EP4013685A1

EP4013685A1 - Packaging device and method for producing a packaging unit

Info

Publication number: EP4013685A1
Application number: EP21717989.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tobias GUT; Johannes KIRZINGER
Original assignee: Krones AG
Current assignee: Krones AG
Priority date: 2020-05-28
Filing date: 2021-04-14
Publication date: 2022-06-22
Also published as: WO2021239318A1; DE102020114298A1; CN217416208U

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging device (1) for items (20) or groups of items (60) and a method for producing a packaging unit (10) comprising at least one item (20). The packaging device (1) comprises at least one feeding conveyor assembly (40) for the items (20) or groups of items (60) and at least one handling device (46) for the items (20) or groups of items (60), wherein the items (20) or groups of items (60) are moved towards the handling device (46) in a direction of travel. The handling device (46) is designed to apply at least one packaging blank (30) to at least one item (20) or a group of items (60) to form a packaging unit (10). According to the invention, the feeding conveyor assembly (40) comprises a dryer (43) for drying at least some portions of outer lateral surfaces of the items (20), or a dryer (43) for drying at least some portions of outer lateral surfaces of the items (20) is assigned to the feeding conveyor assembly (40) or is disposed upstream therefrom in the direction of travel, or a dryer (43) for drying at least some portions of outer lateral surfaces of the items (20) is assigned to the handling device (46).

Description

Packaging device and method for producing a

Packaging Unit

The present invention relates to a packaging device and a method for producing a packaging unit according to the features of the independent claims.

There are different types of packaging for the processing, compilation, grouping and packaging of articles such as, for example, beverage containers, for example the combination of the articles or containers into portable, relatively manageable packaging units. Here, too, there are various known ways of combining individual articles into larger containers. For example, beverage containers are usually combined and packaged using shrink films to form packs of four, six or more containers. The production of containers is usually unavoidable, as they represent the most common variant of packaging units for beverage containers or bottles made of PET plastic. The containers are partially combined again for transport and / or put together in layers and palletized.

In the manufacture of known types of packaging, specific manufacturing steps are necessary in order to be able to process the shrink films that are usually used. These manufacturing steps require a relatively high amount of energy. In addition, the film used causes costs for production, provision, handling and later disposal, since it is no longer needed after it has been sold. The machine equipment for providing the so-called film wrapping modules and other handling stations also causes high investment costs. Finally, the provision of the so-called shrink tunnel, in which the film wrapped around the container is shrunk around the container by means of the application of hot air, requires a relatively high investment of capital.

A variant in which the use of shrink film can be dispensed with are so-called strapping containers. Here, the containers are combined into a bundle by means of so-called strapping bands and connected to one another. Containers, articles or bottles are grouped into formations in continuously or intermittently working strapping machines and then with the help of strapping units strapped with one or more bands. Typical formations can be, for example, 1x2 arrangements (two containers in a row), 2x2 arrangements (four containers in a square or in a diamond formation), 3x2, 4x3 or in principle also variable nxm arrangements.

The use of so-called top cardboard packaging is also known, for example in order to combine several bottles by means of their neck areas. A packaging machine for placing such top cardboard packaging is described in patent specification EP 1 075419 B1. The articles are arranged in a box and the cardboard packaging is placed from above onto the at least one article arranged in the box. In particular, a plurality of articles are arranged in the box, and sub-groups are formed by placing a smaller number of upper gripping cardboard packaging on top, each of which summarizes a part of the articles arranged in the box.

Furthermore, the use of top cardboard packaging is described in German patent application No. 102019 128874. Grab cardboard packaging often consists of a cardboard box that has, for example, an upper and a lower protective layer. This protective layer is perforated in the area of the passage openings for the articles so that moisture can penetrate into the cardboard and destabilize it. One problem arises, for example, in connection with articles whose outer surfaces are dirty, in particular damp and / or wet. The cause of damp and / or wet outer surfaces can, for example, be a cleaning or floor cooling process or a so-called rinsing process, in which an interior cleaning up to an interior sterilization of articles to be filled with an ingredient takes place as containers before they are filled, or else the Condensation of humidity on colder surfaces, for example after filling the article with a corresponding content, or a combination thereof.

The object of the invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art and, in particular, to ensure the stability of the packaging units to be produced.

The above object is achieved by a packaging device and a method for producing a packaging unit, which include the features in the independent claims. Further advantageous refinements are described by the subclaims. The articles to which a corresponding packaging blank is applied by means of the packaging device are preferably drinks containers, which can in particular mean bottles or cans. However, the packaging device is also suitable for arranging a corresponding packaging blank on other suitable articles and fixing them there.

