EP2492201A1 - Reversed punch system - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves carrying out stamping and sealing in a sealing operation, where a seal punches out a foil section and the foil section is transported to the container and seals it. The seal for punching out the foil is pressed by a cutter blade, where the cutting blade has an outline enclosed in the cutting plane. An independent claim is also included for a device for punching out a foil section from a foil for the sealing foil section of a container.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a method and a device for punching out a foil portion from a foil and sealing the foil portion onto a container. In the process, a punch first pierces a punching plane in the working direction of the punch and then strikes a sealing plane.

State of the art

The sealing of a container by sealing a film is a widely used method in the industry and is used in a variety of variants. A corresponding device is used for example in the DE 10 031 356 A1 (ALX-Metall Verpackungstechnik). This device allows a heat seal a container (in particular a Menuschale with a film) and separating the projecting over the edge of the container film web in one operation. For this purpose, in the lower part of the device there is a vertically movable receiving structure for the container and a fixed punching knife arranged around it. Over the container, a film web is placed, which is pressed by a heatable upper part of the device against the lower part and welded to the edge of the opening of the container. A further vertical movement of the upper part subsequently pushes the receiving structure of the container downwards, whereby the punching knife is uncovered and this punches the foil portion from the film web around the opening of the container. In order to achieve a good punching quality, the upper part advantageously has a recess or cutting bar. As a further possible component mounted outside of the punch blade hold-down is proposed, which protrudes in its relaxed position on the level of the punching knife and on the one hand the pressing of the film web to the upper part for fixing the punching operation and on the other hand the lifting of the film web after punching the film serving.

A method and apparatus for sealing and cutting a film onto a container are also disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,376,891 DE 197 50 075 A1 (Benhil Gasti Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH). The DE 197 50 075 A1 describes a method and an apparatus for simultaneously producing and applying lids in a single operation (in particular of cover sheet films made of a thin plastic film) on containers to be closed. The cutting device includes a cutting body which can be adjusted substantially perpendicular to the plane of movement of the film web and has a centered cutting blade. A particularly advantageous embodiment of the cutting blade provides the cutting edge in a crown shape. The seal has a smaller diameter than the cutting body, so cutting and sealing device combined built and integrated into each other. In the preferred construction of the device, the sealing of the film onto the container is carried out shortly before the film portion is punched out, but essentially at the same time.

The methods and devices used in the current state of the art have the disadvantages that, for example, with the punching knife of DE 10 031 356 A1 (ALX-Metall Verpackungstechnik) no film portions of metal foils can be punched with a smooth edge, and the shape of auszustanzenden, already sealed foil portion is limited by the fact that only foil parts on or outside the edge of the container can be removed by punching. In the DE 197 50 075 A1 (Benhil Gasti Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH), the punched foil portions also have no smooth edge, and again the shape of the punched, already sealed foil portion is limited by the fact that only foil parts can be removed on or outside the edge of the container by punching. In addition, the shape and area of the sealed areas within the foil portion is not arbitrary, because the seal stamp is within the cutter body and the foil portion can not be sealed up therefore completely to the punched edge.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a process which belongs to the technical field mentioned above and which is suitable for processing various film materials, the punched film portions having smooth edges even when using different film materials. In addition, the shape of the die-cut foil portions and the shape and dimension of the sealed portions of the foil portion should be flexibly selectable.

The solution of the problem is defined by the features of claim 1. According to the invention, in the context of the method for punching out a foil portion from a foil and sealing the foil portion onto a container, a punch first passes through a punching plane in the working direction of the punch and then strikes a punch Sealing plane. The punching and sealing are done in one operation by the punch punched out in a first step, the foil portion, transported in a second step, the foil portion on the container and in a third step, the foil portion on the container. For punching, the punch presses the foil through a cutting blade, wherein the cutting knife has a closed contour in the punching plane, and the cutting knife is designed such that it produces a perforation along the cutting line before punching. The sealing takes place in a conventional manner, for. B. by the sealing point is subjected to pressure and / or heat.

On the one hand, the method according to the invention has the great advantage that, in a first step of punching, the foil is pressed by the punch through the cutting blade and therefore the shape of the foil portion can be freely selected without any restrictions. On the other hand, in the third step for sealing the foil portion, the same punch is used again as in the first step for punching out, therefore the punch can cover the entire surface (as far as the edge) or else any part surface of the film portion in a projection viewed in the working direction. Thus, the shape and area of the sealed portions of the foil portion can be freely selected by a corresponding formation of the punch on the entire surface of the foil portion without any restrictions.

The perforation can be produced without the film being significantly deformed. The cutting force is correspondingly reduced substantially. Accordingly, the method according to the invention offers the advantage that various materials can be punched out by the perforation of the film along the cutting line, without tensions, cracks or other undesired effects and even damage to the film portion during shearing. As a result, films made of different materials can be punched out with the same cutting knife, instead of having to adapt the cutting blade to different materials. Since the cutting knife designed for the purpose of prior perforation serves as a die and the punch pushes the foil through, even when using different ones Materials smooth outer edges on the punched foil portions and rough outer edges on the remaining foil (see Fig. 1 ).

