Apparatus for packaging an in particular planar product

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for packaging an in particular planar medical product. Two flexible material webs and a product are provided. The product is placed between the two flexible material webs located opposite one another. At least one of the material webs has a thermally activatable adhesive on its surface facing the other material web. At least part of a sealing seam provided is preheated by means of at least one laser. The sealing seam provided is compressed around the products by means of a pair of rollers in order to enclose the products between the material webs. At least one of the material webs is further heated immediately before and / or during compression, wherein the further heating preferably takes place by means of at least one of the pressure-exerting rollers contained in the pair of rollers.

Description

[0001] Title: Device for packaging a medical product, especially one with a flat design

[0002] Description

[0003] The present invention relates to a method and a device for packaging a medical product, in particular one with a flat shape.

[0004] In the medical field, there are various types of wound dressings. These medical products are often individually packaged in envelope-like containers.

[0005] The envelope-shaped individual packaging of medical products is achieved by enclosing each product between two opposing layers of flexible material, bonding the edges of the layers together with adhesive. A heat-activated adhesive is typically used because it ensures a stable seal between the layers, protecting the products from external influences. Thanks to this heat-activated adhesive, the packaging cannot be resealed once opened, thus ensuring compliance with health and hygiene standards for marketing plasters or similar products. The packaging can consist of two paper layers, one paper layer and one plastic layer, or two plastic layers.The plastic material can be transparent, such as polyethylene. Metallized polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or an aluminum composite material is also frequently used as the web material. Packaging for medical products often consists of a web section with an outer surface printed with product information and a web section made of transparent plastic material. Typically, the thermally activated adhesive is applied to the inner surface of one of the paper webs. For example, there might be an adhesive layer on the inside. Optionally, the adhesive layer can form the shape of a designated sealing seam, so that the adhesive is only present in the area intended for sealing. The web material coated with the thermally activated adhesive can be a layered material that is already coated with an adhesive.

[0006] In prior art devices and methods, the packaging of medical products between two flexible web sections is achieved by advancing a continuous array of medical products along a flow direction at a distance from one another. Two continuous flexible webs, one of which is coated with a layer of thermally activated adhesive, are positioned opposite each other. The sealing process creates a continuous composite web consisting of the two flexible webs and the continuous array of medical products enclosed between them. The packages are closed by compressing the continuous composite web using a first and an optional second pair of rollers, typically heated.The first pair of rollers often performs two continuous longitudinal welds between the two flexible films, while the second pair of rollers performs welds perpendicular to the current direction of the composite web. It is also possible to perform the welding with a single pair of rollers. The direction in which the web-like material passes through the packaging device is referred to below as the current direction.

[0007] The two flexible material webs are fixed together by activating the thermally activated adhesive, while the flexible material webs are compressed along the compression lines.

[0008] The packages are then separated from the continuous composite web by suitable cuts perpendicular to the flow direction, typically between the transverse seams between each product pair.

[0009] The weld between the two flexible material sheets must meet specified quality requirements. These quality specifications include:

[0010] - Visually: There must be a clear transition of the adhesive material from one web section to the opposite one, and the weld seam must be complete. The weld seam must also be complete and clean, without contamination or visible damage. The color of the packaging webs must not change as a result of the welding process, and the packaging webs must not be noticeably deformed by the welding process.

[0011] - with regard to the sealing of the weld seam: The peeling force must be within a precisely quantified range, and when opening the packaging, the peeling force must not fluctuate outside specified thresholds between individual areas or between different packages.

[0012] From a hygiene and sanitary perspective: The packaging must be sealed in such a way that the product is in an environment where no external contaminants can penetrate the packaging, and that it is also ensured that no substances leak from the inside of the packaging (a leak test is carried out by introducing a colored liquid into the packaging and monitoring for any leakage). Often, the packaging is a sterile barrier system that protects the product from invading pathogens. Especially if the product is sterilized in the sealed packaging after manufacturing, the integrity of the seal is of paramount importance to guarantee sterility.

[0013] One of the main problems with state-of-the-art equipment and methods is that the currently achievable maximum speed of packaging machines is on the order of 50-60 m / min. This speed limitation is due to the fact that, as the speed of the packaging machine increases, the pressure rollers are no longer able to supply sufficient energy to the flexible material webs to ensure the correct transfer of the adhesive material from one web to another, since the contact time between the pressure rollers and the material webs decreases proportionally to the speed. In this context, increasing the web speed of the packaging machine beyond the limit of 50-60 m / min would jeopardize the prescribed quality requirements.

