EP3099580B1 - Method and device for forming packaging units - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for producing containers from containers according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and to a method for producing containers from containers according to the preamble of patent claim 12.

Devices and methods for forming packaging units, hereinafter referred to as containers, are known. 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 A1 ) to produce solid or transportable packaging units or containers.

Furthermore, from the document DE 10 2011 107 265 A1 and from the publication EP-A-2 258 625 Known to releasably connect container with each other by adhesives applied to the container wall and thereby produce a packaging unit.

Proceeding from this, it is an object of the invention to provide a device by means of which an efficient application of adhesives on containers is possible to minimize expenses by gluing the container together and thus to form a cost-effective container containing a plurality of containers. The object is achieved on the basis of the preamble of claim 1 by its characterizing features. A corresponding method is the subject of the independent patent claim 12.

The invention first relates to a device for closing containers by applying closure elements on the container opening. In this case, unlocked containers are fed via a container feed to a capper unit, at which the closure of the containers takes place by means of a capper head. In the area of the closure unit, at least one application unit is provided, by means of which an adhesive application takes place on a peripheral side of the wall of the container. This ensures that already in the capper unit, the containers are provided with the adhesive agent, by means of several, combined into a container container are glued together, in each case adjacent containers by one or more splices. By integrating the adhesive application into the sealer unit, the machine outlay is substantially minimized since no additional machine or treatment station is required for the adhesive application. Furthermore, advantages with regard to the susceptibility of the overall machine to failure or savings in changeover times, for example in the case of a format change of the containers to be treated, are also achieved.

The closure unit preferably has means for the controlled rotation of the container about its container vertical axis. By this means for controlled rotation, an orientation of the container can be achieved in a desired rotational position. Preferably, therefore, these means are provided for controlled rotation on the transport path between the container feed and the application unit, so that the containers are aligned relative to this before reaching the applicator so that take place at a defined location one or more adhesive orders. As a result, the containers can be connected to one another in a desired rotational position, so that, for example, a certain feature, for example an imprint or a label area in the container, has a defined orientation. Furthermore, it is also possible that the container is rotated several controlled, in such a way that after a first adhesive application, the container is rotated again to make an adhesive application with an applicator at a further predefined position.

Preferably, the controlled rotation of the container takes place around the container vertical axis through the capper head. A closure head designed for applying a screw cap preferably has a rotatably driven active element in order to bring about a screwing of the closure onto the container opening. By means of this active element, the orientation of the container in a desired rotational position can preferably also take place. In this case, preferably after closing the container, the capper head is placed or mounted on the container or the closure element applied thereto and rotated by controlled drive of the active element of the container from the actual rotational position in the target rotational position. Advantageously, with it the capper head in addition to closing in addition to twisting the container used in the desired rotational position.

Alternatively, the controlled rotation of the container about the container vertical axis by rotation of a plant and / or footprint against which the container rests and / or stands up, take place. In particular, the investment and / or footprint may be a stand plate on which the container stands up with its container bottom. Also, drive means are conceivable, which rest peripherally against the container wall and can cause a controlled rotation of the container about the container vertical axis.

Preferably, a sensor unit for detecting an actual rotational position of the container is arranged in the region of the closing unit or upstream of the closing unit. By means of this sensor unit, for example, a mark, an equipment feature or other identification of the container can be detected to determine the current rotational position (actual rotational position) of the container. The sensor unit may in particular be an optical detection unit, by means of which the marking, the equipment feature or the like. is detectable. Alternatively, other detection units are possible, which allow a determination of the actual rotational position of the container, for example, a contour detection unit.

Further preferably, a control unit is provided which is adapted to receive information regarding the actual rotational position of the container and cooperates with the means for rotating the container such that rotation of the container from the actual rotational position takes place in a desired rotational position. The control unit can be designed to be based on the actual rotational position and the desired rotational position for determining a rotational angle by which the container is to be rotated about its container vertical axis. Furthermore, the control unit is coupled to the means for rotating the container, for example, or these means are controlled by the control unit such that a rotation from the actual rotational position takes place in the desired rotational position.

