EP3728047B1 - Molding device for horizontal tubular bag machines - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a forming device for forming a tube from a material web, for a horizontal tubular bag machine, according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and a method according to claim 6.

Generic forming devices for forming a tube from a material web are used in form-fill-bag machines to form a flat, flexible material web into a tube. Depending on the direction of travel of the material web during the forming process, a distinction is made between vertical and horizontal

Tubular bag machines. Vertical tubular bag machines are preferably used for packaging bulk goods in tubular bags, whereas horizontal tubular bag machines are used in particular for packaging piece goods. The transformation of the material web from a flat to a tubular state takes place within the tubular bag machine on a forming device.

US 5 987 860 A describes a device for wrapping natural products. Two spaced guide plates for a wrapping device each have a first inclined surface facing each other so that a V-shaped space is defined between them. An adjustment plate is fixedly mounted on one side of the Packaging device and has a second inclined surface formed thereon. The first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are in line with each other so that edges of a web of material for wrapping an article can be guided through the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface.

The invention is based on a forming device for horizontal tubular bag machines, which comprises a horizontal base plate which has a slot running in a transport direction of the packaged goods to be packaged, as well as two shoulder parts fastened to the base plate on each side of the slot.

The base plate can, for example, be one piece, i.e. the slot is usually made in the base plate by machining, so that the parts of the base plate on either side of the slot are still connected to one another in one piece. Alternatively, the base plate can consist of two or more partial plates. In the case of a two-part base plate, the slot is then formed by mounting the two partial plates in the form-fill-seal machine with a distance between their side edges facing each other, so that the two side edges form the edges of the slot.

The base plate also often has fastening means, for example holes, which are used to attach the forming device in a form-fill-seal machine. The arrangement of the fastening means is often machine-specific, ie for example the holes are arranged in a pattern that allows the base plate to be attached by means of Screws or similar to be attached to correspondingly arranged holes in the form, fill and seal machine.

The slot, which is usually arranged in the middle of the base plate but can also be arranged offset to the side, is used to bring together the edges of an originally flat packaging material web, which is formed into a tube cross-section by the two shoulder parts, to form a longitudinal seam. Such a longitudinal seam can be designed, for example, as a fin seam or an overlap seam, which are connected to one another by a sealing device. The sealing device, which can have, for example, sealing jaws, sealing belts, sealing wheels, etc., is often arranged below the slot, i.e. below the base plate, and welds the edges of the packaging material web under pressure and heat to form a longitudinal seam.

The slot can also serve to make it easier to fill the formed tube cross-section with packaged goods. For this purpose, the tubular bag machine can have one or more transport fingers, for example, which push packaged goods fed to the forming device, for example chocolate bars, cereal bars or the like, into the still open tube cross-section in the transport direction defined by the slot during the forming of the packaging material web.

The transport finger or fingers can, for example, be arranged below the base plate and, in the case of a two-part base plate, pass completely through the forming device, ie enter the slot at the beginning of the forming device and leave the slot again at the opposite end of the base plate.

However, it can also be provided that the transport finger or fingers emerge from below at an upstream location in front of the shoulder parts through the slot, which can be widened at this point for this purpose, push a package into the forming area in the transport direction and descend downwards at a downstream location through the slot, which can also be widened at this point for this purpose. The transport finger or fingers can, for example, be attached to an endless belt or chain and in this way be continuously moved back and forth between the upstream and downstream positions.

The transport finger(s) can also be arranged below the base plate, enter the slot at the beginning of the forming device, push the packages into the tube cross-section and, after the product has been transferred into the film tube, descend downwards within the forming device.

Usually, the two shoulder parts are welded firmly to the base plate, i.e. a forming device of the type described is designed to produce exactly one specific hose cross-section (format) and is therefore neither adjustable to produce a different format nor slightly adjustable for the intended format in order to ensure a crease-free forming process.

One object of the invention is to improve a forming device for forming a tube from a material web in such a way that the forming device can be easily modified for the production of different bag cross-sections This object is achieved by a forming device with the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are described in the dependent patent claims.

The proposed forming device can be designed according to one or more of the aspects described below. For illustration purposes, it is described with reference to the drawing figures in which several of these aspects are implemented.

