EP4101774B1 - Sealing device and method for sealing packagings - Google Patents

Sealing device and method for sealing packagings Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4101774B1
EP4101774B1 EP21179145.4A EP21179145A EP4101774B1 EP 4101774 B1 EP4101774 B1 EP 4101774B1 EP 21179145 A EP21179145 A EP 21179145A EP 4101774 B1 EP4101774 B1 EP 4101774B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
film web
moistening
sealing
cover
operating state
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP21179145.4A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP4101774A1 (en
Inventor
Andreas THALER
Daniel BIRKHOLD
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Harro Hofliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
Original Assignee
Harro Hofliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Harro Hofliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH filed Critical Harro Hofliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
Priority to EP21179145.4A priority Critical patent/EP4101774B1/en
Priority to ES21179145T priority patent/ES2967199T3/en
Priority to PL21179145.4T priority patent/PL4101774T3/en
Priority to US17/837,873 priority patent/US11845579B2/en
Priority to CA3162802A priority patent/CA3162802A1/en
Priority to CN202210653204.XA priority patent/CN115465498B/en
Publication of EP4101774A1 publication Critical patent/EP4101774A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP4101774B1 publication Critical patent/EP4101774B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
    • B65B51/10—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof
    • B65B51/16—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof by rotary members
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B65B7/162—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by feeding web material to securing means
    • B65B7/164—Securing by heat-sealing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B11/00—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
    • B65B11/50—Enclosing articles, or quantities of material, by disposing contents between two sheets, e.g. pocketed sheets, and securing their opposed free margins
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B47/00—Apparatus or devices for forming pockets or receptacles in or from sheets, blanks, or webs, comprising essentially a die into which the material is pressed or a folding die through which the material is moved
    • B65B47/04—Apparatus or devices for forming pockets or receptacles in or from sheets, blanks, or webs, comprising essentially a die into which the material is pressed or a folding die through which the material is moved by application of mechanical pressure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
    • B65B51/02—Applying adhesives or sealing liquids
    • B65B51/023—Applying adhesives or sealing liquids using applicator nozzles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
    • B65B51/02—Applying adhesives or sealing liquids
    • B65B51/026—Applying adhesives or sealing liquids using rotating applicators
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
    • B65B51/10—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/02—Closing containers or receptacles deformed by, or taking-up shape, of, contents, e.g. bags, sacks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/02—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs
    • B65B9/04—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs one or both webs being formed with pockets for the reception of the articles, or of the quantities of material
    • B65B9/042—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs one or both webs being formed with pockets for the reception of the articles, or of the quantities of material for fluent material

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a sealing device for sealing packaging according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for operating such a sealing device.
  • Detergents or dishwashing detergents for domestic use are increasingly being packaged in water-soluble packaging in the form of powders or liquids.
  • the packaging is made of water-soluble film and contains a unit dose of detergent or dishwashing liquid.
  • the filled and sealed packaging unit is placed in the washing machine or dishwasher. Upon contact with water, the foil packaging dissolves and releases the contents in the intended quantity.
  • a base film web and a cover film web which are formed from water-soluble films, are used.
  • the base film is usually deep-drawn into appropriate matrices under the influence of heat and vacuum.
  • the molding process creates troughs in the base film, which are filled with the filling material.
  • a cover film is then sealed onto the base film. By sealing both films, the filling material in the molds is enclosed. Finally, the sealed packaging units are separated from the connected film strips so that they can be used individually by the user.
  • water sealing can also be considered for sealing such packaging.
  • moistening units with a felt roller are used, by means of which water is applied to the cover film.
  • the moistened felt roll rolls on the water-soluble film web, which dissolves its surface.
  • the cover film with a dissolved surface is then pressed onto the prepared base film using a pressure roller, with the dissolution of the film surface causing a seal.
  • Arrangements and procedures of this type are, for example, from GB 2 475 538 A known.
  • flatbed machines are used in which format plates with molded matrices are moved around in a manner similar to a conveyor belt and thereby carry out a horizontal movement during the process steps relevant for deep drawing, filling and sealing.
  • larger output quantities per unit of time are possible because one or more format plates, each with several matrices, can go through a process step at the same time.
  • the latter requires that the individual process stations are comparatively far apart from one another along the horizontal movement path.
  • the electromechanical spray system moistens the cover film web on the circumference of the pressure roller, i.e. just before the sealing point. Nevertheless, a certain section of film remains between the moistening point and the sealing point, which can dry out in the event of a machine shutdown and lead to the consequences described above when the machine is subsequently restarted.
  • the invention is based on the object of developing the generic sealing device in such a way that improved restart behavior is achieved.
  • the invention is also based on the object of specifying a method for operating such a sealing device, which avoids the formation of defective packaging when restarting after a machine shutdown.
  • the moistening unit has a moistening roller and a spray device for the water-containing liquid, the moistening unit being switchable between a first operating state and a second operating state.
  • the moistening roller acts on the cover film web at a roller moistening point.
  • the spray device in the feed area acts on a spray section of the cover film web located between the roller moistening point and the sealing point.
  • the cover film web in the first operating state, is wetted with the water-containing liquid by means of the moistening roller in the feed area at the roller moistening point, guided to the base film running horizontally on the flatbed machine and vertically pressed and sealed with it at the sealing point by means of the pressing device.
  • the sealing device is put into a second operating state.
  • the spray section of the cover film web located in the feed area between the roller moistening point and the sealing point is wetted with the water-containing liquid by means of the spray device.
  • the sealing device is then returned to the first operating state and wetting is resumed using the moistening roller.
  • the cover film web is guided with its wetted spray section to the base film running horizontally on the flatbed machine and is vertically pressed and sealed with this at the sealing point using the pressing device along the spray section.
  • the basic idea is therefore to use the moistening roller known and proven from drum machines in normal operation in a flatbed machine and to accept the comparatively large distance between the roller moistening point and the sealing point. This ensures reliable and uniform moistening of the upper cover film web in normal operation using simple means.
  • the problems described at the beginning when the machine is temporarily stopped and when the machine is subsequently restarted are solved by using the spray device. When restarting and shortly before the transition to normal operation, the dried film area is at least approximately completely moistened again and thus brought into a sealable state. This renewed moistening takes place in the feed area, in which the cover film web is fed to the pressing device from top to bottom.
  • the spray section extends at least approximately from the roller moistening point to the sealing point. This ensures that the dried film section can be completely moistened again with moisture and can therefore be sealed properly without any gaps in the moistening and thus gaps in the sealing quality.
  • the spray device has a spray nozzle for dispensing the water-containing liquid in a jet fan and is designed to cover the entire spray section by means of the jet fan.
  • the width of the spray fan ensures that re-moistening of the entire spray section is completed in just a single operation. The short time required for this contributes to the homogeneity of the moisture state achieved, to a rapid resumption of normal operation and to a seamless transition of the re-moistened film section to the normally moistened cover film web.
  • the spraying device comprises an individual spray nozzle mounted on a carriage, which can be moved transversely to the cover film web by means of the carriage is. In conjunction with uniform water delivery, this allows uniform wetting to be achieved with minimal effort.
  • a nozzle with intermittent piezo delivery can be provided to generate a pulsating spray grid.
  • the spray nozzle can preferably be acted upon by the water-containing liquid from a pressure source and is designed for the continuous delivery of the water-containing liquid. In this way, a homogeneous water film can be created using commercially available and inexpensive assemblies.
  • the feed area is designed to, in the second operating state, feed the cover film web at least along the larger part of the spray section at an angle of 70° to 110° and in particular at an angle of 80° to 100° to the horizontal, i.e. at least approximately vertically lead.
  • the plane of the cover film web in its spray section is therefore at least approximately orthogonal to the plane of the horizontally guided base film web.
  • the spray direction is, on the one hand, approximately perpendicular to the spray section, which ensures effective wetting, and, on the other hand, approximately parallel to the base film, which means that it experiences practically no unintentional moistening.
  • the pressing device is positioned at the sealing point in the first operating state and away from it in the second operating state.
  • the sealing device has a stretching device which acts on the cover film web in the spray section in the second operating state. After the pressing device has been removed, it is possible by means of the stretching device to bring the cover film web starting from the sealing point completely into the upright position and to keep it stretched there in a flat state. This enables an exact Re-moistening right up to the sealing point without affecting the lower base film web. As a result, the sealing process can continue seamlessly.
  • the moistening roller is preferably lifted off the cover film web. This helps ensure that re-moistening can be carried out directly up to the roller moistening point without the moistening roller being in the way. After reapplying the moistening roller, a seamlessly moistened film surface is created.
  • Fig. 1 shows a side view of a section of a flatbed packaging machine for producing packaging units from a deep-drawn base film web 1 and a cover film web 2 sealed onto the base film web 1.
  • the packaging units are filled with dishwashing liquid, detergent or the like.
  • the packaging machine has several processing stations, but is in Fig. 1 For the sake of simplicity, only a section is shown in the area of its sealing station with the sealing device according to the invention. This is preceded by a deep-drawing station (not shown) and a filling station. The sealing device shown is followed by a separating station and a removal station.
  • a cover film web 2 is then applied and sealed to the base film web in the sealing station shown here using the sealing device according to the invention, as a result of which a multi-layer web with individual filled, tightly closed film cavities is created. These are cut out as packaging units in the separating station already mentioned and finally removed from the format plates 18 in the removal station for further use.
  • the sealing device according to the invention has a moistening unit 4 for wetting the cover film web 2 with the water-containing liquid 3.
  • Water is added here as a water-containing liquid Surfactants provided. But tap water can also be useful.
  • the moistening unit 4 includes a moistening roller 8 and a spray device 10, both of which are designed and provided for applying the water-containing liquid 3 to the cover film web 2.
  • the sealing device according to the invention further has a pressing device 5, which is designed and provided for vertical pressing and sealing of the cover film web 2 moistened by means of the moistening unit 4 with the base film web 1 at a sealing point 6.
  • the pressing device 5 is designed as a laminating roller, which rests in a line at the sealing point 6 on the format plates with the package of base and cover film webs 1, 2 in between with vertical pressure.
  • printing stamps or the like can also be used.
  • the cover film web 2 which was previously moistened and thus dissolved on its surface, is sealed onto the base film web 1 in a materially bonded manner.
  • the sealing device has a feed area 7 in which the cover film web 2 is fed from top to bottom to the pressing device 5, i.e. essentially transversely to the conveying direction 17 of the format plates 18 with the base film web 1.
  • the humidification unit 4 acts on the cover film web 2 in this feed area 7.
  • the moistening of the cover film web 2 takes place in the feed area 7, i.e. where the cover film web 2 is moved from top to bottom.
  • a stretching device 16 holds the cover film web 2 in position within the feed area 7 and in the stretched state under longitudinal tension.
  • Fig. 1 shows the sealing device according to the invention in a first operating state in which a normal, continuous sealing process is carried out.
  • the spray device 10 is passive. Rather, the moistening is carried out solely by means of the moistening roller 8, which is designed here as a felt roller and rests on the surface of the cover film web 2 in the feed area 7 at a roller moistening point 9.
  • the roller moistening point 9 can be linear.
  • the cover film web 2 lies above a small wrap angle on the moistening roller 8, so that the roller moistening point 9 has the shape of a narrow but flat strip.
  • the moistening roller 8 partially projects from above into a water bowl 19 filled with the liquid 3.
  • the moistening roller 8 absorbs the liquid 3 and releases it at the roller moistening point 9 onto the cover film web 2, distributed over its entire width.
  • the moistening roller 8 may be sufficient for the moistening roller 8 to simply roll on the surface of the cover film web 2 without its own drive.
  • the moistening roller 8 preferably has its own drive, by means of which it rotates in the opposite direction to the withdrawal direction of the cover film web 2.
  • the cover film web 2 moistened in this way is now continuously removed in normal operation, fed to the pressing device 5 and sealed as described above.
  • the sealing device is switched to a second operating state according to the operating method according to the invention, which in Fig. 2 is shown.
  • the switchover can take place while the machine is at a standstill or immediately afterwards when the packaging machine is restarted.
  • the sealing device is thus placed in a state in which the moistening roller is initially passive when the machine is restarted and in which the spray device already mentioned is used instead.
  • the spray device 10 acts on one in the feed area 7 spray section 11 of the cover film web 2 lying between the roller moistening point 9 and the sealing point 6.
  • the pressing device 5 is positioned at the sealing point 6 in the first operating state and away from it in the second operating state.
  • the laminating roller starting from the operating position of the first operating state ( Fig. 1 ) moved or pivoted to the top right, whereby the sealing point 6 is no longer covered in the second operating state, but is released upwards.
  • the stretching device 16 now holds the cover film web 2 in position and under longitudinal tension in the entire feed area 7, and in particular in a spray section 11 described in more detail below.
  • “held in position” here means that in the second operating state the cover film web 2 is guided at least along the larger part of the spray section 11 at an angle ⁇ of 70° to 110° and preferably of 80° to 100° to the horizontal.
  • the stretching device 16 is relative to the operating position Fig. 1 move to the right so far that it is positioned exactly above the sealing point 6 and thereby guides and holds the cover film web 2 in the feed area 7, namely in the spray section 11, at an angle ( ⁇ ) of approximately 90 ° to the horizontal.
  • the repositioning of the pressing device 5 and the stretching device 16 also causes a repositioning of the cover film web 2 in the feed area 7 to the right, i.e.
  • the moistening roller is still in the second operating state Fig. 2 compared to the first, normal operating state Fig. 1 including its water bowl 19 raised to such an extent that the section of the Cover film web 2 between the previous roller moistening point 9 and the sealing point 6 is exposed in the horizontal direction towards the spray device 10.
  • the spray section 11 extends as shown Fig. 2 at least approximately, here even completely from the roller moistening point 9 to the sealing point 6.
  • the spray device 10 has a spray nozzle 13 for dispensing the water-containing liquid 3 in a jet fan 12.
  • the opening angle of the jet fan 12 and the distance of the spray nozzle 13 to the cover film web 2 are coordinated with one another in such a way that the spray section 11 is completely covered by the jet fan 12 in relation to the longitudinal direction of the second film web 2.
  • spray nozzles can be arranged next to each other. This would open up the possibility of moistening the spray section 11 along the entire width of the cover film web 2 with a single spray blast using overlapping, cone-shaped jet fans 12.
  • a single spray nozzle 13 is provided, which is shown in the front view Fig. 3 is presented in additional detail. Accordingly, the spray nozzle 13 is mounted together with an associated control unit 22 on a carriage 14 and by means of this carriage 14 on a guide rail 20 according to a double arrow 21 transversely The cover film web 2 can be moved in the longitudinal direction.
  • the control unit 22 includes a needle valve, not shown, and is responsible for setting and maintaining a specific flow rate of the water-containing liquid 3 through the spray nozzle 13.
  • a pressure source 15 is provided for the water-containing liquid 3, from which the spray nozzle 13 is acted upon and fed with the water-containing liquid 3 through the control unit 22.
  • the pressure source 15 can be a pump and in the present case is a pressure tank. However, other suitable pressure sources 15 can also be selected.
  • the structural unit consisting of liquid pump 15 and spray nozzle 13 is designed, in particular with the cooperation of the control unit 22, for continuous liquid delivery and thus for the continuous generation of the jet fan 12 as an upright flat jet. The jet fan 12 is thus moved continuously and in a continuous movement along the entire width of the cover film web 2, whereby the spray section 11 is wetted with the water-containing liquid 3 over the entire width.
  • the sealing device After the dried spray section 11 has been moistened again, the sealing device returns to its first operating state Fig. 1 offset, the spray device 10 is taken out of operation, and the wetting of the cover film web 2 by means of the moistening roller 8 is resumed.
  • Restarting the packaging machine also means that the cover film web 2 with its wetted spray section 11 is guided to the base film 1 running horizontally on the flatbed machine and is vertically pressed and sealed with this at the sealing point 6 by means of the pressing device 5 along the spray section 11 in the manner described above .
  • the spray section 11 is completely sealed and the cover film web 2, moistened in the usual way by means of the moistening roller 8, reaches the sealing point 6, the usual sealing operation resumes and the restart of the packaging machine can be considered complete.
  • the packaging units sealed during the restart by means of the spray section 8 are tight. Depending on the requirements profile, they can be used as a regular product or sorted out. In any case, the tightness achieved is sufficient for proper operation of the packaging machine.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
  • Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Versiegelungsvorrichtung zum Versiegeln von Verpackungen nach dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1 sowie ein Verfahren zum Betrieb einer solchen Versiegelungsvorrichtung.The invention relates to a sealing device for sealing packaging according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for operating such a sealing device.

