Device for applying at least one binding member around an assembly comprising at least two articles

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) and a method for applying at least one binding element (30) around an assembly (20) comprising at least two articles (21). The device (1) comprises a supply location (2) for the assembly (20), a compression device (3) for compressing the assembly (20) arranged at the supply location (2) and an application device (4) designed to mount at least one binding element (30) at the assembly (20) at the supply location (2). The application device (4) and the compression device (3) are designed to be at least temporarily spatially separated from one another and each have an independent drive (5, 6).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for applying at least one binding element around an assembly comprising at least two articles.

[0002] Packaging machines can be used to perform a variety of packaging tasks, such as creating packaging units consisting of multiple similar single items or individual goods. In principle, users have several options for combining individual items or single-item units into larger bundles. For example, beverage containers are often combined and packaged using heat-shrink film into bundles of four, six, or more containers per bundle. Bundling is often unavoidable because it is the most common variation of beverage container sales units. Beverage containers can be, for example, bottles made of PET plastic. For transport, in some cases, bundles are further combined and / or layered and stacked on pallets.

[0003] The heat shrink film used to manufacture common bundle variations requires specific manufacturing steps, and these steps have relatively high overall energy consumption requirements. Furthermore, the heat shrink film used incurs costs for manufacturing, supplying, handling, and subsequent disposal, as it is no longer needed after sale. The essential machinery for supplying so-called film wrapping modules and other operating stations also incurs high investment costs. Finally, providing so-called heat shrink tunnels, in which hot air is applied to shrink the heat shrink film surrounding the bottle, also requires relatively high capital investment.

[0004] Furthermore, the use of so-called top-gripping carton packaging (oberenGreifkartonverpackungen) is known for combining multiple bottles together, for example, via their neck area. A packaging machine for placing such top-gripping carton packaging is described in patent document EP 1 075 419 B1. In this machine, articles are arranged in a box, and the top-gripping carton packaging is placed on top of at least one article arranged in the box. In particular, multiple articles are arranged in the box, forming groups by placing a small number of top-gripping carton packages, each group combining a portion of the articles arranged in the box.

[0005] So-called strapping can be considered an alternative to shrink-wrapping. Strapping is characterized by holding multiple items together using straps horizontally tensioned around their outer edges. These straps are placed around the items during continuous transport and then secured in place. Each strap consists of at least one strap stretched around the outer edge of the item and then joined at both ends under pre-tension. For example, in continuously or periodically operating strapping machines, containers, items, or bottles are grouped and then strapped together using one or more straps horizontally tensioned around each individual item. Typical configurations include, for example, a 1×2 layout (two containers in a row), a 2×2 layout (four containers arranged in a square or rhombus), a 3×2 layout, a 4×3 layout, or, in principle, a variable n×m layout.

[0006] For example, the manufacture of such a bundle is described in patent application DE 10 2009 040 700 A1.

[0007] However, a drawback of the aforementioned bundling and strapping is that the straps are typically connected into a closed loop at the item level. In particular, the additional processing time required to establish a stable connection represents a significant disadvantage in terms of necessary production time and achievable machine performance, especially in continuous processing. Furthermore, the functionality of each locking tool required to manufacture the closed straps adds to the complexity of the packaging process and the strapping and locking tools used.

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to optimize the packaging process of manufacturing packaging units, in particular to make it cost-effective, safe and fast.

[0009] The above objective is achieved by a means for applying at least one strapping element around the assembly.

[0010] Using the apparatus and method, packaging units are constructed, each comprising at least two grouped items secured together by at least one strapping member.

[0011] In this case, the strapping element can be made of paper, paper-like materials, plastic materials, composite materials, etc. The strapping element surrounds and wraps around a group of items, with the strapping element arranged in a taut state around the outer surface area of ​​the items. The circumference of the strapping band constituting the strapping element has sufficient tension to secure and maintain the group of items stably.

[0012] Preferably, closed strapping (especially strapping designed to be looped) is used for bundling, meaning that it is no longer necessary to connect the free end areas of the strapping material at the group of items.

[0013] However, alternatively, in conjunction with this method or when using the device according to the invention, it is conceivable to use a strip strap that combines the installation at at least two groups of articles to form a closed strap.

