Method and device for strapping a group of packages

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for strapping a group of packages, in particular for products of the cigarette industry, with a strip of packaging material, wherein the packages are assembled into a cuboid group and then strapped with at least one strip of packaging material, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding device according to the preamble of claim 14.

[0003] A method for strapping a group of packages is known from DE 44 11 473 A1 (see Fig. 1 In this process, two strips of packaging material are placed around a group of packages, holding the group together.

[0004] Based on this, the invention aims to propose a method and a device with which such strapping of a group of products can be produced in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0005] To solve this problem, a method according to the invention has the features of claim 1. It is therefore provided that the at least one strip of packaging material is moved through a placement device, and the at least one strip of packaging material is held against at least one contact surface of the placement device by means of negative pressure, wherein the adhesive layer faces away from the contact surface.

[0006] It is provided that the cuboid group of packages is moved with a first end face of the group in a transport direction against the at least one packaging material strip that is held in place and brought into contact with the adhesive layer there, and that the at least one packaging material strip is then placed against large side surfaces of the group during the continuation of the transport direction and subsequently brought into contact with a second end face of the group opposite the first end face, whereby the ends of the at least one packaging material strip are brought into contact with the group, forming a strap around the group. Preferably, the ends of the at least one packaging material strip come into contact with each other, so that a closed strap around the group is formed.The ends of the packaging material strip do not necessarily have to touch at the second end face. It is also conceivable that the two ends are merely adjacent to each other. Preferably, however, the ends of the at least one packaging material strip are folded successively and overlapping into the second end face.

[0007] According to the invention, it is provided that the at least one strip of packaging material is moved through a placement device, in particular a suction drum, and that the at least one strip of packaging material is held by means of negative pressure on at least one contact surface of the placement device, wherein the layer of adhesive is facing away from the contact surface.

[0008] Preferably, it is provided that the at least one strip of packaging material is held against a circumferential surface of the application device.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that a rotating suction drum is used as the placement device, wherein the group of packs is transported through the suction drum, in particular between two suction rollers of the suction drum which are arranged parallel and at a distance from each other and which have at least one contact surface.

[0010] Another special feature may be that the application device or suction drum has at least one opening to allow the transport of the group of packages through the application device or suction drum, and that at least one strip of packaging material is positioned in the area of ​​the opening to be applied to the first end face of the group of packages.

[0011] Another special feature may be that the application of the two ends of the at least one strip of packaging material to the group is carried out by folding devices which are arranged inside the application device, in particular the suction drum, while the group of packages is moved through the application device, in particular the suction drum.

[0012] Preferably, it can also be provided that the ends of the at least one packaging material strip are held by means of suction air before the ends of the packaging material strip are placed on the group.

[0013] Preferably, it can be provided that during the joining of the ends of the at least one packaging material strip, a new packaging material strip is provided for the next group of products.

[0014] Another special feature may be that a mouthpiece is arranged upstream of the application device, in particular the suction drum, through which the group of packages is moved before at least one strip of packaging material is applied to the group.

[0015] In particular, it may be provided that the group of packages is transported in the transport direction in the area of ​​the placing device by means of a carrier belt, wherein the group of packages is held clamped between successive carriers of the carrier belt.

[0016] It is also conceivable that two parallel strips of packaging material are attached as strapping to the group of packages, whereby the two strips of packaging material are pulled from different bobbins and simultaneously provided by the application device or suction drum and subsequently attached.

[0017] A device for solving the aforementioned problem has the features of claim 10. Accordingly, it is provided that the at least one packaging material strip is provided on one side with a preferably continuous layer of adhesive, and that the device is configured to completely wrap the group of packages with the at least one packaging material strip, the layer of adhesive being brought directly into contact with the packages of the group.

[0018] The device has a placement element, in particular a suction drum, through which the group of packages can be moved, wherein the at least one strip of packaging material is held by means of negative pressure on at least one contact surface of the placement element, and wherein the layer of adhesive is facing away from the contact surface.

[0019] Preferably, the device can be designed to hold the at least one strip of packaging material against a circumferential surface of the application element, preferably by means of negative pressure.

[0020] Furthermore, it can be provided that the placement device is designed as a rotating suction drum, wherein the group of packs can be transported through the suction drum, in particular between two suction rollers of the suction drum which are arranged parallel and at a distance from each other and which have at least one contact surface.

[0021] In particular, it may be provided that the placing device or suction drum has at least one opening to enable the transport of the group of packages through the placing device or suction drum and that the at least one strip of packaging material is positioned in the area of ​​the opening to be applied to the first end face of the group of packages.

