Method and apparatus for manufacturing a storage bag provided with a package and containing infusible material

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing pouches received in a packaging, the apparatus comprising a pouch manufacturing device (2) adapted to produce pouches (42) containing infusible material in a water permeable packaging and a sealing station (100) comprising two sealing jaws (102, 104) movable relative to each other to seal the pouches (42) in a packaging formed by a packaging material (40). The apparatus is characterized in that it comprises a pouch handling device (10) for removing finished pouches (42) from the pouch manufacturing device (2) and a packaging material handling device (20) for handling the packaging material (40) during the U-shaped packaging of the packaging material (40), wherein the pouch handling device (10) and the packaging material handling device (20) are adapted such that a pouch (42) held by the pouch handling device (10) and a packaging material (40) held by the packaging material handling device (20) are guided into the sealing station (100).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a packet unit comprising a sachet, which contains an infusible material, and which is arranged in a package, for example a sachet of aroma. BACKGROUND

[0002] With regard to the apparatus and the method, EP 2 231 479 B1 can be considered as state of the art. With this prior art, the infusion sachet is first produced as a sachet production unit. The result of this intermediate step is an infusion sachet, i.e. a sachet in which an infusible material is enclosed, wherein the sachet itself is usually connected by a thread, which at its end opposite to the sachet is provided with a label. According to the prior art, the intermediate product is transferred to a packaging station, in which a web of packaging film is arranged, the sachet is placed onto the web so that a length of the film protruding beyond the sachet is pivoted over the sachet in order to position the sachet between the opposing legs of the packaging film. Insofar as the invention relates to a U-shape, this term is not to be understood as being identical in meaning. The point is that the sachet is held between the opposing legs of the packaging material, which are connected by a common edge or fold formed by the film material. It is not important whether the edge of the packaging material is U-shaped, V-shaped or another shape.

[0003] After the sachet has been placed in this way between the opposing legs of the packaging material according to the prior art, the unit consisting of the U-shaped folded film and the sachet is fed to a sealing station after a section of the film has been separated from the continuously fed web, the side edges of the opposing legs which have not yet been connected to each other and protrude beyond the sachet being joined together in the sealing station. This sealing is carried out in the invention, for example, by heat sealing, i.e. welding or knurling.

[0004] In an alternative procedure known from WO 01 / 62600 A1, the sachet is first pulled out of the sachet manufacturing unit. As with the prior art discussed earlier, the sachet manufacturing unit also has a rotary conveyor with a plurality of receptacles adapted to hold the sachets. In such a receptacle, the sachet is pushed back together with the packaging material to package the sachet into a U-shaped package so that the opposing legs of the packaging material enclose the sachet therebetween. The sachet is then finally removed from the sachet manufacturing unit. The unit of the U-shaped film and the sachet is transferred to a sealing station. There, the package is closed by sealing in the manner described above. SUMMARY

[0005] The underlying problem of the present invention is to provide a more economical and efficient production of a sachet contained in a package. For this purpose, it is intended to define a suitable apparatus and a corresponding production method.

[0006] With regard to a solution based on the problem of the device, the invention proposes a device having the features of claim 1.

[0007] The device has a pouch handling device for removing the finished pouches from the pouch manufacturing device. Furthermore, a packaging material handling device is provided for handling the packaging material during the U-shaped packaging of the packaging material web. The pouch handling device and the packaging material handling device are configured according to the invention in such a way that the pouches held by the pouch handling device and the packaging material held by the packaging material handling device are transferred between the sealing jaws of the sealing station.

[0008] According to the invention, two handling devices are accordingly implemented, each of which is associated with two components of the packaged pouch, wherein the pouch handling device generally only handles the pouches and the packaging material handling device generally only interacts with the packaging material. The interaction of the two handling devices takes place when the packaging material and the pouch are guided into the sealing station. The handling devices bring the two components of the finished package, i.e. the packaging and the pouch, to the sealing station, i.e. between the sealing jaws, separately from each other and independently of each other.

[0009] The two handling devices accordingly enable the two components to be handled independently of each other, so that, for example, when the components are fed, the packaging material and the pouch can be positioned relative to each other and, if necessary, the packaging material web can be deformed when being inserted between the sealing jaws. The invention is in particular assigned an independent packaging station in which the finished pouch is placed between the U-shaped legs of a film as packaging material by placing the finished pouch on the initially flat film web and folding over the free end of the film to form the legs.

