System and method for applying secondary cardboard packages to containers

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) for applying cardboard packaging blanks (100) to containers (2). The system comprises at least one container conveyor (3) for conveying the containers (2) in a conveying direction (FR) and at least one application robot (4, 4') for applying the packaging blanks (100) to the containers (2) conveyed by the container conveyor (3). Furthermore, the system (1) comprises at least one stationary removal magazine (5, 5') with at least one removal magazine shaft (5.1, 5.2) for the packaging blanks (100) and at least one provision device (10) for providing and feeding packaging blanks (100) to the removal magazine (5, 5'). The application robot (4, 4') has at least one gripping device (6) and is designed to separate and apply the packaging blanks (100) in one work cycle.In this case, the application robot (4, 4') picks up a single packaging blank (100) from the removal magazine shaft (5.1, 5.2) of the removal magazine (5, 5') in a respective work cycle by means of its gripping device (6) and applies the picked up packaging blank (100) to the containers (2) in the same work cycle.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system for applying cardboard packaging blanks to containers, in particular for applying cardboard blanks each forming a carrying handle to containers, in particular to container bundles.

[0002] It is known from the state of the art to combine or combine containers, such as bottles, especially PET bottles, into bundles. Such container bundles are often referred to as multipacks, especially PET multipacks, and are particularly well-known in the beverage industry and enjoy great popularity and demand in the market.

[0003] It is also known that the containers used to create such packages are joined together, for example, by gluing them together with adhesive dots. One such method for producing a container package by gluing is described, for example, in EP 3 245 141 B1.

[0004] In containers of the type mentioned above, the PET bottles are usually held together by secondary packaging, which can also be provided in addition to adhesives, for example. In particular, the secondary packaging can also be designed in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way without plastic, for example, made of cardboard.

[0005] Such secondary packaging often also offers a carrying solution for the containers by including an integrated carrying handle. Common solutions include so-called carton clips with integrated carrying handles, which are applied to the container from above, holding the bottles in formation while also providing a carrying handle.

[0006] For the automated, mechanical attachment or application of such secondary packaging forming a carrying handle to containers or container bundles, appropriate devices or systems are required which, particularly in the beverage industry, can be integrated into or connected to production lines. However, such devices or systems known from the prior art are generally complex in design and relatively cost-intensive to operate, and often do not achieve the desired throughput. Therefore, there is still a need for improved devices for equipping containers with secondary packaging. In particular, there is a need for such devices to be able to operate at the desired performance and production speed in conjunction with the other machines and equipment on the production line.

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a system which eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art and which, with the simplest possible structure, enables a reliable application of a packaging blank to a container and is particularly powerful in operation.

[0008] This object is achieved with a system according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 35. Advantageous developments and embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] The present invention provides a system for applying cardboard packaging blanks to containers. The system has at least one container conveyor for conveying the containers in a conveying direction. Furthermore, the system comprises at least one application robot for applying the packaging blanks to the containers conveyed by the container conveyor. The system further comprises at least one stationary removal magazine with at least one removal magazine slot for the packaging blanks and at least one provision device for providing and feeding packaging blanks to the removal magazine.The application robot has at least one gripping device and is designed to separate and apply the packaging blanks in a work cycle, wherein the application robot, in a respective work cycle, uses its gripping device to grasp an individual packaging blank from the removal magazine shaft of the removal magazine and apply it to the containers in the same work cycle.

[0010] A "cardboard packaging blank" is, in this context, a secondary packaging material used for container packaging, namely for the further, i.e., secondary packaging and finishing of containers, especially containers filled with beverages, such as PET bottles. In particular, this refers to secondary packaging materials for packages consisting of two or more containers, which can also be referred to synonymously as container packages or simply as packages.

[0011] The "cardboard packaging blanks" are to be understood here as secondary packaging blanks or as cardboard blanks and are preferably designed in the form of cardboard blanks that each form a carrying handle and / or contain an integrated carrying handle. In the context of the present invention, the cardboard blanks are applied to the top of containers or container bundles. The packaging blanks can also be referred to in particular as cardboard clips.

[0012] The at least one application robot provided in the system according to the invention can, on the one hand, individually pick up the packaging blanks provided in the removal magazine - which are preferably stacked, namely as a stack in the removal magazine shaft - from the removal magazine shaft and thus separate them, and on the other hand, it can also apply the picked up and thus separated packaging blanks to the containers in one and the same work cycle.

[0013] A "work cycle" is also understood here as a work process, work step, or work procedure and includes the picking up, removing, grasping, or capturing of a stationary packaging blank, as well as the placing, applying, or attaching of the captured packaging blank to the conveyed containers, particularly those that are moving or in motion in the conveying direction. A work cycle thus describes the manipulation of the packaging blank, from its stationary provision to its applied state on the containers.

[0014] In particular, a "working cycle" is understood here to mean that the packaging blank, once picked up from the removal magazine shaft, is transferred to the containers and placed or applied to them by the application robot, in particular by its gripping device, during the same working cycle without any intermediate setting down or release. In other words, a respective packaging blank is " one and the same" Application robot in " one and the same" Working cycle - that is, without intermediate setting down, releasing, transferring or re-capturing - removed from the removal magazine, separated and applied to the containers.

[0015] The system according to the invention offers particular advantages since both the separation and the application of packaging blanks are achieved with a single application robot, i.e. a single application robot handles the entire required manipulation process from the removal of the packaging blanks from the removal magazine to the application of the packaging blanks to the containers.

[0016] Compared to the known prior art, the present system according to the invention requires only one application robot, which optimally manages the entire "path" of the packaging blank. In the known prior art, however, the packaging blanks are initially removed from the magazine individually, for example, by a first robot, via several robots connected in series or intermeshing with each other. They are then deposited individually and thus made available individually, picked up or picked up again, for example, by a second robot, and finally applied. Thus, the present invention advantageously reduces the design effort compared to the prior art and increases the cycle rate and throughput.

[0017] Although the present system can also be provided with multiple application robots for the purpose of further increasing performance or scaling the system up to a "larger" packaging line, even in such embodiments, each application robot performs the described combined separation and application process. In such embodiments with multiple application robots, these robots operate essentially in parallel or alongside one another, in particular independently of one another.

[0018] Advantageously, the application robot is designed to individually detect a respective packaging blank in a detection position from the removal magazine in the same work cycle, to hold the individually detected packaging blank in a detection and holding state, in order to move the detected packaging blank from the detection position, while maintaining the detection and holding state, into an application position for application to the containers and to deposit it on the containers.

[0019] The capture position is, in particular, the position in which the initial capture of the packaging blank takes place, i.e., the capture position coincides with the position the packaging blank occupies in the removal magazine shaft at the time of its capture. The capture position is thus located in the area of ​​the stationary removal magazine, which in turn is preferably located in close proximity to the application robot and the conveyor system.

[0020] The application position is the position in which the packaging material blank can be applied or placed on the containers conveyed on the conveyor system or on the container bundle conveyed on the conveyor system.

[0021] The application robot holds the packaging blank in the capture and hold state along the entire transfer path, namely for the entire duration of the transfer of the packaging blank into its application position.

[0022] Because the application robot picks up the packaging blanks from a stationary removal magazine, eliminating the need to pick up moving packaging blanks and maintaining a fixed pick-up position, the advantage is that throughput and performance are effectively increased, as the application robot's speed and position are not required during pick-up. The fixed pick-up position saves time when picking up the packaging blanks.

[0023] In particular, the application robot can be controlled by means of an optimized path and / or time control such that the transfer path for transferring the packaging blanks from the detection position to the application position is optimized in terms of path and / or time. Likewise, the at least one application robot and the container conveyor can be path and / or time-controlled or synchronized or synchronously coordinated with one another to optimize the detection and application of the packaging blanks in interaction, i.e. in a communicating manner. The control of the at least one application robot can, for example, be connected to a central or higher-level machine or system control system via a provided interface. In the case of multiple application robots, these can be controlled by means of a master-slave circuit or master-slave configuration.

[0024] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the removal magazine, in particular each of the removal magazines, has at least two removal magazine shafts, each removal magazine shaft being designed to accommodate a respective stack of packaging blanks. In these preferred embodiments, two stacks of packaging blanks can advantageously be provided and stored in the removal magazine, in particular in each removal magazine, with one of the removal magazine shafts serving, for example, as a supply or reserve shaft, while the other removal magazine shaft is in an "active" status in which packaging blanks are currently being removed.In this way, a substantially constant and continuous provision of packaging blanks can be advantageously ensured and a running out of packaging blanks can be effectively avoided, whereby, for example, idle-related interruptions or idle-related operational stops of the application robot can be minimized or prevented.

[0025] In the embodiments with two removal magazine shafts, each removal magazine shaft is preferably arranged in a removal and detection area of ​​the application robot. Packaging blanks can thus be removed from each of the removal magazine shafts by the application robot. This means that the application robot can access each of the two removal magazine shafts to remove packaging blanks. In particular, the removal magazine and the application robot can be positioned relative to one another such that the spatial spacing or distance between the application robot and each of the removal magazine shafts is the same or at least approximately or substantially the same.

