U.S. patent application number 13/981664 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-23 for packaging machine and process for producing individually evacuated and/or gas treated packs.
This patent application is currently assigned to CFS Germany GMBH. The applicant listed for this patent is Gerd Hubner, Klaus Meyer. Invention is credited to Gerd Hubner, Klaus Meyer.
Application Number | 20140020338 13/981664 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45571493 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140020338 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hubner; Gerd ; et
al. |
January 23, 2014 |
PACKAGING MACHINE AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING INDIVIDUALLY EVACUATED
AND/OR GAS TREATED PACKS
Abstract
The present invention relates to a packaging machine (1) in
which a material web is transported cyclically, having: a
thermoforming station (2), which, during each cycle, forms a
pattern of a plurality of pack cavities in the material web, --a
filling station (7) in which an article is introduced into each
pack cavity, --a sealing station (19), which fastens an upper
material web integrally on the material web, wherein, prior to the
integral connection being made, the pack cavity has gas evacuated
from it and/or admitted to it, and--a cutting device (27), by means
of which the packs produced in this way are separated from the
material webs. The present invention further relates to a method
for producing a pack, in the case of which a material web is
transported cyclically along a packaging machine and, during each
cycle, a pattern of a plurality of pack cavities is formed in the
material web, the pack cavities are then filled with an article and
then an upper material web is sealed onto the pack cavities,
wherein, prior to the sealing operation, the pack cavities have gas
evacuated from them and/or gas exchange is carried out.
Inventors: |
Hubner; Gerd; (Wilnsdorf,
DE) ; Meyer; Klaus; (Breidenbach, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hubner; Gerd
Meyer; Klaus |
Wilnsdorf
Breidenbach |
|
DE
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
CFS Germany GMBH
Biedenkopf-Wallau
DE
|
Family ID: |
45571493 |
Appl. No.: |
13/981664 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
January 27, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2012/000376 |
371 Date: |
October 2, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/453 ;
53/561 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 61/06 20130101;
B65B 59/003 20190501; B65B 47/00 20130101; B65B 41/12 20130101;
B65B 31/043 20130101; B65B 9/04 20130101; B65B 57/00 20130101; B65B
31/021 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/453 ;
53/561 |
International
Class: |
B65B 9/04 20060101
B65B009/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 27, 2011 |
DE |
102011009657.4 |
Claims
1. A packaging machine in which a material web is transported
cyclically, comprising a thermoforming station, which, during each
cycle, forms a pattern of a plurality of packaging wells in the
material web, a filling station, in which a product to be packaged
is filled into each packaging well, a sealing station, which
integrally bonds an upper material web to the material web,
wherein, prior to the integral bond being made, the packaging well
is degassed and/or gassed, and a cutting device, which separates
the packagings thus produced from the material webs, wherein the
packaging machine has a gassing means and/or a degassing means,
with which the individual packaging wells within a patter can be
individually gassed and/or degassed.
2-10. (canceled)
11. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
gassing means and the degassing means are provided in one unit.
12. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein one
shut-off member is provided in the gassing means and/or in the
degassing means per packaging well, per row and/or per column
within a pattern.
13. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein one
shut-off member is provided in the gassing means and/or in the
degassing means per packaging well, per row and/or per column
within a pattern.
14. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein it has a
measurement means, preferably per packaging well, per row and/or
per column within a pattern, with which the pressure and/or the
concentration of at least one gas component in the packaging
well(s) can be determined.
15. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
packaging machine has a measurement means, per packaging well, per
row, and/or per column within a pattern, with which the pressure
and/or the concentration of at least one gas component in the
packaging well(s) can be determined.
16. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the
packaging machine has a measurement means, per packaging well, per
row, and/or per column within a pattern, with which the pressure
and/or the concentration of at least one gas component in the
packaging well(s) can be determined.
17. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein it has a
controller which controls the shut-off members, preferably on the
basis of a signal of the measurement means.
18. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 14, wherein the
packaging machine has a controller which controls the shut-off
members, preferably on the basis of a signal of the measurement
means.
19. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein it has a
means with which the fill level of the product to be packaged in
the respective packaging well is established.
20. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein it has a
means with which the fill level of the product to be packaged in
the respective packaging well is established.
21. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein the
packaging machine has a means with which the fill level of the
product to be packaged in the respective packaging well is
established.
22. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 16, wherein the
packaging machine has a means with which the fill level of the
product to be packaged in the respective packaging well is
established.
23. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 19, wherein the
controller controls the shut-off member on the basis of the
respective fill level in the packaging well.
24. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 21, wherein the
controller controls the shut-off member on the basis of the
respective fill level in the packaging well.
25. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 22, wherein the
controller controls the shut-off member on the basis of the
respective fill level in the packaging well.
26. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
gassing means and/or degassing means is an exchange part that can
be exchanged in the event of a pattern change.
27. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 24, wherein the
gassing means and/or degassing means is an exchange part that can
be exchanged in the event of a pattern change.
28. A method for producing a packaging, in which a material web is
transported cyclically along a packaging machine and, during each
cycle, a pattern of a plurality of packaging wells is formed in the
material web and the packaging wells are then filled with a product
to be packaged, and an upper material web is then sealed onto the
packaging wells, wherein, before the sealing operation, the
packaging wells are degassed and/or a gas exchange is carried out,
wherein the packaging wells within a pattern are each degassed
and/or gassed individually.
29. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the quantity of gas
and/or the negative pressure in the respective packaging well can
be controlled.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging machine, in
which a material web is transported cyclically, comprising [0002] a
thermoforming station, which, during each cycle, forms a pattern of
a plurality of packaging wells in the material web, [0003] a
filling station, in which a product to be packaged is filled into
each packaging well, [0004] a sealing station, which integrally
bonds an upper material web to the material web, wherein, prior to
the integral bond being made, the packaging well is degassed and/or
gassed, and [0005] a cutting device, which separates the packagings
thus produced from the material webs.
[0006] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for
producing a packaging, in which a material web is transported
cyclically along a packaging machine and, during each cycle, a
pattern of a plurality of packaging wells is formed in the material
web, the packaging wells are then filled with a product to be
packaged, and an upper material web is then sealed onto the
packaging well, wherein, prior to the sealing operation, the
packaging well is degassed and/or a gas exchange is carried
out.
[0007] The generic packaging machine and the generic method are
known from the prior art. Nowadays, ever-increasing demands with
regard to quality are placed on packaging machines and methods of
this type. At the same time, the respective packagings have to be
produced in an increasingly more favorable manner.
[0008] The object of the present invention was therefore to improve
existing packaging machines and methods and/or to be able to
produce packagings more favorably.
[0009] The object is achieved by a packaging machine, in which a
material web is transported cyclically, comprising: [0010] a
thermoforming station, which, during each cycle, forms a pattern of
a plurality of packaging wells in the material web, [0011] a
filling station, in which a product to be packaged is filled into
each packaging well, [0012] a sealing station, which integrally
bonds an upper material web to the material web, wherein, prior to
the integral bond being made, the packaging well is degassed and/or
gassed, and [0013] a cutting device, which separates the packagings
thus produced from the material webs, wherein the packaging machine
has a gassing and/or a degassing means, with which the individual
packaging wells within a pattern can be gassed and/or degassed
individually, at least in part.
[0014] The present invention relates to a packaging machine. This
packaging machine is preferably what is known as an FFS packaging
machine, that is to say what is known as a form-fill-seal packaging
machine.
[0015] With a packaging machine of this type, a material web is
transported cyclically along the packaging machine. With each
cycle, a pattern consisting of a plurality of packaging wells is
formed in a material web, generally a plastic film web, for example
by means of thermoforming, and, once the respective packaging well
has been filled with a product to be packaged, the packaging wells
are closed in a sealing station with an upper material web, which
is generally likewise a plastic film web. Here, the upper material
web is integrally bonded, in particular by means of sealing, to the
lower material web. Before this connection, the packaging wells are
now degassed and/or gassed in accordance with the invention,
wherein, in the case of the degassing process, a certain vacuum,
that is to say a certain negative pressure, is generated in the
packaging well. In the event of a gassing process, a gas exchange
takes place in the packaging well, that is to say the atmosphere of
the packaging well is replaced at least in part by an exchange gas.
This gas exchange may follow a degassing of the packaging well. The
exchange gas may be, for example, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon
or oxygen or a mixture of these or of other gases. Once the upper
material web has been arranged in an integrally bonded manner on
the lower material web, the packagings thus finished are then
separated from the material web. Here, the upper material web can
be severed separately from the lower material web. It is also
possible however to sever the two material webs at the same
time.
[0016] In accordance with the invention, the packaging machine
comprises a gassing and/or a degassing means, with which the
individual packaging wells within a pattern can be gassed and/or
degassed individually, at least in part. It is preferably possible
to gas and/or degas each packaging well differently. It is thus
possible to take account of the conditions prevailing individually
in the respective packaging well. As a result, the degassing and/or
gassing time can be reduced and/or the volume that is removed from
the packaging well in event of degassing or that is blown into the
packaging well in the event of gassing can be reduced. The
respective packagings can thus be produced more cost-effectively
and/or more quickly and/or with higher quality. Furthermore, the
negative pressure generated in the respective packaging well or the
quantity of gas fed to the respective packaging well can be
determined and protocolled precisely, which may be of great
significance in the case of quality monitoring.
