Banding unit for applying a band to a product or a product group and method for banding a product or product group

Abstract

The invention relates to a banderoling unit (1) for attaching a banderole to a product group (100) transported in a conveying direction (F), wherein the banderoling unit (1) comprises the following: a first banderole dispensing apparatus (2) for providing a first banderoling tape (101); a second banderole dispensing apparatus (3) for providing a second banderoling tape (102); a first banderole feeder (4) for feeding the first banderoling tape (101) to a first side of the product conveying path; a second banderole feeder (5) for feeding the second banderoling tape (102) to a second side of the product conveying path lying opposite the first side; a first cutting apparatus (6) for cutting through the first banderoling tape (101) transported along with the product group (100) in the conveying direction (F) of the product group (100), as needed; and a second cutting apparatus (7) for cutting through the second banderoling tape (102) transported along with the product group (100) in the conveying direction (F) of the product or the product group (100), as needed. According to the invention, it is provided in particular that the second cutting apparatus (7) is arranged downstream of the product conveying path in relation to the first cutting apparatus (6).

Description

[0001] BANDING UNIT FOR APPLYING A BAND TO A PRODUCT OR A PRODUCT GROUP AND METHOD FOR BANDING A PRODUCT OR PRODUCT GROUP

[0002] Description

[0003] The present invention relates generally to packaging methods and packaging systems. For example, the packaging systems can be packaging machines of a packaging line.

[0004] In particular, the invention relates to a system for banderoling products. Banderoling is a process of packaging technology in which objects (products) of the same or different types are gathered / bundled into a unit with a banderole (a tape) made of paper or plastic materials (for example polypropylene and polyethylene films).

[0005] One disadvantage of the previously known systems for banderoling products is that the wrap- ping / turning of the banderoling around the product to be banderoled is relatively complex and time consuming.

[0006] Accordingly, the problem of the present invention is to specify an apparatus and a method for banderoling products, wherein an increased number of strokes, in particular, is achievable in low-disruption operation.

[0007] With respect to the apparatus, this problem underlying the invention is solved by the subjectmatter of the independent claim 1, wherein advantageous further developments of the banderoling unit according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims 2 to 17.

[0008] With respect to the method, the problem underlying the invention is solved by the subjectmatter of the parallel claim 19.

[0009] Accordingly, the invention relates in particular to a banderoling unit for attaching a banderole to a product transported or conveyed in a conveying direction or to a product group transported or conveyed in a conveying direction. The banderoling unit according to the invention comprises a corresponding transport apparatus for transporting the product to be banderoled or the product group to be banderoled along a product conveying path. However, unlike conventional banderoling units known from the prior art, in the solution according to the invention it is not provided that the product to be banderoled or the product group to be banderoled into a banderoling tape, which is subtended transversely to the product conveying path, is transported inwards so that, as a result of this and due to the further transport of the product or the product group along the product conveying path, the product or the product group is banderoled at least regionally with the banderoling tape.

[0010] Rather, according to the present invention, it is provided that the banderoling unit comprises a first banderole dispensing apparatus for providing a first banderoling tape and a second banderole dispensing apparatus for providing a second banderoling tape.

[0011] For feeding the first banderoling tape to a first side of the product conveying path, a first banderole feeder is used, which is configured so as to feed the first banderoling tape to a first side of the product conveying path in such a way that the first banderoling unit adheres or can adhere to a first side surface of the product to be banderoled or the product group to be banderoled and is or can be transported along with the product or the product group in the conveying direction of the product or the product group.

[0012] In a similar manner, a second banderole feeder is used, which serves to feed the second banderoling tape to a second side of the product conveying path lying opposite the first side in such a way that the second banderoling tape adheres or can adhere to a second side surface of the product to be banderoled or the product group to be banderoled lying opposite the first side surface and is or can be transported along with the product or the product group in the conveying direction of the product or the product group.

[0013] The banderoling unit according to the invention further comprises a first cutting apparatus for cutting through the first banderoling tape transported along with the product or the product group in the conveying direction of the product or the product group, as needed. Moreover, the banderoling unit comprises a second cutting apparatus for cutting through the second banderoling tape transported along with the product or the product group in the conveying direction of the product or the product group, as needed.

[0014] In particular, it is provided in this context that the second cutting apparatus is arranged downstream of the product conveying path in relation to the first cutting apparatus. According to preferred implementations of the banderoling unit according to the invention, it is provided that, as seen in the conveying direction of the product or the product group, a distance of the first cutting apparatus from a region in which the first banderoling tape is fed by the first banderole feeder to the first side of the product conveying path is greater than a length of the product or the product group as seen in the conveying direction of the product or the product group.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, it is provided that, as seen in the conveying direction of the product or product group, a distance of the first cutting apparatus from the region in which the first banderoling tape is fed by the first banderole feeder to the first side of the product conveying path is less than or equal to the sum of the length of the product or product group as seen in the conveying direction of the product or product group and a front-facing side of the product or product group.

