DE102022115414A1 - Method and packaging device for producing packaging units as well as strapping head for the respective use - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and a packaging device for producing packaging units as well as a strapping head (60) for use in the method and/or in the packaging device are disclosed. In the method, a flat packaging blank (14) is transferred to an item grouping (20) that is kept ready in order to to be applied there on an upper end face of the article grouping (20) to create a mechanical connection between the packaging blank (14) and the article grouping (20). Foldable sections (24) which protrude beyond the top of the article grouping (20) are then folded over. of the packaging blank (14), which are placed on the side of the article grouping (20). Strappings are produced from these foldable sections (24), using the strapping head (60) according to the invention. The packaging device is equipped with at least one such strapping head (60).

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a packaging device for producing packaging units. In addition, the invention relates to a controllable and movable strapping head for forming packaging blanks that are attached to groupings of items and for the purpose of producing packaging units and/or for using the method for producing them.

Beverage cans, along with bottles and beverage cartons, are one of the most important and widely produced and used commercial packaging for beverages, especially since they can also serve as drinking vessels. Beverage cans are primarily used for carbonated drinks such as canned beer and soft drinks such as cola drinks, all kinds of lemonade and energy drinks. Beverage cans are typically opened for consumption using tear tabs arranged on the lid.

Beverage cans currently in use usually consist of one-piece cylindrical containers made of aluminum or tinplate, manufactured using suitable deep-drawing processes, and aluminum lids with an oval scored line and a riveted metal tab that are folded or flanged onto the upper edges of the can. This tab acts as a built-in can opener, so to speak, when it presses the scratched oval into the inside of the can using leverage when lifted, thus forming a pouring or drinking opening. In an upper jacket area located immediately below the lid, the cans normally have a taper in their diameter. The lid therefore normally also has an outer diameter that is at least slightly smaller than the cylindrical jacket area of the can.

There are basically several different types of packaging for processing, assembling, grouping and packaging items such as beverage containers in the form of cans. A suitable type of packaging, for example, is combining the items or containers into portable, relatively handy container units, which can also generally be viewed as packaging units. Here too, various options are known for combining individual cans into larger containers. For example, beverage containers are often combined and packaged using shrink films to form containers of four, six or more containers. The production of such containers or packaging units is unavoidable in many cases, as they represent the most common variant of sales units or packaging units for beverage containers, in particular cans made of metal or plastic or bottles made of PET plastic. The handling of a large number of articles or beverage cans on the way from the production and filling of such so-called primary packaging to retail and the end customer is hardly conceivable without the use of so-called secondary packaging and, if necessary, additional tertiary packaging. The containers, which are also considered secondary packaging, are sometimes combined again for transport and/or put together in layers and palletized, which is sometimes also referred to as tertiary packaging or tertiary packaging.

When producing known types of containers, specific manufacturing steps are required in order to be able to process the shrink films usually used for the containers. These production steps require a relatively high amount of energy, not least because of the shrinkage process of the film that occurs under the influence of heat. In addition, the film used incurs costs for production, provision, handling and subsequent disposal, as it is no longer needed after the items or containers have been sold and unpacked. The machine equipment for providing the so-called film wrapping modules and other handling stations also causes high investment costs. Finally, the provision of the so-called shrink tunnel, in which the film wrapped around the containers is shrunk around the containers using hot air, also requires a relatively high capital investment.

A variant in which the use of shrink films can generally be dispensed with is so-called strapping containers. Here, several items or containers are connected to one another using so-called strapping bands and each is combined into a container. In strapping machines that operate continuously or in cycles, containers, articles or bottles are grouped into formations and then strapped with one or more straps using strapping units. These straps sensibly run horizontally around the containers or bottles and hold them together in the container assembly. Typical formations can be, for example, 1x2 arrangements (two containers in a row), 2x2 arrangements (four containers in a square or in a diamond formation), 3x2, 4x3 or basically variable n x m arrangements.

Furthermore, the use of so-called gripping carton packaging or upper gripping carton packaging is known to contain several items such as For example, beverage containers, especially bottles or cans, can be combined via their neck areas. A packaging machine for placing such upper gripping carton packaging can be found in the patent EP 1 075 419 B1 described. There the items are arranged in a box and the grab box packaging is placed from above onto the at least one item arranged in the box. In particular, a plurality of items are arranged in the box, and by placing a smaller number of upper grab carton packaging, subgroups are formed, each of which combines a portion of the items arranged in the box.

In addition, packaging units are known which combine different types of secondary packaging means and combine the majority of the articles with a first packaging means and a second packaging means, in particular with a first secondary packaging means in the form of an upper grab box packaging and with a second secondary packaging means in the form of a strapping and/or in Form of at least one adhesive connection between adjacent and touching articles.

The disclosure document DE 10 2006 028 661 A1 shows a packaging unit with bottles and a bottle carrier, so that the packaging units can be reliably stacked even in large numbers. The bottles are combined in the packaging units by a support body with a support bracket and at least one banderole.

Another container arrangement is through the US 57 75 486 A disclosed. Rows of three or six bottles or cans are each fixed with cardboard attachments on the top and combined into larger containers using strapping.

Many different can sizes are now in use and available as primary packaging for containing liquid contents, in particular for containing drinks. While cans with a capacity of around a third of a liter or half a liter were traditionally offered, cans with other holding volumes are now often found, for example 0.15 liters, a quarter of a liter, 0.355 liters or volumes that deviate from this.

In addition to these varying can volumes, different can shapes are known. While the lid of standard cans has a significantly smaller diameter than the adjacent can cylinder, the cylinder diameter and the lid diameter of so-called slim cans or sleek cans are essentially the same or are almost the same, so that there are no significant tapers in the lid. and/or are present in the bottom area opposite the jacket area of the cans.

For combining standard cans, upper gripping cardboard packaging is known, which has a number of passage openings for the standard cans, which simultaneously defines the positions of the cans within the packaging unit. The gripping cardboard packaging is pressed onto a collection of standard cans from above, so that the lid area of the standard cans can each pass through an assigned passage opening. The grab box packaging is preferably anchored below the lid area of the standard cans, especially in the area with a reduced average. The cans are arranged closely together within the packaging unit produced in this way.

The use of such gripping cardboard packaging, on the other hand, usually does not make sense for so-called slim cans or sleek cans. Since the diameter in the lid area and the diameter in the cylinder area are largely the same in these can shapes, there is a lack of material between the passage openings of the gripping carton, so that the remaining narrow areas between the passage openings can easily tear out, which means that the gripping carton lacks the necessary stability.

To counteract these disadvantages, the WO 2021 043 632 A1 a combination of a grab box packaging that acts as the primary packaging material with another packaging material. This further packaging, referred to as secondary packaging, is then attached to the packaging that is already equipped with the gripping cardboard packaging. Strapping tapes, adhesive connections between the items or shrink film connections are suggested as secondary packaging means. In order to equip several items, in particular the so-called slim cans mentioned, with primary and secondary packaging materials, multi-phase manufacturing processes are required, as these are fundamentally different types of packaging and therefore also different mechanical production and packaging steps.

In view of the known types of packaging and packaging methods, it can be viewed as the primary aim of the invention to combine the necessary process steps for the production of packaging units with several different packaging means in an improved manner to combine or integrate. In addition, it can be considered a further aim of the invention to advantageously produce packaging units in which a plurality of articles are combined with first and second packaging means, these packaging means working more closely together than is the case with previously known packaging variants. Finally, a goal that goes beyond this is to provide an improved tool that enables faster, better and more reliable processing of grouped items for the purpose of producing packaging units.

These aims of the invention are achieved with the subject matter of the independent claims. Features of advantageous developments of the invention result from the respective dependent claims.

In order to achieve at least some of the stated goals, the invention proposes a method for producing packaging units which are formed from at least two articles held together by at least one packaging blank. In the method according to the invention, it can initially be provided that a flat packaging blank is taken from a supply or from a staging area and, in particular, is applied using an application head with a main surface on an upper side of an article grouping. This creates a mechanical cohesion between the articles as well as a connection between the articles and primary fixing means of the packaging blank, which primary fixing means determine positions of the articles relative to one another.

Subsequently, foldable sections of the packaging blank that are adjacent to the long sides of the main surface of the packaging blank and protrude beyond an upper side of the article grouping are folded over and the foldable sections are placed on opposite side surfaces of the article grouping while preparing secondary fixing means that interact with the lateral surfaces of the articles. These secondary fixing means are formed by strapping sections which surround defined areas of the lateral surfaces of the articles and determine the orientations of the articles to one another. In addition, the strapping sections are formed using a strapping head. The strapping sections each include overlapping areas of the foldable sections, which are pressed against each other and against the article grouping by means of elastically deformable molded parts of the strapping head and are adhesively connected to one another.

In the method, it can further be provided that the strapping sections, which form the secondary fixing means of the packaging units, are each formed by means of controllable and mutually adjustable handling elements of the strapping head, each with molded parts arranged thereon.

In a variant of the method according to the invention, it can also be provided that the foldable sections of the packaging blank of each of the article groupings equipped with the secondary fixing means are at least temporarily pressed against the lateral surfaces of the respective articles by means of the molded parts surrounding the packaging unit from several sides and formed there into the strapping sections become.

In order to produce the strapping sections, the method can provide that the strapping head is lowered onto an article grouping equipped with a prepared packaging blank and produces the strapping sections by feed movements of the handling elements and the action of the molded parts arranged thereon.

Optionally, several synchronously controlled strapping heads can simultaneously act on groups of articles located next to one another in order to produce the strapping sections in the desired manner. The spatial assignment term used here for the article groupings located next to one another means an arrangement in relation to a transport direction of the article groupings.

