WO2010130326A1

WO2010130326A1 - Device and method for producing (cigarette) packages

Info

Publication number: WO2010130326A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/002415
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Häfker
Original assignee: Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg)
Priority date: 2009-05-13
Filing date: 2010-04-21
Publication date: 2010-11-18
Also published as: RU2532920C2; EP2429903B1; RU2011150400A; EP2429903A1; DE102009021146A1

Abstract

The invention relates to folding outer sleeves (13) of a package (10) or package group (12), wherein a tube-shaped intermediate state of the sleeve (13) is formed. At the same time, side flaps are folded, namely inner flaps (16) by fixed folding organs, namely folding cogs (32, 33). Said cogs are heated by heating cartridges (47) to a temperature below the sealing temperature of the packaging material.

Description

Method and device for producing (cigarette) packages

description

The invention relates to a method for folding a (foil) blank according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for carrying out the method.

In the processing of heat-responsive, in particular thermoformable, films in connection with the production of (cigarette packs), problems may arise due to restoring forces in the packaging material when carrying out the required folding steps, especially if, after a first folding step, the folding mechanism of FIG the area of the folding flap is withdrawn, that is to be kept without support or leadership in the folded position.

In particular, in the production of packs of cigarettes, so-called cigarette rods, a foil blank is folded directly around the formed group of cigarette packs, being executed on sideward end or end faces of the packing group complex, successive folding steps. There is a risk that in particular a first folded inner tab from the folded position is at least partially formed back.

The invention has for its object to improve the folding of films, especially in complex folding structures to ensure that folding tabs remain reliable after performing a folding step in the folded position. To achieve this object, the invention proposes that heat is supplied to the region of the folding, at least during the folding process, that is, at least during the working step of a folding member.

The heat stabilizes the folding position of the folding flap. Preferably, the folding member (folding thumb) itself is heated. The method according to the invention is used above all when, after the folding or prefolding of a folding flap, for example an inner flap, the folding element is removed again from the folded folding flap.

The effective during folding or preforming of a folding flap temperature is selected so that the (molecular) structure of the material in the region of the folding flap or in the region of a folding edge is changed, with the result that restoring forces of the material are eliminated or at least reduced. The processed films have a sealing range, which is mainly between 90 ° C and 150 ⁰ C. The temperature transmitted to stabilize a folding flap is suitably below the lower limit of the sealing temperature range or in the lower half of the sealing range. In a concrete case, the force acting on the folding tabs stabilization temperature between 85 ° C and 120 ⁰ C may be. In a heated folding member (folding thumb), this may preferably have a natural temperature of 100 ° C to 130 ⁰ C.

The method according to the invention is particularly suitable in the production of packs of cigarettes, that is to say packing units from a group of cigarette packs which is surrounded (exclusively) by an outer envelope made of cellglass or plastic. During folding of folding flaps in the region of end faces, an increased temperature becomes effective during the folding process, in particular in the case of a first folded inner flap.

Further details of the method and of devices for carrying out the method will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. It shows: 1 process steps in the manufacture of a package, namely bundle pack for cigarettes, in perspective view,

2 shows a device for producing packs, in particular bundle packs according to FIG. 1, in a schematic side view, partly in section, FIG.

3 shows a detail of the apparatus of FIG. 2 on an enlarged scale, in longitudinal section,

4 is a detail of the apparatus of FIG. 2 in cross-section IV-IV of FIG. 2, on an enlarged scale,

5 is a detail of the device in horizontal and vertical section in the sectional plane V-V of FIG. 2, also on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of an apparatus for producing packages in side view or in vertical section.

A preferred field of application is the production of cigarette packs 10 and / or bundle packs 11 formed therefrom. The representation in FIG. 1 and the apparatus according to FIGS. 2 to 5 are concerned with the production of such packs of packs 11 from an ordered pack group 12, which originates from a blank from film, here by an outer sheath 13, is surrounded. The packing group 12 usually consists of one, two or (here) of three rows of packages, which result in a block or block-shaped structure as a package content due to the arrangement.

The one-piece blank of the outer sheath 13 is folded around the packing group 12. In a first position, the blank 13 is folded in a U-shape. Upon continuation of the wrapping process results in a tubular folding position, overlap in the edge regions of the blank to form elongate tubular flaps 14, 15 each other. These are at The method of FIG. 1 directed transversely to the conveying direction of the packing group 12.

