Vertical flow packer with improved corner folding function

Abstract

This invention relates to a vertical flow packaging device comprising: - a folding unit for forming at least one fold in a moving web of packaging material, the folding unit including at least two sets of folding devices; - a sealing station downstream of the folding unit for sealing the formed fold; - a web feeder, preferably continuously feeding the web via the folding unit and the sealing station to a forming shoulder and a forming filler tube that form the web into a web tube; - a longitudinal sealing device for sealing the longitudinal edges of the web tube together; and - a transverse sealing device for providing a transverse seal to the web tube to produce individual packages. The invention further relates to a method for providing folds in a web.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vertical flow-wrapper, comprising:

[0002] - A folding unit for forming at least one fold in a moving web of packaging material, the folding unit comprising at least two sets of folding devices.

[0003] - Preferably includes a sealing station located downstream of the folding unit for sealing the formed fold.

[0004] - A web feeder, preferably continuously feeding the web via a folding unit and preferably a sealing station to a forming shoulder and a forming filler tube that form the web into a web tube.

[0005] - A longitudinal sealing device for sealing the longitudinal edges of the coiled tube together, and

[0006] - Lateral sealing device, used to provide a lateral seal to the web to produce individual packages.

[0007] The present invention further relates to a method for providing folds in a roll. Background Technology

[0008] This invention relates to vertical flow packaging machines, such as those disclosed in patent documents EP 1456084B1 or EP 2276668. A vertical flow packaging machine, also known as a vertical flow packaging machine, is a packaging machine that receives a planar continuous web of plastic material film, paper or cardboard material, or a combination of these materials, preferably continuously conveyed and passed downward through a forming shoulder and a vertical forming filler tube, thereby forming a tubular form, i.e., a tubular web, by winding the vertical forming filler tube of the flow packaging machine. After winding the vertical forming filler tube, the web is longitudinally closed by longitudinally extending sealing devices, which are particularly used to heat-seal the transverse / longitudinal edges of the web or by heat-sealing near these edges to bond them together. This is achieved by a so-called longitudinal sealing device. The tubular web typically has a rectangular, elliptical, or circular cross-sectional area, but may also have any other regular or irregular cross-section. The tubular web is preferably closed by a transverse sealing device in a direction perpendicular to the web conveying direction (i.e., the transverse direction). Thus, individual packages are defined from the continuous tubular web. The product, such as a food item, is introduced into the package by dropping it into a forming filler tube and into the tubular web surrounding the tube. During and / or after filling, the tubular web is laterally open at its upper end, i.e., not laterally sealed. Simultaneously and / or after filling, the tubular web moves downwards with the product, forming a top lateral seal above the product, resulting in a sealed package. As a final step, or simultaneously with the top seal, the package is separated from the tubular web by a cutting device. Vertical flow packaging also includes a folding unit and preferably a sealing unit located upstream of the forming shoulder. The forming unit forms folds in the flat web, which improves the stability and / or appearance of the produced package. There has always been a need to improve flow packaging, particularly to adapt the packaging to sustainable packaging materials such as paper or cardboard. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The above objective is achieved by providing a vertical flow packaging device, which includes:

[0010] - A folding unit for forming at least one fold in a moving roll of packaging material, the folding unit comprising at least two sets of folding devices.

[0011] - Preferably, a sealing station downstream of the folding unit is used to seal the formed fold.

[0012] - A web feeder, preferably continuously feeding the web via a folding unit and preferably a sealing station to a forming shoulder and a forming filler tube that form the web into a web tube.

[0013] - A longitudinal sealing device for sealing the longitudinal edges of the coiled tube together, and

[0014] - Lateral sealing device, used to provide a lateral seal to the coiled tube for the production of individual packages.

[0015] Each folding device includes at least one rotating body.

[0016] The disclosure of this embodiment of the invention also applies to other embodiments of the invention, and vice versa. The subject matter of this embodiment of the invention can be combined with the subject matter disclosed in this embodiment or other embodiments of the invention, and vice versa.

