DE29623691U1 - Packing device for packing small items in a package with wing knots - Google Patents

Description

GRÜNECKER, KINKELDEY, STÖCTiyiACR & SCnWÄ

LAW FIRM

LAW FIRM MAXIMILIANSTRASSE 58 D-80S38 MUNICH GERMANY

Lawyers

Munich

DR. HERMANN SCHWANHÄUSSER

DR. HELMUT EICHMANN

GERHARD BARTH DR. ULRICH BLUMENRÖOER, LLM.

CHRISTA NIKLAS-FALTER DR. MICHAEL SCHRAMM, DIPL-PHYS.

DR. MAXIMILIAN KINKELDEY, LLM.

Of Counsel

august grünecker DR. GUNTER BEZOLD DR. WALTER LANGHOFF DR. WILFRIED STOCKMAIR (-1996)

Patent attorneys

European Patent Attorneys

Munich

DR. HERMANN KINKELDEY

DR. KLAUS SCHUMANN

PETER H. JAKOB

WOLFHARD MEISTER

HANS HILGERS

DR. HENNING MEYER-PLATH

ANNELIE EHNOLD

THOMAS SCHUSTER

DR. KLARA GOLDBACH

MARTIN AUFENANGER

GOTTFRIED KLITSCH

DR. HEIKE VOGELSANG-WENKE

REINHARD KNAUER

DIETMAR KUHL

DR. FRANZ-JOSEF ZIMMER

BETTINA K. REICHELT

DR. ANTON K. PFAU

OR. UDO WEIGELT

RAINER BERTRAM

JENS KOCH, MS (UofPA) MS (ENSPM)

Cologne

dr. martin dropman

YOUR REF.

OUR SIGN I OUR REF. DATE / DATE

G 3999-013/Fri 15.01.1999

Applicant: PACTEC PACKAGING MACHINERY FACTORY THEEGARTEN GMBH & CO. KG Breitscheidstr. 01237 DRESDEN

Packaging device for packing small items in a package

with wing knot

MAXIMILIANSTRASSE 58 D-80538 MUNICH TEL 089/21 23 50 e-mail: postmaster@grunecker.de FAX (Gr. 3) 089 / 22 02 87 or (Gr. 4) 089 / 21 86 92 93

DEUTSCHE BANK MUNICH NO. 17 51734

Bank code 700 700 10 SWIFT: DEUT DE MM

http://www.grunecker.de KAISER-WILHELM-RING 13 0-50672 COLOGNE

TEL 0221/94 97 22 0 e-mail: dropmann@grunecker.de

FAX (Gr.3) 0221/94 97 22

The invention relates to a packaging device for packaging small-sized articles in a package with a rotary wing wrap (wing knot).

A packaging device for confectionery packaging using a rotary wing wrapping technique is known from DE 24 54 745. The article to be packaged is first wrapped in a U-shaped piece of packaging material, approximately halfway around. The legs (of the U-shape) that protrude beyond the article are then folded in one after the other, with the two legs overlapping. The ends of the piece of packaging material that continue to protrude beyond the article in the longitudinal direction are then twisted. The twisting is done in such a way that the article is unwrapped when the twisted ends are pulled apart. A wing knot is usually provided on both sides.

This type of packaging requires the use of twistable packaging materials that retain their shape after being twisted. However, such packaging materials must have a certain minimum thickness. Too little thickness impairs the machinability of the packaging material. However, this minimum thickness is greater than would be necessary to ensure sufficient strength in the packaged state. The requirement for twistable packaging materials in the known process therefore leads to inefficient use of material in packaging with twist or double wing knots with regard to the required strength in the packaged final state. This leads to unnecessarily high material consumption and high costs for the packaging material.

For envelope folding on chocolate bars, it is known from DE 37 19 610 C1 to provide them with a longitudinal and a transverse seal.

