Apparatus and method for producing sachet filled with liquid or paste-like filling material

Abstract

To provide an apparatus and method for producing sachets filled with a liquid or paste-like filling material.SOLUTION: The apparatus and method for producing sachets filled with a liquid or paste-like filling material, in particular a food product, is provided. The apparatus comprises: a co-extrusion device for co-extruding a strand of packaging material filled with the filling material; and opposing circular split plungers between which the strand can be conveyed and through which the filling material can be conveyed, the split plungers being capable of stripping the packaging material at the split points and pressing the packaging material flat at the split points to form sachets as they move towards each other on their orbital paths.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for producing sachets filled with liquid filling material, in particular food products, according to the preambles of claims 1 and 14. [Background technology]

[0002] It is already known from the prior art to package products, for example cosmetics, food, etc., in so-called sachets. Sachets are packages that have flat end sections at their ends. Such packages are usually produced using tubular pouch making machines. For example, FIG. 8 shows how such a vertical tubular pouch making machine works. For this purpose, a packaging wrapper is produced, wound around a forming pipe and closed by a longitudinal sealing seam. The tube thus produced is filled with the product to be packaged, for example ketchup, via the forming pipe and sealed with a transverse sealing seam using a sealing plunger. The sealing plunger usually has to remain closed for a certain time during the filling process, which reduces the production volume. On the other hand, a sufficient sealing time is necessary to create sufficient strength at the sealing point. The wrappers also often stick to each other during sealing. Overall, the above-mentioned method is complex and is only suitable to a limited extent when using biodegradable packaging materials (co-extruded packaging materials), such as alginate packaging materials, pectin packaging materials or collagen packaging materials.

[0003] Figure 9 shows diagrammatically a horizontal flow wrapper which has similar problems to the vertical fill seal machine shown in relation to Figure 8. In particular, liquids cannot be packaged in a horizontal flow wrapper.

[0004] Based on this, the problem underlying the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for a simplified, more efficient and environmentally friendly production of sealed sachets filled with liquid or pasty filling material, in particular liquid or pasty food products, which allows for liquid-tight packaging. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to the invention, this problem is solved by the features of claims 1 and 14.

[0006] According to the invention, an apparatus for producing sachets filled with a liquid or pasty filling material, in particular a food product, comprises a co-extrusion device for co-extruding a strand of packaging material (casing material) filled with a filling material. Such a co-extrusion device extrudes the filling material or the food product and the packaging material at the same time. Such a co-extrusion device is also particularly suitable for extruding packaging materials, in particular gels, preferably biodegradable packaging materials, which can be hardened by a fixing liquid, such as alginate gels, pectin gels or collagen gels. Alginate gels are particularly preferred for food products. For example, a calcium chloride solution serves as the fixing liquid.

[0007] The apparatus further includes opposed circumferential splitting plungers between which the strands produced by the co-extrusion apparatus are conveyed, the splitting plungers stripping the fill material, particularly the food product, from the packaging material at the splitting points as the splitting plungers move towards each other on an orbital path to engage the strands and press the packaging material, which is not yet fully cured at this point, flat at the splitting points to form a pouch.

[0008] When the opposing split plungers cycle, they are not aligned parallel to each other in the forward deflection area (facing the coextrusion device). This means that when the split plungers move towards each other in the deflection area until they are aligned essentially parallel to each other again, they strip off the inner substance, i.e. the filler material, so that there is no inner substance at the split point and only pure packaging material. The split point can therefore be pressed cleanly and sealed liquid-tight. In the case of a curable packaging material, the packaging material is not fully cured, i.e. not fully crosslinked, at the split point, so that the upper and lower curable packaging materials of the packaging material can be bonded particularly uniformly inside the split point. This is possible because the split plungers engage the coextruded strands and the packaging material, i.e. the film, is not pre-manufactured as described in the prior art.

[0009] The device according to the invention therefore allows for a liquid-tight packaging of the filling material with a smooth, wrinkle-free parting point which is pressed on all sides.

