EP2785596B1 - Apparatus for forming packaging units - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for the production of containers according to the preamble of claim 1, comprising a single or multi-lane container feed or single or multi-lane container streams, at least one rotating about a central axis Ausstattungskreisel a treatment device with at least one applicator element in the region of the treatment device , by means of which at least one adhesive or adhesive and / or at least one adhesive or adhesive application can be applied to or on containers.

Containers according to the invention are for example bottles, cans, tubes, pouches, each of metal, glass and / or plastic, so for example PET bottles, but also other packaging, especially those suitable for filling liquid or viscous products are, but also already grouped into groups (multiple pack) containers. Such containers, e.g. PET bottles have a contact area, which is designed spherically curved, so that the containers can virtually roll around one another around a circumferential path, that is to say on a "unrolling ring". In the case of glass bottles, this is recognizable in the case of repeated use of the bottle, for example by means of the wear ring, which is usually recognizable in a light highlighting. Such "roll-off rings" can be arranged in PET bottles not only in the head area but also in the foot area.

It is known that containers, such as glass bottles or PET bottles, are closed after filling and then provided with one or more labels. For this purpose, for example, one or more individual labels with a glue on or attached to the container, such as in the DE 40 13 938 C2 or DE 197 12 193 C2 shown. It is also known to fully envelop the container with a label tube or a so-called roll-feed label. The DE 201 10 763 U1 shows such a sleeve labeling device, wherein the label tube (sleeve label) of a Supply roll is taken, cut to a suitable length and then stretched and pulled over a bottle. There, the hose piece relaxes, so that the label sleeve fits snugly against the surface of the bottle.

The roll-feed method and such a device is known from DE 102 43 701 A1 known. In this case, the bottle is wrapped with a label whose beginning is glued to the container and its end on the label beginning.

In particular, for the application of several single-sheet labels on a bottle, it is known to align the bottle on the labeling device such that e.g. Belly and breast label or the decorative image on the closure, are arranged in a defined position to each other. The thus labeled bottles are often subsequently packaged on packaging machines by wrapping a group of bottles or containers, often four or six single bottles, with a film and then shrunk this film so as to obtain a stable salable unit.

In detail, the production of the container is carried out, for example, in such a way that the containers on a transport plane of a transporter upright and oriented with its container axis in the vertical direction or substantially vertical direction in a mass transport or in a wide container stream are supplied in which the container have an arbitrary orientation with respect to distinctive containers and / or features. This wide container stream is then converted by lane division into several single-lane container streams. In further process steps, the compartments of the later containers or their container groups forming of the single-lane container streams, bringing together the necessary number of containers each to a compacted container group, in which the container with multiple shell or peripheral surfaces, ie with the contact or Touch surfaces against each other, and that connecting the container of each group of containers to the compact and solid and stable container.

It is known to summarize or formulate several articles each into an article group and from the article groups using shrink films (eg US 7,726,464 B2 ) to produce solid and transportable storage and transport units or containers. The disadvantage here is, inter alia, that the films used in this case and in particular the shrinking of the films caused by heat or energy input not inconsiderable costs.

It has also been proposed to produce transportable containers by virtue of the fact that the containers formed in each case into a group of containers are surrounded by a strapping around the container group (FIG. DE 10 2009 025 824 A1 . DE 10 2009 044 271 A1 . DE 41 26 212 A1 ), ie connected to each other in a container, which is a particularly cost-effective and easy way to produce containers or transport and storage units. The strapping can also be glued to the containers. A disadvantage of the strapping, however, is that the first removal of a container from such a container, the remaining container in the container are no longer held together by the strapping. This applies not only when the strapping is separated or cut, but also when it is possible to remove a container from the container without severing the strapping.

Furthermore, when transporting such containers on a belt conveyor there is always the danger that cylindrical or largely cylindrical articles, such as cans, bottles or containers, will assume a nesting position due to vibration, impacts etc., ie slip into the gap of the neighboring row. In order to prevent this, a very high tension must be applied to the strapping in known containers.

