EP3405401B1 - Method for packaging articles or piece goods, stretch packages produced using a method of this type, ordered assembly of multiple stretch packages of this type, and device for producing ordered assemblies of this type - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for packaging articles or piece goods and / or for grouping the articles or piece goods to form bundles by multilayer, helical wrapping of the articles or piece goods and / or the groupings transported in an article or piece goods flow in a conveying direction a longitudinal axis running through the flow of articles or piece goods by means of stretchable film applied under tension with the features of independent claim 1. The invention also relates to an ordered assembly of several stretch packs with the features of claim 10. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for producing such ordered assemblies with the features of claim 13.

In the case of grouping and assembling articles into bundles, for example beverage containers or the like, in practice these are often held together by shrink film in order to prevent them from slipping or coming loose from the assembly during further handling or during transport. Containers of this type, which can comprise, for example, four, six or more containers or bottles made of PET plastic, serve in particular as easy-to-handle sales units for end users. The containers wrapped with the shrinkable film must be subjected to a heat treatment, which only gives the containers the mechanical stability necessary for handling, stacking or palletizing.

Last but not least, heat treatment in the manufacture of shrink containers requires a relatively high amount of energy, so other packaging methods are also used to produce containers from several articles or containers held together, such as so-called stretch film or stretch film containers. In these containers, very thin, stretchable plastic films with film thicknesses in the range of approx. 10 µm are wrapped one or more times around the article or container groupings and these are combined and stabilized in this way. Since these stretch film or Stretch film containers with very thin, yet sufficiently stable films are formed, the film consumption can be significantly reduced compared to a conventional shrink film container, which can also significantly reduce the film consumption costs and energy costs due to the elimination of the heat treatment.

Various methods and devices for producing such so-called stretch film containers are known from the prior art, for example from DE 31 19 657 A1 , which describes a packaging machine and a packaging method for producing packaging units by wrapping the packaging material with a stretch film. The elasticity of the stretched plastic film is intended to hold the packaged parts of the packaged goods under higher tension than, for example, a shrink pack. The packaging material is wrapped in a rotating packaging device to form a packaging unit with several layers of the stretched film web.

A similar process for the production of packages or containers packed with film, in which a package or container is conveyed by a winding device and is thereby enveloped by a film tube formed by helically winding the film, is also from the DE 34 01 217 A1 known.

Various conveyor devices to ensure trouble-free conveyance of the packaged goods or containers during wrapping with the stretch film are, for example, from the EP 0 141 351 A1 , from the EP 1 431 185 A1 , from the WO 90/09316 A as well as from the WO 2015/040 565 A2 known.

In the known methods and packaging systems for the production of stretch films or stretch film packagings, the endlessly conveyed film packagings are normally severed at defined points, for example by means of a heating wire which is passed vertically through the film packagings between successive pairs of containers, so that it has one container with four, separates six or eight containers, which retains the desired mechanical stability despite the partially open end faces. Such a system is from the WO2015 / 040565 A2 known which discloses the preamble of the independent claims. However, the known methods and packaging machines are set to defined container sizes.

However, in the interest of greater variability in the formation of larger packaging units and / or the subsequent palletizing, it would be desirable to have different container sizes without having to change over the Packaging machine and to be able to intervene in the packaging process. For this reason, the primary aim of the present invention is to provide a universal packaging method with a high degree of automation for the production of stretch film or stretch film containers, in which different container sizes can be formed as required. In addition, an object of the invention is to form corresponding packaging units, pallet layers and / or stacking units which consist of containers of the same or different sizes produced in this way.

These objects of the invention are achieved with the subject matter of the independent claims. Features of advantageous developments of the invention result from the dependent claims.

To achieve the above object, the present invention proposes a method for packaging articles or piece goods and for grouping the articles or piece goods with the features of independent claim 1. The method according to the invention is used to form containers which are produced by multilayer wrapping of the articles or piece goods transported in an article or piece goods flow in a conveying direction and / or the groupings about a longitudinal axis running through the article or piece goods flow by means of stretchable film applied under tension , Optionally, the film can be applied helically. The multi-layer wrapping of the articles or piece goods forms an endlessly moving film packaging of the article, piece goods or containers, which perforations are provided in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and between successive articles, piece goods, containers or article, piece goods or pairs of containers or groups of several articles, piece goods or containers transported next to one another is cut to form containers which are transported one after the other. The separate containers can then be sorted in downstream transport and / or handling stations, put together in layers, palletized and / or stacked. The method provides that, before or during the further treatment of the containers, the film packaging for separating containers of variable size or of containers with a variable number of articles, piece goods or containers combined by means of film is cut at respectively defined and / or variable intervals from preceding separation points becomes.

