Contraction device

Abstract

The utility model relates to a shrinking device (1) for shrinking a packaging material (25) onto an article group comprising at least one article (20). The shrinking device (1) comprises a plurality of shrinking medium introduction means (3) for applying a shrinking medium (SM) to a group (21) of articles wrapped in a packaging material (25). Two outer shrink medium channels (7) are provided below the transport plane (TE) for introducing the shrink medium (SM) in an upward flow direction across the transport plane (TE) into the interior (4) of the shrink device (1). The outer shrink medium channels (7) each have a strip-or linear shrink medium outlet (9) or a row (10) of aligned shrink medium outlets.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a shrinkage device.

[0002] Existing packaging methods and equipment use thermoplastic packaging materials, particularly shrink films, as packaging covers for articles. This shrink film is typically wrapped as a preform by a wrapping system around at least one article or a group of articles. The articles, thus at least partially wrapped, are then conveyed through a shrinking device. In the shrinking device (e.g., a shrink tunnel), a shrinking medium, such as hot gas, like warm air, is applied to the articles wrapped in the thermoplastic packaging material, thereby causing the shrink film to shrink and adhere tightly to the articles, forming a finished packaging unit or finished shrink package.

[0003] Depending on the size of the packaged items, they are typically processed along several parallel paths within the shrink tunnel. To allow the shrink medium to be applied from all directions to all items or groups of items wrapped in thermoplastic packaging, components for introducing hot air are also required, which spray the shrink medium between the parallel-guided items or groups. For example, a shrink tunnel with at least one inner well wall can be used for multi-path processing. This inner well wall has nozzle openings on both side walls parallel to the conveying direction, allowing the shrink medium to flow into the interior of the shrink tunnel from both sides.

[0004] In addition to applying shrink media laterally to the packaged items, shrink media must also be applied to the bottom area of ​​the packaged items to ensure the necessary stability of the packaging unit or shrink wrap at the overlapping end of the bottom film blank, and to ensure the shape fit of this area. For this purpose, a shrink media generator, such as a hot air blower, can be used, positioned below the ventilated conveyor over which the packaged items pass through the shrink tunnel.

[0005] Conveying devices are typically designed as endless loop conveyor belts or other suitable conveying components. The known prior art involves applying a shrinkage medium to the entire surface of the conveyor belt from below.

[0006] A particular drawback of full-width heating is that the conveyor belt is heated across its entire width. This can cause packaging material to stick to the conveyor belt. It also results in high energy consumption and high energy output in the shrink tunnel. Among other things, it makes cooling the conveyor belt on the return trip, especially in the next return section, much more difficult.

[0007] For example, patent application publication EP4 043 354 A1 describes a shrinkage device that can only apply shrinkage medium to a portion of the conveying device from below.

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to improve the shrinkage of packaging materials on articles, and in particular to reduce the energy requirements of the shrinkage process.

[0009] The present invention relates to a shrinking device for shrinking packaging material, particularly thermoplastic packaging material, onto a group of articles comprising at least one article.

[0010] The preferred items are beverage containers, especially bottles, cans, or similar items that contain beverages and are sealed. However, other items, such as cardboard boxes, can also be wrapped in packaging materials. In this case, the packaging material can also combine multiple cardboard boxes together to form a larger packaging unit, or the packaging material can be arranged around the cardboard box and contracted for protection.

[0011] When this application refers to at least one item, it may also refer to a group of items or a set of items, each comprising at least two items.

[0012] Packaging materials can be, in particular, thermoplastic packaging materials in the form of shrink film. Shrink film can be provided as a flat packaging blank, pre-wrapped around the article. However, shrink film can also be provided as a shrink tube or similar, for example, fitted onto at least one article before shrinking.

[0013] The term shrink film, as used below, includes any suitable thermoplastic packaging material. In particular, thermoplastic packaging materials are not necessarily made of plastic materials, or at least not entirely made of plastic materials.

[0014] For example, before processing inside the shrink unit, multiple items are grouped together in the grouping module to form a group of items or item sets, and then wrapped with thermoplastic packaging material in the wrapping module.

[0015] A combination of at least one item and packaging material is also referred to below as a package item assembly. The package item assembly, formed in a suitable manner, is fed into a shrink-wrap device.

[0016] The shrinking device of the present invention includes at least an internal space with a conveying device that forms a conveying plane for at least single-path conveying of a group of articles wrapped in packaging material, wherein the group of articles passes through the shrinking device along the conveying direction.

[0017] The conveyor line is formed, for example, by at least one suitable conveying device, such as an endless conveyor belt, a pad chain conveyor, or a similar device.

[0018] Furthermore, the shrink-fit device includes multiple shrink-fit medium introduction devices designed to apply the shrink-fit medium to the group of articles wrapped in packaging material. Specifically, the internal space is laterally defined by an outer well wall. The outer well wall is, for example, a lateral injection device known in the art, in the form of a hollow body with an opening on one side.

[0019] To facilitate the parallel, multi-path transport of groups of articles wrapped in packaging material within the shrink-wrap device, at least one inner well wall may be further provided. The inner well wall may be formed, for example, by a hollow body with openings on both sides, as is frequently described in the prior art.

[0020] For example, hot air can be used as the shrinkage medium. To generate the hot air, the shrinkage device may include at least one heating element. The shrinkage medium is blown into the interior space of the shrinkage device through the outer well wall, and, where appropriate, through at least one inner well wall, wherein the shrinkage medium is blown in particular toward the group of items to be wrapped.

[0021] In addition, the shrinkage medium is blown from below to the bottom of the packaged items by passing over the corresponding permeable conveyor plane.

[0022] The shrink medium causes the shrink film to shrink around the items. Especially when using flat film segments, the shrinkage process begins at the initially laterally overlapping protruding film and continues towards the center of the film. The further the packaged items are conveyed in the shrinking device along the conveying direction, the greater the degree to which the shrink film, according to its properties, shrinks around the item or multiple items in the packaged items to the outer surface of these items. So-called film eyes are formed on the sides with the initially laterally overlapping protruding film. Before the packaged items leave the shrinking device, the shrink film is essentially completely adhered to the outer surface of these items.

[0023] To introduce the shrinkage medium from below, the shrinkage device has two external shrinkage medium channels below the conveying plane. These two external shrinkage medium channels are designed to introduce the shrinkage medium into the internal space of the shrinkage device in an upward-sloping flow direction across the conveying plane.

[0024] Each of the two external contraction medium channels has a strip-shaped or linear contraction medium outlet or a row of aligned contraction medium outlets.

[0025] In particular, the shrinkage device designed for single-path delivery has exactly two such external shrinkage medium channels.

[0026] In a shrinking device designed for multi-path transport, at least one inner shrinking medium channel is further provided below the transport plane. In particular, the inner shrinking medium channel is located between two outer shrinking medium channels.

[0027] At least one internal shrinkage medium channel is designed to introduce the shrinkage medium into the internal space of the shrinkage device in an upward flow direction.

[0028] At least one internal contraction medium channel has two strip-shaped or linear contraction medium outlets or two rows of aligned contraction medium outlets.

[0029] Multi-path transport refers to transporting goods along n+1 transport paths, where n ≥ 1. In a contraction device with n+1 transport paths, specifically n internal contraction medium channels are provided below the transport plane. That is, a contraction device designed for dual-path transport has one internal contraction medium channel, a contraction device designed for triple-path transport has two internal contraction medium channels, and so on. Particularly preferably, the number of internal contraction medium channels is the same as the number of inner well walls. Furthermore, the internal contraction medium channels are preferably arranged below their respective corresponding inner well walls. Particularly preferably, the symmetry plane of the inner well wall and the symmetry plane of the associated internal contraction medium channel are arranged on a common vertical plane.