[0010] Of course, the packaging material can be formed into a U-shape when being fed and guided into the sealing station. For this purpose, the packaging material handling device generally clamps the packaging material in a central region. During this clamping, the packaging material extends substantially flat. The central region is generally on the movement path on which the finished pouches travel when they are removed from the pouch manufacturing device. This movement path is continuous, preferably substantially straight, between the pouch manufacturing device, in particular the station of the pouch manufacturing device from which the finished pouches are discharged, and the next processing station, i.e. the sealing jaws which are opened to receive the pouch together with the packaging material. The pouch manufacturing device and the sealing station are thus substantially directly adjacent to each other. The finished pouches are transferred directly from the pouch manufacturing device to the sealing station without further processing. The combination of the packaging material and the pouch, in particular the packaging of the pouch between the legs of the U-shaped bent packaging material, is only carried out during the insertion into the sealing station. Thus, the pouch does not come into contact with the packaging material before it has been guided into the sealing station, i.e. into the opened sealing jaws thereof.

[0011] The bag handling device and the packaging material handling device are not only devices for joining the bag and the packaging material. They are also handling devices for inserting the two components between the sealing jaws of a sealing station. Thus, they influence in one the packaging of the bag as well as the insertion of the bag and the packaging material between the sealing jaws.

[0012] This makes it possible to simplify the equipment for producing bags contained in a packaging.

[0013] With regard to the previously described process method in which the packaging material is gripped by the packaging material handling device and introduced into the sealing station, a preferred further development according to the application proposes a packaging material feed device which holds a length section of the packaging material between the finished bag in the bag manufacturing device and the sealing station. The length section can still be provided as a section of a substantially continuously fed packaging material web and only be severed after it is transferred to the sealing station. However, the length section can also be fed in its final length, for example the length forming the packaging. The packaging material portion is generally intended to extend transversely to the movement path of the bag, which follows this movement path on its way between the bag manufacturing device and the sealing station.

[0014] The packaging material portion is generally severed from the continuous supply of packaging material when the packaging material handling device grips the packaging material. This ensures that the length section can be handled as part of a continuous body before it is severed. Thus, the length section of the packaging material, when gripped by the packaging material handling device, is normally held in a lateral guide, which opens in a central region of the length section of the packaging material, so that the packaging material handling device can engage the length section of the packaging material there and pull it out of the guide. The guide is generally provided with a funnel-shaped region tapering towards the sealing station, over which the packaging material web, which is initially fed substantially flat and straight, is reshaped, i.e. folded, when it is fed to the sealing station.

[0015] This movement path can be linear or circular arc-shaped. It is generally stable. The bag is continuously and / or without further processing guided or moved continuously on this movement path.

[0016] In the apparatus according to the application, the joining of the pouch and the packaging material takes place when the two components are inserted between the sealing jaws. Since there are no common handling devices for the pouch and the packaging material unit and in view of the sealing between the sealing jaws, a preferred further development according to the application proposes a clamping device associated with the sealing station. The clamping device generally has at least one clamping element movable opposite one of the sealing jaws. Preferably, each of the two sealing jaws has a corresponding clamping device for sealing the pouch between the packaging, wherein each individual clamping device is preferably movable opposite the associated sealing jaw. This allows the clamping device to hold the pouch together with the U-shaped packaging material, so that the pouch is enclosed between the sealing jaws before the sealing jaws are closed.

[0017] In a conceivable configuration, the pouch is positioned opposite the packaging material such that the opposite edges of the packaging material protrude beyond the pouch. The pouch can be placed directly against the edges / folds of the packaging material. When the pouch and packaging material assembly is inserted, the edges of the packaging material that protrude beyond the pouch but have not yet been joined together are placed between the generally U-shaped sealing jaws. These sealing jaws generally have one or more clamping devices in their interior, which act on the unit in the central region in order to hold the pouch together with the packaging material in the sealing station and in order to position it in the intended manner, so that the edges to be sealed are between the functional surfaces of the sealing jaws.

[0018] In the process already outlined above, a pouch containing infusible material is initially produced. The pouch is placed between the opposite leg portions of the packaging material. These leg portions are joined together in the sealing station to form a package that surrounds the pouch. The leg portions are formed by forming the packaging material into a U-shape. This package can be achieved in the central region of the packaging material. Thus, the edges or folds of the packaging material are located between the generally equal-length leg portions of the packaging material. The two leg portions are formed when the packaging material is brought into the sealing station. Thus, the length sections opposite each other and separated and connected by the rear edge or fold do not come close to each other before they are brought into the sealing station.

