U.S. patent application number 16/069600 was filed with the patent office on 2019-02-07 for method for packaging articles or piece goods, stretch packages produced using a method of this type, ordered assembly of multiple stretch packages of this type, and apparatus for producing ordered assemblies of this type.
The applicant listed for this patent is KRONES Aktiengesellschaft. Invention is credited to Richard ESCHLBECK, Wolfgang HUBER, Herbert SPINDLER.
Application Number | 20190039761 16/069600 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57708564 |
Filed Date | 2019-02-07 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190039761 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ESCHLBECK; Richard ; et
al. |
February 7, 2019 |
METHOD FOR PACKAGING ARTICLES OR PIECE GOODS, STRETCH PACKAGES
PRODUCED USING A METHOD OF THIS TYPE, ORDERED ASSEMBLY OF MULTIPLE
STRETCH PACKAGES OF THIS TYPE, AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ORDERED
ASSEMBLIES OF THIS TYPE
Abstract
Disclosed is a method for packaging articles, piece goods, or
containers (12) and/or for grouping the articles, piece goods, or
containers (12) to form bundles (32) by way of helically wrapping
the articles, piece goods, or containers (12) and/or the groupings,
which are transported in a conveying direction (18) in an article
flow or piece goods flow (14), into multiple layers of an elastic
film about a longitudinal axis extending through the article flow
or piece goods flow (14), with the elastic film being applied under
tension. A film packaging (30) for the articles, piece goods, or
containers (12) that moves continuously in conveying direction (18)
is formed thereof, which film packaging (30) is provided with
perforations (42) in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
and/or is severed in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
between consecutive articles, piece goods, containers (12), or, as
the case may be, between article pairs, piece good pairs, or
container pairs, or between groups of a plurality of articles,
piece goods, or containers (12) that are being conveyed next to
each other, thereby forming bundles (32) that are conveyed one
after the other. The bundles (32) that have been separated from
each other are sorted, assembled into layers, palletized, and/or
stacked in transport stations and/or in handling stations (34)
disposed downstream, with the film packaging (30) being severed at
in each case specified and/or variable spacings to preceding
separating locations for the purpose of separating bundles (32) of
variable sizes or, as the case may be, bundles (32) with a variable
number of articles, piece goods, or containers (12) gathered
together by means of film.
Inventors: |
ESCHLBECK; Richard;
(Vogtareuth, DE) ; SPINDLER; Herbert;
(Niedermoosen, DE) ; HUBER; Wolfgang; (Grafing,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KRONES Aktiengesellschaft |
Neutraubling |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
57708564 |
Appl. No.: |
16/069600 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
December 15, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2016/081237 |
371 Date: |
July 12, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 11/008 20130101;
B65B 61/12 20130101; B65B 59/003 20190501; B65D 2571/00061
20130101; B65D 71/08 20130101; B65B 59/001 20190501; B65B 61/06
20130101; B65B 35/56 20130101; B65B 35/30 20130101; B65D 71/0096
20130101; B65B 11/105 20130101; B65B 21/06 20130101; B65B 61/007
20130101; B65B 61/10 20130101; B65D 75/00 20130101; B65B 21/245
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65B 21/24 20060101
B65B021/24; B65B 11/00 20060101 B65B011/00; B65B 11/10 20060101
B65B011/10; B65B 21/06 20060101 B65B021/06; B65B 61/06 20060101
B65B061/06; B65B 61/12 20060101 B65B061/12; B65B 35/30 20060101
B65B035/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 18, 2016 |
DE |
10 2016 200 554.5 |
Claims
1. A method for packaging articles (12) to form bundles (32, 44,
46, 48) comprising: while being transported in a conveying
direction (18), wrapping one or more articles (12), from an article
flow (14), with elastic film (40), applied under tension to form a
multi-layer packaging film (30), wherein the multi-layer packaging
film (30) moves continuously in the conveying direction (18), and
is provided with perforations (42) in planes perpendicular to a
longitudinal axis extending through the article flow (14) or is
otherwise severable in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis; severing the multi-layer packaging film (30) between
consecutive articles (12), between article pairs, or between groups
of a plurality of articles (12) that are being conveyed next to
each other, to form a plurality of bundles (32, 44, 46, 48) with a
variable number of articles (12); and sorting, assembling into
layers, palletizing, and/or stacking the separated bundles in
transport stations and/or handling stations located downstream from
severing step.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising conveying the articles
(12) in an infeed with at least two parallel rows to at least one
wrapping module (22, 26) for applying the elastic film (40) to the
articles (12) to produce the film packaging (30).
