System for converting a web-shaped starting material into packaging pouches

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for converting a web-shaped starting material into packaging pouches, said starting material defining a web longitudinal direction, extending between two longitudinal edges that are opposite one another in the web width direction, and being made in particular of paper or cardboard. The system comprises: a drawing-in device for drawing off the web-shaped starting material; and a forming device for continuously forming the web-shaped starting material into a material web having a V- or U-shaped cross-section with a receiving cavity that extends in the web longitudinal direction. The invention is characterised in that the system comprises guiding means for guiding a leading edge of the web-shaped starting material from the drawing-in device to the forming device.

Description

[0001] SYSTEM FOR CONVERTING A WEB-SHAPED STARTING MATERIAL INTO

[0002] PACKING BAGS

[0003] The present invention relates to a system for converting a web-shaped starting material into packaging bags. A web-shaped starting material defines a web longitudinal direction and extends between two opposite longitudinal edges. The web-shaped starting material is preferably made of paper or cardboard.

[0004] Packaging bags, a packaging material web, and packaging material blanks are known from DE 10 2020 114 1 Ai. Such packaging bags, etc., are used in the packaging industry to package objects, especially shipping items, especially to protect them from damage during shipping.

[0005] Various systems are known for forming packaging bags from packaging material webs to hold objects such as shipping items.

[0006] US 9,725,194 B2 and EP 2 840 027 Bi describe systems for the automatic packaging of objects on a sliding plane. A web material is deflected from a feed plane to the sliding plane. During deflection, the packaging web material is pulled along edged wedges, so that elongated grooves are introduced into the packaging web material. Downstream of the wedges, the packaging web material is to be folded over to form a packaging material web from which blanks can be removed. The system has a great length in the longitudinal direction of the web and thus has a large footprint, which is undesirable given the limited space in a shipping center. The introduction of grooves using edges has proven to be a frequent cause of web breaks, which is disruptive to the continuous production of packaging material webs and sections thereof.To start up the system after a material break, after a material supply has been used up, or for initial commissioning, the leading edge of the web material must be threaded from the material supply along the various guide rollers, around corners, and through narrow gaps. Threading requires enormous manual effort and is therefore very time-consuming. During threading, the system is virtually idle, meaning no items can be packaged during this time.

[0007] It is an object of the invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, in particular to provide an efficiently usable system for converting a web-shaped starting material which, with little space requirement, is simple, safe and reliable in handling and suitable for packaging a wide variety of objects, in particular with particularly short set-up times. Accordingly, a system for converting a web-shaped starting material is provided, wherein the starting material defines a web longitudinal direction and extends between two longitudinal edges opposite in the web width direction. In particular, the starting material comprises, in particular predominantly, ie at least 75%, in particular at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, paper or cardboard or consists thereof.

[0008] Web-shaped material or web material, such as the starting material, has a longitudinal web direction. The web-shaped material preferably has a constant web / material thickness. Web-shaped material generally expands in the web width direction transversely to the longitudinal web direction and, viewed transversely to the web direction, in particular has a constant width. In the web width direction, the web-shaped material has opposite longitudinal edges. In the web width direction, the packaging material web or the web-shaped starting material ends at a longitudinal edge extending in the web longitudinal direction. For example, the web-shaped starting material has a width of at least 200 mm and in particular of at most 2000 mm. For example, the width is approximately 500 mm.Web-shaped material generally has much larger dimensions in the web longitudinal direction than in the web width direction, for example, the extent of the web material in the web longitudinal direction can be at least 20 times, at least 50 times, at least 100 times, or at least 1000 times greater than in the web width direction. Web-shaped material generally has much larger dimensions in the web width direction than in the thickness direction, for example, the extent of the web material in the web width direction can be at least 20 times, at least 50 times, at least 100 times, or at least 1000 times greater than the web / material thickness. Optionally, at least one longitudinal edge strip adjacent to a longitudinal edge is provided, at least in sections, with a cold-sealable adhesive. The adhesive width of the longitudinal edge strip provided with cold-sealable adhesive can be at least 10 mm and in particular at most 300 mm, 250 mm, or at most 200 mm.For example, both opposite longitudinal edges can be provided with cold-sealable adhesive.

[0009] The web-shaped material is preferably formed predominantly or entirely from a cellulose-based material. In particular, the web-shaped material can be formed from paper, such as recycled paper, and / or cardboard, in particular corrugated cardboard. Preferably, a web-shaped material is provided, in particular, from paper or cardboard, in particular corrugated cardboard. The material web can be made from paper, such as recycled paper, and / or 100% recyclable paper, which can be produced without chemical ingredients. Recycled paper is, in particular, paper materials with a low proportion (less than 50%) of paper material containing virgin fibers. For example, paper materials containing 70% to 100% recycled paper, in particular based on waste paper, are used.The recycled paper within the meaning of this invention can be paper material that can have a tensile strength index along the machine direction of at most 90 Nm / g, preferably a tensile strength of 15 Nm / g to 60 Nm / g, and a tensile strength index across the machine direction of at most 60 Nm / g, preferably a tensile strength of 5 Nm / g to 40 Nm / g. To determine the tensile strength or the tensile strength index, a standard such as DIN EN ISO 1924-2 or DIN EN ISO 1924-3 can be used. In addition, or alternatively, a recycled paper property or waste paper property can be characterized by the so-called bursting resistance. A material in this sense is recycled paper with a bursting index of at most 3.0 kPa*m. A 2 / g, preferably with a burst index of 0.8 kPa*m A 2 / g to 2.5 kPa*m A2 / g. The bursting index is determined according to DIN EN ISO 2758. Furthermore, the packaging material has a mass per unit area of, in particular, 40 g / m² to a maximum of 140 g / m². The web-like starting material can be in the form of a roll of material or a zigzag-folded stack of packaging material, also known as a fanfold stack.

[0010] The system according to the invention comprises a feed device for drawing off the web-shaped starting material, in particular from a material web supply, such as a supply roll. The feed device can, for example, comprise opposing conveyor rollers, conveyor rollers, or the like. It may be preferred for the feed device to have a drive unit, such as an electric motor, that drives at least one conveyor roller or roller. The feed device is preferably designed to draw off the web-shaped starting material from a material web supply, for example, a zigzag-folded supply stack, which can also be referred to as a fanfold stack, or from a supply roll.

[0011] The system according to the invention further comprises a forming device for continuously forming the web-shaped starting material into a material web with a receiving cavity extending in the longitudinal direction of the web. The forming device is preferably designed and configured to form the, in particular originally flat, web-shaped starting material into a material web with a V-shaped or U-shaped cross-section. The receiving cavity of the material web preferably has an insertion opening extending in the longitudinal direction of the web. In particular, the receiving cavity is delimited by a pocket base formed opposite the insertion opening and laterally by protruding wings of the material web. The material web can, for example, be formed with a V-shaped cross-section.The forming device can, for example, be designed to form an originally flat, web-shaped starting material by bending or folding at least one wing extending along a first (for example, right-hand in the conveying direction) or second (for example, left-hand in the conveying direction) longitudinal edge towards the other wing. Alternatively, the material web can be formed with a U-shaped cross-section. The forming device can be designed to bend or fold opposing wings on both opposite longitudinal edges of the originally flat, web-shaped starting material towards one another, forming a spine extending along the center of the web material. In the system for converting the web-shaped starting material, the forming device is preferably arranged downstream of the feed device in the conveying direction.

[0012] The system according to the invention comprises a guide device for guiding a leading edge of the web-shaped starting material from the feed device to the forming device. The guide device guides the starting material safely from the feed device to the forming device. Because the guide device ensures a safe transfer of the leading edge of the web-shaped starting material from the feed device to the forming device, a setup process for commissioning the system with a new material web can be significantly accelerated, for example, after a material web supply has been used up or following an unintentional tear of the material web in the forming device.By providing a guide device along which the web-shaped starting material and in particular a leading edge thereof is guided from the feed device to the forming device, the required manual setup effort can be reduced to a considerable extent or even completely avoided.

[0013] In the conveying direction, the deflection is arranged behind the feed device at the inlet area of ​​the forming device. In particular, the forming device can be matched to the web-shaped starting material, the feed device and / or the forming device in such a way that the web-shaped starting material has a flat web-shaped extension at the forming device, in particular along an at least partial wrap of the forming device. A flat web-shaped extension of the web-shaped starting material is to be understood in particular with reference to the extension of the starting material in the web width direction. In the conveying direction orIn the longitudinal direction of the web corresponding to the conveying direction, the flat web-like starting material can be guided along a curved path, in particular by means of a deflection device, the feed device, and optionally a support roller or the like. The curved path can, for example, be C-shaped or S-shaped in sections. The deflection is preferably designed to change the path of the web-like starting material in the conveying direction, for example by at least 10° and / or no more than 180°.

