Separation products in sachets with coextruded wrapper

Abstract

The invention relates to a device 1 and a method for producing sachets (2) filled with liquid or pasty contents, in particular with liquid or pasty foodstuffs, comprising a co-extrusion device 3 for co-extruding a strand 10 from a casing material 15 filled with the contents, a dividing device 60 with opposing circumferential dividing dies 6a,b for dividing and compressing the strand into sachets 2, a transport device 4 for transporting the sachets in the transport direction T, and a separating device 17 for separating successive sachets from one another in the area of ​​a respective dividing point 8, which includes a knife 70 that rotates in the transport direction T during the separation process.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for producing sachets filled with liquid or pasty material and a corresponding method.

[0002] It is already known from the prior art to package products, such as cosmetics or food, in so-called sachets. Sachets are packages that, for example, have flattened ends. To date, such packages are mostly produced using flow-wrapping machines. However, these machines are complex and only partially suitable for use with biodegradable sachet materials. Particularly when producing sachets for liquids, it is crucial to create a flat, cleanly sealed compartment. This compartment must then be cleanly separated. Creating a clean compartment has been problematic until now.

[0003] Based on this, the present invention aims to provide an improved device and an improved method for producing and cutting sachets.

[0004] According to the invention, this problem is solved by the features of claims 1 and 16.

[0005] According to the invention, the device for producing sachets filled with liquid or pasty contents, in particular liquid or pasty foodstuffs, comprises a coextrusion unit for coextruding a strand of a casing material filled with the contents. Such a coextrusion unit extrudes the contents or foodstuff and the casing material simultaneously. This coextrusion unit is suitable for extruding a casing material, in particular a gel, that can be cured using a fixative solution, preferably a biodegradable casing material such as an alginate, pectin, or collagen gel. An alginate gel is particularly advantageous for foodstuffs. A calcium chloride solution, for example, serves as the fixative solution.

[0006] Furthermore, the device features a dividing unit with opposing, rotating dividing dies for dividing and compressing the strand into sachets, i.e., for creating a dividing point between the sachets. As the dividing dies move towards each other on their orbit and engage the strand, they strip the contents, particularly the foodstuff, from the casing material at a dividing point and compress the casing material, which is not yet fully cured at this point, into a sachet. Since the opposing dividing dies rotate, they are not aligned parallel to each other in the front deflection area (facing the coextrusion unit). Thus, as they move towards each other in the deflection area—until they are essentially parallel to each other again—they strip the inner material, i.e.,The filling material is extruded, leaving only a clean shell within the compartment, without any internal mass. This allows the compartment to be neatly compressed and sealed liquid-tight. With a curable shell material, the material is not fully cured (i.e., not completely cross-linked) within the compartment. This allows the curable shell material to bond seamlessly and homogeneously to the top and bottom surfaces of the inner compartment. This is possible because the compartment dies engage with the co-extruded strand, rather than pre-producing the packaging material or film.

[0007] The device according to the invention therefore allows for the liquid-tight packaging of contents due to the fully pressed, smooth and wrinkle-free compartment.

[0008] The term "liquid" here refers, for example, to a product with a viscosity of, say, ≤ 70,000 mPas at 20 °C. This includes products with a consistency similar to ketchup or mustard, soup, shampoo, cream, honey, jam, etc., and especially products with a viscosity of, say, < 5,000 mPas at 20 °C (e.g., applesauce, baby food, salad dressing), and further, especially products with a viscosity of, say, ≤ 1,000 mPas at 20 °C (e.g., juice, oil). The device is also suitable for producing sachets filled with pasty products of higher viscosities.

[0009] The device further includes a transport mechanism for moving the sachets in the transport direction. The transport mechanism can be integrated into the compartment device.

[0010] The device further comprises a separating device to separate successive sachets from each other in the area of ​​a respective dispensing point, wherein the separating device includes a knife that runs in the transport direction of the sachets during the separation process.

[0011] "In the transport direction of the sachets" means in the transport direction of the corresponding transport vehicle on which the sachet is transported when the dividing point is cut. The movement vector of the knife during the cutting process can have a corresponding transport direction vector; that is, the direction of movement of the knife does not have to be exactly parallel to the direction of movement of the corresponding transport vehicle, e.g., parallel to the conveyor belt or conveyor chain.

[0012] Because the blade rotates in the same direction as the sachets during the cutting process, more time is available for cutting, resulting in a more precise cut. This rotating blade design also protects the sachets, ensuring a liquid-tight seal.

