WO2005019036A1 - Method and device for packaging products and array of packaged products - Google Patents

Method and device for packaging products and array of packaged products Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2005019036A1
WO2005019036A1 PCT/EP2004/051843 EP2004051843W WO2005019036A1 WO 2005019036 A1 WO2005019036 A1 WO 2005019036A1 EP 2004051843 W EP2004051843 W EP 2004051843W WO 2005019036 A1 WO2005019036 A1 WO 2005019036A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
products
sheet
shaping
sheets
transport direction
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2004/051843
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Marinus Johannes Henricus Maria Van Den Elzen
Albertus Cornelis Hendrikus Van Liempd
Original Assignee
Mars Incorporated
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mars Incorporated filed Critical Mars Incorporated
Priority to AU2004266854A priority Critical patent/AU2004266854B2/en
Priority to JP2006523638A priority patent/JP2007502754A/en
Priority to CN200480023695XA priority patent/CN1845850B/en
Priority to AT04766543T priority patent/ATE518756T1/en
Priority to US10/568,600 priority patent/US8590279B2/en
Priority to EP04766543A priority patent/EP1667910B1/en
Priority to CA2535621A priority patent/CA2535621C/en
Publication of WO2005019036A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005019036A1/en
Priority to US14/060,103 priority patent/US10259601B2/en
Priority to US16/289,028 priority patent/US11072445B2/en

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B5/00Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
    • B65B5/02Machines characterised by incorporation of means for making the containers or receptacles
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B9/00Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/02Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs
    • B65B9/04Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs one or both webs being formed with pockets for the reception of the articles, or of the quantities of material
    • B65B9/045Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs one or both webs being formed with pockets for the reception of the articles, or of the quantities of material for single articles, e.g. tablets
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B25/00Packaging other articles presenting special problems
    • B65B25/005Packaging other articles presenting special problems packaging of confectionery
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B35/00Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B65B35/10Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B51/00Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
    • B65B51/10Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof
    • B65B51/22Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof by friction or ultrasonic or high-frequency electrical means, i.e. by friction or ultrasonic or induction welding
    • B65B51/225Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof by friction or ultrasonic or high-frequency electrical means, i.e. by friction or ultrasonic or induction welding by ultrasonic welding

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for packaging products, such as candies, in a removable enclosure, wherein the products are positioned on a first sheet which is continuously moved in a transport direction, wherein the products are covered by a second sheet which is continuously moved in the same transport direction and which is aligned substantially plane-parallel to the first sheet, and wherein the first and second sheets are sealed together near the outer edges of the individual products or grouped products by a sealing device.
  • Such a method is used for providing a bandoleer of individually packaged products or of products that are grouped together in one sealed envelope, wherein the envelopes can be separated from each other at a later stage.
  • the invention aims at an improved method, wherein products can be wrapped efficiently at a fast speed, wherein the packaging device can be easily adapted for differently sized products, wherein as little packaging material as possible is used, and/or wherein brittle products can be wrapped with as little damage possible.
  • the sealing device comprises sealing ribs extending substantially transversely to the transport direction on one side of the moving sheets, wherein said sealing ribs are being moved at the same speed as the sheets and the sealing ribs seal the first and second sheets together in between the moving products.
  • the sheets can move continuously, without the need to interrupt the movement for sealing the sheets together.
  • the sealing device comprises a rotating frame, the rotation axis of said frame extending transversely to the transport direction, wherein said sealing ribs extend from a coaxial cylindrical surface of said frame.
  • At least one of said sheets is preferably pre-shaped to fit at least partially around the products before the film comes into contact with the products .
  • Said pre-shaping action is preferably performed by a pre-shaping device comprising a first rotating shaping frame on one side of the moving sheet and a second rotating shaping shape on the opposite side of the moving sheet, the rotation axes of both frames extending transversely to the transport direction of the sheet, wherein said frames comprise co-operating protruding shaping ribs extending substantially transversely to the transport direction, wherein the shaping ribs of both frames move between each other, and wherein said shaping ribs are being moved at the same speed as the pre-shaped sheet.
