HORIZONTAL FORMING DEVICE

Abstract

A horizontal forming device, in particular for horizontal flow pack machines, comprises at least one, in particular roller-free, forming unit (12a-12d), in particular a forming shoulder, which is configured for forming a packaging material web (14a), in particular a paper web, into a packaging material tube (16a), the forming unit (12a-12d) comprising at least one folding edge (72a-72d) around which the packaging material web (14a) is deflectable, and comprises at least one form-guiding unit (18a-18d), in particular a further forming shoulder, which is configured for further guiding the packaging material tube (16a) transversely to a run-in direction (20a-20d) of the packaging material web (14a) at the forming unit (12a-12d) while maintaining an, in particular homogeneous, material tension generated by the forming unit (12a-12d), wherein the horizontal forming device comprises at least one support surface (22a), in particular a work plate, on which products (24a) that are to be packaged can be transported, the forming unit (12a-12d) and the form-guiding unit (18a-18d) being arranged on sides (26a-26d, 28a-28d) of the support surface (22a) that face away from each other, wherein the form-guiding unit (18a-18d) comprises at least one form-guiding contour (86a-86d), which is configured to support the guided packaging material tube (16a) in order to implement a maintaining of the homogeneous material tension.

Claims

1. A horizontal forming device, with at least one forming unit (12a-12d), which is configured for forming a packaging material web (14a) into a packaging material tube (16a), the forming unit (12a-12d) comprising at least one folding edge (72a-72d) around which the packaging material web (14a) is deflectable, and with at least one form-guiding unit (18a-18d), which is configured for further guiding the packaging material tube (16a) transversely to a run-in direction (20a-20d) of the packaging material web (14a) at the forming unit (12a-12d) while maintaining a material tension generated by the forming unit (12a-12d), characterized by at least one support surface (22a), on which products (24a) that are to be packaged can be transported, the forming unit (12a-12d) and the form-guiding unit (18a-18d) being arranged on sides (26a-26d, 28a-28d) of the support surface (22a) that face away from each other, wherein the form-guiding unit (18a-18d) comprises at least one form-guiding contour (86a-86d), which is configured to support the guided packaging material tube (16a) in order to implement a maintaining of the material tension.

2. The horizontal forming device according to claim 1, wherein the form-guiding unit (18a-18d) is realized separately from the forming unit (12a-12d).

3. The horizontal forming device according to claim 1, comprising at least one product and/or packaging material guiding tunnel (78a), which is configured to support the packaging material tube (16a).

4. The horizontal forming device according to claim 1, comprising at least one adjusting unit (30a-30d, 32a-32d) which is configured, for an implementation of different packaging material tube geometries, to support the forming unit (12a-12d) and the form-guiding unit (18a-18d) such that they are adjustable.

5. The horizontal forming device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one adjusting unit (30a-30d, 32a-32d) is configured to support the forming unit (12a-12d) and the form-guiding unit (18a-18d) such that they are adjustable relative to each other.

6. The horizontal forming device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one adjusting unit (30a-30d, 32a-32d) is configured to support at least two forming legs (34a-34d, 36a-36d) of the forming unit (12a-12d) and/or of the form-guiding unit (18a-18d) such that they are adjustable relative to one another.

7. The horizontal forming device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one adjusting unit (30a-30d, 32a-32d) is configured to support at least two forming legs (34a-34d, 36a-36d) of the forming unit (12a-12d) and/or of the form-guiding unit (18a-18d) such that they are adjustable relative to one another, wherein the forming legs (36a-36d) of the form-guiding unit (18a-18d) form a guiding region (40a-40d), which tapers in a V-shape in a transport direction (38a-38d) of the packaging material tube (16a) and is configured to bring seam regions of the packaging material tube (16a) together which are to be sealed with each other.

8. The horizontal forming device according to claim 1, comprising at least one heating unit (42b), which is configured to at least section-wise heat the forming unit (12b) and/or the form-guiding unit (18b).

9. The horizontal forming device according to claim 1, comprising at least one air pressure unit (44c), which is configured to exert at the forming unit (12c) and/or at the form-guiding unit (18c) a negative pressure and/or a positive pressure onto a packaging material.

10. The horizontal forming device according to claim 1, comprising at least one driven contact pressure unit (48d), which is configured to subject a packaging material with a contact pressure force against the form-guiding unit (18d).

11. The horizontal forming device according to claim 1, wherein the forming unit (12a-12d) is embodied as a forming shoulder and the form-guiding unit (18a-18d) is embodied as a further forming shoulder.

