NL2013422B1

NL2013422B1 - Method and device for sleeving containers.

Info

Publication number: NL2013422B1
Application number: NL2013422A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Christiaan Koolhaas Ernst; Van Rijsewijk Lucas
Original assignee: Fuji Seal Int Inc
Priority date: 2014-09-05
Filing date: 2014-09-05
Publication date: 2016-09-05
Also published as: NL2013422A

Abstract

The invention relates to a container sleeving method comprising: - conveying a container along a trajectory; - ejecting a sleeve of heat shrinkable tubular foil material from an ejection unit to the conveyed container to an initial position wherein the sleeve is arranged around the container; - engaging the sleeve on the conveyed container; -applying an upward stroke to the sleeve by displacing the one or more flexible positioning elements in upward direction while having the flexible positioning elements follow the outer contour of the container. The invention also relates to a container sleeving device comprising a sleeve positioner configured to engage the sleeve on the conveyed container and to push the sleeve upward until the sleeve reaches a destination position above the initial position, the sleeve positioner comprising one or more flexible positioning elements arranged along the trajectory to apply an upward stroke to the sleeve.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SLEEVING CONTAINERS

The invention relates to a container sleeving method and container sleeving device for arranging at least one sleeve around at least one container.

Examples of such container sleeving device and method are disclosed in international publication WO 2014/006033 Al. In this known container sleeving device tubular foil material is supplied around an elongated mandrel. The mandrel comprises an inlet side configured as a flat element portion, an outlet side configured as a cylindrical element portion and a transition area located between the inlet and outlet side. The flat element receiving the flattened tubular material widens towards the transition area in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the flat element portion so that the flattened tubular material is opened while moving along the mandrel. The opened tubular mandrel is cut into individual sleeves and the sleeves are consecutively discharged towards containers conveyed on a conveyor along a trajectory below the mandrel. Discharging of the sleeves is accomplished by shooting the sleeves upward towards the containers passing by and causing the sleeves to slide over the bottom ends of the containers so that the sleeves can be arranged around the container in a fast and reliable manner. Furthermore the arrangement of a sleeve around a container by ejecting, i.e. shooting, the same from a mandrel enables very flexible sleeve material to be used since no use needs to be made of structural means that grab a sleeve and pull the same over the container.

The known sleeving device may comprise a sleeve support for supporting a sleeve once it has been ejected and slid over the bottom end of a container, for instance a tapered container (having the largest circumference at the top end of the container). The sleeve support extends into the heat shrink oven downstream of the sleeving position thereby allowing the sleeved to be properly supported until it is attached to the container by a heat shrinking process. A sleeve support supports suitable for supporting a sleeve arranged around the container may be formed by a passive plate arranged parallel to the conveyor. The plate can be arranged to support a part of the circumferential edge of the sleeve arranged around the container. In another example the sleeve support comprises a belt arranged to move along with the conveyor.

Figures 1-3 show several examples of situations wherein the sleeve support in the form of a stationary plate and/or a moving belt is capable of properly supporting a sleeve once it has been arranged around a container. Figures 1-2 show sleeved containers (1) wherein the bottom edge of the respective sleeve (S) projects in radial direction from the container leaving sufficient space to have the sleeve supported by the belt or plate. The sleeve length (also referred to as the cutting length CL) of these sleeves as smaller than the height (H) of the container, so that the sleeves are so-called partial sleeves. Figure 3 shows a sleeve having a sleeve length larger than the height (H) of the container (and hence this sleeve is a so-called full sleeve) so that the bottom edge of the sleeve is available to be supported by the plate or belt. However, the known sleeving device has the disadvantage that in certain configurations the plate and/or belt would not be able to properly support the sleeves. For instance, figure 4 shows a situation wherein a partial sleeve (S) (as mentioned above, a sleeve with reduced height relative to the full sleeve) is to be arranged around a container 1. The container has a generally non-tapering shape. More specifically, the container is shaped so that its circumference first increases from the top portion (rim 40) downward and then decreases again. The partial label or sleeve (S) needs to be positioned relative to the container so that the bottom edge 2 of the sleeve (S) is to be arranged on the largest circumference of the container (see area denoted by dashed line). In this situation there is no space available for the belt or plate to support the sleeve, for instance during transport of the combination of container and sleeve towards the heat shrink oven.

It is an object of the invention to provide a container sleeving method, container sleeving device and container sleeving system wherein at least one of the above-identified disadvantages and/or other disadvantages of the prior art have been removed or at least reduced.

It is a further object of the invention to provide container sleeving method, container sleeving device and container sleeving system that enable a relatively fast and reliable arrangement of partial sleeves around containers.

According to a first aspect at least one of the objects is at least partially achieved in a container sleeving method for arranging at least one sleeve around at least one container, the method comprising: - conveying a container along a trajectory; - ejecting a sleeve of heat shrinkable tubular foil material from an ejection unit to the conveyed container to an initial position wherein the sleeve is arranged around the container; - engaging the sleeve on the conveyed container; - pushing the sleeve upward using a sleeve positioner until the sleeve reaches a destination position above the initial position, wherein sleeve positioner comprising one or more flexible positioning elements arranged along the trajectory and wherein the method further comprises having the flexible positioning elements apply an upward stroke to the sleeve by displacing the one or more flexible positioning elements in upward direction along the outer surface of the container so as to have the flexible positioning elements follow the outer contour of the container during the displacement.

The flexible positioning elements are configured to allow the outer contour of the container to be followed by moving the (free ends of the) flexible positioning elements along the outer surface of the container so that the lower edge of the sleeve (for instance, when the positioning elements comprise flexible pusher plates or brushes engaging on the bottom end of the sleeve) or another part of the sleeve (for instance, when the positioning element engage the sleeves sideways) may be forced upward to bring the sleeve in the right position. By following the contour of the container the risk of damage to the container is reduced and good contact with the sleeve is ensured. Following the contour of the container also enables the method to properly position sleeves around containers of the above-mentioned (generally non-tapered) shape, such as - but not limited to- the shape shown in figure 4.

The free ends of the flexible positioning elements may be in contact with the outer surface of the containers during the movement along the outer surface of the container, for instance in embodiments wherein the positioning elements are arranged so as to support the lower end of the sleeve during the application of the upward stroke. In other embodiments the flexible positioning elements are in contact with the outer surface of the sleeve during the movement along the outer surface of the container, for instance in embodiments wherein the sleeves are contacted tangentially in order to apply the upward stroke, as will be discussed hereafter.

The positioning elements may be driven to move the sleeve from an initial position upward until the upper end of the sleeve reaches some kind of stop so that an exact. The stop may be part of container (for example, flange such as upper rim) or may be external part (for example, guiding element). Once the sleeve has reached the stop, the sleeve may be in its destination position. In other embodiments the sleeve is moved upward to a destination position which is still below the flange of the container.