The articles or article groups, which each comprise at least two articles, are fed to a handling device in a transport direction via a first feeding transport device. The handling device can be a so-called application module, for example. This handling device is designed and provided to attach and / or fix at least one packaging blank on at least one article or on the article group while forming a packaging unit. In this case, a packaging blank is preferably placed on the at least one article or the article group and is at least partially pressed onto the article or the articles of the article group by an at least partially downward force, in particular a downward pressure, and thereby fixed to it.

Such a suitable packaging blank is designed, for example, to be essentially flat and has at least one passage opening for at least one article. The packaging blank is arranged on the article or articles in such a way that the passage openings each correspond to the longitudinal center axes of the article. In particular, the center point of the passage openings is aligned with the longitudinal center axes of the respective article.

The through-openings are preferably designed in such a way that they can be turned over onto the article from above, so that after the packaging blank has been attached to at least one article or to the group of articles, the article is located above and below the packaging blank in some areas.

After the packaging blank has been determined, a defined upper area of the article or the articles of the article group is preferably located above the packaging blank, while a defined lower area of the article or the articles of the article group is arranged below the packaging blank. If the articles are designed as bottles, then it is preferably provided that the packaging blank is fixed and / or fixed on the bottles below the so-called neck ring or neck ring. If, on the other hand, the articles are designed as cans, then the packaging blank is preferably fixed and / or fixed under the flanged edge in the lid area of the cans.

According to one embodiment, the through openings of the packaging blank can have fixing devices. Such fixing devices can be formed, for example, by fixing tabs, which can be formed by incisions or the like extending radially from the passage openings.

After the packaging blank has been arranged and fastened to the articles, it is in engagement with the articles in such a way that the packaging blank is essentially fixed in place on the articles. Thus, the packaging blank can only be removed again from the article or the articles of the article group with increased expenditure of force with an upward force component, the packaging blank usually being at least partially destroyed.

Such packaging blanks are also referred to as top cardboard packaging. The packaging blank preferably consists of a cardboard material, a plastic material, a cardboard-plastic composite material or the like.

Furthermore, the at least regionally flat packaging blank can have handle openings through which the user can insert his fingers in order to be able to lift and transport the entire packaging unit or the like. According to one embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the support element extends at least on one side beyond the plane of the flat area of the packaging blank.

If a packaging blank is attached to an individual article, it is preferably provided that the packaging blank has or forms a support element for the article. This is, for example, a preferred embodiment for attaching a handle to large containers.

Before the packaging blank is applied, the articles can still be moist on their outer circumferential surfaces or residual moisture from previous ones Have treatment and / or process steps. The moisture can get to the articles, for example, through incorrect filling or due to condensation or the like. Moisture that collects below the neck ring of the bottles or below the flanged edge of the cans is particularly problematic, since these are the areas in which the packaging blank is preferably attached to the articles.

Since an optionally protective sealing layer of the packaging blank is breached in this area during the production and introduction of the passage openings, for example by means of a punching process, moisture can easily penetrate into the material from which the packaging blank is formed in this area. For this reason, it is provided that the articles, in particular their outer circumferential surfaces, are dried at least in certain areas before the packaging blank is applied. Particularly preferably, at least one upper area of the article is dried, in which area the packaging blank is attached to the article.

In the case of cans, at least the area below the flange and optionally the flange and the lid area are dried, while in the case of bottles at least the area below the neck ring and optionally the entire upper closure area is dried. Another embodiment can provide for the articles to be completely dried.

According to a first embodiment it is provided that the feeding transport device comprises a drying device for at least regionally drying the outer surface of the article. A second embodiment, on the other hand, provides that the feeding transport device is assigned a drying device for at least regional drying of the outer jacket surface of the article or is arranged upstream in the transport direction. Another embodiment can provide that the handling device is assigned a drying device for at least regional drying of the outer surface of the article.

According to one embodiment in the production of a packaging unit that comprises at least two articles, the outer jacket surfaces of the at least two articles are first dried at least in an upper area, after which the at least two articles are then grouped according to the packaging unit to be produced or / or positioned next to one another and then with equipped with a packaging blank and held together mechanically. An alternative embodiment provides that the articles are first grouped or / or positioned next to one another and then dried at least in an upper area before a packaging blank is applied to the articles.

One embodiment of the invention provides that the articles are guided on the feeding transport device in at least one row, in particular in two or more parallel rows. The guide is preferably carried out along longitudinal guide devices or alley plates, which extend parallel to the transport direction. In this case, one row of articles is preferably guided between two longitudinal guide devices, one longitudinal guide device being able to separate two adjacent rows of articles from one another.

One embodiment of the invention provides that the outer circumferential surfaces of the at least one article are dried at least in some areas while being guided along the at least one longitudinal guide device. A particularly preferred embodiment provides that the outer circumferential surfaces of articles guided in at least two parallel rows are dried at least in certain areas while being guided in the parallel rows.