[0026] In these described embodiments with two removal magazine shafts, the application robot is preferably controllable in such a way that, by appropriately controlling the application robot, switching between the respective removal magazine shafts for picking up packaging blanks can be controlled. Advantageously, switching between the removal magazine shafts for the respective removal of the packaging blanks can be carried out simply, quickly, and automatically in this way, with one of the removal magazine shafts being in the "active" status, i.e., in the status in which the removal magazine shaft is "operated" by the application robot, namely being emptied, while the other removal magazine shaft is in a reserve status.The controlled switching of the application robot between the removal magazine slots can also be referred to as switching the removal magazine slots between the active status and the reserve status.

[0027] The system preferably further comprises at least one fill level monitoring device which is designed to monitor the fill level and / or the emptying of the at least one removal magazine shaft and / or to detect a predetermined fill level or emptying level. For example, the fill level monitoring device can be used to monitor the emptying and / or determine the emptying or fill level for each of the removal magazine shafts present in the system. Preferably, several fill level monitoring devices are present, in particular for each of the removal magazine shafts. The fill level monitoring devices can, for example, each be a stepper motor with an absolute encoder or rotary encoder, by means of whose position the fill level can be determined. Alternatively or additionally, the fill level monitoring device can have other orFurther sensors may be provided, for example optical sensors, for example a camera, height sensors or weight or weighing sensors. Preferably, in addition to the stepper motor with absolute encoder, a sensor may be provided which monitors the positioning of the uppermost packaging blank and thus detects the correct detection position of the packaging blank to be removed.

[0028] The at least one level monitoring device or the multiple level monitoring devices are preferably in communication with the application robot, in particular with the application robot's controller, so that the application robot is controlled taking into account or based on the signals from the level monitoring devices. For example, switching between the respective removal magazine shafts for detecting packaging blanks can be controlled depending on the emptying monitored by the level monitoring device and / or the degree of emptying of the removal magazine shafts.

[0029] Depending on the measured values ​​or signals of the level monitoring devices, for example, a new or reloading of empty removal magazine shafts, in particular corresponding loading cycles for loading the removal magazine shafts, can also be controlled by means of the provision device.

[0030] According to particularly preferred embodiments, each removal magazine shaft is adjustable, whereby the removal magazine shafts are thus configured to accommodate packaging blanks of different formats. The removal magazine shafts are thus adaptable to packaging blanks of different formats. This results in particular advantages, as the system can be converted particularly quickly and easily to equip different container formats to be processed with the necessary and appropriate packaging blanks. At the same time, this ensures that the packaging blanks are safely and accurately positioned and precisely aligned for the application robot.

[0031] The adjustability of the removal magazine shafts is achieved, for example, by adjusting the width and / or length of the removal magazine shafts. For example, each removal magazine shaft, which preferably has a rectangular or substantially rectangular cross-section, comprises corresponding shaft wall sections, in particular two opposing end-side and two opposing longitudinal shaft wall sections, which shaft wall sections are designed to be movable relative to one another and thus variable in distance, in particular displaceable relative to one another. The removal magazine shafts, in particular the shaft wall sections, can preferably be adjusted by means of a central adjustment device.

[0032] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present system, several, preferably two, three, or four, application robots arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction and several, preferably two, three, or four, removal magazines arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction are provided. Each application robot is assigned a removal magazine, i.e., each of the several application robots "serves" its assigned removal magazine. This can also be understood as meaning that each application robot, together with its assigned removal magazine, forms an application unit, with several such application units being arranged one behind the other along the container conveyor, namely in the conveying direction.This can also advantageously increase the transport speed of the container conveyors, for example, to transport the containers at this increased speed in the conveying direction, while simultaneously ensuring that all containers are fitted with packaging blanks with the required accuracy and precision. This can increase the overall performance of the system.

[0033] For example, in these embodiments, four application robots and four removal magazines, thus four application units, can be provided, and one of each of the four container bundles conveyed consecutively in the conveying direction on the container conveyor can be processed by one of the four application units. This means that a first application robot applies a packaging blank to the first of the four container bundles, a second application robot applies the blank to the second of the four container bundles, and so on.

[0034] For example, each application robot and its associated removal magazine are located opposite each other with respect to the container conveyor, i.e., the application robots are arranged along one long side of the container conveyor, and the removal magazines are arranged along the opposite long side of the container conveyor in the conveying direction. The application robot(s) can be formed, for example, by a 4-axis robot, with one arm of the application robot extending over the container conveyor, at least in an extended position.

[0035] Particular advantages also arise from the fact that in the area of ​​each removal magazine, in particular in the area of ​​each of the removal magazine shafts, a height-adjusting conveyor system is provided and / or that each removal magazine, in particular each of the removal magazine shafts, has a lifting device.

[0036] The elevation conveyor system is designed in particular for the vertical insertion of a stack of packaging blanks from below into the removal magazine shaft of the removal magazine and is thus advantageously used in particular for refilling or refilling empty removal magazine shafts. The elevation conveyor system lifts in particular a respective complete stack of packaging blanks vertically upwards into a respective removal magazine shaft. The stack of packaging blanks for lifting into the removal magazine shaft is provided in place in particular via a transportable magazine loading unit of the provision device of the present system, so that the elevation conveyor system pushes in particular the complete stack of packaging blanks from the corresponding magazine loading unit from below into the removal magazine shaft.

[0037] The lifting device is designed in particular for lifting and / or tracking the packaging blanks located in the removal magazine shaft of the removal magazine and is particularly advantageous for keeping the packaging blanks stored in the removal magazine shaft at a desired, predetermined height level during removal by the application robot, so that the packaging blank on top in the stack is always arranged at the height level required for detection by the application robot and is in the correct detection position.

[0038] Most preferably, the vertical conveying system is formed by a telescopic cylinder. The lifting device, in turn, is preferably formed by a lifting / lowering carrier element, which in this case can also be referred to as a carrier holding element. For example, the telescopic cylinder is used to lift the stack of packaging blanks vertically upwards from the corresponding magazine loading unit into the removal magazine shaft. In the fully extended position of the telescopic cylinder, the lifting / lowering carrier element takes over the stack of packaging blanks and conveys them further vertically upwards in order to always position the packaging blanks at the top for pickup by the application robot.After the stack of packaging blanks has been picked up by the lifting / lowering carrier element, the telescopic cylinder returns to its lowest retracted position. The lifting / lowering carrier element is coupled, for example, to a linear unit driven by a stepper motor with an absolute encoder.

[0039] Particular advantages also arise from the fact that at least one sensor device for monitoring the position and / or orientation of the packaging blanks is provided in the removal magazine shaft of the removal magazine. In this embodiment, for example, it can be monitored whether at least the packaging blank to be removed, which is on top of the stack, is precisely and correctly aligned in the detection position, for example, aligned in a horizontal plane. The sensor device for monitoring the position and / or orientation of the packaging blanks can be formed, for example, by one or more, preferably two, sensors arranged at a predetermined distance from one another, in particular optical sensors, or by at least one camera.In particular, the sensor device is arranged above the removal magazine shaft and is designed to detect the position and / or orientation of the packaging blanks received in the removal magazine shaft from above.

[0040] Furthermore, the removal magazine preferably includes at least one position compensation device for correcting the position of the packaging blanks received in the removal magazine shaft of the removal magazine. In particular, the position compensation device can correct the position of individual packaging blanks or the entire stack of packaging blanks so that the packaging blanks can be presented to the application robot in the correct detection position. The compensation device for position correction is preferably in communication with the sensor device for monitoring the position and / or orientation of the packaging blanks received in the removal magazine shaft, so that a position correction can be made in response to the measured values ​​of the sensor device.

[0041] In particularly preferred embodiments, the position compensation device can be structurally coupled to the height-conveying system and / or the lifting device. It is also conceivable for the height-conveying system and / or the lifting device to simultaneously form the position compensation device. The position compensation device can be implemented, for example, by the carrier-holding element provided on the removal magazine shaft, which can engage in the removal magazine shaft via an engagement opening, is vertically displaceable relative to the removal magazine shaft for height adjustment, and is pivotable about a horizontally extending rotation axis by means of a rotary joint.

[0042] According to a particular aspect of the present invention, the provision device for providing and delivering the packaging blanks to the at least one removal magazine comprises, in particular, a circulating transport system and a plurality of magazine loading units that can be transported circulatingly on the transport system in a circulating direction. Thus, the system is advantageously designed to load the at least one removal magazine, in particular the plurality of removal magazines, automatically, i.e., to refill emptied removal magazine shafts with a high degree of automation and reduced manual handling.

[0043] A "magazine loading unit" is essentially understood here as a means of transport or a transport vehicle or a transport trolley for stacks of packaging blanks, in particular for repackaged stacks of packaging blanks that are packaged in outer packaging, in particular in an outer carton. The "magazine loading units" primarily serve to transport the stacks of packaging blanks to the removal magazine(s). From the magazine loading units, the stacks of packaging blanks can be filled into the empty removal magazine shafts. During the filling process of the removal magazine shafts, the outer packaging or outer carton preferably remains in the magazine loading unit and is transported away from the filled removal magazine during circulation on the transport system.

[0044] The essentially closed, all-round transport system is arranged in close proximity to the container conveyor with the associated application robot(s) and removal magazine(s). It is located, in particular, on the side of the container conveyor on which the removal magazines are also located. The transport system runs in the immediate vicinity of the removal magazines and comes into contact with them. This allows the magazine loading units to interact with the removal magazines easily and without spatial obstruction.

