Packaging machine for packs of beverage containers, a guide system for packaging packs and a method for packaging packs

Abstract

A packaging machine for packs of containers including a horizontal conveying means for the containers grouped as packs, a means for supplying flat paperboard sheets at the bottom side of the containers, wherein the containers are transported in a standing manner on the paperboard sheet, a means for folding upward front and back, in the transport direction, edge portions of the paperboard sheet, each of which extends beyond the footprint of the pack, at least two opposing lateral guide elements for folding upward lateral edges of the paperboard sheet extending laterally beyond the footprint of the grouped containers, wherein at least portions of the guide elements exert a defined pressing force on the upward-folded edges of the paperboard sheet and the side faces of the pack, and an adhesive is provided with edge portions of the lateral edges overlapping with front and/or back edges of the paperboard sheet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A packaging machine for packs of containers, such as bottles and/or beverage containers, comprising:
 a horizontal conveying means for the containers grouped as packs and/or wrapped with a foil or the like;   a means for supplying flat paperboard sheets at the bottom side of the containers and/or packs, wherein the containers and/or packs are transported in a standing manner on the paperboard sheet;   a means for folding upward front and back, in the transport direction, edge portions of the paperboard sheet, each of which extends beyond the footprint of the pack; and,   at least two opposing lateral guide elements for folding upward lateral edges of the paperboard sheet extending laterally beyond the footprint of the grouped containers or the pack, wherein at least portions of the guide elements exert a defined pressing force on the upward-folded edges of the paperboard sheet and the side faces of the pack;   wherein each guide element is fastened on one side of a stationary rail;   wherein the guide elements are each formed of a plurality of stationary spring elements arranged one next to the other; and.   wherein each stationary spring element of each one of the pluralities of stationary spring elements is pushed towards the support rail by the pack that touches it and is slidingly transported past it.   
     
     
         2 . The packaging machine recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least portions of the guide elements are designed to be elastic. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging machine recited in  claim 1 , wherein a lateral spacing of the opposing guide elements in an unloaded state is smaller than the width of a pack passing between the lateral guide elements. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging machine recited in  claim 1 , wherein the flat spring elements are made of plastic. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging machine recited in  claim 1 , wherein the spring elements have an elastic resilience in the horizontal direction. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging machine recited in  claim 1 , wherein a free end of each spring element extends away from the support rail at an oblique angle in the transport direction of the horizontal conveying means and is pushed towards the support rail by the pack that touches it and is slidingly transported past it. 
     
     
         7 . The packaging machine recited in  claim 1 , wherein the spring elements are each elastically attached to the support rails. 
     
     
         8 . The packaging machine recited in  claim 1 , wherein the spring elements are each designed to be thermally conductive. 
     
     
         9 . The packaging machine recited in  claim 1 , wherein a wedge-shaped deflector is arranged upstream of each guide element in the transport direction for raising the paperboard edges extending laterally beyond the pack and for positioning the edges against the side faces of the pack. 
     
     
         10 . A guide system for packaging packs of bottles and/or beverage containers, which are standing on a flat paperboard sheet, comprising:
 at least two opposing guide elements which are arranged lateral to horizontal conveying means, wherein the containers grouped as packs and/or wrapped with a foil or the like pass between the at least two lateral, guide elements; and,   at least portions of the guide elements exert a defined elastic pressing force on upward-folded edges of the paperboard sheet and side faces of the pack, wherein the guide elements being designed for folding upward the lateral edges of the paperboard sheet extending beyond the footprint of the pack, and for pressing the edges against the sides of the respective pack and/or for gluing the edges of the paperboard sheet, which are provided with an adhesive:   wherein each guide element is fastened on one side of a stationary rail;   wherein the guide elements are each formed of a plurality of stationary spring elements arranged one next to the other; and,   wherein each stationary spring element of each one of the pluralities of stationary spring elements is pushed towards the support rail by the pack that touches it and is slidingly transported past it.   
     
     
         11 . The guide system recited in  claim 10 , wherein a lateral spacing of the opposing guide elements in an unloaded state is smaller than the width of a pack passing between the lateral guide elements. 
     
     
         12 . The guide system recited in  claim 10 , wherein the flat spring elements are made of plastic. 
     
     
         13 . The guide system recited in  claim 10 , wherein the flat spring elements are made of spring-elastic metal. 
     
     
         14 . The guide system recited in  claim 10 , wherein a free end of each spring element extends away from the support rail at an oblique angle in the transport direction of the horizontal conveying means and is pushed towards the support rail by the pack that touches it and is slidingly transported past it. 
     
     
         15 . The guide system recited in  claim 10 , wherein the spring elements are each elastically attached to the support rails and are thermally conductive. 
     
     
         16 . The guide system recited in  claim 10 , wherein a wedge-shaped deflector is arranged upstream of each guide element in the transport direction for raising the paperboard edges extending laterally beyond the pack and for positioning the edges against the side faces of the pack. 
     
     
         17 . A guide element for a packaging machine, said guide element comprising:
 a stationary rail; and,   a plurality of stationary spring elements attached to the stationary rail;   wherein each one of the plurality of spring elements includes a free end extending from the stationary rail in the same horizontal direction.   
     
     
         18 . The guide element for a packaging machine as recited in  claim 17  wherein each one of the plurality of spring elements is made of plastic. 
     
     
         19 . The guide element for a packaging machine as recited in  claim 17  further comprising a wedge-shaped deflector is arranged upstream of the guide element in a transport direction for raising paperboard edges extending laterally beyond a pack and for positioning the paperboard edges against side faces of the pack. 
     
     
         20 . The guide element as recited in  claim 19 , wherein said guide element is a pair of guide elements.