Device and method for forming packaging units

Abstract

An apparatus for shrinking films to form a product bundle includes a shrink tunnel, and a conveyor that conveys product bundles through the shrink tunnel. The conveyor includes a linear transporter having a forward run and a return run along which said individually controllable displacement elements circulate.

Having described the invention, and a preferred embodiment thereof, what we claim as new, and secured by Letters Patent is: 
     
         1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for shrinking films to form a product bundle, said apparatus comprising a shrink tunnel, a conveyor, and individually controllable displacement elements, wherein said conveyor conveys upright bundles from an entry of said shrink tunnel to an exit of said shrink tunnel, wherein said conveyor comprises a linear transporter having a forward run and a return run along which said individually controllable displacement elements circulate, and wherein each of said displacement elements comprises a carrier. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said carrier has a size that is adapted to a support surface of said product bundle. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said carrier comprises an adjustment element for adjusting a size of said carrier to adapt to a support surface of said product bundle. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said carrier comprises adjustment elements that are telescopically configurable. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein each of said displacement elements comprises a gripper that is movable for gripping a carrier. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said displacement elements are configured to transition between first and second states, wherein in said first state, at least two carriers combine to form a transport group that is adapted to support a support surface of a bundle, and wherein in said second state, said at least two carriers are separated so as to no longer form said transport group. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising support elements that support said carriers along said forward run. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said linear transporter comprises an electromagnetic direct drive. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said linear transporter comprises skids on which said displacement elements circulate. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said conveyor comprises a waiting station for said displacement elements. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein at least two of said carriers are configured to transition between a first state and a second state, wherein in said first state, said carriers overlap, and wherein in said second state, said carriers are separated. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising shielding elements that travel with said displacement elements along at least certain regions. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a packaging machine upstream of said shrink tunnel, wherein said packaging machine supplies product bundles to said shrink tunnel. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said carrier comprises a tray. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said carrier comprises a panel. 
     
     
         31 . A method for producing product bundles, said method comprising providing a product bundle on a conveyor comprising a linear transporter, supporting an upright bundle with individually controllable displacement elements that circulate on said conveyor, each of which has a carrier that participates in support of said bundle, and conveying said bundle through a shrink tunnel. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising controlling said displacement elements so as to combine at least two carriers that together support said bundle during conveyance thereof through said shrink tunnel. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising causing said displacement elements to continuously move said bundle through said shrink tunnel. 
     
     
         34 . The method of any one of  claims 31 , further comprising causing said displacement elements to move at a first speed on a forward run of said conveyor and to move at a second speed on a return run of said conveyor, wherein said second speed is greater than said first speed. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising causing a first number of said displacement elements to be on a forward run of said conveyor and causing a second number of said displacement elements to be on a return run of said conveyor, wherein said first number is greater than said second number.