# US 11,111,048 B2 · Unpacking system for an object, in particular a pharmaceutical or cosmetic object, packed in an item of packaging, in particular a pouch

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- Number: US 11,111,048 B2
- Document ID: US11111048B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/151,592
- Filed: 2018-10-04
- Published: 2019-04-11
- Granted: 2021-09-07
- Earliest claimed: 2017-10-06
- Assignees: Groninger & Co. GmbH
- Applicants: Groninger & Co. GmbH
- Inventors: Bernd Franke; Josef Veile
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11111048B2

## CPC

- B65B 69/0008: {Opening and emptying bags}
- B65B 69/0033: {by cutting (B65B69/0008-B65B69/0025 take precedence)}
- B65B 69/0041: {by puncturing}
- B29C 55/18: by squeezing between surfaces, e.g. rollers
- B65B 2011/002: {Prestretching mechanism in wrapping machines}
- B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00)
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)

## Abstract

An unpacking system having a folding-out device for folding outwards an initially folded-in packaging portion of an item of packaging for an object, and having a stretching device for stretching an item of packaging for an object. The item of packaging herein is in particular a pouch, and the object is in particular a pharmaceutical or cosmetic object. The unpacking system furthermore has a transportation installation for transporting the object in a transportation direction. The packaging portion in the stretching device is stretched parallel with the transportation direction. A filling system is disclosed having such an unpacking system, and methods are disclosed for folding outwards, for stretching, and for unpacking.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A stretching device for stretching an item of packaging for an object, wherein the item of packaging has a projecting packaging portion, wherein the stretching device has a transportation installation for transporting the object in a transportation direction, a holding installation for holding the projecting packaging portion, and a motion installation for moving the object, wherein the holding installation has at least two rollers which are disposed so as to be perpendicular to the transportation direction and which are configured for holding the projecting packaging portion therebetween, wherein the motion installation and/or the holding installation are/is configured so as to be movable parallel with the transportation direction in order for the object and the holding installation to be moved away from one another, wherein the at least two rollers are disposed downstream of the motion installation, and wherein the motion installation is configured for moving the object counter to the transportation direction and away from the holding installation.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The stretching device according to claim 1, wherein the projecting packaging portion in relation to the transportation direction is disposed on one of the end sides of the item of packaging, wherein the packaging portion in relation to the transportation direction is disposed on a downstream end side.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The stretching device according to claim 1, wherein the projecting packaging portion projects from the item of packaging in the transportation direction.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The stretching device according to claim 1, wherein the motion installation is configured to hold the item of packaging on at least one longitudinal side.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The stretching device according to claim 1, wherein the motion installation is disposed on that side of the transportation installation that faces away from the item of packaging.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The stretching device according to claim 1, wherein the motion installation has at least one clamping installation or suction installation for holding the item of packaging.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The stretching device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two rollers are disposed so as to be mutually parallel.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The stretching device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two rollers are configured for drawing in therebetween the projecting packaging portion.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The stretching device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two rollers are movable relative to one another, wherein the at least two rollers are configured for jamming therebetween the projecting packaging portion.

### Claim 10

A stretching device for stretching an item of packaging for an object, wherein the item of packaging has a projecting packaging portion, wherein the stretching device has a transportation installation for transporting the object in a transportation direction, a holding installation for holding the projecting packaging portion, and a motion installation for moving the object, wherein the holding installation has at least two rollers which are disposed so as to be perpendicular to the transportation direction and which are configured for holding the projecting packaging portion therebetween, wherein the motion installation and/or the holding installation are/is configured so as to be movable parallel with the transportation direction in order for the object and the holding installation to be moved away from one another, and wherein the at least two rollers are rotatably mounted.

### Claim 11

A stretching device for stretching an item of packaging for an object, wherein the item of packaging has a projecting packaging portion, wherein the stretching device has a transportation installation for transporting the object in a transportation direction, a holding installation for holding the projecting packaging portion, and a motion installation for moving the object, wherein the holding installation has at least two rollers which are disposed so as to be perpendicular to the transportation direction and which are configured for holding the projecting packaging portion therebetween, wherein the motion installation and/or the holding installation are/is configured so as to be movable parallel with the transportation direction in order for the object and the holding installation to be moved away from one another, and wherein the holding installation has a rotary roller drive installation for rotating the at least two rollers.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The stretching device according to claim 11, wherein the rotary roller drive installation is configured for rotating the at least two rollers in mutually opposite running directions.

### Claim 13

A stretching device for stretching an item of packaging for an object, wherein the item of packaging has a projecting packaging portion, wherein the stretching device has a transportation installation for transporting the object in a transportation direction, a holding installation for holding the projecting packaging portion, and a motion installation for moving the object, wherein the holding installation has at least two rollers which are disposed so as to be perpendicular to the transportation direction and which are configured for holding the projecting packaging portion therebetween, wherein the motion installation and/or the holding installation are/is configured so as to be movable parallel with the transportation direction in order for the object and the holding installation to be moved away from one another, and wherein the holding installation has a translatory roller drive installation for moving the at least two rollers.

