EP2781457B1 - Device and method for folding of outer packaging - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for at least partially folding outer packaging according to claim 1 and a method for at least partially folding outer packaging according to claim 12.

So-called wrap-around cardboard packages, also known as icepack boxes, are known from the prior art, which are designed to hold containers, bottles or cans filled with drinks. These icepack boxes are partially torn open on the top side by the end user and filled with ice in order to bring about cooling of the containers or of the liquid received therein.

Conventional carton packaging, such as from the EP 0 481 580 A1 known, are not suitable for such applications, since they do not form a waterproof outer packaging. Due to existing cuts in the carton blank, they inevitably have exit points in the unfolded state, through which the meltwater formed during the thawing of the ice can run out. Such leakage of melt water is extremely undesirable.

In contrast, Icepack boxes are formed from closed carton blanks that have no such cuts in the carton blank. In order to unfold such closed carton blanks, a plurality of fold lines are provided, which are formed for example by pre-embossing in the carton blank and along which a subsequent folding can take place.

In particular, such Icepack cartons have a bottom portion which forms the bottom of the outer packaging in the unfolded state and on which the beverage containers received in the outer packaging stand up. The side surfaces of the icepack carton are formed by a front side portion, a rear side portion and two opposing side surface portions.

Between the sections in the unfolded state adjacent to each other, for example, the front side portion and a side surface portion, each connecting portions are provided which cause a closed connection of the respective adjacent sections. Each of these connecting sections has a side articulated to the respective section to which they adjoin, wherein these articulation points extend at right angles to one another in the unfolded state of the cardboard blank. Furthermore, a further fold line is provided in the connecting section, for example at a 45 ° angle to the abovementioned articulation points runs. When folding the carton blank, folding of the connecting section takes place around this folding line such that the two are separated from one another by the folding line

Connecting portion regions at least partially flat against each other come to rest. As a result, a training of closed Umverpackungsecken is possible.

A disadvantage of the outer packages formed from a closed blank is that they are difficult to be unfolded, so that an automated folding of the carton blanks to form the desired outer packaging is difficult. So far, the folding of such outer packaging is therefore done by hand, which is disadvantageous in terms of processing speed and the resulting costs.

Proceeding from this, it is an object of the invention to provide a device for at least partially folding of outer packaging, which allows an automated unfolding so-called. Icepack cartons and is particularly adaptable to the processing of different Umverpackungsformate.

The object is solved by the features of independent claim 1. A method for at least partially folding overpacks is the subject matter of the independent claim 12.

• eine Fördereinrichtung zum Transportieren der Umverpackung in einer zumindest mit dem Bodenabschnitt auf der Fördereinrichtung aufliegender Lage in einer Transportrichtung,
• erste Vorrichtungsmittel, die schwenkbar an der Fördereinrichtung angeordnet und zum Falten eines an den Bodenabschnitt anschließenden Vorderseitenabschnitt und daran angelenkter Verbindungsabschnitte gegenüber dem Bodenabschnitt ausgebildet sind und
• zweite Vorrichtungsmittel, die oberhalb der Fördereinrichtung vorgesehen sind und dazu ausgebildet sind, durch Einwirken auf den Vorderseitenabschnitt in eine entgegen der Wirkrichtung der ersten Vorrichtungsmittel gerichtete Richtung eine Faltung der Verbindungsabschnitte, um eine in den jeweiligen Verbindungsabschnitten verlaufende Falzlinie zu bewirken,
• wobei die zweiten Vorrichtungsmittel zumindest ein rotierend um eine Drehachse angetriebenes Faltmittel aufweisen.

