An apparatus and a method for packaging piece goods and in particular containers

Abstract

An apparatus for packaging piece goods compilations includes a first wrapping device for wrapping up the piece goods with a film element, and a further wrapping device for wrapping up the piece goods with a film element, wherein the piece goods can be fed to the first wrapping device so as to be wrapped up with a film element, and wherein during working operation of the apparatus, the first wrapping device and the further wrapping device can be selectively used in order to wrap the piece goods up.

1 : An apparatus for packaging piece goods compilations with a transport device that transports a plurality of piece goods in a specified transport direction, comprising a first wrapping device that is suitable and intended for wrapping piece goods with a film element, which first wrapping device has a dispensing unit with a dispensing element circulating around the piece goods, wherein the piece goods can be fed to the first wrapping device so as to be wrapped up with the film element,
 wherein   the apparatus comprises a further wrapping device that is suitable and intended for wrapping up the piece goods with a film element, wherein said further wrapping device has a dispensing unit with a dispensing element circulating around the piece goods, wherein the piece goods can be fed to the first wrapping device so as to be wrapped up with the film element, and wherein during working operation of the apparatus, the first wrapping device and the further wrapping device can be selectively used for wrapping up the piece goods.   
     
     
         2 : The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 wherein   at least one dispensing unit has a reception device in particular for rotationally receiving a film roll.   
     
     
         3 : The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 ,
 wherein   the reception device of at least one dispensing unit is accessible during on-going operation of the apparatus for replacing a film roll with a further film roll.   
     
     
         4 : The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 wherein   the apparatus has a changeover device that allows an at least partially automated changeover of film carriers for loading the wrapping devices.   
     
     
         5 : The apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 ,
 wherein   the changeover device has a gripping device located on a movement device for gripping and/or moving the film carriers.   
     
     
         6 : The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 wherein   the further wrapping device immediately follows the first wrapping device in the transport direction.   
     
     
         7 : The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 wherein   at least one wrapping device has an annular carrier on which the dispensing unit is provided.   
     
     
         8 : The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 wherein   the transport device has a forward feed device that pushes the piece goods into a working area of at least one of the wrapping devices.   
     
     
         9 : The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 wherein   the apparatus has a second wrapping device that can be operated in a working operation of the apparatus at least temporarily at the same time as the first wrapping device.   
     
     
         10 : The apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 ,
 wherein   the second wrapping device is designed in such a way that the piece goods are wrapped up by the first wrapping device and the second wrapping device in opposite directions.   
     
     
         11 : The apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 ,
 wherein   the apparatus has a second further wrapping device, wherein during working operation of the apparatus, the second wrapping device and the second further wrapping device can be selectively used for wrapping up the piece goods.   
     
     
         12 : The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 wherein   the apparatus has a drive device for generating the circulation movement of both the dispensing unit of the first wrapping device and the dispensing unit of the further wrapping device.   
     
     
         13 : A method for packaging piece goods compilations,
 wherein a transport device transports a plurality of piece goods in a specified transport direction, and wherein a first wrapping device wraps up piece goods with a film element, wherein said first wrapping device comprises a dispensing unit with a dispensing element circulating around the piece goods, wherein the piece goods are fed to the first wrapping device so as to be wrapped up with the film element,   
       wherein 
       the apparatus has a further wrapping device that at times also wraps up the piece goods with a film element, wherein the first wrapping device has a dispensing unit with a dispensing element that circulates around the piece goods, wherein the piece goods are fed to the first wrapping device so as to be wrapped up with the film element, and wherein during working operation of the apparatus, the first wrapping device and a further wrapping device are selectively used for wrapping up the piece goods. 
     
     
         14 : The method as claimed in  claim 13 ,
 wherein   the piece goods are wrapped up by at least two wrapping devices, wherein the wrapping operation is in particular carried out at the same time using at least these two wrapping devices.   
     
     
         15 : The method as claimed in  claim 13 ,
 wherein   a changeover of film carriers is carried out at least partially automatically by a changeover device.   
     
     
         16 : The method as claimed in  claim 13 ,
 wherein   at least at times one wrapping device is operated, whilst another wrapping device is idle.   
     
     
         17 : The method as claimed in  claim 16 ,
 wherein   in the other wrapping device, at least one film roll is replaced.   
     
     
         18 : The method as claimed in  claim 16 ,
 wherein   the film elements are applied by at least one wrapping device in a helical or spiral form onto the product stream.   
     
     
         19 : The method as claimed in  claim 16 ,
 wherein   the piece goods are pushed by at least one forward feed device into the working region of at least one wrapping device.