EP3441315A1 - Method and packaging system for producing containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A packaging system (10) for producing containers (24) from article assemblies (16) is disclosed. The packaging system (10) comprises a provision (20), via which a web of thermoplastic packaging material (22) can be presented without interruption. Furthermore, the packaging system (10) comprises a sensor system (35), which can detect actual positions of reference marks of the uninterruptible web on thermoplastic packaging material (22). Also provided is a cutting and / or separating device (36) which is designed to separate flat packaging blanks (41) from the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material (22) taking into account the actual positions detected by means of the sensor system (35). Component of the packaging system (10) is also a film wrapping module for applying the flat and separated from the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material (22) packaging blanks (41) on compilations of articles (16) and a shrink tunnel (28) for shrinking the applied flat packaging blanks ( 41) on the compilations of articles (16). The packaging system (10) comprises a sensor system which is oriented to detecting the actual positions of reference marks of the uninterrupted web on thermoplastic packaging material (22), which reference markings are formed as openings in the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material (22).

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a packaging system for producing containers.

For the purpose of transport beverage containers are usually summarized in handy containers with, for example, four, six or more containers, the container in these containers, for example. Wrapped with shrink film and can be held together. For ease of handling, containers with such so-called. Disposable secondary packaging made of PE shrink film o. The like. Often carrying handles made of flexible material, for example, from sufficiently stable film, cardboard, paper, plastics such as PVC or mixed materials can be made. Optionally, such carrying handles can also be equipped with a paper and / or cardboard reinforced handle area. The handle strips can be fixed with their ends to the side surfaces of the container, for example by welding or gluing. For this purpose, the ends of the carrying handle may optionally have self-adhesive areas.

A container which is provided with an envelope formed by thermoplastic packaging material, for example, by the DE 693 11 338 T2 disclosed. A flexible carrying handle is fixed to the outsides of the multi-pack, wherein the connecting points each form and cover a region in which the carrying handle ends are fixed to both the band and the container shell surfaces.

To provide a wrapper for a container according to the DE 693 11 338 T2 To provide, in previously known packaging machines surface blanks from an uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material separated. The severed blanks are then applied to assemblies on articles, after which the assemblies are moved together with a respective blank sheet in a shrink tunnel. There, the respective flat and applied to a collection of articles blank is shrunk onto the respective compilation.

In order for a respective of the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material separated flat blank with regard to its dimensions is aligned exactly to the respective compilation of articles on which the respective flat blank is to be applied, the uninterrupted web is previously printed and recorded the print by a suitable sensor. The sensor is in this case in communication with the cutting and / or separating device, so that with the aid of information provided by the sensor with respect to a position of printing the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material, the cutting and / or separating device is controlled for the defined separation of flat blanks ,

Printing stations, which allow such printing, have high initial costs and a high space requirement and can often be cumbersome integrated into the respective packaging machine. Furthermore, a print job that continues to be recognizable even after shrinking a flat blank onto a compilation of articles may be undesirable for various packs to be produced. In particular, this may be the case if the thermoplastic packaging material of a respective container is to have a homogeneous and continuous transparent impression.

A primary object of the present invention can therefore be seen to provide a corresponding possibility for the production of containers, which does not have the disadvantages mentioned or only to a reduced extent.

The object is solved by the subject matters in the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are described by the subclaims.

The invention relates to a method for producing containers from article compositions. The articles of a respective composition can be formed for example by beverage containers and in particular by PET bottles.

As part of a step provided for the method, respective actual positions of reference markings formed by an uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material are recognized. The web of thermoplastic packaging material may be provided by a supply roll and unwound from the supply roll. It may be that the reference marks described below are already applied to the not yet unwound from the supply roll thermoplastic packaging material. It is also conceivable in that the reference marks, which are described below, are applied to a portion of the web of thermoplastic packaging material which has already been developed and is still connected to the supply roll. The uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material may in this case continuously move during the application of the reference marks or be continuously unwound from the supply roll.

For a further step, a separation of individual flat packaging blanks from the uninterrupted web to thermoplastic packaging material is provided taking into account the detected actual positions of the reference markings.

In addition, the flat, cut from the uninterrupted web packaging blanks are applied to compilations of articles.

A further step provides for a temperature loading of the flat packaging blanks applied to assemblies of articles, as a result of which the flat packaging blanks are shrunk onto a respective assembly of articles. Here, the compilations of articles can be moved together with their applied packaging blank in a shrink tunnel, wherein a respective flat packaging blank is shrunk onto a respective assortment of articles.

In addition, it is provided that the reference markings are formed as breakthroughs in the uninterruptible web of thermoplastic packaging material whose actual positions for separating the individual flat packaging blanks from the uninterrupted web are preferably recognized optically to thermoplastic packaging material.

In preferred embodiments it can be provided that an adhesion and / or adhesive application is applied to one or more articles of a respective compilation of articles via at least one breakthrough of a packaging blank shrunk onto a respective assembly of articles. In this case, it may be that at least one handle end is fixed in a material-locking manner via the adhesive and / or adhesive agent applied to the one or more articles. It may also be that at least one handle end of at least one carrying handle an adhesive and / or adhesive order includes, via which adhesion and / or adhesive application of the at least one carrying handle is fixed in the region of a respective breakthrough on one or more articles of a particular compilation of articles. In particular, it can be the case here that the respective at least one carrying handle or the at least one carrying handle end via the adhesive and / or adhesive application is fixed directly to an article or several articles of a respective composition of articles.

As already mentioned, it can be provided that the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material is unwound from a supply roll, and the reference markings are introduced into apertures already unwound from the supply roll of the uninterruptible web of thermoplastic packaging material. In this case, embodiments have proven in which the reference markings are punched into the already unwound from the supply roll lot of uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material as breakthroughs and / or introduced by means of a laser cut.

Furthermore, it may be that the actual positions of the openings are detected by means of at least one ultrasonic sensor. It is also conceivable that at least one optical sensor or at least one camera is provided, wherein the actual positions of the apertures are detected by means of the at least one optical sensor or by means of the at least one camera.

The invention also relates to a packaging system for producing containers from article compositions. Features which have already been described above for various embodiments of the method can also be provided in embodiments of the packaging system described below and are therefore not mentioned redundantly. Furthermore, features described below, which relate to various embodiments of the packaging system, can optionally be used for embodiments of the method already described above. If necessary, the previously described method can be implemented or carried out by means of the packaging system described below.

The packaging system comprises a provision by means of which a web of thermoplastic packaging material can be presented without interruption. The provision may include a mandrel on which a supply roll comprising the web of thermoplastic packaging material is disposed or onto which a web of thermoplastic packaging material is provided Supply roll can be plugged. The mandrel may be rotationally driven so that the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material is unwound from the supply roll.

Furthermore, the packaging system comprises a sensor system which can detect actual positions of reference markings of the web on thermoplastic packaging material.

In addition, a cutting and / or separating device is provided, which is designed for separating flat packaging blanks from the web to thermoplastic packaging material, taking into account the detected by means of the sensor actual positions.

Part of the packaging system is also a Folieneinschlagmodul for applying the flat and separated from the web of thermoplastic packaging material packaging blanks on compilations of articles. The film wrapping module may comprise a plurality of circumferentially moving impact bars, via which the flat and cut from the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material packaging blanks can be applied to compilations of articles.