[0010] For example, liquid here also means a filling material having a viscosity of, for example, 70,000 mPas or less at 20° C., thus for example ketchup or mustard, soup, shampoo, cream, honey, jam, etc., in particular a filling material having a consistency of, for example, less than 5000 mPas at 20° C. (for example also applesauce, baby food, salad dressings), further in particular, for example less than 1000 mPas at 20° C. (for example also juices, oils). However, the device is also suitable for producing sachets filled with pasty filling materials having higher viscosities.

[0011] The dividing plungers can also be arranged circumferentially on the shaft, but it is particularly preferred that the device has opposing circumferential conveying means, in particular conveying devices with conveying belts or chains, and that spaced dividing plungers are arranged on each of the circumferential conveying means. For example, about 1 to 100 dividing plungers are arranged per conveying means. The opposing dividing plungers can be moved towards each other in a deflection region of the conveying means, in particular the conveying belt, such that the flat pressing faces of the dividing plungers are initially aligned at an angle to each other when engaging the strand. On further movement from the deflection region, the dividing plungers become parallel to each other so that the dividing points can be pressed to be flat. During the transition from the deflection region to the region where the pressing faces of the dividing plungers are aligned parallel to each other, the filling material, in particular the food product, is stripped from the packaging material, also as described above. It is particularly preferred that during the conveying of the sachets thus produced in the conveying direction, the dividing plungers can continue to press the dividing points at least in the first section of the conveying device. In this way, the dividing points can continue to harden during their conveying in the conveying device and can leave the device in a stable state.

[0012] Advantageously, pouches can be produced at a higher output than in the prior art, since several dividing elements are engaged simultaneously and therefore the solidification process is not dependent on a dividing cycle.

[0013] It is preferred if the dividing plungers each have a flat pressing surface. The flat pressing surface is smooth without any protrusions or recesses. The flat pressing surface is located on the entire surface of the packaging material being pressed. In this way, a particularly wrinkle-free dividing point can be formed, so that when the sachet is filled with liquid or low-viscosity filling material, in particular food, the liquid cannot escape at the dividing point. The packaging material can therefore be pressed over the entire surface at the dividing point.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the pressing surface of the dividing plunger extends perpendicularly to the conveying direction T of the conveying device and has a length that is large compared to the width of the extruded strand (i.e. larger than the diameter of the extrusion nozzle of the packaging material). This ensures that a liquid-tight dividing point is formed and that, for example, essentially rectangular sachets are produced, while at the same time ensuring that the dividing plunger strips off the filling material or food product over the entire width of the sachet at the dividing point.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the co-extrusion device has a filling pipe for delivering the filling material or food product and an extrusion nozzle associated with the filling pipe and having a substantially annular extrusion gap for delivering the packaging material. Preferably, the filling pipe projects beyond the extrusion gap over a distance X so that the packaging material is extruded onto the filling pipe through the extrusion gap and can at least partially solidify along the filling pipe, i.e. when, for example, a fixing liquid is applied to the filling pipe. A configuration in which the filling pipe projects beyond the packaging material extrusion nozzle is particularly preferred, since the distance between the filling pipe and the conveying device can be minimized. This has the advantage that the extruded material does not sag downwards and the strands are separated at the earliest possible time point.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the apparatus can have a lubricant device for supplying a lubricant (e.g. water or a fixing agent) between the filling pipe and the extruded packaging material. Such an arrangement has been shown to be particularly suitable for the production of sachets, since the packaging material can be produced smoothly on the filling pipe and removed from it. The fixing agent is preferably applied to the outside of the extruded packaging material, upstream of the conveying device.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the width b of the outlet opening of the filling pipe is greater than the height h2 of the outlet opening, which has in particular an oval cross section or a rectangular cross section with rounded corners. This has the advantage that the product, in particular the food product, can be pushed out already flat, so that the filling material can be more easily displaced by the dividing plunger and the packaging can be pressed better. Another advantage is that when the upper packaging material is brought together with the lower packaging material during pressing, no wrinkles are formed which could weaken the connection during the solidification process and thus lead to leakage after the sachets have been separated from each other.

