WO2023034385A2

WO2023034385A2 - Apparatus for forming containers from single packs with a folding device as well as apparatus for providing packaging material blanks to a folding device

Info

Publication number: WO2023034385A2
Application number: PCT/US2022/042162
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ulrich Brinkschröder; Jens AVERBECK; Linus WÖHLE
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Priority date: 2021-09-01
Filing date: 2022-08-31
Publication date: 2023-03-09
Also published as: WO2023034385A3

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for forming containers (30) of single packs (31) by folding a packaging composite of grouped single packs (31) received by a bottom tray (32) into a blank (34) of a packaging material. The apparatus (1) comprises a transport device (2) for transporting the packaging composite in the transport direction (T) and a folding device (3), which is arranged downstream of the transport device (2) when viewed in the transport direction (T) and is configured so as to fold a packaging composite with the blank (34) fed with the transport device (2) of the folding device (3) into the blank (34) such that a front end and a rear end of the blank (34), when viewed in the transport direction (T), are fixed to the bottom tray (32) of the packaging composite while remaining spaced apart from one another.

Description

APPARATUS FOR FORMING CONTAINERS FROM SINGLE PACKS WITH A FOLDING DEVICE AS WELL AS APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING PACKAGING MATERIAL BLANKS TO A FOLDING DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to packaging methods and packaging systems. For example, the packaging systems can be packaging machines of a packaging line.

Description of Related Art

For the packaging of products such as beverage containers, the products can be grouped onto horizontal conveyor devices and combined into groups having a defined number of products via a packaging means. In this case, it is common to use packaging means consisting of thermoplastic material and shrunk onto a group of articles/products. Such packaging materials, which are referred to as shrink wraps, are applied to the respective group of articles prior to temperature exposure and subsequently shrunk onto the respective group of articles.

There is an ongoing need to keep the consumption of packaging materials as low as possible. In particular, it is desired to use packaging materials that come in particular from renewable sources where there is no competition for food production, in particular. After use, the material can be recycled in a simple manner and without great effort in the circular economy (recycling) and also allows other manners of disposal, for example by composting, without negative consequences for the environment. These positive properties of the selected packaging materials can be optically facilitated by brown tones of an unbleached paper and/or cardboard packaging, which can be optionally printed, but is or will be only partially printed, in particular.

The underlying problem of the present invention is to specify a packaging machine with which a plurality of products can be safely held together as a multi -pack, wherein as little material use as possible is necessary for this purpose. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, this problem is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1, which relates to an apparatus for forming containers from individual packs by folding a packaging composite of grouped single packs received by a bottom tray into a blank of a packaging material.

Advantageous further developments of the apparatus according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims 2 to 9.

In the subject matter of the present invention, the packaging material consists in particular of a biocompatible and/or biodegradable material. For example, the packaging material can consist of a material consisting substantially of fibers of plant origin. In this context, it is particularly conceivable that the packaging material consists of a paper-containing or cardboard-containing material and/or a wood-, pulp-, and/or semi-pulp-containing material.

The apparatus according to the invention for forming containers of single packs comprises a transport device for transporting the packaging composite in a transport direction. As already stated, the packaging composite consists of single packs grouped and received by a bottom tray.

The bottom tray preferably circumferentially surrounds the single packs, which stand on a level bottom, horizontally on the bottom side. The term “bottom tray” refers to objects that can be called trays, which normally have a rim edge and a bottom. A bottom tray made of packaging paper is equipped with a circumferential strip of packaging paper that is folded towards the bottom. It is also known to provide a packaging composite of single packs with at least one additional wrapper. It runs parallel to the plane that defines the bottom tray with its bottom.

The apparatus according to the invention is configured so as to form a container of single packs, namely by folding a packaging composite of grouped single packs received by the bottom tray into a blank of a packaging material (packaging material blank). For this purpose, the device comprises a folding device, which is arranged downstream of the transport device when viewed in the transport direction and is configured so as to enclose a packaging composite with the packaging material blank fed with the transport device or to fold the fed packaging composite into the packaging material blank such that a front end and a rear end of the packaging material blank, when viewed in the transport direction, are fixed to the bottom tray of the packaging composite while remaining spaced apart from one another.