Further, a shrink tunnel for shrinking the applied flat packaging blanks is provided on the compilations of articles. In the shrink tunnel, the flat packaging blanks can therefore be subjected to a defined temperature and thereby shrunk onto compilations of articles.

In the case of the packaging system according to the invention, the sensor system is designed to detect the actual positions of reference markings of the web on thermoplastic packaging material, which reference markings are formed as openings in the web of thermoplastic packaging material.

The already mentioned and for applying the flat and separated from the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material packaging blanks formed on compilations of articles Folieneinschlagmodul can thus serve a at least partially or partially wrapping the article compositions with a flat packaging blank.

The packaging system may comprise an application device which can apply via at least one designed as a reference mark breakthrough on an article or several articles of a particular compilation of articles adhesive and / or adhesive and which for materially setting at least one handle end of a handle on the container by means of at least one formed as a reference mark breakthrough on an article or more articles of a particular compilation of articles applied adhesive and / or adhesive application is formed. Thus, the carrying handle or the at least one handle end can be formed on the adhesion and / or adhesive directly on the one or more articles of a respective collection of articles.

In conceivable embodiments, the packaging system may thus comprise an application device for applying carrying handles while fixing the carrying handle ends to article casing surfaces in the region of the openings by means of adhesive and / or welded connections.

Further, the packaging system may include a punching and / or punching device which may introduce the reference marks formed as apertures into a batch of thermoplastic web-fed web presented uninterrupted by the supply.

It can thus be provided that between the provision and the film wrapping module, the cutting and / or separating device and / or the punching and / or hole-forming device for introducing the openings in the conveyed to the film wrapping module web of thermoplastic packaging material are arranged.

It is conceivable that the punching and / or hole-forming device for introducing the reference markings formed as apertures at least one mechanically working punching tool and / or at least one laser, i. a laser cutting device or a laser cutting system o. The like., Includes. In addition, more hole forming systems are useful, for example. Ultrasonic cutting devices, water jet cutter o. The like. More.

Moreover, embodiments in which the sensor system comprises at least one ultrasonic sensor have proved to be useful. About the ultrasonic sensor can thus possibly as breakthroughs in the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic Packaging material introduced reference marks are detected. Of course, instead of such ultrasonic sensors and optically operating sensors are useful.

In the manufacture of the apertures, it may be that the breakthroughs in the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material are not consistently identical or are not continuously homogeneously introduced into the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material. Rather, by means of the already mentioned punching and / or hole-forming device, a kind of pattern can be produced so that on each subsequent flat packaging blank, i. in Folieneinschlagmodul, two breakthroughs with a certain distance and a certain position to be effected in the cutting and / or separating device separating cut.

In this way, a hole pattern on the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material with alternately shorter and longer relative distances of the openings to each other can be generated. Furthermore, several rows oriented in the longitudinal direction of the uninterruptible web of thermoplastic packaging material can be provided, each with a plurality of apertures. The number of required rows or rows of holes may, if appropriate, be selected as a function of a later use (one, two or three-layer processing in the packaging machine).

The breakthroughs can be produced by different methods or steps. The breakthroughs can basically have a wide variety of contours; so are rectangular openings, rectangular openings with rounded corners, oval openings, circular or other geometry having breakthroughs possible. Preferably, the apertures are cut during continuous movement of the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material or introduced into the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material to avoid performance-reducing stop-and-go operation. Certain speed variations that may occur during the manufacturing process could be compensated for by detecting the current actual speed of the uninterruptible web of thermoplastic packaging material and, if appropriate, a coordinated control of the controllable punching and / or punching device by cutting or punching or Lochzeitpunkt the optimal position is adjusted. At all Cutting method may be provided in advantageous embodiments, that in the context of the introduction of the breakthroughs resulting waste or residues are disposed of, for example, by a suction. Embodiments of the packaging system may therefore comprise a device which is designed for rejection or removal by introducing resulting residues of thermoplastic packaging material.

In the thermal methods or steps described below, which can work, for example, by means of laser cutting methods or by means of heated wire loops or the like, the hole edge is also reinforced because the temperature forms a small bead on the cut edge. In the thermal process, resulting vapors can preferably be removed via a suitable suction device.

The punching and / or hole-forming device may, for example, be a mechanical or mechanically movable device which, by means of a suitable blade, a heating wire or the like, has openings in the desired size and at the respective desired locations in the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic Packing material brings.

The punching and / or hole-forming device may be a punching device with an oscillating or rotating punching tool, which serves for introducing the apertures into the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material. Optionally, a plurality of such punching devices can be arranged in parallel to introduce a plurality of parallel rows of holes or rows of recesses in the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material, wherein the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material, for example. For a multi-lane film transport after insertion the breakthroughs and before or after the separation of the flat blanks of packaging material can be divided into several webs along their direction of travel.

In a design of the punching and / or punching device as a punching device can be provided that at least one rotating punching tool of the punching device with variable controllable relative speed to the conveying speed of the transported uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material is rotatable. In this way, in particular different distances of the recesses can be realized from each other become. For this purpose, for example, a punching cylinder can not always extend synchronously to the web of thermoplastic packaging material, but shortly before the punching operation of the punching cylinder is synchronized with a speed or actual speed of the web of thermoplastic packaging material.

The following statements again summarize some aspects of the invention previously explained in various embodiments variant, concretize some aspects, but should not be contradicted by the statements already made. Rather, the following statements should be viewed in conjunction with the previously made statements, in case of doubt, as a more specific embodiment variants or modifications. Thus, the packaging system according to the invention for the production of containers and for attachment of carrying handles on these containers can also be referred to as a general packaging machine. The system or machine comprises a transport path for transporting assemblies of articles, a film wrapping module for at least partial or sectional wrapping of the assortments of articles with a supply-supplied, stretch-and / or heat-shrinkable film for forming film packs, each provided with openings on at least two opposite side surfaces of the container. In the area of provision, the shrinkable film is formed as an uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material.

Furthermore, the packaging system or the packaging machine comprises a film module in the conveying or transport direction downstream shrink module in which the containers are subjected to heat to shrink the film wrappings tightly around the compilations of articles and in this way hold the articles therein and to fix each other. In addition, the packaging system or the packaging machine comprises an application device for applying carrying handles to the containers while fixing the carrying handle ends on the article jacket surfaces in the region of the openings by means of adhesive and / or welded joints and under penetration of the enveloping film and / or making an adhesive connection with the shrinkable film. The application device can be located, for example, in the region of the transport path and in the conveying direction behind the shrinking module. However, it can also be located immediately after the film wrapping module and thus optionally also in the transport direction in front of the shrinking module. It is also envisaged that between the provision and the film wrapping module at a suitable location of the Film conveying a controllable punching and / or punching device for introducing the openings in the conveyed to the film wrapping module uninterrupted web is arranged on thermoplastic packaging material. After passing through the application device, packaging blanks separated from the uninterrupted web on thermoplastic packaging material can be fed in the transport direction by means of a container transport section to further packing and / or processing stations, for example a palletizing device or the like.