[0014] The technical challenge therefore consists of providing a method and a device that allows for reliable sealing of the packaging of a flat-shaped medical product, especially at high web speeds.

[0015] This problem is solved by a method for packaging a medical product, particularly one with a flat surface, comprising the steps of: a. providing two flexible material webs and a product, b. arranging the product between the two opposing flexible material webs, at least one of which has a thermally activatable adhesive on its surface facing the other material web, c. first heating, in particular preheating, at least a portion of a intended sealing seam by means of at least one laser, d. compressing the intended sealing seam by means of a pair of rollers to enclose the product between the material webs, and further heating at least one of the material webs immediately before and / or during the compression of the material webs, wherein the further heating is preferably carried out by means of at least one of the pressure rollers contained in the pair of rollers.

[0016] The sealing seam is formed by all the connection points between two material web sections that enclose a medical product. The intended sealing seam corresponds to the positions on the material webs that are subsequently to be joined by the sealing seam.

[0017] The method according to claim 1, which comprises a first heating step based on energy input by laser irradiation and a further final heating step, therefore allows the feed rate to be increased, since it is no longer necessary to transfer the energy required to heat the adhesive all at once in a short time. At the same time, the method allows the required temperature to be achieved more precisely.

[0018] Therefore, in the present method, it is possible and advantageous for the flexible material webs to be guided at a web speed of 150 m / min to 250 m / min, in particular 180 m / min to 210 m / min, during compression by means of the roller pair. The method according to claim 1 can advantageously be carried out with a device according to claim 10.

[0019] The present invention also relates to a device for packaging a medical product, particularly one with a planar design, between two opposing flexible material webs, comprising: a laser heating unit comprising a laser configured to heat a thermally activatable adhesive applied to at least one surface of at least one flexible material web, at least partially at or in front of a pair of rollers, the pair of rollers configured to compress the material webs in a compression area, and at least one heating unit configured to heat at least a part of the material web upstream of or at the pair of rollers, wherein the heating unit is preferably a part of the pair of rollers.

[0020] According to the invention, the encapsulation of the products takes place in two steps: a first heating, in particular preheating, and a further heating. This allows the process speed to be significantly increased compared to methods known from the prior art.

[0021] The material webs are made of a flexible material. Preferably, this material is paper or plastic. For example, the plastic is PET, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or polyethylene (PE). The thermally activated adhesive is applied to at least one surface of the material webs. The thermally activated adhesive can be applied to the material web in a brushed manner; in particular, a flexible material web coated in this way can have an adhesive content of 14%. In an alternative embodiment, the thermally activated adhesive is applied to the surface of one of the material webs in a grid pattern. The grid-coated material web preferably has an adhesive content of 9%. The use of the grid pattern leaves gas-permeable areas free between the adhesive areas. This embodiment is therefore preferable for sterilization with ethylene oxide.The laser beam heats a designated sealing seam on this adhesive coating, thus bringing it into an adhesive state. The thermally activated adhesive can therefore be heated precisely at the intended sealing seam, preventing the medical product from unintentionally adhering to the packaging.

[0022] In one embodiment, the surface of a material web is coated with thermally activated adhesive only at those points that correspond to the intended sealing seam. Preferably, the entire surface is coated.

[0023] One or both of the material webs may have a coating of thermally activated adhesive.

[0024] The weight per square meter of a paper web is typically between 40 g / m². 2 and 100 g / m² 2If the paper is coated with a grid pattern of thermally activated adhesive, the material web typically has a weight of 60 g / m². 2 up to 120 g / m² 2 .

[0025] The material webs and the unpackaged medical product are moved downstream to the packaging device. There, the medical products are enclosed in the material webs and sealed. The resulting continuous composite web is then preferably guided past the at least one cutting unit. The cutting unit cuts the material webs so that the medical products are individually packaged. In a further preferred embodiment, the individually packaged medical products are sterilized by a sterilization unit and / or packed in a shipping carton. Before the laser is used to initially heat the intended sealing seam, the material web, and thus the adhesive, has a temperature below the adhesive's melting point. The material web temperature is typically around 25°C.In the packaging device, the material webs and especially the adhesive are then heated above the melting temperature.

[0026] The intended sealing seams of the material webs can be heated and / or preheated to a temperature of 60°C to 100°C, preferably 70°C to 90°C, and in particular 75°C to 85°C. In particular, the thermally activated adhesive applied to the surface of at least one of the material webs is heated and / or preheated to 60°C to 100°C, preferably 70°C to 90°C, and in particular 75°C to 85°C.

