Device for handling and transporting secondary packages along transport line

Abstract

A device (1) for handling and conveying secondary packages (4) along a transport line is disclosed. The device (1) has an abutment beam (8) for accompanying the secondary package (4) in a back-contact manner during the transport of the secondary package (4) along a specific section of the transport line. The movement path of the abutment beam (8) is adapted to the secondary packages (4) to be conveyed and manipulated such that conveying of the respective secondary package (4) along the transport line outside the specific section results in temporary contact with the respective planar package blank (5), which is designed as a component of the respective secondary package (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a device for manipulating and conveying secondary packaging along a transportation route. Background Art

[0002] Containers, such as beverage bottles, beverage cans, and the like, are often sold as secondary packaging, in which several containers are stacked together and held together by a packaging material. In practice, this packaging material can consist of, for example, strapping or heat shrink film, which securely holds the containers of the respective secondary packaging together as a finished sales unit. Furthermore, so-called bottle clips have recently emerged. These are flat packaging blanks with openings corresponding to each container of the respective secondary packaging, and they secure the containers of the respective secondary packaging to each other in a form-fitting manner.

[0003] For example, bottle clamps can be applied to containers of different shapes to connect the containers to form secondary packaging. Such bottle clamps are constructed, for example, in the form of perforated plates, multi-connected covers or the like.

[0004] The bottle clamps often also function as handles. To transport the groups of containers held together by the bottle clamps, the containers are stacked together, for example in larger groups, in cartons or on pallets. The cartons are then sealed for further transport and the stacked items on the pallet are wrapped, for example, with shrink film.

[0005] It is also known to unload groups of containers held together by bottle clips for transport onto so-called pallets, which have folded-up edges for positively retaining the beverage containers held together by the bottle clips to form secondary packaging.

[0006] Also known are flat packaging blanks having an opening corresponding to each container and two front and two rear flaps to be folded and glued together. Such flat packaging blanks provide additional protection for the containers of the secondary packaging, as the glued front and rear flaps partially cover the front and rear sides of the respective secondary packaging to prevent accidental contact. Flat packaging blanks having such front and rear flaps are preferably applied, in particular plugged, to the respective container from top to bottom and can be made of cardboard or paperboard.

[0007] In order to apply the packaging material to the respective containers, a common solution in practice is to first form a container group with several containers and then transport this container group to a coating device. During the application of the respective packaging material, in the prior art, a support beam accompanies the respective container group from the rear. This ensures that the containers of the respective container group are in the desired nominal position when the respective packaging material is applied to the containers.

[0008] If the packaging material is not properly applied to the container, or if the packaging material is damaged or does not have the expected nominal properties, the entire secondary packaging may become unstable, and individual containers may accidentally separate from the packaging material. Therefore, it is desirable to identify such defects in the secondary packaging as early as possible so that, if the secondary packaging has a tendency to become unstable, the defect can be eliminated or the secondary packaging can be rejected. Utility Model Content

[0009] In view of this, an object of the present invention is to provide a simple solution for determining whether a container of a corresponding secondary packaging is fully combined with a corresponding flat packaging blank.

[0010] First, a method for conveying and handling secondary packages is described. In this method, secondary packages, each comprising a flat packaging blank, are conveyed along a transport path, wherein a respective abutment beam accompanies the respective secondary package in a back-contact manner during its conveyance along a section of the transport path.

[0011] The secondary packaging can comprise several articles consisting of beverage containers and in each case a flat packaging blank, by means of which the articles consisting of beverage containers are held on one another. The beverage containers can be beverage cans or beverage bottles or PET bottles.

[0012] Here, while the article groups forming the primary and secondary packages are being transported along a section of the transport route, the corresponding abutment beam can first accompany the article group in back-contact manner, during which at least one manipulator inserts a flat packaging blank onto the articles of the corresponding article group, in particular from top to bottom, so that the articles of the article group together with the inserted flat packaging blank form the corresponding secondary package.

[0013] As an alternative or in addition, the secondary packages, each comprising a flat packaging blank, can be transported between different workstations along a transport line, wherein during this transport between the different work sections, the respective abutment beam accompanies the respective secondary package in a back contact manner.

[0014] The flat packaging blank can be made of, for example, plastic and / or a cellulose-containing material. Furthermore, the flat packaging blank can include an opening corresponding to each item of the respective group of items, into which the respective item of the group of items can be inserted, so that the items of the respective group of items are held on top of each other by the respective flat packaging blank, and the respective flat packaging blank together with the items held on top of each other form a respective secondary package.