In embodiments of the invention the applying of an upward stroke to the sleeve comprises: - applying a first upward stroke by displacing a first set of flexible positioning elements in upward direction while having the flexible positioning elements follow the outer contour of the container; and then applying a second upward stroke by displacing a second set of flexible positioning elements in upward direction while having the flexible positioning elements follow the outer contour of the container.

The first stroke may be used to bring the sleeve close to its destination position, while the second stroke places the sleeve exactly at the destination position. However, depending on the required accuracy, the sleeve may be arranged into the destination position on one stroke only.

In embodiments of the invention the positioning elements comprise two or more flexible positioning elements. Each of the flexible positioning elements may comprise a flexible plate arranged parallel to the trajectory of the container. The method may comprise placing the free edge of the flexible plate beneath a sleeve and having the free edge of the flexible plate push the sleeve upward while moving the free edge of the flexible plate upward along the container’s outer surface. The flexible positioning elements may comprise flexible material, like rubber. In embodiments the positioning element comprises a flexible plate. The flexible plate may have been provided with a number of cut-outs to provide a positioning element with a row of strips made of flexible material.

In other embodiments a flexible positioning element comprises a brush arranged parallel to the trajectory of the containers. The method may comprise placing the brush beneath a sleeve and having the brush of each of the flexible positioning elements push the sleeve upward while moving the brush along the outer contour of the container.

In embodiments of the invention the positioning elements are driven to move along a circular path. The flexible positioning elements may be arranged so as to extend in horizontal direction during the circular movement. Each position of a positioning element then follows this circular path, as will be explained hereafter.

In particular embodiments the method comprises positioning one or more flexible positioning elements below essentially the entire lower edge of the sleeve and displacing the flexible positioning elements upward to push the sleeve to the destination position. The positioning elements may therefore be moved to essentially surround the bottom end of the container and support the sleeve both in longitudinal and transversal direction.

As mentioned above, according to other embodiments of the invention, the container sleeving method may comprise placing brushes of the flexible positioning elements against the sides of the container and moving the brushes upward in order to push the sleeve to the destination position. In these embodiments the brushes may engage sideways on the sleeve (rather than on their lower edge).

In accordance with a still further embodiment the sleeve positioner comprises a first and second rotatable element arranged on either side of the container trajectory, the method comprising tangentially contacting the sleeve on the conveyed container with the rotatable elements and rotating the rotatable elements to apply an upward stroke to the sleeve. The rotating elements tangentially contacting the sleeve apply an upward stroke to the sleeve and push the sleeve to the destination position. The rotatable elements may take any form suitable for following the contour of the container and sliding the sleeve upward. In specific embodiments the rotatable elements may comprise brush- or bristle-like elements.

The first and second rotatable element may be driven to contact the sleeve in a synchronized manner so as to avoid or reduce disturbance of the orientation of the sleeve. For similar reasons and/or for avoiding problems resulting from the presence of folds the method may further comprise tangentially contacting the sleeve at opposing central areas of the sleeve.

As mentioned above, the sleeve may be pushed upward until the upper end of the sleeve abuts at least one a stop. This stop may be formed by a number of guides arranged at either side of the trajectory of the container, so that the upper end of the sleeve may be aligned with the guides. The stop may comprise a plate or belt, arranged above the container trajectory. For instance, in case of a “tamper evidence”, the sleeve is to cover or seal the upper part of the container. The stop may be arranged at a higher position than the top of the container and is arranged to cause the sleeve to cover essentially the entire top end of the container. In other embodiments the stop comprises a protrusion, for instance a flange part, of the container. In these embodiments the stop is part of the container, not the sleeving device.

According to another aspect of the invention a container sleeving device for arranging at least one sleeve around at least one container that is conveyed on a conveyor along a trajectory.

The device may comprise: - an ejection unit configured to eject the sleeve of heat shrinkable foil material to the conveyed container to an initial position wherein the sleeve is arranged around the container; - a sleeve positioner configured to engage the sleeve on the conveyed container and to push the sleeve upward until the sleeve reaches a destination position above the initial position; wherein the sleeve positioner comprises one or more flexible positioning elements arranged along the trajectory and a driver for driving the movement of the positioning elements, the sleeve positioner being configured to apply an upward stroke to the sleeve by displacing the one or more flexible positioning elements in upward direction along the outer surface of the container so as to have the flexible positioning elements follow the outer contour of the container during the displacement.

The device may be configured to allow the free ends of the flexible positioning elements to be in (direct) contact with the outer surface of the containers during the movement along the outer surface of containers. In other embodiments the device may be configured to allow the free ends of the flexible positioning elements to be in indirect contact with the outer surface of the containers during the movement along the outer surface of containers, for instance when the flexible positioning elements engage the outer surface of the sleeve while following the contour of the container during their upward movement.

In embodiments of the invention each of the flexible positioning elements comprises a flexible plate arranged parallel to the trajectory of the container. The driver may be configured to place the free edges of each of the flexible plates beneath a sleeve and to push the sleeve upward by the free edge of the flexible plate during movement of the free edge of the flexible plate along the container’s outer surface. Additionally or alternatively the flexible positioning element may comprise one or more brushes. In case of a plurality of positioning elements the elements may be arranged parallel to the trajectory of the containers (longitudinal positioning elements) and/or brushed perpendicularly to this trajectory (transversal positioning elements).

In other embodiments of the invention the sleeve positioner comprises positioning elements formed by a first and second rotatable element arranged on either side of the container trajectory. The driver may be configured to cause the rotatable elements to tangentially contact the sleeve on the conveyed container and to rotate the rotatable elements to apply an upward stroke to the sleeve.

The container sleeving device may further comprise a spreading unit configured to spread open flattened tubular foil material and a cutting unit to cut the opened tubular foil material to form a sleeve. Furthermore the container sleeving device may comprise a frame for supporting the spreading unit, a foil supply for supplying flattened tubular foil material to the spreading unit and an ejection unit for transporting the sleeves in downstream direction along the spreading unit and shooting the sleeves towards the containers. The ejection unit may comprise a set of guide wheels arranged in the spreading unit and a set of drive wheels connected to the frame and arranged so as to transport the sleeve between the drive wheels and guide wheels.

According to another aspect of the invention a system is provided comprising a conveyor for conveying containers and at least one container sleeving device as defined herein.

