DE102016102062A1 - Container and method and apparatus for producing such containers from at least two containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (40) and a method for producing containers (10, 54) by positively connecting at least two containers (12) are disclosed. The containers (12) are equipped with closure means on their respective container lateral surfaces and then aligned and conveyed further while contacting the container lateral surfaces. Optional information carriers of the containers (12) have recesses and / or openings in the region of the contact points. The device (40) comprises means (52) for joining the containers (12) to form positive connection points between the containers (12). It is also a container (10, 54) with at least two containers (12) disclosed, at least some of which are provided with information carriers on their container lateral surfaces. The containers (12) of the container (10, 54) are connected to each other via defined positive connection points between the respective container lateral surfaces adjacent container (12). The information carriers of the respective containers (12) have recesses and / or openings in the region of the connection points.

Description

The present invention relates to a container with at least two containers having the features of independent claim 1. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a container with the features of claim 9 and an apparatus for producing containers by releasably positively connecting at least two containers the features of independent claim 12.

Known containers for holding liquids such as beverages are made of plastic by injection molded preforms of transparent, partially transparent and / or colored thermoplastic material such as in particular PET (polyethylene terephthalate) by means of a stretch blow molding into a desired shape and to a desired volume. The individual containers are combined after filling with liquid and after sealing, depending on the chosen transport, storage and / or distribution and / or marketing variant to form a composite or so-called. Such containers summarize three, four, six or more liquid or beverage container together by these containers are mechanically fixed to each other by means of separate holding means or outer packaging.

A frequently used variant of such containers provides, for example, six combined containers, which are grouped in two rows of three containers standing next to each other. The fixation of the containers to each other can typically take place by means of a film wrapping, which is beaten around the grouped containers and then shrunk by means of a heating process for fixing the containers. An optional carrying handle can be inserted before or after the application of the film and, if necessary, fixed during shrinking of the film.

An increasingly frequently used variant of container packages are so-called strapping containers, in which at least one horizontal strapping band is stretched around the containers and these are fixed to one another under prestress. The strapping can also hold a carrying handle, which engages under the strapping around the container strapping in the form of a loop. If a higher positional stability and form stability of such a strapping package is desired, it may be useful to stretch two or more such strapping bands at different heights around the containers. The strapping bands can be made of a sort of pure thermoplastic material with a view to material recycling after their use, wherein the plastic used for the containers can be considered as plastic material in particular.

In addition to these mentioned container variants, in which the containers are held together by means of film or strapping, numerous variants of container packages are known in which the containers are joined together with their container lateral surfaces, for example. By connecting elements, which by form-locking engagement the desired adhesion of the container together ensure that containers can be formed with two or more such containers adhering to each other. Such form-fitting connections usually require correspondingly modified container shell surfaces are formed in the interlocking interlocking elements, for example. In the form of longitudinal grooves with undercuts or in the form of snaps so that interlockable and releasable under certain conditions, if necessary, connections of the container can be created with each other ,

Such container variants with numerous differently designed form-fitting elements for the formation of containers are - without any claim to completeness - eg. From the US 3,369,658 A , from the US 4 982 858 A , from the US 5 002 199 A , from the US Pat. No. 6,276,549 B1 , from the DE 43 05 340 A1 , from the 197 34 348 A1, from the DE 103 24 119 A1 , from the DE 10 2004 047 830 A1 , from the DE 10 2009 026 125 A1 , from the EP 2 258 625 A2 , from the WO 02/12077 A1 as well as from the WO 03/072446 A1 known.

Since in practice it appeared more convenient for some applications to join together several containers in a single manufacturing step, such cohesive connection variants have been developed. Such containers with several containers for holding washing or care liquids o. The like. For example, could be made by an injection molding, as it is the DE 70 20 799 U , the US 2007/0007227 A1 or the US 2007/0267378 A1 reveal.

Both the positive and the cohesive connection variants for forming container containers require modified injection molds and extensive process modifications already in the production of the liquid container.

