Method and apparatus for applying a carrying strap to a package

Abstract

Method for applying a carrying strap (2) to a package (4), comprising the following steps: - linear tensioning of a carrying strap (3) with a pre-tensioning pliers (12), - Gripping the linearly tensioned carrying strap (3) with a first and second folding gripper (15), - Fold the two folding grippers (15) so that two ends (18) of the carrying strap (3) overlap, - Joining the overlapping ends (18) to form the carrying loop (2), - Moving two transfer fingers (7) to the packaging (4), with the carrying strap (2) stretched over the two transfer fingers (7), and - Placing the carrying strap (2) on the packaging (4) by moving the two transfer fingers (7) towards each other.

Description

State of the art

[0001] State-of-the-art packaging includes a wide variety of packaging options, such as stand-up packs. These are produced using a forming tube in a flow-wrapping machine or on a mandrel in a mandrel-wheel machine. After filling, the packs are sealed in the machine's closing chain. Various top closures are available for this purpose. These packs must be grasped directly by the customer and can be cumbersome to carry.

[0002] For example, methods and devices for applying a carrying strap to a package are already known from DE 692 09 264 T2, DE 10 2010 049 028 A1 and DE 44 12 339 A1. Disclosure of the invention

[0003] The present invention provides a method and a device for applying a carrying loop to packaging. According to the inventive method with the features of claim 1 and the inventive device with the features of claim 5, it is possible to form a carrying loop from a carrying strap and apply it to the packaging in an automated process. A particular advantage of the inventive method and the inventive device is that the carrying strap and the formed carrying loop are never loose during the manufacturing process, but are always in a defined and taut position. This makes it possible to divide the production of the entire packaging into individual functional steps.Due to the defined, clamped position of the carrying loop, the carrying loop can be easily formed in a first position and then transported to the packaging and connected to it. This division into individual functional steps results in a modular design of the device and thus allows for easy integration into packaging systems.These advantages are achieved by the method for applying the carrying loop to the packaging, comprising at least the following steps: (i) linearly tensioning a carrying strap with a pulling pliers, (ii) gripping the linearly tensioned carrying strap with a first and second folding gripper, (iii) folding the two folding grippers, in particular by 180° in each case, so that two ends of the carrying strap overlap, wherein before folding the carrying strap is preferably separated from the remaining carrying strap in the magazine, (iv) connecting the overlapping ends in order to form a carrying loop from the carrying strap, (v) moving two transfer fingers towards the packaging, wherein the carrying loop is tensioned over the two transfer fingers, and (vi) depositing the carrying loop on the packaging by moving the two transfer fingers towards one another.

[0004] The subclaims show preferred developments of the invention.

[0005] In particular, the two transfer fingers are positioned between the two folding grippers before folding. This stretches and folds the carrying strap around the two transfer fingers. The carrying strap is thus already in contact with the transfer fingers before the overlapping ends are joined.

[0006] The two transfer fingers are loaded, in particular, by a spring, pushing them apart. This ensures that the carrying strap is always clamped onto the transfer fingers. Only when the carrying strap is placed on the packaging are the transfer fingers moved toward each other, for example, hydraulically or pneumatically, so that the carrying strap can be released from the transfer fingers.

[0007] Using the pull-out pliers, the carrying strap is preferably pulled out of a magazine until it extends beyond the two folding grippers. These protruding ends overlap after the two folding grippers are folded, allowing the carrying strap to be joined at the protruding ends and the carrying loop to be formed.

[0008] After the carrying loop is placed on the packaging, the carrying loop is preferably glued and / or folded into a top flap of the packaging. Preferably, the packaging initially has an upright, folded top flap. The carrying loop is glued to this upright, folded top flap, for example, using adhesive dots. After the transfer fingers have released the carrying loop, the top flap is folded over, thus folding the carrying loop into the top flap. The top flap with the folded-in carrying loop is then preferably glued to the top of the packaging.

