Method and device for forming packaging bodies open on one side from packaging jackets open on both sides

Abstract

Described and illustrated is a method for the simple and space-saving shaping of packaging jackets (51) for the production of filled packages, in which: - packaging jackets (51) folded flat around at least two folding edges (54) extending in the longitudinal direction of the packaging jackets (51) are transferred from a feed device (55) to a shaping station (56) comprising at least three shaping parts (57-60); - the transferred packaging jackets (51) are held in an open position of the shaping station (56) between at least two shaping parts (57, 58); - packaging jackets (51) held between the at least two shaping parts (57, 58) are folded up and shaped by an adjusting of the at least three shaping parts (57-60) into a closed position of the shaping station (56); - the folded-up and shaped packaging jackets (51) are discharged one after the other from the shaping station (56) by a discharge apparatus (66) and; - the feed device (55) and / or the discharge apparatus (66) forms a shaping part (59, 60) of the shaping station (56) for shaping the packaging jackets (51).

Description

[0001] Method and device for forming packing bodies open on one side from packing sleeves open on both sides

[0002] The invention relates to a method for forming pack sleeves for the production of filled packs. Furthermore, the invention relates to an apparatus for forming pack sleeves for the production of filled packs, preferably according to a corresponding method, comprising a forming station for unfolding and forming flat-folded pack sleeves, a feed device for feeding flat-folded pack sleeves to the forming station, and a discharge device for discharging the unfolded and formed pack sleeves from the forming station. The forming station has at least three forming parts, the forming parts being adjustable from an open position of the forming station for transferring flat-folded pack sleeves to the forming station to a closed position of the forming station for unfolding and forming the pack sleeves and back.

[0003] Methods and devices for forming single-sided open-sided package bodies from double-sided open-sided package sleeves have been known for some time. These methods are used in particular for producing filled packages, and methods and devices for filling packages with products in various configurations are also known.

[0004] In this context, packaging bodies are understood to mean containers such as cardboard composite packaging, which are formed at least partially from a packaging material in the form of a laminate comprising a cardboard layer and outer, particularly thermoplastic, plastic layers, such as polyethylene (PE). The cardboard provides the packages with sufficient stability so that the packages can be easily handled and, for example, stacked. The plastic layers protect the cardboard from moisture and the food from absorbing undesirable substances from the package. Additional layers, such as an aluminum layer, can also be provided to prevent the diffusion of oxygen and other gases through the packaging material.

[0005] Such packaging bodies are typically filled with food products, particularly beverages, with free-flowing products being the primary candidates. Filling the packaging bodies with food takes place in a sterile or aseptic environment of a filling machine, as the food is intended to have a long shelf life after filling. For this purpose, the filling machines feature, for example, sterilization rooms or aseptic chambers in which the packaging bodies are sterilized and then filled and sealed under the most sterile conditions possible. After filling the packaging bodies, they are typically sealed in the filling machine. When appropriate packaging materials are used, the packaging body is closed by sealing the open end.

[0006] The pack bodies are preferably formed on the filling machine from pack sleeves, which in turn are made from packaging material blanks, in particular by sealing the longitudinal edges of the packaging material blanks to one another. This produces pack sleeves formed from a single packaging material that are open at the opposite longitudinal ends. The pack sleeves are pre-folded along fold lines, creating fold edges that will later form the edges of the pack, which typically has a square or rectangular cross-section. However, the pack sleeves are first folded flat around two opposite fold edges. The pack sleeve then essentially forms two parallel and superimposed sections. The flat-folded pack sleeves are transferred as a stack to a magazine of the filling machine.The front section of the pack sleeve at the front end of the stack is gripped by suction cups and pulled away from the stack, whereby the pack sleeve unfolds, typically until an at least substantially square or rectangular cross-section is formed. The correspondingly unfolded pack sleeve is then pulled onto a mandrel of a so-called mandrel wheel, whereby the cross-section of the mandrel corresponds to the cross-section of the pack sleeve. The pack sleeve initially protrudes outwards over the mandrel so that the protruding part of the pack sleeve can be folded against the end face of the mandrel, where it can be pressed and sealed. The corresponding longitudinal end of the pack sleeve is thus closed and usually forms the base of the later filled pack. The closed end of the pack sleeve could alternatively also form the head of the later pack, for example if the pack is filled through the open base.

[0007] The pack bodies, which are open on one side, are fed into a sterilization zone of the filling machine. This is usually done by transferring the pack bodies one after the other to the pack body-receiving cells of a conveyor system. The conveyor system then ensures that the pack bodies are transported through the sterilization zone of the filling machine at a defined speed and at a defined distance from one another. In the sterilization zone, the pack bodies are preheated with hot sterile air and then sterilized, typically with hydrogen peroxide, and dried with sterile air. The sterile pack bodies are transferred to the filling and sealing zone and filled there. The opening of the filled pack bodies is then closed before the sealed pack is transported out of the filling and sealing zone via the conveyor system and subsequently removed from the corresponding cells of the conveyor system.

[0008] In some filling machines, the package bodies are transported by the transport device in a straight line through the filling machine. Such filling machines are also referred to as long-distance conveyors. In other filling devices, the so-called rotary conveyors, the package bodies describe a more or less arc-shaped movement, which may include one or more circular arc sections. The present invention fundamentally relates to these and other types of filling machines. Corresponding methods and devices for forming package bodies that are open on one side are known, for example, from DE 10 2016 109 996 A1. Due to the necessary handling of the package sleeves in the filling machine, the formation of package bodies that are open on one side starting from stacks of flat-folded package sleeves requires a considerable amount of space and requires a complex forming station.

[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to design and develop the method and the device of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that packaging sleeves can be unfolded and formed in a simple and space-saving manner.

[0010] This object is achieved according to claim 1 by a method for forming pack sleeves for the production of filled packs, in which pack sleeves folded flat about at least two folding edges running in the longitudinal direction of the pack sleeves are transferred from a feed device to a forming station comprising at least three mold parts, in which the transferred pack sleeves are held in an open position of the forming station between at least two mold parts, in which pack sleeves held between the at least two mold parts are unfolded and formed by adjusting the at least three mold parts into a closed position of the forming station, in which the unfolded and formed pack sleeves are discharged one after the other from the forming station by a discharge device and in which the feed device and / or the discharge device forms a mold part of the forming station for forming the pack sleeves.

[0011] The above-mentioned task is also carried out in a device according to the generic term

[0012] Claim 12 is achieved in that the feeding device and / or the discharge device forms a molded part of the forming station for forming the packaging sleeves.

[0013] To easily unfold and form the pack sleeves, at least two folding edges are required, around which the pack sleeves can be held in a flat, folded state and transferred to a forming station via a feed device. In the forming station, the pack sleeves can be shaped into the desired form. The edge areas of the pack sleeves can have a large radius if required, and individual sides can easily be curved. For simplicity, the pack sleeves are open on both sides and are unfolded in the forming station to form a pack body, which is also open on both sides and can be filled and sealed into a pack.

[0014] The pack sleeves, folded flat around two fold edges, are transferred from a feed device to the forming station, which has at least three mold parts for unfolding and forming the pack sleeves. The mold parts can be adjusted relative to one another to form a mold in which the pack sleeves are mechanically forced into the desired shape. The pack sleeves are initially transferred from the feed device to the forming station in an open position, so that the forming station initially holds the pack sleeves. The mold parts are preferably moved far enough apart that the pack sleeves can be received in the forming station, preferably between two mold parts of the forming station, in the at least essentially flat-folded form. In principle, the forming station can be adjusted to different open positions as required.At least one open position of the forming station is suitable for receiving the flat-folded pack sleeves. If necessary, the forming station can be adjusted from an open position, in which a pack sleeve can be positioned between at least two mold parts, to another open position in which the at least two mold parts hold the pack sleeve. For this purpose, the at least two mold parts can be moved toward each other relative to each other, but without being stopped in this open position.