The known packaging with double twist wraps, on the other hand, could not be made airtight or gas-tight. On the other hand, there is a particular

From a marketing perspective, there is great interest in airtight, i.e. aroma-safe packaging with wing knots.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a packaging device of the type mentioned at the outset, which enables the production of airtight packaging with wing knots while simultaneously using thinner packaging materials, including non-twistable packaging materials with increased restoring force.

This object is achieved by a packaging device having the features of claims 1 and 8.

Preferred embodiments are set out in the subclaims.

With the device according to the invention, airtight packaging can now be produced with twist or double twist wraps and at the same time thinner packaging materials can be used. The packaging material pieces used are provided with transverse cold sealing areas and longitudinal cold sealing areas, which have the property of sticking to one another and forming a gas-tight or air-tight seal. The strength of the connection can be further increased by pressing them together. The material of the cold sealing areas is preferably such that it hardens after connection, further increasing the bonding strength.

By providing longitudinal cold-sealing areas in the area of the wing nodes, a gas-tight or air-tight connection is created by twisting, so that overall, a gas-tight or air-tight package is created that provides good aroma and barrier protection for the packaged article. This makes it possible to package individually packaged articles such as food of different flavors in a larger collective package.

The cold sealing areas are only provided at the points to be sealed. This makes it possible to dimension the thickness of the packaging material in the parts of the packaging not covered by the cold sealing areas, primarily from the point of view of the required packaging strength, so that thinner films can now be used than before, i.e. films whose thickness is less than or equal to 30 μm.

Since the cold-sealing areas exhibit permanent deformation behavior when sealed, non-twistable films with increased resilience can now also be used as packaging materials. This results in significant material and cost savings.

The packaging device according to the invention enables the production of airtight packaging with wing knots. In contrast to known devices, the inner folder not only folds over the leg to be folded first, but simultaneously connects it to the opposite leg, to which it adheres due to the transverse cold-sealing areas provided on both legs. By subsequently folding over the second leg with the adhering area of the first leg, a seal is achieved in the transverse direction of the piece of packaging material. According to an advantageous development of the invention, the bonding force is increased by compressing the packaging material between the inner folder and the outer folder in the end position of the outer folder.

Alternatively, the external folder can also be designed to be stationary, whereby in order to fold over the second leg, the packaging arranged in a receiving opening of a transport device is guided closely past the external folder with the leg. The transport device is preferably designed as a turret head.

Preferably, at the end of the folding process of the first leg, the inner folder reaches a position in relation to the article to be packaged in which its front edge pointing towards the outer folder is positioned close to the intended contact line of the two legs. This avoids larger air pockets in the segment between the legs and the article. At the same time, this arrangement of the front edge leads to a clean folding of the second leg by means of the outer folder.

According to a preferred development of the invention, a tear slot is attached to the piece of packaging material. This enables the packaging to be easily torn open, since the cold-sealing areas mean that it is no longer possible to simply twist it open by pulling on the wing knots. This has the advantage that the packaging is reliably destroyed when it is opened. This is particularly desirable from the point of view of consumer protection when the packaging is used for food, since it prevents the packaging from being misused by reusing it. The tear slot is preferably arranged in the overlap area of the legs between the wing knots, so that the packaging can be opened easily and in a consumer-friendly manner.

In the following, the invention will now be described using one of the preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings, which show:

Fig. 1 the sequence of a packaging process as it is carried out by the

device can be carried out, in schematic representation,

Fig. 2 shows the sequence of a modified packaging process as it is carried out by

a modified packaging device can be implemented, in a schematic representation,

Fig. 3 an embodiment of a packaging material piece in a schematic representation,

Fig. 4 a finished package with wing knots, in schematic

Depiction,

Fig. 5 a packaging device for carrying out the packaging method according to Fig. 1, in a schematic representation,

Fig. 6 the packaging device according to Fig. 5 at the beginning of the folding

of the second leg of the packaging material, in schematic representation,

Fig. 7 shows a complete packaging machine system in which the packaging device according to Fig. 5 can be used, in a schematic representation.

