EP2690022A1 - Assembly, method and device for packing a single, small article - Google Patents

Abstract

The arrangement (1) has a packaging film (2), and a small article, particularly a candy individually packed in the packaging film. The packaging film is formed into two twist wraps (4,5). A longitudinal seam (8) of the packaging film is formed between the two twist wraps. The longitudinal seam is formed by ultrasonic sealing of two layers of the packaging film. Another seam (14) for connecting the two layers of the packaging film is formed at the twist wraps. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a method for packaging a single, small article, particularly a candy; and (2) a device for packaging a single, small article, particularly a candy.

Description

State of the art

The present invention relates to an arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for packaging a single, small article, preferably a candy, and a device for packaging the article.

The prior art knows various devices and methods for packaging or wrapping of individual, small items, especially candies. FIG. 5 shows an arrangement according to the prior art. Shown is a packaged item. The article is packed by means of a packaging film. At the two ends of the packaging film rotary envelopes 104, 105 are formed. This is why we also speak of a "double-twist". Through each of the rotary envelopes 104, 105 a Drehfähnchen 106, 107 is formed. Between the two rotary envelopes 104, 105, a longitudinal seam 108 is formed. In each case, another seam 114 is located on the twist stops 104, 105 or on the rotary lugs 106, 107. In the prior art, the longitudinal seam 108 is partially sealed with cold seal adhesive. The other seams 114 are also usually sealed with cold seal adhesive. This results in no tight packaging. Even with the use of a cold seal adhesive on the longitudinal seam 108 and on the other seams 114, only a conditionally tight package is produced due to the mini capillary action in the rotary flag area.

Disclosure of the invention

The arrangement, the method and the device according to the independent claims make it possible to save packaging film. This is achieved by ultrasonically sealing the longitudinal seam. The use of ultrasonically sealed longitudinal seams in combination with the double twist wrapping enables extremely fast and cost-effective production while at the same time saving packaging film. Furthermore, the use of ultrasound technology makes it possible to pack the article in an absolutely tight package. These advantages are achieved by an arrangement comprising a packaging film and an article individually packaged in the packaging film. Thus, in each case only one article is packed or wrapped, so that the packaging film rests directly on the surface of the article. Preferably, confectionery, such as candies, are packaged in this way. On the packaging film a double twist is formed. By definition, the longitudinal seam of the packaging film extends between the two twist stops. In particular, the longitudinal seam extends between the ends of the packaging film. This longitudinal seam is formed by at least one overlap of two layers of the packaging film in the form of a fin seam. The longitudinal seam is closed by an ultrasonic seal.

The dependent claims show preferred developments of the invention.

Through the first twist turn a first Drehfähnchen is formed. By the second twist envelope a second Drehfähnchen is formed. At least one further seam for connecting at least two layers of the packaging film is preferably located on the rotary flag and / or on the twist stops. Particularly preferably, the further seam is located at the outermost point of the rotary flag. The further seam can be sealed both by means of cold seal adhesive and by means of ultrasound.

When using ultrasound for the further seam, the seam is particularly preferably applied to the outermost region of the rotary flag. When using cold-seal adhesive, the further seam is in the area of the twist stops. The cold seal adhesive is applied before forming the twist stops. Only during the twisting thus the further seam is closed. In detail: The cold seal adhesive is already applied to the film roll (endless belt). A first closing of the seam happens already when closing the rotary fingers. The final suture closure is then achieved by twisting.

The invention further includes a method of packaging a single, small article, preferably a candy. The advantageous embodiments and subclaims described in connection with the arrangement according to the invention accordingly find advantageous application to the method according to the invention. The method comprises the following steps: (i) wrapping the article with packaging film. This wrapping happens in a so-called "form shoe", which puts the film in the direction of running around the article. (ii) inserting two layers of the packaging film between an ultrasonic sonotrode and a counter tool. (iii) applying an ultrasonic vibration to the ultrasonic sonotrode to form an ultrasonically sealed longitudinal seam, and (iv) forming a first twist wrap and a second spin wrap on the packaging film.

In particular, the sequence of method steps described above is adhered to. This means that the ultrasonic sealing of the longitudinal seam takes place temporally before the formation of the twist stops. The packaging film can be inserted much more accurately between the ultrasonic sonotrode and the counter tool before forming the twist stops. Furthermore, the ultrasonically sealed longitudinal seam can thus be formed over the entire length of the packaging material. Advantages for forming an exact longitudinal seam provides the hose formation.