[0030] Conversely, the two external contraction medium channels correspond to one of the two outer well walls, respectively. In an advantageous embodiment, the external contraction medium channels are preferably arranged below their respective corresponding outer well walls. Particularly preferably, the plane of symmetry of the outer well wall and the plane of symmetry of the associated external contraction medium channel are arranged on a common vertical plane.

[0031] An alternative implementation may specify that the external contraction medium channels are offset inward (i.e. towards the internal space of the contraction device) relative to their respective external well walls, such that the symmetry plane of the external well walls is separated from the symmetry plane of their respective external contraction medium channels.

[0032] In summary, it should be noted that, according to a preferred embodiment, the number of contraction medium channels arranged below the conveying plane corresponds to the number of well walls arranged above the conveying plane.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the shrinking medium channel, namely the outer shrinking medium channel or the outer shrinking medium channel and at least one inner shrinking medium channel, extends parallel to the longitudinal extension direction of the conveying plane, and in particular parallel to the conveying direction of the conveying device.

[0034] Preferably, a strip-shaped or linear shrinkage medium outlet or a row of shrinkage medium outlets in the external shrinkage medium channel are designed such that the upward outlet direction of the shrinkage medium includes a first vertical motion component and a second additional horizontal motion component toward the internal space of the shrinkage device.

[0035] Conversely, the two strip-shaped or linear shrinkage medium outlets or the shrinkage medium outlets arranged in two rows of at least one internal shrinkage medium channel are designed such that the upward outlet direction of the shrinkage medium has a first vertical motion component and a second additional horizontal motion component toward the internal space of the shrinkage device, wherein the second motion components of the two shrinkage medium outlets or the two rows of shrinkage medium outlets are opposite to each other.

[0036] In particular, the flow direction of the shrinkage medium flowing out from the two shrinkage medium outlets or the two rows of shrinkage medium outlets is opposite.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment, the external contraction medium channel includes a matrix, a transition zone, and an outflow zone, wherein a strip-shaped or linear contraction medium outlet or a row of contraction medium outlets is formed on the upper side of the outflow zone.

[0038] To obtain the desired outflow direction of the shrinkage medium, for example, the transition zone is configured such that it has a first taper starting from the matrix, wherein the first taper is formed by opposing inclined sides.

[0039] Furthermore, for example, the outflow area is configured such that it has a second taper starting from the transition area, wherein the second taper is formed by sides that are inclined in the same direction but preferably at different angles.

[0040] The sides of the outflow zone have an upward inclination toward the internal space of the contraction device, especially toward the center of the internal space of the contraction device. As a result, a strip or line-shaped contraction medium outlet or a row of contraction medium outlets is formed on the upper side of the outflow zone of the outer contraction medium channel, maintaining a certain distance from the vertical symmetry plane of the outer contraction medium channel substrate.

[0041] According to one embodiment, one side of the transition zone and the adjacent side of the exit zone can be arranged on a common plane to form a surface. However, it is also advantageous if the included angle between the two sides is less than 180 degrees.

[0042] Furthermore, a first angle may be formed between the side opposite the transition zone and the side adjacent to the exit zone. The first angle is preferably an obtuse angle, particularly between 95 degrees and 170 degrees, and more preferably about 110 degrees.

[0043] The second taper in the outlet area gives the shrinking medium the desired flow direction, and the second horizontal motion component gives this flow direction an inclination relative to the vertical plane. Therefore, the shrinking medium does not flow vertically upward across the conveying plane into the internal space of the shrinking device, but has the desired inclination.

[0044] The substrate can be, for example, a cube with a square or rectangular cross-section. Other suitable shapes can also be used; for example, for space reasons, the substrate can be a prism with a trapezoidal cross-section or a parallelogram.

[0045] According to one embodiment, a second obtuse angle, such as approximately 135 degrees, may be formed between one side of the substrate and the side of the transition zone.

[0046] Preferably, a third obtuse angle is also formed between the opposite side of the substrate and the adjacent side. The values ​​of the second and third angles can be the same. However, the second and third angles can also have different values.

[0047] The system further includes a coupling region for connection to a distribution device for the shrinkage medium. The coupling region is preferably formed on the substrate. The coupling region is, for example, an opening through which the shrinkage medium channel can be fluid-tightly connected to the shrinkage medium distribution device or directly connected to the shrinkage medium generator via a suitable fixing device.

[0048] An alternative embodiment of the external contraction medium channel does not have a transition zone, but consists of a substrate and an outlet zone directly connected to the substrate. The outlet zone has the aforementioned characteristics, particularly an upwardly extending taper with a certain inclination relative to the vertical surface.

[0049] In extreme cases, the external shrinkage medium channel may also consist of only an outlet area starting from the base plate. The coupling area, which can be connected to the shrinkage medium distribution device or the shrinkage medium generator, is particularly formed in the base plate region.

[0050] One embodiment of the internal contraction medium channel includes a substrate, a transition zone, and an outflow zone. Alternatively, embodiments may be conceived that include only a substrate and an outflow zone, or an outflow zone directly connected to the base plate.

[0051] One embodiment of the internal contraction medium channel can be formed by two external contraction medium channels fixed together in a mirror-symmetric manner. The mirror-symmetric arrangement causes the flow direction of the contraction medium through the two strip-shaped or linear contraction medium outlets, or two rows of aligned contraction medium outlets, to be inclined in opposite directions. In particular, the flow directions are designed to be mutually opposite.

[0052] The matrix of the internal contraction medium channel is formed by two matrices fixed together from two external contraction medium channels. The transition zone of the internal contraction medium channel is formed by two transition zones from two external contraction medium channels. The outlet zone of the internal contraction medium channel is formed by two outlet zones from two external contraction medium channels fixed together.

[0053] The inner contraction medium channel, formed by two outer contraction medium channels, has a vertical plane of symmetry. In particular, the first and second conical regions are mirror-symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry of the inner contraction medium channel.

[0054] As a result, the two strip-shaped or linear shrinkage medium outlets, or the shrinkage medium outlets arranged in two rows, maintain the same distance from the vertical symmetry plane of the inner shrinkage medium channel on the upper side of the outflow area.

[0055] An alternative implementation of the internal contraction medium channel includes a matrix, a transition zone, and an outflow zone, wherein two strip-shaped or linear contraction medium outlets or contraction medium outlets arranged in two rows are formed on the upper side of the outflow zone.

[0056] Two shrink media outlets or two rows of shrink media outlets are preferably arranged with an average spacing. The average spacing is preferably the maximum value. In particular, it can be arranged such that the opposite side edges on the upper side of the outflow zone are each part of the shrink media outlet or the row of shrink media outlets, so that the average spacing substantially corresponds to the width of the upper side of the outflow zone, or is slightly smaller than the width of the upper side of the outflow zone.

[0057] The transition zone begins from the matrix and has two first conical regions, each formed by opposing inclined sides. In particular, the two first conical regions are arranged side by side.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the internal contraction medium channel, the outflow area has a second conical area that originates from two first conical areas of the transition area, wherein the second conical areas are formed by sides that are inclined at different angles but in the same direction.

[0059] In particular, the side surfaces of the second cone-shaped area on the left have an upward and leftward tilt. Conversely, the side surfaces of the second cone-shaped area on the right have an upward and rightward tilt.

[0060] This ensures that the two strip-shaped or linear shrinkage medium outlets, or the shrinkage medium outlets arranged in two rows, maintain an average distance from each other on the upper side of the outflow area.

[0061] This embodiment of the internal contraction medium channel also has a vertical plane of symmetry. In particular, the first and second conical regions are mirror-symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry of the internal contraction medium channel.

[0062] Here, the two strip-shaped or linear shrinkage medium outlets, or the shrinkage medium outlets arranged in two rows, also maintain the same distance from the vertical symmetry plane of the inner shrinkage medium channel on the upper side of the outflow area.

