EP2602204A1 - Carton for packaging flexible beverage pouches, machine for closing a packaging and method for closing a packaging - Google Patents

Abstract

The carton (1) has stiffening flaps (5) folded into an interior of the carton, so that an inner side of each flap faces a bottom surface (2) of half of the carton. Outer sides of the stiffening flaps are formed on different halves (3a, 3b) in open state when the carton is in closed state. The outer sides rest against each other. The flaps project into the interior of the carton, and are coupled by closing agent i.e. adhesive. The outer sides are provided on different halves when the outer sides are joined by the closing agent in the open state and the carton is in the closed state. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a machine for closing a packing carton (2) a method for closing packing carton.

Description

The invention relates to a carton for packaging bag-type beverage containers, a machine for closing a package and a method for closing a package.

From the prior art, the packaging of individual containers, in particular individual bag-like containers in boxes or other packaging options for example shipping, transport and storage is known. Boxes for packaging are often made of corrugated cardboard or reinforced as removal boxes in some cases by partially double-laid cardboard. The packaging of containers using machines for packaging is known.

From the document EP 2 013 093 B1 is a reinforced cardboard box known. The document G 94 20 577 discloses a package, in particular made of cardboard with a closure made of cardboard. The document DE 197 45 854 C1 discloses a method and apparatus for packaging bags in packaging containers.

However, there is a problem in the prior art that the use of non-corrugated paperboard or corrugated paperboard sometimes can not be done without additional reinforcement by, for example, double layers for reasons of stability. The resulting increased use of material or the increased complexity of a process should preferably be avoided.

Also, a packaging process should be as efficient and fast as possible and tailored to the packaging.

The object of providing an improved carton, an improved machine for closing a package, and an improved method for closing a package is solved by a carton according to claim 1, a machine according to claim 3, and a method according to claim 11.

Further embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

A carton according to the invention is a carton for packaging bag-type beverage containers, which stands in the unfolded state on two sides designated as bottom surfaces. It includes two halves open at the top. The floor areas are bounded on four sides by cardboard sides, which thus represent the lateral boundaries of the halves. These two halves can therefore be filled, for example, with the containers to be packaged. The two halves have a common longitudinal side, which is folded in the unfolded state (approximately) in the middle. The two halves can be folded. The folding preferably takes place about an axis which runs (approximately) through the middle of the common longitudinal side.

The length of the longitudinal side is determined by one side of the bottom surface and is preferably greater than the length of the other side of the bottom surface, which determines the length of the other side of the cardboard, which is referred to as the transverse side and with the long sides and the bottom (approximately) includes a right angle. A long common longitudinal side can make the connection between the two halves stable. However, there are also embodiments in which the longitudinal side is shorter than the transverse side.

At the transverse sides are stiffening tabs, which are each formed as an extension of parts of the transverse side or the entire transverse side. They are in the aligned state over the height of a longitudinal side and / or half the height of the common longitudinal side and / or a part of a longitudinal side of a half out. Here, each stiffening tab comprises an inner side and an outer side, wherein the outer side denotes the side of the stiffening strap, which is directed in the erected state in the outward direction. The inner side, however, is oriented in the erected state, that it is aligned in the direction of one half of the carton.

The stiffening tabs are hinged into the inside of the carton, so that they protrude into the interior of the carton. Thus, the inside then advantageously shows a bottom surface of one of the halves. In this case, the stiffening tab is approximately parallel to a bottom surface of the carton. The term "approximately parallel" in this specification means that the deviation from a parallel course of stiffening tab and bottom surface is not large, that is, the two planes, which are determined by one comprising the bottom surface and one comprising the stiffening tab, an angle with each other of not more than 40 ° or 30 ° or 20 ° or 10 ° in absolute terms.

In addition, the carton preferably has a longitudinal side designated as outer or outer, in which parts of this longitudinal side or the entire longitudinal side are extended. In the case of the longitudinal sides, "lying outside" or "outer" means only that it is a longitudinal side parallel to the common longitudinal side, but not identical to the common longitudinal side. An outer longitudinal side is in the case of unfolded cardboard then outside. The extension (s) is in the erected condition when aligned as an extension of the longitudinal side (significantly) higher than a part of a longitudinal side and / or a longitudinal side of one of the halves and / or the height of the half of the common longitudinal side. The cardboard regions projecting beyond the common longitudinal side or a part or parts of a longitudinal side on one longitudinal side are referred to below as closure side (s).

When the carton is closed, the outer sides of two stiffening tabs come to lie on each other, which are in the open state at two different halves of the carton. When closed, the stiffening tabs protrude into the carton interior and are adapted to be connected by means of a closure means. As a closure means can be used here and in the further, if of closure means, for example, glue, hot glue, adhesive, hot melt adhesive, adhesive tape, fasteners with metal compounds such as staples and staples, but also plastic compounds. When closed, the closure side comes to lie on the other outer longitudinal side. The other longitudinal side is in this case the outer longitudinal side, which does not include the closure side.

