EP2589545A1 - Bundle with carrying handle, method and device for producing such bundles - Google Patents

Abstract

The packaging (10) has a carrying handle (12), which comprises two articles (14) partially enclosed and held together by a shrink film (20), sleeve or similar outer packaging (18). The carrying handle is fixed at the contact points (22) at the outer side of the articles, and partially coincides the contact points with recesses (24) in the outer packaging. The contact points are formed by adhesive joints between outer surface of the article and the carrying handle. The contact points are limited by the recesses. The contact points are partially extended into the outer packaging. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a method for manufacturing packaging with a carrying handle; and (2) a device for manufacturing packaging with a carrying handle.

Description

The present invention relates to a container with handle with the features of claim 1, a method for producing such containers with the features of method claim 6 and an apparatus for producing containers with handle with the features of claim 11.

For the purpose of transport beverage containers are usually summarized in handy containers with four, six or more containers, the container in these containers, for example. Wrapped with shrink film and can be held together.

For ease of handling, containers with such so-called disposable secondary packaging made of PE shrink film or the like often carry handles made of flexible material, for example of sufficiently stable film, cardboard, paper, plastics such as PVC or mixed materials, if necessary with a paper and / or cardboard reinforced handle area. The handle strips can be fixed with their ends to the side surfaces of the container, for example by welding or gluing. For this purpose, the ends of the carrying handle may optionally have self-adhesive areas.

For such an arrangement to have sufficient mechanical stability in the manual handling of the container, not only the carrying handle must have the required load capacity, but also the connection points to the container and its envelope to which the carrying handle is fixed. That is, the enveloping shrink film must have sufficient tensile strength and tear, so when handling the container by means of the carrying handle, the packaging film can not be overstretched and / or tear. Since with increasing measures to reduce costs and in the interest of resource conservation in practice ever thinner packaging films with film thicknesses of 25 microns or less are used, the mechanical strength of the films enters critical areas. To tear the carrying handles in containers with a total of six PET beverage containers a 1.5 Itr. To prevent reliable, film thicknesses of at least 40 microns are usually required. From such a reinforcing measure, however, results in a multiple use of film material of about 60 percent by weight, which is solely due to the fact that the film has at and in the vicinity of the connection points to the handle over a sufficient mechanical stability for the handling of the container.

The DE 693 11 338 T2 discloses a multi-pack for containers, in particular for beverage containers in a single group, in which the containers are held together by means of a plastic band. A flexible carrying handle is fixed to the outsides of the multi-pack, wherein the connecting points each form and cover a region in which the carrying handle ends are fixed to both the band and the container shell surfaces.

The WO 98/07635 discloses a container assembly having two, three or more containers or bottles held together by a label that acts as a tether. The band may have a handle formed so that the container can be worn. The thickness of the band is given as a range between 8 and 100 μm.

Another container arrangement with six or more held together by shrink film beverage cans goes out of the WO 2008/052211 A2 out. The shrink film consists of two layers, which are stapled together at several points transverse to the longitudinal direction, that in each case six or more tubular sections are formed, in which the beverage cans can be inserted. Subsequently, the film sections are separated from each other, so that containers are formed, which are then passed through a shrink oven, whereby the cans are firmly fixed together. A variant of the container provides an upwardly projecting handle portion, which is part of the foil sections, so that an adhesive or welded connection is eliminated.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a container with handle with several held together by a film or outer packaging articles and a method and apparatus for producing such containers are available, in which / despite the use of a thin film or outer packaging as possible sufficient mechanical stability can be ensured in connection with the fixation of the handle ends on the container outside.

Said object of the invention is achieved with the objects of the independent claims. Features of advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the respective dependent claims. Thus, in order to achieve the stated object, the invention proposes a container with a carrying handle, which is formed from at least two articles or comprises two or more articles which are at least partially enveloped and held together by means of a shrink film, a band or the like outer packaging are. The carrying handle is fixed at defined contact points on outer sides of the articles, in particular on outer sides of at least two oppositely arranged articles of the container. According to the present invention, the carrying handle is fixed over contact points on the container that all tensile forces occurring when carrying the container on the carrying handle are largely guided by the carrying handle on the contact points on outer sides of at least two different articles. In this case, it can also be provided that the carrying handle is fixed at contact points on outer sides of the outer packaging, at which contact points the outer packaging adhering and zugkraftübertragend is connected to outer sides of at least two different articles. The contact points can be formed, for example, by splices and / or welds between lateral surfaces of the article and the carrying handle, these splices and / or welds connect the outer packaging zugkraftübertragend with the carrying handle and with the lateral surfaces of the article. That is, the outer packaging or film need not necessarily be broken at the contact points, but may be suitably adhesively bonded both to the carrying handle ends and to the outer circumferential surfaces of the articles or containers. It is essential here that the tensile forces when carrying the container on the carrying handle extend in such a way that when carrying the container no significant or only small forces act on the enveloping packaging. The force curve is thus always on the direct route from the adhesive or weld the handle on the article.