[0015] The molded parts are then moved further together, causing the forming station to move into the closed position, where the pack sleeve is then unfolded and formed between the molded parts in the forming station. The then formed pack sleeve is removed from the forming station by a discharge device, for which the forming station can be moved back to an open position. This also creates space in the forming station for the next pack sleeve to be accommodated.

[0016] In connection with the forming station, the invention has recognized that it is expedient to use at least three mold parts, although in the prior art typically only two mold parts, in particular mold halves, are used to unfold and form the pack sleeves between them. The mold parts together form the mold of the forming station. Each mold part has a surface that is adjacent to the formed mold part and faces the latter. The corresponding surfaces thus form forming surfaces or inner surfaces of the mold. The pack sleeve can preferably rest against these respective surfaces during unfolding and / or forming. By placing the pack sleeve against the mold parts, the pack sleeve is mechanically brought into the desired shape.

[0017] Although the use of multiple molded parts is more complex, it still allows for very space-saving handling of the pack sleeves. In particular, it is possible to transfer the pack sleeves from the feed device to the forming station in approximately the same direction as the pack sleeves are discharged from the forming station. This allows a space-saving arrangement of the required units. For example, it is no longer necessary to transfer the pack sleeves to the forming station from above or below, as is the case with conventional filling machines. Furthermore, it is possible to transport the pack sleeves with the feed device and / or the discharge device over a very short distance, which can contribute to further space savings with regard to a filling machine for filling packs.

[0018] The corresponding advantages are achieved to a particularly high degree when not only the feed device or the discharge device form a molded part of the forming station. It is therefore particularly preferred if both the feed device and the discharge device form a molded part of the forming station. To ensure that the pack sleeves can be unfolded and formed in rapid succession, easily and reliably, it is also advisable to provide two molded parts of the forming station for receiving the flat-folded pack sleeves, which are not the feed device or the discharge device. The feed device can then transfer the flat-folded pack sleeves to the forming station independently of the discharge device. In addition, the two molded parts can be provided laterally and hold the pack sleeves, in particular with a force fit, at the folded edges.This also allows the packaging sleeves to be reliably unfolded by the two lateral forming parts when the forming station is moved into the closed position.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, the lateral mold parts do not require any particularly complicated movement. It is sufficient if the lateral mold parts can be moved towards and away from each other, as needed. A linear adjustment of the lateral mold parts can therefore suffice. Furthermore, it can alternatively or additionally be sufficient if the at least one further mold part is moved at least partially and / or in sections at least substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the lateral mold parts. This direction preferably corresponds at least substantially to the transport direction of the package sleeves between the takeover by the feed device and the discharge by the discharge device.

[0020] For the sake of clarity and to avoid unnecessary repetition, the method and device are described together below, without distinguishing between the method and the device in detail. However, the person skilled in the art will recognize, based on the context, which features are preferred for the method and the device.

[0021] In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the method, the flat-folded pack sleeves are gripped by a gripping unit of the feeding device and transferred from the gripping unit to the forming station. This is ideal for reliable transport of the flat-folded pack sleeves through the feeding device. The gripping unit can grip the pack sleeves at a suitable point and hold them securely until transfer. Alternatively or additionally, it is particularly effective and space-saving if the flat-folded pack sleeves are kept ready in a stack of flat-folded pack sleeves. The flat-folded pack sleeves can then be reliably and precisely pulled from the stack by the feeding device. This is even more true if the feeding device grips the flat-folded pack sleeves with the gripping unit on the side of the pack sleeves facing away from the stack and pulls them off the stack.

[0022] The gripping unit can efficiently perform several functions if the gripping unit forms a molded part of the forming station for forming the pack sleeves. In addition to transporting and transferring the pack sleeves to the forming station, the gripping unit then provides a forming surface which, when the forming station is closed, points into the mold of the forming station and faces the formed pack sleeve. It is particularly preferred for forming the pack sleeves if the forming surface of the gripping unit comes into contact with the formed pack sleeve. The gripping unit can be used particularly efficiently and in a space-saving manner if a side of the gripping unit facing away from the pack sleeve gripped by the gripping unit forms the forming surface. When the forming station is closed, this forming surface then faces the formed pack sleeve in the forming station.The gripping unit can then be provided and configured on one side for gripping the pack sleeves and on the other side as a forming surface for closing the at least three-part mold of the forming station. The pack sleeves can be easily and reliably gripped by the gripping unit from a side facing away from the stack and / or facing the forming station. This simplifies the process and saves space in the filling machine.

[0023] Alternatively or additionally, the gripping unit can be moved at least partially and / or in sections in a translational manner from the stack to the forming station with the gripped pack sleeve in order to transfer the pack sleeve to the forming station. The transport path can then be designed to be short and space-saving. Independently of this or in addition to this, the gripping unit can be rotated and / or pivoted at least partially and / or in sections with the gripped pack sleeve in order to transfer the pack sleeve to the forming station. This allows the gripping unit to transfer the pack sleeves to the forming station and subsequently contribute to forming the shape of the forming station. This applies in particular if one side of the gripping unit is intended to grip the pack sleeves and the opposite side of the gripping unit is intended to provide a forming surface.Rotating the pack sleeves generally saves space than pivoting them, although pivoting may still be preferred for simplicity depending on the filling machine. However, for space reasons, it is generally preferable to choose a relatively short lever arm(s) for pivoting the pack sleeves.

[0024] If the pack sleeves are transferred to the forming station in an orientation rotated at least substantially by 180° compared to the orientation of the pack sleeves in the stack, the gripping unit can be moved very simply and effectively back and forth at least substantially between the stack of pack sleeves and the forming station, wherein the gripping unit can then form a formed part of the forming station facing the stack.

[0025] In order to rotate the pack sleeves in a confined space, it is advisable for the pack sleeves to be rotated and / or pivoted by the gripping unit about an axis at least substantially perpendicular to the direction of the translational transport of the pack sleeves. In this way, an at least substantially rectilinear movement can be easily superimposed on the rotation and / or pivoting. However, superimposing a translational movement of the pack sleeves with a rotation and / or pivoting movement is generally preferred in order to be able to handle the pack sleeves efficiently in the tightest of spaces. This is all the more true if the movements of the pack sleeves are effected by the gripping unit before they are transferred to the forming station. However, the movements of the pack sleeves do not have to overlap one another continuously from the time the pack sleeves are received from the feed device until the packs are transferred to the forming station.It may be sufficient if this is done partially and / or in sections.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, the package sleeves can be rotated and / or pivoted by the gripping unit about an axis at least substantially parallel to the package sleeves. This allows the rotation or pivoting to occur in a very confined space. This is especially true if the axis is aligned parallel to a central axis of the package sleeves or, in particular, corresponds to the central axis of the package sleeves.

[0027] In order to provide a space-saving and efficiently usable gripping unit, it is advisable for the gripping unit to have a plurality of suction grippers for gripping the pack sleeves. These can then be distributed along the longitudinal extent of a strut, which enables a slim gripping unit. Alternatively or additionally, the gripping unit can have a strut that is used as a molded part of the forming station. This also saves space, even more so if it is the same strut with the suction grippers. The strut can be positioned independently with a side extending in the longitudinal extent of the strut so that this side points towards the pack sleeve formed in the forming station in the sense of a forming surface when the forming station is closed. This forming surface can then be used to form the pack sleeves and, if necessary, rest against the formed pack sleeves.

[0028] After forming in the forming station, the formed packing sleeves can be removed from the forming station by a holding unit of the discharge device that holds the formed packing sleeve from at least two opposite sides of the packing sleeve. The holding unit then preferably holds the packing sleeves independently, without the need for other means. This is simple and reliable, which is particularly true when the packing sleeves automatically restrain themselves against the holding unit in a frictional manner due to the restoring forces of the packing sleeves when the forming station is adjusted from the closed position to the open position. The unfolded and formed packing sleeves always spring back slightly when the forming station is adjusted from the closed position to the open position, which is due to the restoring forces in the packing sleeves.This can be used to ensure that the packing sleeves are frictionally engaged with opposing sections of the holding unit. Since the packing sleeves are lightweight, this is sufficient to hold the packing sleeves securely in place without additional measures.

