CN216684989U

CN216684989U - Packaging device for producing packaging units

Info

Publication number: CN216684989U
Application number: CN202122481263.7U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 塞巴斯蒂安·施密德
Original assignee: Krones AG
Current assignee: Krones AG
Priority date: 2020-11-25
Filing date: 2021-10-14
Publication date: 2022-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 2031-10-14
Also published as: DE102020131191A1; EP4005936A1

Abstract

The utility model relates to a packaging unit for producing a packaging unit comprising an article combination consisting of at least two articles, wherein the articles are partially wrapped by an outer wrapper, the packaging device comprising at least one application device for applying the outer wrapper on the assembly of articles, at least one ultrasonic bonding device for producing a bonding connection between at least two mutually at least partially overlapping layers of the outer wrapper, wherein the ultrasonic joining device comprises at least one anvil tool and one ultrasonic generator, the anvil tool being configured and equipped for being at least partially introduced and disposed between at least two articles of the article combination that are at least partially wrapped by the outer wrapper, and wherein, in order to form a joint connection with the at least two at least partially overlapping layers of the outer packaging material, the sonotrode is configured and equipped for co-acting with at least one anvil tool arranged between the articles.

Description

Packaging device for producing packaging units

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a packaging apparatus for producing packaging units.

Background

There are different packaging types for handling, combining, grouping and packaging articles, such as beverage containers, for example, integrating articles or containers into a portable, relatively easily handled packaging unit or multipack unit. In this way, for example, drinks are easily integrated and packed into multi-packs of four, six or more containers, usually by means of shrink films. The production of a multi-pack is usually necessary since it is the most common variant of a vending unit for beverage containers or bottles of PET plastic material. For transport, the multi-packs are partially re-integrated and/or layered combined with palletizing.

In the production of known multipack types, special production steps are necessary in order to be able to process the shrink films normally used. These production steps entail relatively high energy input. Furthermore, the applied membrane causes costs for production, supply, handling and subsequent disposal, since it is no longer needed after sale. The machine equipment for supplying the so-called film wrapping modules and for providing other operating stations also causes high investment costs. Finally, the provision of a so-called shrink tunnel also entails a relatively high capital investment in which the film wrapped around the package is shrunk around the container by means of the application of hot air.

A variant which is substantially free from the use of shrink film is the so-called strapping. The containers are integrated and connected to one another as a closure by means of so-called strapping bands. In continuously or cyclically operating strapping apparatuses, containers, articles or bottles are grouped into a formation and subsequently strapped with a strap or straps by means of a strapping combination. Typical formations may be, for example, a 1x 2 arrangement (two containers in a row), a 2x 2 arrangement (four containers in a square or diamond formation), a 3x 2 arrangement, a 4x 3 arrangement, or a substantially equally variable n x m arrangement.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The object of the utility model is to produce a packaging unit by means of an outer packaging made of paper or cardboard, wherein preferably plastic-containing connections can be dispensed with completely.

The above-mentioned object is achieved by a packaging device.

The present invention relates to a packaging apparatus for producing packaging units. The packaging unit comprises an article combination consisting of at least two articles, which are integrated by means of at least one outer package. In particular, the articles are mechanically brought together by the outer packaging.

The outer packaging is preferably formed by an outer packaging material which is at least partially formed from a paper material or a cardboard material and which at least partially encloses the combination of articles. The outer packaging material is preferably a pure paper material or a pure cardboard material which does not contain a plastic component, whereby the packaging unit can be produced in a particularly environmentally friendly manner.

The packaging device can also be used for treating outer packaging materials consisting of plastic, composite materials or other materials with a plastic component, for example for treating paper materials or cardboard materials, paper-plastic composite materials or the like with a plastic coating.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the outer packaging relates to a strapping, preferably a paper strapping or a strapping made of a flexible, for example thin cardboard material.

The articles relate, for example, or preferably relate to beverage containers, in particular to bottles made of PET or other suitable plastics, and to cans made of plastic and/or aluminium or similar materials.

The packaging device is also suitable for integrating other suitable articles in the respective outer package as a packaging unit or as a multipack. At least two identically constructed articles are preferably combined in a separating module or similar as an article group and integrated by means of an outer package into a sales unit or a packaging unit. By combining differently configured articles, a so-called hybrid fit can be created.

