WO2012159694A1

WO2012159694A1 - Packs, method for producing packs and device for handling, conveying, packaging and/or palletising articles

Info

Publication number: WO2012159694A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/001679
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wilfried Ehmer; Thomas Stienen
Original assignee: Khs Gmbh
Priority date: 2011-05-20
Filing date: 2012-04-19
Publication date: 2012-11-29
Also published as: DE102011102683A1

Abstract

The invention relates to packs respectively consisting of a group of articles (2, 3) comprising at least three articles (2), for example a group of containers comprising at least three containers, and to a strapping (3) that consists of at least one strapping element and is wrapped in a loop around the group of articles (2, 3) and holds said group together to form the pack, wherein the strapping has at least one closure (5) that comprises at least one multiply adjustable closing element (12).

Description

Container, method for producing containers and device for handling, conveying, packaging and / or palletizing articles

The invention relates to containers according to the preamble of claim 1, to methods for producing such containers according to the preamble of claim 15 and to devices for handling, conveying, packaging and / or palletizing articles according to the preamble of claim 25.

Articles within the meaning of the invention are in particular containers, i. et al Bottles, cans Tubes, Pourches, each made of metal, glass and / or plastic, but also other packaging, especially those that are suitable for filling liquid or viscous products, but also already in groups (multiple pack) combined articles. It is known to summarize or formulate several articles each into an article group and to produce from the article groups using shrink films fixed or transportable storage and transport units or containers. The disadvantage here is, inter alia, that the films used in this case and in particular the shrinking of the films caused by heat or energy input not inconsiderable costs.

It has also been proposed to produce transportable containers in that the articles each formed into an article group are packaged by strapping around the article group, i. be connected to a container, which is a particularly cost-effective and easy way to produce containers or transport and storage units. The disadvantage here, however, is that the first removal of an article from such a container the remaining in the container items are no longer held together by the strapping. This is true not only when the strapping is separated or cut, but also when it is possible to remove an article from the bundle without severing the strapping.

The object of the invention is to form containers according to the preamble of claim 1 so that even after the removal of one or more items from a container, the cohesion of the remaining items in the container through the strapping remains or can be restored. To solve this problem, a container according to the patent claim 1 is formed. A device for handling, conveying, packaging and palletizing articles is the subject of claim 25. A special feature of the invention is that the respective strapping of the containers can be opened and closed several times, and In addition, the loop length of the loop formed by the strapping is arbitrarily often changed, so that after removing an article from a container by shortening the loop length or by re-tightening the strapping remaining in the container items are still held or fixed.

In the context of the present invention, the wording that "the strapping of the containers can be opened and closed several times" is to be understood as meaning that an extension of the length of the loop formed by the strapping already leads to the opening of the strapping A loosening of the ends of the loop is possible, but not mandatory.

The expression "essentially" or "approximately" in the sense of the invention means deviations from the exact value by +/- 10%, preferably by +/- 5% and / or deviations in the form of changes that are insignificant for the function.

Loop-like in the sense of the invention generally means that the at least one strapping is wrapped around the article group, for example, to form a single or multiple loop.

Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. In this case, all described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination are fundamentally the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their dependency. Also, the content of the claims is made an integral part of the description.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1 in a simplified perspective view of an article group in the form of a container group or formation existing container; 2 shows a simplified representation in plan view of a device for handling, conveying, packaging and palletizing of articles;

Fig. 3 - 6 in a simplified representation different strapping elements for containers.

