EP2447166B1 - Method and device for filling a sack - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a packaging machine for filling open-mouth bags. In this case, the packaging machine, the open sacks are supplied either prefabricated or the production of the open sacks takes place in the packing machine itself or in a device upstream of the packing machine. To produce the open sacks, in particular a tube material is unrolled from a roll of material, a section of the tube material having a predetermined length is severed and provided with a bottom seam before the open sack is filled by the still open upper filling end. After filling, the filling end is closed.

Packing machines that form, fill and subsequently seal the bag in the machine are also called Form Fill Seal (FFS) machines.

FFS machines are able to flexibly produce bags according to the current conditions. So different sized containers can be made and filled, for example, with the same filler or even with different products.

From the EP 1 623 926 A2 , of the WO 2006/007960 A1 and the EP 1 050 457 A2 Such devices for the production and filling of open-mouth bags are known. In this case, provided with gusseted open-mouth bags can be produced, filled and closed.

By changing the length of the produced bag, the filled quantity can be varied. So it is possible, for example, container sizes of 20 kg, 30 kg or 40 kg with z. B. To fill cement.

In addition to the bag length, it is also possible to vary the sack width in order to arrive at a total of considerable sacks on the said variation width of the filled quantity.

To obtain a visually attractive shape and improved stackability, bags are often provided with gussets and the corners are welded so that after filling a cuboid shape of the bags is present. Then, if appropriate, the bags can also be placed on the bottom wall in the sales room and they can be printed on the side surface to promote the bottled product.

The possible width variance of the tubing used is limited by the size of the filler neck to which the tubing is appended for filling. Basically, the largest possible cross section of the filler neck is sought in order to ensure the fastest possible filling. Therefore, the processed hose material can not be arbitrarily reduced in width, even if bags are to be filled with significantly more content.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a packing machine and a method for filling an offensive bag, thus allowing a greater variance of the pack sizes to be filled with a machine.

This object is achieved by a packaging machine with the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 6. Preferred developments are subject of the dependent claims.

The packaging machine according to the invention serves to fill open sacks, wherein the sacks extend from a first end to a second end. In this case, a spreader is provided and adapted to the gussets from the pulling the second end of the open sack outwardly so that the sock bag is wider at the second end than at the first end. A transport device is adapted to attach the open-mouth bag with the open second end to a filler neck. A closing device is provided to close the second end of the offensive bag with a closing seam.

It should be noted at this point that under the bag in the sense of this application is an open bag to understand. An open bag is understood to be a bag which is filled from one end over a substantial part of its cross section. After filling the bag through the filling end, the bag opening is closed, so that the open bag can then be sealed tight. The term open bag indicates the type of filling and says nothing about the tightness of the filled with a product offensive bag.

The packaging machine according to the invention also offers many advantages, since it makes it possible to process sacks with a small width. Since the gussets at the second end are pulled outwardly of the sack, the sack at the second end is virtually converted to a sack that provides a larger fill opening. As a result, sacks smaller dimensions can be filled at the filler neck of the packing machine, which is otherwise suitable for larger containers with gussets. This leads to a more flexible use of the packing machine.

The invention enables the filling of sacks with a packing machine, wherein the spectrum of the filled volume is greatly expanded downwards, without consuming to rebuild the packing machine in between. For example, the filled volume can be extended to the range of 2 to 50 liters, while with conventional packing machines it can range from 10 to 50 liters or between 10 and 50 liters 50 kg. The technical changes for conversion into a packaging machine according to the invention are relatively small.

Preferably, the packaging machine is provided with at least one supply of film and at least one bag-forming device in order to produce individual bags from a gusseted tube material. But it is also possible that from a bag magazine sacks are led to. Depending on requirements, it is possible to process the gusseted bags, for example, to fill larger containers. With smaller container sizes, the side folds can be pulled out of the bag at a narrow foil at one end, so that the resulting filling opening can still be attached to the filler neck of the packing machine.

