DE102021117903A1 - Packaging unit, device for producing a packaging unit and method for producing a packaging unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging unit (10), a device (1) and a method for producing packaging units (10). Each packaging unit (10) comprises a plurality of items (11), with at least two items (11) having a first packaging means (15) are combined to form a sub-unit (22), and wherein at least two sub-units (22) are combined with a second packaging means (18) to form the packaging unit (10). Optionally, a partial unit (22) and at least one further article (11) can be combined with a second packaging means (18) to form the packaging unit (10). The first and second packaging means (15, 18) are each made up of packaging blanks (16, 19). formed with passage openings (17, 20) for the articles (11) to be combined via the first packaging blank (16) or the second packaging blank (19). The passage openings (17, 20) of the respective packaging blank (16, 19) correspond to the longitudinal center axes of the articles (11) to be combined. The respective packaging blank (16, 19) is attached to the articles (11) in such a way that the articles (11) partially pass through the passage openings (17, 20) of the respective packaging blank (16, 19) and over the respective packaging blank (16 , 19) are held together.

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging unit, a device for producing a packaging unit and a method for producing a packaging unit according to the features of the independent claims.

There are different types of packaging for the processing, assembly, grouping and packaging of articles such as beverage containers, for example the combination of articles or containers into portable, relatively handy packaging units or packaging units. Various possibilities are known for this, for combining individual articles into larger containers. For example, beverage containers are usually combined and packaged using shrink films to form bundles of four, six or more containers. The production of containers is usually unavoidable, as they represent the most common variant of sales units or packaging units for beverage containers or bottles made of PET plastic. Some of the containers are combined again for transport and/or put together in layers and palletized.

In the production of known types of containers, specific production steps are required in order to be able to process the shrink films that are usually used. These production steps require a relatively large amount of energy. In addition, the film used incurs costs for production, provision, handling and subsequent disposal, since it is no longer required after sale. Finally, the provision of the so-called shrink tunnel, in which the film wrapped around the container is shrunk around the container by means of the application of hot air, also requires a relatively high use of energy and capital.

A variant in which the use of shrink film can generally be dispensed with is the so-called strapped bundle. Here, the containers are combined into a bundle and connected to one another by means of so-called straps. In strapping machines that work continuously or in cycles, containers, articles or bottles are grouped into formations and then strapped with one or more straps using strapping units. Typical formations can be, for example, 1x2 arrangements (two containers in a row), 2x2 arrangements (four containers in a square or in a diamond formation), 3x2, 4x3 or, in principle, also variable nxm arrangements.

Furthermore, the use of so-called upper grip carton packaging is known, for example to combine several bottles via their neck areas. A packaging machine for placing such top grip carton packages is disclosed in the patent EP 1075419 B1 described. In this case, the articles are arranged in a box and the grip box packaging is placed from above onto the at least one article arranged in the box. In particular, a plurality of articles are arranged in the crate and by placing a smaller number of upper grip carton packages, subgroups are formed which each group together a part of the articles arranged in the crate.

The object of the invention consists in facilitating the production of packaging units in which a plurality of articles are combined by means of an upper gripping cardboard packaging.

The above object is achieved by a packaging unit, a device for producing a packaging unit and a method for producing a packaging unit, which comprise the features in the independent patent claims. Further advantageous configurations are described by the dependent claims.

A packaging unit according to the invention comprises a plurality of articles, with at least two articles being combined with a first packaging means to form a sub-unit and with at least two sub-units being combined with a second packaging means to form a packaging unit, or with at least one sub-unit and at least one further article being combined with a second packaging means Packing unit are combined.

The first packaging means and the second packaging means are each formed by a packaging blank. In particular, the packaging blanks are of essentially two-dimensional design, which means in particular that the packaging blank is thin compared to its length and width.

The packaging blanks each have passage openings for the articles combined via the respective first or second packaging blank, which passage openings correspond to the longitudinal center axes of the articles to be combined.

The packaging blanks are each attached to the articles in such a way that the articles partially pass through the passage openings of the respective packaging blank and are thus held together by the respective packaging blank.