In a preferred embodiment, the means for rotating the container to a rotation angle sensor. This rotation angle sensor may be, for example, an incremental sensor. The rotation angle sensor is preferably coupled to an active element effecting the rotation of the container and can For example, to determine the angle of rotation by which the container is rotated by the active element used. As a result, a controlled rotation of the container can be achieved in cooperation with the control unit. Preferably, the closure unit comprises a circulating, in particular continuously or intermittently drivable transport element for transporting the container from the container feed to a container delivery. For example, the containers are transferred to the container feed a container carrier or a container holder which is connected to the moving transport element, so that the containers are moved with the transport element until the container delivery, at which the removal of the container from the capper unit, for example by a Outlet star occurs. The closure unit preferably has a multiplicity of closing stations moved along with the transport element, which each have a container carrier or a container holder and a closure head associated with this container carrier or container holder, so that the containers can be closed during transport. In a preferred embodiment, the transport element is a rotatable about a machine vertical axis rotor or a linear conveyor.

According to a further aspect, this application relates to a device for producing multi-row containers from containers comprising at least one closing unit in which filled containers are closed by means of a capping head and a grouping station for forming containers from closed, filled containers. In the area of the closure unit, at least one application unit is provided, by means of which adhesive application takes place on a peripheral side of the wall of the container. The grouping station is designed for approaching a plurality of containers in such a way that the containers are connected to containers via the adhesives.

The grouping station preferably comprises a compressor station or compressor section, on which groups of containers are pressed together, at least temporarily, by the adhesives for connecting the containers to one another.

Furthermore, means for curing the adhesive may be provided in the region of the compressor station or compressor section and / or in the transport direction after the compressor station or compressor section. The means for curing the adhesive may in particular be UV lamps, by means of which a UV-curing adhesive is curable.

According to a further aspect, this invention also relates to a method for producing containers from containers, wherein filled containers are fed to a closing unit, at which a closure of the respective container takes place by means of a closing element, wherein a plurality of containers are combined after closure into a container group and then closed to be processed in a container. In the area of the closure unit, an adhesive is applied to a circumferential side of the wall of the container. Subsequently, several, the adhesive application having containers are approximated to each other in such a way that the containers are connected via the adhesive to containers.

The closure of the container, rotation of the container into a desired rotational position, and adhesive application by the application unit preferably take place in successive, in particular immediately successive, steps on the transport path within the closure unit.

Alternatively, in successive, in particular immediately successive, steps on a transport path within the closure unit, the container is rotated into the desired rotational position, the adhesive application by the application unit and the closure of the container. 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.

"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 compounds which are in liquid or applied viscous state form a self-adhesive order and / or effect an adhesive bond by application of pressure and / or by energy input and / or after curing or crosslinking (also by energy input). "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 bond 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 adhesives or adhesives according to the invention, or is provided with an adhesive and adhesive application. The adhesive or adhesive is preferably selected such that the containers are detachable manually or non-destructively from the container or separable from each other. It is conceivable that liquid adhesive is applied by the applicator elements. It is also possible that a low-viscosity UV-curing adhesive is applied. Also suitable would be a melting or heating glue, which, however, cools very quickly, and so could eventually 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 line is preferably provided downstream of the application elements stationary or along the linear conveyor above or optionally also below. A curing station can be, for example, a tunnel with UV illumination. The curing station is preferably downstream of the closing device, preferably arranged on the linear transporter.

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 in principle subject of the invention. Also, the content of the claims is made an integral part of the description.

