EP3174798B1 - Device and method for producing bundles from containers - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for producing containers from containers.

Containers whose containers are held together by adhesive, are particularly advantageous because they are inexpensive and the adhesive is usually arranged between the containers at the respective contact points of the container to each other, so that the outer surfaces of the container or the container for advertising or Information purposes are usable. Devices for producing such a container using an adhesive element show, for example, the DE 10 2011 119 964 B3 , the DE 10 2012 007 778 A1 and the DE 20 2011 107 265 A , the DE 10 2011 119 967 B3 , the U.S. 4,078,357 , the DE 10 2009 025 824 A1 and the DE 10 2011 107 265 A1 ,

The known devices for producing adhesive packages have a continuous transport of the containers by individual workstations on which the containers are processed. Such devices are designed for a high throughput speed and have a large footprint, as they extend in particular structurally in length. Due to the necessary size of such devices is during the container grouping a large number of individual containers in the device, so that, for example, a change in the type of container is extremely expensive.

Small series of drinks with differently shaped beverage containers, the number of items, for example, is very limited, are usually not processed on such devices, since the changeover costs are too high for any small series.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device / a method for producing containers from beverage containers, with an economic bonding From small quantities of a beverage container type to containers is possible.

The object is achieved with a device according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 10. Advantageous developments of the invention are in the dependent Claims specified.

The inventive apparatus for producing containers from beverage containers comprises two spaced application units for the cyclic application of adhesives on the beverage containers, each application unit a first adhesive head for applying an adhesive to a first contact surface of the beverage container in a first processing position and a second adhesive head for application the adhesive on a second contact surface of the beverage container in the first processing position and / or a third adhesive head for applying the adhesive to the second and / or a third contact surface of the beverage container in a second processing position and / or a container position and a transport device, the beverage container transferred from the first processing position toward each other to the second processing position, a rotating device rotates the beverage container and a container which transfers the beverage containers from the second processing position into the packaging position and combines the beverage containers into a container comprising a plurality of beverage containers.

The invention is based on the idea that devices for producing the container, in particular in a frequent container format change, should have a particularly compact space so that, for example, the number of simultaneously passing through the device containers as low as possible and the container to be traversed in the distance Device is as short as possible.

The particular arrangement of the individual components to one another, in particular the transport device for supplying the beverage container to each other in the second processing position in combination with the cyclic processing of the beverage container, allows a particularly compact space of the device. In this case, due to the arrangement of the individual components, the distance to be traveled by the containers (transport path) in the device is particularly short, so that a container format change can be carried out particularly quickly and easily. In this case, the device is designed in particular for the stationary transport of the beverage containers through the device along the transport path.

The two application units may have the same components, which are arranged, for example, about a longitudinal axis (central axis) of the device. Particularly preferably, the application units are arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to one another. This makes it possible to guide the beverage containers starting from two outer sides into a central device area in which the container is formed. The arrangement of two application units, the container throughput speed is significantly increased, but the device still has a particularly compact design.

Tactical means that the beverage containers take on the transport through the device at individual processing steps a rest position in which no transport along the transport path takes place. Thus, the beverage containers during adhesive application, i. in the processing position or the container position, in a rest position, whereby the adhesive can be applied by the adhesive heads particularly precisely placed on the beverage container. After application, the further transport of the beverage containers takes place along the transport path. The cyclically performing the beverage container through the device thus allows a significant reduction in the transport path over a continuous passage through a device.

The transport to one another is understood to mean the transport of the beverage containers starting from two (outer) sides of the device in the direction of a central device region, for example a central longitudinal axis (in the longitudinal axis) of the device. The transport can take place obliquely or transversely to the longitudinal axis. That is, the transport device connects two arranged in an outer region of the device first processing positions with two arranged in a central region of the device second processing positions.

In this case, the second processing positions are in particular arranged directly adjacent to one another, so that the beverage containers are, for example, in contact with each other in the second processing position, possibly already connected to one another via the adhesive.

The transport device is thus designed to receive the beverage containers in the first processing position and to transfer the beverage container to the second processing position.

The contact surfaces are understood to mean the regions of a beverage container which are in contact with another beverage container in the container. Depending on the type of container and the position of the beverage container in the container, have, for example, in a non-nesting, two-row container, the middle beverage container three contact surfaces and the outer beverage container two contact surfaces.

