Apparatus and method for producing shrink-wrapped bundles

Abstract

The invention includes an apparatus and a method for producing shrink-wrapped bundles ( 38 ) from groups ( 10 ) of assembled articles or containers ( 12 ). Assigned to a transport route ( 14 ) is a film application device ( 16 ) for wrapping the respective article groups or container groups ( 10 ) into a length of film ( 20 ) in the direction of transport ( 18 ) under formation of an overlapping section ( 22 ) as well as under formation of folding flaps ( 24 ) respectively projecting beyond the article groups or container groups ( 10 ) on the sides of the transverse edges. Mechanical folding members ( 26 ) serve for placing on top of each other the folding flaps ( 24 ) projecting on both transverse sides against the adjacent outer surfaces of the articles or containers, wherein an opening ( 32 ) is formed, in particular, between trailing edges ( 30 ) of the folding flaps ( 24 ), which trailing edges ( 30 ) face toward each other. In a heating section ( 34 ), the folded folding flaps are held in their respective position, and the film wrapping ( 20 ) is impinged with hot air for the purpose of forming shrink bundles ( 38 ). The mechanical folding members ( 26 ) for fixing the folded folding flaps ( 24 ) and/or for holding the folding flaps ( 24 ) in their folded position extend into the heating section ( 34 ) at least over a partial section ( 42 ) of a defined length ( 44 a, 44 b ).

