EP2767476B1 - Shrinking device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a shrinking device according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

When packaging articles, in particular beverage containers, bottles, etc., into containers, the articles are assembled in the desired manner and covered with a shrink film. The shrink wrap is shrunk around the articles by supplying shrinkage, such as hot air, in a shrink tunnel. From the prior art Luftbeaufschlagungen means of nozzle pipes, nozzle channels and shaft walls are known.

Often, the packages, depending on their size, in the shrink tunnel processed in several parallel paths. In order to be able to supply all containers with warm air from all sides, means must also be provided for introducing the warm air, which inject the shrinking means between the articles guided in parallel. For example, shrink tunnels with at least one so-called middle shaft wall are used for the multi-lane processing. The shaft walls are lateral spraying devices in the form of hollow bodies. This inner shaft wall has shrinkage agent outlet openings on both side wall surfaces arranged parallel to the transport direction, so that hot air flows inward into both sides of the shrinking tunnel and thus provides for the lateral loading of the articles with hot shrinkage agent. The known shaft walls are walls with an internal cavity into which the hot air is blown. For this purpose, the shaft walls each have at least one, preferably in the upper region arranged air inlet opening, through which the hot air is blown from above into the shaft wall and then flows through the shrink agent outlet openings in the interior of the shrink tunnel.

The shaft walls are usually designed as welded or riveted constructions in which the exit surfaces are equipped with different hole patterns. In general, the shaft walls are always made of one part and thus defined defined. The system can only be reconfigured with considerable effort to different product groups. Even with structural changes, Retrofitting or complaints-related changes, the time and construction-related effort is high.

A particular problem is that the energy input into the shrink film decreases along the transport path through the shrink tunnel, since the distance between the discharge surface of the shaft wall and shrink film increases during the shrinking process in the transport direction. In addition, the jet speed of the shrinking means decreases with increasing depth of penetration into the space, and the shrinkage medium loses its temperature until it reaches the shrinkage film when the distance to be traveled remains to reach the shrinking film (cf. FIG. 1 ).

Sliding shaft walls are known from the prior art, with which the width of the shrinkage gap and thus the distance between the discharge surfaces and the shrinkage can be adjusted. For example, describes DE 36 15 213 A1 a device for heat shrinking film with an adjustable shrink frame. The warm air is generated by means of circumferentially arranged gas burners, wherein the hot gases are directed by means of air nozzles or shrinkage means outlet openings. Individual shrink frame sides are mounted so movable and adjustable that the distance between the object to be packaged and heating gas is adjustable. Furthermore, each fitted with burners Schrumpfrahmenseite is provided in the end with progressively switched on and off chambers for the heating gases.

WO 2002/036436 describes the multi-lane processing of containers in a shrink tunnel. In this case, movable shaft walls are used whose position is adjusted depending on the containers to be processed by lateral displacement in the horizontal direction.

In the single-lane processing of containers in a shrink tunnel, it would thus be conceivable to track the shaft walls by lateral displacement. In particular, in the multi-lane processing with inner shaft walls, each supplying two transport lines with shrink, such as in the above WO 2002/036436 However, such tracking would be technically very complex.

Further describes US 3808702 a shrink tunnel, in which the shaft walls can be adjusted at an angle to the transport direction. For example, the shaft walls can be arranged so that they are aligned parallel to the transport direction. According to a further embodiment, the shaft walls are arranged so that the distance between the shaft walls increases or decreases downstream. The more the shaft walls are approximated, the closer the outflow surfaces are to the transported goods and the hotter the shrinkage medium impinging on the transported goods.

The object of the invention is to improve the spraying of packaged goods when passing through a shrinking device in the transport direction, in particular by optimizing the respective distance between the outflow surfaces and the packaged goods.

The above object is achieved by an apparatus comprising the features in claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments are described by the subclaims.

The invention relates to a shrinking device for shrinking packaging means around an article or a collection of articles. In particular, such a shrinking device is used to produce so-called containers. In this case, shrink film is shrunk by a collection of a plurality of bottles to summarize this as a packaging or sales unit. The shrinking device comprises at least one transport path for the articles or article assemblies. The wrapped with packaging means article or article compositions are transported on the transport route in a transport direction by the shrinking device.

On both sides along the transport path so-called shaft walls are arranged, each having at least one the interior of the shrinking device facing outflow surface for shrinking agent. Hot air in particular serves as a shrinking means, in particular room air heated by means of a blower or another fluid suitable as shrinking means. The outflow surfaces each comprise a plurality of shrinkage agent outlet openings. The shrinking agent is introduced into the interior of the shrinking device via the shrinkage means outlet openings of the outflow surfaces, so that the shrinkage agent is applied to the articles covered with the packaging material.

According to the invention, the shaft walls in a first region of the transport path have a first width and a first cross-sectional area perpendicular to the transport direction. Furthermore, the shaft walls in a second, subsequent region of the transport path have a second width and a second cross-sectional area perpendicular to the transport direction, the first width and the first cross-sectional area being smaller than the second width and the second cross-sectional area.

According to a first embodiment, the shrinkage means outlet openings of the outflow surfaces of the shaft walls are arranged at an acute angle to each other, wherein the apex of the acute angle is preferably before the beginning of the transport path. The width of the shaft walls thus increases continuously in the transport direction over the length of the shaft walls. By contrast, the width of the transport path on which the articles etc. are transported decreases continuously in the transport direction over the length of the shaft walls.

