CN212606021U - Apparatus for making multi-pack having a plurality of beverage containers - Google Patents
Apparatus for making multi-pack having a plurality of beverage containers Download PDFInfo
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- CN212606021U CN212606021U CN202020680386.6U CN202020680386U CN212606021U CN 212606021 U CN212606021 U CN 212606021U CN 202020680386 U CN202020680386 U CN 202020680386U CN 212606021 U CN212606021 U CN 212606021U
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- beverage containers
- horizontal transport
- transport device
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B17/00—Other machines, apparatus, or methods for packaging articles or materials
- B65B17/02—Joining articles, e.g. cans, directly to each other for convenience of storage, transport, or handling
- B65B17/025—Joining articles, e.g. cans, directly to each other for convenience of storage, transport, or handling the articles being joined by a top carrier element
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B57/00—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices
- B65B57/02—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of binding or wrapping material, containers, or packages
- B65B57/04—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of binding or wrapping material, containers, or packages and operating to control, or to stop, the feed of such material, containers, or packages
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- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)
- Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
Abstract
The utility model relates to a device (1) for making a multi-pack (4) with a plurality of beverage containers (2). The device (1) comprises horizontal transport means (5) for moving the groups (3) each comprising a plurality of beverage containers (2). The apparatus (1) further comprises at least one working device which applies a respective packaging blank (41) to the groups (3) each comprising a plurality of beverage containers (2), so that the beverage containers (2) of the respective group (3) pass through the openings of the packaging blank and are held against one another by the respective packaging blank. The device (1) further comprises at least one handling device (15) by means of which the beverage containers (2) of the respective group (3) are placed on the horizontal transport device (5) such that the beverage containers (2) of the respective group (3) have already been brought into alignment with one another, provided for applying the respective packaging blank, directly when placed on the horizontal transport device (5).
Description
Technical Field
The present invention relates to an apparatus for making a multi-pack having a plurality of beverage containers.
Background
For packaging beverage containers, the beverage containers or bottles may be grouped on a horizontal transport device and assembled by means of a packaging material in groups with a defined number of containers. For example, strapping bands are known, which are applied to groups of beverage containers and bring the beverage containers of the respective group into abutment with one another. Certain packaging materials are also known which consist of thermoplastic material and are shrunk onto the group of articles. These packaging materials, which are referred to as shrink films, are applied to the groups before the application temperature and subsequently shrink on the groups.
Since in practice the consumption of packaging material should be kept as low as possible, closures are also known in which a plurality of beverage containers are held together by a flat packaging blank which is formed with a plurality of openings. Each beverage container penetrates each opening with its upper part. The beverage containers are placed against one another in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner by means of such a packaging blank and form a corresponding multi-pack. Multi-packs comprising, for example, four, six or eight beverage containers are known.
A multipack for holding together beverage containers by means of such a packaging blank is disclosed, for example, by EP0456357a 1. In the production of the multi-packs disclosed in this EP document, the beverage containers are divided into a plurality of rows by guide rails. Furthermore, one holding element is in contact with the first beverage container of the respective group and the other holding element is in contact with the last beverage container of the respective group. The guide rails and the holding elements bring the respective groups of beverage containers into a defined alignment with respect to one another, so that the packaging blanks can subsequently be applied to the beverage containers through the openings thereof. By the necessary alignment of the beverage container by means of the guide rail and the retaining element, the beverage container may be undesirably damaged by surface contact, or the visual appearance of the beverage container may be undesirably impaired by scratching or deformation due to surface contact. In addition, the equipment for making such multipacks of the EP application has a complex structure.
SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL
For the above reasons, the object of the present invention is to provide a device of the same type, by means of which the risk of undesired damage to the beverage container or undesired impairment of its visual appearance can be at least reduced. The task of the utility model is to provide an equipment of the same type in addition, its outstanding part lies in the structure of simplifying.
A method for making a multi-pack having a plurality of beverage containers is first described. The multi-packs produced within the framework of the method may for example comprise exactly four, exactly six or exactly eight beverage containers.
One step of the method is to align a plurality of beverage containers provided for respective multi-packs with respect to one another so that the packaging blank can be subsequently applied to the aligned beverage containers. The aligned beverage containers provided for the respective multi-packs can be formed into respective groups, onto which packaging blanks are subsequently applied, so that they hold the respective groups of beverage containers together in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner. In particular, the respective lateral outer surface of a respective aligned beverage container of a respective group may abut or come into surface contact with the lateral outer surface of at least one other aligned beverage container in the respective subgroup.