As already explained several times, the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material in the area before the film wrapping module, between the provision and a cutting and / or separating device, can be provided with suitable openings. These indispensable for the attachment of the handles breakthroughs can by means of the mentioned punching and / or punching device in particular immediately after unwinding the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material from their endless supply and before the wrapping of the article groups in the unwound and the cutting and / or separating device transported uninterrupted web to thermoplastic packaging material. After wrapping the article groups with the film in the film wrapping module, in particular after passing through the shrink module, the carrying handle can be applied with its ends on the openings under at least partial coverage or coverage of the breakthroughs, namely by gluing or welding, after which the thus produced and with handles provided with containers transported and, for example, can be palletized. Thus, the shrinking module can be a suitable application device for fixing the carrying handles on the containers downstream (or even upstream), before the containers are then transported further in the conveying direction.

An optional sensor, which may, for example, be designed as an ultrasonic sensor, is capable of detecting a respective actual position of the apertures introduced into the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material. The previously mentioned cutting and / or separating device is in operative connection with the optional sensor or ultrasonic sensor, so that a cutting and / or separating instrument formed as part of the cutting and / or separating device as a function of the respective via the sensor or ultrasonic sensor detected actual positions of the breakthroughs is driven. In this way it can be ensured that the cutting and / or separating device from the presented on the provision uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material separates packaging blanks whose respective dimensioning is adapted exactly to the particular composition of articles to which the respective packaging blank is to be applied. The breakthroughs, which continues to form the packaging blank applied to a respective assembly of articles and shrunk in the shrink module, are located in an intended position due to the exact separation of flat packaging blanks by the cutting and / or separating device. As a result, the application device can specifically fix or apply carrying handles to the apertures or in the area of the apertures on the respective film container. A renewed detection or inspection of the flat packaging blanks for conformity of the position of the apertures with a predetermined desired position can thereby be dispensed with.

In the inventive method for furnishing Folienschrumpfgebinden with carrying handles is thus provided that the carrying handle is adhesively attached to the suitably prepared and provided with openings flat packaging blank, so that the fixation by gluing or welding of the handle then through the apertures through to the respective article lateral surfaces the collections of articles summarized into containers. The film wrapping module provides previously for the wrapping of the compilations of articles with the suitably cut to size packaging blanks before the further transport through the shrinking oven or the shrink module and the subsequent container transport section takes place.

In the area of the application device, the attachment of the carrying handle can, for example, be carried out by wrapping the packages wrapped with flat packaging blanks and already passing through the shrinking module in such a way that the longitudinal sides of the packages laterally in the transport direction are in each case aligned by means of the punching and / or punching Have perforation device introduced openings. After wrapping the compilations of articles takes place in the shrinking oven or in the shrink module, the shrinking of the compilations of articles enveloping flat packaging blanks under heat, after which the handle can be applied in the areas of the apertures on the article jacket surfaces. During further transport in the container transport section, the containers can first be rotated by about 90 ° or 270 ° about a vertical axis or at an angle of 90 ° or 270 ° transversely to the conveying direction by means of a suitable handling device, so that the carrying handle by means of the downstream Application device can be applied by contacting the provided with the apertures, in the conveying direction front and rear side of the container outside. The described rotation is to be understood optional, so that alternative embodiments are conceivable in which the rotation described for individual containers or all containers omitted. In this process variant can be used as wrapping, for example, shrink film, adhesive film or a thin and stretchy, well-adhering film web as wrapping or flat packaging blanks for the compilations of articles for the formation of foil packs. Important or at least preferable in this variant of the application method for the carrying handles, the rotation of the container, whereby the respective breakthroughs in or against the direction of the transported container is addressed, which would not necessarily be given after wrapping by means of the film wrapping. For this purpose, the containers can, for example. By 90 ° or 270 ° rotated about its vertical axis.

In further embodiments of the packaging system designed in particular as a packaging machine, two or more film rolls can be formed or contained in a so-called provision or in a staging area or section, on each of which an uninterrupted web is wound on thermoplastic packaging material, and after its respective unwinding can be alternately activated, so that an uninterrupted conveying process for supplying the film wrapping module is possible with flat packaging blanks. What is generally referred to herein as an uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material is normally formed by a shrink film, as already characterized above by its typical physical properties.

The provision with his here unspecified conveyor means for continuous film transport is arranged downstream of the punching and / or punching device. The punching and / or punching device preferably comprises a cutting blade movable in the conveying process of the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material in the transverse direction to the transporting and / or advancing direction of the uninterruptible web of thermoplastic packaging material, preferably a supporting device arranged below the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material Anvil is assigned, which (s) prevents deflection of the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material down when the cutting blade of the cutting and / or separating device is moved vertically or obliquely downwards and immersed in the uninterruptible web of thermoplastic packaging material to make the apertures. Optionally, the punching and / or punching device may be formed by an arcuate blade or comprise such an arcuate blade, which is movable approximately transversely to the transport and / or feed direction of the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material and cut out in the introduction of the apertures foil sections , In particular, the punching and / or piercing device may comprise a heating wire, which facilitates cutting the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material.

In addition, the punching and / or punching device may optionally be assigned a receiving and / or collecting device for detecting, picking up and / or collecting cut-out foil sections. This optional receiving and / or collecting device can be formed, for example, by a suction device associated with the punching and / or punching device for detecting and conveying the cut-out film sections. An orifice opening of a suction hose can be arranged here in the transport or feed direction of the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material immediately behind the movable cutting blade of the punching and / or punching device, so that all cut out film sections reliably sucked and received by the receiving and / or collecting device and can be separated from the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material. A variant of the packaging system would also be conceivable in which the receiving and / or collecting device has, instead of a suction device, a blower associated with the punching and / or punching device for detecting and / or removing and / or conveying the cut-out foil sections.

A further advantageous variant of the packaging system according to the invention or the packaging machine may have a plurality of parallel transport paths or film transport tracks, wherein also several parallel film wrapping modules and each associated punching and / or punching devices are provided for introducing the openings in each of the parallel uninterrupted webs of thermoplastic packaging material , In this way, a multi-lane processing and packaging carried in several parallel transport tracks transported article or Gebinde streams.

The punching and / or punching device is subordinate to the provision and can usefully be arranged approximately in the center of the film transport, so that the uninterrupted web is provided on thermoplastic packaging material also approximately centrally with the openings. Optionally, the punching and / or punching device can also be a punching device with a rotating punching roller with at least one, but optionally two or more punching tools arranged thereon, which can be used to introduce the breakthroughs into the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material or into sections thereof Material serves / serve.

Optionally, several such punching devices may be arranged in parallel to introduce a plurality of parallel rows of holes or rows of apertures in the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material, said uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material, for example. For a multi-lane film transport after the introduction of the openings and before or after Cutting into required film sections can be divided into several tracks. Optionally, the rotary punching roller may be equipped with a plurality of punching tools, so that later in an uninterrupted path of thermoplastic packaging material several parallel rows of holes can be introduced, the distance from each other corresponds to the distance of the punching tools on the punching roller.

An optional electromotive drive for the rotating punching roller may, for example, be located on a suitable frame on which a counter-pressure roller rotating parallel to the punching roller is mounted, which may be equipped with its own electromotive drive. In the rotary punching roll, the holes are made by suitable punching tools located on the cylindrical punching roll. The punching tools press against the cylindrical counter-pressure roller during the punching process or dip into a die which is located in the synchronously rotating counter-pressure roller. Also, this punching device with the rotating punching roller and the parallel rotating counter-pressure roller is preferably in turn associated with a suction device 50, with which the punched out of the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material pieces of film can be sucked and removed from the field of further film promotion.

