Vertical tubular bag machine for packing items

Abstract

In order to allow stacks (137) of groups of items (123) placed one on top of the other, in particular comprising coffee pods, to be packed in tubular bags (16) by means of a vertical tubular bag machine (1), it is proposed either to adapt a filling pipe (6) to the horizontal dimensions of the groups of items (23) or to provide it with an insert (125) in order to stabilize the stack during its falling movement in the filling pipe (6). The insert (125) is similarly adapted to the geometry of the items in order to stabilize them during their fall in the filling pipe (6).

Description

The invention relates to the packaging sector and, in that sector, to a vertical tubular bag machine with a web of film unwound from a supply roll. A machine of this type has a shaping shoulder for shaping the web of film into a film tube and a vertically aligned filling pipe, which receives the film tube and through which it is possible to fill the film tube. A filling station for items to be packed, above the filling pipe, serves for this filling operation. A film takeoff, acting against the film tube, and consequently against the filling pipe, is provided for further transportation of the web of film and the film tube. A longitudinal sealing device serves for welding the film tube by means of a longitudinal seam, aligned in the transporting direction, and a transverse sealing device with two welding jaws, which can be moved toward each other and weld the film tube transversely, serves for producing top seams and bottom seams of tubular bags. The completed tubular bags are severed from the film tube by means of a cutting device.

Vertical tubular bag machines of this type are sufficiently known. They generally serve for packing flowable or pourable products, such as granules for example. In principle, products in piece form can also be packed.

The known vertical tubular bag machines have the disadvantage that they are not very suitable for packing items which form a group of items, in the form of vertical stacks to be introduced into tubular bags, since the items turn during their free fall in the filling pipe, and consequently land in an uncontrollable manner in the welded end of the film tube. For reasons of simplification, a group of items is intended for the purposes of this application to mean either a single, horizontally aligned item, such as for example a coffee pod, or a group of two or more items arranged directly next to one another in a horizontal direction (such as coffee pods for example).

Because of this problem with falling, horizontal groups of items (single, double, triple group, . . . ) cannot be packed by means of vertical tubular bag machines. Instead, these groups are stacked into previously produced empty bags that are able to stand, which is comparatively laborious, and consequently expensive, since a vertical tubular bag machine has to be used in any case for producing the empty bags.

The invention is based on the object of designing a vertical tubular bag machine in such a way that it can be used for packing groups of items that are intended to form a stack in the tubular bag.

The object is achieved as specified in the defining part of claim 1. According to this, the filling station is intended for delivering in each case a vertically stacked group of items formed by horizontally aligned flat, preferably disk-shaped, items, and at the filling pipe an adaptation is provided with respect to the horizontal dimensions of the group of items.

The proposed tubular bag machine has the advantage that it is suitable for packing a vertical stack of items or groups of items in tubular bags. If only one item forms a group of items, all the items are stacked one on top of the other. If two or more items form a horizontally aligned group of items, two or more of such stacks are filled next to one another into a tubular bag. In this case, it is immaterial whether the groups of items are introduced into the filling station individually and one after the other or as a stack. A stack reliably falls through the filling pipe, since it is stabilized there, until it lands in the lower end of the film tube. The adaptation at the filling pipe is provided for single item stacks or a number of stacks which fall next to one another through the filling pipe, or for a single item discharge or a single discharge of groups of items.

Further, advantageous refinements of the proposed tubular bag machine are described in claims 2 to 18.

If, according to claim 2, the filling pipe is adapted with respect to its cross section to the horizontal dimensions of the group of items, and if guides which precisely delimit the groups of items falling in the filling pipe are provided in the filling pipe as fall stabilizers, the groups of items are in this way brought through the filling pipe in a reliable way, without tilting to such an extent as to produce an unstable stack.

If, according to claim 10, an insert which is adapted to the geometry of the items is provided in the filling pipe in order to stabilize said items while they are falling in the filling pipe, this advantage is likewise achieved. Moreover, conventional filling pipes of a rectangular cross section (with or without rounded corners), a round form or partly round and straight form in their cross section may be used in order to allow stacks to be formed by means of this insert.

