Login| Sign Up| Help| Contact|

Patent Searching and Data


Title:
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR STACKING PRODUCTS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2018/089729
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method and device for stacking products (P1, P2) or product groups (G1, G2) that are composed of a plurality of products (P1), which products or product groups are conveyed one after another in a conveying direction (F2) in at least one conveyor unit (3, 4) that is driven in revolving fashion, having the following steps: a) Setting of a defined distance (a) in the conveying direction (F2) between the two products (P1, P2) or product groups (G1, G2), b) Conveying of the products (P1, P2) or product groups (G1, G2) in the conveying direction (F2) with the set distance (a), c) Lifting of the front product (Pi) or front product group (G1) from the conveyor unit (4) while the conveyor unit (4) is revolving, d) Conveying of the rear product (P2) or rear product group (G2) underneath the lifted front product (P1) or front product group (G1) until the two products (P1, P2) or product groups (G1, G2) are positioned one on top of the other, e) Placement of the front product (P1) or front product group (G1) onto the rear product (P2) or rear product group (G2) to form a stack (St), f) Conveying of the stack (St) by the conveyor unit (4) in the conveying direction (F2).

Inventors:
BRINKSCHRODER ULRICH (US)
WÖHLE LINUS (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2017/060993
Publication Date:
May 17, 2018
Filing Date:
November 10, 2017
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS (US)
International Classes:
B65G57/30; B65G57/32
Domestic Patent References:
WO2015014514A12015-02-05
Foreign References:
US4646908A1987-03-03
EP3072837A12016-09-28
DE19608956C11997-06-19
US3506109A1970-04-14
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
SIEGEL, William, R. et al. (US)
Download PDF:
Claims:
Claims

1. A method for stacking products (PI, P2) or product groups (Gl, G2) that are composed of a plurality of products (PI), which products or product groups are conveyed one after another in a conveying direction (F2) in at least one conveyor unit (3, 4) that is driven in revolving fashion, having the following steps: a) Setting of a defined distance (a) in the conveying direction (F2) between the two products (Pi, P2) or product groups (Gi, G2), b) Conveying of the products (Pi, P2) or product groups (Gi, G2) in the conveying direction (F2) with the set distance (a),

c) Lifting of the front product (Pi) or front product group (Gi) from the conveyor unit (4) while the conveyor unit (4) is revolving, d) Conveying of the rear product (P2) or rear product group (G2) underneath the lifted front product (Pi) or front product group (Gi) until the two products (Pi, P2) or product groups (Gi, G2) are positioned one on top of the other,

e) Placement of the front product (Pi) or front product group (Gi) onto the rear product (P2) or rear product group (G2) to form a stack (St),

f) Conveying of the stack (St) by the conveyor unit (4) in the conveying direction (F2).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the lifted front product (Pi) or the lifted front product group (Gi) is conveyed at a lower speed in the conveying direction (F2) than the rear product (P2) or the rear product group (G2).

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the reduced speed of the lifted front product (Pi) is increased again after a defined distance in the conveying direction (F2) has been traveled so that the two products (Pi, P2) or two product groups (Gi, G2) have the same speed when the stack (St) is formed.

The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper product group (Gl) of the stack (St) contains at least one product (P,) less than the lower product group (Gi) so that a gap is formed in the stack (St).

The method according to claim 4, characterized in that an article is inserted into the gap.

The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stack (St) is shrink-wrapped in a film (60, 61) to form a bundle.

A device for stacking a plurality of products (Pi, P2) or product groups (Gi, G2) composed of a plurality of products (Pi) adjacent to one another, which products or product groups are conveyed one after another in a conveying direction (F2) on at least one conveyor unit (3, 4) that is driven in revolving fashion, having an inlet region (E) and an outlet region (A), characterized by means of at least one first gripper (210) and at least one second gripper (220), which are arranged parallel to each other and are each supported in a frame (230, 240) that is situated laterally next to the conveyor unit (4) so that they are able to revolve in a vertical plane and are able to pick up a product (Pi, P2) or product group (Gi, G2) between themselves in clamping fashion, as well as a stopper (202) situated in the inlet region (E) for stopping and releasing the products (Pi, P2) or product groups (Gi, G2) being conveyed on the conveyor unit (3).

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the grippers (210, 220) extend across the conveyor unit (4) transversely to the conveying direction (F2).

9. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the grippers (250, 360) extend longitudinally in the conveying direction (F2) on both sides of the conveyor unit (4).