According to a further embodiment, the shrinkage means outlet openings of the outflow surfaces of the shaft walls are arranged in each case in regions parallel to one another, wherein in the first region the distance between the two outflow surfaces is greater than in the second region following in the transport direction. This in turn results in that the width of the transport path perpendicular to the transport direction in the first region is greater than in the second region. This also results in that the distance between the outflow surfaces and the articles of the packaging unit in the first region is greater than in the second region.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the shaft walls between the first region with the first cross-sectional area and the second region with the second cross-sectional area each comprise at least one separating element. The shaft walls are divided by the at least one separating element in at least two, successively arranged in the transport direction well chambers. Preferably, the well chambers are separated airtight from each other by the separator, i. the shrinking means introduced into the first shaft chamber enters the interior of the shrinking device via the outflow surfaces of the first shaft chamber. The introduced into the first shaft chamber shrinking means can not pass into the second shaft chamber. That the two manhole chambers are fluidically separated from each other.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the shrinking device comprises at least one unit for producing shrinking means, via which the shrinking means can be introduced from above into at least one of the shaft walls. The at least two manhole chambers of a manhole wall are connected to one another via a distribution channel and in this case are acted upon by shrinkage means by the same unit for producing shrinking means. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the shrinking device comprises at least two units for generating Shrinkage, wherein the at least two well chambers of a shaft wall each have their own distribution channel and a separate unit for generating shrinkage means is assigned, via which the well chambers are each subjected to shrinking agent.

The shaft wall according to the invention, whose cross-section changes in the transport direction, in particular increases, allows an energetic and fluidically optimized loading of the article or article compositions with shrinkage.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the shaft walls are modular. In particular, the shaft walls comprise a support structure and at least two so-called shaft chamber modules mounted thereon. The support structure is designed in particular as a comb-shaped frame construction. The length of the support structure at least substantially corresponds to the length of the shaft wall, i. The support structure extends in the transport direction at least substantially along the entire shaft wall. The support structure is designed in particular as a comb-like frame construction.

A first lower frame element forms the so-called comb back. The length of the lower frame member corresponds to the length of the support structure and thus approximately the length of the shaft wall. On the lower frame member fastening elements are arranged at regular intervals, which point in the direction of the transport plane of the article. Between or at these fasteners the Schachtkammer- modules are arranged. In particular, the shaft chamber modules are of cuboid design and have an opening on the upper side, via which the shrinkage medium passes from the distribution channel into the shaft chamber modules.

Alternatively, the support structure includes at least one upper frame member and a plurality of substantially orthogonal to the upper frame member and substantially orthogonal to the transport path arranged fasteners that serve to attach the Schachtkammer- modules. The upper frame element is arranged on a distribution device for shrinkage means and at least partially permeable to the shrinkage means. The upper frame member is constructed so that the shrinkage medium can flow through the upper frame member largely unhindered in the interior of the shaft wall. This upper frame element can For example, consist of at least two longitudinal struts, which are interconnected and stabilized by connecting cross struts

According to one embodiment, the support structure comprises three fastening elements, wherein the first fastening element is arranged on the first front end of the lower or upper frame element, the second fastening element in the central region of the lower or upper frame element and the third fastening element on the second rear end of the lower or upper frame element. At this support structure two Schachtkammer- modules are arranged. In particular, the first chute chamber module has a first width and a first cross-sectional area transverse to the transport direction and a downstream chute chamber module has a second width and a second cross-sectional area transverse to the transport direction, wherein the first width of the first chute chamber module is less than the second width of the downstream manhole module.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the side surfaces of the shaft chamber modules facing the transport path are configured differently, in particular individually with respect to the outflow surfaces, so that the spraying of the articles with shrinking means in different regions of the shrinking device can be further optimized. Preferably, the side surfaces of individual Schachtkammer- modules can be formed only partially as outflow. The shrink wrap is generally wrapped around the articles such that the shrink film projects laterally over the articles and forms a so-called film eye upon shrinking. The packaging unit is transported through the shrinking device such that the regions of the film eyes are arranged substantially parallel to the outflow surfaces of the shaft walls. For example, it may be provided in an initial region of the shrinking device to jet only the upper and lower regions of the packaging unit and, if possible, not to introduce any direct supply of shrinkage agent into the middle region of the film eye. In this case, shaft chamber modules are used which, viewed over their height, have shrink-agent outlet openings only in an upper and a lower area. Furthermore, it may be advantageous if, in an end region of the shrinking device, shrinkage means, in particular in the region of the film eye, is supplied to the shrink wrap. In this case, one uses a transport path concluding manhole chamber module with an increased density of shrinkage agent outlet openings in the central region. Or one uses a Schachtkammer module, which only in a middle range, but not in the upper and in the has lower region, shrinkage agent outlet openings. The individual configuration of the outflow surfaces relates, for example, to the arrangement of the shrinkage agent outlet openings within the outflow surface, the density of the shrinkage agent outlet openings, the shape of the shrinkage agent outlet openings, etc. The shrinkage agent outlet openings of the outflow surfaces can also have regions of air guiding devices which direct the outflow direction of the shrinking means in certain directions.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, at least the middle fastening elements are designed as separating elements. By means of the separating elements, the at least two shaft chamber modules, which are successively fastened in the transport direction, are separated airtight from one another. In particular, the shrinkage means from the first Schachtkammer- module can not get into the second Schachtkammer- module and vice versa.

