Package shaping device, packaging machine and method for operating a package shaping device

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging shaping device (12a-c), in particular for a tubular bag machine, having at least one conveyor unit (14a-c) for conveying products (18a-c) along a conveying direction (30a-c). In order to provide a generic device with improved properties in terms of efficiency, according to the invention the packaging shaping device (12a-c) has a stowage unit (32a-c) which is intended to stow the products (18a-c) in a stowage region (35a-c), in order to at least partially push out the air contained in the products (18a-c).

Description

[0001] Description and procedure for operation

[0002] State of the art

[0003] The invention relates to a packaging forming device according to the preamble of claim 1, a packaging machine according to claim 13 and a method for operating a packaging forming device according to claim 14.

[0004] When packaging products, the problem often arises that air accumulates in packaging containers. During a final sealing process, such as a welding process, additional air is trapped in the packaging along with the product. It is already known from the prior art to actively evacuate, in particular to extract, air from the packaging, specifically from an area between the product and the packaging, using at least one hose of an air extraction device via negative pressure during the packaging process. Furthermore, cross-sealing units are already known that have spring-loaded squeezers on the inlet and / or outlet sides.A disadvantage of the aforementioned variants of air evacuation in the prior art is that air accumulates in a front area between the contents and the packaging, so that although a rear transverse seal can be made close to the contents, the air is increasingly forced into the front area opposite the rear transverse seal. Furthermore, it is already known from the prior art to provide the packaging with at least one small opening, for example a slit, and to press the products together after a closing process, for example a welding process, so that the excess air can escape from the packaging. Subsequently, however, these small openings in the packaging must be closed again, for example by gluing or welding, which requires not only increased labor, but also additional costs and / or work steps.

[0005] The object of the invention is in particular to provide a generic device, a generic machine and a generic method with improved properties with regard to packaging efficiency.

[0006] The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claims 1 and 14, while advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

[0007] Disclosure of the invention

[0008] The invention relates to a packaging forming device, in particular for a tubular bag machine, with at least one conveying unit for conveying products along a conveying direction.

[0009] It is proposed that the packaging forming device comprises a storage unit which is intended to store the products in a storage area in order to thereby at least partially press out air contained in the products.

[0010] Such a design can increase efficiency in the packaging of filling goods. Due to the accumulation behavior of products on the outlet side, air evacuation from product packaging can be realized and provided in a simple, user-friendly, convenient, and efficient manner. Furthermore, efficiency can be increased, at least with regard to labor, product, process, cost, and / or material efficiency. In addition to compact sealing and / or packaging, undesirable incorrect folds and / or folded edges can be reduced and / or prevented. Furthermore, the stability and quality of a transverse seal and preferably also of a longitudinal seal can be increased. This can increase process efficiency in the closing, preferably sealing, of packaging.Furthermore, the need to generate a vacuum can be eliminated, thus eliminating complex work steps such as air extraction. This allows for a compact packaging forming device to be created.

[0011] The packaging forming device is, without being limited thereto, provided at least for forming packaging material, preferably into a packaging material tube, in order to at least partially package contents using the formed packaging material. In particular, the packaging forming device is provided for packaging contents with at least one packaging material, preferably with the packaging material tube. The packaging material tube is advantageously present after packaging material has been formed and / or deformed. The packaging forming device can be provided at least for packaging and / or filling contents. At least one contents or a plurality of contents can be arranged and / or can be arranged within the packaging material tube, specifically in a contents receiving area of ​​the packaging material tube.The packaging material, in particular the packaging material tube, can at least partially and advantageously completely delimit the filling material receiving area. The packaging material can be at least partially and advantageously completely packaged by means of the packaging material. The packaging material tube is intended in particular for packaging, specifically for at least partially enclosing at least the filling material. The packaging material tube can encompass and / or enclose the filling material in the circumferential direction, at least in sections and preferably completely.

[0012] In particular, the packaging forming device is a part, specifically a subassembly, of a packaging machine. It would also be conceivable for the packaging forming device to form the packaging machine. The packaging machine can be provided, without being limited thereto, at least for packaging and / or repackaging contents. Furthermore, the packaging machine can be provided at least for filling, dosing, sealing, transporting, sorting, and / or conveying contents and / or the packaging material and / or the packaging material tube.The packaging machine can have a plurality of further devices and / or units and / or systems for the treatment and / or processing and / or dosing and / or storage and / or packaging and / or transport and / or handling and / or sorting and / or conveying of filling goods, which the person skilled in the art considers appropriate, such as, for example, at least one cutting device, at least one dosing device, at least one filling device, at least one storage device, at least one sterilization device, at least one closing device, at least one handling device for handling, for example for transporting, filling goods and / or products, or the like.

