Method and device for joining or forming a fibre-based packing material and packaging machine for producing a packaging

Abstract

A method for joining or forming a fiber-based packaging material (1), comprising at least the following steps: a) providing a liquid jet printer (2); b) moistening at least one moistening area (3, 4) of the fiber-based packaging material (1) using the liquid jet printer (2); and c) joining or forming the fiber-based packaging material (1) in the at least one moistening area (3, 4). Furthermore, a device (5) for joining or forming a fiber-based packaging material (1) for carrying out the method and a packaging machine (6) for producing packaging with such a device (5) are proposed.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a device for joining or forming a fiber-based packaging material, as well as to a packaging machine for producing a package. The packaging machine can be used, in particular, to produce a package for a packaged product. The method and device are particularly suitable for use in the production of the packaging.

[0002] The packaged product can, for example, be pharmaceuticals, for example in the form of at least one tablet. The packaged product can, in particular, be individually removable from the packaging. It can be advantageous if additional portions of the packaged product remain in the packaging and continue to be protected by the packaging even after individual portions have been removed. Such packaging is often referred to as "blisters" or "blister packs." Furthermore, the packaging can be a so-called clamshell package.

[0003] Known packaging can, for example, have a plastic structure whose receiving cavities for the packaged goods are formed by forming. The receiving cavities can be sealed by a sealing station with a foil, for example, a metallic film, through which the packaged goods can be pushed for removal from the receiving cavities. Alternatively, packaging can also be formed at least partially from a fiber-based packaging material, such as paper or cardboard, for example, to facilitate recycling of the packaging.

[0004] A disadvantage of the fiber-based packaging material, however, is its lower formability, especially during deep-drawing of the receiving cavities. For example, wrinkles can form during the forming of the fiber-based packaging material or during deep-drawing of the receiving cavities. When sealing the receiving cavities, the wrinkles can form channels in a sealing area or connection area of ​​the fiber-based packaging material, enabling gas exchange between the receiving cavities and the ambient atmosphere of the packaging. However, gas-tight packaging of packaged goods, such as pharmaceuticals and / or food, is often required.

[0005] For forming and / or adhesive-free joining of the fiber-based packaging material, the fiber-based packaging material must be frequently moistened with water. Moistening is achieved by rolling, spraying, dipping, or padding. However, these methods do not allow for selective and precise moistening of specific areas of the fiber-based packaging material, nor is it possible to dose a highly precise, surface-specific amount of water during moistening.

[0006] Based on this, the object of the present invention is to at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art and, in particular, to provide a method for joining or forming a fiber-based packaging material, with which partial regions of the fiber-based packaging material can be selectively and precisely moistened. Furthermore, a device for joining or forming a fiber-based packaging material is to be provided, with which partial regions of the fiber-based packaging material can be selectively and precisely moistened. Furthermore, a packaging machine for producing a package is to be provided, with whose device partial regions of the fiber-based packaging material can be selectively and precisely moistened.

[0007] These objects are achieved with a method, a device, and a packaging machine according to the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims as well as in the description and, in particular, in the description of the figures. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can combine individual features in a technologically expedient manner, thereby achieving further embodiments of the invention.

[0008] A method for joining or forming a fiber-based packaging material contributes to this, which comprises at least the following steps: a) providing a liquid jet printer; b) moistening at least one moistening region of the fiber-based packaging material using the liquid jet printer; and c) joining or forming the fiber-based packaging material in the at least one moistening region.