Alternatively, however, it can also be provided that the contact points at least partially coincide with recesses in the outer packaging and penetrate them and thus produce an adhesive and / or welded connection between the respective carrying handle ends and the outer sides or lateral surfaces of the articles, in particular with the inclusion of the outer packaging. which can be connected at the edges of their respective recesses with the contact points. The contact points can optionally be formed by splices between the lateral surfaces of the article and the carrying handle, wherein the carrying handle ends are fixed to the articles, so that a suitable for gripping the container loop towers above the container. Optionally, the contact points can also be formed by welds between the lateral surfaces of the article and the carrying handle or the two carrying handle ends.

The contact points, ie the connection points between the carrying handle and the container can be designed in such a way that the outer packaging in the region of

Contact points each having recesses, wherein the recesses may correspond substantially with the dimensions of the contact surfaces. The adhesive or welds can reach through the recesses and touch the edges of the recess at least partially. With such a fixation of the handle on the articles, the wrapping outer packaging is relieved of tensile forces and completely freed, which are transmitted to the handle when carrying the container on the handle and would lead to a high point loads in an anchored to the outer handle carrying handles to the point breakage, tearing or general failure or partial failure of the wrapping film or outer packaging.

As a handle material different plastic and / or composite materials in question, for example. A PET material of sufficient strength, which has a flexibility and possibly a longitudinal elasticity that allows a comfortable one-handed gripping and carrying the container on the handle. In addition, the handle material may have a paper or cardboard reinforcement and self-adhesive surfaces on the handle ends. Typical containers of this type can, for example, have four or six beverage containers, which are held together by means of shrinkable film or by means of other outer packages, such as tubular casings, and combined to form a transportable container.

The contact points can be formed in particular by splices and / or by welding between the lateral surfaces of the article and the carrying handle. Optionally, the contact points can be essentially limited to the recesses, so that they do not touch the outer packaging or only line-like and thus only slightly extend into the edges of the recess. In this case, the outer package, foil, shrink film o. The like. Extensively free of tensile loads when the container is lifted on the carrying handle. However, variants are also possible in which the contact points extend at least partially into the outer packaging or edges of their recesses, so that the contact points comprise the edges of the recesses or at least partially overlap with the edges of the recesses.

Optionally, the contact or adhesive and / or welds can be formed over the entire surface or comprise multiple gluing or welding points per contact point. In addition, the recesses may correspond substantially to the dimensions of the contact surfaces or may be slightly smaller than these, so that the fixed regions of the carrying handle extend at the edges of the recesses into the outer packaging. Alternatively, variants are conceivable in which the recesses are significantly larger than the contact points or contact surfaces, so that the recesses can, for example, each form a so-called. Foil eye, which has arisen by wrapping the grouped into a container article about a horizontal transverse axis.

In the invention, the reinforcement and stabilization of weak points in wrapped with thin film containers, which are provided with a carrying handle, in the foreground. For this purpose, adhesive dots or spot welds between film and container - in the area of the handle adhesive surface - can be applied. The adhesion points may be formed by any suitable adhesive such as hot melt adhesive, liquid adhesive, double-sided adhesive tape or by welding - e.g. by means of ultrasonic welding - are produced. It is also possible to connect all three components (container, outer packaging film and handle) with each other, both in the case of welding and in the case of an adhesive joint. The number, size and position of the gluing or welding points depend on the respective requirements. In this context, it is not crucial whether the adhesive is applied before the film wrapping or subsequently on the finished container (with or without glued handle), as long as the processing time of the adhesive fits the application.

The adhesive or welded connection from the shrink film to the containers directs the force curve when lifting the container on the handle, resulting from the weight of the container, over the handle on the container, without the film being overly stretched and thereby possibly destroyed.

