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EP2714526B1 - Method for separating a sheet-material tube containing product stacks, packaging installation for implementing the method, and perforated tubular sheet material - Google Patents

Method for separating a sheet-material tube containing product stacks, packaging installation for implementing the method, and perforated tubular sheet material Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2714526B1
EP2714526B1 EP12730148.9A EP12730148A EP2714526B1 EP 2714526 B1 EP2714526 B1 EP 2714526B1 EP 12730148 A EP12730148 A EP 12730148A EP 2714526 B1 EP2714526 B1 EP 2714526B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
perforation
film tube
packaging
film
separation
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP12730148.9A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2714526A1 (en
Inventor
Reiner Seger
Rolf Majewski
Andreas Rinke
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Winkler and Duennebier GmbH
Original Assignee
Winkler and Duennebier GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Winkler and Duennebier GmbH filed Critical Winkler and Duennebier GmbH
Priority to PL12730148T priority Critical patent/PL2714526T3/en
Priority to RS20160284A priority patent/RS54778B1/en
Publication of EP2714526A1 publication Critical patent/EP2714526A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2714526B1 publication Critical patent/EP2714526B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B61/00Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/04Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for severing webs, or for separating joined packages
    • B65B61/12Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for severing webs, or for separating joined packages by tearing along perforations or lines of weakness
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B9/00Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/06Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in a longitudinally-folded web, or in a web folded into a tube about the articles or quantities of material placed upon it
    • B65B9/067Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in a longitudinally-folded web, or in a web folded into a tube about the articles or quantities of material placed upon it the web advancing continuously

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for separating a packaging bag segments containing a plurality of product stacks, in particular of hygiene products, comprising film bag segments which are in each case containing one or two product stacks. It further relates to a packaging installation for packaging products in packaging bags, in particular for carrying out the method, and to a perforated tubular film for use in such a method.
  • Hygiene products such as paper handkerchiefs, panty liners, sanitary napkins, diapers or the like are usually packaged individually or in predetermined batches, for example in the form of five or ten packs, in film and offered ready for consumption or ready for use in this packaged form.
  • the film surrounding the hygiene product or the stack of hygiene products forms a so-called packaging bag, which i.a.
  • packaging bag which i.a.
  • it can be equipped with a perforation for easier opening and / or with adhesive tabs or the like for resealing.
  • other products or product batches such as cigarette packs or the like, can be provided with such a packaging bag in the manner of an overpack.
  • the product in particular the hygiene product or the stack of hygiene products
  • it may be provided, for example, that suitably cut film pieces intended to form the packaging bag are provided in which the product is inserted, the film subsequently being wrapped around it and welded at the edges.
  • a packaging bag for example, from DE 101 48 283 A1 in which a so-called cellular wheel is provided for the actual packaging step.
  • the intended for forming the packaging bag film is first inserted into a chamber of the cell wheel, then a stack of hygiene products is also introduced into the chamber of the cell wheel. Thereafter, the side edges of the film are circumferentially overlapped around the stack of sanitary products and appropriately welded together.
  • a so-called film tube packer can be used, as he, for example, from the DE 10 2008 020 800 A1 is known.
  • the sanitary products or packages of hygiene products to be packaged are positioned in a so-called tubular bag machine in a film tube, which is then welded together and separated between the products.
  • the packaging systems are usually designed in the manner of continuous systems.
  • the products to be packaged are conveyed consecutively, individually or in stacks along a transport direction and surrounded with the packaging bag during the passage through various system components arranged along the transport direction.
  • the above-mentioned film tube systems are generally well suited for high processing speeds and throughput rates, since, for example, during the wrapping of the products or product stack in the tubular film to form the film tube welding of the lateral longitudinal seam from the side, ie in the run and without system standstill, is possible.
  • a film tube packer is known, are packed with the paper rolls in a film tube.
  • lines of weakness are formed transversely to the continuously moving path.
  • the paper rolls are introduced and wrapped with the film.
  • the continued moving at a continuous predetermined speed on a conveyor belt packages are transferred to another conveyor at a higher speed.
  • the film tube is partially severed at its line of weakness by primary crusher, so as to ensure that the tension under tension film tube is not falsely also tearing at other locations.
  • primary crusher which strikes the tensioned film in a predetermined cycle, there is a risk, particularly for packages with opening perforation for easier opening of the packaging, that it tears at undesired locations.
  • the invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a method for separating a film tube containing a plurality of product stacks into packaging bag segments each containing one or two product stacks, with which particularly high throughput and production rates can be achieved. Furthermore, a packaging system which is particularly suitable for carrying out the method and a perforated tubular film which is particularly suitable for use in the method should be specified.
  • this object is achieved according to the invention by providing the tubular film intended for forming the film tube at the intended separation points with a perforation such that the perforation associates a number of opening perforations respectively each opening perforation, each with a substantially rectilinear separation perforation comprising in its central region in a corresponding to the width of the respective opening perforation length a continuous relief section, the product stacks are then wrapped in the tubular film, containing the product stack containing film tube under frictional lateral access in a conveyor system, with a constant first transport speed, to a Separating unit is transported, in which seen in the conveying direction front packaging bag to another conveyor system with respect to he At least temporarily increased conveyor speed is transferred to the conveyor system and thereby the film tube formed is torn apart at the respectively provided separation point, wherein the transport speed of the further conveyor system is impulsively and temporarily increased upon arrival of the front seen in the conveying direction packaging bag.
  • the invention is based on the consideration that in order to achieve particularly high throughput and production rates a continuous and uninterrupted passage of the products or product stack through the packaging system should be sought. In order to prevent system downtimes or even short-term interruptions in the further transport of the products or product stacks as far as possible, all processing steps during the introduction of the products or product stacks into the respective packaging bags should be designed consistently for a continuous operation.
  • the use of cutting means requires that positioning of the cutting means relative to the film tube initially be carried out to perform the cut, so that the separation also takes place at the desired separation point.
  • This positioning, including the subsequent actual cutting process usually requires - on its own Precision reasons - a temporary system downtime that is detrimental to the desired high processing speed.
  • separation should therefore be based on a different concept in principle.
  • the separation of the packaging bag segments should be carried out by tearing the film tube at predetermined separation points.
  • the pre-processing for perforation of the tubular film takes place with the aid of a perforation device provided for this purpose.
  • the pulled down from a supply roll tubular film is thereby perforated, from one side edge of the tubular film to the other side edge, across the entire film web with a continuous perforation. It can be adjusted by a control of the distance between the individual perforations to each other, so that depending on the packaged hygiene product different packaging lengths.
  • the film tube thus always envelops the products to be packaged with a necessary film projection.
  • the supply of the provided with the product stacks film tube is provided in a separation unit.
  • the longitudinal direction of the film tube suitably selected longitudinal forces are applied, which cause a rupture of the film tube to the separation points defined by the perforation.
  • a mechanical, frictional access to the film tube is provided in an advantageous embodiment.
  • This can be done, for example, by conveying the product stack containing film tube in a conveyor system, attack in the conveyor belts with suitably selected, for example, rubberized surface laterally on the film tube.
  • the film tube is guided between a pair of such conveyor belts, so that they support each other and the film tube is guided clamped therebetween.
  • the film tube is expediently transported to a separation unit in which the seen in the conveying direction front packaging bag segment is passed to another conveyor system with compared to the first conveyor system at least temporarily increased transport speed. Due to the excess speed of the receiving conveyor system of the film tube thereby stretched in its longitudinal direction until it breaks at the weak point, namely the separation point provided by the perforation between two product stacks.
  • a particularly high level of reliability in the separation can be achieved by constructing the longitudinal forces required for the separation in the film tube in a particularly advantageous development, particularly in accordance with demand and preferably also synchronized with the working cycle of the corresponding packaging machine provided in any case.
  • the conveying system which takes over the respective packaging bag segment to be cut off or picked up is advantageously not operated with a constant transport speed but with a variably controlled transport speed.
  • the transport speed of the further conveyor system is particularly advantageous when the arrival in the conveying direction front packaging bag segment pulse-like and temporarily, preferably by about 20% - 35%, particularly preferably increased by about 25% - 30%.
  • the separation unit is advantageously designed as a transfer station for the incoming, under frictional lateral access in a conveyor system supplied film tube to another conveyor system compared to the first conveyor system at least temporarily increased transport speed.
  • the separation unit also comprises a control unit for adjusting the transport speed in the further conveyor system.
  • the control unit is expediently designed so that it needs, ie in synchronization with the system clock, the transport speed in the receiving conveyor system briefly and temporarily suitably increased upon arrival of each demolished packaging bag segment, so that jerky a corresponding longitudinal force is introduced into the film tube, the then leads to rupture at the predetermined by the perforation separation point.
  • the conveyor systems are each designed as a belt conveyor with laterally acting on the film tube or the packaging bag segments conveyor belts, the conveyor belts are guided in the region of the transfer station via pulleys.
  • the pulleys are in a particularly advantageous embodiment in their dimensions and / or with respect to the distance of their axes of rotation from each other, especially in the transport direction of the products, adapted to a perforation pattern in the film tube.
  • the design goal of a reliable rupture of the film tube to the designated, provided by the appropriate separation perforation separation points is thereby taken into account that on the one hand the resulting by the deflection of the conveyor belts in the transfer station gap between the access areas of the conveyor systems is sufficiently large, so that the separation perforation at the moment of rupture, so the pulse-like increase in the transport speed in the second conveyor system seen in the transport direction, safely between the access areas of the conveyor systems.
  • the gap between the access areas which is variable in particular by the combination of the diameter of the deflection rollers and the distance from their axes of rotation, should be sufficiently large.
  • this gap should also be sufficiently small, so that even at the moment of rupture sufficient access of the respective conveyor systems on the parts to be separated of the film tube, so both sides of the separation point a sufficiently long contact area of conveyor belt and film tube is given.
  • the last-mentioned aspect can be particularly significant if, in addition to the aforementioned separation perforation in the film tube, a so-called opening perforation is also provided.
  • a so-called opening perforation is also provided.
  • Such an opening perforation is used in particular if, in the finished packaged product, a facilitated opening of the packaging bag for access to the products contained therein is to be provided for the end user.
  • This opening perforation should keep the packaging bag closed until it is opened by the end user; In particular, it should remain undamaged and unopened during the manufacturing and packaging process of the products. It thus represents a particular weak point in packaging, which is preferably taken into account accordingly in the packaging system.
  • the perforation comprises a number of opening perforations, each of which has an arcuate contour and each opening perforation, each having a substantially rectilinear separation perforation, which in its central area is in one of the width of the respective opening perforation corresponding length has a continuous relief section.
  • the advantages achieved by the invention are in particular that a reliable separation under lateral access and thus in continuous operation and without system downtime is possible by the design of the separation or separation system for the film tube on a rupture at provided, in particular by appropriate separation perforations separation points. Thus, particularly high throughput rates in the packaging system can be achieved.
  • the packaging system 1 according to FIG. 1 is intended for packaging hygiene products in packaging bags.
  • tissue handkerchiefs are to be introduced in batches, ie as a stack of individual handkerchiefs, with a batch size of ten each into a packaging bag as hygiene products.
  • other batch sizes such as the packaging of three or five paper tissues in a packaging bag, or other hygiene products such as panty liners, sanitary napkins or the like, could be provided.
  • the packaging system 1 is designed as a so-called film tube packer, in which the paper tissues to be packaged or batch are first taken in a film tube 4.
  • the packaging installation 1 comprises a feed unit 6, via which the paper handkerchiefs in the form of product stacks 8, in each case comprising ten tissue papers lying one on top of the other, are fed to a transport system 10.
  • the feed unit 6 is designed in the exemplary embodiment two lanes, d. H. in the manner of a parallel arrangement of two feed rails 12, the product stacks 8 are fed parallel to each other to the transport system 10.
  • This two-lane arrangement makes it possible, in particular, to bring together a plurality of transport strands for a joint further processing of the product stacks 8. This means that doubled throughput rates in packaging and in the further processing of the product stacks 8 can be achieved compared to the delivery rate of the product stacks 8 during their production.
  • the transport system 10 is u.a. assigned a wrapping station 14, in which in a suitable film storage, for example in the form of rolls or the like, which is provided to form the packaging bag tubular film 16 is provided.
  • a suitably shaped form shoe 18 is provided, via which the tubular film 16 is placed around the product stack 8 transported in the transport system 10, the paper handkerchief being wrapped in the film.
  • the form shoe 18 is designed such that the supplied tubular film completely surrounds the continuous product stacks 8, wherein an overlap of the corresponding edge regions of the film is set on the longitudinal edge of the resulting film tube 4.
  • the impact station 14 is provided with suitable means for local synchronization of the product stack 8 with the tubular film 16.
  • This can be ensured, for example, that a formed by a perforation in the tubular film 16 access opening in the packaging bag is also suitably positioned relative to the embraced in the packaging bag product stack 8.
  • the first welding station 20 has in a lateral arrangement a suitably designed, in particular designed as a welding mirror heater 22, via which the film tube 4 is heated to a sufficiently high temperature for welding. As a result of heating, the overlapping edge areas of Foil welded together, so that in the first welding station 20, the actual film tube 4 is formed.
  • the film tube 4 thus forms a continuous wrapping of several successive product stacks 8 of tissue paper towels.
  • the transport direction of the product stack 8 of the paper tissues on the transport system 10 is indicated. Seen in this transport direction after the first welding station 20, a separating or separating unit 26 is provided, via which the packaging tube 28 containing the hygiene products is separated into packaging bags 28 containing one or two product stacks 8. This singling subsequently enables individualized further processing of individual product stacks 8 wrapped in the film.
  • the transport system 10 opens into a deflection unit 30, in which the packaging bags 28 provided with the hygiene products are rotated relative to the transport direction by a predetermined angle of rotation 32.
  • the angle of rotation 32 is chosen such that after the rotation, a lateral access to the not yet welded end faces 34 of the respective product stack 8-containing packaging bag 28 is possible. Accordingly, the angle of rotation 32 based on the base of the product stack 8 corresponds to the spanned from two sides of the product stack 8 angle.
  • the product stack 8 has a substantially rectangular base area, so that an angle of rotation 32 of 90 ° is selected.
  • the deflection unit 30 is designed such that in the region of the deflection unit 30 - as indicated by the arrow 36 - there is a change in the transport direction of the hygiene products on the transport system 10 by 90 °. This change of the transport direction is provided, without a change in the orientation of the product stack 8 takes place with the surrounding packaging bag 28, so that seen relative to the transport direction, the orientation of the product stack 8 in the deflection unit 30 changes by about 90 °.
  • the packaging bags 28 containing the product stacks 8 can be supplied via the transport system 10 to a downstream second welding station 38.
  • this second welding station 38 the welding of the end faces 34 of the packaging bag 28 takes place, wherein due to the orientation of the stack relative to the transport direction, the welding can also take place from the side.
  • the second welding station 38 also includes laterally arranged heating means 40, which may be embodied, for example, as a heating mirror arranged on both sides of the product flow.
  • the transport system 10 opens into a second welding station 38 downstream cooling device in which a cooling of the freshly welded packaging bag 28 takes place.
  • this design goal is taken into account by the separation or separation of the film tube 4 in individual, one or two product stacks 8-containing packaging bag 28 is designed for rupture of the film tube 4 at designated separation points.
  • the film tube 4, as shown in the enlarged detail in FIG. 2 can be removed, provided at the intended separation points in each case with a separation perforation 48, at the initiation of suitable longitudinal forces in the film tube 4 this tears.
  • the separation unit 26 is designed as a transfer station for the incoming film tube 4 from a first, forming part of the transport system 10 conveyor system 50 to another, also forming part of the transport system 10 conveyor system 52.
  • the film tube 4 is guided under frictional lateral access.
  • the conveyor systems 50, 52 are actuated via an associated control unit 54, wherein in particular the transport speeds are independently adjustable.
  • the transport speed of the other conveyor system 52 is pulse-like and temporarily increased.
  • the further conveyor system 52 thus has a transport speed that is at least temporarily increased compared to the first conveyor system 50.
  • the transport speed of the further conveyor system 52 is preferably increased by about 20% to 35%, preferably by about 25% to 30%, when the packaging bag 28 arrives, compared to the otherwise usual transport speed.
  • the conveyor systems 50, 52 are each designed as a belt conveyor with laterally on the film tube 4 and the packaging bag 28 attacking conveyor belts 60.
  • the conveyor belts are designed, inter alia, for a good frictional engagement with the packaging bags and, in particular with regard to their surface, suitable for the material of the tubular film customized.
  • the friction surfaces of the conveyor belts 60 may also have a suitable coating.
  • the conveyor belts 60 are guided over deflection rollers 62.
  • the deflection rollers 62 can be designed as non-driven, follower rollers. In the exemplary embodiment, however, the deflection rollers 62 are designed as driven, controllable rollers via which the respective conveyor belt 60 is driven.
  • the deflection rollers 62 and their drive motors are connected on the signal input side to the control unit 54.
  • the deflection rollers 62 are adapted in particular in their dimensions and in terms of the distance of their axes of rotation 64 from each other to the perforation pattern in the film tube 4.
  • the positioning of the guide rollers 62 to each other is selected such that the resulting by the deflection of the conveyor belts 60 in the transfer station gap 66 between the access areas 68th , So the areas where the frictional contact between conveyor belt 60 and tubular film 16 is given, the conveyor systems 50, 52 is sufficiently large, so that the separation perforation 48 at the moment of rupture, so the pulse-like increase in the transport speed in the second conveyor system 52, safe between the access areas 68 of the conveyor systems 50, 52 is located.
  • the gap 66 between the access areas 68 is dimensioned sufficiently large.
  • the gap 66 is dimensioned sufficiently small so that even at the moment of rupture there is sufficient and planar contact of the respective conveyor belts 60 with both parts of the film tube 4 to be separated from one another, ie on both sides of the separation point.
  • the tubular film 16 is suitably adapted in the manner of a specifically prepared semi-finished to the intended separation by tearing.
  • the tubular film 16 has a specific predetermined perforation pattern, as in FIG. 4 is shown.
  • the separation perforation 48 is applied, which specifies the separation points for the subsequent separation of the film tube 4 in the packaging bag 28.
  • the separation perforations 48 are in particular also suitably positioned in relation to a printing of the tubular film, so that the desired optical and aesthetic impression is produced in the finished packaging bag 28.
  • the perforation also has a number of opening perforations 70 each designed as a curved contour.
  • Such an opening perforation 70 is used in particular when, in the finished packaged product, a facilitated opening of the packaging bag 28 for access to the products contained therein is to be provided for the end user.
  • This opening perforation 70 is intended to keep the packaging bag 28 closed until it is opened by the end user; In particular, it should remain undamaged and unopened during the manufacturing and packaging process of the products. It thus represents a particular weak point in packaging.
  • the perforation of the tubular film 16 assigned to each opening perforation 70 in the adjacent separation perforation 48 has a continuous relief cut 74. This is positioned in the central region of the respective separation perforation 48 and dimensioned in a corresponding to the width of the respective opening perforation 70 length.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Wrappers (AREA)
  • Battery Mounting, Suspending (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zum Vereinzeln eines eine Mehrzahl von Produktstapeln, insbesondere von Hygieneprodukten, beinhaltenden Folienschlauchs in jeweils einen oder zwei Produktstapel beinhaltende Verpackungsbeutelsegmente. Sie bezieht sich weiter auf eine Verpackungsanlage zum Verpacken von Produkten in Verpackungsbeutel, insbesondere zur Durchführung des Verfahrens, und auf eine perforierte Schlauchfolie zur Verwendung in einem derartigen Verfahren.The invention relates to a method for separating a packaging bag segments containing a plurality of product stacks, in particular of hygiene products, comprising film bag segments which are in each case containing one or two product stacks. It further relates to a packaging installation for packaging products in packaging bags, in particular for carrying out the method, and to a perforated tubular film for use in such a method.

