Patent Publication Number: US-2023150785-A1

Title: Apparatus for applying a strip comprising a microcreped paper

Description:
The present invention relates to an apparatus for applying a strip comprising at least one microcreped paper to a carrier material. The present invention further relates to a method for applying a strip comprising at least one microcreped paper to a carrier material. Additionally the present invention relates to a use of said apparatus and also to a carrier material comprising a strip, obtained or obtainable by said method. Apparatuses and methods of the type stated may be used, for example, in the field of packaging technology, preferably in the production of packaging. Hence the invention may be employed more particularly in the production of packaging, for example for producing tear strips on a corrugated board line, on a folding box line and/or on a plain bonding line. Other fields of use are also conceivable in principle, however. 
     Within the packaging industry, sustainable packaging which as far as possible is environmentally neutral and can be used again in terms of its material is increasingly gaining in importance. On account of the generally easy recycling and also of a generally smaller CO 2  footprint, paper has a particular part to play in boosting sustainability in the packaging industry. For the reprocessing of paper, however, it is generally very important that no substances that hinder processing enter into what is referred to as the pulp. Prior to reuse, therefore, plastics materials in particular, such as films, for example, must therefore be removed, and this is costly and complicated. In the production of packaging, therefore, it is generally useful to aim at reducing plastics materials or even omitting them entirely. 
     However, plastics materials, such as film strips, for example, are generally used, usually in the form of a self-adhesive tape, for the production of tear strips for opening packaging, in particular. The self-adhesive tear strips are applied automatically by corresponding unwind apparatuses during the production of the packaging itself. For example, DE 299 17 738 U1 describes an apparatus for unwinding a roll of a narrow material furnished self-adhesively on at least one side. These apparatuses and methods are generally suitable for plastics films and/or plastics adhesive tapes which are not sensitive in their handling. For the handling of paper, which in general operation is markedly more sensitive, however, known apparatuses and methods are commonly not suitable. 
     It is therefore desirable to provide apparatuses and methods which avoid or very largely avoid the described disadvantages of aforementioned apparatuses and methods. The apparatuses and methods are intended more particularly to enable the production of sustainable packaging. 
     This object is addressed by an apparatus for applying a strip comprising at least one microcreped paper to a carrier material, by a method for applying a strip comprising at least one microcreped paper to a carrier material, by a use of said apparatus and by a carrier material comprising a strip and obtained or obtainable by said method, having the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments, which may be realized individually or in combination, are set out in the description and the dependent claims. 
     The present invention therefore relates to an apparatus for applying a strip P comprising at least one microcreped paper to a carrier material T, where the strip P has an areal extent with a length l, a width b and a thickness d where l&gt;&gt;b&gt;d, and where the apparatus comprises:
     (I) the strip P comprising a microcreped paper and wound to a reel S, where the reel S is mounted rotatably about a reel axis A S ;   (II) rotatably mounted rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3  for guiding the strip P at least partly unwound from the reel, where the roller R 1  is downstream of the reel S, the roller R 2  is downstream of the roller R 1 , and the roller R 3  is downstream of the roller R 2 ; where
       (II.1) the roller R 1  has a rotational axis A 1 , where the angle α 1  between the rotational axis A 1  and the reel axis A S  is 0°, with a tolerance of ±5°;   (II.2) the roller R 2  has a rotational axis A 2 , where the angle α 2  between the rotational axis A 2  and the reel axis A S  is 0°, with a tolerance of ±10°;   (II.3) the roller R 3  has a rotational axis A 3 , where the angle α 3  between the rotational axis A 3  and the rotational axis A 2  is 90°, with a tolerance of ±1°;   
       (III) at least one application apparatus V, downstream of the roller R 3 , for applying the strip P to the carrier material T;
       where the at least one microcreped paper comprised in the strip P wound to the reel has the following properties:   
       (a) a tensile strength F Z  in at least one direction within the areal extent of the strip P, where F Z ≥8 kN/m (kilonewtons/metre), determined according to ISO 1924-3: 2005 “Paper and board—Determination of tensile properties—Part 3”;   (b) an extensibility F D  in at least one direction within the areal extent of the strip P, where F D ≥4%, determined according to ISO 1924-3: 2005 “Paper and board—Determination of tensile properties—Part 3”;   (c) a tearing resistance F R  in at least one direction within the areal extent of the strip P, where F R ≥1200 mN (millinewtons), determined according to ISO 1974: 2012 “Paper—Determination of tearing resistance—Elmendorf method”.   

     The at least one microcreped paper contained in the strip P preferably has a tensile strength F Z  of 8 kN/m≤F Z ≤22 kN/m more preferably of 10 kN/m≤F Z ≤21 kN/m, more preferably of 13 kN/m≤F Z ≤20 kN/m such as, for example, of 15 kN/m≤F Z ≤20 kN/m or of 17 kN/m≤F Z ≤20 kN/m or of 19 kN/m≤F Z ≤20 kN/m. 
     The at least one microcreped paper contained in the strip P preferably has an extensibility F D  of 4%≤F D ≤16%, more preferably of 6%≤F D ≤15.5%, more preferably of 8%≤F D ≤15% such as, for example, of 10%≤F D ≤15% or of 12%≤F D ≤15% or of 14%≤F D ≤15%. 