If the strapping heads used are designed or coordinated with one another in terms of control technology and are coupled to one another in such a way that several immediately adjacent article groupings can be processed at the same time, whether next to one another (in relation to the transport direction) or one behind the other (in relation to the transport direction), it is It is also conceivable to process several groups of articles at the same time, which are located one behind the other in relation to the transport direction or are transported one after the other. If synchronous handling and coordinated control of the strapping heads is desired, this generally concerns multi-lane processing and transport of groups of articles transported next to one another, which are accessed by strapping heads arranged next to one another and which can work in corresponding synchronous movement control.

In the different embodiment variants of the method according to the invention described here, packaging units can be used A packaging blank must be placed on the top of each group of items to be redesigned before the sections intended for this purpose are converted into the secondary fixing means. In particular, it can be provided that the main surfaces of the packaging blanks each cover the top sides of the articles forming the article grouping, while the side surfaces adjoining the opposite long sides of the main surface on both sides and set off there by folded edges together with the extensions that continue on their respective narrow sides to form strip sections Although they can already be folded down laterally towards the side surfaces of the article groupings, they have not yet been completely applied to the side surfaces of the article groupings. This complete lateral application of the side surfaces and the strip sections then takes place in subsequent process steps using a strapping head according to the invention, as explained in detail below and in different embodiment variants.

To form the secondary fixing means, each formed by strapping sections, it is possible, for example, for several sequentially transported article groupings, on the tops of which packaging blanks have been placed, to reach the respective manipulation areas of strapping heads suspended above the transported article groupings. While the packaging blanks can be placed on the top sides of the item groupings to form the primary fixing means using application heads that are not specified here and the details are not detailed, the secondary fixing means can be formed and completed using the strapping heads.

The strapping heads can each be arranged in areas above a conveyor level for the article groupings conveyed one behind the other in the transport direction with the primary fixing means placed on the top and preferably with previously manufactured or designed primary fixing means, so that they can each access the article groupings from above.

Here, a plurality or a large number of strapping heads can optionally be guided endlessly in a rotating movement in a direction of rotation, so that each of the many strapping heads can accompany exactly one group of articles over a limited section of the respective transport section and can act on this group of articles to form the secondary fixing means.

For example, it can be provided that a defined number of strapping heads are suspended at lateral distances from each other on a cross member running in the circumferential direction, with several cross members, each with several strapping heads suspended thereon, at distances from one another, which correspond to the distances between the article groupings conveyed one behind the other, be moved successively in the direction of rotation parallel to the transport direction of the article groupings. The direction of rotation naturally runs transversely to the longitudinal direction of the respective cross member. The cross members can be guided in suitable rail systems and rotate there endlessly, so that at least over the limited area of the respective transport section, the strapping heads can be guided at suitable distances above the conveying level for the article groupings in order to bring the strapping heads into engagement with the article groupings .

Suitable handling elements can be used, for example, to form the first fixing means mentioned, which are intended to lock the packaging blank with the upper regions of the article grouping. Such handling elements can, for example, be formed by appropriately equipped application heads with suitable devices for holding and/or receiving packaging blanks, for applying the packaging blanks to the article groupings and, if necessary, for appropriately folding the packaging blanks in folding areas prepared for this purpose.

In addition, these first handling elements can preferably have suitable devices for folding the side surfaces on both sides of the main surface of the packaging blank, whereby the article groupings are prepared in order to place the side surfaces folded over in this way completely on the outer sides of the article groupings and to transform the strip sections into strapping sections, whereby the secondary fixation means can be formed.

In order to achieve this, the strapping head can in particular have handling elements that can be adjusted towards one another, which are used to place the foldable side surfaces of the packaging blank that are adjacent to the long sides of the main surface of the packaging blank and protrude laterally beyond the top of the article grouping and to prepare and form the lateral surfaces of the articles serve as interacting secondary fixatives. As explained several times above, these secondary fixation means are provided by strapping sections formed, which are formed from the overlapping strip sections each extending the side surfaces, which are joined together and connected to one another by means of suitable adhesive points such as adhesive bonds, preferably with the application of a defined prestress.

The handling elements of the strapping head, which act on the two long sides of the article grouping at the level of the folded side surfaces and rest against the lateral surfaces of the articles and can be adjusted towards one another, can be shaped in such a way that their inner sides, which contact the side surfaces and strip sections of the packaging blank, rest on the lateral surfaces of the articles and there can be pressed, whereby elastically deformable molded parts can be provided for pressing and producing adhesive connections between the respective overlapping strip sections to form the strapping sections. So that the strip sections remain stuck together after they have been joined together, whereby the strapping sections produced remain permanently connected, suitable adhesion points should preferably be applied to at least one of the respectively overlapping strip sections.

To achieve the above-mentioned goal, the invention further proposes a controllable and, in particular, movable strapping head within a defined range of motion for forming strapping sections on a packaging blank, which packaging blank is placed on the top side of an article grouping with at least two articles each and is fastened there, in particular with the formation of primary fixatives.

The strapping head according to the invention comprises at least suitable handling elements for folding foldable sections of the packaging blank which are adjacent to the long sides of a main surface of the packaging blank and protrude beyond an upper side of the article grouping and for placing the foldable sections on the opposite side surfaces of the article grouping with preparation and/or formation of lateral surfaces the article interacting secondary fixatives. These secondary fixing means are formed by strapping sections which surround defined areas of the lateral surfaces of the articles and determine the orientations of the articles to one another.

In the strapping head it is provided that the handling elements have elastically deformable molded parts for pressing and adhesively connecting overlapping areas of the foldable sections of the strapping sections.

The strapping head according to the invention can have at least two handling elements that can be placed on opposite long sides of the article groupings and can be adjusted towards one another, each of the handling elements being able to be equipped with elastic molded parts which interact with sections of the packaging blank folded onto the lateral surfaces of the articles of the article grouping and can transform these into strapping sections.

In addition, each of the handling elements of the strapping head, together with the molded parts arranged thereon, can be movable between two end positions, the molded parts being at least slightly distanced from the article grouping when the strapping head is placed on the article grouping in the first end position of the respective handling elements, and the molded parts being in the second end position of the respective handling elements are applied to the side surfaces of the article grouping and are acted upon there with an actuating force in the delivery direction of the handling elements.

In the case of the strapping head, the molded parts subjected to an actuating force in a defined feed direction of the handling elements can be elastically deformed and can thereby place at least partial areas of the strapping sections under prestress.

The strapping head can also be assigned a link control for position-dependent specification of the delivery movements of the handling elements.

The strapping head can be guided in particular in a rail system parallel to a transport section for the article groupings conveyed thereon in the transport direction, whereby the link control for the position-dependent specification of the delivery movements of the handling elements of the strapping head can be assigned to at least part of the transport section.

Optionally, the strapping head or each of several strapping heads can be equipped with a defined number of molded parts. In particular, a total of four elastically deformable molded parts can be provided, with which each of the strapping heads can be equipped. Such a molded part can, for example, have a base section with which it can be anchored in a holder of the associated handling element. In the strapping head there can normally be two holders of the handling element that can be adjusted towards one another be provided, in each of which two such molded parts are anchored.

A tool section can also be connected to the base section of the molded part, which serves to act on the article groupings and to work together in such a way that the strapping sections can be produced in the desired manner from the superimposed strip sections of the side surfaces.

According to a useful embodiment variant, the tool section of the molded part can in particular have an L-shaped contour with a rounded transition between the two legs of the L-shaped tool section, the rounded area, which can also be referred to as a shaping area or as an elastic shaping element, sensibly corresponding to the contour of the corresponds to the article grouping to be edited in their respective corner areas.

The connection of the tool section with the base section is preferably elastically deformable, which can ensure a defined deformation behavior if the tool section is pressed against the long side of the article grouping in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the first leg connected to the base section.

The material selection of the molded part, which is preferably designed and manufactured in one piece, which can be formed in particular by an elastically deformable thermoplastic or by a suitable elastomer material, possibly equipped with incorporated fiber reinforcement, ensures the desired deformability when using the strapping head when the holders of the handling elements are connected to the molded parts fastened therein are placed against each other and form the strapping sections.

Due to a pure feed movement in the feed direction of the two holders of the handling elements, which are placed on the long sides of the article grouping, the molded parts do not normally deform, but rather they initially only rest against the article grouping and on the side surfaces that have already been partially folded down the strip sections. If the feed movement goes even further, the molded parts begin to deform structurally. In particular, this ensures that the adhesion or adhesive points are pressed against the overlapping areas of the strip sections, so that a defined pre-tension can be imposed on the strapping sections of the secondary fixation points formed in this way.

The feed movements for the mutually feedable holders of the handling elements located in the strapping head with the molded parts attached to them can be controlled, for example, by means of a suitable link guide. For example, the holders can be equipped with suitable guide pins, which can be guided in guide slots which are located above the groupings of articles conveyed along the transport plane for the article groupings transported in the transport direction, so that the cross members moving in the circumferential direction in the lower section of the rail guide with the cross members arranged thereon Strapping heads can come into contact with the guide links. This means that the guide pins move within the guide slots and are slidably guided there. In this way, the holders can be moved towards one another or moved apart, i.e. they can be moved via defined adjustment paths parallel to the longitudinal direction of the respective cross member, while they are moved in the rail system.

The guide pins are controlled by means of the guide slots, which each comprise straight and parallel sections in which the guide pins are spaced closer apart from one another, and other straight and parallel sections in which the guide pins are spaced further apart from one another. These parallel sections are connected by symmetrically converging or diverging curve sections, which can ensure the respective adjusting movements of the holder.

