Apparatus and method for applying at least one strap around a group comprising at least two articles

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) and a method for applying at least one strap (30) around a group (20) comprising at least two articles (21). The apparatus (1) comprises a provision station (2) for the group (20), a compression device (3) for compressing a group (20) located at the provision station (2), and an application device (4) which is designed to attach at least one strap (30) to the group (20) at the provision station (2). The application device (4) and the compression device (3) are spatially separate from one another at least at times and have separate drives (5, 6).

Description

[0001] Device and method for applying at least one strapping around an assembly comprising at least two articles

[0002] The present invention relates to a device and a method for applying at least one strapping around an assembly comprising at least two articles.

[0003] Packaging machines are used for a wide variety of packaging tasks, such as the production of packaging units consisting of several similar piece goods or individual items. Users have numerous options available for combining individual items or piece goods into larger containers. For example, beverage containers are usually combined and packaged using shrink film to form packs of four, six, or more beverage containers. The production of packs is usually unavoidable, as they represent the most common type of sales unit for beverage containers. The beverage containers can be PET bottles, for example. The packs are sometimes combined again for transport and / or arranged in layers and palletized.

[0004] The shrink films used to produce common container types require specific production steps, which overall involve relatively high energy consumption. Furthermore, the shrink film used incurs costs for production, supply, handling, and subsequent disposal, as it is no longer needed after sale. The essential machinery for providing the film wrapping modules and other handling stations also incurs high investment costs. Finally, the provision of the shrink tunnel, in which the shrink film wrapped around the containers is shrunk around the bottles using hot air, also requires a relatively high capital investment.

[0005] Furthermore, the use of so-called upper grip carton packaging is known, for example, to group several bottles together via their neck areas. A packaging machine for applying such upper grip carton packaging is described in patent EP 1 075419 B1. Here, the articles are arranged in a box, and the grip carton packaging is placed from above onto the at least one article arranged in the box. In particular, a plurality of articles are arranged in the box, and by placing a smaller number of upper grip carton packaging, subgroups are formed, each of which groups together a portion of the articles arranged in the box.

[0006] So-called strapping packs can be considered a technical alternative to shrink-wrap packs. Typically, strapping packs hold a number of items together with a strap that is stretched horizontally around the outside of the item. This strapping is usually placed around the item during an uninterrupted conveying process and then secured. The strapping is formed by at least one band that is stretched around the outside of the item and then connected at the ends under pre-tension. For example, in continuously or intermittently operating strapping machines, containers, items or bottles are grouped into formations and then strapped with the help of strapping units with a band stretched horizontally around the piece goods or optionally with several bands. Typical formations can be, for example:These can be 1x2 arrangements (two containers in a row), 2x2 arrangements (four containers in a square or diamond formation), 3x2, 4x3 or basically variable nxm arrangements.

[0007] The production of such strapping packages is described as an example in the published patent application DE 102009 040 700 A1.

[0008] A disadvantage of the described strapping packages, however, is that the strapping is usually connected to the items to form a closed strapping ring. In particular, creating a stable connection requires additional processing time, which represents a significant disadvantage in terms of the required production time and the achievable machine performance, especially in continuous processing. Furthermore, every necessary function on the closing tool for producing the closed strapping increases the complexity of the packaging process and the strapping and closing tools used.

[0009] The object of the invention is to optimize a packaging process for producing packaging units, in particular to make it cost-effective, reliable, and fast. This object is achieved by a device and a method for applying at least one strapping around an assembly, which comprise the features in the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

[0010] The device and the method are used to form packaging units which each comprise at least two grouped articles held together by at least one strapping.

[0011] The strapping can be made of paper, a paper-like material, a plastic material, a composite material, or similar. The strapping encompasses the group of articles, with the strapping being tensioned around the outer surface of the articles. The strapping band forming the strapping has a circumference that ensures sufficient band tension to hold the group of articles together and stabilize them.

[0012] For strapping, a closed, in particular ring-shaped, strapping band is preferably used, i.e. it is no longer necessary to make a connection between free end areas of the strapping band material on the article group.