  • the first pre- shaping frame is positioned such that it guides the pre- shaped film towards the other moving sheet while including the products.
  • the first pre-shaping frame is the same frame as the rotating frame of the sealing device, and the shaping ribs on said frame are said sealing ribs .
  • the described method is particularly advantageous when the products have an elongated form and are positioned transversely on the first moving sheet.
  • the sealing ribs comprise ultrasonic welding means.
  • the sealed areas between the products are perforated or scored, such that the packaged products stay attached to each other, but can be easily separated.
  • the invention also relates to a device for packaging products, such as candies, comprising first transport means for continuously moving a first sheet in a transport direction, positioning means for positioning the products on the first sheet, second transport means for continuously moving a second sheet in the same transport direction in alignment substantially plane-parallel to the first sheet while covering the products, and a sealing device for sealing the first and second sheets together near the outer edges of the individual products, wherein the sealing device comprises protruding sealing ribs extending substantially transversely to the transport direction, and said sealing device further comprises synchronizing means for moving said sealing ribs at the same speed as the sheets while sealing the first and second sheets together in between the moving products .
  • the invention relates to a method for packaging products, such as candies, wherein the products are positioned on a first sheet which is continuously moved in a transport direction, wherein the products are covered by a second sheet which is continuously moved in the same transport direction and which is aligned substantially plane- parallel to the first sheet, and wherein the first and second sheets are sealed together near the outer edges of the individual products by a sealing device, wherein at least one of said sheets is pre-shaped by a pre-shaping device to fit at least partially around the products before the sheet comes into contact with the products, wherein said pre-shaping device comprises a first rotating shaping frame on one side of the moving sheet and a second rotating shaping frame on the opposite side of the moving sheet, the rotation axes of both drums extending transversely to the transport direction of the sheet, wherein said frames comprise co-operating protruding shaping ribs extending substantially transversely to the transport direction, wherein the shaping ribs of both frames move between each other, and wherein said shaping ribs are being moved at
  • the invention also relates to a device for packaging products, such as candies, comprising first transport means for continuously moving a first sheet in a transport direction, positioning means for positioning the products on the first sheet, second transport means for continuously moving a second sheet in the same transport direction in alignment substantially plane-parallel to the first sheet while covering the products, a sealing device for sealing the first and second sheets together near the outer edges of the individual products, and a pre-shaping device for pre-shaping at least one of said sheets to fit at least partially around the products before the sheet comes into contact with the products, wherein said pre-shaping device comprises cooperating protruding shaping ribs extending substantially transversely to the transport direction, wherein the shaping ribs of both drums are movable between each other, and said pre-shaping device further comprises synchronizing means for moving said shaping ribs at the same speed as the pre-shaped sheet.
  • the invention relates to an array of packaged products, such as candies, comprising two sheets which are sealed together and enclose said products or groups of products, wherein the sealed areas between the products are weakened, for instance by scores of perforations, such that the packaged products can be easily separated, wherein one of said sheets is a substantially flat relatively rigid board or film and the other sheet is a relatively flexible foil shaped to fit at least partially around the products.
  • one of said sheets is a substantially flat relatively rigid board or film and the other sheet is a relatively flexible foil shaped to fit at least partially around the products.
  • the sides of the sealed sheets extending from the outer ends of the products are bend, upwards or downwards, in order to give the array rigidity in its longitudinal direction. In this manner a very efficiently packaged product is obtained.
  • the extending sides of the sealed sheets can be given such a length that they can be bend further, over the packaged products and be sealed together, such that the rigid board forms a protective tubular box.
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a packaging device
  • Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of a detail of the packaging device of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 shows a further schematic side view of a detail of the packaging device of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of an array of packaged products .
  • the packaging device has a first roll of card board 1 having a plastic coating on at least one side and a second roll of plastic film 2.
  • the elongated candy bars 3 are placed transversely on a first endless conveyor 4.
  • a separation device 5 has a barrier which moves up and down at regular intervals for spacing the candy bars 3 a pre-defined distance apart.