Zunehmend werden Wasch- oder Spülmittel für den häuslichen Gebrauch in Form von Pulvern oder Flüssigkeiten in wasserlöslichen Verpackungen abgepackt. Die Verpackungen bestehen aus wasserlöslicher Folie und enthalten eine Einheitsdosis des Wasch- bzw. Spülmittels als Füllgut. Die befüllte und versiegelte Verpackungseinheit wird in die Wasch- bzw. Spülmaschine eingelegt. Bei Kontakt mit Wasser löst sich die Folienverpackung auf und gibt den Inhalt in der vorgesehenen Menge frei.Detergents or dishwashing detergents for domestic use are increasingly being packaged in water-soluble packaging in the form of powders or liquids. The packaging is made of water-soluble film and contains a unit dose of detergent or dishwashing liquid. The filled and sealed packaging unit is placed in the washing machine or dishwasher. Upon contact with water, the foil packaging dissolves and releases the contents in the intended quantity.

Bei der Herstellung einer solchen Verpackungseinheit kommen eine Basisfolienbahn und eine Deckfolienbahn zum Einsatz, die aus wasserlöslichen Folien gebildet sind. Üblicherweise wird die Basisfolie unter Einwirkung von Wärme und Vakuum in entsprechende Matrizen tiefgezogen. Durch den Formvorgang entstehen Mulden in der Basisfolie, die mit dem Füllgut befüllt werden. Anschließend wird auf die Basisfolie eine Deckfolie aufgesiegelt. Mittels der Versiegelung beider Folien wird das in den Formen befindliche Füllgut eingeschlossen. Abschließend werden die versiegelten Verpackungseinheiten aus den zusammenhängenden Folienbahnen ausgetrennt, so dass sie seitens des Benutzers einzeln verwendbar sind.When producing such a packaging unit, a base film web and a cover film web, which are formed from water-soluble films, are used. The base film is usually deep-drawn into appropriate matrices under the influence of heat and vacuum. The molding process creates troughs in the base film, which are filled with the filling material. A cover film is then sealed onto the base film. By sealing both films, the filling material in the molds is enclosed. Finally, the sealed packaging units are separated from the connected film strips so that they can be used individually by the user.

