WO2017174170A1

WO2017174170A1 - Method and device for packing and/or grouping articles

Info

Publication number: WO2017174170A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/082832
Authority: WO
Inventors: Heiner Schäfer; Jürgen Werner; Johannes KIRZINGER; Thomas Wimmer; Richard Eschlbeck; Manuel Kollmuss; Herbert Spindler; Christian Hastreiter; Andreas Fritsch
Original assignee: Krones Ag
Priority date: 2016-04-06
Filing date: 2016-12-29
Publication date: 2017-10-12
Also published as: DE102016106265A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for packing and/or grouping articles, in particular in order to form packs, having at least the following steps: - generating an article flow in a conveyor direction; and - wrapping the article flow with at least one layer of a stretchable film which is applied under tension in particular, whereby an article film packaging is produced which moves continuously in the conveyor direction, wherein - the film is completely severed between articles and/or groups of articles which are adjacent in the conveyor direction on a plane running perpendicularly to the article flow in particular; before severing the film, an additional spacing between adjacent articles is produced in a controlled manner between adjacent articles and/or groups of articles of the article flow; and the film is then completely severed in the region of the additional spacing such that the film is applied onto lateral surfaces of the articles and/or end surfaces of the packs of articles at least in some locations, preferably automatically.

Description

Method and device for packaging and / or grouping articles

description

The present invention relates to a method for packaging and / or grouping of articles, in particular for the formation of containers and a device for packaging and / or grouping of articles, in particular for the formation of containers, according to the respective preambles of claims 1 and 11.

The method described here comprises a first step, in which an article flow is initially generated in a conveying direction, wherein, in particular after the article flow has been generated, the article flow is enveloped by at least one layer of stretchable film, in particular under tension, resulting in a film wrap moving endlessly in the conveying direction the article is formed.

In a next method step, the film is completely severed in a plane running, for example, perpendicular to the article flow, between articles and / or groups of articles which are adjacent in the conveying direction. In this case, the severing of the film between each directly adjacent articles or between control and / or controllable group arrangements of the article can be performed. The severing preferably takes place continuously, ie the movement of a separating device can follow the transport direction of the articles and therefore also follow the articles along the conveying direction over an adjustable path. A separation direction can be inclined relative to the conveying direction. An appropriate angle of inclination can be see zero and 90 degrees. In this respect, the parting line is at most in one dimension perpendicular to the article transport direction.

However, wrapping methods are already known from the prior art. Namely, for example, those methods are known in which individual containers are wrapped in the cycle. In this case, the cycle length can be set according to a length of a container group. However, this method has low performance due to the clock transporting of the articles to be used. On the other hand, furthermore, continuous transport methods are known in which containers which are transported close to dense and continuously transported are wrapped with a film in order to be subsequently separated. Although this method usually has a higher performance than a clocked transporting the containers, but after cutting no or very little film overhang for a sufficiently strong frontal side cover of the groups of articles. Such a continuous one

Transport method is therefore based, inter alia, for optimizing performance that a container separation, for example, without additional spacing, the individual article is accomplished by cutting through the film. However, due to the lack of film projection laterally outside of the container, the container is laterally also largely open, which not only increases the risk of external contamination of the container container, but also causes the containers to fall laterally out of the container. In particular, for example, the containers arranged in the middle can be a container of containers, with more than two rows, arranged very particularly loosely and unstably within the container.

In addition, there is the risk in side areas of such a container without substantial beveling of the bound containers that the film retracts further from the edge area of the container due to the internal tension after the separation process and thus a stability but also a protection of the container surface is reduced.

In addition, it has been found that in particular rectangular containers or groups of containers, which are often free of import bevels at the desired separation point, only very difficult or even can not be separated because a foil cutting element is difficult to retract between the containers.

Even with a separation of the film with laser radiation and a displacement of the container to each other to cut better in the separation area, the disadvantage remains that no film eye the sides and the end faces at least partially encloses, which is still a bad pollution protection and instabilities of the Container arranged on the outer edge inside the container passes through the retracting foil after the cutting process.

Proceeding from this, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for packaging and / or grouping articles, in particular for the formation of containers, in which the above-mentioned problems are avoided, thus in a particularly simple manner with high production efficiency in particular to produce mechanically stable containers of articles.

This object is solved by the subject matter of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims. In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention makes use, inter alia, of the idea that an additional spacing between articles and / or groups of articles of this stream of articles is created before the film is severed, and the film is produced in the area of this article Additional distance is then completely severed, so that the film preferably automatically, at least in places places on side surfaces of the articles and / or end faces of the container of articles.

For example, the articles may be containers, in particular plastic containers, glass bottles, cans, packaging or other piece goods. It has therefore been recognized that the film itself can act as an additional or sole side support of articles arranged laterally on containers. In particular, this may mean that, except for the foil, the container of articles is free of further holding means for the mechanically stable arrangement of the articles of the container. This can be the Further, therefore, the film is the only holding means of the package which holds the articles together in the package and stabilizes each other in position.