[0019] According to a preferred further development of the method according to the application, the central region of the packaging material is moved towards the sealing station transversely to the longitudinal extension of the packaging material. Thus, the generally flat packaging material before being processed by the packaging material handling device generally extends tangentially to the sealing station with a pair of sealing jaws rotating about a common rotation axis or tangentially to a rotary conveying device, which can constitute an essential component of the pouch manufacturing device and which has various receptacles for the pouches.

[0020] According to a preferred method, the packaging material and the storage bag are moved relative to each other along the movement path as they are brought into the sealing station. This means that the speed of the two components on the path is not necessarily synchronized before the packaging material and the storage bag are fully inserted between the sealing jaws. The relative movement mentioned above does not refer to the pivoting of the individual leg portions of the packaging material relative to the storage bag. Rather, it refers to the relative movement of the formed fold or edge relative to the point mass of the storage bag. As the storage bag and the packaging material are brought into motion and approach the sealing station, the storage bag and the packaging material are brought closer together. Preferably, the packaging material is already moved towards the sealing station while the storage bag is still in the storage bag manufacturing device. In other words, the packaging material is not only formed into a U-shape when it is brought into the sealing station. Rather, the storage bag and the packaging material are also combined on the way to the sealing station, so that their final relative position is only reached during the insertion and can also only be reached at the end of the insertion movement into the sealing station, regardless of any pivoting movements that the leg portions can still have to perform.

[0021] In the relatively easy-to-control method described according to the preferred aspects of the application, the packaging material is moved in front of the storage bag as the storage bag is introduced into the sealing station. The edge or fold is thus in front of the storage bag in the direction in which the storage bag is moved towards the sealing station. The opening of the U-shaped packaging material thus points outwards, making it easier to advance the storage bag between the leg portions of the packaging material. As part of this movement, the sections forming the leg portions are brought to bear against forming elements, which can be arranged, for example, on a guide holding the packaging material and move the leg portions towards each other around the fold.

[0022] In the method according to the application and in the device according to the application, the storage bag is fixed on the one hand and the packaging material is fixed on the other hand, preferably by clamping. To this end, the storage bag handling device has means for clamping the finished storage bag. The packaging material handling device also has means for clamping the storage bag material in order to temporarily fix it to the storage bag material handling device and in this way to transfer it fixedly via the handling device between the sealing jaws. The packaging material handling device preferably has a leading packaging material handling element and a trailing packaging material handling element. The two packaging material handling elements are configured such that they can be moved towards each other and away from each other by a relative movement, whereby the two packaging material handling elements can clamp the packaging material between them at maximum proximity and thus carry it forward as the leading packaging material handling element and the trailing packaging material handling element are moved towards the sealing jaws in synchronization with the introduction of the packaging material between the sealing jaws.

[0023] In the preferred method of the invention, however, the trailing packaging material handling element is moved in the opposite direction after the packaging material has already been introduced between the sealing jaws, so that the trailing packaging material handling element is arranged outside the sealing jaws before the sealing jaws are closed. However, for fast processing, the leading packaging material handling element remains at the level of the sealing jaws when the sealing jaws are closed, and only after the packaging material has been completely picked up, the leading packaging material handling element is moved together with the bag holder in the direction of the packaging material feeding device in order to grip the next length of packaging material by clamping it and guiding it between the sealing jaws.

[0024] Thanks to this method, the leading packaging material handling element can still be used to secure the packaging material between the sealing jaws before the sealing jaws are completely closed.

[0025] In general, the solution according to the invention provides a faster and thus more economical process that is feasible and a device suitable for carrying out the method. The solution is assigned a packaging station in which the unit of the U-folded packaging material and the bag holder arranged therebetween is first formed, which unit is accordingly placed between the sealing jaws. Thus, the device according to the invention manages the production of bags provided with packaging by a small number of device elements. Since there is no packaging station at all, the number of stations through which the individual components must pass before the package unit consisting of packaging and bag holder is completed is also reduced. This leads to a faster and thus more economical production of the package unit.

[0026] As in the prior art, the packaging in the context of the invention can be formed by a film that provides a scent-sealed packaging around the bag holder. However, the packaging can be made of another material that provides some kind of protection of the bag holder, for example, protecting the bag holder as food from direct contact by third parties before the packaging is opened and the bag holder is removed. The packaging material can also be paper, gauze or a perforated film.