10. The device according to one of claims 7 through 9, characterized in that in each frame (230, 240), at least one revolving drive mechanism (231, 241) is provided on which at least two grippers (210, 220; 250, 260) are arranged spaced apart from each other in the rotation direction (F4).

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that four grippers (230, 240; 250, 260) are provided in each drive mechanism (231, 241).

12. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the drive mechanisms (231, 241) are guided in a meander-shaped fashion in the frames (230, 240) in the region oriented toward the conveyor unit (4).

13. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the grippers (250, 260) are arranged so that they can be moved toward each other transversely to the conveying direction (F2).

14. The device according to one of claims 7 through 13, characterized in that a device for inserting an article into the stack (St) is provided after the frames (230, 240) in the conveying direction (F2).

15. The device according to one of claims 7 through 14, characterized in that the conveyor unit (4) is provided with sliders (4.2, 4.3) situated spaced apart from one another by a distance (a).

16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that the sliders (4.2, 4.3) are of different heights.

17. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that a high slider (4.3) is followed by a low slider (4.2).

18. The device according to one of claims 7 through 17, characterized in that after the inlet region (E) in the conveying direction (F2), at least one lateral guide (4.4, 4.5) is provided above the conveyor unit (4).

19. The device according to claim 18, characterized in that the at least one lateral guide (4.4, 4.5) is adjustable in its position relative to the conveyor unit (4).

20. The device according to one of claims 7 through 19, characterized in that the grippers (210, 220) are rectangular in cross-section.

21. The device according to one of claims 7 through 20, characterized in that the grippers (210, 220) are L-shaped in cross-section.

22. The device according to one of claims 7 through 21, characterized in that it is possible to rotate the grippers (210, 220) around their longitudinal axis (B).

Description:
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR STACKING PRODUCTS

Description

The invention relates to a method and device for stacking products or product groups that are conveyed one after another in a conveying direction in a continuously driven conveyor unit. Particularly in the food processing industry, product stacks are formed, which each include at least two superposed products touching each other. In such a device, products that are wrapped in an outer packaging or several products, which are contained in an outer packaging and which have been previously assembled into a product stack composed of a plurality of individual product groups that have been grouped together, are stacked on top of each other in order to permit them to then be assembled into a bundle. For example, the products are juice-filled beverage cartons, which are conveyed one after another in a line, for example coming from the filling system. A bundle can, for example, be composed of six products, three adjacent to one another and three stacked on top of the others. The product groups can also be composed of four products positioned adjacent to one another, stacked in two layers so that a bundle composed of eight products can be produced, it being possible for a bundle to contain any number of products. DE 698 03 526 T2 has disclosed a stacking device, which is used in a "forming, filling, and sealing" packaging machine. In order to form the stack, the products that are conveyed one after another in a line are conveyed by means of a screw in a vertical direction. The products positioned one after another then come into contact with each other in a pocket and when a stack composed of two products is achieved, the pocket is then moved in the direction of a conveyor belt. The object of the invention is to disclose a method for stacking products or product groups, with which it is possible to process up to 54,000 products (product packages) per hour and to assemble them into at least two-layered bundles.

The object is attained by means of the following steps: a) Setting of a defined distance in the conveying direction between the two products or product groups, b) Conveying of the products or product groups in the conveying direction with the set distance, c) Lifting of the front product or front product group from the conveyor unit while the conveyor unit is revolving, d) Conveying of the rear product or rear product group underneath the lifted front product or front product group until the two products or product groups are positioned one on top of the other, e) Placement of the front product or front product group onto the rear product or rear product group to form a stack, f) Conveying of the stack by the conveyor unit in the conveying direction.

This method makes it possible to stack the products as they are being moved farther in the conveying direction so that no stoppage occurs in the production process. The conveyor unit can be composed of a table across which sliders - which are driven in revolving fashion - are conveyed or can be composed, for example, of a conveyor belt that is driven in revolving fashion. To this end, the front product or the front product group is preferably conveyed in the conveying direction at a lower speed than the rear product or product group. The conveyor unit can therefore be continuously driven, which simplifies control.

The reduced speed of the lifted front product is preferably increased again after a defined distance in the conveying direction has been traveled so that the two products or two product groups have the same speed when the stack is formed. This achieves the fact that no friction is produced between the two layers, thus avoiding damage to the outer packaging during the stacking.

