WO2019195869A1

WO2019195869A1 - Method for producing a closure unit for a packaging container in a thermoforming process, and closure unit

Info

Publication number: WO2019195869A1
Application number: PCT/AT2019/060118
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hakan AYDIN
Original assignee: Greiner Packaging International Gmbh
Priority date: 2018-04-11
Filing date: 2019-04-09
Publication date: 2019-10-17
Also published as: AT521123A1; AT16683U1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a closure unit (1) for a packaging container in a thermoforming process, and to a closure unit produced using the method. A film web is provided and brought to the shaping temperature of the material. During the shaping of the film web during the thermoforming process, a closure cover (2) having a cover wall (4), a skirt (5) protruding therefrom and a cutlery part (3) in the cover wall (4) is formed. Furthermore, a predetermined breaking region (8) is formed peripherally between the cutlery part (3) and the rest of the cover wall (4), and the closure cover (2) is detached from the film web.

Description

METHOD FOR PRODUCING A CLOSING UNIT FOR ONE

PACKAGING CONTAINER IN A THERMOFORMPROCESS AND ONE

CLOSURE UNIT

The invention relates to a method for producing at least one closure unit for a packaging container in a thermoforming process as well as a closure unit produced by means of the method.

GB 2 331 060 A describes a closure lid in which recessed receiving areas are arranged or formed in its lid wall. In the receiving areas specially manufactured cutlery parts are usually inserted in an injection molding process. On the receiving areas are covered after inserting the cutlery of an additional film part, which is connected to the top wall. To remove the film part is to be solved, then the cutlery or cutlery pieces can be removed. The ge separated, own manufacture of the cutlery or parts and the additional introduction into the receiving areas or caused high costs and was therefore due to the manufacturing costs and additional manipulation costs for inserting and covering not eco nomic.

EP 2 241 515 B1 describes a closure unit comprising a closure lid and a cutlery part, which are formed together in an injection molding tool in an injection molding process. Although it was possible to achieve a relatively exact shape, but the Her stell stellkosten due to the tool costs and the possible cycle times were very high and half because of the price pressure not economical.

The object of the present invention was to overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a method and a closure unit produced by the method from the closure lid and at least one cutlery part integrated therein by means of which a simple and above all cost-effective production in a working step with several working steps is made possible.

This object is achieved by a method for producing at least one closure unit and a closure unit produced by the method according to the claims. The method according to the invention serves to produce at least one closure unit for a packaging container in a thermoforming process and comprises the following steps:

Providing or extruding a film web from a thermoplastically deformable material,

Tempering the film web to its forming temperature,

Forming the film web to the at least one closure unit, and thereby

Forming a closure lid with a top wall and with at least partially protruding from the top wall apron, and

Separating the closure lid from the film web in a first plane, and further wherein at least one piece of cutlery is formed in the top wall of the closure lid during the thermoforming process, and

a desired separation area is formed on the edge side between the at least one piece of cutlery and the remaining top wall in the top wall.

It is advantageous in the process steps chosen here, that in a cost-effective manner in a thermoforming process, namely a thermoforming process, from a planar film, the closure unit, comprising the closure lid and at least one in the lid wall of the closure lid with molded cutlery in one step by means of several working Partial steps is produced. The at least one piece of cutlery is formed from a surface portion of the cover wall of the closure lid by forming the thermoplastically deformable material, namely the film web. In order to enable separation of the at least one piece of cutlery from the top wall, at the edge between the at least one piece of cutlery and the remaining, mostly undeformed top wall a separate desired separation area is also formed in the thermoforming process in a working sub-step in the film web. Thus, a production of the closure units is carried out in a very cost-effective method and especially in a high number of cycles. By choosing the thermoforming process high mold cost shares over previously used ter injection molds are avoided. As a result, a high cost advantage is achieved by the GE selected manufacturing process and thus the competitive situation due to the miserable cost pressure substantially improved. Furthermore, a procedure is advantageous in which the formation of the closure lid and the molding of at least one piece of cutlery in the same step, in particular in Ar beits-substeps are performed simultaneously. Thus, the productivity and clock speed can be increased even further. In addition, however, so by means of the working part steps both the transformation to the cap and the molding of the cutlery can be carried out partly within the same tool.

A further advantageous procedure example is characterized in that the separation of the closure cap from the film web is carried out simultaneously with the molding of the desired separation region. Thus, all the necessary forming and Einformvorgänge to form the entire closure unit are carried out in the same step and in the same tool.

