EP3169591B1 - Method and device for producing strapped bundles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for producing strapping packages having the features of independent method claim 1.

In packaging technology, especially in the compilation of items such as bottles to containers, is always looking for new material-saving packaging stable. With shrink film bundles and packaged container groups are known. However, the material and energy required to produce such shrink packaging can be significantly reduced by the use of so-called. Umreifungsgebinde.

As straps banderols can be used, for example. The US 3,930,578 A discloses a compilation of cylindrical articles into containers which may be single or double strapped. An upper strapping serves for a stable cohesion of the articles in the container and for receiving and attaching a carrying handle.

From the DE 10 2009 040 700 A1 In addition, there is known a method for producing containers from at least two interconnected articles, which are held together by a strapping clamped horizontally around the outer sides of the articles, which is placed around the articles during an uninterrupted conveying process and then fixed. During the application of the strapping, the articles are not stopped because the strapping is applied in a continuous process during the uninterrupted promotion of the articles around them. The strapping is formed by at least one stretched around the outer sides of the article and then connected under bias at its ends band.

Numerous tests with different strip materials and strapping variants could confirm that strapped containers with only one stable and stretch-stiff horizontal strap and a strap attached to the handle band easily to wear and are mechanically resistant. A method for attaching a carrying handle and an application head for attaching a strapping and handle mounting is from the WO 2012/052312 A1 known.

In this document, an application head is described, which has a horizontal band frame for spreading, fixing and holding the initially still open tether ring and a vertical band frame for spreading, fixing and holding the handle ring. The vertical band frame can be opened at least in the lower part, but preferably in the lower and in the upper part, so that a partial region of the carrying handle ring is exposed. This is preferably rotated by 90 ° and threaded between the bottles. The application head has means for generating a vertical movement component, whereby the holding frame can be moved up or down. Preferably, the frame prepared with tether and handle ring are lowered onto the container assembly, strapping the container with the tether and provided with the carrying handle and the application head raised again.

To apply such strapping tapes to form containers having a plurality of containers or articles held together, applicator heads are typically used to feed the tape material and fix it around the container array, working with closed tape frames. There, the tape is inserted or injected at high speed, after which the tape frame moves over the container group and the tape is fixed there under bias. Then the application head with the ribbon frame is lifted off the finished container.

In order to connect the above-mentioned carrying strap or the carrying handle with the strapping or to mount this on the strapping, rigid tape frame with two gaps are useful to use. These gaps are required to apply the vertical strap in the known application heads. The tape must be injected quickly into the frame so that it does not take a wrong course.

A disadvantage of closed tape guides with slide guides is the rigid frame to be used in this case, which has a relatively large insertion radius for the strapping band to be supplied and thus shows an increased potential for failure. After opening the scenery, the tape without a guide is slightly removed from the bottles or containers to be strapped. When strapping process may lead to different Bandendlagen to the container under certain circumstances, which in turn may result in subsequent errors in the further processing.

The disadvantages of a tape guide with gaps in the tape frame are that these gaps through which the tape passes, can contribute to erroneous Einschussverläufen. If a repeated shot after a faulty If the shot-in process is unsuccessful, an error signal is usually triggered, ie the machine reports that there is no longer any tape or that it is being fed back. Subsequently, an operator intervention or a manual intervention in the machine must be made, which in turn leads to increased downtime of the machine.

In view of the drawbacks of the prior art, a primary object of the invention is to improve a process for the production of Strapping and, in particular, for improving tape guide reliability during strapping of article or container groupings. In addition to this, an acceleration of the strapping process with constant or improved reliability of the tape guide is to be made possible with this improved method.

These objectives are achieved with the subject matter of the independent method claim. Features of advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims. To achieve the above objects, the present invention proposes a method for producing Umreifungsgebinden in which at least two grouped containers are connected or summarized with at least one horizontally strapped around the container strapping to a container or by a loose end of the strapping by means of a placed over an outside of the container grouping lowering guide frame to the grouping and then fixed there by applying a bias there. The method is characterized in that a multi-part guide frame is used, wherein these parts are moved during the strapping process relative to each other in a common, in particular in a horizontal plane. Thus, the guide frame may be formed by at least two sections which are moved to prepare the tape insertion in the horizontal direction to each other, after which the strapping inserted into the guide frame and this then moved apart to a grouping size matched distance and lowered over the container grouping and to the Outside of the container grouping is created.