To solve the problem, a forming device for horizontal tubular bag machines for forming a tube from a material web is proposed, which comprises a horizontal base plate with a slot running in a transport direction, as well as two shoulder parts fastened to the base plate on each side of the slot, each having a section of a forming edge over which the material web is guided in a forming process, wherein the shoulder parts each comprise at least two shoulder part segments which are detachably connected to one another and whose distance from one another can be changed by inserting one or more extension elements, wherein the shoulder parts are divided into a former part for forming a flat material web into a tube cross-section and a fastening part for attaching the shoulder part to the base plate and the distance between the former part and the fastening part can be adjusted by inserting extension elements of different sizes, and/or the shoulder parts are divided into two former part segments in the area of the forming edge section and the length of the forming edge section can be adjusted by inserting extension elements of different sizes. Extension elements are adjustable.

In other words, the shoulder parts, which have previously usually been designed in one piece, have at least one interruption at which two adjacent shoulder part segments are connected to one another, for example by means of screws and/or dowel pins or similar detachable connecting elements.

The base plate can be formed in one piece, i.e. the slot is made in the base plate in such a way that the parts of the base plate on either side of the slot are connected to one another in one piece. Alternatively, the base plate can consist of two or more partial plates, with the slot being formed by the adjacent side edges of the partial plates.

The extension elements that can be attached to change the distance between the shoulder part segments can be designed differently depending on the intended use, as will be explained in more detail below. Extension elements can, for example, be designed as bodies with two parallel connection surfaces and a relatively small thickness, for example in the range of a tenth of a millimeter to approximately 20 millimeters, which serves in particular to adjust the forming device, i.e. to correct the forming path of the material web to ensure uniform web tension and to avoid creasing and folding. However, extension elements can also have a thickness in the range of approximately 5 to approximately 100 mm or more and are primarily used to adapt the forming device to the intended production different tube cross-sections of the tubular bag to be produced.

In one embodiment, the base plate can have at least one receiving pocket for each shoulder part, into which the shoulder part is inserted in a form-fitting manner and detachably connected to the base plate. The fastening can be carried out, for example, with a single screw, because the exact position of the connection point between the shoulder part and the base plate is precisely determined by the receiving pocket. In particular, if the receiving pocket does not have a circular shape, unintentional twisting of the shoulder part relative to the base plate is effectively prevented.

It can also be provided that the base plate has two or more receiving pockets for each shoulder part. This allows a shoulder part to be attached to one of several positions relative to the base plate in order to be able to produce different tubular bag cross-sections.

In an alternative of the forming device according to the invention, it can be provided that the shoulder parts are divided into two shoulder part segments, namely a former part for forming a flat material web into a tubular cross-section and a fastening part for attaching the shoulder part to the base plate, and the distance between the former part and the fastening part can be adjusted by inserting extension elements of different sizes.

Alternatively or additionally, the invention may provide that the shoulder parts in the region of the forming edge section are divided into two shoulder part segments, namely two former part segments, and the length of the forming edge section can be adjusted by inserting extension elements of different sizes.

By means of these two configurations, which can also be provided cumulatively on a forming device, depending on the selected thickness of the extension element, either an adjustment of the forming device for an exact run of the material web or, as explained above for the configuration of the forming device with several receiving pockets in the base plate, the configuration of the forming device for producing a larger or smaller hose cross-section can be realized.

The shoulder part segments can be connected to one another, for example, by means of dowel pins and screws. For example, the shoulder part segments and the extension elements can have dowel holes for receiving dowel pins, and one shoulder part segment and the usable extension elements can have through holes, while the other shoulder part segment has a threaded hole.

The forming device described can be used particularly advantageously in a horizontal tubular bag machine in which the forming device is mounted such that the base plate lies in a horizontal plane, wherein packaging material is inserted into the tube cross-section formed in the forming device in a horizontal transport direction.

In this case, a flat material web can be fed to the shoulder parts, for example from above the forming device, the material web can be formed by the shoulder parts into a tubular cross-section with a longitudinal seam underneath, and a longitudinal seam can be formed below the slit. Fig.5 shows examples of hose cross-sections that can be produced according to this principle as well as the feeding of the material web to the forming device and the basic course of the material web during forming.

Alternatively, a flat material web can be fed to the shoulder parts, for example from below the forming device, the material web can be formed by the shoulder parts into a tubular cross-section with a longitudinal seam on top and a longitudinal seam can be formed above the slot. Fig.6 shows examples of hose cross-sections that can be produced according to this principle as well as the feeding of the material web to the forming device and the basic course of the material web during forming.

In a further alternative, a flat material web can be fed to the shoulder parts from above or below the forming device, and the material web can be formed by the shoulder parts into a tubular cross-section with a longitudinal seam on the side. Fig.7 shows examples of hose cross-sections that can be produced according to this principle as well as the feeding of the material web to the forming device and the basic course of the material web during forming.

