METHOD, APPLICATION DEVICE, AND PACKAGING DEVICE FOR PRODUCING PACKAGING UNITS

Abstract

The invention relates to a method, to an application device (40), and to a packaging device for producing packaging units (13). Each of the packaging units (13) is made of at least two grouped articles (10) which are held together by means of at least one strapping band (15) and by means of at least one packaging blank (60). The method has at least the following steps: providing the articles (10) in a movement and/or handling area of an application head (1); inserting a closed strapping band (15) and a prepared packaging blank (60) into the application head (1); feeding the application head (1) equipped with the at least one strapping band (15) and the at least one packaging blank (60) to the articles (10), said grouped articles (10) being at least slightly compressed; positioning the strapping band (15); securing the packaging blank (60) to the articles (10); opening the application head (1) while simultaneously releasing and separating the at least one strapping band (15) from the fixed position of the strapping band within the application head (1); releasing and separating the at least one packaging blank (60); and removing the application head (1) from the strapped article grouping (12) combined by a packaging blank (60).

Claims

1. A method for producing packaging units (13), each of which is made of at least two grouped articles (10) that are held together by at least one strapping band (15) and by at least one packaging blank (60), the method comprising: providing the at least two grouped articles (10), which are positioned in a movement and/or handling area of an application head (1), inserting at least one pre-assembled closed strapping band (15) into the application head (1), in which the strapping band (15) is fixed in a defined position, which application head (1) has a variable opening width (W) of a cage (50) that can surround the grouped articles (10) on a lateral side, inserting a prepared packaging blank (60) into the application head (1) in which the packaging blank (60) is held in a fixed position, feeding the application head (1) equipped with the at least one strapping band (15) and at least one packaging blank (60) to the articles (10) in a feeding movement approximately parallel to a longitudinal central axes (L) of the grouped articles (10), wherein the cage (50) of the application head (1) contacts the grouped articles (10) on their lateral sides and at least slightly compresses them, positioning the strapping band (15) at an intended position of the grouped articles (10) on the grouped articles (10), securing the packaging blank (60) to the grouped articles (10), increasing the opening width (W) of the cage (50) of the application head (1) while simultaneously releasing and separating the at least one strapping band (15) from its fixed position within the application head (1), releasing and separating the at least one packaging blank (60), removing the application head (1) from the strapped article grouping (12) combined by a packaging blank (60).

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising releasing the compression of the cage (50) once the strapping band (15) has been stripped and is attached to the article grouping (12) at its intended target position and is positioned there with the intended pre-tension.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising releasing the packaging blank (60) once the packaging blank (60) is secured to the articles (10) in a defined position.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising simultaneously positioning the strapping band (15) at an intended position on the grouped articles (10) and securing the packaging blank (60) to the articles (10).

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising asynchronously positioning the strapping band (15) at an intended position on the grouped articles (10) and securing the packaging blank (60) to the articles (10).

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising producing the strapping band (15) from a strapping material (16) in strip form and positioning it immediately thereafter in the application head (1).

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising applying an individual print to the strapping material (16) or to the strapping band (15) before positioning in the application head (1).

8. An application device (40) for producing packaging units (13), each of which is made of at least two grouped articles (10) that are held together by at least one strapping band (15) and by at least one packaging blank (60), the application device (40) comprises a movement or handling area for an application head (1) for cooperation with at least two grouped articles (10) within the movement or handling area, wherein the application head (1) comprises a cage (50) having a variable opening width and a region for inserting at least one pre-assembled closed strapping band (15), wherein the cage (50) can surround the grouped articles (10) on the lateral side, wherein the application head (1) comprises at least one holding means (72) for a packaging blank (60), wherein the application head (1), together with the at least one strapping band (15) fixed therein and the at least one held packaging blank (60), can be fed to the grouped articles (10) located in the movement area by a feeding movement running approximately parallel to longitudinal central axes (L) of the articles (10), wherein the cage (50) of the application head (1) contacts the grouped articles (10) on their lateral sides and at least slightly compresses them, and wherein the cage (50) of the application head (1) can be opened while simultaneously releasing and separating the at least one strapping band (15) from its fixed position within the application head (1).

9. The application device (40) of claim 8, wherein the cage (50) comprises one or more fixing apparatus for the strapping band (15).

10. The application device (40) of claim 8, wherein the cage (50) comprises a contoured guide (51) on its inner circumference, wherein the contoured guide (51) is formed at the corner radii, or wherein the contoured guide is beveled in the lowering direction onto the grouped articles (10).

11. The application device (40) of claim 10, wherein the cage (50) comprises at least one undercut (21) in which the strapping band (15) is arranged after insertion into the cage (50).

12. The application device (40) of claim 8, wherein the cage (50) can be opened by opening movements of individual segments of the cage (50) directed perpendicularly away from the lateral surface of the grouped articles (10).