[0014] The items to be combined are preferably containers containing liquids, such as bottles or jars, especially beverage containers. However, bottles or jars or similar containers may also contain other fluid contents, such as cosmetics in the form of shampoo.

[0015] The present invention relates to an apparatus for applying at least one strapping element around an assembly comprising at least two articles. The apparatus includes a providing position for the article assembly and a compression device for compressing the assembly disposed at the providing position. Specifically, the compression device may be configured to compress the article assembly only locally, particularly in the area where the strapping element is applied and, if necessary, in areas adjacent to that area.

[0016] In addition, the device includes an application device designed to install at least one strapping element at the article assembly at the provided location.

[0017] The application device and the compression device are designed to be spatially separated from each other, at least temporarily, and each has its own independent drive. In particular, the application device and the compression device can therefore be driven and controlled independently.

[0018] Furthermore, a method for applying at least one strapping element around an assembly comprising at least two articles is described. In this method, the assembly is at least partially compressed by a compression device. Additionally, at least one strapping element is applied to the at least partially compressed assembly by an application device. In this case, the application device and the compression device act on the assembly at least temporarily in a spatially separate manner and are driven independently of each other.

[0019] In this context, it should be noted that the terms “assembly,” “item assembly,” and “item group” are used synonymously below.

[0020] Article assemblies processed in the apparatus according to the invention and / or according to the method are generated, for example, in a so-called grouping module or sorting module, which in particular may be a component of a beverage packaging apparatus that includes the apparatus according to the invention.

[0021] An exemplary beverage packaging apparatus includes a wet section having a component filling module and a sealing module, and, if necessary, a labeling module. Preferably, beverages filled into bottles or cans are assembled into packaging units.

[0022] For example, the bottle assembly is formed in or before the packaging module and assembled together with a strapping member in the device according to the invention.

[0023] The packaging units produced in this process may optionally be equipped with handles and / or other packaging materials, such as shrink film or top-gripping carton packaging, or additionally with adhesive connections. Gluing of items may also be performed, for example, after or during assembly into groups of items, and before the application of strapping.

[0024] The packaging units can then be assembled into single-item cargo layers, for example, in a grouping station of a palletizing device, and stacked on pallets.

[0025] Within beverage packaging equipment, bottles are transported from one module to the next via a suitable transport system. This transport system may be equipped with appropriate cushioning systems. The components of the beverage packaging equipment are shown as examples only.

[0026] To assemble groups of items, sorters can be installed in the sorting module. These sorters include two horizontal conveyors connected to each other along the conveying direction and, if necessary, generate groups of items consisting of multiple items through intermittent operation.

[0027] Alternatively, sorting elements are also known that can contact articles via multiple push beams, thereby accelerating the corresponding articles relative to subsequent articles in the transport direction, thus forming corresponding groups of articles. Further possibilities for assembling groups of articles are known to those skilled in the art and are covered by this application.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the device includes a control device. The compression device and the application device are preferably controlled by the control device such that the compression device and the application device are driven at least temporarily and simultaneously via their respective drivers, thereby acting on the article assembly at least temporarily and simultaneously.

[0029] Preferably, the application device is designed to apply pre-designed closure straps from above to the assembly via a downward-oriented movement, securing it to the articles within the assembly. In this case, the straps applied to the assembly are configured such that each strap at least partially surrounds the outer side of the articles enclosing the assembly, thereby securing the articles together.

[0030] Alternatively, the application device may be configured to secure a strip-shaped strap to the article of the assembly, forming a closed strap by connecting the free ends of the strap. The free ends of the strap are connected, for example, by adhesive or welding (particularly by ultrasonic welding). In another embodiment, the straps applied to the assembly are configured such that each strap at least partially surrounds the outer surface of the article of the assembly and holds the article together under tension.

[0031] One embodiment of the device according to the invention may be configured such that at least a portion of the compression device at the providing position is designed to feed the article assembly from below. Alternatively or additionally, at least a portion of the compression device at the providing position may be designed to feed the article assembly from the side.

[0032] The compression device may consist of, for example, a closed chain, a long stator (especially a long stator designed to be movable), a shuttle element having sidewall elements capable of feeding along and / or orthogonal to the transport direction, via a suitable push rod, or a compression element capable of vertical movement in the height direction. The compression devices listed herein are not exhaustive, and other possibilities known to those skilled in the art may also be used advantageously.

