Patent Application
20200324926
The following relates to a method and an apparatus for forming piece good groupings, in particular container groupings and in particular wrapped piece good groupings. Such methods and apparatus have been known for a long time from the known art.
Thus, it is for example known that groupings of containers, for example containers delivered in two rows, are provided with a film and this film is then shrunk onto these containers. In order to achieve this, in the known art so-called shrink tunnels are provided, through which the containers are transported. In addition, however, in the known art methods and apparatus have become known more recently in which such container groupings are wrapped with a stretchable film.
In the past, for example, methods for producing double-row wound packs have been known, wherein a double-row stream of bottles is wrapped around with a film, in particular a so-called stretch film, and then packs are isolated by a cutting device. A disadvantage of this procedure is that as a rule only double-row packs can be produced, and multi-row packs cannot be produced, since in particular the containers in the middle cannot be held by the stretch film and can slide out of the pack, for example slide downwards.
In addition, the packs produced are opened laterally. In this way it is usually not possible to produce a completely closed pack. Advantageously, in the methods and packaging plants for producing such film packages which are known in the known art, the continuously conveyed film packages are severed in particular at defined points, which can take place for example by means of a cutting device which is passed, in particularly vertically, through the film packages between successive pairs of containers, so that in each case a pack with four, six or eight containers is separated off, which retains the required mechanical stability in spite of the partially open end faces in the case of double-row containers.
An aspect relates to a possible means by which multi-row packs or generally larger packs can be produced. In addition, a possibility should preferably also be created for producing a pack which is at least substantially and preferably fully enclosed. However, it is pointed out that possibly both of the said aspects are not necessarily achieved by the same configuration of embodiments of the invention.
In the method according to embodiments of the invention for packaging piece good groupings a plurality of piece goods, in particular piece goods of the same kind and in particular containers, are delivered by means of a transport device along a predetermined transport direction. Furthermore, this plurality of piece goods is packaged and/or assembled by means of a first wrapping element which at least partially surrounds the plurality of piece goods. Furthermore, the plurality of piece goods packaged with the first wrapping element is packaged with a second wrapping element and for this purpose the plurality of piece goods packaged with the first wrapping element is wrapped by a wrapping device with a wrapping element in the form of a stretchable film element, wherein this wrapping preferably takes place about a longitudinal axis defined by the transport direction.
Packaging of the piece good grouping is understood in particular to mean that the individual piece goods of this piece good grouping are also held together at least temporarily by this wrapping element.
According to embodiments of the invention at least one further piece good is delivered to the plurality of piece goods packaged with the first wrapping element, and the grouping of piece goods packaged with the first wrapping element and the at least one further piece good is wrapped with the second wrapping element.
The first wrapping element is advantageously a film element and in particular a stretchable film element. However, it would also be conceivable that the first wrapping element is a strip-like wrapping element which is laid around the piece good grouping or is arranged thereon. The first wrapping element can also be a shrink wrap film which in particular has been shrunk onto the containers or the piece goods. In general, the wrapping elements are preferably elongated, in particular strip-shaped wrapping elements which extend in particular in a longitudinal direction and additionally, but to a large extent, in a transverse direction perpendicular thereto. These wrapping elements are preferably available in a rolled-up form and can be for example unwound from a carrier roll. The wrapping elements are preferably elements produced from a material containing plastic or paper.
Therefore, in this embodiment it is proposed that first of all a piece good grouping provided with a wrapping element is provided, further piece goods are then delivered thereto and then the grouping is again surrounded by a wrapping element in the form of a film element. Advantageously the piece good grouping surrounded by the first wrapping element is a double-row pack. However, it would also be conceivable that this piece good grouping is already a three-row or multi-row pack. It could also be merely a single-row pack.
In addition, it would also be possible that two or more piece good groupings already in each case combined with a first wrapping element are enclosed by the second wrapping element and thus are grouped together into a large package.
