EP0671326B1 - Method and apparatus for wrapping printed products - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for folding Wrapping elements around printed products or other flat objects.

Flat objects, especially printed products, are used to protect them, for example for shipping, covered with plastic films or paper. To for example, individual or groups of printed products are rolled up, or bent twice into an S-shaped roll and in same working step so that the wrapping more than the roll once wrapped around and in the overlap area with the help of glue or a material inherent adherence connected to itself and thus closed can be. The envelope can be narrower than that Form a roll and a kind of wrapping tape. It can be the same width and that cover the entire surface of the roll or it can be wider than that Roll and in a further step folded sideways or are welded so that the roll is covered on all sides. Procedure and Devices for such rolling or folding processes with integrated in the process Envelopes are described in EP-A-568 844, EP-A-588758 and in US-A-5,493,841.

A method and apparatus for folding printed products and simultaneously wrapping the flat-folded printed products is described for example in DE-C-153986. Here too the wrapping is essentially the same width or narrower than the printed product and dimensioned in the wrapping direction so that they are overlapped and closed by gluing the overlap area can.

All of these wrapping methods according to the prior art are mandatory with a change in shape of the flat object (rolling, bending, Folds) connected.

FR-A-327662 describes a folding machine of newspapers and for simultaneous wrapping with one Paper tape. Newspaper and paper tape are put together between different roles folded twice. Then on one part of the paper tape protruding from the folded newspaper Applied adhesive and this protruding part is one Edge of the folded newspaper and placed on the other side attached to the paper tape by pressing. For this last one Steps come up to a swivel arm to hold the folded Newspaper, a roll for adhesive application and a pair of rolls for folding and pressing the protruding part of the belt to use.

It is now the object of the invention, a method and an apparatus for placing a wrapping element around printed products or others to create flat objects, which objects individually or as a group groups to be enveloped are continuously delivered. The procedure should be independent of the inherent rigidity of the objects without changing their shape of the flat object, that is to say alone, to be applicable, but should also be easy to combine with a wide variety of folding and bending processes. Furthermore, the method should be applicable. be easily adaptable for as many different wrapping materials as possible, in particular wrapping materials which are differently rigid (thinnest plastic films, Paper, thin cardboard), also for stiffer wrapping materials Pre-folding of the wrapping should not be necessary. With the procedure should Wrapping tapes, wrappings with open end faces and also all-round Wraps can be created.

The device for performing the method should be simple and little be complex and, if possible, in the further processing of printed products known sub-elements exist.

This object is achieved by the method and the device as it is are defined in the claims.

The basic idea of the reallocation according to the invention is the following: The subject first becomes a wrapping element in a manner known per se assigned that from a main area of the object is at least partially covered and towering over it. Of the The object and the wrapping element assigned to it are then turned around deflected a turning roller driven in the direction of deflection. While In the redirection phase, the object passes through in relation to the roll essentially radial position, in its from the wrapping element protruding edge is directed against the fold-over roll, in its by the wrapping element covered and towered over a main surface in the conveying direction is directed towards the front and in which the protruding part of the wrapping element at least partially in the conveying direction behind the object the scope of the transfer roll. After the redirection, the object in a position tangential to the folding roller on the folding roller conveyed away, with the covered one main area opposite other main surface directed against the folding roller and can be rolled over by it. Through this redirection over a The wrapping element first lies radially to a tangential position around the edge of the object that it first protruded, and then onto the the other originally covered one main surface Main area. Such a deflection is, as will be shown, with a lot simple means on a serial stream of objects and associated Wrapping elements can be realized.

As will be described later, different variants are possible, around the object and the wrapping element assigned to it in the first necessary for the transfer, essentially compared to the transfer role to bring radial position.

Is the wrapping element dimensioned such that it is after the first Transfer still has a part that can protrude above the object this further outstanding part in a further transfer step around the first folded edge opposite edge, so that it then onto the main surface first covered by the covering element comes to rest. With the wrapping element being folded twice each time one edge of the flat object can thus be enveloped on both sides in this way be that the wrapping element overlaps on one main surface, and can Wrapping element in this overlap areas in a known per se Way to be locked.