Fig.1

beispielhaft ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Vorrichtung zum Verschließen von Behältern in einer Seitenansicht;

Fig. 2

beispielhaft ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Vorrichtung zur Herstellung von Gebinden aus Behältern in einer schematischen Draufsicht;

Fig.3

beispielhaft ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel einer Vorrichtung zum Verschließen von Behältern in einer schematischen Seitenansicht;

Fig. 4

beispielhaft ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel einer Vorrichtung zur Herstellung von Gebinden aus Behältern in einer schematischen Draufsicht;

Fig. 5a

beispielhaft ein schematisches Verfahrensdiagramm zur Einbindung einer erfindungsgemäßen Verschließvorrichtung in den Abfüll- und Gebindeherstellungsprozess gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel; und

Fig. 5b

beispielhaft ein schematisches Verfahrensdiagramm zur Einbindung einer erfindungsgemäßen Verschließvorrichtung in den Abfüll- und Gebindeherstellungsprozess gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel;

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

Fig.1

by way of example a first embodiment of a device for closing containers in a side view;

Fig. 2

Example, a first embodiment of an apparatus for producing containers from containers in a schematic plan view;

Figure 3

a second exemplary embodiment of a device for closing containers in a schematic side view;

Fig. 4

Example of a second embodiment of an apparatus for producing containers from containers in a schematic plan view;

Fig. 5a

by way of example, a schematic process diagram for the integration of a closing device according to the invention in the filling and container manufacturing process according to a first embodiment; and

Fig. 5b

by way of example a schematic process diagram for the integration of a closing device according to the invention in the filling and container manufacturing process according to a second embodiment;

Shown in the FIG. 1 a closure unit 5 for closing containers 2 by means of closure elements 3, in particular with screw closures. The closure unit 5 has a container feed 4.1, which is formed in particular by an inlet star and by means of the filled, at its container opening 2.1 still open container 2 of the capper unit 5 are supplied according to the machine division. The closure unit 5 has a transport element 5.1, which is formed, for example, by a rotor driven peripherally around a machine vertical axis MHA, in particular driven continuously or intermittently. Alternatively, the transport element 5.1 may be a conveyor belt or a transport chain, for example a linear conveyor. By means of the transport element 5.1 to be closed container 2 are transported along a transport path and during this transport, ie closed during the movement of the container. Alternatively, an intermittent operation is possible, ie the closure of the container 2 takes place during a standstill phase of the transport element 5.1. In this case, at least one capper head 6 is provided in the region of the transport element 5.1, to which closure elements 3 are supplied, for example via a closure element feed 5.2. The supplied closure elements 3 are then applied to the container 2 by means of the capper head 6. Depending on the closing mechanism used, the closure elements 3 are screwed or deformed, for example. Other closing mechanisms are possible in principle.

Preferably, a plurality of capper heads 6 are provided on the capper unit 5, which are moved synchronously with the transport element 5.1. As in particular in FIG. 1 can be provided on the capper unit 5 more closing stations, which are in particular formed from a container carrier or a container holder and a capper head 6, wherein the closing stations are provided for example on a rotating, in particular continuously circulating driven rotor. The container carriers or the container holder at the closing stations can be formed by any suitable means for this purpose, in particular by a neck ring holder, by a container footprint or a stand plate. It is also possible that the container carrier or the container holder is integrated in the capper head 6. For example, a neck ring gripper may be provided at the lower free end of the capper head 6.

After the transfer of the container 2 to the capper unit 5 so that the container 2 are moved together with the capper heads 6 of the container feed 4.1 to a container dispensing 4.2 and thereby closed at its container opening 2.1. As in FIG. 1 shown schematically, an application unit 7 may be provided in the region of the transport path between the container feed 4.1 and the container delivery 4.2, by means of which an adhesive application is effected on the container 2. The application unit 7 is in this case preferably provided stationarily in the region of the transport path on which the containers 2 are moved by the transport element 5.1, so that the containers 2 are approximated by this transport element 5.1 to the application unit 7 such that an adhesive application is possible. The Appliziereinheiten 7 can be designed in particular for the application of a liquid or viscous adhesive material, such as a hot melt adhesive, a UV-curing adhesive or even adhesive pads. The adhesive application can be done in the transport direction before closing the container 2 or even after the closure of the same. Furthermore, the adhesive application can take place at one or more locations on the container 2. In particular, a plurality of adhesive applications can be distributed circumferentially on the container 2, for example, two by 90 ° or substantially 90 ° staggered adhesive orders, so that the container 2 can be connected to a plurality of container 2 adjacent containers. For this purpose, a plurality of application units 7 can be provided on the closure unit 5, which placed differently on the container vertical axis BHA after rotation of the container 2, in particular effecting a plurality of circumferentially offset adhesive applications.

