Method and packaging machine for producing machine-made packaging for a packaged good

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a packaging machine for producing a machine-made package from at least one web of material for packaging goods.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for producing a mechanical packaging from at least one material web for a packaged item and to a packaging machine for producing such a packaging.

[0002] DE 10 2021 124 772 B3 discloses a packaging machine and a method for producing a mechanical package from at least one material web for a packaged product. This packaging machine comprises a station for producing an envelope surrounding the packaged product, followed by a rolling-up station in which the open side edges of the envelope are closed by rolling.

[0003] In the envelope production station, a paper curtain formed by an upper and lower material web is pulled in the transport direction by a pull-off device. This stretches the material webs into a V-shape. The packaged goods are then fed into the material webs. After the packaged goods are positioned between the upper and lower material webs and before the material webs are brought together behind the packaged goods, a line of glue is applied to one material web. The material webs are then closed, glued, and separated by a sealing device. The packaged goods, with the formed envelope, are then fed to the winding station.

[0004] This method has the disadvantage that the pull-off device is always moved at the same height relative to the conveyor belt's transport plane. This prevents adjustment to varying heights of the packaged goods, which can result in the length of the upper and lower material webs differing from each other, compromising the quality of the envelope formation.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of proposing a method and a packaging machine for producing a mechanical packaging from at least one material web for a packaged item, whereby a consistent quality of a wrap for the packaged item is made possible regardless of the height of the packaged item.

[0006] This object is achieved by a method for producing the mechanical packaging from at least one material web for a packaged item, in which in an infeed phase the packaged item is fed to the conveyor belt and the gripping device is moved along the conveyor belt, in which in a wrapping phase following the infeed phase the packaged item is inserted between the upper and lower material webs and in which in an outfeed phase following the wrapping phase the material webs are brought together behind the packaged item in the transport direction and are connected and cut with a closing device to form a rear, preferably closed, side edge,wherein a front side edge formed by the upper and lower material webs is moved in the transport direction by at least one gripping element of a gripping device at least during a feed-in phase and a wrapping phase, and at least during the wrapping phase, at least one guide element of a front and rear guide device is positioned between the upper and lower material webs in a guide position, trailing the at least one gripping element, so that the upper and lower material webs are guided in a clamped manner for inserting the packaged goods. This has the advantage that, regardless of the height of the packaged goods, the guide elements clamp the material webs trailing the gripping element, thus enabling a free or almost free feeding of the packaged goods between the material webs. In addition, these guide elements have the advantagethat the material webs are guided in a defined alignment during the removal from the respective supply roll and the feeding of the packaging material, thereby enabling the production of an envelope with a consistent format and / or a crease-free envelope to increase the packaging quality.

[0007] Preferably, at least the height and / or length of the packaged goods are detected before or during the infeed phase. Subsequently, depending on the detected dimensions of the packaged goods, the at least one gripping element, the guide elements, and the closing device are controlled to form the envelope. This allows for individual adaptation of the envelope to the respective format or volume of the packaged goods. This also has the advantage that different sizes of the packaged goods can be individually packaged in succession, with the size of the envelope being adapted to the packaged goods.

[0008] According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, at the beginning of the infeed phase, the front side edge of the material webs is moved or positioned into the transport plane of the conveyor belt by the at least one gripping element, and during the infeed phase, the front side edge is moved along the transport plane or lying in the transport plane. This has the advantage that the packaging material fed by the infeed belt can be easily transferred with the leading lower corner region onto the lower material web resting on the conveyor belt. In this case, no friction occurs between the leading lower corner region of the packaging material and the lower material web.

[0009] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the at least one gripping element movable in the transport direction is raised at the beginning of or during the wrapping phase to a height relative to the transport plane that corresponds to the average height of the packaged goods. This has the advantage that, starting from the front side edge, equal lengths for the upper and lower material webs are possible for forming the wrap.

[0010] To improve the guidance of the material webs during the feeding of the packaged goods, the front and rear guide devices each comprise at least one guide arm with at least one guide element. Each guide device comprises at least two opposing guide arms, each aligned with the side edge of the material webs, so that the at least one guide element on the guide arms is transferred from a rest position outside the material webs into the guide position between the upper and lower material webs. These guide elements enable the material web to be deflected and at least the upper material web to be securely clamped.If only one upper guide element is provided on the respective guide arm, the upper material web is guided to the packaging goods during the formation of the envelope and the lower material web is held down by the packaging goods lying on top.

[0011] Advantageously, at least two guide elements are provided on each guide arm, which are moved from a rest position into the guide position at the beginning or during the wrapping phase. This allows both the lower material web and the upper material web to be guided at a defined distance from each other, particularly depending on the detected height of the packaged goods.

[0012] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method, at least one or the upper of the two guide elements is movable in height along the guide arm relative to the transport plane. After detecting the height of the packaged goods, the at least one or the upper guide element is moved to the height of an upper end edge or end face of the packaged goods, or higher, relative to the transport plane. This allows the guidance of the upper material web to be individually adapted to the height of the packaged goods.