Figuren 1 bis 3

drei beispielhafte Varianten des Umlegeverfahrens;

Figuren 4 bis 6

drei beispielhafte Varianten für Verfahren zur ganzen Umhüllung mit mindestens einem Umlegeschritt;

Figuren 7 und 8

zwei beispielhafte Varianten für Verfahren für eine ganze Umhüllung mit mindestens einem Umlegeschritt, kombiniert mit Falt- bzw. Biegevorgängen;

Figuren 9a und 9b

zwei weitere Varianten für Verfahren für eine ganze Umhüllung mit mindestens einem Umlegeschritt, kombiniert mit mindestens einem Falt- bzw. Biegeschritt zur Herstellung von S-förmig gebogenen bzw. gefalteten und umhüllten Gegenständen;

Figuren 10a bis 10c

eine beispielhafte Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemässen Umlegeverfahrens in drei verschiedenen Positionen während einer Umlegung;

Figur 11

eine komplette Anordnung für die Zuordnung von Umhüllungselementen zu Gegenständen und deren Umhüllung kombiniert mit einer Biegung bzw. Faltung.

The method according to the invention for folding a wrapping element around a flat object and an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for carrying out the method are to be described in detail with the aid of the following figures. Show:

Figures 1 to 3

three exemplary variants of the transfer procedure;

Figures 4 to 6

three exemplary variants for processes for the complete encapsulation with at least one transfer step;

Figures 7 and 8

two exemplary variants for processes for an entire wrapping with at least one folding step, combined with folding or bending processes;

Figures 9a and 9b

two further variants for processes for an entire wrapping with at least one folding step, combined with at least one folding or bending step for producing S-shaped bent or folded and wrapped objects;

Figures 10a to 10c

an exemplary embodiment of a device for carrying out the transfer method according to the invention in three different positions during a transfer;

Figure 11

a complete arrangement for the assignment of wrapping elements to objects and their wrapping combined with a bend or fold.

Figure 1 shows very schematically an exemplary variant of the inventive folding of a wrapping element U around a flat object G, the object and the wrapping element assigned to it in five arbitrarily selected positions G.1 / U.1 to G.5 / U.5 during the Is shown.

Object G and wrapping element U together become essentially tangential (conveying direction and main surface of the object in one Tangential plane to the transfer roller) fed against the transfer roller 1 and conveyed past this in such a way that a wrapping part is one of the fold-over rolls facing main surface of the object at least partially covered and the other wrapping part runs behind the object (G.1 / U.1). As soon as the trailing edge of the object reaches the point of contact has passed with the roll, the object is around Redirected roll and redirected so that its spatial orientation actually not changed and its trailing edge during feeding around the circumference of the transfer roll (G.2 / U.2, G.3 / U.3). Here the object passes through a radial position with respect to the folding roller (between G.2 and G.3), is his covered with the wrapping element The main surface is directed towards the front in the conveying direction and becomes the object protruding part of the wrapping element in the conveying direction behind the object led by the roll.

As soon as the object is again on a tangential plane (parallel to the tangential plane the feed on the opposite side of the transfer roller) comes to rest on the roll, he is on this on the roll conveyed past and away (G.4 / U.4, G.5 / U.5) such that the transfer roll that main surface that already covered by the wrapping element main covered area. In doing so, the object is presented the deflecting part of the enveloping element around the now leading Edge of the object and on that of the already covered main surface opposite main surface.

The object G and the part of the wrapping element U covering it are shown in a not shown during the deflection around the folding roller Ways that vary depending on the inherent stiffness of the object can, led.

In the variant of the transfer method according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 becomes the trailing edge of the part to be folded Object guided around the circumference of the transfer roller and advantageously at essentially the same speed as the lateral surface the transfer roller moves and the objects are also conveyed in and out become. This creates how easy it can be seen from the figure at no time a tension in the wrapping element, even if this in its Position is held relative to the object and easily on the roll is liable. It is also ensured that the one guided by the transfer roller No part of the wrapping element at any time before the roll led edge of the object runs, not even in areas, and that the part of the wrapping element projecting beyond the object is always fully managed. With this process variant it is therefore easy to ensure that also a not very stable and crease-prone wrapping element with a very small inherent stiffness, such as a piece Adhesive film can be placed around the object without problems.