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising perforating the film
packaging (30) after the wrapping step.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the severing step occurring after
every second, third, fourth, or further article pairs.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the severing step comprises
cutting the multi-layer packaging film (30) or comprising tearing
the multi-layer packaging film (30) at perforations (42).
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the severing step comprises
pulling apart the bundles (32, 44, 46, 48) with a handling device
(34) with gripping elements.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein with the handling device (34)
with gripping elements pulls apart the bundles (32, 44, 46, 48) by
tearing multi-layer packaging film (30) at perforations (42).
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising further conveying the
bundles (32, 44, 46, 48) in a turning station and/or in a
distribution station.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising conveying the bundles
(32, 44, 46, 48) to a palletizing station.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein each bundle (32, 44, 46, 48) has
a length to equal to a longitudinal or a transverse dimension of a
pallet (50).
11. The method of claim 9, further comprising palletizing the with
bundles (32, 44, 46, 48) without gaps on a pallet (50).
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising palletizing the
bundles (32, 44, 46, 48) in interlocking layers.
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. An apparatus (10) comprising: at least one wrapping module (20,
24) for wrapping a plurality of articles (12) with a film material
(40); at least one transport apparatus (16) or at least one feed
module (22, 26) for transporting the articles through the at least
one wrapping module (20, 24); at least one perforating device for
perforating the film material (40), wherein said perforating device
is disposed upstream or downstream of the wrapping module (20,
24).
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the perforating device has a
cyclical operation or a continuous operation.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] The present application claims priority to International
Application PCT/EP2016/081237, filed on Dec. 15, 2016, which claims
priority to German Application DE 10 2016 200 554.5, filed on Jan.
18, 2016, which are incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a method for packaging
articles or piece goods and/or for grouping the articles or piece
goods to form bundles by way of helically wrapping the articles,
piece goods and/or the groupings, which are transported in a
conveying direction in an article flow or piece goods flow, into
multiple layers of an elastic film about a longitudinal axis
extending through the article flow or piece goods flow, with the
elastic film being applied under tension. The invention moreover
relates to an ordered assembly of a plurality of stretch-wrapped
bundles. The invention furthermore relates to an apparatus for
producing ordered assemblies of this type.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is common in practice to assemble sets of articles, such
as beverage containers or the like, to be grouped together in
bundles that are held together by shrink film in order to prevent
the sets from shifting or from coming undone during further
handling or during transport. Bundles of this type, which can
comprise, for example, four, six, or more containers or bottles
made from PET plastic, serve, in particular, as easy-to-handle
sales units for end consumers. The bundles wrapped in the
shrinkable film have to undergo a heat treatment in order to
acquire the mechanical stability that is necessary for handling,
stacking, or palletizing the bundles.
[0004] Not least because the heat treatment involved in producing
shrink bundles requires a relatively high input of energy, other
packaging methods are also employed for producing bundles from
multiple articles or containers that are being held together, such
as so-called stretch film bundles or stretch-wrapped bundles. For
these bundles, very thin, elastic plastic films of thicknesses in
the range of about 10 .mu.m are wrapped in single or multiple
layers around the article groupings or container groupings,
gathering them together in this way and stabilizing them. Since
these stretch film bundles or stretch-wrapped bundles are formed
with very thin, but nevertheless sufficiently stable films, it is
possible to significantly reduce the consumption of film in
relation to a customary shrink-wrap bundle, whereby the costs for
film consumption can also be significantly reduced, as well as
energy costs being potentially reduced due to omitting the heat
treatment.
