EP3877269A1

EP3877269A1 - Device and method for attaching carrying handles to packaging means or groups of packaging means

Info

Publication number: EP3877269A1
Application number: EP19773390.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Nitsch; Stefan VAN HEUKELUM; Stefan Wagner
Original assignee: KHS GmbH
Current assignee: KHS GmbH
Priority date: 2018-11-07
Filing date: 2019-09-18
Publication date: 2021-09-15
Also published as: WO2020094281A1; CN112969645A; CN112969645B; DE102018127757A1; US11753199B2; US20210362899A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for attaching carrying handles to packaging means or groups of packaging means. According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a device for attaching carrying handles to packaging means or groups of packaging means, wherein the carrying handle is preferably designed as a self-adhesive carrying handle. For this purpose, the device comprises a motor-driven carrying handle applicator unit which can be driven, mounted rotatably about a horizontal axis of rotation transverse to the transport direction, above the transport device. The carrying handle applicator unit has at least three applicator arms oriented radially relative to the axis of rotation, each of which extend along a longitudinal axis that intersects and is oriented away from the axis of rotation and on each of which at least one holding and/or pressing device and a cutting tool are designed so that an endless belt provided at least in sections with an adhesive layer can be conveyed over a packaging means or a group of packaging means, a carrying handle having an adhesive section at each free end can be detached from said endless belt, and the carrying handle thus formed can be applied to, in particular pressed onto, the packaging means or the group of packaging means. According to the invention, each holding and/or pressing device has at least one suction area for at least temporarily holding and/or guiding, by means of a vacuum which can be generated at least temporarily, the endless belt and the carrying handle separated therefrom. The present invention is characterised in particular in that the at least one suction area of each holding and/or pressing device of the corresponding applicator arm is designed to be displaceable along the associated longitudinal axis by means of a displacement device.

Description

Device and method for applying

Carrying handles on packaging or packaging groups

The invention relates to a device for attaching handles to packaging or groups of packaging. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for attaching handles to packaging or groups of packaging.

Today, all types of goods are usually packed in packaging or offered in packaging to simplify transport, to secure the goods themselves against damage or loss and to improve and thus promote sales.

Individually packaged goods, such as Bottled drinks, combined into larger packaging groups or containers. These are then e.g. put together in so-called tray packs. Here, e.g. six bottles joined together by means of a cardboard bottom and a shrink film to form a mechanically stable sales unit. Furthermore, it is also known to join bottles or other containers to form a packaging unit in that the containers are glued to one another using at least one adhesive.

In order to increase customer benefit, many market participants consider it advantageous if all of the packaging material groups described above are or can be provided with a handle.

In the following, all packaging or packaging known in the art, e.g. Bottles, cans, containers etc. are called containers for the sake of simplicity.

In the majority of cases in which containers are equipped with a carrying handle, the carrying handle is a carrying tape which is self-adhesive on one side and is generally a plastic tape. While the beginning and end of this carrier tape are pressed onto one side of the container by suitable devices and thus also glued to the container, the adhesive side of the middle piece of this carrier tape is usually covered with a paper strip to ensure that a customer's fingers stick to the carrier tape to avoid and to ensure the formation of the handle in the form of a strap. Essentially two methods are used in industry for the production of such carrier tapes. In a first method, these tapes are equipped with the paper strip described above during their actual manufacturing process, so that these strips only have to be cut to length from an endless strip-shaped carrier tape material and attached within the machine which attaches the carrying handles. A disadvantage of this method is that any change in the shape of the handle, be it the total length, the length of the adhesive points or the length of the strap, results in a change of the plastic strip.

Another method uses a strip-shaped carrier tape material that is completely self-adhesive on one side. Within the machine that attaches the handles, the section of this tape that lies between the two desired adhesive points is now provided with a paper strip, the required adhesive spots remaining free at the beginning and at the end of the tape. With this procedure, since the length of the carrier tape, the position and the length of the paper strip can be easily adapted to changing requirements, frequent changing of the carrier tape material can be dispensed with, which is a great advantage in practice.

All of the statements made in connection with the carrier tape material or carrier tape apply analogously to the use of carrier tape materials that are made of other materials, such as e.g. Paper or metal, or any combination of these materials.

With regard to the machines or devices that attach the handles, several different solutions have become known in the past.

From the document DE 3715445 a device is known in which the handle is attached by a comparatively complicated arrangement of different levers and pressure rollers. It is disadvantageous that this device is essentially only suitable for packet-shaped containers, and that the carrying handle can only be adapted to a limited extent to changing container dimensions. Furthermore, from the document EP 0 560 699 A1 a device is known which has a drivable rotating plate arranged centrally around a transverse to the transport direction of the container. The radially outer ends of the turntable are each rounded and provided with two L-shaped levers as holding means for fixing the endless carrier tape material provided on one side with an adhesive layer covered in sections, and with a radially extendable cutting edge as a cutting device for separating the handle from the carrier tape material. At the beginning of the process, the rotating plate stands vertically and protrudes with a first end into the transport path of the containers, with a section of the carrying tape material corresponding to the length of the later handle being held on the side facing the containers with an adhesive layer facing outward between the two ends of the rotating plate becomes. An incoming container then hits the rotating plate with its front, which is defined in relation to the transport direction, whereby the beginning of the handle is attached to the container. The rotary plate then rotates through 180 degrees, the container simultaneously moving a certain amount, so that the rotary movement is terminated in that the second end of the rotary plate touches the back of the container. With this touch, the other end of the handle is attached to the back of the container. At the same time, the cutting device arranged in the rotating plate separates the handle from the endless carrier tape material. A disadvantage of such a device is that the implementation of the non-uniform rotational movement of the rotary plate causes a high level of control expenditure, with large drive powers also having to be provided due to the high angular accelerations required. In this device, too, the length of the handle is determined by the geometric shape of the device, so that adaptation to changed container dimensions can only be achieved by exchanging the rotating plate and extensive adjustment work.

