Carrier for receiving and transporting blanks, packaging hoods and packages

Abstract

A support (6) according to the invention comprises a receiving plate (22) with a recess (24) and a limiting element (36) which is attached to the underside (28) of the receiving plate (22) and spans the recess (24). The recess (24) and the limiting element (36) form a receptacle (38) for a molded blank (32), an inserted packaging hood, or packaging (30), which is bounded downwards by the at least one limiting element (36). The limiting element (36) has a width (B) in a transverse direction (Q) that is smaller than a dimension (L) of the recess (24) parallel to the transverse direction (Q).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a carrier for receiving and transporting blanks, packaging covers, and packaging, preferably made of a fiber-based material, in particular paper, cardboard, pulp, or carton, or of plastic, in particular polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, or another plastic suitable for packaging. The present invention further relates to a device and a method for producing packaging with such a carrier.

[0002] Sustainability, environmental protection, and recyclability are essential requirements for products and increasingly for their packaging as well. Packaging is therefore increasingly made from fiber-based materials such as paper, cardboard, pulp, or carton, or from plastics that are well-suited for recycling. Packaging machines for producing fiber-based packaging are known, in which fiber-based material blanks and the resulting packaging are transported on carriers, known as pallets, through individual processing stations of the packaging machine. The requirements for these carriers are highly diverse due to the different processing stations they pass through. For example, the blanks should be adequately supported during forming and sealing to create packaging and securely held in their respective carriers during processing and transport.Furthermore, the cutouts should be easily accessible for the tools used. Finally, it is desirable that the beams be easy and inexpensive to manufacture. Known beams do not satisfactorily meet all these criteria.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a carrier for receiving and transporting blanks, packaging hoods and packaging, which securely receives at least one blank, packaging hood or packaging during its processing and transport, provides sufficient support and makes it accessible to tools, and which is at the same time easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0004] This problem is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of dependent claims.

[0005] A carrier according to the invention for receiving and transporting blanks, packaging hoods, and packages comprises a receiving plate with at least one recess that penetrates the receiving plate from a top to a bottom, and at least one limiting element attached to the bottom of the receiving plate. The at least one limiting element spans the at least one recess. The at least one recess and the at least one limiting element form a receptacle for a blank, a packaging hood, or a package molded into the receptacle, which is bounded downwards by the at least one limiting element.Furthermore, the at least one boundary element has a principal extension direction and a width, wherein the width is defined in a transverse direction perpendicular to the principal extension direction of the at least one boundary element and is smaller than a dimension of the at least one recess parallel to the transverse direction.

[0006] In this way, a support is provided that adequately supports blanks, packaging covers, and packages, and can therefore be designed, for example, as a die for forming the blanks or as a counter-support during sealing or gluing. The at least one limiting element stiffens the receiving plate and thus ensures stable support for the blanks, packaging covers, and packages during transport, forming, and sealing or gluing, such as when sealing or gluing an insert to a formed blank or when sealing or gluing a lid to the formed blank. The at least one limiting element is therefore designed so that the blanks or packaging covers are accessible from both the underside and the sides.Furthermore, molded blanks and packaging hoods are securely and reliably held in the recess formed by the at least one cutout and the at least one limiting element, for transport to and processing by further processing devices. The at least one limiting element reliably prevents the blanks or packaging hoods from falling through the recess during transport or further processing steps, such as forming, filling and sealing, or gluing.Because the width of at least one limiting element is smaller than the dimension of at least one recess parallel to the transverse direction, a blank molded into the receptacle or an inserted packaging hood is easily accessible on both sides of the at least one limiting element. This allows, for example, access for tools used to seal the insert to a molded blank or to seal dust flaps on the blank. Finally, the carrier is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, as the receptacles are formed by the at least one recess and the at least one limiting element attached to the receptacle plate. These components, in turn, are easy to manufacture and assemble, requiring minimal material, as they can be formed separately from plates or sheets and then joined together.

[0007] The main extension direction and the transverse direction of the at least one limiting element are preferably aligned parallel to a plane of the receiving plate, such as parallel to its top and / or bottom.