[0014] The deflection can, for example, be shaped as a roller, in particular as an ideally cylindrical roller. A deflection designed as a roller can preferably be one-piece and extends along the width of the web-shaped starting material. Alternatively, a deflection designed as a roller can be convex, wherein the diameter in the respective end region of the roller is smaller than the diameter in the middle. The advantage of this design is that the deflection exerts a positive influence on the forming device downstream of it in the direction of flow as well as on the web-shaped starting material, and that the web-shaped starting material is held centrally in the system relative to the forming device, which on the one hand allows the system to be designed to be particularly compact and on the other hand essentially eliminates the need for guide means for laterally guiding the web-shaped starting material.Furthermore, a convex design of the deflection device allows the web-like starting material to be pre-stretched, so that the downstream forming process can be simplified and, if necessary, made more reliable, and the conveying speed can be increased. The term "convex design" preferably refers to a continuously curved design. Alternatively, steps that approximate a convex silhouette are also conceivable. In a simple version, only a single step is present, whereby the deflection device, designed as a roller, resembles the shape of a double truncated cone, with the diameter being largest in the middle area of ​​this roller and smaller in the respective end area of ​​the roller.Convex designs of such a deflection device designed as a roller have proven to be very effective, whereby the different circumferential speeds have no discernible influence on the resulting friction between the web-shaped starting material and the roller.

[0015] It is conceivable for the deflection to be composed of several roller and / or roll sections arranged next to one another, possibly distributed, in the transverse direction across the width of the web-like starting material. This plurality of roller and / or roll sections has a common pivot point along a straight central longitudinal axis. In this case, an aforementioned convex design of a deflection with a deflection roller or roll made up of several sections can be realized, in particular by at least individual roller and / or individual roll sections having different outer diameters, wherein the overall view of all roller and / or roll sections combined to form a deflection roller or roll preferably represents a convex structure in the manner of a convex enveloping silhouette.

[0016] It may be preferable for the deflection to interact with a dancer, which is positioned upstream of the deflection in the conveying direction. In principle, such a dancer can be designed as a roller. The dancer can represent a tensioning device, by which the web-like starting material is constantly kept under tension between the feed device and the forming device. The tensioning force is preset and ensures a reliable forming and discharge process, as will be explained in more detail later.

[0017] The deflection preferably comprises a partially cylindrical or cylindrical, in particular rotating, means that determines the conveying path of the web-shaped starting material, which is preferably implemented as a single deflection roller. The deflection allows the system for converting a web-shaped starting material into packaging bags to be implemented in a particularly space-saving manner. Furthermore, the provision of a deflection can significantly reduce the risk of tears in the web-shaped starting material during the advance of the forming device.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the system, the guide device defines a channel, in particular a funnel-shaped one. The channel is formed by a plurality of guide elements that can be brought into contact, in particular a sliding contact or a driving contact, with the leading edge of the starting material. The guide elements define a limited path for the web-shaped starting material from the feed device to the forming device. The contact between the leading edge of the web-shaped starting material and at least one guide element limits the predetermined path of the web-shaped starting material. As a result, the web-shaped starting material is reliably guided from the feed device to the forming device.

[0019] According to an optional development of the system, the channel tapers in the conveying direction of the web-shaped starting material, with the channel height preferably tapering vertically. The tapered channel can have a greater width, particularly a greater channel height, at the exit area of ​​the feed device than at the entrance area of ​​the forming device. This allows the web-shaped starting material to be transferred unhindered from the feed device to the guide device and fed from the guide device to the forming device with a minimized risk of paper jams.

[0020] The guide device preferably comprises at least one first guide element that delimits a first side of the channel, in particular the lower side in the vertical direction, and / or at least one second guide element that delimits a second side of the channel opposite the first side, in particular the upper side in the vertical direction. The channel can be open on one or more sides, in particular in the width direction.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the system, the guide device comprises a plurality of guide elements arranged next to one another and / or one behind the other with respect to the conveying direction. For example, the guide device can comprise a plurality of guide elements arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction, such as guide plates and / or guide rods, which together create the distance bridged by the guide device. For example, the guide device can have different, in particular different, guide elements arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction, such as a rigid guide element and a movable guide element arranged behind it in the conveying direction. Additionally or alternatively, the guide device can have a plurality of guide elements arranged next to one another transversely to the conveying direction, in particular in the width direction.Guide elements arranged next to one another can, for example, be guide rods arranged next to one another in the manner of a rail or grid, which together form a surface on which the web-shaped starting material and its leading edge can slide.

[0022] In one embodiment of a system, it can preferably be provided that the guide device bridges a distance between the feed device and the forming device. Preferably, at least one, in particular first, guide element extends completely from the feed device to the forming device. The first guide element can extend uninterruptedly from the output region of the feed device to the input region of the forming device. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that at least one, in particular second, guide element extends over at least half, in particular two-thirds, preferably three-quarters, particularly preferably nine-tenths, of the distance. The guide device can comprise a plurality of guide elements of the same or different lengths.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the system, the guide device bridges a height difference between an exit area of ​​the feed device and the entrance area of ​​the forming device, which is arranged vertically above the exit area. Such a guide device guides the web-shaped starting material along a vertically ascending path from the feed device to the forming device. By arranging the forming device vertically offset from the feed device, a particularly space-saving system can be realized.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the system, the guide device comprises at least one rigid guide element, such as a guide rod, a guide plate, or the like. In particular, the guide device comprises several rigid guide elements. With rigid guide elements, contact with the leading edge of the web-shaped starting material can be realized as a sliding contact.

[0025] Alternatively or additionally, the guide device comprises at least one conveyable guide element, such as a belt, for entraining the leading edge of the web-shaped starting material. With conveyable guide elements, a contact with the leading edge of the web-shaped starting material can be realized as a entraining contact and, if appropriate, as a sliding contact. It may be preferred for the conveyable guide element to be at least partially engaged with the forming device, particularly in an inlet area of ​​the forming device.For example, the conveying-movable guide element can be implemented as a belt for driving contact with the leading edge of the web-shaped starting material, wherein this belt is in partial circumferential contact with a deflection, such as a deflection roller, at the inlet of the forming device in order to ensure reliable transfer of the web-shaped starting material to the forming device. Preferably, the conveying-movable guide element is at least partially engaged with the forming device, in particular in an inlet region of the forming device. Preferably, the forming device comprises a deflection, such as a deflection roller, which predetermines at least one turn of the web-shaped starting material in an inlet region of the forming device. Preferably, the deflection, in particular the deflection roller, has a circumferential contact area of ​​at least 10°, in particular at least 45°. 0, preferably at least 60°, particularly preferably at least 90°, which can be brought into contact with the web-shaped starting material. In particular, the conveying-movable guide element, such as a belt, can be brought into contact with the web-shaped starting material radially on the outside with respect to a deflection axis defined by the deflection, wherein the retaining belt can be applied to the web-shaped starting material at least in part, in particular in at least a large part, of the circumferential contact area.

[0026] In particular, the retaining belt extends in the web width direction over less than half, in particular less than a third, preferably less than 15% of the axial length of the deflection and / or an initial width of the web-shaped starting material. The retaining belt is preferably guided by at least two, in particular three, belt rollers, wherein the retaining belt rests between a first and a second belt roller on the deflection, in particular the deflection roller. It may be expedient for the retaining belt to be conveyed by means of a retaining belt drive, in particular at a belt speed corresponding to the peripheral speed of the deflection roller. Overall, the belt speed when operated by the retaining belt drive can be dimensioned such that it corresponds to or exceeds the take-off speed.In the latter design, the belt speed can be ahead of the speed of the leading edge of the web-like starting material, so that the belt can always be in driving contact with the leading edge or can even have a slight pulling effect on the leading edge. The leading speed can range from 1% to 20% compared to the speed of the leading edge. Optionally, the holding belt can be designed to be free-running. For this purpose, at least one of the belt rollers can be equipped with a freewheel. However, the belt roller connected to the drive motor is primarily equipped with the freewheel. In particular, in the case of a belt deflection roller, its rotatable bearing and its freewheel are aligned coaxially with one another.The free-running retaining belt has proven to be particularly helpful as an installation aid when installing the web-shaped starting material for the first time in the system, as it can be used to prevent the web-shaped starting material from running back. The use of a retaining belt has proven to be particularly useful in combination with large circumferential contact areas. In particular, the forming device comprises at least one folding means, such as a folding roller, which is or can be brought into contact with the material web, such as rolling contact, sliding contact or the like. The folding means can in particular be designed and configured to press against the material web. The folding means can thus be arranged relative to at least one other folding means, such as a folding roller, which forms the conveying path of the web-shaped starting material orThe material web can be determined by at least one means, in particular at least one upstream or downstream, to the right or left of the folding means in relation to the conveying direction, such that the folding means, together with the at least one other means, causes a deformation of an originally flat web-like extension. In particular, the at least one other means determining the conveying path of the web-like starting material or the material web can be brought or is brought into contact with the starting material or the material web.

[0027] The forming device preferably comprises at least one folding means, such as a folding roller. The forming device preferably comprises at least one folding means, such as a folding roller, which presses against the material web transversely to the web's longitudinal direction between the opposite longitudinal edges to introduce two wings protruding from a pocket base into the web-shaped starting material. Preferably, the folding means presses against the material web in the web width direction, particularly centrally between the opposite longitudinal edges.

[0028] According to a preferred development, the deflection is arranged in relation to a vertical direction in an upper input region, in particular at an upper end, of the forming device, wherein in particular the web-shaped starting material is guided in the forming device with a conveying direction which is oriented downwards in relation to a vertical direction.

