EP1521673B1 - Method and installation for making a tubular package - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a method and an installation for making a tubular package comprising a flexible, fragile and sealed inner sleeve and an outer cardboard body provided with a precut and closed at both ends by two seals. The method for forming the sleeve consists in sealing the two longitudinal ends of the material ( 1 ) exiting from the bobbin ( 1 ) and passing through a shaping unit ( 3 ) enclosing a mandrel ( 4 ); glueing on the sleeve a cardboard ( 6 ) with a satellite device ( 9 ); cutting out the tube(s) obtained with a device ( 12, 13 ) and sealing one of the ends of the package; filling the package with the product to be packaged and sealing the other end. The resulting package is perfectly sealed and can be open by pressing on the cardboard proximate the precut of the tube thereby rupturing the sleeve and opening the package. Such type of package is designed for packaging oblong products.

Description

The present invention relates to a method of manufacture of a tubular packaging comprising a inner sheath made of a waterproof, fragile material and flexible and an outer body made of closed cardboard at both ends by two shutters, the body outside being provided between the two shutters of a pre-cut in a plane transverse to the axis of the tube to facilitate the opening of the packaging, as well that an installation for the implementation of the method.

The most composite composite tubular frequently used includes a body formed of a rigid material consisting of one or more layers of cardboard, an outer label and a interior complex intended to ensure by its composition, on the one hand, the tightness of the packaging and, on the other hand, the compatibility of this complex with the packaged product. Very often, this complex includes a layer of paper, an aluminum layer and a protective coating for contact neutral between the aluminum and the product, as described in the document FR 2 771 334. These packages often have a metal background that is set on the body after filling. The lid is made up often an aluminum membrane ensuring the inviolability of the box and a cover plastic re-entrant or styling allowing, on the one hand to ensure the protection of the front membrane use and, on the other hand, the refilling of packaging after extraction of the membrane.

This type of packaging using several materials for the manufacture of the main body, bottom, cover and protective membrane are relatively expensive and problems at the ecological level, particularly for waste disposal. Indeed, to manufacture these packages, a device for body, we generally report a membrane in aluminum with or without an opening system easy, we place on this membrane a lid molded plastic, of a respectable weight to obtain sufficient rigidity. Closure after filling is crimp type of a bottom metal (steel, tinplate, or aluminum) that is also produced on heavy machinery and complex. Thus, we obtain a solid packaging but costly and making it virtually impossible to recycle because of the different materials composing it. Moreover, opening systems are always made on the top of the box, which makes it impossible to presentation of the product if it is for example salty sticks, long biscuits.

The present invention aims to overcome disadvantages mentioned above by proposing a method of manufacturing an economical package and ecological easy to recycle and able to condition a very large number of products foodstuffs, industrials, and particularly products that must be presented exceeding the body when the lid is removed.

on forme la gaine intérieure en scellant les deux extrémités longitudinales du matériau sortant d'une bobine et passant à travers un conformateur assurant la formation tubulaire de la gaine ;

on colle sur la gaine un carton dont la largeur correspond à la périphérie de l'emballage et la longueur à la hauteur ou un multiple entier de la hauteur de l'emballage ;

on découpe le ou les tubes obtenus ;

on obture de manière étanche l'une des extrémités de l'emballage ;

on remplit l'emballage avec le produit à conditionner et on obture l'autre extrémité également de manière étanche.

The process according to the invention is characterized by the following steps:

forming the inner sheath by sealing the two longitudinal ends of the material emerging from a coil and passing through a shaper ensuring the tubular formation of the sheath;

glue on the sheath a carton whose width corresponds to the periphery of the package and the length to the height or an integer multiple of the height of the package;

the tube or tubes obtained are cut;

sealing one end of the package;

the packaging is filled with the product to be packaged and the other end is sealed also in a sealed manner.

The advantages of packaging according to this method are the following. The fact that the sheath is glued to inside the outer body allows when pressed on pre-cutting by slightly crushing the body outside, to break the sheath at the same time as the precut. Then, applying a pull on both parts of the body, one gets the separation in two parts of the packaging thus allowing present the product that is conditioned and which usually is an oblong product that exceeds the party lower body. The nature of the sheath that is waterproof and fragile allows this achievement while ensuring a perfect seal and proof of the inviolability of the packaging before the first opening.

