Method and apparatus for manufacturing webs for packaging materials

Abstract

A method (S100) for manufacturing a web (118) of packaging material is disclosed. The method (S100) includes providing a carton-based web having a first surface (120) and a second surface (122) (S102), and printing decorations (200a-b) on the first surface (120) of the carton-based web (S104) using a printing plate cylinder (112) to which at least two subsequently arranged printing plates (114a-d) are attached. Herein, at least two printing plates (114a-d) are provided to have different printing patterns (202a-b), and the arrangement (206a-b) of sections (204a-c) of the web (118) has different decorations (200a-b), and each section of the web (118) is arranged to be converted into a food-filled package (500) in a roll-feed filling machine (600).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to packaging technology. More specifically, it relates to a method and system for tracking a packaging material web in a roll-fed packaging machine.

Background Art

[0002] Today, roll-fed packaging machines are widely known in the food industry. For example, the Tetra Pak Brik (registered trademark) machine sold by Tetra Pak is commonly used in food production lines for milk and juice. However, the concept of roll-fed packaging machines is also used for packages made of other materials, not only carton packages but also plastics and other polyethylene-like materials.

[0003] The roll-fed packaging machine defined in this specification receives a reel of packaging material and unwinds the packaging material to form a web. So-called automatic splicing is used to avoid stopping the machine when it is necessary to replace the reel with a new reel. That is, the packaging material of the new reel is connected to the packaging material of the existing reel. This enables continuous operation of the machine. This is particularly important in food packaging machines because the startup of the machine needs to follow strict procedures so as not to compromise food safety.

[0004] The packaging materials received by the packaging machine are decorated. These decorations are typically printed using flexographic or offset printing techniques, but for small-batch production, digital printing is also an option. When using digital printing, it's possible to add package identifiers, such as QR codes (registered trademarks), to the packaging material, whether for overall decoration or partial decoration. Providing package identifiers offers several advantages. For example, it facilitates traceability. Packages can be identified at any time using readers such as QR code reader apps on mobile phones, allowing for tracking of when and where the package was manufactured. It also allows for precise identification of affected packages, reducing waste associated with recalls due to food products not meeting quality standards. This improved accuracy reduces the number of discarded packages, benefiting both economically and environmentally.

[0005] While the use of package identifiers such as QR codes (registered trademarks) has improved traceability, this improvement in traceability comes with additional costs. When printing packages individually (e.g., providing some decoration using flexographic printing and some using digital printing), additional equipment is required compared to the currently dominant flexographic printing method. Due to these additional costs, packages with package identifiers are currently produced in small quantities. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome at least some of the limitations of the prior art specified above. In particular, it aims to provide a method for preventing one package from being associated with data belonging to another package due to web misalignment within a machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to a first embodiment, a method for manufacturing a web of packaging material is provided. This method may comprise the steps of supplying a carton-based web having a first surface and a second surface, and printing a decoration on the first surface of the carton-based web using a printing plate cylinder in which at least two printing plates are sequentially arranged and mounted. Here, at least two printing plates have different printing patterns, providing an arrangement of sections of the web having different decorations. Here, each section of the web is arranged to be converted into a package filled with a food product in a roll-feed filling machine.

[0008] The advantage of applying different decorations to consecutive sections of a web is that if the web tracking becomes misaligned, the resulting misalignment can be detected by the different decorations, and once the misalignment is detected, it can be corrected. As a result, the reliability of web tracking in packaging machines is improved.

[0009] Equipping the printing plate cylinder with printing plates having different printing patterns is more cost-effective than, for example, printing each section individually using digital printing technology.

[0010] The method may further include the step of winding the printed web onto a reel. This reel is equipped with an electronic device having a transceiver, memory, and a processor, which uploads web-related data, including information on the number of sections in each decorative sequence, to an electronic device (e.g., an RFID tag) on ​​the reel.

[0011] By storing information on an electronic device mounted on the reel, it's possible to provide information on how frequently decorations occur on the web. This allows for automatic adjustment of settings. Furthermore, this information can be provided to the packaging machine even if the machine is not connected to a remote server. By automatically providing information to the packaging machine, the risk of incorrect settings is also reduced.

[0012] Different printing patterns may have different two-dimensional codes.

[0013] By making only the QR code different, the decorations can appear identical except for the QR code.

[0014] Different two-dimensional codes can constitute different data matrix codes.