[0017] This invention relates to a vertical flow packaging machine, preferably operating continuously. A vertical flow packaging machine is a packaging machine that receives a planar continuous roll of plastic material film, paper or cardboard material, or a combination of these materials, and forms the roll into a package. These materials are preferably conveyed continuously and passed downwards through a forming shoulder and a vertical forming filler tube, thereby being formed into a tubular form, i.e., a tubular roll, by winding the vertical forming filler tube of the flow packaging machine. After winding the vertical forming filler tube, the roll is longitudinally closed by longitudinally extending sealing devices, which are particularly used to heat-seal the transverse / longitudinal edges of the roll or by heat-sealing near these edges to bond them together. This is achieved by a so-called longitudinal sealing device. The tubular roll typically has a rectangular, elliptical, or circular cross-sectional area, but can also have any other regular or irregular cross-section. The tubular roll is preferably closed by a transverse sealing device in the direction perpendicular to the roll conveying direction, i.e., in the transverse direction. Thus, individual packages are defined from the continuous tubular roll. Product, such as food, is introduced into packaging by allowing it to fall into a forming fill tube and enter a tubular web surrounding the tube. During and / or after filling, the tubular web is laterally open at its upper end, i.e., not laterally sealed. Simultaneously and / or after filling, the tubular web moves downwards with the product, forming a top lateral seal above the product, thus creating a sealed package. As a final step, or simultaneously with the top seal, the package is separated from the tubular web by a cutting device. The cutting device is preferably part of the lateral sealing device.

[0018] The vertical flow packer of the present invention further includes at least one folding unit upstream of the forming shoulder for forming at least one fold in the moving web of the packaging material. Preferably, the flow packer includes multiple folding units, particularly two, three, four or more folding units. Each folding unit includes one or two sets, or at least two sets, preferably exactly two sets of folding devices, each folding device including at least one rotating body. The web is thus folded along the rotating bodies, particularly through their outer peripheries. The passing web rotates the rotating bodies. At least two rotating bodies of a folding unit cooperate to provide a fold to the web.

[0019] The rotating body according to the invention is any object that is axially symmetrical, rotatable, and preferably has an edge, and more preferably has a pointed edge around which the web folds. The rotating body preferably has two opposing ends, and more preferably, one end of the object, particularly the end in contact with the web, is preferably flat, i.e., disc-shaped. The rotating body is, for example, a disc with a circular cross-section or a cone with its top cut off. The web bends around the rotating body, preferably both rotating bodies, thereby being folded.

[0020] Preferably, a sealing unit is provided downstream of the folding unit for sealing the formed fold. Sealing can be performed using adhesives and / or under heat and / or pressure.

[0021] The folded web is then conveyed toward the forming shoulder that will shape the web into a tube.

[0022] Preferably, each set of folding devices includes multiple rotating bodies. Preferably, the circular plane of each rotating body in a set (preferably each set) of forming devices is preferably disposed in a single plane, which is preferably disposed at an angle greater than 0° and more preferably less than 90° relative to the horizontal plane. These planes of the rotating bodies of two adjacent sets of folding devices in a folding unit are preferably parallel.

[0023] Preferably, the axis of rotation of the rotating body of each folding device is arranged along a line, preferably a straight line, a curve, or any other linear shape. More preferably, this line is arranged at an angle relative to the transport direction of the roll. Even more preferably, the angles of the two folding devices that together form a fold are different.

[0024] Preferably, the two sets of folding devices in a folding unit are perpendicularly staggered. The two staggered folding devices form a pair for folding a folded section.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer periphery of the rotating bodies of the two sets of folding devices of a folding unit partially overlaps.

[0026] Preferably, a first deformation edge is provided upstream of the folding unit, which deforms the flat 2D-shaped roll into a 3D shape. This deformation device reduces the lateral stretch of the roll before folding.

[0027] Preferably, a second deformation edge is provided downstream of the folding unit, and more preferably upstream of the preferred sealing unit of the sealing fold, which, in addition to the folding portion, deforms the folded roll, preferably returning it to a substantially flat shape.

[0028] The deformable edges of the upstream and / or downstream sections are preferably stationary components without rotating elements, and are preferably plates.

[0029] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for providing folds in a planar moving roll, wherein:

[0030] - The planar roll is deformed into a 3D shape through the first deforming edge.

[0031] - Provide at least one fold, and

[0032] - The folded roll is reconstituted into a basically flat shape through the second deformed edge.

[0033] The disclosure of this embodiment of the invention also applies to other embodiments of the invention, and vice versa. The subject matter of this embodiment of the invention can be combined with the subject matter disclosed in this embodiment or other embodiments of the invention, and vice versa.

[0034] According to this embodiment of the invention, the initially flat, i.e., 2D shaped roll is first shaped into a 3D shape, for example, by bending the roll laterally in its transport direction. Thus, the lateral extension of the roll is reduced compared to its flat state. Subsequently, at least one fold is provided in the 3D shaped roll. This is preferably accomplished by the folding unit disclosed above. Finally, in addition to the fold, a second deforming edge reshapes the folded roll back into a shape that is at least substantially flat.

[0035] Preferably, the fold is also flattened so that the fold is parallel to the roll.