Zur Versiegelung derartiger Verpackungen kommt neben dem an sich für Folien bekannten Heißsiegelverfahren auch eine Wassersiegelung in Betracht. Auf Trommelmaschinen, bei denen die Matrizen auf umlaufenden Trommeln angeordnet sind, werden Befeuchtungseinheiten mit einer Filzrolle eingesetzt, mittels derer Wasser auf die Deckfolie aufgetragen wird. Die befeuchtete Filzrolle rollt auf der wasserlöslichen Folienbahn ab, wodurch deren Oberfläche angelöst wird. Die Deckfolie mit angelöster Oberfläche wird dann mittels einer Andrückwalze auf die vorbereitete Basisfolie aufgepresst, wobei die Anlösung der Folienoberfläche eine Versiegelung bewirkt. Anordnung und Verfahren dieser Art sind beispielsweise aus der GB 2 475 538 A bekannt. Wegen der zylindrischen Trommelform müssen die Befüllung und die Versiegelung unmittelbar aufeinanderfolgend und in unmittelbarer Nähe des oberen Scheitelpunktes der Trommel erfolgen, damit das eingefüllte Produkt in der tiefgezogenen Mulde verbleibt und nicht austritt. Dies schränkt die Kapazität eines solchen Maschinentyps ein.In addition to the heat sealing process known per se for films, water sealing can also be considered for sealing such packaging. On drum machines in which the matrices are arranged on rotating drums, moistening units with a felt roller are used, by means of which water is applied to the cover film. The moistened felt roll rolls on the water-soluble film web, which dissolves its surface. The cover film with a dissolved surface is then pressed onto the prepared base film using a pressure roller, with the dissolution of the film surface causing a seal. Arrangements and procedures of this type are, for example, from GB 2 475 538 A known. Because of the cylindrical shape of the drum, filling and sealing must take place in direct succession and in the immediate vicinity of the upper apex of the drum so that the filled product remains in the deep-drawn trough and does not escape. This limits the capacity of this type of machine.

Alternativ zu den genannten Trommelmaschinen werden Flachbettmaschinen eingesetzt, bei denen Formatplatten mit eingeformten Matrizen vergleichbar zu einem Förderband umlaufend bewegt werden und dabei währen der für das Tiefziehen, Füllen und Versiegeln relevanten Prozessschritte eine horizontale Bewegung ausführen. Hiermit sind im Vergleich zu Trommelmaschinen größere Ausbringungsmengen pro Zeiteinheit möglich, da eine oder mehrere Formatplatten mit jeweils mehreren Matrizen gleichzeitig einen Prozessschritt durchlaufen können. Letzteres bedingt aber, dass die einzelnen Prozessstationen entlang der horizontalen Bewegungsbahn örtlich vergleichsweise weit voneinander entfernt sind.As an alternative to the drum machines mentioned, flatbed machines are used in which format plates with molded matrices are moved around in a manner similar to a conveyor belt and thereby carry out a horizontal movement during the process steps relevant for deep drawing, filling and sealing. Compared to drum machines, larger output quantities per unit of time are possible because one or more format plates, each with several matrices, can go through a process step at the same time. However, the latter requires that the individual process stations are comparatively far apart from one another along the horizontal movement path.

Im Falle einer Produktionsunterbrechung, also eines temporären Maschinenstillstandes macht sich diese Entfernung nachteilig bemerkbar. Zwischen der Befeuchtungseinrichtung und der Versiegelungsstelle befindet sich ein vergleichsweise langer Abschnitt der befeuchteten Deckfolienbahn, welcher noch nicht aufgesiegelt ist und beim Stillstand anfängt zu trocknen. Beim Wiederanfahren nach dem Maschinenstillstand hat dieser Folienabschnitt nicht mehr den gewünschten Feuchtigkeitsgrad und kann nicht mehr ohne weiteres in der erforderlichen Qualität aufgesiegelt werden. Es entstehen nicht ordnungsgemäß verschlossene Produkte, aus denen das Füllmaterial austritt und die Verpackungsmaschine verschmutzt, was zu neuerlichem Maschinenstillstand führen kann. Außerdem können die nicht ordnungsgemäß verschlossenen Produkte im Maschinenauslauf nicht ordnungsgemäß ausgetragen werden.In the event of a production interruption, i.e. a temporary machine downtime, this distance has a negative impact. Between the moistening device and the sealing point there is a comparatively long section of the moistened cover film web, which has not yet been sealed and Standstill starts to dry. When restarting after the machine has stopped, this section of film no longer has the desired level of moisture and can no longer be easily sealed with the required quality. Improperly sealed products are created from which the filling material escapes and contaminates the packaging machine, which can lead to further machine downtime. In addition, products that are not properly sealed cannot be properly discharged from the machine outlet.

Eine Wiederbefeuchtung des kritischen, angetrockneten Folienabschnittes ist mit der Befeuchtungswalze nicht möglich. Als Alternative dazu beschreibt die EP 3 323 740 B 1 eine Vorrichtung und ein Verfahren, wobei ein elektromechanisches Sprühsystem mit einer Reihe von Austrittsdüsen zum kontaktlosen Aufspritzen einer wasserhaltigen Flüssigkeit auf die Deckfolienbahn vergleichbar mit einem Tintenstrahldrucker zum Einsatz kommt. Im gewöhnlichen Betrieb befeuchtet das elektromechanische Sprühsystem die Deckfolienbahn auf dem Umfang der Andrückwalze, also kurz vor der Versiegelungsstelle. Dennoch verbleibt zwischen der Befeuchtungsstelle und der Versiegelungsstelle ein bestimmter Folienabschnitt, der im Falle eines Maschinenstillstandes antrocknen und beim darauffolgenden Wiederanfahren zu den oben beschriebenen Folgen führen kann. Um dem zu begegnen, beschreibt die EP 3 323 740 B 1 noch die Möglichkeit einer schwenkbaren Ausgestaltung des elektromechanischen Sprühsystems, welche beim Wiederanfahren eingesetzt werden soll. Eine Verschwenkung für die Wiederbefeuchtung bedeutet jedoch, dass die Reihe von Sprühdüsen von der ursprünglichen Befeuchtungsstelle auf den angetrockneten unteren Bereich der Andrückwalze umgeschwenkt und gerichtet werden muss, in dessen Folge nicht nur die Deckfolienbahn, sondern auch die tiefgezogene Basisfolienbahn mit dem bereits eingefüllten Produkt in unerwünschter Weise ebenfalls befeuchtet wird. Es sind aufwändige Gegenmaßnahmen erforderlich. Das Problem des Wiederanfahrens ist in der EP 3 323 740 B1 nicht befriedigend gelöst.Re-moistening the critical, dried film section is not possible with the moistening roller. As an alternative to this, the describes EP 3 323 740 B 1 a device and a method, wherein an electromechanical spray system with a series of outlet nozzles is used for the contactless spraying of a water-containing liquid onto the cover film web, comparable to an inkjet printer. In normal operation, the electromechanical spray system moistens the cover film web on the circumference of the pressure roller, i.e. just before the sealing point. Nevertheless, a certain section of film remains between the moistening point and the sealing point, which can dry out in the event of a machine shutdown and lead to the consequences described above when the machine is subsequently restarted. To counter this, describes the EP 3 323 740 B 1 still has the possibility of a pivotable design of the electromechanical spray system, which is to be used when restarting. However, pivoting for re-moistening means that the row of spray nozzles must be pivoted and directed from the original moistening point to the dried lower area of the pressure roller, as a result of which not only the cover film web, but also the deep-drawn base film web with the product already filled in is undesirable Way is also moistened. Complex countermeasures are required. The problem of restarting is in the EP 3 323 740 B1 not solved satisfactorily.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, die gattungsgemäße Versiegelungsvorrichtung derart weiterzubilden, dass ein verbessertes Wiederanfahrverhalten erzielt ist.The invention is based on the object of developing the generic sealing device in such a way that improved restart behavior is achieved.

Diese Aufgabe wird durch eine Versiegelungsvorrichtung mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 1 gelöst.This task is solved by a sealing device with the features of claim 1.

Der Erfindung liegt des Weiteren die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Verfahren zum Betrieb einer solchen Versiegelungsvorrichtung anzugeben, welches die Bildung schadhafter Verpackungen beim Wiederanfahren nach einem Maschinenstillstand vermeidet.The invention is also based on the object of specifying a method for operating such a sealing device, which avoids the formation of defective packaging when restarting after a machine shutdown.

Diese Aufgabe wird durch ein Verfahren mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 9 gelöst.This task is solved by a method with the features of claim 9.

Nach der Erfindung ist vorgesehen, dass die Befeuchtungseinheit eine Befeuchtungswalze und eine Sprüheinrichtung für die wasserhaltige Flüssigkeit aufweist, wobei die Befeuchtungseinheit zwischen einem ersten Betriebszustand und einem zweiten Betriebszustand umschaltbar ist. Im ersten Betriebszustand wirkt die Befeuchtungswalze an einer Walzenbefeuchtungsstelle auf die Deckfolienbahn ein. Im zweiten Betriebszustand wirkt die Sprüheinrichtung im Zufuhrbereich auf einen zwischen der Walzenbefeuchtungsstelle und der Versiegelungsstelle liegenden Sprühabschnitt der Deckfolienbahn ein.According to the invention it is provided that the moistening unit has a moistening roller and a spray device for the water-containing liquid, the moistening unit being switchable between a first operating state and a second operating state. In the first operating state, the moistening roller acts on the cover film web at a roller moistening point. In the second operating state, the spray device in the feed area acts on a spray section of the cover film web located between the roller moistening point and the sealing point.

Gemäß dem zugehörigen erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren wird im ersten Betriebszustand die Deckfolienbahn mittels der Befeuchtungswalze im Zufuhrbereich an der Walzenbefeuchtungsstelle mit der wasserhaltigen Flüssigkeit benetzt, zu der auf der Flachbettmaschine horizontal laufenden Basisfolie geführt und mit dieser an der Versiegelungsstelle mittels der Andrückeinrichtung vertikal verpresst und versiegelt.According to the associated method according to the invention, in the first operating state, the cover film web is wetted with the water-containing liquid by means of the moistening roller in the feed area at the roller moistening point, guided to the base film running horizontally on the flatbed machine and vertically pressed and sealed with it at the sealing point by means of the pressing device.

