EP2163482B1 - Method and device for producing packages - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for producing a plurality of containers of a plurality of articles each wrapped with a film section of an endless film. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for producing a plurality of containers of a plurality of articles each wrapped with a film section of an endless film, the endless film being printed by a printing unit located at a position along a transport path. In this case, a plurality of spaced printing areas are printed in each case a film section on the endless foil.

The present invention also relates to a device for producing a plurality of the containers described above. In particular, the present invention relates to a device for producing a plurality of the containers described above, the device comprising a printing unit at a position along a transport path. In this case, a plurality of spaced-apart pressure areas in each case a film section can be printed on the continuous film with the printing unit.

Various methods and devices are known from the prior art, with each of which several articles are wrapped or wrapped by wrapping with a film or a film section to a container. The containers are, for example, with a plastic film by heat shrinking enveloped liquid container, for example, six PET bottles or glass bottles or cans are made with the film into a container.

Usually, the containers for a single package embossing, hereinafter also called container type, the same design and the same size. When changing from one type of container to another type of container, the design and size of the containers may also change. The film blanks or film sections also have different size dimensions according to the new package type.

For example, the film for producing the containers is first taken from one or more film stock dispensers of a packaging device, for example rolls, as running meter goods or endless film. The endless film is then transported via a transport path under at least partially different transport speeds along further workstations of the packaging device. Finally, the continuous film is fed to the wrapped and grouped articles of a film wrapping station of the packaging device. Depending on the configuration of the packaging device, the film sections are shortly before, during or shortly after wrapping the articles at the film wrapping station cut into a container of the endless film.

It is also customary for different types of containers that the film is fed to the film wrapping station at different transport speeds, and the grouped articles are also wrapped or packaged at a different speed. However, it may also occur for containers of the same type of package that the film of the film wrapping station is also supplied at different transport speeds, and provided for the container of the same package type grouped articles are each wrapped or packaged at different speeds. In both cases, these changes in the transport speed at the film wrapping station also has to follow the transport speed of the endless film in areas in front of the film wrapping station in order to provide sufficient film supply for the wrapping process. It is customary to apply at least one printed image to the associated film section per container, for example one Advertising message, a label print image, a mark reproduction and / or a bar code. These printed images are usually designed the same for all containers of a package type on the respective film section and positioned the same. Optionally, the printed images of the containers of a container type differ, for example, by serial numbers or other data.

The printed images can already be applied to the endless film, so that different endless films must be provided for different types of packages. Alternatively, the printed images are printed on the endless film at a later time in the packaging device shortly before the packaging of the articles with film, so that regardless of the type of packaging always only a "neutral", non-printed continuous film must be provided. Printing on the spread, smooth and tensioned continuous film is cleaner and easier to perform than on the divided film sections and / or on the shrunken film. The printed images are printed in spaced pressure ranges matching the size of the container of the respective container type on the endless foil so that exactly one printed image is positioned at the same position of the container at the respective later associated divided foil section of each container of the respective container type. In this way, several print images per film section per container can be produced.

Thus, the German patent application discloses DE 10 2006 009 348 A1 a method of forming multi-package packages by wrapping with a film material. In this case, the film material is printed immediately before the wrapping by at least one printing unit, wherein the printing unit is provided stationary in the running direction of the film material between the film supply and the film wrapping station. The feed movement of the endless film is at least in the region of the print heads of the printing unit by a controlled electronic control device to achieve a clear print image of high quality.

The German patent application DE 22 06 784 A discloses an apparatus arranged on a packaging machine of articles for producing imprints on the individual packages. The device has a stationary on a shaft mounted pressure roller with at least one sector in which the printing elements or embossing elements are mounted. The pressure roller is driven so that it always performs a fraction of a revolution in accordance with a printing sector when a printing operation is to be performed. Printing is done before packaging the items.

The German patent application DE 35 20 499 A1 discloses a packaging machine having a forming station for forming containers from a bottom film, a feeder for feeding a top film from a supply roll over the containers, a sealing station in which the containers are closable with the top film, with a drive for incrementally advancing the bottom and bottom Upper films in each case between the work cycles of the stations, and with a printing device for printing the upper film during the work cycles of the stations. A drive device for the upper film is provided which moves it through the printing device during the work cycles.

The British patent application GB 2 142 282 A discloses an automatic packaging machine for articles with a roll, from which packaging film is unrolled and further transported to a packaging position. A printing unit prints the film underneath a receiving roll, drawing a printing tape from a tape roll holder and rolling it on an empty roll holder located along the film. For printing the film, a heated Lettertype is pressed against the receiving roller through the film. Printing is also done before packaging the items with the foil.

