EP3372516B1 - Packaging device and method for setting up individual articles or compositions on articles on flat carton blanks - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging device and a method for placing individual articles or combinations of articles on flat packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard.

There are different types of packaging for processing, compiling, grouping and packaging articles, such as beverage containers. If certain articles, such as beverage containers formed by PET containers with small wall thicknesses, have a low dimensional stability, such beverage containers are in practice often placed on packaging blanks formed by cardboard and / or cardboard in order to counteract undesired damage to such beverage containers during their transport . Packaging blanks of this type are also referred to as trays or PADs and may optionally have edge areas which are folded upwards in the course of packaging the articles or beverage containers. Packaging blanks are also known which are formed only by a flat support without an edge area, the individual articles or possibly a respective combination formed from several articles standing on the flat support. The respective article standing on the tray or packaging blank or the respective combination of articles standing on the tray or packaging blank can then be encased with thermoplastic packaging film, followed by the respective article standing on the tray or PAD or the respective one on the tray or PAD the upright assembly of articles is placed in a shrink tunnel and the thermoplastic packaging material is shrunk onto the respective article or onto the respective assembly of articles.

Such a device, by means of which articles can be placed on flat packaging blanks or on trays, is known, for example, from the German patent application with the publication number DE 10 2014 112 341 A1 known. This known packaging device comprises a first endless conveyor with upper run and lower run. The first endless conveyor device comprises at least one revolving conveyor chain for the transport of on a tray arranged articles in a first operating mode. In a second operating mode, the packaging device is provided for the transport of articles and / or article groups without a packaging base.

Furthermore, the WO 2016/059218 discloses a system for automatically packaging articles that vary in size and number for shipping. The system comprises a unit for acquiring size information of one or more articles to be packaged, a packaging material supply unit for supplying an inner packaging material, and a packaging material supply unit for supplying an outer packaging material. The system also includes a first packaging station for wrapping the inner packaging material around one or more articles to be packaged. A second packaging station wraps the outer packaging material around the articles already wrapped with the inner packaging material. The inner and outer pack consequently form a combined pack around the packaged article.

The EP 2 336 037 A1 discloses an apparatus and method for group packaging of articles. By means of conveyors, the objects assembled into groups are moved through the device at a distance in the direction of transport and provided with packaging material. A first packaging material and a second packaging material differ in their functionality, at least one roll of the first and second packaging material being in stock. The two packaging materials can be produced as required in terms of shape and size by separating devices.

Practice has shown that depending on the respective use of several packaging machines or modules arranged along a packaging line, it is necessary to treat individual articles or combinations of articles with or without their respective packaging cut or to move them along the respective packaging line. Adapting or modifying a packaging line for different packaging processes therefore often involves a great deal of time, which in practice should be kept to a minimum. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have packaging devices or corresponding methods which are characterized by greater flexibility and can be adapted for different packaging processes with less expenditure of time.

For this reason, an object of the invention can be seen in providing a packaging device and a corresponding method for placing individual articles or combinations of articles on packaging blanks, which are characterized by a high degree of flexibility and by means of which a packaging line can be easily modified.

The above object is achieved by a packaging device and a method, which comprise the features in the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are described by the subclaims.

The invention relates to a packaging device for placing individual articles or assemblies on articles on flat packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard. The flat packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, can be designed, for example, as a tray and / or as a PAD. The term tray can be understood to mean packaging blanks formed by cardboard and / or cardboard which have lateral, front and / or rear flaps which can be erected in the course of a packaging process. The term PAD can be understood to mean packaging blanks which provide a flat or essentially flat footprint for a respective individual article or a respective combination of articles and which have no lateral front and / or rear flaps or no flaps which are erected can. It may be that a circumferential course of the respective packaging blank formed as a PAD and made of cardboard and / or cardboard is adapted to a particular geometry of the respective individual article to be put on or the respective combination of articles to be put on. It may be that the respective packaging blank is formed only by cardboard or only by cardboard.

The device comprises at least one transport device for moving the individual articles or assemblies on articles, which at least one transport device runs along a packaging line provided for the individual articles or the assemblies on articles. Part of the transport device can be at least one horizontal conveyor device described below and designed as an inlet, at least one push chain described below for individual articles or combinations of articles and / or further conveyor devices, by means of which individual articles or combinations of articles can be moved along the packaging line .

Furthermore, the device comprises at least one or at least one provision by means of which at least one stack of flat packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, can be presented. The at least one provision can be positioned below a transport level formed for the individual articles or combinations of articles.

Also, a feed is provided as part of the device, by means of which the flat packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, for placing the individual articles or combinations of articles on the flat packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, of the at least one Provision in a transport path that can be used to move articles or assemblies of articles that are moved via the at least one transport device. The feed can be connected to a control unit, which is the feed for receiving flat packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, from the at least one provision and for introducing packaging blanks into the transport path of the articles or assemblies moving via the at least one transport device can control articles.

The feed has at least two different feed paths, which have at least two different feed paths for introducing flat and preferably packaging blanks formed by cardboard and / or cardboard from the at least one provision into different and spaced-apart sections of the transport path of the articles moving via the at least one transport device or Compilations of articles are formed.

It may be that a first feed section is preferably prepared or provided exclusively for the introduction of flat packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, which flat packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, via lateral, front and / or have rear flaps that can be erected. Thus, a first feed section can be prepared or provided exclusively for the introduction of flat packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, in which flat packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, are the trays already described above.

It is also conceivable that a second feed line is preferably prepared or provided exclusively for the introduction of flat packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, which flat packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, have no lateral, front and / or rear Have tabs that can be erected. Thus, the second feed section can be prepared or provided exclusively for the introduction of flat packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, which flat packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, are the trays already described above.