The adhesive heads may be formed, for example, for rolling up an adhesive on the surface of the beverage container. It may also be, for example, a rolling device for sticking an adhesive strip on the beverage container. In particular, however, the adhesive heads are formed as a spray head with an outlet nozzle, via which a liquid or viscous adhesive is sprayed onto the beverage container. The application of the adhesive to the beverage container can be done, for example, in strip form or punctiform.

Also, the adhesive heads can be designed to be adjustable in particular vertically to the transport plane of the beverage container and thus applied (in standing transported beverage containers) in the direction of the beverage container longitudinal axis in several sections of the beverage container an adhesive.

In order to particularly easily adapt the position of the adhesive heads in the device, in particular to beverage containers of different sizes, the adhesive heads can also be arranged in the longitudinal axis direction and / or transversely or obliquely to the To be mounted adjustable longitudinal axis. In particular, the third adhesive heads may be, for example, forward and backward in the longitudinal axis direction between an order position and a waiting position. The adhesive heads can thus be adjustable in one, two and / or in all three spatial directions.

The adhesive heads can be identically designed and differ, for example, only in their orientation, position and / or adjustability.

The container is designed to transport the beverage container from the second processing position into a container position and put together to form a group. In this case, the bundle transports the beverage containers, in particular on a central, between the first processing position extending transport path from the second processing position to the container position and possibly from there out of the device.

Beverage containers are understood in particular cans and / or bottles for holding drinks or liquids. These may, for example, from glass, plastic or metal. In particular, PET bottles can be grouped as beverage containers into containers.

A container is understood to mean a grouping of containers which are connected to one another. The containers in this case have two or three contact surfaces or points with which they rest against another container of their container and are connected to one another via an adhesive. In this case, preferably non-nesting container containers are produced by the inventive device. Usual container sizes include in particular four, six or eight beverage containers, but may, for example, also have two or more than eight beverage containers.

The contact surfaces on a beverage container are provided in the circumferential direction around the beverage container spaced from each other. The distance between the contact surfaces to one another depends on the type of container and is in particular 45 °, 90 ° and / or 180 °. Therefore, a rotation device for the Twisting the beverage container in the first processing position and / or a second rotating device for rotating the beverage container in the second processing position and / or a central rotating device which rotates the beverage container during transport from the first processing position to the second processing position provided.

The three rotating devices may alternatively or additionally be arranged. In this case, the rotating devices are in particular designed to rotate the beverage containers by an angle of rotation of, for example, 45 °, 90 ° or 180 ° adapted to the contact surface spacing.

The first and second rotating devices are in particular designed to rotate the beverage container in a rest position (i.e., the beverage container does not move along the transport path through the device) around the beverage container longitudinal axis.

The third rotating device may also be configured to rotate the beverage containers about their longitudinal axis. In particular, however, it is integrated in the transport device, so that the beverage containers, for example, are rotatable about an axis of rotation of the transport device.

About the arrangement of the various rotating devices, in particular in the first and second processing position, a single adhesive head can be used to apply to different spaced-contact surfaces adhesive. Thus, with an appropriate arrangement of the rotating device, for example, the first adhesive head in addition to applying the adhesive to the second and / or third contact surface, the second adhesive head in addition to applying the adhesive to the first and / or third contact surface and the third adhesive head in addition to applying be formed of the adhesive on the first and / or second contact surface.

The transport device consists in particular of two transport units, the For example, are arranged mirror-symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the device. Each of the transport units is configured to transport a beverage container from the first processing position to the second processing position. According to a development of the invention it is provided that the transport device comprises two transport arms, each having a beverage container receptacle at a first end and are rotatably mounted at a second end opposite the first end.

The transport arms can also be arranged mirror-symmetrically about the longitudinal axis, so that the first end is arranged in a detection position in the region of the first processing position and in a dispensing position in the region of the second processing position. The rotatable mounting of the transport arm can take place in the central region of the device, which is arranged between the respective first processing positions. The transport arms can thus be pivoted about its axis of rotation between the first and second processing position, so that a cyclical transport of the beverage container takes place.

The beverage container receptacle is particularly preferably formed as a plate guide, head guide or head plate guide, so that each transport arm the beverage container from a bottom, i. in the region of a beverage container bottom, from an upper side, i. in the area of a beverage container head, or both from the bottom and from the top takes. The beverage container receptacle may be rigidly formed to the transport arm, so that a detected beverage container performs no relative movement relative to the transport arm, but join in the pivoting movement of the transport arm. Thus, for example, a head guide can be designed as a hold-down device which presses the beverage container onto the plate guide. For example, in addition to or instead of on a guide unit connecting the first and second processing positions, for example a guide carriage, the plate guide may be mounted and optionally connected to the transport arm via a coupling unit.

