EP1761433B1 - Method for packaging products - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for packaging products including the steps of delivering an initial packaging material to a package assembly line; reshaping the initial packaging material into self-supporting initial packages; packaging the products in these initial packages; delivering second packaging material to the package assembly line and packaging the initial packages, filled with the products, in the second packaging material. The initial packaging material is delivered in the form of strip stock which is converted in the package assembly line into individual package blanks; and reshaped into the initial packages. This makes packaging possible in the shortest possible time, with nevertheless high flexibility.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a method for packaging products according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

State of the art

Automatic packaging devices are known in which products, in particular piece goods such as biscuits, are first placed in self-supporting primary packaging and subsequently packaged together with their primary packaging in a tubular bag. The primary packaging ensures stability and protects the product. The secondary packaging, ie the foil packaging, fills the necessary hygiene regulations.

Carton blanks are usually used as primary packaging material, which are taken from a stack and folded and glued in the packaging device. Such a device is off DE-A-195'29'585 known.

By means of such cardboard blanks, a variety of primary packaging can be formed. For example, completely, ie on all sides, closed containers may arise, as shown in FIG DE-A-195'29'585 and WO 98/15461 is shown. However, it is also possible to form U-shaped, C-shaped or G-shaped containers. Depending on the type of cuts and bending edges or bending grooves, the blanks on fold different ways. Further examples of this are in WO 00/38997 and US 5'549'202 disclosed.

Cardboard blanks which serve as packaging for so-called blisters, ie for carriers of pharmaceutical products, such as pills, capsules and tablets, are also known. These cardboard blanks are transformed into little notes, as for example WO 02/100736 and DE-A-201'05'928 U is known.

Furthermore, it is known to use strip material, in particular thin films, for the production of non-self-supporting packaging. An example of this is EP-A-1'038'780 ,

A method of the type mentioned is in DE-U-297 16 528 disclosed.

Out U.S.-A-3,555,776 It is known to fold packaging blanks over bending grooves so that with respect to their conveying direction front and rear stops, a bottom and two parallel to the conveying direction extending side walls arise.

FR-A-2 531 037 discloses slots cut into a package blank which extend over a portion of the width of the future sidewall and over a portion of the width of a future bottom of the package and extend at an angle of 90 ° over one of the flexing grooves. About each a further, extending in distance and parallel to each slot bending groove can be folded up strip-shaped wall parts for dividing the packaging into individual compartments.

Out DE-U-78 28 046 For example, in packaging intended for packaging incandescent bulbs in the form of a four-walled well, it is known to provide inwardly projecting support members in the form of band-shaped tabs defined by two parallel slits and pressed inwardly from the edge of two adjacent walls.

Presentation of the invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a method which allows packaging of products in self-supporting primary packaging and in the primary packaging enveloping secondary packaging in the shortest possible time and which nevertheless has a high flexibility.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of patent claim 1.

In the method according to the invention for packaging products, a strip material which is supplied from a roll to the packaging line is used as the first packaging material. The fed strip material is processed, in particular

cut, punched, provided with cracks or grooves or printed. The resulting blanks are redesigned into individual self-supporting primary packaging by folding individual parts thereof, in particular folded up or laterally. These primary packaging can be equipped with products or filled and provided with a secondary packaging. The products can be filled or arranged before, during or after the reshaping of the blanks.

The products are usually general cargo, which are placed individually or in groups on a support surface of the primary packaging. However, you can also be already packed yourself. Furthermore, different products can be placed in the same primary packaging or other products, such as inserts, can be enclosed before attaching the secondary packaging.

The primary packaging material is preferably stiffer than the secondary packaging material. This ensures a sufficient stability of the primary packaging and sufficient protection of the products. Preferably, the Erstverpackungsmaterial consists of a cardboard.

With the method according to the invention, high packaging speeds can be achieved. Typically achievable values are 400 packages per minute compared to 200 packages per minute, which can usually be achieved using stacked packaging blanks.

Furthermore, the invention allows a large variety of variants in terms of packaging and form and a correspondingly great flexibility. Since the base material is a strip material and not already a predetermined shape of the packaging blank, can be realized in the same machine a variety of forms, in each case only the cuts and separations of the strip material of the respective packaging task must be adjusted.

