DE102020108161A1 - Process for packaging products and packaging system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for packaging products (2), in which the products (2) to be packaged are packaged with a packaging material (3) in a packaging line (4), the packaging material (3) initially from a first packaging material- Roll (14), which is arranged on a first rotatably mounted mandrel (12), is withdrawn and fed to the packaging line (4), when the first packaging material roll (14) is at least partially used up, an initial section (34) of a second Packaging material roll (15), which is arranged on a second rotatably mounted mandrel (13), is brought into overlap with an already withdrawn packaging material section (35) of the first packaging material roll (14) and is connected to the last-mentioned packaging material section (35), and after the two packaging material sections (34, 35) have been connected, the packaging material (3) is pulled off the second packaging material roll (15) and the packaging line (4). The method according to the invention is characterized in that after the two said packaging material sections (34, 35) have been connected, the position of both mandrels (12, 13) is exchanged, the first mandrel (12) being inserted into the previous position of the second mandrel (13) is brought and the second mandrel (13) is brought into the previous position of the first mandrel (12). The invention also relates to a packaging system (1, 38) for carrying out the method.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for packaging products and a packaging system for packaging products.

In the beverage industry in particular, it is common to pack products, such as bottles, cans and / or other containers filled with beverages, in a packaging line with a packaging material.

The packaging material used for packaging the products is often provided in the rolled up state in the form of rolls. In such a case, the packaging material is pulled off a packaging material roll and fed to the packaging line. The packaging material is usually pulled off or unwound in a continuous process. If the supply of packaging material for a packaging material roll is exhausted or almost exhausted, the packaging line must be supplied with the packaging material from a new packaging material roll.

In order not to have to interrupt the operation of the packaging line when changing rolls, or only to have to interrupt it as briefly as possible, it is known to provide several rolls of packaging material to supply the packaging line. It is provided that the packaging material is first drawn from a first packaging material roll (also called active roll), which is arranged on a first mandrel, and fed to the packaging line. When the first packaging material roll is largely used up, an initial section of a second packaging material roll (also called a supply roll), which is arranged on a second mandrel, is overlapped with an already removed packaging material section of the first packaging material roll and connected to it. After the two packaging material sections have been connected, the second packaging material roll becomes the active role. That is, after joining, the packaging material is pulled off the second packaging material roll and fed to the packaging line. A new or third roll of packaging material is then used as the supply roll, which is placed on the first mandrel and replaces the first roll of packaging material. When the second roll of packaging material is largely used up, the above-described process is repeated with the second and third rolls of packaging material, and so on.

A method of the type described above is from the document, for example WO 2016/066643 A1 known. A disadvantage of this and other known methods of the type described above is that often only poor results with regard to the quality and / or the appearance of the packaging are achieved if those pieces of the packaging material which comprise the connection points where packaging material sections of two packaging material Rolls are connected to one another, can also be used for packaging products.

The present invention is based on the object of specifying a method for packaging products and a corresponding packaging system with which better results can be achieved with regard to the quality and / or the appearance of the packaging.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in each case by a method according to claim 1 and by a packaging system according to claim 11.

Preferred or advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the further claims and in the following description. The features or combinations of features contained in the claims are declared to be part of the description.

• - das Verpackungsmaterial zunächst von einer ersten Verpackungsmaterial-Rolle, die auf einem ersten rotierbar gelagerten Dorn angeordnet ist, abgezogen und der Verpackungsstraße zugeführt wird,
• - wenn die erste Verpackungsmaterial-Rolle zumindest teilweise verbraucht ist, ein Anfangsabschnitt einer zweiten Verpackungsmaterial-Rolle, die auf einem zweiten rotierbar gelagerten Dorn angeordnet ist, mit einem bereits abgezogenen Verpackungsmaterialabschnitt der ersten Verpackungsmaterial-Rolle in Überlappung gebracht wird und mit letztgenanntem Verpackungsmaterialabschnitt verbunden

wird, und

• - nach dem Verbinden der beiden Verpackungsmaterialabschnitte das Verpackungsmaterial von der zweiten Verpackungsmaterial-Rolle abgezogen und der Verpackungsstraße zugeführt wird.

In the method according to the invention, the products to be packaged are packaged with a packaging material in a packaging line, wherein

• - The packaging material is first pulled from a first packaging material roll, which is arranged on a first rotatably mounted mandrel, and fed to the packaging line,
• - When the first packaging material roll is at least partially used up, an initial section of a second packaging material roll, which is arranged on a second rotatably mounted mandrel, is brought into overlap with an already withdrawn packaging material section of the first packaging material roll and connected to the last-mentioned packaging material section

will, and

• - After the two packaging material sections have been connected, the packaging material is withdrawn from the second packaging material roll and fed to the packaging line.

The method according to the invention is characterized in that, after the two said packaging material sections have been connected, the position of both mandrels is swapped, with the first mandrel in the previous position of the second mandrel is brought and the second mandrel is brought into the previous position of the first mandrel.