In particular, the cohesive connections can usually not be reconciled with the already established stretch blow molding methods for the production of thin-walled PET containers, so that alternative connection and adhesion variants have been developed. An alternative possibility for connecting a plurality of containers on their lateral surfaces in order to To produce this way container bundles with several adjoining containers, represents a direct bonding of the containers on their lateral surfaces, as it is approximately in the DE 24 19 990 A1 is disclosed. There is also mentioned as an advantage that the labels or printing surfaces of the individual containers glued together would not be obscured by opaque packaging materials and that the packaging units produced by gluing had no container foreign protrusions or protruding parts and therefore are particularly easy stackable and palettable.

When in the US 7 198 070 B1 On the other hand, two or more grouped containers are first glued together and then wrapped by a common label. On the other hand, such a labeling is correspondingly applied to the containers made of a plurality of directly glued containers US 2008/0209803 A1 waived.

Different variants of containers, in which a plurality of containers are detachably joined to one another by means of adhesive or adhesive application, can be found approximately in FIG DE 10 2011 107 265 A1 , in the DE 10 2011 119 964 B3 and in the DE 10 2011 119 966 B3 disclosed.

Since such traps can collide with information carriers applied on the container envelope surfaces such as labels, further variants of adhesive containers have been proposed in which the information carriers have meaningful recesses for the adhesive or adhesive surfaces. Such a container is, for example, in the DE 10 2014 104 643 A1 disclosed. The DE 10 2014 104 645 A1 discloses a similar adhesive container, which does not provide applied labels for the containers, but directly printed container shell surfaces for applying textual and / or graphical information or markings.

Developments of the detention sites to improve the adhesion of the container to each other can be found approximately in the DE 10 2014 104 644 A1 ,

The adhesive containers are to avoid some disadvantages that occur in the shrink packaging and strapping, especially in terms of the visual appearance of the container. Since the containers glued together on the finished container do not reveal any fasteners or aids for holding the container in the container, they can provide a favorable external impression and a favorable visual appearance. However, all of these adhesive and / or adhesive bonds contain the risk of under certain circumstances, insufficient adhesive force or a not precisely definable adhesive force, which can lead to certain uncertainties regarding the cohesion of containers in the container.

Thus, the achievable adhesive forces depend not only on the applied amount of adhesive and the subsequent mechanical compression of the container against each other, but the adhesive properties of the adhesive used or the adhesive elements used can with the processing temperature, the climatic environmental conditions, the humidity and possibly with the unwanted entry of liquids during the application of adhesive and / or during the preparation of the adhesive compounds vary. For this reason, sufficient security surcharges are to be taken into account in the adhesive forces to be produced, in order to reliably prevent unwanted detachment of the containers from one another or undesired premature dissolution of the bundle of containers, which can be particularly severe in the case of stronger mechanical actions.

In view of the solutions offered in the prior art for the production of container packages and the already achieved by adhesive bonds favorable visual appearance of such container bundles, a primary object of the invention can be seen to provide containers made of containers made of thermoplastic material in which the container without enveloping aids such as strapping or film wrapping are adhered to each other adhering, the adhesive forces between the containers are exactly definable and largely reproducible under all manufacturing and environmental conditions occurring. The invention also seeks to provide a corresponding manufacturing method for producing such container containers. Another aspect to be included in the objectives of the invention is the reversibility of the container-to-container connections between the containers. The compounds should be solvable but also recoverable.

These objects are achieved with the subject matters of the independent claims. Features of advantageous developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

To achieve the stated objectives, the invention proposes a container with at least two containers, in particular those made of thermoplastic material, of which at least some may optionally be provided with information carriers on their container jacket surfaces. In these containers according to the invention, the containers are interconnected via defined interlocking connection points between the respective ones Container shell surfaces of adjacent containers connected to each other. The at least two containers of the container are each equipped with corresponding closure means which can form releasable form-fitting connections between the respective container lateral surfaces of the adjacent containers. If the containers are equipped with information carriers, the information carriers of the respective containers have recesses and / or openings in the region of the closure means or the form-fitting connection points.

