EP2655078A2

EP2655078A2 - Method for applying at least one enclosing element to a flat product composition, and enclosing element applying device for carrying out the method

Info

Publication number: EP2655078A2
Application number: EP11794090.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Werner Honegger
Original assignee: Ferag AG
Current assignee: Ferag AG
Priority date: 2010-12-20
Filing date: 2011-12-02
Publication date: 2013-10-30
Anticipated expiration: 2031-12-02
Also published as: US20170080739A1; CA2821585A1; EP3156251A1; US10427444B2; EP3156250A1; US9511613B2; AU2011347978B2; US20130280014A1; EP2655078B1; EP3156251B1; EP3156250B1; WO2012084464A3; WO2012084464A2; AU2011347978A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for applying at least one strip section (14a) to a flat product composition (11a, b), which comprises printed products in particular. According to the method, a strip section (14a) or an individual element of a specified length is provided and subsequently applied around a selected edge (31) of the product composition (14a, b) in a perpendicular manner with respect to said edge (31) so as to rest against the product composition (14a, b). A reliable operation that is independent of the type of the strip is achieved in that the selected edge (31) of the product composition (11a, b) is moved forward along a transporting path (12), the strip section (14a) is held ready at a specified point of the transporting path (12) so as to intersect the transporting path (12), the selected edge (31) of the product composition (11a, b) is moved past the specified point, and at the same time the selected edge (31) drives the strip section (14a) that is held ready.

Description

Method for attaching at least one Umfassungselements on a flat product combination and Umfassungselement application device for performing the method

TECH N ISCH ES G EBI ET

The present invention relates to the field of processing flat product assemblies, as it is carried out for example in the print finishing. It relates to a method for attaching at least one Umfassungselements on a flat product combination according to the preamble of claim 1. It further relates to a Umfassungselement application device for performing the method.

STATE OF THE ART

In the present time, advertising materials such as brochures, flyers, catalogs, flyers, direct mail items, as well as samples, CDs, etc., are being distributed directly by special service providers. In the process, advertising materials from different providers are often combined and distributed together in order to keep distribution costs low. The jointly distributed advertising or precursors then form a stack of loosely superimposed (individual) individual copies, which must be assembled, for example, from the distributor in each case at the place of delivery by hand. However, this type of compilation is time-consuming and error-prone, so that either certain advertising media are contained in the formed stacks or are missing altogether.

Stacking is understood to mean, in principle, combinations of flat precursors which lie above one another and are held together by gravity. Are the precursors in a different spatial orientation, z. Vertical to each other The lying aligned, they are referred to here as a collection. Essentially, the invention relates to such various types of preproduct compositions, hereinafter referred to as product compositions.

When processing stacked product compositions of sheet-like products, as occur, for example, in newspaper printing, there is often the desire to keep such product combinations together by attaching strips or to differentiate them from other product combinations.

If a large number of product assemblies have to be processed in this way per unit of time, that is to say are equipped with such strips, the corresponding method should be simple to carry out, enable a high processing speed and, moreover, be functionally reliable.

Document EP 0 666 1 86 A1 discloses a method and a device for producing multipart printed product units, in which inserts are arranged in a folded newspaper serving as the outside of the product unit. An adhesive tape section connects the two legs of the newspaper together to inhibit the inserts from sliding and to prevent them from falling out of the newspaper. The adhesive tape sections are thereby cut off before attaching an adhesive tape and then the individual sections transported by a separate transport device to the newspapers and placed, sitting in a drum with pocket-like receiving parts and are moved on a circular path. This type of application requires a high expenditure on equipment.

The document US 5, 096, 1 76 or EP 0 493 1 09 A1 describes an apparatus and a method by which a stack of paper sheets on one edge so with a not adhesive paper strip is provided that several stacks are separated from each other safely. For this purpose, a roll of paper is fed into the transport path of the stack in a continuous manner, so that the transported stack takes along the paper strip and at the same time passes a subsequent knife in such a way that a strip section is cut off from the paper strip. The stack with the trimmed strip portion is then passed between two parallel belts, the strip portion being folded around the front edge of the stack. Due to the distance between the position of the crossing strip and the following bands an application of adhesive tape sections is not possible and should also be explicitly avoided.