13. A packaging device for producing packaging units (13), each of which is made of at least two grouped articles (10) that are held together by at least one strapping band (15) and at least one packaging blank (60), comprising an application device (40), wherein the application device (40) comprises a movement or handling area for an application head (1) for cooperation with at least two grouped articles (10) within the movement or handling area, wherein the application head (1) comprises a cage (50) having a variable opening width and a region for inserting at least one pre-assembled closed strapping band (15), wherein the cage (50) can surround the grouped articles (10) on the lateral side, wherein the application head (1) comprises at least one holding means (72) for a packaging blank (60), wherein the application head (1), together with the at least one strapping band (15) fixed therein and the at least one held packaging blank (60), can be fed to the grouped articles (10) located in the movement area by a feeding movement running approximately parallel to longitudinal central axes (L) of the articles (10), wherein the cage (50) of the application head (1) contacts the grouped articles (10) on their lateral sides and at least slightly compresses them, and wherein the cage (50) of the application head (1) can be opened while simultaneously releasing and separating the at least one strapping band (15) from its fixed position within the application head (1).

14. The packaging device of claim 13, further comprising a preparation module (30) that produces closed strapping bands (15), the preparation module (30) comprising: a magazine with a supply of strapping material in strip form, and a connecting device (33) for connecting free ends of the strapping material in strip form to form a closed strapping band (15).

15. The application device (40) of claim 9, wherein the one or more fixing apparatus comprises clamping elements (3), suction elements (4), vacuum grippers, or adhesion grippers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0078] Exemplary embodiments of the invention and their advantages are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. The proportions of the individual elements relative to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the actual proportions, since some forms are simplified, while other forms are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

[0079] FIG. 1 shows an oblique perspective view from above of a strapping unit of an application head for producing packaging units.

[0080] FIG. 2 shows an oblique perspective view from above of the strapping unit according to FIG. 1 with an article grouping arranged therein, which is to be strapped to produce a packaging unit.

[0081] FIG. 3 to FIG. 5 show the strapping unit according to FIGS. 1 and 2, in each instance in representations from above.

[0082] FIGS. 6 to 12 show the different steps of a method for producing packaging units.

[0083] FIGS. 13 to 15 show different views of a contour piece.

[0084] FIGS. 16 to 21 show the transfer process of the strapping band to the strapping unit of the application head.

[0085] FIGS. 22 and 23 show the pre-production of the strapping band.

[0086] FIG. 24 shows the inline printing during the formation of a strapping band.

[0087] Identical reference numerals are used for identical elements of the invention or those having the same effect. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference signs 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 according to the invention or the method according to the invention can be configured, and they are non-limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0088] The perspective representations of FIGS. 1 and 2 each show a strapping unit 70 of an application head 1 for producing packaging units in oblique views from above. FIGS. 3 to 5 each show the strapping unit 70 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in plan views from above.

[0089] The application head 1 shown by way of example in FIGS. 1 to 5 is provided and designed to attach at least one strapping band 15 to an article group 12 comprising at least two articles 10, wherein the strapping band 15 is attached to the outer lateral surfaces of the articles 10 in such a way that they are at least partially encircled by the strapping band 15, whereby the entire group 12 is also encircled and held together by the strapping band 15.

[0090] The strapping band 15, which holds the article group 12 together mechanically in this manner and is designed to be closed, can be formed in particular from a paper material, from a paper-like material, from a plastics material, from a composite material, or the like. The material and the material thickness of the strapping band 15 then depend on the mechanical stability that is to be ensured to hold the article group 12 together.

[0091] The articles 10 to be combined are preferably containers filled with a liquid content, for example bottles 11 or cans, in particular beverage containers. However, the bottles 11 or cans or similar containers can also be filled, for example, with liquid cosmetics such as shampoo or the like. The schematic representation of FIG. 2 shows that the bottles 11 can be, for example, plastics containers for holding beverages, in particular PET containers.

[0092] The application head 1 is also designed to additionally apply a packaging blank 60 to the articles 10 of the article group 12 in temporal connection with the application of the at least one strapping band 15 to the article group 12, as will be described in detail below in connection with FIGS. 6 to 12.

[0093] The strapping unit 70 shown here has a cage 50 having a variable opening width W that is variable by suitable actuators and that can completely surround the grouped articles 10 on the lateral side. In particular, the opening width W of the cage 50 can be changed by feeding movements of multiple contour pieces 2 that are connected to one another but adjustable in their relative positions to one another. These contour pieces 2 form at least a part of the segments from which the cage 50 is formed.

[0094] In addition, the strapping unit 70 comprises at least one contour piece 2 having a compression slope 6 designated as such here, the geometry of which is selected such that a downward movement of the strapping unit 70 in a direction parallel to the article longitudinal axes L or an upward movement of the article group 12 in a direction parallel to the article longitudinal axes L causes compression to be exerted on at least two grouped articles 10 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) arranged within the strapping unit 70 and in the course of which a closed, pre-produced strapping band 15 can be applied to the grouped articles 10. This means that the compression slopes 6 form a profile of the opening cross section of the cage 50 that is conical overall or extends toward a lower opening.