Subsequently, a packaging blank is applied to the plurality of beverage containers aligned and provided for the respective multi-packs, wherein the beverage containers aligned and provided for the respective multi-packs are passed through the opening of the packaging blank and are then held against one another by the packaging blank.
The respective packaging blank may thus have two opposite broad sides and be spread over a plurality of openings. In particular, the respective packaging blank can consist of a plastic or cellulose-containing material.
Provision is made for a plurality of groups, each having a plurality of beverage containers, to be placed on the horizontal transport device by means of at least one handling device, so that the respective groups of beverage containers are already aligned with one another directly when placed on the horizontal transport device for the application of the respective packaging blanks. It is conceivable here for a plurality of groups, each having a plurality of beverage containers, to be placed on the horizontal transport device at least approximately simultaneously by means of the at least one handling device, so that the respective groups of beverage containers are already aligned with one another directly when placed on the horizontal transport device for the application of the respective packaging blanks.
In practice, it has proven to be reliable to place a plurality of groups of a plurality of beverage containers, each group comprising a plurality of beverage containers, on a horizontal transport device at a distance from one another or at a distance from one another by means of at least one handling device, so that the plurality of beverage containers of the respective group are already aligned with one another directly on the horizontal transport device for applying the respective packaging blank. In this case, it can alternatively be provided that a plurality of groups, each having a plurality of beverage containers, are placed on the horizontal transport device in an unequally spaced manner by means of at least one handling device, wherein the plurality of beverage containers of the respective group are already aligned with one another directly on placement on the horizontal transport device for applying the respective packaging blank. It is possible here that the groups are spaced apart from one another only after placement on the horizontal transport device, so that the beverage containers of the respective group are aligned with one another after the spacing in succession for the application of the respective packaging blank. In particular, embodiments have proven reliable in which, for the purpose of spacing, the preceding group is accelerated compared to the immediately following group, while maintaining the alignment of the respective beverage containers.
The respective packaging blanks are also applied to the respective groups of beverage containers which have been placed on the horizontal transport device and which have been aligned with one another.
In the context of the method, it can be provided that the respective packaging blank is applied to the beverage containers already aligned and provided for the respective multi-packs, without lateral outer surfaces of the beverage containers already aligned and provided for the respective multi-packs coming into contact with the holding and/or guide elements designed for holding the alignment. Alternatively or additionally, provision may be made for the beverage containers already aligned and provided for the respective multi-packs to be moved forward by the horizontal transport device without the lateral outer surfaces of the beverage containers already aligned and provided for the respective multi-packs coming into contact with the holding and/or guide elements designed for holding the alignment. It is thus possible to:
during the movement by the horizontal transport device, all beverage containers of the respective group are only in contact with at least one further beverage container and the horizontal transport device, respectively, and/or
During the movement by the horizontal transport means, all beverage containers of the respective group are in contact with the horizontal transport means only.
It is conceivable that beverage containers already aligned and provided for respective multi-packs are moved through the horizontal transport device without interruption and preferably at an at least approximately constant transport speed during the application of the respective package blanks in time. Such an embodiment is distinguished by high processing capacity and economical handling of the beverage container.
It is also possible to apply the respective packaging blank to the respective group of beverage containers already aligned with one another by means of at least one application head, wherein the at least one application head for applying the packaging blank on the group carries out a lowering movement directed in the direction of the respective group. The respective group of beverage containers can be moved forward during the application of the respective packaging blank in time, wherein the at least one application head is moved together with the respective group of individual beverage containers during the application of the respective packaging blank in time.
It is conceivable that the at least one application head receives at least one packaging blank from a stack of a plurality of packaging blanks positioned laterally of the horizontal transport device, and subsequently positions at least one packaging blank received from the stack of a plurality of packaging blanks above at least one group comprising a plurality of beverage containers placed on the horizontal transport device and already aligned, and then the at least one application head performs a lowering movement directed towards the respective group. The at least one application head can thus be moved back and forth between the stack and the horizontal transport device.
It is possible that the at least one application head, after carrying out the respective lowering movement, applies a plurality of packaging blanks to a plurality of different groups, each of which comprises a plurality of beverage containers placed on a horizontal transport device and already aligned. The at least one application head can thus hold a plurality of packaging blanks simultaneously, if necessary, carry out a lowering movement once, and can apply the packaging blanks held by the at least one application head at that time to a plurality of different groups, which respectively comprise a plurality of beverage containers placed on the horizontal transport device and already aligned, after carrying out the respective lowering movement. It is possible to place a plurality of groups, each having a plurality of beverage containers, on the horizontal transport device at intervals by means of the at least one handling device and to maintain the intervals from one another at least before the application of the respective packaging blanks. During the application of the respective packaging blank, a plurality of groups each having a plurality of beverage containers are therefore placed at intervals on the horizontal transport device or moved at intervals by means of the horizontal transport device.
