Apparatus for manufacturing packaging material from paper

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for producing packaging material from two paper webs, wherein from at least one of the paper webs (6) an embossing (11) is embossed, which projects from the paper web (6) and is respectively defined in the plane of the paper web by a closed peripheral line, and the paper webs (6, 8) consist completely of paper on their mutually facing sides and are pressed together without adhesive and without synthetic auxiliary materials for the connection, in particular without plastic film, preferably after a pretreatment of the paper webs (6, 8), so that in the connecting sections (110, 112) between the embossings (11) the paper fibers of one paper web (6) are connected with the paper fibers of the other paper web (8) and the paper webs (6, 8) define a closed cavity (108) in the region of the embossings (11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing packaging materials from paper. Background Technology

[0002] To protect fragile or pressure-sensitive items during transport, plastic cushioning films are typically used. These films are made of materials such as polyethylene and have numerous bubble-like air pockets arranged in a regular pattern to provide cushioning. Due to the raised structure of these air pockets, the cushioning film is often also called bubble wrap.

[0003] Although the corresponding plastic air cushion film is theoretically reusable, in reality, reuse has failed because there is no system for recycling packaging materials and sending them for targeted reuse.

[0004] Even though cushioning films made of materials like polyethylene are technically recyclable, recycling them in practice involves a significant amount of work and therefore incurs high costs. As a result, cushioning films are often discarded after a single use. Because cushioning films made of materials like polyethylene are not biodegradable, this causes serious environmental pollution. In particular, plastic waste generated from cushioning films is often sent for so-called thermal recycling and incineration.

[0005] Practice has shown that even if air cushion membranes are collected within the circulation system, environmental pollution cannot be prevented in this way. On the contrary, plastics often enter the environment from the corresponding circulation system, especially into the ocean. As long as plastics are not decomposed, they increase the burden on ecosystems and pose a threat to marine life, for example. If plastics are broken down or decomposed over time, for example through mechanical action and ultraviolet radiation, plastic particles, especially microplastics, are produced. These particles remain in the environment or are ingested by organisms along with their food.

[0006] The continuous increase in the number of parcels and mail has led to a continuous increase in the amount of plastic waste generated by packaging materials, thus exacerbating plastic pollution of the environment.

[0007] DE 604 412 A provides a packaging material for pressure-sensitive articles, which is in the form of an air cushion consisting of multiple paper layers, wherein at least one paper web has a spherical or square embossed pattern and the paper webs are bonded together.

[0008] DE1156701A illustrates and describes a development of packaging material known in the aforementioned publications, wherein the outer surface of the packaging material is adhered with embossed fiber cotton. A similar packaging material is also known from GB893060 A.

[0009] A method and apparatus for manufacturing multilayer fiber webs are known from DE102006000006A1.

[0010] A packaging material is known from DE 622 340 A, wherein multiple layers of cushioning material, known from DE 604 412 A, are bonded together in an overlapping manner.

[0011] WO 2020 / 227649 A1 shows and illustrates a multi-layer structure for cushioning transport packaging, which has paper embossed into a corrugated shape.

[0012] DE 69 731 A shows and illustrates the manufacture of corrugated cardboard.

[0013] A packaging material is known from US 2020 / 01 80255 A, in order to achieve a cushioning effect, by using a special device to locally and randomly wrinkle the surface of the packaging material.

[0014] EP 0 523 382 B1 shows and illustrates an apparatus for manufacturing multi-layer packaging material. The packaging material consists of three stacked, embossed panels.

[0015] EP 2 792 478 A1 discloses an apparatus for manufacturing corrugated paperboard, wherein a corrugated intermediate web is bonded together with two smooth carrier webs.

[0016] A packaging material is known from US 2018 / 0086021 A1, which consists of two stacked, wave-shaped cross-sections, wherein the inner cross-section is shape-stable and the outer cross-section is flexible.

[0017] DE 1 15 6 701 B discloses a so-called cushioning paper consisting of multiple embossed paper layers, wherein the paper layers are stacked on top of each other and connected to each other by adhesive points or grooves.

[0018] EP 0 650 827 B1 shows and illustrates a corrugated cardboard-like packaging material, wherein a cross-section of a wave-shaped section is disposed between two smooth sections, and the sections are connected to each other by stamping.

[0019] A method and apparatus for manufacturing multi-layer paper towels are known from EP 1 853 419 B1.

[0020] EP 3 683 357 B1 discloses a multi-layered paper containing waste paper fibers and grass fibers.

[0021] The published document WO 2021 / 046395 A1 discloses a packaging material in the form of a cushion film, which is composed of multiple paper webs connected to each other by adhesives, fasteners such as clips or edge folds. Summary of the Invention

[0022] The purpose of this invention is to provide an improved packaging material compared to known packaging materials.

[0023] This objective is achieved through the technical solution according to the present invention.

[0024] The apparatus of the present invention for manufacturing packaging materials from paper has a mechanism for conveying at least one first paper web and one second paper web to an imprinting area of ​​the apparatus and a pressing area of ​​the apparatus located downstream of the imprinting area along the conveying direction of the paper web. An imprinting device for imprinting the first paper web is provided in the imprinting area, the imprinting device being constructed and configured to imprint an imprinted portion from the first paper web, the imprinted portion protruding from the first paper web and defined in the paper web plane by a closed peripheral line.

[0025] An extrusion device is provided in the extrusion zone for extruding the paper web without adhesives and synthetic auxiliary materials for bonding, i.e., plastic film. The extrusion device is constructed and configured such that the paper fibers of the first paper web are connected to the paper fibers of the second paper web in the connecting section between the imprinting sections, and the paper web defines a closed cavity in the area of ​​the imprinting section. A pretreatment mechanism is provided upstream of the imprinting zone and / or the extrusion zone along the transport direction. The pretreatment mechanism has at least one pretreatment device for pretreating the first paper web and / or the second paper web for imprinting or extruding the paper web.

[0026] This invention provides a paper-based, cushion film-type packaging material having a first paper web and a second paper web, wherein an embossed portion is embossed from at least one paper web, the embossed portion protruding from the paper web and defined in the plane of the paper web by a closed perimeter line. At least one of the paper webs thus constitutes an "embossed surface" with the embossed portion, while at least the other paper web can constitute a smooth "carrier surface". The embossed portion in the first paper web may have, for example, a diameter of about 10 mm and a height of about 3 to 4 mm.

[0027] Connecting the paper fibers of the first paper web to the paper fibers of the second paper web, or connecting or already connecting the paper fibers of the first paper web to the paper fibers of the second paper web, according to the present invention refers to the mutual mechanical connection that occurs between the paper fibers during the process of pressing the paper webs together. During the process of pressing the paper webs together, the paper fibers of the first paper web and the paper fibers of the second paper web "hook" together, thus forming a mutual mechanical connection between the paper webs.

[0028] According to the invention, the paper webs are entirely composed of paper on their facing surfaces, and preferably, after pretreatment, after the paper webs are pre-treated, the paper fibers of the first paper web are connected to the paper fibers of the second paper web in the connecting section between the embossed sections, and the paper webs define a closed cavity in the region of the embossed section. According to the invention, a closed cavity refers to a geometrically closed cavity, regardless of whether the cavity is airtight or to what extent it is airtight.