As already described, it can be provided that at least two manhole chamber modules of a shaft wall are fed by a common unit for producing shrinkage means. Alternatively, a separate unit for generating shrinking means can be provided for each shaft chamber module. When more than two shaft chamber modules are arranged on a carrier structure, one or more units for producing shrinkage means can thus be used.

Due to a construction of the shaft wall as a comb-shaped support structure with a selection of different, each riveted outflow, in particular the flow properties of the shrinking agent can be influenced in a targeted manner. In particular, in the riveting of the outflow surfaces, the use of spacer elements is provided to thereby adjust the width of the Schachtkammer- modules and thus the size of the cross-sectional area of the Schachtkammer- modules. On the one hand, the shaft wall geometry can be easily adapted on the one hand due to the modular structure. On the other hand, it is also easy to set the spraying pattern in a targeted manner.

The shaft chamber modules can also be prefabricated as rivets. The Schachtkammer- modules allow due to their widening in the transport direction cross-section in a simple way, bring the shrinking means closer to the product, such as a packaging unit or the like., Bring.

Alternatively, it is provided to extend the support structure such that the lower and / or upper frame element and the fastening elements widen in the transport direction. By riveting outflow surfaces, one thus obtains a shaft wall made up of a plurality of modules whose width and thus also cross-sectional area in the transport direction increases. According to a further embodiment, the side surfaces of individual Schachtkammer- modules may also be formed as convex or concave Ausströmflächen, thus further optimizing the spraying of the products.

The side surfaces of the manhole chamber modules can be mounted butt-to-joint. Alternatively, it can be provided that the horizontal upper or lower frame members of the support structure guide outbreaks for adjustment etc. included.

The modular design forms a flexible system and allows a simple assembly of the shaft wall, which can be easily and quickly adapted to particular parameters of different product groups. In particular, the spraying can be easily adapted to different heights of the articles or article compositions, different widths of the packaging units, etc.

• Figur 1 zeigt eine schematische Ansicht einer Schrumpfvorrichtung gemäß dem bekannten Stand der Technik.
• Figuren 2 zeigen das Schrumpfverhalten einer Schrumpffolie um eine Artikelzusammenstellung in einem Schrumpftunnel gemäß dem bekannten Stand der Technik.
• Figuren 3 zeigen Draufsichten auf verschiedene Ausführungsformen von Schachtwänden gemäß dem Stand der Technik bzw. mit in Transportrichtung zunehmendem Querschnitt.
• Figur 4 zeigt eine Draufsicht auf eine Schrumpfvorrichtung mit stufig ausgebildeten Schachtwänden gemäß Figur 3C.
• Figuren 5 zeigen Draufsichten auf erfindungsgemäße Schachtwände mit zusätzlichem Trennelement.
• Figuren 6 zeigen seitliche Ansichten zweier Ausführungsformen von Schachtwänden mit Trennelement gemäß Figur 5.
• Figuren 7 zeigen verschiedene Darstellungen eines modularen Aufbaus einer Schachtwand.
• Figuren 8 zeigen weitere Darstellungen eines modularen Aufbaus einer Schachtwand mit Trägerkonstruktion.
• Figuren 9 zeigen weitere Darstellungen eines modularen Aufbaus einer Schachtwand mit Trägerkonstruktion.
• Figur 10 zeigt eine Ausführungsform einer modular aufgebauten Schachtwand mit einer alternativen Ausführungsform der Trägerkonstruktion.
• Figuren 11 zeigen unterschiedliche Beispiele für Modulelemente.
• Figuren 12 zeigen eine weitere Ausführungsform einer modular aufgebauten Schachtwand.

In the following, embodiments of the invention and their advantages with reference to the accompanying figures will be explained in more detail. The proportions of the individual elements to one another 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 a schematic view of a shrinking device according to the known prior art.
• Figures 2 show the shrinkage behavior of a shrink film around an article assembly in a shrink tunnel according to the known prior art.
• Figures 3 show plan views of various embodiments of shaft walls according to the prior art or in the transport direction increasing cross-section.
• FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a shrinking device with tiered shaft walls according to FIG. 3C ,
• Figures 5 show plan views of the invention shaft walls with additional separator.
• FIGS. 6 show side views of two embodiments of shaft walls with partition according to FIG. 5 ,
• FIGS. 7 show various representations of a modular construction of a shaft wall.
• FIGS. 8 show further illustrations of a modular construction of a shaft wall with support structure.
• Figures 9 show further illustrations of a modular construction of a shaft wall with support structure.
• FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a modular shaft wall with an alternative embodiment of the support structure.
• Figures 11 show different examples of module elements.
• Figures 12 show a further embodiment of a modular shaft wall.

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.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a shrinking device 1 according to the known prior art. Articles, in particular beverage containers, bottles 12, cans or the like are put together in article groups and wrapped in shrink film 14. These arrangements are also referred to as article assemblies or containers 10. The containers 10 are fed in the transport direction TR on a conveyor belt 4 to the shrinking tunnel of the shrinking device 1. In the shrink tunnel are Heating means (not shown) arranged, which act on the container 10 with shrink, for example, with hot air, whereby the shrink film 14 shrinks around the bottles 12. After the bundles 10 have passed through the shrinking tunnel of the shrinking device 1, they are cooled by cold air 22 arranged above the conveyor belt 4.