     The at least one microcreped paper contained in the strip P preferably has a tearing resistance F R  of 1200 mN≤F R ≤4500 mN, more preferably of 1500 mN≤F R ≤4000 mN, more preferably of 2000 mN≤F R ≤3500 mN such as, for example, of 2500 mN≤F R ≤3500 mN or of 3000 mN≤F R ≤3500 mN. 
     The microcreped paper contained in the strip P preferably has a grammage G of at least 80 g/m 2 , more preferably of 80 g/m 2 ≤G≤180 g/m 2 , more preferably of 120 g/m 2 ≤G≤160 g/m 2  such as, for example, of 120 g/m 2 ≤G≤140 g/m 2  or of 130 g/m 2 ≤G≤150 g/m 2  or of 140 g/m 2 ≤G≤160 g/m 2 . 
     The at least one microcreped paper contained in the strip P is microcreped fundamentally in at least one, preferably in at least two, direction(s) within the areal extent. 
     Accordingly the present invention further preferably relates to the abovementioned apparatus where the at least one microcreped paper comprised in the strip P wound to the reel has the following properties:
     (a) a tensile strength F Z  in at least one direction within the areal extent of the strip P, where 13 kN/m≤F Z ≤20 kN/m, determined according to ISO 1924-3: 2005 “Paper and board—Determination of tensile properties—Part 3”;   (b) an extensibility F D  in at least one direction within the areal extent of the strip P, where 8%≤F D ≤15%, determined according to ISO 1924-3: 2005 “Paper and board—Determination of tensile properties—Part 3”;   (c) a tearing resistance F R  in at least one direction within the areal extent of the strip P, where 2000 mN≤F R ≤3500 mN, determined according to ISO 1974: 2012 “Paper—Determination of tearing resistance—Elmendorf method”;   

     where the at least one microcreped paper contained in the strip P is microcreped preferably in at least two directions within the areal extent. 
     In terms of the width b there are in principle no particular restrictions. The strip P preferably has a width b of 2 mm≤b≤25 mm, more preferably 3 mm≤b≤15 mm, more preferably of 4 mm≤b≤8 mm such as, for example, of 4 mm≤b≤6 mm or of 5 mm≤b≤7 mm or of 6 mm≤b≤8 mm. 
     In terms of the thickness d there are in principle no particular restrictions. The strip P preferably has a thickness d of 100 μm≤d≤400 μm, more preferably of 150 μm≤d≤350 μm, more preferably of 200 μm≤d≤300 μm such as, for example, of 200 μm≤d≤250 μm or of 225 μm≤d≤275 μm or of 250 μm≤d≤300 μm. 
     Preferably from 95 to 100% by weight of the strip P consists of the at least one microcreped paper. More preferably from 98 to 100%, more preferably from 99 to 100%, more preferably from 99.5 to 100%, more preferably from 99.9 to 100% by weight of the strip P consists of the at least one microcreped paper. 
     With further preference the strip P comprises a single microcreped paper, where more preferably from 95 to 100%, more preferably from 98 to 100%, more preferably from 99 to 100%, more preferably from 99.5 to 100%, more preferably from 99.9 to 100% by weight of the strip P consists of the single microcreped paper. 
     Accordingly the present invention with further preference relates to the abovementioned apparatus where the at least one microcreped paper comprised in the strip P wound to the reel has the following properties:
     (a) a tensile strength F Z  in at least one direction within the areal extent of the strip P, where 13 kN/m≤F Z ≤20 kN/m, determined according to ISO 1924-3: 2005 “Paper and board—Determination of tensile properties—Part 3”;   (b) an extensibility F D  in at least one direction within the areal extent of the strip P, where 8%≤F D ≤15%, determined according to ISO 1924-3: 2005 “Paper and board—Determination of tensile properties—Part 3”;   (c) a tearing resistance F R  in at least one direction within the areal extent of the strip P, where 2000 mN≤F R ≤3500 mN, determined according to ISO 1974: 2012 “Paper—Determination of tearing resistance—Elmendorf method”;   

     where the at least one microcreped paper contained in the strip P is microcreped preferably in at least two directions within the areal extent and where from 99.9 to 100% by weight of the strip P consists of the at least one microcreped paper, preferably of a single microcreped paper. 
     In principle it is possible that the strip P has at least the following layers:
     (i) a first layer, comprising the at least one paper defined in one of the versions above;   (ii) a bonding layer disposed on a first side of the paper layer;   (iii) an adhesion-reducing layer arranged on a second side of the paper layer, opposite the first side, where that surface of the adhesion-reducing layer that faces away from the paper layer is configured such that a surface of the bonding layer that faces away from the paper side and is brought into contact with said surface of the adhesion-reducing layer is detachable substantially without destruction.   

     Additionally, optionally, from 0 to 5% by weight of the bonding layer of (ii) consists of one or more organic solvents. Preferably from 0 to 3% by weight of the bonding layer of (ii) consists of one or more organic solvents. More preferably from 0 to 1% by weight of the bonding layer of (ii) consists of one or more organic solvents. With further preference from 0 to 0.5% by weight of the bonding layer of (ii) consists of one or more organic solvents. With further preference from 0 to 0.1% by weight of the bonding layer of (ii) consists of one or more organic solvents. 