[0013] To guide the lower material web, the lower guide element can be aligned on the respective guide arm at the same height and at a predetermined distance from the transport plane of the conveyor belt. The lower guide element can also be designed to be vertically adjustable along the guide arms, for example, to allow adaptation to different thicknesses of the packaged goods.

[0014] After the guide elements have been transferred into the guide position, the guide arms of the front and rear guide devices are preferably moved between the material webs to a distance from each other in the transport direction that corresponds to the measured length of the packaged goods. This allows the upper and lower material webs to be guided with respect to the trailing corner areas of the packaged goods and to form a defined rear side edge that connects the two material webs.

[0015] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the at least one upper and lower guide element of the opposing guide arms are moved by the front and rear guide devices during the wrapping phase in such a way that the guide elements of the front guide device are first positioned in alignment in the leading corner regions of the packaged goods and, depending on the feed of the packaged goods or the travel movement along the conveyor belt, are fed and aligned between the upper and lower material webs in the direction of the trailing corner regions of the packaged goods. This enables defined guidance of the upper and lower material webs throughout the entire wrapping phase.

[0016] The guide elements of the front and rear guide devices are preferably held in the guide position relative to the material webs until the material webs are transferred to one another by the closing device in the run-out phase to form a rear side edge.

[0017] In particular, it can be provided that the guide elements of the front and rear guide devices are moved into the rest position at the beginning of the run-out phase or during the run-out phase, in which the guide elements are positioned outside the material webs. This can enable improved adaptation of the envelope size to the packaged goods.

[0018] Preferably, between the wrapping phase and the run-out phase, or at the beginning of the run-out phase, before the material webs are brought together by the closing device, an adhesive is applied using an applicator to at least one inner side of the upper and / or lower material web. In particular, a line of glue can be applied. The applicator for applying the line of glue can be moved from a left side edge of the material web to the right side edge of the material web and vice versa. For the formation of a subsequent rear side edge of a new cover, the direction of travel is in the opposite direction.

[0019] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that at the beginning of the run-out phase, the closing device is closed to form a rear side edge, wherein at least one upper and one lower sealing bar of the closing device, preferably two upper sealing bars and two lower sealing bars of the closing device, are moved toward each other in order to press the upper and lower material webs together and connect them. The at least one upper and at least one lower sealing bar are preferably brought together in a plane that corresponds to the average height or half the height of the packaged goods.

[0020] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that a cutting blade device, which is assigned to the closing device or is a component of the closing device, makes a separating cut in the upper and lower material webs. Advantageously, a cutting blade of the cutting blade device is guided between the two upper and two lower sealing bars. This allows a front pair of sealing bars to hold the rear side edge of the formed envelope in place, and another or rear pair of sealing bars to hold the newly formed front side edge of the newly formed envelope in place.

[0021] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that at the end of the run-out phase, and after the material webs have been separated, the at least one gripping element is released from the front side edge of the formed envelope and transferred to the front new side edge of the newly formed envelope for gripping. The packaged goods with the formed envelope are moved further in the transport direction by means of the conveyor belt. In particular, this can be fed to a downstream processing station, in particular a sewing station.

[0022] The closing device advantageously has sensing bars positioned adjacent to the sealing bars, with the sensing bars holding the newly formed front side edge in place so that the sealing bars can be opened. This allows the gripping element to take the newly formed front side edge into a defined gripping position.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the method, it is provided that the travel speed of the at least one gripping element with the gripped front side edge of the envelope to be formed is controlled at the same travel speed of the conveyor belt.

[0024] The method preferably provides that, from the beginning of the infeed phase through the wrapping phase to the outfeed phase, the at least one gripping element engages the closed front side edge, i.e., the leading side edge, and this is moved in the transport direction by the at least one gripping element. The travel movement of the at least one gripping element and a drive movement of the conveyor belt are stopped in the outfeed phase, so that the rear side edge of the envelope is formed and a separation step is introduced.

[0025] In the process for producing machine-made packaging, material webs made of paper, a paper-like composite material, a plastic film, or a coated paper or paper-like material are preferably used. Two material webs of different materials can also be used to produce the envelope.

[0026] The object underlying the invention is achieved by a packaging machine for producing a mechanical packaging from at least one material web for a packaged item, in which at least one gripping element of a gripping device, which engages a front side edge of the upper and lower material webs, is driven to be displaceable along a conveyor belt, in particular in the station for forming a wrap around the packaged item, and in which a front and a rear guide device, each with at least one guide element, are provided, which can each be positioned between the upper and lower material webs in a guide position, so that the upper and lower material webs are guided in a clamped manner during a wrapping phase in which the packaged item can be positioned between the upper and lower material webs.

[0027] This guide system ensures that the material web is guided in a defined position and / or alignment with the packaged goods, even during wrapping. This ensures consistent conditions for the upper and lower material webs.

[0028] According to an advantageous embodiment of the packaging machine, the front and rear guide devices each have at least one guide arm with at least one guide element, with each guide device comprising two opposing guide arms, each aligned with the side edge of the material web. This enables defined material web shaping during the formation of the cover.