[0009] The process for joining and / or forming the fiber-based packaging material, which may be paper or cardboard, for example, can be used, for example, to produce a package and / or a container or to be used in the production of the package and / or the container. The fiber-based packaging material is a sheet-like material consisting essentially of fibers (in particular fibers of plant origin). In particular, it is a material made of cellulose fibers. Such a material is preferably formed by dewatering a fiber suspension. A "cardboard" has, in particular, increased mechanical strength compared to paper. The cardboard preferably has a minimum weight per square meter of cardboard area of ​​130 g / m2 [grams / square meter]. Materials with a lower weight per area are often referred to as paper.A cardboard box can also be a composite material made of several layers of paper with a weight per area of ​​less than 130 g / m2 [grams / square meter]. If necessary, such a composite material can also contain air and be made, for example, with a corrugated paper layer. Such a flat material can also be formed from a fiber composite or comprise a fiber composite that is not compact but encloses open or closed pores of air. Fiber-based packaging materials generally have advantages over packaging made of plastic materials in terms of environmental compatibility and recycling options. The packaging can, for example, be designed in the form of a blister pack, a multi-cavity pack, a clamshell pack, and / or a tubular bag.The container can be, for example, a bowl, a paper bowl, a cardboard bowl, a cup, a paper cup, or a paper cup. The packaged product can be, for example, a pharmaceutical or a food product. The packaged product can be portioned, for example, in the form of a tablet and / or at least one capsule. Furthermore, the packaged product can be solid, at least partially liquid, and / or pasty.

[0010] In step a), a liquid jet printer is provided. The liquid jet printer can be an inkjet printer, in particular a matrix inkjet printer or a line inkjet printer. The liquid jet printer is a printer that uses a liquid to print text, graphics, structures, patterns, and / or images onto paper or other printing media. The operation of the liquid jet printer is based on the principle of the liquid jet, which is sprayed onto the printing medium from at least one nozzle or a matrix of nozzles. The liquid jet printer can have at least one liquid source for the liquid, for example in the manner of a liquid cartridge or a liquid tank. The liquid jet printer can have a print head on which the at least one nozzle or the matrix of nozzles can be formed. The print head can be occupable.The liquid jet printer can have control electronics for controlling a printing process. The control electronics can, in particular, interpret print jobs from a computer or other sources and / or control the print head to distribute the liquid accordingly. The liquid jet printer can have a feed mechanism, in particular an automatic one, for the fiber-based packaging material. The fiber-based packaging material can be fed to the liquid jet printer, for example, from a roll (for example, as continuous material) or as a blank. The fiber-based packaging material can be flat and / or planar. For example, the fiber-based packaging material can have a material thickness of 0.1 mm to 2 mm. The fiber-based packaging material can have a coating and / or a barrier layer made of at least one further material.During the printing process, the print head can move over the fiber-based packaging material and / or the at least one nozzle or matrix of nozzles can dispense or spray liquid droplets onto the fiber-based packaging material. The liquid is, in particular, a colorless liquid.

[0011] In a step b), at least one moistening region of the fiber-based packaging material is moistened using the liquid jet printer. This can mean, in particular, that the liquid jet printer applies liquid to the at least one moistening region of the fiber-based packaging material, so that the at least one moistening region of the fiber-based packaging material is moistened. During moistening, the liquid is absorbed by the fiber-based packaging material, in particular in the at least one moistening region. The moistening can lead to the fiber-based packaging material being moistened throughout the at least one moistening region. This can mean, in particular, that the fiber-based packaging material in the at least one moistening region is also moistened on a side opposite the side to which the liquid was applied.By moistening, in particular, a stiffness of the fiber-based packaging material in the at least one moistening area is reduced and / or a flow behavior of the fiber-based packaging material in the at least one moistening area is changed or increased.

[0012] A shape and / or a pattern of the at least one humidification region can be transferred to the liquid jet printer, for example, via a printer driver of the liquid jet printer. The at least one humidification region can be at least partially planar, linear, and / or annular. The at least one humidification region can be formed in a region of the fiber-based packaging material in which the fiber-based packaging material is to be joined and / or reshaped in a step c). The at least one humidification region can extend over a partial region of the fiber-based packaging material or the entire fiber-based packaging material. A quantity of liquid to be dispensed in the at least one humidification region can be transferred to the liquid jet printer, for example, via the printer driver of the liquid jet printer.

[0013] In step c), the fiber-based packaging material is joined and / or formed in the at least one moistening area. The joining and / or forming takes place when the fiber-based packaging material is moistened, i.e. in particular before the fiber-based packaging material has (completely) dried after step b). Joining can involve adhesive-free joining or sealing or paper sealing. In packaging technology, the term "sealing" refers to a process in which packaging is produced or sealed in order to protect, preserve and / or present a packaged product. By joining or sealing, in particular at least one receiving cavity in a packaging element of the packaging, which serves to receive the packaged product, can be sealed or closed. The sealing or closing of the receiving cavity is in particular gas-tight and / or liquid-tight. Joining can take place, for example, in a sealing station orin a sealing station of a packaging machine. The joining process can create a joining seam, particularly a closed and / or annular one, which extends, for example, along the at least one moistening area, for example, to produce a tubular bag. The joining seam can be created, for example, in a joining station of the packaging machine.