     The reel S is preferably a cross-wound reel, more preferably a criss-cross-wound reel. The strip P wound to the reel has, for example, a helical winding, where the strip P preferably forms at least two layers and the direction switches from layer to layer between right-handed and left-handed. The separation point T at which the strip P parts from the reel S on unwinding preferably performs a back-and-forth movement parallel to the reel axis A S  when the strip P is unwound. 
     In its non-unwound state, the reel S preferably has a diameter D of at most 500 mm, more preferably of 100 mm≤D≤500 mm, more preferably of 200 mm≤D≤450 mm, more preferably of 300 mm≤D≤400 mm. 
     The reel S preferably has an extent L in the direction of the reel axis A S  of at most 350 mm, more preferably of 100 mm≤L≤350 mm, more preferably of 160 mm≤L≤200 mm. The reel S for example has an extent L in the direction of the reel axis A S  of L=180 mm. 
     The rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3  are preferably cylindrical rollers, and at least one of the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3  has a substantially flange-free configuration on at least one side. The rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3  are preferably cylindrical rollers, and at least one of the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3  has a substantially flange-free configuration on both sides. More preferably the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3  are cylindrical rollers, and all the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3  have a substantially flange-free configuration on at least one side. With further preference the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3  are cylindrical rollers and all the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3  have a substantially flange-free configuration on both sides. A flange-free configuration of the rollers in this way is advantageous, for example, in order to prevent damage to the edges of the strip P when it is being guided over the respective roller. 
     Preferably at least one of the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3  is a drive-free roller. More preferably all the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3  are drive-free rollers. 
     The roller R 1  preferably has an outer diameter in the range from 5 to 100 mm, more preferably in the range from 7 to 40 mm, more preferably in the range from 10 to 30 mm. 
     The roller R 2  preferably has an outer diameter in the range from 5 to 100 mm, more preferably in the range from 15 to 50 mm, more preferably in the range from 25 to 30 mm. 
     The roller R 3  preferably has an outer diameter in the range from 5 to 100 mm, more preferably in the range from 15 to 50 mm, more preferably in the range from 25 to 30 mm. 
     With further preference, therefore, the roller R 1  has an outer diameter in the range from 10 to 30 mm, the roller R 2  an outer diameter in the range from 25 to 30 mm, and the roller R 3  an outer diameter in the range from 25 to 30 mm. 
     Preferably at least one of the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3  has an extent along its respective rotational axis of at least 100 mm. More preferably at least two of the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3  have an extent along their respective rotational axis of at least 100 mm. More preferably all the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3  have an extent along their respective rotational axis of at least 100 mm. 
     The extent of at least one of the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3 , preferably of all the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3 , along their respective rotational axis, independently of one another, is preferably at least L+10 mm, where L is the extent of the reel S in the direction of the reel axis A S . With further preference the extent of at least one of the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3 , more preferably of least two of the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3 , more preferably of all the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3  along their respective rotational axis is in the range from (L+10 mm) to (L+20 mm), more preferably in the range from (L+10 mm) to (L+15 mm). 
     The roller R 3  is preferably arranged in such a way that in the guiding of the strip P, the first contact point between the strip P and the roller R 3  lies in the plane of an end face of the reel S or is arranged at a distance from this plane in a direction away from the reel. An arrangement of the roller R 3  of this kind is especially suitable for converting a back-and-forth movement of the strip P on unwinding from the reel S, as described above, into a linear, preferably a stable linear, movement. Hence by this means a zig-zag movement of the strip P on unwinding can be converted into a smooth movement. 
     The rotational axis A 1  of the roller R 1  is preferably positioned movably in space in such a way that the roller R 1  contacts the reel S during the unwinding of the strip P. With further preference the rotational axis A 1  of the roller R 1  is positioned movably in space in such a way that the roller R 1  contacts the reel S linearly during the unwinding of the strip P. With preference additionally the rotational axis A 1  of the roller R 1  is positioned movably in space in such a way that the rotational axis A 1  during the unwinding of the strip P performs a movement in a radial direction relative to the reel axis A S . 
     The rollers R 2  and R 3  are preferably guide rollers disposed as spatially fixed rotational axes. 
     The reel axis A S  is preferably arranged as a spatially fixed rotational axis. 
     The rotational axes A 1  and A 2  are preferably disposed in such a way that the free length of the strip P between the roller R 1  and the roller R 2  is in the range from 150 to 500 mm, more preferably in the range from 200 to 300 mm. The term “free length” as used here denotes the length of the strip P between the last contact point of the strip P with the roller R 1  and the first contact point of the strip P with the roller R 2  when the strip P is guided over these rollers. 
     The rotational axes A 2  and A 3  are preferably disposed in such a way that the free length of the strip P between the roller R 2  and the roller R 3  is in the range from 150 to 500 mm, more preferably in the range from 200 to 300 mm. The term “free length” as used here denotes the length of the strip P between the last contact point of the strip P with the roller R 2  and the first contact point of the strip P with the roller R 3  when the strip P is guided over these rollers. 
     According to one possible embodiment of the present invention, the roller R 3  is the last roller for guiding the strip P before the strip P is applied to the carrier material T. 
