Method and apparatus for bundling groups of packages

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for bundling groups (10) of packaging pieces (11), in particular for the tobacco industry, with a strip (12) of packaging material, wherein the packaging pieces (11) are combined into square groups (10) and are then bundled with at least one strip (12) of packaging material. The invention is characterized in that the at least one strip (12) of packaging material is provided on one side with a layer, preferably a continuous layer, of adhesive, and the group (10) of packaging pieces (11) is completely bundled with the at least one strip (12) of packaging material, wherein the layer of adhesive is applied directly against the packaging pieces (11) of the group (10).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a method for bundling groups of packaging items, in particular of products for the tobacco industry, wherein the packaging items are combined into square groups and are thereafter bundled with at least one strip of packaging material.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding device for bundling groups of packaging items. BACKGROUND

[0003] A method for bundling groups of packaging items is known from DE 44 11 473 A1 (cf. Figure 1 ). Here, two strips of packaging material are laid around the groups of packaging items, which hold the groups of packaging items together. SUMMARY

[0004] Starting from this, the object of the invention is to propose a method and a device with which such a bundling of groups of products can be produced in a simple manner and at low cost.

[0005] In order to solve this task, in the method according to the invention for bundling groups of packaging items with a strip of packaging material, the packaging items are combined into square groups and are thereafter bundled with at least one strip of packaging material, which is provided on one side with a layer, preferably a continuous layer, of adhesive, and the groups of packaging items are completely bundled with the at least one strip of packaging material, wherein the layer of adhesive is placed directly against the packaging items of the group, and the at least one strip of packaging material is moved through a laying mechanism, and the at least one strip of packaging material is held on at least one resting surface of the laying mechanism by means of negative pressure, wherein the layer of adhesive faces away from the resting surface.

[0006] It is preferably provided that the square groups of packaging items are moved onto the prepared at least one strip of packaging material with a first end face of the group in the direction of transport and are placed there against the layer of adhesive, and the at least one strip of packaging material is then laid onto the large-area side of the group during the continued transport of the group in the direction of transport and is then placed against in the region of a second end face of the group opposite the first end face, wherein the ends of the at least one strip of packaging material are placed against the group to form the bundling of the group. Preferably, the ends of the at least one strip of packaging material are placed against one another here in order to form a closed bundling of the group. Here, the ends of the strip of packaging material do not necessarily have to contact one another on the second end face. It is also conceivable that the two ends are merely adjacent to one another. It is preferably provided, however, that the ends of the at least one strip of packaging material are folded into the second end face one after the other, overlapping one another.

[0007] According to the method, the at least one strip of packaging material is moved through the laying-on device, in particular the suction drum, and is held on at least one contact surface of the laying-on device by means of the negative pressure, wherein the layer consisting of adhesive faces away from the contact surface.

[0008] It is preferably provided that the at least one strip of packaging material is held on a peripheral surface of the laying-on device.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that a suction drum which is driven in rotation is used as the laying-on device, wherein the groups of packaging pieces are conveyed through the suction drum, in particular between two suction rollers of the suction drum, which are arranged parallel to one another and spaced apart and have at least one contact surface.

[0010] A further feature can be that the laying-on device or the suction drum has at least one opening in order to enable the groups of packaging pieces to be conveyed through the laying-on device or the suction drum and the at least one strip of packaging material is positioned in the region of the opening in order to be laid on the first end face of the groups of packaging pieces.

[0011] A further feature can also be that the laying-on of the two end portions of the at least one strip of packaging material on the groups is achieved by means of a folding device during the movement of the groups of packaging pieces through the laying-on device, in particular the suction drum, the folding device being arranged inside the laying-on device, in particular the suction drum.

[0012] It is preferably also provided that the end portions of the at least one strip of packaging material are held by means of suction air before the end portions of the strip of packaging material are laid on the groups.

[0013] It can be preferably provided that at least one new strip of packaging material is prepared for the next group of packaging pieces during the joining of the end portions of the at least one strip of packaging material.

[0014] A further feature can be that a mouth piece is arranged upstream of the laying-on device, in particular the suction drum, through which the groups of packaging pieces move before the at least one strip of packaging material is laid on the groups.

