EP3184444B1 - Method and device for shrinking of thermoplastic packaging materials on items or on collections of items - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for shrinking sheet thermoplastic packaging materials onto articles or assemblies of articles.

In the packaging of articles, in particular beverage containers, bottles o. The like. To containers, the articles are assembled in the desired manner and covered with a shrink film. The shrink wrap is shrunk around the articles by supplying hot air in a shrink tunnel. The articles enter with the shrink film via an entrance into the shrink tunnel and leave the shrink tunnel after the shrinking process via an exit. Through the shrink tunnel, a conveyor or horizontal conveyor may extend to move the articles through the shrink tunnel during the shrinking process.

Such a shrinking device disclosed, for example, the DE 10 2014 105 057 A1 , The device is designed as a shrink tunnel, which has an entrance area and an exit area. In the exit area, containers are supplied with a coolant flow. For this purpose, an axial fan is provided. The output area is also associated with at least one means for equalizing the distribution of the directed to the container coolant flow. Practice has shown that such a shrink tunnel entails energy losses in the area of the entrance or in the area of the exit.

From the state of the art, therefore, further shrink tunnels are already known, which should minimize the energy loss in the region of the input or in the region of the output. Such a shrink tunnel is, for example, from the DE 10 2013 110 943 A1 known. This known shrink tunnel is intended for shrinking packaging means around an article or a collection of articles. In the shrink tunnel heating means for temperature control of a thermoplastic packaging means and shrinking of the thermoplastic packaging means are provided on the respective article or the respective compilation ofn articles.

In addition, the inlet opening and the outlet opening of the shrink tunnel is associated with at least one lock device with two movable closure means, which can be transferred to an open position and to a closed position. If several articles or compilations of articles with a small spacing follow one another directly, then the lock device is in an opened state until all articles or compilations of articles have completely passed into the housing or into the shrink tunnel. Accordingly, there is also on the basis of the DE 10 2013 110 943 A1 known shrink tunnel continues the need to reduce energy consumption.

Another shrink tunnel is going through DE 10 2010 020 957 A1 discloses, wherein at the shrinkage tunnel entrance and at the shrink tunnel exit at least one closing device is provided, each with at least one closing element. The closing device is formed by a shutter-like closing element, which can be wound and unwound to open the respective inlet or outlet opening by means of an electromotive drive on a shaft provided in the interior of the housing of the shrinking tunnel above the upper edge of the inlet or outlet opening.

By the EP 2 792 601 A1 For example, a shrinking apparatus and method for conforming to a shrinking apparatus are disclosed. The shrinking device includes at the entrance and / or at the output a fall protection device to prevent fallen bottles get into a void between the outer wall and shaft wall and accumulate there. The position of the fall protection device is tracked during adjustment of the shaft walls.

The US 4,538,363 A describes a shrinking device in which the articles transported on a horizontal conveyor enter an oven so that the shrink film is shrunk onto the articles. The entrance and the exit of the furnace are each closed by a motorized vertically adjustable gate, so that the input or the output can be released or closed. The furnace further includes an antechamber in which lateral and upper spring-loaded flaps are provided. Due to the spring-loaded flaps, however, there is the disadvantage that the flap is open over an extended period of time in the event of an article jam, which leads to significant heat losses in the furnace.

The EP 2 778 080 A1 describes a shrink tunnel whose opening cross-section is adaptable depending on the respective article size. To limit the opening of the shrink tunnel from above, front and rear walls can be provided.

A primary object of the invention can therefore be seen to provide a generic device and a generic method, which bring a low energy loss when shrinking thermoplastic packaging material on articles or on compilations of articles with it. The device should have a simple structure. In addition, the process should be easy to implement.

The above objects are achieved by an apparatus and a method comprising the features in claims 1 and 11, respectively. Further advantageous embodiments are described by the dependent claims.

The invention relates to a device for shrinking flat thermoplastic packaging materials on articles or combinations of articles. The articles may, for example, be formed by beverage containers. Also, the compilations may be formed of several articles on which thermoplastic packaging material is shrunk and which are subsequently formed as a container.

The apparatus includes a tunnel housing having two openings through which articles or assemblies of articles with their respective thermoplastic packaging material may enter the tunnel housing and exit the tunnel housing. The two openings may in particular be oriented in alignment with one another, so that the articles or assemblies of articles may enter the tunnel housing via an opening, may be moved linearly through the tunnel housing and subsequently exit the tunnel housing through the further opening. The thermoplastic packaging material can usefully as Shrink film formed and already applied to the articles or assemblies of articles before they enter the tunnel housing.

Further, the apparatus comprises a transport means providing a horizontal transport plane for moving the articles or assemblies of articles with their respective thermoplastic packaging material through the tunnel housing. The horizontal transport plane can be provided by a conveyor belt formed as part of the transport device on which the articles or assemblies of articles stand up during their movement through the tunnel housing.

In addition, the device comprises means or means for introducing heat energy into the tunnel housing. By means of the thermal energy, the thermoplastic packaging material is shrunk onto the articles or assemblies of articles as they travel through the tunnel housing.

