EP3649052A1

EP3649052A1 - Method and device for constructing packaging bodies which are open on one side using an oscillating gripper

Info

Publication number: EP3649052A1
Application number: EP18737233.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Juergen Richter; Michael Schaaf; Christoph Schroeder
Original assignee: SIG Technology AG
Current assignee: SIG Services AG
Priority date: 2017-07-03
Filing date: 2018-07-02
Publication date: 2020-05-13
Anticipated expiration: 2038-07-02
Also published as: DE102017114814A1; US10946988B2; EP3649052B1; PL3649052T3; JP6793265B2; US20200180795A1; CN111108040B; ES2890948T3; WO2019007872A1; JP2020525364A; CN111108040A

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for at least partly folding up packaging casings (3, 63), preferably according to one of the claims 1 to 9, comprising a cartridge (22) with a stack (81) of packaging casings (3, 63). The packaging casings (3, 63) of the stack (81) are folded flat about at least two folding edges (65) running in the longitudinal direction of the packaging casings (3, 63), and a gripper is provided for gripping a packaging casing (3, 63) face facing away from the stack and moving the folding edges (6, 65) of the packaging casings (3, 63), in particular pulling the folding edges, along a withdrawal transport path (TB) into grooves (97) of at least one receiving area of a shaping station (84), and the grooves (97) are spaced such that the folding edges (6, 65) of the packaging casings (3, 63) are spaced apart farther in the cartridge (22) than in the grooves (97). The aim of the invention is to further prevent operational malfunctions and allow a more reliable production of packaging bodies which are open on one side from packaging casings which are open on both sides largely without malfunctions. This is achieved in that a drive (115) is paired with the gripper (93) and/or the grooves (97) for moving the packaging casing (3, 63) section gripped by the gripper (93) first along the withdrawal transport path (TB) over a groove plane (NE) which connects the grooves (97), then back over the groove plane (NE) opposite the withdrawal transport path (TB), and then again over the groove plane (NE) along the withdrawal transport path (TB).

Description

Method and apparatus for forming unilaterally open packing bodies with an oscillating gripper

The invention relates to a method for at least partially unfolding of

Packing sheaths, in particular for forming unilaterally open packing bodies from open-sided packaging sheaths for the production of filled packs. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for at least partially unfolding of package coats, in particular for forming unilaterally open

Packing bodies of double-sided open packaging coats for the production of filled packages with a magazine comprising a stack of packing coats, wherein the packing coats of the stack are folded flat around at least two folding edges extending in the longitudinal direction of the packaging coats and wherein a gripper for gripping a side facing away from the stack

Packing shrouds and for moving, in particular pulling, the packing shells along a withdrawal transport path with the folded edges in grooves of at least one receptacle of a forming station is provided and wherein the grooves are spaced so that the folding edges of the packing shells in the magazine are further spaced apart than in the grooves.

Methods and apparatus for forming unilaterally open packing bodies from both sides open packaging coats have been known for some time. The

In particular, methods are used to produce filled packages, as well as methods and apparatus for filling packages with products in

different configurations are known. Packing bodies in this context are containers such as

For example, understood carton composite packaging, at least partially from a packaging laminate in the form of a laminate comprising a cardboard layer and outer, in particular thermoplastic, plastic layers, such as (PE) are formed. The carton provides the packages with sufficient stability to allow the packages to be easily handled and stacked, for example. The plastic layers protect the carton from moisture and the food from absorbing unwanted substances from the package.

In addition, other layers, such as an aluminum layer, may be provided to prevent diffusion of oxygen and other gases through the packaging laminate.

Corresponding packing bodies are typically filled with products in the form of foods, in particular beverages, with the products being predominantly flowable products. In particular, the filling of the packaging body with food in a sterile or aseptic environment of a filling machine takes place, since the food should be long-lasting after filling the packages. For this purpose, the filling machines, for example, sterilization rooms or aseptic chambers, in which the packaging body sterilized and then filled under sterile conditions and sealed as possible. After filling the packing body they are typically closed in the filling machine. When using appropriate Packstofflaminate, this is done

Closing the packing body by sealing the open end.

The packing bodies are preferably formed on the filling machine from packing coats, which in turn are produced from packaging material laminate cuts, in particular by sealing the longitudinal edges of the packaging material laminate sections to one another. The inner longitudinal edge can be folded outwards in order to prevent ingress of moisture into the packaging material laminate, in particular the cardboard. Thus, formed from a Packstofflaminat packing shells are made, which are open at the opposite longitudinal ends. The

Packing shells are prefolded along four fold lines extending longitudinally of the package sheath, thereby providing fold edges which form the later edges of the pack, which typically forms a square or rectangular cross-section. First, however, the pack coats will be two opposite folded edges flat folded. Two of the prefolded fold lines are folded back again. The packing jacket then forms substantially two mutually parallel and superimposed sections. The flat folded packaging coats are stacked on a magazine of the

Passing the filling machine. The front portion of the package jacket at the front end of the stack, ie the front of the flat folded package jacket, is grasped by suction cups and pulled away from the stack, with the package jacket unfolding, typically to an at least substantially square or rectangular cross section. In this case, both the front side and the rear side of the flat folded package jacket each form two of the four sides of the unfolded package jacket. The unfolding also takes place along the pre-folded fold lines, two of which have formed the folded edges of the folded packing jacket, since the packaging material laminate along the, in particular prefolded fold lines can be easily folded or folded. The corresponding unfolded packing jacket is then mounted on a mandrel of a so-called mandrel wheel, wherein the cross section of the mandrel corresponds to the cross section of the packing jacket. The packing jacket is initially projecting beyond the mandrel, so that the protruding part of the packing jacket can be folded against the end face of the mandrel and pressed and sealed there. The corresponding longitudinal end of the package sheath is sealed and regularly forms the bottom of the later filled package. Alternatively, the closed end of the packing jacket could also form the head of the later package, for example when it is filled by the open bottom.

The unilaterally open packing body are in a sterilization zone of

Filling machine introduced. This is usually done by the packing body

successively to the packing body receiving cells one

Transport device to be handed over. The transport device then ensures that the packing bodies are transported at a defined speed at a defined distance from each other through the sterilization zone of the filling machine. In In the sterilization zone, the packing bodies are preheated with hot sterile air and then sterilized, typically with hydrogen peroxide, and dried with sterile air. The sterile packing bodies are placed in the filling and sealing zone

handed over and filled there. Subsequently, the opening of the filled

Packing closed before the sealed pack over the

Transport device transported from the filling and sealing zone and then removed from the corresponding cells of the transport device.

In some filling machines, the packing bodies are transported by the transporting device in a straight line through the filling machine. Appropriate

Filling machines are also called cross-country skiers. In other filling devices, the so-called rotary travelers, the packing bodies describe a more or less arcuate movement, which may comprise one or more circular arc sections. The present invention basically relates to both types of filling machines.

A method and apparatus for operating a forming station for unfolding package shells taken from a magazine and folded flat

Pushing it onto a mandrel of a mandrel wheel is described, for example, in WO 2013/053646 A1. In such and other form stations it comes in practice again and again to malfunction. The packing coats usually do not fold up as they actually do in terms of process or

is provided device-wise.

Therefore, the present invention has the object, the method and the device respectively of the aforementioned type and further explained in such a way and further that malfunctions are further avoided and a more reliable and largely trouble-free production of unilaterally open packing bodies from both sides open packing coats is possible , This object is achieved according to claim 1 by a method for at least partially unfolding of pack coats, in particular for forming one-sided open packages of double-sided open packaging coats for the production of filled packages,

in which the flat-folded pack coats are provided

wherein the packing shells at least two in the longitudinal direction of

Packungsmäntel extending folding edges folded flat in a stack to be kept ready for further processing,

in which the flat folded packaging coats are gripped successively on a side facing away from the stack by a gripper and of the gripper along a withdrawal transport path of the packaging coats under at least partial unfolding of the packaging coats with the folded edges in grooves at least one

Receiving a forming station moved, in particular pulled,

in which the packing sheaths received by the folding edges in the grooves of the at least one receptacle are at least partially moved by the gripper counter to the withdrawal conveyor path, in particular pressed, and / or continue with the grooves opposite the gripper in the direction of the gripper

Discharge conveyor moved, in particular pressed, and

in which the at least partially moved back against the withdrawal transport path and recorded with the folded edges in the grooves

Packungsmäntel of the gripper at least partially moves again in the direction of the trigger transport path, in particular pulled, and / or the opposite to the gripper in the direction of the withdrawal conveyor web moved and recorded with the folded edges in the grooves packing shells with the grooves against the gripper against the direction of the withdrawal conveyor web be moved back, in particular pulled.

