Feeding device for packaging machine
A feeding device for feeding products ( 12 a - k ) and/or stacks of products ( 14 a - k ) to a packaging process of a packaging machine ( 16 a , 16 d - k ), in particular of a horizontal tube packaging machine, comprises a guide unit ( 22 a - k ) which is disposed as a closed loop ( 18 a , 18 c - k ) and on which a plurality of arranged conveyor elements ( 22 a - k ) are arranged so as to be drivable mutually independently in a speed- and/or position-controlled manner at least along at least one working section ( 24 a , 24 c - d , 24 f - k ) of the guide unit ( 20 a - d , 20 f - k ). At least one conveyor element ( 22 a - k ) has a holder ( 26 a - k ), and at least one conveyor element ( 22 a - k ) that follows contrary to a conveying direction ( 28 a , 28 c - k ) has a counter holder ( 30 a - k ).
1. A feeding device for feeding products ( 12 a - k ) and/or product stacks ( 14 a - k ) to a packaging process of a packaging machine ( 16 a , 16 d - k ), said feeding device having a guide unit ( 20 a - k ) which is a closed loop ( 18 a , 18 c - k ) along which a plurality of arranged conveyor elements ( 22 a - k ) are arranged so as to be drivable in a speed-controlled and/or positionally regulated manner independently of one another at least along at least one operating portion ( 24 a , 24 c - d , 24 f - k ) of the guide unit ( 20 a - k ), wherein at least one conveyor element ( 22 a - k ) comprises a holder ( 26 a - k ), and at least one conveyor element ( 22 a - k ) which follows in a conveying direction ( 28 a , 28 c - k ) comprises a counter holder ( 30 a - k ), and the feeding device having a control unit ( 32 c - d , 32 f - h ) programmed to control and regulate a spacing between the holder ( 26 c - d , 26 f - h ) and the counter holder ( 30 c - d , 30 f - h ) in accordance with a product stack length ( 34 c - d , 34 f - h ), wherein, during loading, the spacing between the holder ( 26 c - d , 26 f - h ) and the counter holder ( 30 c - d , 30 f - h ) is increased.
2. The feeding device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that at least one conveyor element ( 22 e ) comprises at least one holder ( 26 e ) and at least one counter holder ( 30 e ).
3. The feeding device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized by at least one support element ( 46 b ) which is arranged on the guide unit ( 20 b ) between two conveyor elements ( 22 b ).
4. The feeding device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized by a control unit ( 32 a - e ) which is configured for controlling and/or regulating a product length or product stack length ( 34 a , 34 c - e , 34 g ) and/or a separation ( 36 a , 36 c - e ) between products ( 12 a , 12 c - k ) or product stacks ( 14 a - k ) which follow one after another in the conveying direction ( 28 a , 28 c - k ).
5. The feeding device as claimed in claim 4 , characterized in that the control unit ( 32 a - e ) is configured for variably adjusting product lengths or product stack lengths ( 34 a , 34 c - e , 34 g ) and/or the separation ( 36 a , 36 c - e ) of products ( 12 a , 12 c - k ) or product stacks ( 14 a - k ) which follow one after another in the conveying direction ( 28 a , 28 c - k ).
6. The feeding device at least as claimed in claim 4 , characterized in that the control unit ( 32 a - e ) is configured for determining product lengths or product stack lengths ( 34 a , 34 c - e , 34 g ).
7. The feeding device at least as claimed in claim 4 , characterized in that the control unit ( 32 a - e ) is configured for moving at least one conveyor element ( 22 a - k ) in a direction opposite to the conveying direction ( 28 a , 28 c - k ) in at least one operating state.
8. The feeding device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that at least one portion of the guide unit ( 20 a - d , 20 f - k ) is a buffer portion ( 38 a , 38 i , 72 a ).
9. The feeding device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the guide unit ( 20 a - d , 20 f - h ) includes at least one primary part ( 40 a - b ) and the conveyor elements ( 22 a - k ) include in each case at least one secondary part ( 42 a - b ) of a linear motor system ( 44 a ).
10. The feeding device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the holders ( 26 i ) and/or counter holders ( 30 i ) are provided for the purpose of configured for separating products ( 12 i ) and/or product stacks ( 14 i ) from a supplied product column ( 100 i ).
11. A packaging machine having a feeding device ( 10 a - k ) as claimed in claim 1 .
12. A method for feeding products ( 12 a - k ) or product stacks ( 14 a - k ) to a packaging machine ( 16 a , 16 d - k ), the method comprising:
providing a feeding device having a guide unit ( 20 a - k ) which is a closed loop ( 18 a , 18 c - k ) along which a plurality of arranged conveyor elements ( 22 a - k ) are arranged so as to be drivable in a speed-controlled and/or positionally regulated manner independently of one another at least along at least one operating portion ( 24 a , 24 c - d , 24 f - k ) of the guide unit ( 20 a - k ), wherein at least one conveyor element ( 22 a - k ) comprises a holder ( 26 a - k ), and at least one conveyor element ( 22 a - k ) which follows in a conveying direction ( 28 a , 28 c - k ) comprises a counter holder ( 30 a - k );
controlling a spacing between the holder ( 26 c - d , 26 f - h ) and the counter holder ( 30 c - d , 30 f - h ) in accordance with a product stack length ( 34 c - d , 34 f - h );
increasing the spacing between the holder ( 26 c - d , 26 f - h ) and the counter holder ( 30 c - d , 30 f - h ) during loading; and
using the feeding device to feed the products ( 12 a - k ) or product stacks ( 14 a - k ) to the packaging machine ( 16 a , 16 d - k ).