EP3459867B1 - Method and machine for the production of filled film bags with longitudinal and transverse seals from a non-dimensionally stable film sheet - Google Patents

Description

I. Field of application

The invention relates to a method and a device for the production of both longitudinally and transversely sealed film bags, each filled with at least one product, from a film that is particularly flat in the initial state, as is made from FIG WO 2013/092081 A1 which represents the closest prior art for claim 1, are known.

II. Technical background

Such filled, all-round tightly sealed, foil bags are produced in large numbers as tubular bags in the so-called flow pack process, such as from the EP 0368240 A1 known.

A sequence of products to be packaged is transported in one transport direction, spaced one behind the other, and a film web brought in in the same direction and at the same speed, viewed in the direction of travel, is placed around the product flow and closed with a longitudinal sealing seam running in the transport direction to form a film tube while the film is running.

This tubular film, which is produced in a continuous process, is divided downstream into individual tubular bags by means of transverse sealing seams spaced apart in the running direction while the tubular film is running, which can then be separated from one another.

This flowpack process has the advantage that high packing rates can be achieved due to the continuous flow.

The disadvantage of the method, however, lies in the low variability of the process, since all operations carried out in a continuous flow, such as film feed, arranging / placing the products on a transport device, producing the longitudinal sealing seam, producing the transverse sealing seam, must be carried out at the same speed.

If there are deviations from this, for example due to an increasing or decreasing product supply, an adaptation of the subsequent processing steps is only possible for designs with increased design effort.

One reason for this is that the longitudinal sealing seam is usually produced by means of ultrasonic sealing, while the transverse sealing seams often cannot be sealed by means of ultrasonic sealing because the number of film layers changes in the transverse direction, but rather by means of heated heat-sealing jaws pressed against one another .

These hot sealing jaws, which are kept at a target temperature, require a sealing time that must be precisely adhered to, since if the sealing time is too short, the sealing seam can leak and if the sealing time is too long, the film material can be melted through and damaged or destroyed.

Since, due to the production of the cross-sealing seams in a continuous process, the cross-sealing usually takes place by means of two cross-sealing rollers running against each other, on the circumference of which the heat-sealing jaws are located, the sealing time increases with a reduced throughput speed of the film tube and thus a reduced speed of the cross-sealing rollers in an impermissible manner.

Another disadvantage is the supply roll for the film to be provided above or below the product flow, which in particular poses problems for changing the supply roll and connecting the end of a first film web to the beginning of a new film web that is on a new supply roll Loss of products and tubular bags during the change causes.

On the other hand, it is generally known for the production, filling and closing of packagings to move and process these packagings on a transport device in the transport direction along successive work stations, for example from the EP 2078676 A1 known.

If the packaging is, for example, cardboard packaging, a corresponding cardboard blank is usually placed on the transport device and, for example, in the workstations approached one after the other, the cardboard box is first erected and glued to form a three-dimensional box, which is still open on the upper side, the box filled with products, the top of the box, which is still open, is closed by putting on a lid or turning a lid section of the box, and usually glued.

The individual processing operations, including the filling with products, are carried out at the individual workstations by means of robots positioned there on the transport route.

One from the EP 2116489 A1 - which represents the closest prior art for claim 11 - known transport device consists of individual transport carriages that can be moved independently of one another in the transport direction along a guide track - that is, in particular, their speed can be controlled independently of the other transport carriages, also stopped and moved back and forth - as long as this does not lead to collisions with the transport slides traveling ahead or following on the same guideway.

Movable independently of one another also means being able to move independently of one another on the same guideway, and not only being able to move independently of one another at individual points on the camouflage sports device, but also being able to move independently of one another essentially over the entire length of the transport route, whereby collisions between the transport sleds must of course be avoided.

Transport carriages of a transport device that can be moved independently of one another are also understood to mean that each of the transport carriages can be moved at any time independently of the movements of the other transport carriages with regard to the direction of travel, travel speed and also reduction of the travel speed to zero. The transport carriage can preferably only be moved forwards or backwards in a single transport direction.

In particular, the guide track is arranged on a track body which also runs in the direction of transport and viewed in the direction of transport carries not just one but several guideways, for example one on its underside and one on its upper side.

Since the track body consists of several modules that are connected to one another in the transport direction, individual such track body modules, in particular the start module and the end module, can be pivoted about a pivot axis running in the transport direction, so that the previously upper guide track, for example, is then on the underside of the track body and vice versa.

In this way, a transport carriage located on such a pivotable track body module can be pivoted from the upper to the lower guide track and then moved back to the start module along the lower guide track of the entire transport device, especially when empty. It goes without saying that for this purpose the transport carriages on the guide track must be secured against falling, in particular secured in a form-fitting manner.

The advantage of such picker lines, especially in conjunction with a transport device with independently movable transport carriages, is a high degree of flexibility, since, depending on, for example, product replenishment or other factors, not only the speed of the transport carriages during the process, but also their dwell time in individual workstations and the like are free are selectable.

In such picker lines, however, the packaging material must at least partially retain its shape and be inherently stable.

III. Presentation of the invention a) Technical task

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a method and a device for producing longitudinally and transversely sealed filled foil bags which is highly efficient and yet allows a flexible production process.

b) Solution of the task

This object is achieved by the features of claims 1 and 11. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

With regard to the method, the object is achieved in that the film bags are not made from a running film web - and also not necessarily with the intermediate step of producing a film tube - but from individual, finite sheets of film, which are only produced by appropriate deformation and Sealing areas of this sheet of film against one another to form the film bag, preferably in such a way that the entire sheet of film is used for the film bag and no residue or waste remains.

For this purpose - similar to the production of dimensionally stable packaging such as cardboard packaging - the non-dimensionally stable foil sheets are each preferably received individually on one of several transport slides that can be moved independently of one another in a transport device, i.e. usually placed on the transport slide, on the foils -Bow put down at least one product to be packaged.

A non-shape-retaining sheet of film is understood to mean that when the sheet of film is supported, the edges of the sheet of film hang down due to gravity only in a central area, in particular only under the center of gravity of the sheet of film, since the sheet of film does not have sufficient inherent stability to maintain its level position.

It is preferably assumed here that the sheet of film has the same stability and / or the same thickness and / or consists of the same material over its entire extent - in particular along its main plane.

In the next step, a first sealing seam is produced by placing two areas of this sheet of film against one another and sealing them in a first sealing step.

In another, especially the next, work step, a second sealing seam is produced, which preferably runs transversely to the first sealing seam and is also preferably produced by placing two areas of the same sheet of film against each other and sealing, so that a filled and all-round tightly sealed film bag is created.

From one processing step to the next, the sheet of film - usually only one sheet of film is on a transport slide, in exceptional cases several - is transported by the transport slide in the transport direction from one processing station to the next, at which the individual processing steps are carried out become.

In this way, different shapes of foil bags can be produced:
A first form of bag is a tubular bag:
Two opposite edge regions of the sheet of film, preferably running in the transport direction of the transport device, are selected as the two regions to be sealed against each other in the first sealing step, which are sealed against each other, preferably over their entire length.

This can preferably take place in a continuous process, that is to say while the transport carriage with the sheet of film is moving in the transport direction, in particular moving along a corresponding, mostly stationary, sealing unit.