[0029] To ensure particularly efficient and functional use of the holding unit, the holding unit can, at least in sections, form at least one forming surface of the forming station. In the closed position of the forming station, the holding unit can therefore have a corresponding side facing the packaging sleeve in the forming station and, if necessary, can come into contact with the formed packaging sleeve.

[0030] The holding unit can be used very effectively if holding sections partially engage in a recess of an adjacent molded part or a gap between two adjacent molded parts when the forming station is in the closed position. The aim of this is to ensure that, when the forming station is moved to the open position, the previously formed packing sleeve rests against the sections of the holding unit that engage in the recesses and / or gaps. In the closed position of the forming station, the holding unit can thus engage in at least one recess of at least one molded part on each of the two sides opposite the packing sleeve in the closed forming station.Alternatively or additionally, the holding unit can engage in the closed position of the forming station on two sides opposite the packaging jacket in the closed forming station in at least one gap between at least two molded parts that are provided on the respective side.

[0031] In order to be able to adjust the forming station easily and reliably into the closed position and then back into the open position and to use the discharge device, in particular the holding unit, as a formed part, it is advisable if the formed parts adjacent to the discharge device can be adjusted independently of the discharge device in order to adjust the forming station into the closed position and then back into the open position. The individual formed parts therefore do not hinder one another, although they can interlock in sections. The at least two formed parts on the sides opposite the flat-folded pack sleeve can thus be adjusted at least in sections into the closed position of the forming station relative to the section of the holding unit which engages in the at least one recess and / or the at least one gap.Alternatively, the at least two mold parts on the sides opposite the flat-folded package sleeve can be adjusted at least in sections relative to the section of the holding unit engaging in the at least one recess and / or the at least one gap into the open position of the forming station.

[0032] The discharge device, in particular the holding unit, can be used in a space-saving manner if it is adjusted at least essentially linearly. When the forming station is adjusted to the open position, it can be moved with the formed package sleeve, preferably exclusively in a translational manner away from the position of the discharge device, in particular the holding unit, in the closed position of the forming station. Alternatively or additionally, the discharge device, in particular the holding unit, can be moved exclusively in a translational manner away from the stack of flat-folded package sleeves. To discharge the formed package sleeves in the open position of the forming station, a punch can be used which ejects the package sleeves upwards or downwards from the discharge device, in particular the holding unit.

[0033] The ejected pack sleeves can then be processed in a processing station, in particular connected to a spout, and subsequently taken over by a holding element that is fixedly connected to the holding unit. This allows the discharge device to perform another function. The received, processed pack sleeves are also removed again by the holding element of the discharge device. This can preferably be done without any additional movement of the holding element, but rather by utilizing the movement profile already provided for the discharge device. It is simple and space-saving if the pack sleeves are held at least essentially parallel to one another in the holding unit and the holding element.Alternatively or additionally, the pack sleeves can be moved and discharged with the holding element when the forming station is moved to the open position, away from the forming station and, if necessary, away from the stack of flat-folded pack sleeves. This allows the movement profile of the discharge device to be kept simple.

[0034] In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the device, the feed device has a gripping unit for gripping flat-folded pack sleeves and for transferring the flat-folded pack sleeves to the forming station. This enables simple and reliable transport of the pack sleeves to the forming station. Alternatively or additionally, a stack of flat-folded pack sleeves can be provided, so that the feed device, in particular the gripping unit, can successively grip pack sleeves from the stack and remove them from the stack. For convenience, the stack of pack sleeves can be kept ready in a magazine, for example, a filling machine.

[0035] In the case of a gripping unit, this can be a strut with a

[0036] The struts can have a plurality of suction grippers extending longitudinally along the strut for gripping the pack sleeves. The gripper is then designed to save space. The gripping unit, in particular the side of the strut opposite the suction grippers, can alternatively or additionally form a molded part of the forming station. In the closed position of the forming station, the corresponding forming surface of the strut can point toward the formed pack sleeve and, if necessary, rest against the formed pack sleeve to form the pack sleeves.

[0037] For simple and space-saving adjustment of the gripping unit, the gripping unit can be connected to a drive for transporting the flat-folded pack sleeves to the forming station in a translatory movement, at least in sections, and a rotational and / or pivoting movement, at the same time. When transporting the pack sleeves to the forming station, the pack sleeves can also be rotated and / or pivoted simultaneously. This is particularly useful and space-saving when the gripping unit grips the pack sleeves in a stack and then removes them from the stack.

[0038] If a holding unit of the discharge device is provided for holding and removing the formed pack sleeves, the formed pack sleeves can be removed from the forming station easily and quickly. This is especially true if, in the closed position of the forming station, the holding unit engages on two sides opposite the pack sleeve, each engaging in at least one recess of at least one molded part provided on the respective side. Alternatively or additionally, in the closed position of the forming station, the holding unit can engage on two sides opposite the pack sleeve, each engaging in at least one gap between at least two molded parts provided on the respective side.If the molded parts forming the recess and / or gap are moved outward and away from the formed packing sleeve when the forming station is adjusted from the closed position to the open position, the formed packing sleeve can expand slightly in this direction and thus come into contact with the holding unit, which has not yet been moved outward, or at least not completely. The holding unit then holds the packing sleeve purely by friction, if necessary. The holding unit can then also be moved outward to remove the formed packing sleeve.

[0039] The discharge device can be used even more functionally if a holding element is provided that is fixedly connected to the holding unit and can be adjusted together with the holding unit when the forming station is adjusted from the open position to the closed position and back. This holding element can pick up, hold, and discharge the package sleeves that have been processed after they have been removed from the holding unit. The holding unit is adjusted back and forth anyway to open and close the forming station. If, for example, the holding element at least essentially receives processed, previously formed package sleeves while the forming station is in the closed position, the holding element can pass these package sleeves on by adjusting the forming station to the open position.

[0040] The inventions disclosed herein are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing which merely represents an exemplary embodiment.

[0041] Fig. 1A-B a blank of a packaging material and a packaging sleeve formed from the blank from the prior art, each in plan view,

[0042] Fig. 2 shows a prior art pack formed from the pack jacket according to Fig. 1B in a perspective view, Fig. 3 shows a device for producing the pack according to Fig. 2 from a prior art pack jacket according to Fig. 1B in a schematic view,

[0043] Fig. 4A-B an apparatus according to the invention for carrying out the method according to the invention when gripping a packaging sleeve,

[0044] Fig. 5 shows the device from Fig. 4 when transferring the packaging sleeve to a forming station,

[0045] Fig. 6 the device from Fig. 4 when holding and unfolding the packaging sleeve in the forming station,

[0046] Fig. 7 shows the device from Fig. 4 during the forming of the packing sleeve in the forming station,

[0047] Fig. 8 shows the device from Fig. 4 during removal of the formed packing jacket,

[0048] Fig. 9 shows the device from Fig. 4 when receiving a machined, previously formed packing sleeve in a holding element,

[0049] Fig. 10 shows the device from Fig. 4 during the transfer of the received, processed packing sleeve,

[0050] Fig. 11 shows an alternative device, for example for producing the package according to Fig. 2 from a package jacket according to Fig. 1B in a schematic representation,

[0051] Fig. 12 shows a sequence of process steps using the device according to Fig. 11, Fig. 13A-G movement sequences within a walking mechanism of the device according to Fig. 11 in a schematic view and

[0052] Fig. 14 shows a further alternative device, for example for producing the package according to Fig. 2 from a package jacket according to Fig. 1B, in a schematic representation.