[0095] In the example shown, the cage 50 is formed by the contour pieces 2, the clamping elements 3 and the guiding or holding element 4. All of these parts are connected to one another, but can perform the relative movements described in more detail below relative to one another in order to be able to vary the opening width of the cage 50 as needed. In particular, the cage 50 has a contoured guide 51 on its inner circumference, which is formed in particular at the corner radii. Furthermore, the inner contour of the cage 50 is beveled in particular in the region of the contour elements 2 in the lowering direction onto the article group 12.

[0096] The strapping unit 70 is also equipped with clamping elements 3 and guiding or holding elements 4 and suction elements 5 located on the inside of the cage 50. These clamping elements 3, guiding or holding elements 4 and suction elements 5 are necessary in particular for correct placement and securing of the strapping band 15 within the strapping unit 70 (see FIG. 2).

[0097] The schematic plan views of FIGS. 3 and 4 show the strapping unit 70 with an article group 12 arranged therein, which in the embodiment shown comprises a total of six articles 10, in particular six bottles 11, which are combined in a rectangular arrangement. According to FIG. 3, the articles 10 are partially compressed by the contour pieces 2 when the cage 50 is lowered over and surrounds the article group 12. The strapping band (not shown) is located in a clamping arrangement in the strapping unit 70 of the application head 1.

[0098] According to FIG. 4, the compression of the articles 10 is released by an outwardly directed movement of the contour elements 2 as soon as the cage 50 together with the strapping band held therein is positioned at an intended height on the article group 12. In addition, the fixation of the strapping band within the strapping unit 70 is released by a movement of the clamping elements 3 directed inward at least for a short time.

[0099] If the suction elements 5 are active suction elements 5 under negative pressure, the negative pressure applied to the suction elements 5 is released simultaneously with the inwardly directed movement of the clamping elements 3, whereby the strapping band held there can be separated.

[0100] In FIGS. 3 to 5, the change in the opening width W is also shown. FIG. 3 shows the strapping unit 70 in an operating mode BM with a smaller opening width W of the cage 50. In this operating mode BM, the articles 10 are strapped with the strapping band (not shown) arranged in the strapping unit 70. In the operating mode BM, the application head has a first opening width W1 that is at least in regions at least slightly smaller than a width of the article group 12, so that the group 12 is at least slightly compressed.

[0101] In contrast, FIG. 4 shows the strapping unit 70 in a release mode FM to which the strapping unit 70 is transferred after the strapping process is completed in order to release the strapped articles 10. In release mode FM, the opening manner of the cage 50 is accordingly increased compared to the operating mode BM (strapping mode). In this release mode FM, the application head has a second opening width W2 that is larger than a width of the article group 12, so that the group 12 is released.

[0102] In order to transfer the strapping unit 70 from operating mode BM to release mode FM, contour pieces 2 arranged opposite one another are moved away from one another and thus distanced from the group 12 on both sides. In the present case, the contour pieces 2 arranged on the left are moved to the left and the contour pieces 2 arranged on the right are moved to the right, whereby the opening width W is increased.

[0103] In particular, the contour pieces 2 arranged on the left and the clamping element 3 arranged therebetween are associated with a first frame element 55, which can be moved by hydraulic or pneumatic adjusting device 57. Furthermore, the contour pieces 2 arranged on the left and the clamping element 3 arranged therebetween are associated with a second frame element 56, which can be moved by hydraulic or pneumatic adjusting device 58.

[0104] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, the contour pieces 2 could be moved away from the center point M in order to increase the opening width W.

[0105] The schematic side views of FIGS. 6 to 12 show the different steps of a method for producing packaging units 13, wherein the step shown in FIG. 11 is an optional step that can optionally also be omitted. FIGS. 6 to 12 each show a sectional view through an application head 1 with articles 10 arranged therein so that the different phases of forming the packaging units from the mechanically interconnected article groups 12 can be illustrated.

[0106] The application head 1 comprises in particular a strapping unit 70 already shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 and an application unit 71 arranged above the strapping unit 70 and coupled thereto. This application unit 71 is provided and designed to additionally apply a packaging blank 60 from above to an upper region of the articles 10, in particular to an upper lid or closure region of the articles 10, in temporal connection with the strapping of an article group 12 with a strapping band 15.

[0107] The packaging blank 60, which is additionally mechanically connects the articles 10 and holds the article group 12 together in addition to the strapping band 15, is substantially flat, which means in particular that the packaging blank 60 has a small thickness compared to its length and width.

[0108] The packaging blanks 60 can in each instance preferably consist of a paper or cardboard material, a plastics material, a cardboard/plastics composite material or the like.

[0109] Each of the packaging blanks 60 has passage openings for the articles 10 combined over the packaging blank 60, which passage openings correspond to the longitudinal central axes L of the articles 10 to be combined.