It is possible to leave a gap in the front product group, which must be taken into account in the group formation. If the front product group is then placed onto the rear product group, the stack has a gap into which an article can be inserted later in the process. It is also possible remove at least one product from the upper product group (the upper layer) of the stack as it is being conveyed in the conveying direction and to thus form a gap in the stack into which an article can be subsequently inserted. This article can, for example, be a toy if the target group for the bundle is children.

In order to form a bundle, the stack is then shrink-wrapped in a film.

A device for carrying out the method is characterized by means of at least one first gripper and at least one second gripper, which are arranged parallel to each other and are each supported in a frame that is situated laterally next to the conveyor unit so that they are able to revolve in a vertical plane and are able to pick up a product or product group between themselves in clamping fashion, as well as a stopper situated in the inlet region for stopping and releasing the products or product groups being conveyed on the conveyor unit. The first and second grippers preferably extend across the conveyor unit transversely to the conveying direction.

In an alternative embodiment, the first and second grippers can also extend longitudinally in the conveying direction on both sides of the conveyor unit. In other words, at least one gripper is respectively provided on the left and right side in the conveying direction. In this embodiment, it is particularly advantageous if the grippers are then arranged so that they can be moved toward each other transversely to the conveying direction so that they can grip and lift the products in a laterally clamping fashion.

Preferably, each frame is provided with at least one rotating drive mechanism on which at least two grippers are arranged spaced apart from each other in the rotation direction. This embodiment increases the processing speed of the device.

In order to be able to slow down the product or product group that has been lifted up from the conveyor unit (conveyor belt/or table) and then speed it up again, in the region oriented toward the conveyor belt/table, the drive mechanism is guided in a preferably meander-shaped fashion in the frames. The grippers thus execute a vertical movement and at the deflection point, execute a movement oriented in the conveying direction. During the lifting process, they are thus slowed down in their speed with regard to the conveying direction and are then sped up again so that they reach the same speed as the product or product group being conveyed in the conveyor unit.

In order to be able to insert an article into the gap that is formed in the upper layer, an inserting device is preferably positioned after the frames in the conveying direction.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained in greater detail below with the aid of the drawings. In the drawings:

Fig . 1 shows a perspective depiction of a packaging machine;

Fig. 2a shows the top view of the distributing unit in a first outer position;

Fig. 2b shows the top view of the distributing unit in a second outer position;

Fig . 2c shows the perspective view of the distributing unit according to Fig.

2b;

Fig. 2d shows the perspective depiction of the distributing unit according to

Fig. 2a;

Fig. 3.1 shows a perspective depiction of a stacker in a first embodiment;

Fig. 3.2 shows a simplified depiction of the stacker according to Fig . 3.1;

Fig . 4.1 shows a perspective depiction of a stacker in a second embodiment;

Fig . 4.2 shows the depiction according to Fig . 1 with products/product groups;

Fig . 5 schematically depicts the sequence of the stacking in six images;

Fig. 6 shows the shrink-wrapping device; Fig . 7 shows a schematic side view of the device according to Fig . 6;

Fig . 8 shows the section along the line VIII-VIII according to Fig . 7; Fig. 9 shows a schematic side view of the device according to Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 shows the section along the line X-X according to Fig. 9.

The packaging machine is composed of conveyors 2, 3, 4, 5 arranged one after another that are composed of endlessly revolving conveyor belts 2.1, 3.1, 5.1 or a table 4.1 with sliders 4.2, 4.3 that are driven in endlessly revolving fashion in the conveying direction F2 and that convey products Pi, P2, P3, Pi to different stations in a conveying direction F2. The products, which are conveyed one after another in a line in a first conveying direction Fi, for example coming from the filling system, are transported by a first conveyor 1 to the distributing unit 100, which delivers them into the conveying region F3 of a second conveyor 2.

Distributing unit

The distributing unit 100 is oriented at an angle a relative to the first conveyor 1 and the first conveying direction Fi and is oriented at a second angle β relative to the conveyor 2 and the conveying direction F 2 . As is clear from Fig. 1, the first conveyor 1 and the second conveyor 2 are arranged parallel to each other so that the angles a and β are of equal magnitude and are approximately 20°. The distributing unit 100 is composed of a top part 110 and a pedestal part 120 that is mounted in stationary fashion. The top part 110 has two deflecting rollers 111, 112, that drive a belt 113 in an endlessly revolving fashion in a third conveying direction F3.

