DE102012111616B4 - Method for packing goods - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for packaging goods, in particular bulk goods, in which the goods are filled into a container (2) with a flexible wall (22), gas being sucked out of the container (2) through a suction opening (28), thus creating a negative pressure in the container (2) is generated with the goods, so that the external pressure presses the flexible wall (22) against the goods and this presses the goods together, characterized in that the container (2) is placed in an outer container (54), the goods in the inner container (2) is introduced and the container (2) presses the outer container (54) into a taut state when filling the goods, in which the outer container (54) lies tightly around the inner container (2), whereby the Container (2) expands the outer container (54) by at least 10% of its circumference (60) when filling.

Description

The invention relates to a method for packaging goods, in which the goods are filled into a container with a flexible wall.

Plastic and other products are often made from granules, which are transported in large quantities to the manufacturing site, melted down and processed into the products. Silo vehicles are used as transport vehicles, from which the granules are filled into the manufacturer's storage containers. If smaller quantities of granules are transported, for example because many different colors or types have to be transported, the granules are transported in large bags. So-called BigBags are often used, among other things. are placed in an octagonal cardboard casing, a so-called octabin. A BigBag or an octabin is transported placed on a pallet, e.g. loaded onto the transport truck with a forklift and transported to the manufacturer of the plastic parts.

If the truck accelerates sharply, for example due to an emergency braking or even an accident, the octabins or big bags slip into each other and are easily damaged - due to the relatively high weight of the granules - so that the granules can no longer be used. The same applies to transport using another means of transport, e.g. a forklift or an industrial truck.

Packaging processes in which goods are placed in containers or sack-like containers are out DE 10 2004 027 923 A1 , US 7,284,360 B2 , WO 2005/ 012 092 A2 and US 4,756,422 A known.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for packaging goods with which the goods can be transported safely.

This object is achieved by a method of the type mentioned at the beginning, in which, according to the invention, gas is sucked out of the container through a suction opening of the container and a negative pressure is generated in the container with the goods, so that the external pressure presses the flexible wall against the goods and this compresses the goods.

By compressing the goods, the dimensional stability of the container with the goods is increased, so that any deformation of the container during strong acceleration on the truck is counteracted. The dimensional stability also increases the robustness of the container, so that it is less susceptible to damage. In addition, it can be achieved that the container itself has such dimensional stability that an outer casing of the container, for example by an octabin, can be dispensed with. The container can be placed directly on a pallet and transported on it or alone without a pallet.

Furthermore, transport with a forklift to a truck, for example, can be made easier, since the increased dimensional stability counteracts deformation of the container on the forklift, for example when jerking or accelerating, so that the container is less likely to slip, deform or even become deformed on the forklift falls down.

The invention can achieve a significant increase in internal transport safety - for internal transport, for example by an industrial truck - and external transport safety, for example for transport by truck, train, container, etc. If necessary, the invention can be combined with all common methods of securing loads, for example in accordance with the technical regulations VDI 2700 ff and the applicable standards DIN EN 12195 ff.

A further advantage of the invention is that standard loading units or containers adapted to the respective means of transport and/or loading unit, e.g. analogous to Euro pallet dimensions, Chep pallets, half pallets, container pallets, disposable pallets, etc., can be produced in a simple manner. The invention can thereby form the basis for a seamless and positive loading technology and the resulting highest load security with the least amount of effort.

The container can be a bag, such as a BigBag, a bulk container or another suitable covering. It expediently holds at least 100 liters, in particular at least 500 liters, and is advantageously designed for a goods weight of at least 500 kg. The flexible wall is expediently made of plastic, in particular of plastic film, with a particularly advantageous use of a composite film which consists of at least two layers. A plastic-coated fabric or braid is also suitable.

The goods are expediently pallet goods consisting of several individual parts, i.e. goods that are transported on a pallet. The several individual parts are expediently countable, i.e. in particular dust-free, and can, for example, individually packaged goods, such as packages, packages, for example with pieces of furniture or machine parts, or individual bags, for example with animal feed. Small individual elements are also possible, in particular made of plastic, such as extruded and/or cut plastic parts, plastic granules, or egg charcoal, pellets, unground grain, coffee beans and the like. Advantageously, the goods are placed directly into the container, for example plastic granules in a bag.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, gas-permeable material is arranged between two opposite wall sides of the suction opening, through which the gas is sucked out. The gas-permeable material can be one or more layers of material or take another form.