[0029] The at least one guide element of the guide device can preferably be transferred from a rest position, in which the at least one guide element is positioned outside the material webs, into the guide position. A pivoting movement or a displacement movement transverse to the transport direction is preferably provided. The at least one guide element can be designed, for example, as a rod, a pin, a roller, or a sliding element.

[0030] At least two guide elements are advantageously provided on each guide arm of the guide device. The at least one guide element is movably guided on the guide arm in order to adjust the distance between the guide elements provided on the guide arm. Preferably, at least two or all of the guide elements arranged on the guide arm can be movable along the guide arm, in particular by means of a guide. The position of the guide elements can also be automatically adjustable.

[0031] The guide arms of the guide devices are advantageously aligned perpendicular to the transport plane. This allows the height of the guide elements arranged on the guide arms to be adjusted to suit the goods to be packaged.

[0032] The guide arms of the front guide device and / or the guide arms of the other guide device are advantageously movable independently of each other in and against the transport direction. This allows for individual adjustment of the distance between the guide arm of the front guide device and the guide arms of the rear guide device, allowing adaptation to different lengths of the packaged goods.

[0033] Advantageously, it is provided that a further guide element is assigned to the upper guide element of the at least one guide device, so that a secure guidance of the upper material web is possible between the upper guide element, which engages an inner side of the upper material web, and the further guide element, which engages an outer side of the upper material web.

[0034] The gripping device preferably has two opposing gripping elements assigned to the conveyor belt, which are movable at least along the conveyor belt. Advantageously, the gripping elements are aligned with the side edge of the conveyor belt and moved along the side edge of the conveyor belt. The gripping elements are aligned toward the conveyor belt to grip the front side edge of the envelope. Thus, the front side edge of the envelope is gripped by the gripping elements at the outermost edge area, creating maximum free space between the gripping points of the gripping elements.

[0035] In particular, it is provided that the gripping elements can be moved vertically to the transport plane, preferably in a range starting from the transport plane up to half the height of the goods to be packaged.

[0036] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the gripping elements are directly assigned to the lateral edge of the conveyor belt with regard to their movement along the conveyor belt and preferably the guide devices are movable outside the travel range of the gripping elements, wherein the resulting distance from the conveyor belt is compensated by the length of the guide elements.

[0037] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the lower material web is fed into the transport plane between the infeed belt and the conveyor belt, and that the closing device is movable perpendicular to the transport plane and positioned between the infeed belt and the conveyor belt. This allows a compact design of the packaging machine to be achieved.

[0038] The closing device advantageously comprises at least one upper and one lower sealing bar, in particular two upper and two lower sealing bars, as well as a cutting knife device, wherein preferably one cutting knife of the cutting knife device is movable between the two upper and two lower sealing bars for a separating step. Furthermore, the closing device can advantageously comprise at least one upper and one lower sensing bar, which are arranged adjacent to the one upper and one lower sealing bar. This makes it possible that, after the sealing bars have been opened, the newly formed front side edge of a newly formed envelope can be held until the at least one gripping element for the subsequent envelope production cycle engages it.

[0039] Preferably, a measuring device is provided in front of or at the entrance to the station for forming the envelope. This measuring device detects at least the height and / or length of the packaged goods fed on the infeed belt. The detected data is preferably forwarded to a control device. This control device controls the movement of the at least one gripping element, the movement of the guide devices, and the movement of the closing device, with these movements being adapted to the height and length of the packaged goods.

[0040] After the envelope is created around the packaged goods, the envelope, with the packaged goods still open at the sides, is fed to a further station. This is, in particular, a sewing station, where the open sides of the formed envelope are closed and sewn.

[0041] The invention, as well as further advantageous embodiments and developments thereof, are described and explained in more detail below with reference to the examples shown in the drawings. The features shown in the description and the drawings can be used individually or in any combination according to the invention. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a packaging machine for producing a machine-made package, Fig. 2 a perspective view of a machine-made packaging with a packaged product, Fig. 3 a schematic enlarged view of guide devices for guiding an upper and lower material web, Fig. 4 a schematic side view of a work step in a run-in phase for producing the cover, Fig. 5 a schematic view from above of the work step according to Fig. 4, Fig. 6 a schematic side view of a further work step in the run-in phase, Fig. 7 a schematic side view of a first step in a wrapping phase for producing the envelope, Fig. 8 a schematic side view of a further work step in the enveloping phase, Fig. 9 a schematic view from above of the work step according to Fig. 8, Fig. 10 a schematic side view of a first work step in a run-out phase for producing the cover, Fig. 11 a schematic side view of a further work step in the run-out phase, Fig. 12 a schematic side view of a further work step in the run-out phase, Fig. 13 a schematic view of a further work step in the phase-out phase, and Fig. 14 a schematic side view of a further work step for initiating the running-in phase according to Fig. 4.

[0042] In Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a packaging machine 11. This packaging machine 11 enables the production of a mechanical packaging 12 for a packaged item 14. The mechanical packaging 12 is produced from at least one material web, preferably from two material webs 16, 17.

