DE102018107551A1 - Container treatment station and method for the treatment and / or temperature control of containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a container treatment station (1) and a method for the treatment and / or the temperature control of containers (10). The container treatment station (1) comprises a shrink tunnel (4) for tempering containers (10) which are each provided with equipment elements (11) which can be applied or applied to the respective container outer lateral surfaces (45). The container treatment station (1) and / or the shrink tunnel (4) comprise at least one shrink tunnel housing (20) with at least one housing interior (22), an entry region (24) and an exit region (25) for the containers (10) and a transport section (26 ) for conveying the containers (10) in a transport direction (TR). Furthermore, a feed line (50) for feeding tempered or temperature-controllable steam into the housing interior (22), which feed line (50) is in fluid communication with at least one steam distributor (52) and / or is part of a steam distributor (52). Furthermore, steam outlets (56) are arranged within the shrink tunnel for acting on the housing interior (22) and / or the conveyed containers (10) with tempered or temperature-controlled steam. At least some of the steam outlets (56) are disposed at least at least one variable and / or adjustable height level with respect to the containers (10) transported within the shrink tunnel casing (20), and wherein the height level is tuned to a portion of the containers (10). in which the respective equipment elements (11) are located. The at least one steam distributor (52), which is in fluid communication with the at least one feed line (50) and / or the steam outlets (22) in the housing interior (22), is assigned to or arranged on an upper side of the shrink tunnel housing (20).

Description

The present invention relates to a container treatment station and a method for the treatment and / or the temperature control of containers with the features of the independent claims.

Containers that are filled with contents are typically labeled so that the contents can be seen without opening the container. For this purpose, for example, labels are applied to the outside of the container, which name the contents and, where appropriate, further information. As labels traditionally labels of paper or a similar sheet material are used, which are adhesively attached to the outside of the container via an adhesive.

Furthermore, it is known to print the information directly on the outside of the container. Another option is to apply shrink-wrap labels designed as wrap-around labels. In this case, the container is positioned within the shrink label by the shrink-on sleeves molded shrink labels are placed over the container. Subsequently, the containers thus prepared pass through a shrink tunnel, in which the film of the shrink sleeve contracts under the influence of heat and engages around the outer lateral surface of the containers.

The publication DE 10 2012 207 538 A1 describes a method and apparatus for adhering shrink sleeves to containers. The shrink sleeves placed on the containers are anchored to the containers during transport of the containers by selective shrinking in a shrink-on region of the shrink sleeves with at least one heated band in contact with the containers. Pinning the shrink sleeves means that they are anchored to the container such that the shrink sleeves can be completely shrunk in a separate production step downstream of the heated band. Accordingly, a selective shrinkage means that only a portion of the shrink sleeves is shrunk to the container. The anchoring causes the shrink sleeves at least can not fall off the containers. Preferably, the shrinkage region of the shrink sleeves is fixed by the anchoring already in its final position on the containers. The energy input into the shrink sleeves can be reduced compared to a full shrinking and disrupted production interruptions by canceling the contact and interrupting the heat conduction in a simple, fast and reliable. As a result, overheating of the shrink sleeves can be avoided both during normal operation and during production disruptions.

The Utility Model DE 9116105 U1 describes a device for the continuous application of shrink sleeves on the closure ends of vessels. So that the function of the shrink sleeve is guaranteed in any case, it must be ensured that the film sleeve on the way from the attachment station to passing through the shrinking device maintains its predetermined position, that does not slip. The device comprises a placement station for placing the shrink sleeves on the closure ends and a transport device for transporting the vessels from the attachment station to a shrinking station, in which the shrink sleeves are shrunk onto the closure ends. There are provided from below to the shrink sleeves, extending along the transport means supporting means for guiding the shrink sleeves in a predetermined height position provided so that the vessels on the way from the attachment station to the shrinking station by a guide means with a direction transverse to the transport direction force on the side Supporting means are acted upon. The support means comprise support elements which, during the transport of the vessels, are continuously applied at least partially to the peripheral contour of the vessels in order to prevent the shrink sleeves from slipping off.

The publication DE 10 2013 208 589 A1 discloses a device for labeling containers and for attaching shrink sleeves to containers. The apparatus comprises a labeling machine having a first pitch, the labeling machine being adapted to apply labels to the containers, a conveyor belt arranged after the labeling machine and adapted to transport containers thereon at a speed, and one arranged after the labeling machine A divider screw adapted to bring the containers transported by the conveyor belt to a second pitch of a subsequent shrink sleeve aggregate, wherein the shrink sleeve aggregate is adapted to transfer shrink sleeves to the containers. The apparatus may subsequently comprise a shrink sleeve positioning device to the shrink sleeve assembly, the positioning device comprising at least two downstream speed drivable belts adapted to engage opposite sides of containers and to transfer the shrink sleeves from an initial position to an end position. Depending on which position and at what height a shrink sleeve is to be arranged on a container (end position) and in which Position and height of the shrink sleeve assembly has applied the shrink sleeve (initial position), the two conveyor belts are in a corresponding orientation, so they are to be interpreted to spend the shrink sleeves in a desired position. By means of the pressurization of the positioned shrink sleeve with hot air from a hot air nozzle, a prefixing of the shrink sleeve takes place in the desired position. Within a subsequent heating tunnel or steam tunnel the final shrinkage of the shrink sleeve takes place on the container.

The object of the invention is a container treatment station for fixing equipment elements such as shrink sleeves or the like. on containers, in particular for a subsequent container treatment, in connection or during such, which may be meant as a heat and / or steam shrinkage process, further improve.

The above object is achieved by a container treatment station and a method for the treatment and / or handling and / or for temperature control of containers, in particular equipped with equipment elements containers, comprising the features in the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are described by the subclaims.

The invention relates to a container treatment station, which is in particular part of a container treatment device and / or machine or forms a subsection of such. The container treatment station comprises a shrink tunnel for tempering containers which are each provided with equipment elements which can be applied or applied to the respective container outer sides and / or outer container lateral surfaces.

The containers may be, for example, bottles, cans or the like made of either glass, plastic, metal or other suitable material. The containers have, in particular, a bottom side and an upper side. As a rule, the containers have a filling opening at the top or in an upper area. Between the bottom side and the top is the subsequent to be provided with a trim element container outer side and / or container outer lateral surface. The supplied containers can be empty, for example, and can only be filled and closed in a subsequent process step. Alternatively, already filled and sealed containers can be supplied.

The equipment elements are preferably so-called shrink labels, which consist of a so-called shrink film. This refers to foils that contract strongly under the action of heat and / or steam. Such shrink films are particularly efficient because they nestle closely around the packaged goods, such as the containers, and adapt to the outer contour. Biaxial and monoaxial shrink films are industrially available, which differ in the direction in which the films deform. Monoaxial films shrink on one side, while biaxial films shrink on both sides or in different shrinking or extending directions of the material. The shrink labels used can hereby partially be arranged around the outer side of the container and / or container outer lateral surface reaching around the containers or can encompass the container outer lateral surface completely.