  • the second conveyor 6, the third conveyor 7, the fourth conveyor 8, the fifth conveyor 9, as well as the card board 1 all move at the same speed, which is larger than the speed of conveyor 4 in order to accommodate the larger mutual distance of the candy bars .
  • the plastic film 2 is led between a co-operating rotating shaping drums 10, 11. Both drums 10, 11 have protruding shaping ribs 12, 13 which during rotation are moved between each other like a gear unit, thereby corrugating the plastic film 2 into the desired shape.
  • the drum 10 has flexible suction cups 14 between its ribs 12 which hold the pre-shaped film by a vacuum action force.
  • the pre-shaped film 2 is placed on top of the moving candy bars 3 by the drum 10 while they are at the same time being transferred by the conveyor 6 onto the coated side of moving cardboard 1. In this manner the candy bars 3 are enclosed in the cardboard 1 and the pre-shaped plastic film 2.
  • the ribs 12 When the ribs 12 are at their lowest point 2 they push the plastic film 2 onto the cardboard 1, where the plastic film 2 is welded on the coated side of cardboard 1 by a first ultrasonic welding device 22, which co-operate with ultrasonic welding means present in the sealing ribs 12.
  • a series of interconnected tubes is formed, each tube comprising a candy bar.
  • By changing the opening time of the separation device 5 also two or more candy bars 3 can be grouped together and enclosed in a single tube thereby.
  • the transverse seals between the candy bars 3 are perforated or scored by a rotating drum 24 having scoring or perforating ribs 15.
  • the ends of the film 1 which extend from the sides of the candy bars 3 are pushed down by two further ultrasonic sealing devices 16 and sealed to the cardboard 1, whereby the candy bars 3 are enclosed inside the cardboard and plastic film in an airtight manner.
  • the candy bars 3 form an endless array of interconnected packaged products .
  • the separation drum 17 separates the products into arrays 19 of for instance six candy bars each by means of cutting ribs 18.
  • the array 19 of candy bars 3 as shown in Figure 4 thereby has a cardboard layer 1 on the bottom side and a shaped plastic film layer 2 on the top side which is sealed onto the cardboard layer 1 in between the candy bars 3.
  • These transverse seals have scores or perforations 20 so that individual products can be easily torn off, without breaking the seal.
  • Both sealed longitudinal sides 21 of the package are folded upwards, giving the array 19 such rigidity that it can subsequently be treated as a box.
  • the array 19 can be shipped to and exposed in shops, and sold to the public, without the need to enclose it in a further layer of plastic, as is the case with prior art packaging methods of candy bars .

Abstract

A method for packaging products (3), such as candies, wherein the products are positioned on a first sheet (1) which is continuously moved in a transport direction, wherein the products are covered by a second sheet (2) which is continuously moved in the same transport direction and which is aligned substantially plane-parallel to the first sheet, and wherein the first and second sheets are sealed together near the outer edges of the individual products or grouped products by a sealing device (22), wherein the sealing device comprises sealing ribs (12) extending substantially transversely to the transport direction on one side of the moving sheets, wherein said sealing ribs (12) are being moved at the same speed as the sheets and the sealing ribs seal the first and second sheets together in between the moving products.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PACKAGING PRODUCTS AND ARRAY OP PACKAGED PRODUCTS
The invention relates to a method for packaging products, such as candies, in a removable enclosure, wherein the products are positioned on a first sheet which is continuously moved in a transport direction, wherein the products are covered by a second sheet which is continuously moved in the same transport direction and which is aligned substantially plane-parallel to the first sheet, and wherein the first and second sheets are sealed together near the outer edges of the individual products or grouped products by a sealing device.
Such a method is used for providing a bandoleer of individually packaged products or of products that are grouped together in one sealed envelope, wherein the envelopes can be separated from each other at a later stage. The invention aims at an improved method, wherein products can be wrapped efficiently at a fast speed, wherein the packaging device can be easily adapted for differently sized products, wherein as little packaging material as possible is used, and/or wherein brittle products can be wrapped with as little damage possible.
