EP0386524B1 - Device for packaging objects of different size - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for packaging objects of different sizes in a blank of packaging material, in particular for packaging a group of small packs, such as paper handkerchief packs, in an outer wrapping made of plastic film and in this way to form a large pack or a container in one Packing station with packaging elements, such as conveying elements for feeding and providing a blank for the wrapping, folding elements and, if necessary, sealing elements for the sealing of folding flaps, at least individual packaging elements designed for the format of the large pack and the container to be produced against those for the production of large packs of other dimensions are arranged interchangeably.

The task of alternately packaging objects of different sizes in one and the same device occurs in a variety of ways in packaging technology. Paper handkerchief packs are usually offered as large packs (bundles), with several of these small packs by one outer wrapping are combined to form the container. This can consist of six, eight, ten, twelve, eighteen or more small packs.

The device for producing these large packs is integrated into a production flow. Usually, a "packaging line" consists of a folding machine (for the manufacture and stacking of the paper handkerchiefs), a packaging machine for the manufacture of the paper handkerchief packs, a pack packer, a cartoning machine, etc.

In the previously known packaging machines for the large packs (containers), a considerable amount of work is required if the manufacturing process is to be adjusted to a different format of the large pack. The changeover is associated with a lengthy downtime of the production line.

FR-A-731 713 (corresponds to the preamble of claim 1) shows a packaging machine for confectionery or sweets. Depending on the product, the latter are wrapped in different packaging. Individual packaging elements are interchangeable. There are no recognizable means for a quick exchange. Packaging organs of different types are shown in GB-A-911 273.

The object of the present invention is to design the device for producing the large packs in such a way that the quickest possible and simple changeover to packs of different sizes can take place.

According to the invention the object is achieved in that at least two sets of packaging elements are kept ready in a packaging station, which can alternatively be moved into the packaging position in accordance with the containers to be produced, the sets being arranged on or on a carrier and being rotatable therewith about a central pivot bearing are stored such that the sets by turning can be moved around the pivot bearing into the packaging position or into an exchange position.

According to the basic idea of the invention, the format-dependent organs of the packaging machine are available in several versions. Depending on the size of the packaging (container) to be manufactured, the relevant packaging elements are installed by changing them. In order to enable easy replacement, the packaging elements that need to be replaced are arranged on brackets or supporting elements, which enable a quick and easy replacement. Furthermore, the packaging machine is assigned at least two preferably complete sets of packaging elements for different dimensions of the packs (bundles) to be produced, the sets being alternatively movable into a packaging position. In the packaging position, the relevant packaging organs are in the position applicable to the packaging process. In addition, movable packaging elements are geared to stationary drives of the packaging machine. The sets of packaging elements to be exchanged for one another are arranged on supports or holders which are displaceably mounted on rails, supporting rods or the like, the set of packaging elements in the working position being subtracted from the rails, rods or the like and that for the new format of the packages set set of packaging elements is pushed onto the rods, rails or the like.

Holders and carriers for at least two complete sets of packaging elements are preferably arranged in the packaging station, one set of packaging elements being moved into the packaging position, while another set of packaging elements is in a waiting position or in an exchange position.

Finally, it is the object of the invention to assign two effective complete sets of packaging elements to a packaging machine. These are arranged approximately centrally offset to the longitudinal axis of a feeder for the small packs and can be rotated about a central pivot bearing with an upright axis of rotation, in such a way that one set of the packaging members in the packaging position and another set 180 ° offset in an exchange position. In the packaging position, movable packaging elements are automatically coupled to stationary drives.

Further subclaims relate to the design of the packaging machine according to the invention and the associated folding members for folding tabs in the outer wrapping of the container. This involves a longitudinal fold that is designed in a special way. To produce the same, the set of packaging elements is equipped with a top folder and a bottom folder.

Side folds are also to be made. These consist of front and rear, upright side lobes as well as upper and lower lobes. The former are brought into the folding position by means of reciprocable side folders, the side folders being effective in a special, novel way. Upper lobes and lower lobes are moved into the folded position in a manner known per se via stationary folding switches, wherein these are specially designed to apply sealing heat and pressure to the gusset.