During the pivoting movement of the transport arm, the first end passes through the Beverage container receptacle between the first and second processing position an arcuate path of movement. In order to consistently continue the compact design of the device, the transport arm is particularly preferably movably mounted between a first and a second position. By this is meant that the second end of the transport arm, on which the rotatable mounting takes place, can be moved back and forth between the two positions. For this purpose, the transport arm can be arranged in the region of its axis of rotation in an adjusting device, so that the transport arm, in particular in the longitudinal axis direction of the device, for example, is linearly adjustable. The adjusting device can be designed as a sliding guide.

By the adjusting device, the first end of the transport arm in the rotational movement between the first and second processing position and a simultaneous movement of the second end from the first to the second position (or back) instead of an arcuate movement, perform a straight movement. In addition, the coupling of the transport arm is simplified with a straight guide unit for better storage of the turntable by the adjustment.

The particular advantage of the rotatably mounted transport arms is the integration of the rotating device in the transport device, since during transport of the beverage container from the first processing position to the second processing position, a rotational movement of the beverage container takes place automatically about the axis of rotation of the transport arm.

The alignment of the adhesive heads to each other is preferably adapted to the distances of the contact surfaces of the beverage container. Thus, the first and the second adhesive head are particularly preferably arranged to each other such that the respective adhesive discharge takes place transversely to one another.

As a result of the adhesive application transversely to one another, adhesive can be applied to two contact surfaces which are spaced from one another in the circumferential direction of the beverage container Beverage containers applied simultaneously, without having to make a rotation of the beverage container to its longitudinal axis. Under transverse while different angles can be understood, as long as the Austragsrichtungen cross. So it is advantageous for the production of non-nesting containers to arrange the adhesive heads such that the angle between the Klebemittelaustragsrichtung 90 ° +/- 5 °.

In the apparatus, the first and second adhesive heads are advantageously oriented such that the adhesive discharge from one of the adhesive heads in the longitudinal axis direction against the transport direction and the adhesive discharge from the other adhesive head are transverse to the longitudinal axis direction.

The corresponding arrangement of the adhesive heads allows in particular a high cycle speed during the passage of the beverage container through the device, since the application of adhesive can be done on two contact surfaces at the same time without additional twisting steps of the beverage container.

Advantageously, the adhesive heads are also located on the outside of the device, i. the adhesive discharge takes place in the direction of an inner region of the device, whereby the compact design of the device is further improved.

The third adhesive head of an application unit is arranged according to a development of the invention such that the adhesive discharge takes place transversely to the adhesive discharge of the first or second adhesive head.

Under transverse can be understood in accordance with the above embodiments, for example, an angle of 90 ° +/- 5 °. By transverse is meant that the Austragsrichtungen of the first and / or second adhesive head at least intersect. The orientation of the third adhesive heads is particularly preferably such that the adhesive discharge takes place in the longitudinal axis direction, in particular in the direction of the container table, ie in a direction out of the device.

This arrangement makes it possible to position the beverage container with a minimum of rotational movements, for example, with only a single rotation, so that at least two contact surfaces can be particularly easily provided with adhesive and the beverage container can be moved directly into a container position without further rotation. As a result, the compact design of the device can be further improved.

The respective third adhesive heads of the two application units are moreover preferably arranged side by side, in the central position between the first processing positions. Thus, for example, they can also be arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis, as a result of which the design of the device can be made even more compact and the individual working steps of the device can be reduced to a minimum.

The beverage containers in the second processing position may be in contact and adhere to each other due to the adhesive application in the first processing position. In order to transfer the beverage containers from the second processing position to the container table, according to a development of the invention, it is provided that the container-forming device has a feed-in punch which moves the beverage containers from the second processing position into a container position.

The feed punch is designed to push the two beverage containers by means of a pushing movement from the second processing position, for example, onto a packaging table into the packaging position. For this purpose, the feed punch is arranged in particular in the region of the longitudinal axis, wherein the movement of the feed punch takes place in the longitudinal axis direction. On the package table, the two transferred from the second processing position and possibly already adhering to each other beverage container with further subsequent beverage containers are pressed into a container. For this purpose, the container table may have lateral guide elements which guide the beverage containers and, if necessary, compress them transversely to the longitudinal axis direction.