[0110] The packaging blank 60 is in each instance attached to the articles 10 in such a way that the articles 10 partially pass through the passage openings of the packaging blank 60 and are thus held together by the packaging blank 60. In particular, the packaging blank 60 is interlocked with the articles 10 in this way.

[0111] For this purpose, the passage openings of the packaging blank 60 can each have suitable fixing apparatuses that can be formed, for example, by fixing tabs. For example, fixing tabs are formed by notches or the like extending radially inward from the passage openings.

[0112] The packaging blank 60 is pushed onto the articles 10 from above in a direction that is approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal central axes of the articles 10, so that the articles 10 at least partially pass through the passage openings of the packaging blank 60 and, after the packaging blank 60 has been fastened, are located at least in regions above and at least in regions below the packaging blank 60. If the articles 10 are bottles 11 or cans, then the closure region is preferably arranged above the packaging blank 60, while the body filled with a fluid is arranged below the packaging blank 60.

[0113] Particularly preferably, the packaging blank 60 is in each instance secured to articles 10 in such a way that the articles 10 are each held in a clamping manner within a passage opening of the packaging blank 60 in the region of an upper taper. In particular, bottles 11 are held in a clamping manner below a so-called neck ring and cans are held in a clamping manner below a flanged edge forming the can edge, whereby an effective interlocking between the packaging blank 60 and the articles 10 is given in each instance.

[0114] After the packaging blank 60 has been arranged on and fastened to the articles 10, the packaging blank is preferably in engagement with the articles 10 in such a way that the packaging blank 60 is secured to the articles 10 in a substantially stationary manner and the articles 10 can no longer make any significant relative movements or changes in position relative to one another and relative to the packaging blank 60. As a result, the packaging blank can only be removed from the articles 10 again by applying increased force with a force component directed downwardly or upwardly, wherein the packaging blank 60 is generally at least partially destroyed. However, the packaging blank 60 is generally only removed from the articles 10 by the end customer, immediately before the liquid contained in the articles 10 is consumed, i.e., in particular before the bottle contents are consumed.

[0115] In the context of the method, at least two grouped articles 10 are provided as an article group 12 and are positioned in a movement and/or handling area of an application head 1. In the example shown, six articles 10 are provided in two rows of three, wherein only one row of three is visible due to the sectional view.

[0116] In particular, when the application unit 71 and the strapping unit 70 of the application head 1 are used as intended, it is provided that strapping and an upper packaging blank are applied to the articles 10 of the article group 12 substantially simultaneously.

[0117] In temporal connection with the provision of the articles 10 in the movement and/or handling area of the application head 1, either simultaneously or upstream, or immediately after the provision of the article group 12, at least one pre-assembled closed strapping band 15 is inserted into the application head 1 and fixed in a defined position (see FIG. 6) in the application head 1 by the clamping elements 3. In particular, the at least one pre-assembled closed strapping band 15 is inserted into the strapping unit 70 of the application head 1 and is fixed in a defined position (FIG. 6) in the strapping unit 70 of the application head 1 by the clamping elements 3.

[0118] The ring shape of the typically closed strapping band 15, which is pre-assembled in the required length, is thus predetermined and maintained by the contour pieces 2 and the guide pieces 4 (see FIGS. 1 to 5). In order to keep the strapping band 15 in position or in the required ring shape during the application process, the above-described clamping elements 3 and suction elements 5 or adhesion grippers, vacuum grippers or the like are provided, which ensure that the strapping band 15 is pulled onto the article group 12. These can either be distributed along the circumferential contoured guide 51 or specifically at distinctive points, for example in the region of the corner radii or the like. For example, a contoured clamp with a vertical flash face or an undercut, as described below in connection with FIGS. 13 to 15, can be made possible along the entire contoured guide 51 of the cage 50 of the strapping unit 70 of the application head 1 or also in parts.

[0119] In addition, the application head 1 is equipped with a packaging blank 60 of the size that is required in each instance. In particular, the packaging blank 60 is inserted into the application head 1 and held in a defined position by a suitable holding device 72. In particular, the holding device 72 in each instance fixing the packaging blank 60 in place is associated with the application unit 71.

[0120] Subsequently, the application head 1 equipped with the at least one strapping band 15 and a packaging blank 60 is lowered by a feeding movement over the articles 10, wherein the cage 50 of the strapping unit 70 of the application head 1 contacts and at least slightly compresses the grouped articles 10 on their lateral sides of the articles 10.

[0121] When reference is made in the present context to a lowering of the application head 1 over the grouped articles 10, it can thus also mean lifting the grouped articles 10 from below into the application head 1 or, in general, a feeding movement of the articles 10 and of the application head 1 with a direction of movement parallel to the longitudinal central axes of the articles 10. It should thus be clarified that these variants can also be understood from the formulation the lowering.