[0015] The advantage of using data matrix codes is that they can be read quickly and accurately.

[0016] Furthermore, this method involves compressing the carton layer of the packaging material to create weakening lines in the web according to a weakening line pattern, thereby facilitating the folding of the web into the package. Here, different two-dimensional codes are positioned relative to the weakening line pattern, and after the web is folded into the package, the different two-dimensional codes are protected by the package flap.

[0017] By placing the codes under the flap, the risk of these codes becoming unreadable due to scratches or other deterioration can be reduced.

[0018] According to a second embodiment, a method is provided for operating a roll-feed packaging machine using a computer system. The method includes receiving a reel containing a web of packaging material, the web may include a sequence of sections of the web having different decorations printed in the manner of the first embodiment, unwinding the web from the reel, feeding the web using a web feeder, tracking the web by estimating the position of the web based on control data provided to the web feeder, correcting tracking errors downstream of a web buffer station by determining the position of the web based on the control data provided to the web feeder, and registering the different decorations of the sections of the web using image capture devices (640a~e) positioned on the web path downstream of the web buffer station. The deviation between the position of the web based on the control data and the different decorations registered by the image capture devices is identified. The position based on the control data is adjusted taking the identified deviation into account.

[0019] As described in relation to the first embodiment above, by printing the web, if a tracing error occurs during the operation of the packaging machine, this tracing error can be identified using an image capture device. Once the deviation is identified, it can be corrected, resulting in more reliable tracing of the web throughout the packaging machine. In other words, the position of the web can be determined more accurately.

[0020] This method may further include downloading data from an electronic device on a reel. This data may include information about the number of sections per sequence on the web.

[0021] By using the section count information for each sequence provided in this way, this information can be automatically transferred from the reel to the packaging machine, thereby reducing the risk of incorrect data entry.

[0022] Different decorations may include different QR codes.

[0023] Different two-dimensional codes can constitute different DataMatrix codes.

[0024] The web buffer station may be provided upstream and / or downstream of the automatic splicing unit (ASU) and / or upstream and / or downstream of the injection molding station for forming an opening device on the web.

[0025] The advantage of providing an ASU is that the reel of packaging material can be replaced without stopping the packaging machine. By using the methods and devices proposed herein, the risk of trace errors that may occur as an effect of the web buffer station used in combination with the ASU can be reduced.

[0026] The injection molding station used to provide an opening device on the web most often requires an indexing operation. That is, it is necessary to stop the web during molding. To reduce the possibility that this indexing operation causes trace errors due to the use of the web buffer station, it is effective to use sections with different decorative patterns as described above.

[0027] According to a third aspect, a printing plate cylinder for printing a decoration on a web of packaging material is provided. This printing plate cylinder includes at least two printing plates, each printing plate having a different printing pattern and being configured to provide an arrangement of sections of the web with different decorations. Each web section is arranged to be converted into a package filled with food in a roll-fed filling machine, so as to compensate for trace errors of the web inside the packaging machine.

[0028] As described in the above first and second aspects, by using a printing plate cylinder and providing plates with different printing patterns, cost - effective printing can be achieved, and at the same time, trace errors that may occur inside the packaging machine can be identified and corrected.

[0029] The different printing patterns may include different two - dimensional codes.

[0030] According to a fourth aspect, it includes a reel receiver arranged to receive a reel holding a web of packaging material, the web may include a succession of sections of the web with different decorations, a web supply device arranged to supply the web along a web path into the packaging machine, a web buffer station arranged to hold a part of the web for a certain period of time to compensate for planned or unplanned stops in the web path, an image - taking device arranged downstream of the web buffer station, the image - taking device being arranged to register different decorations of sections of the web, controlling the web supply device using control data, tracking the web by estimating the position based on the control data of the web, identifying the deviation between the position based on the control data of the web and the different decorations registered by the image - taking device, and adjusting the position based on the control data so that the deviation is compensated.

[0031] The same features and advantages as described above for any other aspect are also applicable to this aspect.

[0032] The packaging machine may further include an electronic device reader configured to obtain data from an electronic device provided on the reel, the data including information regarding the number of sections for each sequence.

[0033] According to a fifth aspect, a control circuit is provided comprising a processor, memory, and transceiver. The processor is configured to estimate a position based on the control data in a web section downstream of a web buffer station in response to control data for a web feeding device in a packaging machine. In response to different registered decorations captured by an imaging device positioned at the web path location downstream of the web buffer station, the processor identifies a deviation between the position based on the control data and the position based on decorations determined based on the different decorations registered by the imaging device, and adjusts web tracking by compensating for the identified deviation if a deviation is detected.