The stamps and punch guides used in the method according to the invention must fulfill fewer tasks than in the context of prior art methods and can therefore be made simpler, which in turn simplifies other tasks (eg a possible heating and / or cooling of the punch) and reflected in a simpler structure. This can simplify the design, construction and maintenance of a device for applying the method according to the invention and save time, material and costs.

Empirical experiments have also shown that when pushing a film with a punch through a cutting blade (ie by a sharp die) with the same punching result a greater clearance (about 0.1 - 0.2 mm) between punch and die can exist as in a conventional punching arrangement, where a sharp stamp is pushed through a foil on a blunt die (the permissible clearance is less than 0.02 mm in conventional punching arrangements). The greater clearance results in less wear on the punch and die, which in turn means less maintenance, longer service life with comparable punching quality or better punching quality with a similar service life, lower costs, etc.

Advantageously, the film is fixed prior to punching so that the film can only move along the working direction of the punch.

A fixation of the film with respect to movements transversely to the working direction keeps the foil portion in position relative to punch and cutting knife. The fixation has the goal to hold the film at least during the punching and to ensure a precise punching of the foil portion. The fixation can advantageously hold the film portion, for example, even after punching, this particular fix on the stamp, thereby additionally facilitating the transport and / or sealing of the container and increase the accuracy of the positioning of the foil portion on the container. The fixing can be realized by various mechanisms, such as by clamping, gluing, clamping, electrostatic forces, (electro) magnetic forces, Under and / or over pressure, capillary forces, surface effects and others. Another advantage of such a fixation, insofar as it relates to the foil portion after punching, is given by the fact that the film portion can not curl up before sealing, even if they due to material properties, environmental influences, shape and / or thickness of the foil portion etc has a tendency to do so.

Alternatively, can be dispensed with such a fixation of the film before punching, or the fixation can be done only after punching, such as during transport and / or sealing the foil portion. But it can also be a fixation of the film in the working direction or only in one direction transverse to the direction of work, with different combinations are conceivable.

Preferably, the stamp pushes the foil portion when sealing on the container to the edge of the foil portion on the container.

The punch can be shaped so that it presses the foil portion when sealing on the container to the edge of the film portion and in this way sets up on the edge clearance to the cutting game. Such Aufsiegelung is particularly robust and offers little attack surface for unwanted detachment of the foil portion of the container. It may also be desirable in aesthetic terms. If a container is to be kept as compact as possible, while maintaining the same sealing surface and shape of the edge of the container can be made smaller, since the unused by the seal outer edge can be practically eliminated entirely. The container can also be enlarged in its inner masses by the film portion is sealed to the outer edge while maintaining the same sealing surface. On the other hand, with consistent dimensions of the container by sealing the foil portion up to the edge of the entire surface aufgesiegelte increased and thus the holding force of the foil portion on the container can be increased.

Alternatively, the stamp can push the film portion also at locations with arbitrarily large distance to the edge of the container. In particular, in certain applications, the stamp, the foil portion advantageously not be pressed to some extent to the edge and at other locations to the edge of the container. Advantageously, the film is pressed to create the perforation against a cutting blade surrounding the movable film lifter.

In conjunction with the film lifter, the hold-down clamps the film before punching and fixes the film in a simple, cost-effective and reliable manner. By a movement of the thus clamped film on the cutting blade to the film is accurately and reliably performed in the direction of the stamp, the film is perforated in particular by the movement of the cutting blade to selbigem.

Preferably, a holding-down device which surrounds the stamp and is movable relative to the latter interacts with the film lifter, with the blank holder with the film and the film lifter moving towards the cutting blade in the working direction of the stamp for producing the perforation. A non-punched out part of the film is released after punching through the film lifter against the working direction of the punch from the cutting blade.

After punching the foil portion by the punch of the non-punched part of the film is released by the film lifter from the cutting blade, since this part surrounds the cutting edge and thus can not be easily solved along the main surface of the film from the cutting blade. However, a release of the film from the cutting blade is of great importance for automated and rapid work, so that a simple further transport of the film is ensured and thereby a new piece of foil for punching the foil portion can be provided.

Alternatively, can also be dispensed with a hold-down and / or a film lifter. The film can also be fixed by other mechanisms described above with respect to movements transversely to the working direction of the stamp (or even on the stamp itself) instead of by a hold-down. But it can also hold down the film without a film lifter fix. In a movement of hold-down and / or film lifter in the direction of the punch can be dispensed with, especially if the cutting blade can perform a movement in the opposite direction or the perforation of the film along the cutting line in another way can come. The release of the film from the cutting blade can also be achieved by other mechanisms than by a film lifter, such as by a pressure surge with, for example, air or by pulling up instead of pushing up the film (this is in particular the already mentioned mechanisms for fixing the film and a corresponding Movement of the involved parts).

The invention likewise comprises a device for punching out a foil portion from a foil and for sealing a foil portion onto a container. The device according to the invention comprises a working head with at least one punch, a base body which has at least one working part which is complementary to the working head, and at least one cutting blade arranged in the working part with a contour closed in a punching plane. In this case, perforation elements are formed on the cutting blade, which are arranged and aligned counter to the working direction of the punch from the punching plane. In addition, the device also comprises at least one holding mechanism for fixing and positioning at least one container, wherein the holding mechanism defines a sealing plane which, viewed from the punching plane, lies in the working direction of the punch.