     According to a further possible embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus, additionally to the three rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3 , comprises a further rotatably mounted roller R 4  for guiding the strip P unwound at least partly from the reel, the roller R 4  being downstream of the roller R 3 , where
     (II.4) the roller R 4  has a rotational axis A 4 , where the angle α 4  between the rotational axis A 4  and the rotational axis A 3  is 90°, with a tolerance of ±1°.   

     The roller R 4  preferably has a guide flange on at least one side, preferably on both sides. With further preference the roller R 4  has a guide flange on both sides. With additional preference the guide flanges disposed on both sides have a distance from one another in the range from (b+0.1 mm) to (b+0.9 mm), more preferably in the range from (b+0.2 mm) to (b+0.8 mm), more preferably in the range from (b+0.3 mm) to (b+0.7 mm). 
     The roller R 4 , if present, is preferably the last roller for guiding the strip P before the strip P is applied to the carrier material T. 
     According to a further possible embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus, additionally, comprises a rotatably mounted roller R 5  for guiding the strip P unwound at least partly from the reel, the roller R 5  being downstream of the roller R 4 , where
     (II.5) the roller R 5  has a rotational axis A S , where the angle as between the rotational axis A S  and the rotational axis A 4  is 90°, with a tolerance of ±1°.   

     The roller R 5  preferably has a guide flange on at least one side, preferably on both sides. With further preference the roller R 5  has a guide flange on both sides. With additional preference the guide flanges disposed on both sides have a distance from one another in the range from (b+0.1 mm) to (b+0.9 mm), more preferably in the range from (b+0.2 mm) to (b+0.8 mm), more preferably in the range from (b+0.3 mm) to (b+0.7 mm). 
     The roller R 5 , if present, is preferably the last roller for guiding the strip P before the strip P is applied to the carrier material T. 
     In accordance with the present invention the number of rollers additional to the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3  is dependent on factors including the distance of the roller R 3  from the carrier material T. Hence it may be preferable, for example, to provide at least one roller additional to the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3  in the case of a distance of R 3  from T of at least 300 mm. 
     In accordance with the present invention the number of rollers additional to the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3  is dependent on factors including the movement of the strip P on the roller R 3 . Hence it may be preferable, for example, in the case of a deviation in the movement of the strip P on the roller R 3  from a linear movement, for example in the case of a deviation of this kind by at least 2%, to provide an additional roller R 4  or, preferably, a roller pair R 4  and R 5 , preferably having a spatial disposition which is analogous to the spatial disposition of the rollers R 2  and R 3 . 
     With regard to the application apparatus V, it is preferably set up in such a way that it exerts at least one force on the strip P in a direction towards the carrier material T. With further preference the application apparatus V is set up in such a way that the force is exerted via at least one rubber roll. Alternatively or additionally the application apparatus V is preferably set up in such a way that the force is exerted via compressed air. 
     The apparatus preferably comprises additionally at least one bond application apparatus K for applying at least one bonding layer, preferably a bonding layer which comprises at least one hotmelt adhesive, more preferably a bonding layer which consists of at least one hotmelt adhesive. While it is possible in principle to apply the bonding layer to the strip P before the latter is applied to the carrier material T, it is preferred in the context of the present invention for the bonding layer to be applied to the carrier material T before the strip P is applied to the carrier material T bearing the bonding layer. The bonding layer applied to the carrier material preferably has a width of at most the width b of the strip P. 
     The apparatus preferably additionally comprises at least one separating unit for separating off lengths of the strip P, with the at least one separating unit being preferably downstream of the last roller, such as of the roller R 3  or the roller R 4  or the roller R 5 , for example. 
     The apparatus preferably additionally comprises at least one drive unit for driving the strip P and at least one brake unit for braking the strip P. The drive unit and the brake unit are preferably set up to control a rotational movement of the reel S. The rotational movement of the reel S preferably features an unwind velocity v of the strip P from the reel S of 0 m/min&lt;v≤250 m/min, more preferably of 100 m/min≤v≤200 m/min. For example, the drive unit and the brake unit are set up to control the rotational movement of the reel S as a function of a status of the application apparatus V and/or of the separating unit, preferably in order to adapt the rotational movement to an application procedure and/or to a separating procedure. The drive unit and the brake unit are preferably downstream of the last roller, such as the roller R 3  or the roller R 4  or the roller R 5 , for example. Alternatively the drive unit is preferably disposed in such a way as to drive the strip P by accelerating a rotational movement of the roller R 2  or the roller R 3  and the brake unit is disposed in such a way as to brake the strip P by reducing a rotational movement of the reel S. The drive unit is disposed, for example, in the roller R 2  or the roller R 3 , with the brake unit being disposed for example in the reel S. 
     While in principle there are no particular restrictions with regard to the carrier material T, it is preferred in accordance with the present invention that the carrier material T is at least one packaging blank. The packaging blank is preferably a packaging blank made of paper and/or of board, with the packaging blank preferably being a case, a carton, a folding box or a wrapper. 
     The present invention further relates to a method for applying a strip P comprising at least one microcreped paper to a carrier material T. The method comprises the steps identified in more detail below. These steps may be carried out in the stated order. A different order, however, is also possible in principle. Moreover, two or more of the stated method steps may be carried out simultaneously or with temporal overlap. Furthermore, one or more of the stated method steps may be carried out once or else repeatedly. The method may comprise further method steps beyond the steps stated. 
