EP2284082A2 - Method for packaging products - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves protruding sections (24) of cross-shaped packaging materials (10) in a region of product-side surfaces over an edge of a unilateral open container, where the product-side surfaces are laid opposite to each other. The sections of the packaging materials are folded together by covering a product-top side in order to seal the packaging materials in a sealing area (28). The sections of the packaging materials are stuck out from a top portion (26) and from a side surface area (20) of a product, where the packaging materials are made of plastic film with aluminum content.

Description

The invention relates to a method for packaging products, in particular moist products, in which a flat packaging material is positioned on the outer surfaces of a product with the formation of fold lines such that it is completely enclosed by the packaging material, the packaging material initially adjacent a lower side region is folded so as to form side and end face areas, that a container open on one side is formed.

Such methods are known from the prior art and are used to package products or general cargo of various kinds at least largely automated with paper or foil, in order to then offer them for sale in the packaged state.

A disadvantage of these methods, which are also used, for example, for the packaging of pieces of butter, cream cheese or other pasty products, are in particular two aspects that are due to the fact that the packaging material is applied by folding operations only to the outer surfaces of a product, without in any way Way to be sealed. As a result, a purchaser of such a packaged product can never be sure that the pack has not been opened and resealed by unauthorized persons prior to sale, and thus may have contaminated the product. On the other hand, when packaging moist products, such as cream cheese, there is a risk that liquid, in particular whey, escapes from the packaging, since no drip-tight sealing of the product with packaging material can be achieved by the known folding packages.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to further develop a method of the type mentioned at the beginning in such a way that at least largely drip-tight folding packages can be produced with the least possible economic outlay, in which case a largely automated packaging process should be possible.

According to the invention this object is solved by the features of claim 1 and in particular by
that portions of the packaging material, which protrude in the region of opposing product side surfaces over the edge of the one-sided open container, covering the product top of the product so far towards each other until they touch, then sealed together in a first seal area to become, and
in a second and third sealing region, portions of the packaging material which project outwardly from the product in the region of opposite end surface regions are sealed with those regions of the packaging material which protrude outward from the product from the top side region and from the side surface regions of the packaging material.

According to the invention, therefore, different sealing regions are provided, which are arranged so that they adjoin one another and / or overlap one another, so that ultimately a complete sealing of the packaging results. As a result, on the one hand it is achieved that moisture does not escape from the packaging and, in particular, during packaging of cream cheese no Mölke can escape. On the other hand, it is ensured that the packaging can only be opened if it is destroyed at the same time, so that a buyer can assume that the packaging has not been opened by the unauthorized person after the factory packaging process.

The first sealing region according to the invention, in which portions of the packaging material which project beyond the edge of the container open on one side in the region of opposing side surfaces, are sealed together, for example by a process according to the German patent application DE 10 2004 055 007.7 the applicant are generated. This procedure ensures that the product can be packaged without contamination and that the packaging material rests against the top of the product as completely as possible while avoiding disruptive air bubbles. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable to use other methods for producing the first sealing area.

In addition to the first sealing region, a second and a third sealing region are also produced according to the invention. In contrast to the first sealing region, the second and third sealing regions do not run along the upper side of the product but in the region of its end faces. A preferred variant for generating the second and third sealing areas will be discussed in more detail below.

If, in the context of this application, a bottom side, side surface, end face or top side region of the packaging material is mentioned, this always refers to that region of the packaging material which rests directly on the corresponding side of the product in the case of a finished packaged product. In this respect, the dimensions correspond the side surface areas of the packaging material the dimensions of the product side surfaces, the dimensions of the bottom portion of the dimensions of the product bottom, the dimensions of the top portion of the dimensions of the product top and the dimensions of the end portions of the dimensions of the product end faces. In contrast to these different areas of the packaging material, the terms product side surface, product end surface, product top side and product bottom side are used for the different surface areas of the product to be packaged in the context of this application.

Preferably, a cuboid or cube-shaped product is packed according to the invention, but other product forms are also conceivable, in particular e.g. Prism shapes with hexagonal or octagonal base. In this case, the product side surfaces or the product end surfaces then at least partially consist of several surfaces, which adjoin one another and are located in different planes. In principle, it is therefore not mandatory in the context of the invention for the individual side and / or end face regions to extend within a single plane.

Before carrying out the sealing processes according to the invention, the packaging material, as already explained, is folded in such a way that a container open on one side results. This folding can take place on the one hand, when the product is already on the packaging material, as for example in the aforementioned application DE-A-10 2004 055007.7 is described, or the product can be introduced after the folding process in the one-sided open container, in particular injected.

The three sealing regions according to the invention can be produced in any order, in particular it is possible to produce the second and the third sealing region before the first sealing region has been produced. However, it is preferred if first the first sealing area and then then the second and the third sealing area are generated. The generation of the second and third sealing region can preferably be effected simultaneously.