Also advantageous is a method variant in which the formation of the closure lid and the molding of the at least one cutlery in the same step and simultaneously with the separation of the closure lid from the film web with the set of the desired separation area is performed. By simultaneously performing several rer work sub-steps in the same tool so a very economical and cost-locking unit is created.

Also advantageous is a method variant in which the molding of the desired separating region is carried out in a second plane and the second plane is arranged spaced apart from the first plane in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the cover. By danced apart from each other arranged planes for forming the desired separation area and the separation o- the cutting of the closure lid from the film web can be made possible as a higher variety of forms to be closed locking units.

Another approach is characterized by the fact that the desired separation area in Rich tion of its circumferential extent is formed fully around the at least one piece of cutlery around. Thus, the detachment or separation of the cutlery from the de ckelwand is facilitated. Furthermore, a procedure is advantageous in which the desired separation area is formed by a material weakening. As a result of the reduction of the material thickness of the film web, the connection and holding force of the cutlery part on the remaining top wall is reduced in the section of the desired separating region and thus the detachment and removal of the cutlery part from the closure lid is facilitated.

A further advantageous procedure is characterized in that the desired separation area is formed by a perforation. Thus, a simple detachment or separation of the cutlery from the top wall can also be achieved.

Also advantageous is a variant of the method in which the desired separation region is formed in sections in the direction of its circumferential extent by at least one material weakening and at least one separating cut passing completely through the cover wall. As can be achieved even in otherwise difficult to solve cutlery items, such as forks, a simpler and non-destructive leaching in the field of forks. This is especially true if in this area the complete separating cut is formed. The remaining or remaining portion of the desired separation area then represents a secure connection to the final detachment from the top wall.

Another approach is characterized by the fact that the weakening of the material and the complete severing cut are alternately formed in the direction of the circumferential extension of the desired separating region. This can easily be taken care of in a variety of Anwendungsbedin conditions and training of each cutlery part.

It may also be advantageous to a method variant in which the film web is held fixed at least in sections and immedi applicable adjacent to the target separation area on the abgewende from the manufactured cutlery th page at least during the Einformvorgangs the target separation area. Due to the relatively stationary fixing of the Foli enbahn to be formed during the Einformvorgangs the target separation area so can be formed herzus to Be plug-in part. The befindlicher outside the fixing Deckelwandab section can then be maintained unchanged in its cross-sectional shape. Furthermore, but also in the edge area or transition area to the apron out another Forming and shaping take place without the intended separation area being subject to unwanted deformation or unintentional complete separation taking place.

The invention also encompasses a closure unit for a packaging container

a closure lid with a top wall and with an apron, which apron at least partially protrudes from the top wall, and

at least one piece of cutlery, which piece of cutlery is formed by a partial section of the cover wall, and thereby the closure unit is produced by the method according to the invention.

In a closure unit produced in such a way that in a cost-effective manner in a thermoforming process, namely a thermoforming process, from a planar film, the closure unit, comprising the closure lid and at least one in the de ckelwand of the closure lid with molded cutlery in a working step by means several working sub-steps is produced. The at least one piece of cutlery is formed from a surface portion of the cover wall of the closure lid by forming the thermoplastically deformable material, namely the film web. In order to enable separation of the at least one piece of cutlery from the top wall, at the edge between the at least one piece of cutlery and the remaining, mostly undeformed top wall a separate desired separation area is also formed in the thermoforming process in a working sub-step in the film web. Thus, a production of the closure units is carried out in a very cost-effective method and especially in a high number of cycles. By choosing the thermoforming process high mold cost shares over previously used ter injection molds are avoided. As a result, a high cost advantage is achieved by the GE selected manufacturing process and thus the competitive situation due to the miserable cost pressure substantially improved.

For a better understanding of the invention, this will be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

In each case, in a highly simplified, schematic representation: 1 shows a possible embodiment of a closure unit with a in the top wall with trained cutlery, in perspective view;

Figure 2 is a partial section of the closure unit of Figure 1, in axial section and magnification ßerter representation ..;

Fig. 3 shows a possible tool structure of the thermoforming tool, ge cut in view and highly stylized representation.