This embodiment of the invention is based on the idea that the introduction of a negative pressure into a plastic bag is usually done through a lance through which air is sucked out of the bag. When there is sufficient negative pressure, the lance is pulled out of the bag and the suction opening is welded or glued. However, such closure is not easy because it is difficult to keep the suction opening sealed between pulling out the lance and welding or gluing it together. By arranging the gas-permeable material layer between the wall sides, the lance as a suction means can be dispensed with and the gas can be sucked out through the material layer. It is no longer necessary to pull out the lance and this prevents air from entering the container.

The gas is expediently sucked exclusively through the material layer to generate the negative pressure. Here, the suction opening can be kept open by the material layer, so that the suction opening is in particular completely filled by the material layer.

Advantageously, the wall around the suction opening is compressed onto the material layer from the outside, for example by applying pressure to the suction opening on both sides, and the gas is sucked through the compressed zone and through the gas-permeable material layer in this zone.

It is further proposed that the suction opening is introduced into a vacuum unit and a negative pressure surrounding the suction opening sucks the gas out of the container. There is no need to insert a suction tool into the container. In the vacuum unit, the wall around the suction opening is expediently compressed onto the material layer. The gas can be sucked out of the container through the compressed material layer and an inflow of gas into the container can be counteracted.

Advantageously, the suction opening is welded while a negative pressure environment is connected to the suction opening. This allows the container to be closed reliably and tightly without gas inadvertently entering the container again after it has been sucked out. For example, the suction opening is welded while it is in the vacuum unit and the vacuum surrounding the suction opening sucks the gas out of the container or a vacuum equilibrium is established.

It is also advantageous if the welding is carried out by the vacuum unit, which compresses the wall around the suction opening onto the material layer. This means that the negative pressure unit can also serve as a welding unit, so that synergy effects can be used.

To transport the container filled with the goods, in particular the bulk goods, it is usually lifted by a forklift and placed on a truck bed. This can be done by placing the container on a pallet and having the forklift grab the pallet from below. Another option is to lift the container using loops through which the forklift forks reach. It is particularly advantageous for such transport if the container is placed in an outer container which expediently has such loops. The outer container can be a fabric bag, such as is used for transporting stones or other heavy bulk goods.

When transporting the container, which in this context is also referred to as the inner container, in an outer container on a truck or other vehicle, it can happen that the outer container slips down so that the loops can no longer be easily grasped by a forklift. This disadvantage can be overcome if the outer container lies tightly against the inner container during transport. For this purpose, the outer container is expediently designed to be elastic, so that the outer container is pressed from its rest state into an expanded state by the inner container. Due to its elasticity, the outer container fits at least partially around the inner container, so that slipping down during transport is avoided.

When gas is sucked out of the inner container, it usually loses some of it its volume, for example between 30% and 50%. This also reduces its external dimensions or its circumference, which is expediently dimensioned in the horizontal direction. This increases the tendency of the outer container to slide limply down the inner container. This problem can be solved in that the inner container is introduced into the outer container according to the invention, the goods are placed in the inner container and the inner container presses the outer container into a taut state when filling the goods, in which the outer container rests around the inner container. In order to still fit tightly against the inner container when the volume is reduced, it is provided that the inner container expands the outer container by at least 10%, in particular between 10% and 20%, of its circumference when filling. This can ensure that the outer container remains at least somewhat expanded even after gas has been sucked out of the inner container and therefore lies tightly against the inner container.

Advantageously, a negative pressure of at least 100 mbar compared to an ambient pressure is introduced into the container filled with goods, in particular at least 300 mbar, which causes the container to shrink compared to the normal pressure state. In this state, the outer container expediently remains tightly stretched around the inner container.

A container with a flexible wall around an interior space is described below. In order to enable gas to be sucked out of the interior, the container includes a suction area for sucking gas out of the interior. The suction area can be designed as a neck, i.e. a taper, expediently in the upper area of the container. The suction area is advantageously formed from two opposing, flat films. This allows the suction area to be placed on a flat surface and kept wrinkle-free and wrinkle-free. This allows the suction area to be compressed particularly easily and reliably. In addition, this also simplifies welding of the suction area.