[0122] The defined lowering of the application head 1 according to FIGS. 7 to 9 (or generally by the feed movement of the application head 1 toward the grouped articles 10) positions the strapping band 15 at an intended position of the articles 10. With increasing depth of the stroke, the compression applied to the lateral surfaces of the articles 10 increases until the desired compression is achieved. The stroke required for this purpose is defined and maintained by the design of the compression slope 6 on the contour pieces 2 of the strapping unit 70 of the application head 1. As the downward movement progresses, the inserted strapping band 15 is now pushed over the compressed article group 12.

[0123] In addition, during this time, the packaging blank 60 is placed onto the upper sides of the articles 10. A further downwardly directed movement of the application head 1 causes the packaging blank 60 to be secured to the articles 10.

[0124] Depending on the desired position of the packaging blank 60 and the strapping band 15, which is determined in particular by the size, contour and geometry of the articles 10 to be packaged, the strapping band 15 is generally first applied to the article group 12 in the desired position and the packaging blank 60 is pressed onto the article group 12 from above with a further progressive downward movement. However, it is also conceivable to reverse the order and to apply both packaging elements, i.e., the packaging blank 60 and the strapping band 15, in a temporally synchronous manner.

[0125] When the desired position of the strapping band 15 and the package blank 60 on the article grouping 12 is reached, the downward movement is stopped (FIG. 9).

[0126] The at least one strapping band 15 is now released and separated from its fixed position in the strapping unit 70 of the application head 1. In particular, the clamp between the strapping band 15 and the clamping pieces 3 and/or the suction connection between the strapping band 15 and the suction elements (not visible) is released to remove the fixing of the strapping band 15.

[0127] Subsequently or substantially simultaneously, the opening width W of the cage 50 of the application head 1 is increased in order to eliminate the compression between the cage 50 and the article group 12 combined with the packaging blank 60. After the separation of the application head 1, the strapped article group 12 that is combined with packaging blank 60 forms a packaging unit 13.

[0128] In particular, after the packaging units 13 have been produced, the cage 50 is opened by opening movements of individual segments of the cage 50 directed perpendicularly away from the lateral surface of the articles 10. For example, the contour pieces 2 are moved away from one another in the opposite direction of movement, as shown by the horizontally oriented arrows in FIG. 10. In this case, at least the strapping unit 70 of the application head 1 is transferred to the release mode FM with a second opening width W2.

[0129] In particular, the contour elements 2 are moved away from the finished packaging units 13 by a movement perpendicular to the article longitudinal axis L, wherein a rotational movement and a combination of a rotational and translational movement are also conceivable. A distance between the compression surfaces formed by the compression slope 6 and the articles 10 is thereby produced, whereby the articles 10 are returned and a tension is produced with respect to the strapping band 15, as a result of which the necessary bundle stability is produced.

[0130] In particular, it is provided that the compression of the cage 50 is released as soon as the strapping band 15 has been stripped and is attached to the article group 12 at its intended target position and is positioned there with the intended pre-tension.

[0131] Depending on the arrangement of the fixing elements, in particular of the clamping elements 3, it may initially also be necessary, if for example the clamping elements 3 hold the strapping band 15 at the lower edge, to continue the downwardly directed movement of the application head 1 after the fixing has been released until the strapping band 15 is arranged outside the fixing region and only then, under certain circumstances, to release the compression (FIG. 11). In addition, to release the compression, it may also be necessary to move the clamping elements 3 away from the packaging unit 13 in order to avoid a collision when the application head 1 is lifted with that of the packaging unit 13.

[0132] Simultaneously with the opening of the cage 50, it can preferably be provided that the at least one holding device 72 releases the packaging blank 60 applied to the articles 10 by the application unit 71.

[0133] The application head 1 in release mode FM is removed from the packaging unit 13 counter to the application direction and is moved back to an initial position for reloading with a strapping band 15 and with a packaging blank 60 (FIG. 12). As a result of the lifting, the packaging unit 13 equipped with a strapping band 15 and a packaging blank 60 is released and can now be supplied for further handling, for example palletizing or the like (not shown here).

[0134] After the packaging unit 13 has been released, the application head 1 is transferred back to the operating mode BM by a corresponding feeding movement of the contour pieces 2 of the strapping unit.

[0135] Alternatively, it would also be conceivable to release the compression by the strapping unit 70 of the application head 1 before application of the package blank 60 by a further downwardly directed movement of the application head 1 if, for example, due to the present container geometry, the end position of the strapping band is reached before the end position of the packaging blank 60 on the article group 12. In this case, the release of the package blank 60 must not be coupled to the adjustment of the opening width W of the cage 50 of the strapping unit 70.

[0136] Preferably, the strapping band 15 is inserted into the application head 1 in such a way that the part of the strapping band 15 with the connection point, in particular the adhesive point or weld point or the like, is placed on a side of the strapping band arranged perpendicular to the subsequent transport direction of the packaging unit 13. As a result, the connection point at which regions of the strapping band 15 can optionally overlap one another is prevented from hanging on guide strips of subsequent handling modules or the like, and the strapping band 15 is prevented from tearing accordingly.

