EP2562091B1 - Method for strapping containers, bulk goods and/or items and packaging machine with application head for applying a strap - Google Patents

Method for strapping containers, bulk goods and/or items and packaging machine with application head for applying a strap Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2562091B1
EP2562091B1 EP20120171486 EP12171486A EP2562091B1 EP 2562091 B1 EP2562091 B1 EP 2562091B1 EP 20120171486 EP20120171486 EP 20120171486 EP 12171486 A EP12171486 A EP 12171486A EP 2562091 B1 EP2562091 B1 EP 2562091B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
band
strapping
temperature
application head
supply
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP20120171486
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2562091A1 (en
Inventor
Bruno Schmidt
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Krones AG
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Krones AG
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B27/00—Bundling particular articles presenting special problems using string, wire, or narrow tape or band; Baling fibrous material, e.g. peat, not otherwise provided for
    • B65B27/04—Bundling groups of cans or bottles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B13/00—Bundling articles
    • B65B13/02—Applying and securing binding material around articles or groups of articles, e.g. using strings, wires, strips, bands or tapes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B13/00—Bundling articles
    • B65B13/18—Details of, or auxiliary devices used in, bundling machines or bundling tools
    • B65B13/24—Securing ends of binding material
    • B65B13/32—Securing ends of binding material by welding, soldering, or heat-sealing; by applying adhesive
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/14—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for incorporating, or forming and incorporating, handles or suspension means in packages

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for strapping containers, piece goods, articles or the like, in particular within a packaging machine, with the features of the independent method claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a packaging machine having the features of independent claim 7.
  • Strapping machines and packaging machines with application heads for applying strapping to containers, piece goods, articles or the like are known.
  • packaging machines or container strapping machines by strapping groups of containers by strapping so-called.
  • Umreifungsgebinde. Possibly. can be applied simultaneously with the strapping holding bands that can serve as a handle for the container.
  • plastic materials are usually used, in particular of thermoplastic material.
  • These plastic belts are preferably stored in roll form in a storage location or a magazine and supplied from this machine. Within the machine, these bands are fed to an application head, which then applies the bands to a group of containers.
  • the tapes During the feeding of the tapes from the storage location or the magazine to the application head, the tapes pass through hollow, flat-tube-shaped guides, at least in some areas.
  • the bands are guided in the region of the application head through guides or "injected" at high speed, in order to be applied subsequently in a conventional manner to the group of containers can.
  • the bands usually consist of plastic, in particular of thermoplastic material or have such plastic in substantial parts, these react to different ambient and / or storage temperatures in the way that the tapes adapt to these temperatures and thereby changing their physical Properties, in particular their deformability or bending stiffness takes place.
  • certain difficulties in the tape guide and / or the band deflection occur, which under unfavorable circumstances to disturbances in the Belt transport and thus possibly lead to a machine downtime.
  • the temperature level or the strip temperature is chosen so that the plastic straps or strapping have the best possible physical properties necessary for processing.
  • these physical properties such as the bending stiffness or flexural strength, must be selected so that the strapping bands or plastic straps can be conveyed as effectively as possible through guides.
  • these guides should have no open sections in which the strapping band may possibly come out of the guide if, for example, it is relatively resistant to bending due to temperature influences.
  • the document JP 8244710 A shows a strapping apparatus in which the temperature of the strapping band is adjusted.
  • a primary object of the present invention is to provide a method and a packaging machine for strapping containers, packaged goods and / or articles, which minimizes the susceptibility to interference in tape guide areas and / or in the region of application heads due to different temperatures of the strapping bands and thus different physical properties of the strapping.
  • the present invention proposes a method for strapping containers, piece goods, articles or the like - in particular within a packaging machine - with at least one, at least partially formed of (in particular thermoplastic) plastic, horizontally and / or vertically and / or diagonally around and / or over the bundles, piece goods or articles tensioned strapping, which is taken from a supply and partially tape management elements, as well as largely unguided and exposed section is supplied to the strapping on the container, piece goods and / or article applying application head , in front.
  • a strapping band in particular, a plastic band made of thermoplastic material or with thermoplastic components can be used.
  • a strapping, strapping and / or strapping is mentioned, it is basically also includes any type of carrying handle and handle materials, since these handles can be made of the same material as the strapping.
  • the optional attachable handles in a single Application step can be applied together with the strapping.
  • the term "strapping" or “strapping” used in the application is basically to be understood comprehensively and means all the same Variants of carrying handles that can be made of the same material.
  • the strapping and / or handle plastic strap is tempered and subjected to a temperature which is within a predetermined temperature range, whereby the physical properties of the strapping or plastic band, in particular the deformation behavior or its flexural rigidity and / or bending strength is determined and thus results in a largely constant deformation behavior and thus the susceptibility to interference in the tape guide area and in the application head is minimized due to different flexibilities of the strap.
  • the method according to the invention provides a temperature control - i. heating or cooling or conditioning of the strapping band before and / or during its processing by means of suitable means or tempering means for setting the strapping band to a predetermined, e.g. bring favorable or optimized temperature.
  • the strapping and / or handle bands are made of plastic, it may come at different ambient, storage and / or machine temperatures to different flexural strengths and different deformation behavior.
  • the belts can tilt or pile up in the guides, which can lead to a disruption in the belt transport and finally to a machine downtime. All of these disadvantages can be avoided by using the method according to the invention and in the packaging machine according to the invention in that the strapping straps are kept at a substantially constant temperature level until they are applied to the container formation.
  • thermoplastic resin tape has the property to become flexurally soft under elevated temperature, which can lead to the problems described.
  • a temperature control in turn means an adjustment of the temperatures to favorable areas, which may possibly require heating.
  • the strapping and / or handle grip band is handled and / or guided at least in the region of the application head with a temperature set within a defined range.
  • the band ie, the carrying handle and / or strapping band
  • the band can also be handled and / or guided in the area of the band guiding elements with a temperature set within a defined range, the temperature being kept substantially constant in the region of the application head and / or the band guiding elements becomes.
  • Particularly advantageous tape guide areas can be equipped even as a cooling or heating, so that the strapping can experience a sufficient tempering or cooling or heating by its flat support on the tape guide elements.
  • the strapping and / or handle belt may also be advantageous to temper the supply for the strapping and / or handle belt and / or to keep the temperature of the belt within the supply largely constant, which is to be ensured, for example, by means of a climatic chamber or the like. in which the tape supply can be located.
  • the strapping and / or handle belt can heat only slightly after its removal from the climatic chamber of the tape supply, so that its mechanical properties can be kept substantially constant.
  • the present invention also relates to a packaging machine with a device for strapping of packages, piece goods, articles o. The like.
  • a device for strapping of packages, piece goods, articles o. The like.
  • thermoplastic material horizontally and / or vertically and / or diagonally and / or over the Container, piece goods or article strapped strapping.
  • a strapping so it is basically a carry handle means meant that placed around an upper side of the container, the cargo and / or articles and optionally connected to the strapping and / or the outer sides of the container, cargo or article or there can be fixed.
  • the packaging machine comprises a supply for the strapping and / or handle tape, this subordinate tape guide elements and at least one of the tape guide elements downstream, the strapping and / or handle on the containers, cargo and / or article applying application head.
  • the packaging machine are associated with at least a portion in the region of the tape guide between the supply and including the at least one application head tempering the temperature of the strapping and / or handle belt, which means that at least in any area, starting from the stock up to the area the application head such Temper réelles wornen for setting and maintaining a favorable for the processing temperature of the strapping and / or handle belt can be provided.
  • temperature control devices in the application head in the tape guide elements and / or in the storage area (heating or cooling - air conditioning) can be arranged.
  • temperature control devices can optionally provide heating or cooling of the strapping band as required, so that, for example, generally air conditioning should be achievable.
  • Such tempering devices in the region of the application head can be particularly useful or important in connection with a machine start after a longer standstill, as this may have made the strapping warm, which may adversely affect its mechanical properties and in particular its bending behavior.
  • tempering elements in the application head can also be formed by spraying devices for applying a cooling fluid for short-term rapid cooling of the strapping band.
  • the stock for the strapping and / or handle grip band and / or the band guide elements thermally encapsulated and / or be arranged within a largely constant temperature climatic chamber, so that the band can not warm up at any point of processing inadmissible.
  • the packaging machine according to the invention can be prepared and provided in particular for carrying out a method according to one of the previously described embodiments.
  • the invention proposes that the strapping and / or handle grips are kept at a constant constant temperature at least in a storage location by means of suitable cooling technology or by means of cooling units. It can be provided to provide the magazine completely with an enclosure, which can then be equipped with suitable cooling units to ensure uniformly constant temperature within the magazine. Despite relatively short distances from the storage point to the machine or to the application head and fast delivery speeds, it may well be advantageous to place further suitable cooling units or coolants in the tape guides. Especially suitable for this purpose are guides which can simultaneously perform the task of guiding and additionally the task of belt cooling or belt heating. Such temperature-controllable guide elements can, for example, also be integrated in the application head and thus positively assist the welding of the bands, for example by a rapid cooling of the welds or by preheating the bands before the welding operation.
  • optionally temperature sensors can be assigned to the application head and / or the magazine and / or the strip supply, the temperature signals of which can be evaluated in a control and / or regulating unit for generating control signals for the temperature control devices.
  • a control and / or regulating unit for controlling the strip temperature at different points of the strapping device, which processes the signals of at least one temperature sensor, but typically several temperature sensors and generates control signals for the tempering devices.
  • the first Tempering device or the first cooling device of the application head be associated with a first temperature sensor that delivers a first temperature signal to the central control and / or regulating unit, from this signal and possibly from higher-level control specifications to maintain a desirable for optimum processing quality strip temperature a first Control signal for controlling the first temperature control device generated.
  • a second temperature sensor can be assigned to the second temperature control device or the second cooling device in the region of the belt guiding devices of the magazine, which supplies a second temperature signal to the central control and / or regulating unit, which can be used to maintain a signal from this signal as well as from higher-level control specifications for optimum processing quality, a second control signal for controlling the second tempering device or the second cooling device in the region of the magazine or the strip guide elements arranged there is generated.
  • different areas of the tape guide elements can each be equipped with separate second temperature sensors, which optionally provide separate temperature signals, whereby the different area each acted upon with separate control signals and thus can be tempered differently.
  • the third tempering device or the climatic chamber may be associated with the wound strapping a third temperature sensor in the region of the tape supply, which supplies a third temperature signal to the central control and / or regulating unit, from this signal and possibly from higher-level control specifications for compliance a desirable for optimum processing quality strip temperature can generate a third control signal for controlling the third temperature control device or the climate chamber in the region of the tape supply.
  • These mentioned sensors are basically optional and do not necessarily have to be present. Possibly.
  • FIG. 1 shows a variant of a part of a packaging machine 10, which comprises a strapping device 12 for strapping containers 14 with beverage containers 16, as exemplified in the perspective view of Fig. 2 is shown.
  • a strapping band 18 of flexible plastic, which is stretched horizontally around the containers 16.
  • the strapping band 18 has a connection point 20, on which the overlapping ends can, for example, be welded.
  • a carrying handle or strap 22 can be seen, which projects beyond the top of the container 14 and which is provided for carrying the container 14.
  • the carrying strap 22 may optionally be applied to the strap 18 and / or on the outer sides of the beverage container 16 and fixed.
  • the strapping 18 is typically made of plastic, in particular of thermoplastic material, with different environmental and / or processing temperatures each different mechanical Has properties and bending stiffness, as will be explained in more detail below.
  • the packaging machine comprises a horizontal conveyor 24 for conveying the grouped in a container formation tense and according to Fig. 2 provided fixed strapping 18.
  • the application heads 28 are each movable in the horizontal and vertical directions, so that they follow the steadily promoted Gebindegrupptechniken and at their largely steady promotion in the conveying direction 26 to apply the strapping 18 can.
  • the strapping bands are guided as endless belts 30 between a magazine 32 with tape guide elements 34 and the application heads 28 weigehand guidance and free-flying running.
  • the endless belts 30 are normally stored in larger rollers 36, which are assigned to the magazine 32 spatially and / or functionally, stored and unrolled as needed.
  • the temperature is continuously controlled between the rollers 36 and the application heads 28 and subjected to a temperature which is within a predetermined temperature range, resulting in a defined deformation behavior and the susceptibility to interference in the tape guide portions of the tape guide elements 34 of the magazine 32 and in the application heads 28 due to different flexibilities of the strapping bands 30 is minimized.
  • These temperature control devices assigned to the different functional elements of the strapping device 12 are generally designated by the reference numerals 29 (application heads), 33 (magazine) and 37 (supply or roll for the endless belt 30), but in the schematic representation of FIG Fig. 1 moreover, unspecified.
  • the strapping bands 30 are made of plastic, they react more or less strongly to temperature fluctuations and may have different flexural strengths, which can lead to different deformation behavior in each case.
  • the tapes 30 may become more pliable at higher ambient temperatures and thereby lose inherent stability and rigidity, which in turn causes problems in processing, particularly in passing the tapes 30 through the tape guides 34 of the magazine 32 and / or within the applicator heads 28 can arise.
  • the bands 30 can tilt or pile up in the guide elements 34 of the magazine 32 and / or in guide elements of the application heads 28, which can lead to a disturbance in the belt transport and finally to a machine standstill.
  • the temperature control devices 29, 33 and / or 37 are used.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates, the still endlessly guided and not yet applied to the transported in the horizontal direction 26 on the horizontal conveyor 24 14 strapping band 30 at least in the region of the application head 28 by means of this associated first temperature control device 29, for example.
  • first cooling device 40 tempered or cooled, whereby the band 30 can be handled and / or guided in the application head 28 for its easy handling with a set temperature within a defined range and / or.
  • the strapping band 30 can also be handled and / or guided in the region of the band guide elements 34 of the magazine 32 with a temperature set within a defined range.
  • 32 further tempering 33 and a second cooling device 42 may be arranged in the magazine, as shown in Fig. 3 is indicated schematically.
  • first and second cooling devices 40 and 42 the temperature in the region of the application head 28 and / or the tape guide elements 34 can be kept substantially constant.
  • even tape guide areas themselves can be equipped as cooling devices 40 and / or 42, so that the strap 30 can experience sufficient tempering or cooling by its flat support on the tape guide elements.
  • the third tempering device 37 which is, for example, due to its configuration as a climatic chamber 44 ensure that the tape supply 36 can be located.
  • the strap 30 after its removal from the climatic chamber 44 of the tape supply 36 can heat only slightly, so that its mechanical properties can be kept substantially constant.
  • Fig. 3 What in the Fig. 3 can not be seen, but may be provided in practice, is an enclosure or thermal encapsulation of the stock 36 and the tape guide elements 34 of the magazine 32 in a common air chamber 44 to the entire tape guide area except the freely guided sections 46 between the magazine 32 and the Thermal shield 28 application head and there to be able to set the temperature to a desired value.
  • the temperature control device 29 or the first cooling device 40 shown in the region of the application head 28 may be particularly useful or important in connection with a machine start after a longer standstill of the packaging machine 10, since during such a stoppage the strapping band 30 may have become warmer, which is disadvantageous can affect its mechanical properties and in particular its bending behavior. If appropriate, such tempering elements 29 in the application head 28 can also be formed by spraying devices for applying a cooling fluid for short-term rapid cooling of the strapping band 30.
  • the strapping bands 30 can be brought to a defined predetermined temperature or held at this temperature.
  • FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of a method according to the invention for strapping of packages 14, piece goods, articles o. The like.
  • a packaging machine 10 shown here with the strapping device 12, the stock 36, the magazine 32 and the application heads 28 for applying the endless supplied Umreifungsbandes 30 to the container 14 in the form of in Fig. 2 shown strapping 18 corresponds in its essential components of the already with reference to the Fig. 3 explained embodiment.
  • a control and / or regulating unit 50 for controlling the strip temperature at different locations of Strapping device 12 and at least one sensor 52, 54 may be provided, etc.
  • a control and / or regulating unit 50 for controlling the strip temperature at different locations of Strapping device 12 and at least one sensor 52, 54 may be provided, etc.
  • the first temperature control device 29 and the first cooling device 40 of the application head 28 is associated with a first temperature sensor 52, which provides a first temperature signal 54 to the central control and / or regulating unit 50 from this signal 54 and possibly from higher-level control specifications for compliance a desirable for optimum processing quality strip temperature generates a first control signal 56 for controlling the first temperature control device 29 and the first cooling device 40.
  • the second temperature control device 33 or the second cooling device 42 may be assigned a second temperature sensor 58 in the area of the belt guiding devices 34 of the magazine 32, which supplies a second temperature signal 60 to the central control and / or regulating unit 50, consisting of this signal 60 as well If necessary, a second control signal 62 for controlling the second temperature control device 33 or the second cooling device 42 in the region of the magazine 32 or the tape guide elements 34 arranged there is generated from higher-level control specifications to maintain a desirable for optimal processing quality strip temperature.
  • different portions of the tape guide members 34 may each be provided with separate second temperature sensors 58 which selectively provide separate temperature signals 60, whereby the separate portions may each be provided with separate control signals 62.
  • a third temperature sensor 64 which supplies a third temperature signal 66 to the central control and / or regulating unit 50, which supplies from this signal 66, can be assigned to the third tempering device 37 or the climatic chamber 44 in the area of the strip supply 36 with the wound strapping band 30 and optionally from higher-level control specifications to maintain a desirable for optimal processing quality strip temperature, a third control signal 68 for controlling the third temperature control device 37 and the climate chamber 44 in the region of the tape supply 36 can generate.
  • sensors 52, 58 and 64 are optional and are not necessarily all available. Possibly. it may be sufficient to provide only the first sensor 52 in the region of the application head 28, if, for example, there the temperature measurement for the processing of the strapping band 30 is considered to be the most important. It may also be sufficient to provide only the second sensor 58 in the region of the magazine 32, since there is a control and / or regulating intervention by means of the second control signals 62 as most effective. The same can, for example, apply to the climatic chamber 44 of the strip stock 36.
  • the sensor signals 54, 60 and 66 of the temperature sensors 52, 58 and 64 are each processed in the control and / or regulating unit 50 and used to act on the various temperature control devices 29, 33 and 37 with suitable temperature control signals 56, 62 and 68, since In this way, an optimal tempering of the strap 30 is made possible during its entire processing, especially since the relatively long free-running portion 46 between the magazine 32 and the application head 28 of a temperature is not accessible, so that at a high ambient temperature, a stronger cooling in the Magazine 32 may be useful to make during the short distances that are available in the application head 28 for temperature control, no excessive cooling or heating.
  • the terms “strapping 18”, “strapping band 18”, “strapping 30” and “strapping band 30” are each to be understood in a very comprehensive sense and likewise include the optional carrying handles 22 (FIG. see. Fig. 2 ). That is, if in the present context of a container maturation 18 or 30, a strapping 18 or 30, strapping material and / or a strapping 18 or 30 is mentioned, it is basically any type of carrying handle (eg 22 accordingly Fig. 2 ) and carrying handle materials, since these carrying handles 22 can basically be made of the same (in particular thermoplastic material) material as the strapping band 18 or 30. In addition, the optionally applicable carrying handles 22 can be applied in a single application step together with the strapping 18.
  • a carrying handle 22 on an already strapped cargo, container 14 or an already strapped article. Since, however, the same laws apply to the carrying handle material and its storage, conveying, feeding and processing with respect to the mentioned temperature problem as for the strapping band 18 or 30, the term "strapping" or “strapping band” used in the application is to be understood in a basically comprehensive manner and equally applies to all variants of carrying handles that can be made of the same material.