According to a variant embodiment, it is sealed or we stick inside the tube at the height of the pre-cut a collar made of a flexible material.

The advantage of this collar is that it makes it easy to close the package after have it open. Relative sealing is also assured in this way since the upper part packaging can come to position itself around the collar.

According to another variant embodiment, the tube forming operations, including the sheath formation and the introduction of cardboard outside and cutting in individual packages are carried out continuously and in synchronism, which ensures a good rate of the installation.

Of course, it is possible to perform these step by step operations.

The invention also relates to a installation for implementing the method comprising a forming mandrel whose cross-section corresponds to the shape of the tube to be formed, shaper placed around the chuck for training the sheath from the spool, means of the sheath, means for sealing the two longitudinal ends of the sheath, a sheet feeding device for the external body formation, means of application an adhesive on the inner face of said sheets, means for applying said sheet against the sheath, means for advancing the tube formed, cutting means into packaging shutter means of one of the ends of the package and the second after filling.

This installation allows the formation of the main part of the packaging and in particular the forming the outer body by gluing it directly on the sheath by turning means around the mandrel to apply the sheet directly on the sheath.

According to a variant embodiment, the means applying said sheet against the sheath comprise a first hollow cylinder provided in two generators, a series of radial holes communicating with two individual vacuum chambers, the peripheral distance of two generators at least approximately equal to the width sheets, said hollow cylinder being mounted on a device allowing, on the one hand, to apply it against the chuck and, on the other hand, to make it roll on said mandrel with the sheath.

The advantage of this hollow cylinder is that it lets you grab one end of the sheet which will form the longitudinal joint of the tube by activating the void in one of the rooms, and then take load the cardboard sheet against the cylinder under empty as it revolves around of its axis and when the second end of the sheet arrives on the cylinder, vacuum is activated in the second bedroom, which allows to have the cardboard pressed against the cylinder with the part provided glue to the outside. Then, applying the cylinder against the mandrel with the sheath we wind the cardboard by sticking it directly on the sheath by the the hollow cylinder rolls on the mandrel and so the sheath.

According to a variant embodiment, the means for applying said cylinder to the mandrel and roll it out include two rotating platters concentric with the mandrel and supporting through a system of copying the body shape of the tube to forming bearings supporting said hollow cylinder.

These means make it possible to turn the hollow cylinder around the mandrel 360 °.

According to an alternative embodiment, said copying device is constituted for each plate of two jacks allowing to approach or to move said cylinder away from the mandrel and the hold against the side surface of the mandrel for allow him to roll on the mandrel.

According to a preferred embodiment variant, all the means of the installation is synchronized to allow continuous work, the sheet feeder, the device for applying the adhesive and the device for applying the sheet against the mandrel and the cutting means in individual tubes are mounted on trolleys equipped with means to be able to be moved between predetermined positions in back and forth.

According to another variant embodiment, the arrangement of the shaper and the device to apply the hollow cylinder against the mandrel is arranged so that the joints obtained along the sheath and the outer body are opposed by at least about 180 °.

Finally, according to a preferred embodiment, the installation includes a device for shaping and seal or glue a collar inside the tube.

La figure 1 est une représentation schématique d'une installation pour la formation du tube.

La figure 2 est une variante de la forme du mandrin.

Les figures 3, 4 et 5 montrent de côté le dispositif permettant d'enrouler la feuille de carton sur la gaine.

La figure 6 est une vue en coupe de l'emballage terminé.

La figure 7 montre l'utilisation de cet emballage et notamment son ouverture.

The invention will be described in more detail with the aid of the accompanying drawing.

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an installation for forming the tube.

Figure 2 is a variant of the shape of the mandrel.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 show side device for winding the cardboard sheet on the sheath.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the finished package.

Figure 7 shows the use of this package and in particular its opening.

With the help of Figure 1, we will describe now the main steps of the process.

