Packaging assembly as well as method and device for manufacturing the assembly

The invention relates to a container package of several items or individual packages, package units or the like, which are arranged at least in a position adjacent to one another and in several layers, wherein the articles or individual packs, pack units or the like by at least one around running, the layers outside comprehensive strip-shaped band to a unit - are combined - a group. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for making such containers packaging.

Containers are a widespread form of packaging for groups of individual objects, in particular (small) packs, such as food packaging, cigarette packaging, paper towel packaging etc .. The small and individual packs are in parent groups combined, typically in layers , The container packaging previously known group of small or individual packages is surrounded by a large container, such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard. The usual container packaging are characterized material consuming.

A packaging container with two layers of each multiple objects, DE-A-41 20 925. The intended as objects briquettes can be held together by a ring around running tape.

A method for producing container packaging with a running around, strip-shaped band is shown in US 2741 885. As objects here flattened and stacked in a pile bags are provided.

In a stack of superposed magazines are disclosed in US 3,568,591 is shown. The stack is held together by two intersecting lines. The first cord is wrapped around the stack in the region of a first conveyor line and the second line in the region of this, transverse second conveying path.

The invention is based on the object of proposing new container packaging that require a significantly lower material requirements. Furthermore, it comes to measures for rational and industrial manufacturing of such packaging containers. In particular, a packaging container is to be created, in which objects within a layer juxtaposed and arranged in several layers.

To achieve the object, the package of the invention is characterized by the following features:<sl><li>a) the group is surrounded by a further, second band, which crosses the first band at a bottom and a top of the container packaging,</li><li>b) the group composed positioned in rows and layers package units, each package unit consisting of several, preferably two objects is surrounded by a common envelope,</li><li>c) the items in the package units are positioned within a row or location adjacent.</li></sl>

The articles or individual packs are provided with their own envelope of paper or (plastic) film. The unit of a group of such individual packages is provided by at least one band that includes the location or group.

For a better cohesion of the pack more simple packing technical measures are inventively provided that strengthen the relative position of individual packages within the group. On the one hand articles or

Individual packs to be joined together by glue points or glue spots, at a position of individual packages, especially the inside of the same positioned individual packages which do not have direct contact with the band. The glue is preferably a known pressure-sensitive adhesive that allows easy removal of individual packages when splitting the pack apart.

Alternatively or additionally, the group of individual packages to be surrounded by at least one further, second band, which extends transversely to the first band, so it surrounds crossing.

Especially advantageous is a container package of the invention is provided with two intersecting bands for packaging cylindrical objects, such as paper rolls (paper towels, toilet paper). In each case two rollers by a (film) enclosure are combined into one package. They are grouped together in several layers, whereby preferably two rows of rollers or the packing units lie in the axial direction of the rollers in a layer side by side. The bands are arranged and dimensioned such that they centered over each cover the two rows nebeneinanderliegendeh partially. In an advantageous embodiment, the bands each extending almost the full width or length of the group.

Especially advantageous is a container package in which the intersecting (two) bands are positioned such that the inner band extends axially transversely to the aligned cylindrical objects or the packaging formed therefrom, while the outer, intersecting band with two (upper and lower) legs run parallel to the axes of cylindrical objects. The bands are expediently wrapped with increased tension around the group of objects, so that the bands partly wavy cling to the outer cylindrical objects.

The inventive method for producing container packages in which a group of cylindrical articles, which are disposed at least within one layer side by side and in several layers one above the other, is surrounded by an outer wrapper, characterized by the following features:<sl><li>a) the subject group is conveyed through a first band unit, in the vertical plane in a first band will be made available, </li><li>b) the band is wrapped with the conveying movement of the subject group by the band aggregate U-shape around the subject group,</li><li>c) then be ends of the band joined together at the rear in the conveying direction side of the subject group,</li><li>d) the subject group is then transversely transported by a second band unit, in which a second band is held ready in a vertical plane,</li><li>e) by relative movement of the group of the second band transverse to the first band wrapped U-shape around the subject groups,</li><li>f) projecting at the rear end portions of the band are joined together.</li></sl>

In the inventive method for producing such bands the group of articles is first conveyed in one direction through the vertical plane of content provided in this blank for the band and then in the transverse direction through the vertical plane of a second band, with the bands sequentially U-shaped Creating the group of items. By further folding members, the band is in each case completely wrapped around the group of objects. The ends of the bands are joined together, in particular by sealing (with plastic films) or by adhesive bonding.

