WO2017009179A1

WO2017009179A1 - Packaging machine having residual strip disposal

Info

Publication number: WO2017009179A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/066149
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernard Martin; Ernst-Walter Schmitt
Original assignee: Gea Food Solutions Germany Gmbh
Priority date: 2015-07-10
Filing date: 2016-07-07
Publication date: 2017-01-19
Also published as: EP3319881B1; EP3319881A1; ES2834526T3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for producing a packaging, wherein a film web is transported in a transport direction, in particular intermittently, and depressions are formed in the film web in a forming station, which depressions are filled with a material to be packaged and closed with a cover film and then are separated by at least one transverse cutter by means of a transverse cut, i.e., by means of a cut transverse to the transport direction of the film web. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a packaging machine and a transverse punch.

Description

Packaging machine with leftover waste disposal

The present invention relates to a method for producing a packaging in which a film web is transported along a transport direction, in particular intermittently, and molds are formed in the film web in a forming station which is filled with a packaged product and closed with a cover film and subsequently with at least one Cross cutter through a cross section, ie be separated by a cut transversely to the transport direction of the film web. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a packaging machine and a cross punch.

When packages made from a film web are singulated, residual strips, for example two edge strips, and possibly one or more center strips, which must be disposed of, for example by being rolled up, usually remain. In the past, this residual strip is often demolished, which has led to a machine downtime.

It was therefore the object of the present invention, a method and a

To provide packaging machine to provide that do not have the disadvantages of the prior art.

The object is achieved with a method for producing a packaging, in which a film web is transported along a transport direction, in particular intermittently, and in a forming station hollows are formed in the film web, which is filled with a packaged product and sealed with a lid film and then with at least a cross cutter are separated by a cross section, wherein in a residual strip in the region of the cross section, a relief recess and / or embossing is provided and / or the temperature of the residual strip is increased.

The statements made on the method according to the invention apply equally to the packaging machine according to the invention and vice versa.

The present invention relates to a method which is carried out on a packaging machine. Such a packaging machine is, in particular, a so-called thermoformer, on which plastic films are generally processed. In the thermoformer, a lower film web is unrolled from a supply roll and, in particular, transported intermittently along the packaging machine. In a forming station, a packaging tray is first formed in the lower film web, the is then filled with a packaged, in particular a food. Subsequently, the packaging tray is sealed in a sealing station with one or more top films which are sealed to the lower film. Finally, the produced packages are separated by a cross cutter, the lower and the

Upper film web cut with a cut transversely to the transport direction. This section is referred to below as "cross-section." As a rule, the packaging machine also has one or more slitters, which cut through the packages in the longitudinal direction, that is, parallel to the transport direction of the film web.

When separating the packaging remain at least one, usually several

Remaining strips, for example, two edge and / or at least one median strip left, which must be disposed of after the separation of the packaging. The cross section usually extends only slightly in these edge strips, so that the edge strip remains as an elongated structure and must be disposed of. The remaining strip can be rolled up, for example, and the roll disposed of. Alternatively, the edge strip is fed to a crusher, which splits it into smaller pieces or fed to an aspirator, which transports it into a waste container and collects there. In this case, the edge strip is mechanically stressed, in particular loaded by tensile forces.

According to the invention, one or more relief recess (s) or one or more embossments is now provided in the residual strip in the region of the cross section and / or the temperature of the edge strip is increased. The method according to the invention has the advantage that the waste strip during disposal, in which it is mechanically loaded, in particular tensile, tears less often. The recess / embossment reduces the progress of a resulting crack. As a result, the availability of the packaging machine is significantly increased and eliminates damage to the packaging machine by torn-off residue.

Alternatively or additionally, the residual strip, in particular in the region of the cross section, is heated so that the elasticity of the material of the residual strip increases. In the event that the remaining strip consists of a plastic film, the remaining strip is not heated until reaching the so-called glass transition temperature. Preferably, the heating takes place by 10 - 80 ° K based on the temperature of the packaging immediately after their separation.