The packaging device comprises an application device for applying an outer packaging material on an article combination, and furthermore comprises an ultrasonic bonding device for forming a bonding connection between at least two mutually at least partially overlapping layers of the outer packaging material.

The ultrasonic joining device comprises at least one anvil tool (Ambossverkzeug) and one sonotrode, wherein the anvil tool is designed to be introduced and arranged at least partially between at least two articles of an article assembly partially wrapped with an outer packaging material, and wherein the sonotrode is designed to interact with at least one anvil tool arranged at least partially between the articles in order to form a joining connection with at least two at least partially overlapping layers of the outer packaging material.

It is particularly preferred that the packaging unit comprises at least two beverage containers, in particular bottles or cans which are preferably integrated by a bundle constructed from at least one pure paper material. The strapping is applied by an application device in the form of a strapping device or strapping module to a group of articles which are combined in a desired manner in advance in a separating module or the like.

The strapping is tensioned around the outwardly directed outer surface of the article, preferably by means of a suitable tensioning device. In this case, the free ends of the bundles are arranged at least partially overlapping one another, in particular in the region of the contact regions of two adjacent articles assigned to the article group from the side. The overlapping free end regions of the strapping bands are then fixed to one another, with the pre-tensioning of the strapping bands being maintained. The mechanical gathering of the articles is thus achieved by the overwrapping.

The overlapping free end regions of the strapping strand are fixed to one another, in particular in the form of a joint connection, ultrasonic welding, in particular ultrasonic friction welding, being used for this purpose.

In order to form a bonded connection, the anvil tool of the ultrasonic bonding device is introduced between at least two articles of the article combination partially wrapped with the outer wrapper and arranged adjacent to the at least partially overlapping layer of outer wrapper.

Furthermore, the sonotrode of the ultrasonic joining device is arranged adjacent to the at least partially overlapping layers of the outer packaging material, and the overlapping layers are connected to each other by ultrasonic welding, in particular by ultrasonic friction welding.

According to a preferred embodiment of the utility model, the anvil tool of the ultrasonic joining device is configured to be adjustable in height. The anvil tool is first inserted or inserted at least partially between two adjacent articles in a region which is formed and/or arranged above or below the position of the outer wrapper, in particular above or below the position of the at least partially overlapping layers of the outer wrapper.

According to a preferred embodiment, the anvil tool is first introduced into the region above or below the position of the mutually overlapping free end regions of the strapping strand and/or can be arranged or set there.

The anvil tool is then arranged between the article and the outer packaging material, for example between the article and the strapping, by being moved downwards or upwards, wherein the face of the anvil tool which is involved in the joining process is oriented in the direction of the outer packaging material and is assigned in particular to at least partially overlapping layers of the outer packaging material, for example to mutually overlapping free end regions of the strapping.

Furthermore, it can be provided that at least one contour of an anvil tool, which can be introduced and arranged between the articles, is adapted to at least one contour of at least one of the two articles.

The first profile of the anvil tool is preferably assigned to a first article of the article combination and the second profile of the anvil tool is preferably assigned to a second article of the article combination.

In order to form a joint connection, the anvil tool is in particular at least partially arranged between the first and the second article of the article combination.

The at least one suitably configured contour is thus configured in a region of the anvil tool which does not participate in configuring the joining connection. The shape of the contour is configured such that the anvil tool can be positioned in an advantageous manner at least partially between two articles of an article group in order to configure a joint connection between the free end regions of the outer wrapper accordingly.

If the articles have a cylindrical basic shape, for example, then it is provided that the contour region assigned to each article has a correspondingly concavely configured curvature.

The anvil tool may alternatively have, for example, at least one triangular cross-sectional area, which can advantageously be introduced and arranged at least partially in an intermediate area between two adjacent articles adjoining one another having a cylindrical basic shape or the like.

It can additionally be provided that the anvil tool has an at least partially structured surface at least in the region of the contour. The surface may, for example, have a rough structure, be of undulating design or have elevations and/or depressions, etc.

According to one embodiment, the sonotrode of the ultrasonic joining apparatus is movably configured at the side edge so that it can be positioned on an article combination partially wrapped with outer packaging material by means of an infeed movement at the side edge. In particular, the sonotrode is assigned to an anvil tool which is positioned partially between the two articles and in the region of the overlapping layers of outer packaging material. In this case, the sonotrode is arranged in particular on the side of the overlapping arrangement of the free end regions of the outer packaging material. The arrangement of the free end region of the outer packaging material is clamped between the anvil tool and the sonotrode.

