EP1017585A1

EP1017585A1 - Method for producing a packaging container and a device for implementing said method

Info

Publication number: EP1017585A1
Application number: EP98955407A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Adnan Abou-Nabout; Hassan Ahmed Nour Eldin
Original assignee: Sopp GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: SOPP BESITZ GMBH & CO. KG
Priority date: 1997-09-18
Filing date: 1998-09-18
Publication date: 2000-07-12
Anticipated expiration: 2018-09-18
Also published as: PL339497A1; EP1017585B1; WO1999014128A1; US6578347B1; DE19741024A1; ATE217589T1; AU1226199A; DE59804152D1; HUP0004928A3; CA2303838A1; HUP0004928A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a packaging container (1) especially for producing a box with a strapping (5) comprised of a thread-shaped or strip-shaped auxiliary packaging material (6) such as a string, a band or the like. A loop (7) is used to decorate said packaging container (1). In order to make the method more flexible, especially to enable partial automation of a support (9), the invention provides that initially, a preprocessing of a support (9) with the auxiliary packaging material (6) is carried out and followed by transferring said auxiliary packaging material (6) from the support (9) onto the packaging container (1). The invention also relates to technical means for implementing the method.

Description

Packaging method for a packaging container and device for carrying out the method

The present invention relates to a packaging method for a packaging container, in particular for equipping a box with a strapping made of a thread-like or strip-shaped packaging aid, such as a cord, a ribbon or the like, and for decorating the packaging container with a bow. The invention further relates to the technical means for carrying out such a method.

In addition to the function of protecting the packaged goods against loss of quality and simplifying storage and transport, packaging also enables the packaged product to be factory-equipped and offers opportunities for advertising technology. One of these possibilities is not only to provide a packaging container with a strap, but also to decorate it with a bow. In particular, such attractive packaging is important for goods that are often intended to be given away, such as chocolate or pralines. The latter are mostly packaged in boxes, which can have different shapes, but in the simplest and most widespread cases are cuboid. When packing, if it is Food or luxury food is, no metallic aids, such as clips or the like, are used.

While automatic and semi-automatic strapping machines are known for the production of strapping for, for example, rectangular packaging containers, by means of which strips, wires, cords, etc. are provided with seals, clamps, twists, knots and / or bonds as closures, tying a loop of automation is more difficult accessible. The ends of a thread-like or strip-shaped packaging aid, such as a cord, a ribbon or the like, must be looped in order to decorate a packaging container and looped together in a certain way. A perfect shape of the bow is essential for an appealing packaging. In the book "Lovingly Wrapping Gifts", Remseck near Stuttgart, 1997, for example, pages 92-115 contain detailed instructions on how to lay ribbons in various ways and tie bows. Such assembly is usually done manually - even when producing packaging in large quantities - and is associated with a considerable amount of work. For this purpose, the thread-like or strip-shaped packaging aid is cut, laced and tied into ribbons, for example in the factory, by the meter. With a high production throughput, a large number of workers must be commissioned to do this work.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of making the method of the type mentioned more flexible in the case of high quality of the assembled packaging container, in order thereby to reduce the cost of manufacturing to achieve an advantage and / or to open up the possibility of partial automation to the method. Another object of the invention is to provide the technical means for carrying out such a method.

This object is achieved by a manufacturing method of the type mentioned at the outset, in which a carrier is first pre-assembled with the packaging aid and then the packaging aid is transferred from the carrier to the packaging container. To achieve the object, a carrier according to the invention, a prefabrication device according to the invention and a prefabricated unit according to the invention are also specified below.

The technical solution according to the invention is based on the idea of achieving the desired flexibility by dividing the assembly process into individual sub-processes, which can advantageously be carried out separately from one another in terms of space and time. The last sub-process, the transfer of the strapping with the loop from the carrier to the packaging container, is more easily accessible to automation than the entire assembly process.

In this way, the pre-assembled unit according to the invention for the packaging container is formed, which consists of the carrier and the thread-like or strip-shaped packaging aid, the latter being fastened to the carrier after the first sub-process of the production, with the formation of a lacing and a loop. Such a prefabricated unit can be transported in a simple manner and later Further processing can be magazine.

In the method according to the invention, an elastically stretchable thread-like or strip-shaped packaging aid can be used, and to transfer this packaging aid from the carrier to the packaging container, the carrier can use the thread-shaped or strip-shaped one with the loop formed by the pre-assembly, provided with the loop Existing strapping aids are placed on the top or bottom of the packaging container, the packaging container being at least partially guided between the strapping and the carrier, then the stripping is stripped from the carrier and the packaging container is completely slipped on, and finally the carrier from the strapping and is removed from the packaging container.

The pre-assembly of the carrier can be carried out either only using the carrier or with the aid of an additional assembly device according to the invention. The use of a finishing device results in further material-economic advantages, especially when a disposable carrier is used.

A carrier which is constructed in particular from a flexible material and which has a flat basic shape adapted to the packaging container is preferably suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention, wherein a height dimension of the carrier is smaller than a height dimension of the packaging container and preferably also compared to a height dimension of the prefabrication - Direction is, if one is to be used. Preferably, the height dimension of the carrier can only be one Fraction of the height dimension of the packaging container. At least one flat basic dimension of the carrier, such as length or width, should in each case result from a corresponding flat basic dimension, such as length or width of the packaging container, plus at least the height dimension of the packaging container.