The invention further comprises a method for producing containers with a carrying handle, in which at least two articles are at least partially enveloped and held together by means of a shrink film, band or the like. In addition, in the method, the carrying handle is fixed by means of adhesive and / or welded joints at contact points on outer sides of articles. In the method, it is provided that the carrying handle is fixed by means of adhesive and / or welded joints at contact points on the container, that all tensile forces occurring when carrying the container on the carrying handle are largely guided by the carrying handle on the outer side of at least two different articles. It can be provided that the carrying handle is fixed to contact points on outer sides of the outer packaging, at which contact points the outer packaging adhering and at the same time zugkraftübertragend is connected to outer sides of at least two different articles.

Alternatively, it can also be provided that cover the contact points at least partially with recesses in the outer packaging or film wrapping and penetrate them. The film or the outer packaging may have, for example, so-called film eyes which leave parts of the articles free, so that the carrying handle ends can be fixed or glued to the exposed article lateral surfaces which simultaneously form the side surfaces of the container.

In a first variant of the method according to the invention, the film or outer packaging may be provided with recesses. These recesses can be introduced, for example, immediately after the unwinding of the film from an endless supply and before the wrapping of the articles, for example by a mechanical or optical punching process such as, for example, a laser cutting process. During the film transport, the carrying handle can be applied with its ends over the recesses introduced into the film with at least partial covering or covering of the recesses on the film or outer packaging, after which the articles are then wrapped with the film or outer packaging. In this variant of the method, the carrying handle adheres to the prepunched foil, so that the fixation or gluing and / or welding of the carrying handle subsequently extends through the punched-out portions to the article casing surface. Alternatively, a pre-cut film can be unwound from the film supply, which already has the provided recesses.

In a second variant of the method, the film or outer packaging can also be initially provided with recesses, for example by laser or punching, after which the articles are wrapped with the film or outer packaging and then the carrying handle by contacting the recesses on the lateral surfaces of the articles, i. on the wrapped container, is applied. Optionally, in this case too, a pre-cut film can be unwound from the film supply, which already has the recesses provided.

A third variant of the method according to the invention provides that the articles are first wrapped with the film or outer packaging, after which the outer packaging is provided with recesses, which can be done, for example, by mechanical punching or laser after applying the film. Subsequently, the carrying handle can be applied by contacting the recesses on the lateral surfaces of the article, ie on the finished container.

If, for example, shrink wrap is used as the outer packaging, then it may already have the required recesses prior to the wrapping of the articles. After wrapping the articles is usually the shrinking of the film under the action of heat, after which the carrying handle can be applied, for example, in the region of the remaining film eye to the article jacket surfaces. In such a variant of the method, the articles can, for example, be enveloped by means of a film wrapping module in the conveying direction in the conveying direction with a film made available from an endless supply, so that containers are formed with recesses arranged laterally in the conveying direction on opposite outer sides. During further transport, the containers can be rotated by about 90 ° or 270 ° about a vertical axis or at an angle of 90 or 270 ° transversely to the conveying direction, so that the carrying handle under contact with the recessed, in the conveying direction front and can be applied on the back arranged container outside. In this process variant can be used as wrapping for example shrink film, adhesive film or a thin and stretchy, well-adherent film web as a wrapper for the article to form film packs as outer packaging.

For applying adhesive dots to the finished container it is e.g. conceivable that a vacuum sucker the film - u.U. Even the already glued handle - lifts off the containers and the adhesive is laterally introduced with a needle through the film. The needle could also be integrated in the nipple, so that the film pulls into the nipple during suction and is thereby punctured by the needle placed there. The thickness of the shrink film can thus be reduced so far that the strength is still sufficient to hold the remaining container together and that the outer container does not sag unreasonably far when lifting the container on the handle.

With odd rows of containers side by side, such as with 3x2 six-packs, the handle can be symmetrically applied outside of the middle containers or bottles. For even numbers of containers next to each other such as. For 4x4 containers, the handle can also run diagonally.

Finally, the present invention comprises an apparatus for carrying out a method for producing containers with carrying handles according to one of the previously described embodiments. The device comprises a transport path for conveying article groups and a film wrapping module for wrapping the article groups with a stretchable and / or heat shrinkable film fed from a film supply to form film packs which have recesses at least two opposite side surfaces of the container are provided or provided subsequently. Furthermore, the device comprises an application device for applying carrying handles while fixing the carrying handle ends in the region of the recesses by welding and / or adhesive connections.

