METHOD FOR PROCESSING A FOIL HOSE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for processing a film tube, in particular a film tube cover for a medical device.

[0002] A device and a method for producing a tubular film covering having applications along its longitudinal extent for protecting a medical device is known from DE 20 2021 101 682 U1.

[0003] In the known method, in a first step, an unfolded and unprocessed film tube, i.e. a film tube which has no applications, is folded telescopically. One end of a film tube is placed against at least one folding aid, the fold being created by repeatedly folding the film tube section by section against the folding aid. In particular, the end of the film tube is placed with one layer against an upper or lower side of the at least one folding aid. The layer is then fixed to the at least one folding aid. Subsequently, the lower or upper layer of the tube is folded against an edge of the folding aid to form a first or further fold. After the fold has been created, the folded end is pulled off the at least one folding aid. The process is repeated several times until the desired number of folds is achieved.The folds are produced to specifications with different fold depths, depending on the applications to be applied. Markings are applied to the folding aid to adjust the fold depth. The folding can be performed manually or automatically.

[0004] In a second step, the telescopically folded film tube is applied with appliqués. For this purpose, one end of the folded film tube is clamped into a folding device and unfolded at least until a fold is reached where an appliqué is to be applied. Appliqués are then applied to or into a film web in predetermined fold sections defined by the folds.

[0005] To apply the applications, an application aid can be inserted into the unfolded film tube, as is known, for example, from DE 20 2021 101 686 U1. The folded film tube is either pulled over the application aid or the application aid is inserted into the film tube.

[0006] According to DE 2021 101 686 U1, it is provided that the application aid can be brought into a first, folded state in which it has a cross-sectional area that is smaller than a cross-sectional area of ​​the film tube, wherein the application aid can be inserted into the film tube in the first, folded state or the film tube can be pulled over the application aid and wherein the application aid can be brought into a second state inside the film tube, forming the working surface, in which the application aid has a cross-section that essentially corresponds to the cross-section of the stretched film tube.

[0007] After the applications have been applied, the film tube containing the applications is folded back in a third step using the folding device known from DE 20 2021 101 682 U1 or manually.

[0008] The method comprising the steps of first folding the film tube without applications, subsequent unfolding of the film tube to apply the applications, applying the applications to the pre-folded film tube and folding back the film tube with the applications has the advantage that the folding back with applications can be carried out easily and precisely even by inexperienced personnel due to the previously introduced fold lines.

[0009] However, the film tube is subjected to stress due to the multiple folding, which can lead to damage in the area of ​​the fold lines when the film tube is used, e.g., to protect a surgical robot arm.

[0010] WO 2009 / 077176 A1 relates to a film tube cover for medical devices in the form of a film tube with a tuck-in fold. The film tube has an open and a closed end section and a sterile and a non-sterile side. The film tube cover has an adhesive surface on the outside of the closed end section, on the non-sterile side, to which the medical device is attached. No appliqués are attached along the tuck-in fold.

[0011] WO 2011 / 059413 A1 relates to a method and a device for producing a cover with a telescopic fold. A tube is unrolled from a roll and placed over a first set of plate-shaped folding aids, which are arranged with a second set of plate-shaped folding aids so that they can be displaced relative to one another to create the telescopic fold. This device is not suitable for folding a cover with appliqués.

[0012] US 3,698,791 A relates to a cover for protecting a medical device such as a microscope. The cover consists of a substantially elongated blank made of a thin, preferably transparent, polymer film material. From the flat blank, a substantially tubular element is formed by welding longitudinal edges. The element has a first, open end and a second end, which has one or more cylindrical extensions dimensioned to engage telescopically with the eyepieces of a microscope. Applied to the film are applications in the form of thin, flexible, elongated binding strips made of a material from which the film is made. The strips are attached to the outer surface of the film, for example, using double-sided adhesive tape.Producing the blank, applying the appliqués to the blank, and then welding the blank to form the tubular element is time-consuming and costly. The weld seam can be the cause of leaks.

[0013] US 2004 / 0040262 A1 relates to an apparatus and method for packaging products of different sizes. The apparatus comprises a conveyor for transporting the products to be packaged from a product loading section to an end section of a product packaging holder. Means are further provided for detecting the dimensions of each product to be packaged. The apparatus further comprises means for automatically selecting a bag dispensing device from the plurality of bag dispensing devices depending on the detected product dimensions.