Thus, the embodiment describes a possibility, as described above, first of all to produce a for example double-row pack and to produce a stable, multi-row pack by addition for example of single-row streams of bottles and further packaging and in particular further winding. In this case, as set out in greater detail below, the possibility exists that the shrink-wrapped pack or the pack produced by a winding method is rotated by a predetermined angle, for example 90°, and is again enclosed by a film, such as a winding film, in order thus to produce a completely enclosed pack.
Thus, in a further method according to embodiments of the invention for packaging piece good groupings a plurality of piece goods and in particular containers, are likewise delivered by means of a transport device along a predetermined transport direction, and this plurality of piece goods is packaged by means of a first wrapping element, wherein the first wrapping element surrounds the plurality of piece goods at least partially and wherein the plurality of piece goods packaged with the first wrapping element is packaged with a second wrapping element and for this purpose the number of piece goods packaged with the first wrapping element is wrapped by a wrapping device with the stretchable film element, wherein this wrapping preferably takes place about a longitudinal axis defined by the transport direction.
Advantageously the first wrapping element and the second wrapping element, which is a film element, are attached to the piece goods in such a way that the piece goods are completely enclosed by the totality of the first film element and the second film element. This may be understood to mean that this enclosing does not necessarily always take place by both wrapping elements, but also either the one or the other film element, considered jointly, close off all regions of the piece good grouping. Advantageously here the first wrapping element can also be a stretchable film or a stretch film, but shrinking on of a film, as explained above, would also be possible.
Advantageously the piece goods are transported lying against one another or touching one another. Also, in the grouping thus formed at least two-piece goods touch one another. Preferably several piece goods in each case touch one another with their circumferential wall.
A further object of embodiments of the invention is to improve the stability of such piece good groupings. Accordingly, in a further method according to embodiments of the invention for packaging piece good groupings, it is proposed that a plurality of piece goods and in particular containers, are at least partially interconnected by means of a first connection means or first connector, wherein at least two of these piece goods are fastened directly to one another.
According to embodiments of the invention, this plurality of piece goods connected at least partially by the first connection means or connector is packaged with a second connection means or connector in the form of a second wrapping element or covering element, and for this purpose the plurality of piece goods connected by a first connection means or connector is transported by means of a transport device to a packaging device and is wrapped and/or surrounded with the second wrapping element by said packaging device.
In this variant of embodiments of the invention it is proposed that first of all a piece good grouping is provided in which the at least two containers and preferably a plurality of containers in each case are interconnected by the first connecting means or connector. In order to increase the stability of this piece good grouping, this piece good grouping is surrounded by a further wrapping or covering element and in particular a plastic element, in particular a film element.
An interconnection of the containers is understood in particular here to mean that a plurality of containers is not connected to one another by a common element, such as for instance an enclosing strip, but in each case one container is connected directly to a further container. Thus, for example a container can be connected by force fitting to a further element. In this case in particular a wall of a container can be fastened to a wall of a further container.
The second wrapping element is advantageously a stretchable film element, as described above. Instead of a stretchable film element, however, a wrapping strip could also be used or also a shrink wrap film.
In a further advantageous method this winding with the second wrapping element takes place about a longitudinal axis defined by a transport direction. In this case the transport direction is again the transport direction in which the containers of the above-mentioned packaging device are delivered and/or in which the containers are guided through this packaging device. With this method the aspects described above and also the aspects still to be described below can be applied correspondingly.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the connecting means or connector is a flowable connecting means or connector and in particular an adhesive. In this case a cold adhesive or also a hot melt adhesive can be used. Furthermore, this could be an acrylate adhesive. It would also be conceivable that adhesion points are arranged at specific regions on the containers. Thus, for example adhesion points could be arranged on the outer surfaces of the containers. In addition, the containers could also be welded to one another. In this case this adhesive is advantageously applied to an outer surface of the containers.
In this case it would also be possible that the adhesive is applied to an outer wall of already filled containers. In a further advantageous embodiment several containers and preferably also all containers are connected to one another by the connecting means.
In a further preferred method, the connecting means or connector holds at least two of the piece goods of the piece good grouping directly together. The packaging means or packaging advantageously holds at least three of the piece goods of the piece good grouping together. In this case it is possible that every piece good and in particular every container is connected and in particular directly connected to at least two further containers. In addition, it would also be conceivable that some of the containers are connected to more than two further containers or generally piece goods. In this case at least one, preferably several and particularly preferably each piece good is advantageously connected directly to its closest neighbour.
