DE102021212468A1 - Connecting device for connecting at least two layers of packaging material and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a connecting device for connecting at least two layers of packaging material for producing and/or closing a packaging bag, comprising: a first sealing tool with a first tempering device for tempering the first sealing tool to a first temperature; and a second sealing tool with a second tempering device for tempering the second sealing tool to a second temperature; wherein the first temperature is about equal to or greater than a melting temperature of a layer of the first sheet of packaging material and about equal to or greater than a melting temperature of a layer of the second sheet of packaging material to which the layer of the first sheet of packaging material is bonded; wherein the second temperature is substantially equal to or lower than an ambient temperature; and/or wherein the second temperature is at least about 60°C less than the first temperature.

Description

The invention relates to a connecting device, a packaging machine comprising such a connecting device and a method for connecting two layers of packaging material and a closed packaging bag produced using such a method.

For many years, there has been an increasing burden on waste management systems and the environment from packaging waste that is not or only partially recyclable. Frequently used packaging made of plastic, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), is usually easy and inexpensive to produce in a variety of forms.

Although some plastics are in principle recyclable, there are various material and procedural problems that stand in the way of large-scale reuse of recyclable plastic. In addition, plastics are often not disposed of properly, so that they are withheld from the recycling cycle. The same applies to composite packaging, such as beverage cartons, which often consist of cardboard coated with aluminum and/or polyethylene. Likewise, composite foils made of different materials are often used in order to obtain particularly thin and resistant foils. However, due to the different components, these are usually not or only partially recyclable.

In order to reduce packaging waste or increase the recyclability of packaging, environmentally friendly and sustainable companies are increasingly making efforts to switch to alternative, more environmentally friendly and/or fully recyclable packaging materials. In particular, packaging made from monofoil, i.e. foil made from the same base material (e.g. PP, PE or PVC), can be recycled easily and efficiently because no other materials are used. Monofoils can also include multiple layers of the same base material. In particular, layers of the monofilm can consist of the same polymer but with a different crystallinity and/or tacticity, which enables advantageous properties, in particular in their processing, and at the same time does not negatively affect the recyclability.

To produce a packaging container or packaging bag, plastic films can be connected to one another as packaging material. A non-detachable connection of packaging material by welding and/or heat sealing using heat and/or pressure, with or without additional welding materials, is advantageous here. These connections are essentially non-detachable and/or essentially non-destructively detachable and/or have a desired, predeterminable connection property, in particular with regard to their detachability. These connections can be designed in such a way that the plastic films of the packaging bag can be separated from one another by means of a predetermined or predeterminable force, in particular by hand, with the films not being damaged or being only slightly damaged during separation. In other words, the films can have what is known as an easy peel property. In general, however, only plastics with thermoplastic properties can be welded. These include, for example, PVC, PE or PP. These can repeatedly melt and solidify. Thermoplastics melt when exposed to heat and can be joined under pressure. During cooling, this results in a stable and reliable connection and/or welding and/or sealing seam.

In principle, to produce a packaging bag, two layers of packaging material that are to be joined together are heated to around the melting point and pressure is applied. After the joining seam has cooled down and stabilized, the packaging material and/or the packaging bag produced is conveyed on. However, mechanical stress on the connecting seam must be prevented and/or reduced during the cooling process, since this has a lower mechanical strength due to the melting process. In particular, mechanical stress for transport must be reduced so that the packaging material is prevented from being damaged. This leads to a lower production speed, since a certain cooling time has to be waited before the packaging material can be transported further. In addition, the material exhibits increased stretchability during cooling, which can make transport prone to errors and even lead to the packaging machine having to stop. This leads to further disadvantageous production delays.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a connecting device, a packaging machine comprising such a connecting device and a method for connecting two layers of packaging material, which enables increased production speed when producing and/or closing a packaging bag.

This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

One aspect relates to a connecting device for connecting at least two layers of packaging material for producing and/or closing a packaging bag, comprising: a first sealing tool with a first tempering device for tempering the first sealing tool to a first temperature; and a second sealing tool with a second tempering device for tempering the second sealing tool to a second temperature; wherein the first temperature is about equal to or greater than a melting temperature of a layer of the first sheet of packaging material and about equal to or greater than a melting temperature of a layer of the second sheet of packaging material to which the layer of the first sheet of packaging material is bonded; wherein the second temperature is substantially equal to or lower than an ambient temperature; and/or wherein the second temperature is at least about 60°C lower than the first temperature.

In the context of this application, a layer of packaging material refers in particular to a single sheet of packaging material, for example a foil-shaped packaging material that has been unrolled from a roll and is present as a single sheet. A layer of packaging material can consist of one or more layers. A multi-layer sheet of packaging material can comprise several layers of the same base material which are connected to one another such that they cannot be separated from one another essentially non-destructively. In particular, several layers of a layer of packaging material can consist of the same polymer (e.g. PP), but with different crystallinity and/or tacticity (e.g. PP-LD (low density) and PP-UHMV (ultra high molecular weight)). In the case of single layers of packaging material, the first and only layer corresponds to the layer of packaging material.

Within the meaning of this application, an ambient temperature corresponds approximately to the room temperature in corresponding production facilities, in particular between approximately 15°C and approximately 40°C. Preferably, the second temperature of the second sealing tool is in this same range, i.e. between about 15°C and about 40°C, and the first temperature of the first sealing tool is about equal to or higher than a melting temperature of the packaging material to be connected. For example, the second temperature is about 30°C and the first temperature is about 120°C, so that there is a temperature difference of about 90°C. In another example, the second temperature is about 20°C and the first temperature is about 190°C, such that there is a temperature difference of about 170°C. In particular, the second temperature of the second sealing tool is a temperature which is about 60° C. to about 200° C., for example about 70° C. or about 100° C., below the first temperature of the first sealing tool. In particular, the second temperature is lower than the first temperature by an amount such that there is a temperature difference of at least about 60°C, for example about 70°C or about 100°C or about 140°C.

In particular, the second temperature is to be selected according to the melting point and/or the thickness and/or strength and/or the layer structure of the packaging material, so that the layer of packaging material which is in contact with the second sealing tool remains at least partially intact while a connection is being created and/or or does not melt completely. In this way, increased mechanical stability and/or strength and/or resilience of the packaging material is obtained. In this way, in particular, a higher and/or faster throughput of the packaging material and/or the packaging bag produced can be achieved, since little or no time has to be waited for the connection to cool down in order to transport the packaging material further. Alternatively and/or additionally, the packaging material is not stretched, but at least only slightly stretched in the area where the layers are connected when the packaging material is conveyed on after the connection has been made, which reduces the susceptibility to errors in the manufacturing process and thus achieves greater process reliability.

The connection of the layers of packaging material that can be produced with the present connection device and/or the method is advantageously materially bonded, i.e. a connection in which the connection partners are held together by atomic or molecular forces and/or a non-detachable connection that can only be broken by destruction and/or essentially cannot be separated non-destructively.

In particular, the first temperature control device is set up to keep the first sealing tool essentially constant at approximately the first temperature by supplying thermal energy. Thermal energy is preferably supplied by supplying electrical energy to one or more electrothermal heating elements which are arranged in and/or on the first sealing tool.

More preferably, the second temperature control device is set up to keep the second sealing tool below a threshold temperature at approximately the second temperature by dissipating thermal energy, the threshold temperature being lower than the first temperature and higher than the second temperature. The second temperature control device is particularly preferably set up to keep the second sealing tool essentially constant at approximately the second temperature by dissipating thermal energy, ie by cooling. The first temperature control device is preferably set up to reduce or essentially prevent a temperature fluctuation of the first sealing tool. The first temperature control device is preferably set up to prevent the temperature of the first sealing jaw from rising and/or falling by more than about 5°C, preferably by more than about 1°C, particularly preferably by more than about 0.5°C. such that the temperature of the first sealing jaw remains substantially constant as the layer of packaging material melts.

