EP3853007A1

EP3853007A1 - Tool for applying a film

Info

Publication number: EP3853007A1
Application number: EP19773401.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christian Hübner; Johannes Körner
Original assignee: Profol GmbH; Si Silicone Innovation GmbH
Current assignee: Profol GmbH; Si Silicone Innovation GmbH
Priority date: 2018-09-19
Filing date: 2019-09-19
Publication date: 2021-07-28
Also published as: WO2020058399A1; DE102018215939A1; US20210347128A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a tool (1) for applying a film to a target object under the action of heat and/or pressure, comprising a support (11) of a first material and a rib (21) of a second, elastic material, the rib being arranged on the support, and the rib having at least one region (W) which is convex.

Description

Tool for applying a film

Technical field

The present invention relates to a tool for applying a film to a target object. The tool can be used to apply a film to the target object under the action of heat and / or pressure. In a preferred embodiment, the tool is used to close packaging for food.

Technical background

In the field of food packaging, for example, the task often arises of closing a target object in the form of a container (for example a mug, bucket, bin, etc.). It is known to provide such vessels as a target with an edge along the opening and to apply a lid made of a film to this edge for closure. The lid can consist of different materials and can also be applied using a wide variety of methods. Adhesive bonding, pressing or welding are among the methods that can be used. The selected materials and processes can then each provide certain advantages, but often also suffer from corresponding disadvantages, so that the selection of materials and processes for a specific use and application is often limited. In recent times, additional tasks have arisen, particularly in the packaging of consumer goods (food, medication, cosmetics, consumables, etc.): For example, a certain type of purity of the packaging as a whole is often necessary for sufficient recyclability. It is often required that both the container (ie the target object in the form of a cup, for example) and the closure (lid) are made of a sufficiently similar or even the same material so that they can be easily recycled when disposed of. Nonetheless, further factors have to be considered, particularly in the area of consumer goods. At this point, good printability of the materials, compliance with hygiene regulations and a satisfactory opening experience by the user are mentioned. The latter is particularly important in the case of foodstuffs, since the user, ie the consumer, is to be given a secure feeling that, firstly, the container was reliably closed before opening, and secondly that after opening the container has no damage and that the container is not damaged The closure has been opened satisfactorily. This can be a complete detachment of the lid and / or good resealability.

With regard to compliance with hygiene standards and regulations, it should be mentioned that filling and closing a food packaging does not contaminate the exterior of the packaging with content (ie the food) or the tools and equipment for packaging with the content or goods to be filled should. For example, residues outside not only leave a dirty impression on the packaging, but can also spoil and / or contaminate other goods. Contamination of the filling system (including tools (s), brackets, transport mechanisms, etc.) itself is often undesirable, especially if the goods to be filled are perishable foods.

There is therefore a need for a technology which achieves the above-mentioned objectives when applying a film, in particular in Connection of packaging of a good to be filled. Economy, reliability and overall satisfactory compliance with all applicable standards should also be taken into account. It is therefore a particular object of the present invention to provide a tool for applying a film, with which one or more of the aforementioned objectives can be achieved.

Summary

The problems and tasks mentioned are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further advantageous refinements of the present invention are specified in the dependent patent claims.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a tool is provided for applying a film to a target object under the action of heat and / or pressure, comprising a carrier made of a first material and a web made of a second, elastic material, the web being arranged on the carrier , and wherein the web has at least one area which is curved outwards.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for applying a film to a target object under the action of heat and / or pressure, comprising the steps of providing a tool comprising a carrier made of a first material and a web made of a second, elastic material, wherein the web is arranged on the carrier, and wherein the web has at least one area which is curved outwards, placing the target object in a holder, providing and arranging the film between the target object and the tool, achieving a target temperature the web of the tool, and a controlled approach and pressing on of the tool at least a part of the target object, so that the film is connected to at least this part.