A coil 1 of a flexible and fragile material, consisting of a waterproof film such as aluminum or plastic barrier film on which a varnished or plastic sealant such as polyethylene is placed on a peeling system 2. This material will form the sheath. Shaping of the sheath is obtained by a shaper 3 surrounding a mandrel 4. The sheath thus formed is driven by two skates belts (not shown in this figure), said pads being driven by a motor and placed on both sides of the mandrel immediately after forming system. In the shaper 3, we realize folding the flexible material on itself to put opposite the sealing layer, so that we obtain a waterproof sheath. The seal is ensured at the exit of the shaper by a device sealing 5 by heat conduction or ultrasound or high frequency or the like. The waterproof sheath thus formed continuously is driven by the skates on the mandrel 4.

As a result of the sealing device is located a stock of hardback 6 sheets with a precut. In the case shown in the figure, each sheet 6 consists of a carton having a length corresponding to two packages, but the number of packages that can be formed with a sheet depends of course on the size of the packaging and the choice we made at the start. Based therefore of greatness one can form from each sheet one or more packages. The store with the sheets 6 is placed vis-à-vis the system of leaf forming and an unstacking system removes the leaves in the store and sends it to a gluing system consisting of two cylinders 7 and 8. On the face of each sheet 6 intended to enter in contact with the sheath, is deposited a glue by the 7. When leaving the sizing system 7, 8, the sheet is supported by a hollow cylinder 9 equipped on two generators with a series of holes 10 (in the figure we see only one series of holes), each series of holes communicating with a vacuum chamber located inside the cylinder, the empty chambers being controlled by a system of individual valves. When the end of the sheet 6 reaches the first set of holes 10, the empty is created in the corresponding room and so the end of the leaf is pressed against the cylinder 9. Thereafter, the cylinder 9 turns around from its axis and when the other end of the sheet reached the second set of holes, the void is also created and in this way the leaf remains completely pressed against the cylinder 9 held by the empty. It is obvious that the distance between the two series of holes is at least approximately equal to the width of the sheet used. Starting from moment, the sheet with the glue lying on the outer face is supported by the 9 cylinder who will move first against the sheath that lies already on the mandrel and will roll against this sheath for apply the sheet. When the cylinder 9 enters contact with the sheath along one of the ends of the sheet, the corresponding vacuum chamber is disabled, so the end of the sheet can stay in contact with the sheath. When the cylinder finishes rolling around the sheath, this is the second end of the sheet that comes into contact and in particular this one overlaps the end already glued against the sheath, we neutralize the second vacuum chamber thus leaving the second end stuck on the first.

The operation will be described in more detail of the cylinder 9 with the aid of FIGS.

Subsequently, the tube thus obtained is taken supported by belt sliders h (like those finding at the output of the shaper and not represented) to advance the thus obtained tube to a cutting or cutting device 13. When the part of the tube is facing the device that is supported by a trolley, the counter-roller 12 and the knives rest against the sheath and turn around the tube to cut the leaf cardboard wrapped and also to cut the sheath which is stuck on the cardboard. When the knives made a full turn, the cylinder 12 and the knife 13 move away and the carriage returns to its place for the suite. We thus obtain at the output of tubes 14 constituting the main body of packaging.

In Figure 2, we have represented a variant of a tube obtained by a similar device, namely an approximately rectangular box. Yes we want to obtain such a package, the mandrel 4 will have a corresponding form. By means of the device described, one can practically obtain any form desired, just have a chuck with this form.

It should be noted that when gluing the sheet 6 on the sheath we made sure that the covering the two glued ends of the sheath and the two ends of the cardboard are in opposition in order to cancel the deformation stresses and also avoid the formation of bulges Bunk.

The different steps previously described can be done step by step, that is after the formation of the sheath, when it comes face to face gluing system of cardboard sheets, the installation stops until the carton is glued, then we go to the knives, we stops and so on. Another possibility, is to do everything continuously and, in this case, the sheet stock 6, the sizing system 7, 8, the vacuum cylinder 9 and the cut-off device 12, 13 are mounted on trolleys following the moving the sheath so that the work can to be done in synchronism. These trolleys perform so a work back and forth between two positions predetermined.