Provision may additionally be made for pressure to be generated between the anvil tool and the sonotrode, which are pressed against one another, for example, in order to support the overbonding process.

Furthermore, it can be provided that a humidifying device is assigned to the ultrasonic joining device, by means of which humidifying device at least the outer packaging material in the region of the at least partially overlapping two layers is humidified with water or water vapor in order to further benefit the joining process.

The sonotrode is alternatively or additionally constructed and/or arranged to be adjustable in height, so that it can be set in a suitable position on the group of articles partially wrapped with the outer packaging material by means of the height adjustment.

A packaging unit with an outer package which is completely composed of paper or cardboard can thus be produced by means of the packaging device according to the utility model and the method which can be carried out with the packaging device, and no further fixtures containing plastic components have to be applied in order to form the joint connection. In particular, the application of adhesive for the connection of the free end regions of the outer packaging material can be dispensed with. The packaging device is significantly cleaner as there is no gluing.

Drawings

The utility model and its advantages are further illustrated in the following examples with the aid of the figures. The dimensional proportions of the various elements in the figures are not always true to scale, since several shapes are simplified and other shapes are shown exaggerated in comparison to other elements for better illustration.

Fig. 1 to 3 show a schematic representation of an embodiment of a packaging apparatus and a method for producing a packaging unit that can be carried out with the packaging apparatus, respectively.

Fig. 4 shows the arrangement according to fig. 3 in a plan view.

Fig. 5 and 6 show different embodiments of the anvil tool, respectively.

The same reference numerals are used for identical or functionally identical elements of the utility model. Furthermore, for the sake of convenience of overview, only those reference numerals necessary for the description of the figures are shown in the figures. The illustrated embodiments merely show examples of how a packaging device according to the utility model or a method for producing packaging units that can be carried out with said packaging device can be constructed and do not represent a final limitation.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 to 3 show a schematic representation of an embodiment of a packaging device 1 and a method for producing a packaging unit 20 which can be carried out with the packaging device 1, respectively. Fig. 4 shows the arrangement according to fig. 3 in a plan view. Fig. 5 shows the overlap region u from fig. 4 in an enlarged representation.

The packaging unit 20 comprises an article combination 21 of at least two articles 22 in an outer package 25. The outer package 25 is preferably formed by an outer package material 26 which at least partially encloses the combination of articles 21 and in particular mechanically brings them together.

The outer packaging material 26 is preferably an outer packaging material 26 made of paper or cardboard, in particular a pure paper material or a pure cardboard material which does not contain a plastic component.

However, the packaging device 1 can also be used for treating an outer packaging material 26 having a plastic component, for example for treating a paper material or a cardboard material having a plastic coating, a paper-plastic composite material or the like.

The outer package 25 relates in particular to a strapping 28, in particular a paper strapping 29.

The article 22 preferably relates to a beverage container, in particular a bottle made of PET or other suitable plastic, or to a can made of plastic and/or aluminium or similar material.

The packaging device 1 is also suitable for integrating other suitable articles 22 in the respective outer package 25 as packaging units 20 or as multi-packs. To produce the packaging unit 20, at least two articles 22 of the same type or of the same configuration are prepared as article groups 21.

By combining differently configured articles 22, so-called hybrid closures can also optionally be produced.

The packaging unit 20 comprises particularly preferably at least two beverage containers, particularly preferably bottles or cans 24 integrated with a bundle or strapping 28 of at least one pure paper material.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown, the articles 22 are configured as cans 24, and six cans 24 are integrated in the packaging unit 20 by means of paper bands 29, wherein the cans 24 are each arranged in two parallel rows of three cans (see in particular the top view in fig. 4). The paper band 29 is tensioned under tension around the outwardly directed outer surfaces of the cans 24 and in this way mechanically brings the cans 24 together.

In relation to the bundle, the free ends 30 of the paper strips 29 are arranged at least partially overlapping. The free end 30 is arranged in particular in an overlap region assigned to a region in which two adjacent articles 22 are in contact with one another. The two articles 22 are arranged in particular side by side or adjacent or mutually adjacent in the region. In the overlap region, the free ends 30 of the paper bands 29 are joined to one another in the configuration of a joining connection 40, this taking place in particular by means of the packaging device 1 according to the utility model and/or according to a method which can be carried out with the packaging device.