• Fig. 1 eine Gesamtansicht eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels einer Formungseinrichtung der beschriebenen Art,
• Fig. 2 eine Explosionsdarstellung einer Hälfte der Formungseinrichtung gemäß Fig. 1,
• Fig. 3 das Ausführungsbeispiel der Fig. 1 und 2 in drei Ansichten, und
• Fig. 4 eine Explosionsdarstellung einer Hälfte der Formungseinrichtung gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel.

The invention is described below with reference to Examples of embodiments and associated drawings are explained in more detail.

• Fig.1 an overall view of a first embodiment of a forming device of the type described,
• Fig.2 an exploded view of one half of the forming device according to Fig.1 ,
• Fig.3 the embodiment of the Fig.1 and 2 in three views, and
• Fig.4 an exploded view of one half of the forming device according to a second embodiment.

The following describes the first embodiment as it is shown in the Fig. 1 to 3 shown:
The base plate 1 consists of two partial plates, the side edges of which are facing each other and are spaced apart, whereby the base plate 1 has a slot 3, which also marks the transport direction of the packages to be packed. A shoulder part 6 is arranged to the left and right of the slot 3. The shoulder parts 6 are not welded to the base plate 1, but are detachably attached to it.

The shoulder parts 6 can be divided into a former part 7, which causes the formation of a flat packaging material web into a tubular cross-section, and a fastening part 8, which serves to attach the shoulder part 6 to the base plate 1.

The shoulder parts 6 can be connected to the base plate 1 by means of screws 12 and/or by means of dowel pins with the Base plate 1. In the case of split shoulder parts 6, the fastening parts 8 can be connected to the base plate 1 by means of screws 12 and/or by means of dowel pins. This makes it possible to obtain a modular system in which the fastening parts 8 are standard parts for all formats to be produced and always have the same dimensions. In addition, material consumption is reduced because only the former parts 7 have to be replaced when they are worn out, and the fastening parts 8 can be reused.

The shoulder parts 6 can be arranged in a form-fitting manner in a receiving pocket 5 of the base plate 1. In the case of split shoulder parts 6, the fastening parts 8 can be arranged in a form-fitting manner in a receiving pocket 5 of the base plate 1. The base plate 1 can have two or more receiving pockets 5 for each shoulder part 6. The forming device can comprise two or more base plates 1 (which in turn can be made in one piece or can comprise two or more partial plates), which have a receiving pocket 5 for each shoulder part 6, with the receiving pocket 5 being arranged at a different location on each base plate 1. This creates a modular system in which only the base plate 1 needs to be replaced to produce different formats, but the shoulder parts 6 can continue to be used.

In the case of split shoulder parts 6, the former parts 7 can be connected to the fastening parts 8 by means of screws 11 and/or by means of dowel pins 10. In the case of split shoulder parts 6, An extension element 9 can be arranged between the former part 7 and the fastening part 8. The extension element 9 enables the shoulder parts 6 to be adjusted to a small extent for a specific format to be produced in order to ensure a crease-free forming process. In addition, a modular system can be obtained in which only the number and/or the thickness of the extension elements 9 used has to be changed to produce different formats, although the shoulder parts 6 (ie the former parts 7 and the fastening parts 8) and the base plate 1 can still be used.

The forming device can comprise two or more sets of shoulder parts 6, one set comprising a left and a right shoulder part 6. In the case of split shoulder parts 6, the forming device can comprise two or more sets of former parts 7, one set comprising a left and a right former part 7. One set of shoulder parts 6 or former parts 7 can be made from a metal or an alloy as usual, while another set of shoulder parts 6 or former parts 7 can be made from plastic, for example produced using a 3D printing process. This allows a shoulder part 6 or former part 7 that can be produced quickly and inexpensively to be tested and, if necessary, optimized until a crease-free forming and/or a desired format of the tubular bag to be produced is achieved. A shoulder part 6 or former part 7 is then manufactured from a metal or an alloy with the optimized dimensions for production use in order to ensure the longest possible service life.

Shoulder parts 6 or molded parts 7 made of plastic can also be used for production purposes. In order to adapt the rigidity to the requirements of production, such shoulder parts 6 or molded parts 7 can be reinforced with metal or ceramic inserts, which are either enclosed in the plastic or inserted and fixed in surface recesses provided for this purpose in the shoulder part 6 or molded part 7. It is particularly advantageous for the reinforcements to be introduced during production, for example by overmolding or printing plastic.

