DE102009037667A1 - Method for packaging products - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for packaging products, in particular moist products, in which a flat packaging material is positioned on the outer surfaces of a product so that it is completely enclosed by the packaging material, whereby the packaging material is initially adjacent to a lower side region is folded to form side and end face areas that a one-sided open container is formed, wherein portions of the packaging material, which protrude in the region of opposing product side surfaces over the edge of the one-sided open container, covering the product top of the product so far on each other to be folded until they touch, to be sealed together in a first sealing area, and in a second and third sealing area, portions of the packaging material facing each other in the area outer end portions project from the product to the outside, are sealed with those portions of the packaging material which protrude outwardly from the product from the top portion and from the side surface portions of the packaging material.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for packaging products, in particular of moist products, in which a flat packaging material forming fold lines on the outer surfaces a product is or is that this from the packaging material completely enclosed, with the packaging material initially adjacent to a bottom area such under formation of side and end face areas folded, that creates a one-sided open container.

such Methods are known in the art and are used Products or general cargo of various kinds at least largely automated with paper or foil packaging, to be able to offer them for sale in packaged condition.

adversely at these procedures, which for example also for the packing of pieces of butter, cream cheese or other pasty In particular, two aspects are used due to the fact that the packaging material by folding operations only to the outer surfaces a product is created without being sealed in any way to become. This, on the one hand, leads to a buyer of such a packaged product can never be sure that the packaging is not opened before sale by unauthorized persons and was closed again and in this way possibly one Contamination of the product has taken place. The other is in the packaging of moist products, such as cream cheese, given the danger that liquid, in particular whey, emerges from the packaging, as by the known folding packaging no drip-tight sealing of the product with packaging material can be achieved.

A The object of the invention is accordingly a method develop the types mentioned above in such a way that as possible low economic effort, at least largely drip-tight Folding packages can be produced, in particular a largely automated packaging process possible should be.

According to the invention this object is solved by the features of claim 1 and in particular by
that portions of the packaging material, which protrude in the region of opposing product side surfaces over the edge of the one-sided open container, covering the product top of the product so far towards each other until they touch, then sealed together in a first seal area to become,
and
in a second and third sealing region, portions of the packaging material which project outwardly from the product in the region of opposite end surface regions are sealed with those regions of the packaging material which protrude outward from the product from the top side region and from the side surface regions of the packaging material.

According to the invention so provided different sealing areas, which are arranged so that they adjoin one another and / or overlap one another, so that ultimately a complete seal of Packaging results. This will on the one hand achieved that from the Packaging no moisture and especially in the packaging of Cream cheese no whey can escape. On the other hand will ensure that the packaging is only opened can, if destroyed at the same time, so that one Buyers can assume that packaging is intact that the packaging after the factory packaging process is not was opened by unauthorized persons.

The first sealing region according to the invention, in which portions of the packaging material which project beyond the edge of the container open on one side in the region of opposing side surfaces, are sealed together, for example by a process according to the German patent application DE 10 2004 055 007.7 the applicant are generated. This procedure ensures that the product can be packaged without contamination and that the packaging material rests against the top of the product as completely as possible while avoiding disruptive air bubbles. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable to use other methods for producing the first sealing area.

additionally to the first seal area according to the invention still generates a second and a third sealing area. In difference The first and second seal areas extend to the first seal area not along the top of the product, but in the range of its end faces. A preferred variant for production the second and third seal area will be even closer discussed.

If, in the context of this application, a bottom side, side surface, end face or top side region of the packaging material is mentioned, this always refers to that region of the packaging material which rests directly on the corresponding side of the product in the case of a finished packaged product. In this respect, the dimensions of the side surface areas of Verpa correspond The dimensions of the underside area, the dimensions of the product underside, the dimensions of the top area, the dimensions of the product top side and the dimensions of the end area areas, the dimensions of the product end faces. In contrast to these different areas of the packaging material, the terms product side surface, product end surface, product top side and product bottom side are used for the different surface areas of the product to be packaged in the context of this application.

Prefers is a cuboid or cube-shaped according to the invention Packaged, but other product forms are also conceivable, in particular z. B. prism shapes with hexagonal or octagonal Floor space. In this case, the product side surfaces exist or the product end faces then at least partially of several surfaces that adjoin one another and themselves located in different levels. Basically It is therefore not mandatory in the context of the invention that the individual Side and / or face areas within a single Extend the plane.

Before carrying out the sealing processes according to the invention, the packaging material, as already explained, is folded in such a way that a container open on one side results. This folding can be done on the one hand, when the product is already on the packaging material, as such. B. in the aforementioned application DE-A-10 2004 055007.7 is described, or the product can be introduced after the folding process in the one-sided open container, in particular injected.