[0008] A blank is the starting material for manufacturing a packaging component, such as a tray, holder, or packaging cover, or a package, such as a folding carton. The blank can initially be flat. This allows for space-saving storage and transport of the blanks before processing. A blank can have multiple sections and / or flaps, each of which can be folded relative to the others along a crease to form the packaging component or package. The blank can, for example, have scoring lines and / or perforations and / or slits, each defining a fold or a weakening of the material and facilitating folding. The blank can also have any combination of these features. The packaging cover can be formed by shaping the blank or can be pre-formed and inserted into the carrier.

[0009] The blank, packaging cover, or packaging is preferably made of a fiber-based material. This fiber-based material preferably contains cellulose. Paper, cardboard, pulp, or carton are particularly preferred. This makes the packaging especially environmentally friendly and readily recyclable. However, the blank, packaging cover, or packaging can also be made of a plastic, in particular polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, or another plastic suitable for packaging. Hybrid forms are also conceivable, combining components made of a fiber-based material and plastic. For example, a pre-formed packaging cover can be made of plastic and bonded to a cover card made of fiber-based material, or vice versa.

[0010] The at least one recess is surrounded by the receiving plate. On each side of the at least one recess, an edge region of the receiving plate borders the recess. The at least one limiting element spans the at least one recess by extending from a first edge region adjacent to the at least one recess to a second edge region opposite the first. Preferably, the at least one limiting element is spaced apart from further edge regions, such as a third and a fourth edge region, which connect the first and second edge regions. This allows the receiving plate to be stiffened at the points where it is particularly weakened by the at least one recess. Furthermore, molded blanks, packaging hoods, and packaging are supported at a distance from the edge regions and remain accessible.

[0011] Preferably, the support comprises a plurality of boundary elements arranged at transverse intervals. This allows the boundary elements to have a narrow width, thus providing good access to a molded blank or an inserted packaging hood or packaging, while simultaneously achieving sufficient stiffening of the receiving plate. Furthermore, the boundary elements can be flexibly positioned where access to the blank, packaging hood, or packaging is not required and / or where particularly high loads occur. All descriptions herein relating to the at least one boundary element apply analogously to each boundary element of the plurality of boundary elements, and vice versa.

[0012] In principle, at least one boundary element can be designed in the form of a strip. The width of this boundary element is then significantly smaller than its length and height.

[0013] In one embodiment, the width of the at least one limiting element is between 1 mm and 8 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 6 mm, more preferably between 1 mm and 4 mm. This means that the at least one limiting element covers only a narrow area of ​​a molded blank, the packaging hood, or the packaging itself, which remains easily accessible. At the same time, the at least one limiting element requires only a small amount of material and can be manufactured simply and cost-effectively, for example, by laser or waterjet cutting from a sheet or plate.

[0014] The dimension of the at least one recess parallel to the transverse direction is larger than the width of the at least one boundary element and, in the case of multiple boundary elements, larger than the sum of the widths of the multiple boundary elements spanning the at least one recess. Preferably, the dimension of the at least one recess parallel to the transverse direction is at least twice, more preferably at least three times, and even more preferably at least four times the width of the at least one boundary element.

[0015] The carrier preferably forms a die for fixing the packaging hood or packaging. It is therefore preferred if a circumferential shape of the at least one recess corresponds to a circumferential shape of the packaging hood or packaging. The carrier then receives the molded blank, packaging hood, or packaging particularly securely and reliably.

[0016] Preferably, the at least one recess has an elongated shape and is oriented such that it extends further parallel to the transverse direction than parallel to the main direction of extension of the at least one boundary element. In other words, a longitudinal direction of the at least one recess is preferably oriented parallel to the transverse direction. Since the receiving plate and the at least one boundary element can be formed separately, it is easy to mount the at least one boundary element transversely to a longitudinal direction of the at least one recess.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the receiving plate has a plurality of recesses, and the at least one limiting element spans the plurality of recesses in the principal extension direction of the at least one limiting element. This allows for the particularly simple provision of a carrier with the advantages described above, which has a plurality of receiving positions and thus enables the simultaneous production of a plurality of packages. The at least one limiting element does not necessarily have to be connected to the receiving plate between all recesses. Preferably, however, the at least one limiting element is firmly connected to the receiving plate on both sides of the at least one recess, and in particular on both sides of each recess that it spans. This results in a particularly rigid structure.

[0018] In principle, at least one recess can have any shape that corresponds to the circumference of the packaging. The at least one limiting element is then oriented in such a way that it spans at least one recess and thus reliably supports the packaging.

