EP3360806B1 - Film tube packaging machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a tubular film packaging machine, comprising two conveying devices with two associated each portal-like form shoulders, which are each intended to deflect a the form shoulders each supplied film web in the conveying direction of the respective conveyor that shaped in the conveying direction behind each form shoulder each a tunnel-like film tube as a package is. In this case, the two conveying devices are provided for moving groups of consumable products, in particular tissue products, which are to be packed thereon at a predetermined feed rate through the respective forming shoulder into the respective tunnel-like film tube. The film tube moves at the same feed rate as the consumer products, the two conveyors are arranged along a common plane parallel to each other. The two are designed such that the respective lateral edge regions of the two film webs, from which the two tunnel-like film tubes are formed, extend in a processing region lying between them.

The prior art is document US 5,255,495 known. In addition, it is well known that consumer products are relatively low value everyday products. Consumables must be packaged appropriately before being sold. Typical representatives of consumer products are tissue products, in particular rolls such as paper rolls or toilet paper rolls which are packaged as roll groups in foil packs, for example in pack sizes of 1 x 3, 1 x 4, 2 x 3, 2 x 4, 2 x 5, 3 x 3, 3 x 4, 3 x 5 or more rolls. A typical roll diameter is for example about 10 - 15cm, with a typical length of about 10cm or 25cm.

Tissue products, however, also include other hygiene articles and, for example, folded and / or stacked products such as handkerchiefs or napkins, which are to be packaged in groups in an analogous manner before they reach the retail outlet. Tissue products are consumer products with relatively low manufacturing costs compared to consumer goods, so that the effort that has to be done for their packaging is to be minimized.

In order to allow the end user a particularly simple handling of tissue products so packaged, usually a carrying handle is provided as part of the foil pack, by means of which the foil pack with the rolls packed therein can be carried particularly easily. It should be noted that such a carrying handle with a corresponding carrying hole for safe handling of the foil pack must be designed to be stable in order to avoid tearing. A double thickness of the film material is often not sufficient.

In addition to tissue products are under a consumer product but also a variety of other consumer goods to understand, for example, in small boxes prepackaged foods or filled drinking containers such as Tetrapaks. Non-prepacked bulk goods, such as loose sugar, milk powder and the like, however, is not meant as a consumable.

According to the prior art, the corresponding groups of consumable or tissue products are pushed during the packaging process into a prefabricated foil pack, which is subsequently welded. In this case, a supernatant of zusammenzuschweißenden film areas is required, the supernatant is then cut off after welding and discarded as waste.

Aside from the material throw of the supernatant, this proves to be disadvantageous in that a package in prefabricated foil packs proves to be difficult and expensive depending on the film quality and, moreover, operating personnel are required to refill the stack of pouches.

Based on this prior art, it is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus and a method by means of which a simplified packaging of consumer products, in particular tissue products, is made possible in film and in which no Verwurf to packaging film.

This object is achieved by a tubular film packaging machine of the type mentioned above. This is characterized in that the lateral edge regions of the film webs formed into tunnel-like film tubes are arranged in at least two film layers in the processing region located between the two tunnel-like film tubes, such that an overlapping of the edge regions of the one Film web is avoided with the edge regions of the other film web in the at least two film layers formed in the processing area, and that the film layers of both film tubes in the processing area by a welding device are welded together.

The basic idea of the invention is to use the film supernatant as the starting point for a carrying handle. In order to ensure the required increased stability of the carrying handle, it is inventively provided to form two parallel film tubes from a film web, wherein the lateral edge portions open into a common processing area, which then forms the starting point for a respective carrying handle.

Depending on the arrangement of the edge regions of the two film webs opening into the processing region, a different number of film layers can be achieved without overlapping film layers of different film webs in the respective film layers. On the one hand so many layers of film should be present that a sufficiently high stability of the resulting handle is guaranteed. On the other hand, however, unnecessary material consumption due to too many film layers is to be avoided.

Exactly two edge regions of each film web lead into the processing region, if ever a film web is used to form a film tube. At least two film layers are formed by the one film web, so that the film layers are formed at least by the superposition of the two edge regions with other regions of a film web. According to the invention, one edge region of one film web must not overlap the edge region of another film web. However, an overlap of one edge region of the film web with another region of the same film web or with the other edge region of the same film web is within the scope of the invention.

The basic minimum number of layers is two, in which case in the case of two film webs each two edge regions of the respective film webs in the same film layers open, this preferably abutting, and wherein the abutting edges of the two layers are then located transversely to the conveying direction exactly above each other, so as to overlap avoid. However, a number of two film layers will in most cases not provide sufficient stability for a carrying handle, unless the thickness of the film webs as a whole is correspondingly high. However, this would ultimately mean a high use of material in the film package, which would then be more stable than usually needed. However, reference should be made at this point to the basic variant, in which the two forming shoulders are configured in such a way that the respective lateral edge regions of the film webs from which the two tunnel-like film tubes are formed lie in a processing region lying between them and that same exactly two foil layers.

In addition, it is provided that the film layers are welded together in the processing area by a welding device. A welding device thus welds the film layers of the two film packages in the processing area, preferably simultaneously.

One possibility according to the invention for achieving improved stability in the region of the carrying handle consists in that, by means of a feed device, at least in sections a reinforcing film as a further film layer into the processing area can be fed. Regardless of the at least one film web, it is provided in this variant, for example, to supply an additional film layer from above or from below into the processing area and, accordingly, to weld together the at least two film layers of the at least one film web. This ensures that the number of foil layers is at least three, at least in the area of the carrying handle. In this case, the reinforcing film, for example, as a film strip, which has approximately the width of the processing area, be placed on the finished shaped edge portions of the film tubes in the processing area. However, this is done before welding. The reinforcing film can be placed as a film section or piece of film but also only partially, in particular in the field of carrying handles, by the supply device. As a result, the material consumption of the reinforcing films is reduced.

An advantageous embodiment of the film tube packaging machine provides that the two forming shoulders are configured such that the edge regions of the film webs are folded in the processing area, and that at least two film layers are formed by the at least two folded edge regions.