Bei oder nach einem Maschinenstillstand wird die Versiegelungsvorrichtung in einen zweiten Betriebszustand versetzt. Beim Wiederanfahren wird im zweiten Betriebszustand der im Zufuhrbereich zwischen der Walzenbefeuchtungsstelle und der Versiegelungsstelle liegende Sprühabschnitt der Deckfolienbahn mittels der Sprüheinrichtung mit der wasserhaltigen Flüssigkeit benetzt. Anschließend wird die Versiegelungsvorrichtung zurück in den ersten Betriebszustand versetzt und die Benetzung mittels der Befeuchtungswalze wieder aufgenommen. Die Deckfolienbahn wird mit ihrem benetzten Sprühabschnitt zu der auf der Flachbettmaschine horizontal laufenden Basisfolie geführt und mit dieser an der Versiegelungsstelle mittels der Andrückeinrichtung entlang des Sprühabschnitts vertikal verpresst und versiegelt.During or after a machine shutdown, the sealing device is put into a second operating state. When restarting, in the second operating state, the spray section of the cover film web located in the feed area between the roller moistening point and the sealing point is wetted with the water-containing liquid by means of the spray device. The sealing device is then returned to the first operating state and wetting is resumed using the moistening roller. The cover film web is guided with its wetted spray section to the base film running horizontally on the flatbed machine and is vertically pressed and sealed with this at the sealing point using the pressing device along the spray section.

Die Grundidee besteht demnach darin, im gewöhnlichen Betrieb die an sich von Trommelmaschinen bekannte und bewährte Befeuchtungswalze nun auch in einer Flachbettmaschine einzusetzen und dabei den vergleichsweise großen Abstand zwischen der Walzenbefeuchtungsstelle und der Versiegelungsstelle in Kauf zu nehmen. Hierdurch ist im gewöhnlichen Betrieb mit einfachen Mitteln eine zuverlässige und gleichmäßige Befeuchtung der oberen Deckfolienbahn sichergestellt. Die eingangs beschriebenen Probleme beim temporären Maschinenstillstand und bei dem darauf folgenden Wiederanfahren der Maschine werden durch den Einsatz der Sprüheinrichtung gelöst. Beim Wiederanfahren und kurz vor Überleitung in den gewöhnlichen Betrieb wird der angetrocknete Folienbereich zumindest näherungsweise vollständig erneut befeuchtet und damit in einen versieglungsfähigen Zustand gebracht. Diese erneute Befeuchtung erfolgt im Zufuhrbereich, in dem die Deckfolienbahn von oben nach unten der Andrückeinrichtung zugeführt wird. Hierdurch wird erreicht, dass nur die Deckfolie, nicht aber die tiefgezogene Basisfolienbahn mit dem bereits eingefüllten Produkt befeuchtet wird. Letzteres bleibt trocken und nimmt deshalb keinen Schaden. Der wiederbefeuchtete Bereich kann nun ordnungsgemäß aufgesiegelt werden, sodass dicht verschlossene Verpackungseinheiten entstehen. Ein Austritt der Füllung und eine Verschmutzung der Maschine sind zuverlässig vermieden. Die versiegelten Einheiten können sämtliche nachfolgende Verarbeitungsstationen ordnungsgemäß durchlaufen und als fertige, vereinzelte Verpackungseinheiten entnommen werden. Möglicherweise genügen diese mit der wiederbefeuchteten Deckfolienbahn versiegelten Verpackungseinheiten nicht den gestellten Qualitätsanforderungen, sodass sie als Schlechtteile auszusortieren sind. Zumindest aber behindern sie nicht den wiederaufgenommenen ordnungsgemäßen Betrieb, sodass letzterer störungsfrei stattfinden kann.The basic idea is therefore to use the moistening roller known and proven from drum machines in normal operation in a flatbed machine and to accept the comparatively large distance between the roller moistening point and the sealing point. This ensures reliable and uniform moistening of the upper cover film web in normal operation using simple means. The problems described at the beginning when the machine is temporarily stopped and when the machine is subsequently restarted are solved by using the spray device. When restarting and shortly before the transition to normal operation, the dried film area is at least approximately completely moistened again and thus brought into a sealable state. This renewed moistening takes place in the feed area, in which the cover film web is fed to the pressing device from top to bottom. This ensures that only the cover film, but not the deep-drawn base film web, is moistened with the product that has already been filled. The latter remains dry and is therefore not damaged. The re-moisturized area can now be properly sealed, creating tightly sealed packaging units. Leakage of the filling and contamination of the machine are reliably prevented. The sealed units can pass through all subsequent processing stations properly and as finished, individual packaging units are removed. It is possible that these packaging units sealed with the remoistened cover film web do not meet the quality requirements, so they have to be sorted out as bad parts. At least they do not hinder the resumption of proper operation, so that the latter can take place without any problems.

Für eine störungsfreie Wiederaufnahme des Betriebes kann es unter Umständen ausreichen, nur einen Teilbereich des angetrockneten Folienabschnittes erneut zu befeuchten. In vorteilhafter Weiterbildung der Erfindung erstreckt sich jedoch der Sprühabschnitt zumindest näherungsweise von der Walzenbefeuchtungsstelle bis zur Versiegelungsstelle. Hierdurch wird erreicht, dass der angetrocknete Folienabschnitt vollständig wieder mit Feuchtigkeit benetzt und folglich vollständig ordnungsgemäß aufgesiegelt werden kann, ohne dass Lücken in der Befeuchtung und damit Lücken in der Siegelqualität entstehen.To ensure trouble-free resumption of operation, it may be sufficient to re-moisten only a portion of the dried film section. In an advantageous development of the invention, however, the spray section extends at least approximately from the roller moistening point to the sealing point. This ensures that the dried film section can be completely moistened again with moisture and can therefore be sealed properly without any gaps in the moistening and thus gaps in the sealing quality.

In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform weist die Sprüheinrichtung eine Sprühdüse zur Abgabe der wasserhaltigen Flüssigkeit in einem Strahlfächer auf und ist zur Abdeckung des vollständigen Sprühabschnittes mittels des Strahlfächers ausgelegt. Über die Breite des Sprühfächers wird erreicht, dass eine Wiederbefeuchtung des vollständigen Sprühabschnittes in nur einem einzigen Arbeitsgang abgeschlossen wird. Die Kürze der hierfür erforderlichen Zeit trägt zur Homogenität des erreichten Feuchtezustandes, zu einer schnellen Wiederaufnahme des gewöhnlichen Betriebes und zu einem nahtlosen Übergang des wiederbefeuchteten Folienabschnitts zur gewöhnlich befeuchteten Deckfolienbahn bei.In a preferred embodiment, the spray device has a spray nozzle for dispensing the water-containing liquid in a jet fan and is designed to cover the entire spray section by means of the jet fan. The width of the spray fan ensures that re-moistening of the entire spray section is completed in just a single operation. The short time required for this contributes to the homogeneity of the moisture state achieved, to a rapid resumption of normal operation and to a seamless transition of the re-moistened film section to the normally moistened cover film web.

Es kann zweckmäßig sein, mehrere solcher Düsen nebeneinander in einer Reihe anzuordnen und damit die Breite der Deckfolienbahn abzudecken. In vorteilhafter Weiterbildung umfasst die Sprüheinrichtung jedoch eine auf einem Schlitten montierte einzelne Sprühdüse, welche mittels des Schlittens quer zur Deckfolienbahn verfahrbar ist. In Verbindung mit einer gleichmäßigen Wasserförderung lässt sich hierdurch mit minimalem Aufwand eine gleichmäßige Benetzung erzielen.It may be useful to arrange several such nozzles next to each other in a row and thus cover the width of the cover film web. In an advantageous further development, however, the spraying device comprises an individual spray nozzle mounted on a carriage, which can be moved transversely to the cover film web by means of the carriage is. In conjunction with uniform water delivery, this allows uniform wetting to be achieved with minimal effort.

Für die Ausgestaltung der Sprüheinrichtung kommen verschiedene Bauformen in Betracht. Beispielsweise kann eine Düse mit intermittierender Piezo-Förderung vorgesehen sein, um ein pulsierendes Sprühraster zu erzeugen. Bevorzugt ist jedoch die Sprühdüse von einer Druckquelle mit der wasserhaltigen Flüssigkeit beaufschlagbar und zur kontinuierlichen Abgabe der wasserhaltigen Flüssigkeit ausgelegt. Mit handelsüblichen und kostengünstigen Baugruppen lässt sich auf diese Weise ein homogener Wasserfilm erzeugen.Various designs can be considered for the design of the spray device. For example, a nozzle with intermittent piezo delivery can be provided to generate a pulsating spray grid. However, the spray nozzle can preferably be acted upon by the water-containing liquid from a pressure source and is designed for the continuous delivery of the water-containing liquid. In this way, a homogeneous water film can be created using commercially available and inexpensive assemblies.

In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform ist der Zufuhrbereich dazu ausgelegt, im zweiten Betriebszustand die Deckfolienbahn zumindest entlang des größeren Teils des Sprühabschnittes in einem Winkel von 70° bis 110° und insbesondere in einem Winkel von 80° bis 100° zur Horizontalen, also zumindest näherungsweise vertikal zu führen. Damit liegt die Ebene der Deckfolienbahn in ihrem Sprühabschnitt zumindest näherungsweise orthogonal zur Ebene der horizontal geführten Basisfolienbahn. In der Folge liegt die Sprührichtung einerseits etwa senkrecht zum Sprühabschnitt, was für eine wirkungsvolle Benetzung sorgt, und andererseits etwa parallel zur Basisfolie, wodurch diese praktisch keinerlei unbeabsichtigte Befeuchtung erfährt.In a preferred embodiment, the feed area is designed to, in the second operating state, feed the cover film web at least along the larger part of the spray section at an angle of 70° to 110° and in particular at an angle of 80° to 100° to the horizontal, i.e. at least approximately vertically lead. The plane of the cover film web in its spray section is therefore at least approximately orthogonal to the plane of the horizontally guided base film web. As a result, the spray direction is, on the one hand, approximately perpendicular to the spray section, which ensures effective wetting, and, on the other hand, approximately parallel to the base film, which means that it experiences practically no unintentional moistening.