[0063] The two second tapers in the outlet zone of the internal contraction medium channel give the upward contraction medium the desired inclined flow direction because the second tapers apply the aforementioned second motion component to the contraction medium.

[0064] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an external shrinkage medium channel introduces shrinkage medium into the shrinkage device at a first volumetric flow rate, and at least one internal shrinkage medium channel introduces shrinkage medium into the shrinkage device at a second volumetric flow rate.

[0065] The volumetric flow rate intensity of each contraction medium channel can be individually controlled by valves, baffles, or similar devices.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the intensities of the first volumetric flow rate and the second volumetric flow rate can be designed to be the same or substantially the same. Alternatively, it is advantageous to design the first volumetric flow rate and the second volumetric flow rate to have different intensities. According to one embodiment, the first volumetric flow rate flowing into one of the two external contraction medium channels may be equivalent to 50% or approximately 50% of the intensity of the second volumetric flow rate.

[0067] Furthermore, the temperature of the contraction medium can be the same at both the first and second volumetric flow rates. Alternatively, it is also advantageous if the first and second volumetric flow rates each provide a contraction medium at a different temperature.

[0068] For example, the outer shrink media channel can be positioned laterally offset below the conveying plane relative to the support surface of the article assembly, such that the shrink media passes through the conveyor and laterally impacts the lower region of the article assembly. Conversely, at least one inner shrink media channel is arranged directly below the support surface of the article assembly, such that the shrink media passes through the conveyor and directly impacts the bottom surface of the article assembly. Therefore, it is advantageous for the shrink media supplied by the inner shrink media channel to be at a slightly lower temperature to prevent heat buildup below the bottom surface of the article assembly. This prevents packaging material from adhering to the conveyor.

[0069] Similar to the external shrinkage medium channel, at least one internal shrinkage medium channel also has a coupling area that can be connected to a shrinkage medium distribution device or a shrinkage medium generator.

[0070] On the external space side of the external shrinkage medium channel, it is preferable to introduce the shrinkage medium from below without using a conveying device.

[0071] Between the outer shrink media channel and its respective adjacent lateral boundary or its respective adjacent lateral support area of ​​the conveyor, a region where no shrink media is supplied is specifically formed. Since no bundles of items move on the conveyor within this region, no shrink media supply is required, thus saving energy. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the conveyor is heated to a lower degree in certain areas. This means that energy input from areas with higher heating can be better distributed, thereby reducing the overall heating degree of the conveyor.

[0072] According to a preferred embodiment, the two external shrinkage media channels can be arranged at different positions below the conveying plane or the conveying device forming the conveying plane. Therefore, the two external shrinkage media channels can be designed to move laterally relative to the conveying direction of the conveying device.

[0073] Furthermore, at least one internal shrinkage medium channel can be arranged at different locations below the conveying plane or the conveying device forming the conveying plane. For this purpose, at least one internal shrinkage medium channel can be designed to move laterally relative to the conveying direction of the conveying device. Similarly, it is preferable to provide corresponding positioning possibilities for at least one inner well wall above the conveying plane. Particularly preferably, the positioning of at least one inner well wall and the associated internal shrinkage medium channel is linked and synchronized. However, completely independent, non-linked adjustments can also be made to different shrinkage medium introduction devices.

[0074] This can be achieved, for example, through a track system. The track system may include one or more tracks arranged orthogonally to the direction of transport, on which the shrinkage medium channel is slidably arranged.

[0075] A first embodiment of the lower contractile medium introduction device includes two external contractile medium channels and at least one internal contractile medium channel.

[0076] The use of at least one internal shrinkage medium channel is particularly advantageous for using shrinkage devices for at least dual-path transport of groups of items.

[0077] For example, the shrinkage device may include multiple suitable fixing devices, which preferably fix the inner shrinkage medium channel in a detachable manner so that when switching products, the number of inner shrinkage medium channels and / or the positioning of the inner and outer shrinkage medium channels can be easily and quickly adapted to the new production mode.

[0078] A second embodiment of the lower shrinkage medium introduction device includes two external shrinkage medium channels and at least one other shrinkage medium supply device located below the conveying plane, which is mainly used to heat the area between the external shrinkage medium channels.

[0079] In this way, the group of articles conveyed by the conveying device is supplied with shrink media from below in the bottom region by an additional shrink media supply device. In particular, this additional shrink media supply device blows the shrink media planarly under the group of articles with packaging material so as to weld (Verschweißung) the packaging material in the bottom region. The shrink media is specifically distributed only in the region between the outer shrink media channels and is introduced upward into the internal space of the shrink device, in which the group of articles with packaging material is conveyed.

[0080] In addition, the shrink media channel blows the shrink media into the group of items wrapped in the packaging material in an upward flow direction.

[0081] Another embodiment of the lower shrink media introduction device includes two outer shrink media channels, at least one inner shrink media channel, and at least one other shrink media supply device located below the conveying plane, which is mainly used to heat the area between the shrink media channels.

[0082] In particular, the first region between an outer shrinkage medium channel and an inner shrinkage medium channel, and the second region between an inner shrinkage medium channel and another outer shrinkage medium channel, are supplied with shrinkage medium by other shrinkage medium supply devices, and then the shrinkage medium passes through the conveying device to reach the internal space of the shrinkage device.

[0083] If the lower shrinkage medium introduction device includes multiple internal shrinkage medium channels, the area between the internal shrinkage medium channels can also be supplied with shrinkage medium by an additional shrinkage medium supply device.

[0084] For example, shrinkage media can be supplied to shrinkage media channels and other shrinkage media supply devices through a common dispensing device or through a separate dispensing device or shrinkage media generator.

[0085] According to one embodiment of the present invention, other shrinkage medium supply devices introduce shrinkage medium into the shrinkage device at a third volumetric flow rate and / or a third temperature.

[0086] In particular, the intensity of the third volume flow rate can be controlled by valves, baffles or similar devices.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the third volumetric flow rate can be designed to have the same or substantially the same intensity as the first and / or second volumetric flow rates. Alternatively, it is advantageous to design the third volumetric flow rate to have a different intensity than the first and / or second volumetric flow rates. According to one embodiment, the intensity of the third volumetric flow rate can be significantly higher because the width of the region between the contraction medium channels is significantly greater than the width of the contraction medium channels themselves.

[0088] Furthermore, it can be configured such that the temperature of the shrinkage medium is equally high at the third volumetric flow rate as well as at the first and / or second volumetric flow rates. Alternatively, it may also be advantageous if the third and first and / or second volumetric flow rates each provide shrinkage media at different temperatures.

[0089] In particular, for energy-saving considerations, the third volume flow rate is preferably supplied with the contraction medium at a relatively low temperature.

[0090] According to one exemplary embodiment, the shrinkage medium for the shrinkage medium channel may be provided by a first distribution channel, while the shrinkage medium for other shrinkage medium supply devices may be provided by a second distribution channel.

[0091] Specifically, this allows for the supply of shrink media with different volumetric flow rates to the shrink media channels and other shrink media supply devices, particularly shrink media with different shrink media temperatures.

[0092] Preferably, the temperature of the shrinkage medium in the first distribution channel is higher than the temperature of the shrinkage medium in the second distribution channel. For example, the temperature in the first distribution channel is about three degrees or more higher than the temperature in the second distribution channel, preferably five degrees or more higher, and particularly preferably at least ten degrees or more higher.

[0093] This allows for the targeted introduction of higher temperatures into the internal space of the shrinkage unit via the shrinkage medium channel, optimizing the shrinkage effect. By providing a lower level of heating to the conveyor within the area where the shrinkage medium is applied by other shrinkage medium supply devices, overheating or overheating of the conveyor can be prevented. Preferably, the cooling intensity in the next return section area can be reduced, which is another positive aspect of energy saving.