In the method according to the invention, the strapping band is preferably introduced into this with collapsed and / or contacted portions of the guide frame and lowered at partial sections, which are lowered over the container grouping to a height corresponding to a position of the strapping band to be applied, there applying a bias fixed, for example by welding, gluing and / or clamping a strapping of plastic or a suitable composite material, possibly also using metallic components. In order to facilitate the process of rapid tape feed, and in particular the so-called shooting of the strapping in the frame, the method may provide that the at least two sections of the guide frame before placing the strapping on a minimum size of the guide frame and / or pushed together until their contact. In this way it can be ensured that, for example, no gap or edge in the course of the frame jeopardizes the rapid introduction of the free end of the tape into the strapping frame or the tape gets caught there. In addition, the minimum circumferential size of the collapsed frame parts ensures faster insertion of the strap, the other required strip length during subsequent pulling of the frame and its lowering over the article or container grouping, which is to be strapped, can be easily nachgefördert, especially during the further handling steps until the actual strapping and fixing process of the tape.

By means of this method sequence described, it can be made particularly advantageous that an advancing movement of the subsections of the guide frame after the introduction of the strapping band into the guide frame varies with the respective container size and / or number of containers of the container grouping to be strapped. That is, the actual frame size during the Umreifungsvorganges can be easily adapted and by simple variation of the control parameters of the application device to different container sizes, and this during operation, so that consecutively different container sizes can be strapped, without requiring any retrofitting and / or program adjustments would be required.

Optionally, the guide frame which can be used for the method according to the invention can be formed by two, by three or four sub-sections, which are each brought to the container grouping from all outer sides for carrying out the strapping process. These two, three or four parts of the guide frame are usefully movable towards each other within a common plane before the tape is shot, after which they are movable away from each other to set the appropriate size for the respective container to be strapped. The common plane within which the frame sections are movable may, for example, be a horizontal plane, since such strappings are usually laid horizontally around several containers and then fastened. However, other tape runs may be useful, so that the movement plane for the adjustability of the frame sections does not necessarily have to be a horizontal plane, but depending on the application, a vertical or inclined plane may be.

In a useful variant of the method according to the invention, the sections of a four-part guide frame can each have an approximately rectangular curvature course with adjoining straight sections. Likewise, it can be provided that the straight sections of respectively adjacent sections of the guide frame in an applied to the outside of the container grouping operating position for inserting the strapping are aligned with each other and are spaced from each other and / or immediately adjacent to each other.

If further acceleration of the application and strapping process is desired, the method can preferably provide that the horizontal advancing or distancing movements of the subsections of the guide frame are superimposed at least in phases on a lowering movement over the container grouping. In addition, it makes sense if the horizontal advancing or distancing movements of the subsections of the guide frame in each case follow rectilinear trajectories, as this makes it possible to keep the adjusting devices for the strip frame sections simple.

A particularly advantageous further variant of the method according to the invention enables the problem-free attachment of a carrying handle on the strapping package during the strapping process. In this case, a carrying handle which engages under the strapping band can be applied to the strapping bundle after the sections of the guide frame have moved apart, in that the carrying handle runs or is attached in a gap between adjacent sections. The divergence of the strapping band guide frame may be used, after the strapping tape has been shot in, to attach a carrying handle which normally extends in a vertical loop and engages under the strapping band, with a loop portion of the handle extending below the strapping band extending between the strapped containers. The application of the carrying handle can be done without further loss of time, since the application device with appropriate equipment is able to apply the handle before the final tightening of the strap and its fixation on the container and also to connect to a closed loop.