With the rotation of the cross members and the guide pins guided in the correspondingly contoured guide slots, the movements of the strapping heads required for folding over the strip sections of the packaging blanks and for forming the strapping sections can be generated.

It should be expressly mentioned at this point that all aspects and embodiment variants that were explained in connection with the strapping head according to the invention equally relate to or can form partial aspects of the method according to the invention. Therefore, if certain aspects and/or connections and/or effects are mentioned at one point in the description or in the claim definitions for the strapping head according to the invention, this applies equally to the method according to the invention.

The same applies in the opposite way, so that all aspects and embodiment variants that were explained in connection with the method according to the invention are equally partial aspects relate or can be to the possibility of use and / or to the equipment of the strapping head according to the invention. Therefore, if certain aspects and/or connections and/or effects are mentioned at one point in the description or in the claim definitions for the method according to the invention, this also applies to the strapping head according to the invention. This can be equipped in such a way that all variants of the method explained above can be carried out.

Furthermore, the present invention comprises a packaging device for producing packaging units, which are each formed by at least two articles, these at least two articles of the packaging units being held together by at least one packaging blank. The packaging device according to the invention comprises at least one conveyor device, a transport section and/or a provision position for transporting grouped articles and/or for providing the grouped articles, an application module for equipping the article groupings with at least one packaging blank each, and a strapping module for forming strapping sections by forming Sections of the packaging blank and by adhesively connecting the sections to one another.

Preferably, the strapping head of the strapping module can be equipped with controllable devices for applying defined actuating forces to the strapping sections. In addition, it can optionally be provided that the mentioned application module comprises at least one controllable application head that can be moved within a defined movement space, which application head can equip at least one group of articles located and/or moving there within the movement space with a packaging blank and can apply this to the group of articles.

The packaging device according to the invention can in particular be equipped with a strapping head, as described above in various embodiment variants.

In addition, the packaging device according to the invention can be prepared and equipped in such a way that it is suitable for carrying out a method according to one of the method variants described above, in particular using at least one strapping head according to the above description.

• 1A bis 1F zeigen in schematischen Ansichten verschiedene miteinander zusammenwirkende Einzelkomponenten, die zu Verpackungseinheiten umgearbeitet und umgeformt werden können.
• 2A zeigt eine perspektivische und schematische Ansicht auf zwei Artikelgruppierungen, auf deren Oberseite jeweils ein Verpackungszuschnitt aufgesetzt wurde.
• 2B zeigt eine perspektivische und schematische Ansicht von mehreren mit Verpackungszuschnitten ausgestatteten Artikelgruppierungen, auf deren Oberseite jeweils Umreifungsköpfe zugreifen.
• 2C zeigt eine einzelne Artikelgruppierung mit darauf aufgesetztem Verpackungszuschnitt und darauf zugreifendem Umreifungskopf in schematischer und perspektivischer Darstellung.
• 3A zeigt eine schematische Draufsicht einer Ausführungsvariante eines elastischen Formteils, das Bestandteil eines Handhabungswerkzeuges eines damit ausgestatteten Umreifungskopfes sein kann.
• 3B und 3C zeigt in schematischen Draufsichten die Handhabungs- und Wirkungsweise eines mit mehreren Formteilen gemäß 3A ausgestatteten Umreifungskopfes.
• 3D zeigt das Verformungsverhalten eines Formteils gemäß 3A bei seiner Verwendung innerhalb eines Umreifungskopfes.
• 4 zeigt eine schematische Blockdarstellung zur Verdeutlichung der Verfahrensschritte bei der Ausbildung von Verpackungseinheiten.
• 5 zeigt eine Ausführungsvariante eines Umreifungsmoduls mit einer Vielzahl an umlaufend geführten Umreifungsköpfen in schematischer und perspektivischer Darstellung.
• 6A und 6B zeigen in schematischen und perspektivischen Ansichten jeweils Konfigurationen zur Steuerung der Umreifungsköpfe, die bei der Ausbildung der Verpackungseinheiten eingesetzt werden können.
• 7 zeigt eine schematische Draufsicht auf einen Transportabschnitt, in dem Verpackungseinheiten ausgebildet und hergestellt werden können.

In the following, exemplary embodiments will explain the invention and its advantages in more detail using the attached figures. The proportions of the individual elements in the figures do not always correspond to the real proportions, as some shapes are simplified and other shapes are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

• 1A until 1F show schematic views of various interacting individual components that can be converted and formed into packaging units.
• 2A shows a perspective and schematic view of two item groupings, each with a packaging blank placed on the top.
• 2 B shows a perspective and schematic view of several item groupings equipped with packaging blanks, each of which is accessed by strapping heads.
• 2C shows a single item grouping with a packaging blank placed on it and a strapping head accessing it in a schematic and perspective view.
• 3A shows a schematic top view of an embodiment variant of an elastic molded part, which can be part of a handling tool of a strapping head equipped with it.
• 3B and 3C shows schematic top views of the handling and mode of operation of a device with several molded parts 3A equipped strapping head.
• 3D shows the deformation behavior of a molded part 3A when used within a strapping head.
• 4 shows a schematic block diagram to illustrate the process steps in the formation of packaging units.
• 5 shows an embodiment variant of a strapping module with a large number of circumferentially guided strapping heads in a schematic and perspective representation.
• 6A and 6B show schematic and perspective views of configurations for controlling the strapping heads, which can be used in the formation of the packaging units.
• 7 shows a schematic top view of a transport section in which packaging units can be trained and manufactured.

For elements of the invention that are the same or have the same effect, use the 1A until 7 usually the same reference numbers. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, reference numbers are only shown in the individual figures if they are necessary or useful for the description of the respective figure. The embodiments shown merely represent examples of how the application head according to the invention, the packaging device according to the invention or the method according to the invention for producing packaging units can be designed and do not represent a final limitation.

Based on the perspective and schematic views of the 1A and 1C until 1F as well as the schematic side view of the 1B First, some important principles and principles in the production of packaging units 10 by putting together several articles 12 and by mechanically combining them using a packaging blank 14 will be clarified.

It should be expressly emphasized that the 1A until 1F the individual components of such a packaging unit 10 to be assembled and treated in the manner described below show how they can be produced in particular with the aid of the method according to the invention and with the preferred use of an application head 56 and/or a strapping head 60 according to the invention and/or with the intended use of a packaging machine according to the invention . In this respect, they illustrate 1A until 1F initially only a single packaging unit and its components, without going into more detail about the design of the application head 56 (cf. the 7 ), of the strapping head 60 (cf. the 2 B and 2C ) or the packaging machine (cf. 7 ) enter into.

If packaging units 10 are usually spoken of in the following context and in the context of the entire description, the equally common term “container” can optionally be used instead. The term packaging unit 10 used here is intended to denote the completed unit consisting of at least two items 12 and the packaging means that mechanically combine them, which can be handled as a complete unit, possibly also stackable and/or purchased and used in retail by the end customer.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the packaging units 10 assembled and manufactured using the manufacturing method described below comprise a total of six similar articles 12, which are held together in a rectangular arrangement by a flat packaging blank 14.

In the process for producing the packaging units 10, the packaging blank 14 prepared for this purpose and brought into the shape shown, for example by means of a punching process (cf. 1A) first placed and/or applied to the article grouping 20 with a main surface 18 covering the first or upper end faces 16 or cover sides of the articles 12 grouped in a 3x2 rectangular arrangement (cf. 1 B and 1C ). The term main surface 18 used here refers to the rectangular section of the flat packaging blank 14, which covers the upper end faces 16 of the articles 12 assembled as an article grouping 20 in the 3x2 rectangular arrangement.

In connection with the placement and by applying the packaging blank 14 to the top of the article grouping 20, i.e. on the upper end faces 16 of the grouped articles 12, connections are formed between the articles 12 and primary fixing means 22 of the packaging blank 14, referred to here. The primary fixing means 22 hold the packaging blank 14 on the articles 12; In addition, the primary fixing means 22, which will be explained in more detail below, determine the positions of the articles 12 relative to one another, since the dimensioning of the main surface 18 of the packaging blank 14 and the positions of the primary fixing means 22 are based on the dimensions and diameters of the articles 12 and those made up of several articles 12 existing article grouping 20 are coordinated with one another.

After placing the packaging blank 14 with its main surface 18 on the top of the article grouping 20 ( 1C ) and in connection with the formation of the primary fixation means 22 are according to 1D Side surfaces 24 of the packaging blank 14, which are located on both long sides of the article grouping 20, are folded over and placed on the lateral surfaces 26 of the articles 12, but without following the curved contours of the lateral surfaces 26.

The side surfaces 24 arranged in strips on the two long sides of the main surface 18 form a continuation of the main surface 18 of the packaging blank 14. Together with strip sections 28 which continue towards both narrow sides of the side surfaces 24, they form the two side surfaces 24 adjacent to the main surface 18 of the packaging blank 14 are secondary fixing means 30, which interact with the lateral surfaces 26 of the articles 12 when they are placed on them.

How it is 1A and 1C can be clearly seen, the side surfaces 24 are each significantly longer than the main surface 18 due to the strip sections 28 which extend them on both sides. The total length of the side surfaces 24, including these strip sections 28 which extend them on both narrow sides, can be approximately twice the length of the long side of the main surface 18 or something be less.

By fixing overlapping end regions of the strip sections 28 to one another and/or by fixing them to the lateral surfaces 26 of the articles 12, the secondary fixing means 30 are formed by strapping sections 32, as shown in the schematic perspective view of 1E and in the perspective detailed view of the 1 F is recognizable. There, the strapping sections 32 each surround defined areas of the lateral surfaces 26 of the articles 12, namely on both opposite narrow sides of the article grouping 20.