[0029] The packaging material of the present invention is similar in basic structure to traditional plastic cushion film, but unlike the latter, it is made entirely of paper.

[0030] Since the paper web according to the present invention is made entirely of paper and contains no adhesives or synthetic auxiliary materials, especially no plastic film, the packaging material of the present invention can be completely recycled without any problems in terms of materials.

[0031] The packaging material of this invention thus significantly reduces the environmental impact. Given the worldwide use of cushioning materials and similar packaging materials, this environmental reduction is substantial, and therefore this invention has significant social benefits.

[0032] This invention can prevent a large amount of plastic waste that would normally have to be discarded and, based on experience, would largely end up in the environment, especially the ocean.

[0033] It has been unexpectedly shown that, although the closed cavity formed in the embossed portion of the packaging material of the present invention is non-airtight, unlike the air bubbles in conventional plastic air cushion materials, the packaging material of the present invention has a cushioning effect similar to that of conventional plastic air cushion materials.

[0034] It has been further demonstrated that, after at least the pretreatment of the "imprinted webs," the webs are sufficiently and firmly connected to each other by extrusion, without the need for adhesives, other synthetic adhesives, plastic films, or mechanical bonding mechanisms. According to the invention, the webs are connected to each other solely by the bonding of the web paper fibers generated during extrusion after pretreatment.

[0035] Depending on the requirements and actual conditions, at least one paper web can be pretreated by a pretreatment device in any suitable manner, particularly by introducing moisture and heat into the relevant web. In this regard, an advantageous development of the invention stipulates that at least one pretreatment device is constructed and configured to introduce or coat, preferably water or a pretreatment liquid containing water, into or onto at least one paper web.

[0036] According to the invention, the pretreatment liquid can be introduced into or coated onto the paper web in any suitable manner, for example by pulling the relevant paper web through a tank of pretreatment liquid, such as a water tank. An advantageous development of the above embodiments specifies that at least one pretreatment device is constructed and configured to spray, atomize, or evaporate the pretreatment liquid onto the configured paper web.

[0037] A particularly advantageous development of the above embodiments stipulates that at least one pretreatment device, particularly the pretreatment device configured for the first paper web, is constructed and configured to steam the configured paper web using water vapor. Using water vapor at, for example, a temperature of 100°C to about 150°C, particularly effective pretreatment of the relevant paper web can be achieved by simultaneously introducing moisture and heat into the paper web.

[0038] According to the invention, it is generally sufficient to pre-treat only the "printing web," i.e., the web comprising the printing portion. However, according to the invention, it is advantageous to pre-treat both the "printing web" and at least one "carrier web." Here, in principle, web pre-treatment can be performed in the same or similar manner. In this respect, an advantageous development of the invention provides that each of the paper webs is equipped with a separate pre-treatment device for performing individual, particularly different, pre-treatments on that paper web. Using separate pre-treatment devices makes it possible to personalize the web pre-treatment.

[0039] In this respect, one development of the present invention specifies that a first pretreatment device is configured for the first paper web and is disposed on the transport path from the first paper web to the printing area, and a second pretreatment device is configured for the second paper web and is disposed on the transport path from the second paper web to the pressing area.

[0040] A highly advantageous development of the invention stipulates that at least one pretreatment device, particularly a pretreatment device configured for a second paper web, is constructed and provided for introducing or coating a pretreatment liquid, preferably water, containing cellulose fibers or cellulose particles, wherein the cellulose fibers or cellulose particles are preferably microcellulose and / or nanocellulose, especially cellulose microfibers (CMF) and / or cellulose nanofibers (CNF). By using cellulose fibers coated with a pretreatment liquid, preferably water, the interconnectivity of the webs is further improved while maintaining the basic inventive concept of providing a packaging material entirely composed of paper. Therefore, even in this embodiment, the recycling of the packaging material is not hindered by adhesives, plastic films, or other synthetic additives. In this case, other natural fibers can be used in a similar manner, in addition to or in place of cellulose fibers.

[0041] Imprinting of the "imprinting area" can be performed in different ways according to the corresponding requirements and actual conditions. In this regard, an advantageous development of the present invention provides a roller setting unit as an imprinting device in the imprinting area. This roller setting unit has an imprinting roller rotatably supported around the rotation axis of the imprinting roller. The imprinting roller has imprinting protrusions on its circumferential surface for forming imprint portions in the first paper web. The imprinting roller engages with a mating roller, which is rotatably supported around a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the imprinting roller and has imprinting recesses on its circumferential surface. These imprinting recesses are constructed to complement the imprinting protrusions of the imprinting roller. In this way, the structure of the present invention's equipment for manufacturing the packaging material is relatively simple and less prone to failure, while imprinting in a continuous process flow is achieved. The complementary structure of the imprinting recesses in the mating rollers and the imprinting protrusions in the imprinting area, according to the present invention, means that when the imprinting protrusions are embedded in the imprinting recesses, a gap is maintained, the width of which corresponds to the paper thickness produced by the imprinted paper web in the imprinting area. The shape, geometry, and number of embossed protrusions can be selected within a wide range according to the corresponding requirements and actual conditions.

[0042] Another advantageous development of the invention provides that a pressure roller, rotatably supported around its rotation axis, is provided in the extrusion zone as an extrusion device. This pressure roller cooperates with a mating roller to extrude the first and second paper webs. The rotation axis of the mating roller is parallel to and spaced apart from the rotation axis of the pressure roller, forming a pressure roller gap between the pressure roller and the mating roller. This gap is used to extrude the first and second paper webs in the paper web connection section outside the printing section. In this embodiment, the webs are extruded together in a continuous process, allowing the packaging material of the invention to be manufactured in a single continuous process. During operation of the device, the pressure roller is pressed onto the mating roller using extrusion pressure or driving force, with the paper webs to be extruded together in the pressure roller gap located within this gap. This extrusion pressure or driving force can be selected and preferably adjustable within a wide range according to the corresponding requirements and actual conditions.

[0043] According to the invention, in principle, the impression area can be implemented in one impression station, and the compression area can be implemented in a compression station spaced apart from the impression area along the paper web transport direction. In this respect, a highly advantageous development of the invention specifies that the mating rollers of the impression roller and the mating rollers of the compression roller are constituted by a common mating roller, i.e., the roller arrangement unit has three interacting rollers. In this embodiment, the roller arrangement unit consisting of the impression roller, the mating roller, and the compression roller constitutes a combined impression / compression station of the device. In this case, the roller arrangement unit is constructed in the form of a calender, wherein the roller arrangement unit of the invention differs from an L-type calender in that, in its simplest case, it has only three rollers, namely the impression roller, the mating roller, and the compression roller, thus eliminating the need for the fourth roller, located last along the transport direction, present in an L-type calender. A particular advantage of this embodiment is that the impression portion formed by the impression roller in the "impression web" remains in the recess of the mating roller until the web is squeezed together in the compression roller gap between the mating roller and the compression roller.

[0044] In the above embodiments, as specified in an advantageous development of the invention, the rotation axis of the pairing rollers is suitably arranged on a straight connecting line between the rotation axis of the impression roller and the rotation axis of the pressure roller.