The DE 10 2006 037 105 A1 on the other hand deals with a method for assembling bottle packages, in which on both sides of a web a rotary star is provided, which bottlenecks in brackets on flat girders pushes. The bottle package is still covered with a tape or wrapping (foil).

According to the DE 23 31 193 A1 , of the DE-OS 24 19 990 and the DE 101 63 268 A1 An adhesive is applied to containers in narrow areas or rows. At the splice the containers stick together. After the apprenticeship of DE 23 31 193 A1 should gripping the package for the purpose of carrying be possible because each adjacent surfaces are not provided with adhesive. The EP 2 096 039 A1 also discloses to provide container with an adhesive, but in addition also a shrink film is placed around the bottle package.

The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for producing containers of the type mentioned above, to make the labeling and the manufacture of containers compact and to speed.

To solve this problem, a device for the production of containers according to claim 1 or a method according to claim 14 is provided.

The treatment device has one or more equipment gyro on which both one or more labels or printed images and an adhesive and / or adhesive application is made for the immediately following compression of the container and container formation. For this purpose, the containers can be rotated on the equipment gyroscope about a vertical axis, provided at each treatment position of a container on the equipment gyro idealarweise a suitable plurality of foot-side guides, for example. Stand- / turntable, and / or a variety of head guides, eg Shape of holding and centering tulips.

Containers according to the invention are, e.g. PET bottles, i. et al Bottles, cans, tubes, pouches, each made of metal, glass and / or plastic, but also other packaging, especially those that are suitable for filling liquid or viscous products, but also already grouped into groups (multiple pack) container. The containers of the container are arranged in a non-nesting position.

"Adhesives" within the meaning of the invention are, inter alia, all materials or compounds with which an adhesive bond between containers is possible, in particular compounds, materials or compositions which are applied in the liquid or viscous state form a self-adhesive order and / or using Pressure and / or by energy input and / or after curing or crosslinking (also by energy input) effect an adhesive bond. "Adhesives" within the meaning of the invention are, inter alia, also multi-layer materials, for example those of at least one carrier material, which is coated with a material with which an adhesive connection between containers is possible, ie at least two-sided adhesive and / or adhesive are active. Such adhesives or adhesives may be referred to as pads. An "adhesive" container has in the context of the invention adhesives or adhesives, that is provided with an adhesive and adhesive application. The adhesive or adhesive is preferably selected such that the containers are detached manually and non-destructively from the container and separable from each other. It is conceivable that liquid adhesive is applied by the applicator elements. It is possible to apply a low-viscosity UV-curing adhesive. Also suitable would be a Heizleim, which, however, cools very quickly, and so could possibly give up its adhesive properties before the containers of the container are sufficiently glued together. A UV-curing adhesive is also advantageous in terms of particularly easy adjustment of its desired properties. A corresponding curing station or a curing section is provided in a sensible manner downstream of the application elements stationary or along the linear conveyor above and optionally also below. A curing station can, for example, a tunnel with UV illumination be. The curing station is preferably downstream of the treatment device, preferably arranged on the linear transporter.

The objective is when the treatment device has the equipment gyro, an introduction device and the discharge device. The introduction device can be embodied as an inlet star, inlet screw, etc. In the case of the diversion device, ideally a device should be selected which keeps the containers non-rotatable. Here, a Ausleitstern be provided in the pockets of a rubber-like, rotationally locking surface or elements are arranged. Ideally, an outlet star is provided which has a suction element at each receiving location for a bottle or a container, wherein the suction elements are connected to a vacuum pump, and ideally the vacuum supply is switched so that it is active only in a defined angular range of the outlet star. The introduction device causes an adaptation of the incoming container flow to the division of the equipment gyro, so that the respective containers can be easily handed over to the equipment gyro. With the diversion device, the containers can be transported further at a predetermined distance.