[0013] The moving knife can be designed, for example, as a knife that rotates in and against the direction of transport, e.g., on a belt, or, for example, as a knife rotating around an axis A1 running transversely to the transport device.

[0014] It is particularly advantageous if the moving blade is designed as a blade that can be moved back and forth in and against the direction of transport via a movement mechanism. Advantageously, the blade can then also be moved up and down, i.e., vertically. Such an arrangement allows for high throughput and gentle cutting. Advantageously, the movement mechanism includes a crank mechanism.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the knife can remain oriented during the back-and-forth movement such that the cutting edge of the knife is consistently directed downwards.

[0016] The transport system can comprise opposing transport means, in particular conveyor belts or chains, on each of which spaced-apart compartment punches are arranged. These compartment punches are arranged in such a way that, during transport of the sachets in the transport direction, the compartment punches can further compress the casing material at the compartment points, at least on a first section of the transport system. This allows the compartment points to harden further during transport within the transport system and can then be separated in a more stable state. This results in a cleaner interface and prevents damage to the soft casing material at the compartment point.

[0017] The means of transport can be arranged one above the other, and the lower circulating means of transport can be longer than the one above it.

[0018] The sachets can then be separated in such a way that the compartment point is cut off between the knife and the compartment stamp of the lower, preceding, circulating transport means.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the separating device comprises a further separating transport device arranged downstream of the transport device, with a circulating transport means (e.g., chain or belt, etc.) on which spaced-apart separating dies are arranged, on which the dividing points of the sachets rest for separation. The dividing point of the sachets can then be cut between the blade and the separating die.

[0020] This design offers the advantage that the divider dies are no longer used for separation and therefore cannot be damaged. If the divider dies are used for separation, they can wear down and become damaged, rendering them unreliable during the separation process. This could result in the portions no longer being properly sealed. However, with an additional circulating transport system, the advantages are twofold: firstly, the divider dies of the dividing device are not damaged, ensuring flawless separation and creating smooth separation points; and secondly, the divider dies can be specifically designed for separation, for example, made of a more durable material and / or with a different shape. This reduces wear and tear costs.

[0021] The separation transport device can also have superimposed circulating transport means, wherein one of the transport means has the spaced-apart separating dies and the other transport means several circulating knives.

[0022] When two transport devices are used in succession, the compartment punches can preferably have essentially the same distance, i.e. the same lateral distance, from each other as the separating punches, such that the compartment point can rest on the separating punch.

[0023] It is particularly advantageous if the separating dies each have a recess, especially a slot, into which the knife can engage to separate the sachets. This provides enhanced protection for the separating dies, as it either minimizes the force acting on the die during separation or, alternatively, enables contactless separation where the knife does not touch the separating die during the process. This type of separating die is not suitable for dividing sachets because material would accumulate in the recess or slot, forming a kind of mini-sachet. Therefore, with a corresponding design of the separating die, both the primary transport device and the secondary separation transport device have a lower transport element and no upper one.

[0024] It is advantageous if the movement mechanism is designed such that the knife can move back and forth in the direction of transport, i.e., back against the direction of transport, and also up and down vertically. This is particularly advantageous if the separating dies have a recess. The knife can move downwards onto the cutting point and the recess. When cutting through the section, the knife engages in the recess and moves along with the separating die during the cutting process. The knife can then move upwards out of the recess to return to the next cutting point.

[0025] A serrated knife has proven particularly advantageous. The moving serrated blade enables clean cutting even with non-contact cutting, i.e., when the knife is not in contact with a cutting die. The combination of the serrated blade with a cutting die featuring a recess is especially beneficial. During the cutting process, the serrations initially pierce the cutting point above the recess in the cutting die at a single point. As the knife moves downwards, these small openings widen until the material is completely cut through.

[0026] According to an alternative embodiment, the knife can be designed as a rocking knife with a curved cutting edge, wherein the movement mechanism is designed such that the rocking knife can perform a rolling motion on the dividing or separating die transversely, preferably perpendicular to the transport direction, during cutting and can be moved along with the transport direction during this process. Such a rocker minimizes the force acting on the die and thus the wear.

[0027] According to a further embodiment, the knife is designed as a rotary cutter, the cutting blade of which rotates about an axis A2 extending substantially in the transport direction and is arranged in such a way that it can perform a rolling movement transversely, in particular perpendicular to the transport direction on the dividing die or the cutting die for the purpose of cutting.

[0028] Even with such a design, the force acting on the dividing or separating die can be reduced, which has a positive effect on wear.