Preferably, the shrink labels in the form of thin-walled and / or consisting of film tube sections sleeves or shrink sleeves are provided, which are turned up from the top of the container and enclose the container outer side and / or outer container outer surface at least partially all-around or teilumfänglich. The shrink sleeves may be formed as so-called full sleeves, which extend from the bottom side of the container or almost the bottom side of the container in the direction of the top of the container allaumängänglich the container outer sides and / or container outer lateral surface. In particular, the full sleeves extend slightly over a shoulder region of the container. The invention relates in particular to equipment elements in the form of so-called Teilleeves, which surround the container outer sides and / or container outer lateral surfaces in the finished product only partially. In particular with regard to a container longitudinal axis, the container outer sides and / or respective outer container lateral surfaces are only partially encompassed by the Teilleeve. When using a partial sleeve, the containers are preferably not covered by the component sleeve in a lower region of the container outer sides and / or outer container lateral surfaces and / or in an upper region of the container outer sides and / or outer container lateral surfaces. In particular, such a partial sleeve usually does not end flush with the respective container.

In a first step, which does not belong to the invention, the containers are fed to an application module which serves to provide and / or equip the respective outer container sides and / or outer container lateral surfaces with equipment elements at least in regions. For example, tube sleeves from above put over the containers or shot. Subsequently, the equipment elements are preferably held and / or fixed and / or stabilized in a desired position on the container, in particular while the containers are transported with the positioned equipment elements to a downstream in the transport direction shrink tunnel. It can be provided that the containers undergo a prefixing. For example, by means of electrical heating means, preferably hot air blower or the like, at least a selective prefixing before entering the container in the shrink tunnel achieved by the hot air or the like acted upon area of the respective equipment element is connected by the hot air at least selectively adhering to the container. This prevents that in the shrink tunnel to be carried out final shrinkage and / or fixation of the equipment elements on the containers, they can slip relative to the containers.

Within the shrinking tunnel, the containers, together with the fitting elements applied thereto and / or applied, are acted upon by a shrinking means, in particular by steam, whereby the equipment elements intensified under the effect of steam in their adhesion to the containers and / or shrinking at least in the circumferential direction around the containers the containers are fixed and / or mechanically secured. Steam is the preferred shrinking agent, since steam is a very good heat transfer medium and causes a homogeneous energy transfer, which leads to particularly reproducible and uniform shrinkage results.

The shrink tunnel comprises a shrink tunnel housing with at least one housing interior, an inlet region for the containers, an outlet region for the containers and at least one transport section extending between the inlet region and the outlet region and inside the housing. In particular, the containers provided with equipment elements are conveyed in a transport direction from the inlet region to the outlet region through the shrink tunnel and in the process are acted upon by a shrinkage agent.

The shrinking agent is in particular steam, preferably steam, in particular wet steam. For certain applications, however, it may be necessary to use dry steam with a liquid content of less than ten percent by weight of water. For certain applications, it may also be necessary that no steam, but another suitable steam is used.

For supplying the steam into the shrink tunnel, at least one feed line extending at least in sections outside and / or inside the shrink tunnel housing is provided for feeding tempered or temperature-controllable steam into the housing interior. The at least one supply line is in fluid communication with at least one steam distributor or is part of such a steam distributor.

Within the shrink tunnel, in particular in the housing interior, steam outlets are provided which are in fluid communication with the at least one steam distributor and / or with the at least one supply line. About the steam outlets of the housing interior and / or located within the shrink tunnel housing and / or transported on the transport section through the shrink tunnel housing equipped with equipment elements container with the appropriate temperature steam is applied. At least some of the vapor outlets are located at at least one variable and / or adjustable height level with respect to the containers transported within the shrink tunnel housing. In particular, the height level is matched to a region of the container in which the respective equipment elements are located.

The steam distributor is assigned to or arranged on an upper side of the shrink tunnel housing. This is particularly advantageous since, when the shrinking tunnel is paused and cooled, condensate is formed which would accumulate in the supply lines to the steam outlets in the case of a steam distributor arranged in the lower region of the shrinking tunnel. This could lead to corrosion of components of the shrink tunnel. Condensate formed within the shrink tunnel is collected in a lower sump and collected or automatically removed from the shrink tunnel interior via a suitable drain.

The invention further relates to a method for the treatment and / or the temperature control of containers within a shrink tunnel, in particular within a container treatment apparatus and / or machine, the method comprising at least the following method steps: First, containers are provided, each equipped with equipment elements with the equipment elements applied to the respective container outer and / or outer container lateral surfaces. These are introduced into a housing interior within a shrink tunnel housing of the shrink tunnel and transported in a transport direction through the housing interior. Here is / are the housing interior and / or through this conveyed through tank with steam, which is fed into the housing interior, tempered. The tempered steam is delivered through arranged in the housing interior steam outlets, wherein the steam outlets are each in fluid communication with the arranged on an upper side of the shrink tunnel housing steam distributor and wherein at least some of the steam outlets in at least one, with respect to a position of each transported through the shrink tunnel housing container are arranged variably adjustable height level. The height level is matched to a region of the container in which the respective equipment elements are located.

Alternatively, the features described below can also be implemented independently of one another and can therefore be regarded as individually inventive aspects in each case.

According to one embodiment, it is provided that the at least one steam distributor has at least one distributor channel extending or attached to an upper side of the shrink tunnel housing or being formed by such a distributor channel. The distribution channel preferably extends substantially along the entire length of the shrink tunnel and has direct connections along the entire length of the shrink tunnel to the steam outlets, which are also arranged substantially along the entire length of the shrink tunnel. For controlling the admission of the steam outlets with steam from the steam distributor or the distribution channel, this is equipped with controllable valves and / or shut-off devices for the variable admission of at least some of the steam outlets.

According to one embodiment of the invention it is provided that the shrink tunnel is modular. In particular, the shrink tunnel housing is formed by at least two adjoining housing parts in the transport direction. It is preferable to use at least two housing modules of the same or different size and / or length which can be connected to each other or which can be separated from one another. For example, it may be provided to form housing modules in two different lengths, so that customer-specific different desired shrink tunnel lengths can be assembled simply by selecting corresponding housing modules or shrink module units. In this case, the housing modules or shrinkage module units are preferably assembled in such a way that as few housing modules are used and thus fewer transition areas are formed. The individual housing modules or shrink module units are formed substantially the same. Depending on the products to be processed, it may be provided that, in the transport direction, the last housing module, for example, be designed as a drying device in order to remove condensate from the containers. In this case, the steam distributor and / or the distribution channel extends only to this last housing module, but in particular is not part of the same.

According to one embodiment, the shrink tunnel has at least one housing opening, which can be closed by means of a closure element. Preferably, the housing parts of the housing modules each comprise at least one housing opening, via which access to components in the housing interior of the shrink tunnel is possible. The at least one housing opening of the shrink tunnel can, in particular for the current production operation, be closed by a suitable closure element. The closure element can be designed, for example, as a door or a pivoting flap accessible to the outside of the housing from the outside. The door or pivoting flap located in the closed and / or locked position covers, in particular, a rectangular housing opening. In the open position, the closure element is in particular pivoted upwards, wherein a particular horizontal pivot axis is located at or near an upper horizontal longitudinal side or edge of the housing opening. The opening of the closure element, in particular the upward pivoting of the closure element can preferably by means of gas springs or the like. get supported. The at least one closure element can additionally be equipped with a viewing window in order to provide an insight into the housing interior of the shrink tunnel even during operation. In particular, the closure element of a housing module designed as a drying device can be equipped with a viewing window in order to allow the user a simple optical control of the shrinkage result. According to one embodiment, it is provided that each of the at least two housing modules is in each case equipped with a closure element in the form of a door or a pivoting flap.

