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, which containers comprise bottles, cans, boxes, or similar 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;
• a transport arrangement being configured and disposed to transport containers or groups of containers through said shrink tunnel in a transport direction;
• said transport arrangement comprising a belt-like transport device configured and disposed to move along a path of circulating movement;
• said belt-like transport device comprising an outer support surface configured to receive and support containers or groups of containers thereon;
• said belt-like transport device 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 shrinking devices 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 belt-like transport device;
• said belt-like transport device being disposed such that, at any time during operation of the shrink-wrapping arrangement, a portion of said belt-like transport device 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 belt-like transport 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 belt-like transport device;
• and
• said at least one lubrication device being configured and disposed to contact and apply sufficient lubricant to said outer support surface of said belt-like transport device, upon said return portion of said belt-like transport device 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 belt-like transport device.