[0013] The packaging machine is preferably designed as a tubular bag machine. The packaging machine can be arranged horizontally and / or vertically. Furthermore, the packaging forming device can be a horizontal packaging forming device and / or a vertical packaging forming device. In particular, the horizontal packaging forming device is intended to guide at least the packaging material and / or the packaging material tube along a horizontal transport direction and / or conveying direction, advantageously along a transport direction that runs at least substantially perpendicular to the direction of the gravitational force. In this context, "substantially perpendicular" is understood to mean an angle between 85° and 95°, preferably between 88° and 92°, and particularly advantageously 90°.Furthermore, the vertical packaging forming device can be provided to guide at least the packaging material and / or the packaging material tube along a vertical transport and / or conveying direction, advantageously along a direction running at least substantially parallel to the direction of gravitational force. "Substantially parallel" here is understood to mean an alignment of a direction relative to a reference direction, in particular in a plane, wherein the direction has a deviation from the reference direction of less than 8°, advantageously less than 5°, and particularly advantageously less than 2°. Advantageously, the packaging machine, in particular the packaging forming device, is provided at least for guiding packaging material and / or the packaging material tube.The packaging material can be guided on at least one packaging material web, which has a flat, planar and / or elongated and / or rectangular configuration and / or design of the packaging material. The packaging material can be formed at least partially, advantageously at least largely or entirely, from a mineral, a metal, a plastic, and / or a composite material. The packaging material could be made at least partially or at least largely from renewable raw materials."Renewable raw materials" are understood to mean organic raw materials, in particular plant-based raw materials, which originate from agricultural and / or forestry production and are cultivated by humans specifically for further applications outside the food and feed industry, or which are by-products and / or waste products from agriculture and / or the food and feed industry. Renewable raw materials within the meaning of this application are exclusively organic raw materials that are not of fossil origin. Renewable raw materials in this case are preferably domestic products from agricultural and / or forestry production, as well as their by-products and / or residues, provided they are not subject to waste legislation, as well as algae.Preferably, the packaging material is formed and / or manufactured at least partially, advantageously at least to a large extent, from paper. The term "to a large extent" is understood here to mean, for example, at least 55%, advantageously at least 65%, preferably at least 75%, particularly preferably at least 85%, and particularly advantageously at most 95% of an area and / or volume and / or mass fraction.

[0014] The packaging forming device can have at least one forming unit designed to form the packaging material into the packaging material tube. The forming unit can have at least one folding edge designed to deflect and / or deform the packaging material, in particular the packaging material web. The folding edge is preferably designed as a shoulder edge and the forming unit as a forming shoulder. Advantageously, the forming unit is free of rollers for deflecting the packaging material. The packaging machine can have at least one packaging material unwinding unit designed to receive the packaging material, in particular in the form of a packaging material roll, and / or to unwind the packaging material for further transport as a packaging material web and in particular to feed it to a packaging material feed unit of the packaging machine.In particular, the packaging material feed unit feeds the packaging material, preferably the packaging material web, to the forming unit. The packaging material feed unit is preferably arranged upstream of the forming unit, viewed along the conveying direction of the packaging material tube. The packaging material feed unit can comprise a plurality of components, particularly those known to those skilled in the art, such as at least one rocker arm, at least one centering button, at least one web edge control, and / or at least one printing unit for printing the packaging material, or the like.

[0015] The packaging machine advantageously has at least one filling material feed unit, which is intended to transport and / or convey the filling materials to be packaged for packaging and / or wrapping by means of the packaging material tube. The filling material feed unit can, for example, have or be designed as a conveyor belt and / or a carrier chain or the like. Preferably, a conveying direction and / or transport direction of the filling materials runs at least substantially parallel to the conveying direction of the packaging material tube. In particular, the conveying direction of the filling materials and the conveying direction of the packaging material tube run in a common plane, advantageously in a horizontal plane or a vertical plane. Preferably, the filling material feed unit is arranged upstream of the forming unit along the conveying direction of the packaging material tube.The filling material can be, for example, a solid, liquid, pasty, and / or lumpy filling material. Furthermore, the filling material can be, for example, a food product, a pharmaceutical product, a consumer good, a beauty and / or body care product, such as chocolate bars, chips, sauces, spreads, pastes, ready meals, sweets, creams, and / or shampoos, or the like. It would also be conceivable for the filling material to be a consumer good and / or item from the field of toys, crafts, kitchen and / or household goods or the like, such as a toy car, a ladle, a pot, a small electrical appliance, for example a mixer and / or kitchen scales, and / or a screw. The filling material can be any conceivable filling material that appears reasonable to a person skilled in the art. Preferably, the product is at least partially and advantageously completely packaged.In particular, the product comprises the packaging and at least one filling material, which is advantageously arranged within the packaging.

[0016] The packaging forming device preferably has a longitudinal sealing unit provided for longitudinally sealing the packaging material tube. In particular, the longitudinal sealing unit is provided to create and / or generate a longitudinal sealing seam of the packaging material tube that runs at least substantially parallel to the conveying direction of the packaging material tube, in particular by applying heat and / or pressure to at least a portion of the packaging material tube. The longitudinal sealing unit can be arranged behind the forming unit, viewed along the conveying direction of the packaging material tube. The longitudinal sealing unit can consist of at least one sealing unit and advantageously a plurality of sealing units. The plurality of sealing units could be arranged one behind the other in a row, viewed in the conveying direction of the packaging material tube.Preferably, a sealing unit comprises at least one pair of sealing rollers, in particular those provided with a profile, which can be pressurized and / or heated. The sealing units can each be provided for at least partially sealing the packaging material tube and / or for transporting and / or advancing the packaging material tube along the conveying direction.

[0017] The filling material receiving area can extend and / or be arranged, at least in sections, parallel to a main extension plane of the longitudinal sealing unit. Advantageously, the conveying direction of the packaging material tube runs parallel to the main extension plane of the longitudinal sealing unit. In this context, a "main extension plane" of an object is understood to mean a plane that is aligned parallel to a largest side surface of a smallest imaginary cuboid that just completely encloses the object, and in particular, runs through the center of the cuboid.