The formation of the second and third sealing areas ultimately creating a drip-tight packaging is made possible by the fact that areas of the packaging material which protrude beyond its end face areas protrude from the product to the outside and not inwardly onto the surface of the product, as in folding packages known from the prior art be folded. Namely, these outwardly projecting portions may be used to be sealed with other portions of the packaging material protruding outward from the product from the top portion and the side surface portion of the packaging material.

It is particularly preferred if the second sealing region extends along three sides of the one end face region, these three sides being adjacent to the top side region and the two side face regions. Likewise, the third seal area may then extend along three sides of the other end face area, these three sides also being adjacent to the top face area and the two side face areas. The sides of the end face regions which are assigned to the second and third sealing regions are thus those sides with which the end face regions of the packaging material do not adjoin the underside region of the packaging material, which makes sense since the end face regions are in any case formed by a fold line drip-tight connected to the lower side portion of the packaging material, so that there no sealing is required.

Thus, the generation of the second and third sealing regions ensures that a completely peripheral, drop-tight connection to adjacent regions of the packaging material is produced on the mutually opposite product end faces, so that, together with the first sealing region running along the product upper side, a total droplet-tight Packaging is available.

The packaging material preferably has a length greater than twice the sum of the width and the height of the product prior to the folding operations in a first direction. In a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction, the packaging material advantageously has a length which is greater than the sum of the length and twice the height of the product. Through these dimensions it is achieved that after covering the product top by the packaging material in all required directions still sufficient packaging material protrudes from the product, which according to the invention can be sealed together. In this case, a certain excess of packaging material is deliberately made available in order to be able to produce the sealing areas.
In addition, it is possible by the dimensions of the packaging material mentioned to fold this to an open-topped container, which can accommodate the product to be packaged completely. In certain known from the prior art packaging (eg butter packaging with front side folding), this is not possible, for example, since there to cover the product end faces packaging material from the product top and the product bottom must be folded on the product end face , This is not necessary according to the invention, since a complete covering of the product end faces can already be achieved by upward folding of the end face region starting from the underside region of the packaging material.

It is particularly advantageous if, after the production of the container open on one side and before the sealing of the second and third sealing regions, an area of the packaging material adjoining the end surface regions projects outward from the product in the plane of the upper side region. In accordance with packaging principles known in the art, it would have been more convenient to fold such an area inwardly onto the product top. The atypical folding of the said area towards the outside, however, produces an area which can subsequently be sealed with those areas of the packaging material which project outwardly from the top area of the packaging material.
However, it is not mandatory according to the invention for the abovementioned area adjoining the end face area to be located in the plane of the top area. Alternatively, it would also be possible for this area to extend away from the product along any other plane. It only needs to be ensured that the areas of the packaging material to be sealed together are located within a common plane immediately prior to the sealing process.

The invention enables in a particularly advantageous manner that all sealing operations between at least one sealing jaws and at least one Gegensiegelbacken can be performed. It is therefore not necessary to carry out a sealing process against the product itself, in which the product would act as Gegensiegelbacken. In this respect, it can be ensured according to the invention that the product passes through the sealing processes neither deformed nor negatively affected by high sealing temperatures.

The second and third sealing regions are preferably produced in each case between two outer, substantially L-shaped sealing jaws on the one hand and a counter-sealing jaws on the other hand. The counter-sealing jaws can correspond in terms of their dimensions with the respective end face region of the packaging material or with the dimensions of the product end face. This variant of the invention is explained in more detail in the description of the figures.

The packaging material to be used according to the invention is advantageously formed in one piece and in particular has a cross shape in which two side tabs and two end tabs protrude from a base region in each case in the opposite direction. The base region preferably protrudes on all four sides beyond the underside region.
As an alternative to the aforementioned cross shape, a rectangular shape of a one-piece packaging material can also be used, but in this case more packaging material is required.

The packaging material is preferably made of a plastic film with an aluminum content, but any other materials can be used on which a sealing process is basically feasible.

Fig. 1 a-e

eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht von schräg oben, in der insgesamt fünf Verfahrensschritte zur Durchführung eines möglichen erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens dargestellt sind,

Fig. 2 a-e

eine Darstellung entsprechend Fig. 1 von schräg unten,

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Siegelvorrichtung zur Er- zeugung des erfindungsgemäßen ersten Siegelbereichs, und

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Siegelvorrichtung zur Er- zeugung der zweiten oder dritten erfindungsgemäßen Siegel- bereiche.

Further preferred embodiments are explained in the subclaims. The invention will now be explained by way of example with reference to the figures. In these show:

Fig. 1 ae

a schematic perspective view obliquely from above, in which a total of five process steps for carrying out a possible method according to the invention are shown,

Fig. 2 ae

a representation accordingly Fig. 1 from diagonally below,

Fig. 3

a perspective view of a sealing device for generating the first seal region according to the invention, and

Fig. 4

a perspective view of a sealing device for the generation of the second or third sealing areas according to the invention.