Very good guidance of the stack through the filling pipe is achieved if, according to claim 3, the items are round and in a corner of the filling pipe there is respectively provided a guide in the form of a bevel closing off the corner. In this case, the exact configuration of the bevel can be adapted to the dimensions of the item. The guide is suitable for single, double and triple stacks (group of items with one item or two or three items).

Correct falling of a stack while retaining a compact stack height is achieved in particular if, according to claim 4, in each case two overlapping items are provided next to one another in a horizontal direction in the stack, and inwardly tapering guiding points extending between the two items on opposite sides of the filling pipe are provided as a guide. A stack of this type is suitable in particular for coffee pods. It is a stack of two with edges of the items of the two single stacks forming this stack of two in each case engaging alternately in one another (single items simply stacked one on top of the other).

A tubular bag may be provided with a shielding gas if one guide delimits a gas feed and another guide delimits a vent for the lower end of the film tube (claim 5). In this way it is possible for a tubular bag that is to be produced to be flowed through by means of a shielding gasp so that the stack to be packed is provided with a special, for example oxygen-free, gas atmosphere.

If, according to claim 6, the width and the depth of the filling pipe are made to match the width and the depth of a group of items, and if the group of items is placed above the filling pipe in such a way that a first equal spacing in the direction of the width and similarly a second equal spacing in the direction of the depth of the filling pipe is provided on opposite sides of the group of items, in each case between the outer edge of the group of items and the inner surface of the filling pipe, and if these spacings do not all have the value zero, the filling pipe having a cross section that is symmetrical to axes of symmetry of the group of items, and two pipe segments of the filling pipe that are opposite and parallel to each other, extend in the transporting direction and on which the film takeoffs act are provided, then the horizontally aligned flat items remain relatively reliably in this alignment even during the free fall. In this way there is initially an equal spacing between the group of items and the filling pipe on each opposite side (in a horizontal direction), which has the effect that no tilting moments act on a group of items at the beginning of the free fall.

A favorable horizontal alignment of the groups of items is maintained during their free fall in the filling pipe if, by analogy with claim 7, the spacings have a value between 0 and 10 mm. Then the air respectively forced past the groups of items on opposite sides is present in equal amounts in a stabilizing way, or scarcely present in the same way. It also satisfies the homogeneity of the air flow in the filling pipe if, in the case of round items, in particular round coffee pods, according to claim 8, the walls of the filling pipe that lie opposite one another and are not intended for the film takeoffs to act on have an outwardly facing arc, an outwardly directed bend or at least two outwardly directed bends. In this case, the pipe segments may extend entirely over opposite walls (claim 9), in order to offer the film takeoffs a large area of engagement, which is of advantage for correct film running.

If the filling pipe has only side walls, which are straight or curved, and which are optionally connected to one another by means of rounded portions (claim 11), conventional filling pipes, which achieve good film running, can be used in a low-cost way. Irrespective of the form of the filling pipe, the device may be provided with an exchange mechanism in order to use the filling pipe optionally for bulk material or for stack packing (claim 18). Or one insert may be exchanged for an insert of another geometry, in order to pack items of other geometries or larger or smaller groups of items.

A filling pipe may have a special form that is adapted to the geometry of the items and nevertheless have side walls that are straight or curved in a simple way, for example on the basis of a predetermined, single radius, if on such a filling pipe, having longitudinal bends for example, there is provided at least one attachment which, together with a straight portion of the filling pipe, forms a straight side wall (claim 12). Or a bent attachment forms with a bent side wall of the filling pipe an altogether uniformly bent outer wall, i.e. outermost wall, for the filling pipe. In this way, specially configured filling pipes can be brought into an outer form that is favorable for film running.