[0017] The gassing and degassing means are preferably provided as
one unit.
[0018] As already mentioned above, during each cycle, a plurality
of packaging wells are formed in the lower material web, are filled
and are then closed. A pattern of this type has at least one
column, wherein a column has a plurality of packaging wells
arranged transverse to the direction of transport of the lower
material web. A pattern of this type preferably has a plurality of
columns of this type, which are arranged in succession based on the
direction of transport of the lower material web. A pattern
additionally has a plurality of rows of packaging wells, which are
arranged parallel to the direction of transport of the lower
material web.
[0019] Now, a shut-off member, for example a valve, is preferably
provided in the gassing and/or in the degassing means per packaging
well, per row and/or per column within a pattern. With this
shut-off member, it is possible for example to individually
determine the gas volume that is removed from the packaging well or
that is blown into the packaging well.
[0020] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the packaging machine has a measurement means, preferably a
measurement means per packaging well, a measurement means per row
and/or a measurement means per column within a pattern, with which
the pressure and/or the concentration of at least one gas component
in the packaging well(s) can be determined.
[0021] Furthermore, the packaging machine according to the
invention is preferably provided with a controller, which for
example controls the shut-off member. In particular, this control
process takes place on the basis of one or more signals of the
measurement means.
[0022] Furthermore, the packaging machine according to the
invention preferably has a means with which the fill level of the
product to be packaged in the respective packaging well and/or the
filling capacity of the product to be packaged within the
respective packaging well can be determined. For example, the
shut-off member can again be controlled in accordance with this
measurement signal in order to individually control the gas volume
that is removed from or fed to the respective packaging well.
[0023] The gassing and/or degassing means is preferably an exchange
part that is exchanged in the event of a pattern change. Due to
this preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is possible
in the event of a pattern change to likewise exchange the gassing
and/or degassing means so that a gassing and/or degassing means
adapted to the respective pattern can be used. The gassing or
degassing means is preferably provided on the packaging machine
according to the invention by means of a quick-release
fastener.
[0024] The present invention further relates to a method for
producing a packaging, in which a material web is transported
cyclically along a packaging machine and, during each cycle, a
pattern of a plurality of packaging wells is formed in the material
web and the packaging wells are then filled with a product to be
packaged, and an upper material web is then sealed onto the
packaging well, wherein, before the sealing operation, the
packaging wells are degassed and/or a gas exchange is carried out,
and in which the packaging wells within a pattern are each degassed
and/or gassed individually, at least in part.
[0025] The statements made with regard to the packaging machine
according to the invention apply equally to the method according to
the invention, and vice versa.
[0026] In accordance with the method according to the invention, it
is possible to degas and/or gas each of the respective packaging
wells within a pattern at least in part.
[0027] The quantity of gas and/or the negative pressure that is
generated in or fed to the respective packaging well is preferably
controlled.
[0028] The inventions will be explained hereinafter with reference
to FIGS. 1 to 3. These explanations are merely exemplary and do not
limit the general concept of the invention. The explanations apply
equally to all aspects of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 1 shows the packaging machine according to the
invention.
[0030] FIG. 2 shows the sealing station of the packaging machine
according to the invention.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows the degassing and/or gassing means of the
sealing station according to FIG. 2.
[0032] FIG. 1 shows the packaging machine 1 according to the
invention, which has a thermoforming station 2, a filling station
7, and also a sealing station 19. A material web 8, in this case a
plastic film web 3, or what is known as the lower web, is drawn off
from a supply roll and is transported along the packaging machine
according to the invention from right to left, cyclically. During
one cycle, the material web 8 is transported over a pattern length.