Brief description of the figures

The embodiments of the present invention are explained and clarified in particular in the context of the following figures. The scope of protection is not intended to be limited to this embodiment, and the figures and the associated description are therefore only intended to illustrate the general idea of the invention. In the attached figures, FIGS. 1A and 1B show a schematic sectional view and

Top view of a tool according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2A to 2D are schematic sectional views of

Tools according to others

Embodiments of the Present

Invention; Figures 3A to 3E are schematic sectional views of

Tools according to others

Embodiments of the Present

Invention, Figures 4A to 4D schematic top views possible

Traces of webs in tools according to further embodiments of the present invention, the figure 5 schematically use the

Tool when applying a film to a target object according to a Embodiment of the present

Invention, as well as the figure 6 schematically shows a flow chart

Method embodiment of the vorlie invention.

Detailed description

FIG. 1A shows a schematic sectional view of a tool according to a first embodiment of the present invention. A tool 1 is used to apply a film to a target object under the action of heat and / or pressure. The tool 1 comprises a carrier 11 made of a first material and a web 21 made of a second, elastic material, the web 21 being arranged on the carrier 11 and having at least one region W which is curved outwards. A section of this curved area is also shown enlarged in. Here, a circular or elliptical basic shape can emerge, which can be described by one or more radii. In advantageous embodiments of the invention, the curvature W can follow a circle with a radius rl in a range from 4 mm to 9 mm.

The first material of the carrier 11 is preferably a metal, such as, for example, aluminum, copper, an aluminum alloy, a copper alloy, brass, bronze, amcorloy, or steel. In embodiments in which the tool is used to apply a film to a target object under the action of heat, the first material should have a sufficient or the desired thermal conductivity or heat capacity. If welding, ie an at least partial melting of the film and possibly parts of the target object is desired, sufficient heat conduction is required to obtain the necessary heat of fusion from the heating within the desired time or heat source (not shown) to the curved area of the web.

The second material of the web is preferably a high-temperature-resistant silicone or other elastomer with a Shore A hardness between 50 and 80. In particular, there can be material resistance up to temperatures of, for example, 250 ° C. and above. The second material can also have a composite material which has one or more fillers in a carrier material (aforementioned silicone / elastomer), which are used in particular to increase the thermal conductivity and / or the specific heat capacity while maintaining the mechanical strength. The second material can also be ferromagnetic, and this property can also be used for positioning and for adhering to the carrier. In this case, the tool can have a magnet (e.g. permanent magnet or electromagnet) to hold the web in the carrier or at least to support its attachment.

One or more of the fillers mentioned can be in particulate form and in this form can be mixed into the carrier material. The mechanical resilience can then be achieved, for example, by a spherical shape of the particles and a corresponding particle size between 1-10 μm of the fillers. Aluminum, copper, an aluminum alloy, a copper alloy, brass, bronze, Amcorloy, an iron oxide, iron, pure iron or steel are preferably considered as materials for a filler. Furthermore, for the appropriate networking u. A. use a peroxidic crosslinking, platinum-containing crosslinking agents, general crosslinking agents, inhibitors, catalysts, and stabilizers. The material content of the filler is thereby preferably maximized in order to accordingly maximize heat conduction or at least optimize it taking into account a material strength or abrasion resistance to be achieved. In such and other configurations, heat input and pressure transfer can occur Foil and / or the material of the target object can be adjusted in the area of a closure.

In the present invention, the carrier made of the first material not only serves for mechanical stability but also carries the required heat to the area of the web which is curved outwards. This area can therefore be pressed onto a film and an area (eg edge of a cup, for details see below in connection with FIG. 5) of the target object, the necessary heat being applied to the closure area. The curvature towards the outside (bombage) preferably initially enables a linear contact. When the tool is further fed onto the film, the region of the web that bulges outwards is pressed onto the film, the mechanical contact area starting from the initial line increasing increasingly in both directions away from the line. In this way, an off or. Pressing away any contamination on the film or on the sealing edge of the target object. In the area of critical packaging (hygiene-critical packaging such as in the field of food packaging), it can thus be ensured that contamination or residues of the goods to be filled adversely affect the adhesion or the bond between the film and the target object.

