METHOD FOR PACKAGING AN OBJECT IN A PAPER BAG, AND PAPER BAG

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for packaging an object in a paper sack which has a first open end and a second closed end opposite the first end, said ends being spaced apart from each other by a length L of the paper sack, the method comprising the following steps: arranging the paper sack on a filler neck of a filler device, inserting the object into the open end of the paper sack until the object is in contact with the closed end, inserting the object further into the paper sack, so that the second, closed end moves away from the first, open end and the length L of the paper sack increases.

Description

The invention relates to a method for packaging an object in a paper sack which has a first open end and a second closed end opposite the first end, said ends being spaced apart from each other by a length L of the paper sack. The invention also relates to a paper sack for such a method.

Paper sacks and methods for packaging objects in said paper sacks have been known from the prior art for many years. In particular, paper sacks are used to package bulk goods, especially powdery bulk goods, for example building materials such as mortar or cement. By extension, paper sacks are also used as paper bags, for example grocery bags or environmentally-friendly packaging, for smaller and relatively light general goods, such as kitchen roll or toilet roll.

Compared with plastic packaging, paper sacks have the advantage of being more environmentally-friendly since they can often be at least partially, but preferably completely, recycled, as they can be recycled as waste paper, for example, after use, during which they may become damaged or destroyed. Nevertheless, there is still a wide array of goods and objects that are not packaged in paper sacks, but are transported and shipped in plastic packaging. Examples include mattresses or duvets. Nowadays, such items are usually sent rolled-up and packaged in film. The mattress is rolled in a filler device and pushed through a filler neck out of the filler device. The film sack is pulled over said filler neck, the former then receiving the mattress. In the process, the mattress is often subjected to strong mechanical tensions, due to the rolling on the one hand and often further compression on the other; the film packaging has to withstand such tensions. Before the mattress is inserted, the film sack is rolled up on the filler neck, i.e. its length is significantly reduced in the filling direction, and it unfolds as it is filled with the mattress. This process is impossible or at least very difficult to carry out with a paper sack. Mattresses are just one of, in principle, many examples that can be given at this point to illustrate the basic situation in the prior art.

The invention aims to propose a method and a packaging with which large, heavy objects and goods subjected to mechanical tension can be packaged in an environmentally-friendly manner.

The invention solves the addressed task by way of a method of the type mentioned above, which comprises the following steps:

• • arranging the paper sack on a filler neck of a filler device
  • inserting the object into the open end of the paper sack until the object is in contact with the closed end
  • inserting the object further into the paper sack, so that the second, closed end moves away from the first, open end and the length L of the paper sack increases.

In the method according to the invention, a paper sack is used whose length L, i.e. the extension from the first, open end to the second, closed end, can be changed and in particular increased. Preferably, the paper sack does not open or tear when the length L is increased. Such a paper sack is arranged on a filler neck of a filler device. The object to be packaged in the paper sack is inserted into the filler device and ejected, discharged or pushed out through the filler neck. During this process, it is often advantageous for the object to be compressed in the filler device and/or changed in its geometric form and/or extension. For example, mattresses are rolled in such a filler device.

When the object leaves the filler device through the filler neck, it is inserted into the first, open end of the paper sack. To this end, the paper sack is pushed or pulled with its open end over the filler neck, so that the filler neck protrudes into the first, open end of the paper sack. The length of the object is preferably greater than the length L of the paper sack. The object is therefore initially moved so far into the paper sack until it comes into contact with the second, closed end of the paper sack. From this moment onwards, further insertion of the object into the paper sack results in the second, closed end of the paper sack being moved with the inserted object and moving away from the filler neck of the filler device in the process. During this phase of the method according to the invention, the first, open end of the paper sack remains arranged on the filler neck and preferably does not move relative to it. This results in an increase in the distance between the first, open end of the paper sack and the second, closed end of the paper sack opposite said first end and thus also in its length L.

