Assembly of a product and a packaging wrapped around the product, related method of forming and sealing station

Abstract

Assembly (100) of a product (M) and a packaging (W) of packaging material, the assembly comprising the product and the packaging, comprising a paper substrate (101) with a sealing side (104) and an outer side (102) opposite to the sealing side, wherein at least a first sealing section (SI) and a second sealing section (S2) of the sealing side are covered with an adhesive. The packaging is wrapped around the product, such that the first sealing section contacts the second sealing section of the sealing side; a method, a sealing station and and arrangement for forming the assembly.

Description

[0001] Title: Assembly of a product and a packaging wrapped around the product

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The aspects and embodiments thereof relate to method and arrangements of wrapping a paper packaging around a product.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] For some mail items, it is preferred that a packaging of packaging material is provided around the mail item. This for example prevents individual elements of the mail item from becoming separated from each other. Because manually wrapping a packaging around mail items is time consuming and expensive, it has been proposed to automate the process of providing a packaging of packaging material around a mail item.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide for an assembly of a product and a packaging, wherein the packaging is wrapped around the product. In general, the packaging may be used to protect the product and / or to print additional information onto, such as an address, without having to print directly onto the product. It is another object of the present disclosure to provide for a sealing station for sealing a packaging of packaging material which has been wrapped around a product.

[0008] To increase recyclability, and / or to reduce the use of plastics, it is proposed to use a packaging comprising or consisting of a paper substrate. To hold the packaging in place after the packaging has been wrapped around the product, and adhesive may be used. The adhesive may be applied to the paper substrate prior to the wrapping process, during the wrapping process, and / or after the wrapping process. Paper in the context of the present disclosure may be defined as a sheet material comprising or consisting of cellulose fibres typically derived from a natural source, such as wood, rags, grasses, or any other plant or vegetable source.

[0009] The adhesive in the context of the present disclosure is preferably but not necessarily recyclable - i.e. the paper on which the adhesive is applied can be incorporated into the general waste stream of paper. In the recycling process of the paper, for example, the adhesive can be removed, for example in a similar process in which ink printed on the paper can be removed.

[0010] The adhesive may be activated by heat and / or pressure, for example using a temperature higher than ambient temperature and / or a pressure higher than ambient pressure. Any adhesive used in any assembly disclosed herein may thus be heat-activated adhesive. Typically, the adhesive properties of heat-activated adhesive are insufficient under ambient temperature. Alternatively, the adhesive is already active at ambient temperature and / or ambient pressure.

[0011] A first aspect of the present disclosure provides an assembly of a product and a packaging of packaging material. The product may be a mail item, which mail item comprises a single printed document, e.g. a magazine, or a stack of printed documents, e.g. a stack of magazines. The product may alternatively be any other product, for example in the context of E-commerce, such as but not limited to clothing, electronics, cosmetics, or any other type of product, which product may or may not already be packaged in for example a cardboard box or plastic container.

[0012] The assembly further comprises the packaging, comprising a paper substrate with a sealing side and an outer side opposite to the sealing side, wherein at least one of a first sealing section and a second sealing section of the sealing side are covered with an adhesive. Although preferably both the first sealing section and the second sealing section are covered with an adhesive prior to the first sealing section adhering to the second sealing section, for any packaging disclosed herein, it is sufficient if only one of the first sealing section and the second sealing section is covered with an adhesive prior to the first sealing section adhering to the second sealing section.

[0013] When the packaging is wrapped around the product, such that the first sealing section of the sealing side contacts the second sealing section of the sealing side, and adhesive on the first sealing section adheres to adhesive on the second seahng section, the packaging may be securely wrapped around the product.

[0014] When the first seahng section is positioned on an opposite side of the packaging than the second sealing section, essentially the entire width of the packaging can be effectively used.

[0015] Typically, for any assembly disclosed herein, the first sealing section and the second sealing section extend between at least between a leading end of the product and a trailing end of the product. Additionally or alternatively, typically for any assembly disclosed herein, a length of the first sealing section and the second sealing section exceeds a length of the product in a direction parallel to the first sealing section and the second sealing section.

[0016] It has been observed that when the paper substrate of the packaging is heated above a threshold temperature, the packaging may discolour - for example into a more dark, brown, and / or black tint. It has also been observed that it may be required that the adhesive is heated above a minimal threshold temperature for proper adhesion. Furthermore, a minimal contact area and contact time between the first seahng section and the second sealing section are required to achieve a sufficient adhesion. In case of an insufficient adhesion, for example during transport of the product, the first sealing section and the second sealing section may be accidentally disconnected from each other.

[0017] The paper substrate may in any aspect of the present disclosure have a density above 15 gram / m2, 25 gram / m2, above 30 gram / m2, or even above 45 gram / m2. In general, when the product is a mail item, the product comprises a single printed document, e.g. a letter or a magazine, or a stack of printed documents, e.g. a stack of magazines or combinations thereof.