[0029] In a particularly preferred embodiment of a system, the feed device is designed and configured to push the leading edge of the web-shaped starting material through the guide device from the feed device to the forming device. In particular, the feed device is designed to push the leading edge of the web-shaped starting material from the feed device upwards in a vertical direction through the guide device to the forming device. Preferably, the pushing feed device is intended for use with a web-shaped starting material comprising or consisting of paper or cardboard, in particular corrugated cardboard, in particular combined therewith. The pushing feed device is preferably designed and configured to convey the web-shaped starting material over a distance of at least 20 cm, in particular at least 50 cm, through the guide device.Surprisingly, it has been shown that, contrary to expectations and common misconceptions, web-shaped starting material can be pushed to a forming device using a guide device. By pushing the web material through the guide device to the forming device using a motor-driven feed device, laborious manual threading is eliminated. With the help of this device, the web-shaped starting material can even be conveyed over longer distances within the system, as well as along curved or S-shaped paths. Depending on the system design, typical path lengths can be up to 150 cm.

[0030] According to one embodiment of a system, the feed device can comprise at least one driven feed roller and at least one feed roller cooperating therewith, in particular driven or driven. The feed device has an operating position in which the driven feed roller and the cooperating feed roller are brought closer together to grip the web-shaped starting material, wherein in particular a pretensioning force urges the driven feed roller and the cooperating feed roller toward each other, and wherein the feed device has a set-up position in which the driven feed roller and the cooperating feed roller are arranged at a distance from each other.

[0031] According to a further development of the system, the draw-in device has an operating state in which the draw-in device is designed to subject the web-shaped starting material to a first, in particular fast and / or variable, draw-off speed, and a setup state in which the draw-in device (110) is designed to subject the web-shaped starting material to a second, in particular slow and / or constant, draw-off speed. The average, in particular constant, draw-off speed in the operating state is significantly higher than the average draw-off speed in the setup state, preferably at least twice as high, particularly preferably at least 5 or 10 times as high.

[0032] In particular, it can be provided that the system comprises a material web supply, in particular a supply roll, of the web-shaped starting material, from which the feed device feeds the web-shaped starting material, wherein the feed device and the material web supply are coordinated with one another in such a way that the feed device transfers the web-shaped starting material to the guide device with a curvature directed upwards in the vertical direction, in particular a supply roll curvature, and / or an adhesive coating oriented upwards in the vertical direction.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, a system for converting a web-like starting material into packaging pockets is provided, which system comprises a feed device and a forming device. It is provided that the deflection is arranged in relation to a vertical direction at an upper inlet region of the forming device and / or that the deflection specifies at least one turn of the web-like starting material between the feed device and the forming device. Preferably, the forming device, together with its upstream deflection and / or together with a feeding device provided downstream of the forming device, defines a conveying path for the material web, along which the material web moves downstream during operation.The vertical direction can be defined as the direction which extends orthogonally relative to a support surface, such as a hall floor, on which the system is or is to be arranged. The vertical direction preferably corresponds to the direction in which gravity acts. It may be preferred for the conveying direction at the exit of the forming process to correspond to the conveying direction at the entrance and / or through the forming device. A turn can be described by a U-shaped conveying path of the web-shaped starting material, wherein the U can be oriented upright or upside down, for example. An S-shaped conveying path of the web-shaped starting material comprises two turns, wherein the web-shaped starting material can be guided according to a lying or an upright S. It is conceivable for the web-shaped starting material to be guided along a W-shaped or M-shaped conveying path with three turns.By means of one or more turns, tensions can be provided in the system for guiding the web-shaped starting material and for preparing a pocket-shaped forming process. When the deflection and the forming device are each designed with at least one partially cylindrical or cylindrical, in particular rotating, means determining the conveying path of the web-shaped starting material or the material web, it can be preferred that the cylinder and / or rotation axes of these means are aligned spatially parallel to one another. By arranging a deflection, the system for converting a web-shaped starting material into packaging pockets can be implemented in a particularly space-saving manner. In addition, the risk of tears in the web-shaped starting material can be significantly reduced by providing a deflection.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment of the system, the deflection is arranged in relation to a vertical direction above the feed device and / or optionally above a material web supply. It may be preferred that the conveying direction at the inlet of the forming device corresponds to the conveying direction at the outlet and / or through the forming device. In an embodiment of the deflection and the feed device each with at least one partially cylindrical or cylindrical, in particular rotating, means determining the conveying path of the web-shaped starting material, it may be preferred that the cylinder and / or rotation axes of these means are aligned spatially parallel to one another. By arranging the deflection above the feed device, further space-saving potential can be realized.By using an upper deflection device instead of the prior art material web supply, handling of the system is much easier than with conventional systems, both during maintenance and when loading with new starting material. Advantageously, the material supply and the feed device can be arranged directly one above the other in the vertical direction, or they can be slightly offset from one another and arranged essentially one above the other in the vertical direction. To ensure the easiest possible handling of the material supply, especially during replacement and refilling, the feed device is preferably arranged above the material supply.The material supply and the feed device are further arranged adjacent to the forming device, in particular directly next to one another, so that an extremely compact design of the system for converting a web-shaped starting material into packaging pockets can be realized. By arranging the deflection above the feed device and / or the forming device, a particularly compact design can be achieved. In this way, the deflection can also result in a particularly compact design of the system. Furthermore, the deflection can preferably be designed as a roller. The web-shaped starting material runs over the deflection, in particular the deflection roller. If the deflection is designed as a particularly ideally cylindrical roller, the material web leaves the deflection in a flat form according to the contour of the deflection and makes the web-shaped starting material available to the forming device for further processing in the downstream forming device.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the system, the web-shaped starting material is guided in the forming device with a conveying direction that is oriented downwards in relation to a vertical direction. It may be preferred that the forming device, optionally together with the deflection provided upstream of the forming device and / or together with a feeding device provided downstream of the forming device, defines a conveying path for the material web, which is oriented downwards in the vertical direction along the conveying path through the forming device and / or at the exit of the forming device. Preferably, the web-shaped starting material extends with its web width direction at the deflection, in particular flatly along a contact line or contact surface of the deflection with the web-shaped starting material.While it is common in the prior art to align the conveying direction of the material web in forming devices horizontally and to feed the web-shaped starting material to the forming device in a horizontal direction, further space savings can be achieved by the design according to the invention.

[0036] Optionally, the forming device comprises at least two folding means arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction. The folding means can be implemented, for example, by slide rail sections, rigid sliding disks, mandrels, folding rollers or the like. The folding means preferably implement means of the forming device that determine the conveying path of the material web. The forming device and / or a feeding device define a guide surface for the pocket base. Preferably, the guide surface is designed to guide and / or support the V- or U-shaped formed material web in the region of the pocket base and / or between opposing wings of the material web. It can be preferred that the guide surface, at least in sections, implements a means that determines the conveying path of the web-shaped starting material or the material web, which means can be brought or is brought into contact with the starting material or the material web.The guide surface can be designed, in particular, as a stop for objects inserted or insertable into a loading device, such as shipping items. A deflection axis defined by the deflection device, in particular the deflection roller, is aligned transversely, in particular perpendicular to the conveying direction along the guide surface and / or offset from the guide surface.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one first folding means, such as a first folding roller, is arranged between the guide surface and the deflection axis. Preferably, the second folding means, for example the outer circumference of a second folding roller, corresponds to the position of the guide surface. Particularly preferably, it can be provided that a distance perpendicular to the guide surface between the first folding means and the guide surface measures at least one eighth, in particular at least one quarter, preferably at least one third and / or not more than three quarters, in particular not more than two thirds, preferably not more than half, of a distance orthogonal to the guide surface between the deflection axis and the guide surface. It is clear that the second folding means is arranged further away from the deflection in the conveying direction than the first folding means.In a design of a forming device with multiple folding rollers or the like, it may be preferred that the cylinder and / or rotation axes of these folding means are aligned spatially parallel to one another. Additionally or alternatively, it can be provided that the cylinder and / or rotation axes of the folding means, in particular folding rollers, are aligned spatially parallel to the deflection axis. It has surprisingly been shown that, thanks to the use of multiple folding means in the forming device, a reliable, reproducible, and rapid forming of a web-shaped starting material web into a formed material web with a V- or U-shaped cross-section along a particularly short extent in the web longitudinal direction corresponding to the conveying direction can be achieved with a low risk of tearing.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the system, the guide surface can be defined by at least one counterbearing, in particular at least one counterbearing roller or a sliding surface, corresponding to at least one folding means, such as folding rollers, in particular the second folding roller. With the aid of at least one counterbearing roller, in particular several counterbearing rollers, and / or at least one sliding surface, in particular several sliding surfaces, wherein in particular counterbearing rollers and sliding surfaces can be provided alternately in the conveying direction, a reliable counterbearing can be realized on the guide surface for supporting the pocket base and, if applicable, objects that can be inserted or inserted into the receiving cavity, such as shipping items.In the case of a counterbearing which has counterbearing rollers and sliding surfaces, it can be provided that, in the case of counterbearing rollers and sliding surfaces arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction, at least one counterbearing roller is slightly raised compared to the at least one adjacent sliding surface, wherein in particular the plane tangentially adjacent to the counterbearing roller, in particular to several immediately adjacent counterbearing rollers, is at a distance from the sliding surface. The distance can be dimensioned such that during conveying the pocket base rests against the counterbearing roller or the counterbearing rollers and is conveyed with low friction, wherein, depending on the loading condition, the at least one sliding surface is additionally available for support. The said distance lies in a range of 1 mm to 3 mm and is typically 1.5 mm.