The invention is based on the knowledge that in the methods from the prior art it has a disadvantageous effect on the quality and / or the appearance of the packaging that the packaging material sections of the active roll and the supply roll to be connected are not in a single defined way overlap. This is because the side on which the packaging material sections to be connected overlap depends on which of the two mandrels the active role is arranged on and on which of the two mandrels the supply roll is arranged. If, for example, the active role is on the first mandrel or the supply roll is on the second mandrel at a certain point in time, the active role is on the second mandrel or the supply roll is on the first mandrel after a role change. Only after another roll change is the active roll again on the first mandrel or the supply roll on the second mandrel. As a result, the manner in which the packaging material sections to be connected to one another overlap is repeated only after every second roll change. This can be disadvantageous in particular in the case of printed packaging material, because then, due to the varying overlap, a desired print image appears at the connection point only after every second roll change.

Because the invention provides that the position of the two mandrels is swapped after the packaging material sections have been connected, it can be achieved that the packaging material sections to be connected to each other of the respective active role and the supply roll are always (ie with each roll change) in the overlap in the same ways. For example, the two packaging material sections can overlap in such a way that the packaging material section of the active role is always on top or always on the bottom.

The products to be packaged can in particular be containers for beverages, such as glass bottles, plastic bottles or cans.

In the context of the present invention, an initial section of a packaging material roll is to be understood as a packaging material section of the packaging material roll which comprises its free or outer end.

In the context of the present invention, a packaging material roll can be regarded as at least partially used up if its diameter falls below a predetermined diameter limit value.

The said second packaging material roll is expediently an unused packaging material roll. This can in particular be understood to mean a packaging material roll whose diameter is larger, e.g. at least 100% larger, preferably at least 150% larger, than the said diameter limit value. The second packaging material roll preferably comprises the same packaging material as the first packaging material roll. Furthermore, it is expedient if the two said packaging material rolls have the same width.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the position of the two mandrels is exchanged by a pivoting movement of both mandrels. In a preferred manner, the position swap takes place by a common pivoting movement of both mandrels about a stationary pivot axis which runs parallel to the two mandrels and is in particular arranged centrally between the two mandrels. It is also advantageous if the position of the two mandrels is exchanged automatically by means of one or more drive devices.

The second mandrel can already be rotationally driven for the purpose of pulling the packaging material off the second packaging material roll and for feeding the packaging material to the packaging line before the position of the two mandrels is exchanged. As a result, it is not necessary to wait until the position change of the mandrels has been completed in order to be able to supply the packaging line with the packaging material from the second packaging material roll. Instead, the packaging line can already be supplied with the packaging material from the second packaging material roll a short time after the joining process.

Alternatively, it is possible not to drive the second mandrel in rotation for the purpose of pulling the packaging material off the second packaging material roll and for feeding the packaging material to the packaging line until the position swap of the two mandrels has been completed.

The first packaging material roll expediently rotates at a predetermined rotational speed while the packaging material is being drawn off from the first packaging material roll. The predetermined speed of rotation can in particular be dependent on the (instantaneous) diameter of the first packaging material roll. That is to say, the speed of rotation of the first packaging material roll can vary over time, in particular in such a way that the Rotational speed increases with decreasing diameter of the first packaging material roll.

Before the two said packaging material sections are connected to one another, it is expedient if the rotational speed of the first packaging material roll is reduced. In particular, it can be provided that the rotational speed of the first packaging material roll is reduced to zero, i.e. the first packaging material roll is brought to a standstill. Before and / or while the rotational speed of the first packaging material roll is reduced, packaging material of the first packaging material roll is advantageously temporarily stored in a buffer device. After the two said packaging material sections have been connected, the second packaging material roll is expediently accelerated until it has reached a predetermined rotational speed.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that the starting section of the second packaging material roll is connected directly or essentially directly at its transverse edge to said packaging material section of the first packaging material roll. This can prevent an area from forming at the beginning section of the second packaging material roll in front of the connection point, which can possibly stand out from said packaging material section of the first packaging material roll, whereby an unintentional loosening of the connection can be more reliably avoided.

In the present case, the transverse edge of the starting section of the second packaging material roll is to be understood as the edge of the starting section running in the width direction of the second packaging material roll. The wording that the starting section of the second packaging material roll is connected “essentially directly” at its transverse edge to said packaging material section of the first packaging material roll can be understood to mean that the starting section of the second packaging material roll is at a distance of at most 10 mm , preferably at most 5 mm, is connected to its transverse edge with the other packaging material section.

Expediently, after connecting the two said packaging material sections and before changing the position of the two mandrels, the packaging material section of the first packaging material roll connected to the starting section of the second packaging material roll is separated from the still wound part of the first packaging material roll. After separation, the first roll of packaging material can be exchanged, for example, for a third, preferably unused, roll of packaging material. The first roll of packaging material is advantageously exchanged for the third roll of packaging material only after the position of the two mandrels has been exchanged.

The position of the two mandrels is preferably exchanged in the following chronological order: When the packaging material is withdrawn from the first packaging material roll and when the packaging material is fed from the first packaging material roll to the packaging line, the first mandrel with the first packaging material roll is located in a first position. When connecting the two said packaging material sections, the first mandrel with the first packaging material roll is still in the first position, while the second packaging material roll is in a second position. After the connection, the first mandrel is brought into the second position, preferably after the first packaging material roll has been exchanged for the third packaging material roll, and the second mandrel with the second packaging material roll is brought into the first position.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a product assembly with the packaging material is packaged in the packaging line in such a way that the packaging formed from the packaging material for the product assembly includes the connection point at which the two said packaging material sections are connected to one another. This has the advantage that the part of the packaging material comprising the connection point is used to form a packaging and is not sorted out, as a result of which the material consumption of the packaging material is reduced.

