Abstract
An apparatus for the pre-folding of carton sleeves includes at least two folding bars for pre-folding the ridge areas and the triangular areas of the carton sleeves, and at least one folding block that can be introduced into the carton sleeves. The folding bars each have at least one contact area for pre-folding the ridge areas. In addition a method and a system are provided for the pre-folding of carton sleeves. In order to achieve a particularly careful and damage-free pre-folding of the carton sleeves, it is proposed to provide at least one back folder for folding back the triangular areas.
Claims
1.-17. (canceled)
18. An apparatus for the pre-folding of carton sleeves, comprising: at least two folding bars for pre-folding of ridge areas and triangular areas of the carton sleeves, at least one folding block insertable into the carton sleeves, and at least one back folder for folding back the triangular areas, wherein the folding bars each have a contact area for the pre-folding of the ridge areas, and wherein the folding bars are arranged on opposite sides of the folding block and are rotatably mounted, wherein the back folder is connected to one of the folding bars.
19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the folding block is mounted in a linearly displaceable manner.
20. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the folding block has a web with a web width of less than 3 mm.
21. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the folding block has two oppositely arranged folding edges for folding the ridge areas.
22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the length of the folding edges is at least 5% less than the length of the ridge areas to be folded.
23. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the folding block has two oppositely arranged supporting surfaces, which are disposed between the folding edges and the web, and which have an angle of inclination of 5 or less with respect to a horizontal plane.
24. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the contact areas of the folding bars are formed planar.
25. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the back folder has a conical-shaped or spherical-shaped head.
26. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein each folding bar has at least one projection for folding the web areas.
27. The apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising: a conveyer belt with cells for receiving the carton sleeves.
28. A method for pre-folding of carton sleeves, comprising the following steps: a) folding the ridge areas inwardly, b) folding the ends of the web area, and c) folding the triangular areas outwardly, wherein the folding in step c) is carried out in a contactless manner, wherein the folding in step b) is carried out actively by at least one projection of a folding bar.
29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising the following steps: d) folding the ridge areas outwardly, and e) folding the triangular areas inwardly.
30. The method according to claim 28, wherein the carton sleeves are moved by a conveyor belt with cells fastened thereto.
31. The method according to claim 28, wherein the carton sleeves are moved intermittently.
32. A system for pre-folding of carton sleeves, comprising: an apparatus for pre-folding carton sleeves according to claim 18, and at least one carton sleeve.
33. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the web width is less than 2 mm.
Description
[0030] The invention is described in more detail hereinafter with the aid of simply a preferred exemplary embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0031] FIG. 1A: is a blank known from the prior art for folding a carton sleeve,
[0032] FIG. 1B: is a carton sleeve known from the prior art, which is formed from the blank illustrated in FIG. 1A, in the flat-folded state,
[0033] FIG. 1C: the carton sleeve from FIG. 1B in the folded-down state,
[0034] FIG. 1D: the carton sleeve from FIG. 1C with the pre-folded floor and ridge areas,
[0035] FIG. 2A: an apparatus according to the invention for the pre-folding of carton sleeves, in a front view,
[0036] FIG. 2B: the apparatus from FIG. 2A in plan view along the sectional plane IIB-IIB of FIG. 2A,
[0037] FIG. 2C: the apparatus from FIG. 2A in a side view along the sectional plane IIC-IIC of FIG. 2B,
[0038] FIG. 3A: the apparatus of FIG. 2A in a first position in cross section,
[0039] FIG. 3B: the apparatus of FIG. 2A in a second position in cross section,
[0040] FIG. 3C: the apparatus of FIG. 2A in a third position in cross section,
[0041] FIG. 3D: the apparatus of FIG. 2A in a fourth position in cross section,
[0042] FIG. 4A: the apparatus of FIG. 2A in a first position in longitudinal section,
[0043] FIG. 4B: the apparatus of FIG. 2A in a second position in longitudinal section,
[0044] FIG. 4C: the apparatus of FIG. 2A in a third position in longitudinal section,
[0045] FIG. 4D: the apparatus of FIG. 2A in a fourth position in longitudinal section, and
[0046] FIG. 5: an alternative embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention for the pre-folding of carton sleeves, in a front view.