12. The horizontal forming device according to claim 11, wherein the form-guiding unit (18a-18d) comprises at least two forming legs (36a-36d), which are supported such that they are adjustable relative to each other.

13. The horizontal forming device according to claim 3, wherein the form-guiding unit (18a-18d) comprises at least two forming legs (36a-36d), which are supported such that they are adjustable relative to each other.

14. A packaging machine with at least one horizontal forming device according to claim 1.

15. A packaging machine according to claim 14, embodied as a horizontal flow pack machine.

16. The horizontal forming device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one forming unit (12a-12d) is roller-free.

17. The horizontal forming device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one forming unit (12a-12d) is a forming shoulder.

18. The horizontal forming device according to claim 1, wherein the packaging material web (14a) is a paper web.

19. The horizontal forming device according to claim 1, wherein the material tension generated by the forming unit (12a-12d) is homogeneous.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0027] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. In the drawings four exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The drawings, the description and the claims contain a plurality of features in combination. Someone skilled in the art will purposefully also consider the features separately and will find further expedient combinations.

[0028] It is shown in:

[0029] FIG. 1 a portion of a packaging machine according to the invention, in a schematic illustration,

[0030] FIG. 2 a portion of a horizontal forming device according to the invention of the packaging machine according to the invention of FIG. 1, in a schematic perspective view,

[0031] FIG. 3 a portion of the packaging machine according to the invention of FIG. 1, in a schematic perspective view,

[0032] FIG. 4 a portion of the horizontal forming device according to the invention of the packaging machine according to the invention of FIG. 1, in a further schematic perspective view,

[0033] FIG. 5 a portion of a first alternative horizontal forming device according to the invention, in a schematic perspective view,

[0034] FIG. 6 a portion of a second alternative horizontal forming device according to the invention, in a schematic perspective view, and

[0035] FIG. 7 a portion of a third alternative horizontal forming device according to the invention, in a schematic perspective view.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a portion of a packaging machine 50a in a schematic illustration. Preferentially the packaging machine 50a comprises a horizontal forming device 10a, in particular for horizontal flow pack machines, with at least one, in particular roller-free, forming unit 12a, in particular a forming shoulder, which is configured for forming a packaging material web 14a, in particular a paper web and/or a film web, into a packaging material tube 16a. The packaging machine 50a is in particular embodied as a horizontal flow pack machine. In particular, the horizontal forming device 10a is configured for guiding a packaging material 46a, in particular the packaging material tube 16a, along a horizontal transport direction 38a, in particular along a horizontal transport direction 38a that runs at least substantially perpendicularly to an effective gravity force direction 52a.

[0037] Preferably the horizontal forming device 10a is configured at least for a forming and/or guiding of the packaging material web 14a, the packaging material 46a being preferentially realized as a paper material and/or as a film. In particular, the packaging material web 14a is realized as a paper web and/or as a film web. Preferably the horizontal forming device 10a may additionally or at least alternatively be configured for a forming and/or guiding of a packaging material web 14a wherein the packaging material 46a is realized differently from a paper material, for example as a synthetic material. In particular, the packaging material web 14a may alternatively be made of a synthetic material. The packaging material 46a is in particular configured for a packaging, in particular enveloping, of products 24a, in particular of food products (cf. FIG. 3). The packaging material 46a is preferentially embodied as a packaging paper. Preferably the packaging machine 50a comprises at least one packaging material wind-off unit 54a, which is configured to accommodate the packaging material 46a, in particular as a packaging material roll 56a. Preferably the packaging material wind-off unit 54a is configured to unwind the packaging material 46a as a packaging material web 14a, in particular to feed the packaging material 46a to a packaging material feeding unit 58a of the packaging machine 50a. The packaging material feeding unit 58a is in particular configured to feed the packaging material web 14a to the horizontal forming device 10a, in particular to the forming unit 12a. The packaging material feeding unit 58a may comprise a plurality of components known to someone skilled in the art, for example at least one oscillating lever, at least one centering feeler, at least one web edge guide control and/or at least one printing unit for printing the packaging material 46a.

[0038] In particular, the packaging material web 16a is configured for enveloping products 24a that are to be packaged. In particular, the packaging machine 50a comprises at least one product feeding unit 60a, in particular a conveyor belt, a driver chain of the like, which is configured to transport the products 24a that are to be packaged, for an enveloping by the packaging material tube 16a, into a region of the horizontal forming device 10a, in particular of the forming unit 12a. Preferably a transport direction 62a of the products 24a runs at least substantially parallel to a transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a.