Introductoryly it should be noted that in the differently described embodiments, the same parts provided with the same reference numerals or the same component names who the, with the disclosures contained in the entire description mutatis mutandis to equivalent parts with the same reference numerals or the same component names who can. Also, the location information chosen in the description, such as above, un th, laterally, etc. related to the immediately described and illustrated figure and these position information in a change in position mutatis mutandis to transfer to the new location.

The term "in particular" is understood below to mean that it may be a possible more specific training or specification of an object or a procedural step, but not necessarily a compelling, preferred embodiment of the same or a compelling procedure.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a closure unit 1 is shown, which comprises a closure lid 2 and at least one cutlery part 3. The closure lid 2 conventionally comprises a lid wall 4, an apron 5 projecting at least partially from it, and optionally a coupling element 6 as part of a coupling device.

The closure unit 1, in particular the closure lid 2, is usually used for covering or closing an access opening of a Verpackungsbehäl not shown. The packaging container may be cup-shaped or cup-shaped and in turn have a cup wall and a cup bottom. On the side facing away from the bottom of the cup, the cup opening or access opening is arranged. In this open NEN section may be arranged a cup wall in the radial direction superior flange or running approach. The flange or the peripheral approach may form another unspecified coupling element of the coupling device, with wel chem in the closed position, the closure unit 1 can be coupled to the packaging container to egg ner consumption unit.

The packaging container is used in particular to record in his receiving space a certain for Ver Good, in particular a food in it. If the flange is also provided, this can be designed as a so-called sealing flange, and the access opening can be closed with an additional closing element. The United closure element may be formed as a sealing film and referred to as these. If the locking unit 1 is in its coupled closed position on the packaging container, it is to be removed from the packaging container in order to allow access to the receiving space and to detach the cutlery item 3 from the lid wall 4 for its intended use.

As already described above, the closure unit 1 also comprises at least one piece of cutlery 3 in addition to the closure lid 2. The cutlery piece 3 may be e.g. by a Löf fel, a knife, a fork and at least one possible handle extension piece ge forms. It is also possible to provide a plurality of the cutlery parts 3.

In this embodiment of the closure unit 1 shown here, a spoon is selected as the cutlery part 3. For reasons of ease of handling and the simpler and more cost-effective production due, the at least one cutlery 3 after the production of the closure unit 1 is an integral part of the same and formed from the same material.

There are already known solutions of closure units. In a first embodiment form a receiving trough is formed in the closure lid in its top wall, in wel cher, however, the respective cutlery is inserted as an independent part. The Aufnah memulum is usually covered abge after insertion with a film-like closure element. The closure lid is usually produced in a thermoforming process, which can also be referred to as a deep-drawing process. There are also other embodiments of closure units of closure lid and cutlery, which are produced together in an injection molding process. This is very costly because of the molding costs and it is also a longer Her positioning time required per closure unit.

It is provided here that the closure unit 1, namely the closure lid 2 and the at least one cutlery part 3 is formed and manufactured jointly by deep-drawing in one piece and in a thermoforming process.

In Fig. 3 is greatly simplified a possible thermoforming mold 7, namely a deep drawing tool or forming tool, for the manufacture and molding of a closure unit 1 shown. It should be noted that it can also be a multiple tool, by means of which at the same time several of the Verschlusseinhei th 1 can be produced in each forming process.

In a thermoforming process or thermoforming process are the herzu stellenden objects, here the closure units 1, formed from a film web of a thermoplastic ver moldable material by forming and cutting or separating from the film web. For this purpose, to provide a film web or this immediately before the thermoforming process by an extrusion process. The film web to be formed is tempered to the predetermined forming temperature, depending on its material. This can e.g. by heating the previously mostly at room temperature film web or taking advantage of the onsvorgang introduced in the film web by the immediately upstream Extrusi amount of heat.

If the film web thus transported to the required forming temperature is located in the area of the thermoforming tool 7 shown in FIG. 3, the forming takes place and there with the forming of the closure unit 1 from the previously planar film web. At the sem working sub-step in the forming station is depending on the number of individual tools at least one closure cover 2 with the top wall 4 and with the at least partially projecting from the top wall 4 skirt 5 and at least one cutlery 3 in Be rich the top wall 4 formed or reshaped. The cutlery 3 is also during formed the thermoforming process. In the working step, several working part steps are preferably carried out simultaneously or immediately one after the other. This is preferably done in a single tool station, without the working sub-steps are carried out sequentially in their own tool stations.