For this purpose, the packaging machine has two transport means, in
the present case two endless chains, which are arranged to the
right and left of the film web. Both at the start and at the end of
the packaging machine, at least one gearwheel is provided for each
chain, about which the respective chain is returned. At least one
of these gearwheels is driven. The gearwheels in the entry region
and/or in the exit region can be interconnected, preferably by
means of a rigid shaft. Each transport means has a multiplicity of
clamping means, which clamp the material web 8 in the intake region
and transmit the movement of the transport means onto the lower
film 8. In the discharge region of the packaging machine, the
clamped connection between the transport means and the material web
8 is released again. In the thermoforming station 2, which has an
upper tool 3 and a lower tool 4, which has the shape of the
packaging well to be produced, the packaging wells 6 are formed in
the film web 8. The lower tool 4 is arranged on a lift table 5,
which, as indicated by a double-headed arrow, is vertically
adjustable. The lower tool 4 is lowered before the film is advanced
and is then raised again. In the further course of the packaging
machine, the packaging wells are then filled in the filling station
7 with the product to be packaged 16. In the adjoining sealing
station 19, which likewise consists of an upper tool 12 and a
vertically adjustable lower tool 11, an upper film 14 is integrally
bonded to the material web 8, preferably by means of sealing. In
the sealing station too, the upper tool and/or the lower tool are
lowered and raised before and after each transport phase of the
film respectively. Before the upper film 1 is sealed to the lower
film 8, a certain negative pressure is generated in the filled
packaging well and/or a gas exchange is carried out. The generation
of the negative pressure and/or the gas exchange is preferably
implemented whilst the respective packaging well is located within
the sealing station, preferably immediately prior to the sealing
tools 11, 12 being pressed against one another. The upper film 14
can be guided in transport means or transported by transport
chains, wherein these transport means then extend only from the
sealing station and downstream where necessary. Otherwise, the
statements made regarding the transport means of the lower film are
applicable. In the further course of the packaging machine, the
finished packagings are separated, which occurs in the present case
by means of the transverse cutter 25 and the longitudinal cutter
27. The transverse cutter 25 can likewise be lifted and lowered in
the present case by means of a lifting device 9.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows the sealing station of the packaging machine
according to the invention, in which an upper film web is sealed
onto the filled packaging wells 6. The packaging wells not yet
closed by a cover film are provided with the reference sign 6, and
the packaging wells already closed are provided with the reference
sign 6'. It can likewise be inferred from the illustration
according to FIG. 2 that this packaging machine operates
cyclically, wherein, during each cycle, a pattern 15, which in the
present case consists of three rows 24 and three columns 18 of
packaging wells, is transported further by a certain amount, in
particular along the length of the pattern 15. The direction of
transport is indicated by an arrow. Before the respective packaging
well is closed by the cover film, air is sucked from the packaging
wells in accordance with the invention. This is achieved in the
present case by means of a degassing means 17. This degassing means
17 is designed in accordance with the invention such that the gas
volume that is removed from the respective packaging well can be
controlled individually. Furthermore, the packaging machine
according to the invention in the present case has a gassing means
13 that can be formed identically or similarly to the degassing
means 17. It is also possible however to carry out the degassing
and the gassing using the same means. In the case of the gassing
means too, it is possible to individually adjust the quantity of
gas fed to the respective packaging well and/or the gas composition
fed to the respective packaging well. The gassing and/or degassing
means may also be provided however such that only the rows or
columns within a pattern are gassed and/or degassed individually,
that is to say the packaging wells in the respective row or the
respective column are treated identically.
[0034] FIG. 3 shows details of the degassing and/or gassing means
17, 13. This is provided in the present case in the form of a tree
20 having a plurality of branches, wherein in the present case one
branch is provided per column. A person skilled in the art
understands that, for example, it is also possible to provide a
branch per row. In the present case, each packaging well is
assigned a nozzle 21, which is arranged downstream of a valve 22
such that the quantity of gas that is removed from or fed to the
respective packaging well is individually adjustable. The valve 22
is preferably controlled by a controller. This controller can be
provided such that the valve 22 is merely opened or closed. The
controller may, however, also be provided such that the negative
pressure at which the gas volume is sucked up from the respective
packaging well or the overpressure at which the exchange gas is
blown into the packaging well can be adjusted by means of the valve
22. The packaging machine according to the invention preferably has
one measurement means per packaging well, for example a pressure
sensor and/or a sensor with which at least the concentration of a
gas component of the gas within the packaging well can be
determined. The valve 22 is preferably controlled on the basis of
this signal.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0035] 1 packaging machine [0036] 2 thermoforming station [0037] 3
upper tool of the thermoforming station [0038] 4 lower tool of the
thermoforming station [0039] 5 lift table, support of a tool of the
sealing station, thermoforming station and/or of the cutting device
[0040] 6, 6' packaging well [0041] 7 filling station [0042] 8 lower
material web, lower film web [0043] 9 lifting direction [0044] 10
frame [0045] 11 lower tool of the sealing station [0046] 12 upper
tool of the sealing station [0047] 13 gassing means, gassing nozzle
[0048] 14 upper material web, upper film web, cover film [0049] 15
pattern [0050] 16 product to be packaged [0051] 17 degassing means
[0052] 18 column [0053] 19 sealing station [0054] 20 gassing tree,
degassing tree [0055] 21 nozzle [0056] 22 valve [0057] 23 direction
of flow [0058] 24 row [0059] 23 cutting device [0060] 26 inlet
region [0061] 27 longitudinal cutter
* * * * *