CN109421961B

CN109421961B - Shrinking device and method for sucking air from inner space of shrinking device

Info

Publication number: CN109421961B
Application number: CN201810929959.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: F·克斯特纳; C·纳普拉夫尼克; M·伦茨
Original assignee: Krones AG
Current assignee: Krones AG
Priority date: 2017-08-22
Filing date: 2018-08-15
Publication date: 2021-05-11
Anticipated expiration: 2038-08-15
Also published as: EP3446991B1; CN109421961A; DE102017119145A1; EP3446991A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shrinking device for heat-shrinking a shrink film around a commodity or a commodity composition and a method for sucking air from the inner space of such a shrinking device. The shrinking device comprises at least one interior space with a transport section for transporting goods or goods compositions wrapped with shrink film in a transport direction. The shrinking device comprises at least two outer walls of a well, each of which has an outflow surface facing the transport section, via which hot air can enter the interior space and be guided laterally onto the goods or goods composition wrapped in the shrink film. Furthermore, the shrinking device comprises at least one suction device for sucking air from the interior space, wherein the suction device comprises at least one suction opening arranged above the transport section and above the at least two outer well walls, and at least one suction perforated plate is arranged above the transport section and corresponding to the suction opening. The suction orifice plate extends substantially over a width greater than the width of the suction opening.

Description

Shrinking device and method for sucking air from inner space of shrinking device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a constriction device and a method for sucking air from an inner space of a constriction device.

Background

When packaging goods, in particular beverage containers, bottles or the like, into a bundle, the goods are combined in a desired manner and wrapped with a shrink film. The shrink film is shrunk around the goods by introducing a shrink medium, for example hot air, into the shrink tunnel. Air-loaded devices formed by means of nozzles, nozzle channels and shaft walls are known from the prior art.

Usually, the bundles are processed according to their respective dimensions in a shrink tunnel on a plurality of parallel-guided rails. In order to be able to load the bundle with hot air from all sides, means for introducing hot air must also be provided, which spray the shrink medium between the articles guided in parallel. For example, for multi-track machining a shrink tunnel with at least one so-called intermediate borehole wall is used. The well wall is a side-shooter in the form of a perforated hollow body. The inner shaft wall has shrink medium outlets on both side wall surfaces arranged parallel to the transport direction, so that the hot air flows into the interior of the shrink tunnel after both sides and thus laterally loads the goods with the hot shrink medium. The outer shaft wall has only shrink medium outlets on the side wall surface facing the interior of the shrink tunnel, so that hot air flows into the interior of the shrink tunnel via the shrink medium outlets and thus laterally loads the goods with the hot shrink medium. The well wall is known as a wall having an internal cavity into which a shrinking medium, such as hot air, is blown. For this purpose, the shaft wall has in each case at least one air inlet, preferably arranged in the upper region, through which the shrink medium is blown from above into the shaft wall and then flows through the shrink medium outlet into the interior of the shrink tunnel.

The shrink medium is provided, for example, by a hot gas or shrink gas heater, which comprises an electrically driven or fuel-driven heating device. Hot shrink medium, in particular hot gas, is introduced into the shaft wall and enters via its outflow surface into the interior of the shrinking device and is thus applied to the goods wrapped with shrink film. The heating device must be continuously supplied with air, on the one hand for burning fuel and/or heating as a shrinking medium. The air is at least partly removed from the inner space of the contraction device, for example by sucking air from the inner space of the contraction device by means of a suction device.

Such shrink devices are described, for example, in the publications DE 102007049441 a1 and DE 102011052353 a 1.

Document US 3526752 describes a constricted passage with a ventilator. Air is guided over the heating rods by the fans, down into the outer shaft wall and blown into the inner space of the shrink tunnel via the lower openings. An inner well wall is arranged between the outer well wall and the inner space, with the opening pointing towards the inner space. Air is drawn from the interior space via the opening and at the same time is sucked in, in particular, by the ventilator. This arrangement is only suitable for single track commercial transport.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved constriction device with a well wall, which can optimally suck air from the inner space of the constriction device and is also suitable in particular for constriction devices with single-track and/or multi-track transport.

The present invention relates to a shrinking apparatus for heat-shrinking shrink films around goods or goods compositions. The shrinking device comprises at least one interior space with a transport section for transporting goods or goods compositions wrapped with a shrink film. Furthermore, the shrinking device comprises at least two outer well walls, each of which has an outflow surface facing the transport section. A shrink medium, preferably in the form of hot air or the like, is guided laterally via the outflow face onto the goods or goods composition which are arranged within the transport section and which are wrapped with the shrink film. For example, the outflow surface includes a plurality of nozzles directed at the articles or compositions of articles wrapped with shrink film. The shrink medium is directed from the well walls through the nozzles in a direction that is generally toward the commodity or commodity composition to be wrapped with the shrink film.