For example, the drying device is assigned to the at least one longitudinal guide device for the articles. According to one embodiment, a channel with nozzle openings pointing in the direction of the article or a line with perforations pointing in the direction of the article is arranged on the side of the longitudinal guide device pointing in the direction of the article. Drying air or another suitable drying agent is introduced into the channel or line, which (s) flows via the nozzle openings or perforations in the direction of the article and removes or blows off the moisture from the outer surface of the article. The drying air preferably flows in an upwardly inclined direction of flow onto the area below the flanged edge of the cans or the area below the neck ring of the bottles.

According to one embodiment it can be provided that the channel or the line is designed to be adjustable in height so that the relative arrangement of the channel or the line to the longitudinal guide device and to the articles guided between the longitudinal guide devices can be changed and adapted. In particular, the height of the channel or the line can thus be above the through the Transport device formed transport level to be adapted to the size of the article.

Alternatively, the channel or the line can be arranged fixedly on the respective longitudinal guide device, the longitudinal guide device being designed to be adjustable in height. The height of the channel or the line is preferably set in such a way that the drying air is directed in particular to the area of the article in which the packaging blank is subsequently arranged.

Another embodiment of the invention can provide that the at least one longitudinal guide device is designed as a drying device for the articles. In particular, it is provided in this case that the longitudinal guide device has a double-walled design. In particular, an at least narrow cavity into which a drying agent is introduced is formed between the two side walls, which extend parallel to the transport direction. The side walls of the longitudinal guide devices facing the articles are preferably designed as nozzle surfaces, i.e. they have nozzle openings through which the drying agent, for example air, is sprayed onto the article. The drying agent can preferably be temperature-controlled air, in particular warm or hot air, but air which is at room temperature can also be used as the drying agent.

The nozzle openings are preferably designed in such a way that the desiccant flows onto the articles in an upwardly inclined direction of flow. According to one embodiment it can be provided that the longitudinal guide device is adjustable in height so that the relative arrangement of the nozzle openings above the transport plane formed by the transport device can be adapted to the size of the article. The height of the longitudinal guide device is preferably set in such a way that the drying agent is guided through the nozzle openings, in particular onto the area in which the packaging blank is arranged on the articles.

In general, it can be provided that nozzle openings are arranged and / or formed over the entire height of the side walls of the longitudinal guide device. Alternatively, it can be provided that nozzle openings are only formed in a certain height area, the height area preferably corresponding to the area to be dried or the longitudinal guide device can be adjusted accordingly so that the height area corresponds to the area to be dried.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the nozzle openings are formed over the entire length of the longitudinal guide device in the transport direction, or that only part of the length of the longitudinal guide device has nozzle openings in the transport direction. Furthermore, it can be provided that the nozzle openings are designed to be adjustable, so that the direction of the drying agent flowing out can be changed.

A further embodiment can provide that the drying device comprises at least one moisture-absorbing brush which wipes over at least areas of the article and thereby removes the moisture from the outer jacket surfaces. Here, too, various setting or positioning options are advantageous in order to adapt the arrangement and / or position of the at least one brush to a new size and / or shape of the new article when a product is changed.

Alternatively, at least one fan can also be arranged above the transport device, which blows the moisture away from the articles by means of an air stream directed at them. In particular, first blowers can be arranged at a first height on both sides of the transport device, these being arranged in particular below the flanged edge of the cans or the neck ring of the bottles and generating a first air flow directed upwards or obliquely upwards. In addition, second blowers can be provided at a second height above the article, which generate a second air flow directed downwards or obliquely downwards and thus apply the desiccant to the lid area of the article.

The use of moisture-absorbing brushes or blowers is particularly advantageous in embodiments of the packaging device in which a drying device is arranged before dividing the articles into lanes or in which the articles are not divided into lanes.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the handling device comprises at least one manipulation device for detecting at least one article or at least one group of articles. The manipulation device is designed to move the captured article or the captured group of articles into a target position and / or target arrangement within the handling device and furthermore comprises at least one Application device for defining a packaging blank on the article or the article group arranged in the target position and / or target arrangement.

The manipulation device is preferably designed to pick up a number of articles in a relative arrangement to one another from the transport device, which correspond to the number and arrangement of the articles in the packaging unit to be produced. Alternatively, the manipulation device can be designed to bring a number of articles which correspond to the number of articles in the packaging unit to be produced and this number of detected articles in a relative arrangement which corresponds to the arrangement of the articles in the packaging unit to be produced. The manipulation device thus takes over the grouping of the articles according to the packaging units to be produced.

In particular, the manipulation device can be designed to detect a number of articles which correspond to a multiple of the number of articles in a packaging unit and to use this multiple of articles to form spaced-apart article groups with the respective number of articles in a packaging unit, for which article groups then a packaging blank is applied and set. This makes it possible to create several packaging units at the same time.