[0018] Any packaged product may be distributed by the regular mail distributors, e.g. postal services, but also by special delivery services or in any other manner. A packaging and / or product may be provided with a specific mailing address, but it is also feasible that the product that is packaged in the packaging of wrapping material which does not have a specific mailing address and is delivered generally in a certain area, e.g. in a city or neighbourhood. Typically, a mail item is a flexible item, i.e. an item with a low stiffness against being folded, buckled, twisted, or otherwise deformed. However, any product may also be essentially rigid. Any product disclosed herein, other than a mail item, may be a flexible product. A flexible product may be defined as a product which flexes under its own weight, for example when suspended at one end resembling a cantilever.

[0019] According to embodiments of a first example of the assembly, a folded section of the packaging is folded back on the packaging, and the folded section comprises the first sealing section or the second sealing section. Preferably, but not necessarily, the folded section is substantially parallel to the opposite section. By folding the folded section of the packaging back on the packaging, part of the sealing side of the packaging now faces outward. This part of the sealing side can form the first sealing section or the second sealing section, and can be easily accessed to adhere the other of the first sealing section or the second sealing section to.

[0020] According to embodiments of a second example of the assembly, the first sealing section and the second sealing section are oriented generally perpendicular to the product. This may allow for a more convenient sealing process, as components of a sealing station for sealing the first sealing section and the second sealing section together may be positioned alongside the first sealing section and the second sealing section, for example at least partially at the same height as the first sealing section and the second sealing section.

[0021] According to embodiments of a third example of the assembly the first sealing section and the second sealing section are positioned next to the product. When the first sealing section and the second sealing section are positioned next to the product, an assembly may be obtained without any folded sections which may be moveable relative to the rest of the assembly. This in turn may increase easy with which the assembly can be automatically transported and / or processed further. Additionally or alternatively, the absence of folded section may allow for an easier process of forming the assembly.

[0022] A width of the first sealing section and the second sealing section may be between 0.1 and 50 mm, in particular between 3 and 10 mm. In general, for any assembly disclosed herein, the first sealing section and the second sealing section may comprises two or more sealing subsections which are positioned adjacent but at a distance from each other. For example, a sealing subsection may have a width between 0.1 and 10 mm, for example approximately 1 mm. A sealing subsection may for example be formed using a heated wire comprised by a heating module.

[0023] For any assembly of the first aspect, the product is preferably not positioned between the first sealing section and the second sealing section.

[0024] As different options for any assembly of the first aspect, either the entire sealing side is covered with the adhesive, or essentially only the first sealing section and the second sealing section of the sealing side of the packaging are covered with the adhesive.

[0025] A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of forming an assembly of a product and a packaging of packaging material. Using the method of the second aspect, any assembly according to the first aspect may be formed. The method comprises steps of transporting the product along a transport direction over a transport plane, the product comprising a leading end and a traihng end, at a wrapping section, wrapping the packaging around the product, wherein the packaging comprises a paper substrate with a sealing side and an outer side opposite to the sealing side, wherein one or both of a first sealing section and a second sealing section of the sealing side are covered with an adhesive, and wherein the packaging is wrapped around the product, such that the first sealing section of the sealing side is positioned adjacent the second sealing section of the sealing side, and at a sealing station, heating at least one of the first sealing section and the second sealing section, for example with a heating module, and forcing the first sealing section against the second sealing section, for example with a compression module, such that the first sealing section adheres to the second sealing section.

[0026] In the present disclosure, the first sealing section can adhere to the second sealing section by virtue of adhesive being positioned between the first sealing section and the second sealing section. Said adhesive may have been provided on the first sealing section, on the second sealing section, or both, before forcing the first sealing section against the second sealing section.

[0027] For example to ensure proper adhesion between the first sealing section and the second sealing section, at the sealing station, the first sealing section may be forced against the second sealing section in a direction generally perpendicular to the product. As such, for example, an arrangement according to the first or third examples of the first aspect may be obtained.

[0028] Alternatively, when the first sealing section is forced against the second sealing section in a direction generally transverse to the transport direction, an arrangement according to the second example of the first aspect may be obtained.

[0029] Any embodiment of the method according to the second aspect may comprise further steps of, after the first sealing section adheres to the second sealing section, sealing the packaging at or near the leading end of the product with a leading end seal, and sealing the packaging at or near the trailing end of the product with a trailing end seal, which leading end seal and traihng end seal are oriented substantially perpendicular to the transport direction. Sealing the packaging with the leading end seal and / or trailing end seal may comprise positioning adhesive on the packaging to form the leading end seal and / or trailing end seal, for example using a glue roller.

[0030] Typically, part of the first sealing section and part of the second sealing section will be comprised in the leading end seal and the trailing end seal.

