EP4043354A1 - Shrinking device, method of optimizing the shrinking of packaging material onto an assembly comprising at least one item and shrink module - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a shrinking device (1), a method for optimizing the shrinking of a packaging material (2) onto an assembly comprising at least one article (3) and a shrinking agent module (40). The shrinking device (1) comprises at least one lower shrinking agent introduction device (15) which is arranged below a transport path (6) for the article combinations (4) wrapped with packaging material (2). Shrinking agent is introduced into the interior (5) of the shrinking device (1) via the lower shrinking agent introduction device (15) with an upward flow direction via the transport section (6). The at least one lower shrinking agent introduction device (15) can be arranged in different positions below the transport path (6).

Description

The present invention relates to a shrinking device, a method for optimizing the shrinking of a packaging material onto an assembly comprising at least one article and a shrinking agent module according to the features of the independent claims.

The present invention relates to the feeding of shrinking agent within a shrinking device, in particular the feeding from below over the conveying means of the shrinking device.

Methods and devices for packaging articles are known from the prior art, which use a thermoplastic packaging material, in particular a shrink film, as the packaging casing for the articles. This shrink film is generally wrapped around at least one article or assembly of articles as a film blank by means of a wrapping system. The thus at least partially wrapped articles are transported through a shrinking device. In the shrink device, for example a shrink tunnel, the articles wrapped with thermoplastic packaging material are subjected to a shrinking agent, for example hot gas, e.g. warm or hot air, which causes the shrink film to contract so that it clings to the article and the finished packaging unit or the forms finished shrink packs.

Depending on their size, the wrapped articles are often processed in several parallel tracks in the shrink tunnel. In order to be able to apply shrinking agent to all articles or combinations of articles wrapped with thermoplastic packaging material from all sides, means for introducing the warm air must also be provided, which inject the shrinking agent between the articles or combinations of articles guided in parallel. For example, shrink tunnels with at least one inner shaft wall are used for multi-web processing. This inner shaft wall has nozzle openings on both Side walls parallel to the transport direction, so that the shrinking agent flows into the interior of the shrink tunnel on both sides.

In addition to applying shrinking agent to the side of the wrapped article, it is also necessary to apply shrinkage to the bottom area of the wrapped article in order to ensure the necessary stability of the packaging unit or the shrink pack in the area of the overlapping ends of the foil cut lying on the bottom, as well as the form fit in this area. A shrinking agent generator is used for this purpose, for example a hot-air blower, which is arranged below an air-permeable conveyor device on which the wrapped articles are transported through the shrink tunnel.

The conveyor is often designed as a conveyor belt or other suitable funding. It is known in the prior art to apply shrinking agent to the entire surface of the conveyor belt from below.

The conveyor belt, which is permeable to the shrinking agent, is often supported on so-called sliding elements, which are also referred to as sliding strips and which extend through the shrink tunnel parallel to the direction of transport.

The problem is that in the area where the sliding strips are positioned, no hot air can flow from below onto the bottom area of the wrapped articles. This issue is addressed in the patent DE 10 2014 104 646 B4 solved in such a way that in the vicinity of the sliding element at least one flow element is arranged, which has a surface facing the sliding element, the extension of which runs upwards essentially vertically or a projection of the sliding element upwards in the vertical direction or intersects the sliding element itself. The surface of the flow element facing the sliding element directs at least a part of the hot air in one direction, namely onto an area which is located above the sliding element or in the sliding element.

A particular disadvantage of the full-surface application of heat is that the conveyor belt is heated over the entire width. This can lead to the packaging material sticking to the conveyor belt. Furthermore, this causes a high energy discharge from the shrink tunnel and an increased effort when cooling the conveyor belt in the return, especially in the area of the lower run.

The object of the invention is to improve the shrinking of packaging material onto articles, in particular the energy requirement of the shrinking process is to be reduced.

The above object is achieved by a shrinking device, a method for optimizing the shrinking of a packaging material onto an assembly comprising at least one article and a shrinking agent module, comprising the features in the independent patent claims. Further advantageous configurations are described by the dependent claims.

