DE102021130302A1 - Method and device for packaging an object - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for packaging an object (2), in particular a foodstuff, with a film-like packaging material (3), has the following method steps: - the film-like packaging material (3) is in the form of an endless belt (3a) by means of a transport device (4) conveyed in a conveying direction (x) to the object (2) to be packaged,- a pressure-sensitive adhesive ( 7) is applied - the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material (3) is cut after the application of the pressure-sensitive adhesive (7) by means of a cutting device (5) in such a way that the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material (3) is used for packaging the object (2). The piece of packaging material (3b) is formed, and- the piece of packaging material (3b) is placed around the object (2) to be packaged by means of a packaging device (8), an overlapping region being formed at the point at which the pressure-sensitive adhesive (7) is located is, and wherein the piece of packaging material (3b) is releasably closed by means of the pressure-sensitive adhesive (7).

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for packaging an object, in particular a foodstuff, with a film-like packaging material.

A generic method and a corresponding device for packaging an object are from WO 2019/115766 A1 known.

The WO 2017/144664 A1 describes another method and apparatus for packaging an item.

The EP 0 110 080 A1 describes a method of packaging three-dimensional objects which comprises preforming packaging material into an open container so that the object can subsequently be inserted into this container.

A method for the production of hollow chocolate figures with subsequent packaging is in AT 221 906 B described.

With these known methods, the edges of the packaging material can be crimped so that the packaging is completely closed. To create a completely closed packaging, however, it is also possible to use an adhesive, in particular hot-melt adhesive, which is usually applied to the packaging material in that area in which it is wrapped or folded around the object to be packaged. In particular in the case of food products that melt easily, such as chocolate, for example, the use of a hot melt adhesive is problematic, since this can lead to partial melting of the chocolate. However, the use of such hot-melt adhesives also has the disadvantage that the area of the packaging in which the adhesive is located cannot be used to apply information, and that opening the adhesive point inevitably leads to the destruction of the packaging, which can no longer be closed afterwards.

Alternatively, it is also possible to simply wrap or fold the packaging material around the object to be packaged and to dispense with gluing, flanging or sealing. Although this makes it possible to attach additional information in an overlapping area of the packaging material, the packaging produced in this way can partially or even open completely during transport, which, depending on the item to be packaged, is at least undesirable or often unacceptable.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for packaging an object, which are capable of packaging the object to be packaged in a simple and secure manner.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features mentioned in claim 1.

By applying a pressure-sensitive adhesive to the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material and then forming an overlapping area at the point where the pressure-sensitive adhesive was previously applied, and by releasably sealing the piece of packaging material using the pressure-sensitive adhesive, the object can be packaged in such a way that the Although the packaging produced by the method is basically closed and securely encloses the object, it is possible to simply open the packaging. This avoids undesired damage to the packaging and it can be closed again in a very simple manner, for example if only part of the item is to be removed from the same or part of the item is to be put back into the packaging.

Another advantage of using a pressure-sensitive adhesive is that the overlapping area in which it is located can be opened without damaging the package. As a result, additional information relating to the item in the packaging can be provided in this area, which information can be accessed by the consumer without opening the packaging completely.

In contrast to hot melt adhesives otherwise used, the pressure-sensitive adhesive used in the method according to the invention retains its adhesive properties over a very long period of time, so that the packaging produced using the method according to the invention can be opened and resealed long after it has been produced.

Another advantage of using pressure-sensitive adhesive is that, in contrast to other adhesives, only a very small amount of adhesive has to be used and, in particular, very thin adhesive layers can be used, so that, for example, when aluminum foil is used as the packaging material, it has such a small amount of foreign matter that it can be easily recycled.

According to the invention, the pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied to the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material before it is cut, which significantly simplifies the process and also the device used to carry it out, since there is significantly more space in the area in front of the cutting device to accommodate the materials for applying the pressure-sensitive adhesive to the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material serving application device is available. In particular, the hot melt equipment that emits thermal radiation, including the glue applicator head, can be relocated to an area outside of the product transport, so that the quality of temperature-sensitive products, such as chocolate, is not affected.

This application of a pressure-sensitive adhesive before cutting the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material represents a previously unknown procedure, since the known solutions always avoid applying an adhesive in the process direction before the cutting device, since the risk of contamination of the cutting device is estimated to be too high becomes.

In a very advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied during the conveying movement of the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material. In this way, with a corresponding synchronization of the application device used to apply the pressure-sensitive adhesive with the transport device used to convey the film-like packaging material, it can be ensured that the pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied to the packaging material at the exact point provided for it. In addition, the area in which the pressure-sensitive adhesive is located is very narrowly delimited in this way, so that contamination of the cutting device with the pressure-sensitive adhesive is reliably avoided.