[0018] However, it is also preferably possible to form a pipe section at the end of the filling pipe facing the conveying device, the width of the outlet opening of which is greater than the diameter h1 of the filling pipe and the height h2 of which is smaller than the diameter h1 of the filling pipe. This means that, as mentioned above, the outlet opening can have in particular an elliptical cross section or a rectangular cross section with rounded corners, but standard co-extrusion equipment can be used, in which the additional pipe section is molded or attached onto the existing filling pipe. Preferably, the cross-sectional areas of the filling pipe and the molded pipe section are essentially the same, so that a uniform volumetric flow can be maintained.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, the conveying means can be arranged one above the other, the lower circulating conveying means being longer (when viewed in the conveying direction) than the conveying means above the lower circulating conveying means. In this case, the produced sachets can be conveyed further on the conveying means and further solidified. Alternatively, the sachets can be transferred to a further lower conveying means. In both embodiments, the sachets can also, for example, be separated.

[0020] The device for applying the fixing agent is preferably arranged upstream of the circulating conveying means, i.e. between the extrusion nozzle of the packaging material and the conveying device when viewed along the conveying direction. The fixing means already sufficiently strengthens the packaging material so that the plunger does not destroy it during pressing. However, the packaging material is not yet completely crosslinked or gelled, so that a complete material bond between the upper packaging material and the lower packaging material can be ensured during pressing.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the device has a separation device which separates successive sachets from one another in the region of the division point. Such a separation device can be arranged, for example, in the conveying device or downstream of the conveying device, or preferably, the separation device can also be integrated into the dividing plunger. In this case, a sharp blade can be permanently integrated into the dividing plunger. Alternatively, a movable sharp blade can be integrated into the center of the dividing plunger, which is moved, for example, by a gate for cutting the portions.

[0022] The separation device can also be configured such that the division point is not completely cut but is only perforated, for example via a perforation device.

[0023] The distance between the opposing dividing plungers, and in particular the distance between the opposing conveying means, is preferably adjustable, so that the distance between the dividing plungers also varies accordingly. This means that the distance and the contact pressure can be precisely adapted to the product being produced. This is preferred for sensitive packaging materials and to ensure a proper dividing point.

[0024] Preferably, the filling pipe of the co-extrusion device spatially overlaps with the conveying device, i.e. when viewed along the conveying direction there is no distance between the end of the filling pipe and the end of the conveying device facing the co-extrusion device, which ensures a close proximity so that the extruded strands do not sag and tear while the packaging material is not yet fully hardened.

[0025] Preferably, the outlet opening of the filling pipe is arranged in the deflection area between the conveying means, in particular in the area behind a plane perpendicular to the conveying direction T, as viewed along the conveying direction, in which at least one of the forward deflection points P of the conveying belt is located, the filling pipe being able to protrude in the conveying direction so that the plunger can pass over the filling pipe. The deflection point is the frontmost point of the conveying means at which the conveying means changes its direction of movement.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the distance between the opposing circulating conveying means is smaller at the rear end, as viewed in the conveying direction, than at the beginning, which means that the division point can be pressed even harder during conveying using the conveying means.

[0027] According to the method according to the invention for producing sachets filled with a liquid or pasty filling material, in particular a food product, a strand of a hardening packaging material filled with a filling material, in particular a food product, is extruded through a co-extrusion device. The strand is guided between circular dividing plungers which move towards each other and engage the strand, stripping the filling material, in particular the food product, from the packaging material at the dividing point and pressing the packaging material, which is not yet fully hardened at the dividing point, into a sachet. The hardening packaging material may be a gel, in particular a biodegradable gel, preferably an alginate gel, a pectin gel or a collagen gel.

[0028] By means of the process according to the invention, wrinkle-free, smooth and therefore tight dividing points of sachets can be produced in an improved manner so that liquids can also be packaged.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, a conveying device having opposing circulating conveying means, in particular a conveying belt or a conveying chain, on each of which several spaced apart dividing plungers are arranged, conveys the separated sachets in a conveying direction T, the dividing points being further pressed by the dividing plungers.

[0030] The produced and separated sachets have a rectangular, possibly square, flat shape, i.e. the height of the sachets is smaller than their width, preferably the ratio of height to width is in the range of 1:1.5 to 1:20. The division points that bound the front and back of the sachets are flat and extend over the entire width of the sachets.