Advantageously, the second temperature control device is set up to keep the temperature of the second sealing tool below a threshold temperature by removing and/or dissipating thermal energy, i.e. by cooling, the threshold temperature being below the melting temperature of the packaging material and preferably at about 60°C, more preferably at about 45 °C. The second temperature control device is particularly preferably set up to keep the second sealing tool essentially constant at approximately the second temperature and/or a temperature deviation of more than approximately 25°C, preferably more than approximately 15°C, particularly preferably more than approximately 5°C to prevent from the second temperature.

Particularly preferably, the second sealing tool can be kept essentially constant at the second temperature by dissipating energy, i.e. by active or passive cooling. The second temperature can be, for example, normal room temperature. The second temperature can be between 20°C and 28°C.

Alternatively or additionally, the threshold temperature may be about 60°C, preferably about 80°C, more preferably about 100°C lower than the first temperature.

Alternatively or additionally, the threshold temperature can be about 5°C, preferably about 10°C, more preferably about 15°C, particularly preferably about 25°C higher than the desired, i.e. the second temperature to be achieved.

Furthermore, the connecting device is preferably set up to carry out the temperature control of the first sealing tool and the second sealing tool at the same time. A sealing tool within the meaning of this application is or includes, for example, one or more sealing jaw(s), sealing bar(s) and/or sealing plate(s).

Another aspect relates to a connecting device for connecting at least two layers of packaging material for producing and/or closing a packaging bag, comprising: a first sealing tool with a first temperature control device for heating the first sealing tool to a first temperature and keeping the first sealing tool essentially constant at about the first temperature by supplying thermal energy; and a second sealing tool with a second tempering device for tempering the second sealing tool by dissipating thermal energy; wherein the first temperature of the first sealing tool is about equal to or greater than a melting temperature of a layer of the first sheet of packaging material and about equal to or greater than a melting temperature of a layer of the second sheet of packaging material to which the layer of the first sheet of packaging material is bonded.

The first temperature control device is preferably set up to prevent the temperature of the first sealing jaw from rising and/or falling by more than about 5°C, preferably by more than about 1°C, particularly preferably by more than about 0.5°C. so that the temperature of the first sealing jaw remains essentially constant. This is particularly advantageous for reliably, repetitively producing a connection seam with desired connection properties.

The second temperature control device is preferably set up to keep the second sealing tool below a threshold temperature by removing and/or dissipating thermal energy, the threshold temperature being below the melting temperature of the packaging material and/or below the first temperature, preferably at around 60°C, more preferably at about 45 °C. The second temperature control device is preferably set up to keep the second sealing tool essentially constant at approximately a second temperature, the second temperature being lower than the first temperature and lower than the threshold temperature. In particular, the second temperature control device is set up to keep the second sealing tool essentially constant at approximately the second temperature and/or a temperature deviation of the second sealing tool of more than approximately 25° C., preferably more than approximately 15° C., in particular preferably greater than about 5°C from the second temperature.

Particularly preferably, the second sealing tool can be kept essentially constant at the second temperature by dissipating energy, i.e. by active or passive cooling. The second temperature can be, for example, normal room temperature. The second temperature can be between 20°C and 28°C.

In contrast to the first sealing tool, in which a substantially constant temperature with a small temperature deviation is advantageous, the temperature of the second sealing tool can have a greater deviation from the second temperature, for example of up to about 25° C., to produce a connecting seam with desired connecting properties. preferably from about 5°C - 15°C, but the threshold temperature is not exceeded, so that there is an advantageous temperature difference between the sealing tools.

Alternatively or additionally, the threshold temperature may be about 60°C, preferably about 80°C, more preferably about 100°C lower than the first temperature.

Alternatively or additionally, the threshold temperature can be about 5°C, preferably about 10°C, more preferably about 15°C, particularly preferably about 25°C higher than the desired, i.e. the second temperature to be achieved.

The connecting device is preferably set up to produce a connecting seam between the first layer and the second layer of packaging material by melting a region of the layer of the first layer of packaging material and partially melting an adjacent region of the layer of the second layer of packaging material. For the purposes of this application, an area of the layer of packaging material denotes a flat section, in particular a section of the layer of packaging material, which is located between the first sealing tool and the second sealing tool and on which pressure can be exerted or is exerted by the sealing tools when connecting the layers of packaging material.

In particular, the connecting device is set up to essentially completely melt a region of the layer of the first layer, so that the melted packaging material of the first layer can form a material bond with the second layer of packaging material. The second layer of packaging material is preferably only partially melted in its thickness direction, i.e. only part of the material thickness and/or material thickness of the layer of the second layer is melted. The layer of the second layer is consequently not completely melted, but only that part which is arranged on the side of the second layer of packaging material which is remote from the second sealing tool. The other part of the material thickness and/or material strength in the thickness direction of the second layer, i.e. the part of the packaging material on the side of the second layer facing the second sealing tool, remains essentially stable and/or intact and/or in an essentially solid state . The thickness direction of a layer of packaging material within the meaning of this application is congruent and/or parallel to a surface normal and/or the normal vector of the layer of packaging material.

Due to this, an increased strength is maintained in the area of the joint seam during the jointing, compared to a substantially completely molten material, as is usual when creating a joint seam, for example by means of plastic welding and/or conventional heat sealing (thermal contact sealing).

The first temperature of the first sealing tool is preferably selected depending on the area of application and in particular depending on the composition and/or material, strength or thickness and/or dimensions of the layers of packaging material to be connected. Preferably, the first temperature is between about 105°C and about 225°C. More preferably, the first temperature is approximately equal to or higher than a melting temperature of the packaging material. The melting point of polypropylene (PP) is around 160°C (syndiotactic PP) or around 185-220°C (isotactic polypropylene). The melting point of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is around 160-180°C. The melting point of polyethylene (PE) is around 130°C (LDPE - "low-density") or around 135°C (UHMV-PE - ultra high molecular weight). The first temperature is preferably selected in such a way that the packaging material of the first layer is melted and the packaging material of the second layer is only partially melted. The materials listed are only exemplary, so that the connection device of the present application is not limited to the connection of packaging material made of or comprising these materials.

The connecting device is advantageously set up to move the first sealing tool and the second sealing tool relative to one another in such a way that pressure is applied to a region of the first and second layers of packaging material arranged between the first and second sealing tool is exercised. This compresses the melted packaging material to obtain an advantageous bond between the layers. The connecting device preferably has a displacement device which displaces one or more of the sealing tools in a displacement direction relative to one another, for example pivotably and/or linearly.

More preferably, the first sealing tool and/or the second sealing tool includes a main body made of ceramic. Ceramic offers beneficial heat retention and thermal conductivity. Ceramic is therefore particularly advantageous for use in a sealing tool, since temperature control and/or temperature control or regulation of the sealing tools can be simplified and/or made more precise.

The first temperature control device of the first sealing tool advantageously includes one or more heating elements, in particular electrothermal converters, for temperature control, in particular heating, of the first sealing tool, in particular by supplying electrical energy to the one or more heating elements. Heating elements may include or be: PTC resistor, Peltier element, cartridge heater, resistance wire heater or components with similar properties. The one or more heating elements can be embedded in and/or arranged on a main body of the sealing tool. Embedding at a short distance from the contact area between the sealing tool and the packaging material is preferred, since temperature control can be controlled and/or regulated more exactly and/or more precisely in this way.