It is expedient if the foot-side guides are designed as a turntable, the head guides on the supply side have packing or centering tulips, or as these are configured. The respective container is as it were clamped between the turntable and the packing or centering tulip, and kept secure. With the motor drive of the turntable and / or the head guide, for rotation about the axis of the equipment gyro additional rotation of the individual container can be effected. As a result, the container is rotated as needed on its transport path about the rotational axis of the equipment gyro, so that in the circumferential direction of the container features, such as labels can be applied, and further several contact and contact surfaces of the container can be provided with adhesive or adhesive. It is expedient if a plurality of application elements are provided, which in the direction of rotation of the equipment gyroscope follow one another or if application elements Both radially inward and radially outward are arranged, as a result, the rotation time in the application of multiple amounts of adhesive and adhesive on the circumference of a container, is shortened.

By means of the drives, in cooperation with suitable inspection devices, the upright container can also be favorably aligned according to specific container and / or equipment features, so for example according to so-called embossing and then container-specific so provided with adhesive and / or adhesive that the Containers of a container are accommodated exactly identically aligned with each other within the container.

In a preferred embodiment it can be provided that in each case two application elements are arranged one above the other, optionally subsequent application elements are also arranged one above the other. Thus, in each case one application element always provide exactly one container area, that is to say a section of the contact and contact area with adhesive and adhesive. Of course, the applicator elements can be controlled, for example, in a spraying or spraying order of adhesive and adhesive, so be adjustable in their inclination with respect to each spatial axis. Of course, the applicator elements can also be carried along with at least a portion of the relevant container, but this is not absolutely necessary.

The treatment device, preferably the equipment gyro or the diversion device, is immediately downstream of a compartment or compressor section or device, for example a linear transporter, wherein the containers provided with the still moist or activatable adhesive and adhesive are combined into containers and transported further. Static and / or movable guide elements can be provided in each case laterally of the linear transporter, and further driver elements can be provided, which are each associated with a container.

The guide elements are formed, for example, as a railing, which lead and support the container, or the container of the container between them. It is conceivable to execute the guide elements rigid. However, it is also possible to carry out the guide elements so that the containers or containers have no relative speed to the laterally arranged guide elements. With the laterally arranged guide elements, a lateral pressure can be generated, which is expedient for an adhesive connection of the container of the container. In other words, the guide elements not only have the function of guiding and supporting but also the function of generating a force acting on the container, which compresses the container or the container seen transversely to the transport direction, i. approaches each other, presses against each other or pressed, so as to effect a sufficient adhesive bond can.

In a preferred embodiment, the driver elements are arranged transversely to the transport direction, and completely overlap the linear transporter, wherein the driver elements arranged in the transport direction behind the container, so that the driver elements push the container almost in front of him. As a result, a force is advantageously generated, which seen a connection of the container with each other in or against the transport direction and supports a compression. In order to improve the composite of the containers of the container with one another not only transversely to the transport direction, but also seen in the transport direction, the carriers can seen in the transport direction apply relative to the transport relative speed on the container or on the container. If the conveying speed of the driving element (s) is greater than the conveying speed of the linear conveyor, this causes a sliding or sliding of the containers or the container from the input side in the direction of the discharge side. It can be seen that the pushing force can significantly increase the adhesive bond. The driver elements may be designed in a preferred embodiment as a rod, so as Mitnehmerstab. Further, the driver elements may be driven by themselves, and / or be in communication with the guide elements. In this respect, the guide elements to the already mentioned functions could virtually take over the guiding function for the driver elements. If the guide elements are driven, thus provided circumferentially, it is entirely within the meaning of the invention to fasten the driver elements rigidly to the guide elements, wherein the above-mentioned relative speed could be generated by means of the guide element drive. The guide elements could also be viewed in the transverse direction so that the device can also be adjusted to different container dimensions. The conveying speed of the linear transporter, the guide elements and / or the driver elements can be individually adjustable, for which purpose suitable control centers or central control units of a complete system can be used.