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Umreifung von Gebinden, Stückgütern, Artikeln o. dgl., insbesondere innerhalb einer Verpackungsmaschine, mit den Merkmalen des unabhängigen Verfahrensanspruchs 1. Weiterhin betrifft die Erfindung eine Verpackungsmaschine mit den Merkmalen des unabhängigen Anspruchs 7.The present invention relates to a method for strapping containers, piece goods, articles or the like, in particular within a packaging machine, with the features of the independent method claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a packaging machine having the features of independent claim 7.

Umreifungsmaschinen und Verpackungsmaschinen mit Applikationsköpfen zur Aufbringung von Umreifungen auf Gebinde, Stückgüter, Artikel o. dgl. sind bekannt. So erzeugen bspw. derartige Verpackungsmaschinen oder Gebindeumreifungsmaschinen durch Umreifen von Gruppen von Behältern mittels Umreifungsbändern sog. Umreifungsgebinde. Ggf. können gleichzeitig mit der Umreifung Haltebände appliziert werden, die als Tragegriff für die Gebinde dienen können. Als Umreifungsbänder und Haltegriffbänder werden in der Regel Kunststoffmaterialien eingesetzt, insbesondere aus thermoplastischem Kunststoff. Diese Kunststoffbänder werden bevorzugt in Rollenform in einer Bevorratungsstelle bzw. einem Magazin bevorratet und von dieser der Maschine zugeführt. Innerhalb der Maschine werden diese Bänder einem Applikationskopf zugeführt, welcher die Bänder dann auf eine Gruppe von Behältern appliziert. Während der Zuführung der Bänder von der Bevorratungsstelle oder dem Magazin zum Applikationskopf durchlaufen die Bänder zumindest in Teilbereichen hohle, flachrohrförmige Führungen. Zudem werden die Bänder im Bereich des Applikationskopfes durch Führungen hindurchgeführt oder mit hoher Geschwindigkeit "eingeschossen", um im Anschluss in an sich bekannter Weise auf die Gruppe von Behältern aufgebracht werden zu können.Strapping machines and packaging machines with application heads for applying strapping to containers, piece goods, articles or the like are known. To produce, for example, such packaging machines or container strapping machines by strapping groups of containers by strapping so-called. Umreifungsgebinde. Possibly. can be applied simultaneously with the strapping holding bands that can serve as a handle for the container. As strapping and grab straps plastic materials are usually used, in particular of thermoplastic material. These plastic belts are preferably stored in roll form in a storage location or a magazine and supplied from this machine. Within the machine, these bands are fed to an application head, which then applies the bands to a group of containers. During the feeding of the tapes from the storage location or the magazine to the application head, the tapes pass through hollow, flat-tube-shaped guides, at least in some areas. In addition, the bands are guided in the region of the application head through guides or "injected" at high speed, in order to be applied subsequently in a conventional manner to the group of containers can.