We will now describe using the figures 3, 4 and 5 the device for placing the cardboard on sheath.

In Figure 3, there is shown a side view of device which is made up in principle of two concentric plates 15 with the mandrel 4 supporting the ends of the hollow cylinder 9. The hollow cylinder 9 rests on two bearings 16, one at each end. The bearings 16 are supported by two cylinders 17 mounted on a support 18, the support 18 being secured to the plate 15.

In Figure 3, the position of departure. We see the gluing cylinder 7 which is in contact with a cylinder 7 'which itself takes adhesive or glue in a 7 "container. sheet 6 with its underside provided with glue comes towards the vacuum cylinder 9 and when the end of the sheet reaches the first row of holes 10, the corresponding vacuum chamber (not shown) is activated and the end of the sheet is plated against the cylinder. Subsequently, the cylinder 9 rotates in the direction of the arrow and it drives the sheet 6 held by its end pressed against the cylinder to cause of aspiration through the holes 10. When the second end of the leaf reaches the other series of holes 10 (see Figure 4), the vacuum chamber corresponding is also activated and so the sheet 6 is pressed against the cylinder 9. moment, the two jacks 17 are activated and the cylinder 9 comes to rest against the mandrel 4 carrying the sheath. As soon as the contact between cylinder 6 and chuck 4 is operated, the corresponding row of holes 10 is disabled, which provides the gluing the end of the sheet against the sheath. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 5, the trays 15 turn 360 ° around the mandrel 4 in the direction of the arrow and one thus gets the rolling of the 9 against the mandrel 4, which allows stick the cardboard sheet against the sheath, the cylinder 9 still rolling in the direction of the arrow indicated on the drawing. When the second end of the sheet comes in recovery of the first end, the second set of holes is disabled, which allows to paste the end of the sheet on the first. So, the collage operation cardboard on the sheath is made. Then, jacks 17 move the cylinder 9 away and the process can start again with the next sheet.

As mentioned earlier, these operations can be done in synchronism with the advancement of sheath, the device being mounted on a carriage which moves parallel and at the speed of the sheath, can be done in stages and, in this case, the device for placing the cardboard on the sheath is not moved in the transverse direction and the knives are then placed in opposition of the cylinder under vacuum.

If the mandrel has a different shape, like for example that of Figure 2, the cylinder 9 is follow the outline of the mandrel, the cylinders 17 allowing to adapt to the profile.

Reference is now made to Figure 6 representative in section a package. The box body 20 obtained by this means consists of the sheath inner 21 and outer carton 22 and is placed on a turntable for the establishment of the upper shutter 23, as well as the installation optional flange 24. collar 24 previously formed of flexible cardboard and coated with a sealant-shaped product and with inner dimensions of the box is introduced in lower part. The cardboard collar is glued or sealed at its base 25 by a heated punch at proximity of precut 26 where will be located by the following the opening of the box. The collar is thus climb positioned approximately half on the pre-cut line and the other half above. Her position and profile make it possible to place the lid after opening the box, when all the packaged products are not consumed.

For the upper shutter, a disc in cardboard 32 made of a cardboard similar or identical to the one used for the body of the box is laminated with a barrier film 27 or plastic with a product sealer and cut into shape. He is simultaneously stamped to the shape of the box and placed inside. A tool with a conductive sealing system heat or ultrasound or high frequency place the shutter 23 thus obtained at its sealing position tightly, its wall being glued against that of the body of the box and in particular the sheath 21. On then proceed to the hemming of the body of the box which consists in folding the end of the body 22 towards inside, then press hard to ensure a maintaining the shutter 23. Thereafter, the box is sent to the filling station and when weight control or other controls are operated, we put in place the lower shutter 28 also made of a cardboard disk 29 provided with a barrier film 30 similar or identical to film 27 and subsequently by the same means as before, this shutter is sealed at the bottom of the housing. Before getting this seal, we apply a light vacuum inside the box to compress the volume generated by the background.

The box thus obtained is represented at Figure 7 according to different positions, the box comprising the body 22 with the precut 19 door an indication 30, 31 indicating where it is desirable that the consumer supports, for example, with his inch, to get the tear of pre-cut and in same time to also get the tear of the inner sheath as shown in the second Fig. The indication of where to drive is arbitrary but preferably not where find the longitudinal joints of the sheath and the outer tube.