In other words, according to the present invention, it is provided that the front end and the rear end of the packaging material blank are arranged on top of one another but not abutting. Rather, it is provided in the container according to the invention that a distance is provided between the front and the rear end of the packaging material blank, which are respectively fixed to the bottom of the bottom tray. Packaging material can be saved in this manner.

Various solutions are possible for the realization of the folding device.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, it is conceivable that the folding device comprises a lifting unit, which is configured so as to vertically lift the packaging composite fed with the transport device to a packaging material belt pre-positioned with respect to the lifting unit or to a packaging material blank pre- positioned with respect to the lifting unit in such a way that the packaging material belt or packaging material blank lies at least regionally around the packaging composite.

In this embodiment of the folding device, it is preferred that the folding device further comprises a compression unit, which is configured so as to lay the packaging material belt or packaging material blank on the packaging composite in such a way that, at least in regions, the top and the bottom tray of the packaging composite are covered by the packaging material belt or packaging material blank.

With respect to the compression unit, it is conceivable that it comprises two respectively circumferential single belts arranged on top of one another, between which the packaging composite is receivable. Of course, other embodiments can also be considered here.

According to a further, second aspect of the invention, it is provided that the folding device comprises a folding belt system for conveying the packaging composite fed to the folding device with the transport device from a folding belt inlet to a folding belt outlet.

The folding belt system preferably comprises a plurality of single belts that are circumferential in the transport direction, parallel to one another, and arranged space apart from one another while forming a clearance. In particular, it is provided in this context that the folding belt system comprises first single belts extending from the folding belt inlet to the folding belt outlet and configured as full belts as well as second single belts extending from the folding belt inlet to an end region forming a clearance in front of the folding belt outlet and configured as partial belts. Preferably, each partial belt is arranged adjacent to a full belt.

According to further developments of this embodiment of the folding device, it is provided that, when viewed in the transport direction, a first adhesive unit is provided upstream of the folding belt inlet of the folding device, which unit is configured so as to apply an adhesive at an upstream rear end region of the bottom tray of a packaging composite fed to the folding device.

A further, second adhesive unit is provided between the folding belt inlet and the folding belt outlet of the folding device and preferably in the clearance in front of the folding belt outlet, which unit is configured so as to apply an adhesive to a front end region of the bottom tray of the packaging composite downstream of and different from the first end region of the bottom tray.

According to realizations of the folding device according to the invention, it is provided that this device is associated with a folding rod, which is guided and configured along an envelope in such a way that, during transport of the packaging composite, from the folding belt inlet to the folding belt outlet of the folding device, the packaging material blank is fed with its rear, second end region around the packaging composite in the transport direction. For this purpose, the folding rod is engageable with the rear, second end region of the packaging material blank.

Preferably, the folding rod is associated with at least one guide rail arranged laterally adjacent to the folding belt system for guiding the folding rod around the folding belt system.

According to embodiments of the solution according to the invention, it is provided that the folding rod and/or the at least one guide rail associated with the folding rod is/are configured in such a way that, on the trajectory of the folding rod, it transports the packaging material blank with its rear, second end region through a passage region in the region between the folding belt outlet and a discharge belt arranged downstream of the folding device when viewed in the transport direction into a region below a transport plane formed by the top of the folding belt system, where the rear, second end region of the packaging material blank is applied to the downstream second end region of the bottom tray of the packaging composite.

Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention further comprises a device for providing and feeding packaging material blanks to the folding device. This device is configured in particular so as to guide a corresponding packaging material blank, preferably in coordination with the feeding of a packaging composite, to the folding device in such a way that, at the folding belt inlet, the packaging composite with the upstream first end region of its bottom tray lies upon a front, first end region of the packaging material blank lying upon the folding belt system.

According to realizations of the apparatus according to the invention, it is further provided that it comprises a discharge belt arranged downstream of the folding device when viewed in the transport direction, to which device a packaging composite folded into a packaging material blank in the folding device can be transferred for discharge. According to a further aspect of the present invention, it relates to an apparatus for providing and/or feeding packaging material blanks to a folding device, which is configured so as to form containers of single packs by folding into a packaging material blank a packaging composite of grouped single packs that are optionally received by a bottom tray.