As an alternative to this, however, it can also be provided that the pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied during a stop or an interruption in the conveying movement of the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material. This makes it possible to use alternative application devices for applying the pressure-sensitive adhesive, as a result of which the device used to carry out the method can possibly be made more cost-effective or more reliable. Since in some cases the sheet-like, strip-shaped packaging material is stopped for a short moment anyway for the cutting process to be carried out, this results in principle in no loss of time.

A further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention can consist in the pressure-sensitive adhesive being applied to the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material as a function of markings on the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material. In this way, a particularly simple and reliable synchronization of the application device with the cutting device can be achieved, so that the pressure-sensitive adhesive is always located at the desired point on the piece of packaging material suitable for packaging the object by cutting the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material.

An apparatus for packaging an object is defined in claim 5.

This device, which has a transport device for conveying the film-like packaging material, an application device for applying the pressure-sensitive adhesive, a cutting device for cutting the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material into the piece of packaging material suitable for packaging the object, and a packaging device for ultimately packaging the object to be packaged, can be comparatively easy to perform and has reliable operation. Due to the arrangement of the application device in the conveying direction of the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material in front of the cutting device, it is not necessary, in contrast to known solutions, to arrange the application device in a spatially restricted area. Rather, there is a great deal of space available in the space in front of the cutting device in the conveying direction of the packaging material.

An advantageous development of the device according to the invention can consist in the application device being designed as a stationary application device dispensing the pressure-sensitive adhesive in a linear manner. This results in simple and reliable application of the pressure-sensitive adhesive to the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material, with reliable operation of the application device advantageously being ensured.

As an alternative to this, the application device can also be designed as a movable application device which dispenses the pressure-sensitive adhesive in a point or line form. This results in a wide range of possibilities for applying the pressure-sensitive adhesive to the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material.

If, in a further advantageous embodiment, the application device has a stamp that can be supplied with the pressure-sensitive adhesive, reliable application of the Pressure-sensitive adhesive given on the packaging material.

Finally, it can also be provided that the application device has a roller that can be supplied with the pressure-sensitive adhesive. This represents a further embodiment of the application device used to apply the pressure-sensitive adhesive to the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material, which can be used within the scope of the present invention.

In order to avoid contamination of the transport device by the pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material, it can also be provided that the transport device has a pair of rollers which, in that area across the width of the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material, in which the pressure-sensitive adhesive is located the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material is located, has respective circumferential recesses.

In the following, embodiments of the invention are shown in principle with reference to the drawing.

• 1 eine sehr schematische Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zum Verpacken eines Gegenstands;
• 2 eine Draufsicht auf die Vorrichtung gemäß dem Pfeil II aus 1;
• 3 eine alternative Ausführungsform der bei der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung verwendeten Auftragseinrichtung;
• 4 ein Muster des mit der Auftragseinrichtung von 3 aufgebrachten Haftklebstoffs;
• 5 eine weitere alternative Ausführungsform der bei der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung verwendeten Auftragseinrichtung; und
• 6 ein Muster des mit der Auftragseinrichtung von 5 aufgebrachten Haftklebstoffs.

It shows:

• 1 a very schematic side view of a device according to the invention for carrying out the method according to the invention for packaging an object;
• 2 a plan view of the device according to the arrow II 1 ;
• 3 an alternative embodiment of the application device used in the device according to the invention;
• 4 a sample of the job setup from 3 applied pressure-sensitive adhesive;
• 5 a further alternative embodiment of the application device used in the device according to the invention; and
• 6 a sample of the job setup from 5 applied adhesive.

The 1 and 2 show a very schematic representation of a device 1 for packaging an object 2, which is shown at several positions within the device. The respective positions at which the object 2 is shown show different states of the method for packaging the object 2. The object 2 can it is in particular a foodstuff, such as a chocolate bar. However, the device 1 described below and the method described below can also be used for packaging objects 2 of a different type. For reasons of clarity, in 2 several components of the device 1 are not shown or shown in a highly schematic manner.