When we got this opening start, he just apply a pull on the part top of the package to get the tear complete according to pre-cutting as well as carton than the inner sheath that is glued directly on the body and thus get the opening of the packaging allowing to see inside the product. The collar 24 allows when empty by completely packing to put back in place the cover and get an almost waterproof closure.

Claims (10)

1. Manufacturing process of a tubular package including an interior sleeve (21) made of a tight, fragile and flexible material and an external body made of cardboard (6), closed at both ends by two closures (23, 28), the external body being provided, between the two closures, with a precut weakness (26) located in a plan transversal to the tube axis to facilitate the opening of the package, characterized by the following steps:

   the interior sleeve (21) is formed by sealing the two longitudinal ends of a material coming out from a reel (1) and passing through a forming device (3) ensuring the tubular formation of the sleeve,

   a piece of cardboard (6), which width corresponds to the periphery of the final package and which length corresponds to the height or to an integer multiple of the final package height, is stuck on the sleeve (21),

   the tube or tubes (14) obtained is or are cut out;

   one of the ends of the package is tightly sealed;

   the package is filled up with the product to be packed and the other end is also tightly sealed.
2. Manufacturing process according to claim 1, wherein a flange (24) made of a flexible material is sealed or stuck inside the tube and on the part corresponding to the precut weakness (26) of the external body.
3. Manufacturing process according to claim 1, characterized in that the operations for the formation of the package are performed in a continuous and synchronized operation, until the individual tubes (14) are cut out.
4. Installation for the implementation of the manufacturing process according to claim 1, which includes a forming mandrel (4) which cross section corresponds to the shape of the tube to be formed, a forming device (3) placed around the mandrel (4) to form the sleeve (21) coming out from the reel (1), means for the advancement (11) of the sleeve, means for sealing (7, 8, 9, 10) two longitudinal ends of the sleeve (21), a sheet feeding device (6) for the formation of the external body, means (7, 7', 7'') for applying adhesive to the inner face of said sheet (6), means (15, 16, 17, 18) for applying said sheet (6) against the sleeve (21), means for the advancement (11) of the formed tube, means for cutting (12, 13) into individual packages, means for sealing one end of the package and for sealing the second end after filling up the package.
5. Installation according to claim 4, characterized in that the means for applying said sheet against the sleeve comprise a first hollow cylinder (9) provided along two generating lines with a series of radial holes (10) communicating with two individual vacuum chambers, the peripheral distance between two generating lines corresponding at least approximately to the width of the sheets (6), said hollow cylinder (9) being carried on a device (15, 16, 17, 18) allowing, on one hand, to apply it against the mandrel (4) and, on the other hand, to make it roll on and around said mandrel with the sleeve (21).
6. Installation according to claim 5, characterized in that the means allowing to apply said cylinder (9) against the mandrel (4) and to make it roll comprise two rotating plates (15), concentric with mandrel (4), and which support through a system (17) to copy the body shape of the tube to be formed, bearings (16) supporting said hollow cylinder (9).
7. Installation according to claim 6, characterized in that said copying device is made up for each plate (15) of two jacks (17) allowing to move said cylinder (9) towards or away from the mandrel (4) and to hold it against the side surface of the mandrel to allow it to roll on and around the mandrel.
8. Installation according to any of the claims 4 to 7, characterized in that all the means of the installation are synchronized to allow a continuous operation, the sheet feeding device, the device for applying adhesive, the device for applying the sheet against the mandrel and the means for cutting out individual tubes are mounted on carriages provided with means allowing them to be moved between predetermined positions forwards and backwards.
9. Installation according to any of the claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the arrangement of the forming device (3) and the device (15, 16, 17, 18) allowing to apply the hollow cylinder (9) against the mandrel (4) is so arranged that the joints obtained along the sleeve (21) and that of the external body are opposed at least by approximately 180°.
10. Installation according to any of the claims 4 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a device for working and sealing or sticking a flange (24) inside the tube.

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