The products to be applied within the shrinking device by means of shrinking medium or shrinking means are formed, for example, by a plurality of articles or at least one article which is/are wrapped with a packaging material. For this purpose, it is provided that the articles are combined into article groups or article combinations in a grouping device. These are then wrapped with the packaging material in a wrapping device. In particular, a packaging material is wrapped around the at least one article or the combination of articles in the wrapping device.

The packaging material is preferably formed from a thermoplastic flat shrink material, in particular a shrink film, which contracts when heat is applied and thus rests against the outwardly facing outer lateral surfaces of the articles, resulting in a close bond in the form of a packaging unit, which packaging unit is also referred to below as a shrink pack referred to as.

Alternatively, the shrink material may be a shrink tube or label that is placed around an article and shrunk onto the article within the shrink apparatus. In the case of a shrink label, it may be necessary to fix its position on the article by means of an adhesive dot or similar, at least temporarily before the start of the shrink process.

The articles are preferably containers, in particular beverage containers such as bottles, cans or the like made of glass, plastic, metal etc.

A shrinking device according to the invention has an interior space with a transport path for the at least one-track transport of articles or combinations of articles wrapped with packaging material.

The transport path is formed, for example, by a conveyor device in the form of a circulating conveyor belt or the like, which extends through the shrinking device.

The shrinking device comprises a plurality of shrinking agent application devices which are designed to apply shrinking agent to the articles wrapped with packaging material. These are preferably lateral shrinkage agent introduction devices and/or lower shrinkage agent introduction devices and/or upper shrinkage agent introduction devices.

According to one embodiment, it is provided that the lateral shrinking agent introduction devices are designed as shaft walls, which each have at least one outflow surface for shrinking agent directed towards the respective transport path.

The number of shaft walls defines the number of transport sections formed. In the case of single-track transport over a transport section, so-called outer shaft walls are provided on both sides on or above the transport section, each having an outflow surface facing the interior of the shrinking device and a closed side surface facing the housing of the shrinking device.

In the case of two-lane transport over two parallel transport routes, three shaft walls are arranged on or above the transport routes. In particular, the two transport routes in the vicinity of the housing of the shrinking device are each delimited by outer shaft walls.

An inner shaft wall is arranged in the middle or approximately in the middle between the two outer shaft walls, the two essentially vertical side surfaces of which are each designed as outflow surfaces parallel to the transport direction. The central or inner shaft wall thus feeds shrinking medium or shrinking agent in particular to the two parallel transport sections, with the application of shrinking medium to the two parallel transport sections having or can have approximately the same magnitude.

The at least one lower shrinking agent introduction device, which is designed to introduce shrinking agent with an upward flow direction via the transport path into the interior of the shrinking device, is arranged below the transport route. It is provided here that the at least one lower shrinking agent introduction device can be arranged in different positions below the transport section.

By changing the position, the supply of shrinking agent can be tailored to the products passing through the shrinking device. A change and adjustment of the position of the lower shrinking agent inserting device thus takes place in particular when the shrinking device is put into operation for the first time or when the product is changed or the like.

The at least one lower shrinking agent introduction device extends essentially along a longitudinal extent of the shrinking device below the transport section and is arranged or designed to be movable.

One embodiment can provide that the at least one lower shrinking agent introduction device is designed to carry out a movement orthogonal to the transport direction. For example, the at least one lower shrinking agent introduction device is arranged on a positioning device that is formed by a rail system or the like.

The positioning device preferably extends below the transport path transversely to the transport direction and the at least one lower shrinking agent introduction device can assume different positions below the transport path by displacement transversely to the transport direction.

In particular in the case of shrinking devices which are designed for multi-lane transport, it is provided that a plurality of lower shrinking agent introduction devices are arranged on a correspondingly designed positioning device or on a plurality of positioning devices. It is preferably provided that the respective position of the at least two lower shrinking agent introduction devices can be set independently of one another on the at least one positioning device.