As already mentioned, it depends on the later position of the beverage container in the container and the type of container, how many contact surfaces it has and how they are aligned in the direction of rotation. Thus, in addition to the order on all three contact surfaces bspw. Beverage containers that form only two contact surfaces in the container, only the first and second or the second and third contact surface are provided with an adhesive. In particular, for the production of single-row containers, it is also possible, for example, only to apply an adhesive to the first and / or third contact surface. In order to achieve a corresponding control of the beverage containers by the device, in particular drive devices and at least one control unit are arranged, which automatically carry out the transport of the beverage containers, the control of the adhesive application and the formation of the container.

Furthermore, the object is achieved by a method for cyclically producing containers from beverage containers with the features of claim 10.

• Zuführung von Getränkebehältern jeweils in eine erste Bearbeitungsposition einer ersten und zweiten Auftragseinheit,
• Transport der Getränkebehälter von der ersten Bearbeitungsposition in eine jeweilige zweite Bearbeitungsposition, wobei die Getränkebehälter aufeinander zu bewegt werden,
• Transport der Getränkebehälter von der zweiten Bearbeitungsposition in eine Gebindeposition und Zusammenfassen der Getränkebehälter zu einem Gebinde,
• wobei die Getränkebehälter in der ersten Bearbeitungsposition, der zweiten Bearbeitungsposition und/oder der Gebindeposition eine Ruhelage einnehmen,
• die Getränkebehälter in der ersten, zweiten und/oder beim Transport zwischen der ersten und zweiten Bearbeitungsposition gedreht werden,
• und in der ersten Bearbeitungsposition, in der zweiten Bearbeitungsposition und/oder in der Gebindeposition auf mindestens eine Kontaktfläche des Getränkebehälters ein Klebemittel aufgetragen wird.

The inventive method for the cyclical production of containers from beverage containers has, inter alia, the steps:

• Supply of beverage containers in each case into a first processing position of a first and a second order unit,
• Transporting the beverage containers from the first processing position to a respective second processing position, wherein the beverage containers are moved towards each other,
• Transporting the beverage containers from the second processing position into a container position and combining the beverage containers into a container,
• wherein the beverage containers occupy a rest position in the first processing position, the second processing position and / or the container position,
• the beverage containers are rotated in the first, second and / or during transport between the first and second processing position,
• and in the first processing position, in the second processing position and / or in the container position on at least one contact surface of the beverage container an adhesive is applied.

The cyclic method allows a particularly short transport path through a device, whereby a particularly small number of beverage containers is present in the device at the same time. As a result, a change of the beverage container is facilitated and enables an economical production of adhesive containers of small-batch beverage containers.

The method (and also the device) allows a high degree of flexibility in the production of adhesive containers, since it is particularly easy to apply an adhesive to the particularly short transport on one, two, three or even more contact surfaces of the beverage container.

The order of the adhesive is dependent on the later position of the beverage container and the type of container. For single-row containers, the outer beverage containers, i. in the transport direction of the front and rear beverage containers, only one contact surface. Thus, in the front beverage container, the adhesive is applied only to the third contact surface and the rear beverage container only to the first contact surface, while the (or the) middle beverage container can receive an adhesive application on both the first and third contact surfaces.

In the case of double-row containers, contact areas between the rows are also formed, so that all beverage containers can additionally receive an adhesive agent application onto the second contact surface.

Depending on the turning operation and / or the number of adhesive application devices (adhesive heads), the respective adhesive application can be carried out in the first processing position, in the second processing position and / or in the container position, wherein the beverage containers during application of the adhesive in the rest position, ie there is no movement of the beverage containers along the transport path through the device at the time of adhesive application.

Thus, for example, in the case of the arrangement of two adhesive heads in the first processing position-which are, for example, aligned transversely to one another-one or two contact surfaces can be adhesively bonded, for example. be applied simultaneously without rotating the beverage containers between the adhesive application. Subsequently, for example, a transport can take place with a simultaneous rotation of the beverage containers into the second processing position, where the adhesive is applied to the third contact surface which may be present in the container. Subsequently, the beverage container can be transported in a container position. Alternatively, the adhesive can be applied to the third contact surface, for example, only in the container position.

The rotation of the beverage container is preferably carried out about a rotation axis of the transport device and during transport between the processing positions, so that the beverage container in the second processing position relative to its initial position in the first processing position by the distance of two contact surfaces to each other, for example. By 90 °, is rotated. The transport between the first processing position and the second processing position may preferably be carried out as a pivotal movement of a transport arm, in which the beverage container is detected, guided over the distance between the first and second processing position and positioned in the second processing position.