[0029] Advantageously, viewed in the transport direction, the device has a mechanism for applying a fixing agent upstream of the partitioning unit, so that the casing is already slightly hardened and therefore more stable during partitioning. This also allows for improved separation.

[0030] Regardless of the specific design of the knife, several knives arranged one behind the other in the transport direction can be arranged, which can be moved together in the transport direction when cutting through several separation points and then also moved back together to cut through the subsequent separation points.

[0031] Multiple knives can also be used in the embodiments where the knives rotate around an axis (here, for example, knives arranged at 180° to each other) or where knives are arranged on a circulating transport means.

[0032] The inventive method for producing sachets filled with liquid or pasty contents, in particular with liquid or pasty foodstuffs, is carried out in particular with a device according to at least one of claims 1 to 15.

[0033] In this process, a strand of curable casing material filled with filler material is extruded via a co-extrusion device and guided between rotating divider dies, whereby the rotating divider dies move towards each other, engage in the strand and thereby strip the filler material from the casing material at a divider point and compress the not yet fully cured casing material flat into a sachet at the divider point, after which successive sachets are separated from each other in the area of ​​a divider point with a knife of a separating device that moves along with the transport direction T of the sachets during the separation process.

[0034] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the following figures: Figure 1 shows a partial view of an embodiment according to the present invention. Figure 2 shows a schematic section of a compartment device according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 schematically shows a side view and a top view of the filling tube outlet to three different filling tubes according to the present invention. Figure 4 schematically shows the produced sachets in a chain and separated sachets. Figure 5a schematically shows a top view of a transport means with compartment punches according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5b schematically shows a perspective view of a compartment punch. Figure 6 shows a cross-section through a coextrusion device according to the present invention. Figure 7 shows a further embodiment with an extended lower transport means and an integrated separation device.Figure 8a schematically shows another preferred embodiment with an additional separating transport device. Figure 8b schematically shows the transfer of the sachets from the lower transport element of the transport device to the transport element of the subsequent separating transport device, whereby the upper transport element is not shown for the sake of simplicity. Figure 8c schematically shows a top view of the lower transport element of the separating transport device. Figure 8d schematically shows a perspective view of a possible configuration of the separating dies of the separating transport device. Figure 9 schematically shows how the sachets with the separation point on the in . Fig. 8d The separating die shown rests on the separating die. Figures 10 a, b, c schematically show the separating process with a separating device as shown in the Figures 8a-dFigure 11 shows a further embodiment according to the present invention. Figure 12 shows a further embodiment according to the present invention.

[0035] Figure 1 The figure shows a rough schematic embodiment of a device 1 for producing sachets 2 filled with liquid or pasty contents or foodstuffs. The following embodiments are explained in more detail using a foodstuff to be filled as an example, but are equally suitable for other contents, i.e., non-foodstuffs.

[0036] The device includes a co-extrusion unit 3 for co-extruding a strand of casing material 15 filled with a food product 14. Liquid food products such as ketchup, mustard, jam, or honey can be used. Non-food products such as shampoo, cream, or liquid detergent are also suitable liquid fillings. However, products with a higher viscosity, such as salami or cheese products, can also be tightly packaged using the device according to the invention. Here, too, the liquid-tight packaging can be advantageous. Furthermore, new shapes can be produced for these types of products.

[0037] Alginate gel is particularly suitable as a curable shell material; alternatively, pectin gel or collagen gel can be used. Such materials are especially advantageous because they are biodegradable and edible, thus reducing the amount of plastic waste. These materials are commercially available, for example, as a paste or as a powder that is mixed with water.

[0038] Figure 6 Figure 1 shows a possible embodiment of such a coextrusion device 3. The coextrusion device 3 has a filling tube 9 for ejecting the food product 14 and an extrusion die 13 associated with the filling tube 9, with a preferably annular extrusion gap 11 for ejecting the coating material 15. Although not shown here, there are coextrusion devices that eject the coating material 15 directly onto the outer surface of the food product 14. However, this is difficult with liquid or low-viscosity materials. Thus, as in Figure 6As shown, a filling tube is used that projects over the extrusion gap 11 over a distance X such that the casing material 15 is extruded through the extrusion gap 11 onto the filling tube 9 and can thus solidify along the filling tube 9 and then be peeled off the filling tube 9 together with the extruded food product 14. To ensure that the extruded casing material 15 begins to solidify on the filling tube 9, a device 16 for applying a fixative can be arranged in the area of ​​the filling tube's distance X. A suitable fixative is a saline solution, in particular a calcium chloride solution, e.g., 10%.