[0043] In Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the packaging 12. This can be a Fig. 1. The packaged item 14 is, for example, completely wrapped. This packaging 12 has a front side edge 18 and a rear side edge 19. Furthermore, the packaging 12 comprises a left side edge 21 and a right side edge 22. The left and right side edges 21, 22 can be closed by sewing with at least one seam. In addition, a tear perforation can be introduced on one or both side edges 21, 22. The upper material web 16 and the lower material web 17 are connected to one another by the side edges 18, 19, 21, 22. The packaging 12 is preferably closed. Preferably, the material webs 16, 17 are completely connected to one another by the side edges 18, 19, 21, 22. The upper and lower material webs 16, 17 can be made of the same material. For example, a paper material web can be provided.The material web can also be made of multiple layers of paper or paper and plastic. Coated material webs can also be provided, with the coating being water-repellent, for example. The material webs can also consist of a plastic film. Alternatively, it is also possible for the upper material web 17 and the lower material web 16 to be made of different materials.

[0044] For the production of packaging 12 according to Fig. 2, the packaging machine 11 comprises an infeed area 24 with an infeed belt 25. This infeed area 24 is followed by a station 26 for forming an envelope 27. The packaged item 14, with the produced envelope 27 surrounding the packaged item 14, is then fed to a sewing station 28. In this sewing station 28, the side edges 21, 22 are closed. The packaged item 14, with the machine-produced packaging 12, is then guided out of the packaging machine 11, for example onto a discharge belt 32. In addition, a labeling station 29 can be provided in the station 26 for forming an envelope 27. This allows the packaged item 12 to be guided out of the packaging machine 11 ready for shipping.

[0045] A measuring device 31 is provided in the infeed area 24. A packaged item 14 resting on the infeed belt 25 is guided through the measuring device 31. This measuring device 31 records the height and / or length and / or width of the packaged item 14. The recorded data from the packaged item 14 to be packaged are forwarded to a control device (not shown in detail). This control device controls the production of the envelope 27 for the packaged item 14, described below, and the closing of the envelope 27 in the sewing station 28, as well as the labeling station 29, if present.

[0046] The station 26 for forming the cover 27 comprises at least one conveyor belt 33. The infeed belt 25 and the conveyor belt 33 are arranged in a common transport plane. A working gap 34 is formed between the infeed belt 25 and the conveyor belt 33. A lower material web 17 is fed to the station 26 via this working gap 34. Opposite and above, the upper material web 16 is fed to the area of ​​the working gap 34 via deflection rollers (not shown in detail).

[0047] Furthermore, a closing device 36 is assigned to the working gap 34. This closing device 36 is described below using the schematically detailed illustration in Fig. 13 is discussed in more detail.

[0048] Furthermore, an application device 46 is provided in the working gap 34 for applying an adhesive to an inner side of the upper and / or lower material webs 16, 17. The application device 46 preferably has two nozzles, through which a line of glue is applied, preferably at a predetermined distance, during a travel movement transverse to the conveyor belt 33. A separating step takes place between the two lines of glue in order to separate the fold 27 formed by the rear side edge 19 from the material webs 16, 17.

[0049] A gripping device 48 is assigned to the conveyor belt 33. This gripping device 48 comprises at least one gripping element 49. Preferably, two gripping elements 49 are provided. The gripping elements 49 are positioned laterally adjacent to the conveyor belt 33. Preferably, a gripping element 49 is assigned to each side edge of the conveyor belt 33. The gripping device 48 comprises one or more carriages 51, whereby each gripping element 49 can be moved in and against a transport direction of the conveyor belt 33. The travel path of the at least one carriage 51 extends along and advantageously over at least half the length of the conveyor belt 33. A support element 52 is arranged on the at least one carriage 51 and is oriented perpendicular to the transport plane of the conveyor belt 33. The gripping element 49 arranged therein can be moved and adjusted in height relative to the transport plane along the support element 52.The gripping element 49 advantageously comprises two gripping jaws by which at least the front side edge 18 is gripped and the material webs 16, 17 can be moved in the transport direction along the conveyor belt 33.

[0050] In Fig. 3 shows a schematically enlarged view of station 26. In this station 26, the cover 27 is formed. For forming the cover 27, at least one guide device 54, 55 is provided. The Fig. 4 shows a further view of the at least one guide device 54, 55 for forming the envelope 27. Preferably, a front guide device 54 and a rear guide device 55 are provided. The front guide device 54 is understood to be the one positioned ahead in the transport direction. The guide device 54, 55 each comprises a guide arm 56 that is aligned perpendicular to the transport plane. At least one guide element 57, preferably two guide elements 57, 58, is provided on this guide arm 56. The guide elements 57, 58 can be adjusted in height relative to the transport plane of the conveyor belt 33 by means of a guide 59 on the guide arm 56. Advantageously, the height of the upper guide element 57 is variable. This enables adaptation for guiding the upper material web 16 depending on the height of the packaged item 14.The lower guide element 58 can also be fixed to the guide arm 56. This lower guide element 58 is positioned slightly above the transport plane to guide the lower material web 17 along the conveyor belt 33. A further guide element 61 can be located above the upper guide element 57. This further guide element 61 can be pivoted toward the upper guide element 57 or positioned aligned with it, so that a defined guidance of the upper material web 16 is provided between the upper guide element 57 and the further guide element 61.

