NL2035706B1

NL2035706B1 - Inward folding packaging material

Info

Publication number: NL2035706B1
Application number: NL2035706A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Maria Mous Fransiscus
Original assignee: Buhrs Packaging Solutions B V
Priority date: 2023-08-30
Filing date: 2023-08-30
Publication date: 2025-03-11
Also published as: WO2025048641A1

Abstract

Title: Inward folding packaging material Abstract Method of packaging a product (300), the method comprising steps of: - providing a continuous packaging material web (202), for example of film or paper, and transporting the packaging material web in a transport direction (T); - forming a continuous tube of packaging material (204) from the continuous packaging material web (202), the tube comprising two side sections (231, 232); - positioning the product (300) in the tube of packaging material between the two side sections; andforcing a first of the side sections of the tube towards a centre of the tube, to form a ﬁrst inward fold (241), in the first of the side sections of the tube.

Description

P132357NL00

Title: Inward folding packaging material

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to methods and arrangements for packaging items, for example items which are to be shipped by mail after being packaged in the context of E-commerce.

BACKGROUND

EP0870678 discloses a packing apparatus for packing mail items, magazines, books, CDs and like products composed of one or more layers, comprising a product-assembling path, a product-positioning station by means of which the assembled products are positioned in a controlled manner on a continuous packaging material web of film or paper, a folding station for forming a packing tube, and a separating station by means of which the packing tube is divided in transverse direction between the products into loose, packed end products. Upstream of the product-positioning station, a sensor is provided by means of which the height of a product is determined.

SUMMARY

The apparatus disclosed in EP0879678 is designed to be able to pack products whose mutual thicknesses do not necessarily correspond, in random order. It is an object of the present disclosure to improve the process of packaging product whose mutual thicknesses do not necessarily correspond, in particular in terms of the size of the packaged product. The present disclosure contemplates reducing the size of the packaged product, in particular a width and/or thickness of the packaged product.

In general, any product can be packaged using the methods and arrangements of the present disclosure. Examples of products are any mailable items, magazines, books, CDs, clothing, electronics, or any other type of product, which product may be a stiff product, or a flexible product. In general, a stiff product is sufficiently stiff to support its own weight without significant flexing, when the product is supported on one end only. A flexible product will on the other hand flex when the product is supported on one end only.

The methods and arrangements of the present disclosure may in particular be used in the context of E-commerce, in which a large variety of different products have to be packaged in order to be shipped via mail, which products often have mutually different thicknesses. Preferably, as many steps as possible of the packaging process are automated.

A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of packaging a product, the method comprising steps of providing a continuous packaging material web, for example of film or paper, and transporting the packaging material web in a transport direction. The method further comprises forming a continuous tube of packaging material from the continuous packaging material web, the tube comprising two side sections, positioning the product in the tube of packaging material between the two side sections, and forcing a first of the side sections of the tube towards a centre of the tube, to form a first inward fold, in the first of the side sections of the tube.

Without any inward folds in the tube of packaging material, when the tube is compressed, the width of the tube may increase due to one or more of the side sections bulging outward in the width direction. In general, the width of a tube is defined transverse to the transport direction. A thickness is defined perpendicular to the transport direction and perpendicular to the width. The thickness can also be referred to as a height. A length is defined parallel to the transport direction.

Positioning the product in the tube of packaging material between the two side sections 1s typically achieved by positioning the product on the continuous packaging material web at a location upstream of the continuous tube of packaging material, and subsequently transporting the product together with the continuous packaging material web towards the continuous tube of packaging material.

In any method and arrangement disclosed herein, the packaging material may be a film, such as a plastic film. Alternatively, the packaging material may be paper-based. A paper-based packaging material may comprise a paper substrate, onto which optionally an adhesive may be provided to for example form a closed tube of packaging material.

Paper in the context of the present disclosure may be defined as a sheet material comprising or consisting of cellulose fibres typically derived from a natural source, such as wood, rags, grasses, or any other plant or vegetable source. The paper may for example have a grammage between 60- 120 gr/m?2, in particular between 80-100 gr/m2.

The adhesive in the context of the present disclosure is preferably but necessarily recyclable — i.e. the paper on which the adhesive 1s applied can be incorporated into the general waste stream of paper. In the recycling process of the paper, for example, the adhesive can be removed, for example in a similar process in which ink printed on the paper can be removed.