Da die Bänder in aller Regel aus Kunststoff, insbesondere aus thermoplastischem Kunststoff bestehen bzw. in wesentlichen Teilen solchen Kunststoff aufweisen, reagieren diese auf unterschiedliche Umgebungs- und/oder Lagerungstemperaturen in der Art, dass die Bänder sich diesen Temperaturen anpassen und dadurch eine Änderung ihrer physikalischen Eigenschaften, insbesondere ihrer Verformbarkeit bzw. Biegesteifigkeit stattfindet. Dabei können je nach Umgebungs- oder Lagertemperatur und die mit der Zeit entstehende Anpassung der Bandtemperatur an diese Umgebungs- oder Lagertemperaturen gewisse Schwierigkeiten bei der Bandführung und/oder der Bandumlenkung auftreten, was unter ungünstigen Umständen zu Störungen im Bandtransport und somit ggf. zu einem Maschinenstillstand führen kann. Um dieses Problem zu vermeiden, ist es daher notwendig, die Umreifungsbänder auf einem definierten Temperaturniveau zu halten. Dabei wird das Temperaturniveau bzw. die Bandtemperatur so gewählt, dass die Kunststoffbänder bzw. Umreifungsbänder die für die Verarbeitung notwendigen bestmöglichen physikalischen Eigenschaften haben. Diese physikalischen Eigenschaften wie z.B. die Biegesteifigkeit bzw. Biegefestigkeit müssen dabei so gewählt sein, dass die Umreifungsbänder bzw. Kunststoffbänder sich bestmöglich durch Führungen fördern lassen. Im Bereich von Umlenkungen sollten diese Führungen keine offenen Abschnitte aufweisen, in denen das Umreifungsband ggf. aus der Führung geraten kann, wenn es bspw. aufgrund von Temperatureinflüssen relativ biegesteif ist.Since the bands usually consist of plastic, in particular of thermoplastic material or have such plastic in substantial parts, these react to different ambient and / or storage temperatures in the way that the tapes adapt to these temperatures and thereby changing their physical Properties, in particular their deformability or bending stiffness takes place. Depending on the ambient or storage temperature and the resulting over time adaptation of the strip temperature to these ambient or storage temperatures certain difficulties in the tape guide and / or the band deflection occur, which under unfavorable circumstances to disturbances in the Belt transport and thus possibly lead to a machine downtime. To avoid this problem, it is therefore necessary to keep the strapping at a defined temperature level. The temperature level or the strip temperature is chosen so that the plastic straps or strapping have the best possible physical properties necessary for processing. These physical properties, such as the bending stiffness or flexural strength, must be selected so that the strapping bands or plastic straps can be conveyed as effectively as possible through guides. In the area of deflections, these guides should have no open sections in which the strapping band may possibly come out of the guide if, for example, it is relatively resistant to bending due to temperature influences.

Das Dokument JP 8244710 A zeigt eine Umreifungsvorrichtung, bei der die Temperatur des Umreifungsbandes eingestellt wird.The document JP 8244710 A shows a strapping apparatus in which the temperature of the strapping band is adjusted.

Ein vorrangiges Ziel der vorliegenden Erfindung besteht darin, ein Verfahren sowie eine Verpackungsmaschine zur Umreifung von Gebinden, Stückgütern und/oder Artikeln zur Verfügung zu stellen, die eine minimierte Störungsanfälligkeit in Bandführungsbereichen und/oder im Bereich von Applikationsköpfen aufgrund unterschiedlicher Temperaturen der Umreifungsbänder und somit unterschiedlicher physikalischer Eigenschaften der Umreifungsbänder aufweist.A primary object of the present invention is to provide a method and a packaging machine for strapping containers, packaged goods and / or articles, which minimizes the susceptibility to interference in tape guide areas and / or in the region of application heads due to different temperatures of the strapping bands and thus different physical properties of the strapping.

Dieses Ziel der Erfindung wird mit den Gegenständen der unabhängigen Patentansprüche erreicht. Merkmale vorteilhafter Weiterbildungen der Erfindung ergeben sich aus den abhängigen Ansprüchen. So schlägt die vorliegende Erfindung zur Erreichung des genannten Ziels ein Verfahren zur Umreifung von Gebinden, Stückgütern, Artikeln o. dgl. - insbesondere innerhalb einer Verpackungsmaschine - mit jeweils wenigstens einem, zumindest teilweise aus (insbesondere thermoplastischem) Kunststoff gebildeten, horizontal und/oder vertikal und/oder diagonal um und/oder über die Gebinde, Stückgüter oder Artikel gespannten Umreifungsband, das einem Vorrat entnommen und teilweise über Bandführungselemente, sowie über weitgehend führungslose und freiliegend Abschnitt einem das Umreifungsband auf die Gebinde, Stückgüter und/oder Artikel aufbringenden Applikationskopf zugeführt wird, vor. Als Umreifungsband kann insbesondere ein Kunststoffband aus thermoplastischem Kunststoff oder mit thermoplastischen Kunststoffanteilen zum Einsatz kommen.This object of the invention is achieved with the subject matters of the independent claims. Features of advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims. Thus, in order to achieve the stated aim, the present invention proposes a method for strapping containers, piece goods, articles or the like - in particular within a packaging machine - with at least one, at least partially formed of (in particular thermoplastic) plastic, horizontally and / or vertically and / or diagonally around and / or over the bundles, piece goods or articles tensioned strapping, which is taken from a supply and partially tape management elements, as well as largely unguided and exposed section is supplied to the strapping on the container, piece goods and / or article applying application head , in front. As a strapping band, in particular, a plastic band made of thermoplastic material or with thermoplastic components can be used.

Wenn im vorliegenden Zusammenhang von einer Gebindeumreifung, einer Umreifung, von Umreifungsmaterial und/oder von einem Umreifungsband die Rede ist, so ist damit grundsätzlich auch jede Art von Tragegriff und Tragegriffmaterialien umfasst, da diese Tragegriffe aus demselben Material wie das Umreifungsband hergestellt sein können. Zudem können die optional aufbringbaren Tragegriffe in einem einzigen Applikationsschritt mitsamt der Umreifung aufgebracht werden. Wahlweise ist es auch möglich, sofern gewünscht, einen Tragegriff nachträglich auf ein bereits umreiftes Stückgut, Gebinde oder einen bereits umreiften Artikel aufzubringen. Da jedoch für das Tragegriffmaterial und dessen Bevorratung, Förderung, Zuführung und Verarbeitung hinsichtlich der erwähnten Temperaturproblematik dieselben Gesetzmäßigkeiten gelten wie für das Umreifungsband, ist der in der Anmeldung verwendete Begriff "Umreifung" oder "Umreifungsband" etc. grundsätzlich umfassend zu verstehen und meint gleichermaßen alle Varianten von Tragegriffen, die aus demselben Material gefertigt sein können.If in the present context of a container strapping, a strapping, strapping and / or strapping is mentioned, it is basically also includes any type of carrying handle and handle materials, since these handles can be made of the same material as the strapping. In addition, the optional attachable handles in a single Application step can be applied together with the strapping. Optionally, it is also possible, if desired, later apply a handle on an already strapped cargo, container or an already strapped article. However, since the same laws apply to the carrying handle material and its storage, conveying, feeding and processing with respect to the mentioned temperature problems as for the strapping, the term "strapping" or "strapping" used in the application is basically to be understood comprehensively and means all the same Variants of carrying handles that can be made of the same material.

Das Umreifungs- und/oder Tragegriffband aus Kunststoff wird temperiert und mit einer Temperatur beaufschlagt, die innerhalb eines vorgegebenen Temperaturbereiches liegt, wodurch die physikalischen Eigenschaften des Umreifungs- bzw. Kunststoffbandes, insbesondere des Verformungsverhalten bzw. seine Biegesteifigkeit und/oder Biegefestigkeit festgelegt wird und sich somit ein weitestgehend konstantes Verformungsverhalten ergibt und somit die Störungsanfälligkeit im Bandführungsbereich und im Applikationskopf aufgrund unterschiedlicher Flexibilitäten des Umreifungsbandes minimiert wird. Das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren sieht eine Temperierung - d.h. eine Erwärmung oder Abkühlung bzw. eine Klimatisierung - des Umreifungsbandes vor und/oder während seiner Verarbeitung mittels geeigneter Mittel bzw. Temperierungseinrichtungen vor, um das Umreifungsband auf eine zur Verarbeitung vorbestimmte, d.h. günstige bzw. optimierte Temperatur zu bringen.The strapping and / or handle plastic strap is tempered and subjected to a temperature which is within a predetermined temperature range, whereby the physical properties of the strapping or plastic band, in particular the deformation behavior or its flexural rigidity and / or bending strength is determined and thus results in a largely constant deformation behavior and thus the susceptibility to interference in the tape guide area and in the application head is minimized due to different flexibilities of the strap. The method according to the invention provides a temperature control - i. heating or cooling or conditioning of the strapping band before and / or during its processing by means of suitable means or tempering means for setting the strapping band to a predetermined, e.g. bring favorable or optimized temperature.

Da die Umreifungs- und/oder Tragegriffbänder aus Kunststoff bestehen, kann es bei unterschiedlichen Umgebungs-, Lagerungs- und/oder Maschinentemperaturen zu unterschiedlichen Biegefestigkeiten und unterschiedlichem Verformungsverhalten kommen. Damit geht der Nachteil einher, dass die Bänder bei hohen Umgebungstemperaturen zu biegeweich werden und dadurch an Eigenstabilität und Steifigkeit verlieren, woraus wiederum Probleme bei der Verarbeitung, insbesondere beim Hindurchführen der Bänder durch Führungen entstehen können. Die Bänder können sich unter Umständen in den Führungen verkanten oder aufstauen, was zu einer Störung im Bandtransport und schließlich zu einem Maschinenstillstand führen kann. Alle diese Nachteile können mit Hilfe des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens und bei der erfindungsgemäßen Verpackungsmaschine dadurch vermieden werden, dass die Bänder für die Umreifung auf einem weitgehend konstanten Temperaturniveau gehalten werden, bis sie auf die Gebindeformation aufgebracht sind.Since the strapping and / or handle bands are made of plastic, it may come at different ambient, storage and / or machine temperatures to different flexural strengths and different deformation behavior. This has the disadvantage that the bands become too flexible at high ambient temperatures and thereby lose their inherent stability and rigidity, which in turn can cause problems during processing, especially when passing the bands through guides. Under certain circumstances, the belts can tilt or pile up in the guides, which can lead to a disruption in the belt transport and finally to a machine downtime. All of these disadvantages can be avoided by using the method according to the invention and in the packaging machine according to the invention in that the strapping straps are kept at a substantially constant temperature level until they are applied to the container formation.