Fig. 1

eine Anlage zur Herstellung und Verpackung von Papier-Taschentüchern ("Linie") im schematischen Grundriß,

Fig. 2 bis Fig. 6

verschiedene Faltstellungen der Außenumhüllung einer Großpackung (Gebinde) in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 7

eine Eckausbildung in der Faltstellung gemäß Fig. 3 in stark vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 8

eine Vorrichtung (Verpackungsmaschine) für die Herstellung von Großpackungen (Gebinden) in perspektivischer Ansicht,

Fig. 9

eine Seitenansicht zu der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 8,

Fig. 10

eine gegenüber Fig. 9 um 90° versetzte Ansicht der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 8 und 9,

Fig. 11

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 8 bis 10 bei abgenommenen Teilen,

Fig. 12

Einzelheiten der Vorrichtung in einer Darstellung entsprechend Fig. 8, bei vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 13

eine Einzelheit der Vorrichtung, nämlich eine Hubbühne, in perspektivischer Darstellung, vergrößert,

Fig. 14

ein weiteres Detail, nämlich ein Falt- und Siegelwerkzeug, ebenfalls in perspektivischer Darstellung, vergrößert,

Fig. 15

eine kuppelbare Antriebsverbindung für Teile der Vorrichtung in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 16

die Einzelheiten gemäß Fig. 15 in eingekuppelter Stellung.

An embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the drawings. It shows:

Fig. 1

a plant for the production and packaging of paper handkerchiefs ("line") in a schematic plan,

2 to 6

different folding positions of the outer wrapping of a large package (container) in perspective,

Fig. 7

3 in a greatly enlarged scale,

Fig. 8

a device (packaging machine) for the production of large packs (containers) in a perspective view,

Fig. 9

8 shows a side view of the device according to FIG. 8,

Fig. 10

9 is a 90 ° offset view of the device according to FIGS. 8 and 9,

Fig. 11

8 to 10 with parts removed,

Fig. 12

Details of the device in a representation corresponding to FIG. 8, on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 13

a detail of the device, namely a lifting platform, in a perspective view, enlarged,

Fig. 14

another detail, namely a folding and sealing tool, also in perspective, enlarged,

Fig. 15

a detachable drive connection for parts of the device in a perspective view,

Fig. 16

the details of FIG. 15 in the engaged position.

The exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings deal with the production of large packs, so-called containers 20, from a plurality of small packs 21, in the present case paper handkerchief packs. The packs 20 are produced by a packaging machine set up for this purpose, a pack packer 22. This is part of a manufacturing and packaging system for paper handkerchiefs, a "line". It consists of a folding machine 23, a handkerchief packaging machine 24, one of these downstream tape units 25 for attaching a sealing strip to the small package 21, a stacking head 26, the subsequent packer 22 and a carton packer 27 connected to it.

The small packs 21 (handkerchief packs) are produced in two lines in the present exemplary embodiment. In the area of the stacking head 26, a common row of packs 28 is formed from possibly several small packs 21 arranged one above the other. This is fed to the packer 22 by a feed conveyor 29.

The large packs (packs 20) can have different dimensions, depending on the number of small packs 21 per pack 20. Small packs 20 consist of six small packs 21, large packs 20 contain, for example, twenty-four small packs. These are formed into a regular group 30 of small packs 21 aligned side by side and one above the other. The container 20 is formed by a covering 31 made of plastic film.

The pack packer 22 is designed in such a way that packs 20 of different sizes can be moved by replacing packaging elements. Packaging organs are folding organs for the wrapping 31, sliders for the transport of the groups 30, conveying organs for film webs and sealing organs. The number and type of packaging elements result from the design of the container 20 or the steps for the production of the wrapper 31.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the wrapping 31 is folded in a special way and leads to a container 20 that is special with respect to the wrapping 31. The folding sequence is shown in FIGS. 2 to 6.

A blank for the wrapper 31 is held ready in the vertical plane and folded in a U shape around the contents (group 30) by conveying the group 30 through the plane of the blank. As a result, horizontally directed longitudinal tabs 32, 33 which initially protrude at the rear of the group 30 have different lengths. The upper longitudinal tab 32 is dimensioned such that the rearward-facing long side of the container 20 or the group 30 is covered at full height. This longitudinal tab 32 is folded against the back of the group 30 in the upright position (Fig. 3). A lower edge tab 34 of the longitudinal tab 32 is in this folding operation on the top of the corresponding dimensioned lower longitudinal tab 33 and sealed with this by heat and pressure (Fig. 3 and detail in Fig. 7). A double-layered edge strip 35 formed in this way is then folded into an upright position until it rests on the side surface or on the upper longitudinal tab 32 (folded position according to FIG. 4).

