EP1188670B1 - Method and machine for wrapping printed products in a packaging material - Google Patents

Abstract

A feeder (25) supplies and deposits at least two printed products (1,2) next to each other on a web (3') of packaging material. The material, especially plastic sheeting rolled up on a storage roller (28) is unwound by an uncoiler (35). Parts of the material (8,9) for wrapping the printed products are laid down by at least one transfer apppliance (30). At least one closure appliance joins layers of material across the direction of travel. At least one cutter (36) cuts across the direction of travel, and at least one cutter (37) cuts in the direction of travel.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for wrapping printed products with a packaging material according to claim 1 or claim 12.

Individual print products or a group of several Printed products are packaged for shipping by with a sleeve, paper or foil on all sides be wrapped or put in envelopes. On Process for packaging printed products, in which these are inserted into packaging elements that are are in plug-in compartments of a packaging drum known from EP-A 0 676 354. With this procedure is high throughput of products to be packed possible however, it requires pre-made packaging elements and is therefore correspondingly expensive.

DE-A 31 02 872 describes a method for wrapping Chocolate bars and the like are known in which a continuous packaging material, a metal foil, too a hose open on one side with a U-shaped cross section is thrown. In these are in a row in a row lying boards placed on what the open side of the tube is closed and individual packages be separated.

GB-A 2088811 discloses a method for wrapping Products arranged in pairs next to each other according to the Preamble of claim 1. For the production of so-called "Twin Packs" is the packaging material over Pulled guide elements that are shaped such that the outer edges of the packaging material web down be redirected so that they are parallel to each other and are oriented perpendicular to the conveyor plane. These outer ones The edges are then welded together. It will thus a tube of packaging material is first formed, which is part of the leadership elements as well Encloses products itself. The products are there first on the inner guide elements. Together the upper and lower layers of the Hose. A perforation for later separation of the twin Packs will be placed inside the welded area, which is why the welded area must be relatively wide.

The invention has for its object a method and a device for packaging printed products indicate with which or with which a high Throughput with the lowest possible material and Processing costs per package can be achieved.

The problem is solved by a method with the features of claim 1. The task is still solved by means of a device for carrying out the method the features of claim 6. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, at least two printed products with a common packaging material web in parallel packed up. This means that for the delivery of products, for unrolling and moving the packaging material, especially a plastic film, and for closing and if necessary separating the packages present Tools can advantageously be used twice. The Packing rate can be maintained at the same processing speed be doubled. According to the invention the packaging material web itself as a transport medium used after the printed products are placed on it were. The material web preferably overflows a pad that supports the weight of the printed products receives. It is particularly advantageous if the base in Cross section perpendicular to the conveying direction upwards or is kinked below and system elements for printed products has, so that this is a defined location with regard to the cutting and locking tools. As a continuous packaging material is preferred a plastic film is used, but it can also be one Paper web are used. A plastic film will preferably welded to produce the packaging, while a paper web is glued.

Fig. 1

eine Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens;

Fig. 2a, b

ein Beispiel für ein nicht erfindungsgemässes Verfahren unter Bildung eines U-förmigen seitlich offenen Materialschlauchs;

Fig. 3a, b

ein Beispiel für ein nicht erfindungsgemässes Verfahren unter Bildung eines an der Oberseite verschlossenen Materialschlauchs;

Fig. 4a, b

ein Beispiel für ein nicht erfindungsgemässes Verfahren unter Bildung eines an der Oberseite offenen Materialschlauchs;

Fig. 5a, b

ein Beispiel für ein erfindungsgemässes Verfahren unter Bildung eines an der Oberseite offenen Materialschlauchs;

Fig. 6a, b

ein Beispiel für ein nicht erfindungsgemässes Verfahren unter Bildung von zwei Taschen aus einer Verpackungsmaterialbahn;

Fig. 7a-d

ein Beispiel für ein nicht erfindungsgemässes Verfahren unter Bildung einer Schlaufe aus Verpackungsmaterial zwischen den Druckereiprodukten;

Fig. 8a-c

ein weiteres Beispiel für ein erfindungsgemässes Verfahren unter Bildung einer Schlaufe aus Verpackungsmaterial zwischen den Druckereiprodukten;

Fig. 9a, b

ein Weiteres Beispiel für ein erfindungsgemässes Verfahren unter Bildung einer Schlaufe aus Verpackungsmaterial zwischen den Druckereiprodukten;

