CN212268016U - Packaging device for articles or article groups - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a packaging device (1) for articles (40) or groups of articles. The packaging device (1) comprises at least one transport device (7) for the input of articles (40) or article groups (3) and at least one first handling device (9) for the articles (40) or article groups. The first handling device (9) is designed for mounting at least one packaging blank (2) on an article (40) for producing a closure (5) and comprises at least one first inspection means (11). The first inspection device (11) is designed to detect incorrect fixing of the packaging blank (2) to the article (40) and/or to detect a missing, faulty or defective packaging blank (2) and/or to detect a faulty or defective article (40).

Description

Packaging device for articles or article groups

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a packaging device for articles or groups of articles.

Background

For handling, combining, grouping and packaging articles, there are different packaging types, for example combining articles or containers, such as beverage containers, into a portable, relatively easy-to-handle multipack unit. Different possibilities are also known for combining individual articles into larger assemblies. For this reason, for example, beverage containers are combined and packaged in four-piece containers, six-piece containers or multi-piece container assemblies by means of shrink films. The production of the fitment is mostly unavoidable because it is the most common variant of the vending unit of beverage containers or bottles made of PET synthetic material. For transport, the packs are once again brought together partially and/or in stacks.

In the production of known multipack types, special production steps are necessary in order to be able to handle the shrink films which are usually used. The manufacturing steps require relatively high energy input. Furthermore, the applied film incurs costs in manufacturing, supply, operation and later disposal, since the film is no longer needed after sale. The machine equipment for providing the so-called film bending modules and other operating stations also leads to high investment costs. Finally, the provision of a so-called shrink tunnel, in which the film wrapped around the multipacks is shrunk around the containers by the application of hot air, also requires relatively high capital expenditure.

One variant is the so-called strapping, in which the use of a shrink film can in principle be dispensed with. The containers are combined and connected to one another to form a composite part by means of so-called strapping. In strapping machines which operate continuously or in a clocked manner, containers, articles or bottles are grouped into a formation and then strapped with the aid of a strapping device with one strap or with a plurality of straps. Typical convoy arrangements can be, for example, a 1x2 arrangement (two containers in a row), a 2x2 arrangement (four containers in a square or diamond convoy), a 3x2, 4x3 or in principle also variable nxm arrangements.

Furthermore, it is known to apply so-called upper grip paperboard packages, in order to merge a plurality of bottles, for example in the neck region of said bottles. A packaging machine for arranging such an upper, clamped cardboard package is described in patent document EP1075419B 1. The articles are arranged in the box and the clamping cardboard packaging is placed from above onto at least one article arranged in the box. In particular, a plurality of articles are arranged in the box and a secondary group is formed by the arrangement of a smaller number of upper, clamped cardboard packages, which correspondingly merge a part of the articles arranged in the box.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The task of the utility model is to ensure the quality and the accurate structure of the closed piece of making in the inside of packing plant for subsequent processing and/or selling.

The above-mentioned object is achieved by a packaging device for articles or groups of articles.

The articles preferably relate to beverage containers, in particular bottles or cans, onto which the packaging blanks are applied by means of a packaging device. The packaging device is however also suitable for arranging and fixing a respective packaging blank to other suitable articles. The input first transport device by the first operating device inputs the items or the item groups respectively comprising at least two items. The first handling device is in particular a so-called application module, which is designed to fix at least one packaging blank to an article or group of articles when the closure is configured. In this case, the packaging blank is preferably placed onto the article or the group of articles and is pressed at least partially onto the articles of the article or group of articles by an at least partially downwardly directed force, in particular by a downwardly directed pressure, and is fixed there to the articles.

Such a packaging blank is for example substantially planar and has an opening which is configured such that it is covered from above onto the articles, such that after the fixing of the packaging blank on at least one article or group of articles, the articles are located locally above the packaging blank and locally below the packaging blank. After the fixing of the packaging blank, preferably a defined upper region of the articles of the article or of the group of articles is located above the packaging blank, while a defined lower region of the articles of the article or of the group of articles is arranged below the packaging blank.

