Abstract
The invention relates to a device (24, 25) for post-forming the gable surfaces of packaging (16) with a diagonal gable, comprising: a conveying device (19) with cells (20) secured thereto for receiving the packaging (16) and for transporting the packaging (16) along a transport direction (T), at least one gable folder (27) for folding a fin seam (17) in the gable region of the packaging (16), and at least two lug folders (28A, 28B) for folding lugs (15) in the gable region of the packaging (16). Both the gable folder (27) and the lug folders (28A, 28B) are movably mounted relative to the conveyor device (19) and the packaging (16) transported therewith. The invention additionally relates to a method for post-forming the gable surfaces of packaging (16) with a diagonal gable. The aim of the invention is to maintain and/or correct the shape of the gable for packages with a diagonal gable. According to the invention, this is achieved in that at least one forming tool (29) for post-forming the fin seam (17) is provided in the gable region of the packaging (16), and the forming tool (29) is movably mounted relative to the conveyor device (19) and the packaging (16) transported therewith.
Claims
1. A device for reshaping gable surfaces of packages with a slanted gable, comprising: a conveyor apparatus with cells fastened thereto for receiving the packages and for transporting the packages along a direction of transport, at least one gable folder for folding a fin seam in the gable region of the packages and at least two ear folders for folding ears in the gable region of the packages, wherein both the gable folder and the ear folders are mounted in a movable manner relative to the conveyor apparatus and the packages transported therewith, characterised by at least one forming tool for reshaping the fin seam in the gable region of the packages, wherein the forming tool is mounted in a movable manner relative to the conveyor apparatus and the packages transported therewith.
2. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the forming tool for reshaping the fin seam has at least two-dimensional mobility.
3. The device according to claim 1, characterised by a traverse which is arranged above the cells and extends along a transverse direction running transversely to the direction of transport.
4. The device according to claim 3, characterised in that the traverse is mounted in a movable manner relative to the conveyor apparatus and the packages transported therewith.
5. The device according to claim 3, characterised by at least two, in particular at least four, forming tools for reshaping the fin seam in the gable region of the packages, wherein all forming tools are mounted next to one another on the traverse in the transverse direction.
6. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the gable folder and the forming tool and/or their traverses are coupled to one another by a mechanical connection and have a common drive.
7. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the forming tool comprises a mould carrier and a support.
8. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the cells have a distance from one another and that the forming tool has at least twice the cell distance to the gable folder and/or to the ear folders.
9. Method for reshaping the gable surfaces of packages with a slanted gable, comprising the following steps: a] Providing packages with slanted gables, b] Folding the fin seam in the gable region of the packages by means of a gable folder, c] Folding the ears in the gable region of the packages by means of two ear folders, and d] Reshaping the fin seam by means of a forming tool, characterised in that in step d), the forming tool is moved relative to the conveyor apparatus and the packages transported therewith.
10. The method according to claim 9, characterised in that the packages are moved by means of a conveyor apparatus with cells fastened to it.
11. The method according to claim 9, characterised in that the packages are moved intermittently.
12. The method according to claim 9, characterised in that the packages stand still during step b), during step c) and during step d).
13. The method according to claim 9, characterised in that in step d) the gable surfaces of at least two, in particular of at least four, packages are reshaped simultaneously.
