System for converting a web-shaped starting material into packaging pouches
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023729372
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-05-27
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-26
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-09
AI Technical Summary
Existing packaging systems for converting sheet materials into bags are inefficient due to their large size, inflexibility, and high space requirements, making them unsuitable for versatile use in various packaging locations, and they often rely on weldable plastic materials that are environmentally undesirable.
A compact system that converts a web-shaped starting material, predominantly paper or cardboard, into packaging bags by forming a three-dimensional material web with a V- or U-shaped cross section, using a forming device that orients the material in the direction of gravity and allows for flexible configuration between vertical and horizontal orientations, enabling efficient use in limited spaces.
The system provides a space-saving and adaptable solution for creating packaging bags from recyclable materials, reducing the need for plastic and allowing for flexible arrangement, thus addressing the limitations of previous systems in terms of space and versatility.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] System for converting a web-shaped starting material into packaging bags
[0002] The present invention relates to a system for converting a web-like starting material into packaging bags. A web-like starting material defines a web longitudinal direction and extends between two opposite longitudinal edges. The web-like starting material preferably consists of paper, cardboard, or paperboard.
[0003] Packaging bags, a packaging material web, and packaging material blanks are known from DE 10 2020 114211 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.
[0004] Various systems are known for forming packaging pockets from flat packaging material webs for holding objects such as shipping items, a formed packaging material web and packaging material blanks.
[0005] GB 1,067,166 describes a system for packaging objects in which a weldable starting web material such as polyethylene or polypropylene is processed and guided through an infeed channel defined by side walls transverse to the web's longitudinal direction. The infeed channel is dimensioned only for a specific type of similar shipping item. At the end of the infeed channel, the edges of the web material are folded inward by a pair of folding lips and sealed with a first die to form a packaging material tube. A second die, arranged further downstream and movable in the vertical direction, seals the front and rear edges of the tube in the web's longitudinal direction by clamping the edges between two sealing jaws.The system also includes a cutting edge for separating the produced and filled packaging pockets, which moves horizontally in a translational manner, i.e., transversely, to the length of the tube, similar to a jigsaw. From an ecological perspective, it is desirable to avoid weldable plastic material webs. Due to the lying or horizontal arrangement and material web conveyance of the machine in accordance with GB 1,067,166, it requires a lot of space and can therefore only be used in specially designated packaging stations. Furthermore, due to the size of the machine, it is hardly possible to reposition it efficiently. All components are fixed in their arrangement. This does not solve the problem of limited space for the packaging machine, which is becoming increasingly acute at all packing stations and packaging stations.
[0006] It is an object of the invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, in particular to provide a compact system for converting a web-shaped starting material into packaging bags, which can be optimized with regard to its spatial extent and / or used flexibly at a wide variety of packaging locations.
[0007] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.
[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a system is provided for converting a web-shaped starting material into packaging bags, 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, i.e., at least 75%, in particular at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, paper, cardboard, or paperboard, or consists thereof.
[0009] Web-shaped material or web material, like 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 ends at a respective 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. 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, cardboard or paperboard, 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 fresh 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 40 g / m A 2 to max. 140 g / m A 2. The web-shaped starting material can be in the form of a roll of material or a zigzag-folded stack of packaging material, which is also called a Leporello stack.
[0010] The system comprises a forming device for continuously forming the web-shaped starting material into a material web with a receiving space extending in the longitudinal direction of the web. The forming device is preferably designed or configured to transform the, in particular originally flat or two-dimensional, web-shaped starting material into a, in particular, three-dimensional material web with a V-shaped or U-shaped cross-section. Furthermore, the forming device comprises a receiving space extending in the longitudinal direction of the web and delimited by opposite V-shaped or U-shaped legs of the material web. Preferably, the receiving space of the material web has an insertion opening extending in the longitudinal direction of the web. In particular, the receiving space 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, which extends along a first (for example, right-hand side in the conveying direction) or second (for example, left-hand side 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 a feed device in the conveying direction.
[0011] In particular, the forming device comprises at least one folding means, such as a folding roller, which can be brought or is 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 be arranged relative to at least one other means determining the conveying path of the web-shaped starting material or the material web, in particular at least one upstream, downstream, to the right or left of the conveying direction relative to the folding means, in such a way that the folding means, together with the at least one other means, causes a deformation of an originally flat web-shaped extension. In particular, the at least one other means determining the conveying path of the web-shaped starting material or the material web can also be brought into contact with the starting material orThe forming device 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 insert 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.