In the second sealing step, two opposing areas of the film tube formed by the first sealing step are placed against each other and sealed, preferably at each of the two ends of the film tube the opposing areas of the closed circumferential tube, which is thereby pressed flat in this area.

The juxtaposition and sealing are preferably carried out over the entire width of the film tube, and if this is done at both ends, two second sealing seams are produced, each of which tightly seals one end of the film tube and thus an overall tightly sealed film bag is produced in the form of a tubular bag.

As a rule, when the first sealing seam is produced, a fin is created in the form of the two mutually opposed and sealed edge areas that form the first sealing seam, in that this fin is radially different from the otherwise ring-shaped, approximately circular, closed cross-section of the The film tube protrudes to the outside.

Before the second sealing seam is produced, this fin is folded up against the outer circumference of the remaining film tube, i.e. folded over, in one of the two possible pivoting directions, so that when the second sealing seam, the transverse sealing seam, is subsequently produced, this transverse sealing seam is in the area of the folded fin consists of four layers of foil, apart from the fin, on the other hand, consists of only two layers of foil.

It is preferably provided that when this second sealing seam is produced, the folded-over fin is also welded to the other two film layers, and not just the other two film layers to one another, in order to keep the fin permanently in the folded-over state on the circumference.

After the at least one second sealing seam has been produced, the folded sealing fin is preferably located in the width range of the product in the foil pouch, but provision can also be made for the fin to be deliberately arranged outside of this width range, i.e. viewed in the direction of transport or in the direction of travel first sealing seam, viewed from the width of the product inside, pointing the way.

Then, under certain circumstances, it is also possible to dispense with folding the fin over to the rest of the bag tube, so that even in the finished state the fin protrudes radially from the rest of the completely sealed bag tube, which makes it easier to produce the second sealing seam, the transverse sealing seam , since this transverse sealing seam then only has two layers of film in its entire course, which makes it easier to control the sealing process.

The second sealing seam is preferably not only produced transversely, but also, viewed from above, in particular perpendicular to the first sealing seam. This can be achieved, for example, by producing the second sealing seam running transversely to the transport direction.

The sheet of film, in particular the already produced tube of film, can stand still in the transport direction and a sealing unit for producing the at least one second sealing seam can be brought up to the tubular bag, in particular in the transverse direction to the transport direction.

The other possibility is to produce the at least one second sealing seam running in the direction of transport.

For this purpose, the film tube, in particular, is rotated, preferably with the aid of the slide on which it is located, in such a way that the direction of the second sealing seam to be produced then runs in the direction of transport.

With this variant it is possible to produce the second sealing seam while the sheet of film is moving in the transport direction and is being moved along a sealing unit.

The disadvantage is that the structural effort for the possibility of rotating the film tube, in particular on the transporting carriage, is greater, while the advantage, on the other hand, is that the entire sealing process with all the sealing seams with the film sheet or film sheet moving continuously in the transport direction. Hose can be done.

This is because the areas of the sheet of film can be placed against one another and sealed to produce the first sealing seam and / or the sealing fin can also be turned over while the sheet of film is in the transport direction, preferably with the aid of the transport carriage on which it is arranged is moved.

The folding of the sealing fin is preferably carried out in a folding unit which has a folding guide surface which folds the fin when the film tube and thus the sealing fin moves along the transport direction through the folding unit.

A second bag shape is a bag-bag:
For such a bag-shaped bag, a bag that is open on one side, preferably at the top, is produced from the sheet of film by, in the first sealing step, two areas of the sheet of film that are to be placed against each other and sealed by two adjoining, strip-shaped areas, in particular one and the same edge area of the foil sheet, are selected, placed against one another and sealed. The two areas preferably each have half the length of the strip-shaped area, in particular the edge area, which is therefore preferably bent exactly in the middle of its length.

If this is carried out on the two opposite edge regions of the sheet of film, two such first, preferably parallel, first sealing seams are produced.

The selected strip-shaped areas of the sheet of film can lie in the transport direction or across here, in particular perpendicular to it.

This creates a bag that is still open at the top, but in which there is already the product that was placed on the sheet of film before the production of the very first seal seam.

Whether the at least one first sealing seam produced then runs horizontally or vertically, i.e. whether the bag is lying or standing, preferably also depends on the shape and position of the product enclosed by the bag:
This is because the product is placed on the sheet of film and / or the position of the first sealing seams is provided so that the at least one first sealing seam extends laterally outside the product in the direction in which the product does not have its smallest extension direction, but rather in which it has its greatest extension.

In the case of an approximately plate-shaped product, the first sealing seam should extend along one of the narrow sides of the plate shape.

If such a plate-shaped product is placed on a narrow side on the sheet of film, the two areas to be placed against each other and sealed from the horizontal position of the sheet of film are set up and sealed against each other and then form a bag with two upright sealing seams.

If, on the other hand, such a plate-shaped product is arranged with one of its main surfaces lying on the sheet of film, one of the two areas to be sealed against each other is folded from the horizontal around the center of the strip-shaped area of which it is part, by 180 ° to the other area and sealed, so that the resulting at least one first sealing seam is arranged lying, that is to say running essentially horizontally.

In order to close the bag, the open side of the bag is then sealed in a second sealing step in that the two areas on both sides of the bag opening which are opposite to one another and to be sealed are placed against one another and sealed, these two Edge areas of the bag should preferably end in the same position, that is, one side wall of the bag should preferably not protrude over the other side wall, in particular not more than 1 mm, better not more than 2 mm.

Preferably - with both forms of foil pouches to be produced - the processing steps are carried out on the foil sheet and / or foil tube and / or foil bag while it is on the slide. The foil will only be removed from the foil carriage for processing in exceptional cases.

Holding the sheet of film on the slide is preferably carried out by sucking the sheet of film on the slide by means of negative pressure, this holding, in particular sucking, taking place during the entire processing of the film, i.e. until the finished, all-round, tightly sealed film bag is produced except that the film is removed from the carriage in between.

Sealing takes place either by heat sealing a heat-sealable film material, which must include at least one heat-sealable coating if the base material of the film itself is not heat-sealable, or by gluing.

The heat sealing can take place by means of ultrasonic sealing or by means of heat sealing stamps, which were heated before sealing, preferably also during sealing, preferably by means of electrical energy.

The sealing of sealing seams, which always have the same number of layers over their entire course, is preferably carried out by means of ultrasonic sealing and / or the production of sealing seams that the number of film layers changes in its course, by means of heat-sealing jaws.

A plurality of sheets of film can also be placed next to one another on a transport carriage, in particular one behind the other in the transport direction of the transport carriage.

Alternatively, only one sheet of film can be placed on the slide. There are two possibilities here: one possibility is that only one film bag is created from the one film sheet, that is to say that the entire material of the film sheet is required for the production of this one film tube.

The other possibility is that from this sheet of film - especially when producing hose bags - the production of the second sealing seams, in particular the transverse sealing seams, several times and in greater numbers than required for a hose bag, in the transport direction is carried out one after the other and the resulting tubular bags, which are still attached to one another, are separated from one another as the last work step.

In the state placed on the transport carriage, the sheet of film can also extend laterally - that is, in the transport direction of the transport carriage and / or in the transverse direction thereto - beyond the supporting surface of the transport carriage.