[0016] With this measure, it is achieved in an easily realized yet effective manner that the first and second banderoling tapes are each tailored so that when the product or product group is ban- deroled, the respective ends of the first and second banderoling tapes can sufficiently overlap without consuming too much banderoling material.

[0017] In particular, it is expedient in this context that, as seen in the conveying direction of the product or the product group, a distance of the second cutting apparatus from the first cutting apparatus is less than or equal to 3.0 times, preferably less than or equal to 2.5 times, and more preferably less than or equal to 2.0 times a front-facing width of the product or the product group as seen in the conveying direction of the product or the product group.

[0018] A particularly efficient banderoling with the banderoling unit according to the invention is possible when, as seen in the conveying direction of the product or the product group, the distance of the second cutting apparatus from the first cutting apparatus is at least the same as the front-facing width of the product or the product group as seen in the conveying direction of the product or the product group.

[0019] In design variants of the banderoling unit according to the invention, it is provided that the first cutting apparatus and the second cutting apparatus comprise a respective cutting edge, which, during a cutting operation, is driven at least partially or regionally into the product conveying path, namely preferably into a gap between two adjacent products or product groups transported or conveyed along the product conveying path.

[0020] In this context, it is expedient in particular that the first cutting apparatus and the second cutting apparatus comprise a respective rotating cutting edge, preferably having a circular, circular-eccentric, oblique, curved, or elliptical cutting edge guide. The purpose of the cutting edge guide is to ensure that, in a cutting operation, the cutting edge is guided in the workpiece path / product conveying path for only as long as required for the cut in question.

[0021] Preferably, the first cutting apparatus and the second cutting apparatus are respectively configured so as to press a leading banderoling tape end formed during a cutting operation onto the rear side of a leading product or a leading product group and / or to press a trailing banderoling tape end formed during a cutting operation onto the front side of a trailing product or a trailing product group.

[0022] In other words, it is preferred that the first and second cutting apparatuses perform a dual function: on the one hand, the cutting apparatuses serve to cut the respective banderoling tapes into corresponding banderoling tape sections. On the other hand, with the aid of the cutting apparatuses, the banderoling tape ends formed during the cutting operation are already pressed onto the front side or rear side of the product to be banderoled or the product group to be banderoled.

[0023] In order to implement this aspect, it is conceivable that the first cutting apparatus and the second cutting apparatus comprise a respective pressing unit, which, during a cutting operation, is driven along with the cutting edge at least partially or regionally into the product conveying path, namely preferably into a gap between two adjacent products or product groups transported or conveyed along the product conveying path.

[0024] In this context, it is contemplated that the pressing unit comprises in each case a first punch or a first punch pad preferably made of an elastic material, in particular a rubber-elastic material or a foam material, which is configured so as to press a leading banderoling tape end formed during a cutting operation onto the rear side of a leading product or leading product group. Alternatively or additionally, the pressing unit comprises in each case a second punch or a second punch pad likewise preferably made of an elastic material, in particular a rubberelastic material or a foam material, which is configured so as to press a trailing banderoling tape end formed during a cutting operation onto the front side of a trailing product or trailing product group.

[0025] As an alternative to such stamps or stamp pads, it is also conceivable that the first cutting apparatus and the second cutting apparatus respectively comprise an air nozzle system, which is configured so as to press a leading banderoling tape end formed during a cutting operation onto the rear side of a leading product or a leading product group with the aid of an air jet and / or to press a trailing banderoling tape end formed during a cutting operation onto the front side of a trailing product or a trailing product group with the aid of an air jet.

[0026] Of course, a combination of these two solutions is also conceivable.

[0027] In order to ensure that the banderoling tape ends formed during the cutting operation are fixedly pressed onto the rear side or front side of the products or product groups to be ban- deroled, in a further development of the banderoling unit according to the invention, the latter can further comprise at least one pressing apparatus arranged downstream of the product conveying path in relation to the second cutting apparatus, which is configured so as to press the leading and / or trailing banderoling tape ends formed during the cutting operations brought about with the first and second cutting apparatuses onto the rear side and / or front side of the respective products or product groups.