[0012] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the forming device is arranged such that the web's longitudinal direction in the region of the forming device is oriented substantially in the direction of gravity. In other words, the starting material passes through the forming device in a conveying direction oriented substantially in the direction of gravity, in particular from vertically above to vertically below. The expression "in the region of the forming device" can be understood to mean that the web's longitudinal direction is oriented substantially in the direction of gravity from the entry into the forming device until the exit from the forming device, for example up to a sealing unit downstream of the forming device, which can also be referred to as a pressing and separating device for sealing and separating a packaging pocket.From the moment at which a 3D forming of the flat, two-dimensional starting material web into the pre-formed three-dimensional material web takes place, in particular where the starting material web is formed or folded to form the U- or V-shaped cross-section, the web's longitudinal direction is oriented in the direction of gravity.
[0013] Furthermore, a feeding device with a feeding opening is arranged downstream of the forming device, through which shipping items can be inserted into the receiving space in a feeding direction oriented transversely to the direction of gravity, in particular substantially horizontally. The feeding direction is preferably oriented transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the conveying direction in the region of the feeding device. The feeding device can comprise a guide to support the V- or U-shape of the material web in the region of the feeding device, in particular at the pocket base and / or on at least one wing. The feeding device is in particular designed and configured to keep the material web open in the region of the feeding opening in a cheek-like manner.
[0014] The loading opening can be surrounded by a frame that defines a clear width and a clear length that limit the dimensions of the shipping items that can be used. The frame preferably completely surrounds the loading opening. The clear length is preferably oriented in the conveying direction and, if appropriate, the longitudinal direction of the web. The clear width is preferably oriented transversely to the conveying direction and, if appropriate, the web width direction. In particular, the loading device is covered by the frame at least on the side provided with the loading opening, with the exception of the loading opening. It may be preferred for the loading opening to have a clear width that essentially corresponds to the width of the pocket base. In particular, in the region of the loading device, the longitudinal edges of the material web, in particular the wings protruding from the pocket base, are covered by the frame.In particular, the frame is matched to a guide for the material web in the feeding device, the forming device arranged upstream of the feeding device, a conveying device, a sealing device and / or a separating device in such a way that the longitudinal edges of the material web in the region of the feeding device are covered by the frame. In particular, the frame forms a panel which is designed and configured to allow feeding access for inserting shipping items exclusively into the receiving cavity of the material web and / or to prevent access to the longitudinal edges of the material web in a covered state. The width of the frame is greater than the clear width, in particular at least 50% greater than, preferably at least twice as large as, the clear width. The length of the frame is greater than the clear length, in particular at least 10% greater, preferably at least 25% greater.The length of the frame is preferably no greater than three times the clear length, in particular no greater than twice the clear length. The system according to the above-described aspect of the invention can also be referred to as a vertical design or configuration. The longitudinal direction of the web, oriented in the direction of gravity in the forming area within the system, creates a particularly space-saving and compact system, with its space requirements in a horizontal plane being reduced or limited.
[0015] According to an exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention, the system is designed such that the starting material is initially guided from a starting material supply essentially counter to the direction of gravity by at least one time, in particular 1.5 times or twice, the vertical dimension of the starting material arranged in the starting material supply, in particular to a deflection device, before it reaches the forming device. For example, the ratio of length in the longitudinal direction of the web to width in the width direction is in the range of 100 to 1000. Because the material feed of the starting material is also essentially oriented vertically, the space requirement of the system according to the invention in the horizontal plane is further reduced.It should be understood that the reference to the vertical dimension of the raw material arranged in the raw material supply, which is, for example, in the form of a fan-fold stack or wound into a roll, refers to its initial dimension when the system is loaded with the raw material supply, at which the raw material has not yet been withdrawn from the raw material supply.
[0016] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention, the system comprises a deflection device, such as a freely rotating deflection roller, arranged upstream of the forming device and orienting the starting material towards the forming device. The deflection device can define the point in the system at which the starting material is arranged at its highest point. The deflection device can therefore be configured to deflect the starting material web arriving essentially in the direction of gravity in such a way that it is fed to the downstream forming device in the direction of gravity or is oriented in the direction of gravity in the region of the forming device. According to an exemplary development, the deflection device is arranged with respect to the forming device in such a way that the starting material leaves the deflection device towards the forming device essentially in the direction of gravity.