The method according to the invention can be configured as follows. A multi-part ribbon frame is still closed in the bullet position for the introduction of the strap. The individual band channels have inside a separately open side. At each of the band frame parts a motor is attached, which controls the displacement of the individual elements. Even a single central engine is conceivable. In the shot position, the frame parts are arranged so that a shot frame forms without gaps. A funnel-shaped transition with small distances, which lead the band safely, would be conceivable. After tape insertion, the tape elements are spread in different directions to achieve the full, required extent of the tape frame. Due to the now larger band frame, the frame is no longer closed. The band is visible between the frame pieces. In the third step, the insides of the frame parts are opened. Now it is possible to put the tape around the bottles. After the welding or connecting process for the overlapping band sections is completed and the container has left the band frame, the inner sides of the frame parts are closed again and the individual parts are moved together again in the insertion position.

A method can be carried out by means of an improved strapping device, which enables rapid strapping of article or container groupings, wherein, in particular, the strap guidance during the strapping of article or container groupings is to be ensured as reliably as possible. The improved device should also allow an accelerated strapping process with constant or improved reliability of the tape guide.

In order to achieve the stated further objectives, the invention proposes a strapping device for producing strapping packs from in each case at least two grouped containers, which are combined with at least one strapping band laid horizontally around the containers and / or tensioned into a bundle. This device comprises a multi-part, via an outer side of the container grouping lowered guide frame for guiding and / or steering a loose end of the strapping, which can be fixed by applying a bias to form the container maturation. The guide frame is formed by at least two separately movable sections, which are movable in preparation for the tape insertion in the horizontal direction to each other and / or can be applied to the outside of the container grouping. It may be particularly advantageous if the subsections of the guide frame in dependence on a respective container size and / or number the container of the container grouping to be strapped are variably deliverable. But the basic relief and acceleration of the tape feed in the guide frame, the so-called. Shooting of the tape can be improved by the adjustability, even if then always the same container sizes should be strapped.

A variant of the strapping device can provide that the guide frame is formed by three or four sections, which can be delivered to and guided from the outside to the container grouping in order to carry out the strapping process. These sections are to move the strapping in the guide frame to a minimum distance from each other movable and then lowered with mutual distancing to a target position on the container grouping, after which the actual strapping, tensioning the band around the container grouping and connecting the band ends after the application of a desired tape tension, if necessary, supplemented by the application or application of a carrying handle begins.

In the case of the strapping device, it can further be provided that the sections of a four-part guide frame each have an approximately rectangular curvature course with adjoining straight sections. In addition, the straight portions of respectively adjacent portions of the guide frame in a preparation group located above the container grouping for inserting the strapping band can be horizontally aligned with one another and moved together with minimum distances and / or with mutual contacting. Optionally, the straight portions of respectively adjacent subsections of the guide frame in an operating position applied to the outside of the container grouping for positioning and / or fixing the strapping band to the container grouping may each be horizontally aligned and spaced apart from one another according to an outer circumference of the container grouping and / or their sizing.

The horizontal advancing movements of the subsections of the guide frame can be superimposed, at least in phases, by a lowering movement over the container grouping, which can bring considerable time advantages in each individual strapping process of a container grouping.

Optionally, the horizontal feed movements of the subsections of the guide frame can each follow rectilinear trajectories, which simplifies the motion controls for the subsections.

The strapping device allows a strapping process according to the following sequence of movements. A multi-part ribbon frame is still closed in the bullet position for the introduction of the strap. The individual band channels have inside a separately open side. At each of the band frame parts, a motor is mounted, which controls the displacement of the individual elements. Even a single central engine is conceivable. In the shot position, the frame parts are arranged so that a shot frame forms without gaps. A funnel-shaped transition with small distances, which lead the band safely, would be conceivable. After tape insertion, the tape elements are spread in different directions to achieve the full, required extent of the tape frame. Due to the now larger band frame, the frame is no longer closed. The band is visible between the frame pieces. In the third step, the insides of the frame parts are opened. Now it is possible to put the tape around the bottles. After the welding or connecting process for the overlapping band sections is completed and the container has left the band frame, the inner sides of the frame parts are closed again and the individual parts are moved together again in the insertion position.

The size of the belt frame can be individually controlled by the motors. By the closed, cooperating frame parts a secure tape guide is ensured; Bullet defects could be avoided. By the resulting opening in the band frame after moving, it is also possible to use the vertical band, for example. For attaching a carrying handle that engages under the horizontal strapping that holds the container or article together.

