DEVICE FOR FOLDING IN AT LEAST ONE FLAP OF A PACKAGE
A device for folding in at least one flap of a box includes a folding mechanism for folding the at least one flap and a pressing mechanism for pressing the flap into the inside of the box, where the pressing mechanism projects into the inside of the box. The flap is closed with only the two tool. Particularly by the use of the pressing means, the flap can be pressed against until such time as glue, applied in the preceding step, has bonded. To adapt to different widths of the package, only one tool has to be exchanged. The folding means need not be changed, since it is adapted for the widest possible package.
The invention is based on an apparatus for folding in at least one flap of a package, as generically defined by the preamble to the independent claim. From European Patent Disclosure EP 1389 166 B1, an apparatus for inserting a product to be packaged into packaging means, in particular blister strips in folding boxes, is already known. After the blister strips have been inserted into the folding boxes, the boxes are closed in the conventional way. However, this apparatus must be modified, if blister strips are to be stored, instead of in a folding box, in a so-called wallet package, which is a folding box that can be opened up and closed again in the form of a billfold. It is therefore the object of the invention to disclose such an apparatus and in particular to take care that it is easy to adapt to different sizes of packages. This object is attained by the characteristics of the independent claim.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Advantages of the InventionThe apparatus according to the invention for folding in at least one flap of a package, in accordance with the characteristics of the independent claim, has the advantage over the prior art that secure the fixation of the blister strip can be made possible with the aid of a so-called fixation flap. The flap is closed with only two tools, namely with folding means and pressing means. Particularly by the use of the pressing means, the flap can be pressed against until such time as glue, applied in the preceding step, has bonded. To adapt to different widths of the package, only one tool has to be exchanged. The folding means need not be changed, since it is adapted for the widest possible package.
In an expedient refinement, drive means are provided, that move the folding means and the pressing means such that the flap, on being folded, reaches the range of motion of the pressing means, which moves and presses the flap into the interior of the package. The power takeoff motion of the two tools always remains the same, even with different geometries of the package and flap.
In an expedient refinement, it is provided that the folding means folds the flap by approximately or somewhat less than 90°. Thus the folding means can be operated with a rising or falling direction of motion, and the pressing means correspondingly with a contrary direction of motion, that is, falling or rising. As a result, the flap is securely folded over into the interior of the package.
In an expedient refinement, it is provided that folding means and/or pressing means have a comb structure, and the comb structures of the folding means and the pressing means are capable of meshing with one another. This structure is especially well suited to folding over particularly short flaps, where folding means and pressing means have to act on the flap in tight spaces.
In an expedient refinement, it is provided that the folding means and/or pressing means can be put in a pivoting motion via at least one lever. In an expedient refinement, it is provided that the pivoting motion of the lever can be generated by means of cams. This type of driving is distinguished by an especially simple kind of construction.
In an expedient refinement, it is provided that the folding means and/or pressing means are disposed displaceably relative to the lever. As a result, especially simple adaptations can be made to various packaging geometries.
In an expedient refinement, it is provided that the pivoting motion of the lever can be generated by means of cams. Thus the secure closing or fixation of the flap can be done in a structural unit.
Further expedient refinements will become apparent from further dependent claims and from the description.
One exemplary embodiment of the apparatus for folding in at least one flap of a package is shown in the drawings and will be described in further detail below.
Shown are:
The package shown in
The wallet 1 has a width A as indicated in
This flap 2 is now to be folded into the interior of the wallet 1. For this purpose, there is a folding means 7 located below the flap 2, as shown in
In
In
In
The corresponding position of repose is shown in
In
In
In
The sectional view along the section line D-D of
In summary, the apparatus for folding in at least one flap 2 of a package 1 functions as follows: The wallet 1 moves into the apparatus. In the process, the gluing head 6 applies the worm of glue 5 to the flap 2. The transporting motion then stops. The folding means 7 folds the flap 2 upward by somewhat less than 90°. Next, the pressing means 8 folds the flap 2 by more than 90° into the interior of the wallet. The pressing means 8 keeps the flap 2 in that position. In the process, the glue 5 sets. The pressing means 8 moves out of the wallet 1 and pivots into the position of repose, as does the folding means 7. The wallet 1 leaves the station. Simultaneously, the next wallet 1 enters the station. From here, the sequence already described is repeated. The flap 2 is closed by merely two tools, namely the folding means 7 and the pressing means 8. The motion of the folding means 7 and pressing means 8 is contrary; that is, while the folding means 7 moves the flap 2 upward from below, the pressing means 8 in turn positions the raised flap 2 into the interior of the wallet 1 by a motion from the top downward. The construction selected is distinguished by great flexibility. In wallets of different widths A, only a single tool that has to be adapted to this width A has to be exchanged. This is the pressing means 8, which moves the flap 2 into the interior of the wallet 1. The folding means 7 should be selected such that it securely covers the maximum width A of the wallet 1 to be processed.