[0039] The packaging machine 50a preferably comprises at least one longitudinal sealing unit 64a, which is configured to create - in particular by a pressure onto the packaging material 46a and/or by a heat input into the packaging material 46a - a longitudinal sealing seam of the packaging material tube 16a, which in particular extends at least substantially parallel to the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a. The longitudinal sealing unit 64a is arranged along the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a downstream of the horizontal forming device 10a, in particular of a form-guiding unit 18a of the horizontal forming device 10a (cf. FIG. 2). In particular, the longitudinal sealing unit 64a comprises at least one pair of sealing rollers 66a, 68a, which are in particular heatable, profiled and/or can be subjected to pressure, and which are configured to transport the packaging material tube 16a, in particular by a rotation (cf. FIG. 2). Preferably the longitudinal sealing unit 64a comprises a plurality of pairs of sealing rollers 66a, 68a, wherein at least one first pair of sealing rolls 66a, which is arranged along the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a downstream of the horizontal forming device 10a, is implemented free of heating, in particular for a heating-free transport of the packaging material tube 16a. Preferably the packaging machine 50a comprises at least one transversal sealing unit 70a which is configured, in particular after respectively one product 24a, to create - in particular by a pressure onto the packaging material 46a and/or by a heat input into the packaging material 46a - transverse sealing seams of the packaging material tube 16a, which in particular extend at least substantially perpendicularly to the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a. In particular, the transversal sealing unit 70a is configured for singulating the packaging material tube 16a so as to form individual packagings, which in particular in each case enclose one product 24a. The transversal sealing unit 70a is arranged along the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a downstream of the longitudinal sealing unit 64a. The forming unit 12a is preferably configured to deflect the packaging material web 14a. In particular, the packaging material feeding unit 58a is configured to feed the packaging material web 14a to the forming unit 12a along a direction, in particular a run-in direction 20a, running transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a portion of the horizontal forming device 10a of the packaging machine 50a of FIG. 1 in a schematic perspective view. Preferentially the horizontal forming device 10a comprises at least one form-guiding unit 18a, in particular the form-guiding unit 18a described above, in particular a further forming shoulder, which is configured for further guiding the packaging material tube 16a transversely to a run-in direction, in particular transversely to the run-in direction 20a mentioned above, of the packaging material web 14a at the forming unit 12a while maintaining an, in particular homogeneous, material tension generated by the forming unit 12a. The forming unit 12a preferably comprises at least one folding edge 72a, around which the packaging material web 14a can be deflected. Preferably the folding edge 72a is embodied as a shoulder edge, and the forming unit 12a is embodied as a forming shoulder. In particular, the forming unit 12a is realized free of rollers for a deflection of the packaging material web 14a. Preferably the forming unit 12a is configured to deflect the packaging material web 14a at the folding edge 72a into a direction that is transverse to the run-in direction 20a of the packaging material web 14a and transverse to the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a. In particular, the folding edge 72a extends at least substantially perpendicularly to the run-in direction 20a of the packaging material web 14a and to the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a. In particular, the folding edge 72a and/or at least one further folding edge 110a of the forming unit 12a are/is configured to generate a homogeneous material tension in the packaging material 46a.

[0041] The form-guiding unit 18a is preferentially configured for further guiding the packaging material tube 16a at least substantially perpendicularly to the run-in direction 20a of the packaging material web 14a at the forming unit 12a, in particular along the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a, while maintaining the homogeneous material tension generated by the forming unit 12a, in particular by the folding edge 72a and/or by the further folding edge 110a. In particular, the form-guiding unit 18a is arranged along the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a downstream of the forming unit 12a and in particular upstream of the longitudinal sealing unit 64a. Preferably the form-guiding unit 18a is realized free of rollers for a deflection of the packaging material tube 16a, and is in particular realized as a further forming shoulder. In particular, the form-guiding unit 18a may have a geometry that is at least substantially analogous to a geometry of the forming unit 12a.

[0042] Preferentially the form-guiding unit 18a is realized, in particular arranged, separately from the forming unit 12a. Preferably the form-guiding unit 18a is implemented as an autonomous component or as an autonomous sub-assembly, and is in particular implemented of two symmetrical components. In particular, the form-guiding unit 18a is arranged spaced apart from the forming unit 12a along a direction that runs at least substantially perpendicularly to the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a, in particular along the run-in direction 20a of the packaging material web 14a, and/or - in the present exemplary embodiment by way of example and - along the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a. Alternatively it is conceivable that the form-guiding unit 18a is realized in a one-part implementation with the forming unit 12a, in particular as a form-guiding projection of the forming unit 12a.

