EP1820899A1 - Method for inserting RFID tags in corrugated cardboard - Google Patents

Abstract

The tag applying process involves placing information carriers between two layers (15, 16) of material, which will be identifiable after transverse cutting, doing so in accordance with information about the spacing of the information carrier position from the transverse cuts and the movement of the web of material between the insertion position and the transverse cutting position.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a method, a system and a system for the production or assembly of cardboard, such that information carriers can be introduced between two layers of material, as well as a piece of cardboard made in this way and a packaging.

State of the art

From the prior art plants for the production of corrugated board are known, whose basic structure is shown in Fig. 1 . Such a system comprises one or more unilateral groups in which a smooth and a corrugated web are joined together. The so assembled webs are called one-sided webs. When merging and laminating the one-sided webs and a cover sheet are merged into a single web and laminated. The area to this point is also referred to as wet end. After lamination, the web passes through a heating and traction area. Here, the web is dried by the introduction of heat. In the final finishing process, the corrugated board web is trimmed at the edges and further cut into desired formats as required and transported to a warehouse.

Furthermore, information carriers such as RFID tags / RFID transponders (RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification, which is synonymous with radio detection) are known from the prior art, for the identification of For example, you can serve items in a department store. Such tags can be read contactless, so that a basket full of goods for the detection at a checkout no longer needs to be emptied. RFID tags are adhered to packaging in the state of the art like conventional price tags.

The manual sticking of tags on goods is faulty and expensive.

Summary of the invention

The present invention is therefore based on the object to improve the known methods and equipment.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method, a piece of cardboard material, a package, a system and a system according to the appended independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, an internal RFID tag is provided within the corrugated board or between the individual corrugated board webs for a complete traceability of the flow of goods of transport packaging as well as the automatic content identification. For this purpose, the tag must be introduced to the corrugator during the production process of the corrugated board. The correct positioning in the longitudinal as well as in the transverse direction also constitutes an essential aspect of the invention.

According to the invention, a method is provided for producing cardboard or a material web of cardboard, wherein at least two layers of material are joined together and information carriers are introduced between the at least two layers of material. Preferably, at least one of the layers of material is a one-sided web which has been produced by a single-sided group of the corrugated cardboard plant.

The information carriers can be applied to a material layer carrying the information carrier before this material layer is connected to a further material layer covering the information carrier. This is preferably done in front of the laminating point and behind the gluing unit.

The material web is cut after the connection of all layers of material in the transverse direction (X-direction), wherein transverse direction is to be considered relative to the direction of passage to separate the web into pieces of material, the information carrier previously introduced so that they are then at predetermined positions in the pieces of material are located. For this purpose, in particular the web position and / or web speed and / or dead time between application of the information carrier and fragmentation in the transverse direction must be considered.

The layers of material are moved in the longitudinal direction (Y-direction) during the production of the material web, the longitudinal direction relative to the passage direction, and the information carriers are applied to the supporting material layer at positions with respect to the longitudinal extent of this material layer in a timely manner, taking into account subsequent predetermined cuts in the transverse direction (X-direction), the distance of the position at which the cross-sections are made, the position at which the information carriers are applied, and the movement which the web of material between the application position and the cross-cutting position carried out.

At the application position, a positioning system is provided with a memory for information carrier, so that the information carrier can be applied by the positioning system continuously on the supporting material layer passing the positioning system.

The process is carried out in a corrugator with a wet end and a dry end. As a wet end of a corrugated cardboard plant, the one-sided groups and the merging and laminating of Fig. 1 are designated. The dry end includes the heating and traction area as well as the finishing.

The corrugated board used can have at least one single-sided group, a merge point, a laminating point, a heating and drawing area and / or a finishing point.

The information carriers contain means so that the information can be read out from the information carrier by means of electromagnetic radiation, acoustomagnetic radiation, radio frequency waves and / or ultrasound waves, in particular the information carriers are RFID transponders or EAS tags.

Optionally, at least one of the outer webs can be provided with a marking which points to an inner information carrier. Such a label may e.g. a color mark, a label or an inline printing.