Also, at least one device is provided by means of which an opening cross-section of at least one of the two openings can be enlarged and reduced. In the context of the invention, the at least one device has at least one flap positioned in the region of the respective opening and arranged at least in sections in the tunnel housing. Also, the at least one flap is completely disposed in the tunnel housing or will be completely absorbed by the tunnel housing. The at least one flap is for pivoting in and out of the opening cross-section of the respective opening about an angle and preferably perpendicular to the transport plane oriented axis with respect to the tunnel housing in the direction inwardly and with respect to the tunnel housing in the direction. By such pivoting of the at least one flap can be counteracted in a simple and straightforward way, thermal losses of the tunnel housing.

In preferred embodiments, the one or more means of the device may include at least two well walled and opposing well walls which each have a plurality of tempered fluid flow openings for introducing heat energy into the tunnel casing. The at least one flap positioned in the region of the respective opening can be arranged such that the at least one flap positioned in the region of the respective opening in a defined pivoting position on one of the opposite shaft walls at least approximately connects. In particular, the at least one flap positioned in the region of the respective opening may be arranged such that the at least one flap positioned in the region of the respective opening at least approximately adjoins an end face of one of the opposite shaft walls in a defined pivoting position.

In practice, articles or combinations of articles may unintentionally get behind the shaft walls, which causes problems in the operation of the shrinking tunnel. In particular, this can be when articles or beverage containers tilt and then unintentionally behind one of the shaft walls or in an area which is formed between the tunnel housing and the respective shaft wall roll. In just described preferred embodiments in which the at least one flap in a defined pivot position at least approximately connects to one of the opposite shaft walls, such problems can be counteracted.

It may thus be that the at least one flap in the defined pivot position at least approximately adjoins a free end region of one of the opposite shaft walls. Between the at least one flap and the one of the two shaft walls opposite one another, a gap may be formed when the defined pivot position of the at least one flap is assumed. Thus, it may be that the at least one flap is not in contact with one of the opposite shaft walls in surface contact with a defined pivot position.

It may moreover be that a broadside surface of the at least one flap in the defined pivot position points obliquely to a conveying direction of the transport device in the direction of the articles or assemblies of articles to be transported by means of the transport device or at an angle and preferably perpendicular to a horizontal conveying plane Conveyor-oriented axis is pivoted relative to a conveying direction. The broadside surface may be flat or substantially planar. In particular, the conveying direction of the transport device and the broad side surface may enclose an obtuse angle with each other. If articles or compilations of articles enter the shrink tunnel, articles or compilations of articles may slide along the at least one flap, moving in the direction of at least one flap move between the two opposing shaft walls trained path for articles or compilations of articles.

• die Steuerungseinrichtung den Informationen zu einer jeweiligen Dimensionierung der Artikel oder Zusammenstellungen von Artikeln eine definierte Schwenkposition für die mindestens eine Klappe und eine bestimmte relative Beabstandung der sich gegenüberliegenden Schachtwände zueinander zuordnen kann, und dass
• ein Schwenken der mindestens einen Klappe in die definierte Schwenkposition sowie eine Verstellung der sich gegenüberliegenden Schachtwände für die bestimmte relative Beabstandung zueinander mittels der Steuerungseinrichtung unter Berücksichtigung der Zuordnung bewirkbar ist.

In conceivable embodiments, the device may additionally comprise a control device, which can be provided with information on a dimensioning of the articles or combinations of articles. For this purpose, the control device can be connected to a display via which information about a dimensioning of the articles or compilation of articles can be made available to the control device by a user. It may be that

• the control device can assign a defined pivot position for the at least one flap and a specific relative spacing of the opposing shaft walls to one another to the information about a respective dimensioning of the articles or assemblies of articles, and that
• a pivoting of the at least one flap in the defined pivot position and an adjustment of the opposite shaft walls for the particular relative spacing from one another by means of the control device taking into account the assignment is effected.

It is also conceivable that the control device can adjust the opening cross section dynamically and in dependence on a respective actual position of articles or compilations of articles on the transport device. In particular, it can be the case here that the control device can pivot the at least one flap in such a way that an opening cross-section of the respective opening is completely closed, provided there is no article or no combination of articles in the area of the respective opening. If an article or a collection of articles approaches the respective opening, the at least one flap can be pivoted so that the opening cross-section is widened and the respective article or the respective collection of articles can pass through the respective opening.

It may also be that the at least one device has at least one cover element positioned in the region of the respective opening and designed to be vertically raised and lowered, which cooperates with the at least one flap for increasing and reducing the opening cross-section of the respective opening. The at least one cover element may be in communication with an actuator, which is the vertical lifting and lowering of the at least one cover causes. Furthermore, the at least one cover element can be coupled to a linear guide.

In conceivable embodiments, the at least one cover element may, for example, comprise a multiplicity of lamellae which are coupled to one another in a rotatably movable manner and together form a louver for enlarging and reducing the opening cross-section of the respective opening. In further embodiments, the at least one cover element may be rigid or substantially rigid, optionally coupled to the previously mentioned linear guide, and vertically raised and lowered in order to enlarge and reduce the opening cross section.