The container generally designated 1 in Figure 1 consists of a formation or group of containers 2 in the form of bottles which are packed by a loop 3 forming a closed loop or by a strapping element 4 into a package 4, i. connected to each other. The strapping 3 or its strapping element 4 is formed by a length of a band-shaped material, for example a length of a band-shaped material made of plastic, metal, paper and / or a natural fiber material and / or a composite material made of different materials. The respective length of the band-shaped material is connected to a closure 5 to which the container 2 of the container group loop-like enclosing strapping 3. Although in the figure 1, the container 1 is shown with only three containers 2, the container 1 in its original form, for example, more than three containers. The container 2 are formed in the illustrated embodiment on its lateral surface with a constriction, in which the strapping 3 is received or abuts against the respective container 2, so that the container 2 by the strained or tensioned with strapping 3 not only frictionally but are also held form-fitting. The strapping 3 is formed, for example, on its inner side bearing against the containers 2 at least in partial regions with a surface having an increased coefficient of friction, for example with a surface formed by a rubber-like material and / or with a contour adapted to the shape of the container surface. Furthermore, the container 1 is provided with a carrying handle in the form of a strapping attached to the strapping 3 or made in one piece with the strapping 3.

The production of the container 1 takes place, for example, in the apparatus shown schematically in Figure 2, including a horizontal conveyor, ie a conveyor 8 having a horizontal transport plane on which the container 2 upright, ie with their container axes in vertical or substantially vertical Oriented direction in the direction of arrow A fed and transported. On a section 8.1 of the transporter 8 takes place first by a lane division of the container flow a preformation or Vorgruppierung the container 2, in the illustrated embodiment such that the container 2 on the section 8.1 two container formations 2.1 with two in Transport direction A oriented container rows form. From these container formations 2.1, container groups 2.2 consisting of six containers 2 are then divided on the section 8.2 with a compartment unit, which (container groups) already correspond to the final container formations or container groups 2.3 of the manufactured containers 1.

In the following in the direction of transport A section 8.3, the application of the respective strapping 3 takes place on each group of containers 2.2, using the generally designated 9 in Figure 2 strapping stations, which preferably when attaching the strapping 3 not only vertically but also horizontally the container groups 2.3 are moved in the transport direction A and with which the respective strapping 3, for example, from above, eg as already equipped with the closure 5 loop is placed on the respective container group 2.3. Locking and clamping tools are used to form the loop-shaped strapping 3, the clamping and closing of the strapping 4 in the region of the closure 5. Other possibilities for attaching the strapping 3 are possible.

The strapping stations 9 are, for example, units provided on a machine frame or on gantry or articulated-arm robots, which units are moved in a controlled manner in the manner necessary for strapping. The material forming the respective strapping 3, for example strip-like material, is drawn off, for example, from at least one supply reel 9 or a pre-station 9.1 of the respective strapping station 9 and separated with the length required for the respective strapping 3 and provided, for example, with the closure 5. In an analogous manner, the transport loops 6 are formed at the respective Umreifungsstation 9, for example, from the same starting material, which is used for the strapping 3. The interconnected by the respective strapping 3 to a container 1 container groups 2.3 are transported with a conveyor, for example with the feed dog 8 on the section 8.4, in which the container 4 are formed by partial merging and turning to a container assembly 10 in the form and size corresponds to a pallet position, ie a layer that can be stacked with other layers stacked on a transport pallet. The forming of the bundle arrangement 10 takes place, for example, by the strapping stations 9, which also form a grouping unit, or by a separate grouping unit. The peculiarity of the container 1 is that the respective strapping 3 can be repeatedly opened and closed again and / or changed in their effective length, so that there is the possibility container 2, ie in particular two or more than two containers 2 from the container. 1 to remove and then by tightening or by reconnecting and tightening the strapping 3 the remaining container to connect again to a stable container 1 with a reduced number of containers 2, as shown in Figure 1. This is achieved by a corresponding design of the respective strapping element 4 or of the closure 5 there. Examples for this are shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, but other embodiments are also conceivable. However, all versions have in common that a multiple opening and closing and re-tensioning of the strapping 3 to the container 2 by shortening the loop length of the strapping 3 is possible. 4a generally designates a strapping element which consists of a strip length 11, ie a length of a strip-shaped material, as well as two connecting elements 12 and 13 which are connected to the ends of the strip length 11 in a suitable manner, for example by welding, gluing , merge, etc., and cooperatively form the shutter 5a. The strapping element 4a is designed in the manner of a snap-in strap or cable tie. For this purpose, the connecting element 12 is formed with a receptacle 14 into which the connecting element 13 can be inserted. In the receptacle 14, a resilient latching element 15 is provided, which cooperates with a formed on the connecting element 13 and extending in the longitudinal direction of the connecting element 13 screening 16, in such a way that upon insertion of the connecting element 13 in the receptacle 14, the locking element 5 in the grid 16 locked. As a result, a firm re-clamping of the container 2 of the respective container group 2.3 with the strapping element 4a formed by the band length 11 is possible. To remove one or more containers 2 from the container 1, if necessary, the locking element 15 can be manually brought out of engagement with the screening 16. After removal of the container or container 2, the strapping element 4a is again pulled tightly and taut around the remaining container 2 by further insertion of the connecting element 13 into the receptacle 14.