Furthermore, it can be provided that the at least one application head applies the packaging blanks to a plurality of different groups or to a plurality of beverage containers of a plurality of different groups, offset in time after the respective lowering movement has been carried out. Thereby, a force which has to be provided by means of the at least one application head for applying the packaging blank at a certain point in time can be kept at a low level.
In various embodiments, the at least one application head may comprise at least one centering means which, prior to the application of the respective packaging blank in time, restores, as required, the mutual alignment of the respective grouped plurality of beverage containers which is provided for the application of the respective packaging blank and which is formed directly on placement on the horizontal transport device. The at least one centering means can be formed by a rigid frame which is guided from above around the respective group and thereby restores the mutual alignment of the plurality of beverage containers of the respective group which are provided for applying the respective packaging blank and which are formed directly on placement on the horizontal transport device. The at least one centering means can also be formed by a plurality of centering elements which carry out the feed movement and thus, if necessary, restore the mutual alignment of the respectively grouped plurality of beverage containers provided for applying the respective packaging blank and formed directly on placement on the horizontal transport device.
Within the scope of the method, the beverage container can be formed by a beverage can. The beverage container can also be formed by a beverage bottle and in particular by a glass bottle and/or a PET bottle.
In addition, the present invention relates to an apparatus for making a multi-pack having a plurality of beverage containers. In certain instances, the apparatus can be configured to carry out embodiments of the methods as described above. The features which have been described above for the different embodiments of the method can likewise be used for the embodiments of the apparatus described below and are not mentioned repeatedly. The features described below in relation to the different embodiments of the apparatus may also be used in the aforementioned method. The apparatus comprises horizontal transport means for moving groups each comprising a plurality of beverage containers.
Furthermore, the device comprises at least one working device which can apply the respective packaging blank to the groups, each comprising a plurality of beverage containers, so that the beverage containers of the respective group pass through the opening of the packaging blank and are held against one another by the respective packaging blank.
The device comprises at least one handling device, by means of which the respective groups of beverage containers can be placed on the horizontal transport device in such a way that the respective groups of beverage containers already have been aligned with respect to one another for applying the respective packaging blanks directly when placed on the horizontal transport device. In various embodiments, the device may comprise at least one handling device, by means of which the respectively grouped beverage containers can be placed on the horizontal transport device in such a way that they are positioned on the horizontal transport device
The respective groups of beverage containers are aligned with respect to one another, which are provided for applying the respective packaging blanks, directly when placed on the horizontal transport device, and provision is made therein,
the beverage containers of the respective group can be placed on the horizontal transport device by means of the at least one handling device in such a way that the groups are spaced apart from one another in the transport direction or conveying direction of the horizontal transport device directly when placed on the horizontal transport device.
The group can therefore be placed on the horizontal transport device at intervals in the transport direction of the horizontal transport device by means of the at least one handling device.
The at least one horizontal transport device may have an endless conveyor belt or an endless continuous drawing means on which the respective groups of beverage containers are placed.
The device can be designed or configured in such a way that the sub-groups each comprising a plurality of beverage containers can be moved in a traversable manner by means of a horizontal transport device into the working area of the at least one working device without their lateral outer surfaces coming into surface contact with the supporting and/or guiding elements.
Embodiments have proven to be reliable in which the at least one handling device is formed by at least one multi-axis robot or at least one industrial robot.
In certain cases, the device may comprise a control and/or regulating device connected to the horizontal transport device, wherein the control and/or regulating device may actuate the horizontal transport device for the uninterrupted forward movement of the placed group.
Furthermore, the working device may have at least one application head, wherein the at least one application head performs a lowering movement directed toward the respective group for applying the packaging blanks to the group.
It is conceivable that the at least one application head is movable back and forth between a horizontal transport device and a stack with a plurality of packaging blanks positioned laterally of the horizontal transport device.
Furthermore, the at least one application head may be designed such that the at least one application head can apply a plurality of packaging blanks to a plurality of groups in a time-staggered manner after carrying out the respective lowering movement.
It is also conceivable that the at least one application head comprises at least one centering means which can, if necessary, restore the alignment of the respectively grouped plurality of beverage containers with respect to one another provided for applying the respective packaging blanks.