With regard to the machine for producing such longitudinally and transversely sealed, filled film bags, in particular according to the method described above, this object is achieved in that, on the one hand, a transport device with an independently of one another along the transport device, in particular the guideways of the transport device, movable transport carriages are present, the transport carriages having a holding device for holding at least one sheet of film lying thereon.

• wenigstens eine Auflege-Station, an der ein nicht-formhaltiger Folien-Bogen als Verpackungsmaterial auf eine Auflage-Fläche des Transportschlittens aufgelegt wird,
• wenigstens eine Füllstation zum Auflegen wenigstens eines Produktes auf den auf dem Transportschlitten liegenden Folien-Bogen,
• wenigstens eine Aufrichte-Station zum dreidimensionalen Verformen des im Ausgangszustand im Wesentlichen ebenen Folien-Bogens zu einer dreidimensionalen Form.
• Wenigstens eine Siegelstation zum dichten Versiegeln des dreidimensional verformten Folien-Bogens zu einem dicht verschlossenen Folien-Beutel, indem sich das zuvor auf dem Folien-Bogen aufgelegte Produkt befindet.

Furthermore, the device comprises a plurality of processing stations for producing the film bags in succession along the transport direction, in particular the flow direction, namely

• at least one placement station at which a non-dimensionally stable sheet of film as packaging material is placed on a support surface of the transport carriage,
• at least one filling station for placing at least one product on the sheet of film lying on the transport carriage,
• at least one erecting station for three-dimensional deformation of the sheet sheet, which is essentially flat in the initial state, into a three-dimensional shape.
• At least one sealing station for the tight sealing of the three-dimensionally shaped sheet of film to form a tightly closed film pouch in which the product previously placed on the sheet of film is located.

Although the sheet of film itself does not retain its shape, that is, it is not stable transversely to its main plane, it will rest flat on the transport carriage due to the generally flat support surface of the carriage. Even if the sheet of film protrudes laterally over the support surface and hangs down there, this should still fall under the concept of a flat initial state of the sheet of film.

The erecting station must be designed in such a way that it is able to place areas, in particular edge areas, of the foil sheet against one another by deforming, in particular without additional stretching of the material of the sheet of film, and the sealing station must be designed in this way be that it is able to seal these opposing areas, in particular one and the same sheet of film, tightly against each other.

The placing of the sheet of film on the transport carriage and / or the placing of the product on the sheet of film lying on the transport carriage is carried out, preferably by means of at least one robot.

With such a device, film bags can be produced very variably, in particular with regard to the size and material of the film very different film bags, in particular if the individual work stations and in particular the work devices used therein can be adjusted with regard to different processing parameters.

With regard to the at least one transport carriage, the holding device for holding the applied sheet of film is at least one vacuum suction device, the transport carriage preferably comprising its own vacuum pump to generate the required vacuum for the at least one suction device.

The support surface of the transport carriage for the sheet of film viewed in the top view can be smaller than the sheet of film placed on the transport carriage.

This can be used in particular to provide elements such as guide surfaces for folding over areas of the sheet of film and / or a sealing unit to attack outside of the support surface of the transport carriage on the sheet of film.

The transport slide preferably comprises a format plate that can be easily exchanged, in particular exchangeable without tools, in particular plug-on, the side of which, freely accessible from the outside, forms the support surface.

As a result, depending on the size of the required film sheet and / or the product to be packaged, transport plates adapted to it can be attached to the transport carriage, which enables the device to be quickly converted to another film bag to be produced.

The format plate is preferably pivotable with respect to the rest of the transport slide, i.e. the base body of the transport slide, or the entire transport slide, about a pivot axis running transversely, in particular perpendicular, to the main plane of the format plate or the support surface of the format plate, preferably by at least 90 °, in particular rotatable.

As a result, the film pouch or already film tube or film bag lying on it can be aligned in such a way that the extension direction of the next sealing seam to be produced corresponds to the transport direction or runs straight transversely to this, depending on what is being attacked by the Sealing unit on the film is cheaper.

With regard to the erecting station, this is preferably arranged in the direction of passage through the device after the filling station in which the product is placed on the sheet of film.

In exceptional cases, for example with a foil pouch in the form of a sachet, the filling station can also be used after the erecting station and even after the first sealing station to produce the first sealing seams, i.e. after creating the still open foil Bag to be arranged in the device.

The erection, i.e. the deformation of the foil sheet into a three-dimensional shape, is preferably carried out with the aid of guide surfaces that are part of the erecting station, which contact areas of the foil sheet by moving along the foil sheet and are shaped in such a way that they are Relocate these areas to the desired position and, if necessary, keep them in this position.

With regard to the sealing station, there is at least one, but preferably two, sealing stations spaced apart in the direction of passage along the transport device.

The sealing station preferably comprises a sealing unit which is able to produce a longitudinal sealing seam on a sheet of film running through the sealing unit or along the sealing unit, moved by means of the transport carriage. The sealing unit is preferably stationarily positioned on the transport device in the direction of passage, but can approach the transport carriage in the transverse direction or move away from it.

The sealing station can further comprise a sealing unit which is capable of producing a transverse sealing seam running transversely to the direction of flow, horizontally or vertically, but then preferably on the sheet of film that is stationary in the direction of passage through the sealing unit . Such a sealing unit is also preferably arranged in a stationary manner on the transport device in the direction of passage, but is designed to be movable in the transverse direction relative to the transport device, that is to say in particular the transport carriage running on it.

The sealing unit can be an adhesive unit, but is preferably an ultrasonic sealing unit or heating-jaw-sealing unit, since no additional adhesive is required for this.

With regard to the placement station, it either comprises a storage container in which cut-to-size, finite sheets of film are stored, and are individually removed from there and placed on the transport carriages, or a manufacturing unit for such sheets of film:
In such a production unit, the foil sheets are produced as required from a supply roll that is present in the production unit by using a separating device, in particular a cutting device, to remove the foil tape which is pulled from the supply roll. Sections of the foil tape are made.

Depending on the width of the foil strip, such a cut foil strip can have the dimensions of the desired foil sheet or a multiple of the dimensions of the required foil sheets, so that the foil strip then has to be cut again into several foil sheets which also happens within the manufacturing unit.

Of course, the reverse procedure is also possible, namely to divide the film strip withdrawn from the supply roll in the pulling direction into several narrower film strips lying next to one another, each of which has the width of a required sheet of film and of these individually Foil tapes cut off those sections that correspond to the length of the desired foil sheet.

In this way, separation of sheets of film stacked on top of one another in a storage container is avoided, which can cause problems precisely because of the static charge.

With regard to a possibly existing transfer station for transferring the finished film bags into an outer packaging, such a transfer station can preferably comprise a further transport device for the outer packaging, in particular cardboard boxes, whose transport direction is preferably parallel and preferably in the opposite direction to the transport direction for the foils -Bogenes and the resulting film bag runs, whereby the two transport devices can be controlled and driven independently of one another.

The device generally comprises a machine frame which carries the components described, that is to say both the one or both transport devices as well as the individual processing stations and processing units and, if applicable, the robots performing the relocating processes.

