EP1761433A1

EP1761433A1 - Method and device for packaging products and associated packaging section

Info

Publication number: EP1761433A1
Application number: EP05742745A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alfred Wipf
Original assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Current assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date: 2004-06-24
Filing date: 2005-04-12
Publication date: 2007-03-14
Anticipated expiration: 2025-04-12
Also published as: JP2006528590A; ATE438570T1; EP1761433B1; CA2571496A1; DE502005007854D1; US20080028731A1; WO2006000172A1; CA2571496C; US8448414B2

Abstract

A method for packaging products including the steps of delivering an initial packaging material to a package assembly line; reshaping the initial packaging material into self-supporting initial packages; packaging the products in these initial packages; delivering second packaging material to the package assembly line and packaging the initial packages, filled with the products, in the second packaging material. The initial packaging material is delivered in the form of strip stock which is converted in the package assembly line into individual package blanks; and reshaped into the initial packages. This makes packaging possible in the shortest possible time, with nevertheless high flexibility.

Description

Method and device for packaging products and associated packaging blank

Technical area

The invention relates to a method and a device for packaging products according to the preamble of patent claims 1 and 10 as well as an associated packaging blank according to the preamble of patent claim 12.

State of the art

Automatic packaging devices are known in which products, in particular packaged goods such as biscuits, are first placed in self-supporting primary packaging and subsequently packaged together with their primary packaging in a tubular bag. The primary packaging ensures stability and protects the product. The secondary packaging, that is to say the foil packaging, fulfills the necessary hygiene regulations.

Carton blanks are usually used as primary packaging material, which are taken from a stack and folded and glued in the packaging device. Such a device is known from DE-A-195'29'585.

By means of such cardboard blanks, a wide variety of primary packaging can be formed. For example, completely closed containers, ie all sides, can be produced, as shown in DE-A-195'29'585 and WO 98/15461. However, it is also possible to form U-shaped, C-shaped or G-shaped containers. Depending on the type of cuts and bending edges or bending grooves, the blanks on fold different ways. Further examples are disclosed in WO 00/38997 and US 5'549'202.

Cardboard blanks which serve as packaging for so-called blisters, ie for carriers of pharmaceutical products, such as pills, capsules and tablets, are also known. These carton blanks are converted into briefs, as known, for example, from WO 02/100736 and DE-A-201'05'928 U.

Furthermore, it is known to use strip material, in particular thin films, for the production of non-self-supporting packaging. An example of this is EP-A-I '038'78O.

Presentation of the invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a method and a device which make it possible to package products in self-supporting primary packaging and secondary packaging enveloping the primary packaging in the shortest possible time and which nevertheless have high flexibility.

This object is achieved by a method and a device having the features of claim 1 or 10.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a packaging blank which allows the most cost-effective production of a package.

This object is achieved by a packaging blank having the features of patent claim 12.

In the method according to the invention for packaging products, a strip material is used as the first packaging material which is supplied from a roll of the packaging line. The fed strip material is processed, in particular cut, punched, provided with cracks or grooves or printed. The resulting blanks are redesigned into individual self-supporting primary packaging by folding over individual parts thereof, in particular folding them up or laterally. These primary packaging can be equipped with products or filled and provided with a secondary packaging. The products can be filled or arranged before, during or after the reshaping of the blanks.

The products are usually general cargo, which are placed individually or in groups on a support surface of the primary packaging. However, you can also be already packed yourself. Furthermore, different products can be placed in the same primary packaging or else further products, for example inserts, can be enclosed before attaching the secondary packaging.

The Erstverpaclαingsmaterial is preferably stiffer than the Zweitverpa- ckungsmaterial. This ensures a sufficient stability of the primary packaging and sufficient protection of the products. The first packaging material preferably consists of a cardboard.

With the method according to the invention or the device according to the invention, high packaging speeds can be achieved. Typically achievable values are 400 packages per minute compared to 200 packages per minute, which can usually be achieved using stacked packaging blanks.