The method according to the invention thus makes it possible to continuously produce different pack formations alternately in a stretch pack machine. Thus, depending on requirements, different container sizes can be produced without any changeover processes, e.g. two-pack, four-pack, six-pack, eight pack, etc. Containers with two, four, six, eight or more items in pairs next to each other. In this way, there is also the possibility of bringing mixed container sizes in a common layer arrangement and thus forming pallet layers from different container sizes and then stacking them. Optionally, three or more articles can also be transported and wrapped side by side in order to form much larger formations, e.g. 3x3, 3x4, 3x5 formations etc. It is also conceivable, for example, 4x4 or 4x5 Formations or even larger formations in the manner described.

If there is talk of articles or piece goods in the present context, this can be, for example, containers, beverage containers, PET containers or the like. In principle, however, the method according to the invention is suitable for producing stretch packs from almost any articles which are held together by wrapping them with stretchable film. In particular, an extensible stretch film or stretch film can be used for the process, which can have a typical film thickness in the order of magnitude of approximately 10 μm. The film can stretch when the winding is applied, the stretch typically being less than 20% of the length of the relaxed film.

If the manufacture of the helical winding around the articles or piece goods or containers is mentioned, this can mean, in particular, a so-called cross-winding, in which the helical windings are applied in at least two crossing layers around the articles or piece goods.

In the method according to the invention, the articles or piece goods are normally conveyed in an inlet with at least two parallel rows to a wrapping station for applying the film packaging. The supply of articles or piece goods, which typically takes place in two parallel rows, is transported on a horizontal conveyor device such as, for example, a mat chain conveyor or the like.

The process also provides that the flow of articles or general cargo wrapped in film is perforated at defined points. For example, a circumferential perforation can be applied in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the article flow or piece goods flow after each article pair or piece goods pair, optionally also after every second or third or fourth article or piece goods pair. A variably placeable perforation after a different number of passed article or piece goods pairs is also conceivable. The perforation provided in this way makes it possible to separate the article or piece goods flow wrapped in film after every second, third, fourth etc. article pair and thus to produce the desired container sizes.

The flow of articles or general cargo is separated at the perforations, and the desired container size can be achieved by tearing open the corresponding perforations.

This opening takes place in that the article or piece goods flow wrapped in film is pulled apart by means of suitable handling devices and / or gripping elements, for example by means of robots, portal gripper systems or the like, which intervene in the article flow, which is transported, for example, on a horizontal conveyor device. For example, a handling device equipped with suitable gripping elements produces the containers by means of pulling movements by separating the corresponding groups of containers at their perforations.

Furthermore, the method according to the invention can provide that the separated containers are further processed and conveyed in a turning and / or distribution station. Alternatively, the separate containers can also be transported to a palletizing station. The containers of different sizes can be pushed together to form palletizable and stackable layers, whereby the variable and, if necessary, different container sizes make it possible to create complete layer images and / or to generate layer images with different container arrangements, which is also referred to as composite layer formation.

Optionally, the method can also provide that all or individual containers are matched in their respective lengths to the dimensions of a pallet. For example, the containers formed by separating the endless stream of articles can be exactly as long as a long or short side of a pallet on which the respective container is placed. Several such similar containers can then be placed next to each other on a pallet, whereby a complete palletizable and stackable container layer is formed. It is possible either to separate the containers into smaller units before palletizing, or to palletize the containers in lengths that correspond to the dimensions of the pallets. The containers are therefore not separated, but palletized in this form, even if they are perforated at smaller intervals, so that the end customer can separate them into the desired container size.

The method according to the invention offers, inter alia, the advantage of a material saving of up to 50 percent or more in the film to be used, which also saves costs. The elimination of the shrink tunnel and the thermal energy to be applied in this way significantly reduces energy costs. The lower film consumption also lowers the costs for packaging disposal.