The manipulation device can, for example, have appropriate tulip grippers or other suitable gripping elements for gripping the articles, which can preferably be controlled individually or in groups. One embodiment of the invention can provide that the manipulation device assigned to the feeding transport device is additionally designed as a drying device and dries at least partial areas of the article when the article is grasped. For example, the existing pneumatics of the gripping elements can be used to blow off at least part of the outer circumferential surfaces of the article and thus to remove the moisture adhering to the outside of the article.

The manipulation device arranges the detected articles or article groups in a target position and / or target arrangement, for example on a continuously moving conveyor device, so that the articles or article groups move continuously during the respective application of the packaging blank. In this case, it is provided that the application device is designed to be during to move the application of the packaging blank synchronously with the conveyor device.

When applying the packaging blank to the article, an increased application force is particularly necessary, since the mean diameter of the passage openings is usually at least slightly smaller than the widest diameter of the article in the upper area, which passes through the passage openings, in particular the mean diameter is Passage openings at least slightly smaller than the flanged edge of the cans or the neck ring of the bottles.

One embodiment can provide that a resistance force in an edge region of the at least one passage opening of the packaging blank is reduced when the packaging blank is applied to the at least one article or the article group. This is achieved, for example, by the incisions extending radially from the passage openings. These lead to an upward bending of the fixing tabs when the packaging blank is slipped onto the article, as a result of which the diameter of the passage openings increases at least slightly.

Alternatively, it can be provided that a resistance force in an edge region of the at least one passage opening of the packaging blank is reduced before the subsequent application of the packaging blank to the at least one article or the article group. For example, the handling device can comprise a pretreatment device which is designed to reduce the resistance force in the edge region of the at least one passage opening of the packaging blank.

For example, the pretreatment device comprises at least one expansion die, but preferably a plurality of expansion dies which is / are suitable for expanding and / or widening the edge regions of the at least one passage opening. In this case, the pretreatment increases an average diameter of the at least one passage opening at least slightly. As a result, an upper region of the article with a maximum diameter, which maximum diameter is preferably at least slightly larger than an average diameter of the passage openings, can be passed through the respective passage opening more easily. In particular, the application force with which the packaging blank is pressed onto the article so that the upper area of the article with a maximum diameter is arranged above the packaging blank and the lower area of the article is arranged below the packaging blank, compared to an application force that would be necessary to Specifying a packaging cut without pretreatment on the articles, significantly reduced. Thus, the risk of the articles being damaged when the packaging blank is applied is reduced compared to conventional packaging devices and methods. In this case, even articles can be used that have a smaller wall thickness without being damaged when the packaging blank is applied.

With the above-described at least regional drying of the articles before the application of the packaging blank, it is particularly prevented that when the packaging blank is applied to the articles, moisture still adhering to them penetrates the packaging blank and could thereby lead to a destabilization of the material from which the packaging blank is made . This risk arises in particular in the case of packaging blanks which consist of a paper material, a cardboard material or a composite material comprising paper or cardboard.

It should be expressly mentioned at this point that all aspects and design variants which have been explained in connection with the device according to the invention relate to or can be partial aspects of the method according to the invention in the same way. If, therefore, certain aspects and / or interrelationships and / or effects are mentioned at one point in the description or also in the definition of claims for the device according to the invention, this applies equally to the method according to the invention. The same applies in reverse, so that all aspects and design variants that have been explained in connection with the method according to the invention relate to or can be partial aspects of the device according to the invention. If, therefore, at one point in the description or in the definition of claims for the method according to the invention, certain aspects and / or interrelationships and / or effects are mentioned, this applies equally to the device according to the invention.

In the following, exemplary embodiments are intended to explain the invention and its advantages in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. The proportions of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the real proportions, because some shapes are simplified and other shapes are enlarged in relation to other elements for ease of illustration.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show packaging units which are produced using a packaging device according to the invention and / or using a method according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of a packaging device for producing packaging units 10 according to FIGS. 1A or 1B.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a packaging device for producing packaging units 10 according to FIGS. 1A or 1B.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of a packaging device for producing packaging units 10 according to FIGS. 1A or 1B.

FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of a packaging device for producing packaging units 10 according to FIGS. 1A or 1B.

FIG. 6 shows a first embodiment of a drying device, as it can be designed, for example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of a drying device, as it can be designed, for example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

Identical reference symbols are used for elements of the invention that are the same or have the same effect. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures that are necessary for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments merely represent examples of how the device according to the invention or the method according to the invention can be designed and do not represent a final limitation.

The perspective views of FIGS. 1A and 1B show packaging units 10 which are produced with a packaging device according to the invention (compare FIGS. 2 to 5) and / or with a method according to the invention.

The packaging unit 10a according to FIG. 1A comprises six PET bottles 11, each of which has a bottle body 12 and a closure area 13. The closure area 13 comprises a screw closure 14 and a neck ring 15 and forms an upper area 16 of the bottles 11. The bottle body 12 forms a lower area 17.