[0027] The temperature of the first and subsequent heating processes is selected such that the thermal adhesive, during compression in step d of the process, has a temperature above the melting point of the thermally activated adhesive. The material webs are then preferably sealed germ-proof by means of the contact pressure exerted by the roller pair.

[0028] A temperature of up to 5°C above the melting temperature of the thermally activated adhesive is particularly advantageous. In particular, a temperature of 80°C is provided for in step d of the process.

[0029] In particular, a heat quantity of 0.1 to 30, preferably 1 to 20, mnr mm mnr mn especially 1 to 15 -^ into the material web or the thermally activatable adhesive mm mnr introduced.

[0030] In one embodiment, the medical products have a maximum height of 15 mm, preferably 5 mm, and particularly preferably 2 mm. The height of the medical product is defined as its maximum dimension perpendicular to the material web. In a preferred embodiment, the planar medical products are wound dressings.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the sealing seam completely encloses the medical product.

[0032] The sealing seam can comprise two longitudinal seams parallel to the direction of flow. The transverse seams connect the two longitudinal seams, creating a closed sealing seam.

[0033] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sealing seam of the packaging of a medical product consists of a first and a second longitudinal seam and transverse seams arranged between them, wherein the two longitudinal seams and the transverse seams form a rectangle. The transverse seams preferably extend perpendicular to the current direction and the longitudinal seams parallel to the current direction. It is also possible for the sealing seam to be designed such that two or more medical products can be sealed side by side perpendicular to the current direction.

[0034] The material webs are preferably brought together at an angle of up to 90°, with the angle preferably being at most 60°, and in particular at most 30°.

[0035] The angle between the material webs depends on the arrangement of the laser and the arrangement of the roller pair.

[0036] The laser can be fixed in a specific position during preheating, so that the laser beam does not move during the sealing process. The laser heats the adhesive along at least a portion of the intended seal seam facing the other material web. Preferably, the laser is switched off when the laser beam would not be irradiating any intended seal seam on the flexible material web. A pulsed laser can be used for this purpose. This embodiment ensures that only the intended seal seam is heated and that no energy is transferred to unwanted areas on the material web.

[0037] In another embodiment, the laser beam is fixed to a predetermined position, for example, by aligning the laser to this predetermined position. A mask can be used, which is positioned over the material web and is partially transparent to the laser beam. The mask is configured such that the material web and the thermally activated adhesive are irradiated only along the intended sealing seam. Thus, only the intended sealing seam is heated. In this embodiment, the laser beam preferably sweeps across the entire width of the material web. This can be achieved by widening the laser beam using optical elements such as lenses, prisms, and / or mirrors. The laser can also be pulsed. Likewise, the mask can be designed such that the material web and the thermally activated adhesive are irradiated only along a portion of the intended sealing seam.For example, the mask may only allow irradiation along the intended longitudinal seams or the intended transverse seams.

[0038] In an alternative embodiment, the laser beam can follow the intended sealing seam in a first heating zone during preheating. For this purpose, the laser can be designed to follow the intended sealing seam and / or further suitable optical elements can be used to deflect the laser beam.

[0039] Preferably, the laser power can be tailored to the contour of the intended seal. Particularly preferably, the laser power is tailored to the propagation of the intended seal perpendicular to the current direction swept by the laser beam. In this case, the laser power can be increased if the intended seal is wider perpendicular to the current direction; that is, the laser power must reach its maximum value when the intended seal covers the entire width of the material web. The laser power is lower than this maximum value if the area to be heated of the intended seal does not cover the entire width of the material web. Preferably, the laser beam is widened when a portion of the contour with a greater width is swept, and particularly preferably, the laser power is increased so that the area power is constant over the entire intended seal.

[0040] For a single package, the laser power can therefore initially be increased when the laser beam hits the first intended transverse seam. The laser power is then reduced to heat the two intended longitudinal seams, and subsequently increased again to irradiate the second intended transverse seam of the package.

[0041] In one possible embodiment, the pressure rollers are configured to compress the flexible material webs along the intended sealing seam, thus enclosing each medical product. One of the two pressure rollers may have compression areas on its outer surface with a closed shape, designed to compress the material webs around the respective medical product. These compression areas preferably have bulges in the shape of the intended sealing seam. The intended sealing seam preferably follows the circumference of the packaging.