Furthermore, the invention enables a large number of variants with regard to packaging type and shape and correspondingly great flexibility. Since the base material is a strip material and not an already predetermined form of packaging Zu¬ cut, in the same machine a variety of forms can be realized, in each case only the cuts and separations of the strip material of the respective packaging task must be adjusted.

The device according to the invention and the method according to the invention are suitable in particular for the development of open primary packaging, so-called trays.

In a preferred embodiment, the primary packaging has a bottom and at least one region, which is folded up with respect to the conveying direction at a front or at a rear end of the bottom and forms front or rear walls. Preferably, side walls running in the conveying direction are also present. The design of the front and rear walls allow a better Fixie¬ tion of the products before they are second-packaged.

In a further preferred embodiment, the packaging blank has bending grooves or weakenings and slots, wherein at least one of these slots extends only over part of the width of the side wall and only over part of the width of the bottom. In this case, one of the bending grooves is arranged adjacent thereto, wherein this bending groove runs at an angle, preferably perpendicular, to this slot. As a result, webs can be folded up, which form a boundary and thus a fixation for the products, without the folded-up surfaces having to be glued together. It saves both material and time. If the slots run parallel and adjacent to the front or rear edge of the packaging blank, this can easily form front or rear stops for the products. It is also possible, in addition to or instead of these near-edge slots, to assign same at any desired location along the length of the packaging blank. As a result, it is possible to form separating webs for the individual products within the primary packaging in a simple manner and without additional material having to be introduced.

Such packaging blanks can also be used in other packaging machines. They do not necessarily have to be present as a strip material, but can also be used as a stacked product.

The invention is particularly suitable for the packaging of pharmaceutical products, such as tablet blister packs. In the latter case, the first package is preferably a letter, ie a so-called wallet. However, the invention is particularly suitable. This is also true for the packaging of piece goods, for example from the food sector. If primary packaging with front or rear stops is used, in particular edgewise biscuits or crackers can be optimally packaged.

A further advantage is that the use of the strip material enables printing of the material before, during or after the conversion into the primary packaging.

Another advantage is that the inventive device can be quickly and easily converted when changing the type of strip material or when changing the product type.

Further advantageous variants and embodiments emerge from the dependent patent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

The subject matter of the invention will be explained below on the basis of preferred embodiments, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a device according to the invention;

Figures 2a to 2d is a schematic representation of the folding of a Erstverpackungszu- cut in four steps according to a first embodiment;

FIGS. 3 a to 3 c show a schematic representation of the folding of a first-packaging section in three steps according to a second embodiment and FIGS

FIG. 4 shows a variant according to FIG. 3 a. Ways to carry out the invention

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus according to the invention for packaging products in a first and in a second packaging. A Erstverpackungsmaterial 1 is wound on a roll of tape 10 and is withdrawn from this as an endless belt by means of be¬ known and not shown here means and led to a packaging line L zu¬. As the primary packaging material, a cardboard or other material having sufficient rigidity is preferably used. The material should be suitable for self-supporting primary packaging.

Already shortly after removal from the roll of tape 10, the material can be provided for the first time with a first printing 12 by means of a first printing unit 2. The strip material is then led through a cutting and grooming unit 3, in which the cuts or bending grooves 11 or weakenings necessary for the transformation are added. In the example shown here, only bending grooves 11 extending in the conveying direction are produced and the individual first packaging blanks 13 are cut to length. The bending grooves 11 ensure that carton blank can be bent at the desired points during the subsequent bending. Instead of the bending grooves can be used in the material weakenings or other means that facilitate bending at specific locations.

The packaging blank 13 has in this example a bottom 14, a first side part 15 and a second side part 16. In the example shown here, these three parts have approximately the same areas. However, this is not absolutely necessary.