The inventive device for producing container packages in which a group of articles from several objects from a first band and is then surrounded by these intersecting second band, characterized in that the group of articles can be transported on a pack track, consisting of a Zuförderstrang, a purpose transverse cross-conveyor line and one to the cross-conveyor line transverse Abförderstrang is, which runs parallel to Zuförderstrang and in particular in the same conveying direction, in each case one band aggregate is arranged in the region of the transverse transport line and in the region of Abförderstrangs by which the stamps are herumfaltbar in transversely directed relative positions around the group of articles.

An inventive device is provided with at least two mutually at right angles arranged conveyors for the objects, namely pack webs. In the field of the same folding units are fixed in position, the ready each hold blanks for the stamps and put them around the group of objects.

Further features of the invention are the subject of the claims and are explained in more detail with reference to embodiments illustrated in the drawings. It shows:<dl tsize="7"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>a simple container package according to the prior art in a perspective view;</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>a detail of the packaging container in side view,</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>another portion of the packaging container according to FIG. 1, likewise in a side view,</dd><dt>Fig. 4</dt><dd>a packaging unit of cylindrical objects in perspective,</dd><dt>Fig. 5</dt><dd>one consisting of packaging according to FIG. 4 inventive container packaging, also in a perspective view,</dd><dt>Fig. 6</dt><dd>another embodiment of a container package of packaging according to FIG. 4, also in a perspective view,</dd><dt>Fig. 7</dt><dd>a container according to FIG. 5 in side view,</dd><dt>Fig. 8</dt><dd>a detail of a container package according to Fig. 7 in an enlarged scale,</dd><dt>Fig. 9</dt><dd>a comparison with FIG. 8 offset by 90 ° side view of a detail of the packaging container according to FIG. 7,</dd><dt>Fig. 10</dt><dd>a device for producing container packaging according to FIG. 5 or FIG. 7 in plan of perspective,</dd><dt>Fig. 11</dt><dd>a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 10 in plan view on an enlarged scale,</dd><dt>Fig. 12</dt><dd>the apparatus of FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 in side view,</dd><dt>Fig. 13</dt><dd>a section of the device in side view. on an enlarged scale,</dd><dt>Fig. 14</dt><dd>a detail of the device, namely a wrapping station, in side view and partly in section,</dd><dt>Fig. 15</dt><dd>a detail of the wrapping station according to FIG. 14 in side view,</dd><dt>Fig. 16</dt><dd>the wrapping station according to FIG. 14 in a comparison with FIG. 14 are offset by 90 ° transverse view.</dd></dl>

In Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 shows a simple embodiment of a container package according to the prior art is shown. This consists of cuboid single packs 10 and 11. The individual packs 10 and 11 are formed in a group, in this case with three rows 12, 13, 14 within the rows 12, 13, 14, individual items are 10, 11 are aligned so that a regular formation, namely a layer of individual packs 10, 11 is formed. The group or location is surrounded on the outside by a ring running around, strip-shaped band 15th This preferably consists of a (tensile) plastic. Through the band 15 is the group of individual packs 10, 11 are held together in the formation shown in tension, so that the packaging container thus formed can be added to the traffic.

An additional improvement of the cohesion of the individual packs 10, 11 in the group or layer (Fig. 2, Fig. 3) is in the illustrated embodiment represented by spots of glue 16th These are placed between facing sides or walls of adjacent unit packages 10, 11th cause the glue spots 16 that the group or layer of the individual packs 10, 11 is additionally held together in the formation. The glue spots 16 are preferably made of a pressure sensitive adhesive, the easy separation of individual packages 10, 11 without damage while allowing dissolution of the packaging container thereof.