[0043] Preferentially the horizontal forming device 10a comprises at least one support surface 22a, in particular a work plate, on which products 24a that are to be packaged can be transported, wherein the forming unit 12a and the form-guiding unit 18a are arranged on sides 26a, 28a of the support surface 22a that face away from each other. The support surface 22a preferably forms a cargo track which the products 24a can be transported on. The support surface 22a preferably extends at least substantially parallel to the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a. Preferably the product feeding unit 60a, the longitudinal sealing unit 64a, in particular the sealing rollers 66a, 68a, and/or the transversal sealing unit 70a are/is arranged at least section-wise within the support surface 22a and extend/extends at least section-wise through the support surface 22a. In particular, rotation axes 74a, 76a of the sealing rollers 66a, 68a of the longitudinal sealing unit 64a extend at least substantially perpendicularly to the support surface 22a. Preferably the forming unit 12a is arranged on a side 26a of the support surface 22a on which the products 24a can be transported and on which in particular the packaging material winding-off unit 54a and the packaging material feeding unit 58a are arranged. The form-guiding unit 18a is preferably arranged on a further side 28a of the support surface 22a, on which in particular the longitudinal sealing unit 64a is arranged at least largely, in particular by more than 50% of a maximum extent of the longitudinal sealing unit 64a, at least substantially parallel to the rotation axes 74a, 76a of the sealing rollers 66a, 68a. In particular, the form-guiding unit 18a may be at least section-wise coupled with the support surface 22a. In particular, the packaging material tube 16a extends at least section-wise through the support surface 22a, in particular to the further side 28a of the support surface 22a.

[0044] FIG. 3 shows a portion of the packaging machine 50a of FIG. 1 in a schematic perspective illustration. Preferentially the horizontal forming device 10a comprises at least one, in particular U-shaped, product and/or packaging material guiding tunnel 78a, which is configured to support the packaging material tube 16a. The product and/or packaging material guiding tunnel 78a is in particular arranged on the side 26a of the support surface 22a that faces toward the forming unit 12a, and is in particular fastened at the support surface 22a. The product and/or packaging material guiding tunnel 78a in particular extends along the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 18a from at least upstream of the forming unit 12a as far as the forming unit 12a, preferentially as far as the form-guiding unit 18a and particularly preferentially as far as the first pair of sealing rollers 66a of the longitudinal sealing unit 64a. Preferably the product and/or packaging material guiding tunnel 78a has a cross section that is at least substantially analogous to a cross section of products 24a that are to be packaged, in particular a cross section that is slightly larger than the products 24a that are to be packaged. In particular, the products 24a can be transported inside the product and/or packaging material guiding tunnel 78a. Preferably the forming unit 12a is configured to form the packaging material tube 16a at least section-wise around the product and/or packaging material tunnel 78a, in particular around outer edges of the product and/or packaging material guiding tunnel 78a. In particular, the product and/or packaging material guiding tunnel 78a is configured to support the packaging material tube 16a, in particular in addition to the form-guiding unit 18a. Alternatively it is conceivable that the horizontal forming device 10a and the packaging machine 50a are realized free of the product and/or packaging material guiding tunnel 78a.

[0045] FIG. 4 shows a portion of the horizontal forming device 10a of the packaging machine 50a of FIG. 1 in a further schematic perspective view. The forming unit 12a preferably comprises at least two form-contour edges 80a which extend, starting from the folding edge 72a, transversely to the folding edge 72a, in particular in a V-shape. In particular, the packaging material web 14a can be re-formed into the packaging material tube 16a around the form-contour edges 80a and the further folding edge 110a. Preferably the form-contour edges 80a extend along a running direction of the of the packaging material 46a and/or along an outer contour of the fed-in products 24a from the folding edge 72a to the further folding edge 110a, in particular as far as a forming tunnel 82a of the forming unit 12a, which is configured to guide the packaging material tube 16a along the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a. In particular, a longitudinal axis 84a of the forming tunnel 82a runs at least substantially parallel to the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a. Preferably the form-guiding unit 18a comprises at least one, in particular three-dimensional, form-guiding contour 86a, which is configured to support the guided packaging material tube 16a, in particular at least one outer edge of the packaging material tube 16a, in particular in order to implement maintenance of the homogeneous material tension. Preferably the form-guiding unit 18a comprises at least two form-guiding contours 86a, which are in particular arranged mirror-symmetrically around an imaginary symmetry plane extending at least substantially parallel to the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a and at least substantially perpendicularly to the folding edge 72a of the forming unit 12a, the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a in particular running in said symmetry plane. Preferably the form-guiding unit 18a is realized mirror-symmetrically, in particular around the imaginary symmetry plane. It is alternatively conceivable that the form-guiding unit 18a and/or the forming unit 12a are/is realized in an asymmetrical manner.