[0039] In a further embodiment of the system of the invention, a third folding means, in particular a third folding roller, is arranged between the guide surface and the first folding means, such as the first folding roller. Optionally, a third and optionally further folding means can be arranged between the first and second folding means in the conveying direction and / or in the direction orthogonal to the guide surface.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the system according to the invention, the forming device comprises at least one folding roller, preferably two or three folding rollers. The at least one folding roller, in particular the two folding rollers or the three folding rollers, each comprise two rolling disks spaced apart in the axial direction of the roller. A spacer can be provided between the rolling disks. The V- or U-shape of the formed material web can be predetermined by the spacing of the rolling disks of the at least one folding roller in the axial direction of the roller. In particular, a transverse width of the pocket base can be determined by the spacing of the rolling disks of a folding roller in the axial direction of the roller.

[0041] The folding rollers are preferably designed to be interchangeable and / or adjustable. This makes it possible to quickly and easily adapt the system to a different material or to a different material of the web-shaped starting material. It is also possible to quickly and easily adapt the system to a desired V- or U-shape of the material web to be formed. A material web formed with a V-shaped cross-section has one, preferably exactly one, groove created by one, in particular exactly one, folding roller, along which preferably one disc-shaped rolling disc runs. Regardless of the number of grooves, it can be advantageous to use rolling discs that run along the groove and mechanically process the groove during the forming process in such a way that the forming process is facilitated and simplified and requires less force.

[0042] According to a further development of the system, an axial distance between the deflection axis and the roller axis of the first folding roller, preferably in the direction parallel to the guide surface, is at least 10 mm, in particular at least 120 mm, and / or not more than 300 mm, in particular not more than 220 mm, preferably approximately 168 mm. The deflection means can optionally have a smaller outer diameter than the first folding roller. It has been shown that with such an axial distance along a short distance in the conveying direction, a significant deformation of a web-shaped starting material into a material web with a V- or U-shaped cross-section can be realized.

[0043] In one embodiment of the system, a turn-over distance between a material web contact area of ​​the first folding means, in particular the first folding roller, preferably its outer circumference, facing the guide surface and a deflector contact area of ​​the deflection means, in particular the deflection roller, facing away from the guide surface measures at least 10 mm, in particular at least 40 mm, and / or not more than 300 mm, in particular not more than 80 mm, preferably approximately 70 mm. It may be preferred that the turn-over distance be determined in the direction perpendicular to the guide surface.

[0044] In one embodiment of the system, a forming length from the deflection, in particular the deflection roller, to the second folding means, in particular the roller axis of the second folding roller, preferably to a feed opening, is not greater than 120 cm. In particular, the forming length is not greater than 100 cm, preferably not greater than 80 cm. Alternatively or additionally, it is provided that the forming length is not greater than twice the initial width of the web-shaped starting material web, in particular not greater than 1.5 times the initial width.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the system for converting a web-shaped starting material into packaging bags, the converting device comprises at least a pair of guide means, such as guide rods, located opposite one another in the web width direction, for guiding the web-shaped starting material along a path that tapers in the conveying direction. The pair of guide means can, for example, be designed to convert an originally flat web-shaped starting material by bending or folding at least one wing, which extends along a first (for example, right-hand in the conveying direction) or second (for example, left-hand in the conveying direction) longitudinal edge, towards the other wing. The pair of guide means can comprise a guide rod that defines the conveying path of the web-shaped starting material orThe means for determining the material web can be arranged to the right or left in relation to the conveying direction, and optionally upstream and / or downstream of the folding means. Preferably, the folding means, together with the pair of guide means, causes a deformation of an originally flat web-like extension. Other guide means can comprise a plurality of individual rollers, thus reducing friction in the conveying direction.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, a system for converting a web-like starting material into packaging pockets is provided, comprising a feed device and a forming device. A deflection device, for example a deflection roller, is preferably designed and configured to introduce the web-like starting material into the forming device. Optionally, the system comprises a tensioning device, such as a support roller. The tensioning device defines a tensioning center axis that is aligned in the web width direction.The tensioning device can be brought into contact with the web-shaped starting material or is in contact with the web-shaped starting material in order to urge the web-shaped starting material into an evasive movement transversely to the conveying direction and transversely to the web width direction, in particular under the action of force, wherein in particular the web-shaped starting material is subjected to a predetermined tension or tensioning force so that it is always taut between the feed device and the conveying device and does not sag. The tensioning device is arranged in the conveying direction in or on the feed device, preferably at the outlet region of the feed device. In particular, the tensioning device is arranged on or in the guide device. Preferably, the tensioning device is designed to perform a compensating movement in the vertical direction upwards and / or downwards.

[0047] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamping device is preloaded. The preload urges the clamping device to perform a compensating movement. Preferably, the preload force is directed counter to a force acting on the clamping device through the web-like starting material. In particular, the clamping device is preloaded by a mechanical spring. Alternatively or additionally, the clamping device comprises a clamping mass. The clamping mass can urge the clamping device vertically downwards in the direction of gravity. Preferably, the clamping device is compressed air-free. By avoiding a compressed air actuator, for example, a pneumatic piston, the energy and / or space requirements of the system can be minimized.

[0048] In one embodiment of the invention, the clamping means is movably mounted on the feed device. The clamping means is generally movably mounted transversely to the conveying direction. In particular, the clamping means can be movably mounted in the vertical direction. Preferably, the clamping means is movably mounted transversely to the conveying direction with a vertical movement component, for example, along an incline or an arc. The feed device can, for example, have a linear guide in which the clamping means is held. Alternatively, the feed device can have a pivotable bearing or a pair of pivotable bearings which pivotally hold the clamping means on the feed device. Alternatively, the clamping means is pivotally mounted on the frame of the system.

[0049] A further embodiment of the invention provides that the tensioning means comprises at least one position sensor, such as a contactor. The feed device is preferably designed and configured to apply a feed speed to the web-shaped starting material depending on the position sensor, wherein the feed device activates or inactivates a drive depending on a threshold value detection, such as a detection of an initial position. When the drive is in an active state, it drives the feed device to draw in the web-shaped starting material from the material web supply. When the drive is inactive, it does not actuate the feed device. In this way, it can be ensured that sufficient starting material is always provided for continuous and rapid operation of the system. At the same time, material jams and material breaks are avoided.As an alternative to the two-point control method mentioned above, other control methods are also conceivable. For example, a three-point controller can switch the drive to a (second active) operating state in addition to the (first) active and inactive states, with a conveyor speed that is faster or slower than the conveyor speed of the (first) active state. Alternatively or additionally, the controller can be designed as a continuous controller, for example, connected to a position sensor or angle sensor for continuously detecting the actual position of the clamping device.

[0050] Alternatively or additionally, an embodiment of the system comprises a force measuring sensor, in particular for measuring an absolute force acting on it. One component of the detected force relates to the tension force of the web-shaped starting material under prestress. The force measuring sensor can be arranged on a bearing and / or holder of the deflection and / or the feed device or at another suitable location in the system. The force measuring sensor and the drive and / or the feed device are components of a drive control loop. Preferably, the drive control loop is designed and configured to always keep the prestress of the web-shaped starting material at a predefined level, in particular independently of the operation of the conveying device. The drive control loop is preferably designed and configured to set a smooth start-up of the drive of the conveying device when a conveying movement begins.In particular, the drive control loop is designed and configured to gradually increase the conveying speed of the web material. Alternatively or additionally, the drive control loop is designed and configured to gently and gradually reduce the conveying speed until it stops during a shutdown. Such a system configuration with a drive control loop can be implemented without a clamping device.

[0051] According to an optional embodiment of the invention, the feed device comprises at least one creasing element for introducing at least one longitudinal groove, in particular at least one longitudinal center groove, preferably two or three longitudinal center grooves, into the web-shaped starting material. The at least one creasing element is preferably coordinated with a folding means, in particular at least one, preferably first, folding roller. The system can expediently be equipped with at least one creasing element which is designed to introduce one or more grooves in the web-longitudinal direction into the web-shaped starting material, preferably comprising paper or cardboard or consisting thereof, in order to improve the forming process of the web-shaped starting material along the longitudinal tears by the folding means. The introduction of the at least one longitudinal groove is preferably carried out in accordance with DE 10 2020 114 1 A1.

[0052] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one creasing element comprises a stationary knife, preferably Teflon-coated, or at least one rotatably mounted creasing disc. Such a creasing element allows grooves to be reliably introduced into the web-like starting material with a low risk of tearing.

[0053] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one creasing element is spring-loaded and / or mounted without compressed air. By preloading the creasing element, preferably by means of at least one mechanical spring and / or without a pneumatic actuator, the required forming force can be optimally adjusted to ensure fast and reliable forming action by the system.