If the wrapping element U is to be slightly stretched around the object G, can this with respect to the lateral surface of the folding roller at the tangential Passing away and away (G.7 / U.7) can be accelerated slightly so that the wrapping part sticking slightly to the folding roller opposite the object slightly delayed and therefore tense.

The wrapping element needs to be carried out in order to carry out the folding process not to be pre-folded in any way.

There is no imperative connection in a transfer procedure according to FIG. 1 between the expansion of the object or the superior Part of the wrapping element and the radius of the roll. While the object can also lead to the entire deflection around the folding roller these are guided at a distance and then it must be ensured that the The distance between the roll and the object is in no case greater than the extension of the protruding part of the wrapping element, such that this is always carried out by the transfer roll.

Would be the individual positions of item G and wrapping element U (G.1 / U.1 to G.5 / U.5) each represented equally far apart, they could also as elements of a serial flow of objects and them associated wrapping elements can be viewed around the roll 1. It is easy to see from the figure that in such a flow the minimum distance between the objects of extension in Direction of conveyance of the trailing wrapping part corresponds if prevented should be that the wrapping elements on top of each other on the roll come to rest.

The variant of the transfer method described above is shown in FIG solid arrows marked. Another is also shown in FIG. 1 Variant (dashed arrows) for the feeding of item G and associated Wrapping element U to the radial position of the object marked (G.6 / U.6). Object and wrapping element associated with it are not on a tangential plane and with a trailing, wrapping part to be folded against the roll and past it funded, but with a funding direction that is already the funding direction for the radial position is essentially the same as the major faces of the object are aligned transversely to the conveying direction and with the Envelope element covered main surface in the conveying direction towards the front is agile. Advantageously, appropriate means (e.g. Backdrop or air flow) to ensure that the protruding part of the wrapping element, as shown, rather runs behind the object.

FIG. 2 shows a further exemplary variant of the wrapping of a wrapping element U according to the invention around a flat object G (positions G.7 / U.7 to G.12 / U.12). The object is not deflected around it in an arc corresponding to the folding roller 1, as in FIG. The object that is conveyed in a tangential plane with a trailing wrapping part (G.7 / U.7), as in the first variant discussed, is only deflected when it is already spaced from the folding roller (G.8 / U.8). Then it is conveyed through the radial position (G.9) essentially perpendicular to the feed direction and redirected again when it has again reached a tangential plane G.10, in order to move past and away from the transfer roller in a direction parallel to the feed direction but opposite to it (G.11 / U.11, G.12 / U.12).

For the process variant shown in FIG. 2, it makes sense to use the transfer roller 1 to be interpreted in such a way that its radius R is smaller than the length of the protruding wrapping part, such that the object protruding part of the wrapping element even in the moment which the object is in its furthest from the scope of the roll distant position (G.8 / U.8), still guided by the transfer roller is.

In contrast to the variant according to FIG. 1, it is for the variant according to Figure 2 more difficult, the speeds of the individual movements to be set up so that even with the wrapping element sticking slightly to the folding roller Tensions in the wrapping element or unguided wrapping element parts can be prevented. In other words, that the process variant according to Figure 2 for very little stiff and very sensitive Wrapping materials may be less suitable than that Variant according to Figure 1.

However, it must, especially for and / or easily stick to the roll very little stiff wrapping materials, through appropriate choice of speeds of the individual movements are definitely taken care of that the wrapping part guided on the wrapping roll, which during the deflection has to travel a smaller distance than the object at Rolling over the main area by the folding roller before transporting it away does not run in front of the object, because this could be seriously disturbed. At a peripheral speed of the transfer roller, that of the infeed and outfeed speed of the objects corresponds, with negligible braking and acceleration times and after the deflection and at object thicknesses D which are opposite to the Turning roller radius R are negligible, this means that for the moving part an average perpendicular to the infeed or outfeed direction Speed is necessary, which is at least twice as large as the feed or. Conveying speed.