[0094] With the help of the lower shrink media introduction device described herein, the flow of hot air or shrink media can be directed from below towards the packaged items. The outer area of ​​the conveyor does not have packaged items and therefore does not receive shrink media flow, resulting in lower heating. This reduces energy consumption. Furthermore, the shrinking process can be selectively influenced to optimize the shrinking effect and achieve higher shrinking quality.

[0095] In the following, embodiments of the invention and their advantages will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensional proportions of individual elements in the drawings do not always correspond to actual dimensional proportions, as some shapes are simplified and others are enlarged for better illustration compared to other elements.

[0096] Figure 1 This is the first embodiment of the shrinkage device.

[0097] Figure 2 This is a second embodiment of the shrinkage device.

[0098] Figure 3 for Figure 5 and Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the motion components of the contraction medium in the external contraction medium channel is shown.

[0099] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the motion components of the contraction medium in the internal contraction medium channel.

[0100] Figure 5 A perspective view of one embodiment of an externally contracting medium channel.

[0101] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A cross-section of an embodiment of the external contraction medium channel shown.

[0102] Figure 7 A perspective view of one embodiment of an internally contracting medium channel.

[0103] Figure 8 A cross-section of one embodiment of an internally contracting medium channel.

[0104] Figure 9 This is a cross-section of another embodiment of the internally contracting medium channel.

[0105] Figure 10 This is another embodiment of the shrinkable medium device.

[0106] Figure 11 A perspective view of the lower shrinkage medium introduction device.

[0107] Figure 12 for Figure 10 The lower shrinkage medium introduction device is shown as a side view.

[0108] Figure 13 for Figure 10 The diagram shows a front view of the lower shrinkage medium introduction device.

[0109] Figure 14 for Figure 10 The diagram shows a top view of the lower shrinkage medium introduction device.

[0110] Figure 15 For the contraction medium to flow through Figure 10 The diagram shows the lower part of the shrinkage medium introduction device.

[0111] The same reference numerals are used for elements that are identical or have the same effect in this invention. Furthermore, for clarity, only the reference numerals necessary for the description of the corresponding figure are depicted in a single drawing. The embodiments shown are merely examples of inventive designs and do not represent conclusive limitations.

[0112] The embodiments, examples, and variations described in the preceding paragraphs, or the descriptions and drawings that follow, including their various views or corresponding individual features, may be used independently or in any combination thereof. Features described in conjunction with one embodiment apply to all embodiments, unless these features are contradictory.

[0113] Figure 1 A first embodiment of the shrinkage device 1 is shown. Figure 2 A second embodiment of the shrinkage device 1 is shown.

[0114] The shrinking device 1 is primarily used to shrink the thermoplastic packaging material 25 onto at least one article 20 or at least one group of articles 21 comprising at least two articles 20.

[0115] The thermoplastic packaging material 25 may be, for example, a shrink film 26. The shrink film 26 may be provided as a flat packaging blank, pre-wrapped on the article 20. The shrink film 26 may also be provided as a shrink tube, which is fitted onto at least one article 20 or a group of articles 21.

[0116] The term shrink film 26 as used below includes any suitable thermoplastic packaging material 25.

[0117] Articles 20, particularly beverage containers, bottles 22, cans or similar items, are assembled into articles 21, for example, in a grouping module (not shown), and wrapped in a flat blank of thermoplastic packaging material 25, particularly with a blank of shrink film 26, in a wrapping module (not shown).

[0118] The combination formed by item group 21 and shrink film 26 is also called package item group 30. Figure 2 The packaged items group 30 is fed into the shrink-wrap device 1 and passes through it in the conveying direction. Figure 1 In this configuration, the conveying direction is orthogonal to the drawing plane. Packages 30 move along a conveyor system in a single or multi-path manner, forming a conveying plane TE. The conveyor system is, for example, formed by a conveyor belt 2 or something similar.

[0119] The shrinking device 1 includes at least one heating element (not shown) that generates hot air HL as a shrinking medium SM, which is introduced into the internal space 4 of the shrinking device 1 by the shrinking medium introduction device 3.

[0120] In particular, at least a lateral shrinkage medium introduction device 3s and a lower shrinkage medium introduction device 3u are provided. The lateral shrinkage medium introduction device 3s is formed by a so-called well wall, which is well known in the prior art. In particular, the shrinkage device 1 includes at least two so-called outer well walls 5 ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 Multipath transport will further utilize the inner wellbore 6 (see...). Figure 2 Hot air HL is blown laterally through the outer well wall 5 toward the packaged items group 30 into the internal space 4 formed between the two outer well walls 5. Therefore, the internal space 4 is also referred to as the contraction chamber.

[0121] The outer well wall 5 is, for example, a hollow body in the form of a lateral injection device with an opening on one side. The side of the outer well wall 5 facing the internal space of the contraction device 1 is designed as an outflow surface and has multiple outflow openings. The contraction medium SM (e.g., hot air HL) flows laterally into the contraction device 1 through these outflow openings and is confined to the internal space 4 between the outer well walls 5.

[0122] Figure 2 The shrinking device 1 shown still has an inner well wall 6, which enables dual-path transport of the packaged items group 30 within the shrinking device 1.

[0123] The inner well wall 6 has two lateral outflow surfaces for the contraction medium SM. The inner well wall 6 divides the internal space 4 of the contraction device into two sub-contraction chambers 4-1 and 4-2.

[0124] Below the conveying plane TE, there are other shrinkage medium introduction devices 3u. In particular, the shrinkage device 1 of the present invention has two external shrinkage medium channels 7.

[0125] In such Figure 2 In the case of multi-path transmission shown, at least one inner shrinkage medium channel 8 is further provided below the transmission plane TE. In particular, at least one inner shrinkage medium channel 8 is located between two outer shrinkage medium channels 7.

[0126] Multipath transmission refers to transmission across n+1 transmission paths, where n ≥ 1. Specifically, in a contraction device with n+1 transmission paths, n internal contraction medium channels 8 are arranged below the transmission plane TE. That is, as... Figure 2 As shown, the shrinkage device 1 equipped with dual-path transmission has an additional internal shrinkage medium channel 8.

[0127] Particularly preferably, the number of internal contraction medium channels 8 is the same as the number of inner wellbore walls 6. Furthermore, the internal contraction medium channels 8 are preferably arranged below their respective inner wellbore walls 6. Particularly preferably, the plane of symmetry SE6 of the inner wellbore wall 6 and the plane of symmetry SE8 of the associated internal contraction medium channels 8 are arranged on a common vertical plane.

[0128] Conversely, each of the external contraction medium channels 7 corresponds to an outer well wall 5. In an advantageous embodiment, the external contraction medium channels 7 are preferably arranged below their respective corresponding outer well walls 5. Particularly preferably, the plane of symmetry SE5 of the outer well wall 5 and the plane of symmetry SE7 of the associated external contraction medium channel 7 are arranged on a common vertical plane.

[0129] An alternative implementation may specify that the external contraction medium channel 7 is offset inward (i.e. towards the internal space 4 of the contraction device 1) relative to its corresponding external well wall 5, such that the symmetry plane SE5 of the external well wall is separated from the symmetry plane SE7 of its corresponding external contraction medium channel 7.

[0130] The shrink media channels 7 and 8 are designed to allow the shrink media SM to flow upward across the conveyor plane TE, specifically through the conveyor belt 2, and into the internal space 4 of the shrink device 1.

[0131] In particular, the conveyor belt 2 is designed to be permeable, for example, as a pad chain conveyor or similar. The shrink medium SM causes the shrink film 26 to shrink around the article 20. The farther the packaged article group 30 is conveyed in the shrink device 1 along the conveying direction, the more the shrink film 26 shrinks around the article 20 according to its characteristics. So-called film eyes are formed on the side with the initially laterally freely overlapping protruding film. Specifically, the shrinking process starts from the initially laterally freely overlapping protruding film and continues towards the center of the film.

