U.S. patent application number 12/732690 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-30 for method of manufacturing a package and packaging machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMULLER GMBH & CO. KG. Invention is credited to Hans-Joachim Boekstegers, Jesus Sanchez, Helmut Sparakowski.
Application Number | 20100242411 12/732690 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42309643 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100242411 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boekstegers; Hans-Joachim ;
et al. |
September 30, 2010 |
METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A PACKAGE AND PACKAGING MACHINE
Abstract
A packaging machine and a method of manufacturing a package are
provided. The method may comprise the following: forming a
container (13) in a web of a first web-like material (7) by
deep-drawing; forming a lid (14') in a web of a further web-like
material (9') by deep-drawing; placing the lid (14') onto the
container (13); and subsequently separating the container (13) from
the first web-like material (7, 9'), wherein an edge (20, 21, 22)
of the container (13) and an edge (20', 21', 22') of the lid (14')
are formed in an angled or bent form.
Inventors: |
Boekstegers; Hans-Joachim;
(Starnberg, DE) ; Sanchez; Jesus; (Haldenwang,
DE) ; Sparakowski; Helmut; (Tannheim, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROOKS KUSHMAN P.C.
1000 TOWN CENTER, TWENTY-SECOND FLOOR
SOUTHFIELD
MI
48075
US
|
Assignee: |
MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMULLER GMBH
& CO. KG
Wolfertschwenden
DE
|
Family ID: |
42309643 |
Appl. No.: |
12/732690 |
Filed: |
March 26, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/449 ; 53/140;
53/456; 53/471; 53/488; 53/561 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 7/168 20130101;
B65D 43/0212 20130101; B65D 2543/00527 20130101; B65D 2251/0018
20130101; B65D 43/021 20130101; B65D 2543/00509 20130101; B65B
47/00 20130101; B65D 2543/00694 20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101;
B65B 7/165 20130101; B65D 2543/00805 20130101; B65D 2543/00351
20130101; B65D 2543/00175 20130101; B65D 2543/00842 20130101; B65D
2543/00537 20130101; B65D 51/20 20130101; B65D 2251/0093 20130101;
B65D 2543/0062 20130101; B65B 9/04 20130101; B65D 2543/00787
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/449 ; 53/456;
53/471; 53/488; 53/140; 53/561 |
International
Class: |
B65B 3/02 20060101
B65B003/02; B65B 47/00 20060101 B65B047/00; B65B 7/28 20060101
B65B007/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 27, 2009 |
DE |
102009015343.8 |
Claims
1. A method of manufacturing a package, the method comprising:
forming a container in a web of a first web-like material by
deep-drawing; forming a lid in a web of a further web-like material
by deep-drawing; placing the lid onto the container; and
subsequently separating the container from the first web-like
material; wherein an edge of the container and an edge of the lid
are formed in a shape angled or bent upwards with respect to a
plane defined by the respective web-like material.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the edge of the
container is formed such that the edge of the container corresponds
to the edge of the lid and can receive the lid.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the lid is a second lid
and the further web-like material is a third web-like material, and
wherein the method further comprises forming a first lid in a
second web-like material and sealing the first lid onto the
container.
4. The method according to claim 3 wherein for reclosability of the
container, the container is formed with first projections and the
second lid is formed with second projections, wherein the first and
second projections are both formed to be directed inwards or both
formed to be directed outwards with respect to the container.
5. The method according to claim 3 wherein the second lid is at
least partially sealed onto the container.
6. The method according to claim 3 wherein the first lid is cut to
size prior to sealing the first lid onto the container and/or the
second lid is cut to size prior to being placed on the
container.
7. The method according to claim 3 further comprising separating
the first lid from the second web-like material and/or separating
the second lid from the third web-like material after the second
lid has been placed on the container.