[0034] The same features and advantages as described above in other embodiments also apply to this embodiment.

[0035] Further purposes, features, embodiments, and advantages will become apparent from the detailed description and drawings below. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0036] Embodiments of the present invention will be described illustratively with reference to the attached schematic diagrams.

[0037] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the process of printing decorations onto the web of packaging material. [Figure 2] This diagram shows how to print a sequence containing sections with different decorations to the web. [Figure 3] This figure shows a more detailed example of a section with a weakening line. [Figure 4] This diagram shows an example of a section after filling and sealing, which is called an intermediate product. [Figure 5] This figure shows the example in Figure 4 folded into a package. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram of a packaging machine. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart showing how to create a web. [Figure 8]This is a flowchart showing how to operate a roll-feed packaging machine. [Figure 9] This is a diagram of the control circuit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0038] Referring to Figure 1, the printing system 100 is shown. As shown, ink 102 is supplied to an ink tray 104. Using a fountain roller 106, the ink 104 is supplied from the ink tray 104 to an anilox roller 110. Excess ink 104 is removed using a doctor blade 108. From the anilox roller 110, the ink 104 is transferred to a plate cylinder 112 to which several printing plates 114a-d are attached. In the illustrated example, four printing plates 114a-d are used. By using the printing plates 114a-d and the plate cylinder 112 in combination with the impression cylinder 116, printing can be applied to the web 118 of the packaging material. As shown, printing can be applied to the first surface 120 of the web 118. The first surface 120 of the web 118 may form the outside of the package, i.e., the part facing the external environment, in a later step, while the second surface 122 of the web 118 may form the inside of the package, i.e., the part facing the food. The printing system 100 uses so-called flexographic printing, but other printing systems may also be used that use one or more plate cylinders 112 equipped with printing plates 114a to d.

[0039] Figure 2 shows another example of the plate cylinder 112. In this example, the plate cylinder is provided with two printing plates 114a and 114b. As shown in the figure, different decorations 200a and 114b can be provided by using different printing patterns 202a and 114b on the printing plates 114a and 114b. In this example, decorations 200a and 114b are simple decorations that only draw two-dimensional codes. However, it is also possible to provide more complex decorations. If there are more complex decorations such as images, brand names, or product information, the different decorations 200a and 114b may differ only in that they provide different two-dimensional codes.

[0040] As shown in the figure, when using two different printing plates 114a-b having different printing patterns 202a-b, the same decorations 200a-b are applied to each separated section 204a-b of the web 118 during printing. This forms an array 206a-b of sections 204a-b having different decorations 200a-b. The advantage of this is that, as will be described later, if a tracing error occurs where the web is shifted by one section 204a-b, this can be detected using an image capture device positioned to read the different decorations of different sections. If there are two or more sections per sequence, it is possible to detect a shift of one or more sections.

[0041] Figure 3 shows a detailed example of section 204a. Unlike the example in Figure 2, section 204a shown in Figure 3 has a weakening line. The weakening line facilitates the folding of section 204a into the package after sealing and filling. In addition to the weakening line 300, a pre-laminate hole (PLH) 302 may be provided. The opening device may be injection molded onto the PLH 302 in the packaging machine. Alternatively, the opening device may be pre-applied, i.e., applied to section 204a before filling or sealing. Yet another option is to retrofit the opening device, i.e., applied to the package after filling, sealing, and folding are complete.

[0042] As shown in the figure, the decoration 200a may constitute one or more two-dimensional codes. The two-dimensional codes may be located on the bottom panel or the bottom flap. The advantage of placing the two-dimensional codes on the bottom panel or the bottom flap is that they are less likely to be subjected to abrasion compared to when the codes are located on the top panel or aspect panel. When the codes are located on or near the bottom panel, the codes may be covered by the bottom panel when the bottom panel is folded inward during the final molding of the package. This covering of the codes further reduces the effects of abrasion and lowers the risk of the codes becoming unreadable due to handling of the packaging.

[0043] Figure 4 shows section 204a of the intermediate product 400, before it is folded into its final shape after the food product has been filled and sealed. As previously mentioned, the elements of the code or decoration 200a that distinguish section 204a from another section 204b in sequence 206a-b may be positioned to be protected by the lower flaps 404a-b. Although not shown, the option of protecting the code with upper flaps 402a-b still exists. Although only one code is shown in Figure 4, multiple codes may be positioned at different locations in section 204a.