[0027] In a packaging made of plastic film, the sealing can be achieved by welding two layers of packaging material together. Packaging materials that are not sealable as such can be provided with a sealable coating or a sealable strip at the points where the welding for the sealing is to take place. The sealing can also be achieved by knurling or embossing or other bonding techniques for bonding two layers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] The invention is explained in more detail below by means of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The corresponding description illustrates further details, features and advantages of the invention. In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 a side view showing the basic part of an embodiment for producing a packaged bag holder;

[0030] Figure 2in a perspective side view according to Figure 1 ;

[0031] Figure 3 in a perspective side view according to Figure 1 and 2 ;

[0032] Figures 4a-4n in a perspective side view according to Figure 2 and 3 ;

[0033] Figure 5 a perspective side view showing an embodiment of the sealing station in a first position;

[0034] Figure 6 a side view showing Figure 5 an embodiment, wherein further details of the embodiment in a second position are shown;

[0035] Figure 7 a side view according to Figure 6 in a third position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Figure 1 The embodiment shown comprises a sachet manufacturing device, identified by reference numeral 2, and a sealing station, identified by reference numeral 100.

[0037] The sachet manufacturing device 2 comprises a rotary conveyor having a plurality of containers 4 for receiving water-permeable packages, which are reshaped to form sachets containing infusible material and usually connected with thread and label, rotating about an axis. With regard to the individual stations and their configuration, reference can be made to the state of the art, for example EP 2231 479 B1 or WO 01 / 62600 A1. Figure 2 The reference numerals I to VI in the figure indicate different positions in which the containers 4 can be located in order to receive and process different components of the finished sachets or of the sachets to be finished. For reasons of clarity, the elements acting on these components are not shown. In position VI, the sachet is finished.

[0038] Figures 1 to 3Elements of a packaging material handling device identified by reference numeral 20 and a bag handling device identified by reference numeral 10 are shown. The packaging material of the shown embodiment is a fragrance sealing film. Thus, the following description refers to a film handling device 20. The bag handling device 10 comprises two substantially parallel arms 12, 13 which are hinged together and coupled to a common drive 30 by a coupling rod 14. The common drive 30 has various cams 32 which are non-rotatably mounted on a common drive shaft 33 of the drive 30 and are coupled to collectors 34, the peripheral surfaces of which each roll in the collectors, wherein the collectors 34 are each pivotably mounted on a common support shaft 36 and are provided with levers 37 which are hinged to the associated coupling rod 14. The coupling rod 14 acts via the levers on the arm 12.

[0039] The drive shaft 30 actuates the various components of the bag handling device 10 as well as the various components of the film handling device 20. Thus, the two handling devices 10, 20 are provided with a common drive and are actively synchronized.

[0040] A first sealing jaw 102 and a second sealing jaw 104 are configured to the sealing station 100. Details of the sealing station will be explained with reference to Figures 5 to 7 . For the following description with reference to Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 4a-4n , the function of the sealing jaws 102, 104 is only relevant insofar that the two sealing jaws 102, 104 can be moved relative to each other and pressed towards each other to seal a bag in a film package and can be pivoted in opposite directions to release a sealed bag or to pick up a new bag with film, wherein the pair of sealing jaws 102, 104 can be pivoted about a common axis. Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 4a-4n The sealing station 100 is only shown schematically. However, the actual construction of the embodiment deviates therefrom and can be seen with reference to Figures 5 to 7 .

[0041] As shown in Figure 3 , the film handling device 20 has a leading film handling element identified by reference numeral 21 and a trailing film handling element identified by reference numeral 22, each of the elements 21, 22 having a respective pair 25 of film handling arms 24 and 22, wherein each pair is pivotally mounted and independently drivable and each has an inwardly protruding clamping protrusion, wherein the clamping protrusion of the leading handling arm 24 is identified by reference numeral 26 and the clamping protrusion of the trailing handling arm 25 is identified by reference numeral 27.

[0042] The arms of the bag handling device 10 are designed as a front bag handling arm 12, which carries the clamping shoe 15, and a rear bag handling arm 13, which actuates the clamping spring 16, which interacts with the clamping shoe 15 and is pivotable relative to the clamping shoe 15. These elements are described in detail in Figure 5 and the following figures. A further actuating arm 17 pivots the clamping shoe 15 relative to the front bag handling arm 12.