A group of items falls through the filling pipe along a falling line. If, according to claim 13, the insert thereby delimits a channel which is adjacent a falling line of the items and open toward the items, so it serves for receiving air that is displaced by the falling items. The falling characteristics become more reliable, so that the packing rate can be increased. At the same time, this channel can also be used for holding the items during their fall. This takes place in that, according to claim 14, the items have a peripheral edge, and the insert is dimensioned in such a way that the items fit into the insert only with the edge bent round, part of the edge protruding into the channel. A peripheral edge has the advantage here that, irrespective of their alignment or their rotational position, part of the edge of the items always reaches into the channel and in this way the items are guided in the latter.

More precise, reproducible falling times are also achieved if at least one venting channel is provided in the filling pipe for air that is displaced by the falling items to flow upward.

It is possible to use an insert for different geometries or dimensions of items if the insert has an adjusting device for delimiting the items (claim 16).

An additional filling channel in the filling pipe (claim 17) can be used in order to add, for example to a stack of coffee pods sliding through the insert, a supplement, for example a bag with descaling agent for a coffee machine that uses coffee pods for making coffee.

The invention is described in more detail below on the basis of figures representing exemplary embodiments, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a vertical tubular bag machine in a side view, with a filling station above a vertical filling pipe, in order to place a stack of groups of items above the filling pipe and then discharge them into a tubular bag;

FIG. 2 shows an uppermost group of items in a section along A-A of FIG. 1, formed by two partially overlapping items and previously falling freely in the filling pipe, the cross section of the filling pipe being geometrically adapted to this group of items, and the group of items being the uppermost in a stack, without guidance in the filling pipe;

FIG. 3 shows the object of FIG. 2 in a sectional representation, but additionally with two inwardly tapering guides for guiding the stacks falling in the filling pipe;

FIG. 4 shows the object of FIG. 3 in a sectional representation, but with slightly modified dimensions, the one guide delimiting a gas feed and the other guide delimiting a vent;

FIG. 5 shows the object of FIG. 4 in a sectional representation, but with a differently bent filling pipe wall;

FIG. 6 shows the object of FIG. 5 in a sectional representation, but additionally with a further guide in each of the four corners of the filling pipe;

FIG. 7 shows a round item in a filling pipe, which has a guide in each of its four corners, in a sectional representation;

FIG. 8 shows an item to be stacked in a side view;

FIG. 9 shows a vertical tubular bag machine in a side view, with a filling station above a vertical filling pipe having four straight side walls, in order to place a stack of groups of items above the filling pipe and then discharge them in a tubular bag;

FIG. 10 shows a stack which is formed by groups of items placed one on top of the other and respectively comprising two items, and which is to be stacked, in a side view;

FIG. 11 shows a group of items according to FIG. 3 in the filling pipe in a cross section along A-A of FIG. 1, an insert in the filling pipe being designed for guiding the group of items and for forming venting channels, and the filling pipe having four straight side walls;

FIG. 12 shows the group of items of FIG. 4 in a differently designed filling pipe and with a modified insert in a cross section analogous to FIG. 4;

FIG. 13 shows the filling pipe and the group of items of FIG. 4, but with a different insert, in a cross section;

FIG. 14 shows a group of items in a cross section, comprising four round items in a filling pipe with an insert for respectively guiding the items;

FIG. 15 shows likewise round items in a filling pipe with an insert in a cross section, the filling pipe having two straight side walls and two curved side walls;

FIG. 16 shows approximately rectangular items in a filling pipe with an insert in a cross section;

FIG. 17 shows two items which are formed partly straight and partly round, in a filling pipe with an insert, in a cross section;

FIG. 18 shows a group of items in a cross section, formed by two items in a filling pipe, which in an integral way forms an insert which has four attachments, which respectively delimit a venting channel, and in which two channels adjacent a falling line are provided;

FIG. 19 shows a group of items in a cross section, formed by one item in a filling pipe with an insert;

FIG. 20 shows a group of items in a cross section, formed by two items in a filling pipe with an insert;