The device according to the invention for at least partially folding overpacks which have a plurality of sections connected via fold lines comprises the following components:

• a conveying device for transporting the outer packaging in a position resting on the conveyor at least with the bottom section in a transport direction,
• first device means pivotally mounted on the conveyor and configured to fold a front side portion adjoining the bottom portion and connecting portions hinged thereto opposite to the bottom portion, and
• second jig means provided above the conveyor and adapted to cause, by acting on the front side portion in a direction opposite to the direction of action of the first jig means, folding of the connecting portions to effect a fold line extending in the respective connecting portions;
• wherein the second device means comprise at least one folding means driven in rotation about a rotation axis.

The device according to the invention has the decisive advantage that, after the front side section and connecting sections hinged thereto relative to the bottom section, the folding of the connecting sections is effected along the fold line extending in the respective connecting sections due to the action of the second device means on the front side section. By the rotating drive of the folding means about an axis of rotation, a targeted action on the front side portion is possible, so that an optimal folding of the connecting portions is effected.

In a preferred embodiment, the drive of the at least one folding means is carried out by a servo motor. Through this servomotor drive, it is possible to selectively control the folding means in its rotational movement, so that a desired degree of folding of the connecting portions is achieved, but without damaging or ripping the front side portion of the outer packaging. In absolute terms, the degree of folding is limited by the areas of the folding tool on which the front side section must come into contact.

Preferably, a cooperating with the servo motor controller is provided, which is designed to control the servo motor with a dependent on the format of the outer packaging speed profile and / or with a dependent on the format of the outer packaging angular acceleration profile. As a result, it is possible to appropriately meter the impact speed of the folding means on the front-side portion and, in particular, to apply a sudden impulse to the front-side portion such that a desired unfolding of the connecting portions takes place along the folding line.

In a preferred embodiment, a cooperating with the servo motor controller is provided, which is designed to control the servo motor with a dependent on the format of the outer packaging rotary motion profile. Rotational motion profile means according to the invention a certain time-dependent course of the speed or the angular acceleration of the drive shaft of the Servomotor, so that in dependence on the angular position of the folding means a desired speed or a desired angular acceleration of this folding means is achieved. This makes it possible, in particular, to effect a selective action on the front side section for folding the connecting sections as a function of the position of the outer packaging conveyed by the conveying device in a transport direction.

Preferably, the control device has a memory device or a memory device cooperating with the control device is provided, wherein the memory device has a parameter set with different format-dependent parameters for controlling the servomotor. With different formats of the outer packaging, it is necessary to change the action of the folding means on the front side portion suitable to achieve optimum folding of the connecting portions. By the program-controlled servo drive by means of a parameter set, which provides optimal parameters for the respective Umverpackungsformate processed, it is possible to provide short-term format changes with reproducible folding results.

In a preferred embodiment, the control device is designed to change the direction of rotation of the at least one folding means. In particular, the folding means can be driven in a direction of rotation in a clockwise direction or a direction of rotation in a counterclockwise direction. Thereby, it is possible to process both the front side portion and the rear side portion opposite to the front side portion with the same folding means, in the opposite direction of action. This makes it possible to effect in one pass a folding of the front in the transport direction connecting portions and the rear in the transport direction connecting portions.

In a preferred embodiment, the folding means are arranged on a shaft. The folding means have at least two folding means sections projecting radially on opposite sides. By rotating on a shaft pivot arms, propeller-like folding means are formed, so that when a full rotation of the shaft two front side sections can be edited.

Particularly preferably, the Faltmittelabschnitte are formed from flat material. In particular, the Faltmittelabschnitte are formed flat, wherein the plane spanned by the Faltmittelabschnitte plane parallel or substantially parallel to the transport direction and is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft. It is thereby achieved that the narrow sides of the Faltmittelabschnitte on the front side portion and the rear side portion act and the Faltmittelabschnitte can be moved with appropriate orientation of the folding means or a suitable arrangement on the shaft through the intermediate spaces, which form between rows in the region of the bottom portion arranged containers. As a result, a non-contact performing the folding means through the interior of the outer packaging or the container received therein is possible.

