EP4149842A1

EP4149842A1 - Apparatus for packaging slab-form or cuboidal products

Info

Publication number: EP4149842A1
Application number: EP20751527.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Markus SAFFER; Martin Becker; Alexander Backes
Original assignee: Loesch Verpackungstechnik GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Loesch Verpackungstechnik GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2020-08-04
Filing date: 2020-08-04
Publication date: 2023-03-22
Also published as: US20230278735A1; BR112022027017A2; WO2022028679A1; CN116096639A; CA3185518A1

Abstract

An apparatus (10) and a method for packaging substantially slab-form or cuboidal products (P), in particular products from the food industry, in particular chocolate bars, in a sheet-form packaging material, comprise the following features: feeding devices (20) for feeding a respective product (P) to a packaging station (12) in a conveying direction (F) in a conveying plane; devices (60) by means of which a blank (Z) of the sheet-form packaging material appropriate for the respectively fed product (P) is provided in the packaging station (12), wherein the blank (Z) of sheet-form packaging material is fed into the packaging station (12) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction (F); wherein the feeding devices (20) are designed and arranged such that they convey the product (P) through the packaging station (12) in each case at least to some extent in such a manner that the product (P) is pushed into the blank (Z) of sheet-form packaging material in the conveying direction (F) such that the sheet-form packaging material wraps itself substantially around the product (P); discharging devices (90) for discharging the product (P) from the packaging station (12) in the conveying direction (F), wherein the respective blank (Z) of sheet-form packaging material remains wrapped around the product (P); and retaining devices (40), which are movably designed and arranged such that they move through the packaging station (12) with the product (P) at least to some extent in the conveying direction (F), wherein the respective blank (Z) of sheet-form packaging material wrapped around the product (P) is retained by said retaining devices in a predetermined orientation and arrangement in relation to the respective product (P). The retaining devices (40) here preferably retain the product (P) in a predetermined orientation and arrangement in relation to the conveying plane while the product (P) is being transferred from the feeding devices to the discharging devices (90), wherein the retaining devices (40) are not in contact with the product (P). The retaining devices (40) are preferably arranged laterally alongside the product (P) and have suction devices for subjecting the sheet-form packaging material to a negative pressure, such that the sheet-form packaging material is attached by suction to the retaining devices (40).

Description

Device for packaging plate-shaped or cuboid products

The invention relates to a device and a method for packaging essentially plate-shaped or cuboid products, in particular products of the food industry, in particular bars or bars consisting essentially of chocolate, in a packaging material foil.

Packaging machines for packaging bar-shaped or bar-shaped products in the confectionery industry, in particular chocolate bars or chocolate bars in different sizes, weights and formats, in particular in the usual sizes of approx. 20g to approx. 300g per unit, are known as fold wrapping machines or film wrapping machines. Such machines have a target output range of up to 200 packaged units (tablets, bars) per minute. The products are wrapped in a packing material film and sealed if necessary. The materials used for these packaging foils are, in particular, aluminium, paper or plastics, which can be heat-sealed or cold-sealed if necessary. The chocolate products can contain soft or hard fillings (e.g. nuts) and have different surface textures, shapes and/or profiles. The products as such are thus typically sensitive to breakage, high temperatures and/or other damage. Last but not least, the product presentation, i.e. the appearance of the packaged product, is essential from the point of view of advertising and sales. The packaging machines must therefore meet these requirements reliably and at the same time flexibly with regard to a possibly desired change in the above-mentioned parameters.

In the known packaging machines of the type mentioned above, the product (e.g. bar of chocolate, bar of chocolate) is typically lying in a horizontal plane to the essentially perpendicular to the product conveying direction. ordered packaging film, in particular a cutting of the packaging film suitable for the respective product, fed and inserted into it(s). To a certain extent, the packaging film forms a film curtain in the conveying path of the product, with part of the film or film section being located above and another part of the film or film section being located below the conveying plane. If the product is advanced further in the conveying direction, the packaging film essentially wraps itself around the product and is then advanced in this form with the product. The film is thus pulled or folded from its initially essentially perpendicular position to the product conveying direction due to the forward movement of the product around the product and then initially lies relatively loosely on the front side, the top side and the bottom side of the product. The foil blank is preferably dimensioned in such a way that it protrudes beyond the product on both sides and on the rear side of the product, in relation to the conveying direction. These lateral and rear parts of the film blank, which therefore protrude on the top and bottom of the product, are then folded further and placed one on top of the other in such a way that they can be sealed to one another with suitable sealing devices to form a sealed seam. In this way, the product is finally completely surrounded by the packaging film, so that a more or less tight packaging is formed by means of the sealing seams produced on the two sides and on the back of the product.

In a packaging machine that works in this way, the individual product is typically fed continuously to the film curtain and pushed into it by means of suitable feed devices, for example feed slides or driver belts. Alternatively, however, an intermittent mode of operation of the feed devices is also possible. As long as the feed devices engage the product and push it forward and thus have it under control, the product has a defined position, position and speed. However, the feed devices typically let go of the product as soon as the film blank has been completely wrapped around the product and before the packaging is closed by means of the sealing seams, in particular before the rear of the product, in relation to the conveying direction, is tion, a longitudinal sealing seam running transversely to the conveying direction is produced in the film. In this phase it must be avoided that corresponding sealing devices, in particular longitudinal sealing devices, collide with the product feed devices. In addition, a collision between the product feed devices that push the product into the film curtain and the next film blank to be made available for the next product that follows must be avoided.

After the feed devices have thus released the product, the product is transferred to discharge devices provided downstream in the conveying direction, which further convey the product. The respective foil blank remains wrapped around the product. In particular, the film blank is initially folded loosely or loosely or unfastened around the product before the above-mentioned lateral sealed seams and the rear longitudinal sealed seam are formed in the film. As long as these sealing seams have not yet been formed, the product and the film blank in question can therefore move relative to one another, in particular slip relative to one another. Only when all of the above sealing seams have been sealed and the packaging has finally been completely closed is the product finally fixed in position within the film blank, i.e. the product and film can then essentially no longer move relative to each other.