[0137] The combination described here of two packaging steps previously carried out separately by a combined application process results in significantly reduced process times. Since only a single application device is required instead of two separate packaging modules, the footprint of the packaging machine used in each instance is reduced. In addition, the application of the packaging blank 60 and strapping band 15 is better coordinated because only one synchronization of the application head 1 carrying out both packaging steps to the article group 12 is necessary, and not a multiple synchronization of successive, but temporally and spatially separated application steps.

[0138] The schematic representations of FIGS. 13 to 15 show different views of a contour piece 2 of the strapping unit 70 of an application head 1, as has already been shown and described above. In particular, FIGS. 13 and 15 are each a side view and FIG. 14 is a plan view of the contour piece 2.

[0139] The contour pieces 2 are shaped and designed such that, in the installed state, they have an insertion region 7, a compression region 8 and a region 9 set back behind the compression region 8 in the direction of the article longitudinal axis L (see FIGS. 2 and 12). The set-back region 9 is designed, in particular, as a vertical flash face 20 or undercut 21, which is intended to allow the strapping band to be guided to its intended position without the contour pieces 2 being stripped prematurely.

[0140] The strapping band 15 is placed in the set-back region 9 of the contour piece 2 (FIG. 15). This is necessary in order to prevent the strapping band 15 from being placed on the contour of the articles 10, which could result in premature hanging of the strapping band 15 during the downward movement of the application head (cf. FIGS. 6 to 9). In this case, the strapping band 15 could be overstretched or damaged, or correct application to the article group 12 could be prevented.

[0141] The circumference of the in particular pre-assembled closed strapping band 15 is selected such that it is protected by the set-back region 9 or undercut 21, but is not larger than necessary. When the compression is released, a strapping band 15 would not achieve sufficient tension between the strapping band 15 and the article group 12, which is to be avoided. In particular, the friction between the articles 10 would be lost, which would result in reduced bundle stability. The useful length of the strapping band is thus determined by the overall circumference of the article grouping 12 and the deformability of the articles 10 in the grouping, which can ensure the strapping tension thereof after the strapping band is applied.

[0142] The compression applied to the individual articles 10 of the article group 12 is defined by the geometry of the contour piece 2 and the inner opening width of the cage 50 with the contour pieces 2 arranged therein. The amount of compression is defined by the difference between the compression radius R for the corresponding compression axis and the uncompressed article radius. The contour piece 2 can in particular have a radius R(l) for the compression K(l) longitudinally to the article group 12 and/or a radius R(q) for the compression K(q) transversely to the article group 12.

[0143] The compression is always applied in at least one direction to the respectively contacted articles 10 of the article group 12. In general, the compression K(l) is applied longitudinally to the article group 12. Alternatively, however, compression K(q) can also be applied transversely to the article group 12. A combination in both compression axes is also possible, i.e., a compression K(l) longitudinal to the article group 12 and a compression K(q) transverse to the article group 12. In this case, the contour piece 2 according to FIG. 5 is moved in the direction of movement BR shown by the movement arrow.

[0144] In the case of compression in one axis, the inner contour 22 of the contour piece 2 is designed so that, starting from the compression radius R, the radius decreases to the uncompressed radius, so that the articles 10 are guided only in this axis. In the case of biaxial compression, the corresponding compression radii R(l) and R(q) can be selected to be different. In addition to the geometry of the contour pieces 2, an additional adjustment of the final compression can be carried out via a further infeed of the contour pieces 2 to the article group 12.

[0145] The selected shape and inclination of the insertion slope, referred to as compression slope 6, can influence how quickly the desired compression of the article group 12 is achieved. In particular, the selected shape also determines how much downward stroke of the application head 1 or what relative stroke is required in the direction of the article longitudinal axis relative to the article group 12. In addition, this also influences how much force must be applied for the compression, because, depending on the steepness of the compression slope 6, more or less friction is generated when the strapping unit 70 of the application head 1 is pushed onto the article group 12. Thus, by the height H of the insertion region 7 and the angle of the compression slope 6, the geometry suitable for the corresponding group 12 can thus be designed, in particular depending on the desired compression, the article geometry, and the corresponding friction pairings.

[0146] Preferably, the application head 1 is designed such that different articles 10 can also be processed with the same or similar article geometry, even if the opening width of the cage 50 differs from the base surface of the corresponding group 12. If the application head 1 is to be used for different basic dimensions of different article groups 12, the desired or technically required compression must be set by corresponding positioning of the contour pieces 2 in the longitudinal and transverse directions. In this way, defined similar diameter ranges can be covered in each instance.

[0147] The cage 50 provided by the strapping unit 70 of the application head 1 can also be enlarged or reduced and thus adapted to different pack sizes by optionally inserting further guiding and holding elements 4 or by removing guiding and holding elements 4.

[0148] The articles 10 are pushed between the strapping band 15 by the contour pieces 2 of the strapping unit 70 of the application head 1, wherein, due to the compression of the articles 10, there is initially a certain distance between the strapping band 15 held in the strapping unit 70 of the application head 1 and the article group 12. Thus, there is a spatial separation between the strapping band 15 and the articles 10, which is eliminated by the release of the compression.