[0031] In general, at the sealing station, using the heating module, at least one of the first sealing section and the second sealing section are heated using conductive heating, convective heating and / or radiative heating. Any heating module may comprise any number of heating devices which can heat the first sealing section and / or the second sealing section based one any one or more of conductive heating, convective heating and / or radiative heating. Any heating module may comprise one or more heating devices which use hot air for heating at least one of the first sealing section and the second sealing section. The sealing station is typically positioned downstream of the wrapping station.

[0032] As an option for any method, at least during heating of the at least one of the first sealing section and the second sealing section, the heating module is essentially stationary and the packaging is moved relative to the heating module. Alternatively, the heating module can move together with the packaging, such that a relative speed between the heating module and the packaging can for example be essentially zero at least during heating of the at least one of the first sealing section and the second sealing section. The heating module may for example be rotated, translated, and / or swivelled in order to match or approximate a motion of the packaging, at least during heating of the at least one of the first sealing section and the second sealing section.

[0033] A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a seahng station for sealing a packaging wrapped around a product. The sealing station comprises a transport plane over which an assembly comprising a product and a packaging can be transported in a transport direction. The seahng station further comprises a compression module, comprising a pressing body and a pressing member for forcing the pressing body towards the transport plane or a countering body, and a heating module, comprising one or more heating devices for heating an adhesive on a paper substrate of the packaging of an assembly transported over the transport plane.

[0034] The sealing station may further comprise a transport module for transporting the assembly comprising the product and the packaging along the transport plane. In general, any transport module may comprise one or more transport devices for moving one or more assemblies of a product and a packaging, for example using one or more rollers, one or more belts, one or more moving platforms, one or more track surfaces with one or more pushing cams, any other mover, or any combination thereof. Any transport module may be used for continuous transport of one or more assemblies and / or for intermittent transport of one or more assemblies. It will be appreciated that any of these optional features may be applied to any transport module disclosed herein. Any single mover may form part of multiple transport modules. Any transport module may comprise multiple transport devices which are positioned adjacent to each other, or at a distance from each other. The assemblies may be transported from one transport device to another while being transported over the transport plane.

[0035] For any sealing station comprising a countering body, a distance between the countering body and the transport plane may be adjustable. As such, the seahng station may be adjusted for different thicknesses of packaging material. Preferably, the sealing station comprises an actuator for adjusting the distance between the countering body and the transport plane. However, manual adjustment of the distance is also envisioned.

[0036] For any sealing station, it is envisioned that the compression module and / or the heating module are moveable in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. As such, a location in the direction of the width of the product where the seal is formed can be adjusted. Preferably, the location of the seal is adjustable for every product to be packaged, in particular on- the-fly. A longitudinal cutter may be comprised by any sealing station and / or arrangement of the present disclosure, for cutting off any packaging material on the opposite side of the seal than the product. The longitudinal cutter may be moveable in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction, either individually or together with the compression module and / or the heating module.

[0037] When the compression module and / or the heating module are moveable in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction, the sealing station may comprise an actuator for moving the compression module and / or the heating module in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction.

[0038] Any actuator of the present disclosure may be an electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic actuator.

[0039] A controller may be used for controlling the sealing station, in particular using size data indicative of a length, thickness, and / or width of a product to be packaged.

[0040] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of forming at least two assemblies, in particular assemblies according to the first aspect. The method comprises forming a first assembly using a method according to the second aspect, and forming a second assembly using a method according to the second aspect.

[0041] For the method according to the fourth aspect, three options are envisioned, which may be readily combined in any possible combination. In a first option, a length of a first product of the first assembly is different from a length of a second product of the second assembly and the packaging of the first assembly and the second assembly are formed from a single consecutive web of packaging material. The length is typically defined parallel to the transport direction and / or parallel to a length of the web of packaging material.

[0042] The seals discussed in the present disclosure are in particular longitudinal seals - i.e. seals parallel to the transport direction and / or parallel to a length of the web of packaging material. It has been found that the technology for forming the longitudinal seals according to the present disclosure allows for products of variable length to be packaged consecutively from the same web of packaging material. In particular, directly adjacent sections of the packaging material can be used for packaging consecutive products of different lengths. The lengths of the products may differ at least 20%, at least 50%, but can potentially differ in any ratio.

[0043] In a second option, a thickness of a first product of the first assembly is different from a thickness of a second product of the second assembly and the packaging of the first assembly and the second assembly are formed from a single consecutive web of packaging material. With the sealing stations and sealing methods of the present disclosure, consecutive products with different thicknesses may be packaged from adjacent sections of a web of packaging material.

[0044] In a third option, a width of a first product of the first assembly is different from a width of a second product of the second assembly and the packaging of the first assembly and the second assembly are formed from a single consecutive web of packaging material.

[0045] To allow for adjustment of the process of forming the first assembly and the second assembly, preferably size data indicative of a length, thickness, and / or width of the first product and the second product is obtained. The size data may be used by a controller for controlling any sealing station of the present disclosure.