The device according to the invention has, inter alia, the advantage that it comprises at least one punching mechanism and a sealing mechanism and can therefore be punched and sealed in the same device - this saves space, time and costs. Another advantage is that the cutting blade is arranged in the working part and is used in conjunction with the arranged in the working head, movable punch for punching the foil portion. Because the sealing plane, viewed from the punching plane, lies in the working direction of the punch, in one working movement of the punch, first a film portion can be punched out and then sealed onto a container. This allows a free and flexible choice of a form of foil portion before the foil portion is sealed onto the container. Seal level and also the holding mechanism are arranged in the working part of the device.

If the stamp is used in conjunction with the holding device for sealing the die-cut foil portion, then - because the sealing part of the punch the entire film portion may include - shape and size of the sealed surface of the foil portion also be chosen freely and flexibly.

Particularly advantageous is the formation of perforation on the cutting blade, as they perforate the film along the cutting line just before punching the foil portion, whereby the deformation of the film is minimized and the cutting force is significantly reduced. In this way, an accurate and material-gentle punching (gentle on the film portion and / or the punching mechanism) of different materials is possible. In addition, the foil portion punched out in this way has smooth outer edges.

The stamp of a device according to the invention preferably has a stamped part which punches the film portions with the cutting knife as a die. In addition, the stamp has a sealing part, and a contour of a projection of the sealing part in the punch axis direction is enveloped by a contour of a projection of the stamped part in stamp axis direction or identical to it.

The stamped part determines the shape and size of the foil portion punched out in interaction with the cutting blade, and the sealing part determines the shape and size of the seal portions of the foil portion which are sealed in conjunction with the holding device. Since the contour of the projection of the sealing part is either identical to the contour of the projection of the stamped part (both projections in punch axis direction) or is covered by the latter, the shape and size of the sealing sites within the entire surface of the foil portion and in particular up to the edge of the foil portion be chosen freely and flexibly. Corresponding advantages have already been described above.

Alternatively, the contour of the projection of the sealing part can also be larger than the contour of the projection of the stamped part. For example, the sealing part could be designed to be movable and change its contour of the projection depending on the work step. Or punching and / or cutting blade are designed to be movable, so that they can be moved away from the punch longitudinal axis, for example, after punching and before sealing.

Advantageously, the perforating elements on the cutting blade are formed as a series of successive, pointed teeth which are distributed over an entire contour of the cutting blade. In this case, a projection of the tooth tips in the working direction of the punch lies on the inner side of the closed contour of the cutting blade.

Tapered teeth are particularly advantageous because they are simple, quick and inexpensive to manufacture, for example, by wire erosion or milling, grinding, pressing, casting or the like. In addition, teeth are not only particularly easy and quick to manufacture by commercial methods, but also nachschleifbar. A uniform distribution of a series of successive teeth over the entire contour of the cutting blade (i.e., a serrated cutting edge) allows a spatially uniform perforation of the film before punching and thus a uniform force distribution on the film during the stamping process.

It is particularly advantageous if the perforation elements lie on the end of the cutting blade which is opposite to the working direction of the stamp and the tips of the perforation elements are aligned counter to the working direction of the stamp. In this arrangement, the teeth of the perforating elements lie on the cutting line of the punching mechanism of the device, and the cutting edges of the perforation elements or teeth point away from the punch and thus from the die-cut foil portion. Thus, the film is first perforated at the future outer edge of the punched film portion, and then the film portion along the perforation by shear cutting with the cutting blade is separated from the film. Due to the cutting edges of the cutting blade pointing away from the foil portion, the foil portion has particularly smooth edges after punching out, whereas the rest of the foil has an irregular and in particular serrated edge due to the width of the cutting blade penetrating it. In addition, the perforation elements or the teeth in this arrangement can be sharpened by internal grinding of the cutting blade very easy.

Alternatively, the teeth may also be irregularly distributed, having tapered tips or tips outside the cutting edge of the punching mechanism. The Tips of the teeth are arranged particularly advantageously symmetrically with respect to the base of the teeth, but may also be arranged asymmetrically and in particular also sawtooth-like on an end (viewed in the direction of the cutting knife edge) of the tooth. However, the perforation elements can also be designed, for example, as needles, rounded stumps, wave-shaped formations or in another form.

Preferably, the device according to the invention comprises a film lifter, which surrounds the cutting blade and is movably mounted with respect thereto in the working direction.

With the help of the film lifter, the film can be held and thus very easily manipulated, processed and moved. Advantageously, the film lifter serves on the one hand to hold the film before the perforation meet the film, whereby the perforation and possibly the other steps such as punching, transporting and / or sealing are facilitated. On the other hand, the film lifter can serve to lift the foil remainder after the punching process in order to be able to transport it away unhindered by the punching knife.

Preferably, the film lifter is resiliently mounted. This allows a structurally simple design of the movable film lifter, since elements for active operation unnecessary. The film lifter is urged by spring means (such as coil springs) against the working direction of the punch and moved by the foil and / or counter-elements to create the perforation against the spring force.