[0014] The subject of DE 20 2020 106 630 U1 is a folded color protection film.

[0015] JP 2008037441 A relates to a label film that is folded into a flat shape and wound into a roll.

[0016] DE 196 03 675 A1 relates to a method and a device for checking weld seams of packaging containers.

[0017] US 4,176,746 refers to a packaging with a bag-like structure.

[0018] According to EP 1 373 073 B2, a film tube is pulled from a roll. Cuts are made to provide packaging for a specified quantity of products.

[0019] A vacuum table for feeding flat material can be found in DE 36 30 363 A1.

[0020] Based on this, the present invention is based on the object of developing a method for processing a film tube in such a way that processing, applications and folding can be carried out with high precision and in a way that protects the material.

[0021] The problem is solved according to the invention by a method for processing a film tube, in particular a film tube cover for a medical device, comprising the method steps: Providing the unfolded film tube, holding the unfolded film tube on an application aid in the form of a handling device comprising a base for holding the film tube and a working head movable above the film tube in an XY plane as a handling unit, providing at least one piece of information for processing the film tube by the application aid, wherein the type of processing is displayed by the application aid and the position displayed by the application aid is transferred to the film tube by an operator or the displayed type of processing is carried out by the operator at the displayed position or wherein the at least one piece of information for processing the film tube is stored in the handling device and the processing is carried out automatically by the handling device according to the provided information,wherein the processing comprises applying applications to the unfolded film tube and wherein the unfolded film tube is folded for the first time after the processing step of applying.

[0022] In the film tube processed according to the invention, the folds are made only once. The folds can be applied with high precision thanks to the markings. Since the folding is performed only once, the process is particularly gentle on the material. A first fold of the unprocessed film tube, a second fold (unfolding) of the unprocessed film tube for processing, and a third fold (refolding) of the processed film tube, as is common in the prior art, is not absolutely necessary. According to the invention, the first fold is made after the applications have been applied.

[0023] According to the invention, the information for processing the film tube is provided by the application aid. This significantly simplifies subsequent manual or mechanical processing of the film tube.

[0024] Preferably, the at least one piece of information provided by the application aid is a position and / or a type of processing.

[0025] According to a first embodiment, the position and / or type of processing can be displayed by the application aid, wherein the position displayed by the application aid is transferred to the film tube by an operator, or wherein the displayed type of processing is carried out by the operator at the displayed position. By displaying the information, film tubes can be processed very flexibly and precisely at different positions according to the displayed information.

[0026] According to a second embodiment, the position and / or type of processing can be stored in the application aid, wherein the position stored in the application aid is transferred to the film tube by the application aid or wherein the stored type of processing is carried out by the application aid in the stored position.

[0027] By transferring or applying at least one film tube-specific piece of information to the unfolded film tube, the advantage is achieved compared to the prior art that both the processing of the film tube at predefined positions and the initial folding of the processed film tube are simplified.

[0028] Particularly preferably, the processing step comprises marking the film tube to indicate the position of the processing, a fold line and / or a written and / or graphic symbol, wherein the marking of the film tube is preferably carried out by printing, drawing and / or lasering.

[0029] Preferably, the processing step comprises cutting at least one layer of the film tube, wherein the cutting comprises in particular cutting into or cutting out a section of at least one layer of the film tube.

[0030] A further preferred embodiment provides that the processing step comprises a surface activation in the form of a physical, chemical and / or mechanical treatment and / or cleaning.

[0031] Furthermore, the processing step can comprise applying an adhesive, in particular an adhesive and / or an adhesive tape, such as double-sided adhesive tape, wherein surface activation can occur beforehand. Particularly preferably, the application step comprises applying an application from the group comprising at least one holding means, such as an instrument holder, a stiffener, a reinforcement, an adapter, a transfer port, a cable tie, a magnet, a marker, or a handle, to the film tube.

[0032] The process step of applying preferably comprises a connection, such as gluing, welding or clamping and / or pressing the application.

[0033] Particularly preferably, the film tube is folded along the marked fold lines after processing, in particular after the application step. The folding can preferably be carried out in the form of a telescopic fold or a compression fold using a folding device known from DE 20 2021 101 682 U1. In the case of telescopic folding, it is preferably provided that it is carried out with different folding depths.

