Apparatus for applying packaging accessories
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023834029
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-12-23
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-18
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-29
AI Technical Summary
Current packaging systems for flammable products, such as Getränkekarton-Verbundpackungen, face challenges in reducing the plastic content while maintaining hygiene and functionality, particularly in the application and handling of packaging aids like straws, which are often made from plastic and pose environmental concerns.
The use of Endlosbänder composed of at least 80% Zellulose (paper) instead of traditional plastic, combined with a sensor station to monitor and ensure the accurate application of packaging aids, reducing plastic usage and minimizing errors in the packaging process.
This approach significantly reduces plastic content in packaging, enhances the reliability of packaging aid application, and minimizes errors by detecting any gaps or issues in the packaging aid distribution, ensuring that products are correctly packaged without unnecessary plastic waste.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001]December 12, 2023Device for applying packaging aidsThe invention relates to a device for the separate application of packaging aids supplied as an endless packaging aid belt, preferably repackaged straws, to packages, in particular cardboard composite packages, comprising a separating member for separating the packaging aids of the endless packaging aid belt, a feed means for feeding the endless packaging aid belt to the separating member, an application means for applying the separated packaging aids to the packages, and a transport means for transporting the packages along a package transport path to the application means, wherein the endless packaging aid belt has at least one endless belt and packaging aids provided along the at least one endless belt.The invention further relates to a method for the separate application of packaging aids, preferably repackaged straws, supplied as an endless belt of packaging aids, to packages, in particular cardboard composite packages, preferably using a device of the aforementioned type. Composite packages are used not only for bottles and cans but also for filling and packaging free-flowing products, such as beverages or other foodstuffs. Composite packages are formed from interconnected packaging materials. Composite cardboard packages, for example, contain not only cardboard but also plastic. Cardboard and plastic are bonded to one another over a large area and form a so-called packaging laminate. The cardboard layer provides stability to the package and serves as a carrier layer for plastic layers.Plastic layers serve, among other things, as liquid barriers, allowing packaged goods such as free-flowing products, such as beverages, to be filled without external moisture penetrating the cardboard layer. Furthermore, plastic layers can be sealed as thermoplastic layers. This allows, for example, integrally bonded seal seams to form the packaging and close it. The layer structure of the packaging laminate can vary depending on requirements. For aseptic products, for example, an additional aluminum layer is inserted to provide a good barrier against gases and light. To enable the flat packaging laminate to be folded, i.e., folded mechanically, creases are often incorporated into the packaging laminate. These creases predefine the subsequent fold lines. The folds form the package edges and / or enable the formation of the package base and / or top.Packaging laminates are also usually printed with a decorative motif. The packaging laminate can be cut to size so that the resulting blanks can be further processed into so-called packaging sleeve blanks. The blank is folded over and joined by a longitudinal seal to form a packaging sleeve. Such packaging sleeve blanks form the actual packaging material of a cardboard composite package. Alternatively, the packaging laminate can be provided as continuous material, particularly in rolls. The actual forming and filling of the packaging and the sealing of the contents and packaging into a package takes place in a packaging machine, which is often referred to as a form / fill / seal machine due to its main functions, particularly forming the packaging, filling the packaging, and sealing the packaging. The filling materials are primarily liquid foods such as beverages, soups, or yogurt.Also conceivable are solid, pasty, and chunky products, or free-flowing products with chunky components, which can also preferably be food products. In the case of beverages, the composite carton packs are also referred to as beverage carton composite packs. These types of packs are sometimes also provided with packaging aids such as pouring elements and / or straws, also known as drinking straws. The latter are usually made of plastic to ensure the required hygiene. J / KJ 221035WODecember 12, 2023 – in sealed outer packaging. The packaging aids can, for example, be glued to a side wall of a cardboard composite package using hot glue. If the consumer wishes to consume the product with a straw, they first remove the overwrapped straw from the side wall of the package, in particular the cardboard composite package, and peel it from the outer packaging. The exposed straw can then be pushed at the pointed end into a specially weakened area in the package, in particular the cardboard composite package, so that the product can be consumed directly through the straw. Packaging aids are commonly available in mass quantities as endless bands. An endless band of packaging aids is usually made up of a large number of packaging aids connected to one another in the band direction, from which packaging aids are separated or isolated in sequence and then applied to the packages.In the case of endless straw belts, for example, these are formed by straws aligned transversely to the belt direction and wrapped in film. The film forms both the respective outer packaging of the straws and – in their sequence – the "endless" belt. For ecological and economic reasons, the plastic content of the packaging should typically be as low as possible, without this leading to disadvantages in the production of the packaging, during transport of the packaging, or in the subsequent handling of the packaging by the end consumer. The plastic layers and plastic films used in the production of the packaging are therefore typically made as thin as possible to save material.Therefore, the object of the present invention is to design and further develop the device and the method of the type mentioned at the outset and explained in more detail above in such a way that the plastic content of the packaging can be further reduced.K. J / KJ 221035WODecember 12, 2023 This object is achieved in a device according to the preamble of claim 1 in that the endless belt consists of at least 80 wt.% cellulose, and in that at least one sensor station for detecting sections of the endless packaging aid belt with packaging aids and sections of the endless packaging aid belt without packaging aids is provided on the not yet separated endless packaging aid belt. The stated object is further achieved according to claim 16 by a method for separately applying packaging aids supplied as an endless packaging aid belt, preferably repackaged straws, to packages, in particular cardboard composite packages, in particular using a device according to one of claims 1 to 15. By using endless belts that consist of at least 80 wt.% cellulose, i.e., essentially paper, instead of entirely plastic, the plastic content of the packaging can be reduced.In addition, packaging aids provided along the endless belt can also be made essentially of cellulose or paper, for example if the packaging aids are straws or the like. However, endless belts made of paper have some disadvantages compared to endless belts made of plastic. They are generally more difficult to process and are more prone to tearing. Therefore, when processing corresponding endless packaging aid belts made of at least 80 wt.