Document DE 692 1 461 4 T2 discloses a method and apparatus for temporarily connecting a plurality of sheets of an information recording medium. For this purpose, adhesive bond band segments are provided on opposite sides and wrapped around an edge of a set set of phrases by means of movable wrapping means. To cut and wrap the segments complicated, mechanically movable equipment are used, which are complex in construction and slow in the application and tend to malfunction due to the complexity.

From the document WO 2008/074325 A1 a method for wrapping a stack of sheets, brochures or the like is known, in which the stacks are transported at a distance one behind the other on a transport path. By means of a special swivel wheel, a wrapping sheet is withdrawn from a prepared sheet supply, positioned vertically in a gap between two successive stacks and then folded by means of the swivel wheel around the stack moved past. The complicated one Movement of the swivel wheel prevents high processing speed of the stack.

EP 1 409 347 B1 discloses a method for wrapping printed matters by arranging a film around the printed matter. In this case, the film is arranged on a first conveying device. The printed matter is then arranged partly on the top of the film, so that a front part of the film in the conveying direction is not covered by the printed matter. An upwardly directed air flow is then provided, thereby blowing the front portion of the film upwardly into a vertical position. The printed matter with the film is then conveyed under an upper belt, whereby the film is folded back along the top of the printed matter. The problem here is that the film must first be placed on the transport mechanism and positioned there, and then placed the printed matter on the film and also must be positioned. This requires equipment expenditure and limits the speed of processing. Document US 6,464,811 discloses a method and apparatus for closing folded material having a folded end and an open end to be sealed for mailing at the open end. The process is similar to the closure of an open envelope, which is already connected at the folded end. Product compilations in the sense of the present application, in which flat products lie loosely on one another, are not the subject of this document.

US Pat. No. 3,507,089 A relates to a bundling device in which, in a complicated method, a plurality of cigarette packs arranged side by side and one above the other are combined to form a bar and are completely filled with a plug. wrapping material to be wrapped and packed. The packaging material is supplied as a broad path perpendicular to the transport path of the rod, cut off a section by a rotating blade and the section taken through the rod.

A comparable apparatus for fully wrapping paper sheet stacks is known from US 3,996,728.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTORY

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method and a device for applying enclosing elements to product assemblies, which avoid the disadvantages of known solutions, work quickly and safely and are equally suitable for the application of adhesive and non-adhesive enclosing elements.

These and other objects are achieved by the features of claims 1 and 1 7.

The inventive method for attaching at least one Umfassungselements on a flat, several products, in particular printed products, comprehensive, product combination, starting from a method in which a Umfassungselement predetermined length provided and then perpendicular to a selected edge of the product composition around the edge around at the Product composition is applied adjacent. It is characterized in that the product combination with the selected edge first along a transport path, in particular with the surface substantially parallel to the transport path, is moved, that the Umfassungselement at a predetermined location of the transport path, the transport path is kept crossing and that the product composition with the selected edge is moved past the predetermined location and thereby entrains with the selected edge the ready held Umfassungselement.

An embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that the surrounding element is kept supported at a predetermined point of the transport path in the transport direction. Another embodiment of the inventive method is characterized in that the surrounding element is formed as a strip portion, and that the strip portion is separated when takeaway through the product assembly of a provided strip, in particular cut off.

Another embodiment of the method is characterized in that, in order to cut off the strip portion, the strip provided is pressed against a knife by the product assembly moved past the predetermined position.

Another embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that the strip is brought up or down against the transport direction to the transport path, and that the knife is arranged at a distance above or below the transport path. Of course, in the context of the invention but also another, in particular an opposite, conveying direction of the strip possible.

Preferably, the strip is introduced continuously, in particular at a constant speed.

Another embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that for separating or cutting off the strip section the provided Strip is brought by a handling means in a position crossing the transport path.

In particular, a correspondingly directed air jet from an air nozzle is used as the handling means. Of course, instead of air, another gas can also be directed out of the nozzle onto the strip section.

A further embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that the surrounding element is designed as a single element, in particular a self-adhesive label, and that the individual element or label is taken away or peeled off from a carrier tape by the product combination. Again, as a handling means a suitably directed air jet can be used from an air nozzle.

Another embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that the product combination with the entrained Umfassungselement or strip portion or single element is moved through a pressure means, which lying outside the edge areas of Umfassungselements or strip portion lying parallel to the transport path Side surfaces of the product composition and moves.