A container of such a container normally has a footprint of the container, e.g. circular or oval or regular or irregular three-, four- or polygonal base surface as well as a container shell surface connecting the circumference of the base surface with the circumference of a top surface. From the center of gravity of the base to the center of gravity of the top surface extends a central axis, along which central axis are the centers of gravity of all successive, lying parallel to the base cross-sectional areas of the container. A central axis can be defined, for example, as a continuous or unsteady mathematical curve on which the centers of gravity of all successive cross-sectional areas of the container lie. Out of this possible discontinuity arises the possibility that the container has different central axes in successive sections or areas, which is why, if hereinafter referred to as a central axis, it may be at least one central axis. This results in a substantially cylindrical shape for a container, but over the height of the container can have variable geometries of the successive, lying parallel to the base cross-sectional areas, corresponding, for example, a cone, a truncated cone or a combination of cylinders and / or Cone and / or truncated cone. Also, the cross-sectional areas may be arranged offset to one another at least in sections over the height of the container in the direction parallel to the base surface, similar to an oblique cylinder. In principle, any, for example, organic forms, be it as part of or as a whole of the outer shape of a container conceivable. Base and top surface can be arranged parallel to each other, but also obliquely to each other, as is known, for example. Beverage containers in the form of beverage cartons.

Optionally, the containers above and / or below the optionally to be considered information carrier be designed to be fitted. As mentioned, the container lateral surfaces are each provided with closure means which are able to form releasable positive-locking connections between the respective container lateral surfaces of adjacent containers. By the term of the closure means used here are meant in particular areas with a multiplicity of flexible loops and / or flexible barbs projecting from the container lateral surface; these areas or respectively corresponding areas or closure means pairings are conventionally also known as hook-and-loop fasteners. These commonly known as textile closure means hook and loop fasteners are in the present context for the production of detachable container combinations in which each mating areas are positioned with flexible barbs or cooperating loops on the container shell surfaces, so that the containers are brought by simply pressing together in a positive connection and can be separated again by simply pulling apart with a defined tensile force.

In addition, it can optionally be provided in the container according to the invention that the closure means of at least one of the containers or the closure means of a plurality of containers is associated with an information carrier arranged on its container lateral surface.

Optionally, it can furthermore be provided that the closure means arranged on the container lateral surfaces are formed by defined areas with hooks and / or loops which act as velcro closures in their interaction with corresponding areas on an adjacent container. These closure means or hook-and-loop fasteners arranged on the container lateral surfaces can, for example, be attached by thermal joining, in particular by spot welds and / or linear welds, optionally also by weld lines or by interrupted weld lines, which can preferably extend along the container jacket surface, in particular in the vertical direction, ie in the direction from the tank bottom to the upper tank opening. It is likewise conceivable to mount the closure means already in the production of the plastic containers in the blow molding process, for example by joining during blow molding.

In the container according to the invention can also be provided that the optional information carrier in the range of at least one closure means or a Velcro area and / or a welding point or a weld are recessed. The information carriers can thus be designed in such a way that the respective areas or the respective thermal connection points or welding points are completely surrounded by the information carrier. In addition, it can optionally be provided that the information carrier in the region of at least one closure means or area or a welding point or a weld by means of a perforation are at least partially recessed.

The information carrier can in the container in particular by labels or banderoles o. The like. Be formed. Alternatively, the information carriers can be formed at least partially by regions of the container jacket surfaces acted upon or covered by direct pressure. The information may be, for example, a brand name and / or an indication of ingredients and / or nutritional values and / or a date of consumption and / or transport instructions and / or hazard statements and / or storage instructions and / or processing instructions and / or instructions for use and / or Address information, such as the manufacturing and / or packaging operations and / or a trading establishment act to show only some conceivable information.

If in the present context of information carriers is mentioned, so are also combined labels or those with extended features includes, for example, with so-called. RFID tags (RFID: radio-frequency identification) can be equipped to exchange electronic data to enable. In this way, information can be stored, for example, directly readable in the memory of the RFID tag, or they can be stored on at least one server and / or in at least one database and identified by means of stored in the memory of the RFID tag code and thereby at least one container be assigned.

As mentioned, the corresponding closure means form reversibly detachable connection or separation points between the respectively interconnected containers, whereby adhesives, films, strapping o. The like. Can be avoided as an aid for connecting containers.