[0043] Figure 3 The packaging material 40 in the form of a film is shown, which is fed tangentially relative to the sealing station 100 and the rotation axis of the bag manufacturing device 2 in a planar path and which is clamped between a leading clamping projection 26 and a trailing clamping projection 27 by a relative pivoting movement of the two handling arms 24, 25 relative to one another in a phase according to Figure 3 This position represents the starting position for the insertion of the film 40 between the two sealing jaws 102, 104. It is shown in a corresponding manner in Figure 2 , in which the bag to be placed between the sealing jaws 102, 104 is identified by the reference 42. The arms 12, 13, 17 are omitted for reasons of representation.

[0044] The film 40 is evidently clamped and gripped in its central region between the two leading and trailing clamping projections 26, 27. In this phase, the clamping shoe 15 with the clamping spring 16 is inserted into the corresponding container 4 to grip the bag 42. The two sealing jaws 102, 104 have not yet closed the movement path of the film 40 and the bag 42 identified by the reference B therebetween. In fact, the two sealing jaws 102, 104 are located above this movement path B. The movement path B extends essentially as a radial line intersecting the pivot point of the rotary conveyor of the bag manufacturing device 2. The movement path B extends in a straight line between the bag manufacturing device 2 and the sealing station 10.

[0045] In the phase shown in Figure 4a , the two handling arms 24, 25 have pivoted with the film 40 towards the sealing station 100. To a lesser extent, the clamping shoe 15 and the clamping spring 16 have advanced into the container 4. In the sequence between Figure 4b and 4a , the clamping spring 16 is pivoted to clamp the bag 42 between the clamping shoe 15 and the clamping spring 16 while the clamping shoe remains in the container. The rotary conveyor of the bag manufacturing device 2 remains stationary. Figure 4c The same situation occurs, which is clearly shown in comparison with Figure 4b , in which the film 40 has advanced a certain distance along the movement path B towards the sealing station 100, while the bag 42 remains in its container 4. The film 40 thus leads the bag 42.

[0046] only in the schematic view in Figure 4d the two components of the packaging unit to be produced, the film 40 and the reservoir 42, are moved simultaneously between the sealing jaws 102, 104. These sealing jaws now close the movement path B therebetween. Figure 4a The beginning of the movement of the reservoir 42 on the movement path B is shown.

[0047] It can be seen from Figure 4e that the film 40 has been packaged in a U-shape, two opposing legs 44 of the film 40 thus being formed between the folds 45, said legs being gradually brought closer to the reservoir 42 by an increasingly close approach, i.e. by an insertion movement of the film 40 and the reservoir 42 between the sealing jaws 102, 104. The clamping spring 16 has released the reservoir 42. The guide extending tangentially to the reservoir manufacturing device 2 is recessed in the middle, such that the clamping projections 26, 27 can grip the film 40, said guide holding the film 40 during the gripping at the edges by the film handling device 20 and not shown. The guide also holds funnel-shaped forming elements which taper towards the sealing station 100, which interact with the film 40 to pivot the opposing legs 44 about the folds 45.

[0048] Figure 4f The end position of the reservoir handling device 10 and the film handling device 20 is shown. In Figure 4f the position shown, the film 40 and the reservoir 42 are placed in the sealing position between their two sealing jaws 102, 104.

[0049] The reservoir handling device 10 is now pivoted in the opposite direction, i.e. in the clockwise direction U according to Figure 4g shown. The leading film handling element 21 remains stationary, whereas the trailing film handling element 22 pivots clockwise like the reservoir handling device 10 to remove the trailing clamping projection 27 from the area between the sealing jaws 102, 104. Almost simultaneously, the clamping device 46, which can be clearly seen in particular in Figure 4h and is provided for each sealing jaw 102, 104, clamps from the outside against the leg 44 and clamps the film 40 and the reservoir 42 such that the clamping shoe 15 and the clamping spring 16, which were previously actuated to release the clamping of the film 40 and the reservoir 42, are removed from the sealing jaws 102, 104. The clamping device 46 is now configured in the form of a clamping punch which is arranged to be movable relative to the associated sealing jaw 102, 104, i.e. to be pivotable.

[0050] After the clamping shoe 15 and the clamping spring 16 release the pouch 42 and the leading and trailing clamping projections 26, 27 release the film 40, the film 40 and the pouch 42 are held only by the clamping device 46 between the sealing jaws 102, 104, as shown in Figure 4i . With increasing pivotal movement of the trailing film handling element 22, the leading film handling element 21 is pivoted in a counter-clockwise G and thus comes out of the area of the sealing jaws 102, 104, which are configured to be more narrow in their rear area, so that the leading clamping projection 26 of the leading film handling element 21 can come out of the area between the sealing jaws 102, 104 by this pivotal movement.

