FR2842170A1 - PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING A TUBULAR PACKAGE AND INSTALLATION FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PROCESS - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a method and an installation for making a tubular package comprising a flexible, fragile and sealed inner sleeve and an outer cardboard body provided with a precut and closed at both ends by two seals. The method for forming the sleeve consists in sealing the two longitudinal ends of the material ( 1 ) exiting from the bobbin ( 1 ) and passing through a shaping unit ( 3 ) enclosing a mandrel ( 4 ); glueing on the sleeve a cardboard ( 6 ) with a satellite device ( 9 ); cutting out the tube(s) obtained with a device ( 12, 13 ) and sealing one of the ends of the package; filling the package with the product to be packaged and sealing the other end. The resulting package is perfectly sealed and can be open by pressing on the cardboard proximate the precut of the tube thereby rupturing the sleeve and opening the package. Such type of package is designed for packaging oblong products.

Description

METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A TUBULAR PACKAGING

  AND INSTALLATION FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PROCESS

  The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a tubular packaging comprising an inner sheath made of a waterproof, fragile and flexible material and an outer body made of cardboard closed at both ends by two plugs, the outer body being provided between the two. shutters of a precut located in a plane transverse to the axis of the tube to facilitate the opening of the packaging, as well

  than an installation for implementing the method.

  The most frequently used composite tubular packaging comprises a body formed of a rigid material consisting of one or more layers of cardboard, an outer label and an inner complex intended to ensure by its composition, on the one hand , the tightness of the packaging and, on the other hand, the compatibility of this complex with the packaged product. Very often, this complex comprises a layer of paper, a layer of aluminum and a protective coating allowing neutral contact between the aluminum and the product. These packages often have a metal bottom which is crimped onto the body after filling. The cover often consists of an aluminum membrane ensuring the inviolability of the box and a re-entrant or styling plastic cover allowing, on the one hand, to ensure the protection of the membrane before use and, on the other hand, the filling of

  the packaging after extracting the membrane.

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  This type of packaging using several materials for the manufacture of the main body, the bottom, the cover and the protective membrane are relatively high cost and pose ecological problems, in particular for the elimination of waste. In fact, in order to manufacture these packages, a body forming device is used, an aluminum membrane is generally provided with or without an easy opening system, a molded plastic cover is placed on this membrane, a respectable weight to obtain sufficient rigidity. The closure after filling is of the type with crimping of a metal bottom (steel, tinplate or aluminum) which is also produced on heavy and complex machines. Thus, we obtain a solid but expensive packaging and making it almost impossible to recycle because of the different materials composing it. In addition, the opening systems are always made on the top of the box, which makes it impossible to present the product if it is for example

  savory sticks, long cookies.

  The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a method of manufacturing an economical and ecological packaging easy to recycle and capable of packaging a very large number of food, industrial products, and in particular products which must be presented exceeding of the box body when the

cover is removed.

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  The method according to the invention is characterized by the following stages: the internal sheath is formed by sealing the two longitudinal ends of the material leaving a coil and passing through a former ensuring the tubular formation of the sheath; a cardboard is glued onto the sheath, the width of which corresponds to the periphery of the packaging and the length to the height or an integer multiple of the height of the packaging; the tube or tubes obtained are cut; one of the ends of the packaging is sealed off; the packaging is filled with the product to be packaged and the other end is also sealed. The advantages of packaging according to this process are as follows: the fact that the sheath is glued to the inside of the external body makes it possible, when the pre-cutting is pressed by slightly crushing the external body, to break at the same time as the pre-cutting sheath. Then, by applying a traction on the two parts of the body, we obtain the separation into two parts of the packaging thus allowing to present the product which is conditioned and which usually is an oblong product which exceeds the lower part of 3. S959.12FR7. Deposit

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  body. The nature of the waterproof and fragile sheath allows this realization while ensuring a perfect seal and proof of the inviolability of the packaging.

before the first opening.

  According to a variant, we seal or glue inside the tube at the height of the pre-cut a

  flange made of a flexible material.

  The advantage of this flange is that it allows you to easily close the packaging after opening it. A relative seal is also ensured in this way since the upper part of the packaging can be positioned around the

collar.