% cellulose in filling machines, malfunctions are to be expected more frequently, and these should be kept to a minimum if possible. In order to exclude such malfunctions or at least detect them in good time, the device for applying packaging aids is assigned a sensor station which can detect different sections of the endless packaging aid belt. This can be achieved by the sensor station both measuring the sections of the endless packaging aid belt with K. J / KJ 221035WODecember 12, 2023 The sensor station detects or records both the sections of the endless packaging belt with packaging aids and the sections of the endless packaging belt without packaging aids, which are provided alternately. If necessary, it is also sufficient for the sensor station to detect or record only the sections with the packaging aids or only the sections without the packaging aids. If the corresponding section is not detected by the sensor station, it can be concluded that the correspondingly different section of the endless packaging belt has passed the sensor station. If only the sections of the endless packaging belt with packaging aids are detected and longer temporal or spatial gaps occur between these sections, the intended packaging aid may be missing at some points on the endless packaging belt, or the endless packaging belt may be torn.The latter could also be detected if neither a section of the endless packaging aid belt with packaging aids nor a section of the endless packaging aid belt without packaging aids passes the sensor station. If the endless packaging aid belt lacks packaging aids where they should be, or if the endless packaging aid belt is torn, there is a risk of producing rejects—namely, packaging without packaging aids—if the process is not appropriately intervened in. For example, a system control system can stop the process and allow intervention by a system operator. This operator can check, as needed, whether the endless packaging aid belt is torn or lacks packaging aids at certain points.Furthermore, when using endless paper bands, especially when the packaging aids are arranged between two layers of endless paper bands, it may not be immediately apparent whether an applied or to-be-applied section of the endless packaging aid band actually contains a packaging aid. This is particularly the case if the packaging aid itself is made of paper, as is the case with paper straws, for example. There is therefore a risk that packages will be produced without packaging aids and delivered to the customer without this being noticed in time for the K. J / KJ 221035WODecember 12, 2023, the corresponding packaging can be rejected from the process as rejects, or the application of the defective section of the endless packaging aid belt can be prevented. In order to be able to draw useful conclusions about the status of the endless packaging aid belt in the area of the sensor station via the sensor station, it is advisable to know the transport speed of the endless packaging aid belt in the area of the sensor station. The transport speed can be measured, or a drive device can be used to transport the endless packaging aid belt, with which the transport speed of the endless packaging aid belt can be adjusted quite precisely. This allows precise conclusions to be drawn about the points along the endless packaging aid belt where packaging aids are present and where no packaging aids are present.In addition, the distances between two packaging aids can be determined quite precisely, for example to determine whether the distances between the packaging aids correspond to the specified distances and / or whether the distances between successive packaging aids are constant. bleiben.In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the device, for the most reliable and trouble-free handling of the endless belt of packaging aids and for easy separation of the packaging aids, a feed means comprising a rotatable carousel with receptacles distributed over the circumference for transporting the packaging aids to the separating element and for forwarding the separated packaging aids is provided. The packaging aids are thus spaced apart from one another in a predetermined manner by the carousel before separation and are held in a defined manner by the carousel after separation. To simplify the separation of the packaging aids, the carousel can have radial notches between the receptacles for receiving the separating element during separation. The separating element is preferably a type of knife or cutting edge that can be inserted into the receptacles in order to J / KJ 221035WODecember 12, 2023. The endless packaging aid belt is to be cut at predetermined locations between the packaging aids. Particularly in the case of a rotating carousel, the sensor station can be used to adjust the circumferential position of the carousel to the positions of the packaging aids along the endless packaging aid belt. This ensures that the packaging aids are always reliably picked up in a receptacle of the carousel. If the receptacles and the packaging aids are not synchronized, however, it can happen that packaging aids hit the carousel before or after a pickup and therefore cannot be picked up by the carousel in the receptacles as intended. To detect the endless packaging aid belt easily, reliably, and reproducibly, it can be useful for the sensor station to have a sensor for mechanically scanning the endless packaging aid belt.The sensor comes into contact with the endless packaging aid belt at least in sections and at least temporarily. Depending on the respective contact, or depending on whether contact is detected between the sensor and the endless packaging aid belt, it can then be determined in which section a packaging aid is provided and in which section no packaging aid is provided. Alternatively or additionally, the endless packaging aid belt can be scanned with an ultrasonic sensor. Unlike with the sensor, scanning with the ultrasonic sensor is then carried out using ultrasound and is therefore contactless, which can protect the endless packaging aid belt and prevent it from tearing. In the case of a sensor for scanning the endless packaging aid belt, this can preferably be provided at a short distance from the carousel.This saves installation space, and the endless packaging belt is only detected shortly before separation. This essentially ensures that the endless packaging belt cannot undergo any changes after detection that can then no longer be detected. However, manual intervention is then only possible to a limited extent if the K. J / KJ 221035WODecember 12, 2023. The sensor station should detect deviations of the endless packaging aid belt from the process specifications. For these reasons, it is advisable if the distance between the sensor and the carousel along the endless packaging aid belt is measured to be less than the distance between 20, preferably 15, in particular 10, and furthermore in particular 5, consecutive packaging aids along the endless packaging aid belt. The shorter this distance, the more directly and unaffectedly the endless packaging aid belt can be checked shortly before separation to determine whether the specifications regarding the endless packaging aid belt are actually being met. The accuracy and reproducibility of the measurement can be increased if the endless packaging aid belt rests against a support on its side opposite the sensor during the measurement.For the sake of simplicity, this can be a support plate along which the endless packaging aid belt is guided and positioned. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor can be in continuous contact with the endless packaging aid belt when scanning the endless packaging aid belt. The sensor therefore rests against the endless packaging aid belt in a section containing a packaging aid and in a section not containing a packaging aid. This can also lead to more reliable measurements. In addition, the section containing a packaging aid and the section not containing a packaging aid can each be detected separately and independently of the other section. This makes it possible to directly determine whether the endless packaging aid belt has broken and therefore no more packaging aids are being fed.The probe can be designed to be structurally simple, durable, and precise if the probe of the sensor station is designed as a rocker pivoting around a pivot axis, with a probe arm for mechanically scanning the endless packaging aid belt and a sensor arm for detecting the position of the probe arm when scanning the endless packaging aid belt. When the probe arm scans the endless packaging aid belt, it is rotated around the pivot axis K. J / KJ 221035WODecember 12, 2023 pivoted back and forth, depending on whether the scanned section of the endless packaging aid belt contains a packaging aid or not. The sensor arm is then pivoted analogously around the pivot axis. The position of the sensor arm can then be detected to determine the position of the probe arm in the scanned section of the endless packaging aid belt. The position of the sensor arm can be reliably, accurately, and easily detected if a proximity sensor that detects the position of the sensor arm is assigned to the sensor arm. If the sensor arm comes close to the proximity sensor in one position, this is detected. If the sensor arm is further away from the proximity sensor in another position, the sensor arm is not detected by the proximity sensor if necessary. In principle, however, both positions could be detected. This can be done with one proximity sensor, but particularly easily with two proximity sensors.In one position of the sensor arm, it is arranged close to one proximity sensor, which is detected by the latter, while in another position of the sensor arm, it comes close to the other proximity sensor, which is therefore detected by the second proximity sensor. wird.To avoid unnecessary interference with the packaging aid's endless belt when scanned by the sensor, the sensor arm can be equipped with a scanning roller for scanning the packaging aid's endless belt. This roller then rolls along the packaging aid's endless belt, which can significantly reduce the risk of damage to the packaging aid's endless belt. This makes measuring the packaging aid's endless belt particularly simple and meaningful. This can advantageously mean that the packaging aid's endless belt is scanned on the side of the packaging aid. If the scanning roller is assigned to a rotation sensor, the rotation sensor can determine whether the scanning roller is rotating or not. If the packaging aid's endless belt is torn, at a certain point in time the scanning roller is no longer driven by the packaging aid's endless belt moving past the scanning roller and thus comes to a standstill.An evaluation device can detect this and initiate certain actions, such as shutting down the device or sending a message to a system operator. If the K. J / KJ 221035WODecember 12, 2023 If a speed sensor is assigned to the scanning roller, even the speed at which the endless packaging aid belt is moved past the scanning roller can be measured. If this speed is higher or lower than desired, this can indicate an impending malfunction and be reported by the evaluation device to a system control system. Regardless of the use of a scanning roller, it can help protect the endless packaging aid belt if the sensor arm, especially the scanning roller, is spaced from the endless packaging aid belt when scanning the endless packaging aid belt in sections without a packaging aid. The sensor therefore only needs to contact the endless packaging aid belt in sections, for example, to reduce the forces acting on the endless packaging aid belt when sections with a packaging aid and sections without a packaging aid are alternately transported past.The sensor arm, in particular the scanning roller, can then, for example, partially penetrate into a gap between the packaging aids in the direction of the endless belt when scanning the endless belt of packaging aids in sections without packaging aids, but does not have to actually touch the endless belt provided in this direction. However, this can still be provided. Ultrasonic sensors can be suitably used to scan the endless belt of packaging aids if the ultrasonic sensor has an ultrasonic source for irradiating the endless belt of packaging aids, an ultrasonic detector for capturing ultrasound reflected from the endless belt of packaging aids, and an evaluation unit for detecting the presence and / or absence of a packaging aid based on a time-of-flight difference of the ultrasound between the ultrasonic source and the ultrasonic detector.The ultrasound source emits an ultrasound signal toward the endless belt of packaging aids, with the ultrasound signal being partially reflected by the endless belt and then picked up by the ultrasound detector. The ultrasound source and the ultrasound detector are connected to an evaluation unit that determines which K. J / KJ 221035WODecember 12, 2023. The signal travel time between its transmission and reception. When the ultrasound hits a packaging aid, the signal requires a shorter travel time depending on the relative positioning of the endless packaging aid belt and the ultrasonic sensor. When the ultrasound hits the endless packaging aid belt between two packaging aids, the signal requires a longer travel time. From the travel time difference over time, the evaluation unit can determine at which points on the endless packaging aid belt a packaging aid is present and at which points it is not. Irrespective of this, the area of the endless packaging aid belt monitored by the ultrasonic sensor can be arranged along the endless packaging aid belt at a distance of at least 300 mm, preferably at least 400 mm, in particular at least 500 mm, from the carousel of the feed means.This minimum distance can allow a system control system to stop the device in time if the endless packaging aid belt breaks and this tear is detected by the ultrasonic sensor. The further-conveyed end of the endless packaging aid belt is then only transported far enough to allow a torn-off endless packaging aid belt or a new endless packaging aid belt to be inserted into the device without leaving a gap. It goes without saying that this is easier the greater the distance between the area monitored by the ultrasonic sensor and the feeder carousel. However, there is usually little installation space available, or if the distance is too large, a large length of the torn endless packaging aid belt may have to be discarded in order to insert the new endless packaging aid belt.The above-mentioned distance is also advantageous because, in the event of a torn endless packaging aid band, the two ends on either side of the tear can be easily reconnected using a type of template. To do this, the two ends are inserted into the template at the designated locations along with the last packaging aids, so that the two ends are aligned and positioned directly adjacent to each other. In this case, J / KJ 221035WODecember 12, 2023 In a relative position to each other, in which the individual packaging aids are held at regular intervals in the template, the ends can be glued together in the template area, for example, using an adhesive strip. The template can then be removed and the process restarted. Depending on the packaging aid or endless packaging aid belt used, the template must have a certain minimum size, so a larger distance between the area of the endless packaging aid belt monitored by the ultrasonic sensor and the carousel of the feeder allows the use of a larger template.For controlling and / or regulating the device, it may be advisable for the sensor station to have an evaluation unit for counting the packaging aids passed by the sensor station, for recording the temporal and / or spatial interval between successive packaging aids, for detecting a standstill of the endless packaging aid belt, and / or for detecting a torn endless packaging aid belt. Counting the packaging aids allows the consumption of packaging aids to be tracked. It can also be verified whether the number of packaging aids is identical to the number of packs equipped with packaging aids.Detecting the temporal and / or spatial distance allows conclusions to