[0005] Different methods and apparatuses for producing such
so-called stretch film bundles are known from the prior art, for
instance from DE 31 19 657 A1, which describes a packaging machine
and a packaging method for producing packaging units by wrapping
the packaged items into a stretch wrap. By the elasticity of the
stretched plastic film, the parts of the packaged items packaged
into a unit are supposed to be held under higher tension than in a
shrink package, for example. For forming a packaging unit, the
packaged items are wrapped into multiple layers of the stretched
film web in a circulating packaging device.
[0006] A similar method for producing film-wrapped packaged items
or bundles, with a packaged item or a bundle being conveyed through
a wrapping apparatus and hereby being wrapped up in a tube of film
formed by helical winding of the film, is moreover known from DE 34
01 217 A1.
[0007] Different conveying devices for ensuring the trouble-free
conveyance of packaged items or bundles, while these are being
wrapped into the stretch film, are known, for example, from EP 0
141 351 A1, from EP 1 431 185 A1, from WO 90/09316 A, and also from
WO 2015/040 565 A2.
[0008] In the known methods and packaging facilities for producing
stretch film packages or stretch-wrapped packages, the continuously
conveyed film packaging is normally severed in specified locations,
for example by a hot wire that is guided perpendicularly through
the film packaging between consecutive container pairs such that
the hot wire in each instance separates off a bundle of four, six,
or eight containers, with the bundle maintaining the desired
mechanical stability despite the partly open narrow sides. The
known methods and packaging machines are adjusted to defined bundle
sizes, however.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] For the benefit of greater variability in forming larger
packaged units and/or in the subsequent palletizing, it would,
however, be desirable to be able to form differently sized bundles
without converting the packaging machine and without intervening in
the packaging operation. It is therefore the primary object of the
present invention to provide a universal packaging method, with a
high degree of automation, for producing stretch film bundles or
stretch-wrapped bundles, with the packaging method allowing
formation of different bundle sizes according to requirements. It
is furthermore an object of the invention to form corresponding
packaged units, pallet layers, and/or stacking units made from
bundles of the same size or of different sizes that were produced
in such a way.
[0010] These objects of the invention are achieved by the subject
matter of the independent claims. Features of advantageous further
developments of the invention are indicated in the dependent
claims.
[0011] For achieving the stated object, the present invention
proposes a method for packaging articles or piece goods and/or for
grouping the articles or piece goods. The method according to the
invention serves for forming bundles that are produced by way of
wrapping the articles or piece goods and/or the groupings, which
are transported in a conveying direction in an article flow or
piece goods flow, into multiple layers of an elastic film about a
longitudinal axis extending through the article flow or piece goods
flow, with the elastic film being applied under tension. The film
can optionally be applied in a helical manner. By the multilayered
wrapping of the articles or piece goods, a film packaging for the
articles, piece goods, or containers is formed with the film
packaging moving continuously in conveying direction, which film
packaging is optionally provided with perforations in planes
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and/or which film packaging
is severed in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis between
consecutive articles, piece goods, containers, or between article
pairs, piece good pairs, or container pairs, or between groups of a
plurality of articles, piece goods, or containers that are being
conveyed next to each other, thereby forming bundles that are
conveyed one after the other. The bundles that have been separated
from each other can subsequently be sorted, assembled into layers,
palletized, and/or stacked in transport stations and/or in handling
stations disposed downstream. Prior to or during the further
treatment of the bundles, the method provides that the film
packaging is severed at in each instance specified and/or variable
spacings to preceding separating locations for the purpose of
separating bundles of variable sizes or bundles with a variable
number of articles, piece goods, or containers gathered together by
film.