FIG. 2 shows a device 20 for producing multi-row containers from containers 2 by gluing the container 2 together, the closing devices 1 according to the previously described FIG. 1 exhibit. The device is mirror-symmetrical or substantially mirror-symmetrical to a in FIG. 2 formed horizontally extending center plane ME and has two counter-rotating processing areas 20.1, 20.2. In the following, only the structure or the mode of operation of the first processing area 20.1 is written, the same applies analogously to the second processing area 20.2.

The open at its container opening 2.1 container 2 are standing in a transport direction TR via a feed an infeed star 11, by means of which the transfer of the container 2 to the capper unit 5 is effected. The containers 2 are then moved by the closure unit 5 to the outlet star 12, which takes over the container 2 suitable and forwards it to a grouping station 9.

In detail, sealing of the containers 2 in the region of their container opening 2.1 with the closure element as well as at least one adhesive application by means of the application unit 7 takes place in the region of the closure unit 5 between the container feed effected by the inlet star 11 and the container discharge caused by the outlet star 12 in a sub-region of the transport path immediately following the container feed, the container 2 is first closed and then the adhesive application is carried out in a further, subsequent region of the transport path. Alternatively, it is possible that immediately following the container feed, the adhesive application by means of the application unit 7 and in the following, subsequent region of the transport path, the closure of the container 2 takes place.

In order to achieve in particular that certain areas of the container outer surface or equipment characteristics, especially in labeled containers 2 certain label areas or determined in direct printed containers 2 print image areas occupy a defined position within the container formed below, it is necessary that the container before the adhesive application a defined rotational position , hereinafter referred to as target rotational position relative to the application unit 7. For this purpose, it is also necessary to determine the actual rotational position of the container 2 before the adhesive application and to rotate the container 2 about the container vertical axis BHA such that it is rotated from this actual rotational position in the desired rotational position. To determine the actual rotational position, a sensor unit 8 can be provided in the region of the closure unit 5, by means of which the actual rotational position of the container 2 can be detected. This sensor unit 8, for example, by an optical detection system for detecting certain Equipment features or markings are formed. Alternatively, sensor units for detecting other container-specific features, such as contours or identifiers are possible.

After the actual rotational position has been detected, it can be compared with the desired nominal rotational position by means of a control device and a rotation angle derived or calculated therefrom. Subsequently, the rotation of the container 2 from the actual rotational position takes place in the desired rotational position by rotation of the container 2 by the calculated or determined angle of rotation. The amount of the angle of rotation during the rotation of the container 2 can be detected by means of an angle-determining sensor unit, for example an incremental encoder, and thus the rotation of the container 2 can be controlled. After the controlled rotation, the adhesive application can then be carried out by means of the application unit 7.

As in FIG. 2 In the area of the closure unit 5, it is possible to provide a plurality of application units 7, in particular at different positions along the transport path. Thus, for example, a first application unit 7 can cause an adhesive application at a first rotational position and a second application unit 7 a further adhesive application at a further rotational position, for example at a by a fixed angular amount, for example, 90 ° to the first rotational position offset rotational position. Furthermore, a plurality of application units 7 may be provided on the capper unit 5 in a direction parallel to the container vertical axis BHA arranged one above the other. As a result, at a fixed rotational position, a plurality of adhesive applications can be applied one above the other, for example an upper and a lower adhesive application, so that the containers 2 can be connected to one another in a stable manner.

