Pack of bonded containers, production method, and device for producing the pack

Abstract

A method for producing a pack from containers includes arranging containers into a container group, applying adhesive to the containers, placing an opening thread in the adhesive, attaching an engagement element to the opening thread, and joining the containers, the adhesive, the opening thread, and the engagement element, thereby forming the pack.

Claims

1. A method comprising producing a pack from containers, wherein producing a pack comprises arranging containers into container groups, applying adhesive to said containers, prior to said adhesive having hardened, placing an opening thread in said adhesive, attaching an engagement element to said opening thread, and joining said container groups, said adhesive, said opening thread, and said engagement element, thereby forming said pack, wherein said adhesive is melt adhesive, and wherein said container groups each comprise at least two rows.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising using said opening thread for forming said engagement element.

3. The method of claim 1, further forming said engagement element by laying said opening thread in a loop.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein attaching said engagement element comprises causing a positive fit between said engagement element and said opening thread.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein attaching said engagement element comprises causing a non-positive fit between said engagement element and said opening thread.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising deforming said engagement element to establish a connection between said engagement element and said opening thread.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising adhesively bonding said engagement element and said opening thread.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising using friction to grip said engagement element and said opening thread.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising locking said engagement element and said opening thread.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein locking comprises causing a thickened portion of said thread to engage said engagement element.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said engagement element that is attached to said opening thread comprises a gripping section by which a user is able to grip said thread at said engagement element and a thread-securing section.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein arranging containers in a container group comprising rotating said containers such that labels of all containers face outwards when said containers have been arranged in said container group.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising deforming said engagement element.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising closing two halves of said engagement element around said opening thread after said opening thread has been positioned.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising causing a securing device to secure said engagement element to said opening thread.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein applying said adhesive to said containers comprises applying a line of said adhesive.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein said melt adhesive is on an acetate base.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising pressing said containers together until such time as said adhesive has hardened.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising laying said thread between two rows of containers along a middle of said adhesive, thereby surrounding said thread with adhesive.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein said engagement element is separate and distinct from said adhesive and wherein attaching said engagement element occurs after having placed said opening thread in said adhesive.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device for producing packs from containers; and

(3) FIG. 2 shows an engagement element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(4) As show in FIG. 1, an apparatus 2 for producing packs 8 from containers 4 includes a transport device for joining and aligning containers 4 to form container groups 6. These groups 4 are then connected to form the packs 8. The apparatus 2 includes an adhesive applicator for applying an adhesive, an insertion device 10 for inserting an opening thread 12 into the adhesive, a securing device 14 for securing an engagement element 16 to the opening thread 12, and a joining device for joining the containers 4, which have been arranged in a container group 6, the adhesive and the opening thread 12, as well as the engagement element 16, to form a pack 8.

(5) The transport device moves the containers 4 and arranges them to form a two-row container group 6. A feed device arranges the containers 4 into sequential container groups 6. A suitable feed device is a conveyor belt provided with carrier elements. After having had their initial positions optically sensed, an accommodation element aligns the containers 4. It does so by rotating them such that the labels face outwards. This permits the labels to be seen in the finished pack 8.

(6) The adhesive applicator applies a line of adhesive onto the container 4. In some embodiments, the adhesive is a combination of melt adhesive on an acetate base.

(7) The insertion device 10 directly follows the adhesive applicator. As a result, upon insertion of the opening thread 12, the adhesive has not had a chance to harden, to dry, or to cure.

(8) The insertion device 10 includes a spool 18 and a laying device 20 that cooperate to lay the endless opening thread 12 into the adhesive. The opening thread 12 is an endless thread, which in one embodiment is a 0.7 mm thick wire.

(9) In the illustrated embodiment, the container group 6 is made up of containers 4 arranged in two rows. Elements of adhesive are applied to those parts of the containers 4 that face each other. In a preferred embodiment, an adhesive element connects each container 4 to each adjacent container 4 of the container group 6, thereby forming a pack 8.

(10) The illustrated embodiment implements the laying device 20 as a roll located at the same height as the adhesive. This roll lays the opening thread 12 between the two rows of containers 4 along the middle of the adhesive, thus surrounding the opening thread 12 with adhesive. In a first embodiment, the opening thread 12 is guided between the containers 4 in such a way that it touches each container 4 of the pack 8 at least once at an adhesive. A second embodiment introduces and lays the opening thread 12 laterally so that it contacts the containers 4.

(11) Both embodiments promote easy removal of containers 4. In one embodiment, pulling the opening thread 12 rips off the adhesive. In the other, pulling one of the two containers 4 connected to by the adhesive removes the opening thread 12.