[0042] The pressure rollers include at least one heating unit configured to heat at least one of the flexible material webs before and / or during compression in the compression area.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the roller pair comprises a first pressure roller with one or more projecting compression areas made of soft material and a second pressure roller made of hard material. The one or more projecting compression areas of the first pressure roller preferably consist of an elastomer, such as silicone. The second pressure roller preferably consists of steel.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the laser is arranged such that the laser beam is oriented essentially perpendicular to the surface of the material web containing the thermally activated adhesive. By orienting the laser beam perpendicularly to the surface to be irradiated, the maximum possible energy input is achieved. In a first embodiment, the laser can be arranged such that the laser beam can directly irradiate the thermally activated adhesive.

[0045] In a second embodiment, at least one of the material webs can be at least partially transparent to the laser beam, and the laser is arranged such that the laser beam passes through this material web and strikes the thermally activated adhesive. The thermally activated adhesive can be arranged on the side of the partially transparent material web facing away from the laser or on the second material web.

[0046] The laser beam can be deflected between the laser and the surface to be irradiated using suitable optical elements, such as mirrors. This allows for a more flexible arrangement of the laser.

[0047] In the first embodiment, the laser is positioned between the two material webs, or the laser beam is directed between the two material webs. In particular, when the laser is positioned between the two material webs, a larger angle between the two material webs is chosen.

[0048] The laser beam can strike both material webs when they are brought together. This can occur during the compression of the two material webs in the area of ​​the roller pair, or at a second guide roller pair that brings the two material webs together upstream of the roller pair.

[0049] In the first embodiment, special care must be taken to ensure that the material web carrying the medical products is oriented essentially perpendicular to gravity so that the medical products do not slip during the sealing process and remain within the area enclosed by the intended sealing seam.

[0050] In the second embodiment, a smaller angle, i.e., less than 30°, is preferably chosen between the two material webs. Here too, the material web carrying the medical products should be oriented essentially perpendicular to gravity.

[0051] In the first and second embodiments, the device can be supplemented by at least one second laser, so that the laser heating unit comprises at least two lasers designed to preheat the thermally activatable adhesive.

[0052] Instead of two lasers, the laser beam of a single laser can also be split into two partial beams. These partial beams can be used to preheat the thermally activatable adhesive, preferably at two different locations.

[0053] In one embodiment, the two lasers are arranged close to the respective surfaces of the material webs that are opposite the surfaces facing the medical products.

[0054] The laser power used is primarily adjusted to the weight per square meter of the material webs and the weight per square meter of the thermally activated adhesive. Furthermore, the laser power used depends, among other things, on the specific heat capacity of the material webs and the thermally activated adhesive. The target temperature after the initial laser heating also plays a role in determining the laser power. Here, the temperature difference between the temperature of the material webs before laser heating and the target temperature is particularly relevant.

[0055] The invention also relates to a system comprising two devices according to the invention, wherein the first device comprises a first laser heating unit, a first pair of rollers and a first heating unit, and wherein the second device comprises a second laser heating unit, a second pair of rollers and a second heating unit.

[0056] The first and second laser heating units each comprise a laser configured to heat a thermally activatable adhesive, applied to at least one surface of at least one of the flexible material webs, at least partially at or upstream of the first and second pair of rollers, respectively. Alternatively, instead of two lasers, the laser beam of a single laser can be split into two partial beams to function simultaneously as the laser of the first laser heating unit and as the laser of the second laser heating unit. The first and second pair of rollers are configured to compress the material webs in the first and second compression zones, respectively. The first and second heating units are configured to heat at least a portion of the material web upstream of, or at, the first and second pair of rollers, respectively. The first and second heating units are preferably part of the respective pair of rollers.

[0057] The first device is arranged upstream of the second device. The first device preferably creates a longitudinal seam. The longitudinal seam is the portion of the sealing seam that runs substantially parallel to the current direction. Two flexible material webs and a product are provided. At least one of the material webs has a thermally activated adhesive. The product is enclosed between the two opposing flexible material webs. The portion of the intended sealing seam that runs substantially parallel to the current direction is heated by the first laser heating unit. The two material webs are pressed together by the first pair of rollers, particularly along this intended longitudinal seam, to enclose the products between the material webs. The pressure roller of the first pair of rollers preferably has bulges in the shape of the intended longitudinal seam.The material webs are also heated further immediately before and / or during the compression of the material webs using the first heating unit.

