SE1650303A1

SE1650303A1 - Machine and method for producing packaging inserts

Info

Publication number: SE1650303A1
Application number: SE1650303A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Wallsten Sten
Original assignee: Eksjö Dev Ab
Priority date: 2016-03-07
Filing date: 2016-03-07
Publication date: 2017-09-08
Also published as: WO2017153291A1; EP3426478B1; EP3426478A1; SE539417C2

Abstract

23 ABSTRACT The present disclosure relates to a machine (1) and a method (100) forproducing packaging inserts. The method comprising the steps of transporting(102) an insert material (6), holding (104) the insert material in a fixedposition, moving (106) a first pressing device (2), and holding (108) andmoving (110) the insert material toward the second pressing device (3) suchthat a partition wall (5) is formed. The machine 1 comprising a first pressingdevice and a second pressing device, wherein an insert material istransportable, the second pressing device is configured to hold the insertmaterial, the first pressing device is configured to be moved along an axis Aand to hold and move the insert material toward the second pressing devicesuch that a partition wall is formed. This arrangement enables packaginginserts of different sizes to be produced with a limited amount of production steps and starting from the same insert material. Fig. for publication: Fig. 2

Description

MACHINE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING PACKAGING INSERTS Technical Field The present disclosure relates to a machine and a method forproducing packaging inserts, and especially to an arrangement related to thecomponents and method for forming the partition walls of the packaging inseﬁ.

Background ln the field of machines and methods for producing packaging inserts,a common way is to produce a base part and mount the separately producedpartition walls thereto at a specified distance from each other. ln this field of production, it is sometimes desirable to create thepartition walls using one piece of material. Prior art solutions, such asdescribed in GB764458A or US4200032A use pre-marked or pre-cut topportions marking the folding regions to fold the partition walls.

Hence, a particular problem with this type of production of packaginginserts is the complexity of steps and the limited flexibility of size of thepartition wall and/or folding region. Therefore, there is a need for a methodand a machine which enables a reduction in steps while being able toproduce packaging inserts of different sizes from the same material withoutneed of pre-marking the folding regions or need of multiple machines.

Summary lt is an object of the present invention to provide an improved solutionthat alleviates the mentioned drawbacks with present devices.

According to a first aspect of the invention, this is achieved by amethod for producing a packaging insert by forming at least one partition wallfrom an insert material using a first pressing device and a second pressingdevice, the method comprising the steps of transporting the insert material along an axis A, holding the insert material in a fixed position by the secondpressing device, moving the first pressing device along axis A to a distance Dfrom the second pressing device corresponding to the double intended heightof the partition wall, and holding and moving the insert material by means ofthe first pressing device toward the second pressing device along axis A suchthat the insert material is pressed between the first and the second pressingdevice into an erect position forming a partition wall.

With this arrangement, the method for producing a packaging insertmay be performed using only one piece of insert material to producepackaging inserts of different sizes using only one machine and with a limitedamount of production steps.

By holding and moving the insert material by means of the firstpressing device, it is implied that the first pressing device may take hold of theinsert material by pressing and thereby push the insert material along axis Aas it moves along this axis.

By holding the material in a fixed position by the second pressingdevice, it is implied that the second pressing device may be in a fixed positionsuch that when the first pressing device moves the insert material toward thesecond pressing device, the insert material is pressed between the twopressing devices into an erect position.

When taking hold of the insert material, the first pressing device maybe fully retracted from the second pressing device, at a distance Dcorresponding to the double intended height of the partition wall to be formed.This position will further be referred to as an open position of the pressingdevices. As the distance D of the open position may be adjusted betweeneach partition wall formed, partition walls of different height may be formed onthe same packaging insert using the same machine and the same insertmaterial.

Correspondingly, the position where the first pressing device pressestoward the second pressing device with the insert material in-between, will further be referred to as the pressing position.

The second pressing device may further be in a holding position whenit holds the insert material in a fixed position and in an open position at whichthe insert material may be moved relative the second pressing device.