     The method comprises the following steps:
     a) providing an apparatus as described above or in accordance with one of the embodiments described hereinafter;   b) providing the at least one carrier material T;   c) guiding the strip P from the reel S to the application apparatus V via the at least three rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3 ;   d) applying the strip P on the carrier material T by means of the application apparatus V.   

     The step a) preferably comprises a threading of the strip at least between the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3 . 
     Step c) comprises, for example, a driving of the reel S and of the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3  via a take-off of the strip P through a movement of the carrier material T. Alternatively or additionally, step c) comprises, for example, a controlling of a movement of the strip P by means of a drive unit and a brake unit, as present optionally above in the apparatus. 
     The method in step c) preferably comprises a controlling of a rotational movement of the reel S, so that the strip P is unwound from the reel S with an unwind velocity v of 0 m/min&lt;v≤250 m/min, preferably of 100 m/min≤v≤200 m/min. 
     The applying in step d) preferably comprises an exerting of at least one force on the strip P in a direction towards the carrier material T. 
     The method preferably further comprises a step e) preceding step d), where
     e) providing a bond application apparatus K as present optionally above in the apparatus and applying the bonding layer to the carrier material T by means of the bond application apparatus K.   

     The strip P is preferably applied in step d) to the bonding layer applied to the carrier material, and so the bonding layer joins the carrier material T and the strip P. 
     The present invention further relates to an apparatus or a method as described herein where the strip P is a tear strip. 
     The present invention further relates to the use of an apparatus as described herein for applying a strip P to a carrier material T. 
     The present invention further relates to a carrier material T comprising a strip P, obtained or obtainable by a method as described herein. 
     The present invention as described above is additionally described by the following set of embodiments and combinations of embodiments, with the combinations arising from the corresponding dependencies and dependency references. It may be pointed out in particular that at those points where a range of embodiments is mentioned—such as, for example, in connection with an expression such as “apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 5”—each individual embodiment within this range is understood as being explicitly disclosed for the skilled person, with the skilled person thus understanding this expression as being synonymous with the expression “apparatus according to any of embodiments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5”. Further, it may be pointed out explicitly that the following set of embodiments represents not the set of claims determining the scope of protection, but rather a suitably structured part of the description which is directed to general and preferred aspects of the present invention.
     1. Apparatus for applying a strip P comprising at least one microcreped paper to a carrier material T, where the strip P has an areal extent with a length l, a width b and a thickness d where l&gt;&gt;b&gt;d, where the apparatus comprises:
       (I) the strip P comprising a microcreped paper and wound to a reel S, where the reel S is mounted rotatably about a reel axis A S ;   (II) rotatably mounted rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3  for guiding the strip P at least partly unwound from the reel, where the roller R 1  is downstream of the reel S, the roller R 2  is downstream of the roller R 1 , and the roller R 3  is downstream of the roller R 2 ; where
           (II.1) the roller R 1  has a rotational axis A 1 , where the angle α 1  between the rotational axis A 1  and the reel axis A S  is 0°, with a tolerance of ±5°;   
           (II.2) the roller R 2  has a rotational axis A 2 , where the angle α 2  between the rotational axis A 2  and the reel axis A S  is 0% with a tolerance of ±10°;   (II.3) the roller R 3  has a rotational axis A 3 , where the angle α 3  between the rotational axis A 3  and the rotational axis A 2  is 90°, with a tolerance of ±1°;   
       (III) at least one application apparatus V, downstream of the roller R 3 , for applying the strip P to the carrier material T;   

     where the at least one microcreped paper comprised in the strip P wound to the reel has the following properties:
     (a) a tensile strength F Z  in at least one direction within the areal extent of the strip P, where F Z ≥8 kN/m, determined according to ISO 1924-3;   (b) an extensibility F D  in at least one direction within the areal extent of the strip P, where F D ≥4%, determined according to ISO 1924-3;   (c) a tearing resistance F R  in at least one direction within the areal extent of the strip P, where F R ≥1200 mN, determined according to ISO 1974.   2. Apparatus according to embodiment 1, where 8 kN/m≤F Z ≤22 kN/m, preferably 10 kN/m≤F Z ≤21 kN/m, more preferably 13 kN/m≤F Z ≤20 kN/m.   3. Apparatus according to embodiment 1 or 2, where 4%≤F D ≤16%, preferably 8%≤F D ≤15%.   4. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 3, where 1200 mN≤F R ≤4500 mN, preferably 1500 mN≤F R ≤4000 mN, more preferably 2000 mN≤F R ≤3500 mN.   5. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 4, where the at least one paper contained in the strip P has a grammage G of at least 80 g/m 2 , preferably 80 g/m 2 ≤G≤180 g/m 2 , more preferably 120 g/m 2 ≤G≤160 g/m 2 .   6. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 5, where the at least one microcreped paper contained in the strip P is microcreped in at least two directions within the areal extent.   7. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 6, where 2 mm≤b≤25 mm, preferably 3 mm≤b≤15 mm, more preferably 4 mm≤b≤8 mm.   8. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 7, where 100 μm≤d≤400 μm, preferably 150 μm≤d≤350 μm, more preferably 200 μm≤d≤300 μm.   9. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 8, where from 95 to 100%, preferably from 98 to 100%, more preferably from 99 to 100%, more preferably from 99.5 to 100%, more preferably from 99.9 to 100% by weight of the strip P consists of the at least one microcreped paper.   10. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 9, where the strip P comprises a single microcreped paper and preferably from 95 to 100%, more preferably from 98 to 100%, more preferably from 99 to 100%, more preferably from 99.5 to 100%, more preferably from 99.9 to 100% by weight of the strip P consists of the single microcreped paper.   11. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 8, where the strip P has at least the following layers:
       (i) a first layer, comprising the at least one paper defined in embodiments 1 to 8;   (ii) a bonding layer disposed on a first side of the paper layer;   (iii) an adhesion-reducing layer arranged on a second side of the paper layer, opposite the first side, where that surface of the adhesion-reducing layer that faces away from the paper layer is configured such that a surface of the bonding layer that faces away from the paper side and is brought into contact with said surface of the adhesion-reducing layer is detachable substantially without destruction.   