It is possible to provide the container in the area of the compartmenting and / or compacting unit with a carrying element, for example with a handle, for which purpose suitable devices can be provided which are arranged downstream of the discharge side or at a suitable point on the linear conveyor.

Of course, the support element with the aforementioned adhesive or adhesive can be attached to the container or zw. Adjacent containers of a container in which this is glued in parallel with the compaction and approach of the container after the equipment gyro or the discharge in the area of the compartment - and / or compression unit.

With the invention, an apparatus for producing a container is provided, which avoids in a simple manner, despite the omission of a encompassing film and / or a strapping, that the containers reach a nesting position during transport and the aforementioned film is completely eliminated can. It remains even after the removal of one or more containers from a container, the cohesion of the remaining containers in the container. By dispensing with a foil or a strapping band (foil-less bottle pack), the environment is relieved by avoiding waste, thereby also conserving resources for the production of the films or immatures usually made of plastic. The container of a container during transport, so in the continuous operation of the device for the production of Containers, ie the packaging machine, glued directly to each other. In addition, a foil-less bottle pack can be achieved with minimal adhesive application, which has a sufficient binding of the individual containers to one another.

The particular advantage lies in the fact that can be omitted by the arrangement of application elements for adhesives and adhesives on a Etikettierkreisel, quasi the packaging machine and the usual shrink tunnel. This is a significant advantage on the energy as well as the cost side.

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

einen Teilabschnitt einer Vorrichtung zum Herstellen eines Gebindes mit sechs Artikeln bzw. Behältern in einer perspektivischen Ansicht,

Fig. 2

den Teilabschnitt aus Figur 1 in einer Aufsicht,

Fig. 3

den Teilabschnitt aus Figur 1 in einer Seitenansicht,

Fig. 4

eine beispielhafte Ausgestaltung einer Abteil- oder Verdichterstrecke in der beispielhaften Ausgestaltung als Lineartransporteur,

Fig. 5

Seitenansicht einer alternativen linearen Abteil- und Verdichterstrecke, und

Fig. 6

eine Aufsicht des Kopfantriebes einer linearen Abteil- und Verdichtungsstrecke

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

Fig. 1

a partial section of an apparatus for producing a container with six articles or containers in a perspective view,

Fig. 2

the subsection off FIG. 1 in a supervision,

Fig. 3

the subsection off FIG. 1 in a side view,

Fig. 4

an exemplary embodiment of a compartment or compressor section in the exemplary embodiment as a linear conveyor,

Fig. 5

Side view of an alternative linear section and compressor section, and

Fig. 6

a plan view of the head drive a linear compartment and compression section

In the different figures, the same parts are always provided with the same reference numerals, which is why these are usually described only once.

FIG. 1 shows a section of an apparatus 1 for the production of containers 2 from containers 3, ie a packaging machine, wherein in advance from a wide container stream container 3 into several, as exemplified in two single-lane container streams 4.1 and 4.2 are converted, in which the container 3 a have arbitrary orientation. Of course, it is also possible with a suitable and structurally adapted compartment and compressor section or device to form a single-track or a more than two-lane overall system using the following statements.

In the present example, a treatment device 5.1 and 5.2 is provided for each of the container streams 4.1 and 4.2, the respective treatment device 5 having a plurality of foot-side guides 6 and head guides 7 for the container 3, wherein along the transport path of the container 3 first ever Equipment module 23, as labeling, on the treatment device or on its equipment gyro 12 or 12.1 and 12.2 provided and subsequent two application elements 8 are arranged. Here are in the in FIG. 1 shown embodiment, the applicator elements 8 arranged such that the adhesive and adhesive dispensing can be done above and below the label on the bottle surface. Downstream of the treatment device 5, the containers 3 are combined into containers 2.

The containers 3 are transported from an input side 9 toward an output side 10 (axial transport direction 14), wherein equipment modules 23 and the applicator elements 8 are provided on the treatment device 5 for applying adhesives, and the containers 3 are downstream of the treatment device 5 merged into the total package 2 and transported in the direction of the discharge side 10.

