Method, application device, and packaging device for producing strapped packages

Abstract

The invention relates a method using an application head for grouping articles that are held together by a strapping band. The method includes: providing the at least two grouped articles; inserting a prefabricated closed strapping band into the application head, wherein the strapping band is fixed in a defined position. The application head has a variable opening width of a cage which surrounds the grouped articles. It is then lowered over the articles by a feed movement which runs approximately parallel to longitudinal central axes of the articles, wherein the cage contacts the grouped articles and slightly compresses the grouped articles. The strapping band is then positioned by lowering the application head. The opening width of the cage is then increased while the strapping band is simultaneously released. Then the application head is raised over the strapped article grouping and is removed therefrom.

1 . A method for producing strapped packages  (13) , each of which is made of at least two grouped articles  (10)  that are held together by at least one strapping band  (15) ,comprising: 
 a. inserting at least one prefabricated closed strapping band  (15)  into an application head, wherein the at least one strapping band  (15)  is fixed in a defined position, and the application head  (1)  has a variable opening width (W), that can surround at least two grouped articles  (10) , 
 b. feeding the application head (1), equipped with the at least one strapping band, to the grouped articles by a feed movement which runs approximately parallel to longitudinal central axes (L) of the grouped articles (10), or feeding the grouped articles (10) to the application head (1) by a feed movement which runs approximately parallel to longitudinal central axes (L) of the grouped articles (10), wherein the application head (1) contacts the grouped articles on the outer surfaces thereof and at least slightly compresses the grouped articles, thus positioning the strapping band (15) on the grouped articles (10), 
 c. increasing the variable opening width (W) of the application head (1) and releasing and removing the at least one strapping band (15) from its fixed position within the application head (1), 
 d. removing the application head (1) from the strapped article grouping (12). 
 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein increasing the variable width opening (W) of the application head (1) comprises moving one or more contour pieces (2) of the application head (1). 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the moving step comprises moving the one or more contour pieces (2) radially from a center point of the application head (1). 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the moving step comprises moving contour pieces (2), arranged opposite one another in the application head (1), in opposing directions. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising increasing the variable width (W) opening of the application head (1) by opening movements of individual components of the application head (1) directed perpendicularly away from the outer surface of the grouped articles (10). 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising arranging the at least one strapping band (15) in an undercut (21) of the application head (1) when inserted into the application head (1). 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising producing the closed strapping band (15) from a strapping material (16) provided in strip form and that is arranged and temporarily fixed immediately thereafter in the application head (1). 
     
     
         8 . An application device (40) for producing strapped packages (13), each of which is made of at least two grouped articles (10) that are held together by at least one strapping band (15), comprising:  
       a. an application head (1) having a variable opening width (W) and a region for inserting at least one prefabricated closed strapping band (15), wherein the application head (1) can surround the grouped articles (10), 
       b. wherein the application head (1), together with the at least one strapping band (15) fixed therein, can be fed over the grouped articles (10) located in a movement or handling area of the application head (1) by a feed movement which runs approximately parallel to longitudinal central axes (L) of the grouped articles (10), or wherein the grouped articles (10) can be fed to the application head (1) by a feed movement which runs approximately parallel to longitudinal central axes (L) of the grouped articles (10), wherein the application head (1)contacts the grouped articles (10) on the outer surfaces thereof and at least slightly compresses the grouped articles so as to position the strapping band (15) on the grouped articles, and 
       c. wherein the variable opening width (W) of application head (1) can be increased to release and remove the at least one strapping band (15) from its fixed position within the application head (1). 
     
     
         9 . The application device (40) of  claim 8 , wherein the application head (1) comprises a plurality of contour pieces (2) capable of moving to increase the variable width opening (W) of the application head (1). 
     
     
         10 . The application device (4) of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of contour pieces (2) are capable of moving radially from a center point of the application head (1). 
     
     
         11 . The application device (4) of  claim 9 , wherein contour pieces (2), arranged opposite one another in the application head (1), are capable of moving in opposing directions. 
     
     
         12 . The application device (40) of  claim 9 , wherein the application head (1) comprises fixing apparatuses (3, 5) for the strapping band (15). 
     
     
         13 . The application device (40) of  claim 8 , wherein the fixing apparatuses (3, 5) comprise vacuum grippers or adhesion grippers.  
     
     
         14 . The application device (40) of  claim 8 , wherein the application head (1) has a contoured guide (51) on its inner circumference, which is formed at the corner radii, or wherein the inner contour of the application head (1) is beveled in the feed direction onto the grouped articles group (10). 
     
     
         15 . The application device (40) of  claim 14 , wherein the application head (1) comprises at least one undercut (21) in which the strapping band (15) is arranged after insertion into the application head (1). 
     
     
         16 . The application device (40) of  claim 8 , wherein the variable opening width (W) of application head (1) can be increased by opening movements of individual components of the application head (1) directed perpendicularly away from the lateral surface of the grouped articles (10). 
     
     
         17 . A packaging device for producing strapped packages (13), each of which is made of at least two grouped articles (10) that are held together by at least one strapping band (15), wherein the packaging device comprises an application device (40) having: 
 a. an application head (1) having a variable opening width (W) and a region for inserting at least one prefabricated closed strapping band (15), wherein the application head (1) can surround the grouped articles (10),   b. wherein the application head (1), together with the at least one strapping band (15) fixed therein, can be fed over the grouped articles (10) located in a movement or handling area of the application head (1) by a feed movement which runs approximately parallel to longitudinal central axes (L) of the grouped articles (10), or wherein the grouped articles (10) can be fed to the application head (1) by a feed movement which runs approximately parallel to longitudinal central axes (L) of the grouped articles (10), wherein the application head (1) contacts the grouped articles (10) on the outer surfaces thereof and at least slightly compresses the grouped articles so as to position the strapping band (15) on the grouped articles, and   c. wherein the variable opening width (W) of the application head (1) can be increased to release and remove the at least one strapping band (15) from its fixed position within the application head (1).   
     
     
         18 . The packaging device of  claim 17 , further comprising a preparation module (30) for producing closed strapping bands (15) comprising: 
 a. a magazine in which a supply of strapping material (16) in strip form is provided,   b. a connecting device (33) for connecting free ends of the strapping material (16) in strip form to form a closed strapping band (15).   
     
     
         19 . The packaging device of  claim 17 , wherein the application head (1) comprises a plurality of contour pieces (2) capable of moving to increase the variable width opening (W) of the application head (1). 
     
     
         20 . The packaging device of  claim 17 , wherein the variable opening width (W) of application head (1) can be increased by opening movements of individual components of the application head (1) directed perpendicularly away from the lateral surface of the grouped articles (10).