[0039] Additionally or alternatively, the device can include a lubricant supply unit 19 for supplying a lubricant between the filling tube 9 and the ejected casing material 15. This minimizes the coefficient of friction between the filling tube and the ejected casing material. Water, for example, can be supplied as the lubricant. The lubricant supply unit includes, for example, a supply unit 19a for the lubricant. The supply unit 19a is designed here as a channel in the filling tube 9. For example, the channel runs in an annular shape in the wall of the filling tube. In the area of ​​the extrusion gap 11, a further annular gap is arranged around the outer surface of the filling tube 9. For this purpose, the filling tube 9 has, for example, a smaller diameter in the area behind the further annular gap 19b than the filling tube in an area before the further annular gap 19b. The lubricant can be injected internally between the ejected casing material and the surface of the filling tube 9 via the annular gap 19b.This allows the ejected casing material to slide easily on the filling tube.

[0040] Because the filling tube 9 projects beyond the extrusion gap 11, its outlet opening 12 can be positioned particularly close to the transport device 4 downstream in the transport direction T. Here, the transport device 4 is integrated into the dividing device 60 and has opposing circulating transport means 5a, 5b (e.g., conveyor belts) on which spaced-apart dividing dies 6a, 6b are arranged. Independently of this embodiment, for example, 1 to approximately 100 dividing dies can be arranged on a single circulating transport means.

[0041] In this embodiment, the outlet opening 12 of the filling tube 9 projects so far in the transport direction T that it is located in a deflection zone between the transport means, i.e., in this case, in a zone behind a plane E2 on which at least one of the front deflection points P of the conveyor belts lies and which runs perpendicular to the transport direction T, i.e., perpendicular to the plane of the image. However, the filling tube 9 extends only so far into the deflection zone that it does not collide with the compartment posts 6a, 6b. The distance from the outlet opening 12 to the plane E1, which lies perpendicular to the transport direction T and on which at least one of the front axes A1a, A1b around which the transport means 5a, 5b rotate, lies, is approximately 5–50 mm.

[0042] When the compartment punches 6a, 6b circulate on their respective transport means 5a, 5b, they each pass the deflection point P and are not yet aligned parallel to each other in the deflection area between levels E1 and E2. Because the compartment punches are not aligned parallel to each other, they strip internal material from the shell as they move towards each other in the deflection area. This results in no internal material, but only a clean shell, being present in compartment 8 when the compartment punches 6a, 6b are then aligned parallel to each other and compress the shell material 15. Compartment 8 can thus be cleanly compressed and (homogeneously) bonded. With the curable shell material, the material is not yet fully cured, i.e., not yet fully cross-linked, in compartment 8, allowing the curable shell material to form a material-bonded connection on the top and bottom surfaces of the shell in compartment 8.During compression, the compartment punches 6a and 6b, for example, have a distance s between them in the range of 0.1–0.5 mm. This distance can change, for example, in the transport direction T, by being larger at the end facing the filling tube than at the opposite rear end, or, depending on the application, by being the same or smaller. Thus, for example, the distance in the front and middle sections can be in the range of 0.1–0.5 mm, and in the rear section, it can be in the range of 0.1–2 mm. The distance between the compartment punches can be adjusted independently on both sides of the transport elements, in particular by adjusting the distance between the transport elements 5a and 5b.

[0043] During the transport of the pressed sachets 2 in transport direction T, the compartments 8 are further pressed by the compartment dies 6a, 6b, so that the compartments 8 can continue to harden during transport and leave the transport device in a stable state.

[0044] At the end of the transport device, as it is in Figure 1 As shown, they leave, as in Figure 4 The sachets 2 shown in the diagram are connected either as a sachet chain, where the individual sachets are still connected via the dividing point 8, or individually. The sachets 2 can be separated via a separating device 17 ( Figure 7 ) already in the transport device 4 or subsequently into individual sachets, specifically at the compartment point 8. For this reason, it is important that the sachets are pressed flat and without creases at the compartment point 8, in such a way that no liquid or foodstuff can escape from sachet 2 via creases or channels.