The opening of the packaging blank has, in particular, a fastening means, for example, a fastening tab formed by a slit or the like extending radially out of the opening. After the packaging blank has been arranged and fixed on the article, the cutout is in engagement with the article, so that the packaging blank is fixed essentially in a fixed position on the article. The removal of the packaging blank from the articles of the article or group of articles can therefore only be effected with increased effort by virtue of the upward force component, wherein the packaging blank is usually destroyed at least partially. Such a packaging blank is also referred to as an upper, clamped paperboard package. The packaging blank preferably consists of cardboard material, composite material, cardboard composite material or the like.

The packaging device comprises at least one first inspection mechanism. The at least one first inspection mechanism is used to detect the exact configuration of the fitting. The first inspection device is designed in particular to detect incorrect fixing of the packaging blank to the article. Alternatively or additionally, the first inspection device can be designed to identify missing, faulty or defective packaging blanks. According to further embodiments, the first inspection mechanism can alternatively or additionally be configured to identify faulty or defective items.

The inspection device is formed, for example, by a camera with image recognition. The images of the respective closure elements collected by the camera are analyzed, for example, by a respective software, whether the packaging blank is arranged on the articles of the article or article group and/or whether the packaging blank fixed to the articles of the article or article group is normal and in particular does not have a tear, a bending point or the like. It can furthermore be evaluated whether the packaging blank is arranged on the article in an accurate manner, that is to say, for example, whether a partial region of the upper part of the article is pressed through the packaging blank in the desired manner by the first handling device. It is also possible to check the exact filling state of the article in the correlation, for example. Further suitable inspection means are known to the skilled person and should be included in the present application as well.

If in said association the multipack is identified as faulty due to at least one of the above-mentioned defects or another defect that is obvious to the skilled person, said faulty multipack is removed from the multipack flow. This prevents, in particular, faulty multi-parts from being fed to further processing.

The inspection device is preferably assigned an extraction device for defective assemblies, in particular for defective articles or article groups with or without packaging blanks. The data determined by the checking device are preferably transmitted to a control device of the handling device and/or the packaging device, which controls the extraction device when defective multi-packs are detected. The defective fitment is extracted from the product flow by an extraction device and transferred, for example, to a buffer area associated with the handling device.

According to one specific embodiment, defective assemblies are finally removed from the product stream and subsequently fed to a destruction device, for example.

Alternatively, provision can be made for defective packaging blanks to be removed from the defective fitment and for new packaging blanks to be mounted on the article or group of articles after the construction of a new, corrected fitment. The newly constructed assemblies can then be re-programmed into the product stream and input to further processing.

For example, the buffer area is assigned a removal tool, with which defective packaging blanks are removed from defective closures, so that the articles or article groups are now reconstructed and/or arranged in the buffer area. A new packaging blank can then be applied to the articles or article groups arranged in the buffer area, for example by means of a second handling device assigned to the buffer area, or by corresponding control of the first handling device, so that a new, in particular so-called corrected, multi-pack is formed. Alternatively, provision can be made for the articles or article groups to be introduced into the article transport in front of the first handling device and for the packaging blanks to be applied to the articles or article groups again by the first handling device.

Preferably, it is provided that the corrected unit is also subjected to a test before it is fed to further processing. It should therefore be prevented that, if necessary, the multi-packs produced in a defective manner during the application of new packaging blanks subsequently arrive at further processing. In this case, it can be provided that the buffer area is assigned at least one second inspection device, which monitors the arrangement and/or configuration of the packaging blanks on the articles or article groups. If a faulty arrangement of the packaging blank or other defects on the packaging blank is determined, the packaging blank can be removed from the article or group of articles, for example, again by means of a removal tool and replaced with a further new packaging blank.