The passage openings of the packaging blanks can each have suitable fixing devices, which can be formed by fixing tabs, for example. For example, fixing tabs are formed by incisions or the like that extend radially from the passage openings.

To produce a packaging unit as described above, a plurality of articles are divided into a first article group in a first method step. A first packaging blank is applied to at least some of the articles in the first group of articles, forming a partial unit. Subsequently, to form the packaging unit, at least a second packaging blank is applied to at least some of the items of the partial unit equipped with the first packaging means and to at least one other item.

The further article can be an article which is also part of the first group of articles, but which is not covered by the first packaging means in connection with the formation of the partial unit. Alternatively, the further article can be an additional article which was added to the partial unit in a second classification step.

In particular, the method can be carried out in a device comprising the following modules: the compilation of the first article group takes place in a first dividing module. In a first application module, a first packaging blank is attached to items in the first item group. In a second application module, a second packaging blank is attached to at least one article of the first group of articles to which the first packaging blank has been applied and to at least one other article.

The first application module and the second application module are designed to apply the respective packaging blank to the articles from above in such a way that the articles partially pass through the passage openings of the respective packaging blank and are held together by the respective packaging blank.

The articles to be combined to form packaging units are preferably containers filled with a fluid content, for example bottles or cans, in particular beverage containers. However, the bottles or cans or similar containers can also be filled, for example, with fluid cosmetics such as shampoo or the like.

The respective packaging blank is slipped onto the article from above, so that the articles at least partially pass through the passage openings and, after the respective packaging blank has been attached, are partially above and partially below the packaging blank. If the articles are bottles or cans, then the closure area is preferably arranged above the packaging blanks, while the body filled with a fluid is arranged below the packaging blanks.

After the packaging blanks have been arranged and attached to the articles, they are preferably engaged with the articles in such a way that the packaging blanks are essentially fixed in place on the articles and the articles can no longer make any significant relative movements or changes in position relative to one another or in relation to the packaging blanks. This means that they can only be removed from the articles again with increased expenditure of force with a force component directed downwards or upwards, with the packaging blanks generally being at least partially destroyed.

The concept of applying the respective packaging blank in the direction from above also includes embodiments in which the group of articles is inserted into the packaging blank by moving the articles upwards and in the direction of the respective packaging blank.

The first application device and the second application device are designed in particular to attach the respective packaging blank to articles in such a way that the articles are held clamped in the area of an upper taper within a passage opening of the respective packaging blank. In particular, bottles are clamped below a so-called neck ring and cans below a beaded edge forming the edge of the can.

The packaging blanks can each preferably consist of a paper or cardboard material, a plastic material, a cardboard-plastic composite material or the like. According to one embodiment it is provided that the packaging blanks essentially consist of the same material. Alternatively, it can be provided that the packaging blanks consist of different materials. The terminology of a different material also includes embodiments in which the material is formed from the same material but has a different material thickness.

According to a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the second packaging means in particular has a top side provided with information, in particular the top side of the second packaging means is printed with information about the articles, is equipped with a barcode and/or is equipped with an RFID chip .

If the second packaging means only partially covers the at least one first packaging means, it can be provided that at least the visible areas of the first packaging means are also provided with information. One embodiment can provide that the visible areas of the at least one first packaging means and the upper side of the second packaging means are printed in such a way that a coherent overall picture is created.

According to one embodiment, it can be provided that the at least one sub-unit is equipped with at least one strap, which strap is stretched around the outer lateral surfaces of the articles of the sub-unit.

As an alternative or in addition, the packaging unit can also be equipped with at least one strap, which is stretched around the outwardly facing outer lateral surfaces of the articles in the packaging unit.

A strapping band used for this purpose preferably consists of a paper material or a suitable cardboard material. However, the strap can also be formed from a plastic material, a composite material or a thin metal material.

A first embodiment can provide that some of the items of the first item group are combined with the first packaging means to form a sub-unit and that at least one item of the sub-unit and at least one other item of the item group are combined with the second packaging means to form a packaging unit.