[0018] Furthermore, the packaging forming device can have at least one transverse sealing unit for transversely sealing the packaging material tube within a sealing region. The transverse sealing unit is preferably provided to create and / or produce transverse sealing seams of the packaging material tube, which in particular run at least substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the packaging material tube, after each filling product or several filling products arranged in the filling product receiving region, preferably by targeted pressure and / or by targeted heat input to the packaging material tube. In particular, the transverse sealing unit is provided to subdivide and / or separate and / or sever the packaging material tube into individual packages, wherein each package of the packages encloses at least one of the filling products.The transverse sealing unit can create the transverse sealing seams in the packaging material tube at predefined intervals along the conveying direction of the packaging material tube. The transverse sealing unit can be arranged downstream of the forming unit, preferably downstream of the longitudinal sealing unit, along the conveying direction of the packaging material tube.

[0019] Preferably, the conveyor unit for conveying products is arranged behind the transverse sealing unit, specifically in the sealing area, as viewed in the conveying direction of the packaging material tube. The conveyor unit can further convey and / or transport the products after transverse sealing, specifically for further handling, such as sorting and / or repackaging and / or preparation for further transport, for example shipping, and / or the like. The conveyor unit can be connected to and / or arranged indirectly or preferably directly to the transverse sealing unit. Particularly preferably, the conveyor unit has at least one conveyor belt for conveying the products or is designed as such. The conveying direction of the packaging material tube preferably runs at least substantially parallel to the conveying direction of the products.In particular, the conveying direction of the packaging material hose and the conveying direction of the products run in a common plane, advantageously in a horizontal plane or a vertical plane.

[0020] The accumulation unit can be arranged behind the transverse sealing unit, viewed in the conveying direction of the packaging material tube. The sealing area is preferably arranged upstream of the accumulation area with respect to the conveying direction of the products. This makes it possible to provide particularly efficient and convenient sealing and packaging. In particular, the accumulation unit is provided to at least partially press out the air contained in the packaging, specifically in a space between the contents and the packaging, preferably in the contents receiving area. The accumulation unit can be provided to cause the products to be compressed in the accumulation area in order to thereby press the air out of the product packaging. The accumulation unit preferably presses the products against one another in the accumulation area, specifically against one another.The accumulation unit preferably accumulates at least one of the products in the accumulation area, for example at least a first product of the products, so that after transverse sealing in the sealing area of ​​at least a second product of the products, the second product is pushed and / or pressed against the first product in the conveying direction and / or abuts the first product and / or is stopped by the first product. In particular, the accumulation unit generates a back pressure in the accumulation area due to the accumulation of the products. It would be conceivable for the packaging forming device to have further structural units and / or components for air evacuation, closing and / or conveying packaging, in particular products. For example, the packaging forming device could have at least one smoothing unit or the like.

[0021] In this document, "intended" here and below should be understood to mean specifically programmed, designed, and / or equipped. The term "intended" for an object to perform a specific function should be understood to mean that the object fulfills and / or performs this specific function in at least one application and / or operating state.

[0022] The accumulation unit could accumulate the products in the accumulation area, pressing them against one another in order to possibly force the air out of the product packaging along the conveying direction. In order to be able to provide a particularly compact device as well as efficient, fast and / or user-friendly air evacuation, it is proposed that the accumulation unit is provided to press the air out of the products against the conveying direction. Due to the dynamic pressure generated by the accumulation unit in the accumulation area, the air can escape against the conveying direction of the products. The accumulation unit can accumulate the products on the outlet side. The aforementioned first product can have a first product front side and a first product rear side, viewed in the conveying direction of the products. The second product can have a second product front side and a second product rear side.The accumulation unit can accumulate at least the first product in the accumulation area so that the second product front side strikes and / or bumps against the first product rear side of the first product. This allows the air that previously collected in an area of ​​the second product front side to be forced against the conveying direction of the products.

[0023] In this document, numerals such as "first" and "second," which precede certain terms, serve only to differentiate between objects and / or to assign objects to one another and do not imply a total number and / or ranking of the objects. In particular, a "second object" does not necessarily imply the presence of a "first object." Particularly preferably, descriptions and / or explanations of a "first object" are analogously transferable to at least a "second object," unless otherwise stated or described.

[0024] It is further proposed that the accumulation unit have at least one braking unit for braking or holding the products. This enables active accumulation of products in an accumulation area to be achieved in an efficient, simple and convenient manner. In addition, a back pressure can be adapted, set and / or varied by means of a braking unit. Preferably, the braking unit actively brakes a conveying speed of the products along the conveying direction. The accumulation unit can decelerate the conveying of the products in the conveying direction. The braking unit can brake at least the first product so that at least the second product impacts and / or strikes the first product and / or runs into the first product. The products in the accumulation area can be braked and / or held by means of the braking unit.The braking unit can hold the products for a few moments, for example a maximum of 10 seconds, preferably a maximum of 5 seconds and preferably a maximum of 2 seconds.