Preferably, a further seam is formed on the twist stops or on the rotary flag. When using cold seal adhesive, this further seam is formed during the formation of the twist stops. Particularly preferred, however, an ultrasonic seal is used for the other seams. In this case, the other seams are also sealed in time prior to the formation of the twist envelopes with ultrasound.

Particularly preferably, therefore, the article is completely sealed before the two rotary envelopes are formed. this happens by forming ultrasonically sealed longitudinal seams and other seams. The other seams are in particular perpendicular to the longitudinal seam.

Particularly preferably, an endless web of the packaging film is used in the production. The articles are encased spaced from each other by the continuous web. The continuous web extends or moves in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the article and thus parallel to the longitudinal seam. The longitudinal axis of the article is predetermined in particular by a candy through the oval configuration.

The invention further includes an apparatus for packaging a single, small article. The advantageous embodiments and dependent claims described within the scope of the inventive arrangement or the method according to the invention accordingly find preferred application to the device according to the invention. The device comprises an ultrasonic sonotrode and a corresponding counter-tool, in particular an anvil, for sealing the packaging film. Furthermore, the device comprises a winding device for forming a double twist wrap on the packaging film. The device according to the invention is designed for producing the arrangement according to the invention or for carrying out the method according to the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

Figur 1

eine erfindungsgemäße Anordnung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel,

Figur 2

eine erste Detailansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Herstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Anordnung gemäß dem Ausführungsbeispiel,

Figur 3

eine zweite Detailansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Herstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Anordnung gemäß dem Ausführungsbeispiel,

Figur 4

eine dritte Detailansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Herstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Anordnung gemäß dem Ausführungsbeispiel, und

Figur 5

eine herkömmliche Anordnung nach dem Stand der Technik.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Showing:

FIG. 1

an inventive arrangement according to an embodiment,

FIG. 2

a first detailed view of a device according to the invention for producing the arrangement according to the invention according to the embodiment,

FIG. 3

a second detailed view of the device according to the invention for producing the arrangement according to the invention according to the embodiment,

FIG. 4

a third detail view of the inventive device for producing the inventive arrangement according to the embodiment, and

FIG. 5

a conventional arrangement according to the prior art.

Embodiment of the invention

FIG. 1 shows an arrangement 1. The Figures 2 . 3 and 4 show details of a device 15 for the production of the arrangement 1.

The assembly 1 comprises a small article 12 (see FIG. FIG. 2 ) formed as a candy, and a packaging film 2. The article 12 is packed in the packaging film 2. The article 12 is oval and thus extends along a longitudinal axis. 3

On the packaging film 2, a first twist wrap 4 and a second twist wrap 5 is formed. To form the two rotary envelopes 4, 5, the packaging film 2 was rotated about the longitudinal axis 3. By forming the first twist wrap 4, a first spin flag 6 is formed. By forming the second twist wrap 5, the second spin flag 7 is formed. A longitudinal seam 8 extends continuously between the two rotary envelopes 4, 5. At least two layers of the packaging film 2 are arranged one above the other at the longitudinal seam 8. The longitudinal seam 8 is sealed by means of ultrasound.

Further shows FIG. 1 two further seams 14. The two other seams 14 are located at the outermost ends of the Drehfähnchen 6, 7. These other seams 14 are sealed by means of ultrasound.

As an alternative to the exemplary embodiment shown, the further seams 14 can also be formed directly on the rotary envelopes 4, 5. It can also Cold seal adhesive can be used. In another alternative accounts for the other seams 14th

The longitudinal seam 8 is formed over the entire length of the arrangement 1 along the longitudinal axis 3. That is, the longitudinal seam 8 extends from the upper end of the first Drehfähnchens 6 to the lower end of the second Drehfähnchens 7. Since the longitudinal seam 8 is sealed before forming the rotary envelopes 4, 5 with ultrasound, the longitudinal seam 8 is in the range of Drehfähnchen. 6 7 twisted and therefore in FIG. 1 poorly representable in these areas.

Based on Figures 2 and 3 a device 15 for manufacturing the device 1 will be described. FIG. 2 shows an endless belt 11 of the packaging film 2. The endless belt 11 extends or is moved in the direction of the longitudinal axis 3. Accordingly, the articles 12 are wrapped with its longitudinal axis 3 parallel to the extension direction of the endless belt 11 of the endless belt 11.

FIG. 2 shows on the endless belt 11 longitudinal seam portions 13 which are formed in the finished arrangement 1 to the longitudinal seam 8, and further seam portions 16 which form the further seams 14 in the finished arrangement 1.