[0013] However, it is also conceivable alternatively within the scope of the method according to the invention or using the device according to the invention that a strip-shaped strapping band is used which is connected to form a closed strapping in connection with the attachment to at least two grouped articles.

[0014] The items to be summarized are preferably containers filled with a liquid, such as bottles or cans, especially beverage containers. However, the bottles, cans, or similar containers can also be filled with other liquid contents, such as cosmetics in the form of shampoo or similar.

[0015] The invention relates to a device for applying at least one strapping to an assembly comprising at least two articles. The device comprises a staging area for the article assembly and a compression device for compressing an assembly arranged at the staging area. In particular, it can be provided that the compression device compresses the article assembly only in certain areas, in particular in one area and, if appropriate, in areas adjacent to the area in which the strapping is applied.

[0016] Furthermore, the device comprises an application device which is designed to attach at least one strapping to the article assembly at the staging area.

[0017] The application device and the compression device are spatially separated from each other, at least temporarily, and each have its own separate drive. In particular, the application device and the compression device can be driven and controlled individually.

[0018] The invention further relates to a method for applying at least one strapping to an assembly comprising at least two articles. In the method according to the invention, the assembly is compressed at least in certain areas by a compression device. Furthermore, at least one strapping is applied to the at least partially compressed assembly by an application device. The application device and the compression device act on the assembly at least temporarily spatially separated from one another and are driven separately from one another.

[0019] In this context, it is pointed out that the terms compilation, article compilation and article group are used synonymously below.

[0020] The article combinations handled within the device according to the invention and / or according to the method according to the invention are produced, for example, in a so-called grouping module or dividing module, which can in particular be a component of a beverage packaging system comprising the device according to the invention.

[0021] An example beverage packaging system includes a wet section with the components filling module and closing module, as well as a labeling module if required. The beverages bottled or canned are preferably combined into packaging units.

[0022] For example, bottle sets are formed in or in front of a packing module and the bottles of the bottle sets are combined with a strapping within the device according to the invention.

[0023] The resulting packaging units can optionally be equipped with a carrying handle and / or an additional packaging material such as shrink film or a top-loading carton, or additionally with adhesive joints. Gluing the items together can also be done, for example, after or in conjunction with assembling them as a group and before applying the strapping.

[0024] The packaging units can then be assembled into layers of piece goods, for example in a grouping station of the palletizing device, and stacked on pallets.

[0025] Within the beverage packaging line, the bottles are transported from one module to the next via suitable transport systems. These transport systems are equipped with suitable buffer systems where appropriate. The components of the beverage packaging line are only examples.

[0026] In order to compile the article groups, dividers can be provided in the dividing module, which comprise two horizontal conveyors connected to one another in the conveying direction and, if necessary, produce article groups consisting of several articles each through intermittent operation.

[0027] Alternatively, dividing elements are also known that can engage with the articles via multiple push bars, then accelerate the respective articles relative to trailing articles in a transport direction, and thereby form a respective article group consisting of several articles. Further possibilities for assembling article groups are known to the person skilled in the art and are hereby covered by the application.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a control device. The compression device and the application device are preferably controlled by the control device in such a way that the compression device and the application device are driven at least temporarily simultaneously via their respective drives and thus act on the article assembly at least temporarily simultaneously.

[0029] Preferably, the application device is designed to apply a prefabricated, closed strapping to the assembly from above by means of a downward movement and to secure it to the articles in the assembly. The strapping applied to the assembly encompasses at least some of the outer surfaces of the articles in the assembly, thus holding the articles together.

[0030] Alternatively, the application device can be configured to attach a strip-shaped strapping band to the articles in the assembly and to form a closed strapping by connecting the free ends of the strapping band. The free ends of the strapping band are connected, for example, by gluing or welding, in particular by ultrasonic welding or similar. This embodiment also provides for the strapping applied to the assembly to at least partially encompass the outer surfaces of the articles in the assembly and to hold the articles together under tension.

[0031] An embodiment of the device according to the invention can provide that at least part of the compression device at the staging area is designed to be able to be delivered to the article assembly from below. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that at least part of the compression device at the staging area is designed to be able to be delivered to the article assembly from the side.