The packaging machines to be used for the process enable a modular structure, so that flexible adaptation to increasing capacity requirements is possible. The composite layers produced using the process offer high container and pallet stability. Due to its ability to continuously produce different pack formations alternately in the stretch pack machine (2, 4, 6, 8 or larger double-row formations), the process can be used particularly flexibly. The ability to palletize mixed container sizes per layer increases flexibility and can adapt the process to different customer requirements.

The method makes it possible to generate longer pack formations, possibly even endless formations, each with two articles or containers next to one another and a large number of articles or containers one behind the other, which are then sent directly to the loader or palletizer. These longer pack formations can optionally be as long as the long or short side of a pallet. After this Grouping these containers on the pre-grouping can be tailored to smaller units or separated from one another as required for the customer. In this way, for example, 2x1, 2x2, 2x3 ... containers can be created.

As an alternative to this, it is also possible to perforate the longer or endless container formations at the outlet of the stretch pack machine after each pair of containers and then, for example, in the area of a regrouping by means of grippers to separate them into different smaller units. The grippers in the area of the grouping station can perform pulling movements in order to separate the respective groups of containers at their perforations.

It is also conceivable to perforate the longer or endless container formations at the outlet of the stretch pack machine after each pair of containers and to bring them to a length that corresponds to a long or short side of a pallet. These bundle strands can then be palletized on the pallet without being separated into individual bundles. They can then be separated into smaller units at the retail outlet, or the end customer separates the number of pairs of containers from the bundle of bundles that he wants to buy.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned aim of the invention, this also proposes an orderly combination of several stretch packs, which were produced with a method according to one of the previously described process variants by separating them from an endless film packaging, the packs of the same or different sizes being largely uninterrupted on a pallet are arranged. These so-called composite layers enable an optimal packing density on a pallet, whereby the containers of variable size and composition can be easily manufactured in the ongoing packaging operation without any conversion measures being necessary. In the orderly arrangement, several packs of the same or different sizes, each in the same or different orientation to one another, can be arranged largely without gaps on the pallet, ie the packs can be rotated by 90 ° or 270 ° as required his. The invention thus also encompasses loaded pallets made up of a plurality of pack layers, each of which is formed by a number of such ordered combinations.

The compilation and the implementation of the method mentioned at the outset can be carried out using a device which comprises the components of claim 13.

The arrangement for applying the perforation after the film has been applied can optionally be used in a continuous operation or in a cyclical operation of the device.

• Fig. 1 zeigt eine schematische Ansicht einer Stretchpackmaschine zur Herstellung von Stretchgebinden variabler Größe.
• Fig. 2 zeigt in insgesamt vier schematischen Ansichten (Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B, Fig. 2C und Fig. 2D) einen mit Folie verpackten Artikelstrom, der in Gebinde unterschiedlicher Größe auftrennbar ist.
• Fig. 3 zeigt in zwei schematischen Ansichten (Fig. 3A und Fig. 3B) eine beispielhafte Zusammenstellung mehrerer unterschiedlicher Gebinde, die sich lückenlos auf einer Palette anordnen lassen.

In the following, exemplary embodiments are intended to explain the invention and its advantages with reference to the attached figures. The size ratios of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the real 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 view of a stretch pack machine for producing stretch packs of variable size.
• Fig. 2 shows a total of four schematic views ( 2A, 2B . Figures 2C and 2D ) a stream of items packed with foil that can be separated into containers of different sizes.
• Fig. 3 shows in two schematic views ( Figure 3A and Figure 3B ) an exemplary compilation of several different containers that can be arranged on a pallet without gaps.

Identical reference numerals are used for elements of the invention which are the same or have the same effect. 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 method according to the invention and the layer arrangement according to the invention can be configured from a plurality of containers and do not represent a final limitation.