[0025] The braking unit could, for example, have at least one stop element which blocks the conveying of the products along the conveying direction at regular intervals. The stop element could be designed as a bar or the like which is movably mounted and can be pushed between the products at regular intervals in order to accumulate products in the accumulation area, preferably to slow down the conveying speed of the products and to push them against one another. It would also be conceivable for the braking unit to have at least one brush element. The braking unit, in particular the brush element, could be mounted at least partially immovably and have a fixed position relative to the conveying unit in at least one operating state. The products could be braked as they slide along the brush unit due to the friction with the brush unit.The braking unit could be a passive unit free from any electrical drive and / or movements and / or active influences on the products.

[0026] It is also proposed that the braking unit comprise at least one belt element and at least two deflection elements over which the belt element is guided. This makes it possible to provide a process-efficient, compact and / or simple accumulation unit. Furthermore, by means of a braking unit designed in this way, products can be accumulated in the accumulation area and then transported further in the conveying direction. In addition, a back pressure can be conveniently adjusted and / or varied depending on the products. Preferably, the braking unit is an active unit for generating the product accumulation. The belt element can be designed as a transport belt and / or conveyor belt. The belt element can be formed at least partially or at least for the most part from a plastic, for example rubber, a metal, a mineral and / or a composite material. The deflection elements are preferably designed as deflection rollers.The deflection rollers can have guide grooves for guiding the belt element and / or for preventing the belt element from slipping. It would also be conceivable for the braking unit to have additional deflection rollers, for example three or four deflection rollers, over which the belt element is guided. In particular, the belt element is mounted on the deflection elements so that it can move circumferentially. By adjusting and / or changing the operating speed of the belt element, the dynamic pressure in the accumulation area can be varied and / or changed. The slower the operating speed of the belt element, preferably the rotating speed of the belt element, the more products can be accumulated in the accumulation area and the more dynamic pressure can be increased.

[0027] If the belt element is arranged parallel to the conveying direction, efficiency can be further increased and safety enhanced. Due to such an arrangement of a belt element, products can be secured relative to a conveying unit and / or slipping of products in the accumulation area relative to the conveying unit can be reduced and preferably prevented. Preferably, in at least one operating state, the belt element extends at least partially parallel to the conveying direction of the products, preferably in a horizontal plane.

[0028] It would be conceivable for the braking unit, and specifically at least the belt element, to be arranged at least substantially perpendicular to the conveying unit, in particular the conveyor belt. The braking unit could be arranged on the right-hand side and / or left-hand side relative to the conveying unit. Furthermore, it is proposed that the conveying unit have a conveyor belt for conveying the products, and that the belt element, in an operating state, be arranged above the conveyor belt with respect to a product support surface of the conveyor belt. This makes it possible to provide a particularly compact and efficient packaging forming device. In addition, safety and packaging efficiency can be increased, and products within a storage area can be protected and / or prevented from slipping and / or twisting.

[0029] In particular, the conveyor belt is the aforementioned conveyor belt of the conveyor unit. The conveyor belt can be guided over deflection elements of the conveyor unit. Preferably, the conveyor belt is movably mounted on the deflection elements. The deflection elements can be, for example, deflection rollers or the like. When the products are conveyed along the conveying direction, the products can be arranged, specifically lying, on the product support surface of the conveyor belt. Preferably, the belt element extends at least partially parallel to the conveyor belt. Preferably, the accumulation area is at least partially delimited at least by the belt element and the conveyor belt. Possibly, further braking units of the accumulation unit could be arranged relative to the conveyor unit.For example, the accumulation unit could have at least two braking units, the already mentioned braking unit above the conveyor belt and at least one second braking unit which is arranged at least substantially perpendicular to the conveyor unit and / or the braking unit.

[0030] It would be conceivable for the belt element to indirectly contact the products. To further increase efficiency and provide a particularly compact packaging forming device, it is proposed that the belt element be provided for contacting the products. Preferably, the belt element has direct contact with the products at least in the accumulation area. Products in the accumulation area can contact the belt element and the conveyor belt of the conveyor unit simultaneously.

[0031] If an operating speed of the belt element differs from an operating speed of the conveyor unit, a simple, comfortable, user-friendly and efficient accumulation of products in a accumulation area can be achieved and an efficient air evacuation can be provided. The operating speed of the belt element is preferably lower in absolute terms than the operating speed of the conveyor unit, in particular of the conveyor belt. This allows an air evacuation process to be further optimized and made more efficient. In addition, products can be conveyed and / or transported further quickly and efficiently on the outlet side from the accumulation area. The operating speed of the belt element can be at least 5%, advantageously at least 10% and preferably at least 25% lower than the operating speed of the conveyor unit, in particular the operating speed of the conveyor belt.

[0032] It is further proposed that the braking unit comprise at least one stop element arranged on the belt element and provided for contacting the products. This enables active braking or holding of products in a storage area, thus providing efficient air evacuation. In particular, the stop element is provided for direct contacting of the products. Preferably, the stop element is movable, specifically mounted on the belt element in a circumferentially movable manner. In particular, the stop element can be moved by means of the belt element from an inlet side of the storage area to an outlet side of the storage area and vice versa. A product reaching the storage area on the inlet side can strike the stop element. The stop element can slow down the conveying speed of the product.When the product comes into contact with the stop element, air can be at least partially expelled from the packaging, counter to the product's conveying direction. The stop element can be moved and / or guided together with the product from the inlet side of the accumulation area to the outlet side of the accumulation area using the belt element. On the outlet side, the stop element can swing and / or deflect to the side and / or upwards or downwards to break contact with the product, allowing the product to be transported and / or conveyed further.