FIG. 21 shows a group of items in a cross section, formed by two rounded items in a filling pipe with an insert, the filling pipe having four side walls connected to one another by means of rounded portions;

FIG. 22 shows a group of items in a cross section, formed by three trapezoidal items in a filling pipe with an insert;

FIG. 23 shows a group of items in a cross section, formed by two rectangular items in a filling pipe, with an insert which delimits two channels adjacent the falling line and four venting channels;

FIG. 24 shows a group of items in a cross section, formed by one item in a filling pipe with an adjustable insert, and with a supplement in a separate filling channel within the filling pipe, and

FIG. 25 shows a group of items in a cross section, formed by two items in a round, partly straightened filling pipe.

In the case of a vertical tubular bag machine 1 with a web of film 3 unwound from a supply roll 2, a shaping shoulder 4 serves for shaping the web of film 3 into a film tube 5 (FIG. 1). A vertically aligned filling pipe 6 receives the film tube 5 and serves for filling the film tube 5 by means of a filling station 7 above the filling pipe 6. Two film takeoffs 8, acting from opposite sides of the filling pipe 6 against the film tube 5, and consequently against the filling pipe 6, are provided for further transportation of the web of film 3 and the film tube 5. A longitudinal sealing device 9 serves for welding the film tube 5 by means of a longitudinal seam 11, aligned in the transporting direction 10. A transverse sealing device 12 with two welding jaws 13, which can be moved toward each other and weld the film tube 5 transversely, is intended for producing top seams 14 and bottom seams 15 of tubular bags 16. A cutting device 17 severs the tubular bags 16 from the film tube 5. The filling station 7 is intended for delivering in each case a stack comprising a horizontally aligned flat, disk-shaped, group of items 23 formed in each case by two items 18. The filling pipe 6 is adapted with respect to its cross section to the horizontal dimensions of this group of items 23 (FIG. 2), the width 19 and the depth 20 of the filling pipe 6 being made to match the width 21 and the depth 22 of the group of items 23 and the group of items 23 being placed above the filling pipe 6 in such a way that a first equal spacing 26, which has the value zero, in the direction of the width 19 and a second equal spacing 27, which has a value of about 1 mm, in the direction of the depth 20 of the filling pipe 6 is provided on opposite sides of the group of items 23, in each case between the outer edge 24 of the group of items 23 and the inner surface 25 of the filling pipe 6.

The filling pipe 6 is adapted with respect to its cross section to the horizontal dimensions of the group of items 23. Guides 37 which precisely delimit the groups of items 23 falling in the filling pipe 6 are provided in the filling pipe 6 as fall stabilizers (FIG. 3, FIG. 4). Bends 34, 35 of the filling pipe 6 in this case lie approximately on axes 44 of the items (coffee pods), in order to bring about best possible falling of the stack. In another configuration (FIG. 5, FIG. 6), on the other hand, the bends 34, 35 are provided along the lengths of the guiding points 40. Here, too, excellent falling characteristics are achieved, leading to a high packing rate. In the case of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6, the two round, partially overlapping items 23, and consequently the stack, are guided during their free fall by the fact that in a corner 38 of the filling pipe 6 there is respectively provided a guide 37 in the form of a bevel 39 closing off the corner 38.

The filling pipe b (FIG. 2) has a cross section that is symmetrical to axes of symmetry 28, 29 of the group of items 23. Two pipe segments 30, 31 of the filling pipe 6 that are opposite and parallel to each other and extend in the transporting direction 10 are intended for the film takeoffs 8 to act on them. This symmetry leads to uniform film running.

The walls 32 of the filling pipe 6 that lie opposite one another and are not intended for the film takeoffs 8 to act on have an outwardly directed bend 34 (FIG. 7) or two outwardly directed bends 34, 35.

In each case two overlapping items 23 (FIG. 8) are provided next to one another in a horizontal direction in the stack, the inwardly tapering guiding points 40 extending between the two items 23 on opposite sides of the filling pipe 6 being provided as a guide 37 (FIGS. 3 to 6).