14. The method according to claim 9, characterised in that step d) is performed at a location that has at least twice the cell distance from the location where step b) and/or step c) is performed.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing which simply represents a preferred exemplary embodiment, in which:
[0028] FIG. 1A: shows a blank for folding a package sleeve,
[0029] FIG. 1B: shows a front view of a package sleeve, which is formed from the blank shown in FIG. 1A, in the folded-flat state,
[0030] FIG. 1C: shows a rear view of the package sleeve from FIG. 1B,
[0031] FIG. 1D: shows the package sleeve from FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C in the unfolded state,
[0032] FIG. 1E: shows the package sleeve from FIG. 1B to FIG. 1D with the base closed,
[0033] FIG. 1F: shows the package sleeve from FIG. 1B to FIG. 1E with pre-folded gable surfaces,
[0034] FIG. 1G: shows a package manufactured from the package sleeve shown in FIG. 1B to FIG. 1F with an unshaped gable,
[0035] FIG. 1H: shows the package from FIG. 1G with a shaped gable,
[0036] FIG. 2: shows a lateral view of a system for filling and sealing packages,
[0037] FIG. 3: shows an enlarged section of the system from FIG. 2,
[0038] FIG. 4A: shows a lateral view of a device according to the invention for reshaping the gable surfaces of packages with a slanted gable in an open position,
[0039] FIG. 4B: shows a front view of the device from FIG. 4A,
[0040] FIG. 4C: shows a lateral view of a device according to the invention for reshaping the gable surfaces of packages with a slanted gable in a closed position and
[0041] FIG. 4D: shows a front view of the device from FIG. 4C.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0042] FIG. 1A shows a blank 1 for folding a package sleeve. The blank 1 can comprise a plurality of layers of different materials, for example paper, cardboard, plastic or metal, in particular aluminium. The blank 1 has a plurality of fold lines 2 which are intended to facilitate the folding of the blank 1 and which divide the blank 1 into a plurality of surfaces. The blank 1 can be subdivided into a sleeve surface 3, base surface 4, gable surfaces 5 and a sealing surface 6. The base surfaces 4 and the gable surfaces 5 each comprise rectangular surfaces 7, 7B, 7G and triangular surfaces 8. The gable surfaces 5 also comprise a centrally arranged main gable surface 9. With the exception of the sealing surface 6, the sleeve surface 3 extends over the entire width of the blank 1. A package sleeve can be formed from the blank 1 by the blank 1 being folded in such manner that the sealing surface 6 is joined, in particular fused, to the opposite end of the sleeve surface 3.
[0043] The blank 1 shown in FIG. 1A has two secondary fold lines 10 in the region of the sleeve surface 3. Both secondary fold lines 10 run parallel to one another and through a contact point SB of three adjacent triangular surfaces 8 of the base surface 4 and through a contact point SG of three adjacent triangular surfaces 8 of the gable surfaces 5. The sleeve surface 3 is divided into an inner partial region 3A and into two outer partial regions 3B by the secondary fold lines 10. The inner partial region 3A is between the two secondary fold lines 10 and the outer partial regions 3B are outside of the two secondary fold lines 10.
[0044] While the base surface 4 has a length L4 which is constant over the entire width of the blank 1, the length of the gable surface 5 has different values. The gable surface 5 has a decreased length L5.sub.min adjoining the outer partial regions 3B of the sleeve surface 3. However, adjoining the inner partial region 3A of the sleeve surface 3 (in other words in the region of the main gable surface 9), the gable surface 5 has an increased length L5.sub.max. This design means that the inner partial region 3A has a lower height than the outer partial regions 3B. For the package to be manufactured, this results in an inclined, slanted gable region which slopes in a forward direction.
[0045] The rectangular surfaces 7B in the base region of the blank are rectangular. Both external rectangular surfaces 7G in the gable region of the blank are also rectangular. In contrast, the middle main gable surface 9 is not exactly rectangular; it is instead formed with a front edge 11 which is convexly bent at least in sections. In the upper corner regions of the main gable surface 9, two curved embossing lines 12 are discernible, which give the main gable surface 9 a design reminiscent of an ellipse. A circle-shaped tear line S is shown centrally inside the main gable surface 9. This is preferably a circular recess in the carrier material which is spanned with the remaining plastic and where applicable aluminium layers of the composite material forming what is known as a “over coated hole”. Its diameter can be adapted to the size of the cutting element of a dispensing element to be applied there or can be designed to be relatively small to enable a straw to penetrate it.
[0046] The base surfaces 4 have two corner points E4 and the gable surfaces 5 have two corner points E5. The corner points E4, E5 are corner points of the package to be manufactured from the blank 1. Each corner point E4 of a base surface 4 is assigned a corresponding corner point E5 of a gable surface 5 which is in each case the corner point E5 which is arranged above this corner point E4 when the packages is standing up. A fold line 2′ runs through two corresponding corner points E4, E5 in each case and is used to form a rear (vertically running) edge of the package to be manufactured. However, there are only two continuous fold lines 2′ in the blank 1 shown in FIG. 1A, just like in the case of the package sleeve manufactured therefrom and the package manufactured therefrom. However, no fold lines are provided between the further corner points of the base surfaces 4 and the corresponding corner points of the gable surfaces 5, in other words on the front sleeve surface 3A.
