EP1575831B1 - System and method for packaging containers, particularly bottle containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for packaging containers (1), particularly bottle containers, comprising a tensioning device (2) for unfolding and tensioning a wrapping material, particularly a film tube (3) that can be supplied from a packaging means supply (4). The inventive system also comprises a conveying device (5) for the container (1). The tensioning device (2) can be moved in the direction of the conveying device (5) in order to place the wrapping material over one container (1) at a time. According to the invention, the design of the system is simplified by virtue of the fact that the tensioning device (2) can be displaced in a horizontal direction.

Description

The invention relates to a device or a method for packaging containers with the features of the preambles of claims 1 and 18.

A device and a method of this kind are known from FR-A-2329514 known.

When packaging containers from general cargo, such as bottles, a film sleeve is usually pushed over the container that surrounds and holds the piece goods. In addition, it is also known to wrap containers for packaging with a film web. To secure the packaging, a so-called shrink film is often used, which shrinks under the influence of heat around the container and thus tightly surrounds it. Instead of the shrink film and a so-called stretch film can be used, which is slightly stretched before packing and contracts during packing around the container. The use of a film combining the aforementioned properties, i. which is both stretchable and shrinkable is also possible.

When using a film sleeve for packaging a container, this is first opened by means of a clamping device, clamped and possibly stretched. The stretched film sleeve is then placed over the container, wherein the film sleeve is removed from the clamping device and transferred to the container.

The problem with the use of a film sleeve for packaging of containers is in principle to transfer the stretched film sleeve of the clamping device on the container and thereby packaging the package visually appealing and at the same time firmly, without affecting the film sleeve or the container.

The DE-OS 26 04 729 provides for this purpose a packaging device with a tensioning device, which is moved in a vertical direction from above onto a container which is brought on a conveyor belt under the tensioning device. This tensioning device comprises two feed units arranged below in the vertical direction, which each transport a film tube or a sleeve cut from the film tube downwards in the direction of the conveyor belt. The two feed units have down in the direction of the conveyor belt extending circulating belts, which are arranged symmetrically and are inclined relative to the axis of symmetry sections obliquely outwards.

In operation, a film tube from a packaging supply of the first of the two feed units is fed, which further transports the film tube and thereby unfolded by the outwardly inclined circulating belt. The unfolded film tube is then transferred to the downstream second feed unit.

Between the first and the second feed unit, a cutting mechanism is provided which cuts off the film tube sleeves, which are transported by the second feed unit further down in the direction of the conveyor belt and further unfolded by their likewise outwardly inclined circulating belt.

For slipping over the individual film sleeves via a container located on the conveyor belt, the second feed unit is movable in the direction of the conveyor belt.

For this purpose, pulleys are provided in the lower part of the circulation belt of the second feed unit, which are mounted on a frame. This frame and thus also attached pulleys are vertically displaceable in the direction of the conveyor belt. In this way, the lower portion of the circulating belts of the second feed unit can be moved in the direction of the conveyor belt.

A stretched by the circulating belts in this lower, vertically displaceable region film sleeve is taken in a downward movement of the frame and slipped over a container located under the second feed unit from above.

To transfer the film sleeve from the circulating belts to the container, the frame, and thus the lower portion of the circulating belts, are moved upwards, with the circulating belts simultaneously revolving downwards. This combined movement of the circulating belts causes the film sleeve to be stripped from the lower portion of the circulating belts onto the container without altering the position relative to the container. at This known device, therefore, the film sleeve is slipped from above in the vertical direction on the container.

The required for the vertical movement of the clamping device sliding frame with the attached pulleys makes the construction of the feed unit of this known device consuming. In addition, when slipping over and especially when releasing the film sleeve strip the lower pulleys on the outside in the container arranged bottles that scratch it.

Another device for packaging of containers is from the EP 0 461 461 A1 known.

This device comprises a multi-part clamping frame, the parts of which can be moved towards and away from each other, whereby the scope of the clamping frame is changed. With the help of a tensioning frame upstream cutting a sleeve is cut from a film tube. This sleeve is pulled by means of grippers on the underside of the multi-part clamping frame. The clamping frame is then pulled together with the stretched film sleeve over the container from above, wherein the film sleeve is removed from the clamping frame and lays tightly around the container.

