Device and Method for Forming Bundles of Individual Packages

Abstract

A bundling machine comprises a transporter that conveys the bundle along a transport direction, a wrapper that receives the bundle from the transport direction and that is configured to surround the bundle with a paper cutout as the bundle proceeds along the transport direction through the wrapper such that a front end and a rear end of the paper cutout overlap, and a tensioner that is configured to be brought into engagement with the paper cutout to temporarily apply a tension to the rear end against the transport direction so as to cause the rear end to be held taut against the front end.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus for forming bundles of individual liquid-filled containers by wrapping groups of said containers with a paper cutout, said apparatus comprising a bundling machine that comprises a transporter that conveys said bundle along a transport direction, a wrapper that receives said bundle from said transport direction and that is configured to surround said bundle with said paper cutout as said bundle proceeds along said transport direction through said wrapper such that a front end and a rear end of said paper cutout overlap, and a tensioner that is configured to be brought into engagement with said paper cutout to temporarily apply a tension to said rear end against said transport direction so as to cause said rear end to be held taut against said front end. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein said tensioner is adjacent to a side of said transporter that faces away from said bundle. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein said wrapper comprises a guide rod that brings said rear end into engagement with said tensioner. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein said wrapper comprises a compressed-air source and a guide rod that comprises compressed-air openings connected to said compressed-air source for displacing said paper cutout in a direction towards said tensioner. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising a positioning unit that is configured to be brought into engagement with said rear end to thereby displace said rear end into said tensioner. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising a compressed-air source and a compressed-air opening connected to said compressed air source. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein said tensioner comprises a device that secures said rear end of said paper cutout, said device being selected from the group consisting of a suction unit and a clamp. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising a negative-pressure source and a contact surface that contacts said paper cutout, said contact surface being connected to said negative-pressure source. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising a transport band and a contact surface that contacts said paper cutout, said transport band being disposed along a contact region at which said paper cutout contacts said contact surface. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein said tensioner comprises a clamp that comprises first and second clamp elements having respective first and second contact surfaces that are brought into contact on opposite sides of said paper cutout. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein said tensioner comprises a clamp that comprises first and second clamp elements having respective first and second contact surfaces that are separated by an adjustable gap. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein said tensioner comprises brushes that are separated by an adjustable distance, said brushes being disposed to contact said paper cutout on opposite sides thereof. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein said tensioner comprises rotating bodies that rotate about axes that are transverse to said transport direction and wherein said rotating bodies are separated by an adjustable gap that can be reduced so that said rotating bodies engage said paper cutout on opposite sides thereof with an adjustable tension. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein said wrapper comprises a guide rod and wherein said tensioner comprises first and second clamp elements, said first clamp element comprising an opening for temporarily receiving said guide rod. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein said tensioner is configured to sense a tension exerted on said paper cutout. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein said bundling machine is configured to secure said rear end to said front end. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein said bundling machine is configured to apply adhesive to secure said front and rear ends together. 
     
     
         41 . A method comprising forming a bundle of liquid-filled containers wherein forming said bundle comprises wrapping said bundle in a paper cutout having a front end and a rear end, wherein wrapping said bundle comprises transporting said bundle into a wrapper along a transport direction with said bundle resting on said front end, within said wrapper, temporarily applying tension to said rear end, said tension being in a direction opposite said transport direction, and forming an overlap between said rear end and said front end. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising, prior to transporting said bundle into said wrapper, grouping said liquid-filled containers on a cardboard tray. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising using a guide rod to bring said rear end of said paper cutout into engagement with a tensioner. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising using a positioning unit to displace said rear end into a tensioner. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising locking said read end into a tensioner by a force selected from the group consisting of a clamping force and a suction force. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising fixing said rear end to said front end with adhesive when said rear end and said front end overlap.