Abstract: A method and device for grouping packages into specified package groups in an interference-free and fault-free manner with a conveyor having multiple individually actuatable conveyors arranged one behind the other with an inlet-side and a discharge-side end. The packages are supplied to the conveyor device at the inlet-side end one after the other, and a control algorithm is carried out to interpolate and/or detect the position and/or the speed of each individual package. A target speed is determined for each individual package based on the detected and/or interpolated position and/or speed of the package. A target speed is determined for the individual conveyors to achieve the target speed for each package to set a specified distance to the leading and/or following package at the discharge-side end. The speed of the individual conveyors is controlled to the respective determined target speed for the conveyor.

Abstract: A linear filling machine for filling containers that are transported in groups along a linear conveying path has a plurality of machine sections following one another along the conveying path. The respective machine sections form an input station for receiving the containers, a handling station for treating the containers, a filling station for filling the containers, and a discharge station for delivering the containers. The machine sections are exchangeable machine modules, wherein each machine module forms an independent functional unit with a power supply unit and a media supply unit, in particular a pneumatic medium supply unit. The supply units are arranged spatially separate from one another, with the power supply unit arranged on a first side and the pneumatic medium supply unit arranged on an opposite, second side of the machine module.

Abstract: A beverage container handling machine, such as a beverage container filling machine or a beverage container closing machine, is used to handle beverage containers, such as bottles, cans, and similar containers, which containers are configured to hold or contain a beverage, such as water, soft drinks, beer, wine, and juices, or a similar product for transport and consumption by consumers of beverages and similar products. Container packages, such as multipacks, are used for transporting groups of beverage containers, such as bottles, cans, and similar containers, for containing beverages or other products.

Abstract: A system for assembling layers of packages and for forming transport and storage units from the layers. A grouping station has a grouping table for arranging and grouping the packages in a predefined layer arrangement. A package delivery feeds the packages to the grouping table in a conveying direction. The package delivery has two row conveyors for transporting at least one row of packages each on either side of the grouping table. A transfer unit transfers the packages from the row conveyors to the grouping table by sliding them in a respective sliding direction over a slide-over buffer region between each row conveyor and the grouping table, in order to form the layer of packages. A layer stacker then slides the layer of packages from the grouping table over onto a plate provided in the layer stacker, while maintaining the layer arrangement, in order to form the transport and storage unit.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a folding unit and a transport unit that transports a package assembly on a transport plane towards the folding unit, the package assembly comprising containers that have been wrapped in a paper blank that comprises tabs that project past the containers. The tabs comprise a lower tab that is coplanar with the transport plane. The folding unit comprises a folding-device that folds lower tabs with plates arranged on both sides of the transport unit. The plates move with three degrees-of-freedom: along the transport unit, towards the package assembly, and perpendicular to the transport plane.

Abstract: A container-handling apparatus, in particular a filling machine for filling cans or similar containers with liquid contents, has a first transporter for a container infeed, a downstream rotor with a plurality of handling positions for handling the containers, and a second transporter downstream of the rotor and forming a container outfeed. The second transporter is a chain conveyor with at least one guide finger having first and second guide portion, which receives the as yet unsealed containers and guides them by the first guide portion initially along a first, at least partially curved transport path portion, continuously in contact with a guide rail, before the second guide portion of the guide finger then conveys the container on a straight, second transport path portion along the container treatment path.

Abstract: A gripper for holding preforms or containers in their neck region having two pivotable gripper arms held in a base position under spring tension such that their gripping ends jointly enclose and hold the neck region. They are pivotable out of the base position jointly in one direction if they come into contact with an obstacle. In the base position, a main gripper arm is clamped via a spring with the gripper base, which pulls the main arm into contact with the other secondary gripper arm. The main and secondary arms are each mounted in a respective joint. The joint of the secondary arm is closer to its gripping end than the joint of the main arm is to its gripping end. The arms press against one another in the closed position at least in two regions, one above the joint of the secondary arm and the other below it.

Abstract: A tray packer includes a positioning-and-folding unit, an application unit, and a storage-and-feed unit. The positioning-and-folding unit arranges a container group on a packaging blank's bottom and places its sides against the group. The application unit places a material blank on the group opposite the bottom portion such as to form a bundle. The storage-and-feed unit stores and provides the material blanks to the application unit. The application unit comprises a pressing element that comprises a tool plate that moves continuously on a circular path in such a way that the tool plate adjusts between engagement positions with the containers. The circular path spans a plane oriented parallel to a transport plane along which the groups travel.

Abstract: A container guiding device has a railing with two guide elements that are spaced from one another, that extend in the transport direction of a container transport device, and that guide containers or packages. At least one guide element can be adjusted transversely to the transport direction relative to the other guide element by an adjusting device. The adjusting device has a drive body which can be rotated about a rotational axis and a coupling element which is connected to the at least one guide element and to the drive body such that a rotation of the drive body produces a translation of the coupling element transversely to the transport direction. The drive body has a control element which is in engagement with the coupling element and which runs in a spiral shape about the rotational axis of the drive body, at least along some sections.