[0045] Figure 3 shows a side view and a cross-section of different filling tubes according to the present invention. In the upper area of ​​the Figure 3 A filling tube 9 with a filling tube diameter h1 is shown. In the middle of the Figure 3 A filling tube 9 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. Unlike in the figure above, the outlet opening 12 does not have a round cross-section, but a cross-section with a height h2 that is smaller than the width b of the outlet opening 12. Thus, the outlet opening 12 has a particularly oval cross-section or a rectangular cross-section with rounded corners. The width b of the outlet opening 12 preferably extends in a direction parallel to the conveying means, i.e., here the conveyor belts 5a and 5b, and also along the length l of the compartment plungers 6a, 6b (see Figure 1). Figures 5a, 5bThis offers the advantage that the food product can be extruded flat, thus facilitating its displacement through the dividing dies 6a and 6b and enabling better, more wrinkle-free compression of the casing. Wrinkles must be avoided, as they can lead to weaker bonds during the solidification process and also to leaks after the sachets are separated. To create a suitable outlet opening 12, for example, a pipe section 90 can be formed onto a hollow cylindrical filling tube 9, the width of which is greater than the diameter of the filling tube and its height is less than the diameter h1 of the filling tube. This allows the use of conventional extrusion heads with hollow cylindrical tubes.

[0046] It is also possible as in the Figure 3 As shown below, the entire filling tube already has a corresponding oval or square (with rounded edges) cross-section.

[0047] In Figures 5a and 5b The compartment dies 6a and 6b are shown in greater detail. The compartment dies 6a and 6b, respectively, have a distance k between them, which essentially corresponds to the distance k between the compartments 8 in the sachet 2. The compartment dies 6a and 6b each have a flat and preferably smooth pressing surface. This also contributes to a wrinkle-free compartment, so that no liquid can escape from the compartment 8 in a sachet filled with liquid or low-viscosity foodstuff.

[0048] Advantageously, the pressing surface of the dividing dies 6a, 6b has a length I that extends perpendicular to the transport direction T of the transport device and that is greater than the width of the ejected strand, i.e. greater than the diameter of the extrusion die 13 (see e.g. Figure 6This ensures that essentially rectangular sachets are produced and, at the same time, ensures that the dispensing stamps spread the food across the entire width r of the sachet at the dispensing point and seal it securely.

[0049] The casing material 15 can thus be fully pressed at compartment point 8. The compartment punches 6a, 6b can be connected via a connecting device 20, which is shown here only schematically. Figure 5b The diagram shows how transport means 5a and 5b, e.g., the conveyor belt, are attached. Plastic or stainless steel are particularly suitable materials for the compartment stamps, as the surface does not bond to the casing material.

[0050] Figure 7Figure 1 shows a possible embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment shown here corresponds essentially to the previous embodiments, except that the lower conveyor belt 5b is longer than the upper conveyor belt 5a. In this embodiment, it is possible for the separation process to take place in individual portions, while transport occurs only on the lower belt. For this purpose, a rotating knife 70 can be provided. The knife can be designed as a knife rotating in and against the transport direction T, in particular as a knife 70 rotating about an axis A1 extending transversely to the transport direction. Because the lower conveyor 5b transports the portioned products from production to the separation process, no transfer problem arises. The separation process takes place approximately in the middle of the portioning station 8.The transport device, in particular the respective compartment punch, can also serve as a support for the knife during the separation process. In this embodiment as well, the knife 70 can be moved back and forth, i.e., forwards and backwards in and against the direction of transport, via a movement mechanism, such that the knife moves in the direction of transport while cutting through the compartment.

[0051] In this embodiment with an extended transport means 5b, the compartment plungers 6b are used for separation. This means that the knife 70 comes into contact with the compartment plungers during separation and could damage them. As a result, the compartment plungers might no longer function reliably, and the portions could no longer be properly sealed.

[0052] For this reason, this is in the Figures 8a-dThe illustrated embodiment is advantageous. Here, a further separating transport device 40 with a lower circulating transport means 50b adjoins the first lower transport means 5b, viewed in the transport direction, so that the produced sachets 2, or the sachet product strand, can be transferred to the transport means 50b, i.e., for example, to the circulating belt 50b, as shown in the figure. Fig. 8b This is evident. Transport now only takes place on a lower conveyor belt 50b, leaving space above for a separating device 17.

[0053] This embodiment offers the advantage that separate separating dies 60b are used for separation instead of the compartment dies 6a. Thus, the compartment dies 6a and 6b are not damaged during separation. The separating dies 60b, for example, have the same spacing k as the compartment dies 6a and 6b at the top and can differ from them in shape and / or material. In particular, the separating dies 60b can be adapted to the specific separation process.

[0054] Figure 8c schematically shows the overhead view of the transport vehicle 50b with the separating stamps 60b.

[0055] The surface of the separating die can be flat; according to a preferred embodiment, the separating die 60b has, as shown in Fig. 8dHowever, a slot 61 emerges, which extends at least partially through the respective separating die 60b and is either open to the sides of the separating die 60b or is closed over the side walls of the separating die 60b (not shown).