By partially or completely bonding or welding the carrying handle to the containers themselves instead of the enveloping foil, the force flow during lifting of the container does not run from the carrying handle over the foil to the container, but directly between the handle and container. The handle strength is thus independent of the film strength with this arrangement, so that optionally even very thin film can be used. With the same function, the material used on film or secondary packaging can thus be significantly reduced. The carrying capacity of the handle is also significantly increased. The containers can be manufactured and processed with conventional machines without significant conversion. In load tests, it has been found that packages made in such a way with shrink film secondary packagings were also to be loaded with film thicknesses of 25 μm with a high number of load cycles without the compound and / or the film failing, whereas with conventional connection systems hardly a lifting of the container without tearing of the film was to be realized.

Furthermore, the connection technique according to the invention between handle and container has the advantage that all types of imprints, images, structuring, etc., which are located on the outer packaging or the shrink film and may be aligned and positioned with respect to the wrapped articles or beverage containers and possibly , during handling of the container can not be affected, since the outer packaging or the film do not move when lifting the container on the carrying handle against the articles, but remain in their intended original position.

• Fig. 1 zeigt in zwei schematischen Ansichten eine erste Variante eines erfindungsgemäßen Gebindes mit Tragegriff.
• Fig. 2 zeigt eine schematische Perspektivansicht einer Ausführungsvariante eines erfindungsgemäßen Gebindes mit Tragegriff.
• Fig. 3 zeigt in zwei schematischen Detailansichten eine Kontaktstelle eines mit dem Gebinde verklebten oder verschweißten Tragegriffes.
• Fig. 4 zeigt in zwei schematischen Ansichten eine alternative Variante eines erfindungsgemäßen Gebindes mit Tragegriff.
• Fig. 5 zeigt in einer schematischen Perspektivdarstellung einen Verfahrensschritt beim Herstellen einer Klebestelle zwischen einem Tragegriffende und dem Gebinde.
• Fig. 6 zeigt eine schematische Ansicht einer ersten Variante einer Vorrichtung zur Herstellung von erfindungsgemäßen Gebinden.
• Fig. 7 zeigt eine schematische Ansicht einer zweiten Variante der Vorrichtung zur Herstellung von erfindungsgemäßen Gebinden.
• Fig. 8 zeigt eine schematische Ansicht einer dritten Variante der Vorrichtung zur Herstellung von erfindungsgemäßen Gebinden.
• Fig. 9 zeigt eine schematische Ansicht einer vierten Variante der Vorrichtung zur Herstellung von erfindungsgemäßen Gebinden.

Hereinafter, embodiments illustrate the invention and its advantages with reference to the accompanying drawings. The proportions of the individual elements to one another in the figures do 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 better illustration.

• Fig. 1 shows in two schematic views a first variant of a container according to the invention with handle.
• Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a container according to the invention with handle.
• Fig. 3 shows in two schematic detail views a contact point of a glued or welded to the container handle.
• Fig. 4 shows in two schematic views of an alternative variant of a container according to the invention with handle.
• Fig. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a method step in producing a splice between a handle end and the container.
• Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of a first variant of an apparatus for producing containers according to the invention.
• Fig. 7 shows a schematic view of a second variant of the apparatus for producing containers according to the invention.
• Fig. 8 shows a schematic view of a third variant of the apparatus for producing containers according to the invention.
• Fig. 9 shows a schematic view of a fourth variant of the apparatus for producing containers according to the invention.

Identical or equivalent elements of the invention are designated by the same reference numerals. For the sake of clarity, only reference symbols in the individual figures which are required for the description of the respective figure are usually shown. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of how the device or method of the invention may be configured and are not an exhaustive limitation.

The schematic views of Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b show a first variant of a container 10 according to the invention with handle 12. The container 10 comprises in the embodiment shown a total of six articles 14 in the form of PET beverage containers 16, which are grouped in a so-called. Rectangular arrangement and with a wrapping disposable outer packaging 18 in the form of a Shrink film 20, in particular a PE shrink film 20 are held together. The carrying handle 12 is defined at Contact points 22 on outer sides of at least two oppositely arranged articles 14 and beverage containers 16 of the container 10 fixed. These contact points 22 coincide according to the present invention at least partially with recesses 24 in the outer packaging 18 or film 20, so that the contact points 22 in the embodiment shown pass through the recesses 24 and the edges 26 of the recess 24 at least partially touch, as the enlarged view of the Fig. 3a clarified.