Preferably, the relief recess is made by a cut or a

Punch. Preferably, a relief recess is provided before and / or after and / or at least in sections at the same height as the cross-section, in each case based on the transport direction of the film web. Preferably, the shape of the Relief recess line-shaped, wherein the line particularly preferably extends parallel to the transport direction of the film web. Preferably, the corners and / or at least one side of the relief recess are radiused to reduce the notch effect.

Alternatively or additionally, embossing is provided in the remainder strip, i. planar shape of the residual strip is changed in particular by plastic deformation.

Preferably, an embossing before and / or after and / or at least in sections at the same height with the cross section, each with respect to the transport direction of the

Film web, provided.

Preferably, when cutting or punching the cross-section, no pinching occurs, in particular no material accumulation in the region of the residual strip.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the relief recess and / or embossment is part of the cross section which cuts through the film web outside the residual strip. In the edge region, the shape of the cross cutter is then preferably increased so that it extends more strongly into the remaining strip. In particular, at least one radius of the cross cutter in the remaining strip is increased.

The relief recess preferably also extends through the upper film web at least through the entire thickness of the lower film web.

In the event that the packaged goods changed in one, compared to air

Atmosphere and / or partial vacuum is to be packed, in particular the edge strip has recesses, sucked through the air from the packaging troughs of a format and / or a replacement gas is blown into the packaging troughs. These

Gassing recesses are preferably only in the lower film web and are preferably, based on the transport direction of the film web upstream of the sealing station in the film web, introduced, for example by punching.

According to a further inventive or preferred subject matter of the present invention, the gassing recesses are now designed in their shape and / or their arrangement so that they simultaneously reduce the crack propagation in the remaining strip, in particular the edge strip, at least. Preferably, the gassing recesses are arranged so that they are upstream, at the same height and / or downstream of a cross section, each with respect to the transport direction of the film web and also be arranged in the region preferably in the immediate vicinity of / to a cross section, wherein the gassing recesses, which at the same time also the

Reduce crack propagation in the area of the cross-section, insert a few bars into the film web a few times before applying the cross-section. The shape and / or size and / or position of these recesses is designed so that the gas exchange is given and the crack propagation is reduced.

A further subject of the present invention is a packaging machine with a forming station which forms troughs in the film web, a filling station in which the troughs are filled with a packaged product and a sealing station which seals a top film to the film web and which has a cross cutter. which separates the packages, wherein it has a means which provides a recess and / or embossing in the remaining strip of the film web and / or heats the remaining strip.

The statements made on the packaging machine according to the invention apply equally to the method according to the invention and vice versa.

Preferably, the packaging machine has a means with which a recess and / or embossing is provided in the residual strip. Preferably, this means is provided in the region of the cross cutter. Preferably, the introduction of the recess and / or the embossing takes place at least substantially simultaneously with the

Attaching the cross section, particularly preferably during the same cycle of

Packaging machine.

Preferably, the means is a knife and / or a punch and / or a laser and / or a water jet.

Preferably, the means is a punch with an internal Schneidwate.

Another object of the present invention is a cross cutter, the cut at least partially contours from the film web wherein the cross cutter has an internal Schneidwur in the region of the cutting contour.

The inventions will be explained below with reference to the figures. These explanations are merely exemplary and do not limit the general inventive concept. The explanations apply equally to all articles of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the packaging machine.

Figures 2 to 4 show details of the means for introducing the recess in the

Edge strip 31.

Figure 5 shows a cross cutter with a erfindungsmäßen shape in

Border area.

FIG. 6 shows a preferred form of the recess before and after

Cross-section.

FIG. 7 shows a cutting wad according to the prior art.

Figure 8 shows a cross cutter with a Schneidwate invention.