[0031] The packaging material can include food pieces, such as pepper pieces or spices, which results in a particularly attractive appearance and special taste, such as cream cheese coated with pepper pieces.

[0032] Preferably, the distance from the outlet opening of the filling pipe to a plane E1 perpendicular to the conveying direction T and about which there is at least one of the forward axes around which the conveying means circulates is approximately 5 to 30 mm.

[0033] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the following figures: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in the perspective view of FIG. [Diagram 3] 1A-1D show schematic side and top views of the fill pipe outlets on three different fill pipes according to the invention. [Figure 4] Schematically shows sachets produced in a chain and separate sachets. [Figure 5a] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a conveying means according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5b] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a split plunger. [Figure 6] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a coextrusion apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 7] 13 shows another embodiment with an extended lower conveying means and an integrated separation unit. [Figure 8] 1 shows a flow packaging machine according to the prior art. [Figure 9]1 shows a flow packaging machine according to the prior art. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] 1 shows a schematic embodiment of an apparatus 1 for producing sachets 2 filled with a liquid or pasty filling material or food product. The following embodiment is explained in more detail with reference to the food product to be filled, but is equally suitable for other filling materials, i.e. non-food products.

[0036] The apparatus has a co-extrusion device 3 for co-extruding strands of packaging material 15 filled with food product 14. The liquid food product can be, for example, ketchup, mustard, jam or honey. Non-food products such as shampoos, creams, liquid detergents, etc. can also be considered as liquid filling materials. However, filling materials or foods with a higher viscosity can also be tightly packed in the apparatus according to the invention, here too a liquid-tight packaging is preferred in order to prevent the product from drying out.

[0037] Alginate gels, or alternatively pectin or collagen gels, are particularly suitable as hardening packaging materials. Such materials are particularly preferred because they are biodegradable, edible and can reduce the amount of plastic waste. Such materials are commercially available, for example, as pastes or as powders to be mixed with water.

[0038] FIG. 6 shows a possible embodiment of such a co-extrusion device 3. The co-extrusion device 3 has a filling pipe 9 for delivering the food product 14 and an extrusion nozzle 13 associated with the filling pipe 9, with a preferably annular extrusion gap 11 for delivering the packaging material 15. Not shown here are co-extrusion devices that deliver the packaging material 15 directly to the outer surface of the food product 14. However, this is difficult with liquid or low-viscosity materials. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, a filling pipe is used that protrudes beyond the extrusion gap 11 over a section X, so that the packaging material 15 is extruded onto the filling pipe 9 through the extrusion gap 11 and can thus solidify along the filling pipe 9 and then be drawn off from the filling pipe 9 together with the extruded food product 14. In order to ensure that the extruded packaging material 15 starts to solidify already on the filling pipe 9, a device 16 for applying a fixing agent can be arranged in the region of section X of the filling pipe. A salt solution, in particular, for example a 10% calcium chloride solution, is suitable as a fixing agent.

[0039] Additionally or alternatively, the device can have a lubricant device 19 for supplying a lubricant between the filling pipe 9 and the delivered packaging material 15. In this way, the slip values ​​between the filling pipe and the delivered packaging material can be minimized. For example, water can be added as a lubricant. The lubricant device comprises, for example, a lubricant supply device 19a. The supply 19a is formed here as a channel in the filling pipe 9. For example, the channel runs annularly in the wall of the filling pipe. In the region of the extrusion gap 11, a further annular gap is arranged around the outer surface of the filling pipe 9. For this purpose, the filling pipe 9 has a smaller diameter in the region behind the further annular gap 19b than the filling pipe in the region in front of the further annular gap 19b. The internal injection of the lubricant between the delivered packaging material and the surface of the filling pipe 9 can take place via the annular gap 19b. This allows the delivered packaging material to slide easily over the filling pipe.