[0015] The items of the respective secondary packaging may be beverage cans. The flat packaging blank may comprise, in the region of the respective openings, several tabs which can be positioned under the cuffs of the respective beverage cans in order to hold the respective beverage cans.

[0016] The flat packaging blank comprised by the respective secondary packaging can comprise at least one front flap and at least one rear flap, wherein the at least one front flap and the at least one rear flap can each be folded over and glued to each other and / or to the contents of the respective secondary packaging.

[0017] The at least one front flap and the at least one rear flap can be designed such that, when folded, they form completely surrounding side edge regions for the respective group of articles.

[0018] During transport along the transport line, or during transport along a specific section of the transport line, the flat packaging blanks are temporarily contacted by the abutment beams for the secondary packaging.

[0019] In devices known from practice, such abutment beams are provided, which accompany the secondary packaging in a back-contact manner along a specific section of the transport route. This makes it possible to easily check, without adding additional components, whether the articles of the corresponding group of articles are held sufficiently stably on each other by the corresponding flat packaging blank.

[0020] If the corresponding contact results in the flat packaging blank being separated from the items of the corresponding group of items, a stability defect of the corresponding secondary packaging can be detected and it can be removed from the transport line either manually or, in other embodiments, with the aid of a manipulator.

[0021] During the transport of the respective secondary package along the transport route section, the respective abutment beam may initially accompany the secondary package. Alternatively, after accompanying the respective secondary package in a rear-facing manner, the respective abutment beam may temporarily contact the flat packaging blank of the respective secondary package for the first time. If the flat packaging blank is constructed as described above and includes at least one front tab and at least one rear tab, after accompanying the respective secondary package in a rear-facing manner, the respective abutment beam may temporarily contact the flat packaging blank of the respective secondary package for the first time in the region of the at least one rear tab.

[0022] Furthermore, according to a possible embodiment, the respective secondary package is conveyed horizontally by a transport device having an endless transport member on which the respective secondary package stands, while the respective abutment beam temporarily contacts its flat packaging blank.

[0023] The endless transport element can be formed, for example, by an endless flat grid conveyor belt and / or an endless conveyor belt. The transport speed of the transport device can be equal to the movement speed of the abutting beam during its back contact with the secondary package, or the movement speed of the abutting beam during its back contact with the secondary package.

[0024] The transport speed of the transport device can also be greater or less than the movement speed of the abutment beam during its back contact with the secondary packaging or the movement speed of the abutment beam during its back contact with the secondary packaging.

[0025] It has also proven advantageous to move the respective contact beam upwards and, during this movement, to temporarily contact the flat packaging blank of the respective secondary packaging while it is being conveyed along the transport route. This embodiment is particularly advantageous if the respective secondary packaging each comprises a flat packaging blank that is plugged onto the article of the secondary packaging.

[0026] This has proven to be a very reliable way of identifying situations where the flat packaging blank does not adhere sufficiently to the corresponding article in the secondary packaging and thus does not ensure sufficient stability of the corresponding secondary packaging.

[0027] Here, the corresponding abutment beam can be moved obliquely upwards, with one directional component extending in the horizontal direction for conveying the secondary package by the transport device. Thus, as appropriate, the corresponding abutment beam can be moved obliquely upwards, with a first directional component extending in the horizontal direction for conveying the secondary package by the transport device, and a second directional component having a vertical orientation.

[0028] This makes it possible to increase the time span during which the flat packaging blank is in contact with the contact beam, thereby making it possible to detect with a high probability that the flat packaging blank is not adhering sufficiently to the article.

[0029] Furthermore, when the respective abutment beam accompanies the respective secondary package in a back-contact manner, the abutment beam can come into surface contact with at least one item of the secondary package. In this case, the surface contact with the respective at least one item can be canceled before the respective flat packaging blank is temporarily contacted, and the respective secondary package can be transported horizontally by the transport device at the latest after the surface contact is canceled.

[0030] The respective abutment beam can also be rotated while contacting the flat packaging blank of the respective secondary packaging. The respective abutment beam can be rotated about a horizontally or substantially horizontally oriented axis. Due to the static friction between the respective abutment beam and the flat packaging blank, the flat packaging blank can be pulled by the abutment beam at least with a low force, thereby more reliably separating a flat packaging blank that is insufficiently adhered to the article from the article.

[0031] In various embodiments, the abutment beam may have a polygonal cross section, which can increase the static friction between the abutment beam and the flat packaging blank, thereby increasing the force that the abutment beam applies to the flat packaging blank.

