Search

EP-4543764-B1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR FORMING PACKAGING JACKETS OPEN ON ONE SIDE FROM PACKAGING JACKETS OPEN ON BOTH SIDES

EP4543764B1EP 4543764 B1EP4543764 B1EP 4543764B1EP-4543764-B1

Inventors

  • RONNEBERGER, Rene
  • MÜLLER, Mario
  • SCHMITT, HEIKO

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20230609

Claims (15)

  1. A method for forming package sleeves (51) for the production of filled packages, - in which package sleeves (51) folded flat along at least two fold lines (54) extending in the longitudinal direction of the package sleeves (51) are transferred from a feeding device (55) to a forming station (56) comprising at least three forming parts (57-60), - in which the transferred package sleeves (51) are held between at least two forming parts (57, 58) in an open position of the forming station (56), - in which the package sleeves (51) held between the at least two forming parts (57, 58) are unfolded and formed by moving the at least three forming parts (57-60) into a closed position of the forming station (56), - in which the unfolded and formed package sleeves (51) are successively removed from the forming station (56) by a removal device (66), and - in which the feeding device (55) and/or the removal device (66) forms a forming part (59, 60) of the forming station (56) for forming the package sleeves (51).
  2. A method according to claim 1, - in which the flat-folded package sleeves (51) are gripped by a gripping unit (67) of the feeding device (55) and transferred from the gripping unit (67) to the forming station (56) and/or - in which the flat-folded package sleeves (51) are held in a stack (53) of flat-folded package sleeves (51) and are sequentially gripped by the feeding device (55) and removed from the stack (53).
  3. A method according to claim 2, - in which the gripping unit (67) forms a forming part of the forming station (56) for forming the package sleeves (51) and - in which, preferably, a side facing away from the package sleeve (51) gripped by the gripping unit (67) forms the side of the forming part (59) that faces the formed package sleeve (51) in the forming station (56) when the forming station (56) is in the closed position.
  4. A method according to claim 2 or 3, - in which the package sleeves (51) are gripped by the gripping unit (67) from a side facing away from the stack (53) and/or facing the forming station (56), and/or - in which the gripping unit (67) with the gripped package sleeve (51) is moved, at least partially and/or in sections, in a translational manner from the stack (53) to the forming station (56) for the transfer of the package sleeve (51) to the forming station (56), and/or - in which the gripping unit (67) is rotated and/or pivoted, at least partially and/or in sections, with the gripped package sleeve (51) to transfer the package sleeve (51) to the forming station (56), and/or - in which the package sleeves (51) are transferred to the forming station (56) in an orientation rotated by at least substantially 180° relative to the orientation of the package sleeves (51) in the stack (53).
  5. A method according to claim 4, - in which the package sleeves (51) are rotated and/or pivoted by the gripping unit (67) about an axis (A) at least substantially perpendicular to the direction of translational transport (R) of the package sleeves (51) and/or - in which the package sleeves (51) are rotated and/or pivoted by the gripping unit (67) about an axis (A) at least substantially parallel to the package sleeves (51), in particular to a central axis of the package sleeves (51), and/or - in which the package sleeves (51) are transported by the gripping unit (67) at least in sections in an overlapping manner, on the one hand translationally and, on the other hand, rotated and/or pivoted before being transferred to the forming station (56),
  6. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, - in which the gripping unit (67) uses a plurality of suction grippers (69) distributed along the length of a strut (68) to grip the package sleeves (51) and/or - in which the gripping unit (67) uses a strut (68) with a side of the forming part (59) that extends along the longitudinal direction of the strut (68) and, in the closed forming station (56), faces toward the package sleeve (51) formed in the forming station (56), for forming the package sleeves (51).
  7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, - in which the formed package sleeves (51) are held by a holding unit (73) of the removal device (66), which holds the formed package sleeves (51) from at least two opposite sides of the package sleeves (51), and are removed from the forming station (56), and - in which, preferably, the package sleeves (51), when the forming station (56) is moved from the closed position to the open position, are brought into frictional engagement with the holding unit (73) by the restoring forces of the package sleeves (51) themselves and/or the holding unit (73) at least in sections forms the side of the forming part (60) that, in the closed position of the forming station (56), faces the package sleeve (51) in the forming station (56).
  8. Method according to claim 7, - in which, in the closed position of the forming station (56), the holding unit (73) engages, on two sides of the package sleeve (51) in the forming station (56) opposite one another, in at least one recess (81) of a respective forming part (57, 58) provided on the respective side, and/or - in which the holding unit (73), in the closed position of the forming station (56), engages on two sides opposite the package sleeve (51) in the closed forming station (56) in at least one gap between at least two forming parts (57, 58) provided on the respective side.