The longitudinal seam regions 13 extend on both sides of the applied article 12 over several articles 12 away. In the manufacturing process, the packaging film 2 is folded over the articles 12, so that the two longitudinal seam regions 13 lie one above the other. This state shows FIG. 3 , In FIG. 3 lie two layers of the packaging film 2 on top of each other. These two layers of the packaging film 2 are located between an ultrasonic sonotrode 9 and a corresponding counter-tool 10. Ultrasonic vibration is applied to the ultrasonic sonotrode 9 so that the packaging film 2 is sealed and thus the longitudinal seam 8 is formed. As FIG. 3 shows, this longitudinal seam is approximately at right angles to the outside.

In FIG. 2 the longitudinal seam area 13 is marked or shaded. In fact, however, this area does not differ in its color or design from the remaining packaging film 2.

FIG. 2 shows the other seam portions 16 as perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 3 areas between the individual articles 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the other seams 14, at the outer ends of the final Drehfähnchen 6, 7 are prepared by an ultrasonic seal. To illustrate the method, the further seam areas 16 are in FIG FIG. 2 marked or shaded drawn. In fact, however, these areas do not differ in color or design from the remaining packaging film 2.

As an alternative to the example shown, the further seams 14 can also be produced with cold seal adhesive. In this case, a cold seal adhesive is applied between the articles 12 on the endless belt 11.

FIG. 2 shows that the articles 12 are arranged with their longitudinal axis 3 parallel to the extension of the endless belt 11. This has the advantage that the longitudinal seam 8 can be formed continuously through the ultrasound sonotrode 9 when passing through the wrapped article. In all other turning machines, the individual packaging sheets, and not the hose, must be wrapped around the product, and then the longitudinal seam area can first be formed in cycles.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of the device 15 from the side. The article 12 comes from the left in the device 15. The endless belt 11 of the packaging film 2 is fed in and the articles 12 are enveloped by means of a forming shoe 17. At the ultrasonic sonotrode 9 and the counter-tool 10, the longitudinal seam region 13 is closed and thus the longitudinal seam 8 is formed. To the right of the ultrasound sonotrode 9, an endless tube 18 thus arises

Claims (11)

Arrangement (1), comprising: - A packaging film (2), and a small article (12) individually packed in the packaging film (2), preferably a candy, - wherein the packaging film (2) is formed into a first twist wrap (4) and a second twist wrap (5), and - Wherein a longitudinal seam (8) of the packaging film (2) is formed between the first rotation cover (4) and the second rotation cover (5),
characterized, - That the longitudinal seam (8) by ultrasonic sealing at least two layers of the packaging film (2) is formed. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by a first rotary flag (6) on the first rotary cover (5) and a second rotary flag (7) on the second rotary cover (5), wherein on the rotary envelopes (4, 5) and / or on the Drehfähnchen (6 , 7) at least one further seam (14) for connecting at least two layers of the packaging film (2) is formed. Arrangement according to 2, characterized in that the further seam (14) is sealed by cold seal adhesive or by ultrasound. Method for packaging a single, small article (12), preferably a candy, comprising the following steps: Wrapping the article (12) with a packaging film (2), Inserting two layers of the packaging film (2) between an ultrasonic sonotrode (9) and a counter-tool (10), - applying an ultrasonic vibration to the ultrasonic sonotrode (9) to form an ultrasonically sealed longitudinal seam (8), and - Forming a first twist wrap (4) and a second twist wrap (5) on the packaging film (2). A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the ultrasonic sealing of the longitudinal seam (8) is carried out in time prior to the formation of the rotary envelopes (4, 5). Method according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the packaging film is sealed to the twist stops (4, 5) and / or on Drehfähnchen (6, 7) along at least one further seam (14). A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the further seam (14) is sealed in time prior to the formation of the rotary envelopes (4, 5). Method according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the further seam (14) is sealed with cold seal adhesive or by means of ultrasound. Method according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that several of the articles (12) spaced from one another by an endless web (11) of the packaging film (2) are wrapped, wherein the endless web (11) parallel to the longitudinal axis (3) of the article (12) and extends parallel to the longitudinal seam (8). A method according to claim 9, characterized in that with the ultrasonically sealed longitudinal seam (8), an endless tube from the endless web (11) is formed. Device (15) for packaging a single, small article (12), preferably a candy, in a packaging film (2), comprising: - An ultrasonic sonotrode (9) and a counter tool (10) for sealing the packaging film (2), and a winding device for forming a double twist weft on the packaging film (2).

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