Since the at least one piece of cutlery 3 is formed as an integral and thus one-piece component of the lid wall 4 forming film web, this is for the bestimmungsge proper use of the top wall 4 herauszulösen. To facilitate this and to be able to carry out without aids, at least one desired separation region 8 is provided, wel cher edge formed between the at least one piece of cutlery 3 and the remaining, remaining top wall 4 in the top wall 4 and thus arranged in this. The desired separation region 8 is understood as a section of the cover wall 4, which is formed of the same depending on the choice thereof. It may be the desired separation area 8 in the direction of its order fang ser stretch fully circumferentially around the at least one piece of cutlery 3 extend around and be formed as this. In the enlarged view of FIG. 2, the desired separation area 8 is shown as a thicker line between the cutlery part 3 and the top wall 4.

Are the working sub-steps of reforming and molding done, the closure unit 1, in particular the closure lid 2 in its outer peripheral region mostly at the end facing away from the top wall 4 of the skirt 5 from the film web by a

Cutting or punching process separated in another working step or cut out. The separation from the film web or the severing of the film web takes place in a first plane 9 indicated in FIG. 3. Depending on the design, length and arrangement of the skirt 5, the position of the plane 9 is variable.

Preferably, the formation of the closure lid 2 and the molding of at least one piece of cutlery 3 in the same working step in the respective working sub-steps. In particular, the working sub-steps are carried out simultaneously. It can also the Abtren NEN of the closure lid 2, in particular the entire closure unit 1, from the film web simultaneously with the molding of the desired separation region 8 are performed. It is even more advantageous if all shaping operations, all molding operations, all molding operations and also the separation from the film web in the same work step by means of the working Sub-steps in the same thermoforming mold 7 are performed. Within the thermoforming mold 7, during the working partial steps, a minimal temporal staggering of the above-described processes can occur relative to each other.

The molding of the desired separation area 8 for at least partially delimiting the at least one cutlery part 3 from the rest of the closure lid 2 is carried out here in a second plane 10. In this embodiment, the two planes 9, 10 in the direction of a lid longitudinal axis 11 or a tool axis spaced from arranged. It would also be possible to arrange the two levels not only parallel to each other, but also in a common plane.

The desired separation region 8 can be formed as varied as possible, this being carried out in the course of the forming and / or molding process in a separate working sub-step. Thus, e.g. the desired separation area 8 may be formed only by a material weakening, in which the thickness or thickness of the film web is reduced in the normal direction with respect to their flat sides with respect to their initial thickness or output strength. The material weakening can also be referred to as reduction of the material or material (material reduction).

The desired separation region 8 could also be formed by a perforation along a Perforationsli never. Furthermore, however, the desired separating region 8 could also be formed in sections along its circumferential extent around the cutlery part 3 by a separating cut 12 that completely penetrates the top wall 4. The only partially provided separation section 12 may preferably be combined with a sectionally along the peripheral extension formed material weakening and / or perforation. Arranging and forming the weakening of the material and the separating cut 12 can also take place alternately in the direction of the circumferential extension of the set separating region 8.

The trained and manufactured by means of the thermoforming process from the film web Ver closed-circuit unit 1 is a one-piece unit, comprising the closure lid 2 with the de ckelwand 4 and with the skirt 5 and the at least one cutlery 3 to see. Only in the case of use, the cutlery 3 is dissolved out of the top wall 4 in the region of the intended target separation area 8. As can be seen from Fig. 3 can still be seen, the thermoforming mold 7 comprises a first tool half 13 and a second mold half 14, which may also be referred to as upper tool and lower tool. The two tool halves 13, 14 are in a known manner by a shaping position in an opening s position and vice versa against each other adjustable. In the area of the produced and to be formed from the film web cover wall 4 is at the edge immediately adjacent to the mold portion for forming the cutlery 3, a mold 15 for forming the desired separation area 8 described above is indicated.

On the side facing away from the manufactured cutlery 3 side of the mold 15 is still simpler 16 shown by means of which the film web at least currency end of the Einformvorgangs the target separation area 8 to the second mold half 14 is suppressed and can be kept fixed relative to the same. The hold-down 16 is disposed immediately adjacent the forming tool 15 and may be e.g. be held by means of Fe derelementen on the first mold half 13 and supported. The working end of the molding tool 15 is located in the working sub-step of forming the desired separation area 8 in the vicinity or directly in the second plane 10. The mold 15 may be formed so that the respective desired and previously described desired separation area 8 um the cutlery 3 can be formed or molded around.