A sealing tool comprising ceramic preferably has one or more heating elements which are each surrounded by ceramic and are set up to temper the ceramic, in particular to heat it. Ceramic has advantageous thermal properties, in particular a low thermal inertia, so that ceramic is particularly suitable for transferring thermal energy from an electrothermal converter to one or more other elements and/or parts of a sealing tool. A sealing tool with one or more heating elements comprising ceramics is distinguished in particular by a rapid response to the introduction of thermal energy by the one or more heating elements. Such a preferred sealing tool is set up in particular to keep a specific and/or desired temperature essentially constant in an efficient and/or simple manner. In particular, this enables simplified control and/or regulation of the heat tracking and/or the supply and/or introduction of thermal energy in order to keep the temperature essentially constant and/or keep a temperature fluctuation of the sealing tool low. Furthermore, in comparison to conventional sealing tools that store all of the thermal energy required for sealing, for example an increase in the temperature of the first sealing tool above a desired, first temperature that is harmful to the packaging material can be avoided or at least reduced.

The second temperature control device of the second sealing tool can also advantageously comprise one or more fluid channels for conducting a fluid, in particular a temperature-controlled and/or liquid fluid. The temperature-controlled fluid preferably has a temperature approximately equal to or below the second temperature. The one or more fluid channels are preferably arranged at a short distance from the contact area between the second sealing tool and the packaging material, since temperature control can be controlled and/or regulated more exactly and/or more precisely in this way. Such a fluid cooling, preferably water cooling, offers in particular the advantage of a constant and/or efficient temperature control of the second sealing tool.

Alternatively and/or additionally, the second temperature control device can include or be air cooling, in particular active air cooling with a fan and/or another device for conducting gas, in particular ambient air, to the second sealing tool. The sealing tool, in particular its main body, preferably has one or more cooling fins in order to ensure an effective temperature exchange.

More preferably, the first sealing tool and/or the second sealing tool includes one or more temperature sensors for measuring the temperature of the first and/or the second sealing tool. In this way, the actual temperature of the first and/or the second sealing tool can advantageously be controlled and/or regulated, ie the actual temperature can be changed towards a target temperature. The first temperature corresponds to the set temperature of the first sealing tool and the second temperature to the set temperature of the second sealing tool. For this purpose, the connecting device preferably comprises a temperature control unit for controlling and/or regulating the actual temperature of the first sealing tool and/or the actual temperature of the second sealing tool. Alternatively and/or additionally, the connecting device can be coupled to an external temperature control unit. One or more temperature sensors at a short distance from the contact area between the respective are advantageous The sealing tool and the packaging material are arranged so that a precise temperature measurement is possible.

Furthermore, the connecting device is advantageously set up to connect a layer of the packaging material comprising a plurality of layers, in particular comprising a plurality of layers made of materials with different melting points. In particular, one or more layers of packaging material can consist of a monofilm comprising one or more layers of PE or PVC or PP. Furthermore, one or more layers of packaging material can consist of two or more layers of PE or PVC or PP, with the layers at least partially having different properties and/or compositions. For example, one layer of packaging material may comprise layers of different crystallinity and/or tacticity, e.g. a layer of isotactic PP and a layer of syndiotactic PP, advantageously with the layer of syndiotactic PP facing the other layer of packaging material as this has a lower melting point than isotactic PP. Thereby, a joint seam can be created between the inner syndiotactic PP layer by heating the sheet of packaging material only up to the temperature at which the syndiotactic PP layer melts but the isotactic PP layer does not. In this way, the stability of the layers of packaging material can be maintained particularly advantageously in a connection area, since the outer layer essentially remains solid. The same applies, for example, to layers made of PE-UHMV and PE-LD (crystallinity of about 60-80% or about 40-50%), with the PE-LD layer having a lower melting point.

More preferably, the connecting device comprises a clamping device for temporarily fixing the packaging material in place while the connecting seam is being produced. As a result, the force acting on the packaging material during the joining can be further prevented or reduced in order to produce a joining seam with greater precision and/or quality. Such a clamping device is particularly advantageous when producing a closure seam, i.e. a connecting seam transverse to the conveying direction of the packaging material, in a VFFS packaging machine, since an already filled packaging bag leads to an increased force acting on the packaging material.

A further aspect relates to a packaging machine for producing a packaging bag and/or for closing a filled packaging bag, comprising: a feed device for feeding a packaging material; and at least one connecting device as described in the present application for producing at least one connecting seam by connecting at least two layers of the packaging material.

The packaging machine can be a so-called horizontal form, fill and seal machine (HFFS), as in 4 shown, or a so-called vertical form fill and seal machine (VFFS) as in 5 shown.

Furthermore, the packaging machine can comprise at least one closure device for closing an opening of a packaging bag that has been produced and filled.

A further aspect relates to a method for connecting at least two layers of a packaging material for producing and/or closing a packaging bag, comprising the steps of: tempering a first sealing tool to a first temperature and tempering a second sealing tool to a second temperature and exerting pressure on one portion of the first layer of packaging material and onto a portion of the second layer of packaging material by bringing the first sealing tool and the second sealing tool together such that: a layer of the portion of the first layer of packaging material melts; and a layer of said portion of said second sheet of packaging material has a fused portion and a non-fused portion, said fused portion being in contact with said layer of said first sheet of packaging material.

Advantageously, the method further comprises: supplying thermal energy to the first sealing tool such that the first sealing tool is maintained substantially constant at about the first temperature; and preferably, removing thermal energy from the second sealing tool, i.e. cooling the second sealing tool such that the second sealing tool is maintained below a threshold temperature, the threshold temperature being lower than the first temperature and higher than the second temperature, and , further preferred that the second sealing tool is kept substantially constant at about the second temperature. As a result, connecting seams with essentially identical properties can be produced repeatedly in a short cycle, so that in particular a downtime for tempering the sealing tools before the production of a connecting seam is eliminated or significantly reduced.

Producing a packaging bag within the meaning of the present application describes in particular producing a preferably hollow, thin-walled object which is suitable for receiving one or more other objects, with a packaging bag produced having at least one opening through which one or more objects can be placed in the packaging bag can be put in and/or removed or taken out of this. The opening of the packaging bag produced can preferably be closed after the packaging bag has been filled by means of the connecting device described in this application.

In particular, the method and/or the connecting device can be used to produce one or more connecting seams with desired properties, in particular connecting seams which are essentially non-detachable and/or essentially non-destructively detachable and/or have a desired detachability. A connecting seam with the desired detachability is characterized, for example, in that a specific force (level and/or direction) leads to at least partial detachment of the connecting seam, so that a packaging bag can be opened by detaching such a connecting seam, for example.

Preferably, in the method, the first temperature is between about 105°C and about 225°C. The first temperature is preferably selected according to the melting point of the packaging material, so that it essentially completely melts, or at least softens, in the area against which the first sealing tool rests.

To prevent complete melting and/or softening of the second layer of packaging material, the second temperature is preferably substantially equal to or lower than room temperature and/or about 60°C to about 170°C lower than the first temperature of the first sealing tool. Thus, part of the thickness of the second layer of packaging material can be maintained in a substantially solid state to substantially maintain mechanical strength.

After the regions of the layers of packaging material have cooled, the method described produces a connecting seam which essentially connects two or more layers of the packaging material in a materially bonded manner. The connecting seam is preferably essentially tight, so that solids, liquids and/or gases cannot, or only slightly, penetrate it.