[0054] According to one embodiment of a spring-loaded and / or pneumatically mounted creasing element, this at least one creasing element pushes against a creasing counterbearing, such as a counterbearing roller. The creasing counterbearing is preferably implemented separately from a driven and / or driven feed roller of the feed device.

[0055] An embodiment of the system for converting a web-shaped starting material into packaging bags further comprises a conveyor device for conveying away the web-shaped starting material formed in the forming device, wherein the conveyor device comprises a pair of mutually cooperating conveyor rollers for gripping at least one longitudinal edge of the material web with a V-shaped or U-shaped cross-section. It may be preferred that the conveyor rollers cooperating in pairs have an ideally cylindrical and / or smooth outer circumferential surface. In a further development of the system with a conveyor device, it is provided that the conveyor rollers comprise a first conveyor roller having at least one convex circumferential embossed projection and a second conveyor roller having at least one embossed recess complementary to the embossed projection.

[0056] According to an alternative or additional development of the system with a conveyor device, the conveyor rollers implement a longitudinal seal. The conveyor rollers are designed and configured to press two opposing wings of the material web with a V- or U-shaped cross-section against each other with a sealing pressure of at least 0.5 bar, in particular at least 1 bar, preferably at least 1.5 bar, in order to form a longitudinal strip delimiting the packaging pocket. The level of the sealing pressure can be adapted to the adhesive used. A sealing pressure of 1 bar corresponds to a joining force of 10 Newtons per square centimeter acting on the packaging pocket.

[0057] The conveyor rollers are optionally designed with a friction fit on their outer surface to ensure reliable conveyance of the material web. For this purpose, the outer surface can be profiled. Profiling can be in the form of fluting or knurling. Alternatively, the outer surface can be smooth and / or rubberized. The conveyor rollers themselves preferably rotate in pairs in opposite directions, with the two opposing wings of the material web being guided between them, thereby sealing the material. Furthermore, the conveyor rollers pull the web-shaped starting material through the upstream forming device, with the drive of the conveyor rollers optionally driving the forming process in functional union.It can be provided that during and / or as a result of the conveying of the web-shaped starting material by the rollers of the conveying device, the feed device is activated in response thereto, in particular in such a way that material is fed in from the material supply and / or that the tension of the web-shaped starting material is always ensured.

[0058] It may be preferred for the conveyor rollers to be equipped with only one drive. Both conveyor rollers can be coupled to each other via a gear. Alternatively, only one of the two conveyor rollers is driven, while the other runs loosely as a support and joining roller. In a further variant, the driven conveyor roller can be designed as a friction-locked conveyor roller, in particular, with profiling and / or rubber coating on its outer surface.

[0059] Another embodiment of the system for converting a web-like starting material into packaging pockets, which can be combined with the previous one, further comprises a loading device. The loading device has a loading opening through which shipping items or goods can be inserted into the receiving cavity of the converted material web.

[0060] According to a further development of a system with a feeding device, the feeding device comprises two guides adjacent to the feeding opening and arranged transversely to the conveying direction, for opposing wings, in particular longitudinal edges, of the material web with a V- or U-shaped cross-section. The guides can be implemented, for example, as guide surfaces, guide rollers, and / or guide rollers. The guides are arranged upstream in the conveying direction and / or in the region of the feeding opening, in particular at the level of the feeding opening.

[0061] According to another embodiment, the system for converting a web-shaped starting material into packaging pockets further comprises at least one sealing device for sealing at least one transverse strip and / or one longitudinal strip of the converted web-shaped starting material and / or a separating device for separating a packaging pocket from the starting material web along a transverse strip.

[0062] Preferred embodiments are given in the subclaims.

[0063] In the following, further properties, features and advantages of the invention will become clear by describing preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings, in which:

[0064] Figure 1a is a side view of a first embodiment of a system for forming a web-shaped starting material into mailing bags;

[0065] Figure ib is a side view of a second embodiment of a system for forming a web-like starting material into mailing bags;

[0066] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a system for forming a web-like starting material into mailing bags;

[0067] Figure 3 shows a detailed view of an embodiment of a guidance device;

[0068] Figure 3a shows a system for forming a web-shaped starting material with a different design of a guide device;

[0069] Figure 3b shows a system for forming a web-shaped starting material with a further embodiment of a guide device;

[0070] Figure 3c shows a system for forming a web-shaped starting material with a further guide device variant;

[0071] Figure 4 is a side view of a feed device with creasing elements; and Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a separating and sealing device.

[0072] To simplify readability, the following description of preferred embodiments of the various aspects of the invention, which can be implemented individually or combined, uses the same or similar reference numerals for the same or similar components of different embodiments of systems for converting a web-like starting material into packaging bags. Those skilled in the art will understand that, although the exemplary embodiments of a system described below sometimes embody several combinable aspects of the invention, the various aspects can each be implemented individually or in any combination with one another.

[0073] A system according to the invention for converting a web-shaped starting material which defines a web longitudinal direction and extends between two longitudinal edges opposite in the web width direction, in particular a web-shaped starting material made of paper or cardboard, into packaging bags is generally provided with the reference symbol too.

[0074] The web-shaped starting material i is preferably formed of or consists of cardboard or paper. In addition to cardboard or paper, the starting material i may comprise an adhesive or the like for sealing the packaging bags n to be formed.

[0075] As shown in Figures 1a and 1b or Figure 2, the web-shaped starting material i for the system too can be provided as a material web supply 2, for example in the form of a supply roll. The material web supply 2 is preferably arranged close to the ground so that even heavy, large material web supplies 2 can be used without cranes or similar lifting aids. Instead, for example, a mobile support frame 20 for a material web supply 2 can be used, as can be seen in Figure 2. The support frame 20 itself can be mechanically coupled to the system 100, for example plugged in, in order to set up an optimized alignment of the web-shaped starting material 1 relative to the feed device 110. The web-shaped starting material 1 rolled up to form the material web supply 2 has a web width direction B. The extension of the starting material 1 in the web width direction B orThe width of the web-shaped starting material corresponds to the cylinder height of the roll-shaped material web supply 2. The opposing, circular base surfaces of the roll-shaped or cylindrical material web supply 2 are formed by the opposing longitudinal edges 6 of the starting material web 1. To form the roll-shaped material web supply 2, the starting material web 1 is wound in its longitudinal direction L. The system 100 and, if applicable, the support frame 20 stand on a surface, such as a hall floor, that extends essentially horizontally. A vertical direction V extends orthogonally on this surface and / or in the direction of gravity.

[0076] To process the web-like starting material 1 into a plurality of packaging pockets 11 by the system 100, the starting material web 1 is guided through the system 100 with its longitudinal direction L according to a conveying direction F, and is pulled through it, thereby unwound from the roll-like material web supply 2. Within the various components of the system 100, the local conveying direction F along which the web-like material 1 is moved can be variable with respect to the vertical direction V as well as with respect to a horizontal direction.

[0077] The conveying path of the starting material web 1 through the system 100 according to the embodiments illustrated by way of example in Figures 1a and 1b or Figure 2 generally runs (in successive order according to the following list of the system components) from a material web supply 2 through a feed device 110, along a tensioning means, such as a support roller 115, to a deflection, such as a deflection roller 120, and then through a forming device 130 and to a subsequent feeding device 150 and further to a conveying device 170 and a sealing device 180 and finally to a separating device 190. From the feed device 110 to the forming device 130, the web-shaped starting material is guided within a channel 201 of a guide device 200.

[0078] A web-shaped starting material 1 with sufficient rigidity is pushed by the feed device 110 through the guide device 200 to the forming device 130. For example, after replacing a used material web supply with a fresh material web supply 2, the free leading edge of the web-shaped starting material can be pushed by the conveying movement of the feed device 110 through the channel 201 to the inlet 139 of the forming device 130. In this case, it can be expedient to pull the web-shaped starting material 1 from the supply roll, as shown in Figures 1a and 1b, in such a way that the leading edge of the starting material realizes a curvature in the vertical direction upwards corresponding to the supply roll curvature, thus preventing the leading edge from jamming with the lower guide element 210.If the leading edge of the web-shaped starting material 1 in the guide device 200 has a slight upward curvature, this assists the sliding of the starting material web 1 on the channel inner side 203 in the form of the first, lower guide element 210. The upper channel inner side 205 in the form of the upper guide element 220 prevents the starting material from rolling up according to its supply roll curvature or otherwise deviating from the intended conveying direction F from the output area 119 of the feed device 110 to the input area 139 of the forming device 130.

[0079] If the web-shaped starting material 1 is provided with an adhesive, such as an adhesive or the like for sealing the packaging pockets 11 to be formed, it may be expedient to pull the web-shaped starting material 1 off the supply roll 2 in such a way that the side of the starting material 1 coated with adhesive is oriented upwards in the vertical direction V, in order to prevent the adhesive in the channel 201 from coming into extensive contact with the lower channel inner side 203 due to gravity.