A further embodiment of the method is characterized in that the pressing means simultaneously strikes the surrounding element or the strip section or the individual element against the direction of movement of the product combination to the rear against the product composition. In particular, as a pressing means extending parallel to the transport path upper Andruckbürste and parallel to the transport path extending lower pressure brush used. In particular, the Andruckbürsten are stationary.

Preferably, the surrounding element or the strip or strip section or the individual element is provided on at least one side with adhesives, in particular an adhesive layer, and the surrounding element or the strip section with the side provided with the adhesives or the adhesive layer faces the incoming product composition kept ready.

A further embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that an enclosing element or strip and strip section or individual element made of paper or a plastic film or a metal, in particular single sheets of paper, is (are) used.

In particular, the surrounding element or the strip or strip section or the individual element can be provided on the longitudinal sides with the weakening means facilitating the tearing or tearing.

The enclosing element application device according to the invention comprises a transport device for transporting the flat product assemblies, which defines a transport path running through an application unit, the application unit being equipped with means for keeping a surrounding element ready to be applied at a predetermined point of the transport path in a position crossing the transport path. It is characterized in that on both sides of the transport path are provided at a distance from one another stop means, on which the Umfassungselement to be applied abuts crossing the transport path and in Transport direction supported so that the transported on the transport path product combinations are movable with entrainment of Umfassungselemente between the stop means therethrough.

An embodiment of the Umfassungselement-application device according to the invention is characterized in that the Umfassungselemente are formed as strip portions, and that the means for holding a strip portion to be applied first means for providing a strip and second means for cutting the strip portion to be applied from the provided strip includes.

In particular, the first means comprise a feed unit with at least one driven roller on which the strip rests.

Another embodiment of the Umfassungselement application device is characterized in that the second means comprise a distance parallel to the transport path lying, with the cutting edge directed against the transport direction, the knife.

A further embodiment of the surrounding element application device is characterized in that the enclosing elements are designed as individual elements, in particular self-adhesive labels, and that the means for holding a single element to be applied have first means for bringing a carrier strip provided with individual elements as well as second means for detaching or Peel off the applied Einzelellelement of the carrier tape.

Another embodiment of the surrounding element application device is characterized in that an air nozzle is provided for erecting and applying the strip section or individual element to the stop means. Instead of the air nozzle but also a gas nozzle can generally be provided. A further embodiment of the Umfassungselement application device is characterized in that are arranged in the transport direction behind the abutment means pressure means which press the entrained strip portion or the entrained single element to the lying parallel to the transport path side surfaces of the product composition.

In particular, the pressure means comprise a parallel to the transport path extending upper Andruckbürste and extending parallel to the transport path lower pressure brush.

A further embodiment is characterized in that the upper pressure brush has long, soft bristles, which are bent in the direction of movement when passing through a product combination and conform to the continuous product composition, and that the lower pressure brush has short, hard bristles, the ends of a (fixed ) Section of the continuous transport path.

A method for assembling a stack of loose superimposed or a collection of loosely fitting single or multi-layer precursors, especially printed products, same or different size with two external precursors, in which method the stack or the collection a later handling easier cohesion has already been described in the filed on 20 December 201 1 in Switzerland first application CH 02 1 2 1/1 0, the priority of which is claimed for the present application and the disclosure of which is expressly part of the disclosure of the present application should . KU RZE EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1 in several schematic subfigures (FIGS. 1 a - d) show various steps in a method for attaching a strip section to a flat product combination according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a perspective side view of an application unit suitable for the method according to the invention, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 shows the application unit from FIG. 2 seen from another side;

Fig. 4 in a to FIG. 1 comparable representation of an application unit, in which the strip is advanced against the transport direction between two counter-rotating rollers;

Fig. 5 in a to FIG. 4 comparable representation of an application unit according to an embodiment of the invention, in which individual elements, in particular labels, detached from a brought-up carrier tape and provided for driving; and

Fig. 5a-b in plan view from above two embodiments of a carrier tape with

Labels. WAYS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In several schematic subfigures (FIGS. 1a-d), FIG. 1 shows various steps in a method for attaching an enclosing element in the form of a strip section to a flat product combination comprising several products according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. By enclosing element is generally understood an element which may comprise the product combination from one side.