Further details, properties and characteristics of the present invention will be elucidated in the following description of several example embodiments. In the description reference is made to the annexed figures. It will be clear to the skilled person that the drawing shows only example embodiments, and that other embodiments fall within the scope of the invention. Although the drawing will show example embodiments, and the invention was described with the appended claims, it will be clear to the skilled person that the invention can encompass other features mentioned explicitly in this description, but also implicit features. It will be clear to the skilled person that any of these explicit or implicit features can be combined with features mentioned in this description or in the claims.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic overview (side view) of an embodiment of a system and method for sleeving a product;

Fig. 6 is a side view elucidating the process of applying sleeves to containers conveyed by a conveyor along the ejection unit, without the positioning of the sleeves using the positioning elements;

Fig. 7 is a front view of a first embodiment of a sleeve positioner for properly positioning of the sleeve on the container, comprising two longitudinal positioning elements arranged sideways of a conveyor;

Figs. 8-14 are views showing a second embodiment of a sleeve positioner comprising positioning elements arranged to surround the containers, wherein:

Fig. 8 represents side views of the positioning elements in an initial position (left hand side of the figure) and a destination position (right hand side of the figure);

Fig. 9 is a partly cut-away side view in perspective of the second embodiment of the sleeve positioner;

Fig. 10 is a side view in perspective of a part of the sleeve positioner of fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a top view of the positioning elements of the positioner of figs. 9-10’

Fig. 12 is a side view of the positioning elements;

Fig. 13 is a side view of a single support plate of a positioning element of a sleeve positioner of figs. 9-12;

Fig. 14 is a different side view of the support plate of fig. 13;

Fig. 15A is a side view of a sleeved container, before positioning of the sleeve by the sleeve positioner;

Fig. 15B corresponds to the side view of fig. 15A, wherein the positioner corrects the position of a sleeve that is tilted along an axis perpendicular to the direction of travel of the container;

Fig. 15C is a front view of the sleeved container of fig. 15A, wherein the positioner corrects the position of a sleeve that is tilted along an axis parallel to the direction of travel of the container;

Figs. 16 and 17 respective cross-sections of a container, wherein in fig. 16 the outer surface of the container is contacted by a brush-type positioning element and in fig. 17 the outer surface is contacted by a flexible-plate-type positioning element.

The device and method according to example embodiments of the invention are configured to apply partial and/or full sleeves on a wide variety of containers. Partial sleeves (which are sleeves with reduced height smaller than container height, for instance 50% or smaller) or full sleeves may be attached to a container at a position higher than the bottom of the container. In these circumstances the sleeves cannot always be attached at the proper position and orientation to the container when use is made of the above-mentioned known support plates or support bands. Especially (but not exclusively) in case the containers have a generally non-tapering shape, for instance when the container is shaped so that its circumference first increases from the top portion downward and then decreases again, this application of the known plates and bands might be difficult if not impossible. Furthermore, a container may have an opening near a top side that may be closed by a removable seal. In some embodiments a container has a rim (for instance, figure 4) so as to facilitate maintaining the container in a suitable upright position. The containers may be empty or may have previously been filled with content, such as foodstuff. Furthermore, the containers may be transported one by one, for instance in one or more rows of containers. In other embodiments the containers may be combined into a number of container sets comprising more than one container or cup.

Figure 5 schematically shows an embodiment of a sleeving system 8 for sleeving and labelling containers. The sleeving system 8 comprises a conveyor 2 for conveying one or more parallel rows of containers 6, for instance food containers and the like, in a direction 22 along a sleeving position at which sleeves are arranged around the containers. Embodiments of the conveyor may comprise wires supporting a top rim of the container to allow the transport of the containers. However, other types of conveyors may be employed as well. In fact, conveyor 2 may be any type of conveyor capable of transporting an array of containers along the sleeving position. An example of a conveyor suitable for this purpose is a vacuum conveyor that holds the containers using a vacuum source.

In the embodiment shown in figure 1 the containers 6 are suspended from the conveyor 2 in such a manner that the bottom ends 7 of the containers “hang free”. The conveyor 2 may be configured to transport the containers 6 in a discontinuous manner (i.e. intermittently). In preferred embodiments, however, the conveyor is arranged to transport the containers in a continuous manner (i.e. non-intermittently). In these embodiments the operation of arranging of sleeves around the container is performed on the fly and essentially without interrupting the transport of the containers.

Figure 5 also shows a sleeving device 10 arranged at the sleeving position and configured to arrange sleeves (S) around containers transported by the conveyor 2. As mentioned above, sleeves are formed by cutting a continuous strip of foil material configured as a flattened tube or envelope at a suitable length. In the present application “sleeve” may be used as an indication for the individual pieces of foil that are arranged around products, but may equally well refer to the foil or strip forming a flattened or opened tube before it is cut.

Flattened tubular foil material 11 wound on a supply reel 12 is caused to move along a spreading element 26, herein also referred to as the “mandrel” of a spreading unit 27. The spreading element 26 spreads the flattened foil material from a “closed”, flattened position to an “open” position. The spreading element 26 is provided with one or more cutting units 23 configured to cut the foil material to a specific length (i.e. the cutting length CL) so that foil material forms consecutive sleeves. A sleeve is sized to be arranged around the container. Securing the sleeve to the container may involve gluing or a heat shrinking process.

The sleeving system 5 may comprise a sleeve supply for supplying a continuous strip of sleeve-like foil material to the sleeving device 10. The sleeve supply comprises a foil stock 13 in which one or more of the above-mentioned supply reels 12 are arranged. On each of the supply reels 12 a continuous strip of sleeve-like foil material has been wound. The strip of foil material can be introduced into the sleeving device 10 by any suitable means, for instance several sets of wheels or rollers (not specifically shown in the figures). The foil material of a selected one of the supply reels 12 is transported (SI) towards a foil buffer 18. The foil buffer is arranged to allow for variations in operating speed of the device without the need to interrupt the sleeving process. In an embodiment a splicer is used in step SI to connect a new strip of foil material from a further roll to the end of strip of foil material of an old reel to allow for a continuous feed of foil to the sleeving device 10. The foil fed to buffer 18 allows buffering (S2) of foil e.g. when a reel 12 is replaced, to provide a continuous supply of foil (direction 20) to the downstream applications such as the illustrated stationary spreading unit 27 of the sleeving device 10.

The spreading unit 27 comprises a frame 33 in which a spreading element 26 is suspended. The spreading unit also comprises an ejection unit 28 for shooting sleeves cut from the strip of foil material towards the containers passing by the spreading unit 27. The spreading element 26 of the spreading unit 27 is shaped to open the foil 11 delivered as a flat envelop of foil material into a tubular envelope or sleeve shape. More specifically, as the flattened tubular foil is guided along the spreading element 26 in an essentially upward direction 20, the foil is opened (S3) by the spear or tip 40 of the spreading element 26.

The ejection unit 28 may comprise a number of guiding wheels or rollers 29a,29b provided on the spreading element 26 and drive wheels or rollers 30a,30b rotatably mounted at the frame 33 of the spreading unit 27. The guiding wheels 29a,29b and drive wheels 30a,30b work together to impart on the sleeves an acceleration in the upward direction 21 so that the sleeves may be ejected (shot) (S5) in the direction of a container 6 positioned above the spreading element 26. A suitable controller is arranged to operate the ejection unit 28 and the conveyor 2 to synchronize the ejecting with the movement of the containers transported on the conveyor 2. More specifically, a suitable controller is arranged to synchronize the ejection, container supply, cutting and other method steps, as will be described hereafter.