[0017] According to a further exemplary development of the system according to the invention, the starting material is guided by the forming device, in particular the preferably freely rotating deflection roller, in such a way that a wrap angle of at least 180°, in particular of at least 225 0 , 270° or at least 315 0 The wrap angle indicates the contact area in angular lines in which a flexible component, here the web-shaped starting material, encloses another component, here the deflection device, preferably the freely rotating deflection roller.
[0018] According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, a system is provided for converting a web-shaped starting material into packaging bags, 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, i.e., at least 75%, in particular at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, paper, cardboard, or paperboard, or consists thereof.
[0019] Web-shaped material or web material, like 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 ends at a respective 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.
[0020] 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, cardboard, or paperboard, 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 40 g / m A 2 to max. 140 g / m A 2. The web-shaped starting material can be in the form of a roll of material or a zigzag-folded stack of packaging material, which is also called a Leporello stack.
[0021] The system comprises a forming device for continuously forming the web-shaped starting material into a material web with a receiving space extending in the longitudinal direction of the web. The forming device is preferably designed or configured to transform the, in particular originally flat or two-dimensional, web-shaped starting material into a, in particular, three-dimensional material web with a V-shaped or U-shaped cross-section. Furthermore, the forming device comprises a receiving space extending in the longitudinal direction of the web and delimited by opposite V-shaped or U-shaped legs of the material web. Preferably, the receiving space of the material web has an insertion opening extending in the longitudinal direction of the web. In particular, the receiving space 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 a feed device in the conveying direction.
[0022] In particular, the forming device comprises at least one folding means, such as a folding roller, which can be brought or is 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 be arranged relative to at least one other means determining the conveying path of the web-shaped starting material or the material web, in particular at least one upstream, downstream, to the right or left of the conveying direction relative to the folding means, in such a way that the folding means, together with the at least one other means, causes a deformation of an originally flat web-shaped extension. In particular, the at least one other means determining the conveying path of the web-shaped starting material or the material web can also be brought into contact with the starting material orThe forming device 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 insert 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.
[0023] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the system is adaptable, in particular modular or modularly constructed, such that the longitudinal direction of the web in the region of the forming device can be oriented both substantially in the direction of gravity and transversely, in particular substantially perpendicularly, to the direction of gravity. In other words, the starting material passes through the forming device either in a conveying direction oriented substantially in the direction of gravity, in particular from vertically top to vertically bottom, or in a conveying direction oriented transversely, in particular substantially perpendicularly, to the direction of gravity.The term "in the area of the forming device" can be understood to mean that the longitudinal direction of the web is oriented essentially in the direction of gravity from the entry into the forming device until the exit from the forming device, for example, up to a sealing unit downstream of the forming device, which can also be referred to as a pressing and separating device for sealing and separating a packaging bag. From the point at which a D-forming of the flat, two-dimensional starting material web into the preformed three-dimensional material web takes place, particularly where the starting material web is formed or folded to form the U- or V-shaped cross-section, the longitudinal direction of the web is oriented in the direction of gravity.Due to the adaptability between at least two different configurations with regard to the forming device, the system according to the invention can be configured according to customer requirements and / or space requirements. Previously known systems and machines were always designed to be installed in a fixed, rigid configuration or alignment of the components relative to one another. The present invention breaks away from this established rigid arrangement concept, accepting a certain increase in the complexity of the system, but in favor of a previously unprecedented flexibility in the arrangement of the components relative to one another and thus with regard to the respective customer requirements or the spatial conditions. According to an exemplary development, the system according to the invention is constructed in the manner of a modular building block system.This creates further flexibility in terms of the arrangement of the system components and the associated space requirements of the system.
[0024] For example, the system can be constructed in several parts, in particular from at least two structural units, which are coupled to one another in a detachable and / or movable manner relative to one another.
[0025] According to an exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention, the system is adjustable, in particular pivotable, between at least one vertical configuration in which the longitudinal direction of the web in the region of the forming device is oriented substantially in the direction of gravity, and at least one horizontal configuration in which the longitudinal direction of the web in the region of the forming device is oriented transversely, in particular substantially perpendicular, to the direction of gravity. For example, the system according to the invention can be set up such that at least one vertical configuration and one horizontal configuration can be assumed. By providing adjustability, in particular pivotability, users can easily choose between the at least one vertical and the at least one horizontal configuration and / or change the system between these configurations.