The apparatus may be configured to integrate a plurality of beverage containers into a corresponding multi-pack, wherein the plurality of beverage containers is comprised of a plurality of beverage cans and/or a plurality of beverage bottles.
To sum up, the utility model provides an equipment for making the composite package that has a plurality of beverage container, equipment includes:
a horizontal transport device for moving the groups each comprising a plurality of beverage containers, an
At least one working device, which is capable of applying the respective packaging blank to a group comprising a plurality of beverage containers each, such that the beverage containers of the respective group are passed through the opening of the respective packaging blank and are held in abutment against one another by the respective packaging blank, the apparatus being provided with at least one handling device, by means of which the beverage containers of the respective group can be placed on a horizontal transport device such that the beverage containers of the respective group already have, directly when placed on the horizontal transport device, an alignment with one another provided for applying the respective packaging blank.
Preferably, the sub-groups each comprising a plurality of beverage containers can be moved traversably by a horizontal transport device into the working area of the at least one working device without the lateral side surfaces of the beverage containers coming into surface contact with the supporting and/or guiding elements.
Preferably, the at least one handling device is formed by at least one multi-axis robot.
Preferably, the device comprises a control and/or regulating device connected to the horizontal transport device, wherein the control and/or regulating device can actuate the horizontal transport device for the uninterrupted forward movement of the placed group.
Preferably, the device comprises a control and/or regulating device connected to the horizontal transport device, wherein the control and/or regulating device can actuate the horizontal transport device for the uninterrupted forward movement of the placed group.
Preferably, the working device has at least one application head, wherein the at least one application head can carry out a lowering movement directed toward the respective group for applying the packaging blanks to the groups.
Preferably, the working device has at least one application head, wherein the at least one application head can carry out a lowering movement directed toward the respective group for applying the packaging blanks to the groups.
Preferably, the at least one application head is movable back and forth between the horizontal transport device and a stack of a plurality of packaging blanks positioned laterally of the horizontal transport device.
Preferably, the at least one application head is configured such that it can apply a plurality of packaging blanks to a plurality of groups staggered in time after carrying out the respective lowering movement.
Preferably, the at least one application head comprises at least one centering means which is able to restore, as required, the mutual alignment of the respective grouped plurality of beverage containers provided for applying the respective packaging blanks.
Preferably, the apparatus is configured for making a multi-pack having a plurality of beverage containers constituted by a plurality of beverage cans.
Drawings
Embodiments of the present invention and their advantages are further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensional ratios between the individual elements in the figures do not always correspond to true dimensional ratios, since some shapes are simplified and others are enlarged compared to other elements for better illustration.
Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention and illustrates the various steps set forth in the different embodiments of the illustrated method.
Fig. 2 shows further aspects of an embodiment of the apparatus according to fig. 1 and illustrates the various steps set forth in the different embodiments of the method illustrated.
Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention and illustrates further aspects set forth in different embodiments of the illustrated method.
Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of a multipack which can be produced with different embodiments of the device according to the invention and with the aid of different embodiments of the described method.
Fig. 5 shows in a flow chart the individual steps set in the different embodiments of the method described.
For the same or functionally equivalent elements of the invention, the same reference numerals are used. For the sake of overview, only the reference symbols necessary for the description of the respective figures are shown in the respective figures. The embodiments shown are merely examples of how the invention may be designed and do not constitute an exclusive limitation.
The embodiments, examples and variants in the preceding paragraphs or the following description, drawings and their various views or individual features thereof may be used independently of one another or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment may be applied to all embodiments as long as they are not mutually inconsistent.
Although reference is made generally to "schematic" illustrations and views in relation to the drawings, it is not intended that the illustrations and descriptions of the drawings be considered to be of secondary significance relative to the disclosure of the invention. The person skilled in the art is fully capable of extracting from the schematic and abstractly drawn views sufficient information to facilitate the understanding thereof without in any way hindering its understanding from the drawn dimensions which may not exactly correspond to the scale. The figures therefore enable a person skilled in the art, who is a reader, to derive a better understanding of the general part of the description of the inventive concept expressed generically and/or abstractly, with the aid of the specifically illustrated embodiments of the method described and with the aid of the specifically illustrated operating principle of the device according to the invention.
Detailed Description
Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus 1 according to the present invention and illustrates the various steps set forth in the different embodiments of the illustrated method 100.