[0015] It can in particular be provided that the groups of packaging pieces are conveyed in the region of the laying-on device in the conveying direction by means of a drive belt, wherein the groups of packaging pieces are clamped between successively consecutive drive elements of the drive belt.

[0016] It is furthermore conceivable that two parallel strips of packaging material are applied as a tie to the groups of packaging pieces, wherein the two strips of packaging material are drawn from different reels and are prepared and subsequently applied by means of the laying-on device or the suction drum at the same time.

[0017] The apparatus according to the application for bundling groups of packaging items with a strip of packaging material, in particular for products of the tobacco industry, in which the packaging items are combined into square groups and are bundled with at least one strip of packaging material, which is provided on one side with a layer, preferably a continuous layer, of adhesive, and which is designed to carry out the method according to the above, wherein the layer of adhesive is placed directly against the packaging items of the group, and which is provided with a laying-on mechanism through which the packaging items of the group can be moved, wherein the at least one strip of packaging material is held against at least one lying surface of the laying-on mechanism by means of negative pressure, and the layer of adhesive faces away from the lying surface.

[0018] The apparatus preferably has a laying-on mechanism, in particular a suction drum, through which the packaging items of the group can be moved, wherein the at least one strip of packaging material is held against at least one lying surface of the laying-on mechanism by means of negative pressure, and the layer of adhesive faces away from the lying surface.

[0019] It can preferably be provided that the apparatus is designed to hold the at least one strip of packaging material on the peripheral surface of the laying-on mechanism, preferably by means of negative pressure.

[0020] It can furthermore be provided that the laying-on mechanism is configured as a rotationally driven suction drum, wherein the group of packaging items can be conveyed through the suction drum, in particular between two suction rollers of the suction drum, which are arranged parallel to one another and spaced apart and have at least one lying surface.

[0021] It can in particular be provided that the laying-on mechanism or the suction drum has at least one opening in order to enable the group of packaging items to be conveyed through the laying-on mechanism or the suction drum and the at least one strip of packaging material to be positioned in the region of the opening in order to be laid on the first end face of the group of packaging items.

[0022] It can be a particular feature of the apparatus that the apparatus has a folding mechanism for laying the two end portions of the at least one strip of packaging material on the group of packaging items, which folding mechanism is arranged inside the laying-on mechanism, in particular inside the suction drum.

[0023] It can likewise be a feature of the apparatus that the apparatus is designed to hold the end portions of the at least one strip of packaging material by means of suction air before the end portions of the strip of packaging material are laid on the group of packaging items.

[0024] Furthermore, it can be provided as a feature of the apparatus that a mouth member is arranged upstream of the laying mechanism, in particular of the suction drum, through which the groups of packaging pieces move before the at least one strip of packaging material is laid on the groups.

[0025] Finally, it can be provided that the groups of packaging pieces can be conveyed in the region of the laying mechanism in the conveying direction by means of a carrier belt, wherein the groups of packaging pieces are clamped between successively consecutive carrier elements of the carrier belt. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] In the following, preferred embodiments of the application are described with the aid of the drawings. Therein are shown:

[0027] Figure 1 A group of packaging pieces held together by two strips of packaging material,

[0028] Figure 2 An apparatus for strapping groups of packaging pieces with strips of packaging material is shown in perspective schematic view,

[0029] Figure 3 A side view of the apparatus according to arrow III in Figure 3 is shown,

[0030] Figure 4 A vertical section through the apparatus along the section line IV-IV in Figure 3 is shown,

[0031] Figure 5 A vertical section through the apparatus along the section line V-V in Figure 4 is shown,

[0032] Figures 6 to 8 Enlarged details of the apparatus in the region VI in Figure 5 in successive stages of the method flow are shown, and

[0033] Figure 9 Details of the apparatus are shown in enlarged view in the region IX in Figure 4 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] In the following, the application is described with the aid of an apparatus for strapping groups 10 of cigarette packaging pieces. It goes without saying that the apparatus can also be used for strapping groups 10 of other, preferably square, packaging pieces 11. Thus, in the following, the description is not specific to cigarette packaging pieces, but can be general to packaging pieces 11.

[0035] In the present embodiment, the packages 11 are arranged in an orderly arrangement in the square group 10, i.e. in two layers each having six packages 11. It goes without saying that other arrangements can also be considered, in particular other numbers of layers and different numbers of packages per layer. The combination of the packages 11 into the group 10 can take place in any working manner known from the prior art.

