Longitudinal Nozzle Arrangement

Abstract

A system that includes a longitudinal nozzle arrangement that has a longitudinal extension direction along which a plurality of injection openings and/or evacuation openings are provided and that has a first end and a second end along the longitudinal extension direction; and a ramp is provided at at least one of the first end and the second end, an incline of which extends at least in the longitudinal extension direction; and a seal having a longitudinal extension direction with a first end and a second end, and a ramp is provided at at least one of the first end and the second end, an incline of which extends at least in the longitudinal extension direction.

Claims

1. A system comprising: a longitudinal nozzle arrangement that has a longitudinal extension direction along which a plurality of injection openings and/or evacuation openings are provided and that has a first end and a second end along the longitudinal extension direction; and wherein a ramp is provided at at least one of the first end and the second end, an incline of which extends at least in the longitudinal extension direction; and a seal having a longitudinal extension direction with a first end and a second end, wherein a ramp is provided at at least one of the first end and the second end, an incline of which extends at least in the longitudinal extension direction.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal nozzle arrangement comprises a tongue at the first end or the second end that extends transverse to the longitudinal extension direction.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the tongue is made of a plastic, an elastic plastic, rubber, or silicone.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal nozzle arrangement has at least one valve through which a gas flow is introduced or evacuated.

5. (canceled)

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the seal has a ramp at the first end or the second end that extends transverse to the longitudinal extension direction.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the ramp is continuous.

8. A packaging machine wherein a material web is transported along a movement direction and which has a sealing station that connects the material web to an upper material web, wherein the sealing station comprises the system according to claim 1.

9. The packaging machine according to claim 8, wherein the material web is a fiber-based/fiber-containing material web.

10. The packaging machine according to claim 8 wherein the sealing station has a lower tool and an upper tool, wherein the lower tool and/or the upper tool are configured to be raised or lowered.

11. The packaging machine according to claim 10, wherein the sealing unit is connected to the upper tool.

12. (canceled)

13. The packaging machine according to claim 8, wherein the longitudinal nozzle arrangement is connected to a frame of the packaging machine.

14. A method for sealing an upper material web to a material web for producing a packaging, wherein by means of a longitudinal nozzle arrangement, an atmosphere in the packaging is changed compared to an environment, wherein a sealing unit is positioned against the material web when the atmosphere in the packaging is changed, and the upper material web and the material web are further transported following sealing, wherein the sealing unit is configured to be raised prior to and/or during the further transport.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the sealing unit is lowered prior to and/or during the changing of the atmosphere and pressed against the upper material web.

16. A method for changing an atmosphere in a packaging comprising the system according to claim 1.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein during the changing of the atmosphere an outlet incline of the longitudinal nozzle is pressed against an outlet ramp of the longitudinal nozzle arrangement.

18. A method for sealing an upper material web to a material web for producing a packaging, wherein an atmosphere is changed compared to an environment by means of a longitudinal nozzle arrangement, wherein a sealing unit is positioned against the material web during a changing of the atmosphere and the upper material web and the material web are further transported following sealing, wherein the longitudinal nozzle arrangement develops a sealing effect without an additional sealing unit made of a rubber-like elastic material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] FIG. 1 illustrates the inventive packaging machine.