In particular, it can be provided that a partial unit comprising a number of n articles is formed within the article group, with the article group comprising a multiple of n articles. Particularly preferably, several sub-units are formed corresponding to the multiple. The second packaging means is designed and attached to the sub-units in such a way that it is attached to at least one of the articles of each sub-unit and thus holds the sub-units together. The second packaging blank particularly preferably has passage openings for all articles in the article group and is applied to the partial units of the article group in such a way that the second packaging blank essentially covers all the first packaging blanks.

To produce packaging units according to the first embodiment, the first application module is designed to attach at least one first packaging blank to some of the articles in the first group of articles, forming a partial unit. Furthermore, the second application module is designed to attach the second packaging blank to articles of the first group of articles, which articles are formed by at least one article of a partial unit and at least one further article of the first group of articles.

A second embodiment can provide that within a first group of articles, several partial units are formed by applying several first packaging blanks to a part of the articles in the first group of articles and that the second packaging blank acts on at least one article of the multiple partial units and thus the multiple partial units as a packaging unit summarizes.

For example, an arrangement of six bottles is formed as the first group of articles, in which the bottles are arranged in two parallel rows of three. The respective adjacent bottles of the two rows of three are combined by a first packaging blank with two corresponding passage openings to form a first partial unit. A second packaging blank with six passage openings is then applied to the three sub-units and the packaging unit is thus formed.

A third embodiment can provide that the articles of the first group of articles are combined with the first packaging means to form a sub-unit, that at least two sub-units are combined to form a second group of articles and that the at least two sub-units are combined with a second packaging means to form a packaging unit.

A fourth embodiment can provide that the articles of the first group of articles are combined with the first packaging means to form a partial unit and that at least one partial unit and at least one other article are combined to form a second article group and are combined with the second packaging means to form a packaging unit.

A device suitable for this includes in particular a first application module which is designed to attach the first packaging blank to the article of the first article group.

A second dividing module is also provided in order to compile a second group of articles. The second article group comprises at least two first sub-units or at least one sub-unit and at least one further article.

The second application module is designed to attach the second packaging blank to items in the second item group in order to form the packaging unit. The second packaging blank is attached to at least one item of the at least two sub-units or to at least one item of the at least one sub-unit and the at least one other item of the second item group.

It can optionally be provided that the device comprises at least one strapping module. For example, the device can include a first strapping module, which first strapping module is designed to combine the articles of the first group of articles by at least one strap, the strapping being placed under tension around the outer lateral surfaces of the articles of the first group of articles and fixed.

Alternatively or additionally, the device can comprise a second strapping module, which second strapping module is designed to combine the articles of the second group of articles by at least one strapping band, which strapping band is placed and fixed under tension around the outer lateral surfaces of the articles of the second group of articles.

Provision can be made here for the articles of an article group forming a subunit to be combined with a strap before or after or at the same time as the attachment of the first packaging means to form the subunit.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the articles forming a packaging unit are combined with a strapping band before or after or at the same time as the attachment of the second packaging means to form the packaging unit.

Provision can furthermore be made for at least the second packaging blank to have carrying means which make it easier for the consumer to handle the packaging units. For example, both the first packaging means and the second packaging means have access holes, with at least one access hole of a first packaging means and an access hole of a second packaging means being arranged one above the other so that a carrying opening is formed through which the user can insert at least one finger and thus the packaging unit can capture for wearing.

According to a preferred embodiment, several packaging blanks are applied in at least two application modules arranged one after the other and, if necessary, one or more strapping processes are carried out in order to produce packaging units in which several partial units and/or articles are combined to form a larger packaging unit.

The stability of the packaging units produced can be increased by using two different packaging blanks. An advantage of the multi-stage method described here is that the first packaging blank used and the second packaging blank can each be made from a thinner material than conventionally known upper grip carton packaging, with the stability of the packaging unit not suffering as a result.

When using packaging blanks made of a thinner material, the application forces for applying and attaching the packaging blanks to the articles can be reduced. This makes it possible to use articles that have a thinner wall thickness without damaging them when the packaging blanks are applied by the force component directed downwards.