The schematic top view of the Fig. 1 shows a section of a packaging machine or a so-called stretch pack machine 10, which is used for packaging articles or piece goods, such as beverage containers 12, which are used as article or piece goods flow 14 in a two-lane inflow by means of a first horizontal conveyor 16 such as a conveyor belt, a Mat chain conveyor or the like is conveyed in the conveying direction 18 to a first winding module 20 and is wrapped there with at least one layer of a stretchable film, a so-called stretch film. The stretch film is wound in a known manner in a helical manner around the articles or beverage containers 12 conveyed in pairs next to one another, sufficient tension of the film ensuring the firm mechanical cohesion of the article or piece goods flow 14. In order to ensure the trouble-free transport of the article or piece goods flow 14 in the first winding module 20 in the conveying direction 18, circumferential feed belts (not shown) can act laterally on the article or piece goods flow 14, which convey the containers 12 through the first winding module 20 while the containers 12 are wrapped at the same time. In the first winding module 20, the containers 12 can typically slide on a lower sliding plate, which is also wrapped. In the further course of the conveyance, however, the already wrapped article or piece goods flow 14 is pulled over the slide plate, the stretch film also coming into contact with the underside of the containers 12 after leaving the slide plate due to its pretension.

A first feed module 22 arranged downstream of the first winding module 20 ensures the further transport of the article or piece goods flow 14 which has already been wrapped with at least one layer of stretch film, typically by means of upper and lower feed belts or feed belts, which pass endlessly over the length of the first feed module 22 - Rotate and undersides of the article or general cargo flow 14 and ensure its further transport to the subsequent second winding module 24. The lateral guidance can take over, for example, suitable guide rails which support the article or piece goods flow 14 on the left and right and guide them laterally.

Conveyed further in the conveying direction 18, the article or piece goods flow 14 then passes through a second winding module 24, where at least a second layer of the stretch film is wound helically around the article or piece goods flow 14, expediently at a different winding angle than in the first winding module 20 The second feed module 26, which is arranged downstream of the second winding module 24, in turn ensures the further transport of the article or piece goods stream 14 now wrapped with several layers of stretch film, typically also by means of upper and lower feed belts or feed belts, which are endless over the length of the second feed module 26 - Rotate and undersides of the article or piece goods flow 14 and ensure its onward transport to the subsequent second horizontal conveyor 28. The lateral guidance in the second feed module 26 can in turn preferably take over suitable guide rails which support the article or piece goods flow 14 on the left and right and guide them laterally.

With the transport on the second horizontal conveying device 28, a multilayer helically wrapped with stretch film and initially endlessly moving in the conveying direction 18 is formed with the wrapped containers 12, which are subsequently provided with perforations in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the conveying direction 18 and / or between successive containers 12 or pairs of containers or groups of a plurality of containers 12 transported next to one another, forming packages 32 transported one after the other. Subsequently, the separate containers 32 are sorted in downstream transport and / or handling stations 34, put together in layers, palletized and / or stacked. The method provides that before or during the further treatment of the containers 32, the film packaging 30 for the separation of containers 32 of variable size or of containers 32 with a variable number of containers 12 combined by means of film, in each case defined and / or variable distances from preceding separation points is severed.

The severing of the film packaging 30, which moves endlessly on the second horizontal conveyor 28, can be performed in particular in the FIGS Fig. 1 only indicated first and / or second cutting modules 36, 38, which are arranged downstream of the second feed module 26 in the conveying direction 18. There, the containers 32 can be specified in the desired size by attaching the perforations mentioned or can be produced by cutting the film packaging 30. The opening of the film packaging 30 and the production of the container 32 by pulling the film packaging 30 apart at the perforation points can optionally also be carried out in the transport and / or handling station 34, optionally with suitable gripping devices with which the containers 32 can be separated one after the other from the endlessly conveyed film packaging 30.

As the schematic top views of the Fig. 2 indicate, the method according to the invention thus allows different pack formations to be produced continuously alternately in the stretch pack machine 10. Thus, depending on requirements, different container sizes can be produced without any changeover processes, for example two-packs, four-packs, six-packs, eight-packs, etc., ie packs 32 with two, four, six, eight or more containers 12 standing side by side in pairs the possibility of arranging mixed container sizes in a common layer arrangement, thus forming pallet layers from different container sizes and then stacking them.

If there is talk of articles or piece goods in the present context, this can in particular be the mentioned containers 12, beverage containers, PET containers or the like. In principle, however, the method according to the invention is suitable for producing stretch packs 32 from almost any articles which are held together by wrapping them with stretchable film. In particular, an extensible stretch film or stretch film can be used for the process, which can have a typical film thickness in the order of magnitude of approximately 10 μm. When the winding is applied, the film can stretch, the stretch typically being less than 20% of the length of the relaxed film. If the manufacture of the helical winding around the article or piece goods or container 12 is mentioned, this can mean, in particular, a so-called cross-winding, in which the spiral formations in at least two crossing layers around the article or piece goods or container 12 are applied.