[0036] The packages 11 of the group 10 are held together by the strip of packaging material 12. In the present case, two strips of packaging material 12 are provided, similar to DE 44 11 473 A1. However, it is also conceivable to use a smaller or larger number of strips of packaging material 12. It is also conceivable to dispense with the tray-forming strip of packaging material as in DE 44 11 473 A1 and to use only two simple strips of packaging material (referred to there as head ties 8).

[0037] The strips of packaging material 12 can have different widths. Correspondingly, wide and narrow strips of packaging material 12 are provided here. However, it is also understood that the strips of packaging material 12 can have the same or substantially the same width.

[0038] As a material for the strips of packaging material 12, conventional packaging materials can be considered, for example plastics or paper-based packaging materials.

[0039] The square groups 10 of packages 11 are conveyed in the selected arrangement in the conveying direction 28. For this purpose, in the present case a synchronous belt 13 is used as a conveyor belt. The groups 10 of packages 11 are here held or clamped tightly between the entraining elements 14 of the entraining belt 13.

[0040] The entraining belt 13 extends through a suction drum 15, which serves as a laying mechanism for the strips of packaging material 12. Before the suction drum 15, a mouth element 16 is also provided, which orients the group 10 before it enters the suction drum 15. In the region of the suction drum 15, the two strips of packaging material 12 are then laid onto the group 10 of packages 12.

[0041] The strips of packaging material 12 are first of all drawn off from individual reels 17 as a continuous material web and are each guided in the direction of the suction drum 15 by a system of deflection rollers 18. The material web for the strips of packaging material 12 is provided on one side with a preferably continuous coating of adhesive material. The deflection rollers 18 form a slack adjustment system for compensating for the material web stress and / or as a material store.

[0042] The suction drum 15 is preceded by two pre-draw rollers 19. On the circumference of the pre-draw rollers 19, respectively, a press roller 20 and a knife roller 21 are provided. The press roller 20 serves to press the strip of packaging material 12 against the respective pre-draw roller 19. The knife roller 21 serves to apply a separation cut in the respective continuous material web for the strip of packaging material 12.

[0043] The turning rollers 18 are preferably coated with silicone and can be provided to hold the material web on their circumference by means of negative pressure. The press rollers 20 can also have a silicone-coated or rubber-coated circumference and serve to press the material web for the strip of packaging material 12 onto the pre-draw rollers 19.

[0044] The material web for the strip of packaging material 12 is drawn from the reel 17 such that the coating consisting of adhesive material is directed towards the pre-draw rollers 19 and is thus transferred from the pre-draw rollers onto the suction drum 15 such that the coating is directed outwards.

[0045] The transfer of the strip of packaging material 12 takes place in such a way that the circumference of the suction drum 15 is loaded with negative pressure as an abutment surface for the strip of packaging material 12, whereby the strip of packaging material 12, which is conveyed on the press roller 20 at a very small distance from the circumference of the suction drum 15, is taken off the press roller 20 and transferred to the rotating suction drum 15. By rotating the suction drum, the strip of packaging material 12 is prepared for the transfer to the group 10 of packages 11.

[0046] Figure 4 or Figure 9 The structure of the suction drum 15 is shown, which allows the transfer of the strip of packaging material 12 to the group 10 of packages 11. According to this, the suction drum 15 has two suction rollers 22 arranged at a distance from one another, on the circumference of which respectively a strip of packaging material 12 is held such that the coating consisting of adhesive material is directed outwards or in the direction of the input group 10 of packages 11. Suction channels 23 in the suction rollers 22 lead to the circumference of the suction rollers and in this way enable the application of negative pressure to the strip of packaging material 12. The suction channels are connected to respective vacuum supply devices 24 for supplying negative pressure.

[0047] In the two suction rollers 22, openings 25 for the group 10 of packages 11 are formed, which in the present case are constituted by gaps on the respective inner sides of the suction rollers 22 facing one another. The openings 25 are dimensioned for the group 10 of packages 11.