Both simple and / or small format images as well as complex and / or large format images should be able to be printed on the endless film.

The object of the invention is now to provide a method for producing a plurality of containers from articles which are coated with an at least partially printed film, wherein the film is printed independently of a transport speed of the film in a film wrapping station reliably at the designated location ,

The above object is achieved by a method for manufacturing a plurality of containers from articles, which are covered with a film, comprising the features of claim 1.

The object of the invention is also to provide a device for producing a plurality of containers from articles that are wrapped with a film, so that the film is reliably independent of a transport speed of the film in a film wrapping station at the designated location printable.

The above object is achieved by a device for producing a plurality of containers of articles, which are covered with a film, comprising the features of claim 8.

In the method according to the invention for the production of a plurality of containers of a plurality of articles each of which is enveloped by a film section of an endless film, the endless film is printed with a printing unit. For this purpose, the printing unit is arranged according to the invention displaceable at a certain position along a transport path of the film web. However, during the manufacture of a single package of a package type, the printing unit remains at the respective position. Suitable for a respective given transport speed of the film in a printing unit downstream of the film wrapping station are printed from this position from a plurality of spaced printing areas in each case a film section on the continuous film. Depending on a film section is provided for each still be produced container. The final definition of the film dimension and pressure range depends, among other things, on the container shape and container size of the respective package type and the film properties. The foil sections are still partial surfaces of the endless surface in this phase and will only be cut off from the endless foil at a later time.

In the method according to the invention, a different position for the printing unit along the transport path of the endless film is determined when the transport speed of the film in the film wrapping station changes, for example when the container type changes.

This other position is determined to match the other transport speed in the film wrapping station, for example, suitable for differently printed film sections of a predetermined other container type, and matching a printing speed of the printing unit, so that the endless film at several, possibly different, spaced pressure ranges for the possibly other Container type can be printed. According to the invention, the printing unit is moved from the previous position to the newly determined other position. The reasons why and when it is recommended to move the printing unit are described below.

The invention makes use of the fact that in devices for producing containers, the transport speed of the film is usually not constant but varies. The different transport speeds of the endless film are due to the formatting of the container to be produced from the articles to be wrapped with foil. different Transport speeds of the endless film are also independent of the particular type of container present, if the impact speed changes at the film wrapping station, for example because generally the processing speed and thus the average transport speed of the film for the device for producing the container is changed. In addition, the transport speed of the film in the film wrapping station depends on the position of the wrapping element of the film wrapping station during manufacture of the containers. Usually, the maximum transport speed occurs during transport of the film over the grouped articles for the container to be produced during the wrapping process. All these speed changes also have to follow the endless foil in an area around the printing unit in order to provide enough film supply for the wrapping process.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the printing unit has a minimum and maximum speed range with regard to the conveying or web or transport speed of the endless film to be printed. Thus, for an embodiment of the printing unit, for example up to a transport speed of 1.5 m / s, the print can still be applied cleanly and without error to the endless foil, whereas if this speed is exceeded, pressure is no longer possible or the print becomes defective. In order to then change the transport speed at printing time to an optimum speed within the minimum and maximum speed ranges, the printing unit is moved in position according to the invention. Since the position of the printed image on the film section and the transport speed of the film from the actual packaging process is only partially or not influenced, the only way to change the transport speed at the printing time that the entire printing unit is moved in or against the transport direction of the endless film.

The transport speeds of the endless film are usually known at respectively different positions within the device for producing the containers or can be determined by known means from the prior art.

By controlling the printing speed at the printing unit alone, it will hardly be possible to optimally meet very different demands on the printing complexity and quality for different types of packages or for changing transport speeds in the film wrapping station and the resulting transport speeds of the endless film in the area of the printing unit. On the other hand, by defining the displacement of the printing unit to a position within the apparatus, the printing quality can be markedly improved by selecting a position having such a film conveying speed that the desired printing areas on the film portions of the given package type or the given transport speed can be optimally printed in the film wrapping station.

For different types of packages, the dimensions of the film sections may be different and / or the print areas on the individual film sections differently sized and / or complex, so that the printing speed should be adapted to the printing requirements and the transport speed of the particular type of container present. It may also be the case that although the dimensions of the foil sections are the same for different types of bundles, the pressure areas on the individual foil sections are different and / or complex and thus different transport speeds of the endless foil in the area of the printing unit occur, so that correspondingly different Printing requirements and different transport speeds of the film, the position of the printing unit in the device is determined and adjusted. For example, the printing areas assigned to the endless film for the film sections can be completely printed or only one or more subregions of the printing area can be printed. The printing positions on the individual printing areas to be printed can also be selected as desired, for example centrally with respect to a single film section and / or at the edges of the film sections. Regardless, the spacing of the print areas to be printed is always the same for a single package type.