[0051] The guide elements 57, 58 can be rod-shaped, pin-shaped, formed by rollers, or the like. According to a preferred embodiment, the upper guide element 57 can be formed as a pin, and the further guide element 61 can be formed by two adjacent rollers, so that the upper guide element 57 formed as a pin is positioned between the two rollers of the further guide element 61. The further guide element 58 can also be formed as a pin.

[0052] The guide elements 57, 58 are advantageously pivotable, in particular about an axis perpendicular to the transport plane, on the guide arm 56, so that they can be positioned in a rest position outside an area of ​​the material webs 16, 17. In a working position or pivoted-in position of the guide elements 57, 58, they each guide an edge area of ​​the material web 16, 17. The additional guide element 61 can, in a different embodiment, be pivoted from above toward the upper material web 16.

[0053] The two opposing guide arms 56, which are assigned to the conveyor belt 33, each form a guide device 54, 55. Preferably, the front guide device 54 and the rear guide device 55 are independently controlled to be movable in and against the transport direction of the conveyor belt 33. This allows at least the guide elements 57, 58 to be individually moved to the format of the packaged goods 14 to be packaged and aligned to guide the material web 16, 17. The drives for controlling the movement of the front guide device 54 and the rear guide device 55 are not shown in detail.

[0054] In the Fig. 4 to 6 schematically illustrate work steps during a run-in phase of the packaged goods 14 for the production of the envelope 27. The Fig. 4 shows a schematic side view for a start of the packaging process. Fig. 5 shows a top view of the Fig. 4. The packaged item 14 rests on the infeed belt 25. The closing device 36 is assigned to the working gap 34. The upper material web 16 and the lower material web 12 are deflected by respective deflection rollers 62 and connected to one another to form the front side edge 18. The at least one gripping element 49 engages this front side edge. The gripping element 49 or the front side edge 18 are positioned at a height relative to the transport plane that corresponds to half the height of the packaged item 14 wrapped in a previous packaging process. Once the packaging process is started, the at least one gripping element 49 is positioned at a desired value above the transport plane. The packaged item 14 is discharged on the conveyor belt 33 with the finished wrap 27.Of the front and rear guide devices 54, only the upper guide element 57 and the lower guide element 58 are shown schematically. These are, for example, in a starting position. The lower guide elements 58 of the front and rear guide devices 54, 55 are preferably aligned with the transport plane, and the upper guide element 57 is positioned adjacent to or adjacent to the lower guide element 58.

[0055] From the top view Fig. 5 shows that the width of the packaged goods 14 is smaller than the width of the conveyor belt 33. Advantageously, the width of the material webs 16, 17 can correspond to the width of the conveyor belt 33; preferably, the material webs 16, 17 are wider than the conveyor belt 33. Alternatively, the widest material web 16, 17 can also be smaller, provided that the width of the packaged goods 14 allows this. Fig. 5 it can also be seen that two gripping elements 49 each engage an opposite outer section of the side edge 18 of the material webs 16, 17 and are guided along outside the conveyor belt 33.

[0056] In a subsequent step according to Fig. 6, the upper and lower sealing bars 37, 38 and preferably the sensing bars 42, 43 are moved apart. The lower sealing bars 38 and the lower sensing bar 43 are moved into the working gap 34, in particular slightly below the transport plane. The front side edge 18 of the material webs 16, 17 is lowered onto the transport plane. The at least one gripping element 49 is controlled by a corresponding movement. In this position, in which the side edge 18 is positioned in the transport plane, the insertion of the packaged item 14 between the material webs 16, 17 is controlled. The packaged item 14 can thereby be easily transferred to the lower material web 17.

[0057] In the Fig. Figures 7 to 9 schematically illustrate further steps for forming the cover 27. These steps take place in the wrapping phase. This wrapping phase follows seamlessly on from the run-in phase. Advantageously, the run-in phase transitions seamlessly into the wrapping phase.

[0058] In Fig. 7, the packaged item 14 is transported further so that the working gap 34 is at least partially traversed. At this point in time, the working gap 34 is covered by the material web 17. At least one gripping element 49 is still moved along the transport plane. The guide elements 57, 58 of the rear guide device have already been pivoted in so that they are positioned between the upper and lower material webs 16, 17. At this stage, the upper and lower material webs 16, 17 are already being guided by these guide elements 57, 58. The upper guide element 57 is increasingly moved upwards perpendicular to the transport plane. As a result, the upper material web 16 is opened more quickly than the lower material web 17, thus facilitating the insertion of the packaged item 14.

[0059] In Fig. Figure 8 schematically shows a further step of the wrapping phase. The packaged item 14 is completely positioned between the upper and lower material webs 16, 17. The front guide device 54 has also been activated in the meantime, so that the guide elements 57, 58 are positioned between the material webs 16, 17. Starting from the step according to Fig. 7, the at least one gripping element 49 is in the step according to Fig. 8 with increasing insertion of the packaged goods 14 between the two material webs 16, 17, in addition to the movement in the transport direction, also in height relative to the transport plane. At the end of the step according to Fig. 8 and at the beginning of the following step in Fig. 10, the front side edge 18 is raised by at least one gripping element 49 to half the height of the packaged goods 14. This control is carried out individually according to the height of the packaged goods 14 detected in the inlet area 24.