[0048] The structure is provided in such a way that the group 10 of packages 11 during the conveying with the entraining belt 13 intersects the two strips of packaging material 12. In this way, the two strips of packaging material 12 first abut and thus are fixed on the end face of the group which is located in front in the conveying direction 28.

[0049] During the continued conveying, the groups 10 of packaging pieces 11 rest on the underside on an underlying guide 26, which has a gap in the middle for the carrier tape 13. The groups 10 of packaging pieces 11 rest on the upper side on an upper guide 27. In this way, the strip of packaging material is laid onto the large-area side of the groups 10 of packaging pieces 11 and connected there to the packaging pieces 11.

[0050] Furthermore, in the region of the opening 25, a stationary, non-connection to the suction drum 15, guide wall 29 for the strip of packaging material 12 is provided. The guide wall 29 is provided on both sides of each strip of packaging material 12 in order to laterally stabilize the strip of packaging material 12 and to prevent displacement of the strip of packaging material 12.

[0051] Furthermore, suction cups 30 are provided in the suction drum 15 above and below the conveying section, as well as folding mechanisms adjoining them, namely an upper folder 31 and a lower folder 32.

[0052] The suction cups 30 serve to hold the free end 33 of the strip of packaging material 12 by means of negative pressure. The lower free end 33 is then laid onto the end face of the group 10 by the lower folder 32 first Figure 7 ), and the upper free end 33 is laid onto the end face of the group 10 in a next step with the upper folder 31 Figure 8 ). During this time, the suction drum 15 is continued to be rotated and the next strip of packaging material 12 is supplied. When the suction drum 15 has moved through 180°, the opening 25 is on the opposite side, so that the finished group 10 can be discharged.

[0053] The upper folder 31 and the lower folder 32 are respectively configured fork-shaped, so that they can respectively pull two strips of packaging material 12 from the suction cups 30 and press them with slight pressure against the packaging pieces 11 in the end face of the group 10. By virtue of the fork-shaped configuration, the lower folder 31 and the upper folder 32 can pass by the carrier tape 13.

[0054] The drive of the suction drum 15 is effected by means of a servomotor. The servomotor drives a common shaft 34, which is connected to the suction roller 22 by means of a toothed belt 35. Naturally, a separate drive of the suction roller 22 is also possible.

[0055] In the present case, the groups 10 are conveyed parallel to their longitudinal extension in the conveying direction 28. Naturally, transverse conveying is also conceivable. Likewise, the groups do not have to be conveyed in a lying manner, but other orientations in this respect are also possible. The arrangement of the packaging pieces 11 within the groups 10 can also be chosen differently.

[0056] List of reference signs

[0057] 10 group

[0058] 11 packaging piece

[0059] 12 strip of packaging material

[0060] 13 carrier tape

[0061] 14 carrier

[0062] 15 suction drum

[0063] 16 mouth part

[0064] 17 reel

[0065] 18 deflection roller

[0066] 19 pre-tension roller

[0067] 20 compression roller

[0068] 21 knife roller

[0069] 22 suction roller

[0070] 23 suction channel

[0071] 24 vacuum supply

[0072] 25 opening

[0073] 26 lower guide

[0074] 27 upper guide

[0075] 28 conveying direction

[0076] 29 guide wall

[0077] 30 suction cup

[0078] 31 upper folder

[0079] 32 lower folder

[0080] 33 end

[0081] 34 shaft

[0082] 35 toothed belt

Claims

1. A method for assemblies (10) of packages (11) bundled with strips (12) of packaging material, wherein, Each package (11) is assembled into a square group (10) and subsequently bundled with at least one strip of packaging material (12), characterized in that the at least one strip of packaging material (12) has a layer of adhesive on one side. The at least one strip of packaging material (12) is moved through the laying mechanism, and the at least one strip of packaging material (12) is held by means of negative pressure on at least one contact surface of the laying mechanism, wherein the layer composed of adhesive faces away from the contact surface. The package (11) assembly (10) is completely secured by the at least one packaging material strip (12), wherein the adhesive layer is placed directly against the package (11) assembly (10), and the square assembly (10) of the package (11) is moved along the conveying direction (28) with the first end face of the assembly (10) onto the at least one packaging material strip (12) held on the laying mechanism by negative pressure and there is placed against the outward-facing adhesive layer. On the layer, and the at least one strip of packaging material (12) is then laid on each side of the large area of ​​the group (10) during the continued conveying of the group (10) in the conveying direction (28) and then placed against the area of ​​the second end face of the group (10) opposite to the first end face, wherein, during the movement of the group (10) of the package (11) through the laying mechanism, the folding mechanism (31, 32) lays the two ends (33) of the at least one strip of packaging material (12) on the group (10).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ends (33) of the at least one packaging material strip (12) are folded sequentially and overlappingly or adjacently into the second end face.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The laying mechanism is a suction roller (15).