In the claimed embodiment, the carton is in the closed state. In this case, in each case the outer sides of two stiffening tabs, which are encompassed by different cardboard halves, are connected to one another by a closure means such as, for example, adhesive, glue, hot glue, hot glue or another previously mentioned closure means.

The carton can be filled (open or closed) with stand-up pouches, with stand-up pouches being provided in each half. The stand-up pouches are preferably in the respective halves and point with the bottom to the common longitudinal side. The stand-up pouches in different halves thus have their bottoms facing each other. The stand-up pouches can be foil pouches. The stand-up pouches can be filled with drinks.

In the claimed embodiment, the closed carton is filled with stand-up pouches.

In a further embodiment, the cardboard material comprises solid board. This is in contrast to corrugated cardboard or corrugated cardboard with the same weight not so stable, but can be used for a carton according to the invention, as it receives additional stability during stacking and transport through the stiffening straps. Full cardboard has no voids, such as those found in corrugated cardboard. It preferably has a material thickness of more than 0.5 mm or 1 mm or 2 mm and less than 5 mm or 2.5 mm. Solid cardboard is easier to handle than corrugated board, it is not so shock sensitive and can be stacked in virtually any stack heights and very compact and space-saving. The advantages of solid board can be exploited in a carton according to the invention. Optionally, the solid board may be used for a cardboard according to the invention in a simple position. But also embodiments in which parts are double in the unfolded box and thereby reinforced, are possible. It should also be noted that in a cardboard material comprising solid board, other parts may be introduced, which cause additional positive material properties. For example, a tear thread made of plastic in the solid board may be present. Also, threads or strips or inserts of solid plastic may be present to increase stability in some embodiments.

A machine for closing a package according to the invention will be described below. It is particularly suitable for closing a carton according to the invention, but may possibly also close other packages. In particular, it is also suitable for carrying out the steps of a method according to the invention. As a result, each step performed by the machine can also represent a step in one embodiment of the method according to the invention.

A machine according to the invention comprises a transport device, such as a feed device, which can convey the packaging through the machine, wherein the packaging is preferably already filled with a product or other containers. The packaging may e.g. be filled with foil bags such as stand-up pouches.

It further comprises one, two or more parts, which are referred to below as Vorfaltvorrichtungen and which are adapted to buckle the front in the running direction stiffening tabs during the transport process towards the inside of the package. The prefolding devices may for example be formed as wedges and then be referred to as Vorfaltkeile in the case, for example. Advantageously, the example be designed as a wedge-shaped Vorfaltvorrichtungen bevelled forward, so that the packaging is less easily damaged when the stiffening tabs.

Furthermore, it comprises one, two or more movable aids, for example in the form of a movable up and down bracket, a rotatably mounted wedge or plate or in similar form, which are capable of overhanging the rearward in the direction of stiffening straps towards the inside of the package. Here, the direction is referred to as the direction in which the transport device performs the packaging during a normal closing operation. If the following is the front and rear stiffening tabs, this may refer to the front and rear stiffening tabs in the running direction. The package is advantageously transported in a direction parallel to its longitudinal sides during a normal closing operation. Advantageously, these aids are movable so that they can stabilize the stiffening tabs lying behind in the direction of travel downwards until they can be stabilized by another part of the machine. For example, in embodiments in which the prefolding device (s) are bevelled at the front, the aids may be rotatable to pass under the tapered region and thereby stabilize the stiffening tabs in the rearward direction until they are held in place by the prefolding device can be.

The machine also includes one, two or more folding aids that can fold the two halves of the package into a position where the bottom surfaces of the package enclose an angle of about 90 ° or between 75 ° and 105 ° or between 45 ° and 135 ° ,

It further comprises one, two or more folding devices, each of which may be formed as the same component as a Vorfaltvorrichtung or as a separate component, and against the packaging can be pressed with the stiffening tabs, so that the stiffening tabs thereafter approximately parallel to the bottom surface the packaging run. By pressing the stiffening tabs can be folded over and / or aligned. The meaning of the term "approximately parallel" here is the same, which has already been explained in connection with a carton according to the invention. For example, if the Vorfaltvorrichungen formed as Vorfaltkeile and the folding devices as the same component as the Vorfaltvorrichtungen, so they can be designed so that the alignment of the stiffening plates is approximately parallel to the bottom surface of the package by side surfaces of Vorfaltkeile.

The machine also includes one or two movable nozzles suitable for sequentially or simultaneously with two stiffening tabs located on different lateral sides a closure agent application, for example in the form of a closure means track to provide. The closure means track may comprise or be formed as a continuous closure means track and / or a track of closure means droplets or dots and / or interrupted closure means regions. Closing means may be applied, for example, in the form of individual, for example, point or area-like applications. Here is preferably a contracted stiffening tab in the direction of the front and a contracted stiffening strap in the direction of the rear. The nozzle (s) is / are advantageously arranged to engage two stiffening tabs which connect to transverse sides of the same half of the package. Preferably, the closure means is applied while the package is in a position in which the two bottom surfaces of the package enclose an angle of about 90 ° or between 75 ° or 105 ° or between 45 ° and 135 °. Namely, in this position, a folding back of the stiffening tabs can be prevented to its original position, that each two tabs, which are opposite to each other on different halves, prevent each other from folding back into the starting position.