In vorteilhafter Weiterbildung ist die Andrückeinrichtung im ersten Betriebszustand an der Versiegelungsstelle positioniert im zweiten Betriebszustand davon entfernt. Dabei weist die Versiegelungsvorrichtung eine im zweiten Betriebszustand auf die Deckfolienbahn im Sprühabschnitt einwirkende Streckvorrichtung auf. Nachdem die Andrückeinrichtung entfernt wurde, ist es mittels der Streckvorrichtung möglich, die Deckfolienbahn ausgehend von der Siegelstelle vollständig in die aufrechte Position zu bringen dort gestreckt in einem ebenen Zustand zu halten. Dies ermöglicht eine exakte Wiederbefeuchtung bis unmittelbar an die Siegelstelle heran, ohne die untere Basisfolienbahn zu beeinträchtigen. In der Folge kann der Siegelvorgang nahtlos fortgesetzt werden.In an advantageous development, the pressing device is positioned at the sealing point in the first operating state and away from it in the second operating state. The sealing device has a stretching device which acts on the cover film web in the spray section in the second operating state. After the pressing device has been removed, it is possible by means of the stretching device to bring the cover film web starting from the sealing point completely into the upright position and to keep it stretched there in a flat state. This enables an exact Re-moistening right up to the sealing point without affecting the lower base film web. As a result, the sealing process can continue seamlessly.

Bevorzugt ist im zweiten Betriebszustand die Befeuchtungswalze von der Deckfolienbahn abgehoben. Dies trägt dazu bei, dass die Wiederbefeuchtung unmittelbar bis an die Walzenbefeuchtungsstelle heran durchgeführt werden kann, ohne dass die Befeuchtungswalze im Wege ist. Nach Wiederanlegen der Befeuchtungswalze entsteht eine nahtlos durchgehend befeuchtete Folienoberfläche.In the second operating state, the moistening roller is preferably lifted off the cover film web. This helps ensure that re-moistening can be carried out directly up to the roller moistening point without the moistening roller being in the way. After reapplying the moistening roller, a seamlessly moistened film surface is created.

Ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung ist nachfolgend anhand der Zeichnung näher beschrieben. Es zeigen:

Fig. 1
in einer seitlichen Ansicht eine erfindungsgemäße Versiegelungsvorrichtung beim gewöhnlichen Betrieb in einer Flachbett-Verpackungsmaschine mit einer Befeuchtungswalze zur Befeuchtung der aufzusiegelnden Deckfolienbahn,
Fig. 2
die Anordnung nach Fig. 1 nach einem Maschinenstillstand und bei der Vorbereitung des Wiederanfahrens der Maschine mit einer Sprüheinrichtung zur erneuten Befeuchtung der Deckfolienbahn, und
Fig. 3
in einer Stirnansicht die Sprüheinrichtung nach Fig. 2 mit einer einzelnen, auf einem quer verfahrbaren Schlitten montierten Sprühdüse.
An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Show it:
Fig. 1
in a side view a sealing device according to the invention during normal operation in a flatbed packaging machine with a moistening roller for moistening the cover film web to be sealed,
Fig. 2
the arrangement Fig. 1 after a machine shutdown and when preparing to restart the machine with a spray device to re-moisten the cover film web, and
Fig. 3
the spray device in a front view Fig. 2 with a single spray nozzle mounted on a transversely movable carriage.

Fig. 1 zeigt in einer seitlichen Ansicht einen Ausschnitt einer Flachbett-Verpackungsmaschine zu Herstellung von Verpackungseinheiten aus einer tiefgezogenen Basisfolienbahn 1 und einer auf die Basisfolienbahn 1 aufgesiegelten Deckfolienbahn 2. Zumindest die Deckfolienbahn 2, hier auch die Basisfolienbahn 1 bestehen aus einer wasserlöslichen Folie, wozu bevorzugt PVOH (Polyvinylalkohol) gewählt ist. Die Verpackungseinheiten werden mit Spülmittel, Waschmittel oder dergleichen befüllt. Fig. 1 shows a side view of a section of a flatbed packaging machine for producing packaging units from a deep-drawn base film web 1 and a cover film web 2 sealed onto the base film web 1. At least the cover film web 2, here also the base film web 1, consist of one water-soluble film, for which PVOH (polyvinyl alcohol) is preferably chosen. The packaging units are filled with dishwashing liquid, detergent or the like.

Die Verpackungsmaschine weist mehrere Verarbeitungsstationen auf, ist aber in Fig. 1 der Einfachheit halber nur ausschnittsweise im Bereich ihrer Siegelstation mit der erfindungsgemäßen Versiegelungsvorrichtung gezeigt. Dem gehen eine nicht dargestellte Tiefziehstation und eine Füllstation voran. Der gezeigten Versiegelungsvorrichtung folgen noch eine Vereinzelungsstation und eine Entnahmestation.The packaging machine has several processing stations, but is in Fig. 1 For the sake of simplicity, only a section is shown in the area of its sealing station with the sealing device according to the invention. This is preceded by a deep-drawing station (not shown) and a filling station. The sealing device shown is followed by a separating station and a removal station.

Mehrere Formatplatten 18 mit jeweils mehreren eingeformten, hier nicht dargestellten Matrizen werden nach Art eines Förderbandes geradlinig, horizontal und hier auch kontinuierlich durch die einzelnen Verarbeitungsstationen entsprechend einem Pfeil 17 gefördert und dann umlaufend zurückgeführt. Es kann aber auch ein intermittierender Betrieb zweckmäßig sein. In der Tiefziehstation wird die flach und horizontal auf den Formatplatten 18 aufliegende Basisfolienbahn 1 auf eine Temperatur der plastischen Verformbarkeit aufgeheizt und mittels Vakuum in die Matrizen der Formatplatten 18 tiefgezogen und dort gehalten. Dadurch entstehen in der Basisfolienbahn 1 tiefgezogene Mulden bzw. Kavitäten, die in der nachfolgenden Füllstation mit dem Füllmaterial, also mit dem Spül- oder Waschmittel befüllt werden. Auf die solchermaßen vorbereitete Basisfolienbahn wird anschließend in der hier gezeigten Siegelstation mittels der erfindungsgemäßen Versiegelungseinrichtung eine Deckfolienbahn 2 auf die Basisfolienbahn aufgebracht und aufgesiegelt, in dessen Folge eine mehrschichtige Bahn mit einzelnen befüllten, dicht verschlossenen Folienkavitäten entsteht. Diese werden in der eingangs schon erwähnten Vereinzelungsstation als Verpackungseinheiten ausgeschnitten und abschließend in der Entnahmestation aus den Formatplatten 18 zur weiteren Verwendung entnommen.Several format plates 18, each with several molded matrices (not shown here), are conveyed in a straight line, horizontally and here also continuously through the individual processing stations according to an arrow 17 in the manner of a conveyor belt and then returned in a circular manner. However, intermittent operation can also be appropriate. In the deep-drawing station, the base film web 1 lying flat and horizontally on the format plates 18 is heated to a temperature of plastic deformability and deep-drawn into the matrices of the format plates 18 by means of vacuum and held there. This creates deep-drawn troughs or cavities in the base film web 1, which are filled with the filling material, i.e. with the dishwashing or detergent, in the subsequent filling station. On the base film web prepared in this way, a cover film web 2 is then applied and sealed to the base film web in the sealing station shown here using the sealing device according to the invention, as a result of which a multi-layer web with individual filled, tightly closed film cavities is created. These are cut out as packaging units in the separating station already mentioned and finally removed from the format plates 18 in the removal station for further use.

Gemäß Fig. 1 weist die erfindungsgemäße Versiegelungsvorrichtung eine Befeuchtungseinheit 4 zur Benetzung der Deckfolienbahn 2 mit der wasserhaltigen Flüssigkeit 3 auf. Als wasserhaltige Flüssigkeit ist hier Wasser mit zugesetzten Tensiden vorgesehen. Es kann aber auch Leitungswasser zweckmäßig sein. Die Befeuchtungseinheit 4 umfasst eine Befeuchtungswalze 8 und eine Sprüheinrichtung 10, die beide für das Auftragen der wasserhaltigen Flüssigkeit 3 auf die Deckfolienbahn 2 ausgelegt und vorgesehen sind. Die erfindungsgemäße Versiegelungsvorrichtung weist des Weiteren eine Andrückeinrichtung 5 auf, welche zur vertikalen Verpressung und Versiegelung der mittels der Befeuchtungseinheit 4 befeuchteten Deckfolienbahn 2 mit der Basisfolienbahn 1 an einer Versiegelungsstelle 6 ausgelegt und vorgesehen ist. Die Andrückeinrichtung 5 ist im gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel als Laminierwalze ausgeführt, welche an der Versiegelungsstelle 6 linienförmig auf den Formatplatten unter Zwischenlage des Paketes aus Basis- und Deckfolienbahn 1, 2 mit vertikalem Druck aufliegt. Es können aber auch Druckstempel oder dergleichen zum Einsatz kommen. Unter Einwirkung des genannten Druckes wird die zuvor befeuchtete und damit an ihrer Oberfläche angelöste Deckfolienbahn 2 auf die Basisfolienbahn 1 stoffschlüssig aufgesiegelt. Schließlich ist noch erkennbar, dass die Versiegelungsvorrichtung einen Zufuhrbereich 7 aufweist, in dem die Deckfolienbahn 2 von oben nach unten der Andrückeinrichtung 5, also im Wesentlichen quer zur Förderrichtung 17 der Formatplatten 18 mit der Basisfolienbahn 1 zugeführt wird. Die Befeuchtungseinheit 4 wirkt in diesem Zufuhrbereich 7 auf die Deckfolienbahn 2 ein. Anders ausgedrückt erfolgt die Befeuchtung der Deckfolienbahn 2 im Zufuhrbereich 7, also dort, wo die Deckfolienbahn 2 von oben nach unten bewegt wird. Eine Streckvorrichtung 16 hält die Deckfolienbahn 2 innerhalb des Zufuhrbereichs 7 in Position und im gestreckten Zustand unter Längsspannung.According to Fig. 1 the sealing device according to the invention has a moistening unit 4 for wetting the cover film web 2 with the water-containing liquid 3. Water is added here as a water-containing liquid Surfactants provided. But tap water can also be useful. The moistening unit 4 includes a moistening roller 8 and a spray device 10, both of which are designed and provided for applying the water-containing liquid 3 to the cover film web 2. The sealing device according to the invention further has a pressing device 5, which is designed and provided for vertical pressing and sealing of the cover film web 2 moistened by means of the moistening unit 4 with the base film web 1 at a sealing point 6. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the pressing device 5 is designed as a laminating roller, which rests in a line at the sealing point 6 on the format plates with the package of base and cover film webs 1, 2 in between with vertical pressure. However, printing stamps or the like can also be used. Under the influence of the pressure mentioned, the cover film web 2, which was previously moistened and thus dissolved on its surface, is sealed onto the base film web 1 in a materially bonded manner. Finally, it can also be seen that the sealing device has a feed area 7 in which the cover film web 2 is fed from top to bottom to the pressing device 5, i.e. essentially transversely to the conveying direction 17 of the format plates 18 with the base film web 1. The humidification unit 4 acts on the cover film web 2 in this feed area 7. In other words, the moistening of the cover film web 2 takes place in the feed area 7, i.e. where the cover film web 2 is moved from top to bottom. A stretching device 16 holds the cover film web 2 in position within the feed area 7 and in the stretched state under longitudinal tension.