The adhesive may be activated by heat and/or pressure, for example using a temperature higher than ambient temperature and/or a pressure higher than ambient pressure. Alternatively, the adhesive is already active at ambient temperature and/or ambient pressure.

A first section of the tube of packaging material may be separated from the continuous tube of packaging material in a direction transverse to the transport direction, wherein the product is positioned in the first section of the tube. The separating may for example be performed by a separating station, for example using a sealing beam of the separating station and/or a cutting tool for cutting through the continuous tube of packaging material in the direction transverse to the transport direction.

When the width of the package formed by the product and the packaging material is reduced, for example the width of a separating station for separating a section of the tube of packaging material from the continuous tube of packaging material in a direction transverse to the transport direction may be advantageously be reduced. Additionally, or alternatively, a reduced width of the package formed by the product and the packaging material may allow for more convenient transportation of the package, for example by a mail delivery service.

Any method according to the first aspect may further comprise a step of forcing a second of the side sections of the tube towards the centre of the tube, to form a second inward fold, in the second of the side sections of the tube. Additionally or alternatively, any method according to the first aspect may further comprise forming a third inward fold, in the first of the side sections of the tube, above or below the first inward fold, any conceivably any further number of inward folds in any side section of the tube.

When one or more folding lines are formed in the continuous packaging material web, in particular before the forming of the continuous tube of packaging material, one or more inward folds may be more easily formed and/or one or both side sections of the tube of packaging material may be less prone to bulge outward when a top section of the tube is forced towards a bottom section of the tube. Any folding line may be a crease or a score.

Preferably, the crease or score is made in an inside of the packaging material, to facilitate forming the inward fold. The product is positioned on the inside of the packaging material, typically upstream of a tube forming station where the continuous tube of packaging material is formed.

A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of packaging multiple products, which products have a mutually different thickness. The method comprises packaging a first product by any method according to the first aspect, and packaging a second product by any method according to the first aspect. Even when the thickness of the first product differs from the thickness of the second product, the first product and the second product are consecutively packaged using packaging material from the same continuous packaging material web.

By virtue of being able to consecutively package multiple products with mutually different thicknesses using packaging material from the same 5 continuous packaging material web of film or paper, the products can be packaged in an efficient and economic manner. For example, the packaging process does not need to be halted between the different products for adjustment of the packaging process to accommodate the different thicknesses and/or a single type and size of packaging material may be used to pack differently sized products in one and the same packaging process using the same packaging arrangement. By virtue of the one or more inward folds, the width of the package formed by the product with the smaller thickness can be decreased, while still allowing the same packaging arrangement and packaging material to be used to package the product with the greater thickness.

In examples, the thickness of the first product can differ at least 100%, or even 200% or 500% or more from the thickness of the second product.

It will be appreciated that the products can be any type of products, for example but not limited to a shoebox or a box containing a vial of parfum.

A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a packaging arrangement for packaging consecutive products with a mutually different thickness. The arrangement comprises a packaging material feeding unit for providing a continuous packaging material web, for example of film or paper, a packaging material transport module for transporting the continuous packaging material web along a transport direction, a product placing unit for placing a product on the continuous packaging material web, a tube forming station for forming a continuous tube of packaging material around a product, from the continuous packaging material web, an inward folding station, downstream of the tube forming station, for forcing a side section of a tube of packaging material formed in the tube forming station towards a centre of said tube of packaging material, and an optional separating station, downstream of the inward folding station, for separating a section of the tube of packaging material from a continuous tube of packaging material formed in the tube forming station, in a direction transverse to the transport direction.

It will be appreciated that any arrangement according to the third aspect may be arranged to perform one, more, or all steps of any method according to the first and second aspects of the present disclosure. Optional features disclosed in conjunction with any of the methods may be readily applied to modify the arrangement of the third aspect. Also, any optional feature disclosed in conjunction with any arrangement may be readily applied to modify any method disclosed herein.