Once the object has been inserted into the paper sack, the first, open end is preferably closed, for example sealed, glued, sewn, folded and/or joined. To this end, the length L of the paper sack in this state must be greater than the length of the packaged object.

Preferably, a star seal is provided at the second, closed end of the paper sack. Particularly preferably, the first, open end is closed by sealing it. Alternatively, the first, open end may be closed with a star seal.

The invention also solves the addressed task by way of a paper sack that can be used in the method described above. Said sack has a first, open end and a closed, second end opposite the first end, said ends being spaced apart from each other by a length L of the paper sack. It is configured in such a way that the second end can move away from the first end, causing the length L of the paper sack to increase.

The paper sack preferably has at least two, preferably three, four or five, paper layers, arranged such that they can slide inside one another, the first, open end being formed by a first paper layer and the second, closed end being formed by a second paper layer. Referring to these two paper layers as “first” and “second” paper layers is merely a simple way to describe the paper layers and does not imply any arrangement of the two paper layers in relation to each other or other paper layers. Preferably, the first paper layer and the second paper layer form the innermost and outermost paper layers; particularly preferably, the first paper layer is arranged outside and the second paper layer inside. However, the reverse arrangement is possible and advantageous in certain applications. Preferably, only the paper layer that forms the second, closed end of the paper sack has a closed end, thereby forming a sack itself, which could be referred to as a partial sack. The remaining paper layers have two opposite open ends and are therefore tubular in shape.

In an especially simple embodiment, the paper sack has two paper layers that slide inside one another. When packaging an object, the two layers are displaced against each other from the moment the object comes into contact with the closed, second end. The displacement of the paper layers in relation to each other ends when the object has been fully received in the paper sack and is not displaced any further. At this point, the object has also preferably completely left the filler neck of the filler device.

In particular, in the embodiment with precisely two paper layers that are mounted such that they can be displaced in relation to each other, but also with more than two such paper layers, it is advantageous if the individual paper layers are not connected to each other. Specifically, this means that they are not glued or tacked to one another. Particularly preferably, it is possible with this embodiment to displace the individual paper layers that are not connected to each other so far in relation to one another that they are completely separated from each other and are no longer arranged in one another. This design eliminates the need for complex connections between the individual paper layers and is therefore particularly simple and cost-effective in terms of construction.

Alternatively, preferably some of the paper layers, preferably at least the first paper layer that forms the first, open end of the paper sack and the second paper layer that forms the second, closed end of the paper sack, especially preferably all paper layers, are connected to at least one limiting element, preferably a paper strip, a tape and/or a belt, which limits the maximum displaceability of the connected paper layers relative to one another. In particular, this prevents paper layers from completely separating from each other and the paper sack from losing is protective function for the object packaged inside.

The at least one limiting element preferably limits the maximum possible length L of the paper sack.

Alternatively or additionally, adhesives or adhesive elements that can be activated are arranged between at least some adjacent paper layers, preferably between all adjacent paper layers. For example, they may comprise two components which, on their own, do not cause an adhesive effect. The adhesive effect is preferably generated when they come into contact with one another. Alternatively or additionally, the activated adhesive elements can be activated by an external influence, for example pressure and/or heat. In one embodiment, the adhesive or the adhesive element can be activated by the pressure exerted by the packaged object. This makes it possible to achieve an automatic bond that allows the object to be securely closed without the need for an additional process step.

Preferably, the first ends of the paper layers, which face the first, open end of the paper sack, are at different distances from the first, open end of the paper sack. Particularly preferably, the further inside the paper layer is arranged, the further away the first ends of the paper layers are from the first, open end of the paper sack. The first, open end of the paper sack is therefore preferably formed only by the first end of the first paper layer. In this area, the thickness of the paper of the paper sack is then formed exclusively by the first paper layer. This section of the paper sack has a predetermined section length in the longitudinal extension of the paper sack, i.e. from the first, open end towards the second, closed end. This section is limited by the first end of a further paper layer of the paper sack. This can be the second paper layer, but this is not essential and, particularly when the paper sack has more than two paper layers, not an advantage. In the next section in the longitudinal direction of the paper sack, the thickness is formed by the first paper layer and the further paper layer. This section also has a predetermined section length and is limited by the first end of a further paper layer. In this way, the individual paper layers are displaced relative to one another in the initial state of the paper sack and the thickness of the paper sack increases from the first, open end to the second, closed end until it is formed by all available paper layers.