[0033] For example, when using a shuttle element, compression can be induced by locking the two retaining elements that make up the shuttle, in which the distance between the retaining elements is reduced. By unlocking, the distance between the retaining elements increases due to the restoring force when the decompressed item is removed, and the item assembly equipped with the strapping can be removed from the shuttle element and sent to another processing stage.

[0034] One embodiment of the device according to the invention may include a compression device designed as a closed chain. Specifically, the closed chain includes a conveyor chain driven by a driver that runs in a circular motion, at which at least one pair of radially projecting compression elements are arranged. In particular, a first compression element and a second compression element immediately following the first compression element in the cyclic direction of the conveyor chain each form a pair of radially projecting compression elements, which are also referred to below as compression units. Thus, the closed chain specifically constitutes a location for integrating the compression device.

[0035] Specifically, in this embodiment, the distance between the compression elements constituting the compression unit is smaller outside the turning region of the conveyor chain than within the turning region. Specifically, the first distance between two compression elements constituting the compression unit is larger within the turning region of the conveyor chain than within the conveying region of the conveyor chain formed between the two turning regions.

[0036] In the first turning zone, the article assembly is conveyed to the closed chain, where each article assembly is arranged between two compression elements constituting a compression unit and spaced a first distance from each other. In the downstream conveying zone, the two compression elements constituting the compression unit are brought closer together, thus creating a smaller second distance between them. As a result, the articles in the assembly, and consequently the entire assembly, are compressed, at least partially or at least partially. In particular, the circumference of the article assembly is reduced by compression.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the compression device or compression element constituting the compression unit is designed to act on the article of the assembly in a region below 80% of the article's height. This is particularly effective for bottles with a gradually tapering upper region, thus ensuring that the upper region of the assembly already has a reduced circumference. This also applies to compression devices of various designs, not just compression units consisting of two compression elements.

[0038] The binding is applied to the article assembly that is thus compressed using the application device described in the prior description. In particular, it is applied to the article assembly that is arranged between the compression elements constituting the compression unit and is at least partially compressed by flipping a pre-designed closing binding from above.

[0039] After the strapping is applied, in the transport direction of the article assembly, within the second loop area of ​​the transport zone immediately following the conveyor chain, the distance between the two compression elements constituting the compression unit increases again. This releases the compression of the article assembly.

[0040] The perimeter of the strapping element is specifically chosen such that it is larger than the perimeter of the compressed item assembly, but equal to or slightly smaller than the perimeter of the uncompressed item assembly. This ensures that, upon release from compression, the strapping element adheres to the outer perimeter of the item assembly under tension, thus securing the items within the assembly together under tension.

[0041] The packaging unit thus constructed can now be fed into another processing stage along the transport direction, such as a layer forming module for forming stackable single-item cargo layers.

[0042] Another exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention may be configured such that, during the application of the binding, at least a portion of the compression device is arranged at least partially between at least one article and the binding.

[0043] Therefore, a compression device must be designed accordingly. For example, a compression unit consists of a pair of compression elements, each of which is a thin retaining plate with a curved end region. According to one embodiment, the compression elements act primarily on the front and rear surfaces of the article assembly along the transport direction. An alternative embodiment may be configured such that the compression elements act primarily on the side surfaces of the article assembly parallel to the transport direction.

[0044] Preferably, the side surfaces of the unassigned compression elements are provided with guide elements, etc., which prevent articles from laterally detaching, protruding, or falling out of the assembly.

[0045] An embodiment will be described in more detail below, wherein the compression element primarily acts on the front and rear surfaces of the article assembly along the transport direction. Those skilled in the art will readily apply the above features to an embodiment in which the compression element primarily acts on the side surfaces of the article assembly parallel to the transport direction.

[0046] The first compression element, which moves forward along the transport direction, is specifically designed such that it at least partially covers the front surface of the article assembly along the transport direction and the so-called forward corner region of the article assembly. Specifically, these corner regions are covered by the curved end region of the retaining plate of the compression element. The rearward-positioned second compression element is specifically designed to be mirror-symmetrical to the first compression element and at least partially covers the rear surface of the article assembly along the transport direction and the so-called rear corner region of the article assembly.