Abstract: A label box includes a dispensing region and a storage region for holding a stack of labels, all of which have the same two-dimensional contour. The dispensing region includes a guiding-and-holding body that has been manufactured by an additive-manufacturing process based on a three-dimensional computer model thereof. The guiding-and-holding body forms a guide space for receiving and guiding of the stack and for dispensing the labels. The guide space includes a guide section that is adjustable to conform to the contour. The guiding-and-holding body also includes a securing region for at least partially securing the label box to a holding device.

Abstract: A beverage bottle and container handling arrangement for handling beverage bottles, cans, or similar containers, and a method of operating a beverage bottle and container handling arrangement, and an adjustment arrangement configured to adjust components of the beverage bottle and container handling arrangement and a method therefor.

Abstract: A transport system for transporting containers along a transport path in a transport direction includes first and second transporters that define first and second transport-path sections, at least one of which follows a circular arc. A third transport-path section between the first and second transport-path sections comprises an adjustable transition curve.

Abstract: A container transport device for transporting containers in a container handling system includes a chassis for supporting the container transport device on a track. The chassis is equipped with a frame on which at least one tray for transporting the containers is provided in a vertically adjustable manner. The at least one tray has a transport surface with multiple transport elements arranged in a substantially parallel manner for temporarily storing and conveying containers in rows, and each transport element is drivable in a controlled and/or closed-loop manner independently of one another in two different conveying directions.

Abstract: A bundling machine includes a wrapper that wraps the combination while it rests on a forward end of a paper cutout and a rear end of the paper cutout overlaps the forward end of the paper cutout while the combination moves in a transport direction, a transporter having a wrapping belt and a removal belt that follows the wrapping belt along the transport direction for conveying the combination of packages along a transport plane in the transport direction through the wrapper, and a controller that controls the relative speed of the belts so that, while the combination contacts both belts, the wrapping belt moves faster than the removal belt, thereby causing the rear end to sustain a tension in the direction of the forward end.

Abstract: A method for filling and closing containers at a filling and closing unit of a handling station. After the completion of a filling phase, a handling phase is carried out at the filling and closing unit of the handling station, in which the process chamber is pre-loaded, in particular above the container opening of the corresponding container, by way of nitrogen to a pressure which is at or above the saturation pressure of the CO2 contained in the filling material.

Abstract: A palletizing apparatus and a method for stacking packages on a load carrier. The palletizing apparatus has a stacking location for palletizing the packages and at least two supply stations, which are in conveying connection with the stacking location and each have an intermediate carrier formed for receiving the packages. It is possible for the intermediate carriers to be vertically adjusted by a motor at least to some extent independently of one another between a low-level position and a high-level position. In order to make a rapid palletizing cycle possible, provision is made for the intermediate carriers to be horizontally adjustable by a motor-drive independently of one another between a starting position and an end position. The intermediate carriers are arranged at the supply stations for adjustment in a collision-free manner in opposite adjustment directions between a receiving position and a transfer position.

Abstract: In an apparatus for treating containers with a medium, the containers are transported cyclically in groups. A linear holding device has a plurality of container holders for holding the containers in a suspended state. A treatment device has a plurality of outlet heads that are connected to a supply line for the medium via respective branch lines. The outlet heads are moved together as a group in the vertical direction. Each outlet head has an outlet line for discharging the medium into the containers. For the purpose of treating the container, the outlet line is introduced into the container, which is held in a suspended state in the container mount. Each outlet head is assigned a controllable restraining mechanism. A controller communicates with the restraining mechanism to control a restraining element to hold back the outlet line of a respective outlet head in a restraining position as required.

Abstract: A gripping unit grips a base having a thickness that is defined by an upper side and a lower side thereof and that conveys a product on the upper side. The gripping unit has a pair of first guides with corresponding guide surfaces in contact with the base. The guide surfaces extends as far as beneath the lower side of the base.

Abstract: A container-handling apparatus, in particular a closing machine for closing cans or similar containers with a closure cap. A transfer element is provided between at least two adjacent container-closing positions. The transfer element surrounds at least part of the circumference of the respective container carrier and is provided so as to rotate with, i.e., revolve with, the container-closing positions. Furthermore, the upper side of the transfer element forms a transfer plane for transferring the upright containers in a planar manner from the transport plane onto the transfer plane spanned by the transfer element. The transfer plane and the transport plane are coplanar, spanning a common plane.

Abstract: A shrink-wrapping tunnel heater which comprises a gas heater which heats gas used to heat and shrink a shrink film onto articles, such as packages or packaging units. The heater has at least one porous burner which comprises a porous body or reactor. The porous body or reactor designed to combust fuel therein to produce heat, but without an open flame. Articles are moved through the shrink tunnel and the heated gas heats and shrinks shrinkwrap film onto the articles.