Figures 2 show the shrinkage behavior of a shrink film 14 around the bottles 12 of a container 10 in a shrink tunnel of the shrinking device 1 according to the known prior art. The illustrated shrink tunnel is a single-track shrink tunnel with two lateral shaft walls 2, the side surfaces of the shaft walls 2 facing the interior 5 of the shrink tunnel being designed as outflow surfaces 3 in each case. The container 10 is conveyed through a transport device 4, for example an endless conveyor belt, through the shrink tunnel. The FIGS. 2A to 2E illustrate the shrinkage of the shrink film 14 around the bottles 12 in various areas along the transport path within the shrink tunnel of the shrinking device 1 (see also FIG FIG. 1 ). FIG. 2A shows the situation in the initial region of the shrink tunnel 1. The shrink film 14 was beaten around the bottles 12, for example by means of a film wrapping device (not shown). In the shrink tunnel, hot air 7 or another suitable shrinking agent is sprayed laterally onto the containers 10 via the outflow surfaces 3. The farther the container 10 is transported in the transport direction TR through the shrink tunnel, the more the shrink film 14 shrinks around the bottles 12 according to their properties. The so-called film eyes 16 form on the side surfaces with the film overlaps 15 which initially overlap freely at the sides. The initially small distance A ₁ (cf. FIG. 2A ) between the outflow surfaces 3 and the shrink film 14 is also referred to as so-called minimum distance amine. The distance between the outflow surfaces 3 and the shrink film 14 is already in the central region of the shrink tunnel by the shrinkage of the shrink film 14 to a mean distance A ₂ (see. Figure 2C ). Before the container 10 leaves the shrink tunnel 1 (see. FIG. 1 ), the shrink film 14 is largely completely close to the lateral surfaces of the bottle 12 at. Thus, the distance A ₃ corresponds to the maximum distance A _max between the outflow surfaces 3 and the bottles 12 of the container 10. Since the jet velocity of the shrinking means 7 with increasing penetration into the interior 5 of the shrinking device 1 is always lower and the shrinking means 7 at longer distances to be covered until reaching the Shrink film 14 loses temperature, the energy input into the shrink film 14 is thus significantly worse in the end of the shrink tunnel.

Figures 3 show plan views of various embodiments of shaft walls 2-1 to 2-3 with increasing in the direction of transport TR cross-sectional area Q1, Q2, Q3. FIG. 3A represents the state of the art. The shaft wall 2 has over its length L a constant height H and a constant width B of the cross-sectional area Q. This is represented in particular by the fact that the shaft wall 2 along the section lines AA and BB has been shown in cross section Q, which does not change over the length L of the shaft wall 2 in the transport direction TR. In such a shaft wall 2 thus consists in FIG. 2 Problem illustrated that the distance A between the packaged, in particular the shrink film 14, and the outflow surfaces 3 of the shaft walls 2 increases when passing through the shrinking device 1 in the transport direction TR.

FIG. 3B shows a shaft wall 2-1, in which the outflow surfaces 3 are arranged at an angle to each other. In particular, the outflow surfaces 3 are arranged at an acute angle to each other in such a way, wherein the vertex is located in front of the shrinking device. The shaft wall 2-1 has a first width B _A in a first area AA, which has first passed through in the transport direction TR, and a second width B _B in a second area BB which has subsequently passed through. The first width B _A is smaller than the second width B _B. Accordingly, the first cross-sectional area Q1 in the first area AA of the shaft wall 2-1 is smaller than the second cross-sectional area Q2 in the second area BB.

FIG. 3C shows shaft wall 2-2, in which the width B of the shaft wall 2-2 increases gradually in the transport direction TR. In a first traversed region AA, the shaft wall 2-2 between the outflow surfaces 3 has a first width B _A and thus a first cross-sectional area Q1 which is smaller than a second width B _B and thus a second cross-sectional area Q2 in a second, subsequently traversed region BB.

Figure 3D shows shaft wall 2-3, in which the width B of the shaft wall 2-3 is increased in two steps. In a first traversed region AA, the shaft wall 2-3 has a first width B _A between the outflow surfaces 3 and thus a first cross-sectional area Q 1. In a second traversed region BB, the shaft wall 2-3 has a second width B _B between the outflow surfaces 3 and thus one second cross-sectional area Q2, where B _B > B _A and thus also Q2> Q1. In a third subsequently passed through region CC, the shaft wall 2-3 between the outflow surfaces 3 has a third width B _C and thus a third cross-sectional area Q3, where B _C > B _B and thus also Q3> Q2.

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a shrinking device 1 * with tiered shaft walls 2-2 according to FIG. 3C , In a first region AA of the shrinking device 1, there is a first distance A ₁ between the shrinking film 14 of the packaging unit 10 and the outflow surfaces 3 of the shaft walls 2-2. In a subsequent second region BB of the shrinking device 1 *, a shrinkage film 14 of the packaging unit 10 and the outflow surfaces 3 of the shaft walls 2-2 each have a second distance A _{2 *} which corresponds approximately to the first distance A ₁ . As a result of the continuous or stepwise "tracking" of the shaft wall exit surface or outflow surfaces 3, the energy input into the shrink film 14 of the packaging unit 10 in the rear region BB is increased. Due to the smaller distance of the outflow surfaces 3 to the shrink film 14 in the rear region BB, the shrinking means 7 strikes the shrink film 14 at a greater speed and temperature. Accordingly, the required power of a shrinkage generator, such as the blower power, can be reduced.