[0058] The enclosed product is then supplied to the second device. The second device preferably creates a transverse seam. A transverse seam is defined as all parts of the sealing seam that do not run substantially parallel to the current direction. The transverse seam can, for example, run perpendicular to the current direction. However, the transverse seam can also consist of two lines extending from the longitudinal seams that converge at a single point. The transverse seam can also have a rounded shape. Preferably, the parts of the intended sealing seam that have not yet been sealed are heated by the laser of the second laser heating unit. The two material webs are then pressed together by means of the second pair of rollers, particularly along the intended transverse seam. The pressure roller of the second pair of rollers preferably has bulges in the shape of the intended transverse seam.The material webs are also heated further by the second heating unit immediately before and / or during the compression of the material webs. The second sealing step of the second device completes the seal, so that the seal preferably has a closed shape.

[0059] Alternatively, the first device can seal the transverse seam and the second device can perform the sealing of the longitudinal seam.

[0060] Figure 1a: Schematic representation of an embodiment of the invention

[0061] Figure 1b: Detail of a schematic representation of an embodiment of the invention. Figures 2a to 2g: Various exemplary embodiments of the invention, which show a number of advantageous arrangements of the laser(s).

[0062] Figure 3: Schematic representation of a system comprising 2 pairs of rollers and two laser heating units

[0063] Figures 4a and 4b: Schematic representation of a pressure roller of the roller pair

[0064] Figure 1a shows an embodiment of the device for packaging medical products A, particularly those with a flat shape. Figure 1b shows a more detailed section of Figure 1a in the area of ​​the roller pair 23, 24.

[0065] The material webs 101 and 102 used are made of paper and / or plastic. For example, the lower material web 102 shown in Figure 1a is made of paper, and the upper material web 101, which carries the thermally activatable adhesive 110, is made of plastic. The thermally activatable adhesive 110 is generally applied to the entire surface of one side of the material web 101. The upper material web 101 is optically transparent to the laser beam.

[0066] The medical products A to be packaged could, for example, be a wound dressing.

[0067] The device comprises a laser 301 as a laser heating unit 300. The laser 301 heats the thermally activatable adhesive 110, which is applied to the surface of a flexible material web 101, along a designated sealing seam. The surface of the material web 101, which carries the thermally activatable adhesive 110, faces the other material web 102. This material web is brought together with a second material web 102 at an angle of approximately 30° in the region of the roller pair 23, 24. The second material web 102 carries the wound dressings A to be packaged. The wound dressings are enclosed between the flexible material webs 101, 102.

[0068] The heating unit 201 is located downstream of the laser heating unit 300. This unit also heats the thermally activated adhesive 110. Heating unit 201 is part of the pressure roller pair 23, 24. The pressure roller 24 is heated and warms the material web 101, and in particular the thermally activated adhesive, in the area where the upper material web 101 is guided along the heated pressure roller 24. Since the thermally activated adhesive was already heated in the first heating step c, it is no longer necessary to transfer all the energy to the adhesive via the pressure roller to reach the temperature required for the sealing step d, starting from room temperature. This enables more reliable sealing of the wound dressings, even at high web speeds, such as 200 m / min.Similarly, the likelihood of material damage due to excessively high temperatures or unreliable sterile barriers caused by interrupted seals at excessively low temperatures is prevented. A further advantage is that material wear on the roller pair is reduced, especially if one of the rollers is coated with an elastomer, as the pressure rollers can be operated at lower temperatures.

[0069] Numerous arrangements of the laser heating unit 300 with laser 301 in relation to the roller pair 23, 24 with heating unit 201 are conceivable. These variants are illustrated in Figure 2.

[0070] The heated pressure roller 24, whose surface has indentations in the form of the intended sealing seam, selectively heats the intended sealing seam.

[0071] The roller pair 23, 24 compresses the material webs 101, 102 in the compression areas. The indentations press the material webs 101, 102 together, particularly at the intended sealing seam. This compression process is shown in detail in Figure 1b.

[0072] Figures 2a to 2g show exemplary embodiments for the arrangement of the laser heating unit 300 with laser 301 to the roller pair 23, 24 with heating unit 201 .

[0073] The embodiments described are examples and by no means exhaustive. Instead of the laser itself, for instance, the laser beam of a laser can be deflected to the corresponding points on the intended sealing seam in order to irradiate them from the appropriate direction.

[0074] In the embodiments shown in Figures 2a and 2b, a first material web 101 and a second material web 102 are provided. One surface of the first material web 101 is coated with thermally activatable adhesive 110. This surface faces the second material web 102. After or during irradiation by the laser beam of the laser 301, the first material web 101 is guided along a pressure roller 24 of the roller pair. The second material web 102 is oriented essentially perpendicular to gravity. The surface of the second material web 102 facing the first material web 101 carries the medical products A. Therefore, during the preheating and heating processes, the thermally activatable adhesive 110, and in particular the adhesive on the material web 101, must be heated.In the preheating process, the adhesive 110 is heated by means of the laser 301 and during the further heating process by means of the heating unit 201, which is located in a pressure roller 24 of the roller pair 23, 24. In the compression area of ​​the roller pair 23, 24, the two material webs 101, 102 are sealed around the medical product A.