[0022] A special feature of the device may be that the device has folding elements for applying the two ends of the at least one strip of packaging material to the group of packages, which are arranged inside the application element, in particular inside the suction drum. Likewise, a special feature of the device may be that the device is configured to hold the ends of the at least one strip of packaging material by means of suction air before the ends of the packaging material strip are applied to the group of packages.

[0023] Furthermore, as a special feature of the device, a mouthpiece may be arranged upstream of the application element, in particular the suction drum, through which the group of packages is moved before the at least one strip of packaging material is applied to the group.

[0024] Finally, it can be provided that the group of packages can be transported in the transport direction in the area of ​​the placing device by means of a carrier belt, wherein the group of packages is held clamped between successive carriers of the carrier belt.

[0025] A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a group of packages held together by two strips of packaging material, Fig. 2 a device for strapping the group of packages with strips of packaging material in a three-dimensional schematic representation, Fig. 3 a side view of the device according to arrow III in Fig. 3 , Fig. 4 a vertical section through the device along section line IV - IV in Fig. 3 , Fig. 5 a vertical section through the device along section line V - V in Fig. 4 Figures 6 to 8 show a detail of the device in an enlarged view in area VI. Fig. 5 in successive phases of the process flow, and Fig. 9 shows a detail of the device in an enlarged view in area IX in Fig. 4 .

[0026] The invention is described below with reference to a device for strapping a group 10 of cigarette packs. It is understood that the device can also be used for strapping groups 10 of other, preferably cuboid, packages 11. Therefore, the following does not specifically refer to cigarette packs, but to packages 11 in general.

[0027] In the present embodiment, the packings 11 are arranged within the cuboid group 10 in an ordered formation, namely in two layers of six packings 11 each. It is understood that other formations are also conceivable, in particular with a different number of layers and packings per layer. The assembly of the packings 11 into the group 10 can be carried out using any method known from the prior art.

[0028] The packages 11 of group 10 are held together by packaging material strips 12. In the present case, analogous to DE 44 11 473 A1, two packaging material strips 12 are provided. However, the use of a smaller or larger number of packaging material strips 12 is also conceivable. It is also conceivable that a tray-forming packaging material strip, as in DE 44 11 473 A1, is omitted and only two simple packaging material strips are used (there called top strapping strips 8).

[0029] The packaging material strips 12 can have different widths. Accordingly, a wide and a narrow packaging material strip 12 are provided here. However, it is also understood that the packaging material strips 12 can have the same or substantially the same width.

[0030] The usual packaging materials such as plastic or paper-based packaging materials are suitable as material for the packaging material strips 12.

[0031] The cuboid group 10 of packages 11 is transported in the selected formation in a transport direction 28. In this case, a conveyor belt 13 serves as the conveyor. The group 10 of packages 11 is held taut or clamped between the carriers 14 of the conveyor belt 13.

[0032] The drive belt 13 passes through a suction drum 15, which serves as a placement element for the packaging material strips 12. A nozzle 16 is provided in front of the suction drum 15, which aligns the group 10 before it enters the suction drum 15. Within the area of ​​the suction drum 15, the two packaging material strips 12 are then applied to the group 10 of packages 12.

[0033] The packaging material strips 12 are initially unwound as a continuous web from separate bobbins 17 and guided towards the suction drum 15 via a system of deflection rollers 18. The material webs unwound from the bobbins 17 for the packaging material strips 12 are coated on one side with a preferably continuous adhesive coating. The deflection rollers 18 form a dancer system to equalize web tension and / or as material storage.

[0034] Upstream of the suction drum 15 are two feed rollers 19. Each feed roller 19 is further equipped with a pressure roller 20 and a knife roller 21. The pressure rollers 20 serve to press the packaging material strip 12 against the respective feed roller 19. The knife rollers 21 serve to make a cut in the respective continuous material web for the packaging material strip 12.

[0035] The deflection rollers 18 are preferably silicone-coated and can be configured to hold the material web against their circumference by means of negative pressure. The pressure rollers 20 can also have a silicone-coated or rubberized circumference and serve to press the material webs for the packaging material strips 12 against the feed rollers 19.

[0036] The material webs for the packaging material strips 12 are pulled off the bobbins 17 in such a way that the coating of adhesive points towards the feed roller 19 and is transferred from this to the suction drum 15 in such a way that the coating points outwards.