Fig. 1 zeigt die erfindungsgemäße Versiegelungsvorrichtung in einem ersten Betriebszustand, in welchem ein gewöhnlicher, kontinuierlicher Versiegelungsvorgang durchgeführt wird. Hierbei ist die Sprüheinrichtung 10 passiv. Vielmehr wird die Befeuchtung allein mittels der Befeuchtungswalze 8 vorgenommen, welche hier als Filzrolle ausgeführt ist und auf der Oberfläche der Deckfolienbahn 2 im Zufuhrbereich 7 an einer Walzenbefeuchtungsstelle 9 anliegt. Die Walzenbefeuchtungsstelle 9 kann linienförmig sein. Im gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel liegt die Deckfolienbahn 2 über einen geringen Umschlingungswinkel an der Befeuchtungswalze 8 an, sodass die Walzenbefeuchtungsstelle 9 die Form eines schmalen, aber flächigen Streifens aufweist. Die Befeuchtungswalze 8 ragt von oben teilweise in eine mit der Flüssigkeit 3 gefüllte Wasserschale 19 ein. Dort nimmt sie die Flüssigkeit 3 auf und gibt sie an der Walzenbefeuchtungsstelle 9 an die Deckfolienbahn 2 über deren gesamte Breite verteilt ab. Hierzu kann es ausreichen, dass die Befeuchtungswalze 8 ohne eigenen Antrieb einfach auf der Oberfläche der Deckfolienbahn 2 abrollt. Bevorzugt weist die Befeuchtungswalze 8 jedoch einen eigenen Antrieb auf, mittels dessen sie sich gegenläufig zur Abzugsrichtung der Deckfolienbahn 2 dreht. Fig. 1 shows the sealing device according to the invention in a first operating state in which a normal, continuous sealing process is carried out. Here the spray device 10 is passive. Rather, the moistening is carried out solely by means of the moistening roller 8, which is designed here as a felt roller and rests on the surface of the cover film web 2 in the feed area 7 at a roller moistening point 9. The roller moistening point 9 can be linear. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the cover film web 2 lies above a small wrap angle on the moistening roller 8, so that the roller moistening point 9 has the shape of a narrow but flat strip. The moistening roller 8 partially projects from above into a water bowl 19 filled with the liquid 3. There it absorbs the liquid 3 and releases it at the roller moistening point 9 onto the cover film web 2, distributed over its entire width. For this purpose, it may be sufficient for the moistening roller 8 to simply roll on the surface of the cover film web 2 without its own drive. However, the moistening roller 8 preferably has its own drive, by means of which it rotates in the opposite direction to the withdrawal direction of the cover film web 2.

Die solchermaßen befeuchtete Deckfolienbahn 2 wird nun im gewöhnlichen Betrieb weiter kontinuierlich abgezogen, der Andrückeinrichtung 5 zugeführt und wie oben beschrieben aufgesiegelt. Es kann jedoch zu temporären Betriebsunterbrechungen bzw. Maschinenstillständen kommen, an deren Ende nach einem Wiederanfahren der Verpackungsmaschine die darin vorhandenen Materialien weiter und störungsfrei zu Verpackungseinheiten verarbeitet werden sollen. Solche Unterbrechungen, in denen die kontinuierliche Bewegung und Weiterverarbeitung ausbleibt, führen zu einem unerwünschten Antrocknen der schon befeuchteten, aber noch nicht aufgesiegelten und im Stillstand befindlichen Deckfolienbahnen 2 im Bereich zwischen der Walzenbefeuchtungsstelle 9 und der Versiegelungsstelle 6.The cover film web 2 moistened in this way is now continuously removed in normal operation, fed to the pressing device 5 and sealed as described above. However, there may be temporary operational interruptions or machine downtimes, at the end of which, after the packaging machine is restarted, the materials present in it should continue to be processed into packaging units without any disruption. Such interruptions, in which there is no continuous movement and further processing, lead to undesirable drying of the cover film webs 2, which have already been moistened but have not yet been sealed and are at a standstill, in the area between the roller moistening point 9 and the sealing point 6.

Für die Wiederaufnahme des Betriebes und für eine erforderliche Wiederbefeuchtung des angetrockneten Folienabschnittes wird gemäß des erfindungsgemäßen Betriebsverfahrens die Versiegelungsvorrichtung in einen zweiten Betriebszustand umgeschaltet, welcher in Fig. 2 dargestellt ist. Die Umschaltung kann während des Maschinenstillstandes oder unmittelbar danach beim Wiederanfahren der Verpackungsmaschine erfolgen. Jedenfalls wird die Versiegelungsvorrichtung damit in einen Zustand versetzt, in dem beim Wiederanfahren der Maschine die Befeuchtungswalze zunächst passiv ist, und in dem stattdessen die schon erwähnte Sprüheinrichtung zum Einsatz kommt. Hierbei wirkt die Sprüheinrichtung 10 im Zufuhrbereich 7 auf einen zwischen der Walzenbefeuchtungsstelle 9 und der Versiegelungsstelle 6 liegenden Sprühabschnitt 11 der Deckfolienbahn 2 ein. Mit anderen Worten wird im zweiten Betriebszustand der im Zufuhrbereich 7 zwischen der Walzenbefeuchtungsstelle 9 und der Versiegelungsstelle 6 liegende Sprühabschnitt 11 der Deckfolienbahn 2, welcher zuvor schon einmal benetzt war und nun angetrocknet ist, mittels der Sprüheinrichtung 10 erneut mit der wasserhaltigen Flüssigkeit 3 benetzt.For the resumption of operation and for the necessary re-moistening of the dried film section, the sealing device is switched to a second operating state according to the operating method according to the invention, which in Fig. 2 is shown. The switchover can take place while the machine is at a standstill or immediately afterwards when the packaging machine is restarted. In any case, the sealing device is thus placed in a state in which the moistening roller is initially passive when the machine is restarted and in which the spray device already mentioned is used instead. The spray device 10 acts on one in the feed area 7 spray section 11 of the cover film web 2 lying between the roller moistening point 9 and the sealing point 6. In other words, in the second operating state, the spray section 11 of the cover film web 2 lying in the feed area 7 between the roller moistening point 9 and the sealing point 6, which was previously wetted and is now dried, is wetted again with the water-containing liquid 3 by means of the spray device 10.