The top part 110 is arranged in sliding fashion relative to the pedestal part 120 and can be moved forward and backward in the conveying direction F3, as a comparison of Figs. 2a and 2b shows. To accomplish this, the deflecting rollers 111, 112 are connected to each other by a toothed rack 114. The toothed rack 114 could also be replaced with a toothed belt or a driven linear unit. A motor 115 positioned above the toothed rack 114 moves the top part 110 forward and backward in a linear direction and into the desired position. If the top part 110 is in the first outer position Si shown in Fig. 2a, then the products Pi, P2, P3, Pi coming from the conveyor 1 travel toward the belt 113 and are deflected onto the conveyor 2. The revolving belt 113 either lightly drives the products Pi, P2, ... and supports them as the speed of the conveyor 2 is being reached or, by revolving, reduces the sliding friction of the products Pi, P 2 , P3, Pi on the distributing unit 100. At the end of the distributing unit 100, the products Pi, P 2 reverse course in accordance with the angle β and are transported by the conveyor 2 from the conveying direction F3 into the conveying direction F2 in the direction of the stacker 200.

Depending on how long the distributing unit 100 remains in this first outer position, this results in the number of products P3, P4, ... that are positioned one after another in the first row Ri (right, outside). In order to form the next row R 2 , the top part 110 is moved in linear fashion farther in the direction toward the inner region of the conveyor 2, thus increasing the travel distance S over which the distributing unit covers the second conveyor 2. This division into rows R3, R4 that are offset parallel to each other in the conveying direction F2 repeats until the top part 110 has reached its second outer position (left, outside), which is shown in Fig. 2b and the products Pi, P2 are then grouped into the last outer row R5.

The speed of the conveyors 1, 2 and the speed of the distributing unit 100 are determined by whether the products Pi, P2, ... in the rows Ri, ... R4 are to be conveyed in the conveying direction F 2 spaced apart from or resting against one another. If the products reach the conveyor 3, then they are collected until the desired number of products is arranged parallel and adjacent to one another. The conveyor 4 travels faster than the conveyor 3 by a desired number. If the stopper at the end of the conveyor 3 is released, then five products adjacent to one another are quickly transported in the conveying direction F2, the first product group is lifted up, and its speed in the conveying direction F 2 is reduced so that the subsequent product group G2 resting on the conveyor unit of the conveyor 4 is conveyed through underneath the lifted product group Gi. If the two product groups Gi, G2 come into superposition with each other, then the first product group Gi is lowered and placed onto the second product group G2. Then the products Pi, P2, P3, P4, ..·, Pi that have been grouped into the two product groups Gi, G2 are wrapped in a film 60, which is supplied by means of a roller and are then transported by the fifth conveyor 5 into the shrink oven 300 in which the film is heated so that it shrinks and surrounds the grouped products so that a transportable bundle is produced.

