Method and apparatus for fitting carrying handles on packs or multipacks

A method for fitting carrying handles to packages selected from the group consisting of pack groups and packs, said packages being arranged on a conveyor that moves said packages in a conveying direction towards a first carrying-handle applicator, said method comprising, prior to receiving a package at a first carrying-handle applicator that comprises pressing elements for securing a carrying strap against said package, and a conveying band that forms a carrying-strap conveying-stretch for guiding said carrying-strap during formation of a carrying handle, drawing off a length of carrying-strap material, severing said carrying-strap material, thereby forming a carrying strap extending between first and second ends thereof, said first and second ends being separated by said length, retaining said first and second ends, causing said conveying band to guide said carrying strap along said carrying-strap conveying stretch such that said carrying-strap forms a closed loop that extends over a movement path of said packages along said conveyor and that surrounds said movement path on at least three sides thereof, and when said package reaches a position under said conveying band, securing said first and second ends of said carrying-strap to corresponding first and second attachment points on said package, said attachment points being at first and second regions of said package, said first and second regions facing corresponding first and second sides of said conveyor.

An apparatus for fitting carrying handles to a package selected from the group consisting of a pack group and a pack, said apparatus comprising a carrying-handle applicator disposed along a conveyor to receive packages that are conveyed by said conveyor, said carrying-handle applicator being configured to, while a package is approaching said carrying-handle applicator, draw off a length of carrying-strap material and to sever said carrying-strap material, thereby forming a carrying strap extending between first and second ends thereof, said first and second ends being retained by said carrying-handle applicator and separated from each other by said length, wherein said first carrying-handle applicator comprises pressing elements, and a first conveying band, wherein said first conveying band forms a closed loop, and a carrying-strap conveying stretch for guiding said carrying-strap such that said carrying-strap forms a closed loop that extends over a movement path of said packages along said conveyor and that surrounds said movement path on at least three sides, and wherein, when said conveyor conveys said package to a position under said conveying band, said pressing elements secure said first and second ends to corresponding first and second attachment points on said package, said first and second attachment points being disposed at first and second regions of said package that face corresponding first and second sides of said conveyor.