It is obvious that the production of the desired foil pouches can be carried out very flexibly with such a device, that is to say different foil pouches can be produced in terms of size and material and different products can be packaged in them.

c) Embodiments

Figur 1a:

eine Maschine zum Herstellen der Folienbeutel in der Aufsicht, jedoch ohne Roboter,

Figur 1b:

die Maschine ohne Maschinengestell in der Aufsicht,

Figur 1c:

die Bogen-Herstelleinheit der Maschine in perspektivischer Ansicht,

Fig. 2a1 bis 2e1:

einen ersten Herstellungs-Ablauf für die Folienbeutel betrachtet in der Aufsicht sowie in Durchlaufrichtung,

Figur 3c1 bis 3e1:

einen Teil eines zweiten Herstellungs-Ablaufes für Folienbeutel mit analogen Figurenbezeichnungen,

Figur 4a bis d:

die Transportvorrichtung der Maschine in unterschiedlichen Darstellungen

Fig. 5a1 bis 5e1:

einen dritten Herstellungs-Ablauf für die Folienbeutel betrachtet in der Aufsicht sowie in Durchlaufrichtung,

Embodiments according to the invention are described in more detail below by way of example. Show it:

Figure 1a:

a machine for the production of the foil bags in the supervision, but without a robot,

Figure 1b:

the machine without the machine frame in the supervision,

Figure 1c:

the sheet-making unit of the machine in perspective view,

Fig. 2a1 to 2e1:

a first production process for the film bags viewed from above and in the direction of passage,

Figure 3c1 to 3e1:

part of a second production process for foil bags with analogous figure designations,

Figure 4a to d:

the transport device of the machine in different representations

Fig. 5a1 to 5e1:

a third production process for the film bags viewed from above and in the direction of passage,

Figure 1a and as well Figure 1b show the machine for the production of the foil bags in a top view from above.

In this top view, a product belt 30 runs parallel next to one another in a product feed direction 10 ', on which the products P lying on it in a disordered manner are transported, as well as a transport device 110 which initially carries the film sheets 100 and downstream the tubular bags 102 resulting therefrom in the direction of passage 10 the machine is transported.

The direction of passage 10 for the sheet of film is in the Figures 1a , b directed from left to right.

In Figure 1a the machine including the machine frame 20 carrying all the components of the machine is shown, which consists of several frame modules 20.1, 20.2 arranged one behind the other in the flow direction 10, which are rectangular when viewed from above and are mostly aligned with one another in the flow direction, but can also have an offset , as in Figure 1a between the last sealing station 5 and the 1st turnover station 6 is evident and necessary, as explained later.

Each of these frame modules 20.1 consists of - in this supervision of the Figure 1a not visible, only in Figure 1c shown - upright frame columns 20a in the corners of the frame module 20.1, 20.2, which are square in plan view, which are connected to one another in their upper end area by longitudinal traverses 20b running in the direction of passage 10, the longitudinal direction of the machine, and transverse traverses 20a .

In order to prevent access to the interior of the machine during operation of the machine, the free spaces between the upright frame columns 20a along the longitudinal sides of the machine frame 20a are closed by safety doors 7 which, when opened during operation of the machine, trigger an alarm signal or the machine shut down.

The individual frame modules 20.1 are mechanically connected to one another, in particular screwed, and also connected to one another in terms of data technology and energy.

The transport device 110 for the production of film bags, in particular for the production of tubular bags, extends in the machine in the direction of passage 10 from the beginning of the first frame module 20.1 to the last frame module and possibly beyond, while the in Figure 1a underneath visible product band coming in from the right 30 in the second frame module 20.2 from the left, that is to say in the direction of passage 10, ends.

Because in the first, in Figure 1a on the far left, frame module 20.1, there is on the one hand a sheet station 1 in the form of a sheet production unit 22 for producing these foil sheets 100 from a foil web wound on a supply roll 23 and on the other hand a placement station 2 for placing the foil sheets 100 on a transport carriage 120 of the transport device 110 housed.

The supply roll 23 is attached to the frame module 20.1, but on its in Figure 1a lower outside, which primarily serves to make it easier to change the supply roll 23 when it is outside the frame module 20.1.

Such a supply roll unit with a supply roll 23 located therein is shown in FIG Figure 1c shown separately, two of the upright frame columns 20a of the frame module 20.1 to which the supply roll unit and thus also the supply roll 23 are attached can also be seen.

From this supply roll 23, the axial direction 23 'of which runs parallel to the longitudinal direction 10 of the machine, the throughput direction 10, the film web 98 wound on it is drawn off in the transverse direction 11 and into the interior of the frame module 20.1, and there by means of the in Figure 1a The indicated cutting devices 24 are initially separated from the film web 98 by cuts parallel to the axial direction 23 'of the supply roll 23, which are then divided into individual film sheets 100 spaced apart in the axial direction 23' by cuts or punchings in the pull-off direction. This represents the arch station 1.

These foil sheets 100 are in Figure 1a only indicated by arrows and in Figure 1b shown robot 50 ', which only needs to have two degrees of freedom, taken and transferred in the transverse direction 11 within this first frame module 20.1 of the machine to a transport slide 120 of the transport device 110, which of course for this purpose in the passage direction 10 at the corresponding point of the transport device 110 must be positioned. This represents the lay-up station 2.

Such a transport carriage 120, which is usually loaded with several foil sheets 100 arranged one behind the other in the flow direction 10, is then moved in the flow direction 10 to a filling station 3 which is usually arranged in the next frame module 20.2 and which can also take up several frame modules 20.2 and in by means of a - in Figure 1a for reasons of clarity only indicated and Figure 1b - or several robots 50, which hang above the transport device 110 and the product belt 30, each one or more products P are picked up by the product belt 30 and placed in the correct rotational position and position on each one of the film sheets 100.

The transport carriage 120 with the now filled film sheets 100 lying on it is transported on to an erecting station 4, then to a first sealing station 5 for producing a longitudinal sealing seam 101 ', then on to a further sealing station 5 for producing the transverse sealing seam 102', which in all Usually each housed in its own frame modules 20.3 to 20.5.

In a subsequent transfer station 6 in the flow direction 10, which in this case requires two further frame modules 20.6, 20.7, a further transport device 110 'begins, which preferably with regard to the independently movable carriages 120' as well as the transport direction 10 is designed analogously to the transport device 110, and extends from this transfer station 6 further to the right.

On this second transport direction 110 ', which runs parallel to the first transport device 110, outer packaging, in particular cardboard boxes 130, are arranged on the individual transport slides 120', which are initially made of flat cardboard blanks in the first of the two frame modules 20.6 in the passage direction 10 by means of an indicated erector created and placed on the transport device 110 '.

By means of further robots 50 arranged one behind the other in the flow direction 10, the finished tubular bags 102, which are on the carriage 120 of the first transport device 110, are grasped and transferred to the outer packaging 130 on the carriage 120 'of the other, further transport direction 110' and from this transported away for further handling, in particular beyond the end of the last frame module 20.7 to a separate station, not shown, further away, such as a palletizing station.

At right angles to the direction of passage 10, the frame modules 20.6, 20.7 with the additional transport device 111 'therein are offset to the frame modules 20.1 to 20.5 upstream in the direction of passage 10 to such an extent that the first transport device 111 extends through all of the frame modules 20.1 to 20.7, however, the product belt 30 opposite the additional transport device 111 'with respect to the first transport device 111 runs next to the frame modules 20.6, 20.7 with the additional transport device 111' therein.