The device 1 in the embodiment of fig. 1 is capable of producing a multipack 4, which is shown by way of example in fig. 4. Such a multipack 4 comprises a plurality of beverage containers 2 and a packaging blank 41. The packaging blank 41 has a corresponding opening 42 for each beverage container 2, the beverage containers 2 penetrating with their upper part into the opening 42, so that all beverage containers 2 of the respective multi-pack 4 are held against one another by the common packaging blank 41 in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner.
The embodiment of the multi-pack 4 shown in fig. 4 comprises eight beverage containers 2, each of which is designed as a beverage can. In other embodiments, it is also possible, for example, for a multipack 4 to have only two, four or six beverage containers 2. As an alternative to the embodiment shown in fig. 4, the beverage containers 2 which are part of the respective multi-pack 4 can also be beverage bottles or PET bottles. The beverage or PET bottles can be inserted with the upper head region and/or neck region into the respective opening 42 of the packaging blank 41 and are held against one another by the respective packaging blank 41 in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner. Thus, a multi-pack not shown together in the figures of the present patent application can be configured, for example, as a six-pack.
In fig. 1 to 3, the beverage container 2 is shown only schematically for the sake of overview. For assembling or making a respective multi-pack 4, the apparatus 1 comprises a first module 10, a second module 20 and a horizontal transport device 5 capable of guiding beverage containers 2 from the first module 10 on to the second module 20. The second module 20 is arranged downstream of the first module 10 in the conveying direction FR of the horizontal transport device 5.
In order to produce the multi-packs 4 according to the embodiment of fig. 4, the beverage containers 2 provided for the respective multi-packs 4 must have a relative arrangement with respect to one another, wherein the openings 42 of the packaging blanks 41 are aligned with the beverage containers 2, and subsequently the upper regions of the beverage containers 2 can be moved through the openings 42. If the individual beverage containers 2 are not properly aligned with each other, the beverage containers 2 are not or only partially aligned with the opening 42 when applying the packaging blank 41, with consequent problems when applying the respective packaging blank 41.
In the devices known from the prior art, a plurality of beverage containers 2 are often first formed into a group 3 by a set, which group 3 comprises a number of beverage containers 2 provided for a multi-pack 4. In order to ensure that the beverage containers 2 of one such group 3 are aligned with one another when the respective packaging blank 41 is applied, wherein the packaging blank 41 can be applied to the beverage container 2, the devices known from the prior art furthermore have guide rails extending in the conveying direction FR along the horizontal transport device 5. Also known are holding elements, which are optionally configured as an integral part of a respective one-piece set, which move together with the beverage containers 2 and support the beverage containers 2 of the respective group 3 during their movement along the horizontal transport device 5. In contrast, the device 1 in the embodiment of fig. 1 has a simplified structure. No corresponding holding elements and/or guide rails are provided in the device 1 of fig. 1. The beverage containers 2 of the respective group 3 therefore only contact the horizontal transport device 5 via their respective bottom face, wherein the lateral outer faces of the beverage containers 2 never come into contact with the guide rails and/or the holding elements during the movement of the beverage containers 2 by means of the horizontal transport device 5.
In order to ensure that the respective packaging blanks 41 can be applied to the beverage containers 2 without problems, or in order to ensure that the respective beverage containers 2 of the group 3 are aligned with one another in a manner suitable for applying the packaging blanks 41, the first module 10 comprises a handling device 15. The handling device 15 is only schematically illustrated in fig. 1 and can be embodied in practice, for example, as an industrial robot or a multi-axis robot. By means of the handling device 15, the beverage container 2 is received from a not shown ready position, whereupon the beverage container 2 is moved towards the horizontal transport device 5 and the beverage container 2 is placed on the horizontal transport device 5 from above.
The beverage containers 2 are placed on the horizontal transport device 5 by the handling device 15 in such a way that, when placed, a group 3 of beverage containers 2 is formed directly on the horizontal transport device 5, the group 3 containing a number of beverage containers 2 corresponding to the number of beverage containers of the respective multi-pack 4 to be produced (see fig. 4). Furthermore, the beverage containers 2 are placed on the horizontal transport device 5 by means of the handling device 15 in such a way that the beverage containers 2 of the respective group 3 formed on the horizontal transport device 5 are already aligned with one another directly when they are placed on the horizontal transport device 5, said alignment being suitable for applying the respective packaging blank 41. Since a division by the holding elements and a guidance by the rails can thus be dispensed with, there is no risk of scratching or damaging the beverage containers 2 by contact with the surfaces of the guide rails and/or the holding elements.