[0012] The method according to the invention thus allows production
of different bundle formations in continuous alternation in a
stretch packaging machine. In this way, it is possible to produce
different bundle sizes according to requirements without any
conversion procedures, for example, two-pack bundles, four-pack
bundles, six-pack bundles, eight-pack bundles, etc., that is to
say, bundles with two, four, six, eight, or more articles in each
instance standing in pairs next to each other. In this manner, it
is also possible to bring mixed bundle sizes together in a layer
assembly and to form and subsequently stack pallet layers using
different bundle sizes. In order to produce much larger formations
if necessary, for example formations of 3.times.3, 3.times.4,
3.times.5, etc. articles, it is optionally possible to convey and
wrap in each instance three or more articles standing next to each
other. It is likewise conceivable to produce formations of
4.times.4 or 4.times.5 articles, or even larger formations, in the
manner described.
[0013] "Articles" or "piece goods" are referred to interchangeably
and are intended to comprise, for example, containers, beverage
containers, PET containers, or the like. Generally, however, the
method according to the invention is suitable for stretch-wrapped
bundles formed from almost any type of articles that are held
together by being wrapped into elastic film. In particular, an
elastic stretch foil or stretch film of a typical foil thickness in
a range of around 10 .mu.m can be used for the method. The film can
stretch while being wrapped around the articles, with the expansion
typically amounting to less than 20 percent of the length of the
relaxed film.
[0014] If the production of the "helical winding" or the "helical
wrapping" around the articles or piece goods or containers is
referred to, this can mean, in particular, a so-called cross
wrapping, where the helical windings around the articles or piece
goods are applied in at least two layers that cross each other.
[0015] In the method according to the invention, the articles or
piece goods are normally conveyed in an infeed with at least two
parallel rows to a wrapping station for applying the film
packaging. In this context, the infeed of articles or piece goods
that is typically carried out in two parallel rows is performed on
a horizontal conveying device, such as a modular belt conveyor or
the like.
[0016] The method moreover provides that the film-wrapped article
flow or piece goods flow is perforated in specified locations. It
is thus possible for a circumferential perforation to be arranged
in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the article
flow or piece goods flow after each article pair or piece goods
pair, or optionally also after every second or third or fourth
article pair or piece goods pair. A variably placeable perforation,
in each instance after a different number of article pairs or piece
goods pairs has passed, is likewise conceivable. Placing
perforations in such a way makes it possible to separate the
film-wrapped article flow or piece goods flow after every second,
third, fourth, or further article pair and to in this way produce
the desired bundle sizes.
[0017] In this context, separating the article flow or piece goods
flow can be carried out, for instance, by mechanical cutting, for
example by hot wire, by ultrasonic cutting, by regular cutting
wire, or also by a laser beam that cuts the film. The separation of
the article flow or piece goods flow at the perforations is
likewise conceivable, with the desired bundle sizes being attained
by tearing apart at the corresponding perforations.
[0018] An optional hot air treatment moreover makes it possible to
embrittle the film material in specific locations where the bundle
is later to be separated.
[0019] In a variant of the method according to the invention, this
tearing apart can be carried out, for example, by pulling apart the
film-wrapped article flow or piece goods flow by suitable handling
devices and/or gripping elements, for example by robots, gantry
gripper systems, or the like, which intervene in the article flow
that is being transported, for example, on a horizontal conveying
device. In this way, a handling device, for example, that is
equipped with suitable gripping elements, can produce the bundles
by pulling movements to separate the appropriate bundle groups at
the perforations.
[0020] The method according to the invention can furthermore
provide that the separated bundles are further treated and further
conveyed in a turning station and/or in a distribution station. The
separated bundles can optionally be conveyed to a palletizing
station. In this instance, the different-sized bundles can be
pushed together to form palletizable and stackable layers, with the
variable and, if required, different bundle sizes making it
possible to produce layer patterns without gaps and/or layer
patterns with in each instance different bundle arrangements, which
type of stacking is also referred to as interlocked stacking.