be drawn as to whether packaging aids are accidentally missing at certain points along the endless packaging aid belt, whether the spacing of the packaging aids along the endless packaging aid belt corresponds to the predetermined spacing, and / or whether the endless packaging aid belt may have torn and the device should therefore be stopped. However, the sensor station can also directly detect a standstill of the endless packaging aid belt in order to then stop the device to avoid unnecessary damage to the endless packaging aid belt or the device. If the sensor station detects a tear in the endless packaging aid belt, the device can also be stopped in order to reduce waste, for example in the form of packages without packaging aids. J / KJ 221035WODecember 12, 2023 It is particularly useful for applying the packaging aids and scanning the endless packaging aid band if the endless packaging aid band is designed in the manner of a blister pack. The packaging aids can then be held between two parallel endless bands, both made of paper if necessary. Irrespective of this, the endless packaging aid band can have an opacity of at least 2. In other words, only 50% of the light passes through the endless packaging aid band in transmission, whereby the measurement can be carried out according to ISO 2471. The sensor station does not impair this. Rather, the advantages of the invention are particularly evident. This can be even more pronounced if the opacity is at least 4 or at least 6, i.e., if only 25% or only 17% of the light passes through the endless packaging aid band.The advantages of the invention in connection with the previously described sensor station are particularly evident when the endless packaging aid belt has an opacity as specified above. For the process and its control and / or regulation, it is particularly expedient if the packaging aids are arranged at regular intervals along the endless packaging aid belt. Furthermore, it can be beneficial for the simplicity of the process and the device if the two endless belts are made of a similar type of paper. In order to be able to process the endless packaging aid belt better without the endless packaging aid belt tearing too often, the at least one endless belt, in particular each endless belt, of the endless packaging aid belt can be made of a paper with a basis weight between 25 g / m² and 60 g / m².To prevent the packaging aid endless tape from becoming too stiff, it may be advisable in many cases for the basis weight of the paper to be between 25 g / m² and 50 g / m², or even only between 25 g / m² and 40 g / m². Alternatively or additionally, for the same reasons, it may be advisable for at least one endless tape, in particular each endless tape, of the packaging aid endless tape to have a thickness of less than 65 µm. If the thickness is less than 55 µm or less than 45 µm, then the thickness of the tape should be less than 65 µm. J / KJ 221035WODecember 12, 2023, the endless packaging tape is more flexible, and fewer raw materials are required. The basis weight can be determined, for example, according to ISO 536, and the thickness according to ISO 534. To ensure that the endless packaging tape also withstands rapid processing on a filling machine, at least one endless tape, in particular each endless tape, of the endless packaging tape can have a tensile strength in the longitudinal direction of the endless tape of between 2.5 kN / m and 6 kN / m. However, to ensure that the endless packaging tape also offers less resistance to processing, a tensile strength of between 2.5 kN / m and 5 kN / m, or even just between 2.5 kN / m and 4 kN / m, may be sufficient. In return, the endless packaging tape is more flexible, which can simplify processing.Alternatively or additionally, at least one endless belt, in particular each endless belt, of the packaging aid endless belt can, for the same reason, have a tensile strength transverse to the longitudinal direction of the endless belt between 0.7 kN / m and 3.5 kN / m. In principle, the tensile forces transverse to the longitudinal direction of the endless belt tend to be lower during processing than in the longitudinal direction of the endless belt. This can also allow the tensile strength transverse to the longitudinal direction of the endless belt to be between 0.7 kN / m and 2.5 kN / m or only between 0.7 kN / m and 2 kN / m, so as not to jeopardize processability. The tensile strength can be measured, for example, according to ISO 1924-3. Furthermore, it should be ensured that the packaging aid endless belt does not tear too often, which could lead to machine downtime.It is therefore advisable for at least one endless band, in particular each endless band, of the packaging aid endless band to have a tear strength in the longitudinal direction of the endless band and / or transversely to the longitudinal direction of the endless band of between 150 mN and 600 mN. However, with uniform processing and a flexible packaging aid endless band, it may also be sufficient for the tear strength in the longitudinal direction of the endless band and / or transversely to the longitudinal direction of the endless band to be between 150 mN and 500 mN. J / KJ 221035WODecember 12, 2023, or even only between 150 mN and 400 mN. The tear strength can be measured, for example, according to ISO 1974. In order to improve the durability, moisture resistance, and processability of the endless packaging aid tape, it may be appropriate for the at least one endless tape, in particular each endless tape, of the endless packaging aid tape to be provided on at least one side with at least one coating, preferably at least substantially made of plastic. For ecological reasons, the use of an at least substantially biodegradable plastic is also recommended. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one endless tape, in particular each endless tape, of the endless packaging aid tape can be impregnated with a plastic for the same reasons. Here, too, it may be appropriate for ecological reasons for the plastic to be a biodegradable plastic.Alternatively or additionally, it can also be a plastic in the form of an adhesive. With regard to the packaging aids, it may be appropriate for these straws to be made of paper. In this case, the advantages of the process described here become particularly apparent. The paper can have a cellulose content of at least 80% by weight, preferably at least 85% by weight, in particular at least 90% by weight. The higher the cellulose content, the more environmentally friendly the straws are to produce. However, to ensure that the straws are suitable for their intended use and have sufficient resistance to moisture, the paper can contain less than 8% by weight, preferably less than 7% by weight, in particular less than 6% by weight, of a plastic. In a preferred embodiment, this can be a biodegradable plastic for ecological reasons.Whether the cellulose is at least partially impregnated with the plastic or at least partially coated can be freely chosen depending on the properties of the straws.K. J / KJ 221035WODecember 12, 2023. The invention has been described above in particular in connection with the claimed device, although possible method steps for the separate application of packaging aids supplied as an endless band of packaging aids to packages, in particular using the device described above, have also been explained in more detail. The invention is therefore not to be understood as limited to one device. The present invention also relates to a method for the separate application of packaging aids supplied as an endless band of packaging aids, preferably overwrapped straws, to packages, in particular cardboard composite packages. This applies particularly, but not exclusively, to the case where the method according to the invention is carried out with a device of the type described above, even if the method according to the invention is claimed according to claim 16 only with reference back to the device.The described method can in principle also be carried out independently of the device of the type described above. Nevertheless, devices which have at least some