To carry out the method according to the invention, a prefabrication device can advantageously be used, which in particular has a structure made of a rigid material and a flat basic shape adapted to the packaging container, wherein a height dimension of the prefabrication device is smaller than a height dimension of the packaging container, and the flat basic dimensions, such as length and width, each result approximately from a corresponding flat basic dimension, such as length and width, of the packaging container plus at least in each case the height dimension of the packaging container. However, the height dimension of the pre-assembly device can advantageously be larger than the height dimension of the carrier.

Preferably, such a carrier and such a prefabrication device can be used, which are congruent to one another in their respective flat shape in a partial area.

To carry out the method according to the invention, an assembly device according to the invention can furthermore be used which has a holding device for a packaging container and for a pre-assembled unit and a plurality of movable grippers for gripping the Has strapping.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are contained in the subclaims and the following specific description. The invention is explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. Show it:

1 is a perspective view of an almost completely assembled box according to the invention with a carrier used for the assembly,

2 shows a plan view of a carrier according to the invention for carrying out a method according to the invention,

3 shows a plan view of a pre-assembly device according to the invention for carrying out a method according to the invention,

4 shows a plan view of a prefabricated unit according to the invention, which is provided with a strapping according to the invention using a carrier according to FIG. 2 and is decorated with a bow,

5 shows a bottom view of the prefabricated unit according to the invention shown in FIG. 4,

6 schematically and in perspective view, an assembly device according to the invention for carrying out a method according to the invention. rens _;

FIGS. 7 to 10 enlarged in sections, the assembly device according to the invention shown in FIG. 6 in different working phases.

In the different figures of the drawing, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that they are generally only described once.

1 shows, as an example of a packaging container 1, an essentially completely rectangular box with a length L, a width B and a height H. The box consists of a base part 2, on which a cover part 3 is placed, and is surrounded with a banderole 4 made of cellophane. The packaging container 1 is provided with a strapping 5 through a thread-like or strip-shaped packaging aid 6 and carries a bow 7 for decoration. In the present case, the packaging aid 6 is a cord. The strapping 5 has the shape of a cross weave. However, it could also be designed in the form of a diagonal or triangular weave.

The loop 7 is tied from the packaging aid 6 used for strapping. The loop 7 can be designed as a single or multiple loop, jewelry loop or loop knot. In the exemplary embodiment, the loop 7 is at a distance X from an end face 8 of the box, which is approximately 30 to 40 percent of the length L of the box. Such a position X of loop 7 corresponds to the so-called "golden section" and is aesthetically appealing in a special way.

According to the invention, such a packaging container is manufactured by first pre-assembling a carrier 9, as shown as an individual part in FIG. 2, with the packaging aid 6 and then transferring the packaging aid 6 from the carrier 9 to the packaging container 1.

To transfer the packaging aid 6 from the carrier 9 to the packaging container 1, the carrier 9 can be provided with the strapping 5 formed by the pre-assembly, provided with the loop 7 and consisting of the thread-like or strip-shaped packaging aid 6, for example on the upper side, as shown in FIG. 1 , or also on the underside, are placed on the packaging container 1, the packaging container 1 being at least partially guided between the strapping 5 and the carrier 9, then the strapping 5 is stripped from the carrier 9 and the packaging container 1 is completely slipped on, and finally the Carrier 9 is removed from the strapping 5 and from the packaging container 1. This last step must still be carried out with the carrier 9 shown in FIG. 1 in order to obtain a packaging container 1 which is completely assembled according to the invention.

As already mentioned, the pre-assembly of the carrier 9 can be carried out either only with the use of the carrier 9 or also with the aid of an additional pre-assembly device 10, as is exemplified as an individual part in FIG. 3. In this case, this is first for pre-assembly of the carrier 9 Packaging aids 6 in the same way as that of the strapping 5 provided for the packaging container 1, for example shown in FIG. 1, tied around the pre-assembly device 10, provided with the loop 7 and then transferred from there to the carrier 9.

To transfer the packaging aid 6 from the pre-assembly device 10 to the carrier 9, the carrier 9 can be placed on the top or bottom side of the pre-assembly device 10. The carrier 9 is at least partially guided between the strapping 5 and the pre-assembly device 10, then the strapping 5 is stripped from the pre-assembly device 10 and completely slipped on and fastened to the carrier 9. Finally, the pre-assembly device 10 is removed from the strapping 5 and from the carrier 9.

For a good hold on the carrier 9, it is expedient to apply the thread-like or strip-shaped packaging aid 6 under tension to the carrier 9 or already to the pre-assembly device 10. Therefore, an elastically stretchable thread or strip-shaped packaging aid 6 is used. The elasticity of the packaging aid 6 also allows the packaging container to be guided between the strapping 5 and the carrier 9 without difficulty. If the carrier 9 is removed from the strapping 5 which has already been slipped over the packaging container 1 and is slightly stretched by the pretensioning, and from the packaging container 1, the packaging aid 6 can contract elastically again and form a sufficiently firm strapping 5 around the packaging container 1. If one starts from a box as packaging container 1, as described above and shown in FIG. 1, a preferably recommended percentage stretchability of the packaging aid 6 can be estimated: assuming that when the finished one is provided with a loop 7 Strapping 5 from the carrier 9 onto the packaging container 1, the strapping 5 is pulled over a corner 11 of the packaging container, a packaging aid 6 should be used which has at least about a percentage stretchability by an amount F, which increases

F = (- -1) * 100% Y

results. The size Z stands for an extended length of the packaging aid 6 and results in

Z = {0, 25B ² + L ² ) ° - ⁵ + [0, 2 SB ² + {LX) ² ] ° ' ⁵ + H

The size Y stands for an unstretched length of the packaging aid 6 and results in

Y = 2L-X + H.