[0032] Furthermore, the flat packaging blanks can be made of a cellulose-containing material, wherein the respective flat packaging blank made of the cellulose-containing material is preferably bent upward due to temporary contact with the respective abutment beam. As previously mentioned, the flat packaging blanks can each include at least one front tab and at least one rear tab, wherein the at least one front tab and the at least one rear tab are both foldable.

[0033] The flat packaging blank can be made of a cellulose-containing material, wherein the at least one rear tab of the respective flat packaging blank made of the cellulose-containing material is preferably bent upward due to the temporary contact with the respective abutment beam. The temporary contact with the at least one rear tab can be canceled so that the at least one rear tab is at least approximately returned to the starting position it was in before the temporary contact with the abutment beam.

[0034] The present invention relates to an apparatus for manipulating and conveying secondary packaging along a transport route. Features previously described with respect to various embodiments of the method also apply to the following embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention and are not further detailed here. Features described below with respect to embodiments of the apparatus also apply to the previously described embodiments of the method and are not further detailed here.

[0035] The device comprises abutment beams, wherein each abutment beam is designed to accompany a respective secondary package during its transport along a specific section of the transport route, in a manner that it contacts the rear side. The movement trajectory of the abutment beams is adapted to the secondary package to be transported and manipulated, so that transporting the respective secondary package along the transport route outside the specific section results in temporary contact with the respective flat packaging blank, which is designed as an integral part of the respective secondary package.

[0036] The support beams can be arranged on continuous pulling devices, which are configured as part of an application device for applying the respective packaging blanks to the respective groups of articles. The application device can include at least one manipulator configured to insert the respective flat packaging blanks onto the respective groups of articles. The at least one manipulator is particularly configured and constructed in such a way that the respective flat packaging blanks can be inserted from top to bottom onto the respective groups of articles, with the respective articles of the respective groups of articles being immersed in the corresponding openings of the respective flat packaging blanks.

[0037] The device may include a transport device having an endless transport element for transporting the respective secondary packaging in a horizontal direction while temporarily contacting the flat packaging blanks of the secondary packaging. The endless transport element may be formed, for example, by an endless conveyor belt, an endless link chain, or an endless flat grid conveyor belt.

[0038] Furthermore, the movement path of the support beams can be designed such that the respective support beam can be moved upwards and preferably diagonally upwards while temporarily contacting the respective packaging blank, wherein a directional component is in the horizontal direction, which corresponds to the conveying direction of the transport device.

[0039] The rest beam can also be arranged on at least one circumferential continuous traction device, in particular constructed as a chain and / or belt, wherein the at least one circumferential continuous traction device is deflected so that the corresponding rest beam is rotated by the at least one circumferential continuous traction device when the corresponding rest beam temporarily contacts the corresponding flat packaging blank.

[0040] In various embodiments of the device of the present invention, the abutment beam may have a polygonal cross-section.

[0041] Furthermore, the support beam may be arranged on a continuous pulling device, which is part of an application device for applying a flat packaging blank to a group of articles. The device may also include a closing module capable of folding the front and rear tabs of the applied flat packaging blank. In this case, the effective distance of the continuous pulling device may end before the closing module, or the continuous pulling device may not reach the closing module.

[0042] It should be emphasized here that the features mentioned above with respect to the embodiments of the method also relate to or can be partial aspects of the device of the present invention. Therefore, if the method is mentioned in this specification, this also applies to the embodiments of the device of the present invention and will not be repeated. Vice versa, all aspects and implementation variants explained in conjunction with the embodiments of the device of the present invention also relate to or can be partial aspects of the method. Therefore, if certain aspects and / or connections and / or effects are mentioned at a certain point in the description of the device, the same applies to the described method. In different embodiments, the device of the present invention described can be constructed as the aforementioned embodiment that implements the described method. The method can also be implemented with the help of the embodiments of the aforementioned device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] In the following, embodiments of the present invention and their advantages will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The size ratios of the individual elements in the drawings do not always correspond to the actual size ratios, as some shapes are simplified and others are enlarged compared to other elements for better illustration.

[0044] Figure 1 A schematic view of an embodiment of the device of the present invention is shown, and individual steps are explained, which can be provided in various embodiments of the method.

[0045] Figures 2 to 4 More details of the apparatus of the present invention are shown, and further steps are explained, which may be provided in various embodiments of the method.