[0051] Due to the relative pivoting between the leading and trailing pouch handling arms 12, 13, the position is below the container 4 in position VI when the clamping shoe 15 and the clamping spring 16 are pivoted back. In other words, the clamping shoe 15 and the clamping spring 16 do not return on the movement path B (see Figure 4j ).

[0052] In Figure 4k , the two sealing jaws 102, 104 have been pivoted towards each other. Thus, the distance between the two sealing jaws 102, 104 is smaller than in the schematic view of Figure 4j .

[0053] Between Figure 4k and 4l , both the rotary conveyor of the pouch manufacturing device 2 and the sealing station 100 are pivoted counter-clockwise. The sealing jaws 102, 104 are moved completely towards each other during this rotation. After moving the sealing jaws 102, 104 to the sealing position shown in Figure 4l , the clamping device 46 is released. In the sealing position, the edges of the film 40 protruding laterally and in front of the pouch 42 are clamped between the sealing jaws 102, 104 and heat-sealed to each other. While the sealing station 100 is rotated, the film feed device 50 shown in Figure 4l and 4n feeds new film 40 between the leading and trailing clamping projections 26, 27 (see Figure 4l , 4m) by clamping the film 40 and driving two drive rollers (to which the cutting device 51 is configured) in front. By rotating the rotary conveyor of the pouch manufacturing device 2, the next container 4 is moved clockwise to position VI. Figure 4nThe approach of the open clamping spring 16 and clamping shoe 15 towards the storage bag 42, and the approach of the leading clamping protrusions and trailing clamping protrusions 26, 27 to clamp the central region of the film 40 located on the movement path B, have been shown. Simultaneously, the sealing station 100 rotates and drives another set of first and second sealing jaws 102, 104 to close the movement path B and thus oppose it to the container 4. The cycle begins again. As the clamping protrusions 26, 27 clamp the film 40, the cutting device 51 separates a length of the film 40 from the supply.

[0054] In the following text, see references Figure 5 The following figures illustrate in more detail an embodiment of the sealing station 100 constructed according to the present invention.

[0055] Figure 5 A perspective side view is shown of an embodiment including a first pivot 101 associated with a first sealing jaw 102 and a second pivot 103 coaxial with the first pivot 101 and associated with a second sealing jaw 104. A sliding sleeve 106 is slidably disposed on the first pivot 101, and engages via a form-fitting element 108 with an associated form-fitting opposite element 110 disposed at the front end of the second pivot 103.

[0056] The shape-fitting element 108 forms a guide surface 112 that extends in the pure axial direction relative to the rotating shafts 101 and 103. Correspondingly, the second rotating shaft 103 forms a corresponding guide surface 114 by its shape-fitting opposite element 110.

[0057] The sliding sleeve 106 has a groove 116 that extends through the circumferential surface of the sliding sleeve, extends obliquely relative to the axial extension of the first or second rotating shaft 101, 103, forms a correspondingly oblique guide surface 117, and is penetrated by a guide pin 118, which is held in the guide groove 116 and forms an additional guide surface 119 with its outer circumferential surface that cooperates with the guide surface 117.

[0058] At the end of the sliding sleeve 106 opposite to the form-fitting element 108, the sliding sleeve has a drive ring 120, which is connected to... Figure 6 and 7 The slider 121 shown in the figure will be operated in more detail below.

[0059] First and second shafts 101 and 103 each pass through support sleeve 122 to position the shafts 101 and 103 on gearbox housing 123. The first shaft 101 has a first turntable 124 at its free end, on which a plurality of first sealing jaws 102 are mounted at relatively uniform distances. The first sealing jaws 102 are substantially non-rotatably mounted on the first turntable 124.

[0060] Correspondingly, the second rotary shaft 103 has a second rotary table 128 on which a plurality of second sealing jaws 104 are non-rotatably mounted. To this end, the second sealing jaws 104 are screwed to the second rotary table 128. By loosening the screw connection, the alignment of the second sealing jaws 104 relative to the second rotary table 128 can be adjusted. This allows the embodiment to be adjusted such that, in the sealing position as shown, Figure 5 all first sealing jaws 102 are in contact with the associated second sealing jaws 104 in order to clamp the film 40 arranged therebetween and form a film packet and seal it via the U-shaped joint.

[0061] The sealing jaws 102, 104 are now heated by the heaters arranged inside the sealing jaws 102, 104 and form the sealing elements 132 of the sealing jaws.