To that end the sealing device comprises sealing ribs extending substantially transversely to the transport direction on one side of the moving sheets, wherein said sealing ribs are being moved at the same speed as the sheets and the sealing ribs seal the first and second sheets together in between the moving products. Thereby the sheets can move continuously, without the need to interrupt the movement for sealing the sheets together. Preferably the sealing device comprises a rotating frame, the rotation axis of said frame extending transversely to the transport direction, wherein said sealing ribs extend from a coaxial cylindrical surface of said frame.
In order to prevent damage to the products, in particular if the products have a substantial height, at least one of said sheets is preferably pre-shaped to fit at least partially around the products before the film comes into contact with the products . Said pre-shaping action is preferably performed by a pre-shaping device comprising a first rotating shaping frame on one side of the moving sheet and a second rotating shaping shape on the opposite side of the moving sheet, the rotation axes of both frames extending transversely to the transport direction of the sheet, wherein said frames comprise co-operating protruding shaping ribs extending substantially transversely to the transport direction, wherein the shaping ribs of both frames move between each other, and wherein said shaping ribs are being moved at the same speed as the pre-shaped sheet. Preferably the first pre- shaping frame is positioned such that it guides the pre- shaped film towards the other moving sheet while including the products. Preferably the first pre-shaping frame is the same frame as the rotating frame of the sealing device, and the shaping ribs on said frame are said sealing ribs .
The described method is particularly advantageous when the products have an elongated form and are positioned transversely on the first moving sheet. Preferably the sealing ribs comprise ultrasonic welding means. Preferably the sealed areas between the products are perforated or scored, such that the packaged products stay attached to each other, but can be easily separated.
The invention also relates to a device for packaging products, such as candies, comprising first transport means for continuously moving a first sheet in a transport direction, positioning means for positioning the products on the first sheet, second transport means for continuously moving a second sheet in the same transport direction in alignment substantially plane-parallel to the first sheet while covering the products, and a sealing device for sealing the first and second sheets together near the outer edges of the individual products, wherein the sealing device comprises protruding sealing ribs extending substantially transversely to the transport direction, and said sealing device further comprises synchronizing means for moving said sealing ribs at the same speed as the sheets while sealing the first and second sheets together in between the moving products .
Furthermore the invention relates to a method for packaging products, such as candies, wherein the products are positioned on a first sheet which is continuously moved in a transport direction, wherein the products are covered by a second sheet which is continuously moved in the same transport direction and which is aligned substantially plane- parallel to the first sheet, and wherein the first and second sheets are sealed together near the outer edges of the individual products by a sealing device, wherein at least one of said sheets is pre-shaped by a pre-shaping device to fit at least partially around the products before the sheet comes into contact with the products, wherein said pre-shaping device comprises a first rotating shaping frame on one side of the moving sheet and a second rotating shaping frame on the opposite side of the moving sheet, the rotation axes of both drums extending transversely to the transport direction of the sheet, wherein said frames comprise co-operating protruding shaping ribs extending substantially transversely to the transport direction, wherein the shaping ribs of both frames move between each other, and wherein said shaping ribs are being moved at the same speed as the pre-shaped sheet.
The invention also relates to a device for packaging products, such as candies, comprising first transport means for continuously moving a first sheet in a transport direction, positioning means for positioning the products on the first sheet, second transport means for continuously moving a second sheet in the same transport direction in alignment substantially plane-parallel to the first sheet while covering the products, a sealing device for sealing the first and second sheets together near the outer edges of the individual products, and a pre-shaping device for pre-shaping at least one of said sheets to fit at least partially around the products before the sheet comes into contact with the products, wherein said pre-shaping device comprises cooperating protruding shaping ribs extending substantially transversely to the transport direction, wherein the shaping ribs of both drums are movable between each other, and said pre-shaping device further comprises synchronizing means for moving said shaping ribs at the same speed as the pre-shaped sheet.