Once a sleeve has been ejected towards a container passing by the ejection unit 28 and has been arranged around the container by having the sleeve slide upwardly along the bottom end 7 of the container 6, the combination of sleeve and container 6 is conveyed (S6) further in direction 22 by conveyor 2. Conveyor 2 transports the sleeved containers further downstream, e.g. into a heated steam oven 60 (schematically shown). In the oven 60 the sleeve may be heat shrunk (S7) so that it is attached to the container 6, providing a labelled container 6’. In a subsequent step a drying process can be applied.

Figure 6 schematically shows the process of the arranging a sleeve around a row of containers conveyed on the conveyor 8 and the resulting positions of the sleeves if the sleeve positioning in accordance with embodiments of the invention would not take place. A partial sleeve 41 is discharged in upward direction 43 towards a container 42A travelling from right to left (direction 46) past the ejection unit 28. At least a part of the side surface of the container 42A has been wetted to such extent that a partial sleeve 41 tends to stick to the container. In this manner the situation is prevented that the partial sleeve falls off of the container due to the influence of gravity. The wetting of the container surface can be accomplished by spraying a liquid (for instance, water) on the container’s surface. To this end a spraying unit (not shown) can be arranged upstream of the ejection unit 28 so that the liquid can be timely applied to the side surface before the sleeve has arrived at the mandrel position.

Figure 6 also shows three sleeves 47 that have been applied to containers 42B,42C,42D previously moved past the ejection unit 28. As can be seen in the figure, the partial sleeve of the container 42C has maintained its position wherein the top edge of the partial sleeve abuts the bottom side of the rim 44 provided at the top of the container. However, the partial sleeves belonging to containers 42B and 42D may have dropped down to some extent (i.e. the sleeve of container 42B has moved more downward than the sleeve of container 42D). In other situations the sleeves may not have reached the rim of the container, for instance when due to the presence of liquid at the outer surface (for instance, water droplets) the friction is too high to allow the sleeves to reach the rim. In still other situations the sleeves may have bounced back from the rim. In any case, the partial sleeves may end up at different height positions. The bandwidth 48 of the height variations after application can be considerable.

Advantages of the sleeving system according to figure 5 is high speed, accuracy, reliability and reduced space. Not only sleeves are provided at high speed using the ejection unit, but also the heat shrinking in the oven is executed quickly, limiting the actual heating of the container that could already contain the product such as a dairy product. The illustrated system also allows handling of thin foils of less than 60 pm.

Figure 7 schematically shows a first embodiment of a sleeve positioner 31 for correctly positioning a partial sleeve 32 around a container 33 after it has been shot onto the container 33 by the ejection unit 28. The sleeve positioner 31 is configured to engage the partial sleeve 32 on the conveyed container 33 and to push the sleeve upward until the sleeve reaches a destination position above the initial position, i.e. the position of the bottom edge of the sleeve after it has been dropped downward under the influence of gravity. In the shown embodiment the sleeve positioner 31 comprises a support 38, for instance a plate, that may be moved upwards (Pi) and downwards (P2) by a driving mechanism or driver (not shown). To the support at least two flexible positioning elements 34,35 are arranged on both sides of the trajectory of the containers and extending essentially parallel to the trajectory. The sleeve positioner 31 is further configured to apply an upward stroke to the sleeve 32 by displacing the flexible positioning elements 34,35 in upward direction while having the flexible positioning elements follow the outer contour of the container (which is shown in the rightmost side of the figure). Then the positioning elements are moved downward again and the process may be repeated until the partial sleeve is positioned at the correct position on the container side surface.

In an embodiment each of the flexible positioning elements 34, 35 is formed of a flexible plate 36,37 (for instance a rubber plate) arranged parallel to the trajectory of the container. The driver of the sleeve positioner 31 is configured to place the free edges 39 of each of the flexible plates 36,37 right beneath the bottom edge of a sleeve and then to push the sleeve upward by the free edge of the flexible plate during movement of the free edge of the flexible plate along the container’s outer surface. The flexible plate may be formed by a single flat plate. In other embodiments the plate is cut-in to form a row of strips (forming a comb-like structure). In still other embodiments a flexible positioning element 34,35 is formed of a brush arranged parallel to the trajectory of the containers. Also in this embodiment the driver may be configured to place the brush beneath a sleeve and have the brush of each of the flexible positioning elements push the sleeve upward while moving the brush along the outer contour of the container. In both embodiments the positioning elements may take an upright position (as is shown in figure 6). In other embodiments the positioning elements may be arranged in a lying position.

Figures 16 and 17 show that the contact length (x^ of a brush-type positioning element (cf. figure 16) tends to be somewhat larger than the contact length (x2) of the flexible plate type of positioning element (cf. figure 17). The brush(es) of the positioning element usually can adapt more easily to the shape of the container than the flexible plate. Please note that while the plate and/or brush may be made of essentially flat material, other shapes, for instance round shapes, can be applied as well. The selection of the preferred type of material, shape and other characteristics of the positioning elements is well within reach of the skilled person and may depend on the situation (shape of the containers, speed, dimensions of the sleeve, etc.).

The driver for driving the movement of the positioning elements may be configured to perform a circular motion. As the positioning elements move upward they take on the contour of the container to ensure contact with the sleeve. In an embodiment the driver is configured to move the flexible positioning elements 34,35 in an upward direction to a top position while transporting the container 33 on the conveyor 8. In the top position the speed of the container 33 in the conveying direction (direction 22) may be selected to essentially correspond to the speed of the positioning elements 34,35 in the same direction. Furthermore, in the top position of the positioning elements 34,35 the upward speed of the positioning elements 34,35 may be selected to be essentially zero. In this manner the sleeve is less likely to bounce downward once the positioning elements are moving downward again. Furthermore the orientation of the sleeve (defined as the rotation of the sleeve around an imaginary vertical axis) is less likely to be affected by the positioning movement.

In further embodiments the flexible positioning elements are shaped to constitute an essentially closed circumference in cross-section and/or wherein the flexible positioning elements are shaped so as to be able to essentially surround the bottom end of the container. In these embodiments the sleeve may be pushed upward from more sides than in the above described embodiments showing two positioning elements sideways of the trajectory of the containers.