[0021] The method can optionally also provide that all or
individual bundles are adapted in their particular length to the
dimensions of a pallet. The bundles formed by separating the
continuous article stream can thus be exactly as long as a
longitudinal side or as long as a transverse side of a pallet onto
which the particular bundle is deposited. A plurality of such
bundles of the same type can then be placed next to each other on a
pallet, whereby a complete, palletizable, and stackable bundle
layer is formed. In this instance, it is possible that either the
bundles are separated into smaller units prior to being palletized
or that the bundles are palletized in appropriate lengths
corresponding to the dimensions of the pallets. The bundles are
thus not separated, but rather palletized in this form, even if the
perforations are placed at smaller spacings so that the bundles can
be separated by the end customer according to the desired bundle
size.
[0022] The method according to the invention offers, among other
things, the advantage of a material-saving use of film of up to 50
percent or more, thereby also saving costs. The omission of the
shrink tunnel and of the thermal energy input involved
significantly reduces the energy costs. The lower film consumption
additionally reduces the costs for the disposal of the
packaging.
[0023] The packaging machines to be deployed for the method enable
a modular structure so that it is possible to flexibly adapt to
rising capacity requirements. The interlocking layers produced by
way of the method offer a high stability for the bundles and the
pallets. The method is particularly flexible to deploy due to its
capability to produce different bundle formations in continuous
alternation in the stretch packaging machine (two-rowed formations
of 2, 4, 6, 8, or more articles). The possibility to palletize
mixed bundle sizes within each layer increases the flexibility and
allows adapting the method to different customer requirements.
[0024] The method makes it possible to produce longer bundle
formations, even continuous formations if required, in each
instance with two articles or containers next to each other and a
multitude of articles or containers one after another that are then
forwarded directly to the loader or palletizer. These longer bundle
formations can optionally be as long as the longitudinal side or as
long as the transverse side of a pallet. After grouping these
bundles in the pre-grouping station, they can be cut or separated
from each other to form smaller units according to customer demand.
In this manner, it is possible to produce bundles of 2.times.1,
2.times.2, 2.times.3, etc. articles, for example. The separation
can be carried out by using a hot wire, a cutting knife, or the
like. These separation assemblies have to be positioned according
to the bundle sizes demanded by the customer in order to be able to
then produce a corresponding layer pattern on the pallet The
separation assemblies can also be repositioned from layer to layer
such that interlocking layers are produced on the pallet, if
required.
[0025] As an alternative hereto, it is also possible to arrange the
perforations for the longer or the continuous bundle formations
after each container pair at the outlet of the stretch packaging
machine and to then separate the bundle formations to form
different, smaller units by grippers, for example, in the area of a
regrouping station. The grippers in the region of the grouping
station can perform pulling movements in order to separate the
corresponding bundle groups at the perforation.
[0026] It is likewise conceivable to arrange the perforations for
the longer or the continuous bundle formations after each container
pair at the outlet of the stretch packaging machine and to then
break them down to a length corresponding to a longitudinal side or
to a transverse side of a pallet. These bundle strands can then
also be palletized on the pallet without being separated into
individual bundles. The bundle strands can then be separated at the
retail market to form smaller units according to customer demand,
or the end customer separates the number of container pairs from
the bundle strand that he or she wishes to purchase.
[0027] For achieving the above-mentioned object, the invention
moreover proposes an ordered assembly of a plurality of
stretch-wrapped bundles having been produced by way of a method
according to one of the previously described method variants by
separation from a continuous film packaging, with the bundles of
the same size or of different sizes being arranged largely without
gaps on a pallet. These so-called interlocking layers enable an
optimal packing density on a pallet, where the bundles of variable
sizes and assemblies can be produced in the ongoing packaging
operation without any problems and without requiring any
conversions. In the ordered assembly, it is possible for a
plurality of bundles of the same size or of different sizes to be
arranged largely without gaps, in each instance in the same
alignment or in different alignments to each other on the pallet,
that is to say that the bundles can be rotated according to
requirements by 90 degrees or by 270 degrees, as the case may be.