Preferably, the film lifter can assume at least a first position and a second position along the working direction of the stamp. In the first position, the film lying on the film lifter is in the punching plane or further in the working direction of the stamp, and in the second position, the foil lying on the film lifter, viewed from the perforation elements of the cutting blade, opposes the working direction of the stamp.

The film lifter can therefore move the film away from the punching plane, counter to the working direction of the stamp, which is advantageous, in particular after the stamping process, in order to remove the remaining film (ie the film after punching, without the die-cut film portion) from the cutting blade. Advantageously, the film lifter is as already also mentions moving the film in the working direction of the stamp on the perforation elements and in the punching plane.

Alternatively, a film lifter is missing. The film may instead be stabilized by a fixing device, for example by tension or tension of the film, its own weight, static charge or other mechanisms.

Preferably, the device comprises a holding-down device, which surrounds the stamp and is movably mounted with respect thereto in the working direction.

The hold-down device is in particular designed such that it fixes the film by clamping. The hold-down clamps the film advantageously against the base body or an element arranged thereon (in particular the film lifter), and it is arranged such that its rest position d. H. its starting position before the fixing of the film, viewed from the perforation elements of the cutting blade from counter to the working direction of the punch is located. Advantageously, a fixed from the hold-down film can be moved with the hold-down in the stamp direction and thereby perforated.

The hold-down device enables a hot punching even with difficult foils: The piercing is done with the (cold) hold-down, thereby minimizing the contact time between (hot) seal stamp and foil. The contact force is reduced by the lower cutting force. Both prevent co-melting of the film.

Alternatively, the hold-down can also be located at the height of the perforation elements or viewed from the perforation elements in the working direction of the punch. The hold-down device can also fix the film without co-operation with the base body (for example sucking in the film by means of negative pressure, clamping with holders formed on the hold-down or elsewhere, not on the base body, etc.). On a hold-down can also be dispensed with entirely.

From the following detailed description and the totality of the claims, further advantageous embodiments and feature combinations of the invention result.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1.1 - 1.2

eine schematische Darstellung der erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung sowie einer typischen herkömmlichen Vorrichtung aus dem Stand der Technik,

Fig. 2

seine perspektivische Darstellung eines Schneidmessers mit zackenartigförmiger Schneidkante,

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Folienhebers,

Fig. 4

einen Schnitt durch eine Vertikalebene der bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Fig. 6.1 - 6.5

eine Darstellung von fünf Schritten des Ausstanzens und Aufsiegelns in einem Arbeitsgang anhand eines Teilausschnitts der bevorzugten Ausführungsform von Fig. 4 und

Fig. 7

ein Foto einer Folienportion und einer Restfolie nach dem Ausstanzen in einer erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung.

The drawings used to explain the embodiment show:

Fig. 1.1 - 1.2

a schematic representation of the inventive device and a typical conventional device from the prior art,

Fig. 2

his perspective view of a cutting knife with a serrated cutting edge,

Fig. 3

a perspective view of a film lifter,

Fig. 4

a section through a vertical plane of the preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 5

a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 6.1 - 6.5

a representation of five steps of punching and Aufsiegelnns in one operation with reference to a partial section of the preferred embodiment of Fig. 4 and

Fig. 7

a photo of a film portion and a residual film after punching in a device according to the invention.

Basically, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures. In the sectional drawings corresponds to the presentation level or the paper of a vertical plane: the direction in the lower resp. upper paper edge lying illustrated elements of the figures are below resp. above. The same applies to the pages: the direction in the left resp. right paper edge lying illustrated elements of the figures are left resp. right.

Ways to carry out the invention

In Fig. 1.1 a device according to the invention is shown schematically, and in Fig. 1.2 a typical conventional device of the prior art. Both devices are used for punching and optionally also the sealing of film portions 3, 13 from a film by punch 1, 11 and die 2, 12. After punching the foil portion 3, 13 from the film remains a film residue 4, 14 left. Stamp 1, 11 and die 2, 12 are shown for clarity of illustration as a section in a vertical plane, foil portion 3, 13 and film residue 4, 14 in plan view.

In the conventional device in Fig. 1.2 the punch 11 has a sharp cutting edge which has 11 teeth in the working direction of the punch. The teeth perforate the film prior to punching and have peaks lying on the cutting line; in the present case are therefore located away from the longitudinal axis of the punch 11 and viewed transversely to the longitudinal axis of the punch 11 are flush with the outer contour of the punch 11. The die 12, however, has no sharp, but a blunt edge, which edges an opening that can accommodate the punch 11 in alignment. If the punch 11 presses in the working direction on a foil lying between the punch 11 and the die 12, the teeth first drill along the cutting line into the foil. Thereafter, the punch 11 pushes the perforated film further into the die 12 until a film portion 13 is punched out of the film by shear cutting between the sharp cutting edge of the punch 11 and the edge of the opening of the die 12 and a film residue 14 remains. Due to the arrangement of the teeth, tooth tips and sharp or blunt edges, the foil portion 13 has a serrated outer edge because of the teeth, whereas the foil residue 14 has a smooth outer edge of the punched-out opening.