In a further known device according to the publication DE 202 07 217 U1, the carrying handle applicator essentially consists of a three-armed rotor, the horizontal axis of rotation of which is arranged transversely to the conveying direction of the containers. Each of these rotor arms is equipped with a belt guide for the carrier tape material, a holding and / or pressing device and a cutting tool. Between the rotor arms, in the vicinity of the hub of the rotor, there is a vacuum probe, which is supposed to attract the carrier tape material without contact, so that the carrier tape material does not directly connect the ends of the rotor arms, but essentially that Inner contour of the rotor follows. The handle is actually attached by the containers running against a first rotor arm and thereby taking over the start of the handle. The containers then pass under the rotating rotor and are each provided with the other end of the handle by the subsequent rotor arm, the cutting tool located at the end of the respective rotor arm severing the strap material in accordance with the division. All components of the handle-applicator unit are fixed to a certain format, in particular length of a handle and mounting height of this handle, and coordinated with one another. A format adjustment to a different handle length and / or mounting height is associated with a modification of the handle applicator unit and is therefore time-consuming and expensive.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a device and method for attaching handles to packaging or packaging groups which is further improved compared to the prior art shown, which does not have the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular a simple format adaptation to different lengths of mounting heights of a handle enables.

This object is achieved by a device for attaching carrying handles to packaging or groups of packaging according to the features of independent patent claim 1. A corresponding method is the subject of the independent patent claim 12. The respective subclaims relate to particularly preferred embodiment variants of the invention.

According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a device for attaching carrying handles to packaging materials or groups of packaging materials, by means of which the packaging materials or packaging material groups transported on a transport device in a transport direction can each be provided with at least one carrying handle, the carrying handle preferably being designed as a self-adhesive carrying handle . For this purpose, the device comprises a motor-driven handle-applicator unit which can be driven so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation lying transversely to the direction of transport above the transport device. The carrying handle applicator unit has at least two applicator arms oriented radially to the axis of rotation, each extending along a longitudinal axis that intersects the axis of rotation and is oriented away from it, and on each of which at least one holding and / or pressing device and one Cutting tool are designed so that an endless belt provided at least in sections with an adhesive layer can be conveyed via a packaging or a group of packaging, a handle with a free-end adhesive section can be separated therefrom and the handle thus formed can be applied, in particular pressed, to the packaging or the packaging group. According to the invention, the respective holding and / or pressing device has at least one suction area for at least temporarily holding and / or guiding the endless belt and the carrying handle separated therefrom by means of a vacuum which can be generated at least temporarily. The present invention is characterized in particular in that the at least one suction area of the respective holding and / or pressing device of the corresponding applicator arm is designed to be displaceable along the associated longitudinal axis by means of a displacement device. The device according to the invention is thus particularly advantageously designed to easily adapt the format to handles of different lengths and different mounting heights of a handle, in that, due to the displaceability of the suction areas by means of the displacement device, the relative distance between two suction areas provided on adjacent applicator arms and the relative The distance between the suction areas and the transport plane can be changed and can thus be adapted to the respective length of a carrying handle received between them and / or the mounting height.

According to an advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that the respective suction area of a corresponding applicator arm is designed to be displaceable by an adjustment path between a first length and a second length by means of the displacement device.

According to a further advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that the respective holding and / or pressing device, with its at least one suction area of the corresponding applicator arm formed thereon, is designed to be displaceable along the associated longitudinal axis by means of the displacement device.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that the corresponding applicator arm each has a first arm element and a second arm element that can be displaced relative to the first arm element along the associated longitudinal axis by means of the displacement device, wherein the respective holding and / or pressing device with its at least one suction area formed thereon is assigned to the respective second arm element.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that the respective second arm element is designed to be displaceable between a retracted and / or extended position relative to the associated first arm element by means of the displacement device such that the corresponding applicator arm has the second length in its respectively retracted position and has the first length in its extended position.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that the respective second arm element is designed to be steplessly displaceable between the retracted and the extended position by means of the displacement device, so that the corresponding applicator arm can be operated in all intermediate positions between the first length and the second length.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that the displacement device has at least one angular gear device and a threaded section gear device in order to convert a rotary drive movement initiated on a drive shaft of the angular gear device into a translatory displacement movement of the respective second arm elements that can be generated by the worm gear device.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that a stop element that is variable and / or interchangeable in the vertical extension to the drive shaft and / or height above the flexion section is provided in the respective flexion section. This stop element can each have a suction device for holding and / or fixing a carrying handle by means of a negative pressure.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that the suction device provided between two applicator arms can be acted upon at least temporarily with at least one negative pressure level and / or positive pressure level depending on the position, in particular depending on the rotational position. According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that the corresponding suction device is designed to be displaceable perpendicular to the axis of rotation DA and / or parallel to the corresponding longitudinal axis by means of a further displacement device.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that the relative distance of the respective suction device to the axis of rotation DA and / or the relative distance to the suction area provided on the end face on the corresponding application arm can be set.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for attaching carrying handles to packaging materials or groups of packaging materials, in which the packaging materials or packaging material groups transported on a transport device in a transport direction are each provided with at least one self-adhesive carrying handle, one of which has an adhesive layer at least in sections provided endless belt is transported via a packaging material or a packaging material group, a handle with a free-end adhesive section is separated from it and the handle thus formed is pressed onto the packaging material or the packaging material group, and which is characterized in that the carrying handle is attached to the Packaging material or the packaging material group.