The sequence of the production of the foil bags 102 from one foil sheet 100 each with the product P placed thereon in the erecting station 4 and the sealing stations 5 is shown on the basis of a single foil sheet 100 in the Figures 2 and 3rd shown, with the Figures 2a1, 2b1 , 2c1, 2d1, 2e1 show the situation from above and those with the parallel numbering Figures 2a2, 2b2 , 2c2 and 2d2 next to it the same situation in each case viewed in the direction of passage 10.

Only for the Figure 2e1 , which shows the finished tubular bag 102 in a top view, there is no additional analogous representation viewed in the direction of passage 10, since this view of the finished tubular bag 102 is already shown in FIG Figure 2d2 can be seen.

The show a first procedural sequence Figures 2 :
In the Figures 3 is a part of a somewhat different, second process sequence with regard to the states c, d and e shown, again with the Figures 3c1, 3d1, 3e1 a representation viewed in the top view of the machine and the numbered analogously Figures 3c2 and 3d2 the representation of the same manufacturing step viewed in the direction of passage 10, again the Figure 3e1 does not contain an analogous representation viewed in the flow direction 10, since this state of the tubular bag 102 is already shown in FIG Figure 3d2 can be seen.

First procedural sequence:
First, the foil sheets are made available and one or more foil sheets are placed on a carriage 120.

In the filling station 3, the product P, which is cuboid here, is according to FIG Figure 2a1 so placed on a sheet of film 100 that this in the plan when viewed from all sides protrudes beyond the product P. When viewed from above, the product P lies with its greatest extension direction in the direction of passage 10.

Preferably - as well as based on the Figure 1a , b to recognize - in the transport direction 10 one behind the other several foil sheets 100 placed on the transport slide 120, that is, its format plate 15.

• in Querrichtung 11 eine größere Erstreckung, also Breite, aufweist als der in dieser Richtung liegende Umfang des Produktes, und
• in Längsrichtung 10 länger ist als das Produkt P in Durchlaufrichtung 10, zuzüglich der Höhe des Produktes P in dieser Richtung.

The foil sheet 100 must be dimensioned relative to the product P such that it

• in the transverse direction 11 has a greater extent, that is to say width, than the circumference of the product lying in this direction, and
• in the longitudinal direction 10 is longer than the product P in the flow direction 10, plus the height of the product P in this direction.

How Figure 2a2 shows, the sheet of film 100 is wider in the transverse direction 11 than the format plate 15 of the carriage 120, on the upper side of which the sheet of film 100 is held by means of suction cups 13 subjected to negative pressure.

The edges or edge regions 100a, b of the sheet of film 100, which preferably run in the direction of passage 10, are then cut according to the method shown in FIG Figure 2a2 and placed against each other in the transverse direction 11 above the product P, preferably over its center, so that the product P, viewed in this longitudinal direction, the direction of passage 10, is enveloped by the sheet of film 100 and the edge regions 100a, b placed against each other are one of the Form top of the product P upwardly protruding fin 101c, which initially have two separate film layers according to FIG Figure 2b1, 2b2 are sealed against one another to form a longitudinal sealing seam 101 ′ running in the longitudinal direction 10.

For this purpose, sealing jaws 19a, b of a sealing unit 19, which are introduced in the transverse direction 11, engage on both sides of the initially two-layer fin 101c and press the two layers of the fin 101c against each other and weld them together due to the temperature of the sealing jaws 19a, b. This can also be done in a continuous process in that the sealing jaws 19a, b are sealing rollers 19a, b, as in FIG Figure 2b1 The plan view shows that the roller axes 19 ', which are aligned in the vertical 12, are preferably already biased against each other and driven to rotate, and thereby weld the two-layer fin 101c introduced between them, which is done solely by moving the carriage 120 forwards in the direction of passage 10 can, so that the sealing rollers 19a, b can be positioned in a stationary manner.

As a result, a film tube 101 is now formed, which is still open on the front and rear end faces in the direction of passage 10. In order to close this, the fin 101c is first folded down from the upright position onto the area of the outer circumference of the film tube located next to it, which is stabilized by the product P, which is usually relatively tightly enclosed therein, as in FIG Figure 2c2 shown in the direction of the arrow.

This is possible in a simple manner by appropriately positioning a fixed, correspondingly shaped guide surface 18 and moving the film tube 101 with the fin 101c along this guide surface 18, which can be arranged in a fixed position in the machine frame, as in FIG Figure 2c1 and Figure 2c2 shown.

After the fin 101c is folded down into the horizontal position, that is mostly in the area of the wrapped product P on its upper side and additionally standing over it with the front and rear protrusion of the film tube 101 in and against the direction of passage 10 the product P, this protrusion is closed in the transverse direction 11 by producing a transverse sealing seam 102 ':
For this purpose, in the flow direction 10 in front of and behind the product, preferably by means of the in Figure 2d1 Seen in the top view, approximately fork-shaped sealing unit 19, vertically pressed against one another by means of two sealing jaws 19a, 19b that can be moved vertically against one another to form a transverse sealing seam 102 'running in the transverse direction 11 approximately at the middle of the height of the product P in front of and behind it.

For this purpose, the lower sealing jaw 19a moves in the transverse direction under the protrusion with which the film tube 101 protrudes over the product in and against the longitudinal direction 10, and preferably lifts this lower section of the protrusion to approximately half the height of the product P, while the bottom of the upper sealing jaw 19b is still at a level above the product P and the film tube 101.

After the film tube 101 with its overhang is completely between the two sealing jaws 19a, b, the vertically movable upper sealing jaw 19b lowers on the lower sealing jaw 19a until the two layers of the overhang of the film tube 101 are pressed together and by means of the sealing jaws 19a, b are welded to one another to form the transverse sealing seam 102 '.

For this purpose, the fork-shaped sealing tool 19 can be displaced so far in the transverse direction 11 that, on the one hand, it can be moved out of the path of movement of the film tube 101 into a deactivated position and, on the other hand, with a film tube 101 positioned at the corresponding longitudinal position, it can be moved so far towards it that the The protrusion of the film tube 101 is located between the sealing jaws 19a, b of one of the prongs of the fork-shaped sealing tool 19.

Since the fork-shaped sealing tool 19 according to the plan of the Figure 2d1 Both prongs - whose free distance in the longitudinal direction 10 is somewhat greater than the length of the product P in this direction - consists of such a pair of sealing jaws 19a, b, both protrusions of the film tube 101 are transversely sealed in a single operation.

This creates the finished tubular film bag 102, which is closed on all sides, as shown in the plan view in FIG Figure 2e1 can be seen and viewed in the longitudinal direction 10 already from Figure 2d2 can be seen.

In the Figures 3 a partially slightly different, second sequence of movements is shown, up to that in the Figures 3c1, 3c2 state shown the sequence according to the Figures 2a1 to 2c2 corresponds to.

Thereafter, however, the film tube 101 with the product P located therein is rotated by 90 ° about an upright axis 12 ′, so that the film tube 101 extends in the transverse direction 11.

This is possible in that at least the format plate 15, on which the film sheet 100 is initially located and now the film tube 101 created therefrom, can be rotated about this vertical axis 12 'with respect to the base body 16 of the transport carriage 120, which is only possible if either only a sheet of film 100 is located on the format plate 15.

If a plurality of foil sheets 100 were initially located one behind the other in the direction of passage 10 on the transport slide 120, that is to say its format plate 15, one possibility is that the format plate 15 is in the direction of passage 10 is subdivided into several plate sections, each of which carries a sheet of film 100 and which are each individually rotatable about a vertical axis 12 ′ with respect to the base body 16 of the transport slide 120.