• Fig. 1 zeigt eine schematische Perspektivansicht eines Umreifungsgebindes mit sechs Flüssigkeitsbehältern.
• Fig. 2 zeigt in insgesamt vier schematischen Perspektivansichten eine Ausführungsvariante einer Umreifungsvorrichtung zur Ausbildung von Umreifungsgebinden sowie aufeinander folgende Verfahrensschritte zur Umreifung der Gebinde.

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.

• Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a Umreifungsgebindes with six liquid containers.
• Fig. 2 shows in a total of four schematic perspective views of an embodiment of a strapping device for forming Umreifungsgebinden and sequential process steps for strapping the container.

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 schematic perspective view of Fig. 1 shows a possible embodiment of a Umreifungsgebindes 10 with a total of six liquid containers 12, which are held together by means of a band-like strapping 14, which includes the container 12 horizontally. The strapping 14 is formed in the embodiment shown by a single strap 16 made of plastic or composite material, which is placed and fixed under defined bias to a constricted upper portion 18 of the container shell surfaces 20, for example. By welding and / or gluing overlapping end portions, if necessary Forming a discharge loop for easier opening of the strapping by an end user who wants to separate the individual beverage container 12 from the container 10.

Such a relief loop, which is preferably, but not necessarily provided in the strapping, is, for example, in the EP 2 311 750 A1 or in the WO 2011/045440 A1 disclosed.

This type of strapping 10, as in Fig. 1 can be produced in different configurations, for example. In such 2x3 diagonal arrangements or almost arbitrary arrangements, provided that the stability of the container 10 after applying at least slightly To ensure prestressed strapping 14.

The illustrated strapping 10 also has a carrying handle 22, which may optionally be made of the same material as the strapping 16. As handle materials, however, are also, for example, cords, wire, reinforced paper or cardboard or a suitable composite material in question, as well the above-mentioned PET or PET composite material, optionally with incorporated reinforcing threads and / or wires. The carrying handle 22 engages under the prestressed strapping band 16 in an area between two containers 12, so that it can also be released when the strapping band 16 is released. The non-taut, but relatively loose the container 10 slightly superior carrying handle 22 is typically applied during the Umreifungsvorganges the container grouping, which is usually in an integrated manufacturing step by a suitably equipped application head of the strapping device (see Fig. 2 ).

For the production of such strapping 10 with or without handle 22 in particular application facilities are used, as they are, for example. In the WO 2012/052312 A1 find revealed.

The Fig. 2 shows in four schematic perspective views of an embodiment of a strapping device 24 according to the invention, as in particular for the formation of strapping 10 according to Fig. 1 can be used. The strapping device 24 shown serves for the production of strapping bundles 10 from in each case at least two grouped containers 12, which are combined with at least one strapping band 16 laid horizontally around the containers 12 and preferably at least slightly biased to a bundle 10 (cf. Fig. 1 ).

The strapping device 24 comprises a multipart guide frame 26, which can be lowered over an outer side of the container grouping, for guiding and / or steering a loose end of the strapping band 16, which is subsequently placed or laid over the container grouping, applying a bias to form the container strapping 14 is fixed. How it in particular the Figures 2B to 2D can recognize, the guide frame 26 may be formed by a total of four separately movable sections 28 which are in preparation for the tape insertion in the horizontal direction to each other movable and / or can be applied to the outside of the container grouping.

To implement the strapping method according to the invention, at least two such sections 28 of the guide frame 26 are necessary, which can be moved relative to each other. Basically, three or more sections 28 are possible, but is a number of four sections 28, each comprising a frame portion with a 90 ° deflection, ideal for quick adjustability. Such a variant with a total of four sections 28 of the frame 26 is in the embodiment of the FIGS. 2A to 2D shown.