In the case of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7 as well, a guide 37 respectively delimits a gas feed 41 and a vent 42 for the lower end of the film tube 5. A particularly good shielding atmosphere is achieved by the respectively opposite arrangement of the gas feed 41 and the vent 42. In the case of this exemplary embodiment, the pipe segments 30, 31 extend entirely over opposite walls 36.

In a further exemplary embodiment, in a vertical tubular bag machine 1 with a web of film 3 unwound from a supply roll 2, a deflecting edge 38 serves as a shaping shoulder 4 for shaping the web of film 3 into a film tube 5 (FIG. 9). A vertically aligned filling pipe 6 of a conventional type receives the film tube 5 and serves for filling the film tube 5 by means of a filling station 7 above the filling pipe 6. Two film takeoffs 8, acting from opposite sides of the filling pipe 6 against the film tube 5, and consequently against the filling pipe 6, are provided for further transportation of the web of film 3 and the film tube 5. A longitudinal sealing device 9 serves for welding the film tube 5 by means of a longitudinal seam 11, aligned in the transporting direction 10. A transverse sealing device 12 with two welding jaws 13, which can be moved toward each other and weld the film tube 5 transversely, is intended for producing top seams 14 and bottom seams 15 of tubular bags 16. A cutting device 17 severs the tubular bags 16 from the film tube 5. The filling station 7 is intended for delivering in each case a stack 137 comprising a horizontally aligned flat, disk-shaped, group of items 23 (FIG. 10) formed in each case by two items 18 (FIG. 8). The filling pipe 6 has an insert 125, which is adapted to the horizontal dimensions of this group of items 23 (FIG. 11).

In each case two overlapping items 23 (FIG. 11) are provided next to one another in a horizontal direction in the stack 37, the insert 125 having two inwardly tapering points 40 extending between the two items 18 on opposite straight side walls 45 of the filling pipe 6, in order to guide the items 18 in the vertical direction. In this way, the two round items 18, overlapping with their edges 24, and consequently the stack 37, are guided during their fall, in that this insert 125 which is adapted to the geometry of the items 18 in order to stabilize them during their fall in the filling pipe 6 is provided in the filling pipe. In this case, the filling pipe 6 is designed in a conventional way. It has four straight side walls 145. The insert 125 is exchangeable. If a different item geometry or group of items is to be stacked, it is replaced by an insert 125 of a different geometry. It may also be removed entirely. The insert 125 forms in the filling pipe 6 two venting channels 139 for air that is displaced by the falling items 18 from the lower end of the film tube 5 to flow upward.

In a further exemplary embodiment (FIG. 12), the filling pipe 6 has four side walls 145, 146, two of which are straight 145 and two of which are uniformly curved 146. The insert 125 comprises four vertically aligned webs. An actual venting channel as such is not formed in this way. However, a partial venting function is produced. In the case of this exemplary embodiment, air displaced to the sides by falling groups of items 23 can get in between two webs of the insert 125 in each case.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 13, the insert 125 is differently designed and exchangeable.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 14, an insert 125 fitted in the filling pipe 6 by means of a fastening 143 respectively serves the purpose of stabilizing a group of items 23 comprising four round items 18. In the case of this exemplary embodiment, as in the case of all the exemplary embodiments, it is immaterial whether in each case a complete stack 37 of groups of items 23 falls through the filling pipe 6 or in each case a group of items 23 falls one after the other through the filling pipe b, only to form a stack 37 in the lower end of the film tube 5 (FIG. 9).