[0046] Preferentially the horizontal forming device 10a comprises at least one adjusting unit 30a, 32a which is configured, for an implementation of different packaging material tube geometries, to support the forming unit 12a and the form-guiding unit 18a in such a way that they are adjustable, in particular in different adjustment planes. Preferably the horizontal forming device 10a comprises at least two adjusting units 30a, 32a, one adjusting unit 30a being configured to support the forming unit 12a in an adjustable manner and a further adjusting unit 32a being configured to support the form-guiding unit 18a in an adjustable manner. In particular, different packaging material tube geometries may be required for packaging different products 24a. In particular, the packaging machine 50a is configured for packaging different products 24a, which in particular have different dimensions. In particular, different packaging material tube geometries may be required for a packaging of different products 24a having different maximum extents at least substantially perpendicularly to the support surface 22a, in particular different heights, and/or having different maximum extents at least substantially parallel to the support surface 22a and at least substantially perpendicularly to the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a, in particular different widths. In particular, a maximum extent of the packaging material tube 16a at least substantially perpendicularly to the support surface 22a, in particular a height of the packaging material tube 16a, and/or a maximum extent of the packaging material tube 16a at least substantially parallel to the support surface 22a and at least substantially perpendicularly to the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a, in particular a width of the packaging material tube 16a, are/is adjustable via an adjustment of the forming unit 12a and/or of the form-guiding unit 18a. It is in particular possible that the form-guiding unit 18a is adjustable via the further adjusting unit 32a for a correction of uneven tension conditions in the packaging material 46a.

[0047] Preferably the forming unit 12a is supported so as to be adjustable in at least one adjustment plane extending on the side 26a of the support surface 22a that faces toward the forming unit 12a. Preferably the form-guiding unit 18a is supported so as to be adjustable in at least one further adjustment plane extending on the further side 28a of the support surface 22a that faces toward the form-guiding unit 18a. In particular, the forming unit 12a and/or the form-guiding unit 18a are/is supported so as to be adjustable as an entire component or as an entire sub-assembly. In particular, the forming unit 12a and/or the form-guiding unit 18a are/is adjustable in themselves/itself, in particular individual components of the forming unit 12a and/or individual components of the form-guiding unit 18a are/is adjustable relative to one another.

[0048] Preferentially the at least one adjusting unit 30a, 32a, in particular the adjusting units 30a, 32a, are/is configured to support the forming unit 12a and the form-guiding unit 18a such that they are adjustable relative to each other. In particular, the adjusting units 30a, 32a are configured to support the forming unit 12a and the form-guiding unit 18a such that they are adjustable relative to each other respectively as an entire component or as an entire sub-assembly. Preferably the adjusting units 30a, 32a are configured to support the forming unit 12a and the form-guiding unit 18a in a linearly movable and/or pivotably movable manner. Preferably the adjusting unit 30a is configured, in particular for an adjustment of a height of the packaging material tube 16a, to support the forming unit 12a so as to be at least linearly movable along an adjustment direction 88a running at least substantially perpendicularly to the support surface 22a. In particular, the adjusting unit 30a comprises at least one linear guiding 90a, which is configured to support the forming unit 12a so as to be linearly movable along the adjustment direction 88a. In particular, the adjusting unit 30a comprises at least one further linear guiding 112a, which is configured to support the forming unit 12a so as to be linearly movable along a further adjustment direction 114a running at least substantially perpendicularly to the adjustment direction 88a and at least substantially parallel to the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a (cf. FIG. 3). Preferably the further adjusting unit 32a is configured to support the form-guiding unit 18a so as to be at least linearly movable along at least one adjustment direction 92a, 116a running at least substantially parallel to the support surface 22a, in particular transversely to the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a. Preferably the adjusting units 30a, 32a are realized as manual adjusting units for a manual adjustment of the forming unit 12a and the form-guiding unit 18a, in particular relative to each other. Alternatively or additionally it is conceivable that at least one of the adjusting units 30a, 32a comprises at least one automatic adjusting element, in particular a servomotor, which is configured for an automatic adjustment of the forming unit 12a and/or of the form-guiding unit 18a.

