DE102023119754A1 - Machine and method for producing packaging products from a substrate web - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a machine for producing packaging products from a substrate in the form of a substrate web, comprising a substrate feed, a printing section with at least one printing unit, the substrate web can be printed with useful printed images on at least one of its sides one after the other, a mechanical processing section arranged downstream of the printing section in the substrate path, with at least one transverse processing tool arranged on a rotatable tool carrier for applying at least one weakening line to the substrate web running transversely to the transport direction, with at least one cutting tool arranged on the circumference of a rotatable tool carrier for making at least one flat cutout in the substrate web, and with a cross-cutting tool arranged on the circumference of a rotatable tool carrier for cross-cutting the substrate web into substrate sections, and a product display in which products manufactured in the machine can be laid out or combined into bundles. In the area of the substrate feed, in the substrate path between the substrate feed and the cross-cutting tool and in the substrate path between the cross-cutting tool and the product display, drive means are provided for conveying the substrate, whereby the tool carrier carrying the cross-processing tool, the tool carrier carrying the cutting tool and the tool carrier carrying the cross-cutting tool each have a drive means for their rotational drive that is mechanically independent of one another and of the drive means conveying the substrate. The invention further relates to a method for producing packaging products.

Description

The invention relates to a machine and method for producing packaging products, in particular packaging blanks from a flat, in particular web-shaped substrate according to the preamble of claim 1 or 12.

Through the US 7,690,099 B2 a machine for producing packaging, in particular cardboard blanks, is known, whereby in one embodiment the machine is fed with web-shaped cardboard on the input side, for example it is printed by two printing units, and successively passes through an embossing station, a creasing station, a punching station, an ejection station for the punching residues and a separating station before the blanks thus produced are bundled in a bundling station and then stacked in a stacking station. Punching takes place between an upper rotary cutting tool and a lower rotating counter tool. The processing tools for embossing, creasing and punching are provided in respective cassettes, which have to be exchanged for the product change and in practice can come from different manufacturers. In order to create a simple and cost-effective solution for changing the tool cassettes from different manufacturers for the product change, a cassette carrier with two cassette carriers each adjustable transversely to the production direction is proposed there.

The US 2013/0017940 A1 relates to a machine for producing cardboard packaging boxes with a first cutting station in which the cuts and grooves for the box blank are made by one or more lasers, with a second cutting station in which information or markings are made in the cardboard surface by one or more lasers, the cuts and grooves for the box blank are made, with a folding and gluing section, and with an output. In the case of a web-like material being fed in on the input side, the cross-cutting into individual sections is also carried out by the first cutting station.

Through the US 6,766,733 B1 is a flexible die for punching blanks for an envelope, a box, a blank, an insert or the like, with a base die through which the outline is punched out, and an exchangeable mold part that can be attached to the base die through which a window or other type of opening can be made in the base blank or an embossed pattern. The exchangeable mold part can be positioned and/or shaped in different ways. A punching cylinder equipped in this way works together with a counter cylinder that carries the negative punching form on the outer surface, for example.

In the WO 2023/285008 A1 a cylinder carrying a cutting die can be varied in its peripheral speed relative to the transport or counter-pressure cylinder in order to adapt a processing length of the fixed-format cutting die to a possible change in length upstream on the substrate. Such changes in printing length can be caused by mechanical "rolling out" during a printing process in a printing point, but also by moisture or temperature influences and would cause a geometric deviation between the printed image and the cutting lines without compensation. In an advantageous embodiment, the cylinder carrying the cutting die is varied in relation to the counter-pressure cylinder, which is primarily responsible for transporting the substrate. A separation device is arranged downstream of the cutting device to remove the residual or waste pieces that remain when the blank is punched out.

The WO 2015/161951 A2 discloses a production line for producing printed products, e.g. products in newspaper, tabloid, book or special format, from a substrate web with a printing unit operating according to a non-impact process and a further processing stage, the collecting and folding section of which is advantageously designed for processing web or strand sections of variable section lengths. A cross-cutting device is assigned to the input side of the collecting and folding section, by means of which sections of variable section lengths can be produced from a web strand.

The invention is based on the object of creating a machine and a method for producing packaging products from a flat, in particular web-shaped substrate.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1 and 12 respectively.

The advantages that can be achieved with the invention are in particular that packaging products can be produced particularly quickly and/or variably and/or inexpensively. This applies in particular to the production of blanks for cuboid-shaped boxes, in particular folding boxes, with a side edge that has a considerably smaller side length than the two side edges of a top or bottom of the finished folding box, e.g. a side length that corresponds to a maximum of one third of the same or smaller of the two side lengths of the top or bottom. In this case, production without nesting is also of benefit. on the substrate. The panels can be arranged one after the other on the substrate without offset, for example, in a single-width substrate web all one after the other in a single column and in a multiple-width substrate web in several, in particular non-interpenetrating columns.

Of particular advantage is a design of a cutting tool by which - for example, in contrast to punched products which are punched out all around by a punching die - only individual cutouts, preferably only edge-side surface pieces, are cut out and/or a downstream stripping station can be omitted.

A particularly advantageous design for cutting out leftover pieces, i.e. waste pieces that are not part of the use, with a punching tool that removes the leftover piece from the transport path during the punching process means that a separation device or complex suction can be dispensed with. A comparatively high processing speed can be achieved, which, for example, favors an inline arrangement of printing and the otherwise often slower mechanical processing. This means that it is not necessary to have a higher number of punching lines than printing lines.

With a cutting tool which, in an advantageous embodiment, rotates about an axis of rotation relative to the transport direction and/or passes through the substrate without being supported against an abutment, a high degree of variability in the number and arrangement of cutouts in the panel can be achieved in a simple manner.

In a preferred embodiment with a drive of several or all of the discontinuously operating processing tools independent of the substrate feed, the desired processing pattern, e.g. their effective times related to the substrate feed or their phase positions related to the substrate position relative to the position of the panel to be processed and on the respective panel, can be varied.

By cutting out individual leftover pieces and/or using a drive that is independent of the substrate feed, the production of cutting dies that represent the entire panel can be eliminated.

By processing web-shaped substrate in the preferred embodiment, waste, which may have to be taken into account on the feed side due to transport by grippers, can be avoided.

A single-width design of the processing line, in particular of the entire machine, in which a substrate with only one width, in particular a single-width substrate web, is processed in the machine or the mechanical processing line, is particularly advantageous. For the products addressed here, such a single-width substrate web has, for example, a width of 250 mm to 700 mm for the production of extra-wide special formats, or of 250 mm to 500 mm for the majority of small to medium product formats. In a multiple-width, in particular double-width design, the multiple-width, in particular double-width substrate or the multiple-width, in particular double-width, has, for example, a corresponding integer multiple of the above-mentioned single-width substrate or single-width substrate web, e.g. a width in the range of 500 mm to 1,400 mm for the production of extra-wide special formats, or in the range of 500 mm to 1,000 mm in the case of a double-width substrate.

A particularly advantageous machine for producing packaging products, in particular box blanks, preferably folding box blanks, from a substrate in the form of a substrate web, in particular a substrate made of a packaging material containing fibers, preferably natural fibers, comprises at least one substrate feed, through which the substrate web can be fed to a substrate path leading through the machine on the input side, preferably a printing and/or finishing section, through which the substrate web fed to the machine at the input can be or is passed and can be or is printed on at least one of its sides one after the other with printed images of blanks of the same blank length, a mechanical processing section arranged downstream of the printing and/or finishing section in the substrate path with at least one processing tool designed as a cutting tool and preferably arranged on the circumference of a rotatable tool carrier, by means of which a flat cutout can be or is introduced into the substrate web, and preferably with a processing tool designed as a cross-cutting tool, which is preferably arranged on the circumference of a rotatable tool carrier and by means of which the substrate web is in Substrate sections can be cut or are cut crosswise, as well as a product display in which products manufactured in the machine can be laid out or can be or are combined into bundles.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the machine, a plurality of rotatable cutting tools are arranged one behind the other on the circumference of a same rotatable tool carrier or preferably on the circumference of several rotatable tool carriers provided one behind the other in the transport direction on the substrate path.

Instead of or preferably in addition to the aforementioned aspect, in a particularly advantageous embodiment of the machine, the substrate feed has a drive means that conveys the substrate into the machine, at least one drive means that conveys the substrate as a substrate web on the substrate path is provided in the substrate path between the substrate feed and the cross-cutting tool, and a drive means that conveys the substrate sections is provided in the substrate path between the cross-cutting tool - if provided - and the product display, wherein the tool carrier carrying the at least one cross-processing tool, the tool carrier carrying the at least one cutting tool and the tool carrier carrying the at least one cross-cutting tool each have a drive means that is mechanically independent of one another and of the drive means that convey the substrate along the substrate path for their rotary drive.

Instead of or preferably in addition to one or more of the aforementioned aspects, the at least one tool carrier with the cutting tool is arranged on the substrate path in such a way that a cutting edge of the cutting tool coming from an entry side cuts through the substrate along a cutting line delimiting the cutout without being supported on the other side of the substrate against an abutment or counter knife and/or in such a way that substrate passing on the substrate path is free at the cutting location on the substrate side opposite the entry side of the cutting tool, i.e. without being supported on this substrate side and/or hindering the release of the cut-out material section, in the substrate path.

Instead of or preferably in addition to one or more of the aforementioned aspects, a single-width printing section with at least one printing unit is provided, through which the substrate web fed into the machine at the beginning can be or is guided and on at least one of its two sides in the longitudinal direction in one column, i.e. can be or is printed in width with the print image of only one panel, with print images of panels of the same panel length, wherein the mechanical processing section downstream of the printing section in the substrate path comprises a plurality of transverse processing tools by means of which the substrate web can be or is subjected to a plurality of weakening lines running transversely to the transport direction for each panel length, as well as a plurality of cutting tools which are arranged on the substrate path in such a way that they only make flat cutouts one after the other in a substrate web passing the cutting tools on the substrate path for each panel length, all of which are open at least towards one side edge of the substrate web, and a transverse cutting tool by means of which the substrate web can be or is cut transversely into substrate sections of a respective panel length.