A gas-permeable material layer is advantageously arranged in the suction area between two opposite wall sides. The gas can be sucked out through this layer of material and gas can be prevented from flowing back into the container. For this purpose, the material layer is expediently designed in such a way that when the walls are pressed together, gas can be sucked out through the area pressed together and through the material layer. For this purpose, the gas-permeable material layer expediently includes air channels that remain intact even when compressed.

Advantageously, the material layer comprises a bubble wrap. Channels formed between the knobs can allow the gas or air to pass through from the container, with the knobs preventing the gas channels from being completely closed even when the material layer is pressed together.

Advantageously, the material layer has a filter material for filtering dust. For this purpose, the material layer can have a fiber material, for example a braid, in particular a felt, a fleece or a felt-like material. By filtering out dust, an area intended for welding can be prevented from becoming dirty and thus making welding more difficult or disruptive.

It is further advantageous if the material layer comprises a weldable plastic material. The material layer can thus be welded so that the suction opening can be closed easily and reliably.

Advantageously, the weldable plastic material has a melting temperature point that is lower than the melting temperature point of the wall material. When the suction opening is welded, the weldable plastic material of the gas-permeable material layer first melts and thus acts like an adhesive between the still very stable wall of the suction opening. This allows reliable welding to be combined with a high level of remaining stability of the suction area.

Furthermore, a container system with a flexible container, in particular with a container as described above and an outer container with dimensions such that it lies tightly against the container when the container is full, is described below. This can prevent the outer container from slipping down on the container, which is also referred to below as the inner container.

Advantageously, the outer container is stretchable in such a way that it still lies tightly against the inner container even when the inner container loses at least 10%, in particular at least 15%, of its circumference when it is full with goods. This can ensure that the outer container does not slip down even when the inner container is evacuated.

Elasticity of the outer container can be easily achieved if it has a side peripheral wall that is interrupted by at least one elastic side wall zone. As a result, the entire material of the outer container does not have to be made of elastic material, but it is sufficient if one or more elastic side wall zones are present, which expediently interrupts the circumferential side peripheral wall. The elastic sidewall zone is made of more stretchable material than the side peripheral wall. The zone is expediently designed as a seam between two side peripheral wall elements.

Furthermore, a device for generating a negative pressure in a flexible container is described below. It is proposed that the device has a connection for a pump for sucking gas from the flexible container. Gas can be sucked out of the container, so that this container with the goods in it, especially bulk goods, can be transported in a stable, easy and safe manner.

An advantageous embodiment of the device proposes that the device has a vacuum space and a closure means with a sealing strip, which has at least one seal and a pressing element opposite the seal, which can also be designed as a seal. The closure means is expediently prepared for closing the vacuum space by pressing the two elements of the sealing strip together against one another and for opening the vacuum space by moving the two elements apart. The negative pressure room can be closed and opened particularly easily.

A suction area of the container is expediently inserted into the sealing strip and the two elements of the sealing strip are pressed onto the suction area on both sides so that it is compressed. In the vacuum space sealed by this process, negative pressure can be generated and gas can be easily sucked out of the container.

Advantageously, the device further comprises a welding means for welding films together. The welding means is expediently arranged on the closure means and in particular in or on the vacuum space. The welding agent is particularly advantageously arranged along at least one element of the sealing strip.

Furthermore, a template for shaping a container for holding bulk goods is described. The template has side walls that limit expansion of the container as it is being filled. It is proposed that the template has an adjustment means with which the distance between the side walls can be adjusted.

It is assumed that shrinkage of the container due to the introduction of negative pressure into the container varies depending on the bulk material. However, for the efficient transport of evacuated containers, it is advantageous if they have a specified dimension in the evacuated state - i.e. with a negative pressure of at least 100 mbar - e.g. the pallet dimension of 120 cm x 80 cm. By adjusting the template's internal dimensions using the adjusting means, the internal dimension can be adjusted so that the container has the desired external dimension after evacuation, e.g. the pallet dimension.