The new other position for the printing unit along the transport path of the endless film for the changed transport speed in the film wrapping station and / or the other film section of the other predetermined container type can be manually determined, for example, from tables with data on pack types, printed images, complexity grades, possible printing speeds and possible Transport speed in the film wrapping station and the respective transport speeds at the various items available for selection of the printing unit. The new other position can also be determined automatically, for example from an electronic memory, a database or an electronic program with the data mentioned above. Preferably, the distance parameters defined by the differently spaced pressure ranges and / or different transport speeds in the film wrapping station are stored for different types of containers and are automatically read out.

The displacement of the printing unit from the previous position to the newly determined other position can be done manually or automatically, for example by motor through at least one guide rail on which the printing unit is moved.

The device according to the invention for the production of a plurality of containers of a plurality of articles each wrapped with a film section from an endless film comprises a printing unit at a position along a transport path as already described above. The position is also determined as described above depending on a transport speed in the film wrapping station and / or a pack type.

To move the printing unit from one position to another position, the device preferably comprises a guide unit, for example one or two rails. Markings may be provided on the guide unit, which mark the respective positions for the different types of containers and / or the different transport speeds in the film wrapping station.

Preferably, the device comprises a control device for automatically determining the new other position for the printing unit. The control device can be controlled electronically and / or by software. The parameters required for determining the position, such as, for example, the type of pack, dimensions or spacings of the film sections per pack type, print speeds per pack type, transport speed in the film wrapping station and any position in the device, parameters of the printing unit such as speed parameters of the printing unit can be stored in a database or data table be. Preferably, the reading and processing of the parameters for the determination of the new other position is done automatically.

In the following, embodiments of the invention and their advantages with reference to the accompanying figures will be explained in more detail. The proportions of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the actual size ratios, since some shapes are simplified and other shapes are enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention with a printing unit, which is arranged at a position P _i .

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the embodiment of the device according to the invention FIG. 1 , wherein the printing unit is arranged at a new other position P _a .

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a section of the endless film with printed areas of pressure, wherein the printing unit of the device according to FIG. 1 is arranged at the position P _i .

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a section of the endless film with printed areas of pressure, wherein the printing unit of the device according to FIG. 1 is arranged at the new other position P _a .

FIG. 5 shows a diagram showing the progression of the transport speed over time for the two different types of containers according to FIGS. 1 and 3 on the one hand and the Figures 2 and 4 on the other hand

For identical or equivalent elements of the invention, identical reference numerals are used. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures, which are required for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments merely provide examples of how the device according to the invention or the method according to the invention can be designed and provide no conclusive limitation.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention with a printing unit 9, which is arranged at a position P _i . The device 1 comprises a film stock dispenser 13, is unrolled from the endless film 4 and the device 1 is supplied. A labeling station 19 optionally provides the endless film 4 with labels and / or handles. The endless film 4 is transported further in the transport direction TR to a film control unit 15, which regulates the web tension of the endless film 4 or temporarily stores the endless film 4. Behind the film control unit 15, viewed in the transport direction TR, the transport speed v _{T is} dependent on the position of the film section 5 within the film wrapping station 21. Assuming that the transport speed v _T for a particular type of container at the position P _i for the pressure is best, so you can print there the complex printed images or the printed images at the predetermined printing areas 11 most optimal.

The printing unit 9 is connected to a control device 25 for the automatic determination of a new, different position P _a for a container type following the current container type. The control device 25 is connected to the printing unit 9 in the illustrated embodiment of the invention.

The printing unit 9 is slidably mounted on a guide unit 23 to be shifted from the position P _i to another position P _a , when a different transport speed v _{T is given} in the film wrapping station 21, for example, if another type of container is given, sets an optimum for the printing transport speed v _T at another point of the endless film 4 in the transport path 7.

The continuous film 4 is fed to a film separation station 17 after printing, where the film sections 5 are perforated and / or cut to size. The individual film sections 5 are then fed in the transport direction TR to a film wrapping station 21, where groups of articles 3 are wrapped or wrapped or wrapped or packaged with a film section 5 per group at a given transport speed v _{T of} the film 4 or 5.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention FIG. 1 wherein the printing unit 9 from the position P _i according to FIG. 1 to a new other Position P _{a has been} moved to the other pressure areas 11 (see FIG. 4 ) on the endless film 4 for another type of container, due to which the transport speed v _T in the film wrapping station 21 changes.