[0053] FIGS. 2-3 Illustrate details of the seal, nozzle arrangement, and/or sealing station.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] FIG. 1 illustrates the inventive packaging machine 1, which optionally has a molding station 2, a filling station 7, and a sealing station 15. The packaging machine can be a so-called thermoformer or a so-called tray sealer. A lower material web 8, in this case a plastic film 8, is drawn from a supply roller and transported in cycles from right to left along the inventive packaging machine. The lower material web 8 is intermittently further transported by one format length/draw length in each cycle. To this end, the packaging machine has two transport means 21, in the present case two continuous chains, arranged to the right and left of the lower material web 8. A gear wheel for each chain is arranged both at the beginning and at the end of the packaging machine for reversing each chain. At least one of these gear wheels is driven. The gear wheels in the inlet region and/or in the outlet region can be connected to one another, preferably using a rigid shaft. Each transport means 21 has a plurality of clamping means/grippers 22 that clampingly grip the lower material web 8 in the inlet region and transmit the movement of the transport means to the lower material web 8. The clamping connection between the transport means and the lower material web 8 is released in the outlet region of the packaging machine. A heating means that heats the lower material web 8, in particular when the latter is stationary, can be provided downstream of the inlet region. The optional molding station 2 has a lower tool 4 and an upper tool 3. As the double arrow indicates, the lower tool 4 can be moved upward and downward, wherein it is moved upward towards the lower material web 8 for molding and is moved downward for further transporting the lower material web 8. In the raised position, the lower material web is preferably clamped between the two tools 3, 4. The lower tool 4 can be arranged on a lifting table 5 that is vertically displaceable, as indicated by the double arrow, in order to produce the above-described movement of the lower tool. During the further course of the packaging machine, the indicated packaging trays 6 molded into the lower material web or the lower material web 8 is then filled with the product 16 to be packaged in the filling station 7. An upper film 14 is bonded to the lower material web 8 by sealing in the following sealing station 15, which also comprises an upper tool 12, likewise vertically displaceable, and a lower tool 11, likewise vertically displaceable. In this way movement of the lower material web 8 is transferred to the upper material web 14. The upper tool and/or selectively the lower tool is lowered or raised before and after each film transport in the sealing station, as well. The upper film 14 can be guided in transport means or transported by transport chains, wherein these transport means then extend only before the sealing station and, possibly, upstream. Otherwise the information regarding the transport means of the lower film apply. The upper film can also be heated with a heating means and/or thermoformed. For the sealing, a sealing frame that per packaging tray has one opening into which the possibly present packaging tray dips during sealing, i.e., during the upward movement of the lower sealing tool, can be provided as the lower tool 11, for example. For sealing, the upper material web and the lower material web are pressed together between the upper tool 12 and lower tool 11 and bond to one another with the addition of heat and pressure. After this sealing, the tools 11, 12 are moved vertically apart from one another again. A dancer, for example a rotational dancer, that keeps the material web 14 as much as possible at a constant tension, can be provided between the supply roller for the upper material web 14 and the sealing tool. The person skilled in the art will understand that a dancer is preferably also provided in the region of the lower material web 8, preferably downstream of the supply roller. The dancer is preferably a linear dancer. A gas exchange preferably occurs in each packaging tray prior to and/or during the sealing of the upper material web to the lower material web. For this, some of the air present in the packaging tray can first be evacuated and/or replaced with an exchange gas. The packaging machine has the longitudinal nozzle arrangement explained in greater detail in FIGS. 2-3 for this. During the further course of the packaging machine, the finished packagings are separated, which is accomplished, e.g., with the cross cutter 18 and the longitudinal cutter 17. The cross cutter 18 in this case can also be raised and lowered with a lifting device 9. In accordance with one further embodiment, the sealing tool 11, 12 has a punch that separates the lower material web and the upper material web during and/or after the sealing. A plurality of packagings that are arranged as a matrix in a so-called format are preferably produced simultaneously in each cycle.

[0055] FIGS. 2 and 3 each illustrate the longitudinal nozzle arrangement 10, the sealing unit 19, and the lower tool 11 on one side, in this case the right side, of the material web. The arrow 20 shows the transport direction of the material web. FIG. 2 illustrates the first end 28 of the longitudinal nozzle arrangement 10 or of the sealing unit 19, otherwise called the inlet side, relative to the transport direction 20 of the material web. This end is the upstream end relative to the transport direction 20 of the material web. FIG. 3 shows the second end 29 of the longitudinal nozzle arrangement 10 or of the sealing unit 19, otherwise called the outlet side, relative to the transport direction 20. This end is the downstream end relative to the transport direction 20 of the material web. The person skilled in the art understands that a longitudinal nozzle arrangement can also be provided on the other edge of the material web.

[0056] The longitudinal nozzle arrangement has a longitudinal extension direction 27 extending at least essentially parallel to the transport direction 20. Provided along this longitudinal extension direction 27 is a nozzle 26 having a plurality of openings 21, arranged adjacent to one another here. The openings 21 can be employed selectively for evacuating air from one or more packagings and/or for injecting an inert gas. For this, the longitudinal nozzle arrangement has one or more valves. With this/these or with one or a plurality of other valves, the gas volume flow can also be adjusted when gas is evacuated and/or injected and/or the gas quantity is adjusted. All or some of the valves can be adjusted manually or automatically. The length of the longitudinal nozzle arrangement in the longitudinal extension direction can essentially equal the draw length of the format currently being produced. However, it is also possible to provide a longer longitudinal nozzle arrangement length and to shut off openings in the inlet region 28 and/or in the outlet region 29 by means of the valve(s). In the present case, the nozzle 26 is embodied as a flat nozzle, i.e., its horizontal extension transverse to the longitudinal extension direction 27 is greater, preferably substantially greater, than its vertical extension transverse to the longitudinal extension direction 27. In the present case the flat nozzle tapers in the direction of the openings. When a gas is evacuated from and/or injected into the format of packagings, the flat nozzle extends between the upper material web 14 and the material web 8, wherein the material web 8 relative to the vertical contacts the flat nozzle from below and the material web 14 contacts the flat nozzle from above.

[0057] For evacuating and or supplying gas, the openings 21 can preferably be controlled individually, particularly preferably by group. If there are two longitudinal nozzle arrangements 10, one to the right and one to the left of the material web, one longitudinal nozzle arrangement can solely evacuate gas and one nozzle arrangement can solely draw off gas.

[0058] As can be seen in particular in FIG. 2, the flat nozzle is limited on the inlet side by a tongue 22 extending in this case transverse to the longitudinal extension direction 27 of the longitudinal nozzle arrangement. The tongue 22 is preferably a separate component connected to the longitudinal nozzle arrangement. The tongue is preferably made of an elastic plastic material and is preferably exchangeable.

