System for providing a product package with a carrying handle

Abstract

This invention relates to a system for the automated attachment of a carrying handle on product packages. The system incorporates devices for advancing the products, means for the forward-feeding of a foil-strip designed to serve as a carrying handle, as well as at least one rotating element, whereby the foil strip is guided over the rotating element in such fashion that a rotation of the rotating element causes each one end of the foil strip to be attached to opposite sides of the product package. According to the invention, the system employs at least one rotating element featuring at least three arms. Thus, in advantageous fashion, the throughput rate is augmented, and the length of the carrying handle is determined by the cove formed between each two arms of the rotating element.

1 . A system for an automated attachment of carrying handles on product packages, the system comprising: 
 devices for advancing products;    means for dispensing a foil strip that is to serve as a carrying handle; and    a first rotating element, the first rotating element includes at least three arms,    wherein the foil strip is guided over the first rotating element in such fashion that a rotation of the first rotating element causes each one end of the foil strip to be attached to opposite sides of the product.    
     
     
         2 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the arms of the first rotating element are spaced apart by a uniform angular distance.  
     
     
         3 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising means for conforming the foil strip to an angular geometry between the arms of the first rotating element.  
     
     
         4 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a counter element that adapts the foil strip to the angular geometry between the arms of the first rotating element.  
     
     
         5 . The system as in  claim 4 , wherein the counter element is a second rotating element having a same number of arms as the first rotating element.  
     
     
         6 . The system as in  claim 5 , wherein the second rotating element and the first rotating element rotate synchronously in opposite directions.  
     
     
         7 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one cuffing device for cutting the foil strip.  
     
     
         8 . The system as in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one cutting device is mounted in a fixed position, wherein the first rotating element and the cutting device are positioned in relation to each other so that when the foil strip is guided over the first rotating element, the foil strip is severed when the rotation of the first rotating element moves past the cutting device.  
     
     
         9 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a guide element that serves to guide the foil strip, wherein the foil strip is carried on the first rotating element at a tip of the arms.  
     
     
         10 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein a length of the arms of the first rotating element is adjustable.  
     
     
         11 . The system as in  claim 10 , wherein the arms are extensible in a telescoping fashion.  
     
     
         12 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the arms are mounted on a rotor whose circumference is expandable.  
     
     
         13 . The system as in  claim 12 , wherein the arms are mounted on the rotor in removable fashion.