Any arrangement may further comprise a folding line module, downstream of the packaging material feeding unit, and upstream of the tube forming station, for forming one or more folding lines in a continuous packaging material web supplied by the packaging material feeding unit. Any folding line may be a crease or score. Any folding line module may thus be arranged for forming one or more creases and/or scores as one or more folding lines, preferably on the inside of the continuous packaging material web.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the figures:

Fig. 1A-2B show an example of a packaging arrangement, respectively in an isometric view, side view, top view, and detailed view;

Figs. 3A-3C show packaged products according to the present disclosure in a schematic cross-section view; and

Fig. 3D shows a schematic cross-section of a packaged product, which 1s not according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figs. 1A-2B shows an example of a packaging arrangement 100, respectively in an isometric view, side view, top view, and detailed view. The arrangement 100 may be used to perform one or more or all steps in a method of packaging a product, and one or more or all steps in a method of packaging multiple products, which products have a mutually different thickness.

Starting in this example at an upstream end, the arrangement 100 comprises a packaging material feeding unit 110 for providing a continuous packaging material web 202, for example a film or paper. The packaging material feeding unit 110 may for example comprise a reel of packaging material which can be unwound by the packaging material feeding unit 110.

Any number of tensioning elements and/or guiding elements may be comprised by the arrangement 100 to respectively tension the packaging material web 202 and guide the packaging material web 202 through the arrangement. For example, a first guide 103 is indicated in Fig. 1B, over which the packaging material web 202 is transported, and which allows a curved trajectory for the packaging material web 202.

Downstream of the packaging material feeding unit 110, the arrangement 100 comprise an optional folding line module 150 for forming one or more folding lines in the packaging material web 202. The folding line or lines are oriented generally in the transport direction 7. As different options, the folding line module 150 may be arranged to form the one or more folding lines at a constant position on the width of the packaging material web 202. Alternatively, the folding line module 150 may be controllable, to selectively control the folding line module 150 to form no, one, or more folding lines and/or to control the position on the width of the packaging material web 202 of one or more of the folding lines. A folding line may in general be formed by scoring or creasing the packaging material.

A folding line module 150 may comprise any number of folding line units, each unit arranged to form a folding line. Any folding line unit may for example be formed by a set of two rollers 151, 152 positioned on opposite sides of the packaging material 202. Per folding line, thus, a set of rollers forming each a folding line unit may be comprised by the folding line module 150.

Any folding line unit may comprise a roller which is relatively sharp, sufficiently to score the packaging material 202, but preferably designed to prevent the roller from cutting into the packaging material.

Alternatively, any folding line unit may comprise a knife, blade, or other sharp element against and along which the packaging material 202 can be transported to score the packaging material 202.

When it is an aim to crease the packaging material to form a folding line, a folding line unit may be provided comprising a set of rollers, which set may comprise a first roller with a protrusion — also referred to as male disc - and a second roller with a corresponding indentation — also referred to as a female disc. Preferably, but not necessarily, the male disc is positioned on the inside of the packaging material, i.e. the side on which the product 300 is placed.

In general, any folding line, such as a score or crease, may be formed on the inside or the outside of the packaging material. Preferably, a score or crease 1s formed on the inside of the packaging material. Any folding line may aid the process of forming an inward fold by forcing a side section of the tube towards the centre of the tube. The inside of the packaging material 1s the side on which the product is positioned.

In the example depicted in Figs. 1A-2B, four folding lines 221, 222, 223, 224 are formed in the packaging material web 202 by the folding line module 150. The folding lines are formed in two sets, a first set with first and second folding lines 221, 222 corresponding to a first side section of a tube 204 formed with the packaging material web 202, and a second set with third and fourth folding lines 223, 224 corresponding to a second side section of the tube 204 formed with the packaging material web 202. Any set of folding lines corresponding to any side section of the tube 204 may be empty, comprise one folding line, or more than two folding lines, in any combination thereof.

In the example depicted in Figs. 1A-2B, downstream of the folding line module 150, a product placing unit 112 is comprised by the arrangement 100. The product placing unit 112 is arranged for placing a product to be packaged onto the packaging material web 202. For example, the product placing unit 112 may comprise one or more transport members, such as transport belts or other movers, for transporting to a product onto the packaging material web 202.

In any assembly 100, it is also conceivable that the product placing unit 112 is positioned upstream of the folding line module 150, or even at least partially aligned with the folding line module 150.

Instead of using a folding line module, the packaging material web may be supplied by the packaging material feeding unit 110 with the folding line or lines already present in the packaging material. It is for example envisioned that one or more folding lines are formed in the packaging material during the production process of the packaging material. As a further alternative, the folding line or lines may be omitted.

