Method for packing containers automatically

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for automatically packaging empty collapsible tubes ( 1 ), that are supplied by a conveyor belt, into a plurality of packaging containers that take up collapsible tubes ( 1 ). According to the invention, the supplied collapsible tubes ( 1 ) are collected in a row without gaps, supplied in this row to an intermediate storage ( 13 ) and then jointly transferred into a packaging container; thereafter the packaging container is conveyed further on. The empty collapsible tubes ( 1 ) are arranged in conveyor trays ( 3 ) of a feeder belt ( 2 ) and are collected continuously in a row or partial row by means of separately driven and adjustable suction vees ( 5 ).

1 . Method for automatically packaging empty collapsible tubes ( 1 ), that are supplied by a conveyor belt, into a plurality of packaging containers that take up collapsible tubes ( 1 ) wherein 
 the supplied collapsible tubes ( 1 ) are collected in a row without gaps, supplied in this row to an intermediate storage ( 13 ) and then jointly transferred into a packaging container; thereafter the packaging container is conveyed further on.    
   
   
       2 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein several rows of empty collapsible tubes ( 1 ) that have been supplied one after the other are collected in the intermediate storage ( 13 ) until a sufficient number of empty collapsible tubes ( 1 ) is achieved for filling or partially filling a packaging container.  
   
   
       3 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the empty collapsible tubes ( 1 ) are arranged in conveyor trays ( 3 ) of a feeder belt ( 2 ) and are collected continuously in a row or partial row by means of separately driven and adjustable suction vees ( 5 ).  
   
   
       4 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein each row containing the desired number of collapsible tubes ( 1 ) is compacted so that said tubes come into contact with each other and is transferred into the intermediate storage ( 13 ) only after completed compaction.  
   
   
       5 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein each collapsible tube ( 1 ) in the intermediate storage ( 13 ) is in touching contact with a neighboring collapsible tube ( 1 ) on top of it at one point only.  
   
   
       6 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein each collapsible tube ( 1 ) in the intermediate storage ( 13 ) is in touching contact with two collapsible tubes ( 1 ) on top of it.  
   
   
       7 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein a packaging container can be arranged behind each intermediate storage ( 13 ) in a swivelling and vertically adjustable manner.  
   
   
       8 . Method according to  claim 7 , wherein each packaging container can be arranged on a holding fork ( 17 ).  
   
   
       9 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein conveyor belts ( 20 ,  20 ′,  21 ,  2 ′) for the supply of empty and removal of full packaging containers are arranged at two different levels.  
   
   
       10 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein a moving slide transfers all of the collapsible tubes ( 1 ) stored in the intermediate storage ( 13 ) into a packaging container.  
   
   
       11 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate storage ( 13 ) is provided with a fixed base plate ( 15 ) with adjustable lateral guides ( 24 ), adjustable limiting plates ( 25 ,  25 ′) as well as at least two sets of movable bottom strips ( 12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c  and  12   a ′,  12   b ′,  12   c ′).  
   
   
       12 . Method according to  claim 11 , the movable bottom strips ( 12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c  and  12   a ′,  12   b ′,  12   c ′) are arranged in the intermediate storage ( 13 ) such that they can be passed through the base plate ( 15 ) and are movable synchronously with each other.