An optionally laterally arranged on the frame and as an optional, but in practice very useful equipment variant of the punching device to be considered spindle format adjustment allows adjustment of the distances of the punching tools from each other by their positioning along the longitudinal axis of the punching roller by means of a spindle adjustment mechanism. Preferably, at the same time, the respective opening openings of the suction device associated with the individual punching tools are also adjusted in a corresponding manner, so that they each remain spatially associated with the corresponding punching tools on the punching roller and can provide reliable removal of the foil sections punched out of the film web at any time.

In principle, it can be provided that the rotating punching roller with the punching tools of the controllable punching device arranged thereon can be rotated with variably controllable relative speed to the conveying speed of the transported uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material. In this way, different distances of the openings can be realized from each other. For this purpose, it may be that the punching tool is not always rotated over the course of time at a constant speed or varies in its rotational speed. Thus, it is conceivable that a rotational speed of the punching tool varies with the rotational movement of the different distances of the apertures over the passage of time. It may be that shortly before the punching process, the punching cylinder must be synchronized with the film speed, which is done by adjusting the controllable by the electric motor drive rotational speed of the punching roller on the film speed, whereby the peripheral speed of the rotating punching roll largely with the conveying speed of the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic Packaging material matches. This synchronous speed can usefully be maintained during the entire punching cut. In particular, it must be ensured that during each punching operation in which the punching tool dives perpendicularly to the film surface, there are no speed differences between the peripheral speed of the rotating punching roller and the conveying or advancing speed of the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material, since otherwise no clean punching operations are to be ensured are.

Since the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material after the introduction of the required hole pattern by means of the cutting and / or separating device is divided into individual film sections or flat packaging blanks, and the distances of the hole pairs or hole groups are variable from each other and measured so that these distances the required length of each is tuned by separation of the uninterrupted web formed on thermoplastic packaging material individual flat packaging blank. These distances of the hole pairs or hole groups are variable in the manner described. A separating cut should be placed at least approximately centrally between each pair of holes, so that a dimensioning of a separated from the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material flat packaging blank is matched to a dimensioning of the respective compilation of articles on which the respective flat packaging blank is to be applied. With the aid of the above-mentioned sensor or ultrasonic sensor, it is also possible to detect a pair of holes or a group of holes and to control the cutting and / or separating device in such a way that the separating cut can be set exactly midway between two successive pairs of holes or groups of holes. The number of rows of holes required depends on the later use (one, two or three-line processing in the packing machine). In any case, the perforation must be produced at an exact distance (transverse to the direction of travel), as explained above.

A variant of a container with a carrying handle, which can be produced with a packaging system according to one of the previously described embodiments, can, for example, have a total of six PET beverage containers which are grouped in a so-called rectangular arrangement and provided with an enveloping disposable outer packaging in the form of a flat packaging blank , in particular a PE shrink film are held together. The carrying handle is fixed at defined contact points on outer sides of at least two oppositely arranged beverage containers of the container. These contact points coincide according to the present invention at least partially with breakthroughs in the outer packaging or the flat packaging blank, so that the contact points extend through the openings and touch the edges of the respective opening at least partially. The adhering to the contact point, rectangular and elongated in the vertical direction along a lateral surface of the respective container extending handle end not only covers the also elongated breakthrough, but also its edge region and part of the edge surrounding the film surface, however, due to the in the breakthrough concentrating, an adhesive bond or weld having contact point largely the entire power flow takes place directly from the handle through the opening on the lateral surface of the contacted container. At the same time, the film surface and thus the area of the outer packaging or the flat packaging blank surrounding the contact point are relieved of tensile forces when the container is being carried, since the relatively small contact surface outside the edge can not initiate any appreciable tensile forces in the outer packaging or the flat packaging blank. Optionally, the contact point can also be configured in such a way that the adhesive bond or welded joint is limited to the area or areal extent of the opening, whereas the edge area and the area outside this edge have no adhesive, as a result of which the flat packaging blanks or the outer packaging are entirely be kept free of tensile forces, which are applied over the carrying handle.

• Fig. 1 zeigt eine Ausführungsvariante eines erfindungsgemäßen Verpackungssystems zur Herstellung von Gebinden mit Tragegriffen.
• Fig. 2A zeigt eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Ausführungsvariante des Verpackungssystems gemäß Fig. 1.
• Fig. 2B zeigt eine detailliertere Seitenansicht des Verpackungssystems gemäß Fig. 1.
• Fig. 3A zeigt eine schematische Draufsicht auf einen Teil des Verpackungssystems gemäß Fig. 1, Fig. 2A und Fig. 2B.
• Fig. 3B zeigt eine weitere, detailliertere Draufsicht des Verpackungssystems gemäß Fig. 1.
• Fig. 3C zeigt eine schematische Perspektivansicht einer Ausführungsvariante einer Stanzvorrichtung zur Einbringung von Durchbrüchen in eine unterbrechungsfreie Bahn an thermoplastischem Verpackungsmaterial.
• Fig. 4 zeigt in drei schematischen Draufsichten verschiedene Ausführungsvarianten von in die unterbrechungsfreie Bahn an thermoplastischem Verpackungsmaterial eingebrachten Durchbrüchen bei einbahniger Folienführung (Fig. 4A), bei zweibahniger Folienführung (Fig. 4B) und bei dreibahniger Folienführung (Fig. 4C).
• Fig. 5A und Fig. 5B zeigen zwei verschiedene Seitenansichten auf ein Gebinde mit Tragegriff, das mit einem Verpackungssystem gemäß Figuren 1 bis 3C hergestellt wurde.
• Fig. 6 zeigt eine schematische Perspektivansicht einer weiteren Variante des Gebindes.
• Fig. 7 zeigt eine schematische Detailansicht einer Verbindungsstelle zwischen einem Tragegriffende und einer Außenfläche des Gebindes.

Hereinafter, embodiments illustrate the invention and its advantages with reference to the accompanying drawings. The proportions of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the actual size ratios, since some shapes are simplified and other shapes are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

• Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a packaging system according to the invention for the production of containers with carrying handles.
• Fig. 2A shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of the packaging system according to Fig. 1 ,
• Fig. 2B shows a more detailed side view of the packaging system according to Fig. 1 ,
• Fig. 3A shows a schematic plan view of a part of the packaging system according to Fig. 1 . Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B ,
• Fig. 3B shows a further, more detailed plan view of the packaging system according to Fig. 1 ,
• Fig. 3C shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a punching device for introducing breakthroughs in an uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material.
• Fig. 4 shows in three schematic plan views different embodiments of introduced in the uninterrupted path of thermoplastic packaging material breakthroughs in one-lane film guide ( FIG. 4A ), with two-lane film guide ( Fig. 4B ) and in three-course film guide ( Fig. 4C ).
• FIGS. 5A and 5B show two different side views on a container with carrying handle, with a packaging system according to FIGS. 1 to 3C was produced.
• Fig. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of another variant of the container.
• Fig. 7 shows a schematic detail view of a joint between a handle end and an outer surface of the container.