[0044] Figure 5 shows a package 500, which is an intermediate product 400 folded along the weakening line 300. Adhesive may be applied to hold the upper flaps 402a-b or the lower flaps 404a-b in place. The example shown in Figures 4 and 5 is a brick-shaped package. Other examples are also available, such as a wedge-shaped package or a brick-shaped package with an inclined top surface.

[0045] Figure 6 schematically illustrates a packaging machine 600. The web 118 of the packaging material printed by the above steps (see Figures 1 and 2) or similar steps is supplied via a reel 602. The reel 602 can be housed in a reel receiver 604. The web 118 unwound from the reel 602, along with the printed sections 204a-c and sequences 206a-b (here, three sections per sequence are illustrated), is supplied to the packaging machine 600. An electronic device 606 (e.g., an RFID tag) is either built into the reel 602 or mounted on the reel 602. By providing an electronic device reader 608 in the reel receiver 604, information can be read from the electronic device 606. This information includes, for example, the number of sections per sequence, information about the material, and information on how the longitudinal and transverse sealing stations in the packaging machine should be configured, thereby ensuring that the sealing steps are properly aligned with the packaging material of the web 118. Furthermore, this information may include the packaging size (e.g., a 200ml brick-shaped portion package), which allows for appropriate adjustment of the sealing jaws of the lateral sealing station. As shown in the figure, the electronic device 606 may include a processor 610, a memory 612 for holding information, and a transceiver 614 for enabling communication.

[0046] To avoid machine downtime when changing packaging material rolls, an automatic splicing unit (ASU) 616 may be provided. This unit makes it possible to connect the end edge of the web 118 of the first roll to the starting edge of the web 118 of the second roll.

[0047] If the web 118 includes a carton layer or other layer that may dissolve or otherwise be damaged upon contact with liquid food products, a longitudinal seal (LS) strip application device 618 may be provided. By providing the LS strip application device 118, a strip made of plastic or other material suitable for food contact can be attached to one side of the web 118. As a result, once the tube is formed, the strip covers the inside of the longitudinal seal portion, and the edges of the carton layer are not exposed to food.

[0048] Furthermore, when molding an opening device or the like into the web 118, the injection molding station 620 may constitute part of the packaging machine 600. The molding station 620 may include two molding members provided on both sides of the web 118. After filling the cavity between the molding members with plastic or other material suitable for the purpose, the opening device can be formed. As shown in Figure 3, pre-forming so-called pre-laminate holes (PLHs) makes it easier to mold the opening device and / or for consumers to open the package.

[0049] To ensure that unwanted microorganisms are reliably killed so that the food to be contained in future packages can be safely consumed, a sterilization station 622 may be provided as part of the packaging machine 600. For example, the sterilization station 622 may be a peroxide bath and / or a low-voltage electron beam (LVEB) system.

[0050] A longitudinal seal (LS) station 624 may be provided for forming the web 118 into a tube 630. A product filling pipe 626 may be provided so that the tube 630 can be filled with food. If the LS strip application device 618 is part of a packaging machine (for example, if the packaging material includes a carton layer), the LS station 624 may be configured to seal the side sections of the web 118 together and to cover the longitudinal seal inside the tube with the strip.

[0051] Downstream of the LS station 624, a tube guide station 628 may be provided to guide the tube to the lateral seal (TS) station 632. The lateral seal station 632 is configured to seal the tube 630 laterally, simultaneously forming the upper and lower fins of a continuous package. Furthermore, a knife may be provided for separating the continuous packages. As an example, induction heating or ultrasonic sealing may be used for the lateral seal station. Each package formed may be based on one section 204a-c. Therefore, if there is a longitudinal misalignment, the lateral seal, i.e., the upper and lower fins, may be positioned incorrectly.

[0052] The intermediate product 400 shown in Figure 4 is output from the lateral sealing station 632 and supplied to the final folding machine 634. This final folding machine 634 is configured to fold the intermediate product 400 into the package 500 shown in Figure 5.