[0045] To enable adjustment of the gap width between the pressure rollers, another advantageous development of the invention provides that the pressure rollers are equipped with an adjustment device, preferably electrically driven, for adjusting the gap width along a linear axis extending radially relative to the rotation axis of the pressure rollers. This embodiment also allows for complete disengagement of the pressure rollers from the mating rollers when the apparatus of the invention is intended to manufacture packaging materials consisting solely of "imprinted areas." The adjustment device can, in particular, be an electrically operated adjustment device controllable by a control device.

[0046] According to another advantageous development of the invention, the impression roll and / or the mating roll and / or the pressure roll are configured with heating devices for heating the respective rolls, so that the temperature of the rolls can preferably be adjusted independently of each other. During the extrusion process, moisture is expelled from the web, wherein the web is pre-dried during the impression or extrusion process by heating the rolls. This pre-drying can be controlled according to the corresponding requirements and actual conditions by adjusting the roll temperature accordingly.

[0047] In the foregoing embodiments, the impression roller and / or the mating roller and / or the pressure roller are preferably equipped with temperature sensors for detecting the temperature of the respective roller.

[0048] To further dry the paper webs that have been squeezed together to achieve the desired residual moisture in the finished product, i.e., the packaging material, another advantageous development of the invention provides a drying mechanism along the conveying direction between the squeezing zone and the storage container for the finished packaging material for drying the paper webs squeezed together in the squeezing zone. In addition to achieving the desired residual moisture in the finished packaging material, drying also has the effect of improving the bonding strength between the paper webs.

[0049] The number, heating power, and structural design of the drying mechanisms can be selected within a wide range according to the corresponding requirements and actual conditions. In this regard, an advantageous development of the invention specifies that the drying mechanism has at least two drying devices spaced apart from each other along the conveying direction, and / or at least one drying device is configured as an infrared radiation drying device and at least one drying device is configured as a hot air drying device. Preferably, at least one hot air drying device is located downstream of at least one infrared radiation drying device along the paper web conveying direction.

[0050] Another advantageous development of the invention stipulates that the pressure roller is made of an elastic and flexible material, particularly silicone rubber, at least on its circumferential surface.

[0051] Furthermore, the method for manufacturing packaging materials from paper according to the present invention is also part of the disclosure of this application and the subject matter of the invention, wherein at least one first paper web and at least one second paper web are conveyed to an imprinting area and a pressing area located downstream of the imprinting area along the conveying direction of the paper web, wherein an imprinted portion is imprinted from the first paper web by an imprinting device in the imprinting area, the imprinted portion protruding from the first paper web and defined by a closed perimeter line in the paper web plane of the first paper web, wherein the paper webs are pressed together by an pressing device in the pressing area without adhesive and without a synthetic auxiliary material for bonding, i.e., plastic film, such that the paper fibers of the first paper web are connected to the paper fibers of the second paper web in the connecting section between the imprinted portions and the paper webs define a closed cavity in the area of ​​the imprinted portion, wherein the first paper web and / or the second paper web are pretreated in preparation for imprinting in the imprinting area or for pressing the paper webs together in the pressing area.

[0052] The advantageous and suitable developments of the method of the present invention are described below. Consequently, the same advantages and characteristics as the device of the present invention and its developments are produced.

[0053] Preferably, at least one of the paper webs is pretreated by introducing or coating it with a pretreatment liquid, preferably water or containing water.

[0054] Preferably, the pretreatment liquid is sprayed, atomized, or evaporated onto the corresponding paper web.

[0055] Preferred provisions specify that the first paper web is pretreated by steaming with water vapor.

[0056] Preferred practices include pre-treating each paper web using separate pre-treatment equipment, and especially performing different pre-treatments.

[0057] Preferably, the first paper web is pre-treated by a first pre-treatment device located on the transport path from the first paper web to the printing area, and the second paper web is pre-treated by a second pre-treatment device located on the transport path from the second paper web to the pressing area.

[0058] Preferably, at least one paper web, particularly a second paper web, is pretreated by introducing or coating a pretreatment liquid, preferably water, wherein the pretreatment liquid contains cellulose fibers or cellulose particles, preferably microcellulose and / or nanocellulose, particularly cellulose microfibers (CMF) and / or cellulose nanofibers (CNF).

[0059] Preferably, a roller setting unit is used in the imprinting area, the roller setting unit having an imprinting roller rotatably supported about the rotation axis of the imprinting roller, the imprinting roller having imprinting protrusions on its circumferential surface for forming imprint portions in the first paper web, the imprinting roller engaging with a mating roller rotatably supported about a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the imprinting roller and having imprinting recesses on its circumferential surface configured to complement the imprinting protrusions of the imprinting roller.

[0060] Preferably, a pressure roller rotatably supported around the pressure roller rotation axis is used in the extrusion area. This pressure roller cooperates with a pairing roller to extrude the first and second paper webs. The rotation axis of the pairing roller is spaced apart from the rotation axis of the pressure roller, such that a pressure roller gap is formed between the pressure roller and the pairing roller for extruding the first and second paper webs in the connecting section of the first paper web outside the printing section.

[0061] Preferably, a common pairing roller is used as the pairing roller for the impression roller and as the pairing roller for the pressure roller, such that the roller setting unit has three interacting and meshing rollers.

[0062] Preferably, the rotation axis of the pairing rollers is set on the straight connecting line between the rotation axis of the impression roller and the rotation axis of the pressure roller.

[0063] Preferably, a pressure roller with an adjustment device that is preferably electrically driven is used to adjust the gap width of the pressure roller gap along a linear axis that extends radially relative to the rotation axis of the pressure roller.

[0064] Preferably, the impression roller and / or the mating roller and / or the pressure roller are heated.

[0065] Preferably, the temperature of the impression roller and / or the mating roller and / or the pressure roller is measured.

[0066] Preferably, the paper webs that are squeezed together in the compression zone are dried along the conveying direction between the compression zone and the storage container for finished packaging materials.

[0067] Preferably, the paper webs that are pressed together are dried in multiple stages by at least two drying devices spaced apart from each other along the conveying direction.

[0068] Preferably, the paper webs that are pressed together are dried by at least one drying device configured as an infrared radiation device and at least one drying device configured as a hot air drying device.

[0069] Preferably, a pressure roller is used, which is made of an elastic and flexible material, particularly silicone rubber, at least on its circumferential surface.

[0070] The method of the present invention can be performed, in particular, using the apparatus of the present invention for manufacturing packaging materials from paper.

[0071] Furthermore, the paper-based packaging material according to the present invention is also part of the disclosure of this application and the subject matter of the present invention. The packaging material has a first paper web and a second paper web, wherein an embossed portion is embossed from at least one paper web, the embossed portion protruding from the paper web and defined in the plane of the paper web by a closed perimeter line, wherein each paper web is entirely composed of paper on its facing surfaces, and preferably, after pretreatment of the paper webs, they are pressed together without adhesives and without synthetic auxiliary materials for bonding, i.e., plastic film, such that the paper fibers of the first paper web are connected to the paper fibers of the second paper web in the paper web connecting section between the embossed portions, and the paper webs define a closed cavity in the region of the embossed portion.

[0072] In this invention, the embossed portion refers to an embossed texture protruding from the plane of the paper web. If, according to a preferred embodiment, the packaging material of this invention comprises an "embossed surface" with an embossed portion and a smooth "carrier surface," then the embossed portion protruding from the plane of the paper web and the "carrier surface" together define a cavity, thereby constituting the packaging material of this invention in the form of a cushion film. Here, the embossed portion can in particular be constructed as raised dots, as is known from plastic cushion films.