[0032] The compression device can be formed, for example, by a locking chain, a long stator, in particular a movable long stator, a shuttle element with side wall elements that can be moved in the transport direction and / or orthogonally to the transport direction, by suitable push rods, or by compression elements that can be moved vertically in height, or similar. The list of compression devices mentioned here is not exhaustive; other possibilities known to those skilled in the art can also be advantageously used.

[0033] When using a shuttle element, for example, compression can be achieved by locking two holding elements forming the shuttle, which reduces the distance between the holding elements. By unlocking, the restoring forces during decompression of the articles increase the distance between the holding elements, and the strapped article assembly can be removed from the shuttle element and forwarded for further handling.

[0034] One embodiment of the device according to the invention can comprise a compression device designed as a locking chain. In particular, the locking chain comprises a revolving conveyor chain driven by a drive, on which conveyor chain at least one pair of radially projecting compression elements is arranged. In particular, a first compression element and a second compression element following the first compression element in a direction of rotation of the conveyor chain each form a pair of radially projecting compression elements, which is also referred to below as a compression unit. The locking chain thus forms, in particular, a staging area with an integrated compression device.

[0035] In particular, this embodiment provides that a distance between the compression elements forming a compression unit is smaller outside a deflection region of the conveyor chain than in the deflection region. In particular, a first distance between the two compression elements forming a compression unit is greater in the deflection region of the conveyor chain than in the conveying region of the conveyor chain formed between the two deflection regions.

[0036] In a first deflection area, article assemblies are transferred to the closing chain, with the article assemblies being arranged between the two compression elements forming the compression unit, which are arranged at a first distance from each other. In the downstream conveying area, the two compression elements forming the compression unit are brought closer together, so that a smaller second distance now exists between them. As a result, the articles in the assemblies, and thus the assemblies as a whole, are compressed at least partially or at least in certain areas. In particular, the compression reduces the volume of the article assemblies.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the compression device or the compression elements forming a compression unit are designed to act on the articles of the assembly in an area below 80% of the article height. This is particularly sufficient for bottles that taper in the upper area, so that the assemblies generally already have a reduced circumference in the upper area. This also applies to differently designed compression devices, not just to compression units formed from two compression elements.

[0038] A strap is applied to the thus compressed article assembly using an application device as described above. In particular, a prefabricated, closed strap is applied by slipping it from above onto the article assembly, which is arranged between the compression elements forming a compression unit and is at least partially compressed.

[0039] After the strapping is applied, the distance between the two compression elements forming a compression unit is increased again in a second circulation area following the conveyor chain's conveyor area in the transport direction of the article assemblies. This removes the compression of the article assemblies.

[0040] The circumference of the strapping is selected in such a way that it is larger than the circumference of the compressed item combination but equal to or slightly smaller than the circumference of the uncompressed item combination. This ensures that, after the compression is released, the strapping rests under tension on the outer circumference of the item combination and holds the items within the item combination together under tension.

[0041] The packaging units formed in this way can now be fed to a further handling process in the transport direction, for example a layer formation module for forming palletizable piece goods layers or similar.

[0042] A further exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention can provide that at least a part of the compression device is arranged at least partially during the application of the strapping between at least one article and the strapping.

[0043] For this purpose, the compression device must be designed accordingly. For example, a compression unit is formed by a pair of compression elements, each compression element being formed by a thin retaining plate with curved end regions. According to one embodiment, the compression elements, for example, primarily engage the leading side surface in the transport direction and the trailing side surface of the article assembly. An alternative embodiment can provide for the compression elements primarily to engage the side surfaces of the article assembly parallel to the transport direction.

[0044] Preferably, the side surfaces to which no compression elements are assigned are assigned guide elements or similar, which prevent articles from breaking out or coming out or falling out of the assembly.

[0045] An embodiment is described in more detail below, in which the compression elements primarily engage the leading side surface of the article assembly in the transport direction and the trailing side surface of the article assembly in the transport direction. Those skilled in the art can readily apply the features described herein to an embodiment in which the compression elements primarily engage the side surfaces of the article assembly parallel to the transport direction.