According to another in the Figures 5 illustrated embodiments, the shaft walls are 2-4 (see also shaft wall 2-1 in FIG. 3B ) and 2-5 (see also shaft wall 2-2 in FIG. 3C ) between their respective first area AA with the respective first cross-sectional area Q1 and their respective second area BB with the respective second cross-sectional area Q2 are each divided by at least one separating element 30 into so-called manhole chambers 32-1 and 32-2. Preferably, the separating element 30 separates the two well chambers 32-1 and 32-2 airtight from each other.

FIGS. 6 show side views of two embodiments of shaft walls 2-5a and 2-5b with separator 30 according to FIG. 5B , Above the shaft walls 2-5a, 2-5b there is a distribution channel 8, via which the shrinkage means 7 produced by means of a shrinkage generator 6 or the like is introduced into the shaft chambers 32-1, 32-2 of the shaft walls 2-5a, 2-5b. The shrinking means 7 is then injected via the outflow surfaces 3 of the shaft chambers 32-1, 32-2 of the shaft walls 2-5a, 2-5b in the interior of the shrinking device.

According to the in FIG. 6A 1, 32-2 of the shaft wall 2-5a a Schrumpfmittelerzeuger 6 and a distribution channel 8 assigned, via which the shrinking means 7 introduced from above into the two well chambers 32-1, 32-2 of the shaft wall 2-5a becomes.

According to the in FIG. 6B In contrast to the illustrated embodiment, the shaft chambers 32-1, 32-2 of the shaft wall 2-5b are each assigned a shrinkage agent generator 6-1 and 6-2, and in each case a distribution channel 8-1 and 8-2, via which the shrinking means 7 from above into the two shaft chambers 32-1, 32-2 of the shaft wall 2-5b is introduced. In the embodiment 2-5b is by the individual feed a much more precise control of the amount of injected shrinking means 7 in the region of the respective shrinking chamber 32-1, 32-2 possible.

The FIGS. 7 show various representations of a modular construction of a shaft wall. FIG. 7A shows a side view of the modular structure of a shaft wall 2-6. The shrinking means 7 is generated by a shrinkage generator 6 and introduced via a distribution channel 8 in the shaft wall 2-6.

The shaft wall 2-6 consists of five manhole chambers 32-1 to 32-5. FIG. 7B shows a plan view of the five well chambers 32-1 to 32-5 a shaft wall 2-6. The manhole chambers 32-1 to 32-5 are arranged successively on a support structure 25 in the transport direction TR. The support structure 25 is comb-shaped and comprises a parallel to the transport direction TR arranged lower frame member 26. The length L _{25 of} the support structure 25 corresponds to the length L _{26 of} the lower frame member 26 and at least substantially the length L of the shaft wall 2-6, ie the support structure 25th extends in the transport direction TR along the entire shaft wall 2-6.

Orthogonal to the lower frame member 26 and orthogonal to the transport direction TR transverse elements 27 are arranged on the lower frame member 26 at regular intervals. Between or at these cross members 27, the different Schachtkammer- modules 32-1 to 32-5 are arranged. The Schachtkammer- modules 32-1 to 32-5 are each cuboid and have on their upper side in each case a connection to a above the shaft wall 2-6 arranged distribution channel 8, via which the shrinking means 7 from the distribution channel 8 in the individual Schachtkammer- Module 32-1 to 32-5 arrives.

According to the in FIG. 7A illustrated embodiment of the shaft wall 2-6, the support structure 25 comprises six transverse elements 27, between which five Schachtkammer- modules 32-1 to 32-5 are arranged. FIG. 7B shows a plan view of the five Schachtkammer- modules 32-1 to 32-5 and in FIG. 7C The five Schachtkammer- modules 32-1 to 32-5 are each shown individually.

The first in the transport direction TR arranged Schachtkammer- module 32-1 has transverse to the transport direction TR a first width B ₁ and a first cross-sectional area Q1. The downstream second shaft chamber module 32-2 has transversely to the transport direction TR a second width B ₂ and a second cross-sectional area Q ₂ corresponding to the first width B ₁ and the first cross-sectional area Q _{1 of} the first shaft chamber module 32-1. The subsequent in the transporting direction TR thereto Schachtkammer- module 32-3 now has a third width W _3, and a third cross-sectional surface Q3, which in each case greater than the first and second width B _1, B _2, and the first and second cross-sectional area Q1, Q2 of first two well chamber modules 32-1, 32-2. The adjoining shaft chamber modules 32-4, 32-5 have a further increased width B ₄ , B ₅ and increased cross-sectional areas Q4, Q5.