The above object is further achieved in a device according to the preamble of claim 10, characterized in that the gripper and / or the grooves, a drive for moving the grabbed by the gripper portion of the packing jacket first along the withdrawal conveyor web over a grooves connecting the groove plane away, then opposite the withdrawal transport path over the Nutebene back and is then assigned again along the withdrawal transport path over the Nutebene away.

The basic principle in the unfolding of pack coats is that the wrap coats are first pulled into at least one receptacle, the wrap coats engaging with their fold edges in grooves spaced apart from one another such that the wrap coats are lightly received in the grooves be upset. By upsetting the packing shells over the folded edges of the same is intended that the packing shells unfold at least slightly. In addition, the compression of the packing shells before the

Recording in the grooves, if necessary, be more pronounced, since the grooves

are preferably formed in the transport direction as an undercut. The initially flat folded packaging coats are thus counteracted by acting on only one side of the package sheath gripper against a corresponding

Resistance moves. While one side of the flat-folded package jacket moves from the gripper into the bottleneck, in particular pulled, this side of the package jacket bends in the transport direction of the package jacket. The

opposite side of the flat folded wrapping will become

Normally do not bend in the same direction, since no gripper attacks on this side. However, this backside of the wrapper over the

Connecting edges with the front side of the flat-folded packing jacket from the front of the packing jacket, which acts on the gripper, pulled into the bottleneck between the grooves, which is why this back of the packing jacket is compressed. This upsetting normally results in a bending of the back side of the package shell against the transport direction of the package

Packing laminate. Since the front side of the packing jacket is typically bent in the transport direction, this results in at least slight unfolding of the packing jacket held in the grooves. In the event that the flat-folded pack coats have fold lines in addition to the folded edges around which the packaging coats are folded flat in the magazine, along which the packing shells are weakened so that the packing sheaths can be easily and reliably folded around the fold lines, the front and / or the back of the flat folded sheath may fold around at least one fold line rather than being bent overall. However, the direction of the bends and the direction of the kinks are basically the same and preferably as previously described. The only difference is that the forces acting on a surface bend or, if this has a weakening in the form of a fold line, the adjacent surface portions fold around the fold line. The fold lines can be provided in various ways. It is

For example, it is possible to pre-fold the package laminate at the fold lines. It is alternatively or additionally also possible to introduce a groove for forming the fold line in the package laminate. The packing laminate is thereby replaced by a

Creasing tool, about a narrow wheel, compressed line by line and thus along the corresponding line, so the fold line, weakened. Other methods known per se for introducing fold lines into package laminates are conceivable.

In some cases, the tops and backs of the initially flat-folded wrappers do not bend or fold as previously described

different directions. Rather, it can happen that not only the

Front side of a pack jacket, but also its back in the

Transporting direction is bent or folded, while the packing jacket is received with the folded edges in the grooves of the at least one receptacle. In other words, the front side and the rear side, with the exception of the folded edges accommodated in the grooves, are arranged in the transport direction behind the groove plane extending through the grooves. This has the consequence that no at least slight unfolding of the packaging coats for the further processing of the same is achieved, at least not in the desired manner, in which the rear side of the packaging jacket is arranged in the transport direction of the package jacket in front of the groove plane. The further processing can not be as intended take place and it can lead to a malfunction that requires, if necessary, a plant shutdown or at least an unwanted intervention required.

With packing coats, in addition to the two folding edges for flat folding the

Packing jackets still have at least one fold line at the back of the flat folded package jacket, can basically work without interference, since the fold line ensures that the back is easily kinked in the right direction, ie against the transport direction of the packing jacket. Disorders can not be excluded in such cases, as the practice shows.

The invention has now recognized that the at least partially unfolding the

Packages can be reliably achieved if the gripper is not in the

Transport direction along the withdrawal transport path is moved to an end position and separated there from the packing jacket. Rather, the gripper is moved back once again to bend or buckle the back of the package jacket rearwardly toward the stack. For this purpose, the gripper is moved back so far against the actual transport direction that the

Front side of the packing jacket in the transport direction of the packing jacket no longer behind, but in front of the grooves defined by the folding edges grooves are arranged. This ensures that the rear side has thereby been bent or folded counter to the transport direction.

The gripper is then adjusted again in the actual transport direction and preferably moved to an end position, which is the front of the

Moving back already achieved end position can act but does not have to, before the gripper releases the corresponding packing jacket. This ensures that the front side of the package jacket is bent or bent forward as desired in relation to the groove plane in the transport plane.

Together with the relative to the groove plane backward bent or kinked back of the packing jacket thus results in a held in the grooves at least partially unfolded packing jacket. After the gripper the packing jacket has released or released, the gripper is moved back to the stack of the pack coats to take there another packing jacket and this in the same way with a short movement back and forth at least partially folded in the grooves of the at least one recording position.

In other words, the packaging shells received by the folding edges in the grooves of the at least one receptacle are at least partially moved back against the transport direction along the withdrawal transport path by the gripper, in particular pressed. This backward or backward pressing preferably also relates to the rear side of the flat folded package jacket. Subsequently, at least the portion of the packing jacket gripped by the gripper, in particular the portion of the front side of the front side of the initially flat folded packing jacket, which is gripped by the gripper, is again moved in the direction of the gripper

Discharge conveyor moved, in particular pulled. However, the packing shells remain in the grooves with the folded edges, which here separate the back of the pack laminate and the front side of the pack laminate from each other or connect to each other. Preferably, the gripper leaves the front of the

Packing mantle only starts when the back of the pack jacket in the

Transport direction of the packing coats seen to the rear and at the same time the front is bent or kinked in the direction of transport.

If necessary, but instead of the gripper and the packing shell holding groove can be moved back and forth to achieve a reliable partial unfolding of the packing jacket. The gripper can remain in one position for the sake of simplicity. This does not have to be. In any case, the grooves are moved relative to the gripper. So that the same relative movements between the gripper and the groove are achieved, as have been previously described, the grooves are first against the gripper in the direction of

Moving direction and moved in the direction of the trigger transport path and / or pressed. The front side and the rear side of the packing jacket can thus be bent or bent in the opposite direction to the withdrawal conveyor path. Subsequently, the counter-movement takes place, in which the packing jacket holding grooves relative to the gripper are moved back, against the direction of the trigger conveyor. Since the gripper is the front of the

Keeps the packaging mantle while the front remains in the already

taken bent in the direction of the withdrawal transport path and / or kinked position. However, the backside is bent and / or kinked by the backward movement of the grooves in the opposite direction, so that a reliable, at least partial unfolding of the packing jacket is achieved. In terms of the device, provision is accordingly made for the gripper and / or the grooves to have a drive for moving the section of the gripper gripped by the gripper

Packing mantle, so based on the flat folded state of the packaging coats in the stack of the magazine of the front of the package shell, initially along the withdrawal transport path is assigned via a groove plane connecting the grooves away. This can preferably be achieved by a movement of the gripper in order to pull off the packing jacket from the stack. Then, the packing jacket by a driven by the drive movement of the gripper and / or the

Packing jacket receiving grooves against the withdrawal transport path over the Nutebene moved back. It is thus achieved that the rear side of the packing jacket is bent or bent relative to the groove plane back to the stack or counter to the transport direction. The gripper can now move forward in the

Transport direction and / or the grooves can now be moved back against the transport direction, since the back of the package shell is now reliably maintained its shape. The front side of the package jacket is thus again moved along the withdrawal transport path in the transport direction over the Nutenbene away, in particular pulled, so that the front of the

Packing jacket reliably bent in the direction of transport or

kinked. Now the gripper can detach itself from the packing jacket, because of the

Packing jacket is held as desired with the folding edges in the grooves of the at least one receptacle and is at least partially unfolded. Hereinafter, for ease of understanding, and to avoid unnecessary repetition, the method and apparatus will be common

described. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art which particular features are particularly preferred for the method and the device.