The adhesive application in the second processing position and / or the container position, the transport into the container position and the formation of a container are thus possible without further rotation of the beverage container.

Although some aspects have been described in the context of a device, it will be understood that these aspects also constitute a description of the corresponding method, such that a block or a device of a Device is also to be understood as a corresponding method step or as a feature of a method step. Similarly, aspects described in connection with or as a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block or detail or feature of a corresponding device.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Herstellen von Gebinden aus Behältern mit einem Getränkebehälter in einer ersten Bearbeitungsposition;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung aus Fig. 1 mit Getränkebehältern in einer zweiten Bearbeitungsposition.

Details of the invention are explained below with reference to several embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of an inventive apparatus for producing containers from containers with a beverage container in a first processing position;

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of the device according to the invention Fig. 1 with beverage containers in a second processing position.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a device 1 for producing containers 6 from beverage containers 5, in particular from beverage bottles. The device 1 has two applicator units 2a, 2b, which are arranged mirror-symmetrically about a central longitudinal axis A of the device 1, so that all further descriptions of one of the applicator units 2a, 2b also largely apply to the other of the applicator units 2a, 2b.

Usually, the execution of the work steps takes place synchronously in the two application units 2a, 2b. For a better understanding shows Fig. 1 However, the first application unit 2a with a beverage container 5 in the first processing position, ie the beverage container 5 is in a rest position and the second application unit 2b with a beverage container 5, just from the first processing position to the second processing position (see Fig. 2 ) is transported. In addition, beverage containers 5 are shown in the container position on the container table 24.

Each application unit 2 a, 2 b has a linear transporter configured as a feed unit 3, 4, here in each case a conveyor belt 7, each having two lateral guide rails 23, up. The feed units 3, 4 are arranged parallel to one another and extend in the direction of the central longitudinal axis A, so that the beverage containers 5 transported on the conveyor belts 7 are transported in the longitudinal axis direction A into a first processing position. The transport direction B through the device is indicated by an arrow.

Two adhesive heads 8, 9, 10, 11 are arranged around the first machining position, each having a discharge opening 8a, 9a, 10a, 11a for the adhesive. Each of two adhesive heads 8, 9, 10, 11 arranged around a first processing position and their outlet openings 8a, 9a, 10a, 11a are arranged transversely to each other, i. They are here at an angle of 90 ° to each other. The Austragsrichtungen intersect. The angle is adapted to the distance of the intended contact surfaces on the beverage container 5.

In each case, a first adhesive head 8, 11 arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis A, i. the outlet opening 8a, 11a are aligned at an angle of 90 ° to the longitudinal axis A and point to each other. The respective second adhesive heads 9, 10, however, with their outlet opening 9a, 10a in the longitudinal axis direction A, however, aligned against the transport direction B.

Due to the particular arrangement of the adhesive heads 8, 9, 10, 11, the adhesive can be applied in a processing position (the first) to two mutually offset by 90 ° contact surfaces C, D of the beverage container 5, without the beverage container 5 between the adhesive application about its longitudinal axis to turn. The order of the adhesive can be done sequentially or simultaneously. As a result, in particular non-nesting containers can be made particularly fast. Of course, the adhesive heads 8, 9, 10, 11 are controllable such that, for example, depending on the position of the beverage container 5 in the container 6, only the first adhesive heads 8, 11 or only the second adhesive heads 9, 10 apply an adhesive.

Next shows Fig. 1 a transport device 12 with two each at a first End about an axis of rotation pivotally mounted transport arms 16, 17. A at the first end opposite the second end of the transport arms is arranged in each case a beverage container receptacle 13, which is designed here as a head plate guide. In this case, the head guide on a hold-down (not shown), which presses the beverage container 5 on the turntable (not shown here) running plate guide. The turntable is mounted on a connecting the first and second processing position straight as a guide slide guide unit (not shown here). The movement of the beverage container 5, however, takes place as a pivoting movement about the axis of rotation 18, 19, in which the beverage containers 5 (with the turntable) are simultaneously rotated about the axis of rotation 18, 19.

The first and the second transport arm 16, 17 are additionally in the direction of the longitudinal axis A between a first position ( Fig. 1 ) and a second position ( Fig.2 ) adjustable. For this purpose, the transport arms 16, 17 are arranged with their axes of rotation 18, 19 in each case in an adjusting device 20, 21, which are formed as a linear sliding guide.