In other words, the present invention improves a pack stability by producing a film supernatant to the article group to be formed. This film projection can therefore also protect the article group from the front side by the film tension applied at least in the winding direction (forming a lateral film eye by means of "constricting effect"). It is conceivable that small film overhangs create by the Stretchzug to the container / pack and secure them against slipping sideways.

Large film overhangs can be welded by an optional heat input in this area.

As a result, the stretch eye can be significantly reduced (higher stability) or fully enclosed (closed) for optimum protection of the content, e.g. Against pollution)

This is achieved, inter alia, by the fact that, due to the above-mentioned additional distance, the film overhang thus produced after separation bears against the end faces of the containers. This application is preferably done automatically, i. free of additional auxiliary or work materials.

So that the transported articles can stand stably during transport, it can be provided in particular that the articles support one another up to the moment of the separation or even only up to the moment of the application of the film. This can be achieved by the fact that the articles touch each other on side surfaces until this moment or that insert elements are installed between directly adjacent articles.

In other words, therefore, the present invention provides the decisive advantage that a controllable winding film supernatant is also present after the separation process and a film eye also better surrounds the container laterally. For winding packages with more than two rows of articles, for example of containers, so that even the middle container to the film eye are kept safe.

Also, a separation is greatly simplified by the generation of the additional distance, since using existing mechanical release agent, such as a separate separator, much easier can be driven between the individual containers to cut through the film completely.

The above-mentioned method can also be used for a mere repackaging and / or closing of individual articles, in particular of individual packages. In this case, parallelepipedic packages, such as e.g. Carton packaging with subsequent re-separation of the packaging or individual packaging components into consideration. All in all, therefore, the present method leads to a particularly high throughput in a continuous transport operation, so that the present method is also free, for example, of a timed transport of the article.

According to at least one embodiment of the method for packaging and / or grouping articles, in particular for forming containers, this first comprises generating an article stream in a conveying direction, wherein in a next step at least one single-layer wrapping of this article stream by means of one, in particular Tension-applied stretchable film takes place, from which an endlessly moving in the conveying direction foil packaging of the article is formed.

Preferably, the articles of the article stream are conveyed on a standing (support) plate and in particular pushed and then wrapped together with this plate. Subsequently, the wrapped articles are removed from this plate, in particular by means of a subsequent to the conversion device feed device, for example, using a side guide.

In a further step, the foil is completely severed in a plane extending in particular perpendicular to the article flow between articles and / or groups of articles which are adjacent in the conveying direction. According to the invention, the invention comprises a further step, during which an additional distance between adjacent articles is selectively generated between adjacent articles and / or groups of articles of this article stream before the film is severed and the film is subsequently completely severed in the region of this additional distance, so that the Foil preferably automatically at least in places on side surfaces of the article and / or end faces of the container of articles applies.

An extension of the additional distance in the conveying direction can be smaller than a corresponding expansion of the articles in this direction. For example, the additional spacing has an extension of at least 10 mm to at most 100 mm, preferably from at least 20 mm to at most 80 mm, preferably from at least 30 mm to at most 70 mm and preferably from at least 40 mm to at most 60 mm in the conveying direction.

According to at least one embodiment, the articles are conveyed in the conveying direction by means of a dynamic pressure conveying, in particular wherein the Straudruckanförderung comprises conveying the articles at a first conveying speed and then conveying the articles under a second conveying speed, wherein the second conveying speed is greater than the first conveying speed that the additional distance arises at least partially by this difference in speed.

For example, the two conveyor speeds are dependent on each other, for example, synchronized with each other, adjusted, controlled or regulated. In this context, "dynamic pressure delivery" means that the articles conveyed up are initially compacted by means of the transport device from an originally existing article distance and, for example, come into contact with each other at the closest transport point and this contact is used with each other to form the further conveyor chain At least partially and / or temporarily with a delivery pressure, for example pushing, etc. To push the article may be a sliding element in question, which engages the side of the article flow in this mechanically. The promotion of the individual articles in the individual conveyor speeds has the effect that the accumulated articles are equalized in their arrangement to each other and forms a distance, for example, the additional distance described above between the articles.

According to at least one embodiment, insertion elements are inserted as spacers between adjacent articles before the wrapping of the article with the film, but only after generating the additional distance between adjacent articles in the conveying direction, wherein before, during or after the cutting of the film, the insertion elements in a be removed from the article flow from the conveying direction different Ausschichtungichtung.

For example, the containers under dynamic pressure are initially conveyed in the jammed condition with the first conveying speed and accelerated by a segment of the transport device to a second conveying speed. In the transition from the first conveying speed to the second conveying speed, therefore, a gap arises, which is so large that in this space from the side, from above or from below, the insertion elements described above can be inserted. The insertion elements are therefore in a predetermined arrangement, for example, between each immediately adjacent articles.