In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the method, the packing shells are at least partially bent in a direction defined by the deduction transport path and / or received in the grooves kinked. The packing shells are therefore, if necessary, received in the grooves and at the same time bent at least partially in the transport direction over the groove plane extending between the grooves and / or kinked. Here is the

Transport direction defined by the deduction transport path. The correspondingly bent and / or kinked part of the packing jacket is preferably the portion of the packing jacket gripped by the gripper and / or the front side of the packing jacket relative to the flat folded and in the magazine recessed state of the packing jacket. Subsequently, the packing shells are partially moved back against the transport direction along the

Abzugsstransportbahn further held in the grooves, but the

Packing jacket at least in sections opposite to the

Abzugstransportbahn defined transport direction is bent and / or kinked.

The corresponding bent and / or kinked portion is preferred, a not gripped by the gripper section and / or the back of the

Packing jacket in flat folded condition. The corresponding section preferably remains in this position, while another section of the packing jacket, namely in particular the section of the packing jacket gripped by the gripper, is moved along the carrier by re-adjusting the gripper in the transport direction

Transport path and / or the grooves against the transport direction along the transport path, preferably again, bent in the opposite direction and / or kinked. In addition, the fold lines remain in the grooves. In other words, the gripped by the gripper portion of the packing jacket only in Transport direction, then bent against the transport direction and finally back in the transport direction. The phase-wise bending back of the packing jacket ensures that a rear section of the packing jacket, seen in the transporting direction, remains in a position bent counter to the transport direction, while the other section gripped by the gripper is bent and / or bent in the transport direction for the last time, so that a defined part unfolded packing jacket is provided, which is held in the grooves of the at least one receptacle. In this case, the corresponding bending and / or buckling of the packing jacket can be caused by a movement of the gripper and / or the grooves.

Whether the sections bend or buckle as a result of the previously described movement of the gripper and / or the grooves depends in particular on the type of

Packing coat off. In the event that the packing shells have fold lines at corresponding sections of the packing sheaths, in particular a comes

Buckling of the sections in question, as they can easily be folded along the fold lines. Depending on how easily the corresponding sections of the packing sheaths can be folded, the sections may be bent in addition to buckling. In the absence of additional fold lines, however, in particular but not necessarily a pure bending of the relevant sections of the pack jacket comes into question.

In order to take the pack coats easily and reliably from the stack and to be able to release them again after the transfer into the grooves of the at least one receptacle, it is advisable to take the piles facing away from the stack, in particular the front sides of the pack coats one after the other with suction cups of the gripper and to pull off the pile. At the suction cups, by vacuuming air, a negative pressure can be generated, so that the packing shells are held securely on the suction cups. In order to be able to achieve rapid and easy delivery of the packaging coats and thus overall high throughput of packaging coats, it is expedient to move or pull the packaging coats along a straight-line withdrawal conveyor web from the stack and into the grooves. For the sake of further simplification and to protect the packing shells, the haul-off transport path can be aligned further parallel to the stacking direction of the packs in the stack.

In principle, it can be provided that the packing shells are not completely and / or not finally unfolded by the transfer from the stack into the grooves of the at least one receptacle. This is for the

Packing coats also gentler, so that damage to the

Packungsmänteln can be avoided. In this case, the

Packungsmäntel in the forming station then unfolded for transfer into the grooves or at least continue to be unfolded. This can be done easily and reliably, because the packaging coats have been previously brought into a defined and suitable starting position for further handling or processing.

The at least further unfolding of the handed over to the grooves packing shells may, if necessary, take place between at least two mold halves of a mold, between which the packing shells are previously positioned. For unfolding, the mold is at least partially closed by at least partially moving the at least two mold halves towards each other. Basically, only one could

Form half be moved and the other half of the mold remain in their position, but even then would be relative to the mold halves relative to the

Packing be moved towards each other. This is obvious to the person skilled in the art and does not require any detailed, detailed description. By this complete or at least partially closing the mold, the packing shells are finally unfolded. It may be useful for a defined shaping and a defined subsequent transfer of the unfolded packing shells, if the packing shells by an at least substantially circumferential application of respective packing shells are unfolded to the inside of the mold. Thus, it is also possible to give the pack coats a shape that by the

Inner surface of the mold is defined and would not be obtained without the application of the packing shells to the inside of the mold.

Alternatively or additionally, the unfolding can be simplified if of

is pressed against the at least two folded edges so that the at least two fold edges of the

Move the package sheath towards each other by unfolding the package sheath. Depending on the configuration of the packaging coats, for example, with supplementary fold lines can even be dispensed with a form, in any case to a closed shape. In this context, it can also be utilized that the packing shells are held in the grooves of the at least one receptacle after the gripper has transferred the packing shells to the grooves. Thus, in a simple and reliable embodiment of the method and the device, the grooves of the at least one receptacle can be pressed against opposing sides of the package mantle against the at least two folded edges of the package mantle to move the fold edges towards one another and unfold the package mantle. In order to connect the transfer of the packaging coats from the stack to the grooves with a not inconsiderable unfolding of the packaging coats, so that they need, if necessary, then only slightly or not at all to be folded further, a tapered channel can be used. This is provided in the transport direction between the stack and the grooves of the at least one receptacle, so that the packing coats are moved or pulled through the channel before being received in the grooves and thereby forcibly unfolded, at least in part. This takes place while the packing sheaths with the two opposite folding edges come into contact with the inside of the channel transversely to the packing sheath and transversely to the transport direction of the packing shells through the tapered channel. The tapering of the channel causes the folding edges to move steadily towards each other as they slide against the channel and, as a result, into Depending on the rejuvenation of the canal to be unfolded. In this case, on movable parts and their control at least in

Essentially dispensed with. It may in principle be preferred for the sake of simplicity, if the channel is part of the magazine or directly connected to the magazine. Thus, the magazine and the channel can form a unit and it can connect the inner sides of the channel directly to the viewed in the transport direction end of the magazine.

Furthermore, for simplicity and reliability, it is appropriate for the unfolded packing shells to be pushed onto a mandrel of a mandrel wheel by the forming station for closing, in particular sealing, one longitudinal end of the packing sheath.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be exploited that the packing shells are transferred from the stack into the grooves when the packing shells are transported further in the longitudinal direction of the grooves, either for unfolding into a mold or directly for pushing onto a mandrel. The latter is particularly in question when the pack coats are already sufficiently unfolded before recording in the grooves or the further unfolding takes place while the packing shells are held in the grooves. Furthermore, the packing shells can be transported further both in the grooves and / or with the grooves. This depends, on the one hand, on the procedural or instrumental outlay to be operated and, on the other hand, on the necessity of protecting the folded edges of the packing shells against abrasion or damage.

In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the device, the gripper is equipped with suction cups for gripping the packaging sleeves held in the magazine. The packaging coats can be grasped and released again in a simple and defined manner, which is the case in particular when the suction cups are assigned a suction device for extracting air from the suction cups. Alternatively or additionally, the drive for moving the gripper may be formed between the magazine and the grooves along a rectilinear withdrawal transport path. This rectilinear movement of the gripper is easy to realize even with fast oscillating movements of the gripper. This is particularly useful in terms of apparatus when the withdrawal transport path of the gripper is aligned parallel to the stacking direction of the packages in the stack.