Preferably, at least two folding means are provided. As a result, when using especially narrow folding means, damage to the front side section or undesired folding thereof at the point of action of the folding means can be prevented. In particular, this achieves a locally distributed action on the front side section.

In a preferred embodiment, the folding means are arranged axially displaceable on the shaft. As a result, an adjustment of the position of the folding means relative to the outer packaging or the container therein is possible, so that a collision of the folding means is prevented with these containers.

Particularly preferably, the distance of the folding means relative to the conveyor is adjustable. By adjusting the height of the folding means or the second folding means on the one hand, an adaptation of the depth of action of the folding means is possible, so that in particular different formats of outer packaging can be processed on the folding device. Furthermore, it is possible for the second folding device with its folding means to be positioned above the conveying device such that the folding means come to lie above the outer packages conveyed on the conveying device so that conventional cartons can also be conveyed via the transporting device.

• Fördern der Umverpackung mittels einer Fördereinrichtung in einer zumindest mit dem Bodenabschnitt auf der Fördereinrichtung aufliegender Lage in einer Transportrichtung,
• Falten eines an den Bodenabschnitt anschließenden Vorderseitenabschnitts und daran angelenkter Verbindungsabschnitte gegenüber dem Bodenabschnitt mittels erster Vorrichtungsmittel, die schwenkbar an der Fördereinrichtung angeordnet sind
• Faltung der Verbindungsabschnitte um eine in den jeweiligen Verbindungsabschnitten verlaufende Falzlinie durch Einwirken auf den Vorderseitenabschnitt in eine entgegen der Wirkrichtung der ersten Vorrichtungsmittel entgegengesetzte Richtung mittels zweiter Vorrichtungsmittel, die oberhalb der Fördereinrichtung vorgesehen sind und Faltmittel aufweisen, die rotierend um eine Drehachse angetrieben werden.

The invention further relates to a method for at least partially folding overpacks, which have a plurality of sections connected via fold lines, the method having at least the following steps:

• Conveying the outer packaging by means of a conveyor device in a position resting on the conveyor at least with the bottom section in a transport direction,
• Folding a front side portion adjoining the bottom portion and connecting portions hinged thereto opposite the bottom portion by means of first jig means pivotally mounted on the conveyor
• Folding of the connecting portions to a running in the respective connecting portions fold line by acting on the Front side portion in a direction opposite to the effective direction of the first device means opposite direction by means of second device means which are provided above the conveyor and having folding means which are driven in rotation about a rotation axis.

Particularly preferably, the folding means are driven by a servomotor. By the targeted control of the servomotor, a desired effect on the front side portion is possible in such a way that results in a desired folding in the region of the connecting portions.

Particularly preferably, the folding means are driven with a speed profile which depends on the size of the outer packaging and / or with an angular acceleration profile dependent on the format of the outer packaging. This makes it possible to suitably set the point of action or the impact pulse of the folding means relative to the front side portion, in particular depending on the format of the currently processed outer packaging.

Particularly preferably, the folding means are driven with a format of the outer packaging dependent rotary motion profile. As a result, it is again possible to adapt the action of the folding means on the front side section to the respectively processed outer packaging or its format.

Particularly preferably, the folding means are driven in alternating directions of rotation. By changing the direction of rotation, it is not only possible to process the front side portion by means of the folding means, but also the rear side portion opposite the front side portion to achieve there at least a partial folding of the connecting portions hinged thereto.

Particularly preferably, the folding means are at least partially moved in the intermediate spaces, which form between rows arranged in the region of the bottom portion of the outer packaging containers. In particular, the folding means are designed so narrow that a collision of the folding means relative to the containers is prevented by a passage of the folding means through the intermediate spaces. As a result, propeller-shaped folding means can be used which are optimized with regard to the impact action on the front side section and the rear side section, respectively.

The expression "essentially" or "approximately" in the sense of the invention means deviations from the exact value by +/- 10%, preferably by +/- 5% and / or deviations in the form of changes that are insignificant for the function.

Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. In this case, all described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination are fundamentally the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their dependency. Also, the content of the claims is made an integral part of the description.

Fig. 1

beispielhaft eine erfindungsgemäße Faltvorrichtung in perspektivischer Darstellung;

Fig.2

beispielhaft eine erfindungsgemäße Faltvorrichtung in seitlicher Darstellung; und

Fig.3

beispielhaft der obere Vorrichtungsteil der erfindungsgemäßen Faltvorrichtung in perspektivischer Darstellung.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1

exemplified a folding device according to the invention in a perspective view;

Fig.2

exemplified a folding device according to the invention in a lateral view; and

Figure 3

by way of example, the upper device part of the folding device according to the invention in a perspective view.

In the FIGS. 1 and 2 In each case, a device 1 according to the invention for at least partial folding of outer packaging 2 is shown. The folding device 1 essentially consists of two device sections, namely a lower device section and an upper device section. The lower device section essentially consists of a conveying device 3, which is designed to convey outer packages 2 provided as folding blanks. Preferably, by means of the conveyor 3, the folding blanks, which consist of several sections, in particular a bottom section 2.1, together with a plurality of arranged in rows, on the bottom section 2.1 upstanding containers B conveyed in a transport direction TR.

The conveyor 3 is in particular for the transport of outer packaging 2 in different sizes, that is formed in different formats. Preferably, the conveyor 3 has a plurality of mutually spaced stop elements, against which a respective, promoted on the transport device 3 outer packaging rests with their seen in the transport direction TR rear edge. These stop elements thus form reference points in the position or orientation of the outer packaging 2 on the conveyor 3.

The conveyor 3 is designed in particular for conveying so-called wrap-around packaging. Such wrap-around packages are formed to form a closed, watertight outer packaging by a plurality of sections which are interconnected only by pre-formed folds and thus manage without any cuts, so that at least the lower part of the outer package 2, in which a plurality of containers B, is free from any outlet openings or leakage points. In particular, the blank forming the outer package 2 has a bottom section 2.1, a front side section 2.2, a rear side section 2.3 and side surface sections 2.4, 2.5. The front side section 2.2, the rear side section 2.3 and the side surface sections 2.4, 2.5 are each connected directly via a fold line with the bottom section 2.1 articulated. Between the front side section 2.2 and the side surface sections 2.4, 2.5 and the rear side section 2.3 and the side surface sections 2.4, 2.5 respectively connecting sections 2.6, 2.7 are provided, which are connected at mutually perpendicular sides in each case with different sections, for example, the front side section 2.2 and the side surface section 2.4 , The connecting sections 2.6 also have an oblique fold line 2.6.1, which divides the connecting section 2.6 respectively into a first and second connecting section area 2.6.2, 2.6.3.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the conveyor 3 has a pair of first folding devices 4, 4 ', which are provided in the region of the front connecting sections 2.6 seen in the transporting direction TR. The first folding devices 4, 4 'are preferably arranged pivotably on the conveyor 3 and each have at least one contact element, which comes to rest against the respective connecting section 2.6. In the deactivated state of the first folding device 4, 4 ', this contact surface occupies a horizontal position, so that the front side section 2.2 and the hinged thereto connecting portions 2.6 are also aligned horizontally or substantially horizontally with deactivated folding device 4, 4', i. are in a plane or substantially in a plane with the bottom section 2.1.

At the position where the still flat carton blanks start to move from below to the transport plane, also the chain that carries the folding tools begins. While the folding tools emerge on the deflection shaft on the transport plane, the front side sections and rear side sections are erected in parallel. In the further course of the folding operation, the front side section and the rear side section of the carton blank rest on the folding tool.