Before the strapping 16 is inserted or injected into the guide frame 26, the total of four sections 28 are each driven to each other and moved to a minimum distance from each other. Only then should the sections 28 are lowered by mutual distancing to a target position on the container grouping. Like the FIGS. 2A to 2D can be seen in each case, the four sections 28 of the shown four-part guide frame 26 each have an approximately rectangular curvature course with adjoining straight sections 30. In the region of the 90 ° deflection 32, each section 28 can be coupled to a linear drive 34, which ensures adjustability in a horizontal plane. In the illustrated embodiment, the linear actuators 34 are each formed by electric motor drives acting on horizontally displaceable pairs of rods 36 for each section 28 of the guide frame 26 and these can move a defined displacement, so that the guide frame 26 in total from a closed position, in which Volume 16 is injected or inserted ( Fig. 2A ), in an open position in which the sections 28 are each spaced from each other, can be brought (arrow directions in the FIGS. 2B and 2C ). Only in the open position, the guide frame 26 is lowered over a container grouping, brought the tape 16 under pretension or tightened tightly around the container 12 and the band ends connected to each other ( Fig. 2D ). The welding of the band ends, possibly with the formation of a relief loop, takes place by means of the welding unit 38, which is part of the application unit or the strapping device 24 shown. The welding unit 38, which is not described here in detail, has on known elements a belt conveyor, a device for applying a defined preload, possibly devices for producing a relief loop, a belt cutting device, etc., all of which are necessary for producing the desired strapping 14 for the strapping bundles 10 are.

Normally, the entire strapping device 24 is movably suspended, eg on a gantry unit, so that containers 10 can be strapped in rapid succession, which are moved, for example, at regular intervals with a defined speed on a horizontal conveyor.

Below is based on the schematic representations of Fig. 2A to Fig. 2D the sequential application steps in the production and formation of strapping bundles 10 ( Fig. 1 ) is explained by means of the strapping device 24.

Regardless of their initial position to each other for insertion of the strapping 16 in the guide frame 26, the straight portions 30 of each adjacent sections 28 of the guide frame 26 are moved in a above the container grouping 40 preparation layer to each other so that they are aligned horizontally and each with minimum distances and / or moved together by mutual contact ( Fig. 2A ). In this position, the guide frame 26 is still above a container grouping, not shown here; the tape is inserted into the frame 26 until at least a short portion of the tape 16 overlaps and retains the post-conveyable endless belt in the region of the welding unit 38, while the endless belt is fed by an endless supply (such as a reel of tape) can be.

Subsequently, the sections 28 by horizontal movements of the pairs of rods 36 (see. Fig. 2B ) are moved apart by activation of the four separate linear drives 34, whereby the straight portions 30 respectively adjacent sections 28 of the guide frame 26 are aligned horizontally with each other in an operating position applied to the outside of the container grouping for positioning and / or fixing the strapping on the container grouping and accordingly an outer periphery of the container grouping and / or their dimensioning are spaced from each other. The presentation of the Fig. 2C illustrates a maximum apart moving position of the four sections 28 of the frame 26th

The movement apart of the sections 28 and the lowering of the entire strapping device 24 to the correct vertical position in which the strap 16 is to be applied to the container grouping can be carried out simultaneously in a single superimposed multiphase movement.

The Fig. 2D illustrates the final phase of the strapping process, in which a thin inner cover 40 which covers the Bandführungsnut 42 of each section 28 to the inside and the tape during its shooting at the leaving Bandführungsnut 42 prevents, is raised upward (arrow directions), so that the Bandführungsnut 42 released and the tape itself can be separated from the frame 26. Only by this release of the Bandführungsnuten 42 of the total of four sections 28 of the tape guide frame 26 this can be separated and lifted again from the container, preferably with simultaneous slight moving apart of the four sections 28 to bring them into an at least small distance from the container and hooking with to prevent the finished container.

The covers 40 are each formed as thin sheets, which follow the curvature of the sections 28 and the tape guide grooves 42 fitted therein, so that in the lowered state of the sheet-like covers 40 (see. Fig. 2A to Fig. 2C ) is formed on all sides closed band guide channel, the tape in particular during its insertion process ( Fig. 2A ) effectively prevents it from leaving the frame 26.