[0053] As shown in the figure, an ASU 616 may be used to avoid stopping the packaging machine 600 when exchanging one reel for another. However, in addition to the function of the ASU 616 in connecting the web 118 of the first reel to the web 118 of the second reel, at least one web buffer station 634a to b may be provided. By providing web buffer stations 634a to b, the web 118 can be stopped and the connection of the web 118 can be achieved without the web 118 moving. As shown in the figure, the first web buffer station 634a is provided upstream of the ASU 616, and the second web buffer station 634b is provided downstream. The first and second web buffer stations 634a to b may include rollers that can be translated to extend or shorten the web path.

[0054] Just as ASU616 benefits from stopping the web 118, this also applies to injection molding stations (e.g., direct injection molding stations (DIMCs)). Instead of moving the molded member with the web 118, it may be more beneficial to move the web 118 in an indexing motion. Such an indexing motion can be achieved by placing a third web buffer station 634c upstream and a fourth web buffer station 634d downstream. The web buffer stations 634a-d may be linked and controlled in combination. This allows, for example, an indexing motion to be provided to the injection molding station 620 while simultaneously ensuring that the lateral seal is correctly positioned longitudinally.

[0055] A web feeder 638 may be provided to supply the web 118 to the entire packaging machine 600. As shown in the figure, the web feeder 638 may include a plurality of drive rollers. Based on the configuration and settings of the web feeder 638, the positions of sections 204a to c can be estimated. More specifically, based on the control data provided to the web feeder 638, the positions of sections 204a to c of the web 118 can be estimated. For example, the positions of sections 204a to c can be estimated by knowing the speed at which each drive roller is set to operate and the distance between different rollers.

[0056] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, sections 204a to c may have different decorations 200a to b, for example, different two-dimensional codes. For example, image capture devices 640a to f, such as cameras, may be located downstream of the web buffer stations 634a to d. By providing image capture devices 640a to f, the different decorations 200a to b in sections 204a to c can be detected, and if the position identified via the different decorations 200a to b does not match the position estimated based on the control data, the deviation between the two can be detected and corrected. In other words, the position determined using image capture devices 640a to f can be used to correct tracking errors that may occur when using control data to track the web throughout the packaging machine. By providing different decorations 200a to b in sections 204a to c in sequence 206a to b, it becomes possible to detect whether the position estimated by the control data is off by one section when two types of decorations are used, and to detect a deviation of one or more sections when three or more types of decorations are used. When a deviation is detected, the web feeder 638 can be adjusted accordingly, thereby ensuring that, for example, no vertical misalignment occurs when feeding the tube to the lateral sealing station.

[0057] As described above, the different decorations 200a to b obtained by providing different printing patterns 202a to b on the printing plates 114a to d on the plate cylinder 112, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, improve the tracking accuracy of the web 118 throughout the packaging machine 600. Not only does this reduce the risk of vertical misalignment when the tube 630 is supplied to the TS station 632, but this improved trackability also makes it possible to assign a package identifier (also called a package ID) to the package 500 supplied from the final folder 634. As shown in the figure, the package identifier is printed on the package 500 by the ID printer 642. A package 500 with a package identifier such as a QR code (registered trademark) is referred to as an ID-marked package 644. Unlike packages 500 with different decorations 200a to b, an ID-marked package 644 may be uniquely identifiable, or at least effectively uniquely identifiable.

[0058] The web supply device 638, image capture devices 640a-f, web buffer stations 634a-d, and other parts of the packaging machine 600 may communicate with a server 646 or other data processing device (referred to herein as a computer system) and an optional database 648. The server 646 and database 648 may be dedicated to the packaging machine 600 or may be shared by multiple packaging machines 600. If shared, data collected from different packaging machines 600 may be used to create artificial intelligence (AI)-based and / or machine learning (ML)-based models that indicate how the packaging machine 600 should be adjusted to mitigate tracking errors in various situations.

[0059] Figure 7 is a flowchart of a method S100 for manufacturing a web 118 of packaging material. This method may include the steps of supplying a carton-based web having a first surface 120 and a second surface 122 (S102) and printing decorations 200a to b on the first surface 120 using a printing plate cylinder 112 in which at least two printing plates 114a to d are sequentially arranged and mounted (S104). Here, at least two printing plates 114a to d have different printing patterns 202a to b, and a sequence 206a to b of sections 204a to b having different decorations 200a to b of the web 118 may be provided. Each section of the web 118 is arranged to be converted into a food-filled package 500 in a roll-feed filling machine 600.