The valves and / or shut-off devices of the steam distributor and / or distribution channel can in particular be actuated jointly or separately and / or influenced in their different opening states by means of at least one control device remote from the valves and / or shut-off devices. According to one embodiment, the interior of the housing is subdivided into at least two shrinkage sections arranged successively in the transport direction, each with a different vapor temperature loading. In particular, it can be provided that the steam supply in individual sections of the shrink tunnel, in particular in sections formed by a housing module, can be regulated and adjusted separately via the valves and / or shut-off devices.

The steam outlets or a part of the steam outlets may for example be arranged in a row which extends through the shrink tunnel parallel to the transport direction of the containers. For example, it is provided that at least some of the vapor outlets arranged within the shrink tunnel housing are formed by nozzles or bores on one side of a channel or vapor beam equipped with a plurality of similar and juxtaposed nozzles or bores. The channel or steam bar is connected to the steam distributor and / or distribution channel in such a way that it is supplied with steam through it. In particular, it is provided that at least two channels or steam bars are arranged on opposite sides of the transport path for the containers through the shrink tunnel and extend substantially over the entire length of the shrink tunnel parallel to the transport direction of the container. The vapor outlets are each formed on the side of the channels or steam bars directed towards the transport path.

It is provided that at least some of the steam outlets are adjustable within the housing interior, in particular by means of adjustable trained channel or steam beam. The adjustment takes place in the vertical direction and / or in the horizontal direction and serves to adapt the arrangement of the steam outlets within the shrinking tunnel product-specific. In particular, the size and / or shape of the container as well as the arrangement of the equipment elements on the containers play a role. It is preferably provided that the adjustment takes place synchronously in relation to the transport path opposite channels or steam bars. In particular, the adjusting mechanisms are coupled in such a way that, in the case of vertical adjustment, the at least two coupled channels or steam bars are arranged in respectively identical height levels with respect to a transport surface for the containers or with respect to the equipment elements attached to the containers. In the case of the vertical adjustment, a rectified movement of the motion-coupled channels or steam bars thus takes place. In the horizontal adjustment, however, takes place an oppositely directed movement of the motion-coupled channels or steam bars, in particular a feed movement in which the distance between the two channels or steam bars is reduced or a movement away from each other, in which the distance between the two channels or steam bars is enlarged.

In order to enable the vertical and / or horizontal adjustment, the steam outlets, in particular the channel or steam bar with steam outlets, associated with adjustment, the manual or motor operated and / or actuated by means of accessible from outside the shrink tunnel housing and / or driven actuators and / or adjusting elements are. Here, for example, first adjusting elements for the horizontal adjustment and second adjusting elements for the horizontal adjustment are available. For example, the adjusting elements for the respective adjustable steam outlets on motor or by manual actuation adjustable spindle drives or are formed by such. Other adjustment elements known to those skilled in the art can also be used accordingly. For example, the horizontal adjustment by means of lifting column or chain drive is possible. In any case, it is important that the adjustment elements are accessible and adjustable from outside the shrink tunnel housing, so that the operator of the shrink tunnel does not have to reach into the shrink tunnel for the adjustment. Thus, it is not necessary to wait for an adjustment until the shrink tunnel has cooled down accordingly in order to be able to work safely.

It is further provided that at the shrink tunnel housing a leading out of the housing interior suction for sucking spent and / or cooled after treatment of the container and / or no longer needed for the treatment of the container steam is connected. The extraction of steam in the ongoing production operation is particularly important in order to avoid overheating of the shrink tunnel. According to one embodiment, the suction device is assigned at least one suction opening leading out from the housing interior of the shrinking tunnel. This can be assigned, for example, a manually or motor-operated and / or remotely controllable shut-off valve or a manually or motor-actuated and / or remotely controllable shut-off valve with a variable valve opening cross-section in order to be able to selectively control a discharge of condensate.

A further aspect is an illumination device that illuminates the interior of the housing of the shrink tunnel at least in sections and / or with variable or adjustable illuminance. This is preferably provided by at least one transparent and / or largely translucent profile, in particular a transparent line, inside the shrink tunnel housing Light-emitting diodes or other bulbs formed. The illumination device is preferably arranged in an upper region of the shrink tunnel housing, in particular in an area above the container transported through the shrink tunnel, and preferably extends through the entire length of the shrink tunnel. Within such a transparent line, for example, an LED strip is arranged. It is a flexible printed circuit board, which is equipped by surface-mounted light-emitting diodes and other components, which are usually provided with an adhesive backing.

In particular, in such LED strips a plurality of LEDs (light emitting diodes) are arranged in a row one behind the other. The bulbs and the associated electrical system, especially lines, etc., are protected by the arrangement of the bulbs within the profile from the vapor. The profile is formed from a suitable material that withstands high humidity, especially in connection with high temperatures, for example polycarbonate or the like. In order not to exceed the maximum temperature compatibility of the lamps, the lighting device can be connected, for example, to the above-described or otherwise configured suction of steam from the housing interior of the shrinking tunnel. The connection to the suction takes place in such a way that ambient air is sucked in to cool the lighting means of the lighting device.

Due to the loading of the provided with equipment elements container with steam can form condensate on the containers, which can interfere with the further processing of the container within the container treatment device and / or - machine. For this reason, it may be provided that the shrink tunnel housing is assigned a blower device which acts on the interior of the housing and / or the containers conveyed therein at least in sections with blowing air and / or drying air.

Alternatively and / or additionally, the shrink tunnel housing may be assigned a heating and / or drying device which acts on the interior of the housing and / or the containers conveyed therein at least in sections with electromagnetic radiation of an infrared wavelength range. In particular, the section of the shrink tunnel in which a blower or other heating and / or drying device is arranged is not connected to the steam distribution. The respective heating and / or drying device is arranged, in particular, at a height relative to the container, at which condensate preferably forms and / or accumulates, for example at a height that corresponds to the position of the equipment elements on the container. Also in this case it can be provided that at least two opposing heating and / or drying devices are provided, between which the containers are passed.

Analogous to the adjustment of the channels or steam bars can be provided that the position of the heating and / or drying devices can also be adjusted depending on the product variable, the adjustment preferably can also be done from outside the housing interior of the shrink tunnel, for example by means of adjusting mechanisms, as in the Related to the adjustment of the channels or steam bars have been described. When using electromagnetic radiators, care should be taken to choose a wavelength that does not damage the material of the containers and equipment and in particular does not overheat. Particularly preferred are electromagnetic emitters with a power of about 7.2 kW / m, since condensate evaporates particularly well when using infrared radiation having a wavelength of about 3 microns.

According to one embodiment, as already described, provision is made for the housing interior of the shrink tunnel to be subdivided into at least two shrinkage sections arranged consecutively in the transport direction, each with a different vapor temperature loading. In particular, the housing interior is subdivided into at least one first shrinkage section and at least one second shrinkage section. In the first shrinkage section, the trim elements applied or applied to the respective outer and outer container surfaces are subjected to preshrunk.

In particular, the containers with the equipment elements are in this case heated in the first shrinkage section, in which the housing interior of the shrink tunnel is subjected to steam, so that in the housing interior of the first shrinkage section, a chamber temperature between about 60 ° C and about 85 ° C prevails or prevails. Subsequently, the containers in the at least one second shrinkage section are subjected to a final shrinkage, wherein the containers with the equipment elements are heated in the second shrinkage section, in which the housing interior of the shrinking tunnel is subjected to steam, so that in the housing interior of the second shrinkage section between a chamber temperature about 85 ° C and about 105 ° C prevails or prevails. The different chamber temperatures are achieved, for example, in that the first shrinkage section of second shrinkage section is supplied via a supply line with steam. This has a lower pressure than the steam which is introduced from the printing station directly into the second shrinkage section.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the containers subsequently pass through a third shrinkage section and / or drying section within the shrink tunnel or to the shrink tunnel, where the containers, together with the equipment elements located thereon, are subjected to tempered blown air and / or electromagnetic radiation of an infrared wavelength range to form condensate to remove on the containers and / or equipment elements.

