Method for producing a plurality of packages

Abstract

Method for transporting a plurality of packages (1) and / or packaging elements (2) within a machine (9) for the manufacture and / or processing of packages (1) comprising the following steps: a) providing a plurality of shaped packaging elements (2) in receptacles (4) of a transport system (3); b) arranging a web material (5) near the plurality of packaging elements (2); c) connecting the plurality of packaging elements (2) to the web material (5); and d) transporting the plurality of packaging elements (2) together by moving the web material (5) away from the transport system (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for manufacturing and / or processing a plurality of packages. The invention relates in particular to the transport of packaging elements during the packaging manufacturing process. The invention is especially suitable for processing tray-shaped packages that are sealed with a top layer.

[0002] In the production and processing of packaging, a large number of packages are typically processed by a machine in continuous or semi-continuous operation. Such a machine usually has several stations, each performing processing steps on the packaging and / or the packaging elements that make up the packaging. The packages or packaging elements must be transported from station to station. Precise positioning of the packages and / or packaging elements at each station is regularly required to ensure correct processing. This applies, for example, to stations with die-cutting devices that cut the packaging or packaging elements.Packaging elements are processed, and die-cutting elements are intended to act on the packaging / packaging elements at the correct, designated locations, or, for example, at stations with printing devices where imprints are to be applied at the correct, designated location. Fundamentally, the positioning of packaging and / or packaging elements at the individual stations is always of high relevance in machines for the production and / or processing of packaging.

[0003] Approaches to transporting packaging and / or packaging elements in such machines therefore preferably also make it possible to guarantee or maintain the precise positioning of a package and / or packaging element, once established in a specific station of the machine, for other stations as well. Preferably, the transport of packaging and / or packaging elements from station to station of a machine is carried out in such a way that the transport process alone ensures that precise positioning / alignment is maintained in multiple stations.

[0004] Within machines used for manufacturing and / or processing packaging, there are regularly framework conditions or boundary conditions that must be considered during the transport of the packaging or packaging elements. For example, with cup- or bowl-shaped packaging elements, it is advantageous if these packaging elements are transported with the opening facing upwards for filling.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to present a particularly advantageous method for transporting packaging and / or packaging elements, which can be used in machines for the manufacture and / or processing of packaging. Furthermore, a corresponding machine for the manufacture and / or processing of packaging, in which this method is carried out, is to be presented.

[0006] The novel process and the novel machine offer particularly advantageous properties with regard to the challenges existing in relation to the positioning of packaging and packaging elements, and is applicable under many conditions in machines for the production and / or processing of packaging.

[0007] The problem of the present invention is solved by the invention according to the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims, as well as in the description and, in particular, in the description of the figures. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art can combine the individual features in a technologically meaningful way and thereby arrive at further embodiments of the invention.

[0008] This document describes a method for transporting a plurality of packages and / or packaging elements within a machine for the manufacture and / or processing of packaging, comprising the following steps: a) Providing a plurality of shaped packaging elements in receptacles of a transport system; b) Arranging a web material near the plurality of packaging elements; c) Connecting the plurality of packaging elements to the web material; and d) Transporting the plurality of packaging elements together by moving the web material away from the transport system.

[0009] The term "packaging" here refers in particular to the finished packaging with all its components, which is preferably sealed and already contains a product that is packaged inside the packaging.

[0010] The term "packaging element" here refers in particular to sub-components that, together with other sub-components, form the packaging.

[0011] The packaging that can be transported in a machine according to the method described here is primarily food packaging. A typical application for this method is, for example, in machines that process coffee capsules as packaging or in which coffee capsules are filled. Such capsules typically have a packaging element into which the coffee powder is placed, and a lid attached to it that seals the capsule, thus forming the (closed) packaging.

[0012] In a machine, packaging elements are typically transported in holders of a transport system from one processing station to the next. The position of the holders on the transport system is usually precisely known, so that, starting from the position of the holders, the packaging elements can each be moved exactly to a specific position within the respective processing station.