Particular preference is given to a device for producing corner seams, which introduces corner seams into the side fold regions, in particular at the first end of the bag.

In all cases it is optionally possible, if necessary, to pull the gussets out of the bag. The device provided for this purpose can be provided manually or automatically movable between a working position and a rest position. In the rest position, the gussets remain at both ends of the bag so that block-shaped bags are filled. In the working position, the gussets are pulled outwards, so that the head end is formed as a flat bag, while the bottom is formed cuboid.

A bag filled with the packing machine according to the invention is formed from at least one bag wall which extends from a first end to a second end. The bag wall is provided at the first end with gussets and formed as a gusseted bag. At the second end of the bag can be optionally designed as a gusseted bag with gussets or as a flat bag without gussets.

The optional filling in completely or partially gusseted bags has many advantages. A significant advantage of the packing machine is that the bag is provided with gussets at one end, so that it has a good stability on this side, while at the other end, if necessary, the gussets are pulled outwards, so that the bag is formed there as a flat bag , So he offers a large advertising space. When the bag is filled from the second end, the entire cross-section of the bag can be used for filling. On the other hand, with the gusseted end, only the cross-section for filling located between the inner ends of the gussets may be used.

For example, if the width of the gusseted tubing is 300 mm and the depth of the pleats is 30 mm, the clear width between the inner ends of the gussets is 240 mm. The maximum outer circumference of a filler neck could therefore be just under 480 mm in this example. If, however, the gussets at the second end are pulled out of the interior of the bag and laid flat there as a flat bag, this results in the chosen example a total width of 360 mm. This means that the filler neck, to which such an end can be attached, can have a maximum outer circumference of just under 720 mm. This means that with a given filler neck with a given outer circumference it is possible with the invention to fill bags with a significantly greater width variance of gusseted tubing without having to change the filler neck.

As a result, a considerably larger variance of the filled bags is possible. For example, the variance of bags filled with a packing machine can be increased to the range of 5 kg or liter to 50 kg or liter without the need for the exchange of size-dependent format parts, resulting in a much more flexible Use of the packing machine leads. The volume which can be filled into a tubular film of a predetermined width can be varied by a factor of up to 25 or more without having to rebuild the packing machine in a complicated manner. Optionally, the volume filled can be varied considerably from batch to batch or even from bag to bag.

In all embodiments, the bag wall can be made in several layers. The bag wall is executed circumferentially.

After filling and closing of the bag there is a first closing seam at the first end and a second closing seam at the second end.

Preferably, corner seams are introduced into the bag wall at the first end with the packing machine. Such corner seams lead to a particularly appealing form of the first sack end, since this is formed there practically cuboid. This will allow for a easy stand of the bag on the first end.

Preferably, the bag wall is formed at the second end over the entire width substantially two-ply. This is especially true for the bags that are produced from a directly cylindrically produced tubing. But it is also possible that the tubing is first made from a flat web, which is folded over and connected to the lateral end to produce the tubing. In such a tube material, there is an overlap of the lateral ends at one point. As a result, the tubing is three-ply at one point in width, while it is otherwise two-ply.

According to the invention, the bag width of a bag made with the packing machine is optionally wider at the second end than at the first end.

In particular, the first end of the finished bag can be cuboid-shaped and the second end can be wedge-shaped in the front view, the bag widening towards the second end.

The fact that the second end is wedge-shaped, it offers a particularly large advertising space, which can be provided with product references or graphics or the like. It is possible, for example, to put the bag with the cuboid first end in a sales shelf, so that the second wedge-shaped end is up and provides a good presentation space.

Basically, the gussets could be folded after filling again. However, this is technically difficult to realize against the product level.

The bag wall of a bag filled with the packing machine preferably has at least one closing seam at the first and at the second end, wherein in particular at least one closing seam is designed as a welded seam. In all embodiments it is preferred that the filling end is provided at the second end.