Alternatively, provision can be made for the modified multi-pack to be introduced into the product stream, viewed in the transport direction, upstream of the at least one first checking device, so that a corresponding monitoring is effected by the at least one first checking device. This is possible in particular if the pieces to be created are each fed to the test at a distance from one another.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the packaging unit comprises a strapping device. The strapping device is used in particular for attaching at least one strap-like or strip-like, closed strap for additionally tightening the articles of an article group. To this end, at least one strapping band is placed around the object and then secured after the strapping is configured. The inner side of the bundle, which rests on the outer side of the article, can optionally be fastened to the article in the contact position. The strapping can thus be fixed in the contact position at least in the form of at least one welded connection, in particular by means of a material-bonded connection. By means of such a connection, the articles are no longer moved in the multi-pack thus built, so that the defined packaging arrangement remains. The strapping device can be arranged either in front of the first handling device or behind the first handling device. In other words, according to one embodiment, the articles of the combined article group are first bundled by means of at least one bundling means and the packaging blank is then fastened to the bundled article group. Alternatively, it is also possible to first fasten the packaging blank to the article or group of articles and then to install the additional strapping.

At least one second inspection device can be arranged behind the strapping device, which second inspection device detects the structure and quality of the at least one strap. For example, the position of the bundle on the article can be detected. It can furthermore be detected whether the strapping has sufficient tension and/or whether the strapping has been closed in an accurate manner. As soon as a defect is detected, provision is also made in this case for the defective fitment to be removed from the product stream. Alternatively, it can be provided that the first inspection device monitors the presence, arrangement and quality of the packaging blanks on the articles, which is additionally designed and adapted to detect defects on the strapping. The first checking means is arranged in particular at a position behind the first handling device and the strapping device, so that the checking is effected independently of which packaging means is first applied to the articles.

According to a further embodiment, provision can be made for the articles to be additionally fastened to one another by means of an adhesive connection and for the packaging blank to be subsequently attached. This has the advantage that the position of the articles is fixed in a defined manner relative to one another before and/or during the application of the packaging blank and the articles cannot be moved relative to one another in particular. For example, in the application module, the application position is placed at a suitable contact position between two objects. The adhesive location can preferably already be installed when the article is tightened into the article group. A further alternative embodiment can provide that a plurality of articles are arranged on a so-called pallet and that all the articles arranged on the pallet are then additionally provided with the previously described packaging blanks. In this embodiment, it is also possible to first attach the packaging blank to the article and only then to place the adhesive site or to arrange the article on an additional tray in a subsequent step.

The quality and arrangement of the application position can likewise be monitored by suitable second inspection means, which for example detect the position of the application position and/or the size of the application position and/or the thickness of the layer of application material, etc. If, for example, the size of the application location and/or the thickness of the application location is/are configured to be smaller than a defined minimum value, it is assumed that the adhesive connection between the articles is inadequate. Such a fitment is classified as defective and removed from the product stream prior to further processing. As described in connection with the strapping device, the first inspection means can also, in a suitable arrangement, together accomplish this task.

Furthermore, it can be provided that a pull tab is attached to the group of articles, also referred to as a closure, in which the packaging blank is formed. For example, strip-shaped handles are involved, which are glued with the respective item on the opposite outer side of the attachment means. The application of the pull handle is effected, for example, with a handle applicator arranged immediately behind the manipulation device.

It is explicitly mentioned here that all aspects and embodiment variants explained in the context of the correlation with the device according to the invention can likewise relate to or form part of the aspects of the described method. The same therefore applies to the described method if particular aspects and/or interrelationships and/or effects are mentioned here in the description of the device according to the invention. The reverse is also true, so that all aspects and embodiments explained in the context of the method described can likewise relate to or be part of the aspects of the device according to the invention. If, in the description of the method described here, specific aspects and/or relationships and/or functions are mentioned, this applies equally to the device according to the invention.

The embodiments below further illustrate the invention and the advantages thereof according to the appended drawings. The dimensional ratios of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to actual dimensional ratios, since some shapes are simplified and other shapes are shown enlarged in proportion to other elements for better illustration.