[0014] By forming the fiber-based packaging material, for example, a tray-shaped or cup-shaped packaging element of the packaging or a tray-shaped or cup-shaped packaging can be produced. By forming the fiber-based packaging material, for example, at least one shape can be created in the fiber-based packaging material. The at least one shape can be created in particular by a forming station or a forming station of the packaging machine. The at least one shape can be created at least partially by a (plastic) deformation of the fiber-based packaging material. The forming can include, for example, deep drawing, embossing, press forming, free forming, pressing, expanding and / or hydroforming.

[0015] For forming or for producing the at least one shaped portion, the at least one forming station can have a die with at least one mold cavity. The die is in particular a metal mold. The die can at least partially form a negative of a mold or an outer mold of the (to be produced and / or formed) packaging element or packaging. The at least one mold cavity can be designed in the manner of an opening, a drawing opening, and / or a trough. The at least one mold cavity can be formed in an upper side of the die. The upper side of the die can be flat.

[0016] The die can have a plurality or a multiplicity of mold cavities. The individual mold cavities can be identical. The mold cavities can be arranged in rows and / or lines. For example, the mold cavities can be arranged in a matrix-like and / or checkerboard pattern. The mold cavities can be spaced apart from one another, in particular parallel to the top side of the die. The spacing can be, for example, 1 mm to 20 mm.

[0017] The forming station can comprise at least one punch, with which the fiber-based packaging material can be drawn, in particular partially, into the at least one mold cavity to form the at least one first formation. The at least one first formation can be produced by deep drawing and / or by drawing the packaging element into the at least one mold cavity, in particular by plastic deformation of the first packaging element. The at least one first formation can be shell-shaped, dish-shaped, or pot-shaped. The at least one mold cavity can form a negative of the shape of the at least one first formation. The at least one punch can be designed in the manner of a male mold, a deep-drawing punch, or an embossing die. A punch shape of the at least one punch can be at least partially adapted to a shape of the at least one mold cavity. The at least one punch can be driven or controlled electrically, hydraulically, and / or pneumatically.be adjustable. The at least one punch is adjustable in particular relative to the matrix. The at least one punch can be aligned with the at least one mold cavity. The forming station can have a plurality or a multiplicity of punches. The individual punches can be identical. The punches can be arranged in rows and / or lines. For example, the punches can be arranged in the manner of the matrix and / or in a checkerboard pattern. A number of punches can correspond to a number of mold cavities.

[0018] The forming station can comprise at least one hold-down device. The at least one hold-down device can be made at least partially of metal. The at least one hold-down device can be designed at least partially in the manner of a plate or a ring. The at least one hold-down device has, in particular, at least one punch opening for the at least one punch, through which the at least one punch can be adjusted at least partially into the at least one mold cavity of the die. The at least one hold-down device can have a hold-down surface. The hold-down surface is, in particular, flat. The at least one hold-down device or the hold-down surface of the at least one hold-down device at least partially delimits a gap in which the first packaging element can be arranged. The gap extends, in particular, around the at least one mold cavity. The gap extends, in particular, in a flat gap plane.The gap plane runs in particular parallel to the hold-down surface of the at least one hold-down device. The gap can be formed at least partially between the at least one hold-down device and the die.

[0019] The liquid jet printer enables selective, highly precise, and very fast moistening of the fiber-based packaging material. Furthermore, the liquid jet printer requires only a small installation space and is characterized by low system complexity. Furthermore, the liquid jet printer is characterized by significantly lower acquisition and operating costs compared to an offset moistening roller system. The liquid jet printer enables a flexibility in moistening the fiber-based packaging material that is otherwise unattainable with conventional moistening methods. In particular, a wide variety of fiber-based packaging material formats and moistening patterns can be realized without physically changing format parts. A new pattern of at least one moistening area simply needs to be transferred to the printer driver via a standard print command.The pattern of at least one humidification area can be created using standard software, such as a drawing program.