[0046] Figure 5 Several steps are shown, which can be performed individually or in accordance with Figure 5 The combinations and sequences shown are arranged in various embodiments of the method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The same reference numerals are used for elements that are identical or have the same effect in the present invention. For clarity, only the reference numerals necessary for the description of the corresponding figure are depicted in a single figure. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of the present invention and do not constitute definitive limitations.

[0048] Figure 1 A schematic view of an embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention is shown and the individual steps which can be provided in the method 100 (see in particular Figure 5 ) in various implementations.

[0049] The device 1 shown here in a schematic side view is designed to produce, transport and handle secondary packaging 4 containing several articles (see Figures 2 to 4 The articles form a corresponding article group 2 and are formed by a flat packaging blank 5 (cf. Figures 2 to 4 ) are kept together. The article is a beverage can. Figures 1 to 4 In the embodiment of the device, the object can also be composed of other objects, such as beverage containers, beverage bottles or the like.

[0050] In order to package the articles and to provide them with corresponding flat packaging blanks 5 and / or to at least partially wrap them, the articles are transported along a transport route in a transport direction TR (in Figures 1 to 4 As far as the device 1 is concerned, the objects are not stationary at any point in time, so the device 1 is able to produce and handle a large number of secondary packages 4 in a short period of time, that is, with a high throughput.

[0051] In order to Figures 2 to 4) is applied to a plurality of articles, thereby integrating these articles into a secondary package 4, first of all, it is necessary to use these articles to form the article group 2 mentioned above (see Figures 2 to 4 ), this group of articles 2 comprises all articles corresponding to the respective secondary packaging 4. For this purpose, the packaging device 1 has a grouping device 10.

[0052] To this end, the grouping device 10 is capable of briefly accelerating several articles corresponding to respective secondary packages 4 relative to the subsequent articles, so that gaps are generated between the accelerated articles and the subsequent articles, and the accelerated articles constitute an article group 2 which is at least slightly separated and spaced a certain distance from the subsequently transported articles.

[0053] In practice, there are numerous possible embodiments of this grouping device 10. Accordingly, in various embodiments, the grouping device 10 may include several conveyor belts that can be driven at different conveying speeds and / or operated intermittently, thereby forming respective groups 2 of articles from several articles. The known grouping device 10 may also include a blocking element that allows the passage of articles of the to-be-formed group 2 and temporarily slows down subsequent articles, thereby creating a distance between the groups 2 of articles.

[0054] Regardless of the construction scheme of the grouping device 10, Figure 1 For the device 1 shown, a support beam 8 (see Figures 2 to 4 ) comes into contact with the respective group of articles 2 at the rear side and accompanies the respective group of articles 2 during its further movement in the transport direction TR in a manner abutting at the rear side.

[0055] On the schematically shown continuous traction devices 15 and 17 extending parallel or substantially parallel and formed as part of the coating device 19, several or more such abutment beams 8 are arranged in a certain manner so that the longitudinal extension of the respective abutment beam 8 is perpendicular to the transport direction TR of the objects.

[0056] Here, before the corresponding article group 2 leaves the grouping device 10, the abutting beam 8 can already abut against the corresponding article group 2 on the back. As an alternative, the corresponding abutting beam 8 can be abutted against the corresponding article group 2 on the back only after the article group 2 leaves the grouping device 10.

[0057] In accordance with Figure 1 In the embodiment of the invention, the group of articles 2 is fed by the grouping device 10 to the first working module 20 having the first manipulator 25 of the coating device 19. Figure 1 In the embodiment of FIG. 2 , the first manipulator 25 is constructed as a gantry system or forms a component of a gantry system.

[0058] In other embodiments, the first manipulator 25 can also be configured as a delta kinematic robot or other handling devices. Accordingly, the first manipulator 25 can be configured as a multi-axis robot, for example.

[0059] The flat packaging blank 5 (see Figures 2 to 4 ) onto the group of articles 2. To this end, the group of articles 2 is moved into the working area of ​​the first manipulator 25. Subsequently, the first manipulator 25 presses the corresponding flat packaging blank 5 onto the corresponding group of articles 2 from top to bottom with force, thereby integrating the articles into the secondary package 4 using the flat packaging blank 5. During the pressing process, the corresponding abutment beam 8 also contacts the back of the corresponding group of articles 2. After the flat packaging blank 5 is pressed onto the corresponding group of articles 2, during further movement through the first working module 20, the abutment beam 8 also contacts the back of the secondary package 4 thus produced.