[0045] The transport system of the provisioning device preferably has, for the circulating transport of the magazine loading units to and from the at least one removal magazine, at least one first transport path section facing the removal magazine and at least one second transport path section cooperating with the first transport path section. The first and second transport path sections together form a circulating path for the magazine loading units.

[0046] The term "transport route section" in the context of the present invention is to be understood as a section or region of the circulating transport system, in particular the circulating path on which the magazine loading units move. Each of the two transport route sections thus forms a part of the circulating path for the magazine loading units and can therefore also be synonymously referred to as a transport section or circulating path section. In particular, the first transport route section can be understood as the part of the circulating path that is located on the side of the transport system facing the removal magazine and runs in the immediate vicinity of the removal magazines or is in contact with them.

[0047] The transport section essentially defines several consecutive functional areas of a loading cycle for the provision, supply, and loading or filling of the removal magazines. In particular, the second transport section serves to hold, store, supply, and induct the packaging blanks, while the first transport section serves to directly provide and transfer the packaging blanks to the removal magazines and to fill and load the removal magazines.

[0048] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the system, the first transport section is designed to transport the magazine loading units in a force-fitting and form-fitting manner, in particular at a predetermined pitch. The predetermined pitch preferably corresponds to the spacing of the removal magazine shafts in a removal magazine and / or the spacing or relative arrangement of the removal magazines along the container conveyor.

[0049] Particular advantages arise if the first transport path section has a linear track section running, in particular, parallel to the container conveyor. In particular, in embodiments in which several removal magazines, each with two removal magazine shafts, are arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction of the container conveyor, the linear track section extends, for example, over at least a length that is sufficiently long so that the linear track section runs along or past all of the removal magazines. The magazine loading units transported at the predetermined pitch are preferably arranged relative to one another along the linear track section - due to the predetermined pitch - such that their relative orientation to one another corresponds to the arrangement of the removal magazine shafts of the multiple removal magazines.

[0050] Furthermore advantageously and equally preferably, the second transport path section is designed to transport the magazine loading units at least in sections in a frictionally engaged manner, in particular without division.

[0051] Preferably, the second transport section adjoins the first transport section in such a way that the second transport section is arranged facing away from the removal magazine. The second transport section is particularly designed to receive magazine loading units from the first transport section at a first receiving position and to transfer them back to the first transport section at a second receiving position.

[0052] In particular, the circulating magazine loading units transition from force-locking and positive-locking transport to friction-locking transport at the first transfer position. Conversely, the circulating magazine loading units transition from friction-locking transport to force-locking and positive-locking transport at the second transfer position.

[0053] The area of ​​the first transfer position can also be considered the discharge area for empty magazine loading units. Accordingly, the area of ​​the second transfer position can also be considered the infeed area for filled magazine loading units. Between the discharge area and the infeed area, the remaining outer packaging is removed or disposed of from the magazine loading units, and the magazine loading units are filled with new, repackaged stacks of packaging blanks.

[0054] In particular, blocking and / or separating devices can be provided in the area of ​​the second transport section, which, for example, comprise a sensor system for detecting empty and filled magazine loading units as well as a passage or guidance or blocking device that interacts or communicates with the sensor system and monitors and ensures correct threading or transfer into the division-dependent, positive and non-positive transport on the first transport section.

[0055] The first transport section preferably has a motor-driven, in particular controlled and / or regulated motor-driven, sprocket conveyor. The sprocket conveyor preferably comprises a conveyor chain running around two sprockets. Preferably, a first of the two sprockets forms a drive wheel which is motor-driven. Alternatively, both sprockets, namely the first and the second sprocket, can be driven, in particular driven in a synchronized manner. Essentially, a rear run of the sprocket conveyor or conveyor chain connecting the sprockets defines the first transport section at least in sections, wherein an opposite return run of the sprocket conveyor or conveyor chain is arranged running between the first and the second transport section and is not part of the circulating path for the magazine loading units.

[0056] The first receiving position or the discharge area for the empty magazine loading units coming from the removal magazines is preferably located in the area of ​​the first sprocket, in particular on the circumference of the first sprocket. The second receiving position or the discharge area for the newly or refilled magazine loading units loaded with a stack of packaging blanks and to be transported to the removal magazine is preferably located in the area of ​​the second sprocket, in particular on the circumference of the second sprocket. The receiving or transfer of the magazine loading units at the receiving positions preferably takes place tangentially to the sprockets.

[0057] The sprocket conveyor, which in this case can also be understood as a chain conveyor system or as a carrier-type chain conveyor, preferably has a plurality of carriers arranged on the conveyor chain at a predetermined distance from one another. In particular, the carriers are arranged at the predetermined pitch relative to one another. The carriers interact, in particular, in a corresponding manner with the magazine loading units, so that the latter are transported along the first transport path section, namely in the direction of rotation from the second takeover position to the first takeover position, by means of the carriers, preferably at the predetermined pitch, which corresponds in particular to the arrangement and distribution of the removal magazine shafts of the removal magazines.

[0058] The carriers are, for example, permanently mounted on the conveyor chain and are designed, for example, in the form of simple finger or bolt elements, in particular as simple bolts. Preferably, an infeed blocking element is provided in the area of ​​the second transfer position, which releases the magazine loading units in a targeted or controlled manner for infeed into the first transport section, specifically at the exact time when a carrier passes the second transfer position, whereby the respective magazine loading unit is inducted and ultimately transported with the engagement of the carrier.

[0059] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second transport path section has a plurality of conveyor sections arranged one behind the other in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the transport system, in particular at least a first, second and third conveyor section, wherein at least one of the conveyor sections comprises at least one friction belt for frictionally transporting the magazine loading units.

[0060] In particular, at least the first conveyor section, which directly adjoins the first transport section at the first transfer position, has a friction belt for frictionally transporting the magazine loading units, so that the magazine loading units transition from positive and non-positive transport to frictionally transport at the first transfer position. In particularly preferred embodiments, the second and / or third conveyor section also each has a friction belt for frictionally transporting the magazine loading units.

[0061] Particularly preferably, a switchable blocking device is provided at least between the first and second conveyor sections of the second transport path section, which blocking device is designed to stop an accumulating magazine loading unit in a blocking state and to block its further transport along the circulating path and thereby to accumulate or allow the magazine loading units to accumulate, so that the accumulated or accumulated magazine loading units are, for example, adjacent to one another without gaps.

[0062] Preferably, the circulating track for the magazine loading units is arranged relative to the at least one removal magazine shaft of the removal magazine such that a respective magazine loading unit can be positioned guided on the circulating track in a loading position located below the at least one removal magazine shaft, wherein in the loading position the removal magazine shaft to be loaded and the loading shaft are arranged vertically one above the other and aligned coaxially with each other.

[0063] Furthermore, each magazine loading unit advantageously has at least one guide carriage element and at least one loading shaft that is detachably and replaceably connected to the guide carriage element, wherein the guide carriage element is guided on the first and second transport path sections and wherein the loading shaft is designed in particular as a format changing part.

[0064] Particularly preferably, the guide carriage element and the loading shaft are connected to each other via a tool-free, quick-change connection or quick-coupling. This allows the loading shafts to be swapped particularly easily and quickly when changing the format or format of the system, thus enabling a quick and easy changeover of the feed of packaging blanks in the required format.

[0065] The loading shaft can be made of a flat metal material or plastic, for example, in the form of a bent sheet metal part. The loading shaft is particularly preferably manufactured using an additive manufacturing process, in particular a 3D printing process. In this way, the size, shape, and design of the loading shafts can be tailored to the needs of the packaging blanks to be applied, cost-effectively and at the same time.

[0066] For example, the loading shaft can be equipped with appropriate positioning and / or orientation aids to prevent the repackaged stacks of packaging blanks from being incorrectly positioned or misoriented in the loading shaft. The positioning and / or orientation aids thus simultaneously represent an insertion and / or loading aid, which preferably ensures that the loading shaft is always loaded correctly, i.e., that the repackaged stacks of packaging blanks are always present in the loading shaft in the desired, required, and correct orientation. The positioning and / or orientation aids can, for example, interact with corresponding "counterparts" on the outer packaging of the stacks of packaging blanks and thus be designed, for example, according to the "Poka-Yoke" principle.

[0067] The guide carriage element of a respective magazine loading unit advantageously has an engagement section for positive engagement with the first transport section, thereby reliably ensuring the positive and / or non-positive transport of the magazine loading unit along the first transport section. The engagement section of the guide carriage element, in particular, provides at least one recess for the positive engagement of the carriers of the conveyor chain of the first transport section.

[0068] For example, the guide carriage element of the magazine loading unit comprises a base body section designed as a base plate, on the underside of which a recess is formed, which is provided and adapted for the engagement of a respective driver designed as a finger or bolt element. The finger or bolt elements can, for example, engage in the underside recess in the base plate of the guide carriage element at the second transfer position. Conversely, the finger or bolt elements can, for example, disengage from the underside recess in the base plate of the guide carriage element at the first transfer position, in particular be "unlatched."

[0069] The gripping device of the application robot preferably has a gripping tool designed as a vacuum gripper. The vacuum gripper particularly preferably comprises a suction device and / or a nozzle unit, in particular a Venturi nozzle.