The invention thus also comprises pallets that are loaded with a
plurality of bundle layers, which are each formed by a plurality of
ordered assemblies of this type.
[0028] The production of the assembly and the performance of the
previously mentioned method can be carried out with an apparatus
comprising at least the following components:
[0029] a winder or at least one wrapping module for wrapping the
article assemblies;
[0030] a transport apparatus for transporting the assemblies
through the winder or through the at least one wrapping module, as
the case may be;
[0031] a perforating device for perforating the film material, with
the perforating device being disposed in transport direction of the
film upstream or downstream of the location of applying the film
for the assembly.
[0032] The arrangement for applying the perforation onto the film
prior to applying the film onto the articles can preferentially be
deployed in a cyclic operation of the apparatus, that is to say,
when the assemblies are standing still for being wrapped relative
to the winder. The arrangement for applying the perforation onto
the film after applying the film onto the articles can be
optionally deployed in a continuous operation or in a cyclic
operation of the apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0033] In the following passages, the attached figures further
illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and their
advantages. The size ratios of the individual elements in the
figures do not necessarily reflect the real size ratios. It is to
be understood that in some instances various aspects of the
invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged in relation to other
elements to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
[0034] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a stretch packaging machine
for producing stretch-wrapped bundles of variable sizes.
[0035] FIG. 2 shows a film-packaged article flow that is separable
into bundles of different sizes, illustrated by a total of four
schematic views (FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C, and FIG. 2D).
[0036] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary assembly of a plurality of
different bundles that can be arranged without gaps on a pallet,
illustrated in two schematic views (FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B).
[0037] The same or equivalent elements of the invention are
designated using identical reference characters. Furthermore and
for the sake of clarity, only the reference characters relevant for
describing the individual figures are provided. It should be
understood that the detailed description and specific examples of
the embodiments of the method and of the layer assembly from
multiple bundles according to the invention are intended for
purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the
scope of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0038] The schematic top view of FIG. 1 shows a section of a
packaging machine, more precisely of a stretch packaging machine
10, serving for packaging articles or piece goods, for example
beverage containers 12, which are conveyed as an article flow or
piece goods flow 14 in a two-lane infeed by a first horizontal
conveying device 16, for example, by a conveyor belt, a modular
belt conveyor, or the like, in conveying direction 18 to a first
wrapping module 20, with the articles or piece goods there being
wrapped into at least one layer of a stretchable film, a so-called
stretch film. In an essentially known manner, the stretch film is
wrapped helically around the articles or beverage containers 12
that are conveyed in pairs next to each other, with a sufficient
tension of the film to provide a stable mechanical cohesion of the
article flow or piece goods flow 14. In order to provide for the
disruption-free transport of the article flow or piece goods flow
14 in the first wrapping module 20 in conveying direction 18,
circulating feeder belts, for example, which are not shown here,
can engage laterally with the article flow or piece goods flow 14
and convey the containers 12 through the first wrapping module 20
while the containers 12 are being wrapped at the same time. In the
first wrapping module 20, the containers 12 can typically slide on
a lower slide plate that is likewise wrapped. In the further
conveying process, however, the already wrapped article flow or
piece goods flow 14 is pulled across the slide plate, whereby the
stretch film, due to being pre-tensed, also settles against the
bottom side of the containers 12 after leaving the slide plate.
[0039] A first feed module 22 disposed downstream from the first
wrapping module 20 provides for the further transport of the
article flow or piece goods flow 14, which is already wrapped into
at least one layer of stretch film, the further transport being
typically provided by upper and lower feeder belts or feeder straps
which continuously circulate along the length of the first feed
module 22 at the top sides and bottom sides of the article flow or
piece goods flow 14 and which provide for the further conveyance of
the article flow or piece goods flow 14 to the subsequent second
wrapping module 24. The lateral guiding can be achieved, for
example, by suitable guide bars that support and laterally guide
the article flow or piece goods flow 14 on the right and left
side.