Depending on the size of individual packages 10, 11 and the group formed from these can all individual packs 10, 11 may be mutually connected by one or more spots of glue 16th However, it may be sufficient if only the inner individual packs 11, which are not controlled directly by the band 15, to each other by glue spots 16 and are optionally connected to the adjacent outer individual packages 10th

According to another embodiment, not shown, the outboard within the location Individual items may be 10 by spots of glue or other glue joints in addition to the band 15th

An inventive economically constructed container packaging with enhanced protection of the packaged articles is shown in FIGS. 5 and in Fig. 6. These containers packaging individual items are combined into a bundle and held together by intersecting bands. 17 and 18 A first band 17 is located immediately adjacent to the material and surrounds the group formed from these. The second tape 18 is positioned transversely thereto, thus crossing the first band 17, 18 at the bottom and top of the container packaging. These two bands 17, 18 to provide optimal cohesion with low material usage. The bands 17, 18 are dimensioned so as to cover about half the size of the group formed from the objects under a central arrangement.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the packaging container is constructed according to the same principle. An inner band 19 extends over almost the full width of the container or the group of the individual objects. Similarly, a transverse band 20 is dimensioned such that it covers over approximately the full length of the group of objects to be enveloped.

Only on upright edges is the container provided with slotted or gap-shaped openings.

The container of intersecting bands 17, 18; 19, 20 shown in FIG. 5 and 6 is particularly suitable for cylindrical objects, in this case paper rolls 21. It may be rolls of paper towels, toilet paper or the like.

The cylindrical objects, namely paper rolls 21 are also formed in rows 22 and 23rd Within a row 22, 23 are the paper rolls 21 axially parallel. therefore the cylindrical objects are arranged coaxially from row 22 to row 23rd The package consists of two adjacent rows 22, 23. These each form a layer 24 or 25. The smaller containers of FIG. 5 consists of three trained in this way layers 24 superimposed. The larger containers as shown in FIG. 6 consists of four superimposed layers. The number of cylindrical objects within a row 22, 23 may also be different - depending on the size of the container.

In these examples of container packaging a further characteristic is realized. Several, namely, in this case each two cylindrical objects (paper rolls 21) to a packing unit 26 combined (Fig. 4). The two paper rolls 21 are axially parallel and arranged side by side 27, for example a plastic film, surrounded by an outer envelope. This is designed such that the two paper rolls 21 are completely enveloped. In the area of ​​end faces of the casing is 27 envelope-like folded to form another partially overlapping trapezoidal folding tabs 28, 29th

The container packaging according to FIG. 5 and Fig. 6 are made of, such packaging units 26, wobei'innerhalb a layer 24, 25 rolls of paper 21 a pack unit 26 are adjacent. This creates substantial cross-sectionally ovoid objects that are in rows and grouped in layers.

The inner band 17 is positioned so that it at the cylindrical surfaces of the articles (rolls of paper 21) or the packing units 26 abuts. The band 17 is in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 such that it detects approximately half the length of the adjacent objects or paper rolls 21. The likewise transversely directed centrally arranged tape 18 is dimensioned such that it, in the present case, the respective inner rolls of paper 21 of the adjacent package units 26 detects (Fig. 7). The tape 18 is under tension and is therefore in the range of top and bottom of the container packaging wavy nestled (Fig. 7).

The bands 17..20 are preferably formed from a finite cut plastic, which in turn is separated from a material web 30th The bands 17..20 be wrapped under tension around the group of objects. Protruding end tabs are connected together to form a fin seal 31, 32, in particular by thermal sealing. The fin seal 31, 32 is folded against the band 15, 17..20 and expediently connected by a little stitch in this position with the band.