of the device features described above are preferably used. The invention is explained below with reference to the drawings showing an exemplary embodiment. In the drawing, Fig. 1A-C shows a device according to the invention for carrying out the method according to the invention in plan view, as well as part of an endless packaging aid belt for processing with the device and a package with a packaging aid applied to the package by the device, each in a side view. Fig. 2 shows a feed means of the device from Fig. 1A comprising a separating element in plan view. K. J / KJ 221035WODecember 12, 2023 Fig. 3 shows a detail of the device from Fig. 1 in the area of a sensor station in a sectional view along a sectional plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the feed means. Fig. 4A-B shows a detail of Fig. 3 in two different positions of the sensor station in a view according to Fig. 3. Fig. 5 shows a detail of the device from Fig. 1 in the area of another sensor station in a view according to Fig. 3. Fig. 1A shows a device 1 for applying packaging aids 2 in the form of repackaged straws 3 to already filled and sealed packages 4 in the form of composite cardboard packages, which in this case are designed as composite beverage carton packages, according to a corresponding application method. The packaging aids 2 are drawn into the device 1 in the form of an endless packaging aid belt 5 by a feed means 6, which feeds the endless packaging aid belt 5 to a separating device 7.The separating device 7 separates the endless belt 5 of packaging aids into individual packaging aids 2, which are transported further by the feed means 6 to a transfer means 8, from which the packaging aids 2 are taken over individually and successively. At another point, the packaging aids 2 are transferred from the transfer means 8 to an application means 9, whereby the transfer means 8 can be accelerated in the meantime, so that the transfer of the packaging aids 2 to the application means 9 takes place at a significantly higher speed. In principle, however, the transfer means 8 could also be dispensed with. The application means 9 applies the packaging aids 2 passed on from the transfer means 8 to the application means 9 in an application position 19, one after the other, to the packs 4 transported past the application position 19. The transport of the packs 4 along a pack transport path 10 and past the application means 9 takes place with the aid of a K. J / KJ 221035WODecember 12, 2023 Transport means 11. The packages 4 are transported by the transport means 11 at a constant speed past the application means 9, in particular at the application position 19. The illustrated and thus preferred transport means 11 has a transport belt 14 provided with cams 13, which extends in the transport direction of the packages 4. The individual cams 13 engage positively with the packages 4 and displace the packages 4 at defined intervals and at a defined speed along the application means 9. In the illustrated and thus preferred embodiment, the application means 9 is designed as an application wheel 1, which has a plurality of applicators 17 rotating around the axis of rotation 16 of the application wheel 15 and arranged evenly distributed over the circumference of the application wheel 15.The applicators 17 each receive a packaging aid 2 at a transfer position 18 and move it to the application position 19, where it is applied to a package 4 being transported past. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection between the packaging aid 2 and the package 4 is provided by an adhesive bond, although other connections are also conceivable. Hot melt glue is used as the adhesive, which is applied pointwise to the sides 12 of the packages 4 by an adhesive application device 20 arranged on the package transport path 10, particularly in the form of adhesive application nozzles. At the application position 19, a packaging aid 2 is pressed into the hot melt points.In order to hold the thus applied packaging aids 2 in position and to allow the hot melt glue a certain setting time, a pressure belt 22 presses the freshly applied packaging aids 2 against the packages 4 over a certain distance directly from the application position 19, while the packages 4 are transported further. The packaging aids 2 are fed to the device 1 by means of a packaging aid endless belt 5 shown in more detail in Fig. 1B and, after a separation K. J / KJ 221035WODecember 12, 2023, applied to packs 4. The packaging aids 2 are designed, for example, as straws 3, which are accommodated between two endless belts 23, 35. In the illustrated and thus preferred device 1, the straws 3 and the endless belts 23, 35 are made of paper. The two endless belts 23, 35 are glued together between and next to the straws 3, so that the endless belts form pockets 25 in which the straws 3 are accommodated and held. Various shapes are possible as straws 3, but in particular they are at least partially U-shaped or I-shaped straws 3. The illustrated and in this respect preferred packaging aid endless belt 5 comprises U-shaped straws 3. A pack 4 with a packaging aid 2 applied thereto and separated from the packaging aid endless belt 5 is shown as an example in Fig. 1C.The packaging aid 2 is applied approximately diagonally to the associated side 12 of the pack 4, although this is not necessarily the case. The packaging aid 2 could, for example, also be aligned parallel to an edge of the pack 4. The illustrated and, in this respect, preferred packs 4 contain a free-flowing food product, in particular a beverage. Furthermore, the pack 4 is a composite cardboard pack, thus a composite beverage carton pack. The packaging is formed from a packaging laminate comprising layers of different packaging materials, namely at least cardboard and plastic. The plastic layers are provided on the outer sides of the packaging laminate and are formed from thermoplastics, in particular polyethylene (PE). The pack 4 is formed and sealed by folding and sealing the packaging laminate. If necessary, the packaging laminate is decorated on one side. bedruckt.Fig. 2 shows a detail of the device 1 from Fig. 1A, comprising the feeding means 6. The feeding means 6 comprises a carousel 27 rotating clockwise around a central axis of rotation 26, which has receptacles 28 distributed over its circumference for partially receiving the packaging aids 2. The receptacles 28 are K J / KJ 221035WODecember 12, 2023 replicates the shape of the straws 3, so that the straws 3 and thus the packaging aids 2 are held in the receptacles 28 with a form-fitting fit. To ensure that the packaging aids 2 remain in the receptacles 28, a stationary side wall 21 is provided on the circumference. In the area where the endless packaging aid belt 5 enters the feed means 6, a torsion spring-loaded clamping plate 30 is provided, which guides the endless packaging aid belt 5 on the circumference and presses it against the carousel 27 and into the receptacles 28. The clamping plate 30 merges into the side wall 21, viewed in the transport direction of the endless packaging aid belt 5. If a new endless packaging aid belt 5 is to be inserted, the clamping plate 30 can be pivoted outward and locked to simplify the insertion of the endless packaging aid belt 5. The illustrated and in this respect preferred feeding means 6 is formed by the carousel 27 with the receptacles 28, the side wall 21 and the clamping plate 30 gebildet.Associated with the feed means 6 is a separating device 7 for separating the packaging aids 2 from the endless packaging aid belt 5, using a separating element 31. In the illustrated and thus preferred device 1, the separating element 31 is moved radially back and forth by a drive mechanism 32, at least substantially in the direction of the rotational axis 26 of the carousel 27, as indicated by the double arrow. The separating element 31 is designed as a sharpened cutting blade on the edge 33 associated with the endless packaging aid belt 5 and cuts through the endless packaging aid belt 5 in the connecting region of two consecutive packaging aids 2, whereby the packaging aids 2 of the endless packaging aid