Preferably, provision is made for the articles or groups of articles to be transported in the transport direction on a transport medium, for example an endless conveyor belt, through the shrinking device and to be loaded simultaneously with the shrinking medium.

For the single-track transport of goods or goods compositions, the shrinking device comprises, for example, two outer walls arranged on both sides with respect to the transport section for the goods or goods compositions, the outer walls having respectively an outflow face facing the transport section of the shrinking device and an outer closed side. For the two-track or multi-track transport of goods or goods compositions, the shrinking device comprises, for example, two outer walls of a well arranged on both sides with respect to the transport section for the goods or goods compositions and at least one inner wall of a well arranged in the middle on the transport section parallel to the outer walls of the well. At least one of the inner walls of the well has two outflow surfaces facing the inner space of the constriction device and divides the transport medium into two parallel transport sections or tracks for the goods or the composition of goods.

Furthermore, the constriction device comprises at least one suction device for sucking air from the inner space of the constriction device. The suction device has at least one suction opening arranged above the transport section and above at least two outer walls of the shaft. In correspondence with the suction openings, at least one suction aperture plate is arranged above the transport section, which suction aperture plate extends substantially over a width transverse to the transport direction, which width is greater than the width of the suction openings. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the suction orifices extend in the region above the at least two outer shaft walls and substantially over or beyond the width between the outflow surfaces of the two outer shaft walls.

According to a further embodiment, the suction orifice plate extends substantially over or beyond the width of at least one transport section. In the case of multi-track transport, the suction orifices preferably extend transversely to the transport direction over or beyond the entire width of all transport sections divided by the inner wall of the shaft.

In the case of multi-track transport, the suction orifices preferably extend above at least one inner shaft wall, likewise substantially over or beyond the width between the two outer shaft walls.

With this arrangement, air is drawn in primarily from between the housing, which defines the interior of the constriction device, and the outer, in particular closed, side of the shaft wall facing away from the transport section. Air can thus be drawn in particular from areas where no shrink-wrapped goods are arranged. There is also no risk that the shrink film is blown on a drum and not shrunk onto the goods or goods compositions in the desired manner.

The suction device may be, for example, a ventilator or the like. According to an embodiment of the invention, air is sucked from the inner space of the constriction device by a ventilator, guided through the heating device and simultaneously heated, and then introduced into the borehole wall. The hot air is then introduced into the interior of the constriction device via the outflow surface of the shaft wall and, for this purpose, preferably blown laterally onto the articles or the compositions of the articles. For this purpose, for example, so-called radial fans are used. In this case, air is sucked from the interior space parallel to the drive axis of the radial fan or axially relative thereto and is deflected by rotating the radial impeller by 90 °, blown out radially and simultaneously introduced into the borehole wall. The suction orifice plate located in front of the suction opening diverts the suction, since the air must flow around the suction orifice plate. By at least partially covering or shielding the suction opening, the sucked air is at least partially diverted in such a way that strong suction or blowing of the shrink film enclosed around the goods or goods composition is reduced or prevented and a better shrinking effect is achieved compared to a shrinking apparatus without such a suction orifice plate.

The suction orifice plate is arranged above the transport section and above the at least two outer walls of the well at a height which is selected such that the suction orifice plate is located above the goods or goods combination to be transported on the transport section. For example, it is provided that the suction opening of the suction device is arranged above at least one borehole wall; and the suction orifice plate is arranged between the well wall and the suction opening.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the suction orifice has a base surface which is arranged in a plane parallel to the transport section and above the at least two outer well walls.

According to a preferred embodiment, the suction orifice is configured in a U-shaped configuration, wherein the U-configuration is arranged within the constriction device such that the sides in the transport direction and opposite the transport direction are configured to be closed and the sides parallel to the transport direction are configured to be open. The shape of the suction orifice plate is particularly helpful for sucking air from the above-mentioned intermediate space between the outside shaft wall and the casing of the constriction device.

According to one embodiment, the suction orifice plate has a plurality of porous sections. Particularly preferably, the porous portion is configured as a recess of the base surface. The porous portion can be punched, injected by laser or pressed into the base surface, for example. Preferably, the base surface of the suction orifice plate is arranged and/or configured at a distance from the suction opening, such that a lateral opening is configured between the base surface and the suction opening, via which lateral opening air can flow from the interior space in the direction of the suction opening. In particular, the openings are arranged parallel to the transport direction and spaced apart from the outer shaft wall. The air sucked through the suction opening flows at least partially through the perforated section of the suction orifice plate and partially through the lateral openings in order to enter the suction device via the suction opening.