Here, too, the packaging material blanks consist in particular of a biocompatible and/or biodegradable material, such as a material consisting substantially of fibers of plant origin. In particular, the packaging material consists of a paper-containing or cardboard-containing material and/or a wood-, pulp-, and/or semi-pulp-contain- ing material.

The packaging material blank provision/feeding apparatus according to the invention is in particular characterized in that the apparatus comprises a device for introducing grooves into the packaging material of the blanks, which device is configured so as to introduce groove lines in predetermined regions of the packaging material, said lines serving as fold edges for the folding of the packaging composite into the packaging material blank.

The invention is based on the finding that when a packaging composite consisting of single packs is to be folded in a packaging material consisting in particular of paper or cardboard, the paper or cardboard does not abut snugly against the container, because the packaging material has a significantly higher stiffness compared to wrap material. This results in more packaging consumption and a looser container.

In order to specify a packaging composite with a paper or cardboard wrapping that forms a slim container, it is provided according to the invention that groove lines are introduced into the packaging material. The groove lines serve as fold edges for the folding of the packaging composite in the packaging material blank. In this way, a slim container can be realized when the container is folded into the packaging material. Various solutions are considered for the realization of the device for introducing grooves into the packaging material.

For example, it is conceivable that the device for introducing grooves comprises a cylinder arrangement composed of two opposed, oppositely rotating cylinders, one of which is configured as a groove or fold cylinder having a groove shape and the other of which is configured as a counter-pressure cylinder.

Preferably, a device for feeding a packaging material web to the cylinder arrangement is further provided. With the aid of the cylinder arrangement, corresponding groove lines are then introduced into the packaging material web, in particular perpendicular to the transport direction of the packaging material web.

In particular, according to this embodiment, it can be provided that the groove or fold cylinder comprises at least one or a plurality of different groove shapes on the outer surface of the groove cylinder and line-shaped edges extending in the longitudinal direction of the groove or fold cylinder. Due to the interaction with the counter-pressure cylinder, corresponding groove lines are introduced into the material of the packaging material web as a result of the line-shaped edges. Different groove shapes serve to account for different material thicknesses and edge shapes.

Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable that the device for introducing grooves comprises an arrangement composed of a rotating groove or fold cylinder having a groove shape and a groove tool having at least one groove or fold edge. The groove tool is transferable from a first position in which the groove or fold edge is arranged away from the outer surface of the groove or fold cylinder into a second position in which the groove or fold edge is positioned on the outer surface of the groove or fold cylinder in such a way that a groove line is introduced into the packaging material in the region between the groove or fold edge and the groove or fold cylinder.

In this embodiment of the device for introducing grooves, it is also preferred that a device for feeding a packaging material web to the arrangement is further provided. In the most recently mentioned configuration of the device for introducing grooves, the groove or fold cylinder should preferably comprise at least one or a plurality of different groove shapes on the outer surface of the groove or fold cylinder and line-shaped indentations extending in the longitudinal direction of the groove or fold cylinder.

According to embodiments, the groove tool is mounted rotationally, wherein, in order to transfer the groove tool into the second position, it is preferably rotated in the opposite direction of the groove or fold cylinder.

Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable for the groove tool to be linearly movable relative to the groove or fold cylinder.

Preferably, the utility is transferred into the second position in a coordinated manner in order to form groove lines at predetermined regions in the packaging material.

The device for introducing grooves is in particular configured so as to introduce the groove lines into the packaging material of a packaging material web. In this way, the material can be continuously fed to the device for introducing grooves.

Thus, in advantageous further developments of the solution according to the invention, it is provided that the device comprises a cutting or punching device for cutting or punching a fed packaging material web. the cutting or punching device is arranged, when viewed in the transport direction of the packaging material web, downstream of the device for introducing grooves and preferably upstream of a folding belt inlet of the folding device.