The inventive device in Fig. 1.1 In contrast, the stamp 1 comprises a sharp or blunt outer edge, which is pressed into the die 2 in the working direction. The die 2 has a sharp cutting edge which has teeth for perforating the film. Again, the perforation takes place before punching the foil portion 3. The teeth of the sharp edge of the die 2 also have tips that on the Lay cutting line; In the present case, therefore, arranged close to the longitudinal axis of the punch 1 and viewed transversely to the longitudinal axis of the punch 1 are flush with the outer contour of the opening of the die 2. If the punch 1 presses in the working direction on a foil lying between the punch 1 and the die 2, the teeth first drill along the cutting line into the foil. Thereafter, the punch 1 presses at least the perforated portion of the film further into the die 2 until a film portion 3 is punched out of the film by shear cutting between the dull edge of the punch 1 and the sharp edge of the opening of the die 2 and a film residue 4 remains. Due to the arrangement of the teeth, tooth tips and sharp or blunt edges, the foil portion 3 has a smooth outer edge because of the edge of the punch 1, whereas the foil residue 4 has a serrated outer edge of the punched-out opening due to the teeth of the die 2. Due to the shape of the die 2 and the sequence of the punching according to the invention, the area of the cut edge of the film residue 4 points upward. This facilitates the transport away of the film residue 4, since the risk of entanglement with the die 2 or further elements in the plane of the die 2 is substantially reduced.

A perspective view of the die 2 of the device according to the invention is shown in FIG Fig. 2 displayed. The die 2 is made of hardened tool steel and has in the illustrated embodiment, a hollow circular cylindrical basic shape. For punching round film portions 3, the contour of the cutting edge of the die 2 is also designed round. In this preferred embodiment, the teeth of the sharp cutting edge of the die 2 give a crown-like appearance: the teeth have tips 20 which are joined together along the inside of the die 2 (facing the punch 1) by concave connecting edges 21 bent in the working direction of the punch , The teeth are machined by wire erosion, milling or grinding, etc., by two recesses 23 are formed on an otherwise radially uniformly shaped circular edge 22 of the die. The cutting edge 22 tapers counter to the working direction of the punch 1 in the direction of the punch 1, so that an edge of the cutting edge 22 lies on the inside of the die 2. The recesses 23 are at the edge of the cutting edge 22 at the lowest and flat in the direction of the punch 1 viewed against a side facing away from the punch 1 side of the cutting edge 22 until they find a flattened end 24 before the blade 22 stops. Simultaneously with the flattening, the width of the recess 23 decreases. The recess 23 has a concave curved edge along a side facing away from the punch 1 side of the cutting edge 22, which begins in the tips 20 of the teeth and ends and runs at the flattened end 24 as a curve. The recess 23 terminates in the connecting edge 21 on the inside of the die 2 (facing the punch 1). The recess 23 has the shape of a part of a cone or a cylinder whose axis of symmetry intersects with the axis of symmetry of the circular cylindrical die 2.

The tips 20 of the teeth and the connecting edges 21 together form the cutting edge of the die 2 and lie on the inside of the die 2, which defines the cutting edge on the film portion 3 and the film residue 4. By grinding the inside of the die 2, the so-called inner grinding, the cutting edge of the die 2 is ground and, if necessary, also reground. The die 2 comprises radially extending through the die 2, vertically elongated guide openings 25.1 - 25.3, in which as described below 'cam of a film lifter are guided vertically movable. The three guide openings 25.1 - 25.3 are arranged uniformly around the symmetry axis of the die 2. An opposite to the cutting edge 22 end of the die 2 formed against outwardly projecting clamping edge 26 of the die is used to provide an attack surface for clamping and thereby attaching the die 2 to the inventive device.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a film lifter 30. The film lifter 30 has in the present case of a round film portion 3 a ring-like basic shape. In this case, the film lifter 30 mainly consists of a hollow circular cylindrical part, at the opposite end of the working direction of the punch 1 located an inwardly drawn ring part is formed. The ring member serves to hold the film rest 4 resting thereon as close as possible to the matrix and to be able to lift, wherein the circular cylindrical portion of the film lifter 30 is more spaced from the die 2 to prevent any obstruction between the film lifter 30 and die 2 to a To ensure thermal separation of the film lifters 30 and die 2 and to continue to be moved without contact at a possible thermal expansion of the die 2 can.

The ring-like film lifter 30 encloses in its central opening the die 2 and has three symmetrically arranged and extending in the direction of the punch 1 guide holes 31.1 - 31.3, which attaching the film lifter 30 to the device and the guide of the film lifter 30 during its movements in the working direction of the stamp 1 and serve back. Furthermore, the film lifter 30 has three radial bores 32.1 - 32.3 for receiving radially inwardly directed guide cams, which engage in the guide openings 25.1 - 25.3 of the die 2 through which the film lifter 30 is guided on the die 2. The bore 32.2 is open Fig. 3 not visible because of the selected angle, but is arranged symmetrically about the central axis of the ring-like film lifter 30 together with the holes 32.1 and 32.3.