For all of the above-mentioned designs or design variants, in a further development that is advantageous - particularly for the single-width design of the machine - the tool carrier carrying the cutting tool is mounted on the substrate path so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel to the transport direction and/or the cutting tool carried by the tool carrier has its cutting edge on its side pointing in the direction of rotation.

Alternatively, in a further development that is advantageous in particular for the single-width version of the machine, the tool carrier carrying the cutting tool is mounted on the substrate path so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the transport direction and/or has its cutting edge on a side of the cutting tool that faces radially outwards.

In an advantageous further development for all of the above-mentioned designs or design variants, several groups of two or more tool carriers, each with at least one cutting tool, arranged transversely spaced from one another and/or aligned, are provided on the substrate path.

In an advantageous further development for all of the above-mentioned designs or design variants, several, preferably four, rotatable tool carriers, each with a transverse machining tool on the circumference and/or several, in particular three pairs of two tool carriers aligned with one another in the transverse direction, each with a rotatable cutting tool on the circumference, are provided one behind the other in the transport path.

In a preferred embodiment, the substrate to be processed or worked on is a substrate made of a packaging material, preferably a fibrous, in particular natural packaging material, preferably made of or at least predominantly made of cardboard or paperboard.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

• 1 eine exemplarische Darstellung eines durch eine Faltschachtel gebildeten Endproduktes;
• 2 eine Draufsicht auf einen durch einen Faltschachtelrohling gebildeten Nutzen;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung a) einer Maschine zur Herstellung von Verpackungsprodukten und b) des Bearbeitungsfortschrittes auf einer Substratbahn parallel zum Durchlaufen der Maschine;
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung a) eines vergrößerten Ausschnittes der mechanischen Bearbeitungsstrecke der Maschine aus 3 a), b) einer Draufsicht auf ggf. vorgesehener Bearbeitungswerkzeuge und c) eine schematische Darstellung des Bearbeitungsfortschrittes auf einer Substratbahn parallel zum Durchlaufen der mechanischen Bearbeitungsstrecke;
• 5 eine vergrößerte schematische Darstellung eines Querbearbeitungsabschnitts;
• 6 eine vergrößerte schematische Darstellung eines Längsbearbeitungsabschnitts;
• 7 eine vergrößerte schematische Darstellung eines Ausschneidabschnitts;
• 8 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer ersten Ausführung einer Ausschnitte abtrennender Schneidvorrichtung;
• 9 eine schematische Draufsicht auf einen radseitig durch eine Schneidvorrichtung aus 8 bearbeiteten Substratabschnitt;
• 10 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine zweite Ausführung einer Ausschnitte abtrennender Schneidvorrichtung;
• 11 eine Ansicht einer Schneidvorrichtung aus 10 mit einer über das zu bearbeitende Substrat zusammenwirkenden Stützfläche.

They show:

• 1 an exemplary representation of a final product formed by a folding box;
• 2 a plan view of a panel formed by a folding box blank;
• 3 a schematic representation of a) a machine for producing packaging products and b) the processing progress on a substrate web parallel to the passage through the machine;
• 4 a schematic representation a) of an enlarged section of the mechanical processing section of the machine from 3 a) , b) a plan view of any processing tools provided and c) a schematic representation of the processing progress on a substrate web parallel to the passage through the mechanical processing section;
• 5 an enlarged schematic representation of a cross-processing section;
• 6 an enlarged schematic representation of a longitudinal machining section;
• 7 an enlarged schematic representation of a cutting section;
• 8 a perspective view of a first embodiment of a cutting device for separating cutouts;
• 9 a schematic plan view of a wheel-side by a cutting device from 8 processed substrate section;
• 10 a schematic plan view of a second embodiment of a cutting device for separating cutouts;
• 11 a view of a cutting device from 10 with a support surface that interacts with the substrate to be processed.

The invention relates to the production of products 002, in particular packaging products 002, from a flat substrate 004, such as intermediate products 002, e.g. in the form of packaging blanks 002, or blanks 002 for short, for example box or particularly folding box blanks 002, in the provision of packaging 001, e.g. in the finished and folded state, e.g. boxes 001 that are open at the top or preferably closed on all sides, preferably folding boxes 001. In the production process, these products 002 or intermediate products 002 are present in a not yet separated state in several so-called panels 003 on a flat substrate 004.

The term panel 003 here refers - at least as far as the contour and shape are concerned - to identical objects that form the basis of the later products 002 or the end products 001 ultimately formed by unfolded packaging 001, in this case the blanks 002 to be produced, which are initially prefabricated in several parts on a common piece of material, in this case on the flat substrate 004, and then separated from one another to form the individual products 002 or intermediate products 002. In the present case, a panel 003 is to be regarded as that partial area 003 of the substrate 004 which, after being separated from the substrate 004, corresponds to the intermediate product 002 or the product 002 to be produced in a machine 100, for example an above-mentioned blank 002 of a packaging 001 as the end product 001, and/or which, for example, is further processed into the desired or required end product 001 and/or can be further processed. In the present case of a packaging 001 or a packaging blank 002, the panels 003 can basically only be determined by the same shape of the blank 002 to be produced, but in a particularly advantageous embodiment can also be printed once or multiple times and/or have a single or multi-colored print image on one or both sides. In the case of a printing process or print image, the print images on the panels 003 can be the same or - particularly when a printing process is used in a non-impact process - can differ completely or possibly in details, e.g. individualizing or personalizing information. Even such partial areas 003 that may differ in their print should be included here under the term panel 003 due to the same shape of its contour and the end product 001 to be produced.

A flat substrate 004 to be processed by the machine 100 is understood here to mean a substrate workpiece whose thickness, also referred to as thickness, is at least a factor of 30, in particular 50, smaller than its width and length. Such a substrate workpiece to be processed can be in sheet form, i.e. as individual substrate sheets, or, as preferred here, in web form, i.e. in the form of a substrate web 004, and/or can be fed to the machine 100 on the input side.

The flat substrate 004 to be processed - in particular into packaging blanks 002 or ultimately into packaging 001 - or its underlying substrate material can be single-layered or multi-layered, made of several layers of the same base material or of different materials. The at least one or only layer, e.g. base layer, can be made of a single-layered or multi-layered fibrous, in particular predominantly natural fiber-containing, packaging material, in particular made of cardboard or paperboard, which in the case of a multi-layered substrate 004 can be coated, for example, with a film, e.g. made of plastic or metal, or with a so-called coating or a varnish on top. can be surface-finished or provided with a barrier layer, e.g. made of plastic or varnish. In the following, unless an explicit distinction is made otherwise, the term flat substrate 004 made of fibrous packaging material is to be understood as a substrate 004 with a grammage of at least 150 g/m ² (grams per square meter), for example even more than 225 g/m ² , which, regardless of any multi-layering that may be present, consists entirely or at least as a base and/or for the majority of its thickness of the fibrous, in particular predominantly natural fiber-containing packaging material, preferably of cardboard or paperboard, and in particular has a low thickness in relation to the other dimensions mentioned above. Unless an explicit distinction is made, the term cardboard or paperboard also refers to coated or finished substrate materials, provided that the majority of their thickness is made of cardboard or paperboard.

The production of the above-mentioned intermediate products 002 and their further processing into packaging 001, e.g. into boxes 001, in particular folding boxes 001, can generally take place in separate processes or machines or also by the end user, who first folds the product 002, e.g. formed from a box or folding box blank 002, into the box 001 or folding box 001. In particular for different types of packaging, e.g. in the production of packaging 001 to be glued, these can also take place inline, i.e. in one go with all processing steps - for example, if necessary, printing of the raw material, mechanical processing such as embossing and/or grooving and/or perforating as well as cutting into blanks 002, and subsequent folding and if necessary gluing. Although a preferred embodiment of the machine 100 for producing and providing the folding box blanks 002 is set out below by way of example, a variant of this can also include subsequent further processing stages by which folding boxes 001 are folded from the folding box blanks 002 and are previously applied with adhesive at the bonding points.

The product 002 to be manufactured can here, as preferred here and explicitly explained in the example below, be a blank 002 of a packaging 001 designed as a box 001, in particular a folding box 001, but could, deviating from this and from the specific representation, also be a blank 002, for example for the lower or upper part of a lidded box or for a so-called folding sleeve.

The products 002 or intermediate products 002 to be manufactured are preferably blanks 002 - in particular in the form of an unfolded net - of cuboid-shaped packaging 001 with three side lengths h; b; l, wherein a first of the side lengths h, e.g. a height h, has a considerably smaller length than the second and third side lengths b; l, e.g. the length l and the width b, e.g. a length corresponding to a maximum of one third, in particular a maximum of one fifth, of a smaller of the other two side lengths b; l. The second and third side lengths b; l can also have the same length. The second and third side lengths b; l span a first side 006, e.g. a bottom 006 of the packaging 001, with a rectangular or even square surface, e.g. base surface.

In the case of a closable or closed box 001, the first side 006 can have a second side 007, e.g. a lid 007, with approximately the same dimensions, i.e. a maximum deviation of 5%. As a result, the intermediate products 002 to be manufactured preferably represent blanks 002 for flat boxes 001, in particular folding boxes 001, with sides 008; 008'; 009; 009', in particular side walls 008; 008'; 009; 009', which are perpendicular to the first and possibly opposite second side 006; 007, which are significantly smaller. Such folding boxes 001 are used, for example, in the area of transporting or storing flat foodstuffs or food containers, e.g. for transporting and storing baked goods or - as shown here as an example - pizzas.

In the case of a blank 002 for a lower or upper part of a lidded box, this part is then open at the top or bottom when folded; in the case of a blank 002 for a folding sleeve, the side walls 008; 008'; 009; 009' are omitted or have degenerated into flaps that can be folded inwards. Although the height h of the end product 001, which is smaller than the width b and length l, is preferably used to primarily refer to the vertical extent and/or the term base 006 to refer to the underside of the packaging 001, such a conceptual assignment is not to be understood as mandatory here. In principle, a proper position can also be formed by a packaging 001 with a narrow base when used as intended, formed by one of the side walls 008; 008'; 009; 009' with the shorter side length h.

