Apparatus for packaging flat articles

Abstract

A packaging unit and a method for wrapping flat articles which are arranged in particular in an on-edge position is provided. The packaging unit comprises a feeding region, in particular a feeding table, and a dispensing unit for packet-type arrangements of flat articles, and furthermore comprises a stock of wrapping material present in tape form, such as, for example, bands. An articulated arm forms a processing plane in which the wrapping material is fixed, and the articulated arm guides the wrapping material around the item to be packaged, in particular flat articles.

Description

[0001]This nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to German Patent Application No. 10 2008 029 766.6, which was filed in Germany on Jun. 25, 2008, and which is herein incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to an apparatus for packaging, in particular banding, flat articles, such as, for example, envelopes filled by hand or machine, which are handled in groups.[0004]2. Description of the Background Art[0005]EP 1 160 170 A2 and EP 1 731 433 A1 disclose cardboard packages which are stackable in the manner of boxes and can be handled in the same manner. Said cardboard packages have the advantage of being somewhat more space-saving and at the same time lighter both in the empty and in the filled state and of therefore enabling more favourable transport and removal. The cardboard packages are reusable and are therefore environmentally friendly. The environmental friendliness is fu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus with which flat articles can be packaged in a very substantially automated manner and in which the groups of flat articles are transferred into a transportable arrangement which permits further processing taking place in a very substantially automated manner and minimizes, and ideally entirely eliminates, malfunctions.

[0020]In order to improve the accuracy of the pressing of the multiplicity of flat articles in the pressing tool located in the processing plane of the packaging unit proposed according to the invention, the surfaces producing the prestressing force, i.e. the pressing, are arranged in carriages on a guide rail of a longitudinal support. The longitudinal support with the guide rail for the at least two carriages movable relative to each other preferably extends below the processing plane, with it being possible for the two pressing surfaces which are movable relative to each other and are arranged on the carriages to be of fork-shaped design. The effect which can be achieved by means of a fork-shaped design of the contact pressure surfaces of the carriages below the processing plane is that the preferably multi-part articulated arm which is mounted on a joint dips into the clearance between the individual prongs of the fork of the contact pressure surfaces. Therefore, the effect achieved when removing the band, which is preferably present in tape form, from the lower side of the magazine is that the articulated arm positions the band, which is removed in each case in an extended position and is preferably present in tape form, between the prongs of the fork of the contact pressure surfaces which are movable relative to one another. The contact pressure surfaces, which are, for example, of prong-shaped design, move together without damaging the band present in tape form, since the flat articles which are to be compressed are only made contact with on the outer sides. The contact pressure force, applied by a pneumatic actuating cylinder, is introduced via the thicker cardboard end discs into the precompressed stack of flat articles oriented in an on-edge position.

Problems solved by technology

The solution disclosed in EP 1 352 845 B1 is associated with the disadvantage of the handling being relatively complicated.

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