The inventive idea in the folding of at least two edge regions is that two opposite edge regions form not only one, but two film layers. Overall, at least three film layers are thus provided in the processing area in this variant. If, in the case of two film webs, the four edge regions are folded, a total of four film layers can be formed accordingly.

A further variant of the arrangement of the edge regions when using a film web is that each of the edge regions of the film web forms a complete position in the processing region, with which a total of three or four film layers are present. Depending on the film thickness, however, this could already mean a stability for a carrying handle, which is higher than needed. By additional folding of the edge areas in the processing area, therefore, more than four layers of film can be realized.

With the use of two film webs and with an arrangement of two edge regions of the film webs as the respective complete film layer and of two further edge regions in a common film layer, it is also possible to achieve a total of three film layers in the common processing region. In the case of the arrangement of two edge regions of the film webs in the same film layer, a butting gap tends to be minimized. An overlap of the edge regions of different film webs is to be avoided according to the invention. Accordingly, the abutting edges and the impact gaps of the film webs of different layers are exactly on top of each other. A homogeneous thickness of the processing area is achieved when each layer has the same width in the processing area.

The core element of the film tubular packaging machine according to the invention are the two forming shoulders, which are preferably laterally continuously fed in each case a film web which is deflected in the conveying direction, that from each form shoulder a tunnel-like film tube is formed, wherein the respective edge regions of the at least one film web in one between the film tubes lying common processing area. The vertical height of the processing area is in this case preferably at half the height of the packaging, so that the carrying handle is centered and the packaging with the consumable or tissue products therein can then be carried on the carrying handle without imbalance.

A form shoulder is in the broadest sense comparable to a portal whose inner cross section corresponds approximately to the cross section of the film package to be produced. During the packaging process, the film is deflected from the outside around the forming shoulder in such a way that the respective film tube is formed on its inner cross section, which is ideally moved continuously in the conveying direction of the conveying device.

A continuous movement of the respective film tubes can be achieved by pushing the groups or formations of consumable or tissue products to be packaged through the portal-like opening of the forming shoulder, for example by means of a slider or driver, the conveying device behind the forming shoulder above and below the film tube located synchronously running conveyor belts, between which then pushed through the respective forming shoulder and now located in the respective film tube consumable or tissue products are clamped so that they are promoted together and synchronously with the film tube.

A conveyor device can consist of a plurality of sub-conveying devices connected in series, for example conveyor belts, wherein typically additional carriers can also be provided, for example to form groups of consumable or tissue products.

Such drivers can usually drive only to the front edge of the forming shoulders. In order to produce a necessary gap between groups of consumer products or tissue products, a retractable plate with a slide is optionally provided in front of the forming shoulders. The retractable plate with a downstream pusher ensures, before the next group or formation is inserted, that between the two formations of the necessary distance is created in order to perform the transverse welding can. This also ensures that, for example, the last roll-shaped consumable or tissue product of a group or formation located in the forming shoulder does not fall out backwards or is wrapped too loosely by the film tube.

The continuous feeding of a film web of, for example, a large supply roll also proves to be much less expensive than the provision of respective stacks with prefabricated packaging bags.

In this way, a packaging of consumable or tissue products is possible, which is associated with very little effort and has no material Verwurf to foil.

According to one embodiment of the invention of the tubular film packaging machine, the two conveying devices have a plurality of partial conveying devices connected in series in the region of the respective portal-like forming shoulder, wherein in the conveying direction behind the respective form shoulder two respectively synchronously running belt-like part conveying devices are provided below and above the respective tunnel-like film tube. In this way, a continuous movement of the respective film tubes is achieved, wherein the respective group of consumable or tissue products to be packaged is clamped between the partial conveying devices and taken along by these together with the film tube. The synchronously running part conveying devices can be designed, for example, as belts, which by their arrangement at the top and bottom are also to be understood as compression belts.

According to a further variant of the film tube packaging machine, the partial conveying devices respectively located in the conveying direction in front of the forming shoulder comprise a band, in particular a respective conveyor belt with respective drive slides, a chain conveyor device with respective drive slides or another conveying device for consumer products. This is designed such that located on the conveyor consumable or tissue products are pushed with the drive slide through the forming shoulder and there passed the respective synchronously running band-like part conveyors for further transport. A conveyor device may have one or even a plurality of tracks for rows of, for example, roll-shaped or else stacked consumable or tissue products.

A drive slide can be provided for pushing groups or formations of consumable or tissue products to be packaged with a distance between the groups in the direction of subsequent transverse welding means. In the case of roll material, this distance may be, for example, about a roll diameter. Such a generated distance is a prerequisite for a subsequent transverse welding of the respective foil package.

According to a further embodiment variant of the film tube packaging machine according to the invention, this has in the conveying direction behind the forming shoulders for the mechanical support of the processing area a synchronous to the band-like part conveying devices movable tape-like support device At approximately half the vertical height of the respective formation of consumable or tissue products to be packaged, for example one or more contiguous bands, which are preferably made of Teflon or coated therewith at least in the region of a longitudinal welding device. This ensures that the processing area and thus also the carrying handle of the packaging, which preferably has a punched-in carrying slot in the finished packaging, is approximately in the middle, so that the packaging with the roll goods located therein can be easily carried vertically. A punching device for a carrying slot is typically provided in the processing area or in a subsequent segment or machine part of the film tube packaging machine according to the invention.

According to a further variant of the invention, the film tube packaging machine has means for needling together the film layers in the processing area. This is done for example by means of a needle roller with counter-roller, wherein the needle roller can also be configured as a heatable needle roller. In this way, the processing area can be connected dimensionally stable even before its welding, whereby the further processing is simplified in an advantageous manner.

According to a further variant of the film tube packaging machine, this means comprises a longitudinal welding device in order to weld the film layers together in the processing area, as well as a longitudinal cutting device for cutting the welded processing area. A welding is done for example by means of one or more hot air nozzles or by means of welding jaws, but it is also quite a variety of other alternatives conceivable. The separation or sealing of the film ends located in the processing area, for example, by means of a so-called "Slit Sealer". Thus, it is possible to laterally close the tubular bag with the group of consumption or tissue products contained therein and to carry out a separation of tubular bags connected in parallel through the processing area.