[0132] Before the packaged items 30 leaves the shrink device 1, the shrink film 26 is substantially completely adhered to the side surface of the items 20.

[0133] As shown in the figure below, the external shrinkage medium channel 7 has a strip-shaped or line-shaped shrinkage medium outlet 9 or a row of 10 aligned shrinkage medium outlets.

[0134] Conversely, at least one internal shrinkable medium channel 8 for multipath transmission has two strip-shaped or linear shrinkable medium outlets 9 or two rows 10 arranged in alignment with each other.

[0135] The shrink media channels 7 and 8 are parallel to the longitudinal extension direction of the conveying plane TE, and in particular parallel to the conveying direction of the packaged items group 30.

[0136] Figure 3 schematically shown Figure 5 and Figure 6 The motion components BK1 and BK2 of the contraction medium SM in the external contraction medium channel 7 shown in the figure.

[0137] The strip or line shrinkage medium outlet 9 of the external shrinkage medium channel 7, or the shrinkage medium outlets arranged in a row 10, are designed such that the upward outlet direction or flow direction SR of the shrinkage medium SM includes a first vertical upward motion component BK1 and an additional, orthogonal second motion component BK2 toward the internal space of the shrinkage device 1.

[0138] Figure 4The motion components BK1, BK2, and BK2' of the contraction medium SM in the inner contraction medium channel 8 are schematically shown.

[0139] The two strip-shaped or linear shrinkage medium outlets 9 or the shrinkage medium outlets arranged in two rows 10 of the internal shrinkage medium channel 8 are designed such that the upward outlet direction or flow direction SR1, SR2 of the shrinkage medium SM has a first vertical upward motion component BK1 and an additional, orthogonal second motion component BK2, BK2' towards the internal space of the shrinkage device, wherein the second motion components BK2, BK2' of the two shrinkage medium outlets 9 or the two rows 10 shrinkage medium outlets are opposite to each other.

[0140] In particular, the flow directions SR1 and SR2 of the shrinkage medium SM flowing out from the two shrinkage medium outlets 9 or from the shrinkage medium outlets in the two rows 10 are far apart from each other.

[0141] Figure 5 A perspective view showing one embodiment of the external contraction medium channel 7 is shown. Figure 6 A cross-section of one embodiment of the external contraction medium channel 7 is shown.

[0142] The external contraction medium channel 7 includes a substrate 11, a transition zone 12, and an outflow zone 13.

[0143] A strip-shaped or linear shrinkage medium outlet 9 is formed on the upper side of the outflow zone 13.

[0144] The transition region 12 has a first taper V1 starting from the substrate 11, wherein the first taper V1 is formed by opposing inclined sides 14, 15.

[0145] The outflow region 13 has a second taper V2 starting from the transition region 12, wherein the second taper V2 is formed by sides 16, 17 that are inclined in the same direction but preferably at different angles.

[0146] In particular, the sides 16 and 17 in the outflow area 13 have an upward inclination toward the internal space 4 of the contraction device 1, especially an inclination toward the center of the internal space 4.

[0147] As a result, the distance between a strip-shaped or linear shrinkage medium outlet 9 or a row of 10 shrinkage medium outlets formed on the upper side of the outflow zone 13 and the vertical symmetry plane SE7 of the substrate is A(S).

[0148] For example, the side 15 of the transition zone 12 and the side 17 of the exit zone 13 can be arranged on a common plane to form a surface. However, it is also advantageous if the included angle between the sides 15 and 17 is less than 180 degrees.

[0149] Furthermore, an angle α can be formed between the side 14 of the transition zone 12 and the side 16 of the exit zone 13. Angle α is preferably an obtuse angle, especially between 95 degrees and 170 degrees, and more preferably about 110 degrees.

[0150] The substrate 11 can be, for example, a cube with a square or rectangular cross-section. Other suitable shapes can also be used; for example, for space reasons, the substrate can be a prism with a trapezoidal cross-section or a parallelogram.

[0151] According to one embodiment, a second obtuse angle β, for example, an angle β of about 135 degrees, may be formed between the side surface 18 of the substrate 11 and the side surface 15 of the transition region 12.

[0152] The second taper V2 in the outlet zone 13 causes the contraction medium SM to obtain the desired flow direction SR, and the second motion component BK2 causes this flow direction to have an inclination relative to the vertical plane.

[0153] The substrate 11 further has a coupling region 40. The coupling region 40 is, for example, an opening 41. Within the opening 41 region, the shrinkage medium channel 7 can be fluid-tightly connected to a dispensing device (not shown) for the shrinkage medium SM or directly connected to a shrinkage medium generator (not shown) via a suitable fixing device.

[0154] An embodiment of the external contraction medium channel 7, which is not shown, may also consist only of a substrate 11 and an outlet region 13 that is directly connected to the substrate 11 and has the above-described characteristics.

[0155] Figure 7 A perspective view showing one embodiment of the internal contraction medium channel 8.

[0156] Similar to the external contraction medium channel 7, the internal contraction medium channel may also include a substrate 51, a transition zone 52, and an outflow zone 53. Alternatively, embodiments may be conceived that include only the substrate 51 and the outflow zone 53, or only the outflow zone starting from the base plate (not shown).

[0157] The internal contraction medium channel 8 is characterized by having two strip-shaped or linear contraction medium outlets 9-1, 9-2 or two rows of aligned contraction medium outlets formed on the upper side of the outflow area 53. Figure 7 (Not shown in the image).

[0158] Figure 8 A cross-section of the first embodiment of the internal contraction medium channel 8-1 is shown.

[0159] The inner contraction medium channel 8-1 is formed by two outer contraction medium channels 7 fixed together in a mirror-symmetric manner. The mirror-symmetric arrangement causes the flow direction SR of the contraction medium SM through the two strip-shaped or linear contraction medium outlets 9-1, 9-2 or two rows of 10 aligned contraction medium outlets to be inclined in opposite directions. In particular, the flow directions SR1 and SR2 are designed to be far apart from each other.

[0160] Therefore, the substrate 51 of the inner contraction medium channel 8-1 is formed by the two fixed substrates 11 of the two outer contraction medium channels 7 that are fixed together in a mirror-symmetric manner.

[0161] The transition zone 52 of the inner contraction medium channel 8-1 is formed by the two transition zones 12 of the two outer contraction medium channels 7 that are fixed together in a mirror-symmetric manner.

[0162] The outlet region 53 of the inner contraction medium channel 8-1 is formed by the two outlet regions 13 of the two outer contraction medium channels 7 that are fixed together in a mirror-symmetric manner.

[0163] Figure 9 A cross-section of another embodiment of the internal contraction medium channel 8-2 is shown.

[0164] The internal shrinkage medium channel 8-2 has a base 51, a transition zone 52, and an outflow zone 53. Two strip-shaped or linear shrinkage medium outlets 9 or two rows 10 arranged in alignment are formed on the upper side of the outflow zone 53.

[0165] In particular, the two contraction medium outlets 9 or the two rows 10 contraction medium outlets are arranged with an average spacing A. The average spacing A is preferably the maximum value. In particular, it can be specified that the opposite side edges on the upper side of the outflow area 53 are each part of the contraction medium outlets 9 or 10, so that the average spacing A corresponds substantially to the width B on the upper side of the outflow area 53, or is slightly smaller.

[0166] In this embodiment of the internal contraction medium channel 8-2, the transition zone 52 has two first conical zones V1-1 and V1-2 starting from the substrate 51. The two first conical zones V1-1 and V1-2 are arranged side by side, characterized by opposing inclined sides 54, 55, 56, and 57, wherein opposing and relatively inclined sides 54 and 55 form one first conical zone V1-1, while opposing and relatively inclined sides 56 and 57 form the other first conical zone V1-2.