The foil lifter 30 is made of metal and serves to remove the foil remnant 3 from the die 2, counter to the working direction of the punch 1, after punching out the foil portion 3, in particular at least so far that the teeth of the cutting edge of the die 3 no longer rest the foil remainder 3 touch. The ring-like film lifter 30 is thus movable in the working direction of the punch 1 and guided through the guide holes 31.1 - 31.3 and arranged in the holes 32.1 - 32.3 cam in the inventive device and has such a dimensioned and shaped central opening that the die. 2 takes place in it and that by a movement of the film lifter 30 against the working direction of the punch 1, the film residue 4 can be lifted away from the die 2.

A section through a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention in a vertical plane is shown in FIG Fig. 4 shown. The entire apparatus can be roughly divided into two parts: a working head 40 and a working part 41, wherein the working head 40 is positioned vertically above the working part 41 and movably attached to the latter in a conventional arrangement, in the present case movable to two rigidly with the working part 41 connected columns 42.1 and 42.2.

The working head 40 comprises an upper part of the punch 1 designated as a punch neck 49 and a lower and upper punch neck guide 50 and 51, the punch neck 49 being movably guided by the lower and upper punch neck guides 50 and 51 to the working head main body 54. The punch neck 49 is designed as a round and concentric resting on the lower part of the punch 1 hollow cylinder, wherein the punch neck 49 has an approximately half the outer diameter of the punch 1. The lower part of the punch 1 is partially covered by the hold-down 44.

The working part 41 comprises the die 2 as well as the film lifter 30 surrounding the die 2, in the present case both are configured annularly. The foil lifter is guided through the guide hole 31.1 and a guide screw 47.1 located therein along the longitudinal axis of the punch 1: the guide screw 47.1 is screwed into a working part body 55, and the guide hole 31.1 in the foil lifter 30 can be guided by the head of the guide screw 47.1 along the longitudinal axis of the stamp 1 are moved. The guide screw 47.1 additionally fastened by an annular link 48, the die 2 on the working part main body 55 by the guide screw 47.1 is screwed through the gate 48 with the working part main body 55. The thus clamped gate 48 includes the clamping edge 26 of the die 2 with a correspondingly formed on the link 48 projection and clamps the die 2 in the direction of the punch against the working part main body 55. The working part body 55 fixes the supports 42.1 and 42.2 and has a continuous and through the die 2 passing through vertical opening through which the punch 1 is moved after punching the foil portion 3 further in its working direction until the guided through the punch 1 foil portion 3 is located on the sealing plane.

Between working part 41 and working head 40, the film 43 comes to rest, which can be clamped by a fixed to the punch 1 hold-44 on the working part 41 and in particular on the film lifter 30. The hold-down 44 serves to clamp the film 43 and can be moved together with the punch 1, but can also be moved relative to the punch 1 along the longitudinal axis of the punch 1. The punch 1 and the punch neck 49 rigidly connected to it can travel along the longitudinal axis of the Stamp 1 relative to the punch guides 50 and 51 are moved, and thereby also relative to the rigidly connected to the punch guides 50 and 51 working part main body 54. The film lifter 30 can be moved relative to the die 2 in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the punch 1.

Fig. 5 shows the embodiment of the invention Fig. 4 in perspective view. Well recognizable are the lower working part base body 55 and the work head body 54 arranged above it, which are connected to one another by the supports 42.1 and 42.2. The hold-down 44 is as well visible from this perspective as four hold-down screws 56.1 - 56.4, which pass from above through the working head main body 54 and the holder and guide of the blank holder 44 serve. The hold-down screws 56.1 - 56.4 rest with their heads at the upper end of the working head main body 54 and are each connected to a cap nut, which is recessed in an opening in the periphery of the blank holder 44 and restricts the path of movement of the blank holder 44 downwards in the working direction of the punch 1. The hold-down 44 is mounted vertically displaceable on the hold-down screws 56.1 - 56.4, wherein arranged between the hold-down 44 and the working head 54 and the hold-down screws 56.1 - 56.4 comprehensive coil springs 57.1 - 57.4 push down device 44 down and provided with a bias. In order to move the hold-down device 44 downwards in the working direction of the stamp 1 and to clamp and perforate the film 43 together with the film lifter 30, and then stamp out the stamp 1, transport it further and seal it, the entire working head 40 is moved in the working direction of the stamp 1.

An operation of the same inventive embodiment as already in 4 and 5 is shown in the Fig. 6.1 - 6.5 shown in individual steps. The Fig. 6.1 - 6.5 show only a part of a representation analogous to Fig. 4 , In Fig. 6.1 the inventive device is in its normal position: the working head 40, comprising the punch 1 and the hold-down 44, is spaced above the working part 41, which comprises the die 2 and the film lifter 30. The film lifter 30 is arranged such that its upper edge about 2 mm above the tips 20 of Teeth of the cutting edge 22 that is above the upper edge of the die 2 is located. The hold-down 44, however, is arranged so that its lower edge is approximately 1 mm below the lower edge of the punch 1. Between working head 40 and working part 41 is the film 43rd

In Fig. 6.2 the device is in the basic position of the Fig. 6.1 following step of the operation: the film 43 is clamped by the blank holder 44 and the film lifter 30, whereby a change in position of the film 43 is made transversely to the longitudinal axis of the punch 1 impossible. For this purpose, the working head 40 along the supports 42.1 and 42.2 (and thus the punch 1 and the hold-down 44 together) moves down to the working part 41 until the hold-44 in contact with the film 43 and this in turn in contact with the film lifter 30 stands. The film is located above the teeth of the cutting edge 22 due to the upper edge of the film lifter 30 lying 2 mm above the upper edge of the die 2.