The packaging blank 13 can now be filled or it can, as shown here, be printed for the second time. It can also be applied a glue layer. The corresponding printing unit is no longer shown. However, the second printing is provided with the reference numeral 17. In a subsequent folding unit, which is also not shown here, the two side parts 15, 16 are folded up. Preferably, the Umklappachsen run parallel to the conveying direction and thus parallel to the longitudinal seam of the secondary packaging described below. As folding units known means can be used. The first side part 15 is then placed on the floor 14 and in this case now with a product 5, here a B lister, occupied. Subsequently, the second side part 16 is folded down onto the first side part 15. The products 5 can be supplied by known means. They can be poured into the primary packaging. Preferably, however, they are fed via known shafts or so-called pick-and-place robots, in particular by means of a delta robot.

The first packaging thus formed is now fed without interruption of the production of a secondary packaging unit. The feeding preferably takes place by means of the same conveyor, which has already been used during the cutting and reshaping. It is also possible to use a separate supply conveyor of a known type, for example a belt conveyor. In this case, this is preferably operated in synchronism with the first conveyor and also with the subsequently described conveyor of the secondary packaging. Preferably, the packaging line L is straight and horizontal.

The second packaging unit is preferably a horizontal tubular bag machine 6 of a known type. Secondary packaging material 60, preferably a thin film wound on a band roll 61, is fed to a folding unit 63 via withdrawal and deflection rollers 62. There, the strip material is folded into a packaging tube 60 'and the products 5 packed in the primary packaging 4 are inserted into the tube 60'. The filled packaging tube 60 'is longitudinally sealed, which is not shown here. Further, it is passed through a transverse sealing and separating unit 64 where transverse sealing seams are welded into the tube 60 'and the individual tubular pouches 60 "resulting therefrom are either separated or at least provided with perforations for later separation be provided with a Öffhungshilfe. In the figures described below, further preferred embodiments of primary packaging are shown. These primary packaging can be produced in the above-described apparatus from tape and processed without interruption. However, they can also be prefabricated and used as staple goods in a packaging machine of known type.

FIGS. 2a to 2d show a second packaging blank 7. It is substantially rectangular in shape and has a bottom 70, a first side wall 71, a second side wall 72, a front wall 73 and a rear wall 74. Front and rear refers to the respective conveying direction of the blank. Die¬ se conveying direction is shown in the figure with an arrow. The front edge of the front wall 73 or the rear edge of the rear wall 74 preferably runs at least approximately perpendicularly to the conveying direction, and the lateral edges of the side walls 71, 72 run approximately parallel thereto. Bending grooves are also present, wherein two bending grooves 75, 76 extend transversely to the conveying direction and delimit the front and rear walls 73, 74 from the floor 70 and two lateral bending grooves 77, 78 extend parallel to the conveying direction and on the one hand the side walls 71, 72 from the floor 70 subdivide and also extend over the front or rear wall. Preferably, the front and rear walls 73, 74 are formed transversely to the conveying direction shorter than the remaining part, formed by bottom 70 and side walls 71, 72. Corresponding parts can be cut off during cutting of the strip material and lead away. Furthermore, the front and rear walls 73, 74 are preferably provided with a central notch or a V-shaped notch 79 and thus not closed throughout.

In the position according to FIG. 2 a, the packaging blank lies flat on the conveyor (not shown) and products 5 are already placed on the floor 70. The products 5 here already have a pre-packaging in the form of tubular bags. This should only serve as an example.

2b, which represents a subsequent step in the production, the front and rear walls 73, 74 are folded up. This folding up is done with knew the means. For example, in the conveying section lateral or from above or below engaging moths may be present.

Subsequently, the side wings 73 ', 74' of the front and rear walls 73, 74 are laterally folded and on their outer surfaces glue is applied. Again, this is done by known means. This situation is shown in FIG. 2c.

Finally, the side walls 71, 72 are folded up and pressed against the glued side wings 73 ', 74', as can be seen in FIG. 2d.