[0080] In the embodiments illustrated here as examples, the web-shaped starting material 1 extends essentially flat, in particular in a horizontal direction, from the material web supply 2 to the deflection roller 120 in the web width direction B. At the deflection roller 120, the starting material web undergoes a turn. Starting from the deflection at the inlet region 139 of the forming device 130, the web-shaped starting material 1 is formed in the forming device 130 into a material web with a V- or U-shaped cross-section and a receiving cavity 9 extending in the web longitudinal direction L. The receiving cavity 9 is delimited on the one hand by a pocket base 7 and on both sides thereof by wings 8 protruding transversely to the conveying direction F and / or the web longitudinal direction L and extends in the web longitudinal direction L. From the forming device 130, the material web 5 with a V- or U-shaped cross-section is transferred to the feeding device 150.The feeding device 150 has a feeding opening 151 opposite the pocket base 7, through which shipping items can be inserted into the receiving cavity 9. By means of the conveying device 170, the material web 5, which is V-shaped or U-shaped in cross-section and is loaded with at least one shipping item, is pulled further from the feeding device 150 in the conveying direction F. A sealing device 180 inserts transverse strips 15 and longitudinal strips 16 into the V-shaped or U-shaped material web 5 to form packaging pockets 11. The transverse strip 15 on the one hand and the longitudinal strip 16 on the other hand can be inserted by different components and / or mechanisms of the sealing device 180. The separating device 190 separates packaging pockets 11 loaded with at least one shipping item from the material web 1.The sealing device 180 can be formed at least partially in functional union with the conveying device 170 and / or the separating device 190, as will be described below by way of example with reference to Figure 5.

[0081] To pull the material web 5 in the conveying direction F, the conveying device 170 has conveying rollers which are arranged opposite one another and rotate in opposite directions to one another. The wings 8 of the material web, which are still spaced apart from one another and have a V- or U-shaped cross-section, are inserted between the conveying rollers on the inlet side. During the conveying process, the wings 8 are moved further towards one another. The wings 8 can be pressed against one another between the conveying rollers during conveying, whereby the edge region of the wings 8 is sealed between the conveying rollers in order to form the longitudinal strips 16. When the longitudinal strip 16 is introduced, the receiving cavity 9 can be closed immediately transversely to the web's longitudinal direction L.The at least one shipping article is then enclosed from three sides of the material web, namely from the pocket base 7, from the seal created by the conveyor rollers 171 and 172 in the form of the longitudinal strips 16 in the web longitudinal direction L, and from the front end region of the material web by the sealing device 180.

[0082] In an alternative embodiment, sealing rollers (not shown in detail) are provided as a pair of rollers, which are arranged opposite one another and are arranged upstream of the conveying rollers in the conveying direction F. Each of the sealing rollers is rotatably mounted, wherein at least one of the bearings is arranged to be movable by means of force application and is movable relative to the other sealing roller.

[0083] According to a first embodiment, the sealing device 180 is arranged upstream of the separating device 190 in the conveying direction F. In terms of the process, the material web is first closed on the still open side by the sealing device 180, so that the at least one shipping item is now completely wrapped and enclosed by the material of the material web. The closing and sealing advantageously takes place by means of and between two jaws which extend across the entire width of the packaging pocket 11 and thus transversely to the web's longitudinal direction L. At least one of the jaws can be displaceably driven by a drive such that the at least one motor-driven jaw exerts a force of 1 bar or 10 Newtons per square centimeter from the outside on the material web, whereby the sealing takes place and the transverse strip 15 is formed. The packaging pocket 11 is then formed and surrounds the shipping item.

[0084] Subsequently, individual packaging pockets 11 can be severed from the material web and thus separated in a further process step by means of the separating device 190. Alternatively, the separation and separation of the packaging pockets 11 can also take place in the process sequence as described above, provided that it is ensured that the sealing takes place in the final process step, for example as described above. For this purpose, it can be expedient if the at least one displaceably drivable jaw fixes the severed shipping pocket 11 by means of a counter jaw and the sealing or creation of the transverse strip 15 takes place directly in conjunction with the separation and separation from the material web. However, it is and remains essential in these embodiments and process sequences that the sealing device 180 is at least partially in functional union with the separating device 190.

[0085] Figure 1a shows a side view of a first embodiment of the system 100 for converting the web-shaped starting material 1, which is formed in particular from paper or cardboard, into packaging pockets 11. A feed device 110 draws the web-shaped starting material 1 from the material web supply 2. The feed device 110 is arranged in the vertical direction V above the material web supply 2.

[0086] Downstream of the feed device 110, the web-shaped starting material 1, which may have been formed into a grooved material web 3 in the feed device 110 by means of a grooving element 105, is guided along a support roller 115. The support roller 115 can be referred to as a loose roller or dancer roller. The support roller 115 is mounted on the system 100, in the embodiment according to Figure 1a on the feed device 110, so as to be movable transversely to the conveying direction F. The support roller 115 is held movable to carry out an evasive movement a relative to the feed device 110 and / or a deflection 120. As shown in Figure 1a, the evasive movement a can be oriented in the vertical direction V. The support roller preferably implements a tensioning element. It holds the web-shaped starting material 1 or, if applicable, the grooved material web between the feed device 110 and the conveying device 170 taut to a predetermined extent.

[0087] The support roller 115 can be preloaded downwards in the vertical direction V, for example, by a mass, in particular its own weight. Alternatively or additionally, the support roller 115 can be spring-loaded to carry out an evasive movement a. The support roller 115 is preferably designed without a pneumatic actuator. The tension force of the web-shaped starting material 1 acts counter to the preload of the support roller 5 as a result of a tensile force acting on the starting material web 1 by a conveyor device 170 in the conveying direction F. With the help of the support roller, discontinuities between a conveying speed when pulling the web-shaped starting material web 1 from the material web supply 2, on the one hand, and a conveying speed at the conveyor device 170 and / or the separating device 190, on the other hand, can be compensated.By displacing the support roller 115 in the direction of the compensating movement a, the conveying path from the feed device 110 to the feeding device 150 is extended, so that a buffer quantity of web-shaped starting material 1 can be kept available along the conveying path. The support roller 115 is framed in the vertical direction by beak sections 215, 225 of the guide elements 210, 220 of the guide device 200, which ensure a reliable transfer of the material web from the output area 119 of the feed device into the guide device 200. At the input area 139 of the forming device 130, a deflection is arranged, which in the embodiment shown here as an example is implemented as a deflection roller 120. The web-shaped starting material 1 is supported along the deflection axis U on the deflection roller 120 before being conveyed through the forming device 130.The deflection roller 120 or deflection roll extends in the direction of the deflection axis U over more than the initial width b of the starting material web 1.

[0088] Figure 1b shows another embodiment of a system 100, which differs from the system in Figure 1a in the design of the control device 200, which will be explained in more detail later. Otherwise, the design of the system in Figure 1b corresponds to the design in Figure 1a.

[0089] As can be seen in Figure 2, the guide device 200 bridges the path of the web-shaped starting material from the feed device 110 to the deflection roller 120 at the input area 139 of the forming device. The guide device 200 is formed by sheet-like, rigid guide elements 211, 221, between which a channel 201 for the starting material is provided. The width of the guide device 200 essentially corresponds to the starting width b of the web material. As shown in Figure 2, the lower guide plate 211 is designed with a width corresponding to the axial extent of the deflection roller 120, corresponding to the starting width b. The upper guide plate 221 has a smaller width. The upper guide plate 221 extends only approximately over one-tenth of the axial extent of the deflection roller 120, corresponding to the starting width b. The upper guide plate 221 is arranged predominantly in an inclined surface.At the exit area 119 of the feed device 110, the rigid guide element 221 forms a horizontal beak section 225, which extends above the dancer (not visible in Figure 2) into the exit area 119 in order to ensure a safe introduction of the material web into the guide device 210.

[0090] Figure 3 shows a deflection system with a deflection roller 120 and a holding belt 125 in the input area 139 of the forming device 130. The web-shaped starting material 1 is guided along a circumferential contact area 121. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 3, according to Figures 1a and 1b, the circumferential contact area 121 extends over more than 90° around the outer circumference of the deflection roller 120. The holding belt 125 is in touching contact with part of the circumferential contact area 121. The holding belt 125 prevents the web-shaped starting material 1 from lifting off the deflection roller 120, which could otherwise lead to material jams or material tears. The holding belt 125 serves as a threading aid or as a guide device 200 when a new material web is fed into the machine, as described in detail below.If the holding belt 125 is slightly tensioned against the deflection, this may be sufficient to hold the material web between the deflection 120 and the belt 125. This can prevent the source material from being pulled back by gravity or by the dancer. Preferably, the driven belt deflection pulley has a freewheel that does not impede the conveying movement of the source material i during its movement in the conveying direction F, for example, when the drive motor of the belt is switched off or inactive.

[0091] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the guide device 200 extends with both the upper guide element 220 and the lower guide element 210 to the inlet area 139 of the forming device 130. The rigid guide elements 211, 221 are formed as guide plates, as described above with regard to Figure 1 or 2, and end in the immediate vicinity of the outer circumference of the deflection roller 120.