In the area of side surfaces of the bundle 20 there are (initially) folding tabs over the group 30. Front side flaps 36 and rear side flaps 37 are successively folded against the side surface of group 30. During the transport of the group 30 with the wrapping 31, the front side tab 36 is folded (FIG. 2). Only later, namely after completion of the rear wall of the envelope 31, is the rear side tab 37 folded by corresponding movement of a folding member (FIG. 5). Then (triangular) upper lobes 38 and lower lobes 39 are folded over to rest against the side surfaces or on the side lobes 36, 37 (FIG. 6). Upper flap 38 and lower flap 39 on the one hand and side flaps 36 and 37 on the other hand are sealed together by heat and pressure.

The means required for this folding and sealing process together form a complete set of packaging elements. The bundle packer 22 is assigned a plurality of sets of packaging members, these being expediently completely interchangeable to adapt to different formats of the bundles 20.

The pack packer 22 shown and described here is set up to accommodate two sets 40, 41 of the packaging members. These sets 40 and 41 are located in a packaging station 42. One of the sets, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the set 40 is located in the packaging position 43. The small packages 21 or the groups 30 are fed to this.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the sets 40 and 41 are detachably connected to an adjustable carrying device, namely a rotating mechanism which alternatively moves the sets 40, 41 into the packaging position 43 or into an exchange position 44 by means of a rotary movement. In the area of the latter, the packaging members of the set 41 are preferably completely replaced as a unit.

The slewing gear here consists of an upright support column 45 which is firmly connected to a machine frame or a drive housing 46. A cross member 47 is rotatably mounted on the support column 45. At the ends thereof, holders for the sets 40, 41 are attached, namely transverse support rods 48. The packaging members of the sets 40, 41 are detachable, namely removable, attached to these horizontally oriented support rods, which can be rotated about the support column 45 with the cross member 47.

The pack row 28 is fed to the packing station 42 approximately in the middle. In the present case, the feed conveyor 29 is centered on the support column 45. A number of small packs 21 corresponding to the size of the bundle - arranged in a plurality one above the other - is detected by a transversely movable pivot slide 49 acting along a quarter circle and conveyed along a quarter circle on a plate-shaped top track 50 into the packaging position 43. The pivoting slide 49 is connected to a plate forming the upper track 50.

At the end of the upper track 50, the group 30 of the small packs 21 reaches the area of a lifting platform 51, the most important task of which is to lower the group from the level of the upper track 50 to the level of a main track 52. This consists of a height opposite the upper track 50 offset track plate 53. On the main track 52, the packaging members are arranged or effective.

The lifting platform 51 consists of a platform 54 on which the group 30 is pushed by the pivoting slide 49. The platform 54 is formed by three sub-platforms, which are supported on a lower, transverse support profile 55. The top of the lifting platform 51 is formed by a platform cover 56, which lies on the top of the group 30. The platform cover 56 is connected to an upper cross bar 57. These and the lower support profile 55 are connected to one another by upright guide rods 58. The guide rods 58 can be moved up and down in fixed slide bearings 59 on the track plate 53.

Another special feature of the lifting platform 51 is that its side walls 60 can be moved transversely in order to exert a lateral pressure on the small packs 21 of the group 30. This makes it possible to set the group 30 as the content of the container 20 to an exact, constantly recurring dimension. For this purpose, the side walls 60 are pivotably mounted on pivot arms 61 which are connected to the lower support profile 55 via a pivot bearing 62. When a group 30 is received, the side walls 60 are moved apart. The side walls 60 are then moved toward one another while compressing the small packs 21.

In the upper starting position (FIG. 12), the lifting platform 51 is aligned with the platform 54 on the upper track 50. After group 30 has been taken up, the lifting platform 51 is lowered until the platform 54 is aligned with the main track 52.

In this lower position of the stage 51, the group 30 is ejected, specifically by a pusher 63. This passes through the lifting platform 51, taking the group 30 with it. The pusher 63 is guided by pushrods 64, which are located below the track plate 53, while the pusher 63 itself moves above it.

The group 30 passes through the level of a film web 65 when leaving the lifting platform 51. This is held ready in an upright plane by a film apparatus 66. The film web 65 is carried along by the group 30, a metered blank for forming the covering 31 being separated from the film web 65 by separating knives 67. The blank wraps around the group 30 in a U-shape and is then folded in the manner described above (FIGS. 2-6).