The first supply line can be assigned a first dedicated provision, in which the respective flat cutouts, which are provided and are preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, can be accommodated for the individual articles and / or combinations of articles to be introduced into the transport path via the first supply line flat and preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard packaging blanks, as already mentioned above, have side, front and / or rear tabs and are each formed as a tray if necessary.

The second feed line can be assigned a second dedicated provision, in which the respective flat blank sections, which are provided for the introduction into the transport path of the individual articles and / or combinations of articles via the second feed line and are preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, can be accommodated flat and preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard packaging blanks, as already mentioned above, have no side, front and / or rear flaps or no flaps which can be erected. The flat blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, can each be designed as a PAD. The first deployment may be spaced from the second deployment. Likewise, the first feed line can run at a distance from the second feed line.

In various embodiments it may be that the device comprises at least one rotating means of transport with a plurality of push and / or folding elements arranged thereon for the articles, the combinations of articles and / or the flat packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard . The at least one rotating means of transport with its large number of pushing and / or folding elements can be arranged between the different and spaced apart sections of the transport path. Furthermore, the at least one rotating means of transport can have a chain on which the plurality of pushing and / or folding elements is arranged. The chain can be designed as a locking chain together with the large number of pushing and / or folding elements. The pushing and / or folding elements can be designed to erect lateral, front and / or rear flaps of a respective flat packaging blank, which is preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard.

Embodiments have also proven themselves, in which the device comprises at least one slide plate arranged between the different and spaced-apart sections, as well as a plurality of conveyor elements which are movable all around in the area of the slide plate and are preferably formed by push bars. The plurality of conveying elements can be formed on the rear of the individual articles or assemblies on articles for the sliding movement of the individual articles or assemblies on articles along the slide plate.

1. a) die Verpackungsvorrichtung im Rahmen des ersten Verpackungsprozesses ohne eine zwischen die unterschiedlichen und voneinander beabstandeten Abschnitte eingebrachte Überschubplatte zum Aufrichten von Laschen der flächigen und vorzugsweise durch Karton und/oder Pappe gebildeten Verpackungszuschnitte über die Vielzahl an Schub- und/oder Faltelementen ausgebildet ist, und wobei
2. b) für den zweiten Verpackungsprozess die Überschubplatte in den bestimmten und zwischen den unterschiedlichen und voneinander beabstandeten Abschnitten vorgesehenen Bereich der Transportstrecke eingebracht ist, über welche die einzelnen Artikel oder Zusammenstellungen an Artikeln im zweiten Verpackungsprozess mittels der mehreren Schubbalken unter rückseitiger Anlage (3) an den einzelnen Artikeln oder Zusammenstellungen an Artikeln ohne ein Aufrichten von Laschen von flächigen und vorzugsweise durch Karton und/oder Pappe gebildeten Verpackungszuschnitten gleitend bewegbar sind.

It is also conceivable that a specific area or section of the transport route of the individual articles or combinations of articles provided between the different and spaced-apart sections can be modified for a first packaging process and a second packaging process, wherein

1. a) the packaging device is designed as part of the first packaging process without a slide-over plate introduced between the different and spaced-apart sections for erecting tabs of the flat packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, over the large number of pushing and / or folding elements, and in which
2. b) for the second packaging process, the push-over plate is introduced into the specific area of the transport route provided between the different and spaced-apart sections, via which the individual articles or combinations of articles in the second packaging process can be carried out by means of the several push bars under the rear attachment (3) to the individual articles or compilations of articles can be moved in a sliding manner without erecting tabs of flat packaging blanks and preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard.

Furthermore, the device can comprise at least one horizontal conveyor device designed as an inlet, which is arranged as an inlet horizontal conveyor device and which is arranged between at least one rotating means of transport of one of the different and spaced-apart sections. A first section, through which the previously described first feed line can introduce flat packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, into the transport path of the individual articles or combinations of articles, can provide the at least one circulating transport means along the packaging line or in a direction of movement of the individual articles or compilations immediately preceding articles.

It is conceivable here that the individual articles or compilations of articles pass from the at least one horizontal conveyor designed as an inlet into a working area of the at least one rotating means of transport, within which working area lateral, front and / or rear tabs one respective flat and preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard packaging blank. During the transfer, the individual articles or assemblies of articles can pass through the first section, the individual articles or assemblies of articles moving onto a respective flat packaging blank, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, during the transfer. The packaging blanks introduced into the transport path of the individual articles or combinations of articles and preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard can each be designed as a tray or have lateral, front and / or rear flaps which can be erected.

A second section, which can be assigned to the previously described second feed path and via which flat packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, can be introduced into a transport path of the individual articles or combinations of articles, can preferably be carried out directly along the packaging path or in connect a transport direction of the individual articles or the compilations of articles to the working area of the at least one circulating transport means. The possibly flat, front and / or rear flaps or no flaps and by means of the second feed section via the second section introduced into the transport path of the individual articles or the combinations of articles can be flat packaging blanks preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard if necessary, be designed as a PAD, as has already been described above. By introducing flat packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, over the second section or by means of the second feed section, the area of the packaging section forming the circulating transport means with the large number of transport and / or folding elements can thus be avoided.

Embodiments have also proven themselves, in which the feed comprises a switch, with which a selective transfer of flat packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, from the at least one provision to at least one specific selected feed path for introducing flat and preferably by cardboard and / or cardboard formed packaging blanks can be effected on a respective section of the transport path assigned to the specific selected feed path. The switch can be designed as a mechanical actuating unit, by means of which a transfer of planar and preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard selectively Packaging cuts to the first feed line or the second feed line can be effected or specified. For this purpose, the first feed path and the second feed path can meet in the area of the switch or converge in the area of the switch.