  According to another alternative embodiment, the operations for forming the tube, in particular the formation of the sheath and the placing of the outer carton and the cutting into individual packages are carried out continuously and in synchronism, which ensures a good rate of installation. Of course, it is possible to perform these

step by step operations.

  The invention also relates to an installation for implementing the method comprising a forming mandrel whose cross section corresponds to the shape of the tube to be formed, of a shaping device placed around the mandrel for the formation of the sheath from the coil. , means for advancing the sheath, means 3.S959.12EN7. Deposit

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  sealing two longitudinal ends of the sheath, a sheet feeder for forming the outer body, means for applying an adhesive to the inner face of said sheets, means for applying said sheet against the sheath, means for advancing the formed tube, means for cutting into individual packages, means for closing one end of the package and the second after

filling.

  This installation allows the formation of the main part of the packaging and in particular the formation of the external body by bonding it directly to the sheath by means making it possible to rotate around the mandrel.

  to apply the sheet directly to the sheath.

  According to an alternative embodiment, the means for applying said sheet against the sheath comprise a first hollow cylinder provided according to two generatrices with a series of radial holes communicating with two individual vacuum chambers, the peripheral distance of two generatrices corresponding to at least approximately the width of the sheets, said hollow cylinder being mounted on a device making it possible, on the one hand, to apply it against the mandrel and, on the other hand, to make it roll on said

mandrel with sheath.

  The advantage of this hollow cylinder is that it allows one to grasp one end of the sheet which will form the longitudinal joint of the tube by activating the vacuum in 3.S959.12FR7. Deposit

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  one of the chambers, and then to take over the cardboard sheet against the vacuum cylinder as the latter turns around its axis and when the second end of the sheet arrives on the cylinder, the vacuum is activated in the second chamber, which makes it possible to have the cardboard pressed against the cylinder with the part provided with adhesive towards the outside. Then by applying the cylinder against the mandrel with the sheath, the cardboard is rolled up by sticking it directly on the sheath by the fact that the

  hollow cylinder rolls on the mandrel and therefore the sheath.

  According to an alternative embodiment, the means making it possible to apply said cylinder to the mandrel and to make it roll comprise two rotary plates concentric with the mandrel and supporting through a system for copying the shape of the body of the tube to be formed

  bearings supporting said hollow cylinder.

  These means make it possible to rotate the hollow cylinder around the 3600 mandrel. According to an alternative embodiment, said copying device consists for each plate of two jacks making it possible to approach or move said cylinder away from the mandrel and to hold it against the side surface of the mandrel to allow it to

roll on the mandrel.

  According to a preferred embodiment, all of the means of the installation are synchronized to allow continuous work, the supply device 3.S959.12FR7. Deposit

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  in sheets, the device for applying the adhesive and the device for applying the sheet against the mandrel and the means for cutting into individual tubes are mounted on trolleys provided with means so that they can be moved between positions

  predetermined forward and backward.

  According to another alternative embodiment, the arrangement of the shaper and of the device making it possible to apply the hollow cylinder against the mandrel is arranged so that the joints obtained along the sheath and that of the

  outer bodies are opposed by at least about 1800.

  Finally, according to a preferred embodiment, the installation comprises a device for shaping and sealing or

  stick a flange inside the tube.

  The invention will be described in more detail using the

attached drawing.

  Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a

  installation for tube formation.

  Figure 2 is a variant of the shape of the mandrel.

  Figures 3, 4 and 5 show from the side the device for winding the cardboard sheet on the sheath. Figure 6 is a sectional view of the finished package. 3.S959.12FR7. Deposit

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  Figure 7 shows the use of this packaging and

including its opening.

  Using FIG. 1, the main stages of the method will now be described. A coil 1 of a flexible and fragile material, consisting of a waterproof film such as aluminum or barrier plastic on which a varnish or plastic sealing agent such as polyethylene is applied is placed on an unwinding system 2. This material will form sheath. The sheath is formed by a shaping device 3 surrounding a mandrel 4. The sheath thus formed is driven by two belt pads (not shown in this figure), said pads being driven by a motor and placed on either side of the mandrel immediately after the forming system. In the shaper 3, the flexible material is folded in on itself so as to face the sealing layer, so that a tight sheath is obtained. The sealing is ensured at the exit of the conformator by a sealing device 5 by heat conduction or ultrasound or high frequency or the like. The watertight sheath thus formed continuously

  is driven by the pads on the mandrel 4.