A shrinking agent generator, for example a hot air blower for generating hot air, is assigned to the at least one lower shrinking agent introduction device. If a plurality of lower shrinkage agent introduction devices are provided, the supply of shrinkage agent to each lower shrinkage agent introduction device can preferably be regulated individually. In particular, the supply of shrinking agent to at least one lower shrinking agent introduction device can also be switched off completely if required. In order to bring about this, it can be provided that each lower shrinking agent introduction device is assigned its own shrinking agent generator.

Alternatively, several lower shrinkage agent introduction devices can also be connected to a common shrinkage agent generator. Preferably, the lower shrinkage agent introduction devices are connected to the respective shrinkage agent generator via flexible supply lines, which allow the lower shrinkage agent introduction devices to be repositioned without interference.

If a single shrinking agent producer serves a plurality of at least two lower shrinking agent introduction devices, then in particular adjusting means can be provided in order to be able to control and adjust the supply of shrinking agent to the different lower shrinking agent introduction devices differently as required. The adjustment means can be formed, for example, by valves, throttle valves or other suitable devices.

One embodiment provides that the at least one lower shrinking agent introduction device is designed as a nozzle module, which nozzle module has nozzle openings on an upper side pointing towards the transport section, through which nozzle openings the shrinking agent flows out upwards in the direction of the transport section. Here it can be provided that the size of the nozzle openings and/or the application of shrinking agent to the nozzle openings can be set and/or changed at least partially in areas along the longitudinal extent to adapt to the product to be processed.

For example, immediately after the article enters the interior of the shrinking device, the underside can be heavily applied with shrinking agent from below in order to quickly achieve a stable standing surface by shrinking the packaging material onto the bottom area of the article. On the other hand, the supply of shrinking agent coming from below can be reduced in the following areas.

Other embodiments can provide by appropriate adjustment of the nozzle openings that in the initial area rather less or no shrinking agent is directed from below onto the article covered with packaging material, but that the shrinking of the packaging material onto the bottom area of the Article only preferably takes place in a middle or rear area of the shrinking device.

In order to stabilize the transport route, it can be provided that the necessary sliding strips, which serve as a support surface and/or stabilization surface for the conveyor device, are assigned to the lower shrinking agent introduction devices or are designed as part of the same.

One embodiment provides that at least one sliding strip is assigned to or arranged on the upper side of the lower shrinking agent introduction devices. In particular, it is provided that two sliding strips extend parallel to the transport direction on the upper side edges of a lower shrinking agent introduction device. This is particularly advantageous when the width of the articles wrapped with packaging material transversely to the direction of transport is less than the width of the respective lower shrinking agent introduction device. In this case, the articles are guided centrally over the lower shrinking agent introduction device, which ensures that the entire underside of the articles wrapped with packaging material is acted upon by shrinking agent from below. The stabilization of the conveying device takes place in particular in laterally allocated areas in which the articles do not stand up.

If necessary, it can be provided that the sliding strip also has nozzle openings, with the nozzle openings of the sliding strip being aligned with the nozzle openings on the upper side of the lower shrinking agent introduction device, so that shrinking agent is guided upwards through the overlying conveyor device via the sliding strips.

Provision can furthermore be made for the shrinking means device to comprise a control device or for the shrinking means device to be assigned a control device via which the positioning of the at least one lower shrinking means introduction device can be controlled. Preferably, the positioning and/or the operating state of further lateral shrinking agent introduction devices can also be controlled via the control device in order to be able to easily adapt the transport sections to new production conditions when there is a product change.

For example, the lateral shrinking agent introduction devices can also be shifted transversely to the transport device in order to change the width of individual transport sections. The supply of shrinking agent can also be provided switch on or off to individual lateral shrinking agent introduction devices as required. Particularly preferably, a coordinated adjustment of the at least one lower shrinkage agent introduction device and further lateral shrinkage agent introduction devices can take place via the control device.

Furthermore, a shrinking means module for a shrinking device is described. Such a shrinking agent module comprises at least one shrinking agent introduction device and at least one positioning device. The shrinking agent module is designed to be arranged below a transport path of the shrinking device, with the shrinking agent introduction device being designed to dispense shrinking agent with an upward flow direction and with the shrinking agent introduction device being able to be fixed in different positions on the positioning device.