With appropriate design of the tape length 11, the connecting elements 12 and 13, for example, part of the tape length 11, ie, for example, the ends to be joined together this band length. FIGS. 4 and 5 show, as a further embodiment, a strapping element 4b which, inter alia, consists of a strap length 17 which is formed at intervals with thickenings 18. As a closure 5 b, a disc 19 is provided, which is provided with a central bore 20 and with two slot-shaped extensions 21 of the bore 20. The cross section of the bore 20 is equal to or slightly larger than the cross section of the strip length 17 in the region of the thickenings 18. The slot-shaped extensions 21 have a width which is smaller than the cross section of the strip length 17 in the region of the thickenings 18, so that the ends of the example elastically executed band length 17 are connected to each other via the disc 19 after insertion into the slot-shaped extensions 21. In order to avoid straining around the container 2 of the container 1 strapping 4b slipping out of the ends of the tape length 17 from the slot-shaped extensions 21, they are each formed at its closed end as a bore, but with a cross section which is smaller than the cross section of Ribbon length 17 in the region of the thickenings 18. The strapping element 4b or the closure 5b also make it possible to open and close the strapping as often as desired and to release the strapping by increasing the length of the loop from the containers and by subsequently shortening the loop length again to tension the container 2.

FIG. 6 shows, as a further embodiment, a strapping element 4c consisting of the strap length 22 and the connecting elements 23 and 24 forming the closure 5c, which are provided at the two ends of the strap length 22. The connecting elements 23 and 24 are provided on opposite sides with a series of projections 25 and recesses 26 into which the projections 25 can be used to close the strapping 4c fitting. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the projections 25 of the connecting element 23 engage in the recesses 26 of the connecting element 24. Preferably, the projections 25 and / or the recesses 26 are formed so that a latching engagement of the projections 25 takes place in the recesses 26. Since the projections 25 and the corresponding recesses 26 are each provided in the same grid spacing, the strapping formed by the strapping 4c can not only be opened and closed as often as desired, but is in particular as often adjustable in their loop length that even after the repeated removal of several containers 2, the remaining container 2 of the respective container 1 each again with the strapping are firmly connected to each other. The projections 25 and recesses 26 are arranged on the connecting elements 23 and 24 each gap. The connecting elements 23 and 24 may be part of a strip forming the band length 22, ie a band which is provided with the projections 25 and the recesses or openings 26 at least on the part lengths forming the ends of the band length 22. Furthermore, the tape length 22 instead of the projections 25 and recesses 26 may also be carried out in the manner of a Velcro fastener.

7 shows a strapping element 4d, which in turn is formed by a strip length 27 and two connecting elements 28 and 29, which successively and in a same grid spacing a plurality of projections 30 and recesses 31, wherein the projections 30 and the recesses 31 respectively alternate. The projections 30 and depressions 31 are designed such that each projection 30 engages in a recess 31 in a latching manner for closing the strapping element 4d or the closure 5d.