Due to the appropriate dimension of the blank of the outer casing 13, protrusions of the blank, which are folded against the end or end surfaces of the packing group 12, are formed at both end regions of the packing group 12. The endfolding produced is usually designed as an "envelope fold", namely consists of two opposing inner tabs 16 and 17 and from above and below against the end face or against the inner tabs 16, 17 folded (trapezoidal) outer tabs 18, 19. The inner tabs 16, 17 are formed from upright projections of the tubular outer sheath 13, while the outer tabs 18, 19 are brought from lower and upper horizontal planes by upward and downward folding in the folded position. All folding flaps 14..19 are usually connected to each other by thermal sealing of the film, but can also or alternatively be bonded together by gluing.

The finished bundle packs 11 are conveyed in an upward direction to form a packing tower 20 of superimposed packs or packs 11.

The wrapping and folding process takes place in such a way that during the U-shaped folding of the blank at about the same time a first inner flap 16 lying in the conveying direction is folded against the side surfaces of the packing group 12. Thereafter, the tube fold is formed by rotating the unit of packing group 12 and outer wrapper 13 along a transverse longitudinal axis. The rotation extends in a range of 180 ⁰ C, so that the tube fold with the tube tabs 14, 15 is directed upward. Then the now lying second inner tab 17 is folded. This is followed by the folding of the outer lobes 18 and 19.

Particularly critical is the first folding step, so the folding of the first inner flap 16, due to relative movement to a fixed Folding organ in particular a folding thumb, is folded against the sideways surfaces of the packing group 12. With the inner tab 16 triangular Faltenzwickel be formed at the same time, which form in the region of a lower and upper level as an inner part trapezoidal outer lobes 18, 19. The fixation of this folding step, so in particular the investment of the first folded inner flap 16 on the side surfaces of the package contents, is critical, since no stabilization is given by, for example, adhesive bonds. The folding therefore takes place with the supply of heat in such a way that thermal sealing does not (yet) take place, but on the other hand the folding position is stabilized. The corresponding heat is transferred via the folding member, on which the unit of outer casing 13 and packing group 12 is moved past to execute the first folding step.

An apparatus for producing bundle packs 11 is shown by way of example in FIGS. 2 to 5. Thereafter, completely finished cigarette packs 10 are fed via a packing shaft 21 to a grouping station 22. The formed packing groups 12 corresponding to the contents of a bundle pack 11 are then fed to a blanking station 23 for wrapping the packing group 12 in a U-shaped manner by cutting the outer wrapping 13. This is followed by a first folding station 24 for first folding steps, here the inner tabs 16. Then follows another Folding station, here with a Faltbzw. Turret turret 25. In a subsequent tamping and sealing station 26, the packages are finished folded. the outer sheath 13. At the same time the bundle pack 11 is introduced by lifting in the packing tower 20.

In the grouping station 22, cigarette packs 10 are joined together to form the pack group 12 and transferred to a packing platform 27. This can be moved up and down to take over the packing group 12 in an upper position and to transfer it to the cutting station 23 in a lower position (corresponding to FIG. 2, FIG. 3).

In this transfer position, the complete package group 12 is detected by a slider 28 and deported in the transport direction of the packing platform 27. During this conveying movement, the packing group 12 detects the blank prepared in the vertical plane of the outer sheath 13 with the front of the pack group 12. The blank 13 is held in front of a guide or a mouthpiece 29. By inserting the packing group 12 into this mouthpiece 29, the blank 13 is wrapped in a U-shape around the cuboid object, ie around the packing group 12 (FIG. 1, right). The mouthpiece 29 has an upper and lower guide wall 30, 31, which cause the U-folding.

In the area of the mouthpiece 29, a first folding step is carried out. For this purpose, (fixed) folding members, namely folding thumbs 32, 33 are arranged, which in the present case form a lateral boundary of the mouthpiece 29. The folding thumb 32, 33 are provided with obliquely directed or tongue-like formed (upright) folding edges 34, according to embodiment of FIG. 3 with converging partial edges. As a result of the conveying movement of the packing group 12 with outer casing 13 into or through the mouthpiece 29, the fixed folding thumbs 32, 33 capture an upright area of the blank 13 in the direction of movement, namely a lateral front projection. This is folded due to the relative movement to form the inner flap 16 against the side surfaces of the packing group 12.