A template can be a container with a bottom and four side walls into which a bag can be inserted. The four side walls specify the maximum length and width of the bag. The adjusting means is expediently prepared to make the internal dimensions of the template adjustable in two directions, so that both the length and the width of the maximum internal dimensions can be adjusted.

The template is advantageously equipped with a bracket to which an outer container can be hung with its loop so that it hangs in the template. It is expedient to have at least two brackets so that two opposite loops can be attached.

In order to make it easier to remove the container from the template, the template expediently has a movable side wall, for example a front wall, which can be designed as a door. Here, a bracket can be designed in such a way that a loop hooked into it slips off the bracket when the container moves through the plane of the movable wall out of the template.

Transporting the template can be made easier if it is attached to a forklift holder, for example a pallet, or if the forklift holder is part of the template. Since a template should not be transported on a truck, but a pallet should, it is advantageous if a means for attaching the forklift receptacle to the template has a release mechanism for releasing the forklift receptacle from the template. A work step can be saved if the release mechanism is activated automatically when the movable wall, for example the door, is opened, or the release mechanism is prepared for such automatic operation.

The description given so far of advantageous embodiments of the invention contains numerous features, some of which are summarized into several in the individual subclaims. However, the person skilled in the art will also expediently consider these features individually and combine them into further sensible combinations. In particular, these features can each be combined individually and in any suitable combination with the method according to the invention according to the independent claim.

The characteristics, features and advantages of this invention described above, as well as the manner in which these are achieved, will be more clearly and clearly understood in connection with the following description of the exemplary embodiments, which will be explained in more detail in connection with the drawings. The exemplary embodiments serve to explain the invention and do not limit the invention to the combination of features specified therein, not even with regard to functional features. Suitable features of each exemplary embodiment can also be explicitly viewed in isolation, removed from one exemplary embodiment, introduced into another exemplary embodiment to supplement it and/or combined with an independent claim.

• 1 Eine Anlage zum Verpacken von Ware in Säcken,
• 2 eine schematische Ansicht eines Sacks zum Befüllen mit Schüttgut,
• 3 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine Hals des Sacks aus 2
• 4 eine perspektivische Ansicht auf eine Vorrichtung zum Erzeugen eines Unterdrucks im Schüttgutbehälter, die an einem Befüllungsplatz angeordnet ist,
• 5 die Vorrichtung aus 4 in einem geöffneten Zustand,
• 6 einen unter Unterdruck stehenden Behälter mit zusammengepresstem Kunststoffgranulat in einem geschnitten dargestellten Außenbehälter und
• 7 der Außenbehälter in einer Seitendarstellung.

Show it:

• 1 A system for packing goods in bags,
• 2 a schematic view of a bag for filling with bulk goods,
• 3 a schematic top view of a neck of the bag 2
• 4 a perspective view of a device for generating a negative pressure in the bulk goods container, which is arranged at a filling station,
• 5 the device 4 in an open state,
• 6 a container under negative pressure with compressed plastic granules in an outer container shown in section and
• 7 the outer container in a side view.

1 shows a system for packaging goods in container 2 with a flexible wall. In this exemplary embodiment, the containers 2 are bags made of a plastic film, which are filled, for example, with plastic granules, loaded onto a truck and transported away. The container 2 has a volume of at least 0.5 m ³ and is designed for a goods weight of at least 500 kg. To pack the goods, such a container 2 is placed in a template 4, which specifies the external dimensions of the filled container 2. The template 4 is attached by a fastener, not shown, to a pallet 6 on which the container 2 stands and which is gripped by a forklift 8 and lifted onto the truck 10.

The template 4 is made as a sheet metal construction and can be used in many ways. It includes a movable wall 11, which is designed as a front wall that can be removed from the template 4. The wall 11 is inserted when the container 2 is placed in the template 4. The fastening means is designed so that it positively engages around a pallet element when the wall 11 is locked in the template 4. Likewise, when the wall 11 is unlocked, the fastener opens automatically and releases the pallet 6 so that it can be lifted out of the template 4.

The container 2 can be placed in the template 4 as it is and filled there. It stands on pallet 6, where it can be easily transported. However, it is also possible to first have an outer container 54, as shown in 6 and 7 is shown to hang in the template 4, for example on the loops 56 of the outer container 54. The loops 56 can be attached to two brackets, not shown, so that the outer container hangs down into the template 4. The container 2 can be inserted into the outer container 54. The outer container 54 makes it easier to transport and later empty the container 2.