Downstream of the product placing unit 112, the arrangement 100 comprises a tube forming station 120 in which a continuous tube 204 of packaging material is formed from the packaging material web 202. The tube 204 comprises a bottom section 234, two side sections 231, 232, and a top section 233. The two side sections 231, 232, are generally folded upward away from the bottom section 234.

As depicted in the figures, between the packaging material feeding unit 110 and the tube forming station, the continuous packaging material web is gradually folded into the tube-shape. Before the tube 204 is fully formed, the top section 233 is formed by two subsections 233’, 233”. A longitudinal seal 235 1s formed to adjoin the two subsections 233’, 233”, using any suitable longitudinal sealing unit 236, schematically depicted in Fig. 1B.

The longitudinal seal 235 may for example be a lap seal or a fin seal. A lap seal may also be referred to as an overlap seam, wherein the exterior of the packaging material is sealed onto the interior of the packaging material. A fin seal may also be referred to as a fold-over seam, wherein the interior of the packaging material is sealed together to form a fin, which fin may subsequently be folded over towards the bottom section 234. Any type of adhesive may be applied and used to form and maintain the longitudinal seal 235. Conceivably, heat may be used to fuse the packaging material to itself without using any adhesive.

The continuous packaging material web 202 is transported through the arrangement along the transport direction by a packaging material transport module. In general, the packaging material transport module may comprise any number of movers on any number of distinct locations throughout the arrangement 100. As an example, in Figs. 1A-2B, a conveyor belt 114 1s indicated which is arranged to pull the packaging material web 202 along the transport direction 7. Further conveyor belts may be comprised by the arrangement, but are omitted from the figures for clarity of the figures.

Any conveyor belt may comprise any number of openings through the belt from a first belt side to a second belt side. When the belt contacts the packaging material web 202 at the first belt side, and a vacuum or low pressure area is formed at the second belt side opposite the first belt side, the packaging material web 202 may be fixed to the belt by virtue of the vacuum or low pressure area.

Downstream of the tube forming station 120, the arrangement 100 comprises an inward folding station 130 for forcing packaging material of the tube 204 of packaging material towards a centre of the tube 204. As for example indicated in Fig. 2A, the inward folding stations 130 may comprise a first folding unit 131 and a second folding unit 132, positioned at opposite sides of the tube 204 of packaging material.

Any folding unit, such as the first folding unit 131 and/or a second folding unit 132, may comprise any number of actuatable pins 133, 134, which can be moved towards the tube 204. In a retracted state of an actuatable pin, the tube 204 can preferably move past the pin without contacting the pin. In an extended state of the actuatable pin, the pin is extended to force a side section of the tube 204 towards the product positioned inside the tube, or in other words towards a centre of the tube 204. As such, an inward fold can be formed in the tube. Any folding unit may, instead of actuatable pins, comprise one or more stationary folding members positioned to force packaging material of the tube 204 of packaging material towards a centre of the tube 204 as the tube 204 passes the folding unit.

Any folding member may comprise or be formed by one or more resilient elements which can be resiliently deformed by the tube 204. For example, the resilient elements may form a brush, with for example short pieces of stiff hair, plastic, or wire.

Preferably, but not necessarily, per folding line in the packaging material web, a pin or other folding member is provided by a folding unit of the inward folding station 130. Each pin or other folding member is preferably aligned with an associated folding line, such that the pin or other folding member contacts the associated folding line to force the associated folding line towards the centre of the tube.

Downstream of the inward folding station 130, the arrangement 100 comprises a separating station 140 for dividing the tube 204 of packaging material in a direction transverse to the transport direction 7.

In Fig. 2A, schematically, two products 300, 300’ are indicated. A first product 300 together with a separate tube section 204’ forms a packaged product 200. The separate tube section 204° has been separated from the continuous tube 204 of packaging material at the separating station 140.

An example of a separating station 140 is depicted in more detail in Fig. 2B. There, the separating station 140 for example comprises a transverse cutting element 141 for cutting through the tube 204, and a countering element 142 on an opposite side of the tube 204 than the cutting element 141, for restraining the tube 204 in place during the cutting with the cutting element 141. Alternatively, a sealing beam may be comprised by the separating station 140, together with a countering element 142. The sealing beam can simultaneously seal and separate the tube section 204’ from the continuous tube, with a product 300 positioned in the tube section 204’. By virtue of the separating station 140, a transverse seal 240 may be formed in the packaging material.