Before the exemplary embodiments are described below, the packaging material piece and the packaging in their final state will be briefly discussed. These are shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. The packaging material piece P is a rectangular piece of film that is fed to the packaging device in individual pieces or connected to others on a roll. Each individual packaging material piece has transverse cold-sealing areas Q and longitudinal cold-sealing areas L on its edges. The direction information refers to the unwinding direction in the wrapping device. The longitudinal direction corresponds to the transport direction of a packaging material piece. The cold-sealing areas have the property of sticking to one another when placed against one another and are applied to a base film in the form of a mask. The base film consists of PP film, for example. Since the cold-sealing mask leads to a stiffening of the base film, non-twistable films with increased resilience can also be used as base films.

Fig. 4 shows a finished package with wing knots on the transverse ends, which are made by means of a double twist wrap for a caramel. However, the wing knots can also be made simply by pressing the longitudinal cold-sealing areas of the packaging material together in a ring shape. The packaging form is not limited to caramels or foodstuffs, but can be used for all types of small-sized goods.

With reference to Figures 1 and 5 to 7, a first embodiment of a packaging process and an associated packaging device will now be described schematically.

Fig. 5 shows a rotatable, drum-shaped packing head 40, on the circumference of which several folding units are arranged. Each folding unit has a pair of holding jaws 30 for holding an article A with the piece of packaging material P already wrapped around it in a U-shape.

Furthermore, each folding unit has an outward-facing inner folder 10 and an outward-facing outer folder 20. The inner folder and the outer folder are designed as a swivel arm that is pivotally connected to the folding unit. The movement of the essentially L-shaped swivel arms is controlled by cam disks depending on the position of the packing head.

As can be seen in Fig. 5, the article A with the piece of packaging material wrapped around it in a U-shape is gripped by the holding jaws 30 in such a way that one leg S ₁ of the piece of packaging material protrudes further over the article A than the second leg S ₂ of the U-shape. The inner folder 10 is arranged on the side of the longer leg S ₁ .

The front edge 11 of the inner folder 10 pointing towards the opposite outer folder 20 comes in the pivoted-in state after the folding of the first leg S ₁ into a position in which the front edge is along an edge region

of the article held between the holding jaws 30, so that it serves as a folding edge for the subsequent folding of the second leg S _2. However, the front edge 11 can also end in a different position if, for example, a central folding edge is desired on the packaging. To enable the outer folder to protrude more easily over the inner folder 10, the inner folder is tapered in thickness towards its front edge 11. The tapered area 12 simultaneously serves as a sliding surface for the outer folder 20 for pressing the legs against one another.

Furthermore, the inner folder 10 is provided in the area of its front edge 11 with a slotted nose that protrudes radially outwards and serves as a cutting counter bearing 13 for a knife 71 for making a desired marking incision on the legs.

A cutting device 70 with a knife 71 is arranged in the peripheral area of the packing head 40, so that when the packing head is rotated, the nose-shaped cutting counter 13 is guided past the knife 71. When guided past, the legs connected to one another are cut to form a desired tear. In principle, however, it is also possible to provide the desired tears on the piece of packaging material before wrapping.

In Fig. 7, an overall view of the packaging machine with packaging device is shown in principle. The articles A delivered via a conveyor device are gripped by a device 50 for placing a piece of packaging material P around an article to be packaged and then transferred from this to the packing head 40. In Fig. 7, this device 50 is designed as a gripper head, in which pieces of packaging material fed from above are placed on an article A in order to then be transferred to the packing head 40. When the article A is transferred from the gripper head 50 to the packing head 40, the piece of packaging material is placed in a U-shape around the article. This wrapping device enables continuous packaging of the articles. However, the invention is not limited to continuously operating machines.

limited, but can also be used in discontinuous machines in which the rotating gripper head is replaced by a discontinuous device for placing the packaging material pieces around the individual items.