[0060] Furthermore, the first manipulator 25 of the first working module 20 is arranged in a suspended manner via a linear guide on the carrying and / or supporting structure of the first working module 20. While the respective flat packaging blank 5 is being applied to the group of articles 2, the first manipulator 25 can be moved along the linear guide in the transport direction TR together with the respective group of articles 2.

[0061] Therefore, in this embodiment, the group of articles 2 does not need to be stopped in order to apply the flat packaging blank 5, or the group of articles 2 does not need to be stopped in order to apply the flat packaging blank 5. In this way, the secondary packages 4 can be produced with a high throughput by the device 1 in such a way that the group of articles 2 and the secondary packages 4 are conveyed continuously.

[0062] In order to apply the flat packaging blank 5 from top to bottom onto the group of articles 2 by the first manipulator 25 , the articles must be in an arrangement in which the articles 2 are aligned with the opening of the flat packaging blank 5 .

[0063] Problems therefore often arise when using the devices known from the prior art, since it is not always possible to reliably ensure that the items of the respective item group 2 are in the exact position for applying the flat packaging blank 5 , in which position the items are aligned with the opening of the flat packaging blank 5 .

[0064] Furthermore, when using devices known from the prior art, if the flat packaging blanks 5 are applied in a forceful manner, the individual articles may be accidentally tilted during the application of the respective flat packaging blanks 5 .

[0065] As mentioned above, it is provided with respect to the device 1 that during the movement of the respective group of articles 2 in the transport direction TR, the abutment beam 8 accompanies this group of articles in a back contact manner, thereby preventing unintentional tilting of the articles during application of the flat packaging blank 5 .

[0066] Thus, in terms of time, the respective flat packaging blank 5 is applied while the respective abutment beam 8 is in abutment or contact with the respective group of articles 2 at its rear side with respect to the transport direction TR of the respective group of articles 2. Thus, during the application of the flat packaging blank 5 in a force-applying manner, the abutment beam 8 supports the respective group of articles 2 by its rear side contact, thereby keeping the risk of unintentional tilting of the articles at a low level.

[0067] By resting on the corresponding article group 2 at the back, the positions of the articles of the corresponding article group 2 are precisely consistent with the preset nominal positions, so that when being applied to the article group 2, the opening of the flat packaging blank 5 is precisely aligned with the articles of the corresponding article group 2.

[0068] In practice, such abutment beams 8 also help to support the articles of the respective group of articles 2 during application of the respective flat packaging blank 5. Thus, by means of the abutment beams 8 abutting against the articles of the respective group of articles 2 at their backs, the risk of the articles of the respective group of articles 2 accidentally tilting during application of the respective flat packaging blank 5 can be reduced.

[0069] Following the first working module 20 in the transport direction TR is a second working module 30 which has a second manipulator 35 and is also designed as a component of the coating device 19. The first manipulator 25 of the first working module 20 and the second manipulator 35 of the second working module 30 are both connected to an open-loop and / or closed-loop control device S, which is shown symbolically here.

[0070] The open-loop and / or closed-loop control device S assigns different groups of articles 2 to the first manipulator 25 and the second manipulator 35. Furthermore, the first manipulator 25 and the second manipulator 35 are actuated or controlled by the open-loop and / or closed-loop control device S in such a way that the first manipulator 25 applies flat packaging blanks 5 only to the group of articles 2 assigned to it by the open-loop and / or closed-loop control device S.

[0071] The second manipulator 35 applies the flat packaging blanks 5 only to other groups of articles 2 that have been assigned to the second manipulator 35 by the open-loop and / or closed-loop control device S and that have not previously been assigned to the first manipulator 25, i.e., have already passed the first manipulator 25. Therefore, the first manipulator 25 cooperates with the second manipulator 35 in order to apply at least one corresponding flat packaging blank 5 to all groups of articles 2.

[0072] Thus, such groups of articles 2 which are assigned to the second manipulator 35 can pass through the working area of ​​the first manipulator 25 without the first manipulator 25 applying a flat packaging blank 5 to these groups of articles 2 .

[0073] The corresponding abutment beams 8 also push the corresponding groups of articles 2 or the secondary packages 4 formed by the application of surface packaging blanks 5 by the first manipulator 25 through the working area of ​​the second manipulator 35 in a manner that contacts them on the back. If the groups of articles 2 have not yet been combined into secondary packages 4, the second manipulator 35 applies the flat packaging blanks 5 to these groups of articles 2 while the corresponding abutment beams 8 are still in contact with the groups of articles 2 on the back.