Alternatively or preferably in addition to the above, the intermediate products 002 to be manufactured are blanks 002 or underlying panels 003, the finished cutting of which in the unfolded net - in particular including any additions or tabs intended for stabilization and/or for adhesive or plug-in connections - takes up an area on the substrate 004 which corresponds to at least 80%, in particular at least 90%, of a smallest rectangular area spanning the panel 003. In other words, during the manufacture of the intermediate product 002, ideally less than 20%, preferably less than 10% of a rectangular substrate area, and thus - e.g. without taking into account any waste that may arise during start-up or shut-down - for example also the supplied substrate 004, arise as residue or waste and must be discharged.

Alternatively to this, or in particular together with one or more of the above criteria, the intermediate products 002 or blanks 002 of cuboid-shaped folding boxes 001 to be manufactured - in particular blanks 002 in the form of an unfolded net - are blanks 002 or underlying panels 003 which only have cutouts A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3' that are open at least towards the edge regions of two opposite first sides, e.g. the two long sides of the underlying panel 003, i.e. for example that they do not have any recesses that are open exclusively towards the other two opposite second sides, e.g. the sides running transversely thereto, and/or no recesses in the sense of windows surrounded all around by substrate or other types of openings. The cutouts A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3' are therefore, in a preferred embodiment, not bordered by closed cutting lines s1; s2; s3; s4; s1'; s2'; s3'; s4', but at least open towards the side edge of the long side.

An above-mentioned blank 002 comprises, in addition to one or more cutouts A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3', at least one transverse weakening line Q1; Q2; Q3; Q4; e.g. effective line Q1; Q2; Q3; Q4 and/or at least one longitudinal weakening line L1; L1', e.g. effective line L1; L1', at which the blank 002 is or can be bent during later forming to form the end product 001, as well as at least two cutting edges on opposite sides, which result from a separation along a cutting line S between two consecutive blanks 003 in the preferred case of a seamless sequence of blanks or from a separation from the substrate 004 along two cutting lines S in the case of a residual strip lying in between.

A blank 002 shown here for an embodiment of a folding box 002 comprises three cutouts A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3' on both long sides, namely, viewed in the longitudinal direction, in the respective corners and in an area in between, e.g. in a middle area, and in particular extending over a length corresponding to the height h in the later product, and four transverse weakening lines Q1; Q2; Q3; Q4 running transversely to the long sides, namely, e.g. one each approximately at the level of the start of the respective corner cutout A1; A3; A1'; A3', e.g. corner cutout A1; A3; A1'; A3', and one each on both sides of the approximately central cutout A2; A2'. The longitudinal direction of the blank 002 or of the panel 003 still surrounded by the substrate 004 should be that of one of the side lengths l; b of the base 006, which encompasses both the surface of the base 006 and the lid 007 one after the other. A section lying in the area of one of the two ends transversely to the longitudinal direction between the opposing corner cutouts A3; A3' is connected via a weakening line Q4 to the surface forming the lid 007, for example, and forms one of the side walls 009 in the later end product 001, for example, while a section lying in the area of the other of the two ends transversely to the longitudinal direction between the opposing corner cutouts A1; A1' and is connected via a transverse weakening line Q1 to the surface forming the base 006 in the later end product 001, for example, forms a tab 011 that can be erected from the plane of the base 006. Longitudinal weakening lines L1; L1', which - interrupted by the cutouts A2; A2' located in a central area - form side walls 009 bent from the base 006 and the lid 007 in the longitudinal direction in the later end product 001. The longitudinal direction of the blank 003 is the direction running in the transport direction T on the substrate 004 and its length l003, i.e. the blank length l003, is the dimension extending in the transport direction T or, in the case of a substrate web 004, the dimension extending in its longitudinal direction.

A machine 100, in particular a substrate processing machine 100, for producing the above-mentioned products 002, in particular packaging blanks 002, from a flat, preferably web-shaped substrate 004 comprises at least on the input side a substrate feed 101, which for the preferred embodiment of the substrate 004 to be fed as a substrate web 004 is formed by a roll unwinder 101, from which the web-shaped substrate 004 can be unwound and fed into a transport path leading through the machine 100. In the case of web-shaped substrate 004, the substrate feed 101 can be assigned a drive means (not shown here), e.g. a drive motor, for unwinding a substrate roll and/or on the output side a positively driven conveyor device for a controlled conveying of the substrate web, e.g. a merely indicated Traction or infeed mechanism, which comprises, for example, a drive motor 106 driving a traction roller as a drive means 106 causing or supporting the substrate feed through the machine 100.

A drive means 106; 107; 108; 109; 403 that effects or supports the substrate feed in or through the machine 100 or that conveys the substrate 004 is intended here and in the following - in abbreviated form - to be a drive means 106; 107; 108; 109; 403 that indirectly drives or conveys the substrate 004 or the substrate web 004 in a controlled manner via a conveyor device that conveys the substrate 004 by means of a positive or frictional connection and/or - which may be the case when transporting web-shaped substrate - determines or at least helps determine the substrate feed, particularly in interaction with other such conveyor devices or drive means 106; 107; 108; 109; 403. As such, for example, a drive means 106 conveying the substrate 004 into the machine 100 and/or one or more drive means 107; 108; 403 conveying the substrate 004 on the substrate path in the substrate path between the substrate feed 101 and the processing tool 901 designed as a cross-cutting tool 901 and/or at least one drive means 109 conveying the substrate sections 004i in the substrate path between the cross-cutting tool 901 and the product display 104 can be provided. In the case of web-shaped substrate 004, the above-mentioned frictionally or positively interacting conveying devices used are, for example, driven rollers, e.g. tension, hot or cooling rollers, or driven cylinders of rollers of processing devices, e.g. transport cylinders or rollers involved in the formation of a printing or painting point or supporting the substrate 004 in such a printing or painting point. In the case of sheet-shaped substrate 004 or substrate sections 004i, for example, transport cylinders or transport belts can be used.

The machine 100 further comprises, in the transport path downstream of the substrate feed 101, at least one processing section 103 for mechanically processing the substrate 004 with several types of processing tools 601; 701; 702; 703; 801; 801*; 901 that act mechanically on the substrate 004 in different ways, e.g. one or more processing tools 601 for transverse weakening, one or more processing tools 701 for longitudinal weakening, one or more processing tools 801; 801* for cutting out and/or at least one processing tool 601, e.g. transverse processing tool 601, for transverse cutting.

On the output side, the machine 100 comprises a product delivery 104, which for the embodiment preferred here is formed, for example, by a stack delivery 104, through which the products 002 produced in the machine 100, in particular intermediate products 002, are or can be laid out, for example, as a stream or shingled stream or, as preferred here, combined into bundles, in particular into stacks.

In the case of a web-shaped substrate 004, a drive motor 109 driving a conveyor device, e.g. a belt drive, a paddle wheel or a transport cylinder, can be provided between a cross-cutting of the substrate web 004 and the product display 104, e.g. as a drive means 109 that effects or supports the substrate feed through the machine 100 or conveys the substrate 005, by means of which substrate sections 005i can be fed to the product display 104, e.g. as products 001; 002.

In a preferred embodiment, a printing and/or finishing section 102 is provided between the substrate feed 101 and the mechanical processing section 103, by means of which the substrate 004 can be printed on one or both sides with printed images in one or more colors, for example in the grid of the blanks 003 on which the products 002 are based, and/or can be finished with a varnish or other surface coating. Furthermore, in the substrate path between a last printing point of a printing section included in the printing and/or finishing section 102 and a first mechanical processing in the processing section 103, a drive motor 107 driving a pull roller can be provided as a drive means 107 that effects or supports the substrate feed through the machine 100 or conveys the substrate 004.

In a variant of the machine 100, a folding section, possibly with an adhesive device, can be provided between the mechanical processing section 103 and the product display 104 - in particular for the production of already folded packaging 001.

Although the machine 100 can also be designed to be multiple-width, i.e. for processing substrates 004 with several panels 003 next to each other transversely to a transport direction T, the machine 100 is designed to be single-width in an advantageous embodiment, i.e. for processing substrates 004 with only one panel 003 in the transverse direction. A single-width machine 100 is therefore, for example, a machine whose processing and/or conveying width is designed to process and/or convey a substrate 004 that is only one panel 033 wide, e.g. a width in Range of e.g. 250 to 700 mm, at least 250 to 500 mm. In the case of a design of the machine 100 for producing products 002 or panels 003 with - at least within certain limits - variable width, the processing and/or conveying width is designed with a width of the greatest width of the panel 003, e.g. a width of at least 500 mm, e.g. in the range of 500 mm up to 700 mm. Instead or in addition, a single-width machine 100 is characterized, for example, by the fact that the machine 100 in the substrate path has no means, e.g. turning devices, for laying strands on top of one another and/or without longitudinal cutting devices for dividing e.g. the substrate web 004 into several adjacent partial webs of the same width, e.g. panel width.

The transport direction T and a longitudinal direction of the substrate 004 or the substrate web 004 or a blank 003 located thereon are to be understood here and in the following as the direction pointing at the relevant location of the transport path in the feed or movement direction of the substrate 004, and the transverse direction is to be understood as the direction running perpendicular to this in the plane of the substrate surface, usually e.g. horizontally.

One or more types of processing tools 701; 702; 703; 801; 801*; 901 of the processing section 103 can be provided, for example in a longitudinal processing section 700, as processing tools 601; 701; 702; 703, which act mechanically on the substrate 004 along lines of action L1; L1' running in the longitudinal or transport direction T and are preferably positioned or can preferably be positioned in register with the substrate 004 to be processed, viewed in the transverse direction, i.e. in the lateral register. Such longitudinally effective processing tools 701; 702; 703, or longitudinal processing tools 701; 702; 703 for short, are, for example - at least as far as their desired effect in the longitudinal direction is concerned - with regard to the longitudinal register, i.e. a relative phase position of the processing tool relative to the position of the blanks 003 provided on the substrate 004 along the transport direction T in the substrate path, is uncritical.

Preferably, the machine 100 or the processing section 103 in the substrate path comprises one or more, preferably at least two, processing tools 701; 702, e.g. longitudinal weakening tools 701; 702, which are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction and each introduce an action line L1; L1' running in the longitudinal or transport direction T, e.g. a weakening line L1; L1', in particular a longitudinal weakening line L1; L1', as longitudinal processing tools 701; 703 which act mechanically, in particular deformingly, on the substrate 004 in the transport direction T. The longitudinal weakening tool 701; 702 in question can basically be designed as a perforating or preferably creasing tool 702; 701, in particular a perforating or preferably creasing knife 701, which rotates or can rotate in particular about an axis running in the transverse direction. In local usage - in contrast to a longitudinal cutting knife - the perforating or preferably creasing knife 701 or a tool carrier carrying such a perforating or preferably creasing tool is designed and arranged in the substrate path in such a way that it leaves a weakening line L1; L1' in the substrate 004, but does not completely cut through the substrate 004 along the effective line L1; L2.

