Method and device for producing packages

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10358238-B2
Application number	US-201415021797-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 24, 2014
Priority date	Sep 12, 2013
Publication date	Jul 23, 2019
Grant date	Jul 23, 2019

Abstract

A method for container packaging includes producing a container package that has at least two rows of containers, each row having more than one container. The method forming sub-groups by dispersing a container flow, applying adhesive to the containers, and re-compacting the container flow to adhesively connect the containers together to make the sub-group. This is followed by joining two sub-groups together to make the container group. Within a treatment segment, the containers pass between belt arrangements that move at different speeds for dispersing and re-compacting container flows.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An apparatus for forming a package that comprises at least two rows of containers, each of which has at least two upright containers, each of said containers having a container axis, said apparatus comprising a first treatment segment, a second treatment segment, a first adhesive applicator, a second adhesive applicator, a first re-compacting section, and a second re-compacting section, wherein said first treatment segment receives a first single-track container flow at a container inlet from a conveyor, wherein said second treatment segment receives a second single-track container flow at said container inlet from said conveyor, wherein said first adhesive applicator is configured to apply an adhesive spot to a container in said first treatment segment, wherein said second adhesive applicator is configured to apply an adhesive spot to a container in said second treatment segment, wherein said first re-compacting section is configured to receive a dispersed container flow and to re-compact said dispersed container flow, wherein said second re-compacting section is configured to receive a dispersed container flow and to re-compact said dispersed container flow, wherein said first and second treatment segments each comprise belt arrangements that form closed horizontal loops, wherein each belt arrangement comprises a plurality of belts, each of which has inner loop length that contacts containers and propels said containers along a direction, wherein at least one of said belt arrangements comprises a first belt that engages a container on a first side and a second belt that engages said container on a second side that is opposite said first side, wherein said first and second belts are driven at different speeds thereby causing a container engaged by said first and second belts to be rotated by an extent that depends on a speed differential between said first and second belts and thereby enabling containers to be simultaneously propelled and rotated for application of adhesive spots to selected locations on said containers.

2. An apparatus for forming a package that comprises at least two rows of containers, each of which has at least two upright containers, each of said containers having a container axis, said apparatus comprising a first treatment segment, a second treatment segment, a first adhesive applicator, a second adhesive applicator, a first re-compacting section, and a second re-compacting section, wherein said first treatment segment receives a first single-track container flow at a container inlet from a conveyor, wherein said second treatment segment receives a second single-track container flow at said container inlet from said conveyor, wherein said first adhesive applicator is configured to apply an adhesive spot to a container in said first treatment segment, wherein said second adhesive applicator is configured to apply an adhesive spot to a container in said second treatment segment, wherein said first re-compacting section is configured to receive a dispersed container flow and to re-compact said dispersed container flow, wherein said second re-compacting section is configured to receive a dispersed container flow and to re-compact said dispersed container flow, wherein said first and second treatment segments each comprise belt arrangements that form closed horizontal loops, wherein each belt arrangement comprises a plurality of belts, each of which has inner loop length that contacts containers and propels said containers along a direction, wherein each of said first and second treatment segments comprises an adhesive application station, wherein said adhesive application station comprises a controller and a plurality of plates, wherein said plates circulate in a closed circulation loop, wherein said controller controls motion of said plates, wherein said controller is configured such that, when a plate engages a container, said controller causes said plate to bring said container to an adhesive applicator and to rotate said container such that said adhesive applicator is able to place an adhesive spot on a selected location on said container.

3. An apparatus for forming a package that comprises at least two rows of containers, each of which has at least two upright containers, each of said containers having a container axis, said apparatus comprising a first treatment segment, a second treatment segment, a first adhesive applicator, a second adhesive applicator, a first re-compacting section, and a second re-compacting section, wherein said first treatment segment receives a first single-track container flow at a container inlet from a conveyor, wherein said second treatment segment receives a second single-track container flow at said container inlet from said conveyor, wherein said first adhesive applicator is configured to apply an adhesive spot to a container in said first treatment segment, wherein said second adhesive applicator is configured to apply an adhesive spot to a container in said second treatment segment, wherein said first re-compacting section is configured to receive a dispersed container flow and to re-compact said dispersed container flow, wherein said second re-compacting section is configured to receive a dispersed container flow and to re-compact said dispersed container flow, wherein said first and second treatment segments each comprise belt arrangements that form closed horizontal loops, wherein each belt arrangement comprises a plurality of belts, each of which has inner loop length that contacts containers and propels said containers along a direction, said apparatus further comprising a servo drive and a belt driven by said servo drive, wherein said belt is arranged along a portion of said closed circulation loop such that said belt engages a plate, and wherein said controller controls said servo motor to bring said container to an adhesive applicator and to rotate said container such that said adhesive applicator is able to place an adhesive spot on a selected location on said container.

4. An apparatus for forming a package that comprises at least two rows of containers, each of which has at least two upright containers, each of said containers having a container axis, said apparatus comprising a first treatment segment, a second treatment segment, a first adhesive applicator, a second adhesive applicator, a first re-compacting section, and a second re-compacting section, wherein said first treatment segment receives a first single-track container flow at a container inlet from a conveyor, wherein said second treatment segment receives a second single-track container flow at said container inlet from said conveyor, wherein said first adhesive applicator is configured to apply an adhesive spot to a container in said first treatment segment, wherein said second adhesive applicator is configured to apply an adhesive spot to a container in said second treatment segment, wherein said first re-compacting section is configured to receive a dispersed container flow and to re-compact said dispersed container flow, wherein said second re-compacting section is configured to receive a dispersed container flow and to re-compact said dispersed container flow, wherein said first and second treatment segments each comprise belt arrangements that form closed horizontal loops, wherein each belt arrangement comprises a plurality of belts, each of which has inner loop length that contacts containers and propels said containers along a direction, said apparatus further comprising a sensor-controlled rod that extends transversely relative to said transport direction and that moves along said transport direction, said sensor-controlled rod being between a common section and merging sections upstream of said common section.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each belt arrangement comprises at

Assignees

• Khs Gmbh

Inventors

• Koppers Jörg

Classifications

• B65B51/06

  Applying adhesive tape · CPC title

• B65B21/00

  Packaging or unpacking of bottles (bundling bottles B65B27/04) · CPC title

• B65G21/2054

  comprising elements movable in the direction of load-transport · CPC title

• B65B35/54

  Feeding articles along multiple paths to a single packaging position · CPC title

• B65B27/04

  Bundling groups of cans or bottles · CPC title