Abstract:
An automated operation application module for a packaging machine comprises a frame, a suspension joined to the frame for rolls of packaging material, and a pre-unwinding unit for supplying the packaging material to the film storage unit. The application module has a film storage unit joined to the frame, a sealing station joined to the frame, a film pre-drawing unit joined to the frame for supplying the packaging material to the sealing station, and a film-forwarding unit joined to the frame for forwarding the processed packaging material to a packaging machine.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a 35 USC 371 application of PCT/EP 2006/061347 filed on Apr. 5, 2006. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention is based on an independently functioning applications module, in particular for a packaging machine. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Integrated built-in/fixed modules in intermittent bag-making machines with extensive mechanical and electrical interfaces are known, which for instance seal internal coffee degassing valves into films from which the bag to be filled is also made on the same machine. Manual workstations are also known. 
   SUMMARY AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 
   Applying internal coffee degassing valves is done without complicated mechanical and electrical intervention into a bag-making machine or packaging system or sheet of film. The mode of operation of the downstream packaging machine may be intermittent or continuous. By decoupling the independently functioning applications module from the actual packaging machine, such as a bag-making machine, high capacities can be attained, on the order for instance of 120 valve applications per minute. The linear projection is reduced to a minimum, since there are only a few, simple interfaces with downstream machines. For this reason, retrofitting already-installed packaging lines that do not have degassing valves is less risky, and the conversion time on-site is shortened, compared to the integrated version. With this module, even high-speed bag-making machines with continuous film pre-drawing are capable of processing internal coffee degassing valves. The independently functioning applications module of the invention moreover serves to decouple the upstream and downstream processes (intermittent or continuous). It has a separate controller. The downstream packaging machine, such as a bag-making machine, may be from an arbitrary manufacturer, which lessens the effort and expense involved in planning. A fully-tested module can be furnished when a retrofit is to be done. Moreover, the independently functioning applications module can easily be used for other variants/applications, such as zippers or ziplock closures or reclosure means (that are to be glued or sealed onto films). 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further advantages and advantageous refinements of the independently functioning applications module of the invention will become apparent from the description contained herein below, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the independently functioning applications module of the invention, without showing the packaging material; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view with film, but without the frame; and 
       FIG. 3  shows an isometric view of the arrangement shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   An independently functioning applications module  10  comprises a frame  12  with a screwed-on control box  14 , and an integrated user input and display terminal  16 . A suspension bracket  18  for rolls of packaging material and a cutting and gluing table  20  are decoupled from the existing packaging system and secured to the frame  12 . A pre-unwinding unit  22 , which introduces a packaging material  13 , such as a film, into a film storage unit  24  continuously, and a servo motor-driven vacuum film pre-drawing unit  26 , which intermittently draws the packaging material  13  from the film storage unit  24 , form the packaging material pre-drawing unit. For the precise placement of the item to be sealed in, such as a valve, the film pre-drawing unit  26  uses a printed mark controller  30 . Between the film storage unit  24  and the vacuum film pre-drawing unit  26 , a servo motor-driven sealing station  32  and a film notching station  34  are accommodated. For reducing the process time, the sealing station  32  operates by the ultrasound method, by means of an ultrasound sealer  36 . An electromagnetic vibrator conveyor  38  for sorting and supplying the items, not shown, to be sealed in to the sealing station  32  is placed on the coverplate of the frame  12 . The exchange of signals with the downstream machine is done via potential-free contacts. The items to be sealed in are delivered to the sealing station  32  by the vibrator conveyor  38  via a supply channel  40 . The sealing station  32  is preceded by a web edge controller  44 . The film  13 , now provided with the sealed-in items, leaves the independently functioning applications module  10  via a film-forwarding unit  42 , which is equipped for instance with a rocker for maintaining the web tension. A separate controller for the applications module  10  is accommodated in the control box  14  that is connected to the frame  12 . 
   The independently functioning applications module  10  serves in particular to connect internally located coffee degassing valves to a packaging material  13 , such as a film. These valves are supplied to the applications module  10  via the vibrator conveyor  38 . The packaging material  13 , provided with the valves, can then be supplied to further packaging machines, such as bag-making machines, for producing and filling a bag of coffee. The provision of an independently functioning applications module  10  simplifies the retrofitting of existing packaging machines and serves to decouple the upstream and downstream processes. As can be seen from  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the roll  11  of packaging material is located in the suspension means  18  for rolls of packaging material. The film  13  passes over deflection rollers to reach the cutting and gluing table  20 . If the end of a roll  11  of packaging material is detected, the cutting and gluing table  20  serves to connect the web of film that is running out to the beginning of a new web of film of a new roll  11  of packaging material. The film  13  is delivered to the film storage unit  24  via the pre-unwinding unit  22 . According to the invention, for high-capacity applications modules  10 , a so-called air-bag film storage unit is suitable. This so called air-bag film storage unit compensates for different lengths of packaging material that can occur as a result of different processing speeds upstream and downstream from the film storage means  24 . An air stream inflates, or pushes against the packaging material located in the film storage means  24  and puts the packaging material under tension, thus contributing to the processing safety by keeping the packaging material under tension and taking up any slack which may develop because of the above mentioned different processing speeds. This type of film storage unit, known per se, moreover includes regulation, done for instance via a photoelectric barrier, and a vacuum brake for maintaining the desired film tension. A shunt serves the purpose of cleanly guiding the film. By means of the film storage unit  24  operating on an air-bag principle as described above, very short advancement times can be attained. In principle, however, still other types of known film storage units  24  are conceivable. From the film storage unit  24 , the film  13  reaches the film notching station  34 . The film  13  is perforated at the point where the valve will later be sealed to the film in the sealing station  32 . Next, the film is delivered intermittently to the sealing station  32 . Via the vibrator conveyor  38  and the supply channel  40 , the valves reach the sealing station  32 . By means of a positioning device, the valve is put in the desired sealing position, above the notching point in the film  13 . The valve is delivered to a sealing die, which is moved in the vertical direction into a sealing position. In the sealing process, thermal methods are used, for instance, which generate heat either conventionally or by using ultrasound. In the applications module  10  shown, an ultrasound sealer  36  is used according to the invention; it makes very short welding cycles possible. In principle, however, still other methods are conceivable. The vacuum film pre-drawing unit  26  is driven by a servo motor, for instance, and intermittently draws the film  13  from the film storage unit  24 . The intermittent film drawing could, however, be generated in some other way than by means of a vacuum. The vacuum pump  28 , which is also a component of the applications module, makes the required vacuum available. 
   As the items to be scaled in, other items besides valves that may be applied instead are reclosure means, zippers or ziplock closures, or the like that are sealed/glued, or arbitrary other items. 
   The foregoing relates to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, it being understood that other variants and embodiments thereof are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention, the latter being defined by the appended claims.