FIG. 1B shows a schematic top view of the tool from FIG. 1A. In this embodiment, the web 21 is of annular or circular design, at least the arched region of the web 21 being visible in the plan view. The carrier 11 is arranged at least in an area below the web 21, but can also extend into an area outside and / or inside the web. Depending on the intended use, an inner radius of 60 mm, 68 mm or 86 mm is appropriate for a circular bar, for a bar width D in a range of 3 ... 6 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the web width D is one Closure edge of the target object (eg cup) increased by 0.5 to 1.0 mm.

FIGS. 2A to 2D show schematic sectional views of tools according to further embodiments of the present invention, the realization of the web 21 in particular being described. FIG. 2A shows an embodiment in which the carrier 11 has a groove 111 into which the web in the form of a profiled O-ring 22 can be inserted and fitted. In the embodiment shown, the groove 111 follows an essentially rectangular profile and thus produces a relatively large contact area with the O-ring, which in turn produces an advantageously large heat transfer to the O-ring and finally to the curved surface W.

FIG. 2B shows an embodiment in which the carrier 11 has a groove 112, into which the web in the form of a profiled O-ring 23 can be inserted and fitted. In the embodiment shown, the groove 112 follows a profile that is essentially matched to the profile of the O-ring 23 and, with an undercut, represents an advantageous fixation of the O-ring. In this embodiment, an optimization of the contact surface on the one hand and the avoidance can be carried out in an advantageous manner of peak loads and force peaks on the other hand. Even if the contact area, which is available to the O-ring 23 for heat transfer from the carrier 11, is slightly reduced compared to other embodiments, the rounded basic shape achieves a more uniform and better transfer of forces. This can significantly increase tool life and reliability.

The cross-sectional shape of four circular segments also ensures that a corresponding undercut in the groove 112 holds the O-ring 23 reliably. While the outer surfaces of the O-ring 23 facing the target object and the carrier can again be described by a first radius rl (cf. FIG. 1A), the side surfaces can be described by a second, smaller radius r2 can be described. Advantageous configurations can be achieved with a first radius rl in a range from 4 mm to 9 mm and a second radius r2 in a range from 1 mm to 3 mm. In these embodiments, an air space or the formation thereof in an area in which the O-ring touches the groove can advantageously be effectively avoided. This enables good heat transfer to be achieved and the occurrence of load peaks at the corners and / or pinching can also be avoided. While avoiding the load peaks or crushing can increase the service life of the O-ring, an increased or optimal heat transfer can also achieve an increased processing speed with the tool as a whole.

FIG. 2C shows an embodiment in which the carrier 11 has a base web 112, to which the web is applied in the form of a coating 24 made of the aforementioned second material. The corresponding connection can be made detachable and non-detachable, the surfaces of the base web 112 being pretreated using corresponding, but known methods before the coating 24 for realizing the web is made of the aforementioned second material.

FIG. 2D shows an embodiment in which the carrier 11 has a base web 113, to which the web is applied in the form of a coating 25 made of the aforementioned second material. In this embodiment, the base web has an upper profile Z, which lies below the curved region W of the web. The profile Z can have rounded elevations on the outside and a rounded depression in the middle, and thus approximately correspond to a tooth profile. This profile can advantageously distribute the force when the tool is pressed onto a film and a target object, so that an optimal sealing process can take place. The corresponding connection between the base web and the coating can be made detachable or non-detachable again, with at least parts of the Surfaces of the base web 113 are again pretreated using appropriate, but known methods before the coating 25 for realizing the web is made of the aforementioned second material.

FIGS. 3A to 3E show schematic sectional views of tools according to further embodiments of the present invention, in which the tool furthermore has an inner carrier made of a third material. This third material can be the same as the aforementioned first material or one of the following or any combination of several of the following materials: machinable ceramic, ceramic, glass fiber reinforced ceramic, glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP), high temperature resistant and / or foamed plastics, foamed silicates ( Aerogels), expanded glass, and any other thermally and mechanically resilient insulating material. Furthermore, the third material and / or the inner carrier can be at least partially provided with a coating in order to achieve food conformity. More preferably, the third material has a continuous use temperature of at least 250 ° C.