It should be expressly mentioned at this point that all aspects and variants which have been explained in connection with the device according to the invention, may equally relate to partial aspects of the method according to the invention or may be. Therefore, if at some point in the description or in the claim definitions for the device according to the invention of certain aspects and / or relationships and / or effects is mentioned, this is equally true for the inventive method. Conversely, the same applies, so that all aspects and variants which have been explained in connection with the method according to the invention can equally relate to or may be partial aspects of the device according to the invention. Therefore, if at some point in the description or in the claim definitions for the method according to the invention of certain aspects and / or relationships and / or effects is mentioned, this applies equally to the inventive device.

• 1 zeigt schematisch einen Verfahrensverlauf zum Ausstatten von Behältern mit Ausstattungselementen.
• 2 zeigt eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Schrumpftunnels.
• 3 zeigt die Dampfzuleitung in einen Schrumpftunnel.
• 4 zeigt einen Dampfbalken.
• 5 zeigt die Anordnung und Verstellung von Dampfbalken innerhalb eines Schrumpftunnels.
• 6 zeigt eine Ausführungsform eines horizontalen Verstellmechanismus.
• 7 zeigt eine Ausführungsform eines vertikalen Verstellmechanismus.
• 8A zeigt eine Gleitschiene.
• 8b zeigt eine Rollenkette.
• 9 zeigt eine Welle-Nabe-Verbindung.
• 10 zeigt die Ausbildung und Anordnung eines Absaugkanals.
• 11 und 12 zeigen Absperrklappen zur Regulierung der zuzuführenden Dampfmenge.
• 13 zeigt eine Ausführungsform einer Beleuchtung innerhalb des Schrumpftunnels.
• 14 zeigt eine Ausführungsform einer oberen Abdeckung des Schrumpftunnels.
• 15 zeigt eine Ausführungsform eines Verschlusselements einer Gehäuseöffnung des Schrumpftunnels.
• 16 zeigt eine Trocknungseinrichtung.
• 17 zeigt eine Ausführungsform eines Heizmittels einer Trocknungseinrichtung gemäß 16.
• 18 bis 20 zeigen jeweils Details einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines von außerhalb des Schrumpftunnels bedienbaren Verstellmechanismus für die Dampfbalken.

In the following, embodiments of the invention and their advantages with reference to the accompanying figures will be explained in more detail. The proportions of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the actual size ratios, since some shapes are simplified and other shapes are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

• 1 schematically shows a process flow for equipping containers with equipment elements.
• 2 shows a perspective view of a shrink tunnel.
• 3 shows the steam supply in a shrink tunnel.
• 4 shows a steam bar.
• 5 shows the arrangement and adjustment of steam bars within a shrink tunnel.
• 6 shows an embodiment of a horizontal adjustment mechanism.
• 7 shows an embodiment of a vertical adjustment mechanism.
• 8A shows a slide rail.
• 8b shows a roller chain.
• 9 shows a shaft-hub connection.
• 10 shows the design and arrangement of a suction channel.
• 11 and 12 show butterfly valves to regulate the amount of steam to be supplied.
• 13 shows an embodiment of a lighting within the shrink tunnel.
• 14 shows an embodiment of an upper cover of the shrink tunnel.
• 15 shows an embodiment of a closure element of a housing opening of the shrink tunnel.
• 16 shows a drying device.
• 17 shows an embodiment of a heating means of a drying device according to 16 ,
• 18 to 20 show in each case details of another embodiment of an operable from outside the shrink tunnel adjustment mechanism for the steam beam.

For identical or equivalent elements of the invention, identical reference numerals are used. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures, which are required for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of how the device or method of the invention may be configured and are not an exhaustive limitation.

The side view of 1 schematically shows the process flow to equip containers 10 with equipment elements 11 , In the illustrated embodiment, the container handling station includes 1 an application module 2 and one in a transport direction TR the container 10 downstream fixing module 3 , The containers 10 be via a transport device 5 For example, an endless conveyor o.ä. in the transport direction TR through the container treatment station 1 transported. The containers 10 become the fuser 3 with a defined distance on the transport device 5 from the upstream application module 2 fed. Thereby the containers become 10 secured by means of guide struts or other suitable guide elements laterally against tilting and so through the fuser 3 guided. The guide struts are, for example, via clamping connections on or adjacent to the transport device 5 attached. In particular, it is provided that parallel, the transport width of the transport device 5 limiting leadership 103 (see also 9 ) depending on the size of the respective containers used 10 are deliverable to each other to the transport width of the transport device 5 according to the respective products.

The containers 10 have a floor area 40 , a top 41 and a container closure 42 on. The term container outer sides and / or container outer lateral surfaces 45 In particular, the areas between the floor area 40 and top 41 to understand. The application module 2 serves to provide containers 10 and equipping the provided containers 10 at the respective container outer sides and / or container outer lateral surfaces 45 with equipment elements 11 , These are, for example, shrink sleeves 12 , which are formed in particular by thin-walled and / or consisting of tubular film sections sleeves which are on the container 10 applied or over the container 10 be put over. For example, the shrink sleeves 12 preferably fed from above and over the container 10 imposed.

The shrink sleeves 12 may be formed as so-called full sleeves (not shown), wherein a so-called full sleeve preferably from the lateral boundary of the bottom surface 40 of the container 10 starting at least largely up to the lateral boundary of the top 41 of the container 10 extends and thus the lateral container outer sides and / or Behälteraußenmantelflächen45 of the container 10 surrounds completely and flush with the floor. Furthermore, the shrink sleeves 12 also as Teilleeve 13 be formed, with the Teilleeve 13 the container 10 in the finished product 15 surrounds only partially in the area of the lateral container outer sides and / or outer container lateral surfaces 45 and in particular the container 10 in a lower area 16 and / or in an upper area 17 does not cover, especially where a Teilleeve 13 not flush with the respective container 10 concludes.

The 2 shows a perspective view of a shrink tunnel 4 trained fixing module 3 , and 3 shows a steam supply line in the shrink tunnel 4 , For this purpose was in 3 a top cover 30 or cover hood 31 of the shrink tunnel 4 away. The shrink tunnel 4 In particular, it serves for tempering the with on the respective container outer sides and / or Behälteraußenmantelflächen45 with equipment elements 11 provided container 10 for shrinking the equipment elements 11 on the containers (see 1 ). The shrink tunnel 4 includes a shrink tunnel housing 20 surrounding a housing interior. Furthermore, at least one entry area 24 for the containers 10 and at least one exit area 25 for the containers 10 and at least one between the entrance area 24 and the exit area 25 running transport section 26 for transporting the containers 10 through the shrink tunnel 4 in one of the entry area 24 to the exit area 25 directed transport direction TR available.

Preferably, there is a shrink tunnel 4 from a plurality of shrink module units 4 * which are formed substantially the same. It can be provided, the shrink module units 4 * provide in two different lengths, so that customer-specific different desired shrink tunnel lengths simply by selecting appropriate shrink module units 4 * can be put together.