The first pressing device may comprise a planar surface, perpendicularto axis A and facing the second pressing device. The second pressing devicecomprises a corresponding planar surface, perpendicular to axis A, facing thefirst pressing device. The distance between the planar surfaces maycorrespond to the distance D in the open position. ln the pressing position theplanar surfaces may be pressed toward each other with the partition wall inbetween.

The second pressing device may be provided with perforating teeth ata lower edge in contact with the insert material when the second pressingdevice holds the insert material. Such perforating teeth may provide aperforation at the base of the partition wall to be formed, which may facilitatethe formation. Such perforation may hence be performed when the secondpressing device holds the insert material. The perforating teeth may beremovable and/or retractable to facilitate replacement of the perforating teethand/or to facilitate the formation process of the partition wall so as to avoidthat the insert material stick to the teeth. The lower edge may be at a loweredge of the planar surface of the second pressing device.

The first pressing device may also be provided with similar perforatingteeth at a lower edge in contact with the insert material when the first pressingdevice holds the insert material.

The insert material may be of paper, cardboard, or other suitable sheetmaterial.

Further, when the insert material is transported along axis A, thedistance between a previously formed partition wall and the second pressingdevice, corresponding to the position of the next partition wall to be formed,may be set. Such movement of the insert material and the formed partitionwall may thereby be selected independently for each formed partition wall.

Hence, the distances between partition walls in the formed packaging insertmay be individually selected.

When the partition wall is formed, glue or adhesive may be appliedbetween the wall sides erecting to form the partition wall in order to keep theform of the wall. An alternative way to keep the form of the wall after it hasbeen formed may be to use an embossing unit to emboss at least oneerecting side or top side of the wall. As a further alternative, a sewing unitmay be used for sewing the two wall sides to each other. All thesealternatives may provide formation of the wall in such ways that no metallicparts are used which could negatively affect goods intended to be placed inthe packaging insert.

According to a one embodiment, the method may comprise a step oflifting or moving the second pressing device as to allow a formed partition wallto pass underneath the second pressing device. The lifting step maycomprise an act of pivoting the second pressing device around an axis B,where axis B may extend perpendicular to axis A and in parallel to anextension plane of the insert material. An alternative may be lifting the secondpressing device upwards, in a direction perpendicular to axis A and B.Alternatively, the second pressing device may be lifted or moved to the sidefrom the insert material in order to be out of way for the formed partition wall.

As the second pressing device may allow for the formed partition wallto pass underneath, this in turn may allow for the partition walls for apackaging insert to be formed consecutively from the same piece of insertmaterial. The distance which a formed partition wall is moved passed thesecond pressing device may further set a distance between the formedpartition wall and a subsequently formed partition wall. Such movement of theinsert material and the formed partition wall may thereby be selectedindependently for each formed partition wall. Hence, the distances betweenpartition walls in the formed packaging insert may be individually selected. ln a further embodiment, the method may comprise a step of blowing or poking the insert material in a direction perpendicular to the axis A to facilitate the forming of the partition wall into the erect position. A blow orpoke may assure that the wall forms into an erect position forming thepartition wall. The insert material may also be applied with a fastening means,such as glue or adhesive, so that the partition wall sides may be further fixedin position, adhering to each other. The position along axis A at which theblowing or poking occurs may be selected depending on the distance Dsetting the height of the partition wall to be formed and depending on thethickness of the insert material. Preferably, the blowing or poking is performedat halfthe distance D between the first and the second pressing devices. Thestep of blowing or poking may comprise a step of moving a blowing or pokingunit to a location corresponding to half the distance D. The blowing or pokingmay thereby facilitate the insert material to be folded at the correct location toform the partition wall. Further, the blowing or poking may comprise or bereplaced by a step of perforating the insert material as a compliment to or inreplacement of blowing or poking in order to facilitate the forming of a partitionwall into an erect position. The perforating of the insert material may beperformed by a perforating means configured to perforate the insert materialfrom below, from above or moving from the side across the insert material.Applying vacuum or pulling the insert material towards the erect position maybe other example means for facilitating the movement of the insert materialinto an erect position. The applying of vacuum or pulling may be performedfrom above the insert material. Applying vacuum may be used for holding theinsert material and pulling the insert material towards the erect position. Theperforation may be made at a location of halfthe distance D from the secondpressing device, at the location corresponding to the top of the partition wallto be formed. A puff of air or a poke from, for example, a steel plate, arefurther examples of facilitating the movement of the insert material into anerect position.