It should be expressly mentioned at this point that all aspects and design variants that have been explained in connection with the device according to the invention equally relate to or can be partial aspects of the method according to the invention. Therefore, if certain aspects and/or connections and/or effects are mentioned at one point in the description or also in the definition of claims for the device according to the invention, this applies equally to the method according to the invention. The same applies in reverse, so that all aspects and design variants that have been explained in connection with the method according to the invention equally relate to or can be partial aspects of the device according to the invention. Therefore, if at a point in the description or in the claim definitions for the method of the invention If certain aspects and/or connections and/or effects are discussed, this applies equally to the device according to the invention.

• 1 zeigt eine erste Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung und eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zur Herstellung von Verpackungseinheiten.
• 2 zeigt eine zweite Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung und eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zur Herstellung von Verpackungseinheiten.
• 3 zeigt eine dritte Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung und eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zur Herstellung von Verpackungseinheiten.
• 4 zeigt eine vierte Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung und eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zur Herstellung von Verpackungseinheiten.
• 5 zeigt eine weitere Form bzw. Ausführungsvariante einer erfindungsgemäßen Verpackungseinheit.

In the following, exemplary embodiments are intended to explain the invention and its advantages in more detail with reference to the attached figures. The proportions of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the real proportions, since some forms are shown in simplified form and other forms are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

• 1 shows a first embodiment of a device according to the invention and a method according to the invention for the production of packaging units.
• 2 shows a second embodiment of a device according to the invention and a method according to the invention for the production of packaging units.
• 3 shows a third embodiment of a device according to the invention and a method according to the invention for the production of packaging units.
• 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a device according to the invention and a method according to the invention for the production of packaging units.
• 5 shows a further form or variant of a packaging unit according to the invention.

Identical reference symbols are used for elements of the invention that are the same or have the same effect. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures that are necessary for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments only represent examples of how the device according to the invention or the method according to the invention can be designed and do not represent any final limitation.

The schematic top view of the 1 shows a first embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention and a method according to the invention for the production of packaging units 10. Articles 11 are fed to a first dividing module 3 via a feeding transport device 2.

The articles 2 are preferably containers filled with a fluid content, in particular beverage containers, for example bottles 12 or cans. However, the bottles 12 or cans or similar containers can also be filled, for example, with fluid cosmetics such as shampoo or the like.

First item groups 13 are formed in the first divider module 3, which in particular include the number of items 11 that are subsequently combined in the packaging unit 10 to be created. In the present exemplary embodiment, six articles 11 are arranged in two parallel rows of three.

In a first application module 4 downstream of the articles 11 in the transport direction TR, first packaging means 15 are applied to the articles 11 of the article group 13 .

The first packaging means 15 are formed in particular by first packaging blanks 16, which are essentially flat and have two passage openings 17 for two articles 11 each. In particular, the passage openings 17 of the first packaging blank 16 correspond to the longitudinal central axes of the two articles 11 on which the first packaging blank 16 is subsequently arranged.

According to a preferred embodiment that is not shown, the passage openings 17 of the first packaging blank 16 can have suitable fixing devices, which can be formed by fixing tabs, for example. For example, fixing tabs are formed by incisions or the like that extend radially from the passage openings 17 .

In particular, three first packaging blanks 16 are arranged on the six articles 11 arranged in two rows of three in such a way that the respective adjacent articles 11 of the two rows of three are combined by a first packaging blank 16 . In particular, three sub-units 22 are thus formed, with each sub-unit 22 comprising two articles 11 combined via a first packaging blank 16 .

In particular, the first packaging blank 16 can be placed from above onto two adjacent articles 11 of the article group 13, with the articles 11 at least partially passing through the passage openings 17, so that after the first packaging blanks 13 have been attached to the articles 11 partially above and partially below the first packaging blanks 16 are located. If the articles 11 are bottles 12 or cans, the closure area is preferably arranged above the first packaging blanks 16 , while the body of the articles 11 filled with a fluid is arranged below the first packaging blanks 16 .

After the first packaging blank 16 has been arranged and fastened to the articles 11, it is preferably engaged with the articles 11 in such a way that the first packaging blank 16 is essentially fixed in place on the articles 11 and the articles 11 do not make any significant relative movements or changes in position relative to one another or opposite one another can do more with the first packaging blank 16.

