METHOD AND PACKAGING MACHINE FOR PRODUCING A MULTIPACK

Abstract

A packaging machine for grouping individual package units, the packaging machine comprising a feeder, a conveying system, a grouping station and a labeler. The packaging machine is configured to stack at least three package units one on top of the other to form a package stack and to encompass the package stack, at least partially, with a label. The label may comprise one or two labels, wherein the label sections are pressed against the top of the package stack and folded around the side and bottom of the package stack to secure the sections together. The packaging machine may further comprises a press plunger that presses at least one hinge-like tab formed on a main surface of the label onto a side face of a central package unit of the package stack to further secure the packages in the stack.

Claims

1. A method for grouping at least three package units into a package stack, the method comprising the steps of: feeding the individual package units using a feeder to a grouping station; stacking the package units one on top of the other through the grouping station so as to form a package stack; depositing the package stack on a conveying system; feeding the package stack to a labeler through the conveying system; applying a label to the upper surface of the package stack through the labeler, the label having a lateral first projecting end that projects beyond the package stack; folding the first projecting end of the label around a first upper and a first lower edge of the package stack; pressing the first projecting end onto a lower surface of the package stack; pressing at least one tab, which is connected to a main surface of the first projecting end in a hinge-like manner, onto a side face of a central package unit of the package stack.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of folding a lateral second projecting end of the label around a second upper edge and a second lower edge of the package stack.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of pressing the second projecting end onto the lower surface of the package stack.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of pressing a second tab that is connected to the main surface of the second projecting end in a hinge-like manner onto a side face of a central package unit of the package stack.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of applying a second label to the upper surface of the package stack, wherein the second label having a second projecting end that projects beyond the package stack.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of folding the second projecting end of the second label around a second upper and a second lower edge of the package stack.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of pressing the second projecting end of the second label onto the lower surface of the package stack.

8. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of pressing a second tab that is connected to a main surface of the second projecting end of the second label in a hinge-like manner onto a side face of the central package unit of the package stack.

9. A packaging machine for grouping individual package units, the packaging machine comprising a feeder and a conveying system, wherein it further comprises a grouping station and a labeler, the packaging machine being configured for stacking at least three package units one on top of the other so as to form a package stack and for encompassing the package stack, at least partially, with a label, the packaging machine comprising a press plunger, which is configured to press at least one hinge-like tab of the label onto a side face of a central package unit of the package stack.

10. The packaging machine according to claim 9, wherein the labeler is a cross web labeler.

11. The packaging machine according to claim 9, wherein the grouping station has two opposed toothed-belt conveyors with carrier strips, and that the grouping station is adjustable for grouping respective package units of different size.

12. The packaging machine according to claim 9, wherein the conveying system comprises separately movable movers, which are controllable for fixing package units and/or package stacks between two respective movers in a force-fitting manner.

13. The packaging machine according to claim 9, wherein the conveying system has an opening that allows the label to be pressed onto a lower surface of the package stack.

14. A package stack comprising: an upper package unit; a lower package unit; and at least one central package unit, wherein the upper package unit, the lower package unit, and the at least one central package unit are stacked one on top of the other with the at least one central package unit being disposed between the upper and the lower package units; and wherein the package stack further comprising at least one label that encompasses an upper surface, a lateral side and a lower surface of the package stack at least partially; wherein the label comprises label edges and a main surface spaced apart from the label edges, the main surface comprising one or more tabs that are connected to the main surface in a hinge-like manner and are connected to a respective side face of the at least one central package unit of the package stack using an areal bond.

15. The package stack according to claim 14, wherein the label has at least one perforation, which, when the label has been applied to a package stack, is arranged preferably on the side in a horizontal direction and which is suitable to allow the package units to be separated from one another.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In the following, an advantageous embodiment of the present invention will be explained in more detail making reference to a drawing, in which the individual figures show:

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of one embodiment of a packaging machine for grouping individual package units in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 2A is a perspective side view of one embodiment of a package stack in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure and having a label with a first and a second projecting end, wherein the label is applied to the package stack's upper surface;

[0026] FIG. 2B is a perspective side view of the embodiment of the package stack of FIG. 2A having the first projecting end folded down around a first upper edge of the package stack, and a second projecting end folded down round a second upper edge of the package stack;

