Apparatus for forming packaging units

Abstract

A handling apparatus includes a container input, a furnishing carousel, a furnishing module, an application element, and a grouping device. The furnishing carousel rotates about a central axis and has the furnishing module and application element nearby. The furnishing module applies a furnishing feature to a surface of a container, and the application element applies adhesive to the container on a surface outside that surface of a container that is provided with a furnishing feature. The grouping device, which is either a compartmenting or compacting device, is immediately after the furnishing carousel and/or an outlet apparatus. The grouping device groups, compacts, or temporary presses together containers. The container input is either a single-track container feed, a multi-track container feed, a single-track container stream, or a multi-track container stream.

Claims

1. An apparatus for handling containers and/or for producing bundles from labeled and/or decorated containers said apparatus comprising a handling apparatus, said handling apparatus comprising a container input, a furnishing carousel, a furnishing module, an application element, and a grouping device, wherein said furnishing carousel rotates about a central axis, wherein said furnishing module is in a region of said furnishing carousel, wherein said application element is in said region of said furnishing carousel, wherein said furnishing module applies a furnishing feature to a surface of a container, wherein said application element applies adhesive to said container on a surface outside that surface of a container that is provided with a furnishing feature by said furnishing module, and wherein said grouping device is selected from the group consisting of a compartmenting unit and a compacting section, wherein said grouping device is provided immediately after said furnishing carousel and/or an outlet apparatus, wherein said grouping device causes grouping, compacting, and temporary pressing together of a predetermined number of containers, and wherein said container input is selected from the group consisting of a single-track container feed, a multi-track container feed, a single-track container stream, and a multi-track container stream, whereby said containers are combined to form a bundle and transported onward.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said handling apparatus further comprises a dispenser head for furnishing features of said furnishing module, wherein said application element is offset in a vertical direction relative to said dispenser head.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said furnishing carousel comprises a labeling carousel, wherein said furnishing module is a labeling module, and wherein said furnishing feature includes a label.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said furnishing carousel comprises a printing carousel, wherein said printing carousel comprises circulating print stations and print heads, wherein said furnishing module is said one or a plurality of print stations, and wherein said furnishing feature comprises at least one of a print image and a dcor image.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein each circulating print station comprises a plurality of print heads for application of different inks and/or fluids.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said outlet apparatus is disposed downstream of said furnishing carousel, and wherein said outlet apparatus comprises holding elements for anti-rotational discharge of said containers.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said outlet apparatus comprises a star-shaped outlet apparatus, wherein said holding elements comprise suction elements to prevent rotation, wherein said holding elements are disposed on a periphery of said star-shaped outlet apparatus, and wherein said suction elements are connected to a vacuum pump.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said holding elements comprise holding-and-centering tulips that prevent rotation, wherein said tulips are disposed on a head transport arranged above said containers, and wherein said tulips can be driven by said head transport.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, said furnishing carousel comprises a plurality of guides for containers.

10. The apparatus claim 9, wherein said guides comprise a bottom guide and a top guide, wherein said bottom guide comprises a turntable, and wherein said top guide comprise a packing-and-centering tulip.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said grouping device comprises a linear transporter that is arranged downstream of said outlet apparatus, wherein said containers can be combined on said linear transporter to form bundles and to be transported onward.

12. The apparatus claim 1, wherein said handling apparatus comprises plural application elements, wherein said application elements are disposed one after another in a direction of rotation of said furnishing carousel.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said handling apparatus further comprises plural application elements, and wherein at least two of said application elements are arranged one above the other.

14. A method of using an apparatus for handling containers and/or for producing bundles from labeled and/or decorated containers said apparatus comprising a handling apparatus, said handling apparatus comprising a container input, a furnishing carousel, a furnishing module, an application element, and a grouping device, wherein said furnishing carousel rotates about a central axis, wherein said furnishing module is in a region of said furnishing carousel, wherein said application element is in said region of said furnishing carousel, wherein said furnishing module applies a furnishing feature to a surface of a container, wherein said application element applies adhesive to said container on a surface outside that surface of a container that is provided with a furnishing feature by said furnishing module, and wherein said grouping device is selected from the group consisting of a compartmenting unit and a compacting section, wherein said grouping device is provided immediately after said furnishing carousel and/or an outlet apparatus, wherein said grouping device causes grouping, compacting, and temporary pressing together of a predetermined number of containers, and wherein said container input is selected from the group consisting of a single-track container feed, a multi-track container feed, a single-track container stream, and a multi-track container stream, whereby said containers are combined to form a bundle and transported onward, said method comprising using said apparatus to produce bundles from labeled containers, wherein using said apparatus to produce bundles from labeled containers comprises, on said furnishing carousel, providing said containers with a furnishing feature, said furnishing feature being one of a label and a print image, applying adhesive to said containers, discharging said containers out of said furnishing carousel by way of said outlet apparatus, and, in said grouping device, forming container bundles from a number of containers by sticking said containers to each other using said adhesive.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is explained in detail below through the use of an embodiment example with reference to the figures. In the figures:

(2) FIG. 1 shows, in perspective view, a partial section of an apparatus for producing a bundle having six articles or containers,