Figures 8-14 show a further embodiment of the sleeving device wherein the flexible positioning elements are arranged to push the sleeve upwards at all (four) sides of the containers. The embodiment may be applied to sleeve a set of containers wherein each set comprises a plurality of interconnected containers. In the figures a container set comprises two containers 61,62 connected to each other through their upper rim. This set of containers is also referred to as a duopack 60. However, in other embodiments the sleeving device is configured to sleeve container sets comprising more than two interconnected containers, multipacks with two or more rows of interconnected containers (for example, 3x2 packs) or to sleeve individual containers.

Figure 9 shows a sleeve positioner 50 comprising an electric motor 51 attached to the frame 33 of the sleeving system 1 (fig. 5). The motor 51 drives a first wheel 54 and, by means of a toothed pulley 55, a second wheel 58 (wherein the teeth of pulley 55 engage on teeth 57 provided on the outer circumference of the second wheel 58). The first and second wheel drive a common drive bar 64 eccentrically connected to the respective wheel 54,58 via respective rotation shafts 59,60. The common drive bar 64 is connected to a support 65,66. Rotation of the wheels 54,58 driven by the motor 51 cause the upper end of the common drive bar 64 and the supports 65,66 to move along a circular trajectory.

Referring to figure 11 each of the supports 65,66 comprises a number of support plates 74 interconnected by connection elements 75. Along the sides parallel to the conveying direction longitudinal flexible positioning elements 71,71 have been provided. More specifically, a left positioning element 71 and a right positioning element 70 for engaging respectively the left and right side of a container passing the sleeve positioner are provided. Similarly, along the sides perpendicular to the conveying direction transversal flexible positioning elements 72,73 have been provided. More specifically, a leading positioning element 72 and a trailing positioning element 73 for engaging respectively the leading side and trailing side of a container passing the sleeve positioner are provided. In the embodiments shown in the figures each of the positioning elements comprises a row of upright brushes 76, wherein each of the brushes may comprise a single flexible string of material or a plurality of flexible strings. Alternatively or additionally, the positioning element may comprise one or more flexible upright strips, such as rubber strips.

Although in the embodiment of figure 11 the positioning elements can be arranged around essentially the entire contour of the container, a gap 78 is still present between each of the positioning elements and a neighbouring positioning element. In other embodiments the positioning elements provide a fully closed contour and no gaps between individual positioning elements are present.

Figure 15A shows the situation wherein a container traveling in the x-direction and having been sleeved is perfectly aligned (i.e. extends in horizontal direction) but arranged at the wrong, initial height position. In this situation the four positioning elements will equally push the sleeve (S) upward from the initial position to a destination position wherein the sleeve is both aligned and positioned at the correct height. Figure 15B shows the situation wherein the sleeve has undergone a rotation around the z-axis after having been applied to the container. In this case the sleeve (S) is both misaligned and wrongly positioned. In this situation the longitudinal positioning elements 70,71 will be able to push the sleeve to reach an aligned orientation and correct position, whereas the transversal positioning elements could be pushed past the sleeve (S) (depending on the angle of the sleeve). Figure 15C shows the situation wherein the sleeve has undergone a rotation about the x-axis after application causing the sleeve to be misaligned. In this case the transversal positioning elements 72 or 73 will be able to push the sleeve (S) to an aligned orientation and correct position.

In example embodiments of the invention, the flexible positioning elements may be moved synchronously with the movement of the containers along the trajectory. In further embodiments the horizontal speed of the flexible positioning elements during upward displacement, more specifically at least at a top portion of the trajectory of the positioning elements, is controlled to be essentially the same as the horizontal speed of the containers along the trajectory. Alternatively or additionally, in the top portion of the trajectory of the positioning elements the upward speed of the positioning elements is essentially zero.

In embodiments wherein the motion of the positioning elements is a result of a rotating motion, for instance a rotating motion of the end of the common drive bar 64, the horizontal speed (which must be equal to the speed of the cup) is not constant. In embodiments of the invention the motion of the positioning elements is “synchronized”, i.e. the speed of the positioning elements is controlled (varied) such that when the positioning element is in contact with the lower edge of the sleeve the horizontal speed is equal to the speed of the container. For example, returning to figure 8, in order to position the sleeve in a controlled manner at the right height position relative to the container in the top portion of the trajectory of the positioning elements (wherein the horizontal speed of the container equals the horizontal speed of the positioning elements and wherein the positioning elements is moved upwards over an arbitrary height h), the controller (not shown) may vary the rotation speed of the motor 51 of the sleeve positioner 50 in order to result in a constant horizontal speed of the positioning element.

Within the scope of this invention many embodiments are possible. Elements disclosed with respect to any of the embodiment mentioned above can be combined or replaced elements from other embodiments.

Claims

1. Containerhoesaanbrengingswerkwijze voor het rangschikken van ten minste één hoes rond ten minste één container, de werkwijze omvattende - het vervoeren van een container langs een baan; - het werpen van een hoes van door hitte te krimpen, buisvormig foliemateriaal uit een uitwerpeenheid naar de vervoerde container naar een initiële positie waarbij de hoes gerangschikt is rond de container; - het aangrijpen van de hoes op de vervoerde container; - het opwaarts duwen van de hoes met behulp van een hoespositioneerder totdat de hoes een bestemming bereikt boven de initiële positie, met het kenmerk, dat de hoespositioneerder één of meer flexibele positioneringselementen omvat gerangschikt lang de baan en dat de werkwijze verder omvat het door de flexibele positioneringselementen opwaarts strijken van de hoes door het verplaatsen van de één of meer flexibele positioneringselementen in een opwaartse richting langs een buitenoppervlak van de container teneinde de flexibele positioneringselementen gedurende de verplaatsing de buitencontour van de container te laten volgen.A container cover application method for arranging at least one sleeve around at least one container, the method comprising - transporting a container along a path; - throwing a sleeve of heat-shrinkable tubular film material from an ejector unit to the transported container to an initial position wherein the sleeve is arranged around the container; - engaging the cover on the transported container; pushing the sleeve upwards with the aid of a sleeve positioner until the sleeve reaches a destination above the initial position, characterized in that the sleeve positioner comprises one or more flexible positioning elements arranged along the path and that the method further comprises positioning positioning elements upwardly by moving the one or more flexible positioning elements in an upward direction along an outer surface of the container so that the flexible positioning elements follow the outer contour of the container during the displacement.

2. Containerhoesaanbrengingswerkwijze volgens conclusie 1, waarin de vrije uiteinden van de flexibele positioneringselementen in contact staan met het buitenoppervlak van de containers gedurende verplaatsing langs het buitenoppervlak van de containers.A container sleeve application method according to claim 1, wherein the free ends of the flexible positioning elements are in contact with the outer surface of the containers during displacement along the outer surface of the containers.

3. Containerhoesaanbrengingswerkwijze volgens conclusie 1 of 2, omvattende het ondersteunen van het lagere uiteinde van de hoes tijdens de toepassing van de opwaartse streek om de hoes naar de bestemmingspositie te duwen.The container cover application method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising supporting the lower end of the cover during the application of the upward region to push the cover to the destination position.