The method may in one embodiment comprise a step of facilitating theformation of the partition wall by physically acting on the insert material. Such step may comprise one of the above described steps of poking the insert material, blowing on the insert material, lifting the insert material usingvacuum, pulling the insert material and/or perforating the insert material at apartition wall top location and/or partition wall base location.

According to another embodiment, the method may further comprise astep of moving a previously formed partition wall along the axis A, using agripping device, such that the insert material is moved a distance along theaxis A, wherein the moved distance sets the distance between a next partitionwall to be formed and a preceding partition wall. The gripping device graspingand pulling the insert material along the axis A may allow for different sizepartition inserts as the distance of movement may be adjusted between eachformed wall. That is, the distance between each partition wall may vary.Partition inserts of varying sizes and distance between the partition walls maythereby be formed using the same machine and insert material. By using thegripping device to move the insert material, the need of further components inthe machine for transporting the insert material may be avoided. ln an initialstage, until the first partition wall or walls has been formed, the insert materialmay be fed manually or by an initial material transportation means. ln yet another embodiment, the method may comprise a step offeeding a bottom material from a paper tray and fixing the bottom material tothe insert material by sewing or stapling or by using glue or adhesive.

Adding a bottom material to the packaging insert may further stabilizethe construction and may help keeping the partition wall in an erect position.By fixing the bottom material to the insert material, the insert material andbottom material may be forced into a fixed position relative each other.Applying fastening means, such as glue or adhesive, to the bottom materialmay further fix the bottom material to the insert material assuring that thebottom and insert material are in fixed position relative each other.

The stapling may be performed in connection to a cutting of thepackaging inserts. ln the stapling step, at least one staple may be stapled,facing toward the bottom material, to each side of a partition wall. The staples may keep the partition walls in an erect position if other fixation means should fail. The staples may further keep the insert material and the bottom materialin fixed position relative each other in case other fixation means should fail.

According to a further embodiment, the method may comprise a stepof pressing the insert material toward a bottom material using the grippingdevice. The pressure from the gripping device may further stabilize the formof the partition walls.

According to another embodiment, the method may comprise a step ofcutting the packaging insert at a desired length by a cutting device. Thecutting-off may be performed to cut the packaging inserts at desired lengths.The packaging inserts may be cut at different lengths from the same insertmaterial and in the same machine. The position of the cutting device may beadjustable along the axis A.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a machine for producingpackaging inserts by forming at least one partition wall from an insert materialis provided. The machine comprises a first pressing device and a secondpressing device, wherein an insert material is transportable in the machinealong an axis A, the second pressing device is configured to hold the insertmaterial in a fixed position, the first pressing device is configured to be movedalong the axis A to a distance from the second pressing device correspondingto the double intended height of the partition wall, and the first pressingdevice is configured to hold and move the insert material toward the secondpressing device along axis A such that the insert material is pressed betweenthe first and the second pressing device into an erect position forming apartition wall.

With this arrangement, only one machine is needed for producing apackaging insert without any need of preparation of the insert material.Further the same machine can be used for producing packaging inserts ofdifferent sizes of partition walls and different spaces in-between using thesame insert material.

The insert material may be of paper, cardboard, or other suitable sheet material.

The first pressing device may be fully retracted from the secondpressing device, at a distance D corresponding to the double intended heightof the partition wall to be formed when taking hold of the insert material. Thisposition will further be referred to as an open position of the pressing devices.As the distance D of the open position may be adjusted between eachpartition wall formed, partition walls of different height may be formed usingthe same machine and the same insert material.

Correspondingly, the position where the first pressing device pressestoward the second pressing device with the insert material in-between, willfurther be referred to as the pressing position.