The containers of the container can, for example, be arranged in a row in a straight line one behind the other, or the containers of the container can be arranged regularly in rows and rows running at right angles to each other. To summarize containers with partially cylindrical or approximately cylindrical shapes such as. Beverage cans or bottles, as compact as possible and with minimal relative mobility to each other, the container can form a so-called honeycomb or ball compound in the finished container, which is also referred to as a nested arrangement. In this case, the containers arranged in adjacent rows in the container are each offset from one another in such a way that the gaps formed between the containers are as small as possible. The lines do not run at right angles to the rows, but diagonally. The lines can be straight or V-shaped angled, or zigzag angled run obliquely to the rows. Such a honeycomb or ball assembly represents a composite of a given number of containers with the least possible footprint. In summary, the containers may be arranged in the package in a row, for example linear or rectangular or nested. A mixed arrangement is conceivable, depending on the design of the container.

The container may additionally comprise a casing, which surrounds the container of the container at its periphery, or be carried out free of an enclosure. For example. On the enclosure and / or on one or more containers of the container can be arranged a carrying handle to facilitate the handling of the container.

It is important to emphasize that containers are also conceivable whose, for example, irregularly shaped containers in the region of parts of their lateral surfaces collide or positively by means of said closure means adhering to each other connecting points, which are closer to the first axis of the central axis, as remaining parts of the lateral surface of the first container and, in the case of a second container, furthest from the central axis, or in one and the same container comprising a first portion which is closer to the central axis than portions of the lateral surface remaining with respect to the first portion, and a second one Lot, which is also the central axis, as in relation to the second batch remaining parts of the lateral surface of the same container.

It can be seen that the invention can be realized by a container of containers, at least some of which are provided with labels, wherein the containers of the container are connected to each other by means of positive and, if necessary releasably joined joints, which joints in upright containers on Height of the label are located, the labels of the containers are recessed in the region of the joined by means of the mentioned closure means or Velcro joints.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the abovementioned objectives, the invention proposes a method for producing a container with the features of the independent method claim, wherein the container can be designed in particular according to one of the previously described embodiments. In the method according to the invention at least two containers are positioned after their equipment with information carriers to each other and aligned in a manner to each other that touch their container lateral surfaces at least one point or at a minimum distance to each other, wherein the connecting points forming contacted areas of the container lateral surfaces or their closure means are free of information carriers or coincide with recesses of the information carrier, if the containers are equipped with such information carriers. By contacting or compressing the container, these are connected together to form reversible form-locking connections.

Before the form-locking connection process of the at least two containers to each other labels can be applied as information carrier on the container lateral surfaces. Likewise, it is possible that prior to the joining process of the at least two containers to each other at least parts of the container lateral surface to form the information carrier are subjected to a direct printing process. Here, the containers collide in the finished container. The connection points or Velcro areas which form the closure means are normally at the level of at least one information carrier, for example, designed as a label, which can optionally cover or cover part of the container lateral surface. The containers are carried out in the region of the connection points free from, for example. As information carriers designed as labels, preferably by those information carriers of the containers, which are located at the level of one or more connection points, are recessed in the region of the connection points.

The labels or information carriers may be at least partially recessed in the region of the closure means or hook-and-loop areas or may have a perforation, for example. These closure means or Velcro areas can be applied, for example, by means of a thermal joining method to the container lateral surfaces. It is also conceivable in a variant of the method according to the invention that the closure means are applied together with information carriers by means of a thermal joining method to the container lateral surfaces.

The container size is basically not limited; so two containers can be connected to each other in the manner described by joining together to produce positive connection points. In principle, any number of further containers can be added in the same way to such a two-pack, so that larger containers can be formed with containers in the rectangular composite or even in a honeycomb composite. Thus, for example, the method can provide that the container to be finished increases container by container by running several successive joining processes.

The orientation of the containers in a container treatment and processing system can, for example, by means of an optical detection device such as a camera followed by image analysis done, so that, for example, labeled containers are meaningfully aligned to be connected to each other without affecting the labels.