As a result, the protrusions 101a, b of the film tube 101 then protrude beyond the product in the transverse direction 11 on both sides.

This makes it possible to produce the transverse sealing seams 102 'during the passage of the film tube 101 in the transport direction 10, for example by placing sealing rollers 19a, b above and below the film tube 101 in a stationary manner below and above the transverse sealing seam 102' to be produced in the transverse area of the respective protrusion 101a, 101b - as in Figure 3d2 shown on the right-hand side - which rotate about axes of rotation 19 'running horizontally in the transverse direction 11.

These are in turn arranged at such a distance from one another, this time horizontal, or even pretensioned against one another, that the protrusion 101a, 101b running between them is compressed and sealed to form the transverse sealing seam 102 '. The transport carriage 12 does not have to be stopped for this.

Of course, a stationary production of the transverse sealing seam 102 'is also possible, i.e. with the transport carriage 12 stopped, in which two non-rotating sealing jaws 19a, b approaching each other from above and below take up the protrusion 102a, b between them and weld them, as in FIG left half of Figure 3d2 shown.

In both cases, this creates a finished tubular bag 102, as shown in FIG Figure 3e1 is shown in the top view and in Figure 3d2 can already be seen when looking in the direction of passage 10.

In this context, it should be pointed out that in both procedures the transverse sealing seam 102 'in the region of the folded fin of the longitudinal sealing seam has four layers, otherwise only two layers. The transverse sealing seam 102 'is therefore preferably produced by means of heated sealing jaws and not by means of ultrasonic sealing jaws.

How to proceed with the finished tubular bags 102, which are still located on the carriage 120 of the transport device 111, is again shown in FIG Figures 1a , b:
Because downstream of the last sealing station 5, at which the last sealing seam, usually the transverse sealing seam 102 ', is produced, two transfer stations 6 follow in this case, in which the finished tubular bags 102 are transferred from the transport carriage 120 of the first transport device 110 to outer packaging 130, mostly cardboard boxes are moved that are brought up and transported away on a further transport device 110 ′, the transport direction 10 of which here runs parallel to, but possibly also in the opposite direction, to the first transport device 110.

The transfer takes place by means of one or more further robots 50, which as in FIG Figure 1B can be seen above the two transport devices 110, 110 'are arranged.

Since the further transport device 110 'is arranged on the side of the first transport device 110 opposite the product belt 30, the frame modules 20.6, 20.7, in which the further transport device 110' is already present, are in the transverse direction 11 to the frame modules 20.1 - 20.5 arranged offset in order to be able to fasten both transport devices 110, 110 'therein.

The cardboard boxes 130 can in turn be arranged on carriages 120 'that can be moved independently of one another along a track body 111', i.e. the basic structure of the two transport devices 110, 110 'can be the same, or the cardboard boxes 130 are placed on a conveyor belt on which they are transported and transported away after filling.

The transport device 110, 110 'is shown separately in detail in FIGS Figures 4 a - d shown.

The transport device 110 consists on the one hand of a track body 111, on which a guide track 112a, 112b is formed on each of two opposite sides, along which the transport carriages 120 can be moved, namely along each guide track 112a or 112b independently of one another, so that those on the same and even more so the transport carriages 120 moving independently of one another can have different speeds and even different directions of travel independently of one another and can thus be stopped individually and independently of the other transport carriages.

As already with the Figures 2 and 3rd and here best in Figure 4a Shown in the middle and in the right part, a transport slide 120 consists of a base body 16, which is moved along the guide track 112a or 112b, and on the side facing away from the guide track a format plate 15 is attached, which is adapted to the respective transport task in terms of size and equipment is adapted.

In the present case, according to the Figures 1a , b the format plate 15 is of such a length in the transport direction 10 that three sheets of film 100 can be placed on it one behind the other, and the upper side of the format plate 15 is equipped with suction cups 13 that can be acted upon by negative pressure, which are positioned so that not only the sheet of film 100 that is still flat of which is held on the format plate 15, but also the tubular bag 102, which has a significantly smaller base area than the original sheet of film 100.

An additional peculiarity of this transport direction 110 is that the track body 111, which consists of individual modules arranged one behind the other in the transport direction 10 with virtually no gaps, not only has one or mostly several fixed track body modules 111a, the track body 111 of which is fixedly mounted, but - especially as the first and last module of the transport device in the transport direction 10 - comprises a turning module 111b, in which the track body 111 of this module can be pivoted at least 180 degrees about a pivot axis 17 that runs in the transport direction 10, so that the previously upper Guide track 112a, then, that is, after pivoting through 180 degrees, is in alignment with the lower guide track 112b of the adjoining, fixed track body module 111a.

Since the transport carriages 120, in particular their base body 16, are also guided captively in the vertical 12 on the respective guide track 112a, 112b, during this pivoting a carriage 12 initially located on the upper side of the track body 111 can be displaced by pivoting on its underside and on the then lower guide track 112b - for example in the empty state - can be moved back to the starting point of the transport route in order to be turned up there with the help of the other turning module 111b, reloaded and used for the transport of film bottoms 100 or products P.

In the Figures 4a to d the track body modules 111a, b, that is to say the entire track body 111, are shown elevated on supports 113.

Built into a machine, like in Figure 1a shown, the track body 111 and thus the entire transport device 110 is of course connected to the base frame 20 of the machine, but again in such a way that the rotatability of the track body modules in the turning modules 111b, even with the transport carriage 120 attached, without colliding with other parts of the machine, in particular the base frame 20 thereof is possible, as is the movement of the transport carriage 120 with the film sheets 100 or products P placed thereon along the entire transport route.

The pivotable track body modules in the turning modules 111b are pivoted by means of a controlled turning motor 114.

Since the transport carriages 120 are to be moved independently of one another, there is, on the one hand, a drive in the base body 16 of the respective carriage 120 in the form of a drive motor 8 which, for example, can drive a pinion rotatably mounted in the base body 16 in a controlled manner, which with a pinion in the track body 111 in the transport direction 10 extending, not shown, meshes rack.

Since the suction cups 13 require a vacuum supply, a vacuum pump 14 is preferably present in each base body 16, as well as a vacuum container 14 'from which the suction cups 13 are subjected to vacuum, while the vacuum pump 14 maintains the vacuum in the vacuum container 14' receives.

The individual carriages 120 are supplied with electrical energy for the traction motor 8 as well as for the vacuum pump 14 by preferably Contactlessly, for example by means of induction, absorb electrical energy from a current conductor 115 running in the center of the track body 111 in the transport direction 10.

Furthermore show the Figures 5 , so Figures 5a1 to 5i1 , a possible third process sequence in representations analogous to the designation and arrangement of Figures 2 , whereby in the following also primarily the differences to the first process sequence according to the Figures 2 explained:
A first difference is that according to Figure 5a1 and following the product P viewed in plan with its greatest direction of extent not in the direction of passage 10, the transport direction of the film sheets 100 through the machine, as in FIG Figures 2 , is placed, but with its greatest extent transverse to the direction of passage 10.

Since the longitudinal sealing seam 101 'in a tubular bag 102 is generally created running along in the direction of the greatest extension direction of the product P to be packaged, the transverse sealing seam 101' is also created here transversely to the flow direction 10, as described below.