8. A packaging machine for producing packages, the packaging
machine comprising: a first forming station for forming containers
in a first web-like material by deep-drawing such that each
container has an edge that is formed in a shape angled or bend
upwards with respect to a plane defined by the first web-like
material; a second forming station for forming lids in a further
web-like material by deep-drawing such that each lid has an edge
that is formed in a shape angled or bend upwards with respect to a
plane defined by the further web-like material; a placing-on
station for placing the lids onto the containers; and a cutting
station which is designed such that the containers can be separated
from the first web-like material along the outer contour of each
package to be produced.
9. The packaging machine according to claim 8 further comprising a
first sealing station and a second sealing station.
10. The packaging machine according to claim 9 wherein the lids are
second lids and the further web-like material is a third web-like
material, and wherein the first sealing station is configured to
seal first lids from a second web-like material onto the
containers.
11. The packaging machine according to claim 10 further comprising
a lid cutting station for cutting out the first lids from the
second web-like material such that a respective first lid is cut
out from the second web-like material before sealing the respective
first lid onto a respective container.
12. The packaging machine according to claim 10 wherein the first
forming station is configured to form first projections in each
container, and the second forming station is configured to form
second projections in each second lid, the first and second
projections being designed to provide reclosability of the
packages, and wherein for each package, the first and second
projections are directed inwards or outwards.
13. The packaging machine according to claim 10 wherein the
placing-on station is designed to cut out the second lids from the
third web-like material such that a respective second lid is cut
out from the third web-like material before placing the respective
second lid on a respective container.
14. The packaging machine according to claim 10 further comprising
a discharge device provided downstream of the first sealing station
for receiving a remaining residual skeleton of the second and/or
third web-like material.
15. The packaging machine of claim 10 wherein the second sealing
station is located downstream of the first sealing station, and the
second sealing station is configured to at least partially seal
each second lid onto a respective container.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims foreign priority benefits under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(a)-(d) to German patent application number DE
102009015343.8, filed Mar. 27, 2009, which is hereby incorporated
by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a
package and to a packaging machine.
BACKGROUND
[0003] For commercializing goods, such as e.g. food, these are
often packed into packages that permit a hygienic and optically
attractive presentation.
[0004] From DE 10 2006 017 258 A1, a method of manufacturing a
package is known in which a container is formed in a web of a first
web-like material, subsequently a lid is sealed onto the produced
container within an outer contour of the package to be produced,
and the container is separated from the first web-like material
along the outer contour of the package to be produced and outside
the lid that was sealed on.
[0005] Furthermore, packages are known which comprise a so-called
rolled edge and are usually sealed on a tray sealing machine after
they have been filled. That means, already finished trays are
filled and subsequently sealed. Moreover, such packages are often
provided with a slip lid which is also produced outside the tray
sealing machine and which is to ensure that the packages can be
reclosed after the sealed foil has been opened. Conventional slip
lids, however, only have a very loose seat, so that already during
the transport of the package, the slid lid often detaches itself
from the package. For the consumer, too, the loose seat of the slip
lid is disadvantageous and annoying when the package is
handled.
SUMMARY
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved method of manufacturing a package as well as an improved
packaging machine which may permit to produce packages that meet
the highest demands on manageability and visual appearance and can
moreover be manufactured in an inexpensive manner.
[0007] The object may be achieved by a method according to claim 1
as well as by a packaging machine according to claim 10. Further
developments of the invention are given in the respective
sub-claims.
[0008] With the method according to the invention and the packaging
machine according to the invention, packages can be produced which
are easily manageable thanks to the stable seat of the slip lids on
the containers and comprise an optically attractive shape.
Advantageously, the slip lid may be connected to the bottom film,
that means to the previously deep-drawn container, by several
sealing points or strips, respectively, to prevent the slip lid
from detaching itself during transport. These comparatively small
seal areas can be easily removed or broken open by the consumer.
The knobs according to the invention, which are provided at the
slip lid as well as at the container, moreover ensure a secure and
accurate reclosability of the package.