[0013] Transport systems in machines where the method described here can be applied are typically quite complex. Such transport systems can, for example, have segments, each with a group of fixtures for packaging elements. Preferably, a majority of these segments run on a chain drive and are moved from station to station, similar to segments of a conveyor belt, where the packaging or packaging elements are processed. Preferably, such a transport system extends through an entire machine for the production and / or processing of such packaging, so that the transport system passes through all stations of the machine.

[0014] At a station of such a machine, the packaging or packaging elements are preferably separated from the transport system. This can be achieved, for example, by rotating the holders so that the packaging or packaging elements fall out of them. In other embodiments, suction grippers can be provided with which the packaging or packaging elements can be lifted upwards out of the holders of a transport system. Typically, the station at which the packaging elements are separated from the transport system is the final station of the machine, where the finished packages (preferably filled with product) are removed from the transport system.

[0015] The packaging elements processed using the method described here are, in particular, packaging elements made of a fiber-based material, especially paper or cardboard. The packaging elements are most preferably manufactured using a forming process for fiber-based materials, especially a deep-drawing process for fiber-based materials. Fiber-based materials behave differently in the forming processes intended for these materials (especially in deep-drawing processes) than, for example, plastic materials. When deep-drawing fiber-based materials, it is regularly necessary for the material to slip into a die during forming. Frequently, when using such processes to produce three-dimensional shapes, folds form in the fiber-based material, which are then flattened between a die and a punch.For this reason, forming processes for manufacturing packaging elements from fiber-based raw materials are not usually applied to a continuous web of the fiber-based raw material. It is generally advantageous to use pre-formed blanks of the fiber-based raw material onto which a punch and die act centrally during forming, allowing the fiber-based raw material to slide evenly from all directions to achieve the desired three-dimensional shape.

[0016] Because packaging elements formed from individual material blanks are typically formed from fiber-based raw materials, they are usually arranged individually and not in a continuous web. Therefore, it is generally advantageous for such packaging elements to be guided in fixtures of the transport system that allow for precise positioning of these individual elements.

[0017] The subsequent slippage often does not occur perfectly uniformly. With a rotationally symmetrical packaging element, such as those typically processed using the method described here, an uneven circumferential edge regularly results during forming. This uneven circumferential edge must usually be removed after the packaging element has been formed in order to bring it into its final shape. This removal of the circumferential edge is often referred to as "calibration."

[0018] It is proposed here that packaging or packaging elements are removed from the transport system using a web material. In or before step a), the packaging or packaging elements are transported by the transport system into receptacles within the transport system. In step d), the packaging or packaging elements are then transported with the web material, to which the packaging is connected in step c). The web material or components for processing the web material in the machine (here collectively referred to as "web material processing") preferably form a kind of second transport system with which packaging / packaging elements can be transported within the machine. Steps b) and c) constitute a transfer process by which packaging / packaging elements are transferred from the transport system to the web material or to the web material processing.

[0019] By designing a machine for the process described here, it becomes possible to incorporate a smaller transport system with integrated fixtures. Transporting the packaging / packaging elements along with the web material also allows for very precise positioning of the packaging / packaging elements within the machine's stations. In step c), the packaging / packaging elements are still in fixtures of the transport system. Connecting the packaging / packaging elements to the web material ensures the highly accurate positioning of the packaging / packaging elements via the fixtures. Through transport or movement of the web material as described in step d), the packaging / packaging elements can be moved to further stations within the machine for further processing.This allows the precise positioning of packaging / packaging elements to be maintained by the fixtures, even for subsequent processing steps. Such subsequent processing steps can be carried out when the packaging / packaging elements are no longer in the fixtures of the transport system.

[0020] Individual handling of the packaging / packaging elements is not required. By attaching the packaging / packaging elements to the web material, multiple packaging elements can be handled together.

[0021] The described solution for attaching packaging elements to the web material is particularly advantageous in connection with packaging elements made from fiber-based raw materials. As described earlier, such packaging elements cannot usually be formed from a continuous web of material because this would prevent the fiber-based raw material from sliding down. Instead, these packaging elements are typically individual. By attaching such packaging elements to a web material according to step c), it becomes possible to convey these packaging elements from the point of attachment to the web material in the same way as would be possible with packaging elements formed directly from a web. The described method thus makes it possible to apply principles for the precise positioning of packaging elements using a web to packaging elements produced from individual material blanks.It is particularly advantageous if, following step d), at least the following process step is carried out: e) Separating a section of the web material with the connected packaging elements from the web material in order to form the packaging.