The packaging device can also comprise a control unit connected to the switch and previously mentioned, wherein the control unit is designed to receive information about the type of flat packaging cutouts presented by the at least one provision as a stack and preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard . Furthermore, taking into account the information, the control unit can select the at least one specific feed path from the plurality of feed paths and control the switch for forwarding respective flat packaging blanks from the at least one supply to the at least one specific feed path selected from the plurality of feed paths. It is conceivable here that information about the type of packaging blanks presented by the at least one provision as a stack and preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard is specified via a user of the control unit. In further embodiments, aids such as, for example, at least one sensor system can be provided, by means of which the control unit accepts or recognizes information on the type of packaging blanks presented by the at least one stack and preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard.

In addition, the different and spaced-apart sections of the transport path can be followed by a device for applying flat thermoplastic packaging material to the respective articles or combinations of articles or arranged in a direction of movement of the individual articles or combinations of articles or along the packaging line.

In addition, the device can comprise a shrink tunnel which follows the device for applying the flat thermoplastic packaging material along the transport path and via which shrink tunnel the flat thermoplastic packaging material applied to a respective article or a respective combination of articles onto the respective article or the respective one Compilation of articles can be shrunk. For this purpose, a horizontal conveyor device can be provided, which the individual articles or Moving the respective compilation of articles with the flat thermoplastic packaging material applied to the individual article or the respective compilation of articles through the shrink tunnel.

The invention also relates to a method for placing individual articles or assemblies on articles on flat packaging blanks preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard. Features which have already been described above for various embodiments of the device can, if appropriate, also be provided for various embodiments of the method described below and are therefore not mentioned redundantly. Furthermore, features described below, which relate to various embodiments of the method, may be provided in the device already described above, if necessary. Furthermore, the device already described above can be designed to implement the method described below.

As part of a first step of the method, individual articles or combinations of articles are moved along a packaging line.

A further step provides for the introduction of flat packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, into a transport path of the individual or the compilations of articles moving along the packaging path, which results in the individual articles or the compilations of articles being introduced onto a respective one in the transport path Open up the flat packaging blank, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard.

It is further provided that a plurality of spaced-apart sections are provided along the transport path, by means of which packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, can be introduced into the transport path of the individual articles or the combinations of articles via a feed path assigned to a respective section.

Furthermore, taking into account a packaging process that is coordinated with the type of the respective flat sheet packaging to be introduced into the transport path and preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, at least one specific feed path is selected from a plurality of feed paths. In addition, the flat and preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard packaging blanks over the respective at least one feed path or the respective at least one selected specific feed path and their respective assigned section introduced in the transport route of the individual articles or the compilation of articles.

• die einzelnen Artikel oder Zusammenstellungen an Artikeln auf einen jeweiligen über die wenigstens eine erste bestimmte Zufuhrstrecke und den jeweiligen der ersten bestimmten Zufuhrstrecke zugeordneten Abschnitt in den Transportweg eingebrachten und vorzugsweise durch Karton und/oder Pappe gebildeten Verpackungszuschnitt auffahren, und worauf zeitlich folgend
• seitliche, vordere und/oder hintere Laschen des jeweiligen durch Karton und/oder Pappe gebildeten Verpackungszuschnitts unter fortlaufender Bewegung mit seinen aufgefahrenen einzelnen Artikeln oder seiner aufgefahrenen Zusammenstellung an Artikeln aufgerichtet werden.

In various embodiments, it may be that in the context of at least one first packaging process, flat packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, via at least a first specific feed path via the respective section assigned to the at least one first specific feed path into the transport path of the individual articles or Compilations of articles are introduced, whereupon

• drive the individual articles or compilations of articles onto a respective packaging blank that has been introduced into the transport path and that is preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, via the at least one first specific supply path and the respective section assigned to the first specific supply path, and what follows in time
• Lateral, front and / or rear tabs of the respective packaging blank formed by cardboard and / or cardboard can be erected with its opened individual articles or its opened combination of articles with continuous movement.

To erect the side, front and / or rear flaps, transport and / or folding elements can come into surface contact with the side, front and / or rear flaps while the respective packaging blank, which is preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, is moved continuously.

It may also be the case that in the course of at least one second packaging process, flat packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, pass into the transport path of the individual articles or the combinations via at least a second specific feed path via the respective section assigned to the at least one second specific feed path Articles are introduced. It may be the case that the section assigned to the at least one second specific feed section follows an area of the packaging section provided for erecting the lateral tabs along the transport path of the individual articles or combinations of articles.

In this case, the individual articles or assemblies of articles can run onto a respective packaging blank which is introduced via the at least one second specific feed path and the respective section assigned to the second specific feed path and is preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard. Furthermore, the area of the packaging section provided for erecting the lateral flaps for the second packaging process for transporting the individual articles or the combinations of articles can be modified without a respective packaging blank preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard.

It may also be the case that thermoplastic packaging material is applied to the individual articles or assemblies of articles after they have been opened onto their respective packaging blanks, preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, and the thermoplastic packaging material is shrunk onto the respective individual articles or assemblies of articles by applying heat .

Furthermore, as part of the modification of the area of the packaging section provided for erecting the lateral tabs, a plate can be introduced into the area provided for erecting the lateral tabs, along which plate the individual articles or assemblies of articles are pushed during the second packaging process with surface contact with the plate will. The above-mentioned rotating means of transport with the multitude of transport and / or folding elements can be carried out before the introduction of the plate from the packaging blanks preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard as part of the first packaging process for erecting the lateral, front and / or rear area be removed from the respective packaging line or from the transport route of the individual articles or combinations of articles. Accordingly, it may be that in the course of the modification for transporting the individual articles or combinations of articles without a respective packaging blank preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, a plate is introduced into the area previously provided for erecting the lateral tabs, along which plate the individual articles or assemblies of articles are slid during the second packaging process with surface contact with the plate.