[0049] Preferentially the at least one adjusting unit 30a, 32a, in particular the adjusting units 30a, 32a, is/are configured to support at least two forming legs 34a, 36a of the forming unit 12a and/or of the form-guiding unit 18a such that they are adjustable relative to each other. Preferably the forming unit 12a comprises at least two forming legs 34a, which are supported in such a way that they are adjustable relative to each other, in particular in a linearly movable and/or pivotably movable manner. In particular, the forming legs 34a of the forming unit 12a are supported in such a way that they are adjustable relative to each other in an at least linearly movable manner, in particular along a direction running at least substantially parallel to the folding edge 72a, in particular to a folding edge running surface. In particular, the adjusting unit 30a comprises at least one transverse bearing element 94a, which is configured to support the forming legs 34a of the forming unit 12a relative to each other in an at least linearly movable manner. In particular, the forming legs 34a of the forming unit 12a together form the folding edge 72a, in particular the folding edge running surface. In particular, for an adjustment of a width of the packaging material tube 16a, the forming legs 34a of the forming unit 12a are in particular supported so as to be movable toward each other and away from each other, in particular along the direction running at least substantially parallel to the folding edge 72a. In particular, the forming legs 34a of the forming unit 12a together form the forming tunnel 82a of the forming unit 12a. In particular, respectively one forming leg 34a of the forming unit 12a in each case forms at least one form-contour edge 80a of the forming unit 12a. In particular in order to ensure different product widths, the adjusting unit 30a preferably comprises at least one intermediate element 96a, in particular a plurality of intermediate elements 96a, for filling a space between two forming legs 34a of the forming unit 12a which have been moved away from each other.

[0050] Preferably the form-guiding unit 18a comprises at least two forming legs 36a, which are supported in such a way that they are adjustable relative to each other, in particular in a linearly movable and/or pivotably movable manner. In particular, the further adjusting unit 32a, which is configured for an adjustable support of the form-guiding unit 18a, may in an alternative implementation be realized at least substantially analogously to the adjusting unit 30a that is configured for an adjustable support of the forming unit 12a. Preferably the forming legs 36a of the form-guiding unit 18a are supported such that they are adjustable relative to each other at least in a linearly movable manner. In particular, the further adjusting unit 32a is configured to support the forming legs 36a of the form-guiding unit 18a so as to be adjustable in a linearly movable manner along different adjustment directions 92a, 116a, which in particular run transversely to one another, in particular in order to ensure different product widths. Preferably the adjustment directions 92a, 116a run in a shared plane, which in particular extends at least substantially parallel to the support surface 22a, and in particular include identical angles with the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a. Alternatively or additionally the forming legs 36a of the form-guiding unit 18a may be supported adjustably relative to each other, in particular such that they are at least pivotably movable in particular in a pivoting plane extending at least substantially parallel to the support surface 22a, in particular for an adjustment of the width of the packaging material tube 16a. In particular, in an alternative implementation the forming legs 36a of the form-guiding unit 18a may be supported in a pivotably movable manner at an end region 98a of the forming legs 36a of the form-guiding unit 18a, which faces away from the forming unit 12a along the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a. Preferably, in an alternative implementation the end region 98a of the forming legs 36a of the form-guiding unit 18a may be realized, in particular mounted, separately from a remaining region of the form-guiding unit 18a, in particular separately from the remaining region along a separating cut 118a. In particular, respectively one forming leg 36a of the form-guiding unit 18a in each case forms at least one form-guiding contour 86a of the form-guiding unit 18a. Preferably the forming legs 36a of the form-guiding unit 18a are arranged, in particular supported, mirror-symmetrically around the imaginary symmetry plane.