[0033] If the accumulation unit has a further braking unit with at least one further belt element for conveying the products, and the belt element is arranged above the further belt element in an operating state with respect to a product support surface of the further belt element, the efficiency of air evacuation from product packaging can be further increased. Furthermore, the stability and quality of a transverse seal seam can be improved.

[0034] In particular, the braking unit is arranged relative to, and at least substantially parallel to, the further braking unit, preferably the product support surface of the further belt element. The belt element and the further belt element can jointly delimit the accumulation area, at least in sections. Products in the accumulation area preferably directly contact the belt element and the further belt element. The belt element and the further belt element could each have different operating speeds. For example, the operating speed of the belt element could be greater than the operating speed of the further belt element, or vice versa. It would also be conceivable for the belt element and the further belt element to have at least substantially identical operating speeds, regardless of error tolerances.

[0035] Preferably, the operating speeds of the belt element and the further belt element differ from the operating speed of the conveyor belt. The operating speed of the belt element and / or the operating speed of the further belt element can / could be lower in magnitude than the operating speed of the conveyor belt. If the packaging forming device has at least the further braking unit and if the belt element is arranged above the further belt element with respect to the product support surface of the further belt element, the conveyor unit can be arranged indirectly adjacent to the transverse sealing unit. Preferably, at least the further braking unit, in particular at least the further belt element, is arranged between the transverse sealing unit and the conveyor unit, viewed in the conveying direction of the products. The products can then be transported and / or guided from the accumulation area to the conveyor unit.

[0036] Furthermore, the invention is based on a method for operating a packaging forming device, in particular for operating the packaging forming device already mentioned, in particular for a tubular bag machine, with a conveying unit for conveying products along a conveying direction.

[0037] It is proposed that the products be accumulated in a accumulation area so that any air contained in the products is at least partially expelled. Such a method can increase the efficiency of packaging filled goods. Due to the accumulation behavior of products on the outlet side, air evacuation from product packaging can be realized and provided in a simple, user-friendly, convenient, and efficient manner. Furthermore, efficiency can be increased, at least with regard to labor, product, process, cost, and / or material efficiency. This can increase the process efficiency when closing, preferably sealing, packaging. The above-mentioned descriptions and explanations regarding the operation and functions of the packaging forming device can also be transferred to the method and formulated in process engineering terms.

[0038] The packaging forming device according to the invention and / or the packaging machine according to the invention and / or the method according to the invention should not be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the packaging forming device and / or the packaging machine and / or the method can have a number of individual elements, components, units, and method steps that differs from the number stated herein to fulfill a function described herein. Furthermore, in the value ranges specified in this disclosure, values ​​within the stated limits are also to be considered disclosed and can be used arbitrarily.

[0039] Drawings

[0040] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. Several embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations.

[0041] They show:

[0042] Fig. 1 shows a part of a packaging machine with a packaging forming device, which has a conveyor unit for conveying products and a storage unit,

[0043] Fig. 2 a close-up view of the conveyor unit and the storage unit according to Figure 1,

[0044] Fig. 3 is a schematic process flow diagram of a method for operating a packaging forming device according to Figures 1 and 2,

[0045] Fig. 4 shows a packaging forming device in an alternative embodiment, wherein the packaging forming device has a storage unit with a braking unit and at least one further braking unit and

[0046] Fig. 5 shows a packaging forming device in a further alternative embodiment, wherein the packaging forming device has a storage unit with a braking unit which comprises at least one stop element.

[0047] Description of the embodiments

[0048] For the sake of clarity, unless otherwise stated, only one of the multiple objects in the figures is provided with a reference symbol. The explanations and descriptions for one object can be applied to other identical objects. Furthermore, the figures are schematic and not to scale.

[0049] Figure 1 shows part of a packaging machine 10a. In the present case, the packaging machine 10a is designed as a tubular bag machine. The packaging machine 10a comprises a packaging forming device 12a. In this exemplary embodiment, the packaging forming device 12a is designed as a horizontal packaging forming device 12a. Alternatively and / or additionally, the packaging forming device 12a can be designed as a vertical packaging forming device 12a. The packaging forming device 12a is intended, without being limited thereto, at least to form packaging material 20a, specifically in the present case into a packaging material tube 24a. To form the packaging material 20a into the packaging material tube 24a, the packaging forming device 12a has at least one forming unit 90a. In this exemplary embodiment, the forming unit 90a is designed as a forming shoulder (see Figure 1).

[0050] Figure 1 illustrates that the packaging machine 10a has at least one packaging material unwinding unit 50a, which is provided to receive the packaging material 20a in the form of a packaging material roll and to unwind the packaging material 20a for further transport as a packaging material web 52a. Furthermore, the packaging material unwinding unit 50a is provided to feed the packaging material 20a to a packaging material feed unit 54a of the packaging machine 10a. The packaging material feed unit 54a feeds the packaging material 20a to the forming unit 90a. The packaging material feed unit 54a is arranged at least partially upstream of the forming unit 90a, viewed along a conveying direction 60a of the packaging material tube 24a. In this exemplary embodiment, the packaging material 20a is formed at least largely from plastic.Alternatively and / or additionally, packaging material 20a could be formed from a mineral, for example paper, and / or a metal, for example aluminum, and / or a composite material.