[0026] In a further exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention, the system comprises a frame supporting the forming device and an adjustment mechanism for adapting the orientation of the system, in particular for adjusting or pivoting, in particular the forming device relative to the frame. For example, the adjustment mechanism defines at least two, in particular fixable, end positions, with one position representing the vertical configuration and the other position representing the horizontal configuration.
[0027] In an exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention, the adjustment mechanism is formed by a pivot joint that mounts the forming device relative to the frame. The pivot joint enables easy adaptation of the system. For example, the pivot joint can be combined with a spring and / or damper arrangement to cushion or dampen the adjustment movement, if necessary, supporting the necessary force.
[0028] In a further exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention, the system further comprises a frame supporting the forming device with at least two supports for placement on a base, which are arranged at an angle, in particular of approximately 90°, to each other. One support can be assigned to the horizontal configuration and one support to the vertical configuration.
[0029] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the system according to the invention comprises a frame supporting the forming device and a feed device for feeding the starting material into the system, optionally with a web storage device whose orientation and / or arrangement is permanently fixed to the frame or which can be moved relative to the frame by means of a further adjustment mechanism, such as a pivoting mechanism, in particular in order to be flexibly arranged depending on the orientation of the system. The feed device can be designed to draw 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. The web storage device can be formed, for example, by a movably mounted guide roller.
[0030] According to an exemplary development of the system according to the invention, the system comprises a locking mechanism for locking the retraction device in at least one predefined locking position, in particular in at least two predefined locking positions. The locking positions can be adapted to the orientation of the system, in particular the vertical and horizontal configuration. In other words, the retraction device can be adjusted, in particular pivoted, depending on the system configuration in order to ensure optimal insertion. By means of the locking mechanism, the retraction device can then be locked in the various positions, so that the retraction device reliably maintains its position during operation.
[0031] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention, the system comprises a loading device downstream of the forming device, having a loading opening through which shipping items can be inserted into the receiving space in a loading direction, and a deflection device upstream of the forming device, which aligns the starting material towards the forming device, such as a freely rotating deflection roller. The forming device and the loading device and / or the forming device and the deflection device form a rigid unit, which is adaptable, in particular adjustable or pivotable, only as a whole with regard to its orientation. For example, the system according to the invention is constructed from at least two structural units. A first structural unit can comprise the material supply of starting material, the feed device, and a web storage device.The second assembly can comprise the remaining components, namely the deflection device, the forming device, and the loading device. Furthermore, coupling points can be provided for docking the material supply and for docking the two assemblies together. In an exemplary development, the deflection device, forming device, loading device, conveyor device, and sealing unit form a rigid unit that is inherently unchangeable or non-adjustable and can only be adapted, i.e., adjusted or pivoted, as a whole in relation to the remaining components. This ensures simple and error-free operation of the machine.
[0032] According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, a packaging technology production station is provided comprising a system designed according to the invention and a supply of web-shaped starting material that defines a web longitudinal direction and extends between two longitudinal edges opposite one another in the web width direction, in particular made of paper, cardboard, or paperboard, such as corrugated cardboard, from which the system can withdraw the starting material. In other words, the system is configured to withdraw starting material from the supply of starting material.
[0033] Preferred embodiments are specified in the subclaims.
[0034] In the following, further properties, features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings, in which:
[0035] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram in perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system according to the invention;
[0036] Figure 2 shows the system from Figure 1 in another perspective view;
[0037] Figure 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a system according to the invention in a perspective view;
[0038] Figure 4 shows the system from Figure 3 in side view;
[0039] Figures 5 and 6 are schematic diagrams illustrating different configurations of the system according to the invention; and
[0040] Figures 7-9 show schematic views of a packaging bag produced using a system according to the invention. To simplify readability, in the following description, preferred embodiments of the various aspects of the invention that can be implemented individually or combined are used 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 combined aspects of the invention, the various aspects can each be implemented individually or in any combination with one another.
[0041] 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, into packaging pockets is generally designated by the reference symbol "too". The web-shaped starting material i is preferably formed from or consists of cardboard, paperboard, or paper. In addition to cardboard or paper, the starting material i may comprise an adhesive or the like for sealing the packaging pockets 11 to be formed.
[0042] As shown in Figure 1 or 2, the web-shaped starting material i for the system 100 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 near 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 can be used for a material web supply 2, as can be seen in Figure 2. The support frame 20 itself can be mechanically coupled to the system 100, for example, plugged on, snapped into, screwed into, or clipped into place, in order to establish an optimized alignment of the web-shaped starting material 1 relative to a 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 corresponds to the cylinder height of the roll-shaped material web supply 2. The opposite, circular base surfaces of the roll-shaped or cylindrical material web supply 2 are formed by opposite 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 the direction of its web longitudinal direction L.