  Following the sealing device is a stock of cardboard sheets 6 with a precut. In the case shown in the figure, each sheet 6 consists of a carton having a length corresponding to two packages, but the number of packages that can be formed with a sheet of course depends on the 3.S959.12FR7. Deposit

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  size of the packaging and the choice we made at the start. Therefore, depending on the size, one or more sheets can be formed from each sheet. The magazine with the sheets 6 is placed opposite the sheet forming system and a destacking system takes the sheets from the magazine and sends it to a sizing system consisting of two cylinders 7 and 8. On the face of each sheet 6 intended to come into contact with the sheath, is deposited an adhesive by the cylinder 7. Leaving the gluing system 7, 8, the sheet is supported by a hollow cylinder 9 provided on two generatrices d '' a series of holes 10 (in the figure we see only one series of holes), each series of holes communicating with a vacuum chamber located inside the cylinder, the empty chambers being controlled by a system of individual valves. When the end of the sheet 6 reaches the first series of holes 10, a vacuum is created in the corresponding chamber and thus the end of the sheet is pressed against the cylinder 9. Thereafter, the cylinder 9 rotates around its axis and when the other end of the sheet reaches the second series of holes, the vacuum is also created and in this way the sheet remains pressed completely against the cylinder 9 held by the vacuum. It is obvious that the distance between the two series of holes is at least approximately equal to the width of the sheet used. From this moment, the sheet with the glue on the outside is supported by the cylinder 9 which will first move against the sheath which is already on the mandrel and will roll against this sheath for 3.S959 .12FR7. Deposit

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  apply the sheet to it. When the cylinder 9 comes into contact with the sheath along one end of the sheet, the corresponding vacuum chamber is deactivated, so that the end of the sheet can remain in contact with the sheath. When the cylinder finishes rolling around the sheath, it is the second end of the sheet which comes into contact and in particular this overlaps the end already glued against the sheath, the second vacuum chamber is neutralized thus leaving the second end stick on the first. The operation of the cylinder will be described in more detail.

9 using figures 3 to 5.

  Subsequently, the tube thus obtained is supported by belt shoes 11 (such as those located at the outlet of the shaping device and not shown) to advance the tube thus obtained towards a cutting or cutting device with knives 13. When the part of the tube arrives opposite the device which is supported by a carriage, the counter-roller 12 and the knives bear against the sheath and turn around the tube to cut the rolled cardboard sheet and also to cut the sheath which is found stuck on the cardboard. When the knives have made a full turn, the cylinder 12 and the knife 13 move away and the carriage returns to its place for the rest. Thus, the tubes 14 constituting the body are obtained at the outlet

main packaging.

  3.S959.12FR7. Deposit - l - 2842170 In Figure 2, we have shown a variant of a tube obtained by a similar device, namely an approximately rectangular box. If one wishes to obtain such a packaging, the mandrel 4 will have a corresponding shape. By means of the device described, practically any desired shape can be obtained, it suffices

  to have a mandrel having this shape.

  It should be noted that when gluing the sheet 6 to the sheath, we make sure that the overlap of the two glued ends of the sheath and the two ends of the carton are in opposition in order to cancel the deformation constraints and avoid

  also the formation of superimposed beads.

  The different steps described above can be done step by step, that is to say after the formation of the sheath, when it arrives facing the gluing system of the cardboard sheets, the installation stops until that the cardboard is glued, then we pass in front of the knives, we stop and so on. Another possibility is to do everything continuously and, in this case, the stock of sheets 6, the gluing system 7, 8, the vacuum cylinder 9 and the cutting device 12, 13 are mounted on carriages following the movement of the sheath so that the work can be done in synchronism. These trolleys therefore perform a back and forth work between two

predetermined positions.

  We will now describe using Figures 3, 4 and 5

  the device for placing the cardboard on the sheath.