Preferably, an extension of the insertion elements in the conveying direction is exactly equal to the additional distance generated between the articles. In this respect, the insertion elements in the conveying direction contact directly adjacent articles on both sides. After inserting the insertion elements and after wrapping the articles, preferably together with the insertion elements, the insertion elements can then preferably be removed from the stream of articles during the separation process, in particular, for example, by a corresponding separation device. It is namely conceivable that during cutting the individual spacers fall down into a collecting container or a collecting line.

In such an embodiment is therefore conceivable that from the insertion of the insertion elements between each adjacent article, the transport speed to Cutting always remains constant. In other words, in such an embodiment, the distance once generated can be kept constant.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the articles are jammed supplied in the conveying direction and the jammed articles are then wrapped with the film, wherein after wrapping by preferably stepped transition of the two conveyor speeds of the additional distance between adjacent articles is selectively generated and wherein during the generation of the additional distance the film is stretched to be subsequently separated at the stretched locations.

In contrast to the above proposed embodiment, therefore, instead of or in addition to a use of the insertion elements as spacer the above-described additional distance, for example only, generated by the speed transition between a first transport conveyor and a second transport conveyor, since during the transition from a transport conveyor to the Therefore, other transport conveyor automatically forms a larger gap between the respective adjacent articles, this gap then generated can correspond to the additional distance.

In fact, even during the generation of the gap, the film remains circumferentially stretched around the article and therefore expands as the distance between adjacent articles increases. Now, then, but at the earliest during the generation of the additional distance between immediately adjacent articles which then stretched or stretched film severed, the film is not only retreats in the direction of the edge arranged in the container article, but this film also lays down Side surfaces / end faces of the container arranged on the outside of the article. One reason for this automatic application to outer side surfaces of the articles or end faces of the container can also be that the outer surfaces of the articles bound together there have a curvature, so that this curvature of the tensile stress, which initially prevailed in the conveying direction, in a contact pressure on the Redirects the side surfaces.

In this respect, it is a preferred embodiment of the invention that, in order to generate the speed difference, the jammed articles are conveyed by means of a first transport conveyor and the articles are subsequently transferred by a second transport conveyor. are taken, wherein the additional distance preferably results only at the transition between the two transport conveyors.

According to at least one embodiment, the separation of the film is preferably carried out in the conveying direction between the two transport conveyors. The separation of the film preferably takes place in a plane perpendicular to the conveying direction.

According to at least one embodiment, to generate the additional distance by the speed difference between adjacent articles, the first transport conveyor and / or the second transport conveyor comprises at least one fixing element, in particular at least one clamping carriage, which generates the speed difference between the articles.

The clamping carriage can therefore be understood as a driver element for accelerating and / or braking of the articles to be transported. By means of the clamping carriage, it is therefore possible, for example, to put together particularly well defined articles and article groups, which can further increase a production throughput. For this purpose, the fixing can grab a predetermined number of articles after or during cutting and accelerate or decelerate in the conveying direction relative to the article flow to produce by this relative movement the desired additional distance to the rest of the article flow.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the jammed articles are enveloped with the film prior to generating the additional distance using a winding funnel in such a way that after wrapping the article flow in the region of the additional distance between adjacent articles, a film accumulation or a film elongation, in particular by a variability in a gap generation between immediately adjacent articles and / or controlled application of the film. In this respect, the use of the winding funnel described herein may represent as another form of implementation to the above-described film stretching.

In other words, in this embodiment, instead of an immediate wrapping, ie wrapping the article, first the winding funnel is wrapped. Here, a winding Funnel any element which is set up and provided for receiving the sheet surface. The winding funnel can therefore have in a sectional plane perpendicular to the conveying direction a round, oval, or angular basic shape, as long as the winding funnel in the form of a funnel obliquely in the direction of the flow and in the conveying direction. For this reason, a trimmer in the context of the invention does not necessarily designate an element having a circular or oval cross-sectional dimension. Also, the funnel does not necessarily have to be a continuous element. It is conceivable that the funnel comprises a plurality of sub-elements, which are formed in their entirety in the form of a funnel. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the winding funnel comprises at least one winding element, in particular a winding wall or an elongated rod element, which in particular runs conically, wherein the film is at least partially pushed and / or wound on a side of the winding wall facing away from the article flow, and the article flow through a , in particular conical, opening of the winding funnel passes, so that the article by pulling and / or compressive force the film, preferably automatically, pull from the winding wall, whereby a film stretching is achieved.

By a drive and / or a controlled braking device of the winding wall can with suitable film (for example stretchable transversely to the winding direction) and a bias of the film in the transport direction of the article flow when placing the film on the article flow by generating a differential speed between the film and the article flow and / or be created among the articles among each other. Advantageously, the articles are held together with bias in this case also in the transport direction, which can produce a considerably more stable pack, in particular with the film supernatant.

In the event that the film is unrolled on the article, this can happen especially in the area of the later separation point with increased speed of the winding funnel. A generation of a film protrusion, in particular with subsequent packaging separation, may also include a mechanical and / or electronic coupling.

For this purpose, a wrapping speed of the film in predetermined, for example, controllable and / or controllable relationship to the conveying speed. Also, the wrapping speed may depend on a (final) pack length.