The transport speed v _T at the position P _{a of} the printing unit 9 is selected such that the execution of the printed image in the dedicated printing area 11 is completely and error-free possible.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a section of the endless film 4 with printed or still to be printed printing areas 11, wherein the printing unit 9 of the device 1 after FIG. 1 is arranged at the position P _i and prints at the given there transport speed v _{T of} the endless foil 4. The printing areas 11 of two film sections 5 are already finished printed, the printing area 11 of a third film section 5 is currently being printed. In the printing areas 11, a barcode is printed with an additional text in the representation shown here.

The printing areas 11 are spaced apart from each other and do not fill the entire area of the respective film section 5, since the edges of the film sections 5 due to the shrinkage process and / or wrinkling at the film wrapping station 21 (see Figures 1 and 2 ) should not be used for printing because the printed image in these areas will no longer be sufficiently readable. On the other hand, the film sections 5 are arranged without gaps on the endless film 4 and separated from one another by cutting lines 27. The section lines 27 indicate the later sections of the film sections 5 on the endless film 4. At this stage, however, the film sections 5 on the endless film 4 are not yet separated from it spatially.

The endless film 4 is transported on a transport path 7 in the transport direction TR . The length of the film sections 5 in the transport direction TR is I _{i in} each case. The print head of the printing unit 9 extends in this embodiment over the entire width b _{i of} the endless foil 4.

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a section of the endless foil 4 with printed printing areas 11, wherein the printing unit 9 of the device 1 after FIG. 1 is arranged at the new other position P _a , to print there the endless foil 4 for another type of container. In this case, the new other position P _{a is selected} such that for a flawless pressure at the position P _a given transport speed v _{T is} optimal.

The printing areas 11 of two film sections 5 are already finished printed, the printing area 11 of a third film section 5 is currently printed and two further film sections 5 are still to be printed. In the pressure areas 11 is in the representation shown here each printed a graph that fills almost the entire area of the respective printing area 11 respectively.

The endless film 4 is on the transport path 7 according to FIG. 3 transported in the transport direction TR . The length l _{a of} the film sections 5 in the transport direction TR is less than the length l _{i of} the film sections 5 for the package type according to FIGS FIGS. 1 and 3 , The position P to which the print head of the printing unit 9 is to be positioned must be selected such that the print head can print the print areas 11 without errors at its predetermined printing speed at the currently present transport speed v _{T of} the endless film 4. The print head of the printing unit 9 extends in this embodiment over the entire width b _{a of} the endless film 4th

FIG. 5 shows a diagram showing the course of the transport speed v _T over the time t for the two different types of containers according to FIGS. 1 and 3 on the one hand and the Figures 2 and 4 on the other hand.

Each with a single film section 5, a single group of articles for the respective container to be produced is taken. According to the FIGS. 3 and 4 extends in this embodiment, the print head of the printing unit 9 over the entire width b _i and b _{a of} the endless foils 4 for the two types of containers. As already mentioned, the transport speed v _{T of} the film section 5 is not constant during the wrapping process. In order to obtain a constant supply of continuous foil 4 for the wrapping process, during the passage of the endless foil 4 through the device 1, the transport speed v _{T is} variable. The transport speed v _T reaches at a certain point in time a maximum v _Max , which with v _{Max, i} or v _{Max, a} for the pack type after FIG. 1 and 3 or the container type FIG. 2 and 4 in the embodiment shown here, depending on the formatting of the container of the respective container type or depending on a generally predetermined processing speed in the device 1, which determines the transport speed v _T in the film wrapping station 21, as described above.

As also described above, follows the individual film section 5 both locally and temporally gapless the next film section 5. Thus, the individual to be printed film section 5 also moves along all possible positions P for the printing unit 9 in the device 1. Thus, in turn moves the individual film section 5 also at all given in the possible positions P given transport speeds v _T , wherein the individual film section 5 is to be printed only at the actually selected and set position P at which the transport speed v _T represents an optimum for the pressure to be formed.

For different transport speeds v _T in the film wrapping station 21, in particular for different pack types, therefore, as with the pack types shown here, both the time t _i and t _a for the printing of a single film section 5 and the maximum transport speed v _{max, i} or v _{max, a be} different so that the curves of the diagram after FIG. 5 show different amplitudes and frequencies per pack type with position P _i or P _{a of} the printing unit 9.