Hygieneprodukte wie beispielsweise Papiertaschentücher, Slipeinlagen, Damenbinden, Windeln oder dergleichen werden üblicherweise einzeln oder in vorgegebenen Chargen, beispielsweise in der Art von Fünfer- oder Zehnerpacks, in Folie verpackt und in dieser verpackten Form verbrauchs- oder gebrauchsfertig angeboten. Die das Hygieneprodukt bzw. den Stapel der Hygieneprodukte umgebende Folie bildet dabei einen so genannten Verpackungsbeutel, der u.a. beispielsweise mit einer Perforation zum erleichterten Öffnen und/oder mit Klebelaschen oder dergleichen zum Wiederverschließen ausgerüstet sein kann. Gleichermaßen können auch andere Produkte oder Produktchargen, wie beispielsweise Zigarettenpackungen oder dergleichen, mit einem derartigen Verpackungsbeutel in der Art einer Umverpackung versehen werden.Hygiene products such as paper handkerchiefs, panty liners, sanitary napkins, diapers or the like are usually packaged individually or in predetermined batches, for example in the form of five or ten packs, in film and offered ready for consumption or ready for use in this packaged form. The film surrounding the hygiene product or the stack of hygiene products forms a so-called packaging bag, which i.a. For example, it can be equipped with a perforation for easier opening and / or with adhesive tabs or the like for resealing. Likewise, other products or product batches, such as cigarette packs or the like, can be provided with such a packaging bag in the manner of an overpack.