[0062] As can be gathered from Figure 6 and 7 the slide 121 interacts via guide rollers 134 with a slotted guide 136 which is configured as a groove 136 and is arranged on a guide cylinder 138. The guide cylinder 138 is non-rotatably connected to a drive rotary shaft 140 which also rotates two cam disks 142 whose cams engage in recesses of an output disk 144 for stepwise driving the first and second rotary shafts 101, 103.

[0063] The drive rotary shaft 140 is thus moved continuously, while the rotary shafts 101, 103, on the one hand, rotate relative to one another and, on the whole, rotate stepwise about a common axis of rotation.

[0064] Between the first and second sealing jaws 102, 104, a pretensioning agent can act in order to press the corresponding sealing jaws 102, 104 against one another under an intermediate layer of the film 40 and an elastic pretensioning. Any tolerance errors are compensated by this elastic means. For example, the elastic means can elastically support at least one of the sealing jaws 102, 104. Alternatively, the second rotary shaft 103 can also be made of a torsionally elastic material, for example.

[0065] In Figures 5 to 7 the illustration has been assigned an independent clamping device 46.

[0066] In the case of the selected drive type, the first rotary shaft 101 is driven directly via the output disk 144, while the slide sleeve 106 is driven via the slide 121 by the interaction of the guide pin 118 with the ramp 116 and based on the position of the sleeve 106. The relative movement of the sealing jaws 102, 104 can be achieved even when the first rotary shaft 101 is stopped by the drive movement of the drive rotary shaft 140, which is driven away on the one hand by the cam disk 142 and on the other hand by the guide cylinder 138. The sequence from the insertion of the film 40 together with the storage bag 42, the closure of the two sealing jaws 102, 104 and the sealing of the storage bag 42 between the films 40 is derived from the sequence of Figure 6 , 7 and 5.

[0067] Between Figure 6 and 7 , the sealing position is prepared by the relative movement of the stopped first rotary shaft 101 and the slide sleeve 106. The sealing jaws 102, 104 are pressed against each other. The first sealing jaw 102 remains stationary, while the second sealing jaw 104 is pivoted by actuating the slide sleeve 106. After the two sealing jaws 102, 104 have been brought against each other, the first rotary shaft and the second rotary shaft 101, 103 are pivoted simultaneously. The position of the slide sleeve 106 relative to the second rotary shaft 103 remains unchanged. The guide pin 118, which is non-rotatably connected to the first rotary shaft 101, takes the slide sleeve 106 with it, so that the second sealing jaw 104 is also pivoted.

[0068] The ramp 116 and the guide pin 118 form a beveled guide 146, which achieves an active guide with a predetermined mobility that couples the two rotary shafts 101, 103.

[0069] As an alternative to the illustrated embodiment, a drive with a cam disk and an output disk can also be configured to the second rotary shaft 103, as in the embodiment shown for the first rotary shaft 101. In this case, too, a separate drive for the second sealing jaw 104 with a predetermined rotation of the drive rotary shaft 140 can be achieved. But even with this active guide, the first sealing jaw and the second sealing jaw 102, 104 can be driven only by the drive rotary shaft 140 and actively coupled.