After the group 3, each having a plurality of beverage containers 2 which have been aligned with one another for applying the packaging blanks 41, has been formed on the horizontal transport device 5, the group 3 is moved in the conveying direction FR by the horizontal transport device 5. The horizontal transport device 5 is connected to a control and/or regulating device S, which actuates the horizontal transport device 5 at the same transport speed or at a transport speed which remains constant over the course of time in order to move the group 3 placed on the horizontal transport device without interruption. The packet 3 then leaves the first module 10 and reaches the second module 20 which is immediately following the first module 10 in the conveying direction FR.
In order to keep the risk that beverage containers 2, which have already been aligned with one another for applying packaging blanks 41 directly when placed on the horizontal transport device 5, are undesirably displaced relative to one another during the displacement in the conveying direction FR, it can be provided that the horizontal transport device 5 has an endless continuous traction means or endless conveyor belt, between which a high static friction is formed with the beverage containers 2. For example, the endless continuous traction means or endless conveyor belt has a plurality of surface elevations and/or is composed of a material which can form a high static friction between the beverage container and the continuous traction means or endless conveyor belt.
The schematic illustration of fig. 2 further illustrates that the second module 20 has a working device 25 which comprises an application head 26 and is only schematically shown in fig. 2 and 3, respectively. The working device 25 may likewise be designed as a multi-axis or industrial robot and can receive a plurality of packaging blanks 41 simultaneously from a stack, which is not shown in the figures. After reception, the application head 26 is moved towards the horizontal transport device 5, so that the application head 26, together with a plurality of packaging blanks 41 which are still held by the application head 26 as of time, is positioned above the plurality of groups 3, to which the packaging blanks 41 are to be applied. Subsequently, the application head 26 is lowered towards the group 3 and the packaging blanks 41 are applied to the group 3.
Since the group 3 is moved without interruption in the conveying direction FR during the application of the packaging blanks 41 by means of the horizontal transport device 5, the application head 26 is moved with the group 3 in the conveying direction FR after being lowered in time until the packaging blanks 41 are completely applied to the group 3. If all the packaging blanks 41 are applied to the groups 3, the beverage containers 2 configured as a constituent part of the respective group 3 form, together with the respective packaging blank 41, a multi-pack 4 (see fig. 4).
In order to apply the packaging blank 41 to the group 3, the packaging blank 41 is pressed onto the beverage containers 2 with force against the beverage containers 2. For applying the packaging blanks 41, the working device 25 or the application head 26 must therefore apply a specific force to the packaging blanks 41, which force acts downwards or towards the respective beverage container 2. In order to avoid that the working device 25 or the application head 26 has to apply a relatively large total force at a certain point in time, the embodiment of fig. 2 has proven to be reliable, wherein the working device 25 or the application head 26 applies the packaging blanks 41 to the group 3 staggered in time. In the exemplary embodiment of fig. 2, a packaging blank 41 is first applied to the first group 3 in the conveying direction FR of the horizontal transport device 5. Subsequently, the packaging blanks 41 are applied one after the other to the individual groups 3 following the foremost group 3 in the conveying direction FR of the horizontal transport device 5.
As already mentioned with regard to fig. 1, the beverage containers 2 of the respective group 3 are placed on the horizontal transport device 5 by means of the handling device 15 in such a way that the beverage containers 2 of the respective group 3 are already aligned with respect to one another directly when placed on the horizontal transport device 5, wherein the packaging blanks 41 can be applied to the beverage containers 2 of the respective group 3 by means of the application head 26. In order to further avoid the risk that beverage containers already aligned for applying the packaging blanks 41 are undesirably displaced relative to one another during the movement from the first module 10 to the second module 20 and that the packaging blanks 41 cannot then or problematically be applied on the respective sub-groups 3, the working device 25 or the application head 26 may comprise a centering frame which, as required, restores the mutual alignment of the beverage containers 2 which has been completed directly when the beverage containers 2 are placed on the horizontal transport device 5.
Furthermore, it is again clear from fig. 2 that no guide rails or retaining elements extending in the conveying direction FR, which in certain cases move together with the group 3, are provided in the region of the second module 20. In the region of the second module 20, therefore, the group 3 or the beverage containers 2 never come into surface contact with the guide rails and/or the holding elements.
Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of the apparatus 1 according to the invention and illustrates further aspects set forth in different embodiments of the illustrated method 100 (see fig. 5). In this connection, the horizontal transport device 5 and the first module 10 are constructed according to the embodiment in fig. 1 and 2, so that reference can be made to the above description. The embodiment of fig. 3 differs from the embodiment of fig. 1 and 2 in the manner in which the flat packaging blank 41 is applied by the working device 25 or application head 26. As already mentioned with respect to fig. 2, the packaging blank 41 has to be pressed onto the beverage containers 2 with force by means of the application head 26 toward the beverage containers 2.