[0167] Furthermore, the outflow area 53 has second conical areas V2-1 and V2-2 that originate from the two first conical areas V1-1 and V1-2 of the transition area 52, respectively, wherein the second conical areas V2-1 and V2-2 are formed by sides 58, 59, 60 and 61 that are inclined at different angles along the same direction.

[0168] Specifically, sides 58 and 59 in the second cone-shaped region V2-1 on the left have an upward and leftward tilt. Conversely, sides 60 and 61 in the second cone-shaped region V2-2 on the right have an upward and rightward tilt.

[0169] As a result, the average spacing between the two strip-shaped or linear shrinkage medium outlets 9 or the two rows of shrinkage medium outlets 10 formed on the upper side of the outflow zone 53 is A, and the distance from the vertical symmetry plane SE8 of the substrate 51 is A(S).

[0170] Preferably, the first conical regions V1-1, V1-2 and the second conical regions V2-1, V2-2 are formed in a mirror-symmetric manner with respect to the symmetry plane SE8 of the inner contraction medium channel 8-2.

[0171] For example, the side 55 of the conical region V1-1 of the transition zone 52 and the side 59 of the conical region V2-1 of the exit zone 53 can be arranged on a common plane to form a surface. However, it is also advantageous if the included angle between the sides 55 and 59 is less than 180 degrees. The same applies to the sides 56 and 60 of the conical regions V1-2 and V2-2.

[0172] Furthermore, an angle α can be formed between the side 54 of the transition zone 52 and the side 58 of the exit zone 53. Angle α is preferably an obtuse angle, particularly between 95 degrees and 170 degrees, and more preferably about 110 degrees.

[0173] The substrate 21 can be, for example, a cube with a square or rectangular cross-section. Other suitable shapes can also be used; for example, for space reasons, the substrate can be a prism with a trapezoidal cross-section.

[0174] According to one embodiment, an angle γ can be formed between the side surface 55 of the first conical region V1-1 and the side surface 56 of the first conical region V1-2. For example, the size of this angle can be 360 ​​degrees minus angle β (see...). Figure 6 It is twice the size of the object, and is particularly about 90 degrees.

[0175] The two second tapers V2-1 and V2-2 in the outlet zone 53 cause the contraction medium SM to obtain the desired flow directions SR1 and SR2, and the second motion component BK2 or BK2' (see...) Figure 4 This causes each of these flow directions to have an inclination relative to the vertical plane.

[0176] The substrate 51 further has a coupling region 62. The coupling region 62 is, for example, an opening 63. Within the region of the opening 63, the internal shrinkage medium channel 8-2 can be fluid-tightly connected to a dispensing device (not shown) for the shrinkage medium SM or directly connected to a shrinkage medium generator (not shown) via a suitable fixing device.

[0177] An embodiment of the internal shrinkage medium channel 8, not shown, may consist only of a substrate 51 and an outlet region 53 directly connected to the substrate 11, or it may consist of an outlet region 53 starting from the base plate and having the aforementioned characteristics.

[0178] Figure 10 Another embodiment of the shrinkage device 1 is shown. This embodiment is similar to... Figure 1 The implementation methods are basically the same, therefore please refer to the relevant figure labels for the information provided. Figure 1 The description is as follows. The differences will only be discussed below.

[0179] Figure 10 The embodiment shown includes two external shrinkage medium channels 7 and at least one other shrinkage medium supply device 77 located below the conveying plane TE as a lower shrinkage medium introduction device 3u, whose main function is to heat the area between the external shrinkage medium channels 7.

[0180] Therefore, the packaged items group 30 conveyed by the conveyor belt 2 is supplied with shrink media SM from below in the bottom region by an additional shrink media supply device 77. In particular, this additional shrink media supply device 77 blows the shrink media SM planarly downwards towards the packaged items group 30 to weld the packaging material 25 in the bottom region. The shrink media SM is specifically distributed only in the region between the outer shrink media channels 7 and is introduced upwards into the internal space 4 of the shrink device 1 for conveying the packaged items group 30.

[0181] In addition, the two external contraction medium channels 7 direct the contraction medium in an upward-sloping flow direction SR (see...). Figure 3 Blow towards package item group 30.

[0182] Figures 11 to 14 Different views of the lower shrinkage medium introduction device 70 are shown, specifically... Figure 11 This is a perspective view. Figure 12 This is a side view. Figure 13 This is a front view. Figure 14 This is a top view.

[0183] The lower shrinkage medium introduction device 70 includes two external shrinkage medium channels 7, each with a strip-shaped shrinkage medium outlet 9, and an internal shrinkage medium channel 8 with two strip-shaped shrinkage medium outlets 9. Therefore, the lower shrinkage medium device 70 is particularly suitable for applications such as... Figure 2 The dual-path transmission is shown.

[0184] The two external contraction medium channels 7 are preferably formed in a mirror-symmetric manner.

[0185] In addition to shrink media channels 7 and 8, other shrink media supply devices may also be included, which will be discussed below. Figure 15 It is described in detail.

[0186] Through at least one with shrinkage medium generator 80 (see) Figures 11 to 13 The fluid-connected distribution channel 71 supplies shrink media SM to shrink media channels 7 and 8, as well as other areas of the lower shrink media inlet device 70 located below the conveyor belt (not shown). This will be discussed in conjunction with... Figure 15 This is illustrated and explained in detail.

[0187] also, Figure 11 The diagram also shows the conveying direction TR of the conveying device (not shown) as it passes the shrinking device 1. This clearly shows that the outer shrinking medium channel 7 and at least one inner shrinking medium channel 8 extend parallel to the conveying direction TR below the conveyor belt (not shown).

[0188] Between the outer shrink media channel 7 and its respective adjacent lateral boundary 72 or its respective adjacent lateral support area 73 of the conveyor belt (not shown), a region 74 is specifically formed where the shrink media is not supplied. Since no bundled items move on the conveyor belt in this region, no shrink media supply is required, thus saving energy. It is also advantageous if the conveyor belt is less heated in certain areas. This means that energy input from areas with higher heating can be better distributed, thereby reducing the overall heating level of the conveyor belt.

[0189] According to a preferred embodiment, two outer shrink media channels 7 and / or at least one inner shrink media channel 8 can be arranged at different positions below the conveying plane or the conveyor belt (not shown) forming the conveying plane. For this purpose, the two outer shrink media channels 7 and / or at least one inner shrink media channel 8 can be designed to move laterally relative to the conveying direction TR. For example, the shrink media channels 7, 8 are slidably arranged on a track system 75 located below the conveying plane. The track system 75 includes, for example, multiple tracks 76 arranged orthogonally to the conveying direction TR. Figure 11 and Figure 14 The arrows in the diagram exemplarily illustrate the lateral mobility of the contraction medium channels 7 and 8.

[0190] Similarly, it is preferable to provide corresponding positioning possibilities for at least one inner wellbore 6 above the transport plane TE (see...). Figure 2Particularly preferably, the positioning of at least one inner well wall 6 and the associated inner shrinkage medium channel 8 is linked and synchronized. However, completely independent, non-linked adjustments can also be made to different shrinkage medium introduction devices 3. According to another embodiment not shown, the lower shrinkage medium introduction device 70 may include multiple inner shrinkage medium channels 8. This is particularly advantageous for using the shrinkage device 1 for conveying multiple paths. To this end, the shrinkage device 1 can be provided with multiple suitable fixing devices, by which the inner shrinkage medium channels 8 can be easily and quickly fixed in a detachable manner, so that when changing products, the number of inner shrinkage medium channels 8 and / or the positioning of the shrinkage medium channels 7, 8 inside the shrinkage device 1 can be easily and quickly adapted to the new production mode.