FIG. 1 shows that each treatment device 5 or 5.1 and 5.2 has an introduction device 11 or 11.1 and 11.2, the equipment circuit 12, or 12.1 and 12.2 and a discharge device 13 or 13.1 and 13.2 for the respective container track 4.1 and 4.2. The introduction device 11 is designed as a starter, wherein the discharge device 13 is designed as a discharge star. Since a treatment device 5 is provided for each container track 4.1 and 4.2, these or their components are provided in the figures with the reference number ".1" or ".2" to clarify the assignment to the respective container track 4.1 and 4.2. Of course, the respective components are usually identical in each case, but could, if necessary, also be formed differently or omitted, if this makes sense technically. For example, no application elements 8 could be provided on one of the two transport paths if the application of adhesive and adhesive 25 on the other transport path is sufficient.

By way of example, the foot-side guides 6 are executed on the equipment circuit 12 as a motor-driven turntable, wherein the head guides 7 have bearing-mounted packing or centering tulips or are designed as such. The respective container 3 is quasi-securely held between the turntable 6 and the packing tulip 7 as it were. Such turntables and packing or centering tulips are, as mentioned in the introduction, known from industrial labeling machines.

As in the FIGS. 1 and 2 Recognizable, are each an equipment module 23, here in the form of a Etikettiermoduls, for dispensing self-adhesive labels for the dispenser head 23.1, and several application elements 8 provided on the Ausstellungskreisel 12, which seen in the direction of rotation (arrow 18) of Ausstattungskreisels 12 follow one another. By means of the turntable 6, the upright container can also be favorably aligned according to certain container - and / or equipment features, so for example so-called embossing and then container specific so provided with adhesive and adhesive that the container 3 of a container 2 aligned exactly identical are added to each other within the container 2. For this purpose, suitable and not shown inspection devices can be provided.

However, a rotation of the container can also be carried out only for the sake of providing the container or containers 3 in the circumferential direction at several contact and contact surfaces with adhesive and adhesive, for example in fixed 90 ° increments. Aligning or rotating z. B. before application elements 8 and / or between following in the direction of rotation 19 application elements 8 is denoted by the reference numeral 20 in FIG. 2 indicated.

In a preferred embodiment it can be provided that in each case two application elements 8 are arranged one above the other, wherein the subsequent application elements 8 are also arranged one above the other. Thus, in each case an applicator element 8 always exactly one container area, so provide a portion of the contact and contact surface with adhesive and adhesive. Of course, the applicator elements 8 may be controllable, for example, in a spraying or spraying order of adhesive and adhesive, so be adjustable in their inclination with respect to each spatial axis. Of course, the applicator elements 8 can also be carried along at least part of the way with the relevant container 3, but i.d.R. is not necessary.

Immediately downstream of the diversion device 13, or both Ausleitsterne 13.1 and 13.2, a linear transporter 15 is arranged, which acts as a compartment and / or compressor section 22. The diversion device 13 or the two Ausleitsterne 13.1 and 13.2 lead the adhesive container 3 transversely to the axial transport direction 14 together and pass the adhesive container 3 in pairs to the linear conveyor 15, which in FIG. 2 represented by the reference numeral 19. In this case, first two adhesive containers 3 are pressed against each other via the contact and contact surfaces, wherein the linear transporter 15 can be designed so that a merging of several, for example, three container pairs to the container 2, which has six containers 3, is effected. For this purpose, the linear transporter 15 may have entrainment elements 21, wherein, in addition, lateral guide elements 16 may be provided, as in FIG FIG. 4 is recognizable. All components are connected to each other via a control and control unit 27.

The diverter 13 is ideally, as in FIG. 3 shown connected to a vacuum pump 28, and has suction elements (not shown), which hold the container 3 in a defined and fixed angular position. Ideally, the containers 3 are only released when the contact with an adjacent container 3 has taken place. In a simpler embodiment, the diversion device 28 may also have recesses and / or surfaces which avoid or prevent rotations of the container 3 due to increased coefficient of friction, for example a rubber coating or tooth-like formations, as well as a combination thereof.