The three sealing areas according to the invention can be generated in any order, in particular it is possible create the second and third seal areas before the first seal area was generated. However, it is preferable if first the first seal area and then then the second and third seal areas are generated. The production of the second and third sealing region can preferably simultaneously respectively.

The Training the ultimately creating a drip-proof packaging second and third seal areas becomes possible thereby that areas of the packaging material that over its Face areas survive, according to the product stand out and not as known from the prior art Folding packages inside on the surface of the product be folded. These outwardly projecting areas can then be used for to be sealed with other areas of the packaging material, those from the top side area and the side area area of the packaging material project from the product to the outside.

Especially it is preferred if the second sealing area extends along three Sides of the one end face region extends, wherein these three sides to the top area and the two side area areas adjoin. Likewise, then the third seal area along extend three sides of the other face area, although these three sides are at the top and the two Adjacent side surface areas. At those pages the face areas, the second and third seal area are associated, so it is those pages, with which the face areas of the packaging material not to the bottom of the packaging material, which is makes sense, since the face areas anyway by a fold line drip-proof with the bottom portion of the packaging material are connected, so that there no sealing is required.

Consequently is created by creating the second and third seal areas achieved that on the opposite product end faces each a completely circumferential drip-tight connection to adjacent Areas of the packaging material is produced, so that together with the first seal area running along the product top a total drip-proof packaging is available.

The Packaging material preferably has before the folding operations in a first direction a length that is larger is twice the sum of the width and the height of the product. In a second direction perpendicular to the first direction the packaging material advantageously has a length which is greater than the sum of the length and twice the height of the product. By these dimensions is achieved after covering the product top by the Packaging material in all required directions yet sufficient packaging material protrudes from the product, which according to the invention with each other can be sealed. So here it is deliberately a certain excess Packaging material provided to the sealing areas to be able to produce.

In addition, it is possible by the dimensions of the packaging material mentioned to fold this to an open-topped container, which can accommodate the product to be packaged completely. For example, in certain packages known from the prior art (eg butter packages with front-side folding), this is not possible because there must be folded to cover the product end faces packaging material from the product top and the product bottom on the product end face. This is not necessary according to the invention, since a complete covering of the product end faces can already be achieved by upward folding of the end face region starting from the underside region of the packaging material.

Especially It is advantageous if after the generation of the one-sided open Container and before sealing the second and third Seal areas each one to the end face areas adjacent area of the packaging material in the plane of the top area protrudes from the product to the outside. According to would have the packaging technology known in the art rather close to such an area inwardly on the product top to fold. By the atypical invention However, folding the said area to the outside becomes a Area created, which subsequently with such areas of the packaging material that can be sealed from the top area of the packaging material protrude outwards.

It is according to the invention, however, not mandatory that the said, adjacent to the end face area Area located in the level of the top area. alternative It would also be possible for this area to be extends away from the product along any other plane. It just needs to be ensured that they are together to be sealed areas of the packaging material immediately before the sealing process within a common plane.

The Invention makes it possible in a particularly advantageous manner that all sealing processes between at least executed a sealing jaws and at least one Gegensiegelbacken can be. So it is not necessary, one Siegelvorgang against the product itself perform at the product would act as a counter-sealer. insofar can be ensured according to the invention that the product is neither deformed by the sealing processes nor is negatively influenced by high sealing temperatures.

The second and third seal areas are preferably each between two outer, essentially L-shaped Sealing jaws on the one hand and a Gegensiegelbacken the other generated. The Gegensiegelbacken can in terms of its dimensions with the respective end face region of the packaging material or correspond with the dimensions of the product end face. These variant according to the invention is in the context of the description of the figures explained in more detail.

The According to the invention to be used packaging material is advantageously formed in one piece and has in particular, a cross shape in which of a base area in each case in the opposite direction two side flaps and two end flaps protrude. The base region is preferably over on all four sides the bottom area.

alternative to the above cross shape is also a rectangular shape of a einstückigen packaging material used in this Case, however, then more packaging material is needed.

The Packaging material is preferably made of a plastic film with an aluminum content, but are also any other materials can be used, where a sealing process basically feasible is.

Further preferred embodiments are in the subclaims explained. The invention is described below with reference to a Example explained with reference to the figures. In show this:

1a 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view from above, in which a total of five method steps for carrying out a possible method according to the invention are shown,

2a -E a representation accordingly 1 from diagonally below,

3 a perspective view of a sealing device for producing the first seal region according to the invention, and

4 a perspective view of a sealing device for generating the second or third sealing regions according to the invention.