1 shows an embodiment of a Umfassungselement- application device in the form of a Streifenapplikationsvorrichtung 10, which comprises a horizontally extending in the example transport device or transport path 12 on which product combinations are in time sequence 11a, 11b transported by a dashed framed application unit 30. In the application unit 30, the product assemblies 11a, 11b delivered on the transport path 12 are successively provided at their front edge 31 with a strip section 14a which is placed perpendicular to the edge 31 around the edge 31 and at the upper and lower side surfaces of the product assemblies 11a, 11b, in particular adhesive or adhesive, rests (Fig. 1d). As a result, products which are located inside the product assemblies 11a, 11b also adhere to the strip sections with an edge and are thus fixed within the product combination.

The application unit 30 includes two Andruckbürsten 17 a and 17 b, which are arranged substantially parallel to each other and parallel to the transport path 12 at a distance above each other so that their bristles abut, for example, with the ends at the height of the transport path 12, and that on the transport path 12 through the application unit 30 transported product assembly 11a, b between the upper pressure brush 17a and the lower pressure brush 17b can be moved through. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 has the upper Andruckbürste 1 7a long, soft bristles, which are aligned in the normal state perpendicular to the transport direction and bend when moving through a product combination 1 1 a, b in the transport direction and create or cling to the product combination 1 1 a, b and without Further settings of the system can compensate for different thicknesses of product combinations 1 1 a, b. The lower pressure brush 1 7b has in the example short, hard bristles, which are slightly inclined from the outset in the transport direction and carry without significant deformation, the passing product mixture 1 1 a, b and so form a level-equal portion of the transport path 1 2.

In this way, the Andruckbürsten 1 7a, b ensure that the applied strip portion 1 4a closely to the product composition 1 1 a, b applies and at the same time to the rear of the product assembly 1 1 a, b is painted tightening.

The upper pressure brush 1 7a has in the example but another important function: their rear in the direction of transport serves together with an arranged underneath knife 1 5, the cutting edge in the vertical direction at the same height, as a stop for the strip portion 1 4a to be applied , As shown in FIG. 1 b, the strip 1 4, from which the strip section 1 4a is cut off, assumes a position perpendicular to the transport path 1 2, by abutting the front edge of the upper pressure brush 1 7a and the cutting edge of the knife 1 5. In contrast, the lower pressure brush 1 7b is slightly set back in the transport direction and plays no role as a stop.

This dual function of the upper pressure brush 1 7a is for the reliability of the device advantage. Once a product combination 1 1 a with its front Edge 3 1 reaches the top of the Andruckbürste 1 7a and the knife 1 5, the transport path 1 2 crossing strips 1 4 and takes along, this is pressed on the top of the product composition 1 1 a and tightening against the transport direction from front to back painted (Fig. 1 c). In this way, on the one hand a secure, wrinkle-free contact of the strip 1 4 or strip portion 1 4a in the product combination 1 1 a achieved. This is of particular importance when applying an adhesive layer provided with a strip or an adhesive tape. On the other hand, a tension in the strip 1 4 is generated, which favors the cutting of the strip portion 1 4a of the strip 1 4 on the knife 1 5.

To bring the strip 1 4 and bring to the upper Andruckbürste 1 7a and the knife 1 5 perpendicular to the system, a feed unit 1 3 is provided, which in FIG. 1 is simplified symbolized by a circle. The feed unit 1 3 pushes the strip 1 4, which is for example unrolled from a supply roll (not shown) via two co-rotating, driven rollers (26, 27 in Fig. 2) below the knife 1 5 continuously and at a constant speed against the Transport direction parallel to the transport path 1 2 before (Fig. 1 a). The feed unit 1 3 is designed so that the advanced strip 1 4 experiences a slight curvature in the transverse direction, which stabilizes the (free) led forward strip 1 4 in the feed direction. The feed rate is adjusted to the transport speed of the product compositions 1 1 a, b on the transport path 1 2 so that the strip 1 4 advancing at a feed speed feed unit 1 3 in each gap between two successive product combinations 1 1 a, b always just one Strip portion 1 4a can introduce predetermined length. The feed rate is usually smaller than the transport speed. In particular, the feed rate is continuous and preferably constant. At least one gas or air nozzle 1 6b is provided to produce the downwardly antiparallel to the transport direction below the knife 1 5 advanced strip 1 4 for abutment against the knife edge and the upper Andruckbürste 1 7a, which produces an obliquely upward in the transport direction air jet (Fig. 1 b), which bends the strip 1 4 around the cutting edge of the knife 1 5 and applies to the front of the upper Andruckbürste 1 7a. The change in the direction of the strip 1 4 caused by the air jet is influenced by the knife 15, which, as already mentioned above, is arranged substantially parallel to the pressure brushes 1 7a, b below the lower pressure brush 1 7b in such a way that when drawing in Strip 1 4 between the Andruckbürsten 1 7a, b (Fig. 1 b -> Fig. 1 c) through the product combination 1 1 a of the strip 1 4 a strip portion 1 4a is cut off. While, according to FIG. 1 d, the product combination 11a is transported with the strip section 1 4a lying between the brushes 1, 7a, b through the leading edge, the feed unit 1 3 continuously advances the strip 1 4 counter to the transport direction in that Next gap between the product combinations 1 1 a and 1 1 b already the next strip section is available again.