The treatment device 5, or the discharge device 13 is thus downstream of the linear transporter 15, which acts as a compartment and compression section. In each case, static and / or movable guide elements 16 are provided laterally along the linear transporter 15, wherein in the present example, entrainment elements 21 are provided which are each associated with a container 2. The driver elements 21 cause a merge along the axial transport direction 14, so a pressing together the container 3 of a container 2. Furthermore, the guide elements 16 cause the contact force of the container 3 transversely to the transport direction 14, so that in the transverse direction of the adhesive bond is favorably influenced and for a defined duration is maintained.

If a curing station 17 is required, for example in the embodiment as a UV curing station for UV-curing adhesive, this is expedient arranged on the linear conveyor 15. Alternatively or in combination, a UV emitter 26 extending in the transport direction can be arranged above the grouped containers or the containers 3.

In FIG. 5 and 6 an alternative compaction station is shown. Here, the container flow / streams, or the container 3 are not already moved by the diversion elements 13 in pairs transversely to the transport direction and brought into contact. The spaced-apart containers 3 are transferred after the equipment gyro 12 and possibly a discharge element 13 to a linear conveyor 15, in whose area an endlessly circulating head drive 30 with lifting and lowering centering tulips 31 and / or an endlessly revolving ground drive 29 with driving elements 21 are arranged, by means of which the containers 3 are guided against rotation and stable in position and are approximated. In the example off FIG. 5 , the two drives run virtually over the entire length of the compaction and department parallel.

At the in FIG. 6 the example shown is first a lowering of the centering tulips 31 of the head drive 30 to the container 3, wherein the endless peripheral head drive 30 moves the centering tulips 31 at the same transport speed as that of the linear conveyor 15 in the transport direction. In the partial section 22.1 of the compartment and compression section 22, the transverse displacement of the container 3 held against rotation and connection of a container 3 with an adjacent container 3. The centering tulip 31 runs while held in the transverse guides 32, transverse to the transport direction 14. At or immediately after the contact , the so connected container 3 are released from the lock by the centering tulip 31, which are raised by control cams, not shown, and guided to the outside.

At the same time or immediately after the abovementioned release of the centering tulips 31 in the case of the third and last pair of containers of a desired container group, which is to form a container 2, the driving element 21 is brought from the ground drive 29. The speed of the ground drive 29 is higher than the previous one Transport speed or that of the linear transporter 15 in the region of the second section 22.2 of the compartment and compression section 22, so that the container group is accelerated and compressed into a container 2. The curing or drying of an adhesive or adhesive 25 is analogous to the aforementioned embodiment. Alternatively, of course, the first pair of containers can of course be stopped or slowed down in their transport speed until all container pairs of a container 2, here three per container 2, are in contact.

Not shown is a variant in which the belonging to a container 2 group of containers 3 are held by the centering tulips 31 until the rearmost of the pair of associated containers is connected or the container 3 to the final container formation, ie the compression in the transport direction, be guided and held on the head. <B> LIST OF REFERENCES </ b> 1 Device for producing labeled containers 19 Merging 3 out of 13 to 15 2 container 20 Turning 3 3 container 21 entrainment 4 Container track (4.1 and 4.2) 22 Compartment and / or compressor unit / track 5 treatment device 6 Foot-side guide 23 Equipment module 23.1 dispenser head 7 head guide 8th application elements 24 Equipment area 24.1, 24.2 Equipment feature 9 input side 10 output side 11 introducing device 25 Adhesive or adhesive 12 equipment roundabout 26 UV lamps 13 diversion 27 Control unit 14 Axial transport direction 28 vacuum pump 15 linear transporter 29 floor drive 16 guide elements 30 head drive 17 curing 31 centering bells 18 Rotation direction of 12 32 width guides

Claims (15)