[0040] Due to the fact that the filling pipe 9 protrudes beyond the extrusion gap 11, the filling pipe 9 can be arranged with its outlet opening 12 particularly close to the conveying device 4 arranged downstream in the conveying direction T. In this case, the conveying device has opposing circulating conveying means 5a, 5b, here for example conveying belts, on each of the conveying means 5a, 5b a spaced apart split plunger 6a, 6b is arranged. Regardless of this embodiment, for example 1 to about 100 split plungers can be arranged on the circulating conveying means.

[0041] In this embodiment, the outlet opening 12 of the filling pipe 9 protrudes in the conveying direction T in such a way that the outlet opening 12 of the filling pipe is located in the deflection area between the conveying means, i.e. in this case in the area behind the plane E2, in which at least one of the forward deflection points P of the conveying belt is located and which extends perpendicular to the conveying direction T, i.e. here perpendicular to the image plane. However, the filling pipe 9 extends only up to the deflection area, in which there is no collision with the dividing plungers 6a, 6b. The distance from the outlet opening 12 to the plane E1, which is perpendicular to the conveying direction T and around which there is at least one of the forward axes A1a, A1b, around which the conveying means 5a, 5b circulate, is about 5-30 mm.

[0042] When the split plungers 6a, 6b circulate on their respective conveying means 5a, 5b, the split plungers 6a, 6b pass the deflection point P, respectively, and are not yet aligned parallel to each other in the deflection area between the planes E1 and E2. Due to the fact that the split plungers are not aligned parallel to each other, the split plungers strip the inner substance from the packaging material when they are moved towards each other in the deflection area, so that when the split plungers 6a, 6b are aligned parallel to each other and press the packaging material 15, there is no inner substance at the split point 8, and only pure packaging material is present. Thus, the split point 8 can be pressed in a clean state and (uniformly) bonded. In the case of a hardening packaging material, the packaging material is not yet fully hardened at the split point, i.e. not yet fully crosslinked, so that the hardening packaging material at the top and bottom of the packaging material can be bonded at the split point. During pressing, the split plungers 6a, 6b have a distance s, for example in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 mm. This distance can still vary in the conveying direction T, for example in that the distance between the conveying means at one end facing the filling pipe is greater than at the rear end on the opposite side, or is equal to or smaller depending on the application. For example, the distance in the front and middle regions can be in the range of 0.1-0.5 mm and the distance in the rear region in the range of 0.1-1 mm. The distance between the split plungers can be set independently of each other on both sides of the conveying means, in particular by setting the distance between the conveying means 5a, 5b.

[0043] While the pressed sachet 2 is transported in the conveying direction T, the division point 8 is further pressed by the division plungers 6a, 6b, so that the division point 8 continues to harden during transport and can exit the conveying device in a stable state.

[0044] At the end of the conveying device as shown in FIG. 1, the pouches 2 leave the device either as a pouch chain, in which the individual pouches are still connected via division points 8, or separated, as shown in FIG. 4. The pouches 2 can be separated into individual pouches by a separating device 17 (FIG. 7) in the conveying device 4 or subsequently at the division point 8. For this, it is important that at the division point 8 the pouches are pressed flat and wrinkle-free, so that liquid or food cannot escape from the pouch 2 through wrinkles or channels. It is also possible that the separating device 17 is already integrated in the plungers 6a, 6b. The flat pressing surface is then divided into two flat pressing surfaces by a separating device or knife.

[0045] However, as already explained, it is also possible to perforate the connected sachets in the region of the division point by means of a perforation device, not shown. The sachets then leave the device as a chain and can simply be separated by the consumer.

[0046] FIG. 3 shows a side view and a cross section of different filling pipes according to the invention. In the upper region of FIG. 3, a filling pipe 9 is shown with a filling pipe diameter h1. In the center of FIG. 3, a filling pipe 9 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. In contrast to the above figures, the outlet opening 12 does not have a circular cross section, but has a cross section with a height h2 that is smaller than the width b of the outlet opening 12. The outlet opening 12 therefore has a cross section that is in particular oval or rectangular with rounded corners. The width b of the outlet opening 12 preferably extends in a direction parallel to the conveying means, in this case the conveying belts 5a and 5b, i.e. along the length l of the dividing plungers 6a, 6b (see FIG. 5a, FIG. 5b). This has the advantage that the food product can already be extruded flat and therefore can be more easily displaced by the dividing plungers 6a, 6b and the packaging can be pressed better without wrinkles. Wrinkles should be avoided, as they weaken the connection during the solidification process and can also lead to leakage after the separation process of the sachets. To achieve a corresponding outlet opening 12, for example, a hollow cylindrical filling pipe 9 can be provided with a pipe section 90 whose width at the outlet opening 12 is greater than the diameter of the filling pipe and whose height is less than the diameter h1 of the filling pipe. In this way, a conventional extrusion head with a hollow cylindrical pipe can be used.