[0043] The system 100 and, if applicable, the support frame 20 stand on a surface, such as a hall floor, which extends essentially horizontally. A vertical direction V extends orthogonally on this surface in the sense of gravity. For processing the web-shaped starting material i into a plurality of packaging pockets 11 by the system 100, the starting material web 1 is guided through the system 100 in a conveying direction corresponding to its longitudinal direction L, and is pulled through it, thereby being unwound from the roll-shaped material web supply 2. Within the various components of the system 100, the local conveying direction along which the web-shaped material 1 is moved can be variable with respect to the vertical direction V as well as with respect to a horizontal direction.
[0044] The conveying path of the starting material web i through the system 100 according to the embodiments illustrated by way of example in Figure 1 or 2 generally runs (in successive order according to the following list of system components) from a material web supply 2 through a feed device no, along a clamping means, such as a support roller, to a deflection, such as a deflection roller 120, and then to a forming device 130 and a subsequent feeding device 150 and further to a conveying device 170 and a pressing and separating device 180.
[0045] 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. Starting from the deflection, the web-shaped starting material 1 is formed in the forming device 130 into a material web with a V-shaped or U-shaped cross-section and a receiving space extending in the web longitudinal direction L. The receiving space is delimited on the one hand by a pocket base and on both sides thereof by wings protruding transversely to the conveying direction and / or web longitudinal direction L and extends in the web longitudinal direction L. From the forming device 130, the starting material web 1, pre-formed into a material web with a V-shaped or U-shaped cross-section, is transferred to the feeding device 150.The loading device 150 has a loading opening 151 opposite the pocket base, through which shipping items 21 can be inserted into the receiving space. By means of the conveying device 170, the material web, which is V-shaped or U-shaped in cross-section and is loaded with at least one shipping item 21, is pulled further out of the loading device 150 in the conveying direction. A pressing and separating device 180 serves to seal the packaging pockets 11 and essentially simultaneously separate the sealed packaging pockets 11 loaded with a shipping item 21 from the material web.
[0046] The feed device 110 is arranged in the vertical direction V above the material web supply 2. Downstream of the feed device 110, the web-shaped starting material 1, which may have been formed into a grooved material web in the feed device 110 by means of a grooving element 105, is guided along a support roller. The support roller can be referred to as an idler roller or dancer roller and can be capable of forming a web storage device. The support roller is mounted on the system 100, in the embodiment according to Figure 1, on the feed device 110, so that it can move transversely to the conveying direction. The support roller is held movable relative to the feed device 110 and / or a deflection device 120 to perform an evasive movement. As shown in Figure 1, the evasive movement can be oriented in the vertical direction V.
[0047] The feed device 110 comprises pairs of conveyor rollers 111 and 112, between which the web-shaped starting material web can be conveyed, wherein at least one pair of conveyor rollers is driven.
[0048] In the feed section of the forming device 130, a deflection device is arranged, which in the exemplary embodiment shown here 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 roller extends in the direction of the deflection axis U over more than the initial width b of the starting material web 1.
[0049] The deflection, implemented here as a deflection roller 120, is arranged vertically above the forming device 130 in the vertical direction V. The deflection roller 120 is also arranged above the feed device 110, which is located above the material web supply 2. In the embodiment according to Figure 1 or Figure 2, the deflection forms the uppermost component of the system 100. The arrangement of the deflection between the feed device 110 and the forming device 130 allows for a compact design in the horizontal direction, so that the system 100 can be installed with a particularly narrow footprint in a logistics hall.
[0050] An exemplary embodiment of a forming device 130 is described below. Starting from the deflection, the starting material web 1 is conveyed downwards in the conveying direction corresponding to the vertical direction V into and through the forming device 130. The longitudinal edges 6 of the material web can essentially remain in the plane determined by the deflection 120, which extends from the deflection roller 120 to the conveyor 170. The central region of the material web in the web width direction B is formed in the forming device 130 by folding means, which here are implemented by folding rollers 131, 132, into a pocket base 7 of a material web with a V- or U-shaped cross-section, which is framed on both sides by wings that extend up to the longitudinal edges 6. The forming device 130 comprises a first folding roller 131, the roller axis W of which is aligned spatially parallel to the deflection axis U and offset from the deflection axis U.In the conveying direction, an axial distance is provided between the roller axis of the first folding roller 131 and the deflection axis U. Transverse to the conveying direction, a turnover distance extends between the deflection axis U and the roller axis W of the first folding roller 131. A second folding roller 132 and, if appropriate, 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.