"Packaging" in the sense of the invention are also packaging or containers that are usually used in the food sector and in this case especially in the beverage sector, in particular containers such as e.g. Bottles, cans, also soft packs, for example those made from cardboard and / or plastic and / or metal foil, transport containers, e.g. B. bottle crates, etc. "groups of packaging materials" in the sense of the invention are packaging materials grouped together, for example packs of packaging materials of this type.

For the purposes of the invention, the expression “essentially” or “approximately” means deviations from the respectively exact value by +/- 10%, preferably by +/- 5% and / or deviations in the form of changes which are insignificant for the function. Further developments, advantages and possible uses of the invention also result from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. All of the features described and / or depicted, in themselves or in any combination, are fundamentally the subject of the invention, regardless of how they are summarized in the claims or their relationship. The content of the claims is also made part of the description.

Although some aspects have been described in connection with a device, it goes without saying that these aspects also represent a description of the corresponding method, so that a block or a component of a device can also be understood as a corresponding method step or as a feature of a method step . Analogously, aspects that have been described in connection with or as a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block or detail or feature of a corresponding device. Some or all of the method steps can be performed by a hardware apparatus (or using a hardware device). Apparatus) such as B. a microprocessor, a programmable computer or an electronic circuit. In some embodiments, some or more of the most important process steps can be performed by such an apparatus.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures using exemplary embodiments. Show it:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of an example

Design variant of a device according to the invention for attaching handles to packaging or groups of packaging;

2a and 2b each show a schematic view of an exemplary carrying handle applicator unit in a retracted and an extended position;

FIGS. 3a and 3b each show a functional representation of a schematic view

Sliding device of a handle-applicator unit; 4 to 7 in schematic side view an exemplary

Design variant of a device according to the invention for attaching handles to packaging or groups of packaging in different operating states;

Figures 8a and 8b in schematic side view two exemplary

Variants of a suction pad in the bend of a handle-applicator unit.

Identical reference numerals are used in the figures for identical or identically acting elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference numerals are shown in the individual figures that are necessary for the description of the respective figure. The invention is also shown in the figures only as a schematic view to explain the mode of operation. In particular, the illustrations in the figures serve only to explain the basic principle of the invention. For reasons of clarity, it was deliberately avoided to show all components of the device, since these are known from the prior art.

The device, generally designated 1 in the figures, is used for attaching carrying handles 4 in the form of carrying loops to groups of packaging 2 in the form of containers, each of which consists of a plurality of packaging 3 in the form of containers or bottles, for example a total of four packaging 3. that form two rows in packaging group 2, each with two packaging 3. The packaging means 3 are connected to one another in a suitable manner to form the packaging group 2, for example by all-round packaging in the form of a shrink film or by the packaging means 3 being held together by an adhesive application. Each packaging group 2 is provided with a carrying handle 4, which is formed by a carrying tape, which is attached with its ends on opposite sides of the packing group 2 in a suitable manner, for example by gluing, welding, etc. The carrying strap 4 forming the carrying handle for example one made of plastic.

The device 1 is arranged above a transport device 6, on which the packaging 3 or packaging groups 2, standing in a transport direction A (from left to right in the figures), move on and along a transport plane TE are each provided with at least one carrying handle 4, preferably a self-adhesive carrying handle.

For this purpose, the device 1 has a carrying handle applicator unit 7, with which the carrying handles 4 are attached to the packaging means 3 or packaging means groups 2, namely by subtracting a carrying strap length forming the respective carrying handle 4 or the carrying strap from a supply (not shown in detail) Endless, band-shaped carrier tape material which forms the carrying handle 4 by separating the length required for the respective carrying handle 4 from the carrying tape material and by connecting the two ends of the carrying tape thus formed to the respective group of packaging means 2.

More specifically, the carrying handle applicator unit 7 is motor-driven for this purpose and is in particular arranged above the transport device 6 in such a way that it is rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis of rotation DA lying transverse to the transport direction A. In particular, the axis of rotation DA is oriented transversely, preferably at right angles, to the transport direction A and parallel to the transport plane TE. In particular, the carrying handle applicator unit 7 is driven by a motor in a counterclockwise direction of rotation DR.

The carrying handle applicator unit 7 is designed to be height-adjustable by means of an adjusting device (not shown in detail) relative to the transport plane TE formed on the transport device 6, that is to say in particular it can be raised and / or lowered. In other words, the relative distance between the axis of rotation DA of the handle-applicator unit 7 and the transport plane TE can be made variable by means of the adjusting device, and thus a height adjustment of the handle-applicator unit 7 is possible.