[0046] The first compression element, which runs ahead in the transport direction, is particularly designed such that it encompasses at least some of the side surface of the article assembly that runs ahead in the transport direction and also the so-called leading corner regions of the article assembly. In particular, the corner regions are encompassed by the curved end regions of the retaining plate of the compression element. The trailing second compression element is particularly designed mirror-symmetrically to the first compression element and encompasses at least some of the side surface of the article assembly that runs behind in the transport direction and also the so-called trailing corner regions of the article assembly.

[0047] In this embodiment, an assortment of articles is also provided at a staging area. Two compression elements forming a compression unit are applied to the assortment from below. The compression elements encompass at least some of at least two opposing side surfaces of the assortment. Preferably, the compression elements also encompass at least some of the corner areas of the assortment.

[0048] In this context, it can be provided that the two compression elements are moved toward each other by a mutually directed movement, so that the article assembly is clamped between the two compression elements and thus compressed at least in part. On the article assembly compressed in this way, a strap is applied to the article assembly by an application device. Preferably, a prefabricated, closed strap is applied to the article assembly from above, with at least a part of the compression device being arranged, at least in part, between at least one article and the strap during the application of the strap.

[0049] Alternatively, the application device attaches a strapping band to the articles of the assembly and a closed strapping is formed by connecting the free ends of the strapping band, wherein at least a part of the compression device is arranged at least partially between at least one article and the strapping during the application of the strapping.

[0050] In particular, when applying the strapping to the article assembly, at least upper portions of the two compression elements are arranged between at least one article of the assembly and the strapping.

[0051] The at least one clamped part of the compression device is removed from the area between the at least one article and the strapping before or in conjunction with the release of the compression. In particular, the two compression elements are pulled out in a vertically downward motion, thereby releasing the compression of the article assembly. The restoring forces of the articles create tension on the strapping, which holds the articles of the assembly firmly and securely together.

[0052] While the article assembly is being compressed and while the strapping is being applied to the article assembly, the latter can be arranged statically at the staging area.

[0053] An alternative embodiment can provide a so-called movable staging area, wherein the compression device and the application device are configured to move synchronously with the staging area, at least temporarily. In particular, the article assembly is continuously moved in a transport direction during the compression of the article assembly and during the application of the strapping to the article assembly, wherein the compression device and the application device are moved synchronously with the article assembly, at least temporarily.

[0054] One embodiment provides that the article assemblies are each compressed in the transport direction and additionally held laterally before the strapping is applied to the article assemblies by slipping them over from above.

[0055] Preferably, it can be provided that the compression takes place from below, in particular by compression elements which act on a lower region of the articles, while the application device applies the strapping to the article assembly from above.

[0056] Furthermore, it can preferably be provided that the compression takes place immediately before the strapping is applied to the article assembly

[0057] In the present invention, it is particularly provided that the compression of the article assembly and the application of the strapping are carried out by two different functional assemblies, namely a compression device and an application device. The compression can be applied in the transport direction of the article assembly, transversely to the transport direction of the article assembly, or in both axes.

[0058] The strapping is applied using a pre-assembled, closed strap, or a strapping band is wrapped around the item assembly and then closed. In both cases, the necessary strap tension is created by removing the compression device.

[0059] By separating compression and strapping applications, the two functional units can be designed in a technically simpler manner, making them less susceptible to malfunctions, reducing the need for maintenance and repair work and thus leading to fewer production downtimes.

[0060] It should be expressly stated at this point that all aspects and embodiments explained in connection with the device according to the invention equally relate to, or can be, partial aspects of the method according to the invention. Therefore, if certain aspects and / or relationships and / or effects are mentioned at any point in the description or in the claim definitions for the device according to the invention, this equally applies to the method according to the invention. The same applies in reverse, so that all aspects and embodiments explained in connection with the method according to the invention equally relate to, or can be partial aspects of the device according to the invention.Therefore, if at one point in the description or in the claim definitions for the method according to the invention certain aspects and / or relationships and / or effects are mentioned, this applies equally to the device according to the invention.