The abutment surfaces of the first folding devices 4, 4 'can be pivoted, for example, by means of a lever device in a vertically upright direction, so that the front side section 2.2 or the connecting sections 2.6 articulated thereto are unfolded in a direction projecting from the bottom section 2.1 or the conveyor device 3. In particular, after unfolding by the first folding devices 4, 4 ', the front side section 2.2 or the connecting sections 2.6 articulated thereon are at right angles or substantially at right angles from the bottom section 2.1 upwards. The abutment elements of the first folding devices 4, 4 'in each case rest exclusively on the connecting sections 2.6, i. there is no investment against the front side section 2.2.

In order to be able to adapt the device to different formats of outer packaging, the first folding devices 4, 4 'are preferably displaceable in the transport direction or opposite to the transport direction or at different distances from the aforementioned stop element, so that unfolding of the front side section 2.2 and the case hinged connection sections 2.6 regardless of the format of the outer packaging 2 is possible.

For further folding of the outer package 2, it is necessary to fold the connecting sections 2.6 in itself along the folding line 2.6.1, so that the two connecting section areas 2.6.2, 2.6.3 of the connecting section 2.6 at least partially against each other in the further folding of the outer package 2 Arrive plant. In order to effect this folding along the fold line 2.6.1, a force is exerted on the front side section 2.2 by means of the second device section arranged above the conveyor 3, which will be referred to as the second folding device 5, with the contact elements of the first folding device 4, 4 ', opposite the connecting sections 2.6.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the second folding device 5 consists of a carrying device 10, which is formed from two support element elements 10.1, 10.2 which are spaced apart from one another. In the lower region of the carrying device 10, a shaft 8 is rotatably supported about a rotational axis DA relative to the carrying device 10 via suitable bearing devices, this shaft 8 preferably running parallel to the plane in which the outer packs 2 are conveyed by the conveying device 3. Further preferably, the shaft 8 extends transversely to the transport direction TR of the conveyor 3, in particular at right angles to the transport direction TR. The support device 10 is arranged at such a distance from the conveyor 3, that the shaft 8 is located above the transported on the transport device 3 standing B container itself. On the shaft 8, at least one, in the illustrated embodiment, two folding means 6, 6 ', held, which are set in rotation of the shaft 8 in rotation.

On the carrying device 10, a servo motor 7 is further provided, which is connected via suitable drive means with the shaft 8 in operative connection. The drive means are formed in the embodiment shown by a drive belt, but may deviate from other drive means such as a chain drive, gears, etc. are formed.

The folding means 6, 6 'each have two diametrally opposite folding means sections 6.1, 6.1' in the embodiment shown, wherein the folding means sections 6.1, 6.1 'are preferably formed from flat material. Flat material in the context of the invention in this case means such a material whose material thickness is low in comparison to the other dimensions of Faltmittelabschnitte. In particular, the folding means 6, 6 'are formed like a propeller. The dimensions of the folding means 6, 6 'are chosen such that the protruding from the shaft 8 folding means 6.1, 6.1', upon rotation of the shaft 8 above the standing on the bottom section 2.1 container B with their narrow sides meet the unfolded front side section 2.2 and a contrary to the effective direction of the first folding devices 4, 4 'directed refolding of this front side section 2.2 effect. Preferably, the folding means 6, 6 'act abruptly on the front side section 2.2 and thus cause a folding of the connecting sections 2.6 along their respective fold line 2.6.1. This is especially true in the Fig. 1 and 2 to recognize the at least partially folded outer packaging in the transport direction TR after the second folding device 5.

Fig. 3 shows on a higher level of detail, the second folding device 5. On the shaft 8 two independently arranged folding means 6, 6 'held against rotation, wherein the respective folding means 6.1, 6.1' of the individual folding means 6, 6 'in the same direction, ie the longitudinal axes the propeller-type folding means 6, 6 ', are aligned parallel to each other. To adjust the distance d of the folding means 6, 6 'to each other or to adjust the distance of the folding means 6, 6' to the Trageinrichtungselementen 10.1, 10.2, the folding means 6, 6 'axially displaceable on the shaft 8 and arranged by means of suitable locking or Fixing, for example, a clamping mechanism or locking pin relative to the shaft 8 can be fixed. As a result of this axial displaceability, in particular the working width of the second folding device 5 can be adjusted so that it can be adapted to different formats of outer packaging or the spacing of the containers B arranged in a row.