Furthermore, the machine has a closing possibility, in which the packaging can then be completely closed and on components for guiding the packaging out of the machine.

In addition, in some embodiments, it may be possible for the movable tool (s), which are capable of buckling rearward stiffening tabs toward the inside of the package, to be additionally lowered into the machine during the start of transport of the package, such that they allow the in the direction of the front stiffening brackets when transporting the packaging under the / the aid (s) can break through and then then be moved so that they can bend over the stiffening straps on the back.

In one embodiment, the nozzle (s) on the stiffening tabs bring a closure means from inside to outside, so that the closure means is as fresh as possible when closing the package. "From inside to outside" in this case means that the relative direction of movement of the nozzles to the stiffening tabs is such that the closure agent application starts at a position on the stiffening tabs closer to the common longitudinal side of the package halves than the position in which the stiffener tabs Closure agent application ends. This may mean, in particular, that two nozzles are movably arranged so that they can apply a closure agent application, which is applied to two stiffening tabs of a half, in each case starting from one of the common longitudinal side of the two half-facing side of a stiffening strap to one of the outer longitudinal side of one of the two halves close-lying side of the stiffening strap extends.

In some embodiments, there is provided an additional nozzle for a closure means which can provide a longitudinal side of the package with a closure agent application, the longitudinal side being provided with closure agent application being an outer longitudinal side and the other outer longitudinal side having a closure side. On this long side with closure agent application comes then when closing the closure side of the other long side to lie. Thus, the packaging can be closed on the long side.

In some embodiments, the machine includes one, two or more folding aids whose surface incline (s) are / are such that the folding aid or combination of folding aids dictate the desired folding angle with the surface inclination, so that the packaging on these folding aids automatically in the Position in which the bottom surfaces of the two halves enclose an angle of about 90 ° or between 75 ° and 105 ° or between 45 ° and 135 °. Optionally, each of these folding aids may also be vertically movable individually or with one or more other folding aids in order to allow upward movement of the packaging. For example, two folding aids can be arranged so that the planes in which the two surfaces lie to one another, the intended folding angle of about 90 ° or between 75 ° and 105 ° or between 45 ° and 135 ° inclusive βen.

In some embodiments, the machine includes two or more plates that are horizontally movable toward and away from each other, and with the aid of which the pressing of the package with the stiffening tabs against the folding devices can be performed. The arrangement of the plates can also be described as a kind of press. These can be considered depending on the embodiment as folding aids or as a separate machine parts. They may be present in various embodiments in combination with or without the above-described folding aids.

In other embodiments, the machine includes two or more plates through which the package can be compressed to close. They may be formed as the same plates as the plates described above or other / additional plates. These plates are arranged horizontally movable similar to the plates described in the previous paragraph. Optionally, a plate may be the area of the base of the bottom surface of the packaging, or a smaller area than the base area of the bottom surface of the package or a larger footprint than the bottom surface of the package.

Some embodiments include that the machine comprises a printing device, by which pressure is generated from above after closing the packaging in order to distribute closure means between the closure side and the closure side and to bring it in good contact with the longitudinal side and the closure side.

In some embodiments, the folding device (s) and the nonsealing nozzle (s) are / are arranged in two successive stations in the transport device, for example a feed device. This makes it possible to simultaneously treat a package with the folding device (s) and another packaging with the nozzle (s) and the closure possibility and can thus serve to speed up the process sequence. In this case, the stations in the machine are arranged so that the station is passed through with the folding devices in front of the station with nozzle (s) and closure possibility.

Furthermore, the invention comprises a method for closing a package, in particular a carton according to the invention by a closing machine, in particular a machine according to the invention for closing a package. An embodiment of the method may include performing the steps using an embodiment of the inventive machine. Further embodiments of the method can be done using parts of an embodiment of a erfindungsgmäßen machine. Conversely, auxiliaries used for the method can also be used in embodiments of a machine according to the invention.

The method according to the invention comprises several steps. It comprises the step of bending over the stiffening straps lying in the direction of travel, preferably by one, two or more parts designated as prefolding devices, and of bending over the rearward stiffening straps, preferably by one, two or three movable aids. Further, the method includes flipping the two halves so that their bottom surfaces enclose an angle of about 90 ° or between 75 ° and 105 ° or between 45 ° or 135 °.