The configuration and arrangement of the porous sections within the base surface of the suction orifice can be designed differently, for example the porous sections can have a circular, oval, square or oblong cross section and/or a circular, oval, square or oblong plan view and the like. The arrangement of the porous portions may also be configured to be regular or irregular. For example, it can be provided that the porous sections are formed in the middle region parallel to the transport direction and in the lateral edge regions, whereas no porous sections are provided in the regions from which the shrink film partially protrudes before final shrinking onto the goods or goods compositions, so that no air is drawn upwards in this region and therefore does not blow on the protruding shrink film.

Particularly preferably, the suction orifice plate is larger than the suction opening of the suction device to be covered. According to an embodiment of the invention, the suction orifice plate covers a larger area than the suction opening in a plane parallel to the suction opening. In particular, the base surface of the suction orifice plate is larger than the suction opening. According to a further embodiment, it is provided that the suction orifice plate extends substantially over a depth which is greater than the depth of the suction opening, in particular over a depth of the suction opening which is parallel to the transport direction of the goods or goods compositions wrapped with shrink film through the shrinking device.

The suction orifice plate is arranged spaced apart from the suction opening, in particular at a vertical spacing. The suction orifice plate at least partially prevents direct suction of air via the suction opening in a suction direction substantially perpendicular to the transport section. In the suction orifice plate with porous portions, a portion of the air is sucked through the porous portions of the suction orifice plate, and another portion of the air is guided around the outer edges of the base surface of the suction orifice plate and is sucked through lateral openings formed through the gap between the suction opening and the suction orifice plate.

The porous sections can be formed in a regular or irregular arrangement within the base surface. For multi-track production, it is advantageous to use perforated suction plates, in such a way that the amount of air sucked from the respective transport track or transport section can be compensated by means of perforated suction plates with a suitable number and arrangement of perforations, so that the suction pressure is preferably equal in all transport tracks or transport sections.

The base surface, which is formed with the porous portion, forms a so-called suction surface of the suction orifice plate. Embodiments according to the invention can provide that the size of the suction surface can be adjusted via suitable means. For example, laterally displaceable pusher plates can be provided, by means of which the perforated section can be partially covered, whereby the suction surface can be correspondingly reduced. Furthermore, a flap is conceivable which in the closed position covers a part of the porous section and thus closes it, and in the open position does not close the porous section of the respective part. The intermediate position of the flap also causes the suction of air from the interior space through the porous portion to change accordingly. Furthermore, the invention may also comprise means for dimensioning the suction face, which are known to the person skilled in the art.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the size of the side opening formed between the suction opening and the base surface of the suction orifice plate can be set by means of a pusher or a flap or the like, so that the suction intensity in this region can be adjusted. If more air can be sucked in via the side openings from the intermediate space between the closed sides of the outer shaft wall and the casing of the constriction device, a reduced suction is now achieved via the perforated part of the base surface.

The suction orifice plate may comprise a first fixing means and the constriction device, for example the suction device of the constriction device, may comprise a second fixing means. The suction orifice plate can be assigned to the suction opening via an operative connection of the first and second fastening means and is preferably releasably arranged and/or fastened within the constriction device. For example, the suction plate can comprise at least one first flange and the constriction device can comprise at least one second flange, so that the suction plate can be positioned and fixed in the constriction device by means of the flange connection established between the first flange and the second flange. The suction plate can be arranged and releasably fixed in the constriction device, for example, by means of a screw connection, a lever system, a plug connection or a snap connection. A non-releasable connection is however also possible, for example by welding or the like.

A quick-change system is particularly preferably provided for arranging the suction orifice plate within the constriction device. For example, the suction orifice plate can have at least one configuration which can be guided in or on a rail of the constriction device, so that the suction orifice plate can be easily pushed into or onto the guide rail and accordingly arranged and positioned within the constriction device. If desired, the suction orifice plate can be fixedly secured in its respective position via other suitable fasteners. According to an embodiment of the suction orifice plate, the guide rail is parallel or orthogonal to the transport direction and is preferably arranged above the borehole wall and below the suction opening.

The shape of the base surface of the suction orifice plate can likewise be of variable design, for example circular, polygonal, etc., or have an irregular shape. Furthermore, the base surface can be designed to be flat, so that, depending on the arrangement of the suction orifice plate within the constriction device, the base surface is preferably arranged in a plane parallel to the transport section. However, it can also be provided that the base surface is curved and, depending on the arrangement of the suction orifice plate within the constriction device, exhibits a concave or convex curvature relative to the transport section. Furthermore, embodiments are conceivable in which the base surface is configured to be cut with an edge and is formed, for example, from at least two partial surfaces which are arranged at an angle different from 180 ° to one another. For example, the two partial surfaces are arranged relative to one another in such a way that, depending on the arrangement of the suction orifice plate within the constriction device, the tip of the angle of <180 ° formed between the two partial surfaces points in the direction of the transport section or the tip of the angle of <180 ° points in the direction of the suction opening.