Zum Einbringen des Produkts, insbesondere des Hygieneprodukts oder des Stapels von Hygieneprodukten, in den Verpackungsbeutel kann es beispielsweise vorgesehen sein, dass geeignet zugeschnittene, zur Bildung des Verpackungsbeutels vorgesehene Folienstücke bereitgestellt werden, in die das Produkt eingelegt wird, wobei die Folie anschließend um dieses herumgeschlagen und an den Rändern verschweißt wird. Ein derartiges Konzept zum Verpacken von Hygieneprodukten in einen Verpackungsbeutel ist beispielsweise aus der DE 101 48 283 A1 bekannt, bei der ein so genanntes Zellenrad für den eigentlichen Verpackungsschritt vorgesehen ist. Dabei wird die zur Bildung des Verpackungsbeutels vorgesehene Folie zunächst in eine Kammer des Zellenrades eingelegt, wobei sodann ein Stapel von Hygieneprodukten ebenfalls in die Kammer des Zellenrades eingebracht wird. Anschließend werden die Seitenränder der Folie umlaufend um den Stapel von Hygieneprodukten herum in Überlappung gebracht und miteinander geeignet verschweißt.For introducing the product, in particular the hygiene product or the stack of hygiene products, into the packaging bag, it may be provided, for example, that suitably cut film pieces intended to form the packaging bag are provided in which the product is inserted, the film subsequently being wrapped around it and welded at the edges. Such a concept for packaging hygiene products in a packaging bag, for example, from DE 101 48 283 A1 in which a so-called cellular wheel is provided for the actual packaging step. In this case, the intended for forming the packaging bag film is first inserted into a chamber of the cell wheel, then a stack of hygiene products is also introduced into the chamber of the cell wheel. Thereafter, the side edges of the film are circumferentially overlapped around the stack of sanitary products and appropriately welded together.

Alternativ kann auch ein so genannter Folienschlauch-Verpacker zum Einsatz kommen, wie er beispielsweise aus der DE 10 2008 020 800 A1 bekannt ist. In einem derartigen System werden die zu verpackenden Hygieneprodukte bzw. Stapel von Hygieneprodukten in einer so genannten Schlauchbeutelmaschine in einen Folienschlauch positioniert, der dann zwischen den Produkten zusammengeschweißt und getrennt wird.Alternatively, a so-called film tube packer can be used, as he, for example, from the DE 10 2008 020 800 A1 is known. In such a system, the sanitary products or packages of hygiene products to be packaged are positioned in a so-called tubular bag machine in a film tube, which is then welded together and separated between the products.

Gerade beim Verpacken von Hygieneprodukten, die in besonders großer Stückzahl hergestellt werden, wie beispielsweise Papiertaschentücher, Slipeinlagen, Damenbinden oder dergleichen, ist eine hohe Bearbeitungsgeschwindigkeit und Durchsatzrate beim Verpacken der Produkte wünschenswert. Aus diesem Grund werden die Verpackungssysteme üblicherweise in der Art von Durchlaufsystemen ausgelegt. Bei diesen werden die zu verpackenden Produkte aufeinander folgend, einzeln oder stapelweise entlang einer Transportrichtung weiterbefördert und während des Durchlaufs durch verschiedene, entlang der Transportrichtung angeordnete Systemkomponenten mit dem Verpackungsbeutel umgeben. Insbesondere die genannten Folienschlauchsysteme sind für hohe Bearbeitungsgeschwindigkeiten und Durchsatzraten grundsätzlich gut geeignet, da beispielsweise beim Einschlagen der Produkte oder Produktstapel in die Schlauchfolie zur Bildung des Folienschlauchs ein Verschweißen der seitlichen Längsnaht von der Seite her, also im Durchlauf und ohne Systemstillstand, möglich ist. Um diesen Vorteil gerade bei Folienschlauchsystemen auch im Gesamtprozess nutzbar zu machen, besteht das Bestreben, auch die nachfolgenden Bearbeitungsschritte für entsprechend hohe Durchsatzraten geeignet zu ertüchtigen. Dies betrifft insbesondere das gerade in Folienschlauchsystemen notwendige Vereinzeln der Verpackungsbeutel durch geeignetes Zertrennen des Folienschlauchs sowie den nachfolgenden weiteren Schweißschritt zum Verschweißen der Stirnseiten.Especially when packaging hygiene products that are produced in particularly large numbers, such as paper tissues, panty liners, sanitary napkins or the like, a high processing speed and throughput rate when packaging the products is desirable. For this reason, the packaging systems are usually designed in the manner of continuous systems. In these, the products to be packaged are conveyed consecutively, individually or in stacks along a transport direction and surrounded with the packaging bag during the passage through various system components arranged along the transport direction. In particular, the above-mentioned film tube systems are generally well suited for high processing speeds and throughput rates, since, for example, during the wrapping of the products or product stack in the tubular film to form the film tube welding of the lateral longitudinal seam from the side, ie in the run and without system standstill, is possible. In order to make use of this advantage also in the case of film tube systems in the overall process, there is an endeavor to make the subsequent processing steps suitable for correspondingly high throughput rates. This applies in particular to the separation of the packaging bags, which is necessary in film tube systems in particular, by suitable dicing of the film tube and the subsequent further welding step for welding the end faces.

Aus der US 4 430 844 A ist ein Folienschlauch-Verpacker bekannt, mit dem Papierrollen in einen Folienschlauch verpackt werden. In den Folienschlauch werden quer zur kontinuierlich weiterbewegten Bahn Schwächungslinien gebildet. Zwischen die Schwächungslilnien werden die Papierrollen eingeführt und mit der Folie umhüllt. Die mit einer kontinuierlichen vorbestimmten Geschwindigkeit über ein Transportband weiterbewegten Verpackungen werden an ein weiteres Transportband mit einer höheren Geschwindigkeit übergeben. Vor dieser Übergabe wird der Folienschlauch an seiner Schwächungslinie durch Vorbrecher teilweise durchtrennt, damit gewährleistet ist, dass der unter Zugspannung stehende Folienschlauch nicht fälschlicherweise an anderen Stellen ebenfalls einreißt. Durch den Einsatz eines derartigen Vorbrechers, der in einem vorgegebenen Takt auf die unter Zugspannung stehende Folie schlägt, besteht, insbesondere für Verpackungen mit Öffnungsperforation zum leichteren Öffnen der Verpackung, die Gefahr, dass diese an nicht gewünschten Stellen einreißt.From the US 4 430 844 A a film tube packer is known, are packed with the paper rolls in a film tube. In the film tube lines of weakness are formed transversely to the continuously moving path. Between the weakening lilies, the paper rolls are introduced and wrapped with the film. The continued moving at a continuous predetermined speed on a conveyor belt packages are transferred to another conveyor at a higher speed. Before this transfer, the film tube is partially severed at its line of weakness by primary crusher, so as to ensure that the tension under tension film tube is not falsely also tearing at other locations. Through the use of such a primary crusher, which strikes the tensioned film in a predetermined cycle, there is a risk, particularly for packages with opening perforation for easier opening of the packaging, that it tears at undesired locations.

Der Erfindung liegt daher die Aufgabe zu Grunde, ein Verfahren zum Vereinzeln eines eine Mehrzahl von Produktstapeln beinhaltenden Folienschlauchs in jeweils einen oder zwei Produktstapel beinhaltende Verpackungsbeutelsegmente anzugeben, mit dem besonders hohe Durchsatz- und Produktionsraten erreichbar sind. Des Weiteren sollen eine zur Durchführung des Verfahrens besonders geeignete Verpackungsanlage sowie eine zur Verwendung in dem Verfahren besonders geeignete perforierte Schlauchfolie angegeben werden.The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a method for separating a film tube containing a plurality of product stacks into packaging bag segments each containing one or two product stacks, with which particularly high throughput and production rates can be achieved. Furthermore, a packaging system which is particularly suitable for carrying out the method and a perforated tubular film which is particularly suitable for use in the method should be specified.

Bezüglich des Verfahrens wird diese Aufgabe erfindungsgemäß gelöst, indem die zur Bildung des Folienschlauchs vorgesehene Schlauchfolie an den vorgesehenen Trennstellen derart mit einer Perforation versehen wird, dass die Perforation eine Anzahl von jeweils als Bogenkontur ausgeführten Öffnungsperforationen und jeder Öffnungsperforation zugeordnet jeweils eine im Wesentlichen geradlinig ausgeführte Trennungsperforation umfasst, die in ihrem Zentralbereich in einer zur Breite der jeweiligen Öffnungsperforation korrespondierenden Länge einen durchgehenden Entlastungsschnitt aufweist, die Produktstapel anschließend in die Schlauchfolie eingeschlagen werden, der die Produktstapel beinhaltende Folienschlauch unter reibschlüssigem seitlichem Zugriff in einem Fördersystem, mit einer konstanten ersten Transportgeschwindigkeit, zu einer Trenneinheit befördert wird, in der der in Förderrichtung gesehen vordere Verpackungsbeutel an ein weiteres Fördersystem mit im Vergleich zum ersten Fördersystem zumindest zeitweise erhöhter Transportgeschwindigkeit übergeben wird und dadurch der gebildete Folienschlauch an der jeweils vorgesehenen Trennstelle auseinandergerissen wird, wobei die Transportgeschwindigkeit des weiteren Fördersystems beim Eintreffen des in Förderrichtung gesehen vorderen Verpackungsbeutels impulsartig und vorübergehend erhöht wird.With regard to the method, this object is achieved according to the invention by providing the tubular film intended for forming the film tube at the intended separation points with a perforation such that the perforation associates a number of opening perforations respectively each opening perforation, each with a substantially rectilinear separation perforation comprising in its central region in a corresponding to the width of the respective opening perforation length a continuous relief section, the product stacks are then wrapped in the tubular film, containing the product stack containing film tube under frictional lateral access in a conveyor system, with a constant first transport speed, to a Separating unit is transported, in which seen in the conveying direction front packaging bag to another conveyor system with respect to he At least temporarily increased conveyor speed is transferred to the conveyor system and thereby the film tube formed is torn apart at the respectively provided separation point, wherein the transport speed of the further conveyor system is impulsively and temporarily increased upon arrival of the front seen in the conveying direction packaging bag.