Finally, in order to achieve the abovementioned objectives, the invention proposes a device for producing containers by form-locking connection of at least two containers of thermoplastic material or of other material, which may be provided in particular for carrying out a method according to one of the previously described embodiments. The device according to the invention is provided with means for equipping the at least two containers with closure means at their respective container shell surfaces and with downstream means for aligning the containers and for their further transport by contacting the container jacket surfaces. The closure means of the respective containers are formed, in particular, by areas having a multiplicity of flexible loops and / or flexible barbs protruding from the container jacket surface. In addition, the device according to the invention is equipped with means for joining the container together contacting the respective closure means and forming positive connection points between the containers. Furthermore or alternatively, the device can be equipped with a device for applying the closure means together with information carriers on the container lateral surface.

The device for applying the closure means and / or the information carrier may, for example, comprise a welding device.

In addition, the means for aligning the container may comprise at least one optical detection device or camera with downstream image analysis.

It should be noted at this point again separately that all aspects of the invention described above both containers with containers made of thermoplastic materials such as PET, but also on other container variants, for example. Such mineral glass o. The like relate. Since the interlocking elements can be optionally glued into such mineral glass containers, the containers according to the invention can also be produced with such containers.

In the following, embodiments of the invention and their advantages with reference to the accompanying figures will be explained in more detail. The proportions the individual elements to each other in the figures do not always correspond to the real size ratios, as some forms simplified and other forms are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for ease of illustration.

1 shows a schematic representation of two provided with corresponding closure means container of a container, which are interconnected to form a positive connection with each other.

2 shows in three schematic views ( 2A . 2 B and 2C ) the formation of joints between two containers of the container according to 1 ,

3 shows a manufacturing method for containers, which are grouped by means of a device of individual containers, manufactured and transferred in a conveying direction to other processing and / or handling stations.

For identical or equivalent elements of the invention, identical reference numerals are used. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures, which are required for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of how the device or method of the invention may be configured and are not an exhaustive limitation.

An in 1 completely or partially presented container 10 consists of containers 12 , Especially from clear or colored containers 12 of a thin-walled plastic material such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), which has been converted into a desired waisted shape and to a desired volume of, for example, one liter or more by means of a stretch blow molding method customary in container manufacture. The containers shown 12 are interconnected by a positive connection point 14 or more positive connection points 14 connected with each other. The connection point 14 is not one of the containers 12 Alone, but based on corresponding closure means 16 , each on container lateral surfaces 18 are arranged and can interact positively with each other, provided that the closure means 16 under formation of the junction 14 meet each other and / or at least slightly pressed against each other. The embodiment of the closure means 16 is based on the detailed representation of the 2 explained in more detail. The container lateral surfaces 18 are in the area of the junction 14 hollow cylindrical shaped, so that the container shell surfaces 18 adjacent and juxtaposed container 12 can touch in area contact.

In the embodiment shown, the containers 12 at the level of the joints 14 each with as labels 21 or circumferential bands formed information carriers 20 equipped, however, in the junction 14 surrounding area 22 recessed or respectively with recesses 22 are provided, which are at least as large as the positive connection points 14 are. However, it should be stressed at this point that the containers 12 by no means mandatory with such labels 21 or information carriers 20 must be equipped. Optionally, the information carriers 20 also be formed by printed areas, preferably by means of a direct printing process on the container surface area 18 can be applied, including these printed areas with recesses 22 in the field of fasteners 16 to be provided. Optionally, the information carriers 18 also omitted; if necessary, the containers 12 in this case already in the stretch blow molding process with indentations, patterns or the like at defined areas of their container jacket surfaces 18 be equipped.

Below the hollow cylindrical portion of the container lateral surface 18 with the labels applied as an option 21 or information carriers 20 are the containers 12 each waisted or with tapered jacket sections 24 formed, whereas the container shell surfaces 18 below these rejuvenated areas 24 each have the same cross-section as in the upper area with the labels 21 , so that here, if necessary, more positive connection points 14 can be arranged, like this the 1 suggests. The for these lower positive connection points 14 provided closure means 16 however, are typically smaller than the upper closure means 16 in the hollow cylindrical portion of the container lateral surface 18 ,

Below this narrow section with the connection point thereon 14 the container tapers 12 again and finally goes into a ground area 26 with the lower footprint above. As in the lower areas below the tapered or waisted areas 24 the container 12 usually no information carrier 20 or labels 21 are here in the area around the junctions 14 no recesses required.