[0070] List of reference signs

[0071] 2 storage bag manufacturing device

[0072] 4 container

[0073] 10 storage bag handling device

[0074] 12 leading storage bag handling arm

[0075] 13 trailing storage bag handling arm

[0076] 14 coupling rod

[0077] 15 clamping shoe

[0078] 16 clamping spring

[0079] 17 actuating arm

[0080] 20 film handling device

[0081] 21 leading film handling element

[0082] 22 trailing film handling element

[0083] 24 leading handling arm

[0084] 25 trailing handling arm

[0085] 26 leading clamping protrusion

[0086] 27 trailing clamping protrusion

[0087] 30 drive device

[0088] 32 cam

[0089] 33 drive spindle

[0090] 34 collector

[0091] 36 support shaft

[0092] 37 lever

[0093] 40 film

[0094] 42 storage pocket

[0095] 44 leg

[0096] 45 folding portion

[0097] 46 clamping device

[0098] 50 film feeding device

[0099] 51 cutting device

[0100] B movement path

[0101] U clockwise pivoting

[0102] G counterclockwise pivoting

[0103] I-VI positions of the container 4

[0104] 100 sealing station

[0105] 101 first spindle

[0106] 102 first sealing jaw

[0107] 103 second rotation axis

[0108] 104 second sealing jaw

[0109] 106 sliding sleeve

[0110] 108 form-fit element

[0111] 110 form-fit counter element

[0112] 112 guide surface

[0113] 114 guide surface

[0114] 116 oblique slot

[0115] 117 guide surface of the oblique slot

[0116] 118 guide pin

[0117] 119 guide surface of the guide pin

[0118] 120 drive ring

[0119] 121 slide

[0120] 122 support sleeve

[0121] 123 gear housing

[0122] 124 first rotary table

[0123] 128 second rotary table

[0124] 132 sealing element

[0125] 134 guide roller

[0126] 136 recess

[0127] 138 guide cylinder

[0128] 140 drive rotation axis

[0129] 142 cam disk

[0130] 144 output disk

[0131] 146 oblique guide

Claims

1. An apparatus for manufacturing a sachet received in a package, the apparatus comprising a sachet manufacturing device (2) adapted to produce a sachet (42) containing infusible material in a water-permeable package, and a sealing station (100) comprising two sealing jaws (102, 104) movable relative to each other to seal the sachet (42) in a package formed from a packaging material (40), characterized in that a sachet handling device (10) for removing a finished sachet (42) from the sachet manufacturing device (2) and a packaging material handling device (20) for handling the packaging material (40) during U-shaped packaging of the packaging material (40), wherein the sachet handling device (10) and the packaging material handling device (20) are adapted such that a sachet (42) held by the sachet handling device (10) and a packaging material (40) held by the packaging material handling device (20) are introduced into the sealing station (100).

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a packaging material feeding device (50) holding a length of packaging material (40) between a finished sachet (42) located in the sachet manufacturing device (2) and the sealing station (100).

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a clamping device (46) associated with the sealing station (100) holding the sachet (42) together with the U-shaped packaging material (40) so as to enclose the sachet (42) between the jaws (102, 104) of the sealing station (100) prior to closing the sealing jaws (102, 104).

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing station (100) comprises a first rotary shaft (101) carrying at least one first sealing jaw (102) and a second rotary shaft (103) carrying at least one second sealing jaw (104) cooperating with the first sealing jaw (102) during sealing of the packaging material, and the first and second rotary shafts (101; 103) have a common axis of rotation and are movable relative to each other so as to space the sealing jaws (102; 104) for accommodating the sachet (42) and the packaging material (40) and so as to press the sealing jaws towards each other for sealing the packaging material (40).

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein, the sealing jaws (102; 104) are rigidly attached to the associated rotary shaft (101; 103).

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a pre-tensioning element acting on at least one sealing jaw (102; 104) when the sealing jaws (102; 104) are pressed and holding the sealing jaws (102; 104) against each other under pre-tensioning.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein, the first and second rotary shafts (101; 103) are driven via a common drive rotary shaft (140).

8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein, the first and second rotary shafts (101; 103) are coupled via an active guide (146).

9. A method for manufacturing a storage bag (42) contained in a package, wherein, Producing a storage bag (42) containing a brewable material, arranging the storage bag between opposite leg portions (44) of a packaging material (40), and joining the leg portions (44) together in a sealing station (100) to form a package surrounding the storage bag (42), characterized in that the packaging material (40) is reshaped to a U-shape as it is introduced into the sealing station (100), wherein the storage bag (42) and the packaging material (40) are moved relative to each other along a movement path (B) as they are introduced into the sealing station (100).

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, Arranging the packaging material (40) with its central region on the movement path (B), the finished storage bag (42) being moved on the movement path from a storage bag manufacturing device (2) to the sealing station (100).

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The central region of the packaging material (40) is moved transversely to the longitudinal direction of the packaging material (40) towards the sealing station (100).

12. The method of claim 9, wherein, The packaging material (40) is moved ahead of the storage bag (42) as the storage bag (42) is introduced into the sealing station (100).

13. The method of claim 9, wherein, The storage bag (42) and the packaging material (40) are handled independently of each other as the storage bag (42) is introduced into the sealing station (100).

14. The method of claim 9, wherein, The central region of the packaging material (40) is clamped between a leading and a trailing packaging material handling member (21, 22), and the packaging material (40) is clamped between the leading and the trailing packaging material handling member (21, 22) between jaws (102, 104) of the sealing station (100), and the trailing packaging material handling member (22) remains outside the jaws (102, 104) before the jaws (102, 104) are closed, and the leading packaging material handling member (21) remains arranged at the level of the jaws (102, 104) and at the level of the jaws (102, 104) as the jaws (102, 104) are closed.

Images