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  In Figure 3, there is shown seen from the side a device which consists in principle of two plates 15 concentric with the mandrel 4 supporting the ends of the hollow cylinder 9. The hollow cylinder 9 rests on two bearings 16, one at each end. The bearings 16 are supported by two jacks 17 mounted on a support 18, the support 18 being integral with the plate 15.

  In Figure 3, there is shown the starting position.

  We see the gluing cylinder 7 which is in contact with a cylinder 7 'which itself takes the adhesive or glue in a container 7' '. The sheet 6 with its underside provided with adhesive comes towards the vacuum cylinder 9 and when the end of the sheet reaches the first row of holes 10, the corresponding vacuum chamber (not shown) is activated and the end of the sheet is pressed against the cylinder. Thereafter, the cylinder 9 rotates in the direction of the arrow and it drives the sheet 6 held by its end pressed against the cylinder because of the suction through the holes 10. When the second end of the sheet reaches the another series of holes 10 (see FIG. 4), the corresponding vacuum chamber is also activated and thus the sheet 6 is pressed against the cylinder 9. At this time, the two jacks 17 are activated and the cylinder

  9 bears against the mandrel 4 carrying the sheath.

  As soon as the contact between the cylinder 6 and the mandrel 4 is made, the corresponding row of holes 10 is deactivated, which makes it possible to obtain bonding of 3.S959.12FR7. Deposit

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  the end of the sheet against the sheath. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5, the plates 15 rotate 360 around the mandrel 4 in the direction of the arrow and the rolling of the cylinder 9 against the mandrel 4 is thus obtained, which allows the cardboard sheet to be glued against the sheath, the cylinder 9 still rolling in the direction of the arrow indicated on the drawing. When the second end of the sheet overlaps the first end, the second series of holes is deactivated, which allows

  to stick the end of the sheet on the first.

  Thus the operation of gluing the cardboard to the sheath is carried out. Then the cylinders 17 move the cylinder 9 away and the process can start again with the sheet

next.

  As mentioned previously, these operations can be done in synchronism with the advancement of the sheath, the device being mounted on a carriage which moves in parallel and at the speed of the sheath, either can be done in stages and, in this case, the device for placing the cardboard on the sheath is not moved in the transverse direction and the knives are then placed

  in opposition to the vacuum cylinder.

  If the mandrel has a different shape, such as that of FIG. 2, the cylinder 9 will follow the contour of the mandrel, the jacks 17 making it possible to

adapt to the profile.

  Referring now to Figure 6 showing in section a package. The box body 20 obtained by this 3.S959.12FR7. Deposit

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  medium consists of the inner sheath 21 and the outer carton 22 and is placed on a turntable for the installation of the upper shutter 23, as well as the optional installation of an inner flange 24. The flange 24 previously shaped in flexible cardboard and coated with a sealant product in the shape and inside dimensions of the box is introduced from the lower part. The cardboard collar is glued or sealed at its base 25 by a heated punch near the pre-cut 26 where the opening of the box will be located. The collar is thus mounted positioned approximately half on the pre-cut line and the other half above it. Its position and profile allow the fitting of the cover after the opening of the box, when all of the

  packaged product is not consumed.

  For the upper closure, a cardboard disc 26 made of a cardboard similar or identical to that used for the body of the box is laminated with a barrier film 27 or plastic with a sealant and cut into shape. It is simultaneously stamped into the shape of the box and placed inside. A tool provided with a sealing system by heat conduction or ultrasound or high frequency places the obturator 23 thus obtained in its sealing position sealingly, its wall being glued against that of the body of the box and in particular the sheath 21 We then proceed to hem the body of the box which consists of folding the end of the body 21 inward, then pressing hard to ensure good maintenance of 3.S959.12FR7. Deposit

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  the shutter 23. Subsequently, the box is sent to the filling station and when the weight control or other checks are carried out, the lower shutter 28 is also placed, made up of a cardboard disc 29 provided with a barrier film 30 similar or identical to the film 27 and subsequently by the same means as above, this shutter is sealed at the bottom of the housing. Before obtaining this seal, a slight vacuum is applied inside the box to compress the volume

generated by the bottom.