As already described, the adjusting means 30, 32 serve to adapt the pressing means 8 to different flap heights x3. This is attained in particular by connecting the folding means 7 and/or pressing means 8 displaceably to the respective levers 11, 12. Moreover, via the T-slot 15, the final position in the working position x4 of the folding means 7 can be adjusted. By adjustment of the T-slot 15 on the slide 16, the size x4 is adjusted such that x4 fits the flap length x3. As a result, although the final position in the position of repose is displaced as well, nevertheless this does not matter for the function. Next, the folding means 7 is displaced on the lever 11 until the folding angle of the flap 2 is adjusted to virtually 90°. The construction is also distinguished by the fact that very flat wallets 1 with a short top flap length x3 can be processed. This is achieved by providing that comb structures 33, 34 of the folding means 7 and pressing means 8, respectively, mesh with one another.
As a rule, two end flaps 2 have to be closed. However, for the sake of simplicity, only one end has been shown.
Numerous modifications for realizing the apparatus will be familiar to one skilled in the art. For instance, instead of being driven with cams, the folding means 7 and/or pressing means 8 can be driven via servo motors. Instead of the pivoting motions, linearly moved folding means 7 and/or pressing means 8 are also conceivable. Nor do these have to be toothed, if the motion and adjustment of the folding means 7 and pressing means 8 are altered in such a way that the tools 7, 8 move without overlapping. Although simpler tools could be made, nevertheless the effort and expense for calibration would be greater. In particular, the risk of collision of the tools from incorrect settings is greater.
A knife with an additional motion could also be provided that holds down the fluted edge between the flap 3 and the bottom face, joined to it, of the wallet 1. This could improve the process of the folding of the flap 2 by the folding means 7. The knife must be in the lower position during the folding by the folding means 7. Next, it would have to be put into the upper position, when the pressing means 8 advances the flap into the interior of the wallet 1. However, this knife does run the risk of coming into contact with the worm of glue 5.
The apparatus described is especially well suited for fixation of blister strips 3 in wallets 1 but is not limited to that. It serves in general to fold in at least one flap 2 into the interior of a package.
Claims
1-11. (canceled)
12. An apparatus for folding in at least one flap of a package, comprising:
- folding means for folding down the at least one flap; and
- pressing means for pressing on the flap, wherein the pressing means protrude into an interior of the package in order to press down the flap.
13. The apparatus as defined by claim 12, further comprising drive means that move the folding means and the pressing means such that the flap, on being folded, reaches a range of motion of the pressing means which moves and presses the flap into the interior of the package.
14. The apparatus as defined by claim 12, wherein the folding means folds the flap by approximately 90°.
15. The apparatus as defined by claim 13, wherein the folding means folds the flap by approximately 90°.
16. The apparatus as defined by claim 12, wherein folding means and/or pressing means have a comb-like structure.
17. The apparatus as defined by claim 13, wherein folding means and/or pressing means have a comb-like structure.
18. The apparatus as defined by claim 14, wherein folding means and/or pressing means have a comb-like structure.
19. The apparatus as defined by claim 16, wherein the comb-like structures of the folding means and the pressing means are capable of meshing with one another.
20. The apparatus as defined by claim 17, wherein the comb-like structures of the folding means and the pressing means are capable of meshing with one another.
21. The apparatus as defined by claim 18, wherein the comb-like structures of the folding means and the pressing means are capable of meshing with one another.
22. The apparatus as defined by claim 19, wherein the folding means and/or pressing means are put in a pivoting motion via at least one lever.
23. The apparatus as defined by claim 22, wherein the folding means and/or pressing means are disposed displaceably relative to the at least one lever.
24. The apparatus as defined by claim 22, wherein the pivoting motion of the at least one lever can be generated by cam means.
25. The apparatus as defined by claim 12, further comprising at least one gluing head which applies glue to the flap.
26. The apparatus as defined by claim 13, further comprising at least one gluing head which applies glue to the flap.
27. The apparatus as defined by claim 22, further comprising at least one gluing head which applies glue to the flap.
28. The apparatus as defined by claim 6, further comprising a slide having an up-and-down motion which is coupled mechanically to the at least one lever via a toggle link.
29. The apparatus as defined by claim 28, wherein the connection between the slide and the toggle link is made via a T-slot.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 12, 2007
Publication Date: Jul 23, 2009
Inventors: Reinhard Rapp (Stuttgart), Klaus Stoeckel (Korb), Wolfgang Rapp (Winterbach)
Application Number: 12/299,384
International Classification: B65B 7/00 (20060101);