Stacker

The device 200 for stacking at least two products Pi, P2 or two product groups Gi, G2 composed of a plurality of products Pi adjacent to one another has an inlet region E and an outlet region A. The conveyor 4 provided for the stacker 200 has a table 4.1, across which sliders 4.2, 4.3, which are driven in a revolving fashion in the conveying direction F 2 , are moved in order to convey (slide) the products Pi, P2, P3, P4, ... , Pi in the conveying direction F 2 . Positioned on a beam 201 situated above the table 4.1, frames 230, 240 are situated next to the conveyor 4 on both sides, which will be described in greater detail with the aid of Figs. 3.1 and 3.2. The frames 230, 240 are embodied mirror-symmetrically. The description is therefore predominantly based on the frame 230. In an envelope curve 231, a drive mechanism 232 rotates in a vertical plane. Spaced apart and parallel to the envelope curve 231, there is a second envelope curve 238 in which a drive mechanism 237 rotates in a vertical plane. The envelope curves 231 and 238 are structurally identical. Grippers 220 that are spaced apart at regular intervals in the direction F are attached to the drive mechanisms 232, 237 by means of rods 221 that protrude transversely thereto across almost the whole width of the table 4.1. The opposing frame 240 is likewise provided with two structurally identical envelope curves 241, 248 with drive mechanisms 242, 247 revolving therein in the direction F 4 . In this case, grippers 210 that are spaced apart at regular intervals are attached to the drive mechanisms 242 and 247 by means of rods 211 that are oriented in the opposite direction and protrude across almost the whole width of the table 4.1. In the ends of the frames 230, 240 oriented toward the table 4.1, the drive mechanisms 232/237, 242/247 are guided in a meander-shaped fashion by means of three deflecting pulleys 234, 235, 236. In this region, the grippers 210, 220 execute a vertical movement and horizontal movement. In comparison to the speed of the conveyor 4 (of the sliders 4.2, 4.3), the grippers 210, 220 are slowed down by the vertical movement and at the deflecting pulley 235, are sped up again in the conveying direction F2 so that they assume the same speed as the sliders 4.2, 4.3. A control chain, which is not shown in detail here, travels in a third envelope curve 239, 249. This control chain can be used to rotate the grippers 210, 220 around their longitudinal axis B. A respective product group Gi is situated between the grippers 210, 220. In the inlet region E of the stacking device 200, a stopper 202 is provided, with which the rows Rl, R2, R3, R4 formed by the distributing unit 100 come into contact and against which they are collected. The products Pi, P2 ...Pi come to a stop while the conveyors 3, 4 continue to be driven. Sliders 4.2, 4.3 of different heights in alternation are fastened extending across the table 4.1. As shown in Fig. 3.2, the sliders 4.2, 4.3 are of different heights and are driven to revolve in a vertical plane and guided in the beams 201. After the inlet region E and above the table 4.1, two strip-shaped lateral guides 4.4, 4.5 are provided, which, by means of oblong holes 4.6, can be adjusted in their distance from each other and in their angle relative to the conveying direction. The purpose of these lateral guides 4.4, 4.5 is to push the products Pi, P2, P3, P4 together transversely to the conveying direction F2 and to align them on the table 4.1. The stopper 202 releases the first respective group Gi of products Pi, P2, P3, P4 in rows adjacent to one another so that they travel onto the table 4.1. The next group G2 of products Pi, P2, P3, P4 is then held back for a defined amount of time while the first product group Gi resting on the slider 4.2 continues to be conveyed. If the defined distance a between the product groups Gi, G2 has been reached, then the stopper 202 releases the product group G2, which is then conveyed at the distance a behind the first product group Gi, resting on the higher slider 4.3 in the conveyor unit 4.1,4.2, 4.3. These two product groups Gi, G2 are formed into the stack St in the manner that will be described in conjunction with Fig. 5: Image 1 shows the beginning of the gripping of the first product group Gi, which, resting on the slider 4.2 is conveyed under the stacker behind the product group G2 resting on the slider 4.3. The rear gripper 220 touches the front product group Gi first and disengages it from the slider 4.2. The front gripper 210 is likewise placed against the product group Gi. The grippers 210, 220 are square in cross-section and before the contact is produced, are slightly rotated around their longitudinal axis B by the control chain so that the orientation of the contact surfaces of the grippers 210, 220 is absolutely parallel in order to securely grip the product group Gi. Image 2 shows that the grippers 210, 220 have lifted the first product group Gi up from the table 4.1 because the drive mechanisms 232/237, 242/247 are guided in a meander-shaped fashion in the envelope curves 231/238, 241/248 and are at first guided predominantly in the vertical direction F so that they are slowed down in relation to the conveying direction F2 and the slider 4.2 travels through underneath the first group Gi.

As the process continues, image 3 shows that the next product group G2 begins to be conveyed by the conveyor unit 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 underneath the raised front product group Gi, which is further clarified in image 4. Due to the reversal of the arc in the envelope curve, now the raised product group Gi also executes a movement in the conveying direction F2 so that it is sped up again in terms of its horizontal speed. With the reversal, as shown in Fig. 5, the upper product group Gi is set down in the direction of the lower product group G2, which rests on the slider 4.3 as before.

Image 6 shows the stack St that is formed. As this image shows, the higher slider 4.3 is higher than the thickness of the product group G2 so that it also rests against the upper product group Gi and has the ability to potentially center it if this should be needed. To disengage the grippers 210, 220 from the stack St, they are once again rotated around their longitudinal axis B by means of the control chain, with the front gripper 210 being rotated clockwise and the rear gripper 220 being rotated counterclockwise. The rotation is slight and its only purpose is to ensure that the grippers 210, 220 can disengage from the stack St when they are taken away, positively driven in the vertical direction F 4 . By means of the conveyor unit 4, the stack St is then conveyed onward to the shrink-wrapping device 300 and subsequent shrinking in the shrink oven 400.