In order subsequently to be able to unfold the packaging coats transferred from the gripper to the grooves subsequently simply and reliably, the forming station can have at least two mold halves which can form a shape for the packaging coats. The mold halves compress the packing shells and fold the packing shells simultaneously. It may be useful for the reliable and defined shaping of the unfolded packing coats, when the mold halves and the packing coats are coordinated so that the packing coats come into contact at least substantially circumferentially to the mold halves or on the inside of the mold. Preferably, the inside of the mold is then shaped as well as the unfolded packing shells are to be formed.

In principle, the mold can be completely or at least partially closed by the mold halves.

In this case, the grooves may be formed as parts of the mold halves or it is dispensed with additional mold halves. To push together the folding edges and the consequent unfolding of the packaging coats the grooves can be exploited as needed by the grooves of at least one recording from a receiving position for receiving the packaging coats with a long distance from each other in a Auffaltstellung for unfolding the packaging coats with a smaller distance from each other and are adjustable back. The

Packing coats are then received in the grooves while they are further spaced apart in the receiving position. Subsequently, the grooves are moved toward each other until the Auffaltstellung reached and the recorded packing jacket is unfolded. The unfolding of the packaging coats may alternatively or additionally be carried out at least partially before the packaging coats are received in the grooves of the at least one receptacle, in a simple but reliable manner. The forming station has a tapered channel through which the packaging coats pass on their way to the grooves. The

Faltkanten the packing coats can thereby on the insides of the

slide off tapered channel and are thereby moved towards each other as a result of the taper, resulting in at least partial and forced unfolding of the packaging coats on passage through the channel. This becomes even more reliable if the packing shells are moved straight through the channel in the direction of the grooves. In addition, it makes sense if the width of the channel is in the

However, it may be useful for a material-friendly entry into the channel, if this is initially wider than the width of the recorded in the magazine, the transport direction of the packaging coats along the withdrawal transport path to a dimension that is smaller than the width of the magazine accommodated, flat folded packaging coats flat-folded pack coats. For one

Material-conserving passage through the channel can be offered alternatively or additionally if the channel continuously tapers.

For the transfer and handling of the compulsorily at least partially unfolded in the channel packing jackets, it makes sense if the grooves for receiving the folding edges associated with the end of the channel, in particular at the end of the channel are arranged. The packing coats then forcibly go with the

Folded edges in the grooves. In addition, the channel and the grooves to form an undercut and partial compression of the packaging coats in their

Be formed transverse direction. As a result, the pack coats are required, reliably and easily kept in the grooves. Regardless, a mandrel for pushing the unfolded packing shells and, preferably, for closing, in particular for sealing, a longitudinal end be provided in the wound up on the mandrel of the packing jacket. This leads, if necessary, to a defined and reliable shaping and formation of a partially closed package and can also be easily and reliably combined with the at least partial unfolding of the packaging shells in the grooves.

For the further transport of the pack coats accommodated in the grooves, displacement means can be provided which can serve to displace the packing shells in the longitudinal direction of the grooves. It can move the

Packing coats defined and precisely in the grooves in which the packing coats are added, done. In addition, to avoid unnecessary friction, the packing shells with the grooves, in which the packing shells are accommodated, are moved. Regardless of the type of movement, the

Packungsmäntel in the way of the described shifting the sake of simplicity in a form and / or moved to a mandrel.

Hereinafter, the inventions disclosed herein will be explained in detail with reference to a drawing showing only one embodiment. In the drawing shows

1A-B shows a blank of a packaging material laminate and a packaging jacket of the prior art formed in each case in a plan view, FIG. 2 shows a pack of the prior art formed from the packaging jacket according to FIG. 1B in a perspective illustration,

Fig. 3 shows an apparatus for producing the package of FIG. 2 from a

Packing jacket according to FIG. 1B of the prior art in a schematic representation, a blank of a Packstofflaminats and a formed from the blank packing jacket in plan view, a pack formed from the packing jacket of FIG. 4B-C in a perspective view, an apparatus for producing the package of FIG. 5 from a packing jacket of FIG. 4B-C in a schematic representation, the unfolding of the package shell in a forming station in a schematic side view, the intended pre-folding of the package shell in a sectional view according to the sectional plane VIII-VIII of FIG. 7, the prefolding of the package shell in a not

intended behavior of the package shell in a sectional view according to the sectional plane VIII-VIII of Fig. 7, the forms of the package shell in a sectional view according to the sectional plane IX-IX of Fig. 7, the forming station of Fig. 7 in a perspective and a side view, the Pre-folding device of the molding station of Fig. 10 in one

perspective view and a sectional view from above,

13A-B, the feeding of the forming station of FIG. 10 for feeding

Packungsmänteln of the pre-folding device for Auffalteinrichtung in a perspective view and a sectional view from above, 14A-B, the unfolding of the forming station of Fig. 10 in an open and a closed position in a perspective view, Fig. 15 shows a detail of the unfolding of Fig. 13 in a perspective

View,

16A-C, the unfolding of the forming station of FIG. 10 in an open and a closed position along horizontal sectional planes from above and

Fig. 17, the transfer device of the molding station of FIG. 10 for the transfer of

Packing coats on the mandrels of the mandrel wheel in a perspective view.

A blank 1 of a packaging material laminate 2, as known from the prior art, is described in FIG. 1A. The Packstofflaminat 2 is formed as a laminate of a plurality of superposed material layers. It is in particular a cardboard / plastic composite. The illustrated

Packstoffflaminat 2 has two outer layers of a thermoplastic

Plastic, preferably polyethylene (PE), on which a seal, i. a welding, the outer layers of the Packstofflaminats 2 allow. In between, a structural paperboard layer with a comparatively high bending stiffness for the packaging laminate 2 is provided. In addition, at least one barrier layer may be provided, which is preferably formed from aluminum, polyamide and / or an ethylene-vinyl alcohol. Other layers are also conceivable.

The blank 1 is used to produce a packing jacket 3, which is formed by the outer and opposite longitudinal edges 4 of the

Blank 1 bent to each other and connected to each other, in particular sealed together, are. The blank 1 has a series of fold lines 5, to which the blank 1 can be folded to form the desired package 7. The fold lines 5, if necessary creasing lines, thereby simplify folding and also ensure reliable folding. Most fold lines 5 are provided at the upper edge 8 and the lower edge 9 of the blank 1, which are folded later to form the bottom and the head or the pediment of the pack 7. In addition, the blank 1 has four substantially parallel fold lines 5, on which the blank 1 is prefolded prior to forming the package jacket 3 or thereafter. Once the packaging material laminate 2 has been bent over at the folding lines 5, a further folding of the packaging material laminate 2 at the same point is opposed only by a low resistance, which in any case is significantly less than along fold lines 5 which have not yet been folded.

In FIG. 1B the packing jacket 3 is shown after the sealing of the longitudinal edges 4 of the blank 1 on one another and after the subsequent flat folding of the package jacket 3 thus formed. The corresponding sealing seam 10 is provided for optical reasons near one of the two provided on the longitudinal edges of the flat-folded packing jacket 3, each formed from a fold line 5 fold edges 6 of the packing jacket 3. The illustrated packing jacket 3 has consequently been folded flat along the folding edges 6 so that the front portion or the front side 11 of the flat-folded packing jacket 3 and the rear portion or the back side 12 of the packing jacket 3 lie on top of each other. The packing shells 3 can be easily stored in such a flat folded manner. The subsequent unfolding around the four prefolded fold lines 6 is then still easily possible. A packing jacket 3 having a rectangular cross section is then obtained.

In the following, the package 7 shown in FIG. 2 can be obtained by using the corresponding packing jacket 3. In the package 7 then form the four prefolded fold lines 5 including the two folding edges 6 in the region of the jacket 13 of the package 7, the edges of the pack 7 as the prefolded fold lines 6 have previously formed the edges of the package shell 3 in a similar manner. The longitudinal ends 14,15 of the packing jacket 3 are to form the bottom 16 of the Pack 7 and to form the head 17 of the pack 7 has been folded and sealed. At the head 17 of the pack so-called packing ears 18 are formed, which are folded down and applied to the jacket 13 of the package 7 and sealed there or glued. At the bottom 16, the corresponding packing tubes are folded inwards and are therefore no longer recognizable as such after forming the bottom 16.