[0075] In Figure 2a, the laser 301 contained in the laser heating unit 300 is arranged between the material webs 101, 102 such that the laser beam directly heats the thermally activatable adhesive 110 between the two material webs without first penetrating a material web. In a preferred embodiment, the laser 301 is also arranged between the two material webs 101, 102. After the thermally activatable adhesive has been heated once by the laser beam, it is heated again by the heating unit 201 of the roller pair 23, 24.

[0076] In Figure 2b, the laser 301 is positioned between the material webs 101 and 102 such that the laser beam directly heats the thermally activatable adhesive 110 between the two material webs without first penetrating either web. The laser 301 is positioned directly between the two material webs 101 and 102. During the heating of the thermally activatable adhesive by the laser beam, the adhesive is also heated by the heating unit 201 of the roller pair 23 and 24.

[0077] Figure 2c shows an embodiment of the invention in which the thermally activated adhesive 110 is applied to the second material web 102. The first material web 101 is not coated with an adhesive. The surface coated with adhesive 110 faces the first material web 101, and the medical products A are arranged on this surface of the second material web 102. The second material web 102 is therefore oriented essentially perpendicular to gravity. The laser 301 is positioned such that the laser beam strikes the second material web 102 perpendicularly on the side facing away from the adhesive 110. The laser beam penetrates the second material web 102 and heats the thermally activated adhesive 110.

[0078] In the embodiments shown in Figures 2d to 2e, a first material web 101 and a second material web 102 are provided, wherein one surface of the first material web 101 is coated with a thermally activatable adhesive 111 and one surface of the second material web 102 is coated with a thermally activatable adhesive 112. These two surfaces face each other. The second material web 102 is oriented essentially perpendicular to gravity. The surface of the second material web 102 facing the first material web 101 carries the medical products A. Therefore, during the preheating and heating processes, the surfaces of both material webs 101 and 102, and in particular the thermally activatable adhesives 111 and 112, must be heated.In the preheating process, the adhesive 111, 112 is heated by means of the lasers 301, 302 and subsequently, during the final heating process, by means of the heating unit 201 in a pressure roller 24 of the roller pair. In an alternative embodiment, both pressure rollers 23, 24 can also include a heating unit.

[0079] As in Figure 2c, in Figure 2d the laser 301 is arranged such that its laser beam directly heats the adhesive 111, 112, which is applied to the facing surfaces of the two material webs 101, 102. The laser beam strikes the two material webs 101, 102 essentially at the point where they meet in the compression zone of the roller pair 23, 24. In this embodiment, one laser or one laser beam is sufficient to heat both layers of the thermally activatable adhesive 111, 112. Thus, the adhesive 111, 112 is heated not only by the laser 301 of the laser heating unit 300, but simultaneously by the heating unit 201 of the roller pair 23, 24. In a preferred embodiment, the laser 301 is also arranged between the two material webs 101, 102.

[0080] Figure 2e also shows an embodiment of the invention comprising a laser heating unit 300 comprising two lasers 301, 302 or a laser which can emit two laser beams by means of optical splitting, as already described in more detail above (not shown). The laser beams strike the first material web 101 and the second material web 102. The first and the second material webs 101, 102 are optically transparent to the laser beams, so that the thermally activatable adhesive 111, 112 can be heated. Subsequently, the material webs 101, 102 are brought together in the area of ​​the roller pair 23, 24 and heated by the heating unit 201. The roller pair 23, 24 can also comprise two heating units, with one heating unit arranged in each pressure roller.

[0081] In Figure 2f, similar to Figure 2a, the lasers are arranged so that the laser beams strike the two surfaces of the material webs 101, 102 coated with thermally activatable adhesive 111, 112. Although this embodiment is structurally more complex than the embodiment shown in Figure 2d with a laser beam between the material webs 101, 102, this embodiment allows for more precise control of the laser beams and the amount of energy they transmit. This enables a more precise seal to be achieved.