The aforementioned product combination can comprise a single product to be packaged or a plurality of products to be packaged, in particular a plurality of grouped products. When reference is made below to products in the plural, this should also include the possibility that the product combination comprises only a single product to be packaged.

Optionally, the product combination can include a base, in particular made of cardboard or cardboard, on which the products to be packaged are arranged. The base can be a so-called tray or pad, for example. Instead of such a base, the product combination can include, for example, packaging, in particular made of cardboard or cardboard, in which the products to be packaged are arranged and which the products to be packaged from at least partially surrounds all sides. In the event that the product assembly includes such a base or such packaging, it is expediently provided that the products to be packaged are packed in the packaging line together with the base or the packaging with said packaging material.

It is preferred if the product combination is packaged in such a way that, in the case of the packaging formed from the packaging material, the starting section of the second packaging material roll is further out than the packaging material section of the first packaging material roll that overlaps with the starting section of the second packaging material roll.

The packaging material can be paper, for example. In this case, provision can be made, inter alia, that after a product assembly has been at least partially wrapped with the packaging material, parts of the packaging material protruding from the wrapped product assembly - the so-called folding flaps - are folded or placed and adhesive is applied to at least some of the folding flaps.

Alternatively, the packaging material can be, for example, a film material, in particular shrink film. In this case it can be provided, for example, that after a product combination has been at least partially wrapped by the packaging material, the packaging material is shrunk by a thermal shrinking process.

Furthermore, the packaging material can be a printed or an unprinted packaging material.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the two said packaging material sections are connected to one another by means of an embossing device by means of an embossing process. It has been found that a connection formed by an embossing process between the two said packaging material sections can withstand sufficient loads in the conveying direction of the packaging material so that the connection does not come loose when the packaging material is transported to the packaging line.

An advantage of joining two packaging material sections by means of an embossing process is that this type of joining can be used not only with foil, but also with other materials such as paper. Another advantage is that no consumables are required to connect the packaging material sections, such as the adhesive strips customary when connecting paper, which means that the method can be carried out inexpensively. In addition, unlike a welding process, the embossing process does not require any warm-up or cool-down times, which means that the connection can generally be carried out relatively quickly.

The two packaging material sections to be connected are preferably pressed in during the embossing process between a rotating embossing roller of the embossing device and a mating surface of the embossing device.

The packaging material is expediently transported before and / or after the embossing process in the area of the embossing device along a conveying direction. In an advantageous embodiment variant of the invention, it is provided that the aforementioned embossing roller is moved perpendicular to the conveying direction during the embossing process, preferably with the aid of a drive unit, and that the opposing surface is stationary. In this case, the embossing roller is expediently moved during the embossing process at least over a distance which is equal to the width of the respective packaging material roll.

Another advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the embossing roller has an axis oriented perpendicular to the conveying direction and the counter surface is a peripheral surface of a further rotating embossing roller, the axis of which is oriented perpendicular to the conveying direction. In this case, the two embossing rollers are preferably at a predetermined distance from one another before the embossing process. For the embossing process, the distance between the embossing rollers is advantageously reduced to such an extent that the packaging material sections to be connected are pressed in between the embossing rollers. It can be provided here that one of the two embossing rollers remains in its position while the other embossing roller is moved towards it. Alternatively, both embossing rollers can be moved towards one another.

During the embossing process, an embossing pattern is advantageously produced on the two packaging material sections to be connected. This can, for example, have a matrix-like arrangement of embossing points.

The embossing pattern generated during the embossing process preferably comprises a smaller number of embossing points in the conveying direction than perpendicular to the conveying direction. As a result, it can be achieved that the connection in the conveying direction (on tension) can be subjected to a relatively high load, while the connection perpendicular to the overlap plane can easily be released.

Instead of connecting the two packaging material sections to be connected to one another by means of an embossing process, it is basically possible to connect the packaging material sections to be connected to one another in another way, for example by a welding process.

• - einen ersten rotierbar gelagerten Dorn zum Halten und Abwickeln einer ersten Verpackungsm aterial-Rolle,
• - einen zweiten rotierbar gelagerten Dorn zum Halten und Abwickeln einer zweiten Verpackungsmaterial-Rolle und
• - eine Verbindungsvorrichtung zum Verbinden eines Anfangsabschnitts der zweiten Verpackungsmaterial-Rolle mit einem bereits abgezogenen, mit dem Anfangsabschnitts der zweiten Verpackungsmaterial-Rolle überlappenden Verpackungsmaterialabschnitt der ersten Verpackungsmaterial-Rolle.

The packaging system according to the invention has a packaging line for packaging the products to be packaged with a packaging material and a supply device for supplying the packaging line with the packaging material. Said supply device comprises the following:

• - A first rotatably mounted mandrel for holding and unwinding a first roll of packaging material,
• - A second rotatably mounted mandrel for holding and unwinding a second packaging material roll and
• a connecting device for connecting an initial section of the second packaging material roll to an already removed packaging material section of the first packaging material roll which overlaps with the initial section of the second packaging material roll.

The packaging system according to the invention is characterized in that the two mandrels are mounted so that they can be changed in position such that the two mandrels can exchange their positions with one another.

The advantages mentioned in connection with the method according to the invention also apply analogously to the packaging system according to the invention and vice versa. Furthermore, the method according to the invention is preferably carried out with the aid of the packaging system according to the invention.