The number of transport sections within a shrinking device can be adjusted during a product change thanks to a modular design, in particular through the modular arrangement of shrinking agent modules with at least one lower shrinking agent introduction device and/or the modular arrangement of inner shaft walls for lateral spraying with shrinking agent. In particular, it is thus possible to process smaller products in multiple lanes within the shrinking device, as a result of which the throughput of the shrinking device can be increased. In addition, with multi-lane processing, the energy requirement per packaging unit produced can be reduced.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lower shrinking agent introduction devices are formed by longitudinally aligned, adjustable flow channels, which are designed in a manner comparable to a shaft wall base body known from the prior art. The flow channels are arranged under a conveying device designed, for example, as a mesh belt. The top of the flow channels is perforated so that shrinking agent in the form of hot air or similar flows out upwards. Slide rails for supporting the conveying device are arranged on the flow channels.

Due to the possibility of adjustment, the shrinking process can be influenced in a targeted manner and, in particular, can be directed to specific areas. As a result, the shrinking agent can be applied in a targeted manner to the products, in particular the articles or combinations of articles wrapped with packaging material. Since not the entire conveyor, but only parts of the transport chain or similar are heated, energy can be saved. Due to the lower overall heating of the conveying device, sticking of the packaging material to the same is reduced.

The arrangement of the slide rails on the lower shrinking agent introduction devices also enables advantageous positioning in relation to the respective products, since the products can preferably be guided along between the slide rails in each case. As a result, the products can be fully covered with shrinking agent from below. This for an optimized and symmetrical shrinking result.

In particular, it may be that the at least one lower adjustable shrinking agent introduction device extends over a maximum of half the length (seen in the transport direction of the pack) of the shrinking device.

As an alternative to this, it can be provided that the at least one lower adjustable shrinking agent introduction device extends over a maximum of three quarters of the length (seen in the transport direction of the pack) of the shrinking device.

Optionally, it can also be provided that several or preferably all of the adjustable shrinking agent introduction devices extend or extend over a maximum of three quarters, alternatively a maximum of half, of the length (seen in the transport direction of the pack) of the shrinking device.

In particular, it may be the case that an initial zone of the shrinking device (seen in the transport direction of the pack) does not have any adjustable shrinking agent introduction devices and/or positioning devices.

In particular, it may be the case that only a middle zone and/or end zone of the shrinking device has adjustable shrinking agent introduction devices and/or positioning devices.

It should be expressly mentioned at this point that all aspects and design variants that have been explained in connection with the device according to the invention equally relate to or can be partial aspects of the method according to the invention. Therefore, if certain aspects and/or connections 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 equally relate to or can be partial aspects of the device according to the invention. Therefore, if certain aspects and/or connections and/or effects are mentioned at one point in the description or also in the definition of claims for the method according to the invention, this applies equally to the device according to the invention.

• Fig. 1 zeigt eine Schrumpfvorrichtung gemäß dem bekannten Stand der Technik in einer Schnittansicht in Transportrichtung.
• Fig. 2 zeigt eine Vergrößerung eines Details der Transportstrecke aus Fig. 1.
• Figuren 3 bis 6 zeigen unterschiedliche Betriebsmodi einer ersten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Schrumpfvorrichtung in einer Schnittansicht in Transportrichtung.
• Fig. 7 zeigt eine zweite Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Schrumpfvorrichtung in einer Schnittansicht in Transportrichtung.
• Fig. 8 zeigt eine Ausführungsform eines Schrumpfmittelmoduls, das Teil einer erfindungsgemäßen Schrumpfvorrichtung sein kann.

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

• 1 shows a shrinking device according to the prior art in a sectional view in the direction of transport.
• 2 shows an enlargement of a detail of the transport route 1 .
• Figures 3 to 6 show different operating modes of a first embodiment of a shrinking device according to the invention in a sectional view in the transport direction.
• 7 shows a second embodiment of a shrinking device according to the invention in a sectional view in the transport direction.
• 8 shows an embodiment of a shrinking means module, which can be part of a shrinking device according to the invention.