### Claim 14

A folding-out device for folding outwards a packaging portion of an item of packaging for an object, wherein the folding-out device has a transportation installation for transporting the object in a transportation direction, a lifting installation for raising the object, a holding installation for holding a region of the item of packaging that is adjacent to the packaging portion, and a holding-installation drive installation for moving the holding installation in a direction that points away from the packaging portion, wherein the holding installation is movable parallel with the transportation direction, in order for the packaging portion to be folded outwards, and wherein the holding-installation drive installation is configured for moving the holding installation parallel with the transportation direction and counter thereto.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The folding-out device according to claim 14, wherein the packaging portion initially is folded inwards between the transportation installation and the item of packaging or folded inwards onto that side of the item of packaging that faces away from the transportation installation.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The folding-out device according to claim 14, wherein the holding installation is configured to hold the item of packaging on a longitudinal side that faces away from or faces the transportation installation.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The folding-out device according to claim 14, wherein the holding installation is disposed on that side of the transportation installation that faces or faces away from the item of packaging.

### Claim 18 (depends on 14)

The folding-out device according to claim 14, wherein the holding installation has at least one clamping installation or suction installation for holding the item of packaging.

### Claim 19

A folding-out device for folding outwards a packaging portion of an item of packaging for an object, wherein the folding-out device has a transportation installation for transporting the object in a transportation direction, a lifting installation for raising the object, a holding installation for holding a region of the item of packaging that is adjacent to the packaging portion, and a holding-installation drive installation for moving the holding installation in a direction that points away from the packaging portion, and wherein the lifting installation is disposed on that side of the transportation installation that faces away from the item of packaging.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The folding-out device according to claim 19, wherein a transportation plane of the transportation installation has at least one clearance, wherein the lifting installation is configured for engaging through the clearance in order for the object to be raised.

### Claim 21 (depends on 19)

The folding-out device according to claim 19, wherein the lifting installation is configured for raising the transportation installation, a transportation plane of the transportation installation at least in the bearing region of the item of packaging on the transportation plane, in order for the object to be raised.

### Claim 22

A folding-out device for folding outwards a packaging portion of an item of packaging for an object, wherein the folding-out device has a transportation installation for transporting the object in a transportation direction, a lifting installation for raising the object, a holding installation for holding a region of the item of packaging that is adjacent to the packaging portion, and a holding-installation drive installation for moving the holding installation in a direction that points away from the packaging portion, and wherein the lifting installation is configured to hold the item of packaging on at least one longitudinal side.

### Claim 23

A folding-out device for folding outwards a packaging portion of an item of packaging for an object, wherein the folding-out device has a transportation installation for transporting the object in a transportation direction, a lifting installation for raising the object, a holding installation for holding a region of the item of packaging that is adjacent to the packaging portion, and a holding-installation drive installation for moving the holding installation in a direction that points away from the packaging portion, and wherein the lifting installation has at least one clamping installation or suction installation for holding the item of packaging.

### Claim 24

An unpacking system having a stretching device for stretching an item of packaging for an object, wherein the item of packaging has a projecting packaging portion, wherein the stretching device has a transportation installation for transporting the object in a transportation direction, a holding installation for holding the projecting packaging portion, and a motion installation for moving the object, wherein the holding installation has at least two rollers which are disposed so as to be perpendicular to the transportation direction and which are configured for holding the projecting packaging portion therebetween, and wherein the motion installation and/or the holding installation are/is configured so as to be movable parallel with the transportation direction in order for the object and the holding installation to be moved away from one another; and a folding-out device for folding outwards a packaging portion of an item of packaging for an object, wherein the folding-out device has a transportation installation for transporting the object in a transportation direction, a lifting installation for raising the object, a holding installation for holding a region of the item of packaging that is adjacent to the packaging portion, and a holding-installation drive installation for moving the holding installation in a direction that points away from the packaging portion, wherein the transportation installation upstream of the folding-out device has a first deflection portion which causes a first directional change of the transportation direction, and wherein the first directional change is 90°.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The unpacking system according to claim 24, wherein the transportation installation is configured for transporting the object from the folding-out device to the stretching device.

### Claim 26 (depends on 24)

The unpacking system according to claim 24, wherein the unpacking system furthermore has a severing device for completely severing the projecting and stretched packaging portion from the item of packaging.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The unpacking system according to claim 26, wherein the severing device has a cutter, a laser, or a thermal separation method for completely severing the packaging portion.

### Claim 28 (depends on 26)

The unpacking system according to claim 26, wherein the severing device has a retrieving installation for retrieving the object from the item of packaging.