The invention further relates to a system having an apparatus for providing and/or feeding packaging material blanks of the aforementioned type according to the invention, as well as a folding device configured so as to form containers of single packs by folding into a packaging material blank a packaging composite of grouped single packs that are optionally received by a bottom tray. According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a system having an apparatus for providing and/or feeding packaging material blanks of the aforementioned type according to the invention, as well as an apparatus for forming containers of single packs of the type according to the invention.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following are shown:

FIG. 1 schematically, an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention for forming containers of single packs, wherein the apparatus comprises a folding device;

FIG. 2 schematically and in an isometric view, the exemplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 schematically and in a top plan view, the folding belt system of the folding device of the apparatus according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 schematically, a flow of the apparatus according to the invention according to FIG. 1 when forming a container of single packs by folding a packaging composite of grouped single packs received by a bottom tray into a packaging material blank;

FIG. 5 schematically and in an isometric view, an exemplary embodiment of a container consisting of single packs formed with the apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 6 schematically, an exemplary embodiment of a folding device, which is configured so as to form containers of single packs by folding a packaging composite of grouped single packs into a packaging material blank, wherein the system further comprises an exemplary embodiment of the packaging material blank feeding apparatus according to the invention; and

FIG. 7 schematically and in a detail view, the packaging material blank feeding apparatus according to the invention according to FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to the illustrations in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus 1 according to the invention for forming containers 30 of single packs 31 is described below.

As can in particular be seen from the process flow shown in FIG. 4, the containers 30 are formed from single packs 31 by folding a packaging composite of grouped single packs 31 received by a bottom tray 32 into a blank 34 of a packaging material.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of the container 30 formed with the apparatus 1 according to the invention schematically and in an isometric view. The container 30 consists of a bottom tray 32, which horizontally surrounds the entirety of packaged goods (packing composite consisting of single packs 31) standing on a level floor on the bottom side in a circumferential manner. The bottom tray 32 has a bottom and a corresponding rim edge. It is in particular formed from a paper material or cardboard material.

Such a bottom tray 32 that receives single packs 31 is known in principle from the prior art. Typically, it is provided that the packaging composite of grouped single packs 31 received by a bottom tray 32 is folded into a blank 34 of a shrinkable film wrap material. In the prior art, folding flaps protruding laterally from the packaging composite on both sides of the packaging composite are subsequently applied laterally to the packaging composite by means of a folding unit in order to form a foil wrap that is closed on all sides. By subsequently shrinking the foil, a container 30 configured as a stable packaging unit is then generated, in which the single packs 31 are fixed relative to one another.

The use of plastic packaging is increasingly problematic from an environmental perspective. This relates in particular to the use of such foil packages, which are generally not reusable or are not reused. Due to the fact that no meaningful recycling of the implemented plastic foil takes place, its use for container production is considered to be particularly disadvantageous with respect to environmental aspects.

Single packaging 31 in terms of the present invention is, in particular, primary packages for beverages or other food products, in particular pouch packages or cubic cardboard packages. These primary packages can consist of one or more known materials, for example glass, plastic, metal, or cardboard.

In order to be able to use packaging materials, in particular from renewable sources, such as in particular paper or cardboard materials, it is necessary that, in order to manufacture a container 30 formed as a stable packaging unit, a sturdy structure of the packaging material blank that is essential for this purpose and is reachable with a suitable folding device is secured to the packaging composite by a reliable fixing of the rear end and the front end of the packaging material blank.

For this purpose, the packaging composite of grouped single packs 31 received by a bottom tray 32 is folded into a packaging material blank 34 such that a front end and a rear end of the packaging material blank 34 are fixed on the bottom tray 32 of the packaging composite while remaining spaced apart from one another.

The exemplary embodiment of the apparatus 1 according to the invention, shown schematically in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, for forming containers 30 of single packs 31 comprises a transport device 2 for transporting the packaging composite (i.e., the single packs 31 grouped and received by a bottom tray 32) in a transport direction T. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings, the transport device 2 comprises a push rod 15, which is guided along an envelope and is configured so as to move the packaging composite in the transport direction T.