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 only represent examples of how the device according to the invention or the method according to the invention can be designed and do not represent any final limitation.

the 1 shows a shrinking device 1 according to the known prior art in a sectional view in the direction of transport. the 2 shows an enlargement of a detail of the transport section 6 1 .

The shrinking device 1 is used in particular to shrink thermoplastic packaging material 2 onto articles 3 or groups of articles 4 .

The shrinking device 2 has an interior space 5 with a transport path 6 for the at least one-lane transport of article groups 4 wrapped with packaging material 2 in one transport direction. The transport path 6 is formed here by a circulating conveyor belt 7 .

Furthermore, the shrinking device 1 has shrinking agent introduction devices 8 which are designed to apply shrinking agent to the articles 3 wrapped with packaging material 2 . Here, on the one hand, lateral shrinking agent introduction devices 9 are provided, in particular lateral shaft walls 10, which have an outflow surface 11 for shrinking agent directed towards the respective transport path.

Within the shrinking device 1 shown here, transport is possible in up to four parallel transport paths. In particular, the shrinking device has three inner shaft walls 12, which each have outflow surfaces 11 for shrinking agent on both sides, in order to apply this laterally to the articles 3 wrapped with packaging material 2 transported via the transport tracks.

Furthermore, the shrinking device 1 comprises two outer shaft walls 13, which in particular each have an outflow surface 11 pointing in the direction of the interior 5 of the shrinking device 1, while the other side surface of the outer shaft walls 13 is designed as a closed side surface 14.

Furthermore, a lower shrinking agent introduction device 15 in the form of a floor chamber 16 or the like is preferably provided, which is located below the transport section 11 and is designed to apply shrinking agent with an upward flow component through the conveyor belt 7 onto the underside of the packaging material 2 wrapped Article 4 to direct.

In order to avoid overheating of the conveyor 7, which would lead to damage to the articles 3 wrapped with packaging material 2, for example due to the shrink film sticking, one or more cooling devices (not shown) can be provided, which cool the conveyor belt 7, particularly in the area of the return over cool down the return run (not shown).

With the arrows is in 2 schematically shows the course of the flow of the shrinking agent. This flows out of the bottom chamber 16 via a perforated plate 17 and then flows through the conveyor belt 7 spaced apart from the perforated plate 17. The shrinking agent flowing through the conveyor belt 7 hits the underside of the articles 3 wrapped with packaging material 2 and thereby shrinks the packaging material 2 in the area of the underside Article 3 (not shown).

Below the upper run of the conveyor belt 7 are sliding strips 18 which extend parallel to the transport direction and on which the upper run of the conveyor belt 7 runs. In the area of the sliding strip 18, no shrinking agent can thus pass directly through the conveyor belt 7.

In the area or in the vicinity of the sliding strip 18 is in the magnification 2 It can be seen that the shrinking agent is also deflected by the sliding strip 18 in such a way that a certain proportion hits the conveyor belt 7 further away from the sliding strip 18 from below. This reduces the amount of shrinking agent that escapes in this area. In particular, in the area immediately above the sliding strip 18 , virtually no shrinking agent escapes via the conveyor belt 7 . This leads to an inferior quality of shrinkage of the thermoplastic packaging material 2 in this area.

The schematic views of Figures 3 to 6 show different operating modes of a first embodiment of a shrinking device 20 according to the invention in a sectional view in the transport direction.

This is how it shows 3 a first embodiment of a shrinking device 20 in a sectional view in the transport direction. In this case, two lower shrinking agent introduction devices 15-1, 15-2 are arranged below the transport path 6, which can be arranged in different positions below the transport path 6. For this purpose, the lower shrinking agent introduction devices 15-1, 15-2 are each designed as distribution channels 21, which are designed to dispense shrinking agent with an upward flow direction.

The distribution channels 21 each extend along a longitudinal extension of the shrinking device 1 below the transport section 6, in particular below the upper run of the conveyor belt 7.

In order to be able to change the position of the distribution channels 21 within the shrinking device 1, they are assigned to a suitable positioning device 22. The positioning device 22 is formed, for example, by a carriage guide 23 assigned to the respective distribution channel 21 and at least one rail 24 extending transversely to the transport direction. The distribution channels 21 can thus be displaced transversely to the transport direction by displacement along the rail 24 .