The neck ring 15 has a larger cross section than the neck area of the bottle 11 arranged below it. The bottles 11 also have a taper in a central area of their longitudinal center axis A, which also serves as a grip area 18 for easier holding of the bottles 11. A packaging blank 30, for example a cardboard blank, is arranged on the assembly of six bottles 11 in such a way that the neck ring 15 and the screw cap 14 are each arranged above the packaging blank 30, while the filled bottle body 12 is arranged below the packaging blank 30. The packaging blank 30 has passage openings 31 which are circular, the mean circular diameter being smaller than the diameter of the neck ring 15 of the bottles 11.

The packaging blank 30 is arranged on the articles 20 designed as bottles 11 in such a way that the passage openings 31 correspond to the longitudinal central axes A of the articles 20, in particular the center of the passage openings 31 is aligned with the longitudinal central axes A of the articles 20.

Radially outwardly pointing incisions 32, between which fixing tabs 33 are formed, extend from the passage openings 31. The incisions 32 make it easier for the neck ring 15 to be pushed through the openings 31 when the packaging blank 30 is pressed onto the assembly of the bottles 11. The fixing tabs 33 are pressed upwards and engage with the neck ring 15 below the neck ring 15, whereby the packaging blank 30 securely arrives the bottles 11 is fixed and set.

1B shows a further packaging unit 10b in which the articles 20 combined by a packaging blank 30 are formed by cans 21. The cans 21 have an essentially cylindrical base body 22 with an essentially constant cross section over their length. Only in the area below an upper lid 23 delimited by a flanged edge 24 and possibly in the standing area of the cans 21 is the cross section somewhat smaller. The smaller cross section below the upper lid 23 is advantageous for fixing a packaging blank 30 by pressing it onto the assembly of cans 21. The packaging blank 30 has, analogous to the variant described in connection with FIG. 1A, through openings 31 with incisions 32, which enable the lid 23, which forms the upper area 16, to pass through easily when the packaging blank 30 is pressed onto the cans 21 from above enables. Preferably, the upwardly pressed fixing tabs 33 come to rest against the outer surface of the can 21 below the flanged edge 24. As a result, removal of the packaging blank 30 by an upward pulling movement is only possible with increased expenditure of force and, as a rule, with destruction of the packaging blank 30.

When lifting the packaging unit 10b via the holding and carrying elements 35 of the packaging blank 30, for example via at least one handle hole 36, the smaller cross section of the through openings 31 prevents the packaging section 30 from becoming detached from the articles 20 of the packaging unit 10.

The schematic representation of FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of a packaging device 1 for producing packaging units 10 according to FIGS. 1A or 1B. In this case, the articles 20, which are formed in particular by cans 21 with a flanged edge 24 delimiting the lid 23, are fed to a grouping module 42 in a transport direction TR via a feeding transport device 40 designed, for example, as a circulating conveyor belt 41. The cans 21 are transported in a single row, multiple rows or in a mass flow.

In the grouping module 21, article groups 60 are put together, each comprising a plurality of cans 21 in an arrangement which preferably corresponds to the number and arrangement of the cans 21 in the packaging unit 10 to be produced.

The article groups 60 then pass through a drying device 43, in which moisture that adheres to the outer surface of the article 20 is removed. The drying device 43 can be designed as an independent module or assigned to the feeding transport device 40.

In particular, the drying device 43 removes at least the moisture that is located on the outer circumferential surfaces of the articles 20 in the area in which the packaging blank 30 is subsequently attached to the articles 20. In the present case, in particular, the moisture that is located below the flange edge 24 is removed. In the case of bottles, moisture would be particularly important be removed below the neck ring (see Fig. 1A). This prevents the moisture from penetrating into the packaging blank 30 via the broken open edges in the edge region of the passage openings, as a result of which it would become unstable and would have an increased tendency to tear.

The drying device 43 can, for example, comprise suitable brushes 44 which remove the moisture, in particular in the upper region of the article, by brushing it off. Preferably, the articles 20 within the drying device 43 are completely freed from the moisture adhering to their outer jacket surfaces.

The article groups 60, which have been dried at least in regions, are now fed to a handling device 46 which is designed for attaching a packaging blank 30 to the article group 60. For example, the handling device 46 comprises an application head 47 or another suitable application device with which the packaging blank 30 is pressed from above onto the articles 20 of the article group 60 to form the packaging unit 10, 10b.

The schematic view of FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a packaging device 1 for producing packaging units 10, 10b according to FIGS. 1A or 1B. In contrast to FIG. 2, the drying device 43 is arranged upstream of the grouping device 42 in the transport direction TR, i.e. upstream of the grouping device 42. In addition, the drying device 43 comprises at least one fan 45 with which air or another suitable temperature control gas is blown onto the cans 21 in order to remove the moisture adhering to the outer jacket surfaces.