[0047] It is also possible for the entire filling pipe to already have a corresponding oval or square (with rounded edges) cross section, as shown in FIG. 3 below.

[0048] Figures 5a and 5b show the dividing plungers 6a, 6b in more detail. The dividing plungers 6a and 6b have a distance k from each other, which essentially corresponds to the distance k between the dividing points 8 in the sachet 2 (see Figure 4). The dividing plungers 6a, 6b each have a flat and preferably smooth pressing surface. This also contributes to a wrinkle-free dividing point, so that at the dividing point 8 of a sachet filled with liquid or low-viscosity food product, no liquid can escape.

[0049] Preferably, the pressing surfaces of the dividing plungers 6a, 6b extend perpendicularly to the conveying direction T of the conveying device and have a length l which is greater than the width of the discharged strand, i.e. greater than the diameter e of the extrusion nozzle 13 (see, for example, FIG. 6). This ensures that essentially rectangular pouches are produced and at the same time ensures that the dividing plunger strips off the food product over the entire width r of the pouch at the division point and reliably seals the pouch.

[0050] The packaging material 15 can thus be pressed over its entire surface at the dividing point 8. The dividing plungers 6a, 6b can be attached to a conveying means 5a, 5b, e.g. a conveying belt, via a connecting device 20, which is shown here only diagrammatically in Fig. 5b. For example, plastic or stainless steel are particularly suitable as materials for the dividing plungers, since their surfaces do not stick to the packaging material.

[0051] Figure 7 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention. The embodiment shown here is essentially the same as the previous embodiment, but either the lower conveying belt 5b is longer than the upper conveying belt 5a or a further lower conveying means 5b adjoins the first lower conveying means 5b in the conveying direction, so that the produced sachets 2 or sachet product strands can be transferred to the further lower belt. In this embodiment, it is possible to carry out the separation process in individual parts, with conveying only on the lower belt. For example, a rotary separating device 17 can be used for this purpose. The fact that the lower conveying means conveys the separated products from production to the separation process also means that there are no transfer problems. The separation process takes place approximately in the middle of the division point 8 with almost no mechanical load. The conveying elements, in particular the dividing elements, can also serve as supports for the separating elements during separation.

[0052] The method according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS.

[0053] In the method according to the invention for producing filled sachets 2 , strands 10 of hardenable packaging material filled with food product 14 are first extruded through a co-extrusion device 3 .

[0054] Before separation, the packaging material 15 is treated with a fixing liquid via a device 16 for applying the fixing liquid. For example, the fixing liquid can be sprayed via the device 16 onto the packaging material 9 applied to the filling pipe 9, for example in the form of a ring, and collected in a tray as shown in FIG. 1. In particular, a calcium chloride solution is used as the fixing liquid. As mentioned above, a lubricant can also be introduced between the filling pipe and the packaging material 15.

[0055] The strand 10 thus produced is delivered at the end of the filling pipe 9, which protrudes as far as possible in the conveying direction T, i.e. preferably into the deflection area of ​​the conveying means 5a, 5b. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 2, the dividing plungers 6a, 6b are at an angle α to each other when engaging the strand 10, and then continue to move until they are finally aligned parallel to each other. Thus, when the dividing elements 6a, 6b move towards each other in the deflection area until they are again essentially aligned parallel to each other, they strip off the food product 14, i.e. the inner substance, so that at the dividing point 8 there is no food product, but only pure packaging material. At this point, the packaging material 15 is not yet completely hardened and cross-linked, so that the dividing point 8 can be pressed and glued in an orderly manner, and the top and bottom surfaces are joined in a material-locking manner. The sachets 2 thus produced are further conveyed in the conveying direction T via the dividing plungers 6a, 6b and are further pressed during the conveying. During transport in the transport device 4, the division points 8 can be further solidified and stabilized.