A folding device 3 is arranged downstream of the transport device 2 when viewed in the transport direction T. At the folding belt inlet 5 of the folding device 3, the transport device 2 terminates. Here, the push rod 15 is guided along the envelope 16 such that it is conveyed upwards in the region of the folding belt inlet 5 of the folding device 3 and transported back to a starting position.

In the folding belt inlet 5, a feed 17 for feeding packaging material blanks 34 is also provided.

Exemplary embodiments thereof are now described in more detail with reference to the illustrations in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

The folding device 3 configured so as to enclose a packaging composite with the packaging material blank 34 fed with the transport device 2 of the folding device 3 to the folding belt inlet 5 or to fold the fed packaging composite into the packaging material blank 34 such that a front end and a rear end of the blank, when viewed in the transport direction, are fixed to the bottom tray 32 of the packaging composite while remaining spaced apart from one another.

As can in particular be seen from the schematic top plan view in FIG. 3, the folding device 3 of the exemplary embodiment of the apparatus 1 according to the invention comprises a folding belt system 4, which is designed and configured so as to transport the packaging composite fed with the transport device 2 of the folding device 3 from the folding belt inlet 5 to a folding belt outlet 6 of the folding device 3. The folding belt system 4 comprises a plurality of single belts 7, 8 that are circumferential in the transport direction T, parallel to one another, and arranged space apart from one another while forming a clearance.

From the top plan view in FIG. 3, it can be seen in particular that the folding belt system 4 comprises first single belts 7 extending from the folding belt inlet 5 to the folding belt outlet 6 and configured as full belts as well as second single belts 8 extending from the folding belt inlet 5 to an end region forming a clearance 9 in front of the folding belt outlet 6 and configured as partial belts. Preferably, each partial belt 8 is arranged adjacent to a full belt 7.

From the views in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 4, it can be seen that a first adhesive unit 10 is provided, when viewed in the transport direction T, upstream of the folding belt inlet 5 of the folding device 3, which unit is configured so as to apply an adhesive to an upstream rear end region of the bottom tray 32 of a packaging composite to be fed by the folding device 3.

In addition to the first adhesive unit 10, which is provided outside the folding device 3, a second adhesive unit 11 is used, which is arranged between the folding belt inlet 5 and the folding belt outlet 6 of the folding device 3 and in particular in the clearance 9 in front of the folding belt outlet 6. The second adhesive unit 11 is configured so as to apply an adhesive to a front end region of the bottom tray 32 of the packaging composite downstream of and different from the first end region of the bottom tray 32.

As already indicated, the apparatus 1 further comprises a device 17 for providing and feeding packaging material blanks 34 to the folding device 3. The apparatus 17 for providing and feeding packaging material blanks 34 is in particular configured so as to guide a corresponding packaging material blank 34, in coordination with the feeding of a packaging composite, to the folding device 3 in such a way that, at the folding belt inlet 5, the packaging composite with the upstream first end region of its bottom tray 32 lies upon a front, first end region of the packaging material blank 34 lying upon the folding belt system 4.

The folding device 3 is associated with a folding rod 13, which is guided and configured along an envelope 14 in such a way that, during transport of the packaging composite, from the folding belt inlet 5 to the folding belt outlet 6, the packaging material blank 34 is fed with its rear, second end region around the packaging composite in the transport direction T. For this purpose, the folding rod 13 is engageable with the rear, second end region of the packaging material blank 34. In particular, the folding rod 13 is associated with at least one guide rail 14 arranged laterally adjacent to the folding belt system 4 for guiding the folding rod 13 around the folding belt system 4.

In particular, the folding rod 13 and/or the at least one guide rail 14 associated with the folding rod 13 is/are configured in such a way that, on the trajectory of the folding rod 13, it transports the packaging material blank with its rear, second end region through a passage in the region between the folding belt outlet 6 and a discharge belt 12 arranged downstream of the folding device 3 when viewed in the transport direction T into a region below a transport plane formed by the top of the folding belt system 4, wherein the rear, second end region of the packaging material blank 34 is then applied to the downstream front end region of the bottom tray 32 of the packaging composite.