belt 5 are successively separated or separated from one another. The separating member 31 engages at least partially in notches 34 arranged along the circumference of the carousel 27 between the receptacles 28 for the packaging aids 2.The carousel 27 operates in a cyclical mode in which the carousel 27 is stopped in cycles and rotated further by a circumferential segment corresponding to the width of a packaging aid 2. For this purpose, the carousel 27 is connected to the K. J / KJ 221035WODecember 12, 2023. The drive mechanism 32 of the separating device 7 is synchronized so that when the carousel 27 is at a standstill, the separating element 31 is moved forward in the direction of the rotational axis 26 of the carousel 27 and back to its starting position. When the separating element 31 is moved forward, the separating element 31 cuts the endless packaging aid belt 5 in the area of the associated notch 34. As soon as the separating element 31 is disengaged from the notch 34, in particular has returned to its starting position, the carousel 27 rotates in a further cycle to the next position, whereby the separating element 31 is opposite the next notch 34 and can cut the next packaging aid 2 from the endless packaging aid belt 5 by moving forward. The separating device 7 is arranged in a fixed position on the feed means 6 and only the separating element 31 moves back and forth, namely in a linear and radial movement with respect to the carousel 27.A cyclic adjustment of the separating element 31 in the circumferential direction does not occur with the illustrated and thus preferred separating element 31. The packaging aids 2 separated in the manner described are transported further with each further cycle of the feeding means 6 towards a takeover position 36, from which the packaging aids 2 are transferred to the transfer means 8 and taken over by the transfer means 8. Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of a detail of the device 1 in the area of a sensor station 37. The illustrated and thus preferred sensor station 37 is assigned to the transfer means 8 in order to reduce the required installation space and is connected upstream of the feeding means 6. The illustrated and thus preferred sensor station 37 is also one with a sensor 38 for mechanically scanning the endless packaging aid belt 5. The endless packaging aid belt 5 is guided from the left side of Fig.3 and deflected around a deflection roller 39. After the endless packaging aid belt 5 has been deflected by the deflection roller 39, the endless packaging aid belt 5 is guided along a support 40 in the form of a support plate, against which the endless packaging aid belt 5 rests at the rear with the endless belt 35 thereon. On the side of the endless packaging aid belt 35 facing away from the support 40, a further K. J / KJ 221035WODecember 12, 2023 Endless belt 23 is provided. The two endless belts 23, 35 extend essentially parallel to each other, and between the endless belts 23, 35, packaging aids 2 in the form of straws 3 are accommodated at regular intervals in the sense of a blister pack. In the illustrated and thus preferred device 1, the endless belts 23, 35, like the packaging aids 2, are made of paper. The sensor station 37 comprises a sensor 38, which comes into contact with the endless packaging aid belt 5, specifically on a side of the endless packaging aid belt 5 facing away from the support 40. Contact between the sensor 38 and the endless packaging aid belt 5 is effected by means of a scanning roller 41 provided at the end of a sensor arm 42. The sensor arm 42 is pivotable about a pivot axis 43. The button 38 also has a sensor arm 44, which can also be pivoted about the pivot axis 43 of the button 38.The sensor arm 44 and the probe arm 42 are connected to each other in a fixed orientation. The probe arm 42 and the sensor arm 44 are thus arranged like a rocker around the pivot axis 43. The exact relative position of the probe arm 42 and the sensor arm 44 can be selected within wide limits as required. In the illustrated and thus preferred probe 38, the probe arm 42 and the sensor arm 44 are arranged essentially opposite each other with respect to the pivot axis 43. After passing the sensor station 37, the endless belt 5 of the packaging aid is taken over by the carousel 27 of the feed means 6 and moved to the separating device 7, which separates the endless belt 5 of the packaging aid. The thus separated sections 45 of the packaging aid endless belt 5 each comprise a section of the two endless belts 23, 35 and a packaging aid 2 held between them.The isolated sections 45 of the endless packaging aid belt 5 are first held by the carousel 27 of the feeding means 6 and then transferred to the transfer means 8. If necessary, however, the transfer means 8 could also be dispensed with and the corresponding isolated sections 45 of the K. J / KJ 221035WODecember 12, 2023 The endless packaging aid belt 5 can be transferred directly from the feed means 6 to an application means. In Figs. 4A-B, the sensor station 37 with the sensor 38 is shown in two different positions during scanning of the endless packaging aid belt 5, specifically from a viewing direction opposite to the viewing direction according to Fig. 3. For better illustration, the transport direction of the endless packaging aid belt 5 has been indicated in the form of arrows in Figs. 4A-B. In Fig. 4A, the sensor 38 is arranged in a section of the endless packaging aid belt 5 without a packaging aid 2. The scanning roller 41 is not in contact with the packaging aid endless belt 5. The scanning roller 41 is held in an initial position by the sensor arm 42 and a spring means 46 acting on the sensor arm 42, from which the sensor arm 42 can be adjusted to a sensor position against the restoring force of the spring means 46.In the initial position, the sensor arm 44 is pressed against a stop 47 by the restoring force of the spring means 46 and held in position there. The sensor arm 44 is arranged laterally relative to a proximity sensor 48. In this position, the proximity sensor 48 does not detect the sensor arm 44 as being in front of the proximity sensor 48. This changes in the position of the sensor 38 shown in Fig. 4B. The scanning roller 41 of the sensor arm 42 is then in contact with the packaging aid endless belt 5, specifically in the area of a packaging aid 2. The pivot axis 43 of the sensor 38 is spaced so far from the contact point between the packaging aid endless belt 5 and the scanning roller 41 in the direction of the packaging aid endless belt 5 that the sensor arm 42 is displaced by the packaging aid endless belt 5 in a direction away from the support 40, specifically counter to the restoring force of the spring means 46.The button 38 is pivoted so far that the sensor arm 44 of the button 38 moves in front of the proximity sensor 48, so that the proximity sensor 48 senses the sensor arm 44 as being in front of the proximity sensor 18. The proximity sensor 48 is connected to an evaluation unit 49, which uses the signals from the proximity sensor 48 and, if necessary, other parameters. J / KJ 221035WODecember 12, 2023 and / or measured values, information concerning the packaging aid endless belt 5 is determined. When the packaging aid 2 moves under the scanning roller 41, the scanning roller 41 is returned to its starting position, in which the sensor arm 44 again comes into contact with the associated stop 47. If the next packaging aid 2 moves past the sensor 38, the previously described adjustment of the sensor 38 to the sensor position and back to the starting position takes place again. The scanning roller 41 is arranged at a distance from the carousel 27 of the feed means 6 along the packaging aid endless belt 5, which approximately corresponds to the distance between three consecutive packaging aids 2 along the packaging aid endless belt 5.As an alternative to the previously described sensor 38, this sensor could, if required, also have a scanning roller with a diameter selected to be large enough that the scanning roller cannot penetrate into the space between two packaging aids 2 to such an extent that the scanning