The position can be set manually or by motor and/or automatically. For example, the positioning device 22 can include a spindle adjustment with a corresponding crank. An automated adjustment can also take place via a control device 30, which uses specific product parameters to determine the optimal arrangement of the distribution channels 21 and controls the positioning device 22 in order to adjust the arrangement of the distribution channels accordingly.

In this context, it may be necessary to adjust the arrangement of the shaft walls 10 within the shrinking device 20. For example, provision can be made for shaft walls 10 to be moved laterally in order to adapt the width of the transport tracks to the respective product requirements. For example, one of the inner shaft walls 12 can be moved directly up to an outer shaft wall 13 in order to use the shrinking device 20 for three-lane transport. Alternatively, one of the inner shaft walls 12 could also be completely removed from the shrinking device 20 in the event of a product changeover.

In this context, a preferred embodiment can provide that the positioning of the at least one lower shrinking agent introduction device 15 and further lateral shrinking agent introduction devices 9 takes place in a coordinated manner and/or is adjusted in a coordinated manner by a control device 30 .

A shrinking agent generator 25, for example a hot air blower 26, is assigned to the distribution channels 21. An alternative embodiment, not shown, can provide that each distribution channel 21 is assigned its own hot air blower 26, so that the supply of shrinking agent to each distribution channel 21 can be controlled and adjusted individually .

In the present exemplary embodiment, both distribution channels 21 are assigned to a common shrinkage agent generator 25, in particular via flexible supply lines 27, which have a sufficient length to enable the different positioning.

In this case, too, the supply of shrinking agent to each of the two distribution channels 21 can preferably be controlled and adjusted individually. For this purpose, an adjusting means 28 , for example a valve, a throttle valve or the like, is arranged between the shrinking agent generator 25 and the respective distribution channel 21 .

In particular, the distribution channels 21 are configured as nozzle modules 31 , each distribution channel 21 having an upper side 32 pointing towards the transport section 6 with nozzle openings 33 through which nozzle openings 33 the shrinking agent flows upwards in the direction of the transport section 6 .

One embodiment can provide that the size of the nozzle openings 33 and/or the application of shrinking agent to the nozzle openings 33 is/are adjustable at least partially in areas along the longitudinal extension, so that during transport through the shrinking device 20, more or less shrinking agent is applied from below in some areas the articles 3 wrapped with packaging material 2 can be applied.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the distribution channels 21 on the upper side 32 or the upper side 32 each comprise at least one sliding strip 35 which serves as a support surface for the conveyor belt 7 . In particular, it is provided that two sliding strips 35 extend parallel to the transport direction on the upper side edges. In particular, if the width of the article 3 wrapped with packaging material 2 transversely to the transport direction is smaller than the width of the respective distribution channel, it can thus be ensured that the entire underside of the article 3 wrapped with packaging material 2 is acted upon with shrinking agent from below.

If necessary, it can be provided that the sliding strip 35 also has nozzle openings, which are aligned with the nozzle openings 33 of the upper side 32, so that the shrinking agent is passed upwards through the supporting conveyor belt 7 via the sliding strips 35.

In the operating mode shown 3 only the two middle transport tracks are used. In this case, the two distribution channels 21 are each assigned to the center of these two transport tracks.

On the other hand, in the in 4 operating mode shown uses all four transport lanes. In this case, each distribution channel 21 is assigned to two adjacent transport lanes in the middle in order to be able to serve all four transport lanes accordingly.

The shrinking device 20 according to figure 5 continue to have a service item 37. A distribution channel 21 can be brought into this if repair or maintenance work has to be carried out on this distribution channel 21 due to a fault or the like. The service position 37 is preferably easily accessible from the outside, so that maintenance work on the distribution channel 21 arranged in the service position 37 can also be carried out by an appropriate operator during operation.