[0051] Preferentially the forming legs 36a of the form-guiding unit 18a form a guiding region 40a, which tapers in a V-shape in the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a and which is configured to bring seam regions of the packaging material tube 16a together, which are to be sealed with each other. In particular, the guiding region 40a is configured to bring longitudinal sealing seam regions of the packaging material tube 16a together, which are to be sealed with each other. In particular, the forming legs 36a of the form-guiding unit 18a have, in an end region 100a facing toward the forming unit 12a, a greater distance from each other along a direction running at least substantially parallel to the support surface 22a and at least substantially perpendicularly to the transport direction 38a of the packaging material tube 16a than in the end region 98a that faces away from the forming unit 12a. The seam regions of the packaging material tube 16a are in particular regions in which the packaging material 46a, in particular the packaging paper, is sealed, in particular for the purpose of creating a sealing seam. In particular, the guiding region 40a is configured to bring the seam regions together in such a way that for a sealing the seam regions can be transported, adjoining each other, between and through respectively two sealing rollers 66a, 68a of the pairs of sealing rollers 66a, 68a. Preferably, in the end region 98a facing away from the forming unit 18a, the guiding region 40a ends in a supporting contour 102a that is formed by the forming legs 36a of the form-guiding unit 18a and is configured, in particular during a further transport as far as the longitudinal sealing unit 64a, to support the packaging material tube 16a, in particular the seam regions which have been brought together.

[0052] In FIGS. 5 to 7 three further exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The following descriptions and the drawings are limited essentially to the differences between the exemplary embodiments, wherein regarding components having the same denomination, in particular regarding components having the same reference numerals, principally the drawings and/or the description of the other exemplary embodiments, in particular of FIGS. 1 to 4, may be referred to. In order to distinguish between the exemplary embodiments, the letter a has been added to the reference numerals of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4. In the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 5 to 7 the letter a has been substituted by the letters b to d.

[0053] FIG. 5 shows a portion of a first alternative horizontal forming device 10b in a schematic perspective view. The horizontal forming device 10b in particular comprises at least one forming unit 12b and at least one form-guiding unit 18b. Preferentially the horizontal forming device 10b comprises at least one heating unit 42b, which is configured for heating the forming unit 12b and/or the form-guiding unit 18b at least section-wise, in particular for a heat input into a seam region, in particular a seam region of a packaging material. In particular, the heating unit 42b is configured to enable a heat input upstream of a sealing, in particular a longitudinal sealing, of the packaging material, in particular of a packaging paper, into the packaging material, in particular into the packaging paper. Alternatively or additionally it is conceivable that the heating unit 42b is configured - in particular as an alternative to a sealing by a longitudinal sealing unit of a packaging machine - for sealing the packaging material, in particular the packaging paper, in particular at the form-guiding unit 18b, and/or to ensure an increased heat input, in particular in a region of a supporting contour 102b of the form-guiding unit 18b. The heating unit 42b may in particular be embodied as a heating coil, as a heating cartridge, as a heating panel, as a thick-film heating element or as a different heating unit deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art. Preferably the heating unit 42b is arranged at the forming unit 12b and/or at the form-guiding unit 18b, and is in particular in a direct contact with the forming unit 12b and/or the form-guiding unit 18b. In particular, the horizontal forming device 10b may comprise a plurality of heating units 42b, wherein in each case at least one respective heating unit 42b may be assigned to the forming unit 12b and at least one respective heating unit 42b may be assigned to the form-guiding unit 18b. In particular, the heating unit 42b is arranged on a side of the forming unit 12b and/or of the form-guiding unit 18b that faces away from a contact surface 104b with the packaging material, in particular the packaging paper. In the present exemplary embodiment the horizontal forming device 10b exemplarily comprises a single heating unit 42b, which is arranged at the forming unit 12b, in particular on the side of the forming unit 12b facing away from the contact surface 104b with the packaging material, and which is in particular in a direct contact with the forming unit 12b. In addition, a heating is conceivable which is arranged parallel to a surface 120b of the forming unit 12b, and is in particular spaced apart from the form-guiding unit 18b, and which heats the packaging material on an inner side.

[0054] In particular, the forming unit 12b and/or the form-guiding unit 18b, in the present exemplary embodiment by way of example the forming unit 12b, are/is configured to transfer thermal energy received from the heating unit 42b to the packaging material, in particular the packaging paper. In particular, the forming unit 12b, in particular the forming legs 34b of the forming unit 12b, and/or the form-guiding unit 18b, in particular the forming legs 36b of the form-guiding unit 18b, in the present exemplary embodiment exemplarily at least the forming unit 12b, are/is formed of a thermally conductive material, in particular of a metal. In particular, the forming unit 12b and/or the form-guiding unit 18b, in the present exemplary embodiment exemplarily the forming unit 12b, are/is configured, at the contact surface 104b with the packaging material, in particular the packaging paper, to transfer a thermal energy provided by the heating unit 42b to the packaging material, in particular in the seam regions. In particular, at least one sealing layer of the packaging paper can be activated by a heat input into the seam regions.