[0047] In this embodiment, an article assembly is also provided at the provided location. Two compression elements constituting the compression unit are fed to the article assembly from below. In this case, the compression elements at least partially cover at least two opposite side surfaces of the article assembly. Preferably, the compression elements also at least partially cover the corner areas of the article assembly.

[0048] In this case, it can be configured such that two compression elements are fed relative to each other through mutually oriented movements, such that the article assembly is clamped between the two compression elements, thereby being compressed at least partially.

[0049] At the article assembly that is thus compressed, a strapping is applied to the article assembly by an application device. Preferably, a pre-designed closed strapping is applied to the article assembly from above, wherein during the application of the strapping, at least a portion of the compression device is arranged at least partially between at least one article and the strapping.

[0050] Alternatively, the strapping is secured to the articles of the assembly by an application device and a closed strapping is formed by connecting the free ends of the strapping tape, wherein during the application of the strapping, at least a portion of the compression device is arranged at least partially between at least one article and the strapping.

[0051] Specifically, when the strapping is applied to the article assembly, at least the upper partial regions of the two compression elements are arranged between at least one article of the assembly and the strapping.

[0052] Before or simultaneously with decompression, at least one clamping portion of the compression device is removed from the area between the at least one article and the strapping element. Specifically, the two compression elements are pulled out with a vertically downward oriented movement, thereby releasing the compression on the article assembly. The restoring force of the articles generates tension on the strapping element, thereby securing the articles of the assembly firmly and reliably together.

[0053] The item assembly can be statically positioned at the provided location while the item assembly is being compressed and the strapping is applied to it.

[0054] An alternative implementation may provide a so-called movable supply position, wherein the compression device and the application device are designed to move, at least temporarily, in sync with the supply position. Specifically, in this case, the article assembly moves continuously in the transport direction during compression of the article assembly and application of the strapping to the article assembly, wherein the compression device and the application device move, at least temporarily, in sync with the article assembly.

[0055] One implementation is configured such that each article assembly is compressed along the transport direction and held from the side before being applied to the article assembly by overlapping the straps from above.

[0056] Preferably, compression is performed from below, particularly by a compression element acting on the lower region of the article, while the application device applies the strapping to the article assembly from above.

[0057] Furthermore, it is preferable that the compression is performed immediately before the strapping is applied to the article assembly.

[0058] In this invention, the compression of the article assembly and the application of the binding are specifically performed by two different functional components: a compression device and an application device. Compression can be applied in this case along the transport direction of the article assembly, transverse to the transport direction of the article assembly, or along both axes.

[0059] Specifically, applying the binding material involves using pre-made closure binding materials, or wrapping the binding tape around the item assembly and then sealing it. In both cases, the required tension is generated by removing the compression device.

[0060] By separating the application of compression and strapping, these two functional units can be designed in a technically simpler way, making them less prone to failure, reducing the need for maintenance and repair, and thus reducing production downtime.

[0061] In this regard, it should be explicitly stated that all aspects and embodiments relating to the apparatus of the present invention are equally relevant to or may be parts of the described method. Therefore, if any aspect and / or relationship and / or effect is mentioned at any point in the description of the apparatus of the present invention, that also applies to the described method. Conversely, the same applies; therefore, all aspects and embodiments relating to the described method are equally relevant to or may be parts of the apparatus according to the present invention. Therefore, if any aspect and / or relationship and / or effect is mentioned at any point in the description of the method, that also applies to the apparatus of the present invention.

[0062] 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.

[0063] Figure 1 The components and working principle of a packaging device including a first embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention are schematically shown, thereby also illustrating a first embodiment variant of the method for applying the strapping.

[0064] Figure 2 A second embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention and a second variant of the method are shown.

[0065] Figure 3A and Figure 3B A third embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention and a third variant of the application method are shown.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] Figure 1 The components and operating principle of a packaging device 40 including a first embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention are schematically shown. A first embodiment of the application method is also illustrated.

[0069] Typically, this is packaging equipment 40, including means 1 for applying at least one strapping 30 around an assembly 20 comprising at least two articles 21.