Furthermore, the method comprises pressing the package including the stiffening tabs against one or more folding devices, whereby the stiffening tabs then run approximately parallel to the bottom surfaces of the package. The meaning of the term "approximately parallel" has already been explained in connection with the carton. Furthermore, the method comprises the application of a closure means, for example in the form of a closure means track, on the outer side of two stiffening tabs. The closure means track may comprise or be formed as a continuous closure means track and / or a track of closure means droplets or dots and / or interrupted closure means regions. Closing means may be applied, for example, in the form of individual, for example, point or area-like applications. Here is preferably a contracted stiffening tab in the direction of the front and a contracted stiffening strap in the direction of the rear. This sealant application (s) can / can be done by nozzle (s) or other dosing agents for applying the closure means. The nozzle (s) may advantageously be arranged to apply, on at least two stiffening tabs, closure means which connect to transverse sides of the same half of the package.

Furthermore, the method comprises closing the packaging, whereby in each case the outer side of a stiffening tab entrusted with closure means and a stiffening tab encompassed by the other packaging half meet one another and are fastened to one another by the closure means.

In a preferred embodiment, the method of kinking the front stiffening tabs and pressing against one or more folding devices is performed by means of one or more identical components. This may include that the folding device and the prefolding device are designed as one component or one folding device each and one prefolding device as one component.

In other embodiments, squeezing the package, including the stiffener tabs, includes pushing the stiffener tabs all the way inward. As described above, they then run approximately parallel to the bottom surface of the package. An advantage of this embodiment may be that stiffener tabs that have been pushed all the way inward thereafter will not readily fold back to the home position and therefore remain more stable in position approximately parallel to the bottom surfaces. The meaning of "about parallel" has already been explained with reference to the carton.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the method may also include one or more further steps. This includes, for example, the step of transporting the packaging into the machine. Also, the step of pre-breaking the front stiffening tabs in the running direction may be included in the method. This is an extra step in which the stiffening tabs be broken before the repainting. The step of transport to a station can also be included in the method. This step may involve the buckling of the stiffening tabs. The folding of the two halves, so that their bottom surfaces enclose an angle of about 90 ° or between 75 ° and 105 ° or between 45 ° or 135 °, can then be carried out in the station. A transport step to another station may also be included in the method. In this station, for example, the packaging can be closed. The step of transport out of the machine may also be included in the method.

Figur 1

Einen Ausführungsform eines Kartons im aufgeklappten Zustand;

Figur 2

Eine Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Kartons im geschlossenen Zustand;

Figur 3

Einige Schritte einer Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens unter Verwendung einer Maschine, in diesem Beispiel einer Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Maschine und einer Verpackung, in diesem Beispiel einer Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Kartons;

Figur 4

Weitere Schritte einer Ausführungsform des Verfahrens unter Verwendung einer Maschine, in diesem Beispiel einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung und einer Verpackung, in diesem Beispiel einer Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäβen Kartons;

Figur 5

Weitere Schritte einer Ausführungsform des Verfahrens unter Verwendung einer Maschine, in diesem Beispiel einer Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Maschine und einer Verpackung, in diesem Beispiel einer Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Kartons;

Figur 6

Übersicht über den Ablauf der Verfahrensschritte unter Verwendung einer Maschine, in diesem Beispiel einer Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Maschine und einer Verpackung, in diesem Beispiel einer Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Kartons;

Figur 7

Teile einer Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Maschine zum Verpacken und Schließen einer Verpackung.

Further embodiments will be explained with reference to the figures. Hereby shows:

FIG. 1

An embodiment of a carton in the unfolded state;

FIG. 2

An embodiment of a carton according to the invention in the closed state;

FIG. 3

A few steps of an embodiment of a method according to the invention using a machine, in this example an embodiment of a machine according to the invention and a packaging, in this example an embodiment of a carton according to the invention;

FIG. 4

Further steps of an embodiment of the method using a machine, in this example an embodiment of the invention and a package, in this example an embodiment of a carton according to the invention;

FIG. 5

Further steps of an embodiment of the method using a machine, in this example an embodiment of a machine according to the invention and a packaging, in this example an embodiment of a carton according to the invention;

FIG. 6

Overview of the sequence of process steps using a machine, in this example an embodiment of a machine according to the invention and a packaging, in this example an embodiment of a carton according to the invention;

FIG. 7

Parts of an embodiment of a machine for packaging and closing a package according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a carton 1 in the unfolded state. The carton, in the unfolded state, comprises two halves 3a and 3b which stand on the bottom surfaces 2. The two halves 3a and 3b are connected by a common longitudinal side 4, which in the unfolded Condition in the middle is kinked. Furthermore, this embodiment of a carton comprises two longitudinal sides 7. On a longitudinal side 7 of the carton in this embodiment, a closure side 6 as an extension of the longitudinal side 7 is present. Other embodiments may also be formed without closure side 6 (not shown here). Furthermore, the carton comprises four transverse sides 8, in the extensions of which in this example the stiffening tabs 5 are attached. However, in other embodiments, both the closure side 6 and the stiffening tabs 5 of this embodiment may also be present only on parts of the longitudinal side 7 and the transverse sides 8 (not shown). Embodiments in which closure sides 6 are arranged on parts of both longitudinal sides 7 are also possible within the scope of the claimed invention (not shown). The stiffening tabs comprise two sides, one of which faces away from the carton in the upwardly oriented state and is referred to as the outside and the other faces towards the carton half and is therefore referred to as inside. The stiffening tabs can be folded in the direction of the cardboard interior.