[0070] Particular advantages arise from the fact that the gripping device of the application robot has a detachably connectable, in particular replaceable, application tool. This application tool is preferably designed as a format-change part and can be exchanged depending on the format. In particular, the application tool can be coupled to the gripping device by means of a quick-change connection, preferably a tool-free, quick-change connection.

[0071] Furthermore, the gripping device advantageously further comprises a manipulation and / or forming tool, wherein the manipulation and / or forming tool is designed to manipulate and / or form a packaging blank individually grasped by the gripping device, in particular to fold and / or bend it, for example along predetermined fold lines in the packaging blank.

[0072] Advantageously, the system can further include a condition detection device configured to detect the quality of the packaging blanks to be detected. A position detection device configured to detect the position of the containers can also advantageously be provided. In particular, the system includes a controller by means of which the application robots, the container conveyor, and the provision device are controlled in a communicative and / or interlocking manner, wherein measured values ​​or signals from provided sensors or sensor systems and / or from the condition detection device, the position detection device, and the like are taken into account in the control.

[0073] The present invention also encompasses a method for applying cardboard packaging blanks to containers, in which the containers are conveyed in a conveying direction by a container conveyor, and in which packaging blanks are applied to the conveyed containers by an application robot. The method is characterized in particular in that the packaging blanks are individually picked up in one work cycle by the application robot by means of a gripping device of the application robot from a removal magazine shaft of a stationary removal magazine, and in the process, each packaging blank separated by the picking up is brought to the conveyed containers and applied to the containers in the same work cycle.

[0074] All advantages described above for the system also apply equally to the present method according to the invention, so that reference is made to the advantages described in connection with the system.

[0075] According to a preferred embodiment, the packaging blanks are provided by a provision device and fed to the removal magazine. The provision device comprises a circulating transport system and a plurality of magazine loading units that can be transported on the transport system in a circulating direction. In the preferred method variant, the magazine loading units are transported on a circulating track of the transport system in a circulating direction to and from the at least one removal magazine, thereby refilling or loading the removal magazines with packaging blanks.

[0076] Preferably, the magazine loading units are transported in the direction of rotation to the removal magazine in a state filled with packaging blanks and are provided there in such a way that the packaging blanks can be fed from a respective magazine loading unit to the removal magazine and inserted into a removal magazine shaft to be loaded. A respective magazine loading unit emptied at the removal magazine is transported away from the removal magazine in the direction of rotation.

[0077] Furthermore, the magazine loading units are preferably transported in a force-locking and form-locking manner, particularly at a predetermined pitch, along a first transport section of the transport system facing the removal magazine. Along a second transport section of the transport system facing away from the removal magazine, the magazine loading units are transported at least partially frictionally.

[0078] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures and exemplary embodiments. They show: Fig. 1 shows a highly simplified and only roughly schematic representation of an embodiment of the system according to the invention in a plan view; Fig. 2a schematically shows an example of a packaging blank for application to containers; Fig. 2b shows a schematic plan view from above of a packaging blank of the Figure 2aequipped container bundle; Fig. 3 in a highly simplified and only roughly schematic top view of an application robot in the state of detecting (A) and applying (B) a packaging blank; Fig. 4 in a perspective view schematically shown a section of the present system in the area of ​​the application robot and the removal magazine; Fig. 5 schematically shown a view of the magazine loading unit in a loading position below the removal magazine shaft; Fig. 6 in a perspective view schematically shown a further section of the present system in the area of ​​the removal magazine; Fig. 7 schematically and in isolation shown a preferred embodiment of a removal magazine shaft in top view; Fig. 8 schematically shown in perspective view two magazine loading units with loading shafts in different formats and Fig.9A schematic perspective view of a magazine loading unit in the correctly loaded state.

[0079] The Figure 1 System 1, shown in a highly simplified and only roughly schematic plan view, serves to apply cardboard packaging blanks 100 to containers 2 or to container bundles 2a. In particular, the present system 1 can be used to apply such packaging blanks 100 to container bundles 2a, which are applied and attached to the top of a container bundle 2a and which thereby comprise or form a carrying handle for the container bundle 2a. Such packaging blanks 100 can also be referred to as cardboard clips 100.

[0080] The system 1 is, for example, part of a complex system for producing container packs 2a, 2a*, in particular packs made from PET bottles filled with beverages, and is thus preferably used in the beverage industry, for example in a beverage bottling plant or beverage processing plant. The present system 1 can also be understood as a packaging machine or system, or as a part or component of such packaging machines or systems. In beverage processing or production lines, the present system 1 is used for secondary packaging, namely in particular for applying the cardboard clips forming a carrying handle for the container packs 2a, 2a* to PET bottle packs. Such PET bottle packs can also be referred to as multipacks in the present case.

[0081] The present system 1 comprises a container conveyor 3, which in the example of Figure 1is designed as a linear conveyor and can, for example, be a belt conveyor or a conveyor belt, and on which the containers 2 are transported upright in a conveying direction FR. In the example shown, the containers 2 transported on the container conveyor 3 are already grouped and combined to form container bundles 2a, for example, connected or glued to one another by adhesive dots between the containers 2 to form the container bundles 2a. By means of the present system 1, the container bundles 2a are finally completed to form the container bundles 2a* provided with packaging blanks 100, namely the container bundles 2a* with cardboard clips 100.

[0082] In the area of ​​the container conveyor 3, at least one application robot 4, 4' is arranged for applying the packaging blanks 100 to the containers 2 conveyed by the container conveyor 3. In the example of Figure 1Two application robots 4, 4' are arranged one behind the other on a long side of the container conveyor 3, in particular laterally next to the container conveyor 3, in the conveying direction FR. The application robots 4, 4' are designed to remove the carton clips 100 to be applied from a respective stationary removal magazine 5, 5'. For this purpose, two stationary removal magazines 5, 5' are provided on the opposite side of the container conveyor 3, also one behind the other in the conveying direction FR and laterally next to the container conveyor 3, with each application robot 4, 4' being assigned a respective removal magazine 5, 5'. Each application robot 4, 4' thus forms, together with its associated removal magazine 5, 5', an application unit.

[0083] In the example of Figure 1Each of the removal magazines 5, 5' has two removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2, in which the packaging blanks 100, namely the cardboard clips 100, are stored in stacks. From these removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2, the cardboard clips 100 are made available in a stationary manner to the associated application robot 4, 4' for removal or for detection.

[0084] It is understood that the Figure 1 The arrangement shown of two application robots 4, 4' and two removal magazines 5, 5' is by no means limiting. System 1 can also provide three, four, five, or more application robots 4, 4' with a corresponding number of respective, associated removal magazines 5, 5'.

[0085] Each of the application robots 4, 4' is in the specific example of Figure 1It is designed as a 4-axis robot and comprises an arm or robot arm, at the free end of which a gripping device 6 is provided. The application robots 4, 4' are designed both for separating and for applying the packaging blanks 100 in a single work cycle. In this case, the application robot 4, 4' can, in each work cycle, grasp and remove an individual packaging blank 100 or carton clip 100 from the removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2 using its gripping device 6, and finally apply this separated, grasped carton clip 100 to the containers 2 in the same work cycle.

[0086] For this purpose, the arm of each application robot 4, 4' is designed such that, in an extended or maximally extended state, it extends at least over the container conveyor 3, in particular over a conveying surface of the container conveyor 3, namely up to the removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2 of its associated removal magazine 5, 5', so that the application robot 4, 4' can grasp a single carton clip 100 with its gripping device 6 from each of the removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2 of its associated removal magazine 5, 5' and remove it from the removal magazine 5, 5'. The grasping and removal of the carton clip 100 from the removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2 takes place in a Figure 3 detection position EP shown in section A.

[0087] Furthermore, each application robot 4, 4' is designed to pick up the cardboard clip 100 picked up from the removal magazine 5, 5' and thus separated without intermediate setting down, that is to say directly in the same work cycle, namely while maintaining the picking and holding state, into a Figure 3 to the application position AP shown in section B, in which the application robot 4, 4' places the carton clip 100 on the containers 2 and applies it.

[0088] An example of a packaging blank 100 or carton clip 100 that can be applied by means of the system 1 is shown in the Figure 2a shown. Figure 2bshows a finished container bundle 2a* already provided with the cardboard clip 100. The cardboard clip 100, comprising a carrying handle section 102, can be applied from above to the top of a container bundle 2a using the present system 1. The cardboard clip 100 comprises openings 101, 101', so that respective neck regions of the containers 2, which carry a container closure 2.1, engage in or protrude through the openings 101, 101' of the cardboard clip 100, and the cardboard clip 100 is thus fixed to the container bundle 2a*. For secure fastening and fixing to the containers 2, the cardboard clips 100 can additionally have folding sections or the like (not shown in the figures), which are folded, bent, or creased, for example, during application, in particular by means of a manipulation or forming tool of the gripping device.

[0089] With reference to the Figure 41 shows once again a perspective view of the application robot 4 with its associated removal magazine 5. Both removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2 are located within a removal and detection range of the application robot 4, which can switch between the respective removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2 by appropriate control in order to detect the carton clips 100 held in the removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2. The change or switching from one removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2 to the other removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2 can be controlled and occurs depending on the emptying of a respective removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2.