The second pressing device may further be in a holding position whenit holds the insert material in a fixed position, and in an open position at whichthe insert material may be moved relative the second pressing device.

Further, when the insert material is transported along axis A, thedistance between a previously formed partition wall and the second pressingdevice, corresponding to the position of the next partition wall to be formed,may be set. Such movement of the insert material and the formed partitionwall may thereby be selected independently for each formed partition wall.Hence, the distances between partition walls in the formed packaging insertmay be individually selected.

The second pressing device may be provided with perforating teeth ata lower edge in contact with the insert material when the second pressingdevice holds the insert material. Such perforating teeth may provide a perforating at the base of the partition wall to be formed, which may facilitate the formation. Such perforation may hence be performed when the secondpressing device holds the insert material. The perforating teeth may beremovable and/or retractable to facilitate replacement of the perforating teethand/or to facilitate the formation process of the partition wall so as to avoidthat the insert material stick to the teeth. The lower edge may be at a loweredge of the planar surface of the second pressing device.

The machine may comprise a unit for applying glue or adhesivebetween the wall sides erecting to form the partition wall in order to keep theform of the wall after it has been formed. An alternative way to keep the formof the wall after it has been formed may be that the machine comprises anembossing unit configured to emboss at least one erecting side or top side ofthe wall. As a further alternative, a sewing unit may be provided in themachine for sewing the two wall sides to each other. All these alternativesmay provide units for formation of the wall in such ways that no metallic partsare used which could negatively affect goods intended to be placed in thepackaging insert.

According to a one embodiment, the second pressing device may beliftable such as to allow a formed partition wall to pass underneath. Thesecond pressing device may be liftable by rotation around an axis B,extending perpendicular to axis A and in parallel to an extension plane of theinsert material. Alternatively the second pressing device may be configured tobe lifted in a direction perpendicular to axis A and B.

The second pressing device being liftable may allow for a partition wallto pass underneath and for the partition walls for a packaging insert to beformed consecutively from the same piece of insert material. ln a further embodiment, the machine may comprise means forblowing or poking the insert material in a direction perpendicular to the axis A to facilitate the forming of the partition wall into an erect position. Means for blowing or poking may assure that the wall forms into an erect positionforming the partition wall. The machine may also comprise means forapplying fastening means to the insert material, such as glue or adhesive, sothat the partition wall sides may be further fixed in position, adhering to eachother. The means for blowing or poking may be a pushing unit configured topush the insert material, at a certain location, in a direction perpendicular toaxis A. Alternatively, it may be a blowing unit configured to blow compressedair toward the insert material, at a certain location, in a direction perpendicularto axis A. A further alternative is a vacuum unit creating a vacuum andthereby lifting the insert material in the direction to form the erect position. Yetanother possibility is a grasping unit grasping and pulling the material to formthe erect position.

Further, as a compliment to or in replacement of the means for blowingor poking, the machine may comprise a perforating unit for perforating theinsert material in order to facilitate the forming of a partition wall into an erectposition. The perforating unit may be configured to perforate the insertmaterial from below, from above or moving from the side across the insertmaterial. The perforation may be made by the perforating unit at a location ofhalf the distance D from the second pressing device, at the locationcorresponding to the top of the partition wall to be formed. The position alongaxis A at which the blowing or poking occurs may be selected depending onthe distance D setting the height of the partition wall to be formed and mayalso depend on the thickness of the insert material. Preferably, the blowing orpoking is performed at half the distance D between the first and the secondpressing devices. Hence, the blowing or poking means may be moveablealong axis A to blow or poke on the insert material at a location depending onthe selected distance D. The blowing or poking may thereby facilitate theinsert material to be folded at the correct location to form the partition wall.The application of fastening means to the insert material may be performedby the blowing or poking means. 11 The machine may in one embodiment comprise means for facilitatingthe formation of the partition wall by physically acting on the insert material.Such means may comprise one of the above described poking means,blowing means, vacuum lifting unit, grasping unit and/or perforating unit forperforating the insert material at a partition wall top location and/or forperforation at a partition wall base location.