The discharge belt 12, which is located downstream of the folding device 3 when viewed in the transport direction T, serves to discharge a packaging composite that has been folded into a packaging material blank 34 in the folding device 3.

The packaging material consists of a biocompatible and/or biodegradable material, in particular paper or cardboard. By contrast to film materials, these materials are relatively stiff, so that it is impossible or difficult to apply it as flush as possible to the packaging composite to be folded.

In order to still enable a flush application of the packaging material to the packaging composite, the apparatus 1 according to the invention comprises a suitable device 17 for providing and/or feeding packaging material blanks 34 to the folding device 3. It is characterized by a device 18 for introducing grooves into the packaging material of the blanks 34, which device is configured so as to introduce corresponding groove lines in predetermined regions of the packaging material, said lines serving as fold edges for the folding of the packaging composite into the packaging material blank 34. By introducing corresponding groove lines into the packaging material, suitable fold edges are formed, as a result of which the packaging material can abut flush against the packaging composite to be folded.

The device 18 for introducing grooves into the packaging material can comprise a cylinder arrangement composed of two opposed, oppositely rotating cylinders, one of which is configured as a groove or embossment roller 19 having a groove or embossment shape and the other of which is configured as a counter-pressure cylinder, in particular in the form of a rubberized cylinder. It is conceivable in this context, for example, that the groove or embossment cylinder 19 comprises at least one or a plurality of different groove shapes distributed on the outer surface of the groove or embossment cylinder 19 and line-shaped edges extending in the longitudinal direction of the groove or embossment cylinder 19.

However, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, and more particularly in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, as the device 18 for introducing grooves, an arrangement is used consisting of a rotating groove or fold cylinder 19 with a groove or fold shape and a groove tool 20 having at least one groove or fold edge 22, wherein the groove tool is transferable from a first position in which the groove or fold edge 22 is arranged away from the outer surface of the groove or fold cylinder 19 into a second position in which the groove or fold edge 22 is positioned on the outer surface of the groove or fold cylinder 19 in such a way that a groove line is introduced into the packaging material in the region between the groove or fold edge 22 and the groove or fold cylinder 19.

When viewed in the transport direction T of the packaging material, the device 18 for introducing grooves is associated with an upstream device 17 for feeding a packaging material web to the arrangement of the groove or fold cylinder 19 and the groove tool 20. In other words, the grooves are introduced in particular into the packaging material web 33 before being distributed into packaging material blanks 34. As can be seen in particular from the detail view in FIG. 7, the groove or fold cylinder 19 preferably comprises a plurality of line-shaped indentations 21 distributed evenly on the outer surface of the groove or fold cylinder 19 and extending in the longitudinal direction of the groove or fold cylinder 19.

When viewed in the transport direction T of the packaging material web, the device 18 for introducing grooves is associated with a downstream cutting or punching device 23 for cutting or punching the fed packaging material web.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but rather results when all of the features disclosed herein are considered together.

In particular, it is conceivable in this context that the folding device 3 comprises a lifting unit, which is configured so as to vertically lift the packaging composite fed with the transport device 2 to a packaging material belt pre-positioned with respect to the lifting unit or to a packaging material blank 34 pre-positioned with respect to the lifting unit in such a way that the packaging material belt or packaging material blank 34 lies at least regionally around the packaging composite.

It is further conceivable in this context that the folding device 3 further comprises a compression unit, which is configured so as to lay the packaging material or packaging material blank 34 on the packaging composite in such a way that, at least in regions, the top and the bottom tray 32 of the packaging composite are covered by the packaging material or packaging material blank 34.