[0073] The shape and size of the embossed portion imprinted from the first sheet can be selected within a wide range according to the corresponding requirements and actual conditions. In this regard, an advantageous development of the invention stipulates that the perimeter of each embossed portion is circular or approximately circular, i.e., the embossed portion is constructed in a spherical shape. The corresponding shape of the embossed portion is beneficial on the one hand to the desired cushioning effect of the packaging material, and on the other hand to manufacturing.

[0074] The packaging material of the present invention can be provided in a variety of ways for packaging fragile or pressure-sensitive items, for example, and especially in the form of a sheet of material that can be cut by the user to fit the dimensions of the items to be packaged. The packaging material of the present invention can also be provided in the form of prefabricated blanks. For example, the packaging material of the present invention can also be constructed in the form of a shipping box or a cushioned envelope, or form part of a corresponding packaging medium.

[0075] The number of paper webs constituting the packaging material of the present invention can be selected within a wide range according to the corresponding requirements and actual conditions. For example, the packaging material of the present invention can be composed of more than two paper webs. For example, and particularly, the packaging material of the present invention can be composed of an "embossed web" provided with embossed portions and a smooth "carrier web". An alternative embodiment of the present invention specifies that embossed portions are embossed from two paper webs, and the paper webs are connected to each other such that the embossed portion in one paper web is arranged opposite to a corresponding embossed portion in the other paper web. In this embodiment, the embossed portion in one paper web and the embossed portion in the other paper web together define the cavity of the packaging material of the present invention.

[0076] Another advantageous development of the packaging material of the present invention is that the embossed portions form a regular pattern, particularly arranged in rows and / or columns.

[0077] Any suitable paper can be used as a raw material for the packaging material of this invention. A particularly advantageous development of this invention is that the paper web is composed of or contains recycled paper. This embodiment is particularly environmentally friendly because it completely or at least partially avoids the use of fresh paper, which is energy-intensive to produce.

[0078] One development of the above-described embodiments specifies that the recycled paper has at least one, and in particular all, of the following characteristic values:

[0079] - Specific gravity per unit area (grams) [ISO 536]: 60 - 140 g / m²

[0080] - According to the absorbency of Cobb 60 [ISO 535]: 26 - 113 g / m³ 2

[0081] - According to Bengtson's roughness [ISO 8791-2]: ≥300 ml / min

[0082] - Bursting strength [ISO 2758]: 160 - 240 kPa

[0083] - SCT-quer INDEX [ISO 9895]: 1.1 - 1.9 kN / m

[0084] According to an advantageous development of the packaging material of the present invention, the connecting segments between the embossed portions are constructed as bridging sheets.

[0085] Another advantageous development of the invention stipulates that the paper webs are at least partially coupled to each other in the connecting sections.

[0086] Furthermore, the subject matter of this invention is the application of recycled paper in the manufacture of packaging materials having at least one paper web from which embossed portions are pressed, the embossed portions protruding from the paper web and each defined in the plane of the paper web by a closed perimeter line, wherein the recycled paper has at least one, and in particular all, of the following characteristic values:

[0087] - Specific gravity per unit area (grams) [ISO 536]: 60 - 140 g / m² 2

[0088] - According to the absorbency of Cobb 60 [ISO 535]: 26 - 113 g / m³ 2

[0089] - According to Bengtson's roughness [ISO 8791-2]: ≥300 ml / min

[0090] - Bursting strength [ISO 2758]: 160 - 240 kPa

[0091] - SCT transverse index [ISO 9895]: 1.1 - 1.9 kN / m. Attached Figure Description

[0092] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the greatly simplified accompanying drawings and embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that each feature of an embodiment is developed individually, i.e., independently of other features. Therefore, it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that all illustrative features, shown in the drawings, and claimed in the claims, individually and in any technically reasonable combination, constitute the subject matter of the invention, regardless of their combination in the claims and their references, and regardless of their specific description or illustration in the drawings. Combinations of features from apparatus claims and method claims are also part of the subject matter and disclosure of this application. Furthermore, combinations of features from one embodiment with features from another embodiment are also part of the subject matter and disclosure of this application. In dependent combinations of claims, where at least one feature of one claim is omitted or replaced by another feature, such dependent combinations are also part of the subject matter and disclosure of this application. The drawings show:

[0093] Figure 1 A first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention for manufacturing packaging materials is shown in a greatly simplified and generalized manner;

[0094] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic side view of the embodiment shown;

[0095] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the embodiment shown;

[0096] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A schematic radial view of the roller setting unit of the embodiment shown;

[0097] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A perspective view of the roller arrangement unit shown;

[0098] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 The roller setting unit shown is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of line AA in the diagram;

[0099] Figure 7 yes Figure 4 A perspective view of the impression roller of the roller setting unit shown;

[0100] Figure 8 yes Figure 4 The paired rollers of the roller setting unit shown are... Figure 7 Same diagram;

[0101] Figure 9 Briefly show Figure 1 The structure of an embodiment of the axial tension sensor of the device shown;

[0102] Figure 10 Shown in the form of a block diagram Figure 1 The structure of the equipment control system of the device shown;

[0103] Figure 11 This is a top view of an embodiment of a packaging material in the form of a cushion film according to the present invention;

[0104] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 The packaging material shown is relative to the embossed area. Figure 11 A significantly enlarged cross-section, and

[0105] Figure 13 This is the second embodiment of the device of the present invention. Figure 1 Similar illustrations. Detailed Implementation

[0106] The following uses Figures 1 to 10 A first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention for manufacturing packaging materials from paper is described in further detail.

[0107] exist Figure 1 The present invention’s apparatus or device for manufacturing packaging materials from paper is shown in a greatly simplified and generalized manner, and its working principle is briefly described below:

[0108] The first paper web 6 and the second paper web 8, hereinafter also referred to as "webs", are conveyed from storage rollers 2 and 4 to a roller setting unit 10 via a turning device. Here, the first paper web constitutes an "imprint web", from which the imprint portion 11 is imprinted through the roller setting unit 10, while the second paper web constitutes a smooth "carrier web", which carries the imprint web in the finished packaging material and is thus pressed together with the "imprint web" by the roller setting unit 10. The "imprint web" is pretreated for imprinting by steaming water vapor upstream of the roller setting unit 10 at reference numeral 12 in the conveying direction. For example, and particularly, water vapor at a temperature between 100°C and approximately 150°C can be used.

[0109] In the illustrated embodiment, paper webs 6 and 8 are made of recycled paper. However, according to the present invention, paper webs 6 and 8 may also be made of any other suitable paper, depending on the specific requirements and circumstances.

[0110] Upstream of the roller setting unit 10 along the conveying direction, at reference numeral 14, the "carrier width" is pretreated by spraying liquid containing cellulose fibers or cellulose particles (especially nanocellulose, preferably cellulose nanofibers (CNF)).

[0111] The roller setting unit 10 has an impression roller (positive roller) 16 that meshes with a mating roller (negative roller) 18. The paper web 6 is pressed between the rollers 16 and 18 to form an impression section. The impression roller 16, the mating roller 18, and the pressure roller are also referred to as "rollers" in the following text.