The carrying handle applicator unit 7 also has at least two applicator arms A1, A2, A3 which are oriented radially to the axis of rotation DA and each extend along a longitudinal axis LA1, LA2, LA3 which intersects the axis of rotation DA and is oriented away from it, and on each of which at least one holding arm and / or pressing device 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 and a cutting tool 11 .1, 11 .2, 11 .3 are formed so that an endless belt of the carrier tape material provided at least in sections with an adhesive layer can be conveyed via a respective packaging 3 or a packaging group 2, thereof a carrying handle 4, each with an adhesive section on the free-end side, separable, and the one formed in this way Handle 4 can be applied to the packaging 3 or the packaging group 2, in particular can be pressed on.

In the embodiment variant shown in the figures, the carrying handle applicator unit 7 comprises three applicator arms A1, A2, A3, namely a first, a second and a third applicator arm A1, A2, A3, which are each constructed identically to one another and radially from the axis of rotation DA stretch away.

Each of the applicator arms A1, A2, A3 has the corresponding longitudinal axis LA1, LA2, LA3, along which the respective applicator arm A1, A2, A3, which is essentially rectangular in shape, extends. The respective longitudinal axes LA1, LA2, LA3 intersect in the axis of rotation DA. In particular, the applicator arms A1, A2, A3 extend at uniform or approximately uniform angular intervals around the axis of rotation DA, in the present case the corresponding longitudinal axes LA1, LA2, L3 at angular intervals of approximately 120 ° around their common intersection in the axis of rotation DA.

In addition, each rectangular applicator arm A1, A2, A3 forms a front side VS and a rear side RS on its longitudinal side surfaces that point into the drawing plane of the figures. In particular, the first applicator arm A1 has a first front side VS1 and a first rear side RS1, the second applicator arm A2 has a second front side VS2 and a second rear side RS2, and the third applicator arm A3 has a third front side VS3 and a third rear side RS3.

The respective rear side RS1, RS2, RS3 of a corresponding applicator arm A1, A2, A3 is via a flexion section 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 with a front side VS1, VS2, VS3 of an applicator arm A1, A2 which is provided adjacent to the direction of rotation DR of the carrying handle applicator unit 7 , A3 connected.

In particular, the applicator arms A1, A2, A3 each have at least the holding and / or pressing device 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 and the cutting tool 11 .1, 11 .2, 11 .3. More in detail, the first applicator arm A1 has at least one first holding and / or pressing device 10.1 and a first cutting tool 11 .1, the second applicator arm A2 has at least one second holding and / or pressing device 10.2 and a second Cutting tool 11 .2, and the third applicator arm A3 on at least a third holding and / or pressing device 10.3 and a third cutting tool 11 .3.

The respective cutting tool 11 .1, 11 .2, 11 .3 can be formed on the corresponding applicator arm A1, A2, A3 as a controlled retractable and extendable knife provided on its free end face.

Furthermore, the respective holding and / or pressing device 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 of a corresponding applicator arm A1, A2, A3 each has at least one suction area 12.1, 12.2 for at least temporarily holding and / or guiding the endless belt and the carrying handle 4 separated therefrom by means of an at least temporarily generate negative pressure.

More in detail, the respective holding and / or pressing device 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 of a corresponding applicator arm A1, A2, A3 each have two suction areas 12.1, 12.2, a respective first suction area 12.1 on the corresponding front side VS1, VS2, VS3 and one In each case, second suction area 12.2 is provided on the corresponding rear side RS1, RS2, RS3 of the holding and / or pressing device 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 formed on an associated applicator arm A1, A2, A3.

The respective first suction area 12.1 can advantageously be designed as an opening in a first plate-shaped format part 16.1 provided on the corresponding front side VS1, VS2, VS3 in the area of an associated holding and / or pressing device 10.1, 10.2, 10.3. The corresponding first format part 16.1 can be made of an elastic material, in particular of foam, and is used both for holding and / or guiding the endless belt and the handle 4 separated therefrom and for pressing the separated handle 4 onto the packaging 3 and the Packaging group 2.

The respective second suction area 12.2 can also advantageously be designed as an opening in a second plate-shaped format part 16.2 provided, in particular arranged, on the corresponding rear side RS1, RS2, RS3 in the area of an associated holding and / or pressing device 10.1, 10.2, 10.3. The corresponding second format part 16.2 can also be formed from an elastic material, in particular from foam, and serves both to hold and / or guide the Endless belt and the handle 4 separated therefrom as well as for pressing the separated handle 4 against the packaging 3 and the packaging group 2.

Furthermore, the respective holding and / or pressing device 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 of a corresponding applicator arm A1, A2, A3 each has at least one spring plate 17.1, 17.2, 17.3 on its associated rear side RS1, RS2, RS3 (shown by way of example in FIG. 5), which is arched away from the associated longitudinal axis LA1, LA2, LA3. Preferably, on the respective rear side RS1, RS2, RS3 there are in each case several, preferably three, spring plates 17.1, 17.2, 17.3 oriented parallel or substantially in their corresponding longitudinal extent parallel to one another and along the longitudinal axis LA1, LA2, LA3 on the associated applicator arm A1, A2, A3 are arranged in the region of their respective holding and / or pressing device 10.1, 10.2, 10.3. The spring plates 17.1, 17.2, 17.3 serve to absorb shock when the corresponding applicator arms A1, A2, A3 are struck against the packaging 3 or the packaging group 2, in order to protect them from damage.