The articles 12 fixed and held in position by means of the strapping sections 32 can be in the thus completed state of the packaging unit 10 ( 1E) can only be pivoted or displaced minimally, so that the secondary fixing means 30 fix the articles 12 within the packaging unit 10 in a substantially parallel alignment of their longitudinal center axes to one another.

How it is 1A , 1C and 1D can also be seen, the strapping sections 32 of the secondary fixation means 30 (cf. 1E and 1F) formed by the strip sections 28 of the packaging blank 14, which extend the side surfaces 24 to their two narrow sides in directions along the longitudinal extension directions of the side surfaces 24.

The folding of the side surfaces 24 and the application of the strip sections 28 by means of suitable handling devices and the forming into the strapping sections 32, in which overlapping end regions are fixed to one another and/or to the lateral surfaces 26 of the article 12, is described further below with reference to 2A ff. will be explained and illustrated in more detail.

As was already the case when looking at the 1A until 1E becomes clear, the articles 12 can in particular be beverage cans 34, which is why the articles 12 marked in this way are also consistently marked with the reference number 34 in the present context. The beverage cans 34 used here are, in particular, so-called slim cans or sleek cans made of a suitable metal sheet, in particular of a suitable aluminum alloy. Optionally, however, the cans or beverage cans 34 can also be made of plastic or of a composite material, in particular of a multi-layer composite material.

The one in the schematic side view of the 1B Beverage cans 34, illustrated in their typical contours, are hollow cylindrical in shape and closed on all sides. They also each have a flat or slightly concave circular base area 36 on their lower end faces 38 and a mostly flat circular upper cover area 40 on the opposite end face. This upper lid area 40 forms the already mentioned upper end face 16 of the article 12 formed by the beverage cans 34.

The flat or slightly concave bottom area 36 on the lower end face can typically be connected in one piece to the cylindrical lateral surface 26, which can usually be achieved in the case of tin cans by a deep-drawing process.

What is also referred to in the present context as the upper end face 16 of the article 12 is, in the example of the beverage cans 34, their respective upper lid area 40. The lid itself can, for example, be connected to the upper edge of the cylindrical jacket of the beverage cans 34 by flanging, so that a can 34 that is closed on all sides is formed. If necessary, a smaller tear-off lid or tear-open fastener with a pull-tab or the like can be incorporated into the lid surface, whereby scratch lines can be present as predetermined breaking points in the metal or aluminum sheet, which enable the tear-open fastener to be opened to remove the liquid contained in the beverage can 34. However, this optional tear lid and the tear tab attached to it are not shown here, since these parts are not closely related to the design of the packaging units 10.

How it is 1 B can also be clearly seen, the cylinder diameter in the area of the cylindrical lateral surface 26 and the outer circular diameters of the bottom area 36 and the lid area 40 of the beverage cans 34 shown are essentially the same or approximately the same, with the bottom area 36 and/or the Lid area 40 can be slightly retracted or tapered relative to the cylindrical lateral surface 26.

Such a can shape with an almost uniform cylindrical outer contour and a largely constant cylinder diameter from the base 36 to the lid 40 represents a characteristic of such so-called slim cans or sleek cans, while conventional (standard) cans usually have significantly smaller diameters in the base area and in the lid area than in their cylindrical mantle areas.

Therefore, when we talk about cans 34 or beverage cans 34 in the present context, this can in principle and in all cases mentioned mean such slim cans or sleek cans.

Upper gripping carton packaging, so-called here, which is known for combining standard cans and which has a number of passage openings for the standard cans, thus simultaneously defines the positions of the cans within packaging units formed in this way. The gripping cardboard packaging is normally pressed onto a collection of standard cans from above, so that the lid area of the standard cans passes through an assigned passage opening.

The grab box packaging is often anchored below the lid area of the standard cans, in particular in an area with a reduced average or in a constricted area just below the flanged edge with which the lid is placed on the upper edge area of the cylindrical jacket area. Within a packaging unit produced in this way, the cans are arranged closely together, normally with touching contact of their lateral surfaces.

However, the use of such gripping cardboard packaging with so-called slim cans or sleek cans, as can be realized here using the beverage cans 34, hardly makes sense. Since in these cans 34 the diameters in the lid area 40 and the diameters in the cylindrical jacket area 26 differ little or not at all from one another, there is a lack of material between the passage openings of the gripping box, so that the areas between the passage openings of adjacent cans 34 can easily tear out, which means that the grab box lacks the necessary stability.

For this reason, the articles 12 or beverage cans 34 of the article grouping 20 are at least temporarily spaced apart from one another in one of the main horizontal axes of the article grouping 20 for the purpose of attaching the packaging blank 14 and forming the primary fixing means 22. The 1 B clarifies this defined horizontal distance A of the adjacent articles 12 or beverage cans 34 (here: slim or sleek can) in a direction parallel to the second main axis 44 of the article grouping 20 (cf. 1C ). The two adjacent rows of three articles 12, which together form the article grouping 20, are spaced apart from each other by this horizontal distance A.

The two horizontally aligned main axes 42 and 44 of the article grouping 20 are in 1C clarified and illustrated by dash-dotted lines. In the embodiment variant shown there of the 3x2 rectangular arrangement of the grouped articles 12 or beverage cans 34, a first main axis 42 runs parallel to the two rows, each with three articles 12 or beverage cans 34 that are aligned one behind the other or one behind the other, while the second main axis 44, which is aligned orthogonally thereto, runs transversely runs to these rows of three.

Both main axes 42 and 44 are normally aligned horizontally, since the article grouping 20 is usually transported with the respective bottom areas 36 of the beverage cans 34 standing on suitable transport devices such as horizontal conveyors suitable for this purpose in a defined transport direction TR and is also equipped there with the packaging blank 14 . The first main axis 42 therefore runs parallel or in the direction of the transport direction TR (in 1C diagonally from top left to bottom right), so that the second main axis 44 is oriented transversely to the transport direction TR.

The horizontal distance A is therefore also plotted parallel to the second main axis 44, as shown 1B clarified. In order to be able to ensure the desired reliable fixation of the articles 12 or beverage cans 34 within the prepared and in particular pre-cut packaging blank 14 using the primary fixing means 22, although this is not the case with the slim or sleek cans shown here, which form the beverage cans 34 If there is sufficient space between the upper lid areas 40 of the adjacent beverage cans 34, it is necessary in the initial phase of equipping the item grouping 20 to establish the defined horizontal distance A between the two rows of three of beverage cans 34 parallel to the first main axis 42.

In the schematic side view of the 1 B This horizontal distance A is shown as an example between two adjacent beverage cans 34, each of which is shown in the 1C and 1D Recognizable pairings of articles 12 or beverage cans 34 represent transverse to the first main axis 42.

This arrangement with rows of beverage cans 34 spaced apart by the horizontal distance A makes it possible to press a folding area 46 of the packaging blank 14 between the upper lid areas 40 of the pairs of beverage cans 34 initially spaced apart by the distance A, whereby at the same time these beverage cans 34 or these rows of three one behind the other Beverage cans 34 transported in the transport direction TR are each approached in pairs until their respective lateral surfaces 26 contact each other in line contact.

The folding area 46 is located in the main surface 18 of the packaging blank 14 and divides it into two rectangular halves (cf. 1A and 1B) , which are located on both sides of a vertical dividing plane (not separately marked here) which lies between the pairs of beverage cans 34 spaced apart by the horizontal distance A. The first main axis 42 lies within this vertical parting plane, while the second main axis 44 intersects the vertical parting plane perpendicularly.

The folding area 46, which divides the main surface 18 centrally in a direction parallel to the first main axis 42, serves to form the primary fixing means 22 with which the articles 12 or beverage cans 34 are held in the assembly of the packaging unit 10 as soon as the packaging blank 14 is formed in the manner described here. pressed in in the folding area 46 and folded in sections and the secondary fixing means 30 were brought into position in the intended manner and connected to one another.

After placing the packaging blank 14 (cf. 1A) with its main surface 18 on the upper end faces 16 of the articles 12 or beverage cans 34 placed in the article grouping 20 in a rectangular arrangement (cf. 1C ), but still according to 1B are spaced apart in pairs by the distance A, the side surfaces 24 of the packaging blank 14 which protrude laterally beyond the opposite long sides of the article grouping 20 are folded down laterally so that they rest on the respective lateral surfaces 26 of the beverage cans 34 (cf. 1D ). The side surfaces 24 of the packaging blank 14 are folded by approximately 90°.

The extensions of the two side surfaces 24, which protrude significantly beyond the length of the main surface 18 in the direction of the two narrow sides of the main surface 18 of the packaging blank 14, are also referred to in the present context as strip sections 28 or as extended strip sections 28, since they have a specific function in connection with the Production and training of the secondary fixation elements 30 have to be fulfilled, as shown in the 1 E and 1 F is clarified.

The strip sections 28 are normally not separated from the side surfaces 24 and subsequently added there, but are an integral part of the side surfaces 24, with the strip sections 28 as well as all other components and functional elements of the packaging blank 14 expediently in a single, possibly also in a multi-stage punching process can be made from a sheet of cardboard or similar flat packaging material, which has manufacturing and manufacturing advantages and provides an easy-to-process aid with which loose articles 12 can be combined and combined into a packaging unit 10 in the manner described here.

After folding the side surfaces 24 accordingly 1D , whereby pre-folded and/or perforated or otherwise specified folding edges can be used on the longitudinal edges of the main surface 18 of the packaging blank 14, a two- or multi-phase further processing of the packaging blank can take place in order to achieve the final state of the packaging unit 10 1E (as well as according to the detailed view of the 1F) to reach.

