Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
  • B65D75/40—Packages formed by enclosing successive articles, or increments of material, in webs, e.g. folded or tubular webs, or by subdividing tubes filled with liquid, semi-liquid, or plastic materials
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
  • B65D81/02—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage
  • B65D81/05—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage maintaining contents at spaced relation from package walls, or from other contents
  • B65D81/051—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage maintaining contents at spaced relation from package walls, or from other contents using pillow-like elements filled with cushioning material, e.g. elastic foam, fabric
  • B65D81/052—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage maintaining contents at spaced relation from package walls, or from other contents using pillow-like elements filled with cushioning material, e.g. elastic foam, fabric filled with fluid, e.g. inflatable elements

Definitions

• the invention relates to a prefabricated plastic tube for producing gas-filled packing elements, with an upper film and a lower film, which are connected to one another in a gas-tight manner at a first of their longitudinal edges and are welded to one another to form inflatable pockets in the transverse direction by gas-tight welds arranged at a distance from one another. Furthermore, the invention relates to a gas-filled packing element for packaging objects, a method for producing the plastic tube mentioned and a gas-filled packing element, and a device for carrying out the latter method.
• Gas-filled packing elements are used, for example, to pad objects in transport boxes in order to avoid vibrations or damage to the transported objects.
• the packing is only filled with gas immediately before it is used and can therefore be delivered to and stored by the packer or consumer in a very space-saving manner.
• Another advantage of the packing is that due to their low weight, they hardly increase the packaging weight and can be recycled according to type after use, since they are usually made from a single plastic material.
• DE 199 13 408 AI discloses a prefabricated plastic tube of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the upper film and lower film are used to form inflatable bags in the transverse direction by spacing apart the arranged pairs of gas-tight weld seams are welded to one another, the weld seams extending from the first longitudinal edge to a predetermined distance from the opposite, second longitudinal edge.
• the pockets each have a gas fill opening between the top and bottom films that is accessible from the second longitudinal edge. Since a plastic full hose is generally available as the starting point for the production of such a plastic hose, this must first be divided in the longitudinal direction into two half-hoses open on one side. This requires an additional step before the actual pre-assembly of the plastic hose can take place. Another problem with the known plastic hose is that the shrinkage which inevitably occurs with the welding of plastic films leads to the film running out of its original transport direction.
• the plastic tube prefabricated for the production of gas-filled packing elements has two foils, which are referred to as the top foil and bottom foil, and which are arranged one above the other and are connected to one another in a gas-tight manner at a first of their longitudinal edges. Furthermore, the top film and the bottom film are welded to one another in the transverse direction to form inflatable pockets by gas-tight weld seams spaced apart from one another.
• the plastic tube is characterized in that the foils are also continuously connected to one another at their second longitudinal edge, and that one of the foils, which by definition is referred to below as the top foil, has a transverse cut in the transverse direction.
• the described plastic hose is closed on both longitudinal edges and has a transverse cut.
• this difference has advantages in terms of production, since a half-tube is not assumed, which first has to be cut from a full tube in a separate operation. Rather, a (flat) full tube can be used directly, so that an entire film tube can be filled in one operation. The output of a corresponding manufacturing system can thus be quasi doubled, since two half hoses do not have to be filled one after the other.
• the transverse cut running in the transverse direction means that the weld seams to be closed after the bags have been inflated also run in the transverse direction.
• transverse cut is preferably arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the plastic tube in order to rule out any “preference” for one side of the plastic tube that could lead to asymmetry.
• the weld seams running in the transverse direction are formed in pairs, with an intermediate space being present between the two weld seams of each weld seam pair, in which a perforation of both foils runs in the transverse direction.
• This perforation preferably runs continuously from one longitudinal edge of the plastic tube to the other. The perforation makes it possible, after the inflatable bags have been filled and sealed in a gastight manner, to separate the filling bodies produced in this way by tearing them apart.