[0060] Method S100 may further include step S106, which involves compressing the carton layer of packaging material to create weakening lines 300 on the web 118 according to a weakening line pattern. This facilitates folding the web 118 into the package 500. If the different decorations 200a~b include different two-dimensional codes, these are positioned relative to the weakening line pattern so that after the web 118 is folded into the package 500, the different two-dimensional codes are protected by the flaps 402a~b, 404a~b of the package 500.

[0061] Furthermore, method S100 may include step S108 of winding the printed web 118 onto a reel 602. The reel may be provided with an electronic device 606 comprising a transceiver 614 or other data communication module, memory 612, and processor 610, and step S110 may include uploading web-related data, including information about the number of sections for each sequence of decorations 200a to b, to the electronic device 606 (e.g., an RFID tag) provided on the reel 602.

[0062] Figure 8 is a flowchart of a method S200 for operating a roll-feed packaging machine 600 using a computer system 646. The method includes the step S202 of receiving a reel 602 with a web 118 of packaging material, the web 118 may include a sequence 206a-b of sections 204a-c of the web 118 printed with different decorations 200a-b according to the method shown in the flowchart of Figure 7. The steps are: unwinding the web 118 from the reel 602 (S204), feeding the web 118 using a web feeder 638 (S206), estimating and tracking the position of the web 118 based on control data provided to the web feeder 638 (S208), determining the control data position of the web 118 based on control data provided to the web feeder 638 downstream of web buffer stations 636a-d, and registering the different decorations 200a-b of the sections of the web 118 using image capture devices 640a-e downstream of web buffer stations 636a-d. The image acquisition device is positioned along the web path downstream of the web buffer stations 636a to d. It identifies the deviation between the position based on the web control data and the different decorations 200a to b registered by the image acquisition devices 640a to e (S216), and adjusts the position based on the control data, taking the identified deviation into consideration (S218).

[0063] Furthermore, the method may include step S220 of downloading data (including information regarding the number of sections 204a-c for each sequence 206a-b of the web 118) from the electronic device 606 on the reel 602.

[0064] Figure 9 shows a control circuit 900 comprising a processor 902, memory 904, and transceiver 906. The processor 902 estimates the position of sections 204a-c of the web 118 downstream of web buffer stations 636a-d based on the control data in response to control data for the web feeder 638 in the packaging machine 600. This estimation is performed in response to the registration of different decorative patterns 200a-b captured by image capture devices 640a-e positioned on the web path downstream of web buffer stations 636a-d. The deviation between the position based on the control data and the position based on the decorative patterns determined based on the different decorative patterns 200a-b captured by the image capture devices 640a-e is identified. If a deviation is detected, the web tracking is adjusted by compensating for the identified deviation.

[0065] As is clear from the above description, various embodiments of the present invention have been described and shown, but the present invention is not limited thereto and can be embodied in other ways within the scope of the subject matter defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A method (S100) for manufacturing a web (118) of packaging material, wherein the method (S100) is Step (S102) of supplying a carton-based web having a first side (120) and a second side (122), Step (S104) of printing decorations (200a to b) on the first surface (120) of the web of the carton base using a printing plate cylinder (112), Equipped with, The printing plate cylinder (112) is subsequently fitted with at least two printing plates (114a-d), the at least two printing plates (114a-d) having different printing patterns (202a-b) and providing a sequence (206a-b) of sections (204a-c) of a web (118) having different decorations (200a-b). Each section of the web (118) is arranged to be converted into a food-filled package (500) in a roll-feed filling machine (600). Method (S100).

2. The process includes the step (S108) of winding a printed web (118) onto a reel (602), the reel (602) comprising an electronic device (606) including a transceiver (614), memory (612), and a processor (610), The method further includes step (S110) of uploading web-related data, which includes information about multiple sections (204a to c), for each sequence (206a to b) of the decoration (200a to b), to an electronic device (606) such as an RFID tag provided on the reel (602). The method according to claim 1 (S100).

3. The aforementioned different printing patterns include different two-dimensional codes, The method according to claim 1 or 2 (S100).

4. The aforementioned different two-dimensional codes constitute different data matrix codes. The method according to claim 3 (S100).

5. The process includes the step (S106) of providing weakening lines (300) on the web (118) according to a weakening line pattern so that the web (118) can be easily folded into the package (500) by compressing the carton layer of the packaging material, The different two-dimensional codes are positioned relative to the weakening line pattern such that, after the web (118) is folded into the package (500), the different two-dimensional codes are protected by the flaps (402a-b, 404a-b) of the package (500). The method according to claim 3 or 4 (S100).