This solution is complicated due to the multi-part clamping frame. Furthermore, the mounting of the film sleeve on the clamping frame by means of the gripper and the transfer of the film sleeve from the clamping frame on the container is problematic.

Besides the elaborate construction is another disadvantage of the DE-OS 26 04 729 and EP 0 461 461 A1 known devices the need for a shrink tunnel. Through this shrink tunnel, the containers surrounded by the film sleeve must be performed in order to shrink the sleeve on the container and to achieve a solid package.

The use of a shrink tunnel increases both the manufacturing costs and the operating costs.

Another serious disadvantage of these known devices is that the achievement of a smooth cut when separating the film sleeve from the film tube is problematic or only possible by a cumbersome construction.

So is in the DE-OS 26 04 729 a cutting device between the two vertically arranged downstream feed units provided. Between these feed units of the film tube is stretched, so that at this point when cutting using the cutter a smooth cut can be generated.

Due to the two feed units required for this solution is very cumbersome. In addition, the transport speeds of the two units must be coordinated with each other to achieve the desired tension of the film tube between the two feed units, without tearing the hose thereby.

When in the EP 0 461 461 A1 described device is the cutting between clamping frame and Packaging supply arranged. The film tube, while the cut is placed, not under tension, since a part of the film tube along the clamping frame in the feed direction is gathered. There is a risk that the film tube twists during cutting, so that an uneven cutting edge is generated.

Out US 4,419,854 is known a vacuum packaging machine for individual items. An object supplied by a roller conveyor is lifted off the conveyor by means of a fork-shaped lifting device and then an opened film tube is pulled laterally over the object. After separating a tube section of the coated object is placed back on the conveyor, the fork of the lifting device laterally pulled out of the opening of the tube section and subsequently transferred the object in a vacuum chamber. Because of the fork-shaped lifting device, objects that are at risk of tilting, such as bottles or the like, can not be processed with the known machine, in particular from a group of articles.

Another film tube packaging machine is out US 3,354,602 known. A group of bottles is inserted by means of a slider through the opening of an opened film tube in this, the film tube is supported on the bottom and the vertical side surfaces by plates from the outside. After the separation of a tube section, the protruding tube sections are folded in, so that, viewed as a whole, a packet-like packaging is produced. Disadvantageously much foil material is needed because of the necessarily very long projecting hose ends. Due to the folding of the tube ends of the packaging process is complicated and time consuming.

FR 2 329 514 A discloses only in schematic form a device for tensioning a hose section, which is pushed horizontally across a container transverse to a container conveyor track.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a device and a method that allow safe and secure packaging of containers in a simple and reliable manner.

This object is achieved by a device according to claim 1 and by a method according to claim 18.

According to the invention, the clamping device of the device according to claim 1 is movable in the horizontal direction. This makes it possible to laterally put the packaging material, in particular the film tube, on the container.

This has the advantage that no longer the entire film sleeve must be shrunk in a shrink tunnel to ensure a secure fit of the packaging material. Rather, the lateral slipping of the packaging material over the container on both sides of the container in each case a relatively small Film eye that can be locally shrunk to achieve the required hold of the package. This eliminates the previously required shrink tunnel, which can be replaced by local heat sources that radiate on the film eyes.

Since the shrink tunnel is superfluous with the aid of the invention, the production costs and the energy costs during operation of the device according to the invention or when using the method according to the invention decrease. In addition, the length of the device shortens.

Due to the horizontal movability of the tensioning device, the conveyor for the containers, the tensioning device and the packaging material supply can essentially be arranged in one plane, i. horizontally arranged, which simplifies the construction of the device.

Furthermore, the horizontal mobility of the clamping device and thereby made possible lateral slipping of the packaging material simplifies the removal of the packaging material from the clamping device and the transfer to the container. By the lateral slipping the packaging material, especially when packaging bottle bundles along the bottle bottoms and bottle heads out.

Since the bottle bottoms and bottle heads offer greater resistance than the smooth side walls and therefore better hold the film sleeve when removing from the clamping device, thereby the removal of the film sleeve is facilitated by the clamping device.

By arranging the cutting device between the conveyor and the clamping device or by cutting after slipping the film tube over the container is advantageously achieved that the film tube is held on one side of the container and on the other side of the clamping device. The located between the container and the clamping device portion of the film tube can thus be stretched by a corresponding movement of the clamping device and then cut. This ensures in a very simple way that in any case a smooth and uniform cut can be placed.