The provision of a mark has the advantage that the cutting pattern can be aligned with respect to the information carrier in a simple manner. A cumulative offset with the consequence that some patterns have no information carrier is avoided, and the information carrier always has the same position in a package formed from the pattern. The pattern can be optimally aligned within the corrugator and thus prevent waste. In addition, the externally visible marking can be used so that an automatic RFID scanner can precisely locate the location of the RFID tag so that read-out safety is increased. So if a packaging is used to transport goods, this has corresponding logistical advantages.

The invention likewise comprises a piece of cardboard material, in particular of corrugated cardboard, which is produced by one of the described methods according to the invention or which contains an information carrier within the material layers of the cardboard or corrugated board. The piece of material has the advantages achieved by the method according to the invention, e.g. the information carriers contain a device so that the information can be read out from the information carrier by means of electromagnetic radiation, acoustomagnetic radiation, radio frequency waves and / or ultrasound waves. The information carriers can be RFID transponders or EAS tags.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a package is provided which consists partly or completely of cardboard, in particular corrugated cardboard, wherein an information carrier is contained within the cardboard. This packaging has the advantages that result from one of the methods according to the invention or from the piece of cardboard material.

The invention further provides an installation which can carry out all aspects of the method according to the invention and has adapted and suitable means for this purpose. All the above statements apply analogously.

Likewise, a system for applying information carriers to a material layer is provided, wherein the system has at least one positioning system which can be arranged within the system such that the information carriers can be introduced between two material layers.

The positioning system is advantageously connected to a control device which is suitable for controlling the positioning system in such a way that the information carriers are subsequently located at predetermined positions in the material pieces.

A control device optionally controls the positioning system for the application of the information carrier with respect to the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the material layer or the single-sided web, taking into account the parameters distance of the positioning system from the cross-cutting device, type and speed of movement, which the material web between the Positioning system and the cross-cutting device performed, and / or geometry of the predetermined pieces of material.

Preferably, at least one sensor for measuring the speed of the material web is provided between the positioning system and the cross-cutting device. The positioning system may include a memory for information carrier, so that the information carrier can be applied by the positioning system continuously on a supporting material layer or a one-sided path.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

ist eine schematische Übersichtsdarstellung einer Anlage zur Herstellung von Wellpappe;

Fig. 2

ist eine schematische Darstellung einer einseitigen Gruppe einer Anlage zur Herstellung von Wellpappe;

Fig. 3

ist eine schematische Darstellung einer Zusammenführung, Kaschierstelle und eines Heiz- und Zugbereichs gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung; und

Fig. 4

ist eine schematische Darstellung einer Endverarbeitung gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung.

Fig. 5

ist eine schematische Darstellung einer Pappe mit Informationsträger gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1

is a schematic overview of a plant for the production of corrugated board;

Fig. 2

is a schematic representation of a one-sided group of a plant for the production of corrugated cardboard;

Fig. 3

is a schematic representation of a merging, laminating and a heating and traction area according to the present invention; and

Fig. 4

is a schematic representation of a finishing according to the present invention.

Fig. 5

is a schematic representation of a cardboard with information carrier according to the present invention

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a one-sided group. In a corrugated board manufacturing plant there may be one or more such unilateral groups. They are the same from their function and their basic structure.

The paper or paper-like starting material is located on supply rolls 1. The supply rolls 1 are always arranged in pairs, wherein the material is unwound from one roll while the other roll is kept in reserve. If the material of a roll is exhausted, it is spliced at the point 2 on the other role, so that the supply of material does not break off. From there, the paper is passed into a first material store 3 . Paper is stored here to compensate for the paper feed delay that occurs when splicing to a new roll. To regulate the memory contents in the memory 3 , the deflection rollers on the right and left in the memory can be moved towards each other or removed from each other.

From the first memory 3 , the paper is guided to the position-influencing device 4 . The paper is passed after the attitude control device 4 over rollers, where it is heated, in particular with rollers, which are fed from the inside with hot water vapor. In addition, the paper is moistened on the way, so that it is more malleable and can be easier to connect two layers of paper later.

Then, the web coming from one side is passed over a corrugating roll 5 where it is forced into a wavy shape. The sizing device 6 applies glue to this web. From the other side comes a second track, which is then glued with the corrugated web to a one-sided path.