(For a somewhat rougher estimate of this extensibility, the summand H in the above second and third equations can also be neglected.)

2 shows a top view of a carrier 9 according to the invention for carrying out a method according to the invention. The carrier 9 is preferably made of a flexible material and has a flat basic shape adapted to the packaging container 1. Its height dimension (thickness D _τ - Fig. 1) is small compared to a height dimension (height H) of the packaging container 1. Should, as in the embodiment shown here, a pre-assembly device 10 for Are used, the thickness D _{τ of} the carrier 9 should preferably also be small compared to a corresponding height dimension of the pre-assembly device 10. This height dimension of the pre-assembly device 10 is preferably the thickness (not shown in the drawing) of the pre-assembly device 10 shown in FIG. 3 and is referred to _below as D _vκ . At least one flat basic dimension (length L _τ , width B _τ ) of the carrier 9 should each result approximately from a corresponding flat basic dimension (length L, width B) of the packaging container 1 plus at least in each case the height dimension (height H) of the packaging container 1.

If no pre-assembly device 10 is used, both flat basic dimensions (length L _τ and width B _τ ) of the carrier 9 should each be approximately from a corresponding flat basic dimension (length L, width B) of the packaging container 1 plus at least in each case the height dimension (height H) of the packaging container 1 result. This means that when using a pre-assembly device 10, the carrier 9 can be made shorter in one of its flat basic dimensions (in the example described - in its length L _τ ) in a material-saving manner. The carrier 9 described is characterized by a flat basic dimension, namely its largest flat basic dimension (length L _τ ), which is approximately one third smaller than the corresponding flat basic dimension (length L, L _TO ; width B, B _vκ ) both the packaging container 1 (Fig. 1) and the pre-assembly device 10 (Fig. 3).

Around the elastically stretchable filament or strip-shaped packaging aid 6 with prestress on the carrier 9, but then in an almost untensioned or hardly stretched Applying the condition to the packaging container 1, it is expedient if at least one flat basic dimension (length L _τ and / or width B _τ ) is enlarged by the intended amount of stretch of the elastically stretchable thread or strip-shaped packaging aid 6 compared to the values given above. If no pre-assembly device 10 is used, both flat basic dimensions (length L _τ and width B _τ ) should be increased by the intended amount of stretch of the elastically stretchable filament or strip-shaped packaging aid 6 compared to the values given above. In this case, the carrier 9 could be constructed approximately in the same way as the pre-assembly device 10 described below.

The carrier 9 according to the invention has on one end face 12 a groove-like recess 13 for at least partially receiving the packaging aid 6. The recess 13 is preferably designed as a round hole provided with a conically tapering slot. A groove-like recess 16, 17 is also provided on each of the two longitudinal sides 14, 15 of the carrier 9. One of these recesses 17 is also designed as a round hole provided with a tapered slot; the other recess 16 has the contour of a semicircular surface. The groove-like recesses 13, 16, 17 are intended for receiving the thread-like or strip-shaped packaging aid 6, which finds particularly good hold in the round holes each provided with a slot.

Furthermore, recesses 18, 19 which are open obliquely in the direction of an end face 12 are provided on the two longitudinal sides 14, 15 of the carrier 9. These recesses 18, 19 are also intended to hold the thread-like or strip-shaped packaging aid 6, but allow it to be stripped particularly easily in the direction of the end face 12 of the carrier 9, after which they are opened.

The two longitudinal sides 14, 15 preferably run towards one another from their recesses 18, 19 in the direction of an end face 12. This one-sided tapering shape of the carrier 9 also supports the easy stripping of the strapping 5 formed from the thread-like or strip-shaped packaging aid 6 in the direction of the end face 12 of the carrier 9.

Due to this convergence of the longitudinal sides 14, 15 of the carrier 9 starting from the recesses 18, 19, the recesses 18, 19 have an essentially obtuse-angled contour and thus form contact or abutting edges for the packaging aid 6 over the height H _{τ of} the carrier 9.

The carrier 9 can advantageously be made of cardboard or cardboard, preferably solid cardboard with a height dimension (thickness D _τ ) of approximately 0.3 to 0.7 mm. Manufacturing from plastic is also possible. The use of such materials also offers the possibility of reuse and simple recycling.

3 shows a top view of a pre-assembly device 10 according to the invention for carrying out a method according to the invention. In contrast to the carrier 9, the pre-assembly device 10 is constructed in particular from a rigid material. The pre-assembly Direction 10, like the carrier 9, has a flat basic shape adapted to the packaging container 1, a height dimension (thickness D _VK ) being small compared to a height dimension (height H) of the packaging container 1. The flat basic dimensions (length L _vκ , width B _vκ ) each result approximately from a corresponding flat basic dimension (length L, width L) of the packaging container 1 plus at least in each case the height dimension (height H) of the packaging container 1.

For the same reasons as explained above for the carrier 9, it can also be expedient in the case of the pre-assembly device 10 if at least one flat basic dimension (length L _VK , width L _w ) is enlarged by an amount of stretching of the elastically stretchable filament or strip-shaped packaging aid 6.

The pre-assembly device 10 has a groove-like recess 22, 23 on its two end faces 20, 21, preferably notched in the form of a V. These groove-like recesses 22, 23 are intended to accommodate the thread-like or strip-shaped packaging aid 6, which is shaped notches finds a good hold, but on the other hand can also be easily removed from the recesses 22, 23 for transfer to the carrier 9. When the pre-assembly device 10 is tied up, the groove-like recesses 22, 23 also ensure that the packaging aid 6 is centered.