[0055] FIG. 6 shows a portion of a second alternative horizontal forming device 10c in a schematic perspective view. The horizontal forming device 10c in particular comprises at least one forming unit 12c and at least one form-guiding unit 18c. Preferentially the horizontal forming device 10c comprises at least one air pressure unit 44c which is configured, at the forming unit 12c and/or at the form-guiding unit 18c, to exert a negative pressure and/or a positive pressure onto a packaging material. In the present exemplary embodiment, the horizontal forming device 10c comprises by way of example two air pressure units 44c, wherein respectively one of the air pressure units 44c is configured to exert a negative pressure and/or a positive pressure at a respective forming leg 36c of the forming unit 12c. The air pressure units 44c may be realized in particular as a blower, as a suction device, or as other air pressure units deemed expedient by someone skilled in the art. In particular, in an alternative implementation the horizontal forming device 10c may comprise a plurality of air pressure units 44c, wherein in each case at least one air pressure unit 44c may be assigned to the forming unit 12c and in each case at least one further air pressure unit 44c may be assigned to the form-guiding unit 18c. In particular, the air pressure units 44c are arranged on a side of the forming unit 12c and/or of the form-guiding unit 18c, in the present exemplary embodiment exemplarily of the form-guiding unit 18c, that faces away from a contact surface 106c with the packaging material, in particular the packaging paper. Preferentially, the forming unit 12c, in particular the forming legs 34c of the forming unit 12c, and/or the form-guiding unit 18c, in particular the forming legs 36c of the form-guiding unit 18c, in the present exemplary embodiment exemplarily the form-guiding unit 18c, are/is implemented so as to be at least section-wise perforated, in particular implemented of a porous material. In particular, the forming legs 36c of the form-guiding unit 18c have a perforation 108c. In particular, air of an airflow generated by the air pressure units 44c can flow at least section-wise through the forming unit 12c and/or the form-guiding unit 18c, in the present exemplarily embodiment exemplarily through the form-guiding unit 18c. Preferably the air pressure units 44c are configured to generate a negative pressure for suctioning the packaging paper to the forming unit 12c and/or to the form-guiding unit 18c, in the present exemplary embodiment exemplarily to the form-guiding unit 18c, in particular for an implementation of a low-wrinkle adjoining of the packaging paper at the forming unit 12c and/or at the form-guiding unit 18c, in the present exemplary embodiment exemplarily at the form-guiding unit 18c. Preferably the air pressure units 44c are configured to generate a positive pressure for the purpose of forming an air cushion at the forming unit 12c and/or at the form-guiding unit 18c, in the present exemplary embodiment by way of example at the form-guiding unit 18c, in particular for the purpose of realizing a low-friction transport of the packaging paper along the forming unit 12c and/or the form-guiding unit 18c, in the present exemplary embodiment by way of example along the form-guiding unit 18c. Preferentially the air pressure units 44c are switchable between a generation of a negative pressure and a generation of a positive pressure, in particular depending on an application situation, for example depending on a packaging material used.

[0056] FIG. 7 shows a portion of a third alternative horizontal forming device 10d in a schematic perspective view. The horizontal forming device 10d comprises at least one forming unit 12d and at least one form-guiding unit 18d. Preferentially the horizontal forming device 10d comprises at least one driven contact pressure unit 48d, in particular a contact pressure roller, which is configured to subject a packaging material to a contact pressure force against the form-guiding unit 18c. Preferably the horizontal forming device 10d comprises the at least one driven contact pressure unit 48d alternatively or additionally, in the present exemplary embodiment by way of example alternatively, to an air pressure unit assigned to the form-guiding unit 18d. Preferably the horizontal forming device 10d comprises at least two driven contact pressure units 48d, wherein in each case at least one driven contact pressure unit 48d is assigned to a respective forming leg 36d of the form-guiding unit 18d, and is in particular configured to subject the packaging material to a contact pressure force against the forming leg 36d. It is in addition conceivable that the horizontal forming device 10d comprises at least one additional driven contact pressure unit 48d, in particular an additional contact pressure roller, which is configured to subject the packaging material to a contact pressure force against the forming unit 12d. Preferably the driven contact pressure units 48d are realized as contact pressure rollers which are driven to execute rotation movements, in particular for a transport of a packaging material tube along a transport direction 38d of the packaging material tube. In particular, the driven contact pressure units 48d are configured to guide the packaging material tube between the driven contact pressure units 48d and the form-guiding unit 18d, in particular the forming legs 36d of the form-guiding unit 18d.