[0051] In the present case, the horizontal packaging forming device 12a is provided to guide at least the packaging material tube 24a along a horizontal conveying direction 60a, specifically along the conveying direction 60a, which runs at least substantially perpendicular to a direction of gravitational force action 70a. Furthermore, the packaging forming device 12a is provided in the present case at least for at least partially packing and / or packaging filling goods 16a. In this exemplary embodiment, the filling goods 16a are chocolate bars. Alternatively, the filling goods 16a can be any conceivable filling goods that would be deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art.The packaging machine 10a has at least one filling material feed unit 92a, which is intended to transport and / or convey the filling materials 16a to be packaged for packaging and / or wrapping by means of the packaging material tube 24a into a region of the packaging forming device 12a, specifically at least the forming unit 90a. A conveying direction 96a of the filling materials 16a runs at least substantially parallel to the conveying direction 60a of the packaging material tube 24a. The conveying direction 96a of the filling materials 16a and the conveying direction 60a of the packaging material tube 24a run in a common plane, specifically in this case in a horizontal plane. The filling material feed unit 92a is arranged upstream of the forming unit 90a, viewed along the conveying direction 60a of the packaging material tube 24a.

[0052] The contents 16a can be at least partially packaged using the packaging material 20a. The packaging material tube 24a is provided for packaging, specifically for at least partially enveloping at least the contents 16a in the circumferential direction. At least the contents 16a, and in this case a plurality of contents 16a, are arranged and / or can be arranged within the packaging material tube 24a, specifically in a contents receiving area 26a of the packaging material tube 24a. The packaging material tube 24a delimits and / or at least partially defines the contents receiving area 26a.

[0053] The packaging forming device 12a has at least one longitudinal sealing unit 80a, which is intended to create and / or generate a longitudinal sealing seam of the packaging material tube 24a, running at least substantially parallel to the conveying direction 60a of the packaging material tube 24a, for example by applying pressure and / or heat to the packaging material tube 24a. The longitudinal sealing unit 80a is arranged behind the forming unit 90a, as viewed along the conveying direction 60a of the packaging material tube 24a (see Figure 1). The longitudinal sealing unit 80a has a series of sealing units, which are arranged one behind the other, as viewed in the conveying direction 60a of the packaging material tube 24a.The sealing units of the longitudinal sealing unit 80a are provided for advancing and / or transporting and / or guiding the packaging material tube 24a along the conveying direction 60a of the packaging material tube 24a, as viewed from the forming unit 90a, and / or for sealing the packaging material tube 24a at least in sections.

[0054] Furthermore, the packaging forming device 12a has at least one transverse sealing unit 72a, which is provided for creating and / or producing transverse sealing seams of the packaging material tube 24a, which run at least substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction 60a of the packaging material tube 24a, for example by applying targeted pressure and / or heat to the packaging material tube 24a. The transverse sealing unit 72a is provided for transversely sealing the packaging material tube 24a within a sealing region 56a. Furthermore, the transverse sealing unit 72a is provided for separating and / or separating the packaging material tube 24a into individual packages, each package enclosing at least one of the contents 16a.The transverse sealing unit 72a is arranged downstream of the forming unit 90a, specifically downstream of the longitudinal sealing unit 80a, as viewed along the conveying direction 60a of the packaging material tube 24a. The longitudinal sealing unit 80a is arranged between the forming unit 90a and the transverse sealing unit 72a. The filling material receiving area 26a extends, as viewed along the conveying direction 60a of the packaging material tube 24a, at least in sections between the forming unit 90a and the transverse sealing unit 72a. In the present case, the filling material receiving area 26a extends relative to the longitudinal sealing unit 80a. The packaging material tube 24a can be transported from the forming unit 90a to the transverse sealing unit 72a by means of the longitudinal sealing unit 80a, specifically the sealing units which are arranged one behind the other as viewed in the conveying direction 60a of the packaging material tube 24a.

[0055] The packaged filling goods 16a in this case are products 18a.

[0056] The packaging forming device 12a is intended, without being limited thereto, to transport and / or handle and / or process products 18a. In the present case, the product 18a comprises the filling material 16a and the packaging formed from the packaging material tube 24a. To convey the products 18a, the packaging forming device 12a has at least one conveyor unit 14a. The conveyor unit 14a conveys the products 18a along a conveying direction 30a. In the present case, the conveyor unit 14a has a conveyor belt 76a for conveying the products 18a along the conveying direction 30a. The conveying direction 30a of the products 18a runs at least substantially parallel to the conveying direction 60a of the packaging material tube 24a. The conveying direction 30a of the products 18a and the conveying direction 60a of the packaging material hose 24a run in a common plane, in this case in a horizontal plane.In this case, the conveying direction 96a of the filling materials 16a and the conveying direction 30a of the products 18a also extend in a common plane, namely in the aforementioned horizontal plane (see Figure 1). In this case, the conveying unit 14a is directly connected to the transverse sealing unit.