For attaching the bands 17, 18 or 19, 20 a machine is suitable, as shown in important details in Fig. 10 ff.,. The exemplary embodiment shows the attachment of (narrow) bands. 17 and 18

Groups of articles 33, in particular groups of cylindrical objects, such as paper rolls 21 are conveyed to a packing web 34 through the machine. The subject groups 33 are formed so that the axes of cylindrical objects (paper rolls 21) in the range of 35 Zuförderstrangs have in conveying direction. The pack track 34 and their Zuförderstrang 35 consists of an endless conveyor, for example, a belt or a chain conveyor. The subject groups 33 are spaced from each other transported. The subject groups 33 are held together by fixed side guides 36 of the pack track 34th

At the end of 35 Zuförderstrangs the subject group runs 33 against a stop, which is also a side guide 37 for a transverse conveyor line 38 of the pack conveyor. In the same area, the subject group is 33 transported across the Zuförderstrang 35 towards. For this purpose, a slide 39 is provided, the article group 33 is moved to the end of the transverse conveyor run 38, namely until it rests against a force acting as a stop further cornering 40 a Abförderstrangs 41 of the pack track 34. The Abförderstrang 41 again passes transversely to the transverse conveyor line 38 and thus parallel Zuförderstrang to 35, in the present example in the same conveying direction.

Each changing the direction of the group of 33, a band 17, 18 is attached. When pushing the group of articles 33 of the Zuförderstrang 35 in the direction transverse to this, the inner band 17 is attached. To this end, a band unit 42 is mounted in the region of the transverse conveyor strand. In the area of ​​the band unit 42 is a blank for the band 17 in a vertical plane is transversely kept to the conveying direction of the subject group 33rd By conveying movement of the group of 33, the band 17 is U-shaped applied to the subject group 33rd

The material web 30 is drawn off from a reel 43rd About deflection rollers and balance shuttle 30 reaches the material web in the region of the band unit 42. This includes the transport of the material web 30 or the blank of the band 17 suction belts 44 on which the web of material 30 or banderole in Ber calibrating a horizontal conveying section above the pack track 34 capture and promote by deflecting in a downward direction to the pack track 34th The suction belts 44 is a cutting unit arranged upstream with an opening formed in the usual way blade roll 45. In the area of the same, the bands are separated from the material web 17 30th The knife roller 45 are arranged upstream feed rollers 46th

In the area of ​​the band unit 42, the band 17 is kept in a vertical plane. If the subject groups 33 moved by the slide 39 in the direction of arrow 47, the band settles around 17 U-shape around the subject group 33rd The paper rolls 21 are with their longitudinal axes transverse to the direction-setting. The (inner) band 17 places by the lateral surfaces of the paper roll 21 and the packing units 26 to. This U-shaped folding process is favored by an upper guide 48 and an underpass 49 in the path of the subject group 33rd Upper guide 48 and underpass 49 act like a Faltmundstück. The upper guide 48 is arranged in a funnel shape.

In the area of ​​the band aggregate the items-group 33 is held by movable bodies through the band 17 prior to wrapping. On the upper side a raisable and lowerable plate 50 is provided for this purpose. This causes an alignment of the objects, namely rolls of paper 21 or packaging units 26 at the top. The plate 50 is raised slightly when the subject group is deported by the slider. 39 On the front in the movement direction side of the stop plate 51 is located. This causes the upstanding formation is maintained from the articles. The cylindrical objects are therefore supported on all sides in the region of the cylindrical surfaces so that the formation shown retained. The stop plate 51 is displaced transversely to the direction of the subject group is thus pulled out of the path of movement of the group of 33, when it is pushed by the pusher 39 through the band aggregate 42nd

The subject group 33 comes with the band 17 in the initial region of Abförderstrangs 41. Again, a support plate 52 is above the subject group arranged. to end tabs are located at a rear in the direction of movement of the group of 33 page 53, 54 of the band 17. These end tabs 53, 54 of the subject group are applied to the back, by folding and sealing members 55, 56. These are of an upper and lower backwards-position or moved upwardly taking up the end flaps 53, 54 and contact with the subject group 33. the bar- or strip-like folding and sealing bodies are heated in thermoplastic films and seal the ends of the band 17 to form the fin seal 31 together ( FIG. 14). Thereafter, the lower folding and sealing member 56 is moved upward, so that it applies the fin seal 31 formed on the wall of the band 17, namely at the upper end tabs 53rd