The film accumulation with and / or without spacing may be dependent on the to be achieved Gebindelänge in their conveyor timing. For example, a film accumulation is greater if the length of the container is greater or vice versa. It is also conceivable that a film accumulation is greater when the Gebinelänge is shorter.

This can be achieved by e.g. a mechanical and / or electronic coupling / curve control / cornering machine, a distance measurement, tracking and / or recognition of the film accumulation / spacing especially in the area of the container separation by a sensor or by a differential speed application. Preferably, therefore, a wrapping speed, with which the piece goods are wrapped, is at least temporarily synchronized with a transport speed of the piece goods.

In this respect, therefore, it is a passive application of the wound around the winding wall film, so that the guided through the winding funnel articles, as soon as they run out of the opening of the winding funnel, pull the film of the articles of the Wischkelwand selbsttägig.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the winding funnel comprises a driven winding wall surface which delivers the film to the article flow at a drive speed, the drive speed preferably being a component of the drive speed parallel to the conveying direction of the article flow being greater than the first conveying speed, so that preferably only formed by this speed difference, a film accumulation at least between the articles, as soon as they leave the winding funnel, wherein subsequently this film accumulation is severed. In contrast to the abovementioned embodiments, which resort to film stretching and their regressing on outer contours of the container, rather than stretching, a film accumulation is now used instead to create the film overhang. A foil accumulation is therefore such an arrangement and design of the foil which produces a shrunken or crimped, for example, stretch-free foil portion. writes. This film accumulation, as the Applicant has discovered, again preferably lays itself automatically on outer side surfaces of the articles. This embodiment therefore falls under an embodiment of the winding funnel as a so-called active operation of the winding funnel.

A "driven winding wall surface" in this context may mean that the winding wall surface rotates itself relative to the stream of articles, ie for example also parallel to the conveying direction of the stream of articles around the stream of articles and / or that the winding wall surface has mechanical elements which lead to the Foil is delivered in at least one directional component on the article stream.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a device for packaging and / or grouping articles, in particular for the formation of containers. In this case, the present device is particularly adapted and intended to carry out the method according to the embodiments described above, i. that all the features implemented for the method described above are also disclosed for the device described here, and vice versa.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the device comprises a transport device which generates an article flow in a conveying direction of the transport device.

Furthermore, the device comprises a device for wrapping the article stream by means of a stretchable film which can be applied in particular under tension, wherein a film packaging of the article which moves endlessly in the conveying direction can be formed. For example, the film, for example, only in the conveying direction or in the winding direction, stretchable.

In addition, the device comprises a separating device, which is arranged in the conveying direction after the device for wrapping and by means of which in a running in particular perpendicular to the article flow level between adjacent conveying direction articles and / or groups of articles, the film is completely severable.

According to the invention, the device comprises a state distance generating device, which is arranged in the conveying direction before the separating device and thus before the cutting of the film specifically between the articles and / or groups of articles This article flow an additional distance between adjacent articles can be generated and the film in the region of this additional distance is then completely severable by means of the separator, so that the film preferably automatically applies at least in places to side surfaces of the article and / or end faces of the container of articles.

All the advantages and embodiments described here, as described in connection with the above method, are also disclosed for the device described here.

Further advantages and embodiments will be apparent from the attached drawings:

Show:

1A-1 C in side perspective top and side views of a first embodiment of a method described herein and a device described herein;

Fig. 1 D - 1 E laterally schematic views a positioning of insertion elements described here between immediately adjacent articles of the article stream;

Fig. 2 - 4E in further schematic views of further embodiments of the method described herein and the device described herein.

FIG. 1A shows in a first schematic side view a device 1000 described here for packaging and / or grouping articles 1, in particular for forming containers 10. First of all recognizable is a transport device T12, which generates an article stream 1A in a conveying direction 2 of the transport device T12.

For this purpose, the articles 1 are initially accumulated in a sector I to each other. In a sector II, the accumulated and preferably touching articles 1 are then spaced apart. This can be done in FIG. 1A by providing in sector I a first part conveyor (for example an allocation star, an allocating finger or a conveyor belt), which feeds articles 1 onto one another and another in a sector II Sub-conveyor brings the accumulated Article 1 to a certain division, in particular an additional distance 21, for example by means of using a Zuteilstern, Zuteilfingers and / or sliding bar. In a sector III, the spaced-apart Article 1 are transported further, being introduced at the beginning of sector III and from the entry of Article 1 in the sector III from below between each directly adjacent to each other article 1 insertion elements 5 as spacers. In the present embodiment, the distance between adjacent articles corresponds in each case to at least one extension of the insertion elements 5 in the conveying direction 2.

Therefore, the device 1000 shown in FIG. 1A additionally comprises an auxiliary spacing generating device 40. This is because, inter alia, because along a guide rail 41 of the additional distance generating device 40 the insertion elements 5 from below, for example by means of a lifting and positioning mechanism between the individual immediately adjacent article 1 are introduced.