It is also possible, if appropriate, to selectively forward a transfer of the planar packaging blanks presented in a stacked form via a provision or precisely a specific provision to at least one specific supply route from a plurality of supply routes, which are preferably formed by cardboard and / or cardboard.

• Fig. 1 zeigt eine schematische Ansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Verpackungsvorrichtung;
• Fig. 2 zeigt eine schematische Ansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Verpackungsvorrichtung;
• Fig. 3 zeigt die Ausführungsform einer Verpackungsvorrichtung aus Fig. 2 unter Verdeutlichung weiterer Aspekte;
• Fig. 4 zeigt einen Verpackungszuschnitt, wie er von diversen Ausführungsformen der erfindungsgemäßen Verpackungsvorrichtung verwendet bzw. verarbeitet werden kann bzw. wie er zur Umsetzung diverser Ausführungsformen des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens vorgesehen sein kann;
• Fig. 5 zeigt im Flussdiagramm einzelne Schritte, wie sie bei einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens vorgesehen sein können.

In the following, exemplary embodiments are intended to explain the invention and its advantages with reference to the attached figures. The size relationships of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the real size relationships, since some shapes are simplified and other shapes are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

• Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of a packaging device according to the invention;
• Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a further embodiment of a packaging device according to the invention;
• Fig. 3 shows the embodiment of a packaging device Fig. 2 clarifying other aspects;
• Fig. 4 shows a packaging blank as it can be used or processed by various embodiments of the packaging device according to the invention or how it can be provided for implementing various embodiments of the method according to the invention;
• Fig. 5 shows in the flowchart individual steps as they can be provided in an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

Identical reference numerals are used for identical or identically acting elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference numerals are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments merely represent examples of how the invention can be designed and do not represent a final limitation. Furthermore, it is pointed out that the following to the Figures 1 to 5 Features described by the person skilled in the art do not have to be closely related to the respective exemplary embodiment but can be understood in a general context by the person skilled in the art.

The Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention. The device 1 is provided for placing assemblies 3 on articles 5 on packaging blanks 7 formed by cardboard, which in the exemplary embodiment consist of Fig. 1 are presented as a stack 9 via exactly one provision 11. The article 5 are in the embodiment Fig. 1 each formed by beverage containers.

To view Article 5 along the in Fig. 1 To move the packaging line VS indicated by the arrow, a plurality of transport devices are provided, a first transport device being designed as a horizontal conveying device 13, which provides an inlet 15 for the articles 5 or beverage containers. The articles 5 are moved in a row one after the other via the horizontal conveyor device 13 or via the inlet 15, individual assemblies 3 of articles 5 being formed by means of the push chain 19 following the horizontal conveyor device 13 or the inlet 15. For this purpose, the push chain 19 has a plurality of circumferential part bars which are not shown in the figures of the patent application and are not shown in the figures, which are brought into contact with a rear or trailing article 5 provided for a respective combination 3 and articles 5 provided for a respective combination 3 Accelerate briefly in relation to the articles 5 moving in a row via the horizontal conveyor device 13 or the inlet 15. The push chain 16 is thus also designed as a transport device by means of which the articles 5 or assemblies 3 of articles 5 are moved along the packaging line VS. The assemblies 3 on articles 5 pass a first section 6, then reach a working area of a locking chain 17 and are then moved over a second section 8.

The second section 8 is followed by a transport device which is designed as a further horizontal conveyor device 19 and moves the assemblies 3 on articles 5 to a device 20 which applies thermoplastic packaging material to the respective assemblies 3 on articles 5. With their applied thermoplastic packaging material, the compilations 3 of articles 5 are then converted into an in Fig. 1 not shown with shrink tunnel 34 (cf. Figures 2 and 3rd ) moves, in which the thermoplastic packaging material is shrunk onto the assemblies 3 on items 5. Articles 5 or combinations 3 of articles 5 are moved continuously or without interruption along the packaging line VS.

The Fig. 1 reveals that a first feed path 16 is assigned to the first section 6 and that a second feed path 28 is assigned to the second section 8. The first feed path 16 and the second feed path 28 are part of an inlet 50 for the flat packaging material 7 formed by cardboard or cardboard. Via the first section 6, blanks 7 can be introduced into a transport path of the assemblies 3 of articles 5 by means of the first feed path 16 , The assemblies 3 on articles 5 in the area of the first section 6 drive onto a respective flat packaging blank 7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard and reach the working area of the locking chain 17. The flat blanks7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, which are guided into the first section 6 by means of the first feed section 16, can preferably each be designed as a tray, the respective tray having side, front and / or rear tabs which are in Can be folded upwards.

The locking chain shown with reference to number 17, which directly adjoins the first section 6, has several or a plurality of folding elements 27 which run around the circumference (cf. Fig. 2 ), by means of which the locking chain 17 can move the side, front and / or rear tabs of a respective flat packaging blank 7 or a respective tray formed by cardboard and / or cardboard in the upward direction. Here, the compilations 3 of items 5 are moved across the working area of the locking chain 17 without interruption.

Flat packaging blanks 7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard can also be designed as a PAD or underlay without lateral, front and / or rear flaps, the PAD or the underlay providing a flat or essentially flat contact surface for a respective combination 3 Article 5 provides. If such blanks 7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard with an arrangement 3 of articles 5 arranged thereon are moved over the working area of the locking chain 17, then in practice, particularly with a small thickness, such blanks 7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard can Problems with their movement over the working area of the lock chain 17 come.