Wenn im vorliegenden Zusammenhang von einer Temperierung die Rede ist, so ist damit in aller Regel eine Kühlung gemeint, da das thermoplastische Kunststoffband die Eigenschaft aufweist, unter erhöhter Temperatur biegeweicher zu werden, was zu den beschriebenen Problemen führen kann. Allerdings kann es in manchen Maschinenumgebungen auch sinnvoll sein, die Umreifungsbänder zu heizen, bspw. bei einem Einsatz in sehr kalten Regionen, bei denen die Umeifungsbänder aufgrund der niedrigen Temperaturen zu steif für eine störungsfreie Verarbeitung sein können. In diesem Fall bedeutet eine Temperierung wiederum eine Einstellung der Temperaturen auf günstige Bereiche, was ggf. auch ein Heizen erforderlich machen kann.If in the present context of a tempering is mentioned, so it is usually meant a cooling, since the thermoplastic resin tape has the property to become flexurally soft under elevated temperature, which can lead to the problems described. However, in some machine environments, it may also be useful to heat the strapping bands, for example when used in very cold regions where the thru straps may be too stiff for trouble-free processing due to the low temperatures. In this case, a temperature control in turn means an adjustment of the temperatures to favorable areas, which may possibly require heating.

Gemäß einer Variante des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens wird das Umreifungs-und/oder Tragegriffband zumindest im Bereich des Applikationskopfes mit einer innerhalb eines definierten Bereiches eingestellten Temperatur gehandhabt und/oder geführt. Wahlweise kann das Band (d.h., das Tragegriff- und/oder Umreifungsband) auch im Bereich der Bandführungselemente mit einer innerhalb eines definierten Bereiches eingestellten Temperatur gehandhabt und/oder geführt werden, wobei die Temperatur im Bereich des Applikationskopfes und/oder der Bandführungselemente weitgehend konstant gehalten wird. Besonders vorteilhaft können Bandführungsbereiche selbst als Kühl- oder Heizeinrichtungen ausgestattet sein, so dass das Umreifungsband durch seine flächige Auflage an den Bandführungselementen eine ausreichende Temperierung bzw. Kühlung oder Erwärmung erfahren kann.According to a variant of the method according to the invention, the strapping and / or handle grip band is handled and / or guided at least in the region of the application head with a temperature set within a defined range. Optionally, the band (ie, the carrying handle and / or strapping band) can also be handled and / or guided in the area of the band guiding elements with a temperature set within a defined range, the temperature being kept substantially constant in the region of the application head and / or the band guiding elements becomes. Particularly advantageous tape guide areas can be equipped even as a cooling or heating, so that the strapping can experience a sufficient tempering or cooling or heating by its flat support on the tape guide elements.

Darüber hinaus kann es auch von Vorteil sein, den Vorrat für das Umreifungs-und/oder Tragegriffband zu temperieren und/oder die Temperatur des Bandes innerhalb des Vorrates weitgehend konstant zu halten, was bspw. mittels einer Klimakammer o. dgl. zu gewährleisten ist, in der sich der Bandvorrat befinden kann. Bei den üblichen schnellen Verarbeitungsgeschwindigkeiten und der hohen Bandgeschwindigkeiten im Bereich der Bandführungselemente und des Applikationskopfes kann sich das Umreifungs- und/oder Tragegriffband nach seiner Entnahme aus der Klimakammer des Bandvorrates nur unwesentlich erwärmen, so dass seine mechanischen Eigenschaften weitgehend konstant gehalten werden können.Moreover, it may also be advantageous to temper the supply for the strapping and / or handle belt and / or to keep the temperature of the belt within the supply largely constant, which is to be ensured, for example, by means of a climatic chamber or the like. in which the tape supply can be located. At the usual fast processing speeds and high tape speeds in the area of the tape guide elements and the application head, the strapping and / or handle belt can heat only slightly after its removal from the climatic chamber of the tape supply, so that its mechanical properties can be kept substantially constant.

Gemäß einer vorteilhaften Variante des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens kann vorgesehen sein, dass die Temperatur des Umreifungs- und/oder Tragegriffbandes im Applikationskopf und/oder im Bereich der Bandführungselemente und/oder im Vorrat unterhalb von ca. 30 °C und oberhalb 0 °C, insbesondere unterhalb 25 °C und oberhalb 10 °C, vorzugsweise unterhalb 22 °C und oberhalb 15 °C gehalten wird.According to an advantageous variant of the method according to the invention can be provided that the temperature of the strapping and / or handle grip in the application head and / or in the region of the tape guide elements and / or in the supply below about 30 ° C and above 0 ° C, especially below 25 ° C and above 10 ° C, preferably below 22 ° C and above 15 ° C is maintained.

Weiterhin betrifft die vorliegende Erfindung auch eine Verpackungsmaschine mit einer Vorrichtung zur Umreifung von Gebinden, Stückgütern, Artikeln o. dgl. mit jeweils wenigstens einem, zumindest teilweise aus thermoplastischem Kunststoff gebildeten, horizontal und/oder vertikal und/oder diagonal um und/oder über die Gebinde, Stückgüter oder Artikel gespannten Umreifungsband. Auch hier gilt das oben Gesagte; wenn von einem Umreifungsband gesprochen wird, so ist damit grundsätzlich auch ein Tragegriffband gemeint, das um eine Oberseite des Gebindes, der Stückgüter und/oder Artikel gelegt und wahlweise mit dem Umreifungsband und/oder den Außenseiten der Gebinde, Stückgüter oder Artikel verbunden bzw. dort fixiert sein kann.Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a packaging machine with a device for strapping of packages, piece goods, articles o. The like. With at least one, at least partially formed of thermoplastic material, horizontally and / or vertically and / or diagonally and / or over the Container, piece goods or article strapped strapping. Again, the above applies; When it is spoken of a strapping, so it is basically a carry handle means meant that placed around an upper side of the container, the cargo and / or articles and optionally connected to the strapping and / or the outer sides of the container, cargo or article or there can be fixed.

Die Verpackungsmaschine umfasst einen Vorrat für das Umreifungs- und/oder Tragegriffband, diesem nachgeordnete Bandführungselemente sowie wenigstens einen den Bandführungselementen nachgeordneten, das Umreifungs- und/oder Tragegriffband auf die Gebinde, Stückgüter und/oder Artikel aufbringenden Applikationskopf. Der Verpackungsmaschine sind zumindest einem Abschnitt im Bereich der Bandführung zwischen einschließlich dem Vorrat und einschließlich dem wenigstens einen Applikationskopf Temperierungseinrichtungen zur Temperierung des Umreifungs-und/oder Tragegriffbandes zugeordnet, womit gemeint ist, dass zumindest in irgend einem Bereich, ausgehend vom Vorrat bis hin zum Bereich des Applikationskopfes solche Temperierungseinrichtungen zur Einstellung und Aufrechterhaltung einer für die Verarbeitung günstigen Temperatur des Umreifungs- und/oder Tragegriffbandes vorgesehen sein können. Wahlweise können jeweils Temperierungseinrichtungen im Applikationskopf, in den Bandführungselementen und/oder im Vorratsbereich (heizen oder kühlen - Klimatisierung) angeordnet sein. Wenn in diesem Zusammenhang von Temperierungseinrichtungen die Rede ist, so können diese wahlweise je nach Bedarf für eine Erwärmung oder Abkühlung des Umreifungsbandes sorgen, so dass bspw. allgemein eine Klimatisierung erreichbar sein soll. Solche Temperierungseinrichtungen im Bereich des Applikationskopfes können besonders sinnvoll oder wichtig im Zusammenhang mit einem Maschinenanlauf nach einem längeren Stillstand sein, da hierdurch das Umreifungsband warm geworden sein kann, was sich nachteilig auf seine mechanischen Eigenschaften und insbesondere auf sein Biegeverhalten auswirken kann. Solche Temperierungselemente im Applikationskopf können ggf. auch durch Sprüheinrichtungen zur Aufbringung eines Kühlfluids zur kurzzeitigen schnellen Abkühlung des Umreifungsbandes gebildet sein.The packaging machine comprises a supply for the strapping and / or handle tape, this subordinate tape guide elements and at least one of the tape guide elements downstream, the strapping and / or handle on the containers, cargo and / or article applying application head. The packaging machine are associated with at least a portion in the region of the tape guide between the supply and including the at least one application head tempering the temperature of the strapping and / or handle belt, which means that at least in any area, starting from the stock up to the area the application head such Temperierungseinrichtungen for setting and maintaining a favorable for the processing temperature of the strapping and / or handle belt can be provided. Optionally, in each case temperature control devices in the application head, in the tape guide elements and / or in the storage area (heating or cooling - air conditioning) can be arranged. If temperature control devices are mentioned in this context, they can optionally provide heating or cooling of the strapping band as required, so that, for example, generally air conditioning should be achievable. Such tempering devices in the region of the application head can be particularly useful or important in connection with a machine start after a longer standstill, as this may have made the strapping warm, which may adversely affect its mechanical properties and in particular its bending behavior. If appropriate, such tempering elements in the application head can also be formed by spraying devices for applying a cooling fluid for short-term rapid cooling of the strapping band.

Wahlweise kann bei einer Ausführungsvariante der Verpackungsmaschine der Vorrat für das Umreifungs- und/oder Tragegriffband und/oder die Bandführungselemente thermisch gekapselt und/oder innerhalb einer weitgehend konstant temperierbaren Klimakammer angeordnet sein, so dass sich das Band an keiner Stelle der Verarbeitung unzulässig aufwärmen kann. Die erfindungsgemäße Verpackungsmaschine kann insbesondere zur Durchführung eines Verfahrens gemäß einer der zuvor beschriebenen Ausführungsvarianten vorbereitet und vorgesehen sein.Optionally, in one embodiment of the packaging machine, the stock for the strapping and / or handle grip band and / or the band guide elements thermally encapsulated and / or be arranged within a largely constant temperature climatic chamber, so that the band can not warm up at any point of processing inadmissible. The packaging machine according to the invention can be prepared and provided in particular for carrying out a method according to one of the previously described embodiments.

Zusammenfassend schlägt die Erfindung vor, dass die Umreifungs- und/oder Tragegriffbänder zumindest in einer Bevorratungsstelle mittels geeigneter Kühltechnik bzw. mittels Kühlaggregaten auf einer gleichbleibenden konstanten Temperatur gehalten werden. Dabei kann es vorgesehen sein, das Magazin komplett mit einer Einhausung zu versehen, welche dann mit geeigneten Kühlaggregaten ausgestattet sein kann, um innerhalb des Magazins eine gleichmäßig konstante Temperatur zu gewährleisten. Trotz relativ kurzen Wegen von der Bevorratungsstelle zu der Maschine bzw. zum Applikationskopf und schnellen Fördergeschwindigkeiten kann es durchaus von Vorteil sein, weitere geeignete Kühlaggregate oder Kühlmittel in den Bandführungen zu platzieren. Besonders geeignet hierfür sind Führungen, welche gleichzeitig die Aufgabe als Führung und zusätzlich die Aufgabe der Bandkühlung bzw. Banderwärmung übernehmen können. Solche temperierbaren Führungselemente können bspw. auch im Applikationskopf integriert sein und somit das Verschweißen der Bänder positiv unterstützen, bspw. durch eine schneller Abkühlung der Schweißstellen oder durch eine Vorwärmung der Bänder vor dem Schweißvorgang.In summary, the invention proposes that the strapping and / or handle grips are kept at a constant constant temperature at least in a storage location by means of suitable cooling technology or by means of cooling units. It can be provided to provide the magazine completely with an enclosure, which can then be equipped with suitable cooling units to ensure uniformly constant temperature within the magazine. Despite relatively short distances from the storage point to the machine or to the application head and fast delivery speeds, it may well be advantageous to place further suitable cooling units or coolants in the tape guides. Especially suitable for this purpose are guides which can simultaneously perform the task of guiding and additionally the task of belt cooling or belt heating. Such temperature-controllable guide elements can, for example, also be integrated in the application head and thus positively assist the welding of the bands, for example by a rapid cooling of the welds or by preheating the bands before the welding operation.