To support the antiparallel to the transport direction effected feed of the strip 1 4 is below the knife 1 5 a pneumatic working guide device 1 6a arranged at the parallel to the transport direction oriented underside a negative pressure is generated, which draws the advanced strip 1 4 to the underside. The negative pressure can be generated for example by an internal compressed air duct with a Venturi nozzle or the like.

An exemplary application unit 30, in which compared to FIG. 1, for the sake of simplicity, only the upper pressure brush 1 7a is omitted, is shown in Figures 2 and 3 in a perspective side view from different directions. The in Fig. 2, 3 application unit 30 is mounted on a central support section 1 8. On the support section 1 8 two parallel mounting plates 1 9 and 20 are mounted on opposite sides. In the two mounting plates 1 9, 20, a drive shaft 25 is rotatably mounted, which rotatably at one end, on the outside of the mounting plate 20, a drive wheel 24 carries that is designed for engagement with a driving toothed belt. At the other end, on the outside of the mounting plate 1 9, the drive shaft carries a transport roller 26, which forms the feed unit 1 3 together with acting as a peel roller counter roller 27. Transport roller 26 and counter roller 27 are synchronized in their rotational movement via a gear transmission with each other so that they have the same direction of rotation (see rotation arrows in Fig. 1). The two rollers 26 and 27 are each constructed of spaced discs with knurled peripheral surface whose diameter and position along the axis is chosen so that the two rollers interlock with their discs mutually. The counter-roller 27 peels off the voltage applied to the transport roller strip 26 from this role. The construction of individual disks and the knurling of the outer surfaces of the risk of sticking is prevented when the strip 1 4 is provided on the rollers 26, 27 facing side with an adhesive or adhesive layer.

On the mounting plate 1 9 outside a two-piece knife holder 2 1 is fixed, in which a knife 1 5 is clamped, and on its upper side (simplified as a block shown) lower pressure brush 1 7b carries. The knife holder 2 1 has on the side of a first compressed air connection 22, via which a compressed air in the lower part, on the underside of the knife holder 2 1 generating a negative pressure channel can be acted upon. A second compressed air connection 23 carries compressed air to the air nozzle 1 6b, where it exits through a nozzle gap to bring the strip 1 4 on the upper pressure brush 1 7a and the knife 1 5 to the plant. The air nozzle 1 6b is fixed by means of a nozzle carrier 28 on the outside of the mounting plate 1 9. An agreement Adjusting device 29 between the air nozzle 1 6 and nozzle carrier 28 ensures that the height and direction of the air nozzle 1 6b can be adjusted. The cutting edge of the knife 1 5 is shown in FIG. 2 and 3 shown as a straight edge; but it can also z. B. sickle-shaped bent to facilitate the cutting.

Instead of the two co-rotating rollers 26 and 27 as shown in FIG. 1 and 2, over which the strip 1 4 runs, can, according to FIG. 4 also a pair of counter-rotating rollers are provided, between which the strip 1 4 is transported. On the underside of the knife holder 2 1 then a Umlenkkeil 32 is arranged, which deflects the emerging between the rollers strip 1 4 to the guide device 1 6a out. But it is also conceivable to provide only one transport roller 26, and for peeling the strip 1 4 of this role to use a stationary Abschälelement which engages with appropriate fingers in the gaps between the discs of the transport roller 26.