[0037] The transfer of the packaging material strips 12 takes place by applying a vacuum to the circumference of the suction drum 15, which serves as the contact surface for the packaging material strips 12. This causes the packaging material strips 12, which are transported at a short distance from the circumference of the suction drum 15 on the pressure roller 20, to be picked up by the pressure roller 20 and transferred to the rotating suction drum 15. The rotation of the suction drum holds the packaging material strips 12 ready for transfer to the group 10 of packages 11.

[0038] Fig. 4 Figures 9 and 9 show the construction of the suction drum 15, which allows the transfer of the packaging material strips 12 to the group 10 of packages 11. Accordingly, the suction drum 15 has two suction rollers 22 arranged at a distance from each other, on the circumference of each of which a packaging material strip 12 is held such that the adhesive coating faces outwards, i.e., in the direction of the supplied group 10 of packages 11. Suction channels 23 in the suction rollers 22 lead to their circumference and thus enable the packaging material strips 12 to be subjected to a vacuum. The suction channels are connected to respective vacuum inlets 24 for the supply of vacuum.

[0039] An opening 25 for group 10 of packages 11 is formed in the two suction rollers 22. In this case, this is achieved by recesses on the respective, mutually facing inner surfaces of the suction rollers 22. The opening 25 is dimensioned for group 10 of packages 11.

[0040] The design is such that the group 10 of packages 11 crosses the two packaging material strips 12 during transport with the drive belt 13. In this way, the two packaging material strips 12 are first brought into contact with an end face of the group located at the front in the transport direction 28 and thus secured.

[0041] During further transport, the group 10 of packages 11 rests on its underside on a substructure 26, which has a central recess for the drive belt 13. On its upper side, the group 10 of packages 11 rests against a superstructure 27. In this way, the packaging material strips are pressed against the large side surfaces of the group 10 of packages 11 and connected to the packages 11 there.

[0042] Furthermore, stationary guide walls 29, not connected to the suction drum 15, are provided in the area of ​​the opening 25 for the packaging material strips 12. The guide walls 29 are arranged on both sides of each packaging material strip 12 in order to stabilize the packaging material strips 12 laterally and to counteract displacement of the packaging material strips 12.

[0043] Furthermore, suction bells 30 are provided above and below the transport section in the suction drum, as well as folding elements following them, namely an upper flapper 31 and a lower flapper 32.

[0044] The suction cups 30 serve to hold the free ends 33 of the packaging material strips 12 by means of negative pressure. Then, a lower free end 33 is first placed against the front face of the group 10 by the underfolder 32 ( Fig. 7 ) and in the next step an upper free end 33 with the upper butterfly 31 placed against the front face of the group 10 ( Fig. 8Meanwhile, the suction drum 15 continues to rotate and the next strips of packaging material 12 are fed in. When the suction drum 15 has rotated 180°, the opening 25 is on the opposite side, allowing the finished group 10 to be discharged.

[0045] The upper folder 31 and the lower folder 32 are each fork-shaped, enabling them to peel both strips of packaging material 12 from the suction cups 30 and apply them under slight pressure to the packages 11 on the front of the group 10. The fork-shaped design allows the lower folders 31 and 32 to be guided past the drive belt 13.

[0046] The suction drum 15 is driven by a servo motor. This drives a common shaft 34, which is connected to the suction rollers 22 via toothed belts 35. It goes without saying that individual drive of the suction rollers 22 is also possible.

[0047] In this case, group 10 is transported parallel to its longitudinal extent in the transport direction 28. Transverse transport is also conceivable. Likewise, the group does not have to be transported lying flat; other orientations are possible in this respect as well. The arrangement of the packages 11 within group 10 can also be chosen differently. Reference symbol list

[0048] 10 Group 11 Pack 12 Packaging material strip 13 Drive belt 14 Drive 15 Suction drum 16 Nozzle 17 Bobbin 18 Deflection roller 19 Feed roller 20 Pressure roller 21 Knife roller 22 Suction roller 23 Suction channel 24 Vacuum feed 25 Opening 26 Lower guide 27 Upper guide 28 Transport direction 29 Guide wall 30 Suction bell 31 Upper folder 32 Lower folder 33 End 34 Shaft 35 Toothed belt