In diesem Zusammenhang muss nicht gesondert betont werden, dass nicht nur Kühlaggregate zum Einsatz kommen können, sondern auch Wärmeaggregate. Wesentlich für die Erfindung ist, dass die Umreifungsbänder auf eine definierte vorbestimmte Temperatur gebracht bzw. auf dieser Temperatur gehalten werden können.In this context, it need not be emphasized that not only refrigeration units can be used, but also heat generators. Essential to the invention is that the strapping can be brought to a defined predetermined temperature or maintained at this temperature.

Bei einer weiteren Ausführungsvariante der erfindungsgemäßen Verpackungsmaschine können wahlweise dem Applikationskopf und/oder dem Magazin und/oder dem Bandvorrat jeweils Temperatursensoren zugeordnet sein, deren Temperatursignale in einer Steuerungs- und/oder Regelungseinheit zur Generierung von Steuersignalen für die Temperierungseinrichtungen auswertbar sind. So kann es vorteilhaft sein, eine Steuerungs- und/oder Regelungseinheit zur Steuerung der Bandtemperatur an verschiedenen Stellen der Umreifungseinrichtung einzusetzen, welche die Signale wenigstens eines Temperatursensors, typischerweise jedoch mehrerer Temperatursensoren verarbeitet und daraus Steuersignale für die Temperierungseinrichtungen generiert. So kann bspw. der ersten Temperierungseinrichtung bzw. der ersten Kühleinrichtung des Applikationskopfes ein erster Temperatursensor zugeordnet sein, der ein erstes Temperatursignal an die zentrale Steuerungs- und/oder Regelungseinheit liefert, die aus diesem Signal sowie ggf. aus übergeordneten Steuerungsvorgaben zur Einhaltung einer für eine optimale Verarbeitungsqualität wünschenswerten Bandtemperatur ein erstes Steuersignal zur Steuerung der ersten Temperierungseinrichtung generiert. Weiterhin kann der zweiten Temperierungseinrichtung bzw. der zweiten Kühleinrichtung im Bereich der Bandführungseinrichtungen des Magazins ein zweiter Temperatursensor zugeordnet sein, der ein zweites Temperatursignal an die zentrale Steuerungs- und/oder Regelungseinheit liefert, die aus diesem Signal sowie ggf. aus übergeordneten Steuerungsvorgaben zur Einhaltung einer für eine optimale Verarbeitungsqualität wünschenswerten Bandtemperatur ein zweites Steuersignal zur Steuerung der zweiten Temperierungseinrichtung bzw. der zweiten Kühleinrichtung im Bereich des Magazins bzw. der dort angeordneten Bandführungselemente generiert.In a further embodiment variant of the packaging machine according to the invention, optionally temperature sensors can be assigned to the application head and / or the magazine and / or the strip supply, the temperature signals of which can be evaluated in a control and / or regulating unit for generating control signals for the temperature control devices. Thus, it may be advantageous to use a control and / or regulating unit for controlling the strip temperature at different points of the strapping device, which processes the signals of at least one temperature sensor, but typically several temperature sensors and generates control signals for the tempering devices. Thus, for example, the first Tempering device or the first cooling device of the application head be associated with a first temperature sensor that delivers a first temperature signal to the central control and / or regulating unit, from this signal and possibly from higher-level control specifications to maintain a desirable for optimum processing quality strip temperature a first Control signal for controlling the first temperature control device generated. Furthermore, a second temperature sensor can be assigned to the second temperature control device or the second cooling device in the region of the belt guiding devices of the magazine, which supplies a second temperature signal to the central control and / or regulating unit, which can be used to maintain a signal from this signal as well as from higher-level control specifications for optimum processing quality, a second control signal for controlling the second tempering device or the second cooling device in the region of the magazine or the strip guide elements arranged there is generated.

Wahlweise können verschiedene Bereiche der Bandführungselemente jeweils mit separaten zweiten Temperatursensoren ausgestattet sein, die wahlweise getrennte Temperatursignale liefern, wodurch die unterschiedlichen Bereich jeweils mit separaten Steuerungssignalen beaufschlagt und damit jeweils unterschiedlich temperiert werden können. Zudem kann der dritten Temperierungseinrichtung bzw. der Klimakammer im Bereich des Bandvorrats mit dem aufgewickelten Umreifungsband ein dritter Temperatursensor zugeordnet sein, der ein drittes Temperatursignal an die zentrale Steuerungs- und/oder Regelungseinheit liefert, die aus diesem Signal sowie ggf. aus übergeordneten Steuerungsvorgaben zur Einhaltung einer für eine optimale Verarbeitungsqualität wünschenswerten Bandtemperatur ein drittes Steuersignal zur Steuerung der dritten Temperierungseinrichtung bzw. der Klimakammer im Bereich des Bandvorrats generieren kann. Diese erwähnten Sensoren sind grundsätzlich optional zu verstehen und müssen nicht alle zwingend vorhanden sein. Ggf. kann es ausreichen, nur den ersten Sensor im Bereich des Applikationskopfes vorzusehen, wenn bspw. dort die Temperaturmessung für die Verarbeitung des Umreifungsbandes als am wichtigsten erachtet wird. Auch kann es u.U. ausreichen, nur den zweiten Sensor im Bereich des Magazins vorzusehen, wenn dort ein Steuerungs- und/oder Regelungseingriff mittels der zweiten Steuersignale als am effektivsten erachtet wird. Gleiches kann bspw. für die Klimakammer des Bandvorrates gelten.Optionally, different areas of the tape guide elements can each be equipped with separate second temperature sensors, which optionally provide separate temperature signals, whereby the different area each acted upon with separate control signals and thus can be tempered differently. In addition, the third tempering device or the climatic chamber may be associated with the wound strapping a third temperature sensor in the region of the tape supply, which supplies a third temperature signal to the central control and / or regulating unit, from this signal and possibly from higher-level control specifications for compliance a desirable for optimum processing quality strip temperature can generate a third control signal for controlling the third temperature control device or the climate chamber in the region of the tape supply. These mentioned sensors are basically optional and do not necessarily have to be present. Possibly. It may be sufficient to provide only the first sensor in the region of the application head, if, for example, there the temperature measurement for the processing of the strapping is considered to be the most important. Also it may u.U. be sufficient to provide only the second sensor in the region of the magazine, when there is considered a control and / or regulation intervention by means of the second control signals as the most effective. The same can apply, for example, for the climatic chamber of the tape stock.

Im Folgenden sollen Ausführungsbeispiele die Erfindung und ihre Vorteile anhand der beigefügten Figuren näher erläutern. Die Größenverhältnisse der einzelnen Elemente zueinander in den Figuren entsprechen nicht immer den realen Größenverhältnissen, da einige Formen vereinfacht und andere Formen zur besseren Veranschaulichung vergrößert im Verhältnis zu anderen Elementen dargestellt sind.

  • Fig. 1 zeigt eine schematische Ansicht einer Verpackungsmaschine, die eine Umreifungseinrichtung umfasst.
  • Fig. 2 zeigt eine Perspektivansicht eines mit einer horizontalen Umreifung und eines Tragegriffs versehenen Gebindes mit sechs Getränkebehältern.
  • Fig. 3 zeigt eine weitere schematische Ansicht zur Verdeutlichung einer Ausführungsvariante eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zur Umreifung von Gebinden, Stückgütern, Artikeln o. dgl. innerhalb einer Verpackungsmaschine.
  • Fig. 4 zeigt eine schematische Ansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsvariante eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zur Umreifung von Gebinden, Stückgütern, Artikeln o. dgl. innerhalb einer Verpackungsmaschine.
In the following, embodiments of the invention and their advantages with reference to the accompanying figures will be explained in more detail. The size ratios of the individual elements to each other in the figures does not always correspond to the actual size ratios, since some shapes are simplified and other shapes are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for ease of illustration.
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a packaging machine comprising a strapping device.
  • Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a container provided with a horizontal strapping and a carrying handle with six beverage containers.
  • Fig. 3 shows a further schematic view to illustrate an embodiment of a method according to the invention for strapping of packages, piece goods, articles o. The like. Inside a packaging machine.
  • Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of another embodiment of a method according to the invention for strapping of packages, piece goods, articles o. The like. Inside a packaging machine.

Für gleiche oder gleich wirkende Elemente der Erfindung werden identische Bezugszeichen verwendet. Ferner werden der Übersicht halber nur Bezugszeichen in den einzelnen Figuren dargestellt, die für die Beschreibung der jeweiligen Figur erforderlich sind. Die dargestellten Ausführungsformen stellen lediglich Beispiele dar, wie die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung oder das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren ausgestaltet sein können und stellen keine abschließende Begrenzung dar.For identical or equivalent elements of the invention, identical reference numerals are used. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures, which are required for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of how the device or method of the invention may be configured and are not an exhaustive limitation.

Die schematische Ansicht der Fig. 1 zeigt eine Ausführungsvariante eines Teils einer Verpackungsmaschine 10, die eine Umreifungseinrichtung 12 zur Umreifung von Gebinden 14 mit Getränkebehältern 16 umfasst, wie es beispielhaft in der perspektivischen Darstellung der Fig. 2 gezeigt ist. Dort sind sechs PET-Getränkebehälter 16 mit einem horizontal um die Behälter 16 gespannten Umreifungsband 18 aus flexiblem Kunststoff zusammengehalten. Das Umreifungsband 18 weist eine Verbindungsstelle 20 auf, an der die überlappenden Enden bspw. verschweißt sein können. Weiterhin ist ein Tragegriff oder Trageband 22 erkennbar, das die Oberseite des Gebindes 14 überragt und das zum Tragen des Gebindes 14 vorgesehen ist. Das Trageband 22 kann wahlweise am Umreifungsband 18 und/oder an Außenseiten der Getränkebehälter 16 appliziert und fixiert sein. Das Umreifungsband 18 besteht typischerweise aus Kunststoff, insbesondere aus thermoplastischem Kunststoff, der mit unterschiedlichen Umgebungs-und/oder Verarbeitungstemperaturen jeweils unterschiedliche mechanische Eigenschaften und Biegesteifigkeiten aufweist, wie nachfolgend näher erläutert werden wird.The schematic view of Fig. 1 shows a variant of a part of a packaging machine 10, which comprises a strapping device 12 for strapping containers 14 with beverage containers 16, as exemplified in the perspective view of Fig. 2 is shown. There, six PET beverage containers 16 are held together by a strapping band 18 of flexible plastic, which is stretched horizontally around the containers 16. The strapping band 18 has a connection point 20, on which the overlapping ends can, for example, be welded. Furthermore, a carrying handle or strap 22 can be seen, which projects beyond the top of the container 14 and which is provided for carrying the container 14. The carrying strap 22 may optionally be applied to the strap 18 and / or on the outer sides of the beverage container 16 and fixed. The strapping 18 is typically made of plastic, in particular of thermoplastic material, with different environmental and / or processing temperatures each different mechanical Has properties and bending stiffness, as will be explained in more detail below.