In a further preferred method, the connecting means holds together at least two of the piece goods arranged externally with regard to the piece good grouping. This embodiment is based on the idea that in a wrapped piece good grouping the outer containers are often at particular risk of falling out. If the outer containers are connected to one another or to inner container by a connecting means or connector, such as an adhesive, the falling apart of of these containers can be prevented. Advantageously at least the piece goods of an outer row of this piece good grouping are connected to one another or to inner rows by the connecting means.
Each of the piece goods arranged externally with respect to the piece good grouping is advantageously connected by the connecting means to at least one further piece good.
Advantageously each piece good is connected to at least two further piece goods by the connecting means or connector. Thus, for example it would also be possible that the piece goods are provided in several rows and in each row the individual piece goods are connected to one another by the connecting means or connector.
In a further preferred method, a grip element is arranged on the piece good grouping. In this case it is preferably possible that on the already wrapped piece good grouping a grip element is arranged, and in particular this grip element is arranged on a film element, for example adhered thereto. However, it would also be possible that the grip element is fastened directly to the piece goods and this grip element is wrapped at least partially by the wrapping element. In this way it can be possible that first of all during opening the film element is removed and then the grip element is accessible. However, it would also be possible that the grip element is fastened to a region of the piece good grouping at which no wrapping element is located, for example on a plan which is perpendicular to the transport direction or the wrapping direction.
Because a grouping of piece goods at least partially adhered to one another is already delivered to the wrapping device here, it is advantageously possible to omit the lateral guiding devices which are otherwise included in the wrapping, since the containers are already retained on one another.
Likewise, due to the use of a piece good grouping which is already at least partially adhered it would also be possible to omit the stationary carrier onto which the piece good grouping is fitted in order then to be wrapped jointly therewith. Instead of this it would actually be conceivable that the already at least partially adhered piece good grouping is pushed away via a gap and the wrapping is introduced into this gap.
By the use of a second wrapping in these embodiments it is also possible to reduce the weights of applied adhesive and thus the quantities of adhesive relative to methods known from the known art. Thus, it would be possible that the containers are already held against one another with a smaller quantity of adhesive and/or a smaller number of adhesion points so that together with the outer wrapping a stable pack is produced. In addition, the adhesion between the containers can also be used merely in order to obtain a stable intermediate product which can be better handled during the further processing.
The film element is advantageously a plastic film and in particular a stretchable plastic film. This plastic film particularly preferably has a thickness between 3 μm and 50 μm, preferably between 5 μm and 30 μm, particularly preferably between 8 μm and 14 μm and particularly preferably between 8 μm and 12 μm. The film element is preferably a transparent film element.
In this case the film element is preferably attached to the piece good grouping in at least one full revolution in the circumferential direction. In addition, however, it would also be conceivable that the piece good grouping is wrapped several times with the film element.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the conveying direction is rectilinear. The piece goods can be in particular plastic bottles or glass bottles. However, an application to other containers, such as for instance cans or so-called pouches, would also be conceivable.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the first wrapping element and/or the second wrapping element can be arranged in such a way that it wraps spirally around the grouping.
Furthermore, within the context of embodiments of the invention it would also be conceivable for example to group and/or to stack shrink-wrapped packs or smaller wound packs and to wrap them again. In this case this method according to embodiments of the invention could also be used as a substitute for so-called shrink-to-shrink methods, in which the grouped and/or stacked packs are surrounded with shrink wrap film and shrank. Such a shrink-to-shrink method actually bears the risk that the film of the smaller packs is glued or welded to the “collecting film”. In addition, the winding process described here is also more energy-efficient.
Overall, the embodiment allows a more energy-efficient procedure and also a reduction in packaging material. In particular a solution for unprinted low-cost packs and transport packaging can also be created in this way.