After inserting the insertion elements 5 between each immediately adjacent article 1 is then under feed the article flow 1 A (includes articles together with the Einschu- element elements) in a device 20 for wrapping the article stream 1 A introduced.

As indicated in the form of a solid line, therefore, parallel to the conveying direction 2, the article stream 1 A is preferably enveloped parallel to the fully circumferential with the above-described film 3. After the article stream 1A (which is then covered with the film 3) has passed and left the device 20 for wrapping the article stream 1 A, with further feed of the article stream 1A with feed a further wrapping of the article stream 1 with another film 3 under Use of a further device 20 for wrapping the article flow 1 A undertaken. Thus, an endlessly moving in the conveying direction 2 foil packaging 4 of the article 1 is formed. In this case, the further film 3 may be wound in the opposite direction as the first film 3. After this now double wrapping the article stream 1 with different films 3 therefore both the films 3 are cut from above, below or from the side by means of a separator 30 as well as either by the separator itself or by the action of gravity, the respective in the additional distance 21 existing ones push element 5 removed from the article stream 1. The reason for this is that packs of articles 1 remain with article end faces covered at least partially by the film overhangs produced. In contrast to the device 1000 according to FIG. 1A, FIGS. 1B and 1C show a lateral pushing out of the respective insertion elements 5, which then laterally from top to bottom, ie parallel next to the transport device T12 into the guide rail 41, by the action of the gravitational force fall in. The guide rail 41 is therefore not below, but laterally arranged by the article flow 1 A For this purpose, Figure 1 B shows in particular a side view and the figure 1 C now shows the lateral pushing out (in contrast to Figure 1A).

FIGS. 1 D to 1 E show, in a schematic side view and a schematic top view, a positioning of an insertion element 5 described here between directly adjacent articles 1 of the article flow 1A. It can be seen here that the insertion elements 5 have, parallel to a plane transverse to the conveying direction 2, an extension which is smaller than the corresponding extent of the articles 1. It is also possible that the insertion elements 5 have a smaller extent in the conveying direction 2 than the article 1. This size dimensions of the insertion elements 5 advantageously allow a particularly simple free cutting of the insertion elements. 5

For this purpose, the insertion element 5 can be pushed out particularly easily, for example (rounded edges against snagging, after which the remaining cut can be made).

FIG. 2 shows an alternative or additional method for producing the bundles of articles 1A shown in FIG. 1, in which, instead of introducing the above-mentioned insertion elements 5, a distance is deliberately transferred when passing from a region IV into a region V through different transport speeds present there vi, v2 is achieved. The articles 1 are therefore in their jammed form first, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, transported by the two devices 20 for wrapping the articles, for example up to the end of the region IV at a conveying speed vi. At the moment of leaving the area IV, the then wrapped Article 1 are brought to the conveying speed v2, so that at the moment of accelerating the film 3 automatically expands. During the coextensive or after then is preferably at the transition between the area IV to the area V, which is preferably free of a transport device, generates a separation by the separation device 30 and thus the film 3 completely severed. The previously stretched film 3 then nestles automatically on the side and / or end faces of the container and therefore holds outer articles, ie articles which are arranged on the edge side of the respective container, laterally fixed. In this respect, it is basically advantageous to use a film 3 in the form of a winding film, which is stretchable not only in the winding direction, but also in the conveying direction 2, in order to achieve the desired spacing after the completed winding process.

To generate the speed difference, therefore, FIG. 2 shows a first transport conveyor T1, which acts on the articles 1 with a first conveying speed vi, and a second transport conveyor T2, which brings the articles 1 to a second transport speed v2, the additional distance preferably being at the transition between the two transport conveyors T1, T2 results. The two transport conveyors T1, T2 are therefore part of the transport device T12.

In contrast to the device 1000 according to FIG. 2, FIG. 3A shows that, to produce the second conveying speed v2, the individual articles are combined individually or else preferably particularly simply in individual article groups by a fixing device 6, in particular the clamping carriage 61 shown there can be accelerated or decelerated in the conveying direction, so that a separation is performed by the separating device 30 between the fixing device 6 shown in Figure 3A, for example, the clamping slide 61, and another fixing element 62 which is mounted on the first transport conveyor T1.

FIG. 3B shows the transport device shown in FIG. 3A instead of in a side view in a particularly catching plan view, from which it can be seen that the clamping carriage 61 can be moved back and forth in the conveying direction 2 in particular.