Die in der Fig. 1 schematisch gezeigte Verpackungsmaschine umfasst eine Horizontalfördereinrichtung 24 zur Förderung der in einer Gebindeformation gruppierten Behälter 16 in Förderrichtung 26. Im Bereich der Verpackungsmaschine 10 bzw. ihrer Umreifungseinrichtung 12 werden die Gebinde 14 mittels der dargestellten Umreifungs-oder Applikationsköpfe 28 jeweils mit dem horizontal um die Behälter 16 gespannten und gemäß Fig. 2 fixierten Umreifungsband 18 versehen. Die Applikationsköpfe 28 sind jeweils in horizontaler und vertikaler Richtung beweglich, damit sie den stetig geförderten Gebindegruppierungen folgen und bei deren weitgehend stetiger Förderung in Förderrichtung 26 die Umreifungsbänder 18 aufbringen zu können. Die Umreifungsbänder werden als Endlosbänder 30 zwischen einem Magazin 32 mit Bandführungselementen 34 und den Applikationsköpfen 28 weigehend führungslos und freifliegend verlaufend geführt. Die Endlosbänder 30 werden normalerweise in größeren Rollen 36, die dem Magazin 32 räumlich und/oder funktional zugeordnet sind, bevorratet und je nach Bedarf abgerollt.The in the Fig. 1 In the region of the packaging machine 10 and its strapping device 12, the containers 14 by means of the illustrated strapping or application heads 28 in each case with the horizontally around the container 16, the packaging machine comprises a horizontal conveyor 24 for conveying the grouped in a container formation tense and according to Fig. 2 provided fixed strapping 18. The application heads 28 are each movable in the horizontal and vertical directions, so that they follow the steadily promoted Gebindegruppierungen and at their largely steady promotion in the conveying direction 26 to apply the strapping 18 can. The strapping bands are guided as endless belts 30 between a magazine 32 with tape guide elements 34 and the application heads 28 weigehand guidance and free-flying running. The endless belts 30 are normally stored in larger rollers 36, which are assigned to the magazine 32 spatially and / or functionally, stored and unrolled as needed.

Gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung wird das endlos zwischen den Rollen 36 und den Applikationsköpfen 28 temperiert und mit einer Temperatur beaufschlagt wird, die innerhalb eines vorgegebenen Temperaturbereiches liegt, wodurch sich ein definiertes Verformungsverhalten ergibt und die Störungsanfälligkeit in den Bandführungsbereichen der Bandführungselementen 34 des Magazins 32 und in den Applikationsköpfen 28 aufgrund unterschiedlicher Flexibilitäten der Umreifungsbänder 30 minimiert wird. Diese den unterschiedlichen Funktionselementen der Umreifungseinrichtung 12 zugeordneten Einrichtungen zur Temperierung sind allgemein mit den Bezugsziffern 29 (Applikationsköpfe), 33 (Magazin) und 37 (Vorrat bzw. Rolle für das Endlosband 30) bezeichnet, jedoch in der schematischen Darstellung der Fig. 1 darüber hinaus nicht näher spezifiziert.According to the present invention, the temperature is continuously controlled between the rollers 36 and the application heads 28 and subjected to a temperature which is within a predetermined temperature range, resulting in a defined deformation behavior and the susceptibility to interference in the tape guide portions of the tape guide elements 34 of the magazine 32 and in the application heads 28 due to different flexibilities of the strapping bands 30 is minimized. These temperature control devices assigned to the different functional elements of the strapping device 12 are generally designated by the reference numerals 29 (application heads), 33 (magazine) and 37 (supply or roll for the endless belt 30), but in the schematic representation of FIG Fig. 1 moreover, unspecified.

Da die Umreifungsbänder 30 aus Kunststoff bestehen, reagieren sie mehr oder weniger stark auf Temperaturschwankungen und weisen ggf. unterschiedliche Biegefestigkeiten auf, was zu jeweils unterschiedlichem Verformungsverhalten führen kann. Die Bänder 30 können bei höheren Umgebungstemperaturen biegeweicher werden und dadurch an Eigenstabilität und Steifigkeit verlieren, woraus wiederum Probleme bei der Verarbeitung, insbesondere beim Hindurchführen der Bänder 30 durch die Bandführungseinrichtungen 34 des Magazins 32 und/oder innerhalb der Applikationsköpfe 28 entstehen können. Die Bänder 30 können sich unter Umständen in den Führungselementen 34 des Magazins 32 und/oder in Führungselementen der Applikationsköpfe 28 verkanten oder aufstauen, was zu einer Störung im Bandtransport und schließlich zu einem Maschinenstillstand führen kann. Zur Vermeidung dieser Probleme dienen die Temperierungseinrichtungen 29, 33 und/oder 37.Since the strapping bands 30 are made of plastic, they react more or less strongly to temperature fluctuations and may have different flexural strengths, which can lead to different deformation behavior in each case. The tapes 30 may become more pliable at higher ambient temperatures and thereby lose inherent stability and rigidity, which in turn causes problems in processing, particularly in passing the tapes 30 through the tape guides 34 of the magazine 32 and / or within the applicator heads 28 can arise. Under certain circumstances, the bands 30 can tilt or pile up in the guide elements 34 of the magazine 32 and / or in guide elements of the application heads 28, which can lead to a disturbance in the belt transport and finally to a machine standstill. To avoid these problems, the temperature control devices 29, 33 and / or 37 are used.

Wie dies die schematische Darstellung der Fig. 3 verdeutlicht, kann das noch endlos geführte und noch nicht auf die in horizontaler Richtung 26 auf der Horizontalfördereinrichtung 24 transportierten Gebinde 14 aufgebrachte Umreifungsband 30 zumindest im Bereich des Applikationskopfes 28 mittels der diesem zugeordneten ersten Temperierungseinrichtung 29, bspw. mit einer im Applikationskopf 28 angeordneten ersten Kühleinrichtung 40, temperiert bzw. gekühlt werden, wodurch das Band 30 im Applikationskopf 28 zu seiner problemlosen Handhabung mit einer innerhalb eines definierten Bereiches eingestellten Temperatur gehandhabt und/oder geführt werden kann. Wahlweise kann das Umreifungsband 30 auch im Bereich der Bandführungselemente 34 des Magazins 32 mit einer innerhalb eines definierten Bereiches eingestellten Temperatur gehandhabt und/oder geführt werden. Zu diesem Zweck können im Magazin 32 weitere Temperierungseinrichtungen 33 bzw. eine zweite Kühleinrichtung 42 angeordnet sein, wie dies in Fig. 3 schematisch angedeutet ist. Mittels dieser ersten und zweiten Kühleinrichtungen 40 und 42 kann die Temperatur im Bereich des Applikationskopfes 28 und/oder der Bandführungselemente 34 weitgehend konstant gehalten werden. Dabei können auch Bandführungsbereiche selbst als Kühleinrichtungen 40 und/oder 42 ausgestattet sein, so dass das Umreifungsband 30 durch seine flächige Auflage an den Bandführungselementen eine ausreichende Temperierung bzw. Kühlung erfahren kann.As this is the schematic representation of Fig. 3 illustrates, the still endlessly guided and not yet applied to the transported in the horizontal direction 26 on the horizontal conveyor 24 14 strapping band 30 at least in the region of the application head 28 by means of this associated first temperature control device 29, for example. With a arranged in the application head 28 first cooling device 40, tempered or cooled, whereby the band 30 can be handled and / or guided in the application head 28 for its easy handling with a set temperature within a defined range and / or. Optionally, the strapping band 30 can also be handled and / or guided in the region of the band guide elements 34 of the magazine 32 with a temperature set within a defined range. For this purpose, 32 further tempering 33 and a second cooling device 42 may be arranged in the magazine, as shown in Fig. 3 is indicated schematically. By means of these first and second cooling devices 40 and 42, the temperature in the region of the application head 28 and / or the tape guide elements 34 can be kept substantially constant. In this case, even tape guide areas themselves can be equipped as cooling devices 40 and / or 42, so that the strap 30 can experience sufficient tempering or cooling by its flat support on the tape guide elements.

Darüber hinaus ist es von Vorteil, den Vorrat 36 für das endlos abzurollende Umreifungsband 30 zu temperieren und/oder die Temperatur des Umreifungsbandes 30 innerhalb des Vorrates 36 mittels der dritten Temperierungseinrichtung 37 weitgehend konstant zu halten, was bspw. durch deren Ausgestaltung als Klimakammer 44 zu gewährleisten ist, in der sich der Bandvorrat 36 befinden kann. Bei den üblichen schnellen Verarbeitungsgeschwindigkeiten und der hohen Bandgeschwindigkeiten im Bereich der Bandführungselemente 34 und des Applikationskopfes 28 kann sich das Umreifungsband 30 nach seiner Entnahme aus der Klimakammer 44 des Bandvorrates 36 nur unwesentlich erwärmen, so dass seine mechanischen Eigenschaften weitgehend konstant gehalten werden können.In addition, it is advantageous to temper the supply 36 for the endlessly unwinding strapping band 30 and / or to keep the temperature of the strapping band 30 within the stock 36 substantially constant by means of the third tempering device 37, which is, for example, due to its configuration as a climatic chamber 44 ensure that the tape supply 36 can be located. At the usual fast processing speeds and the high belt speeds in the region of the tape guide elements 34 and the application head 28, the strap 30 after its removal from the climatic chamber 44 of the tape supply 36 can heat only slightly, so that its mechanical properties can be kept substantially constant.

Was in der Fig. 3 nicht erkennbar, jedoch in der Praxis vorgesehen sein kann, ist eine Einhausung oder thermische Kapselung des Vorrats 36 und der Bandführungselemente 34 des Magazins 32 in einer gemeinsamen Klimakammer 44, um den gesamten Bandführungsbereich mit Ausnahme der frei geführten Abschnitte 46 zwischen dem Magazin 32 und dem Applikationskopf 28 thermisch abschirmen und dort die Temperatur auf einen gewünschten Wert einstellen zu können.What in the Fig. 3 can not be seen, but may be provided in practice, is an enclosure or thermal encapsulation of the stock 36 and the tape guide elements 34 of the magazine 32 in a common air chamber 44 to the entire tape guide area except the freely guided sections 46 between the magazine 32 and the Thermal shield 28 application head and there to be able to set the temperature to a desired value.

Im Interesse einer guten Verarbeitbarkeit des Umreifungsbandes 30 kann vorgesehen sein, dass die Temperatur des Umreifungsbandes 30 im Applikationskopf 28 und/oder im Bereich der Bandführungselemente 34 des Magazins 32 und/oder im Vorrat 36 unterhalb von ca. 30 °C und oberhalb 0 °C, insbesondere unterhalb 25 °C und oberhalb 10 °C, vorzugsweise unterhalb 22 °C und oberhalb 15 °C gehalten wird.In the interest of good processability of the strapping band 30, it may be provided that the temperature of the strapping band 30 in the application head 28 and / or in the region of the band guide elements 34 of the magazine 32 and / or in the supply 36 below about 30 ° C and above 0 ° C. , in particular below 25 ° C and above 10 ° C, preferably below 22 ° C and above 15 ° C is maintained.