It may also be the case that the control device can associate with the information about a respective dimensioning of the articles or assemblies of articles a specific vertical position of the at least one cover element positioned in the region of the respective opening. Furthermore, a transfer of the at least one cover element into the specific vertical position can be effected via the control device taking into account the assignment. For this purpose, the control device can if necessary control an actuator which vertically raises or vertically lowers the at least one cover element or which can vertically lift and vertically lower the at least one cover element.

In preferred embodiments, it may be that the at least one device has at least two positioned in the region of the respective opening and at least partially arranged in the tunnel housing flaps, which cooperate to increase and decrease the opening cross section of the respective opening and each at an angle and preferably perpendicular to the transport plane oriented axis with respect to the tunnel housing in the direction inwards and with respect to the tunnel housing are each pivotable in the outward direction.

Embodiments in which the at least two flaps are positioned in the region of the respective opening such that the opening cross-section is completely closed at a specific pivot position of the at least two flaps have proven to be particularly suitable. It may be that at least a first of the at least two flaps forms a fluidic sealing element on an outer edge, via which the at least one first of the at least two flaps when closed Opening cross-section with at least a second of the at least two flaps in plant. Also, a first of the at least two flaps and a second of the at least two flaps can each form a fluidic sealing element, which fluidic sealing elements are in abutment with the opening cross-section closed.

In further embodiments, it may be that the device comprises at least one fluidic sealing strip which rests flush with a respective upper end region of the at least two flaps when the opening cross section is completely closed over the at least two flaps. Such embodiments have proven to be able to further reduce thermal loss of the tunnel housing. In particular, the at least two flaps can be aligned with each other when the opening cross-section is completely closed. In addition, it may be that the at least two flaps of the respective opening each form a previously described broad side surface, wherein the broad side surfaces of the at least two flaps form a plane together when the opening cross section is completely closed.

• die wenigstens eine innenliegende Schicht eine thermische Leitfähigkeit besitzt, welche gegenüber einer thermischen Leitfähigkeit der wenigstens einen außen liegenden Schicht vermindert ausgebildet ist, und dass
• die wenigstens eine außen liegende Schicht eine mechanische Widerstandsfähigkeit besitzt, welche gegenüber der mechanischen Widerstandsfähigkeit der wenigstens einen innen liegenden Schicht vergrößert ausgebildet ist.

In addition, it is conceivable that the at least one flap has a multilayer structure with at least one inner layer and at least one outer layer. It may be that

• the at least one inner layer has a thermal conductivity which is reduced compared with a thermal conductivity of the at least one outer layer, and in that
• the at least one outer layer has a mechanical resistance which is increased in relation to the mechanical resistance of the at least one inner layer.

The at least one outer layer or the material forming the at least one outer layer may in this case have a notched impact strength which is increased in relation to the notch impact strength of the at least one inner layer. Also, the at least one outer layer may have a stiffness, which is increased compared to the rigidity of the at least one inner layer. It is also conceivable that the outside lying layer has a strength which is formed enlarged relative to the strength of the inner layer.

• Transportieren der Artikel oder Zusammenstellungen von Artikeln zusammen mit ihrem jeweiligen thermoplastischen Verpackungsmaterial durch ein Tunnelgehäuse, wobei die Artikel oder Zusammenstellungen von Artikeln und ihr jeweiliges thermoplastisches Verpackungsmaterial hierbei mit Wärmeenergie beaufschlagt und hieraus resultierend das jeweilige thermoplastische Verpackungsmaterial auf die Artikel oder Zusammenstellungen von Artikeln aufgeschrumpft wird,
• definiertes Vergrößern oder Verkleinern eines Öffnungsquerschnittes mindestens einer aus mehreren Öffnungen des Tunnelgehäuses, über welche mehreren Öffnungen die Artikel oder Zusammenstellungen von Artikeln mit ihrem jeweiligen thermoplastischen Verpackungsmaterial in das Tunnelgehäuse eintreten und aus dem Tunnelgehäuse austreten.

The invention further relates to a method of shrinking sheet thermoplastic packaging materials onto articles or assemblies of articles. Features which have already been described above for the device may also be provided in conceivable embodiments of the method. In addition, features described below, which relate to various embodiments of the method may be provided in previously described device and are therefore not mentioned redundantly. The method comprises at least the following steps:

• Transporting the articles or assemblies of articles together with their respective thermoplastic packaging material through a tunnel housing, wherein the articles or assemblies of articles and their respective thermoplastic packaging material thereby apply thermal energy and as a result the respective thermoplastic packaging material is shrunk onto the articles or assemblies of articles,
• defined enlargement or reduction of an opening cross-section of at least one of a plurality of openings of the tunnel housing, through which a plurality of openings the articles or assemblies of articles with their respective thermoplastic packaging material enter the tunnel housing and exit the tunnel housing.