In order to apply the individual packaging blanks 41, the application head 26 must therefore exert a specific force on the individual packaging blanks 41, which force acts downwards or towards the respective beverage container 2. In order that the application head 26 does not have to exert a relatively large force at a certain point in time, in the embodiment of fig. 3 the packaging blanks 41 are also applied to the groups 3 by means of the application head 26 staggered in time.
From the overview of fig. 2 and 3, it is clear that the order in which the packaging blanks 41 are applied to the group 3 in fig. 3 differs from that of fig. 2. In fig. 2, a packaging blank 41 is first applied to the group 3 which is the first in the conveying direction FR of the horizontal transport device 5 and then turned to the other groups 3, while in fig. 3 the packaging blank 41 is applied at least approximately simultaneously to the group 3 which is the first in the conveying direction FR and to the group 3 which is the last in the conveying direction FR. After this, the packaging blanks 41 are each applied to the other subgroups 3 which are arranged between the foremost and the last subgroup 3 in the conveying direction FR in fig. 3.
The packaging blanks 41 are applied in pairs, likewise for the individual groups 3 lying between the foremost and the rearmost group 3 in the conveying direction FR, so that two packaging blanks 41 are each applied to two groups 3 at least approximately simultaneously.
In the exemplary embodiment of fig. 3, guide rails or guide rails and/or retaining elements which come into contact with the lateral outer surfaces of the beverage containers 2 are not provided in the region of the second module 20. The beverage containers 2 are moved in the region of the second module 20 by the horizontal transport device 5 without the lateral outer surfaces of the beverage containers 2 abutting the guide rails and/or the holding elements.
Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of a multipack 4 which can be produced with different embodiments of the device 1 according to the invention and with the aid of different embodiments of the illustrated method 100. The multi-pack 4 in the exemplary embodiment of fig. 4 comprises eight beverage containers 2, each configured as a beverage can, and a packaging blank 41, by means of which packaging blanks 41 the beverage containers 2 are held against one another. The packaging blank 41 can be made of plastic or a cellulose-containing material, for example.
As can be gathered from fig. 4, the packaging blank 41 is formed with an opening 42 for each beverage container 2, through which opening the respective beverage container 2 is passed with its upper part. In order to apply the packaging blank 41 to the beverage container 2, the packaging blank 41 is pressed onto the beverage container 2 from above with a defined force, wherein the beverage container 2 is passed with its upper part through the opening 42. Fig. 4 again illustrates that the beverage containers 2 must be aligned with each other so that the beverage containers 2 can be passed with their upper parts through said openings 42 when applying the packaging blank 41.
The beverage containers 2 are here aligned with respect to each other in such a way that the beverage containers 2 are aligned in their respective longitudinal direction with the openings 42 of the respective packaging blank 41. After the application of the packaging blank 41 to the beverage container 2 according to fig. 4, the beverage containers 2 are held in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner against one another by the packaging blank 41. It is conceivable to keep the beverage containers 2 of the multi-pack 4 against each other by other connecting means not shown in fig. 4. In particular, an adhesive connection can be formed between the lateral outer surfaces of directly adjacent beverage containers 2.
Fig. 5 shows in a flow chart the various steps set in the various embodiments of the illustrated method 100. The method in the embodiment of fig. 5 can be implemented accordingly by means of the device 1 according to the embodiment described above in fig. 1 to 3.
Within the framework of the first step of the method, which is designated by the numeral 110, a plurality of groups 3 with a plurality of beverage containers 2 are placed from above on a horizontal transport device 5 by means of a handling device 15. The positioning is carried out by the handling device 15 in such a way that the plurality of beverage containers 2 of the respective group 3 are already aligned with one another for applying the respective packaging blank 41 directly when they are placed on the horizontal transport device 5.
After the respective group 3 with the beverage containers 2 still aligned at the time has entered the working area of the working device 25 (see fig. 2 and 3), method step 130 is performed. In method step 130, the respective packaging blank 41 is applied to the respective group 3, so that the individual beverage containers 2 of the respective group 3 are held against one another in a positive-locking and non-positive manner by the respective packaging blank 41. The wrapping blank 41 may be applied on the group 3 according to the previous description with respect to fig. 2 or fig. 3. During the entire movement of the group 3 into the working area of the working device 25 and during the application of the packaging blanks 41 to the group 3, the aligned beverage containers 2 of the respective group 3 never come into abutment with the guide rails extending in the conveying direction FR. The aligned beverage containers 2 of the respective group 3 never come into abutment with the retaining element with their lateral outer surfaces during the entire movement into the working area of the working device 25 and during the application of the packaging blank 41.
