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: 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.