In addition, in the area of the free end of a corresponding applicator arm A1, A2, A3 on its corresponding front side VS1, VS2, VS3, a respective sensor device 18.1, 18.2, 18.3 for detecting a mechanical emergence of a corresponding packaging material 3 or packaging material group 2 against a respective applicator arm A1, A2, A3 can be provided. In particular, the respective sensor device 18.1, 18.2, 18.3 can be designed as a force sensor or stop sensor, the sensor signal of which is used to control and / or regulate further rotation of the carrying handle applicator unit 7.

In addition, the carrying handle applicator unit 7 can have a further sensor device 19 with which the relative rotational position or rotational position of the individual applicator arms A1, A2, A3 can be detected. The sensor device 19 is preferably provided between the transport plane TE and the axis of rotation DA and is advantageously designed as a position sensor.

In addition, a pressure distribution arrangement 15 is provided to provide the at least temporarily producible negative pressure at the corresponding suction areas 12.1, 12.2, which is designed to provide the respective suction area 12.1, 12.2 of an associated holding and / or pressing device 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 of the corresponding applicator arm A1, A2, A3 depending on the position, in particular on the rotational position, at least temporarily to be acted upon with at least one vacuum level and / or pressure level. Under In the present case, the negative pressure level is understood to mean a pressure which is below atmospheric pressure, that is to say in particular ambient pressure. A pressure level is accordingly above atmospheric pressure.

In particular, the pressure distribution arrangement 15 is designed, at least depending on the relative position, in particular the rotational position, of the carrying handle applicator unit 7, the respective suction area 12.1, 12.2 of an associated holding and / or pressing device 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 of the corresponding applicator arm A1, A2, A3 to temporarily apply a level of negative pressure and / or positive pressure.

It is provided according to the invention that the at least one suction area 12.1, 12.2 of the respective holding and / or pressing device 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 of the corresponding applicator arm A1, A2, A3 is designed to be displaceable along the associated longitudinal axis LA1, LA2, LA3 by means of a displacement device 14 . The relative distance of the respective suction area 12.1, 12.2 along the associated longitudinal axis LA1, LA2, LA3 to the axis of rotation DA common to all applicator arms A1, A2, A3 can thus be adjusted, in particular changed, and thus the relative height of the respective suction area 12.1, 12.2 to the transport level TE on which the packaging 3 is transported.

The displacement of the at least one suction area 12.1, 12.2 by means of the displacement device 14 can be mechanically, preferably electromechanically, in particular motor-controlled and / or driven.

More in detail, the respective suction area 12.1, 12.2 of a corresponding applicator arm A1, A2, A3 can be designed to be displaceable by means of the displacement device 14 between a first length L1 and a second length L2 that is different, in particular shorter, than the first length L1. The first or second length L1, L2 is the relative distance between the free end face of a corresponding applicator arm A1, A2, A3 and the common axis of rotation DA along the respective longitudinal axis LA1, LA2, LA3. The length difference between the length L1 and L2, that is to say the distance between the first length L1 and the second length L2, corresponds to the respective adjustment path VS of a respective applicator arm A1, A2, A3. The adjustment path VS is preferably between the respective lengths L1 and L2 corresponding applicator arms A1, A2, A3 between 1 cm and 15 cm, particularly advantageously between 3 cm and 10 cm, for example at approximately 5 cm.

It can also be provided that the respective holding and / or pressing device 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 with its at least one suction area 12.1, 12.2 of the corresponding applicator arm A1, A2, A3 formed thereon by means of the displacement device 14 along the associated longitudinal axis LA1, LA2, LA3 is slidable.

For this purpose, for example, the respective applicator arm A1, A2, A3 can have a first arm element 20.1 and a second arm element 20.2, which can be displaced by means of the displacement device 14 relative to the first arm element 20.1 along the associated longitudinal axis LA1, LA2, LA3, the respective holding and / or Pressing device 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 with its at least one suction area 12.1, 12.2 formed thereon is assigned to the respective second arm element 20.2, in particular it is arranged thereon.

The respective second arm element 20.2 can be displaced between a retracted and / or extended position PE, PA relative to the corresponding first arm element 20.1 by means of the displacement device 14 in such a way that the corresponding applicator arm A1, A2, A3 in its retracted position PE has the second length L2 and in its extended position has the first length L1.

Preferably, the respective second arm element 20.2 is designed to be steplessly displaceable between the retracted and the extended position PE, PA by means of the displacement device 14, so that the corresponding applicator arm A1, A2, A3 in all intermediate lengths, i.e. Intermediate positions between the first length L1 and the second length L2 can be operated.

In more detail, the shifting device 14 can be designed, for example, to convert a rotary drive movement, which is motor-driven on a drive shaft 21 of an angular gear device 22, into a translational shifting movement of the respective second one in the figure, which is indicated by a double arrow in FIG 3b only to introduce arm elements 20.2 shown in sections between the retracted and / or the extended position PE, PA. In other words, it is by means of the displacement device 14 with the interposition of the Angular gear device 21 and the worm gear device 23 convert an initial rotary movement of the drive shaft 21 (generated by means of the angular gear device 21) into a sliding movement (generated by means of the worm gear device 23) of the respective second arm elements 20.2 of the corresponding applicator arms A1, A2, A3.