Preferably, at least two creasing tools 701 are provided, e.g. in the form of rotatable creasing knives 701. In addition or instead, two longitudinally effective perforating tools 702 designed as perforating knives can be provided, which can optionally be provided in addition to or as an alternative to the creasing tools 701.

In addition to one or more of the above-mentioned types of processing tools introducing one or more weakening lines L1; L1', one or two longitudinal cutting tools 703 spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction, e.g. longitudinal cutting knives rotating or rotatable about an axis running in the transverse direction, can be provided as further longitudinally effective processing tools, by means of which, for example, edge trimming can be carried out on one or both longitudinal sides of the substrate 004 if required.

Although, for example, in the figures 3 , 4 and 5 by way of example, two longitudinally effective processing tools 701; 702; 703 formed by creasing tools 701, two by perforating tools 702 and two by longitudinal cutting tools 703 are shown, either all three of these types, only two of these types or only one type of longitudinal weakening tool can be provided in the machine 100 or the mechanical processing section 103. In addition to one or more of the types mentioned or instead of them, two spaced-apart embossing tools (not shown here) can also be provided as longitudinally effective processing tools.

The respective longitudinally effective processing tools 701; 702; 703 mentioned above are - if provided - preferably mounted on the substrate path, e.g. in a frame (not shown) of the machine 100 or the mechanical processing line, so that at least one, preferably both, are arranged transversely to one another. the spaced-apart machining tools 701; 702; 703 of the same type can be adjusted or positioned individually or in pairs in the transverse direction. Preferably, this is done for a tool pair of machining tools 701; 702; 703 that are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction and preferably aligned with one another in this transverse direction via at least one controllable drive means 704, e.g. a drive motor 704. In the case of a pair-wise drive, the machining tools 701; 702; 703 of the tool pair are driven or can be driven together by the drive motor 704 - for example via an engagement of a respective tool carrier in a threaded spindle 706 with opposing thread sections (see e.g. in 5 without dashed drive means, but with a continuous spindle). In an embodiment which is advantageous in terms of variability, for example, the two processing tools 701; 702; 703 of the tool pair can be adjusted independently of one another in the transverse direction by respective drive means 704; 704', e.g. drive motors 704; 704' (see version in 5 with dashed drive means). In one variant, only one of the processing tools 701; 702; 703 of the tool pair can be positioned or adjustable in the transverse direction, and the other processing tool 701; 702; 703 can be mounted on the substrate path in a frame-fixed manner with respect to the transverse direction.

One or more creasing tools 701 arranged in transverse alignment with one another can be combined with the optionally provided lateral adjusting means 704, 706; 704', 706' and their bearings to form a creasing device 707 and as such can be provided one or more times in succession in the processing section 103, in particular in the longitudinal processing section 700, in the manner described above. In addition or instead, one or more perforating tools 702 arranged in transverse alignment with one another can be combined with the optionally provided lateral adjusting means 704, 706; 704', 706' and their bearings to form a perforating device 708 and as such can be provided one or more times in the processing section 103, in particular in the longitudinal processing section 700. In addition or instead, one or more longitudinal cutting blades 703 aligned with one another in the transverse direction can be combined with the optionally provided lateral adjusting means 704, 706; 704', 706' and their bearings to form a longitudinal cutting device 09 and as such can be provided one or more times in the processing section 103, in particular in the longitudinal processing section 700.

One or more of such processing devices 707; 708; 709 designed as creasing and/or perforating and/or longitudinal cutting devices 707; 708: 709 can be arranged, for example, in the same base frame. The arrangement of one or more of such creasing and/or perforating and/or longitudinal cutting devices 707; 708; 709 in the base frame can be designed in the form of a structural unit, e.g. in the form of a module.

Instead of or preferably in addition to at least one type of longitudinally effective processing tools 701; 702; 703, at least one or more types of processing tools 601; 801; 801*; 901 are provided as mechanical processing tools 601; 801; 801*; 901, which do not act on the substrate 004 or the blanks 003 continuously, but only discontinuously at certain intervals in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 004 or in its transport direction T. Such processing tools 601; 801; 801*; 901 must, in order to achieve the desired result, be aligned with respect to the longitudinal register, i.e. a relative phase position of the processing tool 601; 801; 801*; 901 relative to the position of the blanks 003 provided on the substrate 004, along the transport direction T in the substrate path, or are operated at a correct rate. Such mechanical processing tools which operate with interruptions, particularly with regard to the longitudinal register, are also referred to below as discontinuously operating processing tools 601; 801; 801*; 901.

One or more types of transversely effective processing tools 601; 901 can be provided as 601; 901 falling under the discontinuously effective processing tools 601; 801; 801*; 901, i.e. processing tools 601; 901 which act mechanically on the substrate in lines of action S; Q1; Q2; Q3; Q4 running along the transverse direction and, when viewed in their relative phase position to the position of the blanks 003 along the transport path, i.e. in the longitudinal register, in register with the position of the substrate 004 being processed or with the blanks 003 contained therein in the transport direction T and with the other of the possibly provided discontinuously introduced lines of action S; Q1; Q2; Q3; Q4; s1; s2; s3; s4; s1'; s2'; s3'; s4' are or must be positioned or positionable.

For the preferred case of web-shaped substrate 004, at least one cross-cutting tool 901 of a cross-cutting device 900, e.g. a cross-cutting knife 901 or in particular a cross-cutting knife pair 901, 902 consisting of cross-cutting knife 901 and counter knife 902, is provided as a discontinuously effective, in particular cross-acting processing tool 901, by which the substrate web 004 - in particular previously mechanically processed by one, several or all of the other processing tools 601; 701; 702; 703; 801; 801* required for production - is or can be cut transversely along an effective line S running in the transverse direction and formed by a cutting line S, in particular cross-sectional line S, into substrate sections 004i, in particular each having a single panel 003 in the longitudinal direction. If the substrate web 004 at this point on the substrate path is - as preferred - single-width, ie with the width of a single panel 003 extending in the transverse direction, and - as preferred - has already been through all of the other required mechanical processing steps or tools 601; 701; 702; 703; 801; 801*], the substrate sections 004i simultaneously already represent the intermediate products 002 or blanks 002 to be produced, which are combined, for example, in the downstream product delivery 104 to form bundles, e.g. stacks, or, in an alternative embodiment of the machine 100 upstream of the product delivery, are possibly glued and folded into end products 001.

The above-mentioned cross-cutting knife 901 can be provided on a tool carrier 904, e.g. rotating or rotatable, e.g. on the circumference of a cross-cutting cylinder 904, and together with its bearing and possibly its drive means 903, represent a processing device 906 designed as a cross-cutting device 906. The same also applies to the arrangement of a counter knife 902, if provided, on a counter knife cylinder and its arrangement in the cross-cutting device 906. Several, e.g. two, such cross-cutting knives 901 can also be provided on such a tool carrier 904 in the circumferential direction, which then interact one after the other with the substrate web 004 to be cut. The same also applies to the arrangement of several counter knives 902, if provided, on a counter knife cylinder. The tool carrier 603 is in particular rotatable about a rotation axis running parallel to the transverse direction.

In a preferred embodiment - particularly in the case of an embodiment of the machine 100 or the processing line 103 for variable blank lengths 1003 - the cross-cutting tool 901, in particular at least the rotating or rotatable tool carrier 904, can be driven or driven in rotation in the above sense independently of the substrate feed by a drive means 903, e.g. a drive motor 903, in particular a drive or servo motor 903 that can be controlled or regulated with respect to the speed and/or angular position, i.e. mechanically independently of any drive means 106; 107; 108; 109; 403 that effect or support the substrate feed or convey the substrate 004.

Not only, but especially in the case where the processing of a variable blank length l003 is to be possible, for example, a pulling roller positively driven by a drive means 108, e.g. a drive motor 108, is arranged as a conveying device in the substrate path directly upstream of the cross-cutting tool 901, i.e. without any further processing tools in between.

As another type of discontinuously effective, in particular transversely effective processing tool 601, in short transverse processing tool 601, is provided in the substrate path - possibly instead of or in particular in the case of the upstream web-shaped substrate 004 in addition to the transverse cutting tool 901 - at least one processing tool 601, e.g. transverse weakening tool 601, which acts mechanically, in particular deformingly, on the substrate 004 in the transverse direction and introduces a transversely running line of action Q1; Q2; Q3; Q4, e.g. weakening line Q1; Q2; Q3; Q4, in particular transverse weakening line Q1; Q2; Q3; Q4, in particular arranged upstream of the possibly provided transverse cutting tool 901 in the transport path. This processing tool 601 can basically be designed as a perforating or preferably creasing knife 601, which rotates or can rotate around an axis running in the transverse direction and which extends, for example, in the transverse direction at least over a side length b; l of the later end product 001 running transversely on the substrate 004. The transverse weakening tool 601 can be provided on a tool carrier 603, for example, which rotates or can rotate, for example on the circumference of a knife cylinder 603. In local usage, here too - in contrast to the above-mentioned transverse cutting knife - a perforating or preferably creasing knife 601 or a knife cylinder 603 carrying such a knife is designed and arranged in the substrate path in such a way that it leaves a weakening line Q1; Q2; Q3; Q4 in the substrate 004, but does not cut through the substrate 004 along the line. The respective tool carrier 603 is in particular rotatable about a rotation axis running parallel to the transverse direction.

For the preferred case of several transverse weakening lines Q1; Q2; Q3; Q4 to be applied to an intermediate product 002 or blank 003, a single transverse weakening tool 601 can be provided in the transverse processing section 600, which interacts several times with the respective blank 003 along its length. Preferably, however, several, e.g. at least or exactly two, preferably four or possibly more, such transverse weakening tools 601 are provided, which can interact or act one after the other with the same passing blank 003. In this case, several, e.g. at least three, in particular four, such transverse weakening tools 601 can be provided on a same, e.g. rotating or rotatable, tool carrier 603, e.g. on the circumference of a knife cylinder 603, wherein in a preferred embodiment the tool carrier 603 can be driven with a circumferential speed that can be varied during one revolution.