[0060] In Fig. 9 is a schematic view of the working step according to Fig. 8. This shows that, for example, two gripping elements 49 are aligned with the respective outer side of the conveyor belt 33. The guide elements 57, 58 are shown in the working position, i.e., the material webs 16, 17 are guided by these guide elements 57, 58. At the same time, the material webs 16, 17 are shaped in preparation for the formation of the cover 27.

[0061] In the Fig. Figures 10 to 14 show schematic work steps of a run-out phase. This run-out phase follows the enveloping phase.

[0062] In Fig. 10 schematically shows a first step for forming a rear side edge 19 for the cover 27. By means of an application device 46, at least one adhesive, in particular two parallel glue lines, is applied, for example, to the inside of the lower material web 17. In this case, a travel movement from one side edge of the conveyor belt 33 to the opposite side edge of the conveyor belt 33 is controlled. In this process step as well as in the subsequent process steps according to Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, the conveyor belt 33 is stopped. The packaged goods 14 are thus positioned at rest on the conveyor belt 33. The guide elements 57, 58 of the front and rear guide devices 54, 55 are assigned to the respective corner areas of the packaged goods 14 and remain in this position to form the envelope 27.

[0063] The Fig. 11 shows a further process step in which the envelope 27 is closed. The upper and lower material webs 16, 17 are pressed together by the sealing bars 37, 38 so that they are glued together. While the rear side edge 19 is being formed, the packaging 12 can be labeled simultaneously using the labeling station 29. During this step for forming the rear side edge 19 of the envelope 27, the guide elements 57, 58 are preferably still in the working position. These guide elements 57, 58 can be moved into a rest position after the upper and lower material webs 16, 17 have been pressed together, so that they are positioned outside the material webs 16, 17.

[0064] In Fig. 12 shows a further method step in which the formed envelope 27 is separated from the material webs 16, 17. The closing device 36 has two upper sealing bars 37 and two lower sealing bars 38. These are fed towards one another to glue the material webs 16, 17. The front, opposing sealing bars 37, 38, which are directly associated with the packaged item 14, glue the rear side edge 19. The rear, opposing sealing bars 37, 38 glue a new front side edge 64 for a new envelope 65. The closing device 36 further comprises a cutting blade device 39 with at least one cutting blade 41. This is fed between the two pairs of sealing bars 37, 38 and a separating step is introduced.

[0065] In a subsequent step according to Fig. 13, the upper sealing bars 37 and the lower sealing bars 38 are opened. The packaged goods 14 with the formed envelope 27 are removed via the conveyor belt 33. The guide elements 57, 58 of the front and rear guide devices 54, 55 are returned to their rest position. After the sealing bars 37, 38 have been opened, the newly formed front side edge 64 is held in place by sensing bars 42, 43. At least one gripping element 49 is released from the front side edge 18 of the already produced envelope 27 and moved toward the newly formed side edge 64.

[0066] In Fig. 14 shows, on the one hand, the end of the run-out phase of the formed cover 27 and, on the other hand, the beginning of the run-in phase for the formation of the subsequent, new cover 65. The gripping element 49 engages the newly formed side edge 64. Subsequently, the sensing bars 42, 43 are moved apart. Following this, the step according to Fig. 5 so that a new envelope 65 can be produced for a new 12 package.