With regard to the further features shown in FIG. 3, reference can be made to the description of the figures for FIG. 2.

The schematic top view of FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of a packaging device 1 for producing packaging units 10 according to FIGS. 1A or 1B. Here, the feeding transport device 40 is formed by a conveyor belt 41 to which longitudinal stirring devices 50, for example aisle plates 51 are assigned, which extend parallel to the transport direction TR above the conveying surface of the transport device 40 and form lanes 52 in which the articles (not shown), respectively be promoted in a row one after the other. In particular, in the present example, the articles are transported between three longitudinal guide devices 50 The handling device 46 is fed in two rows. The middle longitudinal guide device 50, along which articles are guided on both sides, is also referred to as the inner longitudinal guide device 50i, whereas articles are guided along only one of the side surfaces of the outer longitudinal guide devices 50a.

While the articles are being transported in the aisles 52 to the handling device 46, they pass through a drying device 43, which is designed to completely or at least partially free the outer surface of the article from moisture, in particular at least an upper region of the article by subsequently removing the packaging blank is arranged. The articles are thus dried at a point in time at which the movement of the articles is limited and / or guided by longitudinal guide devices 50.

Within the handling device 46, a number of articles are removed at the same time and transferred to a further conveyor device 48. The number and arrangement of the articles removed from the supplied rows corresponds in particular to the number and arrangement of the articles in the packaging unit to be produced. For example, for the production of a six-pack unit, three articles arranged one behind the other are removed from the two parallel aisles by a suitable removal tool or a suitable manipulation device. The articles can be gripped from above using packing tulips or the like.

The handling device 46 is assigned at least one magazine 49 for packaging blanks (not shown). An application head of the handling device 46 removes a packaging blank from a magazine, places it on the group of articles and applies the packaging blank by pressing it firmly onto the articles, an upper area of the article passing through corresponding openings in the packaging blank.

It can be provided, for example, that the removal tool or the manipulation device is designed in such a way that a number of articles from the two rows that correspond to the number of articles of four packaging units to be formed can be detected at the same time. When the articles are transferred to the conveyor device 48, four article groups are formed by the removal tool and, in particular, are spaced apart. The application head is at the same time It is designed to accommodate four packaging blanks from four corresponding magazine stacks and can simultaneously apply the four packaging blanks received to the four groups of articles arranged on the conveying device 48.

Since the conveying device 48 preferably moves continuously in the transport direction TR, the application head is designed accordingly in order to be carried along synchronously with the conveying device 48 at least during the application of the packaging blank.

Optionally, it can be provided that the handling device 46 comprises a pretreatment device 55 which is designed to reduce a drag force in an edge region of at least one passage opening of the packaging blank in order to facilitate the subsequent application of the packaging blank to the group of articles.

The pretreatment device can, for example, comprise at least one expansion die. Preferably, however, the pretreatment device comprises a plurality of expansion matrices which are suitable for simultaneously expanding and / or widening the edge regions of all passage openings of a packaging blank. In this case, an average diameter of the respective passage opening is enlarged at least slightly. As a result, an upper region of the article with a maximum diameter, which maximum diameter is preferably at least slightly larger than an average diameter of the passage openings, can be passed through the respective passage opening more easily.

In particular, the application force with which the packaging blank is pressed onto the article so that the upper area of the article with a maximum diameter is arranged above the packaging blank and the lower area of the article is arranged below the packaging blank, compared to an application force that would be necessary to Specifying a packaging cut without pretreatment on the articles, significantly reduced. Thus, the risk of the articles being damaged when the packaging blank is applied is reduced compared to conventional packaging devices and methods. In this case, even articles can be used that have a smaller wall thickness without being damaged when the packaging blank is applied.

The schematic top view of FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of a packaging device 1 for producing packaging units 10 according to the figures 1A or 1B, which essentially corresponds to the embodiment of FIG. 4, for which reason reference is made to the description thereof.

In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the articles are dried before they are divided into lanes 52 and fed to the handling device 46 in two rows. In particular, a further conveyor device 56 is arranged in front of the transport device 40, in which the articles are preferably delivered in a single row, for example from the filling or labeling area. In the embodiment shown here, the drying device 43 is assigned to the upstream conveying device 56, so that the articles are already completely or at least partially dry when they are divided into the parallel lanes 52.

The schematic illustration in FIG. 6 shows a first embodiment of a drying device 43, as it can be designed, for example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. In particular, the drying device 43 is assigned to the longitudinal guide devices 50, in particular aisle plates 51, between which the articles 20 are fed to the handling device (not shown). Only one longitudinal guide device 50 is shown and the viewer must imagine that the articles 20 are spatially arranged in front of the longitudinal guide device 50. In order to make the drying device 43 more visible, the upper area of the article 20 is shown in dashed lines in the drawing.