3 is a device 20 for filling packing bodies 21,

in particular with flowable foodstuffs, for forming packages 7, that is to say a so-called filling machine, comprising a magazine 22 for keeping it open

Packungsmänteln 3 and a device for molding of packaging bodies 21 from the pack coats 3, which are closed on one side and thus can absorb, for example, a flowable food through the remaining opening represented. The apparatus 20 shown in the preferred embodiment has a number of parallel processing lines, of which only one processing line 23 is shown in FIG. Each processing line 23 is a magazine 22 with a stack 24 bez. a bundle of two of the folding lines 5 to form the folded edges 6 folded flat Packungsmänteln 3 assigned. The packing shells 3 have been formed as previously described from blanks 1 a Packstofflaminats 2, the longitudinal edges 4 are sealed together. In a forming station 25, the packing shells 3 are unfolded. The unfolding of the packaging shells 3 takes place by pulling away a later side surface of the corresponding

Packing jacket 3 from the stack 24 and folds around the pre-folded fold lines 5, which form the edges or the fold edges 6 of the package shell 3 and the later package 7. If necessary, an application device, for

Applying spouts, not shown, to the packing shells 3 may be provided.

The device 26 for forming the package 7 has a mandrel wheel 27, which in the illustrated and so far preferred case by way of example comprises six mandrels 28 and rotates cyclically, ie stepwise, counterclockwise. In the first Mandrel wheel position I, a packing jacket 3 is pushed onto the mandrel 28.

Subsequently, the mandrel wheel 27 is further rotated into the next mandrel wheel position II, in which the opposite end of the mandrel 28 projecting longitudinal end 15 of the package shell 3 is heated by a heating unit 29 with hot air. In the next mandrel wheel position III, the heated longitudinal end 15 of the packing jacket 3 is prefolded by a press 30 and sealed in the following mandrel wheel position IV in the folded position by a sealing device 31, in particular to a bottom 16, sealed. In this way, a packing body 21 closed on one side is obtained, which is removed from the mandrel 28 in the following mandrel wheel position V and transferred to a cell 32 of a circulating endless transport device 33. In the next mandrel wheel position VI, the mandrel 28 is not

Task assigned. The number of mandrel wheel positions or mandrels 28 and the processing steps provided there may, if necessary, deviate from the representation according to FIG. 3 and the associated description. In addition, in at least one further mandrel wheel position as needed, a spout with the

Packaging material laminate are connected. Then, the longitudinal end of the packing jacket closed on the mandrel wheel is preferably the head of the subsequent packing. Whether the package body is filled by the later head or by the later soil, plays in the present case only a minor role.

The packing body 21 taken from the mandrel wheel is transported through the filling machine 34 with the open longitudinal end pointing upwards in the associated cell 32, in particular a cell string. In this case, the package body enters a

Aseptic chamber 35 which includes a sterilization zone 36 and a filling and sealing zone 37 through which the packing body 21 are transported in the transport direction symbolized by the arrows from left to right. The transport of the packing body 21 does not have to be rectilinear, but can also take place in at least one arc or even in a circle. The aseptic chamber 35 is supplied with sterile air via corresponding sterile air connections 38. The packing bodies 21 are passed through a preheating device 39 preheated successively by blowing hot sterile air. Subsequently, the packing bodies 21 are sterilized by means of a sterilizer 40, preferably by means of hydrogen peroxide, whereupon the packing bodies 21 pass through

Treatment with sterile air is dried by means of a drying device 41 and, after the transition from the sterilization zone 36 into the filling and sealing zone 37, brought into a filling position 42 below a filling outlet 43. There, the packing body 21 are successively filled with food 44. The filled

Packing bodies 21 are then closed with a closing device 45 by folding the upper portion of the packing body 21 and sealing. The filled and sealed packages 7 are then removed from the cells 32 of the

Transport device 33 taken. The now empty cells 32 are moved further with the transport device 33 in the direction of the mandrel wheel 27 in order to receive further packing bodies 21 there. FIG. 4A shows a further blank 50 of a packaging material laminate 51, which basically resembles the blank 50 according to FIG. 1A with respect to the packaging material laminate 51, the blank 50 and the fold lines 52, 53, 54. The difference, however, is that the fold lines 52, 53, 54, in particular score lines, are arranged and designed differently. Thus, in particular, only two fold lines 52 are provided, which are rectilinear in the longitudinal direction and over the entire longitudinal extent of the

Blank 50 extend. Two further fold lines 53 are divided in sections in the longitudinal direction of the blank 50 and surround there a portion of the

Blank. In the corresponding area, the folding lines 53 run parallel to one another, but this is not mandatory. In addition, the upper edge 55 and the lower edge 56 of the blank 50 is provided with fold lines 54. The fold lines 54 of the lower edge 56 serve to form a bottom 57, while the fold lines 54 of the upper edge 55 serve to form a head 58 of a package 59.

The blank 50 is sealed along the longitudinal edges 60 to form a sealed seam 61 to form a packing jacket 63, the front 64 and

Rear side 64 'in Figs. 4B-C are shown. The packing jacket 63 is attached to the folded two folds linearly in the longitudinal direction of the packing jacket 63 fold lines 52 to form the folded edges 65, so that the front side 64 and the back 64 'of the packing jacket 63 abut each other. Using the corresponding packing jacket 63, the package 59 shown in FIG. 5 can be formed. The package 59 has a flat bottom

57, which is aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the package 59. The head

58 of the package 59, however, is aligned obliquely to the longitudinal extent of the package 59 and thus forms a packing gable 66. The packing gable 66 has a larger front gable surface 67, which is larger than the arranged on the other side of the sealing seam 68, smaller rear gable surface 71st The sealed seam 68 and adjacent portions of the head 58 form opposite sides of the package 59 package ears 69 that are folded down and sealed to the jacket 70 of the package 59. If necessary, a larger opening portion, a greater weakening and / or a large spout may be provided on the larger gable surface 67. For the sake of simplicity, neither is

Opening section still shown a weakening or pouring. Noteworthy in the package 59 is that no continuous fold lines 52 or folded edges 65 are provided at the front longitudinal edges of the package 59. Furthermore, it is particularly important for the package 59 that the folding edges 65 are provided for flat folding of the package jacket 63 at no longitudinal edge of the package 59. The fold edges 65 are rather in the areas between the longitudinal edges or longitudinal edges of the pack

59 recorded. In other words, the folded edges 65 of the packing jacket 63 are folded back again and thus no longer form folding edges of the package 59. In addition, at the rear edges of the jacket 70 of the package 59, there are no fold lines 52, 53, 54 extending in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the package. By dividing the fold lines 53, these do not run over the entire

Longitudinal extent of the jacket 70 of the package 59 in a straight line and at least in sections not along the edges of the jacket 70 of the package 59, but in areas next to it. FIG. 6 shows the device 80 for filling such packages 59. In this case, the device 80 largely corresponds to the device 20 shown in FIG. 3, so that essentially the differences between the device 80 shown in FIG. 6 and the device 20 shown in FIG. 3 are described below to avoid unnecessary repetitions. For this reason, the same components in Figs. 3 and 6 are identified by the same reference numerals. In the apparatus shown in FIG. 6, a mandrel wheel with a different number of mandrels and / or a different number of mandrel wheel positions could alternatively be provided. In this connection, it would be particularly preferred, for example, to provide a mandrel wheel with only four mandrels and / or only four mandrel wheel positions.