This folding takes place in the area of a folding station 68. During the conveying movement of group 30 with wrapping 31, side flaps 36 lying in the direction of movement are folded by side folders 69 on both sides of the movement path of group 30. For this purpose, the side folders are moved from a forward position of the group 30 into the area of the side flaps 36. These are folded by the side folder 69, the side folder 69 then being conveyed further with the group 30.

The group 30 with the wrapping 31 (and with the side folders 69 in the folded position) is conveyed from the already largely fully folded containers 20 until it abuts against a row of containers 70 while the container row 70 continues to move by one movement stroke corresponding to the dimension of a container 20. The pusher 63 then returns to the starting position.

The side folders 69 on both sides of the container 20 are moved in the opposite direction to the movement of the container 20, the side folder 69 emerging from the area of the group 30 on the not yet folded back of the wrapper 31 (position according to FIG. 2).

Now the longitudinal flaps 32, 33 can be folded to form the edge strip 35 (folding processes according to FIGS. 3 and 4). An upper folder 71 is provided for the downward folding of the upper longitudinal tab 32, which here consists of a relatively thin wall with a lower angled leg 72. This presses the edge tab 32 onto the lower, projecting longitudinal tab 33.

The longitudinal tab 33 rests on a lower folder 73, which also serves as a sealing tool and is therefore heatable. The lower folder 73 is designed as an angular profile piece (FIG. 14). In the starting position, the approximately horizontally directed edge strip 35 lies on an upward leg 74 of the lower folder 73. After connecting the edge tab 34 to the longitudinal tab 33, the edge strip 35 is pressed by the upward movement of the lower folder 73 against the rear longitudinal surface of the envelope 31 or against the longitudinal tab 32 and sealed with it.

The upper folder 71 and lower folder 73 can only be moved up and down. The upper folder 71 is connected via holding rods 75 to a support profile 76 which extends transversely above the folding station 68. This is movably supported on the track plate 53 via lateral, upright guide rods 77. The guide rods 77 can be moved up and down in slide guides 78 in the web plate 53 in order to carry out the folding movement.

The lower folder is mounted in the starting position below the web plate 53 or the main web 50, so that the leg 74 lies flush with the underside of the container 20. The lower folder 73 is attached laterally to a profile rod 79, which in turn is connected at the ends to guide rods 80. These in turn are mounted in an upright arrangement in sliding guides 81 on or in the track plate 53. Due to its function, the lower folder 73 performs only small lifting movements.

After the above folding processes have been carried out, the next group 30 is supplied with the wrapping 31, the side folders 69 running in the manner described with this subsequent group 30 with the side flaps 36 being folded over. The relative position of the side folders 69 is such that in the end position an in The area of the side folders 69 lying in the direction of movement enter the area of the side surfaces of the pack 20 in front of it in the pack row 70. The side flap 37 on the back in the conveying direction is folded over (FIG. 5).

Upper flaps 38 and lower flaps 39 are folded during the further transport of the row of containers 70 by fixed, immovable folding members of a known type, namely by so-called folding switches (not shown). These are designed as fixed walls, which are arranged laterally next to the path of movement of the containers 20 and fold the upper tabs 38 and lower tabs 39 one after the other by the curved design of a folding edge during the movement of the containers 20.

When the folded shape according to FIG. 6 is reached, the side surface is sealed by a plate-shaped sealing tool 82, namely the overlapping regions of upper lobe 38 and lower lobe 39 with one another. The container 20 is then completed. It can now be used in a more appropriate way Are transported away in a manner via a fixed removal conveyor track 83.

The side folders 69 are mounted in a similar manner to the upper folder 71 and the lower folder 73. A support profile 90 extends transversely below the web plate 53. Upright angle profiles are attached to the ends of the latter, each of which accommodates the parallelepiped-shaped side folder 69. The support profile 90 is driven back and forth below the web plate 53 in the direction of movement of the container 20.

The folding, conveying and sealing elements described above form a (complete) set 40, 41 of packaging elements. For other types of packaging, the sets 40, 41 can be modified with regard to the type and number of packaging elements.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the packaging elements to be exchanged for changing the format of the packaging (bundle 20) to be produced are arranged on a common carrier, namely on the web plate 53. The plate-shaped top web 50 is also connected to the organs attached thereto, in particular the pivoting slide 49 .