[0051] The folding rollers 131, 132, 133 are formed by a pair of rolling disks 135, between which a spacer is arranged. The distance between the rolling disks 135 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 of a creasing element 105 upstream of the forming device 130.
[0052] The forming device 130 has a guide surface 140, which is partially realized by counter-bearing rollers 141, 142, 143, 145 assigned to the folding rollers 131, 132, 133. The V- or U-shaped material web, 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 129 and the conveying device 170. In the embodiment of the system 100 according to Figures 1 or 2, the guide surface 140 extends in a substantially vertical plane. The guide surface 140 extends through both the forming device 130 and the feeding device 150. Several sections of the guide surface 140 and counter-bearing rollers 141, 142, 143 and 145 arranged therein form a section surface for the outer side of the material web in the region of the pocket base 7.
[0053] The counter-bearing rollers 141, 142, 143, and 145 are arranged in the area of the loading device 150 in the loading direction E opposite the loading opening 151. The counter-bearing rollers 141, 142, 143, and 145 limit the depth in the loading direction E to which a (not shown in detail) shipping article 21 can be inserted and brought into contact with the pocket base 7. The loading direction E is oriented horizontally. In the conveying direction, the loading opening 151 has a clear length f. Transverse to the conveying direction, the loading opening 151 has a clear width q. The clear length f and the clear width q of the loading opening 151 are defined by a frame 155 that completely surrounds the loading opening 151.
[0054] Downstream of the feeding device 150, a conveyor device 170 is arranged, which can grip the longitudinal edges 6 of the material web and convey them in the conveying direction. Following the conveyor 170, a pressing and separating device 180 is provided for forming and separating packaging pockets 11 from the web-shaped starting material 1.
[0055] Figures 3 and 4 show another embodiment of a system 100 for forming a web-like starting material into packaging pockets 11. In this system 100, too, the deflection roller 220 is arranged in the vertical direction V in the uppermost region of the system 100. In contrast to the systems 100 described above, however, the conveying direction F is oriented essentially horizontally in the forming device 130 as well as at the output of the feed device 110. The adaptability of the system 100 according to the invention between a vertical configuration, in which the web longitudinal direction in the region of the forming device 130 is oriented essentially in the direction of gravity, and a horizontal configuration, in which the web longitudinal direction in the region of the forming device 130 is oriented essentially in the horizontal direction, offers a user increased flexibility in its positioning at a packaging station or in a packaging hall.
[0056] The arrangement of the guide surface 140 and its arrangement in relation to the folding rollers 131, 132, and 133 as well as the deflection roller 120 essentially applies to what was previously explained with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The guide surface 140 extends through both the forming device 130 and the feeding device 150. Several sections of the guide surface 140 and the counter-bearing rollers 141, 142, 143, and 145 arranged therein form a section surface for the outer side of the material web in the region of the pocket base 7.
[0057] Provided inside the forming device 130 is a pair of opposing guide rods 136, the transverse spacing of which tapers in the conveying direction F. The guide rods 136 are arranged transversely to the conveying direction F on both sides of the folding rollers 131, 132, and 133. In the conveying direction F, the guide rods 136 extend essentially from the deflection roller 120 to the feeding device 150. The outer sides of the wings can be guided along the guide rods 136 to form the V- or U-shaped formed material web. The counter-bearing rollers 141, 142, and 143 are arranged in the region of the forming device 130 and can each be assigned to a folding roller 131, 132, and 133. The counter-bearing rollers 145 are arranged in the region of the feeding device 150 opposite the feeding opening 151. In the embodiment of the system 100 shown in Figures 3 and 4, the guide surface 140 extends essentially in a horizontal plane.
[0058] The loading device 150 is arranged downstream of the forming device 130. The loading device 150 has a loading opening 151 completely surrounded by a solid frame 155. The interior of the loading device 150 extends in the loading direction E behind the frame 155. In the conveying direction F, the loading opening 151 has a clear length f, which determines the maximum length of the insertable shipping items 21. The loading direction E, through which shipping items 21 (not shown in detail) can be inserted through the loading opening 151 of the loading device 150, extends perpendicular to the conveying direction F and the plane defined by the guide surface 140.