Claims

[1] Method for producing a machine-made packaging (12) from at least one material web (16, 17) for a packaged item (14), - in which the packaging material (14) is fed to a conveyor belt (33) by means of an infeed belt (25) in a station for forming an envelope (27), in which the envelope (27) is placed around the packaging material (14), wherein an upper and a lower material web (16, 17) form the envelope (27), - in which an end of the upper and lower material webs (16, 17) aligned in the transport direction of the conveyor belt (33) forms a front side edge (18) which is gripped by at least one gripping element (49) of a gripping device (48), - in which, in a feed-in phase, the packaged goods (14) are fed to the conveyor belt (33) and the gripping device (48) is moved along the conveyor belt (33), - in which, in a wrapping phase following the infeed phase, the packaged goods (14) are inserted between the upper and lower material webs (16, 17), - in which, in a discharge phase following the wrapping phase, the material webs (16, 17) are brought together behind the packaged goods (14) as seen in the transport direction and are joined and cut together by a closing device (36) to form a rear side edge (19), characterized by , - that at least during the infeed phase and the wrapping phase, the front side edge (18) is moved in the transport direction by the at least one gripping element (49), and - that at least in the wrapping phase, at least one guide element (57, 58) of a front and rear guide device (54, 55) is positioned between the upper and lower material webs (16, 17) in a guide position, trailing the at least one gripping element (49), at least in such a way that the upper and lower material webs (16, 17) are guided in a clamped manner for introducing the packaged goods (14). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that before or in the infeed phase, a height and / or a length and / or a width of the packaged goods (14) is detected and subsequently, depending on the at least one detected dimension or the two or three detected dimensions of the packaged goods (14), the at least one gripping element (49), the guide elements (57, 58) and the closing device (36) are controlled to form the envelope (27). [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat at the beginning of the run-in phase, the gripped front side edge (18) of the material webs (16, 17) is positioned in the transport plane of the conveyor belt (33) by the at least one gripping element (49) and is moved along this transport plane during the run-in phase. [4] Method according to claim 3, characterized by that the at least one gripping element (49) which can be moved in the transport direction is raised at the beginning or during the wrapping phase relative to the transport plane to a height relative to the transport plane which corresponds to an average height of the packaged goods (14). [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the front and rear guide devices (54, 55) each comprise at least one guide arm (56) with the at least one guide element (57, 58, 61), wherein each guide device (54, 55) comprises at least two opposing guide arms (56), which are each aligned with the lateral edge of the material web (16, 17), so that the at least one guide element (57, 58, 61) is transferred on the guide arms (56) from a rest position outside the material webs (16, 17) into the guide position between the upper and lower material webs (16, 17). [6] Method according to claim 5, characterized by that at least two guide elements (57, 58) are provided on each guide arm (56), which are moved from a rest position into the guide position at the beginning of or during the wrapping phase. [7] Method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized bythat at least one guide element (57) or the upper of the two guide elements (57, 58) is positioned in height along the guide arm (56) relative to the transport plane, wherein after detecting the height of the packaged goods (14), the at least one or the upper guide element (57) is moved to the height, relative to the transport plane, of an upper end edge or end face of the packaged goods (14) or higher. [8] Method according to claims 5 to 7, characterized by that the lower guide element (58) is positioned on the guide arm (56) at the same height and aligned with the transport plane of the conveyor belt. [9] Method according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized by that the guide arms (56) of the front and rear guide devices (54, 55) are moved to a distance from one another after the guide elements (57, 58) have been transferred into the guide position, which distance corresponds to the detected length of the packaged goods (14). [10] Method according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized by that the at least one upper and lower guide element (57, 58) of the opposing guide arms (56) are moved by the front and rear guide devices (54, 55) during the wrapping phase in such a way that firstly the guide elements (57, 58) of the front guide device (54) are positioned aligned with the leading corner regions of the packaged goods (14) and, depending on the feeding of the packaged goods (14) between the upper and lower material webs (16, 17), the upper and lower guide elements (57, 58) of the rear guide device (55) are fed and positioned in the direction of the trailing corner regions of the packaged goods. [11] Method according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized bythat the guide elements (57, 58) of the front and rear guide devices (54, 55) are moved in the guide position, in particular together with the packaged goods (14), along the conveyor belt (33) until the material webs (16, 17) are transferred in the run-out phase by the closing device (36) so that they lie against one another to form a rear side edge (19). [12] Method according to one of claims 5 to 11, characterized by that the guide elements (57, 58) of the front and rear guide devices (54, 55) are transferred at the beginning of the run-out phase or in the run-out phase into the rest position in which the guide elements (57, 58) are positioned outside the material webs (16, 17). [13] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat between the wrapping phase and the run-out phase or at the beginning of the run-out phase, before the material webs (16, 17) are brought together by the closing device (36), an adhesive, in particular an adhesive strip, is applied by an application device (46) to at least one inner side of the upper and / or lower material web (16, 17). [14] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at the beginning of the run-out phase the closing device (36) is closed to form a rear side edge (19), wherein at least one upper and one lower sealing bar (37, 38) of the closing device (36), preferably two upper sealing bars and two lower sealing bars (38) of the closing device (36), are moved towards one another in order to press the upper and lower material webs (16, 17) together and to connect them to one another. [15] Method according to claim 14, characterized bythat during or after the material webs (16, 17) are pressed together, a separating cut is made by a cutting knife device (39) of the closing device (36), wherein at the same time a rear side edge (19) closing the formed cover (27) and a new front side edge (64) for a new cover (65) to be formed are formed. [16] Method according to claim 15, characterized by that the rear side edge (19) of the envelope (27) is held fixed by the upper and lower sealing bars (37, 38) of the closing device (36), which are assigned to the packaged goods (14), and that the new front side edge (64) for a newly formed envelope (65) is held by the further upper