[0022] Preferably, sections of the web material that are separated from the web material in step e) become part of the packaging. The packaging elements are particularly preferably tray-shaped. Such sections particularly preferably form a kind of lid on the packaging elements to create a (closed) package.

[0023] Preferably, sections of the web material are separated using a punching device, which preferably has punching tools that cut through the web material. Particularly preferably, the web material is used to precisely position the packaging / packaging elements relative to the punching device, so that punching is performed around the entire circumference of the respective packaging / packaging elements.

[0024] Preferably, when separating the section of web material with the attached packaging element, the packaging element is simultaneously calibrated. Precise positioning of the packaging element or the packaging is particularly important for this calibration. Step e) of the described process can therefore also be referred to as the "calibration step." As described above, the packaging element is preferably made from a fiber-based starting material, in particular from a material blank, wherein the fiber-based starting material has slipped down during the manufacturing of the packaging element using a forming process. This results in a regularly irregular edge of the fiber-based packaging material forming around the packaging element. This edge is preferably removed during the separation process according to step e). The packaging element is thus preferably calibrated.It is therefore particularly preferable to perform a calibration step of the packaging element after step d) and thus outside the recordings of the transport system.

[0025] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the following step is carried out after and / or at least partially overlapping with step e): f) Moving the packaging elements away from any remaining residual web material.

[0026] In step f), the packaging is preferably spatially separated from the web material in parallel with step e). Preferably, the processing of the packaging / packaging elements with the machine ends with step f). Preferably, the packaging is then provided to other machines in step f) for subsequent further processing of the packaging.

[0027] The remaining railway material is preferably transported further in accordance with step f) and, if necessary, disposed of.

[0028] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the packaging elements provided in step a) are tray-shaped, wherein the transport system provides tray-shaped receptacles in which the tray-shaped packaging elements are received.

[0029] Such tray-shaped packaging elements can be, for example, coffee capsules. The web material can form a cover film for such packaging elements / coffee capsules to create the closed coffee capsule.

[0030] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the joining of the majority of packaging elements to the web material in step c) takes place when the packaging elements are arranged in the receptacles of the transport system.

[0031] By connecting the packaging elements while they are arranged in the receptacles of the transport system, it is possible to adopt the positioning of the packaging elements achieved by the receptacles and transfer it to the positioning of the packaging elements on the web material.

[0032] It is further advantageous if, in step d), the packaging elements are lifted out of the receptacles of the transport system along with the web material.

[0033] The web material is preferably moved upwards away from the transport system or its receiving units. This preferably creates a gap between the transport system and the web material. The packaging or packaging elements remain attached to the web material and are thus lifted out of the receiving units of the transport system. The packaging elements are preferably lifted out of the transport system or receiving units along with the web material. The web material is preferably deflected to move it upwards away from the transport system. The packaging elements follow the movement of the web material.

[0034] It is also advantageous if the web material is a film material and if, in step c), sections of the web material connected with the packaging elements form lid elements for the packaging elements.

[0035] The web material is preferably a fiber-based material and / or a polymeric material. The web material can be a plastic film. The web material can also be paper. The web material (and preferably also the packaging elements provided) is typically designed with a barrier layer that prevents moisture from penetrating or escaping the packaging.

[0036] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the web material is provided as a continuous material and if, after separating sections of the web material with the connected packaging elements, a residual web material remains.

[0037] Continuous materials are preferably supplied to such devices on a roll. In this context, the term "continuous material" does not mean that the web material does not end. For the regular processing of the web material in the machine, the ends of a continuous material are not relevant. Only when changing the roll on which the continuous material is supplied must the ends of the continuous material at the beginning and end of the roll be taken into account.

[0038] It is also advantageous if the web material is brought to the transport system from above and deflected in order to be arranged near the majority of packaging elements in step b).