[0028] According to implementations of this design variant of the banderoling unit according to the invention, it is provided that the pressing apparatus comprises a first group of pressing elements, in particular in the form of rollers or brush bars, which rotate about a vertical axis in the clockwise direction and are arranged on one side of the product conveying path such that, upon the rotation of the pressing elements, they press the banderoling tape ends onto the rear sides of the products or product groups transported past the pressing apparatus.

[0029] Alternatively or additionally, the pressing apparatus comprises a second group of pressing elements, in particular in the form of rollers or brush bars, which rotate about a vertical axis in the counter-clockwise direction and are arranged on one side of the product conveying path such that, upon the rotation of the pressing elements, they press the banderoling tape ends onto the front sides of the products or product groups transported past the pressing apparatus.

[0030] However, as with the pressing unit of the first and second cutting apparatuses, it is also conceivable to design these as an air nozzle system with regard to the pressing apparatus.

[0031] The banderoling unit preferably further comprises a first lateral guide system provided on the first side of the product conveying path and configured so as to guide the first banderoling tape supplied by the first banderole feeder and / or the products or product groups along the product conveying path.

[0032] In this context, it is expedient that, alternatively or in addition to the first lateral guide system, the banderoling unit further comprises a second lateral guide system provided on the second side of the product conveying path and configured so as to guide the second banderoling tape supplied by the second banderole feeder and / or the products or product groups along the product conveying path.

[0033] In order to form different types of banderoles with the banderoling unit, in particular in the case of differently sized products or product groups, it is further provided according to one aspect of the invention that the first banderole feeder and the second banderole feeder are vertically adjustable such that the products or product groups can be banderoled at different heights with the first banderoling tape and the second banderoling tape.

[0034] According to preferred implementations of the banderoling unit according to the invention, it is provided that the banderoling unit is further associated with a product feeder for feeding the products or product groups to be banderoled. In particular, the product feeder is configured such that a gap is provided between two adjacent products or product groups.

[0035] Preferably, a length of the gap as seen in the conveying direction of the products or product groups is at least 0.5 times a front-facing width of the product or product group as seen in the conveying direction of the product or product group. Of course, other gap lengths are also conceivable here.

[0036] According to further developments of the last mentioned design variant of the banderoling unit according to the invention, it is provided that the product feeder is configured so as to feed the products or product groups to the banderoling unit in one or more rows.

[0037] Preferably, the first and second banderoling tapes are each configured as self-adhesive banderoling tapes and have a self-adhesive or activatable adhesion layer on a banderole top side. The oppositely arranged second banderole top side of the banderoling tape, on the other hand, does not have such an adhesion layer.

[0038] The first banderoling tape is fed from the first banderole feeder to the first side of the product conveying path in such a way that the first banderole top side of the first banderoling tape faces the first side surface of the product to be banderoled or the product group to be bande- roled. On the other hand, the second banderoling tape is fed from the second banderole feeder to the second side of the product conveying path in such a way that the first banderole top side of the second banderoling tape faces the second side surface of the product to be banderoled or the product group to be banderoled.

[0039] Although the banderoling tapes can be made of plastic, metal, or composite material, it is particularly preferred that the banderoling tapes are made of a paper material or a paper-like material.

[0040] A recyclable material can be particularly advantageously used, which for example also consists of a homogeneous plastic or a defined metal.

[0041] Biodegradable material can also be used in particular, for example cellulose-based material.

[0042] To position the banderoling tapes on the side surfaces of the products or product groups to be banderoled, it is contemplated that the respective banderole feeders are configured so as to optionally perform such positioning mechanically or by means of air pressure support. Variants are also contemplated in which the banderoling tapes are conveyed via air pressure over portions of their transport path. As an advantage of the invention compared to the known prior art, it should be mentioned, among other things, that the banderoling tapes are less expensive than a film. No shrink tunnel is required, which allows for high energy savings and for capital costs to be reduced.

[0043] It is also contemplated to design the banderoling unit as a module, so that a relatively small set-up surface is required.

[0044] In particular, the invention allows for system downtimes to be avoided and for efficiency to be increased.

[0045] However, it is also conceivable in this context that the banderoling unit according to the invention is part of a packaging machine for packaging products or product groups into in particular paper or cardboard material or alternatively into film material.

[0046] In this context, it is conceivable that the packaging machine further comprises at least one paper or cardboard packaging station and / or at least one film packaging station, and namely in addition to at least one banderoling unit of the type according to the invention described above, which, as seen in the conveying direction of the products or product groups, is downstream of the at least one paper or cardboard packaging station or the at least one film packaging station.

[0047] Accordingly, the invention also relates to such a packaging machine for packaging products or product groups.