To fill the bags with the plastic granules, a filling tube 12 of a filling device 14 is inserted into a filling opening 16 (see 2 ) of the container 2 is inserted and the goods, or the plastic granules, are filled into the bulk goods container 2. Once a sufficient degree of filling has been reached, the containers 2 together with the template 4 and pallet 6 - and possibly outer container 54 - are brought to a vacuum station 18, where air is sucked out of the bags. As a result, the goods in the container 2 are compressed by the ambient pressure on the container 2 and form a stable element composite within the container 2, which counteracts movement of the elements within the container 2 relative to one another. The filled container 2 is now stable against deformation, so that it can be safely transported in the truck 10 and, for example, in a strong one Braking process remains stable in shape and does not deform trapezoidally.

To generate and maintain the negative pressure in the container 2, the container 2 is provided with a suction area 20, which can also serve as a filling area 16 at the same time. The suction area 20 is designed as a neck of the container 2, i.e. as an upward-pointing taper of the inner container volume. This taper is not created by folding a container that is wide open at the top, but rather by the fact that the container wall 22 is designed to taper upwards, so that the circumference of the neck or suction area 20 is, if possible, no more than 30% of the circumference of the filling area of the container 2, for example the largest circumference of the container 2. The circumference is expediently determined by an imaginary horizontal section through the container 2, which results from the length of the cutting line of the container wall 22.

The suction area 20, which is in 2 shown hatched is in 3 shown in a schematic top view. Here, the wall sides 24 of the wall 22 are pressed flat against one another, although it is of course also possible to pull the wall sides 24 apart, so that a round filling opening 16 results in the insertion of the filling pipe 12. A gas-permeable material layer 26 is arranged between the two wall sides 24. This can be designed in such a way that it is attached all around the inside of the wall sides 24 - regardless of whether the wall sides 24 are pressed together or pulled apart and held all around. It is also possible for the material layer 26 to be arranged only in a semicircle of the wall 22 of the suction area 20, so that the material layer 26 only touches the unoccupied other wall side 24 when the two wall sides 24 are folded and pressed together. What is important here is that the gas-permeable material layer 26 completely fills the suction opening 28 between the wall sides 24 in a folded or compressed state of the suction area 20. This is in 3 shown, so that air flowing out of the container 2 cannot flow past the material layer 26.

The gas-permeable material layer 26 is a multi-layer dimpled film in which the dimples are pronounced vertically to a gas flow direction from the film, the gas flow direction being perpendicular to the plane of the paper 3 runs. Alternatively, a fiber material is advantageous, for example a plastic fleece, which is still sufficiently gas-permeable for sucking air out of the container 2.

To generate a negative pressure in the container 2, at least the suction area 20 of the container 2 is introduced into a negative pressure space of a device for generating a negative pressure, which is in 4 is shown in a perspective view.

4 shows a device 30 for generating a negative pressure on a frame 32, which brings the device 30 into a suitable position. The device 30 is arranged above a container 2, not shown, which is held in the template 4 and in the outer container 54, which is only shown very schematically.

5 shows the device 30 in an open state in which a vacuum space 34 is accessible from the outside. The device 30 comprises two mutually movable units 36, 38, which in this exemplary embodiment can be pivoted relative to one another on a hinge axis. The unit 38 is a base body that remains stationary relative to a floor on which the device 30 or the frame 32 stands. The unit 36 is a lid for opening and closing the vacuum space 34. The vacuum space 34 is surrounded by a sealing strip 40, which has a sealing element 42 in the lower unit 38 and an opposite pressing element 44 for pressing onto the sealing element 42. The pressure element 44 and the sealing element 42 both run parallel to each other around the vacuum space 34. By pressing the element 44 in the upper unit 36 onto the sealing element 42 of the lower unit 38, the vacuum space 34 is closed.

To generate a negative pressure in the container 2, the suction area 20 of the container 2 is used, for example, by an operator, as in 1 is shown, folded so that the two wall sides 24 rest on both sides of the material layer 26, as shown in 3 is shown. The suction area 20, which has been folded flat, is then bent from the vertical to the horizontal, so that the suction area 20 and the gas-permeable material layer 26 lie horizontally.

