perspective view to mounting station 300 of assembling apparatus 1 according to Fig. 1. Mounting station 300 includes two identical mounting means 310, each of which has a delivering device 320 for delivering a dispensing device 40 to the working area of the mounting means, and a gripper 330 for gripping dispensing device 40 provided by delivering device 320 and attaching said dispensing device 40 to the first end 32 of tubular casing 30 provided by a cartridge 20 (not shown). Delivering device 320 and gripper 330 comprise respective drives (not shown) for being moved when delivering and mounting dispensing device 40 to tubular casing 30. Delivering device 320 is horizontally arranged above gripper 330 and horizontally movable in order to position dispensing device vertically above gripper 330. Gripper 330 according to Fig. 3 is vertically movable and includes two claws for gripping dispensing device 40 provided by delivering device 330, when in an upper position, and for attaching said dispensing device 40 to the first end 32 of tubular casing 30 when moved downwardly.

[0033] The assembling apparatus 1 of Figs. 1 to 3 includes workstations 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 for simultaneously assembling two tubular casings 30 and two dispensing devices. For an easier understanding, assembling only one packaging combination including a tubular casing 30 and a dispensing device 40 is described in the following. The explanations apply to the simultaneous assembling of two packaging combinations accordingly.

[0034] For assembling a packaging combination including a tubular casing 30 and a dispensing device 40, a tubular casing 30 is received by horizontally aligned band conveyor 110 of receiving station 100. In receiving station 100, tubular casing 30 arranged horizontally on band conveyer 110 is transferred in a vertical position above cartridge 20 and placed in cartridge 20 with its first end 32 including plait-like portion P directed upwardly.

[0035] After positioning tubular casing 30 in cartridge 20, circular table 10 is rotated counter-clockwise about a predefined angle. Thereby, tubular casing 30 together with cartridge 20 is positioned in shaping station 200 below shaping means 210. In this position, shaping means 210, in particular claws 230 are in an opened position. Drive assembly D is actuated and moves cartridge 20 and tubular casing 30 upwardly in a position, in which first end 32 of tubular casing 30 is in the working area of shaping means 210. Thereafter, claws 230 will be closed for gripping first end 32 of tubular casing 30, in particular, closure clip C. Shaping ring 220 consisting of segments 220a, 220b, is positioned around and closely surrounds plat-like portion P. Shaping ring 220 is than moved down along plait-like portion P and away from claws 230, thereby creating a shape to the first end 32 of tubular casing 30, corresponding to the inner shape of shaping ring 220. Thereafter, shaping ring 220 is moved back towards claws 230 and away from plait-like portion P. Claws 230 are opened for releasing first end 32 of tubular casing 30, and cartridge 20 together with tubular casing 30 is shifted downwardly by drive assembly D.

[0036] Next, table 10 is rotated counter-clockwise for positioning cartridge 20 with tubular casing 30 having a defined shaped first end 32 in mounting station 300 below mounting means 310. In mounting station 300, a dispensing device 40 is provided by delivering device 320. Below delivering device 320, vertically movable gripper 330 is provided. In its upper position, gripper 330 grasps dispensing device 40 held by delivering device 320, and moves vertically downwardly towards first end 32 of tubular casing 30 provided by cartridge 20. Gripper 330 mounts dispensing device 40 to the first end 32 of tubular casing 30 by means of an adhesive disposed at an inner surface of dispensing device 40 which comes into contact wit the outer surface of tubular casing 30. Plait-like portion P thereby is guided through and extends beyond the dispensing opening of dispensing device 40.

[0037] After moving gripper 330 in its opened position, table 10 further turns counter-clockwise for positioning cartridge 20 with tubular casing 30 and dispensing device 40 in attachment station 400 vertically below the attachment means for attaching a closure cap and/or a dispensing nozzle to dispensing device 40. The attachment means include gripping and rotating means for gripping and screwing a closure cap to dispensing device 40. Said attachment means are commonly known and thus, need not to be described in detail.

[0038] At discharge station 500, to which cartridge 20 together wit the packing combination is moved by further rotating table 10, said packing combination is removed from cartridge 20 by lifter arrangement 512 and deposited on conveyor arrangement 514 for being distributed from assembling apparatus 1.

[0039] In conjunction with Fig. 2, drive assembly D has been described for moving upwardly cartridge 20 for positioning first end 32 of tubular casing 30 in the working area of shaping station 200. Naturally, also the shaping 210 may be vertically movable, whereby an additional movement of cartridge 20, and drive assembly D respectively, is not necessary. It has also to be understood, that, even if not described, each working station may comprise a drive assembly D for moving cartridge 20 vertically into the working area of the respective work station.