The device 1 or the inlet 50 of the device 1 therefore has a second feed section 28 which, in particular as a PAD, can form flat packaging blanks 7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard via a second section 8 in the transport path of the assemblies 3 of articles 5 . The second Section 8 is arranged downstream of the locking chain 17 or the working area of the locking chain 17 along the packaging line VS or along the transport path of the assemblies 3 on articles 5 or in a transport direction of the assemblies 3 on articles 5. The second section 8 thus follows the first section 6 at a distance along the packaging line VS or along the transport path of the assemblies 3 on articles 5 or in a transport direction of the assemblies 3 on articles 5.

The first feed path 16 and the second feed path 18 are connected to a switch 30, which can selectively cause blanks 7 to be passed on to the first feed path 16 or the second feed path 28. The control unit S actuates the switch 30 for the defined transfer on flat blanks 7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard from the supply 11 or from the stack 9 to the first and / or second feed path 16 or 28 S information about the type of the respective flat blank 7, which is arranged in the supply 11 as a stack 9 and is formed from cardboard and / or cardboard, is predefined. Accordingly, the control unit S is specified by means of the information as to whether the flat packaging blanks 7 formed from cardboard and / or cardboard are trays or pads, or whether the flat packaging blanks 7 formed from cardboard and / or cardboard are possibly over have lateral, front and / or rear tabs which are to be erected during a movement along the packaging line VS.

In the exemplary embodiment Fig. 1 For example, the control unit S can be provided with information on the type of the flat blanks 7 presented in the supply 11 as a stack 9 and formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, for example via a display. It can also be the case that the control unit S is connected to a sensor system, with the aid of which sensor system the control unit S independently recognizes a respective type of flat blank 7 arranged as a stack 9 in the provision 11 and formed as cardboard and / or cardboard.

Insofar as it concerns trays or flat blanks 7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, which have lateral, front and / or rear tabs which are to be folded in, the control unit S can actuate the switch 30 in such a way that the the provision 11 of trays or flat sheets 7 formed as a stack 9 and formed by cardboard and / or cardboard with side, front and / or rear flaps to be driven only to the first one Feed path 16 are passed on and thereby only through the first section 6 into the transport path of the compilations 3 of articles 5. The push chain 17 can via its folding elements 27 (cf. Figures 2 and 3rd ), as already described above, erect the front, rear and / or side tabs of the respective tray.

Insofar as the flat blank 7 and the one blank 11 included as stack 9 and formed by cardboard and / or cardboard are PADs or flat flat blanks 7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, which none have lateral, front and / or rear tabs, the control unit S can actuate the switch 30 such that the flat packaging blanks 7 presented as a stack 9 in the provision 11 and formed by cardboard and / or cardboard are only passed on to the second feed path 28 and thereby only get into the transport path of the compilations 3 of articles 5 via the second section 8. The area of the packaging line VS in which the locking chain 17 is arranged can thereby be avoided.

The assemblies 3 of articles 5 thus move across the working area of the locking chain 17 without standing up on a flat packaging blank 7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard. In the area of the second section 8, the assemblies 3 of articles 5 then each move onto a PAD or respectively onto a flat packaging blank 7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard and are then together with their respective PAD or together with their respective flat and the blank 7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard is passed on to the device 20 for applying thermoplastic packaging material.

The Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a further embodiment of a packaging device 1 according to the invention. The packaging device 1 from the exemplary embodiment as well Fig. 2 comprises a horizontal conveyor device 13, which is designed as an inlet 15 and on which inlet 15 individual in the Figures 2 and 3rd not be moved in a row with article 5 shown in a row. A section 6 follows the horizontal conveyor device 13 or the inlet 15, via which section 6, according to the exemplary embodiment Fig. 1 Via a first feed section 16, flat packaging blanks 7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard into one Transport route of article 5 or compilations 3 of article 5 can be introduced.

The reference number 17 also refers to a locking chain, which can erect lateral, front and / or rear tabs of a respective flat and formed by cardboard and / or cardboard packaging blank 7 via several or a plurality of rotating folding elements 27. The locking chain 17 is followed in a direction of movement of the assemblies 3 on articles 5 or along the packaging line VS by a device 20 for applying thermoplastic packaging material to the assemblies 3 on articles 5. Furthermore, a shrink tunnel 34 is also shown, in which the thermoplastic packaging material on the respective composition 3 is shrunk on articles 5.

A synopsis of the Figures 1 and 2nd shows that in the embodiment Fig. 2 two provisions 11 instead of that in device 1 according to Fig. 1 only a provision 11 is provided. In contrast, the device 1 has from the embodiment Fig. 1 a switch 30, the switch 30 in the embodiment Fig. 2 is missing.

The flat and formed by cardboard and / or cardboard packaging blanks 7 of the in Fig. 2 the stack 9 shown on the left or the one in FIG Fig. 2 Provision 11 shown on the left are each designed as a tray or have side, front and / or rear tabs which can be folded in. The flat and formed by cardboard and / or cardboard packaging blanks 7 of the in Fig. 2 stack 9 shown on the right or in Fig. 2 Provision 11 shown on the right are each designed as a PAD and have no lateral, front or rear tabs which can be turned in. An exemplary embodiment for such a PAD is shown in Fig. 4 to recognize.

A first packaging process or a second packaging process for the device 1 can optionally be specified via the control unit S. In Fig. 2 The device 1 is shown by way of example for a first packaging process, the device 1 in FIG Fig. 3 is shown in a trained second packaging process.