[0112] The pressure roller 20 engages with the mating roller 18, wherein the paper webs 6 and 8 are squeezed against each other between the mating roller 18 and the pressure roller 20 without adhesives and synthetic auxiliary materials for bonding, especially without plastic film.

[0113] The mutually compressed paper webs 6 and 8 (which constitute the packaging material of the present invention in the manner of a cushion film) are conveyed to a storage container 22, which is in the form of a storage roller. This storage container is used for finished packaging materials that are cushion film-like and entirely made of paper. A multi-stage drying device is provided in the conveying path, which includes three dryers 24, 26, and 28. Here, dryer 24 is an infrared emitter, while dryers 26 and 28 are hot air dryers.

[0114] The structural design of the device is detailed below:

[0115] The apparatus has a mechanism for conveying at least a first paper web 6 and a second paper web 8 to an impression zone 30 and a compression zone 32 located downstream of the impression zone 30 along the conveying direction of the paper webs. The conveying or transporting direction of the paper webs 6 and 8, or the paper webs 6 and 8 compressed together, is in... Figure 1 The numbers 34, 36, 38, and 40 are marked in the middle.

[0116] In the imprinting area 30, an imprinting device 31 for imprinting the first paper web is arranged such that an imprinting portion 11 is imprinted from the first paper web 6, the imprinting portion protruding from the first paper web 6 and defined in the paper web plane by a closed perimeter line. In the illustrated embodiment, the closed perimeter line is circular or approximately circular.

[0117] In the extrusion zone 32, an extrusion device 33 is provided for extruding the paper webs 6 and 8 together in the following manner and without adhesives and synthetic auxiliary materials for bonding (especially without plastic film), namely, in the connecting section between the imprinting sections, the paper fibers of the first paper web 6 are connected to the paper fibers of the second paper web 8, and the paper webs 6 and 8 define a closed cavity in the area of ​​the imprinting section.

[0118] A pretreatment mechanism is provided upstream of the printing area 30 and / or the extrusion area 32 along the conveying direction. This mechanism has at least one pretreatment device for pretreating the first paper web 6 and / or the second paper web 8.

[0119] According to the invention, at least one pretreatment device is configured to introduce or coat a liquid, particularly a pretreatment liquid consisting of or containing water, onto or in at least one of the paper webs 6, 8. In the illustrated embodiment, reference numeral 12 indicates a pretreatment device for coating or introducing water in the form of water vapor onto or into the first paper web 6 in order to pretreat the first paper web for printing in the printing area 30.

[0120] According to the present invention, at least one pretreatment device is configured and arranged for spraying, atomizing or evaporating a pretreatment liquid, such that the pretreatment liquid is sprayed, atomized or evaporated onto the configured paper web.

[0121] In the illustrated embodiment, each of the paper webs 6 and 8 is configured with a separate pretreatment device for performing separate, different pretreatments on the paper webs 6 and 8 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0122] Specifically, the first pretreatment device 12 is configured for the first paper web 6 and is located on the transport path from the first paper web to the printing area 30, and the second pretreatment device 14 is configured for the second paper web 8 and is located on the transport path from the second paper web 8 to the pressing area.

[0123] In the illustrated embodiment, the first pretreatment device 12 configured for the first paper web 6 is constructed to steam the first paper web with water vapor at a temperature between 100°C and about 150°C.

[0124] The second pretreatment device 14, configured for the second paper web, is constructed and set up to coat or introduce a pretreatment liquid into or onto the second paper web 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the pretreatment liquid is water containing cellulose fibers or cellulose particles, preferably microcellulose and / or nanocellulose, especially cellulose microfibers (CMF) and / or cellulose nanofibers (CNF). Here, the cellulose fiber content in the pretreatment liquid is selected such that the pretreatment liquid is sprayable and can be sprayed onto the second paper web 8.

[0125] A roller setting unit 10 is provided in the imprinting area 30, which has an imprinting roller 16 rotatably supported around an imprinting roller rotation axis 15. The imprinting roller has imprinting protrusions on its circumferential surface for forming imprinted portions 11 in the first paper web 6. The imprinting roller 16 engages with a mating roller 18, which is rotatably supported around a rotation axis 19 parallel to the imprinting roller rotation axis and has imprinting recesses on its circumferential surface. The imprinting recesses are configured to complement the imprinting protrusions of the imprinting roller 16.

[0126] A pressure roller 20, rotatably supported around a pressure roller rotation axis 21, is provided in the extrusion zone 32. The pressure roller cooperates with a matching roller 18 to extrude the first paper web 6 and the second paper web 8 together. The rotation axis of the matching roller is parallel to the rotation axis of the pressure roller and is kept at a distance such that a pressure roller gap is formed between the pressure roller 20 and the matching roller 18, which is used to extrude the first paper web 6 and the second paper web 8 at a distance from the imprinted portion 11 in the first paper web 6.

[0127] The pressure roller 20 has a smooth circumferential surface and is made of an elastic and flexible material on its circumferential surface, which in the illustrated embodiment is made of silicone rubber.

[0128] In the illustrated embodiment, the mating rollers of the impression roller 16 and the mating rollers of the pressure roller 20 are constituted by a common mating roller, namely the mating roller 18, such that the roller setting unit 10 has three interacting or meshing rollers 16, 18, and 20. As can be seen, in the illustrated embodiment, the impression roller 16 and the mating roller 18 constitute the impression device 31, and the pressure roller 20 and the mating roller 18 constitute the extrusion device 33.

[0129] As can be seen in the illustrated embodiment, the mating roller 18 and the pressure roller 20 directly engage with each other, i.e., without an intermediate transport section for the first paper web 6 to be pressed by the impression roller 16. In this way, the paper webs 6 and 8 are pressed against each other, while the impression portion 11 pressed from the first paper web by the impression roller 16 remains located in the impression recess of the mating roller 18. Therefore, the roller arrangement unit 10, composed of rollers 16, 18, and 20, constitutes a combined impression and pressing station.

[0130] If possible Figure 1 As can be seen, in the illustrated embodiment, the rotation axis 19 of the pairing roller 18 is disposed on the connecting line between the impression roller rotation axis 15 and the pressure roller rotation axis 21.

[0131] In the illustrated embodiment, the pressure roller 20 is equipped with a preferably electrically operable adjustment device for adjusting the gap width of the pressure roller gap along a linear axis extending radially relative to the pressure roller rotation axis 21 in this embodiment. Additionally, when a packaging material is to be manufactured consisting of only a single printout, i.e., only a single printout without a carrier printout, the adjustment device can also disengage the pressure roller 20 from the mating roller 18.

[0132] Furthermore, according to the invention, the impression roller 16 and / or the mating roller 18 and / or the pressure roller 20 are each equipped with a heating device for heating the respective roller. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the rollers 16, 18, and 20 is equipped with a separate heating device, so that the temperature of each roller can be individually adjusted. In this case, it is preferable that the impression roller 16 and / or the mating roller 18 and / or the pressure roller 20 are each equipped with a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the respective roller 16 or 18 or 20. Advantageously, as in the illustrated embodiment, the heating device (which is, for example, in the form of at least one electric heating rod) and the temperature sensor are integrated into the respective roller 16 or 18 or 20. In this way, the structure of the device of the invention is simplified.