It should be emphasized, however, that this is not a mandatory rule and, in all of the production processes described, the longitudinal sealing seam 101 ′ can also be arranged in the direction of the smaller extent of the product P viewed in plan view.

The second obvious difference the Figures 5 compared to the Figures 2 consists in the fact that the individual film sheets 100 at the beginning of the process sequence are not placed directly on a format plate 15 with a flat top, but in each case in a channel-shaped depression 25a, here formed in the top of a format tray 25 that is separate for each sheet of film 100.

The channel-shaped recess 25a, which is open on both sides, runs - like the largest direction of extent of the product P - also transversely to the direction of passage 10, that is, in the horizontal transverse direction 11, so that the format tray 25 represents a profile part. The length of the format tray 25 measured in the transverse direction 11 and thus the channel-shaped recess 25a is at most as long as the product P measured in the transverse direction 11, preferably somewhat shorter as shown, so that the product P protrudes slightly over the channel-shaped depression 25a on both sides.

The channel-shaped depression 25a has inclined flanks which diverge from the bottom to the upper end of the channel 25a and which are spaced from one another increasingly larger upwards.

The depth of the grooves 25a is at most as great as the height of the product P to be inserted, preferably slightly less, so that the sealing jaws 19a, b can be moved just above the product over the edges of the groove 25a, i.e. here the format tray 25.

In the bottom of the channel-shaped recess 25a there are preferably vacuum suction devices 13 in order to pull the sheet 100, which is flat or already sagging downward, from above against the bottom of the channel 25a, whereby the sheet 100 is already placed before the product P is placed on the Foil sheet 100 assumes an approximately U-shaped contour when viewed in the transverse direction in the channel 25a, which facilitates the further handling of the foil sheet 100 deformed in this way

In Figure 5a2 it can also be seen that the format trays 25 are formed individually for each sheet of film 100 and in this case not directly on the The base body 16 of the carriage 120 is seated on a format plate 15 resting thereon and is also held in position there by means of suction cups 13.

Neither the holding means in the form of suction cups 13 is mandatory here - both between the format plate 15 and the format tray 25 and between the sheet of film 100 and the channel 25a - but other holding means can also be used for this purpose.

Furthermore, the format plate 15 and the format trays 25 seated individually on it can also be functionally combined, in particular in one piece together, in the form of a format plate in which the several trough-shaped recesses 25a are incorporated in the upper side, because on a carriage 120 should preferably be in the flow direction 10 one behind the other several foil sheets 100 are placed and processed into foil bags.

The use of such channel-shaped depressions 25a is also not tied to the direction of support of the product P with its greatest direction of extent in the transverse direction 11, but could also be used in the method sequence according to FIG Figures 2 are used, in which case the direction of extent of the channel-shaped depression 25, that is to say the profile direction, would then lie in the direction of passage 10.

After a product P is in each channel 25a and on the sheet of film 100, according to FIG Figure 5b2 the longitudinal sealing seam 101 'produced by placing two strip-shaped sealing jaws 19a, b with mutually directed sealing surfaces running in the transverse direction 11 just above the product P, one in the direction of passage 10 and the other opposite to the direction of passage 10 being brought closer to one another until they reach the Above protruding edge regions 100a, b of the film 100 clamp between them and seal and thereby creating the longitudinal sealing seam 101 ′, which in the finished state forms a fin 101c extending in the transverse direction 11 and protruding upwards.

Sealing jaws 19a, b are then again spaced apart from one another in their starting position, in which they occupy a greater distance from one another than the edge regions 100a, b of the as yet unsealed sheet of film 100 protruding upward from channel 25a.

The resulting film tube 101 is still in the channel-shaped depression 25a of the format tray 25 - as in FIG Figure 5b1 with the sealing jaws 19a, b still shown in the sealing position and in Figure 5c1 already without the sealing jaws for reasons of clarity - but protrudes on both sides over the channel 25a with the protrusion 101a, b on both sides, as in FIG Figure 5b1 recognizable.

In order to close these two-sided protrusions 101a, b of the film tube 101 in the flow direction 10 by transverse sealing seams 102 ', the upwardly protruding fin 101c of the longitudinal sealing seam 101' is first folded over onto the upper side of the film tube 101 - in this case opposite to the Passage direction 10 - by moving a strip-shaped fold-over 18 extending in the transverse direction 11 just above the top of the film tube 101 against the fin 101c and folds it over, the fold-over 18, the underside of which represents the effective guide surface 18 ', in the turned-down position of the Fin 101c remains seated on this - as in Figure 5c2 shown - until the production of the transverse sealing seams 102 'is finished.

For this purpose - as in Figure 5c1 to recognize - the strip-shaped folders 18 preferably in the transverse direction 11 at most over the Area of the channel 25a and at most slightly beyond this on both sides.

Because like in the Figures 5d1, 5d2 shown, the lateral protrusions 101a, 101b of the film tube 101 are pressed against each other from above and below and sealed with the help of sealing jaws 19a, b which engage the protrusion 101a, b from above and below and which are to be brought closer together and which extend over the entire extent in the direction of passage 10 of the film tube 101 and also seal the folded-over fin 101c present in the protrusion 101a, b.

Since the sealing jaws 19a, b are usually moved in the transverse direction 11 from the side in a spaced-apart state in order to accommodate the protrusions 101a, b between them, a flap 18 protruding far beyond the channel 25a in the transverse direction 11 would collide with the sealing jaws 19a, b lead.

In the case of a plurality of film tubes 101 lying one behind the other on a slide 120 in line with one another in the flow direction 10, the sealing jaws 19a, b can pass through several or all sealing jaws 19a, b of the slide 120 and seal them all together transversely.

After the transverse sealing seam 102 'has been produced, the tubular bag 102 is tightly closed around the product P and finished as in FIG Figure 5e1 shown.

Merely for the sake of completeness, it should be stated again that the individual work steps described above take place at different work stations, which are approached one after the other by the carriage 120 in the direction of passage 10, as well as to the Figures 2 described.

REFERENCE LIST

1

Bow station

2

Lay-up station

3

Filling station

4th

Righting station

5

Sealing station

6th

Transfer station

7th

Protective door

8th

Traction motor

9

control

10

Transport device

10

Direction of passage, direction of transport of foil sheets

10 '

Product feed direction, transport direction product belt

11 '

Transverse direction

12th

vertical

12 '

upright axis

13th

Holding device, suction cup

14th

Vacuum pump

14 '

Vacuum container

15th

Format plate

16

Base body

17th

Swivel axis

18th

Guide body, folding unit

18 '

Guide surface, diverter

19th

Seal unit

19 '

Roller axis

19a, b

Sealing jaw, sealing roll

20th

Machine frame

21st

Storage unit

22nd

Arch manufacturing unit

23

Supply roll

23 '

Axis direction

24

Cutting unit

25th

Format tray

25a

groove-shaped recess

30th

Product band

50

robot

98

Film web

99

Foil strips

100

Foil sheet

100a, b

Area, border area

101

Foil hose

101 '

first sealing seam, longitudinal sealing seam

101a, b

Got over

101c

fin

102

Hose bag

102 '

second sealing seam, transverse sealing seam

110, 110 '

Transport device

111, 111 '

Railway body, railway body module

111a

Fixed module

111b

Reversible module

112a, b

Guideway

113

Fixing device, support

114

Reversing engine

115

Conductor

120.120 '