According to a further embodiment variant of the film tube packaging machine according to the invention, this means has a transverse weld the parallel tunnel-like film tubes extending along a common plane and thus closing them and wherein the film tube packaging machine also has a cross-cutting device.

The means for transverse welding and the cross-cutting device are adjustable in a further embodiment variant along the conveying direction, so that the distance between the front edge of the forming shoulders and transverse welding, through which the length of the package is determined, is adaptable. Likewise, it is possible according to the invention to make the partial conveying devices or the conveyor belts, between which the groups of consumer or tissue products to be packaged are temporarily clamped, foldable in two or more limbs upwards or downwards. Thus, by folding a member or segment of a respective conveyor belt space can be created to move a cross bar with cross-welding device and cutting device in there. Thus, the packaging length of the film tube packaging machine according to the invention can be shortened or adjusted as needed.

In transverse welding, preferably two parallel welds are produced simultaneously, one for the two backward packs and the other for the bag formation still in between the press belts. A cross cutter separates the two bag formations between the transverse welds, for example a serrated knife which is pneumatically driven. Thus, it is possible to close the tubular bag with the roll goods therein transversely at its ends and to carry out a separation of successive tubular bags or Schlaubeutelformationen. It may prove advantageous to stop the axial feed of the conveying devices during the transverse welding and / or the transverse separation, which corresponds to a clocked transverse welding. But it is also readily possible cross-welding during the axial feed, possibly also at reduced speed to make the conveyors.

Before or after the transverse separation of the bag formations a respective support slot is punched by means of a punching device, so that by the thus produced Intervention in the material projection a carrying handle is formed. For this purpose, it is expedient that the respective packaging bags are previously taken over by a drive unit with pressure belts in order to ensure a secure positioning during punching. In addition, it is provided in this case that the bag formations on both conveyors have the same length.

According to a further embodiment variant of the tubular film packaging machine, the two conveying devices independently of one another have one, two or three conveying tracks for each row of, for example, roll-shaped, stacked or folded consumable or tissue products. Thus, it is possible to produce different packaging sizes with the same film tube packaging machine, in each case the common processing area between the axially equal length packages is used to make a carrying handle therefrom.

According to a further embodiment of the film tubular packaging machine according to the invention, this is also intended to pack groups of roll-shaped consumable or tissue products with a respective orientation of the axes of rotation of their roll form transversely to the conveying direction. This has the advantage that rounded areas are formed by the orientation of the consumable or tissue products in the upper and lower regions at the axial ends transversely to the conveying direction, which facilitate insertion of the grouped roll-shaped consumable or tissue products by the respective forming shoulder, as well as Insert the rollers into the film tube located behind. A transverse welding of the foil package is thereby facilitated in an advantageous manner.

It should again be explicitly pointed out at this point that a film tubular packaging machine according to the invention is, of course, basically also suitable for packaging standing roll-shaped consumable or tissue products with a vertical alignment of the axis of rotation or else non-roll-shaped consumable or tissue products.

According to a further variant of the film tubular packaging machine, this has a rotating device to rotate roll-shaped consumable or tissue products with a rotational axis alignment, for example, along the conveying direction or also standing transversely to the conveying direction. Thus, for example, consumable or tissue products, which are rotated due to production conditions with a rotational axis alignment along the conveying direction transverse thereto. Such a device advantageously comprises a twister and / or a rotatable gripper having an opening area of slightly more than the diameter of the respective roll-shaped consumable or tissue product.

According to a further embodiment variant of the film tube packaging machine, the latter has a separating device in order to separate a starting material, in particular cut rolls, for example, which has already been prefabricated. The separating device comprises, for example, star-shaped separating edges or serrations which rotate about a common axis of rotation which is oriented transversely to the conveying direction. The cut rolls run, for example coming from a saw four-lane to the separating and are here arranged close to tight in a trunk-like formation, which can be several meters long. After separation, the rolls are then fed to the further packaging process. For longer rolls such as kitchen towel rolls, other types of separating devices are also conceivable or necessary.

According to a further embodiment variant of the film tube packaging machine according to the invention, the two conveying devices are constructed essentially mirror-symmetrically. Ideally, all along the conveying direction arranged components of both conveyors at the same axial height, for example, two single or a common crossbar with welding or cutting device or the two forming shoulders.

The object according to the invention is also achieved by a method for packaging consumer products, in particular tissue products, with a tubular film packaging machine, and a method according to claim 1 and claim 17, respectively.

The resulting advantages according to the invention have already been explained above. Further method steps which may follow are the transverse separation of the resulting tubular pouch formations and the punching of a respective support slot into the respective foil overhang formed from the welded rebate-rebate region.

Further advantageous embodiment possibilities can be found in the further dependent claims.

Reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, the invention, further embodiments and other advantages will be described in more detail.

Fig. 1

eine exemplarische erste Folienschlauchverpackungsmaschine,

Fig. 2a-d

Anordnungen von Folienschläuchen mit Bearbeitungsbereich mit einer zugeführten Folienbahn, nicht erfindungsgemäß

Fig. 3a-e

erfindungsgemäße Anordnungen Fig. 3a-3c; nicht erfindungsgemäße Anordnungen Fig. 3d-e, von Folienschläuchen mit Bearbeitungsbereich mit zwei zugeführten Folienbahnen,

Fig. 4

eine exemplarische Folienverpackung mit Tissueprodukten,

Fig. 5

eine exemplarische zweite Folienschlauchverpackungsmaschine,

Fig. 6

eine exemplarische dritte Folienschlauchverpackungsmaschine,

Fig. 7

eine exemplarische vierte Folienschlauchverpackungsmaschine,

Fig. 8

eine exemplarische fünfte Folienschlauchverpackungsmaschine

Fig. 9

eine exemplarische sechste Folienschlauchverpackungsmaschine

Fig. 10

eine exemplarische siebte Folienschlauchverpackungsmaschine sowie

Fig. 11

eine exemplarische achte Folienschlauchverpackungsmaschine.