More preferably, one or more connecting seams are produced by the sealing tools resting against the packaging material and exerting pressure on the layers of packaging material for less than approximately 1 s, in particular less than approximately 0.4 s, in particular between approximately 0.2 s and 0.6 s. This short contact time enables the layers of packaging material to be connected in a targeted and/or controlled manner without the mechanical strength of the second layer of packaging material being significantly reduced in the area of the connecting seam. In order for such a short contact time to be sufficient for reliably producing a connecting seam, a substantially constant temperature control of the sealing tools, in particular of the first sealing tool, is advantageous in order to ensure that the packaging material is exposed to sufficient heat.

• Formen und/oder Falten eines Verpackungsmaterials, insbesondere Falten bzw. Falzen des Verpackungsmaterials; und/oder
• Bereitstellen von zumindest einer ersten Lage und einer zweiten Lage Verpackungsmaterial zwischen dem ersten Siegelwerkzeug und dem zweiten Siegelwerkzeug; und/oder
• Auseinanderführen des ersten Siegelwerkzeugs und des zweiten Siegelwerkzeugs, insbesondere nach Verbinden der Lagen Verpackungsmaterial; und/oder
• Füllen des hergestellten Verpackungsbeutels, insbesondere Füllen des Verpackungsbeutels mit Schüttgut; und/oder
• Vereinzeln eines Teils des Verpackungsmaterials; und/oder
• Erzeugen von zumindest einer Verbindungsnaht im Wesentlichen orthogonal zu einer Beförderungsrichtung des Verpackungsmaterials ; und/oder
• Erzeugen von zumindest einer Verbindungsnaht im Wesentlichen parallel zu einer Beförderungsrichtung des Verpackungsmaterials.

More preferably, the method can include one or more of the following steps:

• Shaping and/or folding packaging material, in particular folding or creasing the packaging material; and or
• providing at least a first layer and a second layer of packaging material between the first sealing tool and the second sealing tool; and or
• separating the first sealing tool and the second sealing tool, in particular after the layers of packaging material have been connected; and or
• Filling the packaging bag produced, in particular filling the packaging bag with bulk material; and or
• separating part of the packaging material; and or
• producing at least one connecting seam essentially orthogonal to a conveying direction of the packaging material; and or
• Generating at least one connecting seam essentially parallel to a conveying direction of the packaging material.

A further aspect relates to a closed packaging bag comprising at least one connecting seam which connects at least two layers of a packaging material of the packaging bag; wherein the at least one connecting seam was produced using the method described in this application and/or by the connecting device described in this application. The at least one connecting seam can be a bottom seam and/or a side seam and/or a closure seam for closure of a manufactured and filled packaging bag.

Optionally, one layer of the packaging material of the packaging bag comprises several layers. These layers can also be materials with different melting points. This is particularly advantageous when an inner layer of a ply of packaging material has a lower melting point than an outer layer, so that only the inner layer is melted to create a bond between the plies. In this way, a mechanical strength of the outer layer(s) can be maintained when creating the connecting seam.

In the present application, reference is made in particular to packaging bags which are suitable for accommodating essentially powdery, grainy, granular, liquid, gaseous and/or lumpy goods, in particular essentially tight packaging bags and/or packaging bags essentially impermeable to fluids and/or microbiological contaminants; and oxygen and water vapor, which are known to be major food spoilers and spoilage agents.

In the following, individual embodiments for solving the problem are described by way of example with reference to the figures. Some of the individual embodiments described have features that are not absolutely necessary to implement the claimed subject matter, but which provide desired properties in certain applications. Thus, embodiments that do not have all the features of the embodiments described below are also to be regarded as being disclosed as falling under the technical teaching described. Furthermore, in order to avoid unnecessary repetition, certain features are only mentioned in relation to individual embodiments described below. It is pointed out that the individual embodiments should therefore not only be considered individually, but should also be viewed as a whole. Based on this synopsis, the person skilled in the art will recognize that individual embodiments can also be modified by incorporating individual or multiple features of other embodiments. It is pointed out that a systematic combination of the individual embodiments with individual or multiple features that are described in relation to other embodiments can be desirable and useful and should therefore be considered and should also be regarded as covered by the description.

character list

• 1 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary connecting device for the material-locking connection of at least two layers of a packaging material;
• 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a connecting device for producing a packaging bag;
• 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a connecting device and two layers of packaging material each comprising two layers;
• 4 shows an exemplary packaging machine for making, filling and sealing a packaging bag;
• 5 shows another exemplary packaging machine for producing, filling and sealing a packaging bag.

Detailed description of the drawings

Two types of packaging machines are particularly common in the packaging industry: horizontal form fill and seal machine (HFFS) and vertical form fill and seal machine (VFFS). These packaging machines or packaging methods differ in particular with regard to an essential conveying direction of the packaging material or the packaging bag. In an HFFS procedure (as in 4 shown) the packaging material and/or the packaging bags are conveyed in a substantially horizontal direction. In a VFFS procedure (as in 5 shown) the packaging material and/or the packaging bags are conveyed in a substantially vertical direction. The packaging machine, connection device, closure device and method according to aspects of the present invention are particularly suitable for HFFS and/or VFFS applications. The exemplary embodiment of the connection device shown is suitable for both HFFS and VFFS applications. However, the exemplary embodiments are not limited to the mentioned HFFS and VFFS methods.

1 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary connecting device 10 for materially connecting at least two layers of a packaging material 22a, 22b, in particular for producing one or more connecting seams. According to this exemplary embodiment, the connecting device 10 comprises a first sealing tool 12 and a second sealing tool 16. These are preferably spaced apart and/or arranged opposite and/or adjacent and displaceable relative to each other in a respective displacement direction 44, so that the first sealing tool 12 and the second sealing tool 16 can come into contact with one another and/or on an object, in particular on one between the first and the second sealing tool 12, 16 arranged packaging material 22 can exert pressure. For this purpose, one or more displacement devices are preferably provided for displacing at least one of the sealing tools 12, 16 or both sealing tools 12, 16 in a respective displacement direction 44. The connecting device 10 is preferably also designed such that two or more layers of packaging material 22a, 22b are positioned between the sealing tools 12 , 16 can be passed through. By shifting at least one of the sealing tools 12, 16 or both sealing tools 12, 16, pressure can be exerted on the layers of packaging material 22a, 22b.

Furthermore, the first sealing tool 12 comprises a first tempering device 14 for tempering, in particular warming and/or heating, the first sealing tool 12 and a layer of packaging material 22a that is in contact with it. The temperature control device 14 comprises, for example, one or more electrothermal converters, such as one or more PTC resistors, one or more Peltier elements, one or more heating cartridges and/or one or more heating resistance wires, for warming up and/or heating the first sealing tool 12 through supplying electrical energy to the one or more electrothermal converters. As in 1 shown, a plurality (eg 3) of electrothermal converters are preferably arranged essentially uniformly in or on the first sealing tool 12 in order to enable large-area and/or uniform temperature control. The electrothermal converters are preferably arranged at a short distance from a contact surface between the first sealing tool 12 and a packaging material 22 in order to reduce the inertia of the heat transfer through the material lying in between.

The first sealing tool 12 preferably has a main body made of a material with low heat storage capacity and/or high thermal conductivity, such as ceramic, in particular silicate ceramic, oxide ceramic and/or non-oxide ceramic. A sealing tool with a main body made of ceramics has low thermal inertia and has a quick response to temperature changes. This makes it easier to keep the temperature of the sealing tool essentially constant. More preferably, one or more electrothermal converters are embedded in the main body and/or arranged on it in order to control the temperature of the main body, in particular to heat it. In particular, electrothermal converters enable rapid, simple and/or precise control and/or regulation of temperature control. This is particularly advantageous since the melting process for connecting two or more layers of packaging material 22a, 22b requires high precision in heating the packaging material 22 in order to prevent the packaging material from being destroyed and at the same time to produce a reliable connecting seam.