Fig. 10a-c

drei Beispiele für die Gestaltung einer Unterlage für das Verpackungsmaterial.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and described below. It shows purely schematically:

Fig. 1

a device for performing the method;

2a, b

an example of a method not according to the invention with the formation of a U-shaped laterally open material hose;

3a, b

an example of a method not according to the invention to form a material hose closed at the top;

4a, b

an example of a method not according to the invention with the formation of a material hose open at the top;

5a, b

an example of a method according to the invention with the formation of a material hose open at the top;

6a, b

an example of a method not according to the invention with the formation of two pockets from a packaging material web;

7a-d

an example of a method not according to the invention with the formation of a loop of packaging material between the printed products;

8a-c

another example of a method according to the invention with the formation of a loop of packaging material between the printed products;

9a, b

a further example of a method according to the invention with the formation of a loop of packaging material between the printed products;

Figures 10a-c

three examples for the design of a base for the packaging material.

Figure 1 shows schematically a device for performing of the method according to the invention. A similar Device for packaging one product each is in DE-A 31 02 872. To build and Operation of the device according to the invention also referred to this revelation.

Printed products 1, 2 are with a feed device 25 in two parallel rows 26, 27 of the device in Delivery direction F fed. The feed device 25 has for example, a conveyor belt 25 'perpendicular to Transport direction F arranged driving elements 34, for example, of take-along rollers, between which Printed products are. Instead of a belt conveyor are also cam conveyors as feed devices, Gripper conveyors and clamp conveyors and the like usable. The print products do not have to be necessary arrive in rows, but can also, for example, in arrive from a scale formation or from one stationary stacks are withdrawn. You just have to two printed products next to each other on the Packaging material, i.e. the packaging material web 3 ', be filed.

From a perpendicular to the feeder 25 and Delivery direction F oriented supply roll 28 becomes a continuous packaging material web 3 ', here one Plastic film, unwound via guide rollers 35. The Packaging material web 3 'can also in other ways and Wisely fed and wrapped around the products. The Guide rollers 35 are approximately parallel to the supply roller 28 arranged symmetrically to the level of the feed device 25.

By means of a folding device 30, which here by side of the feed device 25 running pairs of rollers 31 and the guide rollers 35 is formed from the first flat packaging material web 3 'a U-shaped in cross section laterally open material hose 3 "with a upper and a lower layer of material 8 and 9 formed. This covers the supplied printing products 1, 2, this from the feeder 25 on the lower layer of material 9 are stored. The packaging material web 3 'itself serves as a Transport medium for the printed products 1, 2. It will moved with the roller pairs 31 in the conveying direction F.

Above the central area 4 between the rows of printed products 26, 27 or between the printed products 1, 2 there is a first closure device 33 for Connecting the upper and lower layers of material 8, 9. The In the present case, the first closure device 33 consists of two wheels 33 ', 33' 'rotatable about a common axis with which layers 8, 9 are continuously connected to one another, be welded here so that two parallel in Conveying direction F welding seams are created. To the then separating the packages of one row 26 of those in the other row 27 is behind the first Closure device 33 in the conveying direction F oriented knife 36 arranged as a separator. Alternatively, a separator can also be placed in the Closure device 33 may be integrated, for example can a knife between the wheels 33 ', 33 "between the Weld seams may be arranged. In the area of the edge 10 is a continuously operating second closure device 32 arranged, which also the top and lower layers of material 8, 9 in the edge area in Direction of conveyance F welded. In the conveying direction F behind the first closure device 33 is a third one Closure device 29 arranged transversely to Direction of conveyance F the area between two on top of each other following printing products in regular to the Conveying speed and the product distance adjusted Time intervals that connect the packaging material web layers, welded here. With a second separator a knife 37 oriented transversely to the conveying direction a finished package is then separated. The second Separating device can be dispensed with for such applications where the printed products are individually packaged temporarily stored in a continuous material web hose should be.