Die Erfindung geht dabei von der Überlegung aus, dass zur Erreichung besonders hoher Durchsatz- und Produktionsraten ein möglichst kontinuierlicher und unterbrechungsfreier Durchlauf der Produkte oder Produktstapel durch das Verpackungssystem angestrebt werden sollte. Um dabei Systemstillstände oder auch kurzfristige Unterbrechungen des Weitertransports der Produkte oder Produktstapel weitestgehend zu verhindern, sollten sämtliche Bearbeitungsschritte beim Einbringen der Produkte oder Produktstapel in die jeweiligen Verpackungsbeutel konsequent für einen Durchlaufbetrieb ausgelegt sein. Die herkömmlichen Methoden zur Vereinzelung der in den Folienschlauch eingeschlagenen Produktstapel, bei denen durch geeignete Schneidmittel wie beispielsweise Schneidmesser oder auch thermische Mittel wie beispielsweise Schweißeinheiten die Trennung benachbarter Verpackungsbeutelsegmente voneinander erfolgt, sind hierfür aber gerade nicht geeignet. Die Verwendung von Schneidmitteln bedingt nämlich in der Regel, dass zur Durchführung des Schnitts zunächst eine Positionierung des Schneidmittels relativ zum Folienschlauch vorgenommen werden muss, damit die Trennung auch an der gewünschten Trennstelle erfolgt. Diese Positionierung einschließlich des anschließend vorgenommenen eigentlichen Schneidvorgangs bedingt üblicherweise - allein schon aus Genauigkeitsgründen - einen für die gewünschte hohe Bearbeitungsgeschwindigkeit nachteiligen vorübergehenden Systemstillstand.The invention is based on the consideration that in order to achieve particularly high throughput and production rates a continuous and uninterrupted passage of the products or product stack through the packaging system should be sought. In order to prevent system downtimes or even short-term interruptions in the further transport of the products or product stacks as far as possible, all processing steps during the introduction of the products or product stacks into the respective packaging bags should be designed consistently for a continuous operation. The conventional methods for separating the wrapped in the film tube product stack, where the separation of adjacent packaging bag segments from each other by suitable cutting means such as cutting blades or thermal means such as welding units, but are just not suitable for this purpose. As a rule, the use of cutting means requires that positioning of the cutting means relative to the film tube initially be carried out to perform the cut, so that the separation also takes place at the desired separation point. This positioning, including the subsequent actual cutting process usually requires - on its own Precision reasons - a temporary system downtime that is detrimental to the desired high processing speed.

Um dem entgegenzuwirken, sollte die Vereinzelung daher vom Grundsatz her auf einem andersartigen Konzept aufgebaut sein. Dazu ist nunmehr vorgesehen, dass die Vereinzelung der Verpackungsbeutelsegmente durch Zerreißen des Folienschlauchs an zuvor festgelegten Trennstellen erfolgen soll. Dazu wird zunächst die zur Bildung des Folienschlauchs vorgesehene Schlauchfolie in der Art einer Vorverarbeitung mit einer geeigneten Perforation versehen, die beim Anlegen geeigneter Längskräfte das Zerreißen des Folienschlauchs an den gewünschten Trennstellen gewährleistet. Die Vorverarbeitung zur Perforation der Schlauchfolie erfolgt mit Hilfe einer dafür vorgesehenen Perforationsvorrichtung. Die von einer Vorratsrolle heruntergezogene Schlauchfolie wird dabei, von einem Seitenrand der Schlauchfolie zum anderen Seitenrand, quer über die gesamte Folienbahn mit einer durchgehenden Perforationslinie perforiert. Dabei kann durch eine Steuerung der Abstand der einzelnen Perforationen zueinander eingestellt werden, so dass je nach einzupackendem Hygieneprodukt unterschiedliche Verpackungslängen entstehen. Der Folienschlauch umhüllt somit die zu verpackenden Produkte immer mit einem nötigen Folienüberstand.To counteract this, separation should therefore be based on a different concept in principle. For this purpose, it is now provided that the separation of the packaging bag segments should be carried out by tearing the film tube at predetermined separation points. For this purpose, first provided for forming the film tube tubular film in the manner of preprocessing with a suitable perforation, which ensures the rupture of the film tube at the desired separation points when creating appropriate longitudinal forces. The pre-processing for perforation of the tubular film takes place with the aid of a perforation device provided for this purpose. The pulled down from a supply roll tubular film is thereby perforated, from one side edge of the tubular film to the other side edge, across the entire film web with a continuous perforation. It can be adjusted by a control of the distance between the individual perforations to each other, so that depending on the packaged hygiene product different packaging lengths. The film tube thus always envelops the products to be packaged with a necessary film projection.

Nach dem anschließenden Einschlagen der Produktstapel in die solchermaßen vorbereitete Schlauchfolie und dem Verschweißen der seitlichen Längsnaht zur Bildung des Folienschlauchs ist die Zuführung des mit den Produktstapeln versehenen Folienschlauchs in eine Trenneinheit vorgesehen. In dieser werden in Längsrichtung des Folienschlauchs gesehen geeignet gewählte Längskräfte aufgebracht, die ein Zerreißen des Folienschlauchs an den durch die Perforation definierten Trennstellen bewirken.After the subsequent impact of the product stack in the thus prepared tubular film and the welding of the lateral longitudinal seam to form the film tube, the supply of the provided with the product stacks film tube is provided in a separation unit. In this, seen in the longitudinal direction of the film tube suitably selected longitudinal forces are applied, which cause a rupture of the film tube to the separation points defined by the perforation.

Um die zur Trennung der einzelnen Verpackungsbeutelsegmente erforderlichen Längskräfte zuverlässig und verzögerungsfrei in den Folienschlauch einzubringen, ist in vorteilhafter Ausgestaltung ein mechanischer, reibschlüssiger Zugriff auf den Folienschlauch, bevorzugt von der Seite her, vorgesehen. Dies kann beispielsweise erfolgen, indem der die Produktstapel beinhaltende Folienschlauch in einem Fördersystem gefördert wird, bei dem Transportbänder mit geeignet gewählter, beispielsweise gummierter Oberfläche seitlich an den Folienschlauch angreifen. Vorzugsweise wird der Folienschlauch dabei zwischen einem Paar derartiger Transportbänder geführt, so dass diese sich gegenseitig abstützen und der Folienschlauch dazwischenliegend geklemmt geführt wird. Zur Trennung durch Zerreißen wird der Folienschlauch dabei zweckmäßigerweise zu einer Trenneinheit befördert, in der das in Förderrichtung gesehen vordere Verpackungsbeutelsegment an ein weiteres Fördersystem mit im Vergleich zum ersten Fördersystem zumindest zeitweise erhöhter Transportgeschwindigkeit übergeben wird. Durch den Geschwindigkeitsüberschuss des übernehmenden Fördersystems wird der Folienschlauch dabei in seiner Längsrichtung gedehnt, bis er an der Schwachstelle, nämlich der durch die Perforation vorgesehenen Trennstelle zwischen zwei Produktstapeln, zerreißt.In order to reliably and without delay introduce the longitudinal forces required for the separation of the individual packaging bag segments into the film tube, a mechanical, frictional access to the film tube, preferably from the side, is provided in an advantageous embodiment. This can be done, for example, by conveying the product stack containing film tube in a conveyor system, attack in the conveyor belts with suitably selected, for example, rubberized surface laterally on the film tube. Preferably, the film tube is guided between a pair of such conveyor belts, so that they support each other and the film tube is guided clamped therebetween. For separation by tearing the film tube is expediently transported to a separation unit in which the seen in the conveying direction front packaging bag segment is passed to another conveyor system with compared to the first conveyor system at least temporarily increased transport speed. Due to the excess speed of the receiving conveyor system of the film tube thereby stretched in its longitudinal direction until it breaks at the weak point, namely the separation point provided by the perforation between two product stacks.

Eine besonders hohe Zuverlässigkeit bei der Trennung ist erreichbar, indem in besonders vorteilhafter Weiterbildung die für die Trennung im Folienschlauch benötigten Längskräfte besonders bedarfsgerecht und vorzugsweise auch synchronisiert mit dem ohnehin vorgesehenen Arbeitstakt der entsprechenden Verpackungsmaschine aufgebaut werden. Dazu wird vorteilhafterweise das das jeweils abzutrennende oder anzureißende Verpackungsbeutelsegment übernehmende Fördersystem nicht mit konstanter, sondern mit variabel angesteuerter Transportgeschwindigkeit betrieben. Besonders vorteilhaft wird dazu die Transportgeschwindigkeit des weiteren Fördersystems beim Eintreffen des in Förderrichtung gesehen vorderen Verpackungsbeutelsegments impulsartig und vorübergehend, bevorzugt um etwa 20% - 35%, besonders vorzugsweise um etwa 25% - 30%, erhöht. Durch eine derartige, vergleichsweise abrupte Geschwindigkeitserhöhung kann das Zerreißen an der durch die entsprechende Perforation definierten Trennstelle besonders weitgehend begünstigt werden.A particularly high level of reliability in the separation can be achieved by constructing the longitudinal forces required for the separation in the film tube in a particularly advantageous development, particularly in accordance with demand and preferably also synchronized with the working cycle of the corresponding packaging machine provided in any case. For this purpose, the conveying system which takes over the respective packaging bag segment to be cut off or picked up is advantageously not operated with a constant transport speed but with a variably controlled transport speed. For this purpose, the transport speed of the further conveyor system is particularly advantageous when the arrival in the conveying direction front packaging bag segment pulse-like and temporarily, preferably by about 20% - 35%, particularly preferably increased by about 25% - 30%. By means of such a comparatively abrupt increase in speed, the rupture at the separation point defined by the corresponding perforation can be promoted to a particularly large extent.

Bezüglich der Verpackungsanlage zum Verpacken von Hygieneprodukten in Verpackungsbeutel wird die genannte Aufgabe gelöst mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 5.With regard to the packaging installation for packaging hygiene products in packaging bags, the stated object is achieved with the features of claim 5.

Um dabei die Vereinzelung durch Zerreißen auf besonders einfache Weise sicherzustellen, ist die Trenneinheit vorteilhafterweise als Übergabestation für den eintreffenden, unter reibschlüssigem seitlichem Zugriff in einem Fördersystem zugeführten Folienschlauch an ein weiteres Fördersystem mit im Vergleich zum ersten Fördersystem zumindest zeitweise erhöhter Transportgeschwindigkeit ausgeführt. In weiterer, besonders vorteilhafter Ausgestaltung umfasst die Trenneinheit zudem eine Steuereinheit zur Einstellung der Transportgeschwindigkeit im weiteren Fördersystem. Die Steuereinheit ist dabei zweckmäßigerweise derart ausgelegt, dass sie bedarfsgerecht, also in Synchronisation mit dem Systemtakt, beim Eintreffen des jeweils abzureißenden Verpackungsbeutelsegments, die Transportgeschwindigkeit im übernehmenden Fördersystem kurzzeitig und vorübergehend geeignet erhöht, so dass ruckartig eine entsprechende Längskraft in den Folienschlauch eingeleitet wird, die dann zum Zerreißen an der durch die Perforation vorgegebenen Trennstelle führt.In order to ensure the separation by tearing in a particularly simple manner, the separation unit is advantageously designed as a transfer station for the incoming, under frictional lateral access in a conveyor system supplied film tube to another conveyor system compared to the first conveyor system at least temporarily increased transport speed. In a further, particularly advantageous embodiment, the separation unit also comprises a control unit for adjusting the transport speed in the further conveyor system. The control unit is expediently designed so that it needs, ie in synchronization with the system clock, the transport speed in the receiving conveyor system briefly and temporarily suitably increased upon arrival of each demolished packaging bag segment, so that jerky a corresponding longitudinal force is introduced into the film tube, the then leads to rupture at the predetermined by the perforation separation point.