A film-like packaging material 3 is used for packaging the object 2, which is conveyed from a roll (not shown) in the form of an endless belt 3a in a conveying direction denoted by “x” to the object 2 to be packaged. Therefore, the sheet-like packaging material 3 in the state of being in the form of the tape 3a is hereinafter referred to as a sheet-like tape-shaped packaging material 3. FIG. The film-like, strip-shaped packaging material 3 is preferably aluminum foil. A transport device 4, which in the present case has a pair of rollers 4a or is designed as the pair of rollers 4a, is used to convey the film-like packaging material 3 to the object 2 to be packaged. In the direction x, also referred to as the conveying direction, the transport device 4 is followed by a cutting device 5 which serves to cut the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material 3 . The cutting device 5 can, for example, have a pair of knives 5a working in opposite directions, but other embodiments of the cutting device 5 are also conceivable. The cutting device 5 is able to cut the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material 3 in such a way that a piece of packaging material 3b suitable for packaging the object 2 is formed from the same. This piece of packaging material 3b is in 1 in the conveying direction x of the cutting device 5 shown below. The film-like, strip-shaped packaging material 3 is cut only once, specifically in a direction y running essentially perpendicularly to the conveying direction x, since the width of the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material 3 corresponds to the width of the piece of packaging material 3b.

An application device 6 is provided in the conveying direction x in front of the transport device 4 and therefore also in front of the cutting device 5, which is used to apply a pressure-sensitive adhesive 7, shown at several points in the figures, to the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material 3. In this case, the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7 is only applied over part of the width of the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material 3 . By the term "pressure-sensitive adhesive" is meant a permanently tacky adhesive as is known to those skilled in the art.

A packaging device 8 is arranged downstream of the cutting device 5 in the conveying direction x of the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material 3 2 is not shown. The Verpa, which is known per se in terms of its construction The packaging device 8 is designed in such a way that it is able to place the piece of packaging material 3b formed by the cutting device 5 around the object 2 to be packaged. When the object 2 to be packaged is packaged using the packaging device 8, an overlapping area is formed at the point where the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7 is located on the piece of packaging material 3b, and the piece of packaging material 3b is releasably closed using the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7. For this purpose, pressure-sensitive adhesives 7 known per se can be used, which can be detached again from the packaging material 3 to which they were applied, preferably without leaving any residue or damage.

In the present case, the packaging device 8 has the following components, some of which are shown in several positions: a lower punch 9, on which the object 2 to be packaged is located and which can be moved in the direction marked “z”; an upper punch 10, which is arranged in the direction marked "z" above the lower punch 9 and also above the piece of packaging material 3b and which can also be moved in the direction marked "z"; a film tong 11 for taking the piece of packaging material 3b produced by the cutter 5 and holding it during the period in which the lower punch 9 and the upper punch 10 are brought into a position to hold the piece of packaging material 3b therebetween; a folding channel 12, through which the piece of packaging material 3b arranged between the upper stamp 10 on the one hand and the object 2 held by the lower stamp 9 on the other hand is guided and thereby partially wrapped around the object 2, resulting in the present case in a U-shaped piece of packaging material 3b; an inner folder 13, which folds a first area of the piece of packaging material 3b projecting beyond the object 2 under the object 2 and which has a recess (not shown) in the middle area in order to avoid contact with the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7; a discharge pincer 14 which holds the article 2 and the piece of packaging material 3b put therearound during the movement of the inner folder 13; and a final folder 15, which folds the second projecting region of the piece of packaging material 3b, which has not already been folded by the inner folder 13, around the object 2. During this folding of the second protruding area of the piece of packaging material 3b, this second protruding area is placed by means of the finishing folder 15 on the first protruding area previously folded by the inner folder 13 in such a way that the second protruding area comes to rest on the first protruding area and thereby the overlapping area is formed. The packaging 3c produced in this way is closed by means of the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7 in the overlapping area of the two protruding areas of the piece of packaging material 3b.

The use of the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7 at the described point on the packaging 3c results in a reliably sealed packaging 3c. Nevertheless, the packaging 3c can be opened in this area and, if necessary, resealed. This makes it possible to attach information in the overlapping area, which can relate, for example, to the item 2 accommodated in the packaging 3c, since a consumer can read this information by opening the overlapping area sealed by means of the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7.

In the in the 1 and 2 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the application device 6 is designed as a rigid or immovable application device 6 that dispenses the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7 in a linear manner and is able to apply the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7 very precisely to the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material 3 . In this case, the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7 is preferably applied to the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material 3 during the conveying movement of the same, so that the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7 that is dispensed in a line becomes the in 2 illustrated rectangular impression of the same results.

In the 3 and 4 an alternative embodiment of the application device 6 is shown. This is designed as a movable application device 6 that dispenses the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7 in a point or line form. In this case, the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7 is preferably applied to the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material 3 during a stop or during the conveying movement thereof.

4 shows the imprint of the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7 produced by means of the application device 6 on the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material 3, with other forms of this imprint of the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7 also being conceivable.

Another embodiment of the application device 6 is in the 5 and 6 shown. The application device 6 has a stamp 6b that can be supplied with the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7 via a nozzle 6a. In this case, the application device 6 can apply the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7 both during the conveying movement of the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material 3 and during a stop or an interruption of the conveying movement of the same. by the two arrows in 5 are a lifting or lowering movement and a pivoting movement of the plunger 6b are shown.