The above-described suction orifice plate, with or without a porous section of the base surface, can advantageously be mounted over the entire mechanical width of the constriction device. The shape of the suction orifice plate and/or the shape of the porous sections of the suction orifice plate, in particular the shape and/or the size and/or the arrangement and/or the spacing of the porous sections, can advantageously be selected as a function of the respective product to be processed and/or the respective production conditions. Furthermore, the working area, in particular the suction surface of the suction plate, can be adjusted, which can be advantageous in particular when changing from single-track production to multi-track production. The suction opening plate can preferably be designed as a replaceable standard part, in particular a modular design principle can be provided, which provides a plurality of differently designed suction opening plates, which can be arranged and fixed in the retraction device corresponding to the suction opening of the suction device by means of a quick change system.

Since the suction screen projects laterally, preferably on all sides, over the suction opening of the suction device, blowing of the shrink film projecting laterally is prevented and thus the shrinking effect is improved. This applies to suction orifices without porous sections on the base surface and also to such suction orifices with a structural section, optionally in combination with adjustability of the size of the suction surface.

The invention also relates to a method for drawing air from the interior space of a shrinking device having a transport section for transporting goods or goods compositions wrapped with shrink film in a transport direction. The shrinking device comprises at least two outer walls of a well, each having an outflow face facing the transport section for heat shrinking the shrink film around the goods or goods composition, wherein air is mainly sucked from the area between the housing defining the inner space of the shrinking device and the side of the outer walls of the well facing away from the transport section.

It is emphasized here that all solutions and variants and/or actions described in the description of the constriction device according to the invention or in the definitions of the claims in connection with the constriction device according to the invention shall equally be applicable to the method according to the invention. Vice versa, so that all variants and variants set forth in connection with the method according to the invention also relate or can be sub-variants of the constriction device according to the invention. The same therefore applies to the constriction device according to the invention when the defined solutions and/or relationships and/or effects are mentioned in the description of the method according to the invention or in the definitions of the claims.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention and their advantages are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensional ratios of the individual elements in the figures do not always correspond to the actual dimensional ratios, since some shapes are shown simplified and others are shown enlarged for better illustration than others.

FIG. 1 illustrates a single track processing of a commodity or a combination of commodities in a shrinking apparatus;

FIG. 2 illustrates a dual track process for a commodity or a commodity composition in a shrinking apparatus;

fig. 3A to 3G show different embodiments of the suction orifice plate;

fig. 4A to 4D show different embodiments of the holes of the suction orifice plate;

fig. 5 shows a first embodiment of the arrangement of the suction orifice plate within the constriction device;

fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of the arrangement of the suction orifice plate within the constriction device;

fig. 7 shows a further embodiment of the suction orifice plate.

The same reference numerals are used for the same elements or elements having the same function of the present invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only the reference numerals necessary for the description of the respective figures are shown in the respective figures. The embodiments shown are merely examples of how a device according to the invention or a method according to the invention can be implemented, for example, and these examples are not intended to be limiting.

Detailed Description

FIG. 1 illustrates a single track processing of a commodity 2 or a commodity composition in a shrinking apparatus 1; and figure 2 shows a dual track process of a commodity 2 or a commodity composition in a shrinking apparatus 1. The articles 2, in particular beverage containers, bottles 4, cans, etc., are combined into a group of articles 3. The group of products 3 is wrapped in a film wrapping device (not shown) arranged upstream by means of a shrink film 5. The group of articles 3 wrapped with shrink film 5 is fed to the shrink tunnel of the shrinking apparatus 1 on a conveyor belt 6 in a transport direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The group of goods 3 wrapped with shrink film 5 is loaded with a shrink medium 7, in particular hot air 8 or the like, in the shrink tunnel, whereby the shrink film 5 shrinks around the goods 2, for example bottles 4, and thereby a packaging unit is formed.

The shrinking medium 7, in particular the hot air 8, is generated, for example, by sucking air 9 from an interior 16 of the shrinking apparatus 1 by means of a suction device 10, for example a radial fan 11, conducting it through a heating device 12 and heating it there. As the heating device 12, an electric heating device or a heating device driven by fuel, such as a gas burner, a porous combustion chamber, an electric heating rod, or the like, can be used. The shrink medium 7 thus produced is introduced into the borehole wall 13 and from there sprayed onto the group of articles 3 wrapped with shrink film 5. The well wall 13 is for example a side injection device in the form of a perforated hollow body.