[0056] The process is repeated with subsequent split plungers 6a, 6b engaging the strand produced in the same manner as above, the distance between the split plungers essentially corresponding to the distance between the split points in the pouch 2.

[0057] The individual sachets can then be subdivided at the dividing point 8, for example via a separating device on the extended lower conveying means 5b, or on a second lower conveying means joined to the first lower conveying means 5b, or the sachets can be produced as a chain with a specific chain length, i.e. not separated or separated after a specific number of sachets.

[0058] As can be seen from Figure 4, the produced pouch 2 has a rectangular flat shape, i.e. the height u is smaller than the width r. The pouch 2 is bounded at the front and rear by division points 8a, 8b of width m, which preferably has half the dimension of the entire division point 8 brought about by the dividing plunger and essentially corresponds to half the width of the dividing plunger 6a, 6b. The pressed end regions, i.e. the division locations 8a, 8b, which bound the front and rear of the pouch, are flat and extend over the entire width of the pouch. The division locations also have a rectangular shape.

[0059] For example, K is within a range of 15 to 200 mm, r is preferably within a range of 15 to 70 mm, and u is preferably within a range of 4 to 40 mm. These dimensions are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these.

[0060] According to another possible embodiment, the packaging material, for example an alginate paste, contains ground food, for example pepper pieces. The pepper pieces are, for example, pieces with a volume of 1 to 4 mm. 3 The extrusion gap of the packaging material must therefore be adapted accordingly and have a gap width larger than the largest dimension of the food pieces, for example the food pieces have a largest dimension of less than 2 mm and the gap width is therefore for example 2 mm. The proportion of ground food pieces in the packaging material not yet extruded, e.g. paste, is in the range of 10-50% by volume.

[0061] According to a further embodiment, the apparatus has an additional twisting device, which can twist the filling pipe around its longitudinal axis. For example, the filling pipe is rotated 0.5 to 3 turns, preferably more than 1.5 turns, to form a liquid-tight compartment between two adjacent packages. Alternately, flat and twisted, i.e. rounded, division points can then be produced, for example to form a bag-like product.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for producing sachets (2) filled with a liquid or pasty filling material, in particular a liquid or pasty food product (14), comprising: a co-extrusion device (3) for co-extruding the strands (10) from the packaging material (15) filled with said filling material (14); opposing circular split plungers (6a, 6b) capable of conveying the strand (10) between them and capable of stripping the packaging material (15) at a split point (8) as the opposing circular split plungers (6a, 6b) move towards each other on their orbital path (U) and pressing the packaging material (15) to be flat at the split point (8) to form a sachet (2); The apparatus (1),

2. The device (1), a conveying device (4) having opposing circulating conveying means (5a, 5b), in particular conveying belts or conveying chains, in which the split plungers (6a, 6b) are arranged in a spaced-apart relation on each of the opposing circulating conveying means (5a, 5b), In particular, the dividing plungers (6a, 6b) are arranged such that, during the conveyance of the sachet (2) in the conveying direction (T), the dividing plungers (6a, 6b) are able to further compress the packaging material at the dividing point (8).

2. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that

3. 3. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the dividing plungers (6a, 6b) each have a flat pressing surface (7) for pressing the packaging material (15) on the dividing point (8) smoothly and without wrinkles over its entire surface.

4. 4. The device (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pressing surface (7) of the split plunger (6a, 6b) extends perpendicular to the conveying direction (T) of the conveying device (4) and has a length (l) that is equal to or greater than the width (b) of the discharged strand (10).