Also the upper areas of the containers 12 that are above the information carrier 20 usually rejuvenate and open into a neck area 28 , which is finally in an upper clasp 30 with screw thread ends, which has an upper container opening 32 forms.

The schematic detail views of 2A . 2 B and 2C clarify the interaction of the container shell surfaces 18 arranged closure means 16 , each in recesses 34 in the cylindrical portion of the container lateral surface 18 can be located. The closure means 16 are in the illustrated embodiment by Velcro areas 36 each of which may have a plurality of flexible hooks and loops, such that the closure means 16 by joining accordingly 2A Interact with each other and snagging the hooks and loops of the joined velcro areas 36 make positive connections ( 2 B ), but by applying defined tensile forces 38 according to 2C can be pulled apart again and separated from each other. The in the formation of the positive connection 14 from the closure means 16 established holding forces caused by the tensile forces 38 can be overcome, are meaningfully so large that the container 10 in normal use, during transport and handling does not fall apart, but preferably not so large that they can not be easily overcome by manual train of the end user.

The wells 34 can usefully already during the stretch blow in the production of PET containers 12 made of preforms made of thermoplastic material and introduced, which optionally also for the Velcro areas 36 the closure means 16 can apply. These can also already during the manufacturing process of the container 12 be formed, if necessary, by appropriate preparation of the negative forms of the blow molding machine. In this case, the preform can be in the Velcro areas 36 "Formed into" and these firmly in the wells 34 molded or introduced and with the container shell surfaces 18 be connected cohesively.

Also conceivable is a thermal joining the Velcro areas 36 , for example, by subsequent insertion into the wells 34 and by gluing and / or welding the closure means 16 in the wells 34 , For example by laser welding o. The like. Thermal joining process.

In principle, negative blow molding with appropriately prepared negative molds for the Velcro areas are also conceivable 36 which are the closure means 16 form. If it is possible to mold the negative forms in such detail and if it is possible to control the blow molding processes, the flow behavior of the thermoplastic material and the temperatures in the desired manner, these areas can also in connection with the blow molding process in the manufacture of the container 12 be designed by thermal forming.

The particular advantage of the container thus produced and designed 10 is that the so-cooperating joints 14 . 16 and 36 Separating points between each interconnected containers 12 formed by the end user by pulling the containers apart 12 applying defined tensile forces 38 can be solved easily. On the other hand, through the Velcro areas 36 exactly definable connection points 14 be realized whose holding forces due to the adherence of the container lateral surfaces 18 can not be defined only in the desired manner. Also, the connecting points thus produced are 14 In the production process exactly reproducible, so that no excessive security surcharge is required, the unintentional falling apart of the container 10 prevents, on the other hand, however, the manual pulling apart of the container 12 of the container 10 unnecessarily complicate.

The 3 exemplifies a manufacturing process for containers 10 , by means of a device only schematically indicated here 40 from individual containers 12 grouped, manufactured and in a conveying direction 42 be transported to a further processing and / or handling station, not shown here. This can, for example, a palletizing station for stacking and packaging of the container 10 to be in larger sales units. The one of the device 40 eg upstream filling station and / or labeling station coming container 12 be in the device 40 For example, by means of a so-called. Rotating Ausrichtsterns 44 to subordinate rotating and with the alignment star 44 or dividing warp stars which are in supporting engagement with each other 46 in a grouped arrangement 48 brought by means of a horizontal conveyor 50 in the conveying direction 42 to a joining station 52 is transported. The joining station 52 is indicated here only schematically; it ensures the compression of the already grouped arrangement 48 brought container 12 , whereby the connection points 14 (see. 1 ) and the Velcro areas 36 (see. 2 ) of the closure means 16 interact and interlock.

At the alignment star 44 and the pitch lag stars 46 it may in particular be rotating conveying and / or handling devices for liquid or beverage containers, which may, for example, be equipped with gripper tongs, around the PET containers 12 in the neck area, to reach below the upper opening. Such openable and closable gripping tongs allow a fast container transfer tangentially to each other subsequent handling stars 44 and 46 and the transfer to a downstream horizontal conveyor 50 like this in 3 is indicated schematically.