A difference consists, for example, in the fact that the packing shells 63 shown in FIGS. 4B-C are provided in the magazine 22 of the device 80 in the form of the stack 81, that is, only two at a time, in a straight line over the entire length

Lengthwise extension of the packing sheath extending fold lines 52 are prefolded and wherein these fold lines 52 form the fold edges 65 of the packing shells 63, around which the packing shells 63 are folded flat. Furthermore, in the device 80 shown in FIG. 6, in addition to the device 20 shown in FIG. 3, a pre-folding device 82 for prefolding the packing shells 63 after removing the packing shells 63 from the stack 81 of the packing shells 63 and one

Auffalteinrichtung 83 provided for unfolding the packing shells 63, which are removed from the stack 81 of packing coats 63 of the magazine 22. The

Pre-folding device 82 and the unfolding device 83 are combined in the illustrated preferred device 80 to a forming station 84 for forming the unfolded to the mandrel wheel 85 unfolded packing jacket 63. But it could also be provided only the pre-folding device 82 or only the Auffalteinrichtung 83. Only after passing through the forming station 84 are the

Packing shells 63 pushed onto the mandrels 86, wherein the longitudinal ends 87 of the packing shells 63 can be folded and pressed against the mandrel 86 to close the longitudinal end 87, in particular to seal liquid-tight. So be ultimately formed packing body 88, which are delivered to the cells 32 of the transport device 33, here in the form of a cell string.

FIG. 7 schematically shows the forming station 84 of FIG. 6

Device 80 is shown. The forming station 84 uses the packing shells 63, which are held together by two fold lines 52 and folded edges 65 in a stack 81 of packing shells 63 in a magazine 22. The stack 81 is held in a magazine 22, not shown. The forming station 84 comprises a gripper 93 with suction cups 94, which engages the front side of the front flat-folded packing jacket 63 of the stack 81 and the packing jacket 63 along a withdrawal transport path in and through a channel 95 of the

Pre-folding device 82 pulls. The pre-folding device 82 is shown in particular in the sectional view of the forming station 84 according to FIG. 8. Dashed lines the gripper 93 is shown as he takes a packing jacket 63 of the stack 81, this can be pulled in the suction cups by drawing off air, a negative pressure. The stack 81 is held in a magazine 22, not shown. The gripper 93 then moves together with the packing jacket 63 in a straight line to the rear and pulls the packing jacket 63 in a straight line into a transverse to the packing jacket 63rd

tapered channel 95 into it. In the channel 95 reach the folding edges 65, by which the packing jacket 63 has been folded flat, in abutment against the boundaries 96 of the channel 95. The folding edges 65 ultimately press from the inside against the channel 95 of the packing jacket 63 in return something upsetting and thus unfolds, and the more, the farther the packing jacket 63 is pulled through the channel 95 or

is transported. At the rear end of the channel 95 in the longitudinal direction of the folded edges 65 aligned grooves 97 are provided on both sides of the channel 95 in receptacles 90 which form in the transport direction of the packing shells 63 along a withdrawal conveyor path undercuts and in the packing jacket 63 in the corresponding position with the Folded edges 65 engages. In principle, a channel 95 could also be dispensed with and the packing shells 63 could be transferred directly to the grooves 97. In addition, the suction cups 94 and thus the Loosen the gripper 93 from the packing jacket 63 when the packing jacket 63 is held slightly folded in the grooves 97, as shown in FIG.

Alternatively, the channel 95 and / or the at least one receptacle 90 could also be connected directly to the magazine 22 or also be part of the magazine 22. A separation into two separate components is therefore basically preferred but not required.

In some cases, however, it may happen that the packing jacket 63 does not unfold as described. As shown in FIG. 9A, the packing jacket 63 can be pulled into the grooves 97 by the gripper 93 in the transporting direction T of the packing shells 63 along the conveying path TB. The front side 64 and the back side 64 'of the packing jacket 63 are not bent in opposite directions and the packing jacket 63 unfolded. There are due to the compression of the packing jacket 63, the front 64 and the back 64 'of the

Packing mantle 63 bent in the same direction, namely in the transport direction T of the packing shells 63, without the packing jacket 63 would thereby significantly folded. Both the front 64 and the back 64 'of the

Packing mantle 63 are arranged as shown in FIG. 9A in the same way as the suction cup 94 in the transport direction T behind the groove 97 connecting groove level NE. For this reason, the gripper 93 from the in Fig. 9A

illustrated end position, in which the gripper 93 still holds the front side 64 of the packing jacket 63, while the folding edges 65 are positioned in the grooves 97 are moved back against the actual transport direction T along the withdrawal transport path TB, to the in the in FIG. 9B shown

Intermediate position. Arrived in this intermediate position, the gripper 93 has the front side 64 of the packing jacket 63 as well as the back side 64 'of the

Packing mantle 64 against the transport direction T bent. In this case, both the rear side 64 'and the front side 64 of the packing jacket 63, as well as the suction cup 94 of the gripper 93 in the transporting direction T, are located in front of the groove plane NE connecting the grooves 97. Subsequently, the gripper 93 is again along the withdrawal transport path TB in the transport direction T moves. In this case, the rear side 64 'of the packing jacket 63 remains in the position shown in FIG. 9B, ie in the transport direction T in front of the groove plane NE, and becomes the

Front side 64 of the packing jacket 63 is again moved in the transporting direction T behind the groove plane NE, wherein the front side 64 of the packing jacket 63 bends in the transporting direction T. Consequently, at least now the front 64 and the back 64 'of the packing jacket 63 are bent in different directions, so that the packing jacket 63, as shown in FIG. 9C, is at least partially unfolded for passing in the grooves 97. The gripper 93 can this time release the packing jacket 63 when reaching the end position, for example by the negative pressure in the suction cups 94 is released.

The principle described above can be applied analogously to packing shells 3, for example according to FIG. 1B, in which between the folded edges 6, at least on the front side and / or the back side of the flat-folded packing sheath 3

at least one additional fold line 5 extending at least substantially parallel to the fold edges 6 is provided. As a result of the fold line 5, the corresponding front side and / or the back of the package jacket 3 tends not bent as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, but rather folded around the fold line 5, since the

Packing jacket 3 can be easily folded around this fold line 5. In the event that the corresponding packing jacket 3 unfolds easily during the

Packing jacket 3 is transferred by means of the gripper 93 from the stack to the grooves 97, the front of the package jacket 3 as shown in FIG. 8 in the transport direction T kinked and / or the back of the package jacket 3 against the

Transport direction T be kinked. If this is not the case, the front side and / or the rear side of the package jacket 3 can, analogously to FIG. 9A, extend past the groove plane NE in the transport direction T or analogously to FIG

Transport direction T be tilted in front of the groove level NE against the transport direction T. After the gripper 93 has released the packing jacket 3, the rear side can then be folded in the direction of transport T, analogously to FIG. 9C, against the transport direction T and / or the front side. Alternatively or in addition to the described movement of the gripper 93 for the reliable, at least partial unfolding of the packing jacket 63 in the grooves 97 of the receptacle 90, the grooves 97 or the at least one receptacle 90 can also be moved. If the grooves 97 and the receptacle 90 are respectively moved in the opposite direction as has been described for the gripper 93, with respect to the packing shells 63, the same relative movements between the grooves 97, the gripper 93 and the packing jacket 63 are achieved, so that the packing jacket 63 is securely and reliably at least partially unfolded in the grooves 97.