4. Containerhoesaanbrengingswerkwijze volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij het toepassen van een opwaartse streek aan de hoes omvat: - het toepassen van een eerste opwaartse streek door het verplaatsen van een eerste set van flexibele positioneringselementen in een opwaartse richting terwijl de flexibele positioneringselement de buitencontouren van de container volgen; en daarna het toepassen van een tweede opwaartse streek door het verplaatsen van een tweede set van flexibele positioneringselementen in een opwaartse richting terwijl de flexibele positioneringselementen de buitencontouren van de container volgen.A container cover application method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein applying an upward region to the sleeve comprises: - applying a first upward region by moving a first set of flexible positioning elements in an upward direction while the flexible positioning element outer contours follow the container; and then applying a second upward stroke by moving a second set of flexible positioning elements in an upward direction while the flexible positioning elements follow the outer contours of the container.

5. Containerhoesaanbrengingswerkwijze volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, omvattende het verplaatsen van de flexibele positioneringselementen synchroon met de beweging van de containers langs de baan.A container sleeve application method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising moving the flexible positioning elements synchronously with the movement of the containers along the track.

6. Containerhoesaanbrengingswerkwijze volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij elk van de flexibele positioneringselementen omvat een flexibele plaat gerangschikt parallel aan de baan van de container, de werkwijze omvattende: - het plaatsen van de vrije rand van de flexibele plaat onder een hoes - het zorgen dat de vrije rand van de flexibele plaat de hoes opwaarts duwt terwijl de vrije rand van de flexibele plaat opwaarts verschoven wordt langs het buitenoppervlak van de container.A container sleeve application method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the flexible positioning elements comprises a flexible plate arranged parallel to the path of the container, the method comprising: - placing the free edge of the flexible plate under a cover - providing that the free edge of the flexible plate pushes the sleeve upwards while the free edge of the flexible plate is shifted upward along the outer surface of the container.

7. Werkwijze volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij elk van de flexibele positioneringselementen een borstel omvat gerangschikt parallel aan de baan van de containers, waarbij de werkwijze omvat: - het plaatsen van de borstel onder een hoes; - het zorgen dat de borstel van elke van de flexibele positioneringselementen te hoes opwaarts duwt terwijl de borstel verschoven wordt langs het buitenoppervlak van de container.A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the flexible positioning elements comprises a brush arranged parallel to the path of the containers, the method comprising: - placing the brush under a cover; - causing the brush of each of the flexible positioning elements to push up the sleeve while the brush is shifted along the outer surface of the container.

8. Containerhoesaanbrengingswerkwijze volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, omvattende het verschuiven van de flexibele positioneringselementen in een opwaartse richting naar een toppositie terwijl de container op een transporteur getransporteerd wordt, waarbij in de toppositie de snelheid van de container in de bewegingsrichting overeenkomt met de snelheid van de positioneringselementen in dezelfde richting en/of waarbij in de toppositie van de positioneringselementen de opwaartse snelheid van de positioneringselement in wezen nul is.A container bag application method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising shifting the flexible positioning elements in an upward direction to a top position while the container is being transported on a conveyor, wherein in the top position the speed of the container in the direction of movement corresponds to the speed of the positioning elements in the same direction and / or wherein in the top position of the positioning elements the upward speed of the positioning element is essentially zero.

9. Containerhoesaanbrengingswerkwijze volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de positioneringselementen aangedreven worden om te verschuiven langs een cirkelvormige baan.The container cover application method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the positioning elements are driven to shift along a circular path.

10. Containerhoesaanbrengingswerkwijze volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, omvattende: - het positioneren van één of meer flexibele positioneringselementen onder in wezen de gehele onderrand van de hoes; - het opwaarts verplaatsen van de flexibele positioneringselementen om de hoes naar de bestemmingspositie te duwen.A container cover application method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising: - positioning one or more flexible positioning elements under substantially the entire lower edge of the cover; - moving the flexible positioning elements upwards to push the cover to the destination position.

11. Containerhoesaanbrengingswerkwijze volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij elk van de positioneringselementen een borstel omvat, de werkwijze omvattende: - het plaatsen van de borstels van de flexibele positioneringselementen tegen de zijkanten van de container; - het opwaarts verschuiven van de borstels om de hoes naar de bestemmingspositie te duwen.Container cover applying method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the positioning elements comprises a brush, the method comprising: - placing the brushes of the flexible positioning elements against the sides of the container; - shifting the brushes upward to push the cover to the destination position.

12. Containerhoesaanbrengingswerkwijze volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de hoespositioneerder een eerste en een tweede draaibare element omvat elk gerangschikt op een zijde van de baan van de container, waarbij de werkwijze omvat: - het tangentieel in contact brengen van de hoes op de vervoerde container met de draaibare elementen en het draaien van de draaibare elementen om de hoes opwaarts te strijken.A container sleeve application method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve positioner comprises a first and a second rotatable element, each arranged on one side of the path of the container, the method comprising: - bringing the sleeve tangentially into contact with the transported one container with the rotating elements and rotating the rotating elements to iron the cover upwards.

13. Containerhoesaanbrengingswerkwijze volgens conclusie 12, omvattende het tangentieel in contact brengen van de hoes door de draaibare elementen op een synchrone wijze.The container cover application method according to claim 12, comprising tangentially bringing the cover into contact with the rotatable elements in a synchronous manner.

14. Containerhoesaanbrengingswerkwijze volgens conclusie 12 of 13, omvattende het tangentieel in contact brengen van de hoes op tegenovergelegen centrale gebieden van de hoes.A container sleeve application method according to claim 12 or 13, comprising tangentially contacting the sleeve on opposite central areas of the sleeve.

15. Containerhoesaanbrengingswerkwijze volgens één van de conclusies 11-14, omvattende het variëren van de draaisnelheid van de draaibare elementen.The container cover application method according to any of claims 11-14, comprising varying the rotational speed of the rotatable elements.

16. Containerhoesaanbrengingswerkwijze volgens conclusie 15, omvattende het tangentieel in contact brengen van de hoes van een container ten minste een eerste en een tweede keer, waarbij de draaisnelheid bij de eerste keer hoger is dan de draaisnelheid ten tijde van het tweede contact.A container sleeve application method according to claim 15, comprising tangentially contacting the sleeve of a container at least a first and a second time, wherein the rotation speed at the first time is higher than the rotation speed at the time of the second contact.

17. Containerhoesaanbrengingswerkwijze volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, omvattende: - het opwaarts duwen van de hoes tot het bovenste uiteinde van de hoes grenst aan ten minste één aanslag.17. Container cover application method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: - pushing the cover upwards to the upper end of the cover adjacent to at least one stop.