(3) FIG. 2 shows, in plan view, the partial section of FIG. 1

(4) FIG. 3 shows, in side view, the partial section of FIG. 1,

(5) FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a compartmenting or compacting section in the exemplary embodiment as a linear transporter,

(6) FIG. 5 shows a side view of an alternative linear compartmenting and compacting section, and

(7) FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the top drive of a linear compartmenting and compacting section

(8) In the different figures, the same reference character in each case identifies identical parts, which is why they are generally described only once.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) FIG. 1 shows a partial section of an apparatus 1 for producing bundles 2 from containers 3, i.e. of a packaging machine, with containers 3 first being converted from a wide container stream into a plurality of, as depicted for example, into two, single-track container streams 4.1 and 4.2 in which containers 3 have an arbitrary orientation. With a suitable and constructionally adapted compartmenting and compacting section or compartmenting and compacting section apparatus, it is equally possible to configure a single-track or a more than twin-track installation with the use of the following embodiments.

(10) In the present example, a handling apparatus 5, 5.1, 5.2 is provided for each of container streams 4.1 and 4.2, with each respective handling apparatus 5.1, 5.2 having a plurality of bottom guides 6 and top guides 7 for containers 3. Along the transport path of the containers 3, one furnishing module 23, as a labeling module, is first provided at each handling apparatus or at its furnishing carousel 12, 12.1, 12.2 and subsequently two application elements 8 are arranged. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, application elements 8 are arranged in such a way that the contact adhesive and adhesive can be dispensed onto the surface of the bottle above and below the label. Containers 3 are combined into bundles 2 downstream of the handling apparatus 5.

(11) Containers 3 are transported from an inlet side 9 towards an outlet side 10 (axial transport direction 14), with furnishing modules 23 and application elements 8 being provided at the handling apparatus 5 for the application of contact adhesive or adhesive, and with containers 3 being combined to form a complete bundle 2 downstream of handling apparatus 5 and transported towards an outlet side 10.

(12) FIG. 1 shows that each handling apparatus 5 or 5.1 and 5.2 exhibits an inlet apparatus 11 or 11.1 and 11.2, furnishing carousel 12, or 12.1 and 12.2 and an outlet apparatus 13 or 13.1 and 13.2 for respective container track 4.1 and 4.2. The inlet apparatus 11 is implemented as an inlet star-wheel and the outlet apparatus 13 is implemented as an outlet star-wheel. Because a handling apparatus 5 is provided for each of container track 4.1 and 4.2, they or their components are provided in the figures with the auxiliary number .1 or .2 to indicate the association with respective container track 4.1 and 4.2. The respective components are, as a rule, identically configured but could if necessary also be differently formed or dispensed with if technically expedient. On one of the two transport paths for example, it may be possible to provide no application elements 8 if the application of contact adhesive and adhesive 25 on the other transport path were sufficient.

(13) In one embodiment, the bottom guides 6 on the furnishing carousel 12 are implemented as motor-driven turntables, and the top guides 7 are implemented as packing-or-centering tulips that are mounted at the holding end, or configured as such. A container 3 is thus held securely in position between a turntable 6 and a corresponding packing tulip 7. As stated previously, such turntables and packing-or-centering tulips are known from industrial labeling machines.

(14) As can be seen in each of FIGS. 1 and 2, there are provided a furnishing module 23 and application elements 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the furnishing module 23 is a labeling module that dispenses self-adhesive labels for a dispenser head 23.1. The application elements 8, which are at the furnishing carousel 12, follow one another when seen in the direction of rotation (arrow 18) of the furnishing carousel 12. By using the turntable 6, it becomes possible to align a standing container so that certain container and/or furnishing features, e.g. embossings, are positioned in a desired orientation and to apply contact adhesive or adhesive such that the containers 3 of a bundle 2 are aligned exactly identically with one another. Suitable inspection devices (not shown) can be provided to ensure that this is the case.

(15) The containers can also be rotated so as to provide contact adhesive and adhesive at a plurality of contact and touching surfaces, for example fixed 90 increments around the periphery of the container. An aligning or rotating for example at and/or between application elements 8 following in direction of rotation 19 is indicated by reference character 20 in FIG. 2.

(16) In a preferred embodiment, two application elements 8 are arranged one above the other, with subsequent application elements 8 being likewise arranged one above the other. Each application element 8 can thus always provide precisely one container region, i.e. one section of the contact and touching surface, with contact adhesive and adhesive. The application elements 8 can naturally be actuated for adjustment so that they can be adjusted, for example, in their inclination relative to each spatial axis, for example in the event of a spraying or sprinkling application of contact adhesive and adhesive. The application elements 8 can also travel with a container 3 for at least part of the distance traversed by the container 3. However, this is not normally necessary.

(17) A linear transporter 15, which functions as a compartmenting and/or compacting section 22, is arranged immediately downstream of the outlet apparatus 13 or of both outlet star-wheels 13.1 and 13.2. The outlet apparatus 13 or the two outlet star-wheels 13.1 and 13.2 bring adhering containers 3 together square to an axial transport direction 14 and transfer adhering containers 3 in pairs to a linear transporter 15, as depicted in FIG. 2 by reference character 19.