[0009] A further advantage of the method according to the invention
or the packaging machine, respectively, is that the slip lid is
cost-effectively produced and placed on directly by means of the
packaging machine. Thus, no further machine that produces and
places on the slip lid is required. Moreover, the interface and
transfer problems of produced packages and/or lids to other
packaging machines that occur in conventional methods are
eliminated here.
[0010] Furthermore, there is an advantage in that, compared to
devices and methods where lids are sealed onto prefabricated
package trays or containers, respectively, an exact positioning and
grouping of the containers is not necessary as the position of the
containers is monitored over the complete processing path. Thereby,
the packages can be inexpensively produced in a small space.
[0011] The packages are separated into singles only at the end of
the packaging process, and reliable transport is ensured during the
packaging process. The packages can be separated from the web-like
material accurately and close to a given, individually shaped outer
contour, whereby optically attractive and mechanically stable
packages can be produced.
[0012] Further features and expediencies of the invention can be
taken from the description of embodiments with reference to the
enclosed drawings. In the Figures:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a packaging
machine;
[0014] FIG. 2a shows a schematic perspective view of a container
produced in accordance with the method according to the
invention;
[0015] FIG. 2b shows a schematic perspective view of the container
with a first lid;
[0016] FIG. 2c shows a schematic perspective view of the container
with the first lid and a second lid;
[0017] FIG. 3a shows a schematic partial view of the edge region of
the container and the first and second lids in a first
embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 3b shows a schematic partial view of the edge region of
the container and the first and second lids in a second embodiment;
and
[0019] FIG. 4 shows a schematic plan view of a cutting station.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Below, a first embodiment of the present invention will be
first described with reference to the enclosed figures.
[0021] FIG. 1 shows the schematic side view of a packaging machine
100.
[0022] The packaging machine 100 comprises a first forming station
1, a first sealing station 2, a second forming station 1', a second
sealing station 2', a cross cutter 3 and a longitudinal cutter 4
which are in this sequence arranged at a machine frame 5 in a
direction of transport R. At the entry side, a first feed roller 6
is disposed at the machine frame 5 from which roller a first
web-like material 7 or a first foil is reeled off. A second feed
roller 8 is provided from which a second web-like material 9 or a
second foil, respectively, is reeled off. Furthermore, a third feed
roller 8' is provided from which a third web-like material 9' or a
third foil, respectively, is reeled off. Downstream of the first
sealing station 2, a first discharge means 10 in the form of a
roller is provided onto which a residual foil skeleton 90 of the
second web-like material 9 is reeled which remains after the first
sealing station 2.
[0023] In the region of the first sealing station 2, a first
transport means 11 is furthermore provided by which the second
web-like material 9 is, in a main cycle, transported into the first
sealing station 2, cut there and the residual foil skeleton 90 is
transported out of the first sealing station 2. In the region of
the second sealing station 2', a second transport means 11' is
provided by which the third web-like material 9' is transported
into the second sealing station 2' in a main cycle. Both transport
means 11, 11' can be realized, for example, by laterally arranged
chains or grippers or by friction rollers. On the exit side, a
second discharge means 12 is provided in the form of a conveying
belt at the packaging machine 100, by means of which finished,
separated packages are carried away. Furthermore, the packaging
machine 100 comprises a non-depicted feed means which laterally
grips the first web-like material 7 and intermittently transports
it further into the direction of transport R in the main cycle. The
(non-depicted) feed means can be realized e.g. by laterally
arranged conveyor chains, lateral grippers or functional
rollers.