[0048] The paper or cardboard packaging station of the packaging machine can be configured so as to package the products or product groups fed to the paper or cardboard packaging station with paper or cardboard material, for example by cutting the product(s) into one or more cardboard cuts.

[0049] In a similar manner, the optionally provided film packaging station of the packaging machine can be configured so as to wrap the products fed to the film packaging station with a shrink or stretch film. Finally, the invention further relates to a banderoling unit for banderoling a product or product group transported or conveyed in a conveying direction, in particular a product container transported or conveyed in a conveying direction, in particular a film hose container, wherein for this purpose a banderoling unit of the aforementioned type according to the invention is used. The method according to the invention is characterized in particular by the following method steps:

[0050] First, from a first banderole dispensing apparatus a first banderoling tape is provided and fed to a first side of a product conveying path by means of a first banderole feeder in such a way that the first banderoling tape adheres to a first side surface of the product or the product group to be banderoled, while preferably simultaneously from a second banderole dispensing apparatus, a second banderoling tape is provided and fed to a second side of a product conveying path by means of a second banderole feeder in such a way that the second banderoling tape adheres to a second side surface of the product or the product group to be banderoled lying opposite the first side surface.

[0051] Subsequently, the product or the product group is transported or conveyed together with the banderoling tapes adhered to the side surfaces along the product conveying path in the conveying direction to a first cutting apparatus, where, with the aid of a first cutting apparatus, the first banderoling tape is cut and a leading banderoling tape end formed during this cutting operation is pressed onto the rear side of a leading product or a leading product group, and a trailing banderoling tape end formed during the cutting operation is pressed onto the front side of a trailing product or a trailing product group.

[0052] Subsequently, the product or the product group is further transported or conveyed together with the second banderoling tape adhered to the second side surface along the product conveying path in the conveying direction to a second cutting apparatus, where, with the aid of the second cutting apparatus, the second banderoling tape is also cut and a leading banderoling tape end formed during this cutting operation is pressed onto the rear side of a leading product or a leading product group, and a trailing banderoling tape end formed during the cutting operation is pressed onto the front side of a trailing product or a trailing product group. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] The following are shown:

[0054] FIG. 1 schematically and in an aerial view, a first exemplary embodiment of the bande- roling unit according to the invention;

[0055] FIG. 2 schematically and in an aerial view, the first exemplary embodiment of the ban- deroling unit according to FIG. 1, namely in a state in which the product groups to be banderoled are transported / conveyed further along a product conveying path;

[0056] FIG. 3 schematically and in an aerial view, a second exemplary embodiment of the ban- deroling unit according to the invention; and

[0057] FIG. 4 schematically and in an aerial view, the second exemplary embodiment of the banderoling unit according to the invention according to FIG. 3, namely in a state in which the product groups to be banderoled are transported / conveyed further along a product conveying path.

[0058] The exemplary embodiments of the banderoling unit 1 according to the invention as shown in the drawings are respectively a banderoling unit 1 for attaching a banderole to a product transported or conveyed in a conveying direction F or to a product group 100 transported or conveyed in a conveying direction F. In the exemplary embodiments, product groups 100 are banderoled, respectively.

[0059] For this purpose, the banderoling unit 1 comprises a transport apparatus for transporting or conveying the product group 100 to be banderoled along a product conveying path.

[0060] Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiments of the banderoling unit 1 according to the invention, a first banderole dispensing apparatus 2 is used in order to provide a first banderoling tape 101, respectively. In addition to the first banderole dispensing apparatus 2, a second banderole dispensing apparatus 3 is used, which provides a second banderoling tape 102. The first and second banderoling tapes 101, 102 are respectively a self-adhesive banderoling tape made of a paper material or a paper-like material or a cellulose-based material. Each banderoling tape 101, 102 comprises a self-adhesive or activatable adhesion layer on a banderole top side.

[0061] With the aid of a first banderole feeder 4, the first banderoling tape 101 provided by the first banderole dispensing apparatus 2 is fed to a first side of the product conveying path in such a way that the first banderoling tape 101 is or can be adhered with its banderole top side, which comprises a self-adhesive or activatable adhesion layer, onto a first side surface of the product group 100 to be banderoled and is or can be transported along with the product group 100 in the conveying direction F of the product group 100.

[0062] In a similar manner, the banderoling units of the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings each comprise a second banderole feeder 5 for feeding the second banderoling tape 102 provided by the second banderole dispensing apparatus 3 to a second side of the product conveying path opposite the first side.

[0063] The feeding of the second banderoling tape 102 occurs such that the second banderoling tape 102 is or can be adhered with its banderole top side, which comprises a self-adhesive or activatable adhesion layer, onto a second side surface of the product group 100 to be banderoled opposite the first side surface and is or can be transported along with the product group 100 in the conveying direction F of the product group 100.