The rotation of the container 2 for positionally accurate placement of the adhesive application or the adhesive jobs can be done by suitable rotating means in the transport path of the container 2 between the container supply to the capper unit 5 and the applicator 7. In particular, the rotating means are formed by the respective closing head 6, which is preferably moved with the respective container 2 and acts on the container 2 in question for closing. Preferably, the closing head 6 has a rotary driven active element, by means of which the closure element 3 is screwed onto the container opening. This rotationally driven active element can also be used, for example, to turn the container 2 as a whole into the desired rotational position, so that the adhesive application can take place at the desired location. In this case, the capping head 6 can be applied with its rotationally driven active element to the mouth of the container 2 (rotation of the unlocked container 2) or a screwed thereon closure element 3 (rotation of the closed container 2), so that by a controlled rotation of the active element Rotation of the container 2 is reached around the container vertical axis BHA. For this purpose, in particular a relieving of the container 2, for example, by slightly lifting the capping head 6 and / or bottom-side lifting of the container 2 done to facilitate the same easier to rotate. Another alternative to the controlled rotation of the container is that the container 2 circumferentially at least partially rests against a controlled rotatable or movable active element and / or the container 2 rests on a controlled rotating stand plate. This can also be achieved a rotation of the container 2, in the closed or unlocked state.

Regardless of the means used to effect the rotational movement of the container 2 is sensor-monitored rotated until the desired rotational position is reached. This rotation must be completed at the latest at the time at which the rotated container 2 has reached the applicator 7 due to the movement through the transport element 5.1. There, the adhesive application then takes place on the container 2. In the event that multiple adhesive jobs take place, a further controlled turning of the container 2 can take place on the transport path between a first application unit 7 and a second application unit 7, so that the further application of adhesive on a different Position, in particular takes place at a 90 ° rotated position. As a result, containers 2 can be arranged in multi-row containers, the containers 2 of a row and the containers 2 each lying opposite one another in different rows being adhesively connected to one another. Also, the Appliziereinheiten 7 may be formed mitbewegbar on a portion of the transport path.

In the grouping station 9, the containers 2 provided with the still moist or activatable adhesive application are preferably grouped during their continuous further movement, for example on a linear conveyor, to form the containers. In this case, the containers 2 are brought closer to each other in such a way that the adhesive jobs produce an adhesive bond between adjacent containers 2. In particular, a compressor station 10 may also be provided, which is passed through by the grouped containers 2. In this compressor station 10, the containers 2 are pressed against one another or pressed in such a way that a firm connection can be established between the containers 2 connected to one another via the adhesives. Furthermore, 10 may be provided for curing and / or crosslinking of the adhesive in the region of the grouping station 9 and / or the compressor station. These means may be a UV lamp or an array of UV lamps, for example in a curing tunnel, when using a UV-curable adhesive. Alternatively, other curing agents are conceivable, for example those which cause curing of the adhesive by thermal energy.

Furthermore, in the area of the grouping station 9, a handle insert can be introduced between the containers 2. Alternatively, it is possible that loop-shaped grip bands or gripping means are attached to the containers after the curing of the adhesive. The containers thus formed can then be suitably removed and palletized.

By the in FIG. 2 shown device in which in parallel operation by a plurality of closure units 5, a closure of the container 2 or the respective adhesive application to this container 2, multi-row containers can be produced in an optimized manner, since each capper unit 5 each provides a number of containers 2 for the container , which are then grouped and thus processed into containers. As a result, it is possible, in particular, to bring together the containers 2 in a positionally accurate manner in such a way that the containers 2 are approximated or pressed together with the regions to which the adhesives are applied and are thereby adhesively bonded.

FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of a closure unit 5. The closure unit has a plurality of Verschließköpfen 6, which are held on a driven about a machine vertical axis MHA machine element. Furthermore, the closure unit 5 has a plurality of stand plates 5.3 designed as container carriers, onto which the containers 2 are applied or placed upright. The base plates 5.3, of which in FIG. 3 only a few are shown schematically, each associated with a capping head 6 and preferably run synchronously with the Verschließköpfen 6. A container 2 supplied to the container feeder 4.1 is placed on a container carrier and preferably continuously moved through it until it is removed from the container dispenser 4.2. On the transport route between the container feeder 4.1 and 4.2 container dispensing again the adhesive application. For this purpose, two applicator units 7 are provided one above the other in the embodiment shown, which are connected via a supply line with an adhesive reservoir 13. The application units 7 are in particular arranged such that adhesive can be applied in the abdominal region and / or just above the container bottom. In all embodiments, the Appliziereinheiten 7 are ideally mounted vertically displaceable and pivotable about a vertical axis, for setting the optimal application angle of the adhesive to the container surface.

