The cartons - Fefco types 0452 and 0453, which are then fitted with lids - are filled ready for dispatch according to customer orders and automatically enter the system via an integrated conveyor system. As they all have the same basic dimensions but different standard heights, they are fed in chaotically. A servomotor-controlled, height-adjustable multifunctional head measures the filling height of the products inside each container. Program logic is then used to decide whether or not it makes sense to reduce the height. If so, the four carton flaps and the carton corners are cut accordingly using a system with movable knives, creasers and an external centering frame. The individually defined carton height is transmitted to the other system stations. The newly produced cardboard flaps are wrapped in the next station and glued at the corners using hot glue.

To ensure this flexibility, the hotmelt application system must also be designed to be variable. The hot melt adhesive application heads are motorized and adapted to the defined carton heights. Pneumatic applicators from the Miniblue II series from the US adhesive technology supplier Nordson Corporation, which has its European headquarters in Erkrath, are used here.

The multi-award-winning application heads are now considered the industry standard. They achieve a minimum switching time of two milliseconds and have a long service life of more than 100 million cycles. The units are powered by melters from the proven Problue series. The flap gluing of the cartons ensures that they are properly sealed and has the positive side effect of increasing both the load-bearing capacity and the rigidity of the outer packaging. This may reduce the quality of the corrugated cardboard used.

Successful in continuous operation
'Hotmelt application heads, which are also height-adjustable, are used to apply adhesive to the long sides of the outer packaging during subsequent transportation to the lid station. As the adhesive is applied to the lid - in this case the Fefco variant 0458 - on the transverse side, the result is a robust connection that makes additional strapping superfluous.

Several of the SE carton sealers described are already in reliable continuous operation at a major German shipper. In principle, the Steinbach-Errani volume optimizer is designed for carton dimensions between 300 x 200 x 200 and 600 x 400 x 400 millimetres (length x width x height). The operating speed varies depending on the tray size. pb