According to another embodiment, the machine further may comprisea gripping device configured to pull the insert material along the axis A byseizing a partition wall and pulling along axis A away from the secondpressing device. The gripping device configured to grasp and pull the insertmaterial along the axis A may allow for different size partition inserts as thedistance of movement may be adjusted between each formed wall i.e. thedistance between each partition wall may vary. The distance which a formedpartition wall is moved passed the planar surface of the second pressingdevice may further set a distance between the formed partition wall and asubsequently formed partition wall. Such movement of the insert material andthe formed partition wall may thereby be selected independently for eachformed partition wall. Hence, the distances between partition walls in theformed packaging insert may be individually selected. Partition inserts ofvarying sizes and distance between the partition walls may thereby be formedusing the same machine and insert material. By using the gripping device tomove the insert material, the need of further components in the machine fortransporting the insert material may be avoided. ln an initial stage, until a firstpartition wall or walls has been formed, the insert material may be fedmanually or by an initial material transportation means in the machine.

Further, in another embodiment, the gripping device may be configuredto press the insert material toward a bottom material. The gripping devicepressing the insert material toward a bottom insert material may force theinsert material and bottom material into a fixed position relative each other.

The gripping device may comprise two linear parts, perpendicular to axis A, and may take the form of a parallel gripping device. lt may be 12 configured to have an open position, as to allow a partition wall in-betweenthe linear parts, and a closed position, when the linear parts have movedtoward each other and press the insert material toward the bottom material.

According to another embodiment, the machine may comprise a papertray configured to feed a bottom material adapted to be fastened to the insertmaterial by sewing, stapling, or using glue or adhesive. A bottom materialmay stabilize the packaging insert and may assure the partition walls staystable and erect. The bottom material may be applied by fastening meanssuch as glue or adhesive to further fix the bottom material to the insertmaterial and assure that the bottom and insert material are in fixed positionrelative each other.

Sewing or stapling may also be used as an alternative or in addition toglue or adhesive for further fastening or in case other fastening means shouldfail. A stapling or sewing device may be located in connection to a cuttingdevice. The stapling device may staple at least one staple facing toward thebottom material, to each side of a partition wall. The staples may keep thepartition walls in an erect position if other fixation means should fail. Glue oradhesive may be applied at a location before the bottom material comes intocontact with the insert material.

Further, in another embodiment, the machine may further comprise acutting device configured to cut-off the packaging insert at a desired length.The cutting device may be located downstream from the pressing andgripping devices. The cutting device may comprise a 180 degree turningdevice to facilitate positioning of the cutting device on the packaging insert forcuts in close proximity to a partition wall. The cut may be performed in a linearmotion by a knife, such as a rolling knife. The cutting device position may also be adjusted along axis A. 13 Brief Description of the Drawinqs This and other aspects of the present invention now be described morein detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing a currentlypreferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a flow chart of a method of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a machine according to anembodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 shows a detailed view of pressing devices according to anembodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 shows a detailed view of pressing devices in a pressingposition according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a movement of the secondpressing device and insert material according to an embodiment of theinvenﬁon.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a cutting device according to anembodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 shows a side view of a cutting device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Description of Embodiments The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments ofthe invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments setforth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosurewill be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventionto those skilled in the art. ln the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements. ln figure 1, the method 100 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention is exemplified as a flow chart. ln the method 100, a first and a second pressing device 2, 3 are used for forming partition walls 5 of a 14 packaging insert from an insert material 6. The first step 102 consists oftransporting the insert material 6 along the axis A in the machine 1. Following,the second step 104 consists of the second pressing device 3 holding theinsert material 6 in a fixed position. ln the third step 106, the first pressingdevice 2 moves to a distance D from the second pressing device 3,corresponding to the double indented height of the partition wall 5 to beformed. Next, in the fourth step 108, the first pressing device 2 grasps andholds the insert material at the distance D from the second pressing device 3.Next, in the fifth step 110, the first pressing device 2 moves along the axis Atoward the second pressing device 3, and as the first pressing device 2 holdson to the insert material 6, the insert material 6 is simultaneously pushedtoward the second pressing device 3. Following, in the last step 112, the firstpressing device 2 has moved the full distance to the second pressing device3 and presses the insert material 6 between the two pressing devices 2, 3thereby forming the partition wall 5.