The tool according to one embodiment with the inner carrier is shown schematically in FIG. 3A. Accordingly, the tool has the inner carrier 31 made of the third material. In this embodiment, the undercut of the groove continues in the carrier 11, so that the web in the form of an O-ring 21 can be kept stress-free and reliably.

FIG. 3B schematically shows the tool according to a further embodiment with the inner carrier. Accordingly, the tool has the inner carrier 32 made of the third material. In this embodiment, too, the undercut of the groove continues in the carrier 11, so that the web in the form of an O-ring 21 can continue to be held stress-free and reliably. Furthermore, the inner carrier 32 continues a distance d beyond the end of the curvature W of the web, or protrudes with the distance d. The amount of d can can advantageously be chosen in a range between 100 μm and 600 μm or in a range between 200 μm and 400 μm. An advantageous effect of this protruding section of the inner carrier 32 can include further pressing and / or smoothing the film on the target object.

Furthermore, the inner carrier 32 comprises, in this embodiment at least, a central recess 321, which advantageously offers space for the film to expand during the application. In a further advantageous manner, warping, crumpling or other disadvantageous changes to the film can thus be avoided. This can be particularly important if the film has a print which is not to be changed or is only to be changed imperceptibly by the application. In addition, the central cutout 321 allows the film to expand upward when the film inflates, for example, as the lid of a cup packaging.

FIG. 3C schematically shows the tool according to a further embodiment with the inner carrier. Accordingly, the tool has the inner carrier 33 made of the third material. In this embodiment, too, a distance and a central recess are provided, but additionally a spacing from the carrier 11 by means of spacer crowns 333.These areas 333 can simultaneously serve as a guide part for releasable fastening means (bolts, screws, press or plug connections, snap hooks, undercut, etc. .) to serve. Together with the properties of the third material, the spacing can reduce the heat input in a central area. This can advantageously protect the film during the application in this area and effectively prevent warping, fusing or other disadvantageous changes.

The tool according to a further embodiment with the inner carrier is shown schematically in FIG. 3D. Accordingly, the tool has the inner carrier 34 made of the third material. In this embodiment too, a distance is a central one Recess and a spacing from the carrier 11 is provided. In addition, ventilation channels 335 are provided both in the inner carrier 34 and in the carrier 11, which can ventilate and vent the area of the inner recess (cf. reference number 321 in FIG. 3B). The film can thus advantageously expand unhindered into the central recess during the application and, furthermore, the film does not adhere to the tool when it is removed by being suppressed.

FIG. 3E schematically shows the tool according to a further embodiment with the inner carrier. Accordingly, the tool in the carrier 11 has at least one embedded or fitted magnet 35 which can hold a web 26 with ferromagnetic properties or which at least support adhesion of the web 26. The ferromagnetic property of the web 26 can be achieved, for example, by using appropriate fillers (as listed above). The magnet 35 can be made in one piece and essentially follow the shape of the web 26, or a plurality of individual magnets 35 can be provided. A magnet 35 can be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. In addition, a magnet 35 can also be defined as a magnetic area, which is generated by suitably conducted electrical circuit currents.

Various features of the corresponding inner supports 31 to 34 have been described in connection with FIGS. 3A to 3E. Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention include further useful combinations, which are not expressly shown because of the scarcity offered. However, these further embodiments include at least any combination of the features of the distance d, the central recess 321, the spacing 333 and the ventilation channels 335.

FIGS. 4A to 4D show schematic top views of possible courses of webs in tools according to others Embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 4A schematically shows a round or circular course of a web 21-1 and FIG. 4B shows a rectangular course of a web 21-2. It is clear that the embodiments of the present invention are not restricted to purely geometrical shapes, but also include any shapes and courses, in particular due to the properties of the target object. Thus, FIG. 4C schematically shows a triangular course of a web 21-3 representative of a generally n-angular course. In all of these embodiments, the corners can be rounded and / or have further beveled or rounded mouths.