In all cases, a first width at the first end corresponds to about half the circumference of the bag wall minus a double depth of the gusset. A second width at the second end corresponds to half the circumference of the bag wall and is thus significantly larger. The difference can be up to 5%, 10% or even more.

To facilitate handling of the bag may be provided with a handle hole, which is preferably mounted after filling in the vicinity of the second end and on the circumferentially both layers of the bag wall are welded together to ensure a tight seal. The attachment of the handle hole is also possible outside the product area.

In the method according to the invention, the gussets are optionally brought to the outside at an open-sided bag provided with gussets only at one end. Subsequently, the open bag is filled and closed. By means of the invention, it is advantageously possible to fill open-mouth bags with a product. Characterized in that at one end, the side folds are pulled laterally outwardly from the interior of the bag, a flat bag section is formed there, while at the other end, the side folds remain folded.

Preferably, the bag is formed on a bag forming means of a gusseted tubing. It is possible that the hose material consists of a plastic film or of several interconnected plastic films. But it is also possible to process a hose material made of paper or a paper composite.

From the tube material, a section forming the bag wall is separated and a closure seam is introduced at a first end and the bag is filled from the second end, which is subsequently closed by a closing seam.

Advantageously, the closure seam extends at the first end through the folded gussets. Preferably, the closure seam at the second end extends over the unfolded gussets. To do this, the gusset areas at the second end are pulled outwardly prior to filling and closing.

In all embodiments, it is preferred that the second end be appended to a filler neck for filling. In Advantageous embodiments are introduced only at one end corner seams.

In all cases, it is possible to punch a handle hole or a plurality of finger holes in the bag wall, in which the layers of tubing are circumferentially welded together around the handle hole to allow a tight completion of the handle hole.

Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiment, which will be explained below with reference to the accompanying figures.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Packmaschine;

Fig. 2

die Schweißeinrichtung der Packmaschine nach Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht eines mit der Packmaschine nach Fig. 1 gefüllten Sacks;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Seitenansicht des Sacks nach Fig. 3; und

Fig. 5

eine schematische Seitenansicht eines mit der Packmaschine nach Fig. 1 gefüllten Sacks, bei dem die Seitenfalten nicht nach außen gezogen wurden.

In the figures show:

Fig. 1

a schematic side view of a packaging machine according to the invention;

Fig. 2

the welding device of the packing machine after Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

a side view of one with the packing machine Fig. 1 filled sacks;

Fig. 4

a schematic side view of the bag after Fig. 3 ; and

Fig. 5

a schematic side view of one with the packing machine Fig. 1 filled sack where the gussets were not pulled out.

In the Fig. 1 Packing machine 100 shown in a schematic cross-section is used to fill bags 1 with products 16. Such a product may be, for example, the bulk material 16 with particles 18 shown schematically above in product feed 134. It is also possible, other products 16 such. B. fill liquid or pasty products in the bags 1.

The packaging machine 100 is designed as an FFS packaging machine and has a film supply 104 with at least one film roll. In the film supply 104 is wound tubular film or a tube material 106, which serves for the production of the sacks 1.

The tubing 106 may consist of one or more plastic films. But it is also possible to use other bag materials, in particular paper or the use of tissue bags.

By providing a supply of tubing 106 via one or more tube rolls, bags 1 can be made as needed. In particular, the length of the respective bags is flexibly variable and can be easily adapted to the particular desired filling quantity. As will be explained below, it is also possible in a simple manner to increase the width of the bag opening for a filling operation in narrower sacks by pulling the gussets outwardly from the bag interior, to a standard socket when filling narrow sacks to use.

The tube material 106 unwound from the film roll of the film stock 104 passes via the film store 113 into the interior of the packing machine 100 and is directed to the corner welding device or to the device for producing corner seams 107. The film storage 113 is used to compensate for the clocked operation of the packing machine 100. Through the film storage 113, the film roll of the film supply 104 can be smoothly unwound while inside the packing machine clocked operation for Preparing, filling and then closing the bags.