For the same or equivalent elements of the invention use the FIGS. 1 to 7 identical reference numerals. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures, which are required for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of how the invention may be embodied and do not constitute an exhaustive limitation. It should therefore be emphasized at this point that the embodiments described in more concrete and objective terms with reference to the figures are those set forth in the claims and in the general part of Description in the most varied embodiments defined abstract inventive idea in any way diminish or limit. Also, the features described below are not to be understood in close conjunction with other features of the respective embodiment but may possibly be provided in general context in various embodiments of the invention.

The schematic representation of Fig. 1 illustrates the operation of the packaging system according to the invention for the production of containers and for attaching carrying handles to these containers using an exemplary embodiment. Thus, the packaging system 10 shown for the production of containers with carrying handles, which can also be referred to as general packaging machine 12, a transport path 14 for transporting compilations of articles 16, a Folieneinschlagmodul 18 for at least partially or partially wrapping the compilations of articles 16 with a stretchable and / or heat shrinkable film supplied from a supply 20 for forming film packs 24 each provided with apertures on at least two opposite side surfaces of the packs 24. In the area of provision 20, the shrinkable film is formed as an uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22.

Furthermore, the packaging system or packaging machine 12 comprises a shrink module 28 downstream of the film wrapping module 18 in the conveying or transporting direction 26, in which the containers 24 are subjected to heat in order to shrink the film wrappings tightly around the assemblies of articles 16 and in this way to hold the articles together and fix them together.

In addition, the packaging system 10 or the packaging machine 12 comprises an application device 30 for applying carrying handles to the containers 24 while fixing the carrying handle ends to article jacket surfaces in the area of the apertures by means of adhesive and / or welded connections and under penetration of the enclosing film 22 and / or production an adhesive connection with the shrinkable film 22. In the illustrated embodiment of the Fig. 1 However, it can also be located immediately after the film wrapping module 18 and thus optionally also in the transport direction 26 in front of the shrink module 28. In addition, it is provided that between the provision 20 and the film wrapping module 18 at a suitable location of the film conveying a here only schematically indicated controllable punching and / or punching device 32 for introducing the openings in the film wrapping module 18 conveyed uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22 is arranged ,

After passing through the application device 30, the packaging blanks 41 separated from the uninterrupted web on thermoplastic packaging material 22 can be supplied in the transport direction 26 by means of a container transport section 34 to further packaging, not shown, packaging and / or processing stations, such as a palletizing device or the like.

Like the Fig. 1 merely indicates that the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22 in the area in front of the film wrapping module 18, between the provision and a cutting and / or separating device 36, can be provided with suitable openings. These indispensable for the attachment of the handles in the manner described below breakthroughs can by means of the mentioned, in the illustration of Fig. 1 However, not yet specified punching and / or punching device 32 in particular immediately after unwinding the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22 from its endless supply 20 and before the wrapping of the article groups 16 in each unwound and the uninterruptible web conveyed to the cutting and / or separating device 36 are introduced onto thermoplastic packaging material 22. After wrapping the article groups 16 with the film 22 in the film wrapping module 18, in particular after passing through the shrink module 28, the carrying handle can be applied with its ends over the openings under at least partial coverage or coverage of the breakthroughs, namely by gluing or welding, which Subsequently, the container thus prepared and provided with carrying handles 24 transported and, for example, be palletized. Thus, the shrinking module 28 may be a suitable application device 30 for fixing the carrying handles on the containers 24 downstream (or upstream) before the containers 24 are subsequently transported in the conveying direction 26.

Reference number 35 additionally shows a sensor which in the present case is designed as an ultrasonic sensor 37. The sensor 35 or ultrasonic sensor 37 can detect a respective actual position of the openings introduced into the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22. The previously mentioned cutting and / or separating device 36 is in operative connection with the sensor 35 or ultrasonic sensor 37, so that a cutting and / or separating instrument designed as a component of the cutting and / or separating device as a function of the respective sensor 35 or ultrasonic sensor 37 detected actual positions of the openings is controlled. In this way, it can be ensured that the cutting and / or separating device separates packaging blanks 41 from the uninterruptible web of thermoplastic packaging material 22 presented via the provision 20, whose respective dimensioning is adapted exactly to the particular composition of articles 16 to which the respective packaging blank 41 should be applied. The breakthroughs which continue to form the packaging blank 41 which is applied to a respective assembly of articles 16 and shrunk in the shrinking module 28 are due to the exact separation of flat packaging blanks 41 by the cutting and / or separating device at a predetermined position. As a result, the application device 30 can specifically fix carrying handles to the apertures or in the area of the apertures on the respective film container 24. A renewed detection or inspection of the flat packaging blanks for conformity of the position of the apertures with a predetermined desired position can thereby be dispensed with.

In the method according to the invention for furnishing foil shrinkage packages 24 with carrying handles, it is thus provided that the in the following figures described in more detail on the suitably prepared and provided with apertures flat packaging blank 41 is adhesively attached, so that the fixation by gluing or welding of the handle then passes through the openings to the respective article jacket surfaces summarized in bundles 24 compilations of articles16. The film wrapping module 18 previously provided for the wrapping of the compilations of articles 16 with the suitably cut-to-size packaging blanks 41 before the further transport takes place through the shrinking oven or the shrinking module 28 and the subsequent container transport section 34.

In the area of in Fig. 1 only schematically indicated and identified by a rectangular box with broken ruled application device 30, the attachment of the carrying handle can be carried out as follows. This described variant of the method provides that the packs 24 wrapped with flat packaging blanks 41 and already passed through the shrinking module 28 are conveyed in such a way that the longitudinal sides of the packs 24 laterally in the transporting direction 26 are introduced by means of the punching and / or punching device 32 Have breakthroughs. After wrapping the compilations of articles 16 takes place in the shrinking oven or in the shrink module 28, the shrinking of the compilations of Artikell6 enclosing flat packaging blanks 41 under heat, after which the carrying handle can be applied in the areas of the apertures on the article jacket surfaces. During further transport in the container transport section 34, the container 24 can first by means of a suitable handling device by about 90 ° or 270 ° about a vertical axis or at an angle of 90 ° or 270 ° are rotated transversely to the conveying direction 26, so that the carrying handle means the downstream application device 30 can be applied by contacting the openings provided with the apertures, in the conveying direction 26 front and rear side arranged container outside. The rotation described here is optional to understand, so that embodiments are conceivable in which the described rotation for individual containers 24 or all containers 24 is omitted. In this process variant can be used as wrapping, for example, shrink film, adhesive film or a thin and stretchy, well-adhering film web as wrapping or flat packaging blanks 41 for the compilations of articles 16 for the formation of film packs 24. Important or at least to be preferred is in this variant of the application method for the Carrying handles the rotation of the container 24, whereby the respective openings in or against the direction of transport of the container 24 is directed, which would not necessarily be given after wrapping by means of the film wrapping module 18. For this purpose, the container 24 can, for example, be rotated by 90 ° or 270 ° about its vertical axis.

The FIGS. 2A and 2 B show in schematic views further details of an embodiment of the packaging machine 12 designed as packaging system 10. There are two film rolls 38 are formed or included in the provision 20, on each of which an uninterrupted web is wound on thermoplastic packaging material 22, and after their respective unwinding in Change can be activated, so that an uninterrupted conveying process for supplying the film wrapping module 18 (see. Fig. 1 ) is made possible with flat packaging blanks 41. What is generally referred to herein as an uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material is normally formed by a shrink film, as already characterized above by its typical physical properties.