It will be appreciated that Figs. 1A-2B mainly depict the shape of the continuous web of packaging material 202, and schematically indicate the position of different elements of the arrangement 100. Further elements of the arrangement 100, such as a support frame and further movers for transporting the continuous packaging material web, are omitted for clarity of the figure, to be able to clearly show the desired shape of the continuous web of packaging material 202.

Although not depicted in the figures, any arrangement 100 disclosed herein may comprise an electronic controller for controlling at least part of the packaging process performed by the arrangement.

For controlling at least part of the packaging process, the electronic controller may be arranged to receive data relating to a length of a product, a width of a product, and/or a thickness of a product, which product is to be packaged by the arrangement. Data may for example be received from one or more sensors arranged to acquire data indicative of a length of a product, a width of a product, and/or a thickness of a product, and/or from any other input.

Based on the received data, the controller may for example control the inward folding station 130 to either be in an active state in which the inward folding station 130 forces one or both side sections of the tube 204 towards the centre of the tube or in a deactivated state in which the tube 204 can pass the inward folding station 130 without one or both side sections being forced towards the centre of the tube by the inward folding station 130.

Additionally or alternatively, based on the received data the controller may for example control the folding line module 150 to selective form one or more folding lines only in a particular section of the continuous packaging material web 202.

Any controller may selectively adjust the number of folding lines formed by the folding line module, in particular per product that is to be packaged, for example based on a determined thickness, width, and/or length of the individual products.

Additionally, or alternatively, any controller may control the folding line module to selectively adjust a transversal position of any folding line in the continuous web of packaging material, for example based on a determined thickness, width, and/or length of the individual products.

Fig. 3A shows, in a schematic cross-sectional view perpendicular to the transport direction, as for example indicated in Fig. 2B, a packaged product 200, which is being formed or has been formed using a method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure. The packaged product 200 is formed by a product 300 positioned inside a tube section 204’ of packaging material, which tube section 204’ is preferably positioned around the entire product 300.

Fig. 3B shows the packaged product 200 of Fig. 3A, after a compression force has forced a top section 233 of the tube 204 of packaging material towards a bottom section 234 of the tube 204’ of packaging material, such that a distance between the bottom section 234 and the top section 233 generally corresponds to a thickness £ of the product 300 packaged in the tube 204 of packaging material. By comparing Figs. 3A and 3B, it becomes apparent that the width of the packaged product 200 does not significantly increase, by virtue of the one or more inward folds.

Fig. 3C shows another packaged product 200’, formed by another product 300’ positioned inside a tube 204” of packaging material, which tube 204” is preferably entirely positioned around the product 300°. Compared to the product 300 depicted in Figs. 3A and 3B, the other product 300’ of Fig. 3C has a smaller thickness t’. The packaged product 200’ is in Fig. 3C depicted in a state in which the top section 233 of the tube 204” has been forced towards the bottom section 234 of the tube 204”. As such, a distance between the top section 233 and the bottom section 234 generally corresponds to the thickness t’ of the product 300. The tube 204” of the packaged product 200’ of Fig. 3C has been formed from the same continuous packaging material web as the tube 204’ of the packaged product 200 of Figs. 3A and 3B.

By virtue of one or more inward folds 241, 242, 243, 244 in the side sections 231, 232, of the tube 204, an increase of the width of the packaged product 200’, when the top section 233 of the tube has been forced towards the bottom section 234, may be decreased, or even avoided, compared to a situation wherein no inward folds are formed in the side sections 231, 232, of the tube 204.

Fig. 3D shows a packaged product 200¥ which is not formed according to the present disclosure, but instead serves to indicate the increased width w of the packaged product 200* without the presence of any inward folds. The packaged product 200* comprises a product 300’ with the same thickness t’ as the product 300° depicted in Fig. 3C. The packaged product 200* comprises a tube 204* of packaging material. The tube 204% 1s depicted in a non-compressed state by dotted lines, and in a compressed state by solid lines, in which compressed state a top section 233 of the tube 204% has been forced towards a bottom section 234 of the tube 204%.