This packaging has the advantage that the front and rear walls 73, 74 serve as a support and stop for the products 5 arranged in the packaging. It is also possible to fold up only the front wall or only the rear wall. In addition, a lid can still be arranged on a side wall, which is finally folded over running parallel to the ground and optionally fixed in this position.

FIGS. 3 a to 3 c show a third embodiment of a primary packaging. The packaging blank 8 shown in FIG. 3 a again has a bottom 80 and two side walls 81, 81 '. Furthermore, in the longitudinal direction, i. in the conveying direction, and bending grooves 84, 84 'extending parallel to the side edges are present, which extend over the entire length of the blank 8.

Transverse to these bending grooves 84, 84 'and parallel to the front and rear edge of the blank 8, a first and a second front slot 82, 82' and a first and second rear slot 83, 83 'are present. These slots 82, 82 ', 83, 83' are arranged adjacent to the respective front or rear edge and extend only over a part of the width of the bottom 80 and only over part of the width of the side walls 81, 81 '. ,

In the illustration according to FIG. 3b, in turn, products 5 are placed on the floor 80. sets. In the illustration according to FIG. 3c, the slots 82, 82 ', 83, 83' have now been pushed up by means of push-in means of a known type, for example by means of moths engaging obliquely from below into the conveyor track, and webs are thus formed thanks to the bending grooves 84, 84 ' 85, 85 ', 86, 86' formed. These webs 85, 85 ', 86, 86' form front and rear stops for the products 5. At the same time or before or after can also the side walls 81, 81 'fold up with known means. Everything can be bent or folded up by the same means.

This embodiment has the advantage that no adhesive is necessary and that, moreover, it is possible to work with a minimum of cuts and bending grooves. In addition, rectangular carton blanks can be used without parts having to be cut away and removed as waste.

FIG. 4 shows a variant of this embodiment. Here, in addition, there are also central slots 87, 87 ', 88, 88', which can form a central web 89. This middle web 89 can be arranged at arbitrary positions and also several times within the blank 8. Furthermore, it can be used in addition to the edge-near slots 82, 82 ', 83, 83' described above or instead.

Of course, the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention can also be used with other blanks. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 initial molding material 10 tape roll 11 bending groove 12 first printing 13 first printing cut 14 bottom 15 first side part 16 second side part 17 second printing 2 first printing unit 3 cutting and grooming unit 4 primary packaging 5 product 6 horizontal sealing bag machine 60 second packaging material 60 'packaging tube 60 "tubular bag 61 ribbon roll 62 Deflection roller 63 Folding unit 64 Transverse sealing and separating unit 7 Second packaging blank 70 Bottom 71 First side wall 72 Second side wall 73 Front wall 73 'Lateral vane 74 Rear wall 74' Lateral vane i:

75 Front Bend Lug 76 Rear Bend Lug 77 First Lateral Bend Lug 78 Second Lateral Bend Lug 19 Notch 8 Third Packing Cross Section 80 Bottom 81 First Sidewall 81 'Second Sidewall 82 First Front Slot 82' Second Front Slot 83 First Rear Slot 83 'Second Rear Slot 84 First Bend Lug 84 Second Bender Liner 85 First Front Ridge 85 'Second Front Ridge 86 First Rear Ridge 86' Second Rear Ridge 87 First Middle Slot 87 'Second Middle Slot 88 Third Middle Slot 88' Fourth Middle Slot 89 Middle Bar

L packaging line

Claims

claims

A method of packaging products (5), the method comprising the steps of: feeding a primary packaging material (1) to a packaging line (L); Transformation of the primary packaging material (1) into self-supporting primary packaging (4); Packaging the products (5) into these primary packaging (4); Feeding secondary packaging material (60) into the packaging line (L) and packaging the primary packaging (4) filled with the products (5) into the secondary packaging material (60), the process being characterized in that the primary packaging material (1) is in the form of a strip material in that the strip material in the packaging line (L) is converted into individual packaging sections (13, 7, 8) and that the packaging blanks (13, 7, 8) are converted into the primary packaging (4).