[0019] The plurality of recesses comprises the at least one recess. All descriptions herein relating to the at least one recess apply analogously to each of the plurality of recesses, and vice versa. The plurality of recesses is preferably arranged in a row. In particular, the recesses of the plurality of recesses can be arranged side by side in a direction parallel to the main extension direction of the at least one boundary element. A longitudinal direction of the plurality of recesses can be aligned parallel to the transverse direction. It is also possible for the plurality of recesses to be arranged in several rows, either parallel or staggered.

[0020] Advantageously, the at least one boundary element comprises a base section extending in the main direction of extension and spanning the at least one recess at a distance from the underside of the receiving plate. From the base section, a web extends on both sides of the at least one recess towards the underside of the receiving plate and is connected to the receiving plate. In this way, the base section can form a base, section by section, of the receptacle formed by the at least one boundary element and the at least one recess, thereby reliably securing a molded blank or the packaging hood against slippage. The rigid connection to the receiving plate stiffens the plate. Because the at least one boundary element comprises the base section and the webs, the receiving plate can be designed particularly simply as a flat plate.The distance between the base section and the top of the receiving plate preferably corresponds substantially to the depth of the packaging, making the carrier particularly suitable as a die for shaping the blank and fixing the packaging cover. The webs preferably extend perpendicular to the main direction of extension and perpendicular to the underside of the receiving plate.

[0021] If the receiving plate has a plurality of recesses, the at least one limiting element preferably has a plurality of webs connected by the base section, with a web of the plurality of webs arranged between each pair of adjacent recesses of the plurality of recesses. This allows the at least one limiting element to be firmly connected to the receiving plate between each pair of adjacent recesses, resulting in a particularly stable and rigid structure. However, it would also be conceivable for the base section to span several recesses of the plurality of recesses, for example, two or three recesses, with a web extending to the underside of the receiving plate only after these several recesses.

[0022] In principle, the mounting plate and the at least one limiting element can be designed as separate components. The at least one limiting element can be connected to the mounting plate in various ways, for example, by welding, clamping, soldering, gluing, riveting, plugging, or screwing. A robust and reliable connection is preferred, which can also be achieved with a small width of the at least one limiting element.

[0023] The invention also relates to a device for producing and / or transporting blanks, packaging covers, or packaging, comprising at least one processing device for processing blanks, packaging covers, or packaging, and a conveying device comprising a plurality of carriers according to the invention. The conveying device is configured to move the plurality of carriers successively through the device, in particular through the at least one processing device, in a single direction of travel.

[0024] In this way, the advantages of the carriers according to the invention described at the outset come into play when the carriers are used in the device, especially when the majority of carriers transport blanks, packaging hoods or packaging through processing devices, such as a forming device and / or a sealing device.

[0025] Preferably, the conveying device moves the majority of carriers through the device in a timed sequence. The direction of travel is preferably essentially linear. The majority of carriers are then moved essentially translationally through the device in the direction of travel until packages or packaging components are removed from the device. The majority of carriers can then be returned in the opposite direction of travel. In another embodiment, the direction of travel can be a direction of rotation. The processing devices can then be arranged in a circle.

[0026] Preferably, the at least one processing device comprises a forming device having at least one forming tool, wherein the carriers of the plurality of carriers each form a die or support a die configured to interact with the at least one forming tool. Each forming tool is configured to form a blank into a recess of a carrier located in the forming device, which is formed by a recess in the receiving plate and the at least one limiting element. The device and the production of packaging using it can thus be designed to be as simple and cost-effective as possible.In the forming device, the molded blanks are securely and reliably held in the recess formed by the at least one recess and the at least one limiting element, and are secured against falling through the recess by the at least one limiting element. At the same time, the at least one limiting element stiffens the holding plate, thus ensuring stable support of the blanks during forming.

[0027] Preferably, the at least one processing device comprises a joining device for connecting tabs of the blank or for connecting an insert and / or lid to the blank or the packaging hood. The joining device can be, for example, a sealing device or a gluing device, as described below.