Further the invention relates to an array of packaged products, such as candies, comprising two sheets which are sealed together and enclose said products or groups of products, wherein the sealed areas between the products are weakened, for instance by scores of perforations, such that the packaged products can be easily separated, wherein one of said sheets is a substantially flat relatively rigid board or film and the other sheet is a relatively flexible foil shaped to fit at least partially around the products. Preferably the sides of the sealed sheets extending from the outer ends of the products are bend, upwards or downwards, in order to give the array rigidity in its longitudinal direction. In this manner a very efficiently packaged product is obtained. The extending sides of the sealed sheets can be given such a length that they can be bend further, over the packaged products and be sealed together, such that the rigid board forms a protective tubular box.
The invention will be illustrated with reference to the drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a packaging device;
Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of a detail of the packaging device of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 shows a further schematic side view of a detail of the packaging device of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of an array of packaged products .
With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 the packaging device has a first roll of card board 1 having a plastic coating on at least one side and a second roll of plastic film 2. The elongated candy bars 3 are placed transversely on a first endless conveyor 4. A separation device 5 has a barrier which moves up and down at regular intervals for spacing the candy bars 3 a pre-defined distance apart.
The second conveyor 6, the third conveyor 7, the fourth conveyor 8, the fifth conveyor 9, as well as the card board 1 all move at the same speed, which is larger than the speed of conveyor 4 in order to accommodate the larger mutual distance of the candy bars .
The plastic film 2 is led between a co-operating rotating shaping drums 10, 11. Both drums 10, 11 have protruding shaping ribs 12, 13 which during rotation are moved between each other like a gear unit, thereby corrugating the plastic film 2 into the desired shape. The drum 10 has flexible suction cups 14 between its ribs 12 which hold the pre-shaped film by a vacuum action force.
The pre-shaped film 2 is placed on top of the moving candy bars 3 by the drum 10 while they are at the same time being transferred by the conveyor 6 onto the coated side of moving cardboard 1. In this manner the candy bars 3 are enclosed in the cardboard 1 and the pre-shaped plastic film 2. When the ribs 12 are at their lowest point 2 they push the plastic film 2 onto the cardboard 1, where the plastic film 2 is welded on the coated side of cardboard 1 by a first ultrasonic welding device 22, which co-operate with ultrasonic welding means present in the sealing ribs 12. In this manner a series of interconnected tubes is formed, each tube comprising a candy bar. By changing the opening time of the separation device 5 also two or more candy bars 3 can be grouped together and enclosed in a single tube thereby. Subsequently the transverse seals between the candy bars 3 are perforated or scored by a rotating drum 24 having scoring or perforating ribs 15. Then the ends of the film 1 which extend from the sides of the candy bars 3 are pushed down by two further ultrasonic sealing devices 16 and sealed to the cardboard 1, whereby the candy bars 3 are enclosed inside the cardboard and plastic film in an airtight manner. At this stage the candy bars 3 form an endless array of interconnected packaged products . The separation drum 17 separates the products into arrays 19 of for instance six candy bars each by means of cutting ribs 18.
The array 19 of candy bars 3 as shown in Figure 4 thereby has a cardboard layer 1 on the bottom side and a shaped plastic film layer 2 on the top side which is sealed onto the cardboard layer 1 in between the candy bars 3. These transverse seals have scores or perforations 20 so that individual products can be easily torn off, without breaking the seal. Both sealed longitudinal sides 21 of the package are folded upwards, giving the array 19 such rigidity that it can subsequently be treated as a box. The array 19 can be shipped to and exposed in shops, and sold to the public, without the need to enclose it in a further layer of plastic, as is the case with prior art packaging methods of candy bars .