A further embodiment of the device 1000 shown here is described in a schematic side view in FIG. 4A, in which the device 1000 and in particular the device 20 for wrapping the article flow 1A comprises a winding funnel 7. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, the winding funnel 7 comprises at least one, preferably two, winding walls 71 which, in the conveying direction 2, contact the Article flow 1A run. For this purpose, the two winding walls 71 are arranged to each other such that between the two winding walls 71 of the flow 2 runs. In particular, the film 3 is at least partially pushed and / or wound on a side of a winding wall 71 facing away from the article stream 1 A (and thus unwound from a film reservoir, for example a film roll). The article flow 1A is passed through an opening 710 of the winding funnel 7, so that the articles 1 pull the film 3 by pulling and / or pressing force automatically from the winding wall 71. In order to create a gap between immediately adjacent articles 1, therefore, shortly before the contact of the article 1 with the film 3, the article 1 or a group of articles 1 is targeted from the first conveying speed vi to the second, larger, conveying speed v2 or a brought further conveying speed. This results not only in turn the desired additional distance 21 between the articles 1, but already during the Abwickeins of the winding funnel 7, the desired film stretching. In other words, therefore, in the figure 4A not the container itself is wrapped with the film 3, but rather the winding funnel 7. In particular, in Figure 4A is shown in a section VI, as the article at a speed vO in example random spacing promotes become. During the transition from section VI to section VII, the individual articles 1 are then parallelized to one another and, for example, brought into contact with one another and accumulated relative to one another. This can be done for example via different allocation or transport conveyor. In this respect, the section VI comprises a transport compressor T120 (as part of the transport device T12) as a compression transport element. During the transition between the section VII to the section VIII, the articles 1 then arrive at the first conveying speed vi in a first device 20 for wrapping the article stream 1A, ie in the above-mentioned winding funnel 7. The outer surface of the winding wall facing away from the article 1 71 wound film is, for example, subjected to air and / or subjected to vibration, so that the film 3 is particularly easy from the surface of the winding wall 71, between which, for example, an air cushion is slid off and can be deducted by the articles 1, preferably automatically and free of other tools. Optionally, however, a controlled or controlled drive, a brake or other support of the film 3 in the transport direction of the article 1 is conceivable, so that by means of further aids wound on the winding funnel 7 film 3 can be deducted. In a section IX then passes the further subsidized and wrapped with the film 3 article stream 1A in a gap picker T121 as part of the transport device T12. The gap puller T121 accelerates individual articles 1 or groups of articles 1 to a second conveying speed v2, as a result of which a separating point desired between the individual packs of article 1, ie the desired additional spacing 21, can be set. In addition, with reference to individual containers, the gap puller 121 can furthermore have a transport compressor which is configured such that individual articles within the containers are brought closer together again, but the distance from such containers can remain unaffected, for example, by such a compressor. Also, a compressor is conceivable, which again slightly closer together after pulling apart the individual container itself relative to each other.

In the transition from the region IX to the region X, the article stream 1A then passes into a second device 20 for wrapping the article stream 1A, whereby in turn this is recognizable (as, for example, it is possible in all other or previous devices 20 for wrapping ), that a support plate 800 fixed to support the stream of articles 1 fixed and therefore immovably within the device 20 is arranged. The support plate 800 therefore ensures a supported guidance of the article flow 1A through the angled funnel 7. Alternatively, however, the support plate 800 can also move with the article flow 1 A. In particular, in such a case, the support plate 800 may even be co-wrapped by the film 3 together with the articles 1.

Now goes the two-wrapped article stream 1 A in a range XI, so this area in the present embodiment, in turn, a gap picker T121, which in turn change individual distances between the already formerly formed containers of articles 1, for example, can increase. In the region XI, therefore, the film 3 lies continuously over the articles 1 and the individual gaps between directly adjacent articles 1. The film may be stretched inter alia because of the gap puller T121 between adjacent articles 1. In the transition between the region XI to the region XII is then completely cut through a separating device 30 between each adjacent containers through the films 3, so that the containers are isolated. In particular, therefore, the above-mentioned gap pullers T121 also allow accelerated removal of the film 3, ie the film winder, from the winding funnel 7 and a simultaneous spacing of the articles 1 at the desired separation points before and / or after unification of the film 3 with the individual articles 1 , which leads to a better Ent stretch of a packing edge after separating the film 3, since the supernatant film 3 is absorbed and a separation of parallelepiped containers, such as wound cardboard packaging, is particularly easy.

FIG. 4B shows, in contrast to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4A, instead of a passive application of the film 3 from the winding funnel 7 to the articles 1, an active application of the film 3 to the articles 1 starting from the winding funnel 7, in that the in The winding funnel 7 shown in FIG. 4B comprises a driven winding wall surface 71 1. It is crucial in the embodiment of an active winding funnel 7 shown in FIG. 4B, therefore, that the driven winding wall surface 71 1 actively promotes the film to the article flow 1 at a drive speed v 3, which may correspond, for example, to the further conveying speed v 2. The winding funnel 7 can therefore unwind its film 3 automatically (ie without the help of Article 1). In contrast to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4A, no gaps are produced in the FIG. 4B after wrapping, so that a film accumulation in the region of the later separating points is produced i.a. is also generated by the active control of the winding funnel 7. If the individual articles 1 now pass through the opening 710, they find at the opening 710 of the winding funnel 7 a film accumulation, which is arranged in particular after the formation of the individual containers between the individual containers. In particular, the winding funnel 7 can therefore have one or more of the following features:

There is also a non-exhaustive list of optional features and their combinations of the winding funnel described here, which may generally apply to the winding funnel: - at least consisting of two opposite, parallel or light

obliquely / conically arranged surfaces,

- on one side, on inlet side, fixed on the fly,

perpendicular to the direction of conveyance 2 at least so wide that the wrapped film 3 is not taken along by the pack / container flow in the area of these surfaces, Winding wall 7 is curved in plan or at least in one dimension, winding wall is formed as a closed conical conical surface,

The foil 3 is pulled off the winding wall by the speed / movement of the gap puller T121,

Pulling the film 3 from the winding funnel 7 (faster / slower) by a variable angle of the winding wall 71 with respect to the conveying direction 2 influenced each other, for example, this angle is then depending on the conveying speed, with which is transported through the winding funnel 7, winding wall 71 can be adjusted by means of electrical and / or pneumatic elements of its position along the conveying direction 2 or in its angle relative to the article flow 1 A.

In the winding wall 71 3 slide-promoting and / or sliding inhibiting elements are incorporated for the film,

these elements are controllable (circulating belt, air bubbles for friction reduction), in order to allow in addition to the gap pull controlled feed of the formed film roll,

Winding wall 71 is formed by one or more belt conveyors with or without drive. In particular, in this case, a parallel arrangement of the belt conveyor in the conveying direction 2 is possible, which prevents belt distortion and allows a very simple film feed control of the film 3,

Winding wall 7 comprises, instead of or in addition to the belt conveyors, at least one roll mat on which the film 3 is transported,

The lower conveyor can also remove the containers, since the transport surface moves against the container stream, but this is not obstructed in the drive because of Röllchenoberfläche,

Change to other article sizes: Height: Changing the spacing Width: Within the scope of the stretchability of the film 3 no change, otherwise width adjustment of the surfaces,

The support plate 800 is oriented in width on the narrowest container and can generally abrade wider containers without adjustment. If there are several adjacent containers, then a gradual adaptation can be carried out, - winding funnel 7 formed by a plurality of rod elements, with functionalities as described above, for example as air nozzle rod (rod with nozzle openings from which air escapes) or belt conveyors,

- The driven winding surface 71 of the winding funnel 7 can also be used to introduce additional packaging elements such as advertising inserts, handle applications under the respective film winding.

In FIG. 4C, the passive winding funnel 7 shown in FIG. 4A is again shown in a schematic top view, in which it is now also explicitly recognizable how the individual bundles pull off the film from the winding funnel 7, in particular also by dividing distance generation of the succeeding gap puller T121.

FIG. 4D shows in a schematic side view how the individual film windings of the film 3 are formed on the winding funnel 7. For this purpose, it is shown that a film roll 80 is unrolled along a roll-off path 81. For this purpose, the film roll 80 orbits the winding funnel 7 along the rolling track 81. During the movement of the film roll 80 along the rolling track 81, the film 3 is thus clamped onto the winding wall 71 at the same time. The then stretched onto the winding wall 7 film 3 therefore envelops the article 1 along the circumferential direction 81 A completely.

In a further embodiment, FIG. 4E also shows how the winding funnel 7 is formed by a plurality of mutually diagonally arranged rod elements 72. The rod elements 71 can also be formed in the form of belt conveyors or replaced by such. The rod elements 71 can also be particularly easily adjustable in X1 and X2 direction. By means of the movement along the directions X1, X2, the distances of the rod elements 71 to the article flow 1 A can be changed. These directions are preferably perpendicular to the conveying direction 2 and allow a particularly variable adjustment of the winding funnel and its diameter. The rod elements 71 extend with at least one directional component parallel to the conveying direction 2. It is also evident in FIG. 4D and in FIG. 4E, for example, the fixed support plate 800. Instead, however, the support plate 800 can also move with the article flow 1A. In particular, in such a case, the support plate 800 may even be co-wrapped by the film 3 together with the articles 1. The invention is not limited by the description and the embodiments. Rather, the invention encompasses every new feature as well as every combination of features, which also includes in particular every combination of the claims, even if this feature or this combination itself is not explicitly stated in the patent claims or the exemplary embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

T1 transport conveyor

T2 transport conveyor

T12 transport device

T120 transport compressor

T121 Gap puller

vO speed

vi first conveying speed

v2 second conveying speed

v3 drive component

1 article

1A article stream

2 conveying direction

3 foil

4 foil packaging

5 slide-in elements

6 fixing element

7 winding funnel

10 containers

20 device

21 additional distance

22 Auschiebeinrichtung

30 separation device

40 additional distance generating device

41 Guide rail / collecting rail

61 clamping carriage

62 fixing element 71 winding wall

71 1 winding wall surface

72 bar elements

T121 transport conveyor

710 conical opening

71 1 winding surface

800 support plate

100 procedures

1000 device

X1, X2 Displacement of the bar elements

Claims

claims

1 . Method (100) for packaging and / or grouping articles (1), in particular for forming containers (10), comprising at least the following steps:

- Generating an article stream (1 A) in a conveying direction (2);

- At least single-layer wrapping of the article stream (1A) by means of a, in particular under tension, applied stretchable film (3), from which an endless in the conveying direction (2) moving film packaging (4) of the article (1) is formed,

- in one, for example, perpendicular to the article flow (1 A) extending plane, between in the conveying direction (2) adjacent articles (1) and / or groups of articles (1) the film (3) is completely severed,

characterized in that

even before the film (3) is cut between adjacent articles (1) and / or groups of articles (1) of this article stream (1A), an additional distance (21) between adjacent articles (1) is generated, and the film (3) in the region of this additional distance (21) is then completely severed, so that the film (3), preferably automatically, at least locally applied to side surfaces of the article (1) and / or end faces of the container of articles (1).