In the next step of the operation, the film is perforated by the working head 40 and thereby also the hold-down 44 and the punch 1 are moved together further down. The hold-down 44 thereby presses the movable, spring-loaded and biased foil lifts 30 relative to the working part 41 and relative to the die 2 down. The clamped film 43 moves with the downholder 44 and the film lifter 30 and is thus pressed down into the tips 20 of the die 2, whereby the film 43 is perforated. Due to the arrangement of the tips 20 of the die 2, the perforation of the film 43 lies exactly on the cutting edge of the die 2, thereby facilitating the punching. The step of perforating the film 43 ends with the downholder 44, film 43 and film lifter 30 stopping their downward movement as soon as the clamped film 43 is perforated (ie the teeth of the cutting edge 22 have penetrated far into the film 43 as required) and before the clamped foil 43 reaches a plane in which a cross section (transverse to the longitudinal axis of the punch 1) of the teeth of the cutting edge 22 has a closed contour connecting the individual teeth. Fig. 6.3 shows the device according to the invention at the end of the perforation step; the die 2 is in the direction of the stamp 1 on a stop and can not be moved in this direction.

In Fig. 6.4 is the following on the perforation step of punching the film portion 3 from the film 43 shown, more specifically, the Fig. 6.4 the inventive device after punching. During punching, the blank holder 44, the clamped and perforated foil 43 and the foil lifter 30 and the die 2 remain in their respective positions, the remaining working head 40 and the punch 1 move downwards towards the die 2 in the working direction of the punch 1. First, the punch 1 hits the perforated sheet 43 and pushes the same thereafter by the continued downward movement of the punch 1 in the cutting edge 22 and then further into the die 2. The punch 1 pushes the lying within the perforation part of the film 43 so far down into the die 2 that this part is separated by the cutting edge 22 as a film portion 3 of the clamped film 43, wherein the clamped film 43 is referred to after separation or punching of the film portion 3 as a film residue 4.

The punch 1 and the die 2 may, due to the reversed operation during punching (the punch 1 has a sharp edge and the die 2 has a cut edge, the foil 43 lying on the die 2 is pressed into a cutting knife instead of a cutting knife into the foil 43) have a relatively large clearance for punching processes of about 0.1 - 0.2 mm, which reduces the wear. After punching out the film portion 3, the cutting edge of the die 2 is above the film portion 3, the film residue 4, however, is still at the same height as the film 43 after perforating (as in Fig. 6.3 shown).

After punching, the working head base body 54 moves further down, and thereby move the punch 1 and transported through the punch 1 film portion 3 through the opening in the working part body 55 down until the inventive device in a in Fig. 6.5 is shown sealing position. In the sealing position, the foil portion 3 lies in a contact-fit manner on the container, onto which the foil portion 3 is to be sealed, the punch 1 lying in a contact-tight manner on the foil portion 3 in the sealing position.

After sealing, the device according to the invention returns to its basic position ( Fig. 6.1 ) back. By the movement of the film lifter 30 back up is the Foil remainder 4 lifted above the upper edge of the die 2 and thereby released from the cutting edge 22 and in particular from the teeth of the cutting edge 22, even if the film residue 4 initially stuck there or is jammed. In the basic position, the film 43 or the film residue 4 can be displaced transversely to the longitudinal direction of the stamp 1 without any particular resistance, even if the film 43 rests directly on the film lifter 30 because the film 43 is not in contact with the die 2. In this way, the film residue 4 can be easily moved so far (so-called film feed, tape feed) until another piece of film residue 4, the die 2 and the area enclosed by the die 2 surface completely covered, and the operation with the steps punching and sealing anew can start.

Fig. 7 shows a photo of 0.102 mm thick film of embossed aluminum, from which by a device according to the invention Fig. 4 a foil portion 3 and a residual foil 4 has been punched out. In the present case, stamp 1 and die 2 in the cold state (ie at ambient temperature) have a cutting clearance of 0.1 mm, and the stamp 1 is made of non-hardened, that is relatively soft metal, which has been rotated with an accuracy of 0.2 mm and also has no sharp edge. The spring-mounted film lifter 30 has a bias of 67 N and the hold-down 44 on a bias of 260 N. The stamp 1 is also spring-mounted and has a bias of 500 N, wherein the punch 1 is not heated (so-called cold punching). The film portion 3 has a smooth edge, and the film residue 4 shows at the cutting edge a clearly visible jag pattern 70, which originates from the teeth of the die 2. A particularly great advantage of the method according to the invention with reversed mode of operation of the punching arrangement is as in FIG Fig. 7 clearly shown therein that the clearly visible serrated pattern 70 is formed on waste material not used further, ie on the film residue 4 and the film portion 3 has a smooth cut edge instead of vice versa.