[0064] In addition, the banderoling unit 1 comprises in each case a first cutting apparatus 6 for as- needed cutting through the first banderoling tape 101 that has been transported along by the product group 100 in the conveying direction F of the product group 100 and a second cutting apparatus 7 for as-needed cutting through the second banderoling tape 102 transported along by the product group 100 in the conveying direction F of the product group 100.

[0065] In each exemplary embodiment of the banderoling unit 1 according to the invention, it is provided that the second cutting apparatus 7 is arranged downstream of the product conveying path in relation to the first cutting apparatus 6. As can be seen in particular from the illustrations in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, as seen in the conveying direction F of the product group 100, a distance A2 of the first cutting apparatus 6 from a region in which the first banderoling tape 101 is fed by the first banderole feeder 4 to the first side of the product conveying path is greater than a length L of the product group 100 as seen in the conveying direction F of the product group 100.

[0066] In this context in particular, it is provided that, as seen in the conveying direction F of the product group 100, a distance A2 of the first cutting apparatus 6 from the region in which the first banderoling tape 101 is fed by the first banderole feeder 4 to the first side of the product conveying path is less than or equal to the sum of the length L of the product group 100 as seen in the conveying direction F of the product group 100 and a front-facing width B of the product group 100.

[0067] On the other hand, it is preferred that, as seen in the conveying direction F of the product group 100, a distance A2 of the second cutting apparatus 7 from the first cutting apparatus 6 is less than or equal to 3.0 times, preferably less than or equal to 2.5 times, and more preferably less than or equal to 2.0 times a front-facing width B of the product group 100 as seen in the conveying direction F of the product group 100.

[0068] In this context, it is particularly expedient that, as seen in the conveying direction F of the product group 100, a distance Al of the second cutting apparatus 7 from the first cutting apparatus 6 is at least the same as the front-facing width B of the product group 100 as seen in the conveying direction F of the product group 100.

[0069] In the exemplary embodiments of the banderoling unit 1 shown in the drawings, the first cutting apparatus 6 and the second cutting apparatus 7 comprise a respective cutting edge, which, during a cutting operation, is driven at least partially or regionally into the product conveying path, namely into a gap between two adjacent product groups 100 transported or conveyed along the product conveying path.

[0070] In this context, it is expedient that the first cutting apparatus 6 and the second cutting apparatus 7 comprise a respective rotating cutting edge, preferably having a circular, circulareccentric, oblique, curved, or elliptical cutting edge guide. Of course, however, other embodiments are also conceivable for the first and / or second cutting apparatus 7. In the drawings, it is indicated that the first cutting apparatus 6 and the second cutting apparatus 7 are respectively configured so as to press a leading banderoling tape end formed during a cutting operation onto the rear side of a leading product group 100" as well as to press a trailing banderoling tape end formed during a cutting operation onto the front side of a trailing product group 100'.

[0071] For this purpose, the first cutting apparatus 6 and the second cutting apparatus 7 comprise a respective pressing unit 8, which, during a cutting operation, is driven along with the cutting edge at least partially or regionally into the product conveying path, namely into a gap between two adjacent product groups 100 transported or conveyed along the product conveying path.

[0072] The pressing unit 8 comprises in each case a first punch or a first punch pad preferably made of an elastic material, in particular a rubber-elastic material or a foam material, which is configured so as to press a leading banderoling tape end formed during a cutting operation onto the rear side of a leading product group 100".

[0073] In addition, the pressing unit 8 also comprises a second punch or a second punch pad preferably made of an elastic material, in particular a rubber-elastic material or a foam material.

[0074] As with the first punch and / or the first punch pad, the second punch and / or the second punch pad are configured so as to press a trailing banderoling tape end formed during a cutting operation onto the front face of a trailing product group 100'.

[0075] Additionally, in the exemplary embodiment of the banderoling unit 1 according to the invention as shown in the drawings, it is provided that the banderoling unit 1 further comprises at least one pressing apparatus 9, which is arranged in each case downstream of the product conveying path in relation to the second cutting apparatus 7 and is configured so as to press the leading and trailing banderoling tape ends formed during cutting operations effected by the first and second cutting apparatuses 6, 7 onto the rear side and front side of the respective product groups 100, 100', 100". As can be seen in particular in the views in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the pressing apparatus 9 can comprise a first group of pressing elements, in particular in the form of rollers or brush bars, which rotate about a vertical axis in the clockwise direction and are arranged on one side of the product conveying path such that, upon the rotation of the pressing elements (rollers or brush bars), they press the banderoling tape ends onto the rear sides of the product groups 100 transported past the pressing apparatus 9.