[0074] Due to the back contact by the contact beam 8, the group of articles 2 is exactly in the desired position for application of the flat packaging blank 5. In the embodiment with the first working module 20 and the second working module 30, the secondary packaging 4 can be produced with a high throughput.

[0075] However, the first working module 20 and the second working module 30 are not necessary for all embodiments. Accordingly, the coating device 19 can also have only one such working module 20 or 30, which coats the flat packaging blank 5 onto the article group 2.

[0076] The corresponding group of articles 2 and the applied flat packaging blank 5 form a secondary package 4, which leaves the second working module 30 and is fed to the closing module 50. In the closing module 50, the front and rear flaps of the flat packaging blank 5 are closed and glued.

[0077] exist Figures 2 to 4 The corresponding operation method is explained in . Figures 2 to 4 The steps are presented in sequential order and illustrate the advantages of the device 1 compared to devices known from the prior art.

[0078] exist Figures 2 to 4 , an adhesive nozzle 18 is shown in each case, which serves to apply an adhesive coating to the front and rear flaps of the respective flat packaging blank 5. When the front and rear flaps are subsequently folded by the closing module 50, the adhesive coating secures the front and rear flaps in the folded position.

[0079] After the secondary package 4 has subsequently left the closing device 50 , it is transported away by a discharge conveyor 60 , which can be a conveyor belt, for example, wherein the respective adhesive coating can dry completely.

[0080] exist Figure 2In the figure, reference numeral 32 denotes a transport device, which transports the article group 2 and the secondary package 4 in a horizontal direction through the coating device 19, while the corresponding abutment beam 8 contacts the corresponding secondary package 4 at the back. The transport device 32 includes a transport member 34, which is constructed as a surrounding conveyor belt and the secondary package 4 stands on it.

[0081] From other attachments Figures 2 to 4 It can be clearly seen that the effective distance of the continuous pulling devices 15 and 17 ends before the closing module 50, so that the support beam 8 no longer contacts the secondary package 4 at the back during its movement through the closing module 50. Figures 2 to 4 It can also be clearly seen that the effective distance of the continuous pulling devices 15 and 17 ends before the adhesive application device 18, so that the abutment beam 8 no longer contacts the secondary packaging 4 at the back during the application of the corresponding adhesive coating. Figure 3 In particular, the reach of the continuous traction devices 15 and 17 can be clearly seen in FIG. 1 , wherein the respective reach is shown as a vertical beam.

[0082] The secondary packages 4 are moved through the closing module 50 by a horizontal conveying device 52 which is designed as a component of the closing module 50 and is followed by a discharge conveyor 60 .

[0083] Before the secondary packages 4 enter the closing module 50, it is checked whether the contents of the respective secondary packages 4 are securely held together by the respective flat packaging blanks 5. During this check, the front and rear tabs of the flat packaging blanks 5 still protrude from the respective secondary packages 4, i.e., they have not yet been folded and glued.

[0084] from Figure 2 It can be seen that the fastening of the respective flat packaging blank 5 on the respective article is checked with the aid of the contact beam 8 , which for this purpose temporarily contacts the respective flat packaging blank 5 .

[0085] The abutment beam 8 is caused to move upwardly at an angle relative to the transport direction TR, wherein the corresponding abutment beam 8 comes into surface contact with the rear flap of the corresponding flat packaging blank 5, which has not yet been folded, and causes the corresponding flat packaging blank 5 or the corresponding rear flap of the flat packaging blank 5 to bend upward during further movement.

[0086] Here, the flat packaging blank 5 is made of a cellulose-containing material and undergoes reversible elastic deformation when contacted by the corresponding abutment beam 8. If the connection produced between the items of the corresponding group of items 2 and the corresponding flat packaging blank 5 is defective, the corresponding flat packaging blank 5 is separated from at least the individual items of the corresponding group of items 2 during the contact by the corresponding abutment beam 8.

[0087] In a simple embodiment, the user can remove a respective defective secondary packaging 4 , ie a secondary packaging 4 in which the flat packaging blank 5 has been separated from the articles of the respective group of articles 2 , from the device 1 .

[0088] Just like Figure 2 As for the device 1 shown, this device 1 can also respond to a defective secondary packaging 4. Figure 2 As can be seen from the schematic diagram of FIG, the device 1 comprises a sensor 22 for this purpose, which is designed as a camera 24 and is connected to an open-loop and / or closed-loop control device S.