The 1a . 2a show a cross-shaped blank of a packaging material 10 , which according to 2a from a rectangular base area 12 , two in the opposite direction from the base area 12 protruding side flaps 14 and two in the opposite direction from the base area 12 protruding front tabs 16 consists. side flaps 14 and forehead straps 16 are perpendicular to each other, with the extension of the side flaps 14 from the base area 12 away is significantly larger than the corresponding extent of the end tabs 16 , This is due to the fact that the side flaps 14 are provided not only for partial coverage of the product side surfaces but also for covering the product top to form the first seal area, whereas the function of the end tabs 16 only consists in partially covering the product end faces and Form parts of the second and third seal area.

The base area 12 is larger than the product's bottom, so it's over all four sides 1a apparent base area 18 protrudes. The underside area 18 is in 1a drawn with solid lines and is used in the finished packaging to completely cover the product bottom. Accordingly, the bottom area 18 essentially the same size as the product bottom, with a comparison of the 1a and 2a makes it clear that the underside area 18 is much smaller than the base area 12 ,

Furthermore, are off 1a two side surface areas 20 as well as two end face areas 22 can be seen, which are opposite each other and from the bottom area 18 extend away, leaving the bottom area 18 with the side surface areas 20 and the face areas 22 ultimately in turn forms a total of a cross shape, which completely within the cross shape of the packaging material 10 lies.

In the 1a shown side surface areas 20 serve in the finished packaging to completely cover the two opposite product side surfaces. A corresponding function have the end face areas 22 concerning the product end faces.

For the production of the sealing regions according to the invention, it is important that the side surface areas 20 as well as the face areas 22 according to 1a not to the edge of the packaging material 10 extend so that between the outer end of the side surface areas 20 or end face areas 22 and the peripheral line of the packaging material 10 a distance remains in the case of the end face areas 22 can serve to form the second and third seal area and in the case of the side surface areas 20 to cover the product top and to form the first seal area.

For carrying out the packaging process according to the invention, it is possible to have a product to be packaged with its product underside on the underside region 18 of the packaging material 10 hang up and then move the product through such a folding gate, for example, down, that the side surface areas 20 and the face areas 22 be folded up, as in the 1b and 2 B is shown. A corresponding folding method is in the already mentioned patent application DE 10 2004 055 007.7 the applicant described. Alternatively, it is possible to use the packaging material 10 by means of a punch, whose dimensions correspond to the product to be packaged to push through a folding backdrop, so that the packaging material 10 turn a form according to the 1b and 2 B receives, whereupon the stamp is removed from the packaging material. In this way one then obtains an open-topped container according to the 1b and 2 B into which the product can be introduced or injected. Injection is particularly useful when packaging cream cheese. In all these cases it is possible to use the packaging material 10 with or without product in any direction by a folding backdrop to push or pull, so for example, both down, as explained above, as well as up or in a horizontal direction.

Regardless of the nature of the introduction of the product is thus at the end of the process step according to the 1b and 2 B a unilaterally open container made of packaging material 10 in which there is a product, the latter in the 1b and 2 B is not shown for reasons of clarity. In this state, the packaging material is held with the product therein in a receptacle, not shown, so as to ensure sufficient stability.

Essential for the procedure described here is the fact that the 1a apparent areas 24 of the packaging material 10 , which on the outside to the end surface areas 22 adjacent, according to the invention are folded away from the product and thus do not come to rest on the product top. This way of unfolding the areas 24 takes place in such a way that the areas 24 stand out from the product in the plane of the product top. The areas extend 24 over the entire width of the respective product end face. The areas explained above 24 of the packaging material are particularly good from the 1b . 2 B and 2c seen.

Starting from the process step according to the 1b and 2 B are the outside of the side surface areas 20 adjacent top areas 26 folded over each other by 90 ° to the product top so that they together cover the product top completely. In the area where the top areas 26 on the top of the product, they are folded upwards by 90 ° so that a sealing flap protruding vertically upwards from the top of the product covered with packaging material 28 resulting from the end sections of the two top sections 26 consists. In this position results in a surface contact between outward of the top areas 26 protruding packaging material and the above-described areas 24 coming from the frontal areas 22 stand out.

In the illustrated position according to the 1c and 2c can then according to 3 a first sealing process be performed by two sealing jaws 30 parallel to the product top to be moved towards each other up to the sealing flap 28 between the sealed jaws 30 is trapped and a sealing process for forming the first seal region according to the invention can take place. A corresponding sealing process is again in the patent application DE 10 2004 055 007.7 described.

After carrying out the sealing process in accordance with 1c . 2c and 3 The product top is sealed, the sealed baking 30 can be removed again and the sealed sealing bag 28 Can be folded on the product top, leaving a shape of the packaging material 10 according to the 1d and 2d results.