The Fig. 1a . 2a show a cross-shaped blank of a packaging material 10, which according to Fig. 2a consists of a rectangular base portion 12, two in opposite direction from the base portion 12 protruding side flaps 14 and two projecting in the opposite direction from the base portion 12 end tabs 16. Side tabs 14 and end tabs 16 are perpendicular to each other, wherein the extension of the side flaps 14 away from the base portion 12 is dimensioned significantly larger than the corresponding extension of the end tabs 16. This is due to the fact that the side flaps 14 not only for partial coverage of the product side surfaces but are also provided to cover the product top to form the first seal area, whereas the function of the end tabs 16 is merely to partially cover the product end faces and form parts of the second and third seal areas.

The base portion 12 is sized larger than the product bottom so that it extends over all four sides Fig. 1a apparent bottom portion 18 protrudes. The bottom area 18 is in Fig. 1a drawn with solid lines and is used in the finished packaging to completely cover the product bottom. Accordingly, the bottom portion 18 is sized substantially the same size as the product bottom, wherein a comparison of Fig. 1a and 2a makes it clear that the lower side region 18 is substantially smaller than the base region 12.

Furthermore, are off Fig. 1a two side surface regions 20 and two end surface regions 22 can be seen, which lie opposite one another and extend away from the lower side region 18, so that the lower side region 18 with the side surface regions 20 and the end surface regions 22 ultimately ultimately forms a total of a cross shape which lies completely within the cross shape of the packaging material 10 ,

In the Fig. 1a shown side surface portions 20 are used in the finished packaging to cover the two opposite product side surfaces each completely. A corresponding function have the end surface portions 22 with respect to the product end faces.

For the production of the sealing regions according to the invention, it is important that the side surface regions 20 and the end surface regions 22 according to FIG Fig. 1 a do not extend to the edge of the packaging material 10, so that between the outer end of the side surface regions 20 and end faces 22 and the peripheral line of the packaging material 10 remains a distance, which serve in the case of the end face regions 22 to form the second and third sealing region can and in the case of the side surface portions 20 to cover the product top and to form the first seal area.

For carrying out the packaging process according to the invention, it is possible to place a product to be packaged with its product underside on the lower side region 18 of the packaging material 10 and then move the product through a folded backdrop, for example downward, such that the side surface regions 20 and the end surface regions 22 be folded up, as in the Fig. 1b and 2b is shown. A corresponding folding method is in the already mentioned patent application DE 10 2004 055 007.7 the applicant described. Alternatively, it is possible to press the packaging material 10 by means of a stamp whose dimensions correspond to the product to be packaged, through a folding backdrop, so that the packaging material 10 in turn a shape according to the Fig. 1b and 2b receives, whereupon the stamp is removed from the packaging material. In this way one then obtains an open-topped container according to the Fig. 1b and 2b into which the product can be introduced or injected. Injection is particularly useful when packaging cream cheese.
In all these cases, it is possible to push or pull the packaging material 10 with or without product in any direction through a Faltkulisse, so for example both down, as explained above, as well as up or in a horizontal direction.

Regardless of the nature of the introduction of the product is thus at the end of the process step according to the Fig. 1b and 2b a unilaterally open container of packaging material 10, in which a product is, the latter in the Fig. 1b and 2b is not shown for reasons of clarity. In this state, the packaging material with the product therein is in a non-illustrated Recording held so as to ensure sufficient stability.

Essential for the procedure described here is the fact that the Fig. 1a visible regions 24 of the packaging material 10, which adjoin the outside of the end face regions 22, according to the invention folded away from the product and thus do not come to rest on the product top. This folding away of the regions 24 takes place such that the regions 24 protrude from the product in the plane of the product top. In this case, the regions 24 extend over the entire width of the respective product end face. The above-described areas 24 of the packaging material are particularly good from the Fig. 1b . 2b and 2c seen.

Starting from the process step according to the Fig. 1b and 2b For example, the upper side regions 26 adjoining the side surface regions 20 on the outside are folded toward each other by 90 ° onto the product upper side, so that together they completely cover the product upper side. In the area in which the top portions 26 touch on the product top, they are folded upwards by 90 °, so that there is a vertically upwards from the product covered with packaging material top sealing tab 28 resulting from the End portions of the two top portions 26 consists. In this position, there results a surface contact between packaging material projecting outwards from the top side regions 26 and the above-described regions 24 which protrude outward from the end surface regions 22.