[0133] According to the present invention, a drying mechanism is provided along the conveying direction between the extrusion zone 32 and a storage container, which is in the form of a storage roller 22 for finished packaging materials, for drying the paper webs 6 and 8 that are extruded together in the extrusion zone 32.

[0134] In the illustrated embodiment, the drying mechanism has at least two drying devices spaced apart from each other along the conveying or transporting direction, wherein at least one drying device is configured as an infrared radiation drying device, and at least one drying device is configured as a hot air drying device. In the illustrated embodiment, the drying device 24 immediately downstream of the extrusion zone 32 is configured as an infrared radiation drying device, while the two drying devices 26 and 28 located downstream of the drying device 24 along the conveying or transporting direction can be configured as hot air drying devices.

[0135] Based on the relevant requirements and actual conditions, the web tension of each paper web 6 and 8, and / or the web tension of paper webs that are pressed together, are monitored using appropriate sensors. (See below for further details.) Figure 9 This will be explained in further detail.

[0136] Rollers 16, 18, and 20 can be made of any suitable material. In particular, the circumferential surfaces of rollers 16, 18, and 20 can be made of a different material or utilize a different material coating than the corresponding roller body. Specifically, as in the illustrated embodiment, pressure roller 20 can be made of an elastic and flexible material, particularly silicone rubber, at least on its circumferential surface. In contrast, impression roller 16 and mating roller 18 can be made of a shape-stable material, such as metal, at least on their circumferential surfaces.

[0137] Rollers 16, 18, and 20 can each be driven independently of each other by a separate rotary drive. This also applies to storage rollers 2, 4, and 22, which can also be driven independently of each other by a separate rotary drive. See below for further details. Figure 11 The operation of the rotary drive unit configured with feed rollers 16, 18, or 20 and storage rollers 2, 4, or 22 is described in further detail.

[0138] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 The schematic side view of the embodiment shown is as follows, Figure 3 A schematic perspective view of this embodiment is shown.

[0139] As in Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the device has a frame 46 on which the various components and parts of the device are arranged.

[0140] The first pretreatment device 12 has a housing 48. Excess water remaining after the first paper web 6 has been steamed with water is collected in the housing 48, or extracted as steam, and can be drawn out for reuse or disposal. Since the excess water does not contain chemical additives, it can be discharged into the sewer system without polluting the environment.

[0141] The second pretreatment device 14 has a housing 50 accordingly. Excess pretreatment liquid remaining after the second paper web 8 has undergone pretreatment is collected in the housing 50 and can be drawn out for reuse or disposal. Since the pretreatment liquid in the illustrated embodiment consists only of water with added cellulose nanofibers, it contains no chemical additives and can also be discharged into the sewer system without polluting the environment.

[0142] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the figure, a housing is marked with reference numeral 52, and the roller mounting unit 10 is received therein.

[0143] Reference numerals 54 or 56 denote the housings receiving the hot air drying apparatus 26 or 28. During the drying process in the hot air drying apparatus 26, 28, the fluid removed from the webs 6, 8—consisting of water in the illustrated embodiment—can overflow from the housings 54, 56, which are therefore constructed to be open at their front and rear ends along the conveying direction, respectively. As already described above with respect to the pretreatment devices 12, 14, the resulting liquid can also be discharged into the sewer system without polluting the environment.

[0144] Reference numeral 58 indicates a web tension sensor disposed along the conveying direction between the storage roller 2 and the first pretreatment device 12, used to detect or measure the web tension of the first paper web 6. The following will refer to... Figure 10 The structure of the web tension sensor 58 will be described in further detail. A web tension sensor is configured accordingly on the second web and is labeled with reference numeral 60. The web tension sensor 60 is constructed in a similar manner to the web tension sensor 58, and therefore will not be described further.

[0145] All equipment parameters of the device or equipment, particularly the paper web conveying speed, web tension, the rotational speed and temperature of rollers 16, 18 and 20, the operating parameters of pretreatment equipment 12 and 14, and the operating parameters of drying equipment 24, 26 and 28, are controlled by a central equipment control system, which will be further described below. Figure 11 The control system of this equipment will be described in further detail.

[0146] exist Figures 4 to 8 Different diagrams of the roller setting unit 10, its impression roller 16, and its pairing roller 18 are shown.

[0147] Figure 4 A radial view of the roller setting unit 10 is shown.

[0148] Figure 5 A perspective view of the roller setting unit 10 is shown.

[0149] Figure 6 The roller setting unit 10 is shown along Figure 4 The radial section view of line AA in the diagram.

[0150] Figure 7 A perspective view of the impression roller 16 is shown, in which impression protrusions are visible on the circumferential surface of the impression roller 16 and protrude from the circumferential surface. Figure 7 Only one of these embossing protrusions is marked with reference numeral 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the embossing protrusion 42 is constructed to be spherical or spherical in shape. In the illustrated embodiment, embossing protrusions 42 are arranged sequentially on the circumferential surface of the embossing roller 16, wherein the sequential arrangement along the circumferential direction is arranged in an "alternating manner". The shape, geometry, and number of embossing protrusions can be selected within a wide range according to the corresponding requirements and actual conditions.

[0151] Figure 8 A perspective view of the mating roller 18 is shown, in which the embossing recess 44 of the mating roller 18 can be seen.

[0152] from Figure 5 and Figure 6 As can be seen, the pressure roller 20 has a smooth circumferential surface. Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a web tension sensor 58 is shown. This web tension sensor 58 has three rotatably supported, non-driven guide rollers 62, 64, and 66, whose rotation axes 68, 70, or 72 are... Figure 10 The axis extends into the drawing plane and is positioned at the corner of a triangle. Steering rollers 62 and 66 are fixedly mounted, while steering roller 64 is supported movable along a linear measuring axis 74 and double arrow 76. Here, steering roller 64 can be preloaded by a spring mechanism to a certain value. Figure 9 In the exemplary initial position shown. If the tension of the first paper web 6 increases from this initial position, Figure 9 The guide roller 64 then moves upward. This movement can be detected by a force sensor (e.g., a strain sensor) or by other means, and is transmitted as a sensor output signal from the web tension sensor 58 to a central control system of the device, which will be described in further detail below.

[0153] Figure 10 The structure of a central equipment control system for the device is shown in block diagram form. This equipment control system has a control device 78. The control device 78 can be configured in various ways through a combination of hardware and software, depending on the corresponding requirements and actual conditions, for example and particularly as a programmable logic control system (SPS).

[0154] The storage rollers 2 and 4 for webs 6 and 8, and the storage roller 22 for finished packaging materials, are each equipped with a rotary drive device 80, 82, or 84 that can be controlled by a control device 78. During operation, the control device 78 adjusts the rotational speeds of the rotary drives 80, 82, and 84 to generate the desired web tension for webs 6 and 8. For this purpose, web tension sensors 58 and 60 are connected to the control device 78 for signal transmission.

[0155] Rollers 16, 18, and 20 are each equipped with a rotary drive device 86, 88, or 90 that can be controlled by a control device 78. During operation of the device, the control device 78 adjusts the rotational speed of the rotary drive devices 86, 88, and 90 so that rollers 16, 18, and 20 operate synchronously to press the first sheet 6 in the printing area 30 and to press the sheets 6 and 8 together in the extrusion area 32.