Die gezeigte Temperierungseinrichtung 29 bzw. die erste Kühleinrichtung 40 im Bereich des Applikationskopfes 28 kann besonders sinnvoll oder wichtig im Zusammenhang mit einem Maschinenanlauf nach einem längeren Stillstand der Verpackungsmaschine 10 sein, da während eines solchen Stillstandes das Umreifungsband 30 wärmer geworden sein kann, was sich nachteilig auf seine mechanischen Eigenschaften und insbesondere auf sein Biegeverhalten auswirken kann. Solche Temperierungselemente 29 im Applikationskopf 28 können ggf. auch durch Sprüheinrichtungen zur Aufbringung eines Kühlfluids zur kurzzeitigen schnellen Abkühlung des Umreifungsbandes 30 gebildet sein.The temperature control device 29 or the first cooling device 40 shown in the region of the application head 28 may be particularly useful or important in connection with a machine start after a longer standstill of the packaging machine 10, since during such a stoppage the strapping band 30 may have become warmer, which is disadvantageous can affect its mechanical properties and in particular its bending behavior. If appropriate, such tempering elements 29 in the application head 28 can also be formed by spraying devices for applying a cooling fluid for short-term rapid cooling of the strapping band 30.

Weiterhin sollte im Zusammenhang der vorliegenden Erfindung betont werden, dass nicht nur Kühlaggregate zum Einsatz kommen können, sondern auch Wärmeaggregate. Wesentlich für die Erfindung ist, dass die Umreifungsbänder 30 auf eine definierte vorbestimmte Temperatur gebracht bzw. auf dieser Temperatur gehalten werden können.Furthermore, it should be emphasized in the context of the present invention that not only refrigeration units can be used, but also heat units. It is essential for the invention that the strapping bands 30 can be brought to a defined predetermined temperature or held at this temperature.

Die schematische Ansicht der Fig. 4 zeigt eine weitere Ausführungsvariante eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zur Umreifung von Gebinden 14, Stückgütern, Artikeln o. dgl. innerhalb einer Verpackungsmaschine 10. Die hier gezeigte Verpackungsmaschine 10 mit der Umreifungseinrichtung 12, dem Vorrat 36, dem Magazin 32 sowie den Applikationsköpfen 28 zur Aufbringung des endlos zugeführten Umreifungsbandes 30 um die Gebinde 14 in Form des in Fig. 2 gezeigten Umreifungsbandes 18 entspricht in ihren wesentlichen Komponenten der bereits anhand der Fig. 3 erläuterten Ausführungsvariante. Darüber hinaus können jedoch eine Steuerungs- und/oder Regelungseinheit 50 zur Steuerung der Bandtemperatur an verschiedenen Stellen der Umreifungseinrichtung 12 sowie wenigstens ein Sensor 52, 54 etc. vorgesehen sein. Im gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel der Fig. 4 ist der ersten Temperierungseinrichtung 29 bzw. der ersten Kühleinrichtung 40 des Applikationskopfes 28 ein erster Temperatursensor 52 zugeordnet, der ein erstes Temperatursignal 54 an die zentrale Steuerungs- und/oder Regelungseinheit 50 liefert, die aus diesem Signal 54 sowie ggf. aus übergeordneten Steuerungsvorgaben zur Einhaltung einer für eine optimale Verarbeitungsqualität wünschenswerten Bandtemperatur ein erstes Steuersignal 56 zur Steuerung der ersten Temperierungseinrichtung 29 bzw. der ersten Kühleinrichtung 40 generiert.The schematic view of Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of a method according to the invention for strapping of packages 14, piece goods, articles o. The like. Within a packaging machine 10. The packaging machine 10 shown here with the strapping device 12, the stock 36, the magazine 32 and the application heads 28 for applying the endless supplied Umreifungsbandes 30 to the container 14 in the form of in Fig. 2 shown strapping 18 corresponds in its essential components of the already with reference to the Fig. 3 explained embodiment. In addition, however, a control and / or regulating unit 50 for controlling the strip temperature at different locations of Strapping device 12 and at least one sensor 52, 54 may be provided, etc. In the illustrated embodiment of the Fig. 4 the first temperature control device 29 and the first cooling device 40 of the application head 28 is associated with a first temperature sensor 52, which provides a first temperature signal 54 to the central control and / or regulating unit 50 from this signal 54 and possibly from higher-level control specifications for compliance a desirable for optimum processing quality strip temperature generates a first control signal 56 for controlling the first temperature control device 29 and the first cooling device 40.

Weiterhin kann der zweiten Temperierungseinrichtung 33 bzw. der zweiten Kühleinrichtung 42 im Bereich der Bandführungseinrichtungen 34 des Magazins 32 ein zweiter Temperatursensor 58 zugeordnet sein, der ein zweites Temperatursignal 60 an die zentrale Steuerungs- und/oder Regelungseinheit 50 liefert, die aus diesem Signal 60 sowie ggf. aus übergeordneten Steuerungsvorgaben zur Einhaltung einer für eine optimale Verarbeitungsqualität wünschenswerten Bandtemperatur ein zweites Steuersignal 62 zur Steuerung der zweiten Temperierungseinrichtung 33 bzw. der zweiten Kühleinrichtung 42 im Bereich des Magazins 32 bzw. der dort angeordneten Bandführungselemente 34 generiert. Wie in Fig. 4 erkennbar, können verschiedene Bereiche der Bandführungselemente 34 jeweils mit separaten zweiten Temperatursensoren 58 ausgestattet sein, die wahlweise getrennte Temperatursignale 60 liefern, wodurch die unterschiedlichen Bereich jeweils mit separaten Steuerungssignalen 62 beaufschlagt werden können. Zudem kann der dritten Temperierungseinrichtung 37 bzw. der Klimakammer 44 im Bereich des Bandvorrats 36 mit dem aufgewickelten Umreifungsband 30 ein dritter Temperatursensor 64 zugeordnet sein, der ein drittes Temperatursignal 66 an die zentrale Steuerungs- und/oder Regelungseinheit 50 liefert, die aus diesem Signal 66 sowie ggf. aus übergeordneten Steuerungsvorgaben zur Einhaltung einer für eine optimale Verarbeitungsqualität wünschenswerten Bandtemperatur ein drittes Steuersignal 68 zur Steuerung der dritten Temperierungseinrichtung 37 bzw. der Klimakammer 44 im Bereich des Bandvorrats 36 generieren kann.Furthermore, the second temperature control device 33 or the second cooling device 42 may be assigned a second temperature sensor 58 in the area of the belt guiding devices 34 of the magazine 32, which supplies a second temperature signal 60 to the central control and / or regulating unit 50, consisting of this signal 60 as well If necessary, a second control signal 62 for controlling the second temperature control device 33 or the second cooling device 42 in the region of the magazine 32 or the tape guide elements 34 arranged there is generated from higher-level control specifications to maintain a desirable for optimal processing quality strip temperature. As in Fig. 4 As can be seen, different portions of the tape guide members 34 may each be provided with separate second temperature sensors 58 which selectively provide separate temperature signals 60, whereby the separate portions may each be provided with separate control signals 62. In addition, a third temperature sensor 64, which supplies a third temperature signal 66 to the central control and / or regulating unit 50, which supplies from this signal 66, can be assigned to the third tempering device 37 or the climatic chamber 44 in the area of the strip supply 36 with the wound strapping band 30 and optionally from higher-level control specifications to maintain a desirable for optimal processing quality strip temperature, a third control signal 68 for controlling the third temperature control device 37 and the climate chamber 44 in the region of the tape supply 36 can generate.

Diese Sensoren 52, 58 und 64 sind optional zu verstehen und sind nicht zwingend alle vorhanden. Ggf. kann es ausreichen, nur den ersten Sensor 52 im Bereich des Applikationskopfes 28 vorzusehen, wenn bspw. dort die Temperaturmessung für die Verarbeitung des Umreifungsbandes 30 als am wichtigsten erachtet wird. Auch kann es u.U. ausreichen, nur den zweiten Sensor 58 im Bereich des Magazins 32 vorzusehen, da dort ein Steuerungs- und/oder Regelungseingriff mittels der zweiten Steuersignale 62 als am effektivsten erachtet wird. Gleiches kann bspw. für die Klimakammer 44 des Bandvorrates 36 gelten. Vorzugsweise jedoch werden die Sensorsignale 54, 60 und 66 der Temperatursensoren 52, 58 und 64 jeweils in der Steuerungs- und/oder Regelungseinheit 50 verarbeitet und zur Beaufschlagung der verschiedenen Temperierungseinrichtungen 29, 33 und 37 mit geeigneten Temperatursteuersignalen 56, 62 und 68 verwendet, da auf diese Weise eine optimale Temperierung des Umreifungsbandes 30 während seiner gesamten Verarbeitung ermöglicht ist, zumal der relativ lange frei verlaufende Abschnitt 46 zwischen dem Magazin 32 und dem Applikationskopf 28 einer Temperierung nicht zugänglich ist, so dass bei einer hohen Umgebungstemperatur eine stärkere Kühlung im Bereich des Magazins 32 sinnvoll sein kann, um während der kurzen Wege, die im Applikationskopf 28 zur Temperierung zur Verfügung stehen, keine zu starke Kühlung oder Erwärmung vornehmen zu müssen.These sensors 52, 58 and 64 are optional and are not necessarily all available. Possibly. it may be sufficient to provide only the first sensor 52 in the region of the application head 28, if, for example, there the temperature measurement for the processing of the strapping band 30 is considered to be the most important. It may also be sufficient to provide only the second sensor 58 in the region of the magazine 32, since there is a control and / or regulating intervention by means of the second control signals 62 as most effective. The same can, for example, apply to the climatic chamber 44 of the strip stock 36. Preferably, however, the sensor signals 54, 60 and 66 of the temperature sensors 52, 58 and 64 are each processed in the control and / or regulating unit 50 and used to act on the various temperature control devices 29, 33 and 37 with suitable temperature control signals 56, 62 and 68, since In this way, an optimal tempering of the strap 30 is made possible during its entire processing, especially since the relatively long free-running portion 46 between the magazine 32 and the application head 28 of a temperature is not accessible, so that at a high ambient temperature, a stronger cooling in the Magazine 32 may be useful to make during the short distances that are available in the application head 28 for temperature control, no excessive cooling or heating.