In the single-track process according to fig. 1, the shrink device 1 comprises two so-called outer walls 14 of the borehole. The outer wall 14 has an outflow face 17 facing the transport section for the group of commodities 3 and an outer closed face, respectively. The outer wall 14 is arranged laterally of the transport section, in particular parallel to the transport direction of the groups of articles 3 wrapped with shrink film 5, and therefore the groups of articles 3 wrapped with shrink film 5 are laterally loaded with the hot shrink medium 7 or hot air 8. Furthermore, a shrink medium 7 or hot air 8 is sprayed from below through the conveying surface of the conveyor belt 6 onto the groups of goods 3 wrapped with shrink film 5.

When air 9 is sucked from the interior 16 of the shrinking device 1, there is the risk that the group of articles 3 wrapped with the shrink film 5 is also sucked and at the same time blown. This results in a deterioration of the shrinking effect. A so-called suction orifice 22 is thus arranged at a distance before the suction opening 20 of the suction device 10. The suction orifice 22 is dimensioned such that it preferably extends beyond the suction opening 20 on all sides. The sucked-in air 9 is thus sucked in laterally through the opening 23 formed by the distance a between the suction opening 20 and the suction orifice 22. Suction orifice plate 22 preferably has a width B22 transverse to the direction of transport of group of articles 3 wrapped with shrink film 5 that is greater than a width B20 of suction opening 20 transverse to the direction of transport of group of articles 3 wrapped with shrink film 5. Furthermore, the suction orifice 22 preferably has a depth parallel to the transport direction of the group of articles 3 wrapped with shrink film 5 that is greater than the depth of the suction opening 20.

Furthermore, the suction opening plate 22 has a so-called perforated section 24, via which the air 9 can likewise be sucked from the interior 16 and into the suction device 10 via the suction opening 20. The air 9 can thus be sucked in from the interior 16 of the constriction device 1 in a distributed, neat and/or uniform manner, whereby a good and reproducible constriction effect is achieved.

After the group of products 3 wrapped with shrink film 5 has passed through the shrink tunnel of the shrinking device 1, wherein a packaging unit or a bundle is formed, the packaging unit or bundle can be cooled with cold air by a ventilator arranged after the shrink tunnel, which ventilator is arranged above the conveyor belt 6 (not shown).

Fig. 2 shows a shrinking device 1, in which a commercial group 3 wrapped with shrink film 5 is processed in parallel at two transport sections. For this purpose, two outer well walls 14 arranged on both sides of the transport section and an inner well wall 15 arranged parallel to the outer well walls 14 in the middle of the transport section are formed in the housing 19 of the shrinking device 1. The inner wall 15 has two outflow surfaces 17, each facing a transport section for the groups of products 3, so that the hot air 8 flows into the inner space 16 of the shrinking device 1 after both sides. The outer walls of the well have respective outflow faces 17 facing the transport section for the groups 3 of commodities and closed side faces 18 facing the casing 19.

The suction orifices 22 shown here are configured without porous sections and extend over the borehole wall 13 over the width between the two outer borehole walls 14. The suction orifice 22 causes the air 9 to be sucked substantially only from the respective intermediate space 21 between the closed side 18 of the outer shaft wall 14 and the housing 19 of the constriction device.

For the production of multiple tracks, the above-described suction aperture plate 22 with the porous sections 24 can also be advantageous, since via such a suction aperture plate 22 comprising a suitable number and arrangement of porous sections 24 the amount of air 9 sucked from the respective transport track can be equalized, so that the suction pressure is preferably the same in all transport tracks.

Fig. 3A to 3G show different embodiments of the suction orifice plates 22a to 22G. Different basic shapes are conceivable for this, only some of which are shown by way of example.

The suction orifice plate 22a according to fig. 3A has a rectangular surface 25 as a base surface 30, wherein the suction orifice plate 22a is preferably arranged within the shrinking device 1 (see fig. 1 and 2) such that the rectangular surface 25 is arranged parallel to the transport plane formed by the transport belt 6 for the groups of articles 3 wrapped with the shrink film 5. The rectangular surface 25 is arranged between the two side parts 27. The side parts 27 are designed to be arranged orthogonally to the rectangular surfaces 25 and parallel to one another and have a height h which corresponds at least or approximately to the spacing a between the suction opening 20 and the suction orifice 22 according to fig. 1 and 2. The free sides of the side parts 27 opposite the rectangular surfaces 25 are each designed for fastening to the suction device 10 (see fig. 1 and 2). Such a suction orifice plate 22a is produced, for example, by deforming a rectangular sheet metal or the like, wherein the side parts 27 and the fastening elements 28 are produced by bending each at an angle of 90 ° to the respective adjoining region. The fastening elements 28 shown here are pushed, for example, into corresponding receptacles or onto guide rails (see fig. 5 and 6) of the suction device 10. Other fastening solutions known to the person skilled in the art, in particular by means of separate fastening elements or the like arranged on the side part 27, should likewise be included in the invention.