Thus, the first packaging blank 16 can only be removed from the articles 11 of the respective partial unit 22 again with increased expenditure of force with a force component directed downwards or upwards, with the first packaging blank 16 usually being at least partially destroyed.

The first packaging blanks 16 are provided, for example, in a magazine 5 assigned to the first application module 4 and removed via suitable removal devices, for example a vacuum suction device or the like. The packaging blanks 16 are arranged centered above the articles 11 in such a way that the longitudinal axes of the articles 11 are aligned with the centers of the passage openings 17 .

Subsequently, in a second application module 7 , a second packaging means 18 designed as a second packaging blank 19 is arranged on the three partial units 22 of the first article group 13 in order to form a packaging unit 10 . The second packaging blank 19 is provided in particular in a magazine 8 assigned to the second application module 7 . The second packaging blank 19 has six passage openings 20 which are designed and arranged to correspond to the longitudinal center axes of the six articles 11 of the article group 13 .

The second packaging blank 19 and the first packaging blank 16 described above can each preferably consist of a paper or cardboard material, a plastic material, a cardboard-plastic composite material or the like. According to one embodiment it is provided that the first packaging means 15 and the second packaging means 18 essentially consist of the same material. Alternatively it can be provided that the first packaging means 15 and the second packaging means 18 consist of different materials. The terminology of a different material also includes embodiments in which the material is formed from the same material but has a different material thickness.

The first application module 4 and the second application module 7 are designed, in particular, to attach or apply the respective packaging blank 16, 19 to the articles 11, coming from above, in such a way that the articles 11 partially pass through the passage openings 17, 20 of the respective packaging blank 16, 19 pass through and are held together by the respective packaging blank 16, 19.

The concept of applying the first packaging means 16 or the second packaging means 19 in the direction from above also includes embodiments in which the insertion of the article group 13 into the first packaging means 16 or the second packaging means 19 by means of an upward and in the direction of the respective packaging means 16, 19 directed movement of the respective article group 13 takes place.

The first application module 4 and the second application module 7 are designed, in particular, to attach the first packaging means 15 and the second packaging means 18 to articles 11 of article group 13 in such a way that the articles 11 are each clamped in the area of an upper taper within a Passage opening 17 or 20 of the respective packaging means 15 or 18 are held. In particular, bottles 12 are clamped below a so-called neck ring and cans below a beaded edge forming the edge of the can.

Optionally, a strapping module 9 can subsequently be provided, which stretches a strap around the outwardly facing outer lateral surfaces of the articles 11 of the packaging unit 10 and thus additionally holds them together. The strapping band 31 preferably consists of a paper material or a suitable cardboard material. However, the strapping band 31 can also be formed from a plastic material, a composite material or a thin metal material.

The packaging units 10 can subsequently be fed to further handling modules 30, for example a tray module or tray forming or processing module, in which several packaging units 10 are arranged on a tray and thus combined to form larger sales units. The multiple packaging units 10 arranged on a tray can then be wrapped, for example, with a shrink film and arranged on a pallet for storage and/or transport to the customer.

The schematic top view of the 2 shows a second embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention and a method according to the invention for producing packaging units ten 10. In terms of already associated with 1 used reference signs, reference is made to the above description.

In the embodiment shown here, article groups 13 in the form of so-called four-part arrangements of two times two articles 11 are formed in the first divider module 3 from the articles 11 fed via the feeding transport device 2 . These article groups 13 can be combined into a strapped article group 13u in an optionally present first strapping module 9-1 by a first strap 31-1 stretched around the outwardly directed outer lateral surfaces of the articles 11 of the article group 13.

A first packaging blank 16 is applied to the strapped article groups 13u in a first application module 4, which first packaging blank 16 provides four passage openings 17 for the four articles 11 of the strapped article group 13u. The sub-units 22 thus formed are fed to a second dividing module 6 in which two sub-units 22 are combined as a second article group 14 .

In a second application module 7, the eight articles 11 of the second article group 14 are additionally combined into a packaging unit 10 via a second packaging blank 19. The second packaging blank 19 has in particular eight correspondingly arranged passage openings 20 for the eight items 11 of the second item group 11 .