Like it Figure 2A In the method according to the invention, the containers 12 are conveyed in an inlet with at least two parallel rows to a wrapping station for applying the film packaging 30. The film 40 wrapped around the container 12 is only indicated here. The film 40 envelops the containers 12 in such a way that a film packaging 30 conveyed endlessly in the conveying direction 18 is formed. In this film packaging 30, circumferential perforations 42 are made in one of the cutting modules 36, 38 or optionally in both cutting modules 36 and 38 Figure 2B are each indicated by arrows. The perforations 42 each run in planes perpendicular to the conveying direction 18 and can optionally be placed between each pair of consecutive containers 12 as shown in FIG Figure 2B exemplified. However, depending on the expediency, the perforations 42 can also be applied after two, three, four or more pairs of containers.

The endless film packaging 30 is then separated at the perforations 42, as a result of which individual containers 32 of variable size and number of containers can be formed. The Figure 2C shows, for example, the division of the film packaging 30 ( 2A, 2B ) in several four-pack 44 and six-pack 46. In the four-pack 44 there are four containers 12 in a 2x2 arrangement, while in the six-pack 46 there are a total of six containers 12 in a 2x3 arrangement. The containers 12 in the containers 32, 44, 46 are further held together by the film 40, which, although separated at the perforations 42 between the containers 32, remains mechanically stabilizing.

The schematic view of the Figure 2D uses tens of containers 48, in which the containers 12 are combined in 2x5 rectangular arrangements, to show that the containers 32, 48 can be brought into almost any formations and size combinations as required.

The Figures 3A and 3B illustrate, for example, a pallet 50 with containers 32 placed thereon without gaps, the containers 32 each having different sizes and combinations. The Figure 3A shows an exemplary arrangement of the containers 32, which are formed by four containers 44, by six containers 46 and by tens containers 48, while the Figure 3B schematically illustrates their possible arrangement on the pallet 50, so that there are no gaps between the containers 32, 44, 46 and 48. Of course, numerous other arrangements are also conceivable, which can also lead to complete palletizing.

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.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Packing machine, stretch packing machine

12

container

14

Article flow, general cargo flow, article or general cargo flow

16

first horizontal conveyor

18

conveying direction

20

first winding module

22

first feed module

24

second winding module

26

second feed module

28

second horizontal conveyor

30

Foil packaging, endless film packaging

32

container

34

Transport and / or handling station

36

first cutting module

38

second cutting module

40

Foil, stretch film, stretch film

42

Perforation, circumferential perforation

44

Four-pack, 2x2 pack

46

Six pack, 2x3 pack

48

Pack of tens, 2x5 packs

50

palette

Claims (14)