The suction orifice 22B according to fig. 3B has an octagonal basic shape base surface and the suction orifice 22C according to fig. 3C has a hexagonal basic shape base surface 30. The suction orifice 22D according to fig. 3D has a rectangular basic shape with an arch configured to point away from the suction opening 20 in a concave manner and is configured without porous sections, so that the air 9 sucked according to the example shown in fig. 2 is sucked substantially only from the intermediate space 21 between the housing 19 and the outer shaft wall 14. The suction aperture plate 22E according to fig. 3E comprises two

rectangular faces

26a, 26b which, viewed from the suction opening 20, are configured at an angle α <180 ° to one another. Whereas the suction aperture plate 22F according to fig. 3F comprises two

rectangular faces

26a, 26b which, viewed from the suction opening 20, are configured at an angle β >180 ° to one another. The suction orifice 22G according to fig. 3G has, in the mounted state in the constriction device 1, a rectangular surface 25 which is parallel to the conveying surface formed by the conveyor belt 6, wherein the side parts 27 are arranged obliquely to the rectangular surface 25.

The suction opening plate 22 has a so-called perforated portion 24, at least in the region of the base surface 30, via which air is likewise sucked in from the interior of the constriction device (see fig. 1 and 2). The porous portion 24 is formed by drilling or punching, for example. In the exemplary embodiment shown, in which a regular arrangement of the porous parts 24 within the respective base surface 30 is shown, variants are also conceivable in which irregularly arranged porous parts 24 are formed locally and/or a higher density of porous parts 24 is formed locally.

Fig. 4A to 4D show different embodiments of the perforated section 24 as may be constructed in the aforementioned suction orifice plate 22. The porous portion 24A according to fig. 4A is designed as a circular hole and can be introduced, for example, by drilling into the base surface of the suction orifice. The porous portion 24B according to fig. 4B is designed as a square indentation and can be introduced, for example, by stamping into the base surface of the suction orifice plate. The porous section 24C according to fig. 4C is in the form of a long hole, for example by means of a slot cutter or by means of a suitable punching tool or by drilling and subsequently milling out the central region. The perforated section 24D shown in fig. 4D is formed by a drilled hole which is reworked by means of a countersinking machine in such a way that the drilled hole has a larger diameter in the direction of the interior of the constriction device than in the direction of the ventilator. The illustrated embodiment shows only a few of the solutions, and other forms of the porous portion 24 are possible, such as rectangular notches, oval notches, scale-like notches, and the like. Furthermore, the size of the indentations and/or the spacing between the indentations and/or the arrangement of the indentations can be designed variably.

Fig. 5 shows a first embodiment of the arrangement of the suction orifice 22 within the constriction device 1, which is designed with three shaft walls 13 for a double-rail process (see fig. 2). The suction orifices 22 extend transversely to the transport direction TR and transversely to the wall 13 of the well parallel to the transport direction TR above the transport section for the products to be processed, in particular for the groups of articles 3 wrapped with shrink film 5 (see fig. 2). In particular, the suction screen 22 extends substantially over the entire width of the double-track transport section and has a width B22 which is significantly wider than the width B20 of the suction opening 20 of the suction device 10. Furthermore, the suction orifice 22 has a depth parallel to the transport direction TR which is greater than the depth of the suction opening 20. The height h of the side part 27 defines the spacing a between the suction opening 20 and the base surface 30 of the suction orifice 22. The suction opening plate 22 is arranged on the suction device 10 or at a distance from the suction device 10 via a fastening region 28 which likewise extends transversely to the transport direction TR. In this exemplary embodiment, guide rails 29 are provided, onto which the fastening element 28 is pushed or between which the suction orifice 22 is pushed. The air 9 emerging from the interior 16 is sucked in laterally via the open side of the suction orifice 22 in the region between the base surface 30 and the suction opening 20 (arrow with reference I). In particular, therefore, air 9 is sucked substantially only from the intermediate space 21 between the housing 19 of the retraction device 1 and the closed side 18 of the outer shaft wall 14. This achieves a uniform and particularly reproducible shrink effect, since no shrink film is blown.

A quick change system is preferably provided, so that the suction orifice plate 22 on the suction device 10 can be changed quickly, for example when changing products.

Fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of the arrangement of the suction orifice 22B according to fig. 3B within the constriction device 1. The suction orifices 22b extend transversely to the transport direction TR and transversely to the wall 13 of the well parallel to the transport direction TR above the transport section for the products to be processed, in particular for the groups 3 of articles wrapped with shrink film 5. In particular, the suction screen 22B extends over substantially the entire width of the transport section and has a width B22 which is significantly wider than the width B20 of the suction opening 20 of the suction device 10. Furthermore, the suction aperture plate 22b has a depth parallel to the transport direction TR which is greater than the depth of the suction opening 20. The suction opening plate 22b is arranged on the suction device 10 or at a distance from the suction device 10 via the fastening region 28. The suction opening plate 22b is arranged in such a way that the side part 27 and thus the fastening region 28 are arranged parallel to the shaft wall 13 of the shrink device 1.

Air 9 from the interior space 16 is sucked in via the open side beside the fastening area (not visible) of the suction orifice 22b (arrow with reference I). Furthermore, air 9 is sucked in or against the transport direction TR (arrow with reference number II). In addition, additional air 9 is sucked in via the porous parts 24 or the base surface 30 on the underside of the suction orifice 22b (arrows with the reference symbol III). This results in the air 9 being sucked in uniformly over the entire base surface 30 of the suction plate and not only in the region of the suction opening 20. This achieves a uniform and particularly reproducible shrinkage effect.

Fig. 7 shows a further embodiment of the suction orifice plate 22h, in which the size of the suction surface can be set variable. The suction surface is in particular a surface via which air 9 can be sucked from the interior 18 (see fig. 1 and 2) of the constriction device 1 in the direction of the suction device 10. In the exemplary embodiment shown, two sliding plates 32 are provided, which can be moved parallel to the longitudinal axis L22 of the suction aperture plate 22h and by means of which at least a part of the perforated section 24 of the base surface 30 of the suction aperture plate 22h can be covered if necessary, so that air 9 is sucked only through the uncovered perforated sections 24. Thereby for example covering the area where the end area of the shrink film 5 protrudes from the goods of the group of goods 3. The end regions of the shrink film 5 can thus be effectively prevented from being blown, which would lead to an undesirable shrinking effect. In particular, when changing products, the size and/or shape of the suction surface can be varied in a targeted manner depending on the respective product. The change of the suction surface can be particularly significant and advantageous when processing groups of goods of different widths and/or realizing a single-track transport of the groups of goods on a multi-track transport by means of a shrinking device, etc.

The size of the suction surface of the suction orifice plate 22h can also be adjusted via other suitable adjustment mechanisms, for example by means of a flap or the like which is arranged to be reversible. It is also conceivable to use a perforated sliding plate 32, which, depending on the arrangement relative to the base surface 30, can completely or partially enclose the perforated section 24 of the base surface 30.

The embodiments, examples and variants of the preceding paragraphs, the claims or the following description and drawings and their different views or the respective individual features can be applied independently of one another or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment may be used with all embodiments unless the feature is incompatible. The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims set out below. A member or feature of one portion of one example may be used in combination with a feature or member of another example.

List of reference numerals

1 shrinking device

2 products of commerce

3 Commodity group

4 bottle

5-shrink film

6 conveyer belt

7 shrinking medium

8 hot air

9 air (9)

10 suction device

11 radial flow ventilator

12 heating device

13 well wall

14 outside the well wall

15 inside the well wall

16 inner space

17 outflow surface

18 closed side

19 casing

20 suction port

21 intermediate space

22. 22a to 22h suction orifice plate

23 opening

24 porous part

25 rectangular surface

26a, 26b surfaces

27 side surface

28 fastening element/fastening region

29 guide rail

30 base plane

32 pushing plate

Distance A

Angle alpha, angle beta

Width B20, B22

Height H

I. II, III suction direction

Longitudinal axis of L22

TR transport direction

Claims

1. A shrinking device (1) for heat-shrinking a shrink film (5) around a commercial article (2) or a commercial composition (3),

wherein the shrinking device (1) comprises at least one interior space (16) with at least one transport section for transporting goods (2) or goods compositions (3) wrapped with a shrink film (5) in a transport direction (TR);

wherein the shrinking device (1) comprises at least two outer walls (14) which respectively have an outflow surface (17) facing the at least one transport section, via which hot air (8) can enter the inner space (16) of the shrinking device (1), be guided laterally onto the goods (2) or goods composition (3) wrapped with the shrink film (5),

wherein the constriction device (1) comprises at least one suction device (10) for sucking air (9) from an inner space (16) of the constriction device (1);

wherein the suction device (10) comprises at least one suction opening (20) arranged above the transport section and above at least two outer well walls (14),

wherein at least one suction aperture plate (22) is arranged above the transport section and in correspondence with the suction opening (20), wherein the suction aperture plate (22) arranged before the suction opening (20) diverts the suction flow, since the air (9) must flow around the suction aperture plate (22);

wherein the suction aperture plate (22) extends transversely to the transport direction over a width (B22) that is greater than a width (B20) of the suction opening (20),

characterized in that the suction screen (22) extends in the region above the at least two outer shaft walls (14) over or beyond the width (B22) between the outflow surfaces (17) of the two outer shaft walls (14), or wherein the suction screen (22) extends over the width of the transport section.