[0028] The at least one processing device preferably comprises at least one sealing device, more preferably a plurality of sealing devices, for example, for sealing flaps of the blanks, in particular dust flaps, for sealing inserts, and / or for sealing lids, in particular a lid flap or cover card. The at least one limiting element secures the molded blank or packaging cover against falling through the at least one recess during sealing and during subsequent transport. At the same time, the at least one limiting element stiffens the receiving plate and thus ensures stable support of the blanks or packaging covers during sealing.Because the width of at least one limiting element is smaller than one dimension of at least one recess parallel to the transverse direction, a blank formed into the receptacle is accessible on both sides of the at least one limiting element, for example for tools to seal an insert to a formed blank or to seal dust flaps of the blank.

[0029] It is understood that alternative or combined with sealing, other technologies such as hot melt gluing, wet gluing, or adhesive bonding can also be used. For example, at least one processing device may include, in addition to or as an alternative to the sealing device, a gluing device for gluing flaps, inserts, or lids to the blank or the packaging cover. The gluing device may include a gluing tool for applying glue.

[0030] In one embodiment, the at least one processing device comprises a sealing device with a sealing tool, wherein the carriers of the plurality of carriers, in particular the receiving plates of the plurality of carriers, are configured to interact with the sealing tool. The sealing device preferably serves to seal a lid, such as a lid flap or a cover card, to a blank molded into the at least one recess of the carrier or to an inserted packaging hood, and can also be referred to as a lid sealing device. For this purpose, the molded blank or the inserted packaging hood can have a sealing rim, which preferably rests on the upper surface of the receiving plate. This allows the carrier to act as a support surface for the sealing rim, enabling the sealing tool to apply the pressure required for sealing.Preferably, the sealing tool is mounted so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the top of the receiving plate of the carrier arranged in the sealing device.

[0031] The at least one processing device may comprise an insert sealing device comprising a first sealing tool and a second sealing tool, which cooperate to seal an insert to the blank or packaging hood. The first sealing tool is movable into the at least one recess of the carrier of the plurality of carriers arranged in the insert sealing device, and the second sealing tool is movable in the transverse direction, spaced apart from the at least one limiting element, towards the underside of the carrier's receiving plate. The second sealing tool is configured to grip the molded blank below the receiving plate and to apply pressure and / or heat to seal the insert to the blank.Since at least one limiting element covers only a small area of ​​the formed blank, the rest of this area remains freely accessible to the second sealing tool, allowing inserts to be sealed particularly well and precisely at the desired locations on the blank. Inserts serve to support and / or separate products within the packaging. The insert sealing device is preferably arranged in the direction of travel after the forming device and before the sealing device.

[0032] The at least one processing device can further comprise a feeding device configured to insert at least one product into the molded blank or packaging hood. The molded blank or packaging hood is supported by the at least one limiting element, ensuring that the blank is securely held in the carrier even under the weight of the at least one product and cannot fall through the recess. The feeding device is preferably arranged in the throughput direction downstream of the insert sealing device and upstream of the lid sealing device.

[0033] Finally, the present invention also relates to a method for producing and / or transporting blanks, packaging hoods or packaging comprising the following steps: Arranging a carrier according to the invention with the molded blank or packaging hood received therein in a connecting device, in particular by means of the conveying device; placing a lid, in particular a lid flap or a cover card, on the blank or packaging hood, such that a first connecting area of ​​the blank and a second connecting area of ​​the lid coincide; connecting the lid to the blank or packaging hood by means of the connecting device to form a package, wherein the blank or packaging hood is supported from below by the at least one limiting element and preferably the receiving plate, in particular during the joining process.

[0034] Preferably, the connecting device is formed by the sealing device, and connecting the lid to the blank or packaging hood includes sealing the lid to the blank or packaging hood using the sealing device.

[0035] Alternatively, the joining device can be formed by the gluing device, and joining the lid to the blank or the packaging hood includes gluing the lid to the blank or the packaging hood using the gluing device.

[0036] Preferably, the steps of the method are carried out in the specified order. Furthermore, the method can be carried out using the previously described device for manufacturing and / or transporting packaging. All features described with respect to the carrier and the device are therefore analogous to the method and vice versa.

[0037] In one embodiment, the method may further include the following steps before arranging the carrier in the connecting device: Arranging the carrier in a molding device; placing a blank made of fiber-based material above the at least one recess in the carrier's receiving plate; pressing the blank into the recess using a molding tool of the molding device and thereby forming the blank into the recess, wherein the formed blank is supported from below by the at least one limiting element.