[0036] Further details, features, and advantages of the present invention will be illustrated by means of the accompanying drawings and the following description of preferred embodiments based on the drawings. The drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments of the invention and do not limit the basic ideas of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Figure 1 A flow packaging device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated schematically.

[0038] Figure 2 This illustrates packaging that can be produced using the flow packaging device of the present invention and / or the method of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 3 The folding unit is shown.

[0040] Figure 4 and Figure 5 Two views of roll 4 are shown.

[0041] Figure 6 This is a side view of the folded unit. Detailed Implementation

[0042] In different accompanying drawings, the same parts have the same reference numerals.

[0043] exist Figure 1 The diagram schematically illustrates a flow package 1 according to the invention, comprising a frame 8. A web, here a film 4, particularly a weldable plastic film 4, is preferably continuously supplied from a reel 9 to a forming shoulder 3, which shapes the web 4 into a tubular shape surrounding a forming fill tube 2. In the context of the invention, "tubular" in package 7 or web 4 refers to any cross-sectional shape including circles or other shapes, particularly squares, rectangles, or generally polygons. A longitudinal sealing device 5, disposed downstream of the forming shoulder, seals the edges of the tubular web 4 together along a longitudinal seal 11. A transverse sealing device 6 provides a transverse seal 13 to the tubular web 4 at the downstream end of each package 10, and subsequently fills the package with the packaged article. Finally, an upstream transverse seal 13 is applied to the web tube 4 by the transverse sealing device 6, which provides a tight seal to each package 10. The transverse sealing device 6 preferably applies simultaneously an upstream transverse seal for closing the top of the package 10 and a downstream transverse seal defining the bottom of the subsequent upstream package 10. The packages 10 are separated from each other by a cutting device 6, which is preferably integrated into the transverse sealing device 6. For each transverse seal, the sealing clamps reciprocate from an open position to a sealed position. In the open position, the sealing clamps are spaced apart from each other, and in the sealed position, the sealing clamps are pressed together and pressure is applied to the membrane tube.

[0044] At least one folding unit 7 is provided upstream of the forming shoulder 3 for forming at least one fold 20 in the moving roll 4 of the packaging material. A sealing unit (not shown) may be provided between the folding unit 7 and the forming shoulder for sealing the ribs 26 of the formed fold 20 together. Sealing may be performed using adhesives and / or under heat and / or pressure.

[0045] Figure 2 A package 10 capable of being produced using the flow packer of the present invention is shown. In this case, the package includes four corner folds; that is, four folding units 7 arranged side by side and parallel to each other are required to produce these corner folds. The corner folds 12 can contribute to the stability and / or appearance of the package 10. Parallel to the corner folds 12, a longitudinal seal 11 is provided, and at the top and bottom of the longitudinal seal 11, the package 10 includes a transverse seal 13.

[0046] Figure 3 and Figure 6 Details of the folding unit 7 are shown, in which two folding units 7 are placed side by side, each folding unit 7 producing a fold 20. According to... Figure 2To produce the packaging, four folding units 7 are required side-by-side. The roll 4 is conveyed through the folding units in the conveying direction 19. All folding units 7 forming the fold of a package are preferably arranged at the same tilt angle. During the folding process, the path of the roll is preferably parallel to this tilt angle.

[0047] Each folding unit 7 has at least two sets of adjacent folding devices 16 and 17, each set of folding devices 16 and 17 including at least one rotating body 23, and here each set of folding devices 16 and 17 includes five rotating bodies. The rotating bodies 23 of each set of folding devices 16 and 17 are respectively disposed at the support member 18. The rotating bodies 23 of the two sets of adjacent folding devices 16 and 17 cooperate when forming a folded part 20.

[0048] The pivot axis of all rotating bodies 23 in each set of folding devices 16, 17 is preferably arranged along line 25, which is here arranged along a straight line 25. Relative to the film conveying direction 19, the line 25 of the rotating bodies of one set of folding devices 16 has a different tilt angle α than the line 25 of the rotating bodies of the adjacent set of folding devices 16.

[0049] Each of the rotating bodies 23 of each folding device 16, 17 includes a circular plane at one end, which faces the roll. These circular ends are preferably disposed in a plane. In this case, the circular plane of the rotating body 23 of the folding device 17 is vertically located above the circular plane of the rotating body 23 of the folding device 16.

[0050] from Figure 3 It can be particularly seen that some of the rotating bodies 23 of the two adjacent folding devices 16 and 17 can overlap, especially the downstream rotating bodies. Here, relative to the conveying direction 19, the last two rotating bodies of each folding device overlap.

[0051] Upstream of the folding unit 7, a first deformation edge 14 is provided, which deforms the flat roll into a curved shape. Downstream of the folding unit, a second deformation edge 15 is provided, which again flattens the curved roll. The deformation edges 14 and 15 are plates without moving parts, and are arranged transversely to the conveying direction of the roll 4.