In Figures 2a) and b) two steps are one Variant of a method not according to the invention schematically shown. The method can be carried out using the method shown in FIG. 1 shown device are performed. From one Packaging material web 3 'in the form of a plastic film becomes a laterally open in cross section U-shaped Material hose 3 "with an upper and a lower Material layer 8 or 9 formed. On the lower one Material layer 9 are two printed products next to each other 1, 2 placed in parallel printing product series arrive as shown in Fig. 1. In the middle area 4 between the two printed products 1, 2 are the lower and upper material layers 8 and 9 with each other with formation of running in the direction of conveyance F. Welded seams 5, 6 welded, the packaging material web 3 'in between along a likewise in Conveying direction F running section line 7 separated becomes. Alternatively, a wide weld seam can be formed which is separated in the middle so that the upper and lower layers of material connected stay. One of the printed products 2 is on the side Edge 10 from upper and lower layers of material 8, 9 over, the one with another in the conveying direction Weld seam 11 is closed. In the area between successive printing products is the Packaging material web 3 'finally across Transport direction F welded and cut to the Complete packaging and consecutive Separate printed products.

Figure 3a), b) shows schematically two steps one Another variant of a method not according to the invention. The Printed products 1, 2 are placed side by side on the Packaging material web 3 'deposited, approximately in the middle. The first and second outer material areas 12 13 each laterally outwards, what is dashed is shown. The protruding first and second Outer material areas 12, 13 then become Center area 4 towards a hose 3 '' Packaging material folded down. The first folded and second outer material areas 12, 13 are so long that they are in an overlap area 14 overlap. In this overlap area 14 between the juxtaposed printed products 1, 2 are them with each other and with the one below Material layer welded in one operation. As with The method from FIG. 2 can have two parallel weld seams 5, 6 are applied, cutting in between section line 7. This variant has compared to the Variant from Figure 2 the advantage that in addition to the necessary welding and cutting across the conveying direction only one closure device working in the conveying direction or just one operation to form two Packaging is necessary.

Figure 4a), b) shows schematically two steps one another variant of a method not according to the invention, similar to that of Fig. 3a), b). The protruding laterally first and second outer material areas 12, 13 shown here shorter than in Fig. 3a), b), so that they are do not overlap when folding down to the central area 4. They are then individually welded with 5 6 welded onto the lower layer of material 9. The area in between is cut along section line 7.

In the variant of the shown in Figure 5a), b) The method according to the invention becomes the printed products again in the middle of the packaging material web 3 ' placed and the protruding first and second outer Material areas 12, 13 turned over towards the center. in the Center area 4, the packaging material web 3 ' cut along the section line 7. The result formed first and second inner material regions 15, 16 are turned outwards, so that they are with the first and second outer material areas 12, 13 overlap. In the overlap area on the flat side of the Products 1, 2 become the first and second, respectively Material areas 12 and 15 or 13 and 16 with each other welded (weld seams 5, 6).

In the variant shown in FIG. 6a), b), one is not The method according to the invention becomes the printed products 1, 2 standing vertically in two parallel loops 23, 24 from a single packaging material web 3 'with each U-shaped cross section introduced. The packaging material 3 is in the middle between the loops in axial Direction cut along a section line 7. The two layers of material in a loop are each welded together, the welds 5 ', 6' in this case be installed in the horizontal direction.

Figure 7a) to d) shows schematically four steps one another variant of a method not according to the invention, in which the film-like packaging material 3 in Middle area 4 between the two laid on Printed products 1, 2 to form a loop 22 is pulled up or pushed up, Fig. 7a), b). The Loop 22 has a length L1 that protrudes laterally outer material areas 12, 13 have a length L2, where the sum L of the lengths L1 and L2 is greater than that Width B of the printed products 1, 2. Also applies here L1> B. The loop 22 becomes centered at the highest point cut open, section line 7, so that loose inner Material areas 15, 16 are formed. These are after turned over on the outside and each with the outside Material areas 12, 13 connected with welds 5, 6, Fig. 7c), d).

FIGS. 8a), b), c) and 9a), b) show further examples of methods according to the invention which result from modifications of the method from Fig. 7a). In Figure 8a), b), c) the length L1 of the loop 22 is less than the length L2 of the outer material areas 12 or 13 and L1 <B. The outer material areas 12 and 13 are turned inside folded and the inner material areas 15 and 16 respectively the opening of the loop 22 to the outside. The Material areas are in the overlap area on the Flat side of products 1, 2 connected to each other. In Figure 9a), b), the loop 22 has a length L1 which is somewhat is greater than half the width B of the printed product. Inner and outer material areas 12, 13, 15, 16 are folded outwards or inwards. To a Welding can take place in the method from FIGS. 8 and 9 be advantageously dispensed with if the material areas overlap enough because the wrapping is through the Cross weld (not shown) is sufficiently stable.