The packaging system is advantageously designed to process different types of packaging material, such as film, in particular shrink film, and paper.

The packaging system preferably comprises a separate drive motor for each of the two mandrels, in particular a separate servomotor, for driving the respective mandrel.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that the two mandrels are pivotably mounted for the purpose of swapping positions. In this case it is useful if the respective mandrel can be pivoted together with the associated drive motor for driving the respective mandrel.

The two mandrels can be pivotably mounted, for example, in such a way that the two mandrels can be pivoted jointly about a stationary pivot axis which runs parallel to the two mandrels and is in particular arranged centrally between the two mandrels.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the supply device of the packaging system has at least one drive device for changing the position of the two mandrels, in particular so that the position of the two mandrels can be exchanged automatically.

The aforementioned connecting device can, for example, be designed as an embossing device and be designed to connect the two said packaging material sections to one another by means of an embossing process.

The embossing device of the packaging system expediently has a rotatably mounted embossing roller and a counter surface. The embossing device is preferably set up to press in the two packaging material sections to be connected between the embossing roller and the mating surface during the embossing process.

Furthermore, it is expedient if the supply device has a conveying device for conveying the packaging material, which is set up to convey the packaging material in the region of the embossing device along a conveying direction.

The embossing roller of the embossing device can, for example, be movable perpendicular to the conveying direction. In this case, the embossing device is preferably set up to press in the two packaging material sections to be connected during the embossing process with the opposing surface fixed between the embossing roller and the opposing surface. The term “fixed” is to be understood in the present case in such a way that the opposing surface does not move with the movement of the embossing roller.

Said opposite surface can be, for example, a surface over which the packaging material is guided. Suction openings for sucking in and fixing the packaging material by means of a negative pressure can optionally be provided on the opposing surface.

In the embodiment in which the embossing roller of the embossing device can be moved perpendicular to the conveying direction, the embossing device can, for example, have a guide rail running perpendicular to the conveying direction and a slide that can be moved linearly along the guide rail have, on which the embossing roller is rotatably mounted.

According to an alternative embodiment, the embossing device of the packaging system can have a further rotatably mounted embossing roller in addition to the already mentioned embossing roller. In this case it can be provided that the said opposing surface is a circumferential surface of the further embossing roller and the two embossing rollers can be moved relative to one another. Both embossing rollers can be moved here. Alternatively, one of the two embossing rollers can be arranged in a stationary manner, while only the other of the two embossing rollers can be moved. In this embodiment, the axis of the respective embossing roller is preferably aligned perpendicular to the conveying direction.

The respective embossing roller preferably has a structured surface with a plurality of elevations, in particular elevations arranged equidistant from one another. The elevations can, for example, be conical or pyramidal.

It is also advantageous if the supply device of the packaging system has one or more sensors for measuring the diameter of a roll of packaging material. The supply device preferably comprises a separating device, by means of which the aforementioned separating can be carried out, in which, after connecting the two said packaging material sections, the packaging material section of the first packaging material roll connected to the initial section of the second packaging material roll from the still wound part of the first packaging material -Role is severed.

Furthermore, it is expedient if the packaging system comprises a cutting station, which is connected downstream of the connecting device and upstream of the packaging line, for cutting an uninterrupted web of packaging material into individual pieces of packaging material. Each product assembly to be packaged is advantageously packaged with such a piece of packaging material.

Optionally, the packaging line can comprise a shrink tunnel for thermally shrinking the packaging material. Alternatively or additionally, the packaging line can comprise one or more adhesive nozzles for applying adhesive to the packaging material and / or one or more folding devices for folding or applying folding flaps.

It can further be provided that the supply device comprises a buffer device arranged behind the connecting device for temporarily storing the packaging material.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the connecting device can be designed as a welding device which is set up to connect the packaging material sections to be connected to one another by a welding process.

The description given so far of preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention contains features which are reproduced in the individual dependent claims, some of which are summarized as a plurality. These features can, however, expediently also be viewed individually and combined to form other useful combinations. In particular, these features can each be combined individually and in any suitable combination with the method according to the invention and / or the packaging system according to the invention.

The above-described properties, features and advantages of the invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more clearly understandable in connection with the following description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are explained in more detail in connection with the drawings. The exemplary embodiments serve to explain the invention and do not restrict the invention to the combination of features specified therein, not even with regard to functional features. In addition, suitable features of each exemplary embodiment can also be considered explicitly in isolation, introduced into another exemplary embodiment to supplement it, and / or combined with any of the claims.

• 1-4 ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Verpackungsanlage in vier verschiedenen Zuständen;
• 5 & 6 ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Verpackungsanlage in zwei verschiedenen Zuständen.

Show it:

• 1-4 a first embodiment of a packaging system according to the invention in four different states;
• 5 & 6th a second embodiment of a packaging system according to the invention in two different states.

1 shows schematically a packaging system 1 for packaging products 2 , in particular of beverage containers, with a packaging material 3 .

The packaging line 1 includes a packaging line 4th with a grant 5 on which the products to be packaged 2 along a transport direction 6th be transported, an impact module 7th as well as a folding and gluing module 8th . The packaging system also includes 1 one Supply device 9 to supply the packaging line 4th with the packaging material 3 .

In the present exemplary embodiment, it is the packaging material 3 around paper, especially printed paper. With the products to be packaged 2 In the present case, it is an example of beverage cans, with the packaging system 1 is basically also suitable for packing other beverage containers, such as glass or plastic bottles.