The provision of 20 with its not explained here conveyor means for continuous film transport is the punching and / or punching device 32 downstream. Like the FIGS. 2A and 2 B indicate the punching and / or punching device 32 in the embodiment shown here in the conveying process of the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22 in the transverse direction to the transport and / or feed direction 40 of the uninterruptible web of thermoplastic packaging material 22 movable cutting blade 42, preferably one below the uninterruptible web is associated with thermoplastic packaging material 22 arranged support means 44 which prevents escape of the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22 down when the cutting blade 42 of the here only indicated cutting and / or separating device is moved vertically in the direction of arrow 46 down and dips into the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22 for the production of the breakthroughs. As can not be seen in detail here, the punching and / or punching device 32 may be formed by an arcuate blade 42 or comprise such an arcuate blade 42, approximately at right angles to the transport and / or feed direction 40 of the uninterruptible web thermoplastic packaging material 22 is movable and cut out in the introduction of the apertures foil sections. The punching and / or punching device 32 can in particular, comprising a heating wire, which facilitates cutting the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22.

The punching and / or punching device 32 is also associated with a receiving and / or collecting device 48 for detecting, receiving and / or collecting cut-out foil sections. In the exemplary embodiment shown, this receiving and / or collecting device 48 is formed by a suction device 50 assigned to the punching and / or punching device 32 for detecting and conveying the cut-out film sections. An orifice 52 of a suction hose 54 is in this case arranged in the transport or feed direction 40 of the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22 immediately behind the movable cutting blade 42 of the punching and / or punching device 32, so that all the cut-out film sections are reliably sucked in and removed from the receptacle. and / or collector 48 may be received and separated from the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22.

A variant of the packaging system 10 would also be conceivable, in which the receiving and / or collecting device 48 has, instead of a suction device 50, a blower associated with the punching and / or punching device 32 for detecting and / or removing and / or conveying the cut-out foil sections.

A not shown here advantageous variant of the packaging system 10 and the packaging machine 12 may have a plurality of parallel transport paths or film transport tracks, with several parallel Folieneinschlagmodule 18 and each associated punching and / or punching devices 32 for introducing the breakthroughs in each of the parallel uninterruptible Are to provide webs of thermoplastic packaging material. In this way, a multi-lane processing and packaging carried in several parallel transport tracks transported article or Gebinde streams.

The schematic plan views of FIGS. 3A and 3B show again some of the basis of the FIGS. 2A and 2 B described details of the embodiment variant of the packaging system 10 according to the invention shown there for the production of the container 24 (see. Fig. 1 ) or the packaging machine 12 according to the invention. There it can be seen that the punching and / or punching device 32 of the provision downstream and is arranged approximately in the middle of the film transport, so that the uninterrupted web is provided on thermoplastic packaging material 22 in the center approximately with the openings.

The schematic perspective view of Fig. 3C shows in detail another embodiment of a punching device 33, which is part of a punching and / or punching device 32 for introducing openings in the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22 (see. Fig. 1 ). Like the Fig. 3C indicates, in the punching and / or punching device 32 to a punching device 33 with rotating punching roller 331 with at least one, but optionally two or more arranged thereon punching tools 332, the introduction of the breakthroughs in the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22nd or in sections of this material 22 is used.

Optionally, a plurality of such punching devices 33 may be arranged in parallel to introduce a plurality of parallel rows of holes or rows of apertures into the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22, such as an uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22 for multi-web transport after insertion of the apertures and before or after cutting into required film sections can be divided into several tracks. Like the Fig. 3C However, the rotating punching roller 331 can also be equipped with several punching tools 332, so that later in an uninterrupted path of thermoplastic packaging material 22 a plurality of parallel rows of holes can be introduced whose distance from one another corresponds to the spacing of the punching tools 332 on the punching roller 331.

An electromotive drive 333 for the rotating punching roller 331 is located on a frame 334, on which a counterpressure roller 335 rotating parallel to the punching roller 331 is mounted, which is equipped with its own electromotive drive 336. In the rotary punching roller 331, the holes are made by suitable punching tools 332 located on the cylindrical punching roller 331. The punching tools 332 press against the cylindrical counter-pressure roller 335 during the punching operation, or dip into a die located in the synchronously rotating counter-pressure roller 335. Also, this punching device 33 with the rotating punching roller 332 and the parallel rotating counter-pressure roller 335 is preferably in turn associated with a suction device 50, with which from the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22 (see. Fig. 1 . FIGS. 2A to 3B ) punched out foil pieces (not shown) and can be removed from the field of further film promotion.

One in the Fig. 3C laterally recognizable on the frame 334 and as an optional, but in practice very useful equipment variant of the punching device 33 to be viewed spindle size adjustment 337 allows adjustment of the distances of the punching tools 332 from each other by their positioning along the longitudinal axis of the punching roller 331 by means of a spindle adjustment mechanism. Preferably, in this case also the respective individual punching tools 332 associated with orifices 52 of the suction device 50 mitverstellt in a corresponding manner so that they each spatially associated with the corresponding punching tools 332 on the punching roller 331 and at any time for a reliable removal of these from the film web 22nd punched out foil sections can provide.

The FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show in schematic plan views various embodiments of introduced into the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22 and formed by apertures hole patterns in one-lane film guide ( Fig. 4A ), with two-lane film guide ( Fig. 4B ) and in three-course film guide ( Fig. 4C ). Starting with the schematic plan view of Fig. 4A Subsequently, control variants for the coordinated control of the punching and / or punching device 32 or the punching device 33 and the film transport, so that the distances of the apertures 62 in the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22 and the entire training in the uninterrupted web introduced on thermoplastic packaging material 22 hole pattern 63 corresponds to the requirements of the means of application device 30 to be positioned carrying handles.

Thus, in principle it can be provided that the rotating punching roller 331 with the punching tools 332 of the controllable punching device 33 arranged thereon (cf. Fig. 3C ) with variable controllable relative speed to the conveying speed 23 of the transported uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22 is rotatable. In this way, different distances of the openings 62 can be realized from each other. For this purpose, it may be that the punching tool 332 is not always rotated over the course of time at a constant speed or varies in its rotational speed. Thus, it is conceivable that a Rotational speed of the punching tool 332 varies in a rotating motion to the different distances of the apertures 62 tuned over time. It may be that shortly before the punching process, the punching cylinder must be synchronized with the film speed 23, which takes place by tuning the controllable by the electric motor drive 333 rotational speed 338 of the punching roller 331 on the film speed 23, whereby the peripheral speed 338 of the rotary punching roller 331 largely with the conveying speed 23 of the uninterrupted web to thermoplastic packaging material 22 matches. This synchronous speed can usefully be maintained during the entire punching cut. In particular, it must be ensured that during each punching operation in which the punching tool dives perpendicularly to the film surface, there are no speed differences between the peripheral speed 338 of the rotating punching roller 331 and the conveying or advancing speed 23 of the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22, otherwise none ensure clean punching operations are. This coupling is indicated by the double arrow in Fig. 4A between the conveying speed 23 of the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22 and the rotational speed 338 of the punching roller 331.