In the first packaging process Fig. 2 the control unit S is used to pass on the flat packaging blanks 7 or trays shown in the provision 11 shown on the left and designed as cardboard and / or cardboard effected via the first feed path 16 into the area of the first section 6. The respective combinations 3 of articles 5 move in the area of the first section 6 onto a respective packaging blank 7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard or onto a respective tray. Together with the respective packaging blank 7 or tray formed as cardboard and / or cardboard, the respective combination 3 of articles 5 is then moved into a working area of the locking chain 17, which laterally, front and / or rear tabs of the respective through its circumferential folding elements 27 Cardboard and / or cardboard formed packaging blank 7 or the respective tray folds in the upward direction. In the folded state, the respective packaging blank 7 or the respective tray formed by cardboard and / or cardboard is then fed together with the assembly 3 on article 5 standing thereon, which device 20 applies thermoplastic packaging material to the respective assembly 3 on articles 5. The respective packaging blank 7 formed and folded by cardboard and / or cardboard or the respective folded tray is then moved together with the respective assembly 3 of articles 5 standing thereon into the shrink tunnel 34, in which the thermoplastic packaging material is assembled onto the respective assembly 3 of articles 5 is shrunk.

The Fig. 3 shows the embodiment of a device 1 Fig. 2 clarifying other aspects. As previously mentioned, the device 1 is from the exemplary embodiment Fig. 3 trained to carry out a second packaging process or modified for a second packaging process, which second packaging process is different from that already described and in Fig. 1 made clear the first packaging process.

In order to adapt the device 1 to the second packaging process to be carried out, has been compared to the illustration Fig. 1 in Fig. 2 now a slide plate 32 is introduced into the working area of the locking chain 17. It may be that the locking chain 17 is removed from the device 1 together with the plurality of folding elements 27 for the second packaging process. It is also conceivable that at least two closing cushions 17 guided parallel to one another, each with a plurality of folding elements 27, are provided. It may be the case that a relative distance between the at least two locking chains 17 guided parallel to one another is increased for the second packaging process or that the at least two locking chains 17 oriented parallel to one another together with their respective plurality of folding elements 27 for the second packaging process in the direction and opposite direction the image plane relative be moved towards each other. The transfer plate, to which reference number 32 in Fig. 3 can then be inserted into the device 1 between the at least two locking chains 17, which are guided parallel to one another and moved relative to one another in the direction and opposite direction of the image plane, or can be arranged between the first section 6 and the second section 8 along the packaging line VS.

The second section 8 directly adjoins the plate or push-over plate 32 along the packaging line VS or along the transport path of the assemblies 3 on articles 5 or in the transport direction of the assemblies 3 on articles 5. Furthermore, the first section 6 is directly upstream of the push-over plate 32 along the packaging line VS or along the transport path of the compilation 3 of articles 5 or in the direction of transport of the compilation 3 of articles 5.

According to the first feed path 16 in the packaging process Fig. 3 no flat packaging blanks 7 provided by the provision 11 shown on the left and formed by cardboard and / or cardboard are moved over the first feed path 16 in the direction of the first section 6. Rather, in the second packaging process the flat blanks 7 presented by the left-hand provision 11 and formed by cardboard and / or cardboard remain stored in the provision 11 shown on the left and are not removed from the stack 9 of the provision 11 shown on the left. The assemblies 3 of articles 5 therefore pass through section 6 without the assemblies 3 of articles 5 running onto a packaging blank 7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard. Then the assemblies 3 on articles 5 are moved slidingly and with surface contact to the pallet or push-over plate 32 along the push-over plate 32 and then reach the second section 8 Provision 11 moves in the direction of the second section 8. As already mentioned above, the packaging blanks 7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard and presented by the provision 11 on the right are each designed as a PAD and have no side, front or rear flaps which can be folded in. In the area of the second section 8, the assemblies 3 of articles 5 move onto a respective packaging blank 7 conveyed by the second feed path 28 and formed by cardboard and / or cardboard or onto a respective PAD and are sent to the device 20 together with the respective PAD continued which applies thermoplastic packaging material to compilations 3 on items 5. With the applied thermoplastic packaging material, the assemblies 3 of articles 5 are fed to the shrink tunnel 34, the assemblies 3 of articles 5 standing up on their respective packaging blanks 7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard or on their respective PADs.

In the shrink tunnel 34, the thermoplastic packaging material applied to the respective assembly 3 of articles 5 by means of the device 20 is shrunk onto the respective assembly 3 of articles 5.

The Fig. 4 shows a packaging blank 7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, how it can be used or processed by various embodiments of the packaging device 1 according to the invention or how it can be provided for implementing various embodiments of the method according to the invention. A packaging blank 7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard according to the exemplary embodiment Fig. 4 is designed as a PAD and therefore has no side, front or rear flaps that can be folded. The circumferential course of the packaging blank 7 formed as cardboard and / or cardboard Fig. 4 is adapted to the contours of Article 5, which after opening in accordance with the previous description in the area of the second section 8 (cf. Figures 2 and 3rd ) stand up on the packaging blank 7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard. The articles are formed by beverage containers, so that the packaging blank 7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard or the PAD from the exemplary embodiment Fig. 4 is curved in sections along its circumference or is convexly curved.

The Fig. 5 shows in the flowchart individual steps as they can be provided in an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The embodiment of a method as described in Fig. 5 can be represented by means of the embodiment of a packaging device 1 according to Fig. 1 and by means of the embodiment of a packaging device 1 according to Figures 2 and 3rd implemented in each case.