[0009] Before folding the two folding grippers, the carrying strap is preferably separated from a remaining carrying strap that is located in a magazine, for example a roll.

[0010] The invention further comprises the device for applying the carrying strap to the packaging, comprising the pulling pliers for linearly tensioning the carrying strap, the two folding grippers for gripping the linearly tensioned carrying strap, a folding mechanism for folding the two folding grippers, a connecting device for connecting the overlapping ends, and a transfer device with two transfer fingers. The carrying strap can be tensioned onto the two transfer fingers. The transfer device is designed to pick up the carrying strap from the folding grippers and to place the carrying strap on the packaging.

[0011] The subclaims of the method according to the invention as well as the embodiments presented in connection with the method are correspondingly advantageously applied to the device according to the invention.

[0012] In particular, the device is designed so that the two transfer fingers can be positioned between the two folding grippers before folding them. This allows the carrying strap to be folded around the two transfer fingers.

[0013] Furthermore, a cutting device is preferably provided. This cutting device separates the linearly tensioned carrying strap from a remaining carrying strap in the magazine, preferably before the folding grippers are folded. In particular, this is a mechanical cutting device that is hydraulically or pneumatically operated.

[0014] Between the separating device and the magazine, for example, a roller, feed-in sliding elements or feed-in rollers are preferably arranged. These feed-in sliding elements or feed-in rollers secure one end of the remaining carrying strap. This fixed end can be gripped by the feed-in pliers and thus pulled out the carrying strap from the magazine for the next carrying loop.

[0015] The connecting device is preferably designed as a sealing device. The carrying strap is preferably made of plastic or kraft paper. The sealing device welds or glues the overlapping ends. Alternatively or additionally, the connecting device can place a clamp around the overlapping ends or emboss the overlapping ends together.

[0016] The two folding grippers and the connecting device are preferably arranged on a carrier. This carrier can be moved vertically, for example, by a pneumatic or hydraulic drive. This allows the pull-out clamp to first pull the carrying strap out linearly. The carrier then moves toward the carrying strap from below, allowing the folding grippers to pick up the carrying strap.

[0017] The subclaims of the device according to the invention as well as the embodiments presented within the scope of the device according to the invention are correspondingly advantageously applied to the method according to the invention. Short description of the drawings

[0018] An embodiment of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 a device according to the invention according to an embodiment, Fig. 2 a detail of the device according to the invention according to the embodiment in a first state, and Fig. 3 the detail of the device according to the invention according to a further state. Embodiments of the invention

[0019] In the following, the Fig. 1 to 3, an embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention is described. The method according to the invention is carried out by means of this device 1.

[0020] Fig. 1 shows the device 1 for forming a carrying loop 2 from a carrying strap 3. The carrying loop 2 is positioned on a packaging 4 by means of the device 1 and connected to the packaging 4.

[0021] The packaging 4 has a top flap 5. The carrying strap 2 is glued to the upright top flap 5. The top flap 5 is then folded over so that the carrying strap 2 is enclosed between the top flap 5 and the top of the packaging 4.

[0022] The device 1 comprises a transfer device 6. Components of this transfer device 6 are two transfer fingers 7, which are mounted in an arm 8. The arm 8 is suspended via two levers 9. The two levers 9 form a parallelogram-like lever mechanism for picking up the carrying strap 2 and for placing the carrying strap 2 on the packaging 4.

[0023] Fig. Figure 1 shows the transfer device 6 in two states. The transparent state shows a receiving position 10. From this receiving position 10, the two levers 9, the arm 8, and the two transfer fingers 7 with the extended carrying strap 2 are moved toward the package 4.

[0024] The two transfer fingers 7 are spring-loaded so that they are pushed apart. Using a hydraulic or pneumatic device, the transfer fingers can be moved toward each other to release the carrying strap 2.

[0025] The further structure of the device 1 is shown in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. According to Fig. 2, the device 1 comprises two feed rollers 11. These two feed rollers 11 fix the carrying strap 3, which comes from a magazine, for example a roll.