With continued movement of the packing group 12 - by the slider 28 - this passes into the region of a turning device, which is designed here as a turret 25 with two staggered, in the end positions upper and lower turret pockets 35, 36. The pockets 35, 36 are open on both sides (in relation to the conveying direction). Laterally, the turret pockets 35, 36 are formed so that protruding portions of the blank 13 protrude from the turret pockets 35, 36. By rotation of the turret 25 to 180 ⁰ C passes in an upper level - following the mouthpiece 29 - supplied pack group 12 in a plane below the feed plane, namely in an extension plane.

The packing group 12 (with outer casing 13) is now in an offset plane at the same direction of movement by a pusher 37 out of the lower turret pocket 36 and pushed into the field of FaIt- and Sealing station 26 moves. During this conveying movement, a further folding tab is formed or folded, namely the (second) inner tab 17, which is now due to the turning process forward. The package group 12 is moved past also arranged on the side (fixed) Faltorganen, namely folding tongues 38, 39, which cause a folding over of the inner tabs 17 due to the relative movement.

This folding process takes place in the area of the folding and sealing station 26.

During instantaneous standstill of the packing group 12 together with the outer casing 13, a hose seam is produced in this station, namely a connection of the hose flaps 14, 15 caused by thermal sealing.

Due to the turning process are the tube tabs 14, 15 at the

Top of the bundle pack 11. A sealing organ, namely a transverse

Sealing jaw 40 is lowered from above onto the bundle pack or the overlapping tube tabs 14, 15. The sealing jaw 40 is in

Area of an upper guide 43 of this FaIt- and sealing station 26 effective.

In the area of the folding and sealing station 26, the tube folding (before sealing) is also completed. An outer folding leg 41 of the outer sheath 13 is held by the tension of the turning turret 25 by a holding member, namely by a suction head 42 under tension. When ejecting the packing group 12 from the (lower) turret pocket 36 and transfer to the FaIt- and sealing station 26 of the folding leg 41 is folded by the stationary upper guide 43, namely applied to the top of the packing group 12 to form the hose flap 15.

The bundle pack 11 completed in the area of the folding and sealing station 26 reaches the area of a lifting station 44 and is introduced into the packing tower 20 by a lifting ram 45. In this area, the outer folding flaps, namely the outer flaps 18 and 19 are folded. Following the folding of the inner flap 17, the lower folding flap 18 is erected by a folding switch 46 (FIG. 5) during the transport of the pack group 12 until it rests against the side face of the pack group 12. The folding switch 46 is a folding device known in principle of lobes during transport. When Finally, the upper outer flap 19 is folded, namely during the upward movement of the bundle pack 11 or when entering the packing tower 20 by a folding member 46 arranged here. The folding tabs 16 ... 19 are then joined together by thermal sealing.

To stabilize folds or intermediate folds, in particular first-folded lobes of a complex fold, heat is supplied, which is below the sealing temperature of the film but causes a reduction in the restoring forces in the film.

In the present example, the inner tabs 16, 17, in particular the first folded inner tabs 16 are subjected to heat. For this purpose, the folding organs are heated. Specifically, the folding thumb 32, 33 causing the fold of the inner flap 16 are heated.

An embodiment in which the folding members or folding thumbs 32, 33 (electric) heating elements are advantageous is advantageous. The folding thumbs 32, 33 are provided with heating cartridges 47, which are supplied via an electric line 48 (adjustable) with electricity to generate the heat. The heating cartridges 47 each sit in a recess 49 of the body formed as a folding thumb 32, 33. By the heating cartridge 47, the entire folding thumb 32, 33 is heated. Separated from the heating cartridge 47, namely in a separate recess, a thermocouple 50 is arranged, which also leads to a line. Both organs are connected to a controller (not shown), with the help of which a certain, technically optimal temperature of the folding organ can be generated and monitored.