[0047] FIG. 1B shows a front view of a package sleeve 13, which is formed from the blank 1 shown in FIG. 1A, in the folded-flat state. The regions of the package sleeve already described in connection with FIG. 1A are provided with corresponding reference numerals in FIG. 1B. The package sleeve 13 is created from the blank 1 in two steps: The blank 1 is first folded along the two secondary fold lines 10. The two partial regions 3B (left) and 3B (right) of the sleeve surface 3 are then joined together, in particular welded, in the region of the sealing surface 6, resulting in a longitudinal seam 14 (hidden in FIG. 1B). The package sleeve 1 therefore has a circumferential structure which is closed in a circumferential direction with an opening in the region of the base surfaces 4 and with an opening in the region of the gable surfaces 5. The inner partial region 3A of the sleeve surface 3 is visible in the front view, both sides of which are delimited by the secondary fold lines 10. The remaining partial regions 3B of the sleeve surface 3 are on the back of the package sleeve 13 and therefore hidden in FIG. 1B.
[0048] FIG. 1C is a rear view of the package sleeve 13 from FIG. 1B. The regions of the package sleeve already described in connection with FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are provided with corresponding reference numerals in FIG. 1C. Both external partial regions 3B of the sleeve surface 3 are visible in the rear view. They are joined together by means of the longitudinal seam 14 and are delimited on both sides by the secondary fold lines 10. The front partial region 3A of the sleeve surface 3 is on the front of the package sleeve 13 and therefore hidden in FIG. 1C.
[0049] FIG. 1D shows the package sleeve 13 from FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C in the unfolded state. The regions of the package sleeve already described in connection with FIG. 1A to FIG. 1C are provided with corresponding reference numerals in FIG. 1D. The unfolded state is achieved by folding back the package sleeve 13 along the secondary fold lines 10 running through the sleeve surface 3. The sleeve is folded back by around 180°. This folding back along the secondary fold lines 10 results in the two partial regions 3A, 3B of the sleeve surface 3 adjoining the secondary fold lines 10 no longer lying flat on top of one another but rather being arranged in the same plane. The package sleeve 13 is therefore only in its flat state (FIG. 1B, FIG. 1C) along the secondary fold lines 10; in the unfolded state (FIG. 1D), on the other hand, the package sleeve 13 (just like the package to be produced therefrom) is no longer folded along the secondary fold lines 10. This is why they are called “secondary” fold lines 10.
[0050] FIG. 1E shows the package sleeve from FIG. 1B to FIG. 1D with the base closed. The regions of the package sleeve already described in connection with FIG. 1A to FIG. 1D are provided with corresponding reference numerals in FIG. 1D. The base can for example be sealed while the unfolded package sleeve 13 is pushed onto a mandrel of a mandrel wheel. In order to seal the base, the lower triangular surfaces 8 are for example first folded inwards before the lower rectangular surfaces 7B are folded inwards. The surfaces folded together are then fused by means of pressure and temperature.
[0051] FIG. 1F shows the package sleeve from FIG. 1B to FIG. 1E with pre-folded gable surfaces. The regions of the package sleeve already described in connection with FIG. 1A to FIG. 1E are provided with corresponding reference numerals in FIG. 1F. “Pre-folded state” means a state in which the two fold lines 2 in the region of the gable surfaces 5 have been pre-folded. The rectangular surface 7G and the main gable surface 9 are folded inwards during the pre-folding and later form the gable of the package. The triangular surfaces 8, however, are folded outwards during the pre-folding and form protruding regions of excess material which are also known as “ears” 15 and are placed on the sleeve surface 3 of the package in a subsequent manufacturing step, for example by means of an adhesion process.
[0052] FIG. 1G shows a package 16 manufactured from the package sleeve 13 shown in FIG. 1B to FIG. 1F with an unshaped gable. The regions of the package already described in connection with FIG. 1A to FIG. 1F are provided with corresponding reference numerals in FIG. 1G. The package 16 is shown after fusing, i.e. in the filled and sealed state. An enlarged main gable surface 9 is generated as a result the enlarged length L5.sub.max of the main gable surface 9 in its region adjoining the inner partial region 3A of the sleeve surface 3 and the decreased length L5.sub.min of the gable surface 5 in its region adjoining the outer partial regions 3B of the sleeve surface 3. The package 16 can be provided with a dispensing element on this main gable surface 9 which stretches almost to the front edge 11 which is arched forwards. A fin seam 17 is generated in the region of the gable surfaces 5 after sealing. In FIG. 1G, the ears 15 and the fin seam 17 both protrude. The ears 15 are applied in a subsequent manufacturing step, for example by means of an adhesion process, resulting in the fin seam 17 automatically also remaining in a flat position.