In the case of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 15, as in the case of the previous exemplary embodiments, items 18 of a circularly delimited form are likewise guided in the filling pipe 6. In this case, the insert 125 is again differently designed.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 16, approximately rectangular items 18 are guided in the filling pipe 6.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 17, stacks 137 are formed by items 18 which are formed partly straight and partly round that are placed one on top of the other. The insert 125 provided in the filling pipe 6 protrudes centrally from opposite sides into the group of items 23. The latter can be guided in such a way, since the items 18 fall through the filling pipe 6 alternately turned by 180 degrees.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 18, a group of items 23 formed by two items 18 is guided in a filling pipe 6, which in an integral way forms an insert 125. The filling pipe 6 has in its corners four attachments 126, which respectively delimit a venting channel 139. Two channels 144 adjacent a falling line are provided. The channels 144 are open toward the items 18 and receive air forced away to the sides. The four attachments 126 provided on the filling pipe 6 specifically adapted to the geometry of the groups of items 23, and not formed in a conventional way, serve the purpose of forming together with the two curved (or rather bent) side walls 146 and two straight side walls 145 four outer sides of the filling pipe acting outward merely as straight side walls 145, in order to achieve good film running.

In the case of the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 17 and 20, items 18 of an unusual geometry are packed in #the form of a single stack (FIG. 19) or a double stack (FIG. 20) in tubular bags 16.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 21, straight side walls 145 of the filling pipe 6 are connected to one another by means of rounded portions 147 specifically adapted to the geometry of the group of items 23, in order to allow the items 18 to be guided better.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 22, a group of items 23 formed by three trapezoidal items 18 is guided in a corresponding adapted insert 125.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 23, a group of items 23 formed by two rectangular items 18 is guided in a filling pipe 6 with an insert 125, which delimits two channels 144, adjacent the falling line, and four venting channels 139. The items 18 have a peripheral edge 24. The insert 125 is dimensioned in such a way that the items 18 fit into the insert 125 only with the edge 24 bent round, and that part of the edge 24 protrudes into the channel 144, whereby the items 18 are guided very well, so that stable stacking takes place.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 24, the insert 125 has an adjusting device 142 for delimiting the items 18. A supplement 141 can be fed to a tubular bag 16 through an additional filling channel 140.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 25, a filling pipe 6 of a circular cross section has been ground away on opposite sides, in order to allow opposing film takeoffs 8 to engage there. The radius of the filling pipe is adapted to the group of items 23.

• 1 tubular bag machine
• 2 supply roll
• 3 web of film
• 4 shaping shoulder
• 5 film tube
• 6 filling pipe
• 7 filling station
• 8 film takeoff
• 9 longitudinal sealing device
• 10 transporting direction
• 11 longitudinal seam
• 12 transverse sealing device
• 13 welding jaw
• 14 top seam
• 15 bottom seam
• 16 tubular bag
• 17 cutting device
• 18 item
• 19 width of the filling pipe 6
• 20 depth of the filling pipe 6
• 21 width of a group of items 23
• 22 depth of a group of items 23
• 23 group of items
• 24 outer edge
• 25 inner surface
• 26 spacing in direction of the width 19
• 27 spacing in direction of the depth 20
• 28,29 axis of symmetry
• 30,31 pipe segments
• 32 wall
• 34,35 bend
• 36 wall
• 37 guide
• 38 corner
• 39 bevel
• 40 guiding point
• 41 gas feed
• 42 vent
• 43,44 axis
• 125 insert
• 126 attachment
• 137 stack
• 139 venting channel
• 140 filling channel
• 141 supplement
• 142 adjusting device
• 143 fastening
• 144 channel adjacent falling line
• 145 straight side wall
• 146 curved side wall
• 147 rounded portion
• 148 straight portion

Claims

1. A vertical tubular bag machine (1) with a web of film (3) unwound from a supply roll (2), a shaping shoulder (4) for shaping the web of film (3) into a film tube (5), a vertically aligned filling pipe (6), which receives the film tube (5) and through which it is possible to fill the film tube (5), a filling station (7), above the filling pipe (6), a film takeoff (8), acting against the film tube (5), and consequently against the filling pipe (6), for further transportation of the web of film (3) and the film tube (5), a longitudinal sealing device (9) for welding the film tube (5) by means of a longitudinal seam (11), aligned in the transporting direction (10), a transverse sealing device (12) with two welding jaws (13), which can be moved toward each other and weld the film tube (5) transversely, for producing top seams (14) and bottom seams (15) of tubular bags (16) and also a cutting device (17) for severing the tubular bags (16) from the film tube (5), wherein the filling station (7) is intended for delivering in each case a vertically stacked group of items (23) formed by horizontally aligned flat, preferably disk-shaped, items (18), and wherein at the filling pipe (6) an adaptation is provided with respect to the horizontal dimensions of the group of items (23).

