Abstract: The invention relates to a strapping device and a method for producing strapped packages, which combine at least two articles by means of at least one strap. The strapping device is paired with a device for providing two or more grouped articles. and the strapping device comprises a handling device (10) with two pivoting arms (11, 12) which can be adjusted relative to each other and each of which is equipped with clamping devices (14, 15) for fixing the belt ends (27) of a strapping belt (26) or a strapping blank (28) in a clamped manner. The pivoting arms (11, 12) can surround the grouped articles for the purpose of strapping same, thereby pivoting the first pivoting arm (11) and the second pivoting arm (12). The strapping device additionally comprises a fixing device for connecting the two belt ends (27) of the strapping belt (26) or the strapping blank (28).

Abstract: Disclosed is a gripper (1) for beverage cans (20). The gripper (1) comprises at least one gripping device (6) used to grip a particular beverage can (20) from underneath the top seam (5) in a form-fitting manner in the region of a top seam (5), which top seam (5) is formed by a particular beverage can (20). The gripper (1) comprises at least one centering device (30), by which at least one centering device (30) aligns the particular beverage can (20) into a defined alignment, where the at least one gripping device (6) is able to grip a particular beverage can (20) from underneath in a form-fitting manner in the region of its top seam (5).

Abstract: The invention includes a method used to place article groups into outer packagings (22) packaging apparatus (10). Article groups are transferred by a handling device (26) from a staging location (46) to a conveyor line (20) and are placed into the outer packagings (22). The conveyor line (20) serves to successively transport outer packagings (22). At least some of the articles (14) of a particular article group are directed and/or guided during a placing procedure by a centering device (32) assigned to the conveyor line (20) and moved along with the outer packagings (22), which are being transported on the conveyor line (20) and which are to be loaded with article groups.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus (22) for closing the top side of external cardboard packagings (1). The external cardboard packagings (1) comprise two top closing flaps (3, 4) located opposite each other. Side edges (42) of the closing flaps (3, 4) are connected to each other via two fold-in flaps (5, 6). During closing, at least two external cardboard packagings (1) are positioned in a group (50) contiguous to each other or slightly spaced apart. At least two folding devices (23) are advanceable toward each other to engage the fold-in flaps (5, 6) of each of the at least two external cardboard packagings (1), thus pressing the fold-in flaps (5, 6) toward each other and folding them over their particular second fold edges (60) and third fold edges (7), thereby folding down the top closing flaps (3, 4).

Abstract: A packaging method is described in which at least one primary packaging (2) is inserted through a closable opening into a secondary packaging (3) after a handling device (20) has been positioned at the closable opening of the secondary packaging (3). The primary packaging (2) is guided by the handling device (20) during its insertion into the opening of the secondary packaging (3), and a target position of the primary packaging (2) is predetermined within the secondary packaging (3). After insertion of the at least one primary packaging (2) into the secondary packaging (3), the opening of the secondary packaging (3) is at least partially closed under the cooperation or action of the handling device (20). Furthermore, a packaging module is described which is designed to perform such a packaging process.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus to transfer and place articles (12) into outer packages (16), which are open at the top and which each receive at least one article group (18) composed of a plurality of articles (12). In the method, at least one article group (18) is seized by at least one handling device (46) and is placed from above into one of the outer packages (16). An article group (18), which has been seized by the handling device (46), already is compacted or will be compacted during placement of the article group into the outer package (16) by reducing the spacings between at least some of the individual articles (12) of the article group (18). The article group may also be subsequently spread out.

Abstract: Disclosed is a packaging robot for articles such as beverage containers or the like. The packaging robot comprises a bridge (3) as well as at least two tool holders (5) arranged at the bridge (3), wherein the at least two tool holders (5) arranged on the bridge (3) are each movable along the bridge (3) and can each accommodate a tool head (7). It is provided that at least one tool holder (5) of the at least two tool holders (5) arranged at the bridge (3) is optionally able to be equipped with a particular tool head (7) adapted to the particular packaging process to be performed. It is also provided that the at least one tool holder (5) of the at least two tool holders (5) can switch into a standby mode while remaining at the bridge (3) if the particular packaging process to be performed by the packaging robot does not require the at least one tool holder (5) to be equipped with a tool head (7).

Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging apparatus (1) and a method used to produce packaging units (35). The packaging units (35) comprise at least one article (30), in particular at least one beverage can (31), with at least one at least in some areas flatly designed packaging blank (20) arranged on the article (30) or beverage can (31). The packaging blank (20) has at least one passage opening (23) in the flatly designed area for the at least one article (30). The packaging apparatus (1) comprises at least one feeder device (2) for the at least one article (30) or for assemblies (40) of at least two articles (30); a pre-treatment module (9) to prepare the packaging blank (20) for the application to the at least one article (30); and a first packaging module (7) to apply and locate the packaging blank (20) to the at least one article (30).

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for assembling several beverage containers (2) into a multipack (4) is disclosed. The apparatus (1) comprises a horizontal conveying device (5) for moving groupings (3), each grouping (3) comprising several beverage containers (2). The apparatus (1) also comprises at least one working device (25) that applies packaging blanks (41) to the groupings (3). The beverage containers (2) of a grouping (3) pass through openings in the packaging blank (41) and are held together by the packaging blank (41). The apparatus (1) furthermore comprises at least one handling apparatus (15) which places the beverage containers (2) on the horizontal conveying device (5) such that the beverage containers (2) are in alignment with respect to one another. The alignment of the beverage containers (2) allows the packaging blank (41) to be applied to the beverage containers (2) directly upon their placement on the horizontal conveying device (5).