Each of the application units 2a, 2b also has in each case a centrally arranged third adhesive head 27a, 27b. The third adhesive heads 27a, 27b are likewise arranged mirror-symmetrically to each other around the central longitudinal axis A in accordance with the application units 2a, 2b. They are displaceable by means of a sliding carriage 28 in the longitudinal axis direction A and here coupled to the transport arms 16, 17, so that upon movement of the transport arms 16, 17 in the second processing position, the adhesive heads 27a, 27b back, against the transport direction B, go to a waiting position , Accordingly, the adhesive heads 27a, 27b move to an order position in the backward movement of the transfer arms 16, 17 to the first processing position (see FIG Fig. 1 ). In this case, the outlet openings 29a, 29b arranged on the third adhesive heads 27a, 27b are aligned in the longitudinal axis direction A, so that the adhesive discharge can take place in the transport direction B, here in the direction of the container table 24 and thus in the direction of the device (1). The third adhesive heads 27a, 27b are arranged such that they can apply the adhesive to the beverage container 5 in the second processing position and / or in the container position.

The third adhesive heads 27a, 27b are arranged at an angle of 180 ° to the second adhesive head 9, 10 and at an angle of 90 ° to the first adhesive head 8, 11. Both applicator units 2a, 2b thus have three adhesive heads 8, 9, 27a, 10, 11, 27b which are at a distance of 90 ° from one another, so that the adhesive discharge from each adhesive head 8, 9, 27a, 10, 11, 27b in FIG a different direction, namely in the transport direction B, transversely to the transport direction B and against the transport direction B, takes place.

This makes it particularly easy to provide a beverage container 5 at three at an angle of 90 ° spaced contact surfaces with an adhesive. In combination with the particularly advantageous embodiment of the transport device with two pivotable transport arms 16, 17, the beverage container 5 for applying adhesive on three contact surfaces must be rotated only once by 90 ° by means of the transport device 12 and is then transported without further twisting movement into the container position.

Next shows Fig. 1 a container image 22, which is arranged at least in sections in a central position 15 between the two first processing positions. The container-forming device 22 has a feed punch 26 driven by a drive 25 for displacing the beverage containers 5 from the second processing position into a packaging position on a packaging table 24.

The container table 24 is designed to receive the beverage containers 5 and to assemble the containers 6. For this purpose, the container table 24 has two lateral guide rails 31, between which the beverage containers 5 in contact are placed from the second processing position by the feed punch 26. The container table 24 is also in the longitudinal axis direction A between a receiving position in which the beverage container 5 on the container table 24 are moved and a home position in which the container table 24 is spaced from the second processing position, movable. Alternatively, parts of the transport device 12 and / or the application unit 2 a, 2 b may be designed to be displaceable in the direction of the container table 24.

To fix the beverage container 5 on the container table 24 also hold-down (not shown here) 24 arranged on the container table, which press the beverage container 5 on the container table 24.

In order to ensure a particularly good bonding between the transverse rows (ie transversely to the longitudinal axis direction A) of the container 6, also the lateral guide railings 31 can be arranged correspondingly accurately to the width of two beverage containers or, for example, in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis direction A to each other to be displaced, so that they exert a slight pressure on the container 6. As a result, a particularly good bonding between the contact surfaces D of the respective beverage container 5 is also achieved. The finished container 6 is, for example, transported away with a linear transporter 30.

Fig. 2 shows schematically selected components of the device FIG. 1 with the first and second feed units 3, 4, each with three beverage containers 5. The beverage containers 5 are moved by the feed unit 3, 4 in the transport direction B in the first processing position.

Next shows Fig. 2 in each case the two adhesive heads 8, 9, 10, 11 of the first and second application unit 2a, 2b with their outlet openings 8a, 9a, 10a, 11a. The two outlet openings 8a, 9a, 10a, 11a of the adhesive heads 8, 9, 10, 11 of an application unit 2a, 2b are arranged at an angle of 90 ° to each other.

The transport arms 16, 17 are opposite to their representation in Fig. 1 pivoted about its axis of rotation 18, 19 in the second processing position. At each transport arm 16, 17 a beverage container 5 is arranged in each case. The beverage containers 5 were due to the pivotal movement of the transport arms 16, 17 also to the axis of rotation 18, 19 twisted, so that contact the adhesive-providing contact surfaces D touch.