and lower sealing bars (37, 38) of the closing device (36), which are aligned with the infeed belt (24). [17] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat at the end of the run-out phase after the separation of the material webs (16, 17), the at least one gripping element (49) is released from the front side edge (18) of the formed cover (27) and is transferred to the front new side edge (64) of the cover (65) to be newly formed for gripping. [18] Method according to claim 17, characterized by in that the closing device (36) has at least two sensing bars (42, 43) which engage the newly formed front side edge (64) and by means of which the new front side edge (64) is held while the sealing bars (37, 38) of the closing device (36) are opened, so that the newly formed front side edge (64) is held in a gripping position until the newly formed front side edge (64) is gripped by the at least one gripping element (49). [19] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the travel speed of the at least one gripping element (49) with the gripped, front side edge (18) of the envelope (27) to be formed is controlled to be equal to the travel speed of the packaging material (14) on the conveyor belt (33). [20] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that from the beginning of the infeed phase through the wrapping phase to the outfeed phase, the at least one gripping element (49) engages the closed front side edge (18) and this is moved in the transport direction by the at least one gripping element (49), and that the travel movement of the at least one gripping element (49) and a drive movement of the conveyor belt (33) is stopped in the outfeed phase in order to form the closed rear side edge (19) of the envelope (27) and to introduce a separating step. [21] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the upper and lower material webs (16, 17) made of paper, a paper-like composite material or a plastic film or a coated paper-like material are used to produce the cover (27). [22] Packaging machine for producing a mechanical packaging from at least one material web (16, 17) for a packaged item (14), - with at least one station (26) for forming an envelope (27) surrounding the packaged goods (14), wherein an upper and a lower material web (16, 17) forms the envelope (27), and which comprises at least one infeed belt (24) for feeding the packaged goods (14) onto a conveyor belt (33), - with at least one gripping element (49) of a gripping device (48) which is designed to grip a front side edge (18) of the upper and lower material webs (16, 17) and is movable in the transport direction at least along the conveyor belt (33), - with a closing device (36) by means of which the upper and lower material webs (16, 17) placed around the packaged goods (14) can be closed opposite the front side edge (18) in the transport direction and form a rear side edge (19), characterized by - that the at least one gripping element (49) is driven to be movable along the conveyor belt (33), and - that a front and rear guide device (54, 55) each comprises at least one guide element (57, 58) which can be positioned in a guide position between the upper and lower material webs (16, 17) so that the upper and lower material webs (16, 17) are guided in a clamped manner during a wrapping phase in which the packaged goods (14) can be positioned between the upper and lower material webs (16, 17). [23] Packaging machine according to claim 22, characterized byin that the front and rear guide devices (54, 55) each have at least one guide arm (56) with at least one guide element (57, 58), wherein each guide device (54, 55) comprises two opposing guide arms (56), which are each aligned with the side edge of the material web (16, 17) and preferably receive the at least one guide element (57, 58). [24] Packaging machine according to claim 22 or 23, characterized by that the at least one guide element (57, 58) can be transferred from a rest position, in which the at least one guide element (57, 58) is positioned outside the material webs (16, 17), into the guide position, in particular can be moved by a pivoting movement or a moving movement transversely to the transport direction, and preferably the guide elements (57, 58) are designed as a rod, a pin, a roller or a sliding element. [25] Packaging machine according to one of claims 22 to 24, characterized by that at least two guide elements (57, 58) are provided on each guide arm (56), wherein the at least one guide element (57, 58) is guided displaceably on the guide arm (56), and a distance between the guide elements (57, 58) provided on the guide arm (56) is adjustable. [26] Packaging machine according to one of claims 23 to 25, characterized by that the guide arms (56) are aligned perpendicular to the transport plane, and preferably the lower guide element (58) is arranged at a fixed height to the transport plane and the upper guide element (57) is adaptable to the height of the packaged goods (14) by means of a guide. [27] Packaging machine according to one of claims 23 to 26, characterized bythat the guide arms (56) of the front guide device (54) and / or the guide arms (56) of the rear guide device (55) can be moved independently of one another in and against the transport direction. [28] Packaging machine according to one of claims 22 to 27, characterized by that a further guide element (61) is assigned to the upper guide element (57), so that the upper material web (16) is guided between the upper guide element (57) and the further guide element (61). [29] Packaging machine according to one of claims 22 to 28, characterized bythat the gripping device (48) has two gripping elements (49) which are opposite one another and assigned to the conveyor belt (33) and which can be moved at least along the conveyor belt (33), and preferably the gripping elements (49) are aligned with the conveyor belt (33) in such a way that the gripping elements (49) are aligned in the direction of the conveyor belt (33) for gripping the front side edge (18) of the envelope (27). [30] Packaging machine according to claim 29, characterized by that the gripping elements (49) are controlled to be movable in height perpendicular to the transport plane, preferably in a range starting from the transport plane up to half the height of the goods to be packaged (14) or higher. [31] Packaging machine according to one of claims 22 to 30, characterized bythat the lower material web (17) is fed into the transport plane between the infeed belt (25) and the conveyor belt (33) and the closing device (36) is positioned perpendicular to the transport plane and movable between the infeed belt (25) and the conveyor belt (33). [32] Packaging machine according to one of claims 22 to 31, characterized by that the closing device (36) comprises at least one, preferably two, upper sealing bars (37) and lower sealing bars (38) and a cutting knife device (39), which can preferably be positioned between the two upper and the two lower sealing bars (37, 38), and preferably an upper and lower sensing bar (41, 42), which is respectively assigned to the at least one upper and lower sealing bar (37, 38). [33] Packaging machine according to one of claims 22 to 32, characterized bythat a measuring device (31) is provided in front of or at the entrance to the station (26) for forming the envelope (27), which detects the height and / or the width and / or the length of the packaging material (14) fed on the infeed belt (25). [34] Packaging machine according to one of claims 22 to 33, characterized by that a sewing station (28), which is arranged downstream of the station (26) for forming the turn-up (27), closes and sews the open side edges (21, 22) of the formed turn-up (27).

Images