Show it:

Fig. 1

an exemplary first film tube packaging machine,

Fig. 2a-d

Arrangements of film tubes with a processing area with a supplied film web, not according to the invention

Fig. 3a-e

inventive arrangements Fig. 3a-3c ; not inventive arrangements Fig. 3d-e , of film hoses with a processing area with two supplied film webs,

Fig. 4

an exemplary foil packaging with tissue products,

Fig. 5

an exemplary second film tube packaging machine,

Fig. 6

an exemplary third film tube packaging machine,

Fig. 7

an exemplary fourth film tube packaging machine,

Fig. 8

an exemplary fifth film tube packaging machine

Fig. 9

an exemplary sixth film tube packaging machine

Fig. 10

an exemplary seventh tubular film packaging machine as well

Fig. 11

an exemplary eighth film tube packaging machine.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary first film tube packaging machine 10 in a schematic plan view. Two portal-like forming shoulders 24, 26 are each associated with two conveyor belt devices 12, 14, which are located parallel along a common plane. On each of the conveying devices 12, 14 are in the conveying direction 20, 22 in front of the forming shoulders 24, 26 each groups 16, 18 of tissue products to be packaged, in this case groups of 2 x 5 roles. Both conveyor belt devices 12, 14 are suitable for in each case a width of two or three rows of tissue products.

The conveyors 12, 14 are intended to move the groups 16, 18 of tissue products thereon through the forming shoulders 24, 26 into respective ones tunnel-like film tube 40, 42 to move, which forms the basis for the package. The two forming shoulders 24, 26 are configured in such a way that they transform a first film web 28 fed laterally or from below such that the two tunnel-like film tubes 40, 42 are formed in the conveying direction 20, 22 behind the forming shoulders 24, 26. Alternatively, the two forming shoulders 24, 26 are designed such that the laterally supplied first film web 28 and a laterally supplied second film web 30 are so transformed that in the conveying direction 20, 22 behind the forming shoulders 24, 26, the two tunnel-like film tubes 40, 42 are formed. Furthermore, a reinforcing foil 31 can be fed into the processing region 36 with a feed device (not shown in this figure), ie into a region between the two forming shoulders 24, 26. This region typically has a width of 60 mm to 140 mm, and in individual cases this measure also can be exceeded or fallen below. The reinforcing sheet 31 is ideally chosen to be smaller than the width of the area, with a clearance that allows problem-free insertion of the reinforcing sheet 31 into the processing area 36.

The reference numerals 32, 34 are respective groups of tissue products characterized, which are already each in the serving as a packaging base tunnel-like film tubes 40, 42 and which are closed at its right in the figure axial end already with a continuous transverse weld. In a between the tunnel-like film tubes 40, 42 located processing area 36, 38, the width of which is determined substantially by the distance 48 of the conveying devices to each other, the lateral edge portions of the tunnel-like film tubes 40, 42 shaped film webs 28, 30 are arranged in several layers of film. If two film webs 28, 30 film tubes 40, 42 are formed, the arrangement of the edge regions to foil layers takes place so that an overlap of the edge regions of one film web 28 with the edge regions of the other film web 30 is avoided.

The processing area 36, 38 is also intended to perform a welding of the film layers, so that thus a lateral closure of the film tubes 40, 42 is ensured. The processing region 36, 38 comprises, for example, three film layers of the film web 28. The three film layers welded together form one good mechanical strength of the welded three-ply film in the processing area 36, 38 given so that it can be subsequently divided to make it by punching a support slot each carrying handles for the packaged group of tissue products. A corresponding punching device is typically provided in the processing area 36, 38 or in a further downstream segment of the film tube packaging machine.

FIG. 2a shows a first non-inventive arrangement 50a of film tubes 56a, 58a with processing area 60a with only one film web and two film layers in a sketch as a cross-sectional view. Two rows of tissue products 52, 54 to be packaged are arranged parallel to one another on a conveying device, not shown in each case. Each row of tissue products 52, 54 to be packaged is enveloped by a respective tunnel-like film tube 56a, 58a, which are formed from the correspondingly formed film web. The two lateral edge regions of the film web open into a processing region 60a located between the tunnel-like film tubes 56a, 58a. In this example, a total of two complete film layers are present, wherein in the figure, the upper of the film layers is formed by two abutting lateral edge regions. The joint of the edge regions is ideally arranged centrally in the processing region 60a in this figure. However, the joint may readily be to the left or right of this center as long as the film layer in question is complete. The lateral offset of the joint to the center, ie transverse to the conveying direction, for example, be 60mm, the width of the processing area is to be dimensioned such that it can be cut two side by side carrying handles, so for example between 100mm and 140mm. By welding the processing area 60a, such a stable film overhang is formed that it can be used as a carrying handle for the packaged tissue products after being divided along the conveying direction and after punching in a carrying slot.

FIG. 2b shows a second non-inventive arrangement 50b of film tubes 56b, 58b with processing area 60b with only one film web and three film layers in a sketch as a cross-sectional view. Again, the tissue products 52, 54 are to be packaged. In contrast to the first arrangement 50a are by the lateral edge portions the film webs formed two film layers, in which each edge region is folded once and thus forms a second layer. The folding or shaping of the film web takes place with the forming shoulders, not shown in this figure, or even before the forming shoulders in the region of the feed of the film web. There, the folding is comparatively easy to implement.

Figure 2c shows a third non-inventive arrangement 50c of film tubes 56c, 58c with processing area 60c with a film web and three film layers in a sketch as a cross-sectional view. Again, the tissue products 52, 54 are to be packaged. The lower and the middle film layer in the figure is formed by a film web, in a manner comparable to that in the first arrangement 50a in FIG FIG. 2a is shown and explained in more detail. The upper and thus third film layer is formed by a foil strip 59c, and can be introduced into the working region 60c by means of a feed device (not shown in this figure) or can be applied to the foil layers of the film web.

Figure 2d shows a fourth non-inventive arrangement 50d of film tubes 56d, 58d with processing area 60d with a film web and three film layers in a sketch as a cross-sectional view. Again, the tissue products 52, 54 are to be packaged. In this variant with three film layers, each of the two edge regions is formed so long that an individual film layer is formed by an edge region.