[0046] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure provides an arrangement for forming assemblies, each assembly comprising a product and a packaging of packaging material. The arrangement comprises a continuous web of packaging material comprising a paper substrate with a sealing side and an outer side opposite to the sealing side, wherein one or both of a first sealing section and a second sealing section of the sealing side are covered with an adhesive. The arrangement further comprises a product placement station for placing products onto the continuous web of packaging material, and a wrapping station for forming a wrapped packaging.

[0047] The arrangement further comprises a sealing station according to the third aspect, and a separation station for separating assemblies from the continuous web of packaging material. The separation station may be positioned between the wrapping station and the sealing station - such that separation of assemblies of a product and a length of packaging material can take prior to forming the longitudinal seal at the sealing station. Alternatively, the sealing station is positioned between the wrapping station and the separation station - such that the longitudinal seal can be formed prior to the separation of assemblies of a product and a length of packaging material from the web of packaging material.

[0048] The arrangement may further comprise a controller arranged to receive size data indicative of a length, thickness, and / or width of products, and arranged for controlling the sealing station according to the size data. The size data may be obtained by one or more sensors for determining a length, thickness, and / or width of products, and / or from a database on which size data is stored. Controlling the sealing station may include controlling a timing of when the pressing member forces the pressing body towards the transport plane and / or a countering body, controlling a timing of when the heating module is activated, controlling an actuator for adjusting the distance between the countering body and the transport plane and / or controlling an actuator for moving the compression module and / or the heating module in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction.

[0049] The controller may generally also control a timing of a separation station, in particular based on size data indicative of a length of a product. At or near the separation station, a transversal seal may be formed in the packaging material.

[0050] During use of the arrangement, packaging material may be transported in the transport direction as a continuous web. It is preferred that when packaging products of a different size - i.e. a different length, width and / or height - are packaged, the continuous web remains intact up to the separation station. Adjustment of the packaging method may thus occur on the fly.

[0051] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0052] In the figures,

[0053] Figs. 1A-1C respectively schematically show a first example, second example, and third example of a packaging of packaging material;

[0054] Figs. 2A-2C respectively schematically show a first example, second example, and third example of an arrangement of a product and a packaging of packaging material;

[0055] Fig. 3A shows a packaging and a sealing station, in a cross-section view;

[0056] Fig. 3B shows a side view of Fig. 3A;

[0057] Fig. 3C shows a packaging and another sealing station;

[0058] Fig. 4A and 4B show an assembly in a sealing station, in a crosssection view and a top view;

[0059] Fig. 4C shows another assembly in a sealing station in a top view;

[0060] Fig. 5 A and 5B show another assembly in another sealing station, in a cross-section view and a side view; and Fig. 5C shows yet another assembly in another sealing station, in a cross-section view.

[0061] It will be appreciated that the figures are merely schematic representations of aspects of the present disclosure, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. A small gap may be indicated between different elements, such as the first sealing section, second sealing section, product, transport plane, pressing body, countering body, and / or any other element, in any combination, in any figure to indicate that the elements are different elements. In use, these gaps may be absent.

[0062] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0063] Figs. 1A-1C respectively schematically show a first example, second example, and third example of a packaging W of packaging material according to the present disclosure, in a schematic cross-section view. The present disclosure is not limited to these specific packagings. Instead, the three examples merely indicate three embodiments of the technology of the present disclosure, wherein a packaging W is wrapped around a product such that a first sealing section Si of the sealing side 104 of the packaging W contacts a second sealing section S2 of the sealing side 104 of the packaging W, in the assembled state of the assembly.

[0064] Any packaging W disclosed herein may be used to form an assembly 100 of a packaging W and a product M. In Figs. 1A-1C, a position in which a product can be positioned is schematically indicated with a dashed line M. Figs. 2A-2C show examples of assemblies 100 of a product M and respectively a packaging W as depicted in Figs. 1A-1C, in a schematic top view.

[0065] The packagings W depicted in the figures comprise a paper substrate 101 with a sealing side 104 (thicker line) and an outer side 102 (thinner line) opposite to the sealing side 104. The sealing side 104 may also be referred to as the inside of the paper substrate 101. Figs. 1A and 2 A show a first example of a packaging W, which packaging W comprises a folded section 120 which is folded back on the packaging. The folded section 120 comprises the second sealing section S2, to which the first sealing section Si adheres. The packaging W is in Fig. 1A depicted with the folded section 120 oriented substantially parallel to an opposite section 122 of the packaging W facing the folded section 120. Between the opposite section 122 and the folded section 120, a curved packaging section 124 is positioned.

[0066] Figs. IB and 2B show a second example of a packaging W, in which the packaging W comprises a bottom section 105 and a top section, which top section is divided in a first top subsection 106 and a second top subsection 107 positioned on opposite sides of the packaging W. A first curved section 108 is positioned between the first top subsection 106 and the first sealing section Si, and a second curved section 109 is positioned between the second top subsection 107 and the second sealing section S2. The first curved section 108 and the second curved section 109 allow the first top subsection 106 and the second top subsection 107 to be oriented substantially parallel to the mail item M, while the first sealing section S 1 and the second sealing section S2 are oriented at an angle relative to the product M, preferably substantially perpendicular to the product M.