In the production of the grouped arrangement 48 the container 12 in each case at least two containers 12 according to their equipment with information carriers 20 or labels 21 (see. 1 ) are positioned against each other and aligned with each other in a manner that their container lateral surfaces 18 touch at a location or are at a minimum distance from each other, wherein the contacted areas of the container shell surfaces 18 free of information carriers 20 or labels 21 are or with recesses 22 the information carrier 20 coincide, as evidenced by the 1 and 2 was explained. Already before, the in 2 Closer explained in more detail 16 on the container lateral surfaces 18 have been attached, in particular in connection with the stretch blow molding in the manufacture of the container 12 , optionally also afterwards.

Subsequently, in the joining station 52 the contacted areas of the containers 12 the grouping 48 by squeezing the closure means 16 under interlocking hooks and loops (not shown here) of Velcro areas 36 each positively connected with each other. The joining station 52 ensures with suitable handling devices that always two adjacent to each other in the conveying direction 42 on the horizontal conveyor 50 transported containers 12 at their mutually facing and contiguous container lateral surfaces 18 be positively connected with each other.

As mentioned, before the mechanical joining process, the at least two containers 12 to each other the labels 21 as an information carrier 20 on the container lateral surfaces 18 be applied. It is also possible that before the mechanical connection process, the at least two containers 12 to each other at least parts of the container lateral surface 18 under formation of the information carrier 20 be subjected to a direct printing process. To the connection points 14 not to affect, are the labels 21 or information carrier 20 in the area of joints or joints 14 at least partially recessed or have, for example, a perforation.

Since the container size is not limited in principle, initially two containers 12 in the manner described by mechanical joining to produce positive connection points 14 be joined together (cf. 1 ). To such a two-pack 10 can basically any number of other containers 12 be added in the same way, so that larger containers 10 with containers 12 can be formed in a rectangular composite or in a honeycomb composite. Thus, the method may, for example, accordingly 3 Provide a finished 3 × 2 container 54 container couple 10 around container pair 10 increases by several such successive joining processes using the Velcro areas 36 or the closure means 16 on the containers 12 expire. So can the pairs welded containers 10 For example, in groups of three by means of a retaining device 56 dammed, after which further joints between the containers 12 in the conveying direction 42 pushed together pairs of containers or containers of two 10 by means of the joining station 52 can be produced.

The finished container thus formed 10 or the formed 3 × 2 container 54 can then in the conveying direction 42 (in 3 to the right) to a palletizing station or packing station or to a stacking station or the like (not shown).

The orientation of the containers 12 in a container handling and processing device 40 as well as the positioning and / or activation of the joining station 52 for connecting the containers 12 or two-pack 10 with each other, for example, by means of an optical detection device such as. A camera 58 with downstream image evaluation 60 done so that, for example, labeled containers 12 be meaningfully aligned to be welded together without affecting the labels.

The invention has been described with reference to the 1 to 3 illustrated preferred embodiment described. However, it is conceivable for a person skilled in the art that modifications or changes of the method according to the invention or of the container according to the invention 10 and / or the device according to the invention 40 can be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

 Container, two-pack, container pair

12

 Container, plastic container, PET container

14

 Connection point, positive connection point, positive connection

16

 closure means

18

 Tank shell surface

20

 information carrier

21

 Etiquette, banderole

22

 recessed area, recess, surrounding area

24

 waisted area, waisted skirt section, tapered area, tapered skirt section

26

 Floor area, floor space

28

 neck

30

 Closure, container closure, upper closure

32

 Opening, container opening

34

 deepening

36

 Velcro area, area with hooks and / or loops, areal

38

 traction

40

 Device, device for the production of containers, container treatment and processing device

42

 conveying direction

44

 Alignment star, handling star, facilities

46

 Split delay star, handle star, facilities

48

 grouped arrangement, grouping (the container)