FIG. 3a shows a fifth but inventive arrangement 70a of film tubes 76a, 78a with processing area 80a with two film webs and with three film layers in a sketch as a cross-sectional view. Two rows of tissue products 72, 74 to be packaged are in turn arranged parallel to one another on a conveying device, not shown in each case. Each series of tissue products to be packaged is enveloped by a respective tunnel-like film tube 76a, 78a, which in turn is formed from a correspondingly formed. Film web is formed. The lateral edge regions of the film webs open into a processing region 80a located between the tunnel-like film tubes 76a, 78a. In this example, a total of three complete film layers are present in the processing area 80a, whereby the stability of a carrying handle formed therefrom is further increased. The lower in this figure the film layers is formed by one edge region of the two film webs, wherein the edge regions are arranged close to each other in the film layer, but just do not touch. The two further film layers are formed by the two remaining edge regions of the two film webs. For this, the remaining edge areas were folded, in a way like in the FIG. 2b was explained in more detail. The impact gaps between the opposite edge regions of the film layers are located one above the other. An overlap of edge regions of different film webs is thereby advantageously avoided.

FIG. 3b shows a sixth but inventive arrangement 70b of film tubes 76b, 78b with processing area 80b with two film webs and with four film layers in a sketch as a cross-sectional view. Again, the tissue products 72, 74 are to be packaged. In this variant, all four edge regions of both film webs are folded, so that a total of four film layers are created.

Figure 3c shows a seventh but inventive arrangement 70c of film tubes 76c, 78c with processing area 80c with two film webs and with four edge regions in a sketch as a cross-sectional view. Again, the tissue products 72, 74 are to be packaged. In this arrangement, the two lower film layers are formed by the four edge regions of the two film webs, wherein each two edge regions of different film webs each form a film layer. The edge regions of the film webs are arranged so that an overlap of the edge regions of a film web with the edge regions of the other film web is avoided. This means that in both film layers, the joints at which the edge regions of the different film webs almost touch, are arranged one above the other in the vertical direction. The third film layer is a film strip 79c, which is additionally introduced or introduced into the processing region 80c by a feed machine (not shown in this figure). Due to the film strip 79c, the film thickness is strengthened overall after welding in the processing region 80c, so that the two film webs can be interpreted correspondingly thinner. As a result, material is also saved in an advantageous manner. However, it is also conceivable and within the inventive idea if the foil strip 79c is omitted. Then the other two film webs are stress-resistant correspondingly more pronounced. Here lies the advantage in the simplified design of the film tube packaging machine.

An eighth non-inventive arrangement 70d of two film tubes 76d, 78d with a processing area 80d shows the 3d figure , To produce the film tubes 76d, 78d, two film webs are used, the edge regions of which are superimposed directly on the tissue products 72, 74 in the processing region 80d, as shown, and subsequently welded. In this alternative according to the invention is deliberately dispensed with the preparation of a carrying handle. This type of packaging of tissue products is used in tissue products with standing or lying rolls, for example, toilet paper rolled up on a winding tube. Tissue products are also packaged with standing rolls, referred to as standard bags. In this case, the longitudinal welding takes place in each case on the edge regions of both film tubes 76d, 78d overlapping in the vertical direction in the processing region 80d. For this purpose, the corresponding welding device is equipped with two welding devices, which allow the edge regions of both film tubes 76d, 78d to be welded simultaneously to film tubes.

The FIG. 3e shows a ninth non-inventive arrangement of two film tubes 76e, 78e with a processing area 80e. To produce the film tubes 76e, 78e, two film webs are used, the edge regions of which are superimposed directly on the tissue products 72, 74 in the processing region 80e as shown, and then welded. This is done in a similar way as already in the 3d figure is described. This type of packaging is used for tissue products with standing or lying rolls. An essential difference to 3d figure However, it is that formed by the film tubes 76e, 78e a first 77 and a second basic shape 79 for a carrying handle outside the processing area 80e. In the FIG. 3e For example, the first basic mold 77 is formed by the corresponding film tube 76e in the center of the left side of the left tissue products 72, while the second basic shape 79 is formed in the middle of the right side of the right tissue products 79 by the corresponding film tube 78e. For this purpose, it is provided that either the form of shoulders are designed so that the respective film web in this Region is folded according to the basic shape with two film layers, or the folding of the film web to the basic shape already takes place before feeding the film web to the corresponding form shoulder by a folding device. After the welding of the respective basic shape and the punching out of each grip slot by corresponding devices in the basic form, the carrying handles 77, 79 are made accordingly.

FIG. 4 shows in a sketch 90 a film package 94 produced according to the invention with a group of tissue products 96 packed therein, in this case packages of tissue or paper products. The supernatant shown in the picture above was part 92 of a processing area during the packaging process. In the supernatant a support slot 98 is punched, which by folding away a punched out area in the FIG. 4 as a carrying handle or carrying hole appears.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary second film tube packaging machine 100 in a schematic plan view. Between groups of already packaged tissue products, a processing area 102 is formed. A needle device, not shown, is intended to needling the processing area before its welding by a welding device, not shown, in order to stabilize this mechanically as early as possible.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary third film tube packaging machine 110 in a three-dimensional view. Tissue products 118 to be packaged are located on two partial conveying devices with entraining elements shown in the left-hand half, in this case two two-track conveyor belts with a slide drive. These are moved in groups at a feed rate determined by the slide through a respective forming shoulder 112. The forming shoulder 112 in turn is laterally fed via a respective corresponding baffle a respective film web 114, which is unwound, for example, from a larger supply roll.

The film web 114 is reshaped and deflected by the respective forming shoulder in such a way that two respective tunnel-like film tubes are formed as the basis for the packaging of the groups of tissue products 118. Above and below The tunnel-like film tubes are provided a plurality of belt-like part conveying device 120 as part of the respective conveying devices. These run at a feed rate, which also corresponds to the feed rate of the slider, through which the tissue products are moved through the forming shoulders 112.