For this purpose, the displacement device 14 can have an angular gear mechanism 21 which interacts with all applicator arms A1, A2, A3 and which drives three further gearwheels 26 via a first gearwheel 25 arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the drive shaft 21, each of which rotatably and vertically oriented away from the drive shaft 21 drive shafts 27 are arranged. The drive shafts 27 in turn have along their respective longitudinal extent along the corresponding longitudinal axes LA1, LA2, LA3 on the side opposite the corresponding gear 26

Threaded section 29 of a worm gear device 23 or a spindle section which is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the corresponding drive shaft 27. By means of the corresponding threaded section 29, a sliding carriage 31 which is forcibly coupled with the corresponding second arm element 20.2 mechanically via a respective threaded nut 30 can then be displaced in translation. This is done by means of the worm gear device 23 in such a way that the rotary movement generated via the drive shaft 27 is tapped from the threaded section 29 or a spindle section arranged on the drive shaft 27 and is transmitted to the threaded nut 30 interacting with the sliding carriage 31 in such a way that the

Sliding carriage 31 together with the second arm element 20.2 arranged thereon is designed to be displaceable by the adjustment path VS. Ultimately, the displacement device 14, with the interposition of the angular gear device 21 and the worm gear device 23, converts an initial rotary movement of the drive shaft 21 into a sliding movement of the sliding carriage 31 mechanically coupled to the respective second arm elements 20.2 of the corresponding applicator arms A1, A2, A3.

As also described in detail with regard to FIGS. 3a, 3b, the rotary movement can alternatively also be initiated via an angular gear and onto a spindle

(Motion screw) are transmitted. From there, the rotary motion is converted into a via a spindle nut which is rigidly connected to a sliding carriage translational movement transferred. The bevel gear comprises a central bevel gear and at least one bevel gear per application arm.

The applicator arms A1, A2, A3 can thus be designed to be variable in length in their respective longitudinal extension along the corresponding longitudinal axis LA1, LA2, LA3 for adapting the format to different handle lengths.

8a and 8b show two improved variants of the previous embodiments, in which stop elements 35 are provided, the elevation of which above the central drive shaft, the axis of rotation and / or the side of the applicator arm and thus above the diffraction section serves as a manipulated variable for the handle length. If the locations and heights of the two ends of a handle on the containers or the wrapping film remain the same, the curvature of the handle above the container can be changed. The further the respective stop element protrudes, the less the curvature of the handle is above the container and vice versa. According to FIGS. 8a and 8b, a stop element 35 with a corresponding suction device 32 for holding and / or fixing a carrying handle 4 by means of a negative pressure can be provided in the respective bending section 13.1, 13.2, 13.2, as shown schematically on the one bending section 13.1. According to this embodiment variant, the stop element 35 with the respective suction device 32 is therefore provided in each of the flexion sections 13.1, 13.2, 13.3. For reasons of clarity, the pneumatic lines 34 are only shown here in a simple manner.

The respective suction device 32 is designed to provide the at least temporarily generated negative pressure and is connected to the pressure distribution arrangement 15 for this purpose, for example, via a hose connection (not shown in detail). In this case, the handle 4, which has already been cut to length, can be sucked into the corresponding suction device 32, ie held, by means of the suppressor.

It can also be provided that the corresponding suction device 32 is designed to be displaceable perpendicular to the axis of rotation DA and / or parallel to the corresponding longitudinal axis LA1, LA2, LA3 by means of a further displacement device 33 (indicated by double arrows in FIGS. 8a and 8b). The relative distance of the respective suction device 32 to the axis of rotation DA and / or the relative distance to the suction area 12.1, 12.2 provided on the end side on the corresponding application arm A1, A2, A3 can thus be adjusted, in particular changed.

The corresponding suction device 32 can be displaced mechanically, preferably electromechanically, in particular motor-controlled and / or regulated, by means of the further displacement device 33. For example, the further displacement device 33 can also have a pneumatic cylinder device for this purpose or can be designed like the displacement device 14 above.

In particular, it can be provided that the suction device 32 provided between two applicator arms A1, A2, A3 can be acted upon at least temporarily with at least one negative pressure level and / or positive pressure level depending on the position, in particular depending on the rotational position.

The stop element 35 can furthermore be designed purely mechanically without a pneumatic connection and / or function. In this case, one or more holding fingers can be provided, which hold the handle in contact with the stop element 35 during rotation. Furthermore, the stop element can also be designed as a format part that is not adjustable in the vertical extension to the drive shaft or applicator arm bend, but is inserted into a receiving element and is changed manually if necessary. These latter variants are not shown.

The pressure distribution arrangement 15 is preferably designed to act, at least temporarily, on the respective suction device 32, depending on the relative position, in particular the rotational position, of the carrying handle applicator unit 7 with a level of negative pressure and / or positive pressure. For this purpose, an electrically controlled valve group or multi-way valve can also be assigned to the corresponding suction device 32. Each of these valve groups or these multi-way valves is permanently connected to a corresponding source via a suction line and a high-pressure line. By means of a suitable sensor or control signal, the valve group or the multi-way valve is switched in accordance with the aforementioned exemplary embodiments in order to hold the handle 4 securely or to repel it by a pressure pulse. These Switching positions for the respective applicator arm A1, A2, A3 are shown schematically in the respective rotational position shown, shown on the right. The intermediate or transition circuits result in an analogous manner.