The first tempering device 14 is preferably set up to temper the first sealing tool 12 to a first temperature, the first temperature being between approximately 105° C. and approximately 225° C., for example. The level of the first temperature is dependent in particular on the melting point of the packaging material 22 which is to be connected. For example, the melting point of polypropylene is from about 160°C to about 220°C. The first temperature of the first sealing tool for connecting layers and/or layers consisting of and/or comprising polypropylene is preferably about 160°C or higher, for example about 225°C. The melting point of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is about 160°C to about 180°C. The first temperature of the first sealing tool for connecting layers and/or layers consisting of and/or comprising polypropylene is preferably about 160°C or higher, for example about 185°C. The melting point of polyethylene (PE) is around 130°C to around 135°C. The first temperature of the first sealing tool for connecting layers and/or layers consisting of and/or comprising polypropylene is preferably about 130°C or higher, for example about 140°C.

The second sealing tool 16 comprises a second tempering device 18 for tempering the second sealing tool 16 and a layer of packaging material 22b lying against it. For example, the second temperature control device 18 includes one or more fluid channels in a main body of the second sealing tool 16 for conducting a fluid, in particular a liquid, for controlling the temperature of the second sealing tool 16. In particular, the second temperature control device 18 includes or is fluid cooling, in particular water cooling or cooling by means of cooling liquid, such as cooling oil. Alternatively and/or additionally, the second temperature control device is set up to increase the actual temperature of the second sealing tool 16, for example by introducing a heated fluid. The second tempering device 18 is set up to temper the second sealing tool 16 to a second temperature, the second temperature being lower than the first temperature temperature The second temperature is preferably approximately the same as or lower than room temperature, ie a temperature in the vicinity of a packaging machine 1 and/or a connecting device 10 and/or a usual temperature in a production facility for packaging bags, for example between approximately 10° C. and 60° C. preferably between about 15°C and about 40°C, more preferably between about 20°C and about 30°C.

For this purpose, preferably temperature-controlled fluid and/or coolant, for example water, is conducted through one or more fluid channels. Alternatively and/or additionally, air cooling can be provided, for example by means of fan(s) and/or cooling fins. The water cooling comprising fluid and fluid channel enables in particular a constant temperature control of the second sealing tool 16. Air cooling is particularly advantageous as additional cooling adapted to requirements, since it can be controlled and/or regulated relatively quickly and easily.

The second temperature control device 18 is preferably set up to cool at least one layer of packaging material 22b lying against the second sealing tool 16, so that at least part of the thickness and/or thickness of the layer of packaging material 22b does not essentially melt while it is being joined to a first layer of packaging material 22a .

In this way, the packaging material 22 can be heated and/or heated sufficiently to create a seam. In particular, a (first) temperature required for the one or more layers of packaging material 22a, 22b to be connected and/or sealed and/or welded can be introduced, while the second layer 22b is cooled on the outside in order to maintain the mechanical strength there during the connection . The higher the first temperature of the first sealing tool 12, the faster the temperature required for bonding is reached in the adjacent area of the packaging material 22, whereby the contact time between the sealing tool 12, 16 and packaging material 22 can be kept short. A contact time is preferably less than about 1 s, more preferably less than about 0.5 s.

With conventional joining methods, in which both sealing tools are heated, the layers of packaging material have a significantly reduced mechanical strength immediately after joining through the sealing process due to the effect of temperature. The present connection device comprising two temperature-controlled sealing tools 12, 16, the second sealing tool 16 being essentially at room temperature, is set up to essentially maintain the mechanical strength of at least the second layer of packaging material 22b during the connection.

More preferably, the first sealing tool 12 and/or the second sealing tool 16 includes one or more temperature sensors 30 for detecting and/or measuring the temperature of the first sealing tool 12 and/or the second sealing tool 16. These are preferably in the vicinity of the contact surface between the sealing tool and Packing material 22 arranged to allow accurate measurement. One or more temperature sensors 30 are preferably arranged in a fluid channel of the second temperature control device 18 . For example, thermistors (NTC), PTC thermistors and/or solid-state circuits can be used as temperature sensors. Alternatively and/or additionally, several temperature sensors 30 can be provided in and/or on a sealing tool 12, 16, the temperature sensors 30 being arranged in such a way that each temperature sensor 30 monitors the temperature of a corresponding segment and/or module of the sealing tool. For example, the first sealing tool 12, in particular its main body, is divided into 48 segments. The exemplary first sealing tool 12 also includes 48 temperature sensors 30, with each of the 48 segments having a temperature sensor 30 in each case. This is particularly advantageous since local temperature changes can be detected in this way and the control and/or regulation of the temperature control of the corresponding segments and/or modules can be adapted. The greater the number of segments and/or the smaller the size of the segments and/or the greater the number of temperature sensors, the more precisely local temperature changes can be detected and preferably reduced and/or corrected by local temperature control.

The one or more temperature sensors 30 and/or the first temperature control device 14 and/or the second temperature control device 18 is or are preferably electrically/electronically connected to a control and/or regulation unit, so that the temperature control of the sealing tools 12, 14 is carried out in accordance with the measurements the one or more temperature sensors 30 can be controlled and/or regulated. In particular, if the actual temperature of the first sealing tool 12 falls below the first temperature (desired temperature), for example by 1% or 5%, the actual temperature can be increased up to the first temperature by activating the first temperature control device 14 . The same applies to an increase in the actual temperature above the first temperature. A control and/or regulation that is set up to increase the temperature and/or not allowing the temperature of the first sealing tool 12 to drop more than about 1°C. The same applies when the actual temperature of the second sealing tool 16 rises above the predetermined second temperature, for example to 105% or 125% of the second temperature. A control and/or regulation which is set up so as not to allow the temperature of the second sealing tool 16 to rise above approximately 20° C. is preferred. The control and/or regulation unit can be part of the connection device 10 or a packaging machine 1 or can be provided externally.

2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a connecting device 10 for producing a packaging bag 20, the connecting device 10 having a first, temperature-controlled sealing tool 12 and a second, temperature-controlled sealing tool 16, for example as shown in FIG 1 described, includes. As illustrated, the second sealing tool 16 preferably has connections 34 in order to introduce a fluid, in particular a liquid coolant or heating medium, into the main body of the second sealing tool 16 in order to temper it.

Like in the 2 As shown, the connecting device 10 is in a state in which pressure is being exerted by the sealing tools 12, 16 on the layers of packaging material 22a, 22b arranged between them.

In this example, both the first layer of packaging material 22a and the second layer of packaging material 22b each comprise a layer 22aa and 22ba, respectively. Alternatively, the first layer and/or the second layer of packaging material 22a, 22b can have two layers 22aa, 22ab or 22ba, 22bb (as, for example, in 3 shown) or even three or more layers. In the example of 2 the first layer 22a corresponds to the (first) layer 22aa and the second layer 22b to the (first) layer 22ba. The first layer 22aa of the first layer 22a and the first layer 22ba of the second layer 22b consist, for example, of PP-LD (low density) and the second layer 22ab of the first layer 22a and the second layer 22bb of the second layer 22b consist, for example, of PP- UHMV (ultra high molecular weight). Alternatively, both layers 22aa, 22ab or 22ba, 22bb of a layer 22a, 22b can be made of the same material, for example PP-HD.

As shown, at least one of the sealing tools 12, 16 has been displaced in the respective displacement direction 44 in such a way that the layers of packaging material 22a, 22b are clamped between the sealing tools 12, 16, i.e. pressure is exerted on a region of each of the layers of packaging material 22a, 22b .