[0067] Typically, between the bottom section 105 and the respective first top subsection 106 and the second top subsection 107, the packaging is folded around the product M.

[0068] It will be appreciated that whenever the first sealing section S 1 and the second sealing section S2 are oriented at an angle relative to the product M, preferably substantially perpendicular to the product M, at some stage the first sealing section Si and the second sealing section S2 may be folded towards the product, thereby reducing the angle between the product M and the first of the sealing section Si and the second sealing section S2. Figs. 1C and 2C depict a third example of a packaging W, wherein the first seahng section Si and the second sealing section S2 are positioned next to the product M. As can be derived from Fig. 1C, compared for example to the packagings of Fig. 1A and / or IB, the third example of a packaging W may have a reduced thickness, and / or less curves or folds in the packaging W.

[0069] In the third example of the packaging W, it is envisioned that the width of the first sealing section Si and the sealing section S2 can be controllable, preferably per product M to be packaged.

[0070] From the schematic top views depicted in Figs. 2A-2C, it will be appreciated that any packaging W may comprise a transverse leading end seal 142 near a leading end 302 of the product M, and a transverse trailing end seal 144 near a trailing end 304 of the product M. The leading end and the trailing end are defined relative to the transport direction 300. Any transverse seal may be formed by a seahng beam, for example together with a step of separating the packaging from a larger web of packaging material. Alternatively, any transverse seal may be formed by applying adhesive to the packaging and forming the transverse seal using the adhesive.

[0071] As indicated in Figs. 2A-2C, in particular when the leading end seal 142 and the trailing end seal 144 are formed after the first sealing section Si and the second sealing section S2 adhere to each other, parts of the first sealing section Si and the second sealing section S2 may be comprised in the leading end seal 142 and the trailing end seal 144.

[0072] In use, the product M is positioned on the adhesive side of the packaging W, prior to wrapping the packaging W around the product M. When the product M is positioned on the packaging W, the packaging W may be part of a continuous web of packaging material. After the packaging W has been wrapped around the product M, and preferably after the first sealing section Si adheres to the second seahng section S2, the packaging W is separated from the continuous web of packaging material. Figs. 4A-4C schematically show an assembly 100 of a packaging W according to the second example and a product M positioned inside the packaging W, respectively in a cross-section view and top views. In particular, the assembly 100 is depicted while being transported in a transport direction 300 over a transport plane T, past a sealing station 200.

[0073] Figs. 3A-3C schematically show an assembly 100 of a packaging W according to the first example and a product M positioned inside the packaging W, while the assembly 100 is being transported in a transport direction 300 over a transport plane T, past a sealing station 200, respectively in a cross-section view, in a side view, and another side view with an alternative sealing station.

[0074] Figs. 5A-5C schematically show an assembly 100 of a packaging W according to the third example and a product M positioned inside the packaging W, while the assembly 100 is being transported in a transport direction 300 over a transport plane T, past a sealing station 200, respectively in a cross-section view, a side view, and another cross-section view.

[0075] In general, any one or more features disclosed in conjunction with a particular sealing station 200 disclosed in conjunction with Figs. 4A-4C, 3A- 3B, 3C, or 5A-5C may be readily applied to any other sealing station 200 disclosed herein, for example in conjunction with Figs. 4A-4C, 3A-3B, 3C, or 5A-5C.

[0076] In general, a sealing station 200 comprises a transport plane T over which the assembly 100 can be transported. The transport plane T in general extends in the transport direction 300.

[0077] The sealing station 200 further comprises a compression module with a pressing body 203, which is forced towards the transport plane T, or towards a countering body 207, via one or more pressing members 306. For example, the sealing station 200 may comprise or be connected to a fixed frame 202, relative to which the one or more pressing members 306 force the pressing body 203 towards the transport plane T, or towards a countering body 207.

[0078] The sealing station 200 also comprises a heating module, comprising one or more heating devices 204 for heating an adhesive on a paper substrate of the packaging of an assembly transported over transport plane, for example by conductive, convective, and / or radiative heating.

[0079] Now referring to the sealing section 200 depicted in Figs. 3A and 3B, the sealing section 200 may be positioned with the pressing body 203, pressing member 206, and the heating device 204 above the packaging W with the product M inside. Below the packaging W, the packaging W is supported on the transport plane T.

[0080] As an option depicted in conjunction with the sealing station 200 of Figs. 3A and 3B, the heating device 204 is forced against the packaging W via the pressing body 203 and the pressing member 206.

[0081] As an option depicted in conjunction with the sealing section 200 of Fig. 3C, a gap 205 is present between the heating device 204 and the packaging W, and the first sealing section Si and / or sealing section S2 can be heated through conductive and / or radiative heating, for example using an air flow with a temperature higher than ambient temperature.