The machine 1 for producing packaging inserts according to anembodiment of the invention is illustrated in fig. 2. The machine 1 comprises afirst pressing device 2, a second pressing device 3, a gripping device 4, and acutting device 8. Further, a poke/blow device 11 to facilitate the formation ofthe partition walls 5.

The machine 1 also comprises linear motors 21, 41, 42 which controlthe linear movement of the first pressing device 2 and the gripping device 4respectively. ln figure 2 the first pressing device 2 is in open position, fully retractedfrom the second pressing device 3. The distance D between the planarsurface 2a of the first pressing device 2 and the planar surface 3a of thesecond pressing device corresponds to the double intended height of thepartition wall 5 to be formed. The insert material 6 has been transportedaccording to step 102 in fig. 1 and the second pressing devices 3 holds the insert material 6 in a fixed position, in accordance to step 104.

The first pressing device 2 can grasp and hold the insert material 6, asdescribed in step 106, and is moveable by the linear motor 21 along the axisA, in direction X/X', and is configured to hold the insert material 6 to push italong axis A, toward the second pressing device 3 as illustrated in fig. 3. ln figure 3, the first pressing device 2 is illustrated pushing the insertmaterial 6 toward the second pressing device 3, as described in step 108 infig. 1. The insert material 6 may be blown or poked by the poke/blowingdevice 11 in a direction Y, perpendicular to the axis A, in order to facilitate theforming of a partition wall 5 in an erect position. Fastening means, such asglue or adhesive, may be sprayed or applied on the insert material 6 on aninner side 5a corresponding to the inner walls of the partition wall 5 sides. Theglue or adhesive may be applied by the same device 11 that pokes or blowsthe insert material 6 during pressing. The device 11 may comprise anextending part 11a to facilitate the blow or poke for the partition wall 5 to formin the erect direction. The device may alternatively be located above the axisA (following the Y direction) and grip or create a vacuum from above tofacilitate the formation of an erect partition wall 5.

The device 11 may also comprise a perforating unit for perforating theinsert material 6 at the distance D/2, corresponding to the intended top of thepartition wall 5. Perforation on either side of the insert material 6 may facilitatethe formation of the partition walls 5 into an erect position. The perforationmay be used as a compliment to or in replacement of blowing, poking,gripping, vacuum or other means for aiding the insert material 6 in thedirection of the erect position of the partition wall 5. The perforating unit maybe provided as a separate unit from the device 11. The perforating unit maybe arranged above the insert material 6 configured to perforate the insertmaterial from above. Alternatively, the perforating unit may be arranged tomove from the side of and across the insert material to perforate. Theperforating unit may be a perforating roller knife, or a straight knife having perforating teeth or the like. 16 Fig. 4 shows the fifth and sixth step 110, 112 of fig. 1, wherein the firstpressing device 2 presses the insert material 6 toward the second pressingdevice 3. The pressing devices 2, 3 are in pressing position, where thesecond pressing device 3 is in a fixed position toward which the insertmaterial 6 is pressed against. The insert material 6 is formed into an erectpartition wall 5, extending in the Y direction. The linear motor 21 presses thefirst pressing device 2 toward the second pressing device 3 with the insertmaterial 6 in between, as shown in fig. 4.

As illustrated in fig. 5, the second pressing device 3 is liftable in thedirection Y perpendicular to the axis A. The second pressing device 5 can belifted by a rotation RB around axis B, perpendicular to axis A in the plane ofthe insert material 6. Alternatively, the second pressing device 3 can be liftedby a linear motor lifting the second pressing device 3 perpendicular to the axisA, in the Y direction (not shown). Lifting the second pressing device 3 allowsthe partition wall 5 to pass underneath as the insert material 6 is transportedalong the axis A by the gripping device 4, corresponding to step 102 of fig. 1.ln another embodiment, the axis B can be placed upstreams from the axis Billustrated in fig. 5, i. e. on the part of the second pressing device that isclosest to the first pressing device, to allow for a rotation in the oppositedirection of RB as to save space and allow the gripping device to grasp aformed partition wall further upstreams.