The adhering to the contact point 22, rectangular and elongated in the vertical direction along the lateral surface 28 of the container 16 and the article 14 extending handle end 30 covers not only the also elongated recess 24, but also its edge region 26 and a part of the edge However, due to the concentrating in the recess 24, an adhesive connection 34 or weld 35 having contact point 22 largely the entire force flow directly from the handle 12 through the recess 24 through the lateral surface 28 of the contacted article 14 or container 16 takes place. At the same time, the film surface 32 and thus the area of the outer packaging 18 or shrink film 20 surrounding the contact point 22 is relieved of tensile forces when carrying the container 10, since the relatively small contact surface outside the edge 26 does not have any appreciable tensile forces F in the outer packaging 18 or film 20 initiate.

Optionally, the contact pad 22 may also be configured in a manner such that the adhesive bond 34 or weld 35 is limited to the area of the recess 24, whereas the edge region 26 and the region outside of this edge 26 have no adhesive, whereby the film 20 and outer packaging 18 are kept entirely of tensile forces F, which are applied over the handle 12.

The schematic perspective view of Fig. 2 shows a further embodiment variant of the container 10 according to the invention with carrying handle 12, which forms a handle loop 13 located above the top of the container for carrying the container 10. The container 10 also includes in this variant a total of six articles 14 in the form of PET beverage containers 16, which are grouped in a so-called. Rectangular arrangement and held together with a wrapping disposable outer packaging 18 in the form of a shrink film 20, in particular a PE shrink film. The carrying handle 12 is on defined contact points 22 in the region of outer sides of at least two oppositely arranged articles 14 and beverage container 16 of the container 10 is fixed.

These contact points 22 according to a variant of the invention include the outer packaging 18 so that the carrying handle ends 30 are applied to the outside of the outer packaging 18. Optionally, the contact points 22, however, at least partially coincide with recesses 24 in the outer packaging 18 or foil 20, so that the contact points 22 in the embodiment shown pass through the recesses 24 and touch the edges 26 of the recess 24 at least partially, as the enlarged presentation of the Fig. 3a clarified. Nevertheless, with reference to the Fig. 2 It should be noted that the carrying handle 12 is first applied to the film 20 or outer package 18 in this variant, even if the carrying handle ends 30 are adhesively applied to the container jacket surfaces 28 by means of suitable joining techniques with penetration of the film 20 or outer packaging 18.

The adhering to the contact point 22, rectangular and elongated in the vertical direction along the lateral surface 28 of the container 16 and the article 14 extending handle end 30 covers both completely the elongated or punctiform recess 24 and its edge region 26 and a part of the edge 26 surrounding film surface 32, but due to the concentrated in the recess 24, an adhesive connection 34 and / or weld 35 having contact point 22 largely the entire power flow directly from the handle 12 through the recess 24 on the lateral surface 28 of the contacted article 14 or Container 16 takes place. At the same time, the film surface 32 and thus the area of the outer packaging 18 or shrink film 20 surrounding the contact point 22 is relieved of tensile forces when carrying the container 10, since the relatively small contact surface outside the edge 26 does not have any appreciable tensile forces F in the outer packaging 18 or film 20 initiate.

Optionally, the contact pad 22 may also be configured in a manner such that the adhesive bond 34 or weld 35 is confined to the region of the recess 24, whereas the edge region 26 and the region outside this edge 26 have no adhesive or are not welded together the film 20 or outer packaging 18 are kept free of tensile forces F, which are applied over the handle 12.

The schematic detail view of Fig. 3b shows a variant in which the contact point 22 has a plurality of recesses 24 which are arranged vertically in a row one above the other. These recesses 24 in each case form the adhesive connections 34 or welded connections 35 to the lateral surfaces 28 of the articles 14 or beverage containers 16, the adhesive connections 34 or welded connections 35 optionally being able to extend into the carrying handle end 30 resting on the film surface 32 in the area outside the edges 26 or these Areas of adhesive can be kept free.

The recesses 24 may optionally be much smaller than in the Fig. 3b indicated and, for example, be formed only by welding or adhesive dots 34, 35 which penetrate the outer package 18 or film 20 punctually and on a small area (see. Fig. 5 ).

In the in the FIGS. 4a and 4b shown third container variant of the carrying handle 12 is not fixed in a matched to the size of its contact points 22 to the handle ends 30 recess, as in the in Fig. 1 the embodiment shown is the case, but arranged in the region of a so-called. Folienauges 33, which leaves a relatively large area of the vertical front and back sides of the container 10 of film 20 uncovered and the heat shrinking of the shrink film 20 tends to be even greater than after wrapping The grouped article 14 or beverage container 16 with the film 20. The film eye 33 may, for example, take a share of about 50% of the front and back of the container 10, but optionally also a much smaller or larger proportion.