The generated unilateral web is conveyed to the bridge 8 . Here is a second supply, the so-called bridge supply 7 is arranged. He serves as a reserve for further production. When splicing from one supply roll 1 to another, usually the production of the single-sided web is slowed down to allow a secure and thus slower splicing. For this period, the bridge supply 7 serves as a reserve, so that the manufacturing process can continue at a speed of about 100 to 400 meters per minute. After changing to a new supply roll 1 , the speed when producing the single-sided sheet is raised to an above-average value in order to replenish the bridge supply 7.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a merge, laminating and a heating and traction area. Here are the one or more one-sided paths passed. The position-influencing devices 11, 12 regulate the position of the single-sided webs as well as the required web tension. From a cover layer supply roll 9 , the cover layer is passed to the position-influencing device 10 via a supply store.

After the attitude control devices 10, 11, 12 , the webs are passed via a preheater 13 and a gluing unit 14 to the lamination 20 , where the webs are joined together. Here the most accurate positioning of the webs to each other is desirable.

Prior to lamination, information carriers 26, such as RFID tags, are applied by the system 18 to the single-sided web 16 before it is merged with the cover web 15 . Preferably, the RFID tags 26 are applied to the web 16 between the gluing unit 14 and the liner 20 , since the freshly applied glue assists the adhesion of the tags 26 . For applying the tags 26 , for example, mechanical or pneumatic processes can be utilized. Alternatively or additionally, the system for applying tags 26 may also be used at the positions indicated by reference numeral 19 to be brought. This makes it possible for tags 26 to be introduced between different layers of a multi-ply corrugated cardboard web.

In corrugated cardboard plants several orders can be produced at the same time. The web can be cut by a creasing and cutting machine 24 in the longitudinal direction. The thus divided sides of a web can then be processed differently. It may be desirable that respective end products are each equipped with RFID tags 26 . For this reason, the system 18 can be designed to include a plurality of application heads that can be independently controlled. The application heads can then be moved independently of one another transversely to the passage direction of the web and they can apply RFID tags 26 at different time intervals.

In the work preparation, all required dimensions, such as the entire contour of the later cardboard packaging are known. This applies to all required dimensions, punches, creases, handle pockets, etc. This information is passed to the control system and used to position the RFID tags 26 . Furthermore, it must still be determined by the work preparation / planning at which position the RFID tags 26 are to come within the corrugated board for introduction, such as with respect to other cut / crease edges or to a coordinate reference point. This will be discussed in more detail in the context of FIG .

The system 18 includes a memory for a sufficient number of tags and a positioning device for the heads. This positioning device is able to move any position transverse to the direction of the paper and so bring the application head in the desired position to the web position.

By optional additional measurements of the web layers and widths in the area of the merger, which can be installed in the position-influencing devices 10, 11, 12 , as well as in the area of the creasing and cutting machine 24 , the required position of the RFID tag 26 can be determined precisely. For assistance, other measuring systems for width, layer, shrinkage determination, etc., or a border trim detection, which characterizes the cut in the field of creasing and cutting machines, can be used. Thus, the tag can be accurately placed in front of the lamination 20 .

For the positional position of the tag in the longitudinal direction can proceed as follows. In the cross cutter 25 , the web is cut in the transverse direction according to the required format length for further processing. In order to properly position the day 26 in the front part of the corrugated cardboard plant, the introduction time must be synchronized so that it comes to rest correctly in relation to the cross-sectional line at the cross cutter 25 . For this purpose, the cutting signal can be used by the cross cutter. This, in connection with a speed calculation or length measurement of the goods, allows the determination of the correct insertion time of the RFID tag 26. The speed of the web can be detected, for example, with a speed measuring means 22 . The distance between the system 18 and the cross cutter 25 is known from the plant design. Even if particularly accurate positioning of the RFID tags 26 is desired, the actual, current web speed should be considered in the control of the system 18 . At web speeds of about 100 to 400 meters per minute, the consideration of web speed fluctuations is an important factor.

It should also be mentioned that when changing jobs, ie when switching from production to a new cardboard target shape, a timely changeover of the insertion positions may be required. This is to be considered in the control of the system 18 .

Furthermore, the system includes a short cross cutter 23. This allows cut out rejects, especially after a format change or machine downtime. As a rule, this short cross cutter 23 has a different working period length than the format length, so that the pieces cut out there may possibly have to be taken into account in the control of the system 18 .