[0024] In the shown embodiment, the first forming station 1 and the
second forming station 1' are embodied as deep-drawing stations in
which containers 13 are formed in the first web-like material 7 in
the first forming station 1 by deep-drawing and second lids 14' are
formed in the third web-like material 9' in the second forming
station 1' by deep-drawing. The edge of the container 13 is here
embodied as so-called rolled edge, that means in a shape angled or
bent upwards or above the foil plane of the first web-like material
7. In the present case, the rolled edge is bent outwards and
towards the container bottom. In this case, the first forming
station 1 and the second forming station 1', respectively, can be
designed such that several containers 13 are formed next to each
other in the direction perpendicular to the direction of transport
R, that means in FIG. 1 into the plane of projection or out of it,
respectively. In the direction of transport R after the first
forming station 1, a non-depicted filling station is provided in
which the containers 13 formed in the first web-like material 7 are
filled for example with fruit or vegetables.
[0025] In the shown embodiment, the first sealing station 2 is
embodied as combined sealing and lid cutting station. The first
sealing station 2 is embodied such that first lids 14 are cut out
of the second web-like material 9 and sealed onto a surrounding
upper edge of the containers 13. It is also conceivable to supply
already formed and/or cut first lids 14. The second sealing station
2' is embodied such that second lids 14' are placed onto the
containers 13 together with the surrounding third web-like material
9' by an integrated (non-depicted) placing-on station. In the
present embodiment, the first, the second and the third web-like
materials 7, 9, 9' are each formed by plastic foils. The sealing
stations 2, 2' are furthermore embodied as closed chambers in a
known manner in which the atmosphere in the containers 13 is
replaced by a replacement gas, such as e.g. CO.sub.2 as inert
gas.
[0026] The cross cutter 3 is embodied as a punching machine which
divides the first web-like material 7 between adjacent containers
13 together with the third web-like material 9' in a direction
transverse to the direction of transport R. In the process, the
cross cutter 3 operates such that the first web-like material 7 is
not cut across the total web width, but is not cut in two at least
in an edge region. Moreover, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a
region between the packages in the direction of transport R is not
cut in two. This permits a controlled further transport by the
(non-depicted) feed means.
[0027] The longitudinal cutter 4 is, for example, embodied as a
cutter arrangement by means of which the first web-like material 7
is cut in two together with the third web-like material 9' between
adjacent containers 13 and at the lateral edge of the first
web-like material 7, so that there are separated packages
downstream of the longitudinal cutter 4 which are separated from
the first web-like material 7 and the third web-like material 9'
(also see FIG. 4). As an alternative, the cutting means can also be
omitted in the first sealing station 2, so that the first web-like
material 7, the second web-like material 9, and the third web-like
material 9' are simultaneously cut in two in the cross cutter 3 and
the longitudinal cutter 4. Moreover, instead of the cross and
longitudinal cutting, complete cutting can also be performed.
[0028] FIG. 2a) shows the container 13 in a schematic perspective
view. The first forming station 1 is embodied such that ribbings
can be formed in the walls of the container 13 and beads or a
relief in the bottom of the container 13 to increase the stability
of the container 13. The ribbings in this case extend on each of
the four side walls of the container 13 from the container bottom
to the container edge. The beads are formed by individual
quadrangular recesses essentially having the shape of a slice of
cake which are formed into the container bottom and as a whole form
an oval shape. The upper edge of the container 13 is essentially
formed by a surrounding, horizontal first edge section 20, a
following essentially vertical and also surrounding second edge
section 21, and an essentially horizontal, also surrounding third
edge section 22. These three edge sections 20, 21, 22 form a rolled
edge of the container 13. In the second edge section 21, first
projections 16 or first knobs 16, respectively, are formed.
[0029] FIG. 2b) shows, in addition to the container 13, the first
lid 14 which is sealed onto the containers 13 after they have been
filled. It is also conceivable to treat the package or the product,
respectively, with gas before it is sealed to increase its shelf
life.