The product removal devices can typically be conveyor rakes that go back and forth in the conveying direction. They reach, for example, from above between two consecutive products and grip the products from behind and thus push them further in the conveying direction. At the end of a conveying stroke, the conveying rake lets go of the products that have been pushed forward and moves back in the opposite direction to the conveying direction into a position in which it can in each case, in particular, grasp a next product that is subsequently fed in. In the phase of this reverse stroke of the conveyor rake, the products are therefore not pushed any further but stand still. Such product removal devices thus typically work intermittently. Alternatively, however, a continuous mode of operation of the discharge devices is also possible, for example by using driver belts. In the phase of handover or transfer of the products from the input-side infeed devices to the output-side discharge devices, the individual product is typically neither under the control of the infeed devices nor under the control of the discharge devices, i.e. the product is temporarily held and guided by none of these devices. In addition, the conveyed product is alternately decelerated and then accelerated again when it is transferred from continuously operating feed devices to intermittently operating discharge devices. The latter also applies to the product in the course of the intermittent conveyance described above solely through the discharge devices (e.g. conveyor rake).

In this phase of the uncontrolled, optionally also alternately decelerated and accelerated conveying of the products, the individual product can slip in its conveying path, so that it may not be aligned and taken over by the subsequent conveying and/or processing devices in an incorrect position. In addition, in this phase the film blank lying around the product, which is typically still loose, i.e. not fixed, can move relative to the product. In particular, the product and film blank can thus slip or shift or shift relative to one another.

It goes without saying that such uncontrolled movements of the product and/or the film blank are disadvantageous and undesirable for manufacturing reasons. Products that are not arranged and conveyed in the correct position can be damaged by the subsequent conveying and/or processing devices or, in the worst case, even lead to machine blockages and downtimes. A correct alignment of the respective foil cut in relation to the individual product is particularly necessary in order to form a correctly closed, possibly tight packaging unit, for example by correct and clean sealing seams being produced, for which it is necessary, among other things, that the relevant to be sealed together Edges or sections of the film blank are correctly positioned on top of each other and on top of each other. Furthermore, for a perfect visual appearance of the final packaged product, a correct orientation of the respective foil blank in relation to the individual product is required, since, for example, on the Inscriptions and/or illustrations attached to the visible outside of the film must match the respective product shape or the respective product format.

In an attempt to eliminate the problems described above and in particular to ensure that the individual product does not slip in its conveyor path and/or that the product and the film blank do not slip relative to one another, it is known in the prior art to provide a stationary holding device for to provide the product substantially in the area of the product conveyor path where the product is transferred from the infeed devices to the outfeed discharge devices and where the product is typically neither under the control of the infeed devices nor under the control of the discharge devices, as described above . This known holding device is typically arranged in an area behind the foil curtain and/or in front of the removal devices (e.g. conveyor rake) in the conveying direction. This holding device is, for example, in the form of a brush arranged above the conveyor track and is designed to act in the form of a counterhold on the product and to keep it under control. In particular, the holding device acts from above on the outside of the film that lies around the product after it has been pushed into the film curtain. The holding device does not touch the product directly here, but instead holds it indirectly via the film. In this way it is to be achieved that neither the product as such nor the product and film slip relative to one another, so that the product and the film remain properly aligned relative to one another and in the conveyor track.

In practice, however, it has been shown that the holding device described above cannot accomplish the desired purpose of a safe and correctly aligned conveyance of product and film. In particular, this known holding device is also unsuitable for gentle conveying of sensitive products (eg chocolate bars, as described above) because, among other things, it exerts too much pressure on the product. The known holding device is unsuitable in particular in cases where the product as such has a profiled surface structure, since it can press the packaging film lying over the product into recessed areas of the product surface, which are also increased areas on the product surface. In addition to the risk of the packaging film tearing in these areas, this can lead to a disorderly, uneven and therefore visually unattractive product packaging. However, this is particularly disadvantageous when it is desired that the product packaging has a uniform, smooth or flat surface, even if the product itself has a structured or profiled surface.

The invention is therefore based on the object of creating an improved device and a corresponding method for packaging plate-shaped or cuboid products, in particular tablet-shaped or bar-shaped products from the confectionery industry, in particular chocolate bars or chocolate bars, in a packaging film. The aim is to overcome the problems described above and, in particular, to ensure that the product and a film blank wrapped around the product are always kept under control in such a way that the individual product does not slip in its conveyor path and/or that the product and the film blank folded around the product The foil blanks do not slip relative to each other when the product is transferred from the input-side feed devices to the output-side discharge devices in a phase in which the foil blank is wrapped around the product. This controlled guidance of the product and foil cut is also intended to be implemented in particular with products that as such have a structured or profiled surface, for example in such a way that recessed areas are present next to raised areas on the product surface. Ultimately, the product and the finished packaging unit formed from the product and packaging film should be conveyed gently in all phases of processing in order to avoid damage to the product or finished packaging.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a device for packaging essentially plate-shaped or cuboid products in a packaging material film according to patent claim 1 and by a corresponding method according to patent claim 25. The invention thus creates a device for packaging essentially plate-shaped or cuboid products, in particular products of the food industry, in particular bars or bars consisting essentially of chocolate, in a packaging material film, with the following features: Feeding devices for feeding one product each to a packaging station in a conveying direction in a conveying plane; Devices for providing a blank of the packaging material film in the packaging station that matches the product fed in at the time, the blank of the packaging material film being fed into the packaging station in a direction essentially perpendicular to the conveying direction; wherein the feed devices are designed and arranged in such a way that they convey the product at least partially through the packaging station in such a way that the product is pushed into the blank of the packaging material film in the conveying direction in such a way that the packaging material film essentially wraps around the product; discharge means for discharging the product from the packaging station in the conveying direction, with the respective blank of the packaging film remaining wrapped around the product; and holding devices which are movably constructed and arranged to move at least partially in the conveying direction with the product through the packaging station, whereby the respective blank of the packaging material film wrapped around the product is held in a predetermined orientation and arrangement in relation to the respective product keep.