[0089] With the aid of the sensor 22 or the camera 24, the open-loop and / or closed-loop control device S can detect a situation in which a flat packaging blank 5 has become separated from the contents of the corresponding secondary packaging 4 due to contact with the abutment beam 8. If this occurs, the open-loop and / or closed-loop control device S can output an optical or acoustic fault message.

[0090] As an alternative or in addition, the open-loop and / or closed-loop control device S can output further operating instructions and, for example, cause a temporary stop during the conveying of the items along the transport direction TR until the defective secondary packaging 4 is removed from the device 1 manually or with the aid of a handling robot.

[0091] Devices known from the prior art are already provided with corresponding abutment beams 8, for example for accompanying the group of items 2 in a back contact manner during application of the corresponding surface packaging blank 5, so that the device 1 provides a simple solution for checking the fastening of the flat packaging blank 5 with the aid of the abutment beam 8 and thereby identifying additional defective secondary packaging 4.

[0092] Further advantages arise if the effective distance of the continuous traction devices 15 and 17 is constructed in such a way that the extension of the continuous traction devices 15 and 17 in the transport direction TR ends before the closing module 50, in combination with Figures 2 to 4 The advantages can be clearly seen.

[0093] Figures 2 to 4 The method of operation in the event of an interruption in the operation of the device 1 is shown. Figure 2 In a first step, the coating device 19 is stopped by the open-loop and / or closed-loop control device S in order to set up the revolving drive for the continuous traction devices 15 and 17.

[0094] The article groups 2 or secondary packages 4 received by the coating device 19 can remain in the coating device 19 until the device 1 is put back into operation. The secondary packages 4 coated with the adhesive coating by the adhesive nozzle 18 still need to be moved completely through the closing module 50, because if the tabs of the corresponding packaging blank 5 are not folded or closed by the closing module 50 or the applied adhesive coating is not fixed, the applied adhesive coating will harden and the secondary package 4 will become unusable.

[0095] like Figure 3 As shown, all secondary packages 4 coated with adhesive coating are removed from the closed module 50, thereby emptying the closed module 50. Figure 4 In the case of Figure 4 The operation of the device 1 is completely interrupted. The secondary packaging 4, which is still housed in the coating device 19, can also remain in the coating device 19 during the shutdown of the device 1 or during the interruption of the operation of the device 1.

[0096] In the known devices of the prior art, the continuous pulling devices 15 and 17 extend completely through the closing module 50, wherein the support beam 8 contacts the secondary package 4 at the rear side during the folding of the front and rear flaps of the flat packaging blank 5 in the area of ​​the closing module 50. If the operation of such a device needs to be interrupted, the closing module 50 must also be emptied. Since the continuous pulling devices 15 and 17 extend both through the coating device 19 and through the closing module 50, the movement of the secondary package 4 accommodated by the closing module 50 is coupled with the movement of the secondary package 4 or the group of articles 2 accommodated by the coating device 19.

[0097] Therefore, when such an apparatus is interrupted, all secondary packages 4 held by the closing device 50 and all secondary packages 4 held by the coating device 19 must be moved through the closing module 50. Consequently, interrupting the operation of such an apparatus consumes considerable time. Such an apparatus also requires considerable space to temporarily store a large number of secondary packages 4 after the interruption and to continue processing these secondary packages 4 after the apparatus is resumed.

[0098] Therefore, according to Figures 1 to 4 The advantages of the device 1 of the illustrated embodiment lie in its space-saving construction and in the simple possibility of interrupting the operation of the device 1 .

[0099] Figure 5 A simplified flowchart shows several steps that can be performed individually or in sequence. Figure 5 The combinations and sequences shown are provided in various embodiments of the method 100. In a first method step 110, the group 2 of several objects is contacted at the back by abutting against a beam 8.

[0100] In the next method step 120, while the corresponding abutment beam 8 continues to contact the back of the corresponding group of articles 2, the applying device 19 applies the flat packaging blank 5 to the articles of the corresponding group of articles 2, so that the articles of the corresponding group of articles 2 and the applied corresponding flat packaging blank 5 together form the corresponding secondary package 4. In step 120, the flat packaging blank 5 is inserted from top to bottom onto the articles of the corresponding group of articles 2. In this case, the articles of the corresponding group of articles 2 are immersed in the opening of the corresponding flat packaging blank 5 and, after the corresponding flat packaging blank 5 is inserted, are held on each other in a form-fitting manner by the flat packaging blank 5.