The applied strip 1 4 or strip section 1 4a may consist of a single- or multi-ply paper and / or plastic film or a metal, which can be adapted to the task to be fulfilled by the material properties, the thickness and the width. The strip 1 4 can be printed with information that is tailored to the product combination 1 1 a, b. The strip 1 4 can also be provided with information carriers of a different kind, such as magnetic strips or wirelessly readable data memories (eg RFI Ds). Furthermore, the strip 1 4 can be color-coded. In the simplest case, the strip 1 4 is uncoated. However, it can also be provided on at least one side with an adhesive or adhesive layer, which then faces during application of the brought-up product combination 1 1 a, b. It is also conceivable to provide a fiber reinforcement in the strip 1 4 in order to make it particularly tear-resistant. Furthermore, the strip 1 4 may be provided at the edges with notches to the subsequent separation of the attached strip portions 1 to 4a facilitate. Finally, it is also conceivable not to cut the strip portion 1 4a from the strip 1 4, but otherwise separate, z. B. by using a suitably transversely perforated strip 1 4. In the invention, instead of strip-like elements but also whole leaves can be used to encompass the product composition.

Fig. 5 shows a to FIG. 4 comparable single-element application device 35, in which individual, in particular self-adhesive, labels 34 or comparable individual elements on a carrier tape 33 are introduced. In the area of the air nozzle 16b, the carrier tape 33 is deflected sharply downward, so that the individual elements 34 practically automatically detach from the carrier tape 33 or peel off and under the influence of the air jet from the air nozzle 1 6b in the transport path of the product compositions 1 1 a, b be put. After detachment of the labels or individual elements 34, the empty carrier tape 33 can be wound up, as shown in FIG. 5 is indicated.

It goes without saying that the individual elements or labels 34 may be printed or otherwise provided with optical or electronic information (eg in the form of barcodes or RFI Ds) in order to communicate with the respective product composition to the end user or to the bearer to get the products.

Fig. 5 a and b show a top plan view of two exemplary embodiments of a carrier tape 33 carrying labels 34, the individual labels 34 being printed or otherwise provided with an exemplary bar code 38 and text or image information 39. In addition, weakening agents, for. In the form of notches or serrations or dg I. , be arranged on the labels 34, which facilitate a later division of the labels 34 in order to separate the product assembly held together by the labels 34. In the case of FIG. 5a, where the labels 34 in width from Edge of the carrier tape 33 are spaced, the weakening means 36 may be limited to edge regions of the labels 34. In the case of FIG. 5 b, where the labels 34 and the carrier tape 33 have directly superimposed longitudinal edges, the weakening means 37 can be formed continuously at the edges of the carrier tape 33 and the labels 34, whereby the production is greatly simplified.

It goes without saying that such weakening means advantageously with a strip 1 4 as shown in FIG. 1 can be used.

Claims

claims

1. A method for attaching at least one Umfassungselements (14a, 34) on a flat, several products, in particular printed products, comprehensive, product combination (11a, b), in which method a Umfassungselement (14a, 34) of predetermined length provided and then perpendicular to a selected edge (31) of the product assembly (11a, b) around the edge (31) around the product assembly (11a, b) is applied adjacent, characterized in that the product assembly (11a, b) with the selected edge (31) ahead along a transport path (12), in particular with the surface substantially parallel to the transport path (12), is moved, that the Umfassungselement (14a, 34) at a predetermined location of the transport path (12) the transport path (12) is held crossing, and that the product combination (11a, b) with the selected edge (31) is moved past the predetermined position and thereby with the selected edge (31 ) entrains the prepared Umfassungselement (14a, 34).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the Umfassungselement (14a, 34) at a predetermined location of the transport path (12) is supported supported in the transport direction.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the surrounding element as a strip portion (14a) is formed, and that the strip portion (14a) when taking away through the product assembly (11a, b) separated from a provided strip (14), in particular is cut off.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that for cutting off the strip section (14a), the provided strip (14) is pressed against the knife (15) by the product assembly (11a, b) moved past the predetermined position.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the strip (14) from the top or bottom against the transport direction to the transport path (12) is brought, and that the knife (15) at a distance above or below the transport path (12 ) is arranged.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the strip (14) is continuously, in particular at a constant speed, introduced.