According to the invention, it is therefore provided that feed devices push the product in the conveying direction into a blank of the packaging material foil, which is initially arranged as a vertical foil curtain in the conveyor track. The film cut is thereby deflected in the conveying direction and wraps itself around the product. Together with the product, holding devices are pushed into the film blank in the conveying direction in such a way that it also wraps around the holding devices. The holding devices are designed in such a way that they hold the film blank in a predetermined orientation and arrangement in relation to the product while the product is moved further in the conveying direction. The holding devices thus hold the film blank wrapped around the product during the transfer The product is guided from the infeed devices on the input side to the discharge devices on the output side in such a way that the foil cut cannot slip relative to the product.

Preferably, the holding means are also designed to hold the product in a predetermined orientation and location with respect to the plane of conveyance while the product is being conveyed further. The holding devices therefore keep the product under control in such a way that the product as such or together with the wrapped foil blank cannot slip into an undesirable or unsuitable position in the conveyor track. In this case, it is provided in particular that the holding devices do not act on the product as such and do not touch it, but only act on the film blank. The holding devices therefore do not hold the product directly but only indirectly via the film blank. In particular, the holding devices can hold the product indirectly in that the product is to a certain extent clamped or clamped in the foil blank which is placed around the product and is held by the holding devices. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable that the holding devices act directly on the product as such and thereby hold it in a predetermined orientation and arrangement in relation to the conveying plane and/or conveying direction while the product is conveyed further.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the holding devices are arranged essentially in the conveying plane next to the product on at least one, but preferably on both sides of the product extending essentially in the conveying direction. In this case, the holding devices preferably have a height perpendicular to the conveying plane, which essentially corresponds to the height of the product perpendicular to the conveying plane, ie, for example, the thickness of a chocolate bar to be packaged. In this way it can be achieved that the foil blank, which is placed around the product and the holding devices arranged laterally thereof, lies essentially flat over its entire width in one plane on the upper side and the underside of the product and the holding devices. When the product itself has a textured or profiled surface where, for example, depressed areas are next to raised areas on the product surface are present, the holding devices preferably have a height perpendicular to the conveying plane which essentially corresponds to the maximum height of the product perpendicular to the conveying plane, e.g. the greatest thickness of a chocolate bar to be packaged in the area of the raised sections or areas on the product surface.

In order for the holding devices to be able to engage and hold the foil blank, it is advantageously provided that the foil blank is dimensioned and arranged in relation to the product in such a way that on both sides of the product it is positioned with a part perpendicular to the conveying direction, i.e. in protrudes laterally beyond the product. The holding devices then preferably each have a width in the conveying plane that essentially corresponds to the width of the respective part of the film blank that protrudes laterally beyond the product.

It can be seen that in the arrangement described above, the holding devices together with the product are preferably pushed into the blank of the packaging material film in the conveying direction in such a way that the packaging material film essentially wraps or folds around the holding devices and around the product in such a way that a part of the film cut is essentially on the upper side of the product and the holding devices arranged to the side in relation to the conveying plane, that part of the film cut is essentially on the underside of the product and the holding devices in relation to the conveying plane, and that part of the film cut is essentially at the front of the product and the holding devices in relation to the conveying direction.

The blank of the packaging material film is preferably dimensioned and arranged and guided in the packaging station in such a way that at the end of the path of insertion of the respective product and the holding devices assigned to it into the foil blank, i.e. at the end of each insertion stroke in the conveying direction, one part each of the blank as an extension of that part of the blank lying on top of the holding devices and of the product and in extension of that part of the blank lying on the lower side of the holding devices and of the product of the blank protrudes essentially to the rear beyond the product in relation to the conveying direction. So that the already mentioned longitudinal sealing seam of the packaging can be formed on the back of the product after the product has been completely pushed into the film cut, it is advantageous if at the end of the respective insertion stroke one of the above-mentioned parts of the film cut protruding to the rear beyond the product is longer and/or protrudes further to the rear of the product than the other part of the film blank that protrudes to the rear of the product.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the holding devices have vacuum devices or suction devices for generating a negative pressure on the packaging material film in such a way that the packaging material film, which is at least partially wrapped around the holding devices when these are pushed into the film blank, is sucked in by the holding devices. For this purpose, the holding devices have a connection and a channel for sucking off air and openings for sucking in the packaging material film. These openings are arranged on the top and/or the bottom and/or the front of the holding devices.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one sealing device is provided in order to seal at least two parts of the blank of the packaging material film that protrude beyond the product, forming a sealing seam, in such a way that the product is at least partially enclosed and packaged in the packaging material film. In particular, a longitudinal sealing device is arranged in the conveying direction behind or downstream on the packaging station, which is designed to seal a longitudinal sealing seam running perpendicularly to the conveying direction and parallel to the conveying plane in two parts or sections of the packaging material film lying on top of one another, preferably on the to generate the back of the product packaging. In particular, the two parts of the film blank that protrude backwards beyond the product at the end of a respective insertion stroke are sealed to one another essentially over the entire width of the packaging material film. The longitudinal sieve formed preferably extends gel then sews, as it were in the form of a fin or a flap, substantially in extension of either the top or the bottom of the product backwards with respect to the conveying direction. To form this longitudinal sealing seam, the longer film section that protrudes further backwards beyond the product at the end of a respective insertion stroke is essentially folded around the relevant rear edge of the product and placed on the other rearwardly protruding, shorter film section. The longer film section is folded in such a way that ultimately a part of it rests essentially on the rear side of the product in relation to the conveying direction.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the holding devices are designed and arranged to be movable in such a way that, after the complete insertion in the conveying direction into the film blank, i.e. at the end of a respective insertion stroke, they are essentially opposite to the conveying direction for a subsequent product to be packaged moved back to their initial or home position upstream of the packaging station. For this purpose, the holding devices are preferably designed and arranged to be movable in such a way that they do not collide with the longitudinal sealing device when they move back into their starting position. This applies in particular in the event that the longitudinal sealing device forms the longitudinal sealing seam on the rear side of the product more or less immediately after the respective push-in stroke or at the end of the respective push-in stroke of the holding devices.

