Device and method for packaging articles

Abstract

A device and a method for packaging articles ( 14 ) are proposed, wherein the device comprises the following: at least one insertion device ( 30 ) which transfers articles ( 14 ) to be packaged into a folded box ( 28 ), at least one transport means ( 16 ) which transports a plurality of articles ( 14 ) to be packaged in the form of a stack in at least one packaging material bowl ( 12 ) into the gripping region of the insertion device ( 30 ), wherein an aligning unit ( 20 ) is provided which, in order to stabilize the stack, acts on the articles ( 14 ) which lies in the packaging material bowl ( 12 ), before said articles ( 14 ) pass into the gripping region of the insertion device ( 30 ).

1 . A device for packaging articles ( 14 ), comprising at least one insertion device ( 30 ) which transfers the articles ( 14 ) to be packaged into a folded box ( 28 ), at least one transport means ( 16 ) which transports a plurality of articles ( 14 ) to be packaged in the form of a stack in at least one packaging material bowl ( 12 ) into a gripping region of the insertion device ( 30 ), and at least one aligning unit ( 20 ) which, in order to stabilize the stack, acts on the articles ( 14 ) which lie in the packaging material bowl ( 12 ), before said articles pass into the gripping region of the insertion device ( 30 ). 
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that in order to stabilize the stack, the aligning unit ( 20 ) aligns ends of the articles ( 14 ) lying in a packaging material chain such that the stack is inclined relative to the vertical. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the aligning unit ( 20 ) presses the articles ( 14 ) against a lateral guide ( 10 ), which is inclined relative to the vertical. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the aligning unit has a pivoting mechanism ( 44 ) which moves a lateral plate ( 24 ) perpendicularly to a direction of transportation ( 17 ) of the transport means ( 16 ). 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that means ( 40 ) are provided to obliquely position the folded box ( 28 ) at a certain angle of inclination ( 42 ) relative to horizontal in an insertion position in which the insertion device ( 30 ) transfers the articles ( 14 ) into the folded box ( 28 ). 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the insertion device ( 30 ) has an insertion surface ( 33 ) which acts on the articles ( 14 ) in order to insert the articles in the folded box, said insertion surface ( 33 ) being inclined relative to vertical in such a manner that contact initially occurs with an article ( 14 ) which lies on top of the stack during the insertion process. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that a flap folder ( 36 ) is provided which closes at least one flap ( 29 ) prior to the articles ( 14 ) being inserted into the folded box ( 28 ); and therefore the articles ( 14 ) to be inserted can be pressed against said flap ( 29 ). 
     
     
         8 . A method for packaging articles ( 12 ), wherein an insertion device ( 30 ) is provided which transfers the articles ( 14 ) into a folded box ( 28 ), wherein a transport means ( 16 ) transports a plurality of articles ( 14 ) to be packaged in the form of a stack in at least one packaging material bowl ( 12 ) into a gripping region of the insertion device ( 30 ), characterized by the following steps:
 aligning the articles ( 14 ) which lie in the packaging material bowl ( 12 ) in order to stabilize the stack,   transporting the aligned articles ( 14 ) into the gripping region of the insertion device ( 30 ), and   inserting the aligned articles ( 14 ) into the folded box ( 28 ).   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , characterized in that a side flap ( 29 ) of the folded box ( 28 ) is closed prior to inserting the articles ( 14 ). 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8 , characterized in that prior to inserting the articles ( 14 ), the folded box ( 28 ) is provided so as to be inclined relative to the horizontal at an angle of inclination ( 42 ) which is different from zero.