In 6 the imprint of the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7 produced by the stamp 6b on the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material 3 is shown in circular form; however, any other form with which the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7 is applied to the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material 3 is conceivable.

In an embodiment that is not shown, the application device 6 can have a rotating roller that can be supplied with the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7 and by means of which the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7 is applied to the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material 3 .

In the present case, the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material 3 has a plurality of markings 16, which are also referred to as print marks. By appropriately scanning or reading in the markings 16 using a scanning or reading device (not shown), for example an optical sensor, it is possible to control the application device 6 in such a way that the application of the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7 to the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material 3 depends on from the markings 16 takes place. For this purpose, the scanning or reading device and the application device 6 can be connected to a suitable control device. In this way it can be ensured that the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7 is only in the desired position on the piece of packaging material 3b produced by the cutting device 5 from the tape 3a. Furthermore, it is ensured in this way that the cutting device 5 does not come into contact with the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7 on the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material 3 .

The embodiments of the application device 6 described here also contribute to the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7 not being located in undesired places on the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material 3 , which ultimately prevents the cutting device 5 from being soiled by the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7 .

In order to also avoid contamination of the transport device 4 by the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7, the rollers of the pair of rollers 4a have circumferential recesses 17 in the area in which the pressure-sensitive adhesive 7 is on the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material 3, which in 2 are recognizable.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• WO 2019/115766 A1 [0002]
• WO 2017/144664 A1 [0003]
• EP 0110080 A1 [0004]
• AT 221906 B [0005]

Claims (10)

Method for packaging an object (2), in particular a foodstuff, with a film-like packaging material (3), with the following method steps: - the film-like packaging material (3) is conveyed in the form of an endless belt (3a) by means of a transport device (4) in a conveying direction (x) in the direction of the object (2) to be packaged, - a pressure-sensitive adhesive (7) is applied to the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material (3) by means of an application device (6) over only part of the width of the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material (3), - the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material (3) is cut after the application of the pressure-sensitive adhesive (7) by means of a cutting device (5) in such a way that a piece of packaging material (3b) suitable for packaging the object (2) is cut from the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material (3). is formed, and - the piece of packaging material (3b) is placed around the object (2) to be packaged by means of a packaging device (8), an overlapping area being formed at the point where the pressure-sensitive adhesive (7) is located, and the piece of packaging material (3b ) is releasably closed by means of the pressure-sensitive adhesive (7). procedure after claim 1 , characterized in that the pressure-sensitive adhesive (7) is applied during the conveying movement of the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material (3). procedure after claim 1 , characterized in that the pressure-sensitive adhesive (7) is applied during a stop or an interruption of the conveying movement of the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material (3). procedure after claim 1 , 2 or 3 , characterized in that the pressure-sensitive adhesive (7) is applied to the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material (3) as a function of markings (16) on the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material (3). Device (1) for packaging an object (2), in particular a foodstuff, with a film-like packaging material (3) with the following features: - a transport device (4) which is provided for transporting the film-like packaging material (3) in the form of an endless belt (3a) in a conveying direction (x) in the direction of the object (2) to be packaged, - an application device (6), which is provided for applying a pressure-sensitive adhesive (7) over only part of the width of the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material (3), - a cutting device (5) which is arranged after the application device (6) in the conveying direction (x) of the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material (3) and is provided for cutting the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material (3) after the application of the pressure-sensitive adhesive (7). cutting so that a piece of packaging material (3b) suitable for packaging the object (2) is formed from the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material (3), and - a packaging device (8) which is intended to place the piece of packaging material (3b) around the object (2) to be packaged, an overlapping area being formed at the point where the pressure-sensitive adhesive (7) is located, and the piece of packaging material (3b) being releasably closed by means of the pressure-sensitive adhesive (7). device after claim 5 , characterized in that the application device (6) is designed as an immovable application device (6) dispensing the pressure-sensitive adhesive (7) in a linear manner. device after claim 5 , characterized in that the application device (6) is designed as a movable application device (6) which dispenses the pressure-sensitive adhesive (7) in a punctiform or linear manner. device after claim 5 , characterized in that the application device (6) has a stamp (6b) that can be supplied with the pressure-sensitive adhesive (7). device after claim 5 , characterized in that the application device (6) has a roller that can be supplied with the pressure-sensitive adhesive (7). Device according to one of Claims 5 until 9 , characterized in that the transport device (4) has a pair of rollers (4a) which in that area across the width of the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material (3) in which the pressure-sensitive adhesive (7) is on the film-like, strip-shaped packaging material (3) is located, has respective circumferential recesses (17).

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