roller comes into contact with the endless belt 23, 35 between the packaging aids 2. The scanning roller, arranged centrally between two consecutive packaging aids 2, rests against the adjacent packaging aids 2 in this position and can only penetrate into the space between the packaging aids 2 as far as the diameter of the scanning roller allows. The scanning roller is then preferably larger than the distance between the consecutive packaging aids 2, in particular by at least 1.25 times, more particularly by at least 1.5 times. In Fig.5 shows an ultrasonic sensor 50 of the sensor station 37, wherein the ultrasonic sensor 50 is arranged at a significantly greater distance from the carousel 27 of the feed means 6 than the sensor 38. The ultrasonic sensor 50 could, if necessary, also be provided as a replacement for the sensor 38, or vice versa. In the illustrated and thus preferred device, however, the ultrasonic sensor 50 is provided in addition to the sensor 38. Due to the significant distance K. J / KJ 221035WODecember 12, 2023 between the ultrasonic sensor 50 and the sensor 38, the measurement results allow a conclusion as to whether the endless packaging aid belt 5 is torn or not. If, for example, the sensor 38 does not detect any packaging aid 2 over a certain period of time, it cannot be reliably concluded from this circumstance whether the packaging aids 2 are merely randomly missing at several consecutive locations or whether the endless packaging aid belt 5 has torn and thus no more packaging aids 2 are being fed to the sensor 38. However, if in such a case the ultrasonic sensor 50 simultaneously detects packaging aids 2 that are being guided past the ultrasonic sensor 50, the endless packaging aid belt 5 will not be torn or will at most be torn in a specific area of the device 1. The ultrasonic sensor 50 is assigned to a guide roller 51, along which the endless packaging aid belt 5 is guided.For the defined positioning of the packaging aid endless belt 5 in the area of the ultrasonic sensor 50, a guide stop 52 is provided, which, together with the guide roller 51, encloses a gap 53 that is slightly wider than the packaging aid endless belt 5 in this direction. The packaging aid endless belt 5 rests with its rear endless belt 35 against the guide stop 52 and is aligned with its front endless belt 23 and the packaging aids 2 in the direction of the ultrasonic sensor 50. Consequently, the rear endless belt 35 has an at least substantially defined or at least substantially constant distance from the ultrasonic sensor 50. The ultrasonic sensor 50 comprises an ultrasonic source 54 and an ultrasonic detector 55 in a common housing 56.The ultrasound source 54 emits an ultrasound signal 57 in the direction of the packaging aid endless belt 5, which is reflected by the packaging aid endless belt 23, 35 and then picked up by the ultrasound detector 55. The guide roller 51, together with the guide stop 52, ensures that the ultrasound hits the packaging aid endless belt as vertically as possible and is thus reflected back towards the K in a defined manner. J / KJ 221035WODecember 12, 2023 ultrasonic detector 55. The ultrasonic sensor 50 further comprises an evaluation unit 58, which determines the propagation time of the ultrasonic signals 57 between transmission and reception. In the case shown in Fig. 5, in which the ultrasonic signal 57 strikes the endless belt 23, 35 provided between two adjacent packaging aids 2 and is reflected from there, the ultrasonic signal 57 requires a longer propagation time until it is picked up by the ultrasonic detector 55 than if the ultrasonic signal strikes the endless belt 5 of the packaging aid in the area of a packaging aid 2. Then, the distance and thus the propagation time of the ultrasonic signal 57 until it is picked up by the ultrasonic detector 55 is shorter. From the differences in these propagation times, it can be concluded whether or not a packaging aid 2 is present in the area of the ultrasonic sensor 50 at a specific time.If the ultrasonic detector 50 no longer detects any signals, this may be because there is no endless packaging aid belt 5 in the area of the ultrasonic sensor 50, for example because the end of the endless packaging aid belt 5 has been reached or because the endless packaging aid belt 5 has broken. Not shown in detail is that the device has a reject device for rejecting packs 4 without packaging aid 2. This reject device can be controlled by the sensor station 37. If the sensor station detects that a continuous packaging aid belt 5 is being processed at a certain point in time in which no packaging aid 2 is present at some points, packs 4 without packaging aid 2 are produced with a certain time offset.Since this time offset is known, the corresponding packs 4 can be ejected from the product stream of packs 4 by means of the ejection device after the corresponding time offset. The same applies if the sensor station 37 detects that no endless packaging aid belt 5 is being fed to the feed means 6 at certain times. Even then, production can generally continue if the corresponding packs 4 not provided with a piece of the endless packaging aid belt 5 are ejected with a corresponding time offset. J / KJ 221035WODecember 12, 2023 The discharged packs 4 do not necessarily have to be disposed of as rejects. It is also conceivable that the packs 4 are subsequently fed back to the device 1 and provided with a packaging aid 2 during the next pass through the device 1. List of reference symbols 1 Device 2 Packaging aid 3 Straw 4 Packs 5 Packaging aid - endless belt 6 Feeding means 7 Separating device 8 Transfer means 9 Application means 10 Pack transport path 11 Transport means 12 Side of the pack 13 Nocken 14 Transport belt 15 Application wheel 16 Rotation axis 17 Applicator 18 Transfer position 19 Application position 20 Adhesive application device 21 Side wall 22 Pressure belt 23 Endless belt 24 Rand 25 Tasche 26 Rotation axis27 Carousel28 Mounts29 Side wall30 Clamping plate31 Separating element32 Drive mechanismK J / KJ 221035WO December 12, 2023 33 Kante 34 Kerbe 35 Endless belt 36 Transfer position 37 Sensor station 38 Taster39 Deflection pulley 40 Support 41 Scanning roller 42 Probe arm 43 Swivel axis 44 Sensor arm 45 Section 46 Spring means 47 Stop 48 Proximity sensor 49 Evaluation unit 50 Ultrasonic sensor 51 Guide roller 52 Guide stop 53 Spalt 54 Ultrasonic source 55 Ultrasonic detector 56 Housing 57 Ultrasonic signal 58 Evaluation unit K J / KJ 221035WO December 12, 2023
Claims
December 12, 2023Patent claims1. Device (1) for the separate application of packaging aids (2), preferably repackaged straws (3), supplied as an endless packaging aid belt (5), to packages (4), in particular cardboard composite packages, comprising a separating member (31) for separating the packaging aids (2) from the endless packaging aid belt (5), a feeding means (6) for feeding the endless packaging aid belt (5) to the separating member (31), an application means (9) for applying the separated packaging aids (2) to the packages (4), and a transport means (11) for transporting the packages (4) along a package transport path (10) to the application means (9), wherein the endless packaging aid belt (5) comprises at least one endless belt (23, 35) and packaging aids (2) provided along the at least one endless belt (23, 35) aufweist,characterized in that the endless belt (23, 35) consists of at least 80 wt.% cellulose and in that at least one sensor station (37) for detecting sections of the packaging aid endless belt (5) with packaging aids (2) and sections of the packaging aid endless belt (5) without packaging aids (2) is provided on the not yet separated packaging aid endless belt (5).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the feeding means (6) has a rotatable carousel (27) with receptacles (28) distributed over the circumference for transporting the packaging aids (2) to the separating element (31) and for passing on the separated packaging aids (2), and in that, preferably, the carousel (27) is arranged between the receptacles - 2 - (28) radial notches (34) for receiving the separating element (31) during separation ufweist.