Instead of folding inward, by virtue of one or more inward folds, the side sections 231%, 232* of the tube 204* in the compressed state bulge outward — thereby disadvantageously increasing the width w of the packaged product 200%. As the thickness t° of the product 300’ decreases, the width w of the packaged product 200* will further increase.

It will be appreciated that the present disclosure also considers products with a non-constant thickness over the length and/or width of the product.

In any method, arrangement, and packaged product disclosed herein, any number of inward folds may be formed, optionally using any number of folding lines formed in the packaging material. For example, one inward fold may be formed in each side section of a tube, or two, three or more inwards folds may be formed in each side section of a tube. Generally, the number of inwards folds in the two side sections correspond.

Claims

Conclusions

1. A method of packaging a product (300), the method comprising the steps of: - providing a continuous web of packaging material (202), for example a film or paper, and conveying the web of packaging material in a conveying direction (T); - forming a continuous tube of packaging material (204) from the continuous web of packaging material (202), the tube comprising two side portions (231, 232); - positioning the product (300) in the tube of packaging material between the two side portions; and - forcing a first of the side portions of the tube toward a center of the tube, to form a first inwardly directed fold (241), in the first of the side portions of the tube.

The method of claim 1, further comprising separating a first tube section (204°) of packaging material from the continuous tube of packaging material in a direction perpendicular to the direction of transport, wherein the product is positioned in the first tube section.

The method of any preceding claim, further comprising forcing a second of the side portions of the tube toward the center of the tube to form a second inwardly directed fold (242) in a second of the side portions of the tube.

A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising forming a third inward fold (243) in the first of the side portions of the tube above or below the first inward fold.

5. A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising forming one or more fold lines (221, 222) in the continuous web of packaging material (202) to form the continuous tube of packaging material (204).

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the one or more fold lines is a crease.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the groove is formed on an inside of the packaging material.

8. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the packaging material is a paper-based packaging material.

9. A method for packaging a plurality of products (300, 300°), which products have a different thickness (£, £) relative to each other, the method comprising the steps of: - packaging a first product by a method according to any one of the preceding claims; and - packaging a second product by a method according to any one of the preceding claims; wherein a thickness (f) of the first product (300) differs from a thickness (£) of the second product (300°), and the first product and the second product are successively packaged using packaging material of the same continuous web of packaging material (202).

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the thickness (£) of the first product (300) is at least twice as great as the thickness (£) of the second product (300).

11. Packaging apparatus (100) for packaging successive products (300, 300°), which products have a different thickness (t, £) relative to each other, the apparatus comprising: - a packaging material supply unit (110) for providing a continuous web of packaging material (202), for example of foil or paper; - a packaging material transport module (114) for transporting the continuous web of packaging material in a transport direction (T); - a product placement unit (112) for placing a product (300) on the continuous web of packaging material; - a tube forming station (120) for forming a continuous tube (204) of packaging material around a product, of the continuous web of packaging material; - an inward folding station (130), downstream of the tube forming station, for forcing a side portion of a tube of packaging material formed in the tube forming station towards a center of said tube of packaging material; and - a separation station (140), downstream of the inward folding station, for separating a tube section (204°) of packaging material from a continuous tube of packaging material formed in the tube forming station, in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus further comprises a folding line module (150), downstream of the packaging material supply unit, and upstream of the tube forming station, for forming one or more folding lines in a continuous web of packaging material (202) provided by the packaging material supply unit.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the folding line module is arranged to form a crease as a folding line in packaging material.

The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the folding line module comprises at least one set of rollers (151, 152), a first roller (151) of the set of rollers comprising a circumferential protrusion, a second roller (152) of the set of rollers comprising a circumferential notch formed complementary to the circumferential protrusion, and wherein the circumferential protrusion extends at least partially into the circumferential notch.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first roller (151) is positioned on an inner side of the web of packaging material relative to the packaging material supply unit.

Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 15, wherein the inward folding station comprises at least one actuable pin (133) movable toward a continuous tube of packaging material formed in the tube forming station.

17. Apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 16, insofar as dependent on claim 12, further comprising a controller adapted to control the number of fold lines formed by the fold line module.

18. Apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 17, insofar as dependent on claim 12, further comprising a controller adapted to control a position of one or more fold lines formed by the fold line module.

19. Apparatus according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the controller is adapted to receive data on a thickness of a product, which product is to be packed by the apparatus, and the controller is adapted to control the folding line module based on the received data.