[0053] FIG. 1H shows the package 16 from FIG. 1G with the shaped gable, in particular with the ears 15 applied. The regions of the package already described in connection with FIG. 1A to FIG. 2G are provided with corresponding reference numerals in FIG. 1H. In addition to the ears 15, the fin seam 17 is also applied to the package 16. The upper ears 15 arranged in the region of the gable surface 5 are folded down and applied flat to the sleeve surface 3.
[0054] The ears 15 are preferably adhered or fused to the sleeve surface 3. The package 16 shown in FIG. 1H does not have any folding edges in the region of the front sleeve surface 3A. The front of the package which is curved forwards can clearly be recognised in the horizontal section through the plane E of the package shown on the right. The straight fold lines 2′ on the rear package edges run from the lower corner points E4 to the upper corner points E5.
[0055] FIG. 2 is a lateral view of a system 18 for filling and sealing packages. The system 18 comprises a circumferential conveyor apparatus 19 with cells 20 fastened thereto to receive package sleeves 13. The package sleeves 13 are inserted into the cells 20 in the state shown in FIG. 1E, in other words with the base surfaces already sealed. The system 18 comprises a device 21 for pre-folding the gable surfaces, a device 22 for filling the package sleeves, a device 23 for sealing the package sleeves, a device 24 for shaping the gables of the packages 16 and a device 25 for reshaping the gables of the packages 16. The gable surfaces are pre-folded in the manner described above in the device 21 for pre-folding the gable surfaces, with the package sleeves 13 taking the shape shown in FIG. 1F. The package sleeves 13 are filled with contents in the device 22 for filling the package sleeves. The package sleeves 13 are then sealed in the device 23 for sealing the package sleeves, wherein they take the shape shown in FIG. 1G. After sealing, the package sleeves 13 are then called packages 16. The packages 16 are then processed in the device 24 for shaping the gables of the packages in such manner that they take the shape shown in FIG. 1H. The processing includes folding over the fin seam 17 and applying the ears 15. The packages 16 are then processed in the device 25 in such manner that the gables of the packages 16, in particular the fin seams 17 arranged there, are shaped again in order to bring them into the desired shape. The packages 16 are then removed from the cells 20 of the conveyor apparatus 19. As in FIG. 2, it can only schematically be discerned that the device 24 and the device 25 have a mechanical connection 26. In this way, the device 24 and the device 25 can be mechanically coupled to one another and driven by the same drive.
[0056] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged section of the system 18 for filling and sealing packages from FIG. 2. The regions of the system 18 already described in connection with FIG. 2 are provided in FIG. 3 with corresponding reference numerals. The enlarged section shows in particular the region of the system 18 in which the device 24 and the device 25 are arranged. The packages 16 are transported by the conveyor apparatus 19 at a distance A from one another along a direction of transport T, wherein the distance A designates the distance between two adjacent cells 20 in the direction of transport T.
[0057] The device 24 for shaping the gables of the packages 16 has a gable folder 27 for folding the fin seam 17 in the gable region of the packages 16. The device 24 also has two ear folders 28A, 28B for folding the ears 15 in the gable region of the packages 16. Furthermore, the device 24 comprises a traverse T1 on which the gable folders 27 are mounted. The traverse T1 is movably mounted relative to the conveyor apparatus 19, which, in the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, is achieved in that the traverse T1 is fixedly mounted on a lever arm H4, which is rotatably connected to a further lever arm H3, which can be rotated about a stationary axis of rotation D3. A rotation of the lever arm H3 about the stationary axis of rotation D3 therefore results in a movement of the traverse T1 and of the gable folders 27. The structure and functioning of this device 24, also referred to as “gable shaping station”, are described, for example, in DE 10 2016 109 980 A1.
[0058] For this purpose, the device 25 for reshaping the gables of the packages 16 has a forming tool 29. Furthermore, the device 25 comprises a traverse T2 on which forming tools 29 are mounted. The traverse T2 is mounted in a movable manner relative to the conveyor apparatus 19, which, in the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, is implemented by means of a lever arm H2 which can be rotated about a stationary axis of rotation D2. The device 24 (in particular its gable folder 27) and the device 25 are driven by a common drive 30, which can for example be designed as an electric motor. In particular the gable folders 27 of the device 24 should be driven together with the device 25 and its forming tools 29, while the ear folders 28A, 28B of the device 24 preferably have a separate drive. The drive 30 can rotate about a stationary axis of rotation D3 and can transfer its drive power via rotatably interconnected lever arms H3, H4 to one of the two devices 24, 25 (in FIG. 3: transfer of drive power to the traverse T1 of the device 24). The mechanical connection 26 connects the lever arm H1 of the device 24 to the lever arm H2 of the device 25 and thus ensures that the drive power of the drive 30 is transferred to both devices 24, 25 so that both devices 24, 25 can be driven, in part or in full, by the same drive 30. For this purpose, the mechanical connection 26 is designed like a coupling rod, which is rotatably connected at both ends to the lever arms H1, H2 to be connected.