[0061] In the following, exemplary embodiments will explain the invention and its advantages in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. The relative sizes of the individual elements in the figures do not always correspond to the actual sizes, as some shapes are simplified and others are enlarged relative to other elements for better illustration.

[0062] Fig. 1 shows schematically the components and operation of a packaging system comprising a first embodiment of a device according to the invention and thus also illustrates a first embodiment variant of a method according to the invention for applying a strapping.

[0063] Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of a device according to the invention as well as a second embodiment of the method.

[0064] Figures 3A and 3B show a third embodiment of a device according to the invention and a third embodiment variant of the application method according to the invention.

[0065] Identical reference numerals are used for identical or equivalently functioning elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures that are necessary for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments merely represent examples of how the invention can be configured and do not constitute an exhaustive limitation.

[0066] The embodiments, examples, and variants of the preceding paragraphs, the claims or the following description and figures, including their various views or respective individual features, may be used independently of one another or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless the features are incompatible.

[0067] Fig. 1 schematically shows the components and operation of a packaging system 40 comprising a first embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention. This also illustrates a first embodiment variant of an application method according to the invention.

[0068] In general, this is a packaging system 40 comprising a device 1 for applying at least one strapping 30 to an assembly 20 comprising at least two articles 21.

[0069] The strapping 30 can be formed, in particular, from a paper material, a paper-like material, a plastic material, a composite material, or the like. The strapping 30 encompasses an article group or article assembly 20, wherein the strapping 30 is arranged tensioned around regions of the outer surface of the articles 32. An annular strapping band 31 forming the strapping 30 has a circumference that ensures sufficient band tension to hold the article assembly 20 together and stabilize it.

[0070] The articles 21 to be summarized are preferably containers filled with liquid contents, such as bottles 22 or cans, in particular beverage containers. However, the bottles, cans, or similar containers can also be filled with liquid cosmetics such as shampoo or similar.

[0071] For handling within the device 1 according to the invention, assemblies 20 of articles 21 are provided within the packaging system 40. These assemblies 20 are generated in particular in a so-called grouping module or dividing module 7.

[0072] For example, dividers 8 can be provided in the dividing module 7, which dividers can comprise two horizontal conveyor devices 9 adjoining one another in the conveying direction and, if necessary, produce sets of several articles 21 by means of intermittent operation.

[0073] Also known are dividing elements (not shown) which can engage with the articles 21 via several push bars, then accelerate the respective articles 21 relative to trailing articles 21 in the transport direction TR and thereby form a respective assembly 20 from several articles 21. Further possibilities for assembling article groups or article assemblies

[0074] 20 are known to the person skilled in the art and are hereby covered by the application.

[0075] The device 1 according to the invention comprises a provision location 2 for the article assembly 20, a compression device 3 for compressing an article assembly 20 arranged at the provision location 2 and an application device 4 which is designed to apply at least one strapping 30 to the article assembly 20 arranged at the provision location.

[0076] Here, it is provided that the application device 4 and the compression device 3 are designed to be spatially separated from one another at least temporarily, and that the application device 4 and the compression device 3 each have separate drives 5, 6. It is preferably provided that the application device 4 and the compression device 3 act on the assembly 20 at least temporarily spatially separated from one another.

[0077] Furthermore, the device 1 preferably comprises a control device 10, wherein the compression device 3 and the application device 4 are designed and controllable by the control device 10 such that the compression device 3 and the application device 4 are driven at least temporarily simultaneously via their respective drives 5, 6. Preferably, the compression device 3 and the application device 4 are controlled by the control device 10 such that the compression device 3 and the application device 4 act on the articles 21 of the assembly 20 at the provision location 2, at least temporarily simultaneously.

[0078] Preferably, the application device 4 is configured to apply a prefabricated, closed strapping 30 to the assembly 20 from above by means of a downward movement; in particular, the strapping is slipped onto the article assembly 20 from above. It is provided that the strapping 30 applied to the assembly 20 encompasses the outer surfaces of the articles 21 of the assembly 20 and holds the articles 21 together under tension.