Also, the connectors 28 and 29 may in turn be part of a band length 27 forming band, i. a strip which is provided with the projections 30 and depressions or openings 31 at least on the part lengths forming the ends of the strip length 27.

The invention has been described above from exemplary embodiments. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible.

So it is for example possible that the strapping element for a first rapid opening of the strapping 3 a closed via a further closure 32, the container group 2.3 but not enclosing side loop 33 forms, as indicated in Figure 3. For the first opening of the container 1, the closure 32 is opened and thereby the strapping 3 is loosened. After removal of one or more containers 2, the strapping 3 is tightened around the remaining container 2 again, ie only by the possibility of restoring the remaining container 2 in the container 1 firmly enclosing strapping is a simplified first opening while maintaining a solid container. 1 after the removal of containers 2 possible. Furthermore, it is possible to form the closure 5, 5a-5d, 32 as a tamper-evident or tamper-evident closure or to provide it with such, for example in the form of a removable sealing element or a removable tamper-evident. Furthermore, it is possible for the locking means of the closure 5 to be introduced and / or formed, for example in the form of a multiplicity of holes, recesses, recesses, into a strip material forming the respective strapping element 4 before the respective strapping 3 is produced , Teeth, projections, etc. The introduction of the locking means takes place, for example, with tools by drilling, punching or by permanent deformation, for example, embossing and / or deformation under the action of heat, for example in the respective submission station 9.1. In the formation of the respective strapping 3, the position of the closure 5, 5a-5d or 32 and / or the closure elements or sections 12, 13; 19; 23, 24; 28, 29 is detected and in particular controlled so that the respective closure or the respective closure element or the closure portion does not rest on the surface of the container.

Furthermore, it is possible for the strip length 1, 17, 22, 27 or the starting material forming this strip length to connect to the at least one closure (5, 5a-5d) and / or the at least one closure element (12, 13, 19, 23, 24) ; 28, 29) at least partially, but preferably includes completely or is already equipped in its delivery state with this.

Furthermore, it is possible that the strip length 11, 17, 22, 27 is not, as shown above, as a strip material on at least one supply roll held, from which this strip length 11, 17, 22, 27 is separated if necessary in the required length. According to the invention, it is likewise provided that the strip length 11, 17, 22, 27 are kept in the form of individual strip lengths having a certain length. In particular, with this approach, it makes sense that these individual tape lengths are already equipped with a closure or a closure element.

Furthermore, it is possible that the tape length is provided during its use during the formation of the container and / or the processing of the strip length within the presented device for forming these containers with at least one closure or closure element. For example, by prototyping, for example by applying an existing of a plastic material element by injection molding or die casting on and / or to the strip material.

In a continuation thereof it may be advantageous to undetachably connect the strapping prior to tightening about the containers in a length which is longer than that required circumferential length for strapping the article. In this embodiment, the closure element is a lockable and releasable detent, through which the band of the strapping passes or is inserted in two layers. As a result, a constriction is generated, or formed two loops. After tensioning the strap, or portion representing the strapping loop for the articles, the remaining and outwardly facing strap may serve as a carrying handle or loop. In this case, the closure element can be designed as a catch or clamp in fundamentally known forms and / or can have a closure mold of the abovementioned embodiments in an analogous manner and / or have an aforementioned tamper-evident seal.

The special advantage is that it can be dispensed with a separate carrying handle, whereby the production is facilitated and costs are reduced. All versions, however, have in common that the respective strapping 3 or the strapping element 4, 4a-4d forming this strapping can be opened and closed again as often as desired and / or also offers the possibility, even after the removal of one or more containers 2 from one Container 1, the container remaining there by tightening the loop formed by the strapping again to form a stable, even transportable structure 1 together.