A transverse welding bar 116 extends transversely to the conveying direction via both conveying devices or the respective film tubes. As an alternative to a transverse welding bar 116 for both conveying devices, it is also possible to provide two transverse welding bars, ie one per conveying device. In this case, the transverse welding bar 116 has means for transverse welding of the tunnel-like foil tubes, so that they can thus be closed at their ends. A transverse cutting device, also provided in the transverse welding bar 116, is provided for separating the transversely welded packings from one another.

It can be clearly seen in the drawing that the band-like partial conveying devices 120 each consist of two conveyor belts connected in series, the respective rear conveyor belt being foldable upwards or downwards. In the folded state, it is possible to adjust the adjustable in the conveying direction transverse welding bar 116 closer towards the forming shoulders 112. As a result, different packaging lengths can be realized.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary fourth film tube packaging machine 130 in a three-dimensional view. This corresponds essentially to that in the FIG. 6 shown film tube packaging machine, but is shown from a different perspective.

Shown again are the multi-track conveyor belts 136 with drivers as part of the respective conveying devices on which groups of tissue products to be packaged are located, which are conveyed through respective forming shoulders 132. The form shoulders 132 are laterally fed to a respective film web 134, which is formed by the forming shoulders to a respective tunnel-like tube. Shown are also in the area behind the form shoulders 132 upper and lower sub-belt conveyors 138 which support the groups of tissue products to be packaged in the tunnel-like tubular bag at the top and bottom so as to provide a shaping stabilization aid until the tubular bags are finally welded.

An unillustrated Teflon belt is provided at the level of a longitudinal welding device, also not shown, to support the processing area from below. By the use of the material Teflon adhesion of welded material is advantageously avoided. Without such film end support, the film could possibly warp if conveyed only with the film tube and the tissue product therein.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary fifth film tube packaging machine 150 in a three-dimensional view. Here are next to the actual core shown in the right half of the film tube packaging machine still preceded by other components. On a multi-track conveyor belt several rollers 152 are located, the respective axes of rotation run production-related condition parallel to the conveying direction.

For each track of rollers 152, there is provided a separating device 154 with star-shaped separating means by means of which the cut rollers 152 are separated, their orientation thereafter being either erect or longitudinal. Subsequently, the separated rolls or tissue products are transferred to a conveyor.

A turning device 156 is provided to rotate the separated roll-shaped tissue product by means of a rotatable gripping device so that the rotational axis orientation of the tissue product is now transverse to the conveying direction. Due to the design of the rotating device, however, it is able to rotate arbitrarily oriented tissue products in the desired orientation transversely to the conveying direction, wherein the tissue products need not necessarily be roll-shaped.

Subsequently, the rotated tissue product is transferred to a multi-track conveyor belt 160, which is to be regarded as a partial conveying device of the entire conveyor. By means of a drive slide 158, groups of tissue products to be packaged are moved through the forming shoulders where the actual packaging process takes place.

FIG. 9 Fig. 3 shows a complete view of an exemplary sixth tubular film packaging machine 170 in a three-dimensional form comprising a cut roll separator, a conveyor with roller drivers not shown in detail, a roll feed roller plate for a separate roll shaped tissue product turning device, a turning device, a conveyor and forming shoulders for forming tunnel-like film tubes from supplied film webs, which form the starting point for the packaging of the groups of tissue products.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary seventh film tube packaging machine 180 in a three-dimensional view. Also here are - similar to in FIG. 8 - In addition to the actual shown in the right half of the picture special system components preceded by other components, which have the same functions as already in FIG. 8 has been shown why the same reference numerals have been chosen for these components. Accordingly, a plurality of rollers 152 are arranged on a multi-track conveyor belt, whose respective axes of rotation run parallel to the conveying direction for production-related reasons. For each track of rollers 152, in turn, the separating device 154 is provided with separating means arranged like a star, by means of which the cut rollers 152 are separated, their orientation thereafter being in the embodiment variant of the seventh tubular film packaging machine 180 such that the axis of rotation of the rollers 152 is vertical. Subsequently, the separated rolls or tissue products are transferred to a conveyor system.

For this purpose, the rollers separated from the separating device 154 initially stand on a belt conveyor device 182 whose belt runs at a speed which is higher than the peripheral speed of the separating means of the separating device 154. At the end of the belt conveyor device 182 in the running direction of the belt seen the transported rollers are passed to a sliding plate 184 per track. By a not shown in this figure chain conveyor device with Produktmitnehmer acting along the belt conveyor 182 and the sliding plates 184, it is ensured that the roles come together to the desired formations. For this purpose, the product drivers, for example, designed as a two or three-line configured Produktmitnehmer moved by the chain conveyor at a higher speed than the belt conveyor 182. With this higher speed of the product driver, it is ensured that the chain conveyor the rollers on the respective tracks to desired role formations of, for example, 2, 3, 4 or 5 rolls, each track is compressed. Two adjacent tracks thus give the total desired role associations or formations of 2x2, 2x3, 2x4 or 2x5 roles. In the example chosen, the chain conveyor with the product driver should move the rollers on two adjacent tracks. The chain conveyor promotes the roller assemblies up to roller rotating device 190, also called Twister, which is intended to rotate each individual roller in each track in a desired orientation, in particular transversely to the conveying direction. Shortly before the roller turning device, so at the end of the chain conveyor device, the product driver are moved down so that subsequent roles are not stopped by the product driver. Correspondingly, the product drivers are moved upwards again at the beginning of the chain conveyor device in the region of the separating device 154, so that a formation on the belt conveyor device 182 is separated from a following one.

The roller rotating device 190 has dog elements 186 which have a similar function and operation as the product dogs of the chain conveyor and push the roller formations along their respective tracks of the roller rotating device 190. Although the example chosen here involves rollers, the tissue products do not necessarily have to be roll-shaped. For rotating the rollers, therefore, the roller rotating device 190 is provided with the driving elements 186, which move the rollers along their transport path. In addition, the rollers of each track are moved to the desired position by correspondingly shaped railing-like guide elements on either side of each track of the transport path. In the example shown, the roller turning device 190 with four tracks the rollers on the two left tracks or on the two right tracks are rotated by 90 °, so that their axis of rotation are horizontal. In addition, the rollers are rotated on the respective left lanes of the two track pairs in the transport direction in the clockwise direction and on the respective right lanes of the two track pairs in the transport direction in the counterclockwise direction. As a result, it is achieved that the rollers located at the same transport height of each of the four tracks form two pairs of rollers whose mutually facing end sides touch each other. The rolls thus arranged are subsequently moved through the forming shoulders, where the actual packaging process takes place.