By means of a closure element feed 5.2, closure elements 3 are fed to the respective sealing heads 6, which are applied during the movement of the containers 2 on a first subregion of the transport path in the closure unit 5. Controlled by a cam control 14, the closing head 6 located above the respective container 2 is lowered onto the container mouth and the closure element 3 is applied to the container opening 2.1, preferably screwed on.

During the further movement of the respective container 2, a rotation of the same can take place in the desired rotational position. This controlled rotation can be effected by the capping head 6 or the base plate 5.3. For this purpose, for example, the capping head 6 controlled by the cam control 14 can be easily lifted from the container 2 to reduce the clamping of the same and allow for easier twisting. After reaching the desired rotational position occurs when passing the at least one application unit 7 of the adhesive application. Finally, by the cam control 14, a lifting of the capping head 6 from the container 2 and the removal of the container carrier at the container delivery 4.2.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a container manufacturing device 20 similar FIG. 2 , The essential difference of the embodiment shown here compared to FIG. 2 consists in that in each case an alignment unit 15, in particular an alignment star is provided in front of the capper units 5, by means of which an alignment of the container 2 takes place in a desired rotational position in front of the capper unit 5. For this purpose, a sensor unit 8 is provided in the region of the alignment unit 15, by means of which the actual rotational position of the container 2 can be detected. This sensor unit 8 can be formed for example by an optical detection system for detecting certain features or markings. After detecting the actual rotational position, actual data is transmitted to a control unit and compared with stored target data to determine the angle by which the container 2 is to be rotated. Subsequently, the containers 2 are controlled in the alignment of the alignment unit 15 is rotated to the desired rotational position, for example by rotation of the footprint on which the container 2 stands up (turntable) or by rotation on a suitable active element at the container mouth. Alternatively, only in the region of the alignment unit 15, only a detection of the actual rotational position via the sensor unit 8 and the rotation into the desired rotational position can take place only in the region of the closure unit 5. In the event that the rotation already takes place in the alignment unit 15, it must be ensured that the container remains on the further transport path up to the application unit 7 in this nominal rotational position. The remaining structure of the container manufacturing device 20 substantially corresponds to the structure in FIG. 2 , so that reference is made to the description there.

FIGS. 5a and 5b show in block diagrams the possible integration of a closure unit 5 according to the invention in the overall process of producing filled containers. After container production (eg blow molding machine for the production of PET bottles) or the provision of cleaned, fillable containers, these can be filled and labeled directly ( FIG. 5a ) or first one Direct printing (direct printing of equipment features on the container wall) subjected and then filled ( Fig. 5b ). The thus printed or labeled, filled containers are then passed to a closure unit for closing, at which the containers are closed both by closure elements and provided with at least one adhesive application. Subsequently, the containers are grouped and thereby processed into adhesive containers, in which the containers are interconnected by the applied adhesive. Subsequently, these containers can be palletized and transported away. Not shown, but are encompassed by the invention in particular so-called blocked solution or block plants, in which all or part of the treatment machines are directly gekopplet. In this case, a transport is usually provided as neckhandling of the container by means of transport stars between the treatment machines, in which the containers are held by means of grippers or clamps on the neck area. In the present case, it would be a blocking of at least the closure unit according to the invention with the associated unit for adhesive application to the container and the downstream grouping station with an upstream labeling and / or filling machine.

In this case, the abovementioned embodiments and examples can also be adapted and combined in a suitable manner.