[0082] Figure 2g shows an embodiment of the invention for packaging two medical products A one above the other. Three material webs 101, 102, 103 are fed to the roller pair 23, 24. The products A are arranged between each pair of material webs 101, 102, 103. A layer of the thermally activatable adhesive 111, 112 is applied between each pair of adjacent material webs. The angle between the two material webs 102, 103 is selected such that the products A cannot slip. At least one pressure roller 23, 24 of the roller pair includes a heating unit 201, 202. In this embodiment, however, both pressure rollers 23, 24 can also include a heating unit 201, 202. The lasers 301, 302 are arranged between two material webs 101, 102, 103 in such a way that the laser beam directly heats the thermally activatable adhesive 111, 112 between the material webs without first penetrating a material web.Alternatively, other arrangements of the lasers according to one of the previous embodiments or a combination of the arrangements of the lasers according to one of the previous embodiments are also possible.

[0083] Considering the dimensions of typical laser modules 301, it may be advantageous for design reasons not to position the laser 301 directly in the area of ​​the roller pair. Instead, the laser heating unit 300 can include further suitable optical elements to deflect the laser beam so that it reaches the surface of the material webs 101, 102 to be irradiated. These optical elements can, for example, be one or more mirrors. Such guidance of the laser beam by optical elements allows, in a device according to the invention, the spatial arrangement of the laser source 301 to be completely independent of the point of impact of the laser beam.

[0084] By means of the mirrors, a more distant laser beam can be directed, for example, between the material webs, so that the laser beam, as shown in Figure 2a, shines directly onto the layer of adhesive 110 between the material webs 101 , 102.

[0085] The angle at which the two material webs 101, 102 meet can be selected taking into account the arrangement and size of the components provided in this area. For example, in an arrangement where the laser beam strikes a layer of adhesive directly without first penetrating a material web, a smaller angle between the material webs is possible if, instead of the laser 301, only an optical component, which is smaller than the laser, is arranged between the material webs to direct the beam to the desired location.

[0086] When choosing the arrangement, it is important that the preheating step occurs so close to the heating and compression step d that the adhesive heated by the laser does not cool down completely. For such arrangements, a distance of 1 cm to 20 cm is therefore provided between the point where the laser beam of the laser heating unit 300 hits the material web and the compression area of ​​the roller pair.

[0087] Figure 3 shows a system comprising a first device with a first laser heating unit 300, a first pair of rollers 23, 24, and a first heating unit 201, as well as a second device with a second laser heating unit 310, a second pair of rollers 25, 26, and a second heating unit 210. The first and second heating units 201, 210 are part of the first and second pairs of rollers, respectively. The intended sealing seam is sealed in two steps. The longitudinal seam is sealed using the first device, and the transverse seam using the second device.

[0088] The first device is therefore arranged upstream of the second device. Two flexible material webs 101, 102 and a product A are provided and fed to the first device. The two material webs 101, 102 enclose the product A, which is, in particular, a planar medical device. The material web 102, which carries the product A, is coated with a thermally activatable adhesive 110. The first laser heating unit 300 heats the intended longitudinal seam by means of a laser 301. Subsequently, the two material webs 101, 102 are compressed along the intended longitudinal seam by means of the first pair of rollers 23, 24. One of the two rollers of the first pair of rollers 23, 24 comprises a surface made of an elastomer with several projecting compression areas that follow the intended longitudinal seam. The other roller of the first pair of rollers 23, 24 is made of steel.The material webs 101, 102 are also heated further during compression by means of the first heating unit 201.

[0089] After the first device is used, the products A are partially sealed. The complementary part of the intended seal is welded by the second device.

[0090] The partially enclosed product A is then transferred to the second device. The material webs are further heated by the second laser heating unit 310. The two material webs 101 and 102 are then pressed together along the intended transverse seam by the second pair of rollers 25 and 26. One of the rollers of the second pair of rollers 25 and 26 has a soft surface and indentations in the shape of the intended transverse seam, while the other roller is made of a hard material such as steel. During the pressing process, the material webs 101 and 102 are further heated by the second heating unit 210. The sealing seam now has a closed shape. The material webs can now be cut transversely, resulting in individually packaged products.

[0091] In one possible embodiment, shown in Figures 4a and 4b, at least one pressure roller 24 of the roller pair can be configured to heat the respective flexible material webs only along the areas of the intended sealing seam.

[0092] To heat the flexible material webs along the intended sealing seams, which are to be compressed subsequently or during this process, the rollers 24 of the roller pair can have projecting areas 42 on their outer surface, which are heated by electrical resistors surrounded by unheated areas 44. The areas 42 for heating the material web can be shaped such that the shape of the compression areas is contained within the shape defined by the areas 42.