[0090] During normal operation of System 1, one of the two removal magazine slots 5.1, 5.2 forms an "active" slot from which the current removal takes place until it is completely empty, while the other removal magazine slot 5.1, 5.2 is in a reserve status and forms a reserve or supply slot. Switching from the currently "active" slot to the reserve slot occurs as soon as the currently "active" slot is emptied, preferably completely.

[0091] To control or switch this change depending on the degree of emptying of the respective removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2, the system 1 is provided with a corresponding sensor system (not further identified in the figures), for example, at least one fill level monitoring device, by which the emptying of a respective removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2 can be monitored or a predetermined degree of emptying can be detected. The measurement data determined by the sensor system or the signals generated therefrom are used accordingly to control the application robot 4 so that it switches from the currently "active" removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2 to the removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2 in reserve status to remove the carton clips 100.

[0092] As can be seen from the overview of the Figure 1As can be seen, the system 1 comprises a provision device 10 for providing and feeding the carton clips 100 to the removal magazines 5, 5'.

[0093] The supply device 10 of the present system 1 has a circulating transport system 11 and a plurality of magazine loading units 12 which can be or are transported on the transport system 11 in a direction of rotation U and which are conveyed by means of the transport system 11 to and from the removal magazines 5, 5' for their reloading or refilling.

[0094] The circulating transport system 11 comprises a first transport section 13 facing the removal magazines 5, 5' and at least one second transport section 14 interacting with the first transport section 13. The second transport section 14 adjoins the first transport section 13 such that the second transport section 14 faces away from the removal magazines 5, 5'. With respect to a longitudinal axis LA of the transport system 11, the second transport section 14 is substantially opposite the first transport section 13. The first and second transport sections 13, 14 together form a circulating path for the magazine loading units 12, which, for the purpose of their transportability along the circulating path, have a guide carriage element 12.1 guided on the first and second transport section 13, 14.

[0095] A respective loading shaft 12.2 is arranged or fastened to the guide carriage element 12.1 of a respective magazine loading unit 12, so that the magazine loading units 12 can each be loaded with a stack of carton clips 100 and, in this loaded state, can be transported to the removal magazines 5, 5' in order to insert the stack of carton clips 100 into one of the removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2 for refilling.

[0096] Each magazine loading unit 12 emptied in this way, that is to say each magazine loading unit 12 which was emptied by delivering the stack of carton clips 100 to the removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2, is then moved further on the circulation path in the circulation direction U and is thereby transported away from the removal magazines 5, 5' in order to be able to be refilled or refilled with carton clips 100, namely loaded, in a new loading cycle.

[0097] On the circulating track, the magazine loading units 12 are brought in the loaded state, in the area of ​​the first transport section 13, to the removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2 of the respective removal magazines 5, 5', in particular to a level or to a height level below the removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2. The magazine loading units 12 are positioned or placed relative to the removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2 in such a way that a magazine loading unit 12 guided on the circulating track is arranged below a respective removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2.

[0098] Each magazine loading unit 12 is thereby guided on the first transport section 13 into a loading position BP (in Figure 1 not marked, see Figure 5), in which the removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2 to be loaded is positioned above the magazine loading unit 12 in such a way that the removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2 can be loaded from below via the magazine loading unit 12. The loading process, namely the transfer of the stack of carton clips 100 from the magazine loading unit 12 into the removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2, is described below in connection with Figure 5 described in more detail.

[0099] Along the first transport route section 13 of the transport system 11 of the Figure 1The magazine loading units 12 are transported in a force-fitting and form-fitting manner by the provision device 10 shown, in particular at a predetermined pitch. At this predetermined pitch, all magazine loading units 12 located on the first transport section 13 are arranged relative to one another such that their arrangement or distribution pattern in the direction of the longitudinal axis LA of the transport system 11, which also corresponds to the conveying direction of the containers 2 on the container conveyor 3, corresponds to the arrangement or distribution of the removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2 of the existing removal magazines 5, 5'.

[0100] In the top view of the Figure 1 the respective loading shafts 12.2 of the magazine loading units 12 arranged at the specified pitch on the first transport section 13 are covered by the removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2 of the removal magazines 5, 5' and are therefore not visible.

[0101] For the pitch-dependent, force- and form-fitting transport of the magazine loading units 12 along the first transport section 13, the latter has a motor-driven sprocket conveyor 15, which comprises a conveyor chain 17 running around two sprockets 16, 16', wherein carriers for the magazine loading units 12 are provided on the conveyor chain 17, arranged at the predetermined pitch distance relative to one another (not shown in the figures merely for reasons of clarity).

[0102] In the area of ​​the second transport route section 14 of the transport system 11, which in turn is divided into several sub-areas and in the example shown the Figure 1a first, second, and third conveyor section 14a, 14b, 14c, the magazine loading units 12 are transported at least in sections with frictional engagement and, in particular, without division. The conveyor sections 14a, 14b, 14c are arranged one behind the other in the direction of the longitudinal axis LA of the transport system 11, with the second conveyor section 14b having two adjoining conveyor section regions 14b1, 14b2. For the frictional transport of the magazine loading units 12, the conveyor sections 14a, 14b, 14c each have a friction belt, which exerts a feed on the magazine loading units 12 under frictional engagement and thereby pushes them further in the direction of rotation U.

[0103] In the example shown, the Figure 1 The first and third conveyor sections 14a, 14c are each formed by a friction belt. In the second conveyor section 14b, a further friction belt is provided in the second conveyor section region 14b2.

[0104] At a first transfer position P1 connecting the first transport section 13 with the second transport section 14, the magazine loading units 12 are transferred from the first transport section 13 to the conveyor section 14a of the second transport section 14. At this first transfer position P1, the magazine loading units 12 transition from the positive and non-positive transport to the frictional transport.

[0105] Analogously, the magazine loading units 12 are transferred from the third conveyor section 14c of the second transport section 14 to the first transport section 13 at a second transfer position P2 connecting the second transport section 14 and the first transport section 13. At this second transfer position P2, the magazine loading units 12 transition from frictional transport to positive and non-positive transport.

[0106] The circulation of the magazine loading units 12 on the circulation path formed by the transport system 11 is essentially divided into several functional areas in which the functions of each loading cycle can be carried out. Figure 1 The corresponding functional areas are indicated by the Roman numerals I, II, III, IV.

[0107] For example, a loading area I, which in the example shown is the Figure 1 corresponds to the area in which the second conveyor section 14b - and here in particular the first conveyor section area 14b1 of the second conveyor section 14b - is arranged, represents an area of ​​the system 1 accessible to an operator.

[0108] In this loading area I, the magazine loading units 12 can be equipped, i.e., filled or loaded, with stacks of carton clips 100, for example, by the operator. For this purpose, the operator can insert repackaged stacks of carton clips 100 into the loading shaft 12.2 of the magazine loading units 12. Such a repackaged stack of carton clips 100, which can also be understood as a refill pack, is, for example, a carton or outer packaging 103 (see Figure 9) or an outer carton containing exactly one stack of carton clips 100 and which can be pushed or inserted by the operator from above into the upwardly open loading shaft 12.2 of a magazine loading unit 12. After pushing in, an upper lid section or an upper lid flap or head flap of the outer packaging 103 or the outer carton can be removed, so that the outer carton 103 located in the loading shaft 12.2 of the magazine loading units 12 is open at the top.

[0109] The operator operating in loading area I can, for example, manually transfer or insert a newly loaded magazine loading unit 12 from the first conveyor section 14b1 into the second conveyor section 14b2, where the magazine loading unit 12 is then moved further in the second conveyor section 14b2 under the frictional action of the friction belt. In the example shown, a switchable locking device 9" is provided between the first conveyor section 14b1 and the second conveyor section 14b2, which, in the locked state, prevents or stops the further transport of the magazine loading units 12. Likewise, in this area between the first conveyor section 14b1 and the second conveyor section 14b2, a sensor system 25 is provided, by means of which it can be checked whether each magazine loading unit 12 is correctly loaded.

[0110] In the example of Figure 1Furthermore, a switchable locking device 9' is provided between the second and third conveyor sections 14b, 14c, which, in the locked state, prevents or stops the further transport of the magazine loading units 12. The newly loaded or loaded magazine loading units 12, which are pushed in the direction of rotation U by the friction belt of the second conveyor section 14b2, run onto the locking device 9' and are stored there, essentially one behind the other, ready for the next steps of the loading cycle.

[0111] In a feed and infeed area II following the loading area I in the direction of rotation U, the newly equipped or loaded magazine loading units 12 are kept in a number that corresponds at least to the number of removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2, preferably exactly to the number of removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2 of the removal magazines 5, 5' present in the system 1. Only for graphic reasons, Figure 1 not the preferred exact number of loaded magazine loading units 12 shown.

[0112] The feed and infeed area II can be filled by appropriately controlled and / or regulated switching of the locking device 9'. When the locking device 9' is released, the magazine loading units 12 are frictionally "gripped" and pushed forward by the friction belt of the second conveyor section 14b and the friction belt of the third conveyor section 14c. For example, in the direction of rotation U, a further locking device is provided before or at the second transfer position P2, which accumulates the magazine loading units 12 so that they are again ready in a substantially continuous line in the third conveyor section 14c.