After the lamination 20 , the web is dried in the heating and drawing area 21 . Circulating belts pull the web through this area, while it is guided past heating elements. By introducing heat, the cardboard is deprived of moisture and dried.

Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of a finishing process. The web speed is detected by the speed measuring means 22 . The web is then forwarded by the short cross cutter 23 to the creasing and cutting machine 24. In the cross cutter 25 , the web is cut transversely to desired dimensions and fed into a warehouse, which is shown schematically on the right side of FIG .

Fig. 5 shows an example of a longitudinally and transversely cut corrugated cardboard sheet with an information carrier 26 according to the invention, wherein in the longitudinal direction grooves (later fold lines) are incorporated. Cross-section cuts and folds (CL) are made in the finish.

The tag 26 is determined in its position by its distance from the axis in the direction of passage, ie X-coordinate, and by its distance from the rear raw edge in the direction of passage, which is transverse to the direction of passage, ie Y-coordinate. Of course, the person skilled in the art can also choose another suitable coordinate system. With such a position indication, it has to be taken into account that in the corrugated cardboard plant another edge strip is cut off, a corresponding shrinkage is caused by drying and also in the further processing at all four raw edges of the formats is still slightly cut away. This must all be taken into account accordingly, so that the RFID tag 26 comes to the correct position after the final processing to the specified reference edge or groove position for insertion. Advantageously, the desired position of the RFID tag 26 can be entered or changed by an operator of the system by means of a user-friendly mask, eg with a display similar to FIG. 5 . The control of the system can also be designed so that the position for the RFID tag 26 is transferred simultaneously with the input via a job to be produced.

Optionally, at least one of the outer webs 15 or 17 may be provided with a marking indicative of an inside information carrier 26 . Such markings are preferably applied only behind the heating and drawing area 21 . They should be visible from the outside later, so it may also be advantageous if they are applied only in the context of subsequent finishing. When applied as part of corrugated board production, all information and control variables already present for positioning the RFID tags 26 can be used in an analogous manner for their positioning. For example, it is possible to position the markers synchronized with the application of the RFID tag 26 .

As described above, and as seen for example in Figure 5, at least one of the outer panels 15 or 17 may be provided with a mark (X, Y) indicative of the X and Y position of the inner information carrier. For their positioning, all information and control variables that are already present for positioning the RFID tags 26 can be used in an analogous manner. For example, it is possible to position the markers synchronized with the application of the RFID tag 26 .

The provision of a mark has the advantage that the cutting pattern can be aligned with respect to the information carrier in a simple manner. A cumulative offset with the consequence that some patterns have no information carrier is avoided, and the information carrier always has the same position in a package formed from the pattern. The pattern can be optimally aligned within the corrugator and thus prevent waste. In addition, the externally visible marking can be used so that an automatic RFID scanner can precisely locate the location of the RFID tag so that read-out safety is increased. So if a packaging is used to transport goods, this has corresponding logistical advantages.

Claims (34)

