Device and method for grouping and combining articles into multiple packages with different package sizes

Abstract

A device (1) for grouping and combining articles (5) into packages with different package sizes is disclosed. The device comprises a dividing unit (3), by which groups (6a, 6b, 6c) can be formed from moving articles (5). Further, it consists of a cutting station (18) for cutting to length flat thermoplastic packaging material (20) from a supply roll, a workstation (40) for applying the cut-to-length flat thermoplastic packaging material (20) onto the groups (6a, 6b, 6c) of articles, and a shrinking tunnel (50), in order to produce the packages. The dividing unit (3) and the cutting station (18) are operatively connected to one another by a control unit (S), which has information relating to a layer to be produced from the packages.

1 . A device ( 1 ) for grouping and combining articles ( 5 ) into multiple packages with different package sizes, comprising
 a dividing unit ( 3 ), by which groups of articles ( 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c ) can be formed from moving articles ( 5 ),   a cutting station ( 18 ) for cutting to length flat thermoplastic packaging material ( 20 ) from a supply roll ( 30 ) of packaging material ( 20 ),   a workstation ( 40 ) for applying the cut-to-length flat thermoplastic packaging material ( 20 ) onto the groups of articles ( 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c ) of articles ( 5 ), and   a shrinking tunnel ( 50 ), to which the groups of articles ( 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c ) can be fed together with their respective applied and cut-to-length thermoplastic packaging material ( 20 ) in order to produce the packages, and   an open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit (S) operatively connects the dividing unit ( 3 ) and the cutting station ( 18 ) to one another, which has information relating to a layer to be produced from the packages, wherein:   a) the dividing unit ( 3 ) can be controlled via the open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit (S) taking into account the information for forming the groups of articles ( 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c ) with different sizes in a specific sequence and   b) wherein the cutting station ( 18 ) can be controlled via the open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit (S) in order to cut to length the flat thermoplastic packaging material ( 20 ) in the specific sequence with dimensions matching the size of the respective group of articles ( 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c ).   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  comprising at least one optical detection unit connected to the open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit (S), by which a position of an imprint applied to the thermoplastic packaging material ( 20 ) is visible, wherein the cutting station ( 18 ) can be controlled via the open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit (S) for the defined cutting to length of the flat thermoplastic packaging material ( 20 ) taking into account the position of the imprint detected via the at least one optical detection means. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the volumes of the articles ( 5 ) intended for the respective layer is provided to the open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit (S) wherein the open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit (S). 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the cutting station ( 18 ) comprises at least one mechanical and/or optical separating instrument for cutting to length the flat thermoplastic packaging material ( 20 ). 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4  comprising at least one holding mandrel on which the supply roll ( 30 ) of packaging material ( 20 ) can be arranged, wherein a rotation frequency of the holding mandrel is independently adjustable via the open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit (S). 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  comprising a storage unit ( 22 ) for the packaging material ( 20 ) is located between the the holding mandrel and the cutting station ( 18 ). 
     
     
         7 . A method for grouping and combining articles ( 5 ) into packages of different package sizes, the method comprising:
 forming individual groups ( 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c ) from several articles ( 5 ) moving one behind the other,   applying flat thermoplastic packaging material ( 20 ) to the groups ( 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c ),   applying heat energy to the flat thermoplastic packaging material ( 20 ) from which packages are formed by shrinking flat thermoplastic packaging material ( 20 ) onto the groups ( 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c ), characterized in that,   wherein the individual groups are formed so as to create a layer to be created from the packages,   a) by forming groups ( 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c ) of different sizes and in a specific sequence, and   b) by producing blanks of flat thermoplastic packaging material ( 20 ) with dimensions adapted to the size of a particular group ( 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c ) in accordance with the specific sequence and are provided for application to the particular group ( 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c ).   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising forming a plurality of groups ( 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c ), each with a different numbers of articles ( 5 ). 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising detecting a position of an imprint applied to the flat thermoplastic packaging material ( 20 ) producing the blanks. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the producing step comprises forming the blanks by separating a supply of material by an optical and/or mechanical cutting instrument. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising, when the flat thermoplastic packaging material ( 20 ) is unwound from the supply roll ( 30 ) and is still connected to the supply roll ( 30 ), storing such flat thermoplastic material ( 20 ) in a storage unit ( 22 ).