[0092] The guide elements 211, 221 delimit the channel 201. The channel height is less than 5 cm, in particular less than 2.5 cm, preferably less than 1 cm and / or at least 5 mm. In a first embodiment in Figure 1a and Figure 3a, the distance between the guide elements 211, 221 and thus the channel height of the channel 201 continuously decreases from the feed device 110 in the conveying direction F to the deflection roller 120. Thus, the lower guide plate 211 and the upper guide plate 221 have different gradients with respect to the horizontal direction. The gradient of the upper guide plate 221 is less than that of the lower guide plate 211. This provides sufficient space for the dancer 115. In another embodiment in Figure 1b and Figure 3b, the guide elements 211, 221 are aligned plane-parallel to one another, spaced apart by the channel height.In this embodiment, the lower guide plate 211 and the upper guide plate 221 thus have the same pitch with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0093] Channel 201 is open in the web width direction B, transverse to the conveying direction F and to the vertical direction V. Channel 201 is oriented tangentially to the beginning of the circumferential contact area 121. The upper guide element 220 has a baffle 223 in the entrance area 139 that projects upwards in the vertical direction V and extends toward the belt deflection roller 126 and the retaining belt 125 carried by it. The baffle 223 ensures that starting material at the entrance area 139 is reliably guided into the forming device 130.

[0094] Preferably, one of the belt deflection rollers 126 is driven. The belt roller drive serves as a setup aid. With the help of the belt roller drive, the belt 125, and thus the material web, can be gradually fed at a slower speed by the person setting up the machine at the touch of a button. This allows the setter to concentrate fully on threading the new starting material through the forming device 130 and the conveying device 170 to the cutting device 190. Once the machine is set up, the freewheel engages and the belt runs loosely - but remains pre-tensioned and in contact with the web-shaped starting material 1. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the holding belt 125 is guided along three belt deflection rollers 126, 127, 128, of which, for example, one belt deflection roller 126 can be driven and one belt deflection roller 127 can be movably mounted to maintain belt tension.The driven belt roller 126 can provide a drive force for conveying the starting material web 1. Optionally, the belt roller 126 is provided with a freewheel, which is arranged between the drive motor and the holding belt 125 itself in terms of drive technology. This facilitates the restart of the system 100 or when a new material web 5 is fed into the system 100. A second belt deflection roller 128 is arranged horizontally next to the upstream, driven belt deflection roller 126. The deflection roller 120 is arranged centrally between the belt deflection rollers 126, 128, slightly offset downwards in the vertical direction V. The downstream belt deflection roller 127 is positioned vertically below the roller 128 arranged above it in the vertical direction V. The deflection axis U of the deflection roller 120 is located between the two belt deflection rollers 127, 128 in the vertical direction V.In the direction of the deflection axis U, the holding belt 125 extends significantly shorter than the deflection roller 120. A curved guide plate 123 is arranged between the downstream belt deflection roller 127 and the deflection roller. The small, curved guide plate 123 guides the material web toward the forming roller 131.

[0095] The deflection, implemented here as a deflection roller 120, is arranged in the vertical direction V at the upper end and entrance area 139 of the forming device 130. The deflection roller 120 is also arranged above the feed device 110, which is located above the material web supply 2, and above the exit area 119 of the feed device 110. In the embodiment according to Figures 1a and 1b or Figure 2, the deflection forms the uppermost component of the system 100. The arrangement of the deflection at the entrance 139 of the forming device 130 allows for a compact design in the horizontal direction, so that the system 100 can be installed with a small footprint in a logistics hall.

[0096] Figures 3a to 3c show systems 1 which are designed as described above with respect to Figures 1a, 1b and 2 and which essentially differ only in the design of the respective control device 200.

[0097] In general, the guide device 200 is designed and configured to guide a leading edge of a web-shaped starting material from the feed device 110 to the forming device 130. The guide device 200 bridges the distance between the outlet 119 of the feed device 110 and the inlet 139 of the forming device 130. As shown, the guide device 200 can bridge a height difference between the relatively low-positioned outlet 119 of the feed device 110 and the relatively high-positioned inlet 139 of the forming device 130. The dancer 115 is arranged at the outlet 119 of the feed device 110. The guide device 200 can extend beyond the dancer in the direction of the feed device 110. The deflection roller 120 or other deflection is provided at the inlet 139 of the forming device 130.The guide device 200, in particular an upper guide element 220, such as the conveying-movable guide element 222 in the form of the belt 125, can extend into the input area 139 of the forming device 130. An overlap of the guide device 200 with the output area 119 of the feed device 110 and / or with the input area 139 of the forming device 130, on the one hand, serves to ensure the secure transfer of the web-shaped starting material 1.

[0098] In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 3a and 3b, the guide device 200 comprises the retaining belt 125 as a conveying-movable guide element 222, which is guided along three belt deflection rollers 126, 127, 128. A difference from the variant previously described with reference to Figure 3 can be seen in the arrangement of the downstream belt deflection roller 127. This variant does not have a guide plate. Instead, the downstream belt deflection roller 127 is arranged transversely to the conveying direction F, closer to the conveying path F of the material web relative to the second belt deflection roller 128. Together with guide plates 221, 211, the belt 125 forms the channel 201.

[0099] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3c, the guide device 200 comprises the holding belt 125 as a conveying-movable guide element 222, which is guided along four belt deflection rollers 126, 127, 128, 129. The belt 125 receives the material web very early, in the area of ​​the motor-driven belt deflection roller 126, and guides it to the deflection 120. The belt 125 guides the material web along the circumferential surface of the deflection roller 120. Together with only one lower guide plate 211, the belt 125 forms the channel 201. In the vertical direction V upwards, the channel is not limited by a rigid, but only by a conveying-movable guide element 222.

[0100] In the area from the outlet 119 of the feed device 110 to the deflection roller 120, a guide plate 211 extends below the path of the material web. The channel-like guide device 200 for the material web is defined between the belt 125 and the guide plate 211, the channel height of which increasingly tapers. In the area of ​​the vertically movable support roller 115, a wide free space is thus provided between the guide plate 211 and the belt 125 running from the driven roller 126 to the deflection roller 120, in which the dancer 115 is movable. This is also advantageous when a leading material web section is deformed, for example, bent, and must be "caught" by the belt 125.

[0101] Three of the four belt deflection pulleys 127, 128, 129 are arranged like the belt deflection pulleys previously described with reference to Figures 3a and 3b, whereby in the embodiment according to Figure 3c, pulley 126 is driven and a freewheel (not shown in detail) is arranged between pulley 126 and the drive motor. The alternative belt guide has two belt deflection pulleys 128 and 129 in the upper area, which are arranged horizontally offset from one another on the opposite sides of the deflection pulley 120. According to an alternative not shown, instead of the two horizontally offset belt deflection pulleys 128, 129, only a single belt deflection pulley with a sufficiently large diameter to bypass the deflection pulley 120 could be provided.

[0102] A forming device 130 is described in detail below. Starting from the deflection, the starting material web 1 is conveyed downward in the conveying direction F corresponding to the vertical direction V into and through the forming device 130. The longitudinal edges 6 of the material web can remain essentially in the plane determined by the deflection, which extends from the deflection to the conveying device 170. The central region of the material web is formed in the forming device 130 by folding means, which are implemented by folding rollers 131, 132 and 133, into a pocket base 7 of a material web 5 with a V- or U-shaped cross-section, which is framed on both sides by wings 8 that extend up to the longitudinal edges 6.

[0103] The forming device 130 comprises a first folding roller 131, the roller axis of which is aligned parallel to the deflection axis U and offset from the deflection axis U. In the conveying direction F, an axial distance is provided between the roller axis of the first folding roller 131 and the deflection axis U. A turnover distance extends transversely to the conveying direction F between the deflection axis U and the roller axis of the first folding roller 131. A second folding roller 132 and optionally a third folding roller 133 arranged between the first folding roller 131 and the second folding roller 132 define the path of the pocket base 7 through the forming device 130. The roller axis of the second folding roller 132 is arranged significantly further offset in relation to the deflection axis U in the direction of the conveying direction F through the forming device 130, preferably by 2 times to 5 times the axial distance.Transverse to the conveying direction F (in the feeding direction), the second folding roller 132 is further apart from the first folding roller 131 relative to the deflection axis, but not more than 100%, but only approximately 10% to 50%. The roller axes W of the folding rollers 131, 132, and, if applicable, 133, are spatially parallel to each other.

[0104] The folding rollers 131, 132, and 133 can be formed by a pair of rolling disks 135, between which a spacer is arranged. The distance between the rolling disks relative to one another in the direction of the roller axis W, defined by the spacer, can correspond to the distance between the creasing disks 107, 207 of a creasing element 105 upstream of the forming device.

[0105] The forming device 130 has a guide surface 140, which can be partially implemented by counter-bearing rollers associated with the folding rollers 131, 132, 133. The V- or U-shaped material web 5, in particular the pocket base 7, can be guided along the guide surface 140. Preferably, the guide surface 140 extends parallel to the plane spanned by the deflection and the conveying device. In the embodiment of the system 100 according to Figures 1 or 2, the guide surface 140 extends in a substantially vertical plane.

[0106] Figure 4 shows a side view of a feed device 110. The feed device 110 differs from the feed device 110 essentially only in the orientation of its conveying direction F at the inlet and outlet of the feed device. The feed device 110 comprises a pair of conveyor rollers 111 and 112, between which the web-shaped starting material web (not shown in detail in Figure 4) can be conveyed. The lower conveyor roller 111 is provided with a drive device that drives the conveyor roller 111. The upper conveyor roller 112 rolls on the lower conveyor roller 111 and follows the movement of the lower conveyor roller 111.