[0191] Figure 15 The contraction medium SM flows through Figure 11 The lower shrinkage medium introduction device 70 shown is an example.

[0192] In the embodiment shown in the figure, the lower shrink media introduction device 70 includes an additional shrink media supply device 77 located below the conveying plane, which is used to heat the area between the shrink media channels 7 and 8.

[0193] The distribution channel 71 includes two partitions 71-1 and 71-2, wherein the first partition 71-1 supplies the shrink medium SM to the shrink medium channels 7 and 8, and the second partition 71-2 supplies the shrink medium SM to other shrink medium supply devices 77.

[0194] Specifically, it can be configured to supply the shrinkage medium SM supplied by the first partition 71-1 at a first volume flow rate V1 and / or a first temperature T1.

[0195] Furthermore, it can be configured to supply the shrinkage medium SM supplied by the second partition 71-2 at a second volume flow rate V2 and / or a second temperature T2.

[0196] The intensity of the first volumetric flow rate V1 and the second volumetric flow rate V2 can be the same or different. According to one embodiment of the invention, the second volumetric flow rate V2 can be designed to be relatively stronger, especially since the second volumetric flow rate is used to apply the contractile medium SM to a larger area.

[0197] The first temperature T1 and the second temperature T2 can be the same or different. According to one embodiment of the invention, the second temperature T2 is lower than the first temperature and is used to specifically heat certain areas of the conveying member. By subjecting the conveying member to a lower degree of heating in areas where the shrinkage medium SM is applied by other shrinkage medium supply device 77, overheating or overheating of the conveying member can be prevented in particular. Preferably, the cooling intensity of the conveying member in the next return section area can be reduced, which is also a positive aspect of energy saving.

[0198] In addition, the first partition 71-1 of the distribution channel 71 can be divided into an outward shrinkage medium channel 7 and an intermediate shrinkage medium channel 8 for supplying shrinkage medium.

[0199] At this time, it can still be set such that: when the first volume flow rate VS1 is divided into the third volume flow rate VS3 flowing outward to the contraction medium channel 7 and the fourth volume flow rate VS4 flowing inward to the contraction medium channel 8, the two volume flow rates VS3 and VS4 are formed with the same or different intensities.

[0200] In the illustrated embodiment, two distribution channels 71 are provided on opposite sides of the conveyor line to supply shrinkage medium to one of the two outer shrinkage medium channels 7 and the inner shrinkage medium channel 8, respectively, from a first partition 71-1. Therefore, the inner shrinkage medium channel 8 is supplied with shrinkage medium SM by the two distribution channels 71.

[0201] Furthermore, the second partition 71-2 of the distribution channel 71 shown on the left supplies shrinkage medium to other shrinkage medium supply devices 77 in the area between the outer shrinkage medium channel 7 and the inner shrinkage medium channel 8 on the left, while the second partition 71-2 of the distribution channel 71 shown on the right supplies shrinkage medium to other shrinkage medium supply devices 77 in the area between the outer shrinkage medium channel 7 and the inner shrinkage medium channel 8 on the right.

[0202] In particular, the volumetric flow rates VS1, VS2, VS3 and VS4 can be adjusted by suitable regulating devices (not shown) such as valves or throttle valves.

[0203] For example, temperatures T1 and T2 (not shown) can be adjusted by heating and / or cooling elements positioned appropriately and controlled accordingly.

[0204] According to an embodiment not shown, the supply of contraction medium SM to the outward contraction medium channel 7 and the supply of contraction medium SM to at least one inner contraction medium channel 8 can be configured to be independent, thus allowing for independent adjustment.

[0205] With the aid of the lower shrink media inlet device 70 described herein, the hot airflow or shrink media flow can be directed from below towards the packaged item assembly 30. The outer area of ​​the conveyor member 2 does not contain the packaged item assembly 30 and therefore does not have shrink media SM flowing through it, resulting in lower heating levels. This reduces energy consumption. Furthermore, the shrinking process can be selectively influenced to optimize the shrinking effect and achieve higher shrinking quality.

[0206] By using a variable number of internal shrink media channels 8, the amount of shrink media SM introduced into the internal space 4 of the shrink device 1 from below and the position of the shrink media SM sprayed from below onto the packaged items group 30 can be adjusted according to the specific product. In particular, this provides a simple method for adapting the shrink device 1 to single-path or multi-path delivery with optimal effect.

[0207] At this point, final instructions are given regarding the description of variations of the invention, wherein these descriptive paragraphs refer to the accompanying drawings respectively. When “schematic” diagrams and views are generally referred to in the context of the figures and their description, this in no way implies that the diagrams and their description are considered subordinate to the disclosure of this invention. Those skilled in the art are fully capable of obtaining sufficient information from the schematic and abstractly drawn diagrams to simplify their understanding of the invention without being affected, for example, by the drawn and possibly not perfectly scaled dimensions. Therefore, these drawings enable those skilled in the art, as readers, to better understand the ideas of the invention presented in a more general and / or more abstract manner in the general section of the description, by means of the functional principles of the device according to the invention as specifically explained.

[0208] List of reference numerals

[0209] 1. Shrinkage device

[0210] 2 Conveyor Belt

[0211] 3. Shrink media introduction device

[0212] 3s Lateral contraction medium introduction device

[0213] 3u Lower contraction medium introduction device

[0214] 4. Interior Space

[0215] 4-1, 4-2 Sub-contraction chambers

[0216] 5 outer shaft wall

[0217] 6 inner shaft wall

[0218] 7. External contraction medium channel

[0219] 8. Internal contraction medium channel

[0220] 8-1, 8-2 Internal contraction medium channels

[0221] 9. Strip-shaped or linear shrinkage medium outlet

[0222] 10 rows

[0223] 11 Matrix

[0224] 12 Transition Zone

[0225] 13 Outflow Area

[0226] 14. Side of the transition zone

[0227] 15. Side of the transition zone

[0228] 16. Side of the outflow area

[0229] 17. Side of the outflow area

[0230] 18. Side surface of the substrate

[0231] 20 items

[0232] 21 Item Groups

[0233] 22 bottles

[0234] 25. Thermoplastic Packaging Materials

[0235] 26 Shrink film

[0236] 30 Package Items

[0237] 40 Coupling Region

[0238] 41 Opening

[0239] 51 Matrix

[0240] 52 Transition Zone

[0241] 53 Outflow Area

[0242] 54 Side view of the first conical region

[0243] 55 Side view of the first conical region

[0244] 56 Side view of the first conical region

[0245] 57 Side view of the first conical region

[0246] 58. Side view of the second cone-shaped region

[0247] 59. Side view of the second cone-shaped region

[0248] 60 Side view of the second cone-shaped region

[0249] 61 Side view of the second cone-shaped region

[0250] 62 Coupling Region

[0251] 63 Opening

[0252] 70 Lower contraction medium introduction device

[0253] 71 Distribution Channel

[0254] Partitions 71-1 and 71-2

[0255] 72 Lateral Boundary

[0256] 73 Lateral support area

[0257] 74. Regions without constriction media

[0258] 75. Orbital System

[0259] 76 orbits

[0260] 77 Other shrinkage medium supply devices

[0261] 80 Shrinkage Medium Generator

[0262] A. Average Spacing

[0263] α First Angle

[0264] Distance between A(S) and the plane of symmetry

[0265] B width

[0266] β Second Angle

[0267] BK1 First Motion Component

[0268] BK2, BK2' Second motion components

[0269] HL hot air

[0270] Symmetry plane of SE5 outer well wall

[0271] Symmetry plane of the SE6 inner well wall

[0272] The symmetry plane of the SE7 external contraction medium channel

[0273] Symmetry plane of the SE8 internal contraction medium channel

[0274] SM shrinkable medium

[0275] SR flow direction

[0276] Flow direction of SR1 and SR2

[0277] T1 First Temperature

[0278] T2 Second Temperature

[0279] TE transport plane

[0280] TR (Transmission Direction)