[0020] In step b), the liquid jet printer can moisten the fiber-based packaging material at a printing speed of up to 500 m / min [meters per minute]. In particular, in step b), the liquid jet printer can moisten the fiber-based packaging material at a printing speed of up to 300 m / min. The printing speed refers in particular to a feed speed of the fiber-based packaging material through the liquid jet printer.

[0021] In step b), the fiber-based packaging material can be moistened with water. In other words, the liquid dispensed by the liquid jet printer can be water.

[0022] The water may contain a surfactant. The surfactant can improve the wetting of the fiber-based packaging material with the water.

[0023] In step b), the fiber-based packaging material can be moistened on both sides in the at least one moistening area. This can mean, in particular, that a top and a bottom side of the fiber-based packaging material are moistened. The moistening on both sides can be carried out using a single liquid jet printer, for example by duplex printing, or with a plurality of liquid jet printers, which can be arranged, in particular, on both sides of the fiber-based packaging material. Moistening on both sides can be advantageous, in particular, in the case of a layer jump in the fiber-based packaging material, in the case of a thick fiber-based packaging material, and / or in the case of a fiber-based packaging material with slow liquid absorption or with weak absorbency, in order to achieve uniform moistening of the fiber-based packaging material.

[0024] In step b), moistening can occur depending on the degree of deformation of the fiber-based packaging material in step c). For example, in step b), the fiber-based packaging material can be moistened more strongly in the at least one moistening area (locally or completely), the more the fiber-based packaging material is to be reshaped in step c). For example, in step b), the fiber-based packaging material can be moistened more strongly in places where a high degree of deformation or shaping is to take place in step c) than in places where a low degree of deformation or shaping is to take place in step c). Areas with high deformation must be softer and thus moister, whereas areas with lower deformation can be stiffer and thus drier.

[0025] In step b), the at least one humidification area can be humidified with a liquid quantity of up to 1.5 g [gram] of liquid per 1 g of fiber-based packaging material. The aforementioned mass of the fiber-based packaging material refers in particular to the mass of the (dry) packaging material in the at least one humidification area or to the mass of the (dry) packaging material to be humidified. This can mean, in particular, that up to 1.5 g of liquid per 1 g of fiber-based packaging material to be humidified is applied to the fiber-based packaging material in the at least one humidification area and / or that the humidification takes place with a mass ratio between the liquid and the fiber-based packaging material to be humidified of up to 1.5:1. In particular, in step b), the at least one humidification area can be humidified with up to (approximately) 1 g of liquid per 1 g of fiber-based packaging material to be humidified.In this case, the mass ratio between the liquid and the fiber-based packing material to be moistened is up to (approximately) 1:1.

[0026] In step b), a first humidification zone can be humidified with a first amount of liquid (in ml / cm 2 ) and a second humidification zone with a second amount of liquid (in ml / cm 2 ). The first amount of liquid and the second amount of liquid can be different. The fiber-based packaging material can have a plurality or multiplicity of humidification zones, which are, in particular, humidified to different degrees or with different amounts of liquid.

[0027] The fiber-based packing material can be plasma-treated before step b). Plasma surface treatment is a process in which plasma, an ionized gas, is used to modify the surface of the fiber-based packing material so that it is fluid-attracting (hydrophilic). Plasma treatment can be performed using matrix or line plasma generators. Matrix plasma generators can generate a uniform plasma field across the entire surface to be treated. In contrast, line plasma sources generate a plasma along a specific line or a narrow area of ​​the surface. Plasma treatment enables hydrophilization of the fiber-based packing material with modulatable thickness and geometric pattern.

[0028] According to a further aspect, a device for joining and / or forming a fiber-based packaging material is proposed, which device has a liquid jet printer, wherein the device is designed and provided for carrying out the method described here.

[0029] The device may, for example, be a sealing station, a joining station and / or a forming station, in particular for a packaging machine.

[0030] Following yet another aspect, a packaging machine for producing a package is proposed, which has a device proposed here.