Zur Klarstellung sei an dieser Stelle nochmals darauf hingewiesen, dass die Begriffe "Umreifung 18", "Umreifungsband 18", "Umreifung 30" und "Umreifungsband 30" jeweils in einem sehr umfassenden Sinne zu verstehen sind und gleichermaßen die optional zu verstehenden Tragegriffe 22 (vgl. Fig. 2) mit umfassen. D.h., wenn im vorliegenden Zusammenhang von einer Gebindeumreifung 18 oder 30, einer Umreifung 18 oder 30, von Umreifungsmaterial und/oder von einem Umreifungsband 18 oder 30 die Rede ist, so ist damit grundsätzlich auch jede Art von Tragegriff (z.B. 22 entsprechend Fig. 2) und Tragegriffmaterialien umfasst, da diese Tragegriffe 22 grundsätzlich aus demselben (insbesondere thermoplastischen Kunststoff-) Material wie das Umreifungsband 18 bzw. 30 hergestellt sein können. Zudem können die optional aufbringbaren Tragegriffe 22 in einem einzigen Applikationsschritt mitsamt der Umreifung 18 aufgebracht werden. Wahlweise ist es auch möglich, sofern gewünscht, einen Tragegriff 22 nachträglich auf ein bereits umreiftes Stückgut, Gebinde 14 oder einen bereits umreiften Artikel aufzubringen. Da jedoch für das Tragegriffmaterial und dessen Bevorratung, Förderung, Zuführung und Verarbeitung hinsichtlich der erwähnten Temperaturproblematik dieselben Gesetzmäßigkeiten gelten wie für das Umreifungsband 18 bzw. 30, ist der in der Anmeldung verwendete Begriff "Umreifung" oder "Umreifungsband" etc. grundsätzlich umfassend zu verstehen und meint gleichermaßen alle Varianten von Tragegriffen, die aus demselben Material gefertigt sein können.For clarification, it should again be pointed out here that the terms "strapping 18", "strapping band 18", "strapping 30" and "strapping band 30" are each to be understood in a very comprehensive sense and likewise include the optional carrying handles 22 (FIG. see. Fig. 2 ). That is, if in the present context of a container maturation 18 or 30, a strapping 18 or 30, strapping material and / or a strapping 18 or 30 is mentioned, it is basically any type of carrying handle (eg 22 accordingly Fig. 2 ) and carrying handle materials, since these carrying handles 22 can basically be made of the same (in particular thermoplastic material) material as the strapping band 18 or 30. In addition, the optionally applicable carrying handles 22 can be applied in a single application step together with the strapping 18. Optionally, it is also possible, if desired, subsequently apply a carrying handle 22 on an already strapped cargo, container 14 or an already strapped article. Since, however, the same laws apply to the carrying handle material and its storage, conveying, feeding and processing with respect to the mentioned temperature problem as for the strapping band 18 or 30, the term "strapping" or "strapping band" used in the application is to be understood in a basically comprehensive manner and equally applies to all variants of carrying handles that can be made of the same material.

BezugszeichenlisteLIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1010
Verpackungsmaschinepackaging machine
1212
Umreifungseinrichtungstrap application
1414
Gebindecontainer
1616
Getränkebehälter, PET-BehälterBeverage container, PET container
1818
Umreifungsbandstrapping
2020
Verbindungsstelle, SchweißstelleJoint, weld
2222
Trageband, TragegriffCarrying strap, carrying handle
2424
HorizontalfördereinrichtungHorizontal conveyor
2626
Förderrichtungconveying direction
2828
Applikationskopfapplication head
2929
erste Temperierungseinrichtungfirst tempering device
3030
Umreifungsband, endlosStrapping, endless
3232
Magazinmagazine
3333
zweite Temperierungseinrichtungsecond temperature control device
3434
Bandführung, Bandführungselement, BandführungseinrichtungTape guide, tape guide element, tape guide device
3636
Vorrat, Endlosvorrat, VorratsrolleStock, endless supply, supply roll
3737
dritte Temperierungseinrichtungthird tempering device
4040
erste Kühleinrichtungfirst cooling device
4242
zweite Kühleinrichtungsecond cooling device
4444
Klimakammerclimatic chamber
4646
frei verlaufender Abschnitt, freifliegende Führungfree running section, free-flying guide
5050
Steuerungs- und/oder RegelungseinheitControl and / or regulating unit
5252
erster Temperatursensorfirst temperature sensor
5454
erstes Temperatursignalfirst temperature signal
5656
erstes Steuersignalfirst control signal
5858
zweiter Temperatursensorsecond temperature sensor
6060
zweites Temperatursignalsecond temperature signal
6262
zweites Steuersignalsecond control signal
6464
dritter Temperatursensorthird temperature sensor
6666
drittes Temperatursignalthird temperature signal
6868
drittes Steuersignalthird control signal

Claims (12)

  1. A method to be carried out within a packaging machine (10), which method is intended for strapping bundles (14), piece goods, articles, or the like, and/or for attaching carrying straps thereto, with respectively at least one strapping band and/or carrying strap band (18, 30) made at least partly from a thermoplastic synthetic material, which strapping band and/or carrying strap band (18, 30) is tensioned horizontally and/or vertically and/or diagonally around and/or over the bundles (14), piece goods, or articles, said strapping band and/or carrying strap band being withdrawn from a supply (36) and being fed partly along band guiding elements (34), and also along sections largely without being guided and in a free-floating manner, toward an application head (28) for applying the strapping band (18, 30) onto the bundles (14), piece goods, and/or articles, wherein the strapping band (18, 30) is brought to a predefined processing temperature, which predefined temperature determines the deformation behaviour and/or the bending stiffness and/or the bending strength of the strapping band and/or the carrying strap (18, 30).
  2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the strapping band (30) is handled and/or guided, at least in the area of the application head (28), at a temperature set within a defined range.
  3. The method as recited in claim 1 or 2 wherein the strapping band (14) is handled and/or guided, at least in the area of the band guiding elements (34), at a temperature set within a defined range.
  4. The method as recited in claim 2 or 3 wherein the temperature is kept largely constant in the area of the application head (28) and/or of the band guiding elements (34).
  5. The method as recited in one of the claims 1 to 4 wherein the temperature of the supply (36) for the strapping band (30) and/or the temperature of the strapping band (30) within the supply (36) are kept largely constant.
  6. The method as recited in one of the claims 1 to 5 wherein the temperature of the strapping band (30) in the application head (28) and/or in the area of the band guiding elements (34) and/or in the supply (36) is kept below approximately 30 °C and above 0 °C, in particular below 25 °C and above 10 °C, preferably below 22 °C and above 15 °C.
  7. A packaging machine (10) with a device (12) for strapping bundles (14), piece goods, articles, or the like, and/or for attaching carrying straps thereto, with respectively at least one strapping band and/or carrying strap band (18, 30) made at least partly from a thermoplastic synthetic material, which strapping band and/or carrying strap band (18, 30) is tensioned horizontally and/or vertically and/or diagonally around and/or over the bundles (14), piece goods, or articles, with a supply (36) for the strapping band (18, 30), with band guiding elements (34) arranged downstream thereof, and with at least one application head (28) for applying the strapping band (18, 30) onto the bundles (14), piece goods, and/or articles, said application head (28) being arranged downstream of the band guiding elements (34), wherein the strapping band (18, 30) is conveyed as a continuous strip (30) between the magazine (32) with the band guiding elements (34) and the application head (28) largely without being guided and in a free-floating manner, and wherein the packaging machine (10) is associated, at least in a segment of the band extending between and including the supply (36) and the application head (28), with temperature controlling devices (29, 33, 37) for tempering the strapping band and/or the carrying strap band (30) at a temperature that determines the deformation behaviour and/or the bending stiffness and/or the bending strength of the strapping band and/or the carrying strap (18, 30).
  8. The machine as recited in claim 7, which is associated, at least in the area of the band guiding in the supply (36) and/or in the band guiding elements (34) and/or in the area of the at least one application head (28), with temperature controlling devices (29, 33, 37) for tempering the strapping band (30).
  9. The machine as recited in claim 7 or 8 wherein temperature controlling devices (29, 33, 37) are arranged, respectively, in the application head (28), in the band guiding elements (34), and/or in the area of the supply (36).
  10. The machine as recited in one of the claims 7 to 9 wherein the supply (36) for the strapping band (30) and/or the band guiding elements (34) are thermally encapsulated and/or arranged within a climatic chamber (44) that can be maintained at a largely constant temperature.
  11. The machine as recited in one of the claims 7 to 10 wherein the application head (28) and/or the magazine (32) and/or the band supply (36) are each associated with temperature sensors (54, 58, and/or 64), the temperature signals (54, 60, 66) of which can be analysed in a control and/or regulating unit (50) for generating control signals (56, 62, 68) for the temperature control devices (29, 33, 37).
  12. The packaging machine (10) as recited in one of the claims 7 to 11 that is prepared and intended for conducting a method according to one of the claims 1 to 6.
EP20120171486 2011-08-22 2012-06-11 Method for strapping containers, bulk goods and/or items and packaging machine with application head for applying a strap Active EP2562091B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE201110081336 DE102011081336A1 (en) 2011-08-22 2011-08-22 Method for strapping containers, piece goods and / or articles, and packaging machine with application head for applying a strapping

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2562091A1 EP2562091A1 (en) 2013-02-27
EP2562091B1 true EP2562091B1 (en) 2014-12-17

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20120171486 Active EP2562091B1 (en) 2011-08-22 2012-06-11 Method for strapping containers, bulk goods and/or items and packaging machine with application head for applying a strap

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EP (1) EP2562091B1 (en)
CN (1) CN102951307A (en)
DE (1) DE102011081336A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102013222427A1 (en) * 2013-11-05 2015-05-07 Krones Aktiengesellschaft Method and device for welding plastic strapping bands
DE102014211849A1 (en) * 2014-06-20 2015-12-24 Krones Aktiengesellschaft Method and device for connecting plastic end regions of existing strapping bands
DE102017003880B4 (en) * 2017-04-21 2018-12-27 Maschinenfabrik Bernard Krone GmbH & Co. KG baler
DE102017003879B4 (en) * 2017-04-21 2019-10-24 Maschinenfabrik Bernard Krone GmbH & Co. KG baler
DE102017003887B4 (en) * 2017-04-21 2019-02-21 Maschinenfabrik Bernard Krone GmbH & Co. KG baler
DE102017003878B4 (en) * 2017-04-21 2019-07-04 Maschinenfabrik Bernard Krone GmbH & Co. KG baler
DE102017003885B4 (en) * 2017-04-21 2018-12-27 Maschinenfabrik Bernard Krone GmbH & Co. KG baler
CN107284724A (en) * 2017-08-06 2017-10-24 许修义 A kind of temperature control and/or humidification device for automatic tie tool
DE102019113181A1 (en) * 2019-05-17 2020-11-19 Krones Aktiengesellschaft Strapping device, device and method for producing a container comprising at least one article

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3627800C3 (en) * 1986-08-16 1995-10-12 Signode Bernpak Gmbh Guiding devices for the strap of a strap strapping machine
US5540142A (en) * 1993-12-17 1996-07-30 Signode Corporation Machine for strapping sheet metal coil
JPH08244710A (en) * 1995-03-13 1996-09-24 Kawakami:Kk Noodle-tying machine
IT1304441B1 (en) * 1998-12-22 2001-03-19 Baumer Srl METHOD FOR PACKAGING OBJECTS THROUGH LEAF OF THERMORETRACTIVE MATERIALS AND RELATED PACKING MACHINE.
EP1592616A1 (en) * 2003-01-24 2005-11-09 Enterprises International, Inc. Apparatus and methods for applying a strap around a bundle of objects
JP4366214B2 (en) * 2004-02-27 2009-11-18 大森機械工業株式会社 Bundling device and bundling method
EP2311734A1 (en) * 2009-10-16 2011-04-20 Ulma Packaging Technological Center, S. Coop. Packaging machine for wrapping products or batches of products, and packaging process

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2562091A1 (en) 2013-02-27
DE102011081336A1 (en) 2013-02-28
CN102951307A (en) 2013-03-06
DE102011081336A9 (en) 2013-05-08

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