By the measure, to cut the film tube only after slipping or provide the cutting device between the conveyor and the clamping device, the film tube can be stretched without additional components. As a result, the construction of the device according to the invention is simplified.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the packaging means supply is horizontally and synchronously movable with the clamping device. This ensures that the packaging material supply of the horizontal movement of the clamping device is tracked, which improves a uniform supply of packaging material between packaging supply and clamping device. This can be realized in a simple manner in that the packaging material supply and the tensioning device are mounted on a horizontally displaceable carriage.

The conveyor comprises a holding device, which is provided in a region of the conveyor, which cooperates with the clamping device. The holding device prevents the container from being displaced laterally with packing material.

The holding device comprises movement means, between which the tensioning device is movable in such a way that the packing material comes into contact with the movement means, the movement means assisting a forward movement of the packing material between the movement means. The advantage of this embodiment is that the packaging material between the clamping device and the movement means is securely guided. Characterized in that the forward movement of the packing material is supported by the movement means, the packing material can be easily slipped over the container. In a preferred manner, the movement means counteract a backward movement of the packaging material, ie a movement opposite to the forward movement, so that the tensioning device can be withdrawn more easily without taking along the film tube pulled over the container.

The moving means may comprise two parallel opposed circulating belts each circulating in a direction corresponding to the forward movement of the packing material. The circulation belts may have a backstop which prevents movement of the circulation belts corresponding to the backward movement of the packaging material. With the help of the circulation belt, the means of movement can be realized in a simple manner.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the holding device comprises a push-on plate, which supports a packaged or a packaged container, wherein the push-on plate is horizontally and synchronously movable with the clamping device. By the Überubplatte the Horizontal movement of the clamping device is tracked, the container is supported throughout the supernatant or stripping process evenly by the override and the clamping device.

The holding device further comprises, in a preferred embodiment, two opposed and counter-rotating clamping bars, which clamp the packing material placed over the container. By clamping the packaging material, the packing material is advantageously held during the return stroke of the clamping device in the region of the container, so that a removal of the packaging material is avoided by the container.

The holding device may comprise a stop which, counter to the forward stroke movement of the clamping device, supports a container resting thereon. Advantageously, thereby, the container during the Vorhubbewegung the clamping device, so when slipping the container with packing material held in position. The stop may be axially movable to perform a return stroke movement when the clamping bars fix the container.

The conveyor may preferably have at least one driver frame, which transports a packaged container from the holding device. In this way, the holding device is cleared for a new, packaged container.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamping device comprises a mandrel with at least three fingers, wherein the two lower fingers span a substantially horizontal plane. The mandrel advantageously provides a simple way to clamp the film tube in a suitable manner, then to push it over the container. The mandrel can be adapted to different container formats. Advantageously, a mandrel with 6 fingers is particularly suitable for the packaging of containers made of PET bottles.

The upper fingers of the mandrel may have inwardly inclined end portions on the side facing the package supply, thereby facilitating deployment of the dunnage.

Preferably, at least two local heat sources are provided, by means of which the film eyes resulting from packaging can be shrunk. This allows an energy-saving operation of the device.

Fig. 1

einen Querschnitt durch eine Vorrichtung gemäß eines Ausführungsbeispiels der Erfindung, wobei die Spanneinrichtung sich in der Ausgangsstellung A befindet;

Fig. 2

die Vorrichtung nach Fig. 1, wobei sich die Spanneinrichtung in der Arbeitsstellung B befindet;

Fig. 3

die Vorrichtung nach Fig. 1, wobei die Klemmbalken das Gebinde fixieren;

Fig. 4

die Vorrichtung nach Fig. 1, wobei sich die Spanneinrichtung wieder in der Ausgangsstellung A befindet und der Folienschlauch über das Gebinde gestülpt ist;

Fig. 5

die Vorrichtung nach Fig. 1, wobei die Schneideinrichtung in Schneidstellung ist;

Fig. 6

die Vorrichtung nach Fig. 1, wobei die Verpackung des Gebindes abgeschlossen ist;

Fig. 7

eine Draufsicht auf die Vorrichtung nach Fig. 1,

Figuren 8A bis 8D

vier Schritte des Verfahrens gemäß eines Ausführungsbeispiels der Erfindung und

Fig. 9

die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 entgegen der Vorschubrichtung der Spanneinrichtung gesehen.