[0079] One embodiment may provide that at least part of the compression device 3 at the provisioning station 2 is designed to be deliverable from below to the article assembly 20. Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that at least part of the compression device 3 at the provisioning station 2 is designed to be deliverable from the side to the article assembly 20.

[0080] The compression device 3 can be formed, for example, by a locking chain or a long stator or a shuttle element with side wall elements of the article assembly 20 that can be delivered in the transport direction TR of the article assembly 20 and / or orthogonally to the transport direction TR, or by compression elements that can be moved vertically in height.

[0081] While the compression of the article assembly 20 and the application of the strapping 30 to the article assembly 20 takes place, the latter can be arranged statically at the staging location 2.

[0082] An alternative embodiment can provide a so-called movable supply station 2, wherein the compression device 3 and the application device 4 are designed to be at least temporarily synchronously movable with the supply station 2. In particular, the article assembly 20 is continuously moved in a transport direction TR during the compression of the article assembly 20 and the application of the packaging blank 20 to the article assembly 20, wherein the compression device 3 and the application device 4 are at least temporarily moved synchronously with the assembly 20.

[0083] The schematic representation of Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention and thus also illustrates a second embodiment variant of an application method.

[0084] The device 1 comprises a so-called locking chain 11. In particular, the locking chain 11 comprises a rotating conveyor chain 12 driven by a drive 5, on which at least one pair of radially projecting compression elements 13 are arranged. In particular, a first compression element 14 and a second compression element 15 following the first compression element 14 in a direction of rotation UR of the conveyor chain 12 each form a pair of radially projecting compression elements 13 and thus a compression unit 18. In this embodiment, the locking chain 11 forms in particular a staging area 2 with an integrated compression device 3. In particular, it is provided that a first distance A between the two compression elements 14, 15 forming a pair is greater in a deflection area UB of the conveyor chain 12 than in the conveying area FB formed between the two deflection areas UB of the conveyor chain 12.

[0085] In a first deflection area UB1, article assemblies 20 are transferred to the locking chain 11, wherein the article assemblies 20 are each arranged between the two compression elements 14, 15 forming a pair and arranged at a first distance A1 from each other. In the downstream conveying area FB, the two compression elements 14, 15 forming a pair are brought closer together, so that a smaller second distance A2 now exists between them. As a result, the articles 21 of the assemblies 20, and thus the assemblies 20 as a whole, are at least partially compressed. In particular, the volume of the assemblies 20 is reduced.

[0086] The at least partially compressed article assembly is moved in a transport direction TR over the conveying area formed by the upper run of the conveyor chain 12.

[0087] In particular, it is provided that the compression device 3 or the compression elements 14, 15 forming a pair are designed to act on the articles 21 of the assembly 20 in an area below 80% of an article height H.

[0088] Furthermore, the device 1 comprises an application device 4 which is designed to apply a prefabricated closed strapping 30 to the article assembly 20 arranged between the compression elements 14, 15 forming a pair and compressed at least in regions.

[0089] After the application of the strapping 30, the distance A between the two compression elements 14, 15 forming a pair is increased again in a second circulation area UB2 following the conveying area FB in the transport direction TR of the article assemblies 20.

[0090] In this embodiment, the circumference of the strapping 30 is also selected such that it is larger than a circumference of the compressed article assembly 20. At the same time, the circumference of the strapping 30 is selected such that it is equal to or slightly smaller than a circumference of the non-compressed article assembly 20. This ensures that the strapping 30 rests under tension on the outer circumference of the article assembly 20 after the compression is released and thus firmly holds the articles 21 together within the article assembly 20.

[0091] The packaging units 23 formed in this way can now be fed to a further handling step in the transport direction TR, for example a layer formation module for forming palletizable piece goods layers or the like.

[0092] The embodiment shows in particular that the compression device 3 and the application device 4 act at least temporarily simultaneously on the articles 21 of the assembly 20.

[0093] Figures 3A and 3B show a third embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention. It is provided that at least a portion of the compression device 3 is arranged, at least in part, between at least one article 21 and the strapping 30 during the application of the strapping 30. Figures 3A and 3B thus also illustrate a third embodiment of an application method according to the invention.