It is further provided that the opening cross-section is increased or reduced in a defined manner by means of at least one flap disposed at least partially in the tunnel housing, which at least one flap for defined enlargement or reduction of the opening cross-section with respect to the tunnel housing in the outward direction or with respect to the Tunnel housing in the direction of inwardly oriented pivoting movement about a preferably vertically oriented axis performs.

In particular, it may be that the at least one flap for reducing the opening cross-section executes the outwardly oriented pivoting movement and to increase the opening cross-section performs the inwardly oriented pivoting movement.

In addition, embodiments in which for the defined enlargement or reduction of the opening cross-section at least two in the region of positioned respective opening and arranged at least partially in the tunnel housing flaps, which each perform to increase the opening cross-section in an inwardly oriented pivoting movement and to reduce the opening cross-section each perform an outwardly oriented pivoting movement.

• eine relative Beabstandung der zwei sich gegenüberliegenden Schachtwände zueinander in Abhängigkeit einer Dimensionierung der jeweiligen Artikel oder Zusammenstellung von Artikeln eingestellt wird und dass
• der Öffnungsquerschnitt in seiner Breite mittels der mindestens einen Klappe in Abhängigkeit der jeweiligen relativen Beabstandung der zwei sich gegenüberliegenden Schachtwände zueinander angepasst wird.

It may also be that, for applying the articles or assemblies of articles with their respective thermoplastic thermal energy packaging material two opposite and positioned in the tunnel housing shaft walls are each provided with a plurality of openings, through which a plurality of openings a fluid tempered medium is introduced into the tunnel housing and between which opposite shaft walls at least one transport path for the articles or assemblies of articles with their respective thermoplastic packaging material is formed. It can be provided that

• a relative spacing of the two shaft walls facing each other is set as a function of a dimensioning of the respective articles or compilation of articles and that
• the opening cross section is adapted in its width by means of the at least one flap depending on the respective relative spacing of the two opposite shaft walls to each other.

• Fig. 1 zeigt eine schematische Perspektivansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung.
• Fig. 2 zeigt eine schematische Teilansicht der Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1.
• Fig. 3 zeigt eine schematische Frontansicht auf die Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung gemäß Figuren 1 und 2.
• Fig. 4 zeigt eine schematische Draufsicht auf die Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung gemäß Figuren 1 bis 3.
• Fig. 5 zeigt eine weitere schematische Frontansicht auf die Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung gemäß Figuren 1 bis 4.
• Fig. 6 zeigt eine schematische Perspektivansicht einer Klappe, wie sie für diverse Ausführungsformen der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung vorgesehen sein kann.

In the following, embodiments of the invention and their advantages with reference to the accompanying figures will be explained in more detail. The proportions of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the actual size ratios, since some shapes are simplified and other shapes are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

• Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention.
• Fig. 2 shows a schematic partial view of the embodiment of the device according to Fig. 1 ,
• Fig. 3 shows a schematic front view of the embodiment of the device according to FIGS. 1 and 2 ,
• Fig. 4 shows a schematic plan view of the embodiment of the device according to FIGS. 1 to 3 ,
• Fig. 5 shows a further schematic front view of the embodiment of the device according to FIGS. 1 to 4 ,
• Fig. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a flap, as may be provided for various embodiments of the device according to the invention.

For identical or equivalent elements of the invention, identical reference numerals are used. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures, which are required for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of how the invention may be configured and are not an exhaustive limitation.

The Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention 1. By means of the device 1 can shrink film on Article 3 (see. Fig. 4 ) or collections of articles shrunk. The articles 3 may, for example, be grouped and formed as beverage containers, on which shrink film is already applied and which move through the device 1 for shrinking the shrink film. After moving the grouped article 3 through the device 1, the articles 3 can be mechanically coupled to each other via the shrink film and formed as a container.

The device 1 comprises a tunnel housing 5, as shown in FIG Fig. 1 for reasons of clarity is not shown, but for example in Figures 2 . 3 and 5 can be seen. The tunnel housing 5 has two openings on opposite sides, which are aligned with each other and through which openings the articles 3 with their respective thermoplastic packaging material can enter the tunnel housing 5 and exit from the tunnel housing 5.

Furthermore, a transport device 7 embodied as part of the device 1 can be seen, which provides a horizontal transport plane 30 for moving the articles 3 and extends completely through the tunnel housing 5 (cf. Fig. 2 ) or the two aligned openings of the tunnel housing 5 extends. A conveying direction of the transport device 7 is linear along the entire longitudinal extent of the tunnel housing 5 and indicated by reference to FR.

In addition, a plurality of means 8, formed as shaft walls 9, can be recognized by means of which heat energy can be introduced into the tunnel housing 5. The conveyor 7 extends laterally or in its width beyond the two outboard of the three shaft walls 9 addition. The means 8 or shaft walls 9 each have a plurality of openings distributed in the conveying direction FR, via which openings a tempered air and / or gas flow can emerge from the shaft walls 9, wherein the articles 3 and the shrink film during their movement through the transport device 7 of the tempered air and / or gas flow are applied. This shrunk the shrink wrap to Article 3.