[0031] The packaging machine is used, in particular, to produce packaging for a packaged product. The packaging machine can have a plurality of processing stations. For example, the packaging machine can comprise a sealing station, a joining station, and / or a forming station. The forming station can, for example, be designed as a deep-drawing press or comprise a deep-drawing press. The packaging machine can preferably be configured to fill the packaging with the packaged product during its production.

[0032] For further details on the device and / or the packaging machine, please refer in full to the description of the process.

[0033] The invention and the technical context of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The figures show preferred embodiments to which the invention is not limited. It should be noted in particular that the figures, and in particular the proportions depicted in the figures, are only schematic. They show, by way of example and schematically: Fig. 1: a packaging machine with a device; Fig. 2: a first embodiment of a moistened packaging material; and Fig. 3: a second embodiment of the moistened packaging material.

[0034] Fig. 1 shows a packaging machine 6 for producing a package not shown here in a side view. The packaging machine 6 has a device 5 for forming a fiber-based packaging material 1. The fiber-based packaging material 1 can first be moistened with a liquid jet printer 2 of the device 5 in moistening areas 3, 4, which are in Fig. 2 are shown. The liquid jet printer 2 has a print head 7, through which water 8 can be applied in droplet form to a surface 9 of the fiber-based packaging material 1. The moistened fiber-based packaging material 1 can then be fed to a forming device 10 of the device 5, by which the fiber-based packaging material 1 can be formed.

[0035] Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of a moistened packaging material 1 in a plan view. To moisten the packaging material 1, in a step a) a Fig. 1 shown liquid jet printer 2 is provided. The moistened packaging material 1 has a first moistening area 3 and a second moistening area 4. The first moistening area 3 was moistened in a step b) with the liquid jet printer 2 with a larger amount of water per unit area than the second moistening area 4. The first embodiment of the moistened packaging material 1 can be reshaped in a step c), in particular by the Fig. 1 shown forming device 10. For example, a curved bottom can be formed in the moistening areas 3, 4 to form a paper tray.

[0036] Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of the moistened packaging material 1 in a plan view. In contrast to the Fig. 2In the first exemplary embodiment of the moistened packaging material 1 shown, the packaging material 1 was moistened in step b) with the liquid jet printer 2 only in a first, annular moistening region 3. The second exemplary embodiment of the moistened packaging material 1 can be joined in a step c), for example, with a packaging element not shown here. In particular, a closed joining seam can be formed in the first moistening region 3, for example, to produce a tubular bag.

[0037] The invention enables partial areas of the fiber-based packaging material 1 to be moistened selectively and precisely. List of reference symbols

[0038] 1 fiber-based packaging material 2 liquid jet printer 3 first humidification area 4 second humidification area 5 device 6 packaging machine 7 print head 8 water 9 surface 10 forming device

Claims

1. A method for joining or forming a fiber-based packaging material (1), comprising at least the following steps: a) providing a liquid jet printer (2); b) moistening at least one moistening region (3, 4) of the fiber-based packaging material (1) using the liquid jet printer (2); and c) joining or forming the fiber-based packaging material (1) in the at least one moistening region (3, 4).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in step b) the liquid jet printer moistens the fiber-based packaging material at a printing speed of up to 500 m / min.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in step b) the fiber-based packaging material (1) is moistened with water (8).

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the water (8) comprises a surfactant.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in step b) the fiber-based packaging material (1) is moistened on both sides in the at least one moistening area (3, 4).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in step b) the moistening takes place as a function of a degree of deformation of the fiber-based packaging material (1) in step c).

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in step b) the at least one humidification region (3, 4) is humidified with a quantity of liquid of up to 1.5 g of liquid per 1 g of fiber-based packaging material (1).

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in step b) a first humidification area (3) is humidified with a first amount of liquid and a second humidification area (4) is humidified with a second amount of liquid.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fiber-based packing material (1) is plasma-treated before step b).

10. Device (5) for joining or forming a fiber-based packaging material (1), comprising a liquid jet printer (2), wherein the device (5) is designed and provided for carrying out a method according to one of the preceding claims.

11. Packaging machine (6) for producing a package, comprising a device (5) according to claim 10.

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