[0026] Furthermore, the device 1 comprises a pulling forceps 12, a separating device 13, and a carrier 14. Two folding grippers 15 and a connecting device 17 are arranged on the carrier 14. The two folding grippers 15 are each pivotably mounted on the carrier 14 via an axis 16. By means of a mechanism (not shown), the two folding grippers 15 can be rotated about the axes 16.

[0027] Using the pull-out pliers 14, the carrying strap 3 is pulled linearly out of the magazine and tensioned. The carrier 14 is then moved vertically upwards so that the two folding grippers 15 can grip the carrying strap 3. This state is shown in Fig. 3. After the folding grippers 15 have gripped the carrying strap 3, the pulling pliers 12 can release the carrying strap 3 and the carrying strap 3 can be severed by means of the cutting device 13.

[0028] The carrying strap 3 is pulled out by means of the pulling pliers 12 until its two ends 18 protrude beyond the two folding grippers 15.

[0029] In the next step, the two folding grippers 15 are pivoted 180° around the axes 16 so that the two ends 18 overlap. Using the connecting device 17, designed as a sealing device, the two ends 18 are connected to each other, so that the carrying strap 3 becomes the carrying loop 2.

[0030] Before the folding grippers 15 are rotated about the axes 16, the transfer device 6 positions the two transfer fingers 7 between the folding grippers 15. This state is shown Fig. 1. This ensures that the carrying strap 3 is placed around the two transfer fingers 7 during the folding process. The carrying strap 3 and the carrying loop 2 are thus always in a defined and taut state.

Claims

[1] Method for applying a carrying strap (2) to a package (4), comprising the following steps: - linear tensioning of a carrying strap (3) with a pulling pliers (12), - gripping the linearly tensioned carrying strap (3) with a first and second folding gripper (15), - Folding the two folding grippers (15) so that two ends (18) of the carrying strap (3) overlap, - connecting the overlapping ends (18) to form the carrying loop (2), - moving two transfer fingers (7) to the packaging (4), whereby the carrying loop (2) is stretched over the two transfer fingers (7), and - Place the carrying strap (2) on the packaging (4) by moving the two transfer fingers (7) towards each other. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized bythat the two transfer fingers (7) are positioned between the two folding grippers (15) before folding, so that the carrying strap is stretched onto the two transfer fingers (7) during folding. [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the linearly tensioned carrying strap (3) projects beyond the two folding grippers (15), whereby after folding the projecting ends (18) of the carrying strap (3) overlap. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the carrying strap (2) is glued and / or folded into a head flap (5) of the packaging (4) after being placed on the packaging (4). [5] Device (1) for applying a carrying strap (2) to a package (4), comprising - a pull-out pliers (12) for linearly tensioning a carrying strap (3), - a first and second folding gripper (15) for gripping the linearly tensioned carrying strap (3), - a folding mechanism for folding the two folding grippers (15) so that two ends (18) of the carrying strap (3) overlap, - a connecting device (17) for connecting the overlapping ends (18) to form the carrying loop (2), and - a transfer device (6) with two transfer fingers (7), wherein the carrying loop (2) can be tensioned around the two transfer fingers (7), and wherein the transfer device (6) is designed to receive the carrying loop (2) from the folding grippers (15) and to place the carrying loop (2) on the packaging (4). [6] Device according to claim 5, characterized by that the two transfer fingers (7) can be positioned between the two folding grippers (15) before the two folding grippers (15) are folded, wherein the carrying strap (3) can be folded around the two transfer fingers (7). [7] Device according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized bya separating device (13) for separating the linearly tensioned carrying strap (3) from a carrying strap residue in a magazine. [8] Device according to claim 7, characterized by Preferred sliding elements or preferential rollers (11) for fixing one end of the remaining carrying strap. [9] Device according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized by that the connecting device (17) is designed as a sealing device. [10] Device according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized by that the two folding grippers (15) and the connecting device (17) are arranged on a vertically movable support (14).

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