2. Method (100) according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the articles (1) are conveyed in the conveying direction (2) by means of a dynamic pressure conveying, the dynamic pressure conveying comprising conveying the articles (1) at a first conveying speed (vi) and subsequently conveying the articles (1) below a second conveying speed (v2) wherein the second conveying speed (v2) is greater than the first conveying speed (vi), so that the additional distance (21) is at least partially determined by this speed. difference arises.

3. Method (100) according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized in that

even before wrapping the articles (1) with the film (3), but only after the additional distance (21) between adjacent in the conveying direction (2) articles (1) insertion elements (5) inserted as a spacer between adjacent articles (1) be, before, during or after the cutting of the film (3), the insertion elements (5) in a different from the conveying direction (2) Ausschiebrichtung (22) from the article flow (1 A) are removed.

4. Method (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the article (1) jammed in the conveying direction (2) are delivered, and the jammed articles (1) with the film (3) are then wrapped, wherein after wrapping by, preferably stepped, transition of the two conveyor speeds (vi, v2) of Additional distance (12) between adjacent articles (1) is selectively generated, and wherein during the production of the additional distance (21), the film (1) is stretched to be subsequently severed at the stretched locations.

5. The method (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims 2 to 4, characterized in that

to generate the speed difference the jammed article (1) by means of a first transport conveyor (T1) are promoted, and the articles (1) are then taken over by a second transport conveyor (T2), wherein the additional distance (21), preferably only, at the transition between the two transport conveyors (T1, T2) results.

6. Method (100) according to the preceding claim,

characterized in that

a separation of the film (1) between the two transport conveyors takes place.

7. Method (100) according to at least one of claims 5 to 6,

characterized in that

for generating the additional distance by the speed difference between adjacent articles of the first transport conveyor (T1) and / or the second transport conveyor (T2) at least one fixing element (6), in particular at least one clamping slide (61), softens the speed difference between the articles (1 ) generated.

8. Method (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the jammed article (1) before the generating of the additional distance (21) using a winding funnel (7) with the film (3) are wrapped so that after wrapping the article stream (1A) in the region of the additional distance (21) between adjacent Articles (1) a film accumulation and / or a film stretching, for example, by a variability in a gap generation between immediately adjacent articles (1) and / or a controlled application of the film (3) is achieved.

9. Method (100) according to the preceding claim,

characterized in that

the winding funnel (7) comprises at least one winding element (71), in particular a winding wall (71), which, in particular conically, in the conveying direction (2) to the article flow (1 A), wherein the film (3) on a the article flow (1A) facing away from the winding wall (71) is at least partially pushed and / or wound, and the article flow (1A) through an opening (710) of the winding funnel (7) passes therethrough, so that the articles (1) by train and / or pressing force pull the film (3), preferably automatically, from the winding wall (71), whereby a film stretching is achieved.

10. The method (100) according to claim 8,

characterized in that

the winding funnel (7) comprises a driven winding wall surface (71 1) which delivers the film (3) to the article stream (1A) at a drive speed (v3), the drive speed (v3) being greater than the first conveying speed. speed (vi) is such that, preferably only by this difference in speed, a film accumulation forms at least between the articles (1) as soon as they leave the winding funnel (7), after which this film accumulation is severed. Device (1000) for packaging and / or grouping articles (1), in particular for forming containers (10), comprising at least

- A transport device (T12) which generates an article stream (1A) in a conveying direction (2) of the transport device (T12);

- A device (20) for wrapping the stream of articles (1 A) by means of a, in particular under tension, aufbringbarer stretchable film (3), from which an endless in the conveying direction (2) moving film packaging (4) of the article (1) is formed,

- A separating device (30), which is arranged in the conveying direction after the device (20) for wrapping, and by means of which, for example, perpendicular to the article flow (1 A) extending plane, between in the conveying direction (2) adjacent articles (1) and / or groups of articles (1) the film (3) is completely severable,

characterized in that

by means of an additional distance generating device (40), which is arranged in the conveying direction before the separating device (30) and thus before the cutting of the film (3) specifically between adjacent articles (1) and / or groups of articles (1) of this article stream (1A ) an additional distance (21) between adjacent articles (1) can be generated, and the film (3) in the region of this additional distance (21) is subsequently completely severable by means of the separating device (30), so that the film (3), preferably automatically, at least in places on side surfaces of the article (1) and / or end faces of the container of articles (1) creates.