The gripping device 4 is controlled by two linear motors 41, 42 wherethe first linear motor 41 controls the movement in the Y direction and thesecond linear motor 42 controls the movement in the X/X' directions.

The gripping device 4 is arranged to fix the position of the partition wall5 to a bottom material 7. Further, it is arranged to seize a partition wall 5 andmove the insert material 6 along the axis A in the X direction. The movementtransports the insert material 6 along the axis A such that a distance betweenthe most recently formed partition wall 5 and the planar surface 3a secondpressing device 3 corresponds to the distance between two consecutivepartition walls 5. 17 The gripping device 4 comprises two linear parts extendingperpendicular to axis A, in parallel to the direction Y. The gripping device 4may be described as a parallel gripper.

Further, fig. 5 shows the retraction along axis A in the X' direction ofthe first pressing device 2, as it retracts back to the open position (illustratedin fig. 2).

The bottom material 7 is fed from a paper tray 12, schematically shownin fig. 5. Fastening means such as glue or adhesive is applied on the sidefacing the insert material 6 by the gluing means 10. The bottom material 7and the insert material 6 are fastened to each other by the gripping device 4pressing the formed partition wall 5 on the insert material 6 toward the bottommaterial 7. The insert material 6 and the bottom material 7 can alternatively,or as complement, be fastened to each other by sewing or stapling or acombination of the presented alternatives. Such sewing and/or stapling canbe performed at ends of a packaging insert comprising one or more formedpartition walls 5. Hence, the gluing device 10 may be removed and replacedby a sewing or stapling device 9.

A cutting device 8, exemplified in fig. 6, is arranged downstream inrelation to the pressing devices 2, 3 and the gripping device 4, and isconfigured to cut the insert material 6 with formed partition walls 5 intopackaging inserts at desired lengths. The cutting device 8 comprises a cuttingarm 83 to which a blade 81 is mounted and two cutting tracks 82a, 82b. Thecutting device 8 extends along an axis C, around which the cutting arm 83can perform a rotation RC. The blade 81 is also rotatable RK in the plane ofaxis C. The cutting device 8 has two cutting positions 82a, 82b in order tofacilitate cutting close to or on either side of a partition wall 5. The cuttingpositions 82a, 82b are chosen by 180 degree rotation of the cutting arm 83around axis C and the distance between them corresponds to the thickness ofthe cutting arm 83. The cutting device 8 can be arranged with the cutting arm83 extending in parallel with the extension plane of the insert material 6, or alternatively perpendicular to said extension plane. 18 The blade 81 may in one embodiment be arranged to cut the insertmaterial 6 in an angle slightly less than 90 degrees. The blade 81 can therebyeasier cut close to a partition wall without interfering with the partition wall.

Fig. 7 illustrates a further alternative cutting device 8' which comprisestwo blades 81a, 81 b. The two blades 81a, 81 b are arranged on a pivoting arm84 which is rotatable around the axis D. The axis D extends in parallel withaxis A. The cutting device 8' is moveable along axis A to provide cutting at adesired location. The blades 81a, 81 b and the pivoting arm 84 are furthermoveable in a direction perpendicular to axis A so as to provide the cuttingaction onto the insert material 6.

The blades 81a, 81 b are inclined relative to the insert material 6 andaxis A, providing an angle slightly less than 90 degrees, for instance in therange 70-89 degrees. As seen in fig. 7, the blades 81a, 81 b are inclined suchthat one of the blades 81b provides an inclination in one direction, and theother blade 81a an inclination in the other direction when in contact with theinsert material 6. This provides inclined blades enabling cutting action close toa partition wall 5 in either direction.