[0082] The configuration of Fig. 3C, wherein the heating device 204 is connected to the pressing body 203, is merely one example of an envisioned configuration of the sealing station 200, wherein the pressing body 203 presses onto the packaging W upstream and downstream of the heating device 204. In other examples, the heating device 204 is connected to another part of the sealing station 200 than the pressing body 203, for example to the frame 202. Another envisioned modification to the configuration of Fig. 3C is that the pressing body 203 is presses onto the packaging W only upstream or only downstream of the pressing body 203.

[0083] For any pressing body 203 disclosed herein, the pressing body 203 may be formed by a single body, or a plurality of separate pressing bodies. Any single pressing body 203 may contact the packaging W on one distinct surface area, or multiple distinct surface areas.

[0084] For any sealing station 200, for example those depicted in Figs. 3A- 3C, a countering body 207 may be used to aid in forcing the first sealing section S 1 and the second sealing section S2 against each other, for example using the pressing body 203. In use, the countering body 207 may be at least partially positioned between the first sealing section Si and / or second sealing section Si and the opposition section 122 of the packaging W. By virtue of the countering body 207, for example, damage to the product M may be prevented due to the pressing body 203 directly pressing on the product M.

[0085] Now referring to the particular sealing station 200 of Figs 4A-4B, which is in particular applicable in conjunction with embodiments of the second example of assemblies 100, for example depicted in conjunction with Figs. IB and 2B. The pressing body 203 and the countering body 207 (both shown hatched) face each other, and are moveable relative to each other, in a direction generally transverse to the transportation direction 300.

[0086] In use, the first sealing section Si and the second sealing section S2 of the packaging W pass between the pressing body 203 and the countering body 207, are pressed against each other by virtue of the pressing member 206, and heated with the heating device 204.

[0087] Compared for example to the sealing station of Figs. 3A-3B, use of the sealing station 200 of Figs. 4A-4B may result in less heat transferred to the product M, and / or less pressure exerted on the product M. Additionally or alternatively, the sealing station 200 may be less dependent on the thickness of the product M.

[0088] As an option applicable to any sealing station 200, the heating device 204 and pressing body 203 are incorporated into a single element. For example, by heating at least part of the pressing body 203, thermal energy may be transferred to the first sealing section Si and / or the second sealing section S2. For example, conductive heat transfer may take place by virtue of the pressing body 203 contacting the packaging W.

[0089] Fig. 4C shows another example of a sealing section 200, here comprising multiple rollers 145. Here, four rollers are depicted. However, two, four, six, or any other number of rollers are envisioned as well. When two rollers are positioned opposite each other, the first sealing section Si and second sealing section S2 can be compressed between said set rollers, for example using one or more pressing bodies (not depicted in Fig. 4C). Any roller may be comprised by a heating module 204. Any roller may be used as a pressing body 203, and may be biased towards a respective roller at an opposite location of the first sealing section Si and second sealing section S2. Although not depicted in Fig. 4C, a transport band may be wrapped around two rollers, and the transport band may contact one of the first sealing section Si and second sealing section S2. As such, the transport band may be used as a pressing body 203.

[0090] When the first sealing section S 1 and the second sealing section S2 pass through a set of rollers 145, as for example depicted in Figs. 4C and 5C, a tangential speed of the rollers may be essentially equal to the speed at which the packaging W moves in the transport direction 300.

[0091] In general, any roller 145 may form a heating module 204 or part of a heating module 204. For any roller, a heating module 204 or part thereof may be used to heat the roller, to allow the heated roller to in turn heat the first sealing section Si and / or second sealing section S2. Additionally, or alternatively, any roller may form a pressing body. Any roller may be substituted by a transport belt, in any sealing section disclosed herein.

[0092] As an alternative to using rollers, to allow at least part of the heating module and / or at least part of any pressing body to move together with the packaging, the heating module and / or pressing body may be connected to the frame via a straight- guide or quasi straight-guide mechanism. The straight-guide or quasi straight- guide mechanism allows for a movement of the at least part of the heating module and / or the at least part of the pressing body in the transport direction 300.

[0093] As an option depicted in conjunction with the sealing section 200 of Figs. 5A and 5B, the pressing body 203 and the heating device 204 are positioned next to the product M.

[0094] As a further option for any sealing section 200, depicted in Figs. 5A and 5B, the heating device 204 is at least partially embedded in the pressing body 203, and thermal energy is allowed to pass from the heating device 204 through part of the pressing body 203 to the packaging W, in particular through conduction.

[0095] As yet another option for any sealing section 200, depicted in Figs. 5A and 5B, multiple pressing members 206’, 206” are comprised by the sealing station 200. Any pressing member may be formed as a coil spring, leaf spring, torsion spring, or any other resilient element arranged to be elastically deformed in use.