The invention is explained below with reference to schematic drawings, for example, and with further details. Showing:

Fig. 1

a cross-section through a device according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the clamping device is in the starting position A;

Fig. 2

the device after Fig. 1 , wherein the clamping device is in the working position B;

Fig. 3

the device after Fig. 1 , wherein the clamping bars fix the container;

Fig. 4

the device after Fig. 1 , wherein the clamping device is again in the starting position A and the film tube is slipped over the container;

Fig. 5

the device after Fig. 1 wherein the cutting device is in the cutting position;

Fig. 6

the device after Fig. 1 wherein the packaging of the container is completed;

Fig. 7

a plan view of the device according to Fig. 1 .

FIGS. 8A to 8D

four steps of the method according to an embodiment of the invention and

Fig. 9

the device according to Fig. 2 seen against the feed direction of the clamping device.

In Fig. 1 a device according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in cross-section and in a schematic way. This device is particularly suitable for packaging bottle packs. Of course, with the help of this device, other general cargo can be packed into containers. The packaging material used is a stretchable and / or shrinkable film tube.

The device comprises a clamping device 2, a packaging material supply 4 and a conveyor 5, wherein the clamping device 2 and the packaging material supply 4 are substantially perpendicular to the conveyor 5.

This basic structure is particularly good in Fig. 7 to recognize.

By means of this device, the packaging material, here a film tube 3, via the packaging supply 4 of the tensioning device 2 is supplied, which unfolds the film tube 3 and tensioned. The unfolded film tube 3 is moved in the horizontal direction by means of the tensioning device 2, so that the film tube 3 spanned by the tensioning device 2 is slipped laterally over a container 1 located on the conveyor 5.

The packaging material supply 4 has two pinch rollers 41, 42. On the circumference of a pinch roller 41, two guide rollers 43 and 44 are arranged. Likewise, two guide rollers 45 and 46 are also arranged on the circumference of the other pinch roller 42. As in Fig. 1 1, the guide rollers 43, 44, 45, 46 are arranged symmetrically, wherein in each case the guide rollers 43, 44 and 45, 46 assigned to a clamping roller 41, 42 are arranged on an axis which runs transversely to the feed direction C. The mutually associated guide rollers 43, 44 and 45, 46 are each provided on the immediately opposite peripheral halves of the pinch rollers 41, 42.

Both pinch rollers 41, 42 have a backstop. The still folded film tube 3 is unfolded at the edge 47 of the packaging material supply 4 and guided in each case between the pinch rollers 41, 42 and the associated guide rollers 43, 44 and 45, 46 in the feed direction C.

Following the packaging supply 4, as in Fig. 1 shown, the clamping device 2 is provided, which comprises a mandrel 21. The mandrel 21 has in the in Fig. 1 shown embodiment 6 fingers 22, 23, 24, which in particular in the Figures 8A and 8B is shown. The lower fingers 22, 23 span a substantially horizontal plane, as in FIG Fig. 8A shown. The upper fingers 24 of the mandrel 21 have on the side facing the packaging material supply 4 side inwardly inclined end portions 25, which favor unfolding of the film tube 3.

Of course, the mandrel 21 may also have a different number of fingers, which essentially depends on the format of the pack to be packaged.

The clamping device 2 with the mandrel 21 is movable in the horizontal direction. In the present embodiment, the packaging material supply 4 is also horizontally movable and is tracked to the horizontally movable clamping device 2. This is achieved in that the clamping device 2 and the packaging material supply 4 are mounted on a common carriage, which is horizontally displaceable. This ensures that the same distance is always maintained between the clamping device and the packaging medium supply 4, so that the film tube 3 of the clamping device 2 can be uniformly supplied.

The packaging material supply 4, the clamping device 2 can also be tracked separately, which requires control of the respective movements of the clamping device 2 and the packaging material supply 4.