[0040] Shaping ring 220 according to Fig. 2 consists of two segments 220a, 220b and has been described as being moved towards plait-like portion P after first end 32 has been grasped by claws 230. In an alternative embodiment, the shaping ring 220 may be formed as a single part. Accordingly, said shaping ring 220has to be placed around plait-like portion P before the first end 32 of tubular casing 30 has been grasped by claws 230.

[0041] Moreover, attachment station 400 needs not necessarily be part of the assembling apparatus, in particular, in case that no closure cap has to be attached to the packaging combination.

[0042] As it can be seen in Fig. 1, at table 10, additional space has been left for positioning additional work stations there, e.g. for attaching other parts to the packaging combination, like labels or the like.

[0043] Circular table 10 shown in Fig. 1, for moving tubular casing 30 between the work stations has to be understood as one possible embodiment of a moving device.

[0044] Other moving means may be used for transporting the tubular casing between the work stations, like robotic devices or any other suitable conveying means.

[0045] The present assembling apparatus includes receiving means in the form of a band conveyor as one possible embodiment of a conveyor device. For receiving a tubular casing being at least partially filled and comprising a plait-like portion, the assembling apparatus may be directly connected to a clipping machine by said conveying means. Otherwise, a respective storage device including a number of tubular casings, may be coupled to said conveying means.

Claims

1. An apparatus for assembling a packaging combination including a tubular casing (30) having a first end (32) and a second end (34), wherein the tubular casing (30) is partially filled with filling material and closed at its first as well as its second end (32, 34) by a closure means (C), like a closure clip, and wherein the partially filled tubular casing (30) comprises a plait-like portion (P) at its first end (32) being at least approximately free of filling material, and further including a dispensing device (40) having a passageway extending through the dispensing device (40) with an inlet opening at its one end and a dispensing opening at its other end for guiding and dispensing the filling material in a dispensing direction,
wherein the apparatus (1) comprises:

at least one supporting means (10, 20) for accommodating and retaining the at least partially filled tubular casing (30), including at least one cartridge (20) for arranging the at least partially filled tubular casing (30);

at least one shaping means (210) for creating a defined shape to the first end (32) of the tubular casing (30), including at least one gripper means (230) for gripping the first end of the at least partially filled tubular casing (30) and at least one forming shoulder (220) for forming a defined shape to the said first end (32); and

at least one mounting means (310) for mounting the dispensing device (40) to said first end (32) of the tubular casing (30).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the cartridge (20) is coupled with a drive means (D) for moving said cartridge (20).

3. The apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein the drive means (D) include a piston/cylinder assembly.

4. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3,
wherein the forming shoulder (220) of the shaping means (210) is a shaping ring having an inner surface corresponding to the shape to be created of the first end (32) of the tubular casing (30).

5. The apparatus according to claim 4,
wherein the shaping ring (220) consists of ring segments (220a, 220b).

6. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5,
wherein the gripper means (230) of the shaping means (210) include at least one claw for gripping the first end (32) of the tubular casing (30).

7. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6,
wherein the shaping means (220) and/or the gripper means (230) include a drive means for reversible moving the shaping means (220) and the gripper means (230) relative to each other.

8. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7,
further comprising receiving means (110) for receiving the partially filled tubular casing (30).

9. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 or 8,
further comprising receiving means (320) for receiving the dispensing device (40).

10. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9,
further comprising attachment means for attaching a closure cap and/or a dispensing nozzle to the dispensing device.

11. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 10,
wherein at least the supporting means (10, 20), the shaping means (210) and the mounting means (310) are arranged in work stations (200, 300).

12. A method for assembling a packaging combination including a tubular casing (30) having a first end (32) and a second end (34), wherein the tubular casing (30) is partially filled with filling material and closed at its first as well as its second end (32, 34) by a closure means (C), like a closure clip, and wherein the partially filled tubular casing (30) comprises a plait-like portion (P) at its first end (32) being at least approximately free of filling material, and further including a dispensing device (40) having a passage way extending through the dispensing device (40) with an inlet opening at its one end and a dispensing opening at its other end for guiding and dispensing the filling material in a dispensing direction, the method comprises the steps of:

- accommodating and retaining the at least partially filled tubular casing (30);

- positioning a forming shoulder (220) at the first end (32) of the tubular casing (30);

- gripping the first end (32) of the tubular casing (30);

- forming a defined shape to the first end (32) of said tubular casing (30) by moving the tubular casing (30) and the forming shoulder (220) relative to each other; and

- mounting a dispensing device (40) to said first end (40) of said tubular casing (30).

13. The method according to claim 12,
further comprising the step of receiving the at least partially filled tubular casing (30).

14. The method according to claims 12 or 13,
further comprising the step of moving the at least partially filled tubular casing (30) between working stations (200, 300) including at least the supporting means (10, 20), the shaping means (210) and the mounting means (310).

15. The method according to any of claims 12 to 14,
further comprising the step of attaching a closure cap and a dispensing nozzle to the dispensing device (40).

Drawing