As a result, now using two L-shaped sealing jaws 32 and a counter-seal baking 34 generates the second and third seal regions according to the invention. This is the Gegensiegelbacken 34 whose shape matches the size of the face area 22 is adjusted, parallel to the face area 22 move it upwards until it reaches the frontal area 22 completely covered. In this position is the range explained above 24 of the packaging material 10 at the upper edge of the counter-sealing jaw 34 at. Furthermore lie also in 2c hatched areas 36 the packaging material at the side edges of the Gegensiegelbackens 34 at. The areas 36 extend in the plane of the side surface areas 20 away from the product and extend over the entire height of the end surface areas 22 , Thus, the two areas border 36 and the area 24 immediately adjacent to each other and along three sides of the face area 22 , Consequently, the areas are 24 . 36 all those sides of the face area 22 assigned that no fold line 38 ( 2c ) with the base area 18 form.

As a result, now the two L-shaped sealing jaws 32 according to 4 towards the counter-seal baking 34 moved until the sealed jaws 32 and the counter-seal baking 34 the two areas 36 and the area 24 pinch between them. Subsequently, a sealing process can then take place with which the second sealing region according to the invention is then produced. Then it can then with the other face area 22 be moved in a similar manner, so that in this way the third sealing region according to the invention is created.

After the first, second and third sealing areas have been created, the package is tightly sealed, as the first, along the sealing flap 28 running seal area directly on the sealed area 24 ( 2c ), so that the first, second and third sealing areas ultimately extend along interconnected lines that completely seal the package.

In a last procedural step can then over the top area 26 and the side surface areas 20 outwardly projecting portion of the packaging material 10 on the two end surface areas 22 be folded, so that a compact, cuboid and drip-proof product packaging according to the 1e and 2e results.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

packing material

12

base region

14

side flaps

16

end flaps

18

Under Page Range

20

Side surface area

22

End face region

24

Area

26

Top area

28

sealing fin

30

Sealing jaws, Against sealing jaws

32

sealing jaws

34

Against sealing jaws

36

Area

38

fold line

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 102004055007 [0007, 0035, 0039]
• - DE 102004055007 A [0011]

Claims (8)

Process for packaging products, in particular moist products, in which a flat packaging material ( 10 ) is positioned on the outer surfaces of a product with the formation of fold lines such that it is separated from the packaging material ( 10 ) is completely enclosed, the packaging material ( 10 ) adjacent to a subpage area ( 18 ) in such a way to form lateral and end face areas ( 20 . 22 ) is folded, that a one-sided open container arises, characterized in that portions of the packaging material ( 10 ), which protrude beyond the edge of the unilaterally open container in the region of opposite product side surfaces, are folded over one another until they touch, covering the product top side of the product, and then in a first sealing region ( 28 ) and that in a second and third seal area sections ( 24 . 36 ) of the packaging material, which in the region of opposing end face areas ( 22 ) protrude outwards from the product, with such areas of the packaging material ( 10 ) to be sealed from the top ( 26 ) and from the side surface areas ( 20 ) of the packaging material ( 10 ) stick out from the product. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the second sealing region ( 24 . 36 ) along three sides of the one end face region ( 22 ), these three sides being at the top ( 26 ) and the two side surface areas ( 20 ), and that the third seal area ( 24 . 36 ) along three sides of the other face area ( 22 ), whereby these three sides are also connected to the upper side region (FIG. 26 ) and the two side surface areas ( 20 ). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the packaging material ( 10 ) before the folding operations in a first direction has a length which is greater than twice the sum of the width and the height of the product and a second, perpendicular to the first direction extending a length which is greater than the sum of the length and twice the height of the product. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after the production of the one-sided open container and before sealing of the second and third sealing regions ( 24 . 36 ) one each at the end face areas ( 22 ) adjacent area ( 24 ) in the level of the top area ( 26 ) protrudes from the product to the outside. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all sealing operations between at least one sealing jaws ( 30 . 32 ) and at least one counter-sealing jaws ( 30 . 34 ). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second and third sealing regions ( 34 . 36 ) between two outer, substantially L-shaped sealing jaws ( 32 ) on the one hand and with respect to its dimensions with the respective end face region ( 32 ) corresponding counter-sealing jaws ( 34 ) are generated on the other hand. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the packaging material ( 10 ) is formed integrally and in particular substantially has a cross shape, in which by a base region ( 12 ) in each case in the opposite direction two side flaps ( 14 ) and two end tabs ( 16 ) stand out. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the base area ( 12 ) on all four sides over the underside area ( 18 protruding).

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