Method for producing cardboard or a material web of cardboard, wherein at least two layers of material are joined together, characterized in that information carriers (26) are introduced between the at least two layers of material (15, 16). Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the information carriers (26) are applied to a material layer carrying the information carrier before this material layer is connected to a further material layer covering the information carrier. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the material web after the connection of all material layers in the transverse direction (X direction) is cut to separate the material web into pieces of material, wherein the information carrier (26) are previously introduced such that they are then located at predetermined positions in the pieces of material. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the material layers are moved during the production of the material web in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), and that the information carrier (26) are applied to the supporting material layer at positions with respect to the longitudinal extent of this material layer in a timely manner considering subsequently taking predetermined cuts in the transverse direction (X direction), - The distance of the position at which the cross sections are performed, from the position at which the information carrier (26) are applied, and from the movement which the material web makes between the application position and the cross-cutting position. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a positioning system with an information carrier (26) is provided at the application position so that the information carriers (26) are continuously applied by the positioning system to the supporting material layer passing the positioning system can. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method is carried out in a corrugator with a wet end and a dry end. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the corrugated cardboard plant has at least one unilateral group, a merging point, a laminating point (20), a heating and traction area and / or a finishing station. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information carriers (26) contain means so that the information can be read out from the information carrier (26) by means of electromagnetic radiation, acoustomagnetic radiation, radio frequency waves and / or ultrasound waves. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information carriers (26) are RFID transponders or EAS tags. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the outer tracks (15, 17) is provided with a marking which points to the inner information carrier (26). Material piece of cardboard, in particular of corrugated cardboard, characterized in that the piece of material has been produced by a method according to claims 1 to 10. Material piece of cardboard, in particular corrugated cardboard, characterized in that within the material layers of the cardboard or corrugated cardboard, an information carrier (26) is included. A piece of cardboard material according to claim 12, characterized in that the information carrier (26) includes means for reading the information from the information carrier (26) by means of electromagnetic radiation, acoustomagnetic radiation, radio frequency waves and / or ultrasonic waves. Material piece of cardboard according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the information carrier (26) is an RFID transponder or an EAS tag. Material piece of cardboard according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the piece of material is provided with a marking which points to the inside information carrier (26). Packaging which consists partially or completely of cardboard, in particular corrugated cardboard, characterized in that an information carrier (26) is contained within the cardboard. Packaging according to claim 16, characterized in that the information carrier (26) includes means for the information to be read out from the information carrier (26) by means of electromagnetic radiation, acoustomagnetic radiation, radio frequency waves and / or ultrasonic waves. Packaging according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the information carrier (26) is an RFID transponder or an EAS tag. Packaging according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the packaging is provided with a marking which points to the inside information carrier (26). Plant for the production of corrugated cardboard, characterized in that at least one positioning system for applying information carriers (26) is provided, which is arranged within the system such that the information carrier (26) between two layers of material (15, 16) can be introduced. Installation according to claim 20, characterized in that the positioning system is arranged between two single-sided webs or between a single-sided web (16) and a cover web (15) at a location before the webs are joined together. Installation according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the positioning system is arranged in front of or at the laminating point (20). Installation according to one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that the system comprises a cross-cutting device (25) to separate the material web into pieces of material, wherein the positioning system is connected to a control device which is adapted to control the positioning system such that the information carrier (26) are then located at predetermined positions in the pieces of material. Installation according to one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that the control means can control the positioning system for the application of the information carrier (26) with respect to the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the material layer or the single-sided web taking into account the following parameters: Distance of the positioning system from the cross-cutting device (25), The type and speed of movement which the material web makes between the positioning system and the cross-cutting device, and / or - Geometry of the predetermined pieces of material. Installation according to one of claims 20 to 24, characterized in that the positioning system has a memory for information carrier (26), so that the information carrier (26) can be applied by the positioning system continuously on the supporting material layer or the single-sided web. Installation according to one of claims 20 to 25, characterized in that the plant has a wet end and a dry end. Installation according to one of claims 20 to 26, characterized in that the plant has at least one unilateral group, a merging point, a laminating point (20), a heating and traction area and / or a finishing point. Installation according to one of claims 20 to 27, characterized in that at least one means is provided, which is designed to provide at least one of the outer tracks (15, 17) with a marking which points to the inner information carrier (26) , System for applying information carriers (26) to a material layer in a system according to one of the claims according to 20 to 28, the system having at least one positioning system which can be arranged within the system such that the information carriers (26) are arranged between two material layers ( 15, 16) can be introduced. A system according to claim 29, characterized in that the positioning system is connected to a control device which is adapted to control the positioning system such that the information carriers (26) are subsequently at predetermined positions in the pieces of material. A system according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that the control means can control the positioning system for the application of the information carrier (26) with respect to the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the material layer or the single-sided web taking into account the following parameters: Distance of the positioning system from the cross cutter, The type and speed of movement which the material web makes between the positioning system and the cross-cutting device, and / or - Geometry of the predetermined pieces of material. System according to one of claims 29 to 31, characterized in that at least one sensor for measuring the speed of the material web is provided between the positioning system and the cross-cutting device. A system according to any one of claims 29 to 32, characterized in that the positioning system has a memory for information carriers (26) so that the information carriers (26) can be continuously applied by the positioning system to a supporting material layer or web. System according to one of claims 29 to 33, characterized in that at least one means is provided, which is designed to provide at least one of the outer tracks (15, 17) with a marking which points to the inner information carrier (26) ,

Images