FIG. 1 shows a packaging machine 1, in the present case a so-called thermoformer, which has a thermoforming station 2, a filling station 7 and a sealing station 15. A lower film web 8, here a plastic film web 8, is withdrawn from a supply roll and cyclically transported along the packaging machine according to the invention from right to left. In each cycle, a format is preferably produced on packages consisting of preferably several columns and more preferably several rows. The film roll is usually mounted on a shaft. At one stroke, the sub-web 8 is further transported by preference, with several advantages needed to produce a finished package. For this purpose, the packaging machine has two Transportmitteil 0 (see Figure 2), in the present case in each case two endless chains, which are arranged on the right and left of the lower film web 8. Both at the beginning and at the end of the packaging machine at least one gear is provided for each chain in each case, around which the respective chain is deflected. At least one of these gears is driven. The gears in the input area and / or in the output area may be connected to each other, preferably by a rigid shaft. Each means of transport has a multiplicity of clamping means 13, which grippingly grasp the edge region of the lower film web 8 in the inlet region 19 and transmit the movement of the transport means to the lower film web 8. In the outlet region of the packaging machine, the clamping connection between the transport and the lower film web 8 is released again. Downstream of the inlet region 19, a heating means is provided which heats the film web 8, especially when it is stationary. In the forming station 2, which here has an upper tool 3 and a lower tool 4, the mold / die of Having to be produced packaging tray, the packaging trays 6 are formed in the warmed film web 8. The lower tool 4 of the forming station 2 is arranged on a lifting table 5, which, as symbolized by the double arrow, is vertically adjustable, which is done by a lifting device. Before each film feed is the

Lower tool 4 lowered and then raised again. In the further course of the packaging machine, the packaging trays are then filled in the filling station 7 with the packaged goods 16. In the subsequent sealing station 15, which also consists of an upper tool 12 and a vertically adjustable lower tool 1 1, a top film 14 is firmly bonded, for example, by sealing to the lower film web 8. Also in the sealing station, the upper tool and / or the lower tool are lowered or raised before and after each film transport. The upper film 14 is unrolled by a film roll, which is mounted on a shaft, and can be guided in means of transport or be transported by transport chains, said transport then extend only from the sealing station and possibly downstream. Otherwise, the statements that have been made to the means of transport of the lower film apply. Also the

Upper foil can be heated with a heating medium and deep drawn. For sealing purposes, a heatable sealing frame is provided as a lower tool 11, for example, which has an opening per packaging cavity into which the packaging cavity is sealed during sealing, i. during the upward movement of the lower seal tool immersed. For sealing, the upper and lower film webs between the upper and lower tool 12, 1 1 are pressed together and connect under the influence of heat and pressure. After sealing, the tools 1 1, 12 are moved apart vertically again. In the further course of the packaging machine, the finished packages are separated, which takes place in the present case with the cross cutter 18 and the slitter 17. The cross cutter 18 can also be raised or lowered in the present case with a lifting device 9. When separating the packaging creates an edge strip 31st This is usually the strip that is gripped by the film grippers 13. This edge strip is waste and must be disposed of. He is exposed to mechanical stresses that can cause the edge strip breaks and, for example, caught in the chain 10. The following figures show ways and means of avoiding this.

Figures 2 - 4 show a first embodiment of the method according to the invention or the device according to the invention. The interconnected film webs 8, 14, for the sake of simplicity in the present case without

Packaging troughs are shown downstream, based on the

Transport direction of the film web, isolated from the sealing station by a cross cutter 18 by cross sections 23. Downstream of the cross cutter is a slitter 17 provided that attaches longitudinal sections in the film web 8, 14, whereby an edge strip 31 is formed. According to the invention, the device now has a means with which

Recesses 24 are provided in the edge strip 31, in particular in the region of the cross sections 23, i. before the edge strips are separated from the packages. In the present case, this means is a knife 20 which moves up and down as shown by the double-headed arrow. During the upward movement, the knife penetrates the film webs 8, 14. This results in the two cuts 24 in the region of the cross section 23. In the cross cutter 18, a recess 32 is provided for the knife 20, in which the knife can dip. By the two recesses 24, the notch effect in the edge strip 31, which is formed by the fact that the cross section 23 extends partially in the edge strip 31, is reduced. In Figure 4, a crack / partial crack 33 is indicated, which is to be prevented by the recess 24 or at least reduced.

In the illustrated case, the knife 20 is provided below the film web. The skilled person understands that it can also be arranged above the film web.