The attachment of the longitudinal sides 7 on the transverse sides 8 can be done for example by tabs 9. In the case shown here, the tabs 9 are secured on the transverse sides 8 by a closure means and represent kinked extensions of the longitudinal sides 7. But also an attachment of tabs, which represent an extension of the transverse sides 8 and are connected to the longitudinal sides 7 are in other embodiments possible. A mixture of the embodiments is possible. The connection of the longitudinal and transverse sides 7 and 8 by tabs can give the carton additional stability. Also possible are embodiments in which the carton is folded from other basic shapes in which, for example, on parts of pages or entire sides of the carton comes to rest twice (not shown).

As in FIG. 1 can be filled in a carton 1 according to the invention both halves 3a, 3b with containers. The two halves 3a, 3b in this case comprise approximately the same fillable volume, which may be determined for example by a product of the bottom surface 2 with the height of half the common longitudinal side 4. The height of the common longitudinal side 4 can be given in this example, for example, by the shortest connection from the bottom side to the bend edge in the middle of the common longitudinal side 4.

A cardboard 1 according to the invention can be made of all materials which have sufficient stability. Since additional stability of the closed carton during stacking or transport is given by the stiffening tabs, the carton material can also include solid cardboard next to or instead of corrugated cardboard and corrugated cardboard. Also, these materials can include additional elements such as tear threads or reinforcements made of plastic. In some embodiments, each paperboard side comprises one ply of solid paperboard. In other embodiments, one or more sides or sides are reinforced by another layer of the same or different material. In some embodiments, the bottom sides may be reinforced by an insert of reinforcing material, which may comprise the same material as the paperboard material or other material.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a carton 1 according to the invention in the closed position.

It shows FIG. 2a Here, it can be seen that the stiffening tabs 5 in this example protrude into the interior of the carton in the closed state and meet two stiffening tabs on each of their outsides. The stiffening tabs 5 are aligned at an approximately right angle to the transverse sides 8. They give the closed carton the necessary stability for transport and stackability. The transverse sides 8 are shown in this picture above, the bottom surface 2 is now located on the side. Here it can be seen, due to the symmetry, why the fillable volume of the carton 1 is twice as large as the fillable volume of a half 3a, 3b.

FIG. 2b shows a closed box with a vertical plan view of the longitudinal sides 7 with the present in some embodiments closure side 6. In the example shown here, the closure side 6 is slightly shorter than the longitudinal side 7, so that it does not completely cover the underlying longitudinal side 7 in the closed state , In other embodiments, the closure side 6 can also hide completely the longitudinal side 7 lying below it (not shown). The closure side 6 lies with its inside on the outside of the longitudinal side 7, of which it is no extension in the unfolded state.

FIG. 3 shows some steps of an embodiment of the method, in this example using an embodiment of a machine according to the invention and a carton according to the invention.

FIG. 3a In the example shown here, this folding takes place by means of two pre-folding devices 10 configured as pre-folding wedges 10. In this case, the pre-folding wedges can be bevelled at the front, so that the stiffening tabs 5 are gradually bent. This can prevent damage to the stiffening tabs 5 during the kinking.

FIG. 3b shows a step during the further transport after the buckling of the front stiffening tabs 5 in the same machine as FIG. 3a , While the two prefolding wedges 10 in this example keep the stiffening tabs 5 in the running direction down at the locations where the prefolding devices 10, which in this example are in the form of pre-folding wedges 10, rest on the stiffening tabs, the packaging, which in this example is referred to as a Embodiment of a carton 1 according to the invention is shown, further transported. This transport takes place for example by a feed device. As in FIG. 3b recognizable, the closure side 6 is not folded over by the two prefolding 10 in this example.

Figure 3c shows a possible arrangement of an aid 14 of a machine according to the invention, which is adapted to fold over the rearward in the direction of stiffening straps 5 toward the inside of the package. In Figure 3c a further embodiment of a carton 1 according to the invention is shown, which has the closure side 6 on the other outer longitudinal side than the cartons of FIGS. 3a and 3b , The step of bending over the rearward stiffening straps, which in Figure 3c However, can still be performed in embodiments of the carton according to the invention, which have no closure side 6 or selbige on the other long side 7 as plaited stiffening tabs. By pivoting the movable aid 14, which may be in the form of a rotatably mounted, driven plate or bracket as in this example, the rearward stiffening tabs are folded over into the interior of the package. The plate can advantageously be arranged so that it can be rotated under the chamfer of Vorfaltvorrichtung 10, so that the rear lying in the direction of stiffening plates 5 are first bent and stabilized by means of aid 14 and then held by the prefolding 10 down.

The aid 14 can be movable in several directions. For example, there is also an embodiment in which the aid 14 is formed as an obliquely arranged plate or wedge, which on the one hand can be rotatable and on the other hand, the inclination of the plate / wedge is such that in some embodiments, this aid during transport of the package can be placed in the machine in a position where it can break the front stiffener tabs and the tool 14 can be moved on rotation by rotation or the like so that it can fold over the rear stiffener tabs.