[0053] Fig. 1A shows an exemplary blank 1 of a packaging material 2, as is known from the prior art. The packaging material 2 is designed as a laminate made of several material layers arranged one above the other. This is in particular a cardboard / plastic composite. The packaging material 2 shown has two outer layers made of a thermoplastic, preferably polyethylene (PE), which enable sealing, i.e. welding, of the outer layers of the packaging material 2. Provided between them is a structural cardboard layer with a comparatively high flexural rigidity for the packaging material 2. In addition, at least one barrier layer can be provided, which is preferably formed from aluminum, polyamide and / or an ethylene-vinyl alcohol. Further layers are also conceivable.

[0054] The blank 1 serves to produce an exemplary package sleeve 3, which is formed by the outer and opposite longitudinal edges 4 of the blank 1 being bent towards each other and connected to each other, in particular sealed to each other. The blank 1 has a series of fold lines 5, 6 along which the blank 1 can be folded to form the desired package 7. The fold lines 5, 6, or creasing lines if necessary, simplify folding and also ensure reliable folding. Most of the fold lines 5, 6 are provided on the upper edge 8 and the lower edge 9 of the blank 1, which are later folded to form the base and the head or gable of the package 7. In addition, the blank 1 has four essentially parallel fold lines 6 along which the blank 1 is pre-folded before or after the formation of the package sleeve 3.Once the packaging material 2 has been bent once along the fold lines 5, 6, further folding of the packaging material 2 at the same point will only encounter slight resistance, which is in any case significantly lower than along fold lines 5, 6 that have not been folded before.

[0055] Fig. 1B shows the pack sleeve 3 after the longitudinal edges 4 of the blank 1 have been sealed together. The corresponding sealing seam 10 is provided close to one of the fold lines 6 of the pack sleeve 3 for aesthetic reasons. The pack sleeve 3 has folding edges 6 on its longitudinal edges, around which the pack sleeve 3 has been folded flat, so that the front section 11 and the rear section 12 of the pack sleeve 3 lie one on top of the other. The pack sleeves 3 can be easily stored in this flat folded state. However, subsequent unfolding around the four pre-folded fold lines 6 is still possible. This results in a pack sleeve 3 with a rectangular cross-section.

[0056] Subsequently, using the corresponding pack sleeve 3, the pack 7 shown in Fig. 2 can be obtained. In the pack 7, the four pre-folded fold lines 6 in the area of ​​the sleeve 13 of the pack 7 then form the edges of the pack 7, just as the pre-folded fold lines 6 previously formed the edges of the pack sleeve 3. The longitudinal ends 14, 15 of the pack sleeve 3 have been folded and sealed to form the base 16 of the pack 7 and to form the head 17 of the pack 7. So-called pack ears 18 are formed at the head 17 of the pack, which are folded downwards and placed against the sleeve 13 of the pack 7, where they are sealed or glued. At the base 16, the corresponding pack ears are folded inwards and are therefore no longer recognizable as such after the base 16 has been formed. However, packs with shapes other than those shown in Fig. 2 are also possible.

[0057] Fig. 3 shows a device 20 for filling package bodies 21, in particular with free-flowing foodstuffs, to form packages 7, i.e. a so-called filling machine, comprising a magazine 22 for holding a stack of package sleeves 3 and a device for forming package bodies 21 from the package sleeves 3, which are closed on one side and can thus receive, for example, a free-flowing foodstuff through the remaining opening. The device 20 shown and, in this respect, preferred has a series of parallel processing lines, of which only one processing line 23 is shown in Fig. 3. Each processing line 23 is assigned a magazine 22 with a stack 24 or a stack 24 of flat-folded package sleeves 3. The package sleeves 3 are formed, as described above, from blanks 1 of a packaging material 2, the longitudinal edges 4 of which are sealed to one another.

[0058] The pack sleeves 3 are unfolded by a feed device 25. The pack sleeves 3 are unfolded by pulling a future side surface of the corresponding pack sleeve 3 away from the stack 24 without any further action around the pre-folded fold lines 6, which form the edges of the pack sleeve 3 and the subsequent pack 7. The pack sleeves 3 can also be transferred to a forming station (not shown in detail), where the pack sleeves 3 are unfolded and formed between two mutually adjustable forming parts. If required, an application device could also be provided for applying spouts (not shown) to the pack sleeves 3.

[0059] A subsequent device 26 for closing the two-sidedly open package sleeves 3 on one side has a mandrel wheel 27, which in the illustrated and thus preferred case comprises six mandrels 28 and rotates cyclically, i.e., stepwise, counterclockwise. Devices of the type described are also known in which the mandrel wheel has only four mandrels and / or four different mandrel wheel positions. The corresponding processing devices and the corresponding processing steps can then be provided in a correspondingly compressed manner.

[0060] In the illustrated device 26, in the first mandrel wheel position 1, a

[0061] Packing sleeve 3 is pushed onto the mandrel 28. The mandrel wheel 27 is then rotated further to the next mandrel wheel position 11, in which the longitudinal end 15 of the packing sleeve 3 protruding from the mandrel 28 is heated with hot air via a heating unit 29. In the next mandrel wheel position 111, the heated longitudinal end 15 of the packing sleeve 3 is pre-folded by a press 30 and, in the subsequent mandrel wheel position IV, is tightly closed in the folded position by a sealing device 31, in particular sealed to form a base 16. In this way, a packing body 21 which is closed on one side is obtained, which in the subsequent mandrel wheel position V is removed from the mandrel 28 and transferred to a cell 32 of a circular endless transport device 33. In the next mandrel wheel position VI, no work step is assigned to the mandrel 28. The number of mandrel wheel positions orMandrels 28 and the processing steps provided therein may, if necessary, deviate from the illustration in Fig. 3 and the associated description. In addition, a spout can be connected to the packaging material in at least one additional mandrel wheel position, if required. In this case, the longitudinal end of the package sleeve closed on the mandrel wheel is preferably the head of the subsequent package. Whether the package body is filled through the subsequent head or the subsequent base plays only a minor role in this case.

[0062] The package body 21 removed from the mandrel wheel is transported with the open longitudinal end facing upward in the associated cell 32, in particular a cell chain, through a filling machine 34. The package body enters an aseptic chamber 35, which comprises a sterilization zone 36 and a filling and sealing zone 37, through which the package bodies 21 are transported from left to right in the transport direction symbolized by the arrows. The transport of the package bodies 21 does not have to be linear, but can also occur in at least one arc or even in a circle.

[0063] Sterile air is supplied to the aseptic chamber 35 via corresponding sterile air connections 38. The package bodies 21 are preheated one after the other by a preheating device 39 by blowing hot sterile air onto them. The package bodies 21 are then sterilized by a sterilizing device 40, preferably using hydrogen peroxide, whereupon the package bodies 21 are dried by exposure to sterile air via a drying device 41 and, after transitioning from the sterilization zone 36 to the filling and sealing zone 37, are brought into a filling position 42 below a filling outlet 43. There, the package bodies 21 are filled one after the other with food 44. The filled package bodies 21 are then closed with a closing device 45 by folding the upper region of the package body 21 and sealing. The filled and closed packages 7 are subsequently removed from the cells 32 of the transport device 33.The now empty cells 32 are moved further in the direction of the mandrel wheel 27 by the transport device 33 in order to receive further packing bodies there.

[0064] Figs. 4A-B show a device 50 for forming pack bodies open on one side from pack sleeves 51 open on both sides for the production of filled packs. Fig. 4A shows a schematic sectional view along a vertical section plane according to section 1VA-1VA in Fig. 4B, while Fig. 4B shows a plan view of the device 50 according to Fig. 4A. The device 50 can be integrated into a filling machine according to Fig. 3. However, it is equally possible for the device 50 of Figs. 4A-B to be integrated into a different type of filling machine or, if necessary, to be used independently of a filling machine.