Claims

1. A method for packaging products (3), such as candies, in a removable enclosure, wherein the products (3) are positioned on a first sheet (1) which is continuously moved in a transport direction, wherein the products (3) are covered by a second sheet (2) which is continuously moved in the same transport direction and which is aligned substantially plane- parallel to the first sheet (1) , and wherein the first and second sheets (1,2) are sealed together near the outer edges of the individual products (3) or grouped products by a sealing device (10, 22, 16) , characterised in that the sealing device comprises sealing ribs (12) extending substantially transversely to the transport direction on one side of the moving sheets (1, 2) , wherein said sealing ribs (12) are being moved at the same speed as the sheets (1, 2) and the sealing ribs (12) seal the first and second sheets (1, 2) together in between the moving products (3) .
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sealing device (10, 22, 16) comprises a rotating frame (10), the rotation axis of said frame (10) extending transversely to the transport direction, wherein said sealing ribs (12) extend from a coaxial cylindrical surface of said frame (10) .
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said sheets (2) is pre-shaped to fit at least partially around the products (3) before the sheet (2) comes into contact with the products (3) .
4. A method according to claim 2, wherein said pre- shaping action is performed by a pre-shaping device (10, 11) comprising a first rotating shaping frame (10) on one side of the moving sheet (2) and a second rotating shaping frame (11) on the opposite side of the moving sheet (2) , the rotation axes of both frames (10, 11) extending transversely to the transport direction of the sheet (2) , wherein said frames (10, 11) comprise co-operating protruding shaping ribs (12, 13) extending substantially transversely to the transport direction, wherein the shaping ribs (12, 13) of both frames (10, 11) move between each other, and wherein said shaping ribs (12, 13) are being moved at the same speed as the pre-shaped sheet (2) .
5. A method according to claim 3, wherein the first pre- shaping frame (10) is positioned such that it guides the pre-shaped film (2) towards the other moving sheet (1) while including the products (3) .
6. A method according to any of the preceding claims 1 - 4, wherein the products (3) have an elongated form and are positioned transversely on the first moving sheet (1) .
7. A method according to any of the preceding claims 1 - 5, wherein the sealing ribs (12) comprise ultrasonic welding means .
8. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sealed areas between the products (3) are perforated or scored, such that the packaged products (3) stay attached to each other, but can be easily separated.
9. A device for packaging products (3) , such as candies, comprising first transport means (8) for continuously moving a first sheet (1) in a transport direction, positioning means (4, 5, 6) for positioning the products (3) on the first sheet (1) , second transport means (10) for continuously moving a second sheet (2) in the same transport direction in alignment substantially plane-parallel to the first sheet (1) while covering the products (3), and a sealing device (10, 22, 16) for sealing the first and second sheets (1, 2) together near the outer edges of the individual or grouped products (3) , characterised in that the sealing device (10, 22,16) comprises protruding sealing ribs (12) extending substantially transversely to the transport direction, and said sealing device (10, 22, 16) further comprises synchronizing means for moving said sealing ribs (12) at the same speed as the sheets (1, 2) while sealing the first and second sheets (1, 2) together in between the moving products (3) .
10. A method for packaging products (3), such as candies, wherein the products (3) are positioned on a first sheet (1) which is continuously moved in a transport direction, wherein the products (3) are covered by a second sheet (2) which is continuously moved in the same transport direction and which is aligned substantially plane-parallel to the first sheet (1) , and wherein the first and second sheets (1, 2) are sealed together near the outer edges of the individual grouped products (3) by a sealing device (10, 22, 16), wherein at least one of said sheets (2) is pre-shaped by a pre-shaping device (10, 11) to fit at least partially around the products (30) before the sheet (2) comes into contact with the products (3) , characterised in that said pre-shaping device (10, 11) comprises a first rotating shaping frame (10) on one side of the moving sheet (2) and a second rotating shaping frame (11) on the opposite side of the moving sheet (2) , the rotation axes of both frames extending transversely to the transport direction of the sheet (2) , wherein said frames comprise co-operating protruding shaping ribs (12, 13) extending substantially transversely to the transport direction, wherein the shaping ribs (12, 13) of both frames (10, 11) move between each other, and wherein said shaping ribs (12, 13) are being moved at the same speed as the pre-shaped sheet (2) .