Preferably, however, several, e.g. at least or exactly two, in particular four or possibly more, such, e.g. rotating or rotatable, tool carriers 603, e.g. knife cylinders 603, are provided one behind the other in the transport path, each of which possibly carries several, but preferably one of the transverse weakening tools 601 (see e.g. 4 and 6 ). In both variants, the relative position of several transverse weakening lines Q1; Q2; Q3; Q4 to each other can be varied without retooling.

In a preferred embodiment, the or each of the rotating or rotatable tool carriers 603 is or can be driven in a variable manner with regard to its effective peripheral speed, i.e. the peripheral speed of the transverse weakening tool or tools 601 carried by it, relative to the speed of the substrate feed. In a preferred embodiment, the or each of the transverse weakening tools 601, in particular the or each of the rotating or rotatable tool carriers 603, can be or are driven in rotation independently of the substrate feed by a drive means 602, e.g. drive motor 602, in particular a drive or servo motor 602 that can be controlled or regulated with regard to the speed and/or angular position, i.e. mechanically independently of any drive means 106; 107; 108; 109; that effect or support the substrate feed or that convey the substrate 004. 403. In the case of several, in particular four, rotating or rotatable tool carriers 603, each is preferably driven or can be driven independently of the other tool carriers 603 and, in the above sense, mechanically independently of the substrate feed through the processing section 103.

An above-mentioned transverse weakening tool 601, in particular a tool carrier 603 with such a transverse weakening tool 601, can be combined with its drive means 602 and its bearing to form a processing device 604, conceptually designed as a transverse weakening device 604, and can be provided as such once or, as is preferred, several times in succession in the processing section 103, in particular the longitudinal processing section 700.

One or more such transverse weakening devices 604 can be arranged, for example, in the same base frame. The arrangement of one or more such transverse weakening devices 604 in the base frame can be designed in the form of a structural unit, for example in the form of a module.

As a discontinuously effective processing tool 801; 801*, which is to be arranged and/or operated in the transport path of the processing section 103 in particular with regard to the longitudinal register, at least one cutting tool 801; 801* is provided in the substrate path, e.g. upstream or preferably downstream of one or more possibly provided longitudinal processing tools 701; 702; 703 and/or e.g. upstream or preferably downstream of one or more possibly provided transverse processing tools 601; 901, by means of which at least one areal section A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3' is cut from the passing substrate 004 for each panel 003, i.e. in contrast to a simple linear cut, it extends over a surface, i.e. two-dimensionally. B. in contrast to mere incisions - is or can be cut out both in a transverse direction and in the transport direction T. Depending on the requirements, the planar or two-dimensional cutout A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3' can have a regular or irregular shape or cutting line s1; s2; s3; s4; s1'; s2'; s3'; s4', e.g. deviating from a rectangular cross-section.

The cutting tool 801; 801* provided, for example, in a cutting section 800; 800* of the processing path 103 is advantageously designed and arranged on the substrate path and/or operated or operable in such a way that it acts on the substrate 004 from a first substrate side and that the substrate 004 is completely severed on a cutout A1; A2; A3; A1';A2';A3' along the - possibly irregularly running - cutting line s1; s2; s3; s4; s1';s2';s3';s4', so that it can emerge on the other substrate side without further ado, ie without additional breaking out or severing of webs. For this purpose, the cutting tool 801; 801* or the tool carrier 806; carrying it is 806* designed and arranged on the substrate path such that substrate 004 passing on the substrate path is freely present in the substrate path at the cutting location at least over the area of the cutout A1; A2; A3; A1';A2';A3' to be made on the substrate side opposite the entry side of the cutting tool 801; 801*, ie without being supported on this substrate side. In other words, the cutting tool 801; 801* or the tool carrier 806; 806* carrying it is at a point on the Substrate path is arranged on which, on the substrate side opposite the entry side of the cutting tool 801; 801* - at least at the time of cutting - there is a free space at least over the area of the cutout A1; A2; A3; A1';A2';A3' to be made, into which the cut-out material section can be discharged, for example, as a residual or waste piece. The material section can then be removed from the cutout A1; A2; A3; A1';A2';A3', for example, via a force acting on the material section - for example immediately after or already during the cutting - such as the force of gravity, an applied suction force or, as described below, via the cutting tool 801; 801* itself.

The relevant cutting tool 801; 801* is preferably designed and arranged and/or operated or operable in such a way that the cutout A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3' is removed by the cutting tool 801; 801* in one go with the cutting out and also from the rest of the substrate 004, e.g. by the cutting tool 801; 801* acting on the substrate 004 from a first substrate side, severing the substrate 004 on a cutout A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3' along the cutting line s1; s2; s3; s4; s1'; s2'; s3'; s4' - e.g. regular or irregular - and cutting the cutout A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3' is thereby transported out of the remaining web- or sheet-shaped substrate 004 on the other, e.g. second substrate side.

The material section cut out and removed along the cutting line s1; s2; s3; s4; s1'; s2'; s3'; s4' represents a residual or waste piece, while the area of the substrate 004 surrounding the cutout A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3' is transported further downstream in the transport path as part of the panel 003.

In contrast to punching out a blank 003 with, for example, a single punching die, through which an outline of the blank 003 is cut out in one go - apart from any remaining webs -, the respective cutting tool 801; 801* here preferably has a cutting edge for the cutting line s1; s2; s3; s4; s1'; s2'; s3'; s4' of just one of several cutouts A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3' to be cut out and removed for each blank 003. This means that several unconnected cutouts A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3' are cut out one after the other from a substrate section having a panel 003 and, if necessary, removed immediately, so that the cut of a panel 003 or blank 002 remains as a continuous remainder.

In a preferred embodiment - e.g. in contrast to conventional punching dies - the cutting tool 801; 801* is not arranged with its cutting edge cutting against an abutment or a so-called die on or in the substrate path, but rather cuts through the substrate 004 along the cutting line s1; s2; s3; s4; s1'; s2'; s3'; s4' delimiting the cutout A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3' without working with a cutting edge against a counter surface, e.g. an abutment or a counter blade, or supporting itself against such a surface. This makes it possible to cut out and remove the cut-out section of material in one go, without the need to subsequently break out and remove the remaining or waste pieces.

Cutting with such a cutting tool 801; 801* can in principle be carried out without any rear support or support of the substrate 004 in the entire area surrounding the cutting point. In an advantageous embodiment, however, a support surface 803; 803* for the substrate 004 with an interruption 804; 804* or recess 804; 804* is provided on the second substrate side opposite the entry side for receiving the cutting tool 801; 801*, which at least with the cutting edge penetrates through the substrate 004 at least slightly, i.e. for example at least 1 mm. The at least slight immersion is intended to ensure that the cut through the substrate 004 is continuous and that the cut-out material actually leaves or can leave the remaining substrate 004 towards the second substrate side.

Such a support surface 803 can - as for example in 8 shown - in a first embodiment variant, it can be realized by a guide 803 which is provided in a fixed position on the substrate path and supports the substrate 004 at least in an area adjacent to the cutting point, which has the recess 804 receiving the cutting tool 801 passing through or at least plunging into it or an interruption 804 of the guide 803 in an area opposite the cutting tool 801 in the substrate path during the cutting process.

In a second variant, as shown by the dashed arrow in 8 for the support surface 803 or in 11 As indicated by the rotational body 803* supporting the substrate 004, such a support surface 803 can be formed by a support and/or conveyor device 803, e.g. a rotating belt or a rotating band, which is moved in the transport direction T of the substrate 004 and supports and/or conveys the substrate 004, or a corresponding recess 804* having a rotational body 803*, which has a recess 804* in a region opposite the cutting tool 801* at the time of cutting, which receives the cutting tool 801* passing through - e.g. at least in part.

For both embodiments, the recess 804; 804* can basically have any shape such that it sufficiently supports the substrate 004 in an area adjacent to the recess, but does not protrude into the path of movement of the cutting tool 801; 801* or at least that of the part that passes - at least partially - through the substrate 004. In an advantageous embodiment, the recess is shaped and/or dimensioned such that the shape of its circumferential line is complementary to the cutting line s1; s2; s3; s4; s1'; s2'; s3'; s4', but is dimensioned so large that it just does not protrude into the path of movement of the cutting tool 801; 801* - e.g. for the embodiment with a stationary support surface 803, taking into account the relative movement that takes place during passage. 801* or at least that of the part passing through. The cutting edge of the cutting tool 801; 801* can thereby perform a type of scissor cut with the edge of the recess 804; 804* in a support surface 803; 803* designed in this way.

In an advantageous embodiment, a group of at least or exactly two such cutting tools 801; 801*, preferably lying in the same alignment with one another in the transverse direction, is provided in the transverse direction, by means of which a plurality of cutouts A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3', for example two cutouts A1; A2; A3, which are spaced apart in the transverse direction and preferably lying in the same alignment when viewed in the transverse direction, can be introduced into the substrate 004 as it passes.