[0065] The device 50 shows a magazine 52 in which a stack 53 of pack sleeves 51 folded flat along two fold edges 54 is held ready. For the sake of clarity, no pack sleeve 51 is provided in the other parts of the device 50. In practice, however, this is particularly the case when the device 50 is started up. Otherwise, it will be more likely that several pack sleeves 51 are provided at different locations in the device 50 shown, so that a large number of pack sleeves 51 can be unfolded and formed in rapid succession in a short time. The pack sleeves 51 are pack sleeves 51 that are open on both sides and closed only in the area of ​​the sleeve. This can be the case, for example, because the packaging material blanks for forming the pack sleeves 51 are connected, in particular welded, to one another at opposite longitudinal ends to form a longitudinal seam.However, other types of packaging sleeves 51 would also be conceivable.

[0066] The front pack sleeve 51 of the stack 53 of flat-folded pack sleeves 51 is gripped by a feed device 55 designed to feed the pack sleeves 51 to a forming station 56. The forming station 56 is shown in an open position and, in the illustrated and thus preferred embodiment, has four mold parts 57-60 which, when the forming station 56 is closed, together form a mold 61 for forming the pack sleeves 51 received in the mold 61. Each of the mold parts 57-60 provides at least one forming surface 62-65 of the mold 61. When the forming station 56 is closed, the forming surfaces 62-65 point inward toward the formed pack sleeve 51, which can, if necessary, bear against the forming surfaces 62-65 during the forming of the pack sleeve 51. The mold 61 comprising the four mold parts 57-60 can be completely closed all the way around at the molding station 56 in the closed position.However, it is also conceivable that form 61 is only partially or partially completely closed all the way around.

[0067] In the illustrated and, in this respect, preferred device 50, the molded parts 57-60 are formed by two lateral molded parts 57, 58 for receiving the package sleeves 51 from the feed device 55, the feed device 55 itself, and a removal device 66 for removing the molded parts from the forming station 56. The feed device 55 forms the rear molded part 59 in the transport direction R of the package sleeves 51, while the removal device 66 forms the front molded part 60 in the transport direction R of the package sleeves 51. Other molded parts would also be conceivable if they can be used advantageously.In the present case, for the sake of better understanding and to avoid unnecessary repetition, the term "forming station 56" is understood, depending on the respective context, only to refer to the two lateral mold parts 57, 58 or to the lateral mold parts 57, 58 together with the mold part 59, 60 formed by the feed device 55 and / or the discharge device 66. This is due to the fact that the feed device 55 and the discharge device 66 do not belong, or only partially, to the forming station 56, at least in part and / or functionally. The linguistic demarcation is therefore not always easy, but can always be recognized by the person skilled in the art from the respective context. Explaining the demarcation precisely in each individual case would be complex and rather counterproductive for understanding, which is why it is omitted here.

[0068] The feed device 55 has a gripping unit 67 with a strut 68, on one side of which a plurality of suction grippers 69 are provided for gripping pack sleeves 51 in the stack 53 of pack sleeves 51. The suction grippers 69 grip the pack sleeves 51 on the side facing away from the stack 53 and towards the forming station 56. The side of the strut 68 facing away from the suction grippers 69 forms the formed part 59 of the gripping unit 67, the forming surface 64 of which faces in the direction of the discharge device 66. The gripped pack sleeve 51 is transported by the gripping unit 67 to the forming station 56. This occurs in an at least partially superimposed translatory movement in the transport direction R of the pack sleeves 51 on the one hand and a pivoting movement about an axis A perpendicular to the transport direction R and parallel to the pack sleeve 51 on the other. This superimposed movement of the gripped packing sleeve 51 is shown in Fig.4B is illustrated by the arrows T, S for translation and pivoting. The transport of the pack sleeves 51 from the stack 53 to the forming station 56 is driven by a rack 70 of the feed device 55, which meshes with a motor-driven gear 71. The pivoting of the gripping unit 67 together with the gripped pack sleeve 51 can be accomplished by an additional motor drive. Fig. 5 shows how the pack sleeve 51 can be transferred to the forming station 56. The gripping unit 67 holds the pack sleeve 51 between the two lateral forming parts 57, 58 of the forming station 56. The lateral forming parts 57, 58 can then move towards one another and take over the pack sleeve 51, so that the gripping unit 67 can rotate back again and, if necessary, be moved back slightly. In this way, the molded part 59 provided by the feed device 55 is aligned for forming the package sleeve 51.To hold the flat-folded pack sleeve 51, the lateral molded parts 57, 58 have grooves 72 into which the folded edges 54 of the pack sleeve 51 can engage. In this context, it can also be provided that the lateral molded parts 57-60 are closed sufficiently during the transfer of the pack sleeves 51 that the gripping unit 67 presses the pack sleeves 51 with the folded edges 54 into the grooves 72 of the lateral molded parts 54. However, the rotation of the gripping unit 67 should then be completed in time so that the gripping unit 67 can press the pack sleeves 51 at least substantially translationally into the grooves 72 of the lateral molded parts 57, 58.

[0069] In Fig. 6, the pack sleeve 51 is held by the lateral forming parts 57, 58, which are moved further together in order to unfold the pack sleeve 51. The lateral forming parts 57, 58 press the opposite folding edges 54, around which the pack sleeve 51 is folded flat, against each other. This causes the pack sleeve 51 to unfold. The forming part 59 provided by the feed device 55 is already in position for forming the unfolded pack sleeve 51. However, this does not apply to the forming part 60 provided by the discharge device 66. This can only be moved towards it once the pack sleeve 51 has been unfolded and, if necessary, already at least partially formed. Otherwise, a holding unit 73 of the discharge device 66 would undesirably strike the pack sleeve 51. In Fig. 7, the forming station 56 is shown in the closed position.The four mold parts 57-60 form a common mold 61 for forming the pack sleeve 51 therein. The formed pack sleeve 51 comes into contact with at least one molding surface 62-65 of each mold part 57-60. The mold parts 57-60 form an at least substantially closed mold 61. In the illustrated and thus preferred method, the mold part 59 of the gripping unit 67 bears against the formed pack sleeve 51 on the side facing the stack 53, while the lateral mold parts 57, 58 bear against the formed pack sleeve 51 on opposite sides. The mold part 60 formed by the holding unit 73 bears both in sections against the lateral sections of the pack sleeve 51 opposite one another transversely to the transport direction R and against the side of the formed pack sleeve 51 facing away from the stack 53 in the transport direction R.

[0070] The mold parts 57-60 are then moved apart, as shown by the arrows, in order to move the forming station 56 from the closed position to the open position. The lateral mold parts 57, 58 move outwards transversely to the transport direction R of the package sleeves 51, while the mold part 59 formed by the gripping unit 67 moves backwards against the transport direction R and the mold part 60 formed by the holding unit 73 moves forwards in the transport direction R. The holding unit 73 is adjusted in that it provides a rack 74 with which a motor-driven gear 75 meshes. The drive of the two lateral mold parts 57, 58 is not shown, but can be implemented in a similar way. The drives 57, 58 of the mold parts can, however, also be designed differently than shown.

[0071] When the forming station 56 is adjusted from the closed position to the open position, the lateral mold parts 57, 58 are adjusted at least slightly before the holding unit 73. When the lateral mold parts 57, 58 move to the side, the formed packing sleeve 51 yields slightly and consequently presses against the sections 76 of the holding unit 73 that partially encompass the formed packing sleeve 51 from opposite sides. When the lateral mold parts 57, 58 are out of contact with the formed packing sleeve 51, the holding unit 73 can also be adjusted outwards. The formed packing sleeve 51 remains held in the holding unit 73 and is moved with the holding unit 73 in the transport direction R.During this time, the gripping unit 67 is moved back to the stack 53 of packing sleeves 51 in order to grip the frontmost packing sleeve 51 on the side facing the forming station 56 and to transport it as the next packing sleeve 51 to the forming station 56.

[0072] The forming station 56 is now back in the open position shown in Fig. 8. The previously described cycle thus begins again. However, the just-formed packing sleeve 51 is still held by the holding unit 73 of the discharge device 66. Before the next packing sleeve 51 can be formed, the already formed packing sleeve 51 must be discharged via the discharge device 66. In the illustrated and, in this respect, preferred device 50, the formed packing sleeve 51 is ejected upward via a punch 82.