As needed, 107 corner seams 9 are produced in the corner welder. If a particularly small amount of product 16 is to be filled into the sacks 1, a tube material 106 with a width 10 can be used. In order to ensure the attachment of the bag to the filler neck 103, in sacks with a relatively small width 10 on the preparation of corner seams 9 at the filling end 12 of the bags 1 (see FIG. 3 and 4 ) are waived. Then, the gripping device 101 of the spreading device 101 can be used to enlarge the bag opening at the filling end 12 by optionally pulling the side pleats 5 out of the interior of the bag.

As long as the inner circumference of the bag wall 2 at the filling end 12 is slightly greater than or equal to the size of the outer circumference of the filler neck 103, filling of the bags 1 with the packaging machine 100 is still possible. In this way, particularly small quantities of product 16 can be packed without having to rely on another packaging machine 100. By the invention, it is possible to pack bags between, for example, 5 kg or less and 50 kg or more with the same packing machine, without making major alterations.

Furthermore, the length of the respective bags can be flexibly varied. So the total desired filling quantity can be easily adjusted.

After making the corner seams 9, the tubing 106 passes through the sack length compensation 116.

The film drive or hose drive 117 serves to transport the hose material 106 and transports the hose material 106 to the welding device 122. There is First, a closure seam 7 introduced as a bottom seam in the provided with folded gussets first end 3.

Subsequently, the tube material is moved on until the intended section 108 has been transported further with a provided length of the bag wall 2. Subsequently, at the upper second end 4, the tubing is separated by the cutting blade 119, where the bag 1 is then held by the clamping device 115. The lower end with the previously created weld may optionally be cooled by a cooling device 123.

Following this, as needed, the upper end 4 of the bag is opened, in which the spreader 101 with the in FIG. 4 dotted lines 120 dipped into the upper filler opening and folded by a method of the gripping fingers 120 outwardly folded side gussets 5 and spends to the outside. As a result, the second width 14 of the bag at the upper end 4 corresponds to the first width 13 plus twice the side fold depth 15, as well as in FIG FIG. 4 is shown clearly. The possible filling opening 12 is considerably increased.

The bag 1 can be attached with the open gussets 5 to the filler neck 103 and filled with product 16 there.

The transport device 102 respectively ensures the further transport of the bag 1. The transport device 102 is designed as a pendulum transport and comprises pendulum arms 126 and a pendulum rod 130, are provided on the film gripper 129.

After further transport to the closing device 135, the upper second end 4 of the bag 1 is closed by means of welding jaws 118 with a closing seam 8. Preferably, the seams 7 and 8 are designed as welds 11.

If necessary, a grip hole 110 can also be introduced into the upper bag wall at the closing device 135, wherein the grip hole 110 can be surrounded by a weld 114 for sealing the handle hole.

In addition, the filled sacks 1 on the discharge belt 31, which is adjustable in height to z. B. a scissor table 132 is provided, transported away and fed to a discharge line or the like.

Optionally, the bag can be filled even without pulling out the gussets 9. This is especially true for larger containers, which have a greater width. Fig. 5 shows such a bag 1. The available filling opening 17 has a maximum circumference, which corresponds to twice the width 14. This width is calculated from the bag width 10 from which the double depth of a gusset is subtracted. For wide bags filling with the existing filler neck is no problem. For narrower sack widths or hose widths, the spreading device 101 can be activated with the gripper fingers 120 and the gussets are drawn outwards, so that a sack 1 results, as in FIG Fig. 3 shown. The filling process can in turn be done with the existing filler neck. A complex exchange is not necessary. The range of bags to be filled without extensive conversion can be considerably expanded. That is why in Fig. 5 in addition, the narrower sack Fig. 4 marked with, which has an equally wide filling opening and thus can be filled at the same filler neck.