The inventive method is suitable in particular for the development of open primary packaging, so-called trays.

The primary packaging has a bottom and at least one region, which is folded up with respect to the conveying direction at a front or at a rear end of the bottom and forms front or rear walls. There are also in the conveying direction extending side walls available. The formation of the front and rear walls allow a better fixation of the products before they are second-packaged.

The packaging blank has bending grooves or slits and slots, wherein at least one of these slots extends only over part of the width of the side wall and only over part of the width of the bottom. In this case, one of the bending grooves is arranged adjacent thereto, wherein this bending groove is perpendicular to this slot. As a result, webs can be folded up, which form a boundary and thus a fixation for the products, without the folded-up surfaces must be glued together. It saves both material and time. If the slots run parallel and adjacent to the front or rear edge of the package blank, this can easily form front or rear stops for the products. It is also possible, in addition to or instead of these near-edge slots, to arrange such at any desired location along the length of the package blank. As a result, it is possible to form separating webs for the individual products within the primary packaging in a simple manner and without additional material having to be introduced.

Such packaging blanks can also be used in other packaging machines. They do not necessarily have to be present as a strip material, but can also be used as a stacked product.

The invention is particularly suitable for the packaging of pharmaceutical products, such as tablet blister packs. In the latter case, the primary packaging is preferably a letter, ie a so-called wallet. However, the invention is particularly suitable also for the packaging of piece goods, for example from the food sector. If primary packaging with front or rear stops is used, in particular edgewise biscuits or crackers can be optimally packaged.

It is also advantageous that the use of the strip material allows printing of the material before, during or after the transformation into the primary packaging.

Another advantage is that the device can be quickly and easily converted when changing the band material or when changing the product type.

Further advantageous variants and embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens geeigneten Vorrichtung;

Figuren 2a bis 2d

eine schematische Darstellung der Faltung eines nicht erfindungsgemässen Erstverpackungszuschnitts in vier Schritten;

Figuren 3a bis 3c

eine schematische Darstellung der Faltung eines erfindungsgemässen Erstverpackungszuschnitts in drei Schritten und

Figur 4

eine Variante gemäss Figur 3a.

In the following, the subject invention will be explained with reference to preferred embodiments, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1

a schematic representation of a device suitable for carrying out the inventive method;

FIGS. 2a to 2d

a schematic representation of the folding of a non-inventive Erstverpackungszuschnitts in four steps;

FIGS. 3a to 3c

a schematic representation of the folding of an inventive Erstverpackungszuschnitts in three steps and

FIG. 4

a variant according to FIG. 3a ,

Ways to carry out the invention

In FIG. 1 a device for packaging products in a first and in a secondary packaging is shown. A Erstverpackungsmaterial 1 is wound on a roll of tape 10 and is withdrawn from this as an endless belt by means known and not shown here and fed to a packaging line L. As the primary packaging material, a cardboard or other material having sufficient rigidity is preferably used. The material should be suitable for self-supporting primary packaging.

Already shortly after removal from the tape roll 10, the material can be provided for the first time by means of a first printing unit 2 with a first printing 12. The strip material is subsequently passed through a cutting and grooming unit 3, in which the cuts or bending grooves 11 or weakenings necessary for the transformation are added. In the example shown here, bending grooves 11 extending only in the conveying direction are produced and the individual first packaging blanks 13 are cut to length. The bending grooves 11 ensure that cardboard blank can be bent at the desired points during subsequent bending. Instead of the bending grooves can be used in the material weakenings or other means that facilitate bending at specific locations.

The non-inventive packaging blank 13 has in this example a bottom 14, a first side part 15 and a second side part 16. In the example shown here, these three parts have approximately the same areas. However, this is not absolutely necessary.

The packaging blank 13 can now be filled or it can, as shown here, be printed for the second time. It can also be applied a glue layer. The corresponding printing unit is no longer shown. However, the second printing is provided with the reference numeral 17.

In a subsequent folding unit, which is also not shown here, the two side parts 15, 16 are folded up. Preferably, the Umklappachsen run parallel to the conveying direction and thus parallel to the longitudinal seam of the secondary packaging described below. As folding units known means can be used. The first side part 15 is then placed on the floor 14 and in this case now with a product 5, here a blister occupies. Subsequently, the second side part 16 is folded down onto the first side part 15. The products 5 can be supplied by known means. They can be poured into the primary packaging. Preferably, however, they are fed via known shafts or so-called pick-and-place robots, in particular by means of a delta robot.