[0047] FIG. 1A illustrates a blank 1 known from the prior art, from which a carton sleeve can be formed. The blank 1 can include several plies of different materials, for example paper, cardboard, plastic or metal, in particular aluminium. The blank 1 has several folding lines 2 (or crease lines), which are intended to facilitate the folding of the blank 1 and subdivide the blank 1 into several areas. The blank 1 can be subdivided into a first side area 3, a second side area 4, a front area 5, a rear area 6, a sealing area 7, two floor areas 8, two ridge areas 9 and twelve triangular areas 10. Web areas 11 adjoin the floor areas 8, the ridge areas 9 and the triangular areas 10. A carton sleeve can be formed from the blank 1 by folding the blank 1 in such a way that the sealing area 7 can be joined, in particular welded, to the front area 5.
[0048] FIG. 1B shows a carton sleeve 12 known from the prior art, in the flat folded state. The regions of the carton sleeve already described in connection with FIG. 1A are provided with corresponding reference numerals in FIG. 1B. The carton sleeve 12 is formed from the blank 1 shown in FIG. 1A. For this, the blank 1 was folded in such a way that the sealing area 7 and the front area 5 are arranged overlapping, so that the two areas can be welded flat over their area. As a result a longitudinal seam 13 is formed. In FIG. 1B the carton sleeve 12 is shown in a flat, folded-together state. In this state a side area 4 (covered in FIG. 1B) lies underneath the front area 5 while the other side area 3 lies on the rear area 6 (covered in FIG. 1B). In the flat folded-together state several carton sleeves 12 can be stacked in a particularly space-saving manner. Accordingly the carton sleeves 12 are often stacked at the place of manufacture and transported in the stacked state to the place where they are filled. Only there are the carton sleeves unstacked and folded out so that they can be filled with contents, for example with foodstuffs.
[0049] In FIG. 1C the carton sleeve 12 of FIG. 1B is in the unfolded state. Here too the regions of the carton sleeve 12 already described in connection with FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B are provided with corresponding reference numerals. By the unfolded state is understood a configuration in which an angle of about 90 is formed between the two respectively adjacent areas 3, 4, 5, 6, so that the carton sleeve 12 hasdepending on the shape of the areasa square or rectangular cross section. Corresponding to this the oppositely facing side areas 3, 4 are arranged parallel to one another. The same is true of the front area 5 and the rear area 6.
[0050] FIG. 1D shows the carton sleeve 12 of FIG. 1C in the pre-folded state, i.e. in a state in which the folding lines 2 had been pre-folded in the region of the floor areas 8 and also in the region of the ridge areas 9. The floor areas 8 and the ridge areas 9 are folded inwardly in the pre-folding and subsequently form the floor and the ridge of the packaging. The triangular areas 10 are on the other hand folded (generally passively) outwardly during the pre-folding and form projecting regions of excess material, which are also termed ears 14 and are attached to the packaging, for example by adhesive or bonding methods, in a subsequent production step. As an alternative to this the floor areas 8 of the carton sleeve 12 can already have been folded on a mandrel of a mandrel wheel and sealed, before the ridge areas 9 are pre-folded in the described way.
[0051] In FIG. 2A an apparatus 15 according to the invention for the pre-folding of carton sleeves is illustrated in a front view. A conveyor belt 16 with cells 17 is also illustrated, in which the carton sleeves 12 are first of all fed to the apparatus 15 and are there pre-folded in the ridge region. The transporting direction T of the carton sleeves 12 therefore runs parallel to the conveyor belt 16. The apparatus 15 comprises two folding bars 18A, 18B for the pre-folding of the ridge areas 9 of the carton sleeves 12. For the sake of clarity only the rear folding bar 18A is illustrated in FIG. 2A. The folding bars 18A, 18B are arranged on opposite sides of the carton sleeves 12 and are mounted in a vertically displaceable and rotatable manner. Each folding bar 18A, 18B has a flat contact area 19 for folding the ridge areas 9. In addition each folding bar 18A, 18B has a back folder 20 for folding back the ears 14 of the carton sleeves 12. The back folder 20 illustrated in FIG. 2A and to this extent preferred has a head 21, which comprises a conical jacket-shaped section and a spherical section. Each folding bar 18A, 18B has in addition at least one projection 22 for folding the web areas 11.