Basically independent of this, but in an advantageous embodiment in addition to this, the cutting device in a preferred embodiment comprises, viewed in the longitudinal or transport direction T, one behind the other, a plurality of cutting tools 801; 801*, in particular a plurality of tool carriers 806; 806* each carrying at least or exactly one cutting tool 801; 801*, advantageously the above-mentioned groups of cutting tools 801; 801* or tool carriers 806; 806* aligned with one another in the transverse direction, through which a plurality of cutouts A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3' are made in the passing substrate 004 at points offset from one another in the longitudinal direction of the same blank 003, in particular at points offset from one another in the longitudinal direction of the same blank 003, a plurality of groups, e.g. pairs, of cutouts A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3' can be inserted.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, one or more cutting tools 801; 801* or groups of cutting tools 801; 801* are arranged on the substrate path in such a way that they create cutouts A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3' in the passing substrate 004 that are open towards the long side of the substrate 004, in particular only, i.e. exclusively, those cutouts A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3' that are open at least towards the long side of the substrate 004. These can - in particular with regard to the position on the substrate web 004 that has not yet been cut crosswise - be cutouts A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; that are open exclusively towards the side edge. A3' or - in relation to a blank 003 or the already cross-cut substrate section 004i or the packaging or folding box blank 002 to be produced - instead of or in particular in addition to one or more cutouts A2; A2' that are open exclusively towards the side edge, also one or more cutouts A1; A3; A1'; A3' that are open in the area of the leading and/or trailing ends, in particular corner areas, of the blank 003 or packaging blanks 002 both towards the side edge of the blank 003 or the long side of the packaging blank 002 and at the same time towards the leading or trailing side of the blank 003 or the side in the direction of the width of the packaging blank 002.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment - in particular in conjunction with a single-width conveyor line through the processing line 103 or through the entire machine 100, in particular in conjunction with a single-width machine 100 - the processing line 103 comprises one or preferably several groups of two cutting tools 801; 801* each, which are arranged and operable on the substrate path in such a way that in areas of both long sides of the substrate 004, cutouts A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3' are created that are open towards the respective long side of the substrate 004, in particular exclusively cutouts A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3' that are open towards the respective long side of the substrate 004.

For the preferred case of several cutouts A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3' to be made one after the other in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 004 or in particular of a blank 003, a single cutting tool 801; 801* can be provided which interacts several times with the respective blank 003, wherein in the preferred embodiment the cutting tool 801; 801* or a tool carrier 806; 806* carrying the cutting tool 801; 801* is designed to be driven by a drive means 802; 802* with a circumferential speed that can be varied during one revolution or can be operated via appropriately configured control means.

Preferably, however, viewed in the transport direction T, several, e.g. at least two, in particular three or at least three, such cutting tools 801; 801* or groups of such cutting tools 801; 801* or rotating or rotatable tool carriers 806; 806* each carrying a cutting tool 801; 801* are provided, which - e.g. in the same alignment in the longitudinal direction - are arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T or are mounted on the substrate path so as to interact with the substrate 004 and/or, viewed in the longitudinal direction, interact or can interact with the substrate 004 at different points on the same passing blank 003. This enables a phase, ie blank length l003 and/or a relative phase position of the cutouts A1; A2; A3; A1';A2';A3' on the panel 003 and/or to each other without the need for retooling.

For all of the variants mentioned here, a design is particularly advantageous in which the or each tool carrier 806; 806* carrying one or at least one of the above-mentioned cutting tools 801; 801* can be driven or is driven in a rotational mechanical manner in the above sense by a drive means 802; 802* independently of the substrate feed or of the drive means 106; 107; 108; 109 conveying the substrate 004 and can be driven or is driven via control means connected to the drive means 802; 802* by signals at a circumferential speed that is variable and/or different from the transport speed. In the case of several tool carriers 806; 806*, preferably at least the tool carriers 806; 806* arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T are driven by mechanically independent drive means 802; 802*.

In the case of a longitudinally aligned arrangement of processing tools 801; 801* or tool carriers 806; 806*, these are intended here and in the following, for example, to be those which, in the case of several groups of processing tools 801; 801* arranged next to one another in unwinding on the substrate 004, are to be assigned to a same column running in the longitudinal direction and/or whose effective width or the cutouts A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3' made by them at least intersect a same alignment running in the transport or longitudinal direction T.

Preferably, in the case of several cutting tools 801; 801* acting one after the other on the same blank 003, at least two of these tools have cutting tools 801; 801* cutting edges with a different cutting profile, i.e. patterns of cutting lines s1; s2; s3; s4; s1'; s2'; s3'; s4'. In this way, different shapes of cutouts A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3' can be introduced into the blank 003, e.g. optimally adapted to the packaging 001 to be produced or the packaging blank 002.

In a preferred embodiment, the or each of the cutting tools 801; 801* arranged one behind the other - e.g. in the same alignment - and preferably acting in the region of the same long side, in particular the or each of the rotating or rotatable tool carriers 806; 806* carrying these cutting tools 801; 801*, can be driven or driven in rotation independently of the substrate feed by a drive means 802; 802*, e.g. a drive motor 802; 802*, in particular a drive or servo motor 802; 802* that can be controlled or regulated with regard to the speed and/or angular position, i.e. mechanically independently of any drive means 106; 107; 108; that effect or support the substrate feed through the processing section or even the machine 100 up to any cross-cutting that may be required or that convey the substrate 004. 109; 403. In the case of several, in particular three or at least three, rotating or rotatable tool carriers 806; 806* or cutting tools 801; 801* in the area of the same long side, each or each of these tool carriers 806; 806* or cutting tools 801; 801* is preferably mechanically independent of any drive means 106; 107; 108; 109; 403 that effect or support the substrate feed through the processing section or even the machine 100 or that convey the substrate 004 and preferably can be driven or driven in rotation independently of one another.

In addition to the rotary drive, the cutting tool or tools 801; 801* which interact with the substrate 004 at least in the region of one of the side edges is or are preferably mounted on the substrate path, e.g. in a frame (not shown) of the machine 100 or the mechanical processing section 103, such that at least one, preferably both of the relevant group of cutting tools 801; 801* can be adjusted or positioned individually or in groups, e.g. in pairs, in the transverse direction. This is preferably done for one or each pair of cutting tools 801; 801* which are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction and preferably aligned with one another in this direction, via at least one controllable drive means 808; 808*, preferably a drive motor 808; 808*. In an embodiment which is advantageous, for example in terms of variability, the two cutting tools 801; 801* of the tool pair, however, by respective drive means 808; 808* - for example, by an engagement of a holder carrying the respective tool carrier 806; 806*, e.g. designed in the manner of a slide, in the Thread of each threaded spindle 809; 809* - independently adjustable in the transverse direction.

In one variant, the two cutting tools 801; 801* can be driven jointly and in opposite directions by only one drive motor 808; 808* - for example by engaging a holder carrying the respective tool carrier 806; 806*, e.g. designed in the manner of a slide, in a common threaded spindle 809 with oppositely rotating thread sections (e.g. dashed in 7 and 10 with continuous threaded spindle 809; 809* indicated).

In another variant, for example, only one of the cutting tools 801, 801* of the tool pair can be positioned or adjusted in the transverse direction via an above-mentioned spindle drive, and the other tool can be arranged fixed to the frame on the substrate path with respect to the transverse direction.

An above-mentioned cutting tool 801; 801*, in particular a tool carrier 806; 806* with such a cutting tool 801; 801*, together with its rotary drive means 802; 802*, its bearing and the adjusting means 808, 809; 808*, 809* possibly provided in the transverse direction, can be conceptually summarized as a processing device 807; 807*, in particular cutting device 807; 807* for cutting out flat cutouts A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3' and as such can be provided in the processing section 103 one after the other or, as is preferred, several times in succession and/or in several at a time, e.g. in pairs, aligned with one another in the transverse direction.

One or more such cutting devices 807; 807* or pairs of such cutting devices 807; 807* can be arranged, for example, in the same base frame. The arrangement of one or more such cutting devices 807; 807* in the base frame can be designed in the form of a structural unit, e.g. a module.

In a first embodiment for the preferred cutting tool 801 described above in a more general manner or a cutting device 807 having such a cutting tool 801 (see e.g. 7 , 8 and 9 ), the cutting tool 801 is arranged or mounted on the substrate path so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis R running parallel to the transport direction T or the longitudinal direction of the blank 003 located on the substrate 004. It has a cutting edge in an area spaced apart from the rotation axis R, which in particular has a cutting profile required for the relevant section A1; A2; A3; A1';A2';A3'. The cutting tool 801, which works here, for example, in the manner of a fly knife 801, is mounted, for example, on a tool carrier 806, for example a disk-shaped or ring-shaped tool carrier 806, which in turn is mounted directly or indirectly on the carriage - which can optionally be displaced in the transverse direction in the above manner - and can be rotated by the above-mentioned drive means 802, e.g. the drive motor 802, about the rotation axis R running parallel to the transport direction T.

In this embodiment, the cutting tool 801 moves, for example, on a circular line around the rotation axis R parallel to the transport direction T and passes through the substrate 004 coming from a first side and in doing so transports the cut-out material out of the substrate plane on the second side, where it is or can be collected and/or removed, for example. The cutting tool 801 carried by the tool carrier 806 has the effective cutting edge on its side pointing in the direction of rotation, i.e., for example, on the side of the cutting tool 801 - e.g. running approximately radially to the rotation axis R - which first hits the substrate surface during rotation in the direction of the substrate 004.

The cutting tool 801 can be driven or is driven in rotation by the drive means 802 in the above-mentioned manner independently of the substrate feed, i.e. mechanically independently of any drive means 106; 107; 108; 109; 403 that effect or support the substrate feed or convey the substrate 004. For the preferred case of one or preferably several, in particular three, of the above-mentioned groups of several, in particular two, cutting tools 801 or cutting devices 807 aligned in the transverse direction, each of the cutting tools 801 is preferably driven separately by a mechanically independent drive means 802. The cutting tool 802 is preferably driven at a peripheral speed that can be varied compared to the transport speed of the substrate 004 and/or at least at the time of cutting is significantly higher, e.g. at least twice as high.

The above is to be applied to a possibly provided stationary or moving support surface 803 with interruption 804 or recess 804 with the proviso that in the case of the moving support surface 803 such is provided for example by a rotating support and/or conveyor device 803 such as a rotating belt or a rotating band, in the case of the stationary or spatially fixed arrangement for example the side facing the substrate 004 of a guide 803 supporting the substrate 004 over a large area or possibly a support 803 supporting the substrate 004 only adjacent to the recess 804.

The cutting tools 801 or the tool carriers 806 carrying the cutting tools 801 can, as explained above, be partially or completely adjustable in the transverse direction, individually or in groups, e.g. in pairs and in opposite directions.

In an alternative embodiment for the cutting tool 801* already described in more general terms above or a cutting device 807* having such a cutting tool 801* (see e.g. 10 and 11 ) the cutting tool 801* is arranged on the substrate path so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis R* perpendicular to the transport direction T or about a rotation axis R* running in the transverse direction and has a cutting edge with a cutting line s1; s2; s3; s4; s1';s2';s3';s4' in an outward-facing front area remote from the rotation axis R*, corresponding to a cutting profile required for the relevant section A1; A2; A3; A1';A2';A3'. Such an embodiment is not only, but particularly advantageous in connection with a multiple-width, e.g. double-width substrate 004, e.g. a multiple-width, in particular double-width substrate web 004, ie a substrate web 004 with a width for loading several, e.g. two, panels 003 arranged next to one another.