  The box thus obtained is represented in FIG. 7 according to different positions, the box comprising the body 22 with the precut 30 carries an indication, 31 indicating o it is desirable that the consumer presses, for example, with his thumb, to obtain the tear pre-cutting and at the same time also obtaining the tearing of the inner sheath as shown in the second figure. The indication of where to push in is arbitrary but preferably not in the places where the seals are

  length of the sheath and the outer tube.

  When this opening has been obtained, it suffices to apply traction on the upper part of the packaging to obtain the complete tear according to the pre-cutting of both the cardboard and the inner sheath which is glued directly to the body. and thus obtain the opening of the packaging allowing the product to be seen inside. The flange 24 allows when the packaging of 3.S959.12FR7 is not completely emptied. Deposit

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  replace the cover and obtain a closure

almost waterproof.

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Claims (10)

  1. A method of manufacturing a tubular packaging comprising an inner sheath (21) made of a tight, fragile and flexible material and an outer body made of cardboard (6) closed at both ends by two shutters (23, 28), the outer body being provided between the two shutters with a precut (26) located in a plane transverse to the axis of the tube to facilitate the opening of the package, characterized by the following steps: the inner sheath (21) is formed ) by sealing the two longitudinal ends of the material leaving a coil (1) and passing through a former (3) ensuring the tubular formation of the sheath; a cardboard (6) is glued onto the sheath (21), the width of which corresponds to the periphery of the packaging and the length to the height or an integer multiple of the height of the packaging; the tube or tubes (14) obtained are cut; one of the ends of the packaging is sealed off; fill the packaging with the product to be conditioned and close the other end also waterproof.   2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that one seals or glues inside the tube and on the part corresponding to the precut (26) of the outer body a flange (24) made of a flexible material . 3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the operations of forming the packaging up to the precut into tubes (14) are individual continuously and synchronously.   4. Installation for implementing the method according to claim 1, comprising a forming mandrel (4) whose cross section corresponds to the shape of the tube to be formed, of a shaping device (3) placed around the mandrel (4) for forming the sheath (21) from the coil (1), means for advancing (11) the sheath, sealing means (7, 8, 9, 10) of two longitudinal ends of the sheath (21), a sheet feeding device (6) for the formation of the external body, means (7, 7 ', 7' ') for applying an adhesive to the internal face of said sheets (6 ), means (15, 16, 17, 18) for applying said sheet (6) against the sheath (21), means for advancing (11) the formed tube, cutting means (12, 13) in individual packages, means for closing off one end of the package   and the second after filling.   5. Installation according to claim 4, characterized in that the means for applying said sheet against the sheath comprise a first hollow cylinder (9) provided according to two generatrices with a series of radial holes (10) communicating with two chambers individual vacuum, the peripheral distance of two generators corresponding at least approximately to the width of the sheets (6), said hollow cylinder (9) being mounted on a device (15, 16, 17, 18) allowing, on the one hand, to apply it against the mandrel (4) and, on the other hand, to make it roll on said mandrel with the sheath (21).   6. Installation according to claim 5, characterized in that the means for applying said cylinder (9) on the mandrel (4) and making it roll comprise two plates (15) rotatable concentric with the mandrel (4) and supporting through a copying system (17) of the shape of the body of the tube to be formed   bearings (16) supporting said hollow cylinder (9).   7. Installation according to claim 6, characterized in that said copying device consists for each plate (15) of two jacks (17) allowing to approach or move said cylinder (9) away from the mandrel (4) and to hold it against the lateral surface of the mandrel to allow it to roll on the mandrel.   8. Installation according to one of claims 4 to 7,   characterized by the fact that all the means of the installation are synchronized to allow continuous work, the sheet feeding device, the device for applying the adhesive and the device for applying the sheet against the mandrel and the means for cutting into individual tubes are mounted on carriages provided with means for being able to be moved between positions   predetermined forward and backward.   9. Installation according to one of claims 4 to 8,   characterized in that the arrangement of the shaper (3) and the device (15, 16, 17, 18) for applying the hollow cylinder (9) against the mandrel (4) is arranged so that the joints obtained along of the sheath (21) and that of the body   exteriors are opposed by at least about 1800.   10. installation according to one of claims 4 to 9,   characterized in that it comprises a device for shaping and sealing or gluing a flange (24) inside the tube.