In order to avoid a collision between the holding devices and the longitudinal sealing device, the holding devices are preferably designed and arranged to be movable in such a way that after they have been fully pushed into the conveying direction in the film blank, they initially move essentially perpendicularly to the conveying direction in or parallel to the conveying plane move laterally outwards away from the product and that they then move back to their starting position upstream of the packaging station substantially opposite to the direction of conveyance. The holding devices and the longitudinal sealing device are further preferably designed and arranged in such a way that the longitudinal sealing device Longitudinal sealing seam forms essentially over the entire width of the packaging material film as soon as or after the holding devices have essentially moved completely perpendicularly to the conveying direction in the conveying plane out of the region of the packaging material film.

As already indicated above, various embodiments of the invention can provide that the infeed devices feed successive products either intermittently or continuously to the packaging station, and that the discharge devices discharge the products with the packaging film wrapped around the products either intermittently or continuously from the packaging station. For this purpose, the feed devices and/or the discharge devices can be reciprocating or circulating pushing devices or rake conveyor devices or circulating belt or chain conveyor devices with drivers or other corresponding devices that are used for feeding the respective product to the packaging station or for attack the discharge of the respective product from the packaging station based on the conveying direction at the rear of the product.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the packaging material film is fed to the packaging station as an endless belt. The devices for feeding the packaging material film or for providing a blank of the packaging material film that fits the product to be packaged have cutting devices that cut the individual film blank that matches the product from the endless belt.

Finally, the invention provides a method for packaging the products described above, for example chocolate tablets or bars. This method is carried out using a device that includes the features described above.

Further details and advantages of the invention result from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a packaging device according to the invention in a first position in a perspective view obliquely from above.

FIG. 2 shows the packaging device from FIG. 1 in a second position in a perspective view from above.

FIG. 3a shows a first embodiment of a packaging device according to the invention in a side view.

FIG. 3b shows an enlarged detail of the packaging device from FIG. 3a.

FIG. 4a shows a second embodiment of a packaging device according to the invention in a first position in a side view, partially in section.

FIG. 4b shows an enlarged detail of the packaging device from FIG. 4a.

FIG. 5a shows the packaging device from FIG. 4a in a second position in a side view, partially in section.

FIG. 5b shows an enlarged detail of the packaging device from FIG. 5a.

A device 10 for packaging essentially plate-shaped or cuboid products P in a packaging material film Z is shown schematically in FIG. The product P is here, for example, a rectangular bar of chocolate. In principle, however, any other format or size of the products P is also conceivable, for example essentially round or partially round or oval shapes.

The product P is fed in a conveying plane in a conveying direction F to a packaging area or a packaging station 12 . The bar of chocolate shown in FIG both shorter edges of the panel are arranged laterally. The panel is guided by side guides 70 in the area of the two shorter edges of the panel. These lateral guides 70 are used to keep the product P correctly laterally aligned in the conveying plane transversely to the conveying direction F.

Feeding devices 20 are provided for this feeding of the product P to the packaging station 12, which are shown in FIG. 1 as pushing devices by way of example. These pusher devices 20 are mounted, for example, on circulating belt or chain conveyors, so that at the end of the operation of feeding the product P to the packaging station 12, i. H. at the end of their feed stroke, swing out of the conveying plane, for example by diving down. The pusher devices 20 then run back to their starting position in the opposite direction to the conveying direction F, in which they can pick up a next product P and in turn feed it to the packaging station 12 . Instead of the feed slide devices or feed slides 20 shown, however, other types of feed devices are also conceivable, for example other circulating belt or chain conveyor devices with drivers or rake conveyor devices that move back and forth essentially linearly in the conveying direction F.

As can also be seen in FIG. 1, a blank Z of a packaging material film that matches the supplied product P is provided in the packaging station 12 in an alignment essentially perpendicular to the conveying direction F and the conveying plane. Corresponding devices for feeding and preparing the foil blank Z are not shown in FIG. 1 for reasons of simplification. FIGS. 3a to 5b show guide devices 60, in particular guide plates, which can be part of the devices for feeding and preparing the film blank Z. Typically, the dunnage film is fed to the wrapping station 12 from above as an endless belt. By means of suitable cutting devices (not shown in the drawings), a film blank Z suitable for the product P fed in at the time is then cut from the endless film strip. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the packaging material film is fed as an endless belt from one side to the packaging station 12 . Further alternatively it is It is conceivable that film blanks Z that have already been produced elsewhere and are held ready in a storage magazine are successively fed to the packaging station 12 in each case individually, for example from above or from the side.

As FIG. 1 also shows, the packaging material foil blank Z is dimensioned in such a way that the supplied product P can be completely packed in it. As a result of its further conveyance through the packaging device 10, the product P is wrapped in the foil blank Z, with the edges of the foil blank Z then being sealed to one another to form sealing seams, in order ultimately to create a completely closed, more or less tight packaging for the product P to build. As can be seen in Figure 1, the foil blank Z has a greater width than the product P transversely to the conveying direction F. The foil blank Z also has a greater height above and below the conveying plane perpendicular to the conveying plane than the width of the product P in corresponds to the conveying direction F. If the foil blank Z is then folded around the product P, the edge areas of the blank Z thus protrude beyond the edges of the product P. These protruding edge areas are then folded further in a suitable manner and placed one on top of the other in order to create the sealing seams for closing the packaging.

The packaging material film blank Z provided in this way forms a film curtain, which is arranged essentially perpendicularly to the conveying plane and the conveying direction F, in the conveying path of the product P it just touches this vertical foil curtain. When the product P is then pushed further in the conveying direction F by the feed slides 20, it is pushed into the film curtain, as a result of which the latter is deflected in the conveying direction F, as illustrated in FIG. The packaging film Z essentially wraps around the product P and is then pushed further with the product P in this form. Due to the forward movement of the product P, the film Z is pulled or folded around the product P from its initially essentially vertical arrangement and then lies, based on the conveying plane and the Conveying direction F, relatively loosely at the front, the top and the bottom of the product P.