After the stiffening tabs 5 lying behind in the direction of travel are turned over by means of aids 14, they can also reach under the prefolding devices 10, since they are located at the same height as the stiffening tabs 5 located at the front in the running direction and folded over by the prefolding devices 10. This allows the carton to be transported further in the machine even under the prefolding devices. For example, in the case that the prefolding devices 10 are also formed as folding devices, so that a position can be achieved that in FIG. 4 shown position and in which the in FIG. 4 shown steps can be performed. Once the folded in the transport direction rear stiffening tabs 5 are transported under the prefolding devices 10, they can also be stabilized by this in the folded position.

FIG. 4 shows some steps of an embodiment of the method using a machine, here by way of example a machine according to the invention and a package, represented in this example by a carton according to the invention. The folding devices, which are formed in the example as Vorfaltkeil 10, are advantageously during the in Figures 4a, 4b and 4c Sections always in at least one area with the stiffening tabs 5 in contact so that they stabilize them approximately parallel to the bottom surface 2 of the package.

This shows FIG. 4a the carton where the two halves are already folded to enclose an angle of approximately 90 ° or between 75 ° and 105 ° or between 45 ° and 135 °. Two folding aids 11 are visible, which stabilize the cardboard in its position. On the upper side of the carton there are two folding devices designed as pre-folding wedges 10 in this example. In this case, the stiffening tabs 5 are preferably stabilized by the lower tips of the folding device designed as a prefolding wedge 10.

In FIG. 4b two horizontally movable plates 12 are visible, which are in Figure 4c Press the two cardboard halves against each one flat side of the pre-folding wedges 10. The stiffening tabs are aligned approximately parallel to the bottom surfaces 2. Preferably, they are pressed along the entire length against the side of the prefolding wedge. In this case, the range may change in which the folding device is in contact with the packaging.

In FIG. 4d you can see the packaging in the closed position. For this purpose, the packaging, in this case a cardboard according to the invention, after the step of Figure 4c either to a next station, which may for example be referred to as a closing station, have been transported further, so that in this example as pre-folding wedges 10 trained Folding device (s) does not prevent the packaging from closing. Alternatively, the folding device (s) may have been removed. For this purpose, the folding devices can be arranged, for example, movable vertically or horizontally. The step of further transporting to a next station or removing the folding device (s) may be part of some embodiments of a method and performed by a correspondingly formed part of a machine according to the invention.

To close the box this is compressed in this example by two horizontally movable plates 18. The stiffening tabs 5 come to lie inside the package (see, for example FIG. 2 ). Also shown is the optionally present in a machine according to the invention printing device 13, which may be vertically movable and which can produce pressure from above after closing the carton by the plate 13 to distribute closure means by pressure and with the longitudinal side 7 and closure side 6 in to bring good contact.

After the in FIG. 4d shown step of the method, the cardboard can be transported out of the machine according to the invention (not shown).

FIG. 5 shows the step of applying a closure means on the outside of two stiffening tabs on a cardboard half 3b. In other embodiments, the closure means may also be applied to other stiffening tabs (not shown). In some embodiments, the carton half 3b may include a closure side 7, in other embodiments a closure side 7 may be present on the carton half 3a or not at all. The embodiment in which carton half 3b comprises a closure side and which is shown here may be advantageous in some situations. A application of the closure means on two stiffening tabs 5, which are located on the same cardboard half 3b as the closure side 7, for example, may be advantageous, since a simultaneous application of closure means on the outer longitudinal side of cardboard half 3a can be simplified by a glue trace (not shown) , The glue trace can be a continuous one and / or comprise a trace of glue droplets and / or interrupted glue areas or individual glue areas or be formed as such. The second cardboard half 3a is not shown, the cardboard is drawn to the common longitudinal side 4, which is located broken off at the kink.

The stiffening tabs 4 are already in an approximately parallel to the bottom surface position in this step. In this example, the step of applying a closure means performed by two nozzles 16, which may be present in embodiments of a machine according to the invention. The nozzles 16 are preferably arranged to be movable. They are preferably suitable, starting from the closer to the common longitudinal side 4 side closure means applied to the two stiffening tabs 5 of the cardboard half 3b. In the in FIG. 5b As shown, the closure means is applied in the form of a closure means track 17. The closure means track may comprise or be formed as a continuous closure means track and / or a track of closure means droplets or dots and / or interrupted closure means regions. Closing means may be applied, for example, in the form of individual, for example, point or area-like applications.

If the carton is now closed, such as in FIG. 4d are shown, each come two stiffening tabs 5 with their outer sides to each other, stick together and protrude into the inside of the box, as in FIG. 2a visible, noticeable. They thus stabilize the package in the closed state, which is shown by way of example in the figures as a carton 1 according to the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic sequence of some method steps of an embodiment of a method according to the invention with reference to other figures, which illustrate the steps. Additionally are in FIG. 6 called some machine parts corresponding to the method steps in an exemplary embodiment. However, other embodiments with further steps and / or using other machine parts or only some of the machine parts shown so far in the figures are also part of the invention.