[0030] FIG. 2c) shows the container 13, the first lid 14 and the
second lid 14'. The edge of the second lid 14' is formed
corresponding to the edge contour of the container 13. First, an
essentially horizontal first edge section 20' is provided which is
followed by an essentially vertical second edge section 21' and
which in turn is followed by an essentially horizontal third edge
section 22' extending in the plane of the originally web-like
material 9' of the second lid 14'. Second projections 17 or second
knobs 17, respectively, are formed into the second edge section
21'. It is also conceivable to form a further recess open to the
outside into the second lid 14' into which for example a fork or
salad dressing can then be placed. These would then be fixed e.g.
by sticking on a label.
[0031] The first knobs 16 and the second knobs 17 cooperate when
the second lid 14' is placed onto the container 13 and clamp the
second lid 14' onto the container 13. This ensures a secure and
accurate reclosability of the container 13.
[0032] FIG. 3a) shows the connection of the slip lid 14' with the
container 13. The first and second knobs 16, 17 are engaged. Thanks
to the plastic material of the container 13 and the second lid 14',
the second lid 14' can also be easily removed. The first knobs 16
and the second knobs 17 are directed inwards.
[0033] FIG. 3b) shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
The first knobs 16 and the second knobs 17 are directed outwards.
This is realized by a projection of the container 13 and of the
second lid 14' extending upwards in FIG. 3a).
[0034] FIG. 4 shows the cross cutter 3 and the longitudinal cutter
4. The arrow shows the direction of transport R of the packages.
Furthermore, the sealing strips by means of which the second lid
14' or the slip lid 14' is partially sealed onto the container 13
are shown (see FIGS. 1-2c)). Apart from securing the second lid 14'
during transport to the end consumer, they also serve as evidence
of genuineness.
[0035] The operating process of the above-described packaging
machine 100 will be described in the following.
[0036] The first web-like material 7 is reeled off from the feed
roller 6 and transported into the first forming station 1 by the
(non-depicted) feed means. In the first forming station 1, the
containers 13 are formed in the first web-like material 7 by
deep-drawing. In the process, the containers 13 are, as shown in
FIGS. 2a)-c), formed such that they comprise the horizontal first
edge section 20 in their surrounding edge region, which is followed
at the outside by the angled or bent second edge section 21 in the
circumferential direction, which essentially extends vertically, as
is represented in FIGS. 2a)-c). The third edge section 22
essentially extending horizontally follows in turn the second
vertical edge section 21. All three edge sections 20, 21, 22 are
each formed around the complete container 13.
[0037] The formed containers 13 are, in a main cycle, transported
further to the (non-depicted) filling station together with the
surrounding material of the first web-like material 7, where they
are filled with the goods to be packed.
[0038] Subsequently, the filled containers 13 are, in the main
cycle, transported further into the first sealing station 2
together with the material of the first web-like material 7
surrounding them by the (non-depicted) feed means. In
synchronization with the feed of the filled containers 13, the
second web-like material 9 is, in the main cycle, actively
transported into the first sealing station 2 by the transport means
11. There, the lids 14 are cut out of the second web-like material
9 with a punching machine and sealed with application of heat
between a sealing upper part and a sealing lower part with the
material of the containers 13. The first lids 14 are cut out of the
second web-like material 9 such that their outer contour extends
within the outer contour of the containers 13 defined by the second
edge section 21 and the horizontal section 22 (see FIG. 2a)). The
residual skeleton 90 of the second web-like material 9 remaining
after the first lids 14 have been cut out is reeled onto the
discharge roller 10 at the exit side of the first sealing station
2, so that it can be disposed of or recycled, respectively.
[0039] The now sealed or also filled and gassed containers 13 are
transported further into the second 2' sealing means with the
(non-depicted) feed means of the first web-like material 7.
[0040] The third web-like material 9' is reeled off from the third
feed roller 8' and transported into the second forming station 1'
by a further (non-depicted) feed means. In the forming station 1',
second lids 14' are formed in the third web-like material 9' by
deep-drawing. The second lids 14' are in the process formed in the
shape which is shown in FIG. 2c), such that their edge sections
20', 21', 22' correspond to the edge sections 20, 21, 22 of the
container 13.