[0096] Fig. 5C shows yet another example of a sealing section 200 and an assembly 100 of a product M and a package W. As an example applicable also to any other sealing section 200, the sealing section 200 comprises at least one set of rollers 145 positioned on opposite sides of the first sealing section Si and the second sealing section S2. As the package W is transported in the transport direction, into or out of the paper in the view of Fig. 5C, one or both of the rollers 145 can act as the heating device 204, and optionally one or more pressing members 206 may be used to force one or both rollers towards each other.

[0097] Another option depicted in Fig. 5C, which may be regarded separate from the use of rollers 145, is that the first sealing section Si and the second sealing section S2 are folded downward, in particular below the transport plane T, while heating at least one of the first sealing section and the second sealing section, and forcing the first sealing section against the second sealing section, such that the adhesive on the first sealing section adheres to adhesive on the second sealing section. The first sealing section Si and the second sealing section S2 may be folded upwards after being adhered to each other, to for example obtain the assembly 100 of Fig. 1C.

[0098] Compared for example to the sealing station of Figs. 3A-3B, use of the sealing station 200 of Figs. 5A-5C may result in less heat transferred to the product M, and / or less pressure exerted on the product M. Additionally or alternatively, the sealing station 200 may be less dependent on the thickness of the product M.

[0099] Although in the figures a generally flat product M is depicted, it will be understood that the product M can have any cross-sectional shape. For example, the product M may have a height of more than 10%, more than 25%, more than 50% or even 100% or more of the width of the product.

[0100] Although not depicted in the figures, in any sealing station, the countering body 207 may be adjustable in height - i.e. a distance between the countering body 207 and the transport plane T can be adjusted. Optionally, the entire sealing station or at least one of the pressing body, heating device, frame 202, and / or pressing member may also be height adjustable - either individually, or together with the countering body, in any combination thereof. Additionally, or alternatively, the compression module and / or the heating module are moveable in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. It will be appreciated that also the entire sealing station or at least one of the pressing body, heating device, frame 202, and / or pressing member may also be moveable in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction.

Claims

Claims1. Assembly (100) of a product and a packaging (W) of packaging material, the assembly comprising: the product (M); and the packaging, comprising a paper substrate (101) with a sealing side (104) and an outer side (102) opposite to the sealing side, wherein one or both of a first sealing section (Si) and a second sealing section (S2) of the sealing side are covered with an adhesive; wherein the packaging is wrapped around the product, such that:• the first sealing section (Si) of the sealing side contacts the second sealing section (S2) of the sealing side; and• the first sealing section adheres to the second sealing section.

2. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first sealing section is positioned on an opposite side of the packaging than the second sealing section.

3. Assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first sealing section and the second sealing section extend at least between a leading end (302) of the product and a trailing end (304) of the product.

4. Assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a length of the first sealing section and the second sealing section exceeds a length of the product in a direction parallel to the first sealing section and the second sealing section.

5. Assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a folded section (120) of the packaging is folded back on the packaging, and the folded section comprises the first sealing section or the second sealing section.

6. Assembly according to claim 5, wherein the folded section is substantially parallel to an opposite section (122) of the packaging facing the folded section.

7. Assembly according to any of the claims 1-4, wherein the first sealing section and the second sealing section are oriented generally perpendicular to the product.

8. Assembly according to any of the claims 1-4, wherein the first sealing section and the second sealing section are positioned next to the product.

9. Assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the product is not positioned between the first sealing section and the second sealing section.

10. Assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein essentially the entire sealing side is covered with the adhesive.

11. Assembly according to any of the claims 1-9, wherein essentially only one or both of the first sealing section and the second sealing section of the sealing side of the packaging are covered with the adhesive.

12. Assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the adhesive is a heat-activated adhesive.

13. Assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the product is a mail item, which mail item comprises a single printed document, e.g. a magazine, or a stack of printed documents, e.g. a stack of magazines.

14. Assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the product is a flexible product.

15. Method of forming an assembly (100) of a product (M) and a packaging (W) of packaging material, the method comprising steps of: transporting the product along a transport direction (300) over a transport plane (T), the product comprising a leading end (302) and a trailing end (304); at a wrapping station, wrapping the packaging around the product, wherein the packaging comprises a paper substrate (101) with a sealing side (104) and an outer side (102) opposite to the sealing side, wherein one or both of a first sealing section (S 1) and a second sealing section (S2) of the sealing side are covered with an adhesive; and at a sealing station, downstream of the wrapping station in the transport direction, heating at least one of the first sealing section and the second sealing section, and forcing the first sealing section against the second sealing section, such that the first sealing section adheres to the second sealing section.

16. Method according to claim 15, wherein at the sealing station, the first sealing section is forced against the second sealing section in a direction generally perpendicular to the product.

17. Method according to claim 15, wherein at the sealing section, the first sealing section is forced against the second sealing section in a direction generally transverse to the transport direction.