On the longitudinal guide device 50, on the side pointing in the direction of the article 20, a channel 70 with nozzle openings 71 pointing in the direction of the article 20 or a line 72 with perforations 73 pointing in the direction of the article 20 is arranged. Drying air L is introduced into the channel 70 or the line 72 and flows in the direction of the article 20 via the nozzle openings 71 or perforations 72. The nozzle openings 71 or perforations 72 are preferably designed in such a way that the drying air L flows onto the articles 20 in an upwardly inclined flow direction.

As shown by means of a movement arrow 74, it can be provided that the channel 70 or the line 72 is adjustable in height so that the relative arrangement to the longitudinal guide device 50 and to the articles 20 guided between the longitudinal guide devices 50 can be changed and adapted can. In particular, the height of the channel 70 or the line 72 above the transport plane formed by the transport device 40 can thus be adapted to the size of the article 20.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the channel 70 or the line 72 is fixedly arranged on the respective longitudinal guide device 50, but that the position of the longitudinal guide device 50 is adjustable in height. The height of the channel 70 or the line 72 is preferably set in such a way that the drying air L is directed in particular to the area in which the packaging blank (not shown) is subsequently arranged on the articles.

A so-called inner longitudinal guide device 50i (cf. Line 72 is assigned.

The schematic illustration in FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of a drying device 43, as it can be designed, for example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. Here, too, only one longitudinal guide device 50 is shown and the viewer must imagine that the articles 20 are spatially arranged in front of the longitudinal guide device 50.

In contrast to the variant shown in FIG. 6, the drying device 43 is not assigned to the longitudinal guide device 50, but rather the longitudinal guide device 50 is designed as a drying device 43. In particular, it is provided that the longitudinal guide device 50 is double-walled, with an at least narrow cavity being formed between the two side walls 57, which extend parallel to the transport direction TR, into which drying air L can be introduced. The side walls 57 facing the articles 20 in each case have nozzle openings 58 through which the drying air L emerges from the cavity and flows in the direction of the article 20.

The nozzle openings 58 are preferably designed in such a way that the drying air L flows onto the articles in an upwardly inclined flow direction. As shown by means of a movement arrow 59, it can be provided that the longitudinal guide device 50 is adjustable in height so that the relative Arrangement of the nozzle openings 58 above the transport plane formed by the transport device 40 can be adapted to the size of the article 20.

The height of the longitudinal guide device 50 is preferably set in such a way that the drying air L is directed through the nozzle openings 58, in particular to the area in which the packaging blank (not shown) is arranged on the articles 20, in particular the drying air L is directed to the area of the beaded edge 24 and passed to the area below the flange 24 of cans 21. In the case of bottles, the drying air L would be directed onto the area of the neck ring and the area below the neck ring.

A so-called inner longitudinal guide device 50i (cf.

It is clear to a person skilled in the art that the longitudinal guide devices 50 can be displaced transversely to the transport direction in order to adapt the width of the lanes formed between the longitudinal guide devices 50 to the width of the articles 20 each guided between the longitudinal guide devices 50.

In general, it can be provided that nozzle openings 58 are arranged and / or formed over the entire height of the side walls 57 of the longitudinal guide device 50. Alternatively, it can be provided that nozzle openings 58 are only formed in a certain height area, whereby the height area preferably corresponds to the area to be dried or wherein the longitudinal guide device 50 can be adjusted accordingly so that the height area corresponds to the area to be dried.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the nozzle openings 58 are formed over the entire length of the longitudinal guide device 50 in the transport direction TR, or that only part of the length of the longitudinal guide device 50 in the transport direction TR has nozzle openings 58. Furthermore, it can be provided that the nozzle openings 58 are designed to be adjustable, so that the direction of the drying air L flowing out can be changed.

The embodiments, examples and variants of the preceding paragraphs, the claims or the following description and the figures, including their different views or respective individual features can be used independently or in any combination. Features that are described in connection with an embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, provided that the features are not incompatible. Even if in the context of the description of the figures generally from

“Schematic” representations and views are spoken of, this in no way means that the representations of the figures and their description are of subordinate importance with regard to the disclosure of the invention. The person skilled in the art is quite able to derive enough information from the schematically and abstractly drawn representations that will facilitate his understanding of the invention without having to rely on the drawn and possibly not exactly to scale proportions of the article 20 and / or parts of the Device 1 or other drawn elements would be impaired in any way in its understanding. The figures thus enable the person skilled in the art as a reader to derive a better understanding of the inventive ideas formulated in the claims and in the general part of the description of general and / or more abstractly formulated ideas based on the more specifically explained implementations of the method according to the invention and the more specifically explained mode of operation of the device according to the invention.

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 can be made to the invention without departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.