[0149] FIGS. 16 to 21 show the transfer process of the pre-assembled strapping band 15 to the strapping unit 70 of the application head 1 so that it can be made ready to apply the strapping to a prepared article group 12. In this case, FIGS. 16, 18 and 20 are each a side view of the strapping unit 70, while FIGS. 17, 19 and 21 are corresponding views from above.

[0150] A transfer element 25, which has exactly or approximately the contour of the pre-assembled strapping band 15 to be inserted, is used to insert the strapping band into the application head 1. The transfer element 25 takes the ring-shaped strapping band 15 from a corresponding preparation module (not shown). The transfer element 25 with the strapping band 15 is placed over the strapping unit 70 of the application head 1 (FIGS. 16 and 17).

[0151] Preferably, the strapping band 15 is fixed to the transfer element 25 by suitable suction elements or clamping elements or other suitable fixing apparatuses, wherein the lower edge of the strapping band 15 preferably protrudes at the bottom beyond the transfer element 25, so that the lower region of the strapping band 15 can be inserted into the clamping elements 3 of the strapping unit 70 of the application head 1. If the strapping band 15 is held in the strapping unit 70 of the application head 1 by suction elements 5 only, a lower protrusion of the strapping band 15 beyond the transfer element 25 can be dispensed with. In addition, in this case it would also be possible for strapping band 15 to be inserted into the transfer element 25 from below.

[0152] By a downward movement of the transfer element 25 and/or an upward movement of the application head 1, the strapping band 15 is now placed in a desired arrangement within the strapping unit 70 of the application head 1 (FIGS. 18 and 19). By closing the clamping elements 3, as indicated and illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 21 by an asterisk, and/or by activating the suction elements 5 of the strapping unit 70 of the application head 1 and opening and/or deactivating corresponding fixing apparatuses of the transfer element 25, the strapping band 15 is transferred from the transfer element 25 to the strapping unit 70 of the application head 1.

[0153] The transfer element 25 is then removed by an upwardly directed movement of the transfer element or a downwardly directed movement of the application head 1 (FIGS. 20 and 21) and can subsequently be moved into a starting position for reloading with a further strapping band 15. In this case, it may be necessary to reduce the circumference of the transfer element 25 in order to allow a reliable removal of the strapping band from the application head 1. For this purpose, the transfer element 25 can be segmented, wherein the segments can be moved toward a center of the transfer element 25, thereby reducing the circumference of the transfer element 25 takes place.

[0154] It is particularly advantageous in the method described above that it is not necessary to adhere or otherwise fix the strapping band 15 to the article group 12. By using the correspondingly designed application head 1, the complexity of the strapping process can be reduced.

[0155] To load the strapping unit 70 with the strapping band 15, it may be necessary for at least parts of the application unit 71 (not shown in FIGS. 16 to 21) of the application head (see FIGS. 6 to 12) to be folded outward for a short time or the like so that the transfer element 25 with the strapping band 15 has access to the strapping unit 70.

[0156] The schematic views of FIGS. 22 and 23 show the pre-production of the strapping band 15 in a preparation module 30. In this case, an endless strapping material 16 is provided, for example, as a reeled material 17 in a required width. This is fed in a corresponding preparation module 30 via a feed apparatus 31 to a separating apparatus 32.

[0157] The feed apparatus 31 can consist, for example, of two oppositely rotating rubberized rollers that unwind the reeled material 17 accordingly. The separating apparatus 32 consists, for example, of a downstream knife or other suitable cutting unit.

[0158] The separating apparatus 32 cuts strapping material 16 to a defined length, and the free end regions of the strapping material 16 cut to length are connected to one another to form the ring-shaped, pre-assembled strapping band 15. In particular, the free end regions are thereby arranged partially overlapping and are connected to one another by gluing or a welding process or the like.

[0159] In the embodiment shown, a gluing unit 33 is shown, comprising a glue application apparatus 34 and a contact pressure apparatus 35 to form an adhesive connection.

[0160] A frame 36 is associated with the gluing unit 33, which frame maps the desired circumference of the strapping band 15 to be formed in a recess and a circulating conveying unit 37 associated with the frame 36. The frame 36 can be segmented and, by adjusting individual frame segments, the frame circumference and thus the circumference of the strapping band 15 to be formed can be adjusted.

[0161] This makes it possible to react to any circumferential variation of the article groups or to perform a format change with the same strapping material 16.

[0162] To transport the strapping material 16 along an inner or an outer contour of the frame 36, one or more vacuum belts and/or mechanical conveying elements, for example circulating clamping elements, rubberized belts, conveyor belts, or the like can be used.

[0163] The strapping material 16 is conveyed once around the entire inner or outer contour of the frame 36 by the conveying unit 37 until an overlap is formed in the region of the gluing unit 33.