With the rest position of the beverage container 5 in the first and second processing position or the container position allows the inventive device a cyclic transport through the device with a two-sided possibly three-sided application of adhesives on the beverage container 5, wherein the inventive device for this purpose particularly compact and due the small number of existing in the device beverage containers 5 is particularly suitable for a quick container change.

For producing a container 6 from, for example, six beverage containers 5, a beverage container 5 is guided to the first processing position of the two application units 2a, 2b with the feed units 3, 4 and placed on a turntable of the beverage container holder 13, so that it is in a rest position , The feed units 3, 4 are stopped and the holdings belonging to the drinks container receptacle 13 are driven onto the beverage containers 5 located in the rest position in order to fix them on the turntables.

Subsequently, the second adhesive heads 9, 10 arranged around the first processing position are activated and an adhesive is applied to the respectively second contact surfaces D of the beverage container 5.

After application, the support arms 16, 17 are activated and pivoted about their axes of rotation 18, 19, so that the beverage container receptacle 13 with the beverage containers 5 toward each other, are transferred to the second processing position. In the second processing position, the adhesive beverage containers 5 are slightly compressed transversely to the longitudinal axis direction by the transport arms 16, 17 until the adhesive at the second contact points D is at least partially set.

Due to a coupling of the third adhesive heads 27a, 27b with the transport arm 16, 17 drive the adhesive heads 27a, 27b in the pivoting movement of the transport arms 16, 17 from its order position back against the transport direction B in its waiting position.

After moving together the beverage container 5 in the second processing position of the container table 24 is moved in the longitudinal axis direction A and against the transport direction B to the beverage containers 5 in the second processing position.

Since it is the first two beverage containers 5 of a six-pack 6, the first adhesive heads 8, 11 have no adhesive applied to the first contact surfaces C.

After the at least partial setting of the adhesive to the second contact points D of the beverage container 5, the holddown of the beverage container 13 detach from the beverage containers 5. In addition, the turntable on which the beverage container 5 are driving a few millimeters in the direction of the first processing position to a good displacement to ensure the beverage container 5.

The hold-down (not shown here) on the container table 24 move to a basic position and the feed cam 26 pushes by means of a movement along the longitudinal axis direction A in the transport direction B in the second processing position located adjacent sticking beverage container 5 on the container table 24 in a container position.

Subsequently, the feed punch 26 is moved back again and lowered the hold-down on the container table 24 to fix the parked on the container table 24 beverage container 5.

After fixing the beverage container 5 on the container table 24 this moves in the transport direction B back to its basic position, the transport arms 16, 17 with the beverage container receptacles 13 pivot back into the first processing position and the third adhesive heads 27a, 27b are moved into the order position due to the coupling with the transport arms 16, 17.

As soon as the transport arms 16, 17 with the beverage container receptacles 13 are in the first processing position, a beverage container 5 is again transported to the first processing position via the feed unit 3, 4.

Due to the fact that the beverage containers 5 which are now in the first processing position in rest position will be in a central position in the later container 6 and form three contact surfaces C, D, E with their adjacent beverage containers 5, both the first adhesive heads 8, 11 carry Also, the second adhesive heads 9, 10 adhesive on the first and second contact surfaces C, D of the beverage container 5 on. Simultaneously with the application of the adhesive by the first and second adhesive heads 8, 9, 10, 11 to the contact surfaces C, D of the beverage containers 5 in the first processing position, the third adhesive heads 27a, 27b are additionally activated and carry on the third contact surface E already on the container table 24 in the container position placed beverage container 5 on the adhesive.

The further course of the beverage container 5 located in the first processing position corresponds to the procedure of the method described above.

In a third pass, accordingly, in the manufacture of a container 6 from six containers, the respective third contact surfaces E of the beverage containers 5 are not provided with an adhesive.

As an alternative to producing a six-pack, it is, for example, also possible to produce figure-eight, ten or even four-odds. The control of the adhesive heads is done accordingly.