[0107] Figure 4 shows the feed device 110 in an operating position in which the conveyor rollers 111, 112 cooperate with one another as a conveyor roller pair to pull the web-shaped starting material web 1 from the material web supply 2. When the system 100 has been loaded with a new material web supply 2, the leading edge of the starting material web 1 must be reinserted. To thread the web-shaped starting material web 1 into the feed device 110, the conveyor roller pair 111, 112 can be moved into a setup position (not shown in detail). For this purpose, only one of the conveyor rollers, in particular only the idler conveyor roller 112, or both conveyor rollers 111, 112, can be moved from the operating position into a spaced-apart setup position in which a threading gap is formed between the conveyor roller pair 111, 112.The conveyor roller 111, 112 can be moved back and forth between the operating position and the setup position manually or by an auxiliary motor, for example, an electric motor. After threading, the conveyor rollers 111, 112 are returned to the operating position and can be operated, for example, by manual actuation, at a slow withdrawal speed to draw the starting material 1 from the material web supply 2 and convey it through the guide device 200 toward the forming device 130. Optionally, manual access to the material web 1 in the guide device 200 can be provided. Preferably, manual access to the material web 1 is avoided while the leading free edge of a new material web 1 is being moved through the guide device 200; instead, the process is automated.

[0108] The feed device 110 comprises a creasing element 105. In the preferred embodiment shown here, the creasing element 105 is arranged upstream of the conveyor roller pair 111, 112. The creasing element 105 comprises two axially offset creasing discs 107, 108. The creasing discs 107, 108 are mounted on a bracket 116, spring-loaded by a compression spring 109. It is conceivable that the creasing discs 107, 108 are held rotationally rigidly. Preferably, the creasing discs 107, 108 are rotatably mounted. The creasing discs 107, 108 roll on the counter-bearing roller 106. The compression spring 109 urges the creasing discs against the counter-bearing roller or counter-bearing roll 106. The web-shaped starting material (not shown in detail in Figure 4) is conveyed by the feed device 110 along the creasing element 105, which longitudinally grooves the web-shaped starting material 1 so that it is formed into a grooved web material 3.Downstream of the feed device 110 in the forming device 230, the folding means cause the web-shaped material 1 to be folded, preferably along the longitudinal grooves introduced by the creasing element 105, in order to form the material web 5 with a V- or U-shaped cross-section.

[0109] Figure 5 schematically shows the sealing and separating device 180 / 190. The V- or U-shaped material web 5 is conveyed in the conveying direction F by the conveying device 170 to and through the separating and sealing device 180 / 190. The sealing device 180 comprises a pair of opposing jaws arranged transversely to the conveying direction F, which can be pressed against one another to form a transverse strip 15 sealing a packaging pocket 11. Optionally, a cold-sealing adhesive can be applied to the material web 5 on the inside of the receiving cavity 9, at least in the region of the longitudinal strips 16 and the transverse strips 15. The separating device 190 comprises at least one cutting edge, in particular a scissor- or guillotine-like edge, or alternatively a plurality of cutting-edge teeth for separating a packaging pocket 11 from the web-shaped starting material 1.At least one jaw of the sealing device 180 can be designed with a cutting edge of the separating device 190, so that during a pressing process of the jaws against each other, the packaging pocket 11 is separated from the material web 5 at the same time as the packaging pocket 11 is sealed along a transverse strip 15.

[0110] The features disclosed in the above description, the figures and the claims may be important both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in the various embodiments.

[0111] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0112] 1 web-shaped starting material

[0113] 2 Material web supply

[0114] 3 grooved material web

[0115] 5 Material web with U-shaped cross-section

[0116] 6 Longitudinal edge

[0117] 7 pocket base

[0118] 8 wings

[0119] 9 Receiving cavity ii Packaging bag

[0120] 15 horizontal stripes

[0121] 16 longitudinal stripes

[0122] 100 systems

[0123] 105 Creasing element

[0124] 106 Counter bearing roller

[0125] 107, 108 Grooving disc

[0126] 109 compression spring

[0127] 110 Feeding device

[0128] 111 driven conveyor roller

[0129] 112 roller conveyors

[0130] 115 dancers (supporting roller, idler roller)

[0131] 116 booms

[0132] 119 Exit area

[0133] 120 pulley

[0134] 123 guide plate

[0135] 125 straps

[0136] 126, 127, 128, 129 Belt pulleys

[0137] 130 U forming device

[0138] 131, 132, 133 folding roller

[0139] 139 Entrance area

[0140] 140 guide surface

[0141] 150 feeding device

[0142] 151 Loading opening

[0143] 180 sealing device

[0144] 190 Separating device 200 Guiding device

[0145] 201 channel

[0146] 203 first (lower) canal side

[0147] 205 second (upper) canal side

[0148] 210 first (lower) guide element

[0149] 220 second (upper) guide element

[0150] 211, 221 rigid guide element

[0151] 222 movable guide element

[0152] 223 aperture

[0153] 215, 225 Beak section a Evasive movement b Exit width

[0154] L web longitudinal direction

[0155] B Track width direction

[0156] E Feeding direction

[0157] F Conveying direction

[0158] U deflection axis

[0159] V Vertical direction

Claims

REQUIREMENTS 1. System (100) for converting a web-shaped input material (1) defining a web longitudinal direction (L) and extending between two longitudinal edges (6) opposite each other in the web width direction (B), in particular made of paper or cardboard, into packaging bags (n), comprising: a feed device (no) for drawing off the web-shaped input material (1), a forming device (130) for continuously forming the web-shaped input material (1) into a material web (5) with a V- or U-shaped cross-section and a receiving cavity (9) extending in the web longitudinal direction (L), characterized in that the system (100) includes a guiding device (200) for guiding a leading edge of the web-shaped input material (1) from the feed device (110) to the forming device (130).

2. System (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the guiding device (200) defines a channel (201), in particular a funnel-shaped one, which is formed by several guiding elements which can be brought into contact with the leading edge of the starting material, in particular a sliding contact or a drive contact.

3. System (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the channel (201) tapers in the conveying direction (F) of the web-shaped starting material (1), preferably in the vertical direction (V), and / or wherein the channel (201) has a channel width which at least sectionally, preferably constantly, corresponds at least to the width of the web-shaped starting material (1).

4. System (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the guiding device (200) comprises at least one first guiding element (210), a first side (203) of the channel (201), in particular the lower side in the vertical direction (V), and / or at least a second guiding element (220) that limits a second side (205) of the channel (201) opposite the first side, in particular the upper side in the vertical direction (V).

5. System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guiding device (200) comprises several guiding elements which are arranged next to each other and / or one behind the other with respect to the conveying direction (F).

6. System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide device (200) bridges a distance between the feed device (110) and the forming device (130), wherein preferably at least one, in particular a first, guide element (210) extends completely from the feed device (110) to the forming device (130) and / or wherein preferably at least one, in particular a second, guide element (220) extends over at least half the distance.

7. System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide device (200) bridges a height difference between an outlet area (119) of the feed device (110) and the inlet area (139) of the forming device (130) arranged in the vertical direction (V) above the outlet area (119).

8. System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide device (200) comprises at least one rigid guide element (211, 221), such as a guide rod, a guide plate or the like, wherein the guide device (200) in particular comprises several rigid guide elements (211, 221).

9. System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guiding device (200) comprises at least one conveyable guiding element (222), such as a belt (125), for carrying the leading edge of the web-shaped starting material.

10. System (ioo) according to claim 9, characterized in that the conveyable guide element engages with the forming device (130) at least partially, in particular in an input area (139) of the forming device (130).

11. System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed device (110) is designed and configured to push the leading edge of the web-shaped starting material (1) through the guide device (200) from the feed device (110) to the forming device (130).

12. System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed device (110) comprises at least one driven feed roller (111) and at least one cooperating, in particular driven or driven, feed roller (112), wherein the feed device has an operating position in which the driven feed roller (111) and the cooperating feed roller (112) are brought close to each other to grasp the web-shaped starting material, wherein in particular a preload force pushes the driven feed roller (111) and the cooperating feed roller (112) against each other, and wherein the feed device has a setup position in which the driven feed roller (111) and the cooperating feed roller (112) are arranged at a distance from each other.

13. System (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that the feed device (110) has an operating state in which the feed device (110) is designed to subject the web-shaped starting material to a first, in particular fast and / or variable, take-off speed, and a setup state in which the feed device (110) is designed to subject the web-shaped starting material to a second, in particular slow and / or constant, take-off speed.

14. System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system (100) comprises a supply of web material (2), in particular a supply roll, of the web-shaped starting material (1), from which the feed device (110) draws the web-shaped starting material, wherein the feed device (110) and the The material web supply (2) is coordinated such that the feed device (110) transfers the web-shaped starting material to the guide device (200) with an upward curvature in the vertical direction (V), in particular a supply roll curvature, and / or an adhesive coating oriented upwards in the vertical direction (V). System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deflection relative to a vertical direction (V) is arranged in an upper inlet area (139), in particular at an upper end, of the forming device (130), wherein, in particular, the web-shaped starting material (1) is fed into the forming device. (130) is guided with a conveying direction (F) which is directed downwards in relation to a vertical direction (V).

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