[0073] This is shown in Fig. 9 in a sectional view of a detail of the device 50 from Fig. 8 along the sectional plane 1X-1X. In the position of Fig. 9, the forming station 56 is still in the closed position. On the side of the discharge device 66 facing away from the forming station 56, a holding element 77 is provided, which is connected to the holding unit 73 in a fixed position relative to the holding unit 73. When the forming station 56 is at least substantially closed, the holding element 77 receives a packing sleeve 51 from above, which has previously been formed and then provided with a spout 79 in a processing station 78 provided above the holding element 77. For this purpose, the holding element 77 has holding fingers 80 which laterally encompass the packing sleeve 51 and hold the packing sleeve 51 in a force-fitting manner. The packing sleeves 51 in the holding unit 73 and the holding element 77 are held parallel to each other.When the forming station 56 is now moved into the open position, the discharge device 66 with the holding unit 73 and the holding element 77 moves in the forward direction, into the.

[0074] Transport direction R or to the right, as shown by the arrow.

[0075] The device 50 thus reaches the position shown in Fig. 10. In this position, the packaging sleeve 51 held in the holding element 77 is passed out of the holding element 77, as shown by the corresponding arrow. At the same time, the packaging sleeve 51 that has just been formed is positioned below the processing station 78 and from there transferred upwards to the processing station 78, as shown by the corresponding arrow. A spout 79 is also fed to the processing station 78, as shown by the corresponding arrow. The packaging sleeve 51 is then connected to the spout 79 in the processing station 78 in a manner not shown. The packaging sleeve 51 is then transferred, together with the attached spout 79, to the holding element 77 of the discharge device 66, as previously described in connection with Fig. 9.

[0076] In particular, Fig. 10 also shows that the lateral mold parts 57, 58 have recesses 81 into which sections 76 of the holding unit 73, which laterally encompass the formed pack sleeve 51 on opposite sides, can engage. These recesses 81 allow the holding unit 73 to be moved in the direction of the pack sleeve 51 held between the lateral mold parts 57, 58 only when the lateral mold parts 57, 58 have already been moved towards one another to their inner end position or have at least been moved towards one another substantially to their inner end position. The holding unit 73 neither inadvertently strikes the unfolded or only partially unfolded pack sleeve 51 between the lateral mold parts 57, 58, nor do the lateral mold parts 57, 58 and the holding unit 73 interfere with one another when the forming station 56 is moved into the closed position and back into the open position.Rather, the holding unit 73 engages laterally into the recesses 81 of the molded parts 57, 58 and is withdrawn from them again. The lateral molded parts 57, 58 can ultimately be moved inward in front of the holding unit 73 and moved outward in front of the holding unit 73 without the holding unit 73 and the lateral molded parts 57, 58 interfering with each other.

[0077] Instead of recesses 81 in the lateral mold parts 57, 58, which are designed at least substantially to correspond to the sections 76 of the holding unit 73 that laterally encompass the molded pack sleeves 51, a plurality of lateral mold parts 57, 58 could also be provided on one or both sides. If these lateral mold parts 57, 58 are spaced apart from one another by a gap, the sections 76 of the holding unit 73 that laterally encompass the molded pack sleeves 51 can engage in these gaps, just as they engage in the recesses 81 of the lateral mold parts 57, 58 in the closed position of the forming station 56 in the device 50 shown. However, this requires somewhat more complex equipment and is therefore generally less preferred.

[0078] The device 50 for forming package sleeves 51 for the production of filled packages 7, as previously described, can be combined not only with the previously known filling machine shown in Fig. 3, but also with filling machines of a different type. For example, the device 50 can be integrated into a filling machine with a walking mechanism 83 in a sterile air chamber 92, as schematically illustrated in Fig. 11.

[0079] The device 50 for forming pack sleeves 51 for the production of filled packs 7 comprises a magazine 52 in which a stack 53 of flat-folded pack sleeves 51 is held ready. The front pack sleeve 51 of the stack 53 is gripped by a feed device 55 and fed to a forming station 56 with a mold 61. The pack sleeve 51 unfolded in the mold 61 is removed by a removal device 66 and pushed upwards via a punch 82 into a processing station 78, where the pack sleeve 51 is provided with a spout 79. The pack sleeve 51 is then released downwards again to a holding element 77, which transfers the pack sleeve 51 together with the spout 79 to a walking device 83.

[0080] The pack sleeve 51 is then transported horizontally by the walking unit 83 through a sterilization unit 84. In the illustrated embodiment, this unit has three stations: a station 85 for preheating the pack sleeves 51, which are still open at the bottom, a station 86 for sterilizing by injecting a sterilizing agent, and a station 87 for drying the sterilized pack sleeves 51, whereby the sterilizing agent is reliably removed from the sterilized surfaces of the pack sleeve 51. In the next step, the bottom is formed in a bottom forming unit 88, in which the bottom surfaces at the lower end of the pack sleeve 51 are welded to form a transverse seam.

[0081] The protruding ears are then, as described above, applied to the bottom of the pack from below and secured there. This creates a pack body that is open at the top and is transported further in the transport direction to a filling unit 89, where the actual filling of the pack body with the desired product takes place. After filling, the pack is transported further to a gable forming unit 90, in which the upper region of the pack body is closed by forming an upper transverse seam and the resulting lateral pack ears are applied to the sides of the pack walls and secured there. The pack 7 thus created is transported further and discharged from the device in area 91, where it is now in a saleable condition.

[0082] The individual stations are surrounded by a sterile air chamber 92 to ensure aseptic filling. The sterilization unit 84, base forming unit 88, filling unit 89, and gable forming unit 90 form the aseptic area of ​​the device, as shown in Fig. 12. The transport of the package sleeves 51, package bodies, and fully filled packages 7 takes place by means of a walking mechanism 83, which has at least two transport racks 93, 95 arranged parallel in a horizontal plane, each with a plurality of mutually facing tines. The two opposing transport racks 93, 95 can be moved toward and away from one another or back and forth in the transport direction to clamp or release the open package sleeves, package bodies sealed at the bottom, and finished packages, as indicated by the arrows at the right end of the transport racks 93, 95.

[0083] The function of the walking mechanism 83 and, in particular, the movement sequences of the transport rakes are schematically illustrated in Figs. 13A to 13G. For the sake of simplicity, no distinction is made between the respective status of the transported products (package sleeve, pack body, and pack), but only a single pack 7 is shown to describe the function of the walking mechanism used.

[0084] As already explained, the moving mechanism 83 has two transport rakes 93 and 94 arranged parallel in an upper horizontal plane, which are equipped with a corresponding number of tines facing one another. The spacing of the tines corresponds to the width of the package 7 to be clamped. Below these two transport rakes 93 and 94, in turn, in a common plane, are two further transport rakes 95 and 96, which, as shown in Fig. 13A, are moved toward one another and hold the package 7 shown in the lower area by means of a clamping effect.

[0085] In a first movement, the two upper transport rakes 93 and 94 move towards each other, as shown by the two arrows in Fig. 13B, until they too clamp the pack 7. Then the two lower transport rakes 95 and 96 move apart, as shown by the arrows in Fig. 13C, so that the lower transport rake releases the pack 7. The two upper transport rakes 93 and 94 now move relative to the two lower transport rakes 95 and 96, with the pack 7 being transported horizontally in the direction of the arrows shown in Fig. 13D to the next position. In this position, the two lower transport rakes 95 and 96 also move towards each other again and "take over" the clamping of the pack 7 in this position, as shown by the arrows in Fig. 13E. In the next step, the upper transport rakes 93 and 94 move apart again, as shown in Fig.13F by the arrows, so that these two transport rakes 93 and 94 are sufficiently far away from the package 7 and, in a final step, as shown in Fig. 13G, can move back to the original position, this time in a direction opposite to the transport direction, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 13G.