[0057] Figure 3 schematically shows a process flow diagram of a method for operating the present packaging forming device 12a. The method can comprise a plurality of method steps and / or process sub-steps. In the present case, the method comprises a packaging forming step 100a. In the packaging forming step 100a, the packaging material 20a is fed to the forming unit 90a by means of the packaging material feed unit 54a and formed by the latter into the packaging material tube 24a. With regard to a temporal progression of the method for operating the packaging forming device 12a, a sealing step 102a takes place after the packaging forming step 100a. The sealing step 102a is a longitudinal seam sealing step in which the packaging material tube 24a is sealed along a longitudinal sealing seam by means of the longitudinal sealing unit 80a. A further sealing step 104a follows the sealing step 102a.The further sealing step 104a is designed as a transverse sealing step. In the further sealing step 104a, the packaging material tube 24a is sealed along a transverse sealing seam by means of the transverse sealing unit 72a. By means of transverse sealing, the packaging material tube 24a is divided and / or subdivided into individual sections. In this exemplary embodiment, the transverse sealing seam is created after each filling product 16a, so that the filling products 16a are packaged individually. Alternatively and / or additionally, several filling products 16a could also be packaged together.

[0058] In order to provide particularly compact and efficient sealing and packaging of filling goods 16a, specifically to enable efficient air evacuation, the packaging forming device 12a has a storage unit 32a, which is intended to store the products 18a in a storage area 35a in order to at least partially expel the air contained in the products 18a (see Figure 2). In the present case, the storage area 32a is arranged after the sealing area 56a, viewed in the conveying direction 30a of the products 18a. The storage unit 32a is intended to at least partially expel the air contained in the packages, specifically in a space between the filling goods 16a and the package. Furthermore, the aforementioned method has an air evacuation step 106a (see Figure 3).In the air evacuation step 106a, the products 18a are accumulated in the accumulation area 35a, so that the air contained in the products 18a is at least partially expelled. The air is expelled from the packaging of the products 18a, specifically from the area between the contents 16a and the packaging.

[0059] The accumulation unit 32a is provided to press the air out of the products 18a counter to the conveying direction 30a. In the present case, the accumulation unit 32a presses the products 18a against each other in the accumulation area 35a in order to thereby press out the air counter to the conveying direction 30a. The accumulation unit 32a accumulates at least one of the products 18a in the accumulation area 35a, for example at least a first product of the products 18a, so that after transverse sealing in the sealing area 56a of at least a second product of the products 18a, the second product is pressed against the first product in the conveying direction 30a and / or abuts the first product and / or is stopped by the first product. The accumulation unit 32a generates a back pressure in the accumulation area 35a due to the accumulation of the products 18a. The already mentioned first product has, viewed in the conveying direction 30a of the products 18a, a first product front side and a first product back side.The second product has a second product front side and a second product rear side. The accumulation unit 32a accumulates at least the first product in the accumulation area such that the second product front side strikes and / or pushes against the first product rear side of the first product. This allows the air that previously collected in an area of ​​the second product front side of the second product to be forced against the conveying direction 30a of the products 18a (see Figure 2).

[0060] The accumulation unit 32a has at least one braking unit 36a for braking or holding the products 18a. The products 18a are braked or held in the accumulation area 35a by means of the braking unit 36a. In this case, the braking unit 36a actively brakes a conveying speed of the products 18a along the conveying direction 30a. In this exemplary embodiment, the braking unit 36a has at least one belt element 38a and at least two deflection elements 62a, 64a over which the belt element 38a is guided. The deflection elements 62a, 64a are designed as deflection rollers in this case. It would also be conceivable for the braking unit 36a to have further deflection elements. Furthermore, the belt element 38a is mounted on the deflection elements 62a, 64a for circumferential movement. By adjusting and / or changing an operating speed of the belt element 38a, the dynamic pressure in the accumulation area 35a can be varied and / or changed.The slower the operating speed of the belt element 38a, the more products 18a can be accumulated in the accumulation area 35a and the more the accumulation pressure can be increased.

[0061] In this exemplary embodiment, the belt element 38a is arranged parallel to the conveying direction 30a of the products. Due to such an arrangement of a belt element 38a, the products 18a are secured relative to the conveyor unit 14a and / or slipping of products 18a in the accumulation area 35a relative to the conveyor unit 14a can be reduced. In an operating state, the belt element 38a is arranged above the conveyor belt 76a with respect to a product support surface 78a of the conveyor belt 76a. When the products 18a are conveyed along the conveying direction 30a, the products 18a lie on the product support surface 78a of the conveyor belt 76a. The belt element 38a extends at least partially parallel to the conveyor belt 76a. In the present case, the accumulation area 35a is at least partially delimited at least by the belt element 38a and the conveyor belt 76a. The band element 38a is intended for contacting the products 18a.

[0062] The operating speed of belt element 38a differs from the operating speed of conveyor unit 14a. In this case, the operating speed of belt element 38a is lower than the operating speed of conveyor unit 14a, specifically the operating speed of conveyor belt 76a. This allows an air evacuation process to be further optimized and made more efficient. Furthermore, products 18a can be conveyed and / or transported further quickly and efficiently on the outlet side from accumulation area 35a.

[0063] Further embodiments of the invention are shown in Figures 4 and 5. The following descriptions are essentially limited to the differences between the embodiments; with regard to identical components, features, and functions, reference can be made to the description of the embodiment in Figures 1 to 3. To distinguish the embodiments, the letter a in the reference numerals of the embodiment in Figures 1 to 3 is replaced by the letter b in the reference numerals of the embodiment in Figure 4 and by the letter c in the reference numerals of the embodiment in Figure 5.