Under certain circumstances it can be provided that immediately before the exit area 25 a differently designed shrink module units 4 ** is arranged, for example, a drying device according to 16 o .ae. includes.

The shrink tunnel housing 20 , in particular each shrink module unit 4 * . 4 ** includes at least one housing opening 145 , through which access to components in the housing interior of the shrink tunnel 4 is possible. The at least one housing opening 145 of the shrink tunnel 4 can, in particular for the current production operation, through a door 141 or another suitable closure element are closed, this preferably by means of gas springs or the like. supportive can be opened upwards. The doors 141 can additionally with a viewing window 143 (see. 3 ) to provide an insight into the housing interior even during operation 22 of the shrink tunnel 4 to grant (cf. 10 ). In particular, the door can 141 in the transport direction TR last shrink module unit 4 * . 4 ** with a viewing window 143 be equipped to allow the user a simple optical control of the shrinkage result.

At least partially outside and / or inside the shrink tunnel housing 20 runs at least one supply line 50 for feeding tempered or temperature-controlled steam into the housing interior 22 , The supply line 50 stands with at least one steam distributor in the housing interior 22 in fluid communication and / or is part of the same. Furthermore, in the housing interior 22 with the at least one steam distributor and / or with the at least one supply line 50 in fluidic Connection standing, arranged in the housing interior steam outlets provided to the housing interior and / or in particular on the transport section 7 the inside of the shrink tunnel housing 20 located and / or through the shrink tunnel housing 20 transported containers 10 to apply tempered or temperature-controlled steam. The steam is preferably water vapor, in particular wet steam. For certain applications, however, it may be necessary to use dry steam with a liquid content of less than ten percent by weight of water. For certain applications, it may also be necessary that no pure water vapor is used, but another suitable vapor, which may be formed, for example, by a mixture of gaseous water with other mixture components.

In this case, it is provided that at least some of the steam outlets are arranged in at least one variable and / or adjustable height level with respect to the containers transported within the shrink tunnel housing. In this case, the height level of the steam outlets can in each case in particular on a region of the container 10 be coordinated, in which the respective equipment elements 11 are located.

The steam distributor preferably comprises a distribution channel 52 , This is preferred - as in particular in 3 clearly visible - a top of the shrink tunnel housing 20 assigned or arranged there. A printing station for measuring and / or adjusting the necessary vapor pressure may also be in an upper area of the shrink tunnel 4 be arranged. The arrangement of a printing station in a lower region of the shrink tunnel 4 However, it is also possible. With a setting wheel at the printing station, the customer's working pressure can be reduced to the required operating pressure. Furthermore, a pressure gauge may be provided at the printing station, in particular a digital pressure gauge with a feedback function, that, when a predefined maximum pressure is exceeded, supplies a signal to a control device of the shrinking tunnel, as a result of which an emergency stop may be triggered. In this context, it may be particularly useful to record in writing or in another way the meaningful limits and / or limits determined by experiments and / or observation of preceding process phases and to make them accessible to other persons. For this purpose, it may be useful, for example, to attach a note field outside the steam tunnel, on which results and / or operating parameters are recorded. It is also possible, outside the steam tunnel (ie, an easily accessible outer wall meant) a blotter o. The like. Notepad, book, etc. to install, in which / which all sorts of parameters can be recorded, whereby the reproducibility of the results depending on the container or its operating characteristics can be facilitated or guaranteed. It is preferably provided that the vapor pressure within the individual shrink module unit 4 * each individually regulated and possibly also completely switched off.

The perspective view of the 4 exemplifies the arrangement of steam outlets 56 on a so-called steam beam 55 , and 5 shows the arrangement and adjustment of steam bars 55 inside a shrink tunnel 4 , At the steam bars 55 Essentially, each is a tube profile 57 with a polygonal cross section, with the free ends of the tubular profile 57 on both sides via suitable cover plates 58 o.ä., For example, with the tube profile 57 are welded, are vapor-tight. The steam bar 55 has a steam inlet opening 59 on top of that the steam bar 55 to the at least one distribution channel 52 and / or the at least one supply line 50 is connected and thus with this / these / is in fluid communication. Pointing into the interior of the shrink tunnel and in particular to the transport device 5 of the transport section 7 for the containers (not shown), the steam bar comprises 55 steam outlets 56 , These can be used as holes within a side facing the transport track side surface of the pipe profile 57 be formed, or by special nozzles (not shown) are formed, which in fluid connection with the through the tube profile 57 limited interior of the steam beam 55 stand.

Preferably, within a shrink tunnel 4 at least two steam bars 55 arranged parallel to and on both sides of the transport path for the container in order to be able to apply this evenly from two sides with steam.

The particular in 3 illustrated arrangement of the distribution channel 52 above the steam beam 55 with the steam outlets 56 prevents when pausing and cooling the shrink tunnel 4 an undesirable accumulation of condensate in the distribution channel 52 and / or the at least one supply line 50 , Because the steam bars 55 each forming the lowest point, the condensate can not be in the distribution channel 52 and / or the at least one supply line 50 to the steam bar 55 accumulate. Instead, the condensate in the housing pan of the shrink tunnel 4 expire. This is preferably equipped with a drain (not shown) through which the condensate from the shrink tunnel 4 can be dissipated out. As a result, the components in the housing interior 22 protected against corrosion.

By suitable choice of the steam beam 55 less heat energy is needed for the shrinking process. Various parameters such as container size, wall thickness, temperature of the liquid filled there, film thickness of the equipment elements or sleeves and possibly other container and / or product and / or equipment properties can influence the choice of these parameters. The diameter of the steam outlets 56 , For example, the bore diameter, and the length of the respective steam beam 55 can be optimized for the respective product. The steam bars 55 can be optionally set via an external adjustment, which in particular in the 5 to 8th is shown. By means of the external adjustment can be the steam bars 55 both vertically and horizontally via spindle mechanisms or other suitable adjustment means from outside the shrink tunnel 4 to adjust. By two bearing points 60 - 1 . 60 - 2 per steam bar 55 In addition, it is possible to tilt the steam bars 55 and thus realize an oblique arrangement.

The 6 to 9 each show details of different adjustment mechanisms for setting the steam bars 55 , in particular for the product-dependent adjustment of the steam bars 55 , That's how it shows 6 in particular an embodiment of an outside of the shrink tunnel 4 operable horizontal adjustment mechanism 70 , The embodiment is shown such that underside of the adjusting mechanism 70 pointing up to better represent the mechanics. The adjustment mechanism 70 includes two horizontal frame elements 71 on which the vertical adjustment mechanism described below 90 can be arranged to realize a combined movement. The horizontal frame elements 71 run over plain bearings 72 over two waves 73 . 74 , Preferably, each two sliding bearings 72 per frame element 71 and wave 73 . 74 provided so that the horizontal adjustment mechanism 70 a total of eight plain bearings 72 includes. The waves 73 . 74 can at their free ends with the shrink tunnel housing 20 (see. 2 ) get connected. For example, the waves point 73 . 74 Tapped holes at their free ends 75 on, about the screw on the shrink tunnel housing 20 (see. 2 ).