[0113] The second transfer position P2 defines the infeed area of ​​the provision device 10 of the system 1, in which the newly equipped or loaded magazine loading units 12 are brought to the corresponding division of the removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2 of the existing removal magazines 5, 5' under the positive and non-positive action of the first transport section 13 and are transported further in this.

[0114] Via this division-based, positive and non-positive transport, each magazine loading unit 12 is guided into a staging area III at the removal magazines 5, 5', where it is moved to a respective removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2 to be served or loaded, and aligned with it in the loading position BP. In staging area III, the stacks of carton clips 100 are delivered from the loading shafts 12.2 to the removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2 in the respective loading positions BP. As already mentioned above, the stacks of carton clips 100 are inserted into the removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2 from below, whereby the stacks of carton clips 100 are simultaneously pushed out of the outer cartons and the empty outer cartons remain in the loading shafts 12.2.

[0115] The step of transferring the stacks of carton clips 100 from the loading shafts 12.2 into the removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2 is described below with reference to the Figure 5 explained in more detail.

[0116] After the stacks of carton clips 100 have been transferred from the loading shafts 12.2 into the removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2, the emptied magazine loading units 12 are moved further in the direction of rotation U to a discharge area IV, essentially defined by the first transfer position P1, in which the magazine loading units 12 are transferred from the first transport section 13 to the second transport section 14. In the discharge area IV or at the first transfer position P1, the carriers of the conveyor chain 17 are disengaged from the magazine loading units 12, so that they run into the first conveyor section 14a under the action of the friction belt. For example, the magazine loading units 12 are stopped oraccumulated and from there moved manually or controlled to loading area I, where the operator can start a new loading cycle after removing the empty outer carton.

[0117] With reference now to the Figure 5 In the following, the step of transferring the stacks of cardboard clips 100 from the loading shafts 12.2 into the removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2, which takes place in the provision area III, namely in the area of ​​the first transport section 13, will be explained in more detail.

[0118] Each magazine loading unit 12 guided on the circulating track is brought into the staging area III, namely in the area of ​​the first transport section 13 below the respective removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2 to be filled, and positioned in the loading position BP. In this loading position BP, the removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2 to be loaded and the corresponding loading shaft 12.2 are arranged vertically one above the other and aligned coaxially with each other. The correct positioning and orientation of the loading shaft 12.2 in the loading position BP can preferably be ensured or supported by a centering device.

[0119] To transfer the stack of cardboard clips 100 delivered in the loading shaft 12.2 of the magazine loading unit 12 into the removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2, a height-adjustable conveyor system 18, designed, for example, as a telescopic cylinder, is provided for each of the removal magazines 5, 5'. The telescopic cylinder 18 can engage from below through an opening formed in the floor of the loading shaft 12.2 of the magazine loading unit 12 into the interior of the loading shaft 12.2 and can be moved vertically upward within the interior of the loading shaft 12.2 by means of a lifting and / or extending movement in order to thereby lift the stack of cardboard clips 100 and insert it from below into the removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2. It is understood that the removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2 are designed to be free or open in the area of ​​their base to such an extent that a stack of carton clips 100 can be pushed in or inserted from below without hindrance.

[0120] In the examples described here, the outer carton of the refill pack of carton clips 100 received in the loading shaft 12.2 also has an opening or perforation in its base section, which at least partially coincides with the opening in the base of the loading shaft 12.2, so that when the carton clips 100 are transferred from the loading shaft 12.2 to the removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2, the engaging and upwardly moving telescopic cylinder 18 simultaneously pushes the stack of carton clips 100 out of the outer carton while lifting it, wherein the outer carton is held back in the loading shaft 12.2, for example, by means of an actuatable, in particular controlled and automated, counterholder (not shown in the figures). The empty outer carton remains in the loading shaft 12.2 and can be discharged with the magazine loading unit 12 upon appropriate further transport on the circulating track.

[0121] After the stack of carton clips 100 has been transferred from the loading shaft 12.2 into the removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2 by means of the telescopic cylinder 18 and has been completely inserted into the latter, a holding element provided and operable in the area of ​​the bottom of each removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2, in particular a holding element operable in a controlled and automated manner, takes over the holding function for the carton clips 100 and supports the stack of carton clips 100 received in the removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2 from below.

[0122] With reference to the Figure 6An embodiment is shown in which a lifting device 19 acts as a holding element to fulfill the holding function for the cardboard clips 100 accommodated in the removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2. The lifting device 19 is designed to lift and / or guide the packaging blanks or cardboard clips 100 located in the removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2 of the removal magazine 5, 5' and comprises a lifting device 21 and a carrier element or carrier holding element 20 arranged on the lifting device 21 and thus designed to be movable in a lifting and lowering motion, which can be moved by the lifting device 21 with a lifting and lowering movement in a vertical travel direction VR.

[0123] The carrier holding element 20 engages with its support or carrying plate 20.1 the stack of carton clips 100 received in the removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2 from below in a supporting or holding manner, so that the stack of carton clips 100 is supported by the support or carrying plate 20.1 while resting on it.

[0124] For example, the driving element or driving holding element 20 can be moved downwards so far that the support or carrying plate 20.1 is in a lower position (as in Figure 6 shown) of the carrier holding element 20 can grip under a new stack of carton clips 100 pushed into the removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2 by the magazine loading unit 12. For this purpose, the carrier holding element 20 is mounted on the lifting device 21 so that it can be pivoted and / or displaced in the horizontal direction.

[0125] By lifting the carrier holding element 20 carrying the stack of carton clips 100 by means of the lifting device 21, the carton clips 100 can be guided upwards in the vertical direction, so that during the successive or increasing emptying of the removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2 by the application robot 4, 4', the uppermost carton clip 100 is always positioned in the exact position for detection or removal by the gripping device 6 of the application robot 4, 4', in particular in the detection position EP.

[0126] The system 1 described by way of example further comprises a sensor device (not shown in the figures) for monitoring the position and / or orientation of the carton clips 100 in the removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2. The sensor device can be used, for example, to monitor whether the carton clips 100 are oriented exactly horizontally. Along with the sensor device and in communication with it, the removal magazine 5, 5' further comprises a position compensation device 22 for correcting the position of the carton clips 100 accommodated in the removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2, as can be seen from the Figure 6 emerges.

[0127] Using the position compensation device 22, which in the example of Figure 6a rotary joint for rotating or pivoting the driver holding element 20 about a rotation axis DA, the carton clips 100 can be brought back into the horizontal alignment in response to an inclination of the carton clips 100 determined or measured by means of the sensor device by deflecting the driver holding element 20 in a controlled and / or regulated manner with a corresponding pivoting or compensating movement S in order to counteract the inclination.

[0128] In order to provide the application robot 4, 4' with packaging blanks or carton clips 100 of different formats safely and in an exact detection position EP, the individual removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2 of the removal magazines 5, 5' can be designed to be exchangeable and / or adjustable so that they can receive packaging blanks or carton clips 100 of different formats in a secure orientation and position. With reference to the Figure 7An example of an adjustable removal magazine shaft 5.1, 5.2 is shown in more detail using a roughly schematic and isolated removal magazine shaft 5.1 in plan view.

[0129] The removal magazine slot 5.1 of the Figure 7The shaft wall section of the example shown has a substantially rectangular cross-section and comprises corresponding shaft wall sections 7, 7', 8, 8' describing the four sides of a rectangle, namely two opposing end-side shaft wall sections 7, 7' and opposing longitudinal shaft wall sections 8, 8'. The end-side shaft wall sections 7, 7' and the longitudinal shaft wall sections 8, 8' are each designed to be movable relative to one another, in particular displaceable relative to one another and thus variable in distance. In this way, a width b and / or a length l of the receiving space of the removal magazine shaft 5.1 arranged and provided within the shaft wall sections 7, 7', 8, 8' can be adjusted and adapted to different dimensions or formats of cardboard clips 100.

[0130] The adjustment of the removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2 is achieved, for example, by means of a central adjustment device not further indicated in the figures. The shaft wall sections 8, 8' can be moved relative to one another in the direction of width b (see arrow directions b). Similarly, the shaft wall sections 7, 7' can be moved relative to one another in the direction of length l (see arrow directions l). In this way, the removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2 can be quickly and easily adapted to different formats of carton clips 100, thus facilitating format changes in the present system 1.

[0131] Also for the purpose of facilitating format changes, the magazine loading units 12 of the supply device 10 can be designed to be adaptable depending on the format. Figure 8In this context, shows two different magazine loading units 12 for different formats of carton clips 100 in an isolated perspective view.

[0132] In the various magazine loading units 12, the guide carriage elements 12.1 are identical, but the respective loading shafts 12.2, 12.2* differ in their dimensions. The loading shaft 12.2* marked with an asterisk in the Figure 8 The magazine loading unit 12 shown on the right has larger length and / or width dimensions than the loading shaft 12.2 of the Figure 8magazine loading unit 12 shown on the left. The smaller loading shaft 12.2 with the smaller length L1 and the smaller width B1 is designed to accommodate carton clips 100 of a first, namely smaller format, whereas the loading shaft 12.2* with the greater length L2 and the greater width B2 can accommodate larger carton clips 100 in comparison.