The same applies to the method variant according to FIG. 2, as with a dashed line Arrow indicated, a feed substantially perpendicular to the one shown Delivery, i.e. in the direction of funding through the radial position possible, as already described in connection with Figure 1 and is also shown with dashed arrows.

FIG. 3 shows a further exemplary variant of the folding method according to the invention, in which the spatial position of the objects is not essentially retained, as in the variants according to FIGS. 1 and 2, but is changed. The object G to be folded and the wrapping element U assigned to it are in turn conveyed on a tangential plane to the folding roller 1 and past it (G.13 / U.13, G.14 / .U.14). If the object is sufficiently distanced from the folding roller, it is pivoted about a pivot axis S lying parallel to the folding roller axis until it lies again on a tangential plane. While the object is pivoted and passes through a radial position with respect to the folding roller, the projecting part of the wrapping element is guided by the folding roller. On the second tangential plane, the object is moved past the transfer roller and transported away (G15 / U.15, G.16 / U.16) in the manner already described several times.

The position of the pivot axis S is to be selected such that the one to be turned Object with the greatest extension in the conveying direction still on the Folding roll can be pivoted past. The swing speed is to adapt to the surface speed of the roll, that the protruding part of the wrapping element when rolling over the Object by the transfer roller before conveying away the then leading Edge of the object does not run ahead. This is particularly the case here important for less rigid wrapping elements that lead to liability the roll roll tend. For more rigid wrapping elements, the exact one is Adjusting the speeds is not so important since the roll is different can also move relative to such a wrapping element.

The radius of the transfer roller is also used for the method variant according to FIG and the position of the pivot axis is advantageously designed such that the protruding part of the wrapping element during the whole Redirection is always guided by the roll. It can also be used here rough rules apply that the radius of the roll should not be larger than the extension in the conveying direction of the projecting part of the wrapping element.

A second feed variant is also for the method variant according to FIG. 3 possible to the radial position, as again with a dashed line Arrow is indicated and as already in connection with the variant has been described according to Figure 1.

Mixed forms of the variants according to FIGS. 1 and 2 are of course also possible and / or 3 possible.

FIG. 4 shows a very simple method variant for enveloping an object on both sides with a wrapping element. This is a combination of two transfers according to FIG. 3 around the same transfer roller 1. In order that feed and routing can be guided past one another, a displacement of the objects parallel to the axis of rotation of the transfer roller is necessary during the two transfers. This can be prevented if the first feed, as shown with a dashed arrow, is carried out essentially perpendicular to the main surfaces of the objects. Of course, an entire covering, as shown in FIG. 4, can also be realized with two folding rollers.

In the area of the second transfer, how very schematically with a Spray nozzle 4 indicated, also an adhesive on the object protruding wrapping part are applied such that the object, how it will be removed from the second transfer, not just on both sides wrapped, but the wrapping already in its overlap area is closed.

Instead of shortly before turning over, for example by spraying on the Wrapping element applied adhesive can be used to close the Wrapping element other adhesive techniques are used. For example, before the assignment to the object on the Wrapping element a hot melt adhesive can be applied in cold Condition is not sticky. This can be in the reallocation or a Pressing can be activated by adding heat.

FIG. 5 shows a variant of the method for wrapping flat objects with a wrapping element on both sides, in which the wrapping method according to the invention is used twice. The wrapping element is assigned to the object in such a way that it projects beyond it on both sides. In a first transfer according to the variant according to FIG. 3, the larger projecting part is transferred to a larger transfer roll 1.1, immediately thereafter with a smaller transfer roll 1.2 the smaller projecting part.