The folding thumbs 32, 33 are arranged so that they create the inner tabs 16 on the side surface of the packing group 12 due to the relative movement. Upper and lower guide surfaces of the folding thumb 32, 33 are arranged converging outwards or to the side, so obliquely directed, such that above and below the folding thumbs 32, 33, a free space for receiving the folding tabs, namely the outer lobes 18, 19th As a further means for fixing the inner flap 16 in the folded position mechanical holding members are provided. These are holding fingers 52 which are arranged (in pairs) on both sides of the ejector 37 and which become effective during the ejection movement of the packing group 12 with outer casing 13 from the turning turret 25 (FIG. 5), in which the (back) Inner blank 16 is mechanically fixed in the folded position. Lateral pocket walls 53, 54 are provided with longitudinally extending grooves 55 in which the retaining fingers 52 are guided through the pocket 35, 36 during passage of the pusher 37.

Fig. 6 shows an example of a device for the production of individual (cigarette) packs 10. These are successively supplied to a folding unit, here a rotatable folding turret 56 with pockets 57 for receiving one pack 10. The folding turret 56 is in an upright plane (intermittently ) rotatable. The packs 10 fed on a horizontal package web 58 are provided with a (film) blank in the region of a blanking station 59, which blank is initially folded around the package 10 in a U-shape. With the blank, the package 10 enters a pocket 57 of the folding turret 56 held ready in a corresponding position. In the region of the same, the package or the wrapping made of film is folded.

The folding steps proceed in a similar manner as in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 5. When inserted into the pocket 57, a first, inner folding flap of the outer wrapper is provided on the front side or on the radially inner side against side-facing forehead or Bottom surfaces of the pack 10 folded, by a fixed folding organ or by a folding finger 60. This forms a side boundary of the pockets 57. The folding of the inner lobe - analogous to the inner lobes 16 - is carried out by the insertion of the pack 10 with blank in the pocket 57th ,

The special feature is that the folding member or the folding finger 60 is heated in accordance with the folding tongues 38, 39 of the embodiment described above. According to FIG. 6, the procedure is such that all folding fingers 60 of all pockets 57 are connected via a line 61 to a central power connection are connected, which is arranged in the region of a shaft 62 (or axis) for the Faltrevolver 56 and, for example via annular conductors making the connection with the lines 61.

In an upper region of the folding turret 56, a sealing unit 63 of known type is arranged for producing hose seams of the envelope of sealable film.

On the opposite side of the insertion side of the folding turret 56, the packages 10 are ejected with incomplete outer sheath. In the region of a discharge conveyor 64, the radially outer inner tabs are first folded, analogously to the inner tabs 17, by a fixed folding member, namely by a tongue-like folding piece 65 in the region of Abförderbahn 64. This folding piece 65 can to secure the folding, namely the analog to the inner lobes 17 folded inner lobe, be heated.

In the area of the discharge conveyor track 64, further folding bodies follow, namely folding dividers 66 for folding the upper and lower outer lobes, analogously to the outer lobes 18, 19. Also in this embodiment, the packs 10 are subsequently transferred into a packing tower 67.

The supply of heat to the envelope or film is always required when a first, in particular inner folding is free by retraction of a folding organ and restoring forces in the packaging material can cause the triggering of the folding position. The heating of the film counteracts the restoring forces, by reducing the stiffness of the material. Bezugszeichenhste

10 cigarette pack 40 sealed jaw

11 bundle pack 41 folding thighs

12 Packing group 42 Suction head

13 outer wrapping 43 upper guide

14 tube lugs 44 lifting station

15 tube lugs 45 lifting rams

16 inner lobes 46 Folding organ

17 Inner tabs 47 Heating cartridge

18 outer lobes 48 Electric cable

19 Outer lobes 49 Recess 0 Packing tower 50 Thermocouple 1 Packing shaft 51 Guide surface 2 Guppier station 52 Holding fingers 3 Cutting station 53 Pocket wall 4 Folding station 54 Pocket wall 5 Reversible turret 55 Groove 6 Filling and sealing station 56 Folding turret 7 Packing platform 57 Bags 8 Slide 58 Packing track 9 Mouthpiece 59 Blanking station 0 Guide wall 60 Folding finger 1 Guide wall 61 Line 2 Folding thumb 62 Shaft 3 Folding thumb 63 Sealing unit 4 Folding edge 64 Delivery conveyor 5 Revolver pocket 65 Folding piece 6 Revolving pocket 66 Folding diverter 7 Pusher 67 Packing tower 8 Folding tongue 9 Folding tongue