Vorteilhafterweise sind die Fördersysteme dabei jeweils als Bandförderer mit seitlich an den Folienschlauch bzw. die Verpackungsbeutelsegmente angreifenden Transportbändern ausgeführt, wobei die Transportbänder im Bereich der Übergabestation über Umlenkrollen geführt sind.Advantageously, the conveyor systems are each designed as a belt conveyor with laterally acting on the film tube or the packaging bag segments conveyor belts, the conveyor belts are guided in the region of the transfer station via pulleys.

Um dabei einen besonders störungsfreien Verfahrensablauf zu ermöglichen, sind die Umlenkrollen in besonders vorteilhafter Ausgestaltung in ihrer Dimensionierung und/oder hinsichtlich des Abstandes ihrer Drehachsen voneinander, insbesondere in Transportrichtung der Produkte gesehen, an ein Perforationsmuster im Folienschlauch angepasst. Vorzugsweise ist dabei dem Auslegungsziel eines zuverlässigen Zerreißens des Folienschlauchs an den dafür vorgesehenen, durch die entsprechende Trennungsperforation vorgegebenen Trennstellen dadurch Rechnung getragen, dass einerseits die durch die Umlenkung der Transportbänder im Bereich der Übergabestation entstehende Lücke zwischen den Zugriffsbereichen der Fördersysteme ausreichend groß ist, so dass die Trennungsperforation im Moment des Zerreißens, also der impulsartigen Erhöhung der Transportgeschwindigkeit im in Transportrichtung gesehen zweiten Fördersystem, sicher zwischen den Zugriffsbereichen der Fördersysteme liegt. Dazu sollte die - insbesondere durch die Kombination von Durchmesser der Umlenkrollen und Abstand von deren Drehachsen zueinander variierbare - Lücke zwischen den Zugriffsbereichen ausreichend groß bemessen sein. Andererseits sollte diese Lücke aber auch ausreichend klein bemessen sein, so dass auch im Moment des Zerreißens ein ausreichender Zugriff der jeweiligen Fördersysteme auf die zu trennenden Teile des Folienschlauchs, also beidseitig der Trennstelle ein ausreichen langer Kontaktbereich von Transportband und Folienschlauch, gegeben ist.In order to allow a particularly trouble-free operation, the pulleys are in a particularly advantageous embodiment in their dimensions and / or with respect to the distance of their axes of rotation from each other, especially in the transport direction of the products, adapted to a perforation pattern in the film tube. Preferably, the design goal of a reliable rupture of the film tube to the designated, provided by the appropriate separation perforation separation points is thereby taken into account that on the one hand the resulting by the deflection of the conveyor belts in the transfer station gap between the access areas of the conveyor systems is sufficiently large, so that the separation perforation at the moment of rupture, so the pulse-like increase in the transport speed in the second conveyor system seen in the transport direction, safely between the access areas of the conveyor systems. For this purpose, the gap between the access areas, which is variable in particular by the combination of the diameter of the deflection rollers and the distance from their axes of rotation, should be sufficiently large. On the other hand, this gap should also be sufficiently small, so that even at the moment of rupture sufficient access of the respective conveyor systems on the parts to be separated of the film tube, so both sides of the separation point a sufficiently long contact area of conveyor belt and film tube is given.

Der letztgenannte Aspekt kann insbesondere bedeutsam sein, wenn zusätzlich zu der genannten Trennungsperforation im Folienschlauch auch noch eine so genannte Öffnungsperforation vorgesehen ist. Eine derartige Öffnungsperforation kommt insbesondere dann zum Einsatz, wenn im fertig verpackten Produkt für den Endverbraucher ein erleichtertes Öffnen des Verpackungsbeutels zum Zugriff auf die darin enthaltenen Produkte bereitgestellt werden soll. Diese Öffnungsperforation soll den Verpackungsbeutel so lange verschlossen halten, bis das Öffnen durch den Endverbraucher erfolgt; sie soll also insbesondere während des Herstellungs- und Verpackungsprozesses der Produkte unbeschädigt und ungeöffnet bleiben. Sie stellt somit eine besondere Schwachstelle beim Verpacken dar, die vorzugsweise in der Verpackungsanlage entsprechend berücksichtigt ist. Dem ist vorteilhafterweise bei der Dimensionierung und Positionierung der Umlenkrollen dadurch Rechnung getragen, dass im Moment des Zerreißens der beidseitige Zugriff der Transportbänder über die jeweilige Öffnungsperforation durchgängig hinausgeht und diese damit sichert, so dass beim Zerreißen durch den entsprechenden seitlichen Zugriff der Transportbänder die Einleitung von Längskräften in den Folienschlauch im Bereich der jeweiligen Öffnungsperforation vermieden ist.The last-mentioned aspect can be particularly significant if, in addition to the aforementioned separation perforation in the film tube, a so-called opening perforation is also provided. Such an opening perforation is used in particular if, in the finished packaged product, a facilitated opening of the packaging bag for access to the products contained therein is to be provided for the end user. This opening perforation should keep the packaging bag closed until it is opened by the end user; In particular, it should remain undamaged and unopened during the manufacturing and packaging process of the products. It thus represents a particular weak point in packaging, which is preferably taken into account accordingly in the packaging system. This is advantageously taken into account in the dimensioning and positioning of the pulleys, that at the moment of tearing the two-sided access of the conveyor belts on the respective opening perforation consistently goes and this secures so that when tearing by the corresponding lateral access of the conveyor belts, the introduction of longitudinal forces is avoided in the film tube in the region of the respective opening perforation.

Bezüglich der perforierten Schlauchfolie wird die genannte Aufgabe gelöst, indem die Perforation eine Anzahl von jeweils als Bogenkontur ausgeführten Öffnungsperforationen und jeder Öffnungsperforation zugeordnet jeweils eine im Wesentlichen geradlinig ausgeführte Trennungsperforation umfasst, die in ihrem Zentralbereich in einer zur Breite der jeweiligen Öffnungsperforation korrespondierenden Länge einen durchgehenden Entlastungsschnitt aufweist. Durch diese Anordnung der jeweiligen Teilperforationen können die beim Zerreißen in den Folienschlauch eingeleiteten Längskräfte derart kontrolliert und geführt werden, dass die - aus den oben genannten Gründen vergleichsweise empfindliche - Öffnungsperforation beim Trennen weitegehend geschont werden kann. Durch den Entlastungsschnitt wird insbesondere vermieden, dass gerade im Mittenbereich der Folie zu hohe Zugspannungen in die Öffnungsperforation gelangen und diese belasten können. Damit können selbst unter Berücksichtigung der vergleichsweise empfindlichen Öffnungsperforation zuverlässige Trennergebnisse bei hohen Durchsatzraten erreicht werden.With regard to the perforated tubular film, the stated object is achieved in that the perforation comprises a number of opening perforations, each of which has an arcuate contour and each opening perforation, each having a substantially rectilinear separation perforation, which in its central area is in one of the width of the respective opening perforation corresponding length has a continuous relief section. As a result of this arrangement of the respective partial perforations, the longitudinal forces introduced during tearing into the film tube can be controlled and guided in such a way that the opening perforation, which is comparatively sensitive for the above-mentioned reasons, can be spared during separation. By means of the relief cut it is avoided, in particular, that tensile stresses which are too high in the center region of the film can penetrate into the opening perforation and load it. Thus, even taking into account the relatively sensitive opening perforation reliable separation results can be achieved at high throughput rates.

Die mit der Erfindung erzielten Vorteile bestehen insbesondere darin, dass durch die Auslegung des Trenn- oder Vereinzelungssystems für den Folienschlauch auf ein Zerreißen an vorgesehenen, insbesondere durch entsprechende Trennperforationen vorgegebenen Trennstellen eine zuverlässige Vereinzelung unter seitlichem Zugriff und damit im Durchlaufbetrieb und ohne Systemstillstände möglich ist. Damit sind besonders hohe Durchsatzraten in der Verpackungsanlage erreichbar.The advantages achieved by the invention are in particular that a reliable separation under lateral access and thus in continuous operation and without system downtime is possible by the design of the separation or separation system for the film tube on a rupture at provided, in particular by appropriate separation perforations separation points. Thus, particularly high throughput rates in the packaging system can be achieved.

Ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung wird anhand einer Zeichnung näher erläutert. Darin zeigen:

FIG. 1
eine Verpackungsanlage zum Verpacken von Hygieneprodukten,
FIG. 2
die Verpackungsanlage nach FIG. 1 im Ausschnitt mit einer Trenneinheit,
FIG. 3
die Trenneinheit nach FIG. 2 im Ausschnitt vergrößert, und
FIG. 4
ein Perforationsmuster einer perforierten Schlauchfolie.
An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. Show:
FIG. 1
a packaging plant for packaging hygiene products,
FIG. 2
the packaging plant FIG. 1 in the cutout with a separation unit,
FIG. 3
the separation unit after FIG. 2 in the section enlarged, and
FIG. 4
a perforation pattern of a perforated tubular film.

Gleiche Teile sind in allen Figuren mit denselben Bezugszeichen versehen.Identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

Die Verpackungsanlage 1 gemäß FIG. 1 ist zum Verpacken von Hygieneprodukten in Verpackungsbeutel vorgesehen. Im Ausführungsbeispiel sollen dabei als Hygieneprodukte Papiertaschentücher chargenweise, also als Stapel einzelner Taschentücher, mit einer Chargengröße von jeweils zehn Stück in jeweils einen Verpackungsbeutel eingebracht werden. Alternativ könnten selbstverständlich aber auch andere Chargengrößen, beispielsweise die Verpackung von drei oder fünf Papiertaschentüchern in einen Verpackungsbeutel, oder auch andere Hygieneprodukte wie beispielsweise Slipeinlagen, Damenbinden oder dergleichen, vorgesehen sein.The packaging system 1 according to FIG. 1 is intended for packaging hygiene products in packaging bags. In the exemplary embodiment, tissue handkerchiefs are to be introduced in batches, ie as a stack of individual handkerchiefs, with a batch size of ten each into a packaging bag as hygiene products. Alternatively, of course, other batch sizes, such as the packaging of three or five paper tissues in a packaging bag, or other hygiene products such as panty liners, sanitary napkins or the like, could be provided.