Alternatively, it is, for example, also possible no adhesive on the second contact surfaces D apply the beverage container 5, ie on the contact surfaces D, which are placed in the second processing position to each other, which, for example, is possible to make container rods, ie container 6 of single-row provided beverage containers 5.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

device

2a, 2b

application unit

3, 4

feed

5

beverage containers

6

container

7

conveyor belt

8, 9, 10, 11

Adhesive heads

8a, 9a, 10a, 11a,

Outlet openings first, second adhesive head

12

transport device

13

Drinks container receiver

14

Outlets of third adhesive head

15

central position

16, 17

transport arm

18, 19

axis of rotation

20, 21

adjustment

22

Gebindebildner

23

lateral guide railing feed unit

24

packaging table

25

drive

26

feed temple

27a, 27b

third adhesive heads

28

sliding table

29a, 29b

vents

30

linear transporter

31

lateral guide railing

A

middle longitudinal axis

B

transport direction

C, D, E

Container contact areas

Claims (10)

1. Device for producing bundles (6) of containers from beverage containers (5),

   - comprising

   - two application units (2a, 2b), which are spaced apart from each other, for cyclic application of adhesives to the beverage containers (5), wherein each application unit (2a, 2b)

   - a first adhesive head (8, 9, 10, 11) for the application of an adhesive onto a first contact surface of the beverage container (5) in a first processing position, and

   - a second adhesive head (8, 9, 10, 11) for the application of the adhesive onto a second contact surface of the beverage container (5) in the first processing position, and

   - a third adhesive head (27a, 27b) for the application of the adhesive onto a third contact surface of the beverage container (5) in a second processing position or a bundle position,

   - and with

   - a transport device (12), which transfers the beverage containers (5) from the first processing position converging into the second processing position,

   - wherein the transport device transports the beverage containers (5) from two first processing positions, arranged in an outside region of the device, converging to two second processing positions arranged on one another in a central region of the device,

   - and with a rotation device for rotating the beverage containers (5)

   - and with a bundle former (22), which transfers the beverage containers (5) out of the second processing position into the bundling position, and combines the beverage containers (5) into a bundle (7) comprising a plurality of beverage containers (5),

   - characterised in that

   - the transport device (12) comprises two transport arms (16, 17), which in each case are mounted such as to be rotatable at a first end, and comprise, at a second end, opposite the first end, a beverage container receiver (13), (Claim 4) wherein, for the cyclic transport of the beverage containers (5), the transport arms (16, 17) pivot about their axis of rotation between the first and second processing position, and

   - the beverage containers (5) adopt a position of rest at the application of adhesive, in which no transport takes place along the transport path.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the application units (2a, 2b) are arranged mirror-symmetrically to one another.
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised by a first rotation device for rotating the beverage containers (5) in the first processing position, and/or a second rotation device for rotating the beverage containers (5) in the second processing position, and/or a central rotation device, which rotates the beverage containers (5) during the transport from the first processing position into the second processing position.
4. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the beverage container receiver (13) is configured as a plate guide element, head guide element, or head-plate guide element.
5. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that each transport arm (16, 17) is mounted so as to be movable between a first and a second position.
6. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that in each case the first and the second adhesive heads (8, 9, 10, 11) are arranged on an application unit (2a, 2b) in relation to one another in such a way that the respective adhesive applications take place transversely to one another.
7. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the adhesive application from the respective third adhesive head (27a, 27b) of an application unit (2a, 2b) takes place transversely to the adhesive application of the first or second adhesive head (8,9,10,11).
8. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the third heads (27a, 27b) are arranged in a central position (15) between the first processing positions.
9. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a bundle former (22) is arranged with a thrust punch element (26), which moves the beverage container (5) out of the second processing position into a bundle position.
10. Method for the cyclic production of bundles (6) from beverage containers (5), with the steps:

    - delivering beverage containers (5) in each case into a first processing position of a first and second application unit (2a, 2b),

    - transporting the beverage containers (5) from the first processing position into a second processing position, wherein the beverage containers (5) are moved out of two first processing positions, arranged in a region outside the device, converging to two second processing positions above one another, arranged in a central region of the device,

    - transporting the beverage containers (5) from the second processing position into a bundle position, and combining of the beverage containers (5) to form a bundle (6),

    - wherein

    - the beverage containers are rotated in the first and/or second processing position and during transport between the first and second processing position,

    - and, in the first processing position, an adhesive is applied onto at least one contact surface of the beverage container, and

    - in the second processing position or in the bundle position, an adhesive is applied to at least one contact surface of the beverage container,

    characterised in that

    - a transport device (12) comprises two transport arms (16, 17), which in each case are rotatably mounted at a first end, and at a second end, located opposite the first end, comprises a beverage container receiver (13), wherein, for the cyclic transport of the beverage containers, the transport arms (16, 17) are pivoted about their axis of rotation between the first and second processing positions, and

    - wherein the beverage containers (5) adopt a position of rest in the first processing position, the second processing position, and the bundle position.

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