[0056] It is essential that the length p of the slot 61 is at least as long as the length of the knife 70, which moves towards the slot 61 and can engage in it to separate the sachets.

[0057] Thus, the force acting on the separating punch 60b when separating the compartments 8 can be significantly reduced. The blade also does not need to move all the way to the bottom of the slot 61, enabling contactless separation of the compartment. The blade 70 can therefore easily and cleanly cut through the compartment 8 located above the slot 61.

[0058] Fig. 9shows how the sachet chain with compartment 8 lies on slot 61 of the slotted separating die.

[0059] A serrated knife 70 has proven particularly advantageous, as it initially makes a small, precise cut in the casing material at the separation point 8 between the sachets. As the knife is moved downwards, these small openings widen until the sachets are completely severed. If the knife is not moved downwards far enough to completely cut through the sachets, the serrated knife can only create a perforation. The resulting chain of sachets can then be separated by hand, if necessary, at the perforation.

[0060] A movement device 71 is provided for moving the knife, which is located particularly in the Figures 10a, 10b and 10cThe movement mechanism 71 can move the knife 70 vertically, i.e., downwards towards the sectioning point 8 via the slot 61, and move it in the transport direction T as it is being cut, the speed of the knife preferably corresponding, at least during the cutting process, to the speed of the transport means 50b. The movement mechanism 71 can then lift the knife 70 vertically again, i.e., upwards, and move it back in the opposite transport direction to cut the subsequent sectioning point, with the process then repeating itself. Here, "vertical direction" and "transport direction" mean that the movement vector of the knife has a corresponding direction vector – the directions of movement can also overlap.

[0061] During the cutting process, the knife 70 preferably moves parallel to the transport direction T of the transport means 50b.

[0062] A crank mechanism has proven advantageous as the movement mechanism 71. Optionally, the knife 50b can also be moved perpendicular to the transport direction T and the vertical direction V, i.e., in a direction parallel to the slot 61. The sachet can be fixed in place beforehand for the cutting process. This can be done, for example, by the housing in which the knife is held. This housing is spring-mounted in such a way that, during the movement of the entire knife assembly, the housing first comes into contact with the cutting point in order to fix it on the cutting die. Subsequently, the knife cuts the product strand at the cutting point.

[0063] The use of a slotted separating punch 60b is only possible in combination with another separating transport device 40, since such a punch is not suitable for dividing because a smooth and tight dividing point cannot be created and filling material may remain in the dividing point 8.

[0064] Figure 11 shows a further embodiment according to the present invention, which is suitable for an extended lower transport means 5b, as in Figure 7 shown, is suitable as well as for the two-band solution, as shown in Figure 8aAs shown, a separating transport device 40 with a transport means 50b is depicted. The knife 70 is designed as a rocking knife and has a rounded cutting edge. The movement mechanism 71 is designed such that the rocking knife 70 can perform a rolling motion on the dividing or separating punch 6b, 60b while running parallel to the transport direction T of the transport means with the transport means 50b or 5b. The rocking knife, for example, places its front section on the dividing or separating punch 6b, 60b and initially rolls backward, thus cutting through the dividing section, and then repeats this movement in the opposite direction. Such a movement minimizes the force on the punch located below and thus the damage to the punch below.After the unwinding movement and the separation of the sachets at the compartment point, the knife can move upwards again via the movement mechanism 71 and backwards against the direction of transport to the following compartment or separation die and cut through the following compartment point.

[0065] Figure 12 This shows yet another low-wear option for cutting through the compartment. This embodiment is also suitable for a solution with an extending lower transport element 5b ( Fig. 7 ) as well as for the two-band solution ( Fig. 8a ) suitable. As seen from Figure 12As can be seen, the knife 70 is designed as a rotary cutter that can rotate about an axis A2 running essentially parallel to the transport direction T or perpendicular to the dividing point 8. The knife 70 is constructed as a round cutting blade similar to a pizza cutter and is arranged such that it can perform a rolling motion transversely, in particular perpendicularly to the transport direction T, on the dividing punch 5b or the separating punch 50b for the purpose of cutting. During this rolling motion, the knife 70 preferably runs at the same speed as the transport means 5b, 50b. Once the knife 70 has cut the sachet, it can be lifted by the movement mechanism 71 and moved back against the transport direction to the subsequent dividing or separating punch and again perform a rolling motion from the front end, i.e., the end facing the plane of the image, of the separating or dividing punch.Movement in the opposite direction is also possible. In this embodiment, the device comprises several individual blades, here three arranged one behind the other in the direction of transport, which can simultaneously cut through several, here three, successive sections, move together in the direction of transport during cutting, and are moved back together after cutting to cut through the next, here the next three sections.