The first step of an embodiment comprises the buckling of the front stiffening tabs 5, which in the FIGS. 3a and 3b is recognizable. It takes place, for example, using the pre-folding wedges 10. A further step involves the folding over of the rear reinforcing straps, which in the example shown here can be effected by using the auxiliary means 14 which is shown in FIG Figure 3c is recognizable. In a further step, the two halves 3a and 3b are folded so that their bottom surfaces 2 enclose an angle of about 90 ° or between 75 ° and 105 ° or between 45 ° and 135 °. In FIG. 4a you can already see the box in the desired position. Also visible are the folding aid (s) 11. In this example, two folding aids 11 are shown, the surface inclination example include an angle of about 90 °. Later, the package is pressed against one or more folding devices, as in Figure 4c , The pressing is in this example by plates 12, which presses the package against flat sides of the pre-folding wedges 10. In other embodiments the pressing also done by the folding aids 11 alone, so that in some embodiments, the plates 12 are not needed. In a further step, a closure means is applied, as exemplified in FIG FIG. 5a shown. The embodiment of in FIG. 5a The machine shown comprises two nozzles 16. In a further step, the packaging is closed. The closed packaging is in FIG. 4d visible, and the parts used to close the machine off FIG. 4d are the plates 18 and the printing device 13.

FIG. 7 shows parts of an embodiment of a machine according to the invention for closing a package. In this representation, one can also recognize a possible sequence of the steps of an embodiment of a method according to the invention. Here, the package 1 is conveyed forward in the machine for closing a package. As a result, the stiffening tabs 5 are pre-broken by the aid 14 during the forward transport. During further transport, the pre-broken stiffening tabs 5 come under the prefolding devices designed as pre-folding wedges in this example. While the front stiffening tabs 5 are already bent downwards by the prefolding devices, the aid 14, which is rotatably mounted in this example, can now be brought into a position from which it folds over the stiffening tabs 5 located behind in the direction of rotation when rotating in the direction of the prefolding devices. While the tool 14 is moved in the direction of the Vorfaltvorrichtungen 10, so that the rear stiffening tabs 5 are folded over. The aid 14 may be mounted so that it can pass under the beveled parts of the prefolding devices 10 during the turning operation, so that it can stabilize the rear stiffening tabs 5 in the folded-over position until they have come to lie under the prefolding devices 10. The forward transport can be done here for example by a pusher.

Once the package is under the prefolding devices, the vertically movable folding devices 11, which in this case move, for example, from bottom to top, place the package in a position in which its bottom surfaces make an angle of about 90 ° or between 75 and 105 ° or between 45 ° and 135 °. The folding devices 11 can be arranged, for example, so that they extend to the right and left of the conveyor belt.

Subsequently, the package with movable plates 12 can be pressed against the folding device, which is formed in this case as the same component as the prefolding device 10. Here, preferably, the stiffening tabs 5 are folded over the entire length to the inside.

Subsequently, the packaging can be transported on. Subsequently, in this example with the aid of the nozzles 16 closure means can be applied to two outer sides of stiffening tabs. The closure agent application preferably takes place from the inside to the outside.

Subsequently, the packaging can be closed by the two horizontal plates 18. As described, the outer sides of each two stiffening tabs come to lie on one another, which lie on different cardboard halves or belong to different cardboard halves.

Subsequently, the packaging can be transported out of the machine.

Claims (14)