Transport carriage

130

Outer packaging, cardboard box

P

product

Claims (14)

1. Method for producing longitudinally and transversely sealed, filled film bags (102) from non-shape-retaining film sheets (100), wherein

   c1) at least one product (P) is placed on the film sheet (100),

   d1) in a first sealing step, at least one first sealing seam (101') is produced in each case by placing two regions (100a, 100b) of the film sheet (100) against one another and sealing them, and

   e) in a second sealing step, in each case at least one second sealing seam (102'), which runs transversely with respect to the first sealing seam (101'), is produced,

   f) so that at least one filled and circumferentially tightly sealed film bag (102) is produced,

   characterized in that

   a1) the film sheets are individual, finite, non-shape-retaining film sheets (100),

   a2) at least one non-shape-retaining film sheet (100) is placed in a precise position on one of a plurality of transport slides (120), which can be moved independently of one another at least in a transport direction (10), of a transport device (110),

   b) the film sheet (100) is held firmly on the transport slide (120),

   c2) the product (P) is placed on the film sheet (100) in the region of the transport slide (120),

   g) the film sheet (100) for carrying out the processing steps being transported by means of the transport slide (120) in the transport direction (10) successively to processing stations at which the above-mentioned processing steps are carried out.

   (1^st bag form = tubular bag)
2. Method according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   in the first sealing step

   - two edge regions (100a, 100b) of the film sheet (100), which lie opposite one another and run in particular in the transport direction (10), are selected as the two regions (100a, 100b) to be placed against one another and sealed,

   - the edge regions (100a, 100b) are sealed against one another, in particular over the entire length of the edge regions (100a, 100b),

   - in particular while the transport slide (12) moves with the film sheet (100) in the transport direction (10) along a sealing unit (19).
3. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   in the second sealing step

   - in each case two mutually opposite regions (101a, 101b) of the film tube (101) formed in the first sealing step, in particular of the ends of the film tube (101), are placed against one another and sealed, over the entire width of the film tube (101), and at least two second sealing seams (102') are produced.
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that

   - after the production of the first sealing seam (101') and before the production of the second sealing seam (102'), the sealing fin (101c) projecting radially from the rest of the film tube (101) is folded over against the rest of the film tube (101),

   - in particular when viewed from above, the sealing fin (101c) is located in the width region of the product (P).
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the at least one second sealing seam (102') is produced running transversely, in particular perpendicularly if viewed from above, to the first sealing seam (101'), in that

   - either the second sealing seam (102') is produced running transversely with respect to the transport direction (10),

   - in particular while the slide (120) with the at least one film sheet (100), in particular film tube (101), is stationary in the transport direction (10) and a sealing unit (19), in particular in the transverse direction (11) to the transport direction (10), is moved relative to the slide (120) for sealing,

   - or the second sealing seam (102') is produced running in the transport direction (10), in that

   - the film sheet (100), in particular the film tube (101), is rotated on the slide (120) in such a way that the direction of the second sealing seam (102') to be produced runs in the transport direction (10), and

   - in particular the second sealing seam (102') is produced while the slide (120) moves with the film sheet (100) in the transport direction (10) along a sealing unit (19).
6. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that

   - the two opposing edge regions (102a, 102b) of the film sheet (100) are laid against one another to produce the first sealing seam (101') and/or the sealing fin (101c) is folded over with the first sealing seam (101'), while the slide (120) with the film sheet (100) moves in the transport direction (10') along a folding unit (18), in particular along a folding guide surface (18').

   (2nd bag form = bag pouch)
7. Method according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   in the first sealing step

   - as two areas (102a, 102b) to be placed against one another and sealed are selected two adjoining sections of the same strip-shaped area, in particular edge area (102a, 102b), of the film sheet (100) running in the transport direction (10) or transversely thereto.
8. Method according to claim 1 or 7,
   characterized in that
   in the second sealing step

   - the two edge regions (102a, 102b) of the film sheet (100), which are located opposite one another and have not yet been sealed to one another, are selected as the two regions (102a, 102b) to be placed against one another and sealed.

   (general)
9. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that

   - the processing steps are carried out at the film sheet (100) lying on the carriage (120).
10. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that

    - either several film sheets (100) are placed next to one another, in particular one behind the other in the transport direction (10), on the slide (120)
    or

    - only one film sheet (100) is placed on the slide (120), steps f) and g) are carried out several times at intervals in the transport direction (10'), and then the transversely sealed film tube (101) is cut into several tube bags (102) which are sealed tightly around in each case.
11. Machine for producing longitudinally and transversely sealed, filled film bags (102) from non-shape-retaining film sheets (100), according to one of the preceding process claims, having

    - a transport device (110) having a plurality of transport slides (120) which can be moved independently of one another along the transport device (110) and have a holding device (13) for holding at least one film sheet (100) lying thereon,

    - a control system (9) for controlling at least the movable parts of the device,

    characterized by

    - along the transport device (110) in the direction of travel (10) through the transport device (10) one after the other,

    - at least one lay-up station (2) for placing at least one flat, non-form-retaining, packaging material on a transport carriage (120),

    - at least one filling station (3) for placing at least one product (P) on the packaging material lying on the transport slide (120),

    - at least one erecting station (4) for three-dimensionally deforming the flat packaging material into a package,

    - at least one sealing station (5) for tightly sealing the package,

    wherein

    - the lay-up station (2) is suitable for laying up a non-shape-retaining sheet of film (100) as packaging material,

    - the erecting station (4) is capable of laying portions of the non-shape-retaining film sheet (100) against one another by deformation,

    - the sealing station (5) is capable of sealing areas (100a, b) of one and the same non-shape-retaining film sheet (100) tightly against one another.
12. Machine according to claim 11,
    characterized in that

    - the transport slide (120) comprises as supporting surface at least one format plate (15) which can be easily exchanged, in particular without tools, and which is fastened to the side of a base body (16) facing away from the guideway,
    and/or

    - the format plate (15) fastened to the side of a base body (16) facing away from the guideway can be rotated, preferably by at least 90°, relative to the base body (16) of the transport slide (120) about a pivot axis (12') running perpendicular to the main plane of the format plate (15).
13. Machine according to one of the preceding device claims,
    characterized in that
    the lay-up station (2) comprises

    - either a storage container for film sheets (100)

    - or a manufacturing unit (22) for film sheets (100), which comprises in particular

    - a supply roll (23) for a film strip (98), and

    - at least one cutting device (24) for cutting off film strips (99) running in the axial direction (23') of the supply roll (23) from the free end of the film strip (98), and

    - in particular a cutting device (24) for cutting the film strip (98) or the cut film strip (99) into several film sheets (100) following one another in the axial direction (23').
14. Machine according to one of the preceding device claims,
    characterized in that
    the sealing station (5) has at least one sealing unit (19) which is positioned in a stationary manner on the transport device (10), in particular in the direction of travel(10'), and which is capable

    - to produce at least one longitudinal sealing seam (101') running in the direction of travel (10) at the film sheet (100) while passing through the sealing unit (5) in the direction of travel (10),
    and/or

    - to produce at least one transverse sealing seam (101') extending in the transverse direction (11) to the direction of travel (10) at the film sheet (100) while still standing through the sealing unit (5) in the direction of travel (10).

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