1. Handling apparatus (5) for containers (3) for forming packaging units (2) from labelled and/or decorated containers (3), comprising a one-track or multi-track container feed or one-track or multi-track container streams (4.1 and 4.2), at least one equipping rotor (12) rotating about a central axis, with at least one equipping module (23) in each case in the region of the equipping rotor (12), by means of which at least one equipping feature (24.1, 24.2) can be applied onto the containers (3), characterised in that the apparatus comprises

   - at least one application element (8) in the region of the equipping rotor (12), by means of which, outside the surface of a container (3) on which an equipping feature (24.1, 24.2) can be applied by the equipping module (23), at least one adhesive or gluing means (25) and/or at least one adhesive or glue application can be applied to containers (3), and wherein

   - provided immediately downstream of the equipping rotor (12) and/or a discharge device (13) is a compartmenting and/or compaction unit or a compartmenting and/or compaction segment (22), for grouping and compacting as well as temporary compressing of a predetermined number of containers (3), by means of which the containers (3) are assembled to form the packaging unit by the adhering and/or gluing of the containers (3) to one another, by means of the adhesive or gluing means and/or adhesive or glue application, and are transported onwards.
2. Handling apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one application element (8) is arranged vertically above or below a dispensing head (23.1) for equipping features (24) of the equipping module (23).
3. Handling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the equipping rotor (12) is a labelling rotor, the equipping module (23) is a labelling module, and the equipping feature (24.1, 24.2) is one or more labels.
4. Handling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the equipping rotor (12) is a printing rotor with circulating printing stations and printing heads, the equipping module (23) is one or more printing stations, and the equipping feature (24.1, 24.2) is one or more printed or decoration images.
5. Handling apparatus according to claim 4, characterised in that a plurality of printing heads are provided per circulating printing station, for the application of different inks and/or fluids.
6. Handling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the discharge device (13) arranged downstream of the equipping rotor (12) comprises holding elements for the discharge of the containers (3) secure against rotation.
7. Handling apparatus according to claim 6, characterised in that the holding elements (25) for securing the rotation are suction elements and are arranged at the circumference of a star-shaped discharge device (13), and wherein the suction elements are connected to a vacuum pump (28).
8. Handling apparatus according to claim 6, characterised in that the holding elements (25) for securing against rotation are holding and centring tulips, which are arranged on a head transport (30) arranged above the containers (3) and are driven by this transport.
9. Handling apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the respective equipping rotor (12) of the respective handling apparatus (5) comprises a plurality of foot-side guides (6) and/or head guides (7) for containers (3).
10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, arranged downstream of the handling apparatus (5), is a linear transporter (15) which functions as a compartmenting and/or compaction segment (22), and on which the containers (3) can be assembled to form packaging units (2) and can be transported onwards.
11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the foot-side guides (6) are configured as rotating plates, wherein the head guides (7) comprise a packing and centring tulip or are configured as such.
12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the application elements (8) are arranged following one another in the rotation direction of the equipping rotor (12).
13. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in each case at least two application elements (8) are arranged above one another.
14. Method for forming packaging elements (2) from labelled containers (3), wherein the containers (3) are provided on an equipping rotor (12) with at least one equipping feature (24.1, 24.2), in the form of at least one label or printed image, and are subsequently assembled to form packing units (2) of a plurality of containers (3), characterised in that

    - during, immediately before, or immediately after the application of the at least one equipping feature (24) onto the containers (3), at least one adhesive or gluing means and/or at least one adhesive or gluing means application is applied onto the container (3), after which

    - the containers equipped in this way are discharged by means of a discharge device (13) out of the equipping rotor (12), and after which

    - the formation of the packaging units (2) takes place from a number of containers (3) in a compartmenting and/or compacting unit or a compartmenting and/or compacting segment (22) by the adhesion and/or gluing of the containers (3) to one another, by means of the adhesive or glue means and/or adhesive or glue applications.
15. Method according to claim 14, characterised in that a device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 is used.

Images