A carton (1) for packaging bag-type beverage containers which, in the unfolded state, stands on two sides designated as bottom surfaces (2) and comprises two top-open halves (3a, 3b), each bottom surface (2) being connected to four Sides is limited by cardboard sides, and wherein the halves (3a, 3b) have a common longitudinal side (4) which is folded in the unfolded state in the middle,
wherein on the transverse sides (8) stiffening tabs (5) are provided, each representing an extension of parts of the transverse side (8) or the entire transverse side (8), and which, when aligned in extension of the transverse sides (8), over the Height of a longitudinal side (7) and / or half the height of the common longitudinal side (4) and / or a part of a longitudinal side (7) of a half (3a, 3b) survive,
each stiffening flap (5) comprising an inside and an outside, and wherein the stiffening tabs (5) are foldable into the carton interior so that the inside of the stiffening tabs (5) faces the bottom surface (2) of one of the halves (3a, 3b), and
wherein, in the closed state, each of the outer sides of two stiffening straps (5) lying on different halves (3a, 3b) in the unfolded state lies on top of one another, the stiffening straps (15) protrude into the interior of the carton and are suitable for being connected by means of a closure means,
the carton is in the closed state and in each case the outer sides of the stiffening tabs, which are in the unfolded state on different halves (3a, 3b), connected by a closure means such as glue, glue, hot glue or hot melt adhesive and wherein the cardboard with Bottom bags filled. The carton of claim 1, wherein the paperboard material comprises or is solid paperboard. Machine for closing a packaging, in particular a carton according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that it comprises: a transport device, eg a feed device, which is suitable for transporting the packaging through the machine; - One, two or more parts, which are referred to below as Vorfaltvorrichtungen (10) and are adapted to fold the front in the direction of stiffening straps (5) during the transport process towards the inside of the package; - One, two or more movable aids, for example in the form of a movable up and down plate (14), which are adapted to fold over the rearward in the direction of stiffening straps (5) towards the inside of the package; - One, two or more folding aids (11), which can fold the two halves (3a, 3b) of the package in a position in which the bottom surfaces (2) of the package at an angle of about 90 ° or between 75 ° and 105 ° or between 45 ° and 135 °; - One, two or more folding devices, each of which may be formed as the same component as each Vorfaltvorrichtungen (10), and against the packaging with the stiffening tabs (5) can be pressed so that the stiffening tabs (5) thereafter in about parallel to the bottom surface (2) of the package; - One or two movable nozzles (16) which are adapted to provide two on different transverse sides (8) stiffening tabs (5) successively or simultaneously with a closure means application, such as in the form of a closure means track (17); - A closure in which the packaging can then be completely closed; - Components for guiding the packaging out of the machine. Machine according to claim 3, wherein the nozzle (s) (16) on the stiffening tabs (5) can apply a closure means from the inside to the outside so that the closure means is as fresh as possible when closing the package. Machine according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein an additional nozzle for a closure means is provided, which can provide a longitudinal side of the package with a closure means application, wherein the longitudinal side (7) which is provided with closure means is the other outer longitudinal side than the outer Long side with closure side (6), and in which case the closure side (6) when closing on the longitudinal side (7) can come to lie with closure agent order and thus the packaging on the longitudinal side (7) can be closed. Machine according to one of claims 3 to 5, with one, two or more folding aids (11), the surface inclination (s) is (are) formed so that the folding aid (11) or the combination of folding aids (11) with the desired folding angle specify the surface inclination so that the package on this folding aid (s) is automatically in the position in which the bottom surfaces (2) of the two halves (3a, 3b) of the package are at an angle of about 90 ° or between 75 ° and 105 ° or between 45 ° and 135 °, wherein each folding aid (11) can optionally also be moved individually or with one or more other folding aids together vertically. A machine according to any one of claims 3 to 6, comprising two or more plates (12) movable horizontally towards and away from each other, by means of which the pressing of the package with the stiffening tabs (5) against the folding devices (10) can be carried out. A machine according to any one of claims 3 to 7, comprising two or more plates (18) through which the package can be compressed for closure, which may also be formed as the same plates as the plates (12) of claim 8 and similar Plates (12) according to claim 8 are horizontally movable, wherein optionally a plate (18) the area of the base surface of the bottom surface (2) of the package, a smaller area than the base of the bottom surface (2) or a larger base than the bottom surface (2 ) of the packaging. A machine according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein a pressure device (13) is provided whereby pressure is applied from above after closing to pressure-distribute closure means between closure side (6) and the other longitudinal side (7) with closure agent application with the closure side (6) and the longitudinal side (7) in good contact. Machine according to one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the folding device (s) (10) and the nozzle (s) (16) are arranged with closure possibility in two successive stations in the transport device, for example a feed device, so that at the same time a packaging with the folding device (s) and a package can be treated with the nozzle (s) (16) and the closure option. Method for closing a packaging, in particular a cardboard box according to one of Claims 1 to 2, by a closing machine, in particular a machine according to one of Claims 3 to 10, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - Kinking the front in the direction of stiffening straps and bending over the rear in the direction of stiffening straps; - flipping the two halves so that their bottom surfaces are at an angle of about 90 ° or between 75 ° and 105 ° or between 45 ° and 135 °; Pressing the package, including the stiffening tabs against one or more folding devices, whereby then the stiffening tabs are approximately parallel to the bottom surfaces (2) of the packaging; - Applying a closure means such as hot glue, hot glue, adhesive or glue such as in the form of a closure means track, on the outside of two or more stiffening tabs (5); Closing the packaging, whereby the respective outer sides of the stiffening tabs (5) assigned to the closure means and a stiffening tab (5) enclosed by the other half of the packaging are fastened to one another by the closure means. A method according to claim 11, wherein the two steps of folding over the front stiffening tabs (5) and pressing against one or more folding devices (10) are performed by means of one or more identical components. A method according to claim 12, wherein the stiffening tabs are pressed inwardly during the pressing against the folding device (s) to the full length, so that they run approximately parallel to the bottom surface (2) of the package. The method of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the method additionally comprises one, two, three or more of the following steps: - transport of the filled packaging into the machine; - Pre-breaking the front in the direction of stiffening straps; - Transport in an intermediate station, in which the stiffening tabs are folded over and wherein the halves are unfolded in the intermediate station; - Transport to a closing station, where the packaging is closed; - Stabilizing the closure means by pressure from above; - Transport from the machine.

Images