Claims

claims

1. A method for folding at least one folding flap (16, 17 ..) of a (foil) blank (13), in particular in connection with the production of (cigarette) packs (10, 11) or cigarette packs, characterized during the folding flap folding, at least after reaching the end position of the folding flap (16, 17), heat is applied to a region having the folding tabs (16, 17), preferably below the sealing temperature or in a lower portion of a range of the sealing temperature of the packaging material for the (film) blank (13), such that the folding position of the folding flap (16, 17 ..) is stabilized.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a folding member for folding the folding flap (16, 17 ..), in particular a folding thumb (32, 33), is heated.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the wrapping of a (cigarette) pack (10) or a pack group (12) with a pack (10) or the packing group (12) (directly) surrounding tubular outer wrapper (13) and with at least one folded first inner flap (16) preferably with adjacent, triangular folding flaps, heat is applied to side surfaces of the package contents foldable side flaps of the envelope (13), in particular by heating a fixed folding thumb (32, 33) for folding the Inner lobe (16).

4. The method according to claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that on the folding flaps (16, 17) and on the material of the outer sheath (13) acting temperature for stabilizing a folded Faltlappens in the range between 80 ⁰ C and 120 ⁰ C lies, being a heated Faltorgan preferably has a natural temperature of about 100 ⁰ C to about 130 ⁰ C.

5. Method according to claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the heat stabilizing a fold or folding flaps (16, 17 ..) is transferred by a stationary folding member, in particular a stationary folding thumb (32, 33; 60) wherein a unit of a package or package group (12) with blanking of a wrap (13) is moved past the stationary folder such that during folding of the folder (16, 17) the stabilizing heat is transferred to the outer wrap moved past the folder becomes.

6. Apparatus for folding at least one folding flap of a (foil) blank of a wrapping, in particular outer wrapping (13) of a pack (10) or a pack group (12), wherein the folding flap (16, 17 ..) by a fixed or movable folding organ is foldable, in particular by folding thumbs (32, 33; 60) or folding tongues (38, 39; 65), characterized in that the folding member, in particular the folding thumbs (32, 33; 60) and / or folding tongues (38, 39; 65 ), at least heated during folding, preferably to a temperature well below the sealing temperature of the (film) blank.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the Faltorgane, in particular Faltdaumen (32, 33), a heating element, preferably an electrically heatable Heizpatrone (42) within the Faltorgans or Faltdaumens (32, 33).

8. The device according to claim 7 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the heating element (47) in a recess (49) of the folding member or the folding thumb (32, 33) and connected via an electric line (48) connected to a power supply is.

9. Apparatus according to claim 6 or one of the further claims, characterized in that on the folding member or folding thumb (32, 33) or in this a thermocouple (50) is arranged to determine the temperature of the folding member, which is controllable in accordance with the findings of the thermocouple (50), to maintain a predetermined temperature of the folding member.

10. The device according to claim 6 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the block-like folding members, in particular folding thumb (33, 32), on top and bottom guide surfaces (51) converging outwards to each other, namely at an acute angle are directed obliquely, such that above and below the folding members (32, 33) is a free space for receiving folding flaps (18, 19) is formed.

11. The device according to claim 6 or one of the further claims, characterized in that at least the ejection of a partially folded outer casing (13) of a bundle pack (11) from a guide or a pocket of a revolver (25) in addition mechanical holding members in the range of folded Lags an unfinished folding, in particular holding fingers (52) of a pusher (37) for transporting the pack group (12) with outer sheath (13), wherein the on the pusher (37) arranged holding fingers (52) the laterally arranged inner tabs (16) in the folded position fix.

12. The device according to claim 6 or one of the further claims, characterized by the following features: a) for wrapping of (cigarette) packs (10) by a blank of a wrapping the packs (10) individually under U-shaped entrainment of a blank in a pocket (57) of a folding turret (56) can be pushed in, b) the pockets (57) of the folding turret (56) are laterally bounded by folding members, in particular folding fingers (60) for folding a sideways inside blank during the insertion movement of the package, c) the folding fingers (60) of the folding turret (56) are (electrically) heated to a temperature below the sealing temperature of the envelope.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the packages (10) with the partially folded envelope in the radial direction from the pocket (57) are pushed out into a discharge conveyor (64), wherein in the Ausschubbewegung a (second ) Inner flap by a folding member, in particular a folding piece (65) in the region of the discharge conveyor (64) foldable and the folding member or folding piece (65) is heated.