1. A packaging device for articles or groups of articles, characterized in that the group of articles comprises at least two articles, the packaging device comprising a transport mechanism for at least one input of the articles or groups of articles and comprising at least one first handling device for the articles or groups of articles,

wherein the first manipulator is configured for mounting at least one packaging blank on the article to configure a fitment,

wherein the packaging unit comprises at least one first inspection device,

wherein the first inspection mechanism is configured to identify an incorrect fixing of the packaging blank on the article and/or

Wherein the first inspection device is designed to identify missing, faulty or defective packaging blanks and/or

Wherein the first inspection mechanism is configured to identify faulty or defective items.

2. The packaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first inspection device is assigned an extraction device for the defective assemblies.

3. The packaging device according to claim 2, characterized in that the first inspection device is assigned the extraction device for faulty articles or article groups with or without the packaging blanks.

4. The packaging device according to claim 2, characterized in that the extraction device is assigned a buffer zone.

5. The packaging device according to claim 4, characterized in that the buffer area is assigned a removal tool for the packaging blanks.

6. The packaging device according to claim 4, characterized in that the buffer area is assigned a second handling device for mounting the at least one packaging blank on the article.

7. The packaging device according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a strapping device and/or an adhesive module.

8. The packaging device according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one second checking device is assigned to the strapping device and/or to the adhesive module.

9. The packaging device according to claim 8, characterized in that the second checking means are designed to detect incorrectly formed bundles and/or incorrectly formed adhesive connections.

10. The packaging device according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one first checking means is configured continuously for detecting incorrectly configured bundles and/or incorrectly configured adhesive connections.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a packaging device.

Fig. 2 and 3 show a second embodiment of the packaging unit.

Fig. 4 shows a fitment produced in the packaging device according to fig. 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 shows a further fitment manufactured according to the described method for applying a cardboard blank to an article or group of articles.

Fig. 6 shows a third embodiment of the packaging device.

Fig. 7 to 10 show a fourth embodiment of the packaging device.

Detailed Description

The same reference numerals are used for identical or functionally equivalent elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only the reference numerals necessary for describing the respective figures are shown in the individual figures. The embodiments shown are merely examples of how a device according to the invention or a method described can be constructed and are not limiting in any way.

The schematic view of fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a packaging device 1 for applying a packaging blank 2 to an article group 3, which in the present example is composed of three bottles 4 arranged in two parallel rows, i.e. a total of six bottles 4. Due to the lateral display, only one of the two rows can be seen. Alternatively, the group 3 of articles can comprise a plurality of cans or other (beverage) containers. In the grouping module 6, the bottles 4 are combined in the desired number into article groups 3 and fed in the transport direction TR by a suitable first transport mechanism 7, for example, to a first continuous conveyor belt 8 of a handling device 9, a cushion chain conveyor, a small roller chain or the like. The handling device 9 relates in particular to an application module 10 in which a suitable cardboard blank 20 is pressed onto the bottles 4 of the article group 3 with an at least partially downward directed force.

The packaging blank 2 preferably relates to a substantially plane cardboard blank 20 having a certain number of through holes 21. The number of through-holes 21 corresponds to the number of bottles 4 inside article group 3 and the arrangement of through-holes 21 corresponds to the arrangement of bottles 4 inside article group 3. The through-opening 21 is configured in particular such that the packaging blank 2 can be applied to the bottle 4 from above, in particular pressed onto the bottle. The bottles 4 which are united with the packaging blank 2 are also referred to as closures 5 in the following.

After application of the packaging blank 2 to the group 3 of articles, the first partial region 60 of the bottle 4 is located in particular above the packaging blank 2, while the second partial region 61 of the bottle 4 extends below the packaging wrapper 2. In particular, it is provided that the packaging blank 2 is held in said position by the bottle 4 and vice versa.