6. A method (S200) for operating a roll-feed type packaging machine (600) using a computer system (646), Step (S202) receiving a reel (602) having a web (118) of the packaging material, and the web (118) comprising a sequence (206a-b) of sections (204a-c) of the web (118) having different decorations (200a-b) printed according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 5, The steps include: (S204) unwinding the web (118) from the reel (602), The steps include supplying the web (118) using a web supply device (638) (S206), Step (S208) of estimating and tracking the position of the web (118) based on the control data provided to the web supply device (638), Step (S210) to compensate for tracing errors, Step (S212) of determining the position of the web (118) based on the control data provided to the web supply device (638) downstream of the web buffer stations (636a to d), Downstream of the web buffer stations (636a to d), the step (S214) of registering different decorations (200a to b) for sections of the web (118) using image capturing devices (640a to e), and the image capture devices (640a to e) are positioned along the web path located downstream of the web buffer stations (636a to d), Step (S216) to identify the deviation between the position based on the control data of the web (118) and the different decorations registered by the image capturing device (640a to e), Step (S218) adjusts the position based on the control data taking into account the identified deviation, A method comprising (S200).

7. The step (S220) further comprises downloading data from the electronic device (606) on the reel (602), wherein the data includes information regarding the number of sections (204a-c) per sequence (206a-b) of the web (118). The method according to claim 6.

8. The aforementioned different decorations (200a-b) include different two-dimensional codes, The method according to claim 6 or 7.

9. The aforementioned different two-dimensional codes constitute different data matrix codes. The method according to claim 8.

10. The web buffer stations (636a to 636d) are located upstream and / or downstream of the automatic splicing unit (ASU) (616), and / or upstream and / or downstream of the injection molding station (620) for forming an opening device on the web (618). The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

11. A printing plate cylinder (112) for printing decorations (200a-b) onto a web (118) of packaging material, wherein the printing plate cylinder (112) is The invention comprises at least two printing plates (114a-d), the printing plates (114a-d) having different printing patterns (202a-b), and providing sequences (206a-b) of sections (204a-c) of a web (118) having different decorations (200a-b), each section of the web (118) being arranged to be converted into a food-filled package (500) in a roll-feed filling machine (600), and capable of compensating for tracing errors of the web (118) inside the packaging machine (600). Printing plate cylinder (112).

12. The aforementioned different printing patterns (202a-b) include different two-dimensional codes, The printing plate cylinder (112) according to claim 11.

13. The packaging machine (600) is A reel receiver (604) is positioned to receive a reel (602) that holds a web (118) of packaging material, and the web (118) includes a sequence (206a-b) of sections (204a-c) of the web (118) having different decorations (200a-b). A web supply device (638) is arranged to supply the web (118) into the packaging machine (600) along the web path, To compensate for planned or unplanned outages in the web path, web buffer stations (636a to 636d) are arranged to hold a portion of the web (118) for a certain period of time, Image acquisition devices (640a-f) are located downstream of the web buffer stations (636a-d), and the image acquisition devices (640a-f) are arranged to register different decorations (200a-b) of sections (204a-c) of the web (118), and The system includes a computer system (646) that controls a web supply device (638) using control data and tracks the web (118) by estimating the position of the web (118) based on the control data, Using the control data, the position of the web (118) based on the control data is estimated, the deviation between the position of the web (118) based on the control data and the different decorations (200a to b) captured by the image capturing device (640a to f) is identified, and the position based on the control data is adjusted so that the deviation is compensated for. Packaging machine (600).

14. The system includes an electronic device reader (608) configured to acquire data from an electronic device (606) provided on the reel (602), wherein the data includes information regarding the number of sections (204a to c) for each sequence (206a to b). The packaging machine (600) according to claim 13.

15. The control circuit (900) includes a processor (902), a memory (904), and a transceiver (906), and the processor (902) is In response to control data for the web supply device (638) in the packaging machine (600), the position of the web (118) section downstream of the web buffer stations (636a-d) is estimated based on the control data. In response to registered different decorations (200a to b) captured by image capture devices (640a to e) positioned at web path locations downstream of the web buffer stations (636a to d), the deviation between the position based on the control data and the position based on the decoration determined by the image capture devices (640a to e) based on the registered different decorations (200a to b) is identified. If a deviation is detected, adjust the web tracking by compensating for the identified deviation. Control circuit (900).

Images