This two- or multi-phase further processing includes, after the packaging blank 14 has been placed on the top of the article grouping 20, the pressing of the main surface 18 of the packaging blank 14 over the entire length of the folding area 46 running centrally through the main surface 18, which on the one hand brings the two spaced rows of three together Articles 12 or beverage cans 34 and reducing the distance A to approximately a value of zero, which on the other hand also causes segments of the upper edges of the beverage cans 34 to be immersed and/or snapped into place on their upper lid regions 40 in prepared slot-like recesses 48 within the Main surface 18 causes (cf. 1F) .

In principle, the primary fixing means 22 can also be manufactured and designed in other ways, for example through openings in the main surface 18 of the packaging blank, which correspond to the diameters of the beverage cans 34 in their upper lid area 40, so that the beverage cans 34 can be pressed in and locked when placed there.

For this purpose, for example, in the form shown, the folding area 46 can be pressed downwards between the beverage cans 34 within the separating plane between the rows of containers and with a folding edge parallel to the first main axis 42, with the transition edges to the main surface 18, which connect on both sides to each of the slot-like recesses 48, prepared folding edges, perforations or the like can ensure a defined fold.

The flanks of the folding area 46, which is deformed in a V-shape and pressed downwards between the rows of containers, which point on both sides to the halves of the main surface 18, which is divided in the middle by the folding area 46, can enclose an opening angle α between them, which is of reasonable magnitude between approximately 80 and up to approximately 180 degrees can lie. In the exemplary embodiment shown 1 E and 1 F this opening angle α is at a value of approximately 120°.

However, this value is not to be understood as limiting, since the opening angle of the V-shaped deformed folding area 46 depends on the expediency of the deformability of the flat material used for the packaging blank 14, on the upper edge contour of the articles 12 or beverage cans 34, on the can shape or on other boundary conditions. However, other contours of the deformed fold area 46 are also conceivable, which do not necessarily have to be formed into a V-shape, but can also have, for example, a groove-like base with a defined radius of curvature or a rectangular cross-sectional contour.

A sharp folding of the folding area 46 by approximately 180 degrees is also conceivable, thereby placing material sections next to one another, which in this case can be pressed somewhat deeper between the adjacent rows of three of the articles 12 or beverage cans 34. Such penetration of the material sections of the folding area 45 placed together by up to a few centimeters can be a useful option in the production of the packaging units 10.

The recesses 48 can each capture circular segments of the edges on the upper end faces 16 of the beverage cans 34 on opposite sides with segment angles of approximately 40° ... 60° (optionally slightly more or less). How it is 1E and 1F can be seen, the respective transitions from the main surface 18 to the side surfaces 24 can optionally be bent twice by 45 ° each, which results in the total bend angle of 90 ° mentioned. In this way, roof-shaped transitions 50 are created, in which the recesses 48 are located, with which the beverage cans 34 can be locked.

After the primary fixing means 22 have been activated in this way and the respective distances A between the beverage cans 34 have been eliminated, so that the respective contact lines between the previously spaced beverage cans 34 in the two longitudinal rows are located exactly on the separation plane mentioned, the secondary fixing means 30 can be activated become. The primary fixing means 22 are already implemented by the beverage cans 34 held relatively firmly in the packaging blank 14, whereby the relative positions of the beverage cans 34 to one another are largely fixed. Since the beverage cans 34 are fixed by their respective exact positioning within the recesses 48 at least at their upper edge sections on their lid areas 40 relative to the packaging blank 14 and relative to the other beverage cans 34 or articles 12 of the article grouping 20, they can hardly escape there.

However, since the packaging blanks 14 made of thin cardboard material normally used for the purpose described generally do not have a high level of bending rigidity, initially only the positions of the beverage cans 34 relative to one another are fixed. However, this does not necessarily apply to their orientations with respect to the respective longitudinal center axes of the articles 12 or beverage cans 34, since these can be tilted relative to one another due to the flexibility of the packaging blank 14, with the lower regions, i.e. the bottom regions 36 of the beverage cans 34, being able to move apart.

In order to reliably prevent this undefined tilting of the beverage cans 34 within the assembly of the article grouping 20 equipped with the packaging blank 14, the invention provides secondary fixing means 30, which, like the primary fixing means 22, are equally influenced by the shape and additional functional elements of the packaging blank 14 as its integral components can be formed.

The side surfaces 24 of the packaging blank 14, which are placed laterally on the lateral surfaces 26 of the beverage cans 34 on both outer longitudinal sides of the arrangement or article grouping 20, form collar sections 52, so to speak, which when the secondary ones are used as intended Fixing means 30 are held there and may also be slightly prestressed. The secondary fixing means 30 are activated by folding the strip sections 28 around the lateral surfaces 26 of the articles 12 or beverage cans 34 located on the opposite narrow sides of the article grouping 20 and by fixing the at least slightly overlapping strip sections 28 to one another, for example by gluing 54.

The ones in the 1E and 1 F Adhesion 54, which is only indicated schematically by an interrupted line in the overlapping area of the strip sections 28, can be produced, for example, by prepared adhesive surfaces on the strip sections 28. Optionally, a sufficient amount of cold glue or hot glue or another adhesive can be applied to one of the strip sections 28 or to both overlapping areas of the superimposed strip sections 28, which can ensure a firm mechanical connection of the strip sections 28 to one another.

However, the overlapping strip sections 28 can also be connected to one another in another way, for example by clamping, by a punched connection or the like.

In this way, the strapping sections 32 are formed from the strip sections 28 which are adhesively connected to one another, which hold the container or the packaging unit 10 together and determine the positions as well as the orientations of the beverage cans 34 to one another in the container assembly.

The typical width of these strapping sections 32 formed from the strip sections 28 depends on the requirements, in particular with regard to the desired stability of the container or packaging unit 10. A very thin and flexible packaging blank 14 made of strong paper or thin cardboard will tend to require a further pulled down collar section 52 and somewhat wider strapping sections 32 in order to be able to ensure the desired mechanical stability of the packaging unit 10.

A sufficiently stable and mechanically resistant cardboard as a packaging blank 14, on the other hand, will allow the width of the strapping sections 32 to be set to a value of approximately a quarter or less of the height of the cylindrical lateral surfaces 26 of the beverage cans 34 held together in this way, as is the case by means of the 1A until 1F exemplarily illustrated variant shows. There, the width of the strapping sections 32 is even less than a fifth of the respective height of the cylindrical lateral surfaces 26 of the beverage cans 34.

The strip sections 28 according to the variant of the packaging blank 14 1A and 1C are each of the same length, so that the packaging blank 14 is designed mirror-symmetrically to both the first main axis 42 and the second main axis 44. In principle, in alternative embodiment variants, the strip sections 28 can be designed in lengths that differ from one another.

The 2A shows a perspective and schematic view obliquely from above of two successively conveyed article groupings 20, on the top of which a packaging blank 14 was placed, as already shown in detail in 1C you can see. The main surfaces 18 of the packaging blanks 14 thus each cover the top sides of the articles 12 or cans 34 forming the article grouping 20, while the side surfaces 24 adjoining the opposite long sides of the main surface 18 on both sides and set off there by folded edges together with the side surfaces 24 on their respective narrow sides form strip sections 28 extensions are already folded laterally towards the side surfaces of the article groupings 20, but have not yet been completely applied to the side surfaces of the article groupings 20. This complete lateral application of the side surfaces 24 and the strip sections 28 should only take place in subsequent process steps using a strapping head 60, as shown in the following 2 B ff. is explained.

As a modification to the illustration according to 1C and 1D The strip sections 28 adjoining the narrow sides of the side surfaces 24 are shorter on one of the side surfaces 24 and longer on the other, while this is reversed in the case of the packaging blank 14 of a subsequent or adjacent article grouping 20. The packaging blank 14, which is in 2A was placed on the item grouping 20 on the left, has in the foreground a partially folded-down side surface 24 with two shorter strip sections 28 on its opposite narrow sides, while the opposite side surface 24, which is in the background, has two longer strip sections 28 on its opposite narrow sides.

In contrast, the packaging blank 14, which is in 2A was placed on the item grouping 20 on the right, in the foreground a partially folded-down side surface 24 with two longer strip sections 28 on the opposite side lying narrow sides, while the opposite side surface 24 of this packaging blank 14, which is located in the background, has two shorter strip sections 28 on its opposite narrow sides. Thus, when article groupings 20 are transported one after the other, shorter strip sections 28 are aligned with longer strip sections, which therefore do not collide or touch one another when article groupings 20 are in close succession.

The 2 B shows a perspective and schematic view obliquely from below of four successively conveyed article groupings 20, on the top of each of which a packaging blank 14 was placed, as the article groupings 20 conveyed one behind the other and at a distance from one another in the transport direction TR are hung one after the other in the manipulation area from above the conveyed article groupings 20 Strapping heads 60 arrive. While the packaging blanks 14 are placed on the tops of the article groupings 20, forming the primary fixing means 22 (cf. 1C until 1F) by means of application heads 56, not shown here and the details of which are not detailed (cf. the 7 ) can be done, the secondary fixation means 30, as described above and based on 1E and 1F were illustrated by means of the in 2 B schematically indicated strapping heads 60 are formed and completed.

The strapping heads 60 are each arranged in areas above a conveyor level for the article groupings 20 conveyed one behind the other in the transport direction TR with the primary fixing means 22 placed on the top and preferably with previously manufactured or designed primary fixing means 22, so that they can each access the article groupings 20 from above. This access to the first two article groupings 20 is in the 2 B indicated schematically, whereby a strapping head 60 is already completely placed on the right-hand, ie on the item grouping 20 conveyed first in the transport direction TR, while a further strapping head 60 has not yet completely grasped the adjoining item grouping 20 and enclosed it on the top side, but in the illustration the 2 B is currently in the process of being set up there and recording item grouping 20.