[0040] The article flow or piece goods flow 14 that is conveyed
further in conveying direction 18 in this manner, subsequently
passes a second wrapping module 24 where at least one second layer
of stretch film is helically wrapped around the article flow or
piece goods flow 14, expediently in a different wrapping angle than
in the first wrapping module 20. A second feed module 26 disposed
downstream from the second wrapping module 24 in turn provides for
the further transport of the article flow or piece goods flow 14,
which is now wrapped into multiple layers of stretch film, the
further transport likewise being typically provided by upper and
lower feeder belts or feeder straps which continuously circulate
along the length of the second feed module 26 at the top sides and
bottom sides of the article flow or piece goods flow 14 and which
provide for the further conveyance of the article flow or piece
goods flow 14 to the subsequent second horizontal conveying device
28. The lateral guiding in the second feed module 26 can again be
achieved preferably by suitable guide bars that support and
laterally guide the article flow or piece goods flow 14 on the
right and left side.
[0041] With the transport onto the second horizontal conveying
device 28, a film packaging 30 with packaged containers 12 therein
has been formed, for which film packaging 30, containers 12 are
helically wrapped into multiple layers of stretch film, and which
film packaging 30 with packaged containers 12 initially move
continuously in conveying direction 18, with the film packaging 30
subsequently being optionally provided with perforations in planes
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and to the conveying
direction 18 and/or with the film packaging 30 being severed in
planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and to the conveying
direction 18 between consecutive containers 12 or container pairs
or between groups of multiple containers 12 that are being conveyed
next to each other, thereby forming bundles 32 that are conveyed
one after the other. The bundles 32 that have been separated from
each other are subsequently sorted, assembled into layers,
palletized, and/or stacked in transport stations and/or in handling
stations 34 disposed downstream. Prior to or during the further
treatment of the bundles 32, the method provides that the film
packaging 30 is severed at in each instance specified and/or
variable spacings to preceding separating locations for the purpose
of separating bundles 32 of variable sizes or bundles 32 with a
variable number of containers 12 gathered together by film.
[0042] The severing of the film packaging 30 moving continuously on
the second horizontal conveying device 28 can be carried out, in
particular, in the first and/or second cutting modules 36,
38--merely indicated in FIG. 1--that are disposed downstream in
conveying direction 18 to the second feed module 26. There, the
bundles 32 can be predefined to the desired size by the arrangement
of the mentioned perforations or the bundles 32 can be produced by
cutting the film packaging 30. The separation of the film packaging
30 and the production of the bundles 32 by pulling apart the film
packaging 30 at the perforations can optionally also be carried out
in the transport station and/or handling station 34 with suitable
gripping devices by which the bundles 32 can be separated off one
after the other from the continuously conveyed film packaging
30.
[0043] As is indicated in the schematic top views of FIG. 2, the
method according to the invention thus allows production of
different bundle formations in continuous alternation in a stretch
packaging machine 10. In this way, it is possible to produce
different bundle sizes according to requirements without any
conversion procedures, for example, two-pack bundles, four-pack
bundles, six-pack bundles, eight-pack bundles, etc., that is to
say, bundles 32 with two, four, six, eight, or more containers 12
in each instance standing in pairs next to each other. In this
manner, it is also possible to bring mixed bundle sizes together in
a layer assembly and to form and subsequently stack pallet layers
using different bundle sizes.
[0044] If "articles" or "piece goods" are referred to in the
present context, this is intended to comprise, in particular, the
mentioned containers 12, beverage containers, PET containers, or
the like. Generally, however, the method according to the invention
is suitable for stretch-wrapped bundles 32 formed from almost any
type of articles that are held together by being wrapped into
elastic film. In particular, an elastic stretch foil or stretch
film of a typical foil thickness in a range of around 10 .mu.m can
be used for the method. The film can stretch while being wrapped
around the articles, with the expansion typically amounting to less
than 20 percent of the length of the relaxed film. If the
production of the "helical winding" or the "helical wrapping"
around the articles or piece goods or containers 12 is referred to,
this can mean, in particular, a so-called cross wrapping, where the
helical windings around the articles or piece goods or containers
12 are applied in at least two layers that cross each other.