In a further advantageous variant of the method a position of the piece goods provided with the first film element or the first wrapping element relative to the transport direction is changed before the attachment of the film element or of the second wrapping element. Advantageously in this case the piece good grouping is rotated in particular relative to the transport device. In this case a rotation by a defined angle, for example by 90°, advantageously takes place. Particularly preferably in this case a rotation takes place with respect to an axis of rotation which is perpendicular to the transport device and/or to a transport plane in which the piece goods are transported.
In this way an opening which remains during the first winding process with the first packaging device can also be covered by the second wrapping element.
For this purpose, it would be possible for example that the apparatus has a gripping device which grips the piece good grouping and rotates about a defined angle. However, such a displacement and in particular rotation can also take place in order then, in a rotated position, to add further containers to the piece good grouping in a particularly convenient manner.
In a further advantageous method at least two further piece goods are delivered to the plurality of piece goods packaged with the first wrapping element and/or to the plurality of piece goods at least partially connected with the connecting element. Thus, for example a piece good grouping of six containers can be produced by the first wrapping element and for example two or three further containers can be added to these six containers. However, it would also be possible that a second piece good grouping is added to the first piece good grouping. Thus, it would be possible for example that by means of the first wrapping element two-piece good groupings are formed, these are then moved close to one another and are surrounded by the second wrapping element and in particular the film element.
Combinations of the methods described here are also conceivable. Thus, for example first of all a piece good grouping could be produced by at least partial adhesion of individual piece goods, these could then be wrapped with a film element and at least one further piece good could be added to this piece good grouping and then the entire grouping could be wrapped again. Also, first of all a piece good grouping could be produced which is connected together at least partially by an adhesive, further piece goods (in particular loose) could be added to this and then the resulting grouping could be wrapped.
In this case these piece goods are preferably similar piece goods, for instance containers, which are filled with the same beverage. However, it would also be possible that the piece goods are of different types, for instance containers which are filled with different beverages. They could also be piece goods of different generic types, for instance in the case where a promotional item, such as for instance a drinking glass or a bottle opener, is to be added to a group of containers.
Generally, with this procedure further piece goods are delivered to the grouping, for instance delivered laterally. A delivery of the further containers advantageously takes place on precisely one side wall of the first grouping. However, it would also be possible that containers are added both on one side and also on a second (in particular opposing) side of the piece good grouping. In addition, it would be possible that this operation is repeated and, for example, two containers are delivered to the piece good grouping, these are then wrapped with the film element and further piece goods are added to the pack thus produced.
In a further preferred method at least two further piece goods are oriented parallel to one another and/or the at least two further piece goods are also oriented parallel to the plurality of piece goods. Thus, for example it is possible that a plurality of containers is grouped together in the first piece good grouping and these are conveyed, each standing upright, on a conveyor belt. Two further containers, likewise standing upright and thus oriented parallel can for example be added to this grouping.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the plurality of piece goods which are already wrapped with the first wrapping element and to which a further piece good has already been added is transported on a carrier in such a way that the at least one piece good abuts against the plurality of piece goods. Thus, for example it is possible that the first piece good grouping is wrapped by a film and then to a certain extent outside the film the further piece goods, such as in particular containers, are added. Advantageously the carrier on which piece goods are wrapped is a stationary carrier. In this case this carrier is also advantageously wrapped around by a wrapping device and then the piece good grouping is pulled down or pushed down from this carrier.
In addition, lateral guiding elements can also be provided, which can likewise be included in the wrapping and from which the piece good grouping is subsequently pulled down
In a further advantageous method, the plurality of piece goods packaged with the first wrapping element and/or the plurality of piece goods at least partially connected to or packaged with the connecting element are pushed in the transport direction onto the (in particular stationary) carrier. In this case further containers can be added, for example in the transport direction downstream or upstream of the first piece good grouping, but also alongside or above it. This is explained in greater detail with reference to the drawings.