[0066] The unwinding knife 70 and the weighing knife 70 can also be combined with a separating punch 60b which has a slot 61.

[0067] The inventive method is described below with reference to the Figures 1 to 7 explained in more detail.

[0068] In the inventive method for producing filled sachets 2, a strand 10 made of a curable casing material filled with food 14 is first extruded via the coextrusion device 3.

[0069] Before partitioning, the casing material 15 is treated with a fixative solution via a device 16 for applying the fixative solution. The fixative solution can, for example, be sprayed onto the casing material 9 applied to the filling tube 9 in a ring shape via the device 16 and in the Figure 1 The solution is collected in the tub shown. A calcium chloride solution is used as the fixative. As previously described, a lubricant can also be introduced between the filling tube and the casing material 15.

[0070] The strand 10 thus produced is ejected at the end of the filling tube 9. The end of the filling tube 9 projects as far as possible in the transport direction T, i.e., preferably into a deflection area of ​​the transport means 5a, 5b. As can be seen in particular from the Figure 2As can be seen, the compartment punches 6a, 6b, when they engage with the strand 10, are positioned at an angle α to each other and then move until they are finally aligned parallel to each other. Thus, as the compartment punches 6a, 6b move towards each other in the deflection area until they are again essentially parallel to each other, they strip out the foodstuff 14, i.e., the inner mass, so that no foodstuff, but only a clean casing, remains in compartment 8. At this point, the casing material 15 is not yet fully cured and cross-linked, so that compartment 8 can be cleanly compressed and glued, and the top and bottom surfaces bond together. The sachets 2 produced in this way are transported further in the transport direction T via the compartment punches 6a, 6b and are compressed further during transport.During transport in the transport facility 4, the compartment locations 8 can further solidify and stabilize.

[0071] The process is repeated, and the subsequent compartment stamps 6a and 6b engage in the generated strand in the same manner as previously described. The spacing of the compartment stamps essentially corresponds to the spacing of the compartment positions in sachet 2.

[0072] The produced sachets 2 show, as from Figure 4The resulting sachets have a rectangular, flat shape, i.e., the height u is less than the width r. The sachets 2 are bounded at the front and rear by the compartments 8a, 8b, which have a width m that preferably has half the dimension of the entire compartment 8 created by the compartment dies and is essentially half the width of the compartment dies 6a, 6b. The crimped end regions, i.e., the compartments 8a, 8b that bound the sachets at the front and rear, are flat and extend over the entire width of the sachet. They also have a rectangular shape.

[0073] K, for example, lies in a range of 15–200 mm, r preferably lies in a range of 15–70 mm, and u preferably lies in a range of 4–40 mm. These dimensions are only exemplary and the invention is not limited to them.

[0074] The sachets are then cut via a separating device 17 along the compartment point 8 by means of a knife 70 that runs in the direction of transport.

[0075] It is particularly advantageous when cutting, for example in the Figures 10a, b, c As shown, a movement mechanism 71 moves the knife 70 back and forth in and against the direction of transport, i.e., the knife 70 moves towards the dividing point 8 between the sachets, is moved in the transport direction T during separation, is then raised in the vertical direction V and moved back against the transport direction T to the subsequent dividing point 8. Thus, the knife moves with the dividing or separating die during the cutting process.

[0076] It is particularly advantageous if a separating transport device 40 is arranged downstream of the transport device 4, with circumferential separating dies 60b at which the respective compartment 8 is cut. The knife 70 can then move from above onto the respective separating die 60b and cut through the compartment 8. This has the advantage that the compartment dies 6b are not used for separating, but instead separate separating dies 60b, which can be specifically designed for this purpose and, as described above, have, for example, a slot 61. Advantageously, the knife is designed as a serrated knife that engages in the slot 61 and cuts the sachets at the compartment 8.

[0077] As previously described, the compartment 8 can also be cut by a rocker knife or a roller cutter, which are also moved by a movement mechanism in the direction of transport to the respective punch 6b,60b when the compartment 71 is cut.

[0078] Regardless of the specific design of the knife, several knives arranged one behind the other in the transport direction can be arranged, which can be moved together in the transport direction when cutting through several separation points and then also moved back together to cut through the subsequent separation points.

[0079] Multiple blades can also be used in the embodiments where the blades rotate around an axis (here, for example, blades arranged at 180° to each other, as in the Figure 7 (as shown) or knives arranged around a circulating transport means.