List of reference numerals

Apparatus for forming containers

Transport device

Folding device

Folding belt system

Folding belt inlet

Folding belt outlet

Full belt

Partial belt

Clearance

First adhesive unit

Second adhesive unit

Discharge conveyor belt

Folding rod

Guide rail of the folding rod

Push rod

Guide rail of the push rod

Device for providing/feeding packaging material blanks

Device for introducing grooves

Groove or fold/embossment cylinder

Groove tool

Indentation

Groove or fold/embossment edge

Cutting/punching device

Container

Single pack

Bottom tray

Packaging material web

Packaging material blank

First adhesive region

Second adhesive region

Transport direction

Claims

Claims An apparatus (1) for forming containers (30) of single packs (31) by folding a packaging composite of grouped single packs (31) received by a bottom tray (32) into a blank (34) made of a packaging material, wherein the apparatus (1) comprises: a transport device (2) for transporting the packaging composite in a transport direction (T); and a folding device (3), which is arranged downstream of the transport device (2) when viewed in the transport direction (T) and is configured so as to fold a packaging composite with the blank (34) fed with the transport device (2) of the folding device (3) into the blank (34) such that a front end and a rear end of the blank (34), when viewed in the transport direction (T), are fixed to the bottom tray (32) of the packaging composite while remaining spaced apart from one another. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the folding device (3) comprises a folding belt system (4) for conveying the packaging composite fed to the folding device (3) with the transport device (2) from a folding belt inlet (5) to a folding belt outlet (6), wherein the folding belt system (4) comprises a plurality of single belts (7, 8) that are circumferential in the transport direction (T), parallel to one another, and arranged spaced apart from one another while forming a clearance, wherein the folding belt system (4) comprises first single belts (7) extending from the folding belt inlet (5) to the folding belt outlet (6) and configured as full belts as well as second single belts (8) extending from the folding belt inlet (5) to an end region forming a clearance (9) in front of the folding belt outlet (6) and configured as partial belts, wherein each partial belt (8) is preferably arranged adjacent to a full belt (7). The apparatus (1) according to claim 2, wherein, when viewed in the transport direction (T), a first adhesive unit (10) is provided upstream of the folding belt inlet (5) of the folding device (3), which unit is configured so as to apply an adhesive at an upstream first end region of the bottom tray (32) of a packaging composite fed to the folding device (3), and wherein a second adhesive unit (11) is provided between the folding belt inlet (5) and the folding belt outlet (6) of the folding device (3) and preferably in the clearance (9) in front of the folding belt outlet (6), which unit is configured so as to apply an adhesive to a second end region of the bottom tray (32) of the packaging composite downstream of and different from the first end region of the bottom tray (32). The apparatus (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the folding device (3) is associated with a folding rod (13), which is guided and configured along an envelope in such a way that, during transport of the packaging composite, from the folding belt inlet (5) to the folding belt outlet (6) of the folding device (3), the packaging material blank (34) is fed with its rear, second end region around the packaging composite in the transport direction (T), wherein, for this purpose, the folding rod (13) is engageable with the rear, second end region of the packaging material blank (34), and wherein the folding rod (13) is associated with at least one guide rail (14) arranged laterally adjacent to the folding belt system (4) for guiding the folding rod (13) around the folding belt system (4). The apparatus (1) according to claim 4, wherein the folding rod (13) and/or the at least one guide rail (14) associated with the folding rod (13) is/are configured in such a way that, on the trajectory of the folding rod (13), it transports the packaging material blank (34) with its rear, second end region through a passage region in the region between the folding belt outlet (6) and a discharge belt (12) arranged downstream of the folding device (3) when viewed in the transport direction (T) into a region below a transport plane formed by the top of the folding belt system (4), where the rear, second end region of the packaging material blank (34) is applied to the downstream second end region of the bottom tray (32) of the packaging composite. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the apparatus (1) further comprises a device (17) for providing and feeding packaging material blanks (34) to the folding device (3), which is configured so as to guide a corresponding packaging material blank (34), in particular in coordination with the feeding of a packaging composite, to the folding device (3) in such a way that, at the folding belt inlet (5), the packaging composite with the upstream first end region of its bottom tray (32) lies upon a front, first end region of the packaging material blank (34) lying upon the folding belt system (4). The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the folding device (3) comprises a lifting unit, which is configured so as to vertically lift the packaging composite fed with the transport device (2) to a packaging material belt pre-positioned with respect to the lifting unit or to a packaging material blank (34) pre-positioned with respect to the lifting unit in such a way that the packaging material belt or packaging material blank (34) lies at least regionally around the packaging composite, wherein the folding device (3) further comprises a compression unit, which is configured so as to lay the packaging material belt or packaging material blank (34) on the packaging composite in such a way that, at least in regions, the top and the bottom tray (32) of the packaging composite are covered by the packaging material belt or packaging material blank (34), wherein the compression device preferably comprises two respectively circumferential single belts arranged on top of one another, between which the packaging composite is receivable. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the apparatus (1) further comprises a discharge belt (12) arranged downstream of the folding device (3) when viewed in the transport direction (T), to which device a packaging composite folded into a packaging material blank (34) in the folding device (3) can be transferred for discharge. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the packaging material consists of a biocompatible and/or biodegradable material, wherein the packaging material consists in particular of a material consisting substantially of fibers of plant origin, and wherein the packaging material preferably consists of a paper-containing or cardboard-containing material and/or a wood-, pulp-, and/or semi-pulpcontaining material. An apparatus (17) for providing and/or feeding packaging material blanks (34) to a folding device (3), which is configured so as to form containers of single packs (31) by folding into a packaging material blank (34) a packaging composite of grouped single packs (31) that are optionally received by a bottom tray (32), wherein the packaging material blanks (34) consist in particular of a biocompatible and/or biodegradable material, wherein the packaging material consists in particular of a material consisting substantially of fibers of plant origin, and wherein the packaging material preferably consists of a paper-containing or cardboard-containing material and/or a wood-, pulp-, and/or semi-pulp-containing material, characterized in that the apparatus (17) comprises a device (18) for introducing grooves into the packaging material of the blanks (34), which device is configured so as to introduce groove lines in predetermined regions of the packaging material, said lines serving as fold edges for the folding of the packaging composite into the packaging material blank (34). The apparatus (17) according to claim 10, wherein the device (18) for introducing grooves comprises a cylinder arrangement composed of two opposed, oppositely rotating cylinders, one of which is configured as a groove or fold cylinder (19) having a groove shape and the other of which is configured as a counter-pressure cylinder, wherein a device for feeding a packaging material web (33) to the cylinder arrangement is further provided, wherein the groove or fold cylinder (19)