The respective cutting tool 801* preferably has, in the longitudinal or circumferential direction, a cutting line s1; s2; s3; s4; s1'; s2'; s3'; s4' associated with only one of several cutouts A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3' to be made in the longitudinal direction for each panel 003 and/or, viewed in the transverse direction, only the cutting line s1; s2; s3; s4; s1'; s2'; s3'; s4' of one of several cutouts A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3' to be made in the same alignment for each panel 003 in the transverse direction.

The respective cutting tool 801* is mounted in a z-preferential manner on a tool carrier 806*, e.g. a disk-shaped or ring-shaped tool carrier 806*, which in turn is mounted directly or indirectly on the holder - which can optionally be displaced in the transverse direction in the above manner - and can be rotated about the rotation axis R* running in the transverse direction by an above-mentioned drive means 802*, e.g. drive motor 802*.

In contrast to the first version, the plane of movement of the cutting tool 801* is not perpendicular to the transport direction T, but runs perpendicular to the transverse direction.

The cutting tools 801* or the tool carriers 806* carrying the cutting tools 801* can, as explained above, be partially or entirely adjustable in the transverse direction individually or in pairs.

As explained above, the cutting tools 801* or their tool carriers 806* can, in an advantageous embodiment as already explained above, all be individually rotatably and mechanically driven or driven by the substrate feed.

In an alternative to this, the one or more of the cutting tools 801* or tool carriers 806* arranged in a transverse alignment can be jointly driven in rotation by a drive motor 802*, in particular a drive or servo motor 802* that can be controlled or regulated with respect to the speed and/or angular position, or can have such a common drive means 802*. In this case, the cutting tools 801* or tool carriers 806* arranged in a transverse alignment can be mounted on a common shaft or in a common rotational body (e.g. dashed in 11 indicated) and driven in rotation by the common drive means 802*. In this case, they can optionally also be positioned individually or in pairs in the transverse direction in or on the rotary body in the manner described above. In this embodiment, too, several such groups or pairs of cutting tools 801* or tool carriers 806* can preferably be arranged one behind the other in the substrate path.

In one variant, several, e.g. at least two, in particular three or at least three cutting tools 801* acting on the substrate 004 in the same alignment in the direction of transport direction T can be provided on a same, e.g. rotating or rotatable, tool carrier 806*, e.g. on the circumference of a rotation body 806*, wherein in a preferred embodiment the tool carrier 806* can be driven via appropriately configured control means with a circumferential speed that can be varied during one revolution.

The above applies to a possibly provided support surface 803* with an above-mentioned recess 804*, with the proviso that it preferably moves along here and is formed, for example, by a peripheral surface or partial surface of a rotating body 806*, which has at least one above-mentioned recess 804* or circumferential interruption 804* in the cylindrical surface. The material sections cut out of the substrate 004 are then conveyed, for example, through the recess 804* or interruption 804* into the interior of the rotating body 806*, from where they can be removed - if necessary after being collected.

In order to obtain usable products 002 of sufficient quality, several or preferably all of the discontinuously operated shaping processing tools 601; 801; 801*; 901 of the same or different type provided one after the other in the mechanical processing section 103 in the transport direction T in or on the substrate path of the substrate 004, in particular the substrate web 004, are arranged and operated in such a way that they are positioned relative to one another in order to discontinuously apply a desired pattern of several similar and/or different shaping lines of action that repeats periodically for each length of use l003 to the substrate 004 conveyed on the transport path, in particular a substrate web 004.

The discontinuously effective shaping processing tools 601; 801; 801*; 901 provided in the machine 100 or processing line 103 have in common that their effective times related to the substrate feed or their phase positions related to the substrate position in the longitudinal direction relative to the position of the blank 003 to be processed and the desired processing pattern on the respective blank are subject to strict requirements for longitudinal register accuracy. A shift of even individual weakening or cutting lines Q1; Q2; Q3; Q4; S; s1; s2; s3; s4; s1'; s2'; s3'; s4' or cutouts A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3' relative to the position of the blank 003 on the substrate 004 or to one another can render the product 002 unusable. On the other hand, for products 002 to be manufactured with different patterns and/or phase lengths, the phase position of the respective processing tool 601; 801; 801*; 901 - at least for the time of impact on the substrate 004 - must be regularly readjusted to the processing pattern of the panel 003 to be processed.

In order to achieve greater product variability and/or to be able to correct an observed register deviation without significant retooling effort, for example, the or at least some or all of the types of processing tools 601; 801; 801*; 901 provided in the processing section 103 and which operate discontinuously are mechanically independent of the drive means 106; 107; 108; 109; 403 which effect or support the substrate feed or convey the substrate 004 and are preferably driven individually or at least in pairs independently of one another in the manner set out above or are coupled or operatively connected to such a drive means 602; 802; 802*; 903 which is mechanically independent of the substrate feed. This means that cycle frequencies and repetition or period lengths of a cycle for applying the weakening or cutting lines Q1; Q2; Q3; Q4; S; s1; s2; s3; s4; s1'; s2'; s3'; s4' required for the product 002 to the substrate 004 - at least as far as the processing tools 601; 801; 801*; 901 driven independently of the substrate feed are concerned - can be changed independently of the transport speed of the substrate 004 guided through the processing section 103, in particular machine 100. It is also particularly advantageous if discontinuously effective processing tools 601; 801; 801*; 901 can be varied in their peripheral speed during one revolution and/or can be driven with a peripheral speed that varies compared to the transport speed within one revolution.

An above-mentioned printing and/or finishing section 102, preferably provided in the transport path of the machine 100 and arranged upstream of the mechanical processing section 103, has - in particular in the transport path upstream of the mechanical processing section 103 - e.g. a printing section 400, e.g. in the form of a printing unit 400, with one or more printing points and/or at least one finishing device 500, e.g. a coating unit 500, for one- or two-sided coating, in particular painting, on one or both sides of the substrate path.

Printing by the printing section 400 can in principle be based on any printing process suitable for printing on the substrate 004 made of the packaging material, in particular one that contains fibers. In this case, it can comprise one or more printing units 401 that work according to the flexographic printing process, one or more according to the offset printing process, or one or more according to the gravure printing process. Of particular advantage, however, is an embodiment in which the printing section 400 - in addition to or instead of printing units 401 of an aforementioned type - comprises one or more printing units 401 that work according to a printing form-free printing process, i.e. a so-called non-impact process, in particular according to the inkjet process, e.g. in the form of inkjet print heads 401 or rows of inkjet print heads 401 arranged next to one another transversely to the transport direction T. In this case, several, e.g. B. at least four printing units 401, in particular by inkjet print heads 401 or rows of inkjet print heads 401 with printing fluid, e.g. printing color or ink, of different colors, can be arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T on the substrate path in order to be able to print the substrate 004 with several different colors, for example. At least four, in a particularly versatile embodiment at least eight inkjet print heads 401 or rows of inkjet print heads 401 of different colors are advantageously provided one behind the other.

Opposite the printing units 401, in particular inkjet print heads 401, in the transport path on the other side of the substrate, the conveyed substrate 004 can be supported on one or more guide elements of a transport and/or conveying device 402, e.g. on several rollers or a counter-pressure or central cylinder, and optionally be conveyed at a desired transport speed through the printing section 400 or on the substrate port path passing through the printing section 400 by one or more positively driven guide elements included in the transport and/or conveying device 402, e.g. one or more of the rollers as transport rollers driven by a drive means 403, e.g. a drive motor 403, or by a counter-pressure or central cylinder positively driven by a drive means 403, e.g. a drive motor 403. Instead or in addition to this, a positively driven conveyor device, e.g. a pull roller driven by a drive means 107; 108, e.g. drive motor 107; 108, can be provided for conveying the substrate 004 downstream of the printing section 400.

The printing section 400 can be designed as shown, for example, by a printing unit 400 with printing units 401 that print on only one side of the substrate. Alternatively, if required, it can comprise one such printing unit 400 for each of the two substrate sides.

For the preferred embodiment of the printing section 400 with one or more inkjet printing units, the printing section 400 in the substrate path is preceded by an application device 200, e.g. an application unit 200, by means of which a base coat, e.g. a so-called primer, is or can be applied to the substrate 004 - e.g. large or over the entire surface. In particular for the case of such an application, in an advantageous embodiment of the machine 100 a drying device 300, e.g. dryer 300, is arranged in the substrate path between such an application device 200 and the first printing point of the printing section 400.

Basically independent of the printing method, but advantageously in conjunction with a printing section 400 having inkjet printing units 401, a drying device 300, e.g. a dryer 300, is arranged downstream of the printing section 400 in the substrate path.