• the transverse cut ends on at least one side, but preferably on both, at a certain distance from the longitudinal edge of the plastic tube, a (short) incision being arranged in the longitudinal direction at this end.
• a (short) incision being arranged in the longitudinal direction at this end.
• Such an incision which is perpendicular to the transverse cut, interrupts the running direction of the transverse cut and thereby prevents the upper film from being unintentionally torn in the transverse direction.
• the incisions have the advantage that the edge of the upper film delimited by the transverse cut thereby forms a freely movable tab, which can be opened and closed when the gas is filled in.
• the plastic hose has longitudinally extending, paired weld seams, between which a perforation, which also extends in the longitudinal direction, is arranged.
• a perforation which also extends in the longitudinal direction
• the plastic tube is also divided into (at least) two parts in the longitudinal direction, so that correspondingly narrower inflatable pockets are created.
• the narrower fillers formed from this allow greater flexibility when used as packaging material, the overall height distribution of the fillers being more uniform than with wider fillers.
• connection of the longitudinal edges of the plastic tube on both sides can be achieved by using a flat, full tube as the starting material.
• the longitudinal edges of the plastic tube are connected to one another in the longitudinal direction by welds.
• the weld seams running in the longitudinal direction can be continuous. However, they are preferably interrupted in the rhythm of the transverse weld seams, their sections each lying with their first end on a first transverse weld seam and ending with their second end at a certain distance from the next transverse weld seam. Runs between the second end and the spaced next transverse weld also the transverse section.
• Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous when the top film and bottom film are separate and are only connected by the weld seams on the longitudinal edges.
• interruptions in the longitudinal weld seams result in transverse strips in which the top and bottom foils are unconnected over their entire width.
• a cutting device can then be inserted particularly easily into these transverse strips in order to carry out the transverse cut through the upper film.
• a tab that can be freely opened at its edges is advantageously formed.
• the plastic tube can have markings which form codes for displaying the position of the weld seams and / or for displaying the film thickness and / or for displaying the film width. Markings to indicate the position of the weld seams avoid an otherwise required, complex synchronization of the device for producing packing elements.
• the markings are preferably in the form of punched holes, but could also be printed in a preferred manner.
• markings with coded information about the nature of the plastic hoses can be punched out or printed.
• a device for filling the plastic hoses according to the invention can detect the type of film just inserted into the device (e.g. film thickness, material, dimensions) and thus automatically adapt various operating parameters, such as Welding time and temperature, filling quantity or filling time, transport speed and transport routes etc.
• the markings are preferably arranged on a line with the perforations or also in their immediate vicinity and are preferred in the manufacture of the hose from punched out the same tool that also makes the perforations so that no additional operation is required.
• punched-outs for engaging a mandrel can be provided for the further transport of the hose.
• the plastic tube can thus be passed through a device in a simple manner.
• the invention further relates to a gas-filled packing element for packaging articles, which is characterized in that it has been produced from a plastic tube of the type explained above.
• a gas-filled packing element can preferably contain an object to be packaged (individual object or solid / liquid filling material or bulk material) together with a defined amount of air.
• an object enclosed in the packing is optimally protected against shocks and vibrations.
• the object can be removed at any time by cutting the packing.
• the placement of an object in the packing is particularly good when using the plastic tube according to the invention, since it has a wide transverse section through which the object can be inserted.
• the amount of air additionally enclosed in the packing for the object to be packaged can be adapted to the respective packaging task. If no completely inflated packing is desired, a predetermined part of the blown air can be removed by inserting the objects and shortly before welding. can be pushed out again. Such a subsequent discharge of air offers the advantage that the introduction of the objects into the fully inflated packing is particularly easy, the volume of the finished packing being reduced.
• the object is protected by the surrounding air during transport.
• the air cushions formed in this way and filled with an object can be inserted, for example, as a coherent web in a meandering shape in a cardboard box.