Furthermore, the packaging material 22 is heated and/or heated by the first sealing tool 12, which is heated to a first temperature, preferably up to the point at which the first ply or packaging material 22a or layer 22aa and a to the first ply 22a or layer 22aa adjacent part of the second layer of packaging material 22b or layer 22ba essentially melts, but at least softens. A connecting seam is thus produced between the layers of packaging material 22a, 22b or layers 22aa, 22ba and these are connected to one another—during and/or after the molten packaging material has cooled. Advantageously, pressure is additionally applied to the layers of packaging material 22a, 22b by the sealing tools 12, 16, as a result of which an improved connecting seam can be produced.

As shown, preferably only a portion of the total caliper and/or caliper of the second layer of packaging material 22b is melted during bonding. The other portion of the overall caliper and/or caliper of the second layer of packaging material 22b remains substantially solid or is not melted. This is achieved in particular by tempering, in particular cooling, the second sealing tool 16, which prevents warming and/or heating of a packaging material 22b or layer 22ba attached to the second sealing tool 16 above the melting point of the material of the second layer. The layer of packaging material 22a, 22b is thus divided along its thickness direction 32 into a substantially melted part 24a and a substantially non-melted part 24b.

The one in the 2 shown boundary between the substantially melted part 24a and the substantially non-melted part 24b of the second layer of packaging material 22b only schematically. In particular, there may be a diffuse and/or irregular transition between the substantially melted part 24a and the substantially unmelted part 24b of the second layer of packaging material 22a in the area between the sealing tools 12, 16 during bonding.

The ratio of the substantially fused portion 24a to the substantially non-fused portion 24b preferably ranges from about 1:9 to about 9:1. The greater the proportion of the substantially melted part 24a, the more stable the connection seam produced between the layers after the packaging material has cooled. However, since less part of the second layer 22a is in a substantially solid state, the mechanical strength of the packaging material 22 decreases during bonding remains. Conversely, the greater the proportion of the substantially non-melted portion 24b, the greater the proportion of the substantially non-melted portion 24b, the greater the mechanical strength during bonding. However, the durability and/or stability of the connection seam produced decreases.

The ratio can be influenced in particular by the contact time between the sealing tools 12, 16 and the packaging material 22. The shorter the exposure time to the heat of the first sealing die 12, the smaller the substantially melted portion 24a, and vice versa. Alternatively and/or additionally, an increase in the first temperature of the first sealing tool 12 leads to an increase in the proportion of the substantially melted part 24a and vice versa. Alternatively and/or additionally, a lower second temperature of the second sealing tool 16 leads to an increase in the proportion of the essentially unmelted part 24b and vice versa.

Furthermore, these parameters can be adjusted to the thickness and/or caliper and/or material of the one or more layers of the packaging material 22 . A lower thickness and/or strength and/or a lower melting point of the material requires, for example, a shorter contact time and/or a lower first temperature and/or allows a higher second temperature and vice versa.

3 shows a connecting device 10 which connects two layers of packaging material 22a, 22b each comprising two layers 22aa, 22ab, 22ba, 22bb. When connecting multi-layer layers of packaging material 22a, 22b, the first temperature of the first sealing tool 12 is preferably set in such a way that at least the inner or first layer 22aa of the first layer 22a is essentially completely and at least part of the strength and/or thickness of the inner or first layer 22ba of the second layer 22b melts, so that an integral connection of the layers of packaging material 22a, 22b is formed after cooling. Preferably, the second layer 22bb of the second sheet 22b remains substantially rigid so that it substantially maintains its mechanical strength during bonding.

As well as to 2 described is the portion of the thickness and/or thickness of the first layer 22ba which melts, ie the melted portion 24a of the first layer 22ba of the second layer 22a, preferably in the range from about 10% to about 90% of the total thickness and/or thickness of the layer 22ba. This can be achieved in particular by appropriate selection of the material and/or the thickness and/or strength of the first layer 22ba and/or the first temperature of the first sealing tool 12 and/or the second temperature of the second sealing tool 16. The formation of such a connecting seam can, for example with PP-LD as the first layer 22ba and PP-UHMV as the second layer 22bb of the second layer 22b when the second layer of packaging material 22b is heated above the melting point of the first layer 22ba but below the melting point of the second layer 22bb.

Alternatively, the first layer 22ba of the second sheet 22b may melt substantially completely and the outer, second layer 22bb may have a substantially melted portion 24a and a substantially unfused portion 24b. This can be achieved, for example, by selecting the material of the first and second layer 22ba, 22bb with an approximately identical melting point and/or by a sufficiently low second temperature of the second sealing tool 16, so that the part of the second layer that is in contact with the second sealing tool 16 melts 22bb is prevented. This achieves a stronger joint but with a reduced mechanical strength during the joint by partially melting the second layer 22bb.

In the presence of a multi-layered first sheet 22a, the outer, second sheet 22ab of the first sheet 22a may be fully, partially, or substantially unmelted during bonding. This depends in particular on the melting point of the material of the second layer 22ab: if this is approximately the same as or below the first temperature, the second layer 22ab also melts. However, if the melting point is higher than the first temperature, the second layer 22ab will not melt. A connecting seam can thus be produced by melting only the inner, first layer 22aa, with the outer, second layer 22ab not melting. Thereby, since not only the second sheet 22b has an unfused portion but also the first sheet 22a, a further increased mechanical strength can be obtained during bonding.

Even in the case of a layer of packaging material which has three or more layers, it is only necessary for at least part of the inner, first layers 22aa, 22ba to melt so that a material connection can be formed. Whether, how many and to what extent one or more additional layers melt affects the mechanical strength during the connection and/or the resilience of the resulting connection seam, as described in the process.

4 shows an exemplary packaging machine 1 in an HFFS design. The packaging machine 1 comprises a roll of packaging material 22 for producing packaging bags 20. The packaging material 22 is fed to the packaging machine 1 by a feed device 2 in a substantially horizontal conveying direction 16. In the embodiment shown, the feed device 2 comprises a pair of driven rollers or cylinders which transport or convey the packaging material 22 . As in 1 shown, the packaging machine 1 also has a shaping or folding device 4 for (re)shaping and/or folding the packaging material 22 . In the example shown, the folding device 4 is arranged to fold the packaging material 22 substantially in half to form a doubled band (comprising two layers) of the packaging material 22 with a fold 28 along one side. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the feeding device 2 is arranged after the forming or folding device 4 . Alternatively and/or additionally, the feed device 2 can be arranged in front of the shaping or folding device 4 . Furthermore, the packaging machine 1 can have one or more additional feeding devices 4 and/or shaping or folding devices, which can be arranged at different points in the packaging machine 1 .

As an alternative to the example shown, the packaging material 22 can be stored in the form of individual pieces or sheets. In such an example, the feed device 2 and/or the shaping or folding device 4 are preferably configured in such a way that two or more, in particular three or four, pieces or sheets of the packaging material 22 are arranged and/or conveyed at least partially overlapping or lying one on top of the other become.

In the 4 The packaging machine 1 shown also comprises one or more, for example two, connecting devices 10 for connecting two or more, in particular three or four, layers of packaging material 22. At least one of the connecting devices 10 is preferably set up, at least one, in particular two or three, connecting seams in or to produce on at least part of the packaging material 22. Exemplary configurations of a connecting device 10 are shown in 1 until 3 shown and described in detail in advance.