Furthermore, just as in the case of the carrier 9, the two longitudinal sides 24, 25 of the pre-assembly device 10 are opened obliquely in the direction of an end face 20 Recesses 26, 27 are provided. These recesses 26, 27 perform the same function as the recesses 18, 19 on the carrier 9.

In an analogous manner to that of the carrier 9 and with the same objective as that described for the carrier 9 (simplification of stripping off the strapping 5), the two longitudinal sides 24, 25 preferably run towards one another starting from their recesses 26, 27 in the direction of an end face 20.

Here too, due to the converging of the longitudinal sides 24, 25 of the pre- _{assembly device} 10, the recesses 26, 27 have an essentially obtuse-angled contour and form _contact or abutting edges for the packaging aid 6 over the height H _{v κ of} the pre- _{assembly device} 10.

It can be seen from all of this that the carrier 9 and the prefabrication device 10 preferably each have a flat shape, which are essentially congruent to one another in a partial region (apart from the shape of the cutouts 13 and 22, respectively). The congruent sub-area comprises at least one end face 12 or 20 and the area of the longitudinal sides 14 or 24 and 15 or 25 including the recesses 18 or 26 and 19 or 27, which converge towards each other 5 favored by the pre-assembly device 10 on the carrier 9 in a special way.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, an oblique side 28 is also provided on the pre-assembly device 10 which runs in the left half of the pre-assembly device in the drawing from an end face 21 to a long side 24. The end face 21 preferably has in this half in the area from its edge 29 with the oblique side 28 to the groove-like recess 23 located _therein a distance A _vκ to the other end face 20 which is approximately half the depth of the recess 23 with respect to the total length L. _{vκ of} the pre- _{assembly device} 10 is shortened. As a result of this design, the strapping 5 formed on the pre-assembly device 10 can be stripped off the pre-assembly device 10 in a few simple steps and without overstretching the packaging aid 6 for transfer to the carrier 9. For this purpose, it can easily be taken out of the groove-like recess 23, over the shorter spaced part of the end face 21 to its edge 29 with the inclined surface 28 and then over the inclined surface 28 itself.

If boxes with a height of about 30 mm are to be assembled as packaging containers, the pre-assembly device 10 can advantageously be made of a plastic with a height dimension (thickness D _vκ ), preferably in the range of about 3 to 7 mm. If a preferably transparent plastic, such as PMMA or POM, is used as the plastic, this additionally improves the recognizability of the respective position of the packaging aid 6 on the front and back of the pre-assembly device 10.

4 and 5 show on the front and on the back a pre-assembled unit 30 according to the invention for a packaging container 1 as it is transferred from a pre-assembled unit after a strapping 5 including the loop 7 has been transferred. Fectioning device 10 is formed on a carrier 9. The prefabricated unit 30 consists of the carrier 9 and the thread-like or strip-shaped packaging aid 6 (cord). The packaging aid 6 is attached to the carrier 9, forming the strapping 5 and provided with the loop 7.

The strapping 5 was carried out on the pre-assembly device 10 in the same way as later provided for the packaging container 1 in the form of a cross weave, provided with the loop 7 and then transferred to the carrier 9 in the manner described. On one end face 20 or 12, the part of the strapping 5 running along the length L ^ of the pre-assembly device 10 was transferred from the recess 22 of the pre-assembly device 10 into the recess 13 of the carrier 9. The part running along the width B _{w of} the pre-assembly device 10 Part of the strapping 5 was transferred from the recesses 26, 27 of the pre-assembly device 10 into the respectively congruent recesses 18, 19 and is held on the pre-assembled unit 30 between these recesses 18, 19 under a slight prestress.

As already mentioned, the length L _{τ of} the carrier 9 is at least about one third smaller than the length L _{vκ of} the pre- _{assembly device} 10. The part of the strapping 5 running through the cutout 23 on the lower end face 21 of the pre-assembly device in FIG. 3 along the length L _{VK of} the pre-assembly device 10 can therefore not be brought into a corresponding cutout in the carrier 9. Instead, a section of this part, after it has been Fectioning device 10 was stripped, shifted laterally (on the left in FIG. 4) longitudinal side 14 of the carrier 9 and passed through the recess 16 there with the semicircular contour. On the other hand, a second section of this part is placed in a loop 31 which is hooked into the recess 17 (on the right-hand side in FIG. 4) of the longitudinal side 15 of the carrier 9. This results in the guidance of the cord shown in FIG. 4 on the front of the carrier 9. In order to transfer the strapping 5 from the carrier 9 to the packaging container 1, the loop 31 can be removed from the recess 17 in a simple manner.

Fig. 5 illustrates the course of the strapping on the back of the carrier 9. The strapping 5 formed from the thread-like or strip-shaped packaging aid 6 (cord) is also on the back of the carrier with a slight pretension across the width B _{τ of} the carrier 9 running between the two recesses 18, 19 held. The part of the cross binding of the cord that later runs on the packaging container 1 along its length L instead runs obliquely over the back of the carrier - starting in the recess 13 at the end face 12 (in FIG. 5) and ending in the groove 16 with the semicircular contour the (in FIG. 5 right) long side 14 of the carrier 9.