In this variant, the contact points 22 with the adhesive connections 34 or welded joints 35 which fix the carrying handle ends 30 of the carrying handle 12 to the areas of the lateral surfaces 28 of the two centrally arranged beverage containers 16 of the container 10, which faces the outer sides of the container 10, are not in adhesive contact with the outer packaging 18 or shrink film 20, but preferably have a small distance to the upper edge of the film eye 33.

The schematic perspective view of Fig. 5 shows an example of a way of bonding the handle end 30 of the carrying handle 12 on the outside of the container 10. Thus, for example, a vacuum sucker 36, the film 20 or outer packaging 18, possibly together with the already glued handle 12 (not shown here ), lift off from the containers 16, after which the adhesive can be introduced laterally with an injection needle 38 through the outer package 18 or film 20 therethrough. Optionally, the needle 38 may also be integrated in the nipple 36, so that when sucked the film 20 pulls into the nipple 36 and is thereby pierced by the needle 38 placed there. The thickness of the shrink film 20 can thus be reduced so far that the strength is still sufficient to hold the remaining container together without the outer container 16 when lifting the container 10 on the handle 12 does not sag unreasonably far.

In a variant which can not be seen here in detail but is variant according to the invention, the carrying handle 12 or handle is fixed in such a way via the contact points 22 on the container 10 that all tensile forces occurring on the carrying handle 12 when carrying the container 10 are as far as possible from the carrying handle 12 via the contact points 22 to the container jacket surfaces 28 are led by at least two different articles 14. It can also be provided that the carrying handle 12 is fixed at the contact points 22 on the outer sides of the outer packaging 18 or the film 20, so that the outer package 18 and the film 20 adhering and zugkraftübertragend with the outer circumferential surfaces 28 at least two different articles 14th connected is. As mentioned above and based on the FIGS. 1 to 5 explained, the contact points 22 may, for example, by splices 34 and / or welds 35 between the lateral surfaces 28 of the article 14 and the handle 12 may be formed, these splices 34 and / or welds 35, the outer packaging 18 traction transmitting with the handle 12 and with the Connect lateral surfaces 28 of Article 14. That is, the outer package 18 or film 20 need not necessarily be broken at the contact points 22, but may be suitably adhesively connected both to the carrying handle ends 30 and to the outer circumferential surfaces 28 of the articles 14 or containers. It is essential here that the tensile forces when picking up the container 10 on the carrying handle 12 run in such a way that when the container 10 is carried, no appreciable or at most slight forces act on the enveloping packaging 18 or 20. The force curve is thus always on the direct path from the adhesive or weld 34, 35 of the handle 12 and 30 on the article 14 on.

The FIGS. 6 to 9 each show in schematic views four different variants of an apparatus for producing containers 10 according to the invention. The methods that can be used for producing the containers 10 are also described with reference to FIGS FIGS. 6 to 9 explained. Thus, the packaging machines 40 shown there have in common that in a transport direction 42 each grouped article 14 or container 16 on horizontal conveyors 44 first pass through a film packer 46 and then a shrink oven 48, after which they are fed via a container transport section 50 further, not shown here, packaging and / or processing stations, so for example. A Palettiereinrichtung o. The like.

In the area of the film packer 46, a shrink film 20 unrolled from an endless film supply 52 is made available for packaging the grouped articles 14 or container 16 and fed via a film separating station 54 to a film wrapping module 56, which groups the articles 14 or containers 16 with the film Shrink wrap 20 wrapped. Based on FIGS. 6 to 9 Now different variants of the method for producing the container 10 according to the invention with handle 12 are illustrated. Common to all the variants of the method shown is that the articles 14 or containers 16 in the region of the film packer 46 are respectively enveloped and held together with the shrink film 20 or outer packaging 18. In addition, in the method, the carrying handle 12 is fixed to the intended contact points on the outer sides of the article 14, wherein these contact points can correspond at least partially with recesses in the outer packaging or film wrapping (see, for example. Fig. 5 ).

At the in Fig. 6 shown first variant of the method according to the invention, the shrink film 20 may be provided in the region of the film packer 46, between the film supply 52 and the film separating station 54, with suitable recesses. These recesses can be introduced by means of a punching device 58 o. The like. Immediately after unwinding of the film 20 from its endless supply 52 and before the wrapping of the articles 14, for example. By a mechanical or optical punching process such as, a laser cutting process. During further film transport, the carrying handle 12 can be applied with its ends over the recesses introduced into the film 20 with at least partial covering or covering of the recesses on the film 20 or outer packaging (gluing or welding), after which the articles with the film 20 or outer packaging are wrapped. For this purpose, the punching device 58 is followed by a suitable application device 60 for fixing the carrying handles on the not yet separated into sections film 20 before the film 20 then passes through the film separating station 54.