[0094] Fig. 3A shows an article assembly 20 on which a pair of compression elements 13 forming the compression device 3 is arranged. The compression elements 13 are each formed, for example, by thin retaining plates 16 with curved end regions 17.

[0095] The first compression element 14, which runs ahead in the transport direction TR, is designed such that it at least partially encompasses the side surface 25 of the article assembly 20, which runs ahead in the transport direction TR, and also the so-called leading corner regions 26 of the article assembly 20. In particular, the corner regions 26 are encompassed by the curved end regions 17 of the holding plate 16. The trailing second compression element 15 is designed in particular to be mirror-symmetrical to the first compression element 14 and is arranged correspondingly mirror-symmetrically on the article assembly 20.

[0096] Fig. 3B shows a side view of an embodiment of a method and a device 1 for applying at least one strapping 30 around an assembly 20 comprising at least two articles 21 with a compression device 3 according to Fig. 3A. An article assembly 20 is provided at a provisioning station 2, see method step (I). In a subsequent method step (II), two compression elements 13 are advanced from below, which comprise two opposite side surfaces of the article assembly 20. In particular, the two compression elements 13 can also be advanced towards one another by a movement directed towards one another, so that the article assembly 20 is clamped between the two compression elements 13 and thus compressed at least in part, see method step (III).

[0097] In process step (IV), a strapping 30 is applied from above to the assembly 20 by the application device 4, wherein at least a portion of the compression device 3 is arranged, at least in part, between at least one article 21 of the assembly 20 and the strapping 30 during the application of the strapping 30. In particular, at least the upper portions of the two compression elements 13 are arranged between at least one article 21 of the assembly 20 and the strapping 30, see process step (V).

[0098] In a subsequent method step (VI), the part of the compression device 3 arranged, in particular clamped, between the article 21 and the strapping 30 is removed from the area between the at least one article 21 and the strapping 30 before or in temporal connection with the release of the compression. In particular, the two compression elements 13 are pulled out in a vertically downward movement, whereby the compression is released.

[0099] The restoring forces of the articles 21 create tension on the strapping 30, whereby the articles 21 are now held firmly and securely together as a packaging unit 23 within the assembly 20.

[0100] A final note should be given at this point regarding the descriptions of embodiments of the invention, whereby these descriptive passages each refer to the attached drawings. When reference is generally made to "schematic" representations and views in the context of the figures and their descriptions, this in no way means that the figures and their descriptions are of secondary importance with regard to the disclosure of the invention. A person skilled in the art will be perfectly capable of deriving sufficient information from the schematic and abstractly drawn representations to facilitate their understanding of the invention, without their understanding being in any way impaired by the drawn proportions, which may not be exactly to scale.The figures thus enable the skilled reader to derive a better understanding of the inventive concept formulated in a more general and / or abstract manner in the claims and in the general part of the description on the basis of the more concretely explained implementations of the method according to the invention and the more concretely explained functioning of the device according to the invention.

[0101] The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it is conceivable for a person skilled in the art that modifications or variations of the invention can be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