_{1 Q1 Q}

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 container

2 containers

2.1, 2.2, 2.3 container group

3 strapping

4, 4a - 4d strapping element

5 closure

6 carrying strap

7 device

8 transporter

8.1 - 8.4 Section of the carrier 8

9 strapping station

9.1 Submission station

10 bundle arrangement or pallet position

11 tape length

12, 13 connecting element

14 recording

15 sprung locking element

16 screening

17 tape length

18 thickening

19 disc

20 hole

21 slot-shaped extension

22 tape length

23, 24 fasteners

25 advantage

26 deepening

27 tape length

28, 29 connecting element

30 advantage

31 opening

32 closure

33 side loop

I

Claims

claims

1. each container from an article group (2.3) with at least three articles (2), for example from a container group with at least three containers (2), and from one of at least one strapping element (4, 4a - 4d) formed strapping (3), which looped around the article group (2.3) and this together to the container (1), wherein the strapping (3) at least one closure (5, 5a - 5d) with at least one closure element (12, 13, 19, 23, 24 28, 29), characterized

in that the at least one closure (5, 5a-5d) and / or the at least one closure element (12, 13; 19; 23, 24; 28, 29) are used for multiple opening and closing of the strapping (3) and / or for a closure Any number of changing the loop length of the strapping (3) is formed.

2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one closure element (12, 13, 23, 24, 28, 29) locking means (15, 16, 18, 21, 25, 26, 30, 31), with which the strapping (3) with the respective loop length can be locked even under tension.

3. Container according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one strapping element (4, 4a - 4d) or a band forming this element (11, 17, 22, 27) is formed with the locking means.

4. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one strapping element (4, 4a - 4d) at least in the region of the closure (5, 5a - 5d) at least two connecting portions (12, 13; 23, 24; 29), which are overlapping again releasably connected together.

5. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting elements or sections (23, 24, 28, 30) of the strapping (3) forming strapping element (4) are interconnected by a plug connection, for example by a latching connector and / or on at least two opposite sides are each provided with the locking means.

6. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strapping (3) forming strapping element (4a) at least in the region of the closure in the manner of a locking band with a screening (16) having closure element or closure portion (13) and with a at least one resilient detent (15) having closure element or closure portion (12) is formed.

7. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strapping (3) forming the strapping element (4b) or the strapping element (4b) forming band (17) for forming the locking means having a plurality of enlarged diameter portions (18 ), and in that a connecting element (19) is provided, on which the strapping element (4b) can be locked to form the closed loop with the region (18) thickened in cross-section.

8. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strapping forming the strapping element at least in the region of the closure (5) formed like a velcro or velcro-like surfaces.

9. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one strapping element (4) is formed on the inside of the strapping forming and the articles facing side at least partially complementary to the contour of the surface region of the article (2), against the ( Area) the strapping (3) is applied.

10. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one strapping element (4) at least in the region of the closure (5, 5a - 5d) closure elements (23, 24, 28, 29) or closure sections, which for mutual connection and / or latching recesses or openings (26, 31) and in this plug-in projections (25, 30).

11. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strapping (3) or this forming strapping element (4) on a against the article (2) adjacent surface at least in some areas with an adhesive surface and / or with a raised Friction coefficient surface having, for example, with one of a rubber-elastic material, eg made of an elastomeric surface is made.

12. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strapping element (4a) for a first quick opening of the strapping (3) via a further closure (32) closed, the article group (2.3) not enclosing side loop (33) ,

13. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is formed with a carrying handle or a carrying strap (6), wherein the carrying handle or the carrying strap (6) is preferably attached to the strapping (3) or wraps around it.

14. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure (5, 5a - 5d, 32) is designed as a tamper-evident closure or provided with such, for example in the form of a removable sealing element or a removable tamper-evident.