Preferably, the paper sack is pushed so far onto the filler neck in the first step in the method that the filler neck protrudes into all available paper layers.

Alternatively or additionally, the paper sack has a fold which allows the second, closed end to be removed from the first, open end, thereby increasing the length L, the fold preferably having or being a concertina fold. In this embodiment, the sack can have one or multiple layers. If it has multiple layers, it is advantageous for multiple, but preferably all paper layers of the multi-layered sack, to have such a fold. Alternatively, only one of the paper layers has such a fold, even in a multi-layered sack.

The invention also solves the addressed task by way of a filler neck for a filler device for a method of the type described here, which comprises multiple inflating elements that are arranged and configured in such a way that they can be filled with a fluid, preferably compressed air, causing the outer diameter of the filler neck to expand. The paper sack is preferably arranged on the filler neck in such a way that the filler neck protrudes into the paper sack through its first, open end. This preferably occurs when the inflating elements are not filled with the fluid. The outer diameter of the filler neck is smaller in this state than the inner diameter of the first, open end of the paper sack. In this state, there is not necessarily no more fluid in the inflating element. It is enough for there to be so little fluid in the inflating element that the paper sack can be pushed onto the filler neck.

Afterwards, at least one inflating element, preferably several, preferably all inflating elements, is/are filled with the fluid, so that the outer diameter of the inflating element and thus also of the filler neck increases. In the process, a frictional connection occurs between the outside of the inflating element, which can be equipped with an adhesion-enhancing coating, and the inside of the paper sack. The paper sack is thus held on the filler neck. The second paper layer, which forms the second, closed end of the paper sack, is preferably not held in this way.

Preferably, the multiple inflating elements can be filled with the fluid or emptied independently from one another. Particularly preferably, each paper layer is held by a separate inflating element. A sufficient amount of fluid must be removed from the respective inflating element to eliminate the holding force due to the frictional connection. This can be achieved, for example, by way of a corresponding pump. This makes it possible to release individual paper layers and therefore precisely control when which paper layers are moved by the inserted object. As a result, a complete detachment of individual paper layers from the remaining paper layers is ruled out, even if there are more than two paper layers and they are not connected to each other. By means of an electric control unit, for example a micro-processor or an electronic data processing device, the filling and emptying of the individual inflating elements can be very precisely controlled by controlling valves and/or pumps that are responsible for the movement of the fluid.

A number of embodiment examples of the invention will be explained in more detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings. They show:

FIG. 1—a schematic representation of a paper sack according to an embodiment example of the present invention,

FIG. 2 a schematic representation of a filler neck according to an embodiment example of the present invention,

FIG. 3 a schematic sectional view through such a filler neck,

FIG. 4—the schematic sectional view through a filler neck and a paper sack,

FIG. 5—the schematic representation of a paper sack according to a further embodiment example of the present invention and

FIGS. 6 and 7 schematic representations of a further embodiment of paper sacks in various states.

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a paper sack 2 according to a first embodiment example of the present invention. It has a first paper layer 4, which forms a first, open end 6 of the paper sack 2. The paper sack 2 also has a second paper layer 8, which forms a second, closed end 10 of the paper sack 2. In the embodiment example shown, the second, closed end 10 has a schematically depicted star seal 12. The first paper layer 4 and the second paper layer 8 are arranged such that they can be displaced relative to one another along the double arrow 14.

FIG. 2 schematically depicts a filler neck 16 according to an embodiment example of the present invention. It features fastening attachments 18 with which it can be attached, for example, to a device in which the object to be packaged is conditioned, for example pressed and/or rolled. In the embodiment example shown, the object to be packaged is moved through the neck 16 and leaves it through an outlet opening 20, over which a paper sack 2, like the type shown in FIG. 1, has been pulled.