A method according to claim 1, wherein a first packaging material (1) is used which is stiffer than the secondary packaging material (60).

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein as the first packaging material (1) cardboard is used.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein as secondary packaging material (60) a strip material, in particular a film is used, which is vor¬ preferably converted into a tubular bag (60 ").

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the packaging line (L) bending grooves (11, 75, 76, 77, 78, 84, 84 ') or weakening in the Erstverpa- be introduced (1).

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the packaging blanks (7, 8) are folded so that with respect to their conveying direction at least one front or a rear stop (73, 73 ', 85, 85') for in the primary packaging (4) arranged products (5) is formed.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the packing blanks (7, 8) are folded such that the primary packs (4) have at least one bottom (70, 80), at least one front or rear stop (73, 73 ', 85, 85 ') and at least two side walls (71, 72, 81, 81') running parallel to the conveying direction.

8. The method according to any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein at least one slot (82, 82 ', 83, 83', 87, 87 ') is cut into the Erstverpackungsmaterial (1), said slot (82, 82', 83 , 83 ', 87, 87') extends over only a part of the width of a future side wall (81, 81 ') and over only a part of the width of a future bottom (80) of the primary packaging (4), and wherein at least a bending groove (84, 84 ') is introduced which extends to the slot (82, 82', 83, 83 ', 87, 87') at an angle, preferably of 90 °.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one slot (82, 82 ', 83, 83', 87, 87 ') at least approximately parallel to an end edge of the Verpackungszu¬ section (8) is mounted and wherein the at least one bending groove ( 84, 84 ') is mounted at least approximately perpendicular to this slot.

10. A device for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the device first supply means for supplying a Erstverpackungs¬ material (1) along a packaging line (L), means for reshaping the Erstverpackungsmaterials (1) in self-supporting Erstverpackungen (4) second supply means for feeding products (5) into the packaging line (L) and for packaging in the primary packaging (4), third supply means for feeding a secondary packaging material (60) along the packaging line (L) and packaging Ver¬ packaging the filled with the products Erstverpackun¬ conditions in the secondary packaging material, characterized in that the Erstverpackungsmaterial (1) from a roll along the packaging line (L) supplied Band material is and that means (3) for cutting and Umgestal¬ th the supplied strip material are present.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the packaging means is a Schlauchbeu¬ telmaschine (6), in particular a horizontal bagging machine, is.

12. Packaging blank (8) for forming a packaging, in particular for use as a primary packaging in a device according to one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the packaging is self-supporting and a bottom (80) and at least one side wall (81, 81 ' ) and wherein the packaging blank (8) has bending grooves (84, 84 ') and slots (82, 82', 83, 83 ', 87, 87'), characterized in that at least one of the slots (84, 84 ') extends over only a part of a width of the side wall (81, 81') and only over a part of a width of the bottom (80) and wherein one of the bending grooves (84, 84 ') adjoins the slot (82, 82') , 83, 83 ', 87, 87'), said bending groove (84, 84 ') being at an angle, in particular perpendicular, to said slot (82, 82', 83, 83 ', 87, 87' ) runs.

13. A packaging blank according to claim 12, wherein the slot (82, 82 ', 83, 83', 87, 87 ') at least approximately parallel to a in the conveying direction of the blank (8) front or rear edge of the blank (8) and the associated Bending groove (84, 84 ') at least approximately perpendicular to this edge.

14. A package blank according to claim 13, wherein there are at least two slots (82, 82 ', 83, 83', 87, 87 ') each extending in one of two opposing side walls (81, 81') these two slots (82, 82 ', 83, 83', 87, 87 ') are arranged equidistantly from the front or rear edge of the blank (8).

The package blank of claim 14, wherein there are at least two such pairs of slots (82, 82 ', 83, 83', 87, 87 ') and wherein the two pairs of slots (82, 82', 83, 83 ', 87, 87' ) are arranged gleichabständig from each other.