[0052] The apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2A comprises in addition to the two folding bars 18A, 18B also a folding block 23, which is arranged centrally above the carton sleeves 12 and is mounted in a linearly displaceable manner. The folding block 23 can in particular be mounted in a displaceable manner in the vertical direction Y. The folding block 23 has a web 24, which in its lower region has a folding edge 25 on both sides. The folding edges 25 serve to break the folding lines between the ridge areas 9 and the front area 5 and the rear area 6.
[0053] FIG. 2B shows the apparatus 15 of FIG. 2A in a plan view along the sectional plane IIB-IIB of FIG. 2A. The regions of the apparatus 15 already described in connection with FIG. 2A are provided with corresponding reference numerals in FIG. 2B. In the plan view the arrangement of the two folding bars 18A, 18B can be recognised particularly clearly. Each folding bar has a flat contact area 19 and a back folder 20, wherein the back folder 20 of the rear folding bar 18A is arranged diagonally opposite the back folder 20 of the front folding bar 18B. In this way one back folder 20 can fold back the left ear 14, while the other back folder 20 can fold back the right ear 14. In addition both folding bars 18A, 18B have respectively two projections 22 for folding the web areas 11. In the plan view it can be seen that in each case two projections 22 are associated with one another and are arranged opposite one another, so that in each case two projections 22 co-operate and can fold the web area 11 together at both ends.
[0054] In FIG. 2C the apparatus of FIG. 2A is illustrated in a side view along the sectional plane IIC-IIC of FIG. 2B. Here too the regions of the apparatus 15 already described in connection with FIG. 2A or FIG. 2B are provided with corresponding reference numerals. In the side view it can be seen particularly clearly that the folding bars 18A, 18B and the folding block 23 adopt in FIG. 2C a neutral, open position, in which a free space is formed between the two oppositely arranged folding bars 18A, 18B and the folding block 23, and in which the unfolded carton sleeves 12 can be arranged. During the folding procedure the folding bars 18A, 18B and the folding block 23 adopt a different position however, which will be discussed in more detail hereinafter.
[0055] FIG. 3A shows the apparatus 15 of FIG. 2A in a first position in cross section. Also, in FIG. 3A the regions of the apparatus already described in connection with FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C are provided with corresponding reference numerals. In the first position the two folding bars 18A, 18B adopt a neutral position, in which neither the folding bars 18A, 18B themselves, nor the back folders 20 fastened thereto, come into contact with the carton sleeve 12. The folding block 23 on the other hand was already inserted from above into the carton sleeve 12, so that it adopts a sunken position in FIG. 3A. The folding block 23 was lowered until the folding edges 25 of the folding block 23 are located at the height of those folding lines 2 that separate the front area 5 and the rear area 6 from the ridge areas 9. The folding block 23 comprises two support surfaces 26, which are arranged on opposite sides of the web 24. The supporting surfaces 26 preferably have an angle of inclination a of 5 or less, in particular 0, with respect to a horizontal plane H.