[0027] FIG. 2C is a perspective side view of the embodiment of the package stack of FIG. 2A having the projecting ends pressed on the lower surface of the package stack and a tab pressed on a side face of a central package unit;

[0028] FIG. 2D is a front view of the embodiment of the package stack of FIG. 2A having projecting ends of the label pressed on the lower surface of the package stack in accordance with FIG. 2C;

[0029] FIG. 3A is a front view of one embodiment of a label for a package stack in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure having two tabs;

[0030] FIG. 3B is a perspective side view of the embodiment of the label of FIG. 3A;

[0031] FIG. 4A is a perspective side view of another embodiment of a package stack in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure having a first projecting end of a first label folded down round a first upper edge and a second label folded down round a second upper edge;

[0032] FIG. 4B is a perspective side view of the package stack of FIG. 4A having projecting ends of the first and of the second label pressed on the lower surface of the package stack and one or more tabs pressed on the side faces of a the package stack;

[0033] FIG. 5A is a front view of one embodiment of a first label and a second label in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, each label including a tab; and

[0034] FIG. 5B is a perspective side view of the first label and second label of FIG. 5A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures.

[0036] The following detailed description of the invention references specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present invention is defined by the appended claims and the description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and shall not limit the scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a packaging machine 1 for grouping individual package units 3 in a perspective side view. The packaging machine 1 comprises a feeder 5, a conveying system 7, a grouping station 9 and a labeler 11. In addition, an optional pusher 13 and an optional discharge conveyor 15 are shown, which, depending on the respective production organization, may also be omitted or modified. The grouping station 9 comprises two substantially vertically oriented opposed toothed-belt conveyors 17 with carrier strips 19. The conveying system 7 comprises a plurality of movers 21, which can normally be moved individually using an electromagnetic mechanism. Using the grouping station 9, a respective package stack 23 is deposited between the sides of the movers 21, which have a stop 25, and clamped in position between the movers 21 with well-dosed force. In this way, two respective movers 21 move a package stack 23 along a production direction P on an upper side of the conveying system 7 and return to their starting position via a lower side of the conveying system 7. Labels 27 are supplied from a roll 29, which is here shown in an empty condition, and have at least one tab 31. For folding down and pressing-on the label 27, first rollers 33 and second rollers 35 are used, and for pressing-on the tab 31 a press plunger 37 is used. In order to make a lower surface 38 of the package stack 23 accessible for the second rollers 35 for pressing-on projecting ends of the label 27, the conveying system 7 has an opening 40 on both sides, which reduces the contact surface for the package stack 23 to a necessary minimum.

[0038] FIG. 2A shows a package stack 23 in a perspective side view, the package stack 23 comprising three package units 3 arranged one on top of the other and a label 27 that is applied to the upper surface 39 of the package stack 23, which also constitutes the upper surface of the uppermost package unit 3. The label 27 comprises a first and a second projecting end 41, 43 and one tab 31 per projecting end 41, 43.

[0039] FIG. 2B shows a perspective side view of a package stack 23 having a projecting end 41 folded down round a first upper edge 45 and a second projecting end 43 folded down round a second upper edge 47, only the first projecting end 41 being here visible due to the perspective view.

[0040] FIG. 2C shows a perspective side view of a package stack 23 having projecting ends 41, 43 pressed on the lower surface 38 of the package stack 23, which also constitutes the lower surface of the lowermost package unit 3, only the first projecting end 41 being here visible due to the perspective view. The tab 31, which is exemplarily cut or punched on three sides in the case of this embodiment, is pressed on a side face 51 of a central package unit 3.

[0041] FIG. 2D shows a front view of a package stack 23 having first and second projecting ends 41, 43 of the label 27 pressed on the lower surface 38 of the package stack 23, in accordance with FIG. 2C. It can be seen how the first and second projecting ends 41, 43 have been folded round a first and a second upper edge 45, 47 as well as a first and a second lower edge 53, 55 and have also adapted to the shape of the lateral side 49 of the package stack 23.