The shaft walls 9 extend in the conveying direction FR and are oriented parallel to one another. Between directly adjacent shaft walls 9, as described below, a respective path 40 (see FIG. Fig. 4 ), which respective path 40 the articles 3 follow during their movement through the tunnel housing 5.

In a synopsis of FIGS. 1 and 5 It is clear that the tunnel housing 5 has a thermal loss of introduced via the shaft walls 9 thermal energy through the opposing aligned openings. In order to reduce or minimize the thermal loss and thereby save energy expenditure on shrinking shrink film on the article 3, the device 1 for each of the two opposing openings of the tunnel housing 5 comprises two flaps 4, by means of which flaps 4 an opening cross-section the respective opening of the tunnel housing 5 can be increased in its width and reduced in size. As below Fig. 4 described in detail, the flaps 4 are in this case respectively pivoted to increase the respective opening cross-section with respect to the tunnel housing 5 in the direction outward and pivoted to reduce the respective opening cross-section with respect to the tunnel housing 5 in the direction inwards. On a pivot axis of one of the flaps 4 is in Fig. 1 referenced with numeral 20. The pivot axis 20 is oriented perpendicular to the provided by the conveyor 7 horizontal transport plane 30. The pivot axes 20 of all the flaps 4 are parallel to each other. Due to the possible enlargement and reduction of the opening cross-section, a thermal loss of heat energy of the tunnel housing 5 can be reduced.

Next, a control device S is indicated, which pivoting of the flaps 4 about the respective perpendicular to the horizontal transport plane 30 oriented axis 20 can cause. For this purpose, the control device S can be connected to at least one actuator, which optionally pivots the flaps 4 about their respective axis 20. If article 3 enter the tunnel housing 5, the flaps 4 positioned in the region of an opening formed as an inlet can be inserted into the inlets Fig. 1 shown defined pivot position are brought, in which the opening formed as an entrance is accessible. If no articles 3 are located in the region of an opening formed as an inlet, the flaps 4 positioned in the region of the opening formed as an inlet, as in FIG Fig. 3 clarifies completely close the opening cross-section, and thereby at least approximately completely prevent leakage of heat energy through the opening. Such a pivotal position of the flaps 4, in which a respective opening cross-section is completely closed, is exemplified in Fig. 3 shown. A pivoting of the flaps 4 about their respective axis 20 can therefore take place dynamically by means of the control device S as a function of a respective actual position of articles 3 arranged on the conveyor 7.

In the Fig. 1 Shaft walls 9 shown are also adjustable in their relative spacing from each other perpendicular to the conveying direction FR. As a result, the width of a path 40 formed between immediately adjacent shaft walls (cf. FIGS. 4 and 5 ) are selectively enlarged and reduced. Thus, by means of an adjustment of the relative distance of the shaft walls 9 to each other, a path 40 formed between immediately adjacent shaft walls 9 for articles 3 can be adapted to respective dimensions of articles 3.

The adjustment or adaptation of the relative distance of the shaft walls 9 to each other can be caused or caused actuarially and possibly by means of the control device S. It is conceivable, for example, for the control device S to be given information about a respective dimensioning or type of article 3 and for the control device S to predetermine or cause an adjustment of the shaft walls 9 for a specific relative spacing to one another, taking into account the information. Fig. 1 in this case also shows that the flaps 4 each connect at least approximately to an outer shaft wall 9. Between the flaps 4 and the respective outer shaft wall 9 only a small distance or a small gap is formed. The control device S, the flaps 4 in the in Fig. 1 shown defined pivot position, in which they connect at least approximately to a respective outer lying of the shaft walls 9 even with an adjustment of the relative distance of the shaft walls 9 to each other. Advantageously, thereby no articles 3 unintentionally between an outer shaft wall 9 and pass the tunnel housing 5 so that the in Fig. 1 shown device 1 has no susceptibility to such interference. If Article 3 meet on a broad side surface 11 of a respective flap 4, the respective articles 3 slide along the broad side surfaces 11 and are moved in the direction of a respective formed between immediately adjacent shaft walls 9 path 40. The broad side surfaces 11 of the flaps 4 are set at an angle relative to a conveying direction FR of the transport device 7.

At the in Fig. 1 1, two flaps 4 are provided for the opening of the tunnel housing designed as an inlet as well as for the opening of the tunnel housing 5 designed as an outlet. It is also conceivable for further embodiments that at least one flap 4 is provided only for one of the two opposing and aligned openings.

In order to selectively increase or decrease the opening cross-section, the device 1 comprises a substantially rigid cover element 32 for both openings. The cover elements 32 are coupled to a respective linear guide and can be raised vertically and lowered vertically to increase or increase the opening cross-section out. The vertical raising and lowering is caused by the control device S, which actuates this at least one associated with the respective cover member 32 actuator. As previously mentioned, the control device S can be provided with information on the dimensioning or type of the respective article 3. Depending on the information, the control device S can transfer the cover element 32 into a vertical position in which the respective articles 3 can pass through the respective opening and at which vertical position an opening cross-section of the respective opening is reduced. In particular, the vertical extent of the opening cross-section can be made slightly larger than a vertical extent of the respective article 3.