• the invention relates to a method for producing a plastic hose of the type explained above, wherein
• a double layer is formed from an upper film and a lower film, which can be done in particular by laying a full hose flat;
• transverse welds are created which define the individual inflatable pockets
• At least one through hole is punched through the top film and bottom film
• a cutting tool is inserted into the hole in the space between the upper film and the lower film, and the upper film is hereby cut in the transverse direction in order to produce the transverse cut of the plastic tube.
• the method explained it is possible in a simple manner to make the desired transverse cut through the top film to create.
• the individual steps of the method are preferably carried out in the order mentioned, but in particular the welding seams can also be produced in the transverse direction after the punching or the generation of the transverse cut.
• a double layer consisting of an upper film and a lower film separate therefrom is formed, wherein the upper film and lower film can be produced, for example, by cutting a full tube in the longitudinal direction on both sides.
• one of the foils for example the top foil
• the other foil bottom foil
• top film and the bottom film are welded to one another by longitudinal weld seams in the region of the longitudinal edges.
• connection of the longitudinal edges via weld seams has the advantage that they lead to a stabilization of the resulting plastic tube and thus counteract the destabilizing effect of the transverse cut.
• the weld seams running in the longitudinal direction are carried out in such a way that they have interruptions, the upper film is cut at the level of these interruptions in the transverse direction to produce the transverse cuts.
• the interrupted execution of the weld seams running in the longitudinal direction has the advantage that transverse strips are created in which the top film and bottom film are unconnected. A tool for cutting open the top film can be inserted particularly easily into this transverse strip, the transversal cut additionally creating a tab that is free at the edges.
• the invention further relates to a method for producing gas-filled packing elements, which comprises the following steps:
• the plastic tube is in the second processing step b) when blowing in the filling gas preferably guided in a bend pointing away from the upper film, which can typically be 90 °.
• a kinking course causes the tabs formed by the transversal cut to open, so that the filling opening is “automatically” accessible for blowing in the filling gas.
• an object to be packaged is introduced into the pocket to be inflated or inflated before the welding in step c). Subsequent welding will enclose this item in the bag and thereby protect it optimally.
• the invention further relates to a device for performing the described method, which is characterized by the following elements:
• a holder for a hose supply a transport device for transporting the hose through the device;
• a gas filling device which has a nozzle with which air or another filling gas can be blown into the gas filling openings of the pockets, and
• a welding device which has a welding tool with which the gas filling openings of the pockets can be closed in a gas-tight manner with a weld seam running in the transverse direction
• the transport device in the gas filling device has a course that kinks away from the upper film.
• the gas filling device can preferably have hold-down devices which press the flap of the upper film formed by the transverse cut against the gas filling device during the filling of the gas.
• the device can also have detection devices for markings on the plastic tube, by means of which the machine speed and / or the gas filling quantity and / or the welding time can be controlled. With the help of such devices, it is thus possible to fill differently assembled plastic hoses in the device, which can automatically adapt to the respectively optimal conditions.
• the transport device of the device can transport the plastic tube in cycles. This means that the filling and the welding process take place each time the hose is at a standstill, and that the hose is then transported by a pocket length.
• plastic hose is continuously guided past the gas filling device and the welding device.
• Such a method of operation generally allows a greater production output, the control engineering effort being able to be kept to a minimum by dispensing with the clock control.
• Figure 2 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a plastic hose according to the invention, which is made from a flat full hose.
• FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section through the plastic tube according to FIG. 2 along the line III-III;
• FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the plastic tube according to FIG. 2 after the inflated pockets have been welded;
• FIG. 5 shows a cross section through the plastic tube according to FIG. 4 along the line V-V, which shows a pocket which has just been inflated and an inflated and welded pocket;
• FIG. 6 shows a plan view and a cross section and a longitudinal section of a second embodiment of a plastic hose with welded longitudinal edges
• Fig. 7 is a plan view and a cross section and a longitudinal section of a third embodiment of a plastic hose with pocket-interrupted welds on the longitudinal edges and in the central area.