[0064] Figure 4 shows a packaging forming device 12b in an alternative embodiment. The packaging forming device 12b has a storage unit 32b and a conveyor unit 14b for conveying products 18b along a conveying direction 30b. The storage unit 32b has a braking unit 36b. In this exemplary embodiment, the storage unit 32b has at least one further braking unit 68b. The further braking unit 68b has at least one further belt element 88b for conveying products 18b. In this case, the further belt element 88b is mounted for circumferential movement on at least two deflection elements, which will not be discussed in further detail here.

[0065] The difference between the braking unit 36a in exemplary embodiment a according to Figures 1 to 3 and the braking unit 36b of exemplary embodiment b shown in Figure 4 is that, in this exemplary embodiment, the braking unit 36b is arranged relative to, and specifically parallel to, the further braking unit 68b. In an operating state, the belt element 38b is arranged above the further belt element 68b with respect to a product support surface 98b of the further belt element 68b. In the present case, the belt element 38b and the further belt element 68b delimit, at least in sections, a storage area 35b. Products 18b in the storage area 35b directly contact the belt element 38b and the further belt element 88b.

[0066] According to Figure 4, the conveyor unit 14b is arranged indirectly adjacent to a transverse sealing unit 72b of the packaging forming device 12b. At least the further braking unit 68b is arranged between the transverse sealing unit 72b and the conveyor unit 14b. The products 18b can then be transported and / or guided from the accumulation area 35b to the conveyor unit 14b.

[0067] Figure 5 shows a packaging forming device 12c in an alternative embodiment. The packaging forming device 12c has a storage unit 32c and a conveying unit 14c for conveying products 18c along a conveying direction 30c. The storage unit 32c has a braking unit 36c. The braking unit 36c has a belt element 38c and at least two deflection elements 62c, 64c around which the belt element 38c is guided. In this exemplary embodiment, the braking unit 36c has at least one stop element 82c arranged on the belt element 38c. By means of the belt element 38c, the stop element 82c can be moved from an inlet side of the storage area 35c to an outlet side of the storage area 35c and vice versa. The stop element 82c is provided for contact, specifically direct contact, with the products 18c.A product 18c reaching the accumulation area 35c on an inlet side encounters and contacts the stop element 82c. The stop element 82c slows down the conveying speed of the product 18c. When the product 18c comes into contact with the stop element 82c, air is at least partially forced out of the packaging against the conveying direction 30c of the products 18c.

Claims

Claims 1. Packaging forming device (12a-c), in particular for a tubular bag machine, with at least one conveying unit (14a-c) for conveying products (18a-c) along a conveying direction (30a-c), characterized by a storage unit (32a-c) which is provided for storing the products (18a-c) in a storage area (35a-c) in order to thereby at least partially press out air contained in the products (18a-c).

2. Packaging forming device (12a-c) according to claim 1, characterized in that the accumulation unit (32a-c) is provided to press the air out of the products (18a-c) counter to the conveying direction (30a-c).

3. Packaging forming device (12a-c) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the accumulation unit (32a-c) has at least one braking unit (36a-c) for braking or holding the products (18a-c).

4. Packaging forming device (12a-c) according to claim 3, characterized in that the braking unit (36a-c) has at least one belt element (38a-c) and at least two deflection elements (62a-c, 64a-c) over which the belt element (38a-c) is guided.

5. Packaging forming device (12a-c) according to claim 4, characterized in that the belt element (38a-c) is arranged parallel to the conveying direction (30a-c). Packaging forming device (12a-c) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the conveying unit (14a-c) has a conveyor belt (76a-c) for conveying the products (18a-c), and the belt element (38a-c) is arranged above the conveyor belt (76a-c) in an operating state with respect to a product support surface (78a-c) of the conveyor belt (76a-c). Packaging forming device (12a-b) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the belt element (38a-b) is provided for contacting the products (18a-b). Packaging forming device (12c) according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the braking unit (36c) has at least one stop element (82c) which is arranged on the belt element (38c) and provided for contacting the products (18c).Packaging forming device (12a-c) according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that an operating speed of the belt element (38a-c) differs from an operating speed of the conveyor unit (14a-c). Packaging forming device (12a-c) according to claim 9, characterized in that the operating speed of the belt element (38a-c) is lower in magnitude than the operating speed of the conveyor unit (14a-c).

11. Packaging forming device (12b) according to one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that the accumulation unit (32b) has a further braking unit (68b) with at least one further belt element (88b) for conveying the products (18b) and the belt element (38b) is arranged in an operating state with respect to a product support surface (98b) of the further belt element (88b) above the further belt element (88b).

12. Packaging forming device (12a-c) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a transverse sealing unit (72a) for transversely sealing a packaging material tube (24a) within a sealing area (56a) which is arranged upstream of the accumulation area (32a-c) with respect to the conveying direction (30a-b).

13. Packaging machine (10a), in particular a tubular bag machine, with a packaging forming device (12a-c) according to one of the preceding claims.

14. Method for operating a packaging forming device (12a-c), in particular for a tubular bag machine, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 12, with a conveying unit (14a-c) for conveying products (18a-c) along a conveying direction (30a-c), characterized in that the products (18a-c) are accumulated in a accumulation area (35a-c) so that air contained in the products (18a-c) is at least partially pressed out.

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