[0059] Downstream of the feeding device 150, a conveying device 170 is arranged, which can grip the longitudinal edges 6 of the material web 5 and convey it in the conveying direction F. Following the conveying device 170, a sealing unit 180, also called a pressing and separating device, is provided for forming and separating packaging pockets 11 from the web-shaped starting material 1.
[0060] Figures 5 and 6 show schematic diagrams of two different configurations of a system 100 according to the invention, wherein Figure 5 illustrates the vertical configuration 183 and Figure 6 illustrates the horizontal configuration 185. According to one aspect of the present invention, a system 100 is provided that is adjustable, in particular pivotable, between the vertical configuration 183 and the horizontal configuration 185. For this purpose, the system 100 according to the invention has two supports 187, 189 arranged at an angle to one another, wherein the support 187 is assigned to the vertical configuration 183 and the support 189 to the horizontal configuration 185.In Figures 5 and 6, an adjustment mechanism for adjusting between the configurations of the system 100 is implemented as a rotary joint 193, around which the components of the system 100 can be rotated in order to be adjusted between the vertical configuration 183 shown in Figure 5 and the horizontal configuration 185 shown in Figure 6. Following the conveying direction F, the starting material 1 in the vertical configuration 183 enters the system 100 via the material feed 110, optionally supported by a web storage 113, and is deflected at a material deflection device 120 such that the web longitudinal direction L is oriented in the vertical direction V in the region of the following forming device 130.Downstream of the forming device 130 in the conveying direction is the feeding device 150, which may optionally be provided with a product marking unit 190, followed by the conveying device 170 and, in turn, the embossing and separating device 180.
[0061] Referring to Figure 6, in which the horizontal configuration 185 is shown, the same order of components results with the difference that the web longitudinal direction L is oriented in the horizontal direction in the region of the forming device 130.
[0062] As can be seen in Figure 6, the system 100 has a further adjustment mechanism 195, which is also designed as a pivot joint 197, via which a sub-assembly consisting of web storage 113 and material feed 110 can be adjusted relative to the other components forming a further sub-unit. Figure 7 shows a side view of a shipping bag or packaging bag 11. The packaging bag 11 is sealed by transverse strips 15 and, opposite the bag base 7, by a longitudinal strip 16. Inside the packaging bag 11 is a shipping item 21, shown in dashed lines. The shipping item 21 has a piece length SL and a piece height SH. The total length g of the packaging bag 11 corresponds to the sum of the piece length SL, the predetermined distance c, and the second distance d. Figures 8 and 9 show other views of the packaging bag 11 shown in Figure 7.
[0063] 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.
[0064] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS
[0065] 1 web-shaped starting material
[0066] 2 Material web supply
[0067] 6 Longitudinal edge
[0068] 7 pocket base
[0069] 11 Packaging bag
[0070] 15 horizontal stripes
[0071] 16 longitudinal stripes
[0072] 20 mobile support frame
[0073] 21 shipping items
[0074] 100 systems
[0075] 105 Creasing element
[0076] 107 Grooving disc
[0077] 110 Feeding device
[0078] 111, 112 conveyor roller
[0079] 113 Railway storage
[0080] 120, 220 pulley
[0081] 130 forming device
[0082] 131, 132, 133 folding roller
[0083] 135 rolling disc
[0084] 136 guide rod
[0085] 140 guide surface
[0086] 141, 142, 143, 145 Counter bearing roller
[0087] 150 feeding device
[0088] 151 Loading opening
[0089] 155 frames
[0090] 170 Conveyor device
[0091] 180 pressing and separating device
[0092] 183 Vertical configuration
[0093] 185 Horizontal configuration
[0094] 187, 189 supports
[0095] 190 product identification unit
[0096] 193, 197 swivel joint
[0097] 195 Adjustment mechanism b Output width c Predetermined distance d Second distance f Clear length g Total length
[0098] SL piece length
[0099] SH piece height
[0100] L web longitudinal direction
[0101] B Track width direction
[0102] E Feeding direction
[0103] F Conveying direction
[0104] U deflection axis
[0105] V Vertical direction
[0106] W roller axis
Claims
REQUIREMENTS 1. System (100) for converting a web-shaped starting 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, cardboard or corrugated board, into packaging bags (n), comprising a forming device (130) for continuously forming the web-shaped starting material (1) into a material web with a V- or U-shaped cross-section, which has a base forming a packaging bag base (7) in particular by at least one fold, and two opposite longitudinal web sections extending away from the base in a V- or U-shape, and a receiving space extending in the web longitudinal direction (L), wherein the forming device (130) is arranged such that the web longitudinal direction (L) in the area of the forming device (130) is oriented substantially in the direction of gravity,and a feeding device (150) with a feeding opening (151) is connected downstream of the forming device (130), through which shipping articles (21) can be inserted into the receiving space in a feeding direction (E) oriented transversely to the direction of gravity, in particular essentially horizontally.
