Device and method for forming a packaging film gusset in a tubular bag packaging

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for folding a packaging film in the region of a transverse sealing seam (Q) of a packaging unit (V) which is formed in a tubular bag packaging machine. The folding device has two gusset-folding devices (100; 200; 300), wherein in each case one gusset-folding device (100; 200; 300) is arranged outside of in each case one side surface (S) of the packaging unit (V) to be formed, in the region of the transverse sealing seam (Q) to be formed. Each of the two gusset-folding devices (100; 200; 300) comprises at least one folding finger (114, 124; 224, 234; 324, 334) which, in the region of the transverse sealing seam (Q) to be formed, engages laterally from the outside into the side surface (S) of the packaging unit (V) to be formed and presses the side surface (S) inwards at least partially in the direction of the transverse sealing seam (Q) to be formed, perpendicularty to the conveying direction (F), in order thereby to form a packaging film gusset (Z); and at least two coupling mechanisms (110, 120; 220, 230; 320, 330), wherein each coupling mechanism (110, 120; 220, 230; 320, 330) comprises a movable first coupling element, in particular a crank element (111, 121; 221, 231; 321, 331), a movable second coupling element, in particular a rocker element (112, 122; 222, 232; 322, 332), and a connecting element (113, 123; 223, 233; 323, 333) which connects the first and the second coupling element to one another. Herein, in each case one folding finger (114, 124; 224, 234; 324, 334) is attached to one of the connecting elements (113, 123; 223, 233; 323, 333) of the at least two coupling mechanisms (110, 120; 220, 230; 320, 330). The invention also relates to a tubular bag packaging machine which comprises a folding device according to the invention, and to a packaging unit which is formed with such a folding device and/or with such a tubular bag packaging machine and/or by using a method according to the invention.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.