The packaging of articles is now described in detail below with reference to Fig. 1. To do this, a piece of packaging material P is first placed in a substantially U-shape around an article A, with one leg of the piece of packaging material protruding beyond the article on either side of the article. The lengths of the two legs protruding beyond the article are preferably different. The leg S ₁ to be folded over first is longer than the leg S ₂ to be folded over second. Both legs have a transverse cold-sealing area Q on their opposite sides. Now the first leg S ₁ is folded over first so that it comes into contact with the article to be packaged on the one hand and with the opposite leg on the other. The transverse cold-sealing areas of the two legs adhere to one another so that an end region E of the first leg S ₁ and the second leg S ₂ together form a fin. Then the second leg S ₂ or the fin is folded over to form a roll of packaging material.

Preferably, after the first leg has been folded over by means of the inner folder 10, it remains in its position so that the outer folder 20, which is pivoted in the opposite direction, presses the fin against the inner folder 10 in the final position of the second folding process. This increases the contact force and thus the strength of the connection between the two legs, so that a gas-tight connection is established along the packaging roll thus formed. The inner folder and the outer folder are then pivoted back. The packaging roll is open on both sides in the transverse direction. The ends that protrude beyond the article on both sides in the transverse direction and each have longitudinal cold-sealing areas on their inside are then pressed together to create a gas-tight connection at the ends of the packaging roll. Basically,

it is possible to press the ends together to form a flat seam or to press them together in a ring shape, forming a wing knot. Preferably, however, the longitudinal ends of the packaging roll are twisted to form a double twist, as this applies further tensile forces to the folded fin and strengthens the connection between the legs.

From Figures 2 and 5 it can be seen that the fin can be attached to any side of the article except the transverse sides where the wing nodes are located.

A further embodiment of the packaging device according to the invention is shown in Fig. 2. In contrast, the outer folder 20 is stationary here, while the inner folder 10 can be moved back and forth. This procedure is particularly suitable for discontinuously operating packaging machines in which the individual articles A are pushed one after the other into a receiving opening 61 of a transport device 60 by a pusher 80. When the article A is pushed into the receiving opening 61, the piece of packaging material is simultaneously placed in a U-shape around the article. While the legs S ₁ and S ₂ of the piece of packaging material that protrude beyond the article, which here are also provided with transverse cold-sealing areas, remain between an inner folder and an outer folder. After the pusher 80 has been retracted, the inner folder 10 is set in motion in order to fold the first leg S ₁ and at the same time bring it into contact with the second leg S ₂ . The outer folder 20 acts as a counter-holder for the inner folder 10, so that the fin formed by an end section of the first leg and the second leg is pressed together. The second leg or the fin is folded over by a movement of the transport device 60, which is preferably designed in the form of a turret head 60, relative to the outer folder 20. The distance between the edge area of the receiving opening of the transport device and the outer folder 20 is kept so small that the fin can be guided straight through in its thickness. By moving the transport device designed as a turret head

Transport device 60 slides the fin along the outer folder 20 and is folded over in the process. Then, as in the first embodiment, the wing knots are attached to the ends of the packaging material roll thus formed.

Preferably, in the packaging device that operates according to the method according to Fig. 2, the transport device 60 is designed as a rotating disk or drum that is provided with a plurality of receiving openings in the circumferential direction. The depth of the openings can be designed such that the article to be packaged is almost flush with the edge area that faces the inner and outer folders, so that the article can be packaged tightly and airtight or gas-tight without large amounts of air being trapped.

As an alternative to a rotating turret head, transport devices can also be used that move the article receiving openings past the external folder in a translatory manner.

The packaging device described works with a print image centering system to ensure that the delivered packaging material pieces always assume the same position in relation to the article to be packaged.

The device according to the invention, explained using exemplary embodiments, can be used to package all types of small items. However, they are particularly suitable for packaging foods that are particularly sensitive to aromas, such as caramels or confectionery. The shape of the items is not limited to spherical or round items. Rather, square or elongated items can also be packaged, where in addition to a gas-tight seal, an appearance with wing knots on the transverse ends of the packaging is important.