FIG. 4D shows a schematic plan view according to a further embodiment of the present invention, in which the tool has a plurality of webs 21-41, 21-42 and 21-43 within a range for a single target object (cf. dashed line) or also for has multiple target objects at the same time. The webs 21-41 and 21-42 accordingly follow, for example, any corresponding shape, the third web 21-43 no longer having a central opening and having shrunk to a point-like region. Here, the film can be applied in a punctiform manner on the target object and the web 21-43 can be formed by a lens made of the second material.

FIG. 5 schematically shows the use of the tool when applying a film to a target object according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a tool 11 is intended to apply a film 4 to a target object 6 under the action of heat and pressure. For this purpose, the target object (for example a container for a food such as a yoghurt cup) is placed in a holder 5. An edge 61 of the cup 6 lies on this holder 5 and the film 4 can thus be pressed onto the edge 61 using the tool 11. For this purpose, the web 21 of the tool 11 is brought or held to a target temperature and moved onto the edge 61 under a well-defined or controlled pressure. The film 4 is applied to the target object in the area of the edge 61 by pressing, welding and / or otherwise connecting the materials of the film 4 and the edge 61.

FIG. 6 schematically shows a flow diagram of a method embodiment of the present invention. The corresponding method is used to apply a film to a target object under the action of heat and / or pressure and initially comprises a step S1 of providing a tool comprising a carrier made of a first material and a web made of a second, elastic material, the web being on is arranged on the carrier, and wherein the web has at least one region which is curved outwards. Any other tool according to one of the described or included embodiments of the present invention can also be used to carry out the method according to the invention. The method further comprises a step S2 of bringing the target object into a holder and a step S3 of providing and arranging the film between the target object and the tool.

In a step S4 of achieving a target temperature on the web of the tool, the carrier and / or other parts of the tool, preferably controlled or regulated, are heated, so that a desired target temperature is set on or in the web. The arched area of the web thus has a desired temperature (for example in a range from 130 ° C. to 230 ° C.), so that it can be welded onto the target object when it comes into contact with the film. In a step S5 of a controlled approach and pressing of the tool onto at least a part of the target object, the film is then connected to at least this part or welded to it under the action of pressure and heat.

In the above context, a method according to the invention with steps S1 to S5 was described in this order. It is understood that further embodiments follow these steps in differing and / or simultaneous order can include. It is therefore only necessary that steps S1 to S4 take place before step S5, furthermore step S4 can generally be carried out simultaneously in the sense of a temperature control and simultaneously with the other steps.

Although detailed embodiments of the invention have now been described, they should only be used for a better understanding of the invention and its effects. The scope of protection is defined by the following claims and is not intended to be limited by the detailed description.

Claims

Expectations :

1. Tool for applying a film to a target object under the action of heat and / or pressure, comprising a carrier made of a first material and a web made of a second, elastic material, wherein the web is arranged on the carrier, and wherein the web is at least has an area which is curved outwards.

2. Tool according to claim 1, wherein the web is arranged closed along a circumference, preferably annular or circular, on the carrier.

3. Tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the carrier has a base web on which the web is applied in the form of a coating.

4. Tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the carrier has a closed groove along the circumference and the web is arranged in the form of an O-ring in the groove.

5. Tool according to claim 4, further comprising an inner carrier made of a third material which forms part of the groove along its outer circumference.

6. Tool according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the groove one

Has undercut.

7. Tool according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the outwardly curved region of the web has an outer circumference which is greater than an outer circumference of a region of the target object to which the film is applied.

8. Tool according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the carrier has a recess for receiving a bombing of the film.

9. Tool according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second, elastic material has a ferromagnetic property and the tool has a magnet to hold the web or to support its adhesion.

10. Method of applying a film to one

Target object under the action of heat and / or pressure, comprising the steps of providing a tool comprising a carrier made of a first material and a web made of a second, elastic material, the web being arranged on the carrier, and the web being at least one region which is curved outwards,

placing the target object in a

Bracket,

providing and arranging the film between the target object and the tool,

achieving a target temperature on the web of the tool, and

a controlled approach and pressing of the tool onto at least part of the target object, so that the film is connected to at least this part.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the provision of a tool comprises the provision of a tool according to one of claims 1 to 9.