With the help of the funding 5 the packaging line 4th are product combinations to be packaged 10 one behind the other at a predetermined distance from one another along said transport direction 6th transported. Any product combination 10 includes several grouped products 2 as well as a product document 11 on which the grouped products 2 are arranged. The product document 11 can for example be designed as a so-called tray.

The respective product combination to be packaged 10 is made with the help of the grant 5 as an unpacked product combination 10a to the impact module 7th the packaging line 4th promoted. In the impact module 7th becomes the respective product combination 10 such with the packaging material 3 wrapped around that packaging material 3 the top, the bottom and - based on the direction of transport 6th - the front and the back of the product assembly 10 encloses. Lateral - related to the direction of transport 6th - is the packaging material 3 of the respective product combination 10 and forms so-called folding flaps. Then the respective product combination 10 with the help of the funding 5 to the folding and gluing module 8th transported, in which the folding flaps are acted upon with adhesive in particular with the aid of adhesive nozzles and are folded with the aid of folding devices. Downstream of the folding and gluing module 8th leaves the respective product composition 10 the packaging line 4th as a packaged product combination 10b .

The packaging line 4th is provided by the aforementioned utility 9 the packaging line 1 with the packaging material 3 supplied with which the products 2 or the product combinations 10 be packed.

The utility 9 comprises a first rotatably mounted mandrel 12th and a second rotatably mounted mandrel 13th . For each of the two mandrels 12th , 13th includes the utility 9 its own drive motor (not shown in the figure), in particular a servo motor, for driving the respective mandrel 12th , 13th .

How out 1 can be seen is on the first mandrel 12th a first roll of packaging material 14th arranged while on the second mandrel 13th a second roll of packaging material 15th is arranged. In the state shown in 1 is shown forms the second roll of packaging material 15th a supply roll. The first roll of packaging material 14th however, forms the active role. That is, the first roll of packaging material 14th forms the role of which the packaging material 3 peeled off and the packaging line 4th is fed.

The two packaging material rolls 14, 15 have the same width, this being greater than the width of the product assemblies to be packaged 10 . The present is below the width of the packaging material rolls 14th , 15th or the product combinations to be packaged 10 to understand the dimension that is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing 1 extends.

Both thorns 12th , 13th are around a stationary, centered between the two thorns 12th , 13th arranged pivot axis 16 , which runs parallel to the two mandrel axes, pivoted. With the aid of a drive unit (not shown in the figure), the two mandrels 12th , 13th in a common or simultaneous pivoting movement about said pivot axis 16 sway.

Around a packaging material section of the first packaging material roll 14th with a packaging material portion of the second packaging material roll 15th to be able to connect, instructs the utility 9 an embossing device 17th which is described in more detail below.

For peeling off the packaging material 3 and for feeding the packaging material 3 to the packing line 4th instructs the utility 9 a multiple driven conveyor rollers 18th comprehensive funding facility 19th on. In the area of the embossing device 17th becomes the packaging material 3 using the conveyor 19th along a predetermined, in particular horizontal conveying direction 20th transported.

Downstream of the embossing device 17th instructs the utility 9 a buffer device 21 for temporarily storing the packaging material 3 on. The buffer facility 21 comprises in the present embodiment several upper pulleys 22a as well as several lower pulleys 22b to which the packaging material 3 on its way to the packaging line 4th is deflected, the distance between the top Pulleys 22a and the lower pulleys 22b is adjustable. To get those in the buffering facility 21 Cached amount of packaging material 3 increase the distance between the top pulleys 22a and the lower pulleys 22b enlarged. The opposite is the distance between the upper pulleys 22a and the lower pulleys 22b decreased by those in the buffering device 21 Cached amount of packaging material 3 to reduce.

In addition, the supply facility 9 have a dancer (not shown figuratively). This is a device that serves to remove the packaging material 3 to keep in tension. Typically, a dancer comprises two units of deflection pulleys that can be pivoted relative to one another. To the packaging material 3 to tighten more, these two units are pivoted away from each other. Conversely, the two units are pivoted towards each other in order to tension the packaging material 3 to reduce.

Downstream of the buffer device 21 instructs the utility 9 a cutting station 23 on. This is used for the packaging material 3 that up to the cutting station 23 is present in the form of an uninterrupted web of material, to be cut into individual pieces of packaging material, with which the products to be packaged in each case 2 or product combinations 10 in the packaging line 4th be packed.

The previously mentioned embossing device 17th includes a guide rail 24 , the length of which is perpendicular to said conveying direction 20th in the area of the embossing device 17th runs. That is, the length of the guide rail 24 runs perpendicular to the plane of the drawing 1 . In addition, the embossing device 17th an embossing roller 25th and one linearly along the guide rail 24 movable slide 26th on which the embossing roller 25th is rotatably mounted. The axis 27 the embossing roller 25th runs along said conveying direction 20th . It also includes the embossing device 17th a bar-shaped base 28 , for example made of aluminum. The embossing roller 25th is mounted, for example by means of one or more springs, in such a way that the embossing roller 25th with a predetermined contact pressure against a counter surface in the following 29 designated area of the base 28 presses. Furthermore, the embossing device comprises 17th a drive unit (not shown in the figures) for driving the carriage 26th . This can for example be a working cylinder or comprise a working cylinder.