11. A device for packaging products (3), such as candies, comprising first transport means (8) for continuously moving a first sheet (1) in a transport direction, positioning means (4, 5, 6) for positioning the products (3) on the first sheet (1) , second transport means (10) for continuously moving a second sheet (2) in the same transport direction in alignment substantially plane-parallel to the first sheet (1) while covering the products (3) , a sealing device (10, 22, 16) for sealing the first and second sheets (1, 2) together near the outer edges of the individual or grouped products (3) , and a pre-shaping device (10, 11) for pre-shaping at least one of said sheets (2) to fit at least partially around the products (3) before the sheet comes into contact with the products (3) , characterised in that said pre- shaping device (10, 11) comprises a first rotating shaping frame (10) on one side of the moving sheet (2) and a second rotating shaping frame (11) on the opposite side of the moving sheet (2) , the rotation axes of both frames (10, 11) extending transversely to the transport direction of the sheet (2) , wherein said frames (10, 11) comprise co-operating protruding shaping ribs (12, 13) extending substantially transversely to the transport direction, wherein the shaping ribs (12, 13) of both frames are movable between each other, and said pre-shaping device (10, 11) further comprises synchronizing means for moving said shaping ribs (12, 13) at the same speed as the pre-shaped sheet (2) .
12. An array (19) of packaged products (3), such as candies, comprising two sheets (1, 2) which are sealed together and enclose said products (3) or groups of products, wherein the sealed areas between the products (3) are weakened, such that the packaged products (3) can be easily separated, characterised in that one of said sheets (1) is a substantially flat relatively rigid board or film and the other sheet (2) is a relatively flexible foil shaped to fit at least partially around the products (3) .
13. An array (19) of products (3) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the products (3) have an elongated form and are positioned transversely with respect to the sheets (1, 2) .
4. An array (19) of products according to claim 13, wherein the sides of the sealed sheets (1, 2) extending from the outer ends of the products (3) are bend in order to give the array (19) rigidity in its longitudinal direction.
PCT/EP2004/051843 2003-08-20 2004-08-19 Method and device for packaging products and array of packaged products WO2005019036A1 (en)

Priority Applications (9)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2004266854A AU2004266854B2 (en) 2003-08-20 2004-08-19 Method and device for packaging products and array of packaged products
JP2006523638A JP2007502754A (en) 2003-08-20 2004-08-19 Method and apparatus for packaging products and array of packaging products
CN200480023695XA CN1845850B (en) 2003-08-20 2004-08-19 Method and device for packaging products and array of packaged products
AT04766543T ATE518756T1 (en) 2003-08-20 2004-08-19 METHOD OF PACKAGING PRODUCTS
US10/568,600 US8590279B2 (en) 2003-08-20 2004-08-19 Method and device for packaging products and array of packaged products
EP04766543A EP1667910B1 (en) 2003-08-20 2004-08-19 Method for packaging products
CA2535621A CA2535621C (en) 2003-08-20 2004-08-19 Method and device for packaging products and array of packaged products
US14/060,103 US10259601B2 (en) 2003-08-20 2013-10-22 Method and device for packaging products and array of packaged products
US16/289,028 US11072445B2 (en) 2003-08-20 2019-02-28 Device for packaging products and array of packaged products

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US8590279B2 (en) 2013-11-26
US20070095714A1 (en) 2007-05-03
CA2535621A1 (en) 2005-03-03
AU2004266854B2 (en) 2011-05-12
US20140041342A1 (en) 2014-02-13
JP2007502754A (en) 2007-02-15
EP1667910A1 (en) 2006-06-14
AU2004266854A1 (en) 2005-03-03
CN1845850B (en) 2012-11-14
US10259601B2 (en) 2019-04-16
US11072445B2 (en) 2021-07-27
CN1845850A (en) 2006-10-11
CA2535621C (en) 2011-09-13
RU2006108242A (en) 2006-08-10
EP1508519A1 (en) 2005-02-23
EP1667910B1 (en) 2011-08-03
RU2379218C2 (en) 2010-01-20
ATE518756T1 (en) 2011-08-15

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