The Fig. 2 shows a schematic partial view of the embodiment of the device 1 according to Fig. 1 , The partial view of the Fig. 2 is directed from the interior of the tunnel housing 5 on the flaps 4. Evident here is a metal strip 16, which is positioned in the region of the pivot axis 20 of a flap 4 and the tunnel housing 5 with respect to the right side in Fig. 2 shown flap 4 fluidly seals.

The two in Fig. 2 shown flaps 4 cooperate to selectively increase or decrease an opening cross-section by means of respective pivotal movement. At a mutually facing outer edge both flaps 4 each have a fluidic sealing element 13, which fluidic sealing elements 13 are vertical or perpendicular to the transport device 7 (cf. Fig. 1 ) formed horizontal conveying plane 30 along the respective outer edge extend. If an opening cross-section, as in Fig. 3 exemplified, is fully closed by the flaps 4, the fluidic sealing elements 13 are brought into surface contact with each other. As a result, a thermal loss of the tunnel housing 5 can be further reduced in a simple manner.

In addition shows Fig. 2 a fluidic sealing strip 14, which in accordance with completely closed over the at least two flaps 4 opening cross section Fig. 3 at a respective upper end portion of both flaps 4 is present. Also at a lower and the transport device 7 facing outer edge of the flaps 4 each form a fluidic sealing unit 15 to the thermal losses of the tunnel housing 5 with completely closed opening cross-section according to Fig. 3 to keep low. The respective fluidic sealing unit 15 may, for example, be designed as a curtain or a forehead formed by silicone.

The Fig. 3 shows a schematic frontal view of the embodiment of the device 1 of the FIGS. 1 and 2 , In Fig. 3 the flaps 4 completely close the opening cross-section. Next are in Fig. 3 again indicated the pivot axes 20 for the flaps 4. The pivot axes 20 are parallel to each other. In addition, again the sealing elements 13 of the flaps 4 are shown, which abut each other, and the sealing strip 14, which is in contact with an upper portion of the flaps 4, to keep a thermal loss of the tunnel housing 5 low. The outer broad side surfaces 11 of the flaps 4 are aligned in the in Fig. 3 shown pivot position with completely closed opening cross section and together form a plane or substantially planar and vertical to the conveyor 7 (see. Fig. 1 ) provided transport level 30 (see. Fig. 1 ) oriented surface.

The Fig. 4 shows a schematic plan view of the embodiment of the device 1 according to the FIGS. 1 to 3 , The tunnel housing 5 is in Fig. 4 not shown, so that the operating principle and the structural design of the embodiment of the device 1 from Fig. 4 can be clarified.

The Fig. 4 lets the article 3 recognize which may be formed as beverage containers and are moved by means of the conveyor 7 in the conveying direction FR. Furthermore, the means 8 or shaft walls 9 are shown, each extending parallel to the conveying direction FR and via which heat energy can be introduced into the tunnel housing 5. Between immediately adjacent shaft walls 9, a respective path 40 for the article 3 is formed.

The flaps 4 are located in Fig. 4 in a defined pivot position, in which the flaps 4 connect at least approximately to the two outer lying of the mutually parallel shaft walls 9. The broad side surfaces 11 of the flaps 4 are here oriented obliquely to a conveying direction FR of the transport device 7. An area designated by numeral 45, which is located between a respective one of the outer shaft walls 9 and the tunnel housing 5, is kept inaccessible by the flaps 4, so that article 3 can not enter the area inadvertently. Since the shaft walls 9 are adjustable relative to one another in their relative position, articles 3 located in the region 45 in the case of devices known from the prior art can block relative displacement of the shaft walls 9 relative to one another. By means of the device 1 can be counteract this problem. Article 3, which meet a broad side surface 11 of a respective flap 4, are moved by means of the respective flap 4 slidably in the direction of a respective formed between immediately adjacent shaft walls 9 path 40. The defined pivot position of the flaps 4 is in Fig. 4 formed such that over each of the flaps 4 Article 3 a separate path 40 are slidably supplied. It can also be provided that the flaps 4 are pivoted asymmetrically with respect to each other and feed article 3 to a common path 40. Thus, for example, a stream of articles 3 moving between adjacent shaft walls 9 of number m may be formed from a stream of articles 3 moving in the direction of the flaps 4 by means of the flaps 4 in a plurality of lanes n, where: m> n , The flaps 4 can thus be designed as switches, which selectively supply articles 3 to at least one of a plurality of paths 40, which are formed between respective immediately adjacent shaft walls 9.