The second embodiment is described below, as it is shown in the Fig.4 shown:
This embodiment has essentially all the features of the first embodiment described above, and additionally the following features:
In addition to the division of the shoulder part 6 into a former part 7, which effects the formation of a flat packaging material web into a tube cross-section, and a fastening part 8, which serves to attach the shoulder part 6 to the base plate 1, in this embodiment the former part 7, which contains the forming edge section, is divided into two former part segments 7a, so that the former part 7 can be changed by inserting extension elements 9 of different sizes, whereby the length of the forming edge section also changes and whereby the forming device can be adjusted depending on the thickness of the extension element 9 used or the tube cross-section to be produced can be changed.

The extension element 9 has bores for receiving dowel pins 10 and a screw 11, which is screwed through the outer former part segment 7a and the extension element 9 into the inner former part segment 7A.

List of reference symbols

1

Base plate

2

Mounting hole

3

slot

4

Recess

5

Recording pocket

6

Shoulder part

7

Forming part

7A

Forming segment

8th

Fastening part

9

Extension element

10

Dowel pin

11

screw

12

screw

Claims (8)

1. Shaping device for horizontal tubular-bag machines for forming a tube from a material sheet, comprising a horizontal baseplate (1), which has a slot (3) extending in a transport direction and two shoulder parts (6), which are secured to the baseplate (1) on a respective side of the slot (3) and comprise a respective portion of a forming edge, over which the material sheet is conducted with forming action, the shoulder parts (6) each comprising at least two detachably interconnected shoulder-part segments (7, 7A, 8) and at least one extension element (9), characterized in that

   • the shoulder parts (6) are subdivided into a shaping part (7) for forming a flat material sheet to afford a tubular cross section and a securing part (8) for mounting the shoulder part (6) on the baseplate (1), and the spacing between the shaping part (7) and the securing part (8) is adjustable by inserting extension elements (9) of different sizes, or/and

   • the shoulder parts (6) are subdivided into two shaping-part segments (7A) in the region of the forming-edge portion and the length of the forming-edge portion is adjustable by inserting extension elements (9) of different sizes.
2. Shaping device according to Claim 1, in which, for each shoulder part (6), the baseplate (1) has at least one receiving pocket (5) or/and at least one pin connection with one or more dowel pins (10), in which receiving pocket or/and pin connection the shoulder part (6) is form-fittingly inserted and detachably connected to the baseplate (1).
3. Shaping device according to Claim 2, in which, for each shoulder part (6), the baseplate (1) has two or more receiving pockets (5) or/and pin connections with one or more dowel pins (10) for fixing the shoulder part (6) at one of many positions.
4. Shaping device according to Claim 2, in which, for each shoulder part (6), the baseplate (1) has a receiving pocket (5), in which the shoulder part is movable and fixable at one of many positions.
5. Shaping device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the shoulder-part segments (7, 7A, 8) are interconnected by means of dowel pins (10) and screws (11).
6. Method for operating a horizontal tubular-bag machine having a shaping device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, in which the shaping device is mounted such that the baseplate (1) lies in a horizontal plane, a flat material sheet being fed to the shoulder parts (6) from above the shaping device, the material sheet being shaped by the shoulder parts (6) to afford a tubular cross section with a longitudinal seam at the bottom, and a longitudinal seam being made below the slot (3), a product to be packaged being inserted in a horizontal transport direction into the tubular cross section that has been made.
7. Method for operating a horizontal tubular-bag machine having a shaping device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, in which the shaping device is mounted such that the baseplate (1) lies in a horizontal plane, a flat material sheet being fed to the shoulder parts (6) from below the shaping device, the material sheet being shaped by the shoulder parts (6) to afford a tubular cross section with a longitudinal seam at the top, and a longitudinal seam being made above the slot (3), a product to be packaged being inserted in a horizontal transport direction into the tubular cross section that has been made.
8. Method for operating a horizontal tubular-bag machine having a shaping device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, in which the shaping device is mounted such that the baseplate (1) lies in a horizontal plane, a flat material sheet being fed to the shoulder parts (6) from above or below the shaping device, the material sheet being shaped by the shoulder parts (6) to afford a tubular cross section with a lateral longitudinal seam, and a longitudinal seam is made to the side of the slot (3) on one side of the baseplate (1), a product to be packaged being inserted in a horizontal transport direction into the tubular cross section that has been made.

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