[0059] FIG. 3 illustrates that the longitudinal nozzle arrangement, in this case the flat nozzle, has on its outlet-side end 29 a ramp 24 that tapers in the running direction 20 of the material web or towards its outlet-side end. The ramp 24 can be integrally connected to the flat nozzle or can be provided as a separate component. The ramp extends parallel to the longitudinal extension direction of the longitudinal nozzle arrangement or parallel to the transport direction of the material web 8, 14.

[0060] The person skilled in the art will recognize that the tongue 22 can also be replaced by a ramp 24, the height of which increases in the running direction relative to the material web until it has reached the height of the flat nozzle.

[0061] In the packaging machine, the longitudinal nozzle arrangement 10 is preferably connected to the frame of the packaging machine, specifically preferably such that the flat nozzle 26 is disposed above the transport means, in particular the chain with the grippers. For this, the flat nozzle is preferably embodied concave on its underside, at least in sections, so that the grippers partially project into this concavity.

[0062] Also depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 is the inventive sealing unit 19, which, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 3, in the outlet region has an outlet incline 25, which is embodied here as a ramp and is preferably provided in a manner complementary to the ramp 24 of the longitudinal nozzle arrangement. The outlet incline 25 extends parallel to the transport direction of the material web. The outlet incline forms a transition region between a thinner region of the sealing unit that extends parallel to the transport direction of the material web or above the flat nozzle and a thick region that extends transverse to the transport direction of the material web or transverse to the flat nozzle 26.

[0063] FIG. 2 depicts the inlet region of the sealing unit 19. An inlet incline 22 extending transverse to the transport direction of the material web is provided in this region. The inlet incline 23 forms a transition region between a thinner region of the sealing unit, which extends parallel to the transport direction of the material web or above the flat nozzle, and a thick region, which extends transverse to the transport direction of the material web or transverse to the flat nozzle 26.

[0064] If the longitudinal nozzle arrangement also has a ramp in the inlet region, this region of the sealing unit is embodied analogous to the incline 25.

[0065] As shown by the double arrow in FIG. 3, the sealing unit can preferably be raised and lowered. For this, the sealing unit 19 is preferably connected to an upper tool 12 that is raised and lowered.

[0066] The sealing unit 19 is preferably embodied as a closed form, in particular as a closed rectangle or square, that extends around a packaging or a format of packagings.

[0067] FIGS. 2 and 3 also depict a lower tool 11 that functions as a counterbearing during the sealing process and can have cavities for the packagings. This tool can be selectively raised and lowered as indicated by the double arrow.

[0068] The inventive method is carried out as follows. One packaging or one material web 8 having one or a plurality of packaging trays is introduced into the sealing station, for example using cyclic transport of the material web 8. The packaging or the material web 8 is then disposed below the flat nozzle 26 and above the lower tool 11. The upper material web 14 that is sealed to the packaging or material web 8 is disposed above the flat nozzle 26. Then the sealing unit 19 is lowered and presses the upper material web against the flat nozzle 26 or against the lower tool 11. Preferably simultaneously the lower tool 11 is raised and presses the material web 8 against the flat nozzle 26 or against the sealing unit 19. Because of this, a closed at least essentially gas-tight region that can now be evacuated or supplied with gas by means of one or a plurality of longitudinal nozzle arrangements 10 is created between the packaging and the upper material web or between the two material webs 8, 14. As soon as the atmosphere in the packaging has been changed, the upper material web 14 is sealed to the lower material web 8. Then the sealing unit 19 is raised again and the lower tool 11 is lowered and at the same time and/or thereafter the packaging or material webs 8, 14 are further transported.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0069] 1 Packaging machine [0070] 2 Molding station, thermoforming station [0071] 3 Upper tool of molding station, upper tool of thermoforming station [0072] 4 Lower tool of molding station, upper tool of thermoforming station [0073] 5 Lifting table, support for a tool of the sealing or thermoforming station and/or of the cutting device [0074] 6 Support for product to be packaged, packaging tray, lower shell, tray [0075] 7 Filling station, placement station [0076] 8 Material web, lower material web [0077] 9 Lifting device [0078] 10 Longitudinal nozzle arrangement [0079] 11 Lower tool of sealing station [0080] 12 Upper tool of sealing station [0081] 13 Separated segment, corner [0082] 14 Upper material web, cover material web [0083] 15 Sealing station [0084] 16 Product to be packaged [0085] 17 Longitudinal cutter [0086] 18 Cross cutter [0087] 19 Sealing unit [0088] 20 Movement direction of material web 8, 14 [0089] 21 Injection/evacuation openings [0090] 22 Sealing tongue on the longitudinal nozzle 26 [0091] 23 Inlet incline of the sealing unit 19 [0092] 24 Outlet ramp on the longitudinal nozzle 26 [0093] 25 Outlet incline of the sealing unit 19 [0094] 26 Flat nozzle [0095] 27 Longitudinal extension direction [0096] 28 First end of the longitudinal extension direction, inlet side [0097] 29 Second end of the longitudinal nozzle arrangement (10), outlet side