[0102] List of reference symbols

[0103] 1 device

[0104] 2 staging area

[0105] 3 Compression device

[0106] 4 Application setup

[0107] 5 Drive compression device

[0108] 6 Drive application device

[0109] 7 One-piece module

[0110] 8 one-piece suits

[0111] 9 Horizontal conveyor device

[0112] 10 Control device

[0113] 11 Locking chain

[0114] 12 conveyor chain

[0115] 13 Compression element

[0116] 14 first compression element

[0117] 15 second compression element

[0118] 16 retaining plate

[0119] 17 curved end area

[0120] 18 Compression unit 18 20 Compilation, article compilation

[0121] 21 articles

[0122] 22 bottles

[0123] 23 packaging units

[0124] 25 leading side surface

[0125] 26 Corner area

[0126] 30 strapping

[0127] 31 ring-shaped strapping band

[0128] 40 packaging plant

[0129] A1 first distance

[0130] A2 second distance

[0131] H Item height

[0132] TR transport direction

[0133] UB deflection area

[0134] UB1 first deflection area

[0135] UB2 second deflection area

[0136] UR direction of rotation

Claims

Claims 1. Device (1) for applying at least one strapping (30) around an assembly (20) comprising at least two articles (21), the device (1) comprising - a staging area (2) for the assembly (20), - a compression device (3) for compressing an assembly (20) arranged at the supply location (2), and - an application device (4) which is designed to attach at least one strapping (30) to the assembly (20) at the preparation point (2), - wherein the application device (4) and the compression device (3) are at least temporarily spatially separated from each other and - wherein the application device (4) and the compression device (3) each have separate drives (5, 6).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the compression device (3) at the provision location (2) is designed to be deliverable from below and / or wherein at least a part of the compression device (3) at the provision location (2) is designed to be deliverable from the side.

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a control device (10), wherein the compression device (3) and the application device (4) are designed and controllable by the control device (10) such that the compression device (3) and the application device (4) can be driven at least temporarily simultaneously, in particular that the compression device (3) and the application device (4) act on the articles (21) of the assembly (20) at the provision location (2) at least temporarily simultaneously.

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the compression device (3) is designed to act on the articles (21) of the assembly (20) in a region below 80% of an article height, and wherein the application device (4) is designed to apply a prefabricated to apply a closed strapping (30) to the assembly (20) or wherein the application device (4) is designed to apply a strapping band to the assembly (20) to form a closed strapping (30).

5. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the application device (4) is designed to apply the prefabricated closed strapping (30) to the assembly (20) from above by means of a downward movement.

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (1) is designed to arrange at least a part of the compression device (3) at least partially between at least one article (21) and the strapping (30) during the application of the strapping (30).

7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the compression device (3) is formed by a locking chain (11), a long stator, a shuttle element with side wall elements adjustable in the transport direction and / or orthogonally to the transport direction or by compression elements vertically movable in height.

8. Device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the locking chain (11) comprises at least one circulating conveyor chain (12) on which at least one pair of radially projecting compression elements (13) are arranged, the distance (A) from one another outside a deflection region (UB) of the conveyor chain (12) being smaller than in the deflection region (UB) and wherein in the deflection region (UB) assemblies (20) are transferred between the pair of compression elements (13).

9. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the provision location (2) is designed to be movable and wherein the compression device (3) and the application device (4) are designed to be at least temporarily synchronously movable with the provision location (2).

10. Method for applying at least one strapping (30) around an assembly (20) comprising at least two articles (21), - wherein the compilation (20) is compressed by a compression device (3), - wherein the at least one strapping (30) is applied to the compressed assembly (20) by an application device (4), - wherein the application device (4) and the compression device (3) act on the assembly (20) at least temporarily spatially separated from one another and - wherein the application device (4) and the compression device (3) are driven separately from one another.

11. Method according to claim 10, wherein the compression device (3) and the application device (4) act at least temporarily simultaneously on the articles (21) of the assembly (20).

12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the compression device (3) acts on the articles (21) of the assembly (20) in an area below 80% of an article height (H), and wherein the application device (4) applies a pre-assembled closed strapping (30) to the assembly (20), in particular wherein the application device (4) applies the pre-assembled closed strapping (30) to the assembly (20) of articles from above by means of a downward movement.

13. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the compression device (3) acts on the articles (21) of the assembly (20) in an area below 80% of an article height, and wherein the application device (4) applies a strapping band as a closed strapping (30) to the assembly (20) or wherein the application device (4) applies a strapping band to form a closed strapping (30) to the assembly (20).

14. Method according to one of claims 10 to 13, wherein at least a part of the compression device (3) is arranged at least in some areas during the application of the strapping (30) between at least one article (21) and the strapping (30) and wherein the at least one part of the compression device (3) is removed from the area between the at least one article (21) and the strapping (30) before or in temporal connection with the release of the compression.

15. Method according to one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the assembly (20) during compression and application of the strapping (30) is continuously in a transport direction (TR) of the assembly (30), wherein the compression device (3) and the application device (4) are moved at least temporarily synchronously with the assembly (20).

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