[0070] In this case, the strapping element 30 may be made of paper, paper-like materials, plastic materials, composite materials, etc. The strapping element 30 surrounds and wraps the article group or article assembly 20, wherein the strapping element 30 is arranged in a taut state around the outer surface area of ​​the article 32. The circumference of the annular strap 31 constituting the strapping element 30 has sufficient tension to secure and maintain the article assembly 20 stably.

[0071] The item 21 to be assembled is preferably a container filled with fluid contents, such as a bottle 22 or a jar, especially a beverage container. However, bottles or jars or similar containers may also contain fluid cosmetics, such as shampoo.

[0072] For processing within the apparatus 1 according to the invention, assemblies 20 of articles 21 are provided within packaging equipment 40. These assemblies 20 are specifically produced in so-called grouping or sorting modules 7.

[0073] For example, sorters 8 can be provided in sorting module 7. These sorters may include two horizontal conveyor devices 9 connected to each other along the conveying direction, and, if necessary, produce assemblies consisting of multiple items 21 by intermittent operation.

[0074] Some sorting elements (not shown) are also known that can contact articles 21 via multiple push beams, thereby accelerating the corresponding articles 21 relative to subsequent articles 21 in the transport direction TR, thus forming a corresponding assembly 20 consisting of multiple articles 21. Further possibilities for assembling groups of articles or assemblies 20 are known to those skilled in the art and are covered by this application.

[0075] The device 1 according to the invention includes a providing position 2 for an article assembly 20, a compression device 3 for compressing the article assembly 20 arranged at the providing position 2, and an application device 4, the application device being designed to install at least one strapping member 30 at the article assembly 20 arranged at the providing position.

[0076] In this configuration, the applying device 4 and the compressing device 3 are designed to be spatially separated from each other at least temporarily, and each of the applying device 4 and the compressing device 3 has an independent driver 5, 6. Preferably, the applying device 4 and the compressing device 3 act on the assembly 20 at least temporarily separated from each other in space.

[0077] Furthermore, the device 1 preferably includes a control device 10, wherein the compression device 3 and the application device 4 are designed and can be controlled by the control device 10 such that the compression device 3 and the application device 4 are simultaneously driven, at least temporarily, by their respective drivers 5, 6. Preferably, the compression device 3 and the application device 4 are controlled by the control device 10 such that the compression device 3 and the application device 4 act simultaneously, at least temporarily, on the article 21 of the assembly 20 at the provided position 2.

[0078] Preferably, the application device 4 is designed to apply a pre-designed closure strap 30 from above onto the assembly 20 by a downward directional movement, specifically, in this case, the strap is flipped over onto the article assembly 20 from above. In this case, the strap 30 applied to the assembly 20 is configured to surround the outer side of the article 21 enclosing the assembly 20 and secure the article 21 together under tension.

[0079] One embodiment may be configured such that at least a portion of the compression device 3 at location 2 is designed to be able to feed the article assembly 20 from below. Alternatively or additionally, at least a portion of the compression device 3 at location 2 may be designed to be able to feed the article assembly 20 from the side.

[0080] The compression device 3 may be composed of, for example, a closed chain, a long stator, or a shuttle element having a sidewall element of the article assembly 20 that is capable of feeding along the transport direction TR and / or orthogonal to the transport direction TR, or a compression element capable of moving vertically in the height direction.

[0081] During the compression of the article assembly 20 and the application of the strapping 30 to the article assembly 20, the article assembly can be statically positioned at the provided location 2.

[0082] An alternative implementation may provide a so-called movable supply position 2, wherein the compression device 3 and the application device 4 are designed to move synchronously with the supply position 2, at least temporarily. Specifically, in this case, the article assembly 20 moves continuously in the transport direction TR during the compression of the article assembly 20 and the application of the packaging blank 20 to the article assembly 20, wherein the compression device 3 and the application device 4 move synchronously with the assembly 20, at least temporarily.

[0083] Figure 2 The schematic diagram illustrates a second embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention, thereby also illustrating a second implementation variant of the application method.

[0084] The device 1 includes a so-called closed chain 11. Specifically, the closed chain 11 includes a conveyor chain 12 driven by a driver 5, at which at least one pair of radially projecting compression elements 13 are arranged. Specifically, a first compression element 14 and a second compression element 15 immediately following the first compression element 14 in the cyclic direction UR of the conveyor chain 12 each form a pair of radially projecting compression elements 13, thereby forming a compression unit 18. In this embodiment, the closed chain 11 specifically constitutes a supply position 2 in which the compression device 3 is integrated.