Overall, the invention provides a packaging machine and a method for filling a bag with a packing machine

Available, with flexibly different amounts of products can be filled.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

bag

2

bag wall

3

first end

4

second end

5

gusset

6

flat bag

7

closing seam

8th

closing seam

9

corner seam

10

width

11

Weld

12

filling end

13

first width

14

second width

15

Gusset depth

16

product

17

fill opening

18

particle

100

packing machine

101

Spreader / bag opener

102

Transport equipment / shuttle transport

103

filling

104

film supply

105

Sack educational institution

106

tubing

107

Device for producing corner seams

108

section

109

Flat bag portion

110

handle hole

113

film storage

114

Weld

115

clamper

116

Bag length compensation

117

film drive

118

welding jaw

119

cutting blade

120

gripping fingers

122

welding equipment

123

cooling device

126

pendulum

128

clamper

129

sheet grippers

130

pendulum rod

131

Austrageband

132

cutting table

134

product supply

135

closing

Claims (11)

1. Packaging machine (100) for filling open-mouth bags (1) wherein the open-mouth bags (1) comprise gussets (5) and extend from a first end (3) to a second end (4),
   characterized in that a spreader device (101) is provided and set up for optionally pulling the gussets (5) outwardly out of the second end (4) of the open-mouth bag (1) so that the open-mouth bag (1) is wider at the second end (4) than at the first end (3) wherein a conveying device (102) is set up for attaching the open-mouth bag (1) to a filling spout (103) by the opened, second end (4) and wherein a closing device (104) is provided for closing the second end (4) of the open-mouth bag (1) by way of a closing seam (7, 8).
2. The packaging machine (100) according to claim 1 wherein the spreader device (101) comprises gripping fingers (120) suitable for entering the opened second end (4) and wherein the gripping fingers (120) are provided to be displaceable outwardly for pulling the gussets outwardly.
3. The packaging machine (100) according to claim 2 wherein the spreader device (101) and/or the gripping fingers (120) are provided pivotable.
4. The packaging machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2 wherein a film reservoir (104) and a bag forming device (105) are provided for manufacturing individual open-mouth bags (1) from a gusseted (5) tubular material (106).
5. The packaging machine (30) according to any of the two preceding claims wherein a device (107) for creating corner seams (9) at the first end (3) and/or the second end (4) of the open-mouth bag (1) is provided.
6. Method for filling open-mouth bags (1) wherein the bags (1) are gusseted (5) and extend from a first end (3) to a second end (4), characterized in that the gussets (5) are pulled outwardly out of the second end (4) of the open-mouth bag (1) by means of a spreader device (101) so that the open-mouth bag (1) is wider at the second end (4) than at the first end (3) to provide a large filling mouth and that the open-mouth bag (1) is attached to a filling spout (103) by the opened, second end (4) where it is filled at least in part before the second end (4) of the open-mouth bag (1) is closed by way of at least one closing seam (7, 8) by means of a closing device (104).
7. The method according to the preceding claim wherein the open-mouth bag (1) is formed at a bag forming device (105) from a gusseted (5) tubular material (106).
8. The method according to any of the two preceding claims wherein a section (108) forming the bag wall is separated from the tubular material (106) and a closing seam (7, 8) is made at a first end (3) and the open-mouth bag (1) is filled from the second end (4) which is subsequently closed by way of a closing seam (8, 7).
9. The method according to any of the three preceding claims wherein the closing seam (7, 8) at the first end (3) extends through the folded-in gussets (5).
10. The method according to any of the four preceding claims wherein the gusset areas (5) at the second end (4) are pulled outwardly and the closing seam (8, 7) at the second end (3, 4) extends across the folded-open gusset areas.
11. The method according to any of the six preceding claims wherein only the first end (3) is provided with corner seams (9).

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