[0101] The second method step 120 is followed by a third method step 130. In this third method step 130, the respective secondary package 4 is no longer contacted at the rear side by the respective abutment beam 8, and the abutment beam 8 corresponding to the respective secondary package 4 is brought into surface contact with the respective surface packaging blank 5, whereby the respective abutment beam 8 bends the rear tab of the respective surface packaging blank 5 upward.

[0102] In the next method step 140, it is checked whether the corresponding surface packaging blank 5 has been separated from the articles of the corresponding article group 2 as a result of step 130. If this is the case, the corresponding secondary packaging 4 is removed in step 140, which can be done manually or with the help of a handling robot, that is, semi-automatically or fully automatically.

[0103] Reference Signs List

[0104] 1 device

[0105] 2 item groups, item grouping

[0106] 4 Secondary packaging

[0107] 5. Packaging blanks, flat packaging blanks

[0108] 8 Install the beam

[0109] 10 Grouping Devices

[0110] 15 Continuous traction device

[0111] 17 Continuous traction device

[0112] 18 Adhesive Nozzles

[0113] 19 Application device

[0114] 20 First working module

[0115] 22 sensors

[0116] 24 cameras

[0117] 25 First Manipulator

[0118] 30 Second working module

[0119] 32 Transport device

[0120] 34 Transport device

[0121] 35 Second manipulator

[0122] 50 closed modules

[0123] 52 horizontal conveyor

[0124] 60 Discharge Conveyor

[0125] 100 methods

[0126] 110 steps, method steps, first step, first method step

[0127] 120 steps, method steps, second step, second method step

[0128] 130 steps, method steps, third step, third method step

[0129] 140 steps, method steps, fourth step, fourth method step

[0130] S Open-loop and / or closed-loop control device

[0131] TR transport direction, conveying direction.

Claims

1. A device (1) for handling and conveying secondary packages (4) along a transport line, said device comprising abutment beams (8), wherein each abutment beam (8) is configured to accompany the respective secondary package (4) in a back contact manner during the conveyance of said secondary package along a specific section of said transport line, characterized in that The movement trajectory of the abutment beam (8) is matched to the secondary package (4) to be transported and manipulated, so that the transport of the corresponding secondary package (4) along the transport route outside the specific section results in temporary contact with the corresponding flat packaging blank (5), which is constructed as an integral part of the corresponding secondary package (4).

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a transport device (32) having a circular transport member (34), which is used to transport the flat packaging blank (5) of the corresponding secondary packaging (4) in a horizontal direction while temporarily contacting the secondary packaging.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the movement trajectory of the abutment beams (8) is constructed so that the respective abutment beams (8) can move upwards while temporarily contacting the respective flat packaging blanks (5), wherein One directional component is along a horizontal direction corresponding to a transport direction (TR) of the transport device (32).

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the movement trajectory of the abutment beams (8) is constructed so that the respective abutment beams (8) can move upwards while temporarily contacting the respective flat packaging blanks (5), wherein One directional component is along a horizontal direction corresponding to a transport direction (TR) of the transport device (32).

5. The device according to claim 3, wherein The respective contact beam (8) can be moved obliquely upwards while temporarily contacting the respective flat packaging blank (5).

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the abutment beam (8) is arranged on at least one surrounding continuous traction device (15, 17), wherein The at least one surrounding continuous traction device (15, 17) is deflected so that the respective abutment beam (8) is rotated by the at least one surrounding continuous traction device (15, 17) while the respective abutment beam (8) temporarily contacts the respective flat packaging blank (5).

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein The at least one circulating continuous traction device (15, 17) is designed as a chain and / or a belt.

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the abutment beam (8) has a polygonal cross section.

9. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the abutment beam ( 8 ) is arranged on a continuous pulling device ( 15 , 17 ) which is part of an application device ( 19 ) for applying a flat packaging blank ( 5 ) to an article group ( 2 ) comprising several articles, and wherein The device (1) comprises a closing module (50) which is capable of folding the front and rear flaps of an applied flat packaging blank (5), and, in relation to the device (1), the respective effective distances of the continuous traction devices (15, 17) end before the closing module (50).

10. Device according to claim 6, wherein the abutment beam (8) is arranged on a continuous pulling device (15, 17) which is part of an application device (19) for applying a flat packaging blank (5) to an article group (2) comprising several articles, and wherein The device (1) comprises a closing module (50) which is capable of folding the front and rear flaps of an applied flat packaging blank (5), and, in relation to the device (1), the respective effective distances of the continuous traction devices (15, 17) end before the closing module (50).

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