2. The tubular bag machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filling pipe (6) is adapted with respect to its cross section to the horizontal dimensions of the group of items (23), and wherein guides (37) which precisely delimit the groups of items (23) falling in the filling pipe (6) are provided in the filling pipe (6) as fall stabilizers.

3. The tubular bag machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the items (23) are round and in a corner (38) of the filling pipe (6) there is respectively provided a guide (37) in the form of a bevel (39) closing off the corner (38).

4. The tubular bag machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein in each case two overlapping items (23) are provided next to one another in a horizontal direction in the stack, and wherein inwardly tapering guiding points (40) extending between the two items (23) on opposite sides of the filling pipe (6) are provided as a guide (37).

5. The tubular bag machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein one guide (37) delimits a gas feed (41) and another guide (37) delimits a vent (42) for the lower end of the film tube (6).

6. The tubular bag machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the the width (19) and the depth (20) of the filling pipe (6) are made to match the width (21) and the depth (22) of a group of items (23) and the group of items (23) is placed above the filling pipe (6) in such a way that a first equal spacing (26) in the direction of the width (19) and similarly a second equal spacing (27) in the direction of the depth (20) of the filling pipe (6) is provided on opposite sides of the group of items (23), in each case between the outer edge (24) of the group of items (23) and the inner surface (25) of the filling pipe (6), wherein these spacings (26, 27) do not all have the value zero, wherein the filling pipe (6) has a cross section that is symmetrical to axes of symmetry (28, 29) of the group of items (23), and wherein two pipe segments (30, 31) of the filling pipe (6) that are opposite and parallel to each other, extend in the transporting direction (10) and on which the film takeoffs (8) act are provided.

7. The tubular bag machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the spacings (26, 27) have a value between zero and 10 mm.

8. The tubular bag machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein walls (32) of the filling pipe (6) that lie opposite one another and are not intended for the film takeoffs (8) to act on have an outwardly facing arc, an outwardly directed bend (34) or at least two outwardly directed bends (34, 35).

9. The tubular bag machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the pipe segments (30, 31) extend entirely over opposite walls (36).

10. The tubular bag machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein an insert (125) which is adapted to the geometry of the items (18) is provided in the filling pipe (6) in order to stabilize said items while they are falling in the filling pipe (6).

11. The tubular bag machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein the filling pipe (6) has only side walls, which are straight (145) or curved (146), and which are optionally connected to one another by means of rounded portions (147).

12. The tubular bag machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein on the filling pipe (6) there is provided at least one attachment (126) which, together with a straight portion (148) of the filling pipe (6), forms a straight side wall (145).

13. The tubular bag machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein the insert (125) delimits a channel (144) which is adjacent a falling line of the items (18) and open toward the items (18).

14. The tubular bag machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the items (18) have a peripheral edge (24), wherein the insert (125) is dimensioned in such a way that the items (18) fit into the insert (125) only with the edge (24) bent round, and wherein part of the edge (24) protrudes into the channel (144).

15. The tubular bag machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein at least one venting channel (139) is provided in the filling pipe (6) for air that is displaced by the falling items (18) to flow upward.

16. The tubular bag machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein the insert (125) has an adjusting device (42) for delimiting the items (18).

17. The tubular bag machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein an additional filling channel is provided in the filling pipe (6).

18. The tubular bag machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein the insert (125) can optionally be inserted or exchanged.