Even if this is through the 2 B is not yet recognizable, a large number of strapping heads 60 can be guided endlessly in a rotating movement in a rotating direction UR (cf. the 5 ), so that each of the many strapping heads 60 has exactly one article grouping 20 over a limited section of the respective transport section 128 (cf. the 7 ) accompany and can act on this article grouping 20 in a way to form the secondary fixation means 30, as will be described below.

In the in 2 B In the exemplary embodiment shown, three strapping heads 60 are suspended at lateral distances from each other on a cross member 62 running in the circumferential direction UR, with several cross members 62, each with three strapping heads 60 suspended thereon, at distances from one another, which correspond to the distances between the article groupings 20 conveyed one behind the other, successively in the circumferential direction UR can be moved parallel to the transport direction TR. The direction of rotation UR naturally runs transversely to the longitudinal direction of the cross members 62.

Of the three rows of article groupings 20 conveyed in parallel next to each other, processed by means of the three parallel strapping heads 60 on each of the cross members 62, this shows 2 B For the sake of clarity, only an excerpt from a series with four article groupings conveyed one behind the other 20.

At both front ends of the cross members 62 there are suspensions 64 with rollers 66, so that the suspensions 64 with the cross members 62 rigidly attached to them rotate endlessly in rail systems provided for this purpose and at least over the limited section of the respective transport section 128 mentioned, the strapping heads 60 in matching ones Distances above the conveying level for the article groupings 20 can be guided in order to bring the strapping heads 60 into engagement with the article groupings 20.

The mentioned rail system for guiding the rollers 66 rotatably mounted in the suspensions 64 is in 2 B not shown, but can be seen in the 5 , 6A and 6B see more clearly. The course of the rail system and thus the movement of the endlessly rotating cross members 62 together with the strapping heads 60 suspended from them can also be clearly seen there.

The 2C shows the most important components of the strapping head 60 in a schematic and perspective view as well as their interaction with an article grouping 20, which is equipped on the top with a packaging blank 14, the main surface 18 of which rests on the top sides or upper end faces 16 of the articles 12 or beverage cans 34 forming the article grouping 20 and there preferably with training of the primary Fixing means 22 is locked. The side surfaces 24, which attach to the opposite long sides of the main surface 18 of the packaging blank 14 and are set off from the main surface 18 by folding edges, have already been pivoted downwards by approximately 45 ° ... 60 °, as shown in the illustration 2C but not yet on the respective lateral surfaces 26 of the articles 12 or beverage cans 34 forming the article grouping 20.

The strapping head 60 is shown in the illustration 2C in a comparable angular position as the still inclined strapping head 60 according to 2 B , which is located there shortly before it is placed on the second group of articles 20 from the right, which corresponds to a position of the cross member 62 with the strapping head 60 held thereon at the exit of the deflection of the rail system guiding the cross member 62 (cf. 5 , 6A and 6B) corresponds. Since the rail system describes deflections of 180° in front of and behind the section that runs in a straight line and parallel to the transport direction TR, within which the strapping heads 60 are located exactly above the respective article groupings 20, the strapping heads 60 dive obliquely and become increasingly flatter in the deflection sections from above onto the tops of the article groupings 20 and also lifted off from there again at the other 180° deflection at an initially flat and then steeper angle.

The perspective view of the 2C illustrates the phase of the gradual lowering of the strapping head 60 shown onto the top of the article grouping 20 assigned to it, the direction of rotation UR of the strapping head 60 in this section following the outgoing deflection of the rail system, not shown here. The strapping head 60 is still inclined by approximately 45°, which means that a tangent to the direction of movement of the strapping head 60 corresponding to the direction of rotation UR includes this angle of approximately 45° with the transport direction TR.

For the training of those in the 1C until 1F First fixing means 22 shown, which cause the packaging blank 14 to lock with upper regions of the article grouping 20, can be used here as designated first handling elements, but not shown in the drawing. These first handling elements can, for example, be provided by appropriately equipped application heads 56 with suitable devices for holding and/or receiving packaging blanks 14, for applying the packaging blanks 14 to the article groupings 20 and, if necessary, for folding the packaging blank 14 in a V-shape in the folding area 46, which is in the main surface 18 of the packaging blank 14 is provided.

In addition, these first handling elements can preferably have suitable devices for folding the side surfaces 24 on both sides of the main surface 18 of the packaging blank 14, whereby the article groupings 20 in the 2A , 2 B and 2C are prepared in the manner shown in order to place the folded side surfaces 24 completely on the outer sides of the article groupings and to transform the strip sections into strapping sections 32, whereby the secondary fixing means 30 are formed.

According to a terminology and system chosen in this way, the strapping head 60 shown comprises second handling elements 68 which can be adjusted towards one another and which are used to place the foldable side surfaces 24 of the packaging blank 14 which adjoin the long sides of the main surface 18 of the packaging blank 14 and protrude laterally beyond the top of the article grouping 20 Preparation and the formation of the secondary fixation means 30 interacting with the lateral surfaces of the articles 12. Like this already in the 1E and 1 F has been made clear, these secondary fixing means 30 are formed by strapping sections 32, which are formed from the overlapping strip sections 28 which respectively extend the side surfaces 24, which are joined together and connected to one another by means of suitable adhesive points such as adhesive bonds 54, preferably with the application of a defined prestress.

The handling elements 68, which engage and can be adjusted towards one another on the two long sides of the article grouping 20 at the height of the folded side surfaces 24 and placed against the lateral surfaces 26 of the articles 12, are shaped in such a way that their inner sides contacting the side surfaces 24 and strip sections 28 are on the lateral surfaces 26 of the articles 12 can be applied and pressed there, with elastically deformable molded parts 70 being provided for pressing on and producing adhesive connections between the respective overlapping strip sections 28 to form the strapping sections 32. So that the strip sections 28 remain stuck together after they have been joined together, whereby the strapping sections 32 produced remain permanently connected, suitable adhesion points must be applied to at least one of the respectively overlapping strip sections 28, as has already been explained above.

The design of the handling elements 68 as well as the contours and the deformation behavior th of the elastically deformable molded parts 70 arranged there, the feed movements of the handling elements 68 and the operation of the strapping head 60 in its interaction with an article grouping 20 are described below with reference to 3A , 3B , 3C and 3D explained in detail.

This makes it clear 3A a top view of a possible design of one of the four elastically deformable molded parts 70 with which each of the strapping heads 60 is equipped. The molded part 70 has a base section 72 with which it can be anchored in a holder 74 of the associated handling element 68. The perspective view of the 2C shows the two mutually adjustable holders 74 of the handling element 68, in each of which two such molded parts 70 are anchored.

Also connected to the base section 72 is a tool section 76, which serves to act on the article groupings 20 and to cooperate in such a way that the strapping sections 32 can be formed in the desired manner from the superimposed strip sections 28 of the side surfaces 24.

In the in 3A In the top view shown from above, the tool section 76 of the molded part 70 has an L-shaped contour with a rounded transition between the two legs 78 and 80 of the L-shaped tool section 76, the rounded area, which is hereinafter referred to as the strip sections 28 of the packaging blank 14 and the The forming area facing the article group 20 covered by it, which should be referred to as a forming element 82 or as an elastic forming element 82, sensibly corresponds to the contour of the article group 20 to be processed in its respective corner area. Ie the radius of curvature of the shaping element 82 of the tool section 76 corresponds approximately to the outer diameter of one of the articles 12 or one of the beverage cans 34 from which the article grouping 20 is formed.

The body of the tool section 76 resembles a hollow body in sections, since at least the second leg 80 that does not face the base section 72 is not made of solid material, but is formed by a box-shaped body 84 with open end faces, which corresponds to the entire tool section 76 of the molded part 70 in connection with a sensible choice of material as an elastic plastic material gives it deformability transversely to the outer walls of the body 84. The outer walls of the body 84 forming the second leg 80 of the tool section 76 preferably have a sufficient height, which makes the body 84 torsion-resistant and allows it to be deformed essentially only transversely to the outer walls. The thickness or strength of the strip-like outer walls is preferably significantly less than the height of the strips, which gives the body 84 the desired torsional rigidity.

How it is 3A As can be clearly seen, the strip-like outer walls of the body 84 of the second leg 80 enclose an elongated cavity 86, which becomes slightly wider towards the first leg 78, while it becomes narrower towards the free end of the second leg 80. This free end of the second leg 80 has the greatest distance of the tool section 76 from the base section 72.

The connection of the tool section 76 to the base section 72 is not formed by solid material, but rather via several connecting strips 88, which can preferably each have the same height as the body 84 of the tool section 76, but which are shaped as relatively thin-walled strips 88 compared to their height. The alignment of the two, three or four spaced apart connecting strips 88, which connect the first leg 78 of the tool section 76 to the base section 72, ensures a defined deformation behavior when the tool section 76 is in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the tool section 72 connected to the base section 72 Connecting first leg 78 is pressed against the long side of the article grouping 20.

How it is 3A As can be seen, three parallel and spaced-apart connecting strips 88 are arranged between the base section 72 and the first leg 78, each of which is in an oblique orientation of approximately 45 ° relative to the longitudinal extension directions of the base section 72 and the first leg 78.