Preferably, the maximum travel is limited. For this purpose, the horizontal adjustment mechanism 70 For example, four collars 76 on, in particular two collars 76 each wave 73 . 74 , The collars 76 can, for example, by means of threaded pin with hexagon socket or similar. on the waves 73 . 74 be attached. The implementation of an oppositely directed movement of the two frame elements 71 via a threaded spindle 77 with a right-hand thread 78 and a left-hand thread 79 , By turning a hand crank 80 and thus the threaded spindle 77 due to the on the threaded spindle 77 arranged and fixed threaded nuts 81 , in turn, on the frame elements 71 are fixed, a linear movement of the frame members 71 in a horizontal direction. As a first of the threaded nuts 81 - 1 that is a first frame element 71 - 1 is assigned to the right-hand thread 78 seated and a second of the threaded nuts 81 - 2 that is a second frame element 71 - 2 is assigned, on the left-hand thread 79 sits up, move the frame elements 71 . 71 - 1 . 71 - 2 towards or away from each other. By means of a on the threaded spindle 77 mounted revolution counter 82 In particular, it is possible to reproducible settings of the horizontal adjustment mechanism 70 make. The (not shown) transport path for the container is located centrally between the two frame elements 71 . 71 - 1 . 71 - 2 ,

The perspective detail view of 7 shows in particular an embodiment of an outside of the shrink tunnel 4 operable vertical adjustment mechanism 90 , The vertical adjustment consists of a housing 91 and a hood 92 , which protect the installed components and at the same time for moving a lower sprocket 93 serve. The hood 92 is down by means of spring, which in a frame element 71 the horizontal adjustment mechanism 70 is stuck, fixed (cf. 9 ). In the upper area indicate the hood 92 and the case 91 at each corresponding position facilities 94 . 95 for fixing fixing means, for example bores 96 , About the holes 96 For example, a blind rivet nut on the housing 91 is bolted with an M6 hex screw. Preferably, at least one of the holes 96 on the housing 91 and / or on the hood 92 be designed as a slot to compensate for any tolerances. The housing 91 also has at least one other device on the bottom 97 for fixing fixing and can according to the same principle, for example with two blind rivet nuts and one each M6 Hexagon screw, on a respective frame element 71 the horizontal adjustment mechanism 70 be screwed.

So that the blind rivet nuts can not rotate, they preferably have an external hexagon. The cutouts for these are adjusted accordingly. On the case 91 is a slide rail 98 for roller chains with mounting option attached, which also preferably with hex screws and corresponding nuts on the housing 91 is attached. A suitable slide rail 98 is in 8A shown and is advantageously made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), since this Material very well suited for use in environments with steam up to 150 ° C. Instead of a slide rail 98 can also be an in 8B exemplified roller chain 99 be used. In particular, this is a commercially available roller chain 99 , for example of the type 08 B - 1, in each case on one part of the outer links driver 100 are attached. At the drivers 100 can be the holder for the respective steam bar 55 (see. 4 and 5 ) are fastened, for example, by means of M4 hexagon screws and corresponding nuts. The chain of the slide rail 98 or the roller chain 99 gets over the lower sprocket 93 driven. This has a hub on both sides, which must each be dimensioned so that the housing 91 together with the hood 92 the sprocket 93 with horizontal adjustment in both directions via a shaft 101 the vertical adjustment mechanism 90 can be pushed.

So the sprocket 93 still can be driven, for example, a shaft-hub connection can be used (not shown). So the sprocket 93 can be moved horizontally, the use of a sliding spring on the shaft of the vertical adjustment mechanism is provided. The sliding spring, for example, three setscrews with hexagon socket and corresponding threads in the sliding spring and shaft 101 fixed. The wave 101 is about plain bearings, which on guide struts that limit the width of the transport path, for example via M4 Hexagon bolts or similar are screwed, stored. The roller chain of the slide rail 98 according to 8A or the roller chain 99 according to 8B is still on an upper sprocket 110 guided. The upper sprocket 110 is via a plain bearing bush 111 on an axis 107 positioned. The plain bearing bush 111 is fixed on one side via a circlip and on the other side with a collar. The axis 107 is, as the designation says, a dormant part. The axis 107 is square edged at one end to prevent rotation in a slot on the housing 91 to be positioned vertically. The rotation lock is needed because the axis 107 via an internal thread in the axle 107 by means of a screw or similar on the housing 91 is fixed. In this case, the use of a washer to reduce the surface pressure may be necessary. The slot in the housing 91 in which the axis 107 by loosening the screw or similar Can be repositioned vertically, is needed to remove the Losigkeit from the roller chain of the slide rail 98 or the Losigkeit from the roller chain 99 to get.

The perspective view of 10 shows the design and arrangement of a suction channel 120 , A suction is necessary to prevent the shrink tunnel 4 too hot. About the suction channel 120 in particular saturated steam from the housing interior 22 of the shrink tunnel 4 dissipated. This is to the suction 120 a suction fan 122 connected. Optionally, a customer-side suction system to the suction channel 120 be connected. For this purpose, a corresponding shut-off valve may be provided in the suction line. The suction channel 120 preferably extends over the entire length of the shrink tunnel 4 , The suction channel 120 is preferably in an upper region of the shrink tunnel 4 , above the transport route for the containers 10 and preferably within the shrink tunnel housing 20 or directly on the shrink tunnel housing 20 arranged. The adjustment of the suction strength is achieved by means of simple, inexpensive to produce and installable sheet metal flaps 124 as you in the 11 and 12 are shown. The sheet metal flaps 124 are preferably set manually. The sheet metal flaps 124 can over a crank 125 be opened or closed. In particular, a rotational movement of the crank 125 clockwise to open the sheet metal door 125 and a counterclockwise rotational movement to close the sheet metal door 125 , The skilled person is familiar due to his expertise to use this accordingly electronically and / or automatically adjustable flaps or valves. To use the waste heat from the shrink tunnel 4 aspirated steam can be assigned to the suction, for example, a heat exchanger.

The perspective detail view of 13 shows an embodiment of a lighting device 130 inside the shrink tunnel 4 , This is provided in an upper region of the shrink tunnel 4 , especially in an area that is above the through the shrink tunnel 4 transported containers 10 located, a transparent and / or largely translucent profile 132 For example, a pipe 133 etc. to arrange. The profile 132 preferably extends through the entire length of the shrink tunnel 4 , Within the profile 132 There are a plurality of suitable bulbs 134 , for example, will be within the profile 132 a LED strip 135 arranged. It is a flexible circuit board that is populated by surface mount LEDs and other components that are typically backed by an adhesive. In particular, in such LED strips 135 a plurality of LEDs (light emitting diodes) arranged in a row one behind the other. The bulbs 134 and the associated electrical system, in particular lines, etc., are characterized by the arrangement within the profile 132 protected from the steam. The profile is formed of a suitable material that withstands high humidity in connection with high temperatures, for example polycarbonate or the like.

To the maximum temperature compatibility of the bulbs 134 , especially the LED strip 135 Not to exceed, for example, this in conjunction with 10 described or otherwise configured suction connected. The connection to the suction takes place in such a way that ambient air for cooling the lamps 134 is sucked.

The detailed representation of the 14 shows an embodiment of an upper cover 30 of the shrink tunnel 4 , In particular, it is envisaged to form these three parts, wherein an upper cover hood 31 is designed removable. For example, the cover 30 , in particular the upper cover hood 31 , via detent or clip connections on the shrink tunnel housing 20 fastened, reducing the connection between the cover 30 and the shrink tunnel housing 20 can be easily solved so that now components in the housing interior of the shrink tunnel 4 are more easily accessible.