[0156] In order to heat the pair of rollers 16, 18, 20, each roller is provided with a heating device 92, 94, or 96, which is preferably integrated into the respective roller 16, 18, or 20, and may, for example and in particular, be constituted by at least one electric heating rod integrated into the respective roller 16, 18, or 20.

[0157] To detect temperature, rollers 16, 18, and 20 are each equipped with a temperature measuring device 98, 100, and 102, respectively. These temperature measuring devices are preferably integrated into the corresponding rollers 16, 18, or 20, for example, in the form of temperature sensors. The temperature measuring devices 98, 100, and 102 are connected to the control device 78 via signal transmission. During operation, the control device 78 adjusts the temperature of rollers 16, 18, and 20 by correspondingly manipulating the heating devices 92, 94, and 96. Specifically, the temperature can be adjusted such that the temperature of the impression roller 16 is higher than that of the mating roller 18, and the temperature of the mating roller 18 is higher than that of the pressure roller 20, thus creating a temperature gradient between the impression roller 16 and the pressure roller 20.

[0158] Figure 104 in Figure 10 The diagram shows an electrically adjustable device for adjusting the gap width of the pressure roller gap along a linear axis extending radially relative to the pressure roller rotation axis 21. The electrically adjustable device can also be operated by a control device 78 for, for example, adapting the gap width of the pressure roller gap to paper webs of different thicknesses, or for disengaging the pressure roller 20 from the mating roller 18 when the device is intended to manufacture packaging material consisting only of a single "printing surface" with the printing section and no "carrier surface".

[0159] The packaging material of the present invention, in the form of a cushion film, is manufactured using the method of the present invention and the apparatus of the present invention.

[0160] exist Figure 11 The image exemplarily illustrates a blank 106 for a corresponding cushion film-like packaging material, in which the packaging material is provided with raised embossed portions 11 in a grid pattern. The packaging material of the present invention is structurally similar to conventional plastic cushion films; however, unlike these cushion films, it is entirely composed of paper or cellulose.

[0161] from Figure 11 As can be seen, the imprinting section 11 is defined or delineated in the paper web plane of the "paper web" 6 by a closed perimeter line, which is circular or approximately circular in the illustrated embodiment.

[0162] Figure 12 It shows relative to Figure 11 The packaging material cross-section is enlarged significantly. It can be seen that the embossed portion 11 in the first paper web 6 and the smooth second paper web 8 together define a closed cavity 108. Outside of the embossed portion 11, the paper webs 6 and 8 are pressed together in the bridging sheet-like connecting sections 110 and 112.

[0163] In the illustrated embodiment, paper webs 6 and 8 use recycled paper that has at least one, and in particular all, of the following characteristic values:

[0164] - Specific gravity per unit area (grams) [ISO 536]: 60 - 140 g / m² 2

[0165] - According to the absorbency of Cobb 60 [ISO 535]: 26 - 113 g / m³ 2

[0166] - According to Bengtson's roughness [ISO 8791-2]: ≥300 ml / min

[0167] - Bursting strength [ISO 2758]: 160 - 240 kPa

[0168] - SCT-quer INDEX [ISO 9895]: 1.1 - 1.9 kN / m

[0169] Depending on the requirements and actual circumstances, other types or varieties of paper may also be used for paper webs 6 and 8. Specifically, paper webs 6 and 8 may be composed of the same type of paper. However, according to the present invention, different types of paper may also be used for paper webs 6 and 8.

[0170] exist Figure 13The diagram illustrates a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the main difference from the first embodiment being that the extrusion region 32 of the apparatus is spaced apart from the impression region 30 along the conveying or transporting direction of the webs 6 and 8. In this embodiment, since the extrusion region 32 is spatially spaced relative to the impression region 30, the impression roller 16 and the pressure roller 18 do not have a common mating roller. More precisely, the impression roller 16 is equipped with a mating roller 18, while the pressure roller 20 is equipped with a single mating roller 114.

[0171] Therefore, according to Figures 1 to 10 In the first embodiment, the rollers 16, 18, and 20 of the roller setting unit 10 constitute a combination of an impression station and a pressing station, while in the second embodiment, an impression station (impression roller 16 / pairing roller 18) and a pressing station (pressing roller 20 / pairing roller 114) spaced apart from the impression station along the conveying direction or transport direction are arranged in a spatially separated manner.

Claims

1. An apparatus for manufacturing packaging materials from paper, the apparatus comprising: A mechanism for conveying at least one first paper web (6) and one second paper web (8) to an impression area (30) and a pressing area (32) located downstream of the impression area (30) along the conveying direction of the paper webs (6, 8). An imprinting device (16, 18) for imprinting a first paper web (6) is provided in the imprinting area (30) of the device. The imprinting device is constructed and configured to imprint an imprinting portion (11) from the first paper web (6). The imprinting portion protrudes from the first paper web (6) and is defined by a closed perimeter line in the paper web plane of the first paper web (6). The extrusion devices (20, 18) provided in the extrusion area (32) of the device are used to extrude each paper web (6, 8) without adhesives and without synthetic auxiliary materials for bonding, i.e., plastic film. The extrusion devices (20, 18) are constructed and configured such that the paper fibers of the first paper web (6) are connected to the paper fibers of the second paper web (8) in the connecting sections (110, 112) between the imprinting sections (11), and each paper web (6, 8) defines a closed cavity (108) in the region of the imprinting section (11). A pretreatment mechanism disposed upstream of the printing area (30) and / or the extrusion area (32) along the conveying direction, the pretreatment mechanism having at least one pretreatment device for pretreating the first paper web (6) and / or the second paper web (8) in order to print the first paper web (6) or extrude each paper web (6, 8).

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one pretreatment device (12, 14) is configured and set to coat or introduce a pretreatment liquid onto or into at least one web of the paper web (6, 8).

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one pretreatment device is constructed and configured for spraying, atomizing or evaporating a pretreatment liquid such that the pretreatment liquid is sprayed, atomized or evaporated onto the configured paper web.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one pretreatment device is constructed and configured to steam the configured paper web using water vapor.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the paper webs (6, 8) is configured with a separate pretreatment device for individually pretreating the paper webs (6, 8).

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first pretreatment device (12) is configured for the first paper web (6) and is disposed on the transport path from the first paper web (6) to the printing area (30), and the second pretreatment device (14) is configured for the second paper web (8) and is disposed on the transport path from the second paper web (8) to the pressing area (32).