In a further preferred method at least one portion of the piece good grouping wrapped with the second wrapping element is separated from a further portion of the piece good grouping wrapped with the second wrapping element. This means that in this case a piece good grouping, in particular a continuously further transported piece good grouping, is formed with a plurality of piece goods, and these are then separated again. Thus, the wrapping films are for example cut again at a later stage and thus the piece good groupings are divided into arbitrary or required units. For this separation for example a guillotine-like separating element, for example a blade, can be used, which moves downwards in a perpendicular direction with respect to the transport direction and thus cuts at least one of the two wrapping elements and in particular the film element. In this case this separating element is preferably moved at least temporarily with the piece goods. In this case this movement of the separating element can also be synchronised with the movement of the piece goods.
In a further advantageous method, a plurality of piece goods is positioned in such a way that the second film element substantially completely frees an opening of the first wrapping element attached to the piece goods. In this case overall a piece good grouping can be formed which has no direct opening to the environment. In this case subsequent contamination of these piece good groupings can be counteracted.
In this case for example the second wrapping element or film element can advantageously be wound transversely with respect to the transport direction around the piece goods. In this case different types of process are conceivable. Thus, the first piece good grouping can be a shrink-wrapped pack which is rotated so that also the openings or eyes systematically produced in this case are covered.
Furthermore, the following is directed to a piece good grouping with a plurality of piece goods, wherein the piece goods are at least partially in particular containers which are at least partially surrounded by a first wrapping element and which are at least partially surrounded by a second wrapping element, wherein at least the second wrapping element is designed as a stretchable plastic film and wherein the first wrapping element and the second wrapping element abut against one another at least in sections and wherein the first wrapping element abuts directly against at least one of the piece goods.
According to embodiments of the invention at least one portion of the first wrapping element extends at least in sections between two piece goods and preferably separates them from one another.
Thus, in this embodiment first of all the first wrapping element is placed onto a first plurality of piece goods and holds them. Then further containers are added and the entirety is in turn surrounded by the second wrapping element, that is to say the film element. In this way at least one portion of the first wrapping element is located between one of the originally packaged containers and one of the newly added containers. This portion of the first wrapping element advantageously forms a line and/or plane, in particular between the original piece goods and the newly added piece goods.
Furthermore, the following is directed to a piece good grouping with a plurality of piece goods and in particular containers, which are at least partially surrounded by a first wrapping element and which are at least partially surrounded by a second wrapping element, wherein at least the second wrapping element is designed as a stretchable plastic film and wherein the first wrapping element and the second wrapping element abut against one another at least in sections and wherein the first wrapping element abuts directly against at least one of the piece goods.
According to embodiments of the invention a first geometric line extending in a radial direction of at least one first piece good passes through both film elements and at least one second geometric line extending in a radial direction of at least one second piece good of this piece good grouping passes through only one film element and/or the first wrapping element and the second wrapping element, which is a film element, are attached to the piece goods in such a way that the piece goods are completely enclosed by the entirety of the first film element and the second film element.
Additionally, or alternatively it would also be conceivable that each geometric line always passes through at least two wrapping elements. In this embodiment it would be possible for example that two piece good groupings formed by a first wrapping element are in turn grouped together and surrounded by a film element. In this case here too it is again possible that the second film element covers an opening and in this case the geometric line only passes through one wrapping element and in particular one film element. In addition, it also possible that the wrapping elements lie one above the other in some regions, so that both are passed through. If, as mentioned, further containers are delivered to the first container, only the second wrapping element abuts against these further containers.
Furthermore, the following is directed to a piece good grouping with a plurality of piece goods and in particular containers, which are at least partially connected (in particular to one another) by means of a first connecting element, wherein this first connecting element is an adhesive which holds at least two piece goods of this piece good grouping against one another.
According to embodiments of the invention the piece good grouping is surrounded and in particular wrapped at least partially by a second wrapping element. Here “at least partially” is understood to mean that the piece good grouping does not necessarily have to be fully enclosed by the wrapping element.
Thus, here too it is proposed that first of all a piece good grouping is held together with a first connecting element, in this case in particular an adhesive, and this grouping is additionally wrapped by a further wrapping element and in particular a film-like wrapping element. Advantageously—as mentioned above—several containers or piece goods of this piece good grouping are in each case connected to the connecting element and in particular directly connected to the connecting element.