### Claim 29 (depends on 26)

The unpacking system according to claim 26, wherein the severing device has a discarding installation which is configured for discarding the severed packaging portion and the remainder of the item of packaging.

### Claim 30

An unpacking system having a stretching device for stretching an item of packaging for an object, wherein the item of packaging has a projecting packaging portion, wherein the stretching device has a transportation installation for transporting the object in a transportation direction, a holding installation for holding the projecting packaging portion, and a motion installation for moving the object, wherein the holding installation has at least two rollers which are disposed so as to be perpendicular to the transportation direction and which are configured for holding the projecting packaging portion therebetween, and wherein the motion installation and/or the holding installation are/is configured so as to be movable parallel with the transportation direction in order for the object and the holding installation to be moved away from one another; and a folding-out device for folding outwards a packaging portion of an item of packaging for an object, wherein the folding-out device has a transportation installation for transporting the object in a transportation direction, a lifting installation for raising the object, a holding installation for holding a region of the item of packaging that is adjacent to the packaging portion, and a holding-installation drive installation for moving the holding installation in a direction that points away from the packaging portion, wherein the unpacking system furthermore has a severing device for completely severing the projecting and stretched packaging portion from the item of packaging, wherein the transportation installation is configured for transporting the object from the stretching device to the severing device, wherein the transportation installation between the stretching device and the severing device has a second deflection portion which causes a second directional change of the transportation direction, wherein the second directional change is 90°.

### Claim 31

An unpacking system having a stretching device for stretching an item of packaging for an object, wherein the item of packaging has a projecting packaging portion, wherein the stretching device has a transportation installation for transporting the object in a transportation direction, a holding installation for holding the projecting packaging portion, and a motion installation for moving the object, wherein the holding installation has at least two rollers which are disposed so as to be perpendicular to the transportation direction and which are configured for holding the projecting packaging portion therebetween, and wherein the motion installation and/or the holding installation are/is configured so as to be movable parallel with the transportation direction in order for the object and the holding installation to be moved away from one another; and a folding-out device for folding outwards a packaging portion of an item of packaging for an object, wherein the folding-out device has a transportation installation for transporting the object in a transportation direction, a lifting installation for raising the object, a holding installation for holding a region of the item of packaging that is adjacent to the packaging portion, and a holding-installation drive installation for moving the holding installation in a direction that points away from the packaging portion, wherein the unpacking system furthermore has a severing device for completely severing the projecting and stretched packaging portion from the item of packaging, wherein the transportation installation is configured for transporting the object away from the severing device, wherein the transportation installation upstream of, in, or downstream of the severing device has a third deflection portion which causes a third directional change of the transportation direction, wherein the third directional change is 90°.

### Claim 32

An unpacking system having a stretching device for stretching an item of packaging for an object, wherein the item of packaging has a projecting packaging portion, wherein the stretching device has a transportation installation for transporting the object in a transportation direction, a holding installation for holding the projecting packaging portion, and a motion installation for moving the object, wherein the holding installation has at least two rollers which are disposed so as to be perpendicular to the transportation direction and which are configured for holding the projecting packaging portion therebetween, and wherein the motion installation and/or the holding installation are/is configured so as to be movable parallel with the transportation direction in order for the object and the holding installation to be moved away from one another; and a folding-out device for folding outwards a packaging portion of an item of packaging for an object, wherein the folding-out device has a transportation installation for transporting the object in a transportation direction, a lifting installation for raising the object, a holding installation for holding a region of the item of packaging that is adjacent to the packaging portion, and a holding-installation drive installation for moving the holding installation in a direction that points away from the packaging portion, wherein the unpacking system furthermore has a severing device for completely severing the projecting and stretched packaging portion from the item of packaging, wherein the transportation installation is configured for transporting the unpacked objects from the severing device into a cleanroom.

### Claim 33

A filling system having an unpacking system having a stretching device for stretching an item of packaging for an object, wherein the item of packaging has a projecting packaging portion, wherein the stretching device has a transportation installation for transporting the object in a transportation direction, a holding installation for holding the projecting packaging portion, and a motion installation for moving the object, wherein the holding installation has at least two rollers which are disposed so as to be perpendicular to the transportation direction and which are configured for holding the projecting packaging portion therebetween, and wherein the motion installation and/or the holding installation are/is configured so as to be movable parallel with the transportation direction in order for the object and the holding installation to be moved away from one another; and a folding-out device for folding outwards a packaging portion of an item of packaging for an object, wherein the folding-out device has a transportation installation for transporting the object in a transportation direction, a lifting installation for raising the object, a holding installation for holding a region of the item of packaging that is adjacent to the packaging portion, and a holding-installation drive installation for moving the holding installation in a direction that points away from the packaging portion, wherein the unpacking system furthermore has a severing device for completely severing the projecting and stretched packaging portion from the item of packaging, wherein the transportation installation is configured for transporting the unpacked objects from the severing device into a cleanroom.