[0056] In FIG. 3B the apparatus 15 of FIG. 2A is illustrated in a second position in cross section. Also in FIG. 3B the regions of the apparatus 15 already described in connection with FIG. 2A to FIG. 3A are provided with corresponding reference numerals. In the second position the folding block 23 is unaltered in a lowered position. The two folding bars 18A, 18B were on the other hand swung inwardly (schematically illustrated by arrows), so that the contact areas 19 of the folding bars 18A, 18B touch and force inwardly the ridge areas 9 of the carton sleeve 12. In this connection the (not illustrated in FIG. 3B) triangular areas move passivelyi.e. without being contacted by the folding bars 18A, 18Boutwardly, whereby the ears 14 are formed. The folding block 23 preferably has a web 24 with a web width of less than 3 mm, in particular less than 2 mm, so that the ridge areas 9 can be folded particularly far inwardly. Since the angle of inclination a in the case of the folding block 23 illustrated in FIG. 3B and to this extent preferred is 0, a free space 27 is formed between the supporting surfaces 26 and the ridge areas 9. It was therefore intentionally decided to avoid using the supporting surfaces 26 in the folding procedure as a support for the ridge areas 9, in order to avoid damage to the carton sleeve 12.
[0057] FIG. 3C shows the apparatus 15 of FIG. 2 in a third position in cross section. Also in FIG. 3C the regions of the apparatus 15 already described in connection with FIG. 2A to FIG. 3B are provided with corresponding reference numerals. Also in the third position the folding block 23 is unchanged in a lowered position. The two folding bars 18A, 18B had however been swiveled outwardly, whereby the back folders 20 fastened to them move inwardly (schematically illustrated by arrows). As a result the heads 21 of the back folders 20 contact the ears 14 of the carton sleeves 12 and again force them upwardly to some extent. In this connection the ridge areas 9 move passivelyi.e. without being contacted by the back folders 20 or folding bars 18A, 18Bagain outwardly to some extent.
[0058] In FIG. 3D the apparatus 15 of FIG. 2A is illustrated in the fourth position in cross section. Also in FIG. 3D the regions of the apparatus 15 already described in connection with FIG. 2A to FIG. 3C are provided with corresponding reference numerals. In the fourth position the two folding bars 18A, 18B were first of all swiveled again into the neutral position, which was already described in connection with FIG. 3A. Then the folding block 23 was again displaced upwardly from the carton sleeve 12, so that it adopts a raised position in FIG. 3D. The distance between the two ridge areas 9 is of course less than the distance between the two folding edges 25 of the folding block 23. Nevertheless, the folding block 23 can on account of the elasticity of the carton sleeve 12 be removed from the carton sleeve 23, since in this connection the two ridge areas 9 are first of all forced again into the vertical position and then spring back to the inwardly inclined position. As a result of the folding back the ridge areas 9 are inclined inwardly in such a way that an angle of inclination 3 in the range between 5 and 45 is formed between the ridge areas 9 and the front area 5 or the rear area 6.
[0059] FIG. 4A shows the apparatus 15 of FIG. 2A in a first position in longitudinal section. Also in FIG. 4A the regions of the apparatus 15 already described in connection with FIG. 2A to FIG. 3D are provided with corresponding reference numerals. The position illustrated in FIG. 4A corresponds to the position known from FIG. 3A, in which the view has been rotated by 90. In the longitudinal section it can clearly be seen that the width of the folding block 23 is just as wide or wider than the width of the front area 5 (and of the not illustrated rear area 6). This has the aim of ensuring that the triangular areas 10 in the folding procedure can only move outwardly, but not inwardly. Likewise, in the longitudinal section it can clearly be seen that the length L.sub.F of the folding edge 25 is shorter than the length L.sub.G of the ridge area 9, preferably is at least 5% shorter or at least 10% shorter. It is therefore intentionally decided not to continue the folding edge 25 into the corners of the carton sleeve 12, in order to avoid damage in this region of the carton sleeve 12.
[0060] In FIG. 4B the apparatus 15 of FIG. 2A is illustrated in a second position in a longitudinal section. Also in FIG. 4B the regions of the apparatus 15 already described in connection with FIG. 2A to FIG. 4A are provided with corresponding reference numerals. The position illustrated in FIG. 4B corresponds to the position known from FIG. 3B, in which the view is rotated by 90. In the longitudinal section it can clearly be seen that an inwards folding of the ridge areas 9 results in an outwards folding of the triangular areas 10, whereby projecting ears 14 are formed on the two narrow sides of the carton sleeve 12. In addition the position and function of the projections 22 is clearly recognisable: they should press together and thereby pre-fold the two ends of the web area 11. The contact area 19 of the folding bar 18B is formed flat and has a length L.sub.K that is longer than the length L.sub.G of the ridge areas 9 folded by it. In this way it is ensured that the ears 14 do not come into contact with the contact area 19 during the folding procedure, and a particularly careful folding is thus achieved.