The common carrier (web plate 53) is easily removable and mounted on holding members in the packaging station 42. It is the horizontally directed support rods 48 connected to the crossbeam 47, on which the track plate 53 is mounted with bearing pieces 84 arranged on the underside thereof and is therefore removable. To replace a complete set 40, 41, the web plate 53 is pulled down from the support rods 48 in the area of the exchange station 44 and exchanged for another set.

The movable packaging members of a set 40, 41 are automatically coupled to stationary, non-exchangeable drives when a set 40, 41 is exchanged or when it is moved into the packaging position 43. In the present example, drive elements 85, 86, 87 for various movable packaging elements are arranged on the machine frame or on the drive housing 46 on the upper side. In the present case, these drive members 85, 86, 87 consist of drive pieces 88, which are slidably displaceable on (two) fixed slide rods 89. The drive pieces 88 are driven by gears, for example cams, inside the drive housing 46.

The drive elements shown here, for example in FIG. 11, are assigned to the pusher 63 (drive element 85), the side folders 69 (drive element 86) and the sealing tools 82 (drive element 87). In addition, lifting members 91 are provided, which are also mounted on or on the drive housing 46 and can be moved up and down (FIGS. 15, 16). Such a lifting member 91 is assigned to the upper folder 71 and the lower folder 73. In the embodiment shown, a lifting rod 92 is provided with a coupling head 93 at the upper end. This is automatically coupled by the movement of a set 40, 41 into and out of the packaging position 43 with the packaging member to be actuated. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, a rotatable coupling roller 94 is attached to the packaging member for this purpose. This enters a link guide 95 on the side of the coupling head 93. As can be seen from FIG. 16, a positive connection for the transmission of drive movements is thus created in the working position of the packaging members. The couplings for the drive members 85, 86, 87 are also designed in an analogous manner.

The transport of the bundles 20 or groups 30 after leaving the lifting platform 51 takes place under an upper guide in the form of a web cover 96. This extends from the range of movement of the lifting platform 51 to the completion of the bundles 20 with a distance of corresponding to the exact dimensions of the bundles 20 the web plate 53. Openings in the web cover 96 are provided for the passage of folding members etc.

The film apparatus 66 with separating knife 57 and conveyor rollers is fixedly connected to the support column 45 in the present exemplary embodiment and therefore always remains in the packaging position 43. Alternatively, the film apparatus 66 can be arranged interchangeably or can be rotated with the movable sets 40, 41. This makes it possible to provide two different versions of the film apparatus. With the change of the set 40, 41, the film apparatus can also be changed.

Furthermore, alternative designs for the storage and interchangeability of the sets 40, 41 are possible.

Claims (17)