[0039] Preferably, the device has a web material processing unit that controls the movement of the web material. Particularly preferably, the

[0040] Web material processing uses a deflection roller around which the web material is guided at an angle of approximately 90 degrees, so that a web material brought vertically upwards to the transport system is deflected at an angle of 90 degrees and has a course that is approximately parallel to the direction of travel of the transport system.

[0041] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the recordings of the transport system are matrices in which, prior to step a), the packaging elements are formed from a flat starting material.

[0042] Preferably, the packaging elements provided in step a) are manufactured / formed from a starting material using a deep-drawing process. In preferred embodiments of the described process, the forming of the packaging elements takes place in the fixtures of the transport system or the machine with which the process is carried out.

[0043] Furthermore, it is advantageous if, prior to step a), the packaging elements are filled with a filling material, provided the packaging elements are already in the holders.

[0044] In this variant of the process, pre-filled packaging elements are provided in step a). Filling the packaging or packaging elements before joining them to the web material is advantageous because otherwise the web material would cover the packaging elements.

[0045] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the packaging elements are sealed with the web material in parallel and / or following step c).

[0046] The sealing process preferably joins the packaging element provided according to step a) and the web material in such a way that a package formed with the packaging element is closed. The sealing can, for example, be carried out as a type of welding process in which the web material and the material of the packaging element are welded together. A circumferential seal is particularly preferred, which is applied without interruption all the way around the packaging element.

[0047] In some implementation variants, the described sealing process takes place directly in step c), whereby the connection between the web material and the packaging element is then formed by the seal. In other implementation variants, step c) (only) creates a connection that defines the position of the packaging elements on the web material, but this is not yet the final seal, which is then carried out in a subsequent processing step. This can also be a processing step following step d), according to which the packaging element or the packaging has already been transported away from the transport system.

[0048] Also described here is a machine for the production of a plurality of packages according to the described method, comprising at least the following components: a transport system for carrying out at least step a); a web material processing system for carrying out at least steps b) and d); and at least one connecting component for creating a connection between the web material and the packaging elements according to step c).

[0049] It should be noted that the special advantages and design features described above are also applicable and transferable to the device described below.

[0050] The invention and its technical context are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The figures show preferred embodiments, to which the invention is not limited. It should be noted in particular that the figures, and especially the size relationships shown in the figures, are only schematic. The figures show: Fig. 1: Schematic representation of a machine for carrying out the described procedure;

[0051] Fig. 1 Figure 9 schematically shows a section of a machine 9 configured to carry out the described process. The transport system 3, which has a chain drive 13, is visible. The transport system 3 preferably has segments 12, each of which has a group of holders 4 for packaging elements 2. Preferably, the machine 9 has stations 14, at each of which processing steps are carried out for processing the packaging 1 or the packaging element 2. Fig.1 Station 14 is shown where a connecting component 11 acts on the packaging elements 2 or on the web material 5 in order to connect the web material 5 and the packaging element 2 according to process step c). Furthermore, in the Fig. 1 Station 14 with a punching device 8 is shown, at which packages 1 are cut out of the web material 5. The machine 9 can have a plurality of further stations 14 at which other processing steps for the processing of the package 1 or the packaging element 2 are carried out. Particularly in connection with the punching device 8, which punches out the packages 1 from the web material 5, it is evident that precise positioning of the package 1 or the packaging element 2 in the respective stations 14 is very important for the operation of the machine 9.

[0052] For the execution of the procedure, the packaging elements 2 are first provided by the transport system 3 according to step a).

[0053] The web material 5 is fed from above to the packaging elements 2 by a web material processing unit 10, as described in step b). The web material processing unit 10 is equipped with a deflection roller 16, which deflects the web material 5 fed from above to the packaging elements 2, so that it runs parallel to the transport system 3 after passing over the deflection roller 16.