The material selection of the preferably integrally formed and manufactured molding 70, which can be formed in particular by an elastically deformable thermoplastic or by a suitable elastomer material, possibly equipped with incorporated fiber reinforcement, ensures the desired deformability when using the strapping head 60 when the two holders 74 the second handling elements 68 with the molded parts 70 fastened therein are placed against one another and form the strapping sections 32.

Since according to the perspective view of the 2C as well as according to the schematic top views of the 3B and 3C two such molded parts 70 with their respective base sections 72 are arranged in the two holders 74 of the handling elements 68, the tool sections 76 of the molded parts 70 with their concavely rounded molding elements 82 facing the corner regions of the article grouping 20 to be handled, and since the two holders 74 of the handling elements 68 face each other in a feed direction B perpendicular to the longitudinal extension directions of the holder 74 can be delivered (cf. 3B) , whereby their total of four molded parts 70 act on the corner regions of the article grouping 20, the side surfaces 24 can be pressed against the long sides of the article grouping 20 and the strip sections 28 against the narrow sides of the article grouping 20 in such a way that the strapping sections 32 can be produced ( see the 1E and 1F) .

Due to the pure feed movement in the feed direction B ( 3B) of the two holders 74 of the handling elements 68, which are placed on the long sides of the article grouping 20, the molded parts 70 do not yet deform, but their shaping elements 82 initially only rest on the article grouping 20 and on the side surfaces 24 that have already been partially folded down the strip sections 28, as shown schematically by the 3C is indicated. An even further infeed movement in the infeed direction B, in which the molded parts 70 begin to deform structurally, is only illustrated using such a molded part ( 3D ), whereby the deformation directions and the deformation behavior of the individual elements of the molded part 70 are illustrated.

By laterally pressing the two holders 74 of the handling elements 68 onto the long sides of the article grouping 20, the molded parts 70, which initially only rest against the article grouping 20 with their rounded shaping elements 82 (cf. 3C ) are each deformed, as a result of which their second legs 80 of their respective tool sections 76, which rest on the narrow sides of the article grouping 20, are drawn to the narrow sides of the article grouping 20 and are pressed more strongly there, whereby at the same time the strip sections 28 pressed in this way, which are in overlapping areas with the Adhesion points 54 made of hot glue, cold glue or a self-adhesive substance are pressed more strongly, which can ensure at least a slight pre-tension of the strapping sections 32 formed in this way after the handling elements 68 have been loosened.

Since the handling elements 68 are preferably used during a longer transport section (cf. the 5 as well as the 6A and 6B) remain closed against each other and thus the molded parts 70 each remain in their elastically deformed and changed contours which press against the side surfaces of the article groupings 20, the adhesion points 54 can harden and provide permanent pre-tensioning of the secondary fixation points 30 formed by the strapping sections 32 (cf. 1E and 1F) care for.

The detailed view of the 3D illustrates the structural deformations of the various areas of the molded part 70 when it was pressed against the article grouping 20 in the feed direction B and when an additional actuating force C is applied, which acts in the feed direction B. As a result, the first leg 78, which is connected to the base section 72 via the strip sections 88, is pushed back in the opposite direction to the actuating force C, since the side walls of the article grouping 20 hardly or only minimally yield or yield to the actuating force C. This backward or evasive movement of the first leg 78 in the opposite direction to the actuating force C towards the base section 72 is in 3D marked by arrow D.

Triggered by the evasive movement D, the strip sections 88 deform so that the first leg 78 approaches the base section 72. The parallel pivoting movements of the strip sections 88 in the direction of arrow E are in 3D also illustrated by arrows E pointing obliquely downwards from the strip sections 88 to the base section 72. Since this pivoting movement E of the strip sections 88 simultaneously leads to a parallel displacement of the first leg 78 and thus of the entire tool section 76 transversely to the feed movement B or to the direction of the actuating force C, which is indicated by the arrows F attached to the first leg 78, which indicate the direction of displacement F illustrate, at the same time the second leg 80 of the L-shaped tool section 76 is not only pulled closer to the article grouping 20, but its body 84 is also deformed.

The transverse displacement F of the first leg 78 and thus of the entire tool section 76 ensures that the second leg 80 yields approximately in the opposite direction G to the transverse displacement F, which also leads to the compression of the body 84 while reducing the width and volume of the cavity 86. The superimposed evasive and deformation movement of the second leg 80 and the body 84 is marked by the arrow G. In particular, this evasive and deforming movement of the second leg 80 and the body 84, which is maintained for a certain period of time, ensures that the adhesive or adhesive points 54 are pressed against the overlapping areas of the strip sections 28, so that As a result, a defined pre-tension can be applied to the strapping sections 32 of the secondary fixation points 30 formed in this way.

The schematic flowchart of the 4 is intended to illustrate, by way of example, successive process steps in the production of packaging units 10, which are formed from several articles 12, such as beverage cans 34 in particular (cf. the 1A until 1F) . The articles 12 or beverage cans 34 are first transferred from a mass flow into a multi-row transport flow in a one-part module 100, as shown in 7 is shown in detail. The further transport of the articles 12 or beverage cans 34 can in particular be guided by lanes, which is generally indicated here by a lane guide 102. In this lane guide 102, the articles 12 or beverage cans 34 are preferably also grouped in order to form the desired article groupings 20, so that the lane guide 102 can also be assigned a grouping module 104.

Within the grouping module 104, in particular for the formation of the 3x2 rectangular arrangement of the article groupings 20 according to the previously shown exemplary embodiment (cf. 1A until 1F) as well as for the spacing and arrangement of four such article groupings 20 corresponding to the dimensions and positioning of the application units in the application head 56 (cf. 7 ) are taken care of.

In a subsequent application module 106, the packaging blanks 14 are applied in the manner described above, in particular by means of an application head 56 suitable for this purpose, but not shown in detail here, which involves the production of the primary fixing means 22 by placing the packaging blanks 14 and locking them or otherwise connecting them Articles 12 or beverage cans 34 means.

In a separate further step, the band sections or strip sections 28 can be connected to one another and formed into strapping sections 32, which involves the production of the secondary fixing means 30 by folding over, pre-tensioning and fixing the overlapping strip sections 28 and forming them into the strapping sections 32 (cf. 1E and 1F) means. This forming can take place in particular in a so-called strapping module 108, which, for example, has several strapping heads 60 according to 2 B and 2C or can be equipped with another suitable tool or handling combination.

Part of such a strapping module 108 is shown in the perspective view 5 illustrated in a schematic manner. This strapping module 108 shown here has a larger number of endlessly rotating cross members 62, which with their side suspensions 64 and rollers 66 mounted on them (cf. 2 B) can be guided on both sides in rail systems 90 in order to rotate there in the direction of rotation UR and to interact with the article groupings 20 transported in the transport direction TR in the manner described in order to transform them into packaging units 10.

As with that 2 B exemplified, are also shown in the in 5 shown embodiment variant, three strapping heads 60 are suspended at lateral intervals on each of the cross members 62 guided one behind the other on the rail system 90 in the circumferential direction UR, the several cross members 62 each having three strapping heads 60 suspended thereon at distances from one another, which correspond to the distances of the article groupings 20 conveyed one behind the other , are moved successively in the direction of rotation UR, the direction of rotation UR being moved parallel to the transport direction TR in the lower section of the rail system 90, in which the strapping heads 60 come into engagement with the article groupings 20. The return movement of the cross members 62 with the strapping heads 60 suspended therefrom takes place in the upper section of the in 5 Rail system 90 shown.

The two circulation rails of the rail system 90 can, for example, be arranged and suspended in sheet metal holders 92, as is also exemplified by the 5 is shown. The electric drive motors 94 can also be attached there, which can ensure the drive of the cross members 62 in the direction of rotation UR along the rail system 90.

The schematic perspective representations of the 6A and 6B illustrate the link guides for controlling the feed movements B for the mutually feedable holders 74 of the second handling elements 68 with the molded parts 70 attached to them (cf. 3B and 3C ). The suspension of the holders 74, which can be moved towards one another and moved apart, in the strapping head 60 is through the 2C has already been made clear, so that this representation will also be referred to in the following explanation 2C is referred to again.

Two guide pins 114 can be seen on the respective top sides of the holder 74, which are spaced apart from one another and are aligned with one another in the longitudinal direction of the holder 74. These guide pins 114 are preferably guided in guide slots 116, which are located above the article groupings 20 transported in the transport direction TR along the transport plane, so that they move in the lower section of the rail guide 90 in the circumferential direction UR (in the direction corresponding to the transport direction TR). Cross member 62 with the strapping heads 60 arranged thereon come into contact with the guide links 116.

This means that the guide pins 114 move within the guide slots 116 and are slidably guided there. The ones in the 6A and 6B The control configuration shown as an example is the strapping module 108 (cf. 4 ) or is part of the strapping module 108 according to 5 . How it is 2C can be seen, the holders 74 can be moved towards one another or moved apart, that is to say they can be moved via defined adjustment paths parallel to the longitudinal direction of the respective cross member 62, while they are each moved in the rail system 90.

The guide pins 114 are controlled by means of the guide slots 116, which each comprise straight and parallel sections in which the guide pins 114 are spaced closer apart from one another, and other straight and parallel sections in which the guide pins 114 are spaced further apart from one another. These respective parallel sections are connected by symmetrically converging or diverging curve sections 118, which ensure the respective adjusting movements of the holder 74.

With the rotation of the cross members 62 and the guide pins 114 guided in the correspondingly contoured guide slots 116, the movements of the strapping heads 60 required for folding over the strip sections 28 of the packaging blanks 14 and for the formation of the strapping sections 32 can be generated.

As the illustrations clearly show, the cross members 62 can rotate repeatedly and many times or practically indefinitely in order to handle a large number of item groupings 20 and to produce and complete packaging units 10 from them.