In 6 the use for wide products is shown. In this case the middle inner shaft wall 12 was completely removed from the shrinking device 20 . The two distribution channels 21 were arranged centrally adjacent to one another, so that both distribution channels 21 together serve the central transport path.

the 7 shows a shrinking device 20 designed for four-track transport, in which four distribution channels 21 are provided, so that one distribution channel 21 is assigned to each transport track. If only part of the transport paths is used, the distribution channels 21, which are assigned to the transport paths that are not used, can be switched off via the setting means 28, which is shown in FIG 7 marked with an X.

In particular, according to one embodiment, it can be provided that the lower shrinking agent introduction device 15 is part of an in 8 form shrinking agent module 40 shown. Such a shrinking agent module 40 comprises at least one shrinking agent introduction device 15 and at least one positioning device 22. The shrinking agent module 40 is designed to be arranged below a transport path of a shrinking device (not shown).

Furthermore, the shrinking agent introduction device 15 is designed to deliver shrinking agent with an upward flow direction. The shrinking agent introduction device 15 can be fixed in different positions on the positioning device 22 .

The shrinking agent introduction device 15 is preferably designed as a distribution channel 21 or nozzle module 31 with nozzle openings 33 through which nozzle openings 33 the shrinking agent flows out upwards.

The embodiments, examples and variants of the preceding paragraphs, the claims or the following description and figures, including their different views or respective individual features, can be independent of each other or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless the features are incompatible.

Although "schematic" representations and views are generally referred to in connection with the above description of the figures, this in no way means that the representations of the figures and their description are to be of secondary importance with regard to the disclosure of the invention. The person skilled in the art is quite capable of extracting enough information from the schematic and abstract drawings to make it easier for him to understand the invention, without having to lose sight of the proportions of the items and/or parts of the device that are drawn and may not be exactly to scale or other drawn elements would be impaired in any way in his understanding. The figures thus enable the person skilled in the art as a reader to derive a better understanding of the inventive concept formulated more generally and/or more abstractly in the claims and in the general part of the description on the basis of 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 will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that modifications or variations can be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Reference List

1

shrink device

2

thermoplastic packaging material

3

article

4

item group

5

inner space

6

transport route

7

conveyor belt

8th

Shrinking agent feeding device

9

lateral shrinking agent introduction device

10

lateral shaft wall

11

outflow area

12

inner shaft wall

13

outer shaft wall

14

closed side surface

15

lower shrinkage agent feeding device

16

attic chamber

17

perforated plate

18

sliding strip

20

shrink device

21

distribution channel

22

position setup

23

carriage guidance

24

rail

25

Shrinkage Agents

26

heat gun

27

supply line

28

adjustment means

30

control device

31

nozzle module

32

top

33

nozzle opening

35

sliding strip

37

service position

40

Shrinkage Module

Claims (15)