Aus der Zusammenschau der Fig. 1 und 2 sind weitere Einzelheiten dazu erkennbar: Die Andrückeinrichtung 5 ist im ersten Betriebszustand an der Versiegelungsstelle 6 positioniert im zweiten Betriebszustand davon entfernt. Hierzu ist im zweiten Betriebszustand (Fig. 2) die Laminierwalze ausgehend von der Betriebsposition des ersten Betriebszustandes (Fig. 1) nach oben rechts verfahren bzw. verschwenkt, wodurch die Versiegelungsstelle 6 im zweiten Betriebszustand nicht mehr abgedeckt, sondern nach oben freigegeben ist. Durch die Streckvorrichtung 16 wird nun die Deckfolienbahn 2 im gesamten Zufuhrbereich 7, und insbesondere in einem nachfolgend noch näher beschriebenen Sprühabschnitt 11 in Position und unter Längsspannung gehalten. "In Position gehalten" bedeutet hier, dass im zweiten Betriebszustand die Deckfolienbahn 2 zumindest entlang des größeren Teils des Sprühabschnittes 11 in einem Winkel α von 70° bis 110° und bevorzugt von 80° bis 100° zur Horizontalen geführt wird. Im gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel ist die Streckvorrichtung 16 gegenüber der Betriebsposition nach Fig. 1 soweit nach rechts verfahren, dass sie genau oberhalb der Versiegelungsstelle 6 positioniert ist und dadurch die Deckfolienbahn 2 im Zufuhrbereich 7, namentlich im Sprühabschnittes 11 in einem Winkel (α) von näherungsweise 90° zur Horizontalen führt und hält. Die Neupositionierung der Andrückeinrichtung 5 und der Streckvorrichtung 16 bewirkt außerdem eine Neupositionierung der Deckfolienbahn 2 im Zufuhrbereich 7 nach rechts, also fort von der Befeuchtungswalze 8, in dessen Folge die Deckfolienbahn 2 und die Befeuchtungswalze 8 voneinander abgehoben sind. Ergänzend ist die Befeuchtungswalze noch im zweiten Betriebszustand nach Fig. 2 gegenüber dem ersten, gewöhnlichen Betriebszustand nach Fig. 1 einschließlich ihrer Wasserschale 19 soweit angehoben, dass der Abschnitt der Deckfolienbahn 2 zwischen der vorherigen Walzenbefeuchtungsstelle 9 und der Versiegelungsstelle 6 in horizontaler Richtung zur Sprüheinrichtung 10 hin freiliegt.From the synopsis of the Fig. 1 and 2 Further details can be seen: The pressing device 5 is positioned at the sealing point 6 in the first operating state and away from it in the second operating state. For this purpose, in the second operating state ( Fig. 2 ) the laminating roller starting from the operating position of the first operating state ( Fig. 1 ) moved or pivoted to the top right, whereby the sealing point 6 is no longer covered in the second operating state, but is released upwards. The stretching device 16 now holds the cover film web 2 in position and under longitudinal tension in the entire feed area 7, and in particular in a spray section 11 described in more detail below. “held in position” here means that in the second operating state the cover film web 2 is guided at least along the larger part of the spray section 11 at an angle α of 70° to 110° and preferably of 80° to 100° to the horizontal. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the stretching device 16 is relative to the operating position Fig. 1 move to the right so far that it is positioned exactly above the sealing point 6 and thereby guides and holds the cover film web 2 in the feed area 7, namely in the spray section 11, at an angle (α) of approximately 90 ° to the horizontal. The repositioning of the pressing device 5 and the stretching device 16 also causes a repositioning of the cover film web 2 in the feed area 7 to the right, i.e. away from the moistening roller 8, as a result of which the cover film web 2 and the moistening roller 8 are lifted from one another. In addition, the moistening roller is still in the second operating state Fig. 2 compared to the first, normal operating state Fig. 1 including its water bowl 19 raised to such an extent that the section of the Cover film web 2 between the previous roller moistening point 9 and the sealing point 6 is exposed in the horizontal direction towards the spray device 10.

In diesem Zustand erfolgt nun beim Wiederanfahren der Verpackungsmaschine die erneute Benetzung des zuvor angetrockneten Abschnittes der Deckfolienbahn 2 mit der wasserhaltigen Flüssigkeit 3, was mittels der Sprüheinrichtung 10 durchgeführt wird. Der von der Sprüheinrichtung 10 erreichte Bereich der Deckfolienbahn 2 zwischen der Walzenbefeuchtungsstelle 9 und der Versiegelungsstelle 6 wird hier als Sprühabschnitt 11 bezeichnet. Es kann unter Umständen ausreichen, einen Sprühabschnitt 11 zu benetzen, der nicht vollständig die Strecke zwischen der Walzenbefeuchtungsstelle 9 und der Versiegelungsstelle 6 abdeckt. Durch die vorstehend beschriebenen Maßnahmen und eine entsprechende Ausbildung der Sprüheinrichtung 10 erstreckt sich jedoch der Sprühabschnitt 11 gemäß der Darstellung nach Fig. 2 zumindest näherungsweise, hier sogar vollständig von der Walzenbefeuchtungsstelle 9 bis hin zur Versiegelungsstelle 6.In this state, when the packaging machine is restarted, the previously dried section of the cover film web 2 is wetted again with the water-containing liquid 3, which is carried out by means of the spray device 10. The area of the cover film web 2 reached by the spray device 10 between the roller moistening point 9 and the sealing point 6 is referred to here as the spray section 11. Under certain circumstances, it may be sufficient to wet a spray section 11 that does not completely cover the distance between the roller moistening point 9 and the sealing point 6. However, due to the measures described above and a corresponding design of the spray device 10, the spray section 11 extends as shown Fig. 2 at least approximately, here even completely from the roller moistening point 9 to the sealing point 6.

Hierzu weist die Sprüheinrichtung 10 eine Sprühdüse 13 zur Abgabe der wasserhaltigen Flüssigkeit 3 in einem Strahlfächer 12 auf. Der Öffnungswinkel des Strahlfächers 12 und der Abstand der Sprühdüse 13 zur Deckfolienbahn 2 sind so aufeinander abgestimmt, dass der Sprühabschnitt 11 bezogen auf die Längsrichtung der zweiten Folienbahn 2 vollständig mittels des Strahlfächers 12 abgedeckt wird.For this purpose, the spray device 10 has a spray nozzle 13 for dispensing the water-containing liquid 3 in a jet fan 12. The opening angle of the jet fan 12 and the distance of the spray nozzle 13 to the cover film web 2 are coordinated with one another in such a way that the spray section 11 is completely covered by the jet fan 12 in relation to the longitudinal direction of the second film web 2.

Es können mehrere solcher Sprühdüsen nebeneinander angeordnet werden. Dies würde die Möglichkeit eröffnen, den Sprühabschnitt 11 entlang der gesamten Breite der Deckfolienbahn 2 mittels überlappender, kegelförmiger Strahlfächer 12 mit einem einzigen Sprühstoß zu befeuchten. In der gezeigten bevorzugten Ausführungsform ist jedoch nur eine einzelne Sprühdüse 13 vorgesehen, welche in der Stirnansicht gemäß Fig. 3 in zusätzlichen Einzelheiten dargestellt ist. Demnach ist die Sprühdüse 13 zusammen mit einer zugehörigen Regeleinheit 22 auf einem Schlitten 14 montiert und mittels dieses Schlittens 14 auf einer Führungsschiene 20 entsprechend einem Doppelpfeil 21 quer zur Längsrichtung der Deckfolienbahn 2 verfahrbar. Die Regeleinheit 22 umfasst ein nicht dargestelltes Nadelventil und ist für die Einstellung und Beibehaltung einer bestimmten Durchflussmenge der wasserhaltigen Flüssigkeit 3 durch die Sprühdüse 13 zuständig. Darüber hinaus ist noch eine hier nur schematisch angedeutete Druckquelle 15 für die wasserhaltige Flüssigkeit 3 vorgesehen, aus welcher die Sprühdüse 13 durch die Regeleinheit 22 hindurch mit der wasserhaltigen Flüssigkeit 3 beaufschlagt und gespeist wird. Die Druckquelle 15 kann eine Pumpe sein und ist vorliegend ein Drucktank. Es können aber auch andere geeignete Druckquellen 15 gewählt werden. Die Baueinheit aus Flüssigkeitspumpe 15 und Sprühdüse 13 ist insbesondere unter Mitwirkung der Regeleinheit 22 für eine kontinuierliche Flüssigkeitsabgabe und damit zur kontinuierlichen Erzeugung des Strahlfächers 12 als aufrecht stehender Flachstrahl ausgelegt. Der Strahlfächer 12 wird somit kontinuierlich laufend und in einer kontinuierlichen Bewegung entlang der vollständigen Breite der Deckfolienbahn 2 bewegt, womit der Sprühabschnitt 11 über die gesamte Breite mit der wasserhaltigen Flüssigkeit 3 benetzt wird.Several such spray nozzles can be arranged next to each other. This would open up the possibility of moistening the spray section 11 along the entire width of the cover film web 2 with a single spray blast using overlapping, cone-shaped jet fans 12. In the preferred embodiment shown, however, only a single spray nozzle 13 is provided, which is shown in the front view Fig. 3 is presented in additional detail. Accordingly, the spray nozzle 13 is mounted together with an associated control unit 22 on a carriage 14 and by means of this carriage 14 on a guide rail 20 according to a double arrow 21 transversely The cover film web 2 can be moved in the longitudinal direction. The control unit 22 includes a needle valve, not shown, and is responsible for setting and maintaining a specific flow rate of the water-containing liquid 3 through the spray nozzle 13. In addition, a pressure source 15, indicated only schematically here, is provided for the water-containing liquid 3, from which the spray nozzle 13 is acted upon and fed with the water-containing liquid 3 through the control unit 22. The pressure source 15 can be a pump and in the present case is a pressure tank. However, other suitable pressure sources 15 can also be selected. The structural unit consisting of liquid pump 15 and spray nozzle 13 is designed, in particular with the cooperation of the control unit 22, for continuous liquid delivery and thus for the continuous generation of the jet fan 12 as an upright flat jet. The jet fan 12 is thus moved continuously and in a continuous movement along the entire width of the cover film web 2, whereby the spray section 11 is wetted with the water-containing liquid 3 over the entire width.

Nachdem nun der angetrocknete Sprühabschnitt 11 erneut befeuchtet wurde, wird die Versiegelungsvorrichtung wieder zurück in ihren ersten Betriebszustand nach Fig. 1 versetzt, die Sprüheinrichtung 10 außer Betrieb genommen, und die Benetzung der Deckfolienbahn 2 mittels der Befeuchtungswalze 8 wieder aufgenommen. Zum Wiederanfahren der Verpackungsmaschine gehört noch, dass die Deckfolienbahn 2 mit ihrem benetzten Sprühabschnitt 11 zu der auf der Flachbettmaschine horizontal laufenden Basisfolie 1 geführt und mit dieser an der Versiegelungsstelle 6 mittels der Andrückeinrichtung 5 entlang des Sprühabschnitts 11 in oben beschriebener Weise vertikal verpresst und versiegelt wird. Sobald aber der Sprühabschnitt 11 vollständig aufgesiegelt ist und die in gewöhnlicher Weise mittels der Befeuchtungswalze 8 befeuchtete Deckfolienbahn 2 die Versiegelungsstelle 6 erreicht, stellt sich wieder der gewöhnliche Versiegelungsbetrieb ein, und das Wiederanfahren der Verpackungsmaschine kann als abgeschlossen gelten.After the dried spray section 11 has been moistened again, the sealing device returns to its first operating state Fig. 1 offset, the spray device 10 is taken out of operation, and the wetting of the cover film web 2 by means of the moistening roller 8 is resumed. Restarting the packaging machine also means that the cover film web 2 with its wetted spray section 11 is guided to the base film 1 running horizontally on the flatbed machine and is vertically pressed and sealed with this at the sealing point 6 by means of the pressing device 5 along the spray section 11 in the manner described above . However, as soon as the spray section 11 is completely sealed and the cover film web 2, moistened in the usual way by means of the moistening roller 8, reaches the sealing point 6, the usual sealing operation resumes and the restart of the packaging machine can be considered complete.