1. A method for packaging articles, piece goods, or containers (12) and for grouping the articles, piece goods, or containers (12) to form bundles (32, 44, 46, 48) by way of wrapping the articles, piece goods, or containers (12) and/or the groupings, which are transported in a conveying direction (18) in an article flow or piece goods flow (14), into multiple layers of an elastic film (40) about a longitudinal axis extending through the article flow or piece goods flow (14), with the elastic film (40) being applied under tension, whereof a film packaging (30) for the articles, piece goods, or containers (12) is formed, the film packaging (30) moving continuously in conveying direction (18), with the film packaging (30) being severed in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis between consecutive articles, piece goods, containers (12), or, as applicable, between article pairs, piece good pairs, or container pairs, or between groups of a plurality of articles, piece goods, or containers (12) that are being conveyed next to each other, thereby forming bundles (32, 44, 46, 48) that are conveyed one after the other, wherein the film packaging (30) is severed at in each instance specified and/or variable spacings to preceding separating locations for the purpose of separating bundles (32, 44, 46, 48) of variable sizes or bundles (32, 44, 46, 48), as applicable, with a variable number of articles, piece goods, or containers (12) gathered together by means of film (40), wherein the separation of the film-(40)-wrapped article flow or piece goods flow (14) is carried out by way of pulling it apart by means of a handling device (34) and gripping elements, characterised in that the film-(40)-wrapped article flow or piece goods flow (14) moving continuously in conveying direction is provided with perforations (42) at specified locations and in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis subsequently to the film packaging (30) having been formed, and in that the handling device (34) that is equipped with gripping elements produces the bundles (32, 44, 46, 48) by means of pulling movements by separating the corresponding bundle groups along their perforations (42) from the film packaging (30), and further characterised in that the bundles (32, 44, 46, 48) that have been separated from each other are sorted, assembled into layers, palletised, and/or stacked in transport stations and/or in handling stations (34) disposed downstream.
2. The method according to claim 1, in which the articles, piece goods, or containers (12) are conveyed in an infeed with at least two parallel rows to at least one wrapping module (20, 24) for applying the film (40) to said articles, piece goods, or containers (12) and for producing the film packaging (30).
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, in which the film-(40)-wrapped article flow or piece goods flow (14) is perforated after every second, third, fourth, or further article pair, piece good pair, or container pair subsequently to the film packaging (30) having been formed.
4. The method according to one of the claims 1 to 3, in which the separation of the film-(40)-wrapped article flow or piece goods flow (14) is carried out by way of tearing it apart at the perforations (42).
5. The method according to one of the claims 1 to 4, in which the separated bundles (32, 44, 46, 48) are further treated and further conveyed in a turning station and/or in a distribution station.
6. The method according to one of the claims 1 to 5, in which the separated bundles (32, 44, 46, 48) are conveyed to a palletising station.
7. The method according to one of the claims 1 to 6, in which each bundle (32, 44, 46, 48) is adapted in its length to the dimensions of a pallet (50), wherein the bundle (32, 44, 46, 48) is, in particular, as long as a longitudinal side or as long as a transverse side of the pallet (50).
8. The method according to one of the claims 1 to 7, in which bundles (32, 44, 46, 48) of the same size or of different sizes are arranged largely without gaps on a pallet (50).
9. The method according to claim 8, in which the bundles (32, 44, 46, 48) are palletised in interlocking layers.
10. An ordered assembly of a plurality of stretch-wrapped bundles (32, 44, 46, 48) having been produced with a method according to one of the claims 1 to 9 by separation from a continuous film packaging (30), wherein the bundles (32, 44, 46, 48) of the same size or of different sizes are arranged largely without gaps on a pallet (50).
11. The ordered assembly according to claim 10, in which a plurality of bundles (32, 44, 46, 48) of the same size or of different sizes are arranged largely without gaps, in each instance in the same alignment or in different alignments to each other on the pallet (50).
12. A pallet (50) that is loaded with a plurality of bundle layers that are each formed by ordered assemblies according to claim 10 or 11.
13. An apparatus (10) for producing an ordered assembly according to claim 10 or 11 and/or for forming a loaded pallet according to claim 12, in particular by means of a method according to one of the claims 1 to 9, with the apparatus (10) comprising at least the following components:

    - at least one wrapping module (20, 24) for wrapping the articles, piece goods, or containers (12) being transported in a conveying direction (18) in an article flow or piece goods flow (14) into a film (40) for forming a film packaging (30) moving continuously in conveying direction (18);

    - at least one transport apparatus (16) or at least one feed module (22, 26) for transporting the article flow or piece goods flow (14) through the at least one wrapping module (20, 24);

    - at least one handling device (34) equipped with gripping elements for the separation of the film-wrapped article flow or piece goods flow (14);
    characterised by

    - at least one perforating device for perforating the film (40) in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the article flow and piece goods flow (14), wherein said perforating device is disposed in transport direction of the film (40) downstream of the location of applying the film (40) onto the article flow and piece goods flow (14); and further characterised in that the handling device (34) is equipped in such a manner that the separation of a film-(40)-wrapped article flow or piece goods flow (14) can be carried out by way of pulling it apart and by means of pulling movements by separating the corresponding bundle groups from the film packaging (30) at their perforations (42); and further characterised in that the bundles that have been separated from each other are sortable, assemblable into layers, palletisable, and/or stackable in transport stations and/or in handling stations (34) disposed downstream.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13, with the perforating device being operable in a cyclic operation of the apparatus (10) or in a continuous operation of the apparatus (10).

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