[0034] Alternatively, it is provided that the film tube is rolled up after processing, in particular the process steps of marking, cutting, surface activation and / or applying the adhesive, but before the process step of applying the applications.

[0035] Finally, the film tube undergoes a quality control inspection, preferably optically, before and / or after folding. In particular, the fold depths of the individual folds, as well as the fold lines and defects in the film, are optically recorded, digitally detected, and inspected.

[0036] It is particularly noteworthy that a preferably flat surface, such as a table or board, is used as an application aid to hold the film tube, with the at least one piece of information being displayed on or by the surface in the form of markings, such as a scale or a template. The markings can be in the form of optoelectronic markings or a light table.

[0037] As an application aid, a handling device will be used, comprising a preferably flat base, such as a table, for holding the film tube and a handling unit with preferably interchangeable processing units purely by way of example from the group of cutting, marking, activation, testing and / or gluing units for processing the film tube, wherein the at least one item of information for processing the film tube is stored in the handling device and the processing is carried out automatically by the handling device.

[0038] An XY workstation can be used as a handling device, with a work table of the XY workstation forming the base and the work head, which can be controlled in the XY direction, forming the handling unit.

[0039] A vacuum table is preferably used as the base, with the film tube being fixed in its laid-out, flat form on the vacuum table by generating a vacuum. The vacuum fixation ensures that both layers of the film tube lie very flat and even, i.e. essentially free of wrinkles, on the vacuum table, so that the table is prepared for further processing steps. In addition, the vacuum table enables the use of a film tube, since by fixing the lower layer, the upper layer of the film tube is also fixed at the same time. Subsequent welding of two layers is not necessary. The vacuum table preferably has a circulating air-permeable conveyor belt, such as a fleece belt, by means of which the film tube can be fixed and transported by generating a vacuum.

[0040] Further details, advantages and features of the invention emerge not only from the claims and the features derived therefrom - individually and / or in combination - but also from the following description of preferred embodiments derived from the drawings and their explanations.

[0041] The single figure shows a method sequence for processing a film coating, wherein a handling device is used as an application aid, comprising a preferably flat base, such as a table, for holding the film tube and a handling unit for processing the film tube, wherein the at least one item of information for processing the film tube is stored in the handling device and the processing is carried out automatically by the handling device.

[0042] In a first step S1, an unfolded film tube is prepared. This can be done, for example, by fully automated, continuous extrusion in a clean room. High precision and minimized risk of contamination are ensured. The film tube can be prepared continuously, preferably unrolled from a roll, or in sections in cut-to-length form.

[0043] In a second step S2, the film tube is laid flat and stretched out on the support and held by it. The support is a vacuum table with an air-permeable protective layer, such as a nonwoven layer, on top. Air channels are formed beneath the protective layer and connected to a vacuum device. Thus, the film tube is secured to the vacuum table by means of a vacuum. The nonwoven layer can be designed as a circumferential belt for transporting the film tube.

[0044] The handling device is a high-precision XY workstation featuring a work head that can be moved above the film tube in an XY plane. The processing head can accommodate one or more processing units in the form of a cutting unit, marking unit, inspection unit, and / or processing unit for physical, chemical, and / or mechanical processing to process the film tube.

[0045] In a third step S3, the film tube secured to the vacuum table is marked using the marking unit. According to predefined positions, film-specific information is applied to a layer of the film tube in the form of markings for fold line positions, processing positions, and / or other information in the form of text or images.

[0046] In a further step S4, the film tube is processed at the marked positions. The processing may include processing steps from the group of cutting, such as incising, cutting out, and / or trimming, surface activation in the form of physical, chemical, and / or mechanical processing, cleaning, applying an adhesive, in particular an adhesive and / or an adhesive tape, and / or quality inspection.

[0047] Using the cutting unit, openings for the applications are cut into the laid-out film tube as required. The handling unit of the high-precision XY workstation can be set so that the cutting unit makes cuts with such precision that only the upper layer of the film tube is cut. The cutting unit can also be set so that both layers are cut in a single cut. Depending on the application, films with different material thicknesses are used, preferably in the range of 40 µm to 60 µm, particularly preferably 55 µm. A protective film or intermediate film can preferably be inserted into the film tube to protect the lower layer.

[0048] After carrying out the preparatory processing steps such as marking, cutting, surface activation and / or applying adhesive such as double-sided adhesive tape, the film tube can be rolled up for transport and further processing in a further, but alternative, process step S5.