In the embodiment example shown, the filler neck 16 has two inflating elements 22, which are arranged side by side along the longitudinal axis of the filler neck 16. They are preferably made of an elastic material and can be filled with a fluid, preferably compressed air. This causes them to inflate, thereby increasing their outer diameter. In FIG. 2, a fluid connection 24 is depicted on the filler neck 16, through which a fluid can be guided into the filler neck 16 and into at least one of the inflating elements 22.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic section view through a filler neck 16 similar to the type shown in FIG. 2. The fastening attachments 18 and the outlet opening 20 can be seen. The two inflating elements 22 are arranged one above the other in FIG. 3, i.e spaced apart again along the longitudinal direction. Two fluid channels 26 are depicted inside the filler neck 16, each of which connected one of the two fluid connections 24 to one of the two inflating elements 22. This means that the two inflating elements 22 can be filled with fluid independently from each other. Likewise the fluid can be removed from each of the two inflating elements 22 regardless of the filling level of the respective other inflating element 22.

FIG. 4 schematically depicts a paper sack 2, which comprises the first paper layer 4 and the second paper layer 8. Unlike the paper sack 2 shown in FIG. 1, with the paper sack 2 shown in FIG. 4, the second paper layer 8 is arranged inside the first paper layer 4. The second paper layer 8 features the second, closed end 10. The paper sack 2 has been pushed with the first, open end 6 opposite over the outlet opening 20 of the filler neck 16. The filler neck 16 corresponds largely to the filler neck shown in FIG. 3 and has, in particular, two inflating elements 22, of which the first inflating element 22 on the left is filled with fluid, while the second inflating element 22 on the right is not filled. In this case, the positioning of the first paper layer 4 and the second paper layer 8 is selected in such a way that the first paper layer 4 can be held by the first inflating element 22 on the left, but not the second paper layer 8.

One can see that the first inflating element 22 changes the outer contour of the first paper layer 4 and exerts a tension or on outward-acting pressure on the first paper layer 4, thus holding it in place. In the embodiment example shown, this results in a frictional connection. The second paper layer 8 does not surround the first inflating element 22 on the left, so that it is not affected by the frictional connection. To fasten and hold the second paper layer 8 on the filler neck 16 as well, the second inflating element 22 on the right would also have to be filled with fluid. The growing circumference would result in a further frictional connection. In the state shown, however, the second paper layer 8 can be displaced to the right without removing the first paper layer 4 from the filler neck 16. This causes the length L of the paper sack 2 to increase.

FIG. 5 depicts a further embodiment of a paper sack 2 according to a further embodiment example of the present invention. It features the first, open end 6 and the second, closed end 10 opposite, in which the star seal 12 is again located. Unlike the paper sacks 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the paper sack according to FIG. 5 does not have a first paper layer 4 and a second paper layer 8; rather, it has just one paper layer. However, said paper layer features a fold 28, which is a concertina fold in the embodiment example shown. The fold 28 allows the second, closed end 10 to be removed from the first, open end 6, thereby increasing the length L of the paper sack 2 without damaging the sack.

FIG. 6 depicts a paper sack 2 according to a further embodiment example of the present invention. In the upper illustration, the first paper layer 4, which forms the first, open end 6, is inserted into the second paper layer 8. Between the first paper layer 4 and the second paper layer 8 is a limiting element 30, which is attached to the first paper layer 4 at a first attachment point 32 and to the second paper layer 8 at a second attachment point 34. If the second paper layer 8 is now displaced to the right by an inserted component to be packaged, the length L of the paper sack 2 increases. This situation is shown in the lower illustration in FIG. 6. By way of the limiting element 30, the maximum displacement of the two paper layers 4, 8 relative to each other is limited and the maximum length L of the paper sack 2 determined.