[0038] The carrier is preferably positioned in the molding device by means of the conveying device. The blank is preferably placed over the at least one recess by means of the molding tool. For this purpose, the molding tool can include the receiving device, which is designed, for example, as a suction device or as a gripping device for capturing the blank.

[0039] By molding the cutout into the recess, a packaging hood is formed to hold the product. The packaging hood can be surrounded by a sealing rim that rests on the top of the receiving plate.

[0040] After the cutout has been molded into the recess, the process can continue to include the following steps: Moving the carrier with the packaging hood contained therein to an insert sealing device and arranging the carrier in the insert sealing device, in particular by means of the conveying device; placing an insert in the packaging hood, preferably by means of a handling device; sealing the insert to the packaging hood by means of the insert sealing device, wherein preferably the first sealing tool is moved into the at least one recess of the carrier and acts on the insert, and the second sealing tool is moved in the transverse direction at a distance from the at least one limiting element in the direction of the underside of the receiving plate of the carrier and acts on the blank from the outside.

[0041] As an alternative to the insert sealing device, an insert gluing device with at least one gluing tool for gluing the insert to the packaging hood may be provided.

[0042] The process can further include feeding at least one product into the molded blank, in particular into the formed packaging hood. If an insert is provided, the feeding of the at least one product preferably takes place after the insert has been sealed or glued.

[0043] In general, the carrier can comprise a plurality of positioning elements arranged on the top of the receiving plate. The plurality of positioning elements is preferably arranged such that a lid placed on the receiving plate is positioned so that the first connection area of ​​the packaging hood or blank and the second connection area of ​​the lid align. The plurality of positioning elements can be formed by pins, strips, or other shaped parts.

[0044] Further advantages and features of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a device for manufacturing packaging. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a carrier according to the invention with a package held inside, taken from an oblique angle above. Fig. 3 is a side view of the carrier. Fig. 2 Fig. 4 is a perspective detail view of the support according to Figs. 2 and 3 with a molded-in blank viewed obliquely from below. Fig. 5a shows schematic sectional views of the carrier according to the invention in machining fixtures of the device according to Fig. 1 or during the method according to the invention.

[0045] In Fig. 1A device 2 for manufacturing packaging from a fiber-based material or plastic is schematically depicted. The device 2 comprises at least one processing device 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 for processing blanks or packaging covers and a conveying device 4, which includes a plurality of carriers 6 for transporting blanks or packaging covers. The plurality of carriers 6 can be arranged successively and are moved through the device 2 in a through-direction D to transport the blanks or packaging covers through the at least one processing device 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20. The device 2 and the carrier 6 are described below by way of example using the example of receiving and processing a blank. It is understood that this exemplary embodiment applies analogously to receiving and processing a packaging cover.Such a packaging hood can be pre-formed and inserted into the device 2 or formed by molding in a blank, as described below.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the device 2 comprises a plurality of processing devices, such as a forming device 8 for forming a blank into a packaging part, like a packaging hood, a dust flap sealing device 10 for sealing dust flaps of the blank, an insert sealing device 12 for sealing an insert to a formed blank, a feeding device 14 for feeding at least one product into the formed blank, a handling device 16 for positioning a lid on the formed blank, a sealing device 18 for sealing the lid to the formed blank, and a removal device 20 for removing a package from the device 2. Since a product-filled and sealed package is produced in this embodiment, the device 2 can also be referred to as a packaging machine.Device 2 can also comprise only a portion of the processing devices 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20. Individual processing steps, such as sealing dust flaps or inserts, are optional and can be omitted. Conversely, for example, forming the blanks or sealing the lid to the blank can be performed in a separate device.

[0047] It is particularly advantageous if the majority of carriers 6 support the processing of the blanks in the majority of processing devices 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, especially in conjunction with the tools provided therein, such as forming and sealing tools. This results in various requirements for the carriers 6, such as that they adequately support and securely hold the blanks during forming, sealing, and transport, while also ensuring good access for the tools used. Furthermore, it is desirable that the carriers 6 be easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0048] An embodiment of a support 6 according to the invention that meets these requirements is described in the Figures 2 to 4The carrier 6 comprises a receiving plate 22 with at least one recess 24, here with a plurality of recesses 24a-l, which penetrate the receiving plate 22 from a top surface 26 to a bottom surface 28 of the receiving plate 22. The plurality of recesses 24a-l can be arranged in a row or in a matrix with several rows and columns or in any arbitrary, e.g., cascaded, position.