The respective suction device 32 is in particular designed to obtain a defined length of the carrying handle 4 by holding it in its deep position in the flexing section 13.3 with a suppressor. In addition, by means of the corresponding suction device 32, the horizontally tensioned carrying handle 4, initially introduced over the ends of the two applicator arms A1, A2, A3 correspondingly above, can be applied in the desired deep position to the corresponding flexion section 13.2,

13.2, 13.3.

By way of example, the device 1 according to the invention runs through the work cycle for attaching carrying handles 4 to packaging 3 or packaging groups 2 described in more detail below:

In the illustration shown in FIG. 1, the packaging material group 2 conveyed on the transport device 6 in the transport direction A is to be provided with a handle 4. For this purpose, the second applicator arm A2 of the carrying handle applicator unit 7 is in a vertical position in which its longitudinal axis LA2 preferably points perpendicular to the transport plane TE.

On the vertically standing second applicator arm A2 there is already a carrying handle, which has been separated from an endless belt by means of the first cutting tool 11 .1, held in the region of its free ends. This is attached to the first and second applicator arms A1 and A2 via their respective holding and / or pressing device 10.1,

10.2, held in more detail by the second suction area 12.2 of the second front side VS2 of the second applicator arm A2 and the first suction area 12.1 of the first rear side RS1 of the first applicator arm A1 by means of a first vacuum level. In order to obtain a defined length of the carrying handle 4, it is also held in the flexing section 13.3 with the suction device 32 there (by means of a suppressor) or a pivotable finger (not shown in detail). The free-end adhesive sections of the later handle 4 project as a loose end beyond the first and second applicator arms A1, A2. The self-adhesive side of the later handle 4 points in the direction of the packaged packaging group 2. This is transported via the transport device 6 in the transport direction A and abuts against the vertical second applicator arm A2 and thus against the self-adhesive free end of the on the first and second applicator arms A1, A2 carrying handle 4. This fixes the free-end adhesive section to the packaging group 3 on one side (FIG. 4).

The second suction area 12.2 of the associated second holding and / or pressing device 10.2 of the second applicator arm A2 is preferably at least during and / or after pressing on the respective free-end adhesive sections on the packaging 3 or the packaging group 2 by means of at least a second pressure level, preferably an overpressure level , acted upon. This results in a targeted detachment of the handle 4 from the second holding and / or pressing device 10.2.

At the same time, by pushing the packaging group 2 on the second applicator arm A2, a sensor signal is generated in the sensor device 18.2 and the carrying handle applicator unit 7 is rotated further in the counterclockwise direction of rotation DR (FIG. 5). In FIG. 5, the cutting tool 11 .3 is also shown for the applicator arm A3 as an example for all the application arms and also the other FIGS. 1 to 6, which can be moved linearly in the axial direction LA3 and is used to cut through the endlessly tapered carrying handles 4 when they are over the Fit the end faces of the respective application arm in tension.

The speed of rotation of the handle-applicator unit 7 is matched to the transport speed of the packaging group 2 conveyed in the transport direction A on the transport device 6 such that the first applicator arm A1 roughly reaches its orientation of its first longitudinal axis LA1 perpendicular to the transport plane TE runs upstream rear end of the packaging group 2 and the handle 4 with its free-end adhesive section is pressed onto the packaging group 3 (FIG. 6). FIG. 6 also shows, as an example of an embodiment of the device 1, the contact body 8 which can be pivoted in the direction of the double arrow SR and which carries the horizontally tensioned handle 4, which was initially introduced over the ends of the two above-mentioned applicator arms A2 and A3, into the desired deep position Diffraction section 13.2 leads, so that it detects in the suction area 12.1, 12.2 or by the respective suction device 32 and can be held. There, the handle 4 is then held in this deep position by the displaceable suction device 32 by means of suppressing (holding position). In order to detach the carrying handle 4 from the holding position, this corresponding suction device 32 can then be subjected to an overpressure at least temporarily. At each flexion section 13.1, 13.2, 13.3. at least one suction device 32 is provided, only one contact body 8 being provided and the swivel drive of which is arranged fixed on the device 1 and interacts with the carrying handle applicator unit 7. Preferably, the first suction area 12.1 of the associated first holding and / or pressing device 10.1 of the first applicator arm A1 is at least during and / or after the respective free-end adhesive sections are pressed onto the packaging 3 or the packaging group 2 by means of at least a second pressure level, preferably one Overpressure level, applied. As a result, there is also a targeted detachment of the carrying handle 4 from the first holding and / or pressing device 10.1.

The packaging group 3 provided in this way with a carrying handle 4 can then be conveyed further in the transport direction A by means of the transport device 6.

The invention has been described above using exemplary embodiments. It goes without saying that a large number of changes or modifications are possible without thereby leaving the scope of protection of the invention defined by the patent claims.