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one strip of packaging material (12) is held on the circumferential surface of the laying mechanism.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The laying mechanism uses a rotary-driven suction roller (15) to convey the package (11) in groups through the suction roller (15), that is, between two suction rollers (22) of the suction roller (15), which are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart and each has at least one contact surface.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The laying mechanism has at least one opening (25) to enable the conveying of a group (10) of packages (11) through the laying mechanism, and the at least one strip of packaging material (12) is positioned in the area of ​​the opening (25) to be laid on the first end face of the group (10) of packages (11).

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The folding mechanism is located inside the laying mechanism.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, Before placing the end of the packaging material strip onto the assembly (10) of the package (11), the end of the at least one packaging material strip is held in place by means of suction air.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, During the laying of the end (33) of the at least one packing material strip (12), at least one new packing material strip (12) is prepared for the next set (10) of the package (11).

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, A mouth component (16) is arranged upstream of the laying mechanism, and the group (10) of the package (11) moves through the mouth component before the at least one strip of packaging material (12) is laid on the group (10).

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The group (10) of package (11) is conveyed in the area of ​​the laying mechanism along the conveying direction (28) by means of the carrying belt (13), wherein the group (10) of package (11) is clamped between the successive carrying members (14) of the carrying belt (13).

12. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Two parallel strips of packaging material (12) are added as strapping elements to the group (10) of the package (11), wherein the two strips of packaging material (12) are prepared by a laying mechanism and then added.

13. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one packaging material strip (12) has a continuous layer of adhesive on one side.

14. An apparatus for bundling packages (11) with strips (12) of packaging material, wherein, The package (11) is assembled into a square group (10) and bound with at least one packaging material strip (12). The device is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the at least one packaging material strip (12) has an adhesive layer on one side, and the device is configured to completely bind the group (10) of the package (11) using the at least one packaging material strip (12), wherein the adhesive layer is placed directly against the package (11) of the group (10), and the device is provided with a laying mechanism through which the package (11) of the group (10) can move, wherein the at least one packaging material strip (12) is held by negative pressure on at least one contact surface of the laying mechanism, and the adhesive layer faces away from the contact surface, and the device has folding mechanisms (31, 32) for laying the two ends (33) of the at least one packaging material strip (12) onto the group (10) of the package (11).

15. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that, The laying mechanism is a suction roller (15).

16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that, The device is configured to hold at least one strip of packaging material (12) on the circumferential surface of the laying mechanism by means of negative pressure.

17. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that, The laying mechanism is configured as a rotary-driven suction roller (15) through which the package (11) assembly (10) can be conveyed, i.e., through the two suction rollers (22) of the suction roller (15), which are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart and have at least one contact surface.

18. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that, The laying mechanism has at least one opening (25) to enable the conveying of a group (10) of packages (11) through the laying mechanism, and the at least one strip of packaging material (12) is positioned in the area of ​​the opening (25) to be laid on the first end face of the group (10) of packages (11).

19. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that, The folding mechanism is located inside the laying mechanism.

20. The device according to claim 19, characterized in that, The device is configured to hold the end (33) of at least one packaging material strip (12) by means of suction air before laying the end (33) of the packaging material strip (12) onto the group (10) of the package (11).

21. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that, A mouth component (16) is arranged upstream of the laying mechanism, and the group (10) of the package (11) moves through the mouth component before the at least one strip of packaging material (12) is laid on the group (10).

22. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that, The group (10) of package (11) can be conveyed in the area of ​​the laying mechanism along the conveying direction (28) by means of the carrying belt (13), wherein the group (10) of package (11) is clamped between the successive carrying members (14) of the carrying belt (13).

23. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that, The at least one packaging material strip (12) has a continuous layer of adhesive on one side.

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