The detailed representation of the 15 shows an embodiment of an opening mechanism 140 of the shrink tunnel 4 , The shrink tunnel housing 20 includes at least one housing opening 145 , through which access to components in the housing interior 22 is possible. The at least one housing opening 145 of the shrink tunnel 4 can, in particular for the current production operation, by a closure element in the form of a door 141 , a swing flap or similar be closed, these preferably by means of gas springs 142 etc. supportive can be opened upwards. As a result, the necessary footprint for the container treatment station 1 be reduced. As in particular in the 2 and 3 recognizable, the doors can 141 additionally with a viewing window 143 be equipped to provide an insight into the housing interior even during operation 22 of the shrink tunnel 4 to grant.

The perspective view of the 16 shows an embodiment of a drying device 150 , and the 17 shows an embodiment of a heating means of a drying device 150 according to 16 , Due to the loading of the container 10 within the shrink tunnel with steam for shrinking the trim elements 11 on the containers 10 , is usually condensate on the containers 10 , in particular in the field of equipment elements 11 when they leave the shrink tunnel. For this reason, it can be provided that with an equipment element 11 provided container 10 directly in the transport direction TR then a drying device to the shrink tunnel 150 run through. Alternatively it can be provided that substantially directly in front of the exit area 25 of the shrink tunnel 4 (see. 1 and 2 ) a corresponding drying module 151 inside the shrink tunnel 4 is trained. In this case, it is preferably provided that the area of the drying module 151 preferably not connected to the steam distribution. Within the drying device 150 or the drying module 151 become the containers 10 with the moistened equipment elements 11 for example with the help of a blower 152 dried. Alternatively and / or additionally, for example, infrared radiators 153 be used as heating and / or drying agents, such as in 17 shown. The fans 152 and / or infrared radiators 153 or other suitable heating and / or drying means are preferably at a height relative to the container 10 arranged with the height of the equipment elements 11 on the container 10 corresponds. Analogous to the setting of the steam bars 55 can change the position of the blower 152 , Infrared radiator 153 etc. be set depending on the product, wherein the setting preferably also from outside the housing interior 22 of the shrink tunnel 4 can take place, for example by means of adjusting mechanisms, as in connection with the adjustment of the steam beam 55 have been described. When using infrared radiators 153 Care should be taken to choose a wavelength that matches the material of the container 10 and equipment elements 11 not damaged. Particularly preferred are infrared radiators with a power of about 7.2kW / m. Condensate evaporates particularly well when using infrared radiation with a wavelength of about 3 microns.

The 18 to 20 each show details of a further embodiment of an outside of the shrink tunnel 4 operable adjusting mechanism 160 for the steam bars 55 , 18 shows in particular the connection between the horizontal and the vertical adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism 160 includes trapezoidal spindles for vertical adjustment 161 , Cones 162 and plain bearings 163 , The horizontal adjustment is essentially analogous to the embodiment of the 6 mediated by waves 73 . 74 guided frame elements 71 , The connection between horizontal adjustment and vertical adjustment takes place via bevel gears 164 , wherein a first bevel gear 164 - 1 the trapezoid spindles 161 the vertical adjustment mechanism and a second bevel gear 164 - 2 a wave 73 . 74 associated with the horizontal adjustment mechanism. The position of the bevel gears 164 in particular by feather keys 165 and a circlip 166 established.

The perspective detail of the 19 shows the attachment of the steam bar 55 by means of a steam beam holder 170 at the trapezoidal spindle 161 the vertical adjustment mechanism via trapezoidal spindle nuts 168 , The attachment of the Steam bar holder 170 the upper trapezoidal spindle nut 168 For example, as a floating bearing according to 20 and fixed storage on the other side of the steam bar 55 be executed. In a floating bearing according to 20 is in particular a flange bearing 171 intended. The attachment to the trapezoidal spindle nut 168 takes place in particular via a holding plate 173 by means of blind rivet nuts 172 or other suitable fasteners.

Due to safety standards, an emergency stop button is provided, by means of which the production can be stopped immediately. To protect the operator from burns and crushing, the housing openings 145 correspondingly sensory monitored and hot components of the shrink tunnel 4 isolated in a suitable manner. To avoid bumps and cuts, the shrink tunnel 4 preferably formed without open, sharp corners and edges and hoods or similar means are provided, which keep the operator according to distance. To create a comfortable working height, the shrink tunnel 4 be positioned on a rack. Furthermore, it can be provided that for the transport of the shrink tunnel 4 Cross struts are welded between the frame, which serve as a receptacle for forklift tines. Alternatively it can be provided that the side of the shrink tunnel housing 20 Eyelets are attached.

Open contacts are isolated to avoid the risk of electric shock. To the components of the shrink tunnel 4 To protect against heat damage, the vapor pressure is reduced at a defined temperature.

To the waste heat of the shrink tunnel 4 To reduce, preferably, all the necessary components, such as shrink tunnel housing 20 and fittings, isolated.

The embodiments, examples and variations of the preceding paragraphs, the claims or the following description and the figures, including their various views or respective individual features, may be used independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments as long as the features are not inconsistent.

Although in the context of the description of the figures in general of "schematic" representations and views is mentioned, this does not mean that the figure representations and their description with respect to the disclosure of the invention should be of minor importance. The person skilled in the art is quite able to extract enough information from the schematic and abstract representations that makes it easier for him to understand the invention, without having to draw from the drawn and possibly not exactly to scale proportions, e.g. the container and / or parts of the device or other drawn elements would in any way be impaired in its understanding. The figures thus make it possible for a person skilled in the art as a reader to derive a better understanding of the concept of the invention as formulated in the claims and in the general part of the description more generally and / or more abstractly on the basis of the specifically explained conversions of the method according to the invention and the more specifically explained mode of operation of the device according to the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Container treatment station

2

application module

3

fuser

4

shrink tunnel

4 *, 4 **

Shrink module unit

5

transport means

7

transport section

10

container

11

elements of equipment

12

shrink sleeve

13

Teilsleeve

15

finished product

16

lower area

17

upper area

20

Shrink tunnel housing

22

Housing interior

24

entry area

25

exit area

26

transport section

30

top cover

31

cover hood

40

floor area

41

top

42

container closure

45

Container outside and / or container outer circumferential surface

50

supply

52

distribution channel

55

steam bar

56

Steam outlet, steam outlets

57

tube profile

58

cover

59

Steam inlet port

60-1, 60-2

bearing point

70

horizontal adjustment mechanism

71, 71-1, 71-2

horizontal frame element

72

bearings

73

wave

74

wave

75

threaded hole

76

collar

77

screw

78

right-hand thread

79

left-hand thread

80

winch

81, 81-1, 81-2

threaded nut

82

revolution counter

90

vertical adjustment mechanism

91

casing

92

Hood

93

lower sprocket

94

Device for fixing fixatives

95

Device for fixing fixatives

96

drilling

97

Device for fixing fixatives

98

slide

99

roller chain

100

takeaway

101

wave

107

axis

110

Upper sprocket

111

plain bearing bush

120

suction

122

exhaust fan

124

sheet metal cap

125

crank

130

lighting device

132

profile

133

pipe

134

Lamp

135

LED strip

140

opening mechanism

141

door

142

Gas spring

143

window

145

housing opening

150

drying device

151

drying module

152

fan

153

infrared Heaters

160

adjustment

161

acme screw

162

spigot

163

bearings

164, 164-1, 164-2

bevel gear

165

Adjusting spring

166

circlip

168

Trapezoidal screw nut

170

Steam Bar brackets

171

Bearing

172

blind rivet nut

173

Retaining plate

TR

transport direction

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102012207538 A1 [0004]
• DE 9116105 U1 [0005]
• DE 102013208589 A1 [0006]