Now the suction area 20 is at least partially inserted into the opened device 30, with the opening 46 of the container 2 being arranged completely in the vacuum space 34. The suction area 20 and with it the gas-permeable material layer 26 should protrude outwards over the sealing strip 40, i.e. out of the vacuum space 34, so that the material layer 26 surrounded by the wall sides 24 is guided through the sealing strip 40.

Now the device 30 is closed by folding the upper cover unit 36 onto the lower base unit 38 and placing the upper pressing element 44 on the sealing element 42. The suction area 20 is thus clamped in the sealing strip 40, so that the two wall sides 24 are pressed onto the material layer 26 lying between them.

A vacuum pump, not shown, is connected to the device 30 via a connection 48 and a negative pressure is generated in the vacuum chamber 34. The vacuum space 34 is sealed to the outside by the sealing strip 40, with the material layer 26 forming a gas passage out of the vacuum space 34, so that the internal volume of the container 2 is connected to the vacuum space 34 in terms of gas flow. Gas, in the present example air, is sucked out of the container 2 through the gas-permeable material layer 26 and the wall 22 presses forcefully against the goods lying inside, for example the plastic granules.

If a sufficient negative pressure is generated in the container 2, for example a negative pressure of at least 500 mbar compared to the ambient pressure, the container 2 can be closed in the suction area 20. For this purpose, the opening 46 remains in the vacuum space 34 and the device 30 remains closed, so that the negative pressure around the opening 46 is maintained.

To close the container 2 in the suction area 20, the device 30 comprises a welding agent 50, which in this exemplary embodiment is arranged in the area of the sealing element 42. Specifically, the sealing element 42 is heated so that it reaches a welding temperature for welding plastic. Alternatively, it is possible for the welding agent 50 to also run next to the sealing element 42, it being advantageous if the welding agent 50 runs along the sealing element 42, in particular parallel.

With the help of the welding agent 50, the temperature in the suction area 20 is now increased so that a melting temperature of the gas-permeable material 26 is reached and the material layer 26 melts in the area of the welding agent 50. As a result, the two walls 24, whose melting temperature is higher than that of the material layer 26, are glued together by the melting material layer 26. The wall sides 24 retain their stability since they are not melted themselves, so that a mechanically stable closure of the container 2 is achieved. Alternatively, it is possible to choose the temperature so high that the wall sides 24 also at least melt, so that a stable connection between the material of the material layer 26 and the material of the wall sides 24 is achieved.

During the entire welding procedure, the opening 46 remains in the negative pressure area, i.e. lies in the negative pressure space 34. Once the welding has been completed and has cooled down sufficiently, the negative pressure in the negative pressure space 34 can be removed and, for example, ambient pressure can be set therein. The upper unit 36 can open and the suction area 20 can be removed from the vacuum space 34, and with it the opening 46. The container 2 is tightly closed by the weld and the negative pressure in the container 2 is maintained.

6 shows the container 2 with filled goods, for example plastic granules, in an evacuated state. Due to the negative pressure of approximately 600 mbar compared to the ambient pressure, the wall 22 of the container 2 is pressed tightly against the goods 52 and the goods 52 form a stable composite in the container 2. The container 2 is surrounded by an outer container 54, which rests tightly on the outside of the container 2. While the container 2 in 6 is shown in a side view, the outer container 54 is shown in section so that its tight fit against the container 2 becomes visible. In the area of the opening 46 or the filling opening 16, the outer container 54 is open at the top and includes loops 56 for lifting the outer container 54 by a fork of a forklift.

The outer container 54 is completely or at least partially formed from an elastic material, in which in 7 In the exemplary embodiment shown, it is partially formed from the elastic material 58. Here, the dimensions of the outer container 54 are selected so that the container 2 can initially be introduced empty into the outer container 54 and filled there.

The circumference 60 of the outer container 54 in the relaxed state is 80% of the circumference of the fully filled container 2 at corresponding points of the container 2 and the outer container 54. When filling, the circumference of the outer container 54 is changed from 80% to 100% of the circumference of the outer container 54 Container 2 expands when fully filled.