In the course of a first step, at least one specific feed path is made up of a plurality of feed paths 16 or 18 (cf. Figures 1 to 3 ) taking into account a packaging blank 7, which is to be introduced into the type of the respective flat transport area and is formed by cardboard and / or cardboard Packaging process selected. As already shown above, a first feed section 16 can be selected, provided that the packaging blanks 7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard are each designed as a tray or have side, front and / or rear flaps which move in the direction of a first packaging process be raised up. Furthermore, a second feed path 28 can be selected instead of the first feed path 16, provided that the packaging blanks 7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard are each made as a PAD as part of a second packaging process, as exemplified in FIG Fig. 4 shown, are formed or have no side, front and / or rear tab, which is to be erected.

A further step involves inserting the flat packaging blanks 7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard or inserting the flat packaging blanks 7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard of the respective type intended for the packaging process via the respective at least one selected feed path 16 or 28 and their assigned section 6 or 8 in the transport route of the individual articles 5 or the assemblies 3 of articles 5.

In a further step, the individual articles 5 or combinations 3 of articles 5 move onto a respective flat blank 7 formed in the transport path and formed by cardboard and / or cardboard, so that a respective individual article 5 or a respective combination 3 of articles 5 stands on a respective flat packaging blank 7 formed by cardboard and / or cardboard.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it is conceivable for a person skilled in the art that modifications or changes of the invention can be made without leaving the scope of the following claims.

Reference symbol list

1

contraption

3rd

Compilation

5

items

6

first section

7

Packaging cut

8th

second part

9

stack

11

Provision

13

Horizontal conveyor

15

Intake

16

Push chain

17th

Locking chain

20th

Facility

26

first feed line

27th

Folding element

28

second feed line

30th

Switch

34

Shrink tunnel

50

supply

S

Control unit

VS

Packaging line

Claims (14)

1. Packaging device (1) for placing individual articles (5) or assemblies (3) of articles (5) on flat packaging blanks (7), which packaging blanks (7) are preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard, comprising

   - at least one transport device for moving the individual articles (5) or assemblies (3) of articles (5), which at least one transport device runs along a packaging route (VS) provided for the individual articles (5) or the assemblies (3) of articles (5),

   - at least one provision (11), via which at least one stack (9) of flat packaging blanks (7), which packaging blanks (7) are preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard, can be presented, as well as

   - a feeder (50), by means of which the flat packaging blanks (7), which packaging blanks (7) are preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard, can be introduced from the at least one provision (11) into a transport path of the articles (5) or assemblies (3) of articles (5), which are moved over the at least one transport device, in order to place the individual articles (5) or assemblies (3) of articles (5) on the flat packaging blanks (7), which are preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard, wherein

   - the feeder (50) has at least two different feeding sections (16, 28), which at least two different feeding sections (16, 28) are designed for the introduction of flat packaging blanks (7), which are preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard, from the at least one provision (11) into different and spaced-apart sections (6, 8) of the transport path of the individual articles (5) or assemblies (3) of articles (5), which are moved over the at least one transport device, the packaging apparatus (1) characterized in that
   the feeder (50) comprises a track switch (30), with which track switch (30) a selective transfer of flat packaging blanks (7), preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard, from the at least one provision (11) to at least one specific selected feeding section (16, 28) for introducing flat packaging blanks (7), preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard, to a respective section (6, 8) of the transport path assigned to the specific selected feeding section (16, 28) can be effected.
2. Packaging device according to claim 1, comprising at least one circumferential transport means with a plurality of pushing and/or folding elements (27) for the individual articles (5), the assemblies (3) of articles (5) and/or the flat packaging blanks (7), which are preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard, arranged thereon, wherein the at least one circumferential transport means with its plurality of pushing and/or folding elements (27) is arranged between the different and spaced-apart sections (6, 8) of the transport path.
3. Packaging device according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising at least one transfer plate (32) arranged between the different and spaced-apart sections (6, 8) as well as a plurality of conveying elements, which can be moved in a circumferential manner within the region of the transfer plate (32) and which are preferably formed from pushing beams, which plurality of conveying elements are designed to abut against the rear of the individual articles (5) or assemblies (3) of articles (5) in order to provide for a sliding movement of the individual articles (5) or assemblies (3) of articles (5) along the transfer plate (32).
4. Packaging device according to claim 2 and claim 3, in which a specific region of the transport path of the individual articles (5) or assemblies (3) of articles (5), which region is provided between the different and spaced-apart sections (6, 8), can be modified for a first packaging process and a second packaging process, wherein

   a) in the context of the first packaging process the packaging device is designed without a transfer plate (32) inserted between the different and spaced-apart sections (6, 8), the packaging device being designed for erecting flaps of the flat packaging blanks (7), which packaging blanks (7) are preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard, by means of the plurality of pushing and/or folding elements (27), and wherein