Die Verpackungsanlage 1 ist dabei als so genannter Folienschlauch-Verpacker ausgelegt, bei dem die zu verpackenden Papiertaschentücher chargen- oder stapelweise zunächst in einen Folienschlauch 4 eingeschlagen werden. Dazu umfasst die Verpackungsanlage 1 eine Zuführeinheit 6, über die die Papiertaschentücher in Form von Produktstapeln 8, jeweils umfassend zehn übereinander liegende Papiertaschentücher, einem Transportsystem 10 zugeführt werden. Die Zuführeinheit 6 ist dabei im Ausführungsbeispiel zweibahnig ausgeführt, d. h. in der Art einer parallelen Anordnung zweier Zuführschienen 12 werden die Produktstapel 8 parallel zueinander dem Transportsystem 10 zugeführt. Diese zweibahnige Anordnung ermöglicht insbesondere die Zusammenführung mehrerer Transportstränge für eine gemeinsame Weiterverarbeitung der Produktstapel 8. Damit sind - im Vergleich zur Bereitstellungsrate der Produktstapel 8 bei deren Herstellung - verdoppelte Durchsatzraten beim Verpacken und bei der Weiterverarbeitung der Produktstapel 8 erreichbar.The packaging system 1 is designed as a so-called film tube packer, in which the paper tissues to be packaged or batch are first taken in a film tube 4. For this purpose, the packaging installation 1 comprises a feed unit 6, via which the paper handkerchiefs in the form of product stacks 8, in each case comprising ten tissue papers lying one on top of the other, are fed to a transport system 10. The feed unit 6 is designed in the exemplary embodiment two lanes, d. H. in the manner of a parallel arrangement of two feed rails 12, the product stacks 8 are fed parallel to each other to the transport system 10. This two-lane arrangement makes it possible, in particular, to bring together a plurality of transport strands for a joint further processing of the product stacks 8. This means that doubled throughput rates in packaging and in the further processing of the product stacks 8 can be achieved compared to the delivery rate of the product stacks 8 during their production.

Dem Transportsystem 10 ist u.a. eine Einschlagstation 14 zugeordnet, in der in einem geeigneten Folienspeicher, beispielsweise in Form von Rollen oder dergleichen, die zur Bildung der Verpackungsbeutel vorgesehene Schlauchfolie 16 vorgehalten ist. In der Einschlagstation 14 ist ein geeignet geformter Formschuh 18 vorgesehen, über den die Schlauchfolie 16 um die im Transportsystem 10 transportierten Produktstapel 8 gelegt wird, wobei die Papiertaschentücher in die Folie eingeschlagen werden. Der Formschuh 18 ist dabei derart ausgestaltet, dass die zugeführte Schlauchfolie die durchlaufenden Produktstapel 8 vollständig umgibt, wobei an der Längskante des dabei entstehenden Folienschlauchs 4 eine Überlappung der entsprechenden Kantenbereiche der Folie eingestellt wird.The transport system 10 is u.a. assigned a wrapping station 14, in which in a suitable film storage, for example in the form of rolls or the like, which is provided to form the packaging bag tubular film 16 is provided. In the impact station 14, a suitably shaped form shoe 18 is provided, via which the tubular film 16 is placed around the product stack 8 transported in the transport system 10, the paper handkerchief being wrapped in the film. The form shoe 18 is designed such that the supplied tubular film completely surrounds the continuous product stacks 8, wherein an overlap of the corresponding edge regions of the film is set on the longitudinal edge of the resulting film tube 4.

Die Einschlagstation 14 ist dabei mit geeigneten Mitteln zur örtlichen Synchronisierung der Produktstapel 8 mit der Schlauchfolie 16 versehen. Dabei ist insbesondere vorgesehen, die Produktstapel 8 relativ zur Schlauchfolie 16 korrekt zu positionieren, so dass die Lage der Produktstapel 8 relativ zu einer auf der Schlauchfolie 16 aufgebrachten Bedruckung und/oder relativ zu einer darin eingebrachten Perforation vorgegebene Randbedingungen erfüllt. Damit kann beispielsweise sichergestellt sein, dass eine durch eine Perforation in der Schlauchfolie 16 gebildete Zugriffsöffnung im Verpackungsbeutel auch geeignet relativ zum in den Verpackungsbeutel eingeschlagenen Produktstapel 8 positioniert ist.The impact station 14 is provided with suitable means for local synchronization of the product stack 8 with the tubular film 16. In this case, provision is made, in particular, for the product stacks 8 to be positioned correctly relative to the tubular film 16, so that the position of the product stacks 8 satisfies the boundary conditions imposed relative to a printing applied to the tubular film 16 and / or relative to a perforation introduced therein. This can be ensured, for example, that a formed by a perforation in the tubular film 16 access opening in the packaging bag is also suitably positioned relative to the embraced in the packaging bag product stack 8.

Über das Transportsystem 10 sind die zu verpackenden Hygieneprodukte von der Einschlagstation 14 aus gemeinsam mit der sie umgebenden Schlauchfolie 16 einer nachgelagerten ersten Schweißstation 20 zuführbar. Die erste Schweißstation 20 weist dabei in seitlicher Anordnung eine geeignet ausgelegte, insbesondere als Schweißspiegel ausgestaltete Heizeinrichtung 22 auf, über die der Folienschlauch 4 auf eine zum Schweißen ausreichend hohe Temperatur beheizbar ist. Infolge der Beheizung werden die überlappenden Randbereiche der Folie miteinander verschweißt, so dass in der ersten Schweißstation 20 der eigentliche Folienschlauch 4 entsteht. Der Folienschlauch 4 bildet somit eine durchgehende Umhüllung mehrerer aufeinander folgender Produktstapel 8 von Papiertaschentüchern.About the transport system 10, the hygiene products to be packaged from the impact station 14 together with the surrounding tubular film 16 of a downstream first welding station 20 can be fed. The first welding station 20 has in a lateral arrangement a suitably designed, in particular designed as a welding mirror heater 22, via which the film tube 4 is heated to a sufficiently high temperature for welding. As a result of heating, the overlapping edge areas of Foil welded together, so that in the first welding station 20, the actual film tube 4 is formed. The film tube 4 thus forms a continuous wrapping of several successive product stacks 8 of tissue paper towels.

Durch den Pfeil 24 ist die Transportrichtung der Produktstapel 8 der Papiertaschentücher auf dem Transportsystem 10 angedeutet. In dieser Transportrichtung gesehen nach der ersten Schweißstation 20 ist eine Vereinzelungs- oder Trenneinheit 26 vorgesehen, über die der mit den Hygieneprodukten versehene Folienschlauch 4 in jeweils einen oder zwei Produktstapel 8 beinhaltende Verpackungsbeutel 28 vereinzelt wird. Diese Vereinzelung ermöglicht nachfolgend eine individualisierte Weiterverarbeitung jeweils einzelner in die Folie eingeschlagener Produktstapel 8.By the arrow 24, the transport direction of the product stack 8 of the paper tissues on the transport system 10 is indicated. Seen in this transport direction after the first welding station 20, a separating or separating unit 26 is provided, via which the packaging tube 28 containing the hygiene products is separated into packaging bags 28 containing one or two product stacks 8. This singling subsequently enables individualized further processing of individual product stacks 8 wrapped in the film.

Nach der Vereinzelung der Produktstapel 8 mündet das Transportsystem 10 in eine Umlenkeinheit 30, in der die mit den Hygieneprodukten versehenen Verpackungsbeutel 28 relativ zur Transportrichtung um einen vorgegebenen Verdrehwinkel 32 gedreht werden. Der Verdrehwinkel 32 ist dabei derart gewählt, dass nach der Drehung ein seitlicher Zugriff auf die noch nicht verschweißten Stirnseiten 34 des den jeweiligen Produktstapel 8 beinhaltenden Verpackungsbeutels 28 möglich ist. Dementsprechend entspricht der Verdrehwinkel 32 basierend auf der Grundfläche des Produktstapels 8 dem von zwei Seiten des Produktstapels 8 aufgespannten Winkel. Im Ausführungsbereich weist der Produktstapel 8 eine im Wesentlichen rechteckige Grundfläche auf, so dass ein Verdrehwinkel 32 von 90° gewählt ist.After the product stack 8 has been separated, the transport system 10 opens into a deflection unit 30, in which the packaging bags 28 provided with the hygiene products are rotated relative to the transport direction by a predetermined angle of rotation 32. The angle of rotation 32 is chosen such that after the rotation, a lateral access to the not yet welded end faces 34 of the respective product stack 8-containing packaging bag 28 is possible. Accordingly, the angle of rotation 32 based on the base of the product stack 8 corresponds to the spanned from two sides of the product stack 8 angle. In the execution area, the product stack 8 has a substantially rectangular base area, so that an angle of rotation 32 of 90 ° is selected.

Im Ausführungsbeispiel ist die Umlenkeinheit 30 dabei derart ausgestaltet, dass im Bereich der Umlenkeinheit 30 - wie durch den Pfeil 36 angedeutet - eine Änderung der Transportrichtung der Hygieneprodukte auf dem Transportsystem 10 um 90° erfolgt. Diese Änderung der Transportrichtung ist dabei vorgesehen, ohne dass eine Änderung der Orientierung der Produktstapel 8 mit dem sie umgebenden Verpackungsbeutel 28 erfolgt, so dass sich relativ zur Transportrichtung gesehen die Orientierung der Produktstapel 8 in der Umlenkeinheit 30 um etwa 90° ändert.In the exemplary embodiment, the deflection unit 30 is designed such that in the region of the deflection unit 30 - as indicated by the arrow 36 - there is a change in the transport direction of the hygiene products on the transport system 10 by 90 °. This change of the transport direction is provided, without a change in the orientation of the product stack 8 takes place with the surrounding packaging bag 28, so that seen relative to the transport direction, the orientation of the product stack 8 in the deflection unit 30 changes by about 90 °.

Von der Umlenkeinheit 30 aus sind die die Produktstapel 8 enthaltenden Verpackungsbeutel 28 über das Transportsystem 10 einer nachgeschalteten zweiten Schweißstation 38 zuführbar. In dieser zweiten Schweißstation 38 erfolgt die Verschweißung der Stirnseiten 34 der Verpackungsbeutel 28, wobei auf Grund der Orientierung der Stapel relativ zur Transportrichtung auch hier die Verschweißung von der Seite her erfolgen kann. Dazu umfasst die zweite Schweißstation 38 ebenfalls seitlich angeordnete Heizmittel 40, die beispielsweise als beidseitig zum Produktstrom angeordnete Heizspiegel ausgeführt sein können.From the deflection unit 30, the packaging bags 28 containing the product stacks 8 can be supplied via the transport system 10 to a downstream second welding station 38. In this second welding station 38, the welding of the end faces 34 of the packaging bag 28 takes place, wherein due to the orientation of the stack relative to the transport direction, the welding can also take place from the side. For this purpose, the second welding station 38 also includes laterally arranged heating means 40, which may be embodied, for example, as a heating mirror arranged on both sides of the product flow.

Anschließend mündet das Transportsystem 10 in eine der zweiten Schweißstation 38 nachgeschaltete Kühleinrichtung, in der eine Abkühlung der frisch verschweißten Verpackungsbeutel 28 erfolgt.Subsequently, the transport system 10 opens into a second welding station 38 downstream cooling device in which a cooling of the freshly welded packaging bag 28 takes place.