[0086] A comparison of Fig. 13G with Fig. 13A now shows that the two transport rake pairs 93, 94 and 95, 96 are back in their initial state (cf. Fig. 13A), while the package 7 has been transported one position further. It quickly becomes clear that a timed transport in the horizontal direction takes place by means of the walking mechanism 83 shown. This allows the packages 7 to be precisely aligned with the treatment units arranged within the device in the transport direction. The combination of Fig. 11 and Figs. 13A to 13G quickly makes it clear that the transport rakes 93, 94 and 95, 96 used for transport are constantly moving inside the sterile air chamber 92 and do not have to be moved out of the area of ​​the sterile air chamber 92 and then, after a corresponding revolution, back into the sterile air chamber 92, as is the case with filling machines with circulating transport devices.This is a considerable advantage with regard to the size of the device according to the invention with the already described advantages of reducing the moving masses and in particular avoiding contamination of the interior of the device or its complex cleaning.

[0087] Fig. 14 shows a schematic side view of another embodiment of a filling machine. In contrast to the device shown in Fig. 11, in the device of Fig. 14 the walking mechanism 83 shown runs in different planes and essentially consists of three sections. The filling machine can be designed with several parallel tracks which have similar walking mechanisms 83. The assemblies or structural parts already shown in Fig. 11 are also provided with the same reference numerals here. The pack sleeves 51 used here differ from those used in the device of Fig. 11 in that here two (later) pack edges do not also form the folded ends of the pack sleeve 51, but rather that the pack sleeve 51 used here was folded along so-called dummy crease lines in the middle of its long sides.However, for the sake of better understanding, the same reference symbol is used for the packing sleeves 51 as well as for the walking mechanisms 83.

[0088] At one end of the filling machine, a device 50 for forming pack sleeves 51 for producing filled packs 7 is provided. The device has a magazine 52 with a stack 53 of flat-folded pack sleeves 51. The front pack sleeve 51 of the stack 53 is gripped by a feed device 55 and fed to a forming station 56 with a mold 61. The pack sleeve 51 unfolded in the mold 61 is removed by a removal device 66 and pushed upwards via a punch 82 into a processing station 78, where the pack sleeve 51 is provided with a spout 79. The pack sleeve 51 is then released downwards again to a holding element 77, which transfers the pack sleeve 51 together with the spout 79 to a walking device 83. In the next position, an optical sensor 97 checks the packaging sleeve 51 provided with the spout 79 in order to detect possible defects.

[0089] In the next position, the packing sleeve 51 is transported to a transfer station 98 by means of a slide (only indicated) via guide elements (not shown) into the level below of the walking mechanism 83 and at the same time is brought back into its shape with a rectangular cross-section. From there, the transport begins in cycles to the right in the direction of the arrow shown in the middle of the walking mechanism 83. The packing sleeves 51, which are still open at the bottom, first pass a mechanical sensor 99, which checks the correct alignment and position of the now fully unfolded packing sleeves 10' within the walking mechanism bars. If any discrepancies are detected by the optical sensor 99 or the mechanical sensor 99, a subsequent removal orAt the discharge station 100, either an automatic downward discharge, as shown in dashed lines, or the incorrect packing sleeve 51 can be manually removed upward from the moving mechanism 83. While the automatic discharge occurs during ongoing operation of the device, a misalignment of a packing sleeve 51 leads to an immediate stop of the device so that the incorrectly aligned packing sleeve can be manually removed from its position without jeopardizing the further production process. For this purpose, viewing windows and openings (only indicated) are provided in the housing of the device.

[0090] This is followed by a pre-folding station 101, in which both the gable and the base of the pack sleeves 51 are pre-folded in order to break up the fibers of the fold lines in the gable and base areas of the pack sleeves 51 and to simplify subsequent folding prior to the corresponding sealing. The pack sleeves 51 are then sterilized in the sterilization unit 84. The bottom seam sealing and the ear sealing of the pack sleeves 51 then take place in the base forming unit 88, with the ears being sealed from below onto the slightly dome-shaped, concave pack base, so that a package body closed at the bottom is now created, which is lifted slightly upwards to the level of the filling unit 89 by a further lifting unit 102.After filling, which in the illustrated and therefore preferred embodiment takes place in two steps, the now filled pack body passes through the gable forming station 90, in which the gable seam is first sealed in station 103 and then, in station 104, the final gable forming and the application of the ears and sealing on the side surfaces of the then finished pack 7 take place. At the end of the walking device 83, the completely filled and sealed pack 7 is ejected downwards from the device. If errors were detected during filling or gable forming, such a defective pack 7 can be automatically ejected via a pivoting flap in the base, wherein the defective pack 7 can be removed via a conveyor belt. Normally, the finished pack 7 is pushed to the right by means of a slide (not further designated).

[0091] The finished packages 7 leave the palletizing or packaging device on a transport carousel. Below the walking mechanism 83, the drive units 105 necessary for the movement of the walking mechanism 83 can be seen, all of which are arranged below the sterile air chamber 92.