An alternative exemplary embodiment of a stacker is shown in Figs.4.1 and 4.2. This stacker differs in comparison to the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig.3 in that grippers (250, 260) that are spaced apart from one another in parallel fashion are fastened to the drive mechanisms (232, 242) and are supported so that they can be slid transversely to the conveying direction (F2). The grippers (250, 260) extend in the longitudinal direction relative to the table (4.1). If they are moved toward each other by a sliding of the rods (251, 261) at whose free ends they are positioned, they can grip and lift a product group (Gi, G2) in a laterally clamping fashion, as described above in conjunction with the sequence in Fig. 5. The sliding of the rods (251, 261) can be induced by means of a control cam (not shown) or by raised areas (not shown) provided at the ends (233, 243). Just like the length of the grippers (210, 230), the length of the grippers (250, 260) is adapted to the products (Pi).

Shrink-wrapping device The shrink-wrapping device 300 is situated after the stacker 200 at the end of the conveyor 5 on which the stacks St are transported in the conveying direction F 2 on a film web 60 resting on the conveyor belt 5.1. Instead of the stacks St, product groups G, or individual products P, can be conveyed one after another and shrink-wrapped. Before the shrink-wrapping device 300, a second film web 61 is placed onto the top of the stacks St, which is to be welded to the first film web 60 so that the film webs 61, 60 are severed, thus producing individual packages. The welding device 300 is composed of the frame 320 and the holder 310, which is supported therein so that it can move in the vertical direction V and is supported in the frame 320 so that it can be rotated around a rotation axis D. The holder 310 is composed of two parts 311, 312 that are arranged parallel to the rotation axis D and whose distances ai, ai from the rotation axis D are adjustable. In the simplest case, the welding units 318, 319, which act on the outside, can be heatable wires for welding the films 60, 61 to each other.

The two parts 311, 312 are connected to each other by means of longitudinal guides 313, 314 and by sliding the parts 311, 312 toward the rotation axis D and toward each other, the distances ai, ai are adjusted so that it is possible to set a large operating diameter (rotation diameter) as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 or to set a small operating diameter (rotation diameter) as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. A comparison of Figs. 7 and 9 to each other reveals that with the large operating diameter of the welding device 300, as shown in Fig. 7, larger and longer stacks St can be shrink-wrapped in the two films 60, 61, whereas with the smaller operating diameter, as shown in Fig. 9, smaller and shorter bundles Gi can be shrink-wrapped in the films 60, 61.

The electric motor 330 drives the holder 310 in rotary fashion around the rotation axis D. The adjustment of the distances ai, ai can be carried out by electric motor or manually. Through the adjustable distances ai, a2 of the welding units, it is possible to set the pattern repeat distance in concert with the movable mounting (vertical direction V) that is required by the respective product group. A U-shaped design of the welding units permits the packages to travel into the welding plane between the two welding tools. As a result, the bundles can be positioned closer together, which achieves a reduced film consumption. This also produces a more attractive bundle.

Reference Numeral List

1 conveyor 211 rod

2 conveyor 220 gripper

3 conveyor 221 rod

4 conveyor 230 frame

4.1 table

231 envelope curve

4.2 slider 232 drive mechanism

4.3 slider 233 Wall

4.4 lateral guide 234 deflecting pulley

4.5 lateral guide 235 deflecting pulley

4.6 oblong hole 236 deflecting pulley

5 conveyor 237 drive mechanism

5.1 conveyor belt 238 envelope curve

60 film 239 envelope curve

61 film 240 frame

100 distributing unit

241 envelope curve

110 top part 242 drive mechanism

111 deflecting roller 243 Wall

112 deflecting roller 247 drive mechanism

113 belt 248 envelope curve

114 toothed rack/toothed belt

249 envelope curve

115 drive motor 250 gripper

120 pedestal part 251 rod

200 stacker 260 gripper

201 beam 261 rod

202 stopper

300 device/

210 gripper shrink-wrapping device

400 shrink oven Ri row

310 holder R2 row

311 half R3 row

312 half F row

S travel distance

313 longitudinal guide Si first outer position 314 longitudinal guide S2 second outer position

318 welding unit St stack

319 welding unit

320 frame a distance

ai distance

330 electric motor a 2 distance

a angle

A outlet region β angle

B longitudinal axis

D rotation axis

E inlet region

FB conveying region

Fi conveying direction

F2 conveying direction

F3 conveying direction

F conveying direction

Gi group

Gi group

G 2 group

Pi product

P2 product

P3 product

P product

Pi product