Preferably, the recess in the cross cutter is made substantially wider than the thickness of the knife so that the knife dives safely into the gap during cutting.

FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of the method according to the invention

or the device according to the invention. The cross cutter is designed here as a contour cutter. In the present case, the peripheral area of the

Cross cutter extended to the additional area 25, so that through the

Cross cutter punched area enlarged. This results in the edge strip 31 an enlarged recess, which has in particular in the edge strip enlarged radii, which in turn the notch effect and thus the susceptibility to cracking of the

Marginal strip can be reduced.

FIG. 6 shows a further preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the present case, each line-shaped recess 24 in their corner areas curves 26, whereby the notch effect is further reduced, which in turn leads to increased stability of the edge strip.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the cross cutter 18 according to the prior art. By means of the cross cutter, a section 28 is punched out of the film webs 8, 14. In the embodiment of the cross cutter according to the prior art is the Schneidwate, ie the bevel or the sharpening provided in the outer region of the tool. This results in the implementation of the cut, a bruise of the edge strip 31, which has been found to be detrimental to the crack progress.

FIG. 8 shows the embodiment according to the invention of the cross cutter 18 which, in the present case, has an internal cutting edge 29 in the region of the contour section at which a cutout 28 is formed. As a result, the squeezing of the

Film material in the region of the cutout 28 and not in the region of the edge strip 31, which has a positive effect on the crack propagation and thus on the durability of the edge strip. The person skilled in the art will understand that the means 20 with which the recess 24 is produced preferably also has an internal grinding, in the event that it is a contour punch.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 packaging machine

2 forming station, thermoforming station

3 upper tool of the thermoforming station

4 lower tool of thermoforming station

5 lifting table, carrier of a tool of the sealing, thermoforming station and / or the cutting device

6 packaging tray

7 filling station

8 film web, bottom film web

9 lifting device

10 transport chain

1 1 lower tool of the sealing station

12 upper tool of the sealing station

13 foil gripper

14 top film web, lid film

15 sealing station

16 packaged goods

17 slitter

18 cross cutters

19 inlet area

20 perforating means, knives

21 movement of the perforating means

22 insertion station

23 cross section

24 relief recess, relief cut

25 relief recess, additional recess

26 relief recess, curves

27 anvil

28 section

29 cutting / sharpening / sharpening

30 bruise, material thrown up

31 edge stripes

32 recess in the cross cutter 18th

33 Exemplary crack / tear

Claims

claims:

1 . Method for producing a packaging, in which a film web (8) is transported along a transport direction (23), in particular intermittently, and in a forming station depressions (6) are formed in the film web, which is filled with a packaged article (16) and filled with one Cover film (14) are sealed and then isolated with at least one cross cutter (18) by a cross section (23), characterized in that in a residual strip (31) in the region of the cross section (23) a relief recess (24-26) and / or an embossing is provided and / or the temperature of the edge strip is increased

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the

Relief recess (24) is linear.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the relief recess is part of the cross section (23).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that extending the relief recess at least through the entire thickness of the film web (8).

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that at the cross section of the edge strips is not crushed.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recess (24 - 26) at the same time for loading and / or degassing of

Packaging troughs are used.

7. Packaging machine with a forming station (2) forming troughs (6) in the film web, a filling station (7) in which the troughs (6) are filled with a packaged product (16) and optionally with a sealing station (15), which seals a top film (14) to the film web (8) and which has a cross cutter (18), characterized in that it has a means (20) having a recess (24-26) and / or an embossment in the edge strip (31) of the film web (8, 14) provides and / or the edge strip (31) heated.

8. Packaging machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the means (20) is a knife or a punch or a laser or a water jet.

9. Packaging machine according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized

in that the means is provided in the region of the cross cutter (18) or in front of it.

10. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims 7 - 9, characterized in that the means is a punch with an internal Schneidwate (29).

1 1. Cross punch of a packaging machine, which punches a contour of a film (8, 14), characterized in that it has an internal Schneidwate in the region of the contour section.