The invention has been described above by means of exemplary embodiments. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

sealer

2

container

2.1

container opening

3

closure element

4.1

container supply

4.2

container discharge

5

closing purity

5.1

transport element

5.2

Closure element feed

5.3

stand plate

6

seaming

7

application unit

8th

sensor unit

9

grouping station

10

compressor station

11

feed star

12

outlet star

13

Adhesive stock

14

cam control

15

alignment

20

Container manufacturing apparatus

20.1

first processing area

20.2

second processing area

BHA

Container vertical axis

MHA

Machines vertical axis

ME

midplane

Claims (19)

1. Device for forming packaging units of containers (2), comprising a closure unit (5), at which the closure of the containers (2) takes place by means of a closure head (6) by the application of closure elements (3) onto a container opening (2.1), and comprising a container delivery element (4.1) for delivering open containers (2) and a grouping station (9) for forming packaging units from closed filled containers (2), characterised in that at least one application unit (7) is provided in the region of the closure unit (5), by means of which adhesive is applied onto a circumferential side of the wall of the container (2), and wherein the grouping station (9) for bringing together a plurality of containers (2) is configured in such a way that the containers (2) are connected by means of the adhesive to form packaging units.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the closure unit (5) comprises means for the controlled rotation of the container (2) about its container vertical axis (BHA).
3. Device according to claim 2, characterised in that the controlled rotation of the container (2) about the container vertical axis (BHA) is carried out by the closure head (6).
4. Device according to claim 2, characterised in that the controlled rotation of the container (2) about the container vertical axis (BHA) is carried out by a rotation of a contact surface and/or stand surface, against which the container (2) is in contact and/or stands on.
5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, arranged in the region of the closure unit (5) or upstream of the closure unit (5), is a sensor unit (8) for detecting an actual rotation position of the container (2).
6. Device according to any one of claims 2 and 5, characterised in that a control unit is provided, which is configured for receiving information regarding the actual rotation position of the container (2) and which interacts with the means for rotating the container (2) in such a way that a rotation of the container (2) out of the actual rotation position into a reference rotation position takes place.
7. Device according to any one of claims 2, 3, 4 or 6, characterised in that the means for rotating the container (2) comprise a rotation angle sensor.
8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the closure unit (5) comprises a circulating transport element (5.1), which in particular can be driven continuously or intermittently, for transporting the containers (2) from the container delivery element (4.1) to a container outlet (4.2).
9. Device according to claim 8, characterised in that the transport element (5.1) is a rotor which can be driven about a vertical machine axis (MHA) or is a linear conveyor.
10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the grouping station (9) comprises a compacting station (10) or compacting segment, on which groups of containers (2) are, at least at time intervals, pressed together in order to connect the containers (2) to one another by means of the adhesive.
11. Device according to claim 10, characterised in that, in the region of the compacting station (10) or compacting segment and/or in the transport direction to the compacting station (10) or compacting segment, means are provided for hardening the adhesive.
12. Method for forming packaging units of containers (2), wherein filled containers (2) are delivered to a closure unit (5), at which closure of the containers (2) takes place by means of a closure element, wherein, after the closure, the containers (2) are compacted to a container group and then processed to form a packaging unit, characterised in that, in the region of the closure unit (5), an adhesive is applied onto a circumferential side of the wall of the container (2), and then a plurality of containers (2), exhibiting the application of the adhesive, are brought close together in such a way that the containers (2) are connected by the adhesive such as to form packaging units.
13. Method according to claim 12, characterised in that, before the application of the adhesive, the container (2) is rotated about a vertical container axis (BHA) in a controlled manner by a function element arranged in the region of the closure unit (5) and/or allocated to the closure unit (5).
14. Method according to claim 13, characterised in that the controlled rotation of the container (2) about the vertical container axis (BHA) is carried out by a closure head (6).
15. Method according to claim 13, characterised in that the controlled rotation of the container (2) about the vertical container axis (BHA) is carried out by a rotation of a contact surface and/or stand surface, against which the container (2) is in contact and/or stands on.
16. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterised in that, in the region of the closure unit (5), detection of the actual rotation position of the container (2) takes place by means of a sensor unit (8).
17. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterised in that, a rotation of the container (2) into a reference rotation position takes place by means of the closure unit (5).
18. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterised in that, a rotation of the container (2) into a reference rotation position and the application of adhesive by the application unit (7) takes place in temporally sequential steps, on a transport segment inside the closure unit (5) for the closure of the container (2).
19. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterised in that, a rotation of the container (2) into a reference rotation position, the application of the adhesive by the application unit (7), and the closure of the container (2) takes place in temporally sequential steps on a transport segment inside the closure unit.

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