In this variant of the method, the carrying handle 12 adheres to the prepunched film 20, so that the fixation by gluing or welding of the carrying handle 12 then extends through the punched holes to the article casing surface. Optionally, a pre-cut film can be unwound from the film supply 52 be, which already has the provided recesses, so that in this case can be dispensed with the downstream of the film supply 52 punching device 58. The film wrapping module 56 then ensures the wrapping of the grouped articles 14 with the suitably cut-to-length film sections, which in each case already have the suitably positioned carrying handle, before the further transport takes place through the shrink oven 48 and the container transport section 50.

At the in Fig. 7 2, the film 20 or outer packaging can first be unwound from the film supply 52, pass through the film-separating station 54 and be wound around the grouped articles 14 by means of the film wrapping module 56 in the film packer 46. Subsequently, the film bundles 10 are conveyed in the intended transport direction 42 via the horizontal conveyor 44 through the shrink oven 48 to the downstream container transport section 50, which in the embodiment shown both a punching device 58 for introducing the required recesses in the film packaging as well as a punching device 58 downstream application device 60 assigned is where the carrying handles are applied. Optionally, a prepunched film 20 can be unwound from the film supply 52 in this variant, which already has the recesses provided, so that the punching device 58 in the container transport section 50 may possibly also be omitted.

The in the schematic representation of Fig. 8 shown third variant of the method according to the invention differs substantially from the first and second variants by the different or separate arrangements of the punching device 58 of the application device 60. While in this third variant, the punching device 58 is associated with the film packer 46 and between the film supply 52 and the film separating station 54 can be located, as well as the first variant ( Fig. 6 ), the application device 60 as in the second variant (FIG. Fig. 7 ) are in the region of the container transport section 50.

The in the schematic representation of Fig. 9 shown fourth variant of the method according to the invention provides that the articles 14 are initially wrapped in a manner with the film 20 or outer packaging, that in the transport direction 42 laterally located longitudinal sides of the container 10 each have. These foil eyes can serve as recesses in the sense of the invention. After wrapping the article 14 takes place in the shrinking oven 48, the shrinking of the film under the action of heat, after which the carrying handle in the areas of the remaining

Foil eyes can be applied to the article envelope surfaces. During further transport in the container transport section 50, the containers 10 are first rotated by a suitable handling device 62 by about 90 ° or 270 ° about a vertical axis or at an angle of 90 or 270 ° transverse to the conveying direction 42, so that the carrying handle by means of Downstream application device 60 can be applied by contacting the provided with the recesses in the form of the film 33 eyes, in the conveying direction 42 front and rear side of the container arranged outside. In this process variant can be used as wrapping for example shrink film, adhesive film or a thin and stretchy, well-adherent film web as a wrapper for the article to form film packs as outer packaging. Essential in this variant of the application method for the carrying handles is the rotation of the container 10, whereby the so-called. Foil eye is directed in or against the direction of the transported container, which would not be given after wrapping by means of the impact module 56. For this purpose, the containers can, for example, be rotated by 90 or 270 degrees about their vertical axis.

If in the context of the above description of punching is mentioned, which is introduced by means of the punching device 58 in the film 20 or outer packaging 18 of the container 10, this equally includes punctures corresponding to the injection needle 38 accordingly Fig. 5 and / or by means of a vacuum 38 integrated in the needle 36 are introduced to apply in this way the respective container outer shell 28 with adhesive, there to fix the handle end 30.

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

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

container

12

handle

13

handle loop

14

items

16

Container, beverage container

18

overpack

20

Foil, shrink wrap

22

contact point

24

recess

26

Edge, edge area

28

lateral surface

30

Handle end

32

film surface

33

foil eye

34

adhesive bond

35

welded joint

36

Vacuum pad

38

Needle, hypodermic needle

40

packaging machine

42

transport direction

44

Horizontal conveyor

46

film packer

48

shrink oven

50

Container transport section

52

Foil supply, endless foil stock

54

Film release station

56

Film wrapping module

58

punch

60

application device

62

handling device

Claims (16)