The one or more connecting devices 10 are preferably arranged after a shaping or folding device 4 in the conveying direction 36 of the packaging material 22 . Alternatively and/or additionally, at least one connecting device 10 can be arranged in front of a shaping or folding device 4 . A connecting device 10 can in particular be set up to produce a connecting seam 26 essentially orthogonally or transversely to the conveying direction 36 of the packaging material 22 . Alternatively and/or additionally, a connecting device can be set up to produce a connecting seam 26 essentially parallel or longitudinal to the transport direction 36 of the packaging material 22 .

in the in 4 The exemplary packaging machine 1 shown, as an example, has two connecting devices 10 designed to produce packaging bags 20 by creating a connecting seam 26 orthogonal or perpendicular to the conveying direction 36 and/or the shaped fold 28 of the packaging material 22. In the packaging machine 1 shown, in this way a plurality of packaging bags 20 are produced on the strip of packaging material 22. Each packaging bag 20 is preferably formed by two adjacent or adjacent connecting seams and the portion of the packaging material 22 located between them. The packaging bags 20 also have an opening on the side opposite the fold 28 .

The packaging machine 1 of 4 includes one or more, for example two, separating devices 6 for separating or (separating) separating or isolating one or more packaging bags 20 from the band of packaging material 22. In the example shown, the separating device 6 includes two separating tools, for example a knife or a Blade or cutting edge, which are set up to cut or sever at least part of the packaging material 22. In the exemplary embodiment of the packaging machine 1 shown, the separating device 6 is set up to separate a region of the packaging material 22 that forms a packaging bag 20 .

According to an alternative embodiment, a packaging machine 1 can have a plurality, for example two, separating devices 6 which are preferably not arranged directly adjacent in the packaging machine 1 . For example, a first separating device 6 can separate the packaging material 20 in such a way that the separated section has two or more connected packaging bags 20 . The separated section can be conveyed to devices for filling and/or sealing and, optionally, then fed to a second separation device 6, which separates at least one packaging bag 20 from the previously separated section. a separation device device 6 can alternatively and/or additionally be arranged in front of a shaping or folding device 4 .

In the present exemplary embodiment, the packaging machine 1 comprises a rotary machine 42 for receiving and/or transporting or conveying one or more packaging bags 20 and/or isolated sections of the packaging material 22. The rotary machine 42 is preferably set up to carry one or more packaging bags 20 and/or or feed isolated sections of the packaging material 22 essentially continuously or intermittently to one or more stations or devices of the packaging machine 1, in particular a filling device 8 of the packaging machine 1 for filling the packaging bags 20, preferably with bulk material and/or liquids. Advantageously, the filling device 8 has an opening device and/or bag-forming device for opening the opening of the packaging bag 20 and/or forming the packaging bag 20, in particular by forming a substantially bulbous bag - in preparation for the filling of the packaging bag 20. One or more, e.g. two, three or four inlet devices are set up to fill the packaging bags 20 .

As in 4 shown, the rotary machine 42 is preferably set up to transport or convey the packaging bags 20 along a substantially circular path to one or more stations or devices of the packaging machine 1, in particular the filling device 8. Preferably, the packaging bags 20 can temporarily remain substantially stationary with one or more of the devices in FIG.

The packaging machine 1 has one or more, in particular 2 or 3, further connecting devices 10 for closing one or more, for example two, packaging bags 20 . In the present example, two filled packaging bags 20 are fed to a connecting device 10 and closed by it. A connecting device 10 is preferably set up to close the opening of a packaging bag 20, in particular by connecting an area of the packaging material 22 that forms the opening. The connecting device 10 preferably comprises one or more sealing tools 12, 16 for producing at least one connecting seam 26 for closing the opening of the Packaging bag 20. The connecting device 10 can be designed to be essentially stationary or displaceable relative to the one or more packaging bags. A connecting device 10 which can be displaced essentially parallel to or along that side of the packaging bag 20 which encompasses the opening is particularly advantageous. Exemplary embodiments of a connecting device 10 are in the 1 until 3 shown and described in detail in the process.

The packaging bag 20 that has been produced, filled and closed is then fed out of the packaging machine 1 . Furthermore, the packaging machine 1 optionally has one or more control devices 38 for controlling or inspecting, in particular the packaging material 22 and/or a connecting seam. The conveying or feeding of the packaging material 22 and/or the packaging bag 20 can in particular take place essentially intermittently or continuously. In particular, the conveying in the individual stations or sections of the packaging machine 1 can vary. The packaging material 22 is preferably transported or conveyed essentially intermittently, i.e. at a changing speed.

5 shows an exemplary packaging machine 1 in a VFFS design, which is set up in particular to produce so-called tubular bag packaging. The packaging machine 1 shown comprises a feed device 2 which is set up to feed in a packaging material 22, in particular from a roll. Preferably, the packaging material 22 is fed intermittently.

Alternatively, the packaging material 22 can be fed substantially continuously. One or more feed devices, for example comprising friction belts, are optionally provided for conveying the packaging material 22 . The packaging machine 1 has an essentially funnel-shaped filling device 8 . The packaging material 22 is formed by a folding device 4 of the packaging machine 1 . In the present example, the shaping or folding device 4 comprises a tube which is arranged following the filling device 8 . The packaging material 22 is preferably formed or guided around the tube in such a way that at least part of the edges of the packaging material 22 face one another and/or abut one another or overlap one another. The packaging material 22 shaped in this way is conveyed or transported in the direction of at least one connecting device 10 . The at least one connecting device 10 is preferably set up and arranged in order to connect the overlapping region of the packaging material 22.

The at least one connecting device 10 according to the in 1 until 3 Connection devices 10 shown configured. The connecting device 10 is preferably a directed to produce a connecting seam 26 in the longitudinal direction or parallel to the conveying direction 36 of the packaging material, wherein the connecting seam 26 corresponds to a side fold of the tubular bag packaging and / or forms this.

The packaging material 22 is preferably conveyed further to a device which preferably comprises a connecting device 10 and a separating device 6 . In this way, a first open packaging bag or one having at least one opening can be produced and a second, already filled packaging bag can be closed and isolated in a combined process step. Alternatively, the device comprises only one connection device 10 or one connection device arranged as a closure device 40 as described in the process. One or more of the connecting device 10, closure device 40 and/or separating device 6 can also be arranged at a distance from one another. In particular, a separating device 6 can be arranged separately, preferably at an end of the VFFS machine that is remote in the conveying direction 36 .

In particular, a connecting device 10 is set up to produce a connecting seam 26 essentially in the transverse direction or orthogonally to the conveying direction 36 of the packaging material 22 in order to produce a first packaging bag 20 . In addition, a second, already filled packaging bag 20 is preferably closed by creating a connecting seam 26 essentially in the transverse direction or orthogonally to the conveying direction 36 of the packaging material 22 by a connecting device 10 and/or a closing device 40. Furthermore, the packaging material 22 is preferably closed by a Separating device 6 separated along a dividing line, essentially in the transverse direction or orthogonal to the conveying direction 36 of the packaging material 22, so that the second packaging bag 20 is separated or separated from the packaging material 22.

Preferably, the connecting device 10 and/or the closure device 40 corresponds to that in FIGS 1 until 3 educated. In particular, the connecting device 10 and/or the closing device 40 is set up for the essentially cohesive connection of two or more layers of packaging material, in particular including heat sealing under the action of thermal energy and/or pressure.

In the example shown of the packaging machine 1, at least part of the connecting device 10, in particular the sealing tools, is designed to be displaceable in order to enable the packaging bag 20 to be filled. In this way, a connection is created between the filling device 8 and the packaging bag 20 that has been produced, so that the packaging bag 20 can be filled and temperature control of the packaging material by the sealing tools of the connection device 10 is terminated.