[0092] List of reference symbols

[0093] 1 cutting

[0094] 2 packaging material

[0095] 3 Packing sleeve

[0096] 4 longitudinal edges

[0097] 5,6 fold lines

[0098] 7 pack

[0099] 8.9 rand

[0100] 10 Sealing seam

[0101] Section 11

[0102] Section 12

[0103] 13 Coat

[0104] 14,15 Longitudinal ends

[0105] 16 Floor

[0106] 17 heads

[0107] 18 pack ears

[0108] 20 Device

[0109] 21 Packing body

[0110] 22 Magazine

[0111] 23 processing line

[0112] 24 stacks

[0113] 25 Feeding device

[0114] 26 Device

[0115] 27 mandrel wheel

[0116] 28 Thorn

[0117] 29 Heating unit

[0118] 30 Press 31 Sealing device

[0119] 32 cell

[0120] 33 Transport device

[0121] 34 filling machine

[0122] 35 Aseptic chamber

[0123] 36 Sterilization zone

[0124] 37 Filling and sealing zone

[0125] 38 sterile air connections

[0126] 39 Preheating device

[0127] 40 Sterilization device

[0128] 41 Drying device

[0129] 42 filling position

[0130] 43 Filling outlet

[0131] 44 food items

[0132] 45 Closing device

[0133] 50 device

[0134] 51 Packing sleeve

[0135] 52 Magazine

[0136] 53 stacks

[0137] 54 Falkants

[0138] 55 Feeding device

[0139] 56 Forming station 57-60 Molded part

[0140] 61 Form 62-65 Form surface

[0141] 66 discharge device

[0142] 67 gripping unit

[0143] 68 Strut

[0144] 69 suction cups

[0145] 70 rack

[0146] 71 gear

[0147] 72 grooves

[0148] 73 Holding unit

[0149] 74 rack

[0150] 75 gear

[0151] Section 76

[0152] 77 Holding element

[0153] 78 processing stations

[0154] 79 pourers

[0155] 80 Holding fingers 81 Recesses

[0156] 82 stamps

[0157] 83 Walking mechanism

[0158] 84 Sterilization Unit 85-87 Station

[0159] 88 bottom forming unit

[0160] 89 filling unit

[0161] 90 gable molding unit

[0162] 91 Area

[0163] 92 Sterile air chamber

[0164] 93-94 Transport rake

[0165] 95-96 Transport rake

[0166] 97 Sensor

[0167] 98 transfer station

[0168] 99 Sensor

[0169] 100 discharge station

[0170] 101 Prefolding station

[0171] 102 Lifting unit

[0172] 103 Station

[0173] 104 Station

[0174] 105 drive unit

[0175] R Transport direction

[0176] A axis

[0177] T Translation

[0178] S Pan

Claims

P atentansp ü che Method for forming pack sleeves (51) for the production of filled packs, in which pack sleeves (51) folded flat around at least two folding edges (54) running in the longitudinal direction of the pack sleeves (51) are transferred from a feeding device (55) to a forming station (56) comprising at least three molded parts (57-60), - in which the transferred packing sleeves (51) are held in an open position of the forming station (56) between at least two mold parts (57, 58), - in which the packing sleeves (51) held between the at least two mold parts (57, 58) are unfolded and formed by adjusting the at least three mold parts (57-60) into a closed position of the forming station (56), in which the unfolded and formed packing sleeves (51) are successively removed from the forming station (56) by a removal device (66), and - in which the feed device (55) and / or the discharge device (66) forms a molded part (59, 60) of the forming station (56) for forming the packaging sleeves (51). Method according to claim 1, - in which the flat-folded packaging sleeves (51) are gripped by a gripping unit (67) of the feeding device (55) and transferred by the gripping unit (67) to the forming station (56) and / or - in which the flat-folded packaging sleeves (51) are kept ready in a stack (53) of flat-folded packaging sleeves (51) and are successively the feed device (55) and removed from the stack (53). Method according to claim 2, - in which the gripping unit (67) forms a molded part of the forming station (56) for forming the packaging sleeves (51) and - in which, preferably, a side facing away from the packing sleeve (51) gripped by the gripping unit (67) forms the side of the molded part (59) facing the molded packing sleeve (51) in the molding station (56) in the closed position. Method according to claim 2 or 3, - in which the pack sleeves (51) are gripped by the gripping unit (67) from a side facing away from the stack (53) and / or the forming station (56) and / or - in which the gripping unit (67) with the gripped packing sleeve (51) is moved at least partially and / or in sections in a translational manner from the stack (53) to the forming station (56) for transferring the packing sleeve (51) to the forming station (56) and / or - in which the gripping unit (67) with the gripped packing sleeve (51) is rotated and / or pivoted at least partially and / or in sections to transfer the packing sleeve (51) to the forming station (56) and / or - in which the pack sleeves (51) are transferred to the forming station (56) in an orientation rotated by at least substantially 180° compared to the orientation of the pack sleeves (51) in the stack (53). Method according to claim 4, - in which the packing sleeves (51) are moved by the gripping unit (67) about an axis (A) at least substantially perpendicular to the direction of the translational Transport (R) of the packaging sleeves (51) are rotated and / or pivoted and / or - in which the package sleeves (51) are rotated and / or pivoted by the gripping unit (67) about an axis (A) at least substantially parallel to the package sleeves (51), in particular to a central axis of the package sleeves (51) and / or - in which the pack sleeves (51) are transported by the gripping unit (67) before being transferred to the forming station (56) at least in sections in a translatory manner on the one hand and rotated and / or pivoted on the other hand, method according to one of claims 2 to 5, - in which the gripping unit (67) uses a plurality of suction grippers (69) distributed along a longitudinal extension of a strut (68) for gripping the packaging sleeves (51) and / or - in which the gripping unit (67) uses a strut (68) with a side of the molded part (59) extending in the longitudinal direction of the strut (68) and, in the closed molding station (56), pointing in the direction of the package sleeve (51) formed in the molding station (56). Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, - in which the formed packing sleeves (51) are held by a holding unit (73) of the discharge device (66) which holds the formed packing sleeves (51) from at least two opposite sides of the packing sleeves (51) and are discharged from the forming station (56), and - in which, preferably, the packing sleeves (51) automatically frictionally engage the holding unit (73) when the forming station (56) is adjusted from the closed position into the open position by restoring forces of the packing sleeves (51) and / or the holding unit (73) at least partially holds the The side of the molded part (60) facing the packing jacket (51) in the molding station (56) forms the molded part (60). Method according to claim 7, - in which the holding unit (73) in the closed position of the forming station (56) engages on two sides opposite the packing jacket (51) in the closed forming station (56) in each case at least one recess (81) of a respective formed part (57, 58) provided on the respective side and / or - in which the holding unit (73), in the closed position of the forming station (56), engages on two sides opposite the package casing (51) in the closed forming station (56) into at least one gap between at least two molded parts (57, 58) provided on the respective side. Method according to claim 8, - in which the at least two mold parts (57, 58) on the sides opposite the flat-folded pack sleeves (51) are adjusted at least in sections relative to the holding unit (73) engaging in the at least one recess (81) and / or the at least one gap into the closed position of the forming station (56) and / or - in which the at least two molded parts (57, 58) on the sides opposite the flat-folded package sleeves (51) are adjusted at least in sections relative to the holding unit (73) engaging in the at least one recess (81) and / or the at least one gap into the open position of the forming station (56). Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, - in which the discharge device (66), in particular the holding unit (73), with the formed packing jacket (51) when adjusting the forming station (56) into the open position, preferably exclusively, is moved translationally away from the position the discharge device (66), in particular the holding unit (73), in the closed position of the forming station (56) and / or, preferably exclusively, is moved translationally away from the stack (53) of flat-folded packaging sleeves (51) and / or - in which the formed package sleeve (51) is ejected upwards or downwards from the discharge device (66), in particular the holding unit (73), by a punch (82) in the open position of the forming station (56). Method according to one of claims 7 to 10, - in which the ejected packaging sleeves (51) are processed in a processing station (78), in particular connected to a spout (79) and - in which the processed packing sleeves (51) are taken over by a holding element (77) which is fixedly connected to the holding unit (73) and - in which, preferably, the pack sleeves (51) are held at least substantially parallel to one another in the holding unit (73) and the holding element (77) and / or the pack sleeves (51) are moved and released with the holding element (77) away from the forming station (56) and, if necessary, away from the stack (53) of flat-folded pack sleeves (51) when the forming station (56) is adjusted to the open position.Apparatus for forming pack sleeves (51) for producing filled packs, preferably according to one of claims 1 to 11, with a forming station (56) for unfolding and forming flat-folded pack sleeves (51), a feeding device (55) for feeding flat-folded pack sleeves (51) to the forming station (56) and a removal device (66) for removing the unfolded and formed pack sleeves (51) from the forming station (56), wherein the forming station (56) has at least three forming parts (57-60), wherein the forming parts (57-60) can be moved from an open position of the forming station (56) for transferring flat-folded pack sleeves (51) to the forming station (56) into a closed position of the forming station (56) for unfolding and forming the pack sleeves (51). are provided so as to be adjustable back, characterized in that the feeding device (55) and / or the discharge device (66) forms a molded part (59, 60) of the molding station (56) for molding the packaging sleeves (51).

13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the feeding device (55) has a gripping unit (67) for gripping flat-folded packaging sleeves (51) and for transferring the flat-folded packaging sleeves (51) to the forming station (56) and / or that a stack (53) of flat-folded packaging sleeves (51) is provided for successive gripping by the feeding device (55), in particular the gripping unit (67).

14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the gripping unit (67) has a strut (68) with a plurality of suction grippers (69) extending in the longitudinal extent of the strut (68) for gripping the package sleeves (51) and / or the gripping unit (67), in particular the side of the strut (68) opposite the suction grippers (69), forms a shaped part (59) of the forming station (56) in the closed position of the forming station (56), in particular resting against the formed package sleeve (51) and / or that the gripping unit (67) is connected to a drive for transporting the flat-folded package sleeves (51) to the forming station (56) in an at least partially superimposed translatory movement on the one hand and a rotary movement and / or pivoting movement on the other.

15. Device according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that a holding unit (73) of the discharge device (66) is provided for holding and discharging the shaped packaging sleeves (51) and that the holding unit (73) in In the closed position of the forming station (56), on two sides opposite the pack sleeve (51), it engages in at least one recess (81) of a molded part (57, 58) provided on the respective side and / or in at least one gap between at least two molded parts (57, 58) provided on the respective side. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that a holding element (77) is provided which is fixedly connected to the holding unit (73) and which can be adjusted together with the holding unit (73) when the forming station (56) is adjusted from the open position into the closed position and back, for receiving, holding, and discharging pack sleeves (51) which have been processed after being removed from the holding unit (73).

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