[0164] The cut-to-length strip of strapping material 16 is provided with glue at the starting region and/or at the end region by the glue application apparatus 34, the starting region and the end region are arranged overlapping one another and then pressed out by a contact pressure die of the contact pressure apparatus 35, thereby creating a load-bearing connection.

[0165] The correspondingly closed strapping band 15 can now be picked up by a transfer element 25 in the manner described above and supplied to the application head 1 of an application device 40 for strapping an article group. The application device 40 has a movement and/or handling area for the application head 1 for cooperation with at least two articles grouped within the movement and/or handling area.

[0166] With the arrangement of such a preparation module 30, changes in the article groups can be responded to in an inline manner. If the format changes, only the material needs to be changed if a different width of the strapping material 16 is necessary. The costs for the preparation module 30 are quickly recouped because strapping material 16 provided on rolls is much less expensive than specially pre-assembled closed strapping bands 15.

[0167] FIG. 24 shows so-called inline printing during the formation of a strapping band 15, which is provided as an endless reeled material 17 according to FIGS. 22 and 23. In particular, it is provided that a type of scattered print 44 is applied as a basic print design on the reeled material 17. This is a printed image that repeats at a defined interval A. Ideally, the interval A is designed in such a way that it results in at least a complete repetition of the pattern per length of a strapping band 15 for all formats to be processed, in particular bundle circumferences, in the corresponding width of the strapping material 16.

[0168] If, in addition, a bundle-specific print is to be present on the strapping band 15 to be formed, an empty field 45 is designed as a component of the scattered print 44. In this empty field 45, the desired printing can take place in an inline manner, for example in the form of a barcode, format information, best-before date, etc. For this purpose, in particular a printing unit 41 (FIG. 23) arranged in the preparation module 30 can be provided, so that the desired printing takes place as part of the formation of the closed strapping band 15. Alternatively, a corresponding printing unit can also be associated with the application device 40, wherein the printing can take place before the applied strapping band 15 is applied to the grouped articles or after the packaging unit has been formed.

[0169] The inline print can be positioned within the empty fields 45 by evaluating the unrolled length and back-calculating of the position of the empty field 45 to be printed. Alternatively, sensor detection of the empty field or other markings present on the strapping material 16 can be provided. For example, the detection of a special geometric marking that is a component of the scattered print 44 is conceivable.

[0170] The advantage of such inline printing is that it reduces the amount of strapping material 16 required because it can now be used flexibly. This further reduces material costs because the same strapping material 16 can be used for different products.

[0171] The embodiments, examples and variants 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 of one another or in any combination. Features described in connection with an embodiment are applicable for all embodiments provided the features are not incompatible.

[0172] If in the present context reference is also generally made to schematic representations and views, this in no way means that the figure representations and their description are to be of subordinate importance with regard to the disclosure of the invention. The person skilled in the art is certainly able to derive sufficient information from the schematically and abstractly drawn representations that will make it easier for the person skilled in the art to understand the invention without being confused in any way by the drawn and possibly not exactly true-to-scale proportions of the articles and/or parts of the application device or other drawn elements. The figures enable the person skilled in the art as reader to get a better understanding of the inventive idea, which has been formulated more generally and/or more abstractly in the claims and in the general part of the description, on the basis of the more specifically explained implementations of the method according to the invention and the more specifically explained mode of operation of the device according to the invention.

[0173] The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it is conceivable for a person skilled in the art that modifications or changes can be made to the invention without departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0174] 1 application head [0175] 2 contour piece [0176] 3 clamping element [0177] 4 guide or holding element [0178] 5 suction element [0179] 6 compression slope [0180] 7 insertion region [0181] 8 compression region [0182] 9 reset region [0183] 10 article [0184] 11 bottle [0185] 12 article group [0186] 13 packaging unit [0187] 15 strapping band [0188] 16 strapping material [0189] 17 reeled material [0190] 20 vertical flash face [0191] 21 undercut [0192] 22 inner contour [0193] 25 transfer element [0194] 30 preparation module [0195] 31 feed apparatus [0196] 32 separating apparatus [0197] 33 gluing unit [0198] 34 glue application apparatus [0199] 35 contact pressure apparatus [0200] 36 frame [0201] 37 circumferential conveying unit [0202] 40 application device [0203] 41 printing unit [0204] 44 scattered print [0205] 45 empty field [0206] 50 cage [0207] 51 contoured guide [0208] 55 first frame element [0209] 56 second frame element [0210] 57 adjustment device [0211] 58 adjustment device [0212] 60 packaging blank [0213] 70 strapping unit [0214] 71 application unit [0215] 72 holding device [0216] angle [0217] A distance [0218] BM operating mode [0219] BR direction of movement [0220] FM release mode [0221] H height [0222] K(l) compression longitudinally to the article group [0223] K(a) compression transversely to the article group [0224] L article longitudinal axis [0225] M center point [0226] R compression radius [0227] R(l) longitudinal radius for compression [0228] R(q) transverse radius for compression [0229] W opening width [0230] W1 opening width in operating mode [0231] W2 opening width in release mode