A cutting or separating tool 17 is further shown in the region of the outer peripheral portion of the skirt 5. The working end of the separating tool 17 is located in the working sub-step of forming and separating in the vicinity or directly in the first plane 9. Furthermore, it can be seen that both the mold 15, the hold-16 and the cutting tool 17 on at least one tool part 18th the first or upper work zeughälfte 13 held or attached thereto. The one or more tool parts 18 of the first tool half 13 are preferably supported with the interposition of a damping and / or Fe derelements 19 at a further tool part 20. The or the damping and / or spring elements 19 may for example be plate-shaped and allow vorbe vorbe certain travel. Thus, a rigid and completely unyielding Abstüt tion and investment of the mold 15 and the cutting tool 17 on the second work half of the body 14 can be avoided. The embodiments show possible embodiments, it being noted at this point be that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiments dersel ben, but also various combinations of the individual Ausfüh insurance variants are mutually possible and this variation possibility due to the teaching of technical action representational invention in the skill of those skilled in this technical field.

The scope of protection is determined by the claims. However, the description and drawings are to be considered to interpret the claims. Individual features or feature combinations from the illustrated and described different Ausführungsbeispie len can represent for themselves inventive solutions. The independent inventive solutions underlying task can the description taken from who the.

All information on ranges of values in the present description should be understood to include any and all sub-ranges thereof, e.g. is the statement 1 to 10 to be understood that all sub-areas, starting from the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10 are included, ie. all sub-areas begin with a lower limit of 1 or greater and end at an upper limit of 10 or less, e.g. 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1, or 5.5 to 10.

For the sake of order, it should finally be pointed out that, for a better understanding of the structure, elements have been partially rendered out of scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced Darge. Reference characterization Locking unit

cap

cutlery

cover wall

apron

coupling element

Thermoforming mold

Target separation area

first floor

second level

cover longitudinal axis

separating cut

first tool half

second tool half

mold

Stripper plate

parting tool

tool part

spring element

tool part

Claims

Patent claims

1. A method for producing at least one closure unit (1) for a packaging container in a thermoforming process, comprising the following steps:

Providing or extruding a film web from a thermoplastically deformable material,

Tempering the film web to its forming temperature,

Forming the film web to the at least one closure unit (1), and there at

- Forming a closure lid (2) with a top wall (4) and with an at least partially from the top wall (4) projecting skirt (5), and

Separating the closure lid (2) from the film web in a first plane

(9)

characterized,

that further at least one piece of cutlery (3) in the top wall (4) of the closure lid (2) is formed during the thermoforming process, and

in that a desired separation region (8) is formed on the edge side between the at least one loading plug-in part (3) and the remaining cover wall (4) in the cover wall (4).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the forming of the closure lid (2) and the molding of the at least one cutlery part (3) in the same step, in particular in working partial steps simultaneously performed.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the separation of the closure lid (2) from the film web is carried out simultaneously with the molding of the desired separation region (8).

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the formation of the closure lid (2) and the molding of the at least one cutlery (3) in the same step and at the same time with the separation of the closure lid (2) from the sheets web with the molding of the target Separation region (8) is performed.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the molding of the desired separation region (8) in a second plane (10) is performed and the second plane (10) in the direction of a lid longitudinal axis (11) from the first level ( 9) is arranged at a distance.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the desired separation region (8) is formed in the direction of its circumferential extent fully circumferentially around the at least one piece of cutlery (3) around.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the desired separation region (8) is formed by a material weakening.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the desired separation region (8) is formed by a perforation.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the desired separation region (8) in the direction of its circumferential extent in sections by at least one material weakening and at least one cover wall (4) completely durchset Zenden separating cut (12) is formed.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the Materialschwä monitoring and the complete separation section (12) in the direction of the circumferential extension of the desired separation region (8) are formed alternately.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the film web fixed at least during the Einformvorgangs the target separation region (8) at least partially and immediately adjacent to the desired separation region (8) on the produced from the cutlery (3) side is held.

12. closing unit (1) for a packaging container comprising

a closure lid (2) with a lid wall (4) and with a skirt (5), which apron (5) projects at least partially from the lid wall (4), and

at least one cutlery part (3), which cutlery part (3) of a partial section the lid wall (4) is formed, characterized in that the closure unit (1) is produced according to one of the preceding claims.