Within the same settings are also films of cellulose or other fibers (especially paper and filter material), of aluminum other than embossed and unembossed metals, plastic (especially PTFE) and various combinations thereof in thicknesses between 0.02 - 0.16 mm by the Process according to the invention has been processed, ie cold-punched. In this case, all the corresponding foil portions 3 have a smooth edge, and all the corresponding foil residues 4 carry a more or less pronounced serrated pattern 70.

The embodiment described above is to be understood merely as an illustrative example, which can be extended or modified as desired within the scope of the invention. In particular, variations of shape, size, material condition, etc. of various components are explicitly included within the scope of the invention, as long as these components continue to fulfill the function according to the invention.

The single die and single die embodiment does not limit the invention to single punch dies and sealers. Also, the simultaneous and parallel use of multiple punches for punching and sealing of multiple film portions in the same device is expressly included in the invention. In this case, any desired number of punches can be formed on a tool head, so that a plurality of film portions are punched out during a punching operation. When sealing, any number of film portions can be sealed onto any number of containers, in particular exactly one film per container. But also several films on one container (eg for individual portions to be opened separately in a common container) and one film on several containers (eg if several containers are to be grouped together via their cover film, for example to a " Multipack ") are also explicitly included within the scope of this invention.

The punch does not have to pierce the die vertically from top to bottom, but can do so in the opposite direction, sideways or at any angle. The advantage of the above-described arrangement with bottomed and pierced from above die is the movement of the stamp in the direction of gravity, so that a filled container can be closed from above by sealing a foil portion without a content of the container leaves the same (eg fall out or flow). Also, holding the container is easy to make when it has to be held against gravity (and at the same time the working direction of the punch).

The shape and size of the cutting edge of the die and the punch and thus the shape and size of the contour of the punched and sealed foil portion can be chosen freely. Accordingly, hold-downs and / or film lifters are to be formed, if present. The matrix can also be equipped without perforation elements or with other perforation elements than teeth. The teeth can be made by various methods and take any shape, as long as they cut a sheet by shear separation or punch and optionally perforate. For example, the teeth can also consist of individual elements attached in groups or individually to the matrix. The die and punch can be made of various materials such as steel, tool steel, other metals, ceramics and the like.

A strict division of the inventive device into a working head and a working part is not necessary; just as well stamp, die, hold-down, film holder, etc. can be summarized in a single compact design or summarized in several smaller partially mutually movable sub-units, provided that they fulfill their task described above in this arrangement. In particular, working part main body and work head main body may be formed as a single body.

The guides, fasteners, bearings and mounts of die, stamp, punch neck, hold-down and film lifter can be modified in many ways, without changing anything on the inventive principle of operation.

Claims (12)

A method for punching a film portion of a film and for sealing the film portion on a container, wherein a punch in the direction of the punch first pierces a punching plane and then meets a sealing plane, characterized in that a) punching and sealing is done in one operation, the punch in a first step punched out the foil portion, transported in a second step, the foil portion on the container and in a third step, the foil portion on the container, b) the punch for punching presses the film by a cutting blade, wherein the cutting blade in the punching plane has a closed contour, and c) the cutting blade is designed such that it generates a perforation along the cutting line before punching. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the film is fixed prior to punching in such a way that the film can be moved only along the working direction of the punch. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the stamp pushes the foil portion when sealing on the container to the edge of the foil portion on the container. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the film for generating the perforation is pressed against a surrounding the cutting blade, movable film lifter. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that a surrounding the stamp and against this movable hold-down cooperates with the film lifter, which moves to produce the perforation of the hold-down with the film and the film lifter in the direction of the stamp on the cutting blade and that not one punched out part of the film after punching by the film lifter against the working direction of the punch is released from the cutting blade. Apparatus for punching out a foil portion from a foil and sealing a foil portion onto a container, comprising a) a working head with at least one stamp, b) a basic body which has at least one working part which is shaped to be complementary to the working head, c) at least one cutting blade arranged in the working part with a contour closed in a punch plane, wherein perforation elements are formed on the cutting blade, which are arranged and aligned counter to the working direction of the punch from the punching plane, d) at least one holding mechanism for fixing and positioning of at least one container, wherein the holding mechanism defines a sealing plane, which is viewed from the punching plane in the working direction of the punch. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the punch has a stamped part, which punched out the foil portions with the cutting blade as a die, and that the punch has a sealing part, wherein a contour of a projection of the sealing part in punch axis direction of a contour of a projection of the stamped part in Stamp axis direction is enveloped or identical. Device according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the perforation elements on the cutting blade as a series of successive, tapered teeth are formed, which are distributed over an entire contour of the cutting blade, wherein a projection of the tooth tips in the working direction of the punch lies on the inner side of the closed contour of the cutting blade. Device according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by a film lifter, which surrounds the cutting blade and is mounted with respect to this movable in the working direction. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the film lifter is resiliently mounted. Apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the film lifter can assume at least a first position and a second position along the working direction of the punch, wherein in the first position, the foil lying on the film lifter is in the punching plane or further in the working direction of the punch and wherein, in the second position, the film lying on the film lifter, viewed from the perforation elements of the cutting blade, is opposite to the working direction of the stamp. Device according to one of claims 6 to 11, characterized by a hold-down, which surrounds the punch and is mounted with respect to this movable in the working direction.

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