The conveyor 5 comprises a bottle feed 9, which is three rows in the present example. Of course, bottle feeders with more or fewer rows can be selected. The bottle feeder 9 has controlled stops 10, which are arranged upstream of the holding device 51 and are used for grouping of bundles of bottles. In Fig. 7 is shown following the controlled stops 10 a pending for packaging cylinder bundle 1, which consists of six bottles. A different number of bottles per container is possible, depending on the size of the bottle.

The conveyor 5 further comprises a holding device 51, which is provided opposite to the clamping device 2, as in Fig. 7 shown. The structure of this holding device 51 is in particular in Fig. 1 represented with a bottle container 1 therein.

As in Fig. 1 can be seen, the holding device 51 comprises moving means 52 which have in the present embodiment circulating belts 53, 54. These circulation belts 53, 54 are arranged parallel and opposite each other. The distance between the circulating belts 53, 54 depends on the dimensions of the mandrel 21 and thus essentially on the height of the pack 1 to be packaged. The distance between the circulating belts 53, 54 is selected so that the mandrel 21 with a stretched-on film tube 3 between the parallel circulating belts 53, 54 can be moved, wherein the film tube 3 comes into contact with both circulating belts 53, 54. In order to support the Vorhubbewegung of the mandrel 21 and thus of this spanned film tube 3, the circulation belts 53, 54 rotate in the direction the Vorhubbewegung C. A backstop 55 prevents rotation in the direction of the return stroke D.

Alternatively, other means of movement, such as rollers or rollers, may be used.

As in further Fig. 1 shown, the holding device 51 on two clamping bars 57, 58, which are parallel to each other and work in opposite directions. The clamping bars 57, 58 may be hydraulically, pneumatically or mechanically driven. By a feed movement, the two clamping bars 57, 58 are moved toward each other to clamp a slipped over the container 1 film tube 3. To release the two clamping bars 57, 58 are moved away from each other.

The holding device 51 further comprises a stop 59 which can be moved in the axial direction, ie in the feed direction C or in the return stroke direction D. As in Fig. 7 shown, the stop 59 comprises an elongated beam which can be moved hydraulically, pneumatically or mechanically.

A Überubplatte 56 of the holding device 51 is, as in Fig. 1 shown, provided to support a packaged or a packaged container 1. This override plate 56 can be moved horizontally and synchronously with the clamping device 2.

A driver frame 511 of the conveyor 5 adjoins the holding device 51 in the conveying direction, by means of which a packaged container 1 is transported away from the holding device 51 and further possible Processing stations is supplied. This can be, for example, two local heat sources 7, 8, which shrink during the packaging resulting film eyes.

Between the holding device 51 and the clamping device 2 is, as in Fig. 1 shown, a cutting device 6 provided with foil blades (see Fig. 9 ). These four frame-like rotated by 90 ° to each other arranged foil knife 60 can be delivered radially and thereby move into the path of the film tube 3 between the holding device 51 and clamping device. 2

The following is the mode of action of in Fig. 1 illustrated device explained.

In the FIGS. 1 and 7 is the mandrel 21 in the initial exhibition A. Here, the supplied from the packaging supply 4 and unfolded film tube 3 via the fingers 22, 23, 24 of the mandrel 21 is stretched. This is also in Fig. 8A which shows a front view of the mandrel 21. While the tensioning device 2 is in the starting position A, the holding device 51 is equipped with a container 1, as in the FIGS. 1 and 7 shown.

At the in Fig. 2 shown operating position of the carriage has performed with the mandrel 21 and the packaging supply 4 a Vorhubbewegung in the direction of arrow C. This Vorhubbewegung runs, as in Fig. 2 to recognize, in a horizontal direction. As a result, the mandrel 21 is placed above the container 1 together with the film tube 3 stretched by the fingers 22, 23, 24. This is also in Fig. 8B to see.

While the carriage with the mandrel 21 and the packaging material supply 4 performs the horizontal forward movement, the mandrel 21 between the circulating belts 53, 54 is moved. The film tube 3 stretched on the fingers 22, 23, 24 comes into contact with the surfaces of the circulating belts 53, 54. The circulating belts 53, 54 run in the feed direction C and thereby support the movement of the film tube 3 between the circulating belts 53, 54 and thus on the container 1.