[0076] On the other hand, the pressing apparatus 9 comprises a second group of pressing elements, likewise in particular in the form of rollers or brush bars, which rotate about a vertical axis in the counter-clockwise direction and are arranged on one side of the product conveying path such that, upon the rotation of these pressing elements, they press the banderoling tape ends onto the front sides of the product groups 100 transported past the pressing apparatus 9.

[0077] It can also be seen in particular in the views in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 that the banderoling unit 1 comprises a first lateral guide system 10, which is provided on the first side of the product conveying path and is configured so as to guide the first banderoling tape 101 fed by the first banderole feeder 4 and the product groups 100 along the product conveying path.

[0078] Furthermore, the banderoling unit 1 comprises a second lateral guide system 11 provided on the second side of the product conveying path and configured so as to guide the second banderoling tape 102 supplied by the second banderole feeder 5 as well as the product groups 100 along the product conveying path.

[0079] The banderoling unit 1 is further associated with a product feeder 20 for feeding the product groups 100 to be banderoled.

[0080] The product feeder 20 is configured such that a gap is provided between two adjacent product groups 100. As seen in conveying direction F of the product groups 100, a length LL of the gap is preferably at least 0.5 times a front-facing width B of the product group 100 as seen in conveying direction F of the product group 100. The first exemplary embodiment of the banderoling unit 1 shown schematically in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 differs from the second exemplary embodiment of the banderoling unit 1 according to invention shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 in that, in the first exemplary embodiment of the banderoling unit 1 according to the invention, the product feeder 20 is configured so as to feed the product groups 100 in a single row to the banderoling unit 1, while in the second exemplary embodiment of the banderoling unit 1 according to the invention, the product feeder 20 is configured so as to feed the product groups 100 in two rows to the banderoling unit 1. The invention is not limited to the example embodiments shown in the drawings, but results when all of the features disclosed herein are considered together.

[0081] List of reference numerals

[0082] 1 Banderoling unit

[0083] 2 First banderole dispensing apparatus

[0084] 3 Second banderole dispensing apparatus

[0085] 4 First banderole feeder

[0086] 5 Second banderole feeder

[0087] 6 First cutting apparatus

[0088] 7 Second cutting apparatus

[0089] 8 Pressing unit of the cutting apparatus

[0090] 9 Pressing apparatus

[0091] 10 First lateral guide system

[0092] 11 Second lateral guide system

[0093] 20 Product feeder

[0094] 100 Product group

[0095] 100' Trailing product group

[0096] 100" Leading product group

[0097] 101 First banderoling tape

[0098] 102 Second banderoling tape

[0099] Al Distance between the first cutting apparatus and the banderole feeding region

[0100] A2 Distance between the first and second cutting apparatuses

[0101] B Width of the product group

[0102] F Conveying direction

[0103] L Length of the product group

[0104] LL Gap length

Claims

Claims1. A banderoling unit (1) for attaching a banderole to a product transported or conveyed in a conveying direction (F) or to a product group (100) transported or conveyed in a conveying direction (F), wherein the banderoling unit (1) comprises the following: a transport apparatus for transporting or conveying the product to be banderoled or the product group (100) to be banderoled along a product conveying path; a first banderole dispensing apparatus (2) for providing a first banderoling tape (101); a second banderole dispensing apparatus (3) for providing a second banderoling tape (102); a first banderole feeder (4) for feeding the first banderoling tape (101) to a first side of the product conveying path such that the first banderoling tape (101) adheres or can adhere to a first side surface of the product to be banderoled or the product group to be banderoled (100) and is or can be transported along with the product or the product group (100) in the conveying direction (F) of the product or the product group (100); a second banderole feeder (5) for feeding the second banderoling tape (102) to a second side of the product conveying path lying opposite the first side such that the second banderoling tape (102) adheres or can adhere to a second side surface of the product to be banderoled or the product group to be banderoled (100) lying opposite the first side surface and is or can be transported along with the product or the product group (100) in the conveying direction (F) of the product or the product group(100); a first cutting apparatus (6) for cutting through the first banderoling tape(101) transported along with the product or the product group (100) in the conveying direction (F) of the product or the product group (100), as needed; and a second cutting apparatus (7) for cutting through the second banderoling tape (102) transported along with the product or the product group (100)in the conveying direction (F) of the product or the product group (100), as needed, wherein the second cutting apparatus (7) is arranged downstream of the product conveying path in relation to the first cutting apparatus (6).