[0281] V1 First taper

[0282] V1-1, V1-2 First Conical Region

[0283] V2 Second Taper

[0284] V2-1, V2-2 Second Conical Region

[0285] VS1 First Volumetric Flow Rate

[0286] VS2 Second Volume Flow Rate

[0287] VS3 Third Volumetric Flow Rate

[0288] VS4 Fourth Volumetric Flow Rate

Claims

1. A shrinking device (1) for shrinking a packaging material (25) onto a group of articles comprising at least one article (20), - wherein the shrinking device (1) comprises an inner space (4) with a conveying device forming a transport plane (TE) for at least single-path transport of a group of articles (21) wrapped in a packaging material (25), wherein the group of articles (21) wrapped in a packaging material (25) is conveyed through the shrinking device (1) in a transport direction (TR), - wherein the shrinking device (1) comprises a plurality of shrinking medium introduction devices (3) designed for applying a shrinking medium (SM) to the group of articles (21) wrapped in a packaging material (25), - wherein two outer shrinking medium channels (7) are provided below the transport plane (TE), which are designed for introducing a shrinking medium (SM) in an obliquely upward flow direction (SR) over the transport plane (TE) into the inner space (4) of the shrinking device (1), - wherein the outer shrinking medium channels (7) each have one strip- or line-shaped shrinking medium outlet (9) or one row (10) of shrinking medium outlets arranged in line.

2. The shrinking device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the shrinking device (1) is designed for multi-path transport of a group of articles (30) wrapped in a packaging material (25) on n+1 transport paths, - wherein n inner shrinking medium channels (8) are provided below the transport plane (TE), - which are designed for introducing a shrinking medium (SM) in an obliquely upward flow direction (SR) over the transport plane (TE) into the inner space (4) of the shrinking device (1), - which n inner shrinking medium channels (8) each have two strip- or line-shaped shrinking medium outlets (9) or two rows (10) of shrinking medium outlets arranged in line.

3. The shrinking device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the outer shrinking medium channels (7) or the outer shrinking medium channels (7) and the at least one inner shrinking medium channel (8) extend parallel to a longitudinal extension direction of the transport plane (TE).

4. The shrinking device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the outer shrinking medium channels (7) or the outer shrinking medium channels (7) and the at least one inner shrinking medium channel (8) extend parallel to a transport direction (TR) of the conveying device (2).

5. The shrinking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one strip- or line-shaped shrinking medium outlet (9) of the outer shrinking medium channels (7) or the shrinking medium outlets arranged in a row (10) respectively are designed such that an upward outlet direction of the shrinking medium (SM) comprises a first movement component (BK1) vertically upward and an additional, orthogonal second movement component (BK2) in the direction of the inner space (4) of the shrinking device (1).

6. Shrinkage device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the two strip- or line-shaped shrink medium outlets (9) or the two rows (10) of shrink medium outlets of the at least one inner shrink medium channel (8) are each designed such that the upwardly directed outlet direction of the shrink medium (SM) comprises a first movement component (BK1) which is directed vertically upwardly and an additional, orthogonal second movement component (BK2, BK2') which is directed toward the interior space (4) of the shrinkage device (1), wherein the second movement components (BK2, BK2') of the two shrink medium outlets or the two rows (10) of shrink medium outlets are directed opposite to each other.

7. Shrinkage device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outer shrink medium channel (7) comprises a base body (11), a transition region (12) and a run-off region (13), respectively, wherein one strip- or line-shaped shrink medium outlet (9) or one row (10) of shrink medium outlets of the outer shrink medium channel (7) is formed on the upper side of the run-off region (13), wherein the transition region (12) has a first taper (V1) starting from the base body (11), wherein the first taper (V1) is formed by oppositely inclined side faces (14, 15), wherein the run-off region (13) has a second taper (V2) starting from the transition region (12), wherein the second taper (V2) is formed by side faces (16, 17) which are inclined in the same direction.

8. Shrinkage device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the second taper (V2) is formed by side faces (16, 17) which are inclined in the same direction at different angles.

9. Shrinkage device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the side faces (16, 17) in the run-off region (13) have an inclination which is directed upwardly toward the interior space (4) of the shrinkage device (1).

10. Shrinkage device (1) according to claim 6, wherein one strip- or line-shaped shrink medium outlet (9) or one row (10) of shrink medium outlets of the outer shrink medium channel (7) is formed at a distance (A(S)) from a vertical symmetry plane of the base body.

11. Shrinkage device (1) according to claim 7, wherein one strip- or line-shaped shrink medium outlet (9) or one row (10) of shrink medium outlets of the outer shrink medium channel (7) is formed at a distance (A(S)) from a vertical symmetry plane of the base body.

12. Shrinkage device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the at least one inner shrink medium channel (8) is formed by two outer shrink medium channels (7) which are fixed together in mirror-symmetrical fashion.

13. Shrinkage device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the at least one inner shrink medium channel (8) is formed by two outer shrink medium channels (7) which are fixed together in mirror-symmetrical fashion.

14. The shrinking device (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the at least one inner shrinking medium channel (8) is formed by two outer shrinking medium channels (7) which are fixed together in mirror-symmetrical fashion.

15. The shrinking device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the at least one inner shrinking medium channel (8) comprises a base body (51), a transition region (52) and a run-off region (53), respectively, wherein the two strip- or line-shaped shrinking medium outlets (9) or the arrangement of two rows (10) of shrinking medium outlets are formed on the upper side of the run-off region (53), wherein the transition region (52) has two first conical regions (V1-1, V1-2) starting from the base body (51), wherein the two first conical regions (V1-1, V1-2) are formed by oppositely inclined side faces (54, 55, 56, 57), respectively, wherein the run-off region (53) has second conical regions (V2-1, V2-2) starting from the two first conical regions (V1-1, V1-2) of the transition region (52), respectively, wherein the second conical regions V2-1, V2-2 are formed by side faces (58, 59, 60, 61) which are inclined in the same direction but at different angles, respectively.

16. The shrinking device (1) according to claim 15, wherein the first conical regions (V1-1, V1-2) and the second conical regions (V2-1, V2-2) are mirror-symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry (SE) of the inner shrinking medium channel (8).

17. The shrinking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outer shrinking medium channels (7) can introduce a shrinking medium (SM) into the shrinking device (1) at a first volume flow and / or at a first temperature.

18. The shrinking device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the at least one inner shrinking medium channel (8) can introduce a shrinking medium (SM) into the shrinking device (1) at a second volume flow and / or at a second temperature.

19. The shrinking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shrinking device comprises a further shrinking medium supply device (77) arranged below the transport plane (TE) which can introduce a shrinking medium (SM) into a region formed between the two outer shrinking medium channels (7).

20. The shrinking device (1) according to claim 19, wherein the further shrinking medium supply device (77) can introduce a shrinking medium (SM) into the shrinking device (1) at a third volume flow and / or at a third temperature.

21. The shrinking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the two outer shrinking medium channels (7) can be arranged at different positions below the transport plane (TE).

22. The shrinking device (1) according to claim 21, wherein the two outer shrinking medium channels (7) are designed to be laterally movable with respect to the transport direction (TR).

23. The shrinking device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the at least one inner shrinking medium channel (8) can be arranged at different positions below the transport plane (TE).

24. The shrinking device (1) according to claim 23, wherein the at least one inner shrinking medium channel (8) is designed to be movable transversely with respect to the transport direction (TR).

25. The shrinking device (1) according to claim 23, wherein the shrinking device (1) comprises a fixture for arranging a plurality of inner shrinking medium channels (8).

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