Figure 7D illustrates again the gradual "tracking" of the shaft wall exit surface or the outflow 3 of a shrinking device 1 * with shaft walls 2-6 according to FIGS. 7A and 7B , For the description is largely to the description FIG. 4 directed. In a first region AA of the shrinking device 1 *, in particular in the region of the first two SchachtkammerModule 32-1, 32-2, there is a first distance A ₁ between the shrink film 14 of the packaging unit 10 and the outflow surfaces 3 of the shaft walls 2-6. In a subsequent second region BB of the shrinking device 1 *, in particular in the region of the third Schachtkammer- module 32-3, between the shrink film 14 of the packaging unit 10 and the outflow surfaces 3 of the shaft walls 2-6 each have a second distance A _{2 *} in about corresponds to the first distance A ₁ . In a subsequent third region CC of the shrinking device 1 *, in particular in the last two Schachtkammer- modules 32-4, 32-5, between the shrink film 14 of the packaging unit 10 and the outflow surfaces 3 of the shaft walls 2-6 each have a third distance A _{3 *} which corresponds approximately to the first distance A ₁ and the second distance A _{2 *} . In particular, the distance A _{3 *} corresponds to the smallest distance between the outflow surface 3 and bottles 12 of the packaging unit 10 in the third region CC.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the outflow surfaces 3 of the shaft chamber modules 32-1 to 32-5 are designed differently, so that the spraying of the bottles 12 with shrinking means 7 in different areas of the shrinking device 1 * can be further optimized. The shrink wrap 14 is generally wrapped around the bottles 12 so as to initially have a lateral overhang 15 (see also Figs FIG. 2A ) and when shrinking a so-called film eye 16 forms (see also Figure 2E ). The packaging unit 10 is transported through the shrinking device 1 * such that the regions of the film eyes 16 are arranged largely parallel to the outflow surfaces 3 of the shaft walls 2-6. For example, in the region of the first shaft chamber module 32-1 of the shrinking device 1 *, it is possible to jet only the lower region of the bottles 12 and if possible not to introduce direct supply of shrinkage medium in the middle and upper regions, in particular in the region of the film eye 16. The Schachtkammer- module 32-1 has seen over its height H only in a lower region an outflow surface 3 with shrink agent outlet openings 3 *, while the side surface of the subsequent Schachtkammer- module 32-2 is formed over its entire surface as a discharge surface 3. The third and fourth Schachtkammer- module 32-4, 32-4 are also formed over the entire surface as outflow 3. In the end region of the shrinking device 1 *, in particular in the region of the last shaft chamber module 32-5 shrinking means 7 is to be supplied in particular in the region of the film eye 16 of the packaging unit 10. The transport chamber final compartment chamber module 32-5 accordingly comprises an upper and a lower area without shrinkage means outlet openings 3 *. Only a central region is formed as outflow surface 3 with shrinkage agent outlet openings 3 *.

Preferably, the shaft chamber modules 32-1 to 32-5 of rivetable flat sheets with different number of holes, ie different density of shrinkage agent outlet openings; different hole diameters, slots, gills, or other exit shapes such as shrinkage means outlet openings with baffles, etc. composed. Thus, the shaft chamber modules 32-1 to 32-5 can be easily tailored to the processed packaging unit 10. The Schachtkammer- modules 32-1 to 32-5 thus represent rivets boxes, which make it possible to bring the shrinking means 7 closer to the product, in particular closer to the respective packaging unit 10, bring. The FIGS. 8 show further representations of the components of a modular shaft wall 2-7 (see. Figure 8A ) and 2-8 (cf. FIG. 8C ) with a distribution channel 8 and support structure 25 arranged thereon. Figure 8A generally shows the components of a shaft wall 2-7 with support structure 25, which consists in particular of a lower cross member 26 and orthogonal fastening elements 27. The shaft wall 2-7 does not belong to the present invention, since this does not increase the size of the cross-sectional area in the transport direction TR. The outflow surfaces 3 each consist of sheet metal tiles or module sheets 33 or the like. with shrink-agent outlet openings 3 * which are fastened to the support structure 25, for example, to the lower transverse element 26, the fastening elements 27 and the distribution channel 8 are riveted. The centrally arranged orthogonal fastening elements 27 form separating elements which form the shaft chamber modules 32-1 to 32-4 (cf. FIG. 6A ) airtight from each other.

FIG. 8B shows a so-called module element 34-1 and FIG. 8C shows the arrangement of two module elements 34-1 within a modular shaft wall 2-8. The module element 34-1 is made of sheet metal or a comparable material, for example, and is constructed in particular like a box open at the top and standing on a side surface. The underside of the box is designed as an outflow surface 3 with shrinkage agent outlet openings 3 *. The side surfaces 35 of the box-shaped module element 34-1, which are largely orthogonal to the side edges of the outflow surface 3, have a height H ₁ . The side surfaces 35 are welded together at the edges to the outflow surface 3 and in particular airtight to each other. At the so-called upper edges 36 of the side surfaces 35 are attachment areas 37, via which the module element 34-1 is attached to the support structure 25. In particular, the attachment regions 37 can be formed by a bent, protruding region of the side surfaces 35. The module element 34-1 is in particular airtightly fastened to the lower transverse element 26, in each case two orthogonal fastening elements 27 and the distribution channel 8, via the attachment regions 37, in particular by riveting over the attachment regions 37.

wobei B₂₅ gleich der Breite der Rahmenelemente der Trägerkonstruktion 25, d.h. der Breite des unteren Querelements 26 bzw. der Breite der orthogonalen Befestigungselemente 27 entspricht.The height H _{1 of} the module element 34-1 thus represents a partial width B _P1 of the shaft chamber module (not shown) formed by the support structure 25 and two module elements 34-1 arranged opposite one another. The width B _G of such a shaft chamber module is calculated as follows: $${\mathrm{B}}_{\mathrm{G}}=\mathrm{2}\cdot {\mathrm{B}}_{\mathrm{P}\mathrm{1}}+{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="25"\; label="B"\; filenames="imgf0007.png,imgf0009.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">B</figure-callout>}}_{\mathrm{25}}.$$

wherein B ₂₅ equal to the width of the frame members of the support structure 25, ie the width of the lower cross member 26 and the width of the orthogonal fastening elements 27 corresponds.