21 preferably comprises at least one or a plurality of different groove shapes on the outer surface of the groove cylinder and line-shaped edges extending in the longitudinal direction of the groove or fold cylinder (19). The apparatus (17) according to claim 10, wherein the device (18) for introducing grooves comprises an arrangement composed of a rotating groove or fold cylinder (19) having a groove shape and a groove tool (20) having at least one groove or fold edge (22), wherein the groove tool (20) is transferable from a first position in which the groove or fold edge (22) is arranged away from the outer surface of the groove or fold cylinder (19) into a second position in which the groove or fold edge (22) is positioned on the outer surface of the groove or fold cylinder (19) in such a way that a groove line is introduced into the packaging material in the region between the groove or fold edge (22) and the groove or fold cylinder (19), wherein a device for feeding a packaging material web (33) to the arrangement is further provided, wherein the groove or fold cylinder (19) preferably comprises at least one or a plurality of different groove shapes on the outer surface of the groove or fold cylinder (19) and lineshaped indentations (21) extending in the longitudinal direction of the groove or fold cylinder (19). The apparatus (17) according to claim 12, wherein the groove tool (20) is mounted rotationally, and wherein, in order to transfer the groove tool (20) into the second position, it is preferably rotated in the opposite direction of the groove or fold cylinder (19); or wherein the groove tool (20) is linearly movable relative to the groove or fold cylinder (19). The apparatus (17) according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein a cutting or punching device (23) is provided for cutting or punching a fed packaging material web (33), wherein the cutting or punching device (23) is arranged, when viewed in the transport direction (T) of the packaging material web (33), downstream of the device (18) for

22 introducing grooves and upstream of a folding belt inlet (5) of the folding device (3). A system having an apparatus (17) according to any one of claims 10 to 14 and a folding device (3) configured so as to form containers of single packs

(31) by folding into a packaging material blank (34) a packaging composite of grouped single packs (31) that are optionally received by a bottom tray

(32), or having an apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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