Out Fig. 4 will also be seen that when adjusting the relative distance of the shaft walls 9 to each other, at which adjustment the shaft walls 9 approach each other and the width of the path 40 is reduced, the area 45 is no longer held inaccessible by the flaps 4 for Article 3. To avoid this problem, via the control device S is a respective Pivoting position of the flaps 4 adapted to a relative spacing of the shaft walls 9 to each other, so that all the articles 3, which hit a respective broad side surface 11 of the flaps 4, one of the two formed between immediately adjacent shaft walls 9 path 40 are supplied and the area 45 for Article 3 is kept inaccessible. For this purpose, an algorithm can be stored on the control device S which assigns a respective defined pivot position for the flaps 4 to a respective spacing of the shaft walls 9 relative to each other. In particular, it may be that the controller S information about a dimensioning or type of article 3 are provided and the controller S taking into account the information both an adjustment of the relative distance of the shaft walls 9 to each other and also pivoting the flaps 4 for a defined pivot position in which area 45 is kept inaccessible to article 3.

The Fig. 5 shows a further schematic frontal view of the embodiment of the device 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 4 , In the frontal view, the paths 40 formed between immediately adjacent shaft walls 9 (cf. Fig. 4 ) For Article 3, the tunnel housing 5, the flaps 4 with their oriented obliquely to the conveying direction FR wide side surfaces 11 and the transport device 7 with its horizontally oriented transport plane 30 can be seen. The opening cross-section of the tunnel housing 5 is reduced by means of the flaps 4. The two paths 40 extend linearly and parallel through the tunnel housing 5.

The Fig. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a flap 4, as may be provided for various embodiments of a device 1 according to the invention. The flap 4 from the embodiment Fig. 6 has a multi-layered structure. Numeral 50 refers to an inner layer, whereas numeral 60 refers to an outer layer, with which outer layer 60 Article 3 (cf. Fig. 3 ) can come into surface contact to be slidably moved along the flap 4 in the direction of a respective path 40.

The inner layer 50 has a thermal conductivity, which is reduced compared to a thermal conductivity of the outer layer 60 is formed. This makes it possible in accordance with a completely closed by means of the flaps 4 opening cross section Fig. 3 a thermal energy loss of the tunnel housing 5 keep very low. Next, the outer layer 60 has a mechanical resistance, which is increased compared to a mechanical resistance of the inner layer 50 is formed. This contributes to a long life of the flap 4. The inner layer 50 and the outer layer 60 can also rest on a supporting sheet metal construction of the flap 4.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications or changes may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

• 1 device
• 3 articles
• 4 flap
• 5 tunnel housings
• 7 Transport device, conveyor
• 8 means for introducing heat energy
• 9 shaft wall
• 11 wide side surface
• 13 fluidic sealing element
• 14 sealing strip
• 15 sealing unit
• 16 sheet metal strips
• 20 axis, pivot axis
• 30 Horizontal transport plane
• 32 cover element
• 40 path
• 45 area
• 50 inside layer
• 60 outer layer
• FR conveying direction
• S control device

Claims (14)

1. A device (1) for shrinking flat thermoplastic packaging materials onto articles (3) or sets of articles, comprising at least

   - a tunnel housing (5) with two openings, through which the articles (3) or sets of articles with their respective thermoplastic packaging material can enter and exit the tunnel housing (5),

   - a transport device (7), which provides a horizontal transport plane (30) for moving the articles (3) or sets of articles with their respective thermoplastic packaging material through the tunnel housing (5),

   - a means (8) or a plurality of means (8) for introducing thermal energy into the tunnel housing (5), and

   - at least one unit through which an opening cross-section of at least one of the two openings can be enlarged or reduced

   - wherein the at least one unit features at least one flap (4), which is positioned in the region of the respective opening and is arranged, at least in sections, in the tunnel housing (5),

   - with the at least one flap (4) for enlarging and reducing the opening cross-section of the respective opening being pivotable in an inwards direction with respect to the tunnel housing (5) and/or in an outwards direction with respect to the tunnel housing (5) about an axis (20) oriented at an angle and preferably perpendicularly to the horizontal transport plane (30), characterised in that the one means (8) or the plurality of means (8) comprise at least two shaft walls (9) positioned in the tunnel housing (5) and facing each other, which shaft walls (9) each have several openings for a temperature-controlled fluid flow in order to introduce thermal energy into the tunnel housing (5), wherein the at least one flap (4) positioned in the region of the respective opening is arranged in such a manner that the at least one flap (4) positioned in the region of the respective opening adjoins in a defined pivot position one of the shaft walls (9) facing each other at least approximately.
2. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein a broad-side surface (11) of the at least one flap (4) pointing in the direction of the articles (3) or set of articles to be transported by means of the transport device (7) points in the defined pivot position obliquely to a conveying direction (FR) of the transport device (7).
3. The device as recited in claim 1 or 2 comprising a control device (S), which can be provided with information on a dimensioning of the articles (3) or sets of articles wherein

   - the control device (S) can assign a defined pivot position for the at least one flap (4) and a defined relative spacing of the shaft walls facing each other to the information on a respective dimensioning of the articles (3) or set of articles, and wherein