Above the thus positioned packing jacket 63, as shown in particular in FIG. 7, two fingers 98 are arranged. These fingers 98 now move down and push the packing jacket 63 down into a mold 99 of the

Auffalteinrichtung 83 for unfolding the packing jacket 63. The form 99 of

Auffalteinrichtung 83 is shown in particular in Figs. 10A-B in section. In Fig. 10A, the mold 9 is exemplhalft with two mold halves 100,101 shown in an open position. The prefolded packing jacket 63 is taken over by the mold 99 in this position, for which purpose slots 99 are also provided in the illustrated preferred form 99, into which the folding edges 65 of FIG

Packing jacket 63 intervene. Subsequently, the mold 99 is closed and enters the closed position shown by way of example in FIG. 10B. The packing jacket 63 is unfolded and at least essentially abuts the inner contour 103 of the mold 99. Thus, the packing jacket 63 can be brought at least approximately into the later form of the package 59. Instead of the shape of the contour shown, contours of a different shape may also be required, depending on the form in which the packages are to be produced. In Fig. 7 is by the double arrow and under the form 99th

provided mandrel 86 of a mandrel wheel 85 indicated that the mold 99 moves after closing down over the mandrel 86 and the unfolded packing jacket 63 passes to the mandrel 86 and aufschiebt on the mandrel 86. In FIGS. 11A-B, the forming station 84 is shown in detail, which has only been shown schematically in FIG. 7 for the sake of better clarity. In the magazine 22, a stack 81 of packing coats 63 is stored. This is in

Individual also shown in Figs. 12A-B. Behind the stack 81, a slider 110 is provided, which presses the stack 81 against stops 111 on both sides of the stack 81 in order to position the respective front packing jacket 63 exactly. The slider 110 is pressed as needed by the restoring force of a spring means against the back of the stack 81, even if the length of the stack 81 decreases. The spring means is also dispensable or by others

Replace facilities. The front of each front pack jacket 63 can be gripped by a gripper 93. For this purpose, the illustrated preferred grapple 93 has suction cups 94 which are applied to the front of the respective front packing jacket 63. The suction cups 94 are characterized

closed and can be at least partially evacuated to form a vacuum. Since the packing shells 63 are held on the suction cups 94, the packing shells 63 can be pulled forward from the stack 81. The packing shells 63 are pulled past the stops 111. The gripper 93 shown and so far preferred moves in a straight line in the transport direction along the withdrawal transport path away from the stack 81 and through a channel 95. For this purpose, the gripper 93 is held on a carriage 113. The carriage 113 is slidable along guides 114 and held on the guides 114, which are rod-shaped. The displacement of the carriage 113 back and forth via a rotating motor drive 115 which is coupled via a lever mechanism 116 to the carriage 113, wherein the rotation of the drive 115 is converted into a linear movement of the carriage 113 back and forth.

The illustrated and so far preferred channel 95 is formed by two channel 95 laterally delimiting the channel elements 117. The gripper 93 can be moved between the channel elements 117 therethrough. The channel elements 117 form a a channel 97 tapering away from the stack 81, in the rear region of which is seen in each case a groove 97 of the stack 81 of the packing shells 63, which extends substantially parallel to the folded edges 65 of the packing shells 63 in the stack 81 and in the vertical direction. The grooves 97 also extend all the way to the lower edge of the channel elements 117 and thus of the channel 95. The channel elements 117 form the boundaries 96 of the channel 95 which is formed between the channel elements 117. In addition, the channel elements provide 117 inwardly into the channel 95 facing sliding surfaces 118 ready. When the packing shells 63 are pulled from the stack 81 through the channel 95, the folded edges 65 of the

Packungsmäntel 63 on the sliding surfaces 118 from until the packing shells 63 engage with the folding edges 65 in the grooves 97 of the channel elements 117.

The width of the channel 95 is slightly wider than the packing sheath 63 itself on the stack 81 of packing sheaths 63. Further in the channel 95, the fold edges 65 press against the sliding surfaces 118, which equates to pressing the sliding surfaces 118 against the fold edges 65 of the package sheath 63 , The folding edges 65 are thus pressed towards each other and the packing jacket 63 so partially

unfolded. This is also referred to as pre-folding of the packing shells 63. By the engagement of the folding edges 65 in the grooves 97, the prefolding is defined and reproducible. The system part comprising the channel 95 can therefore be used as the

Pre-folding 82 are called.

In particular, in FIGS. 13A-B, a feeder 98 of the forming station 84 is shown, whose function is to hold the grooves 97 in the channel 95

Packing coats 63 forward to a Auffalteinrichtung 83 down, in which the packing shells 63 are then completely unfolded. The feeding device 98 is held on a traverse 119, which is held on slides 120 on lateral vertical guides 121 and vertically movable up and down. For this purpose, the carriages 120 have rollers 123 which can roll on the lateral guides 121, which are rod-shaped. The feeder 98 also has two fingers 124 which are in an upper position above the channel 95 or at least above the drawn through the channel 95 and held in the grooves 97 packing shells 63 is arranged. Via a belt drive 125, which is motor-driven via a drive 126, the feed device 98 can be controlled up and down driven. The belt 127 is placed as a closed belt 127 circumferentially around two pulleys 128, one of which

Guide pulley can be driven via the motor drive 126 in opposite directions as needed. When the packing shells 63 are held in the grooves 97 of the channel 95, the feeder 98 moves or moves the fingers 124 down. The fingers 124 engage from above against the upper longitudinal end of the packing jacket 63 and press the packing jacket 63 along the grooves 97 down. Subsequently, the fingers 124 move back up and another packing jacket 63 is pulled through the channel 95 into the grooves 97.

The packing jacket 63 is received with the leaving the channel 97 down from the groove elements 129 shown in particular in FIGS. 14A-B, which at least immediately follow the channel 95 in the illustrated and thus preferred forming station 84, even if the groove elements 129 separate Elements are. The groove members 129 provide grooves 130 that are aligned with the grooves 97 of the channel 95. Thus, after leaving the channel 95, the packing jacket 63 is guided further with its fold edges 65 into the grooves 130 of the groove elements 129. The groove elements 129 extend in the illustrated and so far preferred device also down into the two mold halves 100,101 of Auffalteinrichtung 83. The mold halves 100,101 are initially arranged with the groove elements 129 in an open position in which a packing jacket 63 along the grooves 97,130 by means of Feeder 98 is pushed by the channel 95 down between the mold halves 100,101. When the packing jacket 63 has arrived there, the mold halves are closed 100,101, wherein the

Groove elements 129 are moved towards each other with the mold halves 100,101. The grooves 130 of the groove elements 129 press against the folded edges 65 of the

Packing mantle 63, which is so unfolded and thereby applies from the inside to the inner contour of the mold 100 formed by the mold halves 100,101. The groove elements 129 are, as shown in particular in FIG. 15, compressed against the restoring force of two provided between the groove elements 129 spring elements 131. In this way it is ensured that the groove elements 129 are moved apart again when opening the mold 99 or when moving apart of the mold halves in the starting position.

In Figs. 16A-C, the unfolding means are shown in horizontal sections from above. In Figs. 16A-B, the mold halves 100, 101 and the mold 99, respectively, are in the open position. There are two adjusting cylinders 132 are provided one above the other, each of which has a displaceable in the adjusting cylinder 132 plunger 133 which is connected via a rod 134 with a mold half 100,101. The actuating cylinders 132 are designed so that they can pneumatically or hydraulically move the respective associated mold half 100,101 in the closed position.

As a result, the mold halves 100, 101 move into the closed position shown in FIG. 16C with the unfolded packing jacket 63 therebetween, which adjoins the inner contour of the mold 99 formed from the mold halves 100, 101. The mold halves 100,101 are held together with the adjusting cylinders 132 on a traverse 135, which can be vertically up and down slide 132 on the lateral guides 121 can be. In this way, the mold 99 or the mold halves 100,101 can be moved in the closed position down and in the open position upwards. For this purpose, the carriages 136 roll over rollers 137 on the rod-shaped guides 121 up and down. The drive of the traverse 135 via a belt drive 138 which is driven by a motor drive 139. The belt 140 is placed as a closed belt 140 circumferentially about two pulleys 141, of which a pulley 141 can be driven via the motor drive 139 as needed in opposite directions. The corresponding unit can be understood as a transfer device 144. The lateral guides 121, the belt drives 125,138 and the motor drives 126,139 are held and mounted on a common frame 142. Furthermore, a retaining element 143 holding the groove elements 129 is fixed in the common frame 142 in a stationary manner. The groove elements 129 can thus be moved together and apart again but not be moved up and down. The groove elements 129 thus retain their position in the process of the mold 99 down.