The outer packaging material 26 is applied by the application device 8 to the group of articles 21 which are combined, for example, in a separating module (not shown). The application device 8 according to the embodiment shown here is constructed in particular by a strapping module 9 for applying the outer packaging material 26, in particular for applying a paper band 29, which is tensioned around the outer surface of the can 24 under tension, to the combination of articles 21. In order to create the necessary tensioning, the strapping module 9 can comprise corresponding tensioning devices known from the prior art.

In order to fix the free ends 30 of the paper bands 29, the packaging device 1 is equipped with an ultrasonic bonding device 5 for producing a bonding connection 40. To this end, the ultrasonic joining apparatus 5 comprises at least one anvil tool 6 and at least one sonotrode 7.

As is shown schematically in fig. 1 to 4, the anvil tool 6 is at least partially inserted and arranged between the cans 24 of the article combination 21, the anvil tool 6 being at least partially inserted between the cans 24, in particular in the region below the bundling region.

The strapping region is the region in which the paper band 29 is arranged on the combination of articles 21. The anvil tool 6 is assigned to the overlap region u, in particular on the edge, in which the two free ends 30, 30-1, 30-2 of the paper band 29 are arranged on top of one another.

In this case, for example, the anvil tool 6 is arranged between the cans 24 at a point in time when the outer packaging material 26 has not yet been applied to the pack of articles 21. However, it is equally possible to arrange the anvil tool 6 while the group of articles 21 is enclosed by the paper band 29. The paper band 29 can also alternatively be first tightened around the articles 22 and then the anvil tool 6 is placed between the cans 24 below or above the bundling zone.

The anvil tool 6 is configured to be adjustable in height. By moving the anvil tool 6 upward, the anvil tool is arranged at the level of the paper band 29 and is arranged here in particular adjacent to the overlapping free end 30 of the paper band 29 tensioned around the articles 22.

Alternatively, provision can be made for the anvil tool 6 to be arranged at a first height above the position of the paper band 29 and to be assigned to the overlap region by being moved downwards, wherein the anvil tool 6 is arranged in particular between the free end regions 30 of the articles 22 and the strapping 28, which overlap one another at least in part.

Fig. 3 also shows the ultrasonic generator 7 of the ultrasonic bonding apparatus 5. Which is arranged to the side of the overlapping area of the anvil tool 6 and the two free ends 30, 30-1, 30-2, so that the two free ends 30, 30-1, 30-2 of the paper band 29 are preferably sandwiched between the anvil tool 6 and the sonotrode 7, the anvil tool 6 being at least partially arranged between the canisters 24.

According to one embodiment, the sonotrode 7 is configured to be displaceable laterally, so that the sonotrode 7 can be fed laterally toward the anvil tool 6 and toward the overlapping region of the overlapping free end 30 with the paper band 29.

It can additionally or alternatively be provided that the sonotrode 7 is designed to be adjustable in height in order to be adapted to the height, at which the paper band 29 is arranged on the group of articles 21, in a simple and rapid manner, so that the ultrasonic joining device 5 can be applied to different products.

The joining and connecting of the overlapping free ends 30 is performed by a so-called ultrasonic welding method, in particular by a so-called ultrasonic friction welding method, by applying ultrasonic oscillations to the overlapping free ends 30.

In order to support the overbonding process, the anvil tool 6 and the sonotrode 7 may additionally be pressed towards each other.

Furthermore, a humidifying device (not shown) can be associated with the ultrasonic joining device 5, by means of which the outer packaging material 26 at least in the overlapping region of the two free ends 30-1, 30-2 is humidified, for example with water or water vapor, in order to further benefit the joining process.

After the joining process has ended, the anvil tool 6 is extracted by a downward movement and a subsequent movement from the side of the prepared packaging unit 20. The packaging unit 20 can now be transported to another operating device, for example a palletizing device or the like.

Fig. 5 and 6 show different embodiments of the anvil tool 6, respectively. At least one contour 10 of the anvil tool 6 is adapted to the articles 22 of the article group 21.

As is evident from the enlarged illustration of the overlap region u in fig. 5, the first contour 10-1 of the anvil tool 6 is assigned in particular to the first article 22-1 of the article group 21 and the second contour 10-2 of the anvil tool 6 is assigned to the second article 22-2 of the article group 21.