Optionally, the document 28 on their opposite surface 29 several suction openings and is connected to a vacuum source 30th , for example in the form of a vacuum pump connected. The source of negative pressure 30th creates a negative pressure at the suction openings with which the packaging material 3 to the opposite surface 29 is sucked.

Furthermore, the supply device 9 upstream of the embossing device 17th a separator 31 each time after two packaging material sections are connected by means of the embossing device 17th is used.

The supply device also includes a measuring sensor 32 for measuring the diameter of a roll of packaging material as well as one with the measuring sensor 32 connected control device 33 , in whose data memory a control algorithm is stored. In the in 1 The state shown is made with the aid of the measuring sensor 32 the diameter of the first roll of packaging material 14th supervised. The measuring sensor 32 generates a measurement signal, which depends on the diameter of the first packaging material roll 14th is dependent, and transmits this to the control device 33 . The control device 33 controls, among other things, the embossing device 17th , the conveyor 19th , the buffer facility 21 , the separator 30th who have favourited the cutting station 23 who have favourited the drive motors for the mandrels 12th , 13th as well as the aforementioned drive units depending on the measuring sensor 32 generated measurement signal.

As mentioned before, forms in the state of the packaging line 1 who is in 1 is shown, the first roll of packaging material 14th the active role. That is, the packaging material 3 is taken from the first roll of packaging material 14th peeled off and the packaging line 4th fed. The first mandrel rotates here 12th with a given speed of rotation in the direction of rotation (in the view from 1 counterclockwise), the speed of rotation being dependent on the diameter of the first packaging material roll 14th is dependent. The second thorn 13th however, stands still. In the off state 1 has the first roll of packaging material 14th a diameter that is still approximately the same as its original diameter.

If using the measuring sensor 32 it is found that the diameter of the first roll of packaging material 14th has fallen below a specified diameter limit (i.e. the first roll of packaging material 14th is at least partially consumed), the amount of the in the buffer device 21 stored packaging material 3 increased by the distance between the upper pulleys 22a and the lower pulleys 22b the buffer device 21 is increased.

Then the first thorn 12th brought to a standstill. Then there is an initial section 34 the second roll of packaging material 15th in the area of the embossing device 17th with a section of packaging material that has already been removed 35 the first roll of packaging material 14th brought into overlap (cf. 2 ).

Then the starting section 34 the second roll of packaging material 15th and the section of packaging material that has already been removed 35 the first roll of packaging material 14th using the embossing device 17th connected to each other by an embossing process. For this purpose, the sled 26th together with the one on the sled 26th mounted embossing roller 25th using the drive unit (not shown) of the embossing device 17th Over the entire width of the two packaging material sections to be connected 34 , 35 away perpendicular to the plane of the drawing 1 procedure. The packaging material sections to be connected are hereby 34 , 35 between the rotating embossing roller 25th the embossing device 17th and the mating surface 29 the embossing device 17th depressed. Preferably the initial section 34 the second roll of packaging material 15th directly on its transverse edge with the other packaging material section 35 tied together.

2 shows the packaging system 1 the end 1 in a state in which the two said packaging material sections 34 , 35 in the area of the embossing device 17th have been brought into overlap with each other.

During the first thorn 12th comes to a standstill, the packaging line becomes 4th by means of the buffer device 21 with the packaging material 3 supplied, the distance between the upper pulleys 22a and the lower pulleys 22b the buffer device 21 is continuously reduced.

After connecting the two packaging material sections 34 , 35 becomes said packaging material section 35 the first roll of packaging material 14th using the separator 31 of the part of the first roll of packaging material that is still wound up 14th severed. Then the first mandrel 12th contrary to its original direction of rotation (ie in the view from 2 clockwise) until the before the separation process from the first packaging material roll 14th up to the separator 31 reaching packaging material section 36 back on the packaging material roll 14th is wound up.

After the separation process, the second packaging material roll forms 15th the active role. That is, the packaging material 3 is now from the second roll of packaging material 15th peeled off and the packaging line 4th fed. To the packaging material 3 from the second reel of packaging material 15th unwind, the second mandrel is now 13th rotates. This is where the second mandrel is 13th initially accelerated from a standstill until it has reached a predetermined speed of rotation.

Furthermore, after the second packaging material roll 15th has become an active role, the position of the two thorns 12th , 13th - and thus also the position of the two rolls of packaging material 14th , 15th - exchanged. This will be the first thorn 12th in the previous position of the second mandrel 13th brought while the second thorn 13th to the previous position of the first mandrel 12th is brought. The exchange of positions of the two mandrels 12th , 13th takes place by a joint pivoting movement of the two mandrels 12th , 13th around the aforementioned pivot axis 16 . In the view from 2 become the two thorns 12th , 13th clockwise around the pivot axis 16 panned. During the pivoting movement, the second mandrel becomes 13th driven so that the tension of the packaging material 3 from the second roll of packaging material 15th withdrawn and to the packaging line 4th is supplied, remains constant or essentially constant.

The piece of packaging material 3 , which comprises the junction at which the two said packaging material sections 34 , 35 are connected to each other, is not diverted, but is used in the packaging line 4th a product combination 10 to wrap. This product combination 10 is with said section of the packaging material 3 , which includes the connection point, in the packaging line 4th packaged in such a way that in the case of the packaging material 3 formed packaging the initial section 34 the second roll of packaging material 15th lies further out than said packaging material section 35 the first roll of packaging material 14th .