Die Verpackungsanlage 1 ist ebenso wie ihre Komponenten für eine besonders hohe Durchsatzrate beim Verpacken der Produktstapel 8 ausgelegt. Bezüglich der Trenneinheit 26 wird diesem Auslegungsziel Rechnung getragen, indem die Vereinzelung oder Trennung des Folienschlauchs 4 in einzelne, jeweils einen oder zwei Produktstapel 8 beinhaltende Verpackungsbeutel 28 zum Zerreißen des Folienschlauchs 4 an dafür vorgesehenen Trennstellen ausgelegt ist. Dazu ist der Folienschlauch 4, wie dies der ausschnittsweise vergrößerten Darstellung in FIG. 2 entnehmbar ist, an den vorgesehenen Trennstellen jeweils mit einer Trennungsperforation 48 versehen, an der bei der Einleitung geeigneter Längskräfte in den Folienschlauch 4 dieser zerreißt. Für das Zerreißen des Folienschlauchs 4 ist die Trenneinheit 26 als Übergabestation für den eintreffenden Folienschlauch 4 von einem ersten, einen Teil des Transportsystems 10 bildenden Fördersystem 50 an ein weiteres, ebenfalls einen Teil des Transportsystems 10 bildendes Fördersystem 52 ausgeführt. In den Fördersystemen 50, 52 wird der Folienschlauch 4 unter reibschlüssigem seitlichem Zugriff geführt. Die Fördersysteme 50, 52 sind dabei über eine zugeordnete Steuereinheit 54 ansteuerbar, wobei insbesondere die Transportgeschwindigkeiten unabhängig voneinander einstellbar sind. Für die vorgesehene Trennung oder Vereinzelung des Folienschlauchs 4 durch Zerreißen erfolgt dabei die Ansteuerung der Fördersysteme 50, 52 derart, dass bei der Übergabe des vom ersten Fördersystem 50 eintreffenden Folienschlauchs 4 an das nachfolgende Fördersystem 52 in einem geeigneten Moment, nämlich insbesondere wenn sich die vorgesehene durch die Trennperforation 48 gebildete Trennstelle gerade zwischen den beiden Fördersystemen 50, 52 befindet, die Transportgeschwindigkeit des weiteren Fördersystems 52 impulsartig und vorübergehend erhöht wird. In diesem vorübergehenden Moment weist das weitere Fördersystem 52 somit eine im Vergleich zum ersten Fördersystem 50 zumindest zeitweise erhöhte Transportgeschwindigkeit auf.The packaging installation 1, like its components, is designed for a particularly high throughput rate in the packaging of the product stacks 8. With respect to the separation unit 26, this design goal is taken into account by the separation or separation of the film tube 4 in individual, one or two product stacks 8-containing packaging bag 28 is designed for rupture of the film tube 4 at designated separation points. For this purpose, the film tube 4, as shown in the enlarged detail in FIG FIG. 2 can be removed, provided at the intended separation points in each case with a separation perforation 48, at the initiation of suitable longitudinal forces in the film tube 4 this tears. For the rupture of the film tube 4, the separation unit 26 is designed as a transfer station for the incoming film tube 4 from a first, forming part of the transport system 10 conveyor system 50 to another, also forming part of the transport system 10 conveyor system 52. In the conveyor systems 50, 52, the film tube 4 is guided under frictional lateral access. The conveyor systems 50, 52 are actuated via an associated control unit 54, wherein in particular the transport speeds are independently adjustable. For the intended separation or separation of the film tube 4 by tearing the control of the conveyor systems 50, 52 is carried out such that upon the transfer of the incoming from the first conveyor 50 film tube 4 to the subsequent conveyor system 52 at a suitable moment, namely, in particular if the intended separating point formed by the separation perforation 48 just between the two conveyor systems 50, 52, the transport speed of the other conveyor system 52 is pulse-like and temporarily increased. In this temporary moment, the further conveyor system 52 thus has a transport speed that is at least temporarily increased compared to the first conveyor system 50.

Die Transportgeschwindigkeit des weiteren Fördersystems 52 wird dabei vorzugsweise beim Eintreffen des Verpackungsbeutels 28 um etwa 20% - 35%, vorzugsweise um etwa 25% - 30%, gegenüber der ansonsten üblichen Transportgeschwindigkeit erhöht.The transport speed of the further conveyor system 52 is preferably increased by about 20% to 35%, preferably by about 25% to 30%, when the packaging bag 28 arrives, compared to the otherwise usual transport speed.

Wie der vergrößerten Darstellung in FIG. 3 entnehmbar ist, sind die Fördersysteme 50, 52 jeweils als Bandförderer mit seitlich an den Folienschlauch 4 bzw. die Verpackungsbeutel 28 angreifenden Transportbändern 60 ausgeführt. Hinsichtlich Materialwahl sind die Transportbänder dabei unter anderem für einen guten Reibschluß mit den Verpackungsbeuteln ausgeführt und dabei insbesondere hinsichtlich ihrer Oberfläche geeignet an das Material der Schlauchfolie angepasst. Insbesondere können die Reib-Oberflächen der Transportbänder 60 auch eine geeignete Beschichtung aufweisen.As the enlarged view in FIG. 3 can be removed, the conveyor systems 50, 52 are each designed as a belt conveyor with laterally on the film tube 4 and the packaging bag 28 attacking conveyor belts 60. With regard to the choice of material, the conveyor belts are designed, inter alia, for a good frictional engagement with the packaging bags and, in particular with regard to their surface, suitable for the material of the tubular film customized. In particular, the friction surfaces of the conveyor belts 60 may also have a suitable coating.

Im Bereich der als Übergabestation ausgeführten Trenneinheit 26 sind die Transportbänder 60 über Umlenkrollen 62 geführt. Die Umlenkrollen 62 können dabei als nicht angetriebene, mitlaufende Rollen ausgeführt sein. Im Ausführungsbeispiel sind die Umlenkrollen 62 aber als angetriebene, ansteuerbare Rollen ausgeführt, über die das jeweilige Transportband 60 angetrieben wird. Zur Ansteuerung und Einstellung des Geschwindigkeitsprofils, insbesondere für die kurzzeitige, vorübergehende Erhöhung der Transportgeschwindigkeit im zweiten Fördersystem 52 zum Zweck des Zerreißens, sind die Umlenkrollen 62 bzw. deren Antriebsmotoren signaleingangsseitig mit der Steuereinheit 54 verbunden.In the area of the separation unit 26 designed as a transfer station, the conveyor belts 60 are guided over deflection rollers 62. The deflection rollers 62 can be designed as non-driven, follower rollers. In the exemplary embodiment, however, the deflection rollers 62 are designed as driven, controllable rollers via which the respective conveyor belt 60 is driven. For controlling and adjusting the speed profile, in particular for the short-term, temporary increase in the transport speed in the second conveyor system 52 for the purpose of rupture, the deflection rollers 62 and their drive motors are connected on the signal input side to the control unit 54.

Die Umlenkrollen 62 sind insbesondere in ihrer Dimensionierung und hinsichtlich des Abstandes ihrer Drehachsen 64 voneinander an das Perforationsmuster im Folienschlauch 4 angepasst. Für das Auslegungsziel eines zuverlässigen Zerreißens des Folienschlauchs 4 an den dafür vorgesehenen durch die Trennungsperforation 48 jeweils gebildeten Trennstellen ist dabei die Positionierung der Umlenkrollen 62 zueinander derart gewählt, dass die durch die Umlenkung der Transportbänder 60 im Bereich der Übergabestation entstehende Lücke 66 zwischen den Zugriffsbereichen 68, also den Bereichen, in denen der reibschlüssige Kontakt zwischen Transportband 60 und Schlauchfolie 16 gegeben ist, der Fördersysteme 50, 52 ausreichend groß ist, so dass die Trennungsperforation 48 im Moment des Zerreißens, also der impulsartigen Erhöhung der Transportgeschwindigkeit im zweiten Fördersystem 52, sicher zwischen den Zugriffsbereichen 68 der Fördersysteme 50, 52 liegt.The deflection rollers 62 are adapted in particular in their dimensions and in terms of the distance of their axes of rotation 64 from each other to the perforation pattern in the film tube 4. For the design objective of a reliable rupture of the film tube 4 at the respectively provided by the separation perforation 48 separating points in each case the positioning of the guide rollers 62 to each other is selected such that the resulting by the deflection of the conveyor belts 60 in the transfer station gap 66 between the access areas 68th , So the areas where the frictional contact between conveyor belt 60 and tubular film 16 is given, the conveyor systems 50, 52 is sufficiently large, so that the separation perforation 48 at the moment of rupture, so the pulse-like increase in the transport speed in the second conveyor system 52, safe between the access areas 68 of the conveyor systems 50, 52 is located.

Dazu ist die Lücke 66 zwischen den Zugriffsbereichen 68 ausreichend groß bemessen. Andererseits ist die Lücke 66 aber auch ausreichend klein bemessen, so dass auch im Moment des Zerreißens ein ausreichender und flächiger Kontakt der jeweiligen Transportbänder 60 mit beiden voneinander zu trennenden Teilen des Folienschlauchs 4, also beidseitig der Trennstelle, gegeben ist.For this purpose, the gap 66 between the access areas 68 is dimensioned sufficiently large. On the other hand, however, the gap 66 is dimensioned sufficiently small so that even at the moment of rupture there is sufficient and planar contact of the respective conveyor belts 60 with both parts of the film tube 4 to be separated from one another, ie on both sides of the separation point.

Auch die Schlauchfolie 16 ist in der Art eines spezifisch vorbereiteten Halbzeugs geeignet an die vorgesehene Vereinzelung durch Zerreißen angepasst. Dazu weist die Schlauchfolie 16 ein spezifisch vorgegebenes Perforationsmuster auf, wie es in FIG. 4 gezeigt ist. In regelmäßigen Abständen ist dabei die Trennungsperforation 48 aufgebracht, die die Trennstellen für die spätere Vereinzelung des Folienschlauchs 4 in Verpackungsbeutel 28 vorgibt. Die Trennungsperforationen 48 sind dabei insbesondere auch geeignet in Relation zu einer Bedruckung der Schlauchfolie positioniert, so dass im fertigen Verpackungsbeutel 28 der gewünschte optische und ästhetische Eindruck entsteht.The tubular film 16 is suitably adapted in the manner of a specifically prepared semi-finished to the intended separation by tearing. For this purpose, the tubular film 16 has a specific predetermined perforation pattern, as in FIG. 4 is shown. At regular intervals, the separation perforation 48 is applied, which specifies the separation points for the subsequent separation of the film tube 4 in the packaging bag 28. The separation perforations 48 are in particular also suitably positioned in relation to a printing of the tubular film, so that the desired optical and aesthetic impression is produced in the finished packaging bag 28.

Zusätzlich weist die Perforation auch noch eine Anzahl von jeweils als Bogenkontur ausgeführten Öffnungsperforationen 70 auf. Eine derartige Öffnungsperforation 70 kommt insbesondere dann zum Einsatz, wenn im fertig verpackten Produkt für den Endverbraucher ein erleichtertes Öffnen des Verpackungsbeutels 28 zum Zugriff auf die darin enthaltenen Produkte bereitgestellt werden soll. Diese Öffnungsperforation 70 soll den Verpackungsbeutel 28 so lange verschlossen halten, bis das Öffnen durch den Endverbraucher erfolgt; sie soll also insbesondere während des Herstellungs- und Verpackungsprozesses der Produkte unbeschädigt und ungeöffnet bleiben. Sie stellt somit eine besondere Schwachstelle beim Verpacken dar.In addition, the perforation also has a number of opening perforations 70 each designed as a curved contour. Such an opening perforation 70 is used in particular when, in the finished packaged product, a facilitated opening of the packaging bag 28 for access to the products contained therein is to be provided for the end user. This opening perforation 70 is intended to keep the packaging bag 28 closed until it is opened by the end user; In particular, it should remain undamaged and unopened during the manufacturing and packaging process of the products. It thus represents a particular weak point in packaging.