The feed slides 20 typically push the product P further in the conveying direction F until the foil blank Z has completely wrapped itself around the product P, ie until the foil blank Z is out of the initially completely vertical arrangement (see FIG. 1) and the subsequent partially vertical arrangement (see Figure 2) has been drawn into a substantially completely horizontal configuration on the top and bottom sides of the product P . The feed pushers 20 then release the product P and run back to their starting position upstream for a next product P to be packaged. The feed pushers 20 cannot push the product P further in the conveying direction F because it is downstream at or behind the packaging station 12 a longitudinal sealing device 80 is arranged (see Figure 1), by means of the on the back of the product P or the product packaging to be formed, based on the conveying direction F, a longitudinal sealing seam running transversely to the conveying direction F in the film Z or in two over and/or film sections lying one on top of the other. A collision between the longitudinal sealing device 80 and the feed slides 20 must be avoided here. In addition, a collision of the feed slides 20 with the next film blank Z to be made available for the next product P that follows must be avoided.

After the feed slides 20 have thus released the product P, the product P is transferred to discharge devices 90 provided downstream in the conveying direction F, which discharge the product P from the packaging station 12 and then convey it further downstream. In this case, the respective foil blank Z remains wrapped around the product P. The product P shown in the left part of the device of Figure 1 running downstream from the packaging station 12 and downstream from the longitudinal sealing device 80 is shown here only schematically without the film blank Z, which would be wrapped around the product P in this position of the product P. In the drawings, the discharge devices 90 are shown only schematically, for example as a conveyor track or conveying surface 90. Typically, the discharge devices 90 can be conveyor rakes that go back and forth in the conveying direction F in a substantially linear manner on a substantially rectangular path. The conveying rakes engage, for example, from above between two consecutive products P and grasp the products P from behind and thus push them further in the conveying direction F. At the end of its conveying stroke, the conveying rake lets go of the products P that have been pushed forward and moves back in the opposite direction to the conveying direction F into a position in which it can grasp the next product P that is subsequently fed in. Instead of conveyor rakes, however, other types of discharge devices are also conceivable, for example belt or chain conveyor devices with carriers running around them.

As explained at the beginning with reference to the prior art, in the phase of the transfer or transfer of the products P from the input-side infeed devices 20 to the output-side discharge devices 90 in the area of the packaging station 12, the individual product P can temporarily neither be under the control of the infeed devices 20 still under the control of the discharge devices 90, ie the product P is here temporarily held and guided by none of these devices. There can also be a situation in which the conveyed product P is alternately decelerated and then accelerated again when it is transferred, for example, from continuously operating feed devices 20 (e.g. feed pushers) to intermittently operating discharge devices 90 (e.g. conveyor rakes). In this phase of such an uncontrolled conveyance of the products P, the individual product P can slip in its conveying path, which may be disadvantageous or harmful for subsequent processing steps. In addition, in this phase the film blank Z lying around the product P, which is typically still loose, i.e. not fixed, can move relative to the product P, in particular slip, which may cause the disadvantages described at the beginning.

In order to avoid such disadvantages of the prior art, the present packaging device 10 has, in particular, holding devices 40 which are designed and arranged to be movable in such a way that they are at least partially in the conveying move direction F with the product P through the packaging station 12. The holding devices 40 hold the respective foil blank Z wrapped around the product P in a predetermined orientation and arrangement in relation to the respective product P, while the product P is moved further in the conveying direction F. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the holding devices 40 are arranged for this purpose and are pushed into the film blank Z together with the product P in the conveying direction F in such a way that the latter also wraps around the holding devices 40 . The holding devices 40 thus always keep the blank Z of the packaging material film wrapped around the product P under control during the transfer of the product P from the input-side feed devices 20 to the output-side discharge devices 90 in such a way that the film blank Z cannot slip relative to the product P. The holding devices 40 can thus also be referred to as packaging material formers.

The holding devices 40 can preferably also be designed in such a way that they also hold the product P as such in a predetermined orientation and arrangement in relation to the conveying plane while the product P is being conveyed through the packaging station 12 . In this case, however, the holding devices 40 preferably do not directly grip the product P as such and do not touch it, but only grip the film blank Z laid around the product P. The holding devices 40 only keep the product P under control indirectly, in that the product P is clamped or clamped in the film blank Z assigned to it. The product P together with the wrapped film blank Z cannot slip into an undesired position in the conveyor track.

Figures 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a and 5b show the packaging device 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 with more details and in different positions and embodiments. In this respect, what was said above in relation to FIGS. 1 and 2 applies to these figures.

Figures 3a, 3b, 4a and 4b show in their respective right area, ie before o- the upstream in the packaging station 12, a supplied product P with its associated feed slides 20 and holding devices 40 in a position that almost corresponds to the position shown in FIG. 1, but actually shortly after the position of FIG. The product P and the holding devices 40 have already been pushed slightly into the film blank Z, so that the latter is already slightly deflected in the conveying direction F.

In the respective left area of Figures 3a, 3b, 4a and 4b, i. H. behind or downstream in the packaging station 12, the respectively preceding or preceding product P with a film blank Z that is completely laid or folded around this product P can be seen. Following this shown position of the preceding product P, a longitudinal sealing seam is formed in the foil blank Z on the rear side of the product P, seen in the conveying direction F, by the longitudinal sealing device 80 sealing the two rearwardly protruding edges of the foil blank Z together. Essentially up to or shortly before the point in time at which the longitudinal sealing seam is formed, the film blank Z is held and fixed by the holding devices 40 in relation to the relevant product P running in front in such a way that it does not shift or move relative to this product P .cannot slip. The holding devices 40 holding this film blank Z in relation to the relevant preceding product P can be seen in particular in FIGS. 5a and 5b.

FIGS. 5a, 5b show the supplied product P with the feed slides 20 and holding devices 40 assigned to it in a position which follows the position shown in FIG. In particular, FIGS. 5a, 5b show the supplied product P in a position in which it has been pushed completely into the film blank Z. Thus, this position corresponds to the position of the product P shown in the respective left-hand area of FIGS.