       12. Apparatus according to embodiment 11, where from 0 to 5%, preferably from 0 to 3%, more preferably from 0 to 1%, more preferably from 0 to 0.5%, more preferably from 0 to 0.1% by weight of the bonding layer of (ii) consists of one or more organic solvents.   13. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 12, where the reel S is a cross-wound reel, preferably a criss-cross-wound reel.   14. Apparatus according to embodiment 13, where the separating point T at which the strip P parts from the reel S on unwinding performs a back-and-forth movement parallel to the reel axis A S  during unwinding of the strip P.   15. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 14, where the reel S in its non-unwound state has a diameter D of at most 500 mm, where preferably 100 mm≤D≤500 mm, more preferably 200 mm≤D≤450 mm, more preferably 300 mm≤D≤400 mm.   16. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 15, where the reel S has an extent L in a direction of the reel axis A S  of at most 350 mm, where preferably 100 mm≤L≤350 mm, more preferably 160 mm≤L≤200 mm.   17. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 16, where the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3  are cylindrical rollers, where preferably at least one of the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3 , more preferably all the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3 , have a substantially flange-free configuration on at least one side, preferably on both sides.   18. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 17, where at least one of the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3 , preferably all the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3 , are drive-free rollers.   19. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 18, where the roller R 1  has an outer diameter in the range from 5 to 100 mm, preferably in the range from 7 to 40 mm, more preferably in the range from 10 to 30 mm.   20. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 19, preferably according to embodiment 19, where the roller R 2  has an outer diameter in the range from 5 to 100 mm, preferably in the range from 15 to 50 mm, more preferably in the range from 25 to 30 mm.   21. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 20, preferably according to embodiment 20, more preferably according to embodiment 19 and 20, where the roller R 3  has an outer diameter in the range from 5 to 100 mm, preferably in the range from 15 to 50 mm, more preferably in the range from 25 to 30 mm.   22. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 21, where at least one of the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3 , preferably all the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3 , have an extent along their respective rotational axis of at least 100 mm.   23. Apparatus according to embodiment 22 in so far as embodiment 22 is dependent on embodiment 16, where the extent of at least one of the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3 , preferably of all the rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3 , along their respective rotational axis independently of one another is at least L+10 mm and is preferably in the range from (L+10 mm) to (L+20 mm), more preferably in the range from (L+10 mm) to (L+15 mm).   24. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 23, where the roller R 3  is disposed in such a way that in the guiding of the strip P, the first contact point between the strip P and the roller R 3  is in the plane of an end face of the reel S or is disposed at a distance from this plane in a direction away from the reel.   25. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 24, where the rotational axis A 1  of the roller R 1  is positioned movably in space in such a way that the roller R 1  contacts, preferably contacts linearly, the reel S during the unwinding of the strip P.   26. Apparatus according to embodiment 25, where the rotational axis A 1  of the roller R 1  performs a movement in a radial direction with respect to the reel axis A S  during the unwinding of the strip P.   27. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 26, where the rollers R 2  and R 3  are guide rollers having spatially fixed rotational axes and where the reel axis A S  is a spatially fixed rotational axis.   28. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 27, where the rotational axes A 1  and A 2  are disposed in such a way that a free length of the strip P between the roller R 1  and the roller R 2  is in the range from 150 to 500 mm, preferably in the range from 200 to 300 mm.   29. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 28, where the rotational axes A 2  and A 3  are disposed in such a way that a free length of the strip P between the roller R 2  and the roller R 3  is in the range from 150 to 300 mm, preferably in the range from 200 to 250 mm.   30. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 29, where the roller R 3  is the last roller for guiding the strip P before the strip P is applied to the carrier material T.   31. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 29, according to (11) additionally comprising a rotatably mounted roller R 4  for guiding the strip P unwound at least partly from the reel, the roller R 4  being downstream of the roller R 3 , where
       (II.4) the roller R 4  has a rotational axis A 4 , where the angle α 4  between the rotational axis A 4  and the rotational axis A 3  is 90°, with a tolerance of ±1°.   