If the bottle 4 has, for example, a screw closure 24, then provision is made for the packaging blank 2, after application to the group 3 of articles, to be located below a so-called neck ring 25 of the closed region of the bottle 4. That is to say, the first partial region 60 comprises the screw closure 24 and the neck ring 25 of the bottle 4. The through-opening 21 is preferably brought into engagement with the underside of the respective neck ring 25 by means of suitable tabs, so that the packaging blank 2 is firmly fixed to the bottle 4 of the group 3 and cannot be slid off upward.

Furthermore, the packaging blank 2 can have at least one holding or carrying element 22 arranged and/or configured substantially in the middle. In the present embodiment, two holding or carrying elements 22 are provided. In this case, for example, other suitable slits or openings of packaging blank 2 can be provided, through which a user can insert his fingers and can thus lift and handle together bottles 4 that are combined with packaging blank 2.

Before further processing of the packs 5, for example before arranging a plurality of packs 5 into a palletizable stack or the like, the exact configuration and the desired quality of the packs 5 is checked. At least one first inspection device 11 is provided, which detects the fitting 5 and identifies defects and/or flaws in the fitting 5. First checking device 11 in particular recognizes when packaging blank 2 is incorrectly arranged on bottles 4 of group of articles 3 and, for example, only merges a part of bottles 4 of group of articles 3 and otherwise does not capture the remaining bottles 4 of group of articles 3. Alternatively or additionally, the first inspection device 11 can identify the absence of a packaging blank 2 or, however, an erroneous packaging blank 2, for example a folded, torn or otherwise damaged packaging blank 2. The first inspection device 11 can also be designed to detect faulty or defective bottles 4. One embodiment provides that the at least one first checking device 11 identifies the filling state in the bottle 4. The multi-pack 5 comprising insufficiently filled bottles 4 can thus be identified and the bottles can be removed before further processing.

For example, fig. 1 shows that the packaging blank 2f is incorrectly arranged on the bottle 4, so that a defective fitment 5f is formed. The first inspection device 11 relates to a camera 12, for example, with corresponding image evaluation software, which identifies defective assemblies 5 f. The information is transmitted to a corresponding control mechanism 13 which controls an extraction device 14 which extracts the defective bundle 5f from the product flow so that it is not fed to further processing, for example a palletizing section in a downstream palletizing module 15.

Fig. 2 and 3 show a second embodiment of the packaging unit 1. In the second embodiment, the bottles 4 are pushed into the passage defined by the guide rail 16 when they are fed into the handling device 9, so that two parallel rows of bottles 4 are formed on the fed first transport means 7. Inside the handling device 9, a packaging blank 2 is applied to a total of six bottles 4, namely to three bottles 4 arranged one after the other in each parallel row and is fixed to these bottles by means of a downward-directed pressure. The six bottles 4 combined with the packaging blank 2 are also referred to as multipacks 5.

In the handling device 9, the bottles 4 are moved further in the transport direction TR by the second transport device 17, wherein the speed of the first transport device 7 and the second transport device 17 is preferably the same. Alternatively, it can be provided that the first transport means 7 extends into the handling device 9 and that therefore a partial section of the first transport means 7 assumes the function of the second transport means 17 of the handling device 9.

A third transport device 18 is arranged downstream of the handling device 9, which third transport device is operated at a higher speed or can be operated at least temporarily than the first transport device 7 and/or the second transport device 17 in order to separate the stack 5 formed inside the handling device 9 from the stack 5 formed downstream.

At least one strip-shaped strapping 31 can be additionally applied to the spaced apart attachments 5, for example in the strapping module 30, in order to further stabilize the attachments 5. Here, a strip-shaped strapping is placed horizontally around the outside of the bottle 4 and then fixed. If necessary, the strap 31 can be fixed firmly in a contact position on at least one of the bottles 4. The strapping 31 can thus be fixed at the contact location at least in the form of at least one welded connection, in particular by means of a material-bonded connection. The closure 5, which is additionally combined with the strapping 31, is subsequently marked with the reference numeral 32. Instead of a strip-shaped bundle 31, it can be provided that the bottles 4 are fixed to one another by means of an adhesive connection, for example by means of suitably arranged adhesive points at the contact points between two bottles 4. A further alternative embodiment can provide that the bottles combined with the packaging blanks 2 are additionally arranged on a so-called tray.