FIG. 6 shows a further variant for the wrapping of a flat object G on both sides with a wrapping element U. The wrapping element and the object are fed to one another, essentially perpendicular to one another, in such a way that the wrapping element already wraps around one edge of the object during the assignment and at least partially covered its two main surfaces and towered over one. Such an assignment is only possible if the object to be wrapped has sufficient inherent rigidity or if it is guided, for example, between two bands or supported by a folding sword. Then, by deflecting around a folding roller 1.3, the outstanding wrapping part is wrapped around, whereby the object is wrapped on both sides. The wrapping element and the object between two conveyor belts can be additionally pressed in the curved guide between assignment and folding.

FIG. 7 shows the folding method according to the invention by deflecting around a folding roller 1 (variant according to FIG. 3) combined with an upstream bending or folding process in which, with the aid of a folding sword 2, the flat object G (for example an already folded newspaper) and the wrapping element assigned to it U can be bent or folded at the same time. The product of the process is a bent or folded object that is wrapped on both sides. The arched conveying lines between folding and folding and after folding again serve for pressing, which can also be omitted in the event that the object is not to be folded, but only to be bent.

FIG. 8 shows a further combination of folding or bending the object together with the wrapping element assigned to it with the aid of two folding swords 2.1 and 2.2 and a deflection according to the invention by deflection around a folding roller 1. The product is one of a kind, depending on the intermediate pressing steps Roll an object that is folded twice or folded twice in the same direction and that is wrapped on both sides.

FIG. 9a shows a combination of two bending or folding steps in which the object and, in the second step, also the wrapping element are bent or folded in the opposite direction to an S-shaped structure with the aid of two folding swords 2.3 and 2.4. A part of the wrapping element is folded between two legs of the S-shaped structure. Then the part of the wrapping element still protruding from the folded object is folded over by throwing the folding rollers 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6 three times, thereby enveloping the twice-folded object.

FIG. 9b shows a combination of a bending or folding step with a deflection according to the invention for producing an S-shaped bent or folded and enveloped object (as in FIG. 9a). The wrapping element is only assigned to the object when it has already been bent or folded, in such a way that the wrapping element covers the surface with the folded part, the folded edge runs ahead and the wrapping element projects beyond the unfolded edge. The second fold is then produced with a folding sword 2.5 from the side opposite the wrapping element. With the second folding edge as the leading edge, the object and the wrapping element are deflected, if necessary after being pressed by a folding roller 1.7, such that after the deflection, the first folding edge is the leading edge and the wrapping element is also wrapped around it.

FIGS. 10a to 10c show an exemplary device for carrying out the transfer method according to the invention. The device is shown with a viewing angle parallel to the axis of rotation of the folding roller 1, that is to say transversely to the plane in which the movement of the objects takes place. In this embodiment, only means of conveying the objects G and the wrapping elements U are pairs of conveyor belts, between which the objects together with the associated wrapping elements are transported. These pairs of conveyor belts are shown spaced apart in the figures. So that they can transport the object and the wrapping element, which in most cases have a different thickness, equally well and safely, the belts are advantageously pretensioned and the deflection rollers are mounted in a spring-loaded manner such that the bands are the thickness of an object or wrapping element located between them adjust and apply light pressure to it.

The folding roller 1 simultaneously represents a deflecting roller of a conveyor belt represents that on the feed side part 11.1 of the feed pair of conveyor belts (11.1 / 11.2), part 12.1 of the conveyor pair on the conveyor side of conveyor belts (12.1 / 12.2). The one through the feed pair or a pair of conveying gaps defined by conveyor belts a feed direction Z, or a direction of conveyance W. On which the feed or. The opposite side of the transfer roller is a pair of swiveling conveyor belts 20 and 30, each with two deflection rollers 21, 22, 31, 32 provided substantially parallel to each other, which in opposite directions Senses are driven and their sense of rotation is reversible. Furthermore are the tapes of the pair of swivel tapes around one (32, S) of their from the transfer roller 1 distant pulleys limited swiveling, so that they from a position in which the transport gap formed between them essentially forms a straight continuation to the feed direction Z, in one position are pivotable, in which the transport gap is essentially a straight line Continuation forms to the direction of conveyance W.

FIG. 10a shows the device in the position it occupies when an object is fed in and conveyed past the transfer roller 1 (first tangential position). The swivel belts are in the position of the feed direction Z positioned and its direction of rotation is such that the facing each other Belt parts move away from the roll.