[0133] The differently dimensioned loading shafts 12.2, 12.2* are designed as format change parts and are connected to the respective guide carriage element 12.1 via a quick-change connection 23 or quick-coupling that can be removed without the need for tools. In the case of smaller loading shafts 12.2, as in the example of the Figure 8 As shown, an adapter section 24 for length compensation is provided between the quick coupling 23 and the loading shaft 12.2.

[0134] As already described above, the guide carriage elements 12.1 are guided on the first and second transport section 13, 14. For positive transport on the first transport section 13, the guide carriage elements 12.1 comprise an engagement section into which the carriers of the conveyor chain 17 of the first transport section 13 can engage.

[0135] In the example described above, Figure 1The present system 1 is explained for an embodiment with two application robots 4, 4' and, accordingly, two associated removal magazines 5, 5', each with two removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2. In the following, a possible alternative embodiment for carrying out a loading cycle of the removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2 using the provision device 10 will be explained in detail using an example with four application robots 4, 4' and removal magazines 5, 5'.

[0136] For the following example of a loading cycle, which can also be referred to as a change cycle, an initial situation is assumed in which a respective magazine loading unit 12 is arranged under each of the eight removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2 of the respective four removal magazines 5, 5' of the system 1 and all eight magazine loading units 12 located under the removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2 are completely emptied.

[0137] It is further assumed that in this initial situation, eight prepared magazine loading units 12 filled with a stack of carton clips 100, namely with a "fresh" or new refill pack, are accumulated in the third conveyor section 14c and preferably lined up seamlessly in front of the second takeover position P2, ready for transfer into the first transport section 13. A further eight prepared, already filled magazine loading units 12 are accumulated in the second conveyor section 14b and preferably lined up seamlessly in front of the blocking device 9' in the blocked state, ready as a supply.

[0138] With the start of the loading cycle or change cycle, the eight empty magazine loading units 12 located under the removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2 are transported away from the removal magazines 5, 5' in the direction of rotation U. At the same time, the magazine loading units 12 that have been newly filled and are ready in the third conveyor section 14c are introduced at the second takeover position P2 into the pitch-dependent, positive and non-positive transport on the first transport section 13 and are thus transported to the removal magazines 5, 5'.

[0139] The eight prepared magazine loading units 12, which are ready in the second conveyor section 14b, move into the release position into the third conveyor section 14c by actuating the locking device 9'. Meanwhile, the empty magazine loading units 12 coming from the removal magazine shafts 5.1, 5.2 enter the first conveyor section 14a and can be manually admitted or pushed further into the vacated second conveyor section 14b, or controlled by the locking device 9, where they can be manually loaded with a fresh, new stack of carton clips 100 by an operator. After all eight empty magazine loading units 12 have been reloaded, a loading cycle or change cycle can be started again.

[0140] The Figure 9illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a magazine loading unit 12 with a loading shaft 12.2, which is configured to ensure correct loading and to avoid or exclude incorrect loading. Figure 9 shows the loaded state of the magazine loading unit 12 using a perspective view, i.e. after correct loading with packaging blanks 100.

[0141] To load the loading shaft 12.2 of a respective magazine loading unit 12, a repackaged stack of packaging blanks 100 is inserted into the loading shaft 12.2, for example, manually by an operator. In the repackaged stack, the packaging blanks 100 are accommodated in an outer packaging 103, for example, in an outer carton. This outer packaging 103 is preferably sealed on all sides in the storage or delivery state (in Figure 9not shown) and thus forms a closed package of packaging blanks 100.

[0142] The outer packaging 103 containing the stack of packaging blanks 100 is inserted by the operator into the loading shaft 12.2 of a respective magazine loading unit 12, preferably in a still unopened or fully sealed state. After insertion, it can finally be opened by removing a lid section or a lid, head, or closure flap provided on the top of the outer packaging 103. For easier opening, appropriate perforation or dividing lines can be provided, for example, on the top of the outer packaging 103.

[0143] In order to ensure that the outer packaging 103 containing the packaging blanks 100 can only be inserted into the loading shaft 12.2 in the required and correct orientation, the loading shaft 12.2 is equipped with appropriate positioning and / or orientation aids 26. In the Figure 9 In the example shown, the positioning and / or orientation aids 26 are implemented as a chamfer, bevel, or inclined surface. The inclined surface 26 of the example shown is formed on a corner region of the loading shaft 12.2 facing away from the guide carriage element 12.1 and connects a front and a side wall section of the loading shaft 12.2, which has a substantially rectangular cross-section.

[0144] The positioning and / or orientation aids 26 of the loading shaft 12.2 are, in terms of their design and geometry, particularly matched to a corresponding design and geometry of the outer packaging 103 used, which accordingly also have complementary orientation aids 104. In the example of the Figure 9 For this purpose, a bevel 104 is also provided on the outer packaging 103, which interacts as a corresponding "counterpart" with the inclined surface 26 of the loading shaft 12.2 to prevent incorrect insertion of the outer packaging 103 into the loading shaft 12.2, thereby effectively avoiding incorrect positioning or misorientation of the packaging blanks 100. Due to the inclined surface 26 and the bevel 104, the loading shaft 12.2 and the outer packaging 103 essentially interact according to the "Poka Yoke" principle. List of reference symbols

[0145] 1System 2Container 2.1Container closure 2a, 2a*Container bundle 3Container conveyor 4, 4'Application robot 5, 5'Removal magazine 5.1, 5.2Removal magazine shaft 6Gripping device 7, 7'Front shaft wall sections 8, 8'Longitudinal shaft wall sections 9, 9', 9'Blocking device 9aInlet blocking element 10Preparation device 11Transport system 12Magazine loading unit 12.1Guide carriage element 12.2Loading shaft 13First transport section 14Second transport section 14a, 14b, 14cConveyor sections 14b1, 14b2Conveyor section areas 15Sprocket conveyor 16, 16'Sprockets 17Conveyor chain 18Elevating conveyor system, telescopic cylinder 19Lifting device 20Carrier holding element 21Lifting device 22Position compensation device 23Quick-change connection 24Adapter section 25Sensors 26Positioning and / or orientation aids 100Packaging material cut-out 101, 101'Perforations 102Carrying handle section 103Outer packaging 104Complementary orientation aid ILoading area IIFeed and infeed area IIIPreparation area IVDischarge area AP Application position b Width of the removal magazine shaft B1, B2 Width of the loading shaft BP Loading position DA Rotation axis EP Detection position FR Conveying direction l Length of the removal magazine shaft L1, L2 Length of the loading shaft L Longitudinal axis P1 First takeover position P2 Second takeover position SSwidth or compensation movement U Circulation direction VR Vertical travel direction

Claims

1. System (1) for applying packaging blanks (100) made of cardboard to containers (2), comprising at least one container conveyor (3) for conveying the containers (2) in a conveying direction (FR) and at least one application robot (4, 4') for applying the packaging blanks (100) to the containers (2) conveyed by the container conveyor (3), wherein the system (1) further comprises at least one stationary removal magazine (5, 5') with at least one removal magazine shaft (5.1, 5.2) for the packaging blanks (100) and at least one provision device (10) for providing and feeding packaging blanks (100) to the removal magazine (5, 5'), wherein the application robot (4, 4') has at least one gripping device (6) and is designed to separate and apply the packaging blanks (100) in a work cycle, wherein the application robot (4, 4') in a respective work cycle by means of its gripping device (6) grasps a single packaging blank (100) from the removal magazine shaft (5.1, 5.2) of the removal magazine (5, 5') and applies it to the containers (2) in the same work cycle.

2. System (1) according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe application robot (4, 4') is designed to individually detect a respective packaging blank (100) in a detection position (EP) from the removal magazine (5, 5') in the same work cycle, to hold the individually detected packaging blank (100) in a detection and holding state, in order to move the detected packaging blank (100) from the detection position (EP) while maintaining the detection and holding state into an application position (AP) for application to the containers (2) and to deposit it on the containers (2).

3. System (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the removal magazine (5, 5') has at least two removal magazine shafts (5.1, 5.2), each removal magazine shaft (5.1, 5.2) being designed to receive a respective stack of packaging blanks (100).

4. System (1) according to claim 3, characterized in thateach removal magazine shaft (5.1, 5.2) is arranged in a removal and detection area of ​​the application robot (4, 4') and as a result packaging material blanks (100) can be removed from each of the removal magazine shafts (5.1, 5.2) by means of the application robot (4, 4').

5. System (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the application robot (4, 4') is controllable in such a way that, by appropriately controlling the application robot (4, 4'), a change between the respective removal magazine shafts (5.1, 5.2) for detecting packaging material blanks (100) can be switched in a controlled manner.

6. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system has at least one device for level monitoring, which is designed to monitor the emptying of the at least one removal magazine shaft (5.1, 5.2) and / or to detect a predetermined level of filling or emptying.

7. System (1) according to claim 5 and 6, characterized in that the change between the respective removal magazine shafts (5.1, 5.2) for detecting packaging material blanks (100) can be switched in a controlled manner depending on the emptying monitored by the fill level sensor and / or the degree of emptying of the removal magazine shafts (5.1, 5.2).

8. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each removal magazine shaft (5.1, 5.2) is designed to be replaceable as a format change part or adjustable and is thus configured to receive packaging blanks (100) of different formats, wherein the adjustable removal magazine shafts (5.1, 5.2) are adaptable to the packaging blanks (100) of different formats.

9. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thata plurality of application robots (4, 4') arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction (FR) and a plurality of removal magazines (5, 5') arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction (FR) are provided, wherein each application robot (4, 4') is assigned a respective removal magazine (5, 5').

10. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatin the area of ​​each removal magazine (5, 5'), in particular in the area of ​​each of the removal magazine shafts (5.1, 5.2), a height-adjustable conveyor system (18) is provided and / or that each removal magazine (5, 5'), in particular each of the removal magazine shafts (5.1, 5.2), has a lifting device (19), wherein the height-adjustable conveyor system (18) is designed in particular for vertically inserting a stack of packaging blanks (100) from below into the removal magazine shaft (5.1, 5.2) of the removal magazine (5, 5'), and wherein the lifting device (19) is designed in particular for lifting and / or tracking the packaging blanks (100) located in the removal magazine shaft (5.1, 5.2) of the removal magazine (5, 5').

11. System (1) according to claim 10, characterized in thatthe height-conveying system (18) is formed by a telescopic cylinder and / or that the lifting device (19) comprises a lifting / lowering movable driver holding element (20), wherein preferably the height-conveying system (18) and the lifting device (19) are designed for a corresponding interaction such that the lifting device (19) takes over a stack of packaging blanks (100) pushed into a respective removal magazine shaft (5.1, 5.2) from below by means of the height-conveying system (18) and lifts it further in the removal magazine shaft (5.1, 5.2) and / or guides it upwards.

12. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one sensor device is provided for monitoring the position and / or orientation of the packaging blanks (100) in the removal magazine shaft (5.1, 5.2) of the removal magazine (5, 5').

13. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatin the removal magazine (5, 5') at least one position compensation device (22) is provided for correcting the position of the packaging blanks (100) received in the removal magazine shaft (5.1, 5.2) of the removal magazine (5, 5').

14. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply device (10) has a circulating transport system (11) and a plurality of magazine loading units (12) which can be transported circulatingly on the transport system (11) in a direction of rotation (U).

15. System (1) according to claim 14, characterized in thatthe transport system (11) for the circulating transport of the magazine loading units (12) to and from the at least one removal magazine (5, 5') has at least one first transport path section (13) facing the removal magazine (5, 5') and at least one second transport path section (14) cooperating with the first transport path section (13), wherein the first and second transport path sections (13, 14) together form a circulating path for the magazine loading units (12).

16. System (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that the first transport section (13) is designed to transport the magazine loading units (12) in a force-fitting and form-fitting manner, in particular at a predetermined pitch distance.

17. System (1) according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in thatthe second transport section (14) is designed to transport the magazine loading units (12) at least in sections with frictional engagement, in particular without division.

18. System (1) according to one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in thatthe second transport path section (14) adjoins the first transport path section (13) in such a way that the second transport path section (14) is arranged facing away from the removal magazine (5, 5'), wherein the second transport path section (14) is designed to receive magazine loading units (12) from the first transport path section (13) at a first receiving position (P1) and to transfer them back to the first transport path section (13) at a second receiving position (P2), wherein in particular in the region of the second receiving position (P2) at least one infeed blocking element (9a) is arranged for the targeted and / or controlled transfer of the magazine loading units (12) to the first transport path section (13).

19. System (1) according to one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in thatthe first transport section (13) has a motor-driven, in particular controlled and / or regulated motor-driven, chain wheel conveyor (15), wherein the chain wheel conveyor (15) preferably comprises a conveyor chain (17) running around two chain wheels (16, 16').

20. System (1) according to claim 19, characterized in that on the conveyor chain (17) a plurality of carriers are provided which are arranged at a predetermined distance from one another and which are arranged in particular at the predetermined pitch distance relative to one another.

21. System (1) according to one of claims 15 to 20, characterized in thatthe second transport path section (14) has a plurality of conveyor sections (14a, 14b, 14c) arranged one behind the other in the direction of a longitudinal axis (LA) of the transport system (10), in particular at least a first, second and third conveyor section (14a, 14b, 14c), wherein at least one of the conveyor sections (14a, 14b, 14c) comprises at least one friction belt for frictionally transporting the magazine loading units (12).

22. System (1) according to claim 21, characterized in that at least between the first and second conveyor sections (14a, 14b) of the second transport path section (14) a switchable locking device (9, 9') is provided, which is designed to stop an incoming magazine loading unit (12) in a locked state and to block its further transport along the circulating path.

23. System (1) according to one of claims 15 to 22, characterized in thatthe circulating path for the magazine loading units (12) is arranged relative to the at least one removal magazine shaft (5.1, 5.2) of the removal magazine (5, 5') in such a way that a respective magazine loading unit (12) can be positioned, guided on the circulating path, in a loading position (BP) located below the at least one removal magazine shaft (5.1, 5.2), wherein in the loading position (BP) the removal magazine shaft (5.1, 5.2) to be loaded and the loading shaft are preferably arranged vertically one above the other and aligned coaxially with one another.

24. System (1) according to one of claims 15 to 23, characterized in thateach magazine loading unit (12) has at least one guide carriage element (12.1) and at least one loading shaft (12.2) detachably and replaceably connected to the guide carriage element (12.1), wherein the guide carriage element (12.1) is guided on the first and second transport path sections (13, 14) and wherein the loading shaft (12.2) is designed in particular as a format changing part.

25. System (1) according to claim 24, characterized in that the guide carriage element (12.1) and the loading shaft (12.2) are connected to each other via a quick-change connection (23) which can be released without tools.

26. System (1) according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that the loading shaft (12.2) is manufactured by means of an additive manufacturing process, in particular by means of a 3D printing process, or that the loading shaft (12.2) is formed by a bent sheet metal part.

27. System (1) according to one of claims 24 to 26, characterized in thatthe loading shaft (12.2) is equipped with positioning and / or orientation aids (26), wherein the positioning and / or orientation aids (26) are designed and configured to prevent incorrect positioning and / or incorrect orientation when loading the loading shaft (12.2) with packaging blanks (100).

28. System (1) according to one of claims 24 to 27, characterized in that the guide carriage element (12.1) has an engagement section for positively engaging with the first transport section (13), wherein the engagement section of the guide carriage element (12.1) in particular provides at least one recess for the positive engagement of the carriers of the conveyor chain of the first transport section (13).

29. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe gripping device (6) of the application robot (4, 4') has a gripping tool designed as a vacuum gripper.

30. System (1) according to claim 29, characterized in that the vacuum gripper comprises a suction device and / or a nozzle unit, in particular a Venturi nozzle.

31. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripping device (6) of the application robot (4, 4') has a detachably coupled, in particular replaceable, application tool.

32. System (1) according to claim 31, characterized in that the application tool is designed as a format-changing part and is interchangeable depending on the format, wherein the application tool can be coupled to the gripping device (6) by means of a quick-change connection, preferably by means of a quick-change connection that can be released without tools.

33. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe gripping device further comprises a manipulation and / or forming tool, wherein the manipulation and / or forming tool is designed to manipulate and / or form, in particular to fold and / or bend, a packaging blank (100) individually grasped by the gripping device, for example along predetermined fold lines in the packaging blank (100).

34. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that furthermore, a state detection device is provided which is designed to detect a quality state of the packaging blanks (100) to be detected and / or that furthermore, a position detection device is provided which is designed to detect the position of the containers (2).

35. Method for applying packaging blanks (100) made of cardboard to containers (2), in which the containers (2) are conveyed by a container conveyor (3) in a conveying direction (FR) and in which packaging blanks (100) are applied to the conveyed containers (2) by an application robot (4, 4'), characterized in that the packaging material blanks (100) are individually picked up in one work cycle by the application robot (4, 4') by means of a gripping device (6) from a removal magazine shaft (5.1, 5.2) of a stationary removal magazine (5, 5'), wherein a respective packaging material blank (100) isolated by the picking up is brought to the conveyed container (2) in the same work cycle and applied to the container (2).

36. Method according to claim 35, characterized in thatthe packaging blanks (100) are provided by means of a provision device (10) and fed to the removal magazine (5, 5'), wherein the provision device (10) has a circulating transport system (11) and a plurality of magazine loading units (12) which can be transported in a circulating direction (U) on the transport system (11), and wherein the magazine loading units (12) are transported in a circulating direction (U) on a circulating path of the transport system (11) to and from the at least one removal magazine (5, 5').

37. Method according to claim 36, characterized in thatthe magazine loading units (12) are transported in a state filled with packaging material blanks (100) in the direction of rotation (U) to the removal magazine (5, 5'), and the packaging material blanks (100) are fed from a respective magazine loading unit (12) to the removal magazine (5, 5') and introduced into a removal magazine shaft (5.1, 5.2) to be loaded, and wherein a respective magazine loading unit (12) emptied at the removal magazine (5, 5') is transported away again from the removal magazine (5, 5') in the direction of rotation (U).

38. Method according to claim 36 or 37, characterized in thatthe magazine loading units (12) are transported in a force-locking and form-locking manner, in particular at a predetermined pitch, along a first transport path section (13) of the transport system (11) facing the removal magazine (5, 5'), and that the magazine loading units (12) are transported in a friction-locking manner, at least in sections, along a second transport path section (14) of the transport system (11) facing away from the removal magazine (5, 5').

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