[0061] FIG. 4C shows the apparatus 15 of FIG. 2A in a third position in a longitudinal section. Also in FIG. 4C the regions of the apparatus 15 already described in connection with FIG. 2A to FIG. 4B are provided with corresponding reference numerals. The position illustrated in FIG. 4C corresponds to the position known from FIG. 3C, in which the view is rotated by 90. Clearly recognizable is the contact between the head 21 of the back folder 20 and the ears 14 of the carton sleeves 12, which are again forced upwardly to some extent by the back folders 21. In this connection the ridge areas 9 move passivelyi.e. without contact by the back folders 20 or folding bars 18A, 18Bagain outwardly to some extent.
[0062] In FIG. 4D the apparatus of FIG. 2A is illustrated in a fourth position in a longitudinal section. Also in FIG. 4D the regions of the apparatus 15 already described in connection with FIG. 2A to FIG. 4C are provided with corresponding reference numerals. The position shown in FIG. 4D corresponds to the position known from FIG. 3D, in which the view is rotated by 90. The folding block 23 again adopts in FIG. 4D the raised position, after which it was removed from the carton sleeve 12. The ridge areas 9 are folded slightly inwardly while the triangular areas 10 are folded slightly outwardly and form projecting ears 14. As a result of the back folding the ears 14 are inclined outwardly in such a way that between the ears 14 and the side areas 3, 4 an angle of inclination in the range between 50 and 45 is formed.
[0063] FIG. 5 shows finally an alternative embodiment of an apparatus 15 according to the invention for the pre-folding of carton sleeves, in a front view. As an alternative to the elaboration of the apparatus 15 illustrated in FIG. 2A to FIG. 4D, in the apparatus 15 shown in FIG. 5 it is envisaged that the apparatus simultaneously folds two carton sleeves 12. This is achieved by an extension of the folding bars 18A, 18B as well as by a corresponding increase in the number of folding blocks 23 and structural parts (back folders 20, projections 22) provided on the folding bars 18A, 18B. The cells 17 are joined to one another via a rigid bridge 28. The bridge 28 is driven by two conveyor belts 16. By means of an appropriate adaptation types of apparatus are also possible in which three or more carton sleeves can be simultaneously folded.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0064] 1: Blank [0065] 2: Folding line [0066] 3, 4: Side areas [0067] 5: Front area [0068] 6: Rear area [0069] 7: Sealing area [0070] 8: Floor area [0071] 9: Ridge area [0072] 10: Triangular area [0073] 11: Web area [0074] 12: Carton sleeve [0075] 13: Longitudinal seam [0076] 14: Ear [0077] 15: Apparatus for pre-folding [0078] 16: Conveyor belt [0079] 17: Cell [0080] 18A. 18B: Folding bar [0081] 19: Contact area [0082] 20: Back folder [0083] 21: Head (of the back folder 20) [0084] 22: Projection [0085] 23: Folding block [0086] 24: Web (of the folding block 23) [0087] 25: Folding edge (of the folding block 23) [0088] 26: Supporting surface (of the folding block 23) [0089] 27: Free space [0090] 28: Bridge [0091] : Angle of inclination (of the supporting surfaces 26) [0092] : Angle of inclination (of the ridge areas 9) [0093] : Angle of inclination (of the ears 14) [0094] H: Horizontal plane [0095] L.sub.F: Length (of the folding edge 25) [0096] L.sub.G: Length (of the ridge area 9) [0097] L.sub.K: Length (of the contact area 19) [0098] T: Transporting direction (of the carton sleeves 12) [0099] X: Longitudinal direction [0100] Y: Height direction [0101] Z: Transverse direction