Ebenso wie die regulär befeuchteten und versiegelten Verpackungseinheiten sind die während des Wiederanfahrens mittels des Sprühabschnitts 8 versiegelten Verpackungseinheiten dicht. Je nach Anforderungsprofil können sie als ordentliches Produkt verwendet oder aber aussortiert werden. Die erzielte Dichtigkeit reicht jedenfalls für einen ordnungsgemäßen Betrieb der Verpackungsmaschine aus.Just like the regularly moistened and sealed packaging units, the packaging units sealed during the restart by means of the spray section 8 are tight. Depending on the requirements profile, they can be used as a regular product or sorted out. In any case, the tightness achieved is sufficient for proper operation of the packaging machine.

Claims (9)

  1. Sealing apparatus for sealing packages on a flatbed machine, the package being formed from a base-film web (1) and a cover-film web (2), at least the cover-film web (2) being formed from a water-soluble film, the sealing apparatus comprising a liquid supply for a water-containing liquid (3), at least one moistening unit (4) for wetting the cover-film web (2) with the water-containing liquid (3), and a pressing device (5) for vertically pressing and sealing the cover-film web (2) together with the base-film web (1) at a sealing location (6) in the state in which they are wetted with the liquid (3), the sealing apparatus having a feed region (7) in which the cover-film web (2) is fed from top to bottom to the pressing device (5), and the moistening unit (4) acting on the cover-film web (2) in the feed region (7),
    characterized in that the moistening unit (4) has a moistening roller (8) and a spraying device (10) for the water-containing liquid (3), the moistening unit (4) being able to be switched between a first operating state and a second operating state, the moistening roller (8) acting on the cover-film web (2) at a roller moistening location (9) in the first operating state, and the spraying device (10) acting on a spray portion (11) of the cover-film web (2), said spray portion lying between the roller moistening location (9) and the sealing location (6), in the feed region (7) in the second operating state.
  2. Sealing apparatus according to claim 1,
    characterized in that the spray portion (11) extends at least approximately from the roller moistening location (9) as far as the sealing location (6).
  3. Sealing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
    characterized in that the spraying device (10) has a spraying nozzle (13) for dispensing the water-containing liquid (3) in a jet fan (12) and is designed to cover the entire spray portion (11) by means of the jet fan (12).
  4. Sealing apparatus according to claim 3,
    characterized in that the spraying device (10) comprises an individual spraying nozzle (13) which is mounted on a slide (14) and which can be moved transversely with respect to the cover-film web (2) by means of the slide (14).
  5. Sealing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4,
    characterized in that the spraying nozzle (13) is able to be supplied with the water-containing liquid (3) from a pressure source (15) and is designed to continuously dispense the water-containing liquid (3).
  6. Sealing apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 5,
    characterized in that the feed region (7) is designed to, in the second operating state, guide the cover-film web (2) at an angle (α) of 70° to 110°, and in particular at an angle (α) of 80° to 100°, with respect to the horizontal, at least along the larger part of the spray portion (11).
  7. Sealing apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 6,
    characterized in that the pressing device (5) is positioned at the sealing location (6) in the first operating state and is removed therefrom in the second operating state, and in that the sealing apparatus has a stretching apparatus (16) which acts on the cover-film web (2) in the spray portion (11) in the second operating state.
  8. Sealing apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 7,
    characterized in that the moistening roller (8) is lifted off from the cover-film web (2) in the second operating state.
  9. Method for operating a sealing apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising the following method steps:
    - in a first operating state, the cover-film web (2) is wetted with the water-containing liquid (3) in the feed region (7) at a roller moistening location (9) by means of the moistening roller (8), is guided to the base film (1) running horizontally on the flatbed machine and is vertically pressed and sealed together with said base film at a sealing location (6) by means of the pressing device (5);
    - during or after a machine standstill period, the sealing apparatus is transferred to a second operating state;
    - during the restart operation, in the second operating state, a spray portion (11) of the cover-film web (2), said spray portion lying in the feed region (7) between the roller moistening location (9) and the sealing location (6), is wetted with the water-containing liquid (3) by means of the spraying device (10);
    - subsequently, the sealing apparatus is transferred back to the first operating state and the wetting by means of the moistening roller (8) is incorporated again;
    - the cover-film web (2) is guided by way of its wetted spray portion (11) to the base film (1) running horizontally on the flatbed machine and is vertically pressed and sealed together with said base film, along the spray portion (11), at the sealing location (6) by means of the pressing device
EP21179145.4A 2021-06-11 2021-06-11 Sealing device and method for sealing packagings Active EP4101774B1 (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21179145.4A EP4101774B1 (en) 2021-06-11 2021-06-11 Sealing device and method for sealing packagings
ES21179145T ES2967199T3 (en) 2021-06-11 2021-06-11 Sealing device and procedure for sealing containers
PL21179145.4T PL4101774T3 (en) 2021-06-11 2021-06-11 Sealing device and method for sealing packaging
US17/837,873 US11845579B2 (en) 2021-06-11 2022-06-10 Sealing apparatus and method for sealing packages
CA3162802A CA3162802A1 (en) 2021-06-11 2022-06-10 Sealing apparatus and method for sealing packages
CN202210653204.XA CN115465498B (en) 2021-06-11 2022-06-10 Sealing devices and methods for sealed packaging

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21179145.4A EP4101774B1 (en) 2021-06-11 2021-06-11 Sealing device and method for sealing packagings

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4101774A1 EP4101774A1 (en) 2022-12-14
EP4101774B1 true EP4101774B1 (en) 2023-10-18

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EP21179145.4A Active EP4101774B1 (en) 2021-06-11 2021-06-11 Sealing device and method for sealing packagings

Country Status (6)

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US (1) US11845579B2 (en)
EP (1) EP4101774B1 (en)
CN (1) CN115465498B (en)
CA (1) CA3162802A1 (en)
ES (1) ES2967199T3 (en)
PL (1) PL4101774T3 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4190707A1 (en) * 2021-12-03 2023-06-07 Fameccanica.Data S.p.A. Wetting unit and forming machine and method for producing unit dose articles
NL2036251B1 (en) * 2023-11-13 2025-05-23 Eme Engel Machf En Engineering B V Packaging system for producing pouches comprising a water-soluble base film, a water-soluble cover film, and a fluid or powder

Family Cites Families (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB991465A (en) * 1961-10-16 1965-05-05 Procter & Gamble Ltd Sealing soluble film packets
US7243480B2 (en) * 2003-07-25 2007-07-17 Lts Lohmann Therapie-Systeme Ag Wafer fixing and marking
US20070119542A1 (en) * 2005-11-30 2007-05-31 Williams David R Labeling method and apparatus
US8142604B2 (en) * 2007-11-26 2012-03-27 Exxonmobil Oil Corporation Labeling method
GB2475538B (en) 2009-11-23 2011-11-23 Rideau Machinery Inc Improvements to continuous motion rotary thermoforming of soluble pouches
MX2014015527A (en) * 2012-06-23 2015-06-03 Rideau Machinery Inc Improvements to continuous motion rotatable forming of soluble pouches.
CA2871901C (en) * 2014-10-24 2021-07-20 Multi-Pack Solutions Systems and methods for forming dual layer water soluble packets
CA2943138A1 (en) * 2015-09-25 2017-03-25 Multi-Pack Solutions, LLC Packaging machine with independently controllable movers
CA3001218C (en) * 2015-10-06 2023-08-08 Satellite Industries, Inc. Odor control product package and method of forming the same
US20170101203A1 (en) * 2015-10-07 2017-04-13 Cloud Packaging Solutions, LLC System for forming packages from film material
US20170101204A1 (en) * 2015-10-07 2017-04-13 Cloud Packaging Solutions, LLC System for Forming Packages From Film Material
CN105416638B (en) * 2015-12-15 2019-10-08 佛山市博维环保材料有限公司 A kind of water-soluble film automatic packaging machine and technology of the package
ES2921884T3 (en) * 2016-11-15 2022-09-01 Mespack Cloud Llc Machine for cutting bags with a shaped perimeter edge, procedure and bag
EP3323740B1 (en) 2016-11-17 2019-11-06 Harro Höfliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH Sealing device and method for sealing packagings
US10781000B2 (en) * 2017-06-19 2020-09-22 The Procter & Gamble Company Apparatus and process for forming water soluble pouches
IT201800008032A1 (en) * 2018-08-10 2020-02-10 Tme Spa METHOD AND PACKAGING MACHINE FOR THE REALIZATION OF A COMPOSTABLE POD FOR INFUSION PRODUCTS AND COMPOSTABLE PAD FOR INFUSION PRODUCTS
EP4159418A1 (en) * 2021-10-01 2023-04-05 The Procter & Gamble Company Process of sealing water-soluble polyvinylalcohol films

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
PL4101774T3 (en) 2024-03-18
ES2967199T3 (en) 2024-04-29
EP4101774A1 (en) 2022-12-14
CN115465498B (en) 2025-12-19
CN115465498A (en) 2022-12-13
US11845579B2 (en) 2023-12-19
US20220396384A1 (en) 2022-12-15
CA3162802A1 (en) 2022-12-11

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