Defects or defects of the fitting 32 are investigated by the at least one first inspection device 11. In particular, two first checking devices 11 are provided in order to detect the fitting 32 from two opposite sides and thus to be able to evaluate it in its entirety. In particular, the presence and/or exact arrangement and/or exact configuration of the packaging blank 2 is detected here. It is checked, for example, whether the packaging blank 2 is pressed onto the bottle 4 in an accurate manner and is thus securely fixed to the bottle so that it cannot be torn off from the bottle 4 through a through-opening (not shown) of the packaging blank 2 when the closure 32 is lifted. Furthermore, the presence and/or the exact arrangement and/or the exact configuration of the bundle 31 and the analysis of the bottles 4 can be analyzed by means of the first checking means 11.

If a defective fitment 32f is detected, the defective fitment 32 is extracted by means of an extraction device 14 controlled by a control device 13, which lowers the defective fitment 32f in a buffer zone 19 and thus prevents the defective fitment 32f from being fed to further processing.

Alternatively, at least one second inspection device (not shown) can be provided for inspecting the bundle 31 and/or the bottles 4, said second inspection device also transmitting the data determined by the second inspection device to the control device 13.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective representation of a device 5 produced in the packaging device according to fig. 2 and 3. The fitment 5 comprises six PET bottles 4 each having a screw closure 24 and a neck ring 25. The neck ring 25 has a larger cross-section than the neck region of the bottle 4 arranged below the neck ring. Furthermore, the bottle 4 has a constriction in the middle region of its longitudinal axis L, which serves as a gripping region 26 for easy holding of the bottle 4 as well. The strap 31 is arranged in particular in the gripping region 26, since it is therefore additionally prevented from sliding along the bottles 4.

The packaging blank 2 or the cardboard blank 20 is arranged on a combination of six bottles 4 such that the neck ring 25 and the screw closure 24 are arranged above the packaging blank 2 and constitute an upper first partial region 60, while the filled bottle portion is arranged below the packaging blank 2 and constitutes a lower second partial region 61. The through-opening 21 of the packaging blank 2 is configured to be circular, wherein the diameter of the circle is smaller than the diameter of the neck ring 25 of the bottle 4. A radially outwardly directed auxiliary cut 23 extends from the through hole 21, said auxiliary cut enabling the neck ring 25 to be pressed through the through hole 21 when pressing the packaging blank 2 onto the combination of bottles 4.

Fig. 5 shows a further fitment 5 which is manufactured according to the described method for applying a packaging blank 2 or a cardboard blank 20 to an article 40 or an article group. The article 40 in this case relates to a can 41. The canister has a substantially cylindrical base body with a substantially constant cross-section over the length of the canister. The cross section is only slightly smaller in the area below the upper cover 42 and possibly in the standing area. The smaller cross-section under the upper lid 42 facilitates the fixing of the packaging blank by pressing the packaging blank 2 onto the combination of cans 41.

Similar to the variant described in connection with fig. 4, the packaging blank 2 has a through-hole 21 with an auxiliary cut 23, which allows the lid 42 forming the first partial region 60 of the upper part to easily pass through when the packaging blank 2 is pressed onto the can 41 from above. In contrast, the removal of the packaging blank 2 by means of an upwardly directed pulling movement is only possible with increased effort and generally with destruction of the packaging blank 2. In contrast, when the package 5 is lifted by the fastening elements and the carrier elements 22 of the packaging blank 2, the smaller cross section of the through-opening 21 prevents the packaging blank 2 from being torn off from the articles 40 of the package 5.