[0059] FIG. 4A shows a lateral view of a device 25 according to the invention for reshaping the gable surfaces of packages 16 with a slanted gable in an open position. FIG. 4B shows a front view of the device 25 from FIG. 4A. The device 25 comprises a forming tool 29 which is fastened to a traverse T2, which can be pivoted about an axis of rotation D2. The forming tool 29 is thus mounted in a movable manner relative to the conveyor apparatus 19 and the packages 16 transported therewith. The forming tool 29 comprises a mould carrier 31 and a support 32, which has a recess 33. The movable mounting of the forming tool 29 has the advantage that the gable surface and in particular the fin seam 17 can easily be reached although it can be arranged lower than the highest edge of the package 16. The forming tool 29 is mounted in such manner that it can be moved in a plane which is formed by the longitudinal direction corresponding to the direction of transport of the packages 16 (shown as the X direction in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4D) and the vertical direction (shown as the Y direction in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4D). Accordingly, the forming tool 29 has two-dimensional mobility. The open position of the device represented in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B is characterised in that the forming tool 29 does not touch the package 16 and in that the package 16 can be moved under the forming tool 29 in the direction of transport T without collision.
[0060] FIG. 4C is a lateral view of a device 25 according to the invention for reshaping the gable surfaces of packages 16 with a slanted gable in a closed position. FIG. 4D is a front view of the device 25 from FIG. 4C. The regions of the device already described in connection with FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are provided in FIG. 4C and FIG. 4D with corresponding reference numerals. The closed position of the device represented in FIG. 4C and FIG. 4D is characterised in that the forming tool 29 has been pivoted downwards by a rotation of the traverse T2 about the axis of rotation D2. In this case, the forming tool 29 has applied the fin seam 17 to the gable surface of the package 16. In FIG. 4D, the purpose of the recess 33 provided in the support 32 of the forming tool 29 is discernible: The recess 33 serves to ensure that the package 16 is not touched in the region of an overcoated hole (OCH) in order not to mechanically or thermally damage the package 16 in this particularly sensitive region such that the subsequent application of a dispensing element with screw cap in this region of the package 16 is simplified.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0061] 1: Blank [0062] 2.2′: Fold line [0063] 3: Sleeve surface [0064] 3A, 3B: Partial region (of the sleeve surface 3) [0065] 4: Base surface [0066] 5: Gable surface [0067] 6: Sealing surface [0068] 7, 7B, 7G: Rectangular surface [0069] 8: Triangular surface [0070] 9: Main gable surface [0071] 10: Secondary fold line [0072] 11: Front edge [0073] 12: Embossed line [0074] 13: Package sleeve [0075] 14: Longitudinal seam [0076] 15: Ear [0077] 16: Package [0078] 17: Fin seam [0079] 18: System [0080] 19: Conveyor apparatus [0081] 20: Cell [0082] 21: Device for pre-folding [0083] 22: Device for filling [0084] 23: Device for sealing [0085] 24: Device for gable shaping [0086] 25: Device for reshaping the gables [0087] 26: Mechanical connection [0088] 27: Gable folder [0089] 28A, 28B: Ear folder [0090] 29: Forming tool [0091] 30: Drive [0092] 31: Mould carrier [0093] 32: Support [0094] 33: Recess [0095] A: Distance (of cells 20) [0096] D1, D2, D2: Axis of rotation [0097] E4: Corner point (of the base surface 4) [0098] E5: Corner point (of the gable surface 5) [0099] H1, H2, H3, H4: Lever arm [0100] L4: Length (of the base surface 4) [0101] L5.sub.min: Minimum length (of the gable surface 5) [0102] L5.sub.max: Maximum length (of the gable surface 5) [0103] S: Tear line [0104] SB: Contact point (of the base surface 4) [0105] SG: Contact point (of the gable surface 5) [0106] T: Direction of transport [0107] T1, T2: Traverse [0108] X: Longitudinal direction [0109] Y: Vertical direction [0110] Z: Transverse direction