Further, the container 1 is during the Vorhubbewegung of the carriage on the stop 59, so that the container 1 of the Vorhubbewegung the mandrel 21 can not escape. Synchronously with the Vorhubbewegung of the mandrel 21, the Überubplatte 56 is retracted horizontally, so that the Überubplatte 56 is gradually replaced by the subsequent fingers 22, 23 until the container 1 is completely supported by the fingers 22, 23. In this way, the container 1 remains uniformly supported during the entire Vorhubbewegung of the mandrel 21.

In a further step, as in Fig. 3 shown, the container 1 fixed by the clamping bar 57, 58 are delivered. In this case, a slight pressure on the bottles and between the circulating belts 53, 54 and the fingers 22, 23, 24 of the mandrel 21 located film tube 3 is exercised. As in Fig. 3 to recognize the stop 59 is withdrawn and thus gives the container 1 free.

Then, as in Fig. 4 shown, the carriage together with the mandrel 21 and the packaging supply 4 in Arrow direction D withdrawn. This return stroke also takes place in the horizontal direction.

At the same time the transfer plate 56 is tracked to the return stroke of the mandrel 21, so that the container 1 is again supported by the Überubplatte 56.

Since the film tube 3 is prevented in the region of the container 1 both by the return belt 55 provided with circulating belts 53, 54 and by the delivered clamping bar 57, 58 on a backward movement in the direction of arrow D, the film tube 3 is withdrawn from the backward moving mandrel 21 and thus brought from the mandrel 21 on the container 1. The film tube 3 is thus placed over the container 1 and surrounds this already partially. It forms, as in Fig. 8C shown on one side of the container 1, in Fig. 3 and 4 the left side a foil eye. The formation of this film eye is not hindered by the stop 59, since this, as in Fig. 3 and in Fig. 4 shown, withdrawn and the container 1 releases.

The slipped over the container 1 film tube 3 still remains connected to the spanned by the mandrel 21 portion of the film tube 3.

Together with the return stroke movement of the mandrel 21 and the packaging material supply 4 further packing material, ie further film tube 3, the mandrel 21 is supplied. In this case, the mandrel 21 in the interior of the film tube 3 performs the horizontal return stroke in the direction of arrow D, while the free end of the film tube 3, which is placed over the container 1, is held by this. In an easy way the mandrel 21 is thus further film tube 3 supplied.

As in Fig. 5 As a result of the delivery of the foil knives, the portion of the film tube 3 surrounding the container 1 is separated from the section of the film tube 3 located on the mandrel 21. This forms another film eye, in Fig. 5 on the right side of the container 1, which is the in Fig. 8C corresponds to the film eye shown. In order to ensure the formation of further Folienauges, the foil knife of the cutting device 6 are arranged closer to the mandrel 21 than the container 1.

After cutting the film tube is the mandrel 21, as in Fig. 6 shown, automatically covered with the film tube 3 and is ready for the packaging of another container. The packaged container 1 is then pushed out of the holding device 51, wherein the stop 59 performs a Vorhubbewegung and serves as a guide when pushing out of the container 1. The packaged container 1 is conveyed by means of the driver frame 511 between two local heat sources 7, 8, which irradiate the structure 1 laterally in the region of the film eyes, so that the film eyes shrink.

The essential simplification or the waiver of the shrink tunnel is achieved in particular by the fact that the clamping device is movable in the horizontal direction, or that the film tube is slipped over the container substantially in the horizontal direction. By the horizontal direction of movement of the film tube is placed laterally over the container, so that on both sides of the container and not on the top and bottom of the container foil eyes arise. These film eyes can be shrunk in a simple manner waiving the shrink tunnel using local heat sources.

As an alternative to the horizontal direction of movement when slipping the film tube, a simplification of the device or of the method is achieved in that the device 6, the cutting device is provided between the clamping device 2 and the conveyor 5, or that in the process of between the container 1 of Clamping device 2 located film tube 3 is cut after slipping over. By this special arrangement of the cutting device or by the time of cutting after slipping over is advantageously achieved that the film tube is held on one side of the container 1 and on the other side of the clamping device 2 and are tensioned by a movement of the clamping device 2 can.

In contrast, in the prior art, the film tube is cut in advance and the cut sleeve slipped over the container. Due to the late cutting or by the arrangement of the cutting device 6 between the conveyor 5 and the clamping device 2, the film tube 3 can be stretched in a simple manner with the aid of already existing means, so that a smooth cut can be placed. Furthermore, a next section of the film tube 3 is automatically pulled onto the mandrel 21 and is ready for further packaging.