In order to ensure that the strapping 5 can be moved more easily, the part of the cross binding later on the packaging container 1 along its length L and later along its width B on the back of the carrier 9 are not looped together at their crossing point 32. In addition - also as a section of the part of the cross-tie of the cord that later runs on the packaging container 1 along its length L - on the other (in FIG. 5 left) longitudinal side 15 of the carrier 9 is the loop 31 hanging in the recess 17 located there See strapping 5.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the course of the packaging aid 6 on the prefabricated unit 30 is advantageously chosen such that one side, namely the front side 33, of the carrier 9 remains free of the strapping 5. Via this free end face 33, the packaging container 1 can be easily guided between the strapping 5 and the carrier 9 for the assembly.

Starting from this pre-assembled unit 30, which can be transported, stored temporarily and stored for any length of time, it is possible to carry out the final assembly of a packaging container 1 in a few simple steps, but on the other hand it is also possible to use an assembly device 100 according to the invention for this purpose , the structure and mode of operation of which is shown below. Reference is made here by way of example to the pre-assembled unit 30 described above, although an assembly device 100 according to the invention can also be designed such that pre-assembled units with a different shape or with a different course and a different fastening of the strapping 5 on the carrier 9 can be used .

FIG. 6 illustrates the basic structure of the assembly device 100 according to the invention. The most important parts of the assembly device have on the one hand a holding device 101 for the packaging container 1 and for a pre-assembled unit 30 and on the other hand a plurality of movable grippers 102 for gripping and tensioning the strapping 5. The prefabricated unit 30 consists - as shown by way of example in FIGS. 4 and 5 - of a carrier 9 and of a strapping 5 provided with a loop 7 and formed from a thread-like or strip-shaped packaging aid 6.

The holding device 101 consists of an upper holding plate 103 and a lower holding plate 104. Both plates 103 and 104 are arranged essentially horizontally one above the other, their mutual distance being adjustable. For this purpose, the upper holding plate 103 is fastened to an essentially vertical linear guide 105 (direction of movement according to arrow R1). Both holding plates 103, 104 can be rotated or pivoted together in their plane of extension by means of a rotary drive 106 (direction of movement according to arrow R2). Between the holding plates 103, 104, the packaging container 1 or the prefabricated unit 30 can be held (clamped), whereby the mutual distance between the holding plates 103, 104 can be adjusted to adapt to the height H of the packaging container 1 or to the Thickness D _{τ of} the carrier 9 can take place.

So that when the prefabricated unit 30 is held in the holding device 101, there is sufficient space for the strapping 5 and for the loop 7, channels or a recess can be provided in a preferred manner on the sides of the plates 103, 104 facing one another that the course of the tying 5 or the position of the loop 7 on the pre-assembled unit 30 correspond. For the same purpose, the carrier 9 can have an opening where the loop 7 comes to rest in the prefabricated unit 30.

The number of movable grippers 102 for grasping the strapping 5 can be different as required. In the embodiment shown, seven grippers 102 are provided for grasping the cross binding, namely a first gripper module 107 of three grippers 102 in the area of the upper holding plate 103, a second gripper module 108 of three grippers 102 in the area of the lower holding plate 104, and a third gripper module 109 from a gripper 102 in an area outside of the holding plates 103, 104. The grippers 102 of the first module 107 and of the second module 108 are positioned according to the course of the strapping 5 on the prefabricated unit 30. They reach through the holding plates 103, 104 from above and below and are movable together with the holding plates 103, 104. In addition to being able to carry out the gripping movement, they can have a maximum of two degrees of freedom of movement - one degree of freedom for a translatory movement R1 (caused by the linear guide 105) and one degree of freedom for the rotary movement R2 (caused by the rotary drive 106). To adjust the distance between the plates 103, 104, it is sufficient if only one holding plate (for example the upper holding plate 103 including the grippers 102 as shown) can be displaced in height, so that in this case the number of degrees of freedom in the lower gripper module 108 increases by 1 reduced.

The gripper 102 of the third gripper module 109 is movable in such a way that in addition to its possible gripping movement Infeed movement to the pre-assembled unit 30 positioned in the holding device 101 and a rotary movement about an essentially horizontal axis can be carried out. It therefore has three degrees of freedom of movement, namely for translational movements in two directions (effected on the one hand by an essentially horizontal linear guide 110 - direction of movement according to arrow R3 - and on the other hand by an essentially vertical linear guide 111 - direction of movement according to arrow R4) and for that rotary movement (caused by a rotary drive 112 - direction of movement according to arrow R5).

A frame 113 is used to fasten the above-described individual parts of the assembly device according to the invention, as shown in FIG. 6.

7 to 10 illustrate the functioning of the assembly device according to the invention.

The essence of the assembly consists in principle in that for the transfer of the packaging aid 6 from the carrier 9 to the packaging container 1 a pre-assembled unit 30, which consists of the carrier 9 and the loop 7, made of the thread-like or strip-shaped packaging aid 6 formed strapping 5, the assembly device 100 is fed and fixed in the holding device 101, the strapping 5 first being gripped by the movable grippers 102 and then being lifted from the carrier 9 by the height H of the packaging container 1. The carrier 9 is then removed, and the packaging container 1 is placed between the straps 5 which are gripped and lifted by the grippers 102. Then the conversion Lacing 5 is positioned in the correct position on the packaging container 1 and finally the strapping 5 is released from the grippers 102 so that the assembled packaging container 1 can be removed from the assembly device 100.