Furthermore, a second strapping module 9-2 can optionally be provided, in which a second strap 31-2 is stretched around the outwardly facing outer lateral surfaces of the eight articles 11 of the packaging unit 10 in order to additionally stabilize the packaging unit 10.

Optionally, the arrangement of the first strapping module 9-1 and the first application module 4 and/or the arrangement of the second strapping module 9-2 and the second application module 7 can also be reversed. For example, the first group of articles 13 can first be combined into a part unit 22 via a first packaging blank 16 and then strapped before the second groups of articles 14 are formed.

At the in the 1 and 2 In the illustrated exemplary embodiments, a number n of articles 11 of the packaging unit 10 is combined via the first packaging means 15 to form a partial unit 22, with the packaging unit 10 comprising a multiple of n articles 11 and thus a multiple of partial units 22.

According to 1 each sub-unit 22 comprises two articles 11 and three sub-units 22 are combined via the second packaging means 18 to form a packaging unit 10 comprising six articles 11 .

According to 1 each partial unit 22 includes four articles 11 and two partial units 22 are combined via the second packaging means 18 to form a packaging unit 10 comprising eight articles 11 .

The schematic top view of the 3 shows a third embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention and a method according to the invention for the production of packaging units 10. In this case, two articles 11 are put together in the first divider module 3 to form a first group of articles 13 and are combined in the first application module 4 by means of a first packaging blank 16 to form a partial unit 22. A further article 11 is then assigned to the partial unit 22 in a second dividing module 6 and a second article group 14 is thus formed. The second group of articles 14 thus comprises three articles 11, two of the articles 11 already being combined with a first packaging blank 16.

A second packaging blank 19 is applied to this second article group 14 to form the packaging unit 10 in a second application module 7 following in the transport direction TR, which is preferably triangular in design corresponding to the arrangement of the articles 11 in the article group 14 .

The schematic top view of the 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention and a method according to the invention for the production of packaging units 10 .

The first application module 4 is designed to fasten a first packaging blank 16 to a part of the articles 11 of the first article group 13, in particular to two articles 11 of the first article group 13, forming a partial unit 22. For this purpose, the first packaging blank 16 has two passage openings 17 for two correspondingly arranged article 11.

Furthermore, the second application module 7 arranged below in the transport direction TR is designed to section 19 to be attached to articles 11 of the first group of articles 13, which articles 11 are formed by at least one article 11 of the first partial unit 22 and at least one further article 11 of the first group of articles 13. In particular, the second packaging blank 19 according to the exemplary embodiment shown has three average openings 20 for the three items 11 of the first item group 13 or for the items 11 of the first partial unit 22 and the further item 11 of the first item group 13 .

The schematic top view of the 5 shows another form of a packaging unit 10. In this case, six items 11 are arranged in two rows of three. The three articles 11 of each row of three are each combined into a partial unit 22 via a first packaging blank 16 . Furthermore, the central articles 11m of the two partial units 22 are connected to one another by a second packaging blank 19 applied above the first packaging blanks 16, as a result of which the packaging units 10 are formed.

Furthermore, in all of the embodiments described here, provision can be made for the second packaging means 18 in particular to have an upper side provided with information, in particular with the upper side of the second packaging means 18 being printed with information about the articles 11, equipped with a barcode and/or with a equipped with an RFID chip.

If the second packaging means 18 only partially covers the at least one first packaging means 15, as is the case, for example, in the embodiment according to FIG 5 is shown, it can be provided that at least the visible areas of the first packaging means 15 are also provided with information. One embodiment can provide that the visible areas of the at least one first packaging means 15 and the upper side of the second packaging means 18 are printed in such a way that an overall picture is created.

By using two different packaging blanks 16 and 19, the stability of the packaging units 10 produced can be increased. An advantage of the multi-stage method described here is that the first packaging blank 16 and the second packaging blank 19 used can each be made from a thinner material than conventionally known upper grip carton packaging, the stability of the packaging unit 10 not suffering as a result.