Advantageously, here too at least the second wrapping element is again a stretchable plastic film. In addition, however—as mentioned above—a strip could also be used as wrapping element. Advantageously no portion of the film element is in contact with the connecting means. Advantageously the connecting means is only formed on those contact surfaces on which two piece goods and in particular containers of these piece good grouping contact one another. This is in particular a basic body of the containers. The containers are advantageously containers which are similar with regard to their geometry.
Alternatively, it would also be conceivable that at least two containers are arranged one above the other in the longitudinal direction of these containers. Also, in this case the outer walls of the respective wrappings partially abut against one another.
The first plurality of piece goods is advantageously a plurality of piece goods delivered in a double row. Advantageously the entire piece good grouping has at least one axis of symmetry with respect to the piece goods.
In a further advantageous embodiment at least one further wrapping element abuts in multiple layers on at least one piece good. Thus, it would be possible that at least one piece good or one piece good grouping has been wrapped several times, for example at least twice.
Furthermore, the following is directed to an apparatus for the production of piece good groupings. This apparatus has a transport device which transports a plurality of piece goods in a predetermined transport direction. Furthermore, the apparatus has a first packaging device, which applies a first wrapping element to the plurality of piece goods in such a way that this first wrapping element at least partially surrounds the plurality of piece goods. Furthermore, the machine has a second packaging device, which is arranged in particular downstream with respect to the first packaging device in the transport direction of the piece goods, and which applies a second wrapping element in the form of a film element to the plurality of piece goods provided with the first wrapping element.
In this case this second packaging device is suitable and intended to wrap the plurality of piece goods provided with the first film element with the second film element.
According to embodiments of the invention the apparatus has an adapting device which is arranged in the transport direction between the first packaging device and the second packaging device and which adds at least one further piece good to the plurality of piece goods provided with the first film element. Thus, in this embodiment it is proposed in terms of the apparatus that further containers are added to the grouping between the two packaging devices. In this case these further containers are preferably only wrapped by the second wrapping element wrapped, but not by the first wrapping element.
Furthermore, the following is directed to an apparatus for the production of a piece good grouping which has a transport device which transports a plurality of piece goods in a predetermined transport direction. Furthermore, the apparatus has a first packaging device, which applies a first wrapping element to the plurality of piece goods in such a way that this first wrapping element at least partially surrounds the plurality of piece goods. Furthermore, a second packaging device is provided which applies a second wrapping element in the form of a film element to the plurality of piece goods provided with the first wrapping element, wherein this second packaging device is suitable and intended to wrap the plurality of piece goods provided with the first film element with the second film element.
According to embodiments of the invention the apparatus has an adapting device which is arranged in the transport direction between the first packaging device and the second packaging device and which changes a geometric position of the first plurality of piece goods relative to the transport device. This may advantageously be a rotating device which rotates the piece good grouping relative to the transport direction and in particular rotates about an axis which is perpendicular to the transport direction.
In addition, it would also be conceivable that the second packaging device is oriented differently from the first packaging device, so that holes or open points which ensue during the wrapping with the first wrapping element can be closed.
Furthermore, the following is directed to an apparatus for the production of a piece good grouping which has a transport device which transports a plurality of piece goods in a predetermined transport direction. Furthermore, the apparatus has a first packaging device, which fastens at least two of these piece goods to one another by means of a connecting element. Furthermore, the apparatus has a second packaging device which applies a second wrapping element designed in particular as a film element and/or strip-like element to the piece good grouping at least partially interconnected by the connecting element, wherein this second packaging device is suitable and intended so that the plurality of piece goods at least partially connected by the connecting element are wrapped and/or surrounded by the second wrapping element.
Thus, in terms of the system it is also proposed here that first of all a piece good grouping with at least one, advantageously a plurality of containers fastened to one another is produced and this then is in turn further processed and in particular is wrapped with the further wrapping element. The container grouping is advantageously designed in the manner described above, i.e. in that each outer container of this piece good grouping is connected to at least two further containers. In this case it is possible that first of all the first packaging device applies an adhesive to a region of the outer wall of the containers and then delivers further containers to these positions, so that as a result adhesion of at least two containers occurs.