7 shows a first work step. First, the pre-assembled unit 30 (FIG. 4) is positioned on the lower holding plate 103. The end face of the support 9 designated by the reference number 12 in FIG. 4 comes to lie on the side of the frame 113 in accordance with the illustration in FIG. 7; the opposite end face designated by reference numeral 33 in FIG. 7 protrudes between the two holding plates 103, 104 in accordance with the illustration.

Then, by moving the vertical linear guide 105, the upper holding plate 103 is moved down in the direction of the lower holding plate 104 (arrow C) until both plates 103, 104 lie on top of one another and thus fix the support 9. During this linear movement, the grippers 102 of the first and second gripper modules 107, 108 are opened in order to then be able to grip the strapping 5 at the intended positions from above and from below in the next working step.

This happened in the working phase shown in FIG. 8. Since the strapping 5 is still fastened on the carrier 9 and therefore does not form an opening for receiving the packaging container 1, the two linear guides 110, 111 for the gripper 102 of the third gripper module 109 move to a position of the strapping 5 which: lies approximately in the middle of the carrier 9 (according to FIG. cut that lies between the two lateral recesses 16 and 17). At the same time, the gripper 102 of the third gripper module 109 is opened.

The fastening aid 6 (the cord) is now gripped by all the grippers 102 at seven points. The upper holding plate 103 is then moved upward by approximately the height H of the packaging container 1 and the strapping 5 is thus pulled apart. At the same time, the gripper 102 of the third module 109 moves to the side and is rotated approximately 90 ° by the rotary drive 112. The strapping 5 is thus opened such that the packaging container 1 can be conveyed into it, as shown in FIG. 9. Before this happens, the carrier 9 is removed.

After the packaging container 1 has been positioned between the two plates 103, 104, the container 5 is already surrounded (seen in plan view) on three sides (e.g. on an end face 8 and on both long sides). Due to the rotary drive 106, the lower and the upper holding plates 103, 104 with the packaging container 1 lying between them are rotated so that the section of the fastening aid 6 held by the gripper 102 of the third module 109 over the last one not yet surrounded by the cord 5 Side is pulled.

In order to remove the assembled packaging container 1 and to allow the above-described steps to be repeated for the assembly of a new packaging container 1, the assembly device 100 according to the invention opens in a last step Grippers 102 and move to their home position.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment described, but also encompasses all embodiments having the same effect in the sense of the invention. For example, the packaging containers 1 can also be triangular, hexagonal, octagonal or round in their flat contours instead of rectangular. As already mentioned, it is also possible to use another type of strapping 5, e.g. a diagonal or triangular bond to carry out without departing from the scope of the invention.

The shape of the corresponding carrier 9, the pre-assembly device 10 including the position of the recesses and recesses which may be provided therein, and the number and position of the grippers 102 of the assembly device 100 in these cases is then appropriate to the shape of the packaging container and / or the type of strapping 5 adapt.

The loop 7 does not necessarily have to be bound from the packaging aid 6, but can also be subsequently applied to the packaging aid 6 or attached to it. If no cord is to be used for the strapping 5, the cutouts 13, 16, 17 provided on the carrier 9 can advantageously be adapted to the shape and thickness of the corresponding packaging aid 6.

In order to pull the section of the fastening aid 6 held by the gripper 102 of the third module 109 over the last side not yet surrounded by the cord 5, the lower and the upper holding plate do not necessarily have to 103, 104 with the packaging container 1 lying between them, but the gripper 102 of the third gripper module 109 could also be rotated or pivoted. Accordingly, the rotary drive 106 for the plates 103, 104 could then be omitted. However, a rotary drive rotating the gripper 102 around an essentially vertical axis would then have to be provided. However, the variant described above is preferred because it is characterized by a higher degree of movement stability and thus guarantees a consistently high quality of the assembly, which is generally to be ensured by the assembly device 100 according to the invention.

Various technical solutions can be used in the assembly device 100 according to the invention for realizing the feeding and removal of the packaging container 1 or the feeding of the prefabricated unit 30 and the removal of the carrier 9, which are not described in detail above. For example, a pneumatic suction device can be provided for removing the packaging container 1. The supply of the prefabricated unit 30 and the packaging container 1 as well as the removal of the carrier 9 can advantageously take place in each case via gripper arms of corresponding supply and removal devices. In terms of production technology, it is advantageous if a plurality of assembly devices 100 are provided, which carry out the described work steps in a staggered manner and can thus be operated alternately by the gripper arms of the feed and removal devices.

Furthermore, the invention is not restricted to the combinations of features defined in the independent claims, but can also be defined by any other combination of certain features of all of the individual features disclosed overall. This means that in principle practically every individual feature of the independent claims can be omitted or replaced by at least one individual feature disclosed elsewhere in the application. In this respect, the current version of the independent claims is only to be understood as a first attempt at formulating an invention.