2. The banderoling unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein, when viewed in the conveying direction (F) of the product or the product group (100), a distance (A2) of the second cutting apparatus (7) from the first cutting apparatus (6) is less than or equal to 3.0 times, preferably less than or equal to 2.5 times, and more preferably less than or equal to 2.0 times a front-side width (B) of the product or the product group (100) when viewed in the conveying direction (F) of the product or the product group (100).

3. The banderoling unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, and in particular according to claim 2, wherein, when viewed in the conveying direction (F) of the product or the product group (100), a distance (A2) of the second cutting apparatus (7) from the first cutting apparatus (6) is at least the same as the front-side width (B) of the product or the product group (100) when viewed in the conveying direction (F) of the product or the product group (100).

4. The banderoling unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first cutting apparatus (6) and the second cutting apparatus (7) comprise a respective cutting edge, which, during a cutting operation, is driven at least partially or regionally into the product conveying path, namely preferably into a gap between two adjacent products or product groups (100) transported or conveyed along the product conveying path.

5. The banderoling unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and in particular according to claim 4, wherein the first cutting apparatus (6) and the second cutting apparatus (7) comprise a respective rotating cutting edge, preferably having a circular, circular-eccentric, oblique, curved, or elliptical cutting edge guide.

6. The banderoling unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first cutting apparatus (6) and the second cutting apparatus (7) are respectively configured so as to press a leading banderoling tape end formed during a cutting operation onto the rear side of a leading product or a leading product group (100") and / or to press a trailing banderoling tape end formed during a cutting operation onto the front side of a trailing product or a trailing product group (100').

7. The banderoling unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and in particular according to claim 6, wherein the first cutting apparatus (6) and the second cutting apparatus (7) comprise a respective pressing unit (8), which is driven at least partially or regionally into the product conveying path during a cutting operation, preferably together with the cutting edge, namely preferably into a gap between two adjacent products or product groups (100) transported or conveyed along the product conveying path, wherein the pressing unit (8) preferably comprises a first punch or a first punch pad preferably made from an elastic material, in particular from a rubber-elastic material, or made from a foam material, which is configured so as to press a leading banderoling tape end formed during a cutting operation onto the rear side of a leading product or a leading product group (100"), and / or wherein the pressing unit (8) preferably comprises a second punch or a second punch pad preferably made from an elastic material, in particular from a rubber-elastic material, or made from a foam material, which is configured so as to press a trailing banderoling tape end formed during a cutting operation onto the front side of a trailing product or a trailing product group (100'),8. The banderoling unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and in particular according to claim 6, wherein the first cutting apparatus (6) and the second cutting apparatus (7) comprise a respective air nozzle system, which is configured so as to press a leading banderoling tape end formed during a cutting operation onto the rear side of a leading product or a leading product group (100") by means of an air jet and / or to press a trailingbanderoling tape end formed during a cutting operation onto the front side of a trailing product or a trailing product group (100') by means of an air jet.

9. The banderoling unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the banderoling unit (1) further comprises at least one pressing apparatus (9), which is arranged downstream of the product conveying path in relation to the second cutting apparatus (7) and is configured so as to press the leading and / or trailing banderoling tape ends formed during cutting operations effected by the first and second cutting devices (6, 7) onto the rear side and / or front side of the respective products or product groups (100, 100', 100").

10. The banderoling unit (1) according to claim 9, wherein the pressing apparatus (9) comprises a first group of pressing elements, in particular in the form of rollers or brush bars, which rotate about a vertical axis in the clockwise direction and are arranged on one side of the product conveying path such that, upon the rotation of the pressing elements, they press the banderoling tape ends onto the rear sides of the products or product groups (100, 100', 100") transported past the pressing apparatus (9); and / or wherein the pressing apparatus (9) comprises a second group of pressing elements, in particular in the form of rollers or brush bars, which rotate about a vertical axis in the counter-clockwise direction and are arranged on one side of the product conveying path such that, upon the rotation of the pressing elements, they press the banderoling tape ends onto the front sides of the products or product groups (100, 100', 100") transported past the pressing apparatus (9).

11. The banderoling unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the banderoling unit (1) further comprises a first lateral guide system (10) provided on the first side of the product conveying path and configured so as to guide the first banderoling tape (101) supplied by the first banderole feeder (4) and / or the products or product groups (100) along the product conveying path; and / orwherein the banderoling unit (1) further comprises a second lateral guide system (11) provided on the second side of the product conveying path and configured so as to guide the second banderoling tape (102) supplied by the second banderole feeder (5) and / or the products or product groups (100) along the product conveying path.