In contrast to the prior art, the appropriately formed contour 10 of the anvil tool 6 is thus formed by regions of the anvil tool 6 which do not participate in the formation of the joining connection 40. The shape of the contour 10 is configured in particular such that the anvil tool 6 can be positioned at least partially between the articles 22 in an advantageous manner in order to be able to configure a joint connection 40 between the free ends 30 of the paper bands 29 accordingly.

If the article 22 has a basic shape, for example, a cylindrical shape, then provision is made, for example, for the contour 10 to have a correspondingly configured concave curvature. In particular, the first contour region 10-1 is provided with a first curvature which is concave, and the second contour region 10-2 is provided with a second curvature which is concave (fig. 6).

The anvil tool 6 may alternatively have, for example, at least one triangular cross-sectional area 11, which can advantageously be introduced and arranged at least partially in an intermediate area Z between two adjacent objects 22 adjoining one another (fig. 5).

Provision may additionally be made for the anvil tool 6 to have an at least partially structured surface at least in the region of the contour 10. The surface may, for example, have a rough structure, be of undulating design or have elevations and/or depressions, etc.

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

Although reference is generally made to "schematic" descriptions and views in connection with the accompanying drawings, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the figures and their description. The person skilled in the art is fully enabled to extract from the schematic and abstractly drawn illustration sufficient information to facilitate an understanding of the utility model by the skilled person, without being hindered in any way by the drawn and possibly not exactly to scale size proportions of the items and/or parts of the packaging device or other drawn elements, for example. The figures therefore allow the skilled reader to better understand the generic and/or abstract portions of the general description of the utility model by means of a more detailed description of the functioning of the device according to the utility model.

List of reference numerals

1 packaging equipment

5 ultrasonic bonding apparatus

6 anvil tool

7 ultrasonic generator

8 application device

9 bundling module

10 profile

10-1 first contour, first contour region

10-2 second contour, second contour region

11 triangular cross-sectional area

20 packing unit

21 combination of articles

22 article

24 jar

25 outer package

26 outer packaging material

28 strapping tape

29 paper band

30, 30-1, 30-2 free ends

40 joined connection

U overlap region

Z middle region.

Claims

1. A packaging apparatus (1) for producing a packaging unit (20), the packaging unit (20) comprising an article combination (21) consisting of at least two articles (22), wherein the articles (22) are partially wrapped by an outer packaging material (26), the packaging apparatus (1) comprising at least

-an application device (8) for applying the outer packaging material (26) on the group of articles (21),

-an ultrasonic bonding device (5) for producing a bonding connection (40) between at least two mutually at least partially overlapping layers (30) of the outer packaging material (26),

-wherein the ultrasonic joining device (5) comprises at least one anvil tool (6) and one sonotrode (7),

-the anvil tool (6) is configured and equipped for being at least partially introduced and disposed between at least two articles (22) of the article combination (21) at least partially wrapped by the outer wrapper (26), and

-wherein, for configuring a bonding connection (40) with said at least two at least partially overlapping layers (30) of outer packaging material (26), said sonotrode (7) is configured and equipped for co-acting with said at least one anvil tool (6) arranged between said articles (22).

2. Packaging unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one application device (8) is a strapping device (9) or comprises a strapping device (9), the strapping device (9) being constructed and equipped for applying at least one strapping band (28) on the combination of articles (21), wherein the strapping device (9) comprises in particular a tensioning device which is constructed and equipped for arranging the strapping band (28) around an outer surface of the article (22) under pretension.

3. Packaging apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the anvil tool (6) is configured to be adjustable in height, in particular in height with respect to the packaging unit (20) to be formed.

4. Packaging plant (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one profile (10) of the anvil tool (6) is adapted to at least one profile (10) of at least one of the two articles (22), the anvil tool (6) being introducible and disposable between the articles (22).

5. A packaging apparatus (1) according to claim 4, wherein the anvil tool (6) has an at least partially structured surface at least in the region of the profiles (10) or of at least one of its profiles (10).

6. Packaging unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sonotrode (7) is configured movably on the side and/or wherein the sonotrode (7) is configured to be adjustable in height, in particular adjustable on the side and/or height, respectively, with respect to the packaging unit (20) to be formed.

7. A packaging device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer package material (26) consists of paper or cardboard, or wherein the outer package material (26) consists of a plastic material, or wherein the outer package material (26) consists of a composite material.