   - pivoting the at least one flap (4) to the defined pivot position and adjusting the shaft walls (9) facing each other to obtain the specific relative spacing to one another can be effected by means of the control device (S) taking the assignment into account.
4. The device as recited in claim 3 wherein the at least one unit comprises a covering element (32) positioned in the region of the respective opening and designed to be vertically raisable and lowerable, which covering element interacts with the at least one flap (4) to enlarge and reduce the opening cross-section of the respective opening.
5. The device as recited in claim 3 or 4 wherein the control device (S) can assign a specific vertical position of the at least one covering element (32) positioned in the region of the respective opening to the information on a respective dimensioning of the articles (3) or sets of articles and wherein bringing the at least one covering element (32) into a defined vertical position can be effected by means of the control device (S) taking the assignment into account.
6. The device as recited in one of the claims 1 to 5 wherein the at least one unit comprises at least two flaps (4) positioned in the region of the respective opening and arranged, at least in sections, in the tunnel housing, which flaps interact to enlarge and reduce the opening cross-section of the respective opening and are each pivotable in an inwards direction with respect to the tunnel housing (5) and/or in an outwards direction with respect to the tunnel housing (5) about an axis (20) oriented at an angle and preferably perpendicularly to the horizontal transport plane.
7. The device as recited in claim 6 wherein the at least two flaps (4) are positioned in the region of the respective opening in such a manner that the opening cross-section is nearly entirely closed in a specific pivot position of the at least two flaps (4).
8. The device as recited in claim 7 wherein at least a first of the at least two flaps (4) forms at an outer edge a sealing element (13), which is in particular fluidic, through which the at least a first of the at least two flaps (4) is in abutment with at least a second of the at least two flaps (4) when the opening cross-section is closed.
9. The device as recited in claim 7 or 8 comprising at least one fluidic sealing strip (14), which rests flush in a respective upper end region of the at least two flaps (4) when the opening cross-section is completely closed via the at least two flaps (4).
10. The device as recited in one of the claims 1 to 9 wherein the at least one flap (4) has a multi-layered structure comprising at least one inner layer (50) and at least one outer layer (60) and wherein

    - the at least one inner layer (50) is thermally conductive with a thermal conductivity that is lower than a thermal conductivity of the at least one outer layer (60) and wherein

    - the at least one outer layer (60) has a mechanical resistance that is greater than the mechanical resistance of the least one inner layer (50).
11. A method for shrinking flat thermoplastic packaging materials onto articles (3) or sets of articles (3) with the method comprising at least the following steps:

    - Transporting the articles (3) or sets of articles with their respective thermoplastic packaging material through a tunnel housing (5) wherein thermal energy is applied to the articles (3) or sets of articles and their respective thermoplastic packaging material and, as a result, the respective thermoplastic packaging material is shrunk onto the articles (3) or sets of articles (3),

    - defined enlarging or reducing of an opening cross-section of at least one of several openings of the tunnel housing (5), through which several openings the articles (3) or sets of articles enter and exit the tunnel housing (5) with their respective thermoplastic packaging,

    - wherein the opening cross-section is enlarged or reduced in a defined manner by means of at least one flap (4), which is arranged, at least in sections, in the tunnel housing (5),

    - with the at least one flap (4) for enlarging and reducing the opening cross-section in a defined manner pivoting in an outwards direction with respect to the tunnel housing (5) and/or in an inwards direction with respect to the tunnel housing about an axis oriented preferably perpendicularly, characterised in that in order to apply thermal energy to the articles (3) or sets of articles (3) with their respective thermoplastic packaging material, two shaft walls (9) facing each other and positioned in the tunnel housing (5) are provided with a plurality of openings each, through which plurality of openings a temperature-controlled fluid medium is introduced into the tunnel housing wherein the at least one flap (4) positioned in the region of the respective opening is arranged in such a manner that the at least one flap (4) positioned in the region of the respective opening adjoins in a defined pivot position one of the shaft walls (9) facing each other at least approximately.
12. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein the at least one flap (4) pivots in an outwards direction to reduce the opening cross-section and pivots in an inwards direction to enlarge the opening cross-section.
13. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein in order to enlarge or reduce the opening cross-section in a defined manner at least two flaps (4) positioned in the region of the respective opening and arranged in the tunnel housing (5) at least in sections interact, which each pivot in an inwards direction with respect to the tunnel housing (5) to enlarge the opening cross-section and pivot in an outwards direction with respect to the tunnel housing (5) to reduce the opening cross-section.
14. The method as recited in one of the claims 11 to 13 wherein for applying thermal energy to the articles (3) or sets of articles with their respective thermoplastic packaging material, two shaft walls (9) facing each other and positioned in the tunnel housing (5) are provided with a plurality of openings each, through which plurality of openings a temperature-controlled fluid medium is introduced into the tunnel housing (5) and between which shaft walls (9) facing each other at least one transport path (40) for the articles (3) or sets of articles with their respective thermoplastic packaging material is formed wherein

    - a relative spacing of the two shaft walls (9) facing each other is set depending on the dimensions of the respective articles (3) or set of articles, and wherein

    - the width of the opening cross-section is adjusted by means of the at least one flap (4) depending on the respective relative spacing of the two shaft walls (9) facing each other.

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