Patent ID: 7263812
Filing Date: 2007-09-04
Classification: B65B,B65H

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a container filling plant packaging machine comprising: a supply unit to feed a strip-format flat material for packaging containers; said supply unit comprising at least two roll receptacles, each of which holds a supply of flat material in the form of a roll, wherein from at least one roll, namely the role that is in use, the flat material is pulled off during the operation of the packaging machine, and the at least one additional roll forms a connecting roll that is ready for a roll change; and said supply unit comprising a connecting station through which the flat material of the roll that is in use is transported, and on which, in a connecting position, a connecting area of the flat material of the connecting roll is located and positioned correctly for a connection so that the registers are matched correctly, wherein at the connecting position, a rotatable receptacle is provided in which a holding and positioning element that is fastened to the connection area of the connecting roll can be located for the connection so that the registers are matched correctly; said method comprising the steps of: feeding a strip-format flat material through said packaging machine from the roll that forms said supply of flat material and is in use; changing the roll that is in use with the connecting roll in the connecting station, said step of changing comprising: fastening the holding and positioning element to the connecting area of the flat material of the connecting roll in a desired position and orientation at a workplace outside the supply unit for the correct positioning of the connecting area of the flat material of the connecting roll; positioning the connecting area of the connecting roll with the holding and positioning element fastened thereon in the receptacle provided in the connecting station; rotating the receptacle to the connecting position in the connecting station; connecting the flat material of the roll that is in use to the connecting area of the flat material of the connecting roll; separating the flat material from the roll that is in use after the connection has been made; and releasing the connecting area of the flat material of the connecting roll from the holding and positioning element so that the connecting roll becomes the roll in use.