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sensor station (37) has a sensor (38) for mechanically scanning the endless packaging aid belt (5) and / or an ultrasonic sensor (50) for scanning the endless packaging aid belt (5) using ultrasound.
4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the sensor (38) for scanning the endless packaging aid belt (5) is designed at a distance from the carousel (27) of the feed means (6) which is less than the distance between 20, preferably 15, in particular 10, further in particular 5, successive packaging aids (2) along the endless packaging aid belt (5). 5.Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the endless packaging aid belt (5) rests on a support (40), in particular on a support plate, on its side opposite the sensor (38) and / or that the sensor (38) is in continuous contact with the endless packaging aid belt (5) when scanning the endless packaging aid belt (5).
6. Device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the sensor (38) of the sensor station (37) is designed in the manner of a rocker pivotably mounted about a pivot axis (43) with a sensor arm (42) for mechanically scanning the endless packaging aid belt (5) and a sensor arm (44) for detecting the position of the sensor arm (42) during scanning. J / KJ 221035WO December 12, 2023 - 3 - of the packaging aid endless belt (5) and that, preferably, the sensor arm (44) is assigned a proximity sensor (48) that detects the position of the sensor arm (44).
7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the sensor arm (42) has a scanning roller (41) for scanning the packaging aid endless belt (5) and that, preferably, the scanning roller (41) is assigned a rotation sensor, in particular a speed sensor.8.Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the sensor arm (42), in particular the scanning roller (41), is spaced apart from the endless belt (23, 35) when scanning the packaging aid endless belt (5) in sections without packaging aids (2) and that, preferably, the sensor arm (42), in particular the scanning roller (41), when scanning the packaging aid endless belt (5) in sections without packaging aids (2), partially dips into a space between the packaging aids (2) in the direction of the endless belt (23, 35).9.Device according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the ultrasonic sensor (50) has an ultrasonic source (54) for irradiating the endless packaging aid belt (5), an ultrasonic detector (55) for collecting ultrasound reflected from the endless packaging aid belt (5) and an evaluation unit (58) for detecting the presence and / or absence of a packaging aid (2) on the basis of a propagation time difference of the ultrasound between the ultrasonic source (54) and the ultrasonic detector (55) and / or that the area of the endless packaging aid belt (5) monitored by the ultrasonic sensor (50) is located along the endless packaging aid belt (5) at a distance of at least 300 mm, preferably at least 400 mm, K. J / KJ 221035WO December 12, 2023 - 4 - in particular at least 500 mm, from the carousel (27) of the feed means (6).
10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the sensor station (37) has an evaluation unit (49) for counting the packaging aids (2) guided past the sensor station (37), for detecting the temporal and / or spatial distance between successive packaging aids (2), for detecting a standstill of the packaging aid endless belt (5) and / or for detecting a torn packaging aid endless belt (5).
11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the packaging aid endless belt (5) is designed in the manner of a blister pack and that, preferably, the packaging aid endless belt (5) has an opacity, in particular measured according to ISO 2471, of at least 2, preferably at least 4, in particular at least 6.12.Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the packaging aid endless belt (5) has two parallel extending endless belts (23, 35) and packaging aids (2) received therebetween, in particular at regular intervals, and in that, preferably, the two endless belts (23, 35) are made of paper, in particular of a similar paper.
13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the at least one endless belt (23, 35), in particular each endless belt (23, 25), of the packaging aid endless belt (5) is made of a paper with a basis weight K. J / KJ 221035WO December 12, 2023 - 5 - between 25 g / m² and 60 g / m², preferably between 25 g / m² and 50 g / m², in particular between 25 g / m² and 40 g / m², and / or that the at least one endless belt (23, 35), in particular each endless belt (23, 25), of the packaging aid endless belt (5), has a thickness of less than 65 µm, preferably less than 55 µm, in particular less than 45 µm.
14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the at least one endless belt (23, 35), in particular each endless belt (23, 25), of the packaging aid endless belt (5) has a tensile strength in the longitudinal direction of the endless belt between 2.5 kN / m and 6 kN / m, preferably between 2.5 kN / m and 5 kN / m, in particular between 2.5 kN / m and 4 kN / m, and / or that the at least one endless belt (23, 35), in particular each endless belt (23, 25), of the packaging aid endless belt (5) has a tensile strength transverse to the longitudinal direction of the endless belt between 0.7 kN / m and 3.5 kN / m, preferably between 0.7 kN / m and 2,5 kN / m, in particular between 0.7 kN / m and 2 kN / m, and / or that the at least one endless belt (23, 35), in particular each endless belt (23, 25), of the packaging aid endless belt (5) has a tear strength in the longitudinal direction of the endless belt and / or transversely to the longitudinal direction of the endless belt between 150 mN and 600 mN, preferably between 150 mN and 500 mN, in particular between 150 mN and 400 mN, aufweist.
15. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the at least one endless belt (23, 35), in particular each endless belt (23, 25), of the packaging aid endless belt (5) is provided on at least one side with at least one coating, preferably at least substantially made of plastic, in particular at least substantially made of a biodegradable plastic, and / or that the at least one endless belt (23, 35), in particular each endless belt (23, 25), of the packaging aid endless belt (5) is provided withK J / KJ 221035WO December 12, 2023 - 6 - a plastic, in particular impregnated with a plastic in the form of an adhesive and / or in the form of a biodegradable plastic, and / or that the packaging aids (2) are straws (3) made of paper with at least 80 wt.%, preferably at least 85 wt.%, in particular at least 90 wt.%, cellulose, and / or that the packaging aids (2) are straws (3) made of paper with less than 8 wt.%, preferably less than 7 wt.%, in particular less than 6 wt.%, of a plastic, in particular biodegradable plastic.
16. A method for separately applying packaging aids (2), preferably repackaged straws (3), supplied as a packaging aid endless belt (5), to packages (4), in particular cardboard composite packages, in particular using a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15.K J / KJ 221035WO December 12, 2023