Fig. 6 shows a third embodiment of the packaging device 1. The third embodiment is partly similar to the second embodiment according to fig. 2 and 3, whereby reference is hereby made to the description of the second embodiment. In this case, the bottles 4, when being fed into the handling device 9, are pushed into the passage defined by the guide rail 16, so that four parallel rows of bottles 4 are formed on the fed first transport means 7.

Inside the handling device 9, the packaging blanks 2 are each applied to a total of six bottles 4, in particular to the outer three bottles 4 of a row and to the inner three bottles 4 adjacent thereto, and are fixed to these bottles by means of a downward pressure when the fitting 5 is constructed. Two hinge parts 5 are thus created in each case inside the packaging device 1 according to fig. 6, which are arranged next to one another in the transport direction TR.

In the handling device 9, the movement of the fitting part 5 in the transport direction TR is continued by the second transport device 17, wherein the speed of the first transport device 7 and the second transport device 17 is preferably the same. Alternatively, it can be provided that the first transport means 7 extends into the handling device 9 and that therefore a partial section of the first transport means 7 assumes the function of the second transport means 17 of the handling device 9.

Defects or defects of the multi-piece parts 5 arranged side by side are investigated by two first inspection devices 11 arranged on opposite sides of the second transport device 17. The flaws or defects detected here have been described in detail in the correlation with fig. 2 and 3. If a defective fitment 5f is detected, the defective fitment 5f is extracted by means of an extraction device 14 controlled by a control device 13, which lowers the defective fitment 5f in a buffer zone 19 and thus prevents the defective fitment 5f from being fed to further processing. In particular, each inspection device 11 is assigned its own pick-up device 14 and its own buffer area 19. However, it can also be provided that only one extraction device 14 and/or one buffer region 19 is provided. In this case, the extraction device 14 must be correspondingly coordinated by the control device 13 and is designed in particular such that it can reliably remove the defective assemblies 5f, which are identified side by side in the transport direction TR one after the other or both at the same time.

Fig. 7 to 10 show a fourth embodiment of the packaging device 1. The third embodiment is partly similar to the second embodiment according to fig. 2 and 3, whereby reference is hereby made to the description of the second embodiment. When the bottles 4 are fed into the handling device 9, they are pushed into the passage defined by the guide rail 16, so that two parallel rows of bottles 4 are formed on the fed first transport means 7. Also in this embodiment, inside the handling device 9, the packaging blanks 2 are each applied to a total of six bottles 4 and are fixed to these by means of downwardly directed pressure when the fitting 5 is constructed.

The two first inspection devices 11 investigate the defects or defects of the assembled parts 5 being constructed, as already described in detail in connection with fig. 2 and 3. If a defective fitment 5f is detected, the defective fitment 5f is extracted by means of an extraction device 14 controlled by a control device 13, which lowers the defective fitment 5f in a buffer zone 19 and thus prevents the defective fitment 5f from being fed to further processing (fig. 7).

Furthermore, the buffer area 19 is assigned a removal tool 50, which removes the defective packaging blank 2f from the defective fitment 5f, so that the group of articles 3 is now configured and/or arranged inside the buffer area (fig. 8).

Furthermore, the buffer zone 19 is assigned a second handling device 51, which is designed to apply a new packaging blank 2 to the group of articles 3 formed and/or arranged in the buffer zone 19 and thus to form a new fitment 5n (fig. 9). The second handling device 51 preferably extracts a new packaging blank 2 from the associated magazine 52.

The new stack 5n, now corrected, can now be captured by a suitable guide-back mechanism (not shown), for example a robot, a tripod or the like, and fed to further processing (fig. 10). In this connection, it is preferably provided that the corrected new multi-pack 5n is checked again in order to eliminate any defects or defects in the newly built multi-pack 5n even when a new packaging blank 2 is applied by the second handling device 51. In this case, additional second inspection devices (not shown) can be provided at corresponding locations, for example, they can be assigned to the buffer area 19. If it is possible, for example due to a previous spacing of the packs 5 similar to fig. 2 and 3, it can also be provided that a new pack 5n is introduced into the pack flow in the transport direction TR upstream of the first checking device 11, whereby the checking of the new pack 5n is effected by the first checking device 11.