   b) for the second packaging process, the transfer plate (32) is introduced into the specific region of the transport path provided between the different and spaced-apart sections (6, 8), over which transfer plate (32) the individual articles (5) or assemblies (3) of articles (5) can be moved within the second packaging process in a sliding manner by means of the plurality of conveying elements with rear-side abutment on the individual articles (5) or assemblies (3) of articles (5) without an erection of flaps of the flat packaging blanks (7), which are preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard.
5. Packaging device according to one of the claims 1 to 4, comprising at least one horizontal conveying device (13) designed as an infeed (15), with one of the different and spaced-apart sections (6, 8) being interposed between the horizontal conveying device (13) designed as an infeed (15) and the at least one circumferential transport means.
6. Packaging device according to one of the claims 1 to 5, in which the track switch (30) is designed as a mechanical setting unit, by means of which flat packaging blanks (7), which are preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard, can be passed selectively onto the first feeding section (16) or the second feeding section (28).
7. Packaging device according to one of the claims 1 to 6, comprising a control unit (S) connected to the track switch (30), the control unit (S) being designed to receive information about a type of flat packaging blanks (7), which packaging blanks (7) are presented as a stack (9) by a respective one of the at least one provision (11), which flat packaging blanks (7) are preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard, the control unit (S), taking into account the information, selecting the at least one specific feeding section (16, 28) from the plurality of feeding sections and controlling the track switch (30) to pass on the respective flat packaging blanks (7) from the respective at least one provision (11) to the at least one specific feeding section (16, 28) selected from the plurality of feeding sections (16, 28).
8. Packaging device according to one of the claims 1 to 7, in which a device (20) for applying flat thermoplastic packaging material to the respective individual articles (5) or assemblies (3) of articles (5) is arranged downstream of the different and spaced-apart sections (6, 8) of the transport path, and comprising a shrink tunnel (40), which along the transport path is arranged downstream of the device (20) for applying the flat thermoplastic packaging material and via which shrink tunnel (40) the flat thermoplastic packaging material, which is applied to a respective individual article (5) or a respective assembly (3) of articles (5), can be shrunk onto the respective individual article (5) or the respective assembly (3) of articles (5).
9. Method for placing individual articles (5) or assemblies (3) of articles (5) on flat packaging blanks (7), which packaging blanks (7) are preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard, the method comprising the following steps:

   - moving individual articles (5) or assemblies (3) of articles (5) along a packaging route (VS),

   - introducing flat packaging blanks (7), preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard, into a transport path of the individual articles (5) or the assemblies (3) of articles (5) being moved along the packaging route (VS), as a result of which the individual articles (5) or assemblies (3) of articles (5) advance onto a respective flat packaging blank (7), which packaging blank (7) is introduced into the transport path and which packaging blank (7) is preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard, wherein

   - a plurality of spaced-apart sections (6, 8) are provided along the transport path, via which spaced-apart sections (6, 8) packaging blanks (7), each formed from cardboard and/or paperboard, can be introduced into the transport path of the individual articles (5) or the assemblies (3) of articles (5) via a feeding section (16, 28), which feeding section (28) is assigned to a respective section (6, 8), wherein

   - taking into account a packaging process adapted to the type of the respective flat packaging blank (7), which is to be introduced into the transport path and which is preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard, at least one specific feeding section (16, 28) of several feeding sections (16, 28) is selected and the flat packaging blanks (7), which are preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard, are introduced into the transport path of the individual articles (5) or assemblies (3) of articles (5) via the respective at least one selected specific feeding section (16, 28) and its respectively assigned section (6, 8), the process being characterized in that

   - by means of a track switch (30) a selective transfer of the flat packaging blanks (7) to the at least one selected feeding section (16, 28) from the several feeding sections (16, 28) is predetermined, which packaging blanks (7) are being presented in stacked form via a provision (11) and which are preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard.
10. Method according to claim 9, in which

    - in the context of at least one first packaging process, flat packaging blanks (7), preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard, are introduced into the transport path of the individual articles (5) or assemblies (3) of articles (5) via at least one first selected specific feeding section (16) via the respective section (6) assigned to the at least one first specific selected feeding section (16, 28), whereupon

    - the individual articles (5) or assemblies (3) of articles (5) advance onto a respective packaging blank (7), which has been introduced into the transport path via the at least one first specific selected feeding section (16) and the respective section (6) associated with the first specific selected feeding section (16), and which is preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard, and whereupon following in time

    - lateral front and/or rear flaps of the respective packaging blank (7), which is formed from cardboard and/or paperboard, are erected while continuously moving the respective packaging blank (7) with an individual article (5) placed thereon or with an assembly (3) of articles (5) placed thereon.
11. Method according to claim 10, in which

    - in the context of at least one second packaging process, flat packaging blanks (7), preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard, are introduced into the transport path of the individual articles (5) or assemblies (3) of articles (5) via at least one second specific selected feeding section (28) via the respective section (8) assigned to the at least one second specific feeding section (28), which section (8) associated with the at least one second specific selected feeding section (28) succeeds a zone of the packaging route (VS) along the transport path of the individual articles (5) or assemblies (3) of articles (5), which is provided for erecting the lateral flaps, wherein

    - the individual articles (5) or assemblies (3) of articles (5) advance onto a respective packaging blank (7), which is introduced into the transport path via the at least one second specific selected feeding section (28) and the respective section (8) which is associated with the second specific selected feeding section (28), and which packaging blank (7) is preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard, and wherein

    - the zone of the packaging route (VS) provided for erecting the lateral flaps is modified for the second packaging process in order to transport the individual articles (5) or assemblies (3) of articles (5) without a respective packaging blank (7), which respective packaging blank (7) is preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard.
12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, in which thermoplastic packaging material is applied to the individual articles (5) or assemblies (3) of articles (5) following their advancement onto their respective packaging blank (7), which packaging blank (7) is preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard, and in which the thermoplastic packaging material is being shrunk onto the respective individual articles (5) or assemblies (3) of articles (5) by means of temperature application.
13. Method according to claim 11, in which, in the context of the modification for the transport of the individual articles (5) or assemblies (3) of articles (5) without a respective packaging blank (7), which packaging blank (7) is preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard, a transfer plate (32) is introduced into the zone previously provided for erecting the lateral flaps, along which transfer plate (32) the individual articles (5) or assemblies (3) of articles (5) are pushed in a sliding manner in surface contact with the transfer plate (32) during the second packaging process.
14. Method according to one of the claims 9 to 13 in which the track switch (30) is designed as a mechanical setting unit, by means of which a transfer of flat packaging blanks (7), preferably formed from cardboard and/or paperboard, to the first feeding section (16) or the second feeding section (28) is selectively predetermined.

Images