Figure 10b shows the swivel belts 20 and 30 in a radial position opposite the transfer roller 1. The distance between the swivel belts and the roll is smallest in this position.

Figure 10c shows the device in the second tangential position, in the the swivel belts are arranged in the direction of removal W. In this position the distance between the transfer roller and the swivel belt pair is greater again.

Around the gaps between the individual conveyor systems (feed conveyor pair, swiveling pair, conveyor pair away from conveyor belts) as small as possible can hold the tape 11.1 / 12.1 around the folding roller 1 and the folding roller 1 even in the axial direction in two or more spaced apart Sub-tapes or sub-rolls must be divided and at least that at the pivoting swivel belt 30, the swivel belt parts are aligned with the distances between the transfer roller parts. This is in the figure by a partial overlap of the roll 1 and the guide roller 31 of the swivel belt 30 is shown schematically. In a Such device are in the tangential positions of the Pair of swivel belts, the distances between the incoming and outgoing conveyor and the pair of swivel belts smaller, so that there are no guides for the objects and so small in particular for the outstanding wrapping parts as possible.

If the wrapping (in the direction of the axis of the folding roller) is narrower than that The object to be encased can also be the one that follows when swiveling Pivoting band 20 can be divided into sub-bands spaced from one another, where, for example, a part must be provided in the middle, the width of which is at least is the same as the width of the wrapping element.

The simplest control operation of the device according to the figures 10a to 10c is to interpose the object at the feeding speed Promote the swivel belts to the extent that the distance between trailing Edge of the object and roll is such that the object can be swiveled past the roll, then the Stopping swivel belts to perform the necessary swiveling that Swivel belts in the opposite direction at the conveying speed again to start and convey the object past the roll. This operation corresponds exactly to that described in connection with FIG. 3 Method. As mentioned there, this operation is relatively difficult to be set up in such a way that tensions in the wrapping element are avoided can if this easily sticks to the roll.

For this reason, an operation is recommended in which the swiveling movement is initiated as soon as the object reaches the area of the conveyor belts has left and before it is closest to the swivel axis Has reached position to stop the swivel belt pair and in opposite directions Senses start again when the object's radial position goes through. Such operation depends on the ratio of the speeds a mixing process between processes according to Figures 1 and 3.

Because the swivel tapes before being hit by a serial stream of items with associated wrapping elements a next item can handle from the second tangential position to the first tangential Position must be moved back is the minimum distance between the supplied items not as in connection with the procedure explained, purely of the extent of the towering over the object Wrapping part dependent, but also on the time that the swivel belt pair needed for swinging back.

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary device for carrying out the method according to FIG. 7, that is to say for one assignment of a wrapping element to each object of a serial stream, a single folding of the object and wrapping element and a complete wrapping of each object by deflection around a folding roller.

The arrangement has a feed device 40, for example in the form a feed belt for feeding the objects. It follows in the conveying direction a straightening station 50, in which the objects, for example can be aligned laterally using a series of inclined rollers. One follows Control station 60 (indicated schematically by an arrow), in the example the objects are checked by a thickness measurement. After the control is followed by the feed 70 of the wrapping material U ', which is off a supply roll 71 with a clutch roll 72 that can be switched on or off is fed into the conveyor line in a controlled manner. A cutting station follows 80 for cutting the wrapping material U 'into individual wrapping elements, in which, for example, a pair of controlled movable blades 81 are moved transversely to the conveyor line and cut the material U '. It this is followed by a folding device 90 with a folding gap 91 and one in the Folding gap movable folding sword 92. The folding gap 91 is advantageous can be closed by a conveyor belt 93 which can be moved in the conveying direction, causing items that have been identified as faulty in the control station are, and which by a corresponding control no wrapping element was assigned to be promoted in a straight line via the folding gap 91 and can be removed or returned. On the folding device 90 is followed by a pressing device 100 in the form of a pair of arcuately guided Conveyor belts, between which the folded objects one Are exposed to pressure perpendicular to their major surfaces. This is followed by one Folding device 110 according to FIGS. 10a to 10c with a folding roller 111 and a pair of swivel belts 112. A further press section 120 follows between two arched conveyor belts. The one at the end of this Items delivered to the press line are completely encased and can be placed on them following an addressing station, for example.