50

 Horizontal conveyor, conveyor belt

52

 Joining station, device for joining the containers together

54

 3 × 2 containers

56

 Restraint

58

 camera

60

 image analysis

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 3,369,658 A [0006]
• US 4982858 A [0006]
• US 5002199 A [0006]
• US 6276549 B1 [0006]
• DE 4305340 A1 [0006]
• DE 10324119 A1 [0006]
• DE 102004047830 A1 [0006]
• DE 102009026125 A1 [0006]
• EP 2258625 A2 [0006]
• WO 02/12077 A1 [0006]
• WO 03/072446 A1 [0006]
• DE 7020799 U [0007]
• US 2007/0007227 A1 [0007]
• US 2007/0267378 A1 [0007]
• DE 2419990 A1 [0009]
• US 7198070 B1 [0010]
• US 2008/0209803 A1 [0010]
• DE 102011107265 A1 [0011]
• DE 102011119964 B3 [0011]
• DE 102011119966 B3 [0011]
• DE 102014104643 A1 [0012]
• DE 102014104645 A1 [0012]
• DE 102014104644 A1 [0013]

Claims (15)

Containers ( 10 . 54 ) with at least two containers ( 12 ), which are made in particular of thermoplastic material, and each with corresponding closure means ( 16 ) on their container lateral surfaces ( 18 ) for the formation of releasable form-locking connections ( 14 ) between the respective container shell surfaces ( 18 ) contiguous containers ( 12 ) are equipped. Container according to Claim 1, in which the containers ( 18 ) closure means ( 16 ) in each case by areas ( 36 ) are formed with a plurality of projecting from the container lateral surface flexible loops and / or flexible barbs. Container according to Claim 2, in which the closure means ( 16 ) at least one of the containers ( 12 ) one on the container lateral surface ( 18 ) arranged information carrier ( 20 ) assigned. Container according to Claim 3, in which the information carriers ( 20 ) of the respective containers ( 12 ) Recesses ( 22 ) and / or breakthroughs in the area of the closure means ( 16 ) exhibit. Container according to Claim 3 or 4, in which the information carrier ( 20 ) at least one container ( 12 ) in the region of at least one closure means ( 16 ) is omitted. Container according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the corresponding closure means ( 16 ) reversibly detachable connection or separation points between the respective interconnected containers ( 12 ) form. Container according to one of Claims 1 to 6, in which the information carriers ( 20 ) by labels ( 21 ) are formed. Container according to one of Claims 1 to 6, in which the information carriers ( 20 ) at least partially by acted upon by direct pressure areas of the container shell surfaces ( 18 ) are formed. Method for producing a container ( 10 . 54 ) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least two containers ( 12 ) after being fitted with sealing means ( 16 ) on their container lateral surfaces ( 18 ) are positioned and aligned with each other so that their container shell surfaces ( 18 ) in the area of their respective means of closure ( 16 ) and forming reversible form-locking connections ( 14 ) are adhered to each other and connected. Method according to Claim 9, in which the closure means ( 16 ) by means of a thermal joining process on the container lateral surfaces ( 18 ) are applied. Method according to Claim 9 or 10, in which the closure means ( 16 ) together with information carriers ( 20 ) by means of a thermal joining process on the container lateral surfaces ( 18 ) are applied. Contraption ( 40 ) for the production of containers ( 10 . 54 ) by positively connecting at least two containers ( 12 ), in particular those made of thermoplastic material, in particular for carrying out a method according to one of claims 9 to 11, with means for equipping the at least two containers ( 12 ) with closure means ( 16 ) at their respective container shell surfaces ( 18 ) and with subordinate institutions ( 44 . 46 ) for aligning the containers ( 12 ) and their further transport under contact of the container shell surfaces ( 18 ), the closure means ( 16 ) of the respective containers ( 12 ) through areas ( 36 ) with a plurality of out of the container lateral surface ( 18 ) are formed flexible loops and / or flexible barbs, and with facilities ( 52 ) for joining the containers ( 12 ) while contacting the respective closure means ( 16 ) and with the formation of positive connection points ( 14 ) between the containers ( 12 ). Device according to Claim 12, provided with a device for applying the closure means ( 16 ) together with information carriers ( 20 ) on the container lateral surface ( 18 ) Is provided. Apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the means for applying the closure means ( 16 ) and / or the information carrier ( 20 ) comprises a welding device. Device according to one of Claims 12 to 14, in which the means for aligning the containers ( 12 ) at least one optical detection device or camera ( 58 ) with downstream image evaluation ( 60 ).

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