(18) In the process, two adhering containers 3 are first pressed together at their contact-and-touching surfaces. The linear transporter 15 is configured to combine a plurality of container pairs to form a bundle 2. For example, when three container pairs are combined, the bundle 2 will have six containers 3. For this purpose, the linear transporter 15 may have entraining elements 21, and, in addition, lateral guide elements 16 as depicted in FIG. 4. All components are interconnected via a regulating-and-control unit 27.

(19) As shown in FIG. 3, the outlet apparatus 13 is ideally connected to a vacuum pump 28 and has suction elements (not shown) that hold containers 3 in a defined and invariable rotational angle position. Ideally the containers 3 are not released until there has been contact with an adjacent container 3.

(20) In a simpler embodiment, the outlet apparatus 28 has recesses and/or surfaces that, by virtue of their enhanced coefficient of friction, avoid or prevent rotations of containers 3. Examples of such recesses and/or surfaces include a rubberizing or tooth-like moldings, or a combination thereof.

(21) A linear transporter 15 follows the handling apparatus 5 or outlet apparatus 13. The linear transporter 15 functions as a compartmenting and compacting section. Static and/or moving guide elements 16 are disposed on either side of the linear transporter 15.

(22) In the present example, entraining elements 21 are provided, each of which is associated with a bundle 2. The entraining elements 21 bring together containers along the axial transport direction 14, for example by pressing together containers 3 of a bundle 2. The guide elements 16 also exert a pressing force on the containers 3 in a direction square to transport direction 14. This results in holding the containers together for a defined length of time, which favorably influences formation of a good adhesive bond.

(23) In some embodiments, there is a need for a curing station 17, such as a UV curing station for UV-curing adhesive. This curing station 17 is beneficially positioned on the linear transporter 15. Alternatively or in combination, a UV radiator 26 that extends along the transport direction can be arranged above the grouped containers or above the bundles 3.

(24) An alternative compacting station is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the containers 3 have not already been pushed through outlet elements 13 in pairs square to the transport direction and brought into contact. After the furnishing carousel 12 and, as the case may be, after an outlet element 13, interspaced containers 3 are passed to a linear transporter 15 within whose region are disposed an endlessly circulating top drive 30 with centering tulips 31 that can be raised and lowered, and/or an endlessly circulating bottom drive 29 with entraining elements 21 by which containers 3 are anti-rotationally and positionally stably guided and moved closer to one another. In the example in FIG. 5 the two drives run in parallel virtually over the entire length of the compacting and compartmenting unit.

(25) In the example shown in FIG. 6, centering tulips 31 of the top drive 30 are first lowered down onto containers 3, with the endlessly circulating top drive 30 moving the centering tulips 31 in the transport direction at the same transport speed as that of the linear transporter 15. In a partial length section 22.1 of the compartmenting and compacting section 22, the anti-rotationally held containers 3 are moved sideways and a container 3 is connected with an adjacent container 3. The centering tulip 31 travels square to the transport direction 14 while being held in transverse guides 32. During or immediately following contact, containers 3 that are connected in this way are released out of their restraint by the centering tulip 31, which is raised by cams (not shown) and retracted outwards.

(26) Simultaneously with or immediately after the aforesaid release of the centering tulips 31 in the case of a third and final container pair of a desired container group that is to form a bundle 2, the entraining element 21 is brought closer by a bottom drive 29. The speed of the bottom drive 29 is greater than the previous transport speed or than that of the linear transporter 15 in the region of the second partial length 22.2 of the compartmenting and compacting section 22 such that the container group is accelerated and compacted to form a bundle 2. The curing or drying of a contact adhesive or adhesive 25 is thus carried out according to the embodiment above. Alternatively the first container pairs can be stopped or retarded in their transport speed until all container pairs of a bundle 2, here three per bundle 2, are in contact.

(27) A variant in which the group of containers 3 belonging to a bundle 2 are held by centering tulips 31 until the rearmost of the container pairs that belong together is connected, or in which containers 3 are guided and held by their heads until the bundle is finally formed, i.e. including the compacting in transport direction, is not shown.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

(28) 1 Apparatus for producing labeled bundles 2 Bundle 3 Container 4 Container track (4.1 and 4.2) 5 Handling apparatus 6 Bottom guide 7 Top guide 8 Application elements 9 Entry end 10 Outlet side 11 Inlet apparatus 12 Furnishing carousel 13 Outlet apparatus 14 Axial transport direction 15 Linear transporter 16 Guide elements 17 Curing station 18 Direction of rotation of 12 19 Bringing together of 3 from 13 to 15 20 Rotation of 3 21 Entraining elements 22 Compartmenting and/or compacting unit/section 23 Furnishing module 23.1 dispenser head 24 Furnishing area 24.1, 24.2 Furnishing feature 25 Contact adhesive or adhesive 26 UV radiator 27 Regulating and control unit 28 Vacuum pump 29 Bottom drive 30 Top drive 31 Centering tulips 32 Transverse guides