3 shows the packaging system 1 the end 1 & 2 after swapping the position of the two mandrels 12th , 13th . In this state, by means of the measuring sensor 32 now the diameter of the second packaging material roll 15th supervised.

After swapping the position of the two mandrels 12th , 13th becomes the first roll of packaging material 14th against a third, unused packaging material roll 37 exchanged (cf. 4th ), which forms the new supply roll.

4th shows the packaging system 1-3 after replacing the first roll of packaging material 14th against the third roll of packaging material 37 .

When the second roll of packing material 15th is used up (ie its diameter has fallen below the specified diameter limit value), the process described above is carried out with the second Packing material roll 15th and the third roll of packaging material 37 repeated and so on.

The following description of a further exemplary embodiment is primarily limited to the differences from the previous exemplary embodiment, to which reference is made with regard to features and functions that remain the same. Identical and / or corresponding elements are designated with the same reference symbols where appropriate. Features of the previous exemplary embodiment not mentioned below have been adopted in the further exemplary embodiment without being described again.

5 shows schematically another packaging system 38 for packaging products 2 , in particular of beverage containers, with a packaging material 3 .

In the present exemplary embodiment, it is the packaging material 3 around shrinkable film, in particular around printed shrinkable film. Unlike in the exemplary embodiment 1-4 include the product combinations to be packaged 10 In the present exemplary embodiment, there is no product base on which the products to be packaged 2 are arranged. In principle, however, it would also be possible in the present exemplary embodiment to include a product document for the respective product combination 10 to be provided.

Instead of a folding and gluing module, the packaging line includes 4th in the exemplary embodiment 5 downstream of the wrapping module 7th a shrink tunnel 39 in which the packaging material 3 is thermally shrunk.

Even with the packaging system 38 the end 5 is an embossing device 40 intended. This includes a first rotatably mounted embossing roller 41 as well as a second rotatably mounted embossing roller 42 . The axis of the respective embossing roller 41 , 42 runs perpendicular to the conveying direction 20th along which the packaging material 3 in the area of the embossing device 40 is promoted. Both embossing rollers 41 , 42 have a width which is at least as great as the width of the two rolls of packaging material 14th , 15th .

The first embossing roller 41 is with a drive unit 43 , for example in the form of a working cylinder, coupled. With the help of the drive unit 43 , which from the control device 33 is controlled, the first embossing roller 41 to the second embossing roller 42 move towards or away from it. To use the embossing device 40 To connect two packaging material sections to one another by means of an embossing process, the two packaging material sections to be connected are between the two embossing rollers 41 , 42 depressed. This is achieved in that the first embossing roller 41 against the second embossing roller 42 is driven when the two packaging material sections to be connected are between the embossing rollers 41 , 42 are located. The second embossing roller 42 forms the counter surface required for the embossing process 29 .

During the embossing process, the packaging material sections to be connected advantageously run between the two embossing rollers 41 , 42 by. With the help of the embossing device 40 can thus two packaging material sections to be connected to each other of the two packaging material rolls 14th , 15th are connected to each other without the need to unwind the packaging material during the embossing process 3 from the respective packaging material roll 14th , 15th to interrupt. As a result, a buffer device of the type described above can in principle be dispensed with. Nevertheless, such a buffer device can optionally also be provided in the present exemplary embodiment in order to store packaging material if necessary 3 To be able to cache.

In the condition of the packaging system 38 who is in 5 is the first roll of packaging material 14th the active role, with the first packaging material role 14th has a diameter that is still approximately the same as its original diameter. How out 5 can be seen are the two embossing rollers 41 , 42 spaced from each other in this state.

6th shows the packaging system 38 the end 5 - after the diameter of the first roll of packaging material 14th has fallen below a predetermined diameter limit - during an embossing process in which an initial section 34 the second roll of packaging material 15th with a section of packaging material that has already been removed 35 the first roll of packaging material 14th is connected. In this state, the two said packaging material sections 34 , 35 between the two embossing rollers 41 , 42 depressed.

In principle, it is possible with the packaging system 1 the end 1-4 their embossing device 17th through the embossing device 40 the packaging line 38 to replace. Conversely, it is possible with the packaging system 38 the end 5 & 6th their embossing device 40 through the embossing device 17th the packaging line 1 the end 1-4 to be replaced, in which case the packaging system 38 the end 5 & 6th is advantageously also equipped with a buffer device of the type described above.

It is also the case with each of the two packaging systems 1 , 38 possible that the packaging line 4th has both a folding and gluing module and a shrink tunnel. This is particularly advantageous when the respective packaging system 1 , 38 should be suitable for processing both paper and shrinkable film as packaging material.