18. Method according to any of the claims 15-17, further comprising, after the first sealing section adheres to the second sealing section, sealing the packaging at or near the leading end (302) of the product with a leading end seal (142), and sealing the packaging at or near the trailing end (304) of the product with a trailing end seal (144), which leading end seal and trailing end seal are oriented substantially perpendicular to the transport direction.

19. Method according to claim 18, wherein part of the first sealing section and part of the second sealing section are comprised in the leading end seal and the trailing end seal.

20. Method according to any of the claims 15-19, wherein the at least one of the first sealing section and the second sealing section are heated using conductive heating.

21. Method according to any of the claims 15-20, wherein the at least one of the first sealing section and the second sealing section are heated using convective heating and / or radiative heating.

22. Method according to any of the claims 15-21, wherein at least during heating of the at least one of the first sealing section and the second sealing section, a heating module heating the at least one of the first sealing section and the second sealing section is essentially stationary and the packaging is moved relative to the heating module in the transport direction.

23. Method according to any of the claims 15-22, wherein at least during heating of the at least one of the first sealing section and the second sealing section, at least part of a heating module heatingthe at least one of the first sealing section and the second sealing section moves together with the packaging, preferably such that a relative speed between the heating module and the packaging is essentially zero.

24. Method according to any of the claims 15-23, wherein the first sealing section and / or the second sealing section is or are positioned above the product while heating the at least one of the first sealing section and the second sealing section and / or forcing the first sealing section against the second sealing section.

25. Method according to any of the claims 15-24, wherein the first sealing section and / or the second sealing section is or are positioned below the product while heating the at least one of the first sealing section and the second sealing section and / or forcing the first sealing section against the second sealing section.

26. Method according to any of the claims 15-25, wherein the product is a mail item, which mail item comprises a single printed document, e.g. a magazine, or a stack of printed documents, e.g. a stack of magazines.

27. Method of forming two assemblies, each assembly comprising a product (M) and a packaging (W) of packaging material, the method comprising the steps of: forming a first assembly using a method according to any of the claims 15-26; forming a second assembly using a method according to any of the claims 15-26;wherein a length of a first product of the first assembly is different from a length of a second product of the second assembly and the packaging of the first assembly and the second assembly are formed from a single consecutive web of packaging material.

28. Method of forming two assemblies, each assembly comprising a product (M) and a packaging (W) of packaging material, the method comprising the steps of: forming a first assembly using a method according to any of the claims 15-26; forming a second assembly using a method according to any of the claims 15-26; wherein a thickness of a first product of the first assembly is different from a thickness of a second product of the second assembly and the packaging of the first assembly and the second assembly are formed from a single consecutive web of packaging material.

29. Method of forming two assemblies, each assembly comprising a product (M) and a packaging (W) of packaging material, the method comprising the steps of: forming a first assembly using a method according to any of the claims 15-26; forming a second assembly using a method according to any of the claims 15-26; wherein a width of a first product of the first assembly is different from a width of a second product of the second assembly and the packaging of the first assembly and the second assembly are formed from a single consecutive web of packaging material.

30. Method according to any of the claims 27-29, further comprising obtaining size data indicative of a length, thickness, and / or width of the first product and the second product.

31. Sealing station (200) for sealing a packaging wrapped around a product, comprising: a transport plane (T) over which an assembly (100) comprising a product and a packaging can be transported in a transport direction (300); a compression module, comprising a pressing body (203) and a pressing member (206) for forcing the pressing body towards the transport plane and / or a countering body (207); and a heating module, comprising one or more heating devices (204) for heating an adhesive on a paper substrate of the packaging of an assembly transported over the transport plane.

32. Sealing station according to claim 31, comprising the countering body, and wherein a distance between the countering body and the transport plane is adjustable.

33. Sealing station according to claim 32, further comprising an actuator for adjusting the distance between the countering body and the transport plane.

34. Sealing station according to any of the claims 31-33, wherein the compression module and / or the heating module are moveable in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction.

35. Sealing station according to claim 34, further comprising an actuator for moving the compression module and / or the heating module in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction.

36. Arrangement for forming assemblies, each assembly comprising a product (M) and a packaging (W) of packaging material, the arrangement comprising: a continuous web of packaging material comprising a paper substrate (101) with a sealing side (104) and an outer side (102) opposite to the sealing side, wherein one or both of a first sealing section (Si) and a second sealing section (S2) of the sealing side are covered with an adhesive; a product placement station for placing products onto the continuous web of packaging material; a wrapping station for forming a wrapped packaging; a sealing station according to any of the claims 29-33; and a separation station for separating assemblies from the continuous web of packaging material.

37. Arrangement according to claim 36, wherein the separation station is positioned between the wrapping station and the sealing station.

38. Arrangement according to claim 36, wherein the sealing station is positioned between the wrapping station and the separation station.

39. Arrangement according to any of the claims 36-38, further comprising a controller arranged to receive size data indicative of a length, thickness, and / or width of products, and arranged for controlling the sealing station according to the size data.