[0052] For folding, the web is conveyed along the first deformed edge 14, then passes through the folding unit 7, and finally moves along the second deformed edge 15. During folding, the web passes along the rotating body 23 of each folding unit 7, which cooperates in providing a fold to the web. The passing web causes the rotating body to rotate. The rotating body is preferably not driven by a motor.

[0053] Folding of roll 4 as follows Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown. Figure 5It is along Figure 4 The view of line AA in the diagram. The initial planar roll 4 undergoes a first deformation 21 through the first deformed edge 14. As the roll 4 moves along the rotating bodies 23 of the two folding units 7, the roll 4 gradually bends around the rotating bodies 23 of the two adjacent sets of folding devices 16, 17, thus, as... Figure 4 As shown by the dashed line, the outer periphery of the rotating body of the two sets of folding devices gradually forms a folded portion, preferably the pointed outer periphery gradually forms a folded portion. From Figure 5 As can be seen, each fold includes at least two ribs 26, one of which can be sealed subsequently and / or simultaneously. In the final step, except for the fold 20, the roll is formed back to a substantially planar shape. This is achieved by the second deformation device 15.

[0054] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0055] 1. Flow packaging

[0056] 2. Formed filling tube

[0057] 3-shaped shoulder

[0058] 4. Roll width, packaging material roll width, film roll width, paper roll width

[0059] 5. Longitudinal sealing device

[0060] 6. Lateral sealing device and / or cutting device

[0061] 7-fold unit

[0062] 8 frames / shells

[0063] 9 scrolls

[0064] 10-pack / Quattro-seal

[0065] 11 Longitudinal seal

[0066] 12. Corner folds, seals, corner seals

[0067] 13. Lateral seal

[0068] 14 First Deformation Edge

[0069] 15 Second Deformation Edge

[0070] 16 First set of folding devices

[0071] 17 Second set of folding devices

[0072] 18 Support components

[0073] 19. Direction of roll movement

[0074] 20 Folding section

[0075] 21. First lateral forming of the roll.

[0076] 22-roll second transverse forming

[0077] 23. Solids of revolution, disks

[0078] 24. Rotation axis, pivot axis

[0079] 25. The line connecting the central axis of the rotating body of a set of folding devices

[0080] 26 folds, 20 ribs

[0081] Angle α.

Claims

1. A vertical flow packaging device (1), comprising: - A folding unit (7) for forming at least one fold (20) in the moving roll of packaging material, said folding unit (7) comprising at least two sets of folding devices (16, 17). -A sealing station downstream of the folding unit is used to seal the formed fold. - A web feeder continuously feeds the web (4) via a folding unit (7) and a sealing station to a forming shoulder (3) and a forming filler tube that form the web (4) into a web tube. - A longitudinal sealing device (5) for sealing the longitudinal edges of the coiled tube together, and - Lateral sealing device (6), for providing a lateral seal to the web tube for producing individual packages, The characteristic feature is that each set of the folding devices (16, 17) includes at least one rotating body (23), and the rotation axis (24) of the rotating body (23) of each set of the folding devices (16, 17) is arranged along a line (25), and the line (25) is arranged at an angle (α) relative to the conveying direction (19) of the roll (4).

2. The vertical mobile packaging device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the folding devices (16, 17) includes a plurality of rotators (23).

3. The vertical flow packaging device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The line (25) is either a straight line or a curve.

4. The vertical flow packaging device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Each of the folds (20) is provided with the two sets of folding devices (16, 17).

5. The vertical mobile packaging device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The angles (α) of the two sets of folding devices (16, 17) are different.

6. The vertical flow packaging device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The two sets of folding devices (16, 17) are perpendicularly intersecting.

7. The vertical flow packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 4-6, characterized in that, The outer periphery of the rotating bodies (23) of the two sets of folding devices partially overlap.

8. The vertical flow packaging device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Upstream of the folding unit (7), a first deformation edge (14) is provided to deform the flat roll.

9. The vertical flow packaging device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Downstream of the folding unit (7), a second deformation edge (15) is provided, which deforms the folded roll.

10. The vertical flow packaging device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The second deformed edge (15) restores the folded roll to a flat shape.

11. A method for providing a fold in a planar moving web, characterized in that: -The planar roll is deformed into a 3D shape through the first deforming edge (14). - Provide at least one fold (20), and - The folded roll is reconstituted into a flat shape through the second deformed edge (15).

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, Folding is performed using a rotating body (23).

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The moving roll causes the rotating body (23) to rotate.

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