Abstract: Apparatus for the production of a packaged unit completely enclosed by a heat shrinkable foil where the unit is made up of a plurality of layers of items of the same general shape stacked one layer on another with a final layer being inset relative to the subjection layers forming inset spaces for receiving support members of a lifting device in the final package condition of the unit. Initially, a shrinkable foil is placed over the stack and is shrunk onto it. Next, the stack is inverted so that the final layer is located at the bottom. The apparatus reduces the space requirement for producing the packaged unit with the stack being moved as little as possible and increasing production output. The tool for shaping the foil on the stack are combined with at least one of the foil applying unit and a frame of the shrinkage unit and with the conveying device for the stack.

Abstract: An arrangement for manufacturing non-pelletized packaging units which are completely surrounded with shrinking foil. The packaging units are formed by several layers of objects which are stacked on top of each other in such a way that at least two parallel recesses are formed into which support members of a lifting device can engage. The arrangement includes a single shrinking foil application device and a single shrinking device forming a combined arrangement and having a common conveyor and support track. Shaping tools of a shaping device are permanently assigned to an appropriate conveyor surface of a turning device. The shaping tools can be moved into position for shaping the shrinking foil in the recesses after a first shrinking foil has been applied and shrunk onto the stack. After turning the stack, the shaping tools are moved into a release position.

Abstract: An arrangement for sliding and shrinking a hood of shrinking foil over and onto a stack formed by a number of packaging objects. The arrangement includes a vertically movable frame with shrinking devices provided in the upper region of the frame and gripping elements for grasping and pulling down the lower edge of the shrinking foil. A lifting device arranged centrically underneath the stack serves to raise the stack from a conveying device which transports the stack into and out of the arrangement according to the invention. The lifting device raises the stack so that the lower edge of the hood of shrinking foil can be shrunk onto the stack up to the region of the conveying device. Subsequently, the lifting device is lowered. The vertical distance between the gripping elements and the shrinking devices is adjustable.

Abstract: A device for gripping, lifting and releasing a member, such as a package or individual article, used in automatic handling apparatus where two gripping arms are pivotally mounted so that they can be pivoted into and out of gripping relation with a member. The device can grip the member and place it carefully on a surface where it is surrounded laterally by similar members. In the placing operation the member gripped and the laterally surrounding members are not deformed. The gripping arms are pivoted at one end and grip the member at the other. The pivoted ends of the gripping arms can be moved away from or toward one another while being pivoted for effecting gripping or releasing of the member.

Abstract: Objects to be stacked on a pallet or packaged without using a pallet, are transported by a conveyor to an inlet roll track where the objects are assembled into rows, from the inlet roll track a row of the objects is transferred to an intermediate support member where a layer of rows of the objects are collected and then picked up by a forklift device for movement to a pallet or a stack support. The inlet roll track is made up of a number of rollers which can be driven at variable speeds with the rollers most remote from the inlet to the inlet roll track moving at the lowest speed. Alternatively, the rollers of the inlet roll track can be arranged in groups with each group operating at a different speed and capable of being switched on and off separate from the other groups. The stack support can be moved vertically so that the forklift device places each layer on it in about the same horizontal plane as the stack is built up.

Abstract: The opposite sides of the bottom layer of a multi-layered stack of packages have recessed portions. In apparatus for fitting a shrunk-on foil hood over the stack, a conveyor is positioned at a working station. The conveyor can be raised and lowered. After the stack is positioned at the working station, the conveyor is lowered and sets of rollers at each end of the conveyor are moved horizontally inwardly above the conveyor into the recessed portions of the stack. With the rollers within the recessed portions, the conveyor is lowered further so that the rollers contact the downwardly facing surface of the recessed portion. The relative movement of the sets of rollers and the conveyor permit the rollers to press the foil hood into closely fitting contact with the recessed portions of the stack. While the foil hood is pressed into the recessed portions, cooling air can be directed toward the stack to facilitate the shrinking action.