[0049] Following processing step S4 or alternatively S5, in a further processing step S6, at least one application from the group comprising at least one holding means, such as an instrument holder, a stiffener, a reinforcement, an adapter, a transfer port, a cable tie, a magnet, a marker, or a handle, is applied to the film tube. The applications are applied to the marked positions either manually or automatically.

[0050] The marking according to step S3, the processing according to step S4, the rolling up according to step S5 and the application of the applications according to step S6 preferably take place in the same clean room environment.

[0051] After the appliqués have been applied, the first folding of the film tube containing the appliqués takes place in step S7. According to the invention, this is the first folding of the film tube. The folding can be performed manually or using a device such as that described in German Utility Model DE 20 2021 101 682 U1. The folds are made at defined, preferably different, fold depths according to the markings on the film tube and / or markings on the folding device.

[0052] After folding the film tube, a final inspection optionally takes place in step S8. The various fold depths are checked using a fluoroscopy method or optoelectronic, digital detection, preferably using camera-assisted testing and computer-based evaluation. Optionally, further processing, such as welding and / or cutting, can be performed. In this process step, for example, a handling aid can be attached to one end of the tube, allowing the folded film tube to be easily pulled over a medical device, such as a robotic arm.

[0053] In a process step S9, the film tube containing the applications is packaged and subsequently sterilized.

Claims

1. A method for processing a tubular film, in particular a tubular film cover for a medical device, comprising the method steps: - Providing an unfolded tubular film, - Holding the unfolded tubular film on an application aid in the form of a handling device, comprising a base surface for holding the tubular film and a working head, movable in an X-Y plane above the tubular film, as the handling unit, - Providing at least one item of information for processing the unfolded tubular film by the application aid, wherein the type of processing is indicated by the application aid and the position indicated by the application aid is transferred by an operator to the unfolded tubular film, or the type of processing indicated is performed by the operator at the position indicated, or wherein the at least one item of information for processing the unfolded tubular film is saved in the handling device and processing is performed automatically by the handling device in accordance with the item of information provided, - wherein processing comprises applying applications onto the unfolded tubular film and - wherein the unfolded tubular film is folded for the first time after the processing step of applying applications.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one item of information is a position and / or a type of processing.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the position and / or the type of processing is / are indicated by the application aid, wherein the position indicated by the application aid is transferred by an operator onto the tubular film or wherein the type of processing indicated is performed by the operator at said position.

4. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position and / or the type of processing is / are saved in the application aid, wherein the position saved in the application aid is transferred by the application aid onto the tubular film or wherein the type of processing saved is performed by the application aid in the position saved.

5. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method step of processing comprises marking of the tubular film for identification of the position of processing, of a fold line and / or of a character and / or symbol, wherein the tubular film is marked preferably by printing, drawing and / or lasering.

6. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method step of processing comprises cutting of at least one layer of the tubular film, wherein cutting comprises in particular cutting into the at least one layer of the tubular film or cutting out a section therefrom.

7. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method step of processing comprises a surface activation in the form of physical, chemical and / or mechanical processing and / or cleaning of the at least one layer of the tubular film.

8. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method step of processing comprises application of an adhesive means, in particular of an adhesive and / or of an adhesive tape, such as double-sided adhesive tape, onto the at least one layer of the tubular film.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the application is selected from the group at least comprising a holding means, such as an instrument holder, a stiffener, a reinforcement, an adapter, a transfer opening (port), a cable tie, a magnet, a marking or a handle on the tubular film.

10. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method step of application comprises connection, such as glueing, welding, clamping and / or pressing, of the application to the tubular film.

11. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method step of folding comprises telescopic folding, and that telescopic folding is performed preferably with differing folding depths.

12. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular film is rolled up after marking, cutting, surface activation and / or application of the adhesive surface.

13. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular film is subjected to a quality check, preferably optically screened, before and / or after performance of the processing steps, wherein in particular the folding depths of the individual folds or fold lines are optoelectronically recorded, digitally detected, and tested after performance of the folding.

14. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a flat base surface such as a table, in particular a light table, or a board is used as an application aid for holding the tubular film, wherein the at least one item of information is indicated on or through the base surface in the form of markings, such as a scale or a template.

15. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a vacuum table is used as the base surface, wherein the tubular film is fixed in laid-out flat form on the vacuum table by generating a vacuum.