When using packaging blanks 16, 19 made of a relatively thin material, the application forces for applying and attaching the packaging blanks 16, 19 to the articles 11 can be reduced. This makes it possible to use articles 11 that have a thinner wall thickness without damaging them when the packaging blanks 16, 19 are applied by the force component directed downwards.

The embodiments, examples and variants of the preceding paragraphs, the claims or the following description and figures, including their different views or respective individual features, can be used independently of one another or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless the features are incompatible.

Although in the context of the previous description of the figures “schematic” representations and views are generally spoken of, this in no way means that the representations of the figures and their description are to be of secondary importance with regard to the disclosure of the invention. The person skilled in the art is quite capable of extracting enough information from the diagrammatic and abstractly drawn illustrations to make it easier for him to understand the invention, without having to look at the drawn and possibly not exactly true-to-scale proportions of the articles 11, the packaging blanks 16, 19 and/or parts of the device 1 or other drawn elements would be impaired in any way in his understanding. The figures thus enable the person skilled in the art as a reader to derive a better understanding of the inventive concept formulated more generally and/or more abstractly in the claims and in the general part of the description on the basis of the more specifically explained implementations of the method according to the invention and the more specifically explained mode of operation of the device according to the invention.

reference list

1

contraption

2

feeding transport device

3

first division module

4

first application module

5

Magazine for the first packaging blanks

6

second divider module

7

second application module

8th

Magazine for second packaging blanks

9

strapping module

9-1

first strapping module

9-2

second strapping module

10

Packaging Unit

11

Article

11m

middle article

12

Bottle

13

first item group

13u

strapped item group

14

second group of items

15

first packaging

16

first packaging blank

17

passage openings

18

second packaging material

19

second packaging blank

20

passage openings

22

part unit

30

handling module

31

strapping

31-1

first strap

31-2

second strap

TR

transport direction

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents cited by the applicant was 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.

Patent Literature Cited

• EP 1075419 B1 [0005]

Claims (15)