As mentioned, the method makes it possible to vary the advancing movements of the subsections 28 of the guide frame 26 after the introduction of the strapping band 16 into the guide frame 26 with the respective container size and / or number of containers 12 of the container grouping to be strapped. In addition, the horizontal advancing or distancing movements of the sections 28 of the guide frame 26 may be superimposed, at least in phases, on a lowering movement over the bin grouping, allowing for accelerated strapping operations. The acceleration of the Umreifungsvorganges is also made possible by the fast and very reliable tape guide, as this is introduced in a very short path in the closed multi-part guide frame 26, while a Nachförderung the required total length of the tape from the endless storage only during the movement apart of the sections 28 and during the Lowering movement of the strapping device 24 must be done on the container grouping, so that no loss of time thereby arises.

How it especially the FIGS. 2A to 2D can be seen, define the linear actuators 34 and the moving bar pairs 36 each rectilinear trajectories for the horizontal advancing or Distanzierungsbewegungen the sections 28 of the guide frame 26. Basically, cam tracks would be conceivable if the sections 28, for example. On hinges or non-linearly adjustable guide elements are hung up.

A further option of the described method is a carrying handle 22 engaging under the strapping band 16 (see FIG Fig. 1 ) to be applied after the moving apart of the sections 28 of the guide frame 26 on the strapping package 10, wherein the carrying handle 22 extends in one of the gaps between adjacent sections 28 and is attached. This in the Fig. 2 not further recognizable additional option can be used by appropriate design of the strapping device 24, wherein no increased time required for the production of the strapping 14 is connected thereto.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications or changes may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Container, strapping

12

Container, beverage container

14

strapping

16

Strapping band, band

18

constricted tank area

20

Tank shell surface

22

handle

24

strapper

26

Guide frame, frame

28

Part section, frame section

30

straight section (of the frame, the section)

32

The 90 ° deflection

34

linear actuator

36

pair of rods

38

welding unit

40

inner cover

42

tape guide groove

Claims (8)

1. A method for producing strapped multipacks (10) wherein at least two grouped containers (12) are combined into a multipack (10) with at least one strap (16) stretched horizontally around the containers (12) in that a loose end of the strap (16) is wrapped around the container grouping by means of a guide frame (26) lowering over an outer side of the grouping and then fixed there while applying a pre-stress wherein the guide frame (26) is formed by at least two subsections (28), which are moved in horizontal direction to each other in preparation for the band insertion, after which the strap (16) is introduced into the guide frame (26) and the latter is then moved apart at a distance adapted to the grouping size and lowered over the container grouping and placed against the outer side of the container grouping.
2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the strap (16) is introduced into the guide frame (26) with subsections (28) of the guide frame (26) being pushed together and/or contacted, and is fixed there while applying a pre-stress with the subsections (28) being pulled apart, which subsections (28) are lowered over the container grouping to a height that corresponds to a position of the strap (16) to be applied.
3. The method as recited in claim 1 or 2 wherein the at least two subsections (28) of the guide frame (26) are pushed together to a minimum size of the guide frame (26) and/or until they make contact before the strap (16) is inserted.
4. The method as recited in one of the claims 1 to 3 wherein an approaching movement of the guide frame (26) subsections (28) varies after insertion of the strap (16) into the guide frame (26) depending on the respective multipack size and/or number of containers (12) of the container grouping to be strapped.
5. The method as recited in one of the claims 1 to 4 wherein the guide frame (26) is formed by three or four subsections (28), which are brought up to the container grouping from all outer sides to carry out the strapping process.
6. The method as recited in one of the claims 1 to 5 wherein the horizontal approaching or distancing movements of the guide frame (26) subsections (28) superimpose, at least in phases, a lowering movement over the container grouping.
7. The method as recited in one of the claims 1 to 6 wherein a carrying handle (22) reaching under the strap (16) is applied to the strapped multipack (10) after the subsections (28) of the guide frame (26) having moved apart wherein the carrying handle runs and/or is affixed in a gap between adjacent subsections (28).
8. The method as recited in one of the claims 1 to 7 wherein the horizontal approaching or distancing movements of the subsections (28) of the guide frame (26) each follow rectilinear trajectories.

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