In particular, FIGS. 5a, 5b also show the holding devices 40, which hold and fix the film blank Z in relation to the product P in question. Immediately following the position shown in FIGS. 5a, 5b, the holding devices 40 release the foil blank Z and move in the lateral direction away from the product P and out of the conveying plane, in order to return to their starting position essentially in the opposite direction to the conveying direction F, in which they are ready for a subsequent next product P with the associated film blank Z. As soon as the holding devices 40 have moved away from the product P with its foil blank Z, the longitudinal sealing device 80 can form the longitudinal sealing seam in the foil blank Z on the back of the product P, as described above in relation to the arrangement of the product P with the Foil blank Z was explained in the respective left area of Figures 3a, 3b, 4a and 4b. It is essential here that the movements or movement paths of the holding devices 40 and the longitudinal sealing device 80 are controlled, arranged and coordinated with one another in such a way that the holding devices 40 do not collide with the longitudinal sealing device 80 .

As shown in particular in FIGS. 1 and 2, the holding devices 40 are arranged in the conveying plane next to the product P on the two sides of the product P that extend in the conveying direction F. An embodiment in which the holding devices 40 are only arranged on one side of the product P is also conceivable. As can also be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the holding devices 40 are arranged laterally outside of the side guides 70, so that the holding devices 40 do not touch the product P. Since the side guides 70 are typically fixed or stationary, a gap L is created downstream of the side guides 70 between the sides of the product P and the respective holding devices 40 arranged laterally outside thereof when the holding devices 40 are arranged together with and/or parallel to the product P be introduced into the film blank Z (see Figure 2). This gap L contributes to the fact that the holding devices 40 do not have any contact with the product P. As a result, damage to the product P by the holding devices 40 is avoided, among other things.

As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 3a to 5b, the holding devices 40 have a height perpendicular to the conveying plane which essentially corresponds to the height of the product P perpendicular to the conveying plane. This ensures that the packaging film Z, which is held by the holding devices 40 and folded around the product P, is essentially tight against or on the relevant surfaces of the product P lies. In the case shown in Figures 3a and 3b, in which the product P has a surface profiled with elevations PE and depressions PV, the holding devices 40 have a height perpendicular to the plane of conveyance which is substantially the maximum thickness of the product P in the region of the elevations corresponds to PE. According to this, the packaging film Z is stretched by the holding devices 40 between two adjacent elevations PE, so to speak, evenly or smoothly over the depression PV lying between them.

The blank Z of the packaging material film is typically dimensioned and arranged in relation to the product P in such a way that it has a part or section Za, Zb laterally on the two sides of the product P extending in the conveying direction F, ie perpendicular to the Conveying direction F protrudes beyond the product P (see Figures 1 and 2). The holding devices 40 typically each have a width in the conveying plane that essentially corresponds to the width of the respective part Za, Zb of the foil blank Z that protrudes laterally beyond the product P. In the event that a gap L is formed downstream of the side guides 70 between the product P and the holding device 40 arranged laterally thereof, the width of the film section Za, Zb protruding laterally beyond the product P essentially corresponds to the sum of the width of the respective holding device 40 and the width of the gap L, each seen in the conveying plane perpendicular to the conveying direction F (see Figure 2).

As already explained above, the holding devices 40 are pushed together with the product P in the conveying direction F into the blank Z of the packaging material film. The packaging material film Z essentially wraps around the holding devices 40 and the product P in such a way that part of the film blank Z lies essentially on top of the holding devices 40 and the product P in relation to the conveying plane, so that part of the film blank Z is essentially on the underside of the holding devices 40 and the product P in relation to the conveying plane, and that part of the foil blank Z is essentially on the front or front side of the holding devices 40 and the product P in relation to the conveying direction F. At the back of the product P, based on the Conveying direction F, the packaging material film Z is initially not in contact, ie the product rear is open (see, for example, product P in the respective left-hand area of FIGS. 3a to 5b). Likewise, the packaging material film Z does not initially lie against the two narrow side surfaces of the product P extending in the conveying direction F (see, for example, FIG. 2).

The foil blank Z is dimensioned such that at the end of the insertion stroke of the holding devices 40 and the product P in the conveying direction F in the foil blank Z, i.e. when the foil blank Z moves from its initial vertical arrangement as a foil curtain in the conveyor track (see Figure 1) into the has been pulled into a position in which it lies completely around the product P, individual parts or sections Zc, Zd of the film blank Z protrude essentially backwards over the product P in relation to the conveying direction F, namely a film section Zc in the extension of the one on the part of the blank Z lying on the upper side of the holding devices 40 and the product P, and another film section Zd in extension of the part of the blank Z lying on the underside of the holding devices 40 and the product P. For example, the upper film section Zc protrudes further over the product P backwards than the lower film section Zd (see above all Figures 3b and d 4b). It can be seen that the film section Zc corresponds to the upper edge of the initially vertically oriented film curtain and that the film section Zd corresponds to the lower edge of the initially vertically oriented film curtain (compare FIG. 1).

As shown in particular in FIGS. 4a to 5b, the holding devices 40 have vacuum devices or suction devices for generating a negative pressure on the packaging material film Z in such a way that the packaging material film Z placed around the holding devices 40 can be sucked in by the holding devices 40. For this purpose, the holding devices 40 have, in particular, a connection 44 and a channel 42 for sucking off air, as well as openings 46a, 46b, 46c for sucking in the packaging material film Z. The holding devices 40 optionally or cumulatively have openings 46a for sucking in the packaging material film Z on the upper side of the holding devices 40, openings 46b for sucking in the packing material film Z on the underside of the holding devices 40 and openings 46c for sucking in the packing material film Z on the front or front of the holding devices 40 on. As long as these vacuum devices are switched on and therefore suck off air, the packaging material film Z is consequently held by the holding devices 40 so that it cannot slip relative to the product P wrapped in the film Z. This is accomplished essentially over the entire insertion stroke of the holding devices 40 and the product P into the film blank Z. At the end of this insertion stroke, the vacuum devices are turned off, causing the holding devices 40 to release the sheet of dunnage Z so that they can then move away from the product P and back to their home position.