Figures 9 show further illustrations of a modular construction of a shaft wall 2-9 with support structure 25 according to the present invention. Figure 9A shows a so-called module element 34-2 and FIG. 9B shows the arrangement of a module element 34-2 and a module element 34-1 (see. FIG. 8B ) within a modular shaft wall 2-9. Also, the module element 34-2 is constructed in the form of a box open at the top and standing on a side surface. However, the height H of the side surface 35 *, which forms the standing surface or upper side of the module element 34-2, increases in the transporting direction TR. That is, the first arranged in the transporting direction TR short side 40-1 has a first length and first height H ₁ and thus a first partial width B _P1. The downstream in the transport direction TR short side 40-2 has a second length or second height H ₂ and thus a second partial width B _P1 . Thus, a shaft chamber module is formed by opposed arrangement of two modular elements 34-2 to the support structure 25 (not shown) whose cross-section from a first overall width B _G1 = 2 × B _P1 + B ₂₅ continuously to a second overall width B _G2 = 2 * B _P2 + B ₂₅ increased.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a modular shaft wall 2-10 with an alternative embodiment of the support structure 25 *. In this case, the width of the lower transverse element 26 * continuously increases in the transport direction TR. Similarly, the width B _{27-n of} the orthogonal fastening elements 27-n in the transporting direction TR also increases. According to the in Figure 8A illustrated embodiment, module sheets 33 are attached with shrinkage means outlet openings 3 * as outflow surfaces 3 to the support structure 25. As a result, a shaft wall 2-10 is formed whose cross-sectional area increases continuously in the transport direction (cf. FIG. 3B ), so that the shaft wall 2-10 consists of four shaft chamber modules which are airtight separated from each other by the fastening elements 27-n in the transport direction TR.

Figures 11 show different examples of modular elements 34-1 to 34-12 for attachment to a support structure 25 (not shown, see. Figure 8, 8C ). Figure 11A shows a simple module sheet 33rd FIG. 11B shows a cuboid module element 34-1 according to FIG. 8B and FIG. 11C shows a so-called oblique module element 34-2 according to Figure 9A , Furthermore, modular elements 34-3 to 34-6 with curved outflow surfaces 3 * are possible, for example with outflow surfaces 3a protruding convexly into the interior of the shrinking device (FIG. Figures 3D, 3E ) or with concave outflow surfaces 3b (Figures 3F, 3G).

Figures 11 H to 11 L In particular, the outflow surface 3 in an upper outflow partial surface 3c and a lower outflow partial surface 3d, wherein in the module element 34-7, the lower outflow partial surface 3d further into the Interior of the shrinking device protrudes than the upper outflow partial surface 3c. In the module element 34-8, the upper outflow partial surface 3c has an obliquely upward and in the direction of the interior of the shrinking device directed configuration, while the lower outflow partial surface 3d has a directed obliquely downwards and in the direction of the interior of the shrinking device configuration. In the case of the module element 34-9, both outflow partial surfaces 3c, 3d each have a concave shape. Furthermore, the outflow surface 3 in the transport direction TR can be subdivided into a front outflow partial surface 3e and a rear outflow partial surface 3f, and the outflow surfaces 3e, 3f each have an oblique design. Furthermore, in FIG. 11 M an embodiment of a module element 34-12 shown, in which the outflow surface 3 is divided into a plurality of outflow surfaces 3 *. Other embodiments not shown here are derivable for the skilled person.

Figures 12 show a further embodiment of a modularly constructed shaft wall 2-11. Of the support structure 25 are substantially only the orthogonal fasteners 27 partially visible. At the first three successively arranged in the transport direction fasteners 27 module laminations 33 are arranged on both sides, so that the first two well chambers 32-1, 32-2 have approximately the width of the orthogonal fastening elements 27. The third shaft chamber 32-3 is formed by two diagonal module elements 34-2 fastened to the support structure 25 and has a first overall width B _G1 and a second overall width B _G2 (see also _FIG FIGS. 9A, 9B ) on. The fourth shaft chamber 32-3 is formed by two widened module elements 34-1 and has an overall width B _G3 (cf. Figures 8B, 8C ) on.

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

1, 1 *

shrinker

2, 2-n

shaft wall

3, 3 *, 3-n

Outflow surface, shrinkage agent outlet openings

4

transport device

5

inner space

6, 6-n

Shrinkage agents producer

7

shrinkage agents

8, 8-n

distribution channel

10

Article compilation, container, packaging unit

12

bottle

14

shrink film

15

Foil overhang

16

foil eye

20

fan

22

cold air

25, 25 *

support structure

26, 26 *

lower cross element / horizontal element

27, 27-n

orthogonal fastener

30

separating element

32-n

Well chamber module

33

module plate

34-n

module element

35

side surface

36

top edge

37

fixing areas

40-n

short side

A _n

Distance between packaging unit and outflow surface

B _n

Width of the shaft chamber

B _Pn

partial width of the shaft chamber

B _27-n

Width of the orthogonal fastener

L, L _n

length

Qn

Cross sectional area

TR

transport direction

Claims (15)