[0049] In Fig. 2 and 4An example of a package 30, which is received in the carrier 6, is shown. Each recess 24a-l can accommodate a package 30, which, however, are not shown for the sake of clarity regarding the components of the carrier 6. Here, the package 30 comprises a blank 32 already formed in the recess 24 and a lid in the form of a cover card 34, which is sealed to the blank 32. It is understood that the package 30 is not limited to the embodiment shown, nor is the carrier 6 limited to use with such a package.

[0050] In principle, it is advantageous if the circumferential shape of the majority of recesses 24 essentially corresponds to the circumferential shape of the packaging 30 to be produced. This ensures that the packaging 30 is held particularly securely and the carrier 6 is suitable for use as a die in the forming device 8, as described with reference to Fig. 5 described in more detail.

[0051] A plurality of positioning elements are preferably provided on the upper surface 26 of the receiving plate 22, which in the illustrated embodiment are formed by pins 35. Figs. 2 and 3 It is clearly visible that the positioning elements 35 surround the placed decacard 34, so that it is positioned exactly when placed on the receiving plate 22.

[0052] Furthermore, the carrier 6 comprises at least one limiting element 36, here two mutually spaced limiting elements 36a, 36b. The limiting elements 36a, 36b are attached to the underside 28 of the receiving plate 22 and each spans the plurality of recesses 24a-I in a principal extension direction H of the limiting elements 36a, 36b. Each recess 24a-I, together with the limiting elements 36a, 36b, forms a receptacle 38 for a blank 32 formed into the receptacle 38, the receptacle 38 being bounded downwards by the limiting elements 36a, 36b. In principle, the receptacle 38 can also accommodate a preformed packaging hood instead of a formed blank 32.

[0053] Each boundary element 36a, 36b has a width B in a transverse direction Q that is significantly smaller than a dimension L of the recesses 24a-l parallel to the transverse direction Q, as shown in Fig. 4The transverse direction Q is generally parallel to the receiving plate 22, in particular to its underside 28, and perpendicular to the main extension direction H. For example, the width B of the limiting elements 36a, 36b can be between 2 mm and 4 mm.

[0054] As in Fig. 4 As can be clearly seen, the limiting elements 36a, 36b support the molded blank 32 from below, ensuring that it is securely and reliably held in the carrier 6 and cannot slip through the recess 24, while at the same time the blank 32 remains easily accessible below the receiving plate 22. This allows the carrier 6 to enable optimal processing of the blank 32 in further processing devices, in particular the dust flap sealing device 10 or the insert sealing device 12.

[0055] Each recess 24a-l is bounded by at least two opposing edge regions 40a, 40b of the receiving plate 22, and the limiting elements 36a, 36b preferably extend from one edge region 40a to the other edge region 40b, forming the receptacle 38. A preferred embodiment of the limiting element 36 for this is described below with reference to the Figures 2 to 4 described.

[0056] The at least one limiting element 36 can comprise a base section 42 extending in the principal direction H and spanning the at least one recess 24 at a distance from the underside 28 of the receiving plate 22. A web 44 extends on both sides of the recess 24 towards the underside 28 of the receiving plate 22. This forms a substantially U-shaped recess 38 for the limiting element 36. High stiffness of the support 6 is preferably achieved by connecting the limiting elements 36a, 36b to the receiving plate 22 between all pairs of adjacent recesses 24a-l by means of a web 44. Preferably, the webs 44 are connected to the receiving plate 22 by means of a screw connection. However, other connection techniques, such as soldering, welding, riveting, or clamping, are also suitable.

[0057] As described at the outset, the carrier 6 according to the invention is particularly well suited for receiving and transporting the blanks 32 and packaging 30 in the device 2 or during a method according to the invention, as illustrated below by way of example. Fig. 5 explained.

[0058] In Fig. 5aFigure 8a schematically shows a section of a carrier 6 with a blank 32 in the forming device 8. The blank 32 initially has a flat shape to allow for space-saving storage and transport. A large number of blanks 32 can be provided in a magazine, as indicated by the three blanks 32 shown in the upper part of Figure 8a. A blank 32 is preferably gripped by a forming tool 62 of the forming device 8 and removed from the magazine. It is understood that another handling device can also grip the blank 32 and place it on the carrier 6. The forming tool 62 positions the blank 32 above the recess 24 in the receiving plate 22.