As mentioned above, the longitudinal sealer 80 is positioned after or downstream of the packaging station 12 to form a longitudinal seal in the film blank Z on the rear side of the product P . The longitudinal sealing device 80 is arranged and designed in such a way that it seals the two parts Zc, Zd of the film blank Z that protrude backwards beyond the product essentially over the entire width of the packaging material film Z. Depending on whether the upper film section Zc (as shown in the present Figures 3a to 5b) or the lower film section Zd protrudes further backwards over the product P, and depending on the appropriate arrangement and design of the longitudinal sealing device 80, the longitudinal sealing seam that is formed extends then substantially in extension of either the top or the bottom of the product P with respect to the conveying direction F to the rear. After the longitudinal sealing seam has been formed, a part of the longer film section in question (e.g. part of section Zc in Figures 3a to 5b) lies essentially in a vertical orientation relative to the conveying direction F on the rear side of the product P, since the longer film section in question (here Zc) is folded around the product P and placed on the shorter film section (here Zd) and thus sealed. A fully formed longitudinal sealing seam is not shown in the present figures.

Further sealing devices are typically provided downstream of the packaging station 12, in particular those for sealing the parts Za, Zb of the film blank Z that protrude laterally beyond the product to one another (see Figure ren 1 and 2) each forming a side sealing seam. In particular, the parts Za and Zb projecting laterally beyond the product P on the upper side and the lower side are sealed to one another. The product packaging is only completely closed when the above-mentioned longitudinal sealing seam and these side sealing seams have been formed. Further downstream, suitable folding devices are then optionally provided, which fold the above-mentioned side or longitudinal sealing seams, which initially protrude laterally or backwards from the product, onto the product or the product packaging and fasten them there, in order to ultimately create a clean, visually appealing to receive product packaging.

As already mentioned above, at the end of their insertion stroke, i.e. after being fully inserted into the film blank Z, the holding devices 40 can move back to their starting position upstream of the packaging station 12 essentially opposite to the conveying direction F for a next product P to be packaged . It is essential here that the holding devices 40 do not collide with the longitudinal sealing device 80 that may be moving at the same time. For this purpose, the holding devices 40 are designed and arranged to be movable in such a way that after they have been completely pushed into the film blank Z (cf. position in FIGS. 5a, 5b), they first move laterally outwards away from the product P essentially perpendicularly to the conveying direction F in the conveying plane move, and that they then move essentially in the opposite direction to the conveying direction F back to their starting position upstream of the packaging station 12 (cf. position in FIG. 1). Preferably, the holding devices 40 and the longitudinal sealing device 80 are designed and arranged and their movements and movement paths are coordinated with one another in such a way that the longitudinal sealing device 80 only forms the longitudinal sealing seam essentially over the entire width of the packaging material film Z as soon as or after the holding devices 40 are vertical have moved to the conveying direction F essentially completely out of the area of the packaging material film Z. Only then may the longitudinal sealing device 80 shown in the drawings, which is arranged above the conveying plane, move essentially vertically downwards into the conveying plane and here come into contact with the relevant film sections Zc or Zd protruding over the product P and seal them together. With the above-described device and the corresponding method for packaging products in a packaging material film, a secure holding or fixing of the packaging material film in relation to the product in question is achieved and it is ensured that the product and the packaging material film surrounding the product are continuously under control and not individually and/or can move or slip together in relation to one another and/or in relation to a conveyor track. This applies in particular to products that have structured or profiled surfaces. Overall, this means that the product and the packaging material film are conveyed gently and stress-free.

Claims

26 patent claims

1 . Device (10) for packaging essentially plate-shaped or cuboid products (P), in particular products of the food industry, in particular bars or bars consisting essentially of chocolate, in a packaging material film, having the following features:

Feeding devices (20) for feeding one product (P) at a time to a packaging station (12) in a conveying direction (F) in a conveying plane;

Devices (60) for providing a blank (Z) of the packaging material film in the packaging station (12) that matches the product (P) fed in at the time, the blank (Z) of the packaging material film moving in a direction essentially perpendicular to the conveying direction (F) in the packaging station (12) is fed; wherein the feed devices (20) are designed and arranged in such a way that they each convey the product (P) at least partially through the packaging station (12) in such a way that the product (P) enters the blank (Z) in the conveying direction (F) in such a way the packaging material film is inserted in such a way that the packaging material film essentially wraps around the product (P);

Discharge means (90) for discharging the product (P) from the packaging station (12) in the conveying direction (F), the respective blank (Z) of the packaging material film remaining wrapped around the product (P); characterized by the following features:

Holding devices (40) which are designed and arranged to be movable in such a way that they move at least partially in the conveying direction (F) with the product (P) through the packaging station (12), holding the respective blank wrapped around the product (P). (Z) of the packaging material film in a predetermined orientation and arrangement in relation to the respective product (P).

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding devices (40) are designed and arranged to be movable in such a way that they hold the product (P) in a predetermined alignment and arrangement in relation to the conveying plane, while the product ( P) is conveyed through the packaging station (12).

3. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the holding devices (40) are movably designed and arranged in such a way that they hold the product (P) in a predetermined orientation and arrangement in relation to the conveying plane while the product (P) is conveyed through the packaging station (12) in that the holding devices (40) hold the respective blank (Z) of the packaging material film wrapped around the product (P) in a predetermined orientation and arrangement in relation to the respective product (P). , wherein the holding devices (40) do not touch the product (P).

4. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding devices (40) are essentially in the conveying plane next to the product (P) on at least one side of the product (which is essentially in the conveying direction (F)) P) are arranged.

5. Device (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the holding devices (40) are arranged on both sides of the product (P) extending essentially in the conveying direction (F).

6. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding devices (40) have a height perpendicular to the conveying plane which essentially corresponds to the height of the product (P) perpendicular to the conveying plane.

7. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blank (Z) of the packaging material film is dimensioned and arranged in relation to the product (P) such that it is on the two, substantially in the conveying direction (F) extending sides of the product (P) each with a part (Za, Zb) of the blank (Z) protrudes perpendicularly to the conveying direction (F) over the product (P).

8. Apparatus (10) according to Claim 7 when dependent on either of Claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the holding means (40) each have a width in the conveying plane which is substantially the width of the respective part (Za, Zb) of the blank (Z) of the packaging material film, which protrudes perpendicularly to the conveying direction (F) over the product (P).

9. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding devices (40) are pushed together with the product (P) in the conveying direction (F) into the blank (Z) of the packaging material film such that the packaging material film placed essentially around the holding devices (40) and around the product (P) in such a way that part of the blank (Z) of the packaging material film lies essentially on top of the holding devices (40) and the product (P) in relation to the conveying plane, that part of the blank (Z) of the packaging material film is essentially on the underside of the holding devices (40) and the product (P) in relation to the conveying plane, and that part of the blank (Z) of the packaging material film in relation to the conveying direction (F) is substantially in front of the holding devices (40) and the product (P).

10. Device (10) according to Claim 9, characterized in that at the end of the insertion of the holding devices (40) and the product (P) in the conveying direction (F) into the blank (Z) of the packaging material film, a part (Zc, Zd ) of the blank (Z) in the extension of the part of the blank (Z) lying on the upper side and on the lower side of the holding devices (40) and the product (P) in relation to the conveying direction (F) essentially backwards over the product (P) protrudes.

11 . Device (10) according to Claim 10, characterized in that a part (Zc) of the blank (Z) of the packaging material film which projects backwards beyond the product (P) projects further backwards beyond the product (P) than the other part backwards beyond the Product (P) protruding part (Zd) of the blank (Z) of the packaging material foil.

12. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding devices (40) have suction devices for generating a negative pressure on the packaging material film such that the packaging material film is sucked in by the holding devices (40). 29

13. Device (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that the holding devices (40) have a connection (44) and a channel (42) for sucking off air and openings (46a, 46b, 46c) for sucking in the packaging material foil.

14. Device (10) according to claim 13 depending on claims 12 and 9, characterized in that the openings (46a, 46b, 46c) for sucking in the packaging material film are at least on one of the upper side, the lower side and/or the front side of the holding devices (40) are arranged.

15. Device (10) according to one of claims 7 to 14, characterized by at least one sealing device (80) for sealing at least two parts (Za, Zb, Zc, Zd) of the blank (Z) protruding beyond the product (P). Packaging material film together to form a sealing seam such that the product (P) is at least partially packed in the packaging material film.

16. Device (10) according to claim 15 depending on one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that a longitudinal sealing device (80) for sealing a longitudinal sealing seam running perpendicularly to the conveying direction (F) behind or downstream in the conveying direction (F). the packaging station (12) is arranged and designed in such a way that the two parts (Zc, Zd) of the blank (Z) of the packaging material film that protrude backwards beyond the product (P) are sealed to one another essentially over the entire width of the packaging material film.

17. The device (10) according to claim 16, characterized in that the longitudinal sealing device (80) is designed in such a way that the longitudinal sealing seam formed is essentially in the extension of either the upper side or the lower side of the product (P) in relation to the conveying direction (F). extends backwards, wherein a part of the blank (Z) of the packaging material film is based on the conveying direction (F) substantially on the back of the product (P). 30

18. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding devices (40) are designed and arranged to be movable in such a way that after they have been fully inserted in the conveying direction (F) into the blank (Z) of the packaging material film for a next product (P) to be packaged are moved back to their starting position upstream of the packaging station (12) substantially opposite to the conveying direction (F).

19. Device (10) according to claim 18 depending on one of claims 16 or 17, characterized in that the holding devices (40) are designed and arranged to be movable in such a way that, when they are moved back into their starting position, they are upstream of the packaging station (12 ) do not collide with the longitudinal sealing device (80).

20. The device (10) according to claim 19, characterized in that the holding devices (40) are designed and arranged so that they can be moved in such a way that after they have been fully inserted in the conveying direction (F) into the blank (Z) of the packaging material film, they are initially essentially move laterally outwards from the product (P) perpendicular to the conveying direction (F) in the conveying plane, and that they then move substantially opposite to the conveying direction (F) back to their starting position upstream of the packaging station (12).

21 . Device (10) according to Claim 20, characterized in that the holding devices (40) and the longitudinal sealing device (80) are designed and arranged in such a way that the longitudinal sealing device (80) forms the longitudinal sealing seam essentially over the entire width of the packaging material film after the Holding devices (40) have moved substantially perpendicularly to the conveying direction (F) in the conveying plane substantially completely out of the area of the packaging material film.

22. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feeding devices (20) intermittently or continuously feed successive products (P) to the packaging station (P), and that the 31

Discharge devices (90) discharge the products (P) intermittently or continuously from the packaging station (12).

23. The device (10) according to claim 22, characterized in that the feed devices (20) in the conveying direction (F) are reciprocating or circulating pushing devices or rake conveyor devices or circulating belt or chain conveyor devices with carriers that are used for feeding the respective product (P) to the packaging station (12) in relation to the conveying direction (F) on the back of the product (P), and that the discharge devices (90) in the conveying direction (F) reciprocating or circulating rake conveyor devices or pushing devices or are revolving belt or chain conveyor devices with drivers, which act on the rear side of the product (P) in relation to the conveying direction (F) for the removal of the respective product (P) from the packaging station (12).

24. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the packaging material film is fed to the packaging station (12) as an endless belt, the devices (60) for preparing the blank (Z) of the packaging material film having cutting devices, each having a cut off the packaging material film from the endless belt to match the product (P) to be packaged.

25. A method for packaging essentially plate-shaped or cuboid products (P), in particular products of the food industry, in particular bars or bars consisting essentially of chocolate, in a packaging material film, characterized in that using a device (10) according to one of preceding claims is carried out.