[0080] According to another embodiment not shown, the separating transport device 40, as described in Figures 8a and 8b The depicted system not only has a lower circulating transport means, but also superimposed circulating transport means, one of which has the spaced-apart separating dies and the other transport means has several circulating knives.

Claims

1. Device (1) for producing sachets (2) filled with liquid or pasty contents, in particular with liquid or pasty foodstuffs (14), comprising: - a co-extrusion device (3) for co-extruding a strand (10) from a casing material (15) filled with the contents (14), - a dividing device (60) with opposing circumferential dividing dies (6a, 6b) for dividing and compressing the strand (10) into sachets (2), - a transport device (4) for transporting the sachets (2) in the transport direction (T), and with - a separating device (17) for separating successive sachets (2) from each other in the area of ​​a respective dividing point (8), which includes a knife (70) that rotates in the transport direction (T) during the separation process.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact thatthe traveling knife (70) is designed as a knife rotating in and against the direction of transport (T), in particular a knife rotating about an axis (A 1) running transversely to the direction of transport.

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the moving knife (70) is designed as a knife that can be moved back and forth in and against the transport direction (T) via a movement mechanism (71).

4. Device according to at least one of claims 1-3, characterized by the fact that the transport device (4) includes opposing, circulating transport means (5a, 5b), in particular conveyor belts or chains, on which the spaced compartment punches (6a, 6b) are arranged, in particular such that, during the transport of the sachets (2) in the transport direction (T), the compartment punches (6a, 6b) can further compress the casing material at the compartment points (8).

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized by the fact thatthe means of transport are arranged one above the other and the lower circulating means of transport (5b) is longer than the one above it (5a).

6. Device according to at least one of claims 1-4, characterized by the fact that the separating device (17) has a separating transport device (40) arranged in the transport direction (T) after the transport device (4) with a circulating transport means (50 b) on which spaced-apart separating dies (60 b) are arranged, on which the partitioning points (8) of the sachets (2) can rest for separation.

7. Device (1) according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that the separation transport device (40) has superimposed, circulating transport means, one of which has the separation dies spaced apart from each other and the other transport means has several circulating knives (70).

8. Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by the fact thatThe separating dies (60b) each have a recess (61), in particular a slot (61), into which the knife (70) engages to separate the sachets (2).

9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by the fact that the recess (61) in the separating punch and the movement mechanism (71) for the knife are designed such that the knife (70) does not touch the underside of the recess during separation.

10. Device according to at least claim 3, characterized by the fact that The movement mechanism is designed in such a way that the knife can be moved in the transport direction (T) towards and against the transport direction back and in the vertical direction (V) upwards and downwards.

11. Device according to at least one of claims 1-10, characterized by the fact that the knife (70) is designed as a serrated knife.

12. Device according to at least one of claims 1-10 characterized by the fact thatthe knife (70) is designed as a rocking knife with a curved cutting edge, wherein the movement mechanism (71) is designed such that the rocking knife (70) can perform a rolling motion transverse to the transport direction (T) on the dividing punch (6b) or the separating punch (60b) during separation and can be moved in the transport direction (T) during this time.

13. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the knife (70) is designed as a rotary cutter, wherein the knife rotates about an axis (A2) extending substantially in the transport direction (T) and is arranged such that it can perform a rolling movement transverse to the transport direction on the dividing punch or the cutting punch for cutting.

14. Device (1) according to at least one of claims 1-13, characterized by the fact thatThe device (1) in the transport direction (T) has a device for applying a fixing agent (16) in front of the compartment device.

15. Device according to at least one of claims 1-14, characterized by the fact that the device has several knives (70) which are arranged one behind the other, particularly in the direction of transport.

16. Method for producing sachets (2) filled with liquid or pasty contents, in particular with liquid or pasty foodstuffs (14), in particular with a device (1) according to at least one of claims 1-15, characterized by the fact thatA strand (10) of a curable casing material (15) filled with filler material (14) is extruded via a co-extrusion device (3) and the strand (10) is guided between rotating divider dies (6a, 6b), the rotating divider dies (6a, 6b) moving towards each other, engaging in the strand (10) and thereby stripping the filler material (14) from the casing material (15) at a divider point (8) and compressing the not yet fully cured casing material (15) at the divider point (8) into a sachet (2), after which successive sachets (2) are separated from each other in the area of ​​a divider point (8) with a knife (70) of a separating device (17) which moves in the transport direction (T) of the sachets during the separation process.

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