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for producing shrink-wrapped bundles ( 38 ), which are formed from groups ( 10 ) of assembled articles or containers ( 12 ), the method comprising:
 on a transport route ( 14 ) and in the direction of transport ( 18 ), wrapping article groups or container groups ( 10 ) into a length of film ( 20 ) under formation of an overlapping section ( 22 ) as well as under formation of folding flaps ( 24 ) respectively projecting beyond the article groups or container groups ( 10 ) on the sides of the transverse edges;   at least partially placing, by means of mechanical folding members ( 26 ), the folding flaps ( 24 ) projecting on both transverse sides on top of each other under formation of an opening ( 32 ) between trailing edges ( 30 ) of the folding flaps ( 24 ), which trailing edges ( 30 ) face toward each other, or under overlapping each other and/or they are placed against the adjacent outer surfaces of the articles or containers;   passing, together with the film wrapping ( 20 ) and under formation of shrink bundles ( 38 ), the article groups or container groups ( 10 ) through a heating section ( 34 ) within which the article groups or container groups ( 10 ), which are wrapped in film ( 20 ), are impinged with hot air;   wherein at least a part of the folded folding flaps ( 24 ) are fixed and/or held in their folded position over a defined length ( 44   a ,  44   b ) within the heating section ( 34 ) by means of the mechanical folding members ( 26 ).   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , in which the folding flaps ( 24 ) are respectively folded over and/or held in their folded position by guide bars ( 28 ), which are arranged at least on one longitudinal side of the transport route ( 14 ). 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , in which at least the rear folding flaps ( 24   b ), as viewed in the direction of transport ( 18 ), are folded over about approximately vertical bending edges by means of movable wrapping members ( 68 ). 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 3 , in which at least the rear folding flaps ( 24   b ), as viewed in the direction of transport ( 18 ), are respectively folded over by means of pivoting levers ( 78 ), which are each arranged on at least one side of the transport route ( 14 ) to be pivotably movable about an approximately horizontal pivoting axis ( 72 ). 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , in which the folded folding flaps ( 24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c ,  24   d ) at the transverse sides of the article groups or container groups ( 10 ), which have been wrapped in film ( 20 ), are held in their respective positions over a defined length ( 44   a ,  44   b ) extending into the heating section ( 34 ). 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , in which at least individual folding flaps ( 24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c ,  24   d ) are fastened, glued, or welded onto one side or onto both transverse sides of the film-wrapped bundles ( 38 ). 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 5 , in which the respective top folding flaps ( 24   d ) of the article groups or container groups ( 10 ) are held in their unwrapped or unfolded position, respectively, at least until folding or wrapping, respectively, the remaining folding flaps ( 24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c ) of each side, and they are only subsequently placed laterally against the article group or container group ( 10 ). 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , in which air exits through openings from the guide bars ( 28 ), which extend on at least one longitudinal side of the transport route ( 14 ) and into the heating section ( 34 ). 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for producing shrink-wrapped bundles ( 38 ) from groups ( 10 ) of assembled articles or containers ( 12 ), comprising:
 a transport route ( 14 ) to which is assigned a film application device ( 16 ) to wrap the respective article groups or container groups ( 10 ) into a length of film ( 20 ) in the direction of transport ( 18 ) under formation of an overlapping section ( 22 ) as well as under formation of folding flaps ( 24 ) respectively projecting beyond the article groups or container groups ( 10 ) on the sides of the transverse edges; and   a plurality of mechanical folding members ( 26 ) for at least partially placing on top of each other the folding flaps ( 24 ) projecting on both transverse sides against the adjacent outer surfaces of the articles or containers, wherein an opening ( 32 ) is formed between trailing edges ( 30 ) of the folding flaps ( 24 ), which trailing edges ( 30 ) face toward each other,   wherein the transport route ( 14 ) comprises a heating section ( 34 ) downstream of the film application device ( 16 ), as viewed in the direction of transport ( 18 ), for impinging the article groups or container groups ( 10 ) together with the film wrapping ( 20 ) with hot air for the purpose of forming shrink bundles ( 38 ); and   wherein the plurality of mechanical folding members ( 26 ) extend into the heating section ( 34 ) for the purpose of fixing the folded folding flaps ( 24 ) and/or of holding the folding flaps ( 24 ) in their folded position at least over a partial section ( 42 ) of a defined length ( 44   a ,  44   b ).   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , in which the folding members ( 26 ) comprise guide bars ( 28 ) on at least one longitudinal side of the transport route ( 14 ) or are formed by such guide bars ( 28 ). 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 10 , in which the guide bars ( 28 ), which are arranged on at least one longitudinal side of the transport route ( 14 ), are height-adjustable and/or adjustable in their horizontal position in relation to the transport route ( 14 ). 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , in which the folding members ( 26 ) comprise movable wrapping members ( 68 ) or are formed by such movable wrapping members ( 68 ). 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , in which the movable wrapping members ( 68 ) comprise at least one pivoting lever or folding finger ( 78 ), which is arranged on at least one side of the transport route ( 14 ) to be pivotable about an approximately horizontal pivoting axis ( 72 ). 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 13 , in which a pivoting radius of the wrapping members ( 68 ) reaches approximately from a vertical position to an approximately horizontal position aligned approximately in parallel to the conveying direction ( 18 ). 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , in which the wrapping members ( 68 ) respectively carry out rotating movements. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , in which the movable wrapping members ( 68 ) are formed to be adjustable in their vertical and/or horizontal position in relation to the transport route ( 14 ). 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 10 , in which the guide bars ( 28 ) extend into the heating section ( 34 ) by a defined length ( 44   a ,  44   b ). 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 10 , in which the movable wrapping members ( 68 ) and/or the guide bars ( 28 ), which extend into the heating section ( 34 ), are respectively formed to be heat-resistant and/or are provided with a heat-resistant coating. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 10 , in which the guide bars ( 28 ) are provided with air exit openings, at least in the sections extending into the heating section ( 34 ), for the purpose of letting out cooling air. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , in which additional application devices for fastening, gluing, and/or welding at least individual folds or folding flaps ( 24 ) onto one side or onto both transverse sides of the film-wrapped bundles ( 38 ) are assigned to the mechanical folding members ( 26 ) or arranged downstream of them, as viewed in the direction of transport ( 18 ). 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , in which up to four or more conveyor lines ( 14 ), each with folding members ( 26 ) of the same type, are provided, which conveyor lines ( 14 ) are arranged adjacent to each other.