18. Containerhoesaanbrengingswerkwijze volgens conclusie 17, waarbij de ten minste één aanslag omvat een aantal geleiders gerangschikt aan beide zijden van de baan van de container, waarbij de werkwijze omvat het in lijn brengen van het bovenste uiteinde van de hoes met de geleiders.The container sleeve application method according to claim 17, wherein the at least one stop comprises a plurality of guides arranged on both sides of the path of the container, the method comprising aligning the upper end of the sleeve with the guides.

19. Containerhoesaanbrengingswerkwijze volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, omvattende het toepassen van ten minste één opwaartse streek terwijl de container op de transporteur vervoerd wordt.A container cover application method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising applying at least one upward region while the container is being transported on the conveyor.

20. Containerhoesaanbrengingsinrichting voor het rangschikken van ten minste één hoes rond ten minste één container vervoerd op een transporteur langs een baan, waarbij de inrichting omvat: - een uitwerpeenheid ingericht om de hoes van door hitte te krimpen foliemateriaal uit te werpen richting de vervoerde container naar een initiële positie waarbij de hoes om de container gerangschikt is; - een hoespositioneerder ingericht om aan te grijpen op de hoes op de vervoerde container en om de hoes opwaarts te duwen tot de hoes een bestemmingspositie bereikt boven de initiële positie; met het kenmerk, dat de hoespositioneerder één of meer flexibele positioneringselementen omvat die zijn gerangschikt langs de baan alsmede een aandrijver voor het aandrijven van de beweging van de positioneringselementen, waarbij de hoespositioneerder is ingericht om de hoes opwaarts te strijken door het verplaatsen van de één of meer flexibele positioneringselementen in een opwaartse richting langs het buitenoppervlak van de container teneinde ervoor te zorgen dat de flexibele positioneringselementen gedurende de verplaatsing de buitencontour van de container volgen.20. Container cover applicator device for arranging at least one cover around at least one container transported on a conveyor along a track, the device comprising: - an ejector unit adapted to eject the cover of heat-shrinkable foil material towards the transported container to an initial position in which the sleeve is arranged around the container; - a sleeve positioner adapted to engage the sleeve on the transported container and to push the sleeve upwards until the sleeve reaches a destination position above the initial position; characterized in that the sleeve positioner comprises one or more flexible positioning elements arranged along the path as well as a driver for driving the movement of the positioning elements, wherein the sleeve positioner is adapted to lift the sleeve upwards by moving the one or more more flexible positioning elements in an upward direction along the outer surface of the container to ensure that the flexible positioning elements follow the outer contour of the container during the movement.

21. Containerhoesaanbrengingsinrichting volgens conclusie 20, waarin de vrije uiteinden van de flexibele positioneringselementen in contact staan met het buitenoppervlak van de containers gedurende verplaatsing langs het buitenoppervlak van de containers.A container cover applicator according to claim 20, wherein the free ends of the flexible positioning elements are in contact with the outer surface of the containers during displacement along the outer surface of the containers.

22. Containerhoesaanbrengingsinrichting volgens conclusie 20 of 21, omvattende ten minste twee flexibele positioneringselementen gerangschikt aan beide zijden van de baan.A container cover applicator according to claim 20 or 21, comprising at least two flexible positioning elements arranged on both sides of the web.

23. Containerhoesaanbrengingsinrichting volgens een van de conclusies 20-22, waarbij de flexibele positioneringselementen ingericht zijn om het lagere einde van de hoes te ondersteunen tijdens het toepassen van de opwaartse streek om de hoes naar de bestemmingspositie te duwen.The container cover applicator according to any of claims 20-22, wherein the flexible positioning elements are adapted to support the lower end of the cover during the application of the upward region to push the cover to the destination position.

24. Containerhoesaanbrengingsinrichting volgens een van de conclusies 20-23, waarbij de hoespositioneerder omvat: - een eerste set flexibele positioneringselementen en een eerste aandrijver gerangschikt om een eerste opwaartse streek toe te passen door verplaatsing in opwaartse richting; - een tweede set flexibele positioneringselementen en een tweede aandrijver gerangschikt om een tweede opwaartse streek toe te passen door verplaatsing in opwaartse richting; waarbij de tweede set flexibele positioneringselementen en de tweede aandrijver gerangschikt zijn stroomafwaarts van de eerste set positioneringselementen en de eerste aandrijver.A container cover applicator according to any of claims 20-23, wherein the cover positioner comprises: - a first set of flexible positioning elements and a first actuator arranged to apply a first upward stroke by upward movement; - a second set of flexible positioning elements and a second actuator arranged to apply a second upward region by displacement in upward direction; wherein the second set of flexible positioning elements and the second actuator are arranged downstream of the first set of positioning elements and the first actuator.

25. Containerhoesaanbrengingsinrichting volgens één van de conclusies 20-24, waarbij de ten minste één aandrijver ingericht is om de flexibele elementen te verplaatsen synchroon met de verplaatsing van de containers langs de baan.A container bag applicator according to any of claims 20-24, wherein the at least one actuator is adapted to move the flexible elements in synchronism with the movement of the containers along the track.

26. Containerhoesaanbrengingsinrichting volgens één van de conclusies 20-25, waarbij elk van de flexibele positioneringselementen een flexibele plaat omvat gerangschikt parallel aan de baan van de container, waarbij de aandrijver is ingericht om de vrije randen van elk van de flexibele platen onder een hoes te plaatsen en om de hoes opwaarts te duwen door de vrije rand van de flexibele plaat tijdens verplaatsing van de vrije rand van de flexibele plaat langs het buitenoppervlak van de container.A container sleeve applicator according to any of claims 20-25, wherein each of the flexible positioning elements comprises a flexible plate arranged parallel to the path of the container, the actuator being arranged to cover the free edges of each of the flexible plates under a sleeve and to push the sleeve upward through the free edge of the flexible plate during movement of the free edge of the flexible plate along the outer surface of the container.

27. Containerhoesaanbrengingsinrichting volgens één van de conclusies 20-26, waarbij elk van de flexibele positioneringselementen een borstel omvat gerangschikt parallel aan de baan van de containers en waarbij de aandrijver is ingericht om de borstel onder een hoes te plaatsen en om te zorgen dat de borstel van elke van de flexibele positioneringselementen de hoes opwaarts duwen tijdens de verplaatsing van de borstel langs de buitencontour van de container.A container cover applicator according to any of claims 20-26, wherein each of the flexible positioning elements comprises a brush arranged parallel to the path of the containers and wherein the actuator is adapted to place the brush under a cover and to ensure that the brush for each of the flexible positioning elements, push the cover upward during the movement of the brush along the outer contour of the container.