When the negative pressure is introduced into the container 2, the circumference of the container 2 shrinks again and with it the circumference of the expanded outer container 54, for example by 15%. However, even with a strong evacuation of the container 2, the circumference of the container 2 will not fall below 80% of its fully filled circumference, so that the outer container 54 is always tight around it Container 2 remains placed. As a result, the outer container 54 does not slide down the container 2 but remains in its position 6 position shown even in the event of strong vibrations or movements of the truck 10. When unloading, the loops remain up and the forklift can easily grab the outer container 54.

This in 7 Elastic material 58 shown is arranged in the form of an elastic side wall zone 60 which interrupts the otherwise inelastic side peripheral wall 62. The elastic sidewall zone 60 is designed in the form of a plurality of elastic bands which are arranged between a plurality of sidewalls of the side peripheral wall of the outer container 54. In the specific exemplary embodiment, the outer container 54 comprises four side walls, each of which is connected to one another via a seam made of elastic bands. In these side wall zones 60, which are designed as corner areas, or over the four seams, the circumference 64 of the outer container 54 expands by the required amount. The side walls 62 are made of an at least substantially inelastic material that expands less than 5%, in particular less than 3%, in the circumferential direction during the filling process. The circumferential expansion is therefore essentially limited to the elastic material 58 between the side walls 62.

For efficient transport, it is advantageous if the evacuated containers 2 have a predetermined external dimension, for example pallet dimensions such as 120 cm x 80 cm. According to the shrinkage of the container 2 during evacuation, the external dimensions during filling must be chosen so large that the predetermined external dimension is achieved after shrinking. For example, if the shrinkage is 15% of the circumference, the internal dimensions of the 4 templates should be 138 cm x 92 cm. If the shrinkage is only 10% of the circumference, the internal dimensions of the stencils should be 4 132 cm x 88 cm. In order to allow this variability, the templates 4 have an adjusting means with which the distance between the side walls can be adjusted, both between the front movable wall 11 and the rear wall and also between the two side side walls. Depending on the filled granulate, the internal dimension of the template 4 is adjusted so that the filled and evacuated container 2 reaches the desired external dimension.

Reference symbol list

2

container

4

template

6

palette

8th

Forklift

10

TRUCK

12

Filling pipe

14

Filling device

16

Filling opening

18

Negative pressure station

20

Suction area

22

wall

24

Wall sides

26

material layer

28

Suction opening

30

contraption

32

frame

34

negative pressure room

36

Unit

38

Unit

40

Sealing strip

42

Sealing element

44

Pressing element

46

opening

48

Connection

50

Welding fluid

52

Goods

54

External container

56

loop

58

elastic material

60

Sidewall zone

62

Side perimeter wall

64

Scope

Claims (6)

Method for packaging goods, in particular bulk goods, in which the goods are filled into a container (2) with a flexible wall (22), gas being sucked out of the container (2) through a suction opening (28), thus creating a negative pressure in the container (2) is generated with the goods, so that the external pressure presses the flexible wall (22) against the goods and this presses the goods together, characterized in that the container (2) is placed in an outer container (54), the goods in the inner container (2) is introduced and the container (2) presses the outer container (54) into a taut state when filling the goods, in which the outer container (54) lies tightly around the inner container (2), whereby the Container (2) the outer container (54) expands by at least 10% of its circumference (60) when filling. Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that a gas-permeable material (26) is arranged between two opposite wall sides (24) of a suction area (20), through which the gas is sucked out. Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the suction opening (28) is introduced into a vacuum unit and there the wall (22) around the suction opening (28) is pressed together onto the gas-permeable material (26) and the negative pressure surrounding the suction opening (28) removes the gas from the Container (2) sucks. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suction opening (28) is closed by welding while a negative pressure environment is connected to the suction opening (28). Procedure according to Claim 3 and 4 , characterized in that the welding is carried out by the vacuum unit, which presses the wall (22) together around the suction opening (28) onto the gas-permeable material (26). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a negative pressure of at least 300 mbar is introduced into the container (2) filled with goods, which causes the container (2) to shrink compared to the normal pressure state and the outer container (54) tightly around the container (2) remains tense.

Images