reference numeral

1 packaging container

2 bottom part of 1

3 cover part of 1

4 banderole by 1

5 strapping from 6

6 packaging aids

7 loop

8 face of 1

9 carriers

10 pre-assembly device

11 corner of 1

12 front of 9

13 recess in 12

14 long side of 9

15 long side of 9

16 recess in 14

17 recess in 15

18 recess in 14

19 recess in 15

20 face of 10

21 face of 10

22 recess in 20

23 recess in 21

24 long side of 10

25 long side of 10

26 recess in 24

27 recess in 25

28 Oblique side between 21 and 24 29 Edge between 21 and 28

30 pre-assembled units of 9, 5 and 7

31 loop of 5

32 crossing point of 5

33 end face of 9

100 assembly device

101 holder of 100

102 grippers

103 upper holding plate

104 lower holding plate

105 vertical linear guide for 103

106 rotary drive for 103, 104

107 first gripper module

108 second gripper module 109 third gripper module

110 horizontal linear guide for 109

111 vertical linear guide for 109

112 rotary drive for 109

113 frame of 100

A _vκ shortened distance between 20 and 21

B width of 1

B _τ width of 9

B _VK width of 10

C opening movement of 101

F extensibility of 6

D _τ thickness of 9

D _vκ thickness of 10

H height of 1

L length of 1

L _τ length of 9

L _VK length of 10

Rl translational movement corresponding to 105

R2 rotational movement corresponding to 106

R3 translational movement corresponding to 110

R4 translational movement corresponding to 111

R5 rotational movement corresponding to 112

X loop position (distance between 7 and 8)

Y unstretched length of 6

Z stretched length of 6

Claims

Expectations

Assembly method for a packaging container (1), in particular for equipping a box with a strapping (5) made of a filament or strip-shaped packaging aid (6), such as a cord, a band or the like, and for decorating the packaging container (1 ) with a loop (7), characterized in that a carrier (9) is first pre-assembled with the packaging aid (6) and then the packaging aid (6) is transferred from the carrier (9) to the packaging container (1).

A method according to claim 1, characterized in that an elastically stretchable filament or strip-shaped packaging aid (6) is used and for transferring the packaging aid (6) from the carrier (9) to the packaging container (1) the carrier (9) with the through Preassembled, provided with the loop (7), consisting of the thread or strip-shaped packaging aid (6) tying (5) is placed on the top or bottom side of the packaging container (1), the packaging container (1 ) at least partially between the Lacing (5) and the carrier (9) is then stripped the strapping (5) from the carrier (9) and the packaging container (1) is completely slipped on, and finally the carrier (9) from the strapping (5) and from Packaging container (1) is removed.

Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a transfer device (100) is used to transfer the packaging aid (6) from the carrier (9) to the packaging container (1), a pre-assembled unit (30) which consists of the carrier (9) and the tying (5) provided with the loop (7), formed from the thread-like or strip-shaped packaging aid (6), is supplied to the assembly device (100) and fixed in a holding device (101) of the assembly device (100), the Constriction (5) first gripped by movable grippers (102) and then pulled apart and lifted from the carrier (9), after which the carrier (9) is removed and the packaging container (1) is pulled apart between those gripped by the grippers (102) Constriction (5) is brought, then the strapping (5) is positioned in the correct position on the packaging container (1) and finally the um Lacing (5) is released from the grippers (102) and the assembled packaging container (1) is removed from the assembly device (100).

Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that for Pre-assembly of the carrier (9) a pre-assembly device (10) is used, around which the packaging aid (6) is first laced in the same way as the strapping (5) provided for the packaging container (1), provided with the loop (7) and then by the pre-assembly device (10) is transferred to the carrier (9).

Method according to Claim 4, characterized in that, in order to transfer the packaging aid (6) from the pre-assembly device (10) to the carrier (9), the carrier (9) is placed on the top or bottom side of the pre-assembly device (10), the carrier (9 ) is at least partially guided between the strapping (5) and the pre-assembly device (10), then the strapping (5) is stripped from the pre-assembly device (10), completely slipped on the carrier (9) and, if necessary, attached to it, and finally the pre-assembly device ( 10) is removed from the strapping (5) and from the carrier (9).

Method according to one of Claims 1 to 5, that the thread-like or strip-shaped packaging aid (6) is applied to the carrier (9) under tension and / or tied around the pre-assembly device (10).

Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the tying takes place in the form of a cross weave.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that for tying up a cuboid box as a packaging container (1) with a length (L), a width (B) and a height (H) and for decorating the same with a loop (7), which is at a distance (X) from an end face (8) of the packaging container (1), a packaging aid (6) is used which has at least approximately a percentage extensibility by an amount F, this amount F increasing

= (- -1) * 100% Y, and where Z becomes

Z = (0.25B ² + L ² ) ° ' ⁵ + [0.25B ² + (LX) ² ] °' ⁵ + .f7 and Y to

Y = 2L-X + H

surrender.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, that the strapping takes place in the form of a diagonal weave or a triangle weave.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, so that the loop (7) is bound from the packaging aid (6) used for strapping.

11. carrier (9) for carrying out a method according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterized by a flat basic shape adapted to the packaging container (1), wherein a height dimension (thickness D _τ ) is smaller than a height dimension (height H) of the packaging container (1), preferably a fraction thereof, and at least one flat basic dimension (length L _τ and / or width B _τ ) each results approximately from a corresponding flat basic dimension (length L, width L) of the packaging container (1) plus at least in each case the height dimension (height H) of the packaging container (1).

12. Carrier (9) according to claim 11, characterized in that the length (L _τ ), smaller, preferably at least about a third smaller than the length (L), of the packaging container (1).

13. Carrier (9) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized by at least one flat basic dimension (length L _τ and / or width L _τ ), which is increased by an amount of stretch of the elastically stretchable filament or strip-shaped packaging aid (6).

14. Carrier (9) according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized by a groove-like recess (13) for at least partially receiving the packaging aid (6) on at least one end face (12) and / or at least one groove-like recess (16 , 17) for at least partially holding the packaging aid (6) on one long side (14, 15), preferably at least at least one of the groove-like recesses (13, 17) is designed as a round hole provided with a tapered slot.