12. The banderoling unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first banderole feeder (4) and / or the second banderole feeder (5) are vertically adjustable such that the products or product groups (100) can be banderoled at different heights with the first banderoling tape (101) and / or the second banderoling tape (102).

13. The banderoling unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the banderoling unit (1) is further associated with a product feeder (20) for feeding the products or product groups (100) to be banderoled, wherein the product feeder (20) is configured such that a gap is provided between two adjacent products or product groups (100), wherein a length (LL) of the gap, when viewed in the conveying direction (F) of the products or product groups (100), is preferably at least that 0.5 times a front-side width (B) of the product or the product group (100) when viewed in the conveying direction (F) of the product or the product group (100).

14. The banderoling unit (1) according to claim 13, wherein the product feeder (20) is configured so as to supply the products or product groups (100) to the banderoling unit (1) in a single row or in multiple rows.

15. The banderoling unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the first and second banderoling tapes (101, 102) are respectively configured as self-adhesive banderoling tapes and comprise a self-adhesive or activatable adhesion layer on a banderole top side, wherein the opposing second banderole top side does not comprise such an adhesion layer, wherein the first banderoling tape (101) is fed by the first banderole feeder (4, 5) to the first side of the product conveying path in such a way that the first banderole top side of the first banderoling tape (101) faces the first side surface of theproduct or the product group (100) to be banderoled, and wherein the second banderoling tape (102) is fed by the second banderole feeder (4, 5) to the second side of the product conveying path in such a way that the first banderole top side of the second banderoling tape (102) faces the second side surface of the product or the product group (100) to be banderoled.

16. The banderoling unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein, when viewed in the conveying direction (F) of the product or the product group (100), a distance (Al) of the first cutting apparatus (6, 7) from a region in which the first banderoling tape (101) is fed by the first banderole feeder (4) to the first side of the product conveying path is greater than a length (L) of the product or the product group (100) when viewed in the conveying direction (F) of the product or the product group (100).

17. The banderoling unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, and in particular according to claim 16, wherein, when viewed in the conveying direction (F) of the product or the product group (100), a distance (Al) of the first cutting apparatus (6) from the region in which the first banderoling tape (101) is fed by the first banderole feeder (4) to the first side of the product conveying path is less than or equal to the sum of the length (L) of the product or the product group (100) when viewed in the conveying direction (F) of the product or the product group (100) and a front-side width (B) of the product or the product group (100).

18. A packaging machine for packaging products or product groups (100), in particular in paper or cardboard material or in film material, wherein the packaging machine comprises at least one paper or cardboard packaging station and / or at least one film packaging station, wherein the packaging machine further comprises at least one banderoling unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, which, when viewed in the conveying direction (F) of the products or the product groups (100), is arranged downstream of the at least one paper or cardboard packaging station or the at least one film packaging station.

9. A method for banderoling a product or product group (100) transported or conveyed in a conveying direction (F), in particular a product container transported or conveyed in a conveying direction (F), in particular a film hose container, wherein preferably a banderoling unit (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 17 is used for this purpose, and wherein the method comprises the following method steps:(i) from a first banderole dispensing apparatus (2, 3) a first banderoling tape is provided and fed to a first side of a product conveying path by means of a first banderole feeder (4) in such a way that the first banderoling tape (101) adheres to a first side surface of the product or the product group (100) to be banderoled, while preferably simultaneously from a second banderole dispensing apparatus (3), a second banderoling tape is provided and fed to a second side of a product conveying path by means of a second banderole feeder (5) in such a way that the second banderoling tape (102) adheres to a second side surface of the product or the product group (100) to be banderoled lying opposite the first side surface;(ii) the product or the product group (100) is transported or conveyed together with the banderoling tapes adhered to the side surfaces along the product conveying path in the conveying direction (F) to a first cutting apparatus (6), where, with the aid of a first cutting apparatus (6), the first banderoling tape (101) is cut and a leading banderoling tape end formed during this cutting operation is pressed onto the rear side of a leading product or a leading product group (100"), and a trailing banderoling tape end formed during the cutting operation is pressed onto the front side of a trailing product or a trailing product group (100'); and(iii) the product or the product group (100) is further transported or conveyed together with the second banderoling tape (102) adhered to the second side surface along the product conveying path in the conveying direction (F) to a second cutting apparatus (6, 7), where, with the aid of the second cutting apparatus (7), the second banderoling tape (102) is also cut and a leading banderoling tape end formed during this cutting operation is pressed onto the rear side of a leading product or aleading product group (100"), and a trailing banderoling tape end formed during the cutting operation is pressed onto the front side of a trailing product or a trailing product group (100').

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