Um dem Rechnung zu tragen und die Öffnungsperforationen 70 beim Vereinzeln zu schützen, weist die Perforation der Schlauchfolie 16 jeder Öffnungsperforation 70 zugeordnet in der benachbarten Trennungsperforation 48 einen durchgehenden Entlastungsschnitt 74 auf. Dieser ist im Zentralbereich der jeweiligen Trennungsperforation 48 positioniert und in einer zur Breite der jeweiligen Öffnungsperforation 70 korrespondierenden Länge bemessen. Durch diese Anordnung der jeweiligen Teilperforationen können die beim Zerreißen in den Folienschlauch 4 eingeleiteten Längskräfte derart kontrolliert und geführt werden, dass die - aus den oben genannten Gründen vergleichsweise empfindliche - Öffnungsperforation 70 beim Trennen weitgehend geschont werden kann. Durch den Entlastungsschnitt 74 wird insbesondere vermieden, dass gerade im Mittenbereich der Folie zu hohe Zugspannungen in die Öffnungsperforation gelangen 70 und diese belasten können. Damit können selbst unter Berücksichtigung der vergleichsweise empfindlichen Öffnungsperforation 70 zuverlässige Trennergebnisse bei hohen Durchsatzraten erreicht werden.In order to take this into account and to protect the opening perforations 70 during singulation, the perforation of the tubular film 16 assigned to each opening perforation 70 in the adjacent separation perforation 48 has a continuous relief cut 74. This is positioned in the central region of the respective separation perforation 48 and dimensioned in a corresponding to the width of the respective opening perforation 70 length. As a result of this arrangement of the respective partial perforations, the longitudinal forces introduced during tearing into the film tube 4 can be controlled and guided in such a way that the opening perforation 70, which is comparatively sensitive for the abovementioned reasons, can be largely spared during separation. By the relief cut 74 is avoided in particular that just in the middle region of the film reach high tensile stresses in the opening perforation 70 and can burden them. Thus, even taking into account the relatively sensitive opening perforation 70 reliable separation results can be achieved at high throughput rates.

BezugszeichenlisteLIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

11
Verpackungsanlagepacking plant
44
Folienschlauchfilm tube
66
Zuführeinheitfeed
88th
Produktstapelproduct stack
1010
Transportsystemtransport system
1212
Zuführschienenfeed rails
1414
Einschlagstationwrapping station
1616
Schlauchfolietubular film
1818
Formschuhforming shoe
2020
erste Schweißstationfirst welding station
2222
Heizeinrichtungheater
2424
Pfeilarrow
2626
Trenneinheitseparation unit
2828
Verpackungsbeutelpacking bags
3030
UmlenkeinheitReturn unit
3232
Verdrehwinkelangle of twist
3434
Stirnseitefront
3636
Pfeilarrow
3838
zweite Schweißstationsecond welding station
4040
Heizmittelheating
4848
TrennungsperforationTrennungsperforation
50,5250.52
Fördersystemconveyor system
5454
Steuereinheitcontrol unit
6060
Transportbandconveyor belt
6262
Umlenkrolleidler pulley
6464
Drehachseaxis of rotation
6666
Lückegap
6868
Zugriffsbereichaccess area
7070
ÖffnungsperforationÖffnungsperforation
7474
Entlastungsschnittrelief cut

Claims (9)

  1. Method for separating a film tube (4) containing a plurality of product stacks (8), in particular of hygiene products, into packaging bags (28) each containing one or two product stacks (8), in which
    - the tubular film (16) provided for forming the film tube (4) is provided with a perforation at separation points provided therefor such that the perforation comprises a number of opening perforations (70) each formed in the shape of an arc and a substantially straight separation perforation (48) which is assigned to each opening perforation (70) in each case and comprises, in the central region thereof, a continuous relief cut (74), the length of which corresponds to the width of the particular opening perforation (70),
    - the product stacks (8) are subsequently wrapped in the tubular film (16),
    - the film tube (4) containing the product stacks (8) is conveyed, while being frictionally gripped at the sides in a conveyor system (50), to a separating unit (26) at a constant first transport speed, in which separating unit the packaging bag (28) which is at the front when viewed in the conveying direction is transferred to an additional conveyor system (52) at a transport speed which is faster than that of the first conveyor system (50), at least at certain times,
    and as a result the film tube (4) containing the product stacks (8) is torn apart at each of the separation points provided,
    wherein, when the packaging bag (28) which is at the front when viewed in the conveying direction reaches the additional conveyor system (52), the transport speed thereof is increased temporarily and in a pulsed manner.
  2. Method according to claim 1, wherein, when the packaging bag (28) reaches the additional conveyor system (52), the transport speed thereof is increased by approximately 20 % to 35 %, preferably by approximately 25 % to 30 %.
  3. Method according to claim 1, wherein, after separation, the packaging bags (28) in the additional conveyor system (52) are conveyed further to the next processing step at the constant first transport speed.
  4. Method according to claim 1, wherein the product stacks (8) are fed to the tubular film (16) at predetermined intervals corresponding to the length of the packaging.
  5. Packaging system (1) for packing products, in particular hygiene products, into packaging bags (28), in particular for carrying out the method according to any of claims 1 to 4, comprising a film store in which a tubular film (16) provided for forming a film tube (4) is held and which is provided with a perforation at separation points provided therefor such that the perforation comprises a number of opening perforations (70) each formed in the shape of an arc and a substantially straight separation perforation (48) which is assigned to each opening perforation (70) in each case and comprises, in the central region thereof, a continuous relief cut (74), the length of which corresponds to the width of the particular opening perforation (70), and comprising a transport system (10), by means of which a film tube (4) which contains a plurality of product stacks (8) and is formed by the tubular film (16) can be fed from a first welding station (20) to a second welding station (38), wherein, when viewed in the transport direction of the products, a separating unit (26) for separating the film tube (4) into packaging bags (4) each containing one or two product stacks (8) is arranged between the first and the second welding station (20, 38), which separating unit is designed to tear the film tube (4) at the separating points provided therefor, wherein the separating unit (26) is formed as a transfer station for the arriving film tube (4) which, while being frictionally gripped at the sides in a conveyor system (50), is fed to an additional conveyor system (52) at a transport speed which is faster than that of the first conveyor system (50), at least at certain times, and wherein, when the packaging bag (28) which is at the front when viewed in the conveying direction reaches the additional conveyor system (52), the transport speed thereof is increased temporarily and in a pulsed manner.
  6. Packaging system (1) according to claim 5, the separating unit (26) of which comprises a control unit (54) for adjusting the transport speed in the additional conveyor system (52).
  7. Packaging system (1) according to either claim 5 or claim 6, the conveyor systems (50, 52) of which are each formed as belt conveyors having conveyor belts (60) which touch the sides of the film tube (4) or the packaging bags (28), wherein the conveyor belts (60) are guided in the region of the transfer station by means of deflection rollers (62).
  8. Packaging system (1) according to claim 7, wherein the deflection rollers (62) are adapted to a perforation pattern in the film tube (4) in terms of their dimensions and/or the spacing between their axes of rotation (64) when viewed in the transport direction.
  9. Perforated tubular film (16), in particular for use in a method according to any of claims 1 to 4, the perforation of which comprises a number of opening perforations (70) each formed in the shape of an arc and a substantially straight separation perforation (48) which is assigned to each opening perforation (70) in each case and comprises, in the central region thereof, a continuous relief cut (74), the length of which corresponds to the width of the particular opening perforation (70).
EP12730148.9A 2011-05-30 2012-05-30 Method for separating a sheet-material tube containing product stacks, packaging installation for implementing the method, and perforated tubular sheet material Active EP2714526B1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL12730148T PL2714526T3 (en) 2011-05-30 2012-05-30 Method for separating a sheet-material tube containing product stacks, packaging installation for implementing the method, and perforated tubular sheet material
RS20160284A RS54778B1 (en) 2011-05-30 2012-05-30 Method for separating a sheet-material tube containing product stacks, packaging installation for implementing the method, and perforated tubular sheet material

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102011103561A DE102011103561A1 (en) 2011-05-30 2011-05-30 Method for separating a product tube containing film tube, packaging system for carrying out the method and perforated tubular film
PCT/EP2012/002287 WO2012163525A1 (en) 2011-05-30 2012-05-30 Method for separating a sheet-material tube containing product stacks, packaging installation for implementing the method, and perforated tubular sheet material

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2714526A1 EP2714526A1 (en) 2014-04-09
EP2714526B1 true EP2714526B1 (en) 2016-03-02

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP12730148.9A Active EP2714526B1 (en) 2011-05-30 2012-05-30 Method for separating a sheet-material tube containing product stacks, packaging installation for implementing the method, and perforated tubular sheet material

Country Status (9)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2714526B1 (en)
KR (1) KR101605486B1 (en)
CN (1) CN103562075B (en)
DE (1) DE102011103561A1 (en)
ES (1) ES2570132T3 (en)
HU (1) HUE029595T2 (en)
PL (1) PL2714526T3 (en)
RS (1) RS54778B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2012163525A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

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EP4450408A1 (en) * 2023-04-21 2024-10-23 Becton Dickinson Rowa Germany GmbH Separating device and method for separating a blister tube and packaging device with separating device
US12129067B1 (en) 2023-04-21 2024-10-29 Becton Dickinson Rowa Germany Gmbh Separating device and method for separating a blister tube, and packaging device comprising a separating device

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CN114275238A (en) * 2021-12-15 2022-04-05 闽南理工学院 A new type of wet wipes packaging machine

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EP4450408A1 (en) * 2023-04-21 2024-10-23 Becton Dickinson Rowa Germany GmbH Separating device and method for separating a blister tube and packaging device with separating device
US12129067B1 (en) 2023-04-21 2024-10-29 Becton Dickinson Rowa Germany Gmbh Separating device and method for separating a blister tube, and packaging device comprising a separating device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN103562075A (en) 2014-02-05
KR101605486B1 (en) 2016-03-22
HUE029595T2 (en) 2017-03-28
ES2570132T3 (en) 2016-05-17
DE102011103561A1 (en) 2012-12-06
CN103562075B (en) 2016-02-24
WO2012163525A1 (en) 2012-12-06
RS54778B1 (en) 2016-10-31
PL2714526T3 (en) 2016-08-31
KR20140045450A (en) 2014-04-16
EP2714526A1 (en) 2014-04-09

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