  9. A method according to claim 8, - in which the at least two forming parts (57, 58) on the sides opposite the flat-folded package sleeves (51) are moved, at least in sections, relative to the holding unit (73) engaging in the at least one recess (81) and/or the at least one gap, into the closed position of the forming station (56) and/or - in which the at least two forming parts (57, 58) on the sides opposite the flat-folded package sleeves (51) are moved, at least in sections, relative to the holding unit (73) engaging in the at least one recess (81) and/or the at least one gap, into the open position of the forming station (56).
  10. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, - in which the removal device (66), in particular the holding unit (73), is moved with the formed package sleeve (51) during the adjustment of the forming station (56) to the open position, preferably exclusively, translationally away from the position of the removal device (66), in particular the holding unit (73), in the closed position of the forming station (56) and/or, preferably exclusively, translationally away from the stack (53) of flat-folded package sleeves (51), and/or - in which the formed package sleeve (51) in the open position of the forming station (56) is ejected upward or downward from the removal device (66), in particular the holding unit (73), by a punch (82).
  11. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, - in which the ejected package sleeves (51) are processed in a processing station (78), in particular connected to a spout (79), and - in which the processed package sleeves (51) are taken over by a holding element (77) fixedly connected to the holding unit (73) and - in which, preferably, the package sleeves (51) are held in the holding unit (73) and the holding element (77) at least substantially parallel to one another and/or the package sleeves (51) are moved away from the forming station (56) by the holding element (77) when the forming station (56) is moved to the open position and, if necessary, away from the stack (53) of flat-folded package sleeves (51) and discharged.
  12. Device for forming package sleeves (51) for the production of filled packages, preferably according to one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a forming station (56) for unfolding and forming flat-folded package sleeves (51), a feeding device (55) for feeding flat-folded package sleeves (51) to the forming station (56), and a removal device (66) for removing the unfolded and formed package sleeves (51) from the forming station (56), wherein the forming station (56) comprises at least three forming parts (57-60), wherein the forming parts (57-60) are provided to be movable from an open position of the forming station (56) for transferring flat-folded package sleeves (51) to the forming station (56) to a closed position of the forming station (56) for unfolding and forming the package sleeves (51) and back, characterized in that the feeding device (55) and/or the removal device (66) forms a forming part (59, 60) of the forming station (56) for forming the package sleeves (51).
  13. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the feeding device (55) comprises a gripping unit (67) for gripping flat-folded package sleeves (51) and for transferring the flat-folded package sleeves (51) to the forming station (56), and/or that a stack (53) of flat-folded package sleeves (51) is provided for sequential gripping by the feeding device (55), in particular the gripping unit (67).
  14. A device according to claim 13, characterized in that the gripping unit (67) comprises a strut (68) with a plurality of suction grippers (69) extending along the longitudinal axis of the strut (68) for gripping the package sleeves (51), and/or the gripping unit (67), in particular the side of the strut (68) opposite the suction grippers (69), in the closed position of the forming station (56), forms a forming part (59) of the forming station (56) that, in particular lies against, the formed package sleeve (51) and/or that the gripping unit (67) is connected to a drive for transporting the flat-folded package sleeves (51) to the forming station (56) with a movement that is at least partially an overlapping translational movement on the one hand, and a rotational and/or pivoting movement on the other hand.
  15. Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that a holding unit (73) of the removal device (66) is provided for holding and removing the formed package sleeves (51), and that, in the closed position of the forming station (56), the holding unit (73) engages, on two sides of the package sleeve (51) that are opposite each other, in at least one recess (81) of a forming part (57, 58) provided on each respective side and/or engages in at least one gap between at least two forming parts (57, 58) provided on each respective side, and that, preferably, a holding element (77), which is fixedly connected to the holding unit (73) and can be moved together with the holding unit (73) when the forming station (56) is moved from the open position to the closed position and back, is provided for receiving, holding, and releasing package sleeves (51) that have been processed after being removed from the holding unit (73).