In a further advantageous embodiment the apparatus has a carrier for supporting the piece goods (in particular during wrapping with the first wrapping element), as well as a removal device, which removes the plurality of piece goods provided with the second wrapping element from this carrier, wherein the removal device is arranged upstream or downstream of the packaging device in the transport direction of the piece goods. This removal device can be for example a traction unit which, if required, engages a piece good grouping laterally and pulls it off from the said carrier. Advantageously the said carrier is also wrapped by at least the second wrapping element. In this case this carrier can preferably be formed as a sliding surface, relative to which the piece goods can slide with a low coefficient of friction.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the transport device conveys the piece good grouping in such a way to at least one of the two packaging devices that at least one piece good of the piece good grouping is pushed by a further piece good of the piece good grouping to this packaging device (and in particular is pushed on and/or relative to the carrier). This means that for example the front most containers of the piece good grouping are pushed by the following ones. In this case in particular these said piece goods, for example containers, abut directly against one another.
For transporting of the containers, the transport device can have a plurality of transport units, which transport the containers in each case in sections, in particular in the transport direction. In this case these individual transport units can for example transport the containers from the first packaging device to the second packaging device.
In a further advantageous embodiment these transport units are synchronised with one another, and at least to some extent convey the containers at the same transport speed.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the adapting device has a delivery device which conveys at least one further piece good to the piece good grouping provided with the first wrapping element. In this case this conveying, as mentioned above, can take place perpendicularly to the transport direction or also obliquely or also parallel to the transport direction.
The embodiments described here, or the inventive aspects described here are in each case based on the common concept that the piece good grouping is packaged with two packaging means or packaging. In particular at least the outer packaging means or packaging is a stretchable film, with which the piece good grouping is wrapped.
Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with references to the following Figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:
shows a representation for the production of a piece good grouping without an opening;
The reference numeral 52 designates a first packaging device in the form of a wrapping device, i.e. a winding module in which the containers are wrapped with at least one layer of a so-called stretch film. In this case this first packaging device 52 can have a circumferential roller or a circumferential film dispenser which here runs in a circular path around the containers perpendicular to the drawing plane. Unlike the illustration in
In a manner which is known per se, the stretch film is wound helically around the articles or beverage containers 10 which are conveyed adjacent to one another in pairs, wherein a sufficient tension of the film preferably ensures the firm mechanical cohesion of the stream of articles or piece goods.
In order to ensure the disruption-free transport of the stream of articles or piece goods in the first packaging device 52, circumferential feed belts (not shown) can engage for example laterally on the stream of articles or piece goods, which conveys the containers 10 through the first packaging device 52, whilst the containers 10 are simultaneously wrapped. In this case it is conceivable that an operating speed of the first packaging device and/or the second packaging device is at least temporarily and preferably continuously synchronised with a transport speed of the piece goods.
In the first winding module 52 the containers will usually slide onto a lower carrier or a slide plate which is likewise wrapped. In the further course of conveying, however, the already wrapped stream of articles or piece goods is pulled over the sliding plate, wherein after leaving this slide plate the stretch film is applied due to its pretension to the underside of the containers.
The reference numeral 61 designates a first feed module which effects the further transport of the stream of articles and piece goods which are now already wrapped here with a layer of film element. In this case this feed unit can for example have upper and lower feed lines or feed belts, which preferably over the length of this first feed module 61 engage continuously on the upper and lower faces of the stream of articles or piece goods and thus ensure further conveying. Here too, lateral guides can again be provided, which support the stream of articles or piece goods on the left and right and guide the stream laterally.
The reference numeral 60 designates quite schematically an adapting device which is designed here as a delivery device which adds further piece goods to the piece good grouping already wrapped with the first wrapping element. In this case this delivery device can have a transport device which delivers these further products for instance laterally. In this case it is conceivable that a conveying speed of this further delivery device is synchronised with a transport speed of the transport device which conveys the containers through the packaging devices 52, 54.