The guide pins 114 dip into the mouth areas 120 at the respective ends of the guide slots 116 or run out of the guide slots 116 again.

The schematic top view of the 7 finally shows a possible embodiment variant of a transport section 128, which is the one in 4 can have schematically indicated modules in combined and sequential form.

This makes it clear 7 a first section, which is formed by the one-part module 100 (see also 4 ) can be formed. There, articles 12 or beverage cans 34 are transported in a total of four parallel lanes in the transport direction TR by means of a horizontal conveyor (not specified here), which is why the divider module 100 is also combined with the lane guide 102. The lane guidance 102 is carried out in pairs, with two lanes running directly next to each other and forming two spaced but parallel transport tracks 130. The lane guidance 102 arranged in pairs can be preceded by a mass flow 126 for the articles 12 or beverage cans 34.

In the transport direction TR (in 7 from left to right) the grouping module 104, where suitable dividing devices, which can be formed here by push rods or other slides 132, group and divide the articles 12 or beverage cans 34 that were previously transported in uninterrupted sequence into two parallel rows of three. As a result, the article arrangements or article groupings 20, consisting of a total of six articles 12 or beverage cans 34 grouped in a rectangular arrangement, are already formed in the grouping module 104, as they have been explained several times before.

These article groupings 20 are each suitably equipped in the subsequent application module 106 with the packaging blanks 14 removed from a magazine 134 or otherwise supplied or provided, with the primary fixing means 22 normally being produced and formed in the application module 106. The packaging blanks 14 can be applied to the item groupings 20 conveyed in the transport tracks 130, for example, by means of an application head 56, not shown here.

In the strapping module 108 that follows it or follows it in the conveying or transport direction TR, the production of the secondary fixing means 30 takes place, in particular by producing the strapping sections 32 mentioned above by means of the strapping heads 60. The strapping modules 60 are thus equipped with primary and secondary fixing means 22, 30 and thus completed Packaging units 10 can then be transported further in the transport direction TR, which is not shown in detail here, but is only indicated by directional arrows on the packaging units 10 shown on the far right.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications or changes may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Reference symbol list

10

Packaging unit, container

12

Article

14

Packaging cutting

16

upper front (article)

18

Main area (packaging blank)

20

Item grouping, arrangement, item arrangement

22

primary fixation means, primary fasteners

24

Side surface (packaging blank)

26

Lateral surface (article, article grouping)

28

strip section

30

secondary fixation means, secondary fasteners

32

strapping section

34

Drink can, can

36

Bottom area, lower bottom area, can bottom

38

lower front side

40

Lid area, upper lid area, can lid

42

first main axis, first horizontal main axis (item grouping)

44

second main axis, second horizontal main axis (item grouping)

46

Folding area (packaging blank, main area)

48

Recess, slot-like recess

50

roof-shaped transition

52

Collar section (packaging blank)

54

Bonding (strip section)

56

Application head

60

strapping head

62

Cross beam

64

suspension

66

role

68

second handling element, second handling elements

70

Molding, deformable molding, elastically deformable molding

72

Base section

74

holder

76

Tool section

78

first leg

80

second leg

82

Forming element, elastic forming element

84

Corpus

86

cavity

88

Strips, connecting strips

90

Rail system

92

Sheet metal holder

94

drive motor

100

One-piece module

102

Alley guidance

104

Grouping module

106

Application module

108

Strapping module

114

Guide pin

116

Leadership backdrop

118

Curve section

120

Mouth area

126

mass flow

128

Transport section

130

Transport lane

132

Slider

134

magazine

α

Opening angle (of the reshaped fold area)

A

Distance, horizontal distance

b

Delivery direction

C

force

D

Backward movement, evasive movement

E

Pivoting movement

F

Transverse displacement

G

Evasion movement, deformation movement

TR

Transport direction

UR

Direction of circulation

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 1075419 B1 [0007]
• DE 102006028661 A1 [0009]
• US 5775486 A [0010]
• WO 2021043632 A1 [0015]

Claims (14)

Method for producing packaging units (10) which are formed from at least two articles (12) held together by at least one packaging blank (14), which method comprises at least the following steps: - Applying a main surface (18) of a flat packaging blank (14) to a top side of an article grouping (20) to create a mechanical cohesion between the articles (12) and to establish a connection between the articles (12) and primary fixing means (22). Packaging blank (14), which primary fixing means (22) determine positions of the articles (12) relative to one another, - Folding foldable sections (24) of the packaging blank (14) which are adjacent to the long sides of the main surface (18) of the packaging blank (14) and protrude beyond a top side of the article grouping (20) and placing the foldable sections (24) on opposite side surfaces of the article grouping (20) with the preparation of secondary fixing means (32) which interact with lateral surfaces (26) of the articles (12), - wherein the secondary fixing means (32) are formed by strapping sections (30) and using a strapping head (60), which surround defined areas of the lateral surfaces (26) of the articles (12) and determine orientations of the articles (12) to one another, - and which strapping sections (32) each comprise overlapping areas (28) of the foldable sections (24), which are pressed against each other and on the article grouping (20) and adhesively connected to one another by means of elastically deformable molded parts (70) of the strapping head (60). Procedure according to Claim 1 , in which the strapping sections (32), which form the secondary fixing means (30) of the packaging units (10), are each formed by means of controllable and mutually adjustable handling elements (68) of the strapping head (60) with molded parts (70) arranged thereon. Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2 , in which the foldable sections (24) of the packaging blank (14) of each of the article groupings (20) equipped with the secondary fixing means (30) are at least temporarily attached to the lateral surfaces (26) by means of the molded parts (70) surrounding the packaging unit (20) from several sides ) of the respective article (12) are pressed and formed there into the strapping sections (32). Procedure according to Claim 2 or 3 , in which the strapping head (60) is lowered onto an article grouping (20) equipped with a prepared packaging blank (14) and the strapping sections (32) are produced by feed movements of the handling elements (68) and the action of the molded parts (70) arranged thereon. Procedure according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 , in which several synchronously controlled strapping heads (60) simultaneously act on groups of items (20) located next to one another. Controllable strapping head (60) for forming strapping sections (32) on a packaging blank (14), which is placed on the top side of an article grouping (20), each with at least two articles (12), and fastened there, in particular with the formation of primary fixing means (22) , which strapping head (60) at least includes: - Handling elements (68) for folding foldable sections (24) of the packaging blank (14) adjacent to the long sides of a main surface (18) of the packaging blank (14) and protruding beyond an upper side of the article grouping (20) and for placing the foldable sections (24 ) on the opposite side surfaces of the article grouping (20) with the preparation and/or formation of secondary fixing means (30) which interact with the lateral surfaces (26) of the articles (12), - wherein the handling elements (68) have elastically deformable molded parts (70) for pressing and adhesively connecting overlapping areas of the foldable sections (24) of the strapping sections (32). strapping head Claim 6 , which has at least two handling elements (68) that can be placed on opposite long sides of the article groupings (20) and can be adjusted towards one another, each of the handling elements (68) being equipped with elastic molded parts (70) which are attached to the lateral surfaces (26) of the articles (12 ) of the item grouping (20) folded sections (24) of the packaging blank (14) can interact and form these into strapping sections (32). strapping head Claim 6 or 7 , in which each of the handling elements (68) of the strapping head (60) together with the molded parts (70) arranged thereon can be moved between two end positions, the molded parts (70) being in the first end position when the strapping head (60) is placed on the article grouping (20). the respective handling elements (68) are at least slightly distanced from the article grouping (20), and wherein the molded parts (70) in the second end position of the respective handling elements (68) are placed on the side surfaces of the article grouping (20) and are acted upon there with an actuating force (C) in the feed direction (B) of the handling elements (68). strapping head Claim 8 , in which the molded parts (70) acted upon with an actuating force (C) in the delivery direction (B) of the handling elements (68) are elastically deformed and can put at least partial areas of the strapping sections (32) under prestress. Strapping head according to one of the Claims 6 until 9 , to which a link control is assigned for the position-dependent specification of the feed movements of the handling elements (68) of the strapping head (60) or which interacts with a link control for the position-dependent specification and / or definition of the feed movements of the handling elements (68) of the strapping head (60). strapping head Claim 10 , which is guided in a rail system (90) parallel to a transport section (128) for the article groupings (20) transported thereon in the transport direction (TR), the link control for the position-dependent specification of the delivery movements of the handling elements (68) of the strapping head (60) is assigned to at least part of the transport section (128). Packaging device for producing packaging units (10), comprising at least two articles (12), which at least two articles (12) are held together by at least one packaging blank (14), and which packaging device at least comprises: - a conveyor device, a transport section (128) and/or a provision position for transporting grouped articles (12) and/or for providing the grouped articles (12), - an application module (106) for equipping the article groupings (20) with at least one packaging blank (14), the application module (106) comprising at least one controllable application head (56) that can be moved within a defined movement space, which application head (56) has at least an item grouping (20) located within the movement space and/or moving there with a packaging blank (14) and can apply this to the item grouping (20), - a strapping module (108) for forming strapping sections (32) by forming sections (24, 28) of the packaging blank (14) and by adhesively connecting the sections (24, 28) to one another, the strapping head (60) of the strapping module (108 ) is equipped with controllable devices for applying defined actuating forces (C) to the strapping sections (32). Packaging device after Claim 12 , which has at least one strapping head (60) according to one of Claims 6 until 12 , in particular is equipped with several such strapping heads (60). Packaging device after Claim 12 or 13 , which are used to carry out a procedure according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 is prepared and equipped, in particular using and / or using at least one strapping head (60), which corresponds to one of Claims 6 until 12 is trained.

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