Claims (16)

Patent claims: 1. Packaging device for packaging small items, such as caramels or confectionery, in which a piece of packaging material, which has transverse cold-sealing areas and longitudinal cold-sealing areas can be laid around the article with an overhang, with a device for forming a packaging material tube through the piece of packaging material by means of the transverse cold-sealing areas and gas-tight cold-sealing thereof and a device for twisting the ends of the packaging material tube protruding at the front in the area of the longitudinal cold-sealing areas to form gas-tight wing knots in the twist fold. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by a folding device for folding the first leg (S ₁ ) against the article (A) with an end section (E) of the first leg (S ₁ ) adhering with its transverse cold-sealing region (Q) extending along the entire length of the packaging material piece to be sealed in a gas-tight manner to the transverse cold-sealing region (Q) of the other, second leg (S ₂ ), and wherein this transverse cold-sealing region (Q) is provided in the transverse direction of the second leg (S ₂ ). 3. Packaging device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a further folding device for folding the second leg (S ₂ ) in the opposite direction of the first leg (S ₁ ). 4. Packaging device according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by a pressing device for pressing the second leg (S ₂ ) from the outside in the direction of the first leg (S ₁ ) at the end of the folding process. 5. Packaging device according to claim 4, characterized in that temporarily between the article (A) and the outside of the end portion (E) of the • * • »·
· ft· • »4 • *
t • &Pgr;2"*.
·
·· · ··* first leg (S ₁ ) a flat plate part is arranged as a counterholder for pressing at the end of the second folding process. 6. Packaging device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the twisting of the longitudinal cold sealing areas (L) is carried out after the second folding and as a double twist fold. 7. Packaging device according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a tear slot is provided on the piece of packaging material. 8. Packaging device for packing small items in a package with wing knots, with a first folding member (10) for applying a first leg (S ₁ ) of a piece of packaging material, which extends beyond the article and is provided with a transverse cold-sealing area, to the article and for applying one end of this leg (S ₁ ) to an opposite second leg (S ₂ ) of the piece of packaging material, which also extends beyond the article, to form a fin, a second folding member (20) for folding the fin formed by the application of the first leg (S ₁ ) of the packaging material piece to the second leg (S ₂ ) of the same to the article wrapped by the packaging material piece, and with the opposite protruding ends of the packaging tube twisting means to form a double twist wrap. 9. Packaging device according to claim 8, characterized in that the folding member designed as an inner folder (10) remains in contact with the outside of the first folded leg (S ₁ ) of the packaging material piece when the other leg (S ₂ ) of the same is folded over. 10. Packaging device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that in an end position of the second folding member designed as an external folder (20) after the second leg (S ₂ ) has been folded over, the packaging material can be pressed against the internal folder (10) by the external folder (20). 11. Packaging device according to at least one of claims 8 to 10, characterized by a folding unit which has holding jaws (30) for holding an article and the piece of packaging material partially wrapped around it, wherein the folding unit further comprises the inner folder (10) and the outer folder (20), which are each designed to be movable on the pivot arm relative to an article held between the holding jaws (30). 12. Packaging device according to claim 11, characterized in that a plurality of folding units, each with an outwardly facing inner folder (10) and an outwardly facing outer folder (20), are arranged on the circumference of a rotatable, drum-shaped packing head (40). 13. Packaging device according to at least one of the preceding claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the outer folder (20) is arranged stationary, while the inner folder (10) is movable. 14. Packaging device according to claim 13, characterized in that on the side of the inner and outer folder (10, 20) opposite the device (50) for applying a piece of packaging material, a transport device, preferably a turret head (60) with article receiving areas (61) for receiving the packaged articles is arranged, wherein the article receiving areas (61) can be moved closely past the outer folder (20) for folding over the second leg (S ₂ ). 15. Packaging device according to at least one of claims 8 to 14, characterized by a cutting device (70) which has a knife (71) which can be brought into engagement with at least one of the legs (S ₁ , S ₂ ). 16. Packaging device according to claim 15, characterized in that a cutting counter (13) which can be brought into engagement with the knife (71) is provided on the inner folder (10) for applying a desired tear to the piece of packaging material.