7. The method according to any one of claims 3-6, characterized in that for separating or cutting off the strip portion (14a) of the provided strip (14) by a handling means (16b) in the transport path (12) crossing position is brought.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that a correspondingly directed air jet from an air nozzle (16b) is used as the handling means.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the surrounding element as a single element, in particular self-adhesive label (34), is formed, and that the single element or label (34) to take away by the product combination (11a, b) of a carrier tape ( 33) is peeled off or peeled off.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the individual element or label (34) by a handling means, in particular by a correspondingly directed air jet from an air nozzle (16b) is aligned.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that the product combination (11a, b) with the entrained Umfassungselement or strip portion (14a) or single element (34) by a pressure means (17a, b) is moved through, which presses the regions of the surrounding element or strip section (14a) or individual element (34) lying outside the edge (31) against the side surfaces of the product assembly (11a, b) lying parallel to the transport path (12).

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the pressure means (17a, b) the Umfassungselement or the strip portion (14a) or the single element (34) with the pressing at the same time against the direction of movement of the product combination (11a, b) to the rear to the product composition (11a, b).

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that as pressure means a parallel to the transport path (12) extending upper Andruckbürste (17a) and a parallel to the transport path (12) extending lower Andruckbürste (17b) are used.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1-13, characterized in that the surrounding element or the strip (14) or strip portion (14a) or the single element (34) is provided on at least one side with adhesives, in particular an adhesive layer and that the surrounding element or strip strip Section (14a) or the single element (34) with the provided with the adhesive or the adhesive layer side of the incoming product combination (11a, b) is kept ready facing.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1-14, characterized in that a Umfassungselement or strip (14) and strip portion (14a) or single element (34) made of paper or a plastic film or a metal is used.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1-15, characterized in that the Umfassungselement or the strip (14) or strip portion (14a) or the single element (34) on the longitudinal sides with the tearing or tearing facilitating weakening means (36 , 37).

17. Umfassungselement application device (10, 35) for performing the method according to any one of claims 1-16, comprising a transport device (12) for transporting the flat product assemblies (11a, b), which defines a through an application unit (30) extending transport path wherein the application unit (30) is provided with means (13, 15, 16, 17a) for holding a surrounding element (14a, 34) to be applied at a predetermined location of the transport path (12) in a position crossing the transport path (12), characterized in that on both sides of the transport path (12) spaced apart stop means (15, 17a) are provided, on which the Umfassungselement to be applied (14a, 34), the transport path (12) abutting and is supported in the transport direction such that on the transport path (12) transported product compilations (11a, b) with entrainment of the enclosing elements (14a, 34) between the attacks means (15, 17a) are movable therethrough.

18. surrounding element application device according to claim 17, characterized in that the Umfassungselemente are formed as strip portions (14a), and in that the means (13, 15, 16, 17a) for holding ready to be applied strip portion (14a) first means (13; 24-27) for providing a strip (14) and second means (15, 21) for cutting off the strip portion (14a) to be applied from the provided strip (14).

19. Surrounding element application device according to claim 18, characterized in that the first means comprise a feed unit (13) with at least one driven roller (26) on which the strip (14) rests.

20. surrounding element application device according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the second means comprise a distance parallel to the transport path (12) lying, with the cutting edge directed against the transport direction, knife (15).

21. Surrounding element application device according to claim 17, characterized in that the surrounding elements are designed as individual elements, in particular self-adhesive labels (34), and in that the means for holding a single element (34) to be applied comprise first means (13; 24-27) for bringing a carrier strip (33) provided with individual elements as well as second means for detaching or peeling off the single element (34) to be applied from the carrier strip (33).

22. Umfassungselement-application device according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that for erecting and applying the strip portion (14 a) or individual element (34) to the abutment means (15, 17 a) an air nozzle (16 b) is provided.

23. Umfassungselement application device according to any one of claims 20-22, characterized in that in the transport direction behind the abutment means pressure means (17a, b) are arranged, which the entrained strip portion (14a) and the entrained single element (34) to the parallel to Transport web (12) lying side surfaces of the product composition (11 a, b) press.

24. Umfassungselement application device according to claim 23, characterized in that the pressure means comprise a parallel to the transport path (12) extending upper Andruckbürste (17a) and a parallel to the transport path (12) extending lower Andruckbürste (17b).

25. Umfassungselement-application device according to claim 24, characterized in that the upper pressure brush (17 a) has long, soft bristles, which are bent when passing through a product combination (11 a, b) in the direction of movement and to the continuous product combination (11 a, b) cling, and that the lower pressure brush (17b) has short, hard bristles whose ends form a portion of the continuous transport path (12).