[0093] According to possible embodiments, the medical products A to be packaged can be arranged side by side in at least two rows perpendicular to the direction of flow. In this case, as shown in Figure 4b, at least one of the pressure rollers 24 can be on the

[0094] The outer surface shall have at least two rows of heated areas 42 surrounded by unheated areas 44. The areas 42 may be shaped such that at least two medical products A can be packaged side by side at the same time.

Claims

Claims 1. A method for packaging a medical product (A), in particular a planar product, comprising the steps of: a. providing two flexible material webs (101, 102, 103) and a product (A), b. arranging the product (A) between the two opposing flexible material webs (101, 102, 103), at least one of which has a thermally activatable adhesive (110, 111, 112) on its surface facing the other material web, c. initial heating, in particular preheating, of at least a part of a planned sealing seam by means of at least one laser (301, 302), d.The process involves compressing the intended sealing seam by means of a pair of rollers (23, 24) to enclose the product (A) between the material webs (101, 102, 103), and further heating at least one of the material webs (101, 102, 103) immediately before and / or during the compression of the material webs (101, 102, 103), wherein the further heating is preferably carried out by means of at least one of the pressure rollers contained in the pair of rollers (23, 24).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the material webs (101, 102, 103) are heated or preheated to a temperature of 60°C to 100°C, preferably 70°C to 90°C, in particular 75°C to 85°C.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the product (A) has a maximum height of 15 mm, preferably 5 mm and particularly 2 mm.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the material webs (101 , 102 , 103) are brought together at an angle of up to 90°, wherein the angle is preferably at most 60°, in particular at most 30°.

5. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the laser beam of the laser (301, 302) is directed at a predetermined position on the material web and heats the adhesive (110, 111, 112) along at least a portion of the intended sealing seam facing the other material web (101, 102, 103), wherein the laser (301, 302) is preferably switched off at least when no intended sealing seam of the flexible material web (101, 102, 103) is visible under the Laser (301 , 302) is located.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the laser beam of the laser (301, 302) is directed to a predetermined position on the material web and the laser beam is expanded, wherein the laser beam preferably covers the entire width of the material web (101, 102, 103), and wherein only the intended sealing seam is heated using a mask which is permeable to the laser beam at positions corresponding to the intended sealing seam.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the laser beam follows at least one part of the intended sealing seam in a first heating area during the first heating.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the power of the laser (301 , 302) is matched to the width of the contour of the intended sealing seam, wherein the laser power is preferably increased if the contour of the intended sealing seam is wider in the area swept by the laser beam.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible material webs (101 , 102, 103) run through the pair of rollers (23, 24) at a speed of 100 to 250 m / min, preferably 150 to 250 m / min, in particular 180 to 210 m / min.

10. Device for packaging a medical product (A), in particular a planar product, between two opposing flexible material webs (101, 102, 103) comprising: a laser heating unit (300) comprising a laser (301, 302) configured to heat a thermally activatable adhesive (110, 111, 112) applied to at least one surface of at least one flexible material web (101, 102, 103) at least partially at or in front of a pair of rollers (23, 24), the pair of rollers (23, 24) configured to compress the material webs (101, 102, 103) in a compression area, and at least one heating unit (201) configured to heat at least a part of the material web (101, 102, 103). upstream from the roller pair (23, 24) or heated on the roller pair (23, 24), wherein the heating unit (201) is preferably a part of the roller pair (23, 24).

11. Device according to claim 10, wherein the roller pair (23, 24) comprises a first pressure roller with one or more protruding compression areas made of soft material and a second pressure roller made of hard material, wherein the one or more protruding compression areas of the first pressure roller preferably consist of an elastomer and / or the second pressure roller is made of steel.

12. Device according to one of claims 10 to 11, wherein the laser (301 , 302) is arranged such that the laser beam is oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface of the material web (101 , 102 , 103) which has the thermally activatable adhesive (110 , 111 , 112).

13. Device according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein at least one of the material webs (101 , 102, 103) is at least partially transparent to the laser beam and wherein the laser (301 , 302) is arranged such that the laser beam passes through this material web (101 , 102, 103) and hits the thermally activatable adhesive (110, 111 , 112).

14. Device according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the laser heating unit (300) comprises at least two lasers (301, 302) configured to heat at least partially in front of a thermally activatable adhesive (110, 111, 112) applied to at least one surface of at least one of the flexible material webs (101, 102, 103) in front of a pair of rollers (23, 24).

15. Device according to one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the laser (301 , 302) is arranged such that the laser beam can directly hit the thermally activatable adhesive (110, 111 , 112).

16. System comprising a first device and a second device according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the two flexible material webs (101 , 102, 103) are first guided past the first device and then past the second device in a downstream direction.

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