[0042] FIG. 3A shows a front view of a label 27 according to the present invention with two tabs 31, the respective tabs 31 being formed on a first and a second projecting end 41, 43. The label 27 and in particular the tabs 31 are shown in the form in which they have fully been pressed on the package stack 23 according to the preceding figures (the package units 3 are not shown). It can be seen that the label 27 and the tabs 31 are configured such that they are able to follow the shape of the package stack 23.

[0043] FIG. 3B shows a perspective side view of a label 27 according to the present invention with two tabs 31 in a pressed-on condition, in which, due to such pressing-on, parts of the first and second projecting ends 41, 43 as well as the tabs 31 follow the shape of the package stack 23 (the package units 3 are not shown). In the representation, a main surface 57 of the label 27 and of the first projecting end 41 and the second projecting end 43, respectively, is defined within the dot-and-dash lines, the main surface 57 being characterized in that it represents a suitable area for forming the tabs 31, since the area is sufficiently spaced apart from the label edges 59 of the label 27 for guaranteeing the stability of the label 27 also during punching or cutting of the tabs 31. The dashed lines represent possible perforations 61 at which the label 27 can be separated with a reasonable expenditure of force, so as to facilitate the opening of the package stack 23 and the separation of the package units 3. The tabs 31 are configured such that the areal adhesive connection, which the respective tabs 31 establish with a side face 51 of the central package unit 3, is larger than the thickness of the upper edge of the package unit 3 in all dimensions. Via a hinge side 63, the tabs 31 are articulated on the main surface 57 of the label 27 in a hinge-like manner.

[0044] FIG. 4A shows a variant of a package stack 23 in a perspective side view with two separate labels 27, which each partially enclose one side of the package stack 23. The first projecting end 41 of the first label 27 is folded down round a first upper edge 45 and the second projecting end 43 of the second label 27 is folded down round a second upper edge 47.

[0045] FIG. 4B shows a perspective side view of a package stack 23 with projecting ends 41, 43 of the first and second labels 27 pressed on the lower surface 38 of the package stack 23 and with tabs 31 pressed on the sides face 51 of a central package unit 3. Also the second label 27 has a tab 31, which is here not visible due to the perspective view.

[0046] FIG. 5A shows a front view with a first and a second label 27 according to the present invention, each label 27 having a respective tab 31 formed on a first and on a second projecting end 41, 43. The labels 27 as well as in particular the tabs 31 are, analogously to FIG. 3A, shown in the form, in which they are fully pressed on the package stack 23 in correspondence with the preceding figures (the package units 3 are not shown).

[0047] FIG. 5B shows a perspective side view of a first and a second label 27 according to the present invention, each with a tab 31 in a pressed-on condition, in which, due to such pressing-on, parts of the first and second projecting ends 41, 43 as well as the tabs 31 follow the shape of the package stack 23.

[0048] As has already been explained with respect to FIG. 3B, also FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5B show optional perforations 61, which offer an improved possibility of separating the package units 3.

[0049] In the following, the mode of operation of the packaging machine 1 will be described in more detail making reference to the figures. Using the feeder 5, which may e.g. be a belt conveyor, the individual package units 3 are conveyed to the grouping station 9 and successively deposited therein from above between two toothed-belt conveyors 17. The toothed-belt conveyors 17 are provided with carrier strips 19, on which the package units 3 rest with a lower surface or a lateral edge thereof. The carrier strips 19, which expediently receive the package units 3 thereon at an upper position located adjacent to an edge of the feeder 5, are moved downwards using the toothed-belt conveyors 17, when the full number of package units 3 for a package stack 23 has been reached, so that the package stack 23 will be deposited on the conveying system 7 between two movers 21.

[0050] The movers 21, which can electronically be controlled individually and which have been positioned below the grouping station 9 before the package stack 23 has been deposited, then clamp the package stack 23 between their stops 25 and convey the package stack 23 to the labeler 11. In addition to the orientation of the package units 3 through the grouping station 9, also lateral guide rails may optionally be provided, which additionally orient the package units 3 of the package stack 23 while the latter is being conveyed to the labeler 11.