[0085] Specifically, the first distance A between the two paired compression elements 14, 15 is greater in the turning area UB of the conveyor chain 12 than in the conveying area FB formed between the two turning areas UB of the conveyor chain 12.

[0086] In the first turning zone UB1, the article assembly 20 is conveyed to the closed chain 11, where each article assembly 20 is arranged between two compression elements 14, 15 arranged in pairs and spaced apart by a first distance A1. In the downstream conveying zone FB, the pairs of compression elements 14, 15 are brought closer together, thus creating a smaller second distance A2 between them. Therefore, the articles 21 of the assembly 20 and, consequently, the entire assembly 20, are at least partially compressed. In particular, the perimeter of the assembly 20 is reduced in this case.

[0087] The at least partially compressed assembly of articles moves along the transport direction TR within the transport area formed by the upper section of the conveyor chain 12.

[0088] Specifically, in this case, the compression device 3 or the pair of compression elements 14, 15 is configured to act on the article 21 of the assembly 20 in an area below 80% of the article height H.

[0089] In addition, the device 1 also includes an application device 4, which is designed to apply a pre-designed closure strap 30 to the article assembly 20 arranged between pairs of compression elements 14, 15 and at least partially compressed.

[0090] After the strapping element 30 is applied, in the transport direction TR of the article assembly 20, in the second circulation area UB2 immediately following the transport area FB, the distance A between the two pairs of compression elements 14, 15 increases again.

[0091] In this embodiment, the perimeter of the strapping member 30 is chosen to be greater than the perimeter of the compressed article assembly 20. Simultaneously, the perimeter of the strapping member 30 is chosen to be equal to or slightly less than the perimeter of the uncompressed article assembly 20. This ensures that, after decompression, the strapping member 30 adheres to the outer perimeter of the article assembly 20 under tension, thereby firmly securing the articles 21 within the article assembly 20 together.

[0092] The packaging unit 23 thus constructed can now be fed into another processing stage along the transport direction TR, such as a layer forming module for forming stackable single-item cargo layers.

[0093] This embodiment specifically demonstrates that the compression device 3 and the application device 4 act simultaneously, at least temporarily, on the article 21 of the assembly 20.

[0094] Figure 3A and Figure 3B A third embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention is shown. In this case, it is configured such that, during the application of the strapping member 30, at least a portion of the compression device 3 is arranged at least partially between at least one article 21 and the strapping member 30. Therefore, Figure 3A and Figure 3B It also describes a third implementation variant of the application method.

[0095] Figure 3A An article assembly 20 is shown, at which a pair of compression elements 13 constituting a compression device 3 are arranged. The compression elements 13 are, for example, each composed of a thin retaining plate 16 having a curved end region 17.

[0096] The first compression element 14, which moves forward along the transport direction TR, is specifically designed such that it at least partially covers the front surface 25 of the article assembly 20 along the transport direction TR and the so-called forward-moving corner region 26 of the article assembly 20. In particular, the corner region 26 is covered by the curved end region 17 of the retaining plate 16. The rearwardly positioned second compression element 15 is specifically designed to be mirror-symmetrical to the first compression element 14 and is correspondingly arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner at the article assembly 20.

[0097] Figure 3B A side view shows the method of using according to Figure 3A An embodiment of the method and apparatus 1 in which the compression device 3 applies at least one binding member 30 around an assembly 20 comprising at least two articles 21.

[0098] The article assembly 20 is provided at position 2, see method step (I). In the subsequent method step (II), two compression elements 13 are fed from below, covering two opposite side surfaces of the article assembly 20. In particular, the two compression elements 13 may also be fed relative to each other in this case by mutually oriented movements, such that the article assembly 20 is clamped between the two compression elements 13, thereby being compressed at least partially, see method step (III).

[0099] In method step (IV), the applying device 4 applies the strapping member 30 from above onto the assembly 20, wherein during the application of the strapping member 30, at least a portion of the compression device 3 is at least partially arranged between at least one article 21 of the assembly 20 and the strapping member 30. Specifically, at least upper partial regions of the two compression elements 13 are arranged between at least one article 21 of the assembly 20 and the strapping member 30, see method step (V).