[0059] As in Fig. 5bAs can be seen, the carrier 6 forms a die and interacts with the forming tool 62. More precisely, the blank 32 is pressed through the recess 24 by means of the forming tool 62 and thereby formed into the receptacle 38. The formed blank 32 is then supported from below by the limiting element 36 of the carrier 6. The formed blank 32 forms a packaging hood for holding products.

[0060] In order to support and / or separate products within the packaging 30 to be manufactured, it is desirable in some embodiments to seal an insert 64 to the molded blank 32. For this purpose, the carrier 6 with the molded blank 32 contained therein can be moved to an insert sealing device 12 and arranged in it, as shown in Fig. 5cAs shown, in the insert-sealing device 12, the insert 64 is first placed in the molded blank 32. Then, a first sealing tool 66 is moved into the recess 24 and thus into the molded blank 32, and a second sealing tool 68 is moved towards the underside 28 of the receiving plate 22 to act on the blank 32 from the outside. The first sealing tool 66 and the second sealing tool 68 seal the insert 64 to the blank 32. In summary, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5c It can be seen that, due to the shape of the limiting elements 36a, 36b, large areas of the underside of the blank 32 are easily accessible for the second sealing tool 68. Instead of the insert sealing device 12, an insert gluing device with at least one corresponding gluing tool can be provided.

[0061] Subsequently, products 70 can be inserted into the packaging hood formed by the molded blank 32 in the feeding device 14 in a known manner, as shown in Fig. 5d The illustration shows that only one product can be fed in and contained within the packaging. In any case, the limiting elements 36a, 36b secure the molded blank 32 or the packaging hood, respectively, so that it does not slip through the recess 24 of the receiving plate 22, even when subjected to the weight of the products 70.

[0062] Finally, the carrier 6 with the blank 32 or the packaging hood contained therein can be moved into the sealing device 18 and arranged therein, as shown in Fig. 5e As shown. In the sealing device 18 or even before it, the cover card 34 can be placed on the molded blank 32, as also shown in Fig. 2The cover card 34 is arranged, in particular by the positioning elements 35, such that a preferably circumferential first sealing area 72 of the blank 32 and a preferably circumferential second sealing area 74 of the cover card 34 overlap. The cover card 34 can then be sealed to the molded blank 32 by means of a sealing tool 76 of the sealing device 18. The receiving plate 22 supports the first sealing area 72 of the blank 32 during sealing and is stiffened by the limiting elements 36a, 36b. The packaging 30 is now complete and can be removed from the device 2 by means of the removal device 20. Instead of the sealing device 18, a gluing device with at least one corresponding gluing tool can be provided.

[0063] Further embodiments of the carrier 6, the device 2 and the method are apparent to the person skilled in the art based on the detailed description of preferred embodiments contained herein.

Claims

1. Carrier (6) for receiving and transporting blanks (32), packaging hoods and packaging (30), wherein the carrier (6) comprises: a receiving plate (22) with at least one recess (24) that penetrates the receiving plate (22) from a top (26) to a bottom (28) of the receiving plate (22); and at least one limiting element (36) that is attached to the bottom (28) of the receiving plate (22) and that spans the at least one recess (24), wherein the at least one recess (24) and the at least one limiting element (36) form a receptacle (38) for a blank (32), a packaging hood or packaging inserted into the receptacle (38), which is bounded downwards by the at least one limiting element (36);wherein the at least one boundary element (36) has a principal extension direction (H) and a width (B), wherein the width in a transverse direction (Q) is defined perpendicular to the principal extension direction (H) of the at least one boundary element (36) and is smaller than a dimension (L) of the at least one recess (24) parallel to the transverse direction (Q).

2. Carrier (6) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the support (6) comprises a plurality of boundary elements (36a, 36b) which are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction (Q).

3. Carrier (6) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact thatthe receiving plate (22) has a plurality of recesses (24) and the at least one limiting element (36) spans the plurality of recesses (24) in the principal extension direction (H) of the at least one limiting element (36), wherein the plurality of recesses (24) and the at least one limiting element (36) form a plurality of receivings (38).