       32. Apparatus according to embodiment 31, where the roller R 4  has a guide flange on at least one side, preferably on both sides.   33. Apparatus according to embodiment 32, where the guide flanges disposed on both sides have a distance from one another in the range from (b+0.1 mm) to (b+0.9 mm), preferably in the range from (b+0.2 mm) to (b+0.8 mm), more preferably in the range from (b+0.3 mm) to (b+0.7 mm).   34. Apparatus according to embodiment 32 or 33, where the roller R 4  is the last roller for guiding the strip P before the strip P is applied to the carrier material T.   35. Apparatus according to embodiment 31 to 33, additionally comprising a rotatably mounted roller R 5  for guiding the strip P unwound at least partly from the reel, the roller R 5  being downstream of the roller R 4 , where
       (II.5) the roller R S  has a rotational axis A S , where the angle α 5  between the rotational axis A 5  and the rotational axis A 4  is 90°, with a tolerance of ±1°.   
       36. Apparatus according to embodiment 35, where the roller R 5  has a guide flange on at least one side, preferably on both sides.   37. Apparatus according to embodiment 36, where the guide flanges disposed on both sides have a distance from one another in the range from (b+0.1 mm) to (b+0.9 mm), preferably in the range from (b+0.2 mm) to (b+0.8 mm), more preferably in the range from (b+0.3 mm) to (b+0.7 mm).   38. Apparatus according to embodiment 35 to 37, where the roller R 5  is the last roller for guiding the strip P before the strip P is applied to the carrier material T.   39. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 38, where the application apparatus V is set up in such a way that it exerts at least one force on the strip P in a direction towards the carrier material T.   40. Apparatus according to embodiment 39, where the application apparatus V is set up in such a way that the force is exerted via at least one rubber roll.   41. Apparatus according to embodiment 39 or 40, where the application apparatus V is set up in such a way that the force is exerted via compressed air.   42. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 41, where the apparatus additionally comprises at least one bond application apparatus K for applying at least one bonding layer, preferably comprising at least one hotmelt adhesive.   43. Apparatus according to embodiment 42, where the bonding layer is applied to the carrier material T.   44. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 43, where the apparatus additionally comprises at least one separating unit for separating off lengths of the strip P, where the at least one separating unit is preferably downstream of the last roller, as defined in embodiment 30, 34 or 38.   45. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 44, where the apparatus additionally comprises at least one drive unit for driving the strip P and at least one brake unit for braking the strip P.   46. Apparatus according to embodiment 45, where the drive unit and the brake unit are set up to control a rotational movement of the reel S, where the rotational movement of the reel S preferably has an unwind velocity v of the strip P from the reel S of 0 m/min&lt;v≤250 m/min, preferably of 100 m/min≤v≤200 m/min.   47. Apparatus according to embodiment 45 or 46, where the drive unit and the brake unit are downstream of the last roller, as defined in any of embodiment 30, 34 or 38.   48. Apparatus according to embodiment 45 or 46, where the drive unit is disposed in such a way as to drive the strip P by accelerating a rotational movement of the roller R 2  or of the roller R 3 , where the brake unit is disposed in such a way as to brake the strip P by reducing a rotational movement of the reel S.   49. Method for applying a strip P comprising at least one microcreped paper to a carrier material T, where the method comprises the following steps:
       a) providing an apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 48;   b) providing the at least one carrier material T;   c) guiding the strip P from the reel S to the application apparatus V via the at least three rollers R 1 , R 2  and R 3 ;   d) applying the strip P on the carrier material T by means of the application apparatus V.   
       50. Method according to embodiment 49, where the carrier material T is at least one packaging blank.   51. Method according to embodiment 50, where the packaging blank consists of paper or board and is selected from the group consisting of a case, a carton, a folding box and a wrapper.   52. Method according to any of embodiments 49 to 51, where the applying in step d) comprises an exerting of at least one force on the strip P in a direction towards the carrier material T.   53. Method according to any of embodiments 49 to 52, where the method further comprises a step e) preceding step d), of
       e) providing a bond application apparatus K as defined in embodiment 42 and applying the bonding layer to the carrier material T by means of the bond application apparatus K.   
       54. Method according to embodiment 53, where the strip P is applied in step d) to the bonding layer applied to the carrier material, and so the bonding layer adjoins the carrier material T and the strip P.   55. Method according to any of embodiments 49 to 54, where the strip P is a tear strip.   56. Apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 48, where the strip P is a tear strip.   57. Use of an apparatus according to any of embodiments 1 to 48 for applying a strip P comprising at least one microcreped paper to a carrier material T.   58. A carrier material T comprising a strip P comprising at least one microcreped paper, where the carrier material T is obtained or obtainable by a method according to any of embodiments 49 to 55.   

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Further details and features of the present invention are evident from the description of exemplary embodiments. In these embodiments the respective features may be actualized alone or multiply in combination with one another. The invention is not confined to the exemplary embodiments. The exemplary embodiments are represented schematically in the figures. Identical reference numerals in the individual figures here denote identical or functionally identical elements or elements which correspond to one another in terms of their function. 
       Specifically: 
         FIGS.  1  to  3    show different exemplary embodiments of an apparatus for applying a strip P comprising a microcreped paper to a carrier material T, in side view ( FIGS.  1  and  3   ) and also in perspective view ( FIG.  2   ). 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     The figures are described in common.  FIGS.  1  to  3    show different exemplary embodiments of an apparatus  110  for applying a strip P  112  comprising a microcreped paper to a carrier material T  114 , in a side view ( FIGS.  1  and  3   ) and also in perspective view ( FIG.  2   ). The carrier material  114  is not part of the apparatus  110  and is therefore shown illustratively in  FIGS.  1  and  3    by means of dashed lines. The strip  112  has an areal extent with a length l, a width b and a thickness d, where: l&gt;&gt;b&gt;d. 