Claims (15)

Container treatment station (1), which is in particular part of a container treatment device or a partial section of such forms, and a shrink tunnel (4) for temperature control of containers (10), each with on the respective outer container outer surfaces (45) can be applied or applied equipment elements (11 ), which container treatment station (1) comprises at least: a shrink tunnel housing (20) having at least one housing interior (22) and an inlet region (24) for containers (10), with at least one outlet region (25) for the containers (10) and at least one between inlet region (24) and outlet region ( 25) and in the housing interior (22) extending transport section (26) for transporting within the shrink tunnel housing (20) to be treated containers (10) in a from the inlet region (24) to the outlet region (25) directed transport direction (TR), - At least one at least partially outside and / or within the shrink tunnel housing (20) extending supply line (50) for feeding tempered or temperature-controlled steam into the housing interior (22), which supply line (50) with at least one vapor distributor (52) is in fluid communication and / or is part of a steam distributor (52), - With the at least one vapor distributor (52) and / or with the at least one supply line (50) in fluid communication, in the housing interior (22) arranged vapor outlets (56) for acting on the housing interior (22) and / or within the shrink tunnel housing ( 20) and / or transported on the transport section (26) through the shrink tunnel housing (20) container (10) with tempered or temperature-controlled steam, wherein at least some of the vapor outlets (56) are disposed at at least one variable and / or adjustable height level with respect to the containers (10) transported within the shrink tunnel housing (20), and wherein the height level is tuned to a portion of the containers (10). in which the respective equipment elements (11) are located, and wherein the at least one with the at least one feed line (50) and / or in the housing interior (22) arranged steam outlets (56) in fluidly connected steam distributor (52) associated with or arranged on an upper side of the shrink tunnel housing (20). Container treatment station (1) after Claim 1 in which the at least one vapor distributor (52) has at least one distributor channel extending or attached to an upper side of the shrink tunnel housing (20) or formed by such a distributor channel. Container treatment station (1) after Claim 1 or 2 in which the at least one steam distributor (52) is equipped with controllable valves and / or shut-off devices for variably loading at least some of the steam outlets (56), in particular wherein the valves and / or shut-off devices can be actuated jointly or separately and / or in their different opening states away from the valves and / or shut-off devices at least one control device can be influenced. Container treatment station (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 3 in which at least some of the vapor outlets (56) disposed within the shrink tunnel housing (20) are formed by nozzles or bores on one side of a channel or vapor bar (55) equipped with a plurality of similar and juxtaposed nozzles or bores. Container treatment station (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 4 in which at least some of the steam outlets (56) within the housing interior (22) are adjustable, in particular by means of adjustable trained channel or steam beam (55), in particular wherein the respective adjustable steam outlets (56) adjusting elements are assigned, the manually or motor operated and / or by means of accessible from outside of the shrink tunnel housing (20) and / or driven actuators and / or adjusting elements are actuated, in particular wherein the adjusting elements for the respective adjustable steam outlets (56) by motor or by manual actuation adjustable spindle drives or are formed by such. Container treatment station (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5 in which a suction device leading out of the housing interior (22) is connected to the shrink tunnel housing (20) for the extraction of spent steam and / or after the treatment of the containers (10) cooled and / or no longer required steam for the treatment of the containers (10), in particular wherein the suction device is associated with at least one of the housing interior (22) leading out suction, which at least one suction opening is assigned a manually or motor-operated and / or remotely controlled shut-off valve or a manually or motor actuated and / or remotely controllable shut-off valve with a variable valve opening cross-section. Container treatment station (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6 in which the Shrink tunnel housing (20) with at least one, the housing interior (22) accessible from the outside making fastener (141) is provided, in particular wherein in the closed and / or locked position a particular rectangular housing opening (145) covering the closure element (141) in an open position is pivoted in particular upwards, wherein a particular horizontal pivot axis is located at or in the vicinity of an upper horizontal longitudinal side or edge of the housing opening (145). Container treatment station (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 7 in which the shrink-tunnel housing (20) is associated with an illumination device (130) which illuminates the housing interior (22) at least in sections and / or with variable or adjustable illuminance., in particular wherein the illumination device (130) has at least one inside the shrink-tunnel housing (20) transparent and / or largely translucent profile with light-emitting diodes or other light sources received therein. Container treatment station (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 8th in which the shrink tunnel housing (20) is assigned a blower device (152) which acts on the housing interior (22) and / or the containers (10) conveyed therein at least in sections with blowing air and / or drying air. Container treatment station (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 9 in which the shrink-tunnel housing (20) is assigned a heating and / or drying device (153) which acts on the housing interior (22) and / or the containers (10) conveyed therein at least in sections with electromagnetic radiation of an infrared wavelength range. Container treatment station (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 10 in which the shrink tunnel housing (20) is formed by at least two mutually adjacent housing parts in the transport direction (TR), in particular by at least two mutually connectable or separable housing modules (4 *) of the same or different size and / or length, in particular wherein each of the at least two Housing modules (4 *) each equipped with a closure element (141). Method for treating and / or tempering containers (10) within a shrinking tunnel (4), in particular within a container treatment apparatus and / or machine, the method comprising at least the following method steps: Providing containers (10) which have been provided with equipment elements (11) which can be applied or applied to the respective container outer lateral surfaces (45), - introducing the container (10) provided with the equipment elements (11) into a housing interior (22) within a shrink tunnel housing (20) of the shrink tunnel (4) and transporting the containers (10) through the housing interior (22) in a transport direction (TR) therethrough, Pressurizing the interior of the housing (22) and / or the container (10) conveyed therethrough with tempered steam fed into the housing interior (22), wherein the tempered steam is delivered through vapor outlets (56) arranged in the housing interior (22), which are each in fluid communication with a steam distributor (52) arranged on an upper side of the shrink tunnel housing (20), and wherein at least some of the vapor outlets (56) are disposed in at least one height level variably adjustable with respect to a position of each container (10) being transported by the shrink tunnel housing (20), and wherein the height level is tuned to a region of the containers (10) is, in which the respective equipment elements (11) are located. Method according to Claim 12 in which the housing interior (22) is subdivided into at least two shrinkage sections arranged successively in the transport direction (TR), each with different chamber temperatures, in particular wherein the container (10) conveyed through the shrink tunnel housing (20) in the transport direction (TR) initially comprises a first shrinkage section happen where the on the respective container outer lateral surfaces (45) applied or applied equipment elements (11) are subjected to a pre-shrinkage, in particular by the application of steam, wherein in the first shrinkage section, a chamber temperature between about 60 ° C and about 85 ° C is present and wherein by the shrink tunnel housing (20) in the transport direction (TR) conveyed through container (10) after passing through the first shrinkage section pass through a second shrinkage section, where applied to the respective outer container shell surfaces (45) or aufgerachbaren Finally, the equipment elements (11) are subjected to a final shrinkage, in particular by application of steam, wherein in the second shrinkage section a chamber temperature between approximately 85 ° C and approximately 105 ° C is present Method according to Claim 13 in which the container (10) conveyed through the shrink tunnel housing (20) in the direction of transport (TR) moves towards Passing the second shrinkage section pass through a third shrinkage section and / or drying section, where the containers (10) together with the equipment elements (11) attached thereto are subjected to tempered blowing air and / or electromagnetic radiation of an infrared wavelength range. Method according to one of Claims 12 to 14 in which the equipment elements (11) shrink sleeves (12) are formed and consist of a heat shrinkable film material.

Images