This cutting the film tube 3 concerning alternative is not due to a horizontal movement of the Mandrel 21 limited. Rather, the alternative solution can be carried out even with a vertical movement of the mandrel 21, ie, when the film tube 3 is slipped over the container 1 from above.

Claims (20)

1. A system for packaging containers (1), particularly bottle containers, with

   - a clamping device (2) for folding up and clamping a film hose (3) which can be fed from a packaging means supply (4), and

   - a conveyor device (5) for the containers (1),

   wherein the clamping device (2) is horizontally movable in the direction of the conveyor device (5) for placing the film hose on a container (1),
   characterised in that the conveyor device (5) comprises a retaining device (51) which is provided in a region of the conveyor device (5) which interacts with the clamping device (2), and in that the retaining device (51) comprises means of movement (52) between which the clamping device (2) is movable in such a manner that the film hose comes into contact with the means of movement (52), wherein the means of movement (52) support a forward movement of the film hose between the means of movement (52).
2. The system according to Claim 1, characterised in that the packaging means supply (4) is horizontally and synchronously movable with the clamping device (2).
3. The system according to Claim 2, characterised in that the packaging means supply (4) and the clamping device (2) are installed on a horizontally displaceable slide.
4. The system according to at least one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the means of movement (52) counteract a backward movement of the film hose.
5. The system according to Claim 1 or 4, characterised in that the means of movement (52) comprise two parallel opposing rotating belts (53, 54), each of which rotates in a direction which corresponds to the forward movement of the film hose.
6. The system according to Claim 5, characterised in that the rotating belts (53, 54) have a return lock (55) which prevents a movement of the rotating belts (53, 54) corresponding to the backward movement of the film hose.
7. The system according to at least one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the retaining device (51) comprises a push-over plate (56) which supports a packed container (1) or container to be packaged, wherein the push-over plate (56) is horizontally and synchronously movable with the clamping device (2).
8. The system according to at least one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the retaining device (51) has two opposing clamping beams (57, 58) moving in opposite directions, which beams clamp the film hose placed over the container (1).
9. The system according to at least one of Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the retaining device (51) comprises a stop (59) which supports a container (1) bearing against the stop (59) against the forward lifting movement of the clamping device (2).
10. The system according to Claim 9, characterised in that the stop (59) is axially movable.
11. The system according to at least one of Claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the conveyor device (5) has at least one carrier frame (511) which conveys a packaged container (1) from the retaining device (51).
12. The system according to at least one of Claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the clamping device (2) comprises a clamping mandrel (21) with at lest three fingers (22, 23) clamp an essentially horizontal plane.
13. The system according to Claim 12, characterised in that the clamping mandrel comprises give fingers.
14. The system according to Claim 14 or 15, characterised in that the upper fingers (24) of the clamping mandrel (21) have inwardly inclined end sections (25) on the side pointing towards the packaging means supply (4), which sections promote the upward folding of the film hose.
15. The system according to at least one of Claims 1 to 16, characterised in that at least two local heat sources (7, 8) are provided for shrinking the film eyes formed during packaging.
16. The system according to at least one of Claims 1 to 15, characterised by

    - a cutting device (6) for cutting the film hose into sections, which device is provided between the clamping device (2) and the conveying device (5).
17. The system according to Claim 16, characterised in that the clamping device (2) is horizontally movable from an initial position (A) into a working position (B) in which the clamping device (2) interacts with the conveying device (5), wherein the cutting device (6) can be actuated when the clamping device (2) is in the initial position (A).
18. A method for packaging containers, particularly bottle containers with the steps:

    - upward folding and clamping of a film hose (3), and

    - placing the film hose essentially in the horizontal direction on a container (1) by means of a clamping device (2),

    characterised in that means of movement (52) of a retaining device (51) that can be brought into contact with a folded up film hose are provided in a region of a conveyor device (5) for the containers for supporting the forward movement of the film hose over a container and securing on it.
19. The method according to Claim 18, characterised in that the film hose (3) located between the container (1) and the clamping device (2) is cut after being placed on the container.
20. The method according to Claim 19, characterised in that the film hose located between the container (1) and the clamping device (2) is clamped by a movement of the clamping device (2) before cutting.

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