15. Carrier (9) according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that on the two longitudinal sides (14, 15) obliquely in the direction of an end face (12) open recesses (18, 19) are provided, in particular the two Long sides (14, 15), preferably starting from their recesses (18, 19), in the direction of an end face

(12) run towards each other.

16. Carrier (9) according to one or more of claims 11 to 15, characterized by a structure made of a flexible material, such as plastic, cardboard or cardboard, preferably solid cardboard with a height dimension (thickness D _τ ) of about 0.3 to 0.7 mm.

17. Prefabricated unit for a packaging container (1) with a thread-like or strip-shaped packaging aid (6), such as a cord, a ribbon or the like. , g e k e n n z e i c h n e t d u r c h a carrier

(9) according to one or more of claims 14 to 22, wherein the thread-like or strip-shaped packaging aid (6) is attached to the carrier (9) by forming a strapping (5) and provided with a loop (7).

18. Prefabricated unit according to claim 17, characterized by a carrier (9) which is smaller in its length (L _τ) by at least about one-third than the length (L) of the packaging container (1), wherein a portion of extending along the length (L _τ) portion of the in the form of a cross-tied binding (5) from the packaging aid (6), on the one hand, it is laterally displaced towards a long side (14) of the carrier (9) and is guided on a long side (14) through the recess (16) located there, and on the other hand a further section of the part of the cord (5) running along the length (L _τ ) is laid to form a loop (31) which is hooked into a recess (17) on the other longitudinal side (15) of the carrier (9) .

19. Prefabricated unit according to claim 17 or 18, so that the carrier (9) has an opening in the area of the loop (7).

20. Pre-assembly device (10) for carrying out a method according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterized by a flat basic shape adapted to the packaging container (1), a height dimension (thickness D _vκ ) smaller than a height dimension (height H) of the packaging container (1), and the flat basic dimensions (length L _vκ and width B _w ), each result approximately from a corresponding flat basic dimension (length L and width L) of the packaging container (1) plus at least in each case the height dimension (height H) of the packaging container (1) result.

21. prefabrication device (10) according to claim 20, characterized in that the height dimension (thickness D ^) of the prefabrication device (10) is greater than the height dimension (thickness D _τ ) of the carrier (9) and in particular at least one flat basic dimension (length L _vκ and / or width L _vκ ) which is increased by an _{amount of} stretching of the elastically stretchable filament or strip-shaped packaging aid (6).

22. Pre-assembly device (10) according to claim 20 or 21, characterized by at least one groove-like, preferably notched in the form of a V, recess (22, 23) on both end faces (20, 21) for at least partially receiving the packaging aid (6), wherein In particular, recesses (26, 27) open at an angle towards an end face (20) are provided on the two long sides (24, 25) and the two long sides (24, 25), preferably starting from their recesses (26, 27) to run towards each other in the direction of an end face (20).

23. pre-assembly device (10) according to one of claims 20 to 22, g e k e n n z e i c h n e t d u r c h a flat shape that is congruent in a partial area to the flat shape of the carrier (9).

24. Pre-assembly device (10) according to one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that an inclined side (28) is provided, which runs in one half from an end face (21) to a longitudinal side (24), the end face (21) preferably in this half in the region of its edge (29) with the inclined side (28) up to the groove-like recess (23) in it has a distance (A _vκ ) to the other end face (20) which is shortened by approximately half the depth of the recess (23) compared to the length (L _vκ ).

25. Pre-assembly device (10) according to one of claims 20 to 24, g e k e n n z e i c h n e t d u r c h a structure made of a, preferably transparent, plastic with a height dimension (thickness D ^) preferably in the range of about 3 to 7 mm.

26, assembly device (100), in particular for carrying out a method according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterized by a holding device (101) for a packaging container (1) and for a pre-assembled unit (30) which consists of a carrier (9) and one with a bow

(7) provided, consisting of a thread-like or strip-shaped packaging aid (6), and by means of a plurality of movable grippers (102), which are designed, driven and in relation to the pre-assembled unit (30) fixed in the holding device (101) ) are positioned so that the strapping (5) can be grasped in a first step and the carrier (9) in a further step by a height (H) of the packaging container (1) can take off.

27. assembly device (100) according to claim 26, so that the holding device (101) consists of an upper holding plate

(103) and consists of a lower holding plate (104) which are arranged substantially horizontally one above the other, their mutual distance using an essentially vertical linear guide

(105) is adjustable for at least one of the holding plates (103).

28. The assembly device (100) as claimed in claim 26 or 27, so that the holding plates (103, 104) can be rotated in their plane of extension by means of a rotary drive (106).

29 assembly device (100) according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that a part of the gripper (102) in the form of a first gripper module (107) in the region of the upper holding plate (103) and and in the form of a second gripper module (108) on the lower holding plate (104) and movable together with the holding plates (103, 104).

30, assembly device (100) according to one of claims 26 to 29, d a d u r c h g e k e n z e i c h n e t that at least one gripper (102) in a gripper module

(109) in an area outside the holding plates

(103, 104) is arranged, the at least three free degrees of movement, namely for translatory movements in a horizontal and in a vertical direction and for a rotary movement about a horizontal axis, linear guides (110, 111) and at least one rotary drive (112) being provided for executing the movement.

31. System with at least two assembly devices (100) according to one of claims 26 to 30, characterized in that for feeding and removing the packaging container (1) and / or for feeding the pre-assembled unit (30) and removing the carrier (9) at least one The feed and removal device serves a plurality of assembly devices (100) which operate in a staggered manner.