The embodiments, examples and variants of the preceding paragraphs or the following description and drawings, including their different views or corresponding individual features, may be applied independently of one another or in any combination. The features described in connection with the embodiments are applicable to all embodiments as long as they are not mutually incompatible.

If "schematic" figures and views are generally referred to in the context of the present disclosure, this does not mean in any way that the figure illustrations and the description of the figure illustrations have a secondary meaning in relation to the disclosure of the invention. The skilled person is absolutely capable of extracting sufficient information from the schematically and abstractly drawn illustration to facilitate his understanding of the invention, without him in any way being influenced by his understanding from the drawn and possibly not exactly to scale dimensional proportions of the parts of the article and/or of the device or of other drawn elements. As a result, these figures enable a person skilled in the art to obtain a better understanding of the inventive concept expressed more generally and/or more abstractly in the general part of the description, with the aid of the specifically explained embodiments of the described method and the specifically explained working manner of the device according to the invention, as the reader.

List of reference numerals

1 packaging device

2 packaging blank

2f wrongly arranged or faulty packaging blanks

3 group of articles

4 bottle

5 attach together piece

5f defective fitting part

5n new combined piece

6 grouping module

7 first transport mechanism

8 continuous conveyer belt

9 operating device

10 application module

11 first inspection mechanism

12 vidicon

13 control mechanism

14 extraction device

15-pile layer structure module

16 guide rail

17 second transport mechanism

18 third transport mechanism

19 buffer area

20 cardboard blank

21 through hole

22 holding or carrying element

23 auxiliary incision

24 spiral closure

25 neck ring

26 grab area

30 bundling module

31 strip-shaped bundle

32 additional bundling unit

32f imperfect extra strapping attachment

40 article

41 jar

42 cover

50 removal tool

51 second operating device

52 stock house

60 first part area

61 second partial region

L longitudinal axis

TR transport direction

Claims (10)

1. A packaging device (1) for articles (40) or groups of articles, characterized in that the group of articles (3) comprises at least two articles (40), the packaging device (1) comprising a transport mechanism (7) for at least one input of the articles (40) or the group of articles (3) and comprising at least one first handling device (9) for the articles (40) or the group of articles,

wherein the first handling device (9) is configured for mounting at least one packaging blank (2) on the article (40) for configuring a closure (5),

wherein the packaging unit (1) comprises at least one first inspection device (11),

wherein the first inspection device (11) is designed to detect incorrect fastening of the packaging blank (2) to the article (40) and/or to detect incorrect fixing of the packaging blank (2)

Wherein the first inspection device (11) is designed to identify missing, faulty or defective packaging blanks (2) and/or

Wherein the first inspection device (11) is designed to identify faulty or defective articles (40).

2. Packaging unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first inspection device (11) is assigned an extraction device (14) for the defective fitment (5).

3. Packaging unit (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first inspection device (11) is assigned the extraction device (14) for faulty articles (40) or groups of articles (3) with or without the packaging blanks (2).

4. Packaging unit (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the extraction device (14) is assigned a buffer zone (19).

5. A packaging device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the buffer area (19) is provided with a removal tool (50) for the packaging blank (2).

6. A packaging device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the buffer area (19) is provided with a second handling device (51) for mounting the at least one packaging blank (2) on the article (40).

7. A packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the packaging device (1) comprises a strapping device (30) and/or an adhesive module.

8. Packaging unit (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one second inspection device is assigned to the strapping unit (30) and/or to the application module.

9. Packaging unit (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the second checking means are configured for identifying a wrongly configured bundle (31) and/or a wrongly configured adhesive connection.

10. Packaging unit (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one first checking means (11) is configured continuously for detecting a wrongly configured bundle (31) and/or a wrongly configured adhesive connection.

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