The other elements off FIG. 5 have already been described for the preceding figures.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications or changes may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the following claims. In particular, for successive bundle types due to different transport speeds v _T in the film wrapping station 21, the initial position P _i and the newly determined other position P _{a can be the} same, since printing and film speeds are matched to one another in a suitable manner. Decisive for all embodiments of the invention is especially the displaceability of the printing unit depending on the respective required transport speed v _{T of} the endless film 4, to a faultless print image on the respective printing area 11 and ultimately a flawless reproduction of the printed image on the chosen container of the respective container type receive.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Facility

2

container

3

items

4

endless foil

5

film section

7

transport

9

printing unit

11

pressure range

13

Film supply dispenser

15

Foil control unit (dancer)

17

Film release station

19

labeling

21

Film wrapping station

23

Guide unit

25

control device

27

intersection

b

Width of a film section or the endless film

l

Length of a film section

P

position

t

Time

TR

transport direction

V _T

transport speed

Claims (12)

1. A method for the manufacture of a plurality of packs (2) of a plurality of articles (3) wrapped with respectively one film section (5) of a continuous film (4) wherein the continuous film (4) runs through a printing unit (9) arranged at a position (P_i) along a transport path (7) with which a plurality of print areas (11) spaced apart from one another in respectively one film section (5) are imprinted onto the continuous film (4), characterized by the following steps:

   • determining of another position (P_a) for the printing unit (9) along the transport path (7) of the continuous film (4) at a transport speed (v_T) of the continuous film (4) in a region of the printing unit (9), wherein at this other position (P_a) the transport speed (v_T) of the continuous film (4) is adapted to a printing speed of the printing unit (9) and to the transport speed (v_T) of the continuous film (4) in a film wrapping station (21) arranged downstream of the printing unit (9); and

   • shifting of the printing unit (9) from the former position (P_i) to the determined other position (P_a).
2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that after the shifting of the printing unit (9) from the former position (P_i) to the determined other position (P_a), the continuous film (4) is imprinted with the printing unit (9) at the plurality of print areas (11) of the continuous film (4).
3. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the determining of the other position (P_a) for the printing unit (9) is carried out depending on a pre-determined pack type.
4. The method according to Claim 3, characterized in that the determining of the other position (P_a) for the printing unit (9) is carried out depending on the spacing and image parameters of the print areas (11) of the respectively pre-determined pack type.
5. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the other position (P_a) for the printing unit (9) along the transport path (7) of the continuous film (4) is determined automatically, wherein the other position (P_a) is calculated from the respective transport speed (v_T) of the continuous film (4) at optional positions (P) of the printing unit (9) and from the printing speed parameters (9) pre-determined by the printing unit (9).
6. The method according to any one of Claims 4 to 5, characterized in that the spacing and image parameters for respectively different pack types defined by the spaced print areas (11) are saved and are automatically read out.
7. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the shifting of the printing unit (9) from the former position (P_i) to the determined other position (P_a) takes place automatically.
8. A facility (1) for the manufacture of a plurality of packs (2) of a plurality of articles (3) wrapped with respectively one film section (5) of a continuous film (4), wherein the facility (1) comprises a printing unit (9) arranged at a position (P_i) along a transport path (7), wherein with the printing unit (9) a plurality of print areas (11) spaced apart from one another in respectively one film section (5) are imprintable onto the continuous film (4), wherein the facility (1) comprises a film wrapping station (21) arranged downstream of the printing unit (9) for the wrapping of respectively a plurality of articles (3) with respectively one film section (5), characterized in that another position (P_a) for the printing unit (9) along the transport path (7) of the continuous film (4) is determinable at a transport speed (v_T) of the continuous film (4) in a region of the printing unit (9), wherein at this other position (P_a) the transport speed (v_T) of the continuous film (4) is adapted to a printing speed of the printing unit (9) and to the transport speed (v_T) of the continuous film (4) in the film wrapping station (21) and in that the printing unit (9) is formed such as to be shiftable from the former position (P_i) to the determined other position (P_a).
9. The facility (1) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the facility (1) comprises a guide unit (23) through which the printing unit (9) is shiftable from the position (P_i) to the determined other position (Pa).
10. The facility (1) according to Claim 9, characterized in that the guide unit (23) comprises guide rails.
11. The facility (1) according to any one of Claims 9 to10, characterized in that markings are applied to the guide unit (23), which mark the respective positions (P) for the different pack types and/or the different transport speeds (v_T) in the film wrapping station (21).
12. The facility (1) according to any one of Claims 8 to 11, characterized in that that the facility (1) comprises a control system (25) for the automatic determining of the other position (P_a).

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