FIG. 11 3 shows a complete view of an exemplary eighth tubular film packaging machine 190 in a three-dimensional view, including a four-track conveyor system, a cut roll separator, a belt conveyor, sliding plates, a chain conveyor with drive beams for forming roller assemblies, a roller rotation device for rotating the rollers, other conveyors, and forming shoulders Forming tunnel-like film tubes from one or two fed film webs, which form the starting point for the packaging of the groups of tissue products.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

exemplary first foil tube packaging machine

12

first conveyor

14

second conveyor

16

first group of tissue products

18

second group of tissue products

20

Conveying direction first conveyor

22

Conveying direction second conveyor

24

first form shoulder

26

second form shoulder

28

first fed film web

30

second fed film web

31

supplied reinforcing sheet

32

third group of tissue products

34

fourth group of tissue products

36

editing area

38

editing area

40

first tunnel-like film tube

42

second tunnel-like film tube

46

transverse weld

48

Distance between conveyors

50a

First arrangement of film tubes with processing area with a film web and with two film layers

50b

second arrangement of film tubes with processing area with a film web and with three film layers

50c

third arrangement of film tubes with processing area with a film web and with three film layers

50d

fourth arrangement of film tubes with processing area with a film web and with three film layers

52

roll-shaped tissue product

54

roll-shaped tissue product

56

tunnel-like film tube around roll-shaped tissue product

58

tunnel-like film tube around roll-shaped tissue product

59c

film strips

60a-d

Processing areas when using a film web

70a

fifth arrangement of film tubes with processing area with two film webs and with three film layers

70b

sixth arrangement of film tubes with processing area with two film webs and with four film layers

70c

fifth arrangement of film tubes with processing area with two film webs and with three film layers

70d

sixth arrangement of film tubes with processing area with two film webs and with two film layers

70e

Seventh arrangement of film tubes with processing area with two film webs, with two film layers and carrying handles

72

roll-shaped tissue product

74

roll-shaped tissue product

76

tunnel-like film tube around roll-shaped tissue product

77

first basic form

78

tunnel-like film tube around roll-shaped tissue product

79

second basic form

79c

foil tape

80a-e

Processing areas when using two film webs

90

Foil packaging with tissue products

92

Part of editing area

94

film packaging

96

tissue products

98

carrying slot

100

exemplary second film tube packaging machine

102

editing area

110

exemplary third foil tube packaging machine

112

Form shoulder of fourth foil tube packaging machine

114

supplied film web

116

Cross sealing bar

118

role

120

upper band-like part conveying device

130

exemplary fourth foil tube packaging machine

132

Form shoulder of fifth foil tube packaging machine

134

supplied film web

136

conveyor belt

138

upper band-like part conveying device

140

crossbeam

150

exemplary fifth foil tube packaging machine

152

cut roll

154

separating

156

rotator

158

drive slide

160

conveyor belt

170

exemplary sixth foil tube packaging machine

180

exemplary seventh foil tube packaging machine

182

Belt conveyor

184

sliding

186

entrainment

188

Roller rotating device

190

exemplary eighth foil tube packaging machine

Claims (17)

1. Film-tube packaging machine (10, 100, 110, 130, 150, 170) comprising

   • two conveying apparatuses (12, 14) having two portal-like forming shoulders (24, 26, 112, 132), which are respectively assigned to said conveying apparatuses and are each provided so that a film web (28, 30, 114, 134) which is respectively fed to the forming shoulders (24, 26, 110, 132) is deflected in the conveying direction (20, 22) of the respective conveying apparatus (12, 14) such that a respective tunnel-like film tube (40, 42, 56, 58, 76, 78) is formed as a pack downstream of each forming shoulder (24, 26, 112, 132), as seen in the conveying direction (20, 22),

   • wherein the two conveying apparatuses (12, 14) are provided so that groups of consumer products, in particular tissue products (16, 18, 32, 34, 52, 54, 72, 74, 118), which are to be packaged and are located thereon, are moved at a predetermined advancement speed through the respective forming shoulder (24, 26, 112, 132) into the respective tunnel-like film tube (40, 42, 56, 58, 76, 78), wherein the latter moves here at the same advancement speed as the consumer products,

   • wherein the two conveying apparatuses (12, 14) are arranged parallel to one another along a common plane,

   • wherein the two forming shoulders (24, 26, 112, 132) are configured such that the respective lateral edge regions of the two film webs (28, 30, 114, 134) from which the two tunnel-like film tubes (40, 42, 56, 58, 76, 78) are formed run in a processing region (36, 38, 60a-d, 80a-e, 92, 102) located between said film tubes,
   characterized

   • in that in the processing region (36, 38, 60a-d, 80a-e, 92, 102), which is located between the two tunnel-like film tubes (40, 42, 56, 58, 76, 78), the lateral edge regions of the film webs (28, 30, 114, 134), which are formed into tunnel-like film tubes, are arranged to form at least two film layers with points of contact and point-of-contact gaps arranged in the vertical direction one above the other, wherein point-of-contact gaps are the gaps between the opposite edge regions of the film layers,