Packaging unit (10) comprising a plurality of articles (11), wherein at least two articles (11) are combined with a first packaging means (15) to form a partial unit (22) and wherein at least two sub-units (22) are combined with a second packaging means (18) to form the packaging unit (10), or wherein at least one partial unit (22) and at least one further article (11) are combined with a second packaging means (18) to form the packaging unit (10), wherein the first packaging means (15) and the second packaging means (18) are each formed by a packaging blank (16, 19), which packaging blank (16, 19) comprises passage openings (17, 20) for the articles (11) combined via the first packaging blank (16) or the second packaging blank (19), wherein the passage openings (17, 20) of the respective packaging blank (16, 19) correspond to the longitudinal center axes of the articles (11) to be combined, and wherein the respective packaging blank (16, 19) is attached to the articles (11) in such a way that the articles ( 11) pass partially through the passage openings (17, 20) of the respective packaging blank (16, 19) and are held together by the respective packaging blank (16, 19). Packing unit (10) according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one sub-unit (22) is equipped with at least one strap (31), which strap (31) is stretched around the outer lateral surfaces of the articles (11) of the sub-unit (22). Packing unit (10) according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the packaging unit (10) is also equipped with at least one strap (31), which strap (31) is stretched around the outwardly facing outer lateral surfaces of the articles (11) of the packaging unit (10). Packaging unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second packaging means (18) has an upper side equipped with information, in particular wherein the upper side of the second packaging means (18) is printed, is equipped with a barcode and/or with an RFID chip Is provided. Packaging unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first packaging means (15) and the second packaging means (18) consist essentially of the same material or wherein the first packaging means (15) and the second packaging means (18) each consist of different materials . Device (1) for producing a packaging unit (10) comprising a plurality of articles (11), the device (1) comprising at least one first dividing module (3) for assembling a first article group (13), at least one first application module (4) for attaching a first packaging blank (16) to articles (11) of the first article group (13) and at least one second application module (7) for attaching a second packaging blank (19) to at least one with the first packaging blank ( 16) loaded article (11) of the first article group (13) and at least one further article (11), which first packaging blank (16) and which second packaging blank (19) each have passage openings (17, 20) for the articles (11) combined via the first or second packaging blank (16, 19), wherein the passage openings (17, 20) of the respective packaging blank (16, 19) correspond to the longitudinal center axes of the articles (11), which first application module (4) and which second application module (7) are designed to apply the respective packaging blank (16, 19) to the articles (11) from above in such a way that the articles (11) partially pass through the passage openings (17, 20 ) of the respective packaging blank (16, 19) pass through and are held together by the respective packaging blank (16, 19). Device (1) after claim 6 , wherein the first application module (4) is designed to attach at least a first packaging blank (16) to form a first part unit (22) on a part of the articles (11) of the first article group (13), and wherein the second application module ( 7) is designed to attach the second packaging blank (19) to articles (11) of the first group of articles (13), which articles (11) are replaced by at least one article (11) of the partial unit (22) and at least one further article (11 ) of the first item group (13). Device (1) after claim 6 , wherein the first application module (4) is designed to attach the first packaging blank (16) to the article (11) of the first article group (13), the device (1) comprising a second dividing module (6), which second dividing module (6) is designed to put together at least one second group of articles (14), which second group of articles (14) at least two comprises partial units (22) or which second article group (14) comprises at least one partial unit (22) and at least one further article (11), and wherein the second application module (7) is designed to apply the second packaging blank (19) to articles (11 ) of the second group of articles (14), which articles (11) are formed by at least one article (11) of the at least two partial units (22) of the second group of articles (14) or which articles (11) are formed by at least one article (11) the at least one partial unit (22) and the at least one further article (11) of the second article group (14) are formed. Device (1) according to one of Claims 6 until 8th , wherein the device (1) comprises at least one strapping module (9), which strapping module (9-1) is designed to combine the articles (11) of the first article group (13) by at least one strap (31), which strap (31 ) is placed and fixed under tension around the outer lateral surfaces of the articles (11) of the first article group (13). Device (1) after claim 8 or 9 , wherein the device (1) comprises at least one strapping module (9-2), which strapping module (9-2) is designed to combine the articles (11) of the second article group by at least one strap (31), which strap (31) placed and fixed under tension around the outer lateral surfaces of the articles (11) of the second article group (14). Method for producing a packaging unit (10) comprising a plurality of articles (11), the method comprising the following steps: • dividing a plurality of articles (11) into a first article group (13), • applying at least one first packaging means (15) designed as a packaging blank (16) to at least some of the items (11) of the first item group (13) and • applying at least one second packaging means (18) designed as a packaging blank (19) to at least part of the articles (11) equipped with the first packaging means (15) and to at least one further article (11), • wherein the first packaging blank (16) and the second packaging blank (19) each comprise passage openings (17, 20) for the articles (11) to be combined in each case, • wherein the passage openings (17, 20) of the respective packaging blank (16, 19) correspond to the longitudinal center axes of the articles (11) and • the respective packaging blank being attached to the articles (11) in such a way that the articles (11) partially pass through the passage openings (17, 20) of the respective packaging blank (16, 19) and are held together by the respective packaging blank (16, 19). will. procedure after claim 11 , wherein some of the articles (11) of the first group of articles (13) are combined with the first packaging means (15) to form a partial unit (22), and wherein at least one article (11) of the partial unit (22) and at least one further article (11 ) of the group of articles are combined with the second packaging means (18) to form the packaging unit (10), in particular wherein the partial unit (22) comprises a number of n articles (11) and wherein the group of articles comprises a multiple of n articles (11). procedure after claim 11 , wherein the articles (11) of the first article group (13) are combined with the first packaging means (15) to form a partial unit (22) and wherein at least two partial units (22) are combined with a second packaging means (18) to form the packaging unit (10). , or wherein at least one partial unit (22) and at least one further article (11) are combined with a second packaging means (18) to form the packaging unit (10). procedure after claim 12 or 13 , wherein the articles (11) forming a sub-unit (22) of a first article group (13) are combined with a strapping band (31) before or after or in the context of the attachment of the first packaging means (15) to form the sub-unit (22). . Procedure according to one of Claims 11 until 14 , wherein the articles (11) forming a packaging unit (10) are combined with a strapping band (31) before or after or in connection with the attachment of the second packaging means (18) to form the packaging unit (10).

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