List of reference numerals
1 apparatus
2 beverage container
3 grouping
4 Multi-pack
10 first module
15 operating device
20 second module
25 working device
26 application head
41 packaging blank
42 opening
100 method
110 first method step
120 second method step
130 third method step
Direction of FR conveyance
S control and/or regulating device
Claims (11)
1. Apparatus (1) for making a multi-pack (4) having a plurality of beverage containers (2), said apparatus (1) comprising
A horizontal transport device (5) for moving the groups (3) each comprising a plurality of beverage containers (2), and
at least one working device (25) capable of applying a respective packaging blank (41) to groups (3) respectively comprising a plurality of beverage containers (2) so that the beverage containers (2) of the respective group (3) pass through the openings (42) of the respective packaging blank (41) and are held in mutual abutment by the respective packaging blank (41), the apparatus being characterized in that,
at least one handling device (15) is provided, by means of which the beverage containers (2) of the respective group (3) can be placed on the horizontal transport device (5) in such a way that the beverage containers (2) of the respective group (3) already have, when placed on the horizontal transport device (5), an alignment with respect to one another provided for applying the respective packaging blank (41).
2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sub-groups (3) each comprising a plurality of beverage containers (2) are traversably movable into the working area of the at least one working device (25) by means of a horizontal transport device (5) without lateral side surfaces of the beverage containers coming into surface contact with supporting and/or guiding elements.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one handling device (15) is constituted by at least one multi-axis robot.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a control and/or regulating device (S) connected to the horizontal transport device (5), wherein the control and/or regulating device (S) can manipulate the horizontal transport device (5) for moving the placed group (3) forward without interruption.
5. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a control and/or regulating device (S) connected to the horizontal transport device (5), wherein the control and/or regulating device (S) can manipulate the horizontal transport device (5) for moving the placed group (3) forward without interruption.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the working device (25) has at least one application head (26), wherein the at least one application head (26) can carry out a lowering movement directed in the direction of the respective group (3) for applying the packaging blanks (41) to the groups (3).
7. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the working device (25) has at least one application head (26), wherein the at least one application head (26) can carry out a lowering movement directed in the direction of the respective group (3) for applying the packaging blanks (41) to the groups (3).
8. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that said at least one application head (26) is movable back and forth between said horizontal transport means (5) and a stack of a plurality of packaging blanks (41) positioned laterally to said horizontal transport means (5).
9. The apparatus according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the at least one application head (26) is configured such that the at least one application head (26) can apply a plurality of packaging blanks (41) to a plurality of groups (3) staggered in time after the respective lowering movement has been carried out.
10. The apparatus according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the at least one application head (26) comprises at least one centering device capable of restoring, as required, the mutual alignment of a plurality of beverage containers (2) of the respective group (3) provided for applying the respective packaging blank (41).
11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the device is configured for making a multi-pack (4) with a plurality of beverage containers, which plurality of beverage containers (2) is constituted by a plurality of beverage cans.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE102019113176.6A DE102019113176A1 (en) | 2019-05-17 | 2019-05-17 | Method and device for producing a multipack with several beverage containers |
| DE102019113176.6 | 2019-05-17 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN212606021U true CN212606021U (en) | 2021-02-26 |
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN202020680386.6U Active CN212606021U (en) | 2019-05-17 | 2020-04-28 | Apparatus for making multi-pack having a plurality of beverage containers |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CN (1) | CN212606021U (en) |
| DE (1) | DE102019113176A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US11905052B2 (en) | 2021-04-13 | 2024-02-20 | Douglas Machine Inc. | System and process for forming retained container groups from arrayed container groups |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3509684A (en) * | 1965-01-27 | 1970-05-05 | Owens Illinois Inc | Apparatus for packaging containers |
| DE102013113754A1 (en) * | 2013-12-10 | 2015-06-11 | Krones Aktiengesellschaft | Method for forming containers and their palletizing and conveying and handling device for articles and containers |
-
2019
- 2019-05-17 DE DE102019113176.6A patent/DE102019113176A1/en active Pending
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- 2020-04-28 CN CN202020680386.6U patent/CN212606021U/en active Active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE102019113176A1 (en) | 2020-11-19 |
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