2. The constriction device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said suction orifice plate (22) has a base surface (30) arranged in a plane parallel to and above said transport section and above said at least two outer well walls (14).

3. The constriction device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the suction orifice (22) is configured in a U-shaped configuration, wherein the sides in the transport direction (TR) and opposite to the transport direction (TR) are configured to be closed and the sides parallel to the transport direction (TR) are configured to be open.

4. The constriction device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the suction orifice (22) is configured in a U-shaped configuration, wherein the sides in the transport direction (TR) and opposite to the transport direction (TR) are configured to be closed and the sides parallel to the transport direction (TR) are configured to be open.

5. The constriction device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the suction orifice (22) has a plurality of porous portions (24) which are configured as indentations of the base surface (30).

6. The constriction device according to claim 5, wherein the porous portion (24) is punched, shot by laser or pressed into the base surface (30), and/or wherein the porous portion (24) has a circular, elliptical, square cross-section and/or is circular, elliptical, or square in top view.

7. The constriction device according to claim 4, characterized in that the suction orifice (22) has a plurality of porous portions (24) which are configured as indentations of the base surface (30).

8. The constriction device according to claim 7, wherein the porous portion (24) is punched, shot by laser or pressed into the base surface (30), and/or wherein the porous portion (24) has a circular, elliptical, square cross-section and/or is circular, elliptical, or square in top view.

9. Constriction device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the suction orifice plate (22) covers a larger area than the suction opening (20) in a plane parallel to the suction opening (20).

10. Constriction device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the suction orifice plate (22) extends over a depth greater than the depth of the suction opening (20).

11. The shrinking device according to claim 10, wherein the suction orifice plate (22) extends over a depth greater than a depth of the suction opening (20) parallel to a transport direction (TR) of the goods (2) or goods composition (3) wrapped with the shrink film (5).

12. The constriction device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the porous portions (24) have a regular arrangement or an irregular arrangement.

13. The constriction device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the porous portions (24) have a regular arrangement or an irregular arrangement.

14. The constriction device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the porous portions (24) have a regular arrangement or an irregular arrangement.

15. The constriction device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the porous portions (24) have a regular arrangement or an irregular arrangement.

16. Constriction device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the base surface (30) with the porous portion (24) forms a suction surface, and in that the size of the suction surface can be adjusted via a laterally movable push plate and/or via a removable cover plate.

17. The constriction device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the suction orifice plate (22) comprises a first fixing means (28), and wherein the constriction device (1) comprises a second fixing means, wherein the suction orifice plate (22) can be arranged and/or fixed within the constriction device (1) releasably assigned to the suction opening (20) via an effective connection of the first and second fixing means.

18. The constriction device (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that the suction orifice (22) can be placed and/or fixed within the constriction device (1) by means of a screw connection, a lever system, a plug connection or a snap connection.

19. The shrinking device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the distance between the at least two outer well walls (14) and thus the width of the transport section can be adjusted, or

Wherein the shrinking device (1) comprises at least one inner wall (15) with two outflow surfaces (17) facing the transport section, respectively, via which hot air (8) can enter the inner space (16) of the shrinking device (1) and be guided laterally onto the goods (2) or goods composition (3) wrapped with the shrink film (5); wherein at least one spacing between the at least two outer well walls (14) and the at least one inner well wall (15) is adjustable and thus at least one width of at least one transport section is adjustable.

20. Method for sucking air (9) from an interior space (16) of a constriction device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, said interior space having at least one transport section for transporting goods (2) or goods compositions (3) wrapped with shrink film (5) in a transport direction (TR), said shrinking device (1) comprising at least two external walls (14) having respective outflow surfaces (17) facing said at least one transport section for heat-shrinking said shrink film (5) around the goods (2) or the goods composition (3), wherein air (9) is sucked mainly from a region (21) between a housing (19) defining an inner space (16) of the shrinking device (1) and a side (18) of the outer shaft wall (14) facing away from the transport section.

21. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that a portion of said air (9) passes through a plurality of porous portions (24) of a suction orifice (22) above said at least one transport section, before being sucked in by said suction device (10).