28. Containerhoesaanbrengingsinrichting volgens één van de conclusies 20-27, waarbij de aandrijver is ingericht om de flexibele positioneringselementen te verplaatsen in een opwaartse richting naar een hoogste positie tijdens het transporteren van de container op een transporteur, waarbij in de hoogste positie de snelheid van de container in de bewegingsrichting overeenkomt met de snelheid van de positioneringselementen in dezelfde richting en/of waarbij in de hoogste positie van de positioneringselementen de opwaartse snelheid van de positioneringselementen in hoofdzaak nul is.A container bag applicator according to any of claims 20-27, wherein the actuator is adapted to move the flexible positioning elements in an upward direction to a highest position during transport of the container on a conveyor, wherein in the highest position the speed of the container in the direction of movement corresponds to the speed of the positioning elements in the same direction and / or wherein in the highest position of the positioning elements the upward speed of the positioning elements is substantially zero.

29. Containerhoesaanbrengingsinrichting volgens één van de conclusies 20-28, waarbij de aandrijver ingericht is om de positioneringselementen aan te drijven om te verschuiven in een circulaire baan.A container cover applicator according to any of claims 20-28, wherein the actuator is adapted to drive the positioning elements to shift in a circular path.

30. Containerhoesaanbrengingsinrichting volgens één van de conclusies 20-29, waarbij de flexibele positioneringselementen gevormd zijn om een in wezen gesloten omtrek te hebben in doorsnede.A container cover applicator according to any of claims 20-29, wherein the flexible positioning elements are formed to have a substantially closed circumference in cross-section.

31. Containerhoesaanbrengingsinrichting volgens één van de conclusies 20-30, waarbij de flexibele positioneringselementen gevormd zijn om in staat te zijn om het ondereinde van de container in wezen te omringen.The container sleeve applicator according to any of claims 20-30, wherein the flexible positioning elements are configured to be able to substantially surround the lower end of the container.

32. Containerhoesaanbrengingsinrichting volgens één van de conclusies 20-31, waarbij elk van de positioneringselementen een borstel omvat en waarbij de aandrijver is ingericht om de borstels van de flexibele positioneringselementen te plaatsen tegen de zijden van de container en om de borstels opwaarts te verschuiven om de hoes naar de bestemmingspositie te duwen.A container cover applicator according to any of claims 20-31, wherein each of the positioning elements comprises a brush and wherein the actuator is arranged to place the brushes of the flexible positioning elements against the sides of the container and to shift the brushes upward to pushing the cover to the destination position.

33. Containerhoesaanbrengingsinrichting volgens één van de conclusies 20-32, waarbij de hoespositioneerder een eerste en een tweede draaibare element omvat gerangschikt aan beide zijden van de baan van de container en waarbij de aandrijver ingericht is om te veroorzaken dat de draaibare elementen in tangentieel contact komen met de hoes op de vervoerde container en om de draaibare elementen te draaien om een opwaartse streek op de hoes toe te passen.A container sleeve applicator according to any of claims 20-32, wherein the sleeve positioner comprises a first and a second rotatable element arranged on both sides of the path of the container and wherein the actuator is arranged to cause the rotatable elements to come into tangential contact with the cover on the transported container and to rotate the rotating elements to apply an upward stroke to the cover.

34. Containerhoesaanbrengingsinrichting volgens één van de conclusies 20-33, waarbij de hoespositioneerder is ingericht om de hoes opwaarts te duwen tot het bovenste uiteinde van de hoes grenst aan ten minste een aanslag.The container cover applicator according to any of claims 20-33, wherein the cover positioner is adapted to push the cover upwards until the upper end of the cover borders at least one stop.

35. Containerhoesaanbrengingsinrichting volgens conclusie 34, waarbij de ten minste één aanslag een aantal geleiders omvat gerangschikt aan beide zijden van de baan van de container en/of een aanslagelement, bijvoorbeeld een plaat of riem, gerangschikt boven de container.35. Container cover mounting device as claimed in claim 34, wherein the at least one stop comprises a number of guides arranged on both sides of the path of the container and / or a stop element, for example a plate or belt, arranged above the container.

36. Containerhoesaanbrengingsinrichting volgens één van de conclusies 34 of 35 33, waarbij de ten minste één aanslag een uitstulping omvat, bijvoorbeeld een flensgedeelte, van de container.A container sleeve mounting device according to any of claims 34 or 33, wherein the at least one stop comprises a protrusion, for example a flange portion, of the container.

37. Containerhoesaanbrengingsinrichting volgens één van de conclusies 20-36, waarbij de hoespositioneerder ingericht is om de onderste rand van de hoes te ondersteunen op tegenovergelegen posities aan beide zijden van de container.The container cover mounting device according to any of claims 20-36, wherein the cover positioner is adapted to support the lower edge of the cover at opposite positions on both sides of the container.

38. Containerhoesaanbrengingsinrichting volgens één van de conclusies 20-37, verder omvattende: - een spreidingseenheid ingericht om platgemaakt, buisvormig foliemateriaal open te spreiden; - een snij-eenheid om het geopende buisvormige foliemateriaal te snijden om een hoes te vormen.A container sleeve applicator according to any of claims 20-37, further comprising: - a spreading unit adapted to spread flattened tubular foil material; - a cutting unit for cutting the opened tubular film material to form a sleeve.

39. Containerhoesaanbrengingsinrichting volgens één van de conclusies 20-38, omvattende: - een frame voor het ondersteunen van de spreidingseenheid; - een folietoevoer voor het toevoeren van platgemaakt, buisvormig foliemateriaal aan de spreidingseenheid; - een uitwerpeenheid voor het transporteren van de hoezen in een stroomafwaartse richting langs de spreidingseenheid en het uitwerpen van de hoezen naar de containers, waarbij de uitwerpeenheid omvat: - een set geleiderwielen gerangschikt in de spreidingseenheid; - een set aandrijfwielen verbonden aan het frame en gerangschikt om de hoes te transporteren tussen de aandrijfwielen en de geleiderwielen.A container bag applicator according to any of claims 20-38, comprising: - a frame for supporting the spreading unit; - a film supply for supplying flattened tubular film material to the spreading unit; - an ejector unit for transporting the covers in a downstream direction along the spreading unit and ejecting the covers to the containers, the ejector unit comprising: - a set of guide wheels arranged in the spreading unit; - a set of drive wheels connected to the frame and arranged to transport the cover between the drive wheels and the guide wheels.

40. Systeem omvattende een transporteur voor het bewegen van containers en ten minste één containerhoesaanbrengingsinrichting volgens één van de conclusies 20-39.A system comprising a conveyor for moving containers and at least one container cover mounting device according to any of claims 20-39.

41. Werkwijze en/of systeem volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, waarin de container is gevormd om een omtrek te hebben die toeneemt vanaf het bovenste gedeelte naar beneden toe en die daarna weer afneemt.A method and / or system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is formed to have a circumference that increases from the upper part downwards and then decreases again.