4. Carrier (6) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that the at least one limiting element (36) comprises a base section (42) which extends in the main extension direction (H) and which spans the at least one recess (24) spaced apart from the underside (28) of the receiving plate (22), wherein a web (44) extends from the base section (42) on both sides of the at least one recess (24) in the direction of the underside (28) of the receiving plate (22) and is connected to the receiving plate (22).

5. Carrier (6) according to one of claims 3 and 4, characterized by the fact thatthe at least one limiting element (36) has a plurality of webs (44) which are connected by the base section (42), wherein a web (44) of the plurality of webs (44) is arranged between each two adjacent recesses (24) of the plurality of recesses (24).

6. Carrier (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the width (B) of the at least one limiting element (36) is between 1 mm and 8 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 6 mm, more preferably between 1 mm and 4 mm.

7. Carrier (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that which at least one recess (24) has an elongated shape and is oriented such that the at least one recess (24) extends further parallel to the transverse direction (Q) than parallel to the main extension direction (H) of the at least one boundary element (36).

8. Device (2) for producing and / or transporting blanks (32), packaging hoods or packaging (30) comprising: at least one processing device (8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20) for processing blanks (32), packaging hoods or packaging; and a conveying device (4) comprising a plurality of carriers (6) according to one of the preceding claims and configured to move the plurality of carriers (6) successively in a through-direction (D) through the device (2), in particular through the at least one processing device (8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20).

9. Device (2) according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that the at least one processing device (8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20) comprises a forming device (8) which has a forming tool (62), wherein the carriers (6) of the plurality of carriers (6) each form a die which is configured to interact with the forming tool (62).

10. Device (2) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by the fact that the at least one processing device (8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20) comprises a sealing device (18) which has a sealing tool (76), wherein the carriers (6) of the plurality of carriers (6), in particular the receiving plates (22) of the plurality of carriers (6), are arranged to cooperate with the sealing tool (76).

11. Device (2) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized by the fact thatthe at least one processing device (8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20) comprises an insert sealing device (12) which has a first sealing tool (66) and a second sealing tool (68) which cooperate to seal an insert (64) to the blank (32), wherein the first sealing tool (66) is movable into the at least one recess (24) of a carrier (6) of the plurality of carriers (6) and the second sealing tool (68) is movable in the transverse direction (Q) spaced apart from the at least one limiting element (36) in the direction of the underside (28) of the receiving plate (22) of the carrier (6).

12. Device (2) according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized by the fact thatthe at least one processing device (8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20) comprises a gluing device (78) which has a gluing tool (77), wherein the supports (6) of the plurality of supports (6), in particular the receiving plates (22) of the plurality of supports (6), are arranged to cooperate with the gluing tool (77).

13. Method for producing and / or transporting blanks (32), packaging hoods or packages (30) comprising the following steps: arranging a carrier (6) according to one of claims 1 to 7 with at least one blank (32) or packaging hood received therein in a connecting device (18); placing a cover (34), in particular a cover flap or a lid card, on the molded blank (32) or the packaging hood, such that a first connecting area (72) of the blank (32) or the packaging hood and a second connecting area (74) of the cover (34) coincide; connecting the cover (34) to the blank (32) or the packaging hood by means of the connecting device (18) to form a package (30), wherein the molded blank (32) or the packaging hood is supported from below by the at least one limiting element (36), in particular during the joining process.

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized by the fact that the connecting device (18) is a sealing device and connecting the lid (34) to the blank (32) or the packaging hood includes sealing the lid (34) to the blank (32) or the packaging hood by means of the sealing device; or the connecting device (18) is a gluing device and connecting the lid (34) to the blank (32) or the packaging hood includes gluing the lid (34) to the blank (32) or the packaging hood by means of the gluing device.

15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized by the fact thatThe procedure, prior to arranging the carrier (6) in the connecting device (18), further comprises the following steps: arranging the carrier (6) in a forming device (8); placing a blank (32) made of fiber-based material above the at least one recess (24) in the receiving plate (22) of the carrier (6); pressing the blank (32) into the recess (24) by means of a forming tool (62) of the forming device (8) and thereby forming the blank (32) into the recess (24), wherein the formed blank (32) is supported from below by the at least one limiting element (36).

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