Shrink-wrapping arrangement for shrink wrapping containers or packages, including bottles, boxes, cans, or similar containers or packages, and a method of operating a shrink-wrapping arrangement

A shrink-wrapping arrangement configured to wrap containers or groups of containers in shrink wrap material, said shrink-wrapping arrangement comprising:

• a shrink tunnel comprising a tunnel-shaped housing configured to receive containers or groups of containers loosely wrapped in shrink wrap material;
• an endless conveyor being configured and disposed to be driven along a path of circulating movement to transport containers or groups of containers through said shrink tunnel in a transport direction;
• said endless conveyor comprising an outer support surface configured to receive and support containers or groups of containers thereon;
• said endless conveyor being configured and disposed to move containers or groups of containers in a transport direction into said shrink tunnel, through said shrink tunnel, and out of said shrink tunnel;
• said shrink tunnel comprising shrink heaters configured and disposed to shrink loosely-wrapped shrink wrap material tightly onto containers or groups of containers being moved in said transport direction through said shrink tunnel by said endless conveyor;
• said endless conveyor being disposed such that, at any time during operation of the shrink-wrapping arrangement, a portion of said endless conveyor is temporarily disposed in said shrink tunnel to temporarily form a transport portion configured to move in said transport direction with containers or groups of containers supported thereon, and another portion of said endless conveyor is simultaneously temporarily disposed under said shrink tunnel to temporarily form a return portion configured to move in a return direction opposite said transport direction;
• at least one lubrication device being disposed under said shrink tunnel and adjacent said return portion of said endless conveyor;
• and
• said at least one lubrication device comprising an applicator configured and disposed to contact and apply sufficient lubricant to said outer support surface of said endless conveyor, upon said return portion of said endless conveyor being moved in said return direction past said lubrication device, to minimize or prevent adherence of shrink wrap material to said outer support surface of said endless conveyor.