[0100] In the subsequent method step (VI), before or simultaneously with decompression, the portion of the compression device 3 arranged between the article 21 and the strapping member 30 (particularly the clamping portion) is removed from the area between the at least one article 21 and the strapping member 30. Specifically, the two compression elements 13 are pulled out with a vertically downward oriented movement, thereby decompressing.

[0101] The restoring force of the item 21 generates tension on the strapping member 30, thereby firmly and reliably fixing the item 21 together within the assembly 20 to form the packaging unit 23.

[0102] 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 dimensional relationships. 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 claims and the general section of the description, by means of the functional principles specifically explained according to the method and the apparatus according to the invention.

[0103] List of reference signs

[0104] 1 device

[0105] 2. Provide location

[0106] 3. Compression device

[0107] 4. Application device

[0108] 5. Compression unit driver

[0109] 6. Applicator driver

[0110] 7 Sorting Module

[0111] 8 sorting machines

[0112] 9. Horizontal Conveying Device

[0113] 10. Control device

[0114] 11 Closed chain

[0115] 12 Conveyor Chain

[0116] 13 Compression elements

[0117] 14 First compression element

[0118] 15 Second compression element

[0119] 16. Retention Plate

[0120] 17. Bending end area

[0121] 18 compression units 18

[0122] 20 Assemblies, Item Assemblies

[0123] 21 items

[0124] 22 bottles

[0125] 23 Packaging Units

[0126] 25 Forward-moving side surface

[0127] 26 Corner Area

[0128] 30 bundles

[0129] 31. Circular strapping

[0130] 40 Packaging Equipment

[0131] A1 First Distance

[0132] A2 Second Distance

[0133] H Item height

[0134] TR transport direction

[0135] UB Turning Area

[0136] UB1 First Turning Area

[0137] UB2 Second Turning Area

[0138] UR cycle direction

Claims

1. A device (1) for applying at least one binding element (30) around an assembly (20) comprising at least two articles (21), said device (1) comprising: -Providing location (2) for the assembly (20), - A compression device (3) for compressing the assembly (20) arranged at the provided position (2), and - An application device (4) designed to install at least one strapping element (30) onto the assembly (20) at the provided location (2). - wherein the applying device (4) and the compressing device (3) are at least temporarily spatially separated from each other, and -The applying device (4) and the compressing device (3) each have independent drivers (5, 6).

2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least a portion of the compression device (3) at the providing position (2) is designed to be able to be fed from below, and / or at least a portion of the compression device (3) at the providing position (2) is designed to be able to be fed from the side.

3. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device also includes a control device (10). The compression device (3) and the application device (4) are designed and can be controlled by the control device (10) such that the compression device (3) and the application device (4) can be driven simultaneously, at least temporarily.

4. The apparatus (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The compression device (3) and the application device (4) act simultaneously, at least temporarily, on the article (21) of the assembly (20) at the providing position (2).

5. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The compression device (3) is designed to act on the article (21) of the assembly (20) in an area below 80% of the article height, and The application device (4) is designed to apply a pre-designed closure strap (30) to the assembly (20), or the application device (4) is designed to apply strapping to the assembly (20) to form a closure strap (30).

6. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The application device (4) is designed to apply the pre-designed closure strap (30) from above onto the assembly (20) by a downward directional movement.

7. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The device (1) is designed to arrange at least a portion of the compression device (3) at least partially between at least one article (21) and the strapping (30) during the application of the strapping (30).

8. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The compression device (3) consists of a closed chain (11), a long stator, a shuttle element having sidewall elements that can be adjusted along the transport direction and / or orthogonal to the transport direction, or a compression element that can move vertically in the height direction.

9. The apparatus (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The closed chain (11) includes at least one circularly running conveyor chain (12) with at least one pair of radially projecting compression elements (13) arranged thereon, the distance (A) between the pair of compression elements being smaller outside the turning region (UB) of the conveyor chain (12) than inside the turning region (UB), and wherein, within the turning region (UB), the assembly (20) is passed between the pair of compression elements (13).

10. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The providing position (2) is designed to be movable, and the compression device (3) and the application device (4) are designed to be able to move synchronously with the providing position (2), at least temporarily.

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