The first packaging thus formed is now fed without interruption of the production of a secondary packaging unit. The feeding preferably takes place by means of the same conveyor which has already been used during the cutting and reshaping. It is also possible to use a separate Zuführforderer known type, such as a belt conveyor. In this case, it is preferably operated synchronously with the first conveyor and also with the subsequently described conveyor of the secondary packaging. Preferably, the packaging line L is straight and horizontal.

The secondary packaging unit is preferably a horizontal tubular bagging machine 6 of a known type. Secondary packaging material 60, preferably a thin film wound on a ribbon roll 61, is fed via take-off and deflection rollers 62 to a folding unit 63. There, the strip material is folded into a packaging tube 60 'and the products 5 packed in the primary packaging 4 are inserted into the tube 60'. The filled packaging tube 60 'is longitudinally sealed, which is not shown here. Further, it is passed through a transverse sealing and separating unit 64 where transverse sealing seams are welded into the tube 60 'and the resulting individual tubular pouches 60 "are either separated or at least provided with perforations for later separation Opening aid to be provided.

In the figures described below, further embodiments of primary packaging are shown. This Erstverpackungen can be produced in the above-described device from tape and process without interruption. However, they can also be previously manufactured and used as staple in a packaging machine of known type.

In the FIGS. 2a to 2d a non-inventive second packaging blank 7 is shown. It is substantially rectangular in shape and has a bottom 70, a first side wall 71, a second side wall 72, a front wall 73 and a rear wall 74. Front and rear refers to the respective conveying direction of the blank. This conveying direction is shown in the figure with an arrow. Preferably, the front edge of the front wall 73 and the rear edge of the rear wall 74 is at least approximately perpendicular to the conveying direction and the lateral edges of the side walls 71, 72 extend approximately parallel thereto. Bending grooves are also present, wherein two bending grooves 75, 76 extend transversely to the conveying direction and delimit the front and rear walls 73, 74 from the floor 70 and two lateral bending grooves 77, 78 extend parallel to the conveying direction and on the one hand the side walls 71, 72 from the floor 70 subdivide and also extend over the front or rear wall. Preferably, the front and rear walls 73, 74 are formed transversely to the conveying direction shorter than the remaining part, formed by bottom 70 and side walls 71, 72. Corresponding parts can be cut off during cutting of the strip material and lead away. Furthermore, the front and rear walls 73, 74 are preferably provided with a central notch or a V-shaped notch 79 and thus not closed throughout.

In the position according to FIG. 2a The packaging blank is flat on the conveyor, not shown, and products 5 are already placed on the floor 70. The products 5 here already have a pre-packaging in the form of tubular bags. This should only serve as an example.

In FIG. 2b , which represents a subsequent step in production, the front and rear walls 73, 74 are folded up. This folding is done with known Means. For example, in the conveying section lateral or from above or below engaging moths may be present.

Subsequently, the side wings 73 ', 74' of the front and rear walls 73, 74 are laterally folded and on their outer surfaces glue is applied. Again, this is done by known means. This situation is in Figure 2c shown.

Finally, the side walls 71, 72 are folded up and pressed against the glued side wings 73 ', 74', as shown in FIG Figure 2d is recognizable.

This packaging has the advantage that the front and rear walls 73, 74 serve as a support and stop for the products 5 arranged in the packaging. It is also possible to fold up only the front wall or only the rear wall. In addition, a lid can still be arranged on a side wall, which is finally folded over running parallel to the ground and optionally fixed in this position.

In the FIGS. 3a to 3c a third embodiment of a primary packaging is shown. The in FIG. 3a In addition, in the longitudinal direction, ie in the conveying direction, and parallel to the side edges extending bending grooves 84, 84 'are present, which extend over the entire length of the blank 8 shown packaging blank 8 shown in turn has a bottom 80 and two side walls 81, 81'.

Transverse to these bending grooves 84, 84 'and parallel to the front and rear edge of the blank 8, a first and a second front slot 82, 82' and a first and second rear slot 83, 83 'are present. These slots 82, 82 ', 83, 83' are located adjacent to the respective leading and trailing edges, respectively, and extend only over part of the width of the bottom 80 and only over part of the width of the side walls 81, 81 '.