2. System (100) according to claim 1, which is designed such that the starting material (1) is initially guided from a starting material supply substantially against the direction of gravity by at least one, in particular 1.5 times or twice, a vertical dimension of the starting material (1) arranged in the starting material supply, in particular up to a deflection device, before it enters the forming device (130).
3. System (100) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a deflecting device upstream of the forming device (130) and aligning the starting material (1) towards the forming device (130), such as a deflecting roller, in particular a free-rotating one, wherein in particular the deflecting device is arranged in relation to the forming device (130) such that the starting material (1) The deflection device towards the forming device (130) essentially leaves in the direction of gravity.
4. System (100) according to claim 3, wherein the starting material (1) is guided by the deflecting device such that a wrap angle of at least 180° is achieved. 0 , in particular of at least 225 0 , 270° or at least 315 0 , trains.
5. System (100), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, for converting a web-shaped starting 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, cardboard or corrugated board, into packaging bags (11), comprising a forming device (130) for continuously forming the web-shaped starting material (1) into a material web with a V- or U-shaped cross-section, which has a base forming a packaging bag base (7) in particular by at least one fold, and two opposite longitudinal web sections extending away from the base in a V- or U-shape, and a receiving space extending in the web longitudinal direction (L), wherein the system (100) is adaptable such that the web longitudinal direction (L) in the area of the forming device (130) can be both substantially in the direction of gravity and transversely,in particular, it can be oriented essentially perpendicular to the direction of gravity.
6. System (100) according to claim 5, wherein the system (100) is adjustable, in particular pivotable, between at least one vertical configuration in which the longitudinal direction (L) in the area of the forming device (130) is oriented substantially in the direction of gravity, and at least one horizontal configuration in which the longitudinal direction (L) in the area of the forming device (130) is oriented transversely, in particular substantially perpendicularly, to the direction of gravity.
7. System (100) according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a frame supporting the forming device (130) and an adjustment mechanism for adapting the Orientation of the system (too), in particular for adjusting or swiveling, especially of the forming device (130) relative to the frame.
8. System (100) according to claim 7, wherein the adjustment mechanism is formed by a pivot joint which supports the forming device (130) relative to the frame.
9. System (100) according to one of claims 5 to 8, further comprising a frame supporting the forming device (130) with at least two supports for placing it on a base, which are arranged at an angle, in particular of about 90°, to each other.
10. System (100) according to one of claims 5 to 9, further comprising a frame supporting the forming device (130) and a feed device (110) for feeding the starting material (1) into the system (100), optionally with a web storage unit, the orientation and / or arrangement of which is fixed immutably on the frame or which is movable relative to the frame by means of a further adjustment mechanism, such as a pivoting mechanism, in particular to be flexibly arranged depending on the orientation of the system (100).
11. System (100) according to claim 10, further comprising a locking mechanism for locking the insertion device (110) in at least one predefined locking position, in particular at least two predefined locking positions, wherein in particular the locking positions are adapted to the orientation of the system (100), in particular the vertical and horizontal configuration.
12. System (100) according to one of claims 7 to 11, further comprising a feeding device (150) downstream of the forming device (130) with a feeding opening (151) through which shipping articles (21) can be inserted into the receiving space in a feeding direction (E), and a deflecting device upstream of the forming device (130) aligning the starting material (1) towards the forming device (130), such as a deflecting roller, in particular a free-rotating roller, wherein the forming device (130) and the feeding device (150) and / or the deflecting device form a rigid unit which is adaptable in its entirety with respect to its orientation, in particular adjustable or pivotable.
13. Packaging bag manufacturing station comprising a system (100) according to one of the preceding claims and a supply of web-shaped starting material (1) defining a web longitudinal direction (L) and being extends between two longitudinal edges (6) opposite each other in the web width direction (B), in particular made of paper, cardboard or corrugated board, from which the system (100) can pull the starting material (i).