• Plastic- Hose 1 is produced starting from a flat full hose, it has an upper film 2 and a lower film 3, which are connected to each other at their two longitudinal edges 4 and 6.
• the plastic tube is divided into inflatable pockets 7 by pairs of welds 5 consisting of a first weld 5a and a second weld 5b. Between the weld seams 5a, 5b of a pair of weld seams 5 there is a perforation 9 running transversely from the longitudinal edge 4 to the longitudinal edge 6, along which the individual pockets 7 or later the gas-filled fillers 7 'can be separated from one another by tearing them off.
• the prefabricated plastic tube 1 also has a transverse cut 12 running through the top film 2 in the transverse direction.
• This transverse cut 12 forms a filling opening 8 (FIG. 3), via which a filling gas can be blown into the pocket 7 between the top film and bottom film.
• the transverse section is preferably already present in the prefabricated film, but can also be introduced by a filling device only during filling.
• short incisions 10 are preferably provided in the longitudinal direction, whereby a flap 11 can be opened.
• the transverse cuts 12 are preferably produced in such a way that holes 10 are first punched through the upper film and lower film, through which holes a cutting tool for cutting the upper film in the transverse direction can then be inserted.
• FIGS. 4 and 5 show the plastic tube 1 while the pockets 7 are being filled with a filling gas which is blown into the pockets 7 through the filling opening 8.
• the plastic tube 1 can advantageously be deflected via a kink of, for example, 90 °, so that the free-standing tab 11 opens by itself by maintaining its direction.
• an object 15 to be packaged (individual object or bulk material) can also be thrown into the filling body, as a result of which the latter is packed in an optimally protected manner.
• the insertion is preferably carried out at the moment when the plastic hose 1 is bent over by 90 °, so that the object can be “thrown” into the pocket created in this way by the force of gravity.
• the bag is filled with a defined volume of air and then welded. This way the objects - e.g. filigree glass parts - protected by an air cushion, whereby the air cushion sheet emerging from the machine can be easily transported and later processed by machine; i.e.
• the film web can later be cut open in a machine, whereby the objects can be removed individually.
• the objects can be removed individually.
• FIG. 4 shows the weld seams 13 which run in the transverse direction and which are produced after the filling gas has been blown in become. This can be done, for example, in a corresponding device in that a type of flap falls down with a heating wire and the upper film is welded to the lower film.
• the weld seams 13 must (based on FIG. 4) lie below the longitudinal cuts 12 and the holes 10_ punched out for this purpose in order to close off a corresponding pocket space in a gas-tight manner.
• FIG. 7 shows a modification of the embodiment according to FIG. 6.
• Upper film 2 and lower film 3 are in turn connected by longitudinally extending weld seams 24 and 26, however, these are not continuous, but only from a first transverse weld seam 5b to a distance of of the next transverse weld 5a.
• the transverse cut 12 through the top film 2 lies between the latter weld seam 5a and the end of the weld seams 24 and 26.
• the lower film 3 is somewhat wider than the upper film 2, so that it Somewhat protrudes on both sides of the longitudinal edges 4 and 6.
• the bottom film 3 can be grasped and guided on these protrusions by a corresponding device.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
• Buffer Packaging (AREA)
• Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

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ID=7709442

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

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• 2001
  • 2001-12-14 DE DE10161812A patent/DE10161812C2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2002
  • 2002-12-11 DE DE50210396T patent/DE50210396D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2002-12-11 AT AT02792650T patent/ATE365690T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2002-12-11 EP EP02792650A patent/EP1458629B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2002-12-11 US US10/498,531 patent/US20050063618A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2002-12-11 AU AU2002358428A patent/AU2002358428A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2002-12-11 WO PCT/DE2002/004530 patent/WO2003051742A1/fr active IP Right Grant

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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