In this way further piece goods can be added in a defined manner in each case to the piece goods wrapped with the first wrapping element. In a further advantageous embodiment this adapting device 60 can also have an advancing device (not shown) which brings the further piece goods so close to the piece goods wrapped with the first wrapping element that they contact these wrapped piece goods and/or the first wrapping element. In this way piece good groupings lying very close together can again be wrapped by the subsequent second packaging device.
In addition, this region can also be provided with an adapting device (not shown) which rotates the piece good grouping, for example in each case by a defined angle of 90° with respect to an axis which is perpendicular to the drawing plane here.
The reference numeral 54 designates a second packaging device, again in the form of a wrapping device, i.e. a winding module, which here winds a second layer of stretch film again helically around the stream of articles or piece goods. Here a winding angle is advantageously changed relative to the winding angle of the first wrapping station 52.
The reference numeral 62 designates a second feed module which effects the further transport of the stream of piece goods which are now wrapped with several layers of stretch film. For this purpose, upper and lower feed lines or feed belts are again provided, which preferably over the length of the second feed module 62 run around continuously on the upper and lower faces of the stream of articles or piece goods and thus ensure further conveying thereof to the subsequent second horizontal conveying device 73. Cutting elements which cut the winding film can be provided in the region of this conveying device 73 and 75. In this case these cutting elements can at least move with the containers during a cutting operation.
The reference numeral 66 designates a removal device, which removes the now cut packs or piece good groupings 1.
The reference numeral 36 designates further transport devices, which convey the now wrapped containers further, that is to say towards the right in
The reference numeral 68 designates a first cutting element which in each case cuts off piece good groupings. This can be arranged, as shown by the arrow P1, like a guillotine in a vertical direction. The piece good groupings thus produced are transported into a further wrapping device 54 and there they can likewise be wrapped again with a stretch film. The reference numerals 72 and 74 here designate transport devices which ensure feeding of the piece goods. Between the first winding module and the second winding module the piece good groupings can be rotated, as mentioned above, however, in
The reference numeral 68 designates a further cutting element which again serves to cut off the stretch film. The piece good groupings finished in this way can be removed by means of a conveyor belt 82.
In this case the film element 12 abuts directly against some of the containers (as does the film element 14), here on the containers on the left side and the film element 14 abuts against only some of the containers, here on the containers on the right side. In some regions, for example, here on the middle containers, both film elements abut.
This pack can now be further processed, as shown in
In
The reference numeral L1 designates a geometric radial line, which extends from one of the containers and passes through both wrapping elements. The reference numeral L2 designates a further geometric radial line, which extends from a further one of the containers and passes through only one of the two wrapping elements.
In the situation illustrated in
In
In the embodiment shown in
In the illustration shown in
Finally,
In the illustration shown in
In the illustration shown in
It will be recognised that in addition to the illustrated embodiments other groupings are also possible. Also, more containers than illustrated can be grouped together. In addition, further containers could also be added to the piece good groupings shown in
In addition, the piece good groupings shown in
Although the invention has been illustrated and described in greater detail with reference to the preferred exemplary embodiment, the invention is not limited to the examples disclosed, and further variations can be inferred by a person skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.
For the sake of clarity, it is to be understood that the use of “a” or “an” throughout this application does not exclude a plurality, and “comprising” does not exclude other steps or elements.
1 piece good grouping
2 transport device
10 beverage containers
12 first wrapping element
13 opening/film eye
14 film element
15 further film element
21 first horizontal conveying device
32 carrier plate/carrier
34 lateral guide elements
36 further transport devices
42 connecting element
50 apparatus
52 first packaging device/wrapping device
54 second packaging device/wrapping device
60 adapting device
61 first feed module
62 second feed module
66 removal device
68 cutting element
72, 74 transport devices
73, 75 horizontal conveying device
82 transport belt
T transport direction
P1 arrow
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2016 105 806.8 | Mar 2016 | DE | national |
This application claims priority to PCT Application No. PCT/EP2016/082917, having a filing date of Dec. 30, 2016, based on German Application No. 10 2016 105 806.8, having a filing date of Mar. 30, 2016, the entire contents both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2016/082917 | 12/30/2016 | WO | 00 |