Each of the in Fig. 4A shown hole pairs 631 with recesses or openings 62 has a defined distance 632 of the two pairs of holes 631 forming openings 62, which corresponds to the opposite positions of the handle ends on the container 24. Since different container sizes and different sizes and / or heights of the containers 24 combined articles or containers each different positions of the apertures 62 and thus different distances 632 of the openings 62 from each other, can by the above-described vote the rotational speeds 338 of the punching roller 331 and the Delivery speeds 23 of the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22, the desired hole pattern 63 with the desired distances 632 of the individual recesses 62 of each hole pair 631 are produced.

Since the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22 after the introduction of the required hole pattern 63 by means of the cutting and / or separating device 36 (see. Fig. 1 ) is divided into individual film sections or flat packaging blanks 41, the distances 633 of the hole pairs 631 are also variable from each other and to be dimensioned so that these distances 633 is matched to the particular required length of a formed by separation from the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22 individual flat packaging blank 41. These distances 633 of the hole pairs 631 are variable in the manner described. The positioning of such a separating cut 634 is shown in FIG Fig. 4A schematically indicated, wherein approximately centrally between each pair of holes 631 such a separation cut 634 is made by the film separating station 36. As before Fig. 1 already mentioned, it is necessary to place the separating cut 634 at least approximately centrally between each pair of holes 631 so that a dimensioning of a flat packaging blank 41 separated from the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material can be dimensioned for the respective composition of articles 16 (cf. Fig. 1 ) is tuned, on which the respective flat packaging blank 41 is to be applied. Fig. 4A shows again the in Fig. 1 already shown and too Fig. 1 described sensor 35, which is designed as an ultrasonic sensor 37. By means of the sensor 35 or ultrasonic sensor, a respective actual position of the openings 62 can be detected. With the aid of the sensor 35 or ultrasonic sensor 37, it is also possible to detect a pair of holes 631 and to actuate the cutting and / or separating device 36 in such a way that the separating cut 634 can be set exactly in the middle between two successive pairs of holes 631.

Based on Fig. 4B The same relationship is illustrated in a two-lane, uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22 which, after making the hole patterns 63, is divided into two separate sections, indicated by the dividing line 635 parallel to the longitudinal direction of the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22 and approximately centered to the two longitudinal sides of the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22 extends. There, the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22 is divided into two separate sections for forwarding to two parallel packaging lines.

In addition, based on the Fig. 4C illustrates the same relationship in a three-lane uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22, which is divided into three separate sections after the production of the hole pattern 63, which is indicated by the two parallel dividing lines 635 parallel to the longitudinal direction of the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22 and approximately centrally between longitudinally adjacent Lines of uninterrupted web on thermoplastic packaging material 22 extends. There, the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22 is divided into a total of three separate sections for forwarding to three parallel packaging lines. In order to detect the perforation patterns or actual positions of the apertures 63, a sensor 35 or ultrasonic sensor 37 may also be provided in such embodiments. It is conceivable that the sensor 35 or ultrasonic sensor 37 recognizes the respective actual positions of the openings 63 before subdividing the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material along the parting lines 635 into three sections and then following a common cutting and / or cutting section associated with the three sections. or separator 36 (see. Fig. 1 ) or controls several provided for each section cutting and / or separating device 36. A separate sensor 35 or ultrasonic sensor 37 can also be provided for each of the three sections formed from the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material 22, which recognizes the actual positions of the apertures 63 formed as part of a respective section and for the defined separation of flat packaging blanks 41 (see. Fig. 1 ) is in communication with a cutting and / or separating device 36.

The number of rows of holes required in each case depends on the later use (one, two or three-line processing in the packaging machine 12). In any case, the perforation must be generated at an exact distance (transverse to the direction of rotation), as determined by the FIGS. 3C and FIGS. 4A to 4C have been explained in detail.

The schematic side views of FIGS. 5A and 5B show by way of example a variant of a container 24 with carrying handle 56, which may be manufactured with a packaging system 10 according to one of the previously described embodiments.

The container 24 includes in the embodiment shown a total of six PET beverage containers 58, which are grouped in a so-called. Rectangular arrangement and held together with an enveloping disposable outer packaging in the form of a flat packaging blank 41, in particular a PE shrink film. The carrying handle 56 is fixed at defined contact points 60 on outer sides of at least two oppositely arranged beverage containers 58 of the container 24. These contact points 60 coincide according to the present invention at least partially with openings 62 in the outer packaging or the flat packaging blank 41, so that the contact points 60 in the illustrated embodiment through the openings 62nd reach through and touch the edges 64 of the respective opening 62 at least partially, as shown in the enlarged view of Fig. 7 clarified.

The grip end 68 extending at the contact point 60 and extending longitudinally in the vertical direction along a lateral surface 66 of the container 58 not only covers the likewise elongated aperture 62, but also its edge region 64 and part of the film surface 70 surrounding the edge 64 (see. Fig. 7 However, due to the concentrating in the opening 62, an adhesive bond 72 or weld joint 74 having contact point 60 largely the entire power flow takes place directly from the handle 56 through the opening 62 through the outer surface 66 of the contacted container 58. At the same time, the film surface 70 and thus the area surrounding the contact point 60 of the outer packaging or the flat packaging blank 41 is relieved of tensile forces when carrying the container 24, since the relatively small contact surface outside the edge 64 no significant tensile forces 76 in the outer packaging or the flat Can initiate packaging blank 41.

Optionally, the pad 60 may also be configured in a manner such that the adhesive bond 72 or welded joint 74 is limited to the area of the aperture 62, whereas the edge portion 64 and the area outside of this edge 64 have no adhesive, thereby providing the surface Packaging blanks 41 and the outer packaging are completely kept free of tensile forces 76, which are applied via the carrying handle 56.

The schematic perspective view of Fig. 6 shows a further embodiment variant of the container 24 according to the invention with carrying handle 56, which forms an above the top of the container located handle loop 78 for carrying the container 24. The container 24 also includes in this variant a total of six articles in the form of PET beverage containers 58, which are grouped in a so-called. Rectangular arrangement and held together with a wrapping disposable outer packaging in the form of a flat packaging blank 41, in particular a PE shrink film. The carrying handle 56 is fixed at defined contact points 60 in the region of outer sides of at least two oppositely arranged articles or beverage containers 58 of the container 24.

These contact points 60 according to a variant of the invention include the outer packaging or the flat packaging blank 41, so that the Carrying handle ends 68 are applied to the outside of the outer packaging. However, the contact points 60 coincide at least partially with the openings 62 in the outer packaging or the flat packaging blank 41, so that the contact points 60 pass through the openings 62 and the edges 64 of the openings 62 at least partially touch, as shown in the enlarged view of Fig. 7 clarified. Nevertheless, with reference to the Fig. 6 It should be noted that the carrying handle 56 in this variant is first applied to the flat packaging blank 41 or outer packaging, even if the carrying handle ends 68 are adhesively applied to the container lateral surfaces 66 via suitable joining techniques by penetrating the flat packaging blank 41 or outer packaging.

The handle end 68 extending at the contact point 60 and rectangularly extending in the vertical direction along the lateral surface 66 of the container 58 or of the article covers both the elongated or punctured opening 62 and its edge region 64 and a part of the edge 64 However, due to the concentrating in the opening 62, an adhesive bond 72 and / or welded joint 74 having contact point 60 largely the entire force flow directly from the carrying handle 56 through the recess 62 on the lateral surface 66 of the contacted article or container 58th takes place (cf. Fig. 7 ). At the same time, the film surface 70 and thus the contact area 60 surrounding area of the outer packaging or the flat packaging blank 41 of tensile forces 76 when carrying the container 24 relieved, since the relatively small contact surface 60 outside the edge 64 no significant tensile forces 76 in the outer packaging or initiates the flat packaging blank 41.