FIG. 7 shows the two situations from FIG. 6 in a schematically different representation. In the upper, compressed position, one can see that the first paper layer 4 is far inside the second paper layer 8. The limiting element 30 is fixed at the first attachment point 32 close to the right-hand end of the first paper layer 4 facing away from the open end 6. The limiting element 30 is fixed to the outer, second paper layer 8 at the second attachment point 34.

The lower illustration shows how the limiting element 30 deforms when the two paper layers 4, 8 are moved relative to one another. Said element nevertheless remains fixed on the first paper layer 4 at the first attachment point 32 and on the second paper layer 8 at the second attachment point 34.

REFERENCE LIST

• • 2 paper sack
  • 4 first paper layer
  • 6 first, open end
  • 8 second paper layer
  • 10 second, closed end
  • 12 star seal
  • 14 double arrow
  • 16 filler neck
  • 18 fastening attachment
  • 20 outlet opening
  • 22 inflating element
  • 24 fluid connection
  • 26 fluid line
  • 28 fold
  • 30 limiting element
  • 32 first attachment point
  • 34 second attachment point

Claims

1. A method for packaging an object in a paper sack comprising a first open end and a second closed end opposite the first open end, said first open end and said second closed end being spaced apart from each other by a length of the paper sack, comprising: arranging the paper sack on a filler neck of a filler device;inserting the object into the first open end of the paper sack until the object is in contact with the second closed end; andinserting the object further into the paper sack, so that the second closed end moves away from the first open end and the length of the paper sack increases to a second length.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising closing the first open end after the object has been inserted further into the paper sack.

3. A paper sack, comprising: a first open end; anda closed second end opposite the first open end, said first open end and said second closed end being spaced apart from each other by a length of the paper sack, wherein the paper sack is configured such that the second closed end is moveable away from the first open end to increase the paper sack to a second length.

4. The paper sack according to claim 3, further comprising two or more paper layers arranged such that two or more paper layers are slidable inside one another, wherein the first open end is formed by a first paper layer of the two or more paper layers and the second closed end is formed by a second paper layer of the two or more paper layers.

5. The paper sack according to claim 4, wherein the two or more paper layers are not connected to each other to form connected paper layers.

6. The paper sack according to claim 5, further comprising at least one limiting element, and wherein at least some of the two or more paper layers are connected to the at least one limiting element, wherein the at least one limiting element limits a maximum displaceability of the connected paper layers relative to one another.

7. The paper sack according to claim 6, wherein a maximum possible length for said second length is limited by the at least one limiting element.

8. The paper sack according to claim 4 wherein a first end of each of the two or more the paper layers face the first open end of the paper sack, and are at different distances from the first open end of the paper sack.

9. The paper sack according to claim 4 wherein the two or more paper layers are arranged such that at least one of the two or more paper layers is further inside the paper sack than at least a second of the two or more paper layers, and wherein a first end of the at least one of the two or more paper layers is relatively further away from the first open end of the paper sack than a first end of the at least a second of the two or more paper layers.

10. The paper sack according to claim 3, further comprising a fold which allows the second closed end to be moved away from the first open end to increase the paper sack to the second length.

11. A filler neck for a filler device for use in a method according to claim 1, comprising multiple inflating elements that are arranged and configured in such that they are fillable with a fluid causing an outer diameter of the filler neck to expand.

12. The filler neck according to claim 11, wherein the multiple inflating elements are arranged side by side along a longitudinal axis of the filler neck.

13. The filler neck according to claim 11 wherein the multiple inflating elements are fillable with the fluid and emptiable of the fluid independently from each other.

14. The method of claim 2 wherein closing is performed by at least one of sealing, gluing, sewing, folding, or joining.

15. The paper sack according to claim 6 wherein at least one limiting element is selected from the group consisting of a paper strip, a tape, and a belt.

16. The paper sack according to claim 10 wherein the fold is a concertina fold.

17. The filler neck according to claim 11 wherein the fluid is compressed air.

18. The filler neck according to claim 12 wherein the multiple inflating elements are spaced apart and side by side.