[0045] As is discernible in FIG. 2A, the containers 12 are conveyed
in an infeed with at least two parallel rows to a wrapping station
for applying the film packaging 30 in the method according to the
invention. The film 40 wrapped around the containers 12 is only
indicated here. The film 40 wraps around the containers 12 such as
to form a film packaging 30 that is continuously conveyed in
conveying direction 18. In one of the cutting modules 36, 38, or
optionally in both cutting modules 36 and 38, circumferential
perforations 42, which are each indicated by arrows in FIG. 2B, are
cut into the film packaging 30. The perforations 42 each run in
planes perpendicular to the conveying direction 18 and they can be
optionally arranged after each pair of consecutive containers 12,
as is exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2B. According to expediency,
however, the perforations 42 can also be arranged in each instance
after two, three, four, or more container pairs.
[0046] The continuous film packaging 30 is subsequently separated
at the perforations 42, whereby it is possible to form individual
bundles 32 of variable sizes and variable numbers of containers.
The FIG. 2C shows, for example, the film packaging 30 (FIG. 2A,
FIG. 2B) being divided into a plurality of four-pack bundles 44, as
well as into six-pack bundles 46. In the four-pack bundles 44, four
containers 12 are in a 2.times.2 arrangement, while in the six-pack
bundles 46, a total of six containers 12 are in a 2.times.3
arrangement. The containers 12 in the bundles 32, 44, 46 continue
to be held together by the film 40 that, although separated at the
perforations 42 between the bundles 32, continues to have a
mechanically stabilizing effect.
[0047] On the basis of ten-pack bundles 48, in which the containers
12 are gathered together in rectangular 2.times.5 arrangements, the
schematic view of FIG. 2D shows that the bundles 32, 48 can be
brought into almost any formations and assemblies of sizes,
according to requirements.
[0048] The FIGS. 3A and 3B exemplarily illustrate a pallet 50 with
bundles 32 placed thereon without gaps, where the bundles 32 each
have different sizes and assemblies. The FIG. 3A shows an exemplary
arrangement of bundles 32 formed by four-pack bundles 44, by
six-pack bundles 46, and by ten-pack bundles 48, while the FIG. 3B
in a schematic manner illustrates the possible arrangement of the
bundles on the pallet 50 such that there are no gaps between the
bundles 32, 44, 46, and 48. Of course, numerous other arrangements
can be envisaged that can likewise result in palletizing without
gaps.
[0049] The invention has been described with reference to a
preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that
numerous changes and modifications can be made to the preferred
embodiments of the invention and that such changes and
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the
invention. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover
all such equivalent variations as fall within the true spirit and
scope of the invention.
LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS
[0050] 10 Packaging machine, stretch packaging machine [0051] 12
Container [0052] 14 Article flow, piece goods flow, article flow or
piece goods flow [0053] 16 First horizontal conveying device [0054]
18 Conveying direction [0055] 20 First wrapping module [0056] 22
First feed module [0057] 24 Second wrapping module [0058] 26 Second
feed module [0059] 28 Second horizontal conveying device [0060] 30
Film packaging, continuous film packaging [0061] 32 Bundle [0062]
34 Transport station and/or handling station [0063] 36 First
cutting module [0064] 38 Second cutting module [0065] 40 Film,
stretch wrap, stretch film [0066] 42 Perforation, circumferential
perforation [0067] 44 Four-pack bundle, 2.times.2 bundle [0068] 46
Six-pack bundle, 2.times.3 bundle [0069] 48 Ten-pack bundle,
2.times.5 bundle [0070] 50 Pallet
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