In the illustration according to FIG. 3b again products 5 are placed on the floor 80. In the illustration according to Figure 3c were now the slots 82, 82 ', 83, 83' by means of push-in known type, for example by means of obliquely engaging from below into the conveyor mend pushed up and thus were thanks to the bending grooves 84, 84 'webs 85, 85', 86, 86th ' educated. These webs 85, 85 ', 86, 86' form front and rear stops for the products 5. At the same time or before or after can also the side walls 81, 81 'fold up with known means. Everything can be bent or folded up by the same means.

This embodiment has the advantage that no adhesive is necessary and that, moreover, it is possible to work with a minimum of cuts and bending grooves. In addition, rectangular carton blanks can be used without parts having to be cut away and removed as waste.

In FIG. 4 a variant of this embodiment is shown. Here are also still middle slots 87, 87 ', 88, 88' available, which can form a central web 89. This middle web 89 can be arranged at arbitrary positions and also several times within the blank 8. Furthermore, it can be used in addition to the edge-near slots 82, 82 ', 83, 83' described above or instead.

Of course, the inventive method can also be used with other blanks.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

primary packaging

10

tape roll

11

bending groove

12

First printing

13

First packaging cut

14

ground

15

First side part

16

Second side part

17

Second printing

2

First printing unit

3

Cutting and grooming unit

4

Primary packaging

5

product

6

Horizontal flow wrapper

60

Secondary packaging material

60 '

packaging tube

60 "

tubular bag

61

tape roll

62

idler pulley

63

folding unit

64

Cross seal and separation unit

7

Second packaging blank

70

ground

71

First sidewall

72

Second side wall

73

Front wall

73 '

lateral wing

74

Rear wall

74 '

Side wing

75

Front bending corner

76

Rear bending groove

77

First lateral bending groove

78

Second lateral bending groove

79

score

8th

Third packaging cross section

80

ground

81

First sidewall

81 '

Second side wall

82

First front slot

82 '

Second front slot

83

First rear slot

83 '

Second rear slot

84

First bending corner

84 '

Second bending corner

85

First front jetty

85 '

Second front jetty

86

First rear jetty

86 '

Second rear jetty

87

First middle slot

87 '

Second middle slot

88

Third middle slot

88 '

Fourth middle slot

89

Middle jetty

L

packaging line

Claims (4)

1. Method for packaging products (5), the method having the following steps:

   feeding of a first packaging material (1) in the form of a strip material to a packaging line (L),

   introduction of bending grooves (84, 84') into the first packaging material (1) parallel to a conveying direction,
   conversion of the strip material in the packaging line (L) into individual packaging blanks (8) which comprise exclusively a bottom (80) and side walls (81, 81'),

   reshaping of the packaging blanks (8) into the first packagings (4), the packaging blanks (8) being folded in such a way that, with regard to their conveying direction, at least one front or one rear stop (85, 85'; 86, 86'), one bottom (80) and two side walls (81, 81') which extend parallel to the conveying direction and adjoin the bottom (80) via the bending grooves (84, 84') are produced for the products (5) which are arranged in the first packaging (4),

   packaging of the products (5) into the said first packagings (4),

   feeding of second packaging material (60) into the packaging line (L), and

   packaging of the first packagings (4) which are filled with the products (5) into the second packaging material (60),

   characterized in that at least one slit (82, 82'; 83, 83') is cut into the first packaging material (1), each slit (82, 82'; 83, 83') extending over only part of the width of the future side wall (81, 81') and over only part of the width of a future bottom (80) of the first packaging (4) and extending at an angle of 90° over one of the bending grooves (84, 84'), each slit (82, 82'; 83, 83') being produced parallel to an end edge of the packaging blank (8) with the formation of a web strip which is delimited by the end edge and the slit (82, 82'; 83, 83') and can be folded up to form a web (85, 85'; 86, 86') as front or rear stop.
2. Method according to Claim 1, a first packaging material (1) being used which is more rigid than the second packaging material (60).
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, cardboard being used as first packaging material (1).
4. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3, a strip material, in particular a film, being used as second packaging material (60), which is preferably reshaped to form a tubular bag (60")).

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