To adjust the height of the shaft 8 relative to the conveyor 3 and the depth of action of the folding means 6, 6 'relative to the transported on the conveyor 3 outer packaging 2, the recordings or bearings of the shaft 8 are slidably disposed on the respective support elements 10.1, 10.2.

In the illustrated embodiment, each receiving point of the shaft 8 is a spindle drive 9, 9 'assigned by means of which the receiving point in height with respect to the conveyor 3 are adjustable. Preferably, the two spindle drives 9, 9 'driven synchronously to each other, so that a simultaneous height adjustment of both receiving points of the shaft 8 takes place. As a result, a height adjustment of the shaft 8 is achieved such that it always has a horizontal orientation. By adjusting the height of the shaft 8 is thus also an adaptation of the folding device 1 of the invention to different formats of outer packaging 2 and container formats contained therein possible.

In a preferred embodiment, the folding device 1 is designed both for folding the connecting sections 2.6 articulated to the front side section 2.2 and the connecting sections 2.7 articulated to the rear side section 2.3. For this purpose, a first folding device 4a is also provided in the rear region, ie, seen in the transport direction TR at the bottom section 2.1, which is designed to unfold the rear side section 2.3 or the connecting sections 2.7 articulated to the rear side section. In order to effect a folding of the connecting sections 2.7 along the fold line 2.7.1, it is necessary for the rear side section 2.3 to be folded on the connecting sections 2.7 in a direction opposite to the transport direction TR when the first folding device 4a acts. For this purpose, provision is made in particular for the folding means 6, 6 'to be able to change their direction of rotation RR, ie to be drivable in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. For this purpose, a control of the servo motor 7 is such that it is driven in changing, in particular temporally intermittently changing direction of rotation and thus the folding means 6, 6 'for folding the front section 2.2 in a in Fig. 2 shown in the direction of rotation RR (clockwise) and the folding of the back section 2.3 in an opposite direction of rotation (counterclockwise) moves.

In order further to be able to use the folding device 1 according to the invention for a multiplicity of different outer packaging formats, a control is provided which cooperates with the servomotor 7 and an activation of the servomotor 7 optimized for the respective format of the outer packaging 2 and thereby a suitable rotation of the folding means 6, 6 'accomplished for the respective Umverpackungstyp. For this purpose, the controller preferably has a memory unit in which at least one parameter set is stored. This parameter set has the format of the outer packaging 2 associated parameters, so that depending on the processed format on the folding device 1 desired parameters for controlling the servomotor can be used. The selected parameters cause a control the servo motor with a desired rotational movement profile which is optimally adapted to the Umverpackungsformat assigned to these parameters, so that by the action of the folding means 6, 6 'on the front side 2.2 and the rear side 2.3 by an optimal impact speed and an optimal impact point, the desired convolution along the fold lines 2.6.1, 2.7.1 of the connecting sections 2.6, 2.7 is achieved.

The invention has been described above by means of exemplary embodiments. It is understood that a variety of changes or modifications are possible without thereby departing from the inventive concept underlying the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

folding

2

overpack

2.1

bottom section

2.2

Front section

2.3

Back portion

2.4

Side surface portion

2.5

Side surface portion

2.6

connecting portion

2.6.1

fold line

2.6.2

first connection section area

2.6.3

second connection section area

2.7

connecting portion

2.7.1

fold line

3

Conveyor

4, 4 '

first folding device

4a

first folding device

5

second folding device

6, 6 '

folding means

6.1, 6.1 '