In the illustrated position according to the Fig. 1c and 2c can then according to Fig. 3 a first sealing process be performed by two sealing jaws 30 are moved towards each other parallel to the product top until the sealing flap 28 is clamped between the sealing jaws 30 and a sealing process for forming the first seal region according to the invention can take place. A corresponding sealing process is again in the patent application DE 10 2004 055 007.7 described.

After carrying out the sealing process in accordance with Fig. 1c . 2c and 3 If the product top is sealed, the sealing jaws 30 can be removed again and the sealed sealing tab 28 can be folded onto the product top so that a shape of the packaging material 10 according to the Fig. 1d and 2d results.

As a result, the second and third sealing regions according to the invention are now produced by means of two L-shaped sealing jaws 32 and a counter-sealing jaws 34. For this purpose, the counter-sealing jaw 34, whose shape is adapted to the size of the end face region 22, is moved upwards parallel to the end face region 22 until it completely covers the end face region 22. In this position, the above-described region 24 of the packaging material 10 bears against the upper edge of the counter-sealing jaw 34. Furthermore lie also in Fig. 2c hatched areas 36 of the packaging material on the side edges of the Gegensiegelbackens 34 at. In this case, the regions 36 extend away from the product in the plane of the side surface regions 20 and extend over the entire height of the end surface regions 22. Thus, the two regions 36 and the region 24 directly adjoin one another and extend along three sides of the end region 22 Areas 24, 36 assigned to all those sides of the end face region 22, which no fold line 38 (FIG. Fig. 2c ) with the underside region 18.

As a result, now the two L-shaped sealing jaws 32 according to Fig. 4 in the direction of the Gegensiegelbackens 34 moves until the sealing jaws 32 and the Gegensiegelbacken 34, the two areas 36 and the area 24 between them. Subsequently, a sealing process can then take place with which the second sealing region according to the invention is then produced. Thereafter, it is then possible to proceed in a corresponding manner with the other end face region 22, so that the third sealing region according to the invention is thereby created.

After the first, second and third sealing regions have been produced, the packaging is tightly sealed, since the first sealing region running along the sealing flap 28 directly adjoins the sealed region 24 (FIG. Fig. 2c ), so that the first, second and third sealing areas ultimately extend along interconnected lines that completely seal the package.

In a last method step, the region of the packaging material 10 which projects beyond the top side region 26 and the side surface regions 20 can then be folded onto the two end surface regions 22, so that a compact, cuboid and droplet-tight product packaging according to FIGS Fig. 1e and 2e results.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

packing material

12

base region

14

side flaps

16

end flaps

18

Under Page Range

20

Side surface area

22

End face region

24

Area

26

Top area

28

sealing fin

30

Sealing baking, counter-baking

32

sealing jaws

34

Against sealing jaws

36

Area

38

fold line

Claims (8)

Method for packaging products, in particular moist products, in which a flat packaging material (10) is positioned on the outer surfaces of a product so that it is completely enclosed by the packaging material (10), the packaging material (10) being initially enclosed by fold lines is folded adjacent to a lower side region (18) so as to form lateral and end face regions (20, 22) such that a container open on one side is formed,
characterized,
that portions of the packaging material (10), which protrude in the region of opposing product side surfaces over the edge of the one-sided open container, covering the product top of the product so far to be folded until they touch, then in a first Sealing area (28) to be sealed together, and
that in a second and third sealing area portions (24, 36) of the packaging material, which project in the area of opposed end face areas (22) from the product to the outside, with such areas of the packaging material (10) are sealed by the top portion (26) and of the side surface areas (20) of the packaging material (10) protrude from the product to the outside. Method according to claim 1,
characterized,
in that the second sealing region (24, 36) extends along three sides of the one end face region (22), these three sides adjoining the top side region (26) and the two side surface regions (20), and in that the third sealing region (24, 36 ) extends along three sides of the other end surface region (22), these three sides also being adjacent to the top side region (26) and the two side surface regions (20). Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that the packaging material (10) has, in a first direction, a length greater than twice the sum of the width and the height of the product and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a length which is greater than that before the folding operations in a first direction Sum of the length and twice the height of the product. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that, after the production of the one-sided open container and before sealing of the second and third sealing regions (24, 36), a region (24) adjoining the end surface regions (22) protrudes outwardly from the product in the plane of the upper side region (26). Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that all sealing operations between at least one sealing jaws (30, 32) and at least one Gegensiegelbacken (30, 34) are executed. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the second and third sealing portions (34, 36) between two outer, substantially L-shaped sealing jaws (32) on the one hand and with respect to its dimensions to the respective end face region (32) corresponding counter sealing jaws (34) on the other are generated. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that the packaging material (10) is formed in one piece and in particular substantially has a cross shape, in which two side straps (14) and two end straps (16) protrude from one base region (12) in opposite directions. Method according to claim 7,
characterized,
in that the base region (12) projects beyond the lower side region (18) on all four sides.

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