(12) The apparatus 2 for producing packs 8 from containers 4 also includes a securing device 14 for securing the engagement element 16 to the opening thread 12. The securing device 14 includes a store 20 and a fixing device 22, the latter being represented schematically by an arrow. The store 20 delivers individual engagement elements 16 in a specified orientation. The fixing device 22 then secures the engagement element 16 to the opening thread 12.

(13) The apparatus 2 also includes a joining device for joining the containers 4, the adhesive element(s), the opening thread 12, and the engagement element 16 to form a group 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the joining device includes a press bar that exerts enough pressure onto the containers 4 to produce an adequately strong and loadable connection between the containers 4 and the adhesive, with the opening thread 12 arranged between them. The press bar exerts pressure onto the containers 6 long enough to permit the melt-adhesive to cool and develop a specified adhesion strength. In some embodiments, the joining device directly follows the insertion device 10 of the opening thread 12. But in other embodiments, the joining device follows the securing device 14 for the engagement element 16.

(14) The endless opening thread 12 must be separated between the container groups 6 or, at the latest, after the pack 8 has been produced. A blade 25 for cutting the opening thread 12 can be arranged before or after the containers join together to form the pack 6. However, it is preferable to cut the opening thread 12 after the containers have been joined to avoid incorrect laying or drawing out of the opening thread 12.

(15) Accordingly, a pack 8 of containers leaves the apparatus 2. This pack 8 has at least two containers 4 connected to each other by at least one adhesive element, and in some cases, by two adhesive elements. An opening thread 12 runs between the containers 4 of the pack, and extends over the entire length of the pack 8. At one end of this opening thread 12 is an engagement element 16.

(16) FIG. 2 shows a side view of one of these engagement element 16. The engagement element 16 is a ring of plastic or metal, such as aluminum having a concentric cut-out opening 26 that is just the right size to accommodate the opening thread 12. Projections 28 extend from the wall of the cut-out opening 26. These projections 28 fix the opening thread 12 into the cut-out opening 26. In an alternative embodiment, the cut-out opening 26 is shaft-shaped or prism-shaped. Such an embodiment can avoid the use of the projections 28.

(17) Referring back to FIG. 1, the securing device 14 further comprises a guide 24 for guiding the engagement element 16 toward the opening thread 12, and ultimately, to set the engagement element 16 onto the opening thread 12. A lever lays the opening thread 12 around the engagement element 16. A fixing device 22 then deforms the engagement element 16 about the opening thread 12, such that the engagement element 16 This secures it to the opening thread 12.

(18) In one embodiment, once the engagement element has been set onto the opening thread, a lever arrangement winds the opening thread 12 around the engagement element 16. In an alternative embodiment, the engagement element 16 is simply pressed onto the opening thread 12. This deflects the opening thread 12 out of its original position and causes it to partially surround the engagement element 16.

(19) In one embodiment, the fixing device 22 includes two grip jaws that, when squeezed together, deform outer sections 30 of the cut-out opening 26 so that they contact one another. This causes the engagement element 16 to enclose the opening thread 12. Under these circumstances, the projections 28 support the fixing of the opening thread 12 by holding the opening thread 12 while the fixing device 22 deforms the cut-out opening 26. The projections 28 then secure the opening thread 12 in its position after the deformation, thus preventing it from slipping.

(20) In an alternative embodiment, a shaft-shaped or prism-shaped cut-out opening 26 both accommodates the opening thread 12 and also carries out the function of fixing the opening thread 12. In this embodiment, each outer section 30 of the cut-out opening 26 has a greater wall thickness than the base 32.

(21) Once a consumer purchases the pack 8, it is easy for the consumer to spot the ring formed by having deformed the engagement element 16. The consumer can then apply the necessary traction force onto the opening thread 12.

(22) Some embodiments promote more reliable securing of the opening thread 12 at the engagement element 16 by deforming the opening thread 12 at the section thereof in which it contacts the engagement element 16. An example of such deformation is that of transforming an originally circular cross-section into a flatter cross-section. This enlarges the contact surface at which the opening thread 12 contacts the engagement element 16. This technique is of particular effectiveness when the opening thread 12 is a plastic thread.

(23) In an alternative embodiment, the engagement element 16 can also be shaped in the form of a sleeve having two halves. The two halves are either individual halves or halves that are integrally connected to one another in a manner similar to that shown in connection with the ring represented in FIG. 2. The sleeve can, for example, be secured around a loop, on which the opening thread 12 is laid.

(24) The different embodiments described in connection with this invention can be combined with one another in individual or multiple aspects.