Abstract: A switch receiving Ethernet packets is disclosed, including TCP packets and/or non-TCP packets. The Ethernet packets are forwarded to at least two ports by forwarding each TCP Present application relates to a switch receiving Ethernet packets, including TCP packets and/or non-TCP packets, and forwarding the Ethernet packets to at least two ports by forwarding each of the TCP packets to any one of the at least two ports and forwarding each stream of non-TCP packets to one corresponding port of the at least two ports.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method as well as an apparatus used to transfer and place articles (12) into outer packages (16), which are open at the top and which each receive at least one article group (18), which is composed of a plurality of articles (12). In the method, at least one article group (18) is in each instance seized as a group by means of at least one handling device (46) and is placed from above into one of the outer packages (16). An article group (18), which has been seized by the handling device (46), already is compacted or will be compacted during a procedure of being placed into the outer package (16) in terms of the spacings between at least some of the individual articles (12) of the article group (18), and it is subsequently spread out.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for assembling several beverage containers (2) into a multipack (4) is disclosed. The apparatus (1) comprises a horizontal conveying device (5) for moving groupings (3), each grouping (3) comprising several beverage containers (2). The apparatus (1) also comprises at least one working device (25) that applies packaging blanks (41) to the groupings (3). The beverage containers (2) of a grouping (3) pass through openings in the packaging blank (41) and are held together by the packaging blank (41). The apparatus (1) furthermore comprises at least one handling apparatus (15) which places the beverage containers (2) on the horizontal conveying device (5) such that the beverage containers (2) are in alignment with respect to one another. The alignment of the beverage containers (2) allows the packaging blank (41) to be applied to the beverage containers (2) directly upon their placement on the horizontal conveying device (5).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method used to package article groups in outer packaging and/or to place article groups into outer packagings (22) as well as a correspondingly controllable handling apparatus and/or packaging apparatus (10). In this connection, article groups are transferred by means of a handling device (26) from a staging location (46) to a conveyor line (20) and are placed into the outer packagings (22). The conveyor line (20) in this context serves to successively transport outer packagings (22) provided and prepared for an accommodation of in each instance at least one article group that has been formed from a plurality of articles (14).

Abstract: The invention relates to a folding device (10) for transporting an outer cardboard package (20) having folding lines and for folding at least one side flap (21) of the outer cardboard package (20). The folding device (10) comprises at least one conveyor system with a guiding unit (11) and with at least two transporting and folding shuttles (30) disposed on the guiding unit (11) for the transport of the outer cardboard packages (20) in a transport direction (TR). The at least two shuttles (30) are disposed in a row at the conveyor system and are transported in a transport direction (TR) through and/or by the conveyor system. Each shuttle (30) comprises its own, individually controllable drive (32) and further at least one folding unit (35) for folding over at least one side flap (21) of an outer cardboard package (20).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus (22) for closing the top side of external cardboard packagings (1). The external cardboard packagings (1) comprise two top closing flaps (3, 4) located opposite each other. Side edges (42) of the closing flaps (3, 4) are connected to each other via two fold-in flaps (5, 6). During closing, at least two external cardboard packagings (1) are positioned in a group (50) contiguous to each other or slightly spaced apart. At least two folding devices (23) are advanceable toward each other to engage the fold-in flaps (5, 6) of each of the at least two external cardboard packagings (1), thus pressing the fold-in flaps (5, 6) toward each other and folding them over their particular second fold edges (60) and third fold edges (7), thereby folding down the top closing flaps (3, 4).

Abstract: A packaging device (1) for articles, such as beverage containers and the like, is disclosed. The packaging device (1) comprises at least one transport device (3) for articles and at least one manipulator. By the at least one transport device, articles can be moved into a working area of the at least one manipulator. The at least one manipulator can apply a respective outer packaging from above to articles moving into its working area within the context of a first packaging process and/or can place articles from above onto a respective outer packaging within the context of the first packaging process. In addition, a second packaging process is provided for the packaging device (1), which second packaging process comprises a lateral insertion of articles into a respective outer packaging not provided for in the first packaging process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a folding device (10) for transporting an outer cardboard package (20) having folding lines and for folding at least one side flap (21) of the outer cardboard package (20). The folding device (10) comprises at least one conveyor system with a guiding unit (11) and with at least two transporting units (30) disposed on the guiding unit (11) for the transport of the outer cardboard packages (20) in a transport direction (TR). The at least two transporting units (30) are disposed in a row at the conveyor system and are transported in transport direction (TR) through and/or by the conveyor system. Each transporting unit (30) comprises an own, individually controllable drive (32) and further at least one folding unit (35) for folding over at least one side flap (21) of an outer cardboard package (20).

Abstract: A switch receiving Ethernet packets is disclosed, including TCP packets and/or non-TCP packets. The Ethernet packets are forwarded to at least two ports by forwarding each TCP Present application relates to a switch receiving Ethernet packets, including TCP packets and/or non-TCP packets, and forwarding the Ethernet packets to at least two ports by forwarding each of the TCP packets to any one of the at least two ports and forwarding each stream of non-TCP packets to one corresponding port of the at least two ports.