   • in that, in the at least two film layers formed in the processing region (36, 38, 60a-d, 80a-e, 92, 102), the point-of-contact edges of the one film web (28, 114) are located one above the other, the point-of-contact edges of the other film web (30, 134) are located one above the other and the point-of-contact gaps of the film webs of different layers are located precisely one above the other, and in that the film layers of the two film tubes are welded to one another in the processing region (36, 38, 60a-d, 80a-e, 92, 102) by a welding apparatus.
2. Film-tube packaging machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that a reinforcement film (59c, 79c), forming a further film layer, can be fed by a feed apparatus, at least in part, into the processing region (36, 38, 60a-d, 80a-e, 92, 102).
3. Film-tube packaging machine according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two forming shoulders (24, 26, 112, 132) are configured such that the two edge regions of each film web are folded in the processing region (36, 38, 60, 80, 92, 102), and in that at least two film layers are formed by the at least two folded edge regions.
4. Film-tube packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two forming shoulders (24, 26, 112, 132) are configured such that precisely three or four film layers are formed by the edge regions of each film web (28, 30, 114, 134) in the processing region (36, 38, 60, 80, 92, 102) .
5. Film-tube packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two forming shoulders (24, 26, 112, 132) are configured such that a respective basic shape (77, 79) for a carrying handle is formed outside the processing region (36, 38, 60, 80, 92, 102).
6. Film-tube packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two conveying apparatuses (12, 14) have a plurality of sub-conveyers which are arranged one behind the other in the region of the respective portal-like forming shoulder (24, 26, 112, 132) wherein downstream of the respective forming shoulder (24, 26, 112, 132), as seen in the conveying direction (20, 22), two respectively synchronously running belt-like sub-conveyers (120, 138) are provided beneath and above the respective tunnel-like film tube (40, 42, 56, 58, 76, 78).
7. Film-tube packaging machine according to Claim 6, characterized in that the sub-conveyers which are located upstream of the forming shoulder (24, 26, 112, 132), as seen in the conveying direction (20, 22) in each case, have at least one respective belt, in particular a conveyer belt (136, 160) with a respective drive pusher (158), or a chain conveyer or some other conveying device for consumer products.
8. Film-tube packaging machine according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that downstream of the forming shoulders (24, 26, 112, 132), as seen in the conveying direction (20, 22), said machine has, for the purpose of supporting the processing region (36, 38, 60, 80, 92, 102), a belt-like supporting apparatus approximately half-way up the height of the consumer product which is to be packaged, it being possible for said supporting apparatus to be moved synchronously in relation to the belt-like sub-conveyers (120, 138).
9. Film-tube packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said machine has means in order to needle-connect the film layers to one another in the processing region (36, 38, 60, 80, 92, 102).
10. Film-tube packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said machine has a longitudinal-cutting apparatus for cutting the welded processing region (36, 38, 60, 80, 92, 102).
11. Film-tube packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said machine has means in order to perform transverse welding on the parallel tunnel-like film tubes (40, 42, 56, 58, 76, 78), which run along a common plane, and thus to close the same, and in that said machine has a transverse-cutting apparatus.
12. Film-tube packaging machine according to Claim 11, characterized in that the transverse-welding means and the transverse-cutting apparatus can be adjusted along the conveying direction.
13. Film-tube packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said machine is also provided so that groups of consumer products of rotationally symmetrical shape, for example toilet paper, are packaged with their axes of rotation respectively oriented transversally and/or longitudinally in relation to the conveying direction (20, 22) and/or in an upright state.
14. Film-tube packaging machine according to Claim 14, characterized in that said machine has a rotating apparatus (156) or a roller-type rotating apparatus (188) so that consumer products with any desired axis-of-rotation orientation, but in particular with an orientation along the conveying direction (20, 22), are rotated transversally thereto in each case.
15. Film-tube packaging machine according to Claim 14, characterized in that said machine has a separating apparatus (154) in order to separate already prefabricated starting material, in particular cut rolls (152).
16. Film-tube packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two conveying apparatuses (12, 14) are of essentially narrow-symmetrical construction.
17. Method for packaging consumer products, in particular tissue products (16, 18, 32, 34, 52, 54, 72, 74, 118), using a film-tube packaging machine (10, 100, 110, 130, 150, 170) comprising

    • two conveying apparatuses (12, 14) having two portal-like forming shoulders (24, 26, 112, 132), which are respectively assigned to said conveying apparatuses and are each provided so that a film web (28, 30, 114, 134) which is respectively fed to said forming shoulders is deflected in the conveying direction (20, 22) of the respective conveying apparatus (12, 14) such that a respective tunnel-like film tube (40, 42, 56, 58, 76, 78) is formed as a pack downstream of each forming shoulder (24, 26, 112, 132), as seen in the conveying direction (20, 22),

    • wherein the two conveying apparatuses (12, 14) are provided so that groups of consumer products which are to be packaged and are located thereon are moved at a predetermined advancement speed through the respective forming shoulder (24, 26, 112, 132) into the respective tunnel-like film tube (40, 42, 56, 58, 76, 78), wherein the latter moves here at the same advancement speed as the consumer products,

    • wherein the two conveying apparatuses (12, 14) are arranged parallel to one another along a common plane,

    comprising the following steps:

    • forming two tunnel-like film tubes (40, 42, 56, 58, 76, 78) from a film web (28, 30, 114, 134) to give a processing region (36, 38, 60, 80, 92, 102) located between said film tubes, in that in the processing region (36, 38, 60, 80, 92, 102), which is located between the tunnel-like film tubes (40, 42, 56, 58, 76, 78), the lateral edge regions of the film webs (28, 30, 114, 134), which are formed into tunnel-like film tubes, are arranged in a plurality of film layers with points of contact and point-of-contact gaps arranged one above the other in the vertical direction, wherein point-of-contact gaps are the gaps between the opposite edge regions of the film layers, in that the point-of-contact edges of the one film web (28, 114) are located one above the other, the point-of-contact edges of the other film web (30, 134) are located one above the other and the point-of-contact gaps of the film webs of different layers are located precisely one above the other, and in that the processing region (36, 38, 60, 80, 92, 102) comprises at least two film layers formed from edge regions of the two film webs (28, 30, 114, 134),

    • moving through the respective forming shoulder (24, 26, 112, 132) into the respective tunnel-like film tube (40, 42, 56, 58, 76, 78) groups of consumer products which are to be packaged,

    • welding the film layers in the processing region (36, 38, 60, 80, 92, 102),

    • welding transversely the parallel tunnel-like film tubes (40, 42, 56, 58, 76, 78), which run along a common plane.

Images