Shrinking device (1) for shrinking a packaging material (2) onto an assembly comprising at least one article (3), - wherein the shrinking device (1) comprises an interior space (5) with a transport path (6) for the at least single-lane transport of item combinations (4) wrapped with packaging material (2), which are conveyed through the shrinking device (1) in a transport direction (TR). will, - wherein the shrinking device (1) comprises a plurality of shrinking agent introduction devices (8) which are designed to apply shrinking agent to the packaging material (2) wrapped article assemblies (4), - wherein at least one lower shrinking agent introduction device (15) is arranged below the transport section (6), which is designed to introduce shrinking agent with an upward flow direction via the transport section (6) into the interior (5) of the shrinking device (1), - Which at least one lower shrinking agent introduction device (15) can be arranged in different positions below the transport path (6). Shrinkage device (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the at least one lower shrinkage agent introduction device (15) extends essentially along a longitudinal extent of the shrinkage device (1) below the transport path (6) and wherein the at least one lower shrinkage agent introduction device (15) is arranged or designed to be movable . Shrinkage device (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one lower shrinking agent introduction device (15) is designed to carry out a movement orthogonal to the transport direction, in particular wherein the at least one lower shrinking agent introduction device (15) is arranged on a positioning device (22), in particular wherein the positioning device (22) is formed by a rail system (24) which extends below the transport section (6) transversely to the transport direction, the at least one lower Shrinking agent introduction device (15) is arranged in a sliding manner on the rail system (24). Shrinking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shrinking device (1) comprises at least two lower shrinking agent introduction devices (15) which are arranged on a positioning device (22), in particular wherein the positioning device (22) is formed by a rail system (24). , which extends below the transport section (6) transversely to the transport direction, with a respective position of the at least two lower shrinking agent introduction devices (15) being adjustable independently of one another on the positioning device (22). Shrinking device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the supply of shrinking agent to each of the at least two lower shrinking agent introduction devices (15) can be set individually, in particular wherein each of the at least two lower shrinking agent introduction devices (15) is assigned a shrinking agent generator (25) or wherein the shrinking device ( 1) comprises a shrinkage agent generator (25), wherein the at least two lower shrinkage agent introduction devices (15) are each connected to the shrinkage agent generator (25), in particular via flexible supply lines (27), in particular wherein between the shrinkage agent generator (25) and a respective lower shrinkage agent introduction device ( 15) in each case at least one adjustment means (28) is arranged. Shrinking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one lower shrinking agent introduction device (15) is designed as a nozzle module (31) which has nozzle openings (33) on an upper side (32) pointing towards the transport path (6), through which nozzle openings ( 33) the shrinking agent flows out upwards in the direction of the transport section (6). Shrinkage device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the size of the nozzle openings (33) and/or the loading of the nozzle openings (33) with shrinking agent is/are adjustable at least partially in areas along the longitudinal extent of the lower shrinking agent introduction device (15). Shrinking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one lower shrinking agent introduction device (15) has at least one sliding strip (35) on an upper side pointing towards the transport path (6). which forms at least one sliding strip (35) as a bearing surface for at least one conveyor device forming the transport path (6). Shrinking agent device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a control device (30) via which the positioning of the at least one lower shrinking agent introduction device (15) and further lateral shrinking agent introduction devices (9) can be controlled, in particular via which the positioning of the at least one lower shrinking agent introduction device (15) and further lateral shrinking agent introduction devices (9) can be coordinated. Method for optimizing the shrinking of a packaging material (2) onto an assembly comprising at least one article, - wherein the article assembly (4) wrapped with packaging material (2) is moved over a transport section (6) in a transport direction through the shrinking device (1), - wherein shrinking agent is applied with an upward flow direction via at least one lower shrinking agent introduction device (15) from below onto the item combinations (4) covered with packaging material (2), - The position of the at least one shrinking agent introduction device (15) below the transport section (6) being able to be changed and adjusted. Method according to claim 10, wherein the at least one lower shrinking agent introduction device (15) can be moved transversely to the transport direction, in particular wherein the at least one shrinkage agent introduction device (15) can be displaced on a rail system (24) extending transversely to the transport direction below the transport path (6). . Method according to Claim 10 or 11, in which shrinking agent with a horizontal flow component is also applied laterally via at least one lateral shrinking agent introduction device (9) to the article combinations (4) covered with packaging material (2), with the positioning of the at least one lower shrinking agent introduction device ( 15) and the at least one lateral shrinking agent introduction device (9) can be adjusted in a coordinated manner. Method according to one of Claims 10 to 12, in which the at least one lower shrinking agent introduction device (15) extends essentially along a longitudinal extension of the shrinking device (1) in the interior (5) of the shrinking device (1) and has an upper side ( 32) with nozzle openings (33) for the shrinking agent, with the size of the nozzle openings (33) and/or the loading of the nozzle openings (33) with shrinking agent being adjusted at least partially in areas along the longitudinal extent in order to adapt to the product to be processed in each case. Shrinking agent module (40) for a shrinking device (1) comprising a shrinking agent introduction device (8) and a positioning device (22), - which shrinking means module (40) is designed to be arranged below a transport section (6) of the shrinking device (1), - which shrinking agent introduction device (8) is designed to dispense shrinking agent with an upward flow direction, - which shrinking agent introduction device (8) can be fixed in different positions on the positioning device (22). Shrinkage agent module (40) according to Claim 14, wherein the shrinkage agent introduction device (8) is designed as a nozzle module (31) which has nozzle openings (33) on an upper side (32) through which nozzle openings (33) the shrinkage agent flows upwards.

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