Reference List

1

packaging machine

2

feeding device

4

Forming or folding device

6

separation device

8th

filling device

10

connecting device

12

first sealing tool

14

first temperature control device

16

second sealing tool

18

second temperature control device

20

packaging bag

22

packing material

22a

first layer of packaging material

22b

second layer of packaging material

22aa

first layer of the first layer of packaging material

22ab

second layer of the first layer of packaging material

22ba

first layer of the second layer of packaging material

22bb

second layer of the second layer of packaging material

24a

melted part

24b

unmelted part

26

connecting seam

28

crease/fold

30

temperature sensor

32

Thickness direction of a layer of packaging material

34

Connection

36

direction of transport

38

control device

40

locking device

42

rotary runner

44

shift direction

Claims (24)

Connecting device (10) for connecting at least two layers of packaging material (22a, 22b) for producing and/or closing a packaging bag (20), comprising: a first sealing tool (12) with a first tempering device (14) for tempering the first sealing tool (12) to a first temperature; and a second sealing tool (16) with a second tempering device (18) for tempering the second sealing tool (16) to a second temperature; wherein the first temperature is approximately equal to or higher than a melting temperature of a layer (22aa) of the first layer of packaging material (22a) and approximately equal to or higher than a melting temperature of a layer (22ba) of the second layer of packaging material (22b) with which the layer (22aa) of the first layer of packaging material (22a) is connected; wherein the second temperature is substantially equal to or lower than an ambient temperature; and or wherein the second temperature is at least about 60°C less than the first temperature. Connecting device (1) according to claim 1 , wherein: the first temperature control device (14) is set up to keep the first sealing tool (12) essentially constant at approximately the first temperature by supplying thermal energy; and the second temperature control device (14) is set up to keep the second sealing tool (16) below a threshold temperature, in particular essentially constant at around the second temperature, by dissipating thermal energy, the threshold temperature being lower than the first temperature and higher than the second temperature is Connecting device (10) for connecting at least two layers of packaging material (22a, 22b) for producing and/or closing a packaging bag (20), comprising: a first sealing tool (12) with a first tempering device (14) for tempering the first sealing tool (12) to a first temperature and keeping the first sealing tool (12) substantially constant at approximately the first temperature by supplying thermal energy; and a second sealing tool (16) with a second tempering device (18) for tempering the second sealing tool (16) by dissipating thermal energy; wherein the first temperature of the first sealing tool (12) is approximately equal to or higher than a melting temperature of a layer (22aa) of the first layer of packaging material (22a) and approximately equal to or higher than a melting temperature of a layer (22ba) of the second layer of packaging material ( 22b) to which the layer (22aa) of the first layer of packaging material (22a) is connected. Connection device (1) after claim 3 , wherein the second temperature control device (18) is set up to keep the second sealing tool (16) below a threshold temperature, the threshold temperature being lower than the first temperature; and, wherein the second temperature control device (18) is set up in particular to keep the second sealing tool (16) essentially constant at approximately a second temperature, the second temperature being lower than the first temperature and the threshold temperature. Connecting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting device (10) is set up to produce a connecting seam (26) between the first layer (22a) and the second layer (22b) by melting a region of the layer (22aa) of the first layer of packaging material (22a) and partially melting an adjacent portion of the layer (22ba) of the second layer of packaging material (22b). The connector (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the first temperature is between about 105°C and about 225°C. Connecting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting device (10) is set up to displace the first sealing tool (12) and the second sealing tool (16) to one another in such a way that pressure is applied to an area between the first and second sealing tool (12, 16) arranged first and second layers of packaging material (22a, 22b). Connecting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first sealing tool (12) and/or the second sealing tool (16) comprises a main body made of ceramic. Connecting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first temperature control device (14) of the first sealing tool (12) comprises one or more heating elements, in particular electrothermal converters, for temperature control, in particular heating, of the first sealing tool (12). Connecting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second Temperature control device (18) of the second sealing tool (16) comprises one or more fluid channels (32) for conducting a (temperature-controlled) fluid. Connecting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first sealing tool (12) and/or the second sealing tool (16) comprise one or more temperature sensors (30) for measuring the temperature. Connecting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting device (10) comprises a temperature control unit for controlling and/or regulating the temperature of the first sealing tool (12) and/or the second sealing tool (16) or can be coupled to such a temperature control unit. Connecting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one layer of the packaging material (22a, 22b) comprises a plurality of layers (22aa, 22ab or 22ba, 22bb) whose materials have different melting points. Connecting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a clamping device for temporarily fixing the packaging material (20). Packaging machine (10) for producing a packaging bag (20) and/or for closing a filled packaging bag (20), comprising: a feed device (2) for feeding a packaging material (22); and at least one connecting device (10) according to one of Claims 1 - 14 for producing at least one connecting seam (26) by connecting at least two layers of the packaging material (22a, 22b). Method for connecting at least two layers of a packaging material (22a, 22b) to produce and/or close a packaging bag (22), comprising the steps: Tempering a first sealing tool (12) to a first temperature and tempering a second sealing tool (16) to a second temperature and applying pressure to an area of the first layer of packaging material (22a) and to an area of the second layer of packaging material (22b) by bringing them together the first sealing tool (12) and the second sealing tool (16) such that: melting a layer (22aa) of the portion of the first sheet of packaging material (22a); and a layer (22ba) of the region of the second sheet of packaging material (22b) having a (substantially) melted part (24a) and a non-melted part (24b), the melted part (24a) being in contact with the layer (22aa) of the first position of packaging material (22a). procedure after Claim 16 , further comprising: supplying thermal energy to the first sealing tool (12) such that the first sealing tool (12) is maintained substantially constant at about the first temperature; and dissipating thermal energy from the second sealing tool (16), preferably such that: the second sealing tool (16) is maintained below a threshold temperature, the threshold temperature being less than the first temperature and greater than the second temperature, and, further preferably, the second sealing tool (16) is maintained substantially constant at about the second temperature. procedure after Claim 16 or 17 , wherein the first temperature is between about 105°C and about 225°C. Procedure according to one of Claims 16 - 18 , wherein the second temperature is: substantially equal to or less than room temperature; and/or is at least about 60°C lower than the first temperature. Method according to one of Claims 16 - 19 , wherein after the regions of the layers of packaging material (22a, 22b) have cooled, a connecting seam (26) is formed, which essentially cohesively connects two or more layers of the packaging material (22a, 22b). Method according to one of Claims 16 - 20 , wherein pressure is applied to the layers of packaging material (22a, 22b) for less than about 1 s, in particular for less than about 0.4 s. Method according to one of Claims 16 - 21 , further comprising the step of: shaping and/or folding a packaging material (22), in particular folding or creasing the packaging material (22); and/or providing at least a first layer and a second layer of packaging material (22a, 22b) between the first sealing tool (12) and the second sealing tool (16); and/or moving the first sealing tool (12) and the second sealing tool (16) apart; and/or filling the packaging bag (20) produced, in particular filling the packaging bag (20) with bulk material; and or singulating a portion of the packaging material (22); and/or producing at least one connecting seam (26) essentially orthogonally to a conveying direction (36) of the packaging material (22); and/or producing at least one connecting seam (26) essentially parallel to a conveying direction (36) of the packaging material (22). Closed packaging bag (20) comprising: at least one connecting seam (26) which connects at least two layers of a packaging material (22a, 22b) of the packaging bag (20); wherein the at least one connecting seam (26) with the method according to one of Claims 16 - 22 was generated. Closed packaging bag (20) according to Claim 23 , wherein one layer of the packaging material (22a, 22b) comprises a plurality of layers (22aa, 22ab or 22ba, 22bb), the materials of which have different melting points.

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