Claims

1. A method for strapping a group (10) of packages (11), in particular for products of the cigarette industry, with a strip of packaging material (12), wherein the packages (11) are brought together to form a cuboid group (10) and are then strapped with at least one strip of packaging material (12), and wherein the at least one strip of packaging material (12) is provided on one side with a preferably continuous layer of adhesive, and wherein the group (10) of packages (11) is completely strapped with the at least one strip of packaging material (12), wherein the layer of adhesive is brought into direct contact with the packages (11) of the group (10), and wherein the cuboid group (10) of packages (11) is moved with a first end side of the group (10) in a transporting direction (28) against the at least one strip of packaging material (12) which is held ready and is brought into contact there with the layer of adhesive, and wherein the at least one strip of packaging material (12) is afterwards placed against large-area side faces of the group (10) whilst the group (10) continues to be transported in the transporting direction (28) and is then brought into contact with the region of a second end side, situated opposite the first end side, of the group (10), wherein ends (33) of the at least one strip of packaging material (12) are brought into contact with the group (10), forming a complete strapping of the group (10) characterized in that the at least one strip of packaging material (12) is moved through an applicator, and in that the at least one strip of packaging material (12) is held against at least one contact surface of the applicator by means of a vacuum, wherein the layer of adhesive faces away from the contact surface.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the ends (33) of the at least one strip of packaging material (12) are folded one after the other into the second end side so that they preferably overlap or are adjacent to each other.

3. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one strip of packaging material (12) is held against a peripheral surface of the applicator.

4. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a suction drum (15) which is driven in rotation is used as the applicator, wherein the group of packages (10) is transported through the suction drum (15), in particular between two suction rollers (22) of the suction drum (15) which are arranged parallel to and at a distance from each other and which each have at least one contact surface.

5. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator or the suction drum (15) has at least one opening (25) in order to enable the transport of the group (10) of packages (10) through the applicator or the suction drum (15), and in that the at least one strip of packaging material (12) is positioned in the region of the opening (25) in order to be applied to the first end side of the group (10) of packages (11).

6. The method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the two ends (33) of the at least one strip of packaging material (12) are applied by folding devices (31, 32) which are arranged inside the applicator, in particular the suction drum (15), whilst the group (10) of packages (11) is moved through the applicator, in particular the suction drum (15), it being preferably provided that the ends of the at least one strip of packaging material are held by means of suction before the ends of the strip of packaging material are applied to the group (10) of packages (11).

7. The method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that at least one new strip of packaging material (12) is supplied for the next group (10) of packages (11) whilst the ends (33) of the at least one strip of packaging material (12) are being applied.

8. The method as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that a mouthpiece (16), through which the group (10) of packages (11) is moved before the at least one strip of packaging material (12) is applied to the group (10), is arranged upstream from the applicator, in particular the suction drum (15).

9. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that two parallel strips of packaging material (12) are attached to the group (10) of packages (11) as a strapping, wherein the two strips of packaging material (12) are simultaneously supplied by the applicator or the suction drum (15) and then attached.

10. A device for strapping a group (10) of packages (11), in particular for products of the cigarette industry, with a strip of packaging material (12), wherein the packages (11) are brought together to form a cuboid group (10) and are strapped with at least one strip of packaging material (12) for carrying out the method as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, and wherein the at least one strip of packaging material (12) is provided on one side with a preferably continuous layer of adhesive and that the device is configured to completely strap the group (10) of packages (11) with the at least one strip of packaging material (12), wherein the layer of adhesive is brought into direct contact with the packages (10) of the group (11), characterized by an applicator, through which the group (10) of packages (11) can be moved, wherein the at least one strip of packaging material (12) is held against at least one contact surface of the applicator by means of a vacuum, and wherein the layer of adhesive faces away from the contact surface.

11. The device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the device is configured to hold the at least one strip of packaging material (12) against a peripheral surface of the applicator, preferably by means of a vacuum.

12. The device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that that the applicator is designed as a suction drum (15) which is driven in rotation, wherein the group (10) of packages (11) can be transported through the suction drum (15), in particular between two suction rollers (22) of the suction drum (15) which are arranged parallel to and at a distance from each other and which have at least one contact surface.

13. The device as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the applicator or the suction drum (15) has at least one opening (25) in order to enable the transport of the group (10) of packages (11) through the applicator or the suction drum (15), and in that the at least one strip of packaging material (12) is positioned in the region of the opening (25) in order to be applied to the first end side of the group (10) of packages (11).

14. The device as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the device has folding devices (31, 32) for applying the two ends (33) of the at least one strip of packaging material (12) to the group (10) of packages (11), which are arranged inside the applicator, in particular inside the suction drum (15), it being preferably provided that the device is configured to hold the ends (33) of the at least one strip of packaging material (12) by means of suction before the ends (33) of the strip of packaging material (12) are applied to the group (10) of packages (11).

15. The device as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that a mouthpiece (16), through which the group (10) of packages (11) is moved before the at least one strip of packaging material (12) is applied to the group (10), is arranged upstream from the applicator, in particular the suction drum (15).