Container (10) with carrying handle (12), comprising at least two articles (14), which are at least partially enveloped and held together by means of a shrink film (20), band or the like. Umverpackung (18), wherein the carrying handle (12) over Fixed contact points (22) on the container (10) that all when carrying the container (10) on the carrying handle (12) occurring tensile forces largely from the carrying handle (12) via the contact points (22) on outer sides of at least two different articles (14) are headed. A container according to claim 1, wherein the carrying handle (12) is fixed at contact points (22) on an outer side of the outer package (18) and / or on outer sides of at least two different articles (14), which contact points (22) at least partially Cover recesses (24) in the outer packaging (18). Container according to Claim 1, in which the carrying handle (12) is fixed to contact points (22) on outer sides of the outer packaging (18), at which contact points (22) the outer packaging (18) adheres and transmits traction with outer sides of at least two different articles (14). connected is. A container according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the contact points (22) are formed by splices (34) and / or welds (35) between lateral surfaces (28) of the articles (14) and the carrying handle (12), wherein the splices (34 ) and / or welds (35) connect the outer packaging (18) in a traction-transmitting manner with the carrying handle (12) and with the lateral surfaces (28) of the articles (14). Container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contact points (22) at least partially penetrate the outer packaging (18) and in each case adhesive and / or welded joints (34, 35) between handle ends (30) and the articles (14) and / or the Make outer package (18). Container according to claim 1, 2 or 5, wherein the contact points (22) by splices (34) and / or welds (35) between lateral surfaces (28) of the articles (14) and the carrying handle (12) are formed. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the splices (34) and / or welds (35) of the contact points (22) each adhesive and / or Welded connections between the handle ends (30), the outer packaging (18) in the area and / or in the vicinity of the recesses (24) and the lateral surfaces (28) of the articles (14) produce. A container according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the contact points (22) the adhesive and / or welded connection (34, 35) extends to the outer package (18) and this includes. Method for producing containers (10) with a carrying handle (12), in which at least two articles (14) are at least partially enveloped and held together by means of a shrink film (20), band or the like outer package (18), the carrying handle (12 ) by means of adhesive and / or welded joints (34, 35) at contact points (22) on the container (10) is fixed, that all when carrying the container (10) on the carrying handle (12) occurring tensile forces as far as possible from the carrying handle (12) the contact points (22) are guided on outsides of at least two different articles (14). Method according to Claim 9, in which the contact points (22) at least partially coincide with recesses (24) in the outer packaging (18) and penetrate the outer packaging (18). The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein the film (20) or outer packaging (18) with recesses (24) are provided, then the articles (14) with the film (20) or outer packaging (18) are wrapped and then the carrying handle (12) by contacting the recesses (24) on the lateral surfaces (28) of the article (14) is applied. Method according to claim 9 or 10, in which the carrying handle (12) is fixed at contact points (22) on outer sides of the outer packaging (18), at which contact points (22) the outer packaging (18) adheres and transmits traction with outer sides of at least two different articles ( 14) is connected. Method according to one of Claims 9 to 11, in which the articles (14) are enveloped by the film (20) or outer packaging (18), after which the outer packaging (18) or film (20) is provided with recesses (24) and subsequently the carrying handle (12) is applied by contacting the recesses (24) on the lateral surfaces (28) of the articles (14). Method according to one of claims 9 to 11 or 13, wherein the film (20) or outer packaging (18) for the application of adhesive to the lateral surfaces (28) of the articles (14) lifted from the lateral surface (28) and the adhesive through the Foil (20) or outer packaging is injected, after which the carrying handle (12) is applied to the splices (34). Method according to one of claims 9 to 14, in which the articles (14) are enveloped by means of a film wrapping module (56) in the region of a transport path in the conveying direction (42) with a film (20) made available by an endless supply (52) in that containers (10) are formed with recesses (24) arranged laterally on opposite outer sides in the conveying direction (42), after which the containers (10) are rotated by about 90 ° or 270 ° about a vertical axis and the carrying handle (12) is under Contacting the provided with recesses (24), in the conveying direction (42) front and rear side of the container arranged outside is applied. Apparatus for carrying out a method for producing containers (10) with carrying handles (12) according to one of claims 9 to 15, comprising a transport path for conveying article groups, a film wrapping module (56) for wrapping the article groups with one of a film supply (52). supplied, stretch and / or heat shrinkable film (20) for forming film packs, which are provided with recesses (24) on at least two opposite side surfaces of the container (10), and with an application device (60) for the application of carrying handles (12) with fixation of the carrying handle ends (30) in the region of the recesses (24) by means of adhesive and / or welded joints (34, 35) with penetration and / or making an adhesive connection with the shrinkable film (20).

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