1. Apparatus for the packaging of articles of differing size each into a blank of packaging material, especially for the packaging of a group of small packs, for example paper-handkerchief packs, into an outer wrapping of plastic film, and so as to form a large pack or a bundle (20) in a packaging station (42) with packaging members, such as conveying members for the feed and provision of a blank for the wrapping, folding members and, if appropriate, sealing members for the sealing of folding tabs, at least individual packaging members suitable for the format of the large pack or the bundle 20 to be produced being arranged so as to be exchangeable for those for the production of large packs of different dimensions, characterized in that, in a packaging station (42), at least two sets (40, 41) of the packaging members are provided and are movable into the packaging position (43) alternately in accordance with the bundles (20) to be produced, the sets (40,41) being arranged in each case on or on top of a carrier (track plates 53) and being rotatably mounted with the latter about a central rotary bearing in such a way that the sets (40,41) are movable into the packaging position (43) and into the exchange position (44) respectively as a result of rotation about the rotary bearing.
2. Apparatus acording to Claim 1, characterized in that in the region of the rotary bearing there is arranged a vertical fixed carrier column (45) about which the sets (40,41) are rotatable, in the case of two sets (40,41) preferably each through 180°, in order to move from the packaging position (43) into the exchange position (44) and back again.
3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each carrier with a set (40, 41), is mounted on horizontally directed carrier members (carrier rods 48) and can be removed from these by being drawn off.
4. Apparatus according to one or more of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the set (40, 41) of packaging members which is in the exchange position (44) is exchangeable completely or partially, in particular removable from one or more mounting(s).
5. Apparatus according to one or more of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the packaging position (43) of the packaging members is arranged offset relative to the longitudinal direction of a feed conveyor (29) for the small packs (21), groups (30) of small packs (21) being divided off from a pack row (28) transversely relative to the feed conveyor (29) and being feedable to the packaging members along a path of a quarter circle.
6. Apparatus according to Claim 1 and one or more of the further claims, characterized in that movable driven packaging members, especially slides, folding members and sealing members, are movable by means of fixed-location drives (drive members 85, 86, 87; lifting members 91) and are automatically couplable to these in transmission terms as a result of the movement of the packaging members into the packaging position.
7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, characterized in that the drive members (85, 86, 87) or lifting members (91) can be connected to the movable packaging members by means of positive couplings, especially via a coupling head (93) with a slot guide (95), into which a coupling element (coupling roller 94) of the packaging member penetrates as a result of the shifting movement of the set (40, 41).
8. Apparatus according to Claim 1 and one or more of the further claims, characterized in that the group (30) to be wrapped can be fed to the packaging station (42) on a feed-conveyor plane (feed conveyor 29), and in that the wrapping of the group (30) takes place on a plane (main track 52) lower in relation to the feed-conveyor plane, the group (30) being lowerable from the feed-conveyor plane to the plane of the main track (52) by means of a lifting stage (51) which can be moved up and down.
9. Apparatus according to Claim 1 and one or more of the further claims, characterized in that the group (30) formed from the small packs (21), before being wrapped, can be compressed, especially by movable side walls (60) in the region of the lifting stage (51).
10. Apparatus according to Claim 1 and one or more of the further claims, characterized in that the group (30), at the same time taking up a wrapping (31) laying itself round the group (30) in a U-shaped manner, can be conveyed into a folding station (68) until it comes up against a bundle (20) located in front of it or against a bundle row (70) which can be transported further by the amount of one stroke by the arriving (new) group (30).
11. Apparatus according to Claim 1 and one or more of the further claims, characterized in that on the group (30) supplied, rearwardly projecting longitudinal tabs (32, 33) of the wrapping (31) folded in a U-shaped manner are folded first, especially in such a way that first an upper longitudinal tab (32) is folded by an upper folder (71) until it comes up against the lower longitudinal tab (33), and is sealed together with this, and the edge strip (35) thus formed can be folded until it comes up against the longitudinal side of the bundle (upper longitudinal tab 32).
12. Apparatus according to Claim 11, characterized in that a lower folder (73) for laying on the lower longitudinal tab (33) is designed at the same time as the sealing tool and is heated, and in that the edge strip (35) formed by joining upper longitudinal tab (32) and lower longitudinal tab (33) can be folded round as a result of an upward movement of the lower folder (73) until it comes up against the upper longitudinal tab (32).
13. Apparatus according to Claim 1 and one or more of the further claims, characterized in that front and rear side tabs (36, 37) of the wrapping (31) are foldable by side folders (69) movable to and fro on both sides of the path of movement of the group (30), preferably in such a way that, as a result of the advance of the group (30) together with the wrapping (31) up against the bundle row (70), the side tab (36) located at the front in the direction of movement can be folded and the side folder (69) can then be conveyed out of the region of the group (30) or of the bundle (20) as a result of an oppositely directed movement.
14. Apparatus according to Claim 13, characterized in that, after the folding of the longitudinal tabs (32, 33), as a result of movement of the side folders (69) in the direction of movement of the group (30) the rear side tabs (37) can be folded relative to the latter.
15. Apparatus according to Claim 1 and one or more of the further claims, characterized in that upper tab (38) and lower tab (39) are foldable and sealable as a result of the transport of the bundle row (70) by means of fixed folding members (folding switches).
16. Apparatus according to Claim 1 and one or more of the further claims, characterized in that folding members (upper folder 71, lower folder 73) are arranged on carrier members (carrier section 76, sectional rod 79) extending transversely above the main track (52), and at the ends these are connected outside the path of movement of the bundles (20) to vertical guide rods (77, 80) which are mounted movably in the track plate and which are actuable on the underside of the latter by means of (fixed-location) drives, especially via transverse connections underneath the track plate (53).
17. Apparatus according to Claim 1 and one or more of the further claims, characterized in that a common film appliance (66) is assigned to the various sets (40, 41) for producing blanks by severing from a film web (65), the film appliance (66) preferably being attached to a fixed vertical carrier column (45).

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