[0041] The formed second lids 14' are, in a main cycle, transported
further into the second sealing station 2' together with the
surrounding material of the third web-like material 9' by means of
the second transport means 11', where they are placed onto the
containers 13 by means of the placing-on means. Moreover, the
second lids 14' are cut out of the third web-like material 9' with
a punching machine before, during or after they are placed on, and
partially sealed with the second web-like material 9 between a
sealing upper part and a sealing lower part in the form of sealing
strips with application of heat (see FIG. 4). By this, the slip lid
14' remains secured on the container 13 even during transport. A
consumer can easily break open the not continuous sealing
strips.
[0042] After the second sealing station 2', the sealed containers
13 provided with the second lids 14' as well as with the
surrounding third web-like material 9' are transported further into
the cross cutter 3 by the (non-depicted) feed means of the first
web-like material 7, where the first web-like material 7 is cut in
two between the containers in the direction perpendicular to the
direction of transport R (also see FIG. 4).
[0043] After cross cutting has been performed and rounded corners
have been possibly formed, the containers 13 with the first
web-like material 7 not yet cut in the direction of transport R are
transported further to the longitudinal cutter 4 together with the
third web-like material 9'. In the longitudinal cutter 4, the first
web-like material 7 is cut along the outer contour of the
containers 13 together with the third web-like material 9' in the
direction of transport R, that means in the longitudinal direction.
The containers 13 and the second lids 14', respectively, are now
completely cut out of the first web-like material 7 and the third
web-like material 9' and are carried away as separated packages by
means of the third discharge means 12.
[0044] With the described packaging machine 100 and the described
method, the packages shown in FIG. 2a) to FIG. 3a) can be
manufactured. As can be seen in FIGS. 2a) to 2c), the produced
package comprises an optically attractive second edge section 21
angled or rounded towards the bottom.
[0045] The described packaging machine 100 permits to manufacture
optically attractive packages with angled or bent around edges on a
deep-drawing machine, where the containers 13, the first lids 14 as
well as the second lids 14' can be fabricated and sealed to each
other within a short working path. Furthermore, the control of the
containers 13 is not abandoned during the complete process as these
are guided along with the first web-like material 7 until the last
procedure step. Thus, on a cost-saving deep-drawing machine,
packages can be efficiently manufactured with designs that up to
now could only be produced with more complex and expensive
processes.
[0046] The transport of the second and the third web-like material
9, 9' by means of the transport means 11, 11' has the advantage
that the feed of the second and third web-like materials 9, 9' over
the containers 13 can be accurate and the remaining residual foil
skeleton 90 can be reliably carried away out of the first sealing
station 2.
[0047] Modifications of the described embodiment are possible. For
example, the cross cutter 3 and the longitudinal cutter 4 can be
combined to form one single cutting station where the containers 13
are cut, together with the second lids 14', out of the first
web-like material 7 and out of the third web-like material 9',
respectively, all around along their outer contours, e.g. with a
punching machine.
[0048] In one operating cycle, several packages can also be
processed one next to the other and after the other in the
direction of transport R.
[0049] It is also conceivable that the second web-like material is
a so-called skin foil which is not cut in the first sealing station
but transported further with the first web-like material. Cutting
can also be accomplished outside the package or at the edge of the
package. The so-called skin foil is thin and lies against the
product to be packed and also against the slip lid or the knobs for
reclosing.
[0050] It is furthermore conceivable that there is no second
web-like material and the slip lid is not only adhered to the
container by a point seal, but that it is sealed all around to seal
the package. The slip lid can be used as reclosable lid.
[0051] While exemplary embodiments of the invention have been
illustrated and described, it is not intended that these
embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the
invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of
description rather than limitation, and it is understood that
various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various
implementing embodiments may be combined to form further
embodiments of the invention.
* * * * *