     The apparatus  110  comprises the strip  112  comprising the microcreped paper, which is wound to a reel S  116 , the reel  116  being mounted rotatably about a reel axis A S    117 . The reel  116  preferably has a length L in the direction of the reel axis A S    117  of not more than 310 mm and a diameter D of not more than 500 mm. The apparatus  110  further comprises three rotatably mounted rollers R 1    118 , R 2    120  and R 3    122  for guiding the strip  112  unwound at least partly from the reel  116 , with a movement direction of the strip  112  being illustrated in the figures by arrows. The roller R 1    118  is downstream of the reel  116 , the roller R 2    120  downstream of the roller R 1    118 , and the roller R 3    122  downstream of the roller R 2 . The roller R 1    118  has a rotational axis A 1    124 , with the angle α 1  between the rotational axis A 1  and reel axis A S  being 0° with a tolerance of ±5°. The rotational axis A 1    124  and the reel axis A S    117  are preferably oriented in parallel to one another, for example along the z-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system represented illustratively in the figures. The roller R 2    120  has a rotational axis A 2    126 , the angle α 2  between the rotational axis A 2  and reel axis A S  being 0° with a tolerance of ±10°. The rotational axis A 2    126  and the reel axis A S    117  are preferably oriented in parallel to one another, for example likewise along the z-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system represented. The roller R 3    122  has a rotational axis A 3    128 , the angle α 3  between the rotational axis A 3  and rotational axis A 2    126  of the roller R 2  being 90° with a tolerance of ±1°. The rotational axis A 3    128  and the rotational axis A 2    126  are preferably oriented orthogonally to one another, for example along the x-axis and the z-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system represented in  FIG.  1   , or along the x-axis and the z-axis as shown illustratively in  FIGS.  2  and  3   . 
     The roller R 3    122  is preferably disposed in such a way that in the guiding of the strip  112 , a first contact point  129  between the strip  112  and roller R 3    122  is in the same plane as an end face  131  of the reel  116 , for example in order to convert a back-and-forth movement of the strip  112  induced by the unwinding of the strip  112  from the reel  116 , for example a zig-zag movement along the z-axis of the coordinate system shown in the figures, into a stable linear movement. 
     The apparatus  110  additionally comprises at least one application apparatus V  130  for applying the strip  112  to the carrier material  114 . The application apparatus  130  is preferably set up to exert at least one force in a direction toward the carrier material  114  on the strip  112 ; this force is depicted illustratively in  FIG.  3    by means of an arrow. 
     As shown illustratively in  FIG.  2   , the apparatus preferably further comprises at least one housing  132  for the spatial securement of the reel  116  and also of the rollers R 1    118 , R 2    120  and R 3    122 . Here, the roller R 1    118  is preferably secured in such a way that the roller R 1    118  linearly contacts the reel  116  during the unwinding of the strip  112 . For this purpose, further, the rotational axis A 1    124  may preferably perform a spatial movement in a radial direction towards the reel axis  117 . With further preference, as depicted illustratively in  FIG.  2   , a securing of the roller R 1    118  in this way may be realized by means of two spring elements  134  and a groove  136  disposed in the housing  132 . Other forms of securement as well, not shown here but familiar to the skilled person, are possible, examples being alternative mechanical and/or hydraulic and also electronic positional adaptations. 
     The apparatus  110  additionally preferably comprises at least one further cylindrical roller R 4    137 , the roller R 4    137  being mounted rotatably about a rotational axis  138  and being positioned downstream of the roller R 3    122 . Preferably the rollers R 1    118 , R 2    120 , R 3    122  and also the roller R 4    137  of the apparatus  110  are passive, drive-free rollers, which are placed into rotation via a take-off of the strip  112 . In  FIG.  3   , the take-off of the strip  112  is depicted illustratively by an arrow in negative y-direction at the right-hand margin of the figure, beneath the carrier material  114 . The take-off may be generated, for example, by a movement of the carrier material  114 . 
     The apparatus  110  additionally preferably comprises a bond application apparatus  140  for applying adhesive  142 , preferably solvent-free adhesive, to the carrier material  114 . The apparatus  110  additionally preferably comprises a separating unit  144  for separating off lengths of the strip  112 . The apparatus  110  is used preferably for producing tear strips  146 . 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           110  Apparatus 
           112  Strip P 
           114  Carrier material T 
           116  Reel S 
           117  Reel axis A S    
           118  Roller R 1    
           120  Roller R 2    
           122  Roller R 3    
           124  Rotational axis A 1    
           126  Rotational axis A 2    
           128  Rotational axis A 3    
           129  Contact point 
           130  Application apparatus V 
           131  End face 
           132  Housing 
           134  Spring element 
           136  Groove 
           137  Roller R 4    
           138  Rotational axis A 4    
           140  Bond application apparatus K 
           142  Adhesive 
           144  Separating unit 
           146  Tear strip