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one pretreatment device is configured and set up for introducing or coating a pretreatment liquid containing cellulose fibers or cellulose particles.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a roller setting unit (10) is provided in the imprinting area (30), the roller setting unit having an imprinting roller (16) rotatably supported about an imprinting roller rotation axis (15), the imprinting roller having an imprinting protrusion (42) on its circumferential surface for forming an imprint (11) in a first paper web (6), the imprinting roller (16) engaging with a mating roller (18), the mating roller being rotatably supported about a rotation axis (19) parallel to the imprinting roller rotation axis and having an imprinting recess (44) on its circumferential surface, the imprinting recess being configured to complement the imprinting protrusion (42) of the imprinting roller.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a pressure roller (20) rotatably supported about a pressure roller rotation axis (21) is provided in the extrusion area (32), the pressure roller cooperating with a rotatably supported mating roller (18) for extruding the first paper web (6) and the second paper web (8), the rotation axis (19) of the mating roller being parallel to and spaced apart from the pressure roller rotation axis (21) such that a pressure roller gap is formed between the pressure roller (20) and the mating roller (18) for extruding the first paper web (6) and the second paper web (8) in the connecting section of each paper web (6, 8) outside the printing section.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the mating rollers of the impression roller (16) and the mating rollers of the pressure roller (20) are configured by a common mating roller (18), such that the roller setting unit (10) has three interacting and meshing rollers.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the rotation axis (19) of the pairing roller (18) is arranged on a straight connecting line between the rotation axis (15) of the impression roller and the rotation axis (21) of the pressure roller.

12. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the pressure roller (20) is configured with an adjustment device (104) for adjusting the gap width of the pressure roller gap along a linear axis extending radially relative to the pressure roller rotation axis (21).

13. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the impression roller (16) and / or the pairing roller (18) and / or the pressure roller (20) are provided with heating devices for heating the respective rollers in order to regulate the temperature of each roller.

14. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the impression roller (16) and / or the mating roller (18) and / or the pressure roller (20) are each provided with at least one temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the respective roller.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a drying mechanism for drying the individual paper webs (6, 8) that are pressed together in the extrusion zone (32) is provided along the conveying direction between the extrusion zone (32) and the storage container for finished packaging materials.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the drying mechanism has at least two drying devices (24, 26, 28) spaced apart from each other along the conveying direction.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein at least one drying device is configured as an infrared radiation device, and at least one drying device is configured as a hot air drying device.

18. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the pressure roller (20) is made of an elastic and flexible material at least on its circumferential surface.

19. A method for manufacturing packaging materials from paper, wherein At least one first paper web and at least one second paper web are fed into the impression zone and the extrusion zone located downstream of the impression zone along the feeding direction of the paper web. In the imprinting area, an imprinting portion is imprinted from the first paper web using an imprinting device. This imprinting portion protrudes from the first paper web and is defined by a closed perimeter line in the plane of the first paper web. In the extrusion zone, the paper webs are pressed together by an extrusion device without adhesives or synthetic auxiliary materials for bonding, i.e., plastic film. This causes the paper fibers of the first paper web to connect with the paper fibers of the second paper web in the connecting section between the printing sections, and each paper web defines a closed cavity in the area of ​​the printing section. The first and / or second paper webs are pre-treated in preparation for printing in the printing area or for pressing the paper webs together in the pressing area.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein at least one of the paper webs is pretreated by introducing or coating a pretreatment liquid.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the pretreatment liquid is sprayed, atomized, or evaporated onto the respective paper web.

22. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the first paper web is pretreated by steaming with water vapor.

23. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein each paper web is pretreated by separate pretreatment equipment.

24. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the first paper web is pretreated by a first pretreatment device disposed on the transport path from the first paper web to the printing area, and the second paper web is pretreated by a second pretreatment device disposed on the transport path from the second paper web to the pressing area.

25. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein at least one paper web is pretreated by introducing or coating a pretreatment liquid containing cellulose fibers or cellulose particles.

26. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a roller setting unit is used in the imprinting area, the roller setting unit having an imprinting roller rotatably supported about an imprinting roller rotation axis, the imprinting roller having imprinting protrusions on its circumferential surface for forming imprint portions in a first paper web, the imprinting roller engaging with a mating roller rotatably supported about a rotation axis parallel to the imprinting roller rotation axis and having imprinting recesses on its circumferential surface configured to complement the imprinting protrusions of the imprinting roller.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein a pressure roller rotatably supported about a pressure roller rotation axis is used in the extrusion region, the pressure roller cooperating with a mating roller for extruding the first paper web and the second paper web, the rotation axis of the mating roller being spaced apart from the rotation axis of the pressure roller, such that a pressure roller gap is formed between the pressure roller and the mating roller for extruding the first paper web and the second paper web in the connecting section of the first paper web outside the printing section.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein a common pairing roller is used as a pairing roller for the impression roller and a pairing roller for the pressure roller, such that the roller setting unit has three interacting and meshing rollers.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the rotation axis of the pairing rollers is disposed on a straight connecting line between the rotation axis of the impression roller and the rotation axis of the pressure roller.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein a pressure roller with an adjusting device is used to adjust the gap width of the pressure roller gap along a linear axis extending radially relative to the rotation axis of the pressure roller.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein the impression roller and / or the mating roller and / or the pressure roller are heated.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein the temperature of the impression roller and / or the mating roller and / or the pressure roller is measured.

33. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the paper webs that are squeezed together in the compression zone are dried along the conveying direction between the compression zone and a storage container for finished packaging material.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the paper webs pressed together are dried in multiple stages by at least two drying devices spaced apart from each other along the conveying direction.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the paper webs pressed together are dried by at least one drying device configured as an infrared radiation device and at least one drying device configured as a hot air drying device.

36. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a pressure roller is used, which is made of an elastic and flexible material at least on its circumferential surface.

37. A method for manufacturing packaging material from paper, wherein the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18 is used.

38. Packaging material made of paper, comprising a first paper web (6) and a second paper web (8). An imprinted portion (11) is formed from at least one sheet of paper, the imprinted portion protruding from the sheet of paper and defined in the plane of the sheet of paper by a closed perimeter line. Its features are: Each paper web (6, 8) is made entirely of paper on its facing surfaces and is pressed together without adhesives or synthetic auxiliary materials for bonding, i.e., plastic film, so that the paper fibers of the first paper web (6) are connected to the paper fibers of the second paper web (8) in the connecting sections (110, 112) between the embossing sections (11) and each paper web (6, 8) defines a closed cavity (108) in the area of ​​the embossing section (11).

39. The packaging material according to claim 38, characterized in that: The periphery of the corresponding imprinted part (11) is circular or approximately circular, so that the imprinted part (11) is spherical.

40. The packaging material according to claim 38 or 39, characterized in that: Imprinted portions (11) are made from two paper webs, and the paper webs are connected to each other such that the imprinted portion in one paper web is arranged opposite to the corresponding imprinted portion in the other paper web.

41. The packaging material according to claim 38 or 39, characterized in that: The embossed portion (11) forms a regular pattern.

42. The packaging material according to claim 38 or 39, characterized in that: Each sheet (6, 8) is made of recycled paper.

43. The packaging material according to claim 42, characterized in that: The recycled paper has at least one of the following characteristic values: - Specific gravity per unit area (grams) [ISO 536]: 60 - 140 g / m² 2 , - According to the absorbency of Cobb 60 [ISO 535]: 26 - 113 g / m³ 2 , - According to Bengtson's roughness [ISO 8791-2]: ≥300 ml / min, - Bursting strength [ISO 2758]: 160 - 240 kPa, - SCT transverse index [ISO 9895]: 1.1 - 1.9 kN / m.

44. The packaging material according to claim 38 or 39, characterized in that: The connecting segments (110, 112) between the embossing portions (11) are constructed as bridging sheets.

45. The packaging material according to claim 38 or 39, characterized in that: Each paper web (6, 8) is at least partially coupled to each other in the connecting sections (110, 112).

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