[0054] Step c) is carried out at station 14, where the connecting component 11, shown schematically here, connects the web material 5 to the provided packaging elements 2. In some versions, the connecting component 11 can directly seal the packages 1 or the packaging elements 2, thereby completely closing them with the web material 5. In other versions, the connecting component 11 creates (only) a temporary connection, fixing the packaging elements 2 to the web material 5 in such a way that the packaging elements 2 can then be transported together with the web material.

[0055] During the joint transport of the majority of packaging elements 2 by a movement of the web material 5 (step d)), a gap 15 is created between the transport system 3 and the receiving units 4 of the transport system 3. This lifts the packaging elements 2 out of the receiving units 4 of the transport system 3 so that they can then be processed further independently of the receiving units 4 of the transport system 3.

[0056] In Fig. 1It is further shown that the packaging elements 2, together with sections 6 of the web material 5, can be punched out of the web material 5 as finished packages 1 (preferably already filled with contents) in a station 14 using a punching device 8 (step e)). Preferably, the packages 1 are then moved away from the web material 5 (step f)). When punching out the package 1 with the punching device 8, the packaging elements 2 are preferably also calibrated. A circumferential (often uneven) edge, which is the result of the packaging element 2 being formed from a starting material, is thereby separated from the packaging element 2 or from the package 1. In embodiments of the method, the connection created in step c) between the packaging element 2 and the web material 5 is designed such that this edge remains attached to the remaining web material 7 and is thus disposed of together with the remaining web material 7.In other embodiments, the connection created in step c) between the packaging element 2 and the web material 5 is designed in such a way that this edge itself is not connected to the web material 5 and falls off during the execution of steps e) and f) or during calibration and can be disposed of separately. Reference symbol list

[0057] 1 Packaging 2 Packaging element 3 Transport system 4 Holder 5 Web material 6 Section 7 Remaining web material 8 Punching device 9 Machine 10 Web material processing 11 Connecting component 12 Segment 13 Chain drive 14 Stations 15 Spacing 16 Deflection roller

Claims

1. Method for transporting a plurality of packages (1) and / or packaging elements (2) within a machine (9) for the manufacture and / or processing of packages (1) comprising the following steps: a) providing a plurality of formed packaging elements (2) in receptacles (4) of a transport system (3); b) arranging a web material (5) near the plurality of packaging elements (2); c) joining the plurality of packaging elements (2) to the web material (5); and d) transporting the plurality of packaging elements (2) together by moving the web material (5) away from the transport system (3).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein at least the following method step is carried out in addition to step d): e) Separating a section (6) of the web material (5) with the connected packaging elements (2) from the web material (5) in order to form the packagings (1).

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein after and / or at least partially overlapping with step e), the following step is performed: f) moving the packaging elements (2) away from a remaining residual web material (7).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the packaging elements (2) provided in step a) are tray-shaped, wherein the transport system (3) provides tray-shaped receptacles (4) in which the tray-shaped packaging elements (2) are received.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the joining of the plurality of packaging elements (2) with the web material (5) takes place in step c) when the packaging elements (2) are arranged in the receptacles (4) of the transport system (3).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in step d) the packaging elements (2) are lifted out of the receptacles of the transport system (3) together with the web material (5).

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the web material (5) is a film material and wherein, in step c), sections (6) of the web material (5) connected with the packaging elements (2) form lid elements for the packaging elements (2).

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the web material (5) is provided as a continuous material and wherein, after separating sections (6) of the web material (5) with the connected packaging elements (2) from the web material (5), a residual web material (7) remains.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the web material (5) is brought from above to the transport system (4) and is deflected to be arranged in step b) near the plurality of packaging elements (2).

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receivings (4) of the transport system (3) are matrices in which, prior to step a), the packaging elements (2) are formed from a flat starting material.

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein before step a) the packaging elements (2) are filled with a filling material when the packaging elements (2) are received in the receptacles (4).

12. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, in parallel and / or following step c), the packaging elements (2) are sealed with the web material (5).

13. Machine (9) for producing a plurality of packages (1) according to a method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least the following components: - a transport system (3) for carrying out at least step a); - a web material processing unit (10) for carrying out at least steps b) and d); and - at least one connecting component (11) for creating a connection between the web material (5) and the packaging elements (2) according to step c).

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