When shutting down the mold 99, as shown in particular in FIG. 16, the packing jacket 63 unfolded therein is placed underneath

arranged mandrel 86 of the mandrel wheel 85 is pushed. Then, the mold 99 can be opened, which can be done by the restoring force of the spring elements 131 arranged between the groove elements 129 instead of via the adjusting cylinder 132. But this is not necessary. After opening or during opening, the mold halves 100,101 are moved up over the trasverse 135 in order to accommodate a further packing jacket 63 for unfolding. Since the groove elements 129 are not adjusted vertically, the groove elements 129 can, if necessary, after opening the mold 99 already receive a new packing jacket 63, while the mold 99 is moved back to its upper position to the position in this position

Packing jacket 63 record and unfold.

Claims

P a n t a n s p r e c h e

Method for at least partially unfolding flat-folded

Packing coats (3.63),

in which the flat-folded packing shells (3, 63) are provided, in which the packing shells (3, 63) are folded flat around at least two folding edges (6, 65) running in the longitudinal direction of the packing shells (3, 63) in a stack (24, 81) ) are kept ready for further processing,

in which the flat-folded packing shells (3, 63) are gripped successively on a side facing away from the stack (24, 81) by a gripper (93) and under the gripper (93) along a withdrawal transport path (TB) of the packaging shells (3, 63) at least partially unfolding the packing shells (3, 63) with the folding edges (6) into, in particular, pulled, grooves (97) of at least one receptacle (90) of a forming station (84),

in which the packing sheaths (3, 63) accommodated with the fold edges (6) in the grooves (97) of the at least one receptacle (90) are at least partially moved, in particular pressed, against the withdrawal conveyor web (TB) by the gripper (93), and / or or with the grooves (97) relative to the gripper (93) further in the direction of the withdrawal transport path (TB) moves, in particular pressed, and

in which the packing shrouds (3, 63) moved back at least in sections counter to the withdrawal transport path (TB) and with the folding edges (6) in the grooves (97) are moved by the gripper (93) at least in sections again in the direction of the withdrawal transport path (TB), in particular pulled, and / or the relative to the gripper (93) further in the direction of the withdrawal transport path (TB) and with the folding edges (6) in the grooves (97) recorded packing shells (3,63) with the grooves (97) opposite the Gripper (93) against the direction of the withdrawal conveyor belt (TB)

be moved back, in particular pulled.

Method according to claim 1,

in which the packing shells (3, 63) are at least partially bent and / or bent in the grooves (97) in a transport direction (T) defined by the haul-off transport path,

in which the packing shells (3, 63) are bent and / or buckled at least in sections opposite to the transport direction (T) defined by the withdrawal transport path (TB) during partial retraction against the withdrawal transport path (TB) in the grooves (97) and

in which the packing shells (3, 63) in the transport direction (T) defined in the withdrawal transport path (TB) in the grooves (97) are bent back again at least in sections in the transport direction (T) defined by the withdrawal transport path (TB) and / or to be kinked.

Method according to claim 1 or 2,

in which the sides of the packing shells (3, 63) pointing away from the stack (81) are gripped by suction cups (94) of the gripper and pulled by the stack (81) and / or

where the packing shells (3,63) along a rectilinear

Triggering transport path (TB), preferably parallel to the stacking direction of the packages (3,63) in the stack (81), from the stack (81) and in the grooves (97) moves, in particular pulled.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 3,

in which the packing shells (3,63) in the forming station (84) then, if necessary, continue to be unfolded.

Method according to claim 4, wherein the packing shells (3, 63) are positioned in the forming station (84) between at least two mold halves (100, 101) of a mold (99) and unfolded by at least partially closing the mold (99), and

in which, preferably, the packing jacket (3,63) by at least

Substantially circumferential application of the packing jacket (63) to the inside of the mold (99) is unfolded.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5,

in which in the forming station (84) the packing shells (3, 63), preferably via the grooves (97) of the at least one receptacle (90), from opposite sides of the packing sheath (3, 63) against the at least two folding edges (6, 65), the at least two folded edges (6, 65) of the packing jacket (3, 63) move towards one another when the package jacket (3, 63) unfolds.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

in which the packing shells (3, 63), prior to being received in the grooves (97), are forced to unfold the packing shells (3, 63) by means of one which comes into contact with the two opposite folding edges (6, 65) of the packing sheath (3, 63) and across the packing jacket (3,63) and across the

Transport direction (T) of the packing shells (3.63) tapered channel (95) are pulled.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,

in which the unfolded packing shells (3, 63) are pushed onto a mandrel (28, 86) by the forming station (84) for closing, in particular sealing, a longitudinal end (87) of the packing sheath (3, 63).

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in which the packing shells (3, 63) extend in the longitudinal direction of the grooves (97),

in particular in the grooves (97) and / or with the grooves (97), in particular in a mold and / or on a mandrel (28,86), are further transported.

Device for at least partially unfolding packaging sheaths (3, 63), preferably according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a magazine (22) comprising a stack (81) formed from packing sheaths (3, 63), the packing sheaths (3, 63, ) of the stack (81) are folded flat around at least two folding edges (65) running in the longitudinal direction of the packing shells (3, 63) and a gripper for gripping a side of the packing shells (3, 63) pointing away from the stack and for moving, in particular Pull that

Packing coats (3.63) along a withdrawal conveyor (TB) with the

Folding edges (6,65) in grooves (97) of at least one receptacle of a forming station (84) is provided and wherein the grooves (97) are spaced so that the folded edges (6,65) of the packing shells (3,63) in the magazine (22) are spaced further apart than in the grooves (97),

d a d u r c h e s e n c i n e s, d a s s

the gripper (93) and / or the grooves (97) have a drive (115) for moving the portion of the packing jacket (3, 63) engaged by the gripper (93) first along the withdrawal transport path (TB) via a groove (97) connecting the grooves Nutebene (NE) across, then against the withdrawal transport path (TB) on the Nutebene (NE) back and then again along the

Trigger transport path (TB) is assigned across the Nutebene (NE).

Device according to claim 9,

d a d u r c h e s e n c i n e s, d a s s

the gripper (93) has suction cups (94) for gripping the packing shells (3, 63) held in the magazine (22), and / or that the drive (115) moves the gripper (93) between the magazine (22) and the grooves (97) is formed along a rectilinear withdrawal transport path (TB), preferably parallel to the stacking direction of the packages (3, 63) in the stack (81).

12. Device according to claim 9 or 10,

d a d u r c h e s e n c i n e s, d a s s

the forming station (84) has at least two mold halves (100, 101) for simultaneously compressing and unfolding the packing shells (3, 63) and that, preferably, the mold halves (100, 101) for at least substantially circumferential abutment of the packing shells (3, 63) on the inside the mold (99) are formed.

13. Device according to one of claims 9 to 11,

d a d u r c h e s e n c i n e s, d a s s

the grooves (97) of the at least one receptacle (90) from a receiving position for receiving the packing shells (3,63) are provided far apart from each other in a Auffaltstellung for unfolding the packing shells (3,63) with a smaller distance from each other and back adjustable ,

14. Device according to one of claims 9 to 13,

d a d u r c h e s e n c i n e s, d a s s

the forming station (84) in the withdrawal transport direction (TB) seen before the grooves (97) has a tapered channel (95) for at least partially, forcibly unfolding the, preferably rectilinear, by the channel (95) moving packing shells (3,63) and that the width of the channel (95) tapers in the take-off transport direction (TB) of the packing shells (3, 63) to a dimension less than the width of the flat-folded packing shells (3, 63) received in the magazine (22).

15. Device according to claim 14,

d a d u r c h e s e n c i n e s, d a s s

the grooves (97) for receiving the folded edges (6,65) associated with the end of the channel (95), in particular at the end of the channel (95) are arranged. Device according to one of claims 9 to 15,

d a d u r c h e s e n c i n e s, d a s s

a mandrel (28, 86) is provided for pushing on the unfolded packing shells (3, 63) and, preferably, for sealing, in particular for sealing, a longitudinal end (87) of the packing sheath (3, 63) on the mandrel (28, 86) and / or that displacement means for displacing the packing shells (3, 63) accommodated in the grooves are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the grooves (97), in particular in the grooves (97) and / or with the grooves (97), in particular in a mold and / or on a mandrel (28.86), are provided.