Optionally, the pad 60 may also be configured in a manner such that the adhesive bond 72 or weld joint 74 is limited to the region of the aperture 62, whereas the edge region 64 and the region outside of this edge 64 have no adhesive or are not welded together the flat packaging blank 41 or the outer packaging are kept completely free of tensile forces 76, which are applied via the carrying handle 56.

In the Fig. 6 shown variant of the container 24 has two superimposed apertures 62 with corresponding contact points 60 for the carrying handle ends 68. The contact pads 60 may be in the in Fig. 7 be shown shown manner. These multiple openings 62 are vertical in a row arranged one above the other. These recesses 62 in each case form the adhesive connections 72 or welded connections 74 to the lateral surfaces 66 of the articles or beverage containers 58, wherein the adhesive connections 72 or welded connections 74 can optionally extend into the carrying handle end 68 resting on the film surface 70 in the region outside the edges 64 or these regions can be kept free of adhesive.

The following is a supplementary note to the above statements: Although in the context of the figures and their foregoing descriptions in general of "schematic" representations and views, this is by no means meant that the figure representations and their description with respect to the disclosure of the invention of minor importance. The person skilled in the art is quite capable of taking enough information from the schematic and abstract drawings to facilitate his understanding of the invention, without being affected by the drawn and possibly not exactly to scale proportions of the packaging system 10 or other drawn elements in FIG any sense in his understanding would be impaired. On the contrary, the figures make it possible for the person skilled in the art, as reader, to derive a better understanding of the concept of the invention formulated more generally and / or more abstractly in the claims and in the general part of the description on the basis of the more specifically explained implementations of the method according to the invention and of the concrete structure of the packaging system 10.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications or changes may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

packaging system

12

packaging machine

14

transport distance

16

Article group, container group

18

Film wrapping module, wrapping module

20

Provision, supply roll

22

uninterrupted web, uninterrupted web on thermoplastic packaging material

23

Film speed, conveying speed, feed rate (of the film web)

24

Containers, foil containers, shrink containers

26

Conveying direction, transport direction

28

Shrinking module, shrinking furnace, shrink tunnel

30

Application device (for attaching the carrying handles)

32

Cutting device, punching device, punching device

33

punching device

331

Punching roller, rotating punching roller

332

Punching tool, oscillating punching tool

333

Drive, electromotive drive (punching roller)

334

Frame (punching device)

335

Backing roll

336

Drive, electromotive drive (counter pressure roller)

337

Spindle format adjustment

338

Rotational speed, peripheral speed (punching roller)

34

Container transport section

35

sensor

36

Film release station

37

ultrasonic sensor

38

Film roll, supply roll

40

Transport direction, feed direction (of the film)

41

flat packaging blank

42

Blade, cutting blade

44

support means

46

Cutting and / or separating device, arrow direction

48

Receiving and / or collecting device

50

suction

52

mouth

54

suction hose

56

handle

58

Container, beverage container, PET beverage container

60

contact point

62

breakthrough

63

Hole pattern (the recesses)

631

Pair of holes, recess pair

632

Distance (the recesses of each hole pair from each other)

633

Distance (the hole pairs from each other)

634

separating cut

635

parting line

64

Edge (of the recess), edge area

66

Lateral surface, container lateral surface, article lateral surface

68

Handle end

70

film surface

72

Adhesive joint, splice

74

Welded joint, weld

76

traction

78

handle loop

Claims (10)

A method of producing containers (24) from article assemblies (16) comprising at least the following steps: Recognizing respective actual positions of reference marks formed by and / or deposited on an uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material (22), and / or; - Separating individual flat packaging blanks (41) from the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material (22) taking into account the detected actual positions of the reference labels, and - Applying the flat, cut from the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material (22) packaging blanks (41) on compilations of articles (16), and Temperature exposure of the flat packaging blanks (41) applied to the respective assemblies of articles (16), as a result of which the flat packaging blanks (41) are shrunk onto the respective assortment of articles (16), wherein the method further provides that the reference markings are formed as apertures (62) in the uninterruptible web of thermoplastic packaging material (22) whose actual positions for separating the individual flat packaging blanks (41) from the uninterrupted web are recognized on thermoplastic packaging material. The method of claim 1, wherein an adhesion and / or adhesive application is applied to one or more articles of a respective composition of articles (16) via at least one opening (62) of a packaging blank (41) shrunk onto a respective assembly of articles, and in which by means of at least one handle end (68) of a carrying handle (56) on the container (24) is fixed in a material-locking manner to the adhesive or adhesive application applied to one or more articles, and / or in which case - At least one handle end (68) of at least one carrying handle (56) comprises an adhesive and / or adhesive application, via which adhesive and / or adhesive application of at least one carrying handle (56) in the region of a respective opening (62) on one or more articles Articles of a given set of articles (16). A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material (22) is unwound from a supply roll (20), the reference indicia being loaded into a portion of the uninterruptible web of thermoplastic packaging material (22) already unwound from the supply roll (20) ) as breakthroughs (62) are introduced. A method according to claim 3, wherein the reference markings are punched into the already unwound from the supply roll (20) batch of uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material (22) as openings (62) and / or introduced by means of a laser cut. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the actual positions of the openings (62) by means of at least one ultrasonic sensor (37) are detected. Packaging system (10) for producing containers (24) from article assemblies (16) comprising at least - A provision (20), via which a web of thermoplastic packaging material (22) can be presented without interruption; a sensor system (35) which can detect actual positions of reference marks of the uninterrupted web on thermoplastic packaging material (22); a cutting and / or separating device (36) which is designed for separating flat packaging blanks (41) from the uninterrupted web on thermoplastic packaging material (22) taking into account the actual positions detected by means of the sensor system (35), - A Folieneinschlagmodul (18) for applying the flat and separated from the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material (22) packaging blanks (41) on assemblies of articles (16), and - A shrink tunnel (28) for shrinking the applied flat packaging blanks (41) on the compilations of articles (16), wherein the sensor system is oriented to detecting the actual positions of reference marks of the uninterruptible web on thermoplastic packaging material (22), which reference markings are formed as apertures (62) in the uninterrupted web of thermoplastic packaging material (22). Packaging system according to claim 6, comprising an application device (30) which can apply via at least one formed as a reference mark breakthrough (62) on one or more articles of a particular compilation of articles (16) an adhesive and / or adhesive application, and which firmly adhering at least one carrying handle end (68) of a carrying handle (56) to the container via the at least one formed as a reference mark breakthrough (62) on an article or more articles of a particular compilation of articles (16) applied adhesive and / or adhesive application is formed , Packaging system according to claim 6 or claim 7, comprising a punching and / or punching device (32) which can introduce the reference markings formed as apertures (62) into a portion of the web of thermoplastic packaging material (22) uninterrupted from the supply (20) , Packaging system according to claim 8, in which the punching and / or hole-forming device (32) for introducing the reference markings formed as apertures (62) comprises at least one punching tool and / or at least one laser cutting system or a laser cutting device. Packaging system according to one of claims 6 to 9, in which the sensor system (35) comprises at least one ultrasonic sensor (37).

Images