List of reference symbols

1

Packaging line

2

product

3rd

packing material

4th

Packaging line

5

Funding

6th

Transport direction

7th

Impact module

8th

Folding and gluing module

9

Supply device

10

Product composition

10a

unpackaged product assortment

10b

packaged product composition

11

Product document

12th

first thorn

13th

second thorn

14th

first roll of packaging material

15th

second roll of packaging material

16

Swivel axis

17th

Embossing device

18th

Conveyor roller

19th

Conveyor

20th

Conveying direction

21

Buffer device

22a

upper pulley

22b

lower pulley

23

Cutting station

24

Guide rail

25th

Embossing roller

26th

sleds

27

axis

28

document

29

Counter surface

30th

Vacuum source

31

Separator

32

Measuring sensor

33

Control device

34

Initial section, packaging material section

35

Packaging material section

36

Packaging material section

37

third roll of packaging material

38

Packaging line

39

Shrink tunnel

40

Embossing device

41

first embossing roller

42

second embossing roller

43

Drive unit

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• WO 2016/066643 A1 [0005]

Claims (15)

A method for packaging products (2), in which the products (2) to be packaged are packaged with a packaging material (3) in a packaging line (4), wherein - the packaging material (3) is initially taken from a first packaging material roll (14) , which is arranged on a first rotatably mounted mandrel (12), is withdrawn and fed to the packaging line (4), - when the first packaging material roll (14) is at least partially used up, an initial section (34) of a second packaging material roll ( 15), which is arranged on a second rotatably mounted mandrel (13), is brought into overlap with an already withdrawn packaging material section (35) of the first packaging material roll (14) and is connected to the latter packaging material section (35), and - after Connecting the two packaging material sections (34, 35), the packaging material (3) is removed from the second packaging material roll (15) and the packaging line ß (4) is supplied, characterized in that after the two said packaging material sections (34, 35) have been connected, the position of both mandrels (12, 13) is swapped, the first mandrel (12) being moved to the previous position of the second mandrel ( 13) is brought and the second mandrel (13) is brought into the previous position of the first mandrel (12). Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the position exchange of the two mandrels (12, 13) by a pivoting movement of both mandrels (12, 13), preferably by a common pivoting movement of both mandrels (12, 13) around a stationary, parallel to the two mandrels (12, 13 ) running, in particular centrally between the two mandrels (12, 13) arranged pivot axis (16) takes place. Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the second mandrel (13) for the purpose of pulling the packaging material (3) from the second packaging material roll (15) and for feeding the packaging material (3) to the packaging line (4) is already driven in rotation before the The position of the two mandrels (12, 13) is exchanged. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the starting section (34) of the second packaging material roll (15) is connected directly or essentially directly at its transverse edge to said packaging material section (35) of the first packaging material roll (14). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after the two said packaging material sections (34, 35) have been connected and before the position of the two mandrels (12, 13) has been exchanged, the one with the starting section (34) of the second packaging material roll (15) connected packaging material section (35) of the first packaging material roll (14) is separated from the still wound part of the first packaging material roll (14) and after the separation the first packaging material roll (14) against a third, preferably unused packaging material roll ( 37) is exchanged. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a product assembly (10) is packed with the packaging material (3) in the packaging line (4) in such a way that the packaging formed from the packaging material (3) for the product assembly (10) forms the connection point comprises, at which the two said packaging material sections (34, 35) are connected to one another. Procedure according to Claim 6 , characterized in that the product assembly (10) is packaged in such a way that, in the case of the packaging formed from the packaging material (3), the starting section (34) of the second packaging material roll (15) is further out than that with the starting section (34) of the second packaging material roll (15) overlapping packaging material portion (35) of the first packaging material roll (14). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the packaging material (3) is paper or a film material, in particular shrink film. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two said packaging material sections (34, 35) are connected to one another by means of an embossing device (17, 40) by an embossing process, wherein during the embossing process the two packaging material sections (34, 35) to be connected between one rotating embossing roller (25, 41) of the embossing device (17, 40) and a counter surface (29) of the embossing device (17, 40) are pressed. Procedure according to Claim 9 , characterized in that the packaging material (3) is transported before and / or after the embossing process in the region of the embossing device (17, 40) along a conveying direction (20), wherein - during the embossing process, the embossing roller (25) is perpendicular to the conveying direction (20) is moved and the mating surface (29) is stationary or - the embossing roller (41) has an axis oriented perpendicular to the conveying direction (20) and the mating surface (29) has a peripheral surface of another rotating embossing roller (42), the axis of which is perpendicular to the conveying direction (20). Packaging system (1, 38) for packaging products (2), comprising a packaging line (4) for packaging the products (2) to be packaged with a packaging material (3) and a supply device (9) for supplying the packaging line (4) with the Packaging material (3), the supply device (9) comprising: - a first rotatably mounted mandrel (12) for holding and unwinding a first packaging material roll (14), - a second rotatably mounted mandrel (13) for holding and unwinding a second packaging material roll (15) and - a connecting device for connecting an initial section (34) of the second packaging material roll (15) to an already withdrawn packaging material section (35) which overlaps with the initial section (34) of the second packaging material roll (15) the first packaging material roll (14), characterized in that the two mandrels (12, 13) are mounted so that they can be changed in position that di e two mandrels (12, 13) can swap their position with one another. Packaging system (1, 38) Claim 11 , characterized in that the two mandrels (12, 13) are pivotably mounted for the purpose of swapping positions. Packaging system (1, 38) Claim 12 , characterized in that the two mandrels (12, 13) are pivotably mounted in such a way that the two mandrels (12, 13) together around a stationary, parallel to the two mandrels (12, 13) extending, in particular centrally between the two mandrels (12, 13) arranged pivot axis (16) are pivotable. Packaging system (1, 38) according to one of the Claims 11 until 13th , characterized in that the supply device (9) has at least one drive device for changing the position of the two mandrels (12, 13). Packaging system (1, 38) according to one of the Claims 11 until 14th , characterized in that the connecting device is designed as an embossing device (17, 40) and is set up to connect the two said packaging material sections (34, 35) to one another by means of an embossing process.

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