Method and device for making packs

Abstract

A method for making packs of in each case at least two coupled articles which are held together by a strap wherein said strap is stretched in a horizontally manner about the outer surfaces of the articles. Said strap is laid about the articles during a continuous conveying process and fixed afterwards. A device for handling, conveying, packing and/or palletizing articles, wherein said device includes at least a horizontal conveying means for continuously conveying articles, a device for making packs of in each case at least two grouped and coupled articles as well as a subsequent grouping device for arranging the packs opposite to other packs and for the subsequent making of pallet layers and/or for the preparation of a palletizing afterwards.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for making packs, each pack having at least two coupled articles, the method comprising:
 laying a strapping means around the articles during a continuous conveying process, the strapping means being arranged horizontally and stretched onto outer surfaces of the articles; and then   fixing the strapping means so that the articles are held together by the strapping means.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the strapping means is applied during the continuous conveying of the articles in a continuous process around said articles. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the strapping means includes a strap stretched around the outer surfaces of the articles and afterwards fixed on each end in a pre-stressed state. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the strapping means includes a plurality of straps stretched around the outer surfaces of the articles and afterwards fixed on each end in a pre-stressed state. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 3  wherein the strap is made of rope material, wire, polymer, metal, paper or a composite material fixed on its ends by gluing, welding, cramping, knotting or other. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the strapping means is lowered from above over the articles, wherein said articles are positioned on a horizontal conveyor and are moved in a horizontal direction, and the strapping means is applied by a strapping unit wherein said strapping means moves synchronically with a feed rate of the strapping unit and the horizontal conveyor. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 6  wherein the strapping unit is provided with a gantry robot, or buckling-arm robot with a strapping head, which moves during the application of the strapping means in a vertical direction over the articles and simultaneously moves in a horizontal conveying direction of the articles with said articles. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 6  wherein the strapping unit shifts or rotates the articles that form the packs, after the application of the strapping means onto the surface area of the horizontal conveyor for arranging the articles opposite to other packs and for the subsequent making of pallet layers and/or for preparing a palletizing afterwards. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising applying and fixing a carrier handle during or after the application of the strapping means onto the outer surface of the pack and/or onto the strapping means. 
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the strapping means is a strap or string. 
     
     
         11 . A device for handling, conveying, packing and/or palletizing articles, comprising:
 at least one horizontal conveyor for continuously conveying articles;   a device for making packs of in each case at least two grouped and coupled articles; and   a subsequent grouping device for arranging the packs opposite to other packs and for the subsequent making of pallet layers and/or for the preparation of a palletizing afterwards;   the device for making packs including a strapping unit for the application of a strapping means wherein said strapping means is spun in a horizontally manner around the outer surfaces of the articles to be coupled together, the strapping unit being assigned to the horizontal conveyor and/or to the subsequent grouping device, or integral with the horizontal conveyor and/or of the grouping device.   
     
     
         12 . The device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the strapping unit includes a gantry robot, or buckling-arm robot with strapping head, movable during application of the strapping means in a vertical direction over the articles and simultaneously movable in a horizontal conveying direction of the articles with said articles.