Faltmittelabschnitt

7

servo drive

8th

wave

9, 9 '

spindle drive

10

support means

10.1, 10.2

Support device element

B

container

d

distance

THERE

axis of rotation

RR

direction of rotation

TR

transport direction

Claims (15)

1. An apparatus for at least partially folding of outer packaging (2), wherein said outer packaging has a plurality of sections connected by fold lines, comprising:

   - a conveying device (3) for transporting the outer packaging (2) in a position with at least the bottom section (2.1) lying on the conveying device (3) in a transport direction (TR),

   - first device means (4, 4'), which are arranged such as to pivot at the conveying device, and are formed such as to fold a front side section (2.2) connected to the base section (2.1) and connection sections (2.6) hinged to that, against the base section (2.1), and

   - second device means (5), which are provided above the conveying device (3) and which are arranged such that, by taking effect on the front side section (2.2) in a direction against the working direction of the first device means (4, 4'), cause a folding of the connection sections (2.6) about a fold line (2.6.1) running in the respective connection sections (2.6), wherein the second device means (5) comprise at least one folding means (2.6.1) driven by a servomotor (7), rotating about an axis of rotation (DA),
   characterised in that a control device is provided which interacts with the servomotor (7), which is designed for the actuation of the servomotor (7) at a speed profile dependent on the format of the outer packaging (2) and/or at an angular acceleration profile which is dependent on the format of the outer packaging (2).
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that a control device is provided which interacts with the servomotor (7), which is designed for the actuation of the servomotors (7) with a rotational movement profile which is dependent on the format of the outer packaging (2).
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a control device comprises a memory device or interacts with a memory device which comprises a parameter set with different format-dependent parameters for the actuation of the servomotor (7).
4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the control device is designed to change the direction of rotation (RR) of the at least one folding means (6, 6').
5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the folding means (6, 6') are arranged at a shaft (8) and comprise two folding means sections (6.1, 6.1') projecting radially to opposite sides.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that the folding means sections (6.1, 6.1') are formed of flat material.
7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least two folding means (6, 6') are provided.
8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the folding means (6, 6') are arranged axially displaceable on the shaft (8).
9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the spacing interval of the folding means (6, 6') in relation to the conveying device (3) is adjustable.
10. Method for at least partially folding of outer packaging (2), wherein said outer packaging has a plurality of sections connected by fold lines, for accommodating a plurality of containers (B), with which the lower part is free of any outlet apertures or leakage points, comprising the following steps:

    - conveying of the outer packaging (2) by means of a conveying device (3) in a position with at least the bottom section (2.1) lying on the conveying device (3) in a transport direction (TR),

    - together with a plurality of containers (B) arranged in rows and standing upright on the base section (2.1),

    - folding of a front side section (2.2) connected to the base section (2,1), and connection sections (2.6) hinged to that, against the base section (2,1), by means of first device means (4, 4'), which are arranged such as to pivot at the conveying device (3),

    - folding of the connection section (2.6) about a fold line (2.6.1) running in the respective connection sections (2.6) by taking effect on the front side section (2,2) in a direction opposite to the working direction of the first device means (4, 4') by means of second device means (5), which are provided above the conveying device (3) and comprise folding means (6, 6'), which are driven rotating about an axis of rotation (DA).
11. Method according to claim 10, characterised in that the folding means (6, 6') are driven by a servomotor (7).
12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the folding means (6, 6') are driven at a speed profile which is dependent on the format of the outer packaging (2) and/or at an angle acceleration profile which is dependent on the format of the outer packaging (2).
13. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that the folding means (6, 6') are driven with a rotational movement profile which is dependent on the format of the outer packaging (2).
14. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterised in that the folding means (6, 6') are driven in a changing direction of rotation (RR).
15. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterised in that the folding means (6, 6') are moved at least partially in intermediate spaces, which are formed between containers (B), arranged in rows in the region of the base section (2.1) of the outer packaging (2).

Images