15. A method for producing containers from at least three articles (2), which are combined to form an article group (2.3), for example containers, characterized in that the containers (1) are produced according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

the production of the containers (1) in each case has at least the following method steps:

Grouping the articles (2) into one article group (2.3) in a grouping and / or subdivision station (8.1, 8.2),

^■ feeding the strapping or the at least one strapping forming Umreifungselementes (4, 4a - 4d) of at least one feed station to at least one positioning and strap application assembly or station (9),

Closing and / or tensioning of the strapping (3) by closing tools of the positioning and strapping device or station (9),

wherein the strapping (3) is formed in each case by at least one band ((1, 17, 22, 27) stretched around the outer surfaces of the articles (2) and subsequently biased to form the closed loop of the strapping (3).

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the closure elements (12, 13; 19; 23, 24; 28, 29) forming the closures (5, 5a-5d) are separate elements and are arranged at the positioning and strapping station (9 ) Are connected to a strapping (3) or the respective strapping element (4, 4a - 4d) forming material or strip-shaped material (11, 17, 22, 27).

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the closure elements (12, 13, 23, 24, 28, 29) are permanently connected to the pre-material before the production of the respective strapping (3), for example by welding, gluing or fusion, etc ,

18. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that prior to the production of the respective strapping (3) in a the respective strapping element (4) forming material, preferably in a band-shaped material, the locking means of the closure (5) are introduced, for example in Shape of a plurality of holes, recesses, recesses, teeth, projections, etc., wherein the introduction of the locking means preferably by means of tools by drilling, punching or by permanent deformation, for example, embossing and / or deformation under heat and / or prototyping, for example, injection molding.

19. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Umreifungselemente (4) forming precursor material is fed or withdrawn from at least one supply roll.

20. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the formation of the respective strapping (3) the position of the closure (5, 32) and / or the closure elements or sections (12, 13, 19, 23, 24; 28, 29) is detected and controlled, in particular such that the respective closure or the respective closure element or the closure portion does not rest on the surface of one of the articles (2).

21. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective strapping (3) or forming at least one strapping element (4, 4a - 4d) from above on a transporter (8) with horizontal transport plane upstanding and in horizontally moving article (2) are pushed, preferably with the synchronously with the conveying movement of the conveyor (8) mitbewegten strapping device or - station (9).

22. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strapping device (9) is provided on a gantry or articulated robot and is moved with this preferably synchronously with the movement of the article (2).

23. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (1) after the application of the respective strapping (3) preferably by the strapping device or station (9) by partially pushing together and partially turning to a container arrangement or pallet position (10 ) are formed.

24. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during or after the application of the respective strapping (3) a carrying handle or a support tab (6) attached to the container (1) and / or on the strapping (3) and / / or fixed and / or from the enclosing element (4, 4a-4d) is formed.

25. Apparatus for handling, conveying, packaging and / or palletizing articles (2) with at least one conveyor (8) designed as a horizontal conveyor for continuously conveying the articles (2), comprising means for forming containers (1) of at least two Grouped and interconnected articles (2) and with a grouping device for aligning the container (1) over other containers (1) and for forming pallet layers (10) and / or for preparing a subsequent palletizing, wherein the means for forming the container ( 1) at least one strapping device or station (9) for applying a strapping (3) encompassing the articles (2) of each article group, and wherein the strapping device or station (9) is associated or integral with the horizontal conveyor and / or the subsequent grouping device Part of the horizontal conveyor and / or the Gruppiereinric The strapping device or station (9) comprises a closing device which is produced exclusively by the action of force on the respective strapping element (4, 4a) forming the strapping (3) for producing containers (1) according to one of the preceding claims - 4d) or the at least one closure element (12, 13; 19; 23, 24; 28, 29) closes and / or seals the strapping (3) or the closure element (12, 13; 19; 23, 24; 28, 29).

26. The device according to claim 25, characterized in that the at least one strapping device or station (9) is provided on a gantry and / or articulated robot and / or is part of such a robot, when applying the respective strapping (3) in vertical Direction over the article (2) movable and at the same time in the conveying direction (A) of the article (2) is mitbewegbar with these.