By the beginning of Abförderstrangs 41 arranged further slide 57, the subject group provided with the band 17 is now 33 a second band unit 58 is supplied in the range of Abförderstrangs 41st Here is the outer. or second tape 18 and kept wrapped in the same way to the subject group 33 as the band 17th

The container packaging is completed after leaving the band aggregate 58th

The band unit 58 is powered by a reel 59 with material. From this a material web 60 is drawn off for the band 18, analogous to the band 17th

The band units 42, 58 are formed in a special way. In particular from FIG. 14 and FIG. 16 can be seen, the material web 30, 60 supplied from above through the suction belts 44 of the package sheet 34. In the suction belts 44 is two parallel, spaced-apart individual belts which together transport the material web 30, 60 or the blank for the band 17, 18th The suction belts 44 end with an upright leg band 61 above the path of movement of the article groups 33, namely, above the plate 50 and the upper guide 48 in the region of the band unit 42 or 58th

In the area of ​​the movement path of the article groups 33 is the transport of the material web 30, 60 and the band 17, over 18 through a vertical conveyor 62, which here also consists of two parallel suction belts 63, 64th These are up as a unit and down. Each suction belt is guided over upper guide pulleys 65, each mounted on an upstanding support arm 66th These in turn are connected to a lower common carrier frame 67 for the two suction belts 63, 64th On the supporting frame 67 and lower deflection rollers for the suction belts 63, 64 namely drive rollers are mounted, 68. These are located on a common drive shaft 69, which are driven by a belt 70th

The suction belts 63, 64 of the vertical conveyor 62 are in terms of transport of the material web 30, 60 and the bands 17, 18 is a continuation of the suction belts 44. The vertical conveyor 62 is up as a unit movable up and down, in this case by a pivotable lever 71 . The support frame 67 is slidably mounted to perform precise vertical movements on two upright guide rods 72, 73.

In the upper position (dash-dotted lines in Fig. 16) contact the guide rollers 65 of the vertical conveyor 62 in the region between the spaced at a greater distance suction belts 44 of vertical leg band 61 a. It is given by an overlap of the conveyor elements. The vertical conveyor 62 takes over the leading end of the material web 30, 60 and the band 17, 18 and transports them in a vertical plane downwards. Simultaneously with the transport movement by the suction belts 63, 64 of the vertical conveyor 62 as a whole is moved downward to a position below the path of movement of the article groups 33, namely to a position as shown in solid lines in Fig. 16. This is the blank for the band 17, 18 kept in a vertical plane. The subject group 33 can now be pushed through the formed by the band 17, 18 'curtain' to form the U-shaped fold. The downward movement of the vertical conveyor 62 is all the more necessary because the suction belts 63, 64 at a shorter distance from one another than the width of the subject group 33rd

After the push-through of the group of 33 taking along the band 17, 18 of the vertical conveyor 62 (16 Fig.) Returns to the upper initial position in order to take 18 the start of the web 30, 60 or the band 17.

To the band assembly 42, 58 includes the aforementioned folding and sealing members 55, 56. These lead on the back of the group of 33 in the described manner, the folding and sealing and thus the completion of the band through.

A refinement of the container packaging according to FIG. 5 and Fig. 6 is the intersecting bands 17, 18 on the one hand and 19, 20 on the other hand in. Crossing area together. In the present case several parallel sealing seams 74 and 75 are provided in the area of ​​overlapping surfaces of the bands in the two embodiments, so that the band 17 is connected to the band 18 and band 19 with band 20th For cylindrical objects or packaging units 26 of such objects are the sealing seams 74 and 75, expediently in the range of recesses between adjacent cylindrical objects. The mentioned sealing seams 74, 75 can be formed by sealing elements on the outside with low pressure to join the two layers of the bands 17..20 after completion of the packaging container.