5. The co-extrusion device (3) comprises a filling pipe (9) for delivering the filling material (14) and an extrusion nozzle (13) associated with the filling pipe (9) and having an annular extrusion gap (11) for delivering the packaging material (15), preferably said filling pipe (9) projects over a distance X beyond said extrusion gap (11) so that said packaging material (15) can be extruded through said extrusion gap (11) onto said filling pipe (9) and solidify along said filling pipe (9), in particular The device comprises a lubricant device (19) for supplying a lubricant between the filling pipe (9) and the discharged packaging material (15). A device (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that

6. 6. The device (1) according to at least claim 5, characterized in that the width (b) of the outlet opening (12) of the filling pipe (9) is greater than the height (h2) of the outlet opening (12), the outlet opening (12) comprising in particular an elliptical cross section or a rectangular cross section with rounded corners.

7. 7. Apparatus (1) according to at least claim 5 or 6, characterized in that a pipe section (90) is formed at the end (E) of the filling pipe (9) facing the conveying device (4), the width (b) of the outlet opening (12) of the pipe section (90) being larger than the diameter (h1) of the filling pipe and the height (h) of the outlet opening (12) being smaller than the diameter (d) of the filling pipe (9), preferably with the cross-sectional areas of the filling pipe (9) and of the formed pipe section (90) being essentially the same.

8. Apparatus (1) according to at least one of claims 2 to 7, characterised in that the conveying means are arranged one above the other, the lower circulating conveying means (5b) being longer than the conveying means (5a) above the lower circulating conveying means (5b) or a further conveying means is adjacent to the lower conveying means.

9. Apparatus (1) according to at least one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a device (16) for applying a fastening means upstream of the circulating conveying means (5a, 5b) when viewed along the conveying direction (T).

10. 10. Apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus (1) comprises a separating device (17) for separating successive sachets (2) from one another in the region of the division point (8), preferably the separating device (17) being integrated into the dividing plunger (6a, 6b) or comprising a piercing device for piercing the sachets (2) at the division point.

11. 3. Apparatus (1) according to at least claim 2, characterized in that the distance (s) between the opposing split plungers (6a, 6b), in particular the distance between the opposing conveying means (5a, 5b), is adjustable.

12. 3. The device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the filling pipe (9) and the conveying means (4) are spatially superimposed, in particular the outlet opening (12) of the filling pipe being arranged in a deflection region between the conveying means (5a, 5b), in particular in a region behind a plane perpendicular to the conveying direction (T) as viewed along the conveying direction, in which at least one of the forward reversal points (P) of the conveying means is located.

13. 13. Apparatus (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the distance between the opposing circulating conveying means (6a, 6b) at their rear ends (E) as seen in the conveying direction (T) is smaller, equal or larger than initially, in particular adjustable.

14. A method for producing sachets (2) filled with a liquid or pasty filling material, in particular a liquid or pasty food product (14), using a device (1) in particular according to at least one of claims 1 to 13 or 18, comprising the steps of: A strand (10) of a curable packaging material (15) filled with a filling material (14) is extruded through a co-extrusion device (3), said strand (10) being guided between circulating split plungers (6a, 6b), The circular splitting plungers (6a, 6b) move towards each other and engage the strands (10) at splitting points (8), in the process stripping the filler material (14) from the packaging material (15) and pressing the packaging material (15), which is not yet fully cured, flat at the splitting points (8) to form the pouches (2). A method comprising:

15. 15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that a conveying device (4) having opposed circulating conveying means (5a, 5b), in particular conveying belts or conveying chains, on each of which a plurality of spaced apart dividing plungers (6a, 6b) are arranged, conveys the separated sachets (2) in the conveying direction (T), and the dividing points (8) are further pressed by the dividing plungers (6a, 6b).

16. 16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the pouches (2) are separated at division points of the pouches (2), the separated pouches (2) have a rectangular flat shape, preferably the height (u) of the pouches is smaller than the width (r), in particular the ratio between the height (u) and the width (r) is preferably in the range of 1:1.5 to 1:20, and preferably the division points (8a,b) sealing the front and back of the pouches (2) extend over the entire width (r) of the pouches (2).

17. The method according to at least one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the packaging material comprises food pieces.

18. 14. Apparatus according to at least one of the claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the distance from the outlet opening (12) of the filling pipe (9) to a plane E1 perpendicular to the conveying direction T and in which there lies at least one of the front axes (A1a, A1b) around which the conveying means 5a, 5b circulate is approximately 5 to 30 mm.

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