Reference number

1 packing device

10, 10a, 10b packaging unit

11 PET bottles

12 bottle bodies

13 Lock area

14 screw cap

15 neck ring

16 upper area

17 lower area

18 Grip area 20 Article 21 Can 22 Basic body

23 lid

24 beaded edge

30 packaging cut

31 passage opening

32 incision

33 fixing tab

35 holding and carrying elements

36 handle hole

40 feeding transport device

41 conveyor belt

42 Grouping module

43 Drying facility

44 brush

45 fans

46 Handling device

47 Application head

48 conveyor system

49 magazine

50 longitudinal guide device 50i inner longitudinal guide device 50a outer longitudinal guide device 51 Aisle sheet

52 alley

55 Pre-treatment device

56 conveyor system

57 sidewall

58 nozzle opening

59 movement arrow

60 article group

70 channel

71 nozzle opening

72 hose

73 perforation

74 movement arrow

Longitudinal central axis

L drying air

TR transport direction

Claims

Expectations

1. Packaging device (1) for articles (20) or article groups (60), which article groups (60) comprise at least two articles (20),

- wherein the packaging device (1) comprises at least one feeding transport device (40) for the articles (20) or article groups (60) and at least one handling device (46) for the articles (20) or article groups (60), wherein the articles (20 ) or article groups (60) are moved in a transport direction (TR) to the handling device (46),

- wherein the handling device (46) is provided and designed for attaching at least one packaging blank (30) to at least one article (20) or an article group (60) to form a packaging unit (10), and wherein the feeding transport device (40) has a Drying device (43) for at least regional drying of outer circumferential surfaces of the articles (20), or wherein the feeding transport device (40) is assigned a drying device (43) for at least regionally drying outer circumferential surfaces of the articles (20) or is arranged upstream in the transport direction, or wherein the handling device (46) is assigned a drying device (43) for at least regional drying of the outer jacket surfaces of the articles (20).

2. Packaging device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the feeding transport device (40) is assigned at least one longitudinal guide device (50) for the articles (20) or article groups (60), the articles (20) being guided by the at least one longitudinal guide device (50 ) are guided in at least one row, in particular wherein the articles (20) are guided in at least two parallel rows.

3. Packaging device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the drying device (43) is assigned to the at least one longitudinal guide device (50) or wherein the at least one longitudinal guide device (50) is designed as a drying device (43).

4. Packaging device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the drying device (43) comprises at least one moisture-absorbing brush (44) and / or at least one fan (45) arranged above the transport device (40).

5. Packaging device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the handling device (46) has at least one manipulation device for detecting at least one article (20) or at least one article group (60),

- wherein the manipulation device is designed to bring the captured article (20) or the captured article group (60) into a target position and / or target arrangement within the handling device (46), and

- wherein the handling device (46) comprises at least one application device (47) for fixing a packaging blank (30) on the article (20) or the article group (60) arranged in the target position and / or target arrangement.

6. Packaging device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the handling device (46) comprises a pretreatment device (55) which is designed to apply a resistance force in an edge region of at least one passage opening (31) of the packaging blank (30) during the subsequent application of the packaging blank ( 30) on the at least one article (20) or the article group (60).

7. A method for producing a packaging unit (10) comprising at least one article (20), in which the outer circumferential surfaces of the at least one article (20) are dried at least in an upper area and wherein the at least one article (20) is subsequently provided with a packaging blank ( 30) is equipped with at least one passage opening (31), which passage opening (31) corresponds to a longitudinal center axis (A) of the at least one article (20).

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the outer jacket surfaces of at least two articles (20) are dried at least in an upper area, after which the at least two articles (20) are grouped or / or positioned next to each other and then with a packaging blank (30) Passages (31), which passages (31) correspond to the longitudinal center axes (A) of the at least two articles (20), are equipped and mechanically held together.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein at least two articles (20) grouped or / or positioned next to each other, then the outer circumferential surfaces of the at least two articles (20) are dried at least in an upper area and then the at least two articles (20) with a Packaging blank (30) with passage openings (31), which passage openings (31) correspond to the longitudinal center axes / A) of the at least two articles (20), are equipped and mechanically held together.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the at least one article (20) is fed along at least one longitudinal guide device (50) of a handling device (46) for equipping with the packaging blank (30), the outer circumferential surfaces of the at least one article ( 20) are dried at least in some areas while being guided along the at least one longitudinal guide device (50).

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the at least one article (20) is dried at least in the area in which the packaging blank (30) is attached to the at least one article (20).

12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein a resistance force in an edge region of the at least one passage opening (31) of the packaging blank (30) during the subsequent application of the packaging blank (30) to the at least one article (20) or the article group ( 60) is reduced.

13. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein a resistance force in an edge region of the at least one passage opening (31) of the packaging blank (30) before the subsequent application of the packaging blank (30) to the at least one article (20) or the article group ( 60) is reduced.