In the case of a finishing device 500 provided in the substrate path, in an advantageous embodiment a drying device 300, e.g. a dryer 300, is also arranged downstream of this.

list of reference symbols

01

packaging, box, folding box, end product

02

Product, packaging products, intermediate product, packaging blank, blank, folding box blank,

03

use, partial area

04

substrate, substrate web

004i

substrate section

05

-

06

side, bottom

07

side, lid

08

side, side wall

008'

side, side wall

09

side, side wall

009'

side, side wall

10

-

11

tab

100

machine

101

substrate feed, roll unwinder

102

printing and/or finishing line

103

Mechanical processing line

104

product display, stack display

105

-

106

drive means, drive motor

107

drive means, drive motor

108

drive means, drive motor

108

drive means, drive motor

200

application device, application unit

300

drying facility, dryer

400

printing section, printing unit

401

printing unit, inkjet print head

402

transport and/or conveyor device

403

drive means, drive motor

500

finishing facility, paint shop

600

cross-processing section

601

processing tool, cross processing tool, cross weakening tool, creasing knife

602

drive means, drive motor, servo motor

603

tool carrier, knife cylinder

604

processing device, transverse weakening device

700

longitudinal processing section

701

processing tool, longitudinal processing tools, creasing tool, creasing knife

702

processing tool, longitudinal processing tools, perforating tool

703

machining tool, longitudinal machining tool, longitudinal cutting tool

704

drive means, drive motor

704'

drive means, drive motor

705

-

706

threaded spindle

706'

threaded spindle

707

creasing device, processing device

708

perforating device, processing device

709

longitudinal cutting device, processing device

800

cutting section

800*

cutting section,

801

machining tool, cutting tool, fly knife

801*

machining tool, cutting tool, punching tool

802

drive means, drive motor, servo motor

802*

drive means, drive motor, servo motor

803

Support surface, guide, support and/or conveyor device, support

803*

support surface, rotation body,

804

interruption, recess

804*

interruption, recess

805

-

806

tool carrier, rotating body

806*

tool carrier, rotating body

807

processing device, cutting device

807*

processing device, cutting device

808

drive means, drive motor

808*

drive means, drive motor

809

threaded spindle

809*

threaded spindle

900

cross-cutting device

901

machining tool, cross machining tools, cross cutting tool, cross cutting knife

902

counter knife

903

drive means, drive motor, servo motor

904

tool carrier, cross-cutting cylinder

905

-

906

processing device, cross-cutting device

b

side length, width

I

side length, length

h

side length, height

l003

length, utility length

A1

cutout, corner cutout

A2

neckline

A3

cutout, corner cutout

A1'

cutout, corner cutout

A2'

neckline

A3'

cutout, corner cutout

L1

longitudinal weakening line, line of action

L1'

longitudinal weakening line, line of action

Q1

weakening line, transverse weakening line, effective line

Q2

weakening line, transverse weakening line, effective line

Q3

weakening line, transverse weakening line, effective line

Q4

weakening line, transverse weakening line, effective line

R

axis of rotation

R*

axis of rotation

S

cutting line, cross-section line, line of action

s1

cutting line, line of action

s2

cutting line, line of action

s3

cutting line, line of action

s4

cutting line, line of action

s1'

cutting line, line of action

s2'

cutting line, line of action

s3'

cutting line, line of action

s4'

cutting line, line of action

T

transport direction

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed 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 accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 7,690,099 B2 [0002]
• US 2013/0017940 A1 [0003]
• US 6,766,733 B1 [0004]
• WO 2023/285008 A1 [0005]
• WO 2015/161951 A2 [0006]

Claims (15)

Machine (100) for producing packaging products (002) from a substrate (004) present as a substrate web (004), comprising - a substrate feed (101), through which the substrate web (004) can be fed to a substrate path leading through the machine (100) on the input side, - a printing section (400) with at least one printing unit (401), through which the substrate web (004) fed to the machine (100) at the input can be passed or is passed and can be or is printed on at least one of its sides one after the other with printed images of blanks (003) of the same blank length (l003), - a mechanical processing section (103) arranged downstream of the printing section (400) in the substrate path with at least one processing tool (601) designed as a transverse processing tool (601) and arranged on the circumference of a rotatable tool carrier (603), by means of which the substrate web (004) can be fed with at least a weakening line (Q1; Q2; Q3; Q4) can be or is acted upon, with at least one processing tool (801; 801*) designed as a cutting tool (801; 801*) and arranged on the circumference of a rotatable tool carrier (806, 806*), by means of which a planar cutout (A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3') can be or is introduced into the substrate web (004), and with a processing tool (901) designed as a cross-cutting tool (901), which is arranged on the circumference of a rotatable tool carrier (904) and by means of which the substrate web (004) can be or is cut crosswise into substrate sections (004i), - and a product display (104) in which products (001; 002) manufactured in the machine (100) can be laid out or combined into bundles are, wherein the substrate feed (101) has a drive means (106) that conveys the substrate (004) into the machine (100), in the substrate path between the substrate feed (101) and the cross-cutting tool (901) at least one drive means (107; 108;) that conveys the substrate (004) as a substrate web (004) on the substrate path at a transport speed. 403), and in the substrate path between the cross-cutting tool (901) and the product display (104) at least one drive means (109) conveying the substrate sections (004i) is provided, and wherein the tool carrier (603) carrying the at least one cross-processing tool (601), the tool carrier (806; 806*) carrying the at least one cutting tool (801; 801*) and the tool carrier (904) carrying the at least one cross-cutting tool (901) each have a drive means (602; 802; 802*; 903) for their rotary drive that is mechanically independent of one another and of the drive means (106; 107; 108; 109) conveying the substrate (004) along the substrate path. machine after claim 1 , characterized in that the drive means (602; 802; 802*; 903) of the at least one transverse processing tool (601) and/or of the at least one cutting tool (801; 801*) and/or of the transverse cutting tool (901) A1';A2';A3') is designed or driven via control means connected to the drive means (802; 802*) by means of signals, with a peripheral speed that is independent of the transport speed of the substrate web (004) and/or variable and/or different from the transport speed. machine after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that on the transport path in the transport direction (T) there are provided one after the other a plurality of tool carriers (806; 806*), each having one or at least one cutting tool (801; 801*) on the circumference, each of which is assigned a drive means (802; 802*) which is mechanically independent of one another and of the drive means (106; 107; 108; 109; 403) conveying the substrate (004) into and through the machine (100). machine after claim 1 , 2 or 3 , characterized in that the tool carrier (806) carrying the cutting tool (801) is mounted on the substrate path so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis (R) parallel to the transport direction (T) and/or that the cutting tool (801) carried by the tool carrier (806) has its cutting edge on its side pointing in the direction of rotation. machine after claim 1 , 2 or 3 , characterized in that the tool carrier (806*) carrying the cutting tool (801*) is mounted on the substrate path so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis (R*) running perpendicular to the transport direction (T) and/or that the cutting tool (801*) has its cutting edge on a side of the cutting tool (801*) pointing radially outwards. machine after claim 4 or 5 , characterized in that the tool carrier (806; 806*) having the cutting tool (801; 801*) is arranged and designed on the substrate path in such a way that the cutting tool (801; 801*) can only cut out sections (A1; A2; A3; A1';A2';A3') from a substrate (004) passing the cutting tool (801; 801*) on the substrate path, which each open at least towards one side edge of the substrate web (004). machine after claim 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 or 6 , characterized in that several groups of two or more tool carriers (806; 806*) arranged transversely spaced from one another and/or in alignment are provided on the substrate path, each having at least one cutting tool (801; 801*), to which a drive means (802; 802*) is assigned individually or in groups, which is mechanically independent of one another and of the drive means (106; 107; 108; 109; 403) conveying the substrate (004) into and through the machine (100). machine after claim 7 , characterized in that the two tool carriers (806; 806*) carrying the cutting tools (801; 801*) are arranged opposite one another on the substrate path in such a way that they only cut out sections (A1; A2; A3; A1';A2';A3') from a substrate web (004) conveyed on the substrate path, which sections are or can be cut out at least towards one of the two side edges of the substrate web (004). machine after claim 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 or 8 , characterized in that on the transport path in the transport direction (T) there are provided one after the other a plurality of tool carriers (603), each having one or at least one transverse weakening tool (601) on the circumference, each of which is assigned a drive means (602) which is mechanically independent of one another and of the drive means (106; 107; 108; 109; 403) conveying the substrate (004) into and through the machine. machine after claim 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 or 8 , characterized in that the printing and/or finishing section (102) comprises one or more printing units (401) operating according to a printing formless printing process and/or formed by inkjet print heads (401) or rows of inkjet print heads (401). machine after claim 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 or 10 , characterized in that the machine (100) and/or the mechanical processing section (103) is single-width, ie with a processing and/or conveying width for processing and/or conveying a substrate web (004) that is only one-panel wide and/or a substrate web (004) that has only one panel (003) of the packaging product (002) to be produced in the transverse direction. Method for producing packaging products (002) from a substrate (004) present as a substrate web (004), whereby - the substrate web (004) is fed on the input side to a substrate path leading through the machine (100) and is conveyed through the machine at a defined transport speed, - the substrate web (004) conveyed on the substrate path is printed on at least one of its sides one after the other with printed images of blanks (003) of the same blank length (l003), - the substrate web (004) printed with blanks (003) is subjected to a periodically repeating pattern of one or more weakening lines (Q1; Q2; Q3; Q4) running transversely to the transport direction (T) by at least one rotating transverse processing tool (601) per blank length (l003) and is cut by at least one rotating cutting tool (801; 801*) with a periodically repeating pattern of planar cutouts (A1; A2; A3; A1'; A2'; A3'), wherein the at least one transverse processing tool (601), the at least one rotating cutting tool (801; 801*) and the transverse cutting knife (901) are rotationally driven by drive motors (602; 802; 802*; 903) that are mechanically independent of one another and of the substrate feed, - and finally the substrate web (004) is cut transversely into substrate sections (004i) by a transverse cutting knife (901). procedure according to claim 12 , characterized in that in at least one operating mode of a production operation, a rotational speed of the transverse processing tool (601) arranged on the circumference of a tool carrier (603) and/or a rotational speed of a cutting edge of the cutting tool (801; 801*) arranged on the circumference of a tool carrier (806; 806*) and/or a rotational speed of the transverse cutting blade (901) arranged on the circumference of a tool carrier (903) is different from the transport speed of the substrate web (004) conveyed through the machine (100). procedure according to claim 12 or 13 , characterized in that for productions with mutually different panel lengths (l003) and/or panel shapes, the phase length of the repeating pattern of weakening lines (Q1; Q2; Q3; Q4) and/or cutouts (A1; A2; A3; A1';A2';A3') and/or their number per period and/or a distance between the weakening lines (Q1; Q2; Q3; Q4) and/or cutouts (A1; A2; A3; A1';A2';A3') per period on the substrate web (004) is varied via a corresponding control of the mechanically independent drive motors (602; 802; 802*; 903). procedure according to claim 12 , 13 or 14 , characterized in that the substrate web (004), viewed in the transverse direction, is printed with only the print image of one blank (003) and/or is cut transversely by the transverse cutting knife (901) into substrate sections (004i) that are only one blank (003) wide and/or have and/or that by two cutting tools (801; 801*) that are spaced apart from one another and/or aligned in the substrate path in the transverse direction, only sections (A1; A2; A3; A1';A2';A3') are cut out of the substrate web (004) passing the cutting tools (801; 801*) on the substrate path, which sections are open at least towards the side edges of the substrate web (004).

Images