Reference symbol list

1 device

2 pack group

3 packages

4 carrying handle

6 transport device

7 Handle and applicator unit

8 contact bodies

10.1. . .10.3 Holding and / or pressing device

11 .1. ..11 .3 cutting tool

12.1. . .12.2 Suction area

13.1. . .13.3 Flexion section

14 slider

15 Pressure distributor arrangement

16.1. . .16.2 Format section

17.1. . .17.3 Spring plate

18.1. . .18.3 Sensor device

19 sensor device

20.1 ... 20.2 arm element

21 drive shaft

22 angular gear device

23 worm gear mechanism

25 first gear

26 gear

27 drive shafts

29 threaded section

30 threaded nut

31 sliding carriage

32 suction device

33 shifting device

34 Pneumatic line

35 stop element A direction of transport

A1 ... A3 applicator arm

DA axis of rotation

DR direction of rotation

TE transport level LA1. ..LA3 longitudinal axis

L1 first length

L2 second length

PE retracted position PA extended position VS1. ..VS3 front

VS adjustment path

SR swivel direction

RS1 ... RS3 rear

Claims

1. Device for attaching carrying handles (4) to packaging (3) or packaging groups (2), by means of which the packaging (3) or packaging groups (2) conveyed on a transport device (6) in a transport direction (A) each have at least one Carrying handle (4) can be provided, in particular a self-adhesive carrying handle (4), the device (1) comprising a motor-driven carrying handle applicator unit (7), which is above the transport device (6) about a horizontal axis of rotation lying transversely to the transport direction (A) (DA) is rotatably supported, the carrying handle applicator unit (7) having at least three applicator arms (A1, A2, A3) oriented radially to the axis of rotation (DA), between each of which a flexion section (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) is formed, and which each extend along a longitudinal axis (LA1, LA2, LA3) which intersects and rotates away from the axis of rotation (DA) and on each of which at least one holding and / or pressing device device (10.1, 10.2, 10.3) and a cutting tool (11 .1, 11 .2, 11.3) are designed so that an endless belt provided with an adhesive layer at least in sections can be conveyed via a packaging material (3) or a packaging material group (2), of which a handle (4), each with a free-end adhesive section, can be removed and the handle (4) thus formed can be applied, in particular pressed, to the packaging (3) or group of packaging (2), the respective holding and / or pressing device (10.1, 10.2 , 10.3) has at least one suction area (12.1, 12.2) for holding and / or guiding the endless belt and the carrying handle (4) separated therefrom by means of a negative pressure which can be generated, characterized in that

the at least one suction area (12.1, 12.2) of the respective holding and / or pressing device (10.1, 10.2, 10.3) of the corresponding applicator arm (A1, A2, A3) by means of a displacement device (14) along and / or parallel to the associated longitudinal axis ( LA1, LA2, LA3) is designed to be displaceable.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the respective suction area (12.1, 12.2) of a corresponding applicator arm (A1, A2, A3) by means of the displacement device (14) between a first length (L1) and a second length (L2) an adjustment path (VS) is designed to be displaceable.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the respective holding and / or pressing device (10.1, 10.2, 10.3) with its at least one suction area (12.1, 12.2) of the corresponding applicator arm (A1, A2, A3) is displaceable along the associated longitudinal axis (LA1, LA2, LA3) by means of the displacement device (14).

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the corresponding applicator arm (A1, A2, A3) each have a first arm element (20.1) and one each by means of the displacement device (14) relative to the first arm element (20.1) along the associated Has longitudinal arm (LA1, LA2, LA3) displaceable second arm element (20.2), the respective holding and / or pressing device (10.1, 10.2, 10.3) with its at least one suction area (12.1, 12.2) formed on the respective second arm element (20.2 ) assigned.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective second arm element (20.2) between a retracted and / or extended position (PE, PA) relative to the associated first arm element (20.1) by means of the displacement device (14) it is designed that the corresponding applicator arm (A1, A2, A3) has the second length (L2) in its retracted position (PE) and the first length (L1) in its extended position (PA).

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective second arm element (20.2) by means of the displacement device (14) is designed to be continuously displaceable between the retracted and the extended position (PE, PA), so that the corresponding applicator arm (A1 , A2, A3) can be operated in all intermediate positions between the first length (L1) and the second length (L2).

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the displacement device (14) has at least one angular gear device (22) and a threaded section gear device (23) in order to initiate a rotating drive movement initiated on a drive shaft (21) of the angular gear device (22) convert translatory displacement movement of the respective second arm elements (20.2) that can be generated by means of the worm gear device (23).

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the respective bending section (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) and / or non-free end of the respective applicator arm (A1, A2, A3), in each case one in the perpendicular extension to the drive shaft and / or height and / or interchangeable stop element (35) above the flexion section is provided.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the stop element (35) has a suction device (32) for holding and / or fixing a carrying handle (4) by means of a negative pressure.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suction device (32) provided accordingly between two applicator arms (A1, A2, A3) can be acted upon at least temporarily with at least one vacuum level and / or pressure level depending on the position, in particular depending on the rotational position

11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the corresponding suction device (32) is designed to be displaceable by means of a further displacement device (33) perpendicular to the axis of rotation DA and / or parallel to the corresponding longitudinal axis (LA1, LA2, LA3).

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the relative distance of the respective suction device (32) to the axis of rotation DA and / or the relative distance to the suction area provided on the end face on the corresponding application arm (A1, A2, A3) , 12.2) is adjustable.

13. A method for attaching carrying handles (4) to packaging (3) or packaging groups (2), in which the packaging (3) or packaging groups (2) transported on a transport device (6) in a transport direction (A) each have at least one self-adhesive carrying handle (4), in which an endless belt provided at least in sections with an adhesive layer is conveyed via a packaging (3) or a packaging group (2), from which a carrying handle (4) with an adhesive section on the free end is separated and which is formed in this way Carrying handle (4) is pressed onto the packaging material (3) or the packaging material group (2), characterized in that the carrying handle (4) by means of a device according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 12 on the packaging material (3) or the packaging material group (2 ) is removed.