As such, the individual elements of an arrangement according to FIG. 11 are all known and therefore do not need to be described in detail at this point to be discribed.

If the wrapping element is wider than the object transversely to the conveying direction, to which it is assigned, it is advantageously assigned in such a way that it projects evenly over the object on both sides. This side Towering is achieved through an arrangement such as that in Figure 11 is shown, is not affected and can pass after passing the arrangement closed by folding and gluing or by welding so that the finished product is covered on all sides.

Claims (20)

1. Method of placing wrapping elements (U) around printed products, groups of printed products or corresponding other flat articles (G), which are conveyed serially at a distance from one another, the articles (G) to be wrapped each being assigned a wrapping element (U) which is at least partly covered by a main surface of the article and projects beyond the latter, the stream of articles (G) and associated wrapping elements (U) being conveyed at a delivery speed towards a rotating wrapping roller (1) having an axis of rotation aligned transversely with respect to the conveying direction, and being deflected around the wrapping roller (1) in such a way that, during the deflection, the articles (G) are conveyed, in a conveying direction that is essentially transverse with respect to their main surfaces, through a position (G.9) which is essentially radial with respect to the wrapping roller (1) and in which that edge of the articles (G) beyond which the wrapping element (U) projects is oriented towards the wrapping roller (1), and their one main surface which is covered by the wrapping element (U) is directed towards the front in the conveying direction, and the articles (G) then being conveyed past the wrapping roller (1) in a conveying direction (G.4/U.4, U.11/G.11) that is essentially oriented parallel to their main surfaces and, whilst they are being conveyed past, the one main surface that is covered by the wrapping element (U) being turned away from the wrapping roller (1) and the edge beyond which the wrapping element (U) projects being the leading edge, characterized in that, in order to make it possible to process wrapping elements and articles regardless of whether they have a greater or lesser inherent stiffness, the rotating wrapping roller (1) has a peripheral speed which essentially corresponds to the delivery speed of the articles (G) and wrapping elements (U), in that, during the entire deflection phase around the wrapping roller (1), the projecting part of the wrapping element (U) is guided so as to rest at least partly freely on the wrapping roller (1), and in that the deflection speed of the articles is co-ordinated with the peripheral speed of the wrapping roller in such a way that the projecting part of the wrapping element is guided so as to trail after the article (G) during the entire deflection phase.
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the other main surface of the articles (G), located opposite the one main surface that is covered by the wrapping element (U) is rolled over by the wrapping roller (1) as the article is conveyed past (G.4/U.4, G.11/U.11) in order to put the projecting part of the wrapping element (U) in place.
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the articles (G.1, G.7) are conveyed towards the wrapping roller (1) in the essentially tangential direction and parallel to their main surfaces, the parts of the wrapping elements (U.1) which project and are to be wrapped around trailing in the conveying direction, and in that the articles are brought into the radial position by means of a first deflection around the wrapping roller.
4. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the articles (G.6) are conveyed into the position which is radial with respect to the wrapping roller (1) in a conveying direction which is oriented essentially transversely with respect to their main surfaces.
5. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the three-dimensional orientation of the articles (G.1 to G.12) is essentially maintained as they are being deflected around the wrapping roller (1).
6. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the articles (G.14, G.15) are guided through the radial position by being pivoted about a pivot axis (S) which is arranged at a distance from the wrapping roller (1) and transversely with respect to the conveying direction.
7. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the wrapping elements (U) are dimensioned and assigned to the articles (G) in such a way that their projecting part is longer in the conveying direction than a main surface of the article, and in that the articles (G) are wrapped completely by wrapping the same wrapping part around twice at the same wrapping roller (1) or at two wrapping rollers (1.1 and 1.2).
8. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the wrapping elements (U) are dimensioned and assigned to the articles (G) in such a way that they project beyond the article on both sides, and in that the articles are wrapped completely by being wrapped twice at two wrapping rollers.
9. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the wrapping elements (U) are placed around one edge of the articles (G) as soon as they are assigned, and in that the articles (G) are wrapped completely by being wrapped once at one wrapping roller (1.3).
10. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the wrapping element (U) is assigned to the article (G) in such a way that its edge which leads when it is delivered is flush with the leading edge of the article or runs behind the latter, and in that the article (G) and the wrapping element (U) are folded or deflected once or twice before the projecting part of the wrapping element is wrapped around.
11. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the articles (G) and wrapping elements (U) are pressed before and/or after the wrapping operation.
12. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the overlapping parts of the wrapping elements (U) are provided with adhesive before or during the wrapping operation.
13. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the wrapping elements (U) have an extent transverse to the conveying direction which is as large as or smaller than the same extent of the articles (G).
14. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the wrapping elements (U) have an extent transverse to the conveying direction which is larger than the same extent of the articles (G), and in that, following the wrapping operation, the wrapping elements are closed at the sides by being welded or folded over and/or adhesively bonded.
15. Apparatus for implementing the method according to one of Claims 1 to 14, which apparatus has a rotationally driven wrapping roller (1, 1.1 to 1.7, 111) and means (11.1, 11.2, 100) which can be driven at a delivery speed in order to feed articles (G) and wrapping elements (U) assigned to the articles to the wrapping roller, means (20/21/22/30/31/32, 110/112) for deflecting the articles and the wrapping elements assigned to the articles around the wrapping roller and means (12.1/12.2, 120) for transport away from the wrapping roller, characterized in that, in order to make it possible to process wrapping elements and articles regardless of whether they have a greater or lesser inherent stiffness, the wrapping roller (1, 1.1 to 1.7, 111) can be driven at a peripheral speed which essentially corresponds to the delivery speed, and in that the wrapping roller (1, 1.1 to 1.7, 111) and the deflection means (20/21/22/30/31/32, 110/112) are co-ordinated with each other and with the projecting part of the wrapping elements in such a way that, during the entire deflection phase around the wrapping roller, the projecting part of the wrapping elements can be guided so as to rest at least partly freely on the wrapping roller.
16. Apparatus according to Claim 15, characterized in that it has a wrapping roller (1), around which a transport belt (11.1/12.1) is deflected, which transport belt forms, on the delivery side, one of a delivery pair (11.1/11.2) of transport belts and, on the discharge side, one of a discharge pair (12.1/12.2) of transport belts, and in that, on that side of the wrapping roller which lies opposite the delivery and discharge sides, there is arranged a pair of transport belts (20/30) which are essentially parallel to each other, can be pivoted to a limited extent about a pivot axis (S) arranged parallel to the axis of rotation of the wrapping roller and are driven in opposite, reversible directions of rotation.
17. Apparatus according to Claim 16, characterized in that the transport belts (11.1, 11.2, 12.1, 12.2, 20, 30) are pre-tensioned, and in that at least some of their deflection rollers (21, 22, 31, 32) are spring-mounted.
18. Apparatus according to either of Claims 16 and 17, characterized in that the wrapping roller (1), the transport belt (11.1/12.1) that is deflected around the wrapping roller, at least one of the deflection rollers (31) that belongs to the pair of pivoting belts and is oriented towards the wrapping roller, and at least one of the pivotable transport belts (30) comprise, in the axial direction, part-elements which are spaced apart from one another, and in that the wrapping roller (1) and the pair of pivoting belts (20/30) are arranged in such a way that these part-elements inter-engage when the pair of pivoting belts is pivoted.
19. Apparatus according to one of Claims 14 to 18, characterized in that it also has a folding or bending device with a folding blade (2, 2.1 to 2.5, 92).
20. Apparatus according to Claim 19, characterized in that it also has an aligning station (50), a monitoring station (60), a delivery device for wrapping material (U'), a cutting station (80) for cutting the wrapping material to length and at least one pressing device (100 and 120).

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