[0051] The labeler 11 may e.g. be a cross web labeler and may apply one or more labels 27 to the upper surface 39 of the package stack 23. In the case of conventional cross web labelers, labels 27 supplied from a roll 29 on a carrier are detached from the carrier at a stripping edge and positioned above the package stack 23 using a pneumatic system and pressed onto the package stack 23. In the course of this process, one or a plurality of labels 27 may be applied to the upper surface 39 of the package stack 23. According to the present invention, the label 27 is here positioned such that it has at least a first projecting end 41 beyond the package stack 23. According to an embodiment, the label 27 may also extend across the entire width of the package stack 23 and have a second projecting end 43 beyond the package stack 23 on a second side.

[0052] Once the label 27 is located essentially in the plane of the upper surface 39 of the package stack 23, after having been applied to the latter by the labeler 11, the first and the second projecting end 41, 43 will be folded, in a next step, round a first and a second upper edge 45, 47 and a first and a second lower edge 53, 55, so that the projecting ends 41, 43 will laterally enclose the package stack 23 essentially in a C-shape. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the projecting ends 41, 43 are folded at the upper edges 45, 47 by first rollers 33 and at the lower edges 53, 55 by second rollers 35. The pressing-on may here take place passively by the first rollers 33 while the package stack 23 is moving along the production direction P, the first rollers 33 being arranged at a well-defined distance from the package stack 23 or with a well-defined elastic restoring force that is directed towards the package stack 23. Alternatively, the first rollers 33 may also be provided with an active drive for carrying out a forward and backward movement for pressing-on the projecting ends 41, 43. The same applies to the second rollers 35, which are shown in FIG. 1 in the active variant.

[0053] Using an active movement of a press plunger 37, the tab 31 is pressed onto a side face 51 of a central package unit 3. As shown, the tab 31 may have been punched or cut already prior to the application of the label 27 to the package stack 23. Alternatively, the punching may, however, also be carried out only immediately before the step of pressing-on the tab 31, using a suitably shaped cutting tool moved, for example, laterally against the label 27 encompassing the package stack 23. Generally speaking, the label 27 may either be pressed on directly at the site of the labeler 11 or, as shown, at a neighboring position along the production direction P, in the sense of a press-on station.

[0054] According to the embodiment shown, the finished package stack 23 is advanced by the movers 21 after the press-on operation, and is finally pushed by a pusher 13 onto a discharge conveyor 15, so as to be further advanced by the latter for stowing e.g. in a box. The movers 21 then return to their starting position via the lower side of the conveying system 7. A plurality of movers 21 may wait in a queue upstream of the grouping station 9. The further conveyance or the discharge of the package stack 23 after its completion is not limited to the above-described way, but may be carried out in any conceivable manner, for example through direct removal by a gripper arm or by an operator.

[0055] Starting from the above-described embodiment of a packaging machine 1, many variations of the latter are possible. For example, instead of stacking the individual package units 3 using a grouping station 9, they may also be stacked by moving the feeder 5 up and down. The feeder 5 will thus deposit the package units 3 directly on the conveying system 7. Optionally, a rear mover 21 may be caused to approach the respective package stack 23, when the feeder 5 is at an upper position. The labels 27 may also be pressed on directly on the site of the labeler 11. In this context, it is also imaginable that not only two labels 27, in the sense of a left and a right label 27, are applied, but that in the case of larger package units 3 also several labels 27 are applied, which are oriented parallel to one another. If one or several labels 27 are applied, which encompass the upper surface 39 of the package stack 23 according to FIG. 2A to 3B, certain areas of the labels 27 may be transparent, so that the upper surface 39 of the package stack 23 or of the uppermost package unit 3 can still be seen at least partially. Instead of making use of the rollers 33, 35 shown, the pressing-on and folding-down of the labels 27 may also be carried out by other mechanical devices, such as folding rails. Instead of the conveying system 7 shown, which comprises separately controllable movers 21, it would also be imaginable to use other conveying systems, such as linear belt conveyors with carrier strips. The tabs 31 are not limited to the form shown here, with three punched sides and one hingelike side, but may e.g. also be configured in a triangular shape with only two punched sides.

[0056] From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is also to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.

[0057] The constructions and methods described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention.

[0058] As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms having and including and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of optional or may include and not as required. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.