The pivoting action of the pivoting arm 84, thereby selecting blade 81a,81 b, may be controlled by a motor, or directly affected by the movement ofthe cutting device 8', such that movement in one direction across the insertmaterial 6 provides cutting action by one blade 81a, and movement in theopposite direction across the insert material 6 provides cutting action by theother blade 81 b.

The cutting device 8' may comprise corresponding cutting tracks 82a,82b as the cutting device 8.

The stapling device 9 is arranged to staple the insert material 6 to thebottom material 7. The staples can be positioned on the insert material 6 inproximity to the angle between the partition wall 5 and insert material 6. ln an embodiment wherein the insert material 6 and the bottommaterial 7 is sewn together, the stapling device 9 can be replaced by asewing device, configured to sew the two materials 6, 7 to each other. 5 19 ln the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferredembodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms areemployed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not forthe purpose of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. Method (100) for producing a packaging insert by forming at leastone partition wall (5) from an insert material (6) using a first pressing device(2) and a second pressing device (3), the method comprising the steps of: transporting (102) the insert material along an axis A, holding (104) the insert material in a fixed position by the secondpressing device, moving (106) the first pressing device along axis A to a distanceD from the second pressing device corresponding to the double intendedheight of the partition wall, and holding (108) and pressing (110) the insert material by means ofthe first pressing device towards the second pressing device along axis Asuch that the insert material is pressed between the first and the second pressing device into an erect position forming (112) a partition wall.

2. Method (100) according to claim 1, comprising the step of lifting thesecond pressing device (3) as to allow a formed partition wall (5) to pass underneath the second pressing device.

3. Method (100) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a step of blowingor poking the insert material (6) in a direction (Y) perpendicular to the axis Ato facilitate the forming of the partition wall (5) into the erect position.

4. Method (100) according to any of the previous claims, furthercomprising a step of moving a previously formed partition wall (5) along theaxis A, using a gripping device (4), such that the insert material (6) is moved adistance along the axis A, wherein the moved distance sets the distancebetween a next partition wall to be formed and a preceding partition wall. 21

5. Method (100) according to claim 4, comprising a step of feeding abottom material (7) from a paper tray (12) and fixing the bottom material to the insert material (6) by sewing or stapling or by using glue or adhesive.

6. Method (100) according to claim 4 or 5, comprising a step ofpressing the insert material (6) towards the bottom material (7) using thegripping device (4).

7. Method (100) according to any of the previous claims, furthercomprising a step of cutting the packaging insert at a desired length by acutting device (8).

8. Machine (1) for producing a packaging insert by forming at least onepartition wall (5) from an insert material (6), characterized in that the machinecomprises a first pressing device (2) and a second pressing device (3),wherein an insert material is transportable in the machine along an axisA, the second pressing device is configured to hold the insertmaterial in a fixed position, the first pressing device is configured to be moved along theaxis A to a distance from the second pressing device corresponding to thedouble intended height of the partition wall, and the first pressing device is further configured to hold and movethe insert material towards the second pressing device along axis A such thatthe insert material is pressed between the first and the second pressing device into an erect position forming a partition wall.

9. Machine (1) according to claim 8, wherein the second pressingdevice (3) is liftable such as to allow a formed partition wall (5) to pass underneath. 22

10. Machine (1) according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising means(11) for blowing or poking the insert material (6) in a direction perpendicular tothe axis A to facilitate the forming of the partition wall (5) into an erectposition.

11. Machine (1) according to any of the previous claims, furthercomprising a gripping device (4) configured to pull the insert material (6)along the axis A by seizing a formed partition wall (5) and pulling along axis A away from the second pressing device (3).

12. Machine (1) according to claim 11, wherein the gripping device (4)is configured to press the insert material (6) towards a bottom material (7).

13. Machine (1) according to any of the previous claims, furthercomprising a paper tray (12) configured to feed a bottom material (7) adaptedto be fastened to the insert material (6) by sewing, stapling, or using glue or adhesive.

14. Machine (1) according to any of the previous claims, furthercomprising a cutting device (8) configured to cut-off the packaging insert at adesired length.