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zum Formen von Packungsmänteln für die Herstellung von gefüllten Packungen. Ferner betrifft die Erfindung eine Vorrichtung zum Formen von Packungsmänteln für die Herstellung von gefüllten Packungen, vorzugsweise nach einem entsprechenden Verfahren, mit einer Formstation zum Auffalten und Formen von flachgefalteten Packungsmänteln, einer Zuführvorrichtung zum Zuführen von flachgefalteten Packungsmänteln zur Formstation und einer Abführeinrichtung zum Abführen der aufgefalteten und geformten Packungsmäntel aus der Formstation, wobei die Formstation wenigstens drei Formteile aufweist, wobei die Formteile von einer offenen Stellung der Formstation zum Übergeben flachgefalteter Packungsmäntel an die Formstation in eine geschlossene Stellung der Formstation zum Auffalten und Formen der Packungsmäntel und zurück verstellbar vorgesehen sind. Verfahren und Vorrichtungen zum Bilden von einseitig offenen Packungskörpern aus beidseitig offenen Packungsmänteln sind bereits seit geraumer Zeit bekannt. Die Verfahren dienen insbesondere dem Herstellen von gefüllten Packungen, wobei auch Verfahren und Vorrichtungen zum Füllen von Packungen mit Produkten in unterschiedlichen Ausgestaltungen bekannt sind. Unter Packungskörpern werden in diesem Zusammenhang Behälter wie beispielsweise Kartonverbundverpackungen verstanden, die wenigstens teilweise aus einem Packstoff in Form eines Laminats umfassend eine Kartonschicht und äußeren, insbesondere thermoplastischen, Kunststoffschichten, etwa aus Polyethylen (PE), gebildet sind. Der Karton verleiht den Packungen eine ausreichende Stabilität, damit die Packungen einfach gehandhabt und beispielsweise gestapelt werden können. Die Kunststoffschichten schützen den Karton vor Feuchtigkeit und die Lebensmittel vor der Aufnahme von unerwünschten Stoffen aus der Packung. Zusätzlich können noch weitere Schichten, wie etwa eine Aluminiumschicht, vorgesehen sein, die eine Diffusion von Sauerstoff und anderen Gasen durch den Packstoff verhindert. Entsprechende Packungskörper werden typischerweise mit Produkten in Form von Lebensmitteln, insbesondere Getränken, gefüllt, wobei als Produkte überwiegend fließfähige Produkte in Frage kommen. Dabei erfolgt insbesondere das Befüllen der Packungskörper mit Lebensmitteln in einer sterilen oder aseptischen Umgebung einer Füllmaschine, da die Lebensmittel nach dem Füllen der Packungen lange haltbar sein sollen. Hierzu weisen die Füllmaschinen beispielsweise Sterilisationsräume bzw. Aseptikkammern auf, in denen die Packungskörper sterilisiert und anschließend unter möglichst sterilen Bedingungen gefüllt sowie verschlossen werden. Nach dem Befüllen der Packungskörper werden diese typischerweise in der Füllmaschine verschlossen. Bei Verwendung entsprechender Packstoffe, erfolgt das Verschließen des Packungskörpers durch Siegeln des offenen Endes. Die Packungskörper werden vorzugsweise auf der Füllmaschine aus Packungsmänteln gebildet, die wiederum aus Packstoffzuschnitten hergestellt werden, und zwar insbesondere durch Siegeln der Längskanten der Packstoffzuschnitte aufeinander. So werden aus einem Packstoff gebildete Packungsmäntel hergestellt, die an den gegenüberliegenden Längsenden offen sind. Die Packungsmäntel werden entlang von Faltlinien vorgefaltet, wodurch Faltkanten geschaffen werden, welche die späteren Kanten der typischerweise einen quadratischen oder rechteckigen Querschnitt bildenden Packung bilden. Zunächst werden die Packungsmäntel jedoch um zwei gegenüberliegende Faltkanten flach gefaltet. Der Packungsmantel bildet dann im Wesentlichen zwei parallel zueinander verlaufende und aufeinander liegende Abschnitte. Die flachgefalteten Packungsmäntel werden als Stapel an ein Magazin der Füllmaschine übergeben. Der vordere Abschnitt des Packungsmantels am vorderen Ende des Stapels wird von Saugnäpfen ergriffen und vom Stapel weg gezogen, wobei sich der Packungsmantel auffaltet, typischerweise bis ein wenigstens im Wesentlichen quadratischer oder rechteckiger Querschnitt gebildet ist. Der entsprechend aufgefaltete Packungsmantel wird sodann auf einen Dorn eines sogenannten Dornrades aufgezogen, wobei der Querschnitt des Dorns dem Querschnitt des Packungsmantels entspricht. Der Packungsmantel steht dabei zunächst über den Dorn nach außen vor, so dass der vorstehende Teil des Packungsmantels gegen die Stirnseite des Dorns gefaltet und dort verpresst und gesiegelt werden kann. Das entsprechende Längsende des Packungsmantels wird so verschlossen und bildet regelmäßig den Boden der späteren gefüllten Packung. Das verschlossene Ende des Packungsmantels könnte alternativ aber auch den Kopf der späteren Packung bilden, wenn diese beispielsweise durch den offenen Boden gefüllt wird. Die einseitig offenen Packungskörper werden in eine Sterilisationszone der Füllmaschine eingeschleust. Dies erfolgt meist, indem die Packungskörper nacheinander an die Packungskörper aufnehmenden Zellen einer Transporteinrichtung übergeben werd