1. A shrinking apparatus (1) for shrinking packaging means (14) around an article (12) or a set of articles (12) wherein the shrinking apparatus (1) comprises at least one transport lane (4) for the articles (12) or sets of articles, on which transport lane (4) the articles (12), which are wrapped in packaging means (14), are transported in a transport direction (TR), and wherein the shrinking apparatus (1) comprises at least two shaft walls (2) arranged on both sides along the transport lane (4), with respectively at least one outlet surface (3) facing toward the interior space (5) of the shrinking apparatus (1), wherein the outlet surface (3) has a plurality of shrinking means outlet openings (3*), via which a shrinking means (7) is applicable onto the articles (12) wrapped in the packaging means (14), characterised in that the shaft walls (2-n) in a first section (A-A) of the transport lane (4) have a first width (B₁) and a first cross section surface (Q1) in perpendicular to the transport direction (TR) and in that the shaft walls (2-n) in a second, following section (B-B) of the transport lane (4) have a second width (B₂) and a second cross section surface (Q2) in perpendicular to the transport direction (TR), wherein the first cross section surface (Q1) is smaller than the second cross section surface (Q2), wherein the distance between the two outlet surfaces (3) is greater in the first section (A-A) of the transport lane (4) than in the second, following section (B-B).
2. The shrinking apparatus (1) as recited in claim 1 wherein the width (Bn) of the shaft walls (2-n) increases continuously in transport direction (TR), or wherein the width (Bn) of the shaft walls (2-n) increases gradually in transport direction (TR).
3. The shrinking apparatus (1) as recited in claim 1 or 2 wherein the shaft walls (2) between the first section (A-A) with the first cross section surface (Q1) and the second section (B-B) with the second cross section surface (Q2), respectively, comprise at least one separator element (30), which divides the shaft walls (2) into at least two shaft chambers (32-n) arranged one after the other in transport direction (TR).
4. The shrinking apparatus (1) as recited in claim 3 wherein the separator element (30) airtightly separates the shaft chambers (32-n) from each other.
5. The shrinking apparatus (1) as recited in claim 4 wherein the shrinking apparatus (1) comprises at least one unit (6) for producing shrinking means (7), via which unit (6) the shrinking means (7) is bringable into at least one of the shaft walls (2) from above, and wherein shrinking means (7) is applicable to the at least two shaft chambers (32-n) of a shaft wall (2) through the same unit (6) for producing shrinking means (7).
6. The shrinking apparatus (1) as recited in claim 4 wherein the shrinking apparatus (1) comprises at least two units (6-n) for producing shrinking means (7), and wherein each of the at least two shaft chambers (32-1 n) of a shaft wall (2) is assigned an own unit (6-n) for producing shrinking means, via which unit (6-n) shrinking means (7) is applicable to the respective shaft chamber (32-1 n).
7. The shrinking apparatus (1) as recited in claim 1 wherein the shaft walls (2-6) respectively comprise at least one support structure (25), wherein the length (L₂₅) of the support structure (25) largely corresponds to the length (L) of the respective shaft wall (2-6), and wherein at least two shaft chamber modules (32-n) for shrinking means (7) succeeding each other in transport direction (TR) are mountable at the support structure (25).
8. The shrinking apparatus (1) as recited in claim 7 wherein the support structure (25) comprises at least one upper frame element, which is at least partially permeable for shrinking means (7), and a plurality of fastening elements (27) arranged largely orthogonal to the upper frame element and largely orthogonal to the transport direction (TR), and/or wherein the support structure (25) comprises at least one lower frame element (26) and a plurality of fastening elements (27) arranged largely orthogonal to the lower frame element (26) and largely orthogonal to the transport direction (TR).
9. The shrinking apparatus (1) as recited in claim 7 wherein a first cross section surface (Q1) of a shaft chamber module (32-1), which is mounted first in transport direction and transverse to the transport direction (TR) within the shrinking apparatus (1), is smaller than a second cross section surface (Q2) of a shaft chamber module (32-2, 32, 4), which is mounted downstream in transport direction and transverse to the transport direction (TR).
10. The shrinking apparatus (1) as recited in claim 7 wherein the support structure (25) comprises at least one separator element (30), wherein the at least two shaft chamber modules (32-n) for shrinking means (7) arranged one after the other in transport direction (TR) are fastened at the support structure (25) such that the shaft chamber modules (32-n) are airtightly separated from each other by the separator element (30).
11. The shrinking apparatus (1) as recited in claim 8 wherein at least one of the fastening elements (27) takes the form of a separator element (30).
12. The shrinking apparatus (1) as recited in claim 10 wherein the shrinking apparatus (1) comprises at least one unit (6) for producing shrinking means (7), via which unit (6) the shrinking means (7) is bringable into at least one of the shaft walls (2) from above, and wherein shrinking means (7) is applicable to the at least two shaft chamber modules (32-n) of a shaft wall (2) through the same unit (6) for producing shrinking means (7).
13. The shrinking apparatus (1) as recited in claim 10 wherein the shrinking apparatus (1) comprises at least two units (6-n) for producing shrinking means (7), and wherein each of the at least two shaft chamber modules (32-n) of a shaft wall (2) is assigned an own unit (6-n) for producing shrinking means, via which unit (6-n) shrinking means (7) is applicable to the respective shaft chamber (32-n).
14. The shrinking apparatus (1) as recited in claim 7 wherein the side surfaces of the shaft chamber modules (32-n) facing the transport lane (4) comprise individually designed outlet surfaces (3), in particular wherein the side surfaces of the shaft chamber modules (32-4) facing the transport lane (4) are only section-wise designed as outlet surfaces (3).
15. The shrinking apparatus (1) as recited in claim 7 wherein the side surfaces of the shaft chamber modules (32-n) facing the transport lane (4) are formed to be convex or concave.

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