Figure 10a) to c) finally shows three variants of Documents 17, 18, 19 for the packaging material 3 or the printed products 1, 2. That in Figures 10a) and 10b) film-like packaging material 3, not shown is located between the pad and Printed products 1, 2. In Figure 10a) is a flat Document 17 shown. Preferably, it points in Middle area 4 an opening (not shown) to according to those shown in Figs. 7 to 9 Process variants a film loop by pressing to be able to form below. The pad 18 from Fig. 10b) V-shaped in cross section, so that on the Document, not shown here Packing material web of printed products 1, 2 due to gravity slide towards the center area 4. For a defined position of the printed products 1, 2 to produce each other and in space, the document shows 18 in the middle area 4 contact elements 20, e.g. Stege, to which the printed products 1, 2 are in contact. The underlay 19 from Fig. 10c) is also kinked with gable roof-shaped cross-section and pointing upwards Top. On the pad 19 or the one lying thereon Packaging material web 3 'printed products 1, 2 due to gravity they slide outwards and become through plant elements 21, which by a stage in the Pad 19 are formed, held.

Claims (11)

1. A method of covering printed products (1, 2) with a packaging material (3) in the form of a continuous packaging material web (3'), especially a plastic film, in each case at least two printed products (1, 2) being deposited beside each other on the packaging material web (3') by means of a feed device (25) and covered with the packaging material (3), and the packaging material web (3'), in the central area (4) between the printed products (1, 2) lying beside each other, being cut in the conveying direction and, in the area between printed products (1, 2) lying one behind the other, being joined transversely with respect to the conveying direction, characterized in that the printed products (1, 2) are deposited on the packaging material web (3') beside each other, in that first and second outer material areas (12, 13) of the packaging material web (3') are projecting outward in each case, in that the first and second outer material areas (12, 13) are folded over toward the central area (4) to form in each case a tube (3") of packaging material (3), in that the packaging material (3) is cut through in the central area (4), and in that the first and second inner material areas (15, 16) of the packaging material web (3') that adjoin there are in each case folded over outwardly onto the respective adjacent printed product (1, 2).
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the packaging material web (3') is a plastic film, whose layers are welded to join them to each other.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the packaging material (3) is drawn up in the central area (4), forming a loop (22), the loop is cut centrally, forming first and second inner central areas (15, 16), which are folded over onto the respective adjacent printed product (1, 2).
4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein first and second outer material areas (12, 13) each project laterally outward with a length L2, wherein the sum L of the length L1 of the loop (22) and the length (L2) of the first or second outer material area (12, 13) is greater than the width B of the printed products (1, 2), wherein the first and second inner material areas (15, 16) are each folded over outward and/or the first and second outer material areas (12, 13) are each folded over toward the central area (4) to form a tube (3") of packaging material (3), and the mutually overlapping first and second inner and outer material areas (12 and 15 and 13 and 16, respectively), are joined to each another.
5. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the packaging material (3) is conveyed in the axial direction, and the printed products (1, 2) coming from the feed device (25) and deposited on the packaging material (3) are transported onward in the conveying direction F by the moving packaging material (3).
6. An apparatus for implementing the method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized by a feed device (25) for feeding and depositing at least two printed products (1, 2) beside each other on a packaging material web (3'), an unwind device (35) for packaging material (3), especially plastic film, wound up on a feed roll (28), at least one first turner device (30) for turning over outer material areas (12, 13) of the packaging material web (3') inwardly, at least one second turner device for turning over inner material areas (15, 16) outwardly to cover the printed products (1, 2), at least one closing device (29) for joining material layers transversely with respect to the conveying direction F, and at least one cutting device (36) for cutting in the conveying direction.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, which comprises a support (17, 18, 19), over which the packaging material web (3') is drawn, to accommodate the weight of the printed products (1, 2) deposited on the packaging material web (3').
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the support (18) is V-shaped in cross section and, at the center, has two contact elements (20), arranged in parallel in the axial direction, for printed products (1, 2).
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the support (